Iamsureshemusthaveseenthoseawfulprisonsofhis，outofwhichtheOpium-Eatergothisnightmarevision，describedbyanotheras"cemeteriesofdepartedgreatness，wheremonstrousandforbiddenthingsarecrawlingandtwiningtheirslimyconvolutionsamongmoulderingbones，brokensculpture，andmutilatedinscriptions。"
　　Suchablackdungeonfacedthepagethatheldtheblueskyandthesinglebird；atthebottomofitsomethingwascoiled，——what，andwhethermeantfordeadoralive，myeyescouldnotmakeout。
　　Itoldyoutheyounggirl’ssoulwasinthisbook。AsIturnedoverthelastleavesIcouldnothelpstarting。Therewereallsortsoffacesamongthearabesqueswhichlaughedandscowledinthebordersthatranroundthepages。Theyhadmostlytheoutlineofchildishorwomanlyormanlybeauty，withoutverydistinctindividuality。
　　Butatlastitseemedtomethatsomeofthemweretakingonalooknotwhollyunfamiliartome；therewerefeaturesthatdidnotseemnew——Canitbeso？Wasthereeversuchinnocenceinacreaturesofulloflife？Shetellsherheart’ssecretsasathree-years-oldchildbetraysitselfwithoutneedofbeingquestioned！Thiswasnocommonmiss，suchasareturnedoutinscoresfromtheyoung-lady-
　　factories，withparchmentswarrantingthemaccomplishedandvirtuous，——incaseanybodyshouldquestionthefact。Ibegantounderstandher；——andwhatissocharmingastoreadthesecretofarealfemmeincomprise？——forsuchthereare，thoughtheyarenottheoneswhothinkthemselvesuncomprehendedwomen。
　　Poetsareneveryoung，inonesense。Theirdelicateearhearsthefar-offwhispersofeternity，whichcoarsersoulsmusttraveltowardsforscoresofyearsbeforetheirdullsenseistouchedbythem。Amoment’sinsightissometimesworthalife’sexperience。I
　　havefrequentlyseenchildren，longexercisedbypainandexhaustion，whosefeatureshadastrangelookofadvancedage。Toooftenonemeetssuchinourcharitableinstitutions。Theirfacesaresaddenedandwrinkled，asiftheirfewsummerswerethreescoreyearsandten。
　　Andso，manyyouthfulpoetshavewrittenasiftheirheartswereoldbeforetheirtime；theirpensivemorningtwilighthasbeenascoolandsaddeningasthatofeveninginmorecommonlives。TheprofoundmelancholyofthoselinesofShelley，"IcouldliedownlikeatiredchildAndweepawaythelifeofcareWhichIhaveborneandyetmustbear"
　　camefromaheart，ashesays，"toosoongrownold，"——attwenty-sixyears，asdullpeoplecounttime，evenwhentheytalkofpoets。
　　Iknowenoughtobepreparedforanexceptionalnature，——onlythisgiftofthehandinrenderingeverythoughtinformandcolor，aswellasinwords，givesarichnesstothisyounggirl’salphabetoffeelingandimagerythattakesmebysurprise。Andthenbesides，andmostofall，Iampuzzledathersuddenandseeminglyeasyconfidenceinme。PerhapsIoweittomy——Well，nomatter！HowonemustlovetheeditorwhofirstcallshimthevenerableSo-and-So！——
　　IlockedthebookandsighedasIlaiditdown。Theworldisalwaysreadytoreceivetalentwithopenarms。Veryoftenitdoesnotknowwhattodowithgenius。Talentisadocilecreature。Itbowsitsheadmeeklywhiletheworldslipsthecollaroverit。Itbacksintotheshaftslikealamb。Itdrawsitsloadcheerfully，andispatientofthebitandofthewhip。Butgeniusisalwaysimpatientofitsharness；itswildbloodmakesithardtotrain。
　　Talentseems，atfirst，inonesense，higherthangenius，——namely，thatitismoreuniformlyandabsolutelysubmittedtothewill，andthereforemoredistinctlyhumaninitscharacter。Genius，ontheotherhand，ismuchmorelikethoseinstinctswhichgoverntheadmirablemovementsofthelowercreatures，andthereforeseemstohavesomethingoftheloweroranimalcharacter。AgoosefliesbyachartwhichtheRoyalGeographicalSocietycouldnotmend。Apoet，likethegoose，sailswithoutvisiblelandmarkstounexploredregionsoftruth，whichphilosophyhasyettolaydownonitsatlas。
　　Thephilosophergetshistrackbyobservation；thepoettruststohisinnersense，andmakesthestraighterandswifterline。
　　Andyet，tolookatitinanotherlight，isnoteventhelowestinstinctmoretrulydivinethananyvoluntaryhumanactdonebythesuggestionofreason？Whatisabee’sarchitecturebutanunobstructeddivinethought？——whatisabuilder’sapproximativerulebutanobstructedthoughtoftheCreator，amutilatedandimperfectcopyofsomeabsoluteruleDivineWisdomhasestablished，transmittedthroughahumansoulasanimagethroughcloudedglass？
　　Talentisaverycommonfamily-trait；geniusbelongsrathertoindividuals；——justasyoufindonegiantoronedwarfinafamily，butrarelyawholebroodofeither。Talentisoftentobeenvied，andgeniusverycommonlytobepitied。Itstandstwicethechanceoftheotherofdyinginhospital，injail，indebt，inbadrepute。
　　Itisaperpetualinsulttomediocrity；itseverywordisatrespassagainstsomebody’svestedideas，——blasphemyagainstsomebody’sO’m，orintangibleprivatetruth——
　　Whatistheuseofmyweighingoutantithesesinthisway，likearhetoricalgrocer？——Youknowtwentymenoftalent，whoaremakingtheirwayintheworld；youmay，perhaps，knowonemanofgenius，andverylikelydonotwanttoknowanymore。Foradivineinstinct，suchasdrivesthegoosesouthwardandthepoetheavenward，isahardthingtomanage，andprovestoostrongformanywhomitpossesses。ItmusthavebeenaterriblethingtohaveafriendlikeChattertonorBurns。Andhereisabeingwhocertainlyhasmorethantalent，atoncepoetandartistintendency，ifnotyetfairlydeveloped，——awoman，too；——andgeniusgraftedonwomanhoodisliketoovergrowitandbreakitsstem，asyoumayseeagraftedfruit-treespreadingoverthestockwhichcannotkeeppacewithitsevolution。
　　Ithinknowyouknowsomethingofthisyoungperson。Shewantsnothingbutanatmospheretoexpandin。Nowandthenonemeetswithanatureforwhichourhard，practicalNewEnglandlifeisobviouslyutterlyincompetent。Itcomesup，asaSouthernseed，droppedbyaccidentinoneofourgardens，findsitselftryingtogrowandblowintofloweramongthehomelyrootsandthehardyshrubsthatsurroundit。Thereisnoquestionthatcertainpersonswhoarebornamongusfindthemselvesmanydegreestoofarnorth。Tropicalbyorganization，theycannotfightforlifewithoureasternandnorthwesternbreezeswithoutlosingthecolorandfragranceintowhichtheirliveswouldhaveblossomedinthelatitudeofmyrtlesandoranges。StrangeeffectsareproducedbysufferinganylivingthingtobedevelopedunderconditionssuchasNaturehadnotintendedforit。AFrenchphysiologistconfinedsometadpolesunderwaterinthedark。Removedfromthenaturalstimulusoflight，theydidnotdeveloplegsandarmsattheproperperiodoftheirgrowth，andsobecomefrogs；theyswelledandspreadintogigantictadpoles。
　　Ihaveseenahundredcolossalhumantadpoles，overgrownZarvceorembryos；nay，IamafraidweProtestantsshouldlookonaconsiderableproportionoftheHolyFather’sonehundredandthirty-
　　ninemillionsasspirituallarvae，scullingaboutinthedarkbytheaidoftheircaudalextremities，insteadofstandingontheirlegs，andbreathingbygills，insteadoftakingthefreeairofheavenintothelungsmadetoreceiveit。Ofcoursewenevertrytokeepyoungsoulsinthetadpolestate，forfeartheyshouldgetapairortwooflegsby-and-byandjumpoutofthepoolwheretheyhavebeenbredandfed！Never！Never。Never？
　　Nowtogobacktoourplant。Youmayknow，that，fortheearlierstagesofdevelopmentofalmostanyvegetable，youonlywantair，water，light，andwarmth。Butby-and-by，ifitistohavespecialcomplexprinciplesasapartofitsorganization，theymustbesuppliedbythesoil；——yourpearswillcrack，iftherootofthetreegetsnoiron，——yourasparagus-bedwantssaltasmuchasyoudo。
　　Justattheperiodofadolescence，themindoftensuddenlybeginstocomeintoflowerandtosetitsfruit。Thenitisthatmanyyoungnatures，havingexhaustedthespiritualsoilroundthemofallitcontainsoftheelementstheydemand，witheraway，undevelopedanduncolored，unlesstheyaretransplanted。
　　Prayforthesedearyoungsouls！Thisisthesecondnaturalbirth；-
　　forIdonotspeakofthosepeculiarreligiousexperienceswhichformthepointoftransitioninmanylivesbetweentheconsciousnessofageneralrelationtotheDivinenatureandaspecialpersonalrelation。Thelitanyshouldcountaprayerfortheminthelistofitssupplications；massesshouldbesaidforthemasforsoulsinpurgatory；allgoodChristiansshouldrememberthemastheyrememberthoseinperilthroughtravelorsicknessorinwarfare。
　　IwouldtransportthischildtoRomeatonce，ifIhadmywill。SheshouldripenunderanItaliansun。Sheshouldwalkunderthefrescoedvaultsofpalaces，untilhercolorsdeepenedtothoseofVenetianbeauties，andherformswereperfectedintorivalrywiththeGreekmarbles，andtheeastwindwasoutofhersoil。Hasshenotexhaustedthisleansoiloftheelementshergrowingnaturerequires？
　　Idonotknow。ThemagnoliagrowsandcomesintofullfloweronCapeAnn，manydegreesoutofitsproperregion。Iwasridingoncealongthatdeliciousroadbetweenthehillsandthesea，whenwepassedathicketwherethereseemedtobeachanceoffindingit。
　　InfiveminutesIhadfallenonthetreesinfullblossom，andfilledmyarmswiththesweet，resplendentflowers。IcouldnotbelieveIwasinourcold，northernEssex，which，inthedrearyseasonwhenIpassitsslate-colored，unpaintedfarm-houses，andhuge，square，windy，’squire-built"mansions，"looksasbrownandunvegetatingasanoldrugwithitspatternsalltroddenoutandthecoloredfringewornfromallitsborder。
　　IfthemagnoliacanbloominnorthernNewEngland，whyshouldnotapoetorapaintercometohisfullgrowthherejustaswell？Yes，butifthegorgeoustree-flowerisrare，andonlyasifbyafreakofNaturespringsupinasinglespotamongthebeechesandalders，istherenotasmuchreasontothinktheperfumedflowerofimaginativegeniuswillfindithardtobebornandhardertospreaditsleavesintheclear，coldatmosphereofourultra-temperatezoneofhumanity？
　　Takethepoet。Ontheonehand，Ibelievethatapersonwiththepoeticalfacultyfindsmaterialeverywhere。Thegrandestobjectsofsenseandthoughtarecommontoallclimatesandcivilizations。Thesky，thewoods，thewaters，thestorms，life，deathlove，thehopeandvisionofeternity，——theseareimagesthatwritethemselvesinpoetryineverysoulwhichhasanythingofthedivinegift。
　　Ontheotherhand，thereissuchathingasalean，impoverishedlife，indistinctionfromarichandsuggestiveone。WhichourcommonNewEnglandlifemightbeconsidered，Iwillnotdecide。ButtherearesomethingsIthinkthepoetmissesinourwesternEden。
　　Itrustitisnotunpatriotictomentiontheminthispointofviewastheycomebeforeusinsomanyotheraspects。
　　Thereisnosufficientflavorofhumanityinthesoiloutofwhichwegrow。AtCantabridge，nearthesea，IhaveonceortwicepickedupanIndianarrowheadinafreshfurrow。AtCanoeMeadow，intheBerkshireMountains，IhavefoundIndianarrowheads。SoeverywhereIndianarrowheads。Whetherahundredorathousandyearsold，whoknows？whocares？Thereisnohistorytotheredrace，——thereishardlyanindividualinit；——afewinstinctsonlegsandholdingatomahawk——thereistheIndianofalltime。Thestoryofoneredantisthestoryofallredants。So，thepoet，intryingtowinghiswaybackthroughthelifethathaskindled，flitted，andfadedalongourwatercoursesandonoursouthernhillsidesforunknowngenerations，findsnothingtobreatheorflyin；hemeets"Avastvacuity！allunawares，Flutteringhispennonsvain，plumbdownhedropsTenthousandfathomdeep。"
　　ButthinkoftheOldWorld，——thatpartofitwhichistheseatofancientcivilization！ThestakesoftheBritons’stockadesarestillstandinginthebedoftheThames。TheploughmanturnsupanoldSaxon’sbones，andbeneaththemisatessellatedpavementofthetimeoftheCaesars。InItaly，theworksofmediaevalArtseemtobeofyesterday，——Rome，underherkings，isbutanintrudingnewcomer，aswecontemplateherintheshadowoftheCyclopeanwallsofFiesoleorVolterra。Itmakesamanhumantoliveontheseoldhumanizedsoils。Hecannothelpmarchinginstepwithhiskindintherearofsuchaprocession。Theysayadeadman’shandcuresswellings，iflaidonthem。ThereisnothinglikethedeadcoldhandofthePasttotakedownourtumidegotismandleadusintothesolemnflowofthelifeofourrace。Rousseaucameoutofoneofhissadself-torturingfits，ashecasthiseyeonthearchesoftheoldRomanaqueduct，thePontduGard。
　　Iamfarfromdenyingthatthereisanattractioninathrivingrailroadvillage。Thenew"depot，"thesmartly-paintedpinehouses，thespaciousbrickhotel，thewhitemeeting-house，andtherowofyouthfulandleggytreesbeforeit，areexhilarating。Theyspeakofprogress，andthetimewhenthereshallbeacity，withaHisHonortheMayor，intheplaceoftheirtrimbuttransientarchitecturalgrowths。Pardonme，ifIpreferthepyramids。Theyseemtomecrystalsformedfromastrongersolutionofhumanitythanthesteepleofthenewmeeting-house。Imaybewrong，buttheTiberhasavoiceforme，asitwhisperstothepiersofthePonsAlius，evenmorefullofmeaningthanmywell-belovedCharleseddyingroundthepilesofWestBostonBridge。
　　Then，again，weYankeesareakindofgypsies，——amechanicalandmigratoryrace。Apoetwantsahome。Hecandispensewithanapple-parerandareaping-machine。Ifeelthismoreforothersthanformyself，forthehomeofmybirthandchildhoodhasbeenasyetexemptedfromthechangewhichhasinvadedalmosteverythingaroundit——
　　Pardonmeashortdigression。Towhatsmallthingsourmemoryandouraffectionsattachthemselves！Iremember，whenIwasachild，thatoneofthegirlsplantedsomeStar-of-Bethlehembulbsinthesouthwestgornerofourfront-yard。Well，Ileftthepaternalroofandwanderedinotherlands，andlearnedtothinkinthewordsofstrangepeople。Butaftermanyyears，asIlookedonthelittlefront-yardagain，itoccurredtomethatthereusedtobesomeStar-
　　of-Bethlehemsinthesouthwestcorner。Thegrasswastallthere，andthebladeoftheplantisverymuchlikegrass，onlythickerandglossier。EvenasTullypartedthebriersandbrambleswhenhehuntedforthesphere-containingcylinderthatmarkedthegraveofArchimedes，sodidIcombthegrasswithmyfingersformymonumentalmemorial-flower。Naturehadstoredmykeepsaketenderlyinherbosom；theglossy，faintlystreakedbladeswerethere；theyaretherestill，thoughtheyneverflower，darkenedastheyarebytheshadeoftheelmsandrootedinthemattedturf。
　　Ourheartsarehelddowntoourhomesbyinnumerablefibres，trivialasthatIhavejustrecalled；butGulliverwasfixedtothesoil，youremember，bypinninghisheadahairatatime。Evenastonewithawhitishbandcrossingit，belongingtothepavementoftheback-yard，insistedonbecomingoneofthetalismansofmemory。
　　Thisintussusceptionoftheideasofinanimateobjects，andtheirfaithfulstoringawayamongthesentiments，arecuriouslyprefiguredinthematerialstructureofthethinkingcentreitself。Intheverycoreofthebrain，inthepartwhereDesCartesplacedthesoul，isasmallmineraldeposit，consisting，asIhaveseenitinthemicroscope，ofgrape-likemassesofcrystallinematter。
　　Buttheplantsthatcomeupeveryyearinthesameplace，liketheStar-of-Bethlehems，ofallthelesserobjects，givemetheliveliesthome-feeling。Closetoourancientgambrel-roofedhouseisthedwellingofpleasantoldNeighborWalrus。IrememberthesweethoneysucklethatIsawinfloweragainstthewallofhishouseafewmonthsago，aslongasIremembertheskyandstars。Thatclumpofpeonies，buttingtheirpurpleheadsthroughthesoileveryspringinjustthesamecircle，andby-and-byunpackingtheirhardballsofbudsinflowersbigenoughtomakeadoublehandfulofleaves，hascomeupinjustthatplace，NeighborWalrustellsme，formoreyearsthanIhavepassedonthisplanet。Itisarareprivilegeinournomadicstatetofindthehomeofone’schildhoodanditsimmediateneighborhoodthusunchanged。Manybornpoets，Iamafraid，flowerpoorlyinsong，ornotatall，becausetheyhavebeentoooftentransplanted。
　　Thenagoodmanyofourraceareveryhardandunimaginative；——theirvoiceshavenothingcaressing；theirmovementsareasofmachinerywithoutelasticityoroil。Iwishitwerefairtoprintaletterayounggirl，abouttheageofourIris，wroteashorttimesince。"I
　　am*********，"shesays，andtellsherwholenameoutright。Ah！——
　　saidI，whenIreadthatfirstfrankdeclaration，——youareoneoftherightsort！——Shewas。Awingedcreatureamongclose-clippedbarndoorfowl。Howtiredthepoorgirlwasofthedulllifeabouther，——theoldwoman’s"skeletonhand"atthewindowopposite，drawinghercurtains，——"Ma’amshooingawaythehens，"——thevacuouscountryeyesstaringatherasonlycountryeyescanstare，——aroutineofmechanicalduties，andthesoul’shalf-articulatedcryforsympathy，withoutananswer！Yes，——prayforher，andforallsuch！Faithoftencurestheirlongings；butitissohardtogiveasoultoheaventhathasnotfirstbeentrainedinthefullestandsweetesthumanaffections！Toooftentheyflingtheirheartsawayonunworthyobjects。Toooftentheypineinasecretdiscontent，whichspreadsitsleadencloudoverthemorningoftheiryouth。Theimmeasurabledistancebetweenoneofthesedelicatenaturesandtheaverageyouthsamongwhomisliketobeheronlychoicemakesone’sheartache。Howmanywomenareborntoofinelyorganizedinsenseandsoulforthehighwaytheymustwalkwithfeetunshod！Lifeisadjustedtothewantsofthestrongersex。Thereareplentyoftorrentstobecrossedinitsjourney；buttheirstepping-stonesaremeasuredbythestrideofman，andnotofwoman。
　　Womenaremoresubjectthanmentoatrophyoftheheart。Sosaysthegreatmedicalauthority，Laennec。Incurablecasesofthiskindusedtofindtheirhospitalsinconvents。WehavethediseaseinNewEngland，——butnotthehospitals。Idon’tliketothinkofit。
　　IwillnotbelieveouryoungIrisisgoingtodieoutinthisway。
　　Providencewillfindhersomegreathappiness，oraffliction，orduty，——andwhichwouldbebestforher，Icannottell。Onethingissure:theinterestshetakesinherlittleneighborisgettingtobemoreengrossingthanever。Somethingisthematterwithhim，andsheknowsit，andIthinkworriesherselfaboutit。
　　Iwondersometimeshowsofragileanddistortedaframehaskeptthefieryspiritthatinhabitsitsolongitstenant。Heaccountsforitinhisownway。
　　TheairoftheOldWorldisgoodfornothing，hesaid，oneday——
　　Usedup，Sir，——breathedoverandoveragain。Youmustcometothisside，Sir，foranatmospherefittobreathenowadays。DidnotworthyMr。HigginsonsaythatabreathofNewEngland’sairisbetterthanasupofOldEngland’sale？IoughttohavediedwhenI
　　wasaboy，Sir；butIcouldn’tdieinthisBostonair，——andIthinkIshallhavetogotoNewYorkoneofthesedays，whenit’stimeformetodropthisbundle，——ortoNewOrleans，wheretheyhavetheyellowfever，——ortoPhiladelphia，wheretheyhavesomanydoctors。
　　Thiswassometimeago；butoflatehehasseemed，asIhavebeforesaid，tobeailing。Anexperiencedeye，suchasIthinkImaycallmine，cantellcommonlywhetheramanisgoingtodie，ornot，longbeforeheorhisfriendsarealarmedabouthim。Idon’tlikeit。
　　IrishastoldmethattheScottishgiftofsecond-sightrunsinherfamily，andthatsheisafraidshehasit。Thosewhoaresoendowedlookuponawellmanandseeashroudwraptabouthim。Accordingtothedegreetowhichitcovershim，hisdeathwillbenearormoreremote。Itisanawfulfaculty；butsciencegivesonetoomuchlikeit。Luckilyforourfriends，mostofuswhohavethescientificsecond-sightschoolourselvesnottobetrayourknowledgebywordorlook。
　　Daybyday，astheLittleGentlemancomestothetable，itseemstomethattheshadowofsomeapproachingchangefallsdarkeranddarkeroverhiscountenance。Natureisstrugglingwithsomething，andIamafraidsheisunderinthewrestling-match。Youdonotcaremuch，perhaps，formyparticularconjecturesastothenatureofhisdifficulty。Ishouldsay，however，fromthesuddenflushestowhichheissubject，andcertainothermarkswhich，asanexpert，Iknowhowtointerpret，thathisheartwasintrouble；butthenhepresseshishandtotherightside，asiftherewerethecentreofhisuneasiness。
　　WhenIsaydifficultyabouttheheart，IdonotmeananyofthosesentimentalmaladiesofthatorganwhichfiguremorelargelyinromancesthanonthereturnswhichfurnishourBillsofMortality。
　　Imeansomeactualchangeintheorganitself，whichmaycarryhimoffbyslowandpainfuldegrees，orstrikehimdownwithonehugepangandonlytimeforasingleshriek，——aswhentheshotbrokethroughthebraveCaptainNolan’sbreast，attheheadoftheLightBrigadeatBalaklava，andwithaloudcryhedroppeddeadfromhissaddle。
　　IthoughtitonlyfairtosaysomethingofwhatIapprehendedtosomewhowereentitledtobewarned。Thelandlady’sfacefellwhenImentionedmyfears。
　　Poorman！——shesaid——Andwillleavethebestroomempty！Hasn’thegotanysistersorniecesoranybodytoseetohisthings，ifheshouldbetookaway？Suchasightofcases，fullofeverything！
　　Neverthoughtofhisfailin’sosuddin。Acomplicationofdiseases，sheexpected。Liver-complaintoneof’em？
　　Afterthisfirstinvoluntaryexpressionofthetoonaturalselfishfeelings，whichwemustnotjudgeveryharshly，unlesswehappentobepoorwidowsourselves，withchildrentokeepfilled，covered，andtaught，——rentshigh，——beefeighteentotwentycentsperpound，——
　　afterthisfirstsqueakofselfishness，followedbyabriefmovementofcuriosity，soinvariableinmaturefemales，astothenatureofthecomplaintwhichthreatensthelifeofafriendoranypersonwhomayhappentobementionedasill，——theworthysoul’sbetterfeelingsstruggleduptothesurface，andshegrievedforthedoomedinvalid，untilatearortwocameforthandfoundtheirwaydownachannelwornforthemsincetheearlydaysofherwidowhood。
　　Oh，thisdreadful，dreadfulbusinessofbeingtheprophetofevil！
　　Ofallthetrialswhichthosewhotakechargeofothers’healthandliveshavetoundergo，thisisthemostpainful。Itisallsoplaintothepractisedeye！——andthereisthepoorwife，thedotingmother，whohasneversuspectedanything，oratleasthasclungalwaystothehopewhichyouarejustgoingtowrenchawayfromher！——
　　ImusttellIristhatIthinkherpoorfriendisinaprecariousstate。Sheseemsnearertohimthananybody。
　　Ididtellher。Whateveremotionitproduced，shekeptastillface，except，perhaps，alittletremblingofthelip——CouldIbecertainthattherewasanymortalcomplaint？——Why，no，Icouldnotbecertain；butitlookedalarmingtome——Heshallhavesomeofmylife，——shesaid。
　　Isupposethistohavebeenafancyofhers，orakindofmagneticpowershecouldgiveout；——atanyrate，Icannothelpthinkingshewillsherstrengthawayfromherself，forshehaslostvigorandcolorfromthatday。Ihavesometimesthoughthegainedtheforceshelost；butthismayhavebeenawhim，veryprobably。
　　Onedayshecamesuddenlytome，lookingdeadlypale。Herlipsmoved，asifshewerespeaking；butIcouldnotatfirsthearaword。Herhairlookedstrangely，asifliftingitself，andhereyeswerefullofwildlight。Shesunkuponachair，andIthoughtwasfallingintooneofhertrances。Somethinghadfrozenherbloodwithfear；Ithought，fromwhatshesaid，halfaudibly，thatshebelievedshehadseenashroudedfigure。
　　Thatnight，atabouteleveno’clock，IwassentfortoseetheLittleGentleman，whowastakensuddenlyill。Bridget，theservant，wentbeforemewithalight。Thedoorswerebothunfastened，andI
　　foundmyselfushered，withouthindrance，intothedimlightofthemysteriousapartmentIhadsolongedtoenter。
　　Ifoundthesestanzasintheyounggirl’sbookamongmanyothers。I
　　givethemascharacterizingthetoneofhersaddermoments。
　　UNDERTHEVIOLETS。
　　Herhandsarecold；herfaceiswhite；
　　Nomoreherpulsescomeandgo；
　　Hereyesareshuttolifeandlight；
　　Foldthewhitevesture，snowonsnow，Andlayherwherethevioletsblow。
　　Butnotbeneathagravenstone，Topleadfortearswithalieneyes；
　　AslendercrossofwoodaloneShallsay，thathereamaidenliesInpeacebeneaththepeacefulskies。
　　AndgrayoldtreesofhugestlimbShallwheeltheircirclingshadowsroundTomakethescorchingsunlightdimThatdrinksthegreennessfromtheground，Anddroptheirdeadleavesonhermound。
　　Wheno’ertheirboughsthesquirrelsrun，Andthroughtheirleavestherobinscall，And，ripeningintheautumnsun，Theacornsandthechestnutsfall，Doubtnotthatshewillheedthemall。
　　ForherthemorningchoirshallsingItsmatinsfromthebrancheshigh，Andeveryminstrelvoiceofspring，ThattrillsbeneaththeAprilsky，Shallgreetherwithitsearliestcry。
　　When，turningroundtheirdial-track，Eastwardthelengtheningshadowspass，Herlittlemourners，cladinblack，Thecrickets，slidingthroughthegrass，Shallpipeforheraneveningmass。
　　AtlasttherootletsofthetreesShallfindtheprisonwhereshelies，AndbeartheburieddusttheyseizeInleavesandblossomstotheskies。
　　Somaythesoulthatwarmeditrise！
　　Ifany，bornofkindlierblood，Shouldask，Whatmaidenliesbelow？
　　Sayonlythis:Atenderbud，Thattriedtoblossominthesnow，Lieswitheredwherethevioletsblow。
　　XI
　　Youwillknow，perhaps，inthecourseofhalfanhour’sreading，whathasbeenhauntingmyhoursofsleepandwakingformonths。I
　　cannottell，ofcourse，whetheryouareanervouspersonornot。
　　If，however，youaresuchaperson，——ifitislateatnight，——ifalltherestofthehouseholdhavegoneofftobed，——ifthewindisshakingyourwindowsasifahumanhandwererattlingthesashes，——
　　ifyourcandleorlampislowandwillsoonburnout，——letmeadviseyoutotakeupsomegoodquietsleepyvolume，orattackthe"CriticalNotices"ofthelastQuarterlyandleavethistobereadbydaylight，withcheerfulvoicesround，andpeoplenearbywhowouldhearyou，ifyouslidfromyourchairandcamedowninalumponthefloor。
　　Idonotsaythatyourheartwillbeatasminedid，Iamwillingtoconfess，whenIenteredthedimchamber。DidInottellyouthatI
　　wassensitiveandimaginative，andthatIhadlainawakewiththinkingwhatwerethestrangemovementsandsoundswhichIheardlateatnightinmylittleneighbor’sapartment？IthadcometothatpassthatIwastrulyunabletoseparatewhatIhadreallyheardfromwhatIhaddreamedinthosenightmarestowhichIhavebeensubject，asbeforementioned。So，whenIwalkedintotheroom，andBridget，turningback，closedthedoorandleftmealonewithitstenant，Idobelieveyoucouldhavegratedanutmegonmyskin，sucha"goose-flesh"shiverranoverit。Itwasnotfear，butwhatIcallnervousness，——unreasoning，butirresistible；aswhen，forinstance，onelookingatthesungoingdownsays，"Iwillcountfiftybeforeitdisappears"；andashegoesonanditbecomesdoubtfulwhetherhewillreachthenumber，hegetsstrangelyflurried，andhisimaginationpictureslifeanddeathandheavenandhellastheissuesdependingonthecompletionornon-completionofthefiftyheiscounting。Extremecuriositywillexcitesomepeopleasmuchasfear，orwhatresemblesfear，actsonsomeotherlessimpressiblenatures。
　　Imayfindmyselfinthemidstofstrangefactsinthislittleconjurer’sroom。Or，again，theremaybenothinginthispoorinvalid’schamberbutsomeoldfurniture，suchastheysaycameoverintheMayflower。AllthisisjustwhatImeanto，findoutwhileIamlookingattheLittleGentleman，whohassuddenlybecomemypatient。Thesimplestthingsturnouttobeunfathomablemysteries；
　　themostmysteriousappearancesprovetobethemostcommonplaceobjectsindisguise。
　　IwonderwhethertheboyswholiveinRoxburyandDorchesterareevermovedtotearsorfilledwithsilentaweastheylookupontherocksandfragmentsof"puddingstone"aboundinginthoselocalities。
　　Ihavemysuspicionsthatthoseboys"heaveastone"or"fireabrickbat，"composedoftheconglomeratejustmentioned，withoutanymoretearfulorphilosophicalcontemplationsthanboysoflessfavoredregionsexpendonthesameperformance。Yetalumpofpuddingstoneisathingtolookat，tothinkabout，tostudyover，todreamupon，togocrazywith，tobeatone’sbrainsoutagainst。
　　Lookatthatpebbleinit。Fromwhatcliffwasitbroken？Onwhatbeachrolledbythewavesofwhatocean？Howandwhenimbeddedinsoftooze，whichitselfbecamestone，andby-and-bywasliftedintobaldsummitsandsteepcliffs，suchasyoumayseeonMeetinghouse-
　　Hillanyday——yes，andmarkthescratchesontheirfacesleftwhentheboulder-carryingglaciersplanedthesurfaceofthecontinentwithsuchroughtoolsthatthestormshavenotwornthemarksoutofitwithallthepolishingofeversomanythousandyears？
　　Orasyoupassaroadsideditchorpoolinspringtime，takefromitanybitofstickorstrawwhichhaslainundisturbedforatime。
　　Somelittleworm-shapedmassesofclearjellycontainingspecksarefastenedtothestick:eggsofasmallsnail-likeshell-fish。Oneofthesespecksmagnifiedprovestobeacrystallinespherewithanopaquemassinitscentre。Andwhileyouarelooking，theopaquemassbeginstostir，andby-and-byslowlytoturnuponitsaxislikeaformingplanet，——lifebeginninginthemicrocosm，asinthegreatworldsofthefirmament，withtherevolutionthatturnsthesurfaceinceaselessroundtothesourceoflifeandlight。
　　Apebbleandthespawnofamollusk！Beforeyouhavesolvedtheirmysteries，thisearthwhereyoufirstsawthemmaybeavitrifiedslag，oravapordiffusedthroughtheplanetaryspaces。Mysteriesarecommonenough，atanyrate，whatevertheboysinRoxburyandDorchesterthinkof"brickbats"andthespawnofcreaturesthatliveinroadsidepuddles。
　　Butthenagreatmanyseemingmysteriesarerelativelyperfectlyplain，whenwecangetatthemsoastoturnthemover。Howmanyghoststhat"thickmen’sbloodwithcold"provetobeshirtshungouttodry！Howmanymermaidshavebeenmadeoutofseals！Howmanytimeshavehorse-mackerelsbeentakenforthesea-serpent！——
　　Letmetakethewholemattercoolly，whileIseewhatisthematterwiththepatient。ThatiswhatIsaytomyself，asIdrawachairtothebedside。Thebedisanold-fashioned，darkmahoganyfour-poster。Itwasneverthatwhichmadethenoiseofsomethingmoving。Itistooheavytobepushedabouttheroom——TheLittleGentlemanwassitting，bolsteredupbypillows，withhishandsclaspedandtheirunitedpalmsrestingonthebackofthehead，oneofthethreeorfourpositionsspeciallyaffectedbypersonswhosebreathingisdifficultfromdiseaseoftheheartorothercauses。
　　Sitdown，Sir，——hesaid，——sitdown！IhavecometothehillDifficulty，Sir，andamfightingmywayup——Hisspeechwaslaboriousandinterrupted。
　　Don’ttalk，——Isaid，——excepttoanswermyquestions——AndI
　　proceededto"prospect"forthemarksofsomelocalmischief，whichyouknowisatthebottomofalltheseattacks，thoughwedonotalwaysfindit。IsupposeIgotoworkprettymuchlikeotherprofessionalfolksofmytemperament。Thus:
　　Wrist，ifyouplease——Iwasonhisrightside，buthepresentedhisleftwrist，crossingitovertheother——Ibegintocount，holdingwatchinlefthand。One，two，three，four，——Whatahandsomehand！wonderifthatsplendidstoneisacarbuncle——One，two，three，four，five，six，seven，——Can’tseemuch，itissodark，exceptonewhiteobject——One，two，three，four，——Hangit！eightyorninetyintheminute，Iguess——Tongue，ifyouplease——Tongueisputout。Forgettolookatit，or，rather，totakeanyparticularnoticeofit；——butwhatisthatwhiteobject，withthelongarmstretchingupasifpointingtothesky，justasVesaliusandSpigeliusandthoseoldfellowsusedtoputtheirskeletons？I
　　don’tthinkanythingofsuchobjects，youknow；butwhatshouldhehaveitinhischamberfor？AsIhadfoundhispulseirregularandintermittent，Itookoutastethoscope，whichisapocket-spyglassforlookingintopeople’schestswithyourears，andlaiditovertheplacewheretheheartbeats。Imissedtheusualbeatoftheorgan——Howisthis？——Isaid，——whereisyourheartgoneto？——Hetookthestethoscopeandshifteditacrosstotherightside；therewasadisplacementoftheorgan——Iamill-packed，——hesaid；——therewasnoroomformyheartinitsplaceasitiswithothermen——Godhelphim！
　　Itishardtodrawthelinebetweenscientificcuriosityandthedesireforthepatient’ssaketolearnallthedetailsofhiscondition。Imustlookatthispatient’schest，andthumpitandlistentoit。Forthisisacaseofectopiacordis，myboy，——
　　displacementoftheheart；anditisn’teverydayyougetachancetooverhaulsuchaninterestingmalformation。AndsoImanagedtodomydutyandsatisfymycuriosityatthesametime。Thetorsowasslightanddeformed；therightarmattenuated，——theleftfull，round，andofperfectsymmetry。Ithadrunawaywiththelifeoftheotherlimbs，——acommontrickenoughofNature’s，asItoldyoubefore。Ifyouseeamanwithlegswitheredfromchildhood，keepoutofthewayofhisarms，ifyouhaveaquarrelwithhim。Hehasthestrengthoffourlimbsintwo；andifhestrikesyou，itisanarm-blowplusakickadministeredfromtheshoulderinsteadofthehaunch，whereitshouldhavestartedfrom。
　　Stillexamininghimasapatient，Ikeptmyeyesaboutmetosearchallpartsofthechamberandwentonwiththedoubleprocess，asbefore——Hearthitsashardasafist，——bellows-soundovermitralvalvesprofessionaltermsyouneednotattendto——Whatthedeuseisthatlongcasefor？Gothiswitchgrandmothermummiedinit？
　　Andthreebigmahoganypresses，——hey？——AdiabolicalsuspicioncameovermewhichIhadhadoncebefore，——thathemightbeoneofourmodernalchemists，——youunderstand，makegold，youknow，orwhatlookslikeit，sometimeswiththeheadofakingorqueenorofLibertytoembellishonesideofthepiece——Don’tIrememberhearinghimshutadoorandlockitonce？Whatdoyouthinkwaskeptunderthatlock？Let’shaveanotherlookathishand，toseeifthereareanycalluses。
　　Onecantellaman’sbusiness，ifitisahandicraft，veryoftenbyjusttakingalookathisopenhand。Ah！Fourcallusesattheendofthefingersoftherighthand。Noneonthoseoftheleft。Ah，ha！Whatdothosemean？
　　Allthisseemslongerinthetelling，ofcourse，thanitwasinfact。WhileIwasmakingtheseobservationsoftheobjectsaroundme，IwasalsoformingmyopinionastothekindofcasewithwhichIhadtodeal。
　　Therearethreewicks，youknow，tothelampofaman’slife:brain，blood，andbreath。Pressthebrainalittle，itslightgoesout，followedbyboththeothers。Stoptheheartaminuteandoutgoallthreeofthewicks。Choketheairoutofthelungs，andpresentlythefluidceasestosupplytheothercentresofflame，andallissoonstagnation，cold，anddarkness。The"tripodoflife"aFrenchphysiologistcalledthesethreeorgans。Itisallclearenoughwhichlegofthetripodisgoingtobreakdownhere。Icouldtellyouexactlywhatthedifficultyis；——whichwouldbeasintelligibleandamusingasawatchmaker’sdescriptionofadiseasedtimekeepertoaploughman。Itisenoughtosay，thatIfoundjustwhatI
　　expectedto，andthatIthinkthisattackisonlythepreludeofmoreseriousconsequences，——whichexpressionmeansyouverywellknowwhat。
　　Andnowthesecretsofthislifehangingonathreadmustsurelycomeout。IfIhavemadeamysterywheretherewasnone，mysuspicionswillbeshamed，astheyhaveoftenbeenbefore。Ifthereisanythingstrange，myvisitswillclearitup。
　　IsatanhourortwobythesideoftheLittleGentleman’sbed，aftergivinghimsomehenbanetoquiethisbrain，andsomefoxglove，whichanimaginativeFrenchprofessorhascalledthe"OpiumoftheHeart。"Undertheirinfluencehegraduallyfellintoanuneasy，half-wakingslumber，thebodyfightinghardforeverybreath，andthemindwanderingoffinstrangefanciesandoldrecollections，whichescapedfromhislipsinbrokensentences——
　　Thelastof’em，——hesaid，——thelastof’emall，——thankGod！Andthegraveheliesinwilllookjustaswellasifhehadbeenstraight。Digitdeep，oldMartin，digitdeep，——andletitbeaslongasotherfolks’graves。Andmindyougetthesodsflat，oldman，——flataseverastraight-backedyoungfellowwaslaidunder。
　　Andthen，withagoodtallslabatthehead，andafoot-stonesixfootawayfromit，it’lllookjustasiftherewasamanunderneath。
　　Aman！Whosaidhewasaman？Nomoremenofthatpatterntobearhisname！——Usedtobeagood-lookingsetenough——Where’sallthemanhoodandwomanhoodgonetosincehisgreat-grandfatherwasthestrongestmanthatsailedoutofthetownofBoston，andpoorLeahtherethehandsomestwomaninEssex，ifshewasawitch？——
　　Givemesomelight，——hesaid，——morelight。Iwanttoseethepicture。
　　Hehadstartedeitherfromadreamorawanderingreverie。Iwasnotunwillingtohavemorelightintheapartment，andpresentlyhadlightedanastrallampthatstoodonatable——Hepointedtoaportraithangingagainstthewall——Lookather，——hesaid，——lookather！Wasn’tthataprettynecktoslipahangman’snooseover？
　　Theportraitwasofayoungwoman，somethingmorethantwentyyearsold，perhaps。TherewerefewpicturesofanymeritpaintedinNewEnglandbeforethetimeofSmibert，andIamatalosstoknowwhatartistcouldhavetakenthishalf-length，whichwasevidentlyfromlife。Itwassomewhatstiffandflat，butthegraceofthefigureandthesweetnessoftheexpressionremindedmeoftheangelsoftheearlyFlorentinepainters。Shemusthavebeenofsomeconsideration，forshewasdressedinpaduasoyandlacewithhangingsleeves，andtheoldcarvedframeshowedhowthepicturehadbeenprizedbyitsformerowners。Aproudeyeshehad，withallhersweetness——Ithinkitwasthatwhichhangedher，ashisstrongarmhangedMinisterGeorgeBurroughs；——butitmayhavebeenalittlemoleononecheek，whichtheartisthadjusthintedasabeautyratherthanadeformity。Youknow，Isuppose，thatnurslingimpsaddictthemselves，afterthefashionofyoungopossums，totheselittleexcrescences。"Witch-marks"weregoodevidencethatayoungwomanwasoneoftheDevil’swet-nurses；——Ishouldliketohaveseenyoumakefunoftheminthosedays！——Thenshehadabroochinherbodice，thatmighthavebeentakenforsomedevilishamuletorother；andsheworearingupononeofherfingers，witharedstoneinit，thatflamedasifthepainterhaddippedhispencilinfire；——
　　whoknowsbutthatitwasgivenherbyamidnightsuitorfreshfromthatfierceelement，andlicensedforaseasontoleavehiscouchofflametotempttheunsanctifiedheartsofearthlymaidensandbrandtheircheekswiththeprintofhisscorchingkisses？
　　SheandI，——hesaid，ashelookedsteadfastlyatthecanvas，——sheandIarethelastof’em——Shewillstay，andIshallgo。Theyneverpaintedme，——exceptwhentheboysusedtomakepicturesofmewithchalkontheboard-fences。TheysaidthedoctorswouldwantmyskeletonwhenIwasdead——Youaremyfriend，ifyouareadoctor，——a’n’tyou？
　　Ijustgavehimmyhand。Ihadnotthehearttospeak。
　　Iwanttoliestill，——hesaid，——afterIamputtobeduponthehillyonder。Can’tyouhaveagreatstonelaidoverme，astheydidoverthefirstsettlersintheoldburying-groundatDorchester，soastokeepthewolvesfromdiggingthemup？Ineverslepteasyoverthesod；——Ishouldliketoliequietunderit。Andbesides，——hesaid，inakindofscaredwhisper，——Idon’twanttohavemybonesstaredat，asmybodyhasbeen。Idon’tdoubtIwasaremarkablecase；
　　but，forGod’ssake，oh，forGod’ssake，don’tlet’emmakeashowofthecageIhavebeenshutupinandlookedthroughthebarsofforsomanyyears。
　　Ihavehearditsaidthattheartofhealingmakesmenhard-heartedandindifferenttohumansuffering。Iamwillingtoownthatthereisoftenaprofessionalhardnessinsurgeons，justasthereisintheologians，——onlymuchlessindegreethanintheselast。Itdoesnotcommonlyimprovethesympathiesofamantobeinthehabitofthrustingknivesintohisfellow-creaturesandburningthemwithred-hotirons，anymorethanitimprovesthemtoholdtheblinding-
　　whitecanteryofGehennabyitscoolhandleandscoreandcrispyoungsoulswithituntiltheyarescorchedintothebeliefof——
　　TransubstantiationortheImmaculateConception。And，tosaytheplaintruth，Ithinkthereareagoodmanycoarsepeopleinbothcallings。Adelicatenaturewillnotcommonlychooseapursuitwhichimpliesthehabitualinflictionofsuffering，soreadilyassomegentleroffice。Yet，whileIamwritingthisparagraph，therepassesbymywindow，onhisdailyerrandofduty，notseeingme，thoughIcatchaglimpseofhismanlyfeaturesthroughtheovalglassofhischaise，ashedrivesby，asurgeonofskillandstanding，sofriendly，somodest，sotenderheartedinallhisways，that，ifhehadnotapprovedhimselfatonceadroitandfirm，onewouldhavesaidhewasoftookindlyamouldtobetheministerofpain，evenifheweresavingpain。
　　Youmaybesurethatsomemen，evenamongthosewhohavechosenthetaskofpruningtheirfellow-creatures，growmoreandmorethoughtfulandtrulycompassionateinthemidstoftheircruelexperience。Theybecomelessnervous，butmoresympathetic。Theyhaveatruersensibilityforothers’pain，themoretheystudypainanddiseaseinthelightofscience。Ihavesaidthiswithoutclaiminganyspecialgrowthinhumanityformyself，thoughIdohopeIgrowtendererinmyfeelingsasIgrowolder。Atanyrate，thiswasnotatimeinwhichprofessionalhabitscouldkeepdowncertaininstinctsofolderdatethanthese。
　　Thispoorlittleman’sappealtomyhumanityagainstthesupposedrapacityofScience，whichhefearedwouldhaveher"specimen，"ifhisghostshouldwalkrestlesslyathousandyears，waitingforhisbonestobelaidinthedust，touchedmyheart。ButIfeltboundtospeakcheerily——
　　Wewon’tdieyetawhile，ifwecanhelpit，——Isaid，——andItrustwecanhelpit。Butdon’tbeafraid；ifIlivelongest，Iwillseethatyourrestingplaceiskeptsacredtillthedandelionsandbuttercupsblowoveryou。
　　Heseemedtohavegothiswitstogetherbythistime，andtohaveavagueconsciousnessthathemighthavebeensayingmorethanhemeantforanybody’sears——Ihavebeentalkingalittlewild，Sir，eh？hesaid——Thereisagreatbuzzinginmyheadwiththosedropsofyours，andIdoubtifmytonguehasnotbeenalittlelooserthanIwouldhaveit，Sir。ButIdon’tmuchwanttolive，Sir；that’sthetruthofthematter，anditdoesratherpleasemetothinkthatfiftyyearsfromnownobodywillknowthattheplacewhereIliedoesn’tholdasstoutandstraightamanasthebestof’emthatstretchoutasiftheywereproudoftheroomtheytake。Youmaygetmewell，ifyoucan，Sir，ifyouthinkitworthwhiletotry；
　　butItellyoutherehasbeennotimeforthismanyayearwhenthesmelloffreshearthwasnotsweetertomethanalltheflowersthatgrowoutofit。There’snoanodynelikeyourgoodcleangravel，Sir。Butifyoucankeepmeaboutawhile，anditamusesyoutotry，youmayshowyourskilluponme，ifyoulike。ThereisapleasureortwothatIlovethedaylightfor，andIthinkthenightisnotfaroff，atbest——IbelieveIshallsleepnow；youmayleaveme，andcome，ifyoulike，inthemorning。
　　BeforeIpassedout，Itookonemoreglanceroundtheapartment。
　　Thebeautifulfaceoftheportraitlookedatme，asportraitsoftendo，withafrightfulkindofintelligenceinitseyes。Thedraperyflutteredonthestilloutstretchedarmofthetallobjectnearthewindow；——acrackofthiswasopen，nodoubt，andsomebreathofwindstirredthehangingfolds。Inmyexcitedstate，Iseemedtoseesomethingominousinthatarmpointingtotheheavens。IthoughtofthefiguresintheDanceofDeathatBasle，andthatotheronthepanelsofthecoveredBridgeatLucerne，anditseemedtomethatthegrimmaskwhomingleswitheverycrowdandglidesovereverythresholdwaspointingthesickmantohisfarhome，andwouldsoonstretchouthisbonyhandandleadhimordraghimontheunmeasuredjourneytowardsit。
　　Thefancyhadpossessionofme，andIshiveredagainaswhenIfirstenteredthechamber。Thepictureandtheshroudedshape；Isawonlythesetwoobjects。Theywereenough。Thehousewasdeadlystill，andthenight-wind，blowingthroughanopenwindow，struckmeasfromafieldofice，atthemomentIpassedintothecreakingcorridor。AsIturnedintothecommonpassage，awhitefigure，holdingalamp，stoodfullbeforeme。Ithoughtatfirstitwasoneofthoseimagesmadetostandinnichesandholdalightintheirhands。Buttheillusionwasmomentary，andmyeyesspeedilyrecoveredfromtheshockofthebrightflameandsnowydraperytoseethatthefigurewasabreathingone。ItwasIris，inoneofherstatue-trances。Shehadcomedown，whethersleepingorwaking，I
　　knewnotatfirst，ledbyaninstinctthattoldhershewaswanted，——
　　or，possibly，havingoverheardandinterpretedthesoundofourmovements，——or，itmaybe，havinglearnedfromtheservantthattherewastroublewhichmightaskforawoman’shand。Isometimesthinkwomenhaveasixthsense，whichtellsthemthatothers，whomtheycannotseeorhear，areinsuffering。Howsurelywefindthematthebedsideofthedying！HowstronglydoesNaturepleadforthem，thatweshoulddrawourfirstbreathintheirarms，aswesighawayourlastupontheirfaithfulbreasts！
　　Withwhite，barefeet，herhairlooselyknotted，cladasthestarlightknewher，andthemorningwhensherosefromslumber，savethatshehadtwistedascarfroundherlongdress，shestoodstillasastonebeforeme，holdinginonehandalightedcoilofwaxtaper，andintheotherasilvergoblet。Iheldmyownlampclosetoher，asifshehadbeenafigureofmarble，andshedidnotstir。Therewasnobreachofproprietythen，toscarethePoorRelationwithandbreedscandaloutof。Shehadbeen"warnedinadream，"doubtlesssuggestedbyherwakingknowledgeandthesoundswhichhadreachedherexaltedsense。Therewasnothingmorenaturalthanthatsheshouldhaverisenandgirdledherwaist，andlightedhertaper，andfoundthesilvergobletwith"Exdonopupillorum"onit，fromwhichshehadtakenhermilkandpossetsthroughallherchildishyears，andsogoneblindlyouttofindherplaceatthebedside，——aSisterofCharitywithoutthecapandrosary；nay，unknowingwhitherherfeetwereleadingher，andwithwideblankeyesseeingnothingbutthevisionthatbeckonedheralong——Well，Imustwakeherfromherslumberortrance——Icalledhername，butshedidnotheedmyvoice。
　　TheDevilputitintomyheadthatIwouldkissonehandsomeyounggirlbeforeIdied，andnowwasmychance。Sheneverwouldknowit，andIshouldcarrytheremembranceofitwithmeintothegrave，andaroseperhapsgrowoutofmydust，asabrierdidoutofLordLovers，inmemoryofthatimmortalmoment！Woulditwakeherfromhertrance？andwouldsheseemeintheflushofmystolentriumph，andhateanddespisemeeverafter？OrshouldIcarryoffmytrophyundetected，andalwaysfromthattimesaytomyself，whenIlookeduponherinthegloryofyouthandthesplendorofbeauty，"Mylipshavetouchedthoserosesandmadetheirsweetnessmineforever"？
　　Youthinkmycheekwasflushed，perhaps，andmyeyeswereglitteringwiththismidnightflashofopportunity。Onthecontrary，IbelieveIwaspale，verypale，andIknowthatItrembled。Ah，itisthepalepassionsthatarethefiercest，——itistheviolenceofthechillthatgivesthemeasureofthefever！Thefighting-boyofourschoolalwaysturnedwhitewhenhewentouttoapitchedbattlewiththebullyofsomeneighboringvillage；butweknewwhathisbloodlesscheeksmeant，——thebloodwasallinhisstoutheart，——hewasaslightboy，andtherewasnotenoughtoreddenhisfaceandfillhisheartbothatonce。
　　Perhapsitismakingagooddealofaslightmatter，totelltheinternalconflictsintheheartofaquietpersonsomethingmorethanjuvenileandsomethinglessthansenile，astowhetherheshouldbeguiltyofanimpropriety，and，ifhewere，whetherhewouldgetcaughtinhisindiscretion。AndyetthememoryofthekissthatMargaretofScotlandgavetoAlainChartierhaslastedfourhundredyears，andputitintotheheadofmanyanill-favoredpoet，whetherVictoria，orEugenie，woulddoasmuchbyhim，ifshehappenedtopasshimwhenhewasasleep。AndhaveweeverforgottenthatthefreshcheekoftheyoungJohnMiltontingledunderthelipsofsomehigh-bornItalianbeauty，who，Ibelieve，didnotthinktoleavehercardbythesideoftheslumberingyouth，buthasbequeathedthememoryofherprettydeedtoallcomingtime？Thesoundofakissisnotsoloudasthatofacannon，butitsecholastsadeallonger。
　　Thereisonedisadvantagewhichthemanofphilosophicalhabitsofmindsuffers，ascomparedwiththemanofaction。Whileheistakinganenlargedandrationalviewofthematterbeforehim，heletshischanceslipthroughhisfingers。Iriswokeup，ofherownaccord，beforeIhadmadeupmymindwhatIwasgoingtodoaboutit。
　　WhenIrememberhowcharminglyshelooked，Idon’tblamemyselfatallforbeingtempted；butifIhadbeenfoolenoughtoyieldtotheimpulse，Ishouldcertainlyhavebeenashamedtotellofit。Shedidnotknowwhattomakeofit，findingherselftherealone，insuchguise，andmestaringather。Shelookeddownatherwhiterobeandbarefeet，andcolored，——thenatthegobletsheheldinherhand，thenatthetaper；andatlastherthoughtsseemedtoclearup。
　　Iknowitall，——shesaid——Heisgoingtodie，andImustgoandsitbyhim。NobodywillcareforhimasIshall，andIhavenobodyelsetocarefor。
　　Iassuredherthatnothingwasneededforhimthatnightbutrest，andpersuadedherthattheexcitementofherpresencecouldonlydoharm。Lethimsleep，andhewouldveryprobablyawakebetterinthemorning。Therewasnothingtobesaid，forIspokewithauthority；
　　andtheyounggirlglidedawaywithnoiselessstepandsoughtherownchamber。
　　Thetremorpassedawayfrommylimbs，andthebloodbegantoburninmycheeks。Thebeautifulimagewhichhadsobewitchedmefadedgraduallyfrommyimagination，andIreturnedtothestillperplexingmysteriesofmylittleneighbor’schamber。
　　Allwasstilltherenow。Noplaintivesounds，nomonotonousmurmurs，noshuttingofwindowsanddoorsatstrangehours，asifsomethingorsomebodywerecominginorgoingout，ortherewassomethingtobehiddeninthosedarkmahoganypresses。IsthereaninnerapartmentthatIhavenotseen？Thewayinwhichthehouseisbuiltmightadmitofit。AsIthoughtitover，IatonceimaginedaBluebeard’schamber。Suppose，forinstance，thatthenarrowbookshelvestotherightarereallyonlyamaskeddoor，suchaswerememberleadingtotheprivatestudyofoneofourmostdistinguishedtownsmen，wholovedtostealawayfromhisstatelylibrarytothatlittlesilentcell。Ifthiswerelightedfromabove，apersonorpersonsmightpasstheirdaystherewithoutattractingattentionfromthehousehold，andwanderwheretheypleasedatnight，——toCopp’s-Hillburial-ground，iftheyliked，——I
　　saidtomyself，laughing，andpullingthebed-clothesovermyhead。
　　Thereisnologicinsuperstitious-fanciesanymorethanindreams。
　　Ashe-ghostwouldn’twantaninnerchambertoherself。Alivewoman，withavaluablesopranovoice，wouldn’tstartoffatnighttosprainheranklesovertheoldgravesoftheNorth-Endcemetery。
　　Itisallveryeasyforyou，middle-agedreader，sittingoverthispageinthebroaddaylight，tocallmebyallmannerofasinineandanserineunchristiannames，becauseIhadthesefanciesrunningthroughmyhead。Idon’tcaremuchforyourabuse。Thequestionisnot，whatitisreasonableforamantothinkabout，butwhatheactuallydoesthinkabout，inthedark，andwhenbeisalone，andhiswholebodyseemsbutonegreatnerveofhearing，andheseesthephosphorescentflashesofhisowneyeballsastheyturnsuddenlyinthedirectionofthelaststrangenoise，——whatheactuallydoesthinkabout，asheliesandrecallsallthewildstorieshisheadisfullof，hisfancyhintingthemostalarmingconjecturestoaccountforthesimplestfactsabouthim，hiscommon-senselaughingthemtoscornthenextminute，buthismindstillreturningtothem，underoneshapeoranother，untilhegetsverynervousandfoolish，andremembershowpleasantitusedtobetohavehismothercomeandtuckhimupandgoandsitwithincall，sothatshecouldhearhimatanyminute，ifhegotverymuchscaredandwantedher。Oldbabiesthatweare！
　　Daylightwillclearupallthatlamp-lighthasleftdoubtful。I
　　longedforthemorningtocome，forIwasmorecuriousthanever。
　　So，betweenmyfanciesandanticipations，Ihadbutapoornightofit，andcamedowntiredtothebreakfast-table。Myvisitwasnottobemadeuntilafterthismorninghour；therewasnothingurgent，sotheservantwasorderedtotellme。
　　ItwasthefirstbreakfastatwhichthehighchairatthesideofIrishadbeenunoccupied——Youmightjestaswelltakeawaythatchair，——saidourlandlady，——he’llneverwantitagain。Heactslikeamanthat’sstruckwithdeath，’n’Idon’tbelievehe’llevercomeoutofhischambertillhe’slaidoutandbroughtdownacorpse——Thesegoodwomendoputthingssoplainly！Thereweretwoorthreewordsinhershortremarkthatalwayssoberpeople，andsuggestsilenceorbriefmoralreflections——
　　Lifeisdreadfuluncerting，——saidthePoorRelation，——andpulledinhersocialtentaclestoconcentrateherthoughtsonthisfactofhumanhistory——
　　Iftherewasanythingafellahcoulddo，——saidtheyoungmanJohn，socalled，——afellah’dlikethechanceo’helpin’alittlecripplelikethat。Helooksasifhecouldn’tturnoveranyhandierthanaturtlethat’slaidonhisback；andIguesstherea’n’tmanypeoplethatknowhowtoliftbetterthanIdo。Askhimifhedon’twantanywatchers。Idon’tmindsettin’upanymore’nacat-owl。Iwasupallnighttwicelastmonth。
　　[Myprivateopinionis，thattherewasnosmallamountofpunchabsorbedonthosetwooccasions，whichIthinkIheardofatthetime；——buttheofferisakindone，anditisn’tfairtoquestionhowhewouldlikesittingupwithoutthepunchandthecompanyandthesongsandsmoking。Hemeanswhathesays，anditwouldbeamoreconsiderableachievementforhimtositquietlyallnightbyasickmanthanforagoodmanyotherpeople。Itellyouthisoddthing:thereareagoodmanypersons，who，throughthehabitofmakingotherfolksuncomfortable，byfindingfaultwithalltheircheerfulenjoyments，atlastgetupakindofhostilitytocomfortingeneral，evenintheirownpersons。Thecorrelativetolovingourneighborsasourselvesishatingourselvesaswehateourneighbors。Lookatoldmisers；firsttheystarvetheirdependants，andthenthemselves。SoIthinkitmoreforalivelyyoungfellowtobereadytoplaynursethanforoneofthoseusefulbutforlornmartyrswhohavetakenaspiteagainstthemselvesandlovetogratifyitbyfastingandwatching——
　　Thetimecameatlastformetomakemyvisit。IfoundIrissittingbytheLittleGentleman’spillow。Tomydisappointment，theroomwasdarkened。Hedidnotlikethelight，andwouldhavetheshutterskeptnearlyclosed。Itwasgoodenoughforme；whatbusinesshadItobeindulgingmycuriosity，whenIhadnothingtodobuttoexercisesuchskillasIpossessedforthebenefitofmypatient？Therewasnotmuchtobesaidordoneinsuchacase；butIspokeasencouraginglyasIcould，asIthinkwearealwaysboundtodo。Hedidnotseemtopayanyveryanxiousattention，butthepoorgirllistenedasifherownlifeandmorethanherownlifeweredependingonthewordsIuttered。Shefollowedmeoutoftheroom，whenIhadgotthroughmyvisit。
　　Howlong？——shesaid。
　　Uncertain。Anytime；to-day，——nextweek，nextmonth，——Ianswered——
　　Oneofthosecaseswheretheissueisnotdoubtful，butmaybesuddenorslow。
　　Thewomenofthehousewerekind，aswomenalwaysareintrouble。
　　ButIrispretendedthatnobodycouldsparethetimeaswellasshe，andkeptherplace，hourafterhour，untilthelandladyinsistedthatshe’dbekillin’herself，ifshebegunatthatrate，’n’haftogiveup，ifshedidn’twanttobecleanbeatoutinless’naweek。
　　Atthetableweweregraverthancommon。Thehighchairwassetbackagainstthewall，andagapleftbetweenthatoftheyounggirlandhernearestneighbor’sontheright。Butthenextmorning，toourgreatsurprise，thatgood-lookingyoungMarylanderhadveryquietlymovedhisownchairtothevacantplace。Ithoughthewascreepingdownthatway，butIwasnotpreparedforaleapspanningsuchatremendousparenthesisofboardersasthischangeofpositionincluded。Therewasnodenyingthattheyouthandmaidenwereahandsomepair，astheysatsidebyside。Butwhatevertheyounggirlmayhavethoughtofhernewneighborsheneverseemedforamomenttoforgetthepoorlittlefriendwhohadbeentakenfromherside。Therearewomen，andevengirls，withwhomitisofnousetotalk。Onemightaswellreasonwithabeeastotheformofhiscell，orwithanorioleastotheconstructionofhisswingingnest，astrytostirthesecreaturesfromtheirownwayofdoingtheirownwork。ItwasnotaquestionwithIris，whethershewasentitledbyanyspecialrelationorbythefitnessofthingstoplaythepartofanurse。Shewasawilfulcreaturethatmusthaveherwayinthismatter。Anditsoprovedthatitcalledformuchpatienceandlongendurancetocarrythroughtheduties，sayratherthekindoffices，thepainfulpleasures，whichshehadchosenashershareinthehouseholdwhereaccidenthadthrownher。Shehadthatgeniusofministrationwhichisthespecialprovinceofcertainwomen，markedevenamongtheirhelpfulsistersbyasoft，lowvoice，aquietfootfall，alighthand，acheeringsmile，andareadyself-surrendertotheobjectsoftheircare，whichsuchtriflesastheirownfood，sleep，orhabitsofanykindneverpresumetointerferewith。
　　Dayafterday，andtoooftenthroughthelongwatchesofthenight，shekeptherplacebythepillow。
　　Thatgirlwillkillherselfoverme，Sir，——saidthepoorLittleGentlemantome，oneday，——shewillkillherself，Sir，ifyoudon’tcallinalltheresourcesofyourarttogetmeoffassoonasmaybe。Ishallwearherout，Sir，withsittinginthisclosechamberandwatchingwhensheoughttobesleeping，ifyouleavemetothecareofNaturewithoutdosingme。
　　Thiswasratherstrangepleasantry，underthecircumstances。Buttherearecertainpersonswhoseexistenceissooutofparallelwiththelargerlawsinthemidstofwhichitismoving，thatlifebecomestothemasdeathanddeathaslife——HowamIgettingalong？——hesaid，anothermorning。Heliftedhisshrivelledhand，withthedeath’s-headringonit，andlookedatitwithasadsortofcomplacency。Bythisonemovement，whichIhaveseenrepeatedlyoflate，Iknowthathisthoughtshavegonebeforetoanothercondition，andthatheis，asitwere，lookingbackontheinfirmitiesofthebodyasaccidentsofthepast。For，whenhewaswell，onemightseehimoftenlookingatthehandsomehandwiththeflamingjewelononeofitsfingers。Thesinglewell-shapedlimbwasthesourceofthatpleasurewhichinsomeformorotherNaturealmostalwaysgrantstoherleastrichlyendowedchildren。Handsomehair，eyes，complexion，feature，form，hand，foot，pleasantvoice，strength，grace，agility，intelligence，——howfewtherearethathavenotjustenoughofoneatleastofthesegiftstoshowthemthatthegoodMother，busywithhermillionsofchildren，hasnotquiteforgottenthem！Butnowhewasthinkingofthatotherstate，where，freefromallmortalimpediments，thememoryofhissorrowfulburdenshouldbeonlyasthatofthecasehehasshedtotheinsectwhose"deep-damaskedwings"beatoffthegoldendustofthelily-anthers，ashefluttersintheecstasyofhisnewlifeovertheirfull-blownsummerglories。
　　Nohumanbeingcanrestforanytimeinastateofequilibrium，wherethedesiretoliveandthattodepartjustbalanceeachother。
　　Ifonehasahouse，whichhehaslivedandalwaysmeanstolivein，hepleaseshimselfwiththethoughtofalltheconveniencesitoffershim，andthinkslittleofitswantsandimperfections。Butoncehavingmadeuphismindtomovetoabetter，everyincommoditystartsoutuponhim，untiltheveryground-planofitseemstohavechangedinhismind，andhisthoughtsandaffections，eachoneofthempackingupitslittlebundleofcircumstances，havequittedtheirseveralchambersandnooksandmigratedtothenewhome，longbeforeitsapartmentsarereadytoreceivetheircomingtenant。Itissowiththebody。Mostpersonshavediedbeforetheyexpire，——
　　diedtoallearthlylongings，sothatthelastbreathisonly，asitwere，thelockingofthedoorofthealreadydesertedmansion。Thefactofthetranquillitywithwhichthegreatmajorityofdyingpersonsawaitthislockingofthosegatesoflifethroughwhichitsairyangelshavebeengoingandcoming，fromthemomentofthefirstcry，isfamiliartothosewhohavebeenoftencalledupontowitnessthelastperiodoflife。AlmostalwaysthereisapreparationmadebyNatureforunearthingasoul，justasonthesmallerscalethereisfortheremovalofamilktooth。Therootswhichholdhumanlifetoearthareabsorbedbeforeitisliftedfromitsplace。Someofthedyingarewearyandwantrest，theideaofwhichisalmostinseparableintheuniversalmindfromdeath。Someareinpain，andwanttoberidofit，eventhoughtheanodynebedropped，asinthelegend，fromtheswordoftheDeath-Angel。Somearestupid，mercifullynarcotizedthattheymaygotosleepwithoutlongtossingabout。Andsomearestronginfaithandhope，sothat，astheydrawnearthenextworld，theywouldfairhurrytowardit，asthecaravanmovesfasteroverthesandswhentheforemosttravellerssendwordalongthefilethatwaterisinsight。Thougheachlittlepartythatfollowsinafoot-trackofitsownwillhaveitthatthewatertowhichothersthinktheyarehasteningisamirage，notthelesshasitbeentrueinallagesandforhumanbeingsofeverycreedwhichrecognizedafuture，thatthosewhohavefallenwornoutbytheirmarchthroughtheDeserthavedreamedatleastofaRiverofLife，andthoughttheyhearditsmurmursastheylaydying。
　　Thechangefromtheclingingtothepresenttothewelcomingofthefuturecomesverysoon，forthemostpart，afterallhopeoflifeisextinguished，providedthisbeleftingooddegreetoNature，andnotinsolentlyandcruellyforceduponthosewhoareattackedbyillness，onthestrengthofthatodiousforeknowledgeoftenimpartedbyscience，beforethewhitefruitwhosecoreisashes，andwhichwecalldeath，hassetbeneaththepallidanddroopingflowerofsickness。Thereisasingularsagacityveryoftenshowninapatient’sestimateofhisownvitalforce。Hisphysicianknowsthestateofhismaterialframewellenough，perhaps，——thatthisorthatorganismoreorlessimpairedordisintegrated；butthepatienthasasensethathecanholdoutsomuchlonger，——sometimesthathemustandwillliveforawhile，thoughbythelogicofdiseaseheoughttodiewithoutanydelay。
　　TheLittleGentlemancontinuedtofail，untilitbecameplainthathisremainingdayswerefew。Itoldthehouseholdwhattoexpect。
　　Therewasagooddealofkindfeelingexpressedamongtheboarders，invariousmodes，accordingtotheircharactersandstyleofsympathy。Thelandladywasurgentthatheshouldtryacertainnostrumwhichhadsavedsomebody’slifeinjestsechacase。ThePoorRelationwantedmetocarry，asfromher，acopyof"Allein’sAlarm，"etc。Iobjectedtothetitle，remindingherthatitoffendedpeopleofold，sothatmorethantwiceasmanyofthebookweresoldwhentheychangedthenameto"ASureGuidetoHeaven。"
　　ThegoodoldgentlemanwhomIhavementionedbeforehascometothetimeoflifewhenmanyoldmencryeasily，andforgettheirtearsaschildrendo——Hewasaworthygentleman，——hesaid，——averyworthygentleman，butunfortunate，——veryunfortunate。Sadlydeformedaboutthespineandthefeet。HadanimpressionthatthelateLordByronhadsomemalformationofthiskind。Hadheerdtherewassomethingthematterwiththeankle-j’intsofthatnobleman，buthewasamanoftalents。Thisgentlemanseemedtobeamanoftalents。Couldnotalwaysagreewithhisstatements，——thoughthewasalittleover-
　　partialtothiscity，andhadsomefreeopinions；butwassorrytolosehim，——andif——therewasanything——he——could。Inthemidstofthesekindexpressions，thegentlemanwiththediamond，theKoh-i-
　　noor，aswecalledhim，asked，inaveryunpleasantsortofway，howtheoldboywaslikelytocutup，——meaningwhatmoneyourfriendwasgoingtoleavebehind。
　　TheyoungfellowJohnspokeup，totheeffectthatthiswasadiabolishsnobbyquestion，whenamanwasdyingandnotdead——TothistheKoh-i-noorreplied，byaskingiftheothermeanttoinsulthim。WheretotheyoungmanJohnrejoinedthathehadnoparticul’rintentionsonewayort’other-TheKohi-noorthensuggestedtheyoungman’ssteppingoutintotheyard，thathe，thespeaker，might"slaphischops。"——Let’emalone，saidyoungMaryland，——it’llsoonbeover，andtheywon’thurteachothermuch——Sotheywentout。
　　TheKoh-i-noorentertainedtheverycommonidea，that，whenonequarrelswithanother，thesimplethingtodoistoknockthemandown，andthereistheendofit。Nowthosewhohavewatchedsuchencountersareawareoftwothings:first，thatitisnotsoeasytoknockamandownasitistotalkaboutit；secondly，that，ifyoudohappentoknockamandown，thereisaverygoodchancethathewillbeangry，andgetupandgiveyouathrashing。
　　SotheKoh-i-noorthoughthewouldbegin，assoonastheygotintotheyard，byknockinghismandown，andwiththisintentionswunghisarmroundafterthefashionofrusticsandthoseunskilledinthenobleart，expectingtheyoungfellowJohntodropwhenhisfist，havingcompletedaquarterofacircle，shouldcomeincontactwiththesideofthatyoungman’shead。Unfortunatelyforthistheory，ithappensthatablowstruckoutstraightisasmuchshorter，andthereforeasmuchquickerthantherustic’sswingingblow，astheradiusisshorterthanthequarterofacircle。Themathematicalandmechanicalcorollarywas，thattheKoh-i-noorfeltsomethinghardbringupsuddenlyagainsthisrighteye，whichsomethinghecouldhaveswornwasapaving-stone，judgingbyhissensations；andasthisthrewhispersonsomewhatbackwards，andtheyoungmanJohnjerkedhisownheadbackalittle，theswingingblowhadnothingtostopit；andastheJewelstaggeredbetweenthehithegotandtheblowhemissed，hetrippedand"wenttograss，"sofarastheback-yardofourboardinghousewasprovidedwiththatvegetable。Itwasasignalillustrationofthatfatalmistake，sofrequentinyoungandardentnatureswithinconspicuouscalvesandnegativepectorals，thattheycansettlemostlittlequarrelsonthespotby"knockingthemandown。"
　　Weareinthehabitofhandlingourfacessocarefully，thataheavyblow，takingeffectonthatportionofthesurface，producesamostunpleasantsurprise，whichisaccompaniedwithoddsensations，asofseeingsparks，andakindofelectricalorozone-likeodor，half-
　　sulphurousincharacter，andwhichhasgivenrisetoaveryvulgarandprofanethreatsometimesheardfromthelipsofbullies。A
　　personnotusedtopugilisticgesturesdoesnotinstantlyrecoverfromthissurprise。TheKoh-i-noorexasperatedbyhisfailure，andstillalittleconfusedbythesmarthithehadreceived，butfurious，andconfidentofvictoryoverayoungfellowagooddeallighterthanhimself，madeadesperaterushtobeardownallbeforehimandfinishthecontestatonce。Thatisthewayallangrygreenhornsandincompetentpersonsattempttosettlematters。Itdoesn’tdo，iftheotherfellowisonlycool，moderatelyquick，andhasaverylittlescience。Itdidn’tdothistime；for，astheassailantrushedinwithhisarmsflyingeverywhere，likethevansofawindmill，beranaprominentfeatureofhisfaceagainstafistwhichwastravellingintheotherdirection，andimmediatelyafterstrucktheknucklesoftheyoungman’sotherfistasevereblowwiththepartofhispersonknownastheepigastriumtoonebranchofscienceandthebread-baskettoanother。Thissecondroundclosedthebattle。TheKoh-i-noorhadgotenough，whichinsuchcasesismorethanasgoodasafeast。Theyoungfellowaskedhimifhewassatisfied，andheldouthishand。Buttheothersulked，andmutteredsomethingaboutrevenge——Jestasyelike，——saidtheyoungmanJohn——Clapasliceo’rawbeefsteakontothatmouseo’yours’n’’t’lltakedowntheswellin’。Mouseisatechnicaltermforabluish，oblong，roundedelevationoccasionedbyrunningone’sforeheadoreyebrowagainstanother’sknuckles。Theyoungfellowwasparticularlypleasedthathehadhadanopportunityoftryinghisproficiencyintheartofself-defencewithoutthegloves。TheKoh-i-noordidnotfavoruswithhiscompanyforadayortwo，beingconfinedtohischamber，itwassaid，byaslightfeverish，attack。