Whethertheeffectwiththegeneraliswhattheartistworksforornot，he，doesnotsucceedwithoutit。Theirbrutelikingormislikingisthefinaltest;itisuniversalsuffragethatelects，afterall。Only，insomecasesofthissortthepollsdonotcloseatfouro’clockonthefirstTuesdayafterthefirstMondayofNovember，butremainopenforever，andthevotinggoeson。Still，eventhefirstday’scanvassisimportant，oratleastsignificant。Itwillnotdofortheartisttoelectioneer，butifheisbeaten，heoughttoponderthecausesofhisdefeat，andquestionhowhehasfailedtotouchthechordofuniversalinterest。Heisintheworldtomakebeautyandtruthevidenttohisfellowmen，whoareasaruleincrediblystupidandignorantofboth，butwhosejudgmenthemustneverthelessnotdespise。Ifhecanmakesomethingthattheywillcheer，orsomethingthattheywillhiss，hemaynothavedoneanygreatthing，butifhehasmadesomethingthattheywillneithercheernorhiss，hemaywellhavehismisgivings，nomatterhowwell，howfinely，howtrulyhehasdonethething。
Thisisveryhumiliating，butatacitsnubtoone’sartist—pridesuchasonegetsfrompublicsilenceisnotabadthingforone。NotlongagoI
wastalkingaboutpictureswithapainter，averygreatpainter，tomythinking;onewhosepiecesgivemethesamefeelingIhavefromreadingpoetry;andIwasexcusingmyselftohimwithrespecttoart，andperhapsputtingonalittlemoremodestythanIfelt。IsaidthatIcouldenjoypicturesonlyontheliteraryside，andcouldgetnoanswerfrommysoultothoseexcellencesofhandlingandexecutionwhichseemchieflytointerestpainters。Herepliedthatitwasaconfessionofweaknessinapainterifheappealedmerelyormainlytotechnicalknowledgeinthespectator;thathenarrowedhisfieldanddwarfedhisworkbyit;andthatifhepaintedforpaintersmerely，orfortheconnoisseursofpainting，hewasdenyinghisoffice，whichwastosaysomethingclearandappreciabletoallsortsofmeninthetermsofart。Heeveninsistedthatapictureoughttotellastory。
Thedifficultyinhumblingone’sselftothisviewofartisintheeasewithwhichonemaypleasethegeneralbyartwhichisnoart。NeithertheplaynortheplayingthatIsawatthetheatrewhentheactorwashissedforthewickednessofthevillainhewaspersonating，wasatallfine;andyetIperceived，onreflection，thattheyhadachievedasupremeeffect。IfImaybesoconfidential，IwillsaythatIshouldbeverysorrytohavewrittenthatpiece;yetIshouldbeveryproudif，onthelevelIchoseandwiththequalityIcaredfor，Icouldinventavillainthatthepopulacewouldhaveoutandhissforhissurpassingwickedness。Inotherwords，Ithinkitathousandpitieswheneveranartistgetssofarawayfromthegeneral，sofarwithinhimselforalittlecircleofamateurs，thathishighestandbestworkawakensnoresponseinthemultitude。Iamafraidthisisratherthedangeroftheartsamongus，andhowtoescapeitisnotsoveryplain。Itmakesonesickandsorryoftentoseehowcheaplytheapplauseofthecommonpeopleiswon。Itisnotaninfallibletestofmerit，butifitiswantingtoanyperformance，wemaybeprettysureitisnotthegreatestperformance。
III。
Theparadoxliesinwaithere，asinmostotherhumanaffairs，toconfoundus，andwetrytobaffleit，inthiswayandinthat。Wetalk，forinstance，ofpoetryforpoets，andwefondlyimaginethatthisisdifferentfromtalkingofcookeryforcooks。Poetryisnotmadeforpoets;theyhaveenoughpoetryoftheirown，butitismadeforpeoplewhoarenotpoets。Ifitdoesnotpleasethese，itmaystillbepoetry，butitispoetrywhichhasfailedofitstruestoffice。Itisnonethelessitstruestofficebecausesomeverywretchedverseseemsoftentodoit。
Thelogicofsuchafactisnotthatthepoetshouldtrytoachievethistruestofficeofhisartbymeansofdoggerel，butthatheshouldstudyhowandwhereandwhythebeautyandthetruthhehasmademanifestarewantinginuniversalinterest，inhumanappeal。Leavingthedramaoutofthequestion，andthetheatrewhichseemsnowtobeseekingonlythefavorofthedullrich，Ibelievethatthereneverwasatimeoraracemoreopentotheimpressionsofbeautyandoftruththanours。Theartistwhofeelstheirdivinecharm，andlongstoimpartit，hasnowandhereachancetoimpartitmorewidelythaneverartisthadintheworldbefore。Ofcourse，themeansofreachingthewidestrangeofhumanityarethesimpleandtheelementary，butthereisnotellingwhenthecomplexandthereconditemaynotuniversallyplease。288
Theartistomakethemplaintoeveryone，foreveryonehastheminhim。LowellusedtosaythatShakespearewassubtle，butinlettersafoothigh。
Thepainter，sculptor，orauthorwhopleasesthepoliteonlyhasasuccesstobeproudofasfarasitgoes，andtobeashamedofthatitgoesnofurther。Heneednotshrinkfromgivingpleasuretothevulgarbecausebadartpleasesthem。Itispartofhisreasonforbeingthatheshouldpleasethem，too;andifhedoesnotitisaproofthatheiswantinginforce，howevermuchheaboundsinfineness。Whowouldnotwishhispicturetodrawacrowdaboutit？Whowouldnotwishhisnoveltosellfivehundredthousandcopies，forreasonsbesidesthesordidloveofgainwhichIamtoldgovernsnovelists？Oneshouldnotreallywishitanythelessbecausechromosandhistoricalromancesarepopular。
Sometime，Ibelieve，theartistandhispublicwilldrawnearertogetherinamutualunderstanding，thoughperhapsnotinourpresentconditions。
Iputthatunderstandingofftillthegoodtimewhenlifeshallbemorethanliving，moreeventhanthequestionofgettingaliving;butinthemeantimeIthinkthattheartistmightverywellstudythespringsoffeelinginothers;andifIwereadramatistIthinkIshouldquitehumblygotothatplaywheretheyhissthevillainforhisvillany，andinquirehowhiswickednesshadbeenmadesoappreciable，sovital，sopersonal。Notbeingadramatist，Istillcannotindulgethegreatestcontemptofthatplayanditspublic。
POLITICSOFAMERICANAUTHORS
NothornierthemecouldwellbesuggestedthanIwasonceinvitedtoconsiderbyanEnglishmanwhowishedtoknowhowfarAmericanpoliticianswerescholars，andhowfarAmericanauthorstookpartinpolitics。InmymindIfirstrevoltedfromtheinquiry，andthenIcastabout，inthefascinationitbegantohaveforme，toseehowImighthandleitandprickmyselfleast。Inasort，whichitwouldtaketoolongtosetforth，politicsareveryintimatematterswithus，andifoneweretodealquitefranklywiththepoliticsofacontemporaryauthor，onemightaccuseone’sselfofanunwarrantablepersonality。So，inwhatIshallhavetosayinanswertothequestionaskedme，Ishallseekaboveallthingsnottobequitefrank。
I。
Myuncandorneednotbesojealouslyguardedinspeakingofauthorsnolongerliving。Nottogotoofarbackamongthese，itisperfectlysafetosaythatwhentheslaveryquestionbegantodivideallkindsofmenamongus，Lowell，Longfellow，Whittier，Curtis，Emerson，andBryantmoreorlesspromptlyandopenlytooksidesagainstslavery。Holmeswasverymuchlaterindoingso，buthemadeupforhislongdelaybyhisfinalstrenuousness;asforHawthorne，hewas，perhaps，tooessentiallyaspectatoroflifetobeclassedwitheitherparty，thoughhisassociations，ifnothissympathies，werewiththeNorthernmenwhohadSouthernprinciplesuntilthecivilwarcame。Afterthewar，whenourpoliticalquestionsceasedtobemoralandemotionalandbecameeconomicandsociological，literarymenfoundtheirstandingwithgreaterdifficulty。TheyremainedmostlyRepublicans，becausetheRepublicansweretheanti—slaveryparty，andwerestillwagingwaragainstslaveryintheirnerves。
Ishouldsaythattheyalsocontinuedverylargelytheemotionaltraditioninpolitics，anditisdoubtfulifinthenatureofthingsthepoliticsofliterarymencaneverbeotherwisethanemotional。Infact，thoughthequestionsmaynolongerbeso，thepoliticsofvastlythegreaternumberofAmericansareso。NothingelsewouldaccountforthefactthatduringthelasttenorfifteenyearsmenhaveremainedRepublicansandremainedDemocratsuponnotangibleissuesexceptofoffice，whichcouldpracticallyconcernonlyafewhundredsorthousandsoutofeverymillionvoters。Partyfealtyispraisedasavirtue，anddisloyaltytopartyistreatedasaspeciesofincivismnextinwickednesstotreason。IfanyoneweretoaskmewhythenAmericanauthorswerenotactiveinAmericanpolitics，astheyoncewere，Ishouldfeelacertaindiffidenceinreplyingthatthequestionofotherpeople’saccessiontoofficewas，howeveremotional，unimportanttothemascomparedwithliteraryquestions。Ishouldhavethemorediffidencebecauseitmightberetortedthatliterarymenweretoounpracticalforpoliticswhentheydidnotdealwithmoralissues。
Sucharetortwouldberathermildandcivil，asthingsgo，andmightevenberegardedascomplimentary。Itisnotourcustomtobetenderwithanyonewhodoubtsifanyactualityisright，ormightnotbebettered，especiallyinpublicaffairs。Weareapttocallsuchaoneoutofhisnameandtopunishhimforopinionshehasneverheld。Thismaybeabetterreasonthaneithergivenwhyauthorsdonottakepartinpoliticswithus。Theyareathin—skinnedrace，fastidiousoften，andalwaysaversetohardknocks;theyarerathermodest，too，anddistrusttheirfitnesstolead，whentheyhavequiteafirmfaithintheirconvictions。Theyhesitatetourgetheseinthefaceofpracticalpoliticians，whohaveaconfidenceintheirabilitytosettleallaffairsofStatenotsurpassedevenbythatofbusinessmenindealingwitheconomicquestions。
Ithinkitisapitythatourauthorsdonotgointopoliticsatleastforthesakeofthematerialitwouldyieldthem;butreallytheydonot。
Ourpoliticsareoftenvulgar，buttheyareverypicturesque;yet，sofar，ourfictionhasshunnedthemevenmoredecidedlythanithasshunnedourgoodsociety——whichisnotpicturesqueorapparentlyanythingbutatiresomeadaptationofthesortofdramathatgoesonabroadunderthesamename。Innearlythedegreethatourauthorshavedealtwithourpoliticsasmaterial，theyhavegiventhepracticalpoliticiansonlytoomuchreasontodoubttheirinsightandtheircapacitytounderstandthemeremachinery，thesimplestmotives，ofpoliticallife。
II。
Thereareexceptions，ofcourse，andifmypromiseofreticencedidnotwithholdmeImightnamesomestrikingones。Privatelyandunprofessionally，Ithinkourauthorstakeasvividaninterestinpublicaffairsasanyotherclassofourcitizens，andIshouldbesorrytothinkthattheytookalessintelligentinterest。Nowandthen，butonlyveryrarely，oneofthemspeaksout，andusuallyontheunpopularside。
Inthiseventheissparednoneofthepenaltieswithwhichweliketovisitdifferenceofopinion;rathertheyareaccumulatedonhim。
Suchthingsarenotserious，andtheyaresuchasnoseriousmanneedshrinkfrom，buttheyhaveabearinguponwhatIamtryingtoexplain，andinacertainmeasuretheyaccountforacertainattitudeinourliterarymen。Noonelikestohavestones，nottosaymud，thrownathim，thoughtheyarenotmeanttohurthimbadlyandmaybepartlythrowninjoke。Butitisprettycertainthatifamannotinpoliticstakesthemseriously，hewillhavemoreorlessmud，nottosaystones，thrownathim。Hemightburlesqueorcaricaturethem，ormisrepresentthem，withsafety;butifhespokeofpublicquestionswithheartandconscience，hecouldnotdoitwithimpunity，unlesshewereauthorizedtodosobysomepracticalrelationtothem。Idonotmeanthatthenhewouldescape;butinthiscountry，wheretherewereoncesupposedtobenoclasses，peoplearemorestrictlyclassifiedthaninanyother。
Businesstothebusinessman，lawtothelawyer，medicinetothephysician，politicstothepolitician，andletterstotheliteraryman;
thatistherule。Oneisnotexpectedtotranscendhisfunction，andcommonlyonedoesnot。Wekeepeachtohislast，asiftherewerenothumaninterests，civicinterests，whichhadahigherclaimthanthelastuponourthinkingandfeeling。Thetendencyhasgrownuponusseverallyandcollectivelythroughthelongpersistenceofourprosperity;ifpublicaffairsweregoingill，privateaffairsweregoingsowellthatwedidnotmindtheothers;andweAmericansare，Ithink，meridionalinourimprovidence。Wearesoessentiallyofto—daythatwebehaveasifto—
morrownomoreconcernedusthanyesterday。Wehavetaughtourselvestobelievethatitwillallcomeoutrightintheendsolongthatwehavecometoactuponourbelief;weareoptimisticfatalists。
III。
Theturnwhichourpoliticshavetakentowardseconomics，ifImaysophrasetheriseofthequestionsoflaborandcapital，hasnotlargelyattractedliterarymen。ItisdoubtfulwhetherEdwardBellamyhimself，whosefancyofbetterconditionshasbecometheabidingfaithofvastnumbersofAmericans，supposedthathewasenteringthefieldofpracticalpolitics，ordreamedofinfluencingelectionsbyhishopesofeconomicequality。ButhevirtuallyfoundedthePopulistparty，which，asthevitalprincipleoftheDemocraticparty，camesonearelectingitscandidateforthePresidencysomeyearsago;andheistobenamedfirstamongourauthorswhohavedealtwithpoliticsontheirmorehumansidesincethedaysoftheoldantislaveryagitation。WithouttoogreatdisregardofthereticenceconcerningthelivingwhichIpromisedmyself，ImaymentionDr。EdwardEverettHaleandColonelThomasWentworthHigginsonasprominentauthorswhoencouragedtheNationalistmovementeventuatinginPopulism，thoughtheywereneverPopulists。ItmaybeinterestingtonotethatDr。HaleandColonelHigginson，wholatercametogetherintheirsociologicalsympathies，weredividedbytheschismof1884，whenthefirstremainedwiththeRepublicansandthelastwentofftotheDemocrats。Moreremotely，ColonelHigginsonwasantislaveryalmosttothepointofAbolitionism，andheledanegroregimentinthewar。Dr。Halewasofthosewhowerelessradicallyopposedtoslaverybeforethewar，buthardlysoafteritcame。Sincethewarasortofrefluenceoftheoldanti—slaverypoliticscarriedfromhismooringsinSoutherntraditionMr。GeorgeW。Cable，who，againstthewhitesentimentofhissection，sidedwiththeformerslaves，andwould，iftheindignantrenunciationofhisfellow—Southernerscouldavail，haveconsequentlyceasedtobethefirstofSouthernauthors，thoughhewouldstillhavecontinuedtheauthorofatleastoneofthegreatestAmericannovels。
IfImustburnmyshipsbehindmeinallegingthesemoderninstances，asIseemreallytobedoing，ImaymentionMr。R。W。Gilder，thepoet，asanauthorwhohastakenpartinthepoliticsofmunicipalreform，Mr。
HamlinGarlandhasbeenknownfromthefirstasazealousGeorgeman，orsingle—taxer。Mr。JohnHay，Mr。TheodoreRoosevelt，andMr。HenryCabotLodgeareRepublicanpoliticians，aswellasrecognizedliterarymen。
Mr。JoelChandlerHarris，whennotwritingUncleRemus，writespoliticalarticlesinaleadingSouthernjournal。MarkTwainisaleadinganti—
imperialist。
IV。
IamnotsurewhetherIhavemadeoutacaseforourauthorsoragainstthem;perhapsIhavenotdonesobadly;butIhavecertainlynottriedtobeexhaustive;theexhaustionissoapttoextendfromthesubjecttothereader，andIwishtoleavehiminaconditiontojudgeforhimselfwhetherAmericanliterarymentakepartinAmericanpoliticsornot。
Ithinktheybeartheirshare，inthequietersortofwaywhichwehope（itmaybetoofondly）istheAmericanway。TheyarenoneofthempoliticiansintheLatinsort。Few，ifany，ofourstatesmenhavecomeforwardwithsmallvolumesofverseintheirhandsastheyusedtodoinSpain;noneofourpoetsorhistorianshavebeenchosenPresidentsoftherepublicashashappenedtotheirFrenchconfreres;nogreatnovelistofourshasbeenexiledasVictorHugowas，oratrociouslymishandledasZolahasbeen，thoughIhavenodoubtthatif，forinstance，onehadoncesaidtheSpanishwarwronghewouldbeprettygenerally’conspue’。
Theyhavenoneofthemreachedtheheightsofpoliticalpower，asseveralEnglishauthorshavedone;buttheyhaveoftenbeenambassadors，ministers，andconsuls，thoughtheymaynotoftenhavebeenappointedforpoliticalreasons。Ifancytheydischargetheirdutiesinvotingratherfaithfully，thoughtheydonotoftentakepartincaucusesorconventions。
Asfortheotherhalfofthequestion——howfarAmericanpoliticiansarescholars——one’sfirstimpulsewouldbetosaythattheyneverwereso。
ButIhavealwayshadanhereticalbeliefthatthereweresnakesinIreland;anditmaybesomesuchdispositiontoquestionauthoritythatkeepsmefromyieldingtothisimpulse。Thelawofdemandandsupplyaloneoughttohavesettledthequestioninfavorofthepresenceofthescholarinourpolitics，therehasbeensuchacryforhimamongusforalmostagenerationpast。Perhapstheresponsehasnotbeenverydirect，butIimaginethatourpoliticianshaveneverbeenquitesodestituteofscholarshipastheywouldsometimesmakeappear。Idonotthinksomanyofthemnowwriteagoodstyle，orspeakagoodstyle，asthepoliticiansofforty，orfifty，orsixtyyearsago;butthismaybemerelypartoftheimpressionofthegeneralworseningofthings，familiaraftermiddlelifetoeveryone’sexperience，fromthebeginningofrecordedtime。Ifsomethingnotsoliteraryismeantbyscholarship，ifastudyoffinance，ofeconomics，ofinternationalaffairsisinquestion，itseemstogoonrathermoretotheirownsatisfactionthanthatoftheircritics。Butwithoutbeingalwaysveryproudoftheresult，andwithoutprofessingtoknowthefactsveryprofoundly，onemaystillsuspectthatunderanoutsidebynomeansacademicthereisaprocessofthinkinginourstatesmenwhichisnotsoloose，notsounscientific，andnotevensounscholarlyasitmightbesupposed。Itisnottheeffectofspecifictraining，andyetitistheeffectoftraining。Idonotfindthatthemattersdealtwithareanywhereintheworldintrustedtoexperts;andinthissensescholarshiphasnotbeencalledtotheaidofourlegislationoradministration;butstillIshouldnotliketosaythatnoneofourpoliticianswerescholars。Thatwouldbeoffensive，anditmightnotbetrue。Infact，IcanthinkofseveralwhomIshouldbetemptedtocallscholarsifIwerenotjusthererecalledtoasenseofmypurposenottodealquitefranklywiththisinquiry。
STORAGE
Ithasbeenthebeliefofcertainkindlyphilosophersthatiftheonehalfofmankindknewhowtheotherhalflived，thetwohalvesmightbebroughttogetherinafamilyaffectionnotnowsoobservableinhumanrelations。Probablyifthisknowledgewereperfect，therewouldstillbethings，tobartheperfectbrotherhood;andyettheknowledgeitselfissointeresting，ifnotsosalutaryasithasbeenimagined，thatonecanhardlyrefusetoimpartitifonehasit，andcanreasonablyhope，intheadvantageoftheignorant，tofindone’sexcusewiththebetterinformed。
I。
Cityandcountryarestillsowidelyapartineverycivilizationthatonecansafelycountuponareciprocalstrangenessinmanyevery—daythings。
Forinstance，inthecountry，whenpeoplebreakuphouse—keeping，theyselltheirhouseholdgoodsandgods，astheydidincitiesfiftyorahundredyearsago;butnowincitiestheysimplystorethem;andvastwarehousesinalltheprincipaltownshavebeendevotedtotheirstorage。
Thewarehousesareofalltypes，fromdustyloftsoverstores，andammoniacalloftsoverstables，tobuildingsofferingacresofspace，andcarefullyplannedforthepurpose。Theyaremoreorlessfire—proof，slow—burning，orbrisklycombustible，likethedwellingstheyhavedevastated。Butthemoderntendencyistoatypewhereflamesdonotdestroy，normothcorrupt，northievesbreakthroughandsteal。Suchawarehouseisacityinitself，laidoutinstreetsandavenues，withtheprivatetenementsoneitherhanddulynumbered，andaccessibleonlytothetenantsortheirorder。Theaislesareconcreted，thedoorsareiron，andtheroofsareceiledwithiron;thewholeplaceisheatedbysteamandlightedbyelectricity。Behindtheirondoors，whichintheNewYorkwarehousesmustnumberhundredsofthousands，andthroughoutallourothercities，millions，thefurnitureofamyriadhouseholdsisstored——theeffectsofpeoplewhohavegonetoEurope，orbrokenuphouse—keepingprovisionallyordefinitively，orhavedied，orbeendivorced。Theyarethedeadbonesofhomes，ortheirghosts，ortheiryetlivingbodiesheldinhypnotictrances;destinedagaininsomefuturetimetoanimatesomehouseorflatanew。Incertaincasesthespelllastsformanyyears，inothersforafew，andinothersyetitprolongsitselfindefinitely。
ImaymentionthecaseofoneownerwhomIsawvisitingthewarehousetotakeoutthehouseholdstuffthathadlaintherealongfifteenyears。
HehadbeenallthatwhileinEurope，expectinganydaytocomehomeandbeginlifeagain，inhisownland。Thatdreamhadpassed，andnowhewastakinghisstuffoutofstorageandshippingittoItaly。Ididnotenvyhimhisfeelingsasthepartsofhislong—deadpastroseroundhiminformlessresurrection。Itwasnotthattheywereallbrokenordefaced。
Onthecontrary，theywereinastateofpreservationfarmoreheartbreakingthananydecay。Inwell—managedstoragewarehousesthethingsarehandledwithscrupulouscare，andtheyaresopackedintotheappointedroomsthatifnotdisturbedtheycouldsufferlittleharminfifteenorfiftyyears。Theplacesarewonderfullywellkept，andifyouwillvisitthem，sayinmidwinter，afterthefallinfluxoffurniturehasallbeenhiddenawaybehindtheirondoorsoftheseveralcells，youshallfindtheirfar—branchingcorridorsscrupulouslysweptanddusted，andshallwalkupanddowntheirconcretelengthwithsomesuchsenseofsecurefinalityasyouwouldexperienceinpacingtheaisleofyourfamilyvault。
Thatiswhatitcomesto。Onemayfeignthatthesestoragewarehousesarecities，buttheyarereallycemeteries：sadcolumbariaonwhoseshelvesarestowedexanimatethingsoncesointimatelyoftheirowners’
livesthatitiswiththesenseoflookingatpiecesandbitsofone’sdeadselfthatonerevisitsthem。Ifonetakesthefragmentsouttofitthemtonewcircumstance，onefindsthemnotonlyuncomformableandincapable，butsovolublyconfidentialoftheassociationsinwhichtheyaresteeped，thatonewishestohurrythembacktotheircellandlockituponthemforever。Onefeelsthenthattheoldwaywasfarbetter，andthatifthethingshadbeenauctionedoff，andscatteredupanddown，aschancewilled，toservenewuseswithpeoplewhowantedthemenoughtopayforthemevenatitheoftheircost，itwouldhavebeenwiser。
Failingthis，afireseemstheonlythingforthem，andtheirremovaltothecheapercustodyofacombustibleorslow—burningwarehousethebestrecourse。Desperatepeople，aginghusbandsandwives，whohaveattemptedthereconstructionoftheirhomeswiththese"Portionsandparcelsofthedreadfulpast"
havebeenknowntowishforanearthquake，even，thatwouldinvolvetheirbelongingsinanindiscriminateruin。
II。
Infact，eachnewstartinlifeshouldbemadewithmaterialnewtoyou，ifcomfortistoattendtheenterprise。Itisnotonlysorrowfulbutitisfutiletostoreyourpossessions，ifyouhopetofindtheoldhappinessintakingthemoutandusingthemagain。Itisnotthattheywillnotgointoplace，afterafashion，andperformtheiroldoffice，butthatthepangtheywillinflictthroughthesuggestionoftheotherplaceswheretheyservedtheirpurposeinotheryearswillbeonlythekeenerfortheperfectionwithwhichtheydoitnow。Iftheycannotbesold，andifnofirecomesdownfromheaventoconsumethem，thentheyhadbetterbestoredwithnothoughtofevertakingthemoutagain。
Thatwillbeexpensive，oritwillbeinexpensive，accordingtothesortofstoragetheyareputinto。Theinexperiencedinsuchmattersmaybesurprised，andiftheyhaveheartstheymaybegrieved，tolearnthatthefire—proofstorageofthefurnitureoftheaveragehousewouldequaltherentofaverycomfortabledomicileinasmalltown，orafarmbywhichafamily’slivingcanbeearned，withadecentdwellinginwhichitcanbesheltered。Yetthespacerequiredisnotverygreat;threefair—sizedroomswillholdeverything;andthereissometimesafiercesatisfactioninseeinghowcloselythethingsthatoncestoodlargelyabout，andseemedtofillampleparlorsandchambers，canbepackedaway。Tobesuretheyarenotintheirfamiliarattitudes;theylieontheirsidesorbacks，orstandupontheirheads;betweenthelegsoflibraryordiningtablesarestuffedallkindsofminormovables，withcushions，pillows，pictures，cunninglyadjustedtotheenvironment;andmattressespadthewalls，orinterposetheirsoftbulkbetweenpiecesoffurniturethatwouldotherwiserendeachother。Carpetssewnincottonagainstmoths，andrugsinlongrolls;thepianohoveringunderitsampleframeawholebroodofhelplesslittleguitars，mandolins，andbanjos，and3supportingonitsbroadbackabulkoflightercasestothefire—proofceilingofthecell;paintingsinboxesindistinguishableoutwardlyfromtheircompanioningmirrors;barrelsofchinaandkitchenutensils，andallthewhat—notofhouseholdingandhouse—keepingcontributetotherepletion。
Thereisascienceobservedinthearrangementofthevariouseffects;
againsttherearwallandpackedalongthefloor，andtheninfrontofandontopofthese，isbuiltasuperstructureofthethingsthatmaybefirstwanted，incaseofremoval，oroftenestwantedinsomeexigencyofthehomelesslifeoftheowners，pendingremoval。Thelightestandslightestarticlesfloatlooselyaboutthedoor，orareinterwoveninakindoffabricjustwithin，andcurtainingtheponderousmassbehind。
TheeffectisnotsoartisticasthemortuarymosaicswhichtheRomanCapuchinsdesignwiththebonesoftheirdeadbrethreninthecryptoftheirchurch，butthewarehousemennodoubthavetheirjustprideinit，andfeelanartisticpanginitsprovisionalorfinaldisturbance。
Ithadbetterneverbedisturbed，foritisdisturbedonlyinsomefutiledreamofreturningtothepast;andwenevercanreturntothepastontheoldterms。Itiswellinallthingstoacceptlifeimplicitly，andwhenanendhascometotreatitastheend，andnotvainlymockitasasuspenseoffunction。Whenthepoorbreakuptheirhomes，withnoimmediatehopeoffoundingothers，theymustselltheirbelongingsbecausetheycannotaffordtopaystorageonthem。Therichorricherstoretheirhouseholdeffects，andcheatthemselveswiththeillusionthattheyaregoingsometimetorehabilitatewiththemjustsuchahomeastheyhavedismantled。Buttheillusionprobablydeceivesnobodysolittleasthosewhocherishthevainhope。Aslongastheycherishit，however——andtheymustcherishittilltheirfurnitureorthemselvesfalltodust——theycannotbeginlifeanew，asthepoordowhohavekeptnothingofthesorttolinkthemtothepast。Thisisoneofthedisabilitiesoftheprosperous，whowillprobablynotberelievedofittillsomemeansofstoringtheowneraswellasthe’furnitureisinvented。Intheimmenserangeofmoderningenuity，thisisperhapsnotimpossible。Whynot，whilewearestillinlife，somesweetobliviousantidotewhichshalldrugusagainstmemory，andaftertimeshallelapseforthereconstructionofanewhomeinplaceoftheold，shallrepossessusofourselvesasunchangedasthethingswithwhichweshallagainarrayit？Hereisaprettyideaforsomedreamertospinintothefilmyfabricofaromance，andIhandsomelymakeapresentofittothefirstcomer。Ifthedreamerisoftherightqualityhewillknowhowtomakethereaderfeelthatwiththeuniversallongingtoreturntoformerconditionsorcircumstancesitmustalwaysbeamistaketodoso，andhewillsubtlyinsinuatethedisappointmentanddiscomfortofthestoredpersonalityinresumingitsoldrelations。Withthatjustmixtureofthecomicandpatheticwhichwedesireinromance，hewillteachconvincinglythatastoredpersonalityistobedesiredonlyifitispermanentlystored，withtheimplicationofalikefinalityinthestorageofitsbelongings。
Saveinsomesignalexception，athingtakenoutofstoragecannotbeestablishedinitsformerfunctionwithoutasenseofitscomparativeinadequacy。Itstandsintheoldplace，itservestheolduse，andyetanewthingwouldbebetter;itwouldeveninsomesubtlewisebemoreappropriate，ifImayindulgesoaudaciousaparadox;forthetimeisnew，andsowillbeallthesubconsciouskeepinginwhichourlivesaremainlypassed。Wearesupposedtohaveassociationswiththeoldthingswhichrenderthemprecious，butdonottheassociationsratherrenderthempainful？Ifthatistrueoftheinanimatethings，howmuchtrueritisofthosepersonalitieswhichonceenvironedandfurnishedourlives！
Takethearticleofoldfriends，forinstance：hasiteverhappenedtothereadertowitnesstheencounterofoldfriendsafterthelapseofyears？Suchameetingisconventionallyimaginedtobefulloftenderjoy，arapturethatventsitselfinmanlytears，perhaps，andcertainlyinwomanlytears。Butreallyisitanysuchemotion？Honestlyisnotitacruelembarrassment，whichallthehypocriticalpretencescannothide？
Theoldfriendssmileandlaugh，andbabbleincoherentlyatoneanother，butaretheygenuinelyglad？Isnoteachwishingtheotheratthatendoftheearthfromwhichhecame？Havetheyanyuseforeachothersuchaspeopleofunbrokenassociationshave？
Ihavelatelybeenprivytothereunionoftwooldcomradeswhoareboundtogethermorecloselythanmostmeninacommunityofinterests，occupations，andideals。Duringalongseparationtheyhadkeptaccountofeachother’sopinionsaswellasexperiences;theyhadexchangedletters，fromtimetotime，inwhichtheyopenedtheirmindsfullytoeachother，andfoundthemselvesconstantlyinaccord。Whentheymettheymadeagreatshouting，andeachpretendedthathefoundtheotherjustwhatheusedtobe。Theytalkedalong，longtime，fightingtheinvisibleenemywhichtheyfeltbetweenthem。Theenemywashabit，thehabitofothermindsandhearts，thedailyuseofpersonsandthingswhichintheirseparationtheyhadnothadincommon。Whentheoldfriendspartedtheypromisedtomeeteveryday，andnow，sincetheirlineshadbeencastinthesameplacesagain，torepairtheravageoftheenviousyears，andbecomeagaintoeachotherallthattheyhadeverbeen。Butthoughtheyliveinthesametown，andoftendineatthesametable，andbelongtothesameclub，yettheyhavenotgrowntogetheragain。Theyhavegrownmoreandmoreapart，andareuneasyineachother’spresence，tacitlyself—reproachfulforthesameeffectwhichneitherofthemcouldavertorrepair。Theyhadbeenrespectivelyinstorage，andeach，intakingtheotherout，hasexperiencedinhimtheunfitnesswhichgrowsuponthethingsputawayforatimeandreinstatedinaformerfunction。
III。
Ihavenottoucheduponthesefactsoflife，withoutthepurposeoffindingsomewayoutofthecoil。Thereseemsnonebetterthanthecounselofkeepingone’sfacesetwellforward，andone’seyesfixedsteadfastlyuponthefuture。Thisisthehintwewillgetfromnatureifwewillheedher，andnotehowsheneverrecurs，neverstoresortakesoutofstorage。Fancyrehabilitatingone’sfirstlove：hownaturewouldmockatthat！Wecannotgobackandbethemenandwomenwewere，anymorethanwecangobackandbechildren。Aswegrowolder，eachyear’schangeinusismorechasmalandcomplete。Thereisnoelixirwhosemagicwillrecoverustoourselvesaswewerelastyear;butperhapsweshallreturntoourselvesmoreandmoreinthetimes，ortheeternity，tocome。Someinstinctorinspirationimpliesthepromiseofthis，butonlyonconditionthatweshallnotclingtothelifethathasbeenours，andhoarditsmummifiedimageinourhearts。Wemustnotseektostoreourselves，butmustpartwithwhatwewerefortheuseandbehoofofothers，asthepoorpartwiththeirworldlygearwhentheymovefromoneplacetoanother。Itisacuriousandsignificantpropertyofouroutworncharacteristicsthat，likeouroldfurniture，theywillserveadmirablyinthelifeofsomeother，andthatthisothercanprofitablymakethemhiswhenwecannolongerkeepthemours，oreverhopetoresumethem。Theynotonlygodowntosuccessivegenerations，buttheyspreadbeyondourlineages，andservetheturnofthosewhomweneverknewtobewithinthecircleofourinfluence。
Civilizationimpartsitselfbysomesuchmeans，andthelowerclassesareclothedinthecastconductoftheupper，whichifithadbeenstoredwouldhavelefttheinferiorsrudeandbarbarous。Wehaveonlytothinkhowsociallynakedmostofuswouldbeifwehadnothadthebeautifulmannersofourexclusivesocietytoputonateachchangeoffashionwhenitdroppedthem。
Allearthlyandmaterialthingsshouldbewornoutwithuse，andnotpreservedagainstdecaybyanyunnaturalartifice。Evenwhenbrokenanddisabledfromoverusetheyhaveakindofrespectabilitywhichmustcommenditselftotheobserver，andwhichpartakesofthepensivegraceofruin。Anoldtablewithoneleggone，andslowlylapsingtodecayinthewoodshed，istheemblemofafitterorderthanthesametable，withallitslegsintact，storedwiththerestofthefurniturefromabrokenhome。Spinning—wheelsgatheringdustinthegarretofahousethatisitselffallingtopieceshaveadignitythatdesertsthemwhentheyaredraggedfromtheirrefuge，andfurbishedupwithribbonsandatuftoffreshtow，andmadetoservethehollowoccasionsofbric—a—brac，astheywereafewyearsago。Apitcherbrokenatthefountain，orabatteredkettleonarubbishheap，isavenerableobject，butnotcrockeryandcopper—warestoredinthepossibilityoffutureneed。Howevercarefullyhandeddownfromonegenerationtoanother，theoldobjectshaveaforlornincongruityintheirsuccessivesurroundingswhichappealstothecompassionratherthanthevenerationofthewitness。
ItwasfromatruthdeeplymysticalthatHawthornedeclaredagainstanysortofpermanenceinthedwellingsofmen，andheldthateachgenerationshouldnewlyhouseitself。HepreferredtheperishabilityofthewoodenAmericanhousetothedurabilityofthepilesofbrickorstonewhichinEuropeaffectedhimaswithsomemoralmiasmfromthesuccessionofsiresandsonsandgrandsonsthathaddiedoutofthem。Butevenofsuchstructuresastheseitisimpressivehowlittletheearthmakeswiththepassageoftime。Whereonceagreatcityofthemstood，youshallfindafewtotteringwalls，scarcelymoremindfulofthepastthan"thecellarandthewell"whichHolmesmarkedastheultimatemonuments，thelastwitnesses，totheexistenceofourmoretransitoryhabitations。Itisthelawofthepatientsunthateverythingunderitshalldecay，andifbyreasonofsomeswiftcalamity，somefierycataclysm，theperishableshallbeovertakenbyafatethatfixesitinunwastingarrest，itcannotbefeltthatthelawhasbeensetasideintheinterestofmen’shappinessorcheerfulness。NeitherPompeiinorHerculaneuminvitesthegayetyofthespectator，whoashewalkstheirdisinterredthoroughfareshastheweirdsenseoftakingaformercivilizationoutofstorage，andtheacheoffindingitwhollyunadaptedtotheactualworld。Asfarashiscomfortisconcerned，ithadbeenfarbetterthatthosecitieshadnotbeenstored，buthadfallentotheruinthathasovertakenalltheircontemporaries。
IV
No，goodfriend，sirormadam，asthecasemaybe，butmostlikelymadam：
ifyouareabouttobreakupyourhouseholdforanyindefiniteperiod，andarenotsopoorthatyouneedsellyourthings，bewarnedagainstputtingtheminstorage，unlessofthemostbrisklycombustibletype。
Better，farbetter，givethemaway，anddispersethembythatmeanstoacontinuoususethatshallendinusingthemup;orifnoonewilltakethem，thenhireavacantlot，somewhere，anddevotethemtotheflames。
Bythatmeansyoushallbearwitnessagainstacustomthatinsultstheorderofnature，andcrowdsthecitieswiththecemeteriesofdeadhomes，wherethereisscarcelyspaceforthelivinghomes。Donotvainlyfancythatyoushalltakeyourstuffoutofstorageandfinditadaptedtotheendsthatitservedbeforeitwasputin。Youwillnotbethesame，orhavethesameneedsordesire，whenyoutakeitout，andthenewplacewhichyoushallhopetoequipwithitwillreceiveitwithcoldreluctance，oropenlyrefuseit，insistinguponformsanddimensionsthatrenderitridiculousorimpossible。Thelawisthatnothingtakenoutofstorageisthesameasitwaswhenputin，andthislaw，hieroglyphedinthoserude’graffiti’apparentlyinscribedbyaccidentintheprocessofremoval，hasonlysuchexceptionsasprovetherule。
Theworldtowhichithasreturnedisnotthesame，andthatmakesallthedifference。Yet，truthandbeautydonotchange，howeverthemoodsandfashionschange。Theidealsremain，andthesealoneyoucangobackto，secureoffindingthemthesame，to—dayandto—morrow，thattheywereyesterday。Thisperhapsisbecausetheyhaveneverbeeninstorage，butinconstantuse，whilethemoodsandfashionshavebeenputawayandtakenoutathousandtimes。Mostpeoplehaveneverhadideals，butonlymoodsandfashions，butsuchpeople，leastofall，arefittedtofindinthemthatpleasureoftherococowhichconsolestheidealistwhentheoldmoodsandfashionsreappear。
"FLOATINGDOWNTHERIVERONTHEO—HI—O"
Therewasnotmuchpromiseofpleasureinthesoddenafternoonofamid—
MarchdayatPittsburg，wherethesmokeofathousandfoundrychimneysgaveuptryingtorisethroughthethick，softair，andfellwiththeconstantrainwhichitdyeditsownblack。ButearlymemoriesstirredjoyfullyinthetwotravellersinwhoseconsciousnessIwasmakingmytour，atsightofthefamiliarstern—wheelsteamboatlyingbesidethewharfboatatthefootofthedilapidatedlevee，anddoingitsbesttorepresentthehundredsofsteamboatsthatusedtoliethereintheolddays。Ithadthehelpofthreeothersinitsgenerouseffort，andtheleveeitselfmadeagallantpretenceofbeingcrowdedwithfreight，andsucceededindisplayingseveralsaturatedpilesofbarrelsandagriculturalimplementsontheirregularpavementwhosewheel—wornstones，inlongstretches，weresunkenoutofsightintheirparentmud。
Theboatsandtheleveewerejointlyquiteequaltothedemandmadeuponthembythelight—heartedyoungstersofsixty—fiveandseventy，whoweresettingoutontheirjourneyinfulfilmentofalong—cherisheddream，andforwhommuchlessfreightandmuchfewerboatswouldhaverehabilitatedthepast。
I。
Whentheymountedthebroadstairway，tidilystrewnwithstrawtosaveitfromthemudofcarelessboots，andenteredthelongsaloonofthesteamboat，thepromiseoftheirfancywasmorethanmadegoodforthem。
Fromtheclerk’soffice，wheretheyeagerlypaidtheirfare，thesaloonstretchedtwohundredfeetbythirtyawaytothestern，acavernoussplendorofwhitepaintandgilding，starredwithelectricbulbs，andfencedatthesternwithwidewindowsofpaintedglass。Midwaybetweenthegreatstoveinthebowwherethemenwereherded，andthegreatstoveatthesternwherethewomenkeptthemselvesintheseclusionwhichthetraditionofWesternrivertravelstillguards，afterwell—nighahundredyears，theyweregivenamplestate—rooms，whoseappointmentssoexactlyduplicatedthosetheyrememberedfromfar—offdaysthattheycouldhavebelievedthemselvesawakenedfromadreamofinsubstantialtime，withtheeventsinwhichithadseemedtolapse，merefeintsofexperience。Whentheysatdownatthesupper—tableandwereservedwiththesortofbelatedsteamboatdinnerwhichitrecalledasvividly，thekind，sootyfacesandsnowyapronsofthosewhoservedthemweresoquitethoseofotherdaysthattheydecidedallrepastssinceweremereBarmecidefeasts，andmadeupforthelongfraudpractiseduponthemwiththeappetitesoftheyear1850。
II。
Arigidersinceritythanshallbepractisedheremightownthatthetableofthegoodsteamboat’Avonek’leftsomethingtobedesired，iftestedbymoresophisticatedcuisines，butinthearticleofcorn—breaditwasofaninapproachablepreeminence。ThisbreadwasmadeofthewhitecornwhichNorthknowsnot，northehaplessEast;andthebuckwheatcakesatbreakfastwerewithoutblame，andtherewasasimplevarietyintheabundancewhichoughttohavesatisfiedifitdidnotflatterthechoice。
Theonlythingthatseemedstrangely，thatseemedsadly，anomalousinalandflowingwithhamandbaconwasthatthe’Avonek’hadnotimaginedprovidingeitherfortheguests，nooneofwhomcouldhavehadareligiousscrupleagainstthem。
Thething，indeed，whichwasfirstandlastconspicuousinthepassengers，wastheirperfectlyAmericanraceandcharacter。Atthestart，whenwithanacceptableobservanceofWesternsteamboattraditionthe’Avonek’leftherwharfeighthoursbehindherappointedtime，therewereveryfewpassengers;buttheybegantocomeaboardatthelittletownsofbothshoresassheswamsouthwardandwestward，tillallthetablesweresofullthat，inobservanceofanotherWesternsteamboattradition;onedidwelltostandguardoverhischairlestsomeotherwholikeditshouldseizeitearlier。Thepassengerswereofeveryageandcondition，exceptperhapsthehighestcondition，andtheyseemednonetheworseforbeingmorelikeAmericansofthemiddleofthelastcenturythanofthebeginningofthis。Theirfashionswereofanapproximationtothoseofthepresent，butdidnotscrupulouslystudydetail;theirmannerswerethoseofsimplerifnotsincererdays。
Thewomenkepttothemselvesattheirendofthesaloon，alooffromthestudyofanybuttheirhusbandsorkindred，butthemenwereeverywhereelseabout，andopentoobservation。Theywerenotsoopentoconversation，foryourmid—Westernerisnotafacile，thoughnotanunwilling，talker。Theysatbytheirtall，cast—ironstove（oftheovalpatternunvariedsincetheearlieststoveoftheregion），andsilentlyruminatedtheirtobaccoandspatintotheclustering，cuspidorsattheirfeet。Theywouldalwaysanswercivillyifquestioned，andoftenestintelligently，buttheyaskednothinginreturn，andtheyseemedtohavenoneofthatcuriosityonceknownorimaginedinthembyDickensandotheraversealiens。Theyhadmostlyfacesofresolutepower，andsuchalookingofknowingexactlywhattheywantedaswouldnothavepromisedwellforanycollectivelyorindividuallyopposingthem。IfeverthesenseofhumanequalityhasexpresseditselfinthehumancountenanceitspeaksunmistakablyfromAmericanfacesliketheirs。
Theywereneitherhandsomenorunhandsome;butforafewstrikingexceptions，theyhadbeenimpartiallytreatedbynature;andwheretheywerenotablyplaintheirlookofforcemadeupfortheirlackofbeauty。
Theywerenotablyhandsomestinatallyoungfellowofaleanface，absoluteGreekinprofile，amplythwartedwithabranchingmustache，andslenderoffigure，onwhomhisclothes，lustrousfrommuchsittingdownandleaningup，grewlikethebarkonatree，andwhomovedslowlyandgentlyabout，andspokewithalow，kindvoice。Inhisyoungcomelinesshewaslikeagod，asthegodswerefanciedintheelderworld：achewingandaspittinggod，indeed，butdivineinhispassionlesscalm。
Hewasaseriousdivinity，andsowereallthemid—Westernhuman—beingsabouthim。Oneheardnojokingeitherofthedapperorcockneysortofcities，orthequaintgraphicphrasingofEasterncountryfolk;anditmayhavebeennotfarenoughWestforthetrueWesternhumor。Atanyrate，whentheywerenotsilentthesemenstillwereserious。
Thewomenwereapparentlyserious，too，andwheretheywereassociatedwiththemenwere，iftheywerenotreallysubject，strictlyabeyant，inthespectator’seye。TheaverageofthemwascertainlynotabovetheAmericanwoman’saverageingoodlooks，thoughoneyoungmotherofsixchildren，wellgrownsaveforthebabyinherarms，wasofthetypesomemasterslovedtopaint，witheyessetwideunderlowarchedbrows。Shehadtheplaciddignityandtheairofmotherlygoodnesswhichgoesfitlywithsuchbeauty，andthesightofherwassuchastodispersemanyofthemisgivingsthatbesetthebeholderwholookethuponthewomanwhensheisNew。Assheseemed，soanymanmightwishtorememberhismotherseeming。
Alltheseriverfolk，whocamefromthefarmsandvillagesalongthestream，andneverfromthegreattownsorcities，werewellmannered，ifquietmannersaregood;andthoughthemennearlyallchewedtobaccoandspatbetweenmeals，atthetabletheywereofanexemplarybehavior。Theuseoftheforkappearedstrangetothem，andtheyhandleditstrenuouslyratherthanagilely，yettheyneverusedtheirknivesshovel—wise，howevertheyplantedtheirforkslikedaggersinthesteak：thesteakdeservednogentlerusage，indeed。Theywereusuallyyoung，andtheywereconstantlychanging，bentuponshortjourneysbetweentheshorevillages;theyweremostlyfarmyouth，apparently，thoughsomeweresaidtobegoingtofindworkatthegreatpotteriesuptheriverforwagesfabuloustohome—keepingexperience。
OnepersonalitywhichgreatlytookthelikingofoneofourtouristswasaKentuckymountaineerwho，afterthreeyears’exileinaWestVirginiaoiltown，wasgladlyreturningtothehomeforwhichheandallhisbrood—oflargeandlittlecomely，red—hairedboysandgirls—hadneverceasedtopine。Hiseagernesstogetbackwasmorethantouching;itwasawing;foritwasfoundedonasortofmediaevalpatriotismthatcouldownnoexcellencebeyondthebordersofthenatalregion。Hehadprosperedathighwagesinhistradeatthatoiltown，andhiswifeandchildrenhadmanagedahiredfarmsowellastopayallthefamilyexpensesfromit，buthewasgladlyleavingopportunitybehind，thathemightreturntoalandwhere，ifyouwerepassingahouseatmeal—time，theycameoutandmadeyoucomeinandeat。"WhenyoueatwhereI’vebeenlivingyoupayfiftycents，"heexplained。"Andareyoutakingallyourhouseholdstuffwithyou？""Onlythecook—stove。Well，I’lltellyou：wemadetheotherthingsourselves;madethemoutofplank，andtheywerenotworth—moving。"HerewasthebackwoodssurvivingintothedayofTrusts;andyetwetalkofaworlddriftedhopelesslyfarfromtheoldideals！
III。
Thenewideals，theidealsofapitilessindustrialism，weresufficientlyexpressedalongthebusyshores，wheretheinnumerablederricksofoil—
wellssilhouettedtheirgibbetshapesagainstthehorizon，andthemyriadchimneysofthefoundriessentupthesmokeoftheirtormentintothequietskiesandflamedupontheforeheadoftheeveninglikebalefulsuns。ButwhyshouldIbesoviolentofphraseagainsttheseguiltlessmeansofmillionairing？Theremustbeironandcoalaswellaswheatandcornintheworld，andwithouttheircombinationwecannothavebread。
Ifthecombinationisintheformofatrust，suchashaslaiditsgiantclutchuponallthosewarringindustriesbesidetheOhioandsweptthemintoonegreatmonopoly，why，ithasstilltoshowthatitisworsethancompetition;thatitisnot，indeed，merelythefirstblindstirringsoftheuniversalcooperationofwhichthedreamersofidealcommonwealthshavealwayshadthevision。
Thederricksandthechimneys，whenonesawthem，seemtohaveallthelandtothemselves;butthiswasanappearanceonly，terrifyinginitsstrenuousness，butnot，afterall，theprevalentaspect。Thatwasratheroffarm，farms，andevermorefarms，lyingalongtherichlevelsofthestream，andclimbingasfarupitsbeautifulhillsastheploughcoulddrive。InthespringandintheMall，whenitissuddenlyswollenbytheearlierandthelaterrains，theriverscalesitsbanksandswimsoverthoselevelstothefeetofthosehills，andwhenitrecedesitleavesthecornfieldsenrichedforthecropthat，hasneverfailedsincetheforestswerefirstcutfromtheland。Otherfertilizingthefieldshaveneverhadany，buttheyteemasiftheguanoislandshadbeenemptiedintotheirlaps。Theyfeelthemselvessorichthattheypartwithgreatlengthsandbreadthsoftheirsoiltotheriver，whichisnotgoodfortheriver，andisnotwellforthefields;sothatthefarmers，whoseeaselearnsslowly，arebeginningmoreandmoretofencetheirborderswiththeyoungwillowswhichformahedgeintheshallowwashsuchagreatpartofthewayupanddowntheOhio。Elmsandmapleswadeinamongthewillows，andintimetheriverwillbedeniedtheindigestionwhichitconfessesinshoalsandbarsatlowwater，andinadifficultyofchannelatallstages。
Meanwhilethefieldsflourishinspiteoftheirunwiselargessetothestream，whoseshoresthecomfortablefarmsteadskeepsoconstantlythattheyareneveroutofsight。Mostcommonlytheyareofbrick，butsometimesofpaintedwood，andtheyaresetonlittleeminenceshighenoughtosavethemfromthefreshets，butalwayssoneartheriverthattheycannotfailofitspassinglife。Usuallyagroupofplantedevergreenshalfhidesthehousefromtheboat，butitsinmateswillnotloseanydetailoftheshow，andcomedowntothegateofthepalingfencetowatchthe’Avonek’floatby：motionlessmenandwomen，wholeanuponthesupportingbarrier，andraptchildrenwhoholdbytheirskirtsandhands。ThereisnottheeagerNewEnglandneatnessaboutthesehomes;nowandthentheyhaveratheraslovenair，whichdoesnotdiscordwiththeirairofcomfort;andvery，veryrarelytheystaggerdrunkenlyinaruinousneglect。Exceptwherealogcabinhashardilysurvivedthepioneerperiod，thehousesarenearlyallofonepattern;theirfacadesfronttheriver，andlowchimneyspointeithergable，whereahalf—storyformstheatticofthetwostoriesbelow。Gardensofpot—herbsflankthem，andbehindclusterthecorn—cribs，andthebarnsandstablesstretchintothefieldsthatstretchouttothehills，nowscantilywooded，buteverlovelyinthelinesthatchangewiththesteamer’scourse。
Exceptintheimmediatesuburbsofthelargetowns，thereisnoambitionbeyondthatofrusticcomfortinthebuildingsontheshore。Thereisnosuchthing，apparently，asasummercottage，withitsmockhumilityofname，upordownthewholetortuouslengthoftheOhio。Asyetthelandisnotopenlydepravedbyshowsofwealth;thosewhoamassiteitherkeepittothemselvesorcomeawaytospenditinEuropeantravel，orpausetowasteitunrecognizedontheungratefulAtlanticseaboard。Theonlydistinctionsthataremarkedarebetweenthehomesofhonestindustryabovethebanksandthehomesbelowthemoftheleisure，whichitishopedisnotdishonest。But，honestordishonest，itisthereapparentlytostayinthehouse—boatswhichlinetheshoresbythousands，andrepeatonOccidentaltermsinournewlandtheriver—lifeofoldandfarCathay。
Theyformedtheonlyfeatureoftheirtravelwhichourtouristsfoundabsolutelynovel;theycouldclearlyordimlyrecallfromthepasteveryotherfeaturebutthehouseboats，whichtheyinstantlyandgladlynaturalizedtotheirmemoriesofit。Thehouseshadincommontheformofafreight—carsetinaflat—bottomedboat;thecarwouldbeshorterorlonger，withone，ortwo，orthreewindowsinitssides，andasectionofstovepipesoftlysmokingfromitsroof。Thewindowsmightbecurtainedortheymightbebare，butapparentlytherewasnootherdistinctionamongthehouseboatdwellers，whosesluggishcraftlaymooredamongthewillows，ortiedtoanelmoramaple，orevenmadefasttoastakeonshore。Therewerecasesinwhichtheyhadnotfollowedthefalloftheriverpromptlyenough，andlayslantedonthebeach，orproppeduptoamorehabitablelevelonitsslope;inasole，sadinstance，thehousehadgonedownwiththeboatandlaywallowinginthewashoftheflood。Buttheyallgaveevidenceofatranquilandunhurriedlifewhichthesoulofthebeholderenviedwithinhim，whetheritmanifesteditselfinthelordofthehouse—boatfishingfromitsbow，ortheladycomingtocleansesomehouseholdutensilatitsstern。Infrequentlyagroupofthehouse—
boatdwellersseemedtobedrawinganet，andinonehigheventtheyexhibitedagood—sizedfishoftheircapture，butnothingsostrenuouscharacterizedtheirattitudeonanyotheroccasion。Theacceptedtheoryofthemwasthattheydidbydayasnearlynothingasmencoulddoandlive，andthatbynighttheirforaysontheborderingfarmssuppliedthesimpleneedsofpeoplewhodesiredneithertotoilnortospin，butonlytoemulateSolomoninhisglorywiththeleastpossibleexertion。Thejoyfulwitnessoftheireasewouldwillinglyhavesacrificedtothemanyamountofthefacileindustrialoragriculturalprosperityaboutthemandleftthemslumberouslyafloat，unmolestedbydreamsoflandlordortax—
gatherer。Theirexistenceforthefleetingtimeseemedthetrueinterpretationofthesage’sphilosophy，thefulfilmentofthepoet’saspiration。
"Whyshouldweonlytoil，thataretheroofandcrownofthings。
Howdidtheypasstheirillimitableleisure，whentheyrestedfromthefishing—netbydayandthechicken—coopbynight？Didtheyreadthenewhistoricalfictionsaloudtooneanother？Didsomeofthemevenmeditatethethanklessmuseandnotmindheringratitude？Perhapstheladiesofthehouse—boats，whentheyfoundthemselves——astheyoftendid——incompaniesoffourorfive，hadeachotherinto"evenings，"atwhichoneofthemreadapaperonsomeartisticorliterarytopic。
IV。
Thetrader’sboat，ofanelderandmoreauthentictradition，sometimesshoulderedthehouse—boatsawayfromavillagelanding，butit，too，wasapeacefulhome，wherethefamilylifevisiblywenthand—in—handwithcommerce。Whenthetraderhassuppliedallthewantsandwishesofaneighborhood，heunmoorshiscraftanddropsdowntheriver’stidetowhereitmeetstheocean’stideinthefarthermostMississippi，andthereeithersellsoutbothhisboatandhisstock，orhitcheshishometosomereturningsteamboat，andclimbsslowly，withmanypauses，backtotheupperOhio。Buthishomeisnotsointerestingasthatofthehouseboatman，norsopicturesqueasthatoftheraftsman，whoseflooroflogsrocksflexiblyunderhisshanty，butsecurelyridesthecurrent。Asthepilotssaid，asteamboatnevertriestohurtaraftoflogs，whichisadaptedtodangerousretaliation;andbynightitalwaysgivesawideberthtothelanterntiltingabovetheraftfromaswayingpole。Bydaytheraftformsoneofthepleasantestaspectsoftheriver—life，withitsconvoyofskiffsalwayssearchingthestreamorshoreforlogswhichhavebrokenfromit，andwhichtheskiffmenrecognizebydistinctivebrandsorstamps。Hereandtherethelogslieinlongranksupontheshelvingbeaches，mixedwiththedriftoftreesandfence—rails，andframesofcorn—cribsandhencoops，andevenhousewalls，whichthefreshetshavebroughtdownandleftstranded。Thetopsofthelittlewillowsaretuftedgaylywithhayandrags，andotherspoiloftheflood;andinoneplaceadisorderedmattresswaslodgedhighamongtheboughsofawater—
maple，whereitwouldformbuildingmaterialforcountlessgenerationsofbirds。Thefatcornfieldswereoftenlitteredwithavariedwreckagewhichthefarmersmustsoonheaptogetherandburn，toberidofit，andeverywherewereproofsoftheriver’spowertodevastateaswellasenrichitsshores。Thedwellerstherehadnopoweragainstit，initsmomentsofinsensaterage，andthelandnoprotectionfromitsencroachmentsexceptinthesimpledeviceofthewillowhedges，which，ifplanted，sometimesrefusedtogrow，butoftencameofthemselvesandkeptthetorrentfromtheloose，unfathomablesoilofthebanks，otherwisecrumblinghelplesslyintoit。
Theraftswereverywell，andthehouse—boatsandthetraders’boats，butthemostmajesticfeatureoftheriverlifewasthetowofcoal—bargeswhich，goingorcoming，the’Avonek’meteveryfewmiles。Whethergoingorcomingtheywerepushed，notpulled，bythepowerfulsteamerwhichgatheredthemintensandtwentiesbeforeher，androdethemid—currentwiththem，whentheywerefull，orkepttheslowerwaternearshorewhentheywereempty。Theyclaimedtheriverwheretheypassed，andthe’Avonek’bowedtoanunwrittenlawingivingthemthefullrightofway，fromthetimewhentheirlowbulkfirstroseinsight，withthechimneysoftheirsteamertoweringabovethemandhergaycontoursgraduallymakingthemselvesseen，tillsherecededfromtheencounter，withthewheelathersternpouringacataractofyellowwaterfromitsblades。
Itwasinsurpassablypicturesquealways，andnotthetaperingmastsortheswellingsailsofanysea—goingcraftcouldmatchit。
V。
Soatleastthetravellersthoughtwhowerehererevisitingtheearliestscenesofchildhood，andwhoperhapsfoundthemundulyendeared。Theyperusedthemmostlyfromaneasyseatatthebowofthehurricane—deck，and，whenevertheweatherfavoredthem，spenttheidletimeinselectingsheltersfortheirdecliningyearsamongthefarmsteadsthatofferedthemselvestotheirchoiceupanddowntheshores。Theweathercommonlyfavoredthem，andtherewasatleastonewholedayonthelowerriverwhentheweatherwasdivinelyflattering。Thesoft，dullairlulledtheirnerveswhileitbuffetedtheirfaces，andthesun，thatlookedthroughveilsofmistandsmoke，gentlywarmedtheiragingframesandfounditselfagainintheirhearts。Perhapsitwastherethatthewater—
elmsandwatermapleschieflybudded，andthered—birdssang，andthedriftingflocksofblackbirdscalledandclattered;butsurelythesealsospreadtheirgrayandpinkagainsttheskyandfilleditwiththeirvoices。Thereweremeadow—larksandrobinswithoutaswellaswithin，anditwasnosubjectiveploughthatturnedtheearliestfurrowsinthoseopulentfields。
Whentheyweretiredofsittingthere，theyclimbed，invitedoruninvited，butalwayswelcomed，tothepilothouse，whereeitherpilotofthetwowhowerealwaysonwatchpouredoutinanunstintedstreamtheloreoftheriveronwhichalltheirdayshadbeenpassed。Theyknewfromindelibleassociationeveryever—changinglineoftheconstanthills;everydwellingbythelowbanks;everyaspectofthesmokytowns;
everycapriceoftheriver;every—tree，everystump;probablyeverybudandbirdinthesky。Theytalkedonlyoftheriver;theycaredfornothingelse。TheCubancumberandthePhilippinefollywereequallyfarfromthem;theGermanprincewasnotonlyasifhehadneverbeenhere，butasifheneverhadbeen;nopublicquestionconcernedthembutthatofabandoningthecanalswhichtheOhiolegislaturewasthenfoolishlydebating。Werenotthecanalswater—ways，too，liketheriver，andiftheStateunnaturallyabandonedthemwouldnotitbeforthebehoofofthoserailroadswhichtherivermenhadalwaysfought，andwhichwouldhavemadeasolitudeoftheriveriftheycould？
Buttheycouldnot，andtherewasnothingmoresurprisinganddelightfulinthisblissfulvoyagethantheevidentfactthattheoldrivertraffichadstronglysurvived，andseemedtobemorestronglyreviving。Perhapsitwasnot;perhapsthefondnessofthoseOhio—river—bornpassengerswasabusedbyanillusion（assubjectiveasthatofthebudsandbirds）ofavividvarietyofbusinessandpleasureonthebelovedstream。Butagain，perhapsnot。Theywereseldomoutofsightofthesubstantialproofsofbothinthethroughorwaypacketstheyencountered，orthenondescriptsteamcraftthatswarmedaboutthemouthsofthecontributoryrivers，andclimbedtheirshallowingcoursesintotherecessesoftheirremotesthills，tothelastlurking—placesoftheiroilandcoal。
VI。
TheAvonekwasalwaysstoppingtoputoffortakeonmerchandiseormen。
Shewouldstopforasinglepassenger，plaitedinthemudwithhistelescopevaliseorgripsackundertheedgeofalonelycornfield，ortogatheruponherdecksthefewormanycasksorbalesthatafarmerwishedtoship。Shelaylonghoursbythewharf—boatsofbusytowns，exchangingonecargoforanother，inthatanarchicfetchingandcarryingwhichwecallcommerce，andwhichwedrollysupposetobegovernedbylaws。Butwherevershepausedorparted，shetestedthepilot’smarvellousskill;
fornolanding，nomatterhowoftenshelandedinthesameplace，couldbetwicethesame。Ateachreturnthevaryingstreamandshoremustbestudied，andeverycapriceofeitherdivined。Itwasalwaysatriumph，amiracle，whetherbydayorbynight，aconstantwonderhowunderthepilot’sinspiredtouchsheglidedsoftlytohermoorings，andwithoutajarslippedfromthemagainandwentonhercourse。
Butthelandingsbynightwereofcoursethefinest。Thenthewidefanofthesearch—lightwasunfurleduponthepointtobeattainedandtheheavystagingloweredfromthebowtothebrink，perhapscrushingthewillowhedgesinit’sfall，andscarcelytouchingthelandbeforeablack，raggeddeck—handhadrunoutthroughthesplendorandmadealinefasttothetrunkofthenearesttree。Thentheworkofladingorunladingrapidlybeganinthewitchingplayofthelightthatsetintoradiantrelieftheblack，eagerfacesandtheblack，eagerfiguresofthedeck—handsstrugglingupordownthestagingunderboxesofheavywares，orkegsofnails，orbalesofstraw，orblocksofstone，steadilymockedorcursedatintheirshapelesseffort，tillthelastofthemreeledbacktothedeckdownthesteepoftheliftingstage，anddroppedtohisbrokensleepwhereverhecouldcoilhimself，doglike，downamongtheheapsoffreight。
Nodog，indeed，leadssuchahaplesslifeastheirs;andah！andah！whyshouldtheirsableshadowsintrudeinapicturethatwasmeanttobeallsogayandglad？Butah！andah！where，inwhatbusinessofthishardworld，isnotprosperitybuiltuponthestruggleoftoilingmen，whostillendeavortheirpoorbest，andwritheandwritheundertheburdenoftheirbrothersabove，tilltheyliestillunderthelighterloadoftheirmotherearth？