第9章

Goldsmith，authorofa“HistoryofEngland，“the“VicarofWakefield，“andmanydivertingpieces。YouwerebroughtalmostaninfanttohischambersinBrickCourt，andhegaveyousomesugar-

candy，forthedoctorwasalwaysgoodtochildren。ThatgentlemanwhowellnighsmotheredyoubysittingdownonyouasyoulayinachairasleepwasthelearnedMr。S。Johnson，whosehistoryof“Rasselas“youhaveneverread，mypoorsoul；andwhosetragedyof“Irene“Idon\'tbelieveanymaninthesekingdomseverperused。

ThattipsyScotchgentlemanwhousedtocometothechamberssometimes，andatwhomeverybodylaughed，wroteamoreamusingbookthananyofthescholars，yourMr。BurkeandyourMr。Johnson，andyourDoctorGoldsmith。Yourfatheroftentookhimhomeinachairtohislodgings；andhasdoneasmuchforParsonSterneinBondStreet，thefamouswit。Ofcourse，mygoodcreature，youremembertheGordonRiots，andcryingNoPoperybeforeMr。Langdale\'shouse，thePopishdistiller\'s，and，thatbonnyfireofmyLordMansfield\'sbooksinBloomsburySquare?Blessus，whataheapofilluminationsyouhaveseen！ForthegloriousvictoryovertheAmericansatBreed\'sHill；forthepeacein1814，andthebeautifulChinesebridgeinSt。James\'sPark；forthecoronationofhisMajesty，whomyourecollectasPrinceofWales，Goody，don\'tyou?Yes；andyouwentinaprocessionoflaundressestopayyourrespectstohisgoodlady，theinjuredQueenofEngland，atBrandenburgHouse；andyourememberyourmothertoldyouhowshewastakentoseetheScotchlordsexecutedattheTower。Andasforyourgrandmother，shewasbornfiveyearsafterthebattleofMalplaquet，shewas；whereherpoorfatherwaskilled，fightinglikeaboldBritonfortheQueen。

Withthehelpofa“Wade\'sChronology，“Icanmakeouteversoqueerahistoryforyou，mypooroldbody，andapedigreeasauthenticasmanyinthepeerage-books。

Peerage-booksandpedigrees?Whatdoessheknowaboutthem?

Battlesandvictories，treasons，kings，andbeheadings，literarygentlemen，andthelike，whathavetheyeverbeentoher?Granny，didyoueverhearofGeneralWolfe?Yourmothermayhaveseenhimembark，andyourfathermayhavecarriedamusketunderhim。YourgrandmothermayhavecriedhuzzaforMarlboroughbutwhatisthePrinceDuketoyou，anddidyouever，somuchasheartellofhisname?HowmanyhundredorthousandofyearshadthattoadlivedwhowasinthecoalatthedefunctExhibition?——andyethewasnotabitbetterinformedthantoadssevenoreighthundredyearsyounger。

“Don\'ttalktomeyournonsenseaboutExhibitions，andPrinceDukes，andtoadsincoals，orcoalsintoads，orwhatisit?“saysgranny。

“IknowtherewasagoodQueenCharlotte，forsheleftmesnuff；anditcomfortsmeofanightwhenIlieawake。”

Tomethereissomethingverytouchinginthenotionofthatlittlepinchofcomfortdoledouttogranny，andgratefullyinhaledbyherinthedarkness。Don\'tyourememberwhattraditionsthereusedtobeofchestsofplate，bulsesofdiamonds，lacesofinestimablevalue，sentoutofthecountryprivatelybytheoldQueen，toenrichcertainrelationsinM-ckl-nb-rgStr-l-tz?Notallthetreasurewent。Nonomnismoritur。Apooroldpalsiedthingatmidnightismadehappysometimesassheliftshershakingoldhandtohernose。

Glidingnoiselesslyamongthebedswhereliethepoorcreatureshuddledintheircheerlessdormitory，Ifancyanoldghostwithasnuff-boxthatdoesnotcreak。“There，Goody，takeofmyrappee。

Youwillnotsneeze，andIshallnotsay\'Godblessyou。\'ButyouwillthinkkindlyofoldQueenCharlotte，won\'tyou?Ah！Ihadamanytroubles，amanytroubles。Iwasaprisoneralmostsomuchasyouare。Ihadtoeatboiledmuttoneveryday:entrenous，I

abominatedit。ButInevercomplained。Iswallowedit。Imadethebestofahardlife。Wehaveallourburdenstobear。Buthark！I

hearthecock-crow，andsnuffthemorningair。”Andwiththistheroyalghostvanishesupthechimney——iftherebeachimneyinthatdismalharem，wherepooroldTwoshoesandhercompanionspasstheirnights——theirdrearynights，theirrestlessnights，theircoldlongnights，sharedinwhatglumcompanionship，illuminedbywhatafeebletaper！

“DidIunderstandyou，mygoodTwoshoes，tosaythat，yourmotherwasseven-and-twentyyearsoldwhenyouwereborn，andthatshemarriedyouresteemedfatherwhensheherselfwastwenty-five?

1745，then，wasthedateofyourdearmother\'sbirth。IdaresayherfatherwasabsentintheLowCountries，withhisRoyalHighnesstheDukeofCumberland，underwhomhehadthehonorofcarryingahalberdatthefamousengagementofFontenoy——orifnotthere，hemayhavebeenatPrestonPans，underGeneralSirJohnCope，whenthewildhighlandersbrokethroughallthelawsofdisciplineandtheEnglishlines；and，beingonthespot，didheseethefamousghostwhichdidn\'tappeartoColonelGardineroftheDragoons?Mygoodcreature，isitpossibleyoudon\'trememberthatDoctorSwift，SirRobertWalpole(myLordOrford，asyoujustlysay)，oldSarahMarlborough，andlittleMr。Pope，ofTwitnam，diedintheyearofyourbirth?Whatawretchedmemoryyouhave！What?haven\'ttheyalibrary，andthecommonestbooksofreferenceattheoldconventofSaintLazarus，whereyoudwell?“

“ConventofSaintLazarus，PrinceWilliam，Dr。Swift，Atossa，andMr。Pope，ofTwitnam！Whatisthegentlemantalkingabout?“saysoldGoody，witha“Ho！ho！“andalaughlikeanoldparrot——youknowtheylivetobeasoldasMethuselah，parrotsdo，andaparrotofahundrediscomparativelyyoung(ho！ho！ho！)。Yes，andlikewisecarpslivetoanimmenseoldage。SomewhichFredericktheGreatfedatSansSouciaretherenow，withgreathumpsofbluemouldontheiroldbacks；andtheycouldtellallsortsofqueerstories，iftheychosetospeak——buttheyareverysilent，carpsare——oftheirnaturepeucommunicatives。Oh！whathasbeenthylonglife，oldGoody，butadoleofbreadandwaterandaperchonacage；adrearyswimroundandroundaLetheofapond?WhatareRossbachorJenatothosemouldyones，anddotheyknowitisagrandchildofEnglandwhobringsbreadtofeedthem?

No！ThoseSansSoucicarpsmaylivetobeathousandyearsoldandhavenothingtotellbutthatonedayislikeanother；andthehistoryoffriendGoodyTwoshoeshasnotmuchmorevarietythantheirs。Hardlabor，hardfare，hardbed，numbingcoldallnight，andgnawinghungermostdays。Thatisherlot。Isitlawfulinmyprayerstosay，“Thankheaven，Iamnotasoneofthese?“IfIwereeighty，wouldIliketofeelthehungeralwaysgnawing，gnawing?tohavetogetupandmakeabowwhenMr。Bumblethebeadleenteredthecommonroom?tohavetolistentoMissPrim，whocametogivemeherideasofthenextworld?IfIwereeighty，IownIshouldnotliketohavetosleepwithanothergentlemanofmyownage，gouty，abadsleeper，kickinginhisolddreams，andsnoring；tomarchdownmyvaleofyearsatwordofcommand，accommodatingmytotteringoldstepstothoseoftheotherprisonersinmydingy，hopelessoldgang；toholdoutatremblinghandforasickypittanceofgruel，andsay，“Thankyou，ma\'am，“toMissPrim，whenshehasdonereadinghersermon。John！whenGoodyTwoshoescomesnextFriday，Idesireshemaynotbedisturbedbytheologicalcontroversies。Youhaveaveryfairvoice，andIheardyouandthemaidssingingahymnverysweetlytheothernight，andwasthankfulthatourhumblehouseholdshouldbeinsuchharmony。PooroldTwoshoesissooldandtoothlessandquaky，thatshecan\'tsingabit；butdon\'tbegivingyourselfairsoverher，becauseshecan\'tsingandyoucan。Makehercomfortableatourkitchenhearth。Setthatoldkettletosingbyourhob。Warmheroldstomachwithnut-brownaleandatoastlaidinthefire。Bekindtothepooroldschool-girlofninety，whohashadleavetocomeoutforadayofChristmasholiday。ShalltherebemanymoreChristmasesforthee?Thinkoftheninetyshehasseenalready；thefour-scoreandtencold，cheerless，nippingNewYears！

Ifyouwereinherplace，wouldyouliketohavearemembranceofbetterearlydays，whenyouwereyoung，andhappy，andloving，perhaps；orwouldyouprefertohavenopastonwhichyourmindcouldrest?Abouttheyear1788，Goody，wereyourcheeksrosy，andyoureyesbright，anddidsomeyoungfellowinpowderandapigtaillookinthem?Wemaygrowold，buttoussomestoriesneverareold。Onasuddentheyriseup，notdead，butliving——notforgotten，butfreshlyremembered。Theeyesgleamonusastheyusedtodo。

Thedearvoicethrillsinourhearts。Theraptureofthemeeting，theterrible，terribleparting，againandagainthetragedyisactedover。Yesterday，inthestreet，Isawapairofeyessoliketwowhichusedtobrightenatmycomingonce，thatthewholepastcamebackasIwalkedlonely，intherushoftheStrand，andIwasyoungagaininthemidstofjoysandsorrows，alikesweetandsad，alikesacredandfondlyremembered。

IfItellataleoutofschool，willanyharmcometomyoldschool-

girl?Once，aladygaveherahalf-sovereign，whichwasasourceofgreatpainandanxietytoGoodyTwoshoes。Sheseweditawayinheroldstayssomewhere，thinkinghereatleastwasasafeinvestment——

(vestis——avest——aninvestment，——pardonme，thoupooroldthing，butIcannothelpthepleasantry)。Andwhatdoyouthink?AnotherpensionnaireoftheestablishmentcutthecoinoutofGoody\'sstays——

ANOLDWOMANWHOWENTUPONTWOCRUTCHES！Faugh，theoldwitch！

What！Violenceamongstthesetoothless，tottering，trembling，feebleones?Robberyamongstthepenniless?DogscomingandsnatchingLazarus\'scrumbsoutofhislap?Ah，howindignantGoodywasasshetoldthestory！TothatpondatPotsdamwherethecarpsliveforhundredsofhundredsofyears，withhunchesofbluemouldontheirback，IdaresaythelittlePrinceandPrincessofPreussen-Britanniencomesometimeswithcrumbsandcakestofeedthemouldyones。ThoseeyesmayhavegoggledfrombeneaththeweedsatNapoleon\'sjack-boots:theyhaveseenFrederick\'sleanshanksreflectedintheirpool；andperhapsMonsieurdeVoltairehasfedthem——andnow，foracrumbofbiscuittheywillfight，push，hustle，rob，squabble，gobble，relapsingintotheirtranquillitywhentheignoblestruggleisover。Sanssouci，indeed！Itismightywellwriting“Sanssouci“overthegate；butwhereisthegatethroughwhichCarehasnotslipped?Sheperchesontheshouldersofthesentryinthesentry-box:shewhisperstheportersleepinginhisarm-chair:sheglidesupthestaircase，andliesdownbetweenthekingandqueenintheirbed-royal:thisverynightIdaresayshewillperchuponpooroldGoodyTwoshoes\'smeagrebolster，andwhisper，“Willthegentlemanandthoseladiesaskmeagain?No，no；

theywillforgetpooroldTwoshoes。”Goody！Forshameofyourself！

Donotbecynical。Donotmistrustyourfellow-creatures。What?

HastheChristmasmorningdawnedupontheeninetytimes?Forfour-

scoreandtenyearshasitbeenthylottototteronthisearth，hungryandobscure?Peaceandgood-willtothee，letussayatthisChristmasseason。Come，drink，eat，restawhileatourhearth，thoupooroldpilgrim！AndofthebreadwhichGod\'sbountygivesus，I

pray，brotherreader，wemaynotforgettosetasideapartforthosenobleandsilentpoor，fromwhoseinnocenthandswarhastornthemeansoflabor。Enough！AsIhopeforbeefatChristmas，IvowanoteshallbesenttoSaintLazarusUnionHouse，inwhichMr。

RoundaboutrequeststhehonorofMrs。Twoshoes\'scompanyonFriday，26thDecember。

AUTOURDEMONCHAPEAU。

NeverhaveIseenamorenobletragicface。Inthecentreoftheforeheadtherewasagreatfurrowofcare，towardswhichthebrowsrosepiteously。Whatadeepsolemngriefintheeyes！Theylookedblanklyattheobjectbeforethem，butthroughit，asitwere，andintothegriefbeyond。Inmomentsofpain，haveyounotlookedatsomeindifferentobjectso?Itminglesdumblywithyourgrief，andremainsafterwardsconnectedwithitinyourmind。Itmaybesomeindifferentthing——abookwhichyouwerereadingatthetimewhenyoureceivedherfarewellletter(howwellyouremembertheparagraphafterwards——theshapeofthewords，andtheirpositiononthepage)；thewordsyouwerewritingwhenyourmothercamein，andsaiditwasallover——shewasMARRIED——Emilymarried——tothatinsignificantlittlerivalatwhomyouhavelaughedahundredtimesinhercompany。Well，well；myfriendandreader，whoe\'eryoube——

oldmanoryoung，wifeormaiden——youhavehadyourgrief-pang。

Boy，youhavelainawakethefirstnightatschool，andthoughtofhome。Worsestill，man，youhavepartedfromthedearoneswithburstingheart:and，lonelyboy，recallthebolsteringanunfeelingcomradegaveyou；and，lonelyman，justtornfromyourchildren——

theirlittletokensofaffectionyetinyourpocket——pacingthedeckateveninginthemidstoftheroaringocean，youcanrememberhowyouweretoldthatsupperwasready，andhowyouwentdowntothecabinandhadbrandy-and-waterandbiscuit。Yourememberthetasteofthem。Yes；forever。YoutookthemwhilstyouandyourGriefweresittingtogether，andyourGriefclutchedyouroundthesoul。

Serpent，howyouhavewrithedroundme，andbittenme。Remorse，Remembrance，&c。，comeinthenightseason，andIfeelyougnawing，gnawing！……Itellyouthatman\'sfacewaslikeLaocoon\'s(which，bytheway，Ialwaysthinkover-rated。TherealheadisatBrussels，attheDukeDaremberg\'s，notatRome)。

Thatman！Whatman?ThatmanofwhomIsaidthathismagnificentcountenanceexhibitedthenoblesttragicwoe。HewasnotofEuropeanblood，hewashandsome，butnotofEuropeanbeauty。Hisfacewhite——notofaNorthernwhiteness；hiseyesprotrudingsomewhat，androllingintheirgrief。ThoseeyeshadseentheOrientsun，andhisbeakwastheeagle\'s。Hislipswerefull。Thebeard，curlingroundthem，wasunkemptandtawny。Thelockswereofadeep，deepcopperyred。Thehands，swartandpowerful，accustomedtotheroughgraspofthewaresinwhichhedealt，seemedunusedtotheflimsyartificesofthebath。HecamefromtheWilderness，anditssandswereonhisrobe，hischeek，histatteredsandal，andthehardyfootitcovered。

Andhisgrief——whencecamehissorrow?Iwilltellyou。Heboreitinhishand。Hehadevidentlyjustconcludedthecompactbywhichitbecamehis。Hisbusinesswasthatofapurchaserofdomesticraiment。Atearlydawnnay，atwhathourwhenthecityisalive——dowenotallhearthenasalcryof“Clo?“InParis，HabitsGalons，Marchandd\'habits，isthetwangingsignalwithwhichthewanderingmerchantmakeshispresenceknown。ItwasinParisIsawthisman。

WhereelsehaveInotseenhim?IntheRomanGhetto——attheGateofDavid，inhisfathers\'onceimperialcity。ThemanImeanwasanitinerantvenderandpurchaserofwardrobes——whatyoucallan……

Enough！Youknowhisname。

Onhisleftshoulderhunghisbag；andheheldinthathandawhitehat，whichIamsurehehadjustpurchased，andwhichwasthecauseofthegriefwhichsmotehisnoblefeatures。OfcourseIcannotparticularizethesum，buthehadgiventoomuchforthathat。Hefelthemighthavegotthethingforlessmoney。Itwasnottheamount，Iamsure；itwastheprincipleinvolved。Hehadgivenfourpence(letussay)forthatwhichthreepencewouldhavepurchased。Hehadbeendone:andamanlyshamewasuponhim，thathe，whoseenergy，acuteness，experience，pointofhonor，shouldhavemadehimthevictorinanymercantileduelinwhichheshouldengage，hadbeenovercomebyaporter\'swife，whoverylikelysoldhimtheoldhat，orbyastudentwhowastiredofit。Icanunderstandhisgrief。DoIseemtobespeakingofitinadisrespectfulorflippantway?Thenyoumistakeme。Hehadbeenoutwitted。Hehaddesired，coaxed，schemed，haggled，gotwhathewanted，andnowfoundhehadpaidtoomuchforhisbargain。Youdon\'tsupposeIwouldaskyoutolaughatthatman\'sgrief?Itisyou，clumsycynic，whoaredisposedtosneer，whilstitmaybetearsofgenuinesympathyaretricklingdownthisnoseofmine。Whatdoyoumeanbylaughing?Ifyousawawoundedsoldieronthefieldofbattle，wouldyoulaugh?Ifyousawaewerobbedofherlamb，wouldyoulaugh，youbrute?Itisyouwhoarethecynic，andhavenofeeling:andyousneerbecausethatgriefisunintelligibletoyouwhichtouchesmyfinersensibility。TheOLD-CLOTHES\'-MANhadbeendefeatedinoneofthedailybattlesofhismostinteresting，chequered，adventurouslife。

Haveyoueverfiguredtoyourselfwhatsuchalifemustbe?Thepursuitandconquestoftwopencemustbethemosteagerandfascinatingofoccupations。Wemightallengageinthatbusinessifwewould。Donotwhist-players，forexample，toil，andthink，andlosetheirtemperoversixpennypoints?Theybringstudy，naturalgenius，longforethought，memory，andcarefulhistoricalexperiencetobearupontheirfavoritelabor。Don\'ttellmethatitisthesixpennypoints，andfiveshillingstherub，whichkeepsthemforhoursovertheirpaintedpasteboard。Itisthedesiretoconquer。

Hourspassby。Nightglooms。Dawn，itmaybe，risesunheeded；andtheysitcallingforfreshcardsatthe“Portland，“orthe“Union，“

whilewaningcandlessplutterinthesockets，andlanguidwaiterssnoozeintheante-room。Solrises。Joneshaslostfourpounds:

Brownhaswontwo；Robinsonlurksawaytohisfamilyhouseand(mayhapindignant)Mrs。R。Hoursofevening，night，morning，havepassedawaywhilsttheyhavebeenwagingthissixpennybattle。WhatisthelossoffourpoundstoJones，thegainoftwotoBrown?B。

is，perhaps，sorichthattwopoundsmoreorlessareasnaughttohim；J。issohopelesslyinvolvedthattowinfourpoundscannotbenefithiscreditors，oralterhiscondition；buttheyplayforthatstake:theyputforwardtheirbestenergies:theyruff，finesse(whatarethetechnicalwords，andhowdoIknow?)Itisbutasixpennygameifyoulike；buttheywanttowinit。Soasregardsmyfriendyonderwiththehat。Hestakeshismoney:hewishestowinthegame，notthehatmerely。Iamnotpreparedtosaythatheisnotinspiredbyanobleambition。Caesarwishedtobefirstinavillage。Iffirstofahundredyokels，whynotfirstoftwo?Andmyfriendtheold-clothes\'-manwishestowinhisgame，aswellastoturnhislittlesixpence。

Supposeinthegameoflife——anditisbutatwopennygameafterall——youareequallyeagerofwinning。Shallyoubeashamedofyourambition，orgloryinit?Therearegames，too，whicharebecomingtoparticularperiodsoflife。Irememberinthedaysofouryouth，whenmyfriendArthurBowlerwasaneminentcricketer。Slim，swift，strong，well-built，hepresentedagoodlyappearanceonthegroundinhisflanneluniform。Militastinonsinegloria，Bowlermyboy！

Hush！Wetellnotales。Mumistheword。YondercomesChancyhisson。NowChancyhissonhastakenthefieldandisfamousamongtheelevenofhisschool。Bowlersenior，withhiscapaciouswaistcoat，&c。，waddlingafteraball，wouldpresentanabsurdobject，whereasitdoestheeyesgoodtoseeBowlerjuniorscouringtheplain——ayoungexemplarofjoyfulhealth，vigor，activity。Theoldboywiselycontentshimselfwithamusementsmorebecominghisageandwaist；takeshissoberride；visitshisfarmsoberly——busieshimselfabouthispigs，hisploughing，hispeaches，orwhatnot！Verysmallroutinieramusementsinteresthim；and(thankgoodness！)natureprovidesverykindlyforkindly-disposedfogies。Werelishthosethingswhichwescornedinourlustyyouth。Iseetheyoungfolksofaneveningkindlingandglowingovertheirdeliciousnovels。I

lookupandwatchtheeagereyeflashingdownthepage，being，formypart，perfectlycontentedwithmytwaddlingoldvolumeof“Howel\'sLetters，“ortheGentleman\'sMagazine。IamactuallyarrivedatsuchacalmframeofmindthatIlikebatter-pudding。I

nevershouldhavebelieveditpossible；butitisso。Yetalittlewhile，andImayrelishwater-gruel。Itwillbetheageofmonlaitdepouleetmonbonnetdenuit。Andthen——thecottonextinguisherispulledovertheoldnoddle，andthelittleflameoflifeispoppedout。

Don\'tyouknowelderlypeoplewhomakelearnednotesinArmyLists，Peerages，andthelike?Thisisthebatter-pudding，water-gruelofoldage。Theworn-outolddigestiondoesnotcareforstrongerfood。Formerlyitcouldswallowtwelve-hours\'toughreading，anddigestanencyclopaedia。

IfIhadchildrentoeducate，Iwould，attenortwelveyearsofage，haveaprofessor，orprofessoress，ofwhistforthem，andcausethemtobewellgroundedinthatgreatandusefulgame。Youcannotlearnitwellwhenyouareold，anymorethanyoucanlearndancingorbilliards。Inourhouseathomeweyoungstersdidnotplaywhistbecauseweweredearobedientchildren，andtheelderssaidplayingatcardswas“awasteoftime。”Awasteoftime，mygoodpeople！

Allons！Whatdoelderlyhome-keepingpeopledoofanightafterdinner?Darbygetshisnewspaper；mydearJoanherMissionaryMagazineorhervolumeofCumming\'sSermons——anddon\'tyouknowwhatensues?OverthearmofDarby\'sarm-chairthepaperflutterstothegroundunheeded，andheperformsthetrumpetobligatoquevoussavezonhisoldnose。MydearoldJoan\'sheadnodsoverhersermon(awakeningthoughthedoctrinemaybe)。Ding，ding，ding:canthatbeteno\'clock?Itistimetosendtheservantstobed，mydear——

andtobedmasterandmistressgotoo。Buttheyhavenotwastedtheirtimeplayingatcards。Oh，no！IbelongtoaClubwherethereiswhistofanight，andnotalittleamusingisittohearBrownspeakofThompson\'splay，andviceversa。Butthereisoneman——Greatorexletuscallhim——whoistheacknowledgedcaptainandprimusofallthewhist-players。Weallsecretlyadmirehim。I，formypart，watchhiminprivatelife，hearkentowhathesays，notewhatheordersfordinner，andhavethatfeelingofaweforhimthatIusedtohaveasaboyforthecockoftheschool。Notplayatwhist?“Quelletristevieillessevousvouspreparez！“werethewordsofthegreatandgoodBishopofAutun。Ican\'t。Itistoolatenow。Toolate！toolate！Ah！humiliatingconfession！Thatjoymighthavebeenclutched，butthelife-streamhassweptusbyit——theswiftlife-streamrushingtothenearingsea。Toolate！toolate！Twentystonemyboy！whenyoureadinthepapers“Valseadeuxtemps，“andallthefashionabledancestaughttoadultsby“MissLightfoots，“don\'tyoufeelthatyouwouldliketogoinandlearn?

Ah，itistoolate！Youhavepassedthechoreas，MasterTwentystone，andtheyoungpeoplearedancingwithoutyou。

Idon\'tbelievemuchofwhatmyLordByronthepoetsays；butwhenhewrote，“Soforagoodoldgentlemanlyvice，IthinkIshallputupwithavarice，“Ithinkhislordshipmeantwhathewrote，andifhepractisedwhathepreached，shallnotquarrelwithhim。Asanoccupationindecliningyears，IdeclareIthinksavingisuseful，amusing，andnotunbecoming。Itmustbeaperpetualamusement。Itisagamethatcanbeplayedbyday，bynight，athomeandabroad，andatwhichyoumustwininthelongrun。Iamtiredandwantacab。Thefaretomyhouse，say，istwoshillings。Thecabmanwillnaturallywanthalfacrown。Ipulloutmybook。Ishowhimthedistanceisexactlythreemilesandfifteenhundredandninetyyards。Iofferhimmycard——mywinningcard。Asheretireswiththetwoshillings，blaspheminginwardly，everycurseisacomplimenttomyskill。Ihaveplayedhimandbeathim；andasixpenceismyspoilandjustreward。Thisisagame，bytheway，whichwomenplayfarmorecleverlythanwedo。Butwhataninterestitimpartstolife！DuringthewholedrivehomeIknowIshallhavemygameatthejourney\'send；amsureofmyhand，andshallbeatmyadversary。

OrIcanplayinanotherway。Iwon\'thaveacabatall，Iwillwaitfortheomnibus:Iwillbeoneofthedampfourteeninthatsteamingvehicle。Iwillwaitaboutintherainforanhour，and\'busafter\'busshallpass，butIwillnotbebeat。IWILLhaveaplace，andgetitatlength，withmybootswetthrough，andanumbrelladrippingbetweenmylegs。Ihavearheumatism，acold，asorethroat，asulkyevening，——adoctor\'sbillto-morrowperhaps?

Yes，butIhavewonmygame，andamgainerofashillingonthisrubber。

Ifyouplaythisgameallthroughlifeitiswonderfulwhatdailyinterestithas，andamusingoccupation。Forinstance，mywifegoestosleepafterdinneroverhervolumeofsermons。Assoonasthedearsoulissoundasleep，Iadvancesoftlyandpuffouthercandle。

Herpuredreamswillbeallthehappierwithoutthatlight；and，sayshesleepsanhour，thereisapennygained。

Asforclothes，parbleu！thereisnotmuchmoneytobesavedinclothes，forthefactis，asamanadvancesinlife——ashebecomesanAncientBriton(markthepleasantry)——hegoeswithoutclothes。

Whenmytailorproposessomethinginthewayofachangeofraiment，Ilaughinhisface。Mybluecoatandbrassbuttonswilllastthesetenyears。Itisseedy?Whatthen?Idon\'twanttocharmanybodyinparticular。Yousaythatmyclothesareshabby?WhatdoIcare?

WhenIwishedtolookwellinsomebody\'seyes，themattermayhavebeendifferent。Butnow，whenIreceivemybillof10L。(letussay)attheyear\'send，andcontrastitwitholdtailors\'

reckonings，IfeelthatIhaveplayedthegamewithmastertailor，andbeathim；andmyoldclothesareatokenofthevictory。

Idonotliketogiveservantsboard-wages，thoughtheyarecheaperthanhouseholdbills:butIknowtheysaveoutofboard-wages，andsobeatme。Thisshowsthatitisnotthemoneybutthegamewhichinterestsme。Soaboutwine。Ihaveitgoodanddear。Iwilltroubleyoutotellmewheretogetitgoodandcheap。YoumayaswellgivemetheaddressofashopwhereIcanbuymeatforfourpenceapound，orsovereignsforfifteenshillingsapiece。Atthegameofauctions，docks，shywine-merchants，dependonitthereisnowinning；andIwouldassoonthinkofbuyingjewelleryatanauctioninFleetStreetasofpurchasingwinefromoneofyourdreadfulneedywine-agentssuchasinfesteveryman\'sdoor。Grudgemyselfgoodwine?Assoongrudgemyhorsecorn。Merci！thatwouldbeaverylosinggameindeed，andyourhumbleservanthasnorelishforsuch。

Butintheverypursuitofsavingtheremustbeahundredharmlessdelightsandpleasureswhichwewhoarecarelessnecessarilyforego。

Whatdoyouknowaboutthenaturalhistoryofyourhousehold?Uponyourhonorandconscience，doyouknowthepriceofapoundofbutter?Canyousaywhatsugarcosts，andhowmuchyourfamilyconsumesandoughttoconsume?Howmuchlarddoyouuseinyourhouse?AsIthinkonthesesubjectsIownIhangdowntheheadofshame。Isupposeforamomentthatyou，whoarereadingthis，areamiddle-agedgentleman，andpaterfamilias。Canyouanswertheabovequestions?Youknow，sir，youcannot。Nowturnround，laydownthebook，andsuddenlyaskMrs。JonesandyourdaughtersifTHEYcananswer?Theycannot。Theylookatoneanother。Theypretendtheycananswer。Theycantellyoutheplotandprincipalcharactersofthelastnovel。Someofthemknowsomethingabouthistory，geology，andsoforth。Butofthenaturalhistoryofhome——Nichts，andforshameonyouall！Honnissoyez！Forshameonyou?forshameonus！

IntheearlymorningIhearasortofcallorjodelundermywindow:

andknow\'tisthematutinalmilkmanleavinghiscanatmygate。O

householdgods！haveIlivedalltheseyearsanddon\'tknowthepriceorthequantityofthemilkwhichisdeliveredinthatcan?

Whydon\'tIknow?AsIlive，ifIlivetillto-morrowmorning，assoonasIhearthecallofLactantius，Iwilldashoutuponhim。

Howmanycows?Howmuchmilk，onanaverage，alltheyearround?

Whatrent?Whatcostoffoodanddairyservants?Whatlossofanimals，andaveragecostofpurchase?IfIinterestedmyselfproperlyaboutmypint(orhogshead，whateveritbe)ofmilk，allthisknowledgewouldensue；allthisadditionalinterestinlife。

Whatisthistalkofmyfriend，Mr。Lewes，aboutobjectsattheseaside，andsoforth?*Objectsattheseaside?Objectsatthearea-bell:objectsbeforemynose:objectswhichthebutcherbringsmeinhistray:whichthecookdressesandputsdownbeforeme，andoverwhichIsaygrace！Mydailylifeissurroundedwithobjectswhichoughttointerestme。ThepuddingIeat(orrefuse，thatisneitherherenorthere；and，betweenourselves，whatIhavesaidaboutbatter-puddingmaybetakencumgrano——wearenotcometothatyet，exceptforthesakeofargumentorillustration)——thepudding，Isay，onmyplate，theeggsthatmadeit，thefirethatcookedit，thetableclothonwhichitislaid，andsoforth——areeachandalloftheseobjectsaknowledgeofwhichImayacquire——aknowledgeofthecostandproductionofwhichImightadvantageouslylearn?TothemanwhoDOESknowthesethings，Isaytheinterestoflifeisprodigiouslyincreased。Themilkmanbecomes，astudytohim；thebakerabeinghecuriouslyandtenderlyexamines。Go，Lewes，andclapahideoussea-anemoneintoaglass:Iwillputacabmanundermine，andmakeavivisectionofabutcher。OLares，Penates，andgentlehouseholdgods，teachmetosympathizewithallthatcomeswithinmydoors！Givemeaninterestinthebutcher\'sbook。Letmelookforwardtotheensuingnumberofthegrocer\'saccountwitheagerness。Itseemsungratefultomykitchen-chimneynottoknowthecostofsweepingit；andItrustthatmanyamanwhoreadsthis，andmusesonit，willfeel，likethewriter，ashamedofhimself，andhangdownhisheadhumbly。

*“SeasideStudies。”ByG。H。Lewes。

Now，iftothishouseholdgameyoucouldaddalittlemoneyinterest，theamusementwouldbeincreasedfarbeyondthemeremoneyvalue，asagameatcardsforsixpenceisbetterthanarubberfornothing。

Ifyoucaninterestyourselfaboutsixpence，alllifeisinvestedwithanewexcitement。Fromsunrisetosleepingyoucanalwaysbeplayingthatgame——withbutcher，baker，coal-merchant，cabman，omnibusman——nay，diamondmerchantandstockbroker。Youcanbargainforaguineaoverthepriceofadiamondnecklace，orforasixteenthpercentinatransactionattheStockExchange。Weallknowmenwhohavethisfacultywhoarenotungenerouswiththeirmoney。Theygiveitongreatoccasions。TheyaremoreabletohelpthanyouandIwhospendours，andsaytopoorProdigalwhocomestousoutatelbow，“Mydearfellow，Ishouldhavebeendelighted:butIhavealreadyanticipatedmyquarter，andamgoingtoaskScrewbyifhecandoanythingforme。”

Inthisdelightful，wholesome，ever-noveltwopennygame，thereisadangerofexcess，asthereisineveryotherpastimeoroccupationoflife。Ifyougrowtooeagerforyourtwopence，theacquisitionorthelossofitmayaffectyourpeaceofmind，andpeaceofmindisbetterthananyamountoftwopences。Myfriend，theold-

clothes\'-man，whoseagoniesoverthehathaveledtothisramblingdisquisition，has，Iverymuchfear，byatooeagerpursuitofsmallprofits，disturbedtheequanimityofamindthatoughttobeeasyandhappy。“HadIstoodout，“hethinks，“Imighthavehadthehatforthreepence，“andhedoubtswhether，havinggivenfourpenceforit，hewillevergetbackhismoney。MygoodShadrach，ifyougothroughlifepassionatelydeploringtheirrevocable，andallowyesterday\'stransactionstoembitterthecheerfulnessofto-dayandto-morrow——asliefwalkdowntotheSeine，sousein，hats，body，clothes-bagandall，andputanendtoyoursorrowandsordidcares。

BeforeandsinceMr。FranklinwrotehisprettyapologueoftheWhistlehavewenotallmadebargainsofwhichwerepented，andcovetedandacquiredobjectsforwhichwehavepaidtoodearly！Whohasnotpurchasedhishatinsomemarketorother?ThereisGeneralM\'Clellan\'scockedhatforexample:Idaresayhewaseagerenoughtowearit，andhehaslearnedthatitisbynomeanscheerfulwear。

TherewerethemilitarybeaversofMesseigneursofOrleans:*theyworethemgallantlyinthefaceofbattle；butIsuspecttheyweregladenoughtopitchthemintotheJamesRiverandcomehomeinmufti。Ah，mesamis！Achacunsonschakot！Iwaslookingatabishoptheotherday，andthinking，“Myrightreverendlord，thatbroad-brimandrosettemustbindyourgreatbroadforeheadverytightly，andgiveyoumanyaheadache。Agoodeasywideawakewerebetterforyou，andIwouldliketoseethathonestfacewithacutty-pipeinthemiddleofit。”ThereismyLordMayor。Myoncedearlord，mykindfriend，whenyourtwoyears\'reignwasover，didnotyoujumpforjoyandflingyourchapeau-brasoutofwindow:andhasn\'tthathatcostyouaprettybitofmoney?There，inasplendidtravellingchariot，inthesweetestbonnet，alltrimmedwithorange-blossomsandChantillylace，sitsmyLadyRosa，witholdLordSnowdenbyherside。Ah，Rosa！whatapricehaveyoupaidforthathatwhichyouwear；andisyourladyship\'scoronetnotpurchasedtoodear！Enoughofhats。Sir，orMadam，Itakeoffmine，andsaluteyouwithprofoundrespect。

*TwocadetsoftheHouseofOrleanswhoservedasVolunteersunderGeneralM\'ClellaninhiscampaignagainstRichmond。

ONALEXANDRINES。*

ALETTERTOSOMECOUNTRYCOUSINS。

*Thispaper，itisalmostneedlesstosay，waswrittenjustafterthemarriageofthePrinceandPrincessofWalesinMarch，1863。

DEARCOUSINS，——BepleasedtoreceiveherewithapacketofMayall\'sphotographsandcopiesofIllustratedNews，IllustratedTimes，LondonReview，Queen，andObserver，eachcontaininganaccountofthenotablefestivitiesofthepastweek。If，besidestheseremembrancesofhome，youhaveamindtoreadaletterfromanoldfriend，beholdhereitis。WhenIwasatschool，havingleftmyparentsinIndia，agood-naturedcaptainorcolonelwouldcomesometimesandseeusIndianboys，andtalktousaboutpapaandmamma，andgiveuscoinsoftherealm，andwritetoourparents，andsay，“IdroveoveryesterdayandsawTommyatDr。Birch\'s。Itookhimtothe\'George，\'andgavehimadinner。Hisappetiteisfine。

Hestatesthatheisreading\'CorneliusNepos，\'withwhichheismuchinterested。Hismastersreport，“&c。AndthoughDr。Birchwrotebythesamemailalonger，fuller，andofficialstatement，I

havenodoubtthedistantparentspreferredthefriend\'sletter，withitsartless，possiblyungrammatical，accountoftheirlittledarling。

IhaveseentheyoungheirofBritain。Theseeyeshavebeheldhimandhisbride，onSaturdayinPallMall，andonTuesdayinthenaveofSt。George\'sChapelatWindsor，whentheyoungPrincessAlexandraofDenmarkpassedbywithherbloomingprocessionofbridesmaids；

andhalfanhourlater，whenthePrincessofWalescameforthfromthechapel，herhusbandbyhersiderobedinthepurplemantleofthefamousOrderwhichhisforefatherestablishedherefivehundredyearsago。Weweretoseeheryetonceagain，whenheropencarriagepassedoutoftheCastlegatetothestationofthenearrailwaywhichwastoconveyhertoSouthampton。

Sincewomankindexisted，hasanywomaneverhadsuchagreeting?Attenhours\'distance，thereisacityfarmoremagnificentthanours。

WitheveryrespectforKensingtonturnpike，IownthattheArcdel\'EtoileatParisisamuchfinerentrancetoanimperialcapital。

Inourblack，orderless，zigzagstreets，wecanshownothingtocomparewiththemagnificentarrayoftheRuedeRivoli，thatenormousregimentofstonestretchingforfivemilesandpresentingarmsbeforetheTuileries。ThinkofthelateFleetPrisonandWaithman\'sObelisk，andofthePlacedelaConcordeandtheLuxorStone！“ThefinestsiteinEurope，“asTrafalgarSquarehasbeencalledbysomeobstinateBritishoptimist，isdisfiguredbytrophies，fountains，columns，andstatuessopuerile，disorderly，andhideousthataloveroftheartsmusthangtheheadofshameashepasses，toseeourdearoldqueencityarrayingherselfsoabsurdly；butwhenallissaidanddone，wecanshowoneortwoofthegreatestsightsintheworld。IdoubtifanyRomanfestivalwasasvastorstrikingastheDerbyday，orifanyImperialtriumphcouldshowsuchaprodigiousmusteroffaithfulpeopleasouryoungPrincesssawonSaturday，whenthenationturnedouttogreether。

Thecalculatorsaresquabblingaboutthenumbersofhundredsofthousands，ofmillions，whocameforthtoseeherandbidherwelcome。Imaginebeaconsflaming，rocketsblazing，yardsmanned，shipsandfortssalutingwiththeirthunder，everysteamerandvessel，everytownandvillagefromRamsgatetoGravesend，swarmingwithhappygratulation；younggirlswithflowers，scatteringrosesbeforeher；staidcitizensandaldermenpushingandsqueezingandpantingtomakethespeech，andbowtheknee，andbidherwelcome！

Whoisthiswhoishonoredwithsuchaprodigioustriumph，andreceivedwithawelcomesoastonishing?Ayearagowehadneverheardofher。Ithinkaboutherpedigreeandfamilynotafewofusareinthedarkstill，andIown，formypart，tobemuchpuzzledbytheallusionsofnewspapergenealogistsandbardsandskaldstoVikings，Berserkers，andsoforth。ButitwouldbeinterestingtoknowhowmanyhundredsofthousandsofphotographsofthefairbrightfacehavebythistimemadeitbelovedandfamiliarinBritishhomes。ThinkofallthequietcountrynooksfromLand\'sEndtoCaithness，wherekindeyeshaveglancedatit。Thefarmerbringsithomefrommarket；thecuratefromhisvisittotheCathedraltown；therusticfolkpeeratitinthelittlevillageshop-window；

thesquire\'schildrengazeonitroundthedrawing-roomtable:everyeyethatbeholdsitlookstenderlyonitsbrightbeautyandsweetartlessgrace，andyoungandoldprayGodblessher。Wehaveanelderlyfriend，(acertainGoodyTwoshoes，)whoinhabits，withmanyotheroldladies，theUnionHouseoftheparishofSt。LazarusinSoho。Oneofyourcousinsfromthishousewenttoseeher，andfoundGoodyandhercompanioncronesallinaflutterofexcitementaboutthemarriage。Thewhitewashedwallsoftheirbleakdormitorywereornamentedwithprintsoutoftheillustratedjournals，andhungwithfestoonsandtrue-lovers\'knotsoftapeandcoloredpaper；

andtheoldbodieshadhadagooddinner，andtheoldtongueswerechirpingandclackingaway，alleager，interested，sympathizing；andoneveryelderlyandrheumaticGoody，whoisobligedtokeepherbed，(andhas，Itrust，anexaggeratedideaofthecaresattendingonroyalty，)said，“Porething，porething！Ipityher。”Yes，eveninthatdimplacetherewasalittlebrightnessandaquaveringhuzza，acontributionofamitesubscribedbythosedozenpooroldwidowstothetreasureofloyaltywithwhichthenationendowsthePrince\'sbride。

Threehundredyearsago，whenourdreadSovereignLadyElizabethcametotakepossessionofherrealmandcapitalcity，Holingshed，ifyouplease(whosepleasinghistoryofcourseyoucarryaboutwithyou)，relatesinhisfourthvolumefolio，that——“Athirentringthecitie，shewasofthepeoplereceivedmaruellousintierlie，asappearedbytheassemblies，praiers，welcommings，cries，andallothersigneswhicharguedawoonderfullearnestloue:“andatvarioushalting-placesontheroyalprogresschildrenhabitedlikeangelsappearedoutofallegoricedificesandspokeversestoher——

“Welcome，OQueen，asmuchasheartcanthink，Welcomeagain，asmuchastonguecantell，Welcometojoyoustonguesandheartsthatwillnotshrink。

Godtheepreserve，wepray，andwishtheeeverwell！

OurnewPrincess，youmaybesure，hasalsohadherAlexandrines，andmanyminstrelshavegonebeforehersingingherpraises。Mr。

Tupper，whobeginsinverygreatforceandstrength，andwhoproposestogivehernolessthaneighthundredthousandwelcomesinthefirsttwentylinesofhisode，isnotsatisfiedwiththismostliberalamountofacclamation，butproposesattheendofhispoemastillmoremagnificentsubscription。Thuswebegin，“Ahundredthousandwelcomes，ahundredthousandwelcomes。”(Inmycopythefiguresareinthewell-knownArabicnumerals，butletushavethenumbersliterallyaccurate:)——

“Ahundredthousandwelcomes！

Ahundredthousandwelcomes！

Andahundredthousandmore！

OhappyheartofEngland，Shoutaloudandsing，laud，Asnolandsangbefore；

AndletthepaeanssoarAndringfromshoretoshore，Ahundredthousandwelcomes，Andahundredthousandmore；

AndletthecannonsroarThejoy-stunnedcityo\'er。

AndletthesteepleschimeitAhundredthousandwelcomesAndahundredthousandmore；

AndletthepeoplerhymeitFromneighbor\'sdoortodoor，Fromeveryman\'sheart\'score，AhundredthousandwelcomesAndahundredthousandmore。”

Thiscontribution，intwentynotlonglines，of900，000(sayninehundredthousand)welcomesishandsomeindeed；andshowsthatwhenourbardisinclinedtobeliberal，hedoesnotlooktothecost。

Butwhatisasumof900，000tohisfurtherproposal?——

“Oletallthesedeclareit，Letmilesofshoutingswearit，Inalltheyearsofyore，Unparalleledbefore！

Andthou，mostwelcomeWand\'rerAcrosstheNorthernWater，OurEngland\'sALEXANDRA，Ourdearadopteddaughter——

Laytothineheart，connedo\'erando\'er，Infutureyearsrememberedwell，ThemagicfervorofthisspellThatshakesthelandfromshoretoshore，Andmakesallheartsandeyesbrimo\'er；

Ourhundredthousandwelcomes，Ourfiftymillionwelcomes，Andahundredmillionmore！“

Herewehave，besidesthemostliberalprevioussubscription，afurthercallonthepublicfornolessthanonehundredandfiftymilliononehundredthousandwelcomesforherRoyalHighness。Howmuchisthisperheadforallofusinthethreekingdoms?Notabovefivewelcomesapiece，andIamsuremanyofushavegivenmorethanfivehurrahstothefairyoungPrincess。

Eachmansingsaccordingtohisvoice，andgivesinproportiontohismeans。ThegunsatSheerness“fromtheiradamantinelips“

(whichhadspokeninquarrelsomeoldtimesaverydifferentlanguage，)roaredahundredthunderingwelcomestothefairDane。

ThemaidensofEnglandstrewedrosesbeforeherfeetatGravesendwhenshelanded。Mr。Tupper，withthemillionandoddwelcomes，maybecomparedtothethunderingfleet；Mr。Chorley\'ssong，tothefloweretsscatteredonherRoyalHighness\'shappyandcarpetedpath:——

“Blessingsonthatfairface！

SafeontheshoreOfherhome-dwellingplace，Strangernomore。

Love，fromherhouseholdshrine，Keepsorrowfar！

Mayforherhawthorntwine，Junebringsweeteglantine，Autumn，thegoldenvine，DearNorthernStar！“

HawthornforMay，eglantineforJune，andinautumnalittletassofthegoldenvineforourNorthernStar。IamsurenoonewillgrudgethePrincessthesesimpleenjoyments，andoftheproduceofthelast-namedpleasingplant，Iwonderhowmanybumpersweredrunktoherhealthonthehappydayofherbridal?AsfortheLaureate\'sverses，IwouldrespectfullylikenhisHighnesstoagiantshowingabeacontorchon“awindyheadland。”Hisflaringtorchisapine-

tree，tobesure，whichnobodycanwieldbuthimself。Hewavesit:

andfourtimesinthemidnightheshoutsmightily，“Alexandra！“andthePonticpineiswhirledintotheoceanandEnceladusgoeshome。

Whosemuse，whosecornemuse，soundswithsuchplaintivesweetnessfromArthur\'sSeat，whileEdinburghandMusselburghlieraptindelight，andthemermaidscomeflappinguptoLeithshoretoheartheexquisitemusic?SweeterpiperEdinaknowsnotthanAytoun，theBardoftheCavaliers，whohasgiveninhisfrankadhesiontothereigningdynasty。Whenamostbeautiful，celebratedandunfortunateprincesswhosememorytheProfessorloves——whenMary，wifeofFrancistheSecond，KingofFrance，andbyherownrightproclaimedQueenofScotlandandEngland(poorsoul！)，enteredPariswithheryoungbridegroom，goodPeterRonsardwroteofher——

“Toiquiasveul\'excellencedecelleQuirendlecieldel\'Escosseenvieux，Dyhardiment，contentezvousmesyeux，Vousneverrezjamaischoseplusbelle。”*

*QuotedinMignet\'s“LifeofMary。”

“Vousneverrezjamaischoseplusbelle。”HereisanAlexandrinewrittenthreehundredyearsago，assimpleasbonjour。ProfessorAytounismoreornate。Afterelegantlycomplimentingthespring，andadescriptionofherRoyalHighness\'swell-knownancestorsthe“Berserkers，“heburstsforth——

“TheRoseofDenmarkcomes，theRoyalBride！

OloveliestRose！ourparagonandpride——

ChoiceofthePrincewhomEnglandholdssodear——

WhathomageshallwepayToonewhohasnopeer?

WhatcanthebardorwilderedminstrelsayMorethanthepeasantwhoonbendedkneeBreathesfromhisheartanearnestprayerforthee?

Wordsarenotfair，ifthattheywouldexpressIsfairerstill；soloversindismayStandallabashedbeforethatlovelinessTheyworshipmost，butfindnowordstopray。

Toosweetforincense！(bravo！)Takeourlovesinstead——

Mostfreely，truly，anddevoutlygiven；

Ourprayerforblessingsonthatgentlehead，ForearthlyhappinessandrestinHeaven！

Mayneversorrowdimthosedove-likeeyes，ButpeaceaspureasreignedinParadise，Calmanduntaintedoncreation\'seve，Attendtheestill！Mayholyangels，“&c。

Thisisallverywell，mydearcountrycousins。Butwillyousay“Amen“tothisprayer?Iwon\'t。AssuredlyourfairPrincesswillshedmanytearsoutofthe“dovelikeeyes，“ortheheartwillbelittleworth。Isshetoknownoparting，nocare，noanxiouslonging，notenderwatchesbythesick，todeplorenofriendsandkindred，andfeelnogrief?Heavenforbid！Whenabardorwilderedminstrelwritesso，bestaccepthisownconfession，thatheislosinghishead。OnthedayofherentranceintoLondonwholookedmorebrightandhappythanthePrincess?Onthedayofthemarriage，thefairfaceworeitsmarksofcarealready，andlookedoutquitegrave，andfrightenedalmost，underthewreathsandlaceandorange-flowers。Wouldyouhavehadherfeelnotremor?A

maidenonthebridegroom\'sthreshold，aPrincessleduptothestepsofathrone?Ithinkherpalloranddoubtbecameheraswellashersmiles。That，Icantellyou，wasOURvotewhosatinX

compartment，letussay，inthenaveofSt。George\'sChapelatWindsor，andsawapartofoneofthebrightestceremonieseverperformedthere。

MydearcousinMary，youhaveanaccountofthedresses；andI

promiseyoutherewereprincessesbesidesthebridewhomitdidtheeyesgoodtobehold。Aroundthebridesailedabevyofyoungcreaturessofair，white，andgracefulthatIthoughtofthosefairy-talebeautieswhoaresometimesprincesses，andsometimeswhiteswans。TheRoyalPrincessesandtheRoyalKnightsoftheGartersweptbyinprodigiousrobesandtrainsofpurplevelvet，thirtyshillingsayard，mydear，notofcourseincludingthelining，which，Ihavenodoubt，wasoftherichestsatin，orthatcostly“miniver“whichweusedtoreadaboutinpoorJerrold\'swritings。Theyoungprinceswerehabitedinkilts；andbythesideofthePrincessRoyaltrottedsuchalittleweesolemnHighlander！

HeistheyoungheirandchiefofthefamousclanofBrandenburg。

HiseyrieisamongsttheEagles，andIpraynoharmmaybefallthedearlittlechieftain。

Theheraldsintheirtabardsweremarvelloustobehold，andanodfromRougeCroixgavemethekeenestgratification。ItriedtocatchGarter\'seye，buteitherIcouldn\'torhewouldn\'t。Inhisrobes，heislikeoneoftheThreeKingsinoldmissalilluminations。

Goldstickinwaitingisevenmoresplendid。Withhisgoldrodandrobesandtrappingsofmanycolors，helookslikearoyalenchanter，andasifhehadraisedupallthissceneofglamourbyawaveofhisglitteringwand。Thesilvertrumpeterswearsuchquaintcaps，asthoseIhavehumblytriedtodepictontheplayfulheadsofchildren。Behindthetrumpeterscameadrum-bearer，onwhosebackagold-laceddrummerdrubbedhismarch。

Whenthesilverclarionshadblown，andunderaclearchorusofwhite-robedchildrenchantingroundtheorgan，thenobleprocessionpassedintothechapel，andwashiddenfromoursightforawhile，therewassilence，orfromtheinnerchapeleversofaintahum。

Thenhymnsarose，andinthelullweknewthatprayerswerebeingsaid，andthesacredriteperformedwhichjoinedAlbertEdwardtoAlexandrahiswife。Iamsureheartyprayerswereofferedoutsidethegateaswellaswithinforthatprincelyyoungpair，andfortheirMotherandQueen。Thepeace，thefreedom，thehappiness，theorderwhichherruleguarantees，arepartofmybirthrightasanEnglishman，andIblessGodformyshare。WhereelseshallIfindsuchlibertyofaction，thought，speech，orlawswhichprotectmesowell?Herpartofhercompactwithherpeople，whatsovereigneverbetterperformed?Ifourssitsapartfromthefestivitiesoftheday，itisbecauseshesuffersfromagriefsorecentthattheloyalheartcannotmasteritasyet，andremainstreuundfesttoabelovedmemory。Apartofthemusicwhichcelebratestheday\'sservicewascomposedbythehusbandwhoisgonetotheplacewherethejustandpureoflifemeettherewardpromisedbytheFatherofallofustogoodandfaithfulservantswhohavewelldoneherebelow。Asthisonegivesinhisaccount，surelywemayrememberhowthePrincewasthefriendofallpeacefulartsandlearning；howhewastrueandfastalwaystoduty，home，honor；how，throughalifeofcomplicatedtrials，hewassagacious，righteous，activeandself-

denying。Andaswetraceintheyoungfacesofhismanychildrenthefather\'sfeaturesandlikeness，whatEnglishmanwillnotpraythat，theymayhaveinheritedalsosomeofthegreatqualitieswhichwonforthePrinceConsorttheloveandrespectofourcountry?

Thepaperstellushow，onthenightofthemarriageofthePrinceofWales，alloverEnglandandScotlandilluminationsweremade，thepoorandchildrenwerefeasted，andinvillageandcitythousandsofkindlyschemesweredevisedtomarkthenationalhappinessandsympathy。“ThebonfireonCoptpointatFolkestonewasseeninFrance，“theTelegraphsays，“moreclearlythaneventheFrenchmarinelightscouldbeseenatFolkestone。”Longmaythefirecontinuetoburn！ThereareEuropeancoasts(andinlandplaces)

wherethelibertylighthasbeenextinguished，orissolowthatyoucan\'tseetoreadbyit——therearegreatAtlanticshoreswhereitflickersandsmokesverygloomily。Letusbethankfultothehonestguardiansofours，andforthekindskyunderwhichitburnsbrightandsteady。

ONAMEDALOFGEORGETHEFOURTH。

BeforemeliesacoinbearingtheimageandsuperscriptionofKingGeorgeIV。，andofthenominalvalueoftwo-and-sixpence。Butanofficialfriendataneighboringturnpikesaysthepieceishopelesslybad；andachemisttestedit，returningalikeunfavorableopinion。Acabman，whohadbroughtmefromaClub，leftitwiththeClubporter，appealingtothegentwhogaveitaporecabby，ateversomucho\'clockofarainynight，whichhehopedhewouldgivehimanother。Ihavetakenthatcabmanathisword。Hehasbeenprovidedwithasoundcoin。Thebadpieceisonthetablebeforeme，andshallhaveaholedrilledthroughit，assoonasthisessayiswritten，byaloyalsubjectwhodoesnotdesiretodefacetheSovereign\'simage，buttoprotestagainsttherascalwhohastakenhisnameinvain。Fid。Def。indeed！Isthiswhatyoucalldefendingthefaith?YoudaretoforgeyourSovereign\'sname，andpassyourscoundrelpewterashissilver?Iwonderwhoyouare，wretchandmostconsummatetrickster?ThisforgeryissocompletethatevennowIamdeceivedbyit——Ican\'tseethedifferencebetweenthebaseandsterlingmetal。Perhapsthispieceisalittlelighter；——Idon\'tknow。Alittlesofter:——isit?Ihavenotbittenit，notbeingaconnoisseurinthetastingofpewterorsilver。I

takethewordofthreehonestmen，thoughitgoesagainstme:andthoughIhavegiventwo-and-sixpenceworthofhonestconsiderationforthecounter，Ishallnotattempttoimplicateanybodyelseinmymisfortune，ortransfermyill-lucktoadeludedneighbor。

Isaytheimitationissocuriouslysuccessful，thestamping，millingoftheedges，lettering，andsoforth，aresoneat，thatevennow，whenmyeyesareopen，Icannotseethecheat。Howdidthoseexperts，thecabman，andpikeman，andtradesman，cometofinditout?HowdotheyhappentobemorefamiliarwithpewterandsilverthanIam?Yousee，IputoutofthequestionanotherpointwhichImightarguewithoutfearofdefeat，namely，thecabman\'sstatementthatIgavehimthisbadpieceofmoney。SupposeeverycabmanwhotookmeashillingfareweretodriveawayandreturnpresentlywithabadcoinandanassertionthatIhadgivenittohim！Thiswouldbeabsurdandmischievous；anencouragementofviceamongstmenwhoalreadyaresubjecttotemptations。Beinghomo，I

thinkifIwereacabmanmyself，Imightsometimesstretchafurlongortwoinmycalculationofdistance。Butdon\'tcomeTWICE，myman，andtellmeIhavegivenyouabadhalf-crown。No，no！Ihavepaidoncelikeagentleman，andonceisenough。Forinstance，duringtheExhibitiontimeIwasstoppedbyanoldcountry-womaninblack，withahugeumbrella，who，burstingintotears，saidtome，“Master，bethisthewaytoHarlow，inEssex?““ThisthewaytoHarlow?ThisisthewaytoExeter，mygoodlady，andyouwillarrivethereifyouwalkabout170milesinyourpresentdirection，“Iansweredcourteously，replyingtotheoldcreature。Thenshefella-sobbingasthoughheroldheartwouldbreak。Shehadadaughtera-dyingatHarlow。Shehadwalkedalready“viftydreemilethatday。”Tearsstoppedtherestofherdiscourse，soartless，genuine，andabundantthat——Iownthetruth——Igaveher，inIbelievegenuinesilver，apieceoftheexactsizeofthatcoinwhichformsthesubjectofthisessay。Well。Aboutamonthsince，neartotheveryspotwhereI

hadmetmyoldwoman，Iwasaccostedbyapersoninblack，apersoninalargedraggledcap，apersonwithahugeumbrella，whowasbeginning，“Isay，Master，canyoutellmeifthisbethewaytoHar——“buthereshestopped。Hereyesgoggledwildly。Shestartedfromme，asMacbethturnedfromMacduff。Shewouldnotengagewithme。ItwasmyoldfriendofHarlow，inEssex。Idaresayshehasinformedmanyotherpeopleofherdaughter\'sillness，andheranxietytobeputupontherightwaytoHarlow。Notlongsinceaverygentleman-likeman，MajorDelamereletuscallhim(IlikethetitleofMajorverymuch)，requestedtoseeme，namedadeadgentlemanwhohesaidhadbeenourmutualfriend，andonthestrengthofthismutualacquaintance，beggedmetocashhischequeforfivepounds！

Itisthesethings，mydearsir，whichservetomakeamancynical。

IdoconscientiouslybelievethathadIcashedtheMajor\'schequetherewouldhavebeenadifficultyaboutpaymentonthepartoftherespectedbankersonwhomhedrew。Onyourhonorandconscience，doyouthinkthatoldwidowwhowaswalkingfromTunbridgeWellstoHarlowhadadaughterill，andwasanhonestwomanatall?Thedaughtercouldn\'talways，yousee，bebeingill，andhermotheronherwaytoherdearchildthroughHydePark。Inthesamewaysomehabitualsneerersmaybeinclinedtohintthatthecabman\'sstorywasaninvention——oratanyrate，choosetorideoff(sotospeak)

onthedoubt。No。Myopinion，Iown，isunfavorableasregardsthewidowfromTunbridgeWells，andMajorDelamere；but，believingthecabmanwashonest，Iamgladtothinkhewasnotinjuredbythereader\'smosthumbleservant。

Whataqueer，excitinglifethisrogue\'smarchmustbe:thisattemptofthebadhalf-crownstogetintocirculation！HadmydistinguishedfriendtheMajorknockedatmanydoorsthatmorning，beforeoperatingonmine?Thesportmustbesomethingakintothepleasureoftigerorelephanthunting。Whatingenuitythesportsmanmusthaveintracinghisprey——whatdaringandcautionincominguponhim！Whatcoolnessinfacingtheangryanimal(for，afterall，amanonwhomyoudrawachequeaboutportantwillbeangry)。Whatadeliciousthrilloftriumph，ifyoucanbringhimdown！IfIhavemoneyatthebanker\'sanddrawforaportionofitoverthecounter，thatismereprose——anydoltcandothat。But，havingnobalance，sayIdriveupinacab，presentachequeatCoutts\'s，and，receivingtheamount，driveoff?Whatagloriousmorning\'ssportthathasbeen！Howsuperiorinexcitementtothecommontransactionsofevery-daylife！……Imusttellastory；itisagainstmyself，Iknow，butitWILLout，andperhapsmymindwillbetheeasier。

Morethantwentyyearsago，inanislandremarkableforitsverdure，ImetfourorfivetimesoneofthemostagreeablecompanionswithwhomIhavepassedanight。Iheardthateviltimeshadcomeuponthisgentleman；and，overtakinghiminaroadnearmyownhouseoneevening，Iaskedhimtocomehometodinner，Intwodays，hewasatmydooragain。Atbreakfast-timewasthissecondappearance。Hewasinacab(ofcoursehewasinacab，theyalwaysare，theseunfortunate，thesecourageousmen)。Todenymyselfwasabsurd。Myfriendcouldseemeovertheparlorblinds，surroundedbymyfamily，andcheerfullypartakingofthemorningmeal。Mighthehaveawordwithme?andcanyouimagineitspurport?Bythemostprovokingdelay，hisuncletheadmiralnotbeingabletocometotowntillFriday——wouldIcashhimacheque?IneednotsayitwouldbepaidonSaturdaywithoutfail。Itellyouthatmanwentawaywithmoneyinhispocket，andIregrettoaddthathisgallantrelativehasnotCOMETOTOWNYET！

Layingdownthepen，andsinkingbackinmychair，here，perhaps，I

fallintoafiveminutes\'reverie，andthinkofone，two，three，halfadozencasesinwhichIhavebeencontenttoacceptthatshampromissorycoininreturnforsterlingmoneyadvanced。Notareader，whateverhisage，butcouldtellalikestory。Ivowandbelievetherearemenoffifty，whowilldinewelltoday，whohavenotpaidtheirschooldebtsyet，andwhohavenottakenuptheirlong-protestedpromisestopay。Tom，Dick，Harry，myboys，Ioweyounogrudge，andratherrelishthatwincewithwhichyouwillreadthesemeeklinesandsay，“Hemeansme。”PoorJackinHades！Doyourememberacertainpecuniarytransaction，andalittlesumofmoneyyouborrowed“untilthemeetingofParliament?“Parliamentmetofteninyourlifetime:Parliamenthasmetsince:butIthinkI

shouldscarcebemoresurprisedifyourghostglidedintotheroomnow，andlaiddowntheamountofourlittleaccount，thanIshouldhavebeenifyouhadpaidmeinyourlifetimewiththeactualacceptancesoftheBankofEngland。Youaskedtoborrow，butyouneverintendedtopay。IwouldassoonhavebelievedthatapromissorynoteofSirJohnFalstaff(acceptedbyMessrs。BardolphandNym，andpayableinAldgate，)wouldbeassuretofindpayment，asthatnoteofthedeparted——nay，lamented——JackThriftless。

Hewhoborrows，meaningtopay，isquiteadifferentpersonfromtheindividualheredescribed。Many——most，Ihope——tookJack\'spromiseforwhatitwasworth——andquitewellknewthatwhenhesaid，“Lendme，“hemeant“Giveme“twentypounds。“Givemechangeforthishalf-crown，“saidJack；“Iknowit\'sapewterpiece；“andyougavehimthechangeinhonestsilver，andpocketedthecounterfeitgravely。

Whataqueerconsciousnessthatmustbewhichaccompaniessuchamaninhissleeping，inhiswaking，inhiswalkthroughlife，byhisfiresidewithhischildrenroundhim！“Forwhatwearegoingtoreceive，“&c——hesaysgracebeforehisdinner。“Mydears！ShallI

helpyoutosomemutton?Irobbedthebutcherofthemeat。Idon\'tintendtopayhim。Johnsonmyboy，aglassofchampagne?Verygood，isn\'tit?Nottoosweet。Forty-six。IgetitfromSo-and-

so，whomIintendtocheat。”Aseaglesgoforthandbringhometotheireagletsthelamborthepavidkid，Isaytherearemenwholiveandvictualtheirnestsbyplunder。Weallknowhighwayrobbersinwhiteneck-cloths，domesticbandits，marauders，passersofbadcoin。WhatwasyonderchequewhichMajorDelamereproposedI

shouldcashbutapieceofbadmoney?WhatwasJackThriftless\'spromisetopay?Havinggothisbooty，IfancyJackortheMajorreturninghome，andwifeandchildrengatheringroundabouthim。

Poorwifeandchildren！Theyrespectpapaverylikely。Theydon\'tknowheisfalsecoin。Maybethewifehasadreadfulinklingofthetruth，and，sickening，triestohideitfromthedaughtersandsons。

Maybesheisanaccomplice:herselfabrazenforgery。IfTurpinandJackSheppardweremarried，verylikelyMesdamesSheppardandTurpindidnotknow，atfirst，whattheirhusbands\'realprofessionwas，andfancied，whenthemenlefthomeinthemorning，theyonlywentawaytofollowsomeregularandhonorablebusiness。Thenasuspicionofthetruthmayhavecome:thenadreadfulrevelation；

andpresentlywehavetheguiltypairrobbingtogether，orpassingforgedmoneyeachonhisownaccount。YouknowDoctorDodd?I

wonderwhetherhiswifeknowsthatheisaforger，andscoundrel?

Hasshehadanyoftheplunder，thinkyou，andwerethedarlingchildren\'snewdressesboughtwithit?TheDoctor\'ssermonlastSundaywascertainlycharming，andweallcried。Ah，mypoorDodd！

Whilstheispreachingmostbeautifully，pocket-handkerchiefinhand，heispeeringoverthepulpitcushions，lookingoutpiteouslyforMessrs。PeachumandLockitfromthepolice-office。ByDoctorDoddyouunderstandIwouldtypifytherogueofrespectableexterior，notcommittedtogaolyet，butnotundiscovered。Weallknowoneortwosuch。Thisverysermonperhapswillbereadbysome，ormorelikely——for，dependuponit，yoursolemnhypocriticscoundrelsdon\'tcaremuchforlightliterature——morelikely，Isay，thisdiscoursewillbereadbysomeoftheirwives，whothink，“Ahmercy！doesthathorriblecynicalwretchknowhowmypoorhusbandblackedmyeye，orabstractedmamma\'ssilverteapot，orforcedmetowriteSo-and-so\'snameonthatpieceofstampedpaper，orwhatnot?“

Mygoodcreature，IamnotangrywithYOU。Ifyourhusbandhasbrokenyournose，youwillvowthathehadauthorityoveryourperson，andarighttodemolishanypartofit:ifhehasconveyedawayyourmamma\'steapot，youwillsaythatshegaveittohimatyourmarriage，anditwasveryugly，andwhatnot?ifhetakesyouraunt\'swatch，andyoulovehim，youwillcarryiterelongtothepawnbroker\'s，andperjureyourself——oh，howyouwillperjureyourself——inthewitness-box！Iknowthisisadegradingviewofwoman\'snoblenature，herexaltedmission，andsoforth，andsoforth。Iknowyouwillsaythisisbadmorality。Isit?Doyou，ordoyounot，expectyourwomankindtostickbyyouforbetterorforworse?SayIhavecommittedaforgery，andtheofficerscomeinsearchofme，ismywife，Mrs。Dodd，toshowthemintothedining-

roomandsay，“Praystepin，gentlemen！Myhusbandhasjustcomehomefromchurch。ThatbillwithmyLordChesterfield\'sacceptance，Iamboundtoown，wasneverwrittenbyhislordship，andthesignatureisinthedoctor\'shandwriting?“Isay，wouldanymanofsenseorhonor，orfinefeeling，praisehiswifefortellingthetruthundersuchcircumstances?Supposeshemadeafinegrimace，andsaid，“Mostpainfulasmypositionis，mostdeeplyasIfeelformyWilliam，yettruthmustprevail，andIdeeplylamenttostatethatthebelovedpartnerofmylifeDIDcommittheflagitiousactwithwhichheischarged，andisatthispresentmomentlocatedinthetwo-pairback，upthechimney，whitheritismydutytoleadyou。”Why，evenDoddhimself，whowasoneofthegreatesthumbugswhoeverlived，wouldnothavehadthefacetosaythatheapprovedofhiswifetellingthetruthinsuchacase。WouldyouhavehadFloraMacdonaldbeckontheofficers，saying，“Thisway，gentlemen！

Youwillfindtheyoungchevalierasleepinthatcavern。”Ordon\'tyoupreferhertobesplendidemendax，andreadyatallriskstosavehim?。IfeverIleadarebellion，andmywomenbetrayme，mayIbehangedbutIwillnotforgivethem:andifeverIstealateapot，andMYwomendon\'tstandupforme，passthearticleundertheirshawls，whiskdownthestreetwithit，outblusterthepoliceman，andutteranyamountoffibsbeforeMr。Beak，thosebeingsarenotwhatItakethemtobe，and——forafortune——Iwon\'tgivethemsomuchasabadhalf-crown。

Isconsciousguiltasourceofunmixedpaintothebosomwhichharborsit?Hasnotyourcriminal，onthecontrary，anexcitement，anenjoymentwithinquiteunknowntoyouandmewhoneverdidanythingwronginourlives?Thehousebreakermustsnatchafearfuljoyashewalksunchallengedbythepolicemanwithhissackfullofspoonsandtankards。Donotcracksmen，whenassembledtogether，entertainthemselveswithstoriesofgloriousoldburglarieswhichtheyorbygoneheroeshavecommitted?Butthatmyageismatureandmyhabitsformed，Ishouldreallyjustliketotryalittlecriminality。Fancypassingaforgedbilltoyourbanker；callingonafriendandsweepinghissideboardofplate，hishallofumbrellasandcoats；andthengoinghometodressfordinner，say——andtomeetabishop，ajudge，andapolicemagistrateorso，andtalkmoremorallythananymanattable！HowIshouldchuckle(asmyhost\'sspoonsclinkedsoftlyinmypocket)whilstIwasutteringsomenoblespeechaboutvirtue，duty，charity！Iwonderdowemeetgarrotersinsociety?Inanaveragetea-party，now，howmanyreturnedconvictsarethere?DoesJohnFootman，whenheaskspermissiontogoandspendtheeveningwithsomefriends，passhistimeinthuggee；waylayandstrangleanoldgentleman，ortwo；lethimselfintoyourhouse，withthehouse-keyofcourse，andappearasusualwiththeshaving-waterwhenyouringyourbellinthemorning?TheverypossibilityofsuchasuspicioninvestsJohnwithanewandromanticinterestinmymind。BehindthegravepolitenessofhiscountenanceItryandreadthelurkingtreason。Fullofthispleasingsubject，Ihavebeentalkingthief-storieswithaneighbor。

Theneighbortellsmehowsomefriendsofhersusedtokeepajewel-

boxunderabedintheirroom；and，goingintotheroom，theythoughttheyheardanoiseunderthebed。Theyhadthecouragetolook。Thecookwasunderthebed——underthebedwiththejewel-box。

Ofcourseshesaidshehadcomeforpurposesconnectedwithherbusiness；butthiswasabsurd。Acookunderabedisnotthereforprofessionalpurposes。Arelationofminehadaboxcontainingdiamondsunderherbed，whichdiamondsshetoldmeweretobemine。

Mine！Oneday，atdinner-time，betweentheentreesandtheroast，acabdroveawayfrommyrelative\'shousecontainingtheboxwhereinlaythediamonds。Johnlaidthedessert，broughtthecoffee，waitedalltheevening——andoh，howfrightenedhewaswhenhecametolearnthathismistress\'sboxhadbeenconveyedoutofherownroom，anditcontaineddiamonds——“Lawblessus，diditnow?“IwonderwhetherJohn\'ssubsequentcareerhasbeenprosperous?PerhapsthegentlemenfromBowStreetwereallinthewrongwhentheyagreedinsuspectingJohnastheauthoroftherobbery。Hisnoblenaturewashurtatthesuspicion。Youconceivehewouldnotliketoremaininafamilywheretheyweremeanenoughtosuspecthimofstealingajewel-boxoutofabedroom——andtheinjuredmanandmyrelativessoonparted。

But，inclining(withmyusualcynicism)tothinkthathedidstealthevaluables，thinkofhislifeforthemonthortwowhilsthestillremainsintheservice！Heshowstheofficersoverthehouse，agreeswiththemthatthecoupmusthavebeenmadebypersonsfamiliarwithit；givesthemeveryassistance；pitieshismasterandmistresswithamanlycompassion；pointsoutwhatacruelmisfortuneitistohimselfasanhonestman，withhislivingtogetandhisfamilytoprovidefor，thatthissuspicionshouldfallonhim。

Finallyhetakesleaveofhisplace，withadeep，thoughnaturalmelancholythateverhehadacceptedit。What\'sathousandpoundstogentle-folks！Aloss，certainly，buttheywillliveaswellwithoutthediamondsaswiththem。ButtoJohnhisHhhonorwasworthmorethandiamonds，hisHhonorwas。Whoheveristogivehimbackhischaracter?Whoistopreventhanyonefromsaying，“Hoyes。Thisisthefootmanwhichwasinthefamilywherethediamondswasstole?“&c。

IwonderhasJohnprosperedinlifesubsequently?Ifheisinnocenthedoesnotinterestmeintheleast。TheinterestofthecaseliesinJohn\'sbehaviorsupposinghimtobeguilty。Imaginethesmilingface，thedailyservice，theorderlyperformanceofduty，whilstwithinJohnissufferingpangslestdiscoveryshouldovertakehim。

Everybellofthedoorwhichheisobligedtoopenmaybringapoliceofficer。Theaccomplicesmaypeach。WhatanexcitinglifeJohn\'smusthavebeenforawhile。Andnow，yearsandyearsafter，whenpursuithaslongceased，anddetectionisimpossible，doesheeverreverttothelittletransaction?Isitpossiblethosediamondscostathousandpounds?Whataroguethefencemusthavebeenwhoonlygavehimsoandso！AndIpleasinglypicturetomyselfanoldex-footmanandanancientreceiverofstolengoodsmeetingandtalkingoverthismatter，whichdatesfromtimessoearlythatherpresentMajesty\'sfairimagecouldonlyjusthavebeguntobecoinedorforged。

IchoosetotakeJohnatthetimewhenhislittlepeccadilloissuspected，perhaps，butwhenthereisnospecificchargeofrobberyagainsthim。Heisnotyetconvicted:heisnotevenonhistrial；

howthencanweventuretosayheisguilty?Nowthinkwhatscoresofmenandwomenwalktheworldinalikepredicament；andwhatfalsecoinpassescurrent！Pinchbeckstrivestopassoffhishistoryassoundcoin。Heknowsitisonlybasemetal，washedoverwithathinvarnishoflearning。Poluphloisbosputshissermonsincirculation:soundingbrass，lacqueredoverwithwhitemetal，andmarkedwiththestampandimageofpiety。WhatsayyoutoDrawcansir\'sreputationasamilitarycommander?toTibbs\'spretensionstobeafinegentleman?toSapphira\'sclaimsasapoetess，orRodoessa\'sasabeauty?Hisbravery，hispiety，highbirth，genius，beauty——eachofthesedeceiverswouldpalmhisfalsehoodonus，andhaveusaccepthisforgeriesassterlingcoin。

Andwetalkhere，pleasetoobserve，ofweaknessesratherthancrimes。Someofushavemoreseriousthingstohidethanayellowcheekbehindaraddleofrouge，orawhitepollunderawigofjettycurls。Youknow，neighbor，therearenotonlyfalseteethinthisworld，butfalsetongues:andsomemakeupabustandanappearanceofstrengthwithpadding，cotton，andwhatnot?whileanotherkindofartisttriestotakeyouinbywearingunderhiswaistcoat，andperpetuallythumping，animmenseshamheart。Dearsir，mayyoursandminebefound，attherighttime，ofthepropersizeandintherightplace。

Andwhathasthistodowithhalf-crowns，goodorbad?Ah，friend！

mayourcoin，battered，andclipped，anddefacedthoughitbe，beprovedtobeSterlingSilveronthedayoftheGreatAssay！

“STRANGETOSAY，ONCLUBPAPER。”

BeforetheDukeofYork\'scolumn，andbetweenthe“Athenaeum“and“UnitedService“Clubs，Ihaveseenmorethanonce，ontheesplanade，apreacherholdingforthtoalittlecongregationofbadaudsandstreet-boys，whomheentertainswithadiscourseonthecrimesofarapaciousaristocracy，orwarnsoftheimminentperiloftheirownsouls。Sometimesthisoratorismadeto“moveon“bybrutalpolicemen。Sometimes，onaSunday，hepointstoawhiteheadortwovisibleinthewindowsoftheClubstotherightandleftofhim，andvolunteersastatementthatthosequietandelderlySabbath-breakerswillverysoonbecalledfromthisworldtoanother，wheretheirlotwillbynomeansbesocomfortableasthatwhichthereprobatesenjoyhere，intheirarm-chairsbytheirsnugfires。

Attheendoflastmonth，hadIbeenaPallMallpreacher，IwouldhavelikedtosendawhiproundtoalltheClubsinSt。James\'s，andconvokethefewmembersremaininginLondontohearadiscoursesubDioonatextfromtheObservernewspaper。IwouldhavetakenpostunderthestatueofFame，say，whereshestandsdistributingwreathstothethreeCrimeanGuardsmen。(Thecrossing-sweeperdoesnotobstructthepath，andIsupposeisawayathisvillaonSundays。)

And，whenthecongregationwasprettyquiet，Iwouldhavebegun:——

IntheObserverofthe27thSeptember，1863，inthefifthpageandthefourthcolumn，itisthuswritten:——

“ThecodicilappendedtothewillofthelateLordClyde，executedatChatham，andbearingthesignatureofClyde，F。M。，iswritten，strangetosay，onasheetofpaperBEARINGTHE\'ATHENAEUMCLUB\'

MARK。”

Whatthecodicilis，mydearbrethren，itisnotourbusinesstoinquire。ItconveysabenefactiontoafaithfulandattachedfriendofthegoodField-Marshal。Thegiftmaybealakhofrupees，oritmaybeahouseanditscontents——furniture，plate，andwine-cellar。

Myfriends，Iknowthewine-merchant，and，forthesakeofthelegatee，hopeheartilythatthestockislarge。

AmIwrong，dearbrethren，insupposingthatyouexpectapreachertosayaseasonablewordondeathhere?Ifyoudon\'t，Ifearyouarebutlittlefamiliarwiththehabitsofpreachers，andarebutlaxhearersofsermons。Wemightcontrastthevaultwherethewarrior\'sremainslieshroudedandcoffined，withthatinwhichhisworldlyprovisionofwineisstowedaway。SpainandPortugalandFrance——allthelandswhichsuppliedhisstore——ashardyandobedientsubaltern，asresolutecaptain，ascoloneldaringbutprudent——hehasvisitedthefieldsofall。InIndiaandChinahemarchesalwaysunconquered；orattheheadofhisdauntlessHighlandbrigadehetreadstheCrimeansnow；orheridesfromconquesttoconquestinIndiaoncemore；succoringhiscountrymeninthehouroftheirutmostneed；smitingdownthescaredmutiny，andtramplingouttheembersofrebellion；attheheadofanheroicarmy，aconsummatechief。Andnowhisgloriousoldswordissheathed，andhishonorsarewon:andhehasboughthimahouse，andstoreditwithmodestcheerforhisfriends(thegoodoldmanputwaterinhisownwine，andaglassortwosufficedhim)——beholdtheendcomes，andhislegateeinheritsthesemodestpossessionsbyvirtueofacodiciltohislordship\'swill，written，“strangetosay，uponasheetofpaper，bearingthe\'AthenaeumClub\'mark。”

Itistothispartofthetext，mybrethren，thatIproposetoaddressmyselfparticularly，andiftheremarksImakeareoffensivetoanyofyou，youknowthedoorsofourmeeting-houseareopen，andyoucanwalkoutwhenyouwill。AroundusaremagnificenthallsandpalacesfrequentedbysuchamultitudeofmenasnoteventheRomanForumassembledtogether。YonderaretheMartiumandthePalladium。

NexttothePalladiumistheelegantViatorium，whichBarrygracefullystolefromRome。ByitssideisthemassiveReformatorium:

andthe——theUltratoriumrearsitsgranitecolumnsbeyond。Extendingdownthestreetpalaceafterpalacerisesmagnificent，andundertheirloftyroofswarriorsandlawyers，merchantsandnobles，scholarsandseamen，thewealthy，thepoor，thebusy，theidleassemble。IntothehallsbuiltdownthislittlestreetanditsneighborhoodtheprincipalmenofallLondoncometohearorimpartthenews；andtheaffairsofthestateorofprivateindividuals，thequarrelsofempiresorofauthors，themovementsofthecourt，orthesplendidvagariesoffashion，theintriguesofstatesmenorofpersonsofanothersexyetmorewily，thelastnewsofbattlesinthegreatoccidentalcontinents，nay，thelatestbettingforthehorse-races，ortheadventofadanceratthetheatre——allthatmendoisdiscussedinthesePallMallagorae，whereweofLondondailyassemble。

Nowamongsomanytalkers，considerhowmanyfalsereportsmustflyabout:insuchmultitudesimaginehowmanydisappointedmentheremustbe；howmanychatterboxes；howmanyfeebleandcredulous(whereofImarksomespecimensinmycongregation)；howmanymean，rancorous，pronetobelieveilloftheirbetters，eagertofindfault；andthen，mybrethren，fancyhowthewordsofmytextmusthavebeenreadandreceivedinPallMall！(Iperceiveseveralofthecongregationlookingmostuncomfortable。Oneoldboywithadyedmoustacheturnspurpleintheface，andstrutsbacktotheMartium:another，withashrugoftheshoulderandamurmurof“Rubbish，“slinksawayinthedirectionoftheTogatorium，andthepreachercontinues。)ThewillofField-MarshalLordClyde——signedATCHATHAM，mind，wherehislordshipdied——iswritten，STRANGETO

SAY，onasheetofpaperbearingthe“AthenaeumClub“mark！

Theinferenceisobvious。AmancannotgetAthenaeumpaperexceptatthe“Athenaeum。”SuchpaperisnotsoldatChatham，wherethelastcodiciltohislordship\'swillisdated。Andsothepainfulbeliefisforceduponus，thataPeer，aField-Marshal，wealthy，respected，illustrious，couldpocketpaperathisClub，andcarryitawaywithhimtothecountry。Onefanciesthehall-porterconsciousoftheoldlord\'siniquity，andholdingdownhisheadastheMarshalpassesthedoor。Whatisthatrollwhichhislordshipcarries?IsithisMarshal\'sbatongloriouslywon?No；itisarolloffoolscapconveyedfromtheClub。Whathasheonhisbreast，underhisgreatcoat?IsithisStarofIndia?No；itisabundleofenvelopes，bearingtheheadofMinerva，somesealing-wax，andahalf-scoreofpens。

LetusimaginehowinthehallofoneorotheroftheseClubsthisstrangeanecdotewillbediscussed。

“Notoriousscrew，“saysSneer。“Thepooroldfellow\'savaricehaslongbeenknown。”

“SupposehewishestoimitatetheDukeofMarlborough，“saysSimper。

“HabitoflootingcontractedinIndia，youknow；ain\'tsoeasytogetover，youknow，“saysSnigger。

“WhenofficersdinedwithhiminIndia，“remarksSolemn，“itwasnotoriousthatthespoonswereallofadifferentpattern。”

“Perhapsitisn\'ttrue。SupposehewrotehispaperattheClub?“

interposesJones。

“ItisdatedatChatham，mygoodman，“saysBrown。“AmanifheisinLondonsaysheisinLondon。AmanifheisinRochestersaysheisinRochester。ThismanhappenstoforgetthatheisusingtheClubpaper；andhehappenstobefoundout:manymenDON\'Thappentobefoundout。I\'veseenliteraryfellowsatClubswritingtheirrubbishingarticles；Ihavenodoubttheytakeawayreamsofpaper。

Theycribthoughts:whyshouldn\'ttheycribstationery?Oneofyourliteraryvagabondswhoiscapableofstabbingareputation，whoiscapableoftellinganymonstrousfalsehoodtosupporthisparty，issurelycapableofstealingareamofpaper。”

“Well，well，wehaveallourweaknesses，“sighsRobinson。“Seenthatarticle，Thompson，intheObserveraboutLordClydeandtheClubpaper?You\'llfinditupstairs。Inthethirdcolumnofthefifthpagetowardsthebottomofthepage。Isupposehewassopoorhecouldn\'taffordtobuyaquireofpaper。Hadn\'tfourpenceintheworld。Oh，no！“

“Andtheywanttogetupatestimonialtothisman\'smemory——astatueorsomething！“criesJawkins。“AmanwhowallowsinwealthandtakespaperawayfromhisClub！Idon\'tsayheisnotbrave。

Brutalcouragemostmenhave。Idon\'tsayhewasnotagoodofficer:amanwithsuchexperienceMUSThavebeenagoodofficerunlesshewasabornfool。Buttothinkofthismanloadedwithhonors——thoughofaloworigin——solosttoself-respectasactuallytotakeawaythe\'Athenaeum\'paper！Theseparvenus，sir，betraytheirorigin——betraytheirorigin。Isaidtomywifethisverymorning，\'Mrs。Jawkins，\'Isaid，\'thereistalkofatestimonialtothisman。Iwillnotgiveoneshilling。IhavenoideaofraisingstatuestofellowswhotakeawayClubpaper。No，byGeorge，Ihavenot。Why，theywillberaisingstatuestomenwhotakeClubspoonsnext！NotonepennyofMYmoneyshalltheyhave！\'“

Andnow，ifyouplease，wewilltelltherealstorywhichhasfurnishedthisscandaltoanewspaper，thistattletoClubgossipsandloungers。TheField-Marshal，wishingtomakeafurtherprovisionforafriend，informedhislawyerwhathedesiredtodo。

Thelawyer，amemberofthe“AthenaeumClub，“therewrotethedraftofsuchacodicilashewouldadvise，andsentthepaperbytheposttoLordClydeatChatham。LordClydefindingthepaperperfectlysatisfactory，signeditandsentitback:andhencewehavethestoryof“thecodicilbearingthesignatureofClyde，F。M。，andwritten，strangetosay，uponpaperbearingthe\'AthenaeumClub\'

mark。”

HereIhavebeenimaginingadialoguebetweenahalf-dozengossipssuchascongregateroundaClubfireplaceofanafternoon。Iwonderhowmanypeoplebesides——whetheranychancereaderofthisverypagehasreadandbelievedthisstoryaboutthegoodoldlord?Havethecountrypaperscopiedtheanecdote，andour“owncorrespondents“

madetheirremarksonit?If，mygoodsir，ormadam，youhavereaditandcreditedit，don\'tyouowntoalittlefeelingofshameandsorrow，nowthatthetrumperylittlemysteryiscleared?To“thenewinhabitantoflight，“passedawayandoutofreachofourcensure，misrepresentation，scandal，dulness，malice，asillyfalsehoodmattersnothing。Censureandpraisearealiketohim——

“Themusicwarblingtothedeafenedear，Theincensewastedonthefuneralbier，“

thepompouseulogypronouncedoverthegravestone，ortheliethatslanderspitsonit。Faithfullythoughthisbraveoldchiefdidhisduty，honestanduprightthoughhislifewas，glorioushisrenown——

youseehecouldwriteatChathamonLondonpaper；youseemencanbefoundtopointouthow“strange“hisbehaviorwas。

Andaboutourselves?Mygoodpeople，doyoubychanceknowanymanorwomanwhohasformedunjustconclusionsregardinghisneighbor?

Haveyoueverfoundyourselfwilling，nay，eagertobelieveevilofsomemanwhomyouhate?Whomyouhatebecauseheissuccessful，andyouarenot:becauseheisrich，andyouarepoor:becausehedineswithgreatmenwhodon\'tinviteyou:becausehewearsasilkgown，andyoursisstillstuff:becausehehasbeencalledintoperformtheoperationthoughyoulivedcloseby:becausehispictureshavebeenboughtandyoursreturnedhomeunsold:becausehefillshischurch，andyouarepreachingtoemptypews?Ifyourrivalprospershaveyoueverfeltatwingeofanger?Ifhiswife\'scarriagepassesyouandMrs。Tomkins，whoareinacab，don\'tyoufeelthatthosepeoplearegivingthemselvesabsurdairsofimportance?Ifheliveswithgreatpeople，areyounotsureheisasneak?Andifyoueverfeltenvytowardsanother，andifyourhearthaseverbeenblacktowardsyourbrother，ifyouhavebeenpeevishathissuccess，pleasedtohearhismeritdepreciated，andeagertobelieveallthatissaidinhisdisfavor——mygoodsir，asyouyourselfcontritelyownthatyouareunjust，jealous，uncharitable，so，youmaybesure，somemenareuncharitable，jealous，andunjustregardingYOU。

Theproofsandmanuscriptofthislittlesermonhavejustcomefromtheprinter\'s，andasIlookatthewriting，Iperceive，notwithoutasmile，thatoneortwoofthepagesbear，“strangetosay，“themarkofaClubofwhichIhavethehonortobeamember。ThoselinesquotedinaforegoingpagearefromsomenobleverseswrittenbyoneofMr。Addison\'smen，Mr。Tickell，onthedeathofCadogan，whowasamongstthemostprominent“ofMarlborough\'scaptainsandEugenio\'sfriends。”Ifyouareacquaintedwiththehistoryofthosetimes，youhavereadhowCadoganhadhisfeudsandhatredstoo，asTickell\'spatronhadhis，asCadogan\'sgreatchiefhadhis。“TheDukeofMarlborough\'scharacterhasbeensovariouslydrawn“(writesafamouscontemporaryoftheduke\'s)，“thatitishardtopronounceoneithersidewithoutthesuspicionofflatteryordetraction。I

shallsaynothingofhismilitaryaccomplishments，whichtheoppositereportsofhisfriendsandenemiesamongthesoldiershaverenderedproblematical。Thosemalignerswhodenyhimpersonalvalor，seemnottoconsiderthatthisaccusationischargedataventure，sincethepersonofageneralistooseldomexposed，andthatfearwhichissaidsometimestohavedisconcertedhimbeforeactionmightprobablybemoreforhisarmythanhimself。”IfSwiftcouldhintadoubtofMarlborough\'scourage，whatwonderthatanamelessscribeofourdayshouldquestionthehonorofClyde?

THELASTSKETCH。

NotmanydayssinceIwenttovisitahousewhereinformeryearsI

hadreceivedmanyafriendlywelcome。Wewentintotheowner\'s——anartist\'s——studio。Prints，pictures，andsketcheshungonthewallsasIhadlastseenandrememberedthem。Theimplementsofthepainter\'sartwerethere。Thelightwhichhadshoneuponsomany，manyhoursofpatientandcheerfultoil，pouredthroughthenorthernwindowuponprintandbust，layfigureandsketch，andupontheeaselbeforewhichthegood，thegentle，thebelovedLeslielabored。

Inthisroomthebusybrainhaddevised，andtheskilfulhandexecuted，Iknownothowmanyofthenobleworkswhichhavedelightedtheworldwiththeirbeautyandcharminghumor。Herethepoetcalledupintopictorialpresence，andinformedwithlife，grace，beauty，infinitefriendlymirthandwondrousnaturalnessofexpression，thepeopleofwhomhisdearbookstoldhimthestories，——

hisShakspeare，hisCervantes，hisMoliere，hisLeSage。Therewashislastworkontheeasel——abeautifulfreshsmilingshapeofTitania，suchashissweetguilelessfancyimaginedtheMidsummerNight\'squeentobe。Gracious，andpure，andbright，thesweetsmilingimageglimmersonthecanvas。Fairyelves，nodoubt，weretohavebeengroupedaroundtheirmistressinlaughingclusters。

HonestBottom\'sgrotesqueheadandformareindicatedasreposingbythesideoftheconsummatebeauty。Thedarklingforestwouldhavegrownaroundthem，withthestarsglitteringfromthemidsummersky:

theflowersatthequeen\'sfeet，andtheboughsandfoliageabouther，wouldhavebeenpeopledwithgambollingspritesandfays。Theyweredwellingintheartist\'smindnodoubt，andwouldhavebeendevelopedbythatpatient，faithful，admirablegenius:butthebusybrainstoppedworking，theskilfulhandfelllifeless，theloving，honestheartceasedtobeat。Whatwasshetohavebeen——thatfairTitania——whenperfectedbythepatientskillofthepoet，whoinimaginationsawthesweetinnocentfigure，andwithtendercourtesyandcaresses，asitwere，posedandshapedandtracedthefairform?

Isthererecordkeptanywhereoffanciesconceived，beautiful，unborn?Somedaywilltheyassumeforminsomeyetundevelopedlight?Ifourbadunspokenthoughtsareregisteredagainstus，andarewrittenintheawfulaccount，willnotthegoodthoughtsunspoken，theloveandtenderness，thepity，beauty，charity，whichpassthroughthebreast，andcausethehearttothrobwithsilentgood，findaremembrancetoo?Afewweeksmore，andthislovelyoffspringofthepoet\'sconceptionwouldhavebeencomplete——tocharmtheworldwithitsbeautifulmirth。Maytherenotbesomesphereunknowntouswhereitmayhaveanexistence?Theysayourwords，onceoutofourlips，gotravellinginomneoevum，reverberatingforeverandever。Ifourwords，whynotourthoughts?IftheHasBeen，whynottheMightHaveBeen?

Somedayourspiritsmaybepermittedtowalkingalleriesoffanciesmorewondrousandbeautifulthananyachievedworkswhichatpresentwesee，andourmindstobeholdanddelightinmasterpieceswhichpoets\'andartists\'mindshavefatheredandconceivedonly。

WithafeelingmuchakintothatwithwhichIlookeduponthefriend\'s——theadmirableartist\'s——unfinishedwork，IcanfancymanyreadersturningtothelastpageswhichweretracedbyCharlotteBronte\'shand。Ofthemultitudethathavereadherbooks，whohasnotknownanddeploredthetragedyofherfamily，herownmostsadanduntimelyfate?Whichofherreadershasnotbecomeherfriend?

Whothathasknownherbookshasnotadmiredtheartist\'snobleEnglish，theburningloveoftruth，thebravery，thesimplicity，theindignationatwrong，theeagersympathy，thepiousloveandreverence，thepassionatehonor，sotospeak，ofthewoman?Whatastoryisthatofthatfamilyofpoetsintheirsolitudeyonderonthegloomynorthernmoors！Atnineo\'clockatnight，Mrs。Gaskelltells，aftereveningprayers，whentheirguardianandrelativehadgonetobed，thethreepoetesses——thethreemaidens，Charlotte，andEmily，andAnne——Charlottebeingthe“motherlyfriendandguardiantotheothertwo“——“began，likerestlesswildanimals，topaceupanddowntheirparlor，\'makingout\'theirwonderfulstories，talkingoverplansandprojects，andthoughtsofwhatwastobetheirfuturelife。”

Oneevening，atthecloseof1854，asCharlotteNichollssatwithherhusbandbythefire，listeningtothehowlingofthewindaboutthehouse，shesuddenlysaidtoherhusband，“Ifyouhadnotbeenwithme，Imusthavebeenwritingnow。”Shethenranupstairs，andbroughtdown，andreadaloud，thebeginningofanewtale。Whenshehadfinished，herhusbandremarked，“Thecriticswillaccuseyouofrepetition。”Shereplied，“Oh！Ishallalterthat。IalwaysbegintwoorthreetimesbeforeIcanpleasemyself。”Butitwasnottobe。Thetremblinglittlehandwastowritenomore。Theheartnewlyawakenedtoloveandhappiness，andthrobbingwithmaternalhope，wassoontoceasetobeat；thatintrepidoutspeakerandchampionoftruth，thateager，impetuousredresserofwrong，wastobecalledoutoftheworld\'sfightandstruggle，tolaydowntheshiningarms，andtoberemovedtoaspherewhereevenanobleindignationcorulteriusnequitlacerare，andwheretruthcomplete，andrighttriumphant，nolongerneedtowagewar。

Icanonlysayofthislady，viditantum。IsawherfirstjustasI

roseoutofanillnessfromwhichIhadneverthoughttorecover。I

rememberthetremblinglittleframe，thelittlehand，thegreathonesteyes。Animpetuoushonestyseemedtometocharacterizethewoman。TwiceIrecollectshetookmetotaskforwhatsheheldtobeerrorsindoctrine。OnceaboutFieldingwehadadisputation。

Shespokehermindout。Shejumpedtoorapidlytoconclusions。(I

havesmiledatoneortwopassagesinthe“Biography，“inwhichmyowndispositionorbehaviorformsthesubjectoftalk。)Sheformedconclusionsthatmightbewrong，andbuiltupwholetheoriesofcharacteruponthem。NewtotheLondonworld，sheentereditwithanindependent，indomitablespiritofherown；andjudgedofcontemporaries，andespeciallyspiedoutarroganceoraffectation，withextraordinarykeennessofvision。Shewasangrywithherfavoritesiftheirconductorconversationfellbelowherideal。

OftensheseemedtometobejudgingtheLondonfolkprematurely:

butperhapsthecityisratherangryatbeingjudged。IfanciedanausterelittleJoanofArcmarchinginuponus，andrebukingoureasylives，oureasymorals。Shegavemetheimpressionofbeingaverypure，andlofty，andhigh-mindedperson。Agreatandholyreverenceofrightandtruthseemedtobewithheralways。Such，inourbriefinterview，sheappearedtome。Asonethinksofthatlifesonoble，solonely——ofthatpassionfortruth——ofthosenightsandnightsofeagerstudy，swarmingfancies，invention，depression，elation，prayer；asonereadsthenecessarilyincomplete，thoughmosttouchingandadmirablehistoryoftheheartthatthrobbedinthisonelittleframe——ofthisoneamongstthemyriadsofsoulsthathavelivedanddiedonthisgreatearth——thisgreatearth?——thislittlespeckintheinfiniteuniverseofGod，——withwhatwonderdowethinkofto-day，withwhataweawaitto-morrow，whenthatwhichisnowbutdarklyseenshallbeclear！AsIreadthislittlefragmentarysketch，Ithinkoftherest。Isit?Andwhereisit?

Willnottheleafbeturnedsomeday，andthestorybetold?ShallthedeviserofthetalesomewhereperfectthehistoryoflittleEMMA\'Sgriefsandtroubles?ShallTITANIAcomeforthcompletewithhersportivecourt，withtheflowersatherfeet，theforestaroundher，andallthestarsofsummerglitteringoverhead?

HowwellIrememberthedelight，andwonder，andpleasurewithwhichIread“JaneEyre，“senttomebyanauthorwhosenameandsexwerethenalikeunknowntome；thestrangefascinationsofthebook；andhowwithmyownworkpressinguponme，Icouldnot，havingtakenthevolumesup，laythemdownuntiltheywerereadthrough！Hundredsofthosewho，likemyself，recognizedandadmiredthatmaster-workofagreatgenius，willlookwithamournfulinterestandregardandcuriosityuponthelastfragmentarysketchfromthenoblehandwhichwrote“JaneEyre。”