Theyspokewithfarmoreinterestandunctionoftheirmorning’sbreakfast，oryesterday’s，to—day’s，orto—morrow’sdinner，thanoftheshipwreckoffortyorfiftyyearsago，andalltheworld’swonderswhichtheyhadwitnessedwiththeiryouthfuleyes。
　　ThefatheroftheCustom—House—thepatriarch，notonlyofthislittlesquadofofficials，but，Iamboldtosay，oftherespectablebodyoftide—waitersallovertheUnitedStates—wasacertainpermanentInspector。Hemighttrulybetermedalegitimatesonoftherevenuesystem，dyedinthewool，or，rather，borninthepurple；sincehissire，aRevolutionarycolonel，andformerlycollectoroftheport，hadcreatedanofficeforhim，andappointedhimtofillit，ataperiodoftheearlyageswhichfewlivingmencannowremember。ThisInspector，whenIfirstknewhim，wasamanoffourscoreyears，orthereabouts，andcertainlyoneofthemostwonderfulspecimensofwinter—greenthatyouwouldbelikelytodiscoverinalifetime’ssearch。Withhisfloridcheek，hiscompactfigure，smartlyarrayedinabright—buttonedbluecoat，hisbriskandvigorousstep，andhishaleandheartyaspect，altogetherheseemed—notyoung，indeed—butakindofnewcontrivanceofMotherNatureintheshapeofman，whomageandinfirmityhadnobusinesstotouch。Hisvoiceandlaugh，whichperpetuallyreechoedthroughtheCustom—House，hadnothingofthetremulousquaverandcackleofanoldman’sutterance；theycamestruttingoutofhislungs，likethecrowofacock，oftheblastofaclarion。Lookingathimmerelyasananimal—andtherewasverylittleelsetolookat—hewasamostsatisfactoryobject，fromthethoroughhealthfulnessandwholesomenessofhissystem，andhiscapacity，atthatextremeage，toenjoyall，ornearlyall，thedelightswhichhehadeveraimedat，orconceivedof。ThecarelesssecurityofhislifeintheCustom—House，onaregularincome，andwithbutslightandinfrequentapprehensionsofremoval，hadnodoubtcontributedtomaketimepasslightlyoverhim。Theoriginalandmorepotentcauses，however，layintherareperfectionofhisanimalnature，themoderateproportionofintellect，andtheverytriflingadmixtureofmoralandspiritualingredients；
　　theselatterqualities，indeed，beinginbarelyenoughmeasuretokeeptheoldgentlemanfromwalkingonall—fours。Hepossessednopowerofthought，nodepthoffeeling，notroublesomesensibilities；
　　nothing，inshort，butafewcommonplaceinstincts，which，aidedbythecheerfultemperthatgrewinevitablyoutofhisphysicalwell—being，diddutyveryrespectably，andtogeneralacceptance，inlieuofaheart。Hehadbeenthehusbandofthreewives，alllongsincedead；thefatheroftwentychildren，mostofwhom，ateveryageofchildhoodormaturity，hadlikewisereturnedtodust。Here，onewouldsuppose，mighthavebeensorrowenoughtoimbuethesunniestdisposition，throughandthrough，withasabletinge。NotsowithouroldInspector！Onebriefsighsufficedtocarryofftheentireburdenofthesedismalreminiscences。Thenextmoment，hewasasreadyforsportasanyunbreechedinfant；farreadierthantheCollector’sjuniorclerk，who，atnineteenyears，wasmuchtheelderandgravermanofthetwo。
　　Iusedtowatchandstudythispatriarchalpersonagewith，I
　　think，liveliercuriositythananyotherformofhumanitytherepresentedtomynotice。Hewas，intruth，ararephenomenon；soperfectinonepointofview；soshallow，sodelusive，soimpalpable，suchanabsolutenonentity，ineveryother。Myconclusionwasthathehadnosoul，noheart，nomind；nothing，asI
　　havealreadysaid，butinstincts：andyet，withal，socunninglyhadthefewmaterialsofhischaracterbeenputtogether，thattherewasnopainfulperceptionofdeficiency，but，onmypart，anentirecontentmentwithwhatIfoundinhim。Itmightbedifficult—anditwasso—toconceivehowheshouldexisthereafter，soearthlyandsensuousdidheseem；butsurelyhisexistencehere，admittingthatitwastoterminatewithhislastbreath，hadbeennotunkindlygiven；
　　withnohighermoralresponsibilitiesthanthebeastsofthefield，butwithalargerscopeofenjoymentthantheirs，andwithalltheirblessedimmunityfromthedrearinessandduskinessofage。
　　Onepoint，inwhichhehadvastlytheadvantageoverhisfour—footedbrethren，washisabilitytorecollectthegooddinnerswhichithadmadenosmallportionofthehappinessofhislifetoeat。Hisgourmandismwasahighlyagreeabletrait；andtohearhimtalkofroast—meatwasasappetisingasapickleoranoyster。Ashepossessednohigherattribute，andneithersacrificednorvitiatedanyspiritualendowmentbydevotingallhisenergiesandingenuitiestosubservethedelightandprofitofhismaw，italwayspleasedandsatisfiedmetohearhimexpatiateonfish，poultry，andbutcher’smeat，andthemosteligiblemethodsofpreparingthemforthetable。Hisreminiscencesofgoodcheer，howeverancientthedateoftheactualbanquet，seemedtobringthesavourofpigorturkeyunderone’sverynostrils。Therewereflavoursonhispalate，thathadlingeredtherenotlessthansixtyorseventyyears，andwerestillapparentlyasfreshasthatofthemutton—chopwhichhehadjustdevouredforhisbreakfast。Ihaveheardhimsmackhislipsoverdinners，everyguestatwhich，excepthimself，hadlongbeenfoodforworms。Itwasmarvelloustoobservehowtheghostsofbygonemealswerecontinuallyrisingupbeforehim；notinangerorretribution，butasifgratefulforhisformerappreciation，andseekingtorepudiateanendlessseriesofenjoyment，atonceshadowyandsensual。
　　Atenderloinofbeef，ahind—quarterofveal，aspare—ribofpork，aparticularchicken，oraremarkablypraiseworthyturkey，whichhadperhapsadornedhisboardinthedaysoftheelderAdams，wouldberemembered；whileallthesubsequentexperienceofourrace，andalltheeventsthatbrightenedordarkenedhisindividualcareer，hadgoneoverhimwithaslittlepermanenteffectasthepassingbreeze。Thechieftragiceventoftheoldman’slife，sofarasIcouldjudge，washismishapwithacertaingoose，whichlivedanddiedsometwentyorfortyyearsago；agooseofmostpromisingfigure，butwhich，attable，provedsoinveteratelytoughthatthecarving—knifewouldmakenoimpressiononitscarcass，anditcouldonlybedividedwithanaxeandhandsaw。
　　Butitistimetoquitthissketch；onwhich，however，Ishouldbegladtodwellatconsiderablymorelength，because，ofallmenwhomIhaveeverknown，thisindividualwasfittesttobeaCustom—Houseofficer。Mostpersons，owingtocauseswhichImaynothavespacetohintat，suffermoraldetrimentfromthispeculiarmodeoflife。TheoldInspectorwasincapableofit；and，werehetocontinueinofficetotheendoftime，wouldbejustasgoodashewasthen，andsitdowntodinnerwithjustasgoodanappetite。
　　Thereisonelikeness，withoutwhichmygalleryofCustom—Houseportraitswouldbestrangelyincomplete；butwhichmycomparativelyfewopportunitiesforobservationenablemetosketchonlyinthemerestoutline。ItisthatoftheCollector，ourgallantoldGeneral，who，afterhisbrilliantmilitaryservice，subsequentlytowhichhehadruledoverawildWesternterritory，hadcomehither，twentyyearsbefore，tospendthedeclineofhisvariedandhonourablelife。Thebravesoldierhadalreadynumbered，nearlyorquite，histhreescoreyearsandten，andwaspursuingtheremainderofhisearthlymarch，burdenedwithinfirmitieswhicheventhemartialmusicofhisownspirit—stirringrecollectionscoulddolittletowardslightening。Thestepwaspalsiednow，thathadbeenforemostinthecharge。Itwasonlywiththeassistanceofaservant，andbyleaninghishandheavilyontheironbalustrade，thathecouldslowlyandpainfullyascendtheCustom—Housesteps，and，withatoilsomeprogressacrossthefloor，attainhiscustomarychairbesidethefireplace。
　　Thereheusedtosit，gazingwithasomewhatdimserenityofaspectatthefiguresthatcameandwent；amidtherustleofpapers，theadministeringofoaths，thediscussionofbusiness，andthecasualtalkoftheoffice；allwhichsoundsandcircumstancesseemedbutindistinctlytoimpresshissenses，andhardlytomaketheirwayintohisinnersphereofcontemplation。Hiscountenance，inthisrepose，wasmildandkindly。Ifhisnoticewassought，anexpressionofcourtesyandinterestgleamedoutuponhisfeatures；provingthattherewaslightwithinhim，andthatitwasonlytheoutwardmediumoftheintellectuallampthatobstructedtheraysintheirpassage。Thecloseryoupenetratedtothesubstanceofhismind，thesounderitappeared。Whennolongercalledupontospeak，orlisten，eitherofwhichoperationscosthimanevidenteffort，hisfacewouldbrieflysubsideintoitsformernotuncheerfulquietude。Itwasnotpainfultobeholdthislook；forthoughdim，ithadnottheimbecilityofdecayingage。Theframeworkofhisnature，originallystrongandmassive，wasnotyetcrumbledintoruin。
　　Toobserveanddefinehischaracter，however，undersuchdisadvantages，wasasdifficultataskastotraceoutandbuildupanew，inimagination，anoldfortress，likeTiconderoga，fromaviewofitsgreyandbrokenruins。Hereandthere，perchance，thewallsmayremainalmostcomplete；butelsewheremaybeonlyashapelessmound，cumbrouswithitsverystrength，andovergrown，throughlongyearsofpeaceandneglect，withgrassandalienweeds。
　　Nevertheless，lookingattheoldwarriorwithaffection—for，slightaswasthecommunicationbetweenus，myfeelingtowardshim，likethatofallbipedsandquadrupedswhoknewhim，mightnotimproperlybetermedso—Icoulddiscernthemainpointsofhisportrait。Itwasmarkedwiththenobleandheroicqualitieswhichshowedittobenotbyamereaccident，butofgoodright，thathehadwonadistinguishedname。Hisspiritcouldnever，Iconceive，havebeencharacterisedbyanuneasyactivity；itmust，atanyperiodofhislife，haverequiredanimpulsetosethiminmotion；but，oncestirredup，withobstaclestoovercome，andanadequateobjecttobeattained，itwasnotinthemantogiveoutorfail。Thebeatthathadformerlypervadedhisnature，andwhichwasnotyetextinct，wasneverofthekindthatflashesandflickersinablaze；but，rather，adeep，redglow，asofironinafurnace。Weight，solidity，firmness；thiswastheexpressionofhisrepose，eveninsuchdecayashadcreptuntimelyoverhim，attheperiodofwhichIspeak。ButIcouldimagine，eventhen，that，undersomeexcitementwhichshouldgodeeplyintohisconsciousness—rousedbyatrumpet—peal，loudenoughtoawakenallofhisenergiesthatwerenotdead，butonlyslumbering—hewasyetcapableofflingingoffhisinfirmitieslikeasickman’sgown，droppingthestaffofagetoseizeabattle—sword，andstartinguponcemoreawarrior。And，insointenseamoment，hisdemeanourwouldhavestillbeencalm。Suchanexhibition，however，wasbuttobepicturedinfancy；nottobeanticipated，nordesired。WhatIsawinhim—asevidentlyastheindestructiblerampartsof，OldTiconderoga，alreadycitedasthemostappropriatesimile—werethefeaturesofstubbornandponderousendurance，whichmightwellhaveamountedtoobstinacyinhisearlierdays；ofintegrity，that，likemostofhisotherendowments，layinasomewhatheavymass，andwasjustasunmalleableandunmanageableasatonofironore；andofbenevolence，which，fiercelyasheledthebayonetsonatChippewaorFortErie，Itaketobeofquiteasgenuineastampaswhatactuatesanyorallthepolemicalphilanthropistsoftheage。Hehadslainmenwithhisownhand，foraughtIknow—certainly，theyhadfallen，likebladesofgrassatthesweepofthescythe，beforethechargetowhichhisspiritimparteditstriumphantenergy—but，bethatasitmight，therewasneverinhisheartsomuchcrueltyaswouldhavebrushedthedownoffabutterfly’swing。Ihavenotknowntheman，towhoseinnatekindlinessIwouldmoreconfidentlymakeanappeal。
　　Manycharacteristics—andthose，too，whichcontributenottheleastforciblytoimpartresemblanceinasketch—musthavevanished，orbeenobscured，beforeImettheGeneral。Allmerelygracefulattributesareusuallythemostevanescent；nordoesNatureadornthehumanruinwithblossomsofnewbeauty，thathavetheirrootsandpropernutrimentonlyinthechinksandcrevicesofdecay，asshesowswall—flowersovertheruinedfortressofTiconderoga。
　　Still，eveninrespectofgraceandbeauty，therewerepointswellworthnoting。Arayofhumour，nowandthen，wouldmakeitswaythroughtheveilofdimobstruction，andglimmerpleasantlyuponourfaces。Atraitofnativeelegance，seldomseeninthemasculinecharacterafterchildhoodorearlyyouth，wasshownintheGeneral’sfondnessforthesightandfragranceofflowers。Anoldsoldiermightbesupposedtoprizeonlythebloodylaurelonhisbrow；butherewasone，whoseemedtohaveayounggirl’sappreciationofthefloraltribe。
　　There，besidethefireplace，thebraveoldGeneralusedtosit；
　　whiletheSurveyor—thoughseldom，whenitcouldbeavoided，takinguponhimselfthedifficulttaskofengaginghiminconversation—wasfondofstandingatadistance，andwatchinghisquietandalmostslumberouscountenance。Heseemedawayfromus，althoughwesawhimbutafewyardsoff；remote，thoughwepassedclosebesidehischair；unattainable，thoughwemighthavestretchedforthourhandsandtouchedhisown。Itmightbethathelivedamorereallifewithinhisthoughts，thanamidtheunappropriateenvironmentoftheCollector’soffice。Theevolutionsoftheparade；thetumultofthebattle；theflourishofold，heroicmusic，heardthirtyyearsbefore；—
　　suchscenesandsounds，perhaps，wereallalivebeforehisintellectualsense。Meanwhile，themerchantsandshipmasters，thespruceclerksanduncouthsailors，enteredanddeparted；thebustleofthiscommercialandCustom—Houselifekeptupitslittlemurmurroundabouthim；andneitherwiththemennortheiraffairsdidtheGeneralappeartosustainthemostdistantrelation。Hewasasmuchoutofplaceasanoldsword—nowrusty，butwhichhadflashedonceinthebattle’sfront，andshowedstillabrightgleamalongitsblade—
　　wouldhavebeen，amongtheinkstands，paper—folders，andmahoganyrulers，ontheDeputyCollector’sdesk。
　　TherewasonethingthatmuchaidedmeinrenewingandrecreatingthestalwartsoldieroftheNiagarafrontier—themanoftrueandsimpleenergy。Itwastherecollectionofthosememorablewordsofhis—"I’lltry，sir！"—spokenontheveryvergeofadesperateandheroicenterprise，andbreathingthesoulandspiritofNewEnglandhardihood，comprehendingallperils，andencounteringall。If，inourcountry，valourwererewardedbyheraldichonour，thisphrase—
　　whichitseemssoeasytospeak，butwhichonlyhe，withsuchataskofdangerandglorybeforehim，haseverspoken—wouldbethebestandfittestofallmottoesfortheGeneral’sshieldofarms。
　　Itcontributesgreatlytowardsaman’smoralandintellectualhealth，tobebroughtintohabitsofcompanionshipwithindividualsunlikehimself，whocarelittleforhispursuits，andwhosesphereandabilitieshemustgooutofhimselftoappreciate。Theaccidentsofmylifehaveoftenaffordedmethisadvantage，butneverwithmorefulnessandvarietythanduringmycontinuanceinoffice。Therewasoneman，especially，theobservationofwhosecharactergavemeanewideaoftalent。Hisgiftswereemphaticallythoseofamanofbusiness；prompt，acute，clear—minded；withaneyethatsawthroughallperplexities，andafacultyofarrangementthatmadethemvanish，asbythewavingofanenchanter’swand。BredupfromboyhoodintheCustom—House，itwashisproperfieldofactivity；
　　andthemanyintricaciesofbusiness，soharassingtotheinterloper，presentedthemselvesbeforehimwiththeregularityofaperfectlycomprehendedsystem。Inmycontemplation，bestoodastheidealofhisclass。Hewas，indeed，theCustom—Houseinhimself；or，atallevents，themainspringthatkeptitsvariouslyrevolvingwheelsinmotion；for，inaninstitutionlikethis，whereitsofficersareappointedtosubservetheirownprofitandconvenience，andseldomwithaleadingreferencetotheirfitnessforthedutytobeperformed，theymustperforceseekelsewherethedexteritywhichisnotinthem。Thus，byaninevitablenecessity，asamagnetattractssteel—filings，sodidourmanofbusinessdrawtohimselfthedifficultieswhicheverybodymetwith。Withaneasycondescension，andkindforbearancetowardsourstupidity—which，tohisorderofmind，musthaveseemedlittleshortofcrime—wouldheforthwith，bythemeresttouchofhisfinger，maketheincomprehensibleasclearasdaylight。Themerchantsvaluedhimnotlessthanwe，hisesotericfriends。Hisintegritywasperfect；itwasalawofnaturewithhim，ratherthanachoiceoraprinciple；norcanitbeotherwisethanthemainconditionofanintellectsoremarkablyclearandaccurateashis，tobehonestandregularintheadministrationofaffairs。A
　　stainonhisconscience，astoanythingthatcamewithintherangeofhisvocation，wouldtroublesuchamanverymuchinthesameway，thoughtoafargreaterdegree，thananerrorinthebalanceofanaccount，oranink—blotonthefairpageofabookofrecord。Here，inaword—anditisarareinstanceinmylife—Ihadmetwithapersonthoroughlyadaptedtothesituationwhichheheld。
　　SuchweresomeofthepeoplewithwhomInowfoundmyselfconnected。
　　Itookitingoodpart，atthehandsofProvidence，thatIwasthrownintoapositionsolittleakintomypasthabits；andsetmyselfseriouslytogatherfromitwhateverprofitwastobehad。
　　AftermyfellowshipoftoilandimpracticableschemeswiththedreamybrethrenofBrookFarm；afterlivingforthreeyearswithinthesubtileinfluenceofanintellectlikeEmerson’s；afterthosewild，freedaysontheAssabeth，indulgingfantasticspeculations，besideourfireoffallenboughs，withElleryChanning；aftertalkingwithThoreauaboutpine—treesandIndianrelics，inhishermitageatWalden；aftergrowingfastidiousbysympathywiththeclassicrefinementofHillard’sculture；afterbecomingimbuedwithpoeticsentimentatLongfellow’shearth—stone—itwastime，atlength，thatI
　　shouldexerciseotherfacultiesofmynature，andnourishmyselfwithfoodforwhichIhadhithertohadlittleappetite。EventheoldInspectorwasdesirable，asachangeofdiet，toamanwhohadknownAlcott。Ilookeduponitasanevidence，insomemeasure，orasystemnaturallywellbalanced，andlackingnoessentialpartofathoroughorganisation，that，withsuchassociatestoremember，Icouldmingleatoncewithmenofaltogetherdifferentqualities，andnevermurmuratthechange。
　　Literature，itsexertionsandobjects，werenowoflittlemomentinmyregard。Icarednot，atthisperiod，forbooks；theywereapartfromme。Nature—exceptitwerehumannature—thenaturethatisdevelopedinearthandsky，was，inonesense，hiddenfromme；andalltheimaginativedelight，wherewithithadbeenspiritualised，passedawayoutofmymind。Agift，afaculty，ifithadnotdeparted，wassuspendedandinanimatewithinme。Therewouldhavebeensomethingsad，unutterablydreary，inallthis，hadInotbeenconsciousthatitlayatmyownoptiontorecallwhateverwasvaluableinthepast。Itmightbetrue，indeed，thatthiswasalifewhichcouldnot，withimpunity，belivedtoolong；else，itmightmakemepermanentlyotherthanIhadbeen，withouttransformingmeintoanyshapewhichitwouldbeworthmywhiletotake。ButIneverconsidereditasotherthanatransitorylife。Therewasalwaysapropheticinstinct，alowwhisperinmyear，that，withinnolongperiod，andwheneveranewchangeofcustomshouldbeessentialtomygood，achangewouldcome。
　　Meanwhile，thereIwas，aSurveyoroftheRevenue，and，sofarasIhavebeenabletounderstand，asgoodaSurveyorasneedbe。Amanofthought，fancy，andsensibility（hadhetentimestheSurveyor’sproportionofthosequalities）may，atanytime，beamanofaffairs，ifhewillonlychoosetogivehimselfthetrouble。Myfellow—officers，andthemerchantsandsea—captainswithwhommyofficialdutiesbroughtmeintoanymannerofconnection，viewedmeinnootherlight，andprobablyknewmeinnoothercharacter。Noneofthem，Ipresume，hadeverreadapageofmyinditing，orwouldhavecaredafigthemoreforme，iftheyhadreadthemall；norwouldithavemendedthematter，intheleast，hadthosesameunprofitablepagesbeenwrittenwithapenlikethatofBurnsorofChaucer，eachofwhomwasaCustom—Houseofficerinhisday，aswellasI。Itisagoodlesson—thoughitmayoftenbeahardone—foramanwhohasdreamedofliteraryfame，andofmakingforhimselfarankamongtheworld’sdignitariesbysuchmeans，tostepasideoutofthenarrowcircleinwhichhisclaimsarerecognised，andtofindhowutterlydevoidofsignificance，beyondthatcircle，isallthatheachieves，andallheaimsat。IknownotthatIespeciallyneededthelesson，eitherinthewayofwarningorrebuke；but，atanyrate，Ilearneditthoroughly：nor，itgivesmepleasuretoreflect，didthetruth，asitcamehometomyperception，evercostmeapang，orrequiretobethrownoffinasigh。Inthewayofliterarytalk，itistrue，theNavalOfficer—anexcellentfellow，whocameintoofficewithmeandwentoutonlyalittlelater—wouldoftenengagemeinadiscussionaboutoneortheotherofhisfavouritetopics，NapoleonorShakespeare。TheCollector’sjuniorclerk，too—ayounggentlemanwho，itwaswhispered，occasionallycoveredasheetofUncleSam’sletter—paperwithwhat（atthedistanceofafewyards）lookedverymuchlikepoetry—usednowandthentospeaktomeofbooks，asmatterswithwhichImightpossiblybeconversant。Thiswasmyallofletteredintercourse；anditwasquitesufficientformynecessities。
　　Nolongerseekingnorcaringthatmynameshouldbeblazonedabroadontitle—pages，Ismiledtothinkthatithadnowanotherkindofvogue。TheCustom—Housemarkerimprintedit，withastencilandblackpaint，onpepper—bags，andbasketsofanatto，andcigar—boxes，andbalesofallkindsofdutiablemerchandise，intestimonythatthesecommoditieshadpaidtheimpost，andgoneregularlythroughtheoffice。Borneonsuchqueervehicleoffame，aknowledgeofmyexistence，sofarasanameconveysit，wascarriedwhereithadneverbeenbefore，and，Ihope，willnevergoagain。
　　Butthepastwasnotdead。Onceinagreatwhile，thethoughts，thathadseemedsovitalandsoactive，yethadbeenputtorestsoquietly，revivedagain。Oneofthemostremarkableoccasions，whenthehabitofbygonedaysawokeinme，wasthatwhichbringsitwithinthelawofliteraryproprietytoofferthepublicthesketchwhichI
　　amnowwriting。
　　InthesecondstoryoftheCustom—House，thereisalargeroom，inwhichthebrick—workandnakedraftershaveneverbeencoveredwithpanellingandplaster。Theedifice—originallyprojectedonascaleadaptedtotheoldcommercialenterpriseoftheport，andwithanideaofsubsequentprosperitydestinednevertoberealised—containsfarmorespacethanitsoccupantsknowwhattodowith。Thisairyhall，therefore，overtheCollector’sapartments，remainsunfinishedtothisday，and，inspiteoftheagedcobwebsthatfestoonitsduskybeams，appearsstilltoawaitthelabourofthecarpenterandmason。Atoneendoftheroom，inarecess，wereanumberofbarrels，piledoneuponanother，containingbundlesofofficialdocuments。Largequantitiesofsimilarrubbishlaylumberingthefloor。Itwassorrowfultothinkhowmanydays，andweeks，andmonths，andyearsoftoil，hadbeenwastedonthesemustypapers，whichwerenowonlyanencumbranceonearth，andwerehiddenawayinthisforgottencorner，nevermoretobeglancedatbyhumaneyes。But，then，whatreamsofothermanuscripts—fillednotwiththedulnessofofficialformalities，butwiththethoughtofinventivebrainsandthericheffusionofdeephearts—hadgoneequallytooblivion；andthat，moreover，withoutservingapurposeintheirday，astheseheaped—uppapershad，and—
　　saddestofall—withoutpurchasingfortheirwritersthecomfortablelivelihoodwhichtheclerksoftheCustom—Househadgainedbytheseworthlessscratchingsofthepen！Yetnotaltogetherworthless，perhaps，asmaterialsoflocalhistory。Here，nodoubt，statisticsoftheformercommerceofSalemmightbediscovered，andmemorialsofherprincelymerchants—oldKingDerby，oldBillyGray，oldSimonForrester，andmanyanothermagnateinhisday—whosepowderedhead，however，wasscarcelyinthetomb，beforehismountain—pileofwealthbegantodwindle。ThefoundersofthegreaterpartofthefamilieswhichnowcomposethearistocracyofSalemmightherebetraced，fromthepettyandobscurebeginningsoftheirtraffic，atperiodsgenerallymuchposteriortotheRevolution，upwardtowhattheirchildrenlookuponaslong—establishedrank。
　　PriortotheRevolution，thereisadearthofrecords；theearlierdocumentsandarchivesoftheCustom—Househaving，probably，beencarriedofftoHalifax，whenalltheKing’sofficialsaccompaniedtheBritisharmyinitsflightfromBoston。Ithasoftenbeenamatterofregretwithme；for，goingback，perhaps，tothedaysoftheProtectorate，thosepapersmusthavecontainedmanyreferencestoforgottenorrememberedmen，andtoantiquecustoms，whichwouldhaveaffectedmewiththesamepleasureaswhenIusedtopickupIndianarrow—headsinthefieldneartheOldManse。
　　But，oneidleandrainyday，itwasmyfortunetomakeadiscoveryofsomelittleinterest。Pokingandburrowingintotheheaped—uprubbishinthecorner；unfoldingoneandanotherdocument，andreadingthenamesofvesselsthathadlongagofounderedatseaorrottedatthewharves，andthoseofmerchants，neverheardofnowon’Change，norveryreadilydecipherableontheirmossytombstones；glancingatsuchmatterswiththesaddened，weary，half—reluctantinterestwhichwebestowonthecorpseofdeadactivity—andexertingmyfancy，sluggishwithlittleuse，toraiseupfromthesedrybonesanimageoftheoldtown’sbrighteraspect，whenIndiawasanewregion，andonlySalemknewthewaythither—Ichancedtolaymyhandonasmallpackage，carefullydoneupinapieceofancientyellowparchment。
　　Thisenvelopehadtheairofanofficialrecordofsomeperiodlongpast，whenclerksengrossedtheirstiffandformalchirographyonmoresubstantialmaterialsthanatpresent。Therewassomethingaboutitthatquickenedaninstinctivecuriosity，andmademeundothefadedredtape，thattiedupthepackage，withthesensethatatreasurewouldherebebroughttolight。Unbendingtherigidfoldsoftheparchmentcover，Ifoundittobeacommission，underthehandandsealofGovernorShirley，infavourofoneJonathanPue，asSurveyorofhisMajesty’sCustomsfortheportofSalem，intheProvinceofMassachusettsBay。Irememberedtohaveread（probablyinFelt’sAnnals）anoticeofthedeceaseofMr。SurveyorPue，aboutfourscoreyearsago；andlikewise，inanewspaperofrecenttimes，anaccountofthediggingupofhisremainsinthelittlegraveyardofSt。Peter’sChurch，duringtherenewalofthatedifice。Nothing，ifIrightlycalltomind，wasleftofmyrespectedpredecessor，saveanimperfectskeleton，andsomefragmentsofapparel，andawigofmajesticfrizzle；which，unliketheheadthatitonceadorned，wasinverysatisfactorypreservation。But，onexaminingthepaperswhichtheparchmentcommissionservedtoenvelop，IfoundmoretracesofMr。
　　Pue’smentalpart，andtheinternaloperationsofhishead，thanthefrizzledwighadcontainedofthevenerableskullitself。
　　Theyweredocuments，inshort，notofficial，butofaprivatenature，or，atleast，writteninhisprivatecapacity，andapparentlywithhisownhand。IcouldaccountfortheirbeingincludedintheheapofCustom—Houselumberonlybythefact，thatMr。Pue’sdeathhadhappenedsuddenly；andthatthesepapers，whichheprobablykeptinhisofficialdesk，hadnevercometotheknowledgeofhisheirs，orweresupposedtorelatetothebusinessoftherevenue。OnthetransferofthearchivestoHalifax，thispackage，provingtobeofnopublicconcern，wasleftbehind，andhadremainedeversinceunopened。
　　TheancientSurveyor—beinglittlemolested，Isuppose，atthatearlyday，withbusinesspertainingtohisoffice—seemstohavedevotedsomeofhismanyleisurehourstoresearchesasalocalantiquarian，andotherinquisitionsofasimilarnature。Thesesuppliedmaterialforpettyactivitytoamindthatwouldotherwisehavebeeneatenupwithrust。Aportionofhisfacts，by—the—bye，didmegoodserviceinthepreparationofthearticleentitled"MAIN
　　STREET，"includedinthepresentvolume。Theremaindermayperhapsbeappliedtopurposesequallyvaluable，hereafter；ornotimpossiblymaybeworkedup，sofarastheygo，intoaregularhistoryofSalem，shouldmyvenerationforthenatalsoileverimpelmetosopiousatask。Meanwhile，theyshallbeatthecommandofanygentleman，inclined，andcompetent，totaketheunprofitablelabouroffmyhands。Asafinaldisposition，IcontemplatedepositingthemwiththeEssexHistoricalSociety。