Andyetthecompensationsofcalamityaremadeapparenttotheunderstandingalso，afterlongintervalsoftime。Afever，amutilation，acrueldisappointment，alossofwealth，alossoffriends，seemsatthemomentunpaidloss，andunpayable。Butthesureyearsrevealthedeepremedialforcethatunderliesallfacts。
Thedeathofadearfriend，wife，brother，lover，whichseemednothingbutprivation，somewhatlaterassumestheaspectofaguideorgenius；foritcommonlyoperatesrevolutionsinourwayoflife，terminatesanepochofinfancyorofyouthwhichwaswaitingtobeclosed，breaksupawontedoccupation，orahousehold，orstyleofliving，andallowstheformationofnewonesmorefriendlytothegrowthofcharacter。Itpermitsorconstrainstheformationofnewacquaintances，andthereceptionofnewinfluencesthatproveofthefirstimportancetothenextyears；andthemanorwomanwhowouldhaveremainedasunnygarden-flower，withnoroomforitsrootsandtoomuchsunshineforitshead，bythefallingofthewallsandtheneglectofthegardener，ismadethebanianoftheforest，yieldingshadeandfruittowideneighbourhoodsofmen。
SPIRITUALLAWS
ThelivingHeaventhyprayersrespect，Houseatonceandarchitect，Quarryingman\'srejectedhours，Buildstherewitheternaltowers；
Soleandself-commandedworks，Fearsnotunderminingdays，Growsbydecays，And，bythefamousmightthatlurksInreactionandrecoil，Makesflametofreeze，andicetoboil；
Forging，throughswartarmsofOffence，ThesilverseatofInnocence。
ESSAYIV_SpiritualLaws_
Whentheactofreflectiontakesplaceinthemind，whenwelookatourselvesinthelightofthought，wediscoverthatourlifeisembosomedinbeauty。Behindus，aswego，allthingsassumepleasingforms，ascloudsdofaroff。Notonlythingsfamiliarandstale，buteventhetragicandterrible，arecomely，astheytaketheirplaceinthepicturesofmemory。Theriver-bank，theweedatthewater-side，theoldhouse，thefoolishperson，——howeverneglectedinthepassing，——haveagraceinthepast。Eventhecorpsethathaslaininthechambershasaddedasolemnornamenttothehouse。Thesoulwillnotknoweitherdeformityorpain。If，inthehoursofclearreason，weshouldspeaktheseveresttruth，weshouldsay，thatwehadnevermadeasacrifice。Inthesehoursthemindseemssogreat，thatnothingcanbetakenfromusthatseemsmuch。Allloss，allpain，isparticular；theuniverseremainstotheheartunhurt。Neithervexationsnorcalamitiesabateourtrust。Nomaneverstatedhisgriefsaslightlyashemight。Allowforexaggerationinthemostpatientandsorelyriddenhackthateverwasdriven。Foritisonlythefinitethathaswroughtandsuffered；theinfiniteliesstretchedinsmilingrepose。
Theintellectuallifemaybekeptcleanandhealthful，ifmanwilllivethelifeofnature，andnotimportintohisminddifficultieswhicharenoneofhis。Nomanneedbeperplexedinhisspeculations。Lethimdoandsaywhatstrictlybelongstohim，and，thoughveryignorantofbooks，hisnatureshallnotyieldhimanyintellectualobstructionsanddoubts。Ouryoungpeoplearediseasedwiththetheologicalproblemsoforiginalsin，originofevil，predestination，andthelike。Theseneverpresentedapracticaldifficultytoanyman，——neverdarkenedacrossanyman\'sroad，whodidnotgooutofhiswaytoseekthem。Thesearethesoul\'smumps，andmeasles，andwhooping-coughs，andthosewhohavenotcaughtthemcannotdescribetheirhealthorprescribethecure。Asimplemindwillnotknowtheseenemies。Itisquiteanotherthingthatheshouldbeabletogiveaccountofhisfaith，andexpoundtoanotherthetheoryofhisself-unionandfreedom。Thisrequiresraregifts。
Yet，withoutthisself-knowledge，theremaybeasylvanstrengthandintegrityinthatwhichheis。“Afewstronginstinctsandafewplainrules“sufficeus。
Mywillnevergavetheimagesinmymindtheranktheynowtake。Theregularcourseofstudies，theyearsofacademicalandprofessionaleducation，havenotyieldedmebetterfactsthansomeidlebooksunderthebenchattheLatinSchool。Whatwedonotcalleducationismorepreciousthanthatwhichwecallso。Weformnoguess，atthetimeofreceivingathought，ofitscomparativevalue。
Andeducationoftenwastesitseffortinattemptstothwartandbalkthisnaturalmagnetism，whichissuretoselectwhatbelongstoit。
Inlikemanner，ourmoralnatureisvitiatedbyanyinterferenceofourwill。Peoplerepresentvirtueasastruggle，andtaketothemselvesgreatairsupontheirattainments，andthequestioniseverywherevexed，whenanoblenatureiscommended，whetherthemanisnotbetterwhostriveswithtemptation。Butthereisnomeritinthematter。EitherGodisthere，orheisnotthere。
Welovecharactersinproportionastheyareimpulsiveandspontaneous。Thelessamanthinksorknowsabouthisvirtues，thebetterwelikehim。Timoleon\'svictoriesarethebestvictories；
whichranandflowedlikeHomer\'sverses，Plutarchsaid。Whenweseeasoulwhoseactsareallregal，graceful，andpleasantasroses，wemustthankGodthatsuchthingscanbeandare，andnotturnsourlyontheangel，andsay，`Crumpisabettermanwithhisgruntingresistancetoallhisnativedevils。\'
Notlessconspicuousisthepreponderanceofnatureoverwillinallpracticallife。Thereislessintentioninhistorythanweascribetoit。Weimputedeep-laid，far-sightedplanstoCaesarandNapoleon；butthebestoftheirpowerwasinnature，notinthem。
Menofanextraordinarysuccess，intheirhonestmoments，havealwayssung，`Notuntous，notuntous。\'Accordingtothefaithoftheirtimes，theyhavebuiltaltarstoFortune，ortoDestiny，ortoSt。
Julian。Theirsuccesslayintheirparallelismtothecourseofthought，whichfoundinthemanunobstructedchannel；andthewondersofwhichtheywerethevisibleconductorsseemedtotheeyetheirdeed。Didthewiresgeneratethegalvanism？Itiseventruethattherewaslessinthemonwhichtheycouldreflect，thaninanother；
asthevirtueofapipeistobesmoothandhollow。Thatwhichexternallyseemedwillandimmovablenesswaswillingnessandself-annihilation。CouldShakspearegiveatheoryofShakspeare？
Couldeveramanofprodigiousmathematicalgeniusconveytoothersanyinsightintohismethods？Ifhecouldcommunicatethatsecret，itwouldinstantlyloseitsexaggeratedvalue，blendingwiththedaylightandthevitalenergythepowertostandandtogo。
Thelessonisforciblytaughtbytheseobservations，thatourlifemightbemucheasierandsimplerthanwemakeit；thattheworldmightbeahappierplacethanitis；thatthereisnoneedofstruggles，convulsions，anddespairs，ofthewringingofthehandsandthegnashingoftheteeth；thatwemiscreateourownevils。Weinterferewiththeoptimismofnature；for，wheneverwegetthisvantage-groundofthepast，orofawisermindinthepresent，weareabletodiscernthatwearebegirtwithlawswhichexecutethemselves。
Thefaceofexternalnatureteachesthesamelesson。Naturewillnothaveusfretandfume。Shedoesnotlikeourbenevolenceorourlearningmuchbetterthanshelikesourfraudsandwars。Whenwecomeoutofthecaucus，orthebank，ortheAbolition-convention，ortheTemperance-meeting，ortheTranscendentalclub，intothefieldsandwoods，shesaystous，`Sohot？mylittleSir。\'
Wearefullofmechanicalactions。Wemustneedsintermeddle，andhavethingsinourownway，untilthesacrificesandvirtuesofsocietyareodious。Loveshouldmakejoy；butourbenevolenceisunhappy。OurSunday-schools，andchurches，andpauper-societiesareyokestotheneck。Wepainourselvestopleasenobody。Therearenaturalwaysofarrivingatthesameendsatwhichtheseaim，butdonotarrive。Whyshouldallvirtueworkinoneandthesameway？Whyshouldallgivedollars？Itisveryinconvenienttouscountryfolk，andwedonotthinkanygoodwillcomeofit。Wehavenotdollars；
merchantshave；letthemgivethem。Farmerswillgivecorn；poetswillsing；womenwillsew；laborerswilllendahand；thechildrenwillbringflowers。AndwhydragthisdeadweightofaSunday-schooloverthewholeChristendom？Itisnaturalandbeautifulthatchildhoodshouldinquire，andmaturityshouldteach；butitistimeenoughtoanswerquestionswhentheyareasked。Donotshutuptheyoungpeopleagainsttheirwillinapew，andforcethechildrentoaskthemquestionsforanhouragainsttheirwill。
Ifwelookwider，thingsareallalike；laws，andletters，andcreeds，andmodesofliving，seematravestieoftruth。Oursocietyisencumberedbyponderousmachinery，whichresemblestheendlessaqueductswhichtheRomansbuiltoverhillanddale，andwhicharesupersededbythediscoveryofthelawthatwaterrisestothelevelofitssource。ItisaChinesewallwhichanynimbleTartarcanleapover。Itisastandingarmy，notsogoodasapeace。Itisagraduated，titled，richlyappointedempire，quitesuperfluouswhentown-meetingsarefoundtoanswerjustaswell。
Letusdrawalessonfromnature，whichalwaysworksbyshortways。Whenthefruitisripe，itfalls。Whenthefruitisdespatched，theleaffalls。Thecircuitofthewatersismerefalling。Thewalkingofmanandallanimalsisafallingforward。
Allourmanuallaborandworksofstrength，asprying，splitting，digging，rowing，andsoforth，aredonebydintofcontinualfalling，andtheglobe，earth，moon，comet，sun，star，fallforeverandever。
Thesimplicityoftheuniverseisverydifferentfromthesimplicityofamachine。Hewhoseesmoralnatureoutandout，andthoroughlyknowshowknowledgeisacquiredandcharacterformed，isapedant。Thesimplicityofnatureisnotthatwhichmayeasilyberead，butisinexhaustible。Thelastanalysiscannowisebemade。
Wejudgeofaman\'swisdombyhishope，knowingthattheperceptionoftheinexhaustiblenessofnatureisanimmortalyouth。Thewildfertilityofnatureisfeltincomparingourrigidnamesandreputationswithourfluidconsciousness。Wepassintheworldforsectsandschools，foreruditionandpiety，andweareallthetimejejunebabes。OneseesverywellhowPyrrhonismgrewup。Everymanseesthatheisthatmiddlepoint，whereofeverythingmaybeaffirmedanddeniedwithequalreason。Heisold，heisyoung，heisverywise，heisaltogetherignorant。Hehearsandfeelswhatyousayoftheseraphim，andofthetin-pedler。Thereisnopermanentwiseman，exceptinthefigmentoftheStoics。Wesidewiththehero，aswereadorpaint，againstthecowardandtherobber；butwehavebeenourselvesthatcowardandrobber，andshallbeagain，notinthelowcircumstance，butincomparisonwiththegrandeurspossibletothesoul。
Alittleconsiderationofwhattakesplacearounduseverydaywouldshowus，thatahigherlawthanthatofourwillregulatesevents；thatourpainfullaborsareunnecessary，andfruitless；thatonlyinoureasy，simple，spontaneousactionarewestrong，andbycontentingourselveswithobediencewebecomedivine。Beliefandlove，——abelievinglovewillrelieveusofavastloadofcare。O
mybrothers，Godexists。Thereisasoulatthecentreofnature，andoverthewillofeveryman，sothatnoneofuscanwrongtheuniverse。Ithassoinfuseditsstrongenchantmentintonature，thatweprosperwhenweacceptitsadvice，andwhenwestruggletowounditscreatures，ourhandsaregluedtooursides，ortheybeatourownbreasts。Thewholecourseofthingsgoestoteachusfaith。Weneedonlyobey。Thereisguidanceforeachofus，andbylowlylisteningweshallheartherightword。Whyneedyouchoosesopainfullyyourplace，andoccupation，andassociates，andmodesofaction，andofentertainment？Certainlythereisapossiblerightforyouthatprecludestheneedofbalanceandwilfulelection。Foryouthereisareality，afitplaceandcongenialduties。Placeyourselfinthemiddleofthestreamofpowerandwisdomwhichanimatesallwhomitfloats，andyouarewithouteffortimpelledtotruth，toright，andaperfectcontentment。Thenyouputallgainsayersinthewrong。Thenyouaretheworld，themeasureofright，oftruth，ofbeauty。Ifwewillnotbemar-plotswithourmiserableinterferences，thework，thesociety，letters，arts，science，religionofmenwouldgoonfarbetterthannow，andtheheavenpredictedfromthebeginningoftheworld，andstillpredictedfromthebottomoftheheart，wouldorganizeitself，asdonowtherose，andtheair，andthesun。
Isay，_donotchoose_；butthatisafigureofspeechbywhichIwoulddistinguishwhatiscommonlycalled_choice_amongmen，andwhichisapartialact，thechoiceofthehands，oftheeyes，oftheappetites，andnotawholeactoftheman。ButthatwhichIcallrightorgoodnessisthechoiceofmyconstitution；andthatwhichI
callheaven，andinwardlyaspireafter，isthestateorcircumstancedesirabletomyconstitution；andtheactionwhichIinallmyyearstendtodo，istheworkformyfaculties。Wemustholdamanamenabletoreasonforthechoiceofhisdailycraftorprofession。
Itisnotanexcuseanylongerforhisdeeds，thattheyarethecustomofhistrade。Whatbusinesshashewithaneviltrade？Hashenota_calling_inhischaracter。
Eachmanhashisownvocation。Thetalentisthecall。Thereisonedirectioninwhichallspaceisopentohim。Hehasfacultiessilentlyinvitinghimthithertoendlessexertion。Heislikeashipinariver；herunsagainstobstructionsoneverysidebutone；onthatsideallobstructionistakenaway，andhesweepsserenelyoveradeepeningchannelintoaninfinitesea。Thistalentandthiscalldependonhisorganization，orthemodeinwhichthegeneralsoulincarnatesitselfinhim。Heinclinestodosomethingwhichiseasytohim，andgoodwhenitisdone，butwhichnoothermancando。Hehasnorival。Forthemoretrulyheconsultshisownpowers，themoredifferencewillhisworkexhibitfromtheworkofanyother。
Hisambitionisexactlyproportionedtohispowers。Theheightofthepinnacleisdeterminedbythebreadthofthebase。Everymanhasthiscallofthepowertodosomewhatunique，andnomanhasanyothercall。Thepretencethathehasanothercall，asummonsbynameandpersonalelectionandoutward“signsthatmarkhimextraordinary，andnotintherollofcommonmen，“isfanaticism，andbetraysobtusenesstoperceivethatthereisonemindinalltheindividuals，andnorespectofpersonstherein。
Bydoinghiswork，hemakestheneedfeltwhichhecansupply，andcreatesthetastebywhichheisenjoyed。Bydoinghisownwork，heunfoldshimself。Itistheviceofourpublicspeakingthatithasnotabandonment。Somewhere，notonlyeveryoratorbuteverymanshouldletoutallthelengthofallthereins；shouldfindormakeafrankandheartyexpressionofwhatforceandmeaningisinhim。Thecommonexperienceis，thatthemanfitshimselfaswellashecantothecustomarydetailsofthatworkortradehefallsinto，andtendsitasadogturnsaspit。Thenisheapartofthemachinehemoves；
themanislost。Untilhecanmanagetocommunicatehimselftoothersinhisfullstatureandproportion，hedoesnotyetfindhisvocation。Hemustfindinthatanoutletforhischaracter，sothathemayjustifyhisworktotheireyes。Ifthelaborismean，lethimbyhisthinkingandcharactermakeitliberal。Whateverheknowsandthinks，whateverinhisapprehensionisworthdoing，thatlethimcommunicate，ormenwillneverknowandhonorhimaright。Foolish，wheneveryoutakethemeannessandformalityofthatthingyoudo，insteadofconvertingitintotheobedientspiracleofyourcharacterandaims。
Welikeonlysuchactionsashavealreadylonghadthepraiseofmen，anddonotperceivethatanythingmancandomaybedivinelydone。Wethinkgreatnessentailedororganizedinsomeplacesorduties，incertainofficesoroccasions，anddonotseethatPaganinicanextractrapturefromacatgut，andEulensteinfromajews-harp，andanimble-fingeredladoutofshredsofpaperwithhisscissors，andLandseeroutofswine，andtheherooutofthepitifulhabitationandcompanyinwhichhewashidden。Whatwecallobscureconditionorvulgarsocietyisthatconditionandsocietywhosepoetryisnotyetwritten，butwhichyoushallpresentlymakeasenviableandrenownedasany。Inourestimates，letustakealessonfromkings。
Thepartsofhospitality，theconnectionoffamilies，theimpressivenessofdeath，andathousandotherthings，royaltymakesitsownestimateof，andaroyalmindwill。Tomakehabituallyanewestimate，——thatiselevation。
Whatamandoes，thathehas。Whathashetodowithhopeorfear？Inhimselfishismight。Lethimregardnogoodassolid，butthatwhichisinhisnature，andwhichmustgrowoutofhimaslongasheexists。Thegoodsoffortunemaycomeandgolikesummerleaves；lethimscatterthemoneverywindasthemomentarysignsofhisinfiniteproductiveness。
Hemayhavehisown。Aman\'sgenius，thequalitythatdifferenceshimfromeveryother，thesusceptibilitytooneclassofinfluences，theselectionofwhatisfitforhim，therejectionofwhatisunfit，determinesforhimthecharacteroftheuniverse。A
manisamethod，aprogressivearrangement；aselectingprinciple，gatheringhisliketohim，whereverhegoes。Hetakesonlyhisownoutofthemultiplicitythatsweepsandcirclesroundhim。Heislikeoneofthoseboomswhicharesetoutfromtheshoreonriverstocatchdrift-wood，orliketheloadstoneamongstsplintersofsteel。
Thosefacts，words，persons，whichdwellinhismemorywithouthisbeingabletosaywhy，remain，becausetheyhavearelationtohimnotlessrealforbeingasyetunapprehended。Theyaresymbolsofvaluetohim，astheycaninterpretpartsofhisconsciousnesswhichhewouldvainlyseekwordsforintheconventionalimagesofbooksandotherminds。Whatattractsmyattentionshallhaveit，asIwillgotothemanwhoknocksatmydoor，whilstathousandpersons，asworthy，gobyit，towhomIgivenoregard。Itisenoughthattheseparticularsspeaktome。Afewanecdotes，afewtraitsofcharacter，manners，face，afewincidents，haveanemphasisinyourmemoryoutofallproportiontotheirapparentsignificance，ifyoumeasurethembytheordinarystandards。Theyrelatetoyourgift。Letthemhavetheirweight，anddonotrejectthem，andcastaboutforillustrationandfactsmoreusualinliterature。Whatyourheartthinksgreatisgreat。Thesoul\'semphasisisalwaysright。
Overallthingsthatareagreeabletohisnatureandgenius，themanhasthehighestright。Everywherehemaytakewhatbelongstohisspiritualestate，norcanhetakeanythingelse，thoughalldoorswereopen，norcanalltheforceofmenhinderhimfromtakingsomuch。Itisvaintoattempttokeepasecretfromonewhohasarighttoknowit。Itwilltellitself。Thatmoodintowhichafriendcanbringusishisdominionoverus。Tothethoughtsofthatstateofmindhehasaright。Allthesecretsofthatstateofmindhecancompel。Thisisalawwhichstatesmenuseinpractice。AlltheterrorsoftheFrenchRepublic，whichheldAustriainawe，wereunabletocommandherdiplomacy。ButNapoleonsenttoViennaM。deNarbonne，oneoftheoldnoblesse，withthemorals，manners，andnameofthatinterest，saying，thatitwasindispensabletosendtotheoldaristocracyofEuropemenofthesameconnection，which，infact，constitutesasortoffree-masonry。M。deNarbonne，inlessthanafortnight，penetratedallthesecretsoftheimperialcabinet。
Nothingseemssoeasyastospeakandtobeunderstood。Yetamanmaycometofind_that_thestrongestofdefencesandofties，——
thathehasbeenunderstood；andhewhohasreceivedanopinionmaycometofinditthemostinconvenientofbonds。
Ifateacherhaveanyopinionwhichhewishestoconceal，hispupilswillbecomeasfullyindoctrinatedintothatasintoanywhichhepublishes。Ifyoupourwaterintoavesseltwistedintocoilsandangles，itisvaintosay，Iwillpouritonlyintothisorthat；——
itwillfinditslevelinall。Menfeelandacttheconsequencesofyourdoctrine，withoutbeingabletoshowhowtheyfollow。Showusanarcofthecurve，andagoodmathematicianwillfindoutthewholefigure。Wearealwaysreasoningfromtheseentotheunseen。Hencetheperfectintelligencethatsubsistsbetweenwisemenofremoteages。Amancannotburyhismeaningssodeepinhisbook，buttimeandlike-mindedmenwillfindthem。Platohadasecretdoctrine，hadhe？WhatsecretcanheconcealfromtheeyesofBacon？ofMontaigne？
ofKant？Therefore，Aristotlesaidofhisworks，“Theyarepublishedandnotpublished。“
Nomancanlearnwhathehasnotpreparationforlearning，howeverneartohiseyesistheobject。Achemistmaytellhismostprecioussecretstoacarpenter，andheshallbeneverthewiser，——
thesecretshewouldnotuttertoachemistforanestate。Godscreensusevermorefromprematureideas。Oureyesareholdenthatwecannotseethingsthatstareusintheface，untilthehourarriveswhenthemindisripened；thenwebeholdthem，andthetimewhenwesawthemnotislikeadream。
Notinnaturebutinmanisallthebeautyandworthhesees。
Theworldisveryempty，andisindebtedtothisgilding，exaltingsoulforallitspride。“Earthfillsherlapwithsplendors“_notherown_。ThevaleofTempe，Tivoli，andRomeareearthandwater，rocksandsky。Thereareasgoodearthandwaterinathousandplaces，yethowunaffecting！
Peoplearenotthebetterforthesunandmoon，thehorizonandthetrees；asitisnotobservedthatthekeepersofRomangalleries，orthevaletsofpainters，haveanyelevationofthought，orthatlibrariansarewisermenthanothers。Therearegracesinthedemeanourofapolishedandnobleperson，whicharelostupontheeyeofachurl。Thesearelikethestarswhoselighthasnotyetreachedus。
Hemayseewhathemaketh。Ourdreamsarethesequelofourwakingknowledge。Thevisionsofthenightbearsomeproportiontothevisionsoftheday。Hideousdreamsareexaggerationsofthesinsoftheday。Weseeourevilaffectionsembodiedinbadphysiognomies。OntheAlps，thetravellersometimesbeholdshisownshadowmagnifiedtoagiant，sothateverygestureofhishandisterrific。“Mychildren，“saidanoldmantohisboysscaredbyafigureinthedarkentry，“mychildren，youwillneverseeanythingworsethanyourselves。“Asindreams，sointhescarcelylessfluideventsoftheworld，everymanseeshimselfincolossal，withoutknowingthatitishimself。Thegood，comparedtotheevilwhichhesees，isashisowngoodtohisownevil。Everyqualityofhismindismagnifiedinsomeoneacquaintance，andeveryemotionofhisheartinsomeone。Heislikeaquincunxoftrees，whichcountsfive，east，west，north，orsouth；or，aninitial，medial，andterminalacrostic。Andwhynot？Hecleavestooneperson，andavoidsanother，accordingtotheirlikenessorunlikenesstohimself，trulyseekinghimselfinhisassociates，andmoreoverinhistrade，andhabits，andgestures，andmeats，anddrinks；andcomesatlasttobefaithfullyrepresentedbyeveryviewyoutakeofhiscircumstances。
Hemayreadwhathewrites。Whatcanweseeoracquire，butwhatweare？YouhaveobservedaskilfulmanreadingVirgil。Well，thatauthorisathousandbookstoathousandpersons。Takethebookintoyourtwohands，andreadyoureyesout；youwillneverfindwhatIfind。Ifanyingeniousreaderwouldhaveamonopolyofthewisdomordelighthegets，heisassecurenowthebookisEnglished，asifitwereimprisonedinthePelews\'tongue。Itiswithagoodbookasitiswithgoodcompany。Introduceabasepersonamonggentlemen；itisalltonopurpose；heisnottheirfellow。Everysocietyprotectsitself。Thecompanyisperfectlysafe，andheisnotoneofthem，thoughhisbodyisintheroom。
Whatavailsittofightwiththeeternallawsofmind，whichadjusttherelationofallpersonstoeachother，bythemathematicalmeasureoftheirhavingsandbeings？GertrudeisenamouredofGuy；
howhigh，howaristocratic，howRomanhismienandmanners！tolivewithhimwerelifeindeed，andnopurchaseistoogreat；andheavenandeartharemovedtothatend。Well，GertrudehasGuy；butwhatnowavailshowhigh，howaristocratic，howRomanhismienandmanners，ifhisheartandaimsareinthesenate，inthetheatre，andinthebilliard-room，andshehasnoaims，noconversation，thatcanenchanthergracefullord？
Heshallhavehisownsociety。Wecanlovenothingbutnature。
Themostwonderfultalents，themostmeritoriousexertions，reallyavailverylittlewithus；butnearnessorlikenessofnature，——howbeautifulistheeaseofitsvictory！Personsapproachusfamousfortheirbeauty，fortheiraccomplishments，worthyofallwonderfortheircharmsandgifts；theydedicatetheirwholeskilltothehourandthecompany，withveryimperfectresult。Tobesure，itwouldbeungratefulinusnottopraisethemloudly。Then，whenallisdone，apersonofrelatedmind，abrotherorsisterbynature，comestoussosoftlyandeasily，sonearlyandintimately，asifitwerethebloodinourproperveins，thatwefeelasifsomeonewasgone，insteadofanotherhavingcome；weareutterlyrelievedandrefreshed；itisasortofjoyfulsolitude。Wefoolishlythinkinourdaysofsin，thatwemustcourtfriendsbycompliancetothecustomsofsociety，toitsdress，itsbreeding，anditsestimates。
ButonlythatsoulcanbemyfriendwhichIencounteronthelineofmyownmarch，thatsoultowhichIdonotdecline，andwhichdoesnotdeclinetome，but，nativeofthesamecelestiallatitude，repeatsinitsownallmyexperience。Thescholarforgetshimself，andapesthecustomsandcostumesofthemanoftheworld，todeservethesmileofbeauty，andfollowssomegiddygirl，notyettaughtbyreligiouspassiontoknowthenoblewomanwithallthatisserene，oracular，andbeautifulinhersoul。Lethimbegreat，andloveshallfollowhim。Nothingismoredeeplypunishedthantheneglectoftheaffinitiesbywhichalonesocietyshouldbeformed，andtheinsanelevityofchoosingassociatesbyothers\'eyes。
Hemaysethisownrate。Itisamaximworthyofallacceptation，thatamanmayhavethatallowancehetakes。Taketheplaceandattitudewhichbelongtoyou，andallmenacquiesce。Theworldmustbejust。Itleaveseveryman，withprofoundunconcern，tosethisownrate。Heroordriveller，itmeddlesnotinthematter。
Itwillcertainlyacceptyourownmeasureofyourdoingandbeing，whetheryousneakaboutanddenyyourownname，orwhetheryouseeyourworkproducedtotheconcavesphereoftheheavens，onewiththerevolutionofthestars。
Thesamerealitypervadesallteaching。Themanmayteachbydoing，andnototherwise。Ifhecancommunicatehimself，hecanteach，butnotbywords。Heteacheswhogives，andhelearnswhoreceives。Thereisnoteachinguntilthepupilisbroughtintothesamestateorprincipleinwhichyouare；atransfusiontakesplace；
heisyou，andyouarehe；thenisateaching；andbynounfriendlychanceorbadcompanycanheeverquitelosethebenefit。Butyourpropositionsrunoutofoneearastheyraninattheother。WeseeitadvertisedthatMr。GrandwilldeliveranorationontheFourthofJuly，andMr。HandbeforetheMechanics\'Association，andwedonotgothither，becauseweknowthatthesegentlemenwillnotcommunicatetheirowncharacterandexperiencetothecompany。Ifwehadreasontoexpectsuchaconfidence，weshouldgothroughallinconvenienceandopposition。Thesickwouldbecarriedinlitters。Butapublicorationisanescapade，anon-committal，anapology，agag，andnotacommunication，notaspeech，notaman。
AlikeNemesispresidesoverallintellectualworks。Wehaveyettolearn，thatthethingutteredinwordsisnotthereforeaffirmed。Itmustaffirmitself，ornoformsoflogicorofoathcangiveitevidence。Thesentencemustalsocontainitsownapologyforbeingspoken。
Theeffectofanywritingonthepublicmindismathematicallymeasurablebyitsdepthofthought。Howmuchwaterdoesitdraw？Ifitawakenyoutothink，ifitliftyoufromyourfeetwiththegreatvoiceofeloquence，thentheeffectistobewide，slow，permanent，overthemindsofmen；ifthepagesinstructyounot，theywilldielikefliesinthehour。Thewaytospeakandwritewhatshallnotgooutoffashionis，tospeakandwritesincerely。Theargumentwhichhasnotpowertoreachmyownpractice，Imaywelldoubt，willfailtoreachyours。ButtakeSidney\'smaxim：——“Lookinthyheart，andwrite。“Hethatwritestohimselfwritestoaneternalpublic。Thatstatementonlyisfittobemadepublic，whichyouhavecomeatinattemptingtosatisfyyourowncuriosity。Thewriterwhotakeshissubjectfromhisear，andnotfromhisheart，shouldknowthathehaslostasmuchasheseemstohavegained，andwhentheemptybookhasgatheredallitspraise，andhalfthepeoplesay，`Whatpoetry！whatgenius！\'itstillneedsfueltomakefire。Thatonlyprofitswhichisprofitable。Lifealonecanimpartlife；andthoughweshouldburst，wecanonlybevaluedaswemakeourselvesvaluable。Thereisnoluckinliteraryreputation。Theywhomakeupthefinalverdictuponeverybookarenotthepartialandnoisyreadersofthehourwhenitappears；butacourtasofangels，apublicnottobebribed，nottobeentreated，andnottobeoverawed，decidesuponeveryman\'stitletofame。Onlythosebookscomedownwhichdeservetolast。
Giltedges，vellum，andmorocco，andpresentation-copiestoallthelibraries，willnotpreserveabookincirculationbeyonditsintrinsicdate。ItmustgowithallWalpole\'sNobleandRoyalAuthorstoitsfate。Blackmore，Kotzebue，orPollokmayendureforanight，butMosesandHomerstandforever。TherearenotintheworldatanyonetimemorethanadozenpersonswhoreadandunderstandPlato：——neverenoughtopayforaneditionofhisworks；
yettoeverygenerationthesecomedulydown，forthesakeofthosefewpersons，asifGodbroughttheminhishand。“Nobook，“saidBentley，“waseverwrittendownbyanybutitself。“Thepermanenceofallbooksisfixedbynoeffortfriendlyorhostile，butbytheirownspecificgravity，ortheintrinsicimportanceoftheircontentstotheconstantmindofman。“Donottroubleyourselftoomuchaboutthelightonyourstatue，“saidMichelAngelototheyoungsculptor；
“thelightofthepublicsquarewilltestitsvalue。“
Inlikemannertheeffectofeveryactionismeasuredbythedepthofthesentimentfromwhichitproceeds。Thegreatmanknewnotthathewasgreat。Ittookacenturyortwoforthatfacttoappear。Whathedid，hedidbecausehemust；itwasthemostnaturalthingintheworld，andgrewoutofthecircumstancesofthemoment。
Butnow，everythinghedid，eventotheliftingofhisfingerortheeatingofbread，lookslarge，all-related，andiscalledaninstitution。
Thesearethedemonstrationsinafewparticularsofthegeniusofnature；theyshowthedirectionofthestream。Butthestreamisblood；everydropisalive。Truthhasnotsinglevictories；allthingsareitsorgans，——notonlydustandstones，buterrorsandlies。Thelawsofdisease，physicianssay，areasbeautifulasthelawsofhealth。Ourphilosophyisaffirmative，andreadilyacceptsthetestimonyofnegativefacts，aseveryshadowpointstothesun。
Byadivinenecessity，everyfactinnatureisconstrainedtoofferitstestimony。
Humancharacterevermorepublishesitself。Themostfugitivedeedandword，themereairofdoingathing，theintimatedpurpose，expressescharacter。Ifyouact，youshowcharacter；ifyousitstill，ifyousleep，youshowit。Youthink，becauseyouhavespokennothingwhenothersspoke，andhavegivennoopiniononthetimes，onthechurch，onslavery，onmarriage，onsocialism，onsecretsocieties，onthecollege，onpartiesandpersons，thatyourverdictisstillexpectedwithcuriosityasareservedwisdom。Farotherwise；yoursilenceanswersveryloud。Youhavenooracletoutter，andyourfellow-menhavelearnedthatyoucannothelpthem；
for，oraclesspeak。Dothnotwisdomcry，andunderstandingputforthhervoice？
Dreadfullimitsaresetinnaturetothepowersofdissimulation。Truthtyrannizesovertheunwillingmembersofthebody。Facesneverlie，itissaid。Nomanneedbedeceived，whowillstudythechangesofexpression。Whenamanspeaksthetruthinthespiritoftruth，hiseyeisasclearastheheavens。Whenhehasbaseends，andspeaksfalsely，theeyeismuddyandsometimesasquint。
Ihaveheardanexperiencedcounsellorsay，thatheneverfearedtheeffectuponajuryofalawyerwhodoesnotbelieveinhisheartthathisclientoughttohaveaverdict。Ifhedoesnotbelieveit，hisunbeliefwillappeartothejury，despiteallhisprotestations，andwillbecometheirunbelief。Thisisthatlawwherebyaworkofart，ofwhateverkind，setsusinthesamestateofmindwhereintheartistwaswhenhemadeit。Thatwhichwedonotbelieve，wecannotadequatelysay，thoughwemayrepeatthewordsneversooften。ItwasthisconvictionwhichSwedenborgexpressed，whenhedescribedagroupofpersonsinthespiritualworldendeavouringinvaintoarticulateapropositionwhichtheydidnotbelieve；buttheycouldnot，thoughtheytwistedandfoldedtheirlipseventoindignation。
Amanpassesforthatheisworth。Veryidleisallcuriosityconcerningotherpeople\'sestimateofus，andallfearofremainingunknownisnotlessso。Ifamanknowthathecandoanything，——
thathecandoitbetterthananyoneelse，——hehasapledgeoftheacknowledgmentofthatfactbyallpersons。Theworldisfullofjudgment-days，andintoeveryassemblythatamanenters，ineveryactionheattempts，heisgaugedandstamped。Ineverytroopofboysthatwhoopandrunineachyardandsquare，anew-comerisaswellandaccuratelyweighedinthecourseofafewdays，andstampedwithhisrightnumber，asifhehadundergoneaformaltrialofhisstrength，speed，andtemper。Astrangercomesfromadistantschool，withbetterdress，withtrinketsinhispockets，withairsandpretensions：anolderboysaystohimself，`It\'sofnouse；weshallfindhimoutto-morrow。\'`Whathashedone？\'isthedivinequestionwhichsearchesmen，andtranspierceseveryfalsereputation。Afopmaysitinanychairoftheworld，norbedistinguishedforhishourfromHomerandWashington；butthereneedneverbeanydoubtconcerningtherespectiveabilityofhumanbeings。Pretensionmaysitstill，butcannotact。Pretensionneverfeignedanactofrealgreatness。PretensionneverwroteanIliad，nordrovebackXerxes，norchristianizedtheworld，norabolishedslavery。
Asmuchvirtueasthereis，somuchappears；asmuchgoodnessasthereis，somuchreverenceitcommands。Allthedevilsrespectvirtue。Thehigh，thegenerous，theself-devotedsectwillalwaysinstructandcommandmankind。Neverwasasincerewordutterlylost。
Neveramagnanimityfelltotheground，butthereissomehearttogreetandacceptitunexpectedly。Amanpassesforthatheisworth。
Whatheisengravesitselfonhisface，onhisform，onhisfortunes，inlettersoflight。Concealmentavailshimnothing；boastingnothing。Thereisconfessionintheglancesofoureyes；inoursmiles；insalutations；andthegraspofhands。Hissinbedaubshim，marsallhisgoodimpression。Menknownotwhytheydonottrusthim；buttheydonottrusthim。Hisviceglasseshiseye，cutslinesofmeanexpressioninhischeek，pinchesthenose，setsthemarkofthebeastonthebackofthehead，andwritesOfool！fool！ontheforeheadofaking。
Ifyouwouldnotbeknowntodoanything，neverdoit。Amanmayplaythefoolinthedriftsofadesert，buteverygrainofsandshallseemtosee。Hemaybeasolitaryeater，buthecannotkeephisfoolishcounsel。Abrokencomplexion，aswinishlook，ungenerousacts，andthewantofdueknowledge，——allblab。Canacook，aChiffinch，anIachimobemistakenforZenoorPaul？Confuciusexclaimed，——“Howcanamanbeconcealed！Howcanamanbeconcealed！”
Ontheotherhand，theherofearsnot，that，ifhewithholdtheavowalofajustandbraveact，itwillgounwitnessedandunloved。
Oneknowsit，——himself，——andispledgedbyittosweetnessofpeace，andtonoblenessofaim，whichwillproveintheendabetterproclamationofitthantherelatingoftheincident。Virtueistheadherenceinactiontothenatureofthings，andthenatureofthingsmakesitprevalent。Itconsistsinaperpetualsubstitutionofbeingforseeming，andwithsublimeproprietyGodisdescribedassaying，I
AM。
Thelessonwhichtheseobservationsconveyis，Be，andnotseem。Letusacquiesce。Letustakeourbloatednothingnessoutofthepathofthedivinecircuits。Letusunlearnourwisdomoftheworld。LetuslielowintheLord\'spower，andlearnthattruthalonemakesrichandgreat。
Ifyouvisityourfriend，whyneedyouapologizefornothavingvisitedhim，andwastehistimeanddefaceyourownact？Visithimnow。Lethimfeelthatthehighestlovehascometoseehim，inthee，itslowestorgan。Orwhyneedyoutormentyourselfandfriendbysecretself-reproachesthatyouhavenotassistedhimorcomplimentedhimwithgiftsandsalutationsheretofore？Beagiftandabenediction。Shinewithreallight，andnotwiththeborrowedreflectionofgifts。Commonmenareapologiesformen；theybowthehead，excusethemselveswithprolixreasons，andaccumulateappearances，becausethesubstanceisnot。
Wearefullofthesesuperstitionsofsense，theworshipofmagnitude。Wecallthepoetinactive，becauseheisnotapresident，amerchant，oraporter。Weadoreaninstitution，anddonotseethatitisfoundedonathoughtwhichwehave。Butrealactionisinsilentmoments。Theepochsofourlifearenotinthevisiblefactsofourchoiceofacalling，ourmarriage，ouracquisitionofanoffice，andthelike，butinasilentthoughtbytheway-sideaswewalk；inathoughtwhichrevisesourentiremanneroflife，andsays，——`Thushastthoudone，butitwerebetterthus。\'Andallourafteryears，likemenials，serveandwaitonthis，and，accordingtotheirability，executeitswill。Thisrevisalorcorrectionisaconstantforce，which，asatendency，reachesthroughourlifetime。Theobjectoftheman，theaimofthesemoments，istomakedaylightshinethroughhim，tosufferthelawtotraversehiswholebeingwithoutobstruction，sothat，onwhatpointsoeverofhisdoingyoureyefalls，itshallreporttrulyofhischaracter，whetheritbehisdiet，hishouse，hisreligiousforms，hissociety，hismirth，hisvote，hisopposition。Nowheisnothomogeneous，butheterogeneous，andtheraydoesnottraverse；therearenothoroughlights：buttheeyeofthebeholderispuzzled，detectingmanyunliketendencies，andalifenotyetatone。
Whyshouldwemakeitapointwithourfalsemodestytodisparagethatmanweare，andthatformofbeingassignedtous？A
goodmaniscontented。IloveandhonorEpaminondas，butIdonotwishtobeEpaminondas。Iholditmorejusttolovetheworldofthishour，thantheworldofhishour。Norcanyou，ifIamtrue，excitemetotheleastuneasinessbysaying，`Heacted，andthousitteststill。\'Iseeactiontobegood，whentheneedis，andsittingstilltobealsogood。Epaminondas，ifhewasthemanItakehimfor，wouldhavesatstillwithjoyandpeace，ifhislothadbeenmine。Heavenislarge，andaffordsspaceforallmodesofloveandfortitude。Whyshouldwebebusybodiesandsuperserviceable？Actionandinactionarealiketothetrue。Onepieceofthetreeiscutforaweathercock，andoneforthesleeperofabridge；thevirtueofthewoodisapparentinboth。
Idesirenottodisgracethesoul。ThefactthatIamherecertainlyshowsmethatthesoulhadneedofanorganhere。ShallI
notassumethepost？ShallIskulkanddodgeandduckwithmyunseasonableapologiesandvainmodesty，andimaginemybeinghereimpertinent？lesspertinentthanEpaminondasorHomerbeingthere？
andthatthesouldidnotknowitsownneeds？Besides，withoutanyreasoningonthematter，Ihavenodiscontent。Thegoodsoulnourishesme，andunlocksnewmagazinesofpowerandenjoymenttomeeveryday。Iwillnotmeanlydeclinetheimmensityofgood，becauseIhaveheardthatithascometoothersinanothershape。
Besides，whyshouldwebecowedbythenameofAction？\'Tisatrickofthesenses，——nomore。Weknowthattheancestorofeveryactionisathought。Thepoorminddoesnotseemtoitselftobeanything，unlessithaveanoutsidebadge，——someGentoodiet，orQuakercoat，orCalvinisticprayer-meeting，orphilanthropicsociety，oragreatdonation，orahighoffice，or，anyhow，somewildcontrastingactiontotestifythatitissomewhat。Therichmindliesinthesunandsleeps，andisNature。Tothinkistoact。
Letus，ifwemusthavegreatactions，makeourownso。Allactionisofaninfiniteelasticity，andtheleastadmitsofbeinginflatedwiththecelestialairuntiliteclipsesthesunandmoon。
Letusseek_one_peacebyfidelity。Letmeheedmyduties。WhyneedIgogaddingintothescenesandphilosophyofGreekandItalianhistory，beforeIhavejustifiedmyselftomybenefactors？HowdareIreadWashington\'scampaigns，whenIhavenotansweredthelettersofmyowncorrespondents？Isnotthatajustobjectiontomuchofourreading？Itisapusillanimousdesertionofourworktogazeafterourneighbours。Itispeeping。ByronsaysofJackBunting，——
“Heknewnotwhattosay，andsoheswore。“
Imaysayitofourpreposteroususeofbooks，——Heknewnotwhattodo，andso_heread_。Icanthinkofnothingtofillmytimewith，andIfindtheLifeofBrant。ItisaveryextravagantcomplimenttopaytoBrant，ortoGeneralSchuyler，ortoGeneralWashington。Mytimeshouldbeasgoodastheirtime，——myfacts，mynetofrelations，asgoodastheirs，oreitheroftheirs。Ratherletmedomyworksowellthatotheridlers，iftheychoose，maycomparemytexturewiththetextureoftheseandfinditidenticalwiththebest。
Thisover-estimateofthepossibilitiesofPaulandPericles，thisunder-estimateofourown，comesfromaneglectofthefactofanidenticalnature。Bonaparteknewbutonemerit，andrewardedinoneandthesamewaythegoodsoldier，thegoodastronomer，thegoodpoet，thegoodplayer。ThepoetusesthenamesofCaesar，ofTamerlane，ofBonduca，ofBelisarius；thepainterusestheconventionalstoryoftheVirginMary，ofPaul，ofPeter。Hedoesnot，therefore，defertothenatureoftheseaccidentalmen，ofthesestockheroes。Ifthepoetwriteatruedrama，thenheisCaesar，andnottheplayerofCaesar；thentheselfsamestrainofthought，emotionaspure，witassubtle，motionsasswift，mounting，extravagant，andaheartasgreat，self-sufficing，dauntless，whichonthewavesofitsloveandhopecanupliftallthatisreckonedsolidandpreciousintheworld，——palaces，gardens，money，navies，kingdoms，——markingitsownincomparableworthbytheslightitcastsonthesegaudsofmen，——theseallarehis，andbythepoweroftheseherousesthenations。LetamanbelieveinGod，andnotinnamesandplacesandpersons。Letthegreatsoulincarnatedinsomewoman\'sform，poorandsadandsingle，insomeDollyorJoan，goouttoservice，andsweepchambersandscourfloors，anditseffulgentdaybeamscannotbemuffledorhid，buttosweepandscourwillinstantlyappearsupremeandbeautifulactions，thetopandradianceofhumanlife，andallpeoplewillgetmopsandbrooms；until，lo！
suddenlythegreatsoulhasenshrineditselfinsomeotherform，anddonesomeotherdeed，andthatisnowtheflowerandheadofalllivingnature。
Wearethephotometers，wetheirritablegoldleafandtinfoilthatmeasuretheaccumulationsofthesubtleelement。Weknowtheauthenticeffectsofthetruefirethrougheveryoneofitsmilliondisguises。
LOVE
“Iwasasagemconcealed；
Memyburningrayrevealed。“
_Koran_
ESSAYV_Love_
Everypromiseofthesoulhasinnumerablefulfilments；eachofnt。Nature，uncontainable，flowing，forelooking，inthefirstsentimentofkindnessanticipatesalreadyabenevolencewhichshallloseallparticularregardsinitsgenerallight。Theintroductiontothisfelicityisinaprivateandtenderrelationofonetoone，whichistheenchantmentofhumanlife；which，likeacertaindivinerageandenthusiasm，seizesonmanatoneperiod，andworksarevolutioninhismindandbody；uniteshimtohisrace，pledgeshimtothedomesticandcivicrelations，carrieshimwithnewsympathyintonature，enhancesthepowerofthesenses，openstheimagination，addstohischaracterheroicandsacredattributes，establishesmarriage，andgivespermanencetohumansociety。
Thenaturalassociationofthesentimentoflovewiththeheydayofthebloodseemstorequire，thatinordertoportrayitinvividtints，whicheveryyouthandmaidshouldconfesstobetruetotheirthrobbingexperience，onemustnotbetooold。Thedeliciousfanciesofyouthrejecttheleastsavourofamaturephilosophy，aschillingwithageandpedantrytheirpurplebloom。And，therefore，I
knowIincurtheimputationofunnecessaryhardnessandstoicismfromthosewhocomposetheCourtandParliamentofLove。ButfromtheseformidablecensorsIshallappealtomyseniors。Foritistobeconsideredthatthispassionofwhichwespeak，thoughitbeginwiththeyoung，yetforsakesnottheold，orrathersuffersnoonewhoistrulyitsservanttogrowold，butmakestheagedparticipatorsofit，notlessthanthetendermaiden，thoughinadifferentandnoblersort。Foritisafirethat，kindlingitsfirstembersinthenarrownookofaprivatebosom，caughtfromawanderingsparkoutofanotherprivateheart，glowsandenlargesuntilitwarmsandbeamsuponmultitudesofmenandwomen，upontheuniversalheartofall，andsolightsupthewholeworldandallnaturewithitsgenerousflames。
Itmattersnot，therefore，whetherweattempttodescribethepassionattwenty，atthirty，orateightyyears。Hewhopaintsitatthefirstperiodwilllosesomeofitslater，hewhopaintsitatthelast，someofitsearliertraits。Onlyitistobehopedthat，bypatienceandtheMuses\'aid，wemayattaintothatinwardviewofthelaw，whichshalldescribeatrutheveryoungandbeautiful，socentralthatitshallcommenditselftotheeye，atwhateveranglebeholden。
Andthefirstconditionis，thatwemustleaveatoocloseandlingeringadherencetofacts，andstudythesentimentasitappearedinhopeandnotinhistory。Foreachmanseeshisownlifedefacedanddisfigured，asthelifeofmanisnot，tohisimagination。Eachmanseesoverhisownexperienceacertainstainoferror，whilstthatofothermenlooksfairandideal。Letanymangobacktothosedeliciousrelationswhichmakethebeautyofhislife，whichhavegivenhimsincerestinstructionandnourishment，hewillshrinkandmoan。Alas！Iknownotwhy，butinfinitecompunctionsembitterinmaturelifetheremembrancesofbuddingjoy，andcovereverybelovedname。Everythingisbeautifulseenfromthepointoftheintellect，orastruth。Butallissour，ifseenasexperience。Detailsaremelancholy；theplanisseemlyandnoble。Intheactualworld——thepainfulkingdomoftimeandplace——dwellcare，andcanker，andfear。Withthought，withtheideal，isimmortalhilarity，theroseofjoy。RounditalltheMusessing。Butgriefcleavestonames，andpersons，andthepartialinterestsofto-dayandyesterday。
Thestrongbentofnatureisseenintheproportionwhichthistopicofpersonalrelationsusurpsintheconversationofsociety。
Whatdowewishtoknowofanyworthypersonsomuch，ashowhehasspedinthehistoryofthissentiment？Whatbooksinthecirculatinglibrariescirculate？Howweglowoverthesenovelsofpassion，whenthestoryistoldwithanysparkoftruthandnature！Andwhatfastensattention，intheintercourseoflife，likeanypassagebetrayingaffectionbetweentwoparties？Perhapsweneversawthembefore，andnevershallmeetthemagain。Butweseethemexchangeaglance，orbetrayadeepemotion，andwearenolongerstrangers。Weunderstandthem，andtakethewarmestinterestinthedevelopmentoftheromance。Allmankindlovealover。Theearliestdemonstrationsofcomplacencyandkindnessarenature\'smostwinningpictures。Itisthedawnofcivilityandgraceinthecoarseandrustic。Therudevillageboyteasesthegirlsabouttheschool-housedoor；——butto-dayhecomesrunningintotheentry，andmeetsonefairchilddisposinghersatchel；heholdsherbookstohelpher，andinstantlyitseemstohimasifsheremovedherselffromhiminfinitely，andwasasacredprecinct。Amongthethrongofgirlsherunsrudelyenough，butonealonedistanceshim；andthesetwolittleneighbours，thatweresoclosejustnow，havelearnedtorespecteachother\'spersonality。Orwhocanaverthiseyesfromtheengaging，half-artful，half-artlesswaysofschool-girlswhogointothecountryshopstobuyaskeinofsilkorasheetofpaper，andtalkhalfanhouraboutnothingwiththebroad-faced，good-naturedshop-boy。Inthevillagetheyareonaperfectequality，whichlovedelightsin，andwithoutanycoquetrythehappy，affectionatenatureofwomanflowsoutinthisprettygossip。Thegirlsmayhavelittlebeauty，yetplainlydotheyestablishbetweenthemandthegoodboythemostagreeable，confidingrelations，whatwiththeirfunandtheirearnest，aboutEdgar，andJonas，andAlmira，andwhowasinvitedtotheparty，andwhodancedatthedancing-school，andwhenthesinging-schoolwouldbegin，andothernothingsconcerningwhichthepartiescooed。Byandbythatboywantsawife，andverytrulyandheartilywillheknowwheretofindasincereandsweetmate，withoutanyrisksuchasMiltondeploresasincidenttoscholarsandgreatmen。
Ihavebeentold，thatinsomepublicdiscoursesofminemyreverencefortheintellecthasmademeunjustlycoldtothepersonalrelations。ButnowIalmostshrinkattheremembranceofsuchdisparagingwords。Forpersonsarelove\'sworld，andthecoldestphilosophercannotrecountthedebtoftheyoungsoulwanderinghereinnaturetothepoweroflove，withoutbeingtemptedtounsay，astreasonabletonature，aughtderogatorytothesocialinstincts。
For，thoughthecelestialrapturefallingoutofheavenseizesonlyuponthoseoftenderage，andalthoughabeautyoverpoweringallanalysisorcomparison，andputtingusquitebesideourselves，wecanseldomseeafterthirtyyears，yettheremembranceofthesevisionsoutlastsallotherremembrances，andisawreathofflowersontheoldestbrows。Buthereisastrangefact；itmayseemtomanymen，inrevisingtheirexperience，thattheyhavenofairerpageintheirlife\'sbookthanthedeliciousmemoryofsomepassageswhereinaffectioncontrivedtogiveawitchcraftsurpassingthedeepattractionofitsowntruthtoaparcelofaccidentalandtrivialcircumstances。Inlookingbackward，theymayfindthatseveralthingswhichwerenotthecharmhavemorerealitytothisgropingmemorythanthecharmitselfwhichembalmedthem。Butbeourexperienceinparticularswhatitmay，nomaneverforgotthevisitationsofthatpowertohisheartandbrain，whichcreatedallthingsnew；whichwasthedawninhimofmusic，poetry，andart；
whichmadethefaceofnatureradiantwithpurplelight，themorningandthenightvariedenchantments；whenasingletoneofonevoicecouldmaketheheartbound，andthemosttrivialcircumstanceassociatedwithoneformisputintheamberofmemory；whenhebecamealleyewhenonewaspresent，andallmemorywhenonewasgone；whentheyouthbecomesawatcherofwindows，andstudiousofaglove，aveil，aribbon，orthewheelsofacarriage；whennoplaceistoosolitary，andnonetoosilent，forhimwhohasrichercompanyandsweeterconversationinhisnewthoughts，thananyoldfriends，thoughbestandpurest，cangivehim；forthefigures，themotions，thewordsofthebelovedobjectarenotlikeotherimageswritteninwater，but，asPlutarchsaid，“enamelledinfire，“andmakethestudyofmidnight。
“Thouartnotgonebeinggone，where\'erthouart，Thouleav\'stinhimthywatchfuleyes，inhimthylovingheart。“
Inthenoonandtheafternoonoflifewestillthrobattherecollectionofdayswhenhappinesswasnothappyenough，butmustbedruggedwiththerelishofpainandfear；forhetouchedthesecretofthematter，whosaidoflove，——
“Allotherpleasuresarenotworthitspains“；
andwhenthedaywasnotlongenough，butthenight，too，mustbeconsumedinkeenrecollections；whentheheadboiledallnightonthepillowwiththegenerousdeeditresolvedon；whenthemoonlightwasapleasingfever，andthestarswereletters，andtheflowersciphers，andtheairwascoinedintosong；whenallbusinessseemedanimpertinence，andallthemenandwomenrunningtoandfrointhestreets，merepictures。
Thepassionrebuildstheworldfortheyouth。Itmakesallthingsaliveandsignificant。Naturegrowsconscious。Everybirdontheboughsofthetreesingsnowtohisheartandsoul。Thenotesarealmostarticulate。Thecloudshavefacesashelooksonthem。
Thetreesoftheforest，thewavinggrass，andthepeepingflowershavegrownintelligent；andhealmostfearstotrustthemwiththesecretwhichtheyseemtoinvite。Yetnaturesoothesandsympathizes。Inthegreensolitudehefindsadearerhomethanwithmen。
“Fountain-headsandpathlessgroves，Placeswhichpalepassionloves，Moonlightwalks，whenallthefowlsAresafelyhoused，savebatsandowls，Amidnightbell，apassinggroan，——
Thesearethesoundswefeedupon。“
Beholdthereinthewoodthefinemadman！Heisapalaceofsweetsoundsandsights；hedilates；heistwiceaman；hewalkswitharmsakimbo；hesoliloquizes；heaccoststhegrassandthetrees；hefeelsthebloodoftheviolet，theclover，andthelilyinhisveins；
andhetalkswiththebrookthatwetshisfoot。
Theheatsthathaveopenedhisperceptionsofnaturalbeautyhavemadehimlovemusicandverse。Itisafactoftenobserved，thatmenhavewrittengoodversesundertheinspirationofpassion，whocannotwritewellunderanyothercircumstances。
Thelikeforcehasthepassionoverallhisnature。Itexpandsthesentiment；itmakestheclowngentle，andgivesthecowardheart。
Intothemostpitifulandabjectitwillinfuseaheartandcouragetodefytheworld，soonlyithavethecountenanceofthebelovedobject。Ingivinghimtoanother，itstillmoregiveshimtohimself。Heisanewman，withnewperceptions，newandkeenerpurposes，andareligioussolemnityofcharacterandaims。Hedoesnotlongerappertaintohisfamilyandsociety；_he_issomewhat；
_he_isaperson；_he_isasoul。
Andhereletusexaminealittlenearerthenatureofthatinfluencewhichisthuspotentoverthehumanyouth。Beauty，whoserevelationtomanwenowcelebrate，welcomeasthesunwhereveritpleasestoshine，whichpleaseseverybodywithitandwiththemselves，seemssufficienttoitself。Thelovercannotpainthismaidentohisfancypoorandsolitary。Likeatreeinflower，somuchsoft，budding，informinglove-linessissocietyforitself，andsheteacheshiseyewhyBeautywaspicturedwithLovesandGracesattendinghersteps。Herexistencemakestheworldrich。Thoughsheextrudesallotherpersonsfromhisattentionascheapandunworthy，sheindemnifieshimbycarryingoutherownbeingintosomewhatimpersonal，large，mundane，sothatthemaidenstandstohimforarepresentativeofallselectthingsandvirtues。Forthatreason，theloverneverseespersonalresemblancesinhismistresstoherkindredortoothers。Hisfriendsfindinheralikenesstohermother，orhersisters，ortopersonsnotofherblood。Theloverseesnoresemblanceexcepttosummereveningsanddiamondmornings，torainbowsandthesongofbirds。
Theancientscalledbeautythefloweringofvirtue。Whocananalyzethenamelesscharmwhichglancesfromoneandanotherfaceandform？Wearetouchedwithemotionsoftendernessandcomplacency，butwecannotfindwhereatthisdaintyemotion，thiswanderinggleam，points。Itisdestroyedfortheimaginationbyanyattempttoreferittoorganization。Nordoesitpointtoanyrelationsoffriendshiporloveknownanddescribedinsociety，but，asitseemstome，toaquiteotherandunattainablesphere，torelationsoftranscendentdelicacyandsweetness，towhatrosesandvioletshintandfore-show。Wecannotapproachbeauty。Itsnatureislikeopalinedoves\'-necklustres，hoveringandevanescent。Hereinitresemblesthemostexcellentthings，whichallhavethisrainbowcharacter，defyingallattemptsatappropriationanduse。WhatelsedidJeanPaulRichtersignify，whenhesaidtomusic，“Away！away！
thouspeakesttomeofthingswhichinallmyendlesslifeIhavenotfound，andshallnotfind。“Thesamefluencymaybeobservedineveryworkoftheplasticarts。Thestatueisthenbeautifulwhenitbeginstobeincomprehensible，whenitispassingoutofcriticism，andcannolongerbedefinedbycompassandmeasuring-wand，butdemandsanactiveimaginationtogowithit，andtosaywhatitisintheactofdoing。Thegodorheroofthesculptorisalwaysrepresentedinatransition_from_thatwhichisrepresentabletothesenses，_to_thatwhichisnot。Thenfirstitceasestobeastone。
Thesameremarkholdsofpainting。Andofpoetry，thesuccessisnotattainedwhenitlullsandsatisfies，butwhenitastonishesandfiresuswithnewendeavoursaftertheunattainable。Concerningit，Landorinquires“whetheritisnottobereferredtosomepurerstateofsensationandexistence。“
Inlikemanner，personalbeautyisthenfirstcharminganditself，whenitdissatisfiesuswithanyend；whenitbecomesastorywithoutanend；whenitsuggestsgleamsandvisions，andnotearthlysatisfactions；whenitmakesthebeholderfeelhisunworthiness；whenhecannotfeelhisrighttoit，thoughhewereCaesar；hecannotfeelmorerighttoitthantothefirmamentandthesplendorsofasunset。
Hencearosethesaying，“IfIloveyou，whatisthattoyou？”
Wesayso，becausewefeelthatwhatweloveisnotinyourwill，butaboveit。Itisnotyou，butyourradiance。Itisthatwhichyouknownotinyourself，andcanneverknow。
ThisagreeswellwiththathighphilosophyofBeautywhichtheancientwritersdelightedin；fortheysaidthatthesoulofman，embodiedhereonearth，wentroamingupanddowninquestofthatotherworldofitsown，outofwhichitcameintothis，butwassoonstupefiedbythelightofthenaturalsun，andunabletoseeanyotherobjectsthanthoseofthisworld，whicharebutshadowsofrealthings。Therefore，theDeitysendsthegloryofyouthbeforethesoul，thatitmayavailitselfofbeautifulbodiesasaidstoitsrecollectionofthecelestialgoodandfair；andthemanbeholdingsuchapersoninthefemalesexrunstoher，andfindsthehighestjoyincontemplatingtheform，movement，andintelligenceofthisperson，becauseitsuggeststohimthepresenceofthatwhichindeediswithinthebeauty，andthecauseofthebeauty。
If，however，fromtoomuchconversingwithmaterialobjects，thesoulwasgross，andmisplaceditssatisfactioninthebody，itreapednothingbutsorrow；bodybeingunabletofulfilthepromisewhichbeautyholdsout；butif，acceptingthehintofthesevisionsandsuggestionswhichbeautymakestohismind，thesoulpassesthroughthebody，andfallstoadmirestrokesofcharacter，andtheloverscontemplateoneanotherintheirdiscoursesandtheiractions，thentheypasstothetruepalaceofbeauty，moreandmoreinflametheirloveofit，andbythisloveextinguishingthebaseaffection，asthesunputsoutthefirebyshiningonthehearth，theybecomepureandhallowed。Byconversationwiththatwhichisinitselfexcellent，magnanimous，lowly，andjust，thelovercomestoawarmerloveofthesenobilities，andaquickerapprehensionofthem。Thenhepassesfromlovingtheminonetolovingtheminall，andsoistheonebeautifulsoulonlythedoorthroughwhichheenterstothesocietyofalltrueandpuresouls。Intheparticularsocietyofhismate，heattainsaclearersightofanyspot，anytaint，whichherbeautyhascontractedfromthisworld，andisabletopointitout，andthiswithmutualjoythattheyarenowable，withoutoffence，toindicateblemishesandhindrancesineachother，andgivetoeachallhelpandcomfortincuringthesame。And，beholdinginmanysoulsthetraitsofthedivinebeauty，andseparatingineachsoulthatwhichisdivinefromthetaintwhichithascontractedintheworld，theloverascendstothehighestbeauty，totheloveandknowledgeoftheDivinity，bystepsonthisladderofcreatedsouls。
Somewhatlikethishavethetrulywisetoldusofloveinallages。Thedoctrineisnotold，norisitnew。IfPlato，Plutarch，andApuleiustaughtit，sohavePetrarch，Angelo，andMilton。Itawaitsatruerunfoldinginoppositionandrebuketothatsubterraneanprudencewhichpresidesatmarriageswithwordsthattakeholdoftheupperworld，whilstoneeyeisprowlinginthecellar，sothatitsgravestdiscoursehasasavorofhamsandpowdering-tubs。Worst，whenthissensualismintrudesintotheeducationofyoungwomen，andwithersthehopeandaffectionofhumannature，byteachingthatmarriagesignifiesnothingbutahousewife\'sthrift，andthatwoman\'slifehasnootheraim。
Butthisdreamoflove，thoughbeautiful，isonlyonesceneinourplay。Intheprocessionofthesoulfromwithinoutward，itenlargesitscirclesever，likethepebblethrownintothepond，orthelightproceedingfromanorb。Theraysofthesoulalightfirstonthingsnearest，oneveryutensilandtoy，onnursesanddomestics，onthehouse，andyard，andpassengers，onthecircleofhouseholdacquaintance，onpolitics，andgeography，andhistory。Butthingsareevergroupingthemselvesaccordingtohigherormoreinteriorlaws。Neighbourhood，size，numbers，habits，persons，losebydegreestheirpoweroverus。Causeandeffect，realaffinities，thelongingforharmonybetweenthesoulandthecircumstance，theprogressive，idealizinginstinct，predominatelater，andthestepbackwardfromthehighertothelowerrelationsisimpossible。Thusevenlove，whichisthedeificationofpersons，mustbecomemoreimpersonaleveryday。Ofthisatfirstitgivesnohint。Littlethinktheyouthandmaidenwhoareglancingateachotheracrosscrowdedrooms，witheyessofullofmutualintelligence，ofthepreciousfruitlonghereaftertoproceedfromthisnew，quiteexternalstimulus。Theworkofvegetationbeginsfirstintheirritabilityofthebarkandleaf-buds。Fromexchangingglances，theyadvancetoactsofcourtesy，ofgallantry，thentofierypassion，toplightingtroth，andmarriage。Passionbeholdsitsobjectasaperfectunit。Thesouliswhollyembodied，andthebodyiswhollyensouled。
“HerpureandeloquentbloodSpokeinhercheeks，andsodistinctlywrought，Thatonemightalmostsayherbodythought。“
Romeo，ifdead，shouldbecutupintolittlestarstomaketheheavensfine。Life，withthispair，hasnootheraim，asksnomore，thanJuliet，——thanRomeo。Night，day，studies，talents，kingdoms，religion，areallcontainedinthisformfullofsoul，inthissoulwhichisallform。Theloversdelightinendearments，inavowalsoflove，incomparisonsoftheirregards。Whenalone，theysolacethemselveswiththerememberedimageoftheother。Doesthatotherseethesamestar，thesamemeltingcloud，readthesamebook，feelthesameemotion，thatnowdelightme？Theytryandweightheiraffection，and，addingupcostlyadvantages，friends，opportunities，properties，exultindiscoveringthatwillingly，joyfully，theywouldgiveallasaransomforthebeautiful，thebelovedhead，notonehairofwhichshallbeharmed。Butthelotofhumanityisonthesechildren。Danger，sorrow，andpainarrivetothem，astoall。Loveprays。ItmakescovenantswithEternalPowerinbehalfofthisdearmate。Theunionwhichisthuseffected，andwhichaddsanewvaluetoeveryatominnature，forittransmuteseverythreadthroughoutthewholewebofrelationintoagoldenray，andbathesthesoulinanewandsweeterelement，isyetatemporarystate。Notalwayscanflowers，pearls，poetry，protestations，norevenhomeinanotherheart，contenttheawfulsoulthatdwellsinclay。Itarousesitselfatlastfromtheseendearments，astoys，andputsontheharness，andaspirestovastanduniversalaims。Thesoulwhichisinthesoulofeach，cravingaperfectbeatitude，detectsincongruities，defects，anddisproportioninthebehaviouroftheother。Hencearisesurprise，expostulation，andpain。Yetthatwhichdrewthemtoeachotherwassignsofloveliness，signsofvirtue；andthesevirtuesarethere，howevereclipsed。Theyappearandreappear，andcontinuetoattract；buttheregardchanges，quitsthesign，andattachestothesubstance。Thisrepairsthewoundedaffection。Meantime，aslifewearson，itprovesagameofpermutationandcombinationofallpossiblepositionsoftheparties，toemployalltheresourcesofeach，andacquainteachwiththestrengthandweaknessoftheother。
Foritisthenatureandendofthisrelation，thattheyshouldrepresentthehumanracetoeachother。Allthatisintheworld，whichisoroughttobeknown，iscunninglywroughtintothetextureofman，ofwoman。
“Thepersonlovedoestousfit，Likemanna，hasthetasteofallinit。“
Theworldrolls；thecircumstancesvaryeveryhour。Theangelsthatinhabitthistempleofthebodyappearatthewindows，andthegnomesandvicesalso。Byallthevirtuestheyareunited。Iftherebevirtue，allthevicesareknownassuch；theyconfessandflee。
Theironceflamingregardissoberedbytimeineitherbreast，and，losinginviolencewhatitgainsinextent，itbecomesathoroughgoodunderstanding。Theyresigneachother，withoutcomplaint，tothegoodofficeswhichmanandwomanareseverallyappointedtodischargeintime，andexchangethepassionwhichoncecouldnotlosesightofitsobject，foracheerful，disengagedfurtherance，whetherpresentorabsent，ofeachother\'sdesigns。Atlasttheydiscoverthatallwhichatfirstdrewthemtogether，——thoseoncesacredfeatures，thatmagicalplayofcharms，——wasdeciduous，hadaprospectiveend，likethescaffoldingbywhichthehousewasbuilt；
andthepurificationoftheintellectandtheheart，fromyeartoyear，istherealmarriage，foreseenandpreparedfromthefirst，andwhollyabovetheirconsciousness。Lookingattheseaimswithwhichtwopersons，amanandawoman，sovariouslyandcorrelativelygifted，areshutupinonehousetospendinthenuptialsocietyfortyorfiftyyears，Idonotwonderattheemphasiswithwhichtheheartprophesiesthiscrisisfromearlyinfancy，attheprofusebeautywithwhichtheinstinctsdeckthenuptialbower，andnature，andintellect，andartemulateeachotherinthegiftsandthemelodytheybringtotheepithalamium。
Thusareweputintrainingforalovewhichknowsnotsex，norperson，norpartiality，butwhichseeksvirtueandwisdomeverywhere，totheendofincreasingvirtueandwisdom。Wearebynatureobservers，andtherebylearners。Thatisourpermanentstate。Butweareoftenmadetofeelthatouraffectionsarebuttentsofanight。Thoughslowlyandwithpain，theobjectsoftheaffectionschange，astheobjectsofthoughtdo。Therearemomentswhentheaffectionsruleandabsorbtheman，andmakehishappinessdependentonapersonorpersons。Butinhealththemindispresentlyseenagain，——itsoverarchingvault，brightwithgalaxiesofimmutablelights，andthewarmlovesandfearsthatsweptoverusasclouds，mustlosetheirfinitecharacterandblendwithGod，toattaintheirownperfection。Butweneednotfearthatwecanloseanythingbytheprogressofthesoul。Thesoulmaybetrustedtotheend。Thatwhichissobeautifulandattractiveastheserelationsmustbesucceededandsupplantedonlybywhatismorebeautiful，andsoonforever。