Stylishwomen，Idon’tdoubt，——saidtheLittleGentleman——Don’ttellmethatatrueladyeversacrificesthedutyofkeepingallabouthersweetandcleantothewishofmakingavulgarshow。I
　　won’tbelieveitofalady。Therearesomethingsthatnofashionhasanyrighttotouch，andcleanlinessisoneofthosethings。Ifawomanwishestoshowthatherhusbandorherfatherhasgotmoney，whichshewantsandmeanstospend，butdoesn’tknowhow，letherbuyayardortwoofsilkandpinittoherdresswhenshegoesouttowalk，butletherunpinitbeforeshegoesintothehouse；——theremaybepoorwomenthatwillthinkitworthdisinfecting。Itisaninsulttoarespectablelaundresstocarrysuchthingsintoahouseforhertodealwith。Idon’tliketheBloomersanytoowell，——infact，Ineversawbutone，andshe——orhe，orit——hadamobofboysafterher，orwhateveryoucallthecreature，asifshehadbeena——
　　TheLittleGentlemanstoppedshort，——flushedsomewhat，andlookedroundwiththatinvoluntary，suspiciousglancewhichthesubjectsofanybodilymisfortuneareveryapttocastroundthem。Hiseyewanderedoverthecompany，noneofwhom，exceptingmyselfandoneother，had，probably，noticedthemovement。TheyfellatlastonIris，——hisnextneighbor，youremember——
　　Weknowinamoment，onlookingsuddenlyataperson，ifthatperson’seyeshavebeenfixedonus。
　　Sometimesweareconsciousofitbeforeweturnsoastoseetheperson。Strangesecretsofcuriosity，ofimpertinence，ofmalice，oflove，leakoutinthisway。ThereisnoneedofMrs。FelixLorraine’sreflectioninthemirror，totellusthatsheisplottingevilforusbehindourbacks。Weknowit，asweknowbytheominousstillnessofachildthatsomemischieforotherisgoing-on。A
　　younggirlbetrays，inamoment，thathereyeshavebeenfeedingon。
　　thefacewhereyoufindthemfixed，andnotmerelybrushingoveritwiththeirpencilsofblueorbrownlight。
　　Acertaininvoluntaryadjustmentassimilatesus，youmayalsoobserve，tothatuponwhichwelook。Rosesreddenthecheeksofherwhostoopstogatherthem，andbuttercupsturnlittlepeople’schinsyellow。Whenwelookatavastlandscape，ourchestsexpandasifwewouldenlargetofillit。Whenweexamineaminuteobject，wenaturallycontract，notonlyourforeheads，butallourdimensions。
　　IfIseetwomenwrestling，Iwrestletoo，withmylimbsandfeatures。Whenacountry-fellowcomesuponthestage，youwillseetwentyfacesintheboxesputtingonthebumpkinexpression。Thereisnoneedofmultiplyinginstancestoreachthisgeneralization；
　　everypersonandthingwelookuponputsitsspecialmarkuponus。
　　Ifthisisrepeatedoftenenough，wegetapermanentresemblancetoit，or，atleast，afixedaspectwhichwetookfromit。Husbandandwifecometolookalikeatlast，ashasoftenbeennoticed。Itisacommonsayingofajockey，thatheis"allhorse"；andIhaveoftenfanciedthatmilkmengetastiff，uprightcarriage，andanangularmovementofthearm，thatremindoneofapumpandtheworkingofitshandle。
　　Allthiscameinbyaccident，justbecauseIhappenedtomentionthattheLittleGentlemanfoundthatIrishadbeenlookingathimwithhersoulinhereyes，whenhisglancerestedonherafterwanderingroundthecompany。Whathethought，itishardtosay；
　　buttheshadowofsuspicionfadedofffromhisface，andhelookedcalmlyintotheambereyes，restinghischeekuponthehandthatworetheredjewel——
　　Ifitwereapossiblething，——womenaresuchstrangecreatures！
　　Isthereanytrickthatloveandtheirownfanciesdonotplaythem？
　　Justseehowtheymarry！AwomanthatgetsholdofabitofmanhoodislikeoneofthoseChinesewood-carverswhoworkonanyodd，fantasticrootthatcomestohand，and，ifitisonlybulbousaboveandbifurcatedbelow，willalwayscontrivetomakeaman——suchasheis——outofit。Ishouldliketoseeanykindofaman，distinguishablefromaGorilla，thatsomegoodandevenprettywomancouldnotshapeahusbandoutof——
　　Achild，——yes，ifyouchoosetocallherso，butsuchachild！DoyouknowhowArtbringsallagestogether？Thereisnoagetotheangelsandidealhumanformsamongwhichtheartistlives，andhesharestheiryouthuntilhishandtremblesandhiseyegrowsdim。
　　Theyouthfulpaintertalksofwhite-beardedLeonardoasifhewereabrother，andtheveteranforgetsthatRaphaeldiedatanagetowhichhisownisofpatriarchalantiquity。
　　ButwhythisloverofthebeautifulshouldbesodrawntoonewhomNaturehaswrongedsodeeplyseemshardtoexplain。Pity，I
　　suppose。Theysaythatleadstolove——
　　IthoughtthismatteroveruntilIbecameexcitedandcurious，anddeterminedtosetmyselfmoreseriouslyatworktofindoutwhatwasgoingoninthesewildheartsandwheretheirpassionatelivesweredrifting。Isaywildheartsandpassionatelives，becauseIthinkI
　　canlookthroughthisseemingcalmnessofyouthandthisapparentfeeblenessoforganization，andseethatNature，whomitisveryhardtocheat，isonlywaitingasthesapperwaitsinhismine，knowingthatallisinreadinessandtheslow-matchburningquietlydowntothepowder。Hewillleaveitby-and-by，andthenitwilltakecareofitself。
　　Oneneednotwaittoseethesmokecomingthroughtheroofofahouseandtheflamesbreakingoutofthewindowstoknowthatthebuildingisonfire。Hark！Thereisaquiet，steady，unobtrusive，crisp，notloud，butveryknowinglittlecreepingcracklethatistolerablyintelligible。Thereisawhiffofsomethingfloatingabout，suggestiveoftoastingshingles。Alsoasharppyroligneous-
　　acidpungencyintheairthatstingsone’seyes。Letusgetupandseewhatisgoingon——Oh，——oh，——oh！doyouknowwhathasgotholdofyou？Itisthegreatreddragonthatisbornofthelittleredeggswecallsparks，withhishundredblowingredmanes，andhisthousandlashingredtails，andhismultitudinousredeyesglaringateverycrackandkey-hole，andhiscountlessredtongueslappingthebeamsheisgoingtocrunchpresently，andhishotbreathwarpingthepanelsandcrackingtheglassandmakingoldtimbersweatthathadforgottenitwaseveralivewithsap。Runforyourlife！leap！oryouwillbeacinderinfiveminutes，thatnothingbutacoronerwouldtakeforthewreckofahumanbeing！
　　Ifanygentlemanwillhavethekindnesstostopthisrun-awaycomparison，Ishallbemuchobligedtohim。AllIintendedtosaywas，thatweneednotwaitforheartstobreakoutinflamestoknowthattheyarefullofcombustiblesandthatasparkhasgotamongthem。Idon’tpretendtosayorknowwhatitisthatbringsthesetwopersonstogether；——andwhenIsaytogether，Ionlymeanthatthereisanevidentaffinityofsomekindorotherwhichmakestheircommonestintercoursestrangelysignificant，asthateachseemstounderstandalookorawordoftheother。WhentheyounggirllaidherhandontheLittleGentleman’sarm，——whichsogreatlyshockedtheModel，youmayremember，——Isawthatshehadlearnedthelion-
　　tamer’ssecret。Shemastershim，andyetIcanseeshehasakindofaweofhim，asthemanwhogoesintothecagehasofthemonsterthathemakesababyof。
　　Oneoftwothingsmusthappen。Thefirstislove，downrightlove，onthepartofthisyounggirl，forthepoorlittlemisshapenman。
　　Youmaylaugh，ifyoulike。Butwomenareapttolovethemenwhotheythinkhavethelargestcapacityofloving；——andwhocanlovelikeonethathasthirstedallhislifelongforthesmileofyouthandbeauty，andseenitflyhispresenceasthewaveebbedfromtheparchedlipsofhimwhosefabledpunishmentistheperpetualtypeofhumanlonginganddisappointment？Whatwouldbecomeofhim，ifthisfreshsoulshouldstoopuponhiminherfirstyoungpassion，astheflamingodropsoutoftheskyuponsomelonelyanddarklagooninthemarshesofCagliari，withaflutterofscarletfeathersandakindlingofstrangefiresintheshadowywatersthatholdherburningimage？——
　　Marryher，ofcourse？——Why，no，notofcourse。Ishouldthinkthechanceless，onthewhole，thathewouldbewillingtomarryherthanshetomarryhim。
　　Thereisoneotherthingthatmighthappen。Iftheinterestheawakesinhergetstobeadeepone，andyethasnothingofloveinit，shewillglanceofffromhimintosomegreatpassionorother。
　　Allexcitementsruntoloveinwomenofacertain——letusnotsayage，butyouth。Anelectricalcurrentpassingthroughacoilofwiremakesamagnetofabarofironlyingwithinit，butnottouchingit。Soawomanisturnedintoalove-magnetbyatinglingcurrentofliferunningroundher。Ishouldliketoseeoneofthembalancedonapivotproperlyadjusted，andwatchifshedidnotturnsoastopointnorthandsouth，——asshewould，ifthelove-currentsarelikethoseoftheearthourmother。
　　Pray，doyouhappentorememberWordsworth’s"BoyofWindermere"？
　　Thisboyusedtoputhishandstohismouth，andshoutaloud，mimickingthehootingoftheowls，whowouldanswerhim"withquiveringpeals，Andlonghalloosandscreams，andechoesloudRedoubledandredoubled。"
　　Whentheyfailedtoanswerhim，andhehunglisteningintentlyfortheirvoices，hewouldsometimescatchthefaintsoundoffardistantwaterfalls，orthewholescenearoundhimwouldimprintitselfwithnewforceuponhisperceptions——Readthesonnet，ifyouplease；——itisWordsworthallover，——trivialinsubject，solemninstyle，vividindescription，prolixindetail，truemeta-
　　physically，butimmenselysuggestiveof"imagination，"touseamildterm，whenrelatedasanactualfactofasprightlyyoungster。
　　AllIwantofitistoenforcetheprinciple，that，whenthedoorofthesoulisonceopenedtoaguest，thereisnoknowingwhowillcomeinnext——
　　Ouryounggirlkeepsupherearlyhabitofsketchingheadsandcharacters。Nobodyis，Ishouldthink，morefaithfulandexactinthedrawingoftheacademicalfiguresgivenheraslessons，butthereisaperpetualarabesqueoffanciesthatrunsroundthemarginofherdrawings，andthereisonebookwhichIknowshekeepstorunriotin，where，ifanywhere，ashrewdeyewouldbemostlikelytoreadherthoughts。ThisbookofhersImeantosee，ifIcangetatithonorably。
　　IhaveneveryetcrossedthethresholdoftheLittleGentleman’schamber。Howhelives，whenheoncegetswithinit，Icanonlyguess。Hishoursarelate，asIhavesaid；often，onwakinglateinthenight，Iseethelightthroughcracksinhiswindow-shuttersonthewallofthehouseopposite。Ifthetimesofwitchcraftwerenotover，Ishouldbeafraidtobesocloseaneighbortoaplacefromwhichtherecomesuchstrangenoises。Sometimesitisthedraggingofsomethingheavyoverthefloor，thatmakesmeshivertohearit，——
　　itsoundssolikewhatpeoplethatkillotherpeoplehavetodonowandthen。OccasionallyIhearverysweetstrainsofmusic，——whetherofawindorstringedinstrument，orahumanvoice，strangeasitmayseem，Ihaveoftentriedtofindout，butthroughthepartitionIcouldnotbequitesure。IfIhavenotheardawomancryandmoan，andthenagainlaughasthoughshewoulddielaughing，Ihaveheardsoundssolikethemthat——Iamafooltoconfessit——Ihavecoveredmyheadwiththebedclothes；forIhavehadafancyinmydreams，thatIcouldhardlyshakeoffwhenIwokeup，aboutthatso-
　　calledwitchthatwashisgreat-grandmother，orwhateveritwas，——asortoffancythatshevisitedtheLittleGentleman，——ayoungwomaninold-fashioneddress，witharedringroundherwhiteneck，——notaneck-lace，butadull-stain。
　　Ofcourseyoudon’tsupposethatIhaveanyfoolishsuperstitionsaboutthematter，——I，theProfessor，whohaveseenenoughtotakeallthatnonsenseoutofanyman’shead！Itisnotourbeliefsthatfrightenushalfsomuchasourfancies。Amannotonlybelieves，butknowsherunsarisk，wheneverhestepsintoarailroadcar；butitdoesn’tworryhimmuch。Ontheotherhand，carrythatmanacrossapasturealittlewayfromsomedrearycountry-village，andshowhimanoldhousewheretherewerestrangedeathsagoodmanyyearsago，andtherearerumorsofuglyspotsonthewalls，——theoldmanhunghimselfinthegarret，thatiscertain，andeversincethecountry-peoplehavecalledit"thehauntedhouse，"——theownershaven’tbeenabletoletitsincethelasttenantsleftonaccountofthenoises，——soithasfallenintosaddecay，andthemossgrowsontherottenshinglesoftheroof，andtheclapboardshaveturnedblack，andthewindowsrattleliketeeththatchatterwithfear，andthewallsofthehousebegintoleanasifitskneeswereshaking，——
　　takethemanwhodidn’tmindtherealriskofthecarstothatoldhouse，onsomedrearyNovemberevening，andaskhimtosleeptherealone，——howdoyouthinkhewilllikeit？Hedoesn’tbelieveonewordofghosts，——butthenheknows，that，whetherwakingorsleeping，hisimaginationwillpeoplethehauntedchamberswithghostlyimages。Itisnotwhatwebelieve，asIsaidbefore，thatfrightensuscommonly，butwhatweconceive。AprinciplethatreachesagoodwayifIamnotmistaken。Isay，then，that，iftheseoddsoundscomingfromtheLittleGentleman’schambersometimesmakemenervous，sothatIcannotgettosleep，itisnotbecauseIsupposeheisengagedinanyunlawfulormysteriousway。
　　Theonlywickedsuggestionthatevercameintomyheadwasonethatwasfoundedonthelandlady’sstoryofhishavingapileofgold；itwasaridiculousfancy；besides，IsuspectthestoryofsweatinggoldwasonlyoneofthemanyfablesgotuptomaketheJewsodiousandaffordapretextforplunderingthem。Asforthesoundlikeawomanlaughingandcrying，Ineversaiditwasawoman’svoice；for，inthefirstplace，Icouldonlyhearindistinctly；and，secondly，hemayhaveanorgan，orsomequeerinstrumentorother，withwhattheycallthevoxhumanastop。Ifhemoveshisbedroundtogetawayfromthewindow，orforanysuchreason，thereisnothingveryfrightfulinthatsimpleoperation。Mostofourfoolishconceitsexplainthemselvesinsomesuchsimpleway。And，yet，forallthat，Iconfess，that，whenIwokeuptheotherevening，andheard，firstasweetcomplainingcry，andthenfootsteps，andthenthedraggingsound，——nothingbuthisbed，Iamquitesure，——IfeltastirringintherootsofmyhairasthefeastersdidinKeats’sterriblepoemof"Lamia。"
　　ThereisnothingveryoddinmyfeelingnervouswhenIhappentolieawakeandgetlisteningforsounds。Justkeepyourearsopenanytimeaftermidnight，whenyouarelyinginbedinaloneatticofadarknight。Whathorrid，strange，suggestive，unaccountablenoisesyouwillhear！Thestillnessofnightisavulgarerror。Allthedeadthingsseemtobealive。Crack！Thatistheoldchestofdrawers；youneverhearitcrackinthedaytime。Creak！There’sadoorajar；youknowyoushutthemall。
　　Wherecanthatlatchbethatrattlesso？Isanybodytryingitsoftly？or，worsethananybody，is——？Coldshiver。Thenasuddengustthatjarsallthewindows；——verystrange！——theredoesnotseemtobeanywindaboutthatitbelongsto。Whenitstops，youhearthewormsboringinthepowderybeamsoverhead。Thenstepsoutside，——astrayanimal，nodoubt。Allright，——butagentlemoisturebreaksoutalloveryou；andthensomethinglikeawhistleoracry，——anothergustofwind，perhaps；thataccountsfortherustlingthatjustmadeyourheartrolloverandtumbleabout，sothatitfeltmorelikealiveratunderyourribsthanapartofyourownbody；thenacrashofsomethingthathasfallen，——blownover，verylikely——Paternoster，quiesincoelis！foryouaredampandcold，andsittingboltupright，andthebedtremblingsothatthedeath-watchisfrightenedandhasstoppedticking！
　　No，——nightisanawfultimeforstrangenoisesandsecretdoings。
　　Whoeverdreamed，tilloneofoursleeplessneighborstoldusofit，ofthatWalpurgisgatheringofbirdsandbeastsofprey，——foxes，andowls，andcrows，andeagles，thatcomefromallthecountryroundonmoonshinynightstocrunchtheclamsandmuscles，andpickouttheeyesofdeadfishesthatthestormhasthrownonChelseaBeach？OuroldmotherNaturehaspleasantandcheerytonesenoughforuswhenshecomesinherdressofblueandgoldovertheeasternhill-tops；
　　butwhenshefollowsusup-stairstoourbedsinhersuitofblackvelvetanddiamonds，everycreakofhersandalsandeverywhisperofherlipsisfullofmysteryandfear。
　　Youunderstand，then，distinctly，thatIdonotbelievethereisanythingaboutthissingularlittleneighborofminewhichisasitshouldnotbe。Probablyavisittohisroomwouldclearupallthathaspuzzledme，andmakemelaughatthenotionswhichbegan，I
　　suppose，innightmares，andendedbykeepingmyimaginationatworksoasalmosttomakemeuncomfortableattimes。Butitisnotsoeasytovisithimassomeofourotherboarders，forvariousreasonswhichIwillnotstoptomention。Ithinksomeofthemareratherpleasedtoget"theProfessor"undertheirceilings。
　　TheyoungmanJohn，forinstance，askedmetocomeuponedayandtrysome"oldBurbon，"whichhesaidwasA1。Onaskinghimwhatwasthenumberofhisroom，heanswered，thatitwasforty-’leven，sky-parlorfloor，butthatIshouldn’tfindit，ifhedidn’tgoaheadtoshowmetheway。Ifollowedhimtohishabitat，beingverywillingtoseeinwhatkindofwarrenheburrowed，andthinkingI
　　mightpickupsomethingabouttheboarderswhohadexcitedmycuriosity。
　　MightyclosequarterstheywerewheretheyoungmanJohnbestowedhimselfandhisfurniture；thislastconsistingofabed，achair，abureau，atrunk，andnumerouspegswithcoatsand"pants"and"vests，"——ashewasinthehabitofcallingwaist-coatsandpantaloonsortrousers，——hangingupasiftheownerhadmeltedoutofthem。Severalprintswerepinnedupunframed，——amongthemthatgrandnationalportrait-piece，"BarnumpresentingOssianE。DodgetoJennyLind，"andapictureofafamoustrot，inwhichIadmiredanewthecabalisticairofthatimposingarrayofexpressions，andespeciallytheItalicizedword，"DanMacenamesb。h。MajorSlocum，"
　　and"HiramWoodruffnamesg。m。LadySmith。""Bestthreeinfive。
　　Time:2。40，2。46，2。50。"
　　Thatsetmethinkinghowveryoddthismatteroftrottinghorsesis，asanindexofthemathematicalexactnessofthelawsoflivingmechanism。IsawLadySuffolktrotamilein2。26。FloraTemplehastrottedclosedownto2。20；andEthanAllenin2。25，orless。
　　Manyhorseshavetrottedtheirmileunder2。30；nonethatIrememberinpublicaslowdownas2。20。Fromfivetotenseconds，then，inaboutahundredandsixtyisthewholerangeofthemaximaofthepresentraceoftrottinghorses。Thesamethingisseenintherunningofmen。Manycanrunamileinfiveminutes；butwhenonecomestothefractionsbelow，theytaperdownuntilsomewhereabout4。30themaximumisreached。Averagesofmasseshavebeenstudiedmorethanaveragesofmaximaandminima。WeknowfromtheRegistrar-General’sReports，thatacertainnumberofchildren——sayfromonetotwodozen——dieeveryyearinEnglandfromdrinkinghotwateroutofspoutsofteakettles。Weknow，that，amongsuicides，womenandmenpastacertainagealmostneverusefire-arms。A
　　womanwhohasmadeuphermindtodieisstillafraidofapistoloragun。Orisitthattheexplosionwouldderangehercostume？
　　Isay，averagesofmasseswehave，butourtablesofmaximaweowetothesportingmenmorethantothephilosophers。Thelessontheirexperienceteachesis，thatNaturemakesnoleaps，——doesnothingpersaltum。Thegreatestbrainthateverlived，nodoubt，wasonlyasmallfractionofanideaaheadofthesecondbest。Justlookatthechess-players。Leavingoutthephenomenalexceptions，theniceshadesthatseparatetheskilfulonesshowhowcloselytheirbrainsapproximate，——almostascloselyaschronometers。Suchapersonisa"knight-player，"——hemusthavethatpiecegivenhim。Anothermusthavetwopawns。Another，"pawnandtwo，"oronepawnandtwomoves。
　　Thenwefindonewhoclaims"pawnandmove，"holdinghimself，withthisfractionaladvantage，amatchforonewhowouldbeprettysuretobeathimplayingeven——Somucharemindsalike；andyouandI
　　thinkweare"peculiar，"——thatNaturebrokeherjelly-mouldaftershapingourcerebralconvolutions。SoIreflected，standingandlookingatthepicture——
　　Isay，Governor，——brokeintheyoungmanJohn，——thembosses’11
　　stayjestaswell，ifyou’llonlysetdown。I’vehad’emthisyear，andtheyhaven’tstirred——Hespoke，andhandedthechairtowardsme，——seatinghimself，atthesametime，ontheendofthebed。
　　Youhavelivedinthishousesometime？——Isaid，——withanoteofinterrogationattheendofthestatement。
　　DoIlookasifI’dlostmuchflesh——saidhe，answeringmyquestionbyanother。
　　No，——saidI；——forthatmatter，Ithinkyoudocreditto"thebountifullyfurnishedtableoftheexcellentladywhoprovidessoliberallyforthecompanythatmeetsaroundherhospitableboard。"
　　[Thesentenceinquotation-markswasfromoneofthosedisinterestededitorialsinsmalltype，whichIsuspecttohavebeenfurnishedbyafriendofthelandlady’s，andpaidforasanadvertisement。Thisimpartialtestimonytothesuperiorqualitiesoftheestablishmentanditsheadattractedanumberofapplicantsforadmission，andacoupleofnewboardersmadeabriefappearanceatthetable。Oneofthemwasoftheclassofpeoplewhogrumbleiftheydon’tgetcanvas-backsandwoodcockseveryday，forthree-fiftyperweek。Theotherwassubjecttosomnambulism，orwalkinginthenight，whenheoughttohavebeenasleepinhisbed。Inthisstatehewalkedintoseveraloftheboarders’chambers，hiseyeswideopen，asisusualwithsomnambulists，and，fromsomeoddinstinctorother，wishingtoknowwhatthehourwas，gottogetheranumberoftheirwatches，forthepurposeofcomparingthem，asitwouldseem。Amongthemwasarepeater，belongingtoouryoungMarylander。Hehappenedtowakeupwhilethesomnambulistwasinhischamber，and，notknowinghisinfirmity，caughtholdofhimandgavehimadreadfulshaking，afterwhichhetiedhishandsandfeet，andsolefthimtillmorning，whenheintroducedhimtoagentlemanusedtotakingcareofsuchcasesofsomnambulism。]
　　Ifyou，myreader，willpleasetoskipbackward，overthisparenthesis，youwillcometoourconversation，whichithasinterrupted。
　　Ita’n’tthefeed，——saidtheyoungmanJohn，——it’stheoldwoman’slookswhenafellahlaysitintoostrong。Thefeed’swellenough。
　　Aftergeesehavegottough，’n’turkeyshavegotstrong，’n’lamb’sgotold，’n’veal’sprettynighbeef，’n’sparragrass’sgrowin’
　　tall’n’slim’n’scatteryaboutthehead，’n’greenpeasaregettin’sobig’n’hardthey’dbedangerousifyoufired’emoutofarevolver，wegetholdofallthemdelicaciesoftheseason。Butit’stoomuchlikefeedin’onlivefolksanddevourin’widdah’ssubstance，tolayyourselfoutintheeatin’way，whenafellah’sashungryasthechapthatsaidaturkeywastoomuchforone’n’
　　notenoughfortwo。Ican’thelplookin’attheoldwoman。Corned-
　　beef-daysshe’stolerablecalm。Roastin’-dayssheworriessome，’n’
　　keepsasharpeyeonthechapthatcarves。Butwhenthere’sanythinginthepoultryline，itseemstohurtherfeelin’ssotoseetheknifegoin’intothebreastandjointscomin’topieces，thatthere’snocomfortineatin’。WhenIcutupanoldfowlandhelptheboarders，IalwaysfeelasifIoughttosay，Won’tyouhaveasliceofwiddah？——insteadofchicken。
　　TheyoungmanJohnfellintoatrainofreflectionswhichendedinhisproducingaBolognasausage，aplateof"crackers，"asweBostonfolkscallcertainbiscuits，andthebottleofwhiskeydescribedasbeingA1。
　　Undertheinfluenceofthecrackersandsausage，hegrewcordialandcommunicative。
　　Itwastime，Ithought，tosoundhimastothoseofourboarderswhohadexcitedmycuriosity。
　　WhatdoyouthinkofouryoungIris？——Ibegan。
　　Fust-ratelittlefilly；-hesaid——PootiestandnicestlittlechapI’veseensincetheschoolma’amleft。Schoolma’amwasabrown-
　　hairedone，——eyescoffee-color。Thisonehasgotwine-coloredeyes，——’n’that’sthereasontheyturnafellah’shead，Isuppose。
　　Thisisasplendidblonde，——Isaid，——theotherwasabrunette。
　　Whichstyledoyoulikebest？
　　WhichdoIlikebest，boiledmuttonorroastmutton？——saidtheyoungmanJohn。Like’emboth，——ita’n’tthecolorof’emmakesthegoodness。I’vebeenkindoflonelysinceschoolma’amwentaway。
　　Usedtoliketolookather。Ineversaidanythingparticulartoher，thatIremember，but——
　　Idon’tknowwhetheritwasthecrackerandsausage，orthattheyoungfellow’sfeetweretreadingonthehotashesofsomelongingthathadnothadtimetocool，buthiseyeglistenedashestopped。
　　Isupposeshewouldn’thavelookedatafellahlikeme，——hesaid，——
　　butIcomeprettyneartryin’。Ifshehadsaid，Yes，though，I
　　shouldn’thaveknownwhattohavedonewithher。Can’tmarryawomannow-a-daystillyou’resodeafyouhavetocockyourheadlikeaparrottohearwhatshesays，andsolongsightedyoucan’tseewhatshelookslikenearerthanarm’s-length。
　　Hereisanotherchanceforyou，——Isaid——WhatdoyouwantnicerthansuchayoungladyasIris？
　　It’snouse，——heanswered——Ilookatthemgirlsandfeelasthefellahdidwhenhemissedcatchin’thetrout——’To’od’a’costmorebuttertocookhim’n’he’sworth，——saysthefellah——Takesawholepieceo’goodstocoveragirlupnow-a-days。I’dasliefundertaketokeepaspanofelephants，——andtakeanostrichtoboard，too，——astomarryoneof’em。What’stheuse？Clerksandcounter-jumpersain’tanything。Sparragrassandgreenpeasa’n’tforthem，——notwhilethey’reyoungandtender。Hossback-ridin’a’n’tforthem，——
　　exceptonceayear，onFast-day。Andmarryin’a’n’tforthem。
　　Sometimesafellahfeelslonely，andwouldliketohaveaniceyoungwoman，totellherhowlonelyhefeels。Andsometimesafellah，——
　　heretheyoungmanJohnlookedveryconfidential，and，perhaps，asifalittleashamedofhisweakness，——sometimesafellahwouldliketohaveoneo’themsmallyoungonestotrotonhiskneeandpushaboutinalittlewagon，——akindofalittleJohnny，youknow；——it’soddenough，but，itseemstome，nobodycanaffordthemlittlearticles，exceptthefolksthataresorichtheycanbuyeverything，andthefolksthataresopoortheydon’twantanything。Itmakesniceboysofusyoungfellahs，nodoubt！Andit’spleasanttoseefineyounggirlssittin’，likeshopkeepersbehindtheirgoods，waitin’，andwaitin’，andwaitin’，’n’nocustomers，——andthemenlingerin’roundandlookin’atthegoods，likefolksthatwanttobecustomers，buthaven’tthemoney！
　　DoyouthinkthedeformedgentlemanmeanstomakelovetoIris？——I
　　said。
　　What！LittleBostonaskthatgirltomarryhim！Well，now，that’scumin’ofitalittletoostrong。Yes，Iguessshewillmarryhimandcarryhimroundinabasket，likealamebantam:Lookhere！——hesaid，mysteriously；——oneoftheboardersswearsthere’sawomancomestoseehim，andthathehasheardhersingin’andscreechin’。
　　Ishouldliketoknowwhathe’saboutinthatdenofhis。Helayslow’n’keepsdark，——and，Itellyou，there’sagoodmanyoftheboarderswouldliketogetintohischamber，buthedon’tseemtowant’em。Biddycouldtellsomethin’aboutwhatshe’sseenwhenshe’sbeentoputhisroomtorights。She’saPaddy’n’afool，butsheknowsenoughtokeephertonguestill。AllIknowis，Isawhercrossin’herselfonedaywhenshecameoutofthatroom。Shelookedpaleenough，’n’Iheardhermutterin’somethin’orotherabouttheBlessedVirgin。Ifithadn’tbeenforthedoubledoorstothatchamberofhis，I’dhavehadasquintinsidebeforethis；but，somehoworother，itneverseemstohappenthatthey’rebothopenatonce。
　　Whatdoyouthinkheemployshimselfabout？saidI。
　　TheyoungmanJohnwinked。
　　Iwaitedpatientlyforthethought，ofwhichthiswinkwastheblossom，tocometofruitinwords。
　　Idon’tbelieveinwitches，——saidtheyoungmanJohn。
　　NorI。
　　Wewerebothsilentforafewminutes——
　　Didyoueverseetheyounggirl’sdrawing-books，——Isaid，presently。
　　Allbutone，——heanswered；——shekeepsalockonthat，andwon’tshowit。Ma’amAllen，theyoungroguestickstothatname，inspeakingofthegentlemanwiththediamond，Ma’amAllentriedtopeekintoitonedaywhensheleftitonthesideboard。"Ifyouplease，"saysshe，——’n’tookitfromhim，’n’gavehimalookthatmadehimcurluplikeacaterpillaronahotshovel。Ionlywishedhehadn’t，andhadjestgivenheralittlesass，forI’vebeentakin’boxin’-
　　lessons，’n’I’vegotanewwayofcounterin’Iwanttotryontosomebody——
　　Theendofallthiswas，thatIcameawayfromtheyoungfellow’sroom，feelingthatthereweretwoprincipalthingsthatIhadtolivefor，forthenextsixweeksorsixmonths，ifitshouldtakesolong。Thesewere，togetasightoftheyounggirl’sdrawing。
　　book，whichIsuspectedhadherheartshutupinit，andtogetalookintotheLittleGentleman’sroom。
　　Idon’tdoubtyouthinkitratherabsurdthatIshouldtroublemyselfaboutthesematters。Youtellme，withsomeshowofreason，thatallIshallfindintheyounggirl’s——bookwillbesomeoutlinesofangelswithimmenseeyes，traceriesofflowers，ruralsketches，andcaricatures，amongwhichIshallprobablyhavethepleasureofseeingmyownfeaturesfiguring。Verylikely。ButI’lltellyouwhatIthinkIshallfind。Ifthischildhasidealizedthestrangelittlebitofhumanityoverwhichsheseemstohavespreadherwingslikeabroodingdove，——if，inoneofthosewildvagariesthatpassionatenaturesaresoliableto，shehasfairlysprunguponhimwithherclaspingnature，asthesea-flowersfoldaboutthefirststrayshell-fishthatbrushestheiroutspreadtentacles，dependuponit，Ishallfindthemarksofitinthisdrawing-bookofhers，——ifIcanevergetalookatit，——fairly，ofcourse，forI
　　wouldnotplaytrickstosatisfymycuriosity。
　　Then，ifIcangetintothisLittleGentleman’sroomunderanyfairpretext，Ishall，nodoubt，satisfymyselfinfiveminutesthatheisjustlikeotherpeople，andthatthereisnoparticularmysteryabouthim。
　　ThenightaftermyvisittotheyoungmanJohn，Imadealltheseandmanymorereflections。Itwasabouttwoo’clockinthemorning，——
　　brightstarlight，——solightthatIcouldmakeoutthetimeonmyalarm-clock，——whenIwokeuptremblingandverymoist。Itwastheheavydraggingsound，asIhadoftenhearditbeforethatwakedme。
　　Presentlyawindowwassoftlyclosed。Ihadjustbeguntogetovertheagitationwithwhichwealwaysawakefromnightmaredreams，whenIheardthesoundwhichseemedtomeasofawoman’svoice，——theclearest，purestsopranowhichonecouldwellconceiveof。Itwasnotloud，andIcouldnotdistinguishaword，ifitwasawoman’svoice；buttherewererecurringphrasesofsoundandsnatchesofrhythmthatreachedme，whichsuggestedtheideaofcomplaint，andsometimes，Ithought，ofpassionategriefanddespair。Itdiedawayatlast，——andthenIheardtheopeningofadoor，followedbyalow，monotonoussound，asofonetalking，——andthentheclosingofadoor，——andpresentlythelightontheoppositewalldisappearedandallwasstillforthenight。
　　ByGeorge！thisgetsinteresting，——Isaid，asIgotoutofbedforachangeofnight-clothes。
　　Ihadthisinmypockettheotherday，butthoughtIwouldn’treaditatourcelebration。SoIreadittotheboardersinstead，andprintittofinishoffthisrecordwith。
　　ROBINSONOFLEYDEN。
　　Hesleepsnothere；inhopeandprayerHiswanderingflockhadgonebefore，Buthe，theshepherd，mightnotshareTheirsorrowsonthewintryshore。
　　BeforetheSpeedwell’sanchorswung，EreyettheMayflower’ssailwasspread，WhileroundhisfeetthePilgrimsclung，Thepastorspake，andthushesaid:——
　　"Men，brethren，sisters，childrendear！
　　Godcallsyouhencefromoversea；
　　YemaynotbuildbyHaerlemMeer，NoryetalongtheZuyder-Zee。
　　"YegotobearthesavingwordTotribesunnamedandshoresuntrod:
　　Heedwellthelessonsyehaveheard>FromthoseoldteacherstaughtofGod。
　　"YetthinknotuntothemwaslentAlllightforallthecomingdays，AndHeaven’seternalwisdomspentInmakingstraighttheancientways。
　　"ThelivingfountainoverflowsForeveryflock，foreverylamb，Norheeds，thoughangrycreedsopposeWithLuther’sdikeorCalvin’sdam。"
　　Hespake；withlingering，longembrace，Withtearsofloveandpartingsfond，TheyfloateddownthecreepingMaas，AlongtheisleofYsselmond。
　　TheypassedthefrowningtowersofBriel，The"HookofHolland’s"shelfofsand，AndgratedsoonwithliftingkeelThesullenshoresofFatherland。
　　Nohomeforthese！——toowelltheyknewThemitredkingbehindthethrone；
　　Thesailswereset，thepennonsflew，Andwestwardho！forworldsunknown——
　　Andtheseweretheywhogaveusbirth，ThePilgrimsofthesunsetwave，Whowonforusthisvirginearth，Andfreedomwiththesoiltheygave。
　　ThepastorslumbersbytheRhine，——
　　Inalienearththeexileslie，——
　　Theirnamelessgravesourholiestshrine，Hiswordsournoblestbattle-cry！
　　Stillcrythem，andtheworldshallhear，Yedwellersbythestorm-sweptsea！
　　YehavenotbuiltbyHaerlemMeer，Norontheland-lockedZuyder-Zee！
　　VIII
　　Therehasbeenasortofstillnessintheatmosphereofourboarding-housesincemylastrecord，asifsomethingorotherweregoingon。ThereisnoparticularchangethatIcanthinkofintheaspectofthings；yetIhaveafeelingasifsomegameoflifewerequietlyplayingandstrangeforceswereatwork，underneaththissmoothsurfaceofevery-dayboardinghouselife，whichwouldshowthemselvessomefinemorningorotherinevents，ifnotincatastrophes。Ihavebeenwatchful，asIsaidIshouldbe，buthavelittletotellasyet。Youmaylaughatme，andverylikelythinkmefoolishlyfancifultotroublemyselfaboutwhatisgoingoninamiddling-classhouseholdlikeours。Doasyoulike。Buthereisthatterriblefacttobeginwith，——abeautifulyounggirl，withthebloodandthenerve-fibrethatbelongtoNature’swomen，turnedlooseamonglivemen-
　　Terriblefact？
　　Veryterrible。Nothingmoreso。Doyouforgettheangelswholostheavenforthedaughtersofmen？DoyouforgetHelen，andthefairwomenwhomademischiefandsetnationsbytheearsbeforeHelenwasborn？Ifjealousiesthatgnawmen’sheartsoutoftheirbodies，——ifpangsthatwastementoshadowsanddrivethemintoravingmadnessormopingmelancholy，——ifassassinationandsuicidearedreadfulpossibilities，thenthereisalwayssomethingfrightfulaboutalovelyyoungwoman——Ilovetolookatthis"Rainbow，"asherfatherusedsometimestocallher，ofours。Handsomecreaturethatsheisinformsandcolors，——theverypicture，asitseemstome，ofthat"goldenblonde"myfriendwhosebookyoureadlastyearfellinlovewithwhenhewasaboy，asyouremember，nodoubt，——handsomeassheis，fitforasea-king’sbride，itisnotherbeautyalonethatholdsmyeyesuponher。Letmetellyouoneofmyfancies，andthenyouwillunderstandthestrangesortoffascinationshehasforme。
　　Itisintheheartsofmanymenandwomen——letmeaddchildren——thatthereisaGreatSecretwaitingforthem，——asecretofwhichtheygethintsnowandthen，perhapsoftenerinearlythaninlateryears。Thesehintscomesometimesindreams，sometimesinsuddenstartlingflashes，——secondwakings，asitwere，——awakingoutofthewakingstate，whichlastisveryapttobeahalf-sleep。Ihavemanytimesstoppedshortandheldmybreath，andfeltthebloodleavingmycheeks，inoneofthesesuddenclairvoyantflashes。OfcourseIcannottellwhatkindofasecretthisis，butIthinkofitasadisclosureofcertainrelationsofourpersonalbeingtotimeandspace，tootherintelligences，totheprocessionofevents，andtotheirFirstGreatCause。Thissecretseemstobebrokenup，asitwere，intofragments，sothatwefindhereawordandthereasyllable，andthenagainonlyaletterofit；butitneveriswrittenoutformostofusasacompletesentence，inthislife。I
　　donotthinkitcouldbe；forIamdisposedtoconsiderourbeliefsaboutsuchapossibledisclosureratherasakindofpremonitionofanenlargementofourfacultiesinsomefuturestatethanasanexpectationtobefulfilledformostofusinthislife。Persons，however，havefallenintotrances，——asdidtheReverendWilliamTennent，amongmanyothers，——andlearnedsomethingswhichtheycouldnottellinourhumanwords。
　　Nowamongthevisibleobjectswhichhinttousfragmentsofthisinfinitesecretforwhichoursoulsarewaiting，thefacesofwomenarethosethatcarrythemostlegiblehieroglyphicsofthegreatmystery。Therearewomen’sfaces，somereal，someideal，whichcontainsomethinginthemthatbecomesapositiveelementinourcreed，sodirectandpalpablearevelationisitoftheinfinitepurityandlove。Iremembertwofacesofwomenwithwings，suchastheycallangels，ofFraAngelico，——andIjustnowcameacrossaprintofRaphael’sSantaApollina，withsomethingofthesamequality，——whichIwassurehadtheirprototypesintheworldaboveours。NowondertheCatholicspaytheirvowstotheQueenofHeaven！TheunpoeticalsideofProtestantismis，thatithasnowomentobeworshipped。
　　Butmindyou，itisnoteverybeautifulfacethathintstheGreatSecrettous，norisitonlyinbeautifulfacesthatwefindtracesofit。Sometimesitlooksoutfromasweetsadeye，theonlybeautyofaplaincountenance；sometimesthereissomuchmeaninginthelipsofawoman，nototherwisefascinating，thatweknowtheyhaveamessageforus，andwaitalmostwithawetoheartheiraccents。Butthisyounggirlhasatoncethebeautyoffeatureandtheunspokenmysteryofexpression。Canshetellmeanything？
　　Isherlifeacomplementofmine，withthemissingelementinitwhichIhavebeengropingafterthroughsomanyfriendshipsthatI
　　havetiredof，andthrough——Hush！Isthedoorfast？Talkingloudisabadtrickinthesecuriousboarding-houses。
　　YoumusthavesometimesnotedthisfactthatIamgoingtoremindyouofandtouseforaspecialillustration。Ridingalongoverarockyroad，suddenlytheslowmonotonousgrindingofthecrushinggravelchangestoadeepheavyrumble。Thereisagreathollowunderyourfeet，——ahugeunsunnedcavern。Deep，deepbeneathyouinthecoreofthelivingrock，itarchesitsawfulvault，andfarawayitstretchesitswindinggalleries，theirroofsdrippingintostreamswherefisheshavebeenswimmingandspawninginthedarkuntiltheirscalesarewhiteasmilkandtheireyeshavewitheredout，obsoleteanduseless。
　　Soitisinlife。Wejogquietlyalong，meetingthesamefaces，grindingoverthesamethoughts，thegravelofthesoul’shighway，——
　　nowandthenjarredagainstanobstaclewecannotcrush，butmustrideoverorroundaswebestmay，sometimesbringingshortupagainstadisappointment，butstillworkingalongwiththecreakingandrattlingandgratingandjerkingthatbelongtothejourneyoflife，eveninthesmoothest-rollingvehicle。Suddenlywehearthedeepundergroundreverberationthatrevealstheunsuspecteddepthofsomeabyssofthoughtorpassionbeneathus。
　　Iwishthegirlwouldgo。Idon’tliketolookathersomuch，andyetIcannothelpit。AlwaysthatsameexpressionofsomethingthatIoughttoknow，——somethingthatshewasmadetotellandItohear，——lyingtherereadytofallofffromherlips，readytoleapoutofhereyesandmakeasaintofme，oradeviloralunatic，orperhapsaprophettotellthetruthandbehatedofmen，orapoetwhosewordsshallflashuponthedrystubble-fieldofworn-outthoughtsandburnoveranageofliesinanhourofpassion。
　　ItsuddenlyoccurstomethatImayhaveputyouonthewrongtrack。
　　TheGreatSecretthatIrefertohasnothingtodowiththeThreeWords。Setyourmindateaseaboutthat，——therearereasonsIcouldgiveyouwhichsettleallthatmatter。Idon’twonder，however，thatyouconfoundedtheGreatSecretwiththeThreeWords。
　　ILOVEYOUisallthesecretthatmany，nay，mostwomenhavetotell。Whenthatissaid，theyarelikeChina-crackersonthemorningofthefifthofJuly。Andjustasthatlittlepatrioticimplementismadewithaslendertrainwhichleadstothemagazineinitsinterior，soasharpeyecanalmostalwaysseethetrainleadingfromayounggirl’seyeorliptothe"Iloveyou"inherheart。ButtheThreeWordsarenottheGreatSecretImean。No，women’sfacesareonlyoneofthetabletsonwhichthatiswritteninitspartial，fragmentarysymbols。ItliesdeeperthanLove，thoughveryprobablyLoveisapartofit。Some，Ithink，——
　　Wordsworthmightbeoneofthem，——spelloutaportionofitfromcertainbeautifulnaturalobjects，landscapes，flowers，andothers。
　　IcanmentionseveralpoemsofhisthathaveshadowyhintswhichseemtometocomeneartheregionwhereIthinkitlies。Ihaveknowntwopersonswhopursueditwiththepassionoftheoldalchemists，——allwrongevidently，butinfatuated，andnevergivingupthedailysearchforituntiltheygottremulousandfeeble，andtheirdreamschangedtovisionsofthingsthatranandcrawledabouttheirfloorandceilings，andsotheydied。Thevulgarcalledthemdrunkards。
　　ItoldyouthatIwouldletyouknowthemysteryoftheeffectthisyounggirl’sfaceproducesonme。Itisakintothoseinfluencesafriendofminehasdescribed，youmayremember，ascomingfromcertainvoices。Icannottranslateitintowords，——onlyintofeelings；andtheseIhaveattemptedtoshadowbyshowingthatherfacehintedthatrevelationofsomethingweareclosetoknowing，whichallimaginativepersonsarelookingforeitherinthisworldorontheverythresholdofthenext。
　　Youshakeyourheadatthevaguenessandfancifulincomprehensiblenessofmydescriptionoftheexpressioninayounggirl’sface。Youforgetwhatamiserablesurface-matterthislanguageisinwhichwetrytoreproduceourinteriorstateofbeing。Articulationisashallowtrick。FromthelightPoh！whichwetossofffromourlipsasweflinganamelessscribbler’simpertinenceintoourwaste-baskets，tothegravestutteranceswhichcomesfromourthroatsinourmomentsofdeepestneed，isonlyaspaceofsomethreeorfourinches。Words，whichareasetofclickings，hissings，lispings，andsoon，meanverylittle，comparedtotonesandexpressionofthefeatures。Igiveitup；IthoughtI
　　couldshadowforthinsomefeebleway，bytheiraid，theeffectthisyounggirl’sfaceproducesonmyimagination；butitisofnouse。
　　Nodoubtyourheadaches，tryingtomakesomethingofmydescription。IfthereishereandthereonethatcanmakeanythingintelligibleoutofmytalkabouttheGreatSecret，andwhohasspeltoutasyllableortwoofitonsomewoman’sface，deadorliving，thatisallIcanexpect。Oneshouldseethepersonwithwhomheconversesaboutsuchmatters。Therearedreamy-eyedpeopletowhomIshouldsayallthesethingswithacertaintyofbeingunderstood；——
　　ThatmomentthathisfaceIsee，IknowthemanthatmusthearmeTohimmytaleIteach——
　　IamafraidsomeofthemhavenotgotasparequarterofadollarforthisAugustnumber，sothattheywillneverseeit——
　　Letusstartagain，justasifwehadnotmadethisambitiousattempt，whichmaygofornothing，andyoucanhaveyourmoneyrefunded，ifyouwillmakethechange。
　　Thisyounggirl，aboutwhomIhavetalkedsounintelligibly，istheunconsciouscentreofattractiontothewholesolarsystemofourbreakfast-table。TheLittleGentlemanleanstowardsher，andsheagainseemstobeswayedasbysomeinvisiblegentleforcetowardshim。Thatslightinclinationoftwopersonswithastrongaffinitytowardseachother，throwingthemalittleoutofplumbwhentheysitsidebyside，isaphysicalfactIhaveoftennoticed。Thenthereisatendencyinallthemen’seyestoconvergeonher；andI
　　dofirmlybelieve，that，ifalltheirchairswereexamined，theywouldbefoundalittleobliquelyplaced，soastofavorthedirectioninwhichtheiroccupantslovetolook。
　　Thatbland，quietoldgentleman，ofwhomIhavespokenassittingoppositetome，isnoexceptiontotherule。Shebroughtdownsomemignonetteonemorning，whichshehadgrowninherchamber。Shegaveasprigtoherlittleneighbor，andonetothelandlady，andsentanotherbythehandofBridgettothisoldgentleman——
　　Sarvant，Ma’amIMuchobleeged，——hesaid，andputitgallantlyinhisbutton-hole——Afterbreakfasthemustseesomeofherdrawings。
　　Veryfineperformances，——veryfine！——trulyelegantproductions，trulyelegant！——HadseenMissLinwood’sneedleworkinLondon，intheyeareighteenhundredandlittleornothing，Ithinkhesaid，-
　　patronizedbythenobilityandgentry，andHerMajesty，——elegant，trulyelegantproductions，veryfineperformances；thesedrawingsremindedhimofthem；——wonderfulresemblancetoNature；anextraordinaryart，painting；Mr。Copleymadesomeveryfinepicturesthatherememberedseeingwhenhewasaboy。UsedtoremembersomelinesaboutaportraitWrittenbyMr。Cowper，beginning，Ohthatthoselipshadlanguage！Lifehaspass’dWithmebutroughlysinceIheardtheelast。"
　　Andwiththistheoldgentlemanfelltothinkingaboutadeadmotherofhisthatherememberedeversomuchyoungerthanhenowwas，andlooking，notashismother，butashisdaughtershouldlook。Thedeadyoungmotherwaslookingattheoldman，herchild，assheusedtolookathimsomany，manyyearsago。Hestoodstillasifinawakingdream，hiseyesfixedonthedrawingstilltheiroutlinesgrewindistinctandtheyranintoeachother，andapale，sweetfaceshapeditselfoutoftheglimmeringlightthroughwhichhesawthem——
　　Whatistherequitesoprofoundlyhumanasanoldman’smemoryofamotherwhodiedinhisearlieryears？Mothersheremainstillmanhood，andby-and-byshegrowstobeasasister；andatlast，when，wrinkledandbowedandbroken，helooksbackuponherinherfairyouth，heseesinthesweetimagehecaresses，nothisparent，but，asitwere，hischild。
　　IfIhadnotseenallthisintheoldgentleman’sface，thewordswithwhichhebrokehissilencewouldhavebetrayedhistrainofthought——
　　Iftheyhadonlytakenpicturesthenastheydonow！——hesaid——
　　Allgone！allgone！nothingbutherfaceassheleanedonthearmsofhergreatchair；andIwouldgiveahundredpoundforthepoorestlittlepictureofher，suchasyoucanbuyforashillingofanybodythatyoudon’twanttosee——Theoldgentlemanputhishandtohisforeheadsoastoshadehiseyes。Isawhewaslookingatthedimphotographofmemory，andturnedfromhimtoIris。
　　Howmanydrawing-bookshaveyoufilled，——Isaid，——sinceyoubegantotakelessons？——Thiswasthefirst，——sheanswered，——sinceshewashere；anditwasnotfull，butthereweremanyseparatesheetsoflargesizeshehadcoveredwithdrawings。
　　Iturnedovertheleavesofthebookbeforeus。Academicstudies，principallyofthehumanfigure。Headsofsibyls，prophets，andsoforth。Limbsfromstatues。HandsandfeetfromNature。Whatasuperbdrawingofanarm！Idon’trememberitamongthefiguresfromMichelAngelo，whichseemtohavebeenherpatternsmainly。
　　>FromNature，Ithink，orafteracastfromNature——Oh！——
　　Yoursmallerstudiesareinthis，Isuppose，——Isaid，takingupthedrawing-bookwithalockonit，——Yes，——shesaid——Ishouldliketoseeherstyleofworkingonasmallscale——Therewasnothinginitworthshowing，——shesaid；andpresentlyIsawhertrythelock，whichprovedtobefast。Weareallcaricaturedinit，Ihaven’ttheleastdoubt。Ithink，though，Icouldtellbyherwayofdealingwithuswhatherfancieswereaboutusboarders。Someofthemactasiftheywerebewitchedwithher，butshedoesnotseemtonoticeitmuch。Herthoughtsseemtobeonherlittleneighbormorethanonanybodyelse。TheyoungfellowJohnappearstostandsecondinhergoodgraces。Ithinkhehasonceortwicesentherwhatthelandlady’sdaughtercallsbo-kaysofflowers，——somebodyhas，atanyrate——Isawabookshehad，whichmusthavecomefromthedivinity-student。Ithadadrearytitle-page，whichshehadenlivenedwithafancyportraitoftheauthor，——afacefrommemory，apparently，——oneofthosefacesthatsmallchildrenloathewithoutknowingwhy，andwhichgivethemthatinwarddisgustforheavensomanyofthelittlewretchesbetray，whentheyhearthattheseare"goodmen，"andthatheavenisfullofsuch——Thegentlemanwiththediamond——theKoh-i-noor，socalledbyus——wasnotencouraged，I
　　think，bythereceptionofhispacketofperfumedsoap。HepullshispurplemoustacheandlooksappreciatinglyatIris，whoneverseeshim，asitshouldseem。TheyoungMarylander，whoIthoughtwouldhavebeeninlovewithherbeforethistime，sometimeslooksfromhiscorneracrossthelongdiagonalofthetable，asmuchastosay，Iwishyouwereupherebyme，orIweredowntherebyyou，——
　　whichwould，perhaps，beamorenaturalarrangementthanthepresentone。Butnothingcomesofallthis，——andnothinghascomeofmysagaciousideaoffindingoutthegirl’sfanciesbylookingintoherlockeddrawing-book。
　　NottogiveupallthequestionsIwasdeterminedtosolve，ImadeanattemptalsotoworkintotheLittleGentleman’schamber。Forthispurpose，Ikepthiminconversation，onemorning，untilhewasjustreadytogoup-stairs，andthen，asiftocontinuethetalk，followedhimashetoiledbacktohisroom。Herestedonthelandingandfacedroundtowardme。Therewassomethinginhiseyewhichsaid，Stopthere！Sowefinishedourconversationonthelanding。Thenextday，Imusteredassuranceenoughtoknockathisdoor，havingapretextready——Noanswer——Knockagain。Adoor，asifofacabinet，wasshutsoftlyandlocked，andpresentlyI
　　heardthepeculiardeadbeatofhisthick-soled，misshapenboots。
　　Theboltsandthelockoftheinnerdoorwereunfastened，——withunnecessarynoise，Ithought，——andhecameintothepassage。HepulledtheinnerdoorafterhimandopenedtheouteroneatwhichI
　　stood。Hehadonafloweredsilkdressing-gown，suchas"Mr。Copley"usedtopainthisold-fashionedmerchant-princesin；
　　andaquaint-lookingkeyinhishand。Ourconversationwasshort，butlongenoughtoconvincemethattheLittleGentlemandidnotwantmycompanyinhischamber，anddidnotmeantohaveit。
　　Ihavebeenmakingagreatfussaboutwhatisnomysteryatall，——aschoolgirl’ssecretsandawhimsicalman’shabits。Imeantogiveupsuchnonsenseandmindmyownbusiness——Hark！Whatthedeuseisthatoddnoiseinhischamber？——
　　IthinkIamalittlesuperstitious。Thereweretwothings，whenIwasaboy，thatdiabolizedmyimagination，——Imean，thatgavemeadistinctapprehensionofaformidablebodilyshapewhichprowledroundtheneighborhoodwhereIwasbornandbred。Thefirstwasaseriesofmarkscalledthe"Devil’sfootsteps。"Thesewerepatchesofsandinthepastures，wherenograssgrew，wherethelow-bushblackberry，the"dewberry，"asourSouthernneighborscallit，inprettierandmoreShakspearianlanguage，didnotspreaditsclingingcreepers，——whereeventhepale，dry，sadly-sweet"everlasting"couldnotgrow，butallwasbareandblasted。Thesecondwasamarkinoneofthepublicbuildingsnearmyhome，——thecollegedormitorynamedafteraColonialGovernor。Idonotthinkmanypersonsareawareoftheexistenceofthismark，——littlehavingbeensaidaboutthestoryinprint，asitwasconsideredverydesirable，forthesakeoftheInstitution，tohushitup。Inthenorthwestcorner，andonthelevelofthethirdorfourthstory，therearesignsofabreachinthewalls，mendedprettywell，butnottobemistaken。A
　　considerableportionofthatcornermusthavebeencarriedaway，fromwithinoutward。Itwasanunpleasantaffair；andIdonotcaretorepeattheparticulars；butsomeyoungmenhadbeenusingsacredthingsinaprofaneandunlawfulway，whentheoccurrence，whichwasvariouslyexplained，tookplace。ThestoryoftheAppearanceinthechamberwas，Isuppose，inventedafterwards；butoftheinjurytothebuildingtherecouldbenoquestion；andthezig-zagline，wherethemortarisalittlethickerthanbefore，isstilldistinctlyvisible。Thequeerburntspots，calledthe"Devil’sfootsteps，"hadneverattractedattentionbeforethistime，thoughthereisnoevidencethattheyhadnotexistedpreviously，exceptthatofthelateMissM。，a"Goody，"socalled，orsweeper，whowaspositiveonthesubject，buthadastrangehorrorofreferringtoanaffairofwhichshewasthoughttoknowsomething——Itellyouitwasnotsopleasantforalittleboyofimpressiblenaturetogouptobedinanoldgambrel-roofedhouse，withuntenanted，lockedupper-chambers，andamostghostlygarret，——withthe"Devil’sfootsteps"inthefieldsbehindthehouseandinfrontofitthepatcheddormitorywheretheunexplainedoccurrencehadtakenplacewhichstartledthosegodlessyouthsattheirmockdevotions，sothatoneofthemwasepilepticfromthatdayforward，andanother，afteradreadfulseasonofmentalconflict，tookholyordersandbecamerenownedforhisasceticsanctity。
　　TherewereothercircumstancesthatkeptuptheimpressionproducedbythesetwosingularfactsIhavejustmentioned。Therewasadarkstoreroom，onlookingthroughthekey-holeofwhich，Icoulddimlyseeaheapofchairsandtables，andotherfour-footedthings，whichseemedtometohaverushedinthere，frightened，andintheirfrighttohavehuddledtogetherandclimbeduponeachother’sbacks，——asthepeopledidinthatawfulcrushwheresomanywerekilled，attheexecutionofHollowayandHaggerty。ThentheLady’sportrait，up-stairs，withthesword-thruststhroughit，——marksoftheBritishofficers’rapiers，——andthetallmirrorinwhichtheyusedtolookattheirredcoats，——confoundthemforsmashingitsmate？——andthedeep，cunninglywroughtarm-chairinwhichLordPercyusedtositwhilehishairwasdressing；——hewasagentleman，andalwayshaditcoveredwithalargepeignoir，tosavethesilkcoveringmygrandmotherembroidered。Thenthelittleroomdownstairsfromwhichwenttheorderstothrowupabankofearthonthehillyonder，whereyoumaynowobserveagraniteobelisk，——"thestudy"inmyfather’stime，butinthosedaysthecouncil-chamberofarmedmen，——sometimesfilledwithsoldiers；comewithme，andIwillshowyouthe"dents"leftbythebuttsoftheirmusketsalloverthefloor。Withallthesesuggestiveobjectsroundme，aidedbythewildstoriesthoseawfulcountry-boysthatcametoliveinourservicebroughtwiththem；——ofcontractswritteninbloodandleftoutovernight，nottobefoundthenextmorning，removedbytheEvilOne，whotakeshisnightlyroundamongourdwellings，andfiledawayforfutureuse，——ofdreamscomingtrue，——ofdeath-signs，——ofapparitions，nowonderthatmyimaginationgotexcited，andIwasliabletosuperstitiousfancies。
　　JeremyBentham’slogic，bywhichheprovedthathecouldn’tpossiblyseeaghostisallverywell-intheday-time。Allthereasonintheworldwillnevergetthoseimpressionsofchildhood，createdbyjustsuchcircumstancesasIhavebeentelling，outofaman’shead。
　　ThatistheonlyexcuseIhavetogiveforthenervouskindofcuriositywithwhichIwatchmylittleneighbor，andtheobstinacywithwhichIlieawakewheneverIhearanythinggoingoninhischamberaftermidnight。
　　ButwhateverfurtherobservationsImayhavemademustbedeferredforthepresent。Youwillseeinwhatwayithappenedthatmythoughtswereturnedfromspiritualmatterstobodilyones，andhowIgotmyfancyfullofmaterialimages，——faces，heads，figures，muscles，andsoforth，——insuchawaythatIshouldhavenochanceinthisnumbertogratifyanycuriosityyoumayfeel，ifIhadthemeansofsodoing。
　　Indeed，Ihavecomeprettynearomittingmyperiodicalrecordthistime。Itwasalltheworkofafriendofmine，whowouldhaveitthatIshouldsittohimformyportrait。Whenasouldrawsabodyinthegreatlotteryoflife，whereeveryoneissureofaprize，suchasitis，thesaidsoulinspectsthesaidbodywiththesamecuriousinterestwithwhichonewhohasventuredintoa"giftenterprise"examinesthe"massivesilverpencil-case"withthecopperysmellandimpressibletube，orthe"splendidgoldring"withthequestionablespecificgravity，whichithasbeenhisfortunetoobtaininadditiontohispurchase。
　　Thesoul，havingstudiedthearticleofwhichitfindsitselfproprietor，thinks，afteratime，itknowsitprettywell。Butthereisthisdifferencebetweenitsviewandthatofapersonlookingatus:——welookfromwithin，andseenothingbutthemouldformedbytheelementsinwhichweareincased；otherobserverslookfromwithout，andseeusaslivingstatues。Tobesure，bytheaidofmirrors，wegetafewglimpsesofouroutsideaspect；butthisoccasionalimpressionisalwaysmodifiedbythatlookofthesoulfromwithinoutwardwhichnonebutourselvescantake。Aportraitisapt，therefore，tobeasurprisetous。Theartistlooksonlyfromwithout。Heseesus，too，withahundredaspectsonourfacesweareneverlikelytosee。Nogenuineexpressioncanbestudiedbythesubjectofitinthelooking-glass。
　　Morethanthis；heseesusinawayinwhichmanyofourfriendsoracquaintancesneverseeus。Withoutwearinganymaskweareconsciousof，wehaveaspecialfaceforeachfriend。For，inthefirstplace，eachputsaspecialreflectionofhimselfuponus，ontheprincipleofassimilationyoufoundreferredtoinmylastrecord，ifyouhappenedtoreadthatdocument。Andsecondly，eachofourfriendsiscapableofseeingjustsofar，andnofarther，intoourface，andeachseesinittheparticularthingthathelooksfor。Nowtheartist，ifheistrulyanartist，doesnottakeanyoneofthesespecialviews。Supposeheshouldcopyyouasyouappeartothemanwhowantsyournametoasubscription-list，youcouldhardlyexpectafriendwhoentertainsyoutorecognizethelikenesstothesmilingfacewhichshedsitsradianceathisboard。
　　Evenwithinyourownfamily，Iamafraidthereisafacewhichtherichuncleknows，thatisnotsofamiliartothepoorrelation。Theartistmusttakeoneortheother，orsomethingcompoundedofthetwo，orsomethingdifferentfromeither。Whatthedaguerreotypeandphotographdoistogivethefeaturesandoneparticularlook，theverylookwhichkillsallexpression，thatofself-consciousness。
　　Theartistthrowsyouoffyourguard，watchesyouinmovementandinrepose，putsyourfacethroughitsexercises，observesitstransitions，andsogetsthewholerangeofitsexpression。Outofallthisheformsanidealportrait，whichisnotacopyofyourexactlookatanyonetimeortoanyparticularperson。Suchaportraitcannotbetoeverybodywhattheunglovedcall"asnat’ralaslife。"Everygoodpicture，therefore，mustbeconsideredwantinginresemblancebymanypersons。
　　Thereisonestrangerevelationwhichcomesout，astheartistshapesyourfeaturesfromhisoutline。Itisthatyouresemblesomanyrelativestowhomyouyourselfneverhadnoticedanyparticularlikenessinyourcountenance。
　　Heisatworkatmenow，whenIcatchsomeoftheseresemblances，thus:
　　There！thatisjustthelookmyfatherusedtohavesometimes；I
　　neverthoughtIhadasignofit。Themother’seyebrowandgrayish-
　　blueeye，thoseIknewIhad。Butthereisasomethingwhichrecallsasmilethatfadedawayfrommysister’slips——howmanyyearsago！Ithoughtitsopleasantinher，thatIlovemyselfbetterforhavingatraceofit。
　　Arewenotyoung？Arewenotfreshandblooming？Wait，abit。Theartisttakesameanlittlebrushanddrawsthreefinelines，divergingoutwardsfromtheeyeoverthetemple。Fiveyears——Theartistdrawsonetolerablydistinctandtwofaintlines，perpendicularlybetweentheeyebrows。Tenyears——Theartistbreaksupthecontoursroundthemouth，sothattheylookalittleasahatdoesthathasbeensatuponandrecovereditself，ready，asonewouldsay，tocrumpleupagaininthesamecreases，onsmilingorotherchangeoffeature——Holdon！Stopthat！Giveayoungfellowachance！ArewenotwholeyearsshortofthatinterestingperiodoflifewhenMr。Balzacsaysthataman，etc。，etc。，etc。？
　　Therenow！Thatisourself，aswelookafterfinishinganarticle，gettingathree-milepullwiththeten-footsculls，redressingthewrongsofthetoilet，andstandingwiththelightofhopeinoureyeandthereflectionofaredcurtainonourcheek。IshenotaPOET
　　thatpaintedus？
　　"Blestbetheartthatcanimmortalize！"
　　COWPER——
　　Youngfolkslookonafaceasaunit；childrenwhogotoschoolwithanygivenlittleJohnSmithseeinhisnameadistinctiveappellation，andinhisfeaturesasspecialanddefiniteanexpressionofhissoleindividualityasifhewerethefirstcreatedofhisrace:Assoonasweareoldenoughtogettherangeofthreeorfourgenerationswellinhand，andtotakeinlargefamilyhistories，weneverseeanindividualinafaceofanystockweknow，butamosaiccopyofapattern，withfragmentarytintsfromthisandthatancestor。Theanalysisofafaceintoitsancestralelementsrequiresthatitshouldbeexaminedintheveryearliestinfancy，beforeithaslostthatancientandsolemnlookitbringswithitoutofthepasteternity；andagaininthatbriefspacewhenLife，themightysculptor，hasdonehiswork，andDeath，hissilentservant，liftstheveilandletsuslookatthemarblelineshehaswroughtsofaithfully；andlastly，whileapainterwhocanseizeallthetraitsofacountenanceisbuildingitup，featureafterfeature，fromtheslightoutlinetothefinishedportrait——
　　Iamsatisfied，that，aswegrowolder，welearntolookuponourbodiesmoreandmoreasatemporarypossessionandlessandlessasidentifiedwithourselves。Inearlyyears，whilethechild"feelsitslifeineverylimb，"itlivesinthebodyandforthebodytoaverygreatextent。Itoughttobeso。Therehavebeenmanyveryinterestingchildrenwhohaveshownawonderfulindifferencetothethingsofearthandanextraordinarydevelopmentofthespiritualnature。Thereisaperfectliteratureoftheirbiographies，allalikeintheiressentials；thesame"disinclinationtotheusualamusementsofchildhood"；thesameremarkablesensibility；thesamedocility；thesameconscientiousness；inshort，analmostuniformcharacter，markedbybeautifultraits，whichwelookatwithapainfuladmiration。Itwillbefoundthatmostofthesechildrenarethesubjectsofsomeconstitutionalunfitnessforliving，themostfrequentofwhichIneednotmention。Theyarelikethebeautiful，blushing，half-grownfruitthatfallsbeforeitstimebecauseitscoreisgnawedout。Theyhavetheirmeaning，——theydonot-liveinvain，——buttheyarewindfalls。Iamconvincedthatmanyhealthychildrenareinjuredmorallybybeingforcedtoreadtoomuchabouttheselittlemeeksufferersandtheirspiritualexercises。Hereisaboythatlovestorun，swim，kickfootball，turnsomersets，makefaces，whittle，fish，tearhisclothes，coast，skate，firecrackers，blowsquash"tooters，"cuthisnameonfences，readaboutRobinsonCrusoeandSinbadtheSailor，eatthewidest-
　　angledslicesofpieanduntoldcakesandcandies，cracknutswithhisbackteethandbiteoutthebetterpartofanotherboy’sapplewithhisfrontones，turnupcoppers，"stick"knives，callnames，throwstones，knockoffhats，setmousetraps，chalkdoorsteps，"cutbehind"anythingonwheelsorrunners，whistlethroughhisteeth，"holler"Fire！onslightevidence，runaftersoldiers，patronizeanengine-company，or，inhisownwords，"blowfortubNo。11，"orwhateveritmaybe；——isn’tthataprettynicesortofaboy，thoughhehasnotgotanythingthematterwithhimthattakesthetasteofthisworldout？Now，whenyouputintosuchahot-blooded，hard-
　　fisted，round-cheekedlittlerogue’shandasad-lookingvolumeorpamphlet，withtheportraitofathin，white-facedchild，whoselifeisreallyasmuchatrainingfordeathasthelastmonthofacondemnedcriminal’sexistence，whatdoeshefindincommonbetweenhisownoverflowingandexultingsenseofvitalityandtheexperiencesofthedoomedoffspringofinvalidparents？Thetimecomeswhenwehavelearnedtounderstandthemusicofsorrow，thebeautyofresignedsuffering，theholylightthatplaysoverthepillowofthosewhodiebeforetheirtime，inhumblehopeandtrust。
　　Butitisnotuntilhehasworkedhiswaythroughtheperiodofhonestheartyanimalexistence，whicheveryrobustchildshouldmakethemostof，——notuntilhehaslearnedtheuseofhisvariousfaculties，whichishisfirstduty，——thataboyofcourageandanimalvigorisinaproperstatetoreadthesetearfulrecordsofprematuredecay。Ihavenodoubtthatdisgustisimplantedinthemindsofmanyhealthychildrenbyearlysurfeitsofpathologicalpiety。IdoverilybelievethatHewhotookchildreninHisarmsandblessedthemlovedthehealthiestandmostplayfulofthemjustaswellasthosewhowererichestinthetuberculousvirtues。I
　　knowwhatIamtalkingabout，andtherearemoreparentsinthiscountrywhowillbewillingtolistentowhatIsaythantherearefoolstopickaquarrelwithme。InthesensibilityandthesanctitywhichoftenaccompanyprematuredecayIseeoneofthemostbeautifulinstancesoftheprincipleofcompensationwhichmarkstheDivinebenevolence。ButtogetthespiritualhygieneofrobustnaturesoutoftheexceptionalregimenofinvalidsisjustsimplywhatweProfessorscall"badpractice"；andIknowbyexperiencethatthereareworthypeoplewhonotonlytryitontheirownchildren，butactuallyforceitonthoseoftheirneighbors——
　　Havingbeenphotographed，andstereographed，andchromatographed，ordoneincolors，itonlyremainedtobephrenologized。ApolitenotefromMessrs。BumpusandCrane，requestingourattendanceattheirPhysiologicalEmporium，wastootemptingtoberesisted。WerepairedtothatscientificGolgotha。
　　Messrs。BumpusandCranearearrangedontheplanofthemanandthewomaninthetoycalleda"weather-house，"bothonthesamewoodenarmsuspendedonapivot，——sothatwhenonecomestothedoor，theotherretiresbackwards，andviceversa。Themoreparticularspecialityofoneistolubricateyourentranceandexit，——thatoftheothertopolishyouoffphrenologicallyintherecessesoftheestablishment。Supposeyourselfinaroomfullofcastsandpictures，beforeacounterfulofbookswithtakingtitles。Iwonderifthepictureofthebrainisthere，"approved"byanotedPhrenologist，whichwascopiedfrommy，theProfessor’s，folioplate，intheworkofGallandSpurzheim。Anextraconvolution，No。
　　9，Destructiveness，accordingtothelistbeneath，whichwasnottobeseenintheplate，itselfacopyofNature，wasveryliberallysuppliedbytheartist，tomeetthewantsofthecatalogueof"organs。"ProfessorBumpusisseatedinfrontofarowofwomen，——
　　horn-combersandgold-beaders，orsomewhereaboutthatrangeoflife，——lookingsocredulous，that，ifanySecond-AdventMillerorJoeSmithshouldcomealong，hecouldstringthewholelotofthemonhischeapestlie，asaboystringsadozen"shiners"onastrippedtwigofwillow。
　　TheProfessormeaningourselvesisinahurry，asusual；letthehorn-comberswait，——heshallbebumpedwithoutinspectingtheantechamber。
　　Taperoundthehead，——22inches。Comeon，old23inches，ifyouthinkyouarethebetterman！
　　Feelsthoraxandarm，andnuzzlesroundamongmusclesasthosehorridoldwomenpoketheirfingersintothesalt-meatontheprovision-stallsattheQuincyMarket。Vitality，No。5or6，orsomethingorother。Victuality，organatepigastrium，someothernumberequallysignificant。
　　Mildchampooingofheadnowcommences。’Extraordinaryrevelations！
　　Cupidiphilous，6！Hymeniphilous，6！Paediphilous，5！
　　Deipniphilous，6！Gelasmiphilous，6！Musikiphilous，5！
　　Uraniphilous，5！Glossiphilous，8！！andsoon。Meantforalinguist——Invaluableinformation。Willinvestingrammarsanddictionariesimmediately——Ihavenothingagainstthegrandtotalofmyphrenologicalendowments。