Ineversetgreatstorebymyhead，anddidnotthinkMessrs。
　　BumpusandCranewouldgivemesogoodalotoforgansastheydid，especiallyconsideringthatIwasadead-headonthatoccasion。
　　Muchobligedtothemfortheirpoliteness。Theyhavebeenusefulintheirwaybycallingattentiontoimportantphysiologicalfacts。
　　ThisconcessionisduetoourimmensebumpofCandor。
　　AshortLectureonPhrenology，readtotheBoardersatourBreakfast-Table。
　　Ishallbegin，myfriends，withthedefinitionofaPseudo-science。
　　APseudo-scienceconsistsofanomenclature，withaself-adjustingarrangement，bywhichallpositiveevidence，orsuchasfavorsitsdoctrines，isadmitted，andallnegativeevidence，orsuchastellsagainstit，isexcluded。Itisinvariablyconnectedwithsomelucrativepracticalapplication。Itsprofessorsandpractitionersareusuallyshrewdpeople；theyareveryseriouswiththepublic，butwinkandlaughagooddealamongthemselves。Thebelievingmultitudeconsistsofwomenofbothsexes，feeblemindedinquirers，poeticaloptimists，peoplewhoalwaysgetcheatedinbuyinghorses，philanthropistswhoinsistonhurryingupthemillennium，andothersofthisclass，withhereandthereaclergyman，lessfrequentlyalawyer，veryrarelyaphysician，andalmostneverahorse-jockeyoramemberofthedetectivepolice——IdonotsaythatPhrenologywasoneofthePseudo-sciences。
　　APseudo-sciencedoesnotnecessarilyconsistwhollyoflies。Itmaycontainmanytruths，andevenvaluableones。Therottenestbankstartswithalittlespecie。Itputsoutathousandpromisestopayonthestrengthofasingledollar，butthedollarisverycommonlyagoodone。ThepractitionersofthePseudo-sciencesknowthatcommonminds，aftertheyhavebeenbaitedwitharealfactortwo，willjumpatthemerestragofalie，orevenatthebarehook。
　　Whenwehaveonefactfoundus，weareveryapttosupplythenextoutofourownimagination。HowmanypersonscanreadJudgesxv。
　　16correctlythefirsttime？ThePseudo-sciencestakeadvantageofthis——IdidnotsaythatitwassowithPhrenology。
　　IhaverarelymetasensiblemanwhowouldnotallowthattherewassomethinginPhrenology。Abroad，highforehead，itiscommonlyagreed，promisesintellect；onethatis"villanouslow"andhasahugehind-headbackofit，iswonttomarkananimalnature。Ihaveasrarelymetanunbiassedandsensiblemanwhoreallybelievedinthebumps。Itisobserved，however，thatpersonswithwhatthePhrenologistscall"goodheads"aremorepronethanotherstowardplenarybeliefinthedoctrine。
　　Itissohardtoproveanegative，that，ifamanshouldassertthatthemoonwasintruthagreencheese，formedbythecoagulablesubstanceoftheMilkyWay，andchallengemetoprovethecontrary，Imightbepuzzled。Butifheoffertosellmeatonofthislunarcheese，IcallonhimtoprovethetruthoftheGaseousnatureofoursatellite，beforeIpurchase。
　　Itisnotnecessarytoprovethefalsityofthephrenologicalstatement。Itisonlynecessarytoshowthatitstruthisnotproved，andcannotbe，bythecommoncourseofargument。Thewallsoftheheadaredouble，withagreatair-chamberbetweenthem，overthesmallestandmostcloselycrowded"organs。"Canyoutellhowmuchmoneythereisinasafe，whichalsohasthickdoublewalls，bykneadingitsknobswithyourfingers？Sowhenamanfumblesaboutmyforehead，andtalksabouttheorgansofIndividuality，Size，etc。，ItrusthimasmuchasIshouldifhefeltoftheoutsideofmystrong-boxandtoldmethattherewasafive-dollaroraten-
　　dollar-billunderthisorthatparticularrivet。Perhapsthereis；
　　onlyhedoesn’tknowanythingaboutat。ButthisisapointthatI，theProfessor，understand，myfriends，oroughtto，certainly，betterthanyoudo。Thenextargumentyouwillallappreciate。
　　Iproceed，therefore，toexplaintheself-adjustingmechanismofPhrenology，whichisverysimilartothatofthePseudo-sciences。
　　Anexamplewillshowitmostconveniently。
　　A。isanotoriousthief。Messrs。BumpusandCraneexaminehimandfindagood-sizedorganofAcquisitiveness。PositivefactforPhrenology。CastsanddrawingsofA。aremultiplied，andthebumpdoesnotloseintheactofcopying——Ididnotsayitgained——
　　Whatdoyoulooksofor？totheboarders。
　　PresentlyB。turnsup，abiggerthiefthanA。ButB。hasnobumpatalloverAcquisitiveness。Negativefact；goesagainstPhrenology——
　　Notabitofit。Don’tyouseehowsmallConscientiousnessis？
　　That’sthereasonB。stole。
　　AndthencomesC。，tentimesasmuchathiefaseitherA。orB。，——
　　usedtostealbeforehewasweaned，andwouldpickoneofhisownpocketsandputitscontentsinanother，ifhecouldfindnootherwayofcommittingpettylarceny。Unfortunately，C。hasahollow，insteadofabump，overAcquisitiveness。Ah，butjustlookandseewhatabumpofAlimentiveness！DidnotC。buynutsandgingerbread，whenaboy，withthemoneyhestole？Ofcourseyouseewhyheisathief，andhowhisexampleconfirmsournoblescience。
　　Atlastcomesalongacasewhichisapparentlyasettler，forthereisalittlebrainwithvastandvariedpowers，——acaselikethatofByron，forinstance。Thencomesoutthegrandreserve-reasonwhichcoverseverythingandrendersitsimplyimpossibleevertocorneraPhrenologist。"Itisnotthesizealone，butthequalityofanorgan，whichdeterminesitsdegreeofpower。"
　　Oh！oh！Isee——TheargumentmaybebrieflystatedthusbythePhrenologist:"HeadsIwin，tailsyoulose。"Well，that’sconvenient。
　　ItmustbeconfessedthatPhrenologyhasacertainresemblancetothePseudo-sciences。IdidnotsayitwasaPseudo-science。
　　IhaveoftenmetpersonswhohavebeenaltogetherstruckupandamazedattheaccuracywithwhichsomewanderingProfessorofPhrenologyhadreadtheircharacterswrittenupontheirskulls。OfcoursetheProfessoracquireshisinformationsolelythroughhiscranialinspectionsandmanipulations——Whatareyoulaughingat？
　　totheboarders。——Butletusjustsuppose，foramoment，thatatolerablycunningfellow，whodidnotknoworcareanythingaboutPhrenology，shouldopenashopandundertaketoreadoffpeople’scharactersatfiftycentsoradollarapiece。Letusseehowwellhecouldgetalongwithoutthe"organs。"
　　Iwillsupposemyselftosetupsuchashop。Iwouldinvestonehundreddollars，moreorless，incastsofbrains，skulls，charts，andothermattersthatwouldmakethemostshowforthemoney。Thatwoulddotobeginwith。IwouldthenadvertisemyselfasthecelebratedProfessorBrainey，orwhatevernameImightchoose，andwaitformyfirstcustomer。Myfirstcustomerisamiddle-agedman。
　　Ilookathim，——askhimaquestionortwo，soastohearhimtalk。
　　WhenIhavegotthehangofhim，Iaskhimtositdown，andproceedtofumblehisskull，dictatingasfollows:
　　SCALEFROM1TO10。
　　LISTOFFACULTIESFORPRIVATENOTESFORMYPUPIL。
　　CUSTOMER。
　　Eachtobeaccompaniedwithawink。
　　Amativeness，7。Mostmenlovetheconflictingsex，andallmenlovetobetoldtheydo。
　　Alimentiveness，8。Don’tyouseethathehasburstoffhislowestwaistcoat-buttonwithfeeding，——heyAcquisitiveness，8。Ofcourse。Amiddle-agedYankee。
　　Approbativeness7。Hatwellbrushed。Hairditto。Marktheeffectofthatplussign。
　　Self-Esteem6。Hisfaceshowsthat。
　　Benevolence9。That’llpleasehim。
　　Conscientiousness8？Thatfractionlooksfirst-rate。
　　Mirthfulness7Haslaughedtwicesincehecamein。
　　Ideality9Thatsoundswell。
　　Form，Size，Weight，4to6。AverageeverythingthatColor，Locality，cannotbeguessed。
　　Eventuality，etc。etc。
　　Andsooftheotherfaculties。
　　Ofcourse，youknow，thatisn’tthewaythePhrenologistsdo。Theygoonlybythebumps——Whatdoyoukeeplaughingsofor？totheboarders。IonlysaidthatisthewayIshouldpractise"Phrenology"foraliving。
　　EndofmyLecture——
　　TheReformershavegoodheads，generally。Theirfacesarecommonlysereneenough，andtheyarelambsinprivateintercourse，eventhoughtheirvoicesmaybelikeThewolf’slonghowlfromOonalaska’sshore，whenheardfromtheplatform。Theirgreatestspiritualdangerisfromtheperpetualflatteryofabusetowhichtheyareexposed。
　　Theselinesaremeanttocautionthem。
　　SAINTANTHONYTHEREFORMER。
　　HISTEMPTATION。
　　Nofearlestpraiseshouldmakeusproud！
　　Weknowhowcheaplythatiswon；
　　TheidlehomageofthecrowdIsproofoftasksasidlydone。
　　Asurface-smilemaypaythetoilThatfollowsstilltheconqueringRight，Withsoft，whitehandstodressthespoilThatsunbrownedvalorclutchedinfight。
　　Singthesweetsongofotherdays，Serenelyplacid，safelytrue，Ando’erthepresent’sparchingwaysThyversedistilslikeeveningdew。
　　Butspeakinwordsoflivingpower，——
　　TheyfalllikedropsofscaldingrainThatplashedbeforetheburningshowerSwepto’erthecitiesoftheplain！
　　ThenscowlingHateturnsdeadlypale，——
　　ThenPassion’shalf-coiledaddersspring，And，smittenthroughtheirleprousmail，Strikerightandleftinhopetosting。
　　Ifthou，unmovedbypoisoningwrath，Thyfeetonearth，thyheartabove，Canstwalkinpeacethykinglypath，Unchangedintrust，unchilledinlove，——
　　Tookindforbitterwordstogrieve，Toofirmforclamortodismay，WhenFaithforbidstheetobelieve，AndMeeknesscallstodisobey，——
　　Ah，thenbewareofmortalpride！
　　ThesmilingpridethatcalmlyscornsThosefoolishfingers，crimsondyedInlaboringonthycrownofthorns！
　　IX
　　Oneofourboarders——perhapsmorethanonewasconcernedinit——sentinsomequestionstome，theotherday，which，trivialassomeofthemare，Ifeltboundtoanswer。
　　1——Whetheraladywaseverknowntowritealettercoveringonlyasinglepage？
　　TothisIanswered，thattherewasacaseonrecordwherealadyhadbuthalfasheetofpaperandnoenvelope；andbeingobligedtosendthroughthepost-office，shecoveredonlyonesideofthepapercrosswise，lengthwise，anddiagonally。
　　2——Whatconstitutesamanagentleman？
　　TothisIgaveseveralanswers，adaptedtoparticularclassesofquestioners。
　　a。Nottryingtobeagentleman。
　　b。Self-respectunderlyingcourtesy。
　　c。Knowledgeandobservanceofthefitnessofthingsinsocialintercourse。
　　d。f。s。d。asmanysuppose。
　　3——Whetherfaceorfigureismostattractiveinthefemalesex？
　　Answeredinthefollowingepigram，byayoungmanabouttown:
　　QuothTom，"Thoughfairherfeaturesbe，Itisherfigurepleasesme。"
　　"Whatmayherfigurebe？"Icried。
　　"Onehundredthousand！"hereplied。
　　Whenthiswasreadtotheboarders，theyoungmanJohnsaidheshouldlikeachanceto"stepup"toafiggerofthatkind，ifthegirlwasoneoftherightsort。
　　Thelandladysaidthemthatmerriedformoneydidn’tdeservetheblessin’ofagoodwife。Moneywasagreatthingwhenthemthathaditmadeagooduseofit。Shehadseenbetterdaysherself，andknewwhatitwasnevertowantforanything。Oneofhercousinsmerriedaveryricholdgentleman，andshehadheerdthathesaidhelivedtenyearlongerthanifhe’dstaidbyhimselfwithoutanybodytotakecareofhim。Therewasnothin’likeawifefornussin’sickfolksandthemthatcouldn’ttakecareofthemselves。
　　TheyoungmanJohngotoffalittlewink，andpointedslylywithhisthumbinthedirectionofourdiminutivefriend，forwhomheseemedtothinkthisspeechwasintended。
　　Ifitwasmeantforhim，hedidn’tappeartoknowthatitwas。
　　Indeed，heseemssomewhatlistlessoflate，exceptwhentheconversationfallsupononeofthoselargertopicsthatspeciallyinteresthim，andthenhegrowsexcited，speaksloudandfast，sometimesalmostsavagely，——and，Ihavenoticedonceortwice，presseshislefthandtohisrightside，asifthereweresomethingthatached，orweighed，orthrobbedinthatregion。
　　Whilehespeaksinthisway，thegeneralconversationisinterrupted，andwealllistentohim。Irislookssteadilyinhisface，andthenhewillturnasifmagnetizedandmeettheambereyeswithhisownmelancholygaze。Idobelievethattheyhavesomekindofunderstandingtogether，thattheymeetelsewherethanatourtable，andthatthereisamystery，whichisgoingtobreakuponusallofasudden，involvingtherelationsofthesetwopersons。Fromtheveryfirst，theyhavetakentoeachother。Theonethingtheyhaveincommonistheheroicwill。Inhim，itshowsitselfinthinkinghiswaystraightforward，indoingbattlefor"freetradeandnorightofsearch"onthehighseasofreligiouscontroversy，andespeciallyinfightingthebattlesofhiscrookedoldcity。Inher，itisstandingupforherlittlefriendwiththemostqueenlydisregardofthecodeofboarding-houseetiquette。Peoplemaysayorlookwhattheylike，——shewillhaveherwayaboutthissentimentofhers。
　　ThePoorRelationisinadreadfulfidgetwhenevertheLittleGentlemansaysanythingthatinterfereswithherowninfallibility。
　　SheseemstothinkFaithmustgowithherfacetiedup，asifshehadthetoothache，——andthatifsheopenshermouthtothequarterthewindblowsfrom，shewillcatchher"deatho’cold。"
　　Thelandladyherselfcametohimoneday，asIhavefoundout，andtriedtopersuadehimtoholdhistongue——Theboarderswasgettin’
　　uneasy，——shesaid，——andsomeof’emwouldgo，shemistrusted，ifhetalkedanymoreaboutthingsthatbelongedtotheministerstosettle。Shewasapoorwoman，thathadknownbetterdays，butallherlivin’dependedonherboarders，andshewassuretherewasn’tanyof’emshesetsomuchbyasshedidbyhim；buttherewasthemthatneverlikedtohearaboutsechthings，exceptonSundays。
　　TheLittleGentlemanlookedverysmilingatthelandlady，whosmiledevenmorecordiallyinreturn，andadjustedhercap-ribbonwithanunconsciousmovement，——areminiscenceofthelong-pastpairing-time，whenshehadsmoothedherlocksandsoftenedhervoice，andwonhermatebytheseandotherbird-likegraces——MydearMadam，——hesaid，——Iwillrememberyourinterests，andspeakonlyofmatterstowhichIamtotallyindifferent——Idon’tdoubthemeantthis；butadayortwoafter，somethingstirredhimup，andIheardhisvoiceutteringitselfaloud，thus:-
　　Itmustbedone，Sir！——hewassaying，——itmustbedone！OurreligionhasbeenJudaized，ithasbeenRomanized，ithasbeenOrientalized，ithasbeenAnglicized，andthetimeisathandwhenitmustbeAMERICANIZED！Now，Sir，youseewhatAmericanizingisinpolitics；——itmeansthatamanshallhaveavotebecauseheisaman，——andshallvoteforwhomhepleases，withouthisneighbor’sinterference。IfhechoosestovotefortheDevil，thatishislookout；——perhapshethinkstheDevilisbetterthantheothercandidates；andIdon’tdoubthe’softenright，Sir。Justsoaman’ssoulhasavoteinthespiritualcommunity；anditdoesn’tdo，Sir，oritwon’tdolong，tocallhim"schismatic"and"heretic"andthoseotherwickednamesthattheoldmurderousInquisitorshaveleftustohelpalong"peaceandgoodwilltomen"！
　　Aslongasyoucouldcatchamananddrophimintoanoubliette，orpullhimoutafewincheslongerbymachinery，orputahotironthroughhistongue，ormakehimclimbupaladderandsitonaboardatthetopofastakesothatheshouldbeslowlybroiledbythefirekindledroundit，therewassomesenseinthesewords；theyledtosomething。Butsincewehavedonewiththosetools，wehadbettergiveupthosewords。IshouldliketoseeaYankeeadvertisementlikethis！——theLittleGentlemanlaughedfiercelyasheutteredthewords，————
　　Patentthumb-screws，——willcrushtheboneinthreeturns——
　　Thecast-ironboot，withwedgeandmallet，onlyfivedollars！——
　　Thecelebratedextension-rack，warrantedtostretchamansixinchesintwentyminutes，——moneyreturned，ifitprovesunsatisfactory。
　　Ishouldliketoseesuchanadvertisement，Isay，Sir！Now，what’stheuseofusingthewordsthatbelongedwiththethumb-screws，andtheBlessedVirginwiththeknivesunderherpetticoatsandsleevesandbodice，andthedrypanandgradualfire，ifwecan’thavethethingsthemselves，Sir？What’stheuseofpaintingthefireroundapoorfellow，whenyouthinkitwon’tdotokindleoneunderhim，——astheydidatValenciaorValladolid，orwhereveritwas？——
　　Whatstoryisthat？——Isaid。
　　Why，——heanswered，——atthelastauto-da-fe，in1824or’5，orsomewherethere，——it’satraveller’sstory，butamightyknowingtravellerheis，——theyhada"heretic"touseupaccordingtothestatutesprovidedforthecrimeofprivateopinion。Theycouldn’tquitemakeuptheirmindstoburnhim，sotheyonlyhunghiminahogsheadpaintedalloverwithflames！
　　No，Sir！whenamancallsyounamesbecauseyougototheballot-
　　boxandvoteforyourcandidate，orbecauseyousaythisorthatisyouropinion，heforgetsinwhichhalfoftheworldhewasborn，Sir！Itwon’tbelong，Sir，beforewehaveAmericanizedreligionaswehaveAmericanizedgovernment；andthen，Sir，everysoulGodsendsintotheworldwillbegoodinthefaceofallmenforjustsomuchofHis"inspiration"as"givethhimunderstanding"！——Noneofmywords，Sir！noneofmywords！——
　　IfIrisdoesnotlovethisLittleGentleman，whatdoeslovelooklikewhenoneseesit？Shefollowshimwithhereyes，sheleansovertowardhimwhenhespeaks，herfacechangeswiththechangesofhisspeech，sothatonemightthinkitwaswithheraswithChristabel，——
　　ThatallherfeatureswereresignedTothissoleimageinhermind。
　　Butsheneverlooksathimwithsuchintensityofdevotionaswhenhesaysanythingaboutthesoulandthesoul’satmosphere，religion。
　　Womenaretwiceasreligiousasmen；——alltheworldknowsthat。
　　Whethertheyareanybetter，intheeyesofAbsoluteJustice，mightbequestioned；fortheadditionalreligiouselementsuppliedbysexhardlyseemstobeamatterofpraiseorblame。Butinallcommonaspectstheyaresomuchaboveusthatwegetmostofourreligionfromthem，——fromtheirteachings，fromtheirexample，——aboveall，fromtheirpureaffections。
　　NowthispoorlittleIrishadbeentalkedtostrangelyinherchildhood。Especiallyshehadbeentoldthatshehatedallgoodthings，——whicheverysensibleparentknowswellenoughisnottrueofagreatmanychildren，tosaytheleast。Ihavesometimesquestionedwhethermanylibelsonhumannaturehadnotbeenanaturalconsequenceofthecelibacyoftheclergy，whichwasenforcedforsolongaperiod。
　　Thechildhadmetthisandsomeotherequallyencouragingstatementsastoherspiritualconditions，earlyinlife，andfoughtthebattleofspiritualindependenceprematurely，asmanychildrendo。IfallshedidwashatefultoGod，whatwasthemeaningoftheapprovingorelsethedisapprovingconscience，whenshehaddone"right"or"wrong"？No"shoulder-striker"hitsoutstraighterthanachildwithitslogic。Why，IcanrememberlyinginmybedinthenurseryandsettlingquestionswhichallthatIhaveheardsinceandgotoutofbookshasneverbeenabletoraiseagain。Ifachilddoesnotassertitselfinthiswayingoodseason，itbecomesjustwhatitsparentsorteacherswere，andisnobetterthanaplasticimage——
　　HowoldwasIatthetime？——Isupposeabout5823yearsold，——thatis，countingfromArchbishopUsher’sdateoftheCreation，andaddingthelifeoftherace，whoseaccumulatedintelligenceisapartofmyinheritance，tomyown。AgooddealolderthanPlato，yousee，andmuchmoreexperiencedthanmyLordBaconandmostoftheworld’steachers——Oldbooks，asyouwellknow，arebooksoftheworld’syouth，andnewbooksarefruitsofitsage。Howmanyofalltheseancientfoliosroundmearelikesomanyoldcupels！Thegoldhaspassedoutofthemlongago，buttheirporesarefullofthedrosswithwhichitwasmingled。
　　AndsoIris——havingthrownoffthatfirstlassowhichnotonlyfetters，butchokesthosewhomitcanhold，sothattheygivethemselvesuptremblingandbreathlesstothegreatsoul-subduer，whohasthembythewindpipehadsettledabriefcreedforherself，inwhichloveoftheneighbor，whomwehaveseen，wasthefirstarticle，andloveoftheCreator，whomwehavenotseen，grewoutofthisasitsnaturaldevelopment，beingnecessarilysecondinorderoftimetothefirstunselfishemotionswhichwefeelforthefellow-creatureswhosurroundusinourearlyyears。
　　Thechildmusthavesomeplaceofworship。Whatwouldayounggirlbewhonevermingledhervoicewiththesongsandprayersthatroseallaroundherwitheveryreturningdayofrest？AndIriswasfreetochoose。Sometimesoneandsometimesanotherwouldoffertocarryhertothisorthatplaceofworship；andwhenthedoorswerehospitablyopened，shewouldoftengomeeklyinbyherself。Itwasacuriousfact，thattwochurchesasremotefromeachotherindoctrineascouldwellbedividedheraffections。
　　TheChurchofSaintPolycarphadverymuchthelookofaRomanCatholicchapel。IdonotwishtoruntheriskofgivingnamestotheecclesiasticalfurniturewhichgaveitsuchaRomishaspect；buttherewerepictures，andinscriptionsinantiquatedcharacters，andtherewerereading-stands，andflowersonthealtar，andotherelegantarrangements。Thentherewereboystosingalternatelyinchoirsresponsivetoeachother，andtherewasmuchbowing，withveryloudresponding，andalongserviceandashortsermon，andabag，suchasJudasusedtoholdintheoldpictures，wascarriedroundtoreceivecontributions。Everythingwasdonenotonly"decentlyandinorder，"but，perhapsonemightsay，withacertainairofmagnifyingtheirofficeonthepartofthedignifiedclergymen，oftentwoorthreeinnumber。ThemusicandthefreewelcomeweregratefultoIris，andsheforgotherprejudicesatthedoorofthechapel。Forthiswasachurchwithopendoors，withseatsforallclassesandallcolorsalike，——achurchofzealousworshippersaftertheirfaith，ofcharitableandserviceablemenandwomen，onethattookcareofitschildrenandneverforgotitspoor，andwhosepeopleweremuchmoreoccupiedinlookingoutfortheirownsoulsthaninattackingthefaithoftheirneighbors。Initsmodeofworshiptherewasaunionoftwoqualities，——thetasteandrefinement，whichtheeducatedrequirejustasmuchintheirchurchesaselsewhere，andtheairofstateliness，almostofpomp，whichimpressesthecommonworshipper，andisoftennotwithoutitseffectuponthosewhothinktheyholdoutwardformsasoflittlevalue。Underthehalf-RomishaspectoftheChurchofSaintPolycarp，theyounggirlfoundadevoutandlovingandsingularlycheerfulreligiousspirit。Theartisticsense，whichbetrayeditselfinthedramaticproprietiesofitsritual，harmonizedwithhertaste。Themingledmurmuroftheloudresponses，inthoserhythmicphrases，sosimple，yetsofervent，almostasifeverytenthheart-beat，insteadofitsdulltic-tac，articulateditselfas"GoodLord，deliverus！"——thesweetalternationofthetwochoirs，astheirholysongfloatedfromsidetoside，thekeenyoungvoicesrisinglikeaflightofsinging-birdsthatpassesfromonegrovetoanother，carryingitsmusicwithitbackandforward，——whyshouldshenotlovethesegraciousoutwardsignsofthoseinnerharmonieswhichnonecoulddenymadebeautifulthelivesofmanyofherfellow-worshippersinthehumble，yetnotinelegantChapelofSaintPolycarp？
　　TheyoungMarylander，whowasbornandbredtothatmodeofworship，hadintroducedhertothechapel，forwhichhedidthehonorsforsuchofourboardersaswerenototherwiseprovidedfor。Isawthemlookingoverthesameprayer-bookoneSunday，andIcouldnothelpthinkingthattwosuchyoungandhandsomepersonscouldhardlyworshiptogetherinsafetyforagreatwhile。Buttheyseemedtomindnothingbuttheirprayer-book。By-and-bythesilkenbagwashandedround——Idon’tbelieveshewill；soawkward，youknow；-
　　besides，sheonlycamebyinvitation。Theresheis，withherhandinherpocket，though，——andsureenough，herlittlebitofsilvertinkledasitstruckthecoinbeneath。Godblessher！shehasn’tmuchtogive；buthereyeglistenswhenshegivesit，andthatisallHeavenasks——ThatwasthefirsttimeInoticedtheseyoungpeopletogether，andIamsuretheybehavedwiththemostcharmingpropriety，——infact，therewasoneofoursilentlady-boarderswiththem，whoseeyeswouldhavekeptCupidandPsychetotheirgoodbehavior。AdayortwoafterthisInoticedthattheyounggentlemanhadlefthisseat，whichyoumayrememberwasatthecornerdiagonaltothatofIris，sothattheyhavebeenasfarremovedfromeachotherastheycouldbeatthetable。Hisnewseatisthreeorfourplacesfartherdownthetable。OfcourseImadearomanceoutofthis，atonce。Sostupidnottoseeit！Howcoulditbeotherwise？——Didyouspeak，Madam？Ibegyourpardon。Tomylady-reader。
　　Ineversawanythinglikethetendernesswithwhichthisyounggirltreatsherlittledeformedneighbor。Ifhewereinthewayofgoingtochurch，Iknowshewouldfollowhim。Buthisworship，ifany，isnotwiththethrongofmenandwomenandstaringchildren。
　　I，theProfessor，ontheotherhand，amaregularchurch-goer。I
　　shouldgoforvariousreasonsifIdidnotloveit；butIamhappyenoughtofindgreatpleasureinthemidstofdevoutmultitudes，whetherIcanacceptalltheircreedsornot。Oneplaceofworshipcomesnearerthantheresttomyidealstandard，andtothisitwasthatIcarriedouryounggirl。
　　TheChurchoftheGalileans，asitiscalled，isevenhumblerinoutsidepretensionsthantheChurchofSaintPolycarp。Likethat，itisopentoallcomers。Thestrangerwhoapproachesitlooksdownaquietstreetandseestheplainestofchapels，——akindofwoodentent，thatoweswhatevergraceithastoitspointedwindowsandthehigh，sharproofs——traces，both，ofthatupwardmovementofecclesiasticalarchitecturewhichsoaredaloftincathedral-spires，shootingintotheskyasthespikeofafloweringaloefromtheclusterofbroad，sharp-wedgedleavesbelow。Thissuggestionofmedievalsymbolism，aidedbyaminuteturretinwhichahand-bellmighthavehungandfoundjustroomenoughtoturnover，wasallofoutwardshowthesmalledificecouldboast。Withintherewasverylittlethatpretendedtobeattractive。Asmallorganatoneside，andaplainpulpit，showedthatthebuildingwasachurch；butitwasachurchreducedtoitssimplestexpression:
　　YetwhenthegreatandwisemonarchoftheEastsatuponhisthrone，inallthegoldenblazeofthespoilsofOphirandthefreightsofthenavyofTarshish，hisglorywasnotlikethatofthissimplechapelinitsSundaygarniture。Fortheliliesofthefield，intheirseason，andthefairestflowersoftheyear，induesuccession，wereclusteredeverySundaymorningoverthepreacher’sdesk。Slight，thin-tissuedblossomsofpinkandblueandvirginwhiteinearlyspring，thenthefull-breastedanddeep-heartedrosesofsummer，thenthevelvet-robedcrimsonandyellowflowersofautumn，andinthewinterdelicateexoticsthatgrewunderskiesofglassinthefalsesummersofourcrystalpalaceswithoutknowingthatitwasthedreadfulwinterofNewEnglandwhichwasrattlingthedoorsandfrostingthepanes，——intheirlanguagethewholeyeartolditshistoryoflifeandgrowthandbeautyfromthatsimpledesk。Therewasalwaysatleastonegoodsermon，——thisfloralhomily。Therewasatleastonegoodprayer，——thatbriefspacewhenallweresilent，afterthemanneroftheFriendsattheirdevotions。
　　Here，too，Irisfoundanatmosphereofpeaceandlove。Thesamegentle，thoughtfulfaces，thesamecheerfulbutreverentialspirit，thesamequiet，thesamelifeofactivebenevolence。ButinallelsehowdifferentfromtheChurchofSaintPolycarp！Noclericalcostume，noceremonialforms，nocarefullytrainedchoirs。A
　　liturgytheyhave，tobesure，whichdoesnotscrupletoborrowfromthetime-honoredmanualsofdevotion，butalsodoesnothesitatetochangeitsexpressionstoitsownliking。
　　Perhapsthegoodpeopleseemalittleeasywitheachother；——theyareapttonodfamiliarly，andhaveevenbeenknowntowhisperbeforetheministercamein。ButitisarelieftogetridofthatoldSunday——no，——Sabbathface，whichsuggeststheideathatthefirstdayoftheweekiscommemorativeofsomemostmournfulevent。
　　Thetruthis，thesebrethrenandsistersmeetverymuchasafamilydoesforitsdevotions，notputtingofftheirhumanityintheleast，consideringitonthewholequiteadelightfulmattertocometogetherforprayerandsongandgoodcounselfromkindandwiselips。Andiftheyarefreerintheirdemeanorthansomeveryprecisecongregations，theyhavenottheairofaworldlysetofpeople。Clearlytheyhavenotcometoadvertisetheirtailorsandmilliners，norforthesakeofexchangingcriticismsontheliterarycharacterofthesermontheymayhear。Thereisnorestlessnessandnorestraintamongthesequiet，cheerfulworshippers。Onethingthatkeepsthemcalmandhappyduringtheseasonsoevidentlytryingtomanycongregationsis，thattheyjoinverygenerallyinthesinging。Inthiswaytheygetridofthataccumulatednervousforcewhichescapesinallsortsoffidgetymovements，sothataministertryingtokeephiscongregationstillremindsoneofaboywithhishandoverthenoseofapumpwhichanotherboyisworking，——thisspirtingimpatienceofthepeopleissolikethejetsthatfindtheirwaythroughhisfingers，andthegrandrushoutatthefinalAmen！hassuchawonderfullikenesstothegushthattakesplacewhentheboypullshishandaway，withimmenserelief，asitseems，toboththepumpandtheofficiatingyoungster。
　　Howsweetisthisblendingofallvoicesandallheartsinonecommonsongofpraise！Somewillsingalittleloud，perhaps，——andnowandthenanimpatientchoristerwillgetasyllableortwoinadvance，oranenchantedsingersoloseallthoughtoftimeandplaceintheluxuryofaclosingcadencethatheholdsontothelastsemi-breveuponhisprivateresponsibility；buthowmuchmoreofthespiritoftheoldPsalmistinthemusicoftheseimperfectlytrainedvoicesthanintheacademicnicetiesofthepaidperformerswhotakeourmusicalworshipoutofourhands！
　　IamoftheopinionthatthecreedoftheChurchoftheGalileansisnotlaiddowninasmanydetailsasthatoftheChurchofSaintPolycarp。YetIsuspect，ifoneofthegoodpeoplefromeachofthosechurcheshadmetoverthebedofasufferingfellow-creature，orforthepromotionofanycharitableobject，theywouldhavefoundtheyhadmoreincommonthanallthespecialbeliefsorwantofbeliefsthatseparatedthemwouldamountto。Therearealwaysmanywhobelievethatthefruitsofatreeaffordabettertestofitsconditionthanastatementofthecompostswithwhichitisdressed，thoughthelasthasitsmeaningandimportance，nodoubt。
　　Betweenthesetwochurches，then，ouryoungIrisdividesheraffections。ButIdoubtifshelistenstothepreacherateitherwithmoredevotionthanshedoestoherlittleneighborwhenhetalksofthesematters。
　　Whatdoeshebelieve？Inthefirstplace，thereissomedeep-rooteddisquietlyingatthebottomofhissoul，whichmakeshimverybitteragainstallkindsofusurpationovertherightofprivatejudgment。Overthisseemstolieacertaintendernessforhumanityingeneral，bredoutoflife-longtrial，Ishouldsay，butsharplystreakedwithfierylinesofwrathatvariousindividualactsofwrong，especiallyiftheycomeinanecclesiasticalshape，andrecalltohimthedayswhenhismother’sgreat-grandmotherwasstrangledonWitchHill，withatextfromtheOldTestamentforherhalter。Withallthis，hehasaboundlessbeliefinthefutureofthisexperimentalhemisphere，andespeciallyinthedestinyofthefreethoughtofitsnortheasternmetropolis——
　　Amancanseefurther，Sir，——hesaidoneday，——fromthetopofBostonStateHouse，andseemorethatisworthseeing，thanfromallthepyramidsandturretsandsteeplesinalltheplacesintheworld！Nosmoke，Sir；nofog，Sir；andacleansweepfromtheOuterLightandtheseabeyondittotheNewHampshiremountains！Yes，Sir，——andtherearegreattruthsthatarehigherthanmountainsandbroaderthanseas，thatpeoplearelookingforfromthetopsofthesehillsofours；——suchastheworldneversaw，thoughitmighthaveseenthematJerusalem，ifitseyeshadbeenopen！——Wheredotheyhavemostcrazypeople？Tellmethat，Sir！
　　Ianswered，thatIhadhearditsaidthereweremoreinNewEnglandthaninmostcountries，perhapsmorethaninanypartoftheworld。
　　Verygood，Sir，——heanswered——Whenhavetherebeenmostpeoplekilledandwoundedinthecourseofthiscentury？
　　DuringthewarsoftheFrenchEmpire，nodoubt，——Isaid。
　　That’sit！that’sit！——saidtheLittleGentleman；——wherethebattleofintelligenceisfought，therearemostmindsbruisedandbroken！
　　We’rebattlingforafaithhere，Sir。
　　Thedivinity-studentremarked，thatitwasratherlateintheworld’shistoryformentobelookingoutforanewfaith。
　　Ididn’tsayanewfaith，——saidtheLittleGentleman；——oldornew，itcan’thelpbeingdifferenthereinthisAmericanmindofoursfromanythingthateverwasbefore；thepeoplearenew，Sir，andthatmakesthedifference。Oneloadofcorngoestothesty，andmakesthefatofswine，——anothergoestothefarm-house，andbecomesthemusclethatclothestherightarmsofheroes。Itisn’twhereapawnstandsontheboardthatmakesthedifference，butwhatthegamerounditiswhenitisonthisorthatsquare。
　　CananymanlookroundandseewhatChristiancountriesarenowdoing，andhowtheyaregoverned，andwhatisthegeneralconditionofsociety，withoutseeingthatChristianityistheflagunderwhichtheworldsails，andnottherudderthatsteersitscourse？No，Sir！Therewasagreatraftbuiltabouttwothousandyearsago，——
　　callitanark，rather，——theworld’sgreatark！bigenoughtoholdallmankind，andmadetobelaunchedrightoutintotheopenwavesoflife，——andhereithasbeenlying，oneendontheshoreandoneendbobbingupanddowninthewater，menfightingallthetimeastowhoshouldbecaptainandwhoshouldhavethestate-rooms，andthrowingeachotheroverthesidebecausetheycouldnotagreeaboutthepointsofcompass，butthegreatvesselnevergettingafloatwithitsfreightofnationsandtheirrulers；——andnow，Sir，thereisandhasbeenforthislongtimeafleetof"heretic"lighterssailingoutofBostonBay，andtheyhavebeensaying，andtheysaynow，andtheymeantokeepsaying，"Pumpoutyourbilge-water，shoveloveryourloadsofidleballast，getoutyouroldrottencargo，andwewillcarryitoutintodeepwatersandsinkitwhereitwillneverbeseenagain；soshallthearkoftheworld’shopefloatontheocean，insteadofstickinginthedock-mudwhereitislying！"
　　It’saslowbusiness，thisofgettingthearklaunched。TheJordanwasn’tdeepenough，andtheTiberwasn’tdeepenough，andtheRhonewasn’tdeepenough，andtheThameswasn’tdeepenough，andperhapstheCharlesisn’tdeepenough；butIdon’tfeelsureofthat，Sir，andIlovetoheartheworkmenknockingattheoldblocksoftraditionandmakingthewayssmoothwiththeoiloftheGoodSamaritan。Idon’tknow，Sir，——butIdothinkshestirsalittle，——
　　Idobelievesheslides；——andwhenIthinkofwhataworkthatisforthedearoldthree-breastedmotherofAmericanliberty，IwouldnottakeallthegloryofallthegreatestcitiesintheworldformybirthrightinthesoiloflittleBoston！——
　　Someofuscouldnothelpsmilingatthisburstoflocalpatriotism，especiallywhenitfinishedwiththelasttwowords。
　　AndIrissmiled，too。Butitwastheradiantsmileofpleasurewhichalwayslightsupherfacewhenherlittleneighborgetsexcitedonthegreattopicsofprogressinfreedomandreligion，andespeciallyonthepartwhich，ashepleaseshimselfwithbelieving，hisowncityistotakeinthatconsummationofhumandevelopmenttowhichhelooksforward。
　　Presentlyshelookedintohisfacewithachangedexpression，——theanxietyofamotherthatseesherchildsuffering。
　　Youarenotwell，——shesaid。
　　Iamneverwell，——heanswered——Hiseyesfellmechanicallyonthedeath’s-headringheworeonhisrighthand。Shetookhishandasifithadbeenababy’s，andturnedthegrimdevicesothatitshouldbeoutofsight。Oneslight，sad，slowmovementoftheheadseemedtosay，"Thedeath-symbolisstillthere！"
　　Averyoddpersonage，tobesure！Seemstoknowwhatisgoingon，——
　　readsbooks，oldandnew，——hasmanyrecentpublicationssenthim，theytellme，but，whatismorecurious，keepsupwiththeeverydayaffairsoftheworld，too。Whetherhehearseverythingthatissaidwithpreternaturalacuteness，orwhethersomeconfidentialfriendvisitshiminaquietway，ismorethanIcantell。IcanmakenothingmoreofthenoisesIhearinhisroomthanmyoldconjectures。ThemovementsImentionarelessfrequent，butIoftenheartheplaintivecry，——Iobservethatitisrarelylaughingoflate；——Ineverhavedetectedonearticulateword，butIneverheardsuchtonesfromanythingbutahumanvoice。
　　Therehasbeen，oflate，adeferenceapproachingtotenderness，onthepartoftheboardersgenerallysofarasheisconcerned。Thisisdoubtlessowingtotheairofsufferingwhichseemstohavesaddenedhislookoflate。Eithersomepassionisgnawingathiminwardly，orsomehiddendiseaseisatworkuponhim——
　　What’sthematterwithLittleBoston？——saidtheyoungmanJohntomeoneday——Therea’n’tmuchofhim，anyhow；but’tseemstomehelookspeakederthanever。Theoldwomansayshe’sinabadway，’n’
　　wantsapusstotakecareofhim。Thempussesthattakecareofoldrichfolksmarry’emsometimes，——’n’theydon’tcommonlyliveagreatwhileafterthat。No，Sir！Idon’tseewhathewantstodiefor，afterhe’stakensomuchtroubletoliveinsuchpooraccommodationsasthatcrookedbodyofhis。Ishouldliketoknowhowhissoulcrawledintoit，’n’howit’sgoin’togetout。Whatbusinesshashetodie，Ishouldliketoknow？LetMa’amAllenthegentlemanwiththediamonddie，ifhelikes，andbethisisafamily-magazine；butwea’n’tgoin’tohavehimdyin’。Notbyagreatsight。Can’tdowithouthimanyhow。A’n’titfuntohearhimblowoffhissteam？
　　Ibelievetheyoungfellowwouldtakeitasapersonalinsult，iftheLittleGentlemanshouldshowanysymptomsofquittingourtableforabetterworld——
　　Inthemeantime，whatwithgoingtochurchincompanywithouryounglady，andtakingeverychanceIcouldgettotalkwithher，I
　　havefoundmyselfbecoming，Iwillnotsayintimate，butwellacquaintedwithMissIris。Thereisacertainfranknessanddirectnessaboutherthatperhapsbelongtoherartistnature。For，yousee，theonethingthatmarksthetrueartistisaclearperceptionandafirm，boldhand，indistinctionfromthatimperfectmentalvisionanduncertaintouchwhichgiveusthefeeblepicturesandthelumpystatuesofthemereartisansoncanvasorinstone。A
　　trueartist，therefore，canhardlyfailtohaveasharp，well-
　　definedmentalphysiognomy。Besidesthis，manyyounggirlshaveastrangeaudacityblendedwiththeirinstinctivedelicacy。Eveninphysicaldaringmanyofthemareamatchforboys；whereasyouwillfindfewamongmaturewomen，andespeciallyiftheyaremothers，whodonotconfess，andnotunfrequentlyproclaim，theirtimidity。Oneoftheseyounggirls，asmanyofushereaboutsremember，climbedtothetopofajagged，slipperyrocklyingoutinthewaves，——anuglyheighttogetup，andaworseonetogetdown，evenforaboldyoungfellowofsixteen。Anotherwasinthewayofclimbingtalltreesforcrows’nests，——andcrowsgenerallyknowabouthowfarboyscan"shinup，"andsettheirhouseholdestablishmentsabovethathigh-
　　watermark。StillanotheroftheseyoungladiesIsawforthefirsttimeinanopenboat，tossingontheoceanground-swell，amileortwofromshore，offalonelyisland。Shelostallherdaring，aftershehadsomegirlsofherowntolookoutfor。
　　Manyblondesareverygentle，yieldingincharacter，impressible，unelastic。Butthepositiveblondes，withthegoldentintrunningthroughthem，areoftenfullofcharacter。Theycome，probablyenough，fromthosedeep-bosomedGermanwomenthatTacitusportrayedinsuchstrongcolors。Thenegativeblondes，orthosewomenwhosetintshavefadedoutastheirlineofdescenthasbecomeimpoverished，areofvariousblood，andinthemthesoulhasoftenbecomepalewiththatblanchingofthehairandlossofcolorintheeyeswhichmakesthemapproachthecharacterofAlbinesses。
　　Iseeinthisyounggirlthatunionofstrengthandsensibilitywhich，whendirectedandimpelledbythestronginstinctsoapttoaccompanythiscombinationofactiveandpassivecapacity，wecallgenius。Sheisnotanaccomplishedartist，certainly，asyet；butthereisalwaysanairineverycarelessfigureshedraws，asitwereofupwardaspiration，——theelanofJohnofBologna’sMercury，——
　　alifttothem，asiftheyhadonwingedsandals，liketheheraldoftheGods。Ihearhersingingsometimes；andthoughsheevidentlyisnottrained，yetisthereawildsweetnessinherfitfulandsometimesfantasticmelodies，——suchascancomeonlyfromtheinspirationofthemoment，——strangelyenough，remindingmeofthoselongpassagesIhaveheardfrommylittleneighbor’sroom，yetofdifferenttone，andbynomeanstobemistakenforthoseweirdharmonies。
　　IcannotpretendtodenythatIaminterestedinthegirl。Alone，unprotected，asIhaveseensomanyyounggirlsleftinboarding-
　　houses，thecentreofallthemen’seyesthatsurroundthetable，watchedwithjealoussharpnessbyeverywoman，mostofallbythatpoorrelationofourlandlady，whobelongstotheclassofwomenthatliketocatchothersinmischiefwhentheythemselvesaretoomatureforindiscretions，asoneseesoldroguesturntothief-
　　catchers，oneofNature’sgendarmerie，cladinacompletesuitofwrinkles，thecheapestcoat-of-mailagainsttheshaftsofthegreatlittleenemy，——sosurrounded，Irisspansthiscommonplacehousehold-
　　lifeofourswithherarchofbeauty，astherainbow，whosenamesheborrows，looksdownonadrearypasturewithitsfeedingflocksandherdsofindifferentanimals。
　　Theseyounggirlsthatliveinboarding-housescandoprettymuchastheywill。Thefemalegendarmesareoffguardoccasionally。Thesitting-roomhasitssolitarymoments，whenanytwoboarderswhowishtomeetmaycometogetheraccidentally，accidentally，Isaid，Madam，andIhadnottheslightestintentionofItalicizingtheword，anddiscussthesocialorpoliticalquestionsoftheday，oranyothersubjectthatmayproveinteresting。Manycharmingconversationstakeplaceatthefootofthestairs，orwhileoneofthepartiesisholdingthelatchofadoor，——intheshadowofporticoes，andespeciallyonthoseoutsidebalconieswhichsomeofourSouthernneighborscall"stoops，"themostcharmingplacesintheworldwhenthemoonisjustrightandtherosesandhoneysucklesareinfullblow，——asweusedtothinkineighteenhundredandnevermentionit。
　　Onsuchabalconyor"stoop，"oneevening，IwalkedwithIris。Wewereonprettygoodtermsnow，andIhadcoaxedherarmundermine，——
　　myleftarm，ofcourse。Thatleavesone’srightarmfreetodefendthelovelycreature，iftherival——odiouswretch！attempt，toravishherfromyourside。Likewiseifone’sheartshouldhappentobeatalittle，itsmutelanguagewillnotbewithoutitsmeaning，asyouwillperceivewhenthearmyouholdbeginstotremble，acircumstanceliketooccur，ifyouhappentobeagood-lookingyoungfellow，andyoutwohavethe"stoop"toyourselves。
　　Wehadittoourselvesthatevening。TheKoh-inoor，aswecalledhim，wasinacornerwithourlandlady’sdaughter。TheyoungfellowJohnwassmokingoutintheyard。Thegendarmewasafraidoftheeveningair，andkeptinside，TheyoungMarylandercametothedoor，lookedoutandsawuswalkingtogether，gavehishatapulloverhisforeheadandstalkedoff。Ifeltaslightspasm，asitwere，inthearmIheld，andsawthegirl’sheadturnoverhershoulderforasecond。Whatakindcreaturethisis！Shehasnospecialinterestinthisyouth，butshedoesnotliketoseeayoungfellowgoingoffbecausehefeelsasifhewerenotwanted。
　　Shehadherlockeddrawing-bookunderherarm——Letmetakeit，——I
　　said。
　　Shegaveittometocarry。
　　Thisisfullofcaricaturesofallofus，Iamsure，——saidI。
　　Shelaughed，andsaid，——No，——notallofyou。
　　Iwasthere，ofcourse？
　　Why，no，——shehadnevertakensomuchpainswithme。
　　Thenshewouldletmeseetheinsideofit？
　　Shewouldthinkofit。
　　Justasweparted，shetookalittlekeyfromherpocketandhandedittome。Thisunlocksmynaughtybook，——shesaid，——youshallseeit。Iamnotafraidofyou。
　　Idon’tknowwhetherthelastwordsexactlypleasedme。Atanyrate，Itookthebookandhurriedwithittomyroom。Iopenedit，andsaw，inafewglances，thatIheldtheheartofIrisinmyhand——
　　Ihavenoversesforyouthismonth，exceptthesefewlinessuggestedbytheseason。
　　MIDSUMMER。
　　Here！sweepthesefoolishleavesaway，Iwillnotcrushmybrainsto-day！
　　Look！arethesoutherncurtainsdrawn？
　　Fetchmeafan，andsobegone！
　　Notthat，——thepalm-tree’srustlingleafBroughtfromaparchingcoral-reef！
　　Itsbreathisheated；——IwouldswingThebroadgrayplumes，——theeagle’swing。
　　Ihatetheseroses’feverishblood！
　　Pluckmeahalf-blownlily-bud，Along-stemmedlilyfromthelake，Coldasacoilingwater-snake。
　　Rainmesweetodorsontheair，AndwheelmeupmyIndianchair，AndspreadsomebooknotoverwiseFlatoutbeforemysleepyeyes——
　　Whoknowsitnot，——thisdeadrecoilOfwearyfibresstretchedwithtoil，ThepulsethatfluttersfaintandlowWhenSummer’sseethingbreezesblow？
　　ONature！barethylovingbreastAndgivethychildonehourofrest，OnelittlehourtolieunseenBeneaththyscarfofleafygreen！
　　So，curtainedbyasingingpine，Itsmurmuringvoiceshallblendwithmine，Till，lostindreams，myfalteringlayInsweetermusicdiesaway。
　　X
　　IRIS，HERBOOK
　　Ipraytheebythesoulofherthatborethee，Bythineownsister’sspiritIimplorethee，Dealgentlywiththeleavesthatliebeforethee！
　　ForIrishadnomothertoinfoldher，Noreverleaneduponasister’sshoulder，TellingthetwilightthoughtsthatNaturetoldher。
　　ShehadnotlearnedthemysteryofawakingThosechordedkeysthatsootheasorrow’saching，Givingthedumbheartvoice，thatelsewerebreaking。
　　Yetlived，wrought，suffered。Lo，thepicturedtoken！
　　Whyshouldherfleetingday-dreamsfadeunspoken，Likedaffodilsthatdiewithsheathsunbroken？
　　Sheknewnotlove，yetlivedinmaidenfancies，Walkedsimplyclad，aqueenofhighromances，Andtalkedstrangetongueswithangelsinhertrances。
　　Twin-souledsheseemed，atwofoldnaturewearing，Sometimesaflashingfalconinherdaring，Thenapoormatelessdovethatdroopsdespairing。
　　Questioningallthings:WhyherLordhadsenther？
　　Whatwerethesetorturinggifts，andwhereforelenther？
　　Scornfulasspiritfallen，itsowntormentor。
　　Andthenalltearsandanguish:QueenofHeaven，SweetSaints，andThoubymortalsorrowsriven，Saveme！oh，saveme！ShallIdieforgiven？
　　Andthen——Ah，God！Butnay，itlittlemattersLookatthewastedseedsthatautumnscatters，ThemyriadgermsthatNatureshapesandshatters！
　　Ifshehad——Well！Shelonged，andknewnotwhereforeHadtheworldnothingshemightlivetocarefor？
　　Nosecondselftosayhereveningprayerfor？
　　Sheknewthemarbleshapesthatsetmendreaming，YetwithhershouldersbareandtressesstreamingShowednotunlovelytohersimpleseeming。
　　Vain？Letitbeso！Naturewasherteacher。
　　WhatifalonelyandunsisteredcreatureLovedherownharmlessgiftofpleasingfeature，Saying，unsaddened，——Thisshallsoonbefaded，Anddouble-huedtheshiningtressesbraided，Andallthesunlightofthemorningshaded？——
　　Thisherpoorbookisfullofsaddestfollies，Oftearfulsmilesandlaughingmelancholies，Withsummerrosestwinedandwintryhollies。
　　Inthestrangecrossingofuncertainchances，Somewhere，beneathsomemaiden’stear-dimmedglancesMayfallherlittlebookofdreamsandfancies。
　　Sweetsister！Iris，whoshallnevernamethee，Tremblingforfearheropenheartmayshamethee，Speaksfromthisvision-hauntedpagetoclaimthee。
　　Spareher，Ipraythee！Ifthemaidissleeping，Peacewithher！shehashadherhourofweeping。
　　Nomore！Sheleaveshermemoryinthykeeping。
　　Theseverseswerewritteninthefirstleavesofthelockedvolume。
　　AsIturnedthepages，Ihesitatedforamoment。Isitquitefairtotakeadvantageofagenerous，trustingimpulsetoreadtheunsunneddepthsofayounggirl’snature，whichIcanlookthrough，astheballoon-voyagerstellustheyseefromtheirhanging-basketsthroughthetranslucentwaterswhichthekeenesteyeofsuchassailovertheminshipsmightstrivetopierceinvain？Whyhasthechildtrustedmewithsuchartlessconfessions，——self-revelations，whichmightbewhisperedbytremblinglips，undertheveiloftwilight，insacredconfessionals，butwhichIcannotlookatinthelightofdaywithoutafeelingofwrongingasacredconfidence？
　　Toallthistheanswerseemedplainenoughafteralittlethought。
　　Shedidnotknowhowfearfullyshehaddisclosedherself；shewastooprofoundlyinnocent。HersoulwasnomoreashamedthanthefairshapesthatwalkedinEdenwithoutathoughtofover-liberalloveliness。Havingnobodytotellherstoryto，——having，asshesaidinherverses，nomusicalinstrumenttolaughandcrywithher，——nothing，inshort，butthelanguageofpenandpencil，——alltheveiningsofhernaturewereimpressedonthesepagesasthoseofafreshleafaretransferredtotheblanksheetswhichincloseit。
　　ItwasthesamethingwhichIrememberseeingbeautifullyshowninachildofsomefourorfiveyearswehadonedayatourboarding-
　　house。Thechildwasadeafmute。Butitssoulhadtheinnersensethatanswerstohearing，andtheshapingcapacitywhichthroughnaturalorgansrealizesitselfinwords。Onlyithadtotalkwithitsfacealone；andsuchspeakingeyes，suchrapidalternationsoffeelingandshiftingexpressionsofthoughtasflittedoveritsface，Ihaveneverseeninanyotherhumancountenance。
　　Iwonderifsomethingofspiritualtransparencyisnottypifiedinthegolden-blondeorganization。Thereareagreatmanylittlecreatures，——manysmallfishes，forinstance，——whichareliterallytransparent，withtheexceptionofsomeoftheinternalorgans。Theheartcanbeseenbeatingasifinacaseofcloudedcrystal。Thecentralnervouscolumnwithitssheathrunsasadarkstripethroughthewholelengthofthediaphanousmusclesofthebody。Otherlittlecreaturesaresodarkenedwithpigmentthatwecanseeonlytheirsurface。Conspiratorsandpoisonersarepaintedwithblack，beady-eyesandswarthyhue；Judas，inLeonardo’spicture，isthemodelofthemall。
　　Howeverthismaybe，IshouldsaythereneverhadbeenabooklikethisofIris，——sofulloftheheart’ssilentlanguage，sotransparentthattheheartitselfcouldbeseenbeatingthroughit。
　　Ishouldsaytherenevercouldhavebeensuchabook，butforonerecollection，whichisnotpeculiartomyself，butissharedbyacertainnumberofmyformertownsmen。IfyouthinkIover-colorthismatteroftheyounggirl’sbook，hearthis，whichthereareothers，asIjustsaid，besidesmyself，willtellyouisstrictlytrue。
　　THEBOOKOFTHETHREEMAIDENSISTERS。
　　InthetowncalledCantabridge，nowacity，water-veinedandgaswindpiped，inthestreetrunningdowntotheBridge，beyondwhichdweltSally，toldofinabookofafriendofmine，wasofoldahouseinhabitedbythreemaidens。Theyleftnonearkinsfolk，I
　　believe；whethertheydidornot，Ihavenoilltospeakofthem；
　　fortheylivedanddiedinallgoodreportandmaidenlycredit。Thehousetheylivedinwasofthesmall，gambrel-roofedcottagepattern，aftertheshapeofEsquires’houses，butafterthesizeofthedwellingsofhandicraftsmen。Thelowerstorywasfittedupasashop。Speciallywasitprovidedwithoneofthosehalf-doorsnowsorarelymetwith，whicharetowholedoorsasspencerswornbyoldfolkaretocoats。Theyspeakoflimitedcommerceunitedwithasocialorobservingdisposition——onthepartoftheshopkeeper，——
　　allowing，astheydo，talkwithpassers-by，yetkeepingoffsuchashavenottheexcuseofbusinesstocrossthethreshold。Onthedoor-posts，ateitherside，abovethehalf-door，hungcertainperennialarticlesofmerchandise，ofwhichmymemorystillhashangingamongitsfadedphotographsakindofnettedscarfandsomepairsofthickwoollenstockings。Morearticles，butnotverymany，werestoredinside；andtherewasonedrawer，containingchildren’sbooks，outofwhichIoncewastreatedtoaminutequartoornamentedwithhandsomecuts。ThiswastheonlypurchaseIeverknewtobemadeattheshopkeptbythethreemaidenladies，thoughitisprobabletherewereothers。SolongasIremembertheshop，thesamescarfand，Ishouldsay，thesamestockingshungonthedoor-
　　posts——YouthinkIamexaggeratingagain，andthatshopkeeperswouldnotkeepthesamearticleexposedforyears。Cometome，theProfessor，andIwilltakeyouinfiveminutestoashopinthiscitywhereIwillshowyouanarticlehangingnowintheveryplacewheremorethanthirtyyearsagoImyselfinquiredthepriceofitofthepresentheadoftheestablishment。[Thiswasaglassalembic，whichhungupinDanielHenchman’sapothecaryshop，cornerofCambridgeandChambersstreets。]
　　Thethreemaidenswereofcomelypresence，andoneofthemhadhadclaimstobeconsideredaBeauty。WhenIsawthemintheoldmeeting-houseonSundays，astheyrustledinthroughtheaislesinsilksandsatins，notgay，butmorethandecent，asIrememberthem，IthoughtofMyLadyBountifulinthehistoryof"LittleKingPippin，"andoftheMadamBlaizeofGoldsmithwho，bytheway，musthavetakenthehintofitfromapleasantpoem，"MonsieurdelaPalisse，"attributedtoDelaMonnoye，inthecollectionofFrenchsongsbeforeme。TherewassomestoryofanoldromanceinwhichtheBeautyhadplayedherpart。Perhapstheyallhadhadlovers；
　　for，asIsaid，theywereshapelyandseemlypersonages，asI
　　rememberthem；buttheirliveswereoutoftheflowerandintheberryatthetimeofmyfirstrecollections。
　　Oneafteranothertheyallthreedroppedaway，objectsofkindlyattentiontothegoodpeopleround，leavinglittleoralmostnothing，andnobodytoinheritit。Notabsolutelynothing，ofcourse。Theremusthavebeenafewolddresses——perhapssomebitsoffurniture，aBible，andthespectaclesthegoodoldsoulsreaditthrough，andlittlekeepsakes，suchasmakeuscrytolookat，whenwefindtheminolddrawers；——suchrelicstheremusthavebeen。Buttherewasmore。Therewasamanuscriptofsomehundredpages，closelywritten，inwhichthepoorthingshadchronicledformanyyearstheincidentsoftheirdailylife。Aftertheirdeathitwaspassedroundsomewhatfreely，andfellintomyhands。HowIhavecriedandlaughedandcoloredoverit！Therewasnothinginittobeashamedof，perhapstherewasnothinginittolaughat，butsuchapictureofthemodeofbeingofpoorsimplegoodoldwomenIdobelievewasneverdrawnbefore。Andtherewereallthesmallestincidentsrecorded，suchasdoreallymakeuphumblelife，butwhichdieoutofallmereliterarymemoirs，asthehouseswheretheEgyptiansortheAthenianslivedcrumbleandleaveonlytheirtemplesstanding。Iknow，forinstance，thatonagivendayofacertainyear，akindlywoman，herselfapoorwidow，now，Itrust，notwithoutspecialmerciesinheavenforhergooddeeds，——forI
　　readhernameonapropertabletinthechurchyardaweekago，——sentafractionalpuddingfromherowntabletotheMaidenSisters，who，Ifear，fromthewarmthanddetailoftheirdescription，werefasting，oratleastonshortallowance，aboutthattime。Iknowwhosentthemthesegmentofmelon，whichinherriotousfancyoneofthemcomparedtothosehugebargestowhichwegivetheungraciousnameofmudscows。ButwhyshouldIillustratefurtherwhatitseemsalmostabreachofconfidencetospeakof？Somekindfriend，whocouldchallengeanearerinterestthanthecuriousstrangersintowhosehandsthebookmightfall，atlastclaimedit，andIwasgladthatitshouldbehenceforthsealedtocommoneyes。
　　Ilearnedfromitthateverygoodand，alas！everyevilactwedomayslumberunforgotteneveninsomeearthlyrecord。Igotanewlessoninthathumanitywhichoursharpracefindsitsohardtolearn。Thepoorwidow，fightinghardtofeedandclotheandeducateherchildren，hadnotforgottenthepoorerancientmaidens。
　　Irememberedittheotherday，asIstoodbyherplaceofrest，andIfeltsurethatitwasrememberedelsewhere。Iknowthereareprettierwordsthanpudding，butIcan’thelpit，——thepuddingwentupontherecord，Ifeelsure，withthemitewhichwascastintothetreasurybythatotherpoorwidowwhosedeedtheworldshallrememberforever，andwiththecoatsandgarmentswhichthegoodwomencriedover，whenTabitha，calledbyinterpretationDorcas，laydeadintheupperchamber，withhercharitableneedleworkstrewedaroundher——
　　SuchwastheBookoftheMaidenSisters。YouwillbelievememorereadilynowwhenItellyouthatIfoundthesoulofIrisintheonethatlayopenbeforeme。Sometimesitwasapoemthatheldit，sometimesadrawing，angel，arabesque，caricature，oramerehieroglyphicsymbolofwhichIcouldmakenothing。Aragofcloudononepage，asIremember，withastreakofredzigzaggingoutofitacrossthepaperasnaturallyasacrackrunsthroughaChinabowl。Onthenextpageadeadbird，——somelittlefavorite，I
　　suppose；foritwasworkedoutwithaspeciallove，andIsawontheleafthatsignwithwhichonceortwiceinmylifeIhavehadalettersealed，——aroundspotwherethepaperisslightlycorrugated，and，ifthereiswritingthere，thelettersaresomewhatfaintandblurred。Mostofthepagesweresurroundedwithemblematictraceries。Itwasstrangetomeatfirsttoseehowoftensheintroducedthosehomelierwild-flowerswhichwecallweeds，——foritseemedtherewasnoneofthemtoohumbleforhertolove，andnonetoolittlecaredforbyNaturetobewithoutitsbeautyforherartisteyeandpencil。Bythesideofthegarden-flowers，——ofSpring’scurleddarlings，thehyacinths，ofrosebuds，deartosketchingmaidens，offlower-de-lucesandmorning-glories，nay，oftenerthanthese，andmoretenderlycaressedbythecoloredbrushthatrenderedthem，——werethosecommongrowthswhichflingthemselvestobecrushedunderourfeetandourwheels，makingthemselvessocheapinthisperpetualmartyrdomthatweforgeteachofthemisarayoftheDivinebeauty。
　　Yellowjapannedbuttercupsandstar-diskeddandelions，——justasweseethemlyinginthegrass，likesparksthathaveleapedfromthekindlingsunofsummer；theprofusedaisy-likeflowerwhichwhitensthefields，tothegreatdisgustofliberalshepherds，yetseemsfairtolovingeyes，withitsbutton-likemoundofgoldsetroundwithmilk-whiterays；thetall-stemmedsuccory，settingitspaleblueflowersaflame，oneafteranother，sparingly，asthelightsarekindledinthecandelabraofdecayingpalaceswheretheheirsofdethronedmonarchsaredyingout；theredandwhiteclovers，thebroad，flatleavesoftheplantain，——"thewhiteman’sfoot，"astheIndianscalledit，——thewiry，jointedstemsofthatironcreepingplantwhichwecall"knot-grass，"andwhichlovesitslifesodearlythatitisnexttoimpossibletomurderitwithahoe，asitclingstothecracksofthepavement；——alltheseplants，andmanymore，shewoveintoherfancifulgarlandsandborders——Ononeofthepagesweresomemusicalnotes。Itouchedthemfromcuriosityonapianobelongingtooneofourboarders。Strange！TherearepassagesthatIhaveheardbefore，plaintive，fullofsomehiddenmeaning，asiftheyweregaspingforwordstointerpretthem。Shemusthaveheardthestrainsthathavesoexcitedmycuriosity，comingfrommyneighbor’schamber。Theilluminatedbordershehadtracedroundthepagethatheldthesenotestooktheplaceofthewordstheyseemedtobeachingfor。Above，alongmonotonoussweepofwaves，leaden-
　　hued，anxiousandjadedandsullen，ifyoucanimaginesuchanexpressioninwater。OnonesideanAlpineneedle，asitwere，ofblackbasalt，girdledwithsnow。Ontheotherathreadedwaterfall。
　　Theredmorning-tintthatshoneinthedropshadastrangelook，——
　　onewouldsaythecliffwasbleeding；——perhapsshedidnotmeanit。
　　Below，astretchofsand，andasolitarybirdofprey，withhiswingsspreadoversomeunseenobject——Andontheverynextpageaprocessionwoundalong，afterthefashionofthatonthetitle-pageofFuller’s"HolyWar，"inwhichIrecognizedwithoutdifficultyeveryboarderatourtableinallthegloryofthemostresplendentcaricature——threeonlyexcepted，——theLittleGentleman，myself，andoneother。
　　IconfessIdidexpecttoseesomethingthatwouldremindmeofthegirl’slittledeformedneighbor，ifnotportraitsofhim——Thereisaleftarmagain，though；——no，——thatisfromthe"FightingGladiator，"the"JeuneHeroscombattant"oftheLouvre；——thereisthebroadringoftheshield。Fromacast，doubtless。[Theseparatecastsofthe"Gladiator’s"armlookimmense；butinitsplacethelimblookslight，almostslender，——suchistheperfectionofthatmiraculousmarble。IneverfeltasifItouchedthelifeoftheoldGreeksuntilIlookedonthatstatue。]——Hereissomethingveryodd，tobesure。AnEdenofallthehumpedandcrookedcreatures！Whatcouldhavebeeninherheadwhensheworkedoutsuchafantasy？Shehascontrivedtogivethemallbeautyordignityormelancholygrace。ABactriancamellyingunderapalm。Adromedaryflashingupthesands，——sprayofthedryoceansailedbythe"shipofthedesert。"Aherdofbuffaloes，uncouth，shaggy-maned，heavyintheforehand，lightinthehind-quarter。[Thebuffaloisthelionoftheruminants。]AndthereisaNormanhorse，withhishuge，roughcollar，echoing，asitwere，thenaturalformoftheotherbeast。
　　Andherearetwistedserpents；andstatelyswans，withansweringcurvesintheirbowednecks，asiftheyhadsnake’sbloodundertheirwhitefeathers；andgrave，high-shoulderedheronsstandingononefootlikecripples，andlookingatliferoundthemwiththecoldstareofmonumentaleffigies——Averyoddpageindeed！Notacreatureinitwithoutacurveoratwist，andnotoneofthemameanfiguretolookat。Youcanmakeyourowncomment；Iamfanciful，youknow。Ibelievesheistryingtoidealizewhatwevulgarlycalldeformity，whichshestrivestolookatinthelightofoneofNature’seccentriccurves，belongingtohersystemofbeauty，asthehyperbola，andparabolabelongtotheconicsections，thoughwecannotseethemassymmetricalandentirefigures，likethecircleandellipse。Atanyrate，IcannothelpreferringthisparadiseoftwistedspinestosomeideafloatinginherheadconnectedwithherfriendwhomNaturehaswarpedinthemoulding——
　　Thatisnothingtoanothertranscendentalfancyofmine。I
　　believehersoulthinksitselfinhislittlecrookedbodyattimes，——ifitdoesnotreallygetfreedorhalffreedfromherown。Didyoueverseeacaseofcatalepsy？YouknowwhatImean，——transientlossofsense，will，andmotion；bodyandlimbstakinganypositioninwhichtheyareput，asiftheybelongedtoalay-figure。Shehadbeentalkingwithhimandlisteningtohimonedaywhentheboardersmovedfromthetablenearlyallatonce。Butshesatasbefore，hercheekrestingonherhand，herambereyeswideopenandstill。I
　　wenttoher，shewasbreathingasusual，andherheartwasbeatingnaturallyenough，——butshedidnotanswer。Ibentherarm；itwasasplasticassoftenedwag，andkepttheplaceIgaveit——Thiswillneverdo，though，andIsprinkledafewdropsofwateronherforehead。Shestartedandlookedround——Ihavebeeninadream，——
　　shesaid；——Ifeelasifallmystrengthwereinthisarm；——givemeyourhand！——Shetookmyrighthandinherleft，whichlookedsoftandwhiteenough，but——GoodHeaven！Ibelieveshewillcrackmybones！Allthenervouspowerinherbodymusthaveflashedthroughthosemuscles；aswhenacrazyladysnapsherironwindow-bars，——shewhocouldhardlygloveherselfwheninhercommonhealth。Iristurnedpale，andthetearscametohereyes；——shesawshehadgivenpain。Thenshetrembled，andmighthavefallenbutforme；——thepoorlittlesoulhadbeeninoneofthosetrancesthatbelongtothespiritualpathologyofhighernatures，mostlythoseofwomen。
　　TocomebacktothiswondrousbookofIris。TwopagesfacedeachotherwhichItookforsymbolicalexpressionsoftwostatesofmind。
　　Onthelefthand，abrightblueskywashedoverthepage，speckedwithasinglebird。Notraceofearth，butstillthewingedcreatureseemedtobesoaringupwardandupward。Facingit，oneofthoseblackdungeonssuchasPiranesialoneofallmenhaspictured。