"Thoughlame，hewasnimble，andallroughandalivewithpower；
　　hadyoumethimanywhereelse，youwouldsayhewasaLiddesdalestorefarmer，comeofgentleblood——'astout，bluntcarle，'ashesaysofhimself，withtheswingandstrideandtheeyeofamanofthehills——alarge，sunny，out-of-doorairallabouthim。Onhisbroadandstoopingshoulderswassetthatheadwhich，withShakespeare'sandBonaparte's，isthebestknowninalltheworld。"
　　Scottwasthenlivingin39CastleStreet。Idonotknowwhetherthemanypilgrims，whomonemeetsmovingconstantlyinthedirectionofMelroseandAbbotsford，havethoughtofmakingpilgrimagetoCastleStreet，andtothegrave，there，ofScott's"dearoldfriend，"——hisdogCamp。OfDr。Brown'sschoolboydays，oneknowslittle——dayswhen"BobAinslieandIwerecomingupInfirmaryStreetfromtheHighSchool，ourheadstogether，andourarmsintertwisted，asonlyloversandboysknowhoworwhy。"
　　Concerningthedoctor'scharacter，hehasleftitonrecordthathelikedadog-fight。"'Adog-fight，'shoutedBob，andwasoff，andsowasI，bothofusallhot，prayingthatitmightnotbeoverbeforewewereup……Dogslikefighting；oldIsaacWatts，notWaltonsaysthey'delight'init，andforthebestofallreasons；
　　andboysarenotcruelbecausetheyliketoseethefight。Thisisaverydifferentthingfromaloveofmakingdogsfight。"Andthiswasthemostfamousofalldog-fights——sincetheoldIrishBrehonssettledthelawsofthatsport，andgravelydecidedwhatwastobedoneifachildinterfered，oranidiot，orawoman，oraone-eyedman——forthiswasthedog-fightinwhichRabfirstwasintroducedtohishistorian。
　　Sixyearspassedafterthisbattle，andDr。BrownwasamedicalstudentandaclerkatMintoHospital。Howherenewedhisacquaintancethere，andinwhatsadcircumstances，withRabandhisfriends，itissuperfluoustotell，foreveryonewhoreadsatallhasreadthatstory，andmostreadersnotwithouttears。AsamedicalstudentinEdinburgh，Dr。BrownmadethefriendshipofMr。
　　Syme，thefamoussurgeon——afriendshiponlyclosedbydeath。I
　　onlysawthemoncetogether，averylongtimeago，andthenfromthepointofviewofapatient。Theseoccasionsarenotagreeable，andpatients，liketheoldcockwhichdidnotcrowwhenplucked，areapttobe"verymuchabsorbed"；butDr。Brown'sattitudetowardthemanwhomheregardedwiththereverenceofadisciple，aswellaswiththeaffectionofafriend，wasveryremarkable。
　　Whenhisstudieswereover，Dr。BrownpractisedforayearasassistanttoasurgeoninChatham。ItmusthavebeenwhenhewasatChathamthatacuriouseventoccurred。Manyyearslater，CharlesDickenswasinEdinburgh，readinghisstoriesinpublic，andwasdiningwithsomeEdinburghpeople。DickensbegantospeakaboutthepanicwhichthecholerahadcausedinEngland:howillsomepeoplehadbehaved。Asacontrast，hementionedthat，atChatham，onepoorwomanhaddied，desertedbyeveryoneexceptayoungphysician。Someone，however，venturedtoopenthedoor，andfoundthewomandead，andtheyoungdoctorasleep，overcomewiththefatiguethatmasteredhimonhispatient'sdeath，butquiteuntouchedbythegeneralpanic。"Why，thatwasDr。JohnBrown，"
　　oneoftheguestsobserved；anditseemsthat，thusearlyinhiscareer，thedoctorhadbeensettinganexampleofthecourageandcharityofhisprofession。AfterayearspentinChatham，hereturnedtoEdinburgh，wherehespenttherestofhislife，busypartlywithhisartofhealing，partlywithliterature。HelivedinRutlandStreet，neartherailwaystation，bywhichEdinburghisapproachedfromthewest，andclosetoPrincesStreet，thechiefstreetofthetown，separatedbyagreenvalley，oncealoch，fromthehighCastleRock。ItwastheroominwhichhisfriendswereaccustomedtoseeDr。Brown，andaroomfullofinterestitwas。
　　Inhislonglife，thedoctorhadgatheredroundhimmanycuriousrelicsofartistsandmenofletters；adrawingofadogbyTurnerIrememberparticularly，andacopyof"DonJuan，"inthefirstedition，withByron'smanuscriptnotes。Dr。Brownhadagreatloveandknowledgeofartandofartists，fromTurnertoLeech；andhehadverymanyfriendsamongmenofletters，suchasMr。RuskinandMr。Thackeray。Dr。Brownhimselfwasacleverdesignerofrapidlittlegrotesques，roughsketchesofdogsandmen。Oneortwoofthemareengravedinthelittlepaper-coveredbookletsinwhichsomeofhisessayswereseparatelypublished——bookletswhichhewasusedtopresenttopeoplewhocametoseehimandwhowereinterestedinallthathedid。Iremembersomevivaciousgrotesqueswhichhedrewforoneofmybrotherswhenwewereschoolboys。TheselittlethingswerecarefullytreasuredbyboyswhoknewDr。Brown，andfoundhimfriendly，andcapableofsustainingaconversationonthepointsofaDandyDinmontterrierandothermysteriesimportanttoyouth。Hewasabibliophile——atastewhichheinheritedfromhisfather，who"begancollectingbookswhenhewastwelve，andwascollectingtohislasthours。"
　　ThelasttimeIeversawDr。Brown，ayearbeforehisdeath，hewaskindenoughtolendmeoneoftherarestofhistreasures，"Poems，"
　　byMr。Ruskin。ProbablyMr。Ruskinhadpresentedthebooktohisoldfriend；innootherwaywereiteasytoprocurewritingswhichtheauthorwithdrewfrompublication，if，indeed，theyeverwere，properlyspeaking，published。ThusDr。Brownwasallthingstoallmen，andtoallboys。He"hadawordforeveryone，"aspoorpeoplesay，andawordtothepoint，forhewasasmuchathomewiththeshepherdonthehills，orwiththeanglerbetweenHollyleaandClovenfords，aswiththedustybook-hunter，orthedoggyyoungBorderyeoman，orthechildwhoaskedhimto"drawherapicture，"
　　orthefriendofgeniusfamousthroughalltheworld，Thackeray，whenhe"spoke，asheseldomdid，ofdivinethings。"
　　ThreevolumesofessaysareallthatDr。Brownhasleftinthewayofcompositions:alight，butimperishableliterarybaggage。Hisstudiesareusuallyderivedfrompersonalexperience，whichhereproducedwithsingulargenialityandsimplicity，ortheyaredrawnfromthetraditionoftheelders，thereminiscencesoflong-
　　livedScotchpeople，who，themselves，hadlistenedattentivelytothosewhowentbeforethem。SinceScott，theseancientladieswithwonderfulmemorieshavehadnosuchattentivelistenerorappreciativereporterasDr。Brown。Hispapercalled"Mystifications，"anarrativeofthepranksofMissStirlingGraham，isabrief，vividrecordofthecleverandquaintsocietyofScotlandsixtyyearsago。Scotland，oratleastScottishsociety，isnowonlyEnglishsociety——alittlenarrower，alittleprouder，sometimesevenalittleduller。ButoldpeopleofpositionspoketheoldScotchtonguesixtyyearsago，andwerefullofwonderfulgenealogies，fullofreminiscencesofthe"'45，"andtheadventuresoftheJacobites。Theverylastechoesofthatancientworldaredyingnowfrommemory，likethewidereverberationsofthatgunwhichMissNellyMacWilliamheardonthedaywhenPrinceCharleslanded，andwhichresoundedstrangelyallthroughScotland。
　　Thechildrenofthisgeneration，onefears，willhardlyhearoftheseoldraidsandduels，risingsandrebellions，byoraltraditionhandeddown，unbroken，throughauntsandgrandmothers。
　　Scottreapedafull，lateharvestofthememoriesofclannishandfeudalScotland；Dr。Browncameasalatergleaner，andgatheredthesestirringtalesof"AJacobiteFamily"whicharepublishedinthelastvolumeofhisessays。Whenhewasanobserver，notaheareronly，Dr。Brownchieflystudiedandbestwroteofthefollowingtopics:passagesandcharactersofhumourandpathoswhichheencounteredinhislifeandprofession；children，dogs，Borderscenery，andfellow-workersinlifeandscience。Underoneorotherofthesecategoriesallhisbestcompositionsmightbearranged。Themostfamousandmostexquisiteofallhisworksinthefirstclassistheunrivalled"RabandhisFriends"——astudyofthestoicismandtendernessoftheLowlandcharacterworthyofScott。Inaminorwaythelittlepaperon"Jeems，"thedoor-keeperinaDissentinghouseoftheLord，isinterestingtoScotchpeople，thoughitmustseemarathercuriousrevelationtoallothers。
　　"HerlastHalf-crown"isanotherstudyofthehonestythatsurvivedinastarvingandoutcastScotchgirl，whenallothervirtues，aswecommonlyreckonvirtue，hadgonebeforehercharactertosomeplacewhere，letushope，theymayrejoinher；forifwearetosufferfortheviceswhichhaveabandonedus，maywenotgetsomecreditforthevirtuesthatwehaveabandoned，butthatoncewereours，insomeheavenpavedwithbadresolutionsunfulfilled？"TheBlackDwarf'sBones"isasketchofthemisshapencreaturefromwhomScottborrowedthecharacterthatgivesanametooneofhisminorBorderstories。TherealBlackDwarfDavidRitchiehewascalledamongmenwasfondofpoetry，buthatedBurns。Hewaspolitetothefair，butclassedmankindatlargewithhisfavouriteaversions:ghosts，fairies，androbbers。TherewasthisofhumanabouttheBlackDwarf，that"hehatedfolkthatareayegauntodee，andneverdo't。"ThevillagebeautieswerewonttocometohimforaJudgmentofParisontheircharms，andhepresentedeachwithaflower，whichwasofafixedvalueinhisstandardofthingsbeautiful。Onekindofrose，theprizeofthemostfair，heonlygavethrice。Pariscouldnothavedonehisdoomsmorecourteously，and，ifhehadbutmadejudicioususeofrose，lily，andlotus，asprizes，hemighthavepleasedallthethreeGoddesses；Troystillmightbestanding，andtheloftyhouseofKingPriam。
　　AmongDr。Brown'spapersonchildren，thatcalled"PetMarjorie"
　　holdsthehighestplace。Perhapscertainpassagesare"wrotetoosentimentally，"asMarjorieFlemingherselfremarkedaboutthepracticeofmanyauthors。Butitwasdifficulttobeperfectlycomposedwhenspeakingofthiswonderfulfairy-likelittlegirl，whoseaffectionwasaswarmasherhumourandgeniuswereprecocious。"Infantphenomena"areseldomagreeable，butMarjoriewassohumorous，soquick-tempered，sokind，thatweceasetoregardherasanintellectual"phenomenon。"Hermemoryremainssweetandblossominginitsdust，likethatoflittlePenelopeBoothby，thechildinthemobcapwhomSirJoshuapainted，andwhodiedverysoonaftershewasthusmadeImmortal。
　　ItissuperfluoustoquotefromtheessayonMarjorieFleming；
　　everyoneknowsaboutherandherstudies:"Isabellaisteachingmetomakesimmecolings，notsofinterrigations，peorids，commoes，&c。"HereisaShakespeariancriticism，ofwhichfewwilldenythecorrectness:"'Macbeth'isaprettycomposition，butawfulone。"
　　Again，"Ineverreadsermonsofanykind，butIreadnovelettesandmyBible。""'TomJones'andGray's'ElegyinaCountryChurchyard'
　　arebothexcellent，andmuchspokeofbybothsex，particularlybythemen。"HerCalvinisticbeliefin"UNQUESTIONABLEfireandbrimston"isunhesitating，buttheyoungtheologianappearstohavesubstituted"unquestionable"for"unquenchable。"Thereissomethinghumorousinthealteration，asifMarjorierefusedtobeputoffwithan"excellentfamilysubstitute"forfireandbrimstone，anddemandedthe"unquestionable"article，nootherbeinggenuine，pleaseobservetrademark。
　　AmongDr。Brown'scontributionstothehumorousstudyofdogs，"Rab，"ofcourse，holdsthesameplaceasMarjorieamonghissketchesofchildren。Butifhis"QueenMary'sChildGarden，"thedescriptionofthelittlegardeninwhichMaryStuartdidNOTplaywhenachild，issecondto"Marjorie，"so"OurDogs"isagoodsecondto"Rab。"PerhapsDr。BrownneverwroteanythingmoremirthfulthanhisdescriptionofthesuddenbirthofthevirtueofcourageinToby，acomicbutcowardlymongrel，acuroflowdegree。
　　"Tobywasinthewayofhidinghisculinarybonesinthesmallgardensbeforehisownandtheneighbouringdoors。Mr。Scrymgeour，twodoorsoff，abulky，choleric，red-facedman——torvovultu——was，bylawofcontrast，agreatcultivatorofflowers，andhehadoftenscowledTobyintoallbutnon-existencebyastampofhisfootandaglareofhiseye。Oneday，hisgatebeingopen，inwalksTobywithahugebone，andmakingaholewhereScrymgeourhadtwominutesbeforebeenplantingsomepreciousslip，thenameofwhichonpaperandonastickTobymadeverylightof，substitutedhisbone，andwasengagedcoveringit，orthinkinghewascoveringitupwithhisshovellingnose，whenS。spiedhimthroughtheinnerglassdoor，andwasoutuponhim，liketheAssyrian，withaterrificGOWL。Iwatchedthem。InstantlyTobymadeathimwitharoartoo，andaneyemoretorvethanScrymgeour's，who，retreatingwithoutreserve，fellprostrate，thereisreasontobelieve，inhisownlobby。Tobycontentedhimselfwithproclaiminghisvictoryatthedoor，and，returning，finishedhisbone-plantingathisleisure；theenemy，whohadscuttledbehindtheglassdoor，glaredathim。FromthismomentTobywasanaltereddog。Pluckatfirstsightwaslordofall……ThatveryeveninghepaidavisittoLeo，nextdoor'sdog，abigtyrannicalbullyandcoward……TohimTobypaidavisitthatveryevening，downintohisden，andwalkedabout，asmuchastosay，'Comeon，Macduff'；butMacduffdidnotcomeon。"
　　Thisstoryisoneofthemostamazingexamplesofinstantchangeofcharacteronrecord，anddisprovesthescepticalremarkthat"noonewaseverconverted，exceptprize-fighters，andcolonelsinthearmy。"IamsorrytosaythatDr。Brownwastoofondofdogstobeverymuchattachedtocats。Ineverheardhimsayanythingagainstcats，or，indeed，againstanybody；buttherearepassagesinhiswritingswhichtendtoshowthat，whenyoungandthoughtless，hewasnotfarfromregardingcatsas"thehighervermin。"HetellsastoryofaGhazipuss，sotospeak，avictoriouscat，which，entrenchedinadrain，defeatedthreedogswithsevereloss，andfinallyescapedunharmedfromherenemies。Dr。Brown'sfamilygloriedinthepossessionofaDandyDinmontnamedJohnPym，whosecousinAuldPepperbelongedtooneofmybrothers。Dr。BrownwasmuchinterestedinPepper，adogwhosefamilypridewasonlymatchedbythatofthemotherofCandide，and，atonetime，threatenedtoresultintheextinctionofthisbranchoftheHouseofPepper。Dr。Brownhadremarked，andmyownobservationsconfirmit，thatwhenaDandyisnotgame，hisapparentlackofcouragearises"fromkindnessofheart。"
　　AmongDr。Brown'slandscapes，asonemaycallhisdescriptionsofscenery，andoftheancienthistoricalassociationswithScotchscenery，"Minchmoor"isthemostimportant。HehadalwaysbeenagreatloveroftheTweed。Thewalkwhichhecommemoratesin"Minchmoor"wastaken，ifIamnotmistaken，incompanywithPrincipalShairp，ProfessorofPoetryintheUniversityofOxford，andauthorofoneofthemostbeautifulofTweedsidesongs，amodern"BushaboonTraquair:"-
　　"Andwhatsawyethere，AtthebushaboonTraquair；
　　Orwhatdidyehearthatwasworthyourheed？
　　IheardthecushiecroonThro'thegowdenafternoon，AndtheQuairburnsingingdoontothevaleo'Tweed。"
　　ThereisinthecountryofScottnopleasanterwalkthanthatwhichDr。Browntookinthesummerafternoon。Withinafewmiles，manyplacesfamousinhistoryandballadmaybevisited:theroadbywhichMontrose'smenfledfromPhiliphaughfight；TraquairHouse，withthebearsonitsgates，asontheportalsoftheBaronofBradwardine；Williamhope，whereScottandMungoPark，theAfricanexplorer，partedandwenttheirseveralways。FromthecrestoftheroadyouseealltheBorderhills，theMaidenPaps，theEildonscloveninthree，theDunion，theWindburg，andsotothedistantCheviots，andSmailholmTower，whereScottlaywhenachild，andclappedhishandsattheflashesofthelightning，haudsineDisanimosusinfans，likeHorace。
　　FromthecrestofthehillyoufollowDr。BrownintothevalleyofYarrow，andthedeepblackpools，nowcalledthe"dowiedens，"andso，"throughthepompofcultivatednature，"asWordsworthsays，totherailwayatSelkirk，passingtheplainwhereJanetwonbackTamlanefromthequeenofthefairies。AllthiscountrywasfamiliartoDr。Brown，andononeofthelastoccasionswhenImethim，hewaslivingatHollylea，ontheTweed，justaboveAshestiel，Scott'shomewhilehewashappyandprosperous，beforehehadtheunhappythoughtofbuildingAbbotsford。AtthetimeIspeakof，Dr。Brownhadlongceasedtowrite，andhishealthsufferedfromattacksofmelancholy，inwhichtheworldseemedverydarktohim。
　　Ihavebeenallowedtoreadsomeletterswhichhewroteinoneoftheseintervalsofdepression。Withhishabitualunselfishness，hekepthismelancholytohimself，and，thoughhedidnotcareforsocietyatsuchtimes，hesaidnothingofhisownconditionthatcoulddistresshiscorrespondent。Inthelastyearofhislife，everythingaroundhimseemedtobrighten:hewasunusuallywell，heevenreturnedtohisliterarywork，andsawhislastvolumeofcollectedessaysthroughthepress。Theyweremostfavourablyreceived，andthelastletterswhichIhadfromhimspokeofthepleasurewhichthissuccessgavehim。Threeeditionsofhisbook"JohnLeech，andOtherEssays"werepublishedinsomesixweeks。
　　Allseemedtogowell，andonemightevenhavehopedthat，withrenewedstrength，hewouldtakeuphispenagain。Buthisstrengthwaslessthanwehadhoped。Acoldsettledonhislungs，and，inspiteofthemostaffectionatenursing，hegrewrapidlyweaker。Hehadlittlesufferingattheend，andhismindremainedunclouded。
　　Nomanofletterscouldbemorewidelyregretted，forhewasthefriendofallwhoreadhisbooks，as，eventopeoplewhoonlymethimonceortwiceinlife，heseemedtobecomedearandfamiliar。
　　Inoneofhisverylatestwritings，"OnThackeray'sDeath，"Dr。
　　Browntoldpeoplewhatsomeofthemneeded，andstillneedtobetoldhowgood，kind，andthoughtfulforotherswasourgreatwriter——ourgreatestmasteroffiction，Iventuretothink，sinceScott。SomeofthelinesDr。BrownwroteofThackerarymightbeappliedtohimself:"Helookedalwaysfresh，withthataboundingsilveryhair，andhisyoung，almostinfantileface"——afaceverypale，andyetradiant，inhislastyears，andmildlylitupwitheyesfullofkindness，andsoftenedbysorrow。Inhislastyear，Mr。SwinburnewrotetoDr。Brownthissonnet，inwhichthereseemssomethingofthepoet'spropheticgift，andavoicesoundsasofawelcomehome:-
　　"Beyondthenorthwindlaythelandofold，Wheremendweltblitheandblameless，clothedandfedWithjoy'sbrightraiment，andwithlove'ssweetbread，-
　　Thewhitestflockofearth'smaternalfold，NonetheremightwearabouthisbrowsenrolledAlightoflovelierfamethanringsyourhead，WhoselovesomeloveofchildrenandthedeadAllmengivethanksfor；I，faroff，beholdAdeardeadhandthatlinksus，andalightTheblithestandbenignestofthenight，-
　　Thenightofdeath'ssweetsleep，whereinmaybeAstartoshowyourspiritinpresentsightSomehappierisleintheElysianseaWhereRabmaylickthehandofMarjorie。"
　　CHAPTERIV:OLIVERWENDELLHOLMES
　　NeverbutoncedidIenjoytheprivilegeofmeetingtheauthorof"ElsieVenner"——OliverWendellHolmes。ItwasatadinnergivenbyMr。Lowell，andofconversationwithDr。HolmesIhadverylittle。
　　Hestruckmeasbeingwonderfullyerect，active，andvivaciousforhisgreatage。HespokeperhapsIshouldnotchroniclethisimpression——hespokemuch，andfreely，butratherasifhewerewounduptospeak，sotosay——woundup，Imean，byasenseofdutytohimselfandkindnesstostrangers，whowerenaturallycuriousaboutsowell-knownaman。Inhisaspecttherewasacertaindryness，and，altogether，hisvivacity，hisceaselessness，andakindofequabilityoftoneinhisvoice，remindedmeofwhatHomersaysconcerningtheoldmenaroundPriam，abovethegateofTroy，howthey"chirpedlikecicalasonasummerday。"AboutthematterofhistalkIremembernothing，onlythemannerremainswithme，andminemayhavebeenafalseimpression，orthemannermayhavebeenaccidental，andofthemoment:or，again，amannerappropriateforconversationwithstrangers，eachcominguponeaftertheother，toviewrespectfullysogreatalion。Amonghisfriendsandintimateshewasprobablyadifferentman，withatoneotherandmorereposeful。
　　Hehadalong，wearytaskbeforehim，then，totalkhisway，evercourteous，alert，attentive，throughpartofaLondonseason。Yet，whenitwasallover，heseemstohaveenjoyedit，beingamanwhotookpleasureinmostsortsofexperience。Hedidnotaffectme，forthatonetime，withsuchasenseofpleasureasMr。Lowelldid——
　　Mr。Lowell，whomIknewsomuchbetter，andwhowassobig，strong，humorous，kind，learned，friendly，anddelightfullynatural。
　　Dr。Holmes，too，wasadelightfulcompanion，andIhavemerelytriedtomakeasortofphotographic"snap-shot"athim，inasinglecasualmoment，oneofmyriadsofsuchmoments。TurningtoDr。Holmes'spopular，asdistinctfromhisprofessionalwritings，oneisreminded，asoneoftenis，ofthechangewhichseemstocomeoversomebooksasthereadergrowsolder。Manybooksaretoonenowwhattheyalwayswere；some，liketheWaverleynovelsandShakespeare，growbetteroneveryfreshreading。Therearebookswhichfilledme，inboyhoodorinyouth，withasortofadmiringrapture，andadelightedwonderattheirnovelty，theirstrangeness，freshness，greatness。ThusHomer，andthebestnovelsofThackeray，andofFielding，theplaysofMoliereandShakespeare，thepoemsof——well，ofalltherealpoets，movedthisastonishmentofadmiration，andbeingreadagain，theymoveitstill。Onadifferentlevel，onemaysayasmuchaboutbookssounlikeeachother，asthoseofPoeandofSirThomasBrowne，ofSwiftandofCharlesLamb。
　　Thereare，again，otherbookswhichcausedthishappyemotionofwonder，whenfirstperused，longsince，butwhichdosonolonger。
　　IamnotmuchsurprisedtofindCharlesKingsley'snovelsamongthem。
　　InthecaseofDr。Holmes'sbooks，Iamverysensibleofthisdisenchantingeffectoftimeandexperience。"TheProfessorattheBreakfastTable"andthenovelscameintomyhandswhenIwasveryyoung，in"green，unknowingyouth。"Theyseemedextraordinary，new，fantasiesofwisdomandwit；thereflectionsweresuchassurprisedmebytheirdepth，theillustrationsdazzledbytheirnoveltyandbrilliance。Probablytheywillstillbeasfortunatewithyoungreaders，andIamtobepitied，Ihope，ratherthanblamed，ifIcannot，likethewisethrush-
　　"RecaptureThefirstfinecarelessrapture。"
　　Bythistime，ofcourse，oneunderstandsmanyoftheconstituentsofDr。Holmes'sgenius，thesocial，historical，ancestral，andprofessionalelementsthereof。Now，itisthebusinessofcriticismtosearchoutandillustratetheseantecedents，anditseemsaveryoddandunluckything，thattheresultsofthisknowledgewhenacquired，shouldsometimesbeapartialdisenchantment。Butwearenotdisenchantedatallbythiskindofscience，whentheauthorwhomweareexaminingisagreatnaturalgenius，likeShakespeareorShelley，KeatsorScott。Suchnaturesbringtotheworldfarmorethantheyreceive，asfarasourmeansofknowingwhattheyreceiveareconcerned。Thewindofthespiritthatisnotofthisearth，norlimitedbytimeandspace，breathesthroughtheirwords，andthoughts，anddeeds。Theyarenotmerecombinations，howeverdeftandsubtle，ofKNOWNatoms。Theymustcontinuallydelight，andcontinuallysurprise；customcannotstalethem；liketheheaven-bornLawsinSophocles，agecanneverlullthemtosleep。Theirworks，whentheyareauthors，neverloseholdonourfancyandourinterest。
　　Asfarasmyownfeelingsandadmirationcaninformme，Dr。Holmes，thoughamostinterestingandamiableandkindlymanandwriter，wasnotofthisclass。Asanessayist，adelineatorofmenandmorals，anunassumingphilosopher，withalight，friendlywit，hecertainlydoesnotholdoneas，forexample，Addisondoes。TheoldSpectatormakesmesmile，pleases，tickles，divertsmenow，evenmorethanwhenIlayonthegrassandreaditbyTweedside，asaboy，whenthetroutweresluggish，intheearlyafternoon。ItisonlyapersonalfactthatDr。Holmes，readinthesameoldseasons，withsomuchpleasureandadmirationandsurprise，nolongeraffectsmeintheoldway。Carlyle，ontheotherhand，inhis"Frederick，"whichusedtoseemratherlong，nowentertainsmefarmorethanever。ButIamwellawarethatthisisameresubjectiveestimate；thatDr。HolmesmayreallybeasgreatageniusasIwaswonttothinkhim，forcriticismisonlyapartofourimpressions。
　　Theopinionofmatureexperience，asarule，oughttobesounderthanthatofyouth；inthiscaseIcannotbutthinkthatitissounder。
　　Dr。HolmeswasaNewEnglander，andborninwhathecalls"theBrahmincaste，"theclasswhich，inEngland，beforethesailingoftheMayFlower，andeversince，hadalwaysbeenliteraryandhighlyeducated。"Ilikebooks；Iwasbornandbredamongthem，"hesays，"andhavetheeasyfeeling，whenIgetintotheirpresence，thatastable-boyhasamonghorses。"Heisfondofbooks，and，aboveall，ofoldbooks——strange，oldmedicalworks，forexample——fullofportentsandprodigies，suchasthoseofWierus。
　　NewEngland，owingtoitsfamouscollege，Harvard，anditssteadymaintenanceoftheliteraryandlearnedtraditionamongtheclergy，was，naturally，thehomeoftheearliestgreatAmericanschoolofwriters。Thesemen——Longfellow，Lowell，Ticknor，Prescott，Hawthorne，andsomanyothers——hadallreceivedthesamesortofeducationasEuropeansoflettersusedtoreceive。Theyhadnotstartedasprinters'devils，ornewspaperreporters，orplaywrightsforthestage，butwereacademic。Itdoesnotmattermuchhowageniusbegins——asaruralbutcher，oranapothecary，oraclerkofaWritertotheSignet。Still，theNewEnglanderswereacademicandclassical。NewEnglandhas，bythistime，establishedatraditionofitsliteraryoriginandcharacter。HerchildrenaresonsofthePuritans，withtheirindependence，theirnarrowness，theirappreciationofcomfort，theirhardinessindoingwithoutit，theirsingularscruplesofconscience，theirsenseoftheawfulnessofsin，theiraccessibilitytosuperstition。WecanreadofthelaterNewEnglandersinthemaking，amongtheworksofCottonMather，hisfatherIncreaseMather，andthewitch-burning，periwig-
　　hating，doctrinalJudgeSewall，whosomanfullyconfessedandatonedforhismistakeabouttheSalemwitches。Thesemen，ormanyofthem，weredeeply-learnedCalvinists，accordingtothestandardoftheirday，adaylastingfrom，say，theRestorationto1730。
　　CottonMather，inparticular，iserudite，literary——nay，fullofliteraryvanity——mystical，visionary，creduloustoanamusingdegree。
　　ButheisreallyasBritishasBaxter，orhisScottishcorrespondentandcounterpart，Wodrow。ThesonsorgrandsonsofthesemengainedtheWarofIndependence。Ofthistheyarenaturallyproud，andthecircumstanceisnotinfrequentlymentionedinDr。Holmes'sworks。Theirdemocracyisnotroaringmoderndemocracy，butthatofthecultivatedmiddleclasses。TheirsternCalvinismslackenedintomany"isms，"butleftakindofreligiositybehindit。OneofDr。Holmes'smouthpiecessumsuphiswholecreedinthetwowordsPaterNoster。AllthesehereditaryinfluencesareconsciouslymadeconspicuousinDr。Holmes'swritings，asinHawthorne's。InHawthorneyouseetheoldhorrorofsin，theoldterrorofconscience，theolddreadofwitchcraft，theoldconcernaboutconduct，convertedintoaestheticsourcesofliterarypleasure，ofliteraryeffects。
　　Asaphysicianandamanofscience，Dr。Holmesaddedabundantknowledgeofthenewsort；andapt，unexpectedbitsofsciencemadepopular，analogiesandillustrationsaffordedbysciencearefrequentinhisworks。Thus，in"ElsieVenner，"andin"TheGuardianAngel，""heredity"ishistheme。Heisalwaysbroodingoverthethoughtthateachofusissomuchmadeupofearlierpeople，ourancestors，whobequeathtoussomanydisagreeablethings——vice，madness，disease，emotions，tricksofgesture。Nodoubtthesethingsarebequeathed，butallinsuchnewproportionsandrelations，thateachofusishimselfandnobodyelse，andthereforehadbettermakeuphismindtoBEhimself，andforhimselfresponsible。
　　Allthisdoctrineofheredity，stillsodimlyunderstood，Dr。
　　Holmesderivesfromscience。But，inpassingthroughhismind，thatofaNewEnglanderconsciousofNewEngland'spast，sciencetakesastainofromanceandsuperstition。ElsieVenner，throughanexperienceofhermother's，inheritsthenatureoftheserpent，sothenovelisasfarfromcommonlifeasthetaleof"Melusine，"
　　oranyotherechidna。ThefantasyhasitssettinginacommonplaceNewEnglandenvironment，andthusrecallsaHawthornelesssubtleandconcentrated，butmuchmorehumorous。Theheroineofthe"GuardianAngel，"again，exposesacharacterinlayers，asitwere，eachstratumofconsciousnessbeinginheritedfromadifferentancestor——amongothers，aredIndian。Shehasmanypersonalities，likethequeerwomenwereadaboutinFrenchtreatisesonhystericsandnervousdiseases。Thesestoriesare"fairytalesofscience，"
　　byamanofscience，whoisalsoahumourist，andhasatouchofthepoet，andoftheoldfatherswhowereafraidofwitches。The"blend"issingularenough，andnotwithoutitsoriginalityoffascination。
　　ThoughamanofscienceDr。Holmesapparentlytookanimaginativepleasureinallshapesofsuperstitionthathecouldmuster。I
　　mustquoteapassagefrom"TheProfessorattheBreakfastTable，"
　　aspeculiarlyillustrativeofhismethod，andhiswaysofhalfacceptingtheabnormallyromantic——acceptingjustenoughforpleasure，likeSirWalterScott。Connectedwiththeextractisacuriousanecdote。
　　"IthinkIamalittlesuperstitious。Thereweretwothings，whenIwasaboy，thatdiabolisedmyimagination，——Imean，thatgavemeadistinctapprehensionofaformidablebodilyshapewhichprowledroundtheneighbourhoodwhereIwasbornandbred。Thefirstwasaseriesofmarkscalledthe'Devil'sfootsteps。'Thesewerepatchesofsandinthepastures，wherenograssgrew，whereeventhelow-
　　bushblackberry，the"dewberry，"asourSouthernneighbourscallit，inprettierandmoreShakespearianlanguage，didnotspreaditsclingingcreepers，whereeventhepale，dry，sadly-sweet'everlasting'couldnotgrow，butallwasbareandblasted。Thesecondwasamarkinoneofthepublicbuildingsnearmyhome，——thecollegedormitorynamedafteraColonialGovernor。Idonotthinkmanypersonsareawareoftheexistenceofthismark，——littlehavingbeensaidaboutthestoryinprint，asitwasconsideredverydesirable，forthesakeoftheInstitution，tohushitup。Inthenorth-westcorner，andonthelevelofthethirdorfourthstorey，therearesignsofabreachinthewalls，mendedprettywell，butnottobemistaken。Aconsiderableportionofthatcornermusthavebeencarriedaway，fromwithinoutward。Itwasanunpleasantaffair，andIdonotcaretorepeattheparticulars；butsomeyoungmenhadbeenusingsacredthingsinaprofaneandunlawfulway，whentheoccurrence，whichwasvariouslyexplained，tookplace。ThestoryoftheAppearanceinthechamberwas，I
　　suppose，inventedafterwards；butoftheinjurytothebuildingtherecouldbenoquestion；andthezigzagline，wherethemortarisalittlethickerthanbefore，isstilldistinctlyvisible。
　　"Thequeerburntspots，calledthe'Devil'sfootsteps，'hadneverattractedattentionbeforethistime，thoughthereisnoevidencethattheyhadnotexistedpreviously，exceptthatofthelateMissM。，a'Goody，'socalled，whowaspositiveonthesubject，buthadastrangehorrorofreferringtoanaffairofwhichshewasthoughttoknowsomething……Itellyouitwasnotsopleasantforalittleboyofimpressiblenaturetogouptobedinanoldgambrel-
　　roofedhouse，withuntenantedlockedupperchambers，andamostghostlygarret，——with'Devil'sfootsteps'inthefieldsbehindthehouse，andinfrontofitthepatcheddormitory，wheretheunexplainedoccurrencehadtakenplacewhichstartledthosegodlessyouthsattheirmockdevotions，sothatoneofthemwasepilepticfromthatdayforward，andanother，afteradreadfulseasonofmentalconflict，tooktoreligion，andbecamerenownedforhisasceticsanctity。"
　　ItisapitythatDr。Holmesdoesnotgivethewholestory，insteadofhintingatit，forasimilartaleistoldatBrazenoseCollege，andelsewhere。Nowtake，alongwithDr。Holmes'sconfessiontoagrainofsuperstition，thisremarkon，andexplanationof，thecuriouscoincidenceswhichthrustthemselvesonthenoticeofmostpeople。
　　"Excuseme，——IreturntomystoryoftheCommonstable。Youngfellowsbeingalwayshungry，andteaanddrytoastbeingthemeagrefareoftheeveningmeal，itwasatrickofsomeoftheboystoimpaleasliceofmeatuponafork，atdinner-time，andstickthefork，holdingit，beneaththetable，sothattheycouldgetitattea-time。ThedragonsthatguardedthistableoftheHesperidesfoundoutthetrickatlast，andkeptasharplook-outformissingforks；——theyknewwheretofindone，ifitwasnotinitsplace。
　　Nowtheoddthingwas，that，afterwaitingsomanyyearstohearofthisCollegetrick，IshouldhearitmentionedaSECONDTIMEwithinthesametwenty-fourhoursbyaCollegeyouthofthepresentgeneration。Strange，buttrue。Andsoithashappenedtomeandtoeveryperson，oftenandoften，tobehitinrapidsuccessionbythesetwinnedfactsorthoughts，asiftheywerelinkedlikechain-
　　shot。
　　"Iwasgoingtoleavethesimplereadertowonderoverthis，takingitasanunexplainedmarvel。Ithink，however，Iwillturnoverafurrowofsubsoilinit。Theexplanationis，ofcourse，thatinagreatmanythoughtstheremustbeafewcoincidences，andtheseinstantlyarrestourattention。Nowweshallprobablyneverhavetheleastideaoftheenormousnumberofimpressionswhichpassthroughourconsciousness，untilinsomefuturelifeweseethephotographicrecordofourthoughtsandthestereoscopicpictureofouractions。
　　"Now，mydearfriends，whoareputtingyourhandstoyourforeheads，andsayingtoyourselvesthatyoufeelalittleconfused，asifyouhadbeenwaltzinguntilthingsbegantowhirlslightlyroundyou，isitpossiblethatyoudonotclearlyapprehendtheexactconnectionofallIhavebeensaying，anditsbearingonwhatisnowtocome？Listen，then。Thenumberoftheselivingelementsinourbodiesillustratestheincalculablemultitudeofourthoughts；thenumberofourthoughtsaccountsforthosefrequentcoincidencesspokenof；thesecoincidencesintheworldofthoughtillustratethosewhichweconstantlyobserveintheworldofoutwardevents。"
　　Nowfortheanecdote——oneofMarkTwain's。
　　Someyearsago，MarkTwainpublishedinHarper'sMagazineanarticleon"MentalTelegraphy。"Heillustratedhismeaningbyastoryofhowheoncewrotealongletteronacomplicatedsubject，whichhadpoppedintohisheadbetweenasleepandawake，toafriendontheothersideofAmerica。Hedidnotsendtheletter，but，byreturnofpost，receivedonefromhisfriend。"Now，I'lltellyouwhatheisgoingtosay，"saidMarkTwain，readhisownunsentepistlealoud，andthen，openinghisfriend'sdespatch，provedthattheywereessentiallyidentical。Thisiswhathecalls"MentalTelegraphy"；otherscallit"Telepathy，"andthetermismerelydescriptive。
　　Now，onhisownshowing，inoursecondextract，Dr。Holmesshouldhaveexplainedcoincidenceslikethisaspurelytheworkofchance，andIratherinclinetothinkthathewouldhavebeenright。ButMarkTwain，inhisarticleon"MentalTelegraphy，"citesDr。Holmesforastoryofhowheonce，afterdinner，ashisletterscamein，feltconstrainedtotell，aproposdesbottes，thestoryofthelastchallengetojudicialcombatinEngland1817。HethenopenedanewspaperdirectedtohimfromEngland，theSportingTimes，andthereinhiseyeslightedonanaccountofthisveryaffair——AbrahamThornton'schallengetobattlewhenhewasaccusedofmurder，in1817。AccordingtoMarkTwain，Dr。Holmeswasdisposedtoaccept"MentalTelegraphy"ratherthanmerechanceasthecauseofthiscoincidence。Yettheanecdoteofthechallengeseemstohavebeenafavouriteofhis。Itoccursin，"TheProfessor，"inthefifthsection。Perhapshetolditprettyfrequently；probablythatiswhytheprintedversionwassenttohim；still，hewasalittlestaggeredbythecoincidence。TherewasenoughofCottonMatherinthemanofsciencetogivehimpause。
　　TheformofDr。Holmes'sbestknownbooks，thesetconcernedwiththebreakfast-tableand"OvertheTeacups，"isnotveryfortunate。
　　Muchconversationatbreakfastisawearinessoftheflesh。Wewanttoeatwhatisnecessary，andthentogoaboutourworkorplay。IfAmericancitizensinaboarding-housecouldenduretheselongpalavers，theymusthavebeenveryunlikethehastyfeederscaricaturedin"MartinChuzzlewit。"MacaulaymayhavemonologuisedthusathisbreakfastpartiesintheAlbany；butbreakfastpartiesareobsolete——anunregrettableparcelofthingslost。Themonologues，ordialogues，werepublishedseriallyintheAtlanticMonthly，buttheyhavehadavitalityandavoguefarbeyondthoseofthemagazinecauserie。Someoftheirpopularitytheymayowetothedescriptionoftheotherboarders，andtothekindofnovelwhichconnectsthefortunesofthesepersonages。ButitisimpossibleforanEnglishmantoknowwhethertheseAmericantypesareexactlydrawnornot。Theirfortunesdonotstronglyinterestone，thoughthe"Sculpin"——thepatriotic，deformedBostonian，withhisgreat-great-grandmother'sringshewashangedforawitch——isaveryoriginalandsingularcreation。Therealinterestliesinthewit，wisdom，andlearning。Thewit，nowandthen，seemsto-dayratherinthenatureofa"goak。"Onemightgiveexamples，buttodososeemsill-naturedandungrateful。
　　Therearesomeveryperishablepuns。ThelearningisnotsorechercheasitappearedwhenweknewnothingofCottonMatherandRobertCalef，theauthorofabookagainstthepersecutionofwitches。Calef，ofcourse，wasintheright，butIcannotforgivehimforrefusingtoseealady，knowntoMr。Mather，whofloatedaboutintheair。Thatshedidsowasnogoodreasonforhangingorburninganumberofparishioners；but，didshefloat，and，ifso，how？Mr。Calefsaiditwouldbeamiracle，sohedeclinedtoviewtheperformance。Hislogicwasthin，thoughofafamiliardescription。Ofalloldthings，atallevents，Dr。Holmeswasfond。HefoundAmericascarcelyaired，newandraw，devoidofhistoryandofassociations。"TheTiberhasavoiceforme，asitwhisperstothepiersofthePonsAElius，evenmorefullofmeaningthanmywell-belovedCharles，eddyingroundthepilesofWestBostonBridge。"NodoubtthisisacommonsentimentamongAmericans。
　　Occasionally，likeHawthorne，theysighforanhistoricalatmosphere，andthen，whentheycometoEuropeandgetit，theydonotlikeit，andthinkSchenectady，NewYork，"abetterplace。"ItisnoteasytounderstandwhatailedHawthornewithEurope；hewasextremelycausticinhiswritingsaboutthatcontinent，anddiscontented。Ourmatronsweresostoutandplacidthattheyirritatedhim。Indeed，theyarealittleheavyinhand，stillthereareexamplesofagreeableslimness，eveninthispooroldcountry。Fondashewasofthehistoricalpast，Mr。Holmesremainedloyaltothehistoricalpresent。HewasnotoneofthoseAmericanswhoarealwayscensuringEngland，andalwayshankeringafterher。Hehadnoneofthatirritablefeeling，whichmadeagreatcontemporaryofhisangrilydeclarethatHEcouldenduretohear"YeMarinersofEngland"sung，becauseofhisowncountry'ssuccesses，sometimeago。TheyweregallantandconspicuousvictoriesoftheAmericanfrigates；wedonotgrudgethem。Afairfightshouldleavenorancour，aboveallinthevictors，andDr。
　　Holmes'switherswouldhavebeenunwrungbyCampbell'sditty。
　　HevisitedEnglandinyouth，andfiftyyearslater。OntheanniversaryoftheAmericandefeatatBunker'sHillJune17，Dr。
　　HolmesgothisdegreeintheOLDCambridge。HereceiveddegreesatEdinburghandatOxford，inhis"HundredDaysinEurope"hesaysverylittleaboutthesehistoriccities。ThemenatOxfordasked，"Didhecomeinthe'OneHossShay'？"thenameofhismostfamiliarpoeminthelightervein。ThewholevisittoEnglandpleasedandweariedhim。HelikenedittotheshasscaffyofMr。HenryFoker——
　　thefillipattheendofthelongbanquetoflife。HewenttoseetheDerby，forhewasfondofhorses，ofracing，and，inasportsmanlikeway，ofboxing。Hehadthegreatboldnessonce，audaxjuventa，towriteasonginpraiseofthatcomfortablecreature——wine。ThepruderyofmanyAmericansaboutthejuiceofthegrapeisathingveryastonishingtoatemperateBriton。Anadmirableauthor，whowroteanaccountoftheoldconvivialdaysofanAmericancity，foundthatreputablemagazinescouldnotacceptsuchadegradinghistoricalrecord。TherewasnononsenseaboutDr。Holmes。Hispoemsweremainly"occasional"versesforfriendlymeetings；orhumorous，likethecelebrated"OneHorseShay。"Ofhisseriousverses，the"Nautilus"isprobablytoofamiliartoneedquotation；anoblefancyisnoblyandtunefully"moralised。"
　　Pleasing，cultivated，andsoforth，areadjectivesnotdeartopoets。Tosay"sublime，"or"magical，"or"strenuous，"ofDr。
　　Holmes'smuse，wouldbetoexaggerate。Howfarhemaintainedhisscholarship，Iamnotcertain；butitisoddthat，inhisprefaceto"TheGuardianAngel，"heshouldquotefrom"JonathanEdwardstheyounger，"astoryforwhichhemighthavecitedAristotle。
　　WereItochooseonecharacteroutofDr。Holmes'screationsasmyfavourite，itwouldbe"afrequentcorrespondentofhis，"andofmine——theimmortalGiftedHopkins。Neverwasminorpoetmorekindlyandgeniallyportrayed。Andifonehadtopickoutthreeofhisbooks，asthebestworthreading，theywouldbe"TheProfessor，""ElsieVenner，"and"TheGuardianAngel。"Theyhavenottheimpeccableartanddistinctionof"TheHouseoftheSevenGables"and"TheScarletLetter，"buttheycombinefantasywithlivinghumaninterest，andwithhumour。WithSirThomasBrowne，andDr。JohnBrown，and——maywenotaddDr。WeirMitchell？——Dr。
　　Holmesexcellentlyrepresentsthephysicianinhumaneletters。Hehasleftablamelessandmostamiablememory，unspottedbytheworld。Hisworksarefullofthesavourofhisnativesoil，naturally，withoutstrainingafter"Americanism；"andtheyarenational，notlocalorprovincial。Hecrossedthegreatgulfofyears，betweenthecentralageofAmericanliteraryproduction——thetimeofHawthorneandPoe——toourowntime，and，likeNestor，hereignedamongthethirdgeneration。Asfarastheworldknows，theshadowofaliteraryquarrelneverfellonhim；hewaswithoutenvyorjealousy，incuriousofhisownplace，nevervain，petulant，orsevere。Hewaseventoogood-humoured，andtheworstthingIhaveheardofhimisthathecouldneversay"no"toanautographhunter。
　　CHAPTERV:MR。MORRIS'SPOEMS
　　"Enough，"saidthepupilofthewiseImlac，"youhaveconvincedmethatnomancanbeapoet。"ThestudyofMr。WilliamMorris'spoems，inthenewcollectededition，{5}hasconvincedmethatnoman，or，atleast，nomiddle-agedman，canbeacritic。IreadMr。
　　Morris'spoemsthankstotheknightlyhonoursconferredontheBardofPenrhyn，thereisnownoambiguityasto'Mr。Morris'，butitisnotthebookonlythatIread。Thescrollofmyyouthisunfolded。IseethedearplacewherefirstIperused"TheBlueCloset"；theoldfacesofoldfriendsflockaroundme；oldchaff，oldlaughter，oldhappinessre-echoandrevive。St。Andrews，Oxford，comebeforethemind'seye，with"ManyaplaceThat'sinsadcaseWherejoywaswontafore，oh!"
　　asMinstrelBurnesings。Thesevoices，faces，landscapesminglewiththemusicandblurthepicturesofthepoetwhoenchantedforuscertainhourspassedintheparadiseofyouth。AreviewerwhofindshimselfinthiscasemayaswellfranklyconfessthathecannomorecriticiseMr。Morrisdispassionatelythanhecouldcriticisehisoldselfandthefriendswhomheshallneverseeagain，tillhemeetsthem"Beyondthesphereoftime，Andsin，andgrief'scontrol，SereneinchangelessprimeOfbodyandofsoul。"
　　Towriteofone'sown"adventuresamongbooks"maybetoprovideanecdotagemoreorlesstrivial，moreorlessfutile，but，atleast，itistowritehistorically。Weknowhowbookshaveaffected，anddoaffectourselves，ourbundleofprejudicesandtastes，ofoldimpressionsandrevivedsensations。Tojudgebooksdispassionatelyandimpersonally，ismuchmoredifficult——indeed，itispracticallyimpossible，forourowntastesandexperiencesmust，moreorless，modifyourverdicts，dowhatwewill。However，theeffortmustbemade，fortosaythat，atacertainage，incertaincircumstances，anindividualtookmuchpleasurein"TheLifeandDeathofJason，"thepresentofacollegefriend，iscertainlynottocriticise"TheLifeandDeathofJason。"
　　TherehavebeenthreeblossomingtimesintheEnglishpoetryofthenineteenthcentury。ThefirstdatesfromWordsworth，Coleridge，Scott，and，later，fromShelley，Byron，Keats。By1822theblossomingtimewasover，andthesecondblossomingtimebeganin1830-1833，withyoungMr。TennysonandMr。Browning。Itbrokeforthagain，in1842anddidnotpracticallyceasetillEngland'sgreatestlaureatesangofthe"CrossingoftheBar。"ButwhileTennysonputouthisfullstrengthin1842，andMr。Browningratherlater，in"BellsandPomegranates""MenandWomen"，thethirdspringcamein1858，withMr。Morris's"DefenceofGuenevere，"andfloweredtillMr。Swinburne's"AtalantainCalydon"appearedin1865，followedbyhispoemsof1866。Mr。Rossetti'sbookof1870
　　belonged，indateofcomposition，mainlytothisperiod。
　　In1858，when"TheDefenceofGuenevere"cameout，Mr。Morrismusthavebeenbutayearortwofromhisundergraduateship。Everyonehasheardenoughabouthiscompanions，Mr。BurneJones，Mr。
　　Rossetti，CanonDixon，andtheothersoftheoldOxfordandCambridgeMagazine，whereMr。Morris'swonderfulprosefantasiesareburied。Whyshouldtheynotberevived，thesestrangelycolouredandmagicaldreams？Asliterature，IpreferthemvastlyaboveMr。Morris'slaterromancesinprose——"TheHollowLand"above"NewsfromNowhere!"Mr。Morrisandhisfriendswereactiveinthefreshdawnofanewromanticism，amediaevalandCatholicrevival，withverylittleCatholicisminitforthemostpart。Thisrevivalismore"innerly，"astheScotchsay，moreintimate，more"earnest"
　　thanthelargerandmoregenial，ifmoresuperficial，restorationbyScott。Thepainfuldoubt，thescepticismoftheAgesofFaith，thedarkhoursofthatepoch，itsfantasy，cruelty，luxury，nolessthanitscolourandpassion，informMr。Morris'sfirstpoems。Thefourteenthandtheearlyfifteenthcenturyishis"period。"In"TheDefenceofGuenevere"heisnotundertheinfluenceofChaucer，whosenarrativemanner，withoutonegrainofhishumour，inspires"TheLifeandDeathofJason"and"TheEarthlyParadise。"
　　IntheearlybooktheruggedstyleofMr。Browninghasleftamark。
　　Therearecockneyrhymes，too，suchas"short"rhymingto"thought。"But，onthewhole，Mr。Morris'searlymannerwasallhisown，norhasheeverreturnedtoit。Inthefirstpoem，"TheQueen'sApology，"isthispassage:-
　　"Listen:supposeyourtimewerecometodie，Andyouwerequitealoneandveryweak；
　　Yea，laida-dying，whileverymightily"ThewindwasrufflingupthenarrowstreakOfriverthroughyourbroadlandsrunningwell:
　　Supposeahushshouldcome，thensomeonespeak:
　　"'Oneoftheseclothsisheaven，andoneishell，Nowchooseoneclothforever，whichtheybe，Iwillnottellyou，youmustsomehowtell"'Ofyourownstrengthandmightiness；here，see!'
　　Yea，yea，mylord，andyoutoopeyoureyes，Atfootofyourfamiliarbedtosee"AgreatGod'sangelstanding，withsuchdyes，Notknownonearth，onhisgreatwings，andhands，Heldouttwoways，lightfromtheinnerskies"Showinghimwell，andmakinghiscommandsSeemtobeGod'scommands，moreover，too，Holdingwithinhishandstheclothsonwands；
　　"Andoneofthesestrangechoosing-clothswasblue，Wavyandlong，andonecutshortandred；
　　Nomancouldtellthebetterofthetwo。
　　"Afterashiveringhalf-houryousaid，'Godhelp!heaven'scolour，theblue；'andhesaid，'Hell。'
　　Perhapsyouthenwouldrolluponyourbed，"Andcrytoallgoodmenthatlovedyouwell，'Ah，Christ!ifonlyIhadknown，known，known。'"
　　TherewasnothinglikethatbeforeinEnglishpoetry；ithasthebizarrerieofanewthinginbeauty。HowfaritisreallybeautifulhowcanItell？HowcanIdiscountthe"personalbias"？
　　OnlyIknowthatitisunforgettable。AgainGalahadspeaks:-
　　"IsawOnesittingonthealtarasathrone，Whosefacenomancouldsayhedidnotknow，And，thoughthebellstillrang，hesatalone，Withraimenthalfblood-red，halfwhiteassnow。"
　　Suchthingsmadetheirownspecialineffaceableimpact。
　　LeavingtheArthuriancycle，Mr。Morrisenteredonhisespeciallysympatheticperiod——thegloomandsadsunsetgloryofthelatefourteenthcentury，theageofFroissartandwicked，wastefulwars。
　　ToFroissartitallseemedonemagnificentpageantofknightlyandkinglyfortunes；heonlymurmursa"greatpity"forthedeathofaknightorthemassacreofatown。ItisratherthepityofitthatMr。Morrissees:theheartsbrokeninacorner，asin"SirPeterHarpedon'sEnd，"orbeside"TheHaystackintheFloods。"Hereisapicturelikelifeofwhatbefellahundredtimes。LadyAlicedelaBardehearsofthedeathofherknight:-
　　"ALICE
　　"Canyoutalkfaster，sir？
　　Getoverallthisquicker？fixyoureyesOnmine，Iprayyou，andwhate'eryouseeStillgoontalkingfast，unlessIfall，Orbidyoustop。
　　"SQUIRE
　　"Iprayyourpardonthen，Andlookinginyoureyes，fairlady，sayIamunhappythatyourknightisdead。
　　Takeheart，andlisten!letmetellyouall。
　　Wewerefivethousandgoodlymen-at-arms，Andscantfivehundredhadheinthathold；
　　Hisrottensandstonewallswerewetwithrain，Andfellinlumpswhereverastonehit；
　　YetforthreedaysaboutthebarriersthereThedeadlyglaivesweregather'd，laidacross，Andpush'dandpull'd；thefourthourenginescame；
　　Butstillamidthecrashoffallingwalls，Androarofbombards，rattleofhardbolts，Thesteadybow-stringsflash'd，andstillstream'doutSt。George'sbanner，andthesevenswords，Andstilltheycried，'St。GeorgeGuienne，'untilTheirwallswereflatasJericho'sofold，Andourrushcame，andcutthemfromthekeep。"
　　Theastonishingvividness，again，ofthetragedytoldin"GeffrayTesteNoire"islikethatofavisioninamagicmirrororacrystalball，ratherthanlikeapicturesuggestedbyprintedwords。"ShamefulDeath"hasthesameenchantedkindofpresentment。Welookthrougha"magiccasementopeningonthefoam"oftheoldwavesofwar。Poemsofapurefantasy，unequalledoutofColeridgeandPoe，are"TheWind"and"TheBlueCloset。"
　　Eachonlylivesinfantasy。Motives，andfacts，and"story"areunimportantandoutofview。Thepicturesarisedistinct，unsummoned，spontaneous，likethefacesandplaceswhichareflashedonoureyesbetweensleepingandwaking。Fantastic，too，butwithmoreofarecognisablehumansetting，is"GoldenWings，"
　　whichtoaslightdegreeremindsoneofTheophileGautier'sChateaudeSouvenir。
　　"TheapplesnowgrowgreenandsourUponthemoulderingcastlewall，Beforetheyripentheretheyfall:
　　Therearenobannersonthetower，ThedraggledswansmosteagerlyeatThegreenweedstrailinginthemoat；
　　InsidetherottingleakyboatYouseeaslainman'sstiffen'dfeet。"
　　These，with"TheSailingoftheSword，"aremyownoldfavourites。
　　Therewasnothinglikethembefore，norwillbeagain，forMr。
　　Morris，afterseveralyearsofsilence，abandonedhisearlymanner。
　　Nodoubtitwasnotamannertoperseverein，buthappily，inamoodandamomentnevertobere-bornorreturn，Mr。MorrisdidfillafreshpageinEnglishpoetrywiththeseimperishablefantasies。Theywereabsolutelyneglectedby"thereadingpublic，"
　　buttheyfoundafewstaunchfriends。Indeed，Ithinkof"Guenevere"asFitzGeralddidofTennyson'spoemsbefore1842。Butthis，ofcourse，isapurelypersonal，probablyapurelycapricious，estimate。CriticismmayaverthattheinfluenceofMr。
　　RossettiwasstrongonMr。Morrisbefore1858。Perhapsso，butwereadMr。Morrisfirstastheworldreadthe"Lay"before"Christabel"，andmyownpreferenceisforMr。Morris。
　　ItwasaftereightornineyearsofsilencethatMr。Morrisproduced，in1866or1867，"TheLifeandDeathofJason。"Youngmenwhohadread"Guenevere"hastenedtopurchaseit，and，ofcourse，foundthemselvesincontactwithsomethingveryunliketheiroldfavourite。Mr。MorrishadtoldaclassicaltaleindecasyllabiccoupletsoftheChauceriansort，andheregardedtheheroicagefromamediaevalpointofview；atallevents，notfromanhistoricalandarchaeologicalpointofview。ItwasnaturalinMr。Morristo"envisage"theGreekheroicageinthisway，butitwouldnotbenaturalinmostotherwriters。Thepoemisnotmuchshorterthanthe"Odyssey，"andlongnarrativepoemshadbeenoutoffashionsince"TheLordoftheIsles"1814。
　　Allthiswasalittledisconcerting。Weread"Jason，"andreaditwithpleasure，butwithoutmuchofthemoreessentialpleasurewhichcomesfrommagicanddistinctionofstyle。ThepeculiarqualitiesofKeats，andTennyson，andVirgilarenotamongthegiftsofMr。Morris。AspeoplesayofScottinhislongpoems，soitmaybesaidofMr。Morris——thathedoesnotfurnishmanyquotations，doesnotglitterin"jewelsfivewordslong。"
　　In"Jason"heenteredonhislongcareerasanarrator；apoetretellingtheimmortalprimevalstoriesofthehumanrace。InoneguiseoranotherthelegendofJasonisthemostwidelydistributedofromances；theNorthAmericanIndianshaveit，andtheSamoansandtheSamoyeds，aswellasallIndo-Europeanpeoples。Thistale，toldbrieflybyPindar，andatgreaterlengthbyApolloniusRhodius，andinthe"Orphica，"Mr。Morristookupandhandledinasingleandobjectiveway。Hisartwasalwayspictorial，but，in"Jason"andlater，hedescribedmore，andwaslessapt，asitwere，toflashapictureonthereader，insomeincommunicableway。