Hewaschop-fallenalwaysafterthis，andgotnegligentinhisperson。Theimpressionmusthavebeenadeepone；foritwasobserved，that，whenhecamedownagain，hismoustacheandwhiskershadturnedvisiblywhiteabouttheroots。Inshort，itdisgracedhim，andrenderedstillmoreconspicuousatendencytodrinking，ofwhichhehadbeenforsometimesuspected。This，andthedisgustwhichayoungladynaturallyfeelsathearingthatherloverhasbeen"lickedbyafellahnothalfhissize，"inducedthelandlady’sdaughtertotakethatdecidedstepwhichproducedachangeintheprogrammeofhercareerImayhereafteralludeto。
　　Ineverthoughthewouldcometogood，whenIheardhimattemptingtosneeratanunoffendingcitysorespectableasBoston。AfteramanbeginstoattacktheState-House，whenhegetsbitterabouttheFrog-Pond，youmaybesurethereisnotmuchleftofhim。PoorEdgarPoediedinthehospitalsoonafterhegotintothiswayoftalking；andsosureasyoufindanunfortunatefellowreducedtothispass，youhadbetterbeginprayingforhim，andstoplendinghimmoney，forheisonhislastlegs。RememberpoorEdgar！Heisdeadandgone；buttheState-Househasitscupolafresh-gilded，andtheFrog-Pondhasgotafountainthatsquirtsupahundredfeetintotheairandglorifiesthathumblesheetwithafinedisplayofprovincialrainbows——
　　Icannotfulfilmypromiseinthisnumber。Iexpectedtogratifyyourcuriosity，ifyouhavebecomeatallinterestedinthesepuzzles，doubts，fancies，whims，orwhateveryouchoosetocallthem，ofmine。Nextmonthyoushallhearallaboutit——
　　Itwasevening，andIwasgoingtothesick-chamber。AsIpausedatthedoorbeforeentering，Iheardasweetvoicesinging。ItwasnotthewildmelodyIhadsometimesheardatmidnight:——no，thiswasthevoiceofIris，andIcoulddistinguisheveryword。Ihadseentheversesinherbook；themelodywasnewtome。Letmefinishmypagewiththem。
　　HYMNOFTRUST。
　　OLoveDivine，thatstoopedtoshareOursharpestpang，ourbitteresttear，OnTheewecasteachearthborncare，WesmileatpainwhileThouartnear！
　　Thoughlongthewearywaywetread，Andsorrowcrowneachlingeringyear，Nopathweshun，nodarknessdread，Ourheartsstillwhispering，Thouartnear！
　　Whendroopingpleasureturnstogrief，Andtremblingfaithischangedtofear，Themurmuringwind，thequiveringleafShallsoftlytellus，Thouartnear！
　　OnTheeweflingourburdeningwoe，OLoveDivine，foreverdear，Contenttosuffer，whileweknow，Livinganddying，Thouartnear！
　　XII
　　Ayoungfellow，bornofgoodstock，inoneofthemorethoroughlycivilizedportionsoftheseUnitedStatesofAmerica，bredingoodprinciples，inheritingasocialpositionwhichmakeshimathiseaseeverywhere，meanssufficienttoeducatehimthoroughlywithouttakingawaythestimulustovigorousexertion，andwithagoodopeninginsomehonorablepathoflabor，isthefinestsightourprivatesatellitehashadtheopportunityofinspectingontheplanettowhichshebelongs。InsomerespectsitwasbettertobeayoungGreek。Ifwemaytrusttheoldmarbles，myfriendwithhisarmstretchedovermyhead，abovethere，inplasterofParis，orthediscobolus，whomonemayseeattheprincipalsculpturegalleryofthismetropolis，——thoseGreekyoungmenwereofsupremebeauty。
　　Theirclosecurls，theirelegantlysetheads，column-likenecks，straightnoses，short，curledlips，firmchins，deepchests，lightflanks，largemuscles，smalljoints，werefinerthananythingweeversee。Itmaywellbequestionedwhetherthehumanshapewilleverpresentitselfagaininaraceofsuchperfectsymmetry。ButthelifeoftheyouthfulGreekwaslocal，notplanetary，likethatoftheyoungAmerican。Hehadastringoflegends，inplaceofourGospels。Hehadnoprintedbooks，nonewspaper，nosteamcaravans，noforks，nosoap，noneofthethousandcheapconvenienceswhichhavebecomemattersofnecessitytoourmoderncivilization。Aboveallthings，ifheaspiredtoknowaswellastoenjoy，hefoundknowledgenotdiffusedeverywhereabouthim，sothataday’slaborwouldbuyhimmorewisdomthanayearcouldmaster，butheldinprivatehands，hoardedinpreciousmanuscripts，tobesoughtforonlyasgoldissoughtinnarrowfissures，andinthebedsofbrawlingstreams。Never，sincemancameintothisatmosphereofoxygenandazote，wasthereanythingliketheconditionoftheyoungAmericanofthenineteenthcentury。Havinginpossessionorinprospectthebestpartofhalfaworld，withallitsclimatesandsoilstochoosefrom；equippedwithwingsoffireandsmokethanflywithhimdayandnight，sothathecountshisjourneynotinmiles，butindegrees，andseestheseasonschangeasthewildfowlseestheminhisannualflights；withhugeleviathansalwaysreadytotakehimontheirbroadbacksandpushbehindthemwiththeirpectoralorcaudalfinsthewatersthatseamthecontinentorseparatethehemispheres；heirofalloldcivilizations，founderofthatnewonewhich，ifallthepropheciesofthehumanheartarenotlies，istobethenoblest，asitisthelast；isolatedinspacefromtheracesthataregovernedbydynastieswhosedivinerightgrowsoutofhumanwrong，yetknitintothemostabsolutesolidaritywithmankindofalltimesandplacesbytheonegreatthoughtheinheritsashisnationalbirthright；freetoformandexpresshisopinionsonalmosteverysubject，andassuredthathewillsoonacquirethelastfranchisewhichmenwithholdfromman，——thatofstatingthelawsofhisspiritualbeingandthebeliefsheacceptswithouthindranceexceptfromclearerviewsoftruth，——heseemstowantnothingforalarge，wholesome，noble，beneficentlife。Infact，thechiefdangeristhathewillthinkthewholeplanetismadeforhim，andforgetthattherearesomepossibilitiesleftinthedebrisoftheold-worldcivilizationwhichdeserveacertainrespectfulconsiderationathishands。
　　Thecombingandclippingofthisshaggywildcontinentareinsomemeasuredoneforhimbythosewhohavegonebefore。Societyhassubdivideditselfenoughtohaveaplaceforeveryformoftalent。
　　Thus，ifamanshowtheleastsignofabilityasasculptororapainter，forinstance，hefindsthemeansofeducationandademandforhisservices。Evenamanwhoknowsnothingbutsciencewillbeprovidedfor，ifhedoesnotthinkitnecessarytohangabouthisbirthplaceallhisdays，——whichisamostunAmericanweakness。Theapron-stringsofanAmericanmotheraremadeofIndia-rubber。Herboybelongswhereheiswanted；andthatyoungMarylanderofoursspokeforallouryoungmen，whenhesaidthathishomewaswhereverthestarsandstripesblewoverhishead。
　　Andthatleadsmetosayafewwordsofthisyounggentleman，whomadethataudaciousmovementlatelywhichIchronicledinmylastrecord，——jumpingovertheseatsofIdon’tknowhowmanyboarderstoputhimselfintheplacewhichtheLittleGentleman’sabsencehadleftvacantatthesideofIris。Whenayoungmanisfoundhabituallyatthesideofanyonegivenyounglady，——whenhelingerswhereshestays，andhastenswhensheleaves，——whenhiseyesfollowherasshemovesandrestuponherwhensheisstill，——whenhebeginstogrowalittletimid，hewhowassobold，andalittlepensive，hewhowassogay，wheneveraccidentfindsthemalone，——
　　whenhethinksveryoftenofthegivenyounglady，andnamesherveryseldom，——
　　Whatdoyousayaboutit，mycharmingyoungexpertinthatsweetscienceinwhich，perhaps，alongexperienceisnotthefirstofqualifications？——
　　Butwedon’tknowanythingaboutthisyoungman，exceptthatheisgood-looking，andsomewhathigh-spirited，andstrong-limbed，andhasagenerousstyleofnature，——allverypromising，butbynomeansprovingthatheisaproperloverforIris，whoseheartweturnedinsideoutwhenweopenedthatsealedbookofhers。
　　Ah，mydearyoungfriend！Whenyourmammathen，ifyouwillbelieveit，averyslightyounglady，withveryprettyhairandfigure——cameandtoldhermammathatyourpapahad——had——askedNo，no，no！shecouldn’tsayit；buthermother——ohthedepthofmaternalsagacity！——
　　guesseditallwithoutanotherword！——Whenyourmother，Isay，cameandtoldhermothershewasengaged，andyourgrandmothertoldyourgrandfather，howmuchdidtheyknowoftheintimatenatureoftheyounggentlemantowhomshehadpledgedherexistence？Iwillnotbesohardastoaskhowmuchyourrespectedmammaknewatthattimeoftheintimatenatureofyourrespectedpapa，though，ifweshouldcompareayounggirl’sman-as-she-thinks-himwithaforty-
　　summeredmatron’sman-as-she-finds-him，Ihavemydoubtsastowhetherthesecondwouldbeafacsimileofthefirstinmostcases。
　　Theideathatinthisworldeachyoungpersonistowaituntilheorshefindsthatprecisecounterpartwhoaloneofallcreationwasmeantforhimorher，andthenfallinstantlyinlovewithit，isprettyenough，onlyitisnotNature’sway。Itisnotatallessentialthatallpairsofhumanbeingsshouldbe，aswesometimessayofparticularcouples，"bornforeachother。"Sometimesamanorawomanismadeagreatdealbetterandhappierintheendforhavinghadtoconquerthefaultsoftheonebeloved，andmakethefitnessnotfoundatfirst，bygradualassimilation。Thereisaclassofgoodwomenwhohavenorighttomarryperfectlygoodmen，becausetheyhavethepowerofsavingthosewhowouldgotoruinbutfortheguidingprovidenceofagoodwife。Ihaveknownmanysuchcases。Itisthemostmomentousquestionawomanisevercalledupontodecide，whetherthefaultsofthemanshelovesarebeyondremedyandwilldragherdown，orwhethersheiscompetenttobehisearthlyredeemerandlifthimtoherownlevel。
　　Apersonofgeniusshouldmarryapersonofcharacter。Geniusdoesnotherdwithgenius。Themusk-deerandthecivet-catareneverfoundincompany。Theydon’tcareforstrangescents，——theylikeplainanimalsbetterthanperfumedones。Nay，ifyouwillhavethekindnesstonotice，Naturehasnotgiftedmyladymusk-deerwiththepersonalpeculiaritybywhichherlordissowidelyknown。
　　Nowwhengeniusalliesitselfwithcharacter，theworldisveryapttothinkcharacterhasthebestofthebargain。Abrilliantwomanmarriesaplain，manlyfellow，withasimpleintellectualmechanism；——wehaveallseensuchcases。Theworldoftenstaresagooddealandwonders。Sheshouldhavetakenthatother，withafarmorecomplexmentalmachinery。Shemighthavehadawatchwiththephilosophicalcompensation-balance，withthemetaphysicalindexwhichcansplitasecondintotenths，withthemusicalchimewhichcanturneveryquarterofanhourintomelody。Shehaschosenaplainone，thatkeepsgoodtime，andthatisall。
　　Letheralone！Sheknowswhatsheisabout。Geniushasaninfinitelydeeperreverenceforcharacterthancharactercanhaveforgenius。Tobesure，geniusgetstheworld’spraise，becauseitsworkisatangibleproduct，tobebought，orhadfornothing。Itbribesthecommonvoicetopraiseitbypresentsofspeeches，poems，statues，pictures，orwhateveritcanpleasewith。Characterevolvesitsbestproductsforhomeconsumption；but，mindyou，ittakesadealmoretofeedafamilyforthirtyyearsthantomakeaholidayfeastforourneighborsonceortwiceinourlives。Youtalkofthefireofgenius。Manyablessedwoman，whodiesunsungandunremembered，hasgivenoutmoreoftherealvitalheatthatkeepsthelifeinhumansouls，withoutasparkflittingthroughherhumblechimneytotelltheworldaboutit，thanwouldsetadozentheoriessmoking，orahundredodessimmering，inthebrainsofsomanymenofgenius。Itisinlatentcaloric，ifImayborrowaphilosophicalexpression，thatmanyofthenoblestheartsgiveoutthelifethatwarmsthem。Cornelia’slipsgrowwhite，andherpulsehardlywarmsherthinfingers，——butshehasmeltedalltheiceoutoftheheartsofthoseyoungGracchi，andherlostheatisinthebloodofheryouthfulheroes。Wearealwaysvaluingthesoul’stemperaturebythethermometerofpublicdeedorword。Yetthegreatsunhimself，whenhepourshisnoondaybeamsuponsomevasthyalineboulder，rentfromtheeternalice-quarries，andfloatingtowardthetropics，neverwarmsitafractionabovethethirty-twodegreesofFahrenheitthatmarkedthemomentwhenthefirstdroptrickleddownitsside。
　　Howwealllikethespirtingupofafountain，seeminglyagainstthelawthatmakeswatereverywhereslide，roll，leap，tumbleheadlong，togetaslowastheearthwillletit！Thatisgenius。Butwhatisthistransientupwardmovement，whichgivesustheglitterandtherainbow，tothatunsleeping，all-presentforceofgravity，thesameyesterday，to-day，andforever，iftheuniversebeeternal，——
　　thegreatoutspreadhandofGodhimself，forcingallthingsdownintotheirplaces，andkeepingthemthere？Such，insmallerproportion，istheforceofcharactertothefitfulmovementsofgenius，astheyareorhavebeenlinkedtoeachotherinmanyahousehold，whereonenamewashistoric，andtheother，letmesaythenobler，unknown，savebysomefaintreflectedray，borrowedfromitslustrouscompanion。
　　Oftentimes，asIhavelainswingingonthewater，intheswelloftheChelseaferry-boats，inthatlong，sharp-pointed，blackcradleinwhichIlovetoletthegreatmotherrockme，Ihaveseenatallshipglidebyagainstthetide，asifdrawnbysomeinvisibletowline，withahundredstrongarmspullingit。Hersailshungunfilled，herstreamersweredrooping，shehadneitherside-wheelnorstern-wheel；stillshemovedon，stately，inserenetriumph，asifwithherownlife。ButIknewthatontheothersideoftheship，hiddenbeneaththegreathulkthatswamsomajestically，therewasalittletoilingsteam-tug，withheartoffireandarmsofiron，thatwashuggingitcloseanddraggingitbravelyon；andIknew，that，ifthelittlesteam-tuguntwinedherarmsandleftthetallship，itwouldwallowandrollabout，anddrifthitherandthither，andgooffwiththerefluenttide，nomanknowswhither。AndsoI
　　haveknownmorethanonegenius，high-decked，full-freighted，wide-
　　sailed，gay-pennoned，that，butforthebaretoilingarms，andbrave，warm，beatingheartofthefaithfullittlewife，thatnestledcloseinhisshadow，andclungtohim，sothatnowindorwavecouldpartthem，anddraggedhimonagainstallthetideofcircumstance，wouldsoonhavegonedownthestreamandbeenheardofnomore——
　　No，Iamtoomuchaloverofgenius，Isometimesthink，andtoooftengetimpatientwithdullpeople，sothat，intheirweaktalk，wherenothingistakenforgranted，Ilookforwardtosomefuturepossiblestateofdevelopment，whenagesturepassingbetweenabeatifiedhumansoulandanarchangelshallsignifyasmuchasthecompletehistoryofaplanet，fromthetimewhenitcurdledtothetimewhenitssunwasburnedout。Andyet，whenastrongbrainisweighedwithatrueheart，itseemstomelikebalancingabubbleagainstawedgeofgold——
　　Ittakesaverytruemantobeafittingcompanionforawomanofgenius，butnotaverygreatone。Iamnotsurethatshewillnotembroiderheridealbetteronaplaingroundthanononewithabrilliantpatternalreadyworkedinitstexture。Butastheveryessenceofgeniusistruthfulness，contactwithrealities，whicharealwaysideasbehindshowsofformorlanguage，nothingissocontemptibleasfalsehoodandpretenceinitseyes。Nowitisnoteasytofindaperfectlytruewoman，anditisveryhardtofindaperfectlytrueman。Andawomanofgenius，whohasthesagacitytochoosesuchaoneashercompanion，showsmoreofthedivinegiftinsodoingthaninherfinesttalkorhermostbrilliantworkoflettersorofart。
　　Ihavebeenagoodwhilecomingatasecret，forwhichIwishedtoprepareyoubeforetellingit。IthinkthereisakindlyfeelinggrowingupbetweenIrisandouryoungMarylander。NotthatI
　　supposethereisanydistinctunderstandingbetweenthem，butthattheaffinitywhichhasdrawnhimfromtheremotecornerwherehesattothesideoftheyounggirlisquietlybringingtheirtwonaturestogether。Justnowsheisallgivenuptoanother；butwhenhenolongercallsuponherdailythoughtsandcares，Iwarnyounottobesurprised，ifthisbudoffriendshipopenliketheeveningprimrose，withasoundasofasuddenstolenkiss，andlo！thefloweroffull-
　　blownloveliesunfoldedbeforeyou。
　　Andnowthedayshadcomeforourlittlefriend，whosewhimsandweaknesseshadinterestedus，perhaps，asmuchashisbettertraits，tomakereadyforthatlongjourneywhichiseasiertothecripplethantothestrongman，andonwhichnoneenterssowillinglyashewhohasbornethelife-longloadofinfirmityduringhisearthlypilgrimage。Atthispoint，undermostcircumstances，Iwouldclosethedoorsanddrawtheveilofprivacybeforethechamberwherethebirthwhichwecalldeath，outoflifeintotheunknownworld，isworkingitsmystery。Butthisfriendofoursstoodaloneintheworld，and，asthelastactofhislifewasmainlyinharmonywiththerestofitsdrama，Idonotherefeeltheforceoftheobjectioncommonlylyingagainstthatdeath-bedliteraturewhichformsthestapleofacertainportionofthepress。LetmeexplainwhatI
　　mean，sothatmyreadersmaythinkforthemselvesalittle，beforetheyaccusemeofhastyexpressions。
　　TheRomanCatholicChurchhascertainformulasforitsdyingchildren，towhichalmostallofthemattachthegreatestimportance。Thereishardlyacriminalsoabandonedthatheisnotanxioustoreceivethe"consolationsofreligion"inhislasthours。
　　Evenifhebesenseless，butstillliving，Ithinkthattheformisgonethroughwith，justasbaptismisadministeredtotheunconsciousnew-bornchild。Nowwedonotquarrelwiththeseforms。
　　Welookwithreverenceandaffectionuponallsymbolswhichgivepeaceandcomforttoourfellow-creatures。Butthevalueofthenew-bornchild’spassiveconsenttotheceremonyisnull，astestimonytothetruthofadoctrine。Theautomaticclosingofadyingman’slipsontheconsecratedwaferprovesnothinginfavoroftheRealPresence，oranyotherdogma。And，speakinggenerally，theevidenceofdyingmeninfavorofanybeliefistobereceivedwithgreatcaution。
　　Theycommonlytellthetruthabouttheirpresentfeelings，nodoubt。
　　Adyingman’sdepositionaboutanythingheknowsisgoodevidence。
　　Butitisofmuchlessconsequencewhatamanthinksandsayswhenheischangedbypain，weakness，apprehension，thanwhathethinkswhenheistrulyandwhollyhimself。Mostmurderersdieinaverypiousframeofmind，expectingtogotogloryatonce；yetnomanbelievesheshallmeetalargeraverageofpiratesandcut-throatsinthestreetsoftheNewJerusalemthanofhonestfolksthatdiedintheirbeds。
　　Unfortunately，therehasbeenaverygreattendencytomakecapitalofvariouskindsoutofdyingmen’sspeeches。Theliesthathavebeenputintotheirmouthsforthispurposeareendless。Theprimeminister，whoselastbreathwasspentinscoldinghisnurse，dieswithamagnificentapothegmonhislips，manufacturedbyareporter。
　　Addisongetsupatableauanduttersanadmirablesentiment，——orsomebodymakestheposthumousdyingepigramforhim。Theincoherentbabbleofgreenfieldsistranslatedintothelanguageofstatelysentiment。Onewouldthink，allthatdyingmenhadtodowastosaytheprettiestthingtheycould，——tomaketheirrhetoricalpoint，——
　　andthenbowthemselvespolitelyoutoftheworld。
　　Worsethanthisisthetorturingofdyingpeopletogettheirevidenceinfavorofthisorthatfavoritebelief。Thecamp-
　　followersofproselytingsectshavecomeinatthecloseofeverylifewheretheycouldgetin，tostripthelanguishingsoulofitsthoughts，andcarrythemoffasspoils。TheRomanCatholicorotherpriestwhoinsistsonthereceptionofhisformulameanskindly，wetrust，andverycommonlysucceedsingettingtheacquiescenceofthesubjectofhisspiritualsurgery，butdonotletustakethetestimonyofpeoplewhoareintheworstconditiontoformopinionsasevidenceofthetruthorfalsehoodofthatwhichtheyaccept。A
　　lameman’sopinionofdancingisnotgoodformuch。Apoorfellowwhocanneithereatnordrink，whoissleeplessandfullofpains，whosefleshhaswastedfromhim，whosebloodislikewater，whoisgaspingforbreath，isnotinaconditiontojudgefairlyofhumanlife，whichinallitsmainadjustmentsisintendedformeninanormal，healthycondition。ItisaremarkIhaveheardfromthewisePatriarchoftheMedicalProfessionamongus，thatthemoralconditionofpatientswithdiseaseabovethegreatbreathing-muscle，thediaphragm，ismuchmorehopefulthanthatofpatientswithdiseasebelowit，inthedigestiveorgans。Manyanhonestignorantmanhasgivenuspathologywhenhethoughthewasgivinguspsychology。WiththispreliminarycautionIshallproceedtothestoryoftheLittleGentleman’sleavingus。
　　Whenthedivinity-studentfoundthatourfellow-boarderwasnotlikelytoremainlongwithus，he，beingayoungmanoftenderconscienceandkindlynature，wasnotalittleexercisedonhisbehalf。ItwasundeniablethatonseveraloccasionstheLittleGentlemanhadexpressedhimselfwithagooddealoffreedomonaclassofsubjectswhich，accordingtothedivinity-student，hehadnorighttoformanopinionupon。Hethereforeconsideredhisfuturewelfareinjeopardy。
　　TheMuggletoniansecthaveaveryoddwayofdealingwithpeople。
　　IfI，theProfessor，willonlygiveintotheMuggletoniandoctrine，thereshallbenoquestionthroughallthatpersuasionthatIamcompetenttojudgeofthatdoctrine；nay，Ishallbequotedasevidenceofitstruth，whileIlive，andcited，afterIamdead，astestimonyinitsbehalf。ButifIutteranyeversoslightAnti-
　　Muggletoniansentiment，thenIbecomeincompetenttoformanyopiniononthematter。This，youcannotfailtoobserve，isexactlythewaythepseudo-sciencesgotowork，asexplainedinmyLectureonPhrenology。NowIholdthathewhosetestimonywouldbeacceptedinbehalfoftheMuggletoniandoctrinehasarighttobeheardagainstit。WhosooffersmeanyarticleofbeliefformysignatureimpliesthatIamcompetenttoformanopinionuponit；andifmypositivetestimonyinitsfavorisofanyvalue，thenmynegativetestimonyagainstitisalsoofvalue。
　　Ithoughtmyyoungfriend’sattitudewasalittletoomuchlikethatoftheMuggletonians。Ialsoremarkedasingulartimidityonhispartlestsomebodyshould"unsettle"somebody’sfaith，——asiffaithdidnotrequireexerciseasmuchasanyotherlivingthing，andwerenotallthebetterforashakingupnowandthen。Idon’tmeanthatitwouldbefairtobotherBridget，thewildIrishgirl，orJoiceHeth，thecentenarian，oranyotherintellectualnon-combatant；butallpersonswhoproclaimabeliefwhichpassesjudgmentontheirneighborsmustbereadytohaveit"unsettled，"thatis，questioned，atalltimesandbyanybody，——justasthosewhosetupbarsacrossathoroughfaremustexpecttohavethemtakendownbyeveryonewhowantstopass，ifheisstrongenough。
　　Besides，tothinkoftryingtowater-prooftheAmericanmindagainstthequestionsthatHeavenrainsdownuponitshowsamisapprehensionofournewconditions。Iftoquestioneverythingbeunlawfulanddangerous，wehadbetterundeclareourindependenceatonce；forwhattheDeclarationmeansistherighttoquestioneverything，eventhetruthofitsownfundamentalproposition。
　　Theold-worldorderofthingsisanarrangementoflocksandcanals，whereeverythingdependsonkeepingthegatesshut，andsoholdingtheupperwatersattheirlevel；butthesystemunderwhichtheyoungrepublicanAmericanisborntruststhewholeunimpededtideoflifetothegreatelementalinfluences，asthevastriversofthecontinentsettletheirownlevelinobediencetothelawsthatgoverntheplanetandthespheresthatsurroundit。
　　Thedivinity-studentwasnotquiteuptotheideaofthecommonwealth，asouryoungfriendtheMarylander，forinstance，understoodit。Hecouldnotgetridofthatnotionofprivatepropertyintruth，withtherighttofenceitin，andputupasign-
　　board，thus:
　　ALLTRESPASSERSAREWARNEDOFFTHESE
　　GROUNDS！
　　HetooktheyoungMarylandertotaskforgoingtotheChurchoftheGalileans，wherehehadseveraltimesaccompaniedIrisoflate。
　　IamaChurchman，——theyoungmansaid，——byeducationandhabit。I
　　lovemyoldChurchformanyreasons，butmostofallbecauseIthinkithaseducatedmeoutofitsownformsintothespiritofitshighestteachings。IthinkIbelongtothe"BroadChurch，"ifanyofyoucantellwhatthatmeans。
　　Ihadtherashnesstoattempttoanswerthequestionmyself——SomesaytheBroadChurchmeansthecollectivemassofgoodpeopleofalldenominations。Otherssaythatsuchadefinitionisnonsense；thatachurchisanorganization，andthescatteredgoodfolksarenoorganizationatall。Theythinkthatmenwilleventuallycometogetheronthebasisofoneortwoormorecommonarticlesofbelief，andformagreatunity。Dotheyseewhatthisamountsto？
　　Itmeansanequaldivisionofintellect！Itismentalagrarianism！
　　athingthatneverwasandneverwillbeuntilnationalandindividualidiosyncrasieshaveceasedtoexist。Themanofthirty-
　　ninebeliefsholdsthemanofonebeliefapauper；heisnotgoingtogiveupthirty-eightofthemforthesakeoffraternizingwiththeotherinthetemplewhichbearsonitsfront，"DeoerexitVoltaire。"Achurchisagarden，Ihavehearditsaid，andtheillustrationwasneatlyhandled。Yes，andthereisnosuchthingasabroadgarden。Itmustbefencedin，andwhateverisfencedinisnarrow。Youcannothavearcticandtropicalplantsgrowingtogetherinit，exceptbytheforcingsystem，whichisamightynarrowpieceofbusiness。Youcan’tmakeavillageoraparishorafamilythinkalike，yetyousupposethatyoucanmakeaworldpinchitsbeliefsorpadthemtoasinglepattern！Why，theverylifeofanecclesiasticalorganizationisalifeofinduction，astateofperpetuallydisturbedequilibriumkeptupbyanotherchargedbodyintheneighborhood。Ifthetwobodiestouchandsharetheirrespectivecharges，downgoestheindexoftheelectrometer！
　　Doyouknowthateverymanhasareligiousbeliefpeculiartohimself？SmithisalwaysaSmithite。HetakesinexactlySmith’s-
　　worthofknowledge，Smith’s-worthoftruth，ofbeauty，ofdivinity。
　　AndBrownhasfromtimeimmemorialbeentryingtoburnhim，toexcommunicatehim，toanonymous-articlehim，becausehedidnottakeinBrown’s-worthofknowledge，truth，beauty，divinity。Hecannotdoit，anymorethanapint-potcanholdaquart，oraquart-potbefilledbyapint。Ironisessentiallythesameeverywhereandalways；butthesulphateofironisneverthesameasthecarbonateofiron。Truthisinvariable；buttheSmithateoftruthmustalwaysdifferfromtheBrownateoftruth。
　　Thewidertheintellect，thelargerandsimplertheexpressionsinwhichitsknowledgeisembodied。Theinferiorrace，thedegradedandenslavedpeople，thesmall-mindedindividual，liveinthedetailswhichtolargermindsandmoreadvancedtribesofmenreducethemselvestoaxiomsandlaws。Asracesandindividualmindsmustalwaysdifferjustassulphatesandcarbonatesdo，IcannotseegroundforexpectingtheBroadChurchtobefoundedonanyfusionofintellectualbeliefs，whichofcourseimpliesthatthosewhoholdthelargernumberofdoctrinesasessentialshallcomedowntothosewhoholdthesmallernumber。Thesedoctrinesaretothenegativearistocracywhatthequarteringsoftheircoatsaretothepositiveordersofnobility。
　　TheBroadChurch，Ithink，willneverbebasedonanythingthatrequirestheuseoflanguage。Freemasonrygivesanideaofsuchachurch，andabrotherisknownandcaredforinastrangelandwherenowordofhiscanbeunderstood。Theapostleofthischurchmaybeadeafmutecarryingacupofcoldwatertoathirstingfellow-creature。Thecupofcoldwaterdoesnotrequiretobetranslatedforaforeignertounderstandit。IamafraidtheonlyBroadChurchpossibleisonethathasitscreedintheheart，andnotinthehead，——thatweshallknowitsmembersbytheirfruits，andnotbytheirwords。Ifyousaythiscommunionofwell-doersisnochurch，Icanonlyanswer，thatallorganizedbodieshavetheirlimitsofsize，andthatwhenwefindamanahundredfeethighandthirtyfeetbroadacrosstheshoulders，wewilllookoutforanorganizationthatshallincludeallChristendom。
　　SomeofusdopracticallyrecognizeaBroadChurchandaNarrowChurch，however。TheNarrowChurchmaybeseenintheship’sboatsofhumanity，inthelongboat，inthejollyboat，inthecaptain’sgig，lyingoffthepooroldvessel，thankingGodthattheyaresafe，andreckoninghowsoonthehulkcontainingthemassoftheirfellow-creatureswillgodown。TheBroadChurchisonboard，workinghardatthepumps，andveryslowtobelievethattheshipwillbeswallowedupwithsomanypoorpeopleinit，fasteneddownunderthehatcheseversinceitfloated——
　　Allthis，ofcourse，wasnothingbutmypoornotionaboutthesematters。Iamsimplyan"outsider，"youknow；onlyitdoesn’tdoverywellforanestofHinghamboxestotalktoomuchaboutoutsidersandinsiders！
　　Afterthistalkofours，IthinkthesetwoyoungpeoplewentprettyregularlytotheChurchoftheGalileans。StilltheycouldnotkeepawayfromthesweetharmoniesandrhythmiclitaniesofSaintPolycarponthegreatChurchfestival-days；sothat，betweenthetwo，theyweresomuchtogether，thattheboardersbegantomakeremarks，andourlandladysaidtome，oneday，that，thoughitwasnoonofherbusiness，themthathadeyescouldn’thelpseein’thattherewassomethin’goin’，onbetweenthemtwoyoungpeople；shethoughttheyoungmanwasaverylikelyyoungman，thoughjestwhathisprospecswaswasunbeknowntoher；butshethoughthemustbedoingwell，andratherguessedhewouldbeabletotakecareofafemily，ifhedidn’tgototakin’ahouse；foragentlemanandhiswifecouldboardagreatdealcheaperthantheycouldkeephouse；——
　　butthenthatgirlwasnothin’butachild，andwouldn’tthinkofbein’marriedthisfiveyear。Theywasgoodboarders，bothof’em，paidregular，andwasaspootyacoupleassheeverlaideyeson——
　　TocomebacktowhatIbegantospeakofbefore，-thedivinity-
　　studentwasexercisedinhismindabouttheLittleGentleman，and，inthekindnessofhisheart，——forhewasagoodyoungman，——andinthestrengthofhisconvictions，——forhetookitforgrantedthatheandhiscrowdwereright，andotherfolksandtheircrowdwerewrong，——hedeterminedtobringtheLittleGentlemanroundtohisfaithbeforehedied，ifhecould。Sohesentwordtothesickman，thatheshouldbepleasedtovisithimandhavesomeconversationwithhim；andreceivedforanswerthathewouldbewelcome。
　　Thedivinity-studentmadehimavisit，thereforeandhadasomewhatremarkableinterviewwithhim，whichIshallbrieflyrelate，withoutattemptingtojustifythepositionstakenbytheLittleGentleman。
　　Hefoundhimweak，butcalm。Irissatsilentbyhispillow。
　　Aftertheusualpreliminaries，thedivinity-studentsaid；inakindway，thathewassorrytofindhiminfailinghealth，thathefeltconcernedforhissoul，andwasanxioustoassisthiminmakingpreparationsforthegreatchangeawaitinghim。
　　Ithankyou，Sir，——saidtheLittleGentleman，permitmetoaskyou，whatmakesyouthinkIamnotreadyforit，Sir，andthatyoucandoanythingtohelpme，Sir？
　　Iaddressyouonlyasafellow-man，——saidthedivinity-student，——andthereforeafellow-sinner。
　　Iamnotaman，Sir！——saidtheLittleGentleman——Iwasbornintothisworldthewreckofaman，andIshallnotbejudgedwitharacetowhichIdonotbelong。Lookatthis！——hesaid，andhelduphiswitheredarm——Seethere！——andhepointedtohismisshapenextremities——Layyourhandhere！——andhelaidhisownontheregionofhismisplacedheart——Ihaveknownnothingofthelifeofyourrace。WhenIfirstcametomyconsciousness，Ifoundmyselfanobjectofpity，orasighttoshow。ThefirststrangechildIeverrememberhiditsfaceandwouldnotcomenearme。Iwasabroken-
　　heartedaswellasbroken-bodiedboy。Igrewintotheemotionsofripeningyouth，andallthatIcouldhavelovedshrankfrommypresence。Ibecameamaninyears，andhadnothingincommonwithmanhoodbutitslongings。Mylifeisthedyingpangofaworn-outrace，andIshallgodownaloneintothedust，outofthisworldofmenandwomen，withouteverknowingthefellowshipoftheoneortheloveoftheother。Iwillnotdiewithalierattlinginmythroat。
　　Ifanotherstateofbeinghasanythingworseinstoreforme，IhavehadalongapprenticeshiptogivemestrengththatImaybearit。I
　　don’tbelieveit，Sir！Ihavetoomuchfaithforthat。Godhasnotleftmewhollywithoutcomfort，evenhere。IlovethisoldplacewhereIwasborn；——theheartoftheworldbeatsunderthethreehillsofBoston，Sir！Ilovethisgreatland，withsomanytallmeninit，andsomanygood，noblewomen——Hiseyesturnedtothesilentfigurebyhispillow——Ihavelearnedtoacceptmeeklywhathasbeenallottedtome，butIcannothonestlysaythatIthinkmysinhasbeengreaterthanmysuffering。Ibeartheignoranceandtheevil-doingofwholegenerationsinmysingleperson。Ineverdrewabreathofairnortookastepthatwasnotapunishmentforanother’sfault。Imayhavehadmanywrongthoughts，butIcannothavedonemanywrongdeeds，——formycagehasbeenanarrowone，andIhavepaceditalone。Ihavelookedthroughthebarsandseenthegreatworldofmenbusyandhappy，butIhadnopartintheirdoings。Ihaveknownwhatitwastodreamofthegreatpassions；
　　butsincemymotherkissedmebeforeshedied，nowoman’slipshavepressedmycheek，——noreverwill——
　　Theyounggirl’seyesglitteredwithasuddenfilm，andalmostwithoutathought，butwithawarmhumaninstinctthatrushedupintoherfacewithherheart’sblood，shebentoverandkissedhim。
　　Itwasthesacramentthatwashedoutthememoryoflongyearsofbitterness，andIshouldholditanunworthythoughttodefendher。
　　TheLittleGentlemanrepaidherwiththeonlytearanyofuseversawhimshed。
　　Thedivinity-studentrosefromhisplace，and，turningawayfromthesickman，walkedtotheothersideoftheroom，wherehebowedhisheadandwasstill。Allthequestionshehadmeanttoaskhadfadedfromhismemory。Thetestshehad。preparedbywhichtojudgeofhisfellow-creature’sfitnessforheavenseemedtohavelosttheirvirtue。HecouldtrustthecrippledchildofsorrowtotheInfiniteParent。Thekissofthefair-hairedgirlhadbeenlikeasignfromheaven，thatangelswatchedoverhimwhomhewaspresumingbutamomentbeforetosummonbeforethetribunalofhisprivatejudgment。
　　ShallIpraywithyou？——hesaid，afterapause。Alittlebeforehewouldhavesaid，ShallIprayforyou？——TheChristianreligion，astaughtbyitsFounder，isfullofsentiment。Sowemustnotblamethedivinity-student，ifhewasovercomebythoseyearningsofhumansympathywhichpredominatesomuchmoreinthesermonsoftheMasterthaninthewritingsofhissuccessors，andwhichhavemadetheparableoftheProdigalSontheconsolationofmankind，asithasbeenthestumbling-blockofallexclusivedoctrines。
　　Pray！——saidtheLittleGentleman。
　　Thedivinity-studentprayed，inlow，tendertones，IrisandtheLittleGentlemanthatGodwouldlookonhisservantlyinghelplessatthefeetofhismercy；thatHewouldrememberhislongyearsofbondageintheflesh；thatHewoulddealgentlywiththebruisedreed。Thouhastvisitedthesinsofthefathersuponthistheirchild。Oh，turnawayfromhimthepenaltiesofhisowntransgressions！Thouhastlaiduponhim，frominfancy，thecrosswhichthystrongerchildrenarecalledupontotakeup；andnowthatheisfaintingunderit，beThouhisstay，anddoThousuccorhimthatistempted！LethismanifoldinfirmitiescomebetweenhimandThyjudgment；inwrathremembermercy！IfhiseyesarenotopenedtoallThytruth，letThycompassionlightenthedarknessthatrestsuponhim，evenasitcamethroughthewordofthySontoblindBartimeus，whosatbythewayside，begging！
　　Manymorepetitionsheuttered，butallinthesamesubduedtoneoftenderness。Inthepresenceofhelplesssuffering，andinthefast-
　　darkeningshadowoftheDestroyer，heforgotallbuthisChristianhumanity，andcaredmoreaboutconsolinghisfellow-manthanmakingaproselyteofhim。
　　ThiswasthelastprayertowhichtheLittleGentlemaneverlistened。SomechangewasrapidlycomingoverhimduringthislasthourofwhichIhavebeenspeaking。Theexcitementofpleadinghiscausebeforehisself-electedspiritualadviser，——theemotionwhichovercamehim，whentheyounggirlobeyedthesuddenimpulseofherfeelingsandpressedherlipstohischeek，——thethoughtsthatmasteredhimwhilethedivinity-studentpouredouthissoulforhiminprayer，mightwellhurryontheinevitablemoment。Whenthedivinity-studenthadutteredhislastpetition，commendinghimtotheFatherthroughhisSon’sintercession，heturnedtolookuponhimbeforeleavinghischamber。Hisfacewaschanged——Thereisalanguageofthehumancountenancewhichweallunderstandwithoutaninterpreter，thoughthelineamentsbelongtotherudestsavagethateverstammeredinanunknownbarbaricdialect。Bythestillnessofthesharpenedfeatures，bytheblanknessofthetearlesseyes，bythefixednessofthesmilelessmouth，bythedeadeningtints，bythecontractedbrow，bythedilatingnostril，weknowthatthesoulissoontoleaveitsmortaltenement，andisalreadyclosingupitswindowsandputtingoutitsfires——Suchwastheaspectofthefaceuponwhichthedivinity-studentlooked，afterthebriefsilencewhichfollowedhisprayer。Thechangehadbeenrapid，thoughnotthatabruptonewhichisliabletohappenatanymomentinthesecases——Thesickmanlookedtowardshim——Farewell，——hesaid，——I
　　thankyou。Leavemealonewithher。
　　Whenthedivinity-studenthadgone，andtheLittleGentlemanfoundhimselfalonewithIris，heliftedhishandtohisneck，andtookfromit，suspendedbyaslenderchain，aquaint，antique-lookingkey，——thesamekeyIhadonceseenhimholding。Hegavethistoher，andpointedtoacarvedcabinetoppositehisbed，oneofthosethathadsoattractedmycuriouseyesandsetmewonderingastowhatitmightcontain。
　　Openit，——hesaid，——andlightthelamp——Theyounggirlwalkedtothecabinetandunlockedthedoor。Adeeprecessappeared，linedwithblackvelvet，againstwhichstoodinwhitereliefanivorycrucifix。Asilverlamphungoverit。Shelightedthelampandcamebacktothebedside。ThedyingmanfixedhiseyesuponthefigureofthedyingSaviour——Givemeyourhand，hesaid；andIrisplacedherrighthandinhisleft。Sotheyremained，untilpresentlyhiseyeslosttheirmeaning，thoughtheystillremainedvacantlyfixeduponthewhiteimage。Yetheheldtheyounggirl’shandfirmly，asifitwereleadinghimthroughsomedeep-shadowedvalleyanditwasallhecouldclingto。Butpresentlyaninvoluntarymuscularcontractionstoleoverhim，andhisterribledyinggraspheldthepoorgirlasifshewerewedgedinanengineoftorture。Shepressedherlipstogetherandsatstill。Theinexorablehandheldhertighterandtighter，untilshefeltasifherownslenderfingerswouldbecrushedinitsgripe。ItwasoneofthetorturesoftheInquisitionshewassuffering，andshecouldnotstirfromherplace。Then，inhergreatanguish，she，too，casthereyesuponthatdyingfigure，and，lookinguponitspiercedhandsandfeetandsideandlaceratedforehead，shefeltthatshealsomustsufferuncomplaining。Inthemomentofhersharpestpainshedidnotforgetthedutiesofherunderoffice，butdriedthedyingman’smoistforeheadwithherhandkerchief，evenwhilethedewsofagonywereglisteningonherown。Howlongthislastedshenevercouldtell。TimeandthirstaretwothingsyouandItalkabout；
　　butthevictimswhomholymenandrighteousjudgesusedtostretchontheirenginesknewbetterwhattheymeantthanyouorI！——Whatisthatgreatbucketofwaterfor？saidtheMarchionessdeBrinvilliers，beforeshewasplacedontherack——Foryoutodrink，——saidthetorturertothelittlewoman——Shecouldnotthinkthatitwouldtakesuchafloodtoquenchthefireinherandsokeepheraliveforherconfession。Thetorturerknewbetterthanshe。
　　Afteratimenottobecountedinminutes，astheclockmeasures，——
　　withoutanywarning，——therecameaswiftchangeofhisfeatures；hisfaceturnedwhite，asthewaterswhitenwhenasuddenbreathpassesovertheirstillsurface；themusclesinstantlyrelaxed，andIris，releasedatoncefromhercareforthesuffererandfromhisunconsciousgrasp，fellsenseless，withafeeblecry，——theonlyutteranceofherlongagony。
　　PerhapsyousometimeswanderinthroughtheirongatesoftheCopp’sHillburial-ground。Youlovetostrollroundamongthegravesthatcrowdeachotherinthethicklypeopledsoilofthatbreezysummit。
　　YoulovetoleanonthefreestoneslabwhichliesoverthebonesoftheMathers，——toreadtheepitaphofstoutWilliamClark，"DespiserofSorryPersonsandlittleActions，"——tostandbythestonegraveofsturdyDanielMalcolmandlookuponthesplinteredslabthattellstheoldrebel’sstory，——tokneelbythetriplestonethatsayshowthethreeWorthylakes，father，mother，andyoungdaughter，diedonthesamedayandlieburiedthere；amystery；thesubjectofamovingballad，bythelateBENJAMINFRANKLIN，asmaybeseeninhisautobiography，whichwillexplainthesecretofthetriplegravestone；thoughtheoldphilosopherhasmadeamistake，unlessthestoneiswrong。
　　Notveryfarfromthatyouwillfindafairmound，ofdimensionsfittoholdawell-grownman。Iwillnottellyoutheinscriptionuponthestonewhichstandsatitshead；forIdonotwishyoutobesureoftheresting-placeofonewhocouldnotbeartothinkthatheshouldbeknownasacrippleamongthedead，afterbeingpointedatsolongamongtheliving。Thereisonesign，itistrue，bywhich，ifyouhavebeenasagaciousreaderofthesepapers，youwillatonceknowit；butIfearyoureadcarelessly，andmuststudythemmorediligentlybeforeyouwilldetectthehinttowhichIallude。
　　TheLittleGentlemanlieswherehelongedtolie，amongtheoldnamesandtheoldbonesoftheoldBostonpeople。Atthefootofhisresting-placeistheriver，alivewiththewingsandantennaeofitscolossalwater-insects；overoppositearethegreatwar-ships，andtheheavyguns，which，whentheyroar，shakethesoilinwhichhelies；andinthesteepleofChristChurch，hardby，arethesweetchimeswhicharetheBostonboy’sRanzdesVaches，whoseechoesfollowhimalltheworldover。
　　InPace！
　　I，toldyouagoodwhileagothattheLittleGentlemancouldnotdoabetterthingthantoleaveallhismoney，whateveritmightbe，totheyounggirlwhohassincethatestablishedsuchaclaimuponhim。
　　Hedidnot，however。Aconsiderablebequesttooneofourpublicinstitutionskeepshisnameingratefulremembrance。Thetelescopethroughwhichhewasfondofwatchingtheheavenlybodies，andthemovementsofwhichhadbeenthesourceofsuchoddfanciesonmypart，isnowthepropertyofaWesternCollege。Yousmileasyouthinkofmytakingitforafleshlesshumanfigure，whenIsawitstubepointingtothesky，andthoughtitwasanarm，underthewhitedraperythrownoveritforprotection。SodoIsmilenow；Ibelongtothenumerousclasswhoareprophetsafterthefact，andholdmynightmaresverycheapbydaylightIhavereceivedmanylettersofinquiryastothesoundresemblingawoman’svoice，whichoccasionedmesomanyperplexities。Somethoughttherewasnoquestionthathehadasecondapartment，inwhichhehadmadeanasylumforaderangedfemalerelative。Otherswereofopinionthathewas，asIoncesuggested，a"Bluebeard"withpatriarchaltendencies，andIhaveevenbeencensuredforintroducingsoOrientalanelementintomyrecordofboarding-houseexperience。
　　Comeinandseeme，theProfessor，someeveningwhenIhavenothingelsetodo，andaskmetoplayyouTartini’sDevil’sSonataonthatextraordinaryinstrumentinmypossession，wellknowntoamateursasoneofthemasterpiecesofJosephGuarnerius。ThevoxhumanaofthegreatHaerlemorganisverylifelike，andthesamestopintheorganoftheCambridgechapelmightbemistakeninsomeofitstonesforahumanvoice；butIthinkyouneverheardanythingcomesonearthecryofaprimadonnaastheAstringandtheEstringofthisinstrument。Asinglefactwillillustratetheresemblance。Iwasexecutingsometoursdeforceuponitoneevening，whenthepolicemanofourdistrictrangthebellsharply，andaskedwhatwasthematterinthehouse。Hehadheardawoman’sscreams，——hewassureofit。Ihadtomaketheinstrumentsingbeforehiseyesbeforehecouldbesatisfiedthathehadnotheardthecriesofawoman。TheinstrumentwasbequeathedtomebytheLittleGentleman。
　　WhetherithadanythingtodowiththesoundsIheardcomingfromhischamber，youcanformyourownopinion；——Ihavenootherconjecturetooffer。Itisnottruethatasecondapartmentwithasecretentrancewasfound；andthestoryoftheveiledladyistheinventionofoneoftheReporters。
　　Bridget，thehousemaid，alwaysinsistedthathediedaCatholic。
　　Shehadseenthecrucifix，andbelievedthatheprayedonhiskneesbeforeit。Thelastcircumstanceisveryprobablytrue；indeed，therewasaspotwornonthecarpetjustbeforethiscabinetwhichmightbethusaccountedfor。Whyhe，whosewholelifewasacrucifixion，shouldnotlovetolookonthatdivineimageofblamelesssuffering，Icannotsee；onthecontrary，itseemstomethemostnaturalthingintheworldthatheshould。Buttherearethosewhowanttomakeprivatepropertyofeverything，andcan’tmakeuptheirmindsthatpeoplewhodon’tthinkastheydoshouldclaimanyinterestinthatinfinitecompassionexpressedinthecentralfigureoftheChristendomwhichincludesusall。
　　Thedivinity-studentexpressedahopebeforetheboardersthatheshouldmeethiminheaven——Thequestionis，whetherhe’llmeetyou，——saidtheyoungfellowJohn，rathersmartly。Thedivinity-
　　studenthadn’tthoughtofthat。
　　However，heisaworthyyoungman，andItrustIhaveshownhiminakindlyandrespectfullight。Hewillgetaparishby-and-by；and，asheisabouttomarrythesisterofanoldfriend，——theSchoolmistress，whomsomeofusremember，——andasallsortsofexpensiveaccidentshappentoyoungmarriedministers，hewillbeunderbondstotheamountofhissalary，whichmeansstarvation，iftheyareforfeited，tothinkallhisdaysashethoughtwhenhewassettled，——unlessthemajorityofhispeoplechangewithhimorinadvanceofhim。Ahardease，towhichnothingcouldreconcileaman，exceptthatthefaithfuldischargeofdailydutiesinhispersonalrelationswithhisparishionerswillmakehimusefulenoughinhisway，thoughasathinkerhemayceasetoexistbeforehehasreachedmiddleage——
　　IriswentintomourningfortheLittleGentleman。Although，asI
　　havesaid，heleftthebulkofhisproperty，bywill，toapublicinstitution，headdedacodicil，bywhichhedisposedofvariouspiecesofpropertyastokensofkindremembrance。ItwasinthiswayIbecamethepossessorofthewonderfulinstrumentIhavespokenof，whichhadbeenpurchasedforhimoutofanItalianconvent。Thelandladywascomfortedwithasmalllegacy。ThefollowingextractrelatestoIris:"inconsiderationofhermanifoldactsofkindness，butonlyintokenofgratefulremembrance，andbynomeansasarewardforserviceswhichcannotbecompensated，acertainmessuage，withallthelandtheretoappertaining，situatedin______
　　Street，attheNorthEnd，socalled，ofBoston，aforesaid，thesamebeingthehouseinwhichIwasborn，butnowinhabitedbyseveralfamilies，andknownas’TheRookery。’"Irishadalsothecrucifix，theportrait，andthered-jewelledring。Thefuneralordeath’s-
　　headringwasburiedwithhim。
　　Itwasagoodwhile，aftertheLittleGentlemanwasgone，beforeourboarding-houserecovereditswontedcheerfulness。Therewasaflavorinhiswhimsandlocalprejudicesthatweliked，evenwhilewesmiledatthem。Itwashardtoseethetallchairthrustawayamonguselesslumber，todismantlehisroom，totakedownthepictureofLeah，thehandsomeWitchofEssex，tomoveawaythemassiveshelvesthatheldthebooksheloved，topackupthetubethroughwhichheusedtostudythesilentstars，lookingdownathimliketheeyesofdumbcreatures，withakindofstupidhalf-
　　consciousnessthatdidnotworryhimasdidtheeyesofmenandwomen，——andhardestofalltodisplacethatsacredfiguretowhichhishearthadalwaysturnedandfoundrefuge，inthefeelingsitinspired，fromalltheperplexitiesofhisbusybrain。Itwashard，butithadtobedone。
　　Andby-and-bywegrewcheerfulagain，andthebreakfast-tableworesomethingofitsoldlook。TheKoh-i-noor，aswenamedthegentlemanwiththediamond，leftus，however，soonafterthat"littlemill，"astheyoungfellowJohncalledit，wherehecameoffsecondbest。Hisdeparturewasnodoubthastenedbyanotefromthelandlady’sdaughter，inclosingalockofpurplehairwhichshe"hadvaluedasapledgeofaffection，eresheknewthehollownessofthevowshehadbreathed，"speedilyfollowedbyanother，inclosingthelandlady’sbill。Thenextmorninghewasmissing，aswerehislimitedwardrobeandthetrunkthatheldit。ThreeemptybottlesofMrs。Allen’scelebratedpreparation，eachofthemasserting，onitswordofhonorasabottle，thatitsformercontentswere"notadye，"wereallthatwaslefttousoftheKoh-i-noor。
　　>Fromthistimeforward，thelandlady’sdaughtermanifestedadecidedimprovementinherstyleofcarryingherselfbeforetheboarders。
　　Sheabolishedtheodiouslittleflat，gummyside-curl。Sheleftoffvariousarticlesof"jewelry。"Shebegantohelphermotherinsomeofherhouseholdduties。Shebecamearegularattendantontheministrationsofaveryworthyclergyman，havingbeenattractedtohismeetin’bywitnessingamarriageceremonyinwhichhecalledamanandawomana"gentleman"anda"lady，"——astrokeofgentilitywhichquiteovercameher。SheeventookapartinwhatshecalledaSabbathschool，thoughitwasheldonSunday，andbynomeansonSaturday，asthenamesheintendedtoutterimplied。Allthis，whichwasverysincere，asIbelieve，onherpart，andattendedwithagreatimprovementinhercharacter，endedinherbringinghomeayoungman，withstraight，sandyhair，brushedsoastostandupsteeplyabovehisforehead，wearingapairofgreenspectacles，anddressedinblackbroadcloth。Hispersonalaspect，andacertainsolemnityofcountenance，ledmetothinkhemustbeaclergyman；
　　andasMasterBenjaminFranklinblurtedoutbeforeseveralofusboarders，oneday，that"Sishadgotabeau，"Iwaspleasedattheprospectofherbecomingaminister’swife。Oninquiry，however，I
　　foundthatthesomewhatsolemnlookwhichIhadnoticedwasindeedaprofessionalone，butnotclerical。Hewasayoungundertaker，whohadjustsucceededtoathrivingbusiness。Things，Ibelieve，aregoingonwellatthistimeofwriting，andIamgladforthelandlady’sdaughterandhermother。Sextonsandundertakersarethecheerfullestpeopleintheworldathome，ascomediansandcircus-
　　clownsarethemostmelancholyintheirdomesticcircle。
　　Asouroldboarding-houseisstillinexistence，Idonotfeelatlibertytogivetoominuteastatementofthepresentconditionofeachandallofitsinmates。Iamhappytosay，however，thattheyareallaliveandwell，uptothistime。Thatamiableoldgentlemanwhosatoppositetomeisgrowingolder，asoldmenwill，butstillsmilesbenignantlyonalltheboarders，andhascometobeakindoffathertoallofthem，——sothatonhisbirthdaythereisalwayssomethinglikeafamilyfestival。ThePoorRelation，even，haswarmedintoafilialfeelingtowardshim，andonhislastbirthdaymadehimabeautifulpresent，namely，averyhandsomelyboundcopyofBlair’scelebratedpoem，"TheGrave。"
　　TheyoungmanJohnisstill，ashesays，"infustratefettle。"I
　　sawhimspar，notlongsince，ataprivateexhibition，anddohimselfgreatcreditinaset-towithHenryFinnegass，Esq。，aprofessionalgentlemanofcelebrity。Iampleasedtosaythathehasbeenpromotedtoanupperclerkship，and，inconsequenceofhisriseinoffice，hastakenanapartmentsomewhatlowerdownthannumber"forty-’leven，"ashefacetiouslycalledhisattic。Whetherthereisanytruth，ornot，inthestoryofhisattachmentto，andfavorablereceptionby，thedaughteroftheheadofanextensivewholesalegrocer’sestablishment，Iwillnotventureanopinion；I
　　maysay，however，thatIhavemethimrepeatedlyincompanywithaverywell-nourishedandhigh-coloredyounglady，who，Iunderstand，isthedaughterofthehouseinquestion。
　　SomeoftheboarderswereofopinionthatIrisdidnotreturntheundisguisedattentionsofthehandsomeyoungMarylander。Insteadoffixinghereyessteadilyonhim，assheusedtolookupontheLittleGentleman，shewouldturnthemaway，asiftoavoidhisown。Theyoftenwenttochurchtogether，itistrue；butnobody，ofcourse，supposesthereisanyrelationbetweenreligioussympathyandthosewretched"sentimental"movementsofthehumanheartuponwhichitiscommonlyagreedthatnothingbetterisbasedthansociety，civilization，friendship，therelationofhusbandandwife，andofparentandchild，andwhichmanypeoplemustthinkweresingularlyoverratedbytheTeacherofNazareth，whosewholelife，asIsaidbefore，wasfullofsentiment，lovingthisorthatyoungman，pardoningthisorthatsinner，weepingoverthedead，mourningforthedoomedcity，blessing，andperhapskissing，thelittlechildren，sothattheGospelsarestillcriedoveralmostasoftenasthelastworkoffiction！
　　ButonefineJunemorningthererumbleduptothedoorofourboarding-houseahackcontainingaladyinsideandatrunkontheoutside。Itwasourfriendthelady-patronessofMissIris，thesamewhohadbeencalledbyheradmiringpastor"TheModelofalltheVirtues。"Onceaweekshehadwrittenaletter，inaratherformalhand，butfullofgoodadvice，toheryoungcharge。Andnowshehadcometocarryheraway，thinkingthatshehadlearnedallshewaslikelytolearnunderherpresentcourseofteaching。TheModel，however，wastostayawhile，——aweek，ormore，——beforetheyshouldleavetogether。
　　Iriswasobedient，asshewasboundtobe。Shewasrespectful，grateful，asachildiswithajust，butnottenderparent。Yetsomethingwaswrong。Shehadoneofhertrances，andbecamestatue-
　　like，asbefore，onlythedayaftertheModel’sarrival。Shewaswanandsilent，tastednothingattable，smiledasifbyaforcedeffort，andoftenlookedvaguelyawayfromthosewhowerelookingather，hereyesjustglazedwiththeshiningmoistureofatearthatmustnotbeallowedtogatherandfall。WasitgriefatpartingfromtheplacewhereherstrangefriendshiphadgrownupwiththeLittleGentleman？Yetsheseemedtohavebecomereconciledtohisloss，andrathertohaveadeepfeelingofgratitudethatshehadbeenpermittedtocareforhiminhislastwearydays。
　　TheSundayaftertheModel’sarrival，thatladyhadanattackofheadache，andwasobligedtoshutherselfupinadarkenedroomalone。OurtwoyoungfriendstooktheopportunitytogotogethertotheChurchoftheGalileans。Theysaidbutlittlegoing，——
　　"collectingtheirthoughts"fortheservice，Idevoutlyhope。Mykindgoodfriendthepastorpreachedthatdayoneofhissermonsthatmakeusallfeellikebrothersandsisters，andhistextwasthataffectionateonefromJohn，"Mylittlechildren，letusnotloveinword，neitherintongue，butindeedandintruth。"WhenIrisandherfriendcameoutofchurch，theywerebothpale，andwalkedaspacewithoutspeaking。
　　Atlasttheyoungmansaid，——YouandIarenotlittlechildren，Iris！
　　Shelookedinhisfaceaninstant，asifstartled，fortherewassomethingstrangeinthetoneofhisvoice。Shesmiledfaintly，butspokeneveraword。
　　Indeedandintruth，Iris，——
　　Whatshallapoorgirlsayordo，whenastrongmanfaltersinhisspeechbeforeher，andcandonothingbetterthanholdouthishandtofinishhisbrokensentence？
　　Thepoorgirlsaidnothing，butquietlylaidherunglovedhandinhis，——thelittlesoftwhitehandwhichhadministeredsotenderlyandsufferedsopatiently。
　　Thebloodcamebacktotheyoungman’scheeks，asheliftedittohislips，evenastheywalkedthereinthestreet，toucheditgentlywiththem，andsaid，"Itismine！"
　　Irisdidnotcontradicthim。
　　Theseasonspassbysorapidly，thatIamstartledtothinkhowmuchhashappenedsincetheseeventsIwasdescribing。Thosetwoyoungpeoplewouldinsistonhavingtheirownwayabouttheirownaffairs，notwithstandingthegoodlady，sojustlycalledtheModel，insistedthattheageoftwenty-fiveyearswasasearlyasanydiscreetyoungladyshouldthinkofincurringtheresponsibilities，etc。，etc。
　　LongbeforeIrishadreachedthatage，shewasthewifeofayoungMarylandengineer，directingsomeofthevastconstructionsofhisnativeState，——wherehewasgrowingrichfastenoughtobeabletodeclinethatfamousRussianofferwhichwouldhavemadehimakindofnabobinafewyears。Irisdoesnotwriteverseoften，nowadays，butshesometimesdraws。ThelastsketchofhersIhaveseeninmySouthernvisitswasoftwochildren，aboyandgirl，theyoungestholdingasilvergoblet，liketheonesheheldthateveningwhenI——
　　Iwassostruckwithherstatue-likebeauty。Ifinthelater，summermonthsyoufindthegrassmarkedwithfootstepsaroundthatgraveonCopp’sHillItoldyouof，andflowersscatteredoverit，youmaybesurethatIrisishereonherannualvisittothehomeofherchildhoodandthatexcellentladywhoseonlyfaultwas，thatNaturehadwrittenoutherlistofvirtuesanruledpaper，andforgottentoruboutthelines。
　　OnethingmoreImustmention。BeingontheCommon，lastSunday，I
　　wasattractedbythecheerfulspectacleofawell-dressedandsomewhatyouthfulpapawheelingaveryelegantlittlecarriagecontainingastoutbaby。Abuxomyoungladywatchedthemfromoneofthestoneseats，withaninterestwhichcouldbenothinglessthanmaternal。Iatoncerecognizedmyoldfriend，theyoungfellowwhomwecalledJohn。Hewasdelightedtoseeme，introducedmeto"Madam，"andwouldhavethelustyinfantoutofthecarriage，andholdhimupformetolookat。
　　Now，then，——hesaidtothetwo-year-old，——showthegentlemanhowyouhitfromtheshoulder。Whereuponthelittleimppushedhisfatfiststraightintomyeye，tohisfather’sintensesatisfaction。
　　Fust-ratelittlechap，——saidthepapa——Chipoftheoldblock。
　　Regl’rlittleJohnny，youknow。
　　Iwassomuchpleasedtofindtheyoungfellowsettledinlife，andpushingaboutoneof"themlittlearticles"hehadseemedtowantsomuch，thatItookmy"punishment"atthehandsoftheinfantpugilistwithgreatequanimity——Andhowistheoldboarding-
　　house？——Iasked。
　　A1，——heanswered——Paintedandpaperedasgoodasnew。Gabsinalltheroomsuptotheskyparlors。Oldwoman’slayin’upmoney，theysay。MeanstosendBenFranklintocollege。Justthenthefirstbellrangforchurch，andmyfriend，who，Iunderstand，hasbecomeamostexemplarymemberofsociety，saidhemustbeofftogetreadyformeetin’，andtoldtheyoungoneto"shakedada，"whichhedidwithhisclosedfist，inasomewhatmenacingmanner。AndsotheyoungmanJohn，asweusedtocallhim，tookthepoleoftheminiaturecarriage，andpushedthesmallpugilistbeforehimhomewards，followed，inasomewhatleisurelyway，byhispleasant-
　　lookinglady-companion，andIsentasighandasmileafterhim。
　　Thatevening，assoonasitwasdark，Icouldnothelpgoingroundbytheoldboarding-house。The"gahs"waslighted，butthecurtains，ormoreproperly，thepaintedshades；werenotdown。AndsoIstoodthereandlookedinalongthetablewheretheboarderssatattheeveningmeal，——ouroldbreakfast-table，whichsomeofusfeelasifweknewsowell。Therewerenewfacesatit，butalsooldandfamiliarones——Thelandlady，inawonderfullysmartcap，lookingyoung，comparativelyspeaking，andasifhalfthewrinkleshadbeenironedoutofherforehead——Herdaughter，inratherdressyhalf-mourning，withavastbroochofjet，gotup，apparently，tomatchthegentlemannexther，whowasinblackcostumeandsandyhair，——thelastrisingstraightfromhisforehead，likethemarbleflameonesometimesseesatthetopofafuneralurn——ThePoorRelation，notinabsoluteblack，butinastuffwithspecksofwhite；asmuchastosay，that，iftherewereanymoreHiramslefttosighforher，therewerepin-holesinthenightofherdespair，throughwhicharayofhopemightfinditswaytoanadorer——
　　MasterBenjaminFranklin，growntalleroflate，wasintheactofsplittinghisfaceopenwithawedgeofpie，sothathisfeatureswereseentodisadvantageforthemoment——Thegoodoldgentlemanwassittingstillandthoughtful。AllatonceheturnedhisfacetowardthewindowwhereIstood，and，justasifhehadseenme，smiledhisbenignantsmile。Itwasarecollectionofsomepastpleasantmoment；butitfelluponmeliketheblessingofafather。
　　Ikissedmyhandtothemall，unseenasIstoodintheouterdarkness；andasIturnedandwentmyway，thetableandallarounditfadedintotherealmoftwilightshadowsandofmidnightdreams——
　　Andsomyyear’srecordisfinished。TheProfessorhastalkedlessthanhispredecessor，buthehasheardandseenmore。Thankstoallthosefriendswhofromtimetotimehavesenttheirmessagesofkindlyrecognitionandfellow-feeling！Peacetoallsuchasmayhavebeenvexedinspiritbyanyutterancethesepageshaverepeated！Theywill，doubtless，forgetforthemomentthedifferenceinthehuesoftruthwelookatthroughourhumanprisms，andjoininsinginginwardlythishymntotheSourceofthelightweallneedtoleadus，andthewarmthwhichalonecanmakeusallbrothers。
　　ASUN-DAYHYMN。
　　Lordofallbeing！thronedafar，Thygloryflamesfromsunandstar，Centreandsoulofeverysphere，Yettoeachlovinghearthownear！
　　Sunofourlife，thyquickeningrayShedsonourpaththeglowofday；
　　Starofourhope，thysoftenedlightCheersthelongwatchesofthenight。
　　Ourmidnightisthysmilewithdrawn；
　　Ournoontideisthygraciousdawn；
　　Ourrainbowarchthymercy’ssign；
　　All，savethecloudsofsin，arethine！
　　Lordofalllife，below，above，Whoselightistruth，whosewarmthislove，Beforethyever-blazingthroneWeasknolustreofourown。
　　Grantusthytruthtomakeusfree，Andkindlingheartsthatburnforthee，TillallthylivingaltarsclaimOneholylight，oneheavenlyflame。
　　End