Icanthinkofadozenofmyownfriendswhowillreadthisandbringoutafreshboxofcigars，andsmokethemundermyveryownfaceandeyes，andknowallthetimethatIshallkeeplikingthem；
andtheworstofitis，IknowIshall，too。Allthesame，Idonotthoroughlyrespectamanwhohasahabitofsmoking。
Butifmenwillsmoke，astheycertainlywill，becausetheyareanimalandstubbornandself-indulgentandself-willed，letthematleastconfinetheirfireworkstotheirownapartments。
Ifawifewouldratheradmitherfuliginoushusbandtohersitting-roomthanforegohissocietyaltogether，——asundoubtedlymostwomenwould，foryouseeitisnotaquestionbetweenasmokyhusbandandaclearhusband，butbetweenasmokyoneandnoneatall，becausebetweenhiswifeandhiscigarthemanwillalmostinvariablychoosethecigar，——Ihavenothingtosay。Butdon\'tletamangointootherpeople\'shousesandsmoke，or，aboveallthings，walksmokingbythesideofwomen。Nomatterifshedoesgiveyoupermissionwhenyouaskit。Youshouldnothaveaskedit。Wedon\'twishyoutodoit，youmaybesure。Itisadisrespectfulthing。Itpartakesofthenatureofaninsult。Nomatterhowgrandorlearnedordistinguishedyoumaybe，don\'tdoit。IsawonceoneofourCabinetMinisterswalking，withhiscigarinhismouth，bythesideofthewifeoftheBritishMinister，anditloweredthembothinmyopinion，thoughIdon\'tsupposeeitherofthemwouldtakeitmuchtoheartiftheyknewit。Ifyouarewalkinginthewoodsorfields，itmaybepardonable；butinthepublicstreetsnoprivatecompactcanbeofanyavail。
Itisapublicmarkofdisrespect。Ifyoudon\'tregardusenoughtothrowawayorkeepawayyourcigarwhenyoujoinus，justdon\'tjoinus。Keepyourownsideofthestreet。Nobodywantsyou；atleastIdon\'t。Walkaloneifyoulike，orwithwhomsoeveryoucan，butifyouwalkwithme，youshall\"behaveyourself。\"
Buthowfrightfullyhungrytheselongcoachstagesmakeone！
especiallyamongthemountains。faminelurksinthatwildair，andiseverspringingupontheunwarytraveller。Thefactwas，however，thatIhadthemostdreadfulappetiteallthewaythrough。\"Really，\"Halicarnassuswouldsay，\"itisquitecharmingtoseeyouinsuchfinehealth，\"beingatthesametimereducedtoastateofextremedisgustatmyrapacity。Hemadeanestimate，oneday，thatIhadeatensincewestartedthirty-oneandahalfchickens，andIhavenodoubtIhad；forchickensweremypiecederesistanceaswellasentrees；andthentheyWEREchickens，notoldhens，——littlespecksofdarlings，justgivingonehopfromtheegg-shelltothegridiron，andeachtimethewaiteronlybroughtyouonebisegmentofthespeck，allofwhoseediblepossibilitiescouldeasilybesalteddowninathimble。Idon\'tsaythisbywayofcomplaint。Athimblefulofdelicacyisbetterthana\"mountainofmummy\"；andhereletmeputinawordinfavorofthatmuch-abusedinstitution，hotels。
Icannotseewhypeopleshouldgoaboutcomplainingofthemastheydo，bothinliteratureandinlife。Myexperiencehasbeenalmostalwaysfavorable。InNewYork，inSaratoga，inCanada，allthroughthemountaindistrict，wefoundampleandadequateentertainmentformanandbeast。Trollopebringshissledge-
hammerdownunequivocally。Ofcoursetherewillbecertainviandsnotcookedpreciselyaccordingtoone\'sfavoritemethod，andattheseprolongeddining-tablesyoumissthehome-feelingofquietandseclusion；butIshouldliketoknowifonedoesnottravelonpurposetomissthehome-feeling？Ifthatiswhatheseeks，itwouldbesoeasytostayathome。Oneloseshalfthepleasureandprofitoftravellingifhemustboxhimselfupwithhisownparty。Itisagoodthingtotriturateagainstotherpeopleoccasionally。Foreating，thereare，tobesure，thelittleovaldishesthathavesoarousedTrollopianandotherire；andyourmutton，itistrue，isbroughttoyouslice-wise，onyourplate，insteadofthewholesheepsetbodilyonthetable，——thesolepresentationappreciatedbyyourtrueBriton，who，withthetraditionsofhisislandhomestillclingingtohim，conceiveshimselfable，Isuppose，innootherwaytomakesurethathismeatandmaccaroniarenottheremnantsofsomebodyelse\'sfeast。ButletBritannia\'ssonnotflatterhimselfthatsoheshallescapecontamination。Hisprecautionsareentirelyfruitless。Supposehedoesseethewholebeastbeforehim，andtheverybean-vines，proofpositiveoffirst-fruits；cannottheeconomicallandlordgatherupheave-shoulderandwave-breastandservethemouttohiminnextday\'smince-pie？Matterrevolves，butisneverannihilated。
Ultimateandpenultimatemealsmingleinthecolorsofshot-silk。
Wherethereisawill，thereisaway。Ifthecookisofafrugalmind，andwillsyoutoeatdriblets，dribletsyoushalleat，underoneshapeoranother。Theonlywaytopreserveyourpeace，istobecontentwithappearances。Takewhatissetbeforeyou，askingnoquestionsforconscience\'sake。Ifitlooksnice，thatisenough。Eatandbethankful。
TrollopesayshenevermadeasinglecomfortablemealatanAmericanhotel。Themeatwasswimmingingrease，andthefemaleservantsuncivil，impudent，dirty，slow，andprovoking。
Occasionallytheyarealittleslow，itmustbeconfessed；butInevermetwithone，maleorfemale，whowasuncivil，impudent，orprovoking。IfIsupposeditpossiblethatmyvoiceshouldeverreachourlatecritic，whosegoodsenseandgoodspiritAmericansappreciate，andwhosenametheywouldbegladtohonorifeverythingEnglishhadnotbecomesuspicioustous，thepossiblesynonymeofPharisaismorstupidity，I
shouldrecommendtohimLordChesterfield\'sassertion，thataman\'sowngoodbreedingisthebestsecurityagainstotherpeople\'sbadmanners。Forthegreasymeats，lethimforegomeatsaltogetherandtakechickens，andhewillnotfindgreaseenoughtosoilhisbestcoat，ifheshouldcarrythechickawayinhispocket。Wealwaysfoundasufficientvarietytoenableustochooseawholesomeandatoothsomedinner，withmanytemptingdainties，andscoresofdishesthatIneverheardofbefore，andordereddubiouslybywayofexperiment，andtastedtimorouslyinpursuitofknowledge。Asforthecorn-cakeoftheWhiteHills，ifIliveathousandyears，Ineverexpectanythinginthelineofbiscuit，loaf，orcakesmoreutterlysatisfactory。Itistheveryultimatecrystallizationofcereals，thepoetryandrhythmofbread，brownandgoldentotheeye，likethelushlovelinessofOctober，crumblingtothetouch，un-utterabletothetaste。Ithasalltheethereal，evanishingfascinationofaspirit。EvemighthavesetitbeforeRaphael。Youscarcelydaretouchitlestitdisappearandleaveyoudisappointedanddesolate。Itismelting，insinuating，——ahalo，hoveringontheborder-landofdreamandreality，beautifulbutuncertainvision，adissolvingview。
IsaidsomethingofthesorttoHalicarnassusonemorning，andhesaid，Yes，itwas——onmyplate。AndyetIhaveneverhadasmuchasIwantedofit，——never。Theotherswereperpetuallyfinishingtheirbreakfastandcompellingme，byakindofmoralviolence，tofinishmine。Imadeanattemptonemorning，thelastofmysojournamongtheDelectableMountains，whentheopposingelementshadleftthetableprematurelytomakearrangementsfordeparture，andstartledthewaiterbyorderinganunlimitedsupplyofcorn-cake。Likeathunder-boltfellonmyeartheterribleanswer:\"Thereisn\'tanythismorning。
Itisbrownbread。\"Memiserable！
Aswewenttodinner，inalargedining-room，uponourarrivalattheGlenHouse，itseemedtomethattheguestswerethemostrefinedandelegantintheirgeneralappearanceofanycompanyIhadseensincemydeparture，andIhadapleasantNew-Englishfeelingofself-gratulation。Butweweredrawnupintolinedirectlyoppositearowofyounggirls，whoreallymademeveryuncomfortable。Theywereatanadvancedstageoftheirdinnerwhenweentered，andtheydevotedthemselvestomakingobservations。Itwasnotcuriosity，oradmiration，orastonishment，orhorror。Itwassimplyfixedness。Theydisplayednoemotionwhatever，buteverytimeyourglancereachedwithinforty-fivedegreesofthem，theretheywere\"staringrightonwithcalm，eternaleyes，\"andkeptatittilltheservantscreatedadiversionwiththedessert。Now，ifthereisanythingthatannoysanddisconcertsme，itistobelookedat。Somewomenwouldhaveputthemdown，butInevercanputanybodydown。ItisasmuchasIcandotoholdmyown，——andmore，unlessIamwithwell-bredpeoplewhoalwayskeeptheirequilibriums。Oneofthesegirlswasthecompanionofavenerableandcourtlygentleman；andthethoughtarose，howisitpossibleforthisgirltohavepossiblythatman\'sbloodinherveins，certainlythearomaofhislifefloatingaroundher，andthefaultlessmodelofhisdemeanorbeforeher，andnotbethemirrorofeverygrace？Ofhowlittleavailisbirthorbreeding，iftheinstinctofpolitenessbenotintheheart。Thatlastremark，however，must\"rightaboutface\"inordertobejust。Iftheinstinctsbetrue，birthandbreedingarecomparativelyofnoaccount，fortheheartwilldictatetothequickeyeandhandandvoicethepropercourse；butwheretheinstinctsarewanting，breedingisindispensabletosupplythedeficiency。Whatonecannotdobynaturehemustdobydrill。Sometimesitseemstomethatyounggirlhoodisintolerable。Thereismuchdelightfulwritingaboutit，——
rose-budsandpeach-blossomsandtimidfawns；butthetimidfawnsarescarceinstreetsandhotelsandschools，——orperhapsitisthatthefawnswhoarenottimiddrawalleyesuponthemselves，andmakeanimpressionentirelydisproportionatetotheirnumbers。Iamthinkingnow，Iregrettosay，ofNewEnglandyounggirls。Wheretheyarecharming，theyareirresistible；theyneedyieldtonobodyintheknownworld。
ButIdothinkthatanuninterestingYankeegirlisthemostuninterestingofallcreatedobjects。Southerngirlshavealmostalwaystendervoicesandsoftmanners。Arrantnonsensecomesfromtheirlipswithsuchsweetsyllabicflow，suchlittleripplesofpronunciationandmusicalinterludes，thatyouareattractedandheldwithoutthesmallestregardtowhattheyaresaying。Icouldsitforhoursandheartwoofthemchatteringoverachecker-boardforthepleasureofthesilvery，tinklingmusicoftheirvoices。Butwoeismeforthevoices，maleandfemale，thatyousooftenhearinNewEngland，——theharsh，stridentvoices，themonotonous，cranky，yanky，filing，raspingvoices，withoutmodulation，allriseandnofall，amonotonousdiscord，nosoul，nofeeling，andnocounterfeitofit，loud，positive，angular，andawful。Indeed，IdonotseehowweNew-Englandersareevertoridourselvesofthereproachofourvoices。Thenumberofpeoplewhospeakwellisnotlargeenoughmateriallytoinfluencetherest。
Teachersdonotteachspeakinginschool，——theycertainlydidnotinmyday，andIhavenoreasontosupposefromresultsthattheydonow，——andparentsdonotteachitathome，forthesimplereason，Isuppose，thattheydonotknowitthemselves。
Wecanallperceivethediscord；buthowtoproduceconcord，thatisthequestion。Thisonething，however，ispracticableifsweetnesscannotbeincreased，volumecanbediminished。
Ifyoucannotmaketherightkindofnoise，youcanatleastmakeaslittleaspossibleofthewrongkind。Oftenthediscordextendstomanners。Publicconveyancesandpublicplacesproducesomanygirlswhoarenotgentle，retiring，shady，attractive。Theyareflingyandsharpandsaucy，withoutbeingpiquant。Theytakeonairswithouthavingthebeautyorthebrilliancywhichalonemakesairsdelightful。
Theyagonizetomakeanimpression，andtheymakeit，butnotalwaysinthelineoftheirintent。Settingouttobepicturesque，theybecomeuncouth。Theyareridiculouswhentheymeantobeinteresting，andsillywhentheytrytobeplayful。Iftheywouldonlyleaveoffattitudinizing，onewouldheappeased。Itmaynotbepossibletoacquireagreeablemanners，anymorethanapleasantvoice；butitispossibletobequiet。Butnosuspicionofdefectseemsevertohavepenetratedthebosomsofsuchgirls。Theyactasiftheythoughtattentionwasadmiration。Levitytheymistakeforvivacity。Peevishnessiselegance。Boldnessisdignity。
RudenessissavoirfaireBoisterousnessistheirvulgateforyouthfulhighspirits。
Andwhat，letmeaskjusthere，isthemeaningofthesmallwaiststhatgirlsarecrammingtheirlivesinto？Ithoughttight-lacingwasaneffetesuperstitioncleangoneforever。
Butagainandagain，lastsummer，Isawthiswretcheddisease，thiscacoethespectusvinciendi，breakingoutwithrenewedandincreasingvirulence；andIheardwomen——yes，grown-upwomen，oldwomen——talkingaboutthe\"Grecianbend，\"andthetaperinglineoftheslender，willowywaist。Now，girls，whenyouhavelacedyourselvesintoawand，donotbesoinfatuatedastosupposethatanysensiblemanlooksatyouandthinksofwillows。Notintheleast。Probablyheiswonderinghowyoumanagetobreathe。AsfortheGrecianbend，youhavebeentoldoverandoveragainthatnoGrecianwoman，whetherinthefleshorinthestone，everbentsuchafigure，——spoiledifitwasoriginallygood，madeworseifitwasoriginallybad。Youwishtobebeautiful，anditisalaudablewish；butnothingisbeautifulwhichisnotloyal，truthful，natural。Youneednottakemysimplewordforit；Idonotbelieveadoctorcananywherebefoundwhowillsaythatcompressionishealthful，orasculptorwhowillsaythatitisbeautiful。Whichnowisthehigherart，thesculptor\'sorthemantua-maker\'s？Whichismostlikelytoberight，themanorthewomanwhodevoteshislifetothestudyofbeautyandstrength，bothinessenceandexpression，orthewomanwhoisconcernedonlywithclippingandtrimming？Whichdoyouthinktakesthemorecorrectview，hewholooksuponthehumanbodyasGod\'shandiwork，athingtobereverenced，tobestudied，tobeobeyed，oronewhoadmiresitaccordingasitvariesmoreorlessfromthestandardofafashion-plate，whoconsidersitasentirelysubordinatetotheprevailingmode，andwhohesitatesatnodevicestobringitdowntothedesiredandutterlyarbitrarydimensions？Thisiswhatyoudo；yougiveyourselvesupintothehands，oryouyieldsubmissivelytotheopinions，ofpeoplewhomakenoaccountwhateveroftheformorthefunctionsofnature；whohavenevermadetheirprofessionaliberalone；whoneverseemtosuspectthatGodhadanythingtodowiththehumanframe；who，whateverstationinlifetheyoccupy，havenotpossessedthemselvesofthefirstprinciplesofbeautyandgrace，whileyouignoretheopinions，andlayyourselfopentothecontempt，ofthosewhosenaturalendowmentsandwhoselargeandvariedculturegivethemthestrongestclaimuponyourdeference。Thewomanwhobindsthehumanframeintosuchshapesashauntedthehotelslastsummer，whethershebeadressmakeroraQueenofFashion，isawomanignorantalikeofthelawsofhealthandbeauty；andeverywomanwhosubmitstosuchdistortioniseitherignorantorweak。Thebodyisfearfullyandwonderfullyandbeautifullymade，agloriouspossession，afairandnobleedifice，theTempleoftheHolyGhost，beautifulitssymmetry，foritsadaptations，foritsuses；andtheywhodeformanddegradeitbyafashionfoundedinignorance，fosteredbyfolly，andfruitfulofwoe，areworkingaworkwhichcanbeforgiventhemonlywhentheyknownotwhattheydo。
Ifthisisnottrue，thenIknownotwhattruthis。Ifitisnotaperfectlyplainandpatenttruth，ontheveryfaceofit，thenIamutterlyincapableofdistinguishingbetweentruthandfalsehood。Yet，ifitistrue，howaccountforthetight-lacingamongwomenwhoareinapositiontobejustasintelligentasthedoctorandthesculptorare？
Girls，Ifindagreatdealoffaultwithyou，doInot？ButIcannothelpit。Youhavebeensowrittenandtalkedandsungandflatteredintoabsurdityandfalsehood，thatthereisnothingleftbuttostabyouwithshort，sharpwords。IfI
chideyouwithoutcause，ifIcensurethatwhichiscensurable，ifIattributetoaclassthatwhichbelongsonlytoindividuals，ifIintimatethatungentlevoices，uncultivatedlanguage，andunpleasingmannersarecommonwhentheyarereallyuncommon，ifIassumetodemandmorethaneverypersonwholoveshiscountryandbelieveshiscountrywomenhasarighttodemand，onmebealltheblame。Butfortenpersonswhogiveyouflatteryandsneers，youwillnotfindonewhowilltellyouwholesometruths。Iwilltellyouwhatseemstometrueandwholesome。Poetastersandcheapsentimentalistswillberhymeandbeguileyou:Icannothelpit；butIwillatleastattempttoadministerthecorrectiveofwhatshouldbecommonsense。TheMagisterwasforcedtoletVonFalterlehaveahandinAlbano\'seducation，buthe\"sworetoweedasmuchoutofhimeverydayasthatotherfellowrakedin。Dilettanteismprattlespleasantthingstoyou:IwantyoutoBEeverythingthatispleasant。Whereafulsomeifnotafalseadulationpraisesyourslendergrace，IshallnothesitatetotellyouthatIseeneitherslendernessnorgrace，butribscrushedin，adiaphragmflatteneddown，liverandstomachandspleenandpancreasjammedoutofplace，outofshape，outofuse；andthat，ifyouwerebornso，humanitywoulddictatethatyoushouldpadliberally，tosavebeholdersfromsuffering；butofmaliceaforethoughtsotocontractyourselvesisbarbarisminthefirstdegree。AndallthewhileIamsayingthesehomelythings，Ishallhavetenthousandtimesmorerealregardandvenerationforyouthanyourvendersofdaintycompliments。
Regard？Jenny，Lilly，Carry，Hetty，Fanny，andtherestofyou，dearlybelovedandlongedfor，——Mary，myqueenmysinging-bird，aroyalcaptive，butsheshallcometohercrownoneday，——mytwoEllens，gracefulandbrilliant，andyou，mysweet-mouthed，soft-eyedislander，withyourlifedeepandboundlessliketheseathatlulledyoutobaby-slumbers，——
knowingyou，shallItalkofregard？Knowingyou，andfromyou，all，doInotknowwhatgirlscanbe？SometimesitseemsasifnooneknowsgirlsEXCEPTme。Iftheworlddidbutknowyou，ifitknewwhatdeepsareinyou，whatstrengthandsalvationfortheraceliedormantinyourdormantpowers，surelyitwouldthrowoffthedeferencethatmaskscontemptandgiveyoutherighthandofroyalfellowship。
Andif，intheworldjustasitis，girlsdidbutknowthemselves！Iftheydidbutknowhowdelightful，hownobleandennobling，howgraciousandconsolingandhelpful，theymightbe，howweariedeyesmightlovetorestuponthem，howsoreheartsmightbehealed，andweakheartsstrengthened，bythefragranceoftheirunfoldingyouth！Thereisnotonegirlinathousand，NorthorSouth，whomightnotbelovelyandbeloved。IdonotreckononadifferenceofraceinNorthandSouth，asthemannerofsomeis。ThegreatmassofgirlswhomonemeetsinschoolsandpublicplacesaretheoneswhointheSouthwouldbethelistless，raggeddaughtersofpoverty。ThegreatmassofSoutherngirlsthatweseearethecherishedandcultivatedupperclasses，andansweronlytoourverybest。
Likeshouldalwaysbecomparedwithlike。AndIamnotafraidtocompareourbest，high-bornorlowly，withthebestofanyclassorcountry。Theyhave，besidesallthatisbeautiful，asubstantialsubstratumofsoundsense，highprinciple，practicalbenevolence，andhiddenresources。Tobeholdthem，theysparklelikediamonds。Toknowthem，theyarebeneficentasiron。Letalltheothersemulatethese。Letnonebecontentwithbeingintelligent。Letthemdeterminealsotobefullofgrace。
AmongthegirlsthatIsawonmyjourneywhodidnotpleaseme，therewereseveralwhodid，——severalofwhomoccasionalglimpsespromisedpleasantthings，ifonlytherewereopportunitytograspthem，——andtwoinparticularwhohaveleftanabidingpictureinmygallery。Letmefrompuredelightlingerovertheportraiture。
Twosisterstakena-pleasuringbytheirfather，——theyoungeranywherefromfourteentoeighteenyearsold，theelderanywherefromsixteentotwenty；——thistallandslender，withamodest，sensitive，quiet，womanlydignity；thatanimated，unconscious，andentirelygirlish；——theonewithvoicelowandsoft，theotherlowandclear。ThefatherwasaneducatedandaccomplishedChristiangentleman。Therelationsbetweenthetwoweremostinteresting。Hisdemeanortowardsthemwasacharmingcombinationofloveandcourtesy。Theirstohimwasatonceconfidingandpolite。Thebestrooms，thebestseats，thebestpositions，werenotassumedbythemoryieldedtothemwiththerudetyrannyononesideandmeanservilityontheotherwhichonetoooftensees，butpresseduponthemwithtrueknightlychivalry，andreceived，notcarelesslyasdueandusual，butwithaffectionatedeprecationandreluctance。Yettherewasnottheslightestaffectationofaffection，thanwhichnoaffectationismorenauseous。Trueaffection，undoubtedly，doesoftenexistwhereitsexpressioniscaricatured，butthecaricatureisnotlessdespicable。Theprideofthefatherinhisdaughterswascharming，——itwassonatural，sofatherly，sofrank，soirresistible，andneveroffensivelyexhibited。Therewasnotataintofshoworselfishnessintheirmutualregard。Theyhadeyesandearsandreadyhandsforeverybody。
Andtheywereadmirabletravellers。Theyneverhadanydiscomforts。Theyneverfoundthefoodbad，orthebedshard，ortheservantsstupid。Theyneverweretiredwhenanythingwastobedone，orcrosswhenithadbeendone，orunderanycircumstancespeevish，orpoutyor\"offish。\"Theywerereadyforeverythingandcontentwithanything。Itwasapleasuretogivethemapleasure，becausetheirpleasurewassomanifest。Theylookedeagerlyateverythingandintoeverything。Theyoungerone，indeed，wassointerested，thatsheoftenforgotherfeetinherbright，observanteyes，whichwouldleadherrightonandon，regardlessofthecourseofothers，tillshewasdiscoveredtobemissing，asearchinstituted，andthewandererreturnedsmiling，butnotdisconcerted。Theywereneverrestless，uneasy，discontented，wantingtogosomewhereelse，orstaylongerwheneveryonewasreadytogo，orannoyingtheirfriendsbyrushingintoneedlessdanger。Theyneverbroughttheirpersonaltastesintoconflictwiththegeneralconvenience。Theywerethoroughlyfreefromaffectation。Theyneverseemedtosayordoanythingwithaviewtotheimpressionitwouldmake，oreventosuspectthattheyshouldmakeanimpression。Theywerejustfondenoughofdresstoarraythemselveswithneatness，freshness，aprettylittletouchofyouthfulornament，andaverynicesenseoffitness。Buttheywereneveroccupiedwiththeirdress，andtheyhadonlyasmuchaswasnecessary，——thoughthatmayhavebeenamother\'scare，——andwhatofthemwasnottheresultofwiseparentalcare？TheydidnottalkaboutGENTLEMEN。Theyhadevidentlybeenbroughtupinfamiliarcontactwiththething，sothatnoglamourhungabouttheword。Theytalkedofplaces，people，books，flowers，allsimplethings，inasimpleway。Theywereinterestedinmusic，inpictures，inwhattheysawandwhattheydid。Theysangandplayedwithfresh，naturalgrace，tothedelightandapplauseofall，andstoppedsoonenoughtomakeuswishformore，butnotsoonenoughtoseemcapriciousordisobligingorpert。
ButmypenfailstopicturethemtoyouasIsawthem，——theonewithhergrave，sweet，artlessdignity，aperfectHonoria，crownedwiththesoftgloryofadawningwomanhood；buttheotherdocileandsprightly，careless，butnotthoughtless。Thebeautyoftheircharacterslayintheperfectbalance。Theirqualitiesweresetoffagainsteachother，andsymmetrywastheresult。Theycombinedoppositesintoafascinatingharmony。
Theyhadalltheeaseandunconcernofrefinedassociation，withoutthesmallestadmixtureofforwardness。Theywereneitherboldnorbashful。Theyneitherpamperednorneglectedthemselves，——neitherfawneduponnorinsultedothers。Theywereeverythingthattheyoughttobe，andnothingthattheyoughtnottobe，andIwishedIcouldputtheminacage，andcarrythemthroughthecountry，andsay:\"Look，girls，thisiswhatImean。ThisiswhatIwishyoutobe。\"
Wewoundaroundthemountains，andwanderedbackandforththroughthedefilesliketheIsraelitesinthewilderness，seeingeverythingthatwastobeseen，andagooddealmore。
Wealightedincessantly，andstruckintolittlewood-pathsaftercascadesandfalls，andgotthemto，sometimes。OfcoursewepenetratedintothedrippingFlume，andpaddledonthePool，ortheBasin，——Ihaveforgottenwhichtheycallit，——
forapoolisbutabigbasin，andabasinasmallpool。OfcoursewesailedandshoutedonEchoLake，anddidobeisancetotheOldManoftheMountainsandhisnumerousandnondescriptprogeny；forhehasplayedpranksupthere，andinfectedthewholesurroundingcountrywithafurorofpersonality。TheOldManhimselfIacknowledged。Thatgreatstonefaceisclearlyandcalmlyprofiledagainstthesky。
Hisknee，too，issusceptibleofproof，forIclimbedit。
AwhitehorseinthevicinityofConwayisvisibletotheimaginativeeye，and，byalittleforcingofvisionandconscience，onecanmakeoutaturtle，allbuttheheadandlegs。
Butthereisalimittoallthings，andwhenHalicarnassusheldupbothhandsinastonishmentandadmiration，anddeclaredthathesawakangaroo，andthen，inshortandrapidsuccession，arhinoceros，anarmadillo，andacrocodile，Ifelt，inthewordsofGeneralBanks，\"Wehavenowreachedthatlimit，\"andshutdownthegatesuponcredulity。
Atalittlevillageamongthemountainswemetourfriends，andstoppedaweekortwo，loathtoleavethecharmedspot。
\"Where？\"Nevermind。Aplacewherethesunshines，andlavender-huedcloudswhirlincraggy，defiant，thunderousmassesaroundimperturbablemountain-tops；andvapors，pearlyandamber-tinted，havenotforgottentofloatsoftlyamongthevalleys；andeveningskiesflingouttheirpinkandpurplebanner；andstarsthrob，andglow，andflash，witharadiantlifethatisnotoftheearth；——wheregreatrivershavenotyetputonthemajestyofmanhood，buttrilloverpebbles，curlaroundrocks，rippleagainstbanks，waltzlittleeddies，spreaddaintypoolsforgaylittletrout，dashupsaucysprayintotheeyesofbendingferns，mockthefranticstrugglesoflostflowersandtwigs，tantalizingthemwithhopeofarestthatnevercomes，leapheadlong，swirlingandsingingwithathousandsilvertongues，downcrannyandravineinallthewildwinsomenessofuncheckedyouth；——alandflowingwithmaple-molassesandsugar，andciderapplesauce，andcheesenewandold，andbakedbeans，andthreesermonsonSundays，besidesSabbathschoolatnoon，andnotimetogohome；andwagonswiththreeseats，[Mem。Alwayschoosethebackseat，ifyouwishtosecureareputationforamiability，]threeonaseat，twoandacolttrottinggravelybesidehismother；roadsallsandinthehollowsandallrutsonthehills，blockedupbysnowinthewinter，andwashedawaybythunder-showersinthesummer；——alandwherecarpetsaredisdained，latchesareofwood，thievesunknown，wainscotsandwellsaunaturel，womenareasbusyasbeesalldayandknitinthechinks，menareinvisibletillevening，girlsbraidhatsandhavebeaux，andeverybodygoestobedandtosleepatnineo\'clock，andgetsupnobodyknowswhen，andcooks，eats，and\"clearsaway\"
breakfastbeforeotherpeoplehavefairlyrubbedtheireyesopen；whereallthetownareneighborsfortenmilesround，andknowyouroutgoingsandincomingswithoutimpertinence，gossipwithoutasting，areintelligentwithoutpretension，sturdywithoutrudeness，honestwithouteffort，andcherishanorthodoxytrueassteel，straightasapine，unimpeachableinquality，andunlimitedinquantity。Godblessthem！Latemaytheyreturntoheaven，andneverwantamantostandbeforetheLordforever！
Somepeoplehaveconscientiousscruplesaboutfishing。I
respectthem。Ihadthemoncemyself。Wantonlytodestroy，formeresport，theinnocentlife，inlakeandriver，seemedtomeacrueltyandashame。Butpeoplemustfish。Now，then，howshallyourtheoryandpracticebeharmonized？Practicecan\'tyield。Plainly，theorymust。Ayearago，IwentoutonarockintheAtlanticOcean，heldaline——justtoseehowitseemed，——andcaughteightfishes；andeverytimeafishcameup，ascruplewentdown。Theyweren\'tverylarge，——thefishes，Imean，notthescruples，thoughthesameadjectivemight，perhaps，notunjustlybeappliedtoboth，——andIdon\'tknowthattheenormityofthesindependsatalluponthesizeofthefish；butifitdid，soentirelyhadmysuccessconvincedmeofman\'slawfuldominionoverthefishofthesea，thatI
verilybelieve，ifawhalehadhookedhimselfontheendofmyline，Ishouldhavehauledhimupwithoutapang。
Idonotinsistthatyoushallacceptmysystemofethics。
Deplorableresultsmightfollowitspracticalapplicationineveryimaginablecase。Isimplystatefacts，leavingthe\"thoughtfulreader\"togeneralizefromthemwhatevercodehepleases。
WhichfactswillpartiallyaccountfortheeagernesswithwhichI，onemorning，secondedaproposaltogoa-fishinginariveraboutfourteenmilesaway。Onewantedthescenery，anotherthedrive，athirdachowder，andsoon；butI——Imayaswellconfess——wantedtheexcitement，thefishes，theopportunityofdisplayingmypiscatoryprowess。Ienjoyedinanticipationthemasculineadmirationandfemininechagrinthatwouldaccompanythebeautiful，fat，shining，speckled，prismatictroutintomybasket，whileotherrodswaitedinvainfora\"nibble。\"I
resolvedtobemagnanimous。Modestyshouldlendtogeniusaheightenedcharm。Iwouldwinheartsbymyhumility，aswellaslaurelsbymydexterity。Iwoulddisclaimsuperiorskill，attributesuccesstofortune，andoffertodistributemyspoilamongthediscomfited。Glory，notpelf，wasmyobject。Youimaginemydisgustonfinding，attheendofourjourney，thattherewasonlyonerodfortheparty。Plentyoflines，butnorods。Whatwastobedone？Itwasproposedtoimproviserodsfromthetrees。\"No，\"saidthefemaleelement。\"Wedon\'tcare。Weshouldn\'tcatchanyfish。We\'djustassoonstrollabout。\"Ibubbledup，ifIdidn\'tboilover。\"WEshouldn\'t，shouldWE？Pray，speakforyourselves！Didn\'tIcatcheightcod-fishesintheAtlanticOcean，lastsummer？Answermethat！\"Iwasindignantthattheyshouldsoeasilybeturnedaway，bythetrivialcircumstanceoftherebeingnorods，fromthenobleartoffishing。Myspiritsrosetotheheightoftheemergency。Thestoryofmyexploitsmakesanimpression。
Thereisamarkedrespectinthetoneoftheirreply。\"Lettherebenodivisionamongus。Goyoutothestream，ONimrodofthewaters，sinceyoualonehavetheprestigeofsuccess。
Wewillwanderquietlyinthewoods，buildafire，frythepotatoes，andawaityourreturnwiththefish。\"Theygotothewoods。Ihangmyprospectivetroutonmyretrospectivecod，andmarchriver-ward。Halicarnassus，accordingtotheoldsaw，\"leavesthisworld，andclimbsatree，\"and，withjackknife，cord，andperseverance，manufacturesafishing-rod，whichhecourteouslyofferstome，whichIsuccinctlydecline，informinghiminnoambiguousphrasethatIconsidernothingbeneaththebestasgoodenoughforme。Halicarnassusisconvincedbymylogic，overpoweredbymyrhetoric，andmeeklyyieldsupthebestrod，thoughthenaturalmanrebels。Thebankoftheriverisrocky，steep，shrubby，anddifficultofascentordescent。
Halicarnassusbidsmetarryonthebridge，whilehedescendstoreconnoitre。Iamacquiescent，andleanovertherailingawaitingtheresultofinvestigation。Halicarnassuspickshiswayovertherocks，sidewiseandzigzaggyalongthebank，anddowntheriver，insearchoffish。IgrowtiredofplayingCasabianca，andstealbehindthebridge，andpickmywayovertherocks，sidewiseandzigzaggyalongthebank，anduptheriver，insearchof\"fun\"；practiseirregularandindescribablegymnasticswithvariablesuccessforhalfanhourorso。Shoutfromthebridge。Ilookup。Toofarofftohearthewords，butseeHalicarnassusgesticulatingfuriously，andevidentlylaboringundergreatexcitement。Retrogradeasrapidlyascircumstanceswillpermit。Halicarnassusmakesaspeaking-
trumpetofhishands，androars，\"I\'veFOUND——aFISH！LEFT——
himfor——YOU——toCATCH！ComeQUICK！\"——and，plungingheadlongdownthebank，disappears。Iamtouchedtotheheartbythissublimeinstanceofself-denialanddevotion，andscrambleuptothebridge，andplungedownafterhim。Heelofbootgetsentangledindresseverythirdstep，——fishing-lineintree-topeverysecond；progressconsequentlynotsorapidascouldbedesired。Reachthewateratlast。Stepcautiouslyfromrocktorocktothemiddleofthestream，——balanceonapebblejustlargeenoughtoplantbothfeeton，andjustfirmenoughtomakeitworthwhiletoruntherisk，——dropmylineintothespotdesignated，——aquiet，blacklittlepoolintherushingriver，——seenofish，buthavefaithinHalicarnassus。
\"Bite？\"asksHalicarnassus，eagerly。
\"Notyet，\"Ianswer，sweetly。Breathlessexpectation。Lipscompressed。Eyesfixed。Fiveminutesgone。
\"Bite？\"callsHalicarnassus，fromdowntheriver。
\"Notyet，\"hopefully。
\"Loweryourlinealittle。I\'llcomeinaminute。\"Lineislowered。Armsbegintoache。Rodsuddenlybobsdown。Snatchitup。Onlyanoldstick。Splashitoffcontemptuously。
\"Bite？\"callsHalicarnassusfromafar。
\"No，\"faintlyrespondsMarius，amidtheruinsofCarthage。
\"Perhapshewillbyandby，\"suggestsHalicarnassus，encouragingly。Fiveminutesmore。Armsbreaking。Kneestrembling。Pebbleshaky。Braindizzy。Everythingseemstobesailingdownthestream。Temptedtogiveup，butlookattheemptybasket，thinkoftheexpectantpartyandtheeightcod-fish，andpossessmysoulinpatience。
\"Bite？\"comesthedistantvoiceofHalicarnassus，disappearingbyabendintheriver。
\"No！\"Imoan，tryingtostandononefoottoresttheother，andendingbystandingonneitherforthepebblequivers，convulses，andfinallyrollsoverandexpires；andonlyavigorousleapandasuddenconversionofthefishing-rodintoabalancing-polesavemefromanignominiousbath。Wearyoftheworld，andlosttoshame，Igatherallmyremainingstrength，windthelineabouttherod，poiseitonhigh，hurlitoutintothedeepestandmostunobstructedpartofthestream，climbuppugnisetcalcibusonthebackofanoldboulder；coax，threaten，cajole，andintimidatemywetbootstocomeoff；dipmyhandkerchiefinthewater，andfolditonmyhead，tokeepfrombeingsunstruck；liedownontherock，pullmyhatovermyface，anddream，tothepurlingoftheriver，thesingingofthebirds，andthemusicofthewindinthetrees，whetherinthebodyIcannottell，orwhetheroutofthebodyIcannottell，ofanotherriver，far，faraway，——
broad，anddeep，andseawardrushing，——nowinshadow，nowinshine，——nowlashedbystorm，nowcalmasababy\'ssleep，——
bearingonitsvastbosomamillioncrafts，whereofIseeonlyone，——alittlepinnace，frailyetbuoyant，——tossedhitherandthither，yetalwayskeepingherprowtothewaves，——washed，butnotwhelmed。Sosmallandslightathing，willshenotbebornedownbythemerchant-ships，theoceansteamers，themen-of-war，thatridethewaves，recklessintheirprideofpower？Howwillsheescapethesunkenrocks，thetreacherousquicksands，theraveningwhirlpools，theblackanddarknight？
Lo！yonder，rightacrossherbows，comesoneoftheSea-Kings，freightedwithdeathforthefraillittlebark！Woe！woe！forthelithelittlebark！Nay，notdeath，butlife。TheSea-Kingmarksthepathofthepinnace。Notdeath，butlife。Signalsflashbackandforth。ShediscernsthevoiceoftheMaster。
He，too，issteeringseaward，——notmorebravely，notmoretruly，butadirectercourse。Hewillpilotherpastthebreakersandthequicksands。Hewillbringhertothehavenwhereshewouldbe。Obravelittlebark！IsitLovethatwatchesatthemasthead？IsitWisdomthatstandsatthehelm？IsitStrengththatcurvestheswiftkeel？——
\"Hello！howmany？\"
Istartupwildly，andknockmyhatoffintothewater。Jumpafterit，attheimminentriskofgoinginmyself，catchitbyoneofthestrings，andstareatHalicarnassus。
\"Asleep，Ifancy？\"saysHalicarnassus，interrogatively。
\"Fancy，\"Iecho，dreamily。
\"Howmanyfishes？\"persistsHalicarnassus。
\"Fishes？\"saystheecho。
\"Yes，fishes，\"repeatsHalicarnassus，inaloudertone。
\"Yes，itmusthavebeenthefishes，\"murmurstheecho。
\"Goodnessgraciousme！\"ejaculatesHalicarnassus，withthevoiceofagiant；\"howmanyfisheshaveyoucaught？\"
\"Oh！yes，\"wakingupandhasteningtoappeasehiswrath；
\"eight，——chieflycod。\"
Indignationchokeshisspeech。MeanwhileIwakeupstillfurther，and，insteadofstandingbeforehimlikeaculprit，beardhimlikeanavengingFury，andupbraidhimwithhisdeceptionanddesertion。Heattemptstodefendhimself，butisoverpowered。Consciousguiltdyeshisface，andremorsegnawsattherootsofhistongue。
\"Sinfulheartmakesfeeblehand。\"
Wewalksilentlytowardsthewoods。Wemeetasmallboywithatinpailandthirty-sixfishesinit。Weaccosthim。
\"Arethesefishesforsale？\"asksHalicarnassus。
\"Bettheybe！\"sayssmallboy，withenergy。
Halicarnassuslooksmeaninglyatme。IlookmeaninglyatHalicarnassus，andbothlookmeaninglyatouremptybasket。
\"Won\'tyoutell？\"saysHalicarnassus。
\"No；won\'tyou？\"Halicarnassuswhistles，thefishesaretransferredfrompantobasket，andwewalkawayas\"chirpasacricket，\"reachthesylvanparty，andarespeedilysurrounded。
\"Owhatbeauties！Whocaughtthem？Howmanyarethere？\"
\"Thirty-six，\"saysHalicarnassus，inalordly，thoroughbredway。\"Icaught\'em。\"
\"Inatinpan，\"Iexclaim，disgustedwithhisconceit，anddeterminedto\"takehimdown。\"
AcryofragefromHalicarnassus，ashoutofderisionfromtheparty。
\"Andhowmanydidyoucatch，pray？\"demandshe。
\"Eight，——allcods，\"Ianswer，placidly。
Tolerablysatisfiedwithouraquaticexperience，wedeterminedtoresumethemountains，butinamilderform；beforewhich，however，itbecamenecessarytodoalittleshopping。Anindividual——oneoftheparty，whosenameIwillnotdivulge，andwhoseidentityyounevercanconjecture，soitisn\'tworthwhiletoexhaustyourselfwithguessing——foundoneday，whileshewasinthecountry，thatshehadwalkedaholethroughthebottomofherboots。Howshediscoveredthisfactisofnomoment；but，uponinvestigatingthesubject，sheascertainedthatitcouldscarcelybesaidwithproprietythattherewasaholeinherboots，but，touseatermwhichsavorsofthestreet，thoughIemployitliterally，thereWASN\'TANYTHING
ELSE。Nowthefactofitselfisnotworthyofremark。Thattheintegrityofapairofbootsshouldyieldtothecontinuedsolicitationsoftime，toil，bone，andmuscle，istoonearlyamatterofeverydayoccurrencetoexcitealarm。The\"irrepressibleconflict\"betweenleatherandlandhas，sofarasIknow，beensuspendedbutoncesince\"AdamdelvedandEvespan，\"
andthatwasonlyanamnestyoffortyyearswhiletheIsraeliteswerewanderinginthewilderness。Butwhenyouaredeepintheheartofthecountry，scouringwoods，climbingmountains，andfordingrivers，havingwithyourusualimprovidenceneglectedtofurnishyourselfwithstoutboots，thena\"horridchasm，\"orseriesofchasms，yawningintheonlypairthatareofanyusetoyou，presentsaspectaclewhichnoreflectivemindcancontemplatewithoutdismay。
Itwas，infact，withagooddealofdismaythattheindividualinquestionsatdown，onemorning，on\"Webster\'sUnabridged，\"——
thatbeingtheonlyavailableseatinanapartmentnotover-capacious，——andwentintoacommitteeofthewholeonthestateofherboots。Theprospectwasnotinviting。Heelsfrightfullywrenchedandaskew，andshowingindubitablesymptomsofaprecipitatesecession；bindingfrayed，ravelled，evidentlystubborninresistance，butatlengthoverpoweredandrentintoinnumerablefissures；buttonsdislocated，draggedupbytheroots，yetclingingtoaforlornhopewithacourageandconstancyworthyofabettercause；upper-leatherglove-kid，onceblack，now\"theashenhueofage，\"gray，purple，flayed，scratched，andgenerallylacerated；soles，ah！thesoles！
Theretheprocessofdisintegrationculminated。Curled，crisped，jagged，gaping，stratified，laminated，tornbyinternalconvulsions，upheavedbyexternalforces，theymighthavebelongedtosomepre-Adamicera，andcertainlypresentedaseriesofdissolvingviews，deeplyinteresting，butnot，itmustbeconfessed，highlyentertaining。
Afterarrangingthesebootsineverypossiblecombination，——
sidebyside，heeltoheel，toetotoe，——andfindingthattheresultofeachandeverycombinationwasthat\"Nolight，butratherdarknessvisible，Servedonlytodiscoversightsofwoe，\"
theIndividualatlength，withasigh，placedthem，keelupwards，onthefloorinfrontofher，and，restingherheadinherhands，gazedatthemwithsuchafixednessandrigiditythatshemighthavebeentakenforanoldOuate，absorbedintheexerciseofhislegitimatecalling。TheoldDruidicalorderweredividedintothreeclasses，Druids，Bards，andOuates。TheDruidsphilosophizedandtheologized，theBardsharpedandsang，andtheOuatesdivinedandCONTEMPLATEDTHE
NATUREOFTHINGS。IthoughtIwouldtellyou，asyoumightnotknow。Iexecratetheself-conceitedwaysomepeoplehaveoftossingofftheireruditeitemsandallusionsinacareless，familiarstyle，asifitissuchABCtothemthattheydon\'tforamomentthinkofanyone\'snotunderstandingit。Worsestillisittohavesomejaggedbrickbat，dugupfromaheapofPatagonianrubbish，flungatyouwitha\"wehaveallheardof\"；ortobeturnedoff，justasyourearsarewideopentolistentoanoldpre-Thauticmyth，with\"thestoryof——istoofamiliartoneedrepetition。\"Youhavenotthemostdistantconceptionwhatthestoryis，yetyoudon\'tliketosayso，becauseitseemstobeintimatedthateveryintelligentpersonoughttoknowit；soyouholdyourpeace。Mydear，don\'tdoit。Don\'tholdyourpeace。Don\'tletyourselfbeputdowninthatway。Don\'tbedeceived。Halfthetimethesepeopleneverknewitthemselves，Idaresay，morethanaweekbefore-hand，andhavebeenpuzzlingtheirbrainseversinceforachancetogetitin。
TheIndividualcameatlengthtotheconclusionthatsomethingmustbedone。Masterlyinactivitymustgivewaytotheexigenciesofthecase。Shehadrecoursetothe\"oldestinhabitant。\"Aseriesofquestionsdisclosedtheimportantfactthat——
\"Well，therewasastoreatSonose，aboutfourteenmilesaway；
andMr。Williams，hekeptcandy，andslate-pencils，andsich——\"
\"Doyousupposebekeepsgoodthickboots？\"
\"Ola！no。\"
\"Doyousupposehekeepsanykindofboots？YouseeIhavewornmineout，andwhatamItodo？\"
\"Well，now，Ithinkslikelyyoucanget\'emmended。\"
Individualbrightensup。\"O，doyou？\"
\"Yes，there\'sMr。Jacobs，livesrightoutthere，underthehill；hemakesmen\'sboots。Ido\'knowashecoulddoyours，butyoumighttry。Thinkslikelyheain\'tgotthetools，northestufftodothatsortofworkwith。\"
Ididn\'tcareforthetoolsorthestuff。AllIwantedwastheshoemaker；ifIcouldfindHIM，littledoubtthatalltherestwouldfollownaturallyfromthepremises。SoIarrangedmy\"sandalshoonandscallop-shell，\"anddepartedonmypilgrimage。Thewayhadbeencarefullypointedouttome，butInevercanremembersuchthingsmorethanoneturn，orstreet，ahead；soImadeapointofinquiringofeveryoneImet，whereMr。Jacobslived。Everyone，bytheway，consistedofalittlegirlwithabasketofpotatoes，andamancarryingtheUnitedStatesmailonhisarm。
AtlengththeIndividualfoundthehouseasdirected，andfoundalsothatitwasnohouse，butabarn，andtheshoemaker\'sshopwasupstairs，andthestairswereontheoutside。Iftheywerefirmandstrong，theirlookswereagainstthem。Neitherstepnorbalustradeinvitedconfidence。TheIndividualstoodontheloweroneinameditativemoodforawhile，andthengaveajumpbywayoftest，thinkingitbesttogothroughtheonenearesttheground，ifshemustgothroughany。Anominouscreakingandswayingandcrackingfollowed，butnoactualrupture。Thesecondstepwastestedwiththesameresult；thenthethirdandfourth；and，reflectingthatappearancesaredeceitful，andrecollectingtherocking-stoneatGloucester，Massachusetts，andthetowerofPisa，&c。，theIndividualshookoffherfears，andascendedrapidly。Beingsomewhatunfamiliarwiththeetiquetteofshoemaker\'sshop，shehesitatedwhethertoknockorplungeatonceintothemiddleofthings，butdecidedtoerronthesafeside，andgaveaverymoderateandconservativerap。Silence。Alouderknock。Thedoorrattled。
Louderstill。Thewholebuildingshook。Knucklesfiledacaveat。Appliedtheheelofthedilapidatedbootinherhand。
Suffocatedwithacloudofdustthenceensuing。Contemplatedthenatureofthingsforawhile。Heardavoice。Amancalledfromaneighboringturnip-field，\"ArterJake？\"
\"Yes，sir，——ifheisashoemaker\"tomakesureofidentity。
\"Yes，well，heain\'ttohome。\"
\"Oh。\"
\"He\'sgonetoSonose。\"
\"Whenwillhebeback，ifyouplease？\"
\"Wall，Ican\'tsayforsartin。Nextweekorweekafter，——
leastwise\'forethefair。Gotajob？\"
\"Yes，sir，butIcan\'tverywellwaitsolong。Doyouknowofanyshoemakersanywhereabout？\"
\"Wall，ma\'am，Ido\'knowasIdo。Folksismostlyfarmershere。There\'sFuller，justmoved，though。ComeupfromExtonyesterday。P\'r\'apshe\'llgiveyoualift。That\'shishouserightdownthere。\'Taintmore\'nhalfamile。\"
\"Yes，sir，Iseeit。Thankyou。\"
Individualdescendsfromherprecariouselevation，andmarchestotheattackofFuller。Afresh-faced，good-natured-lookingmanisjustcomingoutatthegate。Hispleasantcountenancecaptivatesheratonce，and，withasilentbutintensehopethathemaybetheshoemaker，sheasksif\"Mr。Fullerliveshere。\"
\"Well，\"repliestheman，inaneasy，drawlingtone，thatharmonizesadmirablywithhisface，\"whenafellowismoving，hecan\'tbesaidtoliveanywhere。Iguesshe\'lllivehere，though，assoonasthestovegetsup。\"
Ireciprocatedhisfranknesswithanengagingsmile，andasked，inaconfidentialtone，\"Doyousupposehewouldmendashoeforme？\"
IthoughtIwouldbeginwithashoe，and，ifIfoundhimacquiescent，Iwouldmountgraduallytoaboot，thentoapair。
Butmylittlesubterfugewaswaterspilledontheground。
\"Idon\'tknowwhetherhewouldornot，butIknowonething。\"
\"Well？\"
\"Couldn\'tifhewantedto。Ain\'tgothistoolshere。Theyain\'tcomeupyet。\"
\"Oh！isthatall？\"
\"ALL？\"
\"Yes；because，ifyouknowhow，Ishouldn\'tthinkitwouldmakesomuchdifferenceaboutthetools。Couldn\'tyouborrowagimletorsomethingfromtheneighbors？\"
\"AGIMLET？\"
\"Yes，orwhateveryouwant，tomakeshoeswith。\"
\"Anawl，youmean。\"
\"Well，yes，anawl。Couldn\'tyouborrowanawl？\"
\"Naryawl。\"
\"Whenwillyourtoolscome？\"
\"Well，Idon\'tknow；youseeIdon\'thurry\'emup，becauseit\'shaying，andIandmymen，we\'djustaslievesworkoutofdoorsapartofthetimeasnot。Wedon\'tmendshoesmuch。Wemake\'emmostly。\"
\"Ohthat\'sbetterstill；wouldyoumakemeapair？\"
\"Well，wedon\'tdothatkindofwork。Weworkforthedealers。
WemaketheshoesthattheysenddownSouthfortheniggers。
Weain\'tgotthelaststhatwoulddoforyou。\"
Individualgoeshome，asChaucersays，\"indumps，\"anddeterminestotakethebootsunderherownsupervision。First，sheinksoverallthegrayparts。Thenshetakessomesealing-
wax，andsticksdownallthebitsofcuticletornup。Then，inlieuofanythingbetter，shetakessomewhiteflannel-silk，——
notembroidery-silk，youunderstand，butflannel-silk，hardertwistedandstronger，suchasistobefound，sofarasIhavetried，onlyinBoston，——andtherewithendeavorstodownthecurledsoletoitsappropriatesphere，orratherplane。Itisnottheeasiestorthemostagreeableworkintheworld。HowpeoplemanagetoMAKEshoesIcannotdivine，forofallawkwardthingstogetholdof，andtohandleandmanageafteryouhavehold，Ithinkashoeistheworst。Theplacewhereyouputaneedleindoesnotseemtoholdthemostdistantrelationtotheplacewhereitcomesout。Yousetitwhereyouwishittogo，andthenproceedvietarmisetthimble，butitresistsyourarmedintervention。Thenyouresttheheadoftheneedleagainstthewindowsill，andpush。Youfeelsomethingmove。
Everythingisgoingonandindelightfully。Mindassertsitscontrolovermatter。Youpausetoexamine。In？Yes，headdeepinthepine-wood，butthepointnotaninchfurtherintheshoe。
Youpullout。Theshoecomesofftheneedle，buttheneedledoesnotcomeoutofthewindowsill。Youpullthesilk，andbreakit，andthenworktheneedleoutaswellasyoucan，andthenbeginagain，——destroyingthreeneedles，gettingyourfingers\"exquisitelypricked，\"andkeepingyourtemper——ifyoucan。
BysomesuchprocessdidtheIndividual，apassageofwhosebiographyIamnowgivingyou，endeavortorepairtheravagesoftimeandtoil。Insofarasshesucceededinmakingthecrookedplacesstraightandtheroughplacesplain，hereffortsmaybesaidtohavebeencrownedwithsuccess。Itisbutfairtoadd，however，thattheresultdidnotinspireherwithsomuchconfidencebutthatshedeterminedtolaybythebootsforawhile，reservingthemforsuchtimesastheyshouldbemostneeded，withavaguehopealsothatrestmightexercisesomewonderfulrecuperativepower。
Aboutfivedaysafterthis，theywereagainbroughtout，tododutyonalongwalk。Theeventwasmostmournful。Theflannel-silkgaveatthefirstfire。Thesolesrolledthemselvesagaininamostuncomfortablemanner。Ateverystep，thefoothadtobeputforward，placedontheground，andthendrawnback。Thewalkwasanagony。Itsohappenedthatonourreturn，withoutanyintention，wecameoutofwoodsintheimmediatevicinityoftheshoemaker\'saforesaid，andtheIndividualwasquitesuresheheardthesoundofhishammer。
Sherememberedthat，whenshewasyoungandatschool，shewasfamiliarwithacertain\"wardrobe\"whichwasgenerallysobulging-fullofclothesthatthedoorscouldnot，byanyfair，straightforwardmeans，beshut；butifyouspranguponthemsuddenly，takingthemunawares，asitwere，andwhentheywereofftheirguard，youcouldsometimeseffectaclosure。Shedeterminedtotrythisplanontheshoemaker。Soshebadetherestofthepartygoon，whilesheturnedoffinthedirectionofthehammering。Shewentstraightintotheshop，withoutknocking，thedoorbeingajar。Therehewasatit，sureenough。
\"Yourtoolshavecome！\"sheexclaimed，withill-concealedexultation。\"Now，willyoumendmyshoes？\"
\"Well，Idon\'tknowasIcan，hardly。I\'mprettymuchinahurry。Whatwithmovingandhaying，I\'vegotalittlebehindhand。\"
\"Oh！butyoumustmendthem，becauseIamgoinguponthemountaintomorrow，andIhavenootherstowear，andIamafraidofthesnakes；soyousee，youmust。\"
\"Got\'emhere？\"
Individualfurtivelyworksoffthebestone，andpicksitup，——
whilehiseyesarebentonhiswork，——asifshehadonlydroppedit，andhandsittohim。Hetakesit，turnsitover，pullsit，knocksit，withanevidentintentionofunderstandingthesubjectthoroughly。
\"Ratherahaggard-lookingboot，\"heremarks，afterhisclosesurvey。
\"Yes，but——\"
\"Othera\'n\'tsobad，Isuppose？\"
\"Well——I——don\'tknow——thatis——\"
\"Bothbadenough。\"
\"Yes，indeed，\"withanuneasylaugh。
\"Let\'sseetheotherone。\"Theotheroneisproduced，andexaminedinsilence。
\"AreYOUgoingtowearthembootsupthemountain？\"withatonethatsaidveryplainly，\"Ofcourseyou\'renot。\"
\"Why，yes，IWASgoingtowearthem。Don\'tyouthinktheywilldo？\"
\"Iwouldn\'ttrustMYfeetin\'em。\"
\"O——h！AREtheresnakes？Doyouthinksnakescouldbitethroughthem？\"
Ashakeofthehead，andalittle，low，plaintivewhistle，istheonlyreply，buttheyspeakinthunderofboa-constrictors，anacondas，andcobradecapellos。
\"TheywereverygoodandstoutwhenIhadthem。Icalledthemverystoutshoes。\"
\"Oyes，they\'remadeofgoodmaterial，butyouseethey\'rewornout。Idon\'tbelieveIcouldmendthemworthwhile。Thestitcheswouldtearout。\"
\"Butcouldn\'tyou，somehow，glueonapairofsoles？anywaytomakethemstick。I\'llpayyouanything，ifyou\'llonlymakethemlasttillIgohome，oreventillIgetdownthemountain。
Now，Iamsureyoucandoit，ifyouwillonlythinkso。Don\'tyouknowKossuthsays，\'Nothingisdifficulttohimwhowills\'？\"
Hewasevidentlymovedbytheearnestnessoftheappeal。\"I
supposethey\'dbeworthmoretoyounowthanhalfadozenpairwhenyougethome。\"
\"Worth！why，theywouldbeofinestimablevalue。Thinkofthesnakes！Idon\'tcarehowyoudothem，norhowyoumakethemlook。Ifyouwillonlyglueon，orsewon，ornailon，orriveton，somethingthatisthickandwillstick，Iwillpayyou，andbegratefultoyouthroughtheremainderofmynaturallife。\"
\"Well，——youleave\'em，andcomeoveragainthisafternoon，andifIcandoanything，I\'lldoitbythattime。\"
\"Oh！Iamsomuchobligedtoyou\"；andIwentawayinhighspirits，justputtingmyheadbackthroughthedoortosay，\"Nowyoupersevere，andIamsureyouwillsucceed。\"
Iwasashappyasaqueen。Tobesure，Ihadtowalkhomewithoutanyshoes；butthegrasswasassoftasvelvet，andthedustascleanassand，anditdidnothurtmeintheleast。
Tobesure，hehadnotpromisedtomendthem；butIhadfaithinhim，andhowdiditturnout？Verily，Ishouldnothaveknowntheboots，ifIseenonlythesoles。Theywereclipped，andshaved，andunderpinned，andsmoothed，andlookedasiftheyhadtakenout\"anewleaseoflife。\"
\"Idon\'tsupposetheywilllastyouaslongasIhavebeendoingthem，\"heremarked，withunprofessionalfrankness。Ididnotbelievehim，andindeedhisprophecywasnottrue，fortheyareinexistenceyet，andIneverdisposedof\"aquarter\"inmylifewithmoresatisfactionthanIdroppeditthatdayintohisbenevolenthand。
Athousandyearshence，whenNewHampshireshallhavebecomeaspopulousasBabylon，thissketchmaybecomethefoundationofsome\"TaleofBeowulf\"orother。Atanyratehereitisready。
OfalltheWhiteMountains，theoneofwhichyouhearleastsaidisAgamenticus，andperhapsjustly，foritisnotoneoftheWhiteMountains，butanisolatedpeakbyitself。Myinformationconcerningitisfoundedpartlyonobservation，partlyontestimony，andpartlyonmemory，supportedwheresheisweakbyconjecture。Thesesources，however，mingletheirwaterstogethersomewhattoointricatelyforaccurateanalysis，andIshall，therefore，waivedistinctions，andplantmyselfonthebroadbasisofassertion，warningthefuturehistorianandantiquarynottakethispaperasconclusivewithoutextraneousprops。
AgamenticusisahugerockrisingabruptlyfromalevelcountryalongNewHampshire\'shalf-yardofsea-shore。AsitistheonlylargerockontheeasterncoastoftheUnitedStates，itisininvaluablebeacontomariners。ThefirstcityeverbuiltonAmericancontinentwaslaidoutatitsbase，theremainsarenowvisiblefromitssummit；but，asfundsfailed，andthefounderswerekilledbytheIndians，itwasnevercompleted，infactwasneverbegun，onlylaidout。TotheeastIwascertainIsawBoar\'sHeadandasteamersteamingtowardsit，tillIwasassuredthatinsuchcasethesteamermusthavebeensteamingoverthecorn-fields，because，unlikeAenonneartoSalim，therewasnowaterthere。SoIsupposeitmusthavebeen\"Apaintedshipuponapaintedocean。\"
TheascenttoAgamenticusissidlinganduncertainsolongasyouhugyourcarriage；but，leavingthat，andconfidingyourselftoMotherEarth，yougatherbothstrengthandequipoisefromthetouch，and，withalittleboytoguideyouthroughthewoodsandovertherocks，youwillfindtheascentquitepleasantandsafe，ifyouarecarefulnottoslipdown，whichyouwillbesuretodoonyourdescent，whetheryouarecarefulornot。Atthesummitofthemountainisafineandflourishinggrowthofmuskmelon，sugar，andcurrant-wine。Atleastwefoundthemthereinprofusion。
Agamenticushasitslegend。Manyyearsago，theIndians，toaverttheplague，drovetwentythousandcattletothetopofthemountain，andtheresacrificedthemtotheGreatSpirit。
Wecouldstilldiscerntracesofthesacrifice，——burntstones，bitsofgreen-blackglass，andcharredpinebranches。Thenwecamehome。
Perthessays，\"Thatpartofajourneywhichremainsafterthetravellingisthejourney。\"Whatremainsofmyjourney，forme，foryou？Willanyliveoveragainapleasantpastandlookmorecheerilyintoaloweringfutureforthesewaywardwordsofmine？Aretherecloudedlivesthatwillfindalittlesunshine；pent-upsoulsthatwillcatchabreathofbloomsinmyramblingrecord？Aretherelipsthatwillrelaxtheirtightness；eyesthatwillloseforamomenttheshadowofrememberedpain？Then，indeed，thebestpartofmyjourneyisyettocome。
ACALLTOMYCOUNTRYWOMEN。
Inthenewspapersandmagazinesyoushallseemanypoemsandpapers——writtenbywomenwhomeeklytermthemselvesweak，andmodestlyprofesstorepresentonlytheweakamongtheirsex——
discussingthedutieswhichtheweakowetotheircountryindayslikethese。Theinvariableconclusionis，that，thoughtheycannotfight，becausetheyarenotmen，——orgodowntonursethesickandwounded，becausetheyhavechildrentotakecareof，——orwriteeffectively，becausetheydonotknowhow，——
ordoanygreatandheroicthing，becausetheyhavenottheability，——theycanpray；andtheygenerallydoclosewithamelodiousandbeautifulprayer。Nowprayingisagoodthing。
Itis，infact，theverybestthingintheworldtodo，andthereisnodangerofourhavingtoomuchofit；butifwomen，weakorstrong，considerthatprayingisalltheycanoroughttodofortheircountry，andsosettledowncontentedwiththat，theymakeasgreatamistakeasiftheydidnotprayatall。True，womencannotfight，andthereisnocallforanygreatnumberoffemalenurses；notwithstandingthis，theissueofthiswardependsquiteasmuchuponAmericanwomenasuponAmericanmen，——anddepends，too，notuponthefewwhowrite，butuponthemanywhodonot。ThewomenoftheRevolutionwerenotonlyMrs。Adams，Mrs。Reed，andMrs。Schuyler，butthewivesofthefarmersandshoemakersandblacksmithseverywhere。
ItisnotMrs。Stowe，orMrs。Howe，orMissStevenson，orMissDix，alone，whoistosavethecountry，butthethousandsuponthousandswhoareatthismomentdarningstockings，tendingbabies，sweepingfloors。ItistothemIspeak。ItistheywhomIwishtogetholdof；forintheirhandsliesslumberingthefutureofthisnation。
ShallIsaythatthewomenoftodayhavenotcomeuptotheleveloftoday，——thattheydonotstandabreastwithitsissues，——theydonotrisetotheheightofitsgreatargument？
Idonotforgetwhatyouhavedone。Ihavebeheld，ODorcases，withadmirationandgratitude，thecoatsandgarments，thelintandbandages，whichyouhavemade。Ifyoucouldhavefinishedthewarwithyourneedle，itwouldhavebeenfinishedlongago；
butstitchingdoesnotcrushrebellion，doesnotannihilatetreason，orhewtraitorsinpiecesbeforetheLord。Excellentasfarasitgoes，itstopsfearfullyofthegoal。Thisoughtyetodo，butthereotherthingswhichyououghtnottoleaveme。Thewarcannotbefinishedbysheetsandpillow-cases。
SometimesIamtemptedtobelievethatitcannotbefinishedtillwehaveflungthemallaway。WhenIreadoftherebelsfightingbare-headed，bare-footed，haggard，andshorn，inragsandfilth，——fightingbravely，heroically，successfully，——Iamreadytomakeaburnt-offeringofourstacksofclothing。I
feelandfearthatwemustcomedown，astheyhavetoarecklessnessofallincidentals，downtotheroughandruggedfastnessesoflife，downtoverygatesofdeathitself，beforeweshallbereadyandworthytowinvictories。Yetitisnotforthehardestfightstheearthhaseverknownhavebeenmadebythedelicate-handedandpurple-robed。So，intheultimateanalysis，itisneithergold-lacenorragsthatoverpowerobstacles，butthefierysoulthatconsumesbothintheintensityofitsfurnace-heat，bendingimpossibilitiestotheendsofitspassionatepurpose。
ThissouloffireiswhatIwishtoseekindledinourwomen，burningwhiteandstrongandsteady，throughallweakness，timidity，vacillation，treacheryinchurchorstateorpressorparlor，scorching，blasting，annihilatingwhatsoeverlovethandmakethalie，——extinguishedbynotempestofdefeat，nodrizzleofdelay，butglowingonitssteadfastpathtillitshallhaveclearedthroughtheabominationofourdesolationahighwayforthePrinceofPeace。
Omycountrywomen，Ilongtoseeyoustandunderthetimeandbearitupinyourstronghearts，andnotneedtobeborneupthroughit。Iwishyoutostimulate，andnotcravestimulantsfromothers。Iwishyoutobetheconsolers，theencouragers，thesustainers，andnottrembleinperpetualneedofconsolationandencouragement。Whenmen\'sbrainsareknottedandtheirbrowscorrugatedwithfearfullookingforandhearingoffinancialcrises，militarydisasters，andanyandeveryformofnationalcalamityconsequentuponthewar，comeyououttomeetthem，sereneandsmilingandunafraid。Andletyoursmilebenoformaldistortionofyourlips，butabrightrayfromthesunshineinyourheart。Takenotacquiescently，butjoyfully，thespoilingofyourgoods。Notonlylookpovertyinthefacewithhighdisdain，butembraceitwithgladnessandwelcome。
Thelossisbutforamoment；thegainisforalltime。Gofurtherthanthis。Consecratetoaholycausenotonlytheincidentalsoflife，butlifeitself。Father，husband，child，——
Idonotsay，Givethemuptotoil，exposure，suffering，death，withoutamurmur；——thatimpliesreluctance。Irathersay，Urgethemtotheoffering；fillthemwithsacredfury；
firethemwithirresistibledesire；strengthenthemtoheroicwill。Looknotondetails，thepresent，thetrivial，theaspectsofourconflict，butfixyourardentgazeonitseternalside。Benotresigned，butrejoicing。Bespontaneousandexultant。Belargeandlofty。Countitalljoythatyouarereckonedworthytosufferinagrandandrighteouscause。
Givethanksevermorethatyouwereborninthistime；andBECAUSEitisdark，beyouthelightofworld。
Andfollowthesoldiertothebattle-fieldwithspirit。Thegreatarmyoflettersthatmarchessouthwardwitheverymorningsunisapowerfulengineofwar。Fillthemwithtearsandsighs，lamentseparationandsuffering，dwellonyourlonelinessandfears，mournoverthedishonestyofcontractorsandtheincompetencyofleaders，doubtiftheSouthwilleverbeconquered，andforeseefinancialruin，andyouwilldampthepowderanddulltheswordsthatoughttodealdeathuponthefoe。Writeastenderlyasyouwill。Incamp，theroughestmanidealizeshisfar-offhome，andeverywordofloveupliftshimtoalover。Butletyourtendernessunfolditssunnyside，andkeeptheshadowsforHispitywhoknowstheendfromthebeginning，andwhomnoforebodingcandishearten。Gloryinyourtribulation。Showyoursoldierthathisunflinchingcourage，hisundyingfortitude，areyourcrownofrejoicing。
Incitehimtoenthusiasmbyyourinspiration。Makeamockofyourdiscomforts。Beunwearyingindetailsofthelittleinterestsofhome。Fillyourletterswithkittensandcanaries，withbaby\'sshoes，andJohnny\'ssled，andtheoldcloakwhichyouhaveturnedintoahandsomegown。Keephimpostedinallthevillage-gossip，thelectures，thecourtings，thesleigh-rides，andthesingingschools。Bringoutthegoodpointsoftheworldinstrongrelief。Telleverypiquantandpleasantandfunnystoryyoucallthinkof。Showhimthatyouclearlyapprehendthatallthiswarfaremeanspeace，andthatadastardlypeacewouldpavethewayforspeedy，incessant，andmoreappallingwarfare。Helphimtobearhisburdensbyshowinghimhowelasticyouareunderyours。Heartenhim，enlivenhim，tonehimuptothetruehero-pitch。HushyourplaintiveMiserere，acceptthenation\'spainforpenance，andcommissioneveryNorthernbreezetobearaTeDeumlaudamus。
Itfelltomeoncetoreadtherecordofayounglifelaidearlyonourcountry\'saltar。Isawnoblewordstracedbythestillhand，——wordsofdutyandhonorandloveandtrustthatthrilledmyheartandbroughtbackoncemorethevirtueoftheGoldenAge，——nay，ratherrevealedthevirgingoldofthis；butthroughallhislettersandhislifeshone，halfconcealed，yetwhollyrevealed，asilverthreadoflight，woveninbyawoman\'shand。Restandcourageandhope，patienceinthewearinessofdisease，strengththatnervedhisarmforshockandonset，andforthelastgrandthatlaidhisyoungheadlow，——allflowedinuponhimthroughthetonesofonebrave，sweetvoicefaroff。Agentle，fragile，soft-eyedwoman，whatcouldsuchadelicateflowerdoagainstthe\"thunder-stormofbattle\"？WhatDIDshedo？Pouredherowngreatheartandownhighspiritintothepatriot\'sheartandsoul，andsodidall。
Nowasshegoestofroandinherdailylife，soft-eyedstillandserene，sheseemstomenolongerabeautifulgirl，butasaintwrappedaroundalreadywiththeradianceofimmortality。
UnderGod，theonlyquestion，astowhetherwarshallbeconductedtoashamefuloranhonorableclose，isnotofmenormoneyormaterialresource。Intheseoursuperiorityisunquestioned。AsWellingtonphrasedit，thereishardpounding；butweshallpoundthelongest，ifonlyourheartsnotfailus。Womenneednotbeattheirpewterspoonintobullets，forthereareplentyofbulletswithoutthem。Itisnotwhetheroursoldiersshallfightagoodfight；theyhaveplayedthemanonahundredbattle-fields。Itisnotwhetherofficersareorarenotcompetent；generalshaveblunderednationintovictorysincetheworldbegan。Itiswhetherthispeopleshallhavevirtuetoenduretotheend，——toendure，notstarving，notcold，butthepangsofhopedeferred，ofdisappointmentanduncertainty，ofcommercederangedandoutwardprosperitychecked。Willourvigilancetodetecttreacheryandourperseverancetopunishitholdout？Ifwestandfirm，weshallbesaved，thoughsoasbyfire。Ifwedonot，weshallfall，andshallrichlydeservetofall；andmayGodsweepusofffromthefaceoftheearth，andplantinoursteadanationwiththeheartsofmen！
Owomen，hereyoumaystandpowerful，invincible，Ihadalmostsaidomnipotent。Risenowtotheheightsofasublimecourage，——forthehourhasneedofyou。WhenthefirstballsmotetherockysidesofSumter，thereboundthrilledfromshoretoshore，andwakedtheslumberingheroineveryhumansoul。Theneveryeyeflamed，everylipwastouchedwithalivecoalfromthesacredaltar，everyformdilatedtothestatureoftheidealtime。Thenwefeltinourveinsthepulseofimmortalyouth。Thenallthechivalryoftheancientdays，alltheheroism，alltheself-sacrificethatshapeditselfintonobleliving，camebacktous，pouredoverus，sweptawaythedrossofselfishnessanddeceptionandpettyscheming，andPatriotismrosefromtheswellingwavestatelyasagoddess。