ThereismoretruthinalineofTennyson’sabout"Thepraiseofthosewelove，Dearertotrueyoungheartsthantheirownpraise。"
Iventuretothinkweneednotbeyoungtoprefertohearthepraiseofothersratherthanourown。Itisnotembarrassinginthefirstplace，asallpraiseofourselvesmustbe。Idoubtifanymanorwomancanflattersodiscreetlyasnottomakeusuncomfortable。
Besides，ifourownperformancesbelauded，weareuneasyastowhetherthehonourisdeserved。Anartisthasusuallyhisowndoubtsabouthisowndoings，orratherhehashisowncertainties。
Aboutourfriends’workweneedhavenosuchmisgivings。Andourself—loveismoredelicatelycaressedbythesuccessofourfriendsthanbyourown。Itisstillself—love，butitisfiltered，sotospeak，throughouraffectionforanother。
Whatarehumanmotives，accordingtoRochefoucauld？Temperament，vanity，fear，indolence，self—love，andagrainofnaturalperversity，whichsomehowdelightsinevilforitself。Heneglectsthatotherelement，agrainofnaturalworth，whichsomehowdelightsingoodforitself。Thistaste，Ithink，isquiteasinnate，andasactiveinus，asthatothertasteforevilwhichcausestheretobesomethingnotwhollydispleasinginthemisfortunesofourfriends。
Thereisastorywhichalwaysappearstomeatouchingproofofthisgrainofgoodness，asinvoluntary，asfatalasitsopposite。IdonotrememberinwhatbookoftravelsIfoundthistraitofnativeexcellence。TheblackfellowsofAustraliaareveryfondofsugar，andnowonder，ifitbetruethatithasonthemanintoxicatingeffect。Well，acertainblackfellowhadasmallparcelofbrownsugarwhichwaspilferedfromhislairinthecamp。Hedetectedthethief，whowascondemnedtobepunishedaccordingtotriballaw；
thatistosay，theinjuredmanwasallowedtohaveawhackathisenemy’sheadwithawaddy，ashortclubofheavyhardwood。Thewhackwasdulygiven，andthentheblackwhohadsufferedthelossthrewdownhisclub，burstintotears，embracedthethiefanddisplayedeverysignofalivelyregretforhisrevenge。
ThatseemstomeanexampleofthehumantouchthatRochefoucauldneverallowsfor，thenaturalgoodness，pity，kindness，whichcanassertitselfincontemptoftheloveofself，andtheloveofrevenge。Thisisthattrueclemencywhichisarealvirtue，andnot"thechildofVanity，Fear，Indolence，orofallthreetogether。"
Norisitsotruethat"wehaveallfortitudeenoughtoendurethemisfortunesofothers。"Everybodyhaswitnessedanother’sgriefthatcameasnearhimashisown。
Howmuchmoretrue，andhowgreatlypoeticalisthatfamousmaxim：
"DeathandtheSunaretwothingsnottobelookedonwithasteadyeye。"ThisversionisfromtheearliestEnglishtranslationof1698。TheMaximeswerefirstpublishedinParisin1665。{8}"Ourtardyapishnation"tookthirty—threeyearsinfindingthemoutandappropriatingthem。This，too，isgood："Ifwewerefaultless，wewouldobservewithlesspleasurethefaultsofothers。"Indeed，toobservethesewithpleasureisnottheleastofourfaults。Again，"Weareneversohappy，norsowretched，aswesuppose。"Itisourvanity，perhaps，thatmakesusthinkourselvesmiserrimi。
Doyouremember——no，youdon’t——thatmeetingin"Candide"oftheunfortunateCunegondeandthestillmoreunfortunateoldladywhowasthedaughterofaPope？"Youlamentyourfate，"saidtheoldlady；"alas，youhaveknownnosuchsorrowsasmine!""What!mygoodwoman!"saysCunegonde。"UnlessyouhavebeenmaltreatedbytwoBulgarians，receivedtwostabsfromaknife，hadtwoofyourcastlesburnedoveryourhead，seentwofathersandtwomothersmurderedbeforeyoureyes，andtwoofyourloversfloggedattwoautos—da—fe，Idon’tfancythatyoucanhavetheadvantageofme。
Besides，Iwasbornabaronessofseventy—twoquarterings，andI
havebeenacook。"ButthedaughterofaPopehad，indeed，beenstillmoreunlucky，assheproved，thanCunegonde；andtheoldladywasnotalittleproudofit。
Butcanyoucallthistrue："Thereisnobodybutisashamedofhavinglovedwhenoncehelovesnolonger"？Ifitbetrueatall，I
don’tthinkthelovewasmuchworthhavingorgiving。Ifonereallylovesonce，onecanneverbeashamedofit；forweneverceasetolove。However，thisistheveryhighwaterofsentiment，youwillsay；butIblushnomoreforitthanM。leDucdeRochefoucauldforhisownopinion。PerhapsIamthinkingofthatkindofloveaboutwhichhesays："Trueloveislikeghosts；whicheverybodytalksaboutandfewhaveseen。""Manybethethyrsus—bearers，fewtheMystics，"astheGreekproverbruns。"Manyarecalled，fewarechosen。"
Astofriendshipbeing"areciprocityofinterests，"thesayingisbutoneofthosewhichRochefoucauld’svanityimposedonhiswit。
Verywittyitisnot，anditisemphaticallyuntrue。"Oldmenconsolethemselvesbygivinggoodadviceforbeingnolongerabletosetbadexamples。"Capital；butthepooroldmenareoftengoodexamplesoftheresultsofnottakingtheirowngoodadvice。"Manyaningrateislesstoblamethanhisbenefactor。"Onemightadd，atleastIwill，"Everymanwholooksforgratitudedeservestogetnoneofit。""Tosaythatoneneverflirts——isflirting。"Iratherliketheoldtranslator’sversionof"Ilyadebonsmariages；maisiln’yenapointdedelicieux"——"Marriageissometimesconvenient，butneverdelightful。"
Howtrueisthisofauthorswithabriefpopularity："Ilyadesgensquiressemblentauxvaudevilles，qu’onnechantequ’uncertaintemps。"Again，"tobeinhastetorepayakindnessisasortofingratitude，"andaratherinsultingsorttoo。"Almosteverybodylikestorepaysmallfavours；manypeoplecanbegratefulforfavoursnottooweighty，butforfavourstrulygreatthereisscarceanythingbutingratitude。"TheymusthavebeensmallfavoursthatWordsworthhadconferredwhen"thegratitudeofmenhadoftenerlefthimmourning。"Indeed，theverypettinessoftheaidwecangenerallyrendereachother，makesgratitudethetouchingthingitis。Somuchisrepaidforsolittle，andfewcaneverhavethechanceofincurringthethanklessnessthatRochefoucauldfoundallbutuniversal。
"Loversandladiesneverboreeachother，becausetheyneverspeakofanythingbutthemselves。"Dohusbandsandwivesoftenboreeachotherforthesamereason？Whosaid："Toknowallistoforgiveall"？Itisratherlike"Onpardonnetantquel’onaime"——"Aslongaswelovewecanforgive，"acomfortablesaying，andthesearerareinRochefoucauld。"Womendonotquiteknowwhatflirtstheyare"isalso，letushope，notincorrect。Themaximthat"Thereisalovesoexcessivethatitkillsjealousy"isonlyacorollaryfrom"aslongaswelove，weforgive。"Youremembertheclassicalexample，ManonLescautandtheChevalierdesGrieux；notanhonourableprecedent。
"Theaccentofourowncountrydwellsinourheartsaswellasonourtongues。"Ah!nevermayIlosetheBorderaccent!"Love’sMiracle!Tocureacoquette。""Mosthonestwomenaretiredoftheirtask，"saysthisunbeliever。Andtheothers？Aretheyneveraweary？TheDukeishisownbestcriticafterall，whenhesays：
"Thegreatestfaultofapenetratingwitisgoingbeyondthemark。"
Beyondthemarkhefrequentlygoes，butnotwhenhesaysthatwecomeasfreshhandstoeachnewepochoflife，andoftenwantexperienceforallouryears。Howharditwastobegintobemiddle—aged!Shallwefindoldageeasierifeverwecometoitsthreshold？Perhaps，andDeathperhapstheeasiestofall。Norletmeforget，itwillbelongbeforeyouhaveoccasiontoremember，that"vivacitywhichgrowswithageisnotfarfromfolly。"
OFVERSDESOCIETE
ToMr。GiftedHopkins。
MyDearHopkins，——Theverseswhichyouhavesentme，witharequest"togetpublishedinsomemagazine，"Inowreturntoyou。Ifyouareanxiousthattheyshouldbepublished，sendthemtoaneditoryourself。Ifhelikesthemhewillacceptthemfromyou。Ifhedoesnotlikethem，whyshouldhelikethembecausetheyareforwardedbyme？Hisonlymotivewouldbeanaversiontodisobligingaconfrere，andwhyshouldIputhiminsuchanunpleasantposition？
Butthisisaveryboorishwayofthankingyouforthepremiererepresentationofyourlittlepoem。"ToDeliainGirton"youcallit，"recommendinghertoavoidtheMuses，andseekthesocietyoftheGracesandLoves。"Anold—fashionedpreamble，andofthelengthiest，andhowdoyougoon？—
Goldenhairisfairygold，Fairygoldthatcannotstay，Turnstoleafletsgreenandcold，Attheendingoftheday!
Laurel—leavestheMusesmayTwineaboutyourgoldenhead。
Willthecrownrewardyou，say，Whenthefairygoldisfled？
Daphnewasamaidunwise—
Shunthelaurel，seektherose；
Azure，lovelyintheskies，Shineslessgraciousinthehose!
Don’tyouthink，dearHopkins，thatthisallusiontobas—bleus，ifnotindelicate，isalittlerococo，andoutofdate？Editorswillthinkso，Ifear。Besides，Idon’tlike"Fairygoldthatcannotstay。"IfFairyGoldwereahorse，itwouldbeallverywelltowritethatit"cannotstay。"’Tisthestyleofthestable，unsuitedtosongsofthesalon。
Thisisaverydifficultkindofversethatyouareessaying，youwhomthelaurelsofMr。Lockerdonotsuffertosleepforenvy。Youkindlyaskmyopiniononversdesocieteingeneral。Well，Ithinkthemaverydifficultsortofthingtowritewell，asonemayinferfromthis，thattheancients，ourmasters，couldhardlywritethematall。InGreekpoetryofthegreatagesIonlyrememberonepiecewhichcanbecalledamodel——theAEolicversesthatTheocrituswrotetoaccompanythegiftoftheivorydistaff。Itwasapresent，youremember，tothewifeofhisfriendNicias，thephysicianofMiletus。TheGreeksofthatagekepttheirwomeninalmostOrientalreserve。OnemaydoubtwhetherNiciaswouldhavelikeditifTheocritushadsent，insteadofadistaff，afanorajewel。Butthereissafetyinaspinninginstrument，andallthecomplimentstothelady，"thedainty—ankledTheugenis，"turnonherskill，andindustry，andhousewifery。SoLouisXIV。，nomeanauthority，calledthispieceofversdesociete"amodelofhonourablegallantry。"
IhavejustlookedallthroughPomtow’sprettylittlepocketvolumesoftheminorGreekpoets，andfoundnothingmoreofthenatureofthelighterversethanthisofAlcman’s——[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]。Doyouremembertheprettyparaphraseofitin"LoveinIdleness"？
"Maidenswithvoiceslikehoneyforsweetnessthatbreathedesire，WouldthatIwereaseabirdwithwingsthatcouldnevertire，Overthefoam—flowersflying，withhalcyonseveronwing，Keepingacarelessheart，asea—bluebirdofthespring。"
ItdoesnotquitegivethesenseAlcmanintended，thelamentforhislimbswearywitholdage——witholdagesadderforthesightofthehoney—voicedgirls。
TheGreekshadnotthekindofsocietythatisthehomeof"SocietyVerses，"where，asMr。Lockersays，"aboudoirdecorumis，oroughtalwaystobe，preserved，wheresentimentneversurgesintopassion，andwherehumourneveroverflowsintoboisterousmerriment。"Honestwomenwereestrangedfromtheirmirthandtheirmelancholy。
TheRomanswerelittlemorefortunate。YoucannotexpectthegeniusofCatullusnotto"surgeintopassion，"eveninhishoursofgayersong，composedwhenMultumlusimusinmeistabellis，Utconveneratessedelicatos，Scribensversiculosuterquenostrum。
ThusthelighterpiecesofCatullus，likethededicationofhisbook，areaddressedtomen，hisfriends，andthustheyscarcelycomeintothecategoryofwhatwecall"SocietyVerses。"GiventhecharacterofRomansociety，perhapswemightsaythatplentyofthiskindofversewaswrittenbyHoraceandbyMartial。ThefamousodetoPyrrhadoesnotexceedthedecorumofaRomanboudoir，and，asfaraslovewasconcerned，itdoesnotseemtohavebeeninthenatureofHoraceto"surgeintopassion。"Sohisbestsongsinthiskindareaddressedtomen，withwhomhedrinksalittle，andtalksofpoliticsandliteratureagreatdeal，andmusesovertheshortnessoflife，andthezestthatsnow—cladSoractegivestothewintryfire。
PerhapstheodetoLeuconoe，whichMr。AustinDobsonhasrenderedsoprettilyinavillanelle，maycomewithinthescopeofthisMuse，forithasaplayfulnessmingledwithitsmelancholy，asadnessinitsplay。Perhaps，too，ifHoraceistobedoneintoverse，theseoldFrenchformsseemasfitvehiclesasanyforLatinpoetrythatwaswrittenintheexoticmeasuresofGreece。ThereisaforeigngraceandalittletechnicaldifficultyovercomeintheEnglishballadeandvillanelle，asintheHoratiansapphicsandalcaics。I
wouldnotsaysomuch，onmyownresponsibility，nortrespasssofaronthedomainofscholarship，butthisopinionwascommunicatedtomebyalearnedprofessorofLatin。Ithink，too，thatsomeofthelyricmeasuresoftheoldFrenchPleiad，ofRonsardandDuBellay，wouldbewellweddedwiththeverseofHorace。Butperhapsnotranslatorwilleverpleaseanyonebuthimself，andofHoraceeverymanmustbehisowntranslator。
ItmaybethatOvidnowandthencomesneartowritingversdesociete，onlyhenevertroubleshimselfforamomentaboutthe"decorumoftheboudoir。"Doyourememberthelinesontheringwhichhegavehislady？Theyaretheoriginandpatternofalltheverseswrittenbyloversonthatprettymetempsychosiswhichshallmakethemslippers，orfans，orgirdles，likeWaller’s，andlikethatwhichbound"thedainty，daintywaist"oftheMiller’sDaughter。
"RingthatshaltbindthefingerfairOfmysweetmaid，thouartnotrare；
ThouhastnotanypriceaboveThetokenofherpoet’slove；
Herfingermay’stthoumateassheIsmatedeverywisewithme!"
Andthepoetgoeson，aspoetswill，towishhewerethisfavoured，thisfortunatejewel：
"InvainIwish!So，ring，depart，Andsay’withmethouhasthisheart’!"
OncemoreOvid’sversesonhiscatholicaffectionforallladies，thebrownandtheblonde，theshortandthetall，mayhavesuggestedCowley’shumorousconfession，"TheChronicle"：
"Margaritafirstpossessed，IfIrememberwell，mybreast，Margarita，firstofall；"
andthenfollowsalistaslongasLeporello’s。
WhatdisqualifiesOvidasawriterofversdesocieteisnotsomuchhislackof"decorum"asthemonotonoussingsongofhiseternalelegiacs。Thelightestoflightthings，thepoetofsociety，shouldpossessmorevariedstrains；likeHorace，Martial，Thackeray，notlikeOvidand（hereisaheresy）Praed。InimitablywellasPraeddoeshistrickofantithesis，Istillfeelthatitisatrick，andthatmostrhymerscouldfollowhiminameremechanicart。ButherethejudgmentofMr。Lockerwouldbeopposedtothismodestopinion，andtherewouldbeoppositionagainwhereMr。LockercallsDr。O。W。
Holmes"perhapsthebestlivingwriterofthisspeciesofverse。"
Butherewearestrayingamongthemodernsbeforeexhaustingtheancients，ofwhomIfancythatMartial，athisbest，approachesmostneartheideal。
OfcourseitistruethatmanyofMartial’slyricswouldbethoughtdisgustinginanywell—regulatedconvictestablishment。Hisgallantryisrarely"honourable。"ScaligerusedtoburnacopyofMartial，onceayear，onthealtarofCatullus，whohimselfwasfarfromprudish。ButMartial，somehow，kepthisheartundepraved，andhistasteinbookswasexcellent。Howoftenhewritesversesforthebibliophile，delightinginthedetailsofpurpleandgold，theillustrationsandornamentsforhisnewvolume!Thesepiecesareforthefew——foramateurs，butwemayallbetouchedbyhisgriefforthelittlelass，Erotion。HecommendsherinHadestohisownfatherandmothergonebeforehim，thatthechildmaynotbefrightenedinthedark，friendlessamongtheshades"ParvulanenigrashorrescatErotionumbrasOraqueTartareiprodigiosacanis。"
Thereisakindofplayfulnessinthesorrow，andthepityofamanforachild；pitythatshowsitselfinasmile。ItrytorenderthatotherinscriptionforthetomboflittleErotion：
HereliesthebodyofthelittlemaidErotion；
Fromhersixthwinter’ssnowshereagershadeHathfleetedon!
Whoe’erthoubethataftermeshaltswayMyscantyfarm，Toherslightshadetheyearlyofferingpay，So——safefromharm—
ShallthouandthinereverethekindlyLar，AndthisaloneBe，throughthybriefdominion，nearorfar，Amournfulstone!
Certainlyhehadaheart，thisfoul—mouthedMartial，whoclaimedforthestudyofhisbooknoserioushours，butmomentsofmirth，whenmenaregladwithwine，"inthereignoftheRose："{9}
"Haechoraesttua，cumfuritLyaeus，Cumregnatrosa，cummadentcapilli；
TuncmevelrigidilegantCatones。"
Butenoughofthepoetsofold；anotherdaywemayturntoCarewandSuckling，PraedandLocker，poetsofourownspeech，lighterlyristsofourowntime。{10}
ONVERSDESOCIETE
ToMr。GiftedHopkins。
DearGifted，——IfyouwillpermitmetouseyourChristian，andprophetic，name——weimprovedtheoccasionlatelywiththewritersoflightverseinancienttimes。Wedecidedthattheancientswerenotgreatinversesofsociety，becausetheyhad，properlyspeaking，nosocietytowriteversesfor。WomendidnotliveintheChristianfreedomandsocialequalitywithmen，eitherinGreeceorRome——atleastnot"modestwomen，"asMr。HarryFokercallsthemin"Pendennis。"AbouttheothersthereisplentyofprettyverseintheAnthology。Whatyouneedforversesofsocietyisaperiodinwhichthesocialequalityisrecognized，andinwhichpeoplearepeaceableenoughandcomfortableenoughto"playwithlightlovesintheportal"oftheTempleofHymen，withoutanyverydefiniteintentions，oneitherpart，ofgoinginsideandgettingmarried。
PerhapsweshouldnotexpectversdesocietefromtheCrusaders，whowerenotpeaceable，andwhowereveryearnestindeed，inloveorwar。ButassoonasyougetaCourt，andCourtlife，inFrance，eventhoughthetimeswerewarlike，thenladiesarelaudedinartfulstrains，andthelyreisstrucklevioreplectro。Charlesd’Orleans，thatcaptiveandcaptivatingprince，wrotethousandsofrondeaux；
evenbeforehistimeagallantcompanyofgentlemencomposedtheLivredesCentBallades，onehundredballades，practicallyunreadablebymodernmen。ThencameClementMarot，withhisgayandratheremptyfluency，andRonsard，withhismythologicalcompliments，hissonnets，deckedwithroses，andledlikelambstothealtarofHelenorCassandra。Afew，hereandthere，ofhispiecesarelighter，morepleasant，and，inaquietway，immortal，suchastheversestohis"fairflowerofAnjou，"abeautyoffifteen。Sotheyranon，inFrance，tillVoiture’stime，andSarrazin’swithhismerryballadeofanelopement，andCorneille’sproudandgracefulstanzastoMarquisedeGorla。
ButversesintheEnglishtonguearemoreworthyofourattention。
Mr。Lockerbeginshiscollectionofthem，LyraElegantiarum（nolongeraveryrarebookinEngland），asfarbackasSkelton’sage，andasThomasWyat’s，andSidney’s；butthosethings，thelighterlyricsofthatday，arerathersongsthanpoems，andprobablywereallmeanttobesungtothevirginalsbyourmusicalancestors。
"Drinktomeonlywiththineeyes，"saysthegreatBenJonson，orsingsitrather。Thewords，thatheversifiedoutoftheGreekproseofPhilostratus，cannotbethoughtofwithoutthetune。ItisthesamewithCarew’s"Hethatlovesarosycheek，"orwith"Roses，theirsharpspinesbeinggone。"ThelighterpoetryofCarew’sdayisallpowderedwithgolddust，likethecourtladies’hair，andiscrownedanddiaperedwithroses，andheavywithfabulousscentsfromtheArabianphoenix’snest。LittleCupidsflutterandtwitterhereandthereamongtheboughs，asinthatfeastofAdoniswhichPtolemy’ssistergaveinAlexandria，orasinEisen’svignettesforDorat’sBaisers：
"AskmenomorewhitherdostrayThegoldenatomsoftheday；
ForinpurelovedidHeavenprepareThesepowderstoenrichyourhair。"
Itwouldbeaffectation，Gifted，ifyourhymedinthatfashionfortheladyofyourlove，andpresentedher，asitwere，withcosmicalcosmetics，andcomplimentsdrawnfromthestarryspacesanddeserts，fromskies，phoenixes，andangels。ButitwasanaturalandprettywayofwritingwhenThomasCarewwasyoung。IpreferHerricktheinexhaustibleindainties；Herrick，thatparson—pagan，withthesoulofaGreekoftheAnthology，andacureofsouls（Heavenhelpthem!）
inDevonshire。HisJuliaistheleastmortalofthese"daughtersofdreamsandofstories，"whompoetscelebrate；shehasacertainopulenceoffleshandblood，acheeklikeadamaskrose，and"richeyes，"likeKeats’slady；novaporousBeatrice，she；butahandsomeEnglishwench，with"AcuffneglectfulandtherebyRibbonstoflowconfusedly；
Awinningwave，deservingnoteInthetempestuouspetticoat。"
ThenSucklingstrikesuparecklessmilitaryair；awarriorheiswhohasseenmanyasiegeofhearts——heartsthatcapitulated，orheldoutlikeTroy—town，andtheimpatientassailantwhistles：
"Quit，quit，forshame：thiswillnotmove，Thiscannottakeher。
Ifofherselfshewillnotlove，Nothingcanmakeher—
Thedeviltakeher。"
Soheridesaway，curlinghismoustache，hidinghisdefeatinabiginimitableswagger。ItisapleasanterpieceinwhichSuckling，afteralongleaguerofalady’sheart，findsthatCaptainhonourisgovernoroftheplace，andsurrenderhopeless。Sohedepartswithasalute：
"March，march（quothI），thewordstraightgive，Let’slosenotimebutleaveher：
Thatgiantuponairwilllive，Andholditoutforever。"
Lovelaceisevenabettertypeinhisraregoodthingsofthemilitaryamoristandpoet。WhatapologyofLauzun’s，orBussyRabutin’sforfaithlessnesscouldequalthis？—
"WhydostthousayIamforsworn，SincethineIvowedtobe？
Lady，itisalreadymorn；
ItwaslastnightIsworetotheeThatfondimpossibility。"
Has"InMemoriam"noblernumbersthanthepoem，fromexile，toLucasta？—
"OurFaithandtrothAlltimeandspacecontrols，Abovethehighestspherewemeet，Unseen，unknown，andgreetasangelsgreet。"
Howcomesitthatinthefiercefightingdaysthesoldiersweresotuneful，andsuchscholars？InthefirsteditionofLovelace’s"Lucasta"thereisaflockofrecommendatoryverses，English，Latin，evenGreek，bythegallantColonel’smess—matesandcomrades。WhatguardsmannowwriteslikeLovelace，andhowmanyofhisfriendscouldapplaudhiminGreek？You，myGifted，arehappilyofapacificdisposition，andtuneagentlelyre。Isitnotluckyforswainslikeyouthatthesoldiershavequiteforswornsonneting？
Whenamanwasarake，apoet，awarrior，allinone，whatchancehadapeacefulminorpoetlikeyouorme，Gifted，againsthischarms？Sedley，whensober，musthavebeenaninvinciblerival——
invincible，aboveall，whenhepretendedconstancy：
"WhythenshouldIseekfurtherstore，Andstillmakeloveanew？
Whenchangeitselfcangivenomore’Tiseasytobetrue。"
Howinfinitelymoredelightful，musical，andcaptivatingarethoseCavaliersingers——theirnumbersflowingfair，liketheirscentedlovelocks——thantheprudishsocietypoetsofPope’sday。"TheRapeoftheLock"isverywitty，butthroughitalldon’tyoumarkthesneerofthecontemptuous，unmanlylittlewit，thecrookeddandy？
Hejibesamonghiscompliments；andIdonotwonderthatMistressArabellaFermorwasnotconciliatedbyhislong—drawnclevernessandpolishedlines。IpreferSackville’sverses"writtenatseathenightbeforeanengagement"：
"ToallyouladiesnowonlandWemenatseaindite。"
Theyareallalike，thewitsofQueenAnne；andevenMattPrior，whenhewritesofladiesoccasionally，writesdowntothem，oratleastglancesupverysaucilyfromhispositiononhisknees。ButPrioristhebestofthem，andthemostcandid：
"Icourtothersinverse——butIlovetheeinprose；
Andtheyhavemywhimsies，butthouhastmyheart。"
Yes，PriorisprobablythegreatestofallwhodallywiththelightlyrewhichthrillstothewingsoffleetingLoves——thegreatestEnglishwriterofversdesociete；themostgay，frank，good—
humoured，tunefulandengaging。
Landorisgreat，too，butinanotherkind；thebeesthathummedoverPlato’scradlehavelefttheirhoneyonhislips；nonebutLandor，oraGreek，couldhavewrittenthisonCatullus：
"TellmenotwhattoowellIknowAbouttheBardofSirmio—
Yes，inThalia’ssonSuchstainsthereareaswhenaGraceSprinklesanother’slaughingfaceWithnectar，andrunson!"
ThatispoetrydeservingofaplaceamongtherarestthingsintheAnthology。ItisasorrowtomethatIcannotquiteplacePraedwithPriorinmyaffections。Withallhisgaietyandwit，heweariesoneatlastwiththatclever，punningantithesis。Idon’twanttoknowhow"CaptainHazardwinsabet，OrBeaulieuspoilsacurry"—
andIpreferhissombre"RedFisherman，"theideaofwhichisborrowed，wittinglyorunwittingly，fromLucian。
Thackeray，toocarelessinhismeasures，yetcomesnearerPriorinbreadthofhumourandinunaffectedtenderness。Whocanequalthatsong，"OnceyoucometoFortyYear，"orthelinesontheVeniceLove—lamp，orthe"Cane—bottomedChair"？OflivingEnglishwritersofverseinthe"familiarstyle，"asCowperhasit，IpreferMr。
Lockerwhenheistenderandnotuntouchedwithmelancholy，asin"ThePortraitofaLady，"andMr。AustinDobson，whenheisnotflirting，butinearnest，asinthe"SongofFourSeasons"and"TheDeadLetter。"Hehasingenuity，pathos，masteryofhisart，and，thoughtheleastpedanticofpoets，is"convenientlylearned。"
OfcontemporaryAmericans，ifImaybefrank，IprefertheverseofMr。BretHarte，versewithsomanytunesandturns，ascomicasthe"HeathenChinee，"astenderasthelayoftheshipwithitscrewofchildrenthatslippeditsmooringsinthefog。TomeitseemsthatMr。BretHarte’spoemshavenever（atleastinthiscountry）beensufficientlyesteemed。Mr。Lowellhaswritten（"TheBiglowPapers"
apart）butlittleinthisvein。Mr。WendellHolmes，yourdelightfulgodfather，Gifted，haswrittenmuchwithperhapssomelossfromtheveryquantity。Alittleofversdesociete，mydearGifted，goesalongway，asyouwillthink，ifeveryousitdownsteadilytoreadrightthroughanycollectionofpoemsinthismanner。Sodonotaddtoorapidlytoyourownstore；letthembe"few，butroses"allofthem。
ONBOOKSABOUTREDMEN
ToRichardWilby，Esq。，EtonCollege，Windsor。
MyDearDick，——Itisverygoodofyou，amongyourseverestudiesatEton，towritetoyourUncle。Iamextremelypleasedtohearthatyourfootballisappreciatedinthehighestcircles，andshallbehappytohaveasgoodanaccountofyourskillinmakingLatinverses。
Iamgladyoulike"She，"Mr。RiderHaggard’sbookwhichIsentyou。
Itis"somethinglike，"asyousay，andIquiteagreewithyou，bothinbeinginlovewiththeheroine，andinthinkingthatshepreachesrathertoomuch。But，then，asshewasovertwothousandyearsold，andhadlivedformostofthattimeamongcannibals，whodidnotunderstandher，onemayexcuseherfor"jawing，"asyousay，agooddeal，whenshemetwhitemen。Youwanttoknowif"She"isatruestory。Ofcourseitis!
Butyouhaveread"She，"andyouhavereadallCooper’s，andMarryat’s，andMr。Stevenson’sbooks，and"TomSawyer，"and"HuckleberryFinn，"severaltimes。SohaveI，andamquitereadytobeginagain。But，tomymind，booksabout"RedIndians"havealwaysseemedmuchthemostinteresting。Atyourage，Iremember，Iboughtatomahawk，and，aswehadalsolotsofspearsandboomerangsfromAustralia，thepoultryusedtohaveratheraroughtimeofit。
Inevercoulddoverymuchwithaboomerang；butIcouldthrowaspeartoahair’sbreadth，asmanyachickenhadoccasiontodiscover。WhenyougohomeforChristmasIhopeyouwillrememberthatallthiswasverywrong，andthatyouwillconsiderwearecivilizedpeople，notMohicans，norPawnees。Ialsomadeastonepipe，likeHiawatha’s，butInevercoulddrillaholeinthestem，soitdidnot"draw"likeacivilizedpipe。
Bywayofanawfulwarningtoyouonthisscore，andalso，asyousayyouwantatruebookaboutRedIndians，letmerecommendtoyouthebestbookaboutthemIevercameacross。Itiscalled"A
NarrativeoftheCaptivityandAdventuresofJohnTanner，duringThirtyYears’ResidenceamongtheIndians，"anditwaspublishedatNewYorkbyMessrs。Carvill，in1830。
IfIwereanAmericanpublisher，insteadofaBritishauthor（howI
wishIwas!）I’dpublish"JohnTanner"again，orperhapscutagooddealout，andmakeaboy’sbookofit。Youarenotlikelytogetittobuy，butMr。Steevens，theAmericanbookseller，hasfoundmeacopy。IfIlendyouit，willyoubekindenoughtoillustrateitonseparatesheetsofpaper，andnotmakedrawingsonthepagesofthebook？Thiswill，inthelongrun，bemoresatisfactorytoyourself，asyouwillbeabletokeepyourpictures；forIwant"JohnTanner"
backagain：anddon’tlendhimtoyourfag—master。
Tannerwasbornabout1780；helivedinKentucky。Don’tyouwishyouhadlivedinKentuckyinColonelBoone’stime？TheShawneeswereroamingabouttheneighbourhoodwhenTannerwasalittleboy。
Hisunclescalpedoneofthem。ThismadebadfeelingbetweentheTannersandtheShawnees；butJohn，likeanyboyofspirit，wishednevertolearnlessons，andwantedtobeanIndianbrave。Hesoonhadmoreofbeingabravethanheliked；butheneverlearnedanymorelessons，andcouldnotevenreadorwrite。
OnedayJohn’sfathertoldhimnottoleavethehouse，becausefromthemovementsofthehorses，heknewthatIndianswereinthewoods。
SoJohnseizedthefirstchanceandnippedout，andrantoawalnuttreeinoneofthefields，wherehebeganfillinghisstrawhatwithwalnuts。AtthatverymomenthewascaughtbytwoIndians，whospilledthenuts，puthishatonhishead，andboltedwithhim。Oneoftheoldwomenofthetribehadlostherson，andwantedtoadoptaboy，andsotheyadoptedJohnnyTanner。Theyranwithhimtillhewasoutofbreath，tilltheyreachedtheOhio，wheretheythrewhimintoacanoe，paddledacross，andsetoffrunningagain。
Intendays’hardmarchingtheyreachedthecamp，anditwasworsethangoingtoanewschool，foralltheIndianskickedJohnTannerabout，and"theirdance，"hesays，"wasbriskandcheerful，afterthemannerofthescalpdance!"CheerfulforJohn!Hehadtoliebetweenthefireandthedoorofthelodge，andeveryonewhopassedgavehimakick。Oneoldmanwasparticularlycruel。WhenTannerwasgrownup，hecamebacktothatneighbourhood，andthefirstthingheaskedwas，"WhereisManito—o—geezhik？"
"Dead，twomonthssince。"
"Itiswellthatheisdead，"saidJohnTanner。Butanoldfemalechief，Net—ko—kua，adoptedhim，andnowitbegantobefun。Forhewassenttoshootgameforthefamily。Couldanythingbemoredelightful？Hisfirstshotwasatpigeons，withapistol。ThepistolknockeddownTanner；butitalsoknockeddownthepigeon。Hethencaughtmartins——andmeasles，whichwaslessentertaining。EvenIndianshavemeasles!Butevenhuntingisnotaltogetherfun，whenyoustartwithnobreakfastandhavenochanceofsupperunlessyoukillgame。
TheotherRedIndianbooks，especiallythecheapones，don’ttellyouthatveryoftentheIndiansaremorethanhalf—starved。Thensomeonebuildsamagiclodge，andpraystotheGreatSpirit。
Tanneroftendidthis，andhewouldthendreamhowtheGreatSpiritappearedtohimasabeautifulyoungman，andtoldhimwherehewouldfindgame，andprophesiedothereventsinhislife。ItiscurioustoseeawhitemantakingtotheIndianreligion，andhavingexactlythesamesortofvisionsastheirredconvertsdescribedtotheJesuitfathersnearlytwohundredyearsbefore。
TannersawsomeIndianghosts，too，whenhegrewup。OnthebankoftheLittleSaskawjewuntherewasacapitalcamping—placewheretheIndiansnevercamped。ItwascalledJebingneezh—o—shin—naut——"theplaceoftwoDeadMen。"TwoIndiansofthesametotemhadkilledeachotherthere。Now，theirtotemwasthatwhichTannerbore，thetotemofhisadoptedIndianmother。Thestorywasthatifanymancampedthere，theghostswouldcomeoutoftheirgraves；andthatwasjustwhathappened。Tannermadetheexperiment；hecampedandfellasleep。"VerysoonIsawthetwodeadmencomeandsitdownbymyfireoppositeme。Igotupandsatoppositethembythefire，andinthispositionIawoke。"Perhapshefellasleepagain，forhenowsawthetwodeadmen，whosatoppositetohim，andlaughedandpokedfunandsticksathim。Hecouldneitherspeaknorrunaway。
Oneofthemshowedhimahorseonahill，andsaid，"There，mybrother，isahorseIgiveyoutorideonyourjourneyhome，andonyourwayyoucancallandleavethehorse，andspendanothernightwithus。"So，nextmorning，hefoundthehorseandrodeit，buthedidnotspendanothernightwiththeghostsofhisowntotem。Hehadseenenoughofthem。
ThoughTannerbelievedinhisowndreamsoftheGreatSpirit，hedidnotbelieveinthoseofhisIndianmother。Hethoughtsheusedtoprowlaboutinthedaytime，findtracksofabearordeer，watchwheretheywentto，andthensaythebeast’slairhadbeenrevealedtoherinadream。ButTanner’sownvisionswere"honestInjun。"
Once，inahardwinter，Tannerplayedatrickontheoldwoman。Allthefoodtheyhadwasaquartoffrozenbears’grease，keptinakettlewithaskinfastenedoverit。ButTannercaughtarabbitaliveandpoppedhimundertheskin。Sowhentheoldwomanwentforthebears’greaseinthemorning，andfounditalive，shewasnotalittlealarmed。
ButdoesnotthenotionoflivingonfrozenpomatumrathertakethegiltoffthedelightofbeinganIndian？Theoldwomanwasasbraveandresoluteasaman，butinonedayshesoldahundredandtwentybeaverskinsandmanybuffalorobesforrum。ShealwaysentertainedalltheneighbouringIndiansaslongastherumlasted，andTannerhadanarrowescapeofgrowingupadrunkard。HebecamesuchasavagethatwhenanIndiangirlcarelesslyallowedhiswigwamtobeburned，hestrippedherofherblanketandturnedheroutforthenightinthesnow。
SoTannergrewupinspiteofhungeranddrink。Once，whenstarving，andwithoutbullets，hemetabuckmoose。Ifhekilledthemoosehewouldbesaved，ifhedidnothewoulddie。Sohetookthescrewsoutofthelockofhisrifle，loadedwiththeminplaceofbullets，tiedthelockonwithstring，fired，andkilledthemoose。
Tannerwasworriedintomarryingayoungsquaw（atleasthesayshediditbecausethegirlwantedit），andthisledtoallhissorrows—
—thisandaquarrelwithamedicine—man。Themedicine—manaccusedhimofbeingawizard，andhiswifegotanotherIndiantoshoothim。
Tannerwasfarfromsurgeons，andheactuallyhackedoutthebullethimselfwithanoldrazor。AnotherwoundedIndianonceamputatedhisownarm。TheancientSpartanscouldnothavebeenpluckier。
TheIndianshadothervirtuesaswellaspluck。Theywerehonestandsohospitable，beforetheyknewwhitemen’sways，thattheywouldgivepoorstrangersnewmocassinsandnewbuffalocloaks。
Willitboreyou，mydearDick，ifItellyouofanoldIndian’sdeath？Itseemsaprettyandtouchingstory。OldPe—shau—bawasafriendofTanner。Onedayhefellviolentlyill。HesentforTannerandsaidtohim："IrememberbeforeIcametoliveinthisworld，IwaswiththeGreatSpiritabove。Isawmanygoodanddesirablethings，andamongothersabeautifulwoman。AndtheGreatSpiritsaid：’Pe—shau—ba，doyoulovethewoman？’ItoldhimI
did。Thenhesaid，’Godownandspendafewwintersonearth。Youcannotstaylong，andyoumustremembertobealwayskindandgoodtomychildrenwhomyouseebelow。’SoIcamedown，butIhaveneverforgottenwhatwassaidtome。
"Ihavealwaysstoodinthesmokebetweenthetwobandswhenmypeoplefoughtwiththeirenemies……InowhearthesamevoicethattalkedtomebeforeIcameintotheworld。IttellsmeIcanremainherenolonger。"Hethenwalkedout，lookedatthesun，thesky，thelake，andthedistanthills；thencamein，laydowncomposedlyinhisplace，andinafewminutesceasedtobreathe。
IfwewouldhardlycaretolivelikeIndians，afterall（andTannertiredofitandcameback，anoldman，totheStates），wemightdesiretodielikePe—shau—ba，if，likehim，wehadbeen"goodandkindtoGod’schildrenwhomwemeetbelow。"SohereisaChristmasmoralforyou，outofaRedIndianbook，andIwishyouamerryChristmasandahappyNewYear。
APPENDIXI
Reynolds’sPeterBell。
WhenthearticleonJohnHamiltonReynolds（"AFriendofKeats"）waswritten，Ihadnotseenhis"PeterBell"（TaylorandHessey，London，1888）。This"LyricalBallad"isdescribedinaletterofKeats’spublishedbyMr。SidneyColvininMacmillan’sMagazine，August，1888。ThepointofReynolds’sjokewastoproduceaparodybeforetheoriginal。ReynoldswasannoyedbywhatHoodcalled"TheBettyFoybles"ofWordsworth，andbythedemeanourofapoetwhowasserious，notonlyinseason，butoutofseason。Moreover，Wordsworthhaddamned"aprettypieceofheathenism"byKeats，withpraisewhichwasfaintevenfromWordsworthtoacontemporary。Inthecircumstances，asWordsworthwasnotyetakindofsolemnshade，whomweseehauntingthehills，andhearchantingtheswansongofthedyingEngland，perhapsReynolds’sparodyscarceneedsexcuse。
Mr。Aingercallsit"insolent，"meaningthatithasanunkindtoneofpersonalattack。Thatis，unluckily，true，buttomyselftheparodyappearsremarkablyfunny，andquiteworthyof"thesneeringbrothers，thevileSmiths，"asLambcallstheauthorsof"RejectedAddresses。"LambwrotetotellWordsworththathedidnotseethefunoftheparody——perhapsitisaswellthatweshouldfailtoseethefunofjestsbrokenonourfriends。ButwillanyWordsworthiandenyto—daythehumourofthis？—
"Heisrurallyrelated；
PeterBellhathcountrycousins，（Hehadonceaworthymother），BellsandPetersbythedozens，ButPeterBellhehathnobrothers，Notabrotherownethhe，PeterBellhehathnobrother；
Hismotherhadnootherson，Noothersone’ercalledher’mother，’
PeterBellhathbrothernone。"
AsKeatssaysinareviewhewroteforTheExaminer，"thereisapestilenthumourintherhymes，andaninveteratecadenceinsomeofthestanzasthatmustbelamented。"InhisreviewKeatstriedtohurtneitherside，buthisheartwaswithReynolds；"itwouldbejustaswelltotrounceLordByroninthesamemanner。"
PeoplestillmakeanoutcryoverthetrouncingofKeats。Itwasbludgeonlydone，butonlypartofagame，akindofhorseplayatwhichmostmenoflettersoftheagewereplaying。Whobutregretsthat，inhis"LifeofKeats，"Mr。ColvinshouldspeakasifSirWalterScotthad，perhaps，aguiltyknowledgeofthereviewofKeatsinBlackwood!Thereisbutatittleofpublishedevidencetothetruthofatheoryinitselfutterlydetestable，and，toeveryonewhounderstandsthecharacterofScott，whollybeyondpossibilityofbelief。EvenifLockhartwasthereviewer，andifScottcametoknowit，wasScottresponsibleforwhatLockhartdidin1819or1820，theverytimewhenMrs。ShelleythoughthewasdefendingShelleyinBlackwood（wherehehadpraisedherFrankenstein），andwhenshespokeofSirWalteras"theonlyliberalmaninthefaction"？UnluckilyKeatsdied，andhisdeathwasabsurdlyattributedtoapairofreviewswhichmayhaveirritatedhim，andwhichwerecoarse，andcruelevenforthatperiodofrobustreviewing。ButKeatsknewverywellthevalueofthesecritiques，andprobablyresentedthemnotmuchmorethanafootballplayerresentsbeing"hacked"inthecourseofthegame。HewasverywillingtoseeByronandWordsworth"trounced，"andasreadyasPeterCorcoraninhisfriend’spoemto"takepunishment"himself。
ThecharacterofKeatswasplucky，andhisestimateofhisowngeniuswasperfectlysane。Heknewthathewasinthethickofaliterary"scrimmage，"andhewasnotthemantoflinchortorepineattheconsequences。
APPENDIXII
PortraitsofVirgilandLucretius。
IntheLetteronVirgilsomeremarksaremadeonabustofthepoet。
Itiswhollyfanciful。OuronlyvestigesofaportraitofVirgilareintwoMSS。；thebetterofthetwoisintheVatican。Thedesignrepresentsayouth，withdarkhairandapleasantface，seatedreading。Adeskisbesidehim，andacaseformanuscript，inshapelikeaband—box。（SeeVisconti，"Icon。Rom。"i。179，plate13。）MartialtellsusthatportraitsofVirgilwereilluminatedoncopiesofhis"AEneid。"TheVaticanMS。isofthetwelfthcentury。
Buteveryonewhohasfollowedthefortunesofbooksknowsthatakindoftraditionoftenpreservestheillustrations，whicharecopiedandrecopiedwithoutmaterialchange。（SeeMr。Jacobs’s"FablesofBidpai，"Nutt，1888。）ThustheVaticanMS。maypreserveatleastashadowofVirgil。
IftherebeanyportraitofLucretius，itisaprofileonasard，publishedbyMr。Munroinhisfamouseditionofthepoet。ThelettersLVCRareinscribedonthestone，andappeartobecontemporarywiththegem。This，atleast，istheopinionofMr。A。
S。Murray，ofthelateMr。C。W。King，Braun，andMuller。Ontheotherhand，Bernouilli（"Rom。Icon。"i。247）regardsthis，andapparentlymostotherRomangemswithinscriptions，as"apocryphal。"
Thering，whichwasintheNottcollection，isnowinmypossession。
IfLucretiusweretheratherpedanticandsharp—nosedRomanofthegem，hiswifehadlittlereasonforthejealousywhichtooksodeplorableaform。ColdthisLucretiusmayhavebeen，volatile——
never!{11}
Footnotes：
{1}ThiswaswrittenduringthelifetimeofMr。ArnoldandMr。
Browning。
{2}Sincethiswaswritten，Mr。Bridgeshasmadehislyricsaccessiblein"ShorterPoems。"（G。BellandSons：1890）
{3}Macmillans。
{4}Reynoldswas，perhaps，alittleirreverent。HeanticipatedWordsworth’s"PeterBell"byaprematureparody，"PeterBelltheFirst。"
{5}AppendixonReynolds’s"PeterBell。"
{6}"AucassinandNicolette"hasnowbeenedited，annotated，andequippedwithatranslationbyMr。F。W。Bourdillon（KeganPaul&
Trench，1887）。
{7}Edinburgh，1862。
{8}TheElzevirpiracywasratherearlier。
{9}Pindar，perhaps，inoneofhisfragments，suggestedthatprettyCumregnatRosa。
{10}Seenextletter。
{11}Mr。Munrocallsthestone"ablackagate，"anddoesnotmentionitsprovenance。Theengravinginhisbookdoesnojusticetotheportrait。ThereisanothergemrepresentingLucretiusintheVatican：ofolditbelongedtoLeoX。Thetwogemsareinallrespectssimilar。Asealwiththishead，oroneverylikeit，belongedtoEvelyn，thefriendofMr。Pepys。