INSeptemberoftheyearduringtheFebruaryofwhichHawthornehadcompleted"TheScarletLetter，"hebegan"TheHouseoftheSevenGables。"
　　Meanwhile，hehadremovedfromSalemtoLenox，inBerkshireCounty，Massachusetts，whereheoccupiedwithhisfamilyasmallredwoodenhouse，stillstandingatthedateofthisedition，neartheStockbridgeBowl。
　　"Isha’n’thavethenewstoryreadybyNovember，"heexplainedtohispublisher，onthe1stofOctober，"forIamnevergoodforanythingintheliterarywaytillafterthefirstautumnalfrost，whichhassomewhatsuchaneffectonmyimaginationthatitdoesonthefoliagehereaboutme-multiplyingandbrighteningitshues。"
　　ButbyvigorousapplicationhewasabletocompletethenewworkaboutthemiddleoftheJanuaryfollowing。
　　SinceresearchhasdisclosedthemannerinwhichtheromanceisinterwovenwithincidentsfromthehistoryoftheHawthornefamily，"TheHouseoftheSevenGables"hasacquiredaninterestapartfromthatbywhichitfirstappealedtothepublic。JohnHathorneasthenamewasthenspelled，thegreat-grandfatherofNathanielHawthorne，wasamagistrateatSaleminthelatterpartoftheseventeenthcentury，andofficiatedatthefamoustrialsforwitchcraftheldthere。Itisofrecordthatheusedpeculiarseveritytowardsacertainwomanwhowasamongtheaccused；
　　andthehusbandofthiswomanprophesiedthatGodwouldtakerevengeuponhiswife’spersecutors。ThiscircumstancedoubtlessfurnishedahintforthatpieceoftraditioninthebookwhichrepresentsaPyncheonofaformergenerationashavingpersecutedoneMaule，whodeclaredthatGodwouldgivehisenemy"bloodtodrink。"
　　ItbecameaconvictionwithTheHawthornefamilythatacursehadbeenpronounceduponitsmembers，whichcontinuedinforceinthetimeofTheromancer；aconvictionperhapsderivedfromtherecordedprophecyofTheinjuredwoman’shusband，justmentioned；and，hereagain，wehaveacorrespondencewithMaule’smaledictioninThestory。
　　Furthermore，thereoccursinThe"AmericanNote-Books"August27，1837，areminiscenceofTheauthor’sfamily，tothefollowingeffect。
　　PhilipEnglish，acharacterwell-knowninearlySalemannals，wasamongthosewhosufferedfromJohnHathorne’smagisterialharshness，andhemaintainedinconsequencealastingfeudwiththeoldPuritanofficial。
　　ButathisdeathEnglishleftdaughters，oneofwhomissaidtohavemarriedthesonofJusticeJohnHathorne，whomEnglishhaddeclaredhewouldneverforgive。Itisscarcelynecessarytopointouthowclearlythisforeshadowsthefinalunionofthosehereditaryfoes，thePyncheonsandMaules，throughthemarriageofPhoebeandHolgrave。
　　Theromance，however，describestheMaulesaspossessingsomeofthetraitsknowntohavebeencharacteristicoftheHawthornes:forexample，"solongasanyoftheraceweretobefound，theyhadbeenmarkedoutfromothermen——notstrikingly，noraswithasharpline，butwithaneffectthatwasfeltratherthanspokenof——byanhereditarycharacteristicofreserve。"Thus，whilethegeneralsuggestionoftheHawthornelineanditsfortuneswasfollowedintheromance，thePyncheonstakingtheplaceofTheauthor’sfamily，certaindistinguishingmarksoftheHawthorneswereassignedtotheimaginaryMauleposterity。
　　ThereareoneortwootherpointswhichindicateHawthorne’smethodofbasinghiscompositions，theresultinthemainofpureinvention，onthesolidgroundofparticularfacts。
　　Allusionismade，inthefirstchapterofthe"SevenGables，"
　　toagrantoflandsinWaldoCounty，Maine，ownedbythePyncheonfamily。Inthe"AmericanNote-Books"thereisanentry，datedAugust12，1837，whichspeaksoftheRevolutionarygeneral，Knox，andhisland-grantinWaldoCounty，byvirtueofwhichtheownerhadhopedtoestablishanestateontheEnglishplan，withatenantrytomakeitprofitableforhim。AnincidentofmuchgreaterimportanceinthestoryisthesupposedmurderofoneofthePyncheonsbyhisnephew，towhomweareintroducedasCliffordPyncheon。InallprobabilityHawthorneconnectedwiththis，inhismind，themurderofMr。White，awealthygentlemanofSalem，killedbyamanwhomhisnephewhadhired。ThistookplaceafewyearsafterHawthorne’sgradationfromcollege，andwasoneofthecelebratedcasesoftheday，DanielWebstertakingpartprominentlyinthetrial。ButitshouldbeobservedherethatsuchresemblancesasthesebetweensundryelementsintheworkofHawthorne’sfancyanddetailsofrealityareonlyfragmentary，andarerearrangedtosuittheauthor’spurposes。
　　InthesamewayhehasmadehisdescriptionofHepzibahPyncheon’sseven-gabledmansionconformsonearlytoseveralolddwellingsformerlyorstillextantinSalem，thatstrenuouseffortshavebeenmadetofixuponsomeoneofthemastheveritableedificeoftheromance。AparagraphinTheopeningchapterhasperhapsassistedthisdelusionthattheremusthavebeenasingleoriginalHouseoftheSevenGables，framedbyflesh-and-bloodcarpenters；
　　foritrunsthus:-
　　Familiarasitstandsinthewriter’srecollection——forithasbeenanobjectofcuriositywithhimfromboyhood，bothasaspecimenofthebestandstateliestarchitectureofalong-pastepoch，andasthesceneofeventsmorefullofinterestperhapsthanthoseofagrayfeudalcastle——familiarasitstands，initsrustyoldage，itisthereforeonlythemoredifficulttoimaginethebrightnoveltywithwhichitfirstcaughtthesunshine。"
　　HundredsofpilgrimsannuallyvisitahouseinSalem，belongingtoonebranchoftheIngersollfamilyofthatplace，whichisstoutlymaintainedtohavebeenThemodelforHawthorne’svisionarydwelling。OthershavesupposedthatthenowvanishedhouseofTheidenticalPhilipEnglish，whoseblood，aswehavealreadynoticed，becamemingledwiththatoftheHawthornes，suppliedthepattern；andstillathirdbuilding，knownastheCurwenmansion，hasbeendeclaredtheonlygenuineestablishment。
　　Notwithstandingpersistentpopularbelief，Theauthenticityofallthesemustpositivelybedenied；althoughitispossiblethatisolatedreminiscencesofallthreemayhaveblendedwiththeidealimageinthemindofHawthorne。He，itwillbeseen，remarksinthePreface，alludingtohimselfinthethirdperson，thathetrustsnottobecondemnedfor"layingoutastreetthatinfringesuponnobody’sprivaterights……andbuildingahouseofmaterialslonginuseforconstructingcastlesintheair。"
　　Morethanthis，hestatedtopersonsstilllivingthatthehouseoftheromancewasnotcopiedfromanyactualedifice，butwassimplyageneralreproductionofastyleofarchitecturebelongingtocolonialdays，examplesofwhichsurvivedintotheperiodofhisyouth，buthavesincebeenradicallymodifiedordestroyed。Here，aselsewhere，heexercisedthelibertyofacreativemindtoheightentheprobabilityofhispictureswithoutconfininghimselftoaliteraldescriptionofsomethinghehadseen。
　　WhileHawthorneremainedatLenox，andduringthecompositionofthisromance，variousotherliterarypersonagessettledorstayedforatimeinthevicinity；amongthem，HermanMelville，whoseintercourseHawthornegreatlyenjoyed，HenryJames，Sr。，DoctorHolmes，J。T。Headley，JamesRussellLowell，EdwinP。
　　Whipple，FrederikaBremer，andJ。T。Fields；sothattherewasnolackofintellectualsocietyinthemidstofthebeautifulandinspiringmountainsceneryoftheplace。"Intheafternoons，nowadays，"herecords，shortlybeforebeginningthework，"thisvalleyinwhichIdwellseemslikeavastbasinfilledwithgoldenSunshineaswithwine；"and，happyinthecompanionshipofhiswifeandtheirthreechildren，heledasimple，refined，idylliclife，despitetherestrictionsofascantyanduncertainincome。
　　AletterwrittenbyMrs。Hawthorne，atthistime，toamemberofherfamily，givesincidentallyaglimpseofthescene，whichmayproperlyfindaplacehere。Shesays:"Idelighttothinkthatyoualsocanlookforth，asIdonow，uponabroadvalleyandafineamphitheaterofhills，andareabouttowatchthestatelyceremonyofthesunsetfromyourpiazza。Butyouhavenotthislovelylake，nor，Isuppose，thedelicatepurplemistwhichfoldstheseslumberingmountainsinairyveils。Mr。Hawthornehasbeenlyingdowninthesunshine，slightlyfleckeredwiththeshadowsofatree，andUnaandJulianhavebeenmakinghimlooklikethemightyPan，bycoveringhischinandbreastwithlonggrass-blades，thatlookedlikeaverdantandvenerablebeard。"
　　Thepleasantnessandpeaceofhissurroundingsandofhismodesthome，inLenox，maybetakenintoaccountasharmonizingwiththemellowserenityoftheromancethenproduced。Ofthework，whenitappearedintheearlyspringof1851，hewrotetoHoratioBridgethesewords，nowpublishedforthefirsttime:-
　　"`TheHouseoftheSevenGables’inmyopinion，isbetterthan`TheScarletLetter:’butIshouldnotwonderifIhadrefinedupontheprincipalcharacteralittletoomuchforpopularappreciation，noriftheromanceofthebookshouldbesomewhatatoddswiththehumbleandfamiliarsceneryinwhichIinvestit。
　　ButIfeelthatportionsofitareasgoodasanythingIcanhopetowrite，andthepublisherspeaksencouraginglyofitssuccess。"
　　FromEngland，especially，camemanywarmexpressionsofpraise，——afactwhichMrs。Hawthorne，inaprivateletter，commentedonasthefulfillmentofapossibilitywhichHawthorne，writinginboyhoodtohismother，hadlookedforwardto。HehadaskedherifshewouldnotlikehimtobecomeanauthorandhavehisbooksreadinEngland。
　　G。P。L。
　　PREFACE。
　　WHENawritercallshisworkaRomance，itneedhardlybeobservedthathewishestoclaimacertainlatitude，bothastoitsfashionandmaterial，whichhewouldnothavefelthimselfentitledtoassumehadheprofessedtobewritingaNovel。Thelatterformofcompositionispresumedtoaimataveryminutefidelity，notmerelytothepossible，buttotheprobableandordinarycourseofman’sexperience。Theformer——while，asaworkofart，itmustrigidlysubjectitselftolaws，andwhileitsinsunpardonablysofarasitmayswerveasidefromthetruthofthehumanheart——hasfairlyarighttopresentthattruthundercircumstances，toagreatextent，ofthewriter’sownchoosingorcreation。Ifhethinkfit，also，hemaysomanagehisatmosphericalmediumastobringoutormellowthelightsanddeepenandenrichtheshadowsofthepicture。Hewillbewise，nodoubt，tomakeaverymoderateuseoftheprivilegesherestated，and，especially，tomingletheMarvelousratherasaslight，delicate，andevanescentflavor，thanasanyportionoftheactualsubstanceofthedishofferedtothepublic。
　　Hecanhardlybesaid，however，tocommitaliterarycrimeevenifhedisregardthiscaution。
　　Inthepresentwork，theauthorhasproposedtohimself——butwithwhatsuccess，fortunately，itisnotforhimtojudge——tokeepundeviatinglywithinhisimmunities。ThepointofviewinwhichthistalecomesundertheRomanticdefinitionliesintheattempttoconnectabygonetimewiththeverypresentthatisflittingawayfromus。Itisalegendprolongingitself，fromanepochnowgrayinthedistance，downintoourownbroaddaylight，andbringingalongwithitsomeofitslegendarymist，whichthereader，accordingtohispleasure，mayeitherdisregard，orallowittofloatalmostimperceptiblyaboutthecharactersandeventsforthesakeofapicturesqueeffect。Thenarrative，itmaybe，iswovenofsohumbleatextureastorequirethisadvantage，and，atthesametime，torenderitthemoredifficultofattainment。
　　Manywriterslayverygreatstressuponsomedefinitemoralpurpose，atwhichtheyprofesstoaimtheirworks。Nottobedeficientinthisparticular，theauthorhasprovidedhimselfwithamoral，——thetruth，namely，thatthewrong-doingofonegenerationlivesintothesuccessiveones，and，divestingitselfofeverytemporaryadvantage，becomesapureanduncontrollablemischief；andhewouldfeelitasingulargratificationifthisromancemighteffectuallyconvincemankind——or，indeed，anyoneman——ofthefollyoftumblingdownanavalancheofill-gottengold，orrealestate，ontheheadsofanunfortunateposterity，therebytomaimandcrushthem，untiltheaccumulatedmassshallbescatteredabroadinitsoriginalatoms。Ingoodfaith，however，heisnotsufficientlyimaginativetoflatterhimselfwiththeslightesthopeofthiskind。Whenromancesdoreallyteachanything，orproduceanyeffectiveoperation，itisusuallythroughafarmoresubtileprocessthantheostensibleone。
　　Theauthorhasconsideredithardlyworthhiswhile，therefore，relentlesslytoimpalethestorywithitsmoralaswithanironrod，——or，rather，asbystickingapinthroughabutterfly，——thusatoncedeprivingitoflife，andcausingittostiffeninanungainlyandunnaturalattitude。Ahightruth，indeed，fairly，finely，andskilfullywroughtout，brighteningateverystep，andcrowningthefinaldevelopmentofaworkoffiction，mayaddanartisticglory，butisneveranytruer，andseldomanymoreevident，atthelastpagethanatthefirst。
　　Thereadermayperhapschoosetoassignanactuallocalitytotheimaginaryeventsofthisnarrative。Ifpermittedbythehistoricalconnection，——which，thoughslight，wasessentialtohisplan，——theauthorwouldverywillinglyhaveavoidedanythingofthisnature。
　　Nottospeakofotherobjections，itexposestheromancetoaninflexibleandexceedinglydangerousspeciesofcriticism，bybringinghisfancy-picturesalmostintopositivecontactwiththerealitiesofthemoment。Ithasbeennopartofhisobject，however，todescribelocalmanners，norinanywaytomeddlewiththecharacteristicsofacommunityforwhomhecherishesaproperrespectandanaturalregard。Hetrustsnottobeconsideredasunpardonablyoffendingbylayingoutastreetthatinfringesuponnobody’sprivaterights，andappropriatingalotoflandwhichhadnovisibleowner，andbuildingahouseofmaterialslonginuseforconstructingcastlesintheair。Thepersonagesofthetale——thoughtheygivethemselvesouttobeofancientstabilityandconsiderableprominence——arereallyoftheauthor’sownmaking，oratallevents，ofhisownmixing；theirvirtuescanshednolustre，northeirdefectsredound，intheremotestdegree，tothediscreditofthevenerabletownofwhichtheyprofesstobeinhabitants。Hewouldbeglad，therefore，if-especiallyinthequartertowhichhealludes-thebookmaybereadstrictlyasaRomance，havingagreatdealmoretodowiththecloudsoverheadthanwithanyportionoftheactualsoiloftheCountyofEssex。
　　LENOX，January27，1851。
　　I。TheOldPyncheonFamilyHALFWAYdownaby-streetofoneofourNewEnglandtownsstandsarustywoodenhouse，withsevenacutelypeakedgables，facingtowardsvariouspointsofthecompass，andahuge，clusteredchimneyinthemidst。ThestreetisPyncheonStreet；thehouseistheoldPyncheonHouse；andanelm-tree，ofwidecircumference，rootedbeforethedoor，isfamiliartoeverytown-bornchildbythetitleofthePyncheonElm。Onmyoccasionalvisitstothetownaforesaid，IseldomfailedtoturndownPyncheonStreet，forthesakeofpassingthroughtheshadowofthesetwoantiquities，——thegreatelm-treeandtheweather-beatenedifice。
　　Theaspectofthevenerablemansionhasalwaysaffectedmelikeahumancountenance，bearingthetracesnotmerelyofoutwardstormandsunshine，butexpressivealso，ofthelonglapseofmortallife，andaccompanyingvicissitudesthathavepassedwithin。Werethesetobeworthilyrecounted，theywouldformanarrativeofnosmallinterestandinstruction，andpossessing，moreover，acertainremarkableunity，whichmightalmostseemtheresultofartisticarrangement。Butthestorywouldincludeachainofeventsextendingoverthebetterpartoftwocenturies，and，writtenoutwithreasonableamplitude，wouldfillabiggerfoliovolume，oralongerseriesofduodecimos，thancouldprudentlybeappropriatedtotheannalsofallNewEnglandduringasimilarperiod。ItconsequentlybecomesimperativetomakeshortworkwithmostofthetraditionaryloreofwhichtheoldPyncheonHouse，otherwiseknownastheHouseoftheSevenGables，hasbeenthetheme。Withabriefsketch，therefore，ofthecircumstancesamidwhichthefoundationofthehousewaslaid，andarapidglimpseatitsquaintexterior，asitgrewblackintheprevalenteastwind，——pointing，too，hereandthere，atsomespotofmoreverdantmossinessonitsroofandwalls，——weshallcommencetherealactionofourtaleatanepochnotveryremotefromthepresentday。Still，therewillbeaconnectionwiththelongpast——areferencetoforgotteneventsandpersonages，andtomanners，feelings，andopinions，almostorwhollyobsolete——which，ifadequatelytranslatedtothereader，wouldservetoillustratehowmuchofoldmaterialgoestomakeupthefreshestnoveltyofhumanlife。Hence，too，mightbedrawnaweightylessonfromthelittle-regardedtruth，thattheactofthepassinggenerationisthegermwhichmayandmustproducegoodorevilfruitinafar-distanttime；that，togetherwiththeseedofthemerelytemporarycrop，whichmortalstermexpediency，theyinevitablysowtheacornsofamoreenduringgrowth，whichmaydarklyovershadowtheirposterity。
　　TheHouseoftheSevenGables，antiqueasitnowlooks，wasnotthefirsthabitationerectedbycivilizedmanonpreciselythesamespotofground。PyncheonStreetformerlyborethehumblerappellationofMaule’sLane，fromthenameoftheoriginaloccupantofthesoil，beforewhosecottage-dooritwasacow-path。Anaturalspringofsoftandpleasantwater——araretreasureonthesea-girtpeninsulawherethePuritansettlementwasmade——hadearlyinducedMatthewMauletobuildahut，shaggywiththatch，atthispoint，althoughsomewhattooremotefromwhatwasthenthecentreofthevillage。
　　Inthegrowthofthetown，however，aftersomethirtyorfortyyears，thesitecoveredbythisrudehovelhadbecomeexceedinglydesirableintheeyesofaprominentandpowerfulpersonage，whoassertedplausibleclaimstotheproprietorshipofthisandalargeadjacenttractofland，onthestrengthofagrantfromthelegislature。ColonelPyncheon，theclaimant，aswegatherfromwhatevertraitsofhimarepreserved，wascharacterizedbyanironenergyofpurpose。MatthewMaule，ontheotherhand，thoughanobscureman，wasstubborninthedefenceofwhatheconsideredhisright；and，forseveralyears，hesucceededinprotectingtheacreortwoofearthwhich，withhisowntoil，hehadhewnoutoftheprimevalforest，tobehisgardengroundandhomestead。
　　Nowrittenrecordofthisdisputeisknowntobeinexistence。
　　Ouracquaintancewiththewholesubjectisderivedchieflyfromtradition。Itwouldbebold，therefore，andpossiblyunjust，toventureadecisiveopinionastoitsmerits；althoughitappearstohavebeenatleastamatterofdoubt，whetherColonelPyncheon’sclaimwerenotundulystretched，inordertomakeitcoverthesmallmetesandboundsofMatthewMaule。Whatgreatlystrengthenssuchasuspicionisthefactthatthiscontroversybetweentwoill-matchedantagonists——ataperiod，moreover，lauditaswemay，whenpersonalinfluencehadfarmoreweightthannow——remainedforyearsundecided，andcametoacloseonlywiththedeathofthepartyoccupyingthedisputedsoil。Themodeofhisdeath，too，affectstheminddifferently，inourday，fromwhatitdidacenturyandahalfago。Itwasadeaththatblastedwithstrangehorrorthehumblenameofthedwellerinthecottage，andmadeitseemalmostareligiousacttodrivetheploughoverthelittleareaofhishabitation，andobliteratehisplaceandmemoryfromamongmen。
　　OldMatthewMaule，inaword，wasexecutedforthecrimeofwitchcraft。Hewasoneofthemartyrstothatterribledelusion，whichshouldteachus，amongitsothermorals，thattheinfluentialclasses，andthosewhotakeuponthemselvestobeleadersofthepeople，arefullyliabletoallthepassionateerrorthathasevercharacterizedthemaddestmob。Clergymen，judges，statesmen，——thewisest，calmest，holiestpersonsoftheirdaystoodintheinnercircleroundaboutthegallows，loudesttoapplaudtheworkofblood，latesttoconfessthemselvesmiserablydeceived。Ifanyonepartoftheirproceedingscanbesaidtodeservelessblamethananother，itwasthesingularindiscriminationwithwhichtheypersecuted，notmerelythepoorandaged，asinformerjudicialmassacres，butpeopleofallranks；theirownequals，brethren，andwives。Amidthedisorderofsuchvariousruin，itisnotstrangethatamanofinconsiderablenote，likeMaule，shouldhavetroddenthemartyr’spathtothehillofexecutionalmostunremarkedinthethrongofhisfellowsufferers。But，inafterdays，whenthefrenzyofthathideousepochhadsubsided，itwasrememberedhowloudlyColonelPyncheonhadjoinedinthegeneralcry，topurgethelandfromwitchcraft；nordiditfailtobewhispered，thattherewasaninvidiousacrimonyinthezealwithwhichhehadsoughtthecondemnationofMatthewMaule。
　　Itwaswellknownthatthevictimhadrecognizedthebitternessofpersonalenmityinhispersecutor’sconducttowardshim，andthathedeclaredhimselfhuntedtodeathforhisspoil。Atthemomentofexecution——withthehalterabouthisneck，andwhileColonelPyncheonsatonhorseback，grimlygazingatthesceneMaulehadaddressedhimfromthescaffold，andutteredaprophecy，ofwhichhistory，aswellasfiresidetradition，haspreservedtheverywords。"God，"saidthedyingman，pointinghisfinger，withaghastlylook，attheundismayedcountenanceofhisenemy，——"Godwillgivehimbloodtodrink！"Afterthereputedwizard’sdeath，hishumblehomesteadhadfallenaneasyspoilintoColonelPyncheon’sgrasp。Whenitwasunderstood，however，thattheColonelintendedtoerectafamilymansion-spacious，ponderouslyframedofoakentimber，andcalculatedtoendureformanygenerationsofhisposterityoverthespotfirstcoveredbythelog-builthutofMatthewMaule，therewasmuchshakingoftheheadamongthevillagegossips。WithoutabsolutelyexpressingadoubtwhetherthestalwartPuritanhadactedasamanofconscienceandintegritythroughouttheproceedingswhichhavebeensketched，they，nevertheless，hintedthathewasabouttobuildhishouseoveranunquietgrave。Hishomewouldincludethehomeofthedeadandburiedwizard，andwouldthusaffordtheghostofthelatterakindofprivilegetohauntitsnewapartments，andthechambersintowhichfuturebridegroomsweretoleadtheirbrides，andwherechildrenofthePyncheonbloodweretobeborn。TheterroranduglinessofMaule’scrime，andthewretchednessofhispunishment，woulddarkenthefreshlyplasteredwalls，andinfectthemearlywiththescentofanoldandmelancholyhouse。Why，then，——whilesomuchofthesoilaroundhimwasbestrewnwiththevirginforestleaves，——whyshouldColonelPyncheonpreferasitethathadalreadybeenaccurst？
　　ButthePuritansoldierandmagistratewasnotamantobeturnedasidefromhiswell-consideredscheme，eitherbydreadofthewizard’sghost，orbyflimsysentimentalitiesofanykind，howeverspecious。Hadhebeentoldofabadair，itmighthavemovedhimsomewhat；buthewasreadytoencounteranevilspiritonhisownground。Endowedwithcommonsense，asmassiveandhardasblocksofgranite，fastenedtogetherbysternrigidityofpurpose，aswithironclamps，hefollowedouthisoriginaldesign，probablywithoutsomuchasimagininganobjectiontoit。Onthescoreofdelicacy，oranyscrupulousnesswhichafinersensibilitymighthavetaughthim，theColonel，likemostofhisbreedandgeneration，wasimpenetrable。
　　Hethereforedughiscellar，andlaidthedeepfoundationsofhismansion，onthesquareofearthwhenceMatthewMaule，fortyyearsbefore，hadfirstsweptawaythefallenleaves。Itwasacurious，and，assomepeoplethought，anominousfact，that，verysoonaftertheworkmenbegantheiroperations，thespringofwater，abovementioned，entirelylostthedeliciousnessofitspristinequality。
　　Whetheritssourcesweredisturbedbythedepthofthenewcellar，orwhateversubtlercausemightlurkatthebottom，itiscertainthatthewaterofMaule’sWell，asitcontinuedtobecalled，grewhardandbrackish。Evensuchwefinditnow；andanyoldwomanoftheneighborhoodwillcertifythatitisproductiveofintestinalmischieftothosewhoquenchtheirthirstthere。
　　Thereadermaydeemitsingularthattheheadcarpenterofthenewedificewasnootherthanthesonoftheverymanfromwhosedeadgripethepropertyofthesoilhadbeenwrested。Notimprobablyhewasthebestworkmanofhistime；or，perhaps，theColonelthoughtitexpedient，orwasimpelledbysomebetterfeeling，thusopenlytocastasideallanimosityagainsttheraceofhisfallenantagonist。
　　Norwasitoutofkeepingwiththegeneralcoarsenessandmatter-of-factcharacteroftheage，thatthesonshouldbewillingtoearnanhonestpenny，or，rather，aweightyamountofsterlingpounds，fromthepurseofhisfather’sdeadlyenemy。Atallevents，ThomasMaulebecamethearchitectoftheHouseoftheSevenGables，andperformedhisdutysofaithfullythatthetimberframeworkfastenedbyhishandsstillholdstogether。
　　Thusthegreathousewasbuilt。Familiarasitstandsinthewriter’srecollection，——forithasbeenanobjectofcuriositywithhimfromboyhood，bothasaspecimenofthebestandstateliestarchitectureofalongpastepoch，andasthesceneofeventsmorefullofhumaninterest，perhaps，thanthoseofagrayfeudalcastle，——familiarasitstands，initsrustyoldage，itisthereforeonlythemoredifficulttoimaginethebrightnoveltywithwhichitfirstcaughtthesunshine。Theimpressionofitsactualstate，atthisdistanceofahundredandsixtyyears，darkensinevitablythroughthepicturewhichwewouldfaingiveofitsappearanceonthemorningwhenthePuritanmagnatebadeallthetowntobehisguests。Aceremonyofconsecration，festiveaswellasreligious，wasnowtobeperformed。
　　AprayeranddiscoursefromtheRev。Mr。Higginson，andtheoutpouringofapsalmfromthegeneralthroatofthecommunity，wastobemadeacceptabletothegrossersensebyale，cider，wine，andbrandy，incopiouseffusion，and，assomeauthoritiesaver，byanox，roastedwhole，oratleast，bytheweightandsubstanceofanox，inmoremanageablejointsandsirloins。Thecarcassofadeer，shotwithintwentymiles，hadsuppliedmaterialforthevastcircumferenceofapasty。Acodfishofsixtypounds，caughtinthebay，hadbeendissolvedintotherichliquidofachowder。Thechimneyofthenewhouse，inshort，belchingforthitskitchensmoke，impregnatedthewholeairwiththescentofmeats，fowls，andfishes，spicilyconcoctedwithodoriferousherbs，andonionsinabundance。Themeresmellofsuchfestivity，makingitswaytoeverybody’snostrils，wasatonceaninvitationandanappetite。
　　Maule’sLane，orPyncheonStreet，asitwerenowmoredecoroustocallit，wasthronged，attheappointedhour，aswithacongregationonitswaytochurch。All，astheyapproached，lookedupwardattheimposingedifice，whichwashenceforthtoassumeitsrankamongthehabitationsofmankind。Thereitrose，alittlewithdrawnfromthelineofthestreet，butinpride，notmodesty。Itswholevisibleexteriorwasornamentedwithquaintfigures，conceivedinthegrotesquenessofaGothicfancy，anddrawnorstampedintheglitteringplaster，composedoflime，pebbles，andbitsofglass，withwhichthewoodworkofthewallswasoverspread。Oneverysidethesevengablespointedsharplytowardsthesky，andpresentedtheaspectofawholesisterhoodofedifices，breathingthroughthespiraclesofonegreatchimney。Themanylattices，withtheirsmall，diamond-shapedpanes，admittedthesunlightintohallandchamber，while，nevertheless，thesecondstory，projectingfaroverthebase，anditselfretiringbeneaththethird，threwashadowyandthoughtfulgloomintothelowerrooms。Carvedglobesofwoodwereaffixedunderthejuttingstories。Littlespiralrodsofironbeautifiedeachofthesevenpeaks。Onthetriangularportionofthegable，thatfrontednextthestreet，wasadial，putupthatverymorning，andonwhichthesunwasstillmarkingthepassageofthefirstbrighthourinahistorythatwasnotdestinedtobeallsobright。Allaroundwerescatteredshavings，chips，shingles，andbrokenhalvesofbricks；
　　these，togetherwiththelatelyturnedearth，onwhichthegrasshadnotbeguntogrow，contributedtotheimpressionofstrangenessandnoveltypropertoahousethathadyetitsplacetomakeamongmen’sdailyinterests。
　　Theprincipalentrance，whichhadalmostthebreadthofachurch-door，wasintheanglebetweenthetwofrontgables，andwascoveredbyanopenporch，withbenchesbeneathitsshelter。
　　Underthisarcheddoorway，scrapingtheirfeetontheunwornthreshold，nowtrodtheclergymen，theelders，themagistrates，thedeacons，andwhateverofaristocracytherewasintownorcounty。Thither，too，throngedtheplebeianclassesasfreelyastheirbetters，andinlargernumber。Justwithintheentrance，however，stoodtwoserving-men，pointingsomeofthegueststotheneighborhoodofthekitchenandusheringothersintothestatelierrooms，——hospitablealiketoall，butstillwithascrutinizingregardtothehighorlowdegreeofeach。Velvetgarmentssombrebutrich，stifflyplaitedruffsandbands，embroideredgloves，venerablebeards，themienandcountenanceofauthority，madeiteasytodistinguishthegentlemanofworship，atthatperiod，fromthetradesman，withhisploddingair，orthelaborer，inhisleathernjerkin，stealingawe-strickenintothehousewhichhehadperhapshelpedtobuild。
　　Oneinauspiciouscircumstancetherewas，whichawakenedahardlyconcealeddispleasureinthebreastsofafewofthemorepunctiliousvisitors。Thefounderofthisstatelymansion——agentlemannotedforthesquareandponderouscourtesyofhisdemeanor，oughtsurelytohavestoodinhisownhall，andtohaveofferedthefirstwelcometosomanyeminentpersonagesasherepresentedthemselvesinhonorofhissolemnfestival。Hewasasyetinvisible；themostfavoredoftheguestshadnotbeheldhim。ThissluggishnessonColonelPyncheon’spartbecamestillmoreunaccountable，whentheseconddignitaryoftheprovincemadehisappearance，andfoundnomoreceremoniousareception。Thelieutenant-governor，althoughhisvisitwasoneoftheanticipatedgloriesoftheday，hadalightedfromhishorse，andassistedhisladyfromherside-saddle，andcrossedtheColonel’sthreshold，withoutothergreetingthanthatoftheprincipaldomestic。
　　Thisperson——agray-headedman，ofquietandmostrespectfuldeportment——founditnecessarytoexplainthathismasterstillremainedinhisstudy，orprivateapartment；onenteringwhich，anhourbefore，hehadexpressedawishonnoaccounttobedisturbed。
　　"Donotyousee，fellow，"saidthehigh-sheriffofthecounty，takingtheservantaside，"thatthisisnolessamanthanthelieutenant-governor？SummonColonelPyncheonatonce！IknowthathereceivedlettersfromEnglandthismorning；and，intheperusalandconsiderationofthem，anhourmayhavepassedawaywithouthisnoticingit。Buthewillbeill-pleased，Ijudgeifyousufferhimtoneglectthecourtesyduetooneofourchiefrulers，andwhomaybesaidtorepresentKingWilliam，intheabsenceofthegovernorhimself。Callyourmasterinstantly。"
　　"Nay，pleaseyourworship，"answeredtheman，inmuchperplexity，butwithabackwardnessthatstrikinglyindicatedthehardandseverecharacterofColonelPyncheon’sdomesticrule；"mymaster’sorderswereexceedingstrict；and，asyourworshipknows，hepermitsofnodiscretionintheobedienceofthosewhoowehimservice。Letwholistopenyonderdoor；Idarenot，thoughthegovernor’sownvoiceshouldbidmedoit！"
　　"Pooh，pooh，masterhighsheriff！"criedthelieutenant-governor，whohadoverheardtheforegoingdiscussion，andfelthimselfhighenoughinstationtoplayalittlewithhisdignity。"Iwilltakethematterintomyownhands。ItistimethatthegoodColonelcameforthtogreethisfriends；elseweshallbeapttosuspectthathehastakenasiptoomuchofhisCanarywine，inhisextremedeliberationwhichcaskitwerebesttobroachinhonoroftheday！Butsinceheissomuchbehindhand，Iwillgivehimaremembrancermyself！"
　　Accordingly，withsuchatrampofhisponderousriding-bootsasmightofitselfhavebeenaudibleintheremotestofthesevengables，headvancedtothedoor，whichtheservantpointedout，andmadeitsnewpanelsreechowithaloud，freeknock。Then，lookinground，withasmile，tothespectators，heawaitedaresponse。Asnonecame，however，heknockedagain，butwiththesameunsatisfactoryresultasatfirst。Andnow，beingatriflecholericinhistemperament，thelieutenant-governorupliftedtheheavyhiltofhissword，wherewithhesobeatandbangeduponthedoor，that，assomeofthebystanderswhispered，theracketmighthavedisturbedthedead。Bethatasitmight，itseemedtoproducenoawakeningeffectonColonelPyncheon。Whenthesoundsubsided，thesilencethroughthehousewasdeep，dreary，andoppressive，notwithstandingthatthetonguesofmanyoftheguestshadalreadybeenloosenedbyasurreptitiouscuportwoofwineorspirits。
　　"Strange，forsooth！——verystrange！"criedthelieutenant-governor，whosesmilewaschangedtoafrown。"Butseeingthatourhostsetsusthegoodexampleofforgettingceremony，Ishalllikewisethrowitaside，andmakefreetointrudeonhisprivacy。"
　　Hetriedthedoor，whichyieldedtohishand，andwasflungwideopenbyasuddengustofwindthatpassed，aswithaloudsigh，fromtheoutermostportalthroughallthepassagesandapartmentsofthenewhouse。Itrustledthesilkengarmentsoftheladies，andwavedthelongcurlsofthegentlemen’swigs，andshookthewindow-hangingsandthecurtainsofthebedchambers；causingeverywhereasingularstir，whichyetwasmorelikeahush。
　　Ashadowofaweandhalf-fearfulanticipation——nobodyknewwherefore，norofwhat——hadallatoncefallenoverthecompany。
　　Theythronged，however，tothenowopendoor，pressingthelieutenant-governor，intheeagernessoftheircuriosity，intotheroominadvanceofthem。Atthefirstglimpsetheybeheldnothingextraordinary:ahandsomelyfurnishedroom，ofmoderatesize，somewhatdarkenedbycurtains；booksarrangedonshelves；
　　alargemaponthewall，andlikewiseaportraitofColonelPyncheon，beneathwhichsattheoriginalColonelhimself，inanoakenelbow-chair，withapeninhishand。Letters，parchments，andblanksheetsofpaperwereonthetablebeforehim。Heappearedtogazeatthecuriouscrowd，infrontofwhichstoodthelieutenant-governor；andtherewasafrownonhisdarkandmassivecountenance，asifsternlyresentfuloftheboldnessthathadimpelledthemintohisprivateretirement。
　　Alittleboy——theColonel’sgrandchild，andtheonlyhumanbeingthateverdaredtobefamiliarwithhim——nowmadehiswayamongtheguests，andrantowardstheseatedfigure；thenpausinghalfway，hebegantoshriekwithterror。Thecompany，tremulousastheleavesofatree，whenallareshakingtogether，drewnearer，andperceivedthattherewasanunnaturaldistortioninthefixednessofColonelPyncheon’sstare；thattherewasbloodonhisruff，andthathishoarybeardwassaturatedwithit。
　　Itwastoolatetogiveassistance。Theiron-heartedPuritan，therelentlesspersecutor，thegraspingandstrong-willedmanwasdead！Dead，inhisnewhouse！Thereisatradition，onlyworthalludingtoaslendingatingeofsuperstitiousawetoasceneperhapsgloomyenoughwithoutit，thatavoicespokeloudlyamongtheguests，thetonesofwhichwerelikethoseofoldMatthewMaule，theexecutedwizard，——"Godhathgivenhimbloodtodrink！"
　　Thusearlyhadthatoneguest，——theonlyguestwhoiscertain，atonetimeoranother，tofindhiswayintoeveryhumandwelling，——thusearlyhadDeathsteppedacrossthethresholdoftheHouseoftheSevenGables！
　　ColonelPyncheon’ssuddenandmysteriousendmadeavastdealofnoiseinitsday。Thereweremanyrumors，someofwhichhavevaguelydrifteddowntothepresenttime，howthatappearancesindicatedviolence；thattherewerethemarksoffingersonhisthroat，andtheprintofabloodyhandonhisplaitedruff；andthathispeakedbeardwasdishevelled，asifithadbeenfiercelyclutchedandpulled。Itwasaverred，likewise，thatthelatticewindow，neartheColonel’schair，wasopen；andthat，onlyafewminutesbeforethefataloccurrence，thefigureofamanhadbeenseenclamberingoverthegardenfence，intherearofthehouse。
　　Butitwerefollytolayanystressonstoriesofthiskind，whicharesuretospringuparoundsuchaneventasthatnowrelated，andwhich，asinthepresentcase，sometimesprolongthemselvesforagesafterwards，likethetoadstoolsthatindicatewherethefallenandburiedtrunkofatreehaslongsincemoulderedintotheearth。Forourownpart，weallowthemjustaslittlecredenceastothatotherfableoftheskeletonhandwhichthelieutenant-governorwassaidtohaveseenattheColonel’sthroat，butwhichvanishedaway，asheadvancedfartherintotheroom。
　　Certainitis，however，thattherewasagreatconsultationanddisputeofdoctorsoverthedeadbody。One，——JohnSwinnertonbyname，——whoappearstohavebeenamanofeminence，upheldit，ifwehaverightlyunderstoodhistermsofart，tobeacaseofapoplexy。Hisprofessionalbrethren，eachforhimself，adoptedvarioushypotheses，moreorlessplausible，butalldressedoutinaperplexingmysteryofphrase，which，ifitdonotshowabewildermentofmindintheseeruditephysicians，certainlycausesitintheunlearnedperuseroftheiropinions。Thecoroner’sjurysatuponthecorpse，and，likesensiblemen，returnedanunassailableverdictof"SuddenDeath！"
　　Itisindeeddifficulttoimaginethattherecouldhavebeenaserioussuspicionofmurder，ortheslightestgroundsforimplicatinganyparticularindividualastheperpetrator。
　　Therank，wealth，andeminentcharacterofthedeceasedmusthaveinsuredthestrictestscrutinyintoeveryambiguouscircumstance。Asnonesuchisonrecord，itissafetoassumethatnoneexistedTradition，——whichsometimesbringsdowntruththathistoryhasletslip，butisoftenerthewildbabbleofthetime，suchaswasformerlyspokenatthefiresideandnowcongealsinnewspapers，——traditionisresponsibleforallcontraryaverments。
　　InColonelPyncheon’sfuneralsermon，whichwasprinted，andisstillextant，theRev。Mr。Higginsonenumerates，amongthemanyfelicitiesofhisdistinguishedparishioner’searthlycareer，thehappyseasonablenessofhisdeath。Hisdutiesallperformed，——thehighestprosperityattained，——hisraceandfuturegenerationsfixedonastablebasis，andwithastatelyrooftoshelterthemforcenturiestocome，——whatotherupwardstepremainedforthisgoodmantotake，savethefinalstepfromearthtothegoldengateofheaven！ThepiousclergymansurelywouldnothaveutteredwordslikethesehadheintheleastsuspectedthattheColonelhadbeenthrustintotheotherworldwiththeclutchofviolenceuponhisthroat。
　　ThefamilyofColonelPyncheon，attheepochofhisdeath，seemeddestinedtoasfortunateapermanenceascananywiseconsistwiththeinherentinstabilityofhumanaffairs。Itmightfairlybeanticipatedthattheprogressoftimewouldratherincreaseandripentheirprosperity，thanwearawayanddestroyit。For，notonlyhadhissonandheircomeintoimmediateenjoymentofarichestate，buttherewasaclaimthroughanIndiandeed，confirmedbyasubsequentgrantoftheGeneralCourt，toavastandasyetunexploredandunmeasuredtractofEasternlands。Thesepossessions——forassuchtheymightalmostcertainlybereckoned——comprisedthegreaterpartofwhatisnowknownasWaldoCounty，inthestateofMaine，andweremoreextensivethanmanyadukedom，orevenareigningprince’sterritory，onEuropeansoil。Whenthepathlessforestthatstillcoveredthiswildprincipalityshouldgiveplace——asitinevitablymust，thoughperhapsnottillageshence——tothegoldenfertilityofhumanculture，itwouldbethesourceofincalculablewealthtothePyncheonblood。HadtheColonelsurvivedonlyafewweekslonger，itisprobablethathisgreatpoliticalinfluence，andpowerfulconnectionsathomeandabroad，wouldhaveconsummatedallthatwasnecessarytorendertheclaimavailable。But，inspiteofgoodMr。Higginson’scongratulatoryeloquence，thisappearedtobetheonethingwhichColonelPyncheon，providentandsagaciousashewas，hadallowedtogoatlooseends。Sofarastheprospectiveterritorywasconcerned，heunquestionablydiedtoosoon。Hissonlackednotmerelythefather’seminentposition，butthetalentandforceofcharactertoachieveit:
　　hecould，therefore，effectnothingbydintofpoliticalinterest；
　　andthebarejusticeorlegalityoftheclaimwasnotsoapparent，aftertheColonel’sdecease，asithadbeenpronouncedinhislifetime。Someconnectinglinkhadslippedoutoftheevidence，andcouldnotanywherebefound。
　　Efforts，itistrue，weremadebythePyncheons，notonlythen，butatvariousperiodsfornearlyahundredyearsafterwards，toobtainwhattheystubbornlypersistedindeemingtheirright。
　　But，incourseoftime，theterritorywaspartlyregrantedtomorefavoredindividuals，andpartlyclearedandoccupiedbyactualsettlers。Theselast，iftheyeverheardofthePyncheontitle，wouldhavelaughedattheideaofanyman’sassertingaright——onthestrengthofmouldyparchments，signedwiththefadedautographsofgovernorsandlegislatorslongdeadandforgotten——tothelandswhichtheyortheirfathershadwrestedfromthewildhandofnaturebytheirownsturdytoil。Thisimpalpableclaim，therefore，resultedinnothingmoresolidthantocherish，fromgenerationtogeneration，anabsurddelusionoffamilyimportance，whichallalongcharacterizedthePyncheons。Itcausedthepoorestmemberoftheracetofeelasifheinheritedakindofnobility，andmightyetcomeintothepossessionofprincelywealthtosupportit。Inthebetterspecimensofthebreed，thispeculiaritythrewanidealgraceoverthehardmaterialofhumanlife，withoutstealingawayanytrulyvaluablequality。Inthebasersort，itseffectwastoincreasetheliabilitytosluggishnessanddependence，andinducethevictimofashadowyhopetoremitallself-effort，whileawaitingtherealizationofhisdreams。Yearsandyearsaftertheirclaimhadpassedoutofthepublicmemory，thePyncheonswereaccustomedtoconsulttheColonel’sancientmap，whichhadbeenprojectedwhileWaldoCountywasstillanunbrokenwilderness。Wheretheoldlandsurveyorhadputdownwoods，lakes，andrivers，theymarkedouttheclearedspaces，anddottedthevillagesandtowns，andcalculatedtheprogressivelyincreasingvalueoftheterritory，asiftherewereyetaprospectofitsultimatelyformingaprincedomforthemselves。
　　Inalmosteverygeneration，nevertheless，therehappenedtobesomeonedescendantofthefamilygiftedwithaportionofthehard，keensense，andpracticalenergy，thathadsoremarkablydistinguishedtheoriginalfounder。Hischaracter，indeed，mightbetracedallthewaydown，asdistinctlyasiftheColonelhimself，alittlediluted，hadbeengiftedwithasortofintermittentimmortalityonearth。Attwoorthreeepochs，whenthefortunesofthefamilywerelow，thisrepresentativeofhereditaryqualitieshadmadehisappearance，andcausedthetraditionarygossipsofthetowntowhisperamongthemselves，"HereistheoldPyncheoncomeagain！NowtheSevenGableswillbenew-shingled！"Fromfathertoson，theyclungtotheancestralhousewithsingulartenacityofhomeattachment。Forvariousreasons，however，andfromimpressionsoftentoovaguelyfoundedtobeputonpaper，thewritercherishesthebeliefthatmany，ifnotmost，ofthesuccessiveproprietorsofthisestateweretroubledwithdoubtsastotheirmoralrighttoholdit。Oftheirlegaltenuretherecouldbenoquestion；butoldMatthewMaule，itistobefeared，trodedownwardfromhisownagetoafarlaterone，plantingaheavyfootstep，alltheway，ontheconscienceofaPyncheon。Ifso，wearelefttodisposeoftheawfulquery，whethereachinheritoroftheproperty-consciousofwrong，andfailingtorectifyit——didnotcommitanewthegreatguiltofhisancestor，andincurallitsoriginalresponsibilities。
　　Andsupposingsuchtobethecase，woulditnotbeafartruermodeofexpressiontosayofthePyncheonfamily，thattheyinheritedagreatmisfortune，thanthereverse？
　　WehavealreadyhintedthatitisnotourpurposetotracedownthehistoryofthePyncheonfamily，initsunbrokenconnectionwiththeHouseoftheSevenGables；nortoshow，asinamagicpicture，howtherustinessandinfirmityofagegatheredoverthevenerablehouseitself。Asregardsitsinteriorlife，alarge，dimlooking-glassusedtohanginoneoftherooms，andwasfabledtocontainwithinitsdepthsalltheshapesthathadeverbeenreflectedthere，——theoldColonelhimself，andhismanydescendants，someinthegarbofantiquebabyhood，andothersinthebloomoffemininebeautyormanlyprime，orsaddenedwiththewrinklesoffrostyage。Hadwethesecretofthatmirror，wewouldgladlysitdownbeforeit，andtransferitsrevelationstoourpage。Buttherewasastory，forwhichitisdifficulttoconceiveanyfoundation，thattheposterityofMatthewMaulehadsomeconnectionwiththemysteryofthelooking-glass，andthat，bywhatappearstohavebeenasortofmesmericprocess，theycouldmakeitsinnerregionallalivewiththedepartedPyncheons；notastheyhadshownthemselvestotheworld，norintheirbetterandhappierhours，butasdoingoveragainsomedeedofsin，orinthecrisisoflife’sbitterestsorrow。Thepopularimagination，indeed，longkeptitselfbusywiththeaffairoftheoldPuritanPyncheonandthewizardMaule；
　　thecursewhichthelatterflungfromhisscaffoldwasremembered，withtheveryimportantaddition，thatithadbecomeapartofthePyncheoninheritance。Ifoneofthefamilydidbutgurgleinhisthroat，abystanderwouldbelikelyenoughtowhisper，betweenjestandearnest，"HehasMaule’sbloodtodrink！"ThesuddendeathofaPyncheon，aboutahundredyearsago，withcircumstancesverysimilartowhathavebeenrelatedoftheColonel’sexit，washeldasgivingadditionalprobabilitytothereceivedopiniononthistopic。Itwasconsidered，moreover，anuglyandominouscircumstance，thatColonelPyncheon’spicture——inobedience，itwassaid，toaprovisionofhiswill——remainedaffixedtothewalloftheroominwhichhedied。
　　Thosestern，immitigablefeaturesseemedtosymbolizeanevilinfluence，andsodarklytomingletheshadowoftheirpresencewiththesunshineofthepassinghour，thatnogoodthoughtsorpurposescouldeverspringupandblossomthere。Tothethoughtfulmindtherewillbenotingeofsuperstitioninwhatwefigurativelyexpress，byaffirmingthattheghostofadeadprogenitor——perhapsasaportionofhisownpunishment——isoftendoomedtobecometheEvilGeniusofhisfamily。
　　ThePyncheons，inbrief，livedalong，forthebetterpartoftwocenturies，withperhapslessofoutwardvicissitudethanhasattendedmostotherNewEnglandfamiliesduringthesameperiodoftime。Possessingverydistinctivetraitsoftheirown，theyneverthelesstookthegeneralcharacteristicsofthelittlecommunityinwhichtheydwelt；atownnotedforitsfrugal，discreet，well-ordered，andhome-lovinginhabitants，aswellasforthesomewhatconfinedscopeofitssympathies；butinwhich，beitsaid，thereareodderindividuals，and，nowandthen，strangeroccurrences，thanonemeetswithalmostanywhereelse。
　　DuringtheRevolution，thePyncheonofthatepoch，adoptingtheroyalside，becamearefugee；butrepented，andmadehisreappearance，justatthepointoftimetopreservetheHouseoftheSevenGablesfromconfiscation。ForthelastseventyyearsthemostnotedeventinthePyncheonannalshadbeenlikewisetheheaviestcalamitythateverbefelltherace；nolessthantheviolentdeath——forsoitwasadjudged——ofonememberofthefamilybythecriminalactofanother。CertaincircumstancesattendingthisfataloccurrencehadbroughtthedeedirresistiblyhometoanephewofthedeceasedPyncheon。Theyoungmanwastriedandconvictedofthecrime；buteitherthecircumstantialnatureoftheevidence，andpossiblysomelurkingdoubtsinthebreastoftheexecutive，or"lastly——anargumentofgreaterweightinarepublicthanitcouldhavebeenunderamonarchy，——thehighrespectabilityandpoliticalinfluenceofthecriminal’sconnections，hadavailedtomitigatehisdoomfromdeathtoperpetualimprisonment。
　　Thissadaffairhadchancedaboutthirtyyearsbeforetheactionofourstorycommences。Latterly，therewererumorswhichfewbelieved，andonlyoneortwofeltgreatlyinterestedinthatthislong-buriedmanwaslikely，forsomereasonorother，tobesummonedforthfromhislivingtomb。
　　Itisessentialtosayafewwordsrespectingthevictimofthisnowalmostforgottenmurder。Hewasanoldbachelor，andpossessedofgreatwealth，inadditiontothehouseandrealestatewhichconstitutedwhatremainedoftheancientPyncheonproperty。
　　Beingofaneccentricandmelancholyturnofmind，andgreatlygiventorummagingoldrecordsandhearkeningtooldtraditions，hehadbroughthimself，itisaverred，totheconclusionthatMatthewMaule，thewizard，hadbeenfoullywrongedoutofhishomestead，ifnotoutofhislife。Suchbeingthecase，andhe，theoldbachelor，inpossessionoftheill-gottenspoil，——withtheblackstainofbloodsunkendeepintoit，andstilltobescentedbyconscientiousnostrils，——thequestionoccurred，whetheritwerenotimperativeuponhim，evenatthislatehour，tomakerestitutiontoMaule’sposterity。
　　Toamanlivingsomuchinthepast，andsolittleinthepresent，asthesecludedandantiquarianoldbachelor，acenturyandahalfseemednotsovastaperiodastoobviatetheproprietyofsubstitutingrightforwrong。Itwasthebeliefofthosewhoknewhimbest，thathewouldpositivelyhavetakentheverysingularstepofgivinguptheHouseoftheSevenGablestotherepresentativeofMatthewMaule，butfortheunspeakabletumultwhichasuspicionoftheoldgentleman’sprojectawakenedamonghisPyncheonrelatives。
　　Theirexertionshadtheeffectofsuspendinghispurpose；butitwasfearedthathewouldperform，afterdeath，bytheoperationofhislastwill，whathehadsohardlybeenpreventedfromdoinginhisproperlifetime。Butthereisnoonethingwhichmensorarelydo，whatevertheprovocationorinducement，astobequeathpatrimonialpropertyawayfromtheirownblood。Theymayloveotherindividualsfarbetterthantheirrelatives，——theymayevencherishdislike，orpositivehatred，tothelatter；butyet，inviewofdeath，thestrongprejudiceofpropinquityrevives，andimpelsthetestatortosenddownhisestateinthelinemarkedoutbycustomsoimmemorialthatitlookslikenature。InallthePyncheons，thisfeelinghadtheenergyofdisease。Itwastoopowerfulfortheconscientiousscruplesoftheoldbachelor；atwhosedeath，accordingly，themansion-house，togetherwithmostofhisotherriches，passedintothepossessionofhisnextlegalrepresentative。
　　Thiswasanephew，thecousinofthemiserableyoungmanwhohadbeenconvictedoftheuncle’smurder。Thenewheir，uptotheperiodofhisaccession，wasreckonedratheradissipatedyouth，buthadatoncereformed，andmadehimselfanexceedinglyrespectablememberofsociety。Infact，heshowedmoreofthePyncheonquality，andhadwonhighereminenceintheworld，thananyofhisracesincethetimeoftheoriginalPuritan。Applyinghimselfinearliermanhoodtothestudyofthelaw，andhavinganaturaltendencytowardsoffice，hehadattained，manyyearsago，toajudicialsituationinsomeinferiorcourt，whichgavehimforlifetheverydesirableandimposingtitleofjudge。Later，hehadengagedinpolitics，andservedapartoftwotermsinCongress，besidesmakingaconsiderablefigureinbothbranchesoftheStatelegislature。JudgePyncheonwasunquestionablyanhonortohisrace。Hehadbuilthimselfacountry-seatwithinafewmilesofhisnativetown，andtherespentsuchportionsofhistimeascouldbesparedfrompublicserviceinthedisplayofeverygraceandvirtue——asanewspaperphrasedit，ontheeveofanelection——befittingtheChristian，thegoodcitizen，thehorticulturist，andthegentleman。
　　TherewerefewofthePyncheonslefttosunthemselvesintheglowoftheJudge’sprosperity。Inrespecttonaturalincrease，thebreedhadnotthriven；itappearedrathertobedyingout。
　　Theonlymembersofthefamilyknowntobeextantwere，first，theJudgehimself，andasinglesurvivingson，whowasnowtravellinginEurope；next，thethirtyyears’prisoner，alreadyalludedto，andasisterofthelatter，whooccupied，inanextremelyretiredmanner，theHouseoftheSevenGables，inwhichshehadalife-estatebythewilloftheoldbachelor。Shewasunderstoodtobewretchedlypoor，andseemedtomakeitherchoicetoremainso；inasmuchasheraffluentcousin，theJudge，hadrepeatedlyofferedherallthecomfortsoflife，eitherintheoldmansionorhisownmodernresidence。ThelastandyoungestPyncheonwasalittlecountry-girlofseventeen，thedaughterofanotheroftheJudge’scousins，whohadmarriedayoungwomanofnofamilyorproperty，anddiedearlyandinpoorcircumstances。Hiswidowhadrecentlytakenanotherhusband。
　　AsforMatthewMaule’sposterity，itwassupposednowtobeextinct。
　　Foraverylongperiodafterthewitchcraftdelusion，however，theMauleshadcontinuedtoinhabitthetownwheretheirprogenitorhadsufferedsounjustadeath。Toallappearance，theywereaquiet，honest，well-meaningraceofpeople，cherishingnomaliceagainstindividualsorthepublicforthewrongwhichhadbeendonethem；
　　orif，attheirownfireside，theytransmittedfromfathertochildanyhostilerecollectionofthewizard’sfateandtheirlostpatrimony，itwasneveractedupon，noropenlyexpressed。NorwouldithavebeensingularhadtheyceasedtorememberthattheHouseoftheSevenGableswasrestingitsheavyframeworkonafoundationthatwasrightfullytheirown。Thereissomethingsomassive，stable，andalmostirresistiblyimposingintheexteriorpresentmentofestablishedrankandgreatpossessions，thattheirveryexistenceseemstogivethemarighttoexist；atleast，soexcellentacounterfeitofright，thatfewpoorandhumblemenhavemoralforceenoughtoquestionit，evenintheirsecretminds。Suchisthecasenow，aftersomanyancientprejudiceshavebeenoverthrown；
　　anditwasfarmoresoinante-Revolutionarydays，whenthearistocracycouldventuretobeproud，andthelowwerecontenttobeabased。
　　ThustheMaules，atallevents，kepttheirresentmentswithintheirownbreasts。Theyweregenerallypoverty-stricken；alwaysplebeianandobscure；workingwithunsuccessfuldiligenceathandicrafts；
　　laboringonthewharves，orfollowingthesea，assailorsbeforethemast；livinghereandthereaboutthetown，inhiredtenements，andcomingfinallytothealmshouseasthenaturalhomeoftheiroldage。Atlast，aftercreeping，asitwere，forsuchalengthoftimealongtheutmostvergeoftheopaquepuddleofobscurity，theyhadtakenthatdownrightplungewhich，soonerorlater，isthedestinyofallfamilies，whetherprincelyorplebeian。Forthirtyyearspast，neithertown-record，norgravestone，northedirectory，northeknowledgeormemoryofman，boreanytraceofMatthewMaule’sdescendants。Hisbloodmightpossiblyexistelsewhere；
　　here，whereitslowlycurrentcouldbetracedsofarback，ithadceasedtokeepanonwardcourse。
　　Solongasanyoftheraceweretobefound，theyhadbeenmarkedoutfromothermen——notstrikingly，noraswithasharpline，butwithaneffectthatwasfeltratherthanspokenof——byanhereditarycharacterofreserve。Theircompanions，orthosewhoendeavoredtobecomesuch，grewconsciousofacircleroundabouttheMaules，withinthesanctityorthespellofwhich，inspiteofanexteriorofsufficientfranknessandgood-fellowship，itwasimpossibleforanymantostep。Itwasthisindefinablepeculiarity，perhaps，that，byinsulatingthemfromhumanaid，keptthemalwayssounfortunateinlife。Itcertainlyoperatedtoprolongintheircase，andtoconfirmtothemastheironlyinheritance，thosefeelingsofrepugnanceandsuperstitiousterrorwithwhichthepeopleofthetown，evenafterawakeningfromtheirfrenzy，continuedtoregardthememoryofthereputedwitches。
　　Themantle，orrathertheraggedcloak，ofoldMatthewMaulehadfallenuponhischildren。Theywerehalfbelievedtoinheritmysteriousattributes；thefamilyeyewassaidtopossessstrangepower。Amongothergood-for-nothingpropertiesandprivileges，onewasespeciallyassignedthem，——thatofexercisinganinfluenceoverpeople’sdreams。ThePyncheons，ifallstoriesweretrue，haughtilyastheyborethemselvesinthenoondaystreetsoftheirnativetown，werenobetterthanbond-servantstotheseplebeianMaules，onenteringthetopsy-turvycommonwealthofsleep。
　　Modernpsychology，itmaybe，willendeavortoreducetheseallegednecromancieswithinasystem，insteadofrejectingthemasaltogetherfabulous。
　　Adescriptiveparagraphortwo，treatingoftheseven-gabledmansioninitsmorerecentaspect，willbringthispreliminarychaptertoaclose。Thestreetinwhichitupreareditsvenerablepeakshaslongceasedtobeafashionablequarterofthetown；
　　sothat，thoughtheoldedificewassurroundedbyhabitationsofmoderndate，theyweremostlysmall，builtentirelyofwood，andtypicalofthemostploddinguniformityofcommonlife。Doubtless，however，thewholestoryofhumanexistencemaybelatentineachofthem，butwithnopicturesqueness，externally，thatcanattracttheimaginationorsympathytoseekitthere。Butasfortheoldstructureofourstory，itswhite-oakframe，anditsboards，shingles，andcrumblingplaster，andeventhehuge，clusteredchimneyinthemidst，seemedtoconstituteonlytheleastandmeanestpartofitsreality。Somuchofmankind’svariedexperiencehadpassedthere，——somuchhadbeensuffered，andsomething，too，enjoyed，——thattheverytimberswereoozy，aswiththemoistureofaheart。Itwasitselflikeagreathumanheart，withalifeofitsown，andfullofrichandsombrereminiscences。
　　Thedeepprojectionofthesecondstorygavethehousesuchameditativelook，thatyoucouldnotpassitwithouttheideathatithadsecretstokeep，andaneventfulhistorytomoralizeupon。
　　Infront，justontheedgeoftheunpavedsidewalk，grewthePyncheonElm，which，inreferencetosuchtreesasoneusuallymeetswith，mightwellbetermedgigantic。Ithadbeenplantedbyagreat-grandsonofthefirstPyncheon，and，thoughnowfourscoreyearsofage，orperhapsnearerahundred，wasstillinitsstrongandbroadmaturity，throwingitsshadowfromsidetosideofthestreet，overtoppingthesevengables，andsweepingthewholeblackroofwithitspendantfoliage。Itgavebeautytotheoldedifice，andseemedtomakeitapartofnature。Thestreethavingbeenwidenedaboutfortyyearsago，thefrontgablewasnowpreciselyonalinewithit。Oneithersideextendedaruinouswoodenfenceofopenlattice-work，throughwhichcouldbeseenagrassyyard，and，especiallyintheanglesofthebuilding，anenormousfertilityofburdocks，withleaves，itishardlyanexaggerationtosay，twoorthreefeetlong。Behindthehousethereappearedtobeagarden，whichundoubtedlyhadoncebeenextensive，butwasnowinfringeduponbyotherenclosures，orshutinbyhabitationsandoutbuildingsthatstoodonanotherstreet。
　　Itwouldbeanomission，trifling，indeed，butunpardonable，werewetoforgetthegreenmossthathadlongsincegatheredovertheprojectionsofthewindows，andontheslopesoftheroofnormustwefailtodirectthereader’seyetoacrop，notofweeds，butflower-shrubs，whichweregrowingaloftintheair，notagreatwayfromthechimney，inthenookbetweentwoofthegables。TheywerecalledAlice’sPosies。Thetraditionwas，thatacertainAlicePyncheonhadflunguptheseeds，insport，andthatthedustofthestreetandthedecayoftheroofgraduallyformedakindofsoilforthem，outofwhichtheygrew，whenAlicehadlongbeeninhergrave。Howevertheflowersmighthavecomethere，itwasbothsadandsweettoobservehowNatureadoptedtoherselfthisdesolate，decaying，gusty，rustyoldhouseofthePyncheonfamily；andhowtheeven-returningsummerdidherbesttogladdenitwithtenderbeauty，andgrewmelancholyintheeffort。
　　Thereisoneotherfeature，veryessentialtobenoticed，butwhich，wegreatlyfear，maydamageanypicturesqueandromanticimpressionwhichwehavebeenwillingtothrowoveroursketchofthisrespectableedifice。Inthefrontgable，undertheimpendingbrowofthesecondstory，andcontiguoustothestreet，wasashop-door，dividedhorizontallyinthemidst，andwithawindowforitsuppersegment，suchasisoftenseenindwellingsofasomewhatancientdate。Thissameshop-doorhadbeenasubjectofNoslightmortificationtothepresentoccupantoftheaugustPyncheonHouse，aswellastosomeofherpredecessors。Thematterisdisagreeablydelicatetohandle；but，sincethereadermustneedsbeletintothesecret，hewillpleasetounderstand，that，aboutacenturyago，theheadofthePyncheonsfoundhimselfinvolvedinseriousfinancialdifficulties。Thefellowgentleman，ashestyledhimselfcanhardlyhavebeenotherthanaspuriousinterloper；for，insteadofseekingofficefromthekingortheroyalgovernor，orurginghishereditaryclaimtoEasternlands，hebethoughthimselfofnobetteravenuetowealththanbycuttingashop-doorthroughthesideofhisancestralresidence。Itwasthecustomofthetime，indeed，formerchantstostoretheirgoodsandtransactbusinessintheirowndwellings。ButtherewassomethingpitifullysmallinthisoldPyncheon’smodeofsettingabouthiscommercialoperations；itwaswhispered，that，withhisownhands，allberuffledastheywere，heusedtogivechangeforashilling，andwouldturnahalf-pennytwiceover，tomakesurethatitwasagoodone。Beyondallquestion，hehadthebloodofapettyhucksterinhisveins，throughwhateverchannelitmayhavefounditswaythere。
　　Immediatelyonhisdeath，theshop-doorhadbeenlocked，bolted，andbarred，and，downtotheperiodofourstory，hadprobablyneveroncebeenopened。Theoldcounter，shelves，andotherfixturesofthelittleshopremainedjustashehadleftthem。
　　Itusedtobeaffirmed，thatthedeadshop-keeper，inawhitewig，afadedvelvetcoat，anapronathiswaist，andhisrufflescarefullyturnedbackfromhiswrists，mightbeseenthroughthechinksoftheshutters，anynightoftheyear，ransackinghistill，orporingoverthedingypagesofhisday-book。Fromthelookofunutterablewoeuponhisface，itappearedtobehisdoomtospendeternityinavainefforttomakehisaccountsbalance。
　　Andnow——inaveryhumbleway，aswillbeseen——weproceedtoopenournarrative。
　　IITheLittleShop-WindowITstilllackedhalfanhourofsunrise，whenMissHepzibahPyncheon——wewillnotsayawoke，itbeingdoubtfulwhetherthepoorladyhadsomuchasclosedhereyesduringthebriefnightofmidsummer——but，atallevents，arosefromhersolitarypillow，andbeganwhatitwouldbemockerytotermtheadornmentofherperson。Farfromusbetheindecorumofassisting，eveninimagination，atamaidenlady’stoilet！OurstorymustthereforeawaitMissHepzibahatthethresholdofherchamber；onlypresuming，meanwhile，tonotesomeoftheheavysighsthatlaboredfromherbosom，withlittlerestraintastotheirlugubriousdepthandvolumeofsound，inasmuchastheycouldbeaudibletonobodysaveadisembodiedlistenerlikeourself。TheOldMaidwasaloneintheoldhouse。Alone，exceptforacertainrespectableandorderlyyoungman，anartistinthedaguerreotypeline，who，foraboutthreemonthsback，hadbeenalodgerinaremotegable，——quiteahousebyitself，indeed，——withlocks，bolts，andoakenbarsonalltheinterveningdoors。Inaudible，consequently，werepoorMissHepzibah’sgustysighs。Inaudiblethecreakingjointsofherstiffenedknees，asshekneltdownbythebedside。Andinaudible，too，bymortalear，butheardwithall-comprehendingloveandpityinthefarthestheaven，thatalmostagonyofprayer——nowwhispered，nowagroan，nowastrugglingsilence——wherewithshebesoughttheDivineassistancethroughthedayEvidently，thisistobeadayofmorethanordinarytrialtoMissHepzibah，who，foraboveaquarterofacenturygoneby，hasdweltinstrictseclusion，takingnopartinthebusinessoflife，andjustaslittleinitsintercourseandpleasures。Notwithsuchfervorpraysthetorpidrecluse，lookingforwardtothecold，sunless，stagnantcalmofadaythatistobelikeinnumerableyesterdays。
　　Themaidenlady’sdevotionsareconcluded。Willshenowissueforthoverthethresholdofourstory？Notyet，bymanymoments。
　　First，everydrawerinthetall，old-fashionedbureauistobeopened，withdifficulty，andwithasuccessionofspasmodicjerksthen，allmustcloseagain，withthesamefidgetyreluctance。
　　Thereisarustlingofstiffsilks；atreadofbackwardandforwardfootstepstoandfroacrossthechamber。WesuspectMissHepzibah，moreover，oftakingastepupwardintoachair，inordertogiveheedfulregardtoherappearanceonallsides，andatfulllength，intheoval，dingy-framedtoilet-glass，thathangsabovehertable。Truly！well，indeed！whowouldhavethoughtit！Isallthisprecioustimetobelavishedonthematutinalrepairandbeautifyingofanelderlyperson，whonevergoesabroad，whomnobodyevervisits，andfromwhom，whensheshallhavedoneherutmost，itwerethebestcharitytoturnone’seyesanotherway？
　　Nowsheisalmostready。Letuspardonheroneotherpause；foritisgiventothesolesentiment，or，wemightbettersay，——heightenedandrenderedintense，asithasbeen，bysorrowandseclusion，——tothestrongpassionofherlife。Weheardtheturningofakeyinasmalllock；shehasopenedasecretdrawerofanescritoire，andisprobablylookingatacertainminiature，doneinMalbone’smostperfectstyle，andrepresentingafaceworthyofnolessdelicateapencil。Itwasonceourgoodfortunetoseethispicture。Itisalikenessofayoungman，inasilkendressing-gownofanoldfashion，thesoftrichnessofwhichiswelladaptedtothecountenanceofreverie，withitsfull，tenderlips，andbeautifuleyes，thatseemtoindicatenotsomuchcapacityofthought，asgentleandvoluptuousemotion。Ofthepossessorofsuchfeaturesweshallhavearighttoasknothing，exceptthathewouldtaketherudeworldeasily，andmakehimselfhappyinit。CanithavebeenanearlyloverofMissHepzibah？No；sheneverhadalover——poorthing，howcouldshe？——
　　noreverknew，byherownexperience，whatlovetechnicallymeans。
　　Andyet，herundyingfaithandtrust，herfreshremembrance，andcontinualdevotednesstowardstheoriginalofthatminiature，havebeentheonlysubstanceforherhearttofeedupon。
　　Sheseemstohaveputasidetheminiature，andisstandingagainbeforethetoilet-glass。Therearetearstobewipedoff。Afewmorefootstepstoandfro；andhere，atlast，——withanotherpitifulsigh，likeagustofchill，dampwindoutofalong-closedvault，thedoorofwhichhasaccidentallybeenset，ajar——herecomesMissHepzibahPyncheon！Forthshestepsintothedusky，time-darkenedpassage；atallfigure，cladinblacksilk，withalongandshrunkenwaist，feelingherwaytowardsthestairslikeanear-sightedperson，asintruthsheis。
　　Thesun，meanwhile，ifnotalreadyabovethehorizon，wasascendingnearerandnearertoitsverge。Afewclouds，floatinghighupward，caughtsomeoftheearliestlight，andthrewdownitsgoldengleamonthewindowsofallthehousesinthestreet，notforgettingtheHouseoftheSevenGables，which——manysuchsunrisesasithadwitnessed——lookedcheerfullyatthepresentone。Thereflectedradianceservedtoshow，prettydistinctly，theaspectandarrangementoftheroomwhichHepzibahentered，afterdescendingthestairs。Itwasalow-studdedroom，withabeamacrosstheceiling，panelledwithdarkwood，andhavingalargechimney-piece，setroundwithpicturedtiles，butnowclosedbyanironfire-board，throughwhichranthefunnelofamodernstove。
　　Therewasacarpetonthefloor，originallyofrichtexture，butsowornandfadedintheselatteryearsthatitsoncebrilliantfigurehadquitevanishedintooneindistinguishablehue。Inthewayoffurniture，thereweretwotables:one，constructedwithperplexingintricacyandexhibitingasmanyfeetasacentipede；
　　theother，mostdelicatelywrought，withfourlongandslenderlegs，soapparentlyfrailthatitwasalmostincrediblewhatalengthoftimetheancienttea-tablehadstooduponthem。Halfadozenchairsstoodabouttheroom，straightandstiff，andsoingeniouslycontrivedforthediscomfortofthehumanpersonthattheywereirksomeeventosight，andconveyedtheugliestpossibleideaofthestateofsocietytowhichtheycouldhavebeenadapted。Oneexceptiontherewas，however，inaveryantiqueelbow-chair，withahighback，carvedelaboratelyinoak，andaroomydepthwithinitsarms，thatmadeup，byitsspaciouscomprehensiveness，forthelackofanyofthoseartisticcurveswhichaboundinamodernchair。