LittlePearl—whowasasgreatlypleasedwiththegleamingarmourasshehadbeenwiththeglitteringfrontispieceofthehouse—spentsometimelookingintothepolishedmirrorofthebreastplate。
　　"Mother，"criedshe，"Iseeyouhere。Look！Look！"
　　Hesterlooked，bywayofhumouringthechild；andshesawthat，owingtothepeculiareffectofthisconvexmirror，thescarletletterwasrepresentedinexaggeratedandgiganticproportions，soastobegreatlythemostprominentfeatureofherappearance。Intruth，sheseemedabsolutelyhiddenbehindit。Pearlpointedupward，also，atasimilarpictureinthehead—piece；smilingathermother，withtheelfishintelligencethatwassofamiliaranexpressiononhersmallphysiognomy。Thatlookofnaughtymerrimentwaslikewisereflectedinthemirror，withsomuchbreadthandintensityofeffect，thatitmadeHesterPrynnefeelasifitcouldnotbetheimageofherownchild，butofanimpwhowasseekingtomoulditselfintoPearl’sshape。
　　"Comealong，Pearl，"saidshe，drawingheraway。"Comeandlookintothisfairgarden。Itmaybe，weshallseeflowersthere；morebeautifulonesthanwefindinthewoods。"
　　Pearl，accordingly，rantothebow—window，atthefartherendofthehall，andlookedalongthevistaofagarden—walk，carpetedwithcloselyshavengrass，andborderedwithsomerudeandimmatureattemptatshrubbery。Buttheproprietorappearedalreadytohaverelinquished，ashopeless，theefforttoperpetuateonthissideoftheAtlantic，inahardsoilandamidtheclosestruggleforsubsistence，thenativeEnglishtasteforornamentalgardening。
　　Cabbagesgrewinplainsight；andapumpkinvine，rootedatsomedistance，hadrunacrosstheinterveningspace，anddepositedoneofitsgiganticproductsdirectlybeneaththehall—window；asiftowarntheGovernorthatthisgreatlumpofvegetablegoldwasasrichanornamentasNewEnglandearthwouldofferhim。Therewereafewrose—bushes，however，andanumberofapple—trees，probablythedescendantsofthoseplantedbytheReverendMr。Blackstone，thefirstsettlerofthepeninsula；thathalfmythologicalpersonage，whoridesthroughourearlyannals，seatedonthebackofabull。
　　Pearl，seeingtherose—bushes，begantocryforaredrose，andwouldnotbepacified。
　　"Hush，child，hush！"saidhermotherearnestly。"Donotcry，dearlittlePearl！Ihearvoicesinthegarden。TheGovernoriscoming，andgentlemenalongwithhim！"
　　Infact，adownthevistaofthegardenavenue，anumberofpersonswereseenapproachingtowardsthehouse。Pearl，inutterscornofhermother’sattempttoquiether，gaveaneldritchscream，andthenbecamesilent；notfromanynotionofobedience，butbecausethequickandmobilecuriosityofherdispositionwasexcitedbytheappearanceofthesenewpersonages。
　　VIII。
　　THEELF—CHILDANDTHEMINISTER。
　　GOVERNORBELLINGHAM，inaloosegownandeasycap—muchaselderlygentlemenlovedtoenduethemselveswith，intheirdomesticprivacy—
　　walkedforemost，andappearedtobeshowingoffhisestate，andexpatiatingonhisprojectedimprovements。Thewidecircumferenceofanelaborateruff，beneathhisgreybeard，intheantiquatedfashionofKingJames’reign，causedhisheadtolooknotalittlelikethatofJohntheBaptistinacharger。Theimpressionmadebyhisaspect，sorigidandsevere，andfrost—bittenwithmorethanautumnalage，washardlyinkeepingwiththeappliancesofworldlyenjoymentwherewithhehadevidentlydonehisutmosttosurroundhimself。Butitisanerrortosupposethatourgraveforefathers—thoughaccustomedtospeakandthinkofhumanexistenceasastatemerelyoftrialandwarfare，andthoughunfeignedlypreparedtosacrificegoodsandlifeatthebehestofduty—madeitamatterofconsciencetorejectsuchmeansofcomfort，orevenluxury，aslayfairlywithintheirgrasp。
　　Thiscreedwasnevertaught，forinstance，bythevenerablepastor，JohnWilson，whosebeard，whiteasasnow—drift，wasseenoverGovernorBellingham’sshoulder；whileitswearersuggestedthatpearsandpeachesmightyetbenaturalisedintheNewEnglandclimate，andthatpurplegrapesmightpossiblybecompelledtoflourish，againstthesunnygarden—wall。Theoldclergyman，nurturedattherichbosomoftheEnglishChurch，hadalong—establishedandlegitimatetasteforallgoodandcomfortablethings；andhoweversternhemightshowhimselfinthepulpit，orinhispublicreproofofsuchtransgressionsasthatofHesterPrynne，still，thegenialbenevolenceofhisprivatelifehadwonhimwarmeraffectionthanwasaccordedtoanyofhisprofessionalcontemporaries。
　　BehindtheGovernorandMr。Wilsoncametwootherguests；onetheReverendArthurDimmesdale，whomthereadermayrememberashavingtakenabriefandreluctantpartinthesceneofHesterPrynne’sdisgrace；and，inclosecompanionshipwithhim，oldRogerChillingworth，apersonofgreatskillinphysic，who，fortwoorthreeyearspast，hadbeensettledinthetown。Itwasunderstoodthatthislearnedmanwasthephysicianaswellasfriendoftheyoungminister，whosehealthhadseverelysuffered，oflate，byhistoounreservedself—sacrificetothelaboursanddutiesofthepastoralrelation。
　　TheGovernor，inadvanceofhisvisitors，ascendedoneortwosteps，and，throwingopentheleavesofthegreathall—window，foundhimselfclosetolittlePearl。TheshadowofthecurtainfellonHesterPrynne，andpartiallyconcealedher。
　　"Whathavewehere？"saidGovernorBellingham，lookingwithsurpriseatthescarletlittlefigurebeforehim。"Iprofess，Ihaveneverseenthelike，sincemydaysofvanity，inoldKingJames’time，whenIwaswonttoesteemitahighfavourtobeadmittedtoacourtmask！
　　Thereusedtobeaswarmofthesesmallapparitions，inholidaytime；andwecalledthemchildrenoftheLordofMisrule。Buthowgatsuchaguestintomyhall？"
　　"Ay，indeed！"criedgoodoldMr。Wilson。"Whatlittlebirdofscarletplumagemaythisbe？MethinksIhaveseenjustsuchfigures，whenthesunhasbeenshiningthrougharichlypaintedwindow，andtracingoutthegoldenandcrimsonimagesacrossthefloor。Butthatwasintheoldland。Prithee，youngone，whoartthou，andwhathasailedthymothertobedizentheeinthisstrangefashion？ArtthouaChristianchild—ha？Dostknowthycatechism？Orartthouoneofthosenaughtyelfsorfairies，whomwethoughttohaveleftbehindus，withotherrelicsofPapistry，inmerryoldEngland？"
　　"Iammother’schild，"answeredthescarletvision，"andmynameisPearl！"
　　"Pearl？—Ruby，rather！—orCoral！—orRedRose，attheveryleast，judgingfromthyhue！"respondedtheoldminister，puttingforthhishandinavainattempttopatlittlePearlonthecheek。"Butwhereisthismotherofthine？Ah！Isee，"headded；and，turningtoGovernorBellingham，whispered，"Thisistheselfsamechildofwhomwehaveheldspeechtogether；andbeholdheretheunhappywoman，HesterPrynne，hermother！"
　　"Sayestthouso？"criedtheGovernor。"Nay，wemighthavejudgedthatsuchachild’smothermustneedsbeascarletwoman，andaworthytypeofherofBabylon！Butshecomesatagoodtime；andwewilllookintothismatterforthwith。"
　　GovernorBellinghamsteppedthroughthewindowintothehall，followedbyhisthreeguests。
　　"HesterPrynne，"saidhe，fixinghisnaturallysternregardonthewearerofthescarletletter，"therehathbeenmuchquestionconcerningthee，oflate。Thepointhathbeenweightilydiscussed，whetherwe，thatareofauthorityandinfluence，dowelldischargeourconsciencesbytrustinganimmortalSoul，suchasthereisinyonderchild，totheguidanceofonewhohathstumbledandfallenamidthepitfallsofthisworld。Speakthou，thechild’sownmother！Wereitnot，thinkestthou，forthylittleone’stemporalandeternalwelfare，thatshebetakenoutofthycharge，andcladsoberly，anddisciplinedstrictly，andinstructedinthetruthsofheavenandearth？Whatcanstthoudoforthechild，inthiskind？"
　　"IcanteachmylittlePearlwhatIhavelearnedfromthis！"
　　answeredHesterPrynne，layingherfingerontheredtoken。
　　"Woman，itisthybadgeofshame！"repliedthesternmagistrate。"Itisbecauseofthestainwhichthatletterindicates，thatwewouldtransferthychildtootherhands。"
　　"Nevertheless，"saidthemothercalmly，thoughgrowingmorepale，"thisbadgehathtaughtme—itdailyteachesme—itisteachingmeatthismoment—lessonswhereofmychildmaybethewiserandbetter，albeittheycanprofitnothingtothyself。"
　　"Wewilljudgewarily，"saidBellingham，"andlookwellwhatweareabouttodo。GoodMasterWilson，Iprayyou，examinethisPearl—
　　sincethatishername—andseewhethershehathhadsuchChristiannurtureasbefitsachildofherage。"
　　Theoldministerseatedhimselfinanarm—chair，andmadeanefforttodrawPearlbetwixthisknees。Butthechild，unaccustomedtothetouchorfamiliarityofanybuthermother，escapedthroughtheopenwindow，andstoodontheupperstep，lookinglikeawildtropicalbird，ofrichplumage，readytotakeflightintotheupperair。Mr。
　　Wilson，notalittleastonishedatthisoutbreak—forhewasagrandfatherlysortofpersonage，andusuallyavastfavouritewithchildren—essayed，however，toproceedwiththeexamination。
　　"Pearl，"saidhe，withgreatsolemnity，"thoumusttakeheedtoinstruction，thatso，indueseason，thoumayestwearinthybosomthepearlofgreatprice。Canstthoutellme，mychild，whomadethee？"
　　NowPearlknewwellenoughwhomadeher；forHesterPrynne，thedaughterofapioushome，verysoonafterhertalkwiththechildaboutherHeavenlyFather，hadbeguntoinformherofthosetruthswhichthehumanspirit，atwhateverstageofimmaturity，imbibeswithsucheagerinterest。Pearl，therefore，solargeweretheattainmentsofherthreeyears’lifetime，couldhaveborneafairexaminationintheNewEnglandPrimer，orthefirstcolumnoftheWestminsterCatechisms，althoughunacquaintedwiththeoutwardformofeitherofthosecelebratedworks。Butthatperversity，whichallchildrenhavemoreorlessof，andofwhichlittlePearlhadatenfoldportion，now，atthemostinopportunemoment，tookthoroughpossessionofher，andclosedherlips，orimpelledhertospeakwordsamiss。
　　Afterputtingherfingerinhermouth，withmanyungraciousrefusalstoanswergoodMr。Wilson’squestion，thechildfinallyannouncedthatshehadnotbeenmadeatall，buthadbeenpluckedbyhermotheroffthebushofwildrosesthatgrewbytheprison—door。
　　ThisfantasywasprobablysuggestedbythenearproximityoftheGovernor’sredroses，asPearlstoodoutsideofthewindow；togetherwithherrecollectionoftheprisonrose—bush，whichshehadpassedincominghither。
　　OldRogerChillingworth，withasmileonhisface，whisperedsomethingintheyoungclergyman’sear。HesterPrynnelookedatthemanofskill，andeventhen，withherfatehanginginthebalance，wasstartledtoperceivewhatachangehadcomeoverhisfeatures—howmuchugliertheywere—howhisdarkcomplexionseemedtohavegrownduskier，andhisfiguremoremisshapen—sincethedayswhenshehadfamiliarlyknownhim。Shemethiseyesforaninstant，butwasimmediatelyconstrainedtogiveallherattentiontothescenenowgoingforward。
　　"Thisisawful！"criedtheGovernor，slowlyrecoveringfromtheastonishmentintowhichPearl’sresponsehadthrownhim。"Hereisachildofthreeyearsold，andshecannottellwhomadeher！Withoutquestion，sheisequallyinthedarkastohersoul，itspresentdepravityandfuturedestiny！Methinks，gentlemen，weneedinquirenofurther！"
　　HestercaughtholdofPearl，anddrewherforciblyintoherarms，confrontingtheoldPuritanmagistratewithalmostafierceexpression。Aloneintheworld，castoffbyit，andwiththissoletreasuretokeepherheartalive，shefeltthatshepossessedindefeasiblerightsagainsttheworld，andwasreadytodefendthemtothedeath。
　　"Godgavemethechild！"criedshe。"Hegaveherinrequitalofallthingselse，whichyehadtakenfromme。Sheismyhappiness！—sheismytorture，nonetheless！Pearlkeepsmehereinlife！Pearlpunishesmetoo！Seeyenot，sheisthescarletletter，onlycapableofbeingloved，andsoendowedwithamillionfoldthepowerofretributionformysin？Yeshallnottakeher！Iwilldiefirst！"
　　"Mypoorwoman，"saidthenotunkindoldminister，"thechildshallbewellcaredfor！—farbetterthanthoucanstdoit！"
　　"Godgaveherintomykeeping，"repeatedHesterPrynne，raisinghervoicealmosttoashriek。"Iwillnotgiveherup！"—Andhere，byasuddenimpulse，sheturnedtotheyoungclergyman，Mr。
　　Dimmesdale，atwhom，uptothismoment，shehadseemedhardlysomuchasoncetodirecthereyes。—"Speakthouforme！"criedshe。
　　"Thouwastmypastor，andhadstchargeofmysoul，andknowestmebetterthanthesemencan。Iwillnotlosethechild！Speakforme！
　　Thouknowest—forthouhastsympathieswhichthesemenlack—thouknowestwhatisinmyheart，andwhatareamother’srights，andhowmuchthestrongertheyare，whenthatmotherhasbutherchildandthescarletletter！Lookthoutoit！Iwillnotlosethechild！Looktoit！"
　　Atthiswildandsingularappeal，whichindicatedthatHesterPrynne’ssituationhadprovokedhertolittlelessthanmadness，theyoungministeratoncecameforward，pale，andholdinghishandoverhisheart，aswashiscustomwheneverhispeculiarlynervoustemperamentwasthrownintoagitation。HelookednowmorecarewornandemaciatedthanaswedescribedhimatthesceneofHester’spublicignominy；andwhetheritwerehisfailinghealth，orwhateverthecausemightbe，hislargedarkeyeshadaworldofpainintheirtroubledandmelancholydepth。
　　"Thereistruthinwhatshesays，"begantheminister，withavoicesweet，tremulous，butpowerful，insomuchthatthehallre—echoed，andthehollowarmourrangwithit—"truthinwhatHestersays，andinthefeelingwhichinspiresher！Godgaveherthechild，andgaveher，too，aninstinctiveknowledgeofitsnatureandrequirements—bothseeminglysopeculiar—whichnoothermortalbeingcanpossess。And，moreover，istherenotaqualityofawfulsacrednessintherelationbetweenthismotherandthischild？"
　　"Ay！—howisthat，goodMasterDimmesdale？"interruptedtheGovernor。"Makethatplain，Iprayyou！"
　　"Itmustbeevenso，"resumedtheminister。"For，ifwedeemitotherwise，dowenottherebysaythattheHeavenlyFather，theCreatorofallflesh，hathlightlyrecognisedadeedofsin，andmadeofnoaccountthedistinctionbetweenunhallowedlustandholylove？Thischildofitsfather’sguiltanditsmother’sshamehathcomefromthehandofGod，toworkinmanywaysuponherheart，whopleadssoearnestly，andwithsuchbitternessofspirit，therighttokeepher。Itwasmeantforablessing；fortheoneblessingofherlife！Itwasmeant，doubtless，asthemotherherselfhathtoldus，foraretributiontoo；atorturetobefeltatmanyanunthought—ofmoment；apang，asting，anever—recurringagony，inthemidstofatroubledjoy！Hathshenotexpressedthisthoughtinthegarbofthepoorchild，soforciblyremindingusofthatredsymbolwhichsearsherbosom？"
　　"Wellsaidagain！"criedgoodMr。Wilson。"Ifearedthewomanhadnobetterthoughtthantomakeamountebankofherchild！"
　　"Oh，notso！—notso！"continuedMr。Dimmesdale。"Sherecognises，believeme，thesolemnmiraclewhichGodhathwrought，intheexistenceofthatchild。Andmayshefeel，too—what，methinks，istheverytruth—thatthisboonwasmeant，aboveallthingselse，tokeepthemother’ssoulalive，andtopreserveherfromblackerdepthsofsinintowhichSatanmightelsehavesoughttoplungeher！Thereforeitisgoodforthispoor，sinfulwomanthatshehathaninfantimmortality，abeingcapableofeternaljoyorsorrow，confidedtohercare—tobetrainedupbyhertorighteousness—toremindher，ateverymoment，ofherfall—butyettoteachher，asitwerebytheCreator’ssacredpledge，that，ifshebringthechildtoheaven，thechildalsowillbringitsparentthither！Hereinisthesinfulmotherhappierthanthesinfulfather。ForHesterPrynne’ssake，then，andnolessforthepoorchild’ssake，letusleavethemasProvidencehathseenfittoplacethem！"
　　"Youspeak，myfriend，withastrangeearnestness，"saidoldRogerChillingworth，smilingathim。
　　"Andthereisaweightyimportinwhatmyyoungbrotherhathspoken，"addedtheReverendMr。Wilson。"Whatsayyou，worshipfulMasterBellingham？Hathhenotpleadedwellforthepoorwoman？"
　　"Indeedhathhe，"answeredthemagistrate，"andhathadducedsucharguments，thatwewillevenleavethematterasitnowstands；solong，atleast，asthereshallbenofurtherscandalinthewoman。
　　Caremustbehad，nevertheless，toputthechildtodueandstatedexaminationinthecatechism，atthyhandsorMasterDimmesdale’s。
　　Moreover，ataproperseason，thetithing—menmusttakeheedthatshegobothtoschoolandtomeeting。"
　　Theyoungminister，onceasingtospeak，hadwithdrawnafewstepsfromthegroup，andstoodwithhisfacepartiallyconcealedintheheavyfoldsofthewindow—curtain；whiletheshadowofhisfigure，whichthesunlightcastuponthefloor，wastremulouswiththevehemenceofhisappeal。Pearl，thatwildandflightylittleelf，stolesoftlytowardshim，andtakinghishandinthegraspofbothherown，laidhercheekagainstit；acaresssotender，andwithalsounobtrusive，thathermother，whowaslookingon，askedherself，"IsthatmyPearl？"Yetsheknewthattherewasloveinthechild’sheart，althoughitmostlyrevealeditselfinpassion，andhardlytwiceinherlifetimehadbeensoftenedbysuchgentlenessasnow。Theminister—
　　for，savethelong—soughtregardsofwoman，nothingissweeterthanthesemarksofchildishpreference，accordedspontaneouslybyaspiritualinstinct，andthereforeseemingtoimplyinussomethingtrulyworthytobeloved—theministerlookedround，laidhishandonthechild’shead，hesitatedaninstant，andthenkissedherbrow。
　　LittlePearl’sunwontedmoodofsentimentlastednolonger；shelaughed，andwentcaperingdownthehall，soairily，thatoldMr。
　　Wilsonraisedaquestionwhetherevenhertiptoestouchedthefloor。
　　"Thelittlebaggagehadwitchcraftinher，Iprofess，"saidhetoMr。Dimmesdale。"Sheneedsnooldwoman’sbroomsticktoflywithal！"
　　"Astrangechild！"remarkedoldRogerChillingworth。"Itiseasytoseethemother’spartinher。Woulditbebeyondaphilosopher’sresearch，thinkye，gentlemen，toanalysethatchild’snature，and，fromitsmakeandmould，togiveashrewdguessatthefather？"
　　"Nay；itwouldbesinful，insuchaquestion，tofollowtheclewofprofanephilosophy，"saidMr。Wilson。"Bettertofastandprayuponit；andstillbetter，itmaybe，toleavethemysteryaswefindit，unlessProvidencerevealitofitsownaccord。Thereby，everygoodChristianmanhathatitletoshowafather’skindnesstowardsthepoor，desertedbabe。"
　　Theaffairbeingsosatisfactorilyconcluded，HesterPrynne，withPearl，departedfromthehouse。Astheydescendedthesteps，itisaverredthatthelatticeofachamber—windowwasthrownopen，andforthintothesunnydaywasthrustthefaceofMistressHibbins，GovernorBellingham’sbitter—temperedsister，andthesamewho，afewyearslater，wasexecutedasawitch。
　　"Hist，hist！"saidshe，whileherill—omenedphysiognomyseemedtocastashadowoverthecheerfulnewnessofthehouse。"Wiltthougowithusto—night？Therewillbeamerrycompanyintheforest；andI
　　well—nighpromisedtheBlackManthatcomelyHesterPrynneshouldmakeone。"
　　"Makemyexcusetohim，sopleaseyou！"answeredHester，withatriumphantsmile。"Imusttarryathome，andkeepwatchovermylittlePearl。Hadtheytakenherfromme，Iwouldwillinglyhavegonewiththeeintotheforest，andsignedmynameintheBlackMan’sbooktoo，andthatwithmineownblood！"
　　"Weshallhavetheethereanon！"saidthewitch—lady，frowning，asshedrewbackherhead。
　　Buthere—ifwesupposethisinterviewbetwixtMistressHibbinsandHesterPrynnetobeauthentic，andnotaparable—wasalreadyanillustrationoftheyoungminister’sargumentagainstsunderingtherelationofafallenmothertotheoffspringofherfrailty。EventhusearlyhadthechildsavedherfromSatan’ssnare。
　　IX。
　　THELEECH。
　　UNDERtheappellationofRogerChillingworth，thereaderwillremember，washiddenanothername，whichitsformerwearerhadresolvedshouldnevermorebespoken。Ithasbeenrelated，how，inthecrowdthatwitnessedHesterPrynne’signominiousexposure，stoodaman，elderly，travel—worn，who，justemergingfromtheperilouswilderness，beheldthewoman，inwhomhehopedtofindembodiedthewarmthandcheerfulnessofhome，setupasatypeofsinbeforethepeople。Hermatronlyfamewastroddenunderallmen’sfeet。Infamywasbabblingaroundherinthepublicmarket—place。Forherkindred，shouldthetidingseverreachthem，andforthecompanionsofherunspottedlife，thereremainednothingbutthecontagionofherdishonour；whichwouldnotfailtobedistributedinstrictaccordanceandproportionwiththeintimacyandsacrednessoftheirpreviousrelationship。Thenwhy—sincethechoicewaswithhimself—shouldtheindividual，whoseconnectionwiththefallenwomanhadbeenthemostintimateandsacredofthemall，comeforwardtovindicatehisclaimtoaninheritancesolittledesirable？Heresolvednottobepilloriedbesideheronherpedestalofshame。UnknowntoallbutHesterPrynne，andpossessingthelockandkeyofhersilence，hechosetowithdrawhisnamefromtherollofmankind，andasregardedhisformertiesandinterests，tovanishoutoflifeascompletelyasifheindeedlayatthebottomoftheocean，whitherrumourhadlongagoconsignedhim。Thispurposeonceeffected，newinterestswouldimmediatelyspringup，andlikewiseanewpurpose；dark，itistrue，ifnotguilty，butofforceenoughtoengagethefullstrengthofhisfaculties。
　　Inpursuanceofthisresolve，hetookuphisresidenceinthePuritantown，asRogerChillingworth，withoutotherintroductionthanthelearningandintelligenceofwhichhepossessedmorethanacommonmeasure。Ashisstudies，atapreviousperiodofhislife，hadmadehimextensivelyacquaintedwiththemedicalscienceoftheday，itwasasaphysicianthathepresentedhimself，andassuchwascordiallyreceived。Skilfulmen，ofthemedicalandchirurgicalprofession，wereofrareoccurrenceinthecolony。Theyseldom，itwouldappear，partookofthereligiouszealthatbroughtotheremigrantsacrosstheAtlantic。Intheirresearchesintothehumanframe，itmaybethatthehigherandmoresubtilefacultiesofsuchmenwerematerialised，andthattheylostthespiritualviewofexistenceamidtheintricaciesofthatwondrousmechanism，whichseemedtoinvolveartenoughtocomprisealloflifewithinitself。Atallevents，thehealthofthegoodtownofBoston，sofarasmedicinehadaughttodowithit，hadhithertolainintheguardianshipofanageddeaconandapothecary，whosepietyandgodlydeportmentwerestrongertestimonialsinhisfavourthananythathecouldhaveproducedintheshapeofadiploma。Theonlysurgeonwasonewhocombinedtheoccasionalexerciseofthatnobleartwiththedailyandhabitualflourishofarazor。TosuchaprofessionalbodyRogerChillingworthwasabrilliantacquisition。Hesoonmanifestedhisfamiliaritywiththeponderousandimposingmachineryofantiquephysic；inwhicheveryremedycontainedamultitudeoffar—fetchedandheterogeneousingredients，aselaboratelycompoundedasiftheproposedresulthadbeentheElixirofLife。InhisIndiancaptivity，moreover，hehadgainedmuchknowledgeofthepropertiesofnativeherbsandroots；nordidheconcealfromhispatients，thatthesesimplemedicines，Nature’sboontotheuntutoredsavage，hadquiteaslargeashareofhisownconfidenceastheEuropeanpharmacopoeia，whichsomanylearneddoctorshadspentcenturiesinelaborating。
　　Thislearnedstrangerwasexemplary，asregarded，atleast，theoutwardformsofareligiouslife，and，earlyafterhisarrival，hadchosenforhisspiritualguidetheReverendMr。Dimmesdale。Theyoungdivine，whosescholar—likerenownstilllivedinOxford，wasconsideredbyhismoreferventadmirersaslittlelessthanaheavenly—ordainedapostle，destined，shouldheliveandlabourfortheordinarytermoflife，todoasgreatdeedsforthenowfeebleNewEnglandChurch，astheearlyFathershadachievedfortheinfancyoftheChristianfaith。Aboutthisperiod，however，thehealthofMr。