Reynolds’sownremarkableverseisnotbetterknown。"Letustrytoknowitalittlebetter。
　　IhavenotsucceededingettingReynolds’sfirstvolumeofpoems，whichwaspublishedbefore"Endymion。"ItcontainedsomeOrientalmelodies，andwonacarelessgoodwordfromByron。TheearliestworkofhisIcanlaymyhandonis"TheFancy，aSelectionfromthePoeticalRemainsofthelatePeterCorcoran，ofGray’sInn，StudentatLaw，withabriefmemoirofhisLife。"ThereisamottofromWordsworth：
　　"Frankarethesports，thestainsarefugitive。"{4}
　　ItwastheoldpalmytimeoftheRing。EveryoneknowshowByrontooklessonsfromJacksontheboxer；howShelleyhadafightatEtoninwhichhequotedHomer，butwaslickedbyasmallerboy；howChristopherNorthwhippedtheprofessionalpugilist；howKeatshimselfneverhadenoughoffightingatschool，andbeatthebutcherafterwards。HisfriendReynolds，also，likedaset—towiththegloves。Hisimaginarycharacter，PeterCorcoran，isapoeticallad，whobecomespossessedbyapassionforprize—fighting。Itseemsoddinapoet，but"thestainsarefugitive。"
　　Wewouldlieferseeayoungmanrejoicinginhisstrengthandimprovinghisscience，thanloafingaboutwithlonghairandgivinganxiousthoughttothecolourofhisnecktie。Itisadisinterestedpreference，asfightingwasnevermyforte，anymorethanitwasArtemusWard’s。AtschoolIwas"moreremarkableforwhatI
　　sufferedthanforwhatIachieved。"
　　PeterCorcoran"foughtnearlyassoonashecouldwalk，"whereinheresembledKeats，andpartofhischaractermayevenhavebeenborrowedfromtheauthorofthe"OdetotheNightingale。"Peterfellinlove，wrotepoetry，witnesseda"mill"attheFives—Court，andbecametheLaureateoftheRing。"Hehasmadeagoodset—towithEales，TomBelcher（themonarchofthegloves!），andTurner，anditisknownthathehasparriedthedifficultandravaginghandevenofRandallhimself。""Thedifficultandravaginghand"——thereisastyleforyou!
　　Reynoldshashimselftheenthusiasmofhishero；letusrememberthatHomer，Virgil，andTheocritushavealldescribedspiritedrallieswithadmirationandgoodtaste。Fromhisdissipationincider—cellarsandcoal—holes，thisrivalofTomandJerrywroteasonnetthatapplieswellenoughtoReynolds’sowncareer：
　　"Werethisafeatherfromaneagle’swing，Andthou，mytabletwhite!amarbletileTakenfromancientJove’smajesticpile—
　　AndmightIdipmyfeatherinsomespring，AdownMountIdathreadlikewandering：—
　　AndweremythoughtsbroughtfromsomestarryisleInHeaven’sbluesea——IthenmightwithasmileWritedownahymntofame，andproudlysing!
　　"ButIammortal：andIcannotwriteAughtthatmayfoilthefatalwingofTime。
　　Silent，IlookatFame：IcannotclimbTowhereherTempleis——Notminethemight：—
　　Ihavesomeglimmeringofwhatissublime—
　　But，ah!itisamostinconstantlight。"
　　Keatsmighthavewrittenthissonnetinamelancholymood。
　　"Aboutthistimehe（Peter）wroteaslangdescriptionofafighthehadwitnessedtoalady。"UnluckyPeter!"Waseverwomaninthismannerwooed？"Thelady"glancedhereyeoverpageafterpageinhopesofmeetingwithsomethingthatwasintelligible，"andnowondershedidnotcareforalongletter"devotedtothesubjectofamillbetweenBelascoandtheBrummagemyouth。"Peterwassoill—
　　advisedastoappearbeforeherwithgloriousscars，"twoblackeyes"infact，andshe"wasinexorablycruel。"Peterdidnotsurviveherdisdain。"Theladystilllives，andismarried"!Itiseverthus!
　　Peter’spublishedworkscontainanAmericantragedy。Petersayshegotitfromafriend，whowassendinghimanAmericancopyof"GuyMannering""topresenttoayoungladywho，strangetosay，"readbooksandworepockets，"virtuesunusualinthesex。Oneofthesongs（onthedelightsofbull—baiting）containsthemostvigorouslinesIhaveevermet，buttheyaretoovigorousforourlaxage。
　　Thetragedyendsmosttragically，andthemoralcomesin"betterlate，"saystheauthor，"thannever。"Theotherpoemsareallverylively，andverymuchoutofdate。PoorPeter!
　　Reynoldswasmarriedby1818，anditisimpossibletoguesswhetherthepoemsofPeterCorcorandidordidnotcontainallusionstohisownmoreluckyloveaffair。"Uponmysoul，"writesKeats，"Ihavebeengettingmoreandmoreclosetoyoueveryday，eversinceIknewyou，andnowoneofthefirstpleasuresIlooktoisyourhappymarriage。"ReynoldswasurgingKeatstopublishthe"PotofBasil"
　　"asananswertotheattackmadeonmeinBlackwood’sMagazineandtheQuarterlyReview。"
　　NextKeatswritesthathehimself"neverwasinlove，yetthevoiceandshapeofawomanhashauntedmethesetwodays。"OnSeptember22，1819，KeatssentReynoldsthe"OdetoAutumn，"thanwhichthereisnomoreperfectpoeminthelanguageofShakespeare。ThiswasthelastofhispublishedletterstoReynolds。Hewasdying，hauntedeternallybythatwoman’sshapeandvoice。
　　Reynolds’sbest—knownbook，ifanyofthemcanbesaidtobeknownatall，waspublishedunderthenameofJohnHamilton。Itis"TheGardenofFlorence，andOtherPoems"（Warren，London，1821）。Thereisadedication——tohisyoungwife。
　　"Thouhastentreatedmeto’writenomore，’"andhe，asanelderly"manoftwenty—four，"promisestoobey。"Thelilyandmyselfhencefortharetwo，"hesays，implyingthatheandthelilyhavepreviouslybeen"one，"aquaintconfessionfromthepoetofPeterCorcoran。ThereissomethingverypleasantinthegracefulregretandobedienceofthisfarewelltotheMuse。HesaystoMrs。
　　Reynolds：
　　"IwillnottelltheworldthatthouhastchidMyheartforworshippingtheidolMuse；
　　ThatthydarkeyehasgivenitsgentlelidTearsformywanderings；ImaynotchooseWhenthoudostspeakbutdoasIambid，—
　　Andthereforetotherosesandthedews，VeryrespectfullyImakemybow；—
　　Andturnmybackuponthetulipsnow。"
　　"Thechiefpoemsinthecollection，takenfromBoccaccio，weretohavebeenassociatedwithtalesfromthesamesource，intendedtohavebeenwrittenbyafriend；butillnessonhispartanddistractingengagementsonmine，preventedusfromaccomplishingourplanatthetime；andDeathnow，tomydeepsorrow，hasfrustrateditforever!"
　　Icannotbutquotewhatfollows，thetributetoKeats’skindness，tothemostendearingqualityournaturepossesses；thequalitythatwasScott’sinsuchawinningdegree，thatwassomarkedinMoliere，"He，whoisgone，wasoneoftheverykindestfriendsIeverpossessed，andyethewasnotkinder，perhaps，tomethantoothers。
　　Hisintensemindandpowerfulfeelingwould，Itrulybelieve，havedonetheworldsomeservicehadhislifebeenspared——buthewasoftoosensitiveanature——andthushewasdestroyed!Onestoryhecompleted，andthatistomenowthemostpatheticpoeminexistence。"
　　Itwas"Isabella，orthePotofBasil。"
　　The"GardenofFlorence"iswritteninthecoupletsof"Endymion，"
　　andisabeautifulversionofthetaleoncemoreretoldbyAlfreddeMussetin"Simone。"From"TheRomanceofYouth"letmequoteonestanza，whichappliestoKeats：
　　"HereadanddreamtofyoungEndymion，Tillhisromanticfancydrankitsfill；
　　Hesawthatlovelyshepherdsittinglone，WatchinghiswhiteflocksuponIda’shill；
　　TheMoonadoredhim——andwhenallwasstill，Andstarswerewakeful——shewouldearthwardstray，Andlingerwithhershepherdlove，untilThehoovesofthesteedsthatbearthecarofday，Strucksilverlightintheeast，andthenshewanedaway!"
　　ItwasonLatmos，notIda，thatEndymionshepherdedhisflocks；butthatisofnomoment，excepttoschoolmasters。ThereareotherstanzasofReynoldsworthyofKeats；forexample，thisontheFairyQueen：
　　"Herbodicewasaprettysighttosee；
　　Yewhowouldknowitscolour，——beathiefOftherose’smuffledbudfromoffthetree；
　　Andforyourknowledge，stripitleafbyleafSpiteofyourownremorseorFlora’sgrief，Tillyehavecomeuntoitsheart’spalehue；
　　Thelast，lastleaf，whichisthequeen，——thechiefOfbeautifuldimblooms：yeshallnotrue，Atsightofthatsweetleafthemischiefwhichyedo。"
　　Onedoesnotknowwhentoleaveoffgatheringbudsinthe"GardenofFlorence。"EvenafterShakespeare，andafterKeats，thispassageonwildflowershasitsowncharm：
　　"Wegatheredwoodflowers，——someblueastheveinO’erHero’seyelidstealing，andsomeaswhite，Intheclusteringgrass，asrichEuropa’shandNestedamidthecurlsonJupiter’sforehead，Whattimehesnatchedherthroughthestartledwaves；—
　　Somepoppies，too，suchasinEnna’smeadowsForsooktheirowngreenhomesandparentstalks，TokissthefingersofProserpina：
　　Andsomeweresmallasfairies’eyes，andbrightAslovers’tears!"
　　IwishIhadroomforthreeorfoursonnets，theRobinHoodsonnetstoKeats，andanotheronapictureofalady。Excusethelengthofthisletter，andreadthis：
　　"Sorrowhathmadethineeyesmoredarkandkeen，Andsetawhiterhueuponthycheeks，—
　　Androundthypressedlipsdrawnanguish—streaks，Andmadethyforeheadfearfullyserene。
　　Eveninthysteadyhairherworkisseen，Foritsstillparteddarkness——tillitbreaksInheavycurlsuponthyshoulders——speaksLikethesternwave，howhardthestormhathbeen!
　　"SolookedthathaplessladyoftheSouth，SweetIsabella!atthatdrearypartOfallthepassion’dhoursofheryouth；
　　WhenhergreenBasilpotbybrother’sartWasstolenaway；solook’dherpainedmouthInthemutepatienceofabreakingheart!"
　　Thereletusleavehim，thegayrhymerofprize—fightersandeminentpersons——letusleavehiminaserioushour，andwithamemoryofKeats。{5}
　　ONVIRGIL
　　ToLadyVioletLebas。
　　DearLadyViolet，——Whocanadmiretoomuchyourundefeatedresolutiontoadmireonlytherightthings？IwishIhadthisrespectforauthority!ButletmeconfessthatIhavealwaysadmiredthethingswhichnaturemademeprefer，andthatIhavenopowerofaccommodatingmytastetotheverdictofthecritical。IfIdonotlikeanauthor，Ileavehimalone，howevergreathisreputation。ThusIdonotcareforMr。Gibbon，exceptinhisAutobiography，norfortheelegantplaysofM。Racine，norverymuchforsomeofWordsworth，thoughhisgeniusisundeniable，norexcessivelyforthelateProf。Amiel。Whyshouldweforceourselvesintoanaffectionforthem，anymorethanintoarelishforolivesorclaret，bothofwhichexcellentcreaturesIhavethemisfortunetodislike？Nospectacleannoysmemorethanthesightofpeoplewhoaskifitis"right"totakepleasureinthisorthatworkofart。Theirlovesandhatredswillneverbegenuine，natural，spontaneous。
　　Yousaythatitis"right"tolikeVirgil，andyetyouadmitthatyouadmiretheMantuan，astheScotcheditorjoked，"wi’
　　deeficulty。"I，too，mustadmitthatmylikingformuchofVirgil’spoetryisnotenthusiastic，notliketheadmirationexpressed，forexample，byMr。FredericMyers，inwhose"ClassicalEssays"youwillfindallthattheadvocatesoftheLatinsingercansayforhim。
　　TheseheightsIcannotreach，anymorethanIcanequalthateloquence。YetmustVirgilalwaysappeartousoneofthemostbeautifulandmovingfiguresinthewholeofliterature。
　　Howsweetmusthavebeenthatpersonalitywhichcanstillwinouraffections，acrosseighteenhundredyearsofchange，andthroughthemistsofcommentaries，andschool—books，andtraditions!Doesittouchtheeatall，ohgentlespiritandserene，thatwe，whoneverknewthee，lovetheeyet，andreveretheeasasaintofheathendom？
　　Havethedeadanydelightinthereligiontheyinspire？
　　IdcineremautManescrediscuraresepultos？
　　IhalffancyIcantracetheoriginofthispersonalaffectionforVirgil，whichsurvivesinmedespitethelackofaverystrongloveofpartsofhispoems。WhenIwasatschoolwemeteverymorningforprayer，inalargecircularhall，roundwhich，onpedestals，weresetcopiesoftheportraitbustsofgreatancientwriters。
　　Amongthesewas"theIonianfatheroftherest，"ourfatherHomer，withawinningandvenerablemajesty。ButthebustofVirgilwas，I
　　think，ofwhitemarble，notacast（so，atleast，Irememberit），andwasofasingularyouthfulpurityandbeauty，sharingmyaffectionswithacopyoftheexquisitePsycheofNaples。ItshowedusthatVirgilwhowascalled"TheMaiden"asMiltonwasnamed"TheLadyofChrist’s。"Idon’tknowthearcheologyofit，perhapsitwasamereworkofmodernfancy，butthecharmofthisimage，behelddaily，overcameeventhetediumofshortscrapsofthe"AEneid"
　　dailyparsed，notwithoutstripesandanguish。SoIretainasentimentforVirgil，thoughIwellperceivethemanydrawbacksofhispoetry。
　　Itisnotalwayspoetryatfirsthand；itisoftenimitative，likeallLatinpoetry，oftheGreeksongsthatsoundedattheawakeningoftheworld。ThisismoretolerablewhenTheocritusisthemodel，asinthe"Eclogues，"andlessobviousinthe"Georgics，"whenthepoetiscarriedawayintonaturalnessbythepassionforhisnativeland，bythelongingforpeaceaftercruelwars，bythejoyofacountrylife。Virgilhadthatloveofriverswhich，Ithink，apoetisrarelywithout；anditdidnotneedGreecetoteachhimtosingofthefields：
　　Propteraquam，tardisingensubiflexibusMinciusettenerapraetexitarundineripas。
　　"Bythewater—side，wheremightyMinciuswanders，withlinksandloops，andfringesallthebankswiththetenderreed。"NottheMusesofGreece，buthisownCasmenae，song—maidensofItaly，haveinspiredhimhere，andhismusicisblownthroughareedoftheMincius。InmanysuchplacesheshowsatemperwithwhichweofEngland，inourlateage，maycloselysympathize。
　　DoyourememberthatmediaevalstoryofthebuildingofParthenope，howitwasbased，bytheMagicianVirgilius，onanegg，andhowthecityshakeswhenthefrailfoundationchancestobestirred？Thistoovastempireofoursisasfrailinitsfoundation，andtremblesataword。SoitwaswiththeEmpireofRomeinVirgil’stime：
　　civicrevolutionmutteringwithinit，likethesubterraneanthunder，andtheforcesofdestructiongatheringwithout。InVirgil，asinHorace，youconstantlynotetheiranxiety，theirapprehensionforthetotteringfabricoftheRomanstate。Thisitwas，Ithink，andnotthecontemplationofhumanfortunesalone，thatlentVirgilhismelancholy。Fromthesefearshelooksforashelterinthesylvanshades；heenviestheidealpastofthegoldenworld。
　　AureushancvitaminterrisSaturnusagebat!
　　"Oh，forthefields!Oh，forSpercheiusandTaygetus，wherewandertheLacaenianmaids!Oh，thatonewouldcarrymetothecoolvalleysofHaemus，andcovermewiththewideshadowoftheboughs!
　　Happywashewhocametoknowthecausesofthings，whosethisfootonfearandoninexorableFate，andfarbelowhimheardtheroaringofthestreamsofHell!Andhappyhewhoknowstheruraldeities，Pan，andSylvanustheOld，andthesisterhoodofthenymphs!
　　Unmovedishebythepeople’sfavour，bythepurpleofkings，unmovedbyalltheperfidiesofcivilwar，bytheDacianmarchingdownfromhishostileDanube；bytheperiloftheRomanstate，andtheEmpirehurryingtoitsdoom。Hewastethnothisheartinpityofthepoor，heenviethnottherich，hegatherethwhatfruitsthebranchesbearandwhatthekindlywildernessunaskedbringsforth；
　　heknowsnotourlaws，northemadnessofthecourts，northerecordsofthecommonweal"——doesnotreadthenewspapers，infact。
　　Thesorrowsofthepoor，theluxuryoftherich，theperiloftheEmpire，theshameanddreadofeachday’snews，wetooknowthem；
　　likeVirgilwetoodeplorethem。We，inourreveries，longforsomesuchcarelessparadise，butweplaceitnotinSpartabutintheIslandsoftheSouthernSeas。ItisinpassagesofthistemperthatVirgilwinsusmost，whenhespeaksforhimselfandforhisage，sodistant，andsoweary，andsomodern；whenhisownthought，unborrowedandunforced，isweddedtothemusicofhisownunsurpassablestyle。
　　Buthedoesnotalwayswriteforhimselfandoutofhisownthought，thatstyleofhisbeingfarmorefrequentlymisapplied，wastedontellingastorythatisonlyoffeignedandforeigninterest。
　　Doubtlessitwasthe"AEneid，"hisartificialandunfinishedepic，thatwonVirgilthefavouroftheMiddleAces。TotheMiddleAges，whichknewnotGreek，andknewnotHomer，Virgilwastherepresentativeoftheheroicandeternallyinterestingpast。ButtouswhoknowHomer，Virgil’sepicisindeed，"likemoonlightuntosunlight；"isabeautifulemptyworld，wherenoreallifestirs，aworldthatshineswithasilverlustrenotitsown，butborrowedfrom"thesunofGreece。"
　　Homersangofwhatheknew，ofspearsandships，ofheroicchiefsandbeggarmen，ofhuntsandsieges，ofmountainswherethelionroamed，andoffairyisleswhereagoddesswalkedalone。Helivedonthemarchesofthelandoffable，whenhalftheMediterraneanwasaseaunsailed，whenevenItalywasasdimlydescriedastheCityoftheSuninElizabeth’sreign。Ofallthatheknewhesang，butVirgilcouldonlyfollowandimitate，withapaleantiquarianinterest，thethingsthatwerealiveforHomer。WhatcouldVirgilcareforatusslebetweentwostoutmen—at—arms，fortheclashofcontendingwar—chariots，driveneachoneach，likewaveagainstwaveinthesea？Allthattidehadpassedover，allthestoryofthe"AEneid"ismereborrowedantiquity，liketheMiddleAgesofSirWalterScott；buttheborrowerhadnoneofScott’sjoyinthenoiseandmotionofwar，noneoftheHomeric"delightinbattle。"
　　Virgil，inwritingthe"AEneid，"executedanimperialcommission，andanungratefulcommission；itisthesublimeofhack—work，andthelegendmaybetruewhichdeclaresthat，onhisdeath—bed，hewishedhispoemburned。Hecouldonlybehimselfhereandthere，asinthatearliestpictureofromanticlove，assomehavecalledthestoryof"Dido，"notremembering，perhaps，thatevenhereVirgilhadbeforehismindaGreekmodel，thathewasthinkingofApolloniusRhodius，andofJasonandMedea。Hecouldbehimself，too，inpassagesofreflectionanddescription，asinthebeautifulsixthbook，withitspictureoftheunderworld，anditshintsofmysticalphilosophy。
　　Couldwechooseourownheavens，thereinthatElysianworldmightVirgilbewellcontenttodwell，intheshadowofthatfragrantlaurelgrove，withthemwhowere"priestspureoflife，whilelifewastheirs，andholysingers，whosesongswereworthyofApollo。"
　　TherehemightmuseonhisownreligionandontheDivinitythatdwellsin，thatbreathesin，thatis，allthingsandmorethanall。
　　WhocouldwishVirgiltobeoneofthespiritsthatLethaeumadflumenDuesevocatagminemagno，thatarecalledoncemoretotheLetheanstream，andthatoncemore，forgetfuloftheirhome，"intotheworldandwaveofmendepart？"
　　TherewillcomenootherVirgil，unlesshissoul，inaccordancewithhisownphilosophy，isamongusto—day，crownedwithyearsandhonours，thesingerof"Ulysses，"ofthe"LotusEaters，"of"Tithonus，"and"OEnone。"
　　So，afterall，Ihavebeenenthusiastic，"maugremyhead，"asMalorysays，andperhaps，LadyViolet，Ihaveshownyouwhyitis"right"
　　toadmireVirgil，andperhapsIhavepersuadednobodybutmyself。
　　P。S。——Mr。ColeridgewasnogreatloverofVirgil，inconsistently。
　　"IfyoutakefromVirgilhisdictionandmetre，whatdoyouleavehim？"YetMr。Coleridgehaddefinedpoetryas"thebestwords，inthebestorder"——thatis，"dictionandmetre。"He，therefore，proposedtotakefromVirgilhispoetry，andthentoaskwhatwasleftofthePoet!
　　AUCASSINANDNICOLETTE
　　TotheLadyVioletLebas。
　　DearLadyViolet，——IdonotwonderthatyouarepuzzledbythelanguageofthefirstFrenchnovel。TheFrenchof"AucassinetNicolette"isnotFrenchaftertheschoolofMissPinkerton，atChiswick。Indeed，asthelittlesong—storyhasbeentranslatedintomodernFrenchbyM。Bida，thepainter（whosebookisveryscarce），I
　　presumeeventhecountrywomenofAucassinfinditdifficult。Youwillnotexpectmetowriteanessayonthegrammar，norwouldyoureaditifIdid。Thechiefthingisthat"s"appearsasthesignofthesingular，insteadofbeingthesignoftheplural，andthenounshavecases。
　　Thestorymustbeasoldastheendofthetwelfthcentury，andmusthavereceiveditspresentforminPicardy。Itiswritten，asyousee，inalternatesnatchesofverseandprose。Theverse，whichwaschanted，isnotrhymedasarule，buteachlaisse，orscreed，asinthe"ChansondeRoland，"runsonthesamefinalassonance，orvowelsoundthroughout。
　　Somuchfortheform。Whoistheauthor？Wedonotknow，andnevershallknow。Apparentlyhementionshimselfinthefirstlines：
　　"Whowouldlistentothelay，Ofthecaptiveoldandgray；"
　　forthisisasmuchsenseasonecanmakeoutofdeldeportduvielcaitif。
　　Theauthor，then，wasanoldfellow。Ithinkwemightlearnasmuchfromthestory。Anoldmanhewas，oramanwhofeltold。Doyouknowwhomheremindsmeof？Why，ofMr。Bowes，oftheTheatreRoyal，Chatteris；ofMr。Bowes，thatbattered，old，kindlysentimentalistwhotoldhistalewithMr。ArthurPendennis。
　　Itisalovestory，astoryofloveovermastering，withoutconscienceorcareofaughtbutthebeloved。Andthevielcaitiftellsitwithsympathy，andwithasmile。"Oh，follyoffondness，"
　　heseemstocry；"oh，prettyfeverandfoolish；oh，absurdhappydaysofdesolation：
　　"WhenIwasyoung，asyouareyoung，Andlutesweretouched，andsongsweresung!
　　Andlove—lampsinthewindowshung!"
　　ItistheverytoneofThackeray，whenThackerayistender；andtheworldhearditfirstfromthiselderlynamelessminstrel，strollingwithhisviolandhissingingboys，ablamelessD’Assoucy，fromcastletocastleinthehappypoplarland。IthinkIseehimandhearhiminthesilvertwilight，inthecourtofsomechateauofPicardy，whiletheladiesaroundsitlisteningonsilkencushions，andtheirlovers，fetteredwithsilverchains，lieattheirfeet。
　　Theylisten，andlook，anddonotthinkoftheminstrelwithhisgrayhead，andhisgreenheart；butwethinkofhim。Itisanoldman’swork，andawearyman’swork。Youcaneasilytelltheplaceswherehehaslingeredandbeenpleasedashewrote。
　　Thestoryissimpleenough。Aucassin，sonofCountGarin，ofBeaucaire，lovedsowellfairNicolette，thecaptivegirlfromanunknownland，thathewouldneverbedubbedknight，norfollowtourneys；norevenfightagainsthisfather’smortalfoe，CountBougarsdeValence。SoNicolettewasimprisonedhighinapaintedchamber。Buttheenemywerestormingthetown，and，forthepromiseof"onewordortwowithNicolette，andonekiss，"Aucassinarmedhimselfandledouthismen。ButhewasalladreamaboutNicolette，andhishorseborehimintothepressoffoesereheknewit。Thenheheardthemcontrivinghisdeath，andwokeoutofhisdream。
　　"Thedamoiseauwastallandstrong，andthehorsewhereonhesatfierceandgreat，andAucassinlaidhandtosword，andfella—
　　smitingtorightandleft，andsmotethroughhelmandheadpiece，andarmandshoulder，makingamurderabouthim，likeawildboarthehoundsfallonintheforest。Thereslewhetenknights，andsmotedownseven，andmightilyandknightlyhehurledthroughthepress，andchargedhomeagain，swordinhand。"ForthathourAucassinstrucklikeoneofMallory’smeninthebestofallromances。ButthoughhetookCountBougarsprisoner，hisfatherwouldnotkeephisword，norlethimhaveonewordortwowithNicolette，andonekiss。
　　Nay，Aucassinwasthrownintoprisoninanoldtower。TherehesangofNicolette，"WasitnottheotherdayThatapilgrimcamethisway？
　　Andapassionhimpossessed，Thatuponhisbedhelay，Lay，andtossed，andknewnorest，Inhispaindiscomforted。
　　Butthoucamestbyhisbed，HoldinghighthineamicefineAndthykirtleofermine。
　　ThenthebeautythatisthineDidhelookon；anditfellThatthePilgrimstraightwaswell，Straightwashaleandcomforted。
　　Andheroseupfromhisbed，AndwentbacktohisownplaceSoundandstrong，andfairofface。"
　　ThusAucassinmakesaLegendofhislady，asitwere，assigningtoherbeautysuchmiraclesasfaithattributestotheexcellenceofthesaints。
　　Meanwhile，Nicolettehadslippedfromthewindowofherprisonchamber，andletherselfdownintothegarden，wheresheheardthesongofthenightingales。"Thencaughtsheupherkirtleinbothhands，behindandbefore，andflittedoverthedewthatlaydeeponthegrass，andfledoutofthegarden，andthedaisyflowersbendingbelowhertreadseemeddarkagainstherfeet，sowhitewasthemaiden。"Can’tyouseeherstealingwiththose"feetofivory，"
　　likeBombyca’s，downthedarksideofthesilentmoonlitstreetsofBeaucaire？
　　ThenshecamewhereAucassinwaslamentinginhiscell，andshewhisperedtohimhowshewasfleeingforherlife。Andheansweredthatwithoutherhemustdie；andthenthisfoolishpair，intheverymouthofperil，mustneedsbeginawarofwordsastowhichlovedtheotherbest!
　　"Nay，fairsweetfriend，"saithAucassin，"itmaynotbethatthoulovestmemorethanIlovethee。Womanmaynotlovemanasmanloveswoman，forawoman’sloveliesnodeeperthanintheglanceofhereye，andtheblossomofherbreast，andherfoot’stip—toe；butman’sloveisinhisheartplanted，whencenevercanitissueforthandpassaway。"
　　Sowhiletheyspeak"Indebateasbirdsare，Hawkonbough，"
　　comesthekindsentineltowarnthemofadanger。AndNicoletteflees，andleapsintothefosse，andthenceescapesintoagreatforestandlonely。Inthemorningshemetshepherdsmerryovertheirmeat，andbadethemtellAucassintohuntinthatforest，whereheshouldfindadeerwhereofoneglancewouldcurehimofhismalady。Theshepherdsarehappy，laughingpeople，whohalfmockNicolette，andquitemockAucassin，whenhecomesthatway。ButatfirsttheytookNicoletteforafee，suchabeautyshonesobrightlyfromher，andlitupalltheforest。Aucassintheybanter；andindeedthefreetalkofthepeasantstotheirlord’ssoninthatfeudalagesoundscuriously，andmaywellmakeusreconsiderournotionsofearlyfeudalism。
　　ButAucassinlearnsatleastthatNicoletteisinthewood，andheridesatadventureafterher，tillthethornshaveruinedhissilkensurcoat，andtheblood，drippingfromhistornbody，makesavisibletrackinthegrass。So，ashewept，hemetamonstrousmanofthewood，thataskedhimwhyhelamented。Andhesaidhewassorrowingforalily—whitehoundthathehadlost。Thenthewildmanmockedhim，andtoldhisowntale。HewasinthatestatewhichAchilles，amongtheghosts，preferredtoallthekingshipofthedeadoutworn。
　　Hewashindandhirelingtoavillein，andhehadlostoneofthevillein’soxen。Forthathedarednotgointothetown，whereaprisonawaitedhim。Moreover，theyhaddraggedtheverybedfromunderhisoldmother，topaythepriceoftheox，andshelayonstraw；andatthatthewoodmanwept。
　　Acurioustouch，isitnot，ofpityforthepeople？Theoldpoetisseriousforonemoment。"Compare，"hesays，"thesorrowsofsentiment，ofladiesandlovers，praisedinsong，withthesorrowsofthepoor，withtroublesthatarerealandnotoftheheart!"
　　EvenAucassinthelovelornfeelsit，andgivesthehindmoneytopayforhisox，andsoridingoncomestoalodgethatNicolettehasbuiltwithblossomsandboughs。AndAucassincreptinandlookedthroughagapinthefragrantwallsofthelodge，andsawthestarsinheaven，andonethatwasbrighterthantherest。
　　Doesonenotfeelit，thecoolofthatoldsummernight，thesweetsmellofbrokenboughsandtroddengrassanddeepdew，andtheshiningofthestar？
　　"StarthatIfromfarbeholdThatthemoondrawstoherfold，Nicolettewiththeedothdwell，Mysweetlovewithlocksofgold，"
　　singsAucassin。"AndwhenNicoletteheardAucassin，rightsocamesheuntohim，andpassedwithinthelodge，andcastherarmsabouthisneckandkissedandembracedhim：
　　"Fairsweetfriend，welcomebethou!"
　　"Andthou，fairsweetlove，bethouwelcome!"
　　Therethestoryshouldend，inadreamofasummer’snight。Buttheoldminstreldidnotenditso，orsomeonehascontinuedhisworkwithaheavierhand。Aucassinrides，hecaresnotwhither，ifhehasbuthislovewithhim。Andtheycometoafantasticlandofburlesque，suchasPantagruel’screwtouchedatmanyatime。AndNicoletteistakenbyCarthaginianpirates，andprovestobedaughtertotheKingofCarthage，andleaveshiscourtandcomestoBeaucaireinthedisguiseofaministrel，and"journeysendinlovers’meeting。"
　　Thatisallthetale，withitsgaps，itscarelesspassages，itsadventuresthatdonotinterestthepoet。Heonlycaresforyouth，love，spring，flowers，andthesongofthebirds；therest，exceptthepassageaboutthehind，ismere"business"donecasually，becausetheaudienceexpectsbroadjests，hardblows，misadventures，recognitions。Whatlivesisthetouchofpoetry，oflonging，oftenderheart，ofhumorousresignation。Itlives，andalwaysmustlive，"whilethenatureofmanisthesame。"Thepoethopeshistalewillgladdensadmen。ThisserviceitdidforM。Bida，hesays，inthedreadfulyearof1870—71，whenhetranslated"Aucassin。"This，too，ithasdoneformeindaysnotdelightful。
　　{6}
　　PLOTINUS（A。D。200—262）
　　TotheLadyVioletLebas。
　　DearLadyViolet，——Youarediscursiveanddesultoryenough，asareader，tohavepleasedeventhelateLordIddesleigh。Itwas"AucassinandNicolette"onlyamonthago，andto—dayyouhavebeenreadingLordLytton’s"StrangeStory，"Iamsure，foryouwantinformationaboutPlotinus!Hewasborn（aboutA。D。200）inWolf—
　　town（Lycopolis），inEgypt，thetown，youknow，wherethenativesmightnoteatwolves，poorfellows，justasthepeopleofThebesmightnoteatsheep。ProbablythisprohibitioncausedPlotinusnoregret，forhewasaconsistentvegetarian。
　　However，weareadvancingtoorapidly，andwemustdiscussPlotinusmoreinorder。Hisnameisverydeartomysticnovelists，liketheauthorof"Zanoni。"Theyalwaysdescribetheirfavouriteheroas"deepinPlotinusorIamblichus，"andIventuretothinkthatnearlyrepresentsthedepthoftheirownexplorations。WedonotknowexactlywhenPlotinuswasborn。Likemanyladiesheusedtowrapuphisageinamystery，observingthatthesepettydetailsaboutthebody（amerehuskoffleshbindingthesoul）wereofnoimportance。
　　Hewasnotweanedtillhewaseightyearsold，asingularcircumstance。Havingaturnforphilosophy，heattendedtheschoolsofAlexandria，concerningwhichKingsley’s"Hypatia"isthemostaccessibleauthority。
　　Alltheseanecdotes，Ishouldhavesaid，welearnfromPorphyry，theTyrian，whowasakindofBoswelltoPlotinus。ThephilosopherhimselfoftenremindsmeofDr。Johnson，especiallyasDr。JohnsonisdescribedbyMr。Carlyle。JustasthegooddoctorwasasoundChurchmaninthebeginningoftheageofnewideas，soPlotinuswasasoundpaganinthebeginningofthetriumphofChristianity。
　　LikeJohnson，Plotinuswaslazyandenergeticandshort—sighted。Hewroteaverylargenumberoftreatises，buthenevertookthetroubletoreadthroughthemwhenoncetheywerewritten，becausehiseyeswereweak。Hewassuperstitious，likeDr。Johnson，yethehadlucidintervalsofcommonsense，whenhelaughedatthesuperstitionsofhisdisciples。LikeDr。Johnson，hewasalwaysbegirtbydisciples，menandwomen，BozzysandThrales。Hewassofullofhonourandcharity，thathishousewascrowdedwithpersonsinneedofhelpandfriendlycare。Thoughhelivedsomuchinthecloudsandamongphilosophicalabstractions，hewasanexcellentmanofbusiness。Thoughaphilosopherhewaspious，andwascourageous，dreadingtheplaguenomorethanthegooddoctordreadedthetempestthatfellonhimwhenhewasvoyagingtoColl。
　　Youwilladmitthattheparallelisprettycloseforanhistoricalparallel，despitethedifferencesbetweentheasceticofWolf—townandthesageofBoltCourt，hardbyFleetStreet!
　　ToreturntotheeducationofPlotinus。Hewastwenty—eightwhenhewentuptotheUniversityofAlexandria。ForelevenyearshediligentlyattendedthelecturesofAmmonius。ThenhewentontheEmperorGordian’sexpeditiontotheEast，hopingtolearnthephilosophyoftheHindus。TheUpanishadswouldhavepuzzledPlotinus，hadhereachedIndia；butheneverdid。Gordian’sarmywasdefeatedinMesopotamia，no"blessedword"toGordian，andPlotinushardlyescapedwithhislife。HemusthavefeltlikeStendhalontheretreatfromMoscow。
　　FromSyriahisfriendanddiscipleAmeliusledhimtoRome，andhere，asnovelistssay，"acuriousthinghappened。"TherewasinRomeanEgyptianpriest，whoofferedtoraiseuptheDemon，orGuardianAngel，ofPlotinusinvisibleform。ButtherewasonlyonepurespotinallRome，sosaidthepriest，andthisspotwastheTempleofIsis。Heretheseancewasheld，andnodemonappeared，butaregularGodofoneofthefirstcircles。Soterrifiedwasanonlookerthathecrushedtodeaththelivingbirdswhichheheldinhishandsforsomeritualormagicalpurpose。
　　Itwasacuriousscene，acosmopolitanconfusionofEgypt，Rome，Isis，table—turning，thelateMr。Home，religion，andmummery，whileChristianhymnsoftheearlyChurchwerebeingsung，perhapsinthegarretsaround，outsidetheTempleofIsis。ThediscoverythathehadagodforhisguardianangelgavePlotinusplentyofconfidenceindealingwithrivalphilosophers。Forexample，AlexandrinusOlympius，anothermystic，triedmagicalartsagainstPlotinus。ButAlexandrinus，suddenlydoublingupduringlecturewithunaffectedagony，cried，"GreatvirtuehaththesoulofPlotinus，formyspellshavereturnedagainstmyself。"AsforPlotinus，heremarkedamonghisdisciples，"NowthebodyofAlexandrinusiscollapsinglikeanemptypurse。"
　　Howdivertingitwouldbe，LadyViolet，ifourmoderncontroversialistshadthoseaccomplishments，andifMr。MaxMullercould，literally，"doubleup"ProfessorWhitney，orifanyonecouldcausePeppmullertocollapsewithhisqueerHomerictheory!
　　Plotinushadmanysucharts。Apieceofjewellerywasstolenfromoneofhisprotegees，alady，andhedetectedthethief，aservant，byaglance。Afterbeingfloggedwithinaninchofhislife，theservant（perhapstosavetheremaininginch）confessedall。
　　OncewhenPorphyrywasatadistance，andwasmeditatingsuicide，Plotinusappearedathisside，saying，"Thisthatthouschemestcomethnotofthepureintellect，butofblackhumours，"andsosentPorphyryforchangeofairtoSicily。Thiswasthoroughlygoodadvice，butduringtheabsenceofthedisciplethemasterdied。
　　PorphyrydidnotseethegreatsnakethatglidedintothewallwhenPlotinusexpired；heonlyheardofthecircumstance。Plotinus’slastwordswere："Iamstrivingtoreleasethatwhichisdivinewithinus，andtomergeitintheuniversallydivine。"Itisastrangemixtureofphilosophyandsavagesurvival。TheZulusstillbelievethatthesoulsofthedeadreappear，likethesoulofPlotinus，intheformofserpents。
　　PlotinuswroteagainstthepaganizingChristians，orGnostics。Likeallgreatmen，hewasaccusedofplagiarism。AdefenceofgreatmenaccusedofliterarytheftwouldbeasvaluableasNaude’sworkofalikenameaboutmagic。OnhisdeaththeDelphicOracle，inverysecond—ratehexameters，declaredthatPlotinushadbecomeademon。
　　SuchwasthelifeofPlotinus，amanofsenseandvirtue，andsomodestthathewouldnotallowhisportraittobepainted。Hischaracterdrewgoodmenroundhim，hisreputeforsupernaturalvirtuesbrought"foolsintoacircle。"Whathemeantbyhisbeliefthatfourtimeshehad，"whetherinthebodyoroutofthebody，"
　　beenunitedwiththeSpiritoftheworld，whoknows？WhatdoesTennysonmeanwhenhewrites：
　　"Sowordbyword，andlinebyline，Thedeadmantouch’dmefromthepast，Andallatonceitseem’datlastHislivingsoulwasflashedonmine。
　　Andmineinhiswaswoundandwhirl’dAboutempyrealheightsofthought，Andcameonthatwhichis，andcaughtThedeeppulsationsoftheworld。"
　　Mystery!Wecannotfathomit；weknownotthepathsofthesoulsofPascalandGordon，ofPlotinusandSt。Paul。Theyarewisewithawisdomnotofthisworld，orwithafoolishnessyetmorewise。
　　InhispracticalphilosophyPlotinuswasanoptimist，oratleasthewasatwarwithpessimism。
　　"TheythatloveGodbearlightlythewaysoftheworld——bearlightlywhatsoeverbefallsthemofnecessityinthegeneralmovementofthings。"HebelievedinarestthatremainsforthepeopleofGod，"wheretheyspeaknotonewiththeother；but，asweunderstandmanythingsbytheeyesonly，sodoessoulreadsoulinheaven，wherethespiritualbodyispure，andnothingishidden，andnothingfeigned。"
　　Theargumentsbywhichtheseopinionsarebuttressedmaybecalledmetaphysical，andmaybecalledworthless；theconviction，andthebeautyofthelanguageinwhichitisstated，remainimmortalpossessions。
　　WhysuchamanasPlotinus，withsuchideas，remainedapagan，whileChristianityofferedhimasympatheticrefuge，whocantell？
　　Probablynaturalconservatism，inhimasinDr。Johnson——
　　conservatismandtaste——causedhisadherencetotheformsatleastoftheoldercreeds。TherewasmuchtolaughatinPlotinus，andmuchtolike。Butifyoureadhiminhopesofmaterialforstrangestories，youwillbedisappointed。PerhapsLordLyttonandotherswhohaveinvokedhisnameinfiction（likeVivianGreyinLordBeaconsfield’stale）knewhisnamebetterthanhisdoctrine。His"Enneads，"evenaseditedbyhispatientBoswell，Porphyry，arenotverylightsubjectsofstudy。
　　LUCRETIUS
　　TotheRev。GeoffreyMartin，Oxford。
　　DearMartin，——"HowindividualsfoundreligiousconsolationfromthecreedsofancientGreeceandRome"is，asyouquoteC。O。Muller，"averycuriousquestion。"Itisoddthatwhilewehavecountlessbooksonthephilosophyandthemythologyandtheritualoftheclassicpeoples，wehearabouttheirreligioninthemodernsensescarcelyanythingfromanybody。Weknowverywellwhatgodstheyworshipped，andwhatsacrificestheyofferedtotheOlympians，andwhatstoriestheytoldabouttheirdeities，andaboutthebeginningsofthings。Weknow，too，inageneralway，thatthegodswereinterestedinmorality。Theywouldallpunishoffencesintheirowndepartment，atleastwhenitwasacaseofnuminelaeso，whenthegodwhoprotectedthehearthwasoffendedbybreachofhospitality，orwhenthegodsinvokedtowitnessanoathwereoffendedbyperjury。
　　Buthowdidareligiouslymindedmanregardthegods？Whathopeorwhatfearsdidheentertainwithregardtothefuturelife？Hadheanysenseofsin，asmorethanathingthatcouldbeexpiatedbypurificationwiththebloodofslaughteredswine，orbypurchasingtheprayersand"masses，"sotospeak，ofthemendicantclergyorcharlatans，mentionedbyPlatointhe"Republic"？Aboutthesegreatquestionsofthereligiouslife——theFutureandman’sfortunesinthefuture，thepunishmentorrewardofjusticeoriniquity——wereallyknownexttonothing。
　　ThatisonereasonwhythegreatpoemofLucretiusseemssovaluabletome。TheDeRerumNaturawaswrittenfornootherpurposethantodestroyReligion，asLucretiusunderstoodit，tofreemen’smindsfromalldreadastofuturepunishment，allhopeofHeaven，alldreadordesirefortheinterferenceofthegodsinthismortallifeofoursonearth。FornootherreasondidLucretiusdesireto"knowthecausesofthings，"exceptthattheknowledgewouldbring"emancipation，"aspeoplecallit，fromthegods，towhommenhadhithertostoodintherelationoftheRomansontotheRomansire，underthepatriapotestasorinmanupatris。
　　AsLucretiuswroughtallhisarduousworktothisend，itfollowsthathisfellow—countrymenmusthavegoneinaconstantterroraboutspiritualpenalties，whichweseldomassociateinthoughtwiththe"blithe"andcarelessexistenceoftheancientpeoples。IneverylineofLucretiusyoureadthejoyandtheindignationoftheslavejustescapedfromanintolerablethraldomtofear。NobodycouldwellhavebelievedonanyotherevidencethattheclassicalpeoplehadagloomyCalvinismoftheirowntime。True，asearlyasHomer，wehearoftheshadowyexistenceofthesouls，andofthetormentsenduredbythenotablywicked；byimpiousghosts，ortyrannical，likeSisyphusandTantalus。Butwhenwereadtheopeningbooksofthe"Republic，"wefindtheeducatedfriendsofSocratestreatingtheseterrorsasold—wives’fables。Theyhaveheard，theysay，thatsuchnotionscirculateamongthepeople，buttheyseemneverforamomenttohavethemselvesbelievedinafutureofrewardsandpunishments。
　　Theremainsofancientfunerealart，inEtruriaorAttica，usuallyshowusthesemblancesofthedeadlyingatendlessfeasts，orreceivingsacrificesoffoodandwine（asinEgypt）fromtheirdescendants，or，perhaps，welcomingthelaterdead，theirfriendswhohavejustrejoinedthem。ButitisonlyinthedescriptionsbyPausaniasandothersofcertainoldwall—paintingsthatwehearofthetormentsofthewicked，ofthedemonsthattorturethemand，aboveall，ofthegreatchieffiend，colouredlikeacarrionfly。
　　TojudgefromLucretius，althoughsolittleremainstousofthiscreed，yetithadaverystrongholdofthemindsofpeople，inthecenturybeforeChrist。PerhapsthebeliefwasreinforcedbytheteachingofSocrates，who，inthevisionofEr，inthe"Republic，"
　　bringsback，inamyth，theoldpopularfaithinaPurgatorio，ifnotinanInferno。
　　Inthe"Phaedo，"forcertain，wecometotheverydefiniteaccountofaHell，aplaceofeternalpunishment，aswellasofaPurgatory，whencesoulsarefreedwhentheirsinsareexpiated。"Thespiritsbeyondredemption，forthemultitudeoftheirmurdersorsacrileges，FatehurlsintoTartarus，whencetheyneveranymorecomeforth。"
　　ButsoulsoflighterguiltabideayearinTartarus，andthendriftoutdownthestreamsCocytusandPyriphlegethon。ThencetheyreachthemarshofAcheron，butarenotreleaseduntiltheyhavereceivedthepardonofthesoulswhominlifetheyhadinjured。
　　Allthis，andmuchmoretothesamepurposeinotherdialoguesofPlato’s，appearstohavebeenderivedbySocratesfromthepopularunphilosophictraditions，fromFolk—loreinshort，andtohavebeenraisedbyhimtotherankof"piousopinion，"ifnotofdogma。Now，Lucretiusrepresentsnothingbutthereactionagainstallthisdreadoffuturedoom，whetherthatdreadwasinculcatedbyPlatonicphilosophyorbypopularbelief。Thelattermusthavebeenmuchthemorepowerfulandwidelydiffused。ItfollowsthattheRomans，atleast，musthavebeenhauntedbyaconstantdreadofjudgmenttocome，fromwhich，butforthetestimonyofLucretiusandhismanifestsincerity，wemighthavebelievedthemfree。
　　PerhapswemayregrettheexistenceofthisRomanreligion，foritdiditsbesttoruinagreatpoet。ThesublimityofthelanguageofLucretius，whenhecanleavehisattemptsatscientificproof，theclosenessofhisobservation，hisenjoymentoflife，ofNature，andhispowerofpaintingthem，acertainlargenessoftouch，andnobleamplitudeofmanner——these，withaburningsincerity，markhimaboveallothersthatsmotetheLatinlyre。Yetthesegreatqualitiesarehalf—crushedbyhistask，byhisattempttoturntheatomictheoryintoverse，byhisunsympatheticefforttodestroyallfaithandhope，becausethesewereunited，inhismind，withdreadofStyxandAcheron。
　　Itisanalmostintolerablephilosophy，thephilosophyofeternalsleep，withoutdreamsandwithoutawakening。Thisbeliefiswhollydivorcedfromjoy，whichinspiresallthebestart。Thisnegationofhopehas"close—lippedPatienceforitsonlyfriend。"
　　InvaindoesLucretiuspaintpicturesoflifeandNaturesolarge，soglowing，somajesticthattheyremindusofnothingbutthe"FeteChampetre"ofGiorgione，intheLouvre。Allthatlifeisathingwemustleavesoon，andforever，andmustbehopelesslylappedinaneternityofblindsilence。"Ishallletmenseethecertainendofall，"hecries；"thenwilltheyresistreligion，andthethreatsofpriestsandprophets。"Butthis"certainend"isexactlywhatmortalsdonotdesiretosee。TothissleeptheyprefereventenebrasOrci，vastasquelacunas。
　　Theywillnotbedeprivedofgods，"thefriendsofman，mercifulgods，compassionate。"TheywillnotturnfromevenafainthopeinthosetotheLucretiandeitiesintheirendlessandindifferentreposeanddivine"delightinimmortalandpeacefullife，far，farawayfromusandours——lifepainlessandfearless，needingnothingwecangive，repletewithitsownwealth，unmovedbyprayerandpromise，untouchedbyanger。"
　　Doyourememberthathymn，asonemaycallit，ofLucretiustoDeath，toDeathwhichdoesnotharmus。"Forasweknewnohurtofold，inageswhentheCarthaginianthrongedagainstusinwar，andtheworldwasshakenwiththeshockoffight，anddubioushungtheempireoverallthingsmortalbyseaandland，evensocareless，sounmoved，shallweremain，indayswhenweshallnomoreexist，whenthebondofbodyandsoulthatmakesourlifeisbroken。Thennaughtshallmoveus，norwakeasinglesense，notthoughearthwithseabemingled，andseawithsky。"Thereisnohell，hecries，or，likeOmar，hesays，"Hellisthevisionofasoulonfire。"
　　YourtrueTityus，gnawedbythevulture，isonlytheslaveofpassionandoflove；yourtrueSisyphus（likeLordSalisburyinPunch）isonlythepolitician，strivingalways，neverattaining；thestonerollsdownagainfromthehill—crest，andthundersfaralongtheplain。
　　Thushisphilosophy，whichgiveshimsuchadelightfulsenseoffreedom，isrejectedafteralltheseyearsoftrialbymen。Theyfeelthatsincethoseremotestdays"QuumVenusinsilvisjungebatcorporaamantum，"
　　theyhavetravelledthelong，thewearywayLucretiusdescribestolittleavail，iftheymaynotkeeptheirhopesandfears。Robbedofthesewearerobbedofall；itservesusnothingtohaveconqueredthesoilandfoughtthewindsandwaves，tohavebuiltcities，andtamedfire，iftheworldistobe"dispeopledofitsdreams。"
　　Betterweretheoldlifewestartedfrom，anddreamstherewith，betterthefreedays—
　　"NovitastumfloridamundiPabuladiatulit，miserismortablibusampla；"
　　thanwealthorpower，andneitherhopenorfear，butonecertainendofallbeforetheeyesofall。
　　Thustheheartofmanhasanswered，andwillanswerLucretius，thenoblestRomanpoet，andtheleastbeloved，whosought，atlast，byhisownhand，theysay，thedoomthatVirgilwaitedforintheseasonappointed。
　　TOAYOUNGAMERICANBOOK—HUNTER
　　ToPhilipDodsworth，Esq。，NewYork。
　　DearDodsworth，——Letmecongratulateyouonhavingjoinedthearmyofbook—hunters。"EverywherehaveIsoughtpeaceandfounditnowhere，"saystheblessedThomaseKempis，"saveinacornerwithabook。"Whetherthatgoodmonkwrotethe"DeImitationeChristi"ornot，onealwayslikeshimforhisloveofbooks。Perhapshewastheonlybook—hunterthateverwroughtamiracle。"Othersignsandmiracleswhichhewaswonttotellashavinghappenedattheprayerofanunnamedperson，arebelievedtohavebeengrantedtohisown，suchasthesuddenreappearanceofalostbookinhiscell。"Ah，ifFaith，thatmovethmountains，couldonlybringbackthebookswehavelost，thebooksthathavebeenborrowedfromus!Butweareafaithlessgeneration。
　　Fromacollectorsomucholderandbetterexperiencedinmisfortunethanyourself，youaskforsomeadviceonthesportofbook—hunting。
　　Well，Iwillgiveit；butyouwillnottakeit。No；youwillhuntwild，likeyoungpointersbeforetheyareproperlybroken。
　　Letmesupposethatyouare"tomiddlefortuneborn，"andthatyoucannotstrollintothegreatbook—martsandgiveyourordersfreelyforallthatisrichandrare。Youareobligedtowaitandwatchanopportunity，topractisethatmaximoftheStoic’s，"Endureandabstain。"Thenabstainfromrushingateveryvolume，howeveroutofthelineofyourliteraryinterests，whichseemstobeabargain。
　　Probablyitisnotevenabargain；itcanseldombecheaptoyou，ifyoudonotneedit，anddonotmeantoreadit。
　　Notthatanycollectorreadsallhisbooks。Imayhave，andindeeddopossess，anAldineHomerandCaliergushisTheocritus；butI
　　prefertostudytheauthorsinacheapGermanedition。Theoldeditionswebuymainlyfortheirbeauty，andthesentimentoftheirantiquityandtheirassociations。
　　ButIdon’ttakemyownadvice。Theshelvesarecrowdedwithbooksquiteoutofmyline——awholesmalllibraryoftomesonthepastimeofcurling，andIdon’tcurl；and"God’sRevengeagainstMurther，"
　　though（sofar）Iamnotanassassin。ProbablyitwasforloveofSirWalterScott，andhismentionofthistruculenttreatise，thatI
　　purchasedit。Thefulltitleofitis"TheTriumphsofGod’sRevengeagainsttheCryingandExecrableSinneof（willfulandpremeditated）Murther。"Orratherthereisnearlyacolumnmoreoftitle，whichIspareyou。Butthepicturesaresobadastobenearlyworththeprice。Donotwasteyourmoney，likeyourfoolishadviser，onbookslikethat，oron"LesSeptVisionsdeDonFranciscodeQuevedo，"publishedatCologne，in1682。
　　WhyintheworlddidIpurchasethis，withthetitle—pageshowingQuevedoasleep，andallhissevenvisionsfloatingroundhiminlittlecircleslikesoap—bubbles？ProbablybecausethebookwaspublishedbyClementMalassis，andperhapshewasaforefatherofthatwhimsicalFrenchman，PouletMalassis，whopublishedforBanville，andBaudelaire，andCharlesAsselineau。Itwasabadreason。Morelikelythemerecheapnessattractedme。
　　Curiosity，notcheapness，assuredly，betrayedmeintoanotherpurchase。IfIwanttoread"ThePilgrim’sProgress，"ofcourseI
　　readitinJohnBunyan’sgoodEnglish。ThenwhymustIruinmyselftoacquire"Voyaged’unChrestienversl’Eternite。EcritenAnglois，parMonsieurBunjan，F。M。，enBedtfort，etnouvellementtraduitenFrancois。AvecFigures。AAmsterdam，chezJeanBoekholtLibrairepresdelaBourse，1685"？IsupposethisistheoldestFrenchversionofthefamedallegory。Doyouknowanolder？Bunyanwasstilllivingand，indeed，hadjustpublishedthesecondpartofthebook，aboutChristian’swifeandchildren，andthedeplorableyoungwomanwhosenamewasDull。
　　Asthelittlevolume，theElzevirsize，isboundinbluemorocco，byCuzin，Ihopeitisnotwhollyafoolishbargain；butwhatdoI
　　want，afterall，withaFrench"Pilgrim’sProgress"？Thesearetheerrorsamanisalwaysmakingwhodoesnotcollectbookswithsystem，withaconscienceandanaim。
　　Dohaveaspecially。Makeacollectionofworksonfewsubjects，wellchosen。Andwhatsubjectsshalltheybe？Thatdependsontaste。Probablyitiswelltoavoidthelatestfashion。Forexample，theillustratedFrenchbooksoftheeighteenthcenturyare，atthismoment，enhausse。Thereisa"boom"inthem。FiftyyearsagoBrunet，theauthorofthegreat"Manuel，"sneeredatthem。But，inhis，"LibraryCompanion，"Dr。Dibdin，admittedtheirmerit。TheillustrationsbyGravelot，Moreau，Marillier，andtherest，arecertainlydelicate，graceful，fullofcharacter，stampedwithstyle。
　　Butonlytheproofsbeforelettersareverymuchvalued，andforthesewildpricesaregivenbycompetitivemillionaires。Youcannotcompetewiththem。
　　Itisbetterwhollytoturnthebackonthesebooksandonanyothersattheheightofthefashion，unlessyoumeetthemforfourpenceonastall。Eventhenshouldagentlemantakeadvantageofapoorbookseller’signorance？Idon’tknow。Ineverfellintothetemptation，becauseIneverwastempted。Bargains，realbargains，aresorarethatyoumayhuntforalifetimeandnevermeetone。
　　Thebestplanforamanwhohastoseethathiscollectionisworthwhatitcosthim，isprobablytoconfineone’sselftoasingleline，say，inyourcase，firsteditionsofnewEnglish，French，andAmericanbooksthatarelikelytoriseinvalue。Iwouldtry，wereIyou，tocollectfirsteditionsofLongfellow，Bryant，Whittier，Poe，andHawthorne。
　　AstoPoe，youprobablywillneverhaveachance。OutsideoftheBritishMuseum，wheretheyhavethe"Tamerlane"of1827，IhaveonlyseenoneearlyexampleofPoe’spoems。Itis"AlAaraaf，Tamerlane，andMinorPoems，byEdgarA。Poe。Baltimore：HatchandDunning，1829，8vo，pp。71。"Thebook"cametoMr。Locker（Mr。FrederickLocker—Lampson），throughMr。R。H。Stoddard，theAmericanpoet。"SosaysMr。Locker—Lampson’sCatalogue。HealsohastheNewYorkeditionof1831。
　　Thesebooksareextraordinarilyrare；youaremorelikelytofindtheminsomecollectionoftwopennyrubbishthantobuythemintheregularmarket。Bryant’s"Poems"（Cambridge，1821）mustalsobeveryrare，andEmerson’sof1847，andDr。OliverWendellHolmes’sof1836，andLongfellow’s"VoicesoftheNight，"1839，andMr。Lowell’s"AYear’sLife；"noneofthesecanbecommon，andallaredesirable，asareMr。Whittier’s"LegendsofNewEngland（1831），and"Poems"
　　（1838）。
　　Perhapsyoumayneverbeluckyenoughtocomeacrossthemcheap；nodoubttheyaregreatlysoughtforbyamateurs。Indeed，allAmericanbooksofacertainageorofaspecialinterestareexorbitantlydear。MenlikeMr。JamesLenoxusedtokeepthemarketup。OnecannotgettheJesuit"Relations"——shabbylittlemissionaryreportsfromCanada，indirtyvellum。
　　Cartier，Perrot，Champlain，andtheotherearlyexplorers’booksarebeyondthemeansofaworkingstudentwhoneedsthem。Mayyoucomeacrosstheminagarretofafarmhouse，orinsomedustylaneofthecity。Whyaretheynotreprinted，asMr。Arberhasreprinted"CaptainJohnSmith’sVoyages，andReportsonVirginia"？Theveryreprints，whentheyhavebeenmade，arerareandhardtocomeby。
　　Therearecertainmodernbooks，newbooks，that"goup"rapidlyinvalueandinterest。Mr。Swinburne’s"Atalanta"of1865，thequartoinwhitecloth，isvaluedattwentydollars。Twentyyearsagoonedollarwouldhavepurchasedit。Mr。AustinDobson’s"ProverbsinPorcelain"isalsoindemandamongthecurious。Nay，evenImaysayaboutthefirsteditionof"BalladesinBlueChina"（1880），asGibbonsaidofhis"EssayontheStudyofLiterature：""Theprimitivevalueofhalfacrownhasrisentothefancifulpriceofaguineaorthirtyshillings，"orevenmore。IwishIhadacopymyself，foroldsake’ssake。
　　Certainmodernbooks，"onlargepaper，"aresafeinvestments。The"BadmintonLibrary，"anEnglishseriesofbooksonsport，isatahugepremiumalready，whenon"largepaper。"Butoneshouldneverbuythebookunless，asinthecaseofDr。JohnHillBurton’s"Book—
　　Hunter"（firstedition），itisnotonlyonlargepaper，andnotonlyrare（twenty—fivecopies），butalsoreadableandinteresting。{7}A
　　collectorshouldhavethetastetoseewhenanewbookisinitselfvaluableandcharming，andwhenitsauthorislikelytosucceed，sothathisearlyattempts（asinthecaseofMr。MatthewArnold，LordTennyson，andafewothersofthemoderns）arecertaintobecomethingsofcuriousinterest。
　　YoucanhardlyevergetanovelofJaneAusten’sinthefirstedition。SheisrarerthanFieldingorSmollett。SomedayitmaybethesameinMissBroughton’scase。ClingtothefairandwittyJane，ifyougetachance。Bewareofillustratedmodernbooksinwhich"processes"areemployed。Amateurswillneverreallyvaluemechanicalreproductions，whichcanbecopiedtoanyextent。TheoldFrenchcopper—plateengravingsandthebestEnglishmezzo—tintsaresovaluablebecausegoodimpressionsarenecessarilysorare。
　　Onemorepieceofadvice。Never（or"hardlyever"）buyanimperfectbook。Itisaconstantsourceofregret，aneyesore。HerehaveI
　　Lovelace’s"Lucasta，"1649，withouttheengraving。Itisdeplorable，butIneverhadachanceofanother"Lucasta。"Thisisnotacaseofinveniesaliam。Howeveryoufare，youwillhavethepleasureofHopeandtheconsolationofbooksquieteminveniendaminabditisrecessibusetlibellulis。
　　ROCHEFOUCAULD
　　TotheLadyVioletLebas。
　　DearLadyViolet，——IamnotsurethatIagreewithyouinyouradmirationofRochefoucauld——oftheReflexions，ouSentencesetMaximesMorales，Imean。Atleast，IhardlyagreewhenIhavereadmanyofthematastretch。Itisnotfairtoreadtheminthatway，ofcourse，fortherearemorethanfivehundredpensees，andsomuchespritbecomesfatiguing。Idoubtifpeoplestudythemmuch。Fiveorsixofthemhavebecomeknowneventowritersinthenewspapers，andweallcopythemfromeachother。
　　Rochefoucauldsaysthatamanmaybetoodulltobedupedbyaverycleverperson。Hehimselfwassocleverthathewasoftenduped，firstbythegeneralhonestdulnessofmankind，andthenbyhisownacuteness。Hethoughthesawmorethanhedidsee，andhesaidevenmorethanhethoughthesaw。Ifthetruemotiveofallouractionsisself—love，orvanity，nomanisabetterproofofthetruththanthegreatmaxim—maker。Hisself—lovetooktheshapeofabrilliancythatissometimesfalse。Heistrickedoutinpastefordiamonds，nowandthen，likeavain，provincialbeautyataball。"Aclevermanwouldfrequentlybemuchataloss，"hesays，"instupidcompany。"Onehasseenthisembarrassmentofawitinacompanyofdullards。ItisRochefoucauld’sownpositioninthisworldofmenandwomen。Weareall，inthemass，dullardscomparedwithhiscleverness，andsohefailstounderstandus，ismuchatalossamongus。"Peopleonlypraiseothersinhopesofbeingpraisedinturn，"hesays。Mankindisnotsuchacompanyof"log—rollers"asheavers。