Green'spupilscouldgenerallywriteinhisownlanguage，moreorless，andcould"envisage"things，aswesaidthen，fromhispointofview。Todothiswasbelieved，probablywithoutcause，tobeusefulinexaminations。Forone，Icouldnevertakeitmuchmoreseriously，neverbelievedthat"theAbsolute，"astheOxfordSpectatorsaid，hadreallybeen"gotintoacorner。"TheAbsolutehastoooftenbeenapparentlycornered，toooftenhasescapedfromthatsituation。SomewhereinanoldnotebookIbelieveIhaveaportraitinpencilofMr。GreenashewrestledatlecturewithAristotle，withtheNotion，withhischairandtable。Perhapshewasthelastofthatremarkableseriesofmen，whomayhavebegunwithWycliffe，amongwhomNewman'sisafamousname，thatweresuccessivelyacceptedatOxfordasknowingsomethingesoteric，aspossessingashrewdguessatthesecret。
"NonethelessIstillcameoutnowiserthanIwent。"
Allofthesemastersandteachersmadetheirmark，probablywontheirhold，inthefirstplace，bydintofcharacter，notofsomepeculiarviewsoftheologyandphilosophy。DoubtlessitwasthesamewithSocrates，withBuddha。Tobelikethem，nottobelievewiththem，isthethingneedful。Buttheyoungerweare，theless，perhaps，weseethisclearly，andwepersuadeourselvesthatthereissomemysteryinthesemen'spossession，somepieceofknowledge，somemethodofthinkingwhichwillleadustocertaintyandtopeace。Alas，theirsecretisincommunicable，andthereisnomoreaphilosophicthanthereisaroyalroadtotheCity。
ThismayseemadigressionfromAdventuresamongBooksintotheBookofHumanLife。Butwhilemuchofeducationisstillorallycommunicatedbylecturesandconversations，manythoughtswhicharetobefoundinbooks，GreekorGerman，reachusthroughthehearing。Therearemanypupilswhocanbestbetaughtinthisway；
but，forone，iftherebeaughtthatisdesirableinabook，I
then，asnow，preferred，ifIcould，togotothebookforit。
Yetitisoddthatonerememberssolittleofone'sundergraduatereadings，apartfromtheconstantstudyoftheancientclassics，whichmightnotbeescaped。OfthesethecalmwisdomofAristotle，inmoralthoughtandinpolitics，madeperhapsthedeepestimpression。ProbablypoliticiansarethelastpeoplewhoreadAristotle's"Politics。"Theworkis，indeed，apttodisenchantonewithpoliticallife。ItismelancholytoseethelittleGreekstatesrunningtheregularround——monarchy，oligarchy，tyranny，democracyinallitsdegrees，the"ultimatedemocracy"ofplunder，lawlessness，licenseofwomen，children，andslaves，andthentyrannyagain，orsubjectiontosomeforeignpower。Inpolitics，too，thereisnosecretofsuccess，ofthehappylifeforall。
ThereisnosuchroadtotheCity，eitherdemocraticorroyal。
ThisisthelessonwhichAristotle's"Polities"impressesonus，thisandtheimpossibilityofimposingidealconstitutionsonmankind。
"Whate'erisbestadministeredisbest。"ThesearesomeoftheimpressionsmadeatOxfordbythestudiesoftheschools，themoreorlessinevitable"curricoolum，"astheScotchgentlemanpronouncedtheword。ButatOxford，formostmen，theregularworkoftheschoolsisonlyasmallpartoftheliteraryeducation。
Peopleread，indifferentdegrees，accordingtotheirprivatetastes。Therearealwaysafewmen，atleast，wholoveliterarystudiesfortheirownsake，regardlessoflecturesandof"classes。"InmyowntimeIreallybelieveyoucouldknownothingwhichmightnot"pay"intheschoolsandproveserviceableinexaminations。Butagooddealdependedonbeingabletouseyourknowledgebywayofliteraryillustration。Perhapsthecleverestofmyownjuniors，sinceverywellknowninletters，didnotusehisownspecialvein，evenwhenhehadthechance，inwritinganswerstoquestionsinexaminations。Hencehisacademicsuccesswasmuchbelowhisdeserts。Formyownpart，Iremembermytutorsaying，"Don'twriteasifyouwerewritingforapennypaper。"
Alas，itwas"aprediction，cruel，smart。"But，"asyetnosinwasdreamed。"
Atmyowncollegewehadtowriteweeklyessays，alternatelyinEnglishandLatin。Thismighthavebeengoodliterarytraining，butIfeartheessayswerenottakenveryseriously。ThechiefobjectwastomakethelatelearnedDr。Scottboundonhischairbyparadoxes。Butnobodyeversucceeded。Hewasexperiencedintrash。Asforwhatmaybecalledunacademicliterature，therewerenotmanyessaysinthatart。Therehavebeenveryliterarygenerations，aswhenCorydonandThyrsis"livedinOxfordasifithadbeenagreatcountryhouse；"soCorydonconfessed。ProbablymanyofthepoemsbyMr。MatthewArnoldandmanyofMr。Swinburne'searlyworkswereundergraduatepoems。Alatergenerationproduced"LoveinIdleness，"averypleasingvolume。Butthegodshadnotmadeuspoetical。InthosedaysIrememberpickingup，intheUnionReading-room，aprettywhitequarto，"AtalantainCalydon，"
byA。C。Swinburne。OnlyoncehadIseenMr。Swinburne'snamebefore，signingabrieftaleinOnceaWeek。"Atalanta"wasarevelation；therewasanewandoriginalpoethere，aBalliolman，too。Inmyownmind"Atalanta"remainsthebest，themostbeautiful，themostmusicalofMr。Swinburne'smanypoems。Heinstantlybecametheeasilyparodiedmodelofundergraduateversifiers。
Swinburnianprizepoems，even，wereattempted，withoutsuccess。AsyetwehadnotseenMr。MatthewArnold'sverses。Ifellinlovewiththem，onelongvacation，andneverfelloutoflove。Heisnot，andcannotbe，thepoetofthewideworld，buthischarmisallthemorepowerfuloverthosewhomheattractsandsubdues。HeistheoneOxfordpoetofOxford，andhis"ScholarGypsy"isour"Lycidas。"AtthistimehewasProfessorofPoetry；but，alas，helecturedjustatthehourwhenwicketswerepitchedonCowleyMarsh，andIneverwaspresentathisdiscourses，athishumorouspropheciesofEngland'sfate，whicharecomingalltootrue。Somanywearylectureshadtobeattended，couldnotbe"cut，"thatweabstainedfromlecturesofsupererogation，sotospeak。Fortheresttherewasno"literarymovement"amongcontemporaryundergraduates。Theyreadfortheschools，andtheyrowedandplayedcricket。Wehadnopoets，exceptthestrokeoftheCorpusboat，Mr。Bridges，andheconcealedhiscourtshipoftheMuse。
Corpusisasmallcollege，butMr。Bridgespulleditsboattotheproudplaceofsecondontheriver。B。N。C。wastheheadboat，andevenB。N。C。didCorpusbump。Butthetriumphwasbrief。B。
N。C。madechangesinitscrew，gotanewship，drankthefoaminggrape，andbumpedCorpusback。Ithinktheywentheadnextyear，butnotthatyear。ThusMr。Bridges，asKingsleyadvises，wasdoingnobledeeds，notdreamingthem，atthatmoment。
Thereexistedaperiodicalentirelydevotedtoverse，butnobodyknewanybodywhowroteinit。Acomicjournalwasstarted；I
rememberthepridewithwhichwhenafreshman，Ireceivedaninvitationtojoinitscouncilsasanartist。Iwastodothecaricaturesofallthings。Now，methought，IshallmeettheOxfordwitsofwhomIhaveread。Butthewitswereunutterablydisappointing，andthewholethingdiedearlyandnotlamented。
Onlyonepieceofacademicliteratureobtainedanddeservedsuccess。ThiswasTheOxfordSpectator，amosthumorouslittleperiodical，inshapeandsizelikeAddison'sfamousjournal。TheauthorswereMr。ReginaldCopleston，nowBishopofColombo，Mr。
HumphryWard，andMr。Nolan，agreatathlete，whodiedearly。
Therehavebeengoodperiodicalssince；manyamusingthingsoccurintheEchoesfromtheOxfordMagazine，buttheSpectatorwastheflowerofacademicjournals。"WhenIlookbacktomyownexperience，"saystheSpectator，"Ifindonescene，ofallOxford，mostdeeplyengravedupon'themindfultabletsofmysoul。'Andyetnotascene，butafairycompoundofsmellandsound，andsightandthought。ThewonderfulscentofthemeadowairjustaboveIffley，onahotMayevening，andthegaycoloursoftwentyboatsalongtheshore，thepolesallstretchedoutfromthebanktosettheboatsclear，andthesonorouscriesof'tensecondsmore，'alldownfromthegreenbargetothelasher。Andyetthatunrivalledmomentisonlytypicalofalltheterm；thevariouselementsofbeautyandpleasureareconcentratedthere。"
Unfortunately，lifeatOxfordisnotallbeautyandpleasure。
Thingsgowrongsomehow。Lifedropsherhappymask。Butthishasnothingtodowithbooks。
Aboutbooks，however，IhavenotmanymoreconfessionsthatIcaretomake。Aman'soldselfissofarawaythathecanspeakaboutitanditsadventuresalmostasifhewerespeakingaboutanotherwhoisdead。Aftertakingone'sdegree，andbeginningtowritealittleforpublication，thetopichasatendencytobecomemuchmorepersonal。MylastundergraduateliterarydiscoverieswereofFranceandtheRenaissance。AccidentallyfindingoutthatIcouldreadFrench，InaturallybetookmyselftoBalzac。Ifyoureadhimstraighton，withoutadictionary，youbegintolearnagoodmanywords。TheliteratureofFrancehasbeenmuchmorepopularinEnglandlately，butthirtyyearsagoneitwassomewhatneglected。
TheredoesseemtobesomethinginFrenchpoetrywhichfailstoplease"theGermanpasteinourcomposition。"Mr。MatthewArnold，adiscipleofSainte-Beuve，nevercouldappreciateFrenchpoetry。
Apoet-critichasevenremarkedthattheFrenchlanguageisnearlyincapableofpoetry!Wecannotargueinsuchmatters，wherealldependsonthetasteandtheear。
Ourancestors，liketheauthorofthe"FaeryQueen，"translatedandadmiredDuBellayandRonsard；tosomecriticsofourowntimethistasteseemsamodishaffectation。Forone，IhaveeverfoundanoriginalcharminthelyricsofthePleiad，andhavetakengreatdelightinHugo'samazingvarietyofmusic，intheromanceofAlfreddeMusset，inthebeautifulcameosofGautier。Whatispoetical，ifnotthe"SongofRoland，"theonlytruenationalepicsinceHomer？Whatisfrank，naturalverse，ifnotthatoftheoldPastourelles？Whereistherenaiveteofnarrativeandunconsciouscharm，ifnotinAucassinetNicolette？InthelongnormallydevelopedliteratureofFrance，sovariouslyrich，wefindthenearestanalogytotheliteratureofGreece，thoughthatofEnglandcontainsgreatermasterpieces，andherversefallsmorewinninglyontheear。FrancehasnoShakespeareandnoMilton；wehavenoMoliereandno"SongofRoland。"Onestardiffersfromanotheringlory，butitisafortunatemomentwhenthisplanetofFranceswimsintoourken。ManyofourgenerationsawitfirstthroughMr。Swinburne'stelescope，heardofitinhiscriticisms，andaregratefultothatwatcheroftheskies，evenifwedonotshareallhistransports。TherethenaroseatOxford，outofoldFrench，andoldoak，andoldchina，a"school"or"movement。"Itwasaesthetic，andanearlypurchaserofMr。WilliamMorris'swallpapers。Itexistedtenortwelveyearsbeforethepublic"caughton，"astheysay，tothesedelights。But，exceptoneortwoofthemasters，theschoolwereonlyplayingataesthetics，andlaughingattheirownperformances。Therewasmorefunthanfashioninthecult，whichwaslaterrevived，developed，andgossipedaboutmorethanenough。
Toawriternowdead，andthenfirstmet，Iamspeciallyboundingratitude——thelateMr。J。F。M'Lennan。Mr。M'LennanhadthemostacuteandingeniousofmindswhichIhaveencountered。Hiswritingsonearlymarriageandearlyreligionwererevelationswhichledontoothers。Thetopicoffolk-lore，andthedevelopmentofcustomandmyths，isnotgenerallyattractive，tobesure。Onlyafewpeopleseeminterestedinthatspectacle，sofullofsurprises——thedevelopmentofallhumaninstitutions，fromfairytalestodemocracy。Inbeholdingitwelearnhowweoweallthings，humanlyspeaking，tothepeopleandtogenius。Thenaturalpeople，thefolk，hassuppliedus，initsunconsciousway，withthestuffofallourpoetry，law，ritual:andgeniushasselectedfromthemass，hasturnedcustomsintocodes，nurserytalesintoromance，mythintoscience，balladintoepic，magicmummeryintogorgeousritual。Theworldhasbeeneducated，butnotasmanwouldhavetrainedandtaughtit。"Heledusbyawayweknewnot，"led，andisleadingus，weknownotwhither；wefollowinfear。
Thestudentofthislorecanlookbackandseethelongtroddenwaybehindhim，thewindingtracksthroughmarshandforestandoverburningsands。Heseesthecaves，thecamps，thevillages，thetownswheretheracehastarried，forshortertimesorlonger，strangeplacesmanyofthem，andstrangelyhaunted，desolatedwellingsandinhospitable。Butthescarcevisibletracksconvergeatlastonthebeatenways，thewaystothatcitywhithermankindiswandering，andwhichitmayneverwin。Wehaveaforebodingofapurposewhichweknownot，asenseasofwill，working，aswewouldnothaveworked，toahiddenend。
Thisisthelesson，Ithink，ofwhatwecallfolkloreoranthropology，whichtomanyseemstrivial，tomanyseemsdull。Itmaybecomethemostattractiveandseriousofthesciences；
certainlyitisrichinstrangecuriosities，likethosemysticstoneswhichwerefingeredandarrayedbythepupilsinthatallegoryofNovalis。Iamnotlikelytoregrettheaccidentwhichbroughtmeuponfairytales，andtheinquisitivenesswhichledmetoexaminetheotherfragmentsofantiquity。Butthepoetryandthesignificanceofthemareapttobehiddenbytheenormouscrowdofdetails。Onlylatewefindthetruemeaningofwhatseemslikeamassoffantastic，savageeccentricities。Iverywellrememberthemomentwhenitoccurredtome，soonaftertakingmydegree，thattheusualideasaboutsomeofthesematterswerethereverseofthetruth，thatthecommontheoryhadtobeinverted。Thenotionwas"intheair，"ithadalreadyflashedonMannhardt，probably，but，liketheWhiteKnightin"Alice，"Iclaimeditfor"myowninvention。"
Thesereminiscencesandreflectionshavenowbeenproducedasfaras1872，orthereabouts，anditisnotmyintentiontopursuethemfurther，nortospeakofanylivingcontemporarieswhohavenotwontheirwaytotheclassical。InwritingoffriendsandteachersatOxford，Ihavenotventuredtoexpressgratitudetothosewhostilllive，stillteach，stillarethewisestandkindestfriendsofthehurryinggenerations。Itisasilencenotofthanklessness，butofrespectanddevotion。Aboutothers——contemporaries，orjuniorsbymanyyears——whohaveinstructed，consoled，strengthened，andamusedus，wemustalsobesilent。
CHAPTERII:RECOLLECTIONSOFROBERTLOUISSTEVENSON
TUSITALA
WespokeofarestinaFairyhillofthenorth，butheFarfromthefirthsoftheeastandtheracingtidesofthewestSleepsinthesightandthesoundoftheinfinitesouthernsea，Wearyandwellcontent，inhisgraveontheVaeacrest。
Tusitala，theloverofchildren，thetelleroftales，Giverofcounselanddreams，awonder，aworld'sdelight，Lookso'erthelabourofmenintheplainandthehill，andthesailsPassandrepassontheseathatheloved，inthedayandthenight。
Windsofthewestandtheeastintherainyseasonblow，Heavywithperfume，andallhisfragrantwoodsarewet，Windsoftheeastandthewestastheywandertoandfro，Bearhimtheloveofthelandsheloved，andthelongregret。
Oncewewerekindest，hesaid，whenleaguesofthelimitlesssea，Flowedbetweenus，butnowthatnorangeoftherefluenttidesSundersuseachfromeach，yetnearerweseemtobe，WhenonlytheunbridgedstreamoftheRiverofDeathdivides。
Beforeattemptingtogiveany"reminiscences"ofMr。Stevenson，itisrighttoobservethatreminiscencesofhimcanbestbefoundinhisownworks。Inhisessayon"Child'sPlay，"andinhis"Child'sGardenofVerse，"hegavetotheworldhisvividrecollectionsofhisimaginativeinfancy。Inotheressayshespokeofhisboyhood，hishealth，hisdreams，hismethodsofworkandstudy。"TheSilveradoSquatters"revealspartofhisexperienceinAmerica。
TheParisianscenesin"TheWrecker"areinspiredbyhissojourninFrenchBohemia；hisjourneysarerecordedin"TravelswithaDonkey"and"AnInlandVoyage"；whilehisSouthSeasketches，whichappearedinperiodicals，dealwithhisOceanicadventures。Hewasthemostautobiographicalofauthors，withanegoismnearlyascomplete，andtousasdelightful，astheegoismofMontaigne。
Thus，thepropersourcesofinformationabouttheauthorof"Kidnapped"areinhisdelightfulbooks。
"John'sownJohn，"asDr。Holmessays，maybeveryunlikehisneighbour'sJohn；butinthecaseofMr。Stevenson，hisLouiswasverysimilartomyLouis；Imeanthat，ashepresentshispersonalitytotheworldinhiswritings，evensodidthatpersonalityappeartomeinourintercourse。ThemanIknewwasalwaysaboy。
"Singmeasongoftheladthatisgone，"
hewroteaboutPrinceCharlie，butinhisowncasetheladwasnever"gone。"LikeKeatsandShelley，hewas，andhelooked，oftheimmortallyyoung。HeandIwereatschooltogether，butIwasanelderlyboyofseventeen，whenhewaslostinthecrowdof"gytes，"asthemembersofthelowestformarecalled。LikeallScotchpeople，wehadavaguefamilyconnection；agreat-uncleofhis，Ifancy，marriedanauntofmyown，calledforherbeauty，"TheFlowerofEttrick。"Sowehadbothheard；butthesethingswerebeforeourday。AladyofmykindredrememberscarryingStevensonaboutwhenhewas"aratherpeevishbaby，"andIhaveseenabeautifulphotographofhim，likeoneofRaffael'schildren，takenwhenhisyearswerethreeorfour。ButIneverhadheardofhisexistencetill，in1873，Ithink，IwasatMentone，intheinterestsofmyhealth。HereImetMr。SidneyColvin，nowoftheBritishMuseum，and，withMr。Colvin，Stevenson。Helookedas，inmyeyes，healwaysdidlook，morelikealassthanalad，witharatherlong，smoothovalface，brownhairwornatgreaterlengththaniscommon，largelucideyes，butwhetherblueorbrownI
cannotremember，ifbrown，certainlylightbrown。Onappealingtotheauthorityofalady，IlearnthatbrownWASthehue。Hiscolourwasatriflehectic，asisnotunusualatMentone，butheseemed，underhisbigbluecloak，tobeofslender，yetagileframe。HewaslikenobodyelsewhomIevermet。Therewasasortofuncommoncelerityinchangingexpression，inthoughtandspeech。
HiscloakandTyrolesehathewouldadmittheinnocentimpeachmentweredecidedlydeartohim。OnthefrontierofItaly，whyshouldhenotdoastheItaliansdo？ItwouldhavebeenwellformeifIcouldhaveimitatedthewearingofthecloak!
Ishallnotdenythatmyfirstimpressionwasnotwhollyfavourable。"Here，"Ithought，"isoneofyouraestheticyoungmen，thoughaverycleverone。"Whatthetalkwasabout，Idonotremember；probablyofbooks。Mr。StevensonafterwardstoldmethatIhadspokenofMonsieurPauldeSt。Victor，asafinewriter，butaddedthat"hewasnotaBritishsportsman。"Mr。Stevensonhimself，tomysurprise，wasunabletowalkbeyondaveryshortdistance，and，asitsoonappeared，hethoughthisthreadoflifewasnearlyspun。Hehadjustwrittenhisessay，"OrderedSouth，"
thefirstofhispublishedworks，forhis"PentlandRising"
pamphletwasunknown，aboy'sperformance。Onreading"OrderedSouth，"Isaw，atonce，thatherewasanewwriter，awriterindeed；onewhocoulddowhatnoneofus，nousautres，couldrival，orapproach。Iwasinstantly"sealedoftheTribeofLouis，"anadmirer，adevotee，afanatic，ifyouplease。Atleastmytastehasneveraltered。Fromthisessayitisplainenoughthattheauthorasissocommoninyouth，butwithbetterreasonthanmanyhavethoughthimselfdoomed。Mostofushavegonethroughthat，theMillevoyephase，butwhoelsehasshownsuchawiseandgayacceptanceoftheapparentlyinevitable？Weparted；Irememberlittleofourconverse，exceptashrewdandheartypieceofencouragementgivenmebymyjunior，whoalreadyknewsomuchmoreoflifethanhisseniorwilleverdo。Forheranforthtoembracelifelikealover:HISmottowasneverLucyAshton's-
"Vacantheart，andhand，andeye，Easyliveandquietdie。"
Mr。StevensoncamepresentlytovisitmeatOxford。Imakenohandofreminiscences；Iremembernothingaboutwhatwedidorsaid，withoneexception，whichisnotgoingtobepublished。Iheardofhim，writingessaysinthePortfolioandtheCornhill，thosedelightfulviewsoflifeattwenty-five，sobrave，soreal，sovivid，sowise，soexquisite，whichallshouldknow。Howwelookedfor"R。L。S。"attheendofanarticle，andhowdevoutwasourbelief，howhappyourpride，intheyoungone!
About1878，IthinkIwasnowaslaveofthequillmyself，I
receivedabriefnotefromMr。Stevenson，introducingtomethepersonwhom，inhisessayonhisoldcollegemagazine，hecalled"GlasgowBrown。"Whathisrealnamewas，whencehecame，whencethemoneycame，Ineverknew。G。B。wasgoingtostartaweeklyTorypaper。WouldIcontribute？G。B。cametoseeme。Mr。
Stevensonhasdescribedhim，NOTasIwouldhavedescribedhim:
likeMr。BillSikes'sdog，IhavetheChristianpeculiarityofnotlikingdogs"asarenotofmybreed。"G。B。'spaper，London，wastostartnextweek。Hehadnowriterofpoliticalleadingarticles。WouldIdoa"leader"？ButIwasNOTinfavourofLordLytton'sAfghanpolicy。HowcouldIdoaToryleader？Well，Ididaneutral-tintedthing，withcitationsfromAristophanes!IfoundpresentlysomeotherscribesforG。B。
Whatapaperthatwas!IhaveheardthatG。B。paidinhandfulsofgold，inhandfulsofbank-notes。NobodyeverreadLondon，oradvertisedinit，orheardofit。ItwasfullofthemostwonderfullycleverversesinoldFrenchforms。TheywereitafterwardsappearedbyMr。W。E。Henley。Mr。StevensonhimselfastonishedanddelightedthepublicofLondonthatis，thecontributorsbyhis"NewArabianNights。"Nobodyknewaboutthembutourselves，afortunatefew。PoorG。B。diedandMr。Henleybecametheeditor。Imaynotnamethecontributors，thefloweroftheyounglions，elderlylionsnow，thereisanewrace。Butonelion，adistinguishedandlearnedlion，saidalreadythatfiction，notessay，wasMr。Stevenson'sfield。Well，bothfieldswerehis，andIcannotsaywhetherIwouldbemoresorrytoloseVirginibusPuerisqueand"StudiesofMenandBooks，"or"TreasureIsland"and"Catriona。"WiththedeceaseofG。B。，Pactolusdriedupinitsmysterioussources，Londonstruggledanddisappeared。
Mr。Stevensonwasintown，nowandagain，attheoldSavilleClub，inSavilleRow，whichhadthetiniestandblackestofsmoking-
rooms。Here，orsomewhere，hespoketomeofanideaofatale，aManwhowasTwoMen。Isaid"'WilliamWilson'byEdgarPoe，"anddeclaredthatitwouldneverdo。Buthis"Brownies，"inavisionofthenight，showedhimacentralscene，andhewrote"JekyllandHyde。"My"friendofthesedaysandofalldays，"Mr。CharlesLongman，sentmethemanuscript。Inaverycommon-placeLondondrawing-room，at10。30P。M。，Ibegantoreadit。ArrivingattheplacewhereUttersonthelawyer，andthebutlerwaitoutsidetheDoctor'sroom，Ithrewdownthemanuscriptandfledinahurry。I
hadnotasteforsolitudeanymore。Thestorywonitsgreatsuccess，partlybydintofthemoralwhateverthatmaybe，morebyitsterrible，lucid，visionarypower。IrememberMr。Stevensontellingme，atthistime，thathewasdoingsome"regularcrawlers，"forthispuristhadaboyishhabitofslang，andITHINK
itwashewhocalledJuliusCaesar"thehowlingestcheesewhoeverlived。"Oneofthe"crawlers"was"ThrawnJanet"；after"WanderingWillie'sTale"butcertainlyAFTERit，tomytaste，itseemsthemostwonderfulstoryofthe"supernatural"inourlanguage。
Mr。StevensonhadaninfinitepleasureinBoisgobey，Montepin，and，ofcourse，Gaboriau。Therewasnothingofthe"culturedperson"
abouthim。Concerninganoveldeartoculture，hesaidthathewoulddiebymyside，inthelastditch，proclaimingittheworstfictionintheworld。ImakehastetoaddthatIhaveonlyknowntwomenoflettersasfreeasMr。Stevenson，notonlyfromliteraryjealousy，butfromthewriter'snatural，ifexaggerated，distasteforworkwhich，thoughinhisownline，isverydifferentinaimandmethodfromhisown。Idonotrememberanothercaseinwhichhedispraisedanybook。Idorememberhisobservationsonanovelthenandnowverypopular，butnottohistaste，nor，indeed，byanymeans，impeccable，thoughstirring；hiscensureandpraisewerebothjust。Fromhisoccasionalfineefforts，theauthorofthisromance，hesaid，shouldhaveclearedawayacresofbrushwood，ofineffectualmatter。Itwasso，nodoubt，asthewriterspokenofwouldbereadytoacknowledge。Buthewasanimproviserofgenius，andMr。Stevensonwasaconsciousartist。
Ofcoursewedidbynomeansalwaysagreeinliteraryestimates；notwopeopledo。Butwhencertainworks——inhislineinoneway——
werestupidlysetupasrivalsofhis，thepersonwhowasmostirritatedwasnothe，buthisequallymagnanimouscontemporary。
Therewasnothoughtofrivalryorcompetitionineithermind。TheyoungerromancistswhoaroseafterMr。StevensonwenttoSamoawerehisfriendsbycorrespondence；fromthem，whoneversawhisface，I
hearofhissympathyandencouragement。Everywriterknowsthespecialtemptationsofhistribe:theyweretemptationsnotevenfelt，Idobelieve，byMr。Stevenson。Hisheartwasfartoohigh，hisnaturewasineverywayasgenerousashishandwasopen。Itisinthinkingofthesethingsthatonefeelsafreshthegreatnessoftheworld'sloss；for"agoodheartismuchmorethanstyle，"
writesonewhoknewhimonlybywayofletters。
ItisatrivialreminiscencethatweonceplottedaBoisgobesquestorytogether。TherewasaprisonerinaMuscovitedungeon。
"We'llextractinformationfromhim，"Isaid。
"How？"
"Withcorkscrews。"
Butthemeresuggestionofsuchaprocesswasterriblydistastefultohim；notthatIreallymeanttogototheseextremelengths。Wenever，ofcourse，couldreallyhaveworkedtogether；and，hismaladiesincreasing，hebecamemoreandmoreawanderer，livingatBournemouth，atDavos，intheGrisons，finally，asallknow，inSamoa。Thus，thoughwecorresponded，notunfrequently，Ineverwasoftheinnercircleofhisfriends。Amongmentherewereschoolorcollegecompanions，orcompanionsofParisorFontainebleau，cousins，likeMr。R。A。M。Stevenson，orastraysenior，likeMr。
SidneyColvin。Fromsomeofthem，orfromMr。Stevensonhimself，I
haveheardtalesof"thewildPrinceandPoins。"Thatheandafriendtravelledutterlywithoutbaggage，buyingashirtwhereashirtwasneeded，isafact，andtheincidentisusedin"TheWrecker。"LegendsaysthatonceheandafriendDIDpossessabag，andalso，nobodyeverknewwhy，alargebottleofscent。Buttherewasnoroomforthebottleinthebag，soMr。Stevensonspilledthewholecontentsovertheotherman'shead，takinghimunawares，thatnothingmightbewasted。Ithinkthetaleoftheendlessstaircase，in"TheWrecker，"isfoundedonfact，soarethestoriesoftheatelier，whichIhaveheardMr。StevensonnarrateattheOxfordandCambridgeClub。Foranocturnaladventure，inthemannerofthe"NewArabianNights，"alearnedcriticalreadyspokenofmustbeconsulted。Itisnotmystory。InParis，atacafe，I
rememberthatMr。StevensonheardaFrenchmansaytheEnglishwerecowards。Hegotupandslappedtheman'sface。
"Monsieur，vousm'avezfrappe!"saidtheGaul。
"Acequ'ilparait，"saidtheScot，andthereitended。Healsotoldmethatyearsagohewaspresentataplay，Iforgetwhatplay，inParis，wherethemoralheroexposesawoman"withahistory。"Hegotupandwentout，sayingtohimself:
"Whataplay!whatapeople!"
"Ah，Monsieur，vousetesbienjeune!"saidanoldFrenchgentleman。
LikearightScot，Mr。Stevensonwasfondof"ourauldallyofFrance，"towhomourcountryandourexiledkingsowedsomuch。
Irathervaguelyrememberanotheranecdote。HemissedhistrainfromEdinburghtoLondon，andhissoleportablepropertywasareturnticket，ameerschaumpipe，andavolumeofMr。Swinburne'spoems。Thelasthefoundunmarketable；thepipe，Ithink，hemademerchandiseof，butsomehowhisprovenderfortheday'sjourneyconsistedinonebathbun，whichhecouldnotfinish。
ThesetrivialtalesillustrateaperiodinhislifeandadventureswhichIonlyknowbyrumour。Ourownacquaintancewas，toagreatdegree，literaryandbookish。Perhapsitbegan"withaslightaversion，"butitseemed，likemadeira，toberipenedandimprovedbyhislongseavoyage；andthenewsofhisdeathtaughtme，atleast，thetruenatureoftheaffectionwhichhewasdestinedtowin。Indeed，ouracquaintancewaslikethefriendshipofawildsingingbirdandofapunctual，domesticatedbarn-doorfowl，layingitsdaily"article"forthebreakfast-tableofthecitizens。HeoftenwrotetomefromSamoa，sometimeswithnewsofnativemannersandfolklore。Hesentmeadevil-box，the"luck"ofsomestrangeisland，whichheboughtatagreatprice。Afterpartingwithits"luck，"orfetishashellinacuriouswoodenbox，theislandwasunfortunate，andwasravagedbymeasles。
IoccasionallysentoutbooksneededforMr。Stevenson'sstudies，ofwhichmorewillbesaid。ButImustmakeitplainthat，inthebody，wemetbutrarely。HisreallyintimatefriendswereMr。
ColvinandMr。Baxterwhomanagedthepracticalsideofhisliterarybusinessbetweenthem；Mr。Henleyinpartnershipwithwhomhewroteseveralplays；hiscousin，Mr。R。A。M。Stevenson；
and，amongotherliterati，Mr。Gosse，Mr。AustinDobson，Mr。
Saintsbury，MrWalterPollock，knewhimwell。ThebestportraitofMr。StevensonthatIknowisbySir。W。B。Richmond，R。A。，andisinthatgentleman'scollectionofcontemporaries，withtheeffigiesofMr。HolmanHunt，Mr。WilliamMorris，Mr。Browning，andothers。
Itisunfinished，owingtoanillnesswhichstoppedthesittings，anddoesnotshowthesubjectathisbest，physicallyspeaking。
Thereisalsoabrilliant，slightsketch，almostacaricature，byMr。Sargent。ItrepresentsMr。Stevensonwalkingabouttheroominconversation。
ThepeopleIhavenamed，orsomeofthem，knewMr。StevensonmoreintimatelythanIcanboastofdoing。Unlikeeachother，oppositesinadozenways，wealwayswereunitedbytheloveofletters，andofScotland，ourdearcountry。Hewasapatriot，yethespokehismindquitefreelyaboutBurns，aboutthatapparentwantofheartinthepoet'samours，whichourcountrymendonotcaretohearmentioned。Well，perhaps，forsomereasons，ithadtobementionedonce，andsonomoreofit。
Mr。Stevensonpossessed，morethananymanIevermet，thepowerofmakingothermenfallinlovewithhim。Imeanthatheexcitedapassionateadmirationandaffection，somuchsothatIverilybelievesomemenwerejealousofothermen'splaceinhisliking。
Ioncemetastrangerwho，havingbecomeacquaintedwithhim，spokeofhimwithatouchingfondnessandpride，hisfancyreposing，asitseemed，inafondcontemplationofsomuchgeniusandcharm。
Whatwassotakinginhim？andhowisonetoanalysethatdazzlingsurfaceofpleasantry，thatchangefulshininghumour，wit，wisdom，recklessness；beneathwhichbeatthemostkindandtolerantofhearts？
Peoplewerefondofhim，andpeoplewereproudofhim:hisachievements，asitwere，sensiblyraisedtheirpleasureintheworld，and，tothem，becamepartsofthemselves。Theywarmedtheirhandsatthatcentreoflightandheat。Itisnoteverysuccesswhichhasthesebeneficentresults。Weseethesuccessfulsneeredat，decried，insulted，evenwhensuccessisdeserved。Verylittleofallthis，hardlyaughtofallthis，Ithink，cameinMr。
Stevenson'sway。Afterthebeginningwhenthepraisesofhisearliestadmirerswereirritatingtodullscribeshefoundthecriticsfairlykind，Ibelieve，andoftenenthusiastic。Hewassomuchhisownseverestcriticthatheprobablypaidlittleheedtoprofessionalreviewers。Inadditiontohis"Rathillet，"andotherMSS。whichhedestroyed，heonce，intheHighlands，longago，lostaportmanteauwithabatchofhiswritings。Alas，thatheshouldhavelostorburnedanything!"King'schaff，"saysourcountryproverb，"isbetterthanotherfolk'scorn。"
Ihaverememberedverylittle，orverylittlethatIcanwrite，andaboutourlastmeeting，whenhewassoneardeath，inappearance，andsofullofcourage——howcanIspeak？Hiscouragewasastrongrock，nottobetakenorsubdued。Whenunabletoutterasingleword，hispencilledremarkstohisattendantswerepithyandextremelycharacteristic。Thiscourageandspiritualvitalitymadeonehopethathewould，ifhedesiredit，liveaslongasVoltaire，thatreedamongoaks。Therewereofcourse，insorareacombinationofcharacteristics，somewhichwerenotequallytothelikingofall。Hewashighlyoriginalincostume，but，ashisphotographsarefamiliar，thepointdoesnotneedelucidation。
Lifewasadramatohim，andhedelighted，likehisownBritishadmirals，todothingswithacertainair。Heobservedhimself，I
usedtothink，asheobservedothers，and"sawhimself"ineverypartheplayed。Therewasnothingofthecabotininthisself-
consciousness；itwastheunextinguishedchildishpassionfor"playingatthings"whichremainedwithhim。Ihaveatheorythatallchildrenpossessgenius，andthatitdiesoutinthegeneralityofmortals，abidingonlywithpeoplewhosegeniustheworldisforcedtorecognise。Mr。Stevensonillustrates，andperhapspartlysuggested，thisprivatephilosophyofmine。
Ihavesaidverylittle；Ihavenoskillinreminiscences，noarttobringthelivingaspectofthemanbeforethosewhoneverknewhim。Ifaintlyseemtoseetheeagerface，thelightnervousfigure，thefingersbusywithrollingcigarettes；Mr。Stevensontalking，listening，oftenrisingfromhisseat，standing，walkingtoandfro，alwaysfullofvividintelligence，wearingamysterioussmile。Irememberonepleasantdarkafternoon，whenhetoldmemanytalesofstrangeadventures，narrativeswhichhehadheardaboutamurderouslonelyinn，somewhereintheStates。Hewasasgoodtohearastoread。Idonotrecollectmuchofthatdelightindiscussion，incontroversy，whichheshowsinhisessayonconversation，wherehedescribes，Ibelieve，Mr。Henleyas"Burley，"andMr。Symondsas"Opalstein。"HehadgreatpleasureinthetalkofthelateProfessorFleemingJenkin，whichwasbothvariousandcopious。ButinthesenoctescoenaequedeumIwasneverapartaker。Inmanytopics，suchasangling，golf，cricket，whereonIamwillinglydiffuse，Mr。Stevensontooknointerest。Hewasveryfondofboatingandsailingineverykind；hehazardedhishealthbylongexpeditionsamongthefairyislesofocean，buthe"wasnotaBritishsportsman，"thoughforhismeasureofstrengthagoodpedestrian，afriendoftheopenair，andofallwholiveandtoiltherein。
Astohisliterarylikings，theyappearinhisownconfessions。HerevelledinDickens，but，aboutThackeray——well，Iwouldratherhavetalkedtosomebodyelse!Tomyamazement，hewasofthoseI
thinkwhofindThackeray"cynical。""Hetakesyouintoagarden，andthenpeltsyouwith"——horridthings!Mr。Stevenson，ontheotherhand，hadafreeadmirationofMr。GeorgeMeredith。HedidnotsoeasilyforgivethelongueusandlazinessesofScott，asaScotshoulddo。HereadFrenchmuch；Greekonlyintranslations。
Literaturewas，ofcourse，hisfirstlove，buthewasactuallyanadvocateattheScottishBar，and，assuch，hadhisnameonabrazendoor-plate。OncehewasacompetitorforaChairofModernHistoryinEdinburghUniversity；heknewtheromanticsideofScottishhistoryverywell。Inhisnovel，"Catriona，"thecharacterofJamesMohrMacgregoriswonderfullydivined。OnceI
readsomeunpublishedlettersofCatriona'sunworthyfather，writtenwhenhewassellinghimselfasaspyandlyingashespiedtotheHanoverianusurper。Mr。StevensonmighthavewrittentheselettersforJamesMohr；theymightbeextractsfrom"Catriona。"
InturningoveroldJacobitepamphlets，IfoundaforgottenromanceofPrinceCharles'shiddenyears，andlongedthatMr。Stevensonshouldretellit。Therewasatreasure，anauthentictreasure；
therewererealspies，arealassassin；areal，orreported，rescueofalovelygirlfromafireatStrasbourg，bythePrince。Thetalewastobeginsurlepontd'Avignon:ayoungScotchexilewatchingtheRhone，thinkinghowmuchofithecouldcoverwithasalmonfly，thinkingoftheTayorBeauly。Tohimenteranothershadytrampingexile，Blairthwaite，amurderer。Andsoitwastorunon，astheauthor'sfancymightleadhim，withAlanBreckandtheMasterforcharacters。Atlast，inunpublishedMSS。IfoundanactualMasterofBallantrae，aHighlandchief——noble，majesticallyhandsome——andapaidspyofEngland!AllthesepapersIsentouttoSamoa，toolate。Thenovelwastohavebeendedicatedtome，andthatchanceofimmortalityisgone，withsomuchelse。
Mr。Stevenson'slastletterstomyselfwerefullofhisconcernforacommonfriendofours，whowasveryill。Depressedhimself，Mr。
Stevensonwrotetothisgentleman——whyshouldInotmentionMr。
JamesPayn？——withconsolinggaiety。Iattributedhisdepressiontoanycausebuthisownhealth，ofwhichherarelyspoke。Helamentedthe"ill-stagedfifthactoflife"；he，atleast，hadnolonghopelessyearsofdiminishedforcetobear。
Ihaveknownnomaninwhomthepre-eminentlymanlyvirtuesofkindness，courage，sympathy，generosity，helpfulness，weremorebeautifullyconspicuousthaninMr。Stevenson，nomansomuchloved——itisnottoostrongaword——bysomanyandsuchvariouspeople。Hewasasuniqueincharacterasinliterarygenius。
CHAPTERIII:RAB'SFRIEND
TosaywhatoughttobesaidconcerningDr。JohnBrown，amanshouldhaveknownhimwellandlong，andshouldremembermuchofthatoldgenerationofScotchmentowhomtheauthorof"RabandhisFriends"belonged。Butthatgenerationhasdeparted。OnebyonethesewitsandscholarsoftheNorth，theseepigoniwhowerenot，indeed，oftheheroes，butwhohadseenandrememberedScottandWilson，havepassedaway。AytounandCarlyleandDr。Burton，andlast，Dr。Brown，aregone。SirTheodoreMartinaloneisleft。InhermemoirofDr。Burton——thehistorianofScotland，andauthorof"TheBook-hunter"——Mrs。Burtonremarksthat，inherhusband'slaterdays，onlyDr。JohnBrownandProfessorBlackieremainedofallherhusband'sancientfriendsandcoevals，ofallwhorememberedLockhart，andHogg，andtheirtimes。ButmanyareleftwhoknewDr。Brownfarbetterandmoreintimatelythantheauthorofthisnotice。IcanhardlysaywhenIfirstbecameacquaintedwithhim，probablyitwasinmychildhood。EversinceIwasaboy，certainly，Iusedtoseehimatintervals，especiallyintheChristmasvacations。ButheseldommovedfromEdinburgh，exceptinsummer，whichhefrequentlypassedinthecountryhouseofcertainfriendsofhis，whoseaffectionmademuchofthehappinessofhislatestyears，andwhoseunfailingkindnessattendedhiminhisdyinghours。LivingalwaysinScotland，Dr。BrownwasseenbutrarelybyhisfriendswhoresidedinEngland。Thus，thoughDr。
Brown'ssweetnessofdispositionandcharmofmanner，hishumour，andhisunfailingsympathyandencouragement，madeonefeeltowardhimastoafamiliarfriend，yet，ofhisactuallifeIsawbutlittle，andhavefewreminiscencestocontribute。Onecanonlyspeakofthatsingulargenialityofhis，thattemperofgoodnessandnaturaltoleranceandaffection，which，asScotsmenbestknow，isnotuniversalamongtheScots。Ourracedoesnotneedtopray，likethemechanicinthestory，thatProvidencewillgiveus"agoodconceitofourselves。"ButwemustacknowledgethattheScotchtemperiscriticalifnotcaptious，argumentative，inclinedtolookattheseamysideofmenandoftheirperformances，andtodwellonimperfectionsratherthanonmeritsandvirtues。AnexampleoftheseblemishesoftheScotchdisposition，carriedtoanextremedegreeinthenatureofamanofgenius，isofferedtotheworldinthewritingsand"Reminiscences"ofMr。Carlyle。
Now，Dr。JohnBrownwasattheoppositepoleoffeeling。Hehadnomawkishtolerationofthingsandpeopleintolerable，buthepreferrednottoturnhismindthatway。Histhoughtswerewiththegood，thewise，themodest，thelearned，thebraveoftimespast，andhewaseagertocatchareflectionoftheirqualitiesinthecharactersoftheliving，ofallwithwhomhecameintocontact。Hewas，forexample，almostoptimisticinhisestimateoftheworkofyoungpeopleinartorliterature。Fromeverythingthatwasbeautifulorgood，fromasummerdaybytheTweed，orfromtheeyesofachild，orfromthehumoroussayingofafriend，orfromtreasuredmemoriesofoldScotchworthies，fromrecollectionsofhisownchildhood，fromexperienceofthestoicalheroismofthepoor，heseemedtoextractmatterforpleasantthoughtsofmenandtheworld，andnourishmentforhisowngreatandgentlenature。I
haveneverknownanymantowhomothermenseemedsodear——mendead，andmenliving。Hegavehisgeniustoknowingthem，andtomakingthembetterknown，andhisunselfishnessthusbecamenotonlyagreatpersonalvirtue，butagreatliterarycharm。Whenyoumethim，hehadsome"goodstory"orsomestoryofgoodnesstotell——forbothcamealiketohim，andhishumourwasasunfailingashiskindness。Therewasinhisfaceasingularcharm，blended，asitwere，oftheexpressionsofmirthandofpatience。Beingmostsensitivetopain，aswellastopleasure，hewasanexceptiontothatruleofRochefoucauld's——"nousavonstousassezdeforcepoursupporterlesmauxd'autrui。"{2}
Hedidnotbeareasilythemisfortunesofothers，andtheevilsofhisownlotwereheavyenough。Theysaddenedhim；butneitherillness，norhispoignantanxietyforothers，couldsouranaturesounselfish。Heappearednottohavelostthatanodyneandconsolationofreligioushope，whichhadbeenthestrengthofhisforefathers，andwashisbestinheritancefromaremarkableraceofScotsmen。Whereverhecame，hewaswelcome；peoplefeltgladwhentheyhadencounteredhiminthestreets——thestreetsofEdinburgh，wherealmosteveryoneknowseveryonebysight——andhewasatleastasjoyouslyreceivedbythechildrenandthedogsasbythegrown-uppeopleofeveryfamily。AfriendhaskindlyshownmealetterinwhichitistoldhowDr。Brown'sloveofdogs，hisinterestinahalf-blindoldDandywhichwasattachedtohim，wasevincedintheverylasthoursofhislife。Butenoughhasbeensaid，ingeneralterms，aboutthecharacterof"thebelovedphysician，"asDr。BrownwascalledinEdinburgh，andabriefaccountmaybegiven，insomedetail，ofhislifeandways。
Dr。JohnBrownwasborninBiggar，oneofthegray，slaty-lookinglittletownsinthepastoralmoorlandsofsouthernScotland。Thesetownshavenogreatbeautythattheyshouldbeadmiredbystrangers，butthenatives，asScottsaidtoWashingtonIrving，areattachedtotheir"grayhills，"andtotheTweed，sobeautifulwhereman'sgreeddoesnotpolluteit，thattheBorderpeopleareallinlovewithit，asTyro，inHomer，lovedthedivineEnipeus。
Weholdit"farthefairestofthefloodsthatrunupontheearth。"
HowdeartheborderscenerywastoDr。JohnBrown，andhowwellheknewandcouldexpressitslegendarymagic，itscharmwovenofcountlessancientspells，themusicofoldballads，thesorceryofoldstories，maybeunderstoodbyreadersofhisessayonMinchmoor。"{3}ThefatherofDr。BrownwasthethirdinalineageofministersofthesectcalledSeceders。ToexplainwhotheSecederswere，itwouldbenecessarytoexplorethesinkingmorassesofScotchecclesiasticalhistory。Theministerwasproudofbeingnotonlya"Seceder"buta"Burgher。"Heinherited，tobebrief，thetraditionsofamostspiritually-mindedandmostspiritedsetofmen，toomuchbent，itmayappeartous，onestablishingdelicatedistinctionsofopinions，butcertainlymosttruetothemselvesandtotheirownidealsoflibertyandoffaith。
Dr。Brown'sgreat-grandfatherhadbeenashepherdboy，whotaughthimselfGreekthathemightreadtheNewTestament；whowalkedtwenty-fourmiles——leavinghisfoldedsheepinthenight——tobuythepreciousvolumeinSt。Andrews，andwho，finally，becameateacherofmuchreputeamonghisownpeople。OfDr。Brown'sfather，hehimselfwroteamosttouchingandbeautifulaccountinhis"LettertoJohnCairns，D。D。"Thisessaycontains，perhaps，theveryfinestpassagesthattheauthoreverpenned。HissayingsabouthisownchildhoodremindoneofthemannerofLamb，withoutthatcuriousfantastictouchwhichisoftheessenceofLamb'sstyle。Thefollowinglines，forexample，arearevelationofchildishpsychology，andprobablymaybeapplied，withalmostasmuchtruth，tothechildhoodofourrace:-
"Childrenarelongofseeing，oratleastoflookingatwhatisabovethem；theyliketheground，anditsflowersandstones，its'redsodgers'andlady-birds，andallitsqueerthings；THEIRWORLD
ISABOUTTHREEFEETHIGH，andtheyaremoreoftenstoopingthangazingup。IknowIwaspasttenbeforeIsaw，orcaredtosee，theceilingsoftheroomsinthemanseatBiggar。"
Ihaveoftenthoughtthattheearliestfathersofourrace，child-
likeinsomanyways，werechild-likeinthis，andworshipped，notthephenomenaoftheheavens，butobjectsmoreonalevelwiththeireyes——the"queerthings"oftheirlow-lyingworld。Inthisessayonhisfather，Dr。Brownhaswrittenlinesaboutachild'sfirstknowledgeofdeath，whichseemasnoteworthyasSteele'sfamouspassageabouthisfather'sdeathandhisownhalf-consciousgriefandanger。Dr。BrowndescribesaScottishfuneral——thefuneralofhisownmother——ashesawitwiththeeyesofaboyoffiveyearsold，whilehisyoungerbrother，ababyofafewmonths-
"leapedupandcrowedwithjoyatthestrangesight——thecrowdinghorsemen，thecoaches，andthenoddingplumesofthehearse……
Then，tomysurpriseandalarm，thecoffin，restingonitsbearers，wasplacedoverthedarkhole，andIwatchedwithcuriouseyetheunrollingofthoseneatblackbunchesofcords，whichIhaveoftenenoughseensince。Myfathertooktheoneatthehead，andalsoanothermuchsmaller，springingfromthesamepointashis，whichhehadcausedtobeplacedthere，andunrollingit，putitintomyhand。Itwisteditfirmlyroundmyfingers，andawaitedtheresult；theburialmenwiththeirrealropesloweredthecoffin，andwhenitrestedatthebottomitwastoofardownformetoseeit。Thegravewasmadeverydeep，asheusedafterwardstotellus，thatitmightholdusall。Myfatherfirstandabruptlylethiscorddrop，followedbytherest。Thiswastoomuch。Inowsawwhatwasmeant，andheldonandfixedmyfistandfeet，andI
believemyfatherhadsomedifficultyinforcingopenmysmallfingers；heletthelittleblackcorddrop，andIremember，inmymiseryandanger，seeingitsopenenddisappearinginthegloom。"
{4}
Themanwhowrotethis，andmanyanotherpassageastrueandtender，mightsurelyhavebeenfamousinfiction，ifhehadturnedhispowersthatway。Hehadimagination，humour，pathos；hewasalwaysstudyingandobservinglife；hislastvolume，especially，islikeacollectionoffragmentsthatmighthavegonetowardmakingawork，insomewaysnotinferiortotheromancesofScott。WhenthethirdvolumeofEssayswaspublished，inthespringofhislastyear，areviewer，whoapparentlyhadnopersonalknowledgeofDr。
Brown，askedwhyhedidnotwriteanovel。Hewasbythattimeoverseventyyearsofage，and，thoughnoneguessedit，withinafewweeksofhisdeath。Whathemighthavedone，hadhegivenhimselftoliteratureonly，itisimpossibletoguess。Buthecausedsomuchhappiness，anddidsomuchgood，inthatgentleprofessionofhealingwhichhechose，andwhichbroughthimneartomanywhoneededconsolationmorethanphysic，thatweneednotforgethisdeliberatechoice。Literaturehadonlyhishoraesubsecivae，ashesaid:Subsecivaquaedamtemporaquaeegoperirenonpatior，asCicerowrites，"shredsandwasteendsoftime，whichIsuffernottobelost。"
ThekindoflifewhichDr。Brown'sfatherandhispeoplelivedatBiggar，theausterelifeofwork，andofthoughtintenselybentontherealaimofexistence，onGod，onthedestinyofthesoul，isperhapsrarenow，eveninruralScotland。WearelessobedientthanofoldtothemottoofthatringfoundonMagusMoor，whereArchbishopShairpwasmurdered，REMEMBERUPONDETHE。IfanyreaderhasnotyetmadetheacquaintanceofDr。Brown'sworks，onemightcounselhimtobeginwiththe"LettertoJohnCairns，D。D。，"thefragmentofbiographyandautobiography，thedescriptionofthefountainheadsfromwhichthegeniusoftheauthorflowed。Inhisearlyboyhood，JohnBrownwaseducatedbyhisfather，amanwho，fromhisson'saffectionatedescription，seemstohaveconfinedafieryandromanticgeniuswithinthechannelsofSecederandBurghertheology。Whenthefatherreceivedacalltothe"RoseStreetSecessionChurch，"inEdinburgh，thesonbecameapupilofthatancientScottishseminary，theHighSchool——theschoolwhereScottwastaughtnotmuchLatinandnoGreekworthmentioning。
Scottwasstillaliveandstronginthosedays，andDr。BrowndescribeshowheandhisschoolcompanionswouldtakeofftheirhatstotheShirraashepassedinthestreets。