第4章

Thewallsdonotflamewiththefireofburninghearts。Thewhiteintensityoflifemayneverhaveglowedwithinthem。Nofragranceofintimate，elementalpassionlingersstill。Nofinearomaofbeingclingsthroughtheyearsandsuffusesyouwithitsimpalpablesweetness，itssubtilestrength。Youarenotawed，becausetheAwfulisnotthere。Butonthebattle-

fieldyouhavenodoubt。Imaginationroamsatwill，butinthedomainsoffaith。Realitieshavebeenthere，andtheirghostswalkupanddownforever。Theremenmetmenindeadlyearnest。

Rightorwrong，theystoodfacetofacewiththeunseen，theinevitable。Thegreatproblemawaitedthem，andtheybentfierysoulstoitssolution。Butoneideamovedthemallandwholly。Theythrewthemselvesbodyandsoulintotheragingfurnace。Allminordistractionswereburnedout。Everyselfwasfusedandlostinonesinglemoltenflood，dashingmadlyagainstitsbarriertowhelminrapturousvictoryorbebrokeninsoredefeat。

Anditisearnestnessthatutilizesthegood。Itissinceritythatmakesthebadnotinfernal。

MondaygaveustheIndianvillage，moreIndian-ythanvillage-y，——andtheFallsofLorette。Foradescription，seetheFallsofMontmorency。Loretteismorebeautiful，Ithink，morewild，morevaried，moresympathetic，——notsoprecipitous，notsoconcentrated，notsoforceful，butmorepicturesque，poetic，sylvan，lovely。Thedescentislong，broad，andbroken。ThewatersflashandfoamovertheblackrockslikeawhitelaceveiloveranEthiopbelle，andthenrushontootherwoodlandscenes。

WeleftQuebecignobly，crossingtheriverinasteamertowhichtheeminentlyEnglishadjectivenastycanfitlyapply，——

awheezy，sputtering，black，crazyoldcraft，muddyenoughthroughouttohavebeenatthebottomoftheriverandsuckedupagainhalfadozentimes。Withcareoftheluggage，shawls，hackmen，andtickets，weallcontrivedtobecomeseparated，andIfoundmyselfcrushedintoonecornerofalittleBlackHoleofCalcutta，withnochairtositin，nospacetostandin，andnoairtobreathe，onthesultriestdaythatCanadahadknownforyears。Whatwindowstherewereopenedbyswinginginwardsandupwards，whichtheycouldnotdoforthepress，andafteryouhadgotthemup，therewasnowaytokeepthemthereexcepttostandandholdthematarm\'slength。Sowewaddledacrosstheriver。Nowwehaveallreadofshipwrecks，andthemoralgrandeurofresignationandcalmnesswhichtheyhavedeveloped。

Wehavereadofdrowning，andthegorgeousintoxicationoftheprocess。Butthereisneithergrandeurnorgorgeousnessindrowninginatub。Ifyoumustsink，youatleastwouldliketogodowngracefully，inastatelyship，inmid-ocean，inastormanduproar，bravely，decorously，sublimely，asthesoldiersinRavenshoe，drawnupinline，withtheirofficersattheirhead，wavingtoeachothercalmfarewells。Idefyanybodytobegracefulorheroicinplumpingdowntothebottomofacityriveramidajamofheated，hurried，panting，angrypassengers，mountainsoftrunks，carpet-bags，andindescribableplunder，andcountlessstratificationsofcoagulated，glutinous，orpulverizedmud。Tothecreditofhumannatureitmustbesaid，thatthesuffererskeptthepeacewitheachother，thoughvigorouslydenouncingtheunknownauthorofalltheirwoes。Afteranageofsuffocationandfusion，therecameastirwhichwasareliefbecauseitwasastir。Nobodyseemedtoknowthecauseorconsequence，buteverybodymoved；soImoved，andbobbing，fumbling，gropingthroughEgyptiandarkness，stumblingoverthebeams，crawlingundertheboilers，creepingthroughthesteam-pipes，scalpingourselvesagainstthefunnels，wefinallycameoutgaspingintotheblesseddaylight。"Hereyouare！"exclaimedcheerilythevoiceofHalicarnassus，asIwentwinkingandblinkingintheunaccustomedlight。"IbegantothinkIhadlostmycane，"——

hehadgivenittomewhenhewenttolookupthetrunks。

"Why？"Iaskedfaintly，notyetfullyrecoveredfrommylongincarceration。"ItissolongsinceIsawyou，thatIthoughtyoumusthavefallenoverboard，"washisgratifyingreply。I

wasstillweak，butIgatheredupmyremainingstrengthandplungedtheheadofthecane，adog\'sheaditwas，intohisheart。Hiswatch，orhisBible，orsomethinginterposed，andrescuedhimfromthefatehemerited；andthenwerodeoverthemiserable，ricketyfartherendoftheGrandTrunkRailway，andreachedIslandPondatmidnight，——intimetoseethemagnificentNorthernLightsflashing，flickering，wavering，streaming，anddartingoverthesummersky；andasthepeopleinthePondweremanyandtheroomsfew，wehadplentyoftimetoenjoythesight。Itwasexciting，fascinating，almostbewildering；andfeelingthemysticmood，Iproposedtowriteapoemonit，towhichHalicarnassussaidhehadnotthesmallestobjection，providedheshouldnotbeheldliabletoreadit，adding，asheofferedmehispencil，thatitwasjustthething，——hewantedsomenarcotictocounteractthestimulusofthefreshcoldairafterthelongandheatedride，orheshouldgetnosleepforthenight。

Idonotbelievethereisinourbeautifulbutdistractedcountryasinglepersonwhoisthesubjectofsocold-blooded，unprovoked，systematic，malignantneglectandabuseonanyonepointasthewriteroftheseshortandsimpleannalsonthis。

IfthereisonethinginthewholerangeofhumanpossibilitiesonwhichIpridemyself，itismypoetry。Icannotdomuchatprose。Thatrequiresadepth，anequilibrium，acomprehension，asagacity，aculture，whichIdonotpossessandcannotcommand。Norinthedomesticdrudgeryline，northeparlorornamentline，northesocialphilanthropicline，northeministeringangelline，canIbesaidtohaveadeterminatevalue。Asaninvestment，asaneconomicinstitution，asanavailableforce，IsupposeImustbereckonedafailure；butIdowritelovelypoetry。ThatIinsiston:andyet，incredibleasitmayseem，ofthatonelittleewelambhaveI

beenrepeatedlyandremorselesslyrobbedbyanunscrupulouspublic，andastillmoreunscrupulousprivate。WheneverI

comeintotheroomwithasheetofmanuscriptinmyhand，Halicarnassusglancesatit，andifthelinesarenotallofthesamelength，hefindsatoncethathehastogoandshovelapath，orbankupthecellar，orgetinthewood，unlessI

havetakentheprecautiontolockthedoorandputthekeyinmypocket。When，byforceorfraud，Ihavecompelledareluctantaudience，heissuretostrikeinbythetimeIhavegottothesecondstanza，breakingrightintothemiddleofafigureorarapture，andaskinghowmuchmorethereisofit。

Iknowoffewthingsbettercalculatedtoextinguishthepoeticfirethanthis。IregrettobeobligedtosaythatHalicarnassus，byhispersistenthostility，——IbelieveImaysay，persecution，——hasdisseminatedhisplebeianprejudicesoveraverylargeportionofourjointcommunity，andmymuseconsequentlyisheldinthesmallestesteem。Notbutthatwheneverthereisachurchtobededicated，oracentennialtobecelebrated，orapicnictobesung，orafairtobeclosed，Iamcalledontofurnishthepoetry，which，withthatsweetnessofdispositionwhichformsararebutfittingbackgroundtopoeticgenius，Iinvariablydo，tobepraisedandthankedforaweek，andthentobeagainasbeforetold，upontheslightestprovocation，"Youbetternotmeddlewithverses。""Yousticktoprose。""Versesarenotyourforte。"

"Youcan\'tbegintocomeupwith——，and——，and。"

Onthatauroralnight，crownedwiththesplendorsofthewildmysteryoftheNorth，Iamsurethatthemuseawokeandstirredinthedepthsofmysoul，andneededbutawordofrecognitionandencouragementtoputonhergarlandandsingingrobes，andpourforthastrainwhichtheworldwouldnothavewillinglyletdie，andwhichIwouldhavetransferredtothesepages。Butthatwordwasnotspoken。Scornandsarcasmusurpedthethroneofgentlecherishing，andthegoldenmomentpassedawayforever。Itisaswell。Perhapsitisbetter；foronsecondthought，IrecollectthattheabsurdprejudiceIhavementionedhasextendeditselftotheeditorofthisMagazine，[*]whojerksmedownwithapitilesspullwheneverIwouldsoarintotheempyrean，——rulingoutwitharodofironeveryshredofpoetryfrommypages，tillIamreducedtothenecessityofsmugglingitinbywritingitinthesameformastherestwhen，ashetellspoetryonlybythecapitalsandexclamation-points，hethinksitisprose，andletsitgo。

[*TheAtlanticMonthly]

Here，ifImaybeallowed，Ishouldliketomakeadigression。

Inanearlystageofmyjourneying，IspokeofthepleasureI

hadtakeninreading"TheBetrothal"and"TheEspousals。"I

cannotsupposethatitisofanyconsequencetotheworldwhetherIthinkwellorillofapoem，buttheonlywayinwhichtheworldwillevercomeoutrightisbyeveryone\'sputtinghimselfright；andIdon\'twishevenmyinfluencetoseemtobethrowninfavorofsoobjectionableabookas"FaithfulForever，"acontinuationoftheformerpoemsbythesameauthor。CoventryPatmore\'sbooksgenerallyaremadeupofpoetryandprattle，butthepoetrymakesyouforgivetheprattle。Thetender，strong，wholesometruthstheycontainsteadythefrailbarkthroughdangerouswaters；but"FaithfulForever"iswrong，false，andpernicious，rootandbranch，andathoroughmisnomerbesides。FredericlovesHonoria，wholovesandmarriesArthur，leavingFredericoutinthecold；whereuponFredericturnsroundandmarriesJane，knowingallthewhilethathedoesnotloveheranddoesloveHonoria。WhatkindofaFaithfulForeveristhis？Amancannotlovetwowomensimultaneously，whateverhemaydoconsecutively。Ifheceasestolovethefirst，heissurelynotfaithfulforever。Ifhedoesnotceasetoloveher，heisfalseforevertothesecond，——

andworsethanfalse。Marryingfrompiqueorindifferenceordisappointmentisoneofthegreatestcrimesthatcanbecommitted，aswellasoneofthegreatestblundersthatcanhemade。Themanwhocandosuchathingisaliarandaperjurer。Icanunderstandthatpeopleshouldgiveupthepeopletheylove，butthereisnopossibleshadowofexcusefortheirtakingpeoplewhomtheydon\'tlove。ItisnomatterhowinferiorJanemaybetoFrederic。Awomancanfeelagoodmanythingsthatshecannotanalyzeorunderstand，andthereneveryetwasawomansostupidthatshedidnotknowwhetherornotherhusbandlovedher，andwasnoteitherstrickenorsavagetofindthathedidnot。Nowomaneverwasbornwithaheartsosmallthatanythinglessthanthewholeofherhusband\'sheartcouldfillit。

Moreover，apartfromunhappyconsequences，thereisarightandawrongaboutit。HowdareamanstandupsolemnlybeforeGodandhisfellowswithalieinhisrighthand？andifhedoesdoit，howdareapoetoranoveliststepupandglorifyhiminit？Themanwhocommitsacrimedoesnotdosomuchmischiefasthemanwhoturnsthecriminalintoahero。

FredericGrahamdidaweak，wicked，mean，andcowardlydeed，notbeinginhisgeneralnatureweak，wicked，mean，orcowardly，andwasallowedtoblunderontoatolerablesortofsomethinglikehappinessintheend。Noonehasarighttocomplain，forallofusgetagreatdealmoreandbetterthanwedeserve。WehavenorighttocomplainofProvidence，butwehavearighttocomplainofthepoetwhocomesupandsaysnotawordinreprobationofthemeannessandcowardice，notawordofthecrueltyinflicteduponJane，northewrongdonetohisownsoul；

butveilsthewickedness，excitesoursympathyandpity，andinfactmakesFredericouttobeasortofsublimeandsufferingmartyr。Hewasnomartyratall。Nobodyisamartyr，ifhecannothelphimself。IfFrederichadtheleastspiritofmartyrdom，hewouldhavebreastedhissorrowmanfullyandalone。

Insteadofwhich，heshuffledhimselfandhismiseryuponpoorsimpleJane，gettingallthesolacehecouldfromher，andleadingherawretched，almosthopelesslifeforyears。Thisiswhatwearetoadmire！Thisistheknightwithoutreproach！

ThisistobeFaithfulForever！IsupposeCoventryPatmorethinksFredericistobecommendedbecausehedidnotbreakintoHonoria\'shouseandrunawaywithher。Thatistheonlythinghecouldhavedoneworsethanhediddo，andthatIhavenodoubthewouldhavedoneifhecould。Ihavenofaithinthehonororthevirtueofmenorwomenwhowillmarrywheretheydonotlove。

Ithinkitisjustassinful——andathousandtimesasvile——tomarryunlovingly，astoloveunlawfully。[*]

[*]SomeonejustheresuggeststhatitwasJanewhowasfaithfulforever，notFrederic。Thatindeedmakesthetitleappropriate，butdoesnotrelievetheatrocityoftheplot。

Thereisthisaboutmountains，——youcannotgetawayfromthem。

Lowcountrymaybebeautiful，yetyoumaybepreoccupiedandpassthroughitorbyitwithoutconsciousness；butthemountainsrise，andthereisnoescape。Representativesofanunseenforce，voicesfromaninfinitepast，benefactorsofthevalleys，themselvesunblest，almonersofacharitywhichleavesthemintheheightsindeed，buttheheightsofeternaldesolation，raisedaboveallsympathies，alltenderness，shiningbutrepellent，grandandcold，mightyandmotionless，——westandbeforethemhushed。Theyfixuswiththeirimmutability。TheyshrouduswiththeirEgyptiangloom。Theysadden。Theyawe。Theyoverpower。

Yetfaroffhowdifferentistheimpression！Brightandbeautiful，evanescentyetunchanging，lovelyasaspiritwiththeirclear，softoutlinesandmistyresplendence！ExquisitelysaysWinthrop:

"Thereisnothingsorefinedastheoutlineofadistantmountain；

evenarose-leafisstiff-edgedandharshincomparison。Nothingelsehasthatdefiniteindefiniteness，thatmeltingpermanence，thatevanescingchangelessness。[IdidnotknowthatIwasusinghisterms。]Cloudsinvainstrivetoimitateit；theyaremadeofslighterstuff；theycanbebluntorragged，buttheycannothavethatsolidpositiveness。Eveninitscloudy，distantfairness，thereisaconcise，emphaticrealityaltogetheruncloudlike。"

Seeingthemfromafar，lovelyratherthanterrible，wefeelthatthoughbetweenthemountainanditsvalley，withmuchfriendlyserviceandcontinualintercourse，therecanbenorealcommunion，stillthemountainisnotutterlylonely，buthasyonderintheeastitssolace，andinthenorthacompanion，andovertowardthewestitscoterie。Solitarybuttothelowly-living，initsownspherethereisimmortalcompanionship，andthisvasthalloftheheavens，andmanyadraughtofnectarbornebyyoungGanymede。

TheAlpineHouseseemstobethenaturalcaravansaryforGrandTrunktravellers，beingaccessiblefromthestationwithouttheinterventionofsomuchasanomnibus，andbeingalsowithineasyreachofmanyobjectsofinterest。Here，therefore，welayoverawhiletostrikeoutacrossthemountainsandintothevalleys，andtogatherhealthandserenityfortheweeksthatweretocome，withtheirurgentclaimsforallofboththatcouldbecommanded。

EasternMassachusettsisaveryprettyplacetolivein，andthemutualadmirationsocietyisuniversallyagreedbyitsmemberstobetheverybestsocietyonthiscontinent。

Nevertheless，bytoolongandcloseadherencetothatquarteroftheglobe，onecomestoforgethowtheworldwasmade，and，infact，thatiteverwasmade。Wesilentlytakeitforgranted。Itwasalwaysthere。Smooth，smilingplains，gentlehills，verdurousslopes，blue，calmstreams，andsoftlywoodedbanks，——acourteous，well-bredearthitis，andweforgetthatithasnotbeensofromthebeginning。Buthereamongthemountains，Genesisfindsexegesis。Westandamidtheprimevalconvulsionsofmatter，——thefirstfiercethroesoflife。Marksofthestrugglestilllinger；nay，thestruggleitselfisnotsoothedquiteaway。Nomoreunexceptionablesurfaces，butyawnsandfissures，chasmsandprecipices，deepgashesinthehills，hillsburstingupfromtheplains，rockstornfromtheirgranitebedsandtossedhitherandthitherinsomegrandstormofTitanwrath，riverswithnoequalmajesty，butnarrow，deep，elfish，risingandfallinginwildcaprice，playingmadprankswiththeiruncertainshores，treacherous，reckless，obstreperous。

Hereweseethechangesactuallygoingon。Theearthisstilla-making。Morethanoneriver，scorningitschannel，has，withinthememoryofman，hewnoutforitselfanother，andtakenundisputed，ifnotundisturbedpossession。ThePeabodyRiver，whichrollsmodestlyenoughnow，seeming，indeed，amerethreadofbrookdancingthrougharockybedbyfartoolargeforit，willbyandby，whentherainscome，riseandroarandrushwithsuchimpetuositythatthesegreatwater-wornstones，nowbleachingquietlyinthesun，shallbewrenchedupfromtheirresting-places，andwhirleddowntheriverwithsuchfuryanduproarthatthenoiseoftheircrashingandrollingshallbreakinuponyourdreamsatnight。WildRiver，alittlefartherdown，youmayfordalmostdry-shod，andinfourhoursitshallreachsuchheightsanddepthsasmightupbearourmightiestman-of-war。Manyandmanyagully，halfchokedwithstonesandbriers，lurksunderthebaseofanovertoppinghill，andshowswhereaforgottenUndinelivedandloved。Thehillsstillbearthescarsoftheirwounds。

Nosoft-springinggreennessveilsthetortuousprocesses。

Uncompromisingandterrible，themarksoftheirawfulrending，theagonyoftheirfierybirth，shallremain。Time，thedestroyerofman\'sworks，istheperfecterofGod\'s。TheseravagesarenotTime\'s；theyarethedoingsofanearlyforce，beneficent，butdreadful。ItisTime\'stosootheandadorn。

Weconnecttheideaoffixitywiththemountains，buttheyseemtometobecontinuallypirouettingwitheachother，——exchangingorentirelylosingtheiridentity。YouareintheAlpineValley。

AroundyoustandMountHayes，sonamedinhonorofaworthyhousekeeper；theImp，sobriquetofawinsomeandroguishlittlegirl，whooncemadethehousegay；thePilotrange，——becausetheypilottheAndroscoggindowntothesea，saysonetowhomIneverappealinvainforfactsorreasons；MountMadison，liftinghisshiningheadbeyondanopeningnichedforhiminthewoodsofahighhill-topbyMr。HamiltonWillisofBoston，whomletallmenthank。Ithankedhiminmyhearteverymorning，noon，andnight，lookingupfrommyseatattabletothatdistantpeak，whereotherwiseIshouldhaveseenonlyamonotonousforestline。OveragainstthesunsetisMountMoriah，andCarter，andSurprise。

Youknowthemwell。Youcancallthemallbyname。Butyouhavenosoonerturnedacornerthan——wherearethey？Gone，——allchanged。

Everylineisaltered，everycontournew。Spurshavebecomeknobs。

Peaksareridges；summits，terraces。Madisonprobablyhasdisappeared，andsomeAdamsorJeffersonrisesbeforeyouinunabashedgrandeur。CarterandtheImphavehoppedaroundtoanotherpointofthecompass。Allthelesserlandmarks，astheoldsongsays，"Firstupontheheel-tap，thenuponthetoe，Wheelabout，andturnabout，anddojustso。"

Yourtopographyisentirelydislocated。Youmustbeginyouracquaintanceanew。Freshlinesandcurves，newformsandfacesandchameleontints，thrustyouofffromthesecretsoftheStorm-Kings。Whileyoufancyyourselftobebatteringdownthecitadel，youarebutknockingfeeblyattheout-works。Youhavecaughtasinglephase，andtheirnameislegion。Infiniteaslight，infiniteasform，infiniteasmotion，soinfinitearethemountains。Purpleandintenseagainsttheglowingsunsetsky，thePilotrangecurvesitsstrongoutlines，orshimmerssteely-blueinthenoondayhaze。Dayuntodayutterethspeech，andnightuntonightshowethknowledgeoftheirever-vanishingandever-returningsplendors。Neweverymorning，fresheveryevening，wefancyeachpageantfairerandfinerthanthelast。

Everysummerhour，amessengerfromheaven，ischargedwiththewaitinglandscape，anddrapesitwithitsowngarmentofwovenlight，celestialbroidery。Sunshinecrownsthecrests，andstampstheirkinshiptotheskies。Shadowsnestleinthedells，flitovertheridges，hideundertheoverhangingcliffs，tobechasedoutingleefulfrolicbytheslantsunbeamsofthemellowafternoon。Cloudsandvaporsandunseenhandsofheavenfloodthehillswithbeauty。Theyhavedrunkinthewarmthandlifeofthesun，theyquiverbeneathhisburningglance，theyliesteepedincolor，gorgeous，tremulous，passionate，rosyreddroppingawayintopalegold，emeraldsdimandsullenwheretheyrippledowntowardsthedarkness，duskybrownsandbroadreachesofblue-blackmassiveness，tillthesilentstarlightwrapsthescenewithblessing，andtheearthsittethstillandatrest。

Onsuchanevening，nevertobeforgotten，westoodalonewiththenight。Dayhadgonesoftly，eveningcameslowly。Therewasnospeechnorlanguage，onlyhopeandpassionandpurposediedgentlyout。Individualitieswerenot，andwestoodatonewiththeuniverse，handinhandwiththeimmortals，silent，listening。Itwasasiftheheavensshouldgiveuptheirsecret，andsmiteuswiththemusicofthespheres。Suddenly，unheralded，upoverthesummitofMountMoriahcamethefullmoan，asilverdisc，alucent，steadyorb，globularandgrand，fillingthevalleyswithlight，touchingallthingsintoahushedanddarklingsplendor。Tous，standingalone，farfromsightofhumanfaceorsoundofhumanvoice，itseemedthecenserofGod，swungouttoreceivetheincenseoftheworld。

Multifoldmistsjoinhandswiththelighttoplayfantastictricksuponthesemightymonarchs。Theclosingdayistender，bringingsacrificeandoblation；butthedayofflittingcloudsandfrequentshowersriotsinchangingjoys。Everysubordinateeminencethathasarrogatedtoitselfthesublimityofthedistantmountain，againstwhoserockysidesitlaylost，isunmaskedbythevaporsthatgatherbehinditandrevealitslow-lyingoutlines。Everylittledimpleofthehillshasitschaliceofmountainwine。Themiststretchesabovetheridge，along，low，levelcauseway，solidasthemountainsthemselves，whichbuttressitsfartherside，aviatriumpha，meethighwayforthereturningchariotofanemperor。Itrearsitselffromthevalleys，adragonrampantandwithhorridjaws。Itflingsitselfwithsmotheringcaressesabouttheburlymountains，andstiflestheminitscloseembrace。Ittrailsalongthehills，floatinginfilmy，partinggauze，scatteringlittleflecksofpearl，fringingitselfoverthehollows，andhustlingagainstarockybreastworkthatbarsitsonwardgoing。Itwreathesupward，curlingaroundthepeaksandveilingsummits，whoseslopesshinewhiteintheuncloudedsun。Itshutsdowngray，dense，sombre，withmoodymonotone。Itopensroguishlyonelittleloop-hole，throughwhich——cloudabove，cloudbelow，cloudonthissideandonthat——youseeasweet，violet-huedmountain-dome，lyingagainstabackgroundofbrilliantbluesky，——justforoneheart-beat，anditclosesagain，gray，sheeted，monotonous。

Leavingthevalley，anddrivingalongtheJeffersonroad，youhavethemountainsunderanentirelynewaspect。Before，theystood，asitwere，endwise。Nowyouhavethematbroadside。

Mileaftermileyoupassundertheirsolidramparts，butfarenoughtoreceivetheideaoftheirheightandbreadth，theirvastmaterialgreatness，——farenoughtoletthebroadgreenlevelsoftheintervaleslidebetween，withhereandthereagracefulelm，toweringandprotective，andhereandthereabrownfarm-house。Butman\'sworksshowpunyandmeanbesidenature，whichseemsspontaneousasathought。Man\'sworkisatoil；nature\'sisarelief。Manlaborstoattainabundance；

nature，tothrowoffsuperabundance。Themountain-sidesbristlewithforests；mandragshimselffromhisvalley，andslowlyandpainfullylevelsaninchortwoforhisuse；justalittlewayhereandthereagreenfieldhascreptupintotheforest。Themountain-chinhasoneortwoshavenspots；butforthegreaterparthisbeardisstillunshorn。Allalonghesendsdownhisboontomen。Everywhereyouhearthescurryingfeetoflittlebrooks，tumblingpell-melldowntherocksintheirfrantichastetoreachagoal；——oftenapleasantcottage-door，tolightentheburdenandcoolthebrowoftoil；

oftentopourthroughahollowlogbythewayside，——anever-failingbeneficenceandjoytothewearied，trustyhorses。FromthepiazzaoftheWaumbeckHouse——aquiet，pleasant，home-likelittlehotelinJefferson，andtheonlyone，sofarasIknow，thathashadthegracetotaketoitselfoneoftheoldIndiannamesinwhichtheregionabounds，Waumbeck，Waumbeck-Methna，MountainsofSnowy-Foreheads——averypanoramaofmagnificenceunfoldsitself。Thewholehorizonisrimmedwithmountain-ranges。TheWhiteMountainchainstandsoutboldandfirm，sendinggreetingtohispeersafar。

Franconiaanswersclearandbrightfromthesouth-west；andfrombeyondtheConnecticuttheGreenhillsmakeresponse。

Lothtoleave，weturnawayfromthesegrandout-lyingbulwarkstofrontonourreturnbulwarksasgrandandmassive，behindwhoseimpregnablewallsweseemshutinfromtheworldforever。

Alittlelyricintheeposmaybefoundinaside-journeytoBethel，——avillagewhichnooneeverheardof，atleastIneverdid，tillnow；butwhenwedidhear，weheardsomuchandsowellthatweatoncestartedonatourofexploration，andfound——asHalicarnassusquotestheQueenofSheba——therewasmoreofitthanweexpected。Theridedowninthetrain，ifyouarewillingandabletostandontherearplatformoftherearcar，isofsurpassingbeauty。Themountainsseemtoriseandapproachindumb，reluctantfarewell。Theriverbendsandinsinuates，spreadingouttoyouallitsislandsofdelight。

Molteninitsdepths，goldeninitsshallows，itmeandersthroughitsmeadows，ajoyforever。Bethelsitsonitsbanks，loveliestofruralvillages，andgentlyunfoldsitsbeautiestoyourlongingeyes。TheBethelHouse，——alargeold-fashionedcountry-house，withoneofthosebroad，socialsecond-storypiazzas，andawellbubblingupinthemiddleofthedining-room——thinkofthat，MasterBrooke！——ahotelwhoselandlordwelcomesyouwithlemonadeandroses(perhapshewouldn\'tYOU！)，——ahotelterribletoevil-doers，butapraisetothemthatdowell，inasmuchasitisconductedonthemillennialprincipleofquietlyfrighteningawaydisagreeablepeoplewithhighrates，andfascinatingamiablepeoplewithreasonableones，sothat，ofcourse，youhavethewheatwithoutthechaff，——ahotelwherepeoplegotorestandenjoy，andwearmorning-dressesallday，andarefineonlywhentheychoose——

indeed，youcandothatanywhere，ifyouonlythinkso。Theideathatyoumustlugallyourbestclothesthroughthewildernessisabsurd。Agoodtravelling-dress，admissibleofbisection，amuslinspencerforwarmevenings，andavelvetbodicewhenyoudesigntobegorgeous，willtakeyouthroughwithallthehonorsofwar。Besides，therearealwayssuretobeplentyofpeopleineverydrawing-roomwhowillbesumptuouslyattired，andyoucanfeastyoureyesluxuriouslyonthem，andgratefullyfeelthattheworkissowelldoneastoneednoco-operationofyours，andthatyoucanbecomfortablewithaneasyconscience。WherewasI？O，onthetop，ofParadiseHill，Ibelieve，surveyingParadise，alittleindistinctandquaveringinthesheenofasummernoon，butclearenoughtorevealitsPison，itsGilton，itsHiddekel，andEuphrates，compassingthewholelandofHavilah；orperhapsI

wasonSparrowhawk，beholdingParadisefromanotherpoint，dottedwithhomesandchurch-spires，richandfertile，fairstill，withcompassingriverandtranquillake；or，moreprobablethaneither，Iwasdrivingalongthehighlandthatskirtsthegoldenmeadowsthroughwhichtheriverpurls，ruddyinthesettingsun，andrejoicinginthebeautyamidwhichhelivesandmovesandhashisbeing。LovelyBethel，fairestornamentofthesturdymountain-land，tenderandsmilingasifnostormhadeverswept，nosinevermarred，——inArcadiathatnoonewouldeverleavebutforthemagicofthedrivebacktoGorhamthroughpinywoods，underfrowningmountains，circledwithallthegloriesofskyandriver，——adrivesoenticing，that，whenyoureachGorham，straightbackagainyouwillgotoBethel，andsoforeveroscillate，unlesssomestrongermagnetinterpose。

Arainydayamongthemountainsisgenerallyconsideredratherdismal，butIfindthatIlikeit。Apartfromthefactthatyouwish，oroughttowish，toseeNatureinallheraspects，itisaverybeneficentarrangementofProvidence，that，wheneyesandbrainandheartarewearywithlookingandreceiving，animpenetrablebarrierisnoiselesslyletdown，andyouareforcedtorest。Besides，therearemanythingswhichitisnotabsolutelyessentialtosee，butwhich，nevertheless，areveryinterestinginthesight。Youwouldnotthinkofturningawayfromamountainorawaterfalltovisitthem，butwhenyouareforciblyshutoutfromboth，youcondescendtohomeliersights。

Forinstance，IwonderhowmanyfrequentersoftheAlpinehouseeversaworknowthatthereisadairyinitsPlutonianregions。

Arainydaydiscoveredittous，and，withmanyaninjunctiontouchingpossibledust，wewerebiddenintothosemysteriousprecincts。Acarpet，laidlooseoverthesteps，forestalledeveryatomofdefilement，and，descendingcautiouslyandfearfullythroughportalsandoutercourts，wetrodpresentlytheadytum。Itwasadark，cool，silentplace。Thefloorswerewhite，spotless，andactuallyfragrantwithcleanliness。Thesidesoftheroomwerelinedwithshelves，theshelvesbegemmedwithbrightpans，andthebrightpansfilledwithmilk，——Idon\'tknowhowmanypanstherewere，butIshouldthinkaboutamillion，——andtherewasamoundofpailspileduptobewashed，andcosylittlecoloniesofbutter，pleasanttoeyes，nose，andmouth，andacuriousmachinetoworkbutterover，consistingofsomethinglikeatableintheshapeoftheletterV，theflatpartatrough，withawoodenhandletopushbackandforth，andthebuttermilkrunningoutattheapexoftheV。Iftheprincipleonwhichitisconstructedisasecret，Idon\'tbelieveIhavedivulgedit；butIdonotaimtoletyouknowpreciselywhatitis，onlythatthereissuchathing。IhopenowthateveryonewillnotflockdowncellarthemomenthealightsfromtheGorhamtrain。IshouldbeverysorrytodivertthestreamoftravelintoMr。Hitchcock\'sdairy，forIamsureanygreatinfluxofvisitorswouldsorelydisconcertthegoodgeniuswhopresidesthere，andwouldbeanillrequitalforherkindnesstous；butitwassonovelandpleasantasightthatIamsureshewillpardonmeforspeakingofitjustthisonce。

Anothermildentertainmentduringanintermittentrainisarunofaboutamileuptothe"hennery，"whichbudsandblossomswiththedearestlittleducksofducks，broad-billed，downy，toddling，tumblinginandoutofatroughofwater，andgettingcontinuallylostonthebluffoutside；littlechickensandturkeys，andgreatturkeys，notpleasanttotheeye，butgoodforfood，andturkey-gobblers，stiffest-manneredofallthefeatheredcreation；andgeese，sailinginthecreekmajestic，orwaddlingonthegrassdumpy；andtwoorthreewildgeese，tolleddownfromthesky，andclippedawayfromitforever；

andguinea-hens，speckledandspheral；and，mostmagnificentofall，apeacock，whostandsinacornerandunfoldsthemagnificenceofhistail。Watchinghismovements，Icouldnotbutreflectuponthesuperioradvantageswhichapeacockhasoverawoman。ThegorgeousnessofhisapparelissuchthatevenSolomoninallhisglorywasnotarrayedinthelike；yetsoadmirableisthecontrivanceforitsmanagementthatnosuspicionofmudormoisturestainsitsbrilliancy。Awomanmusthaverecoursetoclumsycontrivancesofindia-rubberandgutta-perchaifhersilkenskirtsshallnottrailignoblyinthedust。Thepeacockatwillrearshistraininagracefulcurve，anddefiesdefilement。

Besidesabundanceoffoodandparade-ground，thesehappyfowlshaveaveryagreeableprospect。TheirabruptknollcommandsarespectablesectionoftheAndroscogginValley，——richmeadow-lands，thehumanitiesofchurch-spireandcottage，thelowgreensweepoftheintervalethroughwhichtherivercroonsitsquietwayundershadowsofrockandtree，answeringsoftlytothehumofbeeandsongofbird，——answeringjustassoftlytothesnortandshriekofitshot-breathedrival，therailroad。Doubtlesstherailroad，swift，energetic，prompt，givesitselfmanyanairovertheslow-going，calm-souledwater-way，butletMonsieurChemindeFerlooktohislaurels，——

athingofyesterdayandtomorrow，——athingofironandoilandaccidents。I，theRiver，descendfromtheeverlastingmountains。Iwasbornoftheperpetualhills。Ifearnomoretheheato\'thesun，northefuriouswinter\'srages；noobstacledauntsme。Timecannotterrify。Mypowershallneverfaint，myfoundationsnevershrink，myfountainsneverfail。

"Menmaycome，andmenmaygo，ButIgoonforever。"

Andtherailroad，pertinacious，intrusive，aggressive，is，afterall，thedependentfollower，theabjectcopyistoftheriver。Tossandscornasitmay，theriverisitsleaderandengineer。Fortunesandagesalmostwouldhavebeennecessarytotunnelthosemountains，ifindeedtunnellinghadbeenpossible，buttheriverwindsatitsownsweetwill。Withoutsoundofhammeroraxe，byforceofitsownheaven-borninstincts，ithaslevelleditslovelywayunerring，andwhereveritgoes，thithergoestherailroad，toitsowninfinitegain。Railroadsarenotgenerallyconsideredpicturesque，butfromthestandpointofthathennery，andfromseveralotherstandpoints，Ihadnofaulttofind。Unabletogostraighton，asthemannerofrailroadsis，itbendstoallthewaywardlittlefanciesoftheriver，piercingthewildwood，curlingaroundthebaseofthegranitehills，nowletlooseaspacetoshootacrosstheglade，joyfulofthepermissiontoindulgeitsrailroadinstinctofstraightness；

and，amidsomuchirregularityandheadlongwilfulness，astraightlineisreallyrefreshing。Upthesidesofitsembankmentwildvineshavetwistedandclimbed，andwild-flowershavebuddedintobloom。

BerlinFallsishardlyawet-dayresource，butthedayonwhichwesawitchangeditsmindafterweleftthehotel，andfromcloudsandpromiseofsunshineturnedintocloudsandcertaintyofrain。Forallthat，thedrivealongtheriver，withinsoundofitsroaringandgurglingandripplingandlaughingoverflowofjoy，withoccasionalglimpsesofitthroughthetrees，withgraycloud-curtainsconstantlydropping，thensuddenlylifting，andgraysheetsofrainfringingdownbeforeus，andthethirsty，parchedleaves，intoxicatedwiththeirmuchmeadofthemountains，slappingussaucilyonthecheck，orinmadrevelflingingintoourfacestheirgobletsofhoney-dew，——ah！

itwasacarnivaloftricksydelight，makingthebloodglowlikewine。Thefalls，whichchancedtobeindeednofalls，butshower-swollenintorapids，areoneofthemostwonderfulpresentationsofNature\'smasonrythatIhaveeverseen。Itisnotthewater，buttherock，thatamazes。ThewholeAndroscogginRivergathersupitsstrengthandplungesthroughagorge，——agatewayinthesolidrockisregular，asupright，asifmanhadbroughtinthewholeforceofhisgeometryandgunpowdertotheadmeasurementandexcavation，——plunges，consciousofimprisonmentandtheinsulttoitsslightedmajesty，——plungeswithfierceprotestandfrenzyofrage，breaksagainstagrim，unyieldingrocktodashitselfintoathousandwhirlingwaves；thenrushesontobeagainimprisonedbetweenthepillarsofanothergorge，onlylessregular，notlessinexorable，thanthefirst；then，leapingandsurging，itbeatsagainstitsbanks，andishurledwrathfullybackinjetsofsprayandwreathsoffoam；or，soothedintogentlermoodbythesofttouchofmossesonthebrownoldrocks，itleapslightlyuptheirdrippingsides，andtricklesbackfromthegreen，wet，overhangingspray，andso，allpassionsobbedaway，itbabblesdowntoitsbedofLincolngreen，whereRobinHoodandMaidMarianwaitundertheoakenboughs。

Intheleaden，heavyairthescenewassombre，——tragic。Insunshineandshadowsitmusthaveothermoods，perhapsadifferentcharacter；Ididnotseethesunshineplayuponit。

Butthedayofdaysyoushallgivetothemountain。Themountain，Washington，kingofallthisAtlanticcoast，——atleasttillbutjustnow，whensomedesigningWarwickcomesforwardtopresstheclaimsofanignobleCarolinianupstart，with，ofcourse，adueandformidablearrayoffeetandfigures:butiftheyhavesuchamountain，where，Ishouldliketoknow，hashebeenalltheseyears？Amountainisnotathingthatyoucanputawayinyourpocket，orhideundertheeavestillanaccidentrevealsitswhereabouts。Verilyourmisguidedbrethrenhavemuchtodotomakeoutacase；and，inthefirmbeliefthatIamclimbingupthehighestpointoflandthissidetheRockyMountains，Ibeginmyjourney。

TimewaswhentheascentofMountWashingtoncouldbejustlyconsideredadifficultanddangerousfeat；buttheSpiritoftheAgewhohasmanyworsethingsthanthistoanswerfor，hasstruckinandfelledandgradedandcurbed，tillnowonecanascendthemountainassafelyashegoestomarket。Iconsiderthisroadoneofthegreatesttriumphsofthatheavilyresponsiblespirit。Loquaciousloversofthe"romantic"lamenttheabsenceofdangeranditsexcitements，andtheroaddoesindeedlieopentothatobjection。Hewhointheselatterdayswouldearnareputationforenterprise——andIfancytheloveofadventuretobefarlesscommonthantheloveofbeingthoughtadventurous——musthaverecoursetosomesuchforlornhopeasgoingupthemountainontheiceinmidwinter，orcoastingdownonahand-sled。ButIhavenoinclinationinthatdirection。Iamwillingtoencounterrisks，ifthereisnootherwayofattainingobjects。Butrisksinandofthemselvesareanuisance。Ifthereisnomoreexcellentway，ofcourseyoumustclamberalongsteep，ruggedstairwaysofbridle-paths，whereasinglemisstepwillsendyouplunginguponacruelandbloodydeath；butsofaraschoicegoes，onewouldmuchmorewiselyrideoveracivilizedroad，wherehecanhavehiswholemindforthemountain，andnotbecontinuallyhamperedwithfearsandwatchfulnessforhisownpersonalsafety。Itisagreatmistaketosupposethatdiscomfortisnecessarilyheroism。Besides，tohaveopenedacarriage-wayupthemountainistohavebroughtthemountainwithallitspossessionsdowntothecradleoftheyoungandthecrutchoftheold，——almosttothecouchoftheinvalid。IsawrecordedagainstonenameinthebooksoftheTip-topHousethesignificantitem，"agedeightmonths。"Probablytheyoungsterwasnotdirectlymuchbenefitedbyhisexcursion，butyouaretorememberthatperhapshismothercouldnothavecomewithouthim，andthereinlaythebenefit。Thedaybeforeourascent，aladyoverseventyyearsoldascendedwithoutextremefatigueoranyinjury。Severaldaysafter，aladywithapparentlybutafewweeksofearthbeforeher，madetheascenttosatisfythelongingsofherheart，andgazeupontheexpansesofthis，beforetheradianceofanotherworldshouldburstuponherview。Ifpeopleinsistuponencounteringdanger，theycanfindaswiftriverandfordit，orpileupaheapofstonesandclimbthem，orvolunteertoservetheircountryinthearmy:

meanwhile，letusrejoicethatthousandswhohavebeenshutawayfromthefeastmaynowsitdowntothetableoftheLord。

Thisroad，weweretold，wasbegunabouteightyearsago，butbydisastrouscircumstancesitscompletionwasdelayeduntilwithinayearortwo。Lookingatthecountrythroughwhichitlies，theonlywonderisthatiteverreachedcompletion。Asitis，Ibelieveitsproprietorsdonotconsideritquitefinished，andarecontinuallyworkinguponitsimprovement。

Goodorbad，itseemstometobemuchthebestroadanywhereintheregion。Thepitchesandholesthatwouldfainmakecoachingonthecommonroadssoprecariousareentirelyleftouthere。Theascentiscontinuous。Notastepbutleadsupward。Therisewasdirectednevertoexceedonefootinsix，anditdoesnot；theaverageisonefootineight。Ofcourse，toaccomplishthistheremustbeagreatdealofwindingandturning。Inoneplaceyoucanlookdownuponwhatseemtohethreeroadsrunningnearlyparallelalongaridge，butwhatisreallytheoneroadtwistingtoitsascent。Someideaoftheskillandsciencerequiredtoengineeritmaybegatheredbylookingintothetangledwildernessandrockyroughnessthatliestilleachsidetheway。Throughsuchagnarled，knotted，interlacedjungleofbigtreesandlittletrees，andallmanneroftangledtwiningundergrowths，liningthesidesofprecipices，orhangingwithbarerootsoverthem，concealingdangerstilltheshudderingsoulalmostplungesintothem，theroad-mencarefullyandpainfullysoughtandfoughttheirway。

Uponrockyheightsitwascomparativelyeasy，for，asoneveryexpressivelyphrasedit，everystonewhichtheypriedupleftaholeandmadeahole。Thestonewrenchedfromaboverolledbelow，andgoloweredtheheightandraisedthedepth，andconstantlytendedtolevelness。Besides，therewerenohugetree-trunkstobeextractedfromtheunwillingjawsofthemountainbyforest-dentists，withmuchsweatandtoilandpainofdentistifnotofjaws。Since，also，theriseofonefootinsixwasconsideredasgreataswascompatiblewiththewell-beingandwell-doingofhorses，wheneverthewaycameuponaknoborabreastworkthatrefusedtobebroughtdownwithintheorthodoxdimensions，itmustturn。Iftheknobwouldnotyield，thewaymust，and，inconsequence，itslengthenedbitternessislongdrawnout。Alinethatcontinuallydoublesonitselfisnaturallylongerthanonewhichgoesstraighttothemark。MountWashingtonislittlemorethanamilehigh；

theroadthatcreepsupitssurlysidesiseightmileslong。

Frostandfreshetareconstantfoes；theoneheavesandcracks，andtheothertearsdownthroughthecrackstoundermineanddestroy。Twenty-sevennewculverts，weweretold，hadbeenmade，withinthespaceofamileandahalf，sincelastyear；

andtheseculvertsarenochild\'splay，butdurableworks，——

aqueductslinedwithstoneandbridgedwithplank，largeenoughforamantopassthroughwithawheelbarrow，andlaiddiagonallyacrosstheroad，sothatthetorrentspouringdowntheguttershallnothavetoturnarightangle，whichtheywouldgladlyevadedoing，butaveryobtuseone，whichtheycannotinconsciencerefuse；and，astheroadallthewayisbuiltalittlehigherontheprecipicesidethanonthemountainside，thewaternaturallyrunsintothegutteronthatside，andsoiseasilybeguiledintoleavingtheroad，whichitwoulddelighttodestroy，and，roaringthroughtheculvert，tumblesunwarilydowntheprecipicebeforeitknowswhatitisabout。

Ihavehearditsaid，thatthemanwhooriginatedthisroadhassincebecomeinsane。Morelikelyhewasinsaneatthetime。

Surely，nomaninhissenseswouldeverhaveprojectedaschemesowildandchimerical，soevidentlyimpossibleoffulfilment。

Projecteditwas，however，notonlyinfancy，butinfact，toourgreatcontent；andso，tamelybutcomfortably，anuntiringcavalcade，weleavethepeacefulglensetatthemountain\'sbase，andwindthroughthelovely，livelywoods，tremulouswithsunshineandshadows，musicalwiththemanifoldsongsofitspregnantsolitudes，outfromthewoods，upfromthewoods，intothewild，cold，shriekingwindsamongtheblenchedrocksandthepaleghostsofdeadforestsstiffandstark，upandupamongthecaverns，andthegorges，andthedreadfulchasms，pinyravinesblackandbottomless，steepsbareandrockyleadingdowntoawfuldepths；onandon，fightingwithmaddenedwindsandthestartled，wrathfulwraiths，onwardandupwardtillwestandonthebleakandshivering，thestonyandsoullesssummit。

Desolationofdesolations！Desolationofdesolations！Howterribleisthisplace！Theshiningmountainthatflashedbacktothesunhisradianceisbecomeabaldandfrowningdesertthatappallsuswithitsbarrenness。Thesweetandsylvanapproachgavenosignofsuchagoal，butthewarbetweenlifeanddeathwaseventhenbegun。Theslantsunlightglintedthroughthejungleandbatheduswithitsgloryofgolden-green。Theshiningbolesofthesilverygraybirchshotupstraight，andthewhitebirchunrolleditspatchesofdeadpallorinthesombre，untroddendepths。Thesprucesquiveredlikepurejelliestippedwithlight，sunshineprisonedineverygreencrystal。Myrtle-vinesranalongtheground，thebunch-berryhungoutitswhitebanner，andyouscarcelysawthetreesthatlayfaintandfalleninthearmsoftheirmates。

Thedamp，softearthnourisheditsnumerousbrood，Terraeomniparentisalumnos，itsownthirstysoulcontinuallyrefreshedfromspringswhosesparklewecouldnotsee，thoughthegurgleandrippleoftheirmarchsungoutfromsomanyhiding-placesthatweseemedtobe"Seatedinhearingofahundredstreams。"

Wholesettlementsoftheslender，statelybrakesfilledtheopenings，andthemountain-ashdroopedingracefulcurvesoverourheads，butgraduallythefinetalltreesdwindledintodwarfs，chilledtotheheartbythesilent，pitilesscold。

Othersbattledbravelywiththebowlingwinds，whichhavestrippedthembareononeside，whiletheyseemtotossouttheirarmswildlyontheother，imploringprotectionandaidfromthevalley-dwellersbelow。Upandup，andyoucomesuddenlyuponthe"SilverForest，"agroveofdeadwhitetrees，nakedofleafandfruitandbud，bareofcolor，dryofsapandjuiceandlife，retainingonlytheirform，——coldsetoutlineoftheirhaleandheartyvigor；askeletonplantation，bleachinginthefrostysun，yetmindfulofitspastexistence，sturdy，anddefiantofthewoodman\'saxe；afrostworkmimicryofnature，aphantomforest。Onandon，turningtooverlookthepathyouhavetrodden，ateveryretrospectthestrugglebetweenlifeanddeathbecomesmoreandmorepalpable。TheDestroyerhashurledhiswinds，hisfrosts，hisfires；andgraywastes，brokenwastes，blackwastes，attestwithwhatsignalpower。Butlifefollowsclosely，plantinghisseedsintheveryfootprintsofdeath。Whereblanknessandbleaknessseemtoreign，atinylifespringsinmosses，richwithpromiseofbetterthings。Longforkedtonguesofgreenarelappingupthedrearywastes，andwillpresentlyoverpowerthemwithitsvividtints。EvenamidtheblanchedpetrifactionoftheSilverGrovefreshgrowthsarecreeping，andthedayisnotfardistantthatshallseethosepalestatuesovertopped，submerged，lostinanemeraldsea。Evenamongtherocks，thestriferages。Somemysteriousprincipleinheresintheinsensaterock，whoselossmakesthiscrumbling，discolored，inertdebris。Upyougo，upandup，andlifediesout。Chaosandruinreignsupreme。

Headlongsteepsyawnbesideyourpath，losingtheirdepthsindarkness。Greatfragmentsofrockcoveralltheground，lieheaped，pileuponpile，jagged，gray，tiltedintoathousandsharpangles，refusingafoothold，orofferingittreacherously。

Wildworkhasbeenhere；andthesegiganticwrecksbearsilentwitnessoftheuproar。Itseemsbutapause，notapeace。

Agiocochook，GreatMountainofSpirits，rendezvousofdepartedsouls，clothedwiththestrengthandfiredwiththepassionsofthegods，——inwhatcavernsunderthecliffsdotheweariedTitansrest？Fromwhatdungeonsofgloomemergingshalltheyrenewtheirelementalstrife？Whatshallbethesignoftheirawakingtodarkentheearthwiththeirmissilesanddeafentheskieswiththeirthunder？Andwhatdaringofmanisthistoscornhissmilingvalleysandadventureupintotheserealmsofstorm？NoTitanhe，yetthetruestTitanofall，forhewrestledandovercame。Nogianthe，yetgranderthanthegiants，sincewithoutPelionorOssahehasscaledheaven。Throughuncountedaeonsthemountainhasbeengatheringitsforces。Frostandsnowandiceandthewillingwindshavebeenitsswornretainers。

Coldandfamineanddeathitflauntedinthefaceofthebesieger。

Manisofaday，andtheelementsarebutslipperyallies。A

spadeandacompassarehismeagreweapons；yetmanhasconquered。

Thestrugglewaslong，withmanyareconnaissanceandpartialtriumph，butatlengththevictoryiscomplete。Manhasplacedhishandonthemonarch\'smane。Hehaspiercedleviathanwithahook。Thesecretsofthemountainareuncovered。Hisfastnessesconcealnotreasuresthatshallnotbespreadouttotheday。Hisboltsandbarsoficecannolongerpressbackthefootoftheinvader。Yongrayandslenderribbon，thatfloatsdownhisdefiles，disappearingnowoverhisledgestoreappearonsomelowerrange，andhelightlyacrosstheplateau，——thatishisbridleofsubmission，hisbadgeofservitude。Obedienttothat，heyieldsuphishoardedwealthandpaystribute，avassaltohislord。Menandwomenandlittlechildrenclimbuphisruggedsides，andthecrownuponhisbeetlingbrowsissetinthecircleofhumanity。

Inthefirstdepressionofabandonmentonelosesheart，andseesonlytheabominationofdesolation；butgraduallythesoulliftsitselffromthebarrenearth，andfloatsoutupontheocean，inwhichonestandsislandedonagrayrock，fixedinseasofsunshine。

Whetheryoushallhaveafairdayorafoulisasmaybe。Atthemountain\'sbasetheydiscreetlypromiseyounothing。Itmaybesunnyandsultrydownthere，whilestormsandfloodshaveatitonthepeak。Butminewasadayofdays，——clear，alternatingwithcloudy。Whenyouhadlookedlongenoughtodazzleandwearyyoureyes，acloudwouldcomeandfoldyouaboutwithopaqueness，andwhileyouwaitedinthecloud，lohere！lothere！itflashedapartandshimmeredyonderabluesky，abrilliantlandscape，andthedistantlevelofthesea；

orslowlyitswhitenesscleavedandrolledaway，revealingaglorifiedmountain，alakelyingintheshadows，orthesimpleglenfardownfromwhichwecame。Itwasconstantchangeandever-newdelight。

Butthisgoingupmountainsisabadthingfortheclouds。Alltheirfleecysoftness，alltheirpinkandpurpleandpearlybeauty，allthemysteryoftheirunattainableness，isweighedinthebalanceandfoundtobefog，andbynomeansunapproachable。Theywillneverimposeuponusagain。Nevermorewilltheyridethroughthesereneblue，white-stoledcherubsofthesky。Henceforththereisverylittleskyaboutthem。Sailaway，littlecloud，littleswell，littlehumbug。

Makebelieveyouareawayupinthecurvesofthesky。Notonepersoninfiftywillclimbamountainandfindyouout。ButIhavebeenthere，andyouarenothingbutfog，oftheearth，earthy。AndwhenIsatinthecleftofarockonthesideofMountWashington，everyfibredulledthroughwithyouricymoisture，Icouldwithagoodwillhavesentasherifftoarrestyouforobtainingloveunderfalsepretences。Oyouinnocent，child-likecloudheavingwithwarmthandpassionaswesaw，butagraylittleimp，coldattheheart，andmalignant，andmalignant，aswefelt。

Feltitonlywhenwedidfeelit，afterall；fornosoonerdiditrollslowlyaway，and，ceasingtobeadiscomfort，turnintoscenery，thanallitsoldenwitcherycameback。Ihavehadnomorethanaglimpseoftheworldfromamountain。Theeveningandthemorningwerethefirstday；and，tilltimeshallbenomore，theeveningandthemorningwillbeallthatthereisoftheday，aestheticallyconsidered。Yetatnoon，——themostunfascinatinghour，——andintheearlyafternoon，thoughyoumustneedsfailofthetwilightanditsforerunners，thereisanintensityofbrillianceandanimmensityofbreadth，that，itseemstome，mustbegreaterthaniftheviewwerebrokenupbylightandshade。Youareblindedwithafloodofradiance，disturbed，orratherincreased，bytheflittingcloud-shadows。Themountainsdeepeninthedistance，burningredintheglareofthesun，bristlingwithpines，mottledwiththevarioustintsofoakandmaplerelievingthesobererevergreenspurplingontheslopesthroughaspiritualhazyglow，delicatestlavender，andpearl，wheretheyliescarcelypencillingdistanthorizon。Thecloudscomesailingover，flingingtheirshadowstotheplains，——shadowswaveringdownthemountain-sideswithanindescribablesweettremulousness，scuddingoverthelowersummits，pursuedbysomefrolicsomegalewhichwedonotsee，orrestingsoftlyinthedells，whosethrobbingsoothesitselftostillnessinthegratefulshade。

Andstill，midwaybetweenheavenandearth，snatchedupfromtheturmoiloftheoneintotheunspeakablecalmoftheother，agreatpeaceandrestsinkintooursouls。Allaroundliestheearth，shiningandsilentasthesky，ripplinginlittleswellsoflight，breakingintoluminouspoints，risingintoshapelyshafts，spreadinginlimpid，moltensilver，andallbathed，transmuted，glorified，withineffablelight，andsacredwitheternalsilence。

Abubbleofhome-lifeadherestothissternpeak。Determinationandperseverancehavebuilttwostonecottages，roughandsquat，whereyoumay，ifyouhavenomercy，eatafinedinnerthathasbeenwearilydraggedovereightmilesofhillocky，ruttyroads，andupeightmilesofmountain；anddrinkwithoutanycompunctionclear，coldwaterthatthecloudshavedistilledwithoutanytrouble，andtherockshavebottledupinexcellentrefrigeratorsandfurnishattheshortestnoticeandonthemostreasonableterms，exceptinverydryweather。Orifadroughtdrinksupthesupplyinthenaturalwells，thereistheLakeoftheClouds，humidanddarkbelow，whereyoumaysee——Idonotknow——theangelsascendinganddescending。Theangelsofthesummitaregenerallyarmedwithahugehoop，whichsupportstheirbraceofbucketsastheystepcautiouslyoverthecraggedrockfragments。Ifyouareambitioustoscaletheveryhighestheight，youcaneasilymounttheroofofthemostfrivolouslynamedTip-topHouse，andchangeyourhorizonafraction。Ifyouaregregariousandcravesociety，youcangenerallyfinditinmultifariousdevelopments。Hithercomeartistswithsketch-booksandgreedyeyes。Hithercomephotographerswithinstruments，andphotographusall，men，mountains，androcks。Youngladiescome，andfind，afteralltheirtrouble，that"thereisnothingbutscenery，"andsitandreadnovels。Haudignotaloquor。Youngmencome，alightfromtheircarriages，enterthehouse，balancethemselvesontwolegsoftheirchairs，smokeacigar，eatadinner，andrecordagainsttheirnames，"MountWashingtonisahumbug，"——whichisquiteconclusiveasconcerningtheman，ifnotconcerningthemountain。

ThereisonemaninwhosefateIfeelalivelycuriosity。Aswewerecompletingourdescent，twisted，frowzy，blowntoshreds，burntfaces，parchedlips，andstringyhair，asolitaryhorsemanmighthavebeenseenjustcommencinghisascent，——thenicestyoungmanthateverwas，——daintilygloved，patentlybooted，oilycurled，snowilywristbanded，withalovelycambric(primafacie)

handkerchiefboundabouthishyacinthinelocksandpolishedhat。

WhatIwishtoknowis，howdidhegetalong？Howdidhistoilettestandtheascent？Didhe，asecondUlysses，tieupallopposingwindsinthatcambricpocket-handkerchief？ordidAusterandEurusandNotusandAfricusvexhisfastidioussoul？

Theysay——Idonotknowwho，butsomebody——thatMountWashingtoninpastagestoweredhundredsoffeetaboveitspresentsummit。Constantwearandtearoffrostandheathavebroughtitdown，anditscrumblingrocktestifiestothestillprogressofdecay。Themountainwillthereforeonedayflatout，andifwelivelongenough，Halicarnassusremarks，wemayyetseetheTip-topandSummitHousesslowlyletdownandstandingonarollingprairie。Those，therefore，whoprefermountaintomeadowshouldtakewarningandmaketheirpilgrimagebetimes。

ItislikelythatyouwillbetheleastintheworldtiredandagooddealsunburntwhenyoureachtheGlenHouse；and，indefianceofallthephysiologies，youwilleataheartysupperandgorighttobed，anditwon\'thurtyouintheleast。

Nothingeverdoesamongthemountains。Thefirstyouwillknow，youopenyoureyesanditismorning，andthereisMountWashingtoncomingrightinatyourwindow，bearingdownuponyouwithhisseamedandshadowymassiveness，andyouwillforgetbowroughandrockyhewasyesterday，andwillpayhomageoncemoretohisdignityofimperialpurpleandhissolemnroyalty。

Themomentyouarewellawake，youfindyouaretwiceasgoodasnew，andafterbreakfast，ifyouaresagacious，noonebelongingtoyouwillhaveanypeaceuntilyouarestrikingoutintothewoodsagain，——thegreen，murmurouswoods，tenantedbyinnumerablehostsofbutterfliesintheirsunnyoutskirts，light-wingedPsycheshoveringinthewarm，richair，stainedandspottedandsplashedwitheverybrighthueofyellowandscarletandrusset，setoffagainstbrilliantblacksandwhites；dark，coolwoodscarpetedwithmossesthick，soft，voluptuouswiththesilenttributeofages，andintheirluxuriousdepthsyourwillingfeetarecushioned，——moreblessedthanfeetofPersianprincesscrushingherwovenliliesandroses；thetender，sweet-scentedwoodslightedwithbrightwood-sorrel，andfragrantwithdewsanddamps；——totheGarnetpool，perhaps，first，wherethewaterhasroundedoutabasinintherock，andwithincessantwhirlsandeddieshashollowednumerouslittlesockets，smoothandregular，tillyoucouldfancyyourselflookingupontheremainsofapetrified，sprawling，andhalf-submergedmonster。Wherethewaterisstill，itisbeautifullycoloredandshadowedwiththesurroundingverdancyandflickeringlightandmotion。Ifyouhavecourageandafirmfoothold，ifyouwillnotsliponwetrock，anddonotmindyouhandsandkneesinclimbingupadryone，ifyoucancoilyourselfaroundatreethatjutsoutoverapathyouwishtofollow，youcanreachpointswheretheactionofthewater，violentandriotous，canbeseeninallitsrecklessforce。But，"Don\'tholdonbythetrees，"saysHalicarnassus；"youwillgetyourglovespitchy。"Thistome，whenIwasinimminentdangerofpitchingmyselfincontinentlyovertherocks，anddownintothewhirlpools！

GlenEllisFallswefoundinarandomsaunter，——awild，whitewater-leap，lithe，intent，determined，rousingyoufaroffbytheincessantroarofitsbattle-flood，onlytoburstuponyouasaggressive，asunexpectedandmomentary，asifnobugle-pealhadheraldeditsonset。Leaningagainstatreethatjutsoutovertheprecipice，clingingbyitsrootstotheearthbehind，andaffordingyouonlyaproblematicalsupport，youlookdownuponagreen，translucentpool，lyingbelowrocksthicksetwithhardyshrubsandtrees，uptothenarrowfallthathurlsitselfdownthecleftwhichithasgrooved，concentratedandalertatfirst，thenwaveringoutwithlittletremorsintothescantsunshine，andmeetingthewatersbeneathtoreboundwithmanyaspringofsurgeandspray。Astrangefreakofthewater-nymphsitisthathasfashionedthiswildgulfandgorge，softeneditwiththewavingofverdure，andinspiriteditwiththeenergyofeagerwaters。

Unsatedweturninagain，thriddingtheresinouswoodstotracktheshyNaiadshidingintheircoverts。Overthebrownspinesofthepines，softandperfumed，weloiter，followingleisurelythefaintwarbleofwaters，tillwecometotheboilingrapids，wherethestreamcomeshurryingdown，andwithsuddenpiquefliesapart，ononesidegoingtoformtheEllis，ontheotherthePeabodyRiver，andwhereinfiveminutesastalwartarmcoulddraintheoneanddoubletheother。Indeed，theexistenceofthesetworiversseemstobeaquestionofbalanceandcoincidenceandhairbreadthescapes。Ourdriverpointedouttousatreewhoserootdividestheircurrents。Wepausebutamomentonthecrazylittlebridge，andthenclimbalongtothefootofthe"SilverCascade，"fartherandhigherstill，tillwecallseethelittlebrookmurmuringonitsmountainwayinthecliffabove，andlookoveragainstit，anddownuponit，asitstreamsthroughtherock，leapsadowntheheight，wideningandthinning，spreadingoutoverthefaceofthedeclivity，transmutingitintocrystal，andveilingitwithfoam，leapingoverinahundredlittlearcs，lightlyboundingtoitsbasinbelow，thensweepingfinelyaroundthebaseoftheprojectingrock，andgoingonitswaysingingsongoftriumphandcontent。AgentleandbeautifulUndine，theworshippingboughsbendtoreceiveitsbenediction。Venturesomemossesmakeperpetuallittleincursionsintoitslappingtide，anddivertnumberlesslittlestreamstotricklearoundtheirdarkness，andleapupagaininsilverjets，clappingtheirhandsforjoy。

"NowthankstoHeaventhatofitsgraceHathledmetothislonelyplace；

JoyhaveIhad，andgoinghenceIbearawaymyrecompense。"

Allgoodandholythoughtscometothesesolitudes。Hereselfishnessdiesaway，andpurityandmagnanimityexpand，theessenceandgermoflife。Sittinghereinthesecoolrecesses，screenedfromthesun，moistandmusicalwiththewaters，crustsofworldlinessandvanitycleaveofffromthesoul。

Thedindiesaway，and，withearsattunedtotheharmoniesofnature，wearesoothedtosummerquiet。Thepassionandtruthoflifeflameupintoserenebutsteadfastglow。Everyattainmentbecomespossible。Inflatedambitionsshrivel，andwereachaftertheInfinite。Weakdesireisweldedintonoblepurpose。Patienceteachesherperfectwork，andvindicatesherdivinity。Theunchangeablerocksthatfacetheunstablewaterstypifytousourstruggleandourvictory。Daybydaytheconflictgoeson。Daybydaythefixedbattlementsrecedeanddecaybeforetheirvolatileopponent。Imperceptiblyweaknessbecomesstrength，andpersistencechannelsitsway。God\'sworkisaccomplishedslowly，butitisaccomplished。TimeisnottoHimwhocommandseternity；andman，earth-born，earth-bound，isbosomedineternity。

Oneandanotherhasapreference，choosingratherthisthanthat，andclaimingthepalmforathird；butwithyouthereisnocomparison。Eachisperfectinhiskind。Eachbodieshisowncharacterandbreatheshisownexpression。

Otobeherethroughlong，longsummerdays，drenchedwithcoolnessandshadowandsolitude，cool，cool，cooltotheinnermostdropofmyhotheart\'s-blood！

Never！

WhydoIlingeramongthemountains？Youhaveseenthemall。

Nay，verily，Icouldbelievethateyeshadneverlookeduponthembefore。Theywerenewcreatedformethissummer-day。

Ipluckedthefloweroftheirpromise。Itouchedthevigoroftheirimmortalyouth。

Butmountainsmustbereadintheoriginal，notintranslation。

Onlytheirownruggedlanguage，speakingdirectlytoeyeandheart，canfullyinterprettheirmeaning。Whathaveadjectives，intheirwildestoutburst，todowithrocksupheaved，furrowsploughed，featureschiselled，thousandsandthousandsofyearsbackintheconjecturedpast？Whatisapen-scratchtoaravine？

Forspeedandeasecarsare，ofcourse，unsurpassed；butforromance，observation，interest，thereisnothingliketheold-

fashionedcoach。Carsarecity；coachesarecountry。Carsaretheluxuriouslifeofwell-bornandlong-pursespeople；coachesarethestirring，eventfulcareerofpeoplewhohavetheirownwaytomakeintheworld。Carsshootonindependent，thrustingoffyoursympathywithasnort；coachesadmityoutoallthelittlehumanities，everyjoltharmonizesandadjustsyou，tillyoubecomealocomotiveworld，tunefullyrollingoninyourorbit，independentofthelargerworldbeneath。Thisiscoachingingeneral。CoachingamongtheWhiteMountainsisacareerbyitself，——Imean，ofcourse，ifyoutakeitontheoutside。HowlifemaylookfromtheinsideIamunabletosay，havingsteadfastlyavoidedthatstand-point。Whenwesetoutitrained，andIhadabattletofight。First，itwasattemptedtobestowmeinside，towhich，ifIhadbeenabaleofgoods，susceptibleofinjurybywater，Imighthaveassented。Butforalivingperson，withaninternalfurnacewellfedwithfuel，inconstantoperation，topackhimselfinaboxonaccountofashower，isabsurd。Whatifitdidrain？

Idesiredtoseehowthingslookedintherain。Besides，itwasnotincessant；therewerecontinualliftingsofcloudandvapor，glimpsesofclearsky，andaconstantchangingoftints，fromflashing，dewysplendor，throughthesoftnessofshiningmists，tothegloomsofgrayclouds，andtheblinding，uncompromisingrain，——sothatIwouldhaveriddeninacisternratherthanhavefailedtoseeit。Well，whentheoutsidewasseentobeafixedfact，thenImustsitinthemiddleofthecoachman\'sseat。Why？Thatbyboot，umbrellas，andamanoneachside，Imightbeprotectedinflank，andrear，andvan。

Isaidaudibly，thatIwouldratherbesetquicki\'theearth，andbowledtodeathwithturnips。Ifmyobjecthadbeenprotection，Ishouldhavegoneinside。Thiswasworsethaninside，foritwasinsidecontracted。IfIlookedinfront，therewasanumbrellawithrareglimpsesofasteaminghorseoneachside，theexhilaratingviewofagreatcoatbehind，apairofboots。Imightaswellhavebeenburiedalive。No，theupperseatwastheonlyoneforacivilizedandenlightenedbeingtooccupy。Thereyoucouldbefreeandlookabout，andnotbecrowded；andIamhappytobeabletosay，thatIamnotsounusedtowaterastobeafraidofalittlemoreorlessofit。SoIceasedtoargue，plantedmyselfontheupperseat，graspedthorailing，andsmiledontheangryremonstrantsbelow，——smiled，butSTUCK！"Lethergo，"saidthedriverinasavage，whisperedgrowl，——nottome，butalittlebirdtoldme，——"lethergo。Can\'tneverdonothin\'withwomen。Theyneverknowwhat\'sgoodfor\'em。Whenshe\'swellwet，thenshe\'llwanttobedried。"True，Odriver！andthricethatmorningyoustoppedtochangehorses，andthricewithknightlygraceyouhelpedmedownfromthecoach-top，gentle-handedandsmoothofbrowandtongue，asifnostormhadeverloweredonthatbrowormutteredonthattongue，andthriceIwentintothevillageinnsandbroodedoverthehospitablestoves，anddriedmydrippinggarments；andwhenonceyourvoicerangthroughthehostelrie，whileyetIwasenvelopedincloudsofsteam，didnotthegoodyoungwomanseizehersizzlingflat-ironfromthestove，andironmeoutonherbigtable，sothatIwentnotonlydryandcomfortable，butsmooth，uncreased，andrespectable，forthintotheouterworldagain？

PARTVI。

ThusIrode，amphibiousandhappy，onthetopofthecoach，withonlyonepersonsharingtheseatwithme，andhefortunatelyastranger，andthereforesweettempered，andaveryagreeableandintelligentman，talkingsensiblywhenhetalkedatall，andtalkingatallonlynowandthen。Veryagreeableandpolite；butpresentlyheaskedmeincourteousphraseifhemightsmoke，andofcourseIsaidyes，andthefragrantwhitesmoke-wreathsmingledwiththevalleyvapors，andasIsatnarcotizedandrapt，looking，looking，lookingintothelovelylandscape，andlookingitintome，twistingthejaggedfinger-endsofmyglovesaroundtheprotrudingendsofmyfingers，——dreadfullyjaggedandforlornthepoorgloveslookedwiththeirlongtravel。Idon\'tknowhowitis，butinallthenovelsthatIeverread，theheroinesalwayshavedelicate，spotless，exquisitegloves，whicharecontinuallylyingaboutinthegarden-paths，andwhichtheirloversareconstantlypickingupandpressingtotheirheartsandlips，andtreasuringinlittlegoldenboxesorsomething，andsayinghowlikethesoftglove，pureandsweet，istothebelovedowner；anditisallverypretty，butIcannotthinkhowtheymanageit。IamsureIshouldbeverysorrytohavemyloversgoaboutpickingupmygloves。Idon\'thavethemaweekbeforetheychangecolor；thethumbgapesatitsbase，thelittlefingerripsawayfromthenextone，andtheyallburstoutattheends；astitchdropsinthebackandslidesdowntothewristbeforeyouknowithasstarted。Youcanmend，tobesure，butforeverydarnyawntwentyholes。Iadmireadaintygloveasmuchanyone。Ilookwithenthusiasmnotunmingledwithdespairattheseglovesofromance；butsuchthingsdonotdependentirelyupontaste，asmalewritersseemtothink。A

pairofglovescostadollarandahalf，andwhenyouhavethem，yourloversdonotfindtheminthesummer-house。Whynot？Becausetheyarelyingsnuglywrappedinoiled-silkintheupperbureau-drawer，onlytobetakenoutongreatoccasions。

YouwouldassoonthinkofwearingVictoria\'scrownforahead-dress，asthoseglovesonapicnic。SoithappensthattheglovesyourloversfindwillbesuretobeLisle-thread，anddingyandbatteredatthat；forhowcanyoupluckflowersandpullvinesandtearawaymosseswithoutgettingthemdingyandbattered？——andthemostfastidiousloverintheworldcannotexpectyoutobuyanewpaireverytime。Forme，Ikeepmyglovesaslongasthebacksholdtogether，andgoaroundforforty-fiveweeksofthefifty-twowithmyhandsclenchedintofiststocoveromissions。

Letusnot，however，dismissthesubjectwiththisapologeticnotice，forthereisanotherside。Thereisabasisofattack，aswellasdefence。Inotonlyapologize，butstandupforthismuch-abusedarticle。Thoughwornglovesareindeedlessbeautifulthanfreshones，theyhavemorecharacter。Takeonejustfromtheshop，howlankandwanitis，——aperfectmonotonyofinsipidity；butinadayortwoitplumpsout，itcurlsover，itwabsup，itwrinklesandbulgesandstandsalone。Allthejointsandhollowsandcurvesandmotionsofyourhandsspeakthroughitsoutlines。Twistsandripsandscratchesandstainsbearsilentwitnessofyouragitation，youractivity，yourmerry-making。Herebreaksthroughtheirrepressibleenergyofyournature。Letharmlessnegativesrejoiceintheirstupidintegrity。Geniusisexpansiveandiconoclastic。

Enterprisecannotbeconfinedbykidorthreadorsilk。Thelifethatisinyoumusthavefullswing，evenifsnapgothebuttonsandgraygothegloves。Truly，ifhistorianshadbuteyestosee，therecordofone\'sexperiencemightbewrittenoutfromthebureau-drawer。Happyathousandtimesthathistorianshavenoteyestosee。

Astomendinggloves，afterthefirstattackitistimelost。

Letoneortwopairs，keptforshowandstate，beirreproachable；

buttherestareforservice，andeverybodyknowsthatlittleservingcanbedonewithbandagedhands。Youmusttakeholdofthingswithoutgloves，or，whichamountstothesamething，withglovesthatletyourfingersthrough，oryoucannotreasonablyexpecttotakeholdofthingswithanydegreeofefficiency。

So，asIwassaying，Isatonthecoach-toptwistingmygloves，andIwishedinmyheartthatmenwouldnotdosuchthingsasthatveryagreeablegentlemanwasdoing。Idonotdesigntoenteronacrusadeagainsttobacco。Itisamootedpointinminormorals，inwhicheveryonemustjudgeforhimself；butIdowishmenwouldnotsmokesomuch。Infact，Ishouldbepleasediftheydidnotsmokeatall。Idonotbelievethereisanynecessityforit。Ibelieveitisamerehabitofself-indulgence。Womenconniveatit，because——well，because，inaway，theymust。Menarechildish，and，asIhavesaidbefore，animal。Idon\'tthinktheyhavenearlytheself-restraint，self-denial，highdignityandpurityandconsciencethatwomenhave，——taketheminthemass。Theygiveovertohabitsandpleasureslikegreatboys。Peopletalkabouttheextravaganceofwomen。Butmenareequallyso，onlytheirextravagancetakesadifferentturn。Awoman\'sisaesthetic；aman\'sisgross。Shebuysfineclothesandfurniture。Hepanderstohisbodilyappetites。Whichisworse？Womenlovemen，andwishtobelovedbythem，andaremiserableiftheyarenot。Sothewifeletsherhusbanddotwentythingswhichheoughtnottodo，whichitisrudeandselfishandwickedforhimtodo，ratherthanruntheriskoflooseningthecordswhichbindhimtoher。Onecanseeeverydayhowwomenmanage，——theverywordtellsthewholestory，——

MANAGEmen，bycunningstrategy，cajolery，andallmannerofindirections，justasiftheywereelephants。Butifmenwerewhattheyoughttobe，therewouldbenosuchhumiliatingnecessity。Theyoughttobesoupright，socandid，sojust，thatitisonlynecessarytoshowthisisright，thisisreasonable，thisiswrong，forthemtodoit，ortorefrainfromthedoing。Asitis，mensmokebythehourtogether，andtheirwivesarethankfulitisnothingworse。Theywouldnotdaretomakeaseriousattempttoannihilatethepipe。Theyfeelthattheyholdtheirownbyatenuresouncertain，thattheyareforcedtoignoreminortransgressionsforthesakeofretainingtheirthrone。Idonotsaythatwomenareentirelyjustandupright，butIdothinkthatthewomanlynatureisGOOD-erthanthemanlynature；Ithinkaverylargeproportionoffemalefaultsaretheresultoftheindirect，buteffectivewrongtrainingtheyreceivefrommen；andIthink，thirdly，that，takewomenjustastheyare，wrongtrainingandall，thereisnotoneintenthousandmillionwho，ifshehadafaithfulandlovinghusband，wouldnotbeafaithfulandlovingwife。Menknowthis，andactuponit。Theyknowthattheycancommitminorimmoralities，andmajoronestoo，andbeforgiven。

Theyknowitisnotnecessaryforthemtokeepthemselvespureinbodyandsoullesttheyalienatetheirwives。Sotheyyieldtotheirfleshlylusts。Whatanadowouldbemadeifawomanshouldformthehabitofsmoking，oranyhabitwhosedeleteriouseffectsextendthroughherhusband\'sorherfather\'srooms，clingtohiswardrobe，books，andallhisespecialbelongings！

Supposesheshouldevendemandaninnocentice-creamasfrequentlyasherhusbanddemandsacigar，——supposesheshouldspendasmuchtimeandmoneyoncandyashespendsontobacco，——

wouldshenotbeconsideredanextravagant，selfish，andsomewhatvulgarwoman？Butisitreallyanyworse？Isitlessextravagantforamantoticklehisnose，thanforawomantotickleherpalate？Ifacigarwouldenfoulthepurityofawoman，doesitnotofaman？Whyisitmorenobleforamantobetheslaveofanappetiteorahabit，thanforawoman？Whyisitlessimpureforamantosaturatehishair，hisbreathandclothing，withvile，staleodors，thanforawoman？Whatrighthavementosupposethattheycanperfumethemselveswithstenches，——forwhatevermaybethefragranceofaburningcigar，theaftersmellisastench，——andbeanylessoffensivetoacleanlywomanthanawomansimilarlyperfumedistothem？Ihaveneverheardthatthefemalesenseofsmellislessacutethanthemale。Howdaremensopresumeonwomanlysufferance？Theydare，becausetheyknowtheyaresafe。