Sometimeintheyear1758，theredawneduponPortsmouthapersonagebearingtheponderoustitleofKing’sAttorney，andcarryingmuchgoldlaceabouthim。ThisgildedgentlemanwasMr。
WysemanClagett，ofBristol，England，wherehisfatherdweltonthemanorofBroadOaks，inamansionwithtwelvechimneys，andkeptacoachandeightortenservants。Uptothemomentofhisadventinthecolonies，Mr。WysemanClagetthadevidentlynotbeenabletokeepanythingbuthimself。Hiswealthconsistedofhispersonaldecorations，thegoldenfrogsonhislapels，andthetinselathisthroat；othercharmshehadnone。YetwiththesehecontrivedtodazzletheeyesofLetticeMitchel，oneoftheyoungbeautiesoftheprovince，andtocausehertoforgetthatshehadplightedtrothwithaMr。Warner，theninEurope，anddestinedtoreturnhomewithadisturbedheart。Mr。Clagettwasamanofviolenttemperandingeniousvindictiveness，andprovedmorethanasufficientpunishmentforLettice’sinfidelity。ThetriflingfactthatWarnerwasdead——hediedshortlyafterhisreturn——didnotinterferewiththecourseofMr。Clagett’sjealousy；hewashauntedbythesuspicionthatLetticeregrettedherfirstlove，havingleftnothingundonetomakeherdoso。"ThisistopayWarner’sdebts，"remarkedMr。Clagett，ashetwitchedoffthetable-clothandwreckedthetea-things。
Inhisofficialcapacityhewasarelentlessprosecutor。ThenounClagettspeedilyturneditselfintoaverb；"toClagett"meant"toprosecute；"theywereconvertibleterms。Inspiteofhisindustriousseverity，andhisroyalemoluments，ifsuchexisted，theexchequeroftheKing’sAttorneyshowedaperpetualdeficit。
ThestratagemstowhichheresortedfromtimetotimeinordertoraiseunimportantsumsremindedoneofcertainscenesinMoliere’scomedies。
Mr。Clagetthadforhisamedamneeaconstableofthetown。Theyweremadeforeachother；theyweretwoflowerswithbutasinglestem，andthiswastheirmethodofprocedure：Mr。Clagettdispatchedoneofhisservantstopickaquarrelwithsomecountrymanonthestreet，orsomesailordrinkingataninn：theconstablearrestedthesailororthecountryman，asthecasemightbe，andhauledtheculpritbeforeMr。Clagett；Mr。Clagettreadtheculpritamorallesson，andfinedhimfivedollarsandcosts。Theplunderwasthendividedbetweentheconspirators——twoheartsthatbeatasone——Clagett，ofcourse，gettingthelion’sshare。Justicewasneveradministeredinasimplermannerinanycountry。Thiseminentlegallightwasextinguishedin1784，andthewicklaidawayinthelittlechurchyardinLitchfield，NewHampshire。Itisasatisfaction，evenaftersuchalapseoftime，toknowthatLetticesurvivedtheKing’sAttorneysufficientlylongtobeveryhappywithsomebodyelse。LetticeMitchelwasscarcelyeighteenwhenshemarriedWysemanClagett。
Abouteightyyearsago，awitlessfellownamedTiltonseemstohavebeenafamiliarfigureonthestreetsoftheoldtown。Mr。
Brewsterspeaksofhimas"thewell-knownidiot，JohnnyTilton，"
asifoneshouldsay，"thewell-knownstatesman，DanielWebster。"
Itiscurioustoobservehowanysortofindividualitygetsmagnifiedinthisparochialatmosphere，whereeverythinglacksperspective，andnothingistrivial。JohnnyTiltondoesnotappeartohavehadmuchindividualitytostartwith；itwasonlyafterhisheadwascrackedthatheshowedanyshrewdnesswhatever。Thathappenedearlyinhisunobtrusiveboyhood。Hehadfrequentlywatchedthehensflyingoutoftheloftwindowinhisfather’sstable，whichstoodintherearoftheOldBellTavern。
ItoccurredtoJohnny，oneday，thatthoughhemightnotbeasbrightasotherlads，hecertainlywasinnorespectinferiortoahen。Soheplacedhimselfonthesillofthewindowintheloft，flappedhisarms，andtookflight。TheNewEnglandIcarusalightedheaddownward，layinsensibleforawhile，andwashenceforthlookeduponasamortalwhohadlosthiswits。Yetatoddmomentshiscloudinesswasilluminedbyagleamofintelligencesuchashadnotbeendetectedinhimprevioustohismischance。AsPoloniussaidofHamlet——anotherunstrungmortal——Tilton’sreplieshad"ahappinessthatoftenmadnesshitson，whichreasonandsanitycouldnotsoprosperouslybedeliveredof。"Onemorning，heappearedattheflour-millwithasackofcorntobegroundforthealmshouse，andwasaskedwhatheknew。"SomethingsIknow，"repliedpoorTilton，"andsomethingsIdon’tknow。Iknowthemiller’shogsgrowfat，butI
don’tknowwhosecorntheyfaton。"ToborrowanotherwordfromPolonius，thoughthisbemadness，yettherewasmethodinit。
Tiltonfinallybroughtupinthealmshouse，wherehewasallowedthelibertyofroamingatwillthroughthetown。Helovedthewater-sideasifhehadhadallhissenses。Oftenhewasseentostandforhourswithasunny，torpidsmileonhislips，gazingoutupontheriverwhereitsazurerufflesitselfintosilveragainsttheislands。Healwaysworestuckinhishatafewhen’sfeathers，perhapswithsomevagueideaofstillassociatinghimselfwiththebirdsoftheair，ifhenscancomeintothatcategory。
GeorgeJaffrey，thirdofthename，wasacharacterofanothercomplexion，agentlemanborn，agraduateofHarvardin1730，andoneofHisMajesty’sCouncilin1766——amanwiththebloodofthelionandtheunicornineveryvein。Heremainedtothebitterend，andbeyond，adevoutroyalist，prizinghisshoe-buckles，notbecausetheywereofchasedsilver，butbecausetheyborethetowermarkandcrownstamp。Hestoutlyobjectedtooralprayer，onthegroundthatitgaveroguesandhypocritesanopportunitytoimposeonhonestfolk。Hewaspunctiliousinhisattendanceatchurch，andunfailinginhisresponses，thoughnotofaparticularlydevotionaltemperament。Ononeoccasion，atleast，hissincerityisnottobequestioned。Hehadbeendeeplyirritatedbysomeencroachmentsontheboundariesofcertainestates，andhadgonetochurchthatforenoonwithhismindfullofthematter。Whentheministerinthecourseofreadingtheservicecametotheapostrophe，"Cursedbehewhoremovethhisneighbor’slandmark，"Mr。Jeffrey’sfeelingsweretoomanyforhim，andhecriedout"Amen！"inatoneofvoicethatbroughtsmilestotheadjoiningpews。
Mr。Jaffrey’slastwillandtestamentwasawhimsicaldocument，inspiteoftheHon。JeremiahMason，whodrewupthepaper。IthadoriginallybeenMr。Jaffrey’splantoleavehispossessionstohisbelovedfriend，ColonelJoshuaWentworth；butthecolonelbysomemaladroitnessmanagedtoturnthecurrentofPactolusinanotherdirection。ThevastpropertywasbequeathedtoGeorgeJaffreyJeffries，thetestator’sgrandnephew，onconditionthattheheir，thenaladofthirteen，shoulddropthenameofJeffries，residepermanentlyinPortsmouth，andadoptnoprofessionexceptingthatofgentleman。ThereisanimmenseamountofPortsmouthaswellasGeorgeJaffreyinthatfinalclause。Georgethefourthhandsomelycompliedwiththerequirements，anddyingattheageofsixty-six，withoutissueorassets，wasthelastofthatparticularlineofGeorges。Isaythathehandsomelycompliedwiththerequirementsofthewill；
butmystatementappearstobesubjecttoqualification，foronthedayofhisobsequiesitwasremarkedofhimbyacausticcontemporary："Well，yes，Mr。Jaffreywasagentlemanbyprofession，butnoteminentinhisprofession。"
Thismodestexhibitionofprofiles，inwhichIhaveattemptedtopreservenochronologicalsequence，endswiththesilhouetteofDr。JosephMoses。
IfBostoninthecolonialdayshadherMatherByles，PortsmouthhadherDr。JosephMoses。Intheirqualityashumorists，theoutlinesofboththesegentlemenhavebecomeratherbrokenandindistinct。"Ajest’sprosperityliesintheearthathearsit。"
Decantedwitinevitablylosesitsbouquet。Acleverreparteebelongstothepreciousmomentinwhichitisbroached，andisofavintagethatdoesnotusuallybeartransportation。Dr。
Moses——hereceivedhisdiplomanotfromtheCollegeofPhysicians，butfromthecircumstanceofhishavingoncedruggedhisprivatedemijohnofrum，andsonailedaninquisitivenegronamedSambo——Dr。Moses，ashewasalwayscalled，hadbeenhandeddowntousbytraditionasafellowofinfinitejestandofmostexcellentfancy；butImustconfessthatIfindhishighspiritsverymuchevaporated。Hishumorexpendeditself，forthegreaterpart，inpracticalpleasantries——likethatpracticedontheminionSambo——butthesediversions，howeverfacetioustothepartiesconcerned，lackmagnetismforoutsiders。Idiscovernothingabouthimsoamusingasthefactthathelivedinatan-coloredlittletenement，whichwasneitherclapboardednorshingled，andfinallygotanepidermisfromthediscardedshinglesoftheOldSouthChurchwhentheroofofthatedificewasrepaired。
Dr。Moses，likemanypersonsofhistimeandclass，wasamanofproteanemployment——joiner，barber，andwhatnot。Nodoubthehadmuchpithyandfluentconversation，allofwhichescapesus。HecertainlyimpressedtheHon。TheodoreAtkinsonasapersonofuncommonparts，fortheHonorableSecretaryoftheProvince，likeasecondHarounAlRaschid，oftensummonedthebarbertoentertainhimwithhiscompany。Oneevening——andthisistheonlyreproducibleinstanceofthedoctor’sreadiness——Mr。AtkinsonregaledhisguestwithadiminutiveglassofchoiceMadeira。Thedoctorregardeditagainstthelightwiththehalf-closedeyeoftheconnoisseur，andaftersippingthemoltentopazwithsatisfaction，inquiredhowolditwas。"Ofthevintageofaboutsixtyyearsago，"wastheanswer。"Well，"saidthedoctorreflectively，"Ineverinmylifesawsosmallathingofsuchanage。"Thereareothermotsofhisonrecord，buttheirfacesaresuspiciouslyfamiliar。Infact，allthewittythingsweresaidaeonsago。Ifonenowadaysperpetratesanoriginaljoke，oneimmediatelyafterwardfindsitintheSanskirt。IamafraidthatDr。JosephMoseshasnoverysolidclaimsonus。Ihavegivenhimplaceherebecausehehaslonghadthereputationofawit，whichisalmostasgoodastobeone。
VII。
PERSONALREMINISCENCES
THErunningofthefirsttrainovertheEasternRoadfromBostontoPortsmouth——ittookplacesomewhatmorethanfortyyearsago——wasattendedbyaseriousaccident。TheaccidentoccurredinthecrowdedstationatthePortsmouthterminus，andwasunobservedatthetime。Thecatastrophewasfollowed，thoughnotimmediately，bydeath，andthatalso，curiouslyenough，wasunobserved。Nevertheless，thisinitialtrain，freightedwithsomanyhopesandtheDirectorsoftheRoad，ranoverandkilled——LOCALCHARACTER。
UptothatdayPortsmouthhadbeenaverysecludedlittlecommunity，andhadhadthecourageofitsseclusion。Fromtimetotimeithadcalmlyproducedanindividualbuiltonplansandspecificationsofitsown，withoutregardtotheprejudicesandconventionalitiesofoutlyingdistricts。Thisindividualwaspurelyindigenous。Hewasborninthetown，helivedtoagoodoldageinthetown，andneverwentoutoftheplace，untilhewasfinallylaidunderit。Tohim，Boston，thoughonlyfifty-sixmilesaway，wasvirtuallyanunknownquantity——onlyfifty-sixmilesbybrutalgeographicalmeasurement，butthousandsofmilesdistantineffect。Inthosedays，inordertoreachBostonyouwereobligedtotakeagreatyellow，clumsystage-coach，resemblingathree-storymud-turtle——ifzoologistwill，forthesakeofthesimile，toleratesodaringaninvention；youwereobligedtotakeitveryearlyinthemorning，youdinedatnoonatIpswich，andclatteredintothegreatcitywiththegoldendomejustasthetwilightwasfalling，providedalwaysthecoachhadnotshedawheelbytheroadsideoroneoftheleadershadnotgonelame。Tomanyworthyandwell-to-dopersonsinPortsmouth，thisjourneywasaneventwhichoccurredonlytwiceorthriceduringlife。TothetypicalindividualwithwhomIamforthemomentdealing，itneveroccurredatall。Thetownwashisentireworld；hewasaparochialasaParisian；MarketStreetwashisBoulevarddesItaliens，andtheNorthEndhisBoisdeBoulogne。
Ofcoursetherewerevarietiesoflocalcharacterswithouthislimitations；venerablemerchantsretiredfromtheEastIndiatrade；elderlygentlewomen，withfamilyjewelsandpersonalpeculiarities；oneortwoscholarlyreclusesinby-gonecutofcoat，hauntingtheAthenaeumreading-room；ex-seacaptains，withringsontheirfingers，likeSimonDanz’svisitorsinLongfellow’spoem——menwhohadplayedbusypartsinthebustlingworld，andhaddriftedbacktoOldStrawberryBankinthetranquilsunsetoftheircareers。Imaysay，inpassing，thattheseancientmariners，afterbattlingwithterrifichurricanesandtyphoonsoneveryknownsea，notinfrequentlydrownedthemselvesinpleasantweatherinsmallsail-boatsonthePiscataquaRiver。Oldsea-dogswhohadcommandedshipsoffourorfivehundredtonshadnaturallyslightrespectforthepotentialitiesofsail-boatstwelvefeetlong。Buttherewastobenofurtherincreaseoftheseoddsticks——ifImaycallthemso，innoirreverentmood——afterthoseinnocent-lookingparallelbarsindissolublylinkedPortsmouthwiththecapitaloftheCommonwealthofMassachusetts。Alltheconditionsweretobechanged，theoldanglestobeparedoff，newhorizonstoberegarded。Theindividual，asaneccentricindividual，wastoundergogreatmodifications。Ifhewerenottobecomeextinct——athinglittlelikely——hewasatleasttolosehisprominence。
However，asIsaid，localcharacter，inthesenseinwhichthetermishereused，wasnotinstantlykilled；itdiedalingeringdeath，andpassedawaysopeacefullyandsilentlyasnottoattractgeneral，orperhapsany，notice。Thisperiodofgradualdissolutionfellduringmyboyhood。Thelastofthecockedhatshadgoneout，andtherailwayhadcomein，longbeforemytime；
butcertainbitsofcolor，certainhalfobsoletecustomsandscrapsofthepast，werestillleftover。Iwasnottoolate，forexample，tocatchthelasttowncrier——oneNicholasNewman，whomIusedtocontemplatewithawe，andnowrecallwithasortofaffection。
NicholasNewman——Nicholaswasasobriquet，hisrealnamebeingEdward——wasamostestimableperson，veryshort，cross-eyed，somewhatbow-legged，andwithabelloutofallproportiontohisstature。Ihaveneversinceseenabellofthatsizedisconnectedwithachurchsteeple。Theonlythingabouthimthatmatchedtheinstrumentofhisofficewashisvoice。His"HearAll！"stilldeafensmemory’sear。Irememberthathehadaqueerwayofsidlinguptoone，asifnatureinshapinghimhadoriginallyintendedacrab，butthoughtbetterofit，andmadeatown-crier。
Ofthecrustaceanintentiononlyamoistthumbremained，whichservedMr。NewmaningoodsteadinthedeliveryoftheBostoneveningpapers，forhewasincidentallynewsdealer。Hisauthenticdutiesweretocryauctions，funerals，mislaidchildren，travelingtheatricals，publicmeetings，andarticleslostorfound。Hewasespeciallystronginannouncingthelossofreticules，usuallythepropertyofelderlymaidenladies。Theunctionwithwhichhedetailedtheseveralcontents，whenfullyconfidedtohim，wouldhaveseemedsatiricalinanotherperson，butonhispartwaspureconscientiousness。Hewouldnotletsomuchasathimble，orapieceofwax，oraportabletooth，oranyamiablevanityinthewayoftonsorialdevice，escapehim。IhaveheardMr。Newmanspokenofas"thathorridman。"Hewasapicturesquefigure。
PossiblyitisbecauseofhisbellthatIconnectthetowncrierwiththosedoloroussoundswhichIusedtohearrollingoutofthesteepleoftheOldNortheverynightatnineo’clock——thevocalremainsofthecolonialcurfew。NicholasNewmanhaspassedon，perhapscryinghislosseselsewhere，butthisnightlytollingisstillacustom。IcanmoresatisfactorilyexplainwhyI
associatewithitavastlydifferentpersonality，thatofSolHolmes，thebarber，foreverynightatnineo’clockhislittleshoponCongressStreetwasinfullblast。ManyatimeatthathourIhaveflattenedmynoseonhiswindow-glass。Itwasagaylittleshop（hecalledit"anEmporium"），asbarbershopsgenerallyare，decoratedwithcircusbills，tintedprints，andgaudyfly-catchersoftissueandgoldpaper。SolHolmes——whoseantecedentstousboyswerewrappedinthrillingmystery，weimaginedhimtohavebeenaprinceinhisnativeland——wasacoloredman，nottoodark"forhumannature’sdailyfood，"andenjoyedmarkeddistinctionasoneofthefewexoticsintown。Atthisjuncturetheforeignelementwasatitsminimum；everyofficial，fromselectmandowntotheDogberryofthewatch，boreanamethathadbeenfamiliartothetownforahundredyearsorso。Thesituationisgreatlychanged。IexpecttolivetoseeaChinesepoliceman，withasandal-woodclubandarice-paperpockethandkerchief，patrollingCongressStreet。
Holmeswasahandsomeman，sixfeetormoreinheight，andasstraightasapine。Hepossessedhisrace’ssweettemper，simplicity，andvanity。HismartialbearingwasapositivefactorintheeffectivenessofthePortsmouthGreys，wheneverthosebloodlesswarriorsparaded。Ashebroughtuptherearofthelastplatoon，withhisinfantrycapstuckjauntilyontheleftsideofhisheadandabrightsilvercupslungonabeltathiship，heseemedtoyouthfuleyesoneofthemostimposingthingsinthedisplay。Tohimselfhewasprettymuch"allthecompany。"Heusedtosay，withadrollnesswhichdidnotstrikemeuntilyearsafterwards，"Boys，IandCap’nTowleisgoin’totrotout’theGreys’to-morroh。"Thoughstrictlyhonestinallbusinessdealings，histropicalimagination，wheneverhestrayedintothefencelessfieldsofautobiography，leftmuchtobedesiredinthewayofaccuracy。ComparedwithSolHolmesonsuchoccasions，Ananiaswasapersonofmorbidintegrity。SolHolmes’stragicendwasinsingularcontrastwithhissunnytemperament。Onenight，longago，hethrewhimselffromthedeckofaSoundsteamer，somewherebetweenStoningtonandNewYork。Whatledordrovehimtotheactnevertranspired。
TherearefewmenwhowereboysinPortsmouthattheperiodofwhichIwritebutwillrememberWibirdPenhallowandhissky-bluewheelbarrow。Ifinditdifficulttodescribehimotherthanvaguely，possiblybecauseWilbirdhadnoexpressionwhateverinhiscountenance。Withhisvacantwhitefaceliftedtotheclouds，seeminglyobliviousofeverything，yetgoingwithasortofheaven-giveninstinctstraighttohisdestination，hetrundledthatrattlingwheelbarrowformanyayearoverPortsmouthcobblestones。HewassounconsciousofhisenvironmentthatsometimesasmallboywouldpopintotheemptywheelbarrowandsecurearidewithoutWibirdarrivingatanyveryclearknowledgeofthefact。Hisemploymentinlifewastodelivergroceriesandothermerchandisetopurchasers。Thishedidinadreamy，impersonalkindofway。Itwasasifaspirithadsomehowgoholdofanearthlywheelbarrowandwastrundlingitquiteunconsciously，withnosenseofresponsibility。Onedayheappearedatakitchendoorwithatwo-gallonmolassesjug，thetopofwhichwaswanting。Itwasnotlongerajug，butatureen。
Whentherecipientofthedamagedarticleremonstratedwith"Goodnessgracious，Wibird！Youhavebrokenthejug，"hisfeatureslightedup，andheseemedimmenselyrelieved。"I
thought，"Heremarked，"Iheerdsomethinkcrack！"
WibirdPenhallow’sheaviestpatronwasthekeeperofavarietystore，andthefirstspecimenofapessimistIeverencountered。
Hewasanexcellentspecimen。Hetookexceptiontoeverything。Heobjectedtothetelegraph，totherailway，tosteaminallitsapplications。Someofhisarguments，Irecollect，madeadeepimpressiononmymind。"Nowadays，"heonceobservedtome，"ifyoursonoryourgrandfatherdropsdeadattheotherendofcreation，youknowofitintenminutes。What’stheuse？Unlessyouareanxioustoknowhe’sdead，you’vegotjusttwoorthreeweeksmoretobemiserablein。"Hescornedthewholebusiness，andwasfaithfultohisscorn。Whenhereceivedatelegram，whichwasrare，hemadeapointofkeepingitawhileunopened。Throughtheexerciseofthiswhimheoncemissedanopportunityofbuyingcertaingoodstogreatadvantage。"There！"heexclaimed，"ifthetelegraphhadn’tbeeninventedtheidiotwouldhavewrittentome，andI’dhavesentaletterbyreturncoach，andgotthegoodsbeforehefoundoutpriceshadgoneupinChicago。Ifthatboybringsmeanotherofthosetapewormtelegraphs，I’llthrowanaxe-handleathim。"Hispessimismextendedup，ordown，togenerallyrecognizedcanonsoforthography。Theywerealliniquitous。Ifk-n-i-f-espelledknife，then，hecontended，k-n-i-f-e-swastheplural。Divertingtags，writtenbyhisownhandinconformitywiththistheory，werealwaysattachedtoarticlesinhisshopwindow。Heislongsinceded，ashehimselfwouldhaveputit，buthisphonetictheoryappearstohavesurvivedhimincrankishbrainshereandthere。Asmydiscouragingoldfriendwasnotexactlyapubliccharacter，likethetowncrierorWibirdPenhallow，Ihaveintentionallythrownaveiloverhisidentity。Ihave，sotospeak，droppedintohispouchagrainortwoofthatmagicalfern-seedwhichwassupposedbyourEnglishancestors，inElizabeth’sreign，topossessthequalityofrenderingamaninvisible。
AnotherpersonwhosingularlyinterestedmeatthisepochwasapersonwithwhomIhadneverexchangedaword，whosevoiceIhadneverheard，butwhosefacewasasfamiliartomeaseverydaycouldmakeit。ForeachmorningasIwenttoschool，andeachafternoonasIreturned，IsawthisfacepeeringoutofawindowinthesecondstoryofashamblingyellowhousesituatedinWashingtonStreet，notfarfromthecornerofState。Whethersomemaligndiseasehadfixedhimtothechairhesaton，orwhetherhehadlosttheuseofhislegs，or，possible，hadnone（theupperpartofhimwasthatofamaninadmirablehealth），presentedaproblemwhich，withthatcuriousinsoucianceofyouthImadenoattempttosolve。Itwasanestablishedfact，however，thatheneverwentoutofthathouse。Icannotvouchsoconfidentlyforthecobwebbylegendwhichwoveitselfabouthim。
Itwastothiseffect：HehadformerlybeenthemasterofalargemerchantmanrunningbetweenNewYorkandCalcutta；whilestillinhisprimehehadabruptlyretiredfromthequarter-deck，andseatedhimselfatthatwindow——wheretheoutlookmusthavebeenthereverseofexhilarating，fornottenpersonspassedinthecourseoftheday，andthehurriedjingleofthebellsonParry’sbakery-cartwastheonlysoundthatevershatteredthesilence。
Whetheritwasanamatoryorafinancialdisappointmentthatturnedhimintoahermitwaslefttoingeniousconjecture。Buttherehesat，yearinandyearout，withhischeeksoclosetothewindowthatthenearestpanebecamepermanentlyblurredwithhisbreath；forafterhisdemisetheblurrremained。
InthisArcadianeraitwaspossible，inprovincialplaces，foranundertakertoassumethedimensionsofapersonage。TherewasasextoninPortsmouth——hisnameescapesme，buthisattributesdonot——whoseimpressivenessmadehimownbrothertothemassivearchitectureoftheStoneChurch。Oneverysolemnoccasionhewasthestrikingfigure，eventotheeclipsingoftheinvoluntaryobjectoftheceremony。Hisoccasions，happily，werenotexclusivelysolemn；headdedtohisotherpublicservicesthatoffurnishingice-creamfortheeveningparties。Ialwaysthought——perhapsitwastheworkingofanunchastenedimagination——thathemanagedtothrowintohisice-creamsapeculiarchillnotattainedbyeitherDunyonorPeduzzi——arcadesambo——therivalconfectioners。
PerhapsIshouldnotsayrival，forMr。Dunyonkeptaspeciesofrestaurant，whileMr。Peduzzirestrictedhimselftopreparingconfectionstobediscussedelsewherethanonhispremises。Bothgentlemenachievedgreatpopularityintheirrespectivelines，butneitherofferedtothejuvenilepopulationquitethecharmofthoseprim，white-cappedoldladieswhopresidedovercertainsnuffylittleshops，occurringunexpectedlyinsilentside-streetswherethefootballofcommerceseemedanincongruousthing。Theseshopswereneverintendedinnature。Theyhadanimpromptuandabnormalairaboutthem。Idonotrecallonethatwasnotlocatedinaprivateresidence，andwasnotevidentlythedespairingexpedientofsomepatheticfinancialcrisis，similartothatwhichovertookMissHepzibahPyrcheoninTheHouseoftheSevenGables。Thehorizontallydividedstreetdoor——theuppersectionleftopeninsummer——usheredyou，withasuddenjangleofbellthatturnedyourheartover，intoastrictlyprivatehall，hauntedbythedelayedaromaofthousandsoffamilydinners。
Thence，throughanotherdoor，youpassedintowhathadformerlybeenthefrontparlor，butwasnowashop，withanarrow，brown，woodencounter，andseveralrowsoflittledrawersbuiltupagainstthepicture-paperedwallbehindit。Throughmuchusethepaintonthesedrawerswaswornoffincirclesroundthepolishedbrassknobs。Herewasstoredalmosteverysmallarticlerequiredbyhumanity，fromaninflamedemerycushiontoapeppermintGibraltar——thelatterakindofadamantineconfectionerywhich，whenIreflectuponit，raisesinmethewonderthatanyPortsmouthboyorgirleverreachedtheageoffifteenwithasingletoothleftunbroken。Theproprietorsoftheselittleknick-knackestablishmentswerethenicestcreatures，somehowsuggestingvenerabledoves。Theywerealwaysagedladies，sometimesspinsters，sometimesrelictsofdaringmariners，beachedlongbefore。Theyalwaysworecrispmuslincapsandsteel-rimmedspectacles；theywerenotalwaysamiable，andnowonder，forevendovesmayhavetheirrheumatism；butsuchastheywere，theywerecherishedinyounghearts，andare，Itakeit，impossibleto-day。
WhenIlookbacktoPortsmouthasIknewit，itoccurstomethatitmusthavebeeninsomerespectsuniqueamongNewEnglandtowns。Therewere，forinstance，noreallypoorpersonsintheplace；everyonehadsomesufficientcallingoranincometorenderitunnecessary；vagrantsandpauperswereinstantlysnappedupandprovidedforat"theFarm。"Therewas，however，inagambrel-roofedhousehereandthere，adecayedoldgentlewoman，occupyingascrupulouslyneatroomwithjustasuspicionofmaccaboysnuffintheair，whohadhermealssentintoherbytheneighborhood——asamatterofcourse，andinvolvingnosenseofdependencyonherside。Itiswonderfulwhatanextensionofvitalityisgiventoanoldgentlewomaninthiscondition！
IwouldliketowriteaboutseveralofthoseancientDames，astheywereaffectionatelycalled，andtomaterializeothersoftheshadowsthatstirinmyrecollection；butthiswouldbetogooutsidethelinesofmypurpose，whichissimplytoindicateoneofthevarioussortsofchangesthathavecomeoverthevieintimeofformerlysecludedplaceslikePortsmouth——theobliterationofoddpersonalities，or，ifnottheobliteration，thegeneraldisregardofthem。EverywhereinNewEnglandtheimpressofthepastisfadingout。Thefewold-fashionedmenandwomen——quaint，shrewd，andracyofthesoil——wholingerinlittle，silvery-grayoldhomesteadsstrungalongtheNewEnglandroadsandby-wayswillshortlyceasetoexistasaclass，saveintherecordofsomesuchcharmingchroniclerasSarahJewett，orMaryWilkins，onwhosesympatheticpagetheyhavealreadytakentothemselvesaremoteair，anatmosphereoflong-keptlavenderandpennyroyal。
Peculiarityinanykindrequiresencouragementinordertoreachflower。Theincreasedfacilitiesofcommunicationbetweenpointsonceisolated，theinterchangeofcustomsandmodesofthought，makethisencouragementmoreandmoredifficulteachdecade。Thenaturallyinclinedeccentricfindshissharpoutlinesrubbedoffbyunavoidableattritionwithalargerworldthanownshim。
Insensiblyhelendshimselftotheshapinghandofnewideas。HegetshisreversiblecuffsandpapercollarsfromCambridge，Massachusetts，thescarabaeusinhisscarf-pinfromMexico，andhisulsterfromeverywhere。HehaspassedoutofthechrysalisstateofOddStick；hehasceasedtobeparochial；heisnolongerdistinct；heissimplytheAverageMan。
INDEXOFNAMES
ADAMS，NATHANIEL
ADDISON，JOSEPH
ALLEN，WILLIAM
ANANIAS
ATKINSON，THEODORE
AUSTIN，REBECCA
BEAUJOLAIS，DUCDE
BLAY，RUTH
BOGGS，AMOS
BREWSTER，CHARLESWARREN
BRIDGET，MOLLY
BROWN，REV。ARTHUR
BROWN，CAPTAINELIHUD。
BRUCE，CYRUS
BURROUGHS，REV。DR。CHARLES
BYLES，REV。MATHER
CAROLINE，QUEEN
CHADBORN，HUMPHREY
CHARLES，PRINCE
CHASTELLUX，MARQUISDE
CLAGETT，WYSEMAN
COPLEY，JOHNSINGLETON
D’ORLEANS，DUC
DUNYON，WILLIAM
ELIZABETH，QUEEN
FENTON，JOHN
FOWLE，DANIEL
FOWLE，PRIMUS
FRANKLIN，BENJAMIN
FURBER，THOMAS
GEORGEI
GERRY，ELBRIDGE
GORGES，SIRFERDINAND
GUAST，PIERREDE
HAM，SUPPLY
HANCOCK，JOHN
HAWTHORNE，NATHANIEL
HILTON，MARTHA
HOLMES，OLIVERWENDELL
HOLMES，SOL
JAFFREY，GEORGE
JAFFRIES，GEORGEJAFFREY
JEWETT，SARAHORNE
KEAIS，SAMUAL
KEKUANAOA
KENNY，PENELOPE
KNOX，GENERALHENRY
LAFAYETTE，MARQUISDE
LAIGHTON，ALBERT
LAIGHTON，OSCAR
LANGDON，COLONELJOHN
LEAR，BENJAMIN
LONGFELLOW，HENRYWADSWORTH
MACPHEADRIS，ARCHIBALD
MCDONOUGH，JAMES
MASON，JEREMIAH
MASON，JOHN
MASON，JOHNTUFTON
MARCH，CLEMENT
MATHER，REV。COTTON
MESERVE，GEORGE
MICHELANGELO
MITCHEL，LETTUCE
MOFFATT，CATHERINE
MOLIERE
MONTPENSIER，DUCDE
MOSES，JOSEPH
NEWMAN，EDWARD
NOBLE，MARK
ODIORNE，EBENL。
PACKER，THOMAS
PEDUZZI，DOMINIC
PENHALLOW，WIBIRD
PEPPERELL，SIRWILLIAM
PEPYS，SAMUAL
PHILIPPE，LOUIS
PHIPPES，THOMAS
PHIPPS，GOVERNOR
PICKERING，JOHN
PITT，WILLIAM
POTTLE，WILLIAM
PRING，MARTIN
QUINCY，DOROTHY
ROCHAMBEAU，COUNTDE
ROUSSELET，NICHOLAS
RUTLEDGE，EDWARD
SERAT，LEONARD
SEWELL，JONATHAN
SHAKESPEARE
SHEAFE，JACOB
SHERBURNE，HENRY
SHURTLEFF，MARYATKINSON
SHURTLEFF，REV。WILLIAM
SIMPSON，SARAH
SMITH，CAPTAINJOHN
SOCRATES
STAVERS，DAME
STAVERS，JOHN
STEDMAN，EDMUNDCLARENCE
STOODLEY，JAMES
THAXTER，CELIA
THOREAU，HENRYDAVID
TILTON，JOHNNY
TOWLE，GEORGEWILLIAM
WALTON，GEORGE
WARNER，JONATHAN
WASHINGTON，GEORGE
WEBSTER，DANIEL
WENTWORTH，BENNING
WENTWORTH，JOHN
WENTWORTH，JOHN2D
WENTWORTH，COLONELJOSHUA
WENTWORTH，MARY
WENTWORTH，MICHAEL
WENTWORTH，SARAH
WESTWERE，EDWARD
WHITTIER，JOHNGREENLEAF
WIBIRD，RICHARD
WILKINS，MARYE。
WINN，TIMOTHY
WITHER，GEORGE
XANTIPPE