Hewaschop-fallenalwaysafterthis，andgotnegligentinhisperson。Theimpressionmusthavebeenadeepone；foritwasobserved，that，whenhecamedownagain，hismoustacheandwhiskershadturnedvisiblywhiteabouttheroots。Inshort，itdisgracedhim，andrenderedstillmoreconspicuousatendencytodrinking，ofwhichhehadbeenforsometimesuspected。This，andthedisgustwhichayoungladynaturallyfeelsathearingthatherloverhasbeen\"lickedbyafellahnothalfhissize，\"inducedthelandlady’sdaughtertotakethatdecidedstepwhichproducedachangeintheprogrammeofhercareerImayhereafteralludeto。
Ineverthoughthewouldcometogood，whenIheardhimattemptingtosneeratanunoffendingcitysorespectableasBoston。AfteramanbeginstoattacktheState-House，whenhegetsbitterabouttheFrog-Pond，youmaybesurethereisnotmuchleftofhim。PoorEdgarPoediedinthehospitalsoonafterhegotintothiswayoftalking；andsosureasyoufindanunfortunatefellowreducedtothispass，youhadbetterbeginprayingforhim，andstoplendinghimmoney，forheisonhislastlegs。RememberpoorEdgar！Heisdeadandgone；buttheState-Househasitscupolafresh-gilded，andtheFrog-Pondhasgotafountainthatsquirtsupahundredfeetintotheairandglorifiesthathumblesheetwithafinedisplayofprovincialrainbows——
Icannotfulfilmypromiseinthisnumber。Iexpectedtogratifyyourcuriosity，ifyouhavebecomeatallinterestedinthesepuzzles，doubts，fancies，whims，orwhateveryouchoosetocallthem，ofmine。Nextmonthyoushallhearallaboutit——
Itwasevening，andIwasgoingtothesick-chamber。AsIpausedatthedoorbeforeentering，Iheardasweetvoicesinging。ItwasnotthewildmelodyIhadsometimesheardatmidnight:——no，thiswasthevoiceofIris，andIcoulddistinguisheveryword。Ihadseentheversesinherbook；themelodywasnewtome。Letmefinishmypagewiththem。
HYMNOFTRUST。
OLoveDivine，thatstoopedtoshareOursharpestpang，ourbitteresttear，OnTheewecasteachearthborncare，WesmileatpainwhileThouartnear！
Thoughlongthewearywaywetread，Andsorrowcrowneachlingeringyear，Nopathweshun，nodarknessdread，Ourheartsstillwhispering，Thouartnear！
Whendroopingpleasureturnstogrief，Andtremblingfaithischangedtofear，Themurmuringwind，thequiveringleafShallsoftlytellus，Thouartnear！
OnTheeweflingourburdeningwoe，OLoveDivine，foreverdear，Contenttosuffer，whileweknow，Livinganddying，Thouartnear！
XII
Ayoungfellow，bornofgoodstock，inoneofthemorethoroughlycivilizedportionsoftheseUnitedStatesofAmerica，bredingoodprinciples，inheritingasocialpositionwhichmakeshimathiseaseeverywhere，meanssufficienttoeducatehimthoroughlywithouttakingawaythestimulustovigorousexertion，andwithagoodopeninginsomehonorablepathoflabor，isthefinestsightourprivatesatellitehashadtheopportunityofinspectingontheplanettowhichshebelongs。InsomerespectsitwasbettertobeayoungGreek。Ifwemaytrusttheoldmarbles，myfriendwithhisarmstretchedovermyhead，abovethere，inplasterofParis，orthediscobolus，whomonemayseeattheprincipalsculpturegalleryofthismetropolis，——thoseGreekyoungmenwereofsupremebeauty。
Theirclosecurls，theirelegantlysetheads，column-likenecks，straightnoses，short，curledlips，firmchins，deepchests，lightflanks，largemuscles，smalljoints，werefinerthananythingweeversee。Itmaywellbequestionedwhetherthehumanshapewilleverpresentitselfagaininaraceofsuchperfectsymmetry。ButthelifeoftheyouthfulGreekwaslocal，notplanetary，likethatoftheyoungAmerican。Hehadastringoflegends，inplaceofourGospels。Hehadnoprintedbooks，nonewspaper，nosteamcaravans，noforks，nosoap，noneofthethousandcheapconvenienceswhichhavebecomemattersofnecessitytoourmoderncivilization。Aboveallthings，ifheaspiredtoknowaswellastoenjoy，hefoundknowledgenotdiffusedeverywhereabouthim，sothataday’slaborwouldbuyhimmorewisdomthanayearcouldmaster，butheldinprivatehands，hoardedinpreciousmanuscripts，tobesoughtforonlyasgoldissoughtinnarrowfissures，andinthebedsofbrawlingstreams。Never，sincemancameintothisatmosphereofoxygenandazote，wasthereanythingliketheconditionoftheyoungAmericanofthenineteenthcentury。Havinginpossessionorinprospectthebestpartofhalfaworld，withallitsclimatesandsoilstochoosefrom；equippedwithwingsoffireandsmokethanflywithhimdayandnight，sothathecountshisjourneynotinmiles，butindegrees，andseestheseasonschangeasthewildfowlseestheminhisannualflights；withhugeleviathansalwaysreadytotakehimontheirbroadbacksandpushbehindthemwiththeirpectoralorcaudalfinsthewatersthatseamthecontinentorseparatethehemispheres；heirofalloldcivilizations，founderofthatnewonewhich，ifallthepropheciesofthehumanheartarenotlies，istobethenoblest，asitisthelast；isolatedinspacefromtheracesthataregovernedbydynastieswhosedivinerightgrowsoutofhumanwrong，yetknitintothemostabsolutesolidaritywithmankindofalltimesandplacesbytheonegreatthoughtheinheritsashisnationalbirthright；freetoformandexpresshisopinionsonalmosteverysubject，andassuredthathewillsoonacquirethelastfranchisewhichmenwithholdfromman，——thatofstatingthelawsofhisspiritualbeingandthebeliefsheacceptswithouthindranceexceptfromclearerviewsoftruth，——heseemstowantnothingforalarge，wholesome，noble，beneficentlife。Infact，thechiefdangeristhathewillthinkthewholeplanetismadeforhim，andforgetthattherearesomepossibilitiesleftinthedebrisoftheold-worldcivilizationwhichdeserveacertainrespectfulconsiderationathishands。
Thecombingandclippingofthisshaggywildcontinentareinsomemeasuredoneforhimbythosewhohavegonebefore。Societyhassubdivideditselfenoughtohaveaplaceforeveryformoftalent。
Thus，ifamanshowtheleastsignofabilityasasculptororapainter，forinstance，hefindsthemeansofeducationandademandforhisservices。Evenamanwhoknowsnothingbutsciencewillbeprovidedfor，ifhedoesnotthinkitnecessarytohangabouthisbirthplaceallhisdays，——whichisamostunAmericanweakness。Theapron-stringsofanAmericanmotheraremadeofIndia-rubber。Herboybelongswhereheiswanted；andthatyoungMarylanderofoursspokeforallouryoungmen，whenhesaidthathishomewaswhereverthestarsandstripesblewoverhishead。
Andthatleadsmetosayafewwordsofthisyounggentleman，whomadethataudaciousmovementlatelywhichIchronicledinmylastrecord，——jumpingovertheseatsofIdon’tknowhowmanyboarderstoputhimselfintheplacewhichtheLittleGentleman’sabsencehadleftvacantatthesideofIris。Whenayoungmanisfoundhabituallyatthesideofanyonegivenyounglady，——whenhelingerswhereshestays，andhastenswhensheleaves，——whenhiseyesfollowherasshemovesandrestuponherwhensheisstill，——whenhebeginstogrowalittletimid，hewhowassobold，andalittlepensive，hewhowassogay，wheneveraccidentfindsthemalone，——
whenhethinksveryoftenofthegivenyounglady，andnamesherveryseldom，——
Whatdoyousayaboutit，mycharmingyoungexpertinthatsweetscienceinwhich，perhaps，alongexperienceisnotthefirstofqualifications？——
Butwedon’tknowanythingaboutthisyoungman，exceptthatheisgood-looking，andsomewhathigh-spirited，andstrong-limbed，andhasagenerousstyleofnature，——allverypromising，butbynomeansprovingthatheisaproperloverforIris，whoseheartweturnedinsideoutwhenweopenedthatsealedbookofhers。
Ah，mydearyoungfriend！Whenyourmammathen，ifyouwillbelieveit，averyslightyounglady，withveryprettyhairandfigure——cameandtoldhermammathatyourpapahad——had——askedNo，no，no！shecouldn’tsayit；buthermother——ohthedepthofmaternalsagacity！——
guesseditallwithoutanotherword！——Whenyourmother，Isay，cameandtoldhermothershewasengaged，andyourgrandmothertoldyourgrandfather，howmuchdidtheyknowoftheintimatenatureoftheyounggentlemantowhomshehadpledgedherexistence？Iwillnotbesohardastoaskhowmuchyourrespectedmammaknewatthattimeoftheintimatenatureofyourrespectedpapa，though，ifweshouldcompareayounggirl’sman-as-she-thinks-himwithaforty-
summeredmatron’sman-as-she-finds-him，Ihavemydoubtsastowhetherthesecondwouldbeafacsimileofthefirstinmostcases。
Theideathatinthisworldeachyoungpersonistowaituntilheorshefindsthatprecisecounterpartwhoaloneofallcreationwasmeantforhimorher，andthenfallinstantlyinlovewithit，isprettyenough，onlyitisnotNature’sway。Itisnotatallessentialthatallpairsofhumanbeingsshouldbe，aswesometimessayofparticularcouples，\"bornforeachother。\"Sometimesamanorawomanismadeagreatdealbetterandhappierintheendforhavinghadtoconquerthefaultsoftheonebeloved，andmakethefitnessnotfoundatfirst，bygradualassimilation。Thereisaclassofgoodwomenwhohavenorighttomarryperfectlygoodmen，becausetheyhavethepowerofsavingthosewhowouldgotoruinbutfortheguidingprovidenceofagoodwife。Ihaveknownmanysuchcases。Itisthemostmomentousquestionawomanisevercalledupontodecide，whetherthefaultsofthemanshelovesarebeyondremedyandwilldragherdown，orwhethersheiscompetenttobehisearthlyredeemerandlifthimtoherownlevel。
Apersonofgeniusshouldmarryapersonofcharacter。Geniusdoesnotherdwithgenius。Themusk-deerandthecivet-catareneverfoundincompany。Theydon’tcareforstrangescents，——theylikeplainanimalsbetterthanperfumedones。Nay，ifyouwillhavethekindnesstonotice，Naturehasnotgiftedmyladymusk-deerwiththepersonalpeculiaritybywhichherlordissowidelyknown。
Nowwhengeniusalliesitselfwithcharacter，theworldisveryapttothinkcharacterhasthebestofthebargain。Abrilliantwomanmarriesaplain，manlyfellow，withasimpleintellectualmechanism；——wehaveallseensuchcases。Theworldoftenstaresagooddealandwonders。Sheshouldhavetakenthatother，withafarmorecomplexmentalmachinery。Shemighthavehadawatchwiththephilosophicalcompensation-balance，withthemetaphysicalindexwhichcansplitasecondintotenths，withthemusicalchimewhichcanturneveryquarterofanhourintomelody。Shehaschosenaplainone，thatkeepsgoodtime，andthatisall。
Letheralone！Sheknowswhatsheisabout。Geniushasaninfinitelydeeperreverenceforcharacterthancharactercanhaveforgenius。Tobesure，geniusgetstheworld’spraise，becauseitsworkisatangibleproduct，tobebought，orhadfornothing。Itbribesthecommonvoicetopraiseitbypresentsofspeeches，poems，statues，pictures，orwhateveritcanpleasewith。Characterevolvesitsbestproductsforhomeconsumption；but，mindyou，ittakesadealmoretofeedafamilyforthirtyyearsthantomakeaholidayfeastforourneighborsonceortwiceinourlives。Youtalkofthefireofgenius。Manyablessedwoman，whodiesunsungandunremembered，hasgivenoutmoreoftherealvitalheatthatkeepsthelifeinhumansouls，withoutasparkflittingthroughherhumblechimneytotelltheworldaboutit，thanwouldsetadozentheoriessmoking，orahundredodessimmering，inthebrainsofsomanymenofgenius。Itisinlatentcaloric，ifImayborrowaphilosophicalexpression，thatmanyofthenoblestheartsgiveoutthelifethatwarmsthem。Cornelia’slipsgrowwhite，andherpulsehardlywarmsherthinfingers，——butshehasmeltedalltheiceoutoftheheartsofthoseyoungGracchi，andherlostheatisinthebloodofheryouthfulheroes。Wearealwaysvaluingthesoul’stemperaturebythethermometerofpublicdeedorword。Yetthegreatsunhimself，whenhepourshisnoondaybeamsuponsomevasthyalineboulder，rentfromtheeternalice-quarries，andfloatingtowardthetropics，neverwarmsitafractionabovethethirty-twodegreesofFahrenheitthatmarkedthemomentwhenthefirstdroptrickleddownitsside。
Howwealllikethespirtingupofafountain，seeminglyagainstthelawthatmakeswatereverywhereslide，roll，leap，tumbleheadlong，togetaslowastheearthwillletit！Thatisgenius。Butwhatisthistransientupwardmovement，whichgivesustheglitterandtherainbow，tothatunsleeping，all-presentforceofgravity，thesameyesterday，to-day，andforever，iftheuniversebeeternal，——
thegreatoutspreadhandofGodhimself，forcingallthingsdownintotheirplaces，andkeepingthemthere？Such，insmallerproportion，istheforceofcharactertothefitfulmovementsofgenius，astheyareorhavebeenlinkedtoeachotherinmanyahousehold，whereonenamewashistoric，andtheother，letmesaythenobler，unknown，savebysomefaintreflectedray，borrowedfromitslustrouscompanion。
Oftentimes，asIhavelainswingingonthewater，intheswelloftheChelseaferry-boats，inthatlong，sharp-pointed，blackcradleinwhichIlovetoletthegreatmotherrockme，Ihaveseenatallshipglidebyagainstthetide，asifdrawnbysomeinvisibletowline，withahundredstrongarmspullingit。Hersailshungunfilled，herstreamersweredrooping，shehadneitherside-wheelnorstern-wheel；stillshemovedon，stately，inserenetriumph，asifwithherownlife。ButIknewthatontheothersideoftheship，hiddenbeneaththegreathulkthatswamsomajestically，therewasalittletoilingsteam-tug，withheartoffireandarmsofiron，thatwashuggingitcloseanddraggingitbravelyon；andIknew，that，ifthelittlesteam-tuguntwinedherarmsandleftthetallship，itwouldwallowandrollabout，anddrifthitherandthither，andgooffwiththerefluenttide，nomanknowswhither。AndsoI
haveknownmorethanonegenius，high-decked，full-freighted，wide-
sailed，gay-pennoned，that，butforthebaretoilingarms，andbrave，warm，beatingheartofthefaithfullittlewife，thatnestledcloseinhisshadow，andclungtohim，sothatnowindorwavecouldpartthem，anddraggedhimonagainstallthetideofcircumstance，wouldsoonhavegonedownthestreamandbeenheardofnomore——
No，Iamtoomuchaloverofgenius，Isometimesthink，andtoooftengetimpatientwithdullpeople，sothat，intheirweaktalk，wherenothingistakenforgranted，Ilookforwardtosomefuturepossiblestateofdevelopment，whenagesturepassingbetweenabeatifiedhumansoulandanarchangelshallsignifyasmuchasthecompletehistoryofaplanet，fromthetimewhenitcurdledtothetimewhenitssunwasburnedout。Andyet，whenastrongbrainisweighedwithatrueheart，itseemstomelikebalancingabubbleagainstawedgeofgold——
Ittakesaverytruemantobeafittingcompanionforawomanofgenius，butnotaverygreatone。Iamnotsurethatshewillnotembroiderheridealbetteronaplaingroundthanononewithabrilliantpatternalreadyworkedinitstexture。Butastheveryessenceofgeniusistruthfulness，contactwithrealities，whicharealwaysideasbehindshowsofformorlanguage，nothingissocontemptibleasfalsehoodandpretenceinitseyes。Nowitisnoteasytofindaperfectlytruewoman，anditisveryhardtofindaperfectlytrueman。Andawomanofgenius，whohasthesagacitytochoosesuchaoneashercompanion，showsmoreofthedivinegiftinsodoingthaninherfinesttalkorhermostbrilliantworkoflettersorofart。
Ihavebeenagoodwhilecomingatasecret，forwhichIwishedtoprepareyoubeforetellingit。IthinkthereisakindlyfeelinggrowingupbetweenIrisandouryoungMarylander。NotthatI
supposethereisanydistinctunderstandingbetweenthem，butthattheaffinitywhichhasdrawnhimfromtheremotecornerwherehesattothesideoftheyounggirlisquietlybringingtheirtwonaturestogether。Justnowsheisallgivenuptoanother；butwhenhenolongercallsuponherdailythoughtsandcares，Iwarnyounottobesurprised，ifthisbudoffriendshipopenliketheeveningprimrose，withasoundasofasuddenstolenkiss，andlo！thefloweroffull-
blownloveliesunfoldedbeforeyou。
Andnowthedayshadcomeforourlittlefriend，whosewhimsandweaknesseshadinterestedus，perhaps，asmuchashisbettertraits，tomakereadyforthatlongjourneywhichiseasiertothecripplethantothestrongman，andonwhichnoneenterssowillinglyashewhohasbornethelife-longloadofinfirmityduringhisearthlypilgrimage。Atthispoint，undermostcircumstances，Iwouldclosethedoorsanddrawtheveilofprivacybeforethechamberwherethebirthwhichwecalldeath，outoflifeintotheunknownworld，isworkingitsmystery。Butthisfriendofoursstoodaloneintheworld，and，asthelastactofhislifewasmainlyinharmonywiththerestofitsdrama，Idonotherefeeltheforceoftheobjectioncommonlylyingagainstthatdeath-bedliteraturewhichformsthestapleofacertainportionofthepress。LetmeexplainwhatI
mean，sothatmyreadersmaythinkforthemselvesalittle，beforetheyaccusemeofhastyexpressions。
TheRomanCatholicChurchhascertainformulasforitsdyingchildren，towhichalmostallofthemattachthegreatestimportance。Thereishardlyacriminalsoabandonedthatheisnotanxioustoreceivethe\"consolationsofreligion\"inhislasthours。
Evenifhebesenseless，butstillliving，Ithinkthattheformisgonethroughwith，justasbaptismisadministeredtotheunconsciousnew-bornchild。Nowwedonotquarrelwiththeseforms。
Welookwithreverenceandaffectionuponallsymbolswhichgivepeaceandcomforttoourfellow-creatures。Butthevalueofthenew-bornchild’spassiveconsenttotheceremonyisnull，astestimonytothetruthofadoctrine。Theautomaticclosingofadyingman’slipsontheconsecratedwaferprovesnothinginfavoroftheRealPresence，oranyotherdogma。And，speakinggenerally，theevidenceofdyingmeninfavorofanybeliefistobereceivedwithgreatcaution。
Theycommonlytellthetruthabouttheirpresentfeelings，nodoubt。
Adyingman’sdepositionaboutanythingheknowsisgoodevidence。
Butitisofmuchlessconsequencewhatamanthinksandsayswhenheischangedbypain，weakness，apprehension，thanwhathethinkswhenheistrulyandwhollyhimself。Mostmurderersdieinaverypiousframeofmind，expectingtogotogloryatonce；yetnomanbelievesheshallmeetalargeraverageofpiratesandcut-throatsinthestreetsoftheNewJerusalemthanofhonestfolksthatdiedintheirbeds。
Unfortunately，therehasbeenaverygreattendencytomakecapitalofvariouskindsoutofdyingmen’sspeeches。Theliesthathavebeenputintotheirmouthsforthispurposeareendless。Theprimeminister，whoselastbreathwasspentinscoldinghisnurse，dieswithamagnificentapothegmonhislips，manufacturedbyareporter。
Addisongetsupatableauanduttersanadmirablesentiment，——orsomebodymakestheposthumousdyingepigramforhim。Theincoherentbabbleofgreenfieldsistranslatedintothelanguageofstatelysentiment。Onewouldthink，allthatdyingmenhadtodowastosaytheprettiestthingtheycould，——tomaketheirrhetoricalpoint，——
andthenbowthemselvespolitelyoutoftheworld。
Worsethanthisisthetorturingofdyingpeopletogettheirevidenceinfavorofthisorthatfavoritebelief。Thecamp-
followersofproselytingsectshavecomeinatthecloseofeverylifewheretheycouldgetin，tostripthelanguishingsoulofitsthoughts，andcarrythemoffasspoils。TheRomanCatholicorotherpriestwhoinsistsonthereceptionofhisformulameanskindly，wetrust，andverycommonlysucceedsingettingtheacquiescenceofthesubjectofhisspiritualsurgery，butdonotletustakethetestimonyofpeoplewhoareintheworstconditiontoformopinionsasevidenceofthetruthorfalsehoodofthatwhichtheyaccept。A
lameman’sopinionofdancingisnotgoodformuch。Apoorfellowwhocanneithereatnordrink，whoissleeplessandfullofpains，whosefleshhaswastedfromhim，whosebloodislikewater，whoisgaspingforbreath，isnotinaconditiontojudgefairlyofhumanlife，whichinallitsmainadjustmentsisintendedformeninanormal，healthycondition。ItisaremarkIhaveheardfromthewisePatriarchoftheMedicalProfessionamongus，thatthemoralconditionofpatientswithdiseaseabovethegreatbreathing-muscle，thediaphragm，ismuchmorehopefulthanthatofpatientswithdiseasebelowit，inthedigestiveorgans。Manyanhonestignorantmanhasgivenuspathologywhenhethoughthewasgivinguspsychology。WiththispreliminarycautionIshallproceedtothestoryoftheLittleGentleman’sleavingus。
Whenthedivinity-studentfoundthatourfellow-boarderwasnotlikelytoremainlongwithus，he，beingayoungmanoftenderconscienceandkindlynature，wasnotalittleexercisedonhisbehalf。ItwasundeniablethatonseveraloccasionstheLittleGentlemanhadexpressedhimselfwithagooddealoffreedomonaclassofsubjectswhich，accordingtothedivinity-student，hehadnorighttoformanopinionupon。Hethereforeconsideredhisfuturewelfareinjeopardy。
TheMuggletoniansecthaveaveryoddwayofdealingwithpeople。
IfI，theProfessor，willonlygiveintotheMuggletoniandoctrine，thereshallbenoquestionthroughallthatpersuasionthatIamcompetenttojudgeofthatdoctrine；nay，Ishallbequotedasevidenceofitstruth，whileIlive，andcited，afterIamdead，astestimonyinitsbehalf。ButifIutteranyeversoslightAnti-
Muggletoniansentiment，thenIbecomeincompetenttoformanyopiniononthematter。This，youcannotfailtoobserve，isexactlythewaythepseudo-sciencesgotowork，asexplainedinmyLectureonPhrenology。NowIholdthathewhosetestimonywouldbeacceptedinbehalfoftheMuggletoniandoctrinehasarighttobeheardagainstit。WhosooffersmeanyarticleofbeliefformysignatureimpliesthatIamcompetenttoformanopinionuponit；andifmypositivetestimonyinitsfavorisofanyvalue，thenmynegativetestimonyagainstitisalsoofvalue。
Ithoughtmyyoungfriend’sattitudewasalittletoomuchlikethatoftheMuggletonians。Ialsoremarkedasingulartimidityonhispartlestsomebodyshould\"unsettle\"somebody’sfaith，——asiffaithdidnotrequireexerciseasmuchasanyotherlivingthing，andwerenotallthebetterforashakingupnowandthen。Idon’tmeanthatitwouldbefairtobotherBridget，thewildIrishgirl，orJoiceHeth，thecentenarian，oranyotherintellectualnon-combatant；butallpersonswhoproclaimabeliefwhichpassesjudgmentontheirneighborsmustbereadytohaveit\"unsettled，\"thatis，questioned，atalltimesandbyanybody，——justasthosewhosetupbarsacrossathoroughfaremustexpecttohavethemtakendownbyeveryonewhowantstopass，ifheisstrongenough。
Besides，tothinkoftryingtowater-prooftheAmericanmindagainstthequestionsthatHeavenrainsdownuponitshowsamisapprehensionofournewconditions。Iftoquestioneverythingbeunlawfulanddangerous，wehadbetterundeclareourindependenceatonce；forwhattheDeclarationmeansistherighttoquestioneverything，eventhetruthofitsownfundamentalproposition。
Theold-worldorderofthingsisanarrangementoflocksandcanals，whereeverythingdependsonkeepingthegatesshut，andsoholdingtheupperwatersattheirlevel；butthesystemunderwhichtheyoungrepublicanAmericanisborntruststhewholeunimpededtideoflifetothegreatelementalinfluences，asthevastriversofthecontinentsettletheirownlevelinobediencetothelawsthatgoverntheplanetandthespheresthatsurroundit。
Thedivinity-studentwasnotquiteuptotheideaofthecommonwealth，asouryoungfriendtheMarylander，forinstance，understoodit。Hecouldnotgetridofthatnotionofprivatepropertyintruth，withtherighttofenceitin，andputupasign-
board，thus:
ALLTRESPASSERSAREWARNEDOFFTHESE
GROUNDS！
HetooktheyoungMarylandertotaskforgoingtotheChurchoftheGalileans，wherehehadseveraltimesaccompaniedIrisoflate。
IamaChurchman，——theyoungmansaid，——byeducationandhabit。I
lovemyoldChurchformanyreasons，butmostofallbecauseIthinkithaseducatedmeoutofitsownformsintothespiritofitshighestteachings。IthinkIbelongtothe\"BroadChurch，\"ifanyofyoucantellwhatthatmeans。
Ihadtherashnesstoattempttoanswerthequestionmyself——SomesaytheBroadChurchmeansthecollectivemassofgoodpeopleofalldenominations。Otherssaythatsuchadefinitionisnonsense；thatachurchisanorganization，andthescatteredgoodfolksarenoorganizationatall。Theythinkthatmenwilleventuallycometogetheronthebasisofoneortwoormorecommonarticlesofbelief，andformagreatunity。Dotheyseewhatthisamountsto？
Itmeansanequaldivisionofintellect！Itismentalagrarianism！
athingthatneverwasandneverwillbeuntilnationalandindividualidiosyncrasieshaveceasedtoexist。Themanofthirty-
ninebeliefsholdsthemanofonebeliefapauper；heisnotgoingtogiveupthirty-eightofthemforthesakeoffraternizingwiththeotherinthetemplewhichbearsonitsfront，\"DeoerexitVoltaire。\"Achurchisagarden，Ihavehearditsaid，andtheillustrationwasneatlyhandled。Yes，andthereisnosuchthingasabroadgarden。Itmustbefencedin，andwhateverisfencedinisnarrow。Youcannothavearcticandtropicalplantsgrowingtogetherinit，exceptbytheforcingsystem，whichisamightynarrowpieceofbusiness。Youcan’tmakeavillageoraparishorafamilythinkalike，yetyousupposethatyoucanmakeaworldpinchitsbeliefsorpadthemtoasinglepattern！Why，theverylifeofanecclesiasticalorganizationisalifeofinduction，astateofperpetuallydisturbedequilibriumkeptupbyanotherchargedbodyintheneighborhood。Ifthetwobodiestouchandsharetheirrespectivecharges，downgoestheindexoftheelectrometer！
Doyouknowthateverymanhasareligiousbeliefpeculiartohimself？SmithisalwaysaSmithite。HetakesinexactlySmith’s-
worthofknowledge，Smith’s-worthoftruth，ofbeauty，ofdivinity。
AndBrownhasfromtimeimmemorialbeentryingtoburnhim，toexcommunicatehim，toanonymous-articlehim，becausehedidnottakeinBrown’s-worthofknowledge，truth，beauty，divinity。Hecannotdoit，anymorethanapint-potcanholdaquart，oraquart-potbefilledbyapint。Ironisessentiallythesameeverywhereandalways；butthesulphateofironisneverthesameasthecarbonateofiron。Truthisinvariable；buttheSmithateoftruthmustalwaysdifferfromtheBrownateoftruth。
Thewidertheintellect，thelargerandsimplertheexpressionsinwhichitsknowledgeisembodied。Theinferiorrace，thedegradedandenslavedpeople，thesmall-mindedindividual，liveinthedetailswhichtolargermindsandmoreadvancedtribesofmenreducethemselvestoaxiomsandlaws。Asracesandindividualmindsmustalwaysdifferjustassulphatesandcarbonatesdo，IcannotseegroundforexpectingtheBroadChurchtobefoundedonanyfusionofintellectualbeliefs，whichofcourseimpliesthatthosewhoholdthelargernumberofdoctrinesasessentialshallcomedowntothosewhoholdthesmallernumber。Thesedoctrinesaretothenegativearistocracywhatthequarteringsoftheircoatsaretothepositiveordersofnobility。
TheBroadChurch，Ithink，willneverbebasedonanythingthatrequirestheuseoflanguage。Freemasonrygivesanideaofsuchachurch，andabrotherisknownandcaredforinastrangelandwherenowordofhiscanbeunderstood。Theapostleofthischurchmaybeadeafmutecarryingacupofcoldwatertoathirstingfellow-creature。Thecupofcoldwaterdoesnotrequiretobetranslatedforaforeignertounderstandit。IamafraidtheonlyBroadChurchpossibleisonethathasitscreedintheheart，andnotinthehead，——thatweshallknowitsmembersbytheirfruits，andnotbytheirwords。Ifyousaythiscommunionofwell-doersisnochurch，Icanonlyanswer，thatallorganizedbodieshavetheirlimitsofsize，andthatwhenwefindamanahundredfeethighandthirtyfeetbroadacrosstheshoulders，wewilllookoutforanorganizationthatshallincludeallChristendom。
SomeofusdopracticallyrecognizeaBroadChurchandaNarrowChurch，however。TheNarrowChurchmaybeseenintheship’sboatsofhumanity，inthelongboat，inthejollyboat，inthecaptain’sgig，lyingoffthepooroldvessel，thankingGodthattheyaresafe，andreckoninghowsoonthehulkcontainingthemassoftheirfellow-creatureswillgodown。TheBroadChurchisonboard，workinghardatthepumps，andveryslowtobelievethattheshipwillbeswallowedupwithsomanypoorpeopleinit，fasteneddownunderthehatcheseversinceitfloated——
Allthis，ofcourse，wasnothingbutmypoornotionaboutthesematters。Iamsimplyan\"outsider，\"youknow；onlyitdoesn’tdoverywellforanestofHinghamboxestotalktoomuchaboutoutsidersandinsiders！
Afterthistalkofours，IthinkthesetwoyoungpeoplewentprettyregularlytotheChurchoftheGalileans。StilltheycouldnotkeepawayfromthesweetharmoniesandrhythmiclitaniesofSaintPolycarponthegreatChurchfestival-days；sothat，betweenthetwo，theyweresomuchtogether，thattheboardersbegantomakeremarks，andourlandladysaidtome，oneday，that，thoughitwasnoonofherbusiness，themthathadeyescouldn’thelpseein’thattherewassomethin’goin’，onbetweenthemtwoyoungpeople；shethoughttheyoungmanwasaverylikelyyoungman，thoughjestwhathisprospecswaswasunbeknowntoher；butshethoughthemustbedoingwell，andratherguessedhewouldbeabletotakecareofafemily，ifhedidn’tgototakin’ahouse；foragentlemanandhiswifecouldboardagreatdealcheaperthantheycouldkeephouse；——
butthenthatgirlwasnothin’butachild，andwouldn’tthinkofbein’marriedthisfiveyear。Theywasgoodboarders，bothof’em，paidregular，andwasaspootyacoupleassheeverlaideyeson——
TocomebacktowhatIbegantospeakofbefore，-thedivinity-
studentwasexercisedinhismindabouttheLittleGentleman，and，inthekindnessofhisheart，——forhewasagoodyoungman，——andinthestrengthofhisconvictions，——forhetookitforgrantedthatheandhiscrowdwereright，andotherfolksandtheircrowdwerewrong，——hedeterminedtobringtheLittleGentlemanroundtohisfaithbeforehedied，ifhecould。Sohesentwordtothesickman，thatheshouldbepleasedtovisithimandhavesomeconversationwithhim；andreceivedforanswerthathewouldbewelcome。
Thedivinity-studentmadehimavisit，thereforeandhadasomewhatremarkableinterviewwithhim，whichIshallbrieflyrelate，withoutattemptingtojustifythepositionstakenbytheLittleGentleman。
Hefoundhimweak，butcalm。Irissatsilentbyhispillow。
Aftertheusualpreliminaries，thedivinity-studentsaid；inakindway，thathewassorrytofindhiminfailinghealth，thathefeltconcernedforhissoul，andwasanxioustoassisthiminmakingpreparationsforthegreatchangeawaitinghim。
Ithankyou，Sir，——saidtheLittleGentleman，permitmetoaskyou，whatmakesyouthinkIamnotreadyforit，Sir，andthatyoucandoanythingtohelpme，Sir？
Iaddressyouonlyasafellow-man，——saidthedivinity-student，——andthereforeafellow-sinner。
Iamnotaman，Sir！——saidtheLittleGentleman——Iwasbornintothisworldthewreckofaman，andIshallnotbejudgedwitharacetowhichIdonotbelong。Lookatthis！——hesaid，andhelduphiswitheredarm——Seethere！——andhepointedtohismisshapenextremities——Layyourhandhere！——andhelaidhisownontheregionofhismisplacedheart——Ihaveknownnothingofthelifeofyourrace。WhenIfirstcametomyconsciousness，Ifoundmyselfanobjectofpity，orasighttoshow。ThefirststrangechildIeverrememberhiditsfaceandwouldnotcomenearme。Iwasabroken-
heartedaswellasbroken-bodiedboy。Igrewintotheemotionsofripeningyouth，andallthatIcouldhavelovedshrankfrommypresence。Ibecameamaninyears，andhadnothingincommonwithmanhoodbutitslongings。Mylifeisthedyingpangofaworn-outrace，andIshallgodownaloneintothedust，outofthisworldofmenandwomen，withouteverknowingthefellowshipoftheoneortheloveoftheother。Iwillnotdiewithalierattlinginmythroat。
Ifanotherstateofbeinghasanythingworseinstoreforme，IhavehadalongapprenticeshiptogivemestrengththatImaybearit。I
don’tbelieveit，Sir！Ihavetoomuchfaithforthat。Godhasnotleftmewhollywithoutcomfort，evenhere。IlovethisoldplacewhereIwasborn；——theheartoftheworldbeatsunderthethreehillsofBoston，Sir！Ilovethisgreatland，withsomanytallmeninit，andsomanygood，noblewomen——Hiseyesturnedtothesilentfigurebyhispillow——Ihavelearnedtoacceptmeeklywhathasbeenallottedtome，butIcannothonestlysaythatIthinkmysinhasbeengreaterthanmysuffering。Ibeartheignoranceandtheevil-doingofwholegenerationsinmysingleperson。Ineverdrewabreathofairnortookastepthatwasnotapunishmentforanother’sfault。Imayhavehadmanywrongthoughts，butIcannothavedonemanywrongdeeds，——formycagehasbeenanarrowone，andIhavepaceditalone。Ihavelookedthroughthebarsandseenthegreatworldofmenbusyandhappy，butIhadnopartintheirdoings。Ihaveknownwhatitwastodreamofthegreatpassions；
butsincemymotherkissedmebeforeshedied，nowoman’slipshavepressedmycheek，——noreverwill——
Theyounggirl’seyesglitteredwithasuddenfilm，andalmostwithoutathought，butwithawarmhumaninstinctthatrushedupintoherfacewithherheart’sblood，shebentoverandkissedhim。
Itwasthesacramentthatwashedoutthememoryoflongyearsofbitterness，andIshouldholditanunworthythoughttodefendher。
TheLittleGentlemanrepaidherwiththeonlytearanyofuseversawhimshed。
Thedivinity-studentrosefromhisplace，and，turningawayfromthesickman，walkedtotheothersideoftheroom，wherehebowedhisheadandwasstill。Allthequestionshehadmeanttoaskhadfadedfromhismemory。Thetestshehad。preparedbywhichtojudgeofhisfellow-creature’sfitnessforheavenseemedtohavelosttheirvirtue。HecouldtrustthecrippledchildofsorrowtotheInfiniteParent。Thekissofthefair-hairedgirlhadbeenlikeasignfromheaven，thatangelswatchedoverhimwhomhewaspresumingbutamomentbeforetosummonbeforethetribunalofhisprivatejudgment。
ShallIpraywithyou？——hesaid，afterapause。Alittlebeforehewouldhavesaid，ShallIprayforyou？——TheChristianreligion，astaughtbyitsFounder，isfullofsentiment。Sowemustnotblamethedivinity-student，ifhewasovercomebythoseyearningsofhumansympathywhichpredominatesomuchmoreinthesermonsoftheMasterthaninthewritingsofhissuccessors，andwhichhavemadetheparableoftheProdigalSontheconsolationofmankind，asithasbeenthestumbling-blockofallexclusivedoctrines。
Pray！——saidtheLittleGentleman。
Thedivinity-studentprayed，inlow，tendertones，IrisandtheLittleGentlemanthatGodwouldlookonhisservantlyinghelplessatthefeetofhismercy；thatHewouldrememberhislongyearsofbondageintheflesh；thatHewoulddealgentlywiththebruisedreed。Thouhastvisitedthesinsofthefathersuponthistheirchild。Oh，turnawayfromhimthepenaltiesofhisowntransgressions！Thouhastlaiduponhim，frominfancy，thecrosswhichthystrongerchildrenarecalledupontotakeup；andnowthatheisfaintingunderit，beThouhisstay，anddoThousuccorhimthatistempted！LethismanifoldinfirmitiescomebetweenhimandThyjudgment；inwrathremembermercy！IfhiseyesarenotopenedtoallThytruth，letThycompassionlightenthedarknessthatrestsuponhim，evenasitcamethroughthewordofthySontoblindBartimeus，whosatbythewayside，begging！
Manymorepetitionsheuttered，butallinthesamesubduedtoneoftenderness。Inthepresenceofhelplesssuffering，andinthefast-
darkeningshadowoftheDestroyer，heforgotallbuthisChristianhumanity，andcaredmoreaboutconsolinghisfellow-manthanmakingaproselyteofhim。
ThiswasthelastprayertowhichtheLittleGentlemaneverlistened。SomechangewasrapidlycomingoverhimduringthislasthourofwhichIhavebeenspeaking。Theexcitementofpleadinghiscausebeforehisself-electedspiritualadviser，——theemotionwhichovercamehim，whentheyounggirlobeyedthesuddenimpulseofherfeelingsandpressedherlipstohischeek，——thethoughtsthatmasteredhimwhilethedivinity-studentpouredouthissoulforhiminprayer，mightwellhurryontheinevitablemoment。Whenthedivinity-studenthadutteredhislastpetition，commendinghimtotheFatherthroughhisSon’sintercession，heturnedtolookuponhimbeforeleavinghischamber。Hisfacewaschanged——Thereisalanguageofthehumancountenancewhichweallunderstandwithoutaninterpreter，thoughthelineamentsbelongtotherudestsavagethateverstammeredinanunknownbarbaricdialect。Bythestillnessofthesharpenedfeatures，bytheblanknessofthetearlesseyes，bythefixednessofthesmilelessmouth，bythedeadeningtints，bythecontractedbrow，bythedilatingnostril，weknowthatthesoulissoontoleaveitsmortaltenement，andisalreadyclosingupitswindowsandputtingoutitsfires——Suchwastheaspectofthefaceuponwhichthedivinity-studentlooked，afterthebriefsilencewhichfollowedhisprayer。Thechangehadbeenrapid，thoughnotthatabruptonewhichisliabletohappenatanymomentinthesecases——Thesickmanlookedtowardshim——Farewell，——hesaid，——I
thankyou。Leavemealonewithher。
Whenthedivinity-studenthadgone，andtheLittleGentlemanfoundhimselfalonewithIris，heliftedhishandtohisneck，andtookfromit，suspendedbyaslenderchain，aquaint，antique-lookingkey，——thesamekeyIhadonceseenhimholding。Hegavethistoher，andpointedtoacarvedcabinetoppositehisbed，oneofthosethathadsoattractedmycuriouseyesandsetmewonderingastowhatitmightcontain。
Openit，——hesaid，——andlightthelamp——Theyounggirlwalkedtothecabinetandunlockedthedoor。Adeeprecessappeared，linedwithblackvelvet，againstwhichstoodinwhitereliefanivorycrucifix。Asilverlamphungoverit。Shelightedthelampandcamebacktothebedside。ThedyingmanfixedhiseyesuponthefigureofthedyingSaviour——Givemeyourhand，hesaid；andIrisplacedherrighthandinhisleft。Sotheyremained，untilpresentlyhiseyeslosttheirmeaning，thoughtheystillremainedvacantlyfixeduponthewhiteimage。Yetheheldtheyounggirl’shandfirmly，asifitwereleadinghimthroughsomedeep-shadowedvalleyanditwasallhecouldclingto。Butpresentlyaninvoluntarymuscularcontractionstoleoverhim，andhisterribledyinggraspheldthepoorgirlasifshewerewedgedinanengineoftorture。Shepressedherlipstogetherandsatstill。Theinexorablehandheldhertighterandtighter，untilshefeltasifherownslenderfingerswouldbecrushedinitsgripe。ItwasoneofthetorturesoftheInquisitionshewassuffering，andshecouldnotstirfromherplace。Then，inhergreatanguish，she，too，casthereyesuponthatdyingfigure，and，lookinguponitspiercedhandsandfeetandsideandlaceratedforehead，shefeltthatshealsomustsufferuncomplaining。Inthemomentofhersharpestpainshedidnotforgetthedutiesofherunderoffice，butdriedthedyingman’smoistforeheadwithherhandkerchief，evenwhilethedewsofagonywereglisteningonherown。Howlongthislastedshenevercouldtell。TimeandthirstaretwothingsyouandItalkabout；
butthevictimswhomholymenandrighteousjudgesusedtostretchontheirenginesknewbetterwhattheymeantthanyouorI！——Whatisthatgreatbucketofwaterfor？saidtheMarchionessdeBrinvilliers，beforeshewasplacedontherack——Foryoutodrink，——saidthetorturertothelittlewoman——Shecouldnotthinkthatitwouldtakesuchafloodtoquenchthefireinherandsokeepheraliveforherconfession。Thetorturerknewbetterthanshe。
Afteratimenottobecountedinminutes，astheclockmeasures，——
withoutanywarning，——therecameaswiftchangeofhisfeatures；hisfaceturnedwhite，asthewaterswhitenwhenasuddenbreathpassesovertheirstillsurface；themusclesinstantlyrelaxed，andIris，releasedatoncefromhercareforthesuffererandfromhisunconsciousgrasp，fellsenseless，withafeeblecry，——theonlyutteranceofherlongagony。
PerhapsyousometimeswanderinthroughtheirongatesoftheCopp’sHillburial-ground。Youlovetostrollroundamongthegravesthatcrowdeachotherinthethicklypeopledsoilofthatbreezysummit。
YoulovetoleanonthefreestoneslabwhichliesoverthebonesoftheMathers，——toreadtheepitaphofstoutWilliamClark，\"DespiserofSorryPersonsandlittleActions，\"——tostandbythestonegraveofsturdyDanielMalcolmandlookuponthesplinteredslabthattellstheoldrebel’sstory，——tokneelbythetriplestonethatsayshowthethreeWorthylakes，father，mother，andyoungdaughter，diedonthesamedayandlieburiedthere；amystery；thesubjectofamovingballad，bythelateBENJAMINFRANKLIN，asmaybeseeninhisautobiography，whichwillexplainthesecretofthetriplegravestone；thoughtheoldphilosopherhasmadeamistake，unlessthestoneiswrong。
Notveryfarfromthatyouwillfindafairmound，ofdimensionsfittoholdawell-grownman。Iwillnottellyoutheinscriptionuponthestonewhichstandsatitshead；forIdonotwishyoutobesureoftheresting-placeofonewhocouldnotbeartothinkthatheshouldbeknownasacrippleamongthedead，afterbeingpointedatsolongamongtheliving。Thereisonesign，itistrue，bywhich，ifyouhavebeenasagaciousreaderofthesepapers，youwillatonceknowit；butIfearyoureadcarelessly，andmuststudythemmorediligentlybeforeyouwilldetectthehinttowhichIallude。
TheLittleGentlemanlieswherehelongedtolie，amongtheoldnamesandtheoldbonesoftheoldBostonpeople。Atthefootofhisresting-placeistheriver，alivewiththewingsandantennaeofitscolossalwater-insects；overoppositearethegreatwar-ships，andtheheavyguns，which，whentheyroar，shakethesoilinwhichhelies；andinthesteepleofChristChurch，hardby，arethesweetchimeswhicharetheBostonboy’sRanzdesVaches，whoseechoesfollowhimalltheworldover。
InPace！
I，toldyouagoodwhileagothattheLittleGentlemancouldnotdoabetterthingthantoleaveallhismoney，whateveritmightbe，totheyounggirlwhohassincethatestablishedsuchaclaimuponhim。
Hedidnot，however。Aconsiderablebequesttooneofourpublicinstitutionskeepshisnameingratefulremembrance。Thetelescopethroughwhichhewasfondofwatchingtheheavenlybodies，andthemovementsofwhichhadbeenthesourceofsuchoddfanciesonmypart，isnowthepropertyofaWesternCollege。Yousmileasyouthinkofmytakingitforafleshlesshumanfigure，whenIsawitstubepointingtothesky，andthoughtitwasanarm，underthewhitedraperythrownoveritforprotection。SodoIsmilenow；Ibelongtothenumerousclasswhoareprophetsafterthefact，andholdmynightmaresverycheapbydaylightIhavereceivedmanylettersofinquiryastothesoundresemblingawoman’svoice，whichoccasionedmesomanyperplexities。Somethoughttherewasnoquestionthathehadasecondapartment，inwhichhehadmadeanasylumforaderangedfemalerelative。Otherswereofopinionthathewas，asIoncesuggested，a\"Bluebeard\"withpatriarchaltendencies，andIhaveevenbeencensuredforintroducingsoOrientalanelementintomyrecordofboarding-houseexperience。
Comeinandseeme，theProfessor，someeveningwhenIhavenothingelsetodo，andaskmetoplayyouTartini’sDevil’sSonataonthatextraordinaryinstrumentinmypossession，wellknowntoamateursasoneofthemasterpiecesofJosephGuarnerius。ThevoxhumanaofthegreatHaerlemorganisverylifelike，andthesamestopintheorganoftheCambridgechapelmightbemistakeninsomeofitstonesforahumanvoice；butIthinkyouneverheardanythingcomesonearthecryofaprimadonnaastheAstringandtheEstringofthisinstrument。Asinglefactwillillustratetheresemblance。Iwasexecutingsometoursdeforceuponitoneevening，whenthepolicemanofourdistrictrangthebellsharply，andaskedwhatwasthematterinthehouse。Hehadheardawoman’sscreams，——hewassureofit。Ihadtomaketheinstrumentsingbeforehiseyesbeforehecouldbesatisfiedthathehadnotheardthecriesofawoman。TheinstrumentwasbequeathedtomebytheLittleGentleman。
WhetherithadanythingtodowiththesoundsIheardcomingfromhischamber，youcanformyourownopinion；——Ihavenootherconjecturetooffer。Itisnottruethatasecondapartmentwithasecretentrancewasfound；andthestoryoftheveiledladyistheinventionofoneoftheReporters。
Bridget，thehousemaid，alwaysinsistedthathediedaCatholic。
Shehadseenthecrucifix，andbelievedthatheprayedonhiskneesbeforeit。Thelastcircumstanceisveryprobablytrue；indeed，therewasaspotwornonthecarpetjustbeforethiscabinetwhichmightbethusaccountedfor。Whyhe，whosewholelifewasacrucifixion，shouldnotlovetolookonthatdivineimageofblamelesssuffering，Icannotsee；onthecontrary，itseemstomethemostnaturalthingintheworldthatheshould。Buttherearethosewhowanttomakeprivatepropertyofeverything，andcan’tmakeuptheirmindsthatpeoplewhodon’tthinkastheydoshouldclaimanyinterestinthatinfinitecompassionexpressedinthecentralfigureoftheChristendomwhichincludesusall。
Thedivinity-studentexpressedahopebeforetheboardersthatheshouldmeethiminheaven——Thequestionis，whetherhe’llmeetyou，——saidtheyoungfellowJohn，rathersmartly。Thedivinity-
studenthadn’tthoughtofthat。
However，heisaworthyyoungman，andItrustIhaveshownhiminakindlyandrespectfullight。Hewillgetaparishby-and-by；and，asheisabouttomarrythesisterofanoldfriend，——theSchoolmistress，whomsomeofusremember，——andasallsortsofexpensiveaccidentshappentoyoungmarriedministers，hewillbeunderbondstotheamountofhissalary，whichmeansstarvation，iftheyareforfeited，tothinkallhisdaysashethoughtwhenhewassettled，——unlessthemajorityofhispeoplechangewithhimorinadvanceofhim。Ahardease，towhichnothingcouldreconcileaman，exceptthatthefaithfuldischargeofdailydutiesinhispersonalrelationswithhisparishionerswillmakehimusefulenoughinhisway，thoughasathinkerhemayceasetoexistbeforehehasreachedmiddleage——
IriswentintomourningfortheLittleGentleman。Although，asI
havesaid，heleftthebulkofhisproperty，bywill，toapublicinstitution，headdedacodicil，bywhichhedisposedofvariouspiecesofpropertyastokensofkindremembrance。ItwasinthiswayIbecamethepossessorofthewonderfulinstrumentIhavespokenof，whichhadbeenpurchasedforhimoutofanItalianconvent。Thelandladywascomfortedwithasmalllegacy。ThefollowingextractrelatestoIris:\"inconsiderationofhermanifoldactsofkindness，butonlyintokenofgratefulremembrance，andbynomeansasarewardforserviceswhichcannotbecompensated，acertainmessuage，withallthelandtheretoappertaining，situatedin______
Street，attheNorthEnd，socalled，ofBoston，aforesaid，thesamebeingthehouseinwhichIwasborn，butnowinhabitedbyseveralfamilies，andknownas’TheRookery。’\"Irishadalsothecrucifix，theportrait，andthered-jewelledring。Thefuneralordeath’s-
headringwasburiedwithhim。
Itwasagoodwhile，aftertheLittleGentlemanwasgone，beforeourboarding-houserecovereditswontedcheerfulness。Therewasaflavorinhiswhimsandlocalprejudicesthatweliked，evenwhilewesmiledatthem。Itwashardtoseethetallchairthrustawayamonguselesslumber，todismantlehisroom，totakedownthepictureofLeah，thehandsomeWitchofEssex，tomoveawaythemassiveshelvesthatheldthebooksheloved，topackupthetubethroughwhichheusedtostudythesilentstars，lookingdownathimliketheeyesofdumbcreatures，withakindofstupidhalf-
consciousnessthatdidnotworryhimasdidtheeyesofmenandwomen，——andhardestofalltodisplacethatsacredfiguretowhichhishearthadalwaysturnedandfoundrefuge，inthefeelingsitinspired，fromalltheperplexitiesofhisbusybrain。Itwashard，butithadtobedone。
Andby-and-bywegrewcheerfulagain，andthebreakfast-tableworesomethingofitsoldlook。TheKoh-i-noor，aswenamedthegentlemanwiththediamond，leftus，however，soonafterthat\"littlemill，\"astheyoungfellowJohncalledit，wherehecameoffsecondbest。Hisdeparturewasnodoubthastenedbyanotefromthelandlady’sdaughter，inclosingalockofpurplehairwhichshe\"hadvaluedasapledgeofaffection，eresheknewthehollownessofthevowshehadbreathed，\"speedilyfollowedbyanother，inclosingthelandlady’sbill。Thenextmorninghewasmissing，aswerehislimitedwardrobeandthetrunkthatheldit。ThreeemptybottlesofMrs。Allen’scelebratedpreparation，eachofthemasserting，onitswordofhonorasabottle，thatitsformercontentswere\"notadye，\"wereallthatwaslefttousoftheKoh-i-noor。
>Fromthistimeforward，thelandlady’sdaughtermanifestedadecidedimprovementinherstyleofcarryingherselfbeforetheboarders。
Sheabolishedtheodiouslittleflat，gummyside-curl。Sheleftoffvariousarticlesof\"jewelry。\"Shebegantohelphermotherinsomeofherhouseholdduties。Shebecamearegularattendantontheministrationsofaveryworthyclergyman，havingbeenattractedtohismeetin’bywitnessingamarriageceremonyinwhichhecalledamanandawomana\"gentleman\"anda\"lady，\"——astrokeofgentilitywhichquiteovercameher。SheeventookapartinwhatshecalledaSabbathschool，thoughitwasheldonSunday，andbynomeansonSaturday，asthenamesheintendedtoutterimplied。Allthis，whichwasverysincere，asIbelieve，onherpart，andattendedwithagreatimprovementinhercharacter，endedinherbringinghomeayoungman，withstraight，sandyhair，brushedsoastostandupsteeplyabovehisforehead，wearingapairofgreenspectacles，anddressedinblackbroadcloth。Hispersonalaspect，andacertainsolemnityofcountenance，ledmetothinkhemustbeaclergyman；
andasMasterBenjaminFranklinblurtedoutbeforeseveralofusboarders，oneday，that\"Sishadgotabeau，\"Iwaspleasedattheprospectofherbecomingaminister’swife。Oninquiry，however，I
foundthatthesomewhatsolemnlookwhichIhadnoticedwasindeedaprofessionalone，butnotclerical。Hewasayoungundertaker，whohadjustsucceededtoathrivingbusiness。Things，Ibelieve，aregoingonwellatthistimeofwriting，andIamgladforthelandlady’sdaughterandhermother。Sextonsandundertakersarethecheerfullestpeopleintheworldathome，ascomediansandcircus-
clownsarethemostmelancholyintheirdomesticcircle。
Asouroldboarding-houseisstillinexistence，Idonotfeelatlibertytogivetoominuteastatementofthepresentconditionofeachandallofitsinmates。Iamhappytosay，however，thattheyareallaliveandwell，uptothistime。Thatamiableoldgentlemanwhosatoppositetomeisgrowingolder，asoldmenwill，butstillsmilesbenignantlyonalltheboarders，andhascometobeakindoffathertoallofthem，——sothatonhisbirthdaythereisalwayssomethinglikeafamilyfestival。ThePoorRelation，even，haswarmedintoafilialfeelingtowardshim，andonhislastbirthdaymadehimabeautifulpresent，namely，averyhandsomelyboundcopyofBlair’scelebratedpoem，\"TheGrave。\"
TheyoungmanJohnisstill，ashesays，\"infustratefettle。\"I
sawhimspar，notlongsince，ataprivateexhibition，anddohimselfgreatcreditinaset-towithHenryFinnegass，Esq。，aprofessionalgentlemanofcelebrity。Iampleasedtosaythathehasbeenpromotedtoanupperclerkship，and，inconsequenceofhisriseinoffice，hastakenanapartmentsomewhatlowerdownthannumber\"forty-’leven，\"ashefacetiouslycalledhisattic。Whetherthereisanytruth，ornot，inthestoryofhisattachmentto，andfavorablereceptionby，thedaughteroftheheadofanextensivewholesalegrocer’sestablishment，Iwillnotventureanopinion；I
maysay，however，thatIhavemethimrepeatedlyincompanywithaverywell-nourishedandhigh-coloredyounglady，who，Iunderstand，isthedaughterofthehouseinquestion。
SomeoftheboarderswereofopinionthatIrisdidnotreturntheundisguisedattentionsofthehandsomeyoungMarylander。Insteadoffixinghereyessteadilyonhim，assheusedtolookupontheLittleGentleman，shewouldturnthemaway，asiftoavoidhisown。Theyoftenwenttochurchtogether，itistrue；butnobody，ofcourse，supposesthereisanyrelationbetweenreligioussympathyandthosewretched\"sentimental\"movementsofthehumanheartuponwhichitiscommonlyagreedthatnothingbetterisbasedthansociety，civilization，friendship，therelationofhusbandandwife，andofparentandchild，andwhichmanypeoplemustthinkweresingularlyoverratedbytheTeacherofNazareth，whosewholelife，asIsaidbefore，wasfullofsentiment，lovingthisorthatyoungman，pardoningthisorthatsinner，weepingoverthedead，mourningforthedoomedcity，blessing，andperhapskissing，thelittlechildren，sothattheGospelsarestillcriedoveralmostasoftenasthelastworkoffiction！
ButonefineJunemorningthererumbleduptothedoorofourboarding-houseahackcontainingaladyinsideandatrunkontheoutside。Itwasourfriendthelady-patronessofMissIris，thesamewhohadbeencalledbyheradmiringpastor\"TheModelofalltheVirtues。\"Onceaweekshehadwrittenaletter，inaratherformalhand，butfullofgoodadvice，toheryoungcharge。Andnowshehadcometocarryheraway，thinkingthatshehadlearnedallshewaslikelytolearnunderherpresentcourseofteaching。TheModel，however，wastostayawhile，——aweek，ormore，——beforetheyshouldleavetogether。
Iriswasobedient，asshewasboundtobe。Shewasrespectful，grateful，asachildiswithajust，butnottenderparent。Yetsomethingwaswrong。Shehadoneofhertrances，andbecamestatue-
like，asbefore，onlythedayaftertheModel’sarrival。Shewaswanandsilent，tastednothingattable，smiledasifbyaforcedeffort，andoftenlookedvaguelyawayfromthosewhowerelookingather，hereyesjustglazedwiththeshiningmoistureofatearthatmustnotbeallowedtogatherandfall。WasitgriefatpartingfromtheplacewhereherstrangefriendshiphadgrownupwiththeLittleGentleman？Yetsheseemedtohavebecomereconciledtohisloss，andrathertohaveadeepfeelingofgratitudethatshehadbeenpermittedtocareforhiminhislastwearydays。
TheSundayaftertheModel’sarrival，thatladyhadanattackofheadache，andwasobligedtoshutherselfupinadarkenedroomalone。OurtwoyoungfriendstooktheopportunitytogotogethertotheChurchoftheGalileans。Theysaidbutlittlegoing，——
\"collectingtheirthoughts\"fortheservice，Idevoutlyhope。Mykindgoodfriendthepastorpreachedthatdayoneofhissermonsthatmakeusallfeellikebrothersandsisters，andhistextwasthataffectionateonefromJohn，\"Mylittlechildren，letusnotloveinword，neitherintongue，butindeedandintruth。\"WhenIrisandherfriendcameoutofchurch，theywerebothpale，andwalkedaspacewithoutspeaking。
Atlasttheyoungmansaid，——YouandIarenotlittlechildren，Iris！
Shelookedinhisfaceaninstant，asifstartled，fortherewassomethingstrangeinthetoneofhisvoice。Shesmiledfaintly，butspokeneveraword。
Indeedandintruth，Iris，——
Whatshallapoorgirlsayordo，whenastrongmanfaltersinhisspeechbeforeher，andcandonothingbetterthanholdouthishandtofinishhisbrokensentence？
Thepoorgirlsaidnothing，butquietlylaidherunglovedhandinhis，——thelittlesoftwhitehandwhichhadministeredsotenderlyandsufferedsopatiently。
Thebloodcamebacktotheyoungman’scheeks，asheliftedittohislips，evenastheywalkedthereinthestreet，toucheditgentlywiththem，andsaid，\"Itismine！\"
Irisdidnotcontradicthim。
Theseasonspassbysorapidly，thatIamstartledtothinkhowmuchhashappenedsincetheseeventsIwasdescribing。Thosetwoyoungpeoplewouldinsistonhavingtheirownwayabouttheirownaffairs，notwithstandingthegoodlady，sojustlycalledtheModel，insistedthattheageoftwenty-fiveyearswasasearlyasanydiscreetyoungladyshouldthinkofincurringtheresponsibilities，etc。，etc。
LongbeforeIrishadreachedthatage，shewasthewifeofayoungMarylandengineer，directingsomeofthevastconstructionsofhisnativeState，——wherehewasgrowingrichfastenoughtobeabletodeclinethatfamousRussianofferwhichwouldhavemadehimakindofnabobinafewyears。Irisdoesnotwriteverseoften，nowadays，butshesometimesdraws。ThelastsketchofhersIhaveseeninmySouthernvisitswasoftwochildren，aboyandgirl，theyoungestholdingasilvergoblet，liketheonesheheldthateveningwhenI——
Iwassostruckwithherstatue-likebeauty。Ifinthelater，summermonthsyoufindthegrassmarkedwithfootstepsaroundthatgraveonCopp’sHillItoldyouof，andflowersscatteredoverit，youmaybesurethatIrisishereonherannualvisittothehomeofherchildhoodandthatexcellentladywhoseonlyfaultwas，thatNaturehadwrittenoutherlistofvirtuesanruledpaper，andforgottentoruboutthelines。
OnethingmoreImustmention。BeingontheCommon，lastSunday，I
wasattractedbythecheerfulspectacleofawell-dressedandsomewhatyouthfulpapawheelingaveryelegantlittlecarriagecontainingastoutbaby。Abuxomyoungladywatchedthemfromoneofthestoneseats，withaninterestwhichcouldbenothinglessthanmaternal。Iatoncerecognizedmyoldfriend，theyoungfellowwhomwecalledJohn。Hewasdelightedtoseeme，introducedmeto\"Madam，\"andwouldhavethelustyinfantoutofthecarriage，andholdhimupformetolookat。
Now，then，——hesaidtothetwo-year-old，——showthegentlemanhowyouhitfromtheshoulder。Whereuponthelittleimppushedhisfatfiststraightintomyeye，tohisfather’sintensesatisfaction。
Fust-ratelittlechap，——saidthepapa——Chipoftheoldblock。
Regl’rlittleJohnny，youknow。
Iwassomuchpleasedtofindtheyoungfellowsettledinlife，andpushingaboutoneof\"themlittlearticles\"hehadseemedtowantsomuch，thatItookmy\"punishment\"atthehandsoftheinfantpugilistwithgreatequanimity——Andhowistheoldboarding-
house？——Iasked。
A1，——heanswered——Paintedandpaperedasgoodasnew。Gabsinalltheroomsuptotheskyparlors。Oldwoman’slayin’upmoney，theysay。MeanstosendBenFranklintocollege。Justthenthefirstbellrangforchurch，andmyfriend，who，Iunderstand，hasbecomeamostexemplarymemberofsociety，saidhemustbeofftogetreadyformeetin’，andtoldtheyoungoneto\"shakedada，\"whichhedidwithhisclosedfist，inasomewhatmenacingmanner。AndsotheyoungmanJohn，asweusedtocallhim，tookthepoleoftheminiaturecarriage，andpushedthesmallpugilistbeforehimhomewards，followed，inasomewhatleisurelyway，byhispleasant-
lookinglady-companion，andIsentasighandasmileafterhim。
Thatevening，assoonasitwasdark，Icouldnothelpgoingroundbytheoldboarding-house。The\"gahs\"waslighted，butthecurtains，ormoreproperly，thepaintedshades；werenotdown。AndsoIstoodthereandlookedinalongthetablewheretheboarderssatattheeveningmeal，——ouroldbreakfast-table，whichsomeofusfeelasifweknewsowell。Therewerenewfacesatit，butalsooldandfamiliarones——Thelandlady，inawonderfullysmartcap，lookingyoung，comparativelyspeaking，andasifhalfthewrinkleshadbeenironedoutofherforehead——Herdaughter，inratherdressyhalf-mourning，withavastbroochofjet，gotup，apparently，tomatchthegentlemannexther，whowasinblackcostumeandsandyhair，——thelastrisingstraightfromhisforehead，likethemarbleflameonesometimesseesatthetopofafuneralurn——ThePoorRelation，notinabsoluteblack，butinastuffwithspecksofwhite；asmuchastosay，that，iftherewereanymoreHiramslefttosighforher，therewerepin-holesinthenightofherdespair，throughwhicharayofhopemightfinditswaytoanadorer——
MasterBenjaminFranklin，growntalleroflate，wasintheactofsplittinghisfaceopenwithawedgeofpie，sothathisfeatureswereseentodisadvantageforthemoment——Thegoodoldgentlemanwassittingstillandthoughtful。AllatonceheturnedhisfacetowardthewindowwhereIstood，and，justasifhehadseenme，smiledhisbenignantsmile。Itwasarecollectionofsomepastpleasantmoment；butitfelluponmeliketheblessingofafather。
Ikissedmyhandtothemall，unseenasIstoodintheouterdarkness；andasIturnedandwentmyway，thetableandallarounditfadedintotherealmoftwilightshadowsandofmidnightdreams——
Andsomyyear’srecordisfinished。TheProfessorhastalkedlessthanhispredecessor，buthehasheardandseenmore。Thankstoallthosefriendswhofromtimetotimehavesenttheirmessagesofkindlyrecognitionandfellow-feeling！Peacetoallsuchasmayhavebeenvexedinspiritbyanyutterancethesepageshaverepeated！Theywill，doubtless，forgetforthemomentthedifferenceinthehuesoftruthwelookatthroughourhumanprisms，andjoininsinginginwardlythishymntotheSourceofthelightweallneedtoleadus，andthewarmthwhichalonecanmakeusallbrothers。
ASUN-DAYHYMN。
Lordofallbeing！thronedafar，Thygloryflamesfromsunandstar，Centreandsoulofeverysphere，Yettoeachlovinghearthownear！
Sunofourlife，thyquickeningrayShedsonourpaththeglowofday；
Starofourhope，thysoftenedlightCheersthelongwatchesofthenight。
Ourmidnightisthysmilewithdrawn；
Ournoontideisthygraciousdawn；
Ourrainbowarchthymercy’ssign；
All，savethecloudsofsin，arethine！
Lordofalllife，below，above，Whoselightistruth，whosewarmthislove，Beforethyever-blazingthroneWeasknolustreofourown。
Grantusthytruthtomakeusfree，Andkindlingheartsthatburnforthee，TillallthylivingaltarsclaimOneholylight，oneheavenlyflame。
End