第1章

Oncetherewasagreatnoiseinourhouse，——athumpingandbatteringandgrating。Itwasmyownselfdraggingmybigtrunkdownfromthegarret。IdiditmyselfbecauseIwanteditdone。IfIhadsaid，"Halicarnassus，willyoufetchmytrunkdown？"hewouldhaveaskedmewhattrunk？andwhatdidIwantofit？andwouldnottheotheronebebetter？andcouldn\'tIwaittillafterdinner？——andsothetrunkwouldprobablyhavehadathree-daysjourneyfromgarrettobasement。

NowIamstronginthewristsandweakinthetemper；thereforeIusedtheoneandsparedtheother，andgotthetrunkdownstairsmyself。Halicarnassusheardtheuproar。Hemusthavebeendeafnottohearit；fortheoldarkbangedandbounced，andscrapedthepaintoffthestairs，andpitchedhead-foremostintothewall，andgougedouttheplastering，anddentedthemop-board，andwasthemoststupid，awkward，uncompromising，unmanageablethingIevergotholdofinmylife。

BythetimeIhadzigzaggeditintothebackchamber，Halicarnassusloomedupthebackstairs。Istoodhotandpanting，withtheinsideofmyfingerstorturedintoburningleather，theskinrubbedoffthreeknuckles，andabruiseonthebackofmyrighthand，wherethetrunkhadcrusheditagainstasharpedgeofthedoorway。

"Now，then？"saidHalicarnassusinterrogatively。

"Tobesure，"Irepliedaffirmatively。

Hesaidnomore，butwentandlookedupthegarret-stairs。

Theyboretracesofasevereencounter，thatmustbeconfessed。

"Doyouwishmetogiveyouabitofadvice？"heasked。

"No！"Iansweredpromptly。

"Well，then，hereitis。Thenexttimeyoudesigntobringatrunkdown-stairs，youwouldbettercutawaytheunderpinning，andknockoutthebeams，andletthegarretdownintothecellar。Itwillmakelessuproar，andnottakesomuchtorepairdamages。"

Heintendedtobesevere。Hiswordspassedbymeastheidlewind。Iperchedonmytrunk，tookapasteboardbox-coverandfannedmyself。Iwasverywarm。Halicarnassussatdownontheloweststairandremainedsilentseveralminutes，expectingameekexplanation，butnotgettingit，swallowedabountifulpieceofwhatiscalledinhomelytalk，"humble-pie，"andsaid，——

"Ishouldliketoknowwhat\'sinthewindnow。"

Imakeitaprinciplealwaystoresentaninsultandtowelcomerepentancewithequalalacrity。Ifpeoplethrustouttheirhornsatmewantonly，theyverysoonrunagainstastone-wall；

butthemomenttheyshowsignsofcontrition，Isoften。Itisthebestway。Don\'tinsistthatpeopleshallgrovelatyourfeetbeforeyouaccepttheirapology。Thatisnotmagnanimous。

Letmercytemperjustice。ItisahardthingatbestforhumannaturetogodownintotheValleyofHumiliation；andalthough，whencircumstancesarisewhichmakeittheonlyfitplaceforaperson，Iinsistuponhisgoing，stillnosoonerdoesheactuallybeginthedescentthanmysenseofjusticeisappeased，mynaturalsweetnessofdispositionresumessway，andItripalongbyhissidechattingasgailyasifIdidnotperceiveitwastheValleyofHumiliationatall，butfanciedittheDelectableMountains。So，uponthefirstsymptomsofplacability，Iansweredcordially，——

"Halicarnassus，ithasbeentheambitionofmylifetowriteabookoftravels。Buttowriteabookoftravels，onemustfirsthavetravelled。"

"Notatall，"heresponded。"Withanatlasandanencyclopaediaonecantravelaroundtheworldinhisarm-chair。"

"Butonecannothavepersonaladventures，"Isaid。"Youcan，indeed，sitinyourarm-chairanddescribethecraterofVesuvius；butyoucannottumbleintothecraterofVesuviusfromyourarm-chair。"

"Ihaveneverheardthatitwasnecessarytotumblein，inordertohaveagoodviewofthemountain。"

"Butitsnecessarytodoit，ifonewouldmakeareadablebook。"

"ThenIshouldletthebookslide，——ratherthanslidemyself。"

"Ifyouwoulddomethehonortolisten，"Isaid，scornfulofhispaltryattemptatwit，"youwouldseethatthebookistheobjectofmytravelling。Itraveltowrite。IdonotwritebecauseIhavetravelled。Iamnotgoingtosubordinatemybooktomyadventures。Myadventuresaregoingtobearrangedbeforehandwithaviewtomybook。"

"Amostoriginalwayofgettingupabook！"

"Notintheleast。Itisthemostcommonthingintheworld。

LookatourdearBritishcousins。"

"Andseethemmakeguysofthemselves。Theyvisitamagnificentcountrythatistryingtheexperimentoftheworld，andwriteabouttheirshaving-soapandtheirbabies\'nurses。"

"Justwheretheyareright。JustwhyIliketherace，fromTrollopedown。Theygiveyousomethingtotakeholdof。I

tellyou，Halicarnassus，itisthepersonalityofthewriter，andnotthenatureofthesceneryoroftheinstitutions，thatmakestheinterest。Itstandstoreason。Ifitwerenotso，onebookwouldbeallthateverneedbewritten，andthatbookwouldbeacensusreport。Forarepublicisarepublic，andNiagaraisNiagaraforever；buttellhowyoustoodonthechain-bridgeatNiagara——ifthereisonethere——andboughtacakeofshaving-soapfromatribeofIndiansatafabulousprice，orhowyourbabyjumpedfromthearmsofthecarelessnurseintotheFalls，andimmediatelyyourownindividualityisthrownaroundthescenery，anditacquiresahumaninterest。

Itisalwaysfivemilesfromoneplacetoanother，butthatismerealmanacandstatistics。Letapoetwalkthefivemiles，andnarratehisexperiencewithbirdsandbeesandflowersandgrassesandwaterandsky，anditbecomesliterature。Andletmetellyoufurther，sir，abookoftravelsisjustasinterestingasthepersonwhowritesitisinteresting。Itisnotthecountries，butthepersons，thatare\'shownup。\'YougotoFranceandwriteadullbook。IgotoFranceandwritealivelybook。ButFranceisthesame。Thedifferenceisinourselves。"

Halicarnassusgloweredatme。IthinkIamnotusingstrainedorextravagantlanguagewhenIsaythathegloweredatme。

Thenhegrowledout，——

"Soyourbookoftravelsisjusttoputyourselfintopickle。"

"Say，rather，"Ianswered，withsweethumility，——"say，rather，itistoshrinemyselfinamber。Astheinsignificantfly，encompassedwithmoltenglory，passesintoacrystallizedimmortality，hisownlittlenessupliftedintolovelinessbythebeautyinwhichheisimprisoned，soI，wrappedaroundbythegloryofmyland，mayfindmyselfnichedintoafamewhichmyunattendedandnakedmeritcouldneverhaveclaimed。"

Halicarnassuswasalittlestunned，butpresentlyrecoveringhimself，suggestedthatIhadtravelledenoughalreadytomakeoutaquitesizablebook。

"Travelled！"Isaid，lookinghimsteadilyintheface，——

"travelled！IwentonceuptoTudizhuckleberrying；andonce，whentherewasafreshet，youtookasuperannuatedbroomandpaddledmearoundtheorchardinaleakypig\'s-trough！"

Hecouldnotdenyit；sohelaughed，andsaid，——

"Ah，well！——ah，well！Suityourself。TakeyourtrunkandpitchintoVesuvius，ifyoulike。Iwon\'tstandinyourway。"

Hisacquiescencewasungraciously，andIbelieveImaysayambiguously，expressed；butitmatteredlittle，forIgatheredupmygoodsandchattels，strappedthemintomytrunk，andwaitedforthesummertosendusonourwayrejoicing，——thegentleandgraciousyoungsummer，thathadcomebythecalendar，buthadlostherwayonthethermometer。OthesedelayingSprings，thatmockthemerry-makingofancestralEngland！Istheworldgrownsooldandstrickeninyears，that，likeKingDavid，itgetsnoheat？Whyloiters，wherelingers，thebeautiful，calm-breathingJune？Rosebudsareboundinhertrailinghair，andthesweetofhergarmentsalwaysusedtowaftascentedgaleoverthehappyhills。

"Hereshewaswonttogo！andhere！andhere！

Justwherethedaisies，pinks，andvioletsgrow；

Hertreadingwouldnotbendabladeofgrass，Orshakethedownyblow-ballfromhisstalk！

Butlikethesoftwest-windsheshotalong；

Andwhereshewenttheflowerstookthickestroot，Asshehadsowedthemwithherodorousfoot。"

Sosangarough-handed，silver-voiced，sturdyoldfellow，harpingunconsciouslythenotesofmylament，andthetonesofhissorrowwailthroughthegreenboughstoday，thoughhehasbeenlyingnowthesetwohundredyearsinEngland\'sSleepingPalace，amongsilentkingsandqueens。Fairandfreshandalwaysyoungismylostmaiden，and"beautifulexceedingly。"

HerhabitwastowreathehergarlandwiththeMay，andeverywhereshefoundmostheartywelcome；butMayhascomeandgone，andJuneisstillmissing。Ilooklonginglyafar，butthereisnoflutterofhergossamerrobesoverthedistanthills。Nowhitecloudfloatsdowntheblueheavens，achariotofstate，bringingherroyallyfromthecourtoftheKing。Theearthismourningherabsence。Ablighthasfallenupontheroses，andtheleavesaregonegrayandmottled。Thebudsstarteduptomeetandgreettheirqueen，buthergoldensceptrewasnotheldforth，andtheyarefaintandstunnedwithterror。

Thecenserwhichtheywouldhaveswungonthebreezes，togladdenherheart，ishiddenawayoutofsight，andtheirownheartsaresmotheredwiththeincense。Thebeansandthepeasandthetasselledcornarestruckwithsurprise，asifaneclipsehadstaggeredthem，andarewaitingtoseewhatwillturnup，determineditshallnotbethemselves，unlesssomethinghappensprettysoon。Thetomatoesarethinking，withhomesickregret，ofthesmilingItaliangardens，wherethesunripenedthemtomellowbeauty，withmanyaboldcaress，andtheyhugtheirruddyfruittotheirownbosoms，andFrost，thecormorant，willgrabitall，sinceJunedisdainstheprofferedgift，andwillnottouchthemwithhertenderlips。Themoney-plantsaregrowingpale，andbitingofftheirfinger-tipswithimpatience。Themarigoldwhispershissuspicionovertothebalsam-buds，andneitherventurestomakeamove，quitesurethereissomethingwrong。Thescarlettassel-flowerutterlyrefusestounfoldhisbraveplumes。TheZinniaslookupamoment，shudderingwithcoldchills，concludethereisnogoodinhurrying，andthenjustpulltheirbrownblanketsaroundthem，turnoverintheirbeds，andgotosleepagain。

Themorning-gloriesrubtheireyes，andarebuthalfawake，foralltheirroyalname。TheCanterbury-bellsmaybechimingvelvetpealsdownintheirdarkcathedrals，butnoclashnorclangornorfaintestechoripplesupintomyGardenWorld。Notabeedroneshisdrowsysongamongtheflowers，fortherearenoflowersthere。Oneventuresomelittlephloxdaredthecoldwinds，andpoppeduphisaudacioushead，buthispale，punyfaceshowshownearheistobeingfrozentodeath。Thepoorbirdsareshiveringintheirnests。Theysingalittle，justtokeepuptheirspirits，andhopabouttopreservetheircirculation，andcaptureabewilderedbugortwo，butIdon\'tbelievethereisanegganywhereround。Notonlytheowl，butthered-breast，andtheoriole，andtheblue-jay，forallhisfeathers，isa-cold。Nothingflourishesbutwitch-grassandcanker-worms。WhereisJune？——thebrightandbeautiful，thewarmandclearandbalm-breathingJune，withhermatchless，deep，intensesky，andhersunshine，thatcleavesintoyourheart，andbreaksupallthewinterthere？Whatarethesesleetyfogsabout？GobackintotheJanuarythaw，whereyoubelong！Whathavethechillrains，andtherawwinds，andthedismal，leadenclouds，andalltheseflannelsandfurstodowithJune，theperfectJuneofhopeandbeautyandutterjoy？

WhereistheJune？Hasshelostherwayamongthenarrow，interminabledefilesofyourcrookedoldcitystreets？Gooutandfindher！Youdonotwantherthere。Nobladenorblossomwillspringfromyourdingybrick，noryourdull，deadstone，thoughyouprisonherthereforathousandyearsofwandering。

Takeherbythehandtenderly，andbidherforthintothewaitingcountry，whichwillgiveheraqueenlyreception，andlaurelsworththewearing。Haveyoufalleninlovewithher——

onthePotomac，Osoldiers？AreyouwooingherwithhoneyedwordsonthebloodysoilofVirginia？Isshetrancedbyyourglitteringsword-shineinransomedTennessee？Isshefloatingonalotus-leafinFloridalagoons？HasshedrunkNepentheintheorange-groves？Isshechasinggoldenapplesunderthemagnolias？Areyoutoyingwiththetanglesofherhairinthebrightsea-foam？O，rouseherfromhertrance，loosethefettersfromherlovelylimbs，andspeedhertoourNorthernskies，thatmoanherlongdelay。

Orisshefrightenedbythethundersofthecannonadesoundingfromshoretoshore，andwakeningthewildechoes？Doesshefeartobreastourbristlingbayonets？Isshestifledbythesmokeofpowder？IsshecrouchingdownCaribbeanshores，terror-strickenandpallid？SweetJune，fearnot！TheflashofloyalsteelwillonlylightyoualongyourNorthernroad。

Beautyandinnocencehavenothingtodreadfromtheswordapatriotwields。Thestormthatrendstheheavenswillmakeearthdoublyfair。YourpathwayshalllieoverDelectableMountains，andthroughvinelandsofBeulah。Comequickly，treadsoftly，andfromyourbountifulbosomscatterseedsasyoucome，thatdaisiesandvioletsmaysoftlyshine，andsweetlytwinewiththeamaranthandimmortellethatspringalreadyfromheroes\'heartsburiedinsoldiers\'graves。

"Butthereisnouseinplacardingher，"saidHalicarnassus。

"Weshallhavenowarmweathertilltheeclipseisover。"

"Soho！"Isaid。"Havingexhaustedeveryotherpretextfordelay，youbringoutaneclipse！andpraywhenisthisfamousaffairtocomeoff？"

"Tomorrowiftheweatherprovefavorable，ifnot，onthefirstfairnight。"

ThenindeedIsetmyhouseinorder。Herewassomethingdefiniteandtrustworthy。Firstaneclipse，thenabook，andyetIpitiedthemoonasIwalkedhomethatnight。Shecameuptheheavenssoroundandradiant，sogloriousinhermajesty，soconfidentinherstrength，sosureoftriumphalmarchacrosstheshiningsky；notknowingthatagreatblackshadowloomedrightathwartherpathtoswallowherup。Sheneverdreamedthatallherroyalbeautyshouldpassbehindapall，thatallhergloryshouldbedemeanedbypitilesseclipse，andherdomeofdelightbecomethevalleyofhumiliation！Istherenohelp？Isaid。Cannohandleadhergentlyanotherway？Cannovoicewarnheroftheblackshadowthatliesinambuscade？None。Justastheyounggirlleaveshertenderhome，andgoesfearlesstoherfuture，——tothefuturewhichbringssadnessforhersmiling，andpatienceforherhope，andpainforherbloom，andthecoldrequitalofkindness，ortheunrequitalofcoldnessforherwarmthoflove，sogoesthemoon，unconsciousandserene，tomeetherfate。

ButatleastIwillwatchwithher。Trundleuptothewindowhere，oldlounge！youarealmostasgoodasagrandmother。

Steadythere！broken-leggedtable。YouhavegonelimpingeversinceIknewyou；don\'tfailmetonight。Shinesoftly，Kerosena，nextofkintothesun，truemonarchofmundanelights！calmlysuperiortotheflickeringofallthefluids，andtheghastlinessofallthegases，thoughitmustbeconfessedyoudon\'tholdouthalfaslongasyouusedwhenfirstyouryellowbannerwasunfurled。Shinesoftlytonight，andlightmyhappyfeetthroughtheWaldenwoods，alongtheWaldenshores，whereaphilosophersitsinsolitarystate。HeshallkeepmeawakebytheWaldenshoretillthemoonandtheshadowmeet。Howtranquilsitsthephilosopher，howgrandlyringstheman！Here，inhishomespunhouse，thesquirrelsclickunderhisfeet，thewoodchucksdevourhisbeans，andtheloonlaughsonthelake。Hererichmencome，andcannothidetheirlanknessandtheirpoverty。Herepoormencome，andtheirgoldshinesthroughtheirrags。Hithercomesthepoet，andthehouseistoonarrowfortheirthoughts，andtheroughwallsringwithlustylaughter。OhappyWaldenwoodandwoodlandlake，didyouthrillthroughallyourluminousaislesandallyourlisteningshoresforthemanthatwanderedthere？

Isitbegun？Notyet。Thekitchenclockhasbutjuststruckeleven，andmywatchlackstenminutesofthat。Whatiftheastronomersmadeamistakeintheircalculations，andthealmanacsarewrong，andtheeclipseshallnotcomeoff？Woulditbestrange？Woulditnotbestrangerifitwerenotso？

Howcanabeing，standingononelittleball，spinningforeveraroundandaroundamongmillionsofotherballslargerandsmaller，breathlesslythesameendlesswaltz，——howcanhetraceouttheirpaths，andforetelltheirconjunctions？Howcanapunycreaturefasteneddowntooneworld，abletolifthimselfbutafewpaltryfeetabove，todigbutafewpaltryfeetbelowitssurface，utterlyunabletodivinewhatshallhappentohimselfinthenextmoment，——howcanhethrustouthishandintoinconceivablespace，andanticipatethesilentfuture？

Howcanhisfeebleeyedetectthequiverofaworld？Howcanhisslenderstrengthweighthemountainsinscales，andthebillsinabalance？Andyetitis。WonderfulisthePowerthatframedallthesespheres，andsentthemontheirgreaterrands；butmorewonderfulstillthePowerthatgavetofiniteminditspower，tostandononelittlepoint，andsweepthewholecircleoftheskies。Almostasmarvelousisitthatman，beingman，candivinetheuniverse，asthatGod，beingGod，coulddeviseit。Cyclesofyearsgoby。Sunsandmoonsandstarstreadtheirmysteriousrounds，butsteadyeyesarefollowingthemintotheawfuldistances，steadyhandsaremarkingtheireternalcourses。Theirmultipliedmotionsshallyetberesolvedintoharmony，andsothemusicofthespheresshallchimewiththeangels\'song，"GlorytoGodinthehighest！"

Isitbegun？Notyet。

NowonderthateclipseswereaterrortomenbeforeSciencecamequeeningitthroughtheuniverse，compellingallthesefearfulsightsandgreatsignsintohertriumphaltrain，andcommandingustobenolongerafraidofourownshadow。ThesureandsteadfastMoon，shudderingfromthefullnessofhersplendorintowildandghostlydarkness，mightwellwakestrangeapprehensions。Sheisreelinginconvulsiveagony。

Sheissickeningandswooninginthedeath-struggle。Theprincipalitiesandpowersofdarkness，theeternalfoesofmen，areworkingtheirbalefulspellwithsuccesstocastthesweetMoonfromherpath，andforcehertoworkwoeanddisasterupontheearth。Somefellmonster，roamingthroughtheheavens，seekingwhomhemaydevour，——somedragon，"monstrous，horrible，andwaste，"whomnoRedcrosseKnightshallpiercewithhistrenchandblade，isswallowingwithgiantgulpsthewrithingvictim。Blowshrillandloudyourbugleblasts！Beatwithfierceclangoryourbrazencymbals！Pushupwildshrieksandgroans，andhorridcries，"Thatallthewoodsmayanswer，andyourechoesring，"

andthefoulfiendperchancebescaredawaybydeafeningdin。

O，sadforthosewholivedbeforetheghoulsweredisinherited；

forwhomthewoodsandwaters，andthedeepplaces，werepeopledwithmighty，mysteriousfoes；whosawevilspiritsintheearthforces，andturnedhergoldintoconsumingfire。Forus，laterborn，Sciencehasdivedintothecaverns，andscaledtheheights，andfathomedthedepths，forcingfromcoyyetwillingNaturethesolutionofherownproblems，andshowinguseverywhere，GOD。Wearenotchildrenoffate，tremblingatthefrownoffairiesandwitchesandgnomes，butthechildrenofourFather。Ifweascendupintoheaven，heisthere。Ifwetakethewingsofthemorning，anddwellintheuttermostpartsofthesea，eventhereshallhishandlead，andhisrighthandhold。

Isitbegun？Not——well，Idon\'tknow，though。Somethingseemstobehappeningupinthenorthwestcorner。Certainly，abitofthatrounddiskhasbeenshavedoff。Iwillwaitfiveminutes。Yes，thebattleisbegun。Theshadowadvances。Themoonyields。Buttherearewatchersintheheavenaswellasintheearth。Thereissympathyintheskies。Upfloatsanargosyofcompassionateclouds，andflingtheirfleecyveilaroundthepallidmoon，andbearhersoftlyontheirsnowybosoms。Butshemoveson，impelled。Shesweepsbeyondthesadclouds。Deeperanddeeperintothedarkness。CloserandclosertheShadowclutchesherinhisinexorablearms。Wanandweirdbecomesherface，wrathfulandwildtheastonishedwinds；

andforallherscienceandherfaith，theEarthtremblesinthenight，andahushofawequiversthroughtheangry，agitatedair。On，stillon，tillthefairandsmilingmoonisbutadullandtawnyorb，withnobeautytobedesired；on，stillon，tilleventhatcold，copperylightwanesintosullendarkness。Whetheritisacloudkindlyhidingthehumbledqueen，orwhetherthequeenisindeedmergedintheabyssoftheShadow，Icannottell，anditisdismalwaitingtosee。

Thewildnessisgonewiththemoon，andthereisnothingleftbutadarknight。Iwonderhowlongbeforeshewillreappear？

ArethepeopleinthemoonstaringthroughaneclipseoftheSun？Ishouldliketoseehercomeoutagain，andclotheherselfinsplendor。IthinkIwillgobacktoWalden。Ah！

evenmyphilosopher，apingHomer，nods。Itshimmersalittle，onthelake，amongthemountains——ofthemoon。

Ideclare！IbelieveIhavebeenasleep。Whatofit？Itisjustaswell。Ihavenodoubtthemoonwillcomeoutagainallright，——whichismorethanIshalldoifIgooninthisway。

Ifeelalreadyasifthetopofmyheadwascomingoff。OnceIwasveryunhappy，andIsatupallnighttomakethemostofit。Itwasmanyhundredyearsago，whenIwasyoungerthanI

amnow，anddidnotknowthatmiserywasnotathingtobecaressedandcossetedandcoddled，butathingtobetaken，neckandheels，andturnedoutdoors。SoIsatuptorevelintheecstasyofwoe。Iwentalongswimminglyintothelittlehours，butbytwoo\'clocktherewasagreatsamenessaboutit，andIgrewdesperatelysleepy。Iwasnotgoingtogiveitup，however，soIshockedmyselfintoatorpidanimationwithacoldbath，itbeingmid-winter，andbetwixtbathandbathos，managedtokeepagoingtilldaylight。OncesincethenIwasveryhappy，andcouldnotkeepmyeyesshut。ThosearetheonlytwotimesIeversatupallnight，and，onthewhole，I

thinkIwillgotobed；wherefore，Opeopleontheearth，markingeagerlythemoon\'seclipse，andOpeopleonthemoon，crowdingyourcraggyhillstoseeaneclipseofthesun，Goodnight！

ThenthelostJunecameback。Frostmeltedoutoftheair，summermeltedin，andmybookbeckonedmeonwardwithacommandinggesture。ConsequentlyItookmytrunk，Halicarnassushiscane，andwestartedonourtravels。Buttheshadowoftheeclipsehungoverusstill。Anevilomencameinthebeginning。

JustasIwassteppingintothecar，Iobservedaviolentsmokeissuingfromunderit。Istartedbackinalarm。

"Theyareonlygettingupsteam，"saidHalicarnassus。"Alwaysdo，whentheystart。"

"Iknowbetter！"Iansweredbriskly，fortherewasnotimetobecircumlocutional。"Theydon\'tgetupsteamunderthecars。"

"Whynot？Betasixpenceyoucouldn\'tgetUncleCain\'sDobbinoutofhisjog-trotwithoutbuildingafireunderhim。"

"Iknowthatwheelisonfire，"Isaid，nottobeturnedfromthedirectandcertainlineofassertionintothewindingwaysofargument。

"Nomatter，"repliedHalicarnassus，concedingeverything，"weareinsured。"

UponthestrengthofwhichconsolatoryinformationIwentin。

Byandbyamanenteredandtookaseatinfrontofus。"Theboxisallafire，"chuckledhetohisneighbor，asifitwereafinejoke。Byandbyseveralpeoplewhohadbeenlookingoutofthewindowsdrewintheirheads，wentintothenextcar。

"Whatdoyousupposetheydidthatfor？"IaskedHalicarnassus。

"Morearistocratical。Belongtooldfamilies。Thisisanewcar，don\'tyousee？Weareparvenus。"

"Nothingofthesort，"Irejoined。"Thiscarisonfire，andtheyhavegoneintothenextonesoasnottobeburnedup。"

"Theyarenotgoingtowritebooks，andcanaffordtorunawayfromadventures。"

"ButsupposeIamburnedupinmyadventure？"

"Obviously，then，yourbookwillendinsmoke。"

Iceasedtotalk，forIwasprovokedathisindifference。I

leaveeveryimpartialmindtojudgeforitselfwhetherthecircumstancesweresuchastowarrantcomposure。Tobesure，somebodysaidthecarwastobeleftatJeru；butJeruwaseightmilesaway，andanyquantityofmischiefmightbedonebeforewereachedit，——ifindeedwewerenotpreventedfromreachingitaltogether。Itwasamerequestionofdynamics。

Woulddrywoodbeabletoholditsownagainstaragingfireforhalfanhour？Ofcoursetheconductorthoughtitwould；

butevenconductorsarenotinfallible；andyoumayimaginehowcomfortableitwastositandknowthatafirewasinfullblastbeneathyou，andtolookdowneveryfewminutesexpectingtoseetheflamesforkingupunderyourfeet。IconfessIwasnotwithoutsomethinglikeahopethatonetongueofthedevouringelementwouldflareupfarenoughtogiveHalicarnassusastart；butitdidnot。Nocasualtyoccurred。WereachedJeruinsafety；butthatdoesnotprovethattherewasnodanger，orthatindifferencewasanythingbutthemostfoolishhardihood。

Ifourburningcarhadbeeninmid-ocean，serenitywouldhavebeensublimity，buttostayinthemidstofperilwhentwostepswouldtakeoneoutofitisidiocy。AndthattherewasperilisconclusivelyshownbythefactthattheverynextdaytheEasternRailroadDepottookfireandwasburnedtotheground。Ihaveinmyownmindnodoubtthatitwasacontinuationofthesamefire，andifwehadstayedinthecarmuchlonger，weshouldhavesharedthesamefate。

WefoundJerutobeapleasantcity，withonlyonefault:theinhabitantswillcrowdintoacarbeforepassengerscangetout；consequentlytheheadsofthetwocolumnscollidenearthecar-door，andthereisageneralchoke。OtherwiseJeruisadelightfulcity。Itisfamousforitsbeautifulwomen。Itsrailroad-stationisamagnificentpieceofarchitecture。ItsmenareretiredEast-Indiamerchants。EverybodyinJeruisrichandhasrealestate。ThehousesinJeruarethreestorieshighandfaceontheCommon。PeopleinJeruarewell-dressedandwell-bred，andtheyallcameoverintheMayflower。

WestoppedinJerufiveminutes。

Whenwewerereadytocontinueourtravels，Halicarnassussecededintothesmoking-car，andtheenginewasshriekingoffitsinertia，asmallboy，laboringundergreatagitation，hurriedin，darteduptome，and，thrustingapinchbeckringwithapinkglassinitintomyface，exclaimed，inahoarsewhisper，——

"Abeautifulring，ma\'am！I\'vejustpickeditup。Can\'tstoptofindtheowner。Worthadollar，ma\'am；butifyou\'llgivemefiftycents——"

"Boy！"

Irosefiercely，convulsively，inmyseat，drewonelongbreath，butwhetherhethoughtIwasgoingtokillhim，——I

daresayIlookedit，——orwhetherhesawasheriffbehind，oraphantomgallowsbefore，Iknownot；butwithoutwaitingforthethunderbolttostrike，herushedfromthecarasprecipitatelyashehadrushedin。IWASangry，——notbecauseIwastohavebeencheated，forIbeenrepeatedlyandatrociouslycheatedandonlysmiled，butbecausetherascaldaredattemptonmesuchathreadbare，ragged，shoddytrickasthat。DoILOOKlikearough-hewn，unseasonedbackwoodsman？

HaveItheairofneverhavingreadanewspaper？Isthereapatentinnocenceofeye-teethinmydemeanor？OJeru！Jeru！

Somewhereinyourvirtuousbosomyouarenourishingaviper，forIhavefelthisfangs。Woeuntoyou，ifyoudonotstranglehimbeforehedevelopsintomatureanacondaism！

InpointofnaturalhistoryIamnotsurethatvipersdogrowupanacondas，butforthepurposesofmoralphilosophythedevelopmenttheoryanswersperfectlywell。

InBostonwehadthreehourstospare；sowesentourluggage——thatis，mytrunk——totheWorcesterDepot，andwalkedleisurelyourselves。Ihadalittleshoppingtodo，tocompletemyoutfitforthejourney，——averylittleshopping，——onlyanightcaportwo。Ordinarilysuchathingisamatterofsmallmoment，butinmycasethesubjectbadswollenintounnaturaldimensions。Nightcapsarenotgenerallyconsideredhealthy，——atleastnotbyphysicians。

Naturehasgiventotheheaditssufficientandappropriatecovering，thehair。Anythingmorethanthisinjuresthehead，byconfiningtheheat，preventingthesoothing，coolingcontactofair，andsoderangingthecirculationoftheblood。

ThereforeIhavealwaysheededthedictatesofNature，whichIhavesupposedtobetobrushoutthehairthoroughlyatnightandletitfly。Butthereareseriousdisadvantagesconnectedwiththiscourse。ForNaturewillbesuretowhiskthehairawayfromyourearswhereyouwantit，andintoyoureyeswhereyoudon\'twantit，besidescrowningyouwithmagnificentdisorderinthemorning。ButasIhavealwaysbelievedthatnoevilexistswithoutitsremedy，Ihadlongbeenexercisingmyinventivegeniusinattemptstoproduceahead-gearwhichshouldatonceprotecttheears，confinethehair，andlettheskullalone。Iregrettosaythatmyexperimentswereanutterfailure，notwithstandingtheamountofscienceandskillbroughttobearuponthem。Oneidealayatthebasisofallmyendeavors。

Everycombination，howeverelaborateorintricate，resolvedintoitssimplestelements，consistedofapairofrosetteslaterallytokeeptheearswarm，abagposteriorlytoputthehairinto，andsomekindofastringsomewheretoholdthemachinetogether。Everypossibleshapeintowhichlaceormuslinorsheetingcouldbecutorplaitedorsewedortwisted，intowhichcrewelorcordcouldbecrochetedornettedortatted，Imakeboldtodeclarewasessayed，untilthingscametosuchapassthateveryoddbitofdrygoodlyingroundthehousewas，intheabsenceofanypositivetestimonyonthesubject，assumedtobeoneofmynightcaps；anutterlybaselessassumption，becausemyachievementsneverwentsofarasconcretecapuality，butstoppedshortinthelaterstagesofabstractidealism。However，prejudiceisstrongerthantruth；

and，asIsaid，everyfragmentofeveryfabricthatcouldnotgiveanaccountofitselfwaschargedwithbeinganightcaptillitwasprovedtobeadish-clothoracart-rope。Iatlengthsurrenderedatdiscretion，andrememberedthatsomewhereinmyreadingIhadmetwithexquisitelacecaps，andIdidnotthatfromthecombinedfinenessandstrengthoftheirmaterialtheymightanswerthepurpose，evenifinformtheyshouldnotbeeverythingthatwasdesirable，——andIdeterminedtoascertain，ifpossible，whethersuchthingsexistedanywhereoutofpoetry。

Asyouperceive，therefore，myBostonshoppingwasnoteverydaytrading。Itwastomarktheabandonmentofanoldandtheinaugurationofanewlineofpolicy。ThusitwaswithnoordinaryinterestthatIlookedcarefullyatalltheshops，andwhenIfoundonethatseemedtoholdoutapossibilityofnightcaps，Iwentin。HalicarnassusobeyedthehintwhichIprickedintohimwiththepointofmyparasol，andstoppedoutside。Theoneplaceintheworldwhereamanhasnobusinesstobeistheinsideofadry-goodsshop。Heneverlooksandneverissobigandbunglingasthere。Awomanskipsfromsilktomuslin，frommuslintoribbons，fromribbonstotable-cloths，withthegraceandagilityofabird。Sheglidesinandoutamongcrowdsofhersex，steerssweepinglyclearofallobstacles，andemergestriumphant。Amanenters，andimmediatelybecomesallbootsandelbows。HeneedsasmuchroomtoturnroundinastheEnglishiron-cladWarrior，andittakeshimaboutaslong。

Hetreadsonalltheflounces，runsagainstalltheclerks，knocksoverallthechildren，andisgenerallyunderfoot。

Ifhegetsanideaintohishead，aNims\'sbatterycannotdislodgeit。Youthoughtofbuyingashawl；butathousandconsiderations，intheshapeofraglans，cloaks，talmas，andpea-jackets，induceyoutomodifyyourviews。Hestandsbyyou。Hehearsallyourinquiriesandalltheclerk\'ssuggestions。Thewholeprocessofyourreasoningisvisibletohisnakedeye。Heseesthesackorvisiteorcapeputuponyourshouldersandyouwalkingoffinit，andwhenyouarehalf-wayhome，hewillmutter，instupidamazement，"I

thoughtyouweregoingtobuyashawl！"Itisenoughtodriveonewild。

No！Halicarnassusisabsurdandmulishinmanythings，butheknowsIwillnotbehamperedwithhimwhenIamshopping，andheobeysthesmallesthint，andstopsoutside。

Tobesureheputsmytemperontherackbystandingwithhishandsinhispockets，orbylookingmeek，orlikelyasnotpeeringintotheshop-dooraftermewithgreatstaringeyesandpartedlips；andthisisthemostprovokingofall。Ifthereisanythingvulgar，slipshod，andshiftless，itisamanloungingaboutwithhishandsinhispockets。Ifyouhavepaws，stowthemaway；butifyouareendowedwithhands，learntocarrythemproperly，orelsecutthemoff。NorcanIabideaman\'slookingasifhewereundercontrol。IwishhimtoBE

submissive，butIdon\'twishhimtoLOOKso。Heshalldojustasheisbidden，butheshallcarryhimselflikethemanandmonarchhewasmadetobe。Lethimstaywhereheisput，yetnotasifhewereputthere，butasifhehadtakenhispositiondeliberately。But，ofallthings，tohaveamanactasifhewereaclodjustemergedforthefirsttimefromhisownbarnyard！Uponthisoccasion，however，Iwastoomuchabsorbedinmyerrandtonoteanybody\'sdemeanor，andI

threadedstraightwaythecrowdofcustomers，wentuptothecounter，andinquiredinaclearvoice，——

"Haveyoulacenightcaps？"

Theclerklookedatmewithatroubled，bewilderedglance，andmadenoreply。Isupposedhehadnotunderstoodme，andrepeatedthequestion。Thenheanswered，dubiously，——

"Wehavebreakfast-caps。"

Itwasmyturntolookbewildered。WhathadItodowithbreakfast-caps？Whatconnectionwastherebetweenmyquestionandhisanswer？Whatfieldwasthereforanyfurtherinquiry？

"Haveyouox-bows？"imagineafarmertoask。"Wehaverainbows，"saystheshopman。"Haveyoucameo-pins？"inquirestheelegantMrs。Jenkins。"Wehavelinchpins。""Haveyouyoungappletrees？"asksthenursery-man。"Wehavewhiffletrees。"IfIhadwantedbreakfast-caps，shouldn\'tI

haveaskedforbreakfast-caps？OrdotheBostonpeopletaketheirbreakfastatoneo\'clockinthemorning？Iconcludedthatthemanwasdemented，andmarchedoutoftheshop。

WhenIlaidthematterbeforeHalicarnassus，thefollowinginterestingcolloquytookplace。

I。"Whatdoyousupposeitmeant？"

H。"HetookyouforaNorthAmericanIndian。"

I。"Whatdoyoumean？"

H。"Hedidnotunderstandyourpatois。"

I。"Whatpatois？"

H。"Yoursquawdialect。Youshouldhaveaskedforabonnetdenuit。"

I。"Why？"

H。"Peoplenevertalkaboutnightcapsingoodsociety。"

I。"Oh！"

Iwasverywarm，andHalicarnassussaidhewastired；sohewentintoarestaurantandorderedstrawberries，——thatlusciousfruit，quiveringontheborder-landofambrosiaandnectar。

"Doubtless，"sayshonest，quaint，delightfulIsaac，——andheneverspokeatruerword，——"doubtlessGodmighthavemadeabetterberrythanastrawberry，butdoubtlessGodneverdid。"

Thebilloffareratedtheirexcellenceatfifteencents。

"Notunreasonable，"Ipantomimed。

"NotifIpayforthem，"repliedHalicarnassus。

Thenwesatandamusedourselvesaftertheusualbrilliantfashionofpeoplewhoarewaitinginhotelparlors，railroad-stations，andrestaurants。Wesurveyedthegildingandthecarpetandthemirrorsandthecurtains。Wehazardedprofoundconjecturestouchingthepeopleassembled。Westudiedthebilloffareasifitcontainedthesecretofourarmy\'sdelayuponthePotomac，andhadjustconcludedthatthefirstcropofstrawberrieswasexhausted，andtheywerewaitingforthesecondcroptogrow，whenHebehoveinsightwithhernectaredambrosiainapairofcracked，browny-whitesaucers，withbrowny-greensilverspoons。Ipouredoutwhatprofessedtobecream，butprovedverylow-spiritedmilk，inwhichafewdisheartenedstrawberriesappearedrarinantes。Ilookedatthemindismay。Thencuriositysmoteme，andIcountedthem。

Justfifteen。

"Centapiece，"saidHalicarnassus。

Iwasnotthinkingofthecent，butIhadpromisedmyselfafeast；andwhatisafeast，susceptibleofenumeration？

Cleopatrawasright。"Thatlove"——andthesameistrueofstrawberries——"isbeggarlywhichcanbereckoned。"Infinityaloneisglory。

"Perhapsthequalitywillatoneforthequantity，"saidHalicarnassus，scoopingupatleasthalfofhisatone"arm-sweep。"

"Howdotheytaste？"Iasked。

"Rathercoppery，"heanswered。

"Itisthespoons！"Iexclaimed，inafright。"TheyareGermansilver！Youwillbepoisoned！"andknockedhisoutofhishandwithsuchinstinctive，suddenviolencethatitflewtotheothersideoftheroom，whereanoldgentlemansatoverhisnewspaperanddinner。

Hestarted，droppedhisnewspaper，andlookedaroundinamaze。

Halicarnassusbehavedbeautifully，——Iwillgivehimthecreditofit。Hewentonwithmyspoonandhisstrawberriesasunconcernedlyasifnothinghadhappened。IwasconsciousthatIblushed，butmyfacewasintheshade，andnobodyelseknewit；andtothisdayI\'venodoubttheoldgentlemanwouldhavemarvelledwhatsentthatmysteriousspoonrattlingagainsthistableandwhizzingbetweenhisboots，hadnotHalicarnassus，whentheuproarwasover，conceivedithisdutytogoandpickupthespoonandapologizefortheaccident，lestthegentlemanshouldfancyanintentionalrudeness。Partlytorewardhimforhisgoodbehavior，partlybecauseIneverdidthinkitworthwhiletomaketwobitesofacherry，andpartlybecauseIdidnotfancybeingpoisoned，Igavemyfifteenberriestohim。

Hedevouredthemwithevidentrelish。

"Doesmyspoontasteasbadlyasyours？"Iasked。

"Myspoon？"inquiredhe，innocently。

"Yes。Yousaidbeforethattheytastedcoppery。"

"Idon\'tthink，"repliedthisunprincipledman，——"Idon\'tthinkitwastheflavorofthespoonsomuchasofthecoinwhicheachberryrepresented。"

Ifwecouldonlyhavebeenathome！

InevermadeamoreunsatisfactoryinvestmentinmylifethantheoneImadeinthatrestaurant。IfeltasifIhadbeenswindled，andIsaidsotoHalicarnassus。Heremarkedthattherewasplentyofcreamandsugar。Iansweredcurtly，thatthecreamwaschieflywater，andthesugarchieflyflour；butiftheyhadbeenSimonPurehimself，wasitanythingbutanaggravationoftheoffencetohavethemwithnothingtoeatthemon？

"YoumightdoastheydoinFrance，——carryawaywhatyoudon\'teat，seeingyoupayforit。"

"Apocketfulofmilkandwaterwouldbebothdelightfulandserviceable；butImighttakethesugar，"Iadded，withasuddenthought，upsettingthesugar-bowlintoa"BostonJournal"whichwehadboughtinthetrain。"Icanneveruseit，butitwillbeaconsolationtoreflecton。"

Halicarnassus，who，thoughfertileinevilconceptions，lacksnervetoputthemintoexecution，wassomewhatstartledatthissuddenchangeofbase。HehadnoideathatIshouldreallyactuponhissuggestion，butIdid。Ibundledthesugarintomypocketwithagrimsatisfaction；andHalicarnassuspaidhisthirtycents，looking——andfeeling，asheafterwardstoldme——asifapoliceman\'sgripwereonhisshoulders。IfanyrestaurantinBostonrecollectshavingbeenastonishedatanytimeduringthesummerof1862byanunaccountablyemptysugar-bowl，Itakethisoccasiontoexplainthephenomenon。

Igavethesugarafterwardstoalittlebeggar-girl，withadimeforabraceoflemons，andshookoffthedustofmyfeetagainstBostonatthe"B。&W。R。R。D。"

Bostonisabeautifulcity，situatedonapeninsulaattheheadofMassachusettsBay。Ithasthreestreets:Cornhill，Washington，andBeaconStreets。IthasaCommonandaFrog-pond，andmanysprightlysquirrels。Itsstreetsarestraight，andcrosseachotherlikelinesonachess-board。

Ithasastate-house，whichisthefinestedificeintheworldoroutofit。Ithasonechurch，theOldSouth，whichwasbuilt，asitsnameindicates，beforetheProclamationofEmancipationwasissued。Ithasonebookstore，aloftyandimposingpile，oftheEgyptianstyle(anddate)ofarchitecture，onthecornerofWashingtonandSchoolStreets。

Ithasonemagazine，the"AtlanticMonthly，"onedailynewspaper，the"BostonJournal，"onereligiousweekly，the"Congregationalist，"andoneorator，whosenameisTrain，amodelofchaste，compact，andclassicelegance。Inpolitics，itwasaWebsterWhig，tillWhigandWebsterbothwentdown，whenitfellapartwaitedforsomethingtoturnup，——whichprovedtobedrafting。BostoniscalledtheAthensofAmerica。

Itsmenaresolid。Itswomenweartheirbonnetstobed，theirnightcapstobreakfast，andtalkGreekatdinner。IspenttwohoursandhalfinBoston，andIknow。

WehadaroyalprogressfromBostontoFontdale。Summerlayontheshininghills，andscatteredbenedictions。Plentysmiledupfromathousandfertilefields。Patientoxen，withtheirsoft，deepeyes，trodheavilyoverminesofgreaterthanIndianwealth。Kindlycowsstoodinthegratefulshadeofcathedralelms，andgavethankstoGodintheirdumb，fumblingway。Motherly，sleepy，stupidsheeplayontheplains，littlelambsrollickedouttheirshort-livedyoutharoundthem，andnopremonitionfloatedoverfromtheadjoiningpea-patch，noranymisgivingofapproachingmuttonmarredtheirhappyheyday。

Straightthroughthepinyforests，straightpastthevocalorchards，rightinamongtherobinsandthejaysandthestartledthrushes，wedashedinexorable，andmadeharshdissonanceinthewild-woodorchestra；butnotforthatwasthemusichushed，nordidonecolorfade。Brooksleapedinheadlongchasedownthefurrowedsidesofgrayoldrocks，andglidedwhisperingbeneaththesorrowfulwillows。Oldtreesrenewedtheiryouthintheslight，tenaciousgraspofmanyatremuloustendril，and，leapinglightlyabovetheirtopmostheights，vinelaughedtovine，swayingdreamilyinthesummerair；andnotavinenorbrooknorhillnorforestbutsentupasweet-smellingincensetoitsMaker。Notanoxorcoworlamborbirdlivingitsowndimlifebutlentitscharmofunconsciousgracetothegreatpicturethatunfoldeditselfmileaftermile，ineverfresherlovelinesstoeverunsatedeyes。Wellmightthemorningstarssingtogether，andallthesonsofGodshoutforjoy，whenfirstthisgrandandperfectworldswungfreefromitsmoorings，flungoutitsspotlessbanner，andsailedmajesticdownthethrongingskies。Yet，thoughbutonceGodspoketheworldtolife，themiracleofcreationisstillincomplete。Neweveryspring-time，fresheverysummer，theearthcomesforthasabrideadornedforherhusband。Notonlyinthedawnofourhistory，butnowinthefullbrightnessofitsnoonday，maywehearthevoiceoftheLordwalkinginthegarden。Ilookoutuponthegraydegradedfieldsleftnakedofthesnow，andinwardlyask，Canthesedrybonesliveagain？Andwhilethequestionisyettremblingonmylips，lo！aSpiritbreathesupontheearth，andbeautythrillsintobloom。Whoshalllackfaithinman\'sredemption，wheneveryyeartheearthisredeemedbyunseenhands，anddeathislostinresurrection？

ToFontdalesittingamongherbeautifulmeadowsweareborneswiftlyon。Therewemusttarryforthenight，forIwillnottravelinthedarkwhenIcanhelpit。Iloveit。Thereisnosolitudeintheworld，oratleastIhaveneverfeltany，likestandingaloneinthedoorwayoftherearcaronadarknight，andrushingonthroughthedarkness，——darkness，darknesseverywhere，andifonecouldbesureofrushingontilldaylightdothappear！Butwiththefrightfulandnotremotepossibilityofbringingupinacrashandbeingburiedunderageneralhuddle，oneprefersdaylight。Youmaynotbeabletogetoutofthehuddleevenbydaylight；butyouwillatleastknowwhereyouare，ifthereisanythingofyouleft。

SoatFontdale，Halicarnassusbranchesofftemporarilyonabusinesserrand，andIstopforthenighta-cousining。

Youobjecttothis？Somepeopledo。Formypart，Ilikeit。

Yousayyouwillnotturnyourownhouseoryourfriend\'shouseintoahotel。Ifpeoplewishtoseeyou，letthemcomeandmakeavisit；ifyouwishtoseethem，youwillgoandmakethemone；butthistouchandgo，——whatisitworth？OfoolishGalatians！mucheveryway。Fordon\'tyousee，supposingthepeoplearepeopleyoudon\'tlike，howmuchbetteritistohavethemcomeandsleepordineandbegonethantohavethembeforeyourfaceandeyesforaweek？Anillthatistemporaryistolerable。YoucouldentertaintheEvilOnehimself，ifyouweresurehewouldgoawayafterdinner。Thetroubleabouthimisnotsomuchthathecomesasthathewon\'tgo。Hehangsaround。Ifyouonceopenyourdoortohim，thereisnogettingridofhim；andsomeofhisfollowers，itmustbeconfessed，arejustlikehim。Youmustresistthemboth，ortheywillneverflee。Butiftheydofleeafteraday\'starry，donotcomplain。Youprotestagainstturningyourhouseintoahotel。

Why，thehotelryistheleastirksomepartofthewholebusiness，whenyourguestsareuninteresting。Itisnotthesupperorthebedthatcosts，butkeepingpeoplegoingaftersupperisoverandbeforebedtimeiscome。Nevercomplain，ifyouhavenothingworsetodothantofeedorhouseyourguestsforadayoranhour。

Ontheotherhand，iftheyarepeopleyoulike，howmuchbettertohavethemcomesothannottoatall！Peoplecannotoftenmakelongvisits，——peoplethatareworthanything，——peoplewhouselife；andtheyaretheonlyonesthatareworthanything。

Andifyoucannotgetyourgoodthingsinthelump，areyougoingtorefusethemaltogether？Bynomeans。Youaregoingtotakethembydriblets，andifyouwillonlybesensibleandnotpout，butkeepyourtinpanrightsideup，youwillfindthatgoldenshowerswilldrizzlethroughallyourlife。So，withneveranuggetinyourchest，youshalldierich。Ifyoucanstopover-nightwithyourfriend，youhavenosand-grain，butaveryrespectableboulder。Foranightisinfinite。

Daytimeiswellenoughforbusiness，butitislittleworthforhappiness。Yousitdowntoabook，toapicture，toafriend，andthefirstyouknowitistimetogetdinner，ortimetoeatit，ortimeforthetrain，oryoumustputoutyourdriedapples，orsetthebreadtorising，orsomethingbreaksinimpertinentlyandchokesyouatflood-tide。Butthenighthasnoend。Everythingisdonebutthatwhichyouwouldbeforeverdoing。Thecurtainsaredrawn，thelampislightedandveiledintoexquisitesoftshadowiness。Alltheworldisfaroff。

Allitsdinanddolestrikeintothebankofdarknessthatenvelopsyouandarelosttoyourtrancedsense。Inalltheworldareonlyyourfriendandyou，andthenyoustrikeoutyouroars，silver-sounding，intotheshorelessnight。

Butthenightcomestoanend，yousay。No，itdoesnot。Itisyouthatcometoanend。Yougrowsleepy，clodthatyouare。Butasyoudon\'tthink，whenyoubegin，thatyouevershallgrowsleepy，itisjustthesameasifyouneverdid。

Foryouhavenoforeshadowofaninevitableterminationtoyourrapture，andsopracticallyyournighthasnolimit。Itisfastenedatoneendtothesunset，buttheotherendfloatsoffintoeternity。Andtherereallyisnoabrupttermination。Yourolldowntheinclinedplaneofyoursocialhappinessintothebosomofanotherhappiness，——sleep。Sleepforthesleepyisblissjustastrulyassocietytothelonely。WhatinthedistancewouldhaveseemedPurgatory，oncereached，isParadise，andyourhappinessiscontinuous。Justasitisinmending。Short-sighted，superficial，unreflectingpeoplehaveaway——whichintimefossilizesintoaprinciple——ofmendingeverythingassoonasitcomesupfromthewash，——averyunthrifty，uneconomicalhabit，ifyouusethewordsthriftandeconomyintheonlywayinwhichtheyoughttobeused，namely，asappliedtowhatiswortheconomizing。Time，happiness，life，thesearetheonlythingstobethriftyabout。ButIseepeopleworkingandworryingoverquince-marmaladeandtuckedpetticoatsandembroideredchair-covers，thingsthatperishwiththeusingandleavetheuserworsethantheyfoundhim。

ThisIcallwasteandwickedprodigality。Lifeistooshorttopermitustofretaboutmattersofnoimportance。Wherethesethingscanministertothemindandheart，theyareapartofthesoul\'sfurniture；butwheretheyonlypampertheappetiteorthevanity，oranyfoolishandhurtfullust，theyarefoolishandhurtful。Bethriftyofcomfort。Neverallowanopportunityforcheer，forpleasure，forintelligence，forbenevolence，forkindofgood，togounimproved。Considerseriouslywhetherthesyrupofyourpreservesorjuicesofyourownsoulwilldothemosttoserveyourrace。Itmaybethattheyarecompatible，——thattheconcoctionoftheoneshallprovidetheascendingsapoftheother；butifitisnotso，ifonemustbesacrificed，donothesitateamomentastowhichitshallbe。Ifapeachdoesnotbecomesweetmeat，itwillbecomesomething，itwillnotstayawithered，unsightlypeach；

butforsoulsthereisnotransmigrationoutoffables。Onceasoul，foreverasoul，——meanormighty，shrivelledorfull，itisforyoutosay。Money，land，luxury，sofarastheyaremoney，land，andluxury，areworthless。Itisonlyasfastandasfarastheyareturnedintolifethattheyacquirevalue。

Soyouarethriftlesswhenyoueagerlyseizethefirstopportunitytofritterawayyourtimeoveroldclothes。Youprecipitateyourselfunnecessarilyagainstadisagreeablething。Foryouarenotgoingtoputyourstockingson。

Perhapsyouwillnotneedyourbuttonsforaweek，andinaweekyoumayhavepassedbeyondthejurisdictionofbuttons。

Butevenifyoushouldnot，letthebuttonsandtheholesaloneallthesame。For，first，thepleasantandprofitablethingwhichyouwilldoinsteadisafundedcapital，whichwillrollyouupaperpetualinterest；andsecondly，thedisagreeabledutyisforeverabolished。Isayforever，because，whenyouhavegonewithoutthebuttonawhile，theinconvenienceitoccasionswillreconcileyoutothenecessityofsewingiton，——willevengofurther，andmakeitapositivereliefamountingtopositivepleasure。Besides，everytimeyouuseit，foralongwhileafter，youwillhaveadelicioussenseofsatisfaction，suchasaccompaniesthesuddencompletecessationofadull，continuouspain。Thuswhatwasatbestcharacterlessroutine，andmostlikelyanexasperation，isturnedintoactualdelight，andaddstothesumoflife。Thisisthrift。Thisiseconomy。But，alas！fewpeopleunderstandtheartofliving。Theystriveaftersystem，wholeness，buttons，andneglecttheweightiermattersofthehigherlaw——

IwonderhowIgothere，orhowIamtogetbackagain。I

startedforFontdale，andIfindmyselfinamending-basket。

AsIknownogoodintracingthesameroadback，wemayaswellstrikeabee-lineandbeginnewatFontdale。

WestoppedatFontdalea-cousining。Ihaveaveil，abeautiful——HAVE，didIsay？Alas！TroyWAS。ButImustnotanticipate——abeautifulveilofbrowntissue，noneofyourwoolleny，grufffabrics，fitonlyforpenance，butasilken，gossamerycloud，softasababy\'scheek。Yeteverybodyfleersatit。Everybodyhasajokeaboutit。Everybodylooksatit，andholdsitoutatarms\'length，andshakesit，andmakesgreateyesatit，andsays，"Whatintheworld——"andendswithahuge，bouncinglaugh。Why？Oneisashamedofhumannatureatbeingforcedtoconfess。Because，touseaGulliverism，itislongerbythebreadthofmynailthananyofitscontemporaries。Infact，itistwoyardslong。Thatisall。

Halicarnassusfiredthefirstgunatitbysayingthatitslengthwastoenableoneendofittoremainathomewhiletheotherendwentwithme，sothatneitherofusshouldgetlost。

ThisisanallusiontoahabitwhichIandmypropertyhaveoffindingourselvesindividuallyandcollectivelyleftinthelurch。Afterthisinitialshot，everybodyconsideredhimselfatlibertytoletoffhisrustyoldblunderbuss，andtherewasaconstantpeppering。Butmyveilneverlowereditscolorsnorcurtaileditsresources。Alas！whatridiculeandcontumelyfailedtoeffect，destinyaccomplished。Softnessandplenitudearenoshieldsagainsttheshaftsoffate。

Iwentintothestationwaiting-roomtowriteanote。Ilaidmybonnet，myveil，mypackagesuponthetable。Iwrotemynote。Iwentaway。Thenextmorning，whenIwouldhavearrayedmyselftoresumemyjourney，therewasnoveil。I

rememberedthatIhadtakenitintothestationthenightbefore，andthatIhadnottakenitout。Atthestationweinquiredofthewaiting-womanconcerningit。Itisasmuchasyourlifeisworthtoaskthesepeopleaboutlostarticles。

Theytakeitforgrantedatthefirstblushthatyoumeantoaccusethemofstealing。"Haveyouseenabrownveillyingaboutanywhere？"askedCrene，hersweetbird-voicewarblingoutfromhersweetrose-lips。"No，I\'a\'n\'tseennothin\'ofit，"saysGnome，withmagnificentindifference。

"Itwaslostherelastnight，"continuesCrene，inasoliloquizingundertone，pushinginvestigatingglancesbeneaththesofas。

"Ido\'knownothin\'aboutit。_I_\'a\'n\'ttookit"；andtheGnometossesherheadbackdefiantly。"Iseentheladywhenshewasa-writin\'ofherletter，andwhenshewentoutther\'

wa\'n\'tnothin\'leftonthetablebutahangkerchuf，andthatwa\'n\'thern。Ido\'knownothin\'aboutit，norI\'a\'n\'tseennothin\'ofit。"

Ono，myGnome，youknewnothingofit；youdidnottakeit。

Butsincenooneaccusedorevensuspectedyou，whycouldyounothavebeenlessaggressiveandmoresympatheticinyourassertions？Butwewillploughnolongerinthatfield。Theploughsharehasstruckagainstarockandgrits，dentingitsedgeinvain。Myveilisgone，——myample，historic，heroicveil。ThereisawomaninFontdalewhobreathesairfilteredthrough——IwillnotsaySTOLENtissue，butcertainlythroughtissuewhichwasobtainedwithoutrenderingitsowneranyfairequivalent。Doesnoteverybreezethatsoftlystirsitsflutteringfoldssaytoher，"Ofriend，thisveilisnotyours，notyours，"andstillsighingly，"notyours！Upamongthenorthernhills，yondertowardsthesunset，sitstheowner，sorrowful，weeping，wailing"？IbelieveIamwadingoutintotheSallyWatersofMotherGoosery；but，proseorpoetry，somewhereawoman，——andbecausenobodyoftastecouldsurreptitiouslypossessherselfofmyveil，Ihavenodoubtthatshecutitincontinentlyintotwoequalparts，andgaveonetohersister，andtherearetwowomen，——nay，sinceniggardlysoulshavenosenseofgrandeur，andwillshavedowntomicroscopicdimensions，itiseverywayprobablethatshedivideditintothreeunequalparts，andtookthreequartersofayardforherself，threequartersforhersister，andgavetheremaininghalf-yardtoherdaughter，andthatatverymomenttherearetwowomenandalittlegirltakingtheirwalksabroadunderthesilkenshadowsofmyveil！Andyettherearepeoplewhoprofesstodisbelieveintotaldepravity。

Nordidtheveilwalkawayalone。Mytrunkbecameimbuedwiththespiritofadventure，andbranchedoffonitsownaccountupsomewhereintoVermont。IsupposeitwouldhavekeptonandreachedperhapstheNorthPolebythistime，hadnotCrene\'sdarkeyes，——soprettytolookatthatoneinstinctivelyfeelstheyoughtnottobegoodforanything，ifajustimpartialityistobemaintained，buttheyare，——hadnotCrene\'sdarkeyesseenittiltingintoabaggage-crate，andtrundlingofftowardstheGreenMountains，buttoolate。Ofcoursetherewasaformidablehitchintheprogramme。Acourtofjusticewasimprovisedonthecar-steps。Iwastheplaintiff，Crenechiefevidence，baggage-masterbothdefendantandexamining-counsel。

Thecasedidnotadmitofadoubt。Therewasthelittleinsurmountablecheck，whosebrazenlipscouldspeaknolie。

"Keepholdofthat，"whisperedCrene，andayokeofoxencouldnothavedrawnitfromme。

"YouaresureyouhaditmarkedforFontdale，"saysMr。

Baggage-master。

Iholdtheimpracticablecheckbeforehiseyesinsilence。

"Yes，well，itmusthavegoneontoAlbany。"

"Butitwentawayonthattrack，"saysCrene。

"Couldn\'thavegoneonthattrack。Ofcoursetheywouldn\'thavecarrieditawayovertherejusttomakeitgowrong。"

Forme，Iameasilypersuadedanddissuaded。Ifhehadtoldmethatitmusthavegoneinsuchadirection，thatitwasamoralandmentalimpossibilityshouldhavegoneinanyother，andhaveittimesenough，withacertainconfidenceandcontemptofanyothercontingency，Ishouldgraduallyhavelostfaithinmyowneyes，andsaid，"Well，Isupposeitdid。"

ButCreneisnottobeassertedintoyieldingoneinch，andinsiststhatthetrunkwenttoVermontandnottoNewYork，andisthoroughlyunmanageable。Thebaggage-master，inanguishofsoul，trotsouthissubordinates，oneafteranother，——

"Isthisthemanthatwheeledthetrunkaway？Isthis？

Isthis？"

Thebrawny-armedfellowshangback，andscowl，andmufflewordsinaverysuspiciousmanner，andprotesttheywon\'tbegotintoascrape。ButCrenehasnoscrapeforthem。Shecannotsweartotheiridentity。Shehadeyesonlyforthetrunk。

"Well，"saysBaggage-man，athiswits\'end，"youletmetakeyourcheck，andI\'llsendthetrunkonbyexpress，whenitcomes。

Ipityhim，andrelaxmyclutch。

"No，"whispersCrene；"aslongasyouhaveyourcheck，youasgoodashaveyourtrunk；butwhenyougivethatup，youhavenothing。Keepthattillyouseeyourtrunk。"

Myclutchre-tightens。

"Atanyrate，youcanwaittillthenexttrain，andseeifitdoesn\'tcomeback。You\'llgettoyourjourney\'sendjustassoon。"

"ShallI？Well，Iwill，"compliantasusual。

"No，"interposesmygoodgeniusagain。"Menarealwayssayingthatawomannevergoeswhensheengagestogo。Sheisalwaysatrainlateroratrainearlier，andyoucan\'tmeether。"

Plianttothelasttouch，Isayaloud，——

"No，Imustgointhistrain"；andsoIgo，trunklessandcrestfallen，tomeetHalicarnassus。

Itisadismalday，andCrene，tocomfortme，putsintomyhandstwobooksascompanionsbytheway。TheyareCoventryPatmore\'s"AngelintheHouse，""TheEspousalsandtheBetrothal。"Idonotapproveofreadinginthecars；butwithoutisadense，white，unvaryingfog，andwithinmyheartitisnotclearsunshine。SoIturntomybooks。

Didanyoneeverreadthembefore？Somebodywroteavilereviewofthemonce，andgavetheideaofaverypuerile，ridiculous，apron-stringyattemptatpoetry。Whoeverwrotethatnoticeoughttobeshot，forthebooksarecharming，——

pureandhomelyandhouseholdy，yetnoteffeminate。Criticsmaysneerasmuchastheychoose:itissuchloveasVaughan\'sthatHonoriasvalue。Becauseawoman\'snatureisnotproofagainstdeterioration，becausealargeandlong-continuedinfusionofgrossblood，andperhapseventhemonotonouspressureofrough，pitiless，degradingcircumstances，maydisplace，eatout，ruboffthedelicacyofasoul，maychangeitstexturetounnaturalcoarsenessandscatterashesforbeauty，womendoexist，victimsratherthanculprits，coarseagainsttheirnature，hard，material，grasping，thesaddestsighthumanitycansee。Suchawomancanacceptcoarsemen。

Theymaycomecourtingonallfours，andshewillnotbeshocked。Butwomeninthenaturalstatewishmentostandgodlikeerect，totreadmajestically，andlivedelicately。

Womendonotoftenmakeanadoaboutthis。Theytalkitoveramongthemselves，andtakemenastheyare。Theyquietlysoftenthemdown，andsmooththemout，andpolishthemup，andmakethebestofthem，andsimplyandsedulouslyshuttheireyesandmakebelievethereisn\'tanyworst，orreasonitaway，——agreatdealmorethanIshouldthinktheywould。Butifyouseethequalitiesthatawomanspontaneouslyloves，theexpression，thetone，thebearingthatthoroughlysatisfiesherself-respect，thatnotonlysecuresheracquiescence，butarousesherenthusiasmandcommandsherabdication，crucifytheflesh，andreadCoventryPatmore。Notthatheistheworld\'sgreatpoet，norArthurVaughantheidealman；butthisIdomean:thatthedelicacy，thespiritualityofhislove，thescrupulousrespectfulnessofhisdemeanor，hisunfeignedinwardhumility，asfarremovedfromservilityontheonesideasfromassumptionontheother，andlesstheopponentthantheoffspringofself-respect，histhoroughgentleness，guilelessness，deference，hismanly，unselfishhomage，aresuchqualities，andsuchalone，asleadwomanhoodcaptive。Listentome，yourattling，roaring，rollickingRalphRoisterDoisters，youcalm，inevitableGradgrinds，assmooth，assharp，asbrightassteel，andassoulless，andyoumen，whoever，whatever，andwhereveryouare，withfibresofropeandnervesofwire，thereismanyandmanyawomanwhotoleratesyoubecauseshefindsyou，butthereisnothinginherthatevergoesouttoseekyou。Benotdeceivedbyherplacability。"Hereheis，"shesaystoherself，"andsomethingmustbedoneaboutit。BuriedunderOssaandPelionsomewherehemustbesupposedtohaveasoul，andthesoonerheisdugintothesooneritwillbeexhumed。"Soshedigs。Shewouldneverhavemadeyou，norofherownfree-willelectedyou；butbeingmade，suchasyouare，andonherhandsinonewayoranother，shecarvesandchisels，andstrivestoevokefromtheblockabreathingstatue。ShemaysucceedsofarasthatyoushallbecomeherFrankenstein，agreat，sad，monstrous，incessant，inevitablecaricatureofherideal，themonumentatonceofhersuccessandherfailure，theobjectofhercompassion，theintimatesorrowofhersoul，avastanddreadfulformintowhichhercreativepowercanbreathethebreathoflife，butnotofsympathy。Perhapsshelovesyouwitharemorseful，pitying，protestinglove，andcarriesyouonhershudderingshoulderstothegrave。Probably，assheisgoodandwise，youwillneverfinditout。Alimpidbrookripplesinbeautyandbloombythesideofmuddy，stagnantself-complacence，andyoudiscernnoessentialdifference。"Water\'swater，"yousay，withyourbroad，stupidgeneralization，andgooozingalongcontentedlythroughpeat-bogsandmeadow-ditches，mounting，perhaps，inmomentsofinspiration，tothemoderatesublimityofacranberry-meadow，butsubsidingwithentiresatisfactionintoamuck-puddle:andallthewhilethelittlebrookthatyoupatronizewhenyouarefull-fed，andsnubwhenyouarehungry，andlookuponalways，——thelittlebrookissingingitsownmelodythroughgroveandorchardandsweetwild-wood，——

singingwiththebirdsandthebloomssongsthatyoucannothear；buttheyareheardbythesilentstars，singingonandonintoabroaderanddeeperdestiny，tillitpours，oneday，itslastearthlynote，andbecomesforevermoretheunutterablesea。