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  CHAPTERVI.

  ALITTLEbandofpainterscameintoEdinburghfromaprofessionalwalk.

  ThreewereofEdinburgh——Groove,agedfifty;JonesandHyacinth,young;

  thelatterlong—haired.

  WiththemwasayoungEnglishman,theleaderoftheexpedition,CharlesGatty.

  Hisstepwaselastic,andhismannerwonderfullyanimated,withoutloudness.

  \"Abrightday,\"saidhe.\"Thesunforgotwherehewas,andshone;

  everythingwasinfavorofart.\"

  \"Oh,dear,no,\"repliedoldGroove,\"notwhereIwas\"

  \"Why,whatwasthematter?\"

  \"Theflieskeptbuzzingandbiting,andstickinginthework.That’stheworstofouto’doors!\"

  \"Theflies!isthatall?Swearthespidersinspecialconstablesnexttime,\"criedGatty.\"Weshallwintheday;\"andlightshoneintohishazeleye.

  \"Theworldwillnotalwaysputupwiththehumbugsofthebrush,who,toimitateNature,turntheirbackonher.Paintanouto’doorsceneindoors!Iswearbythesunit’salie!theonestupid,impudentliethatglittersamongtheliesofvulgarart,likeSatanamongBelial,Mammonandallthosebeggars.

  \"Nowlookhere;thebarrenoutlinesofascenemustbelookedat,tobedone;hencethesketchingsystemslop—sellersoftheAcademy!butthemilliondelicaciesoflight,shade,andcolorcanbetrustedtomemory,canthey?

  \"It’saliebigenoughtoshaketheearthoutofhercourse;ifanypartoftheworkcouldbetrustedtomemoryorimagination,ithappenstobethebareoutlines,andtheycan’t.Themillionsubtletiesoflightandcolor;learnthembyheart,andsaythemoffoncanvas!thehighestangelintheskymusthavehiseyeuponthem,andlookdevilishsharp,too,orheshan’tpaintthem.IgivehimCharlesGatty’swordforthat.\"

  \"That’sveryeloquent,Icallit,\"saidJones.

  \"Yes,\"saidpooroldGroove,\"theladwillnevermakeapainter.\"

  \"Yes,Ishall,Groove;atleastIhopeso,butitmustbealongtimefirst.\"

  \"Ineverknewapainterwhocouldtalkandpaintboth,\"explainedMr.

  Groove.

  \"Verywell,\"saidGatty.\"ThenI’llsaybutonewordmore,anditisthis.Theartificeofpaintingisoldenoughtodie;itistimetheartwasborn.Wheneveritdoescomeintotheworld,youwillseenomoredeadcorpsesoftrees,grassandwater,robbedoftheirlife,thesunlight,andflunguponcanvasinastudio,bythelightofacigar,andalie——and——\"

  \"Howmuchdoyouexpectforyourpicture?\"interruptedJones.

  \"Whathasthattodowithit?Withtheselittleswords\"(wavinghisbrush),\"we’llfightfornature—light,truthlight,andsunlightagainstaworldinarms——no,worse,inswaddlingclothes.\"

  \"Withtheselittleswerrds,\"repliedpooroldGroove,\"weshallcutourownthroatsifwegoagainstpeople’sprejudices.\"

  Theyoungartistlaughedtheolddaubsteramerrydefiance,andthenseparatedfromtheparty,forhislodgingsweredownthestreet.

  Hehadnotleftthemlong,beforeamostmusicalvoicewasheard,crying:

  \"Acaallerrowoo!\"

  Andtwoyoungfishwiveshoveinsight.TheboysrecognizedoneofthemasGatty’ssweetheart.

  \"Isheinlovewithher?\"inquiredJones.

  Hyacinththelong—hairedundertooktoreply.

  \"HelovesherbetterthananythingintheworldexceptArt.LoveandArtaretwobeautifulthings,\"whinedHyacinth.

  \"She,too,isbeautiful.Ihavedoneher,\"addedhe,withasimper.

  \"Inoil?\"askedGroove.

  \"Inoil?no,inverse,here;\"andhetookoutapaper.

  \"Thenhadn’twebettercut?youmightproposereadingthem,\"saidpooroldGroove.

  \"Haveyouanyoysters?\"inquiredJonesoftheCarnieandtheJohnstone,whowerenowalongside.

  \"Plenty,\"answeredJean.\"Haeyeonysiller?\"

  Theartistslookedatoneanother,anddidn’tallspeakatonce.

  \"I,madam,\"saidoldGroove,insinuatingly,toChristie,\"amafriendofMr.Gatty’s;perhaps,onthataccount,youwould_lend_meanoysterortwo.\"

  \"Na,\"saidJean,sternly.

  \"Hyacinth,\"saidJones,sarcastically,\"givethemyourverses,perhapsthatwillsoftenthem.\"

  Hyacinthgavehisverses,descriptiveofherself,toChristie.Thisyoungsterwasoneofthosewhomindotherpeople’sbusiness.

  _Alienisstudiisdelectatuscontempsitsuum._

  Hisdestinywastobeabadpainter,sohewantedtobeanexecrablepoet.

  Allthismorninghehadbeendoggreling,whenheoughttohavebeendaubing;andnowhewillhavetosupoffacoloredprint,ifhesupsatall.

  Christieread,blushed,andputtheversesinherbosom.

  \"Comeawa,Custy,\"saidJean.

  \"Hets,\"saidChristie,\"giethepuirladstwarreeoysters,whatthewaurwillwebe?\"

  Sotheyopenedtheoystersforthem;andHyacinththelong—hairedlookeddownontheotherswithsarcastico—benignantsuperiority.Hehadconductedasisterarttotheaidofhisbrotherbrushes.

  \"Thepoet’sempire,allourheartsallow;Butdoggrel’spowerwasneverknowntillnow.\"

  CHAPTERVII.

  ATthecommencementofthelastchapter,CharlesGatty,artist,wasgoingtousherinanewstateofthings,trueart,etc.WaleswastobepaintedinWales,notPolandStreet.

  Heandfiveorsixmoreyoungstersweretobeintheforemostfilesoftruth,andtaketheworldbystorm.

  Thiswasattwoo’clock;itisnowfive;whereuponthepostureofaffairs,theprospectsofart,thefaceoftheworld,thenatureofthings,arequitethereverse.

  Intheartist’sroom,onthefloor,wasasmallchild,whosemovements,andtheyweremany,wereviewedwithhugedissatisfactionbyCharlesGatty,Esq.Thispersonage,pencilinhand,satslouchingandmorose,lookinggloomilyathisintractablemodel.

  Thingsweregoingonverybadly;hehadbeenwaitingtwohoursforaninfantineposeascommonasdirt,andthelittleviperwoulddiefirst.

  Outofdoorseverythingwasnothing,forthesunwasobscured,andtoallappearanceextinguishedforever.

  \"Ah!Mr.Groove,\"criedhe,tothatworthy,whopeepedinatthatmoment;

  youareright,itisbettertoplowawayuponcanvasblindfold,asourgrandfathers——no,grandmothers——used,thantokillourselvestoilingaftersuchcoyladiesasNatureandTruth.\"

  \"Aweel,Idinnaken,sirr,\"repliedGroove,insmoothtones.\"Ididnaliketoexpressmywarmapprobationofyoubeforethelads,forfearofmakingthemjealous.\"

  \"Theybe——No!\"

  \"Ikenwhatyewadsay,sirr,anitwadhaebeenavarajustan’

  sprightlyobservation.Aweel,betweenoursels,Ilookuponyeasayounggentlemanofamazingtalentandmoedesty.Man,yedinnadoyourseljustice;yeshouldbeinth’Academy,atthehedeo’’t.\"

  \"Mr.Groove,Iamapoorfaintingpilgrimontheroad,wherestrongerspiritshavemarchederectbeforeme.\"

  \"Afaintin’pelgrim!Deilafrightso’ye,ye’reabriskandbonnylad.

  Ah,sirr,inmyjuveniledays,wedidnafashwinature,andtruth,anthelike.\"

  \"Thelike!Whatislikenatureandtruth,exceptthemselves?\"

  \"Varatrue,sirr;varatrue,andsaeIdootIwillneverattaintheheighto’profeeciencyyehaereached.An’atthisvaramoment,sir,\"

  continuedGroove,withdelicioussolemnityandmystery,\"yeseebeforeye,sir,amanwhaisinmaistdismalwant——o’tenshellen!\"(Apause.)

  \"Ifyoursuperiortalenthasputyeinpossessionofthatsum,yewouldobleegemeinfinitelybyatemporaryaccommodation,Mr.Gaattie.\"

  \"Whydidyounotcometothepointatonce?\"criedGatty,bruskly,\"insteadofhumblingmewithundeservedpraise.There.\"Grooveheldouthishand,butmadeawryfacewhen,insteadofmoney,Gattyputasketchintohishand.

  \"There,\"saidGatty,\"thatisalie!\"

  \"Howcanitbealee?\"saidtheother,withsourinadvertence.\"Howcanitbealee,whenIhaenaspoken?\"

  \"Youdon’tunderstandme.Thatsketchisalibelonapoorcowandanunfortunateoak—tree.IdidthemattheAcademy.Theyhadneverdonemeanywrong,poorthings;theysufferedunjustly.Youtakethemtoashop,sweartheyareatreeandacow,andsomefool,thatneverreallylookedintoacoworatree,willgiveyoutenshillingsforthem.\"

  \"Areyesure,lad?\"

  \"Iamsure.Mr.Groove,sir,ifyoucannotsellaliefortenshillingsyouarenotfittoliveinthisworld;whereistheliethatwillnotsellfortenshillings?\"

  \"Ishallthinkthebettero’leesallmydays;sir,yourwordsareinspeeriting.\"AndawaywentGroovewiththesketch.

  Gattyreflectedandstoppedhim.

  \"Onsecondthoughts,Groove,youmustnotasktenshillings;youmustasktwentypoundsforthatrubbish.\"

  \"Twentypund!WhatforwillIseektwentypund?\"

  \"Simplybecausepeoplethatwouldnotgiveyoutenshillingsforitwillofferyouelevenpoundsforitifyouasktwentypounds.\"

  \"Thefules,\"roaredGroove.\"Twentypund!hem!\"Helookedcloserintoit.

  \"Fora’,\"saidhe,\"Ibegintoobsairveitisaworkofgreatmerit.I’llseektwentypund,an’I’llnotaklessthanfifteenschell’n,atpresent.\"

  Thevisitofthisroutinepainterdidnotcheerourartist.

  Thesmallchildgotacoalandpoundedthefloorwithitlikeamachineincapableoffatigue.Sothewished—forposeseemedmoreremotethanever.

  Thedaywaxeddarkerinsteadoflighter;Mr.Gatty’sreflectionstookalsoastillmoresomberhue.

  \"EvenNaturespitesus,\"thoughthe,\"becauseweloveher.\"

  \"Thencant,tradition,numbers,slangandmoneyareagainstus;theleastoftheseissinglyamatchfortruth;weshalldieofdespairorpaintcobwebsinBedlam;andIamfaint,wearyofahopelessstruggle;andoneman’sbrushistruerthanmine,another’sisbolder——myhandandeyearenotintune.Ah!no!Ishallnever,never,neverbeapainter.\"

  Theselastwordsbrokeaudiblyfromhimashisheadwentdownalmosttohisknees.

  Ahandwasplacedonhisshoulderasaflakeofsnowfallsonthewater.

  ItwasChristieJohnstone,radiant,whohadglidedinunobserved.

  \"What’swrangwi’ye,mylad?\"

  \"ThesunisgonetotheDevil,foronething.\"

  \"Hech!hech!ye’llnobelongahinthim;divyenothinkshame.\"

  \"AndIwantthatlittlebrutejusttodoso,andhe’ddiefirst.\"

  \"Oh,yevillain,toca’abairnabrute;there’sbutaebrutehere,an’

  it’snoyou,Jamie,norme——isit,mylamb?\"

  Shethensteppedtothewindow.

  \"It’scleartowindward;intenminutesye’llhaeplentysun.Takyourtoolsnoo.\"Andatthewordshekneltonthefloor,whippedoutapaperofsugar—plumsandsaidtohimshehadchristened\"Jamie.\"\"Heb!Here’ssweetiestillye.\"OutwentJamie’sarms,asifhehadbeenamachineandshehadpulledtherightstring.

  \"Ah,thatwilldo,\"saidGatty,andsketchedaway.

  Unfortunately,Jamiewasquicklyarrestedonthewaytoimmortalitybyhismother,whocamein,saying:

  \"Imaunhaemybairn——hecannabeayewastinghistimehere.\"

  Thissallyawakenedthesatirethateverliesreadyinpiscatorybosoms.

  \"Wastinghistime!ye’renoblate.Oh,ye’llbefortakinghimtothecollegetolaernpheesick——andteachmaenners.\"

  \"Yeneednabeginonme,\"saidthewoman.\"I’mnomatchforNewhaven.\"

  Sosayingshecutshortthedisputebycarryingoffthegristleofcontention.

  \"Anotherenemytoart,\"saidGatty,hurlingawayhispencil.

  Theyoungfishwifeinquirediftherewereanymoregriefs.Whatshehadheardhadnotaccounted,toherreason,forhercompanion’sdepression.

  \"Areyesick,laddy?\"saidshe.

  \"No,Christie,notsick,butquite,quitedowninthemouth.\"

  Shescannedhimthirtyseconds.

  Whathadyetillyourdinner?\"

  \"Iforget.\"

  \"Achoep,likely?\"

  \"Ithinkitwas.\"

  \"Ormaybeitwasasteak?\"

  \"Idaresayitwasasteak.\"

  \"Tastemygirdlecake,thatI’vebroughtforye.\"

  Shegavehimapiece;heateitrapidly,andlookedgratefullyather.

  \"Noo,divyenothinkshametolookmeintheface?Yehaenadinedava.\"

  Andsheworeaninjuredlook.

  \"Sityethere;it’sowerlatefordinner,butye’llgetacuptea.Dooni’themooth,naewonder,whennaethinggangsdoonyour——\"

  Inaminutesheplacedatea—tray,andranintothekitchenwithateapot.

  Thenextmomentayellwasheard,andshereturnedlaughing,withanotherteapot.

  \"Thewifehadmaskitteatillhersel’,\"saidthislawlessforager.

  Teaandcakeonthetable——beautyseatedbyhisside——allinlessthanaminute.

  Heofferedherapieceofcake.

  \"Na!Iamnoforany.\"

  \"NorIthen,\"saidhe.

  \"Hets!eat,Itellye.\"

  Herepliedbyputtingabittoherheavenlymouth.

  \"Ye’reawfu’opinionated,\"saidshe,withacountenancethatsaidnothingshouldinduceher,andeatingitalmostcontemporaneously.

  \"Putplentysugar,\"addedshe,referringtotheChineseinfusion;\"mind,Ihaeasweettooth.\"

  \"Youhaveasweetset,\"saidhe,approachinganothermorsel.

  Theyshowedthemselvesbywayofsmile,andconfirmedtheaccusation.

  \"Aha!lad,\"answeredshe;\"they’vebeenthedeatho’monyaherrin’!\"

  \"Now,whatdoesthatmeaninEnglish,Christie?\"

  \"Mygrinders——(afullstop.)

  \"Whichyouapprove——(afullstop.)

  \"Havebeenfatal——(afullstop.)

  \"Tomanyfishes!\"

  ChristiepridedherselfonherEnglish,whichshehadculledfrombooks.

  Thenhemadeherdrinkfromthecup,andwasostentatiousinputtinghislipstothesamepartofthebrim.

  Thensheleftthetable,andinspectedallthings.

  Shecametohisdrawers,openedone,andwashorror—struck.

  Therewerecoatsandtrousers,withtheirlimbsinterchangeablyintertwined,waistcoats,shirts,andcigars,hurledintochaos.

  Sheinstantlytookthedrawerbodilyout,broughtit,leaneditagainstthetea—table,pointedsilentlyintoit,withanairofmajesticreproach,andawaitedtheresult.

  \"IcanfindwhateverIwant,\"saidtheunblushingbachelor,\"exceptmoney.\"

  \"Sillerdoesnabidewi’slovens!haeyeoftensiccanagaleo’windinyourdrawer?\"

  \"Everyday!SpeakEnglish!\"

  \"Aweel!How_do_you_do?_that’sEnnglish!Idaursay.\"

  \"Jolly!\"criedhe,withhismouthfull.Christiewasnowfoldingupandneatlyarranginghisclothes.

  \"Willyouever,everbeapainter?\"

  \"Iamapainter!IcouldpainttheDevilpea—green!\"

  \"Dinnaspeako’yonlad,Chairles,it’snocanny.\"

  \"No!Iamgoingtopaintanangel;theprettiest,cleverestgirlinScotland,’TheSnowdropoftheNorth.’\"

  Andhedashedintohisbedroomtofindacanvas.

  \"Hech!\"reflectedChristie.\"ThirEnnglishhaeflatteringtongues,assureasDethe;’TheSnawdrapo’theNorrth!’\"

  CHAPTERVIII.

  GATTY’Sbackwashardlyturnedwhenavisitorarrived,andinquired,\"IsMr.Gattyathome?\"

  \"What’syourwillwi’him?\"wastheScottishreply.

  \"Willyougivehimthis?\"

  \"Whatest?\"

  \"Areyoufondofaskingquestions?\"inquiredtheman.

  \"Ay!andfulescannaanswerthem,\"retortedChristie.

  Thelittledocumentwhichtheman,inretiring,leftwithChristieJohnstonepurportedtocomefromoneVictoria,whoseemed,atfirstsight,disposedtoshowCharlesGattycivilities.\"Victoria——toCharlesGatty,greeting!(salutem).\"Christiewasmuchstruckwiththisinstanceofroyalaffability;shereadnofurther,butbegantothink,\"Victoree!

  that’sthequeenhersel.Aletterfrathequeentoapainterlad!Picterswillrisei’themairket——itwillbeanordertopaintthebairns.Ihaebroughthimluck;Iamrealpleased.\"AndonGatty’sreturn,canvasinhand,shewhippedthedocumentbehindher,andsaidarchly,\"Ihaesomethingforye,atecketfraaleddy,ye’llnowantsillerfrathisday.\"

  \"Indeed!\"

  \"Ay!indeed,fraagreatleddy;it’svaragudeo’metogieyeit;heh!

  takit.\"

  Hedidtakeit,lookedstupefied,lookedagain,sunkintoachair,andglaredatit.

  \"Laddy!\"saidChristie.

  \"Thisisanewsteponthedownwardpath,\"saidthepoorpainter.

  \"Isitnoanorrdertopainttheyoungprence?\"saidChristie,faintly.

  \"No!\"almostshriekedthevictim.\"It’sawrit!Iowealotofmoney.

  \"Oh,Chairles!\"

  \"See!Iborrowedsixtypoundssixmonthsagoofafriend,sonowIoweeighty!\"

  \"Allright!\"giggledtheunfriendlyvisitoratthedoor,whosedeparturehadbeenmoreorlessfictitious.

  Christie,byanimpulse,notjustifiable,butnatural,drewheroyster—knifeout,andthistimethemanreallywentaway.

  \"Hairtlessmon!\"criedshe,\"couldhenodohisamdirrtywork,andnogarmegiethepuirladth’action,andhelikeitmesaeweel!\"andshebegantowhimper.

  \"Andloveyoumorenow,\"saidhe;\"don’tyoucry,dear,toaddtomyvexation.\"

  \"Na!I’llnoaddtoyourvexation,\"andshegulpeddownhertears.

  \"Besides,Ihavepicturespaintedworthtwohundredpounds;thisisonlyforeighty.Tobesureyoucan’tsellthemfortwohundredpencewhenyouwant.SoIshallgotojail,buttheywon’tkeepmelong.

  Thenhetookaturn,andbegantofallintotheartistic,ortrueviewofmatters,which,indeed,wasneverlongabsentfromhim.

  \"Lookhere,Christie,\"saidhe,\"Iamsickofconventionalassassins,humbuggingmodels,withdirtybeards,thatknittheirbrows,andtrytolookmurder;theynevermurderedsomuchasatom—cat.Ialwaysgoinfortherealthing,andhereIshallfindit.\"

  \"Dinnaganginthere,lad,foronyfavor.\"

  \"ThenIshallfindtheaccessoriesofapictureIhaveinmyhead——chainswithgenuinerustandancientmoulderingstoneswiththestainsoftime.\"

  Hiseyebrightenedattheprospect.

  \"Youamongfiefs,andchains,andstanes!Ye’llbreakmyhairt,laddy,ye’llnobeeasytillyoubreakmyhairt.\"Andthistimethetearswouldnotbedenied.

  \"Iloveyouforcrying;don’tcry;\"andhefishedfromthechaoticdraweracambrichandkerchief,withwhichhedriedhertearsastheyfell.

  Itismyfirmbeliefshecriednearlytwiceasmuchasshereallywantedto;shecontrivedtomakethegriefhers,thesympathyhis.Suddenlyshestopped,andsaid:

  \"I’mdaft;ye’llacceptalaneo’thesillerframe,willyeno?\"

  \"No!\"saidhe.\"Andwherecouldyoufindeightypound?\"

  \"Auchtypund,\"criedshe,\"it’snoauchtypundthatwilldingChristieJohnstone,laddy.Ihaeboatsandnetsworthtwaauchtys;andIhaefortypundlaidby;andIhaesevenhundredpundatLondon,butthatIcannameddle.Myfeytherlentitthekingorthequeen,Idinnajustlymind;

  shepaysmetheinteresttwicetheyear.SacyekenIcouldnabesaedirtyasseekmysiller,whenshepaysmeth’interest.Totheveryday,yeken.She’sjusttheonlyoneo’a’mydebtorsthat’shoenest,butneverheed,ye’llnogangtojail.\"

  \"I’llholdmytongue,andsacrificemypictures,\"thoughtCharles.

  \"Cheerup!\"saidChristie,mistakingthenatureofhisthoughts,\"foritdidnacomefraVictoreehersel’.Itwadsmello’themusk,yeken.Na,it’sjustawheenblackguardsatLondonthatmakesuseo’hernametotormentpuirfolk.Wadshepairsecuteapuirlad?Nolikely.\"

  Shethenaskedquestions,someofwhichwereembarrassing.Onethinghecouldneversucceedinmakingherunderstand,how,sinceitwassixtypoundsheborrowed,itcouldbeeightypoundsheowed.

  Thenoncemoreshepromisedhimherprotection,badehimbeofgoodcheer,andlefthim.

  Atthedoorsheturned,andsaid:\"Chairles,here’sanauldwifeseekingye,\"andvanished.

  ThesetwoyoungpeoplehadfallenacquaintedataNewhavenwedding.

  Christie,belongingtonoone,haddancedwithhimallthenight,theyhadwalkedunderthestarstocoolthemselves,fordancingreels,withheartandsoul,isnotquadrilling.

  ThenhehadseenhisbeautifulpartnerinEdinburgh,andmadeasketchofher,whichhegaveher;andbyandbyheusedtorundowntoNewhaven,andstrollupanddownacertaingreenlanenearthetown.

  Next,onSundayevenings,alongwalktogether,andthenitcametovisitsathisplacenowandthen.

  Andhere.RaphaelandFornarinawereinverted,ourartistusedtowork,andChristietellhimstoriesthewhile.

  And,ashervoicecurledroundhisheart,heusedtosmileandlook,andlayinspiredtouchesonhissubject.

  Andshe,anartistofthetongue(withoutknowingherselfone),usedtomakehimgrave,orgay,orsad,atwill,andwatchtheeffectofherartuponhiscountenance;andaveryprettyartitis——the_vivavoce_

  story—teller’s——andarareoneamongthenationsofEurope.

  Christiehadnotlearneditinaday;whenshebegan,sheusedtotellthemliketheotherNewhavenpeople,withanobleimpartialityofdetail,wearisometothehearer.

  Butlatterlyshehadlearnedtoseizethesalientpartsofanarrative;

  hervoicehadcompass,and,likeallfinespeakers,shetraveledoveragreatmanynotesinspeaking;herlowtonesweregorgeouslyrich,heruppertonesfullandsweet;allthis,andherbeauty,madethehoursshegavehimverysweettoourpoorartist.

  Hewaswonttobaskinhermusic,andtellherinreturnhowhelovedher,andhowhappytheywerebothtobeassoonashehadacquiredaname,foranamewaswealth,hetoldher.AndalthoughChristieJohnstonedidnotlethimseehowmuchshetookallthistoheartandbelievedit,itwasassweetmusictoherasherownhoneysucklebreathtohim.

  Sheimprovedhim.

  Hedroppedcigars,andmedicalstudents,andsimilarabominations.

  Christie’scool,freshbreath,asshehungoverhimwhilepainting,suggestedtohimthatsmokingmight,peradventure,beasinagainstnatureaswellasagainstcleanliness.

  Andheimprovedher;shelearnedfromarttolookintonature(theusualprocessofmind).

  Shehadnoticedtoolittletheflickeringgoldoftheleavesatevening,thepurplehills,andtheshiftingstoriesandgloriesofthesky;butnow,whatevershesawhimtrytoimitate,shelearnedtoexamine.Shewasawoman,andadmiredsunset,etc.,forthisboy’ssake,andherwholeheartexpandedwithanewsensationthatsoftenedhermannertoalltheworld,andbrightenedherpersonalrays.

  Thischarmingpictureofmutualaffectionhadhithertobeenadmiredonlybythosewhofiguredinit.

  Butavisitorhadnowarrivedonpurposetoinspectit,etc.,attractedbyreport.

  AfriendhadconsideratelyinformedMrs.Gatty,theartist’smother,andshehadinstantlystartedfromNewcastle.

  ThiswastheoldladyChristiediscoveredonthestairs.

  Hersuddenappearancetookherson’sbreathaway.

  Nohumaneventwaslesslikelythanthatsheshouldbethere,yetthereshewas.

  Afterthefirstsurpriseandaffectionategreetings,amisgivingcrossedhim,\"shemustknowaboutthewrit\"——itwasimpossible;butourmindsaresoconstituted——whenweareguilty,wefearthatothersknowwhatweknow.NowGattywasparticularlyanxioussheshouldnotknowaboutthiswrit,forhehadincurredthedebtbyactingagainstheradvice.

  LastyearhecommencedapictureinwhichwasDurhamCathedral;hismotherbadehimstayquietlyathome,andpaintthecathedralanditsbanksfromaprint,\"asanyotherpainterwould,\"observedshe.

  Butthiswasnotthelad’ssystem;hespentfivemonthsonthespot,andpaintedhispicture,buthehadtoborrowsixtypoundstodothis;theconditionofthisloanwas,thatinsixmonthsheshouldeitherpayeightypounds,orfinishandhandoveracertainhalf—finishedpicture.

  Hedidneither;hisnewsubjectthrustasidehisoldone,andhehadnomoney,ergo,hisfriend,apicture—dealer,whohadfoundartistsslipperyinmoneymatters,followedhimupsharp,aswesee.

  \"Thereisnothingthematter,Ihope,mother.Whatisit?\"

  \"I’mtired,Charles.\"Hebroughtheraseat;shesatdown.

  \"IdidnotcomefromNewcastle,atmyage,fornothing;youhaveformedanimproperacquaintance.\"

  \"I,who?IsitJackAdams?\"

  \"WorsethananyJackAdams!\"

  \"Whocanthatbe?Jenkyns,mother,becausehedoesthesamethingsasJack,andpretendstobereligious.\"

  \"Itisafemale——afishwife.Oh,myson!\"

  \"ChristieJohnstoneanimproperacquaintance,\"saidhe;\"why!IwasgoodfornothingtillIknewher;shehasmademesogood,mother;sosteady,soindustrious;youwillneverhavetofindfaultwithmeagain.\"

  \"Nonsense——awomanthatsellsfishinthestreets!\"

  \"Butyouhavenotseenher.Sheisbeautiful,hermindisnotinfish;

  hermindgraspsthebeautifulandthegood——sheisacompanionforprinces!WhatamIthatshewastesathoughtorarayofmusiconme?

  Heavenblessher.Shereadsourbestauthors,andneverforgetsaword;

  andshetellsmebeautifulstories——sometimestheymakemecry,forhervoiceisamusicthatgoesstraighttomyheart.\"

  \"Awomanthatdoesnotevenweartheclothesofalady.\"

  \"Itistheonlygenuinecostumeintheseislandsnotbeneathapainter’snotice.\"

  \"Lookatme,Charles;atyourmother.\"

  \"Yes,mother,\"saidhe,nervously.

  \"Youmustpartwithher,orkillme.\"

  Hestartedfromhisseatandbegantoflutterupanddowntheroom;poorexcitablecreature.\"Partwithher!\"criedhe;\"IshallneverbeapainterifIdo;whatistokeepmyheartwarmwhenthesunishid,whenthebirdsaresilent,whendifficultylooksamountainandsuccessamolehill?Whatisanartistwithoutlove?Howishetobearupagainsthisdisappointmentsfromwithin,hismortificationfromwithout?thegreatideashehasandcannotgrasp,andalltheformsofignorancethatstinghim,fromstupidinsensibilitydowntoclever,shallowcriticism?\"

  \"Comebacktocommonsense,\"saidtheoldlady,coldlyandgrimly.

  Helookeduneasy.Commonsensehadoftenbeenquotedagainsthim,andcommonsensehadalwaysprovedright.

  \"Comebacktocommonsense.Sheshallnotbeyourmistress,andshecannotbearyourname;youmustpartsomeday,becauseyoucannotcometogether,andnowisthebesttime.\"

  \"Notbetogether?allourlives,allourlives,ay,\"criedhe,risingintoenthusiasm,\"hundredsofyearstocomewillwetwobetogetherbeforemen’seyes——Iwillbeanimmortalpainter,thattheworldandtimemaycherishthefeaturesIhaveloved.Iloveher,mother,\"addedhe,withatearfultendernessthatoughttohavereachedawoman’sheart;

  thenflushing,trembling,andinspired,heburstout,\"AndIwishIwasasculptorandapoettoo,thatChristiemightliveinstoneandverse,aswellascolors,andallwholoveanartmightsay,’Thiswomancannotdie,CharlesGattylovedher.’\"

  Helookedinherface;hecouldnotbelieveanycreaturecouldbeinsensibletohislove,andpersisttorobhimofit.

  Theoldwomanpaused,tolethiseloquenceevaporate.

  Thepausechilledhim;thengentlyandslowly,butemphatically,shespoketohimthus:

  \"Whohaskeptyouonhersmallmeanseversinceyouweretenyearsandsevenmonthsold?\"

  \"Youshouldknow,mother,dearmother.\"

  \"Answerme,Charles.\"

  \"Mymother.\"

  \"Whohaspinchedherself,ineveryearthlything,tomakeyouanimmortalpainter,and,aboveall,agentleman?\"

  \"Mymother.\"

  \"Whoforgaveyouthelittlefaultsofyouth,beforeyoucouldaskpardon?\"

  \"Mymother!Oh,mother,IaskpardonnowforallthetroubleIevergavethebest,thedearest,thetenderestofmothers.\"

  \"WhowillgohometoNewcastle,abroken—heartedwoman,withtheonehopegonethathaskeptherupinpovertyandsorrowsomanywearyyears,ifthisgoeson?\"

  \"Nobody,Ihope.\"

  \"Yes,Charles;yourmother.\"

  \"Oh,mother;youhavebeenalwaysmybestfriend.\"

  \"Andamthisday.\"

  \"Donotbemyworstenemynow.Itisformetoobeyyou;butitisforyoutothinkwellbeforeyoudrivemetodespair.\"

  Andthepoorwomanishheartleanedhisheadonthetable,andbegantosorrowoverhishardfate.

  Mrs.Gattysoothedhim.\"Itneednotbedoneallinamoment.Itmustbedonekindly,butfirmly.Iwillgiveyouasmuchtimeasyoulike.\"

  Thisbaittook;theweaklovetotemporize.

  ItisdoubtfulwhetherhehonestlyintendedtopartwithChristieJohnstone;buttopacifyhismotherhepromisedtobeginandgraduallyuntietheknot.

  \"Mymotherwillgo,\"whisperedhisdeceitfulheart,\"and,whensheisaway,perhapsIshallfindoutthatinspiteofeveryeffortIcannotresignmytreasure.\"

  Hegaveasortofhalf—promiseforthesakeofpeace.

  Hismotherinstantlysenttotheinnforherboxes.

  \"Thereisaroominthissamehouse,\"saidshe,\"Iwilltakeit;Iwillnothurryyou,butuntilitisdone,Istayhere,ifitisatwelvemonthabout.\"

  Heturnedpale.

  \"AndnowhearthegoodnewsIhavebroughtyoufromNewcastle.\"

  Oh!theselittleironwills,howisagreatartisttofightthreehundredandsixty—fivedaysagainstsuchanantagonist?

  Everydaysawarepetitionofthesedialogues,inwhichgeniusmadegallantburstsintotheair,andstrong,hardsensecaughthimonhisdescent,anddabbedglueonhisgauzywings.

  Oldageandyouthseelifesodifferently.Toyouth,itisastory—book,inwhichwearetocommandtheincidents,andbethebrightexceptionstooneruleafteranother.

  Toageitisanalmanac,inwhicheverythingwillhappenjustasithashappenedsomanytimes.

  Toyouth,itisapaththroughasunnymeadow.

  Toage,ahardturnpike:

  Whosetravelersmustbeallsweatanddust,whentheyarenotinmudanddrenched:

  Whichwantsmendinginmanyplaces,andismendedwithsharpstones.

  GattywouldnotyieldtogodowntoNewhavenandtakeastepagainsthislove,butheyieldedsofarastoremainpassive,andseewhetherthiscreaturewasnecessarytohisexistenceornot.Mrs.G.scoutedtheidea.

  \"Hewastowork,andhewouldsoonforgether.\"Poorboy!hewantedtowork;hisdebtweighedonhim;aweek’sresolutelabormightfinishhisfirstpictureandsatisfyhiscreditor.Thesubjectwasaninterior.Hesettowork,hestucktowork,hegluedtowork,hisbody——buthisheart?

  Ah,mypoorfellow,amuchslowerhorsethanGattywillgobyyou,riddenasyouarebyaleadenheart.

  TunihilinvitafaciespingesveMinerva.

  Itwouldnotloweramechanicaldog’sefforts,butitmustyours.

  Hewasunhappy.Heheardonlyonesidefordays;thatsidewasrecommendedbyhisduty,filialaffection,anddiffidenceofhisowngoodsense.

  Hewasbroughttoseehisproceedingswereeccentric,andthatitisdestructiontobeeccentric.

  Hewasmadealittleashamedofwhathehadbeenproudof.

  Hewasconfusedandperplexed;hehardlyknewwhattothinkordo;hecollapsed,andallhisspiritwasfastleavinghim,andthenhefeltinclinedtoleanonthefirstthinghecouldfind,andnothingcametohandbuthismother.

  Meantime,ChristieJohnstonewasalsothinkingofhim,buthersingleanxietywastofindthiseightypoundsforhim.

  ItisaNewhavenideathatthefemaleisthenaturalprotectorofthemale,andthisideawasstrengthenedinhercase.

  Shedidnotfullycomprehendhischaracterandtemperament,butshesaw,byinstinct,thatshewastobetheprotector.Besides,asshewastwenty—one,andheonlytwenty—two,shefeltthedifferencebetweenherself,awoman,andhim,aboy,andtoleavehimtostruggleunaidedoutofhisdifficultiesseemedtoherheartless.

  Twicesheopenedherlipstoengagethecharitable\"vilecount\"inhiscause,butshameclosedthemagain;thiswouldbeaskingapersonalfavor,andoneonsolargeascale.

  Severaldayspassedthus;shehaddeterminednottovisithimwithoutgoodnews.

  Shethenbegantobesurprised,sheheardnothingfromhim.

  Andnowshefeltsomethingthatpreventedhercallingonhim.

  ButJeanCarniewastobemarried,andthenextdaytheweddingpartyweretospendinfestivityupontheislandofInchCoombe.

  ShebadeJeancallonhim,and,withoutmentioningher,invitehimtothisparty,fromwhich,hemustknow,shewouldnotbeabsent.

  JeanCarnieenteredhisapartment,andatherentrancehismother,whotookforgrantedthiswashissweetheart,whisperedinhisearthatheshouldnowtakethefirststep,andlefthim.

  WhatpassedbetweenJeanCarnieandCharlesGattyisforanotherchapter.

  CHAPTERIX.

  AYOUNGviscountwithincomeandpersoncannotlie_perdu_threemilesfromEdinburgh.

  Firstonediscovershim,thenanother,thentwenty,thenalltheworld,asthewholecliqueismodestlycalled.

  Before,however,LordIpsdenwascaught,hehadacquiredabrownertint,amoreelasticstep,andastouterheart.

  TheAberfordprescriptionhaddonewondersforhim.

  HecaughthimselfpassingonewholedaywithoutthinkingofLadyBarbaraSinclair.

  ButevenAberfordhadmisledhim;therewerenoadventurestobefoundintheFirthofForth;mostofthedaystherewasnowindtospeakof;twiceitblewgreatguns,andthemenweresurprisedathislordshipgoingout,butnobodywasinanydangerexcepthimself;thefishermenhadallslippedintoportbeforematterswereserious.

  Hefoundthemerchantmenthatcouldsailcreepingonwiththreereefsintheirmainsail;andtheDutchmenlyingtoandbreastingit,likeducksinapond,andwithnomorechanceofharm.

  Ononeoftheseoccasionshedidobservealittlesteam—tug,goingaboutaknotanhour,androllinglikeawashing—tub.Herandowntoher,andaskedifhecouldassisther;sheanswered,throughthemediumofasootyanimalatherhelm,thatshewas(likeouruniversities)\"satisfiedwithherownprogress\";sheadded,beingunderintoxication,\"that,ifanydangerexisted,herschemewastodrownitinthebo—o—owl;\"andtwodaysafterwardhesawherpuffingandpanting,andfiercelydraggingagiganticthree—deckeroutintodeepwater,likeanindustriousfleapullinghisphaeton.

  AndnowitismyofficetorelatehowMr.FluckerJohnstonecomportedhimselfononeoccasion.

  AstheyachtworkedalongsideGrantonPier,beforerunningout,thesaidFluckercalmlyandscientificallydrewhislordship’sattentiontothreepoints:

  Thedirectionofthewind——theforceofthewind——andhisopinion,asapersonexperiencedintheFirth,thatitwasgoingtobeworseinsteadofbetter;inreply,hereceivedanordertostepforwardtohisplaceinthecutter——theimmediatevicinityofthejib—boom.Onthis,Mr.Fluckerinstantlyburstintotears.

  Hislordship,or,asFluckercalledhimeversincetheyachtcamedown,\"theskipper,\"deemingthatthehigherappellation,inquired,withsomesurprise,whatwasthematterwiththeboy.

  Oneofthecrew,who,bytheby,squinted,suggested,\"Itwasaslightillustrationofthepassionoffear.\"

  Fluckerconfirmedthetheorybygulpingout:\"We’llneverseeNewhavenagain.\"

  Onthistheskippersmiled,andorderedhimashore,somewhatperemptorily.

  Straightwayhebegantohowl,and,saying,\"Itwasbettertobedrownedthanbethelaughing—stockoftheplace,\"wentforwardtohisplace;onhissafereturntoport,thisyounggentlemanwasverysevereonopenboats,which,hesaid\"bredwomanishnotionsinheartsnaturallydauntless.Givemealidtothepot,\"addedhe,\"andI’llsailwithOldNick,letthewindblowhighorlow.\"

  TheAberfordwaswrongwhenhecalledloveacutaneousdisorder.

  Therearecutaneousdisordersthattakethatname,buttheyarenomorelovethanverseispoetry;

  Thanpatriotismisloveofcountry;

  Thantheologyisreligion;

  Thanscienceisphilosophy;

  Thanpaintingsarepictures;

  Thanrecitingontheboardsisacting;

  ThanphysicismedicineThanbreadisbread,orgoldgold——inshops.

  Loveisastateofbeing;thebelovedobjectisourcenter;andourthoughts,affections,schemesandselvesmovebutroundit.

  Wemaydivergehitherorthither,butthegoldenthreadstillholdsus.

  Isfairordarkbeautythefairest?Theworldcannotdecide;butloveshalldecideinamoment.

  Ahalosurroundsherwelove,andmakesbeautifultoushermovements,herlooks,hervirtues,herfaults,hernonsense,heraffectationandherself;andthat’slove,doctor!

  LordIpsdenwascapableoflovinglikethis;but,todoLadyBarbarajustice,shehaddonemuchtofreezethegermofnoblepassion;shehadnotkilled,butshehadbenumbedit.

  \"Saunders,\"saidLordIpsden,onemorningafterbreakfast,\"haveyouenteredeverythinginyourdiary?\"

  \"Yes,mylord.\"

  \"Allthesegoodpeople’smisfortunes?\"

  \"Yes,mylord.\"

  \"Doyouthinkyouhavespelledtheirnamesright?\"

  \"Whereitwasimpossible,mylord,IsubstitutedanEnglishappellation,hidenticalinmeaning.\"

  \"HaveyouenteredanddescribedmyfirstinterviewwithChristieJohnstone,andsomebodysomething?\"

  \"Mostminutely,mylord.\"

  \"HowIturnedMr.Burkeintopoetry——howshelistenedwithhereyesallglistening——howtheymademetalk——howshedroppedatear,he!he!he!atthedeathofthefirstbaron——howshockedshewasatthekingstrikinghimwhenhewasdying,tomakeaknight—banneretofthepooroldfellow?\"

  \"Yourlordshipwillfindalltheparticularsexactlyrelated,\"saidSaunders,withdrypomp.

  \"Howshefoundoutthattitlesarebutbreath——howIanswered——somenonsense?\"

  \"Yourlordshipwillfindallthetopicsincluded.\"

  \"Howshetookmeforamadman?Andyouforaprig?\"

  \"Thelattercircumstanceeludedmymemory,mylord.\"

  \"ButwhenItoldherImustrelieveonlyonepoorpersonbyday,shetookmyhand.\"

  \"Yourlordshipwillfindalltheitemsrealizedinthisbook,mylord.\"

  \"Whatabeautifulbook!\"

  \"Albaareconsiderablyameliorated,mylord.\"

  \"Alba?\"

  \"Pluralofalbum,mylord,\"explainedtherefinedfactotum,\"moredelicate,Iconceive,thanthevulgarreading.\"

  ViscountIpsdenreadfrom\"MR.SAUNDERS’SALBUM.

  \"Toillustratetheineleganceoftheinferiorclasses,twojuvenilevendersofthepiscatorytribewerethisdayusheredin,andinstantaneously,withouttheaccustomedpreliminaries,plungedintoafamiliarconversationwithLordViscountIpsden.

  \"Theirvulgarity,shockingandrepulsivetomyself,appearedtoaffordhislordshipasatisfactiongreaterthanhederivesfromthegracefulamenitiesoffashionableassociation——\"

  ~\"Saunders,Isuspectyouofsomething.\"

  \"Me,mylord!\"

  \"Yes.Writinginanannual.\"

  \"Ido,mylord,\"saidhe,withbenignant_hauteur._\"Itappearseverymonth——_ThePolytechnic.\"_

  \"Ithoughtso!youarepolysyllabic,Saunders;_enroute!\"_

  ~\"InthishallucinationIfinditdifficulttoparticipate;associatedfrominfancywiththearistocracy,Ishrink,likethesensitiveplant,fromcontactwithanythingvulgar.\"

  ~\"Isee!Ibegintounderstandyou,Saunders.Orderthedog—cart,andWordsworth’smareforleader;we’llgiveheratrial.Youareanass,Saunders.\"

  \"Yes,mylord;IwillorderRoberttotellJamestocomeforyourlordship’scommandsaboutyourlordship’svehicles.(Whatcouldheintendbyarecentobservationofadiscourteouscharacter?)\"

  Hislordshipsoliloquized.

  \"Ineverobserveditbefore,butSaundersisanass!LaJohnstoneisoneofNature’sduchesses,andshehasmademeknowsomepoorpeoplethatwillbericherthantherichoneday;andshehastaughtmethathoneyistobegotfrombank—notes——bymerelygivingthemaway.\"

  AmongtheobjectsofcharityLordIpsdendiscoveredwasoneThomasHarvey,amakerandplayeroftheviolin.Thismanwasapersonofgreatintellect;hemasteredeverysubjectheattacked.Byacarefulexaminationofallthepointsthatvariousfine—tonedinstrumentshadincommon,hehadarrivedatatheoryofsound;hemadeviolinstocorrespond,andwasremarkablysuccessfulininsuringthatwhichhadbeentoohastilyascribedtoaccident——afinetone.

  Thisman,whowasinneedycircumstances,demonstratedtohislordshipthattenpoundswouldmakehisfortune;becausewithtenpoundshecouldsetupashop,insteadofworkingoutoftheworld’ssightinaroom.

  LordIpsdengavehimtenpounds!

  Aweekafter,hemetHarvey,moreraggedanddirtythanbefore.

  Harveyhadbeenrobbedbyafriendwhomhehadassisted.PoorHarvey!

  LordIpsdengavehimtenpoundsmore!

  Nextweek,Saunders,enteringHarvey’shouse,foundhiminbedatnoon,becausehehadnoclothestowear.

  Saunderssuggestedthatitwouldbebettertogivehiswifethenextmoney,withstrictorderstoapplyitusefully.

  Thiswasdone!

  Thenextday,Harvey,findinghisclothesuponachair,histoolsredeemedfrompawn,andabeefsteakreadyforhisdinner,accusedhiswifeofhavingmoney,andmeanlyrefusinghimthebenefitofit.Sheacknowledgedshehadalittle,andappealedtotheimprovedstateofthingsasaproofthatsheknewbetterthanhetheuseofmoney.Hedemandedthesaidmoney.Sherefused——heleatheredher——sheputhiminprison.

  Thiswasthebestplaceforhim.Themanwasadrunkard,andalltherichesofEgyptwouldneverhavemadehimbetteroff.

  Andhere,gentlemenofthelowerclasses,awordwithyou.Howcanyou,withyoursmallincomes,hopetobewelloff,ifyouaremoreextravagantthanthosewhohavelargeones?

  \"Usextravagant?\"youreply.

  Yes!yourincomeistenshillingsaweek;outofthatyouspendthreeshillingsindrink;ay!you,thesoberones.Youcan’taffordit,myboys.Findmeamanwhoseincomeisathousandayear;well,ifheimitatesyou,andspendsthreehundreduponsensuality,Ibetyoutheoddsevenhundredhedoesnotmakebothendsmeet;theproportionistoogreat.And_two—thirdsofthedistressofthelowerordersisowingtothis——thattheyaremoremadlyprodigalthantherich;intheworst,lowestandmostdangerousitemofallhumanprodigality!_

  LordIpsdenwenttoseeMrs.Harvey;itcosthimmuchtogo;shelivedintheOldTown,andhehateddisagreeablesmells;healsoknewfromSaundersthatshehadtwoblackeyes,andhehatedwomenwithblackeyesofthatsort.Butthisgoodcreaturedidgo;didrelieveMrs.Harvey;

  and,bare—headed,sufferedhimselftobebedewedtenminutesbyhertearfultwaddle.

  ForonceVirtuewasrewarded.ReturningovertheNorthBridge,hemetsomebodywhombutforhischarityhewouldnothavemet.

  Hecameinonebrightmomentplumpupon——LadyBarbaraSinclair.Sheflushed,hetrembled,andintwominuteshehadforgotteneveryhumaneventthathadpassedsincehewasbyherside.

  Sheseemedpleasedtoseehim,too;sheignoredentirelyhisobnoxiousproposal;hewiselytookhercue,andso,onthissecretunderstanding,theywerefriends.Hemadehisarrangements,anddinedwithherfamily.

  Itwasafamilyparty.IntheeveningLadyBarbaraallowedittotranspirethatshehadmadeinquiriesabouthim.

  (Hewashighlyflattered.)Andshehaddiscoveredhewaslyinghidsomewhereintheneighborhood.

  \"Studyingtheguitar?\"inquiredshe.

  \"No,\"saidhe,\"studyinganewclassofthecommunity.Doyouknowanyofwhattheycallthe’lowerclasses’?\"

  \"Yes.\"

  \"Monstrousagreeablepeople,aretheynot?\"

  \"No,verystupid!Ionlyknowtwooldwomen——excepttheservants,whohavenocharacters.Theyimitateus,Isuspect,whichdoesnotsaymuchfortheirtaste.\"

  \"Butsomeofmyfriendsareyoungwomen;thatmakesallthedifference.\"

  \"Itdoes!andyououghttobeashamed.Ifyouwantaloworderofmind,whydesertourowncircle?\"

  \"Myfriendsareonlylowinstation;theyhaveratherloftyminds,someofthem.\"

  \"Well,amuseyourselfwiththeseloftyminds.Amusementistheendofbeing,youknow,andtheaimofallthemenofthisday.\"

  \"Weimitatetheladies,\"saidhe,slyly.

  \"Youdo,\"answeredshe,verydryly;andsothedialoguewenton,andLordIpsdenfoundthepleasureofbeingwithhiscousincompensatehimfullyforthedifferenceoftheiropinions;infact,hefounditsimplyamusingthatsokeenawitashiscousinsscouldbeentrappedintothehumorofdecryingthetimeonehappenstolivein,andadmiringanyepochoneknowsnexttonothingabout,andentrappedbythenotionofitsoriginality,aboveallthings;theideabeingthestalecommonplaceofassesineveryage,andthemannerofconveyingtheideabeingamereimitationoftheGermanwriters,notthegoodones,_bienentendu,_butthequill—drivers,thesnobsoftheTeutonicpen.

  Buthewastolearnthatfolliesarenotalwayslaughable,that_eademsentire_isabond,andthat,whenacleverandprettywomanchoosestobeafool,herlover,ifheiswise,willbeagreater——ifhecan.

  Thenexttimetheymet,LordIpsdenfoundLadyBarbaraoccupiedwithagentlemanwhosefirstsentenceproclaimedhimapupilofMr.ThomasCarlyle,andhehadthemortificationtofindthatshehadneitheranearnoraneyeforhim.

  Humanopinionhassomanyshadesthatitisraretofindtwopeopleagree.

  Buttwopeoplemayagreewonderfully,iftheywillbutletathirdthinkforthemboth.

  Thusitwasthatthesetworansosmoothlyincouples.

  Antiquity,theyagreed,wasthetimewhentheworldwasold,itshairgray,itsheadwise.Everyonethatsaid,\"Lord,Lord!\"twohundredyearsagowasaChristian.Therewerenoearnestmennow;Williams,themissionary,wholivedanddiedfortheGospel,wasnotearnestinreligion;butCromwell,whopackedajury,andsomurderedhisprisoner——Cromwell,inwhosemouthwasheaven,andinhishearttemporalsovereignty——wasthepatternofearnestreligion,or,atallevents,secondinsinceritytoMahometalone,intheabsenceofdetailsrespectingSatan,ofwhomweknowonlythathismouthisaScriptureconcordance,andhishandsthehandsofMr.Carlyle’ssaints.

  Thentheywentbackacenturyortwo,andwereeloquentaboutthegreatantiqueheart,andthebeautyofanagewhosesampleswereAbbotSampsonandJoanofArc.

  LordIpsdenhatedargument;butjealousyisabrassspur,itmadeeventhismanfluentforonce.

  Hesuggested\"thatfivehundredyearsaddedtoaworld’slifemadeitjustfivehundredyearsolder,notyounger——andifolder,grayer——andifgrayer,wiser.

  \"OfAbbotSampson,\"saidhe,\"whomIconfessbothagreatandagoodman,hisauthor,whowithallhistalentbelongstotheclassmuddle—head,tellsusthatwhenhehadbeentwoyearsinauthorityhisredhairhadturnedgray,fightingagainstthespiritofhisage;howthedeuce,then,couldhebeasampleofthespiritofhisage?

  \"JoanofArcwasburnedbyacclamationofherage,andisadmiredbyourage.Whichfactidentifiesanagemostwithaheroine,togiveheryourheart,ortogiveherablazingfagotanddeath?\"

  \"AbbotSampsonandJoanofArc,\"concludedhe,\"provenomoreinfavoroftheirage,andnolessagainstit,thanLotdoesfororagainstSodom.

  LotwasinSodom,butnotofit;andsowereSampsonandJoanin,butnotof,thevillainoustimestheylivedin.

  \"Theverybesttext—bookoftruereligionistheNewTestament,andI

  gatherfromit,thatthemanwhoforgiveshisenemieswhiletheiraxdescendsonhishead,howeverpooracreaturehemaybeinotherrespects,isabetterChristianthanthemanwhohastheGodofMercyforeveronhislips,andwhosehandsareswifttoshedblood.

  \"Theearnestmenofformeragesarenotextinctinthis,\"addedhe.

  \"Wheneverascaffoldiserectedoutsideaprison—door,ifyouareearnestinpursuitoftruth,andcanputupwithdisgustingobjects,youshallseearelicofancientmannershanged.

  \"Therestillexist,inpartsofAmerica,riversonwhosebanksareearnestmenwhoshalltakeyourscalp,thewife’sofyourbosom,andtheinnocentchild’sofherbosom.

  \"InEnglandweareasearnestaseverinpursuitofheaven,andofinnocentworldlyadvantages.If,whentheconsiderationoflifeanddeathinterposes,weappearlessearnestinpursuitofcomparativetriflessuchaskingdomsordogmas,itisbecausecoolerinactionwearemoreearnestinthought——becausereason,experience,andconsciencearethingsthatchecktheunscrupulousnessorbeastlyearnestnessofman.

  \"Moreover,hewhohasthesensetoseethatquestionshavethreesidesisnolongersointellectuallyaswellasmorallydegradedastobeabletocuteverythroatthatuttersanopinioncontrarytohisown.

  \"Ifthephrase’earnestman’meansmanimitatingthebeaststhataredeaftoreason,itistobehopedthatcivilizationandChristianitywillreallyextinguishthewholeraceforthebenefitoftheearth.\"

  LordIpsdensucceededinannoyingthefairtheorist,butnotinconvincingher.

  Themediaevalenthusiastslookedonhimassomeroughanimalthathadburstintosacredgroundsunconsciously,andgraduallyedgedawayfromhim.

  CHAPTERX.

  LORDIPSDENhadsoonthemortificationofdiscoveringthatthisMr.————

  wasaconstantvisitoratthehouse;and,althoughhiscousingavehimherearinthisman’sabsence,onthearrivalofherfellow—enthusiasthehadeverthemortificationoffindinghimself_detrop._

  Onceortwicehedemolishedthispersonageinargument,andwasrewardedbyfindinghimselfmore_detrop._

  ButonedayLadyBarbara,beinginacousinlyhumor,expressedawishtosailinhislordship’syacht,andthishintsoonledtoapartybeingorganized,andasortofpicnicontheislandofInchCoombe;hislordship’scutterbeingthemodeofconveyancetoandfromthatspot.

  NowithappenedonthatverydayJeanCarnie’smarriagewascelebratedonthatveryislandbyherrelationsandfriends.

  SothatweshallintroduceourreaderstoTHERIVALPICNICS.

  Webeginwith_Lesgenscommeilfaut._

  PICNICNO.1.

  Theservantswereemployedinputtingawaydishesintohampers.

  Therewasacalmsilence.\"Hem!\"observedSirHenryTalbot.

  \"Eh?\"repliedtheHonorableTomHitherington.

  \"Mamma,\"saidMissVere,\"haveyoubroughtanywork?\"

  \"No,mydear.\"

  \"Atapicnic,\"saidMr.Hitherington,isn’titthethingforsomebody——aw——todosomething?\"

  \"Ipsden,\"saidLadyBarbara,\"thereisanunderstanding_between_youandMr.Hitherington.IcondemnyoutoturnhimintoEnglish.\"

  \"Yes,LadyBarbara;I’lltellyou,hemeans———doyoumeananything,Tom?\"

  _Hitherington._\"Can’tanybodyguesswhatImean?\"

  _LadyBarbara._\"Guessfirstyourself,youcan’tbesuspectedofbeinginthesecret.\"

  _Hither._\"WhatImeanis,thatpeoplesingasong,orrunraces,orpreachasermon,ordosomethingfunnyatapicnic——aw——somebodygetsupanddoessomething.\"

  _LadyBar._\"ThenperhapsMissVere,whosesingingisfamous,willhavethecomplaisancetosingtous.\"

  _MissVere._\"Ishouldbehappy,LadyBarbara,butIhavenotbroughtmymusic.\"

  _LadyBar._\"Oh,wearenotcritical;thesimplestair,orevenafragmentofmelody;theseaandtheskywillbeabetteraccompanimentthanBroadwoodevermade.\"

  _MissV._\"Ican’tsinganotewithoutbook.\"

  _SirH.Talbot._\"Yourmusicisinyoursoul——notatyourfingers’ends.\"

  _LordIpsden,toLadyBar._\"Itisinherbook,andnotinhersoul.\"

  _LadyBar.,toLordIps._\"Thenithaschosenthebettersituationofthetwo.\"

  _Ips._\"MissVereistothefineartofmusicwhattheengrossersaretotheblackartoflaw;itallfiltersthroughthemwithoutleavinganysediment;andsothemusicofthedaypassesthroughMissVere’smind,butnoneremains——tostainitsvirginsnow.\"

  Hebows,shesmiles.

  _LadyBar.,toherself._\"Insolent.Andthelittleduncethinksheiscomplimentingher.\"

  _Ips._\"PerhapsTalbotwillcometoourrescue——heisafiddler.\"

  _Tal._\"Anamateuroftheviolin.\"

  _Ips._\"Itisallthesamething.\"

  _LadyBar._\"Iwishitmayproveso.\"

  [Note:originalhasmusicnotationhere]

  _MissV._\"Beautiful.\"

  _Mrs.Vere._\"Charming.\"

  _Hither._\"Superb!\"

  _Ips._\"Youareawarethatgoodmusicisathingtobeweddedtoimmortalverse,shallIreciteabitofpoetrytomatchTalbot’sstrain?\"

  _MissV._\"Oh,yes!hownice.\"

  _Ips.(rhetorically)._\"A.B.C.D.E.F.G.H.I.J.K.L.M.N.O.P.

  Q.R.S.T.U.V.W.X.Y.Z.Y.X.W.V.U.T.S.O.N.M.L.K.J.I.

  H.G.F.A.M.littlep.littlet.\"

  _LadyBar._\"Beautiful!Superb!Ipsdenhasbeentakinglessonsonthethinkinginstrument.\"

  _Hither._\"Hehasbeen_perdu_amongvulgarpeople.\"

  _Tal._\"AndexpectsapupilofHerztoplayhimtunes!\"

  _LadyBar._\"Whataretunes,SirHenry?\"

  _Tal._\"SomethingIdon’tplay,LadyBarbara.\"

  _LadyBar._\"Iunderstandyou;somethingweoughttolike.\"

  _Ips._\"IhaveaStradivariusviolinathome.Itisyours,Talbot,ifyoucandefineatune.\"

  _Tal._\"Atuneis——everybodyknowswhat.\"

  _LadyBar._\"Atuneisatune,thatiswhatyoumeanttosay.\"

  _Tal._\"Ofcourseitis.\"

  _LadyBar._\"Bereasonable,Ipsden;nomancandotwothingsatonce;howcanthepupilofHerzcondemnathingandknowwhatitmeanscontemporaneously?\"

  _Ips._\"Isthedrinking—songin’DerFreischutz’atune?\"

  _LadyBar._\"Itis.\"

  _Ips._\"AndthemelodiesofHandel,aretheytunes?\"

  _LadyBar.(pathetically)._\"Theyare!Theyare!\"

  _Ips._\"Andthe’RussianAnthem,’andthe’Marseillaise,’and’Ah,Perdona’?\"

  _Tal._\"And’YankeeDoodle’?\"

  _LadyBar._\"SothatSirHenry,whopridedhimselfonhisignorance,hasawidefieldforitsdominion.

  _Tal._\"Allgoodviolinplayersdolikeme;theyprelude,notplaytunes.\"

  _Ips._\"ThenHeavenbethankedforourblindfiddlers.Youlikesyllablesofsoundinunmeaningrotation,andyoudespiseitswords,itspurposes,itsnarrativefeats;carryoutyourprinciple,itwillshowyouwhereyouare.Buyadirtypaletteforapicture,anddreamthealphabetisapoem.\"

  _LadyBar.,toherself._\"IsthismycousinRichard?\"

  _Hither._\"Mind,Ipsden,youareamanofproperty,andtherearesuchthingsascommissions_delunatico.\"_

  _LadyBar._\"Hisdefensewillbethathisfriendspronouncedhiminsane.

  _Ips._\"No;IshallsubpoenaTalbot’sfiddle,cross—examinationwillgetnothingoutofthatbut,do,re,mi,fa.\"

  _LadyBar._\"Yes,itwill;fa,mi,re,do.\"

  _Tal._\"Violin,ifyouplease.\"

  _LadyBar._\"AskFiddle’spardon,directly.\"

  _Soundoffiddlesisheardinthedistance._

  _Tal._\"Howluckyforyou,therearefiddlesandtunes,andthenativesyouaresaidtofavor,whynotjointhem?\"

  _Ips.(shakinghisheadsolemnly)._\"Idreadtoencounteranotherprelude.\"

  _Hither._\"Come,Iknowyouwouldlikeit;itisawedding—party——twoseamonstershavebeenunited.Thesailorsandfishermenareallblueclothandwash—leathergloves.\"

  _MissV._\"He!he!\"

  _Tal._\"Thefishwivesunitethecolorsoftherainbow——\"

  _LadyBar._\"(Andweallknowhowhideoustheyare)——tovulgar,bloomingcheeks,staringwhiteteeth,andsky—blueeyes.\"

  _Mrs.V._\"Howsatiricalyouare,especiallyyou,LadyBarbara.\"

  HereLordIpsden,afterawordtoLadyBarbara,theanswertowhichdidnotappeartobefavorable,rose,gavealittleyawn,lookedsteadilyathiscompanionswithoutseeingthem,anddepartedwithoutseemingawarethathewasleavinganybodybehindhim.

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