Inowturnedtomyfriendthesextontomakesomefurtherinquiries，
　　butIfoundhimsunkinpensivemeditation。Hisheadhaddeclineda
　　littleononeside；adeepsighheavedfromtheverybottomofhis
　　stomach；and，thoughIcouldnotseeateartremblinginhiseye，
　　yetamoisturewasevidentlystealingfromacornerofhismouth。I
　　followedthedirectionofhiseyethroughthedoorwhichstoodopen，
　　andfounditfixedwistfullyonthesavorybreastoflamb，roastingin
　　drippingrichnessbeforethefire。
　　Inowcalledtomindthat，intheeagernessofmyrecondite
　　investigation，Iwaskeepingthepoormanfromhisdinner。Mybowels
　　yearnedwithsympathy，and，puttinginhishandasmalltokenofmy
　　gratitudeandgoodness，Ideparted，withaheartybenedictionon
　　him，DameHoneyball，andtheParishClubofCrookedLane；—not
　　forgettingmyshabby，butsententiousfriend，intheoil—clothhatand
　　coppernose。
　　ThushaveIgivena"tediousbrief"accountofthisinteresting
　　research，forwhich，ifitprovetooshortandunsatisfactory，Ican
　　onlypleadmyinexperienceinthisbranchofliterature，sodeservedly
　　popularatthepresentday。Iamawarethatamoreskilfulillustrator
　　oftheimmortalbardwouldhaveswelledthematerialsIhavetouched
　　upon，toagoodmerchantablebulk；comprisingthebiographiesof
　　WilliamWalworth，JackStraw，andRobertPreston；somenoticeofthe
　　eminentfishmongersofSt。Michael’s；thehistoryofEastcheap，
　　greatandlittle；privateanecdotesofDameHoneyball，andher
　　prettydaughter，whomIhavenotevenmentioned；tosaynothingofa
　　damseltendingthebreastoflamb，（andwhom，bytheway，Iremarked
　　tobeacomelylass，withaneatfootandankle；）—thewholeenlivened
　　bytheriotsofWatTyler，andilluminatedbythegreatfireof
　　London。
　　AllthisIleave，asarichmine，tobeworkedbyfuture
　　commentators；nordoIdespairofseeingthetobacco—box，andthe
　　"parcel—giltgoblet，"whichIhavethusbroughttolight，thesubjects
　　offutureengravings，andalmostasfruitfulofvoluminous
　　dissertationsanddisputesastheshieldofAchilles，orthefar—famed
　　Portlandvase。
　　THEEND。
　　1819—20
　　THESKETCHBOOK
　　THEBROKENHEART
　　byWashingtonIrving
　　Ineverheard
　　Ofanytrueaffection，but’twasnipt
　　Withcare，that，likethecaterpillar，eats
　　Theleavesofthespring’ssweetestbook，therose。
　　MIDDLETON。
　　ITISacommonpracticewiththosewhohaveoutlivedthe
　　susceptibilityofearlyfeeling，orhavebeenbroughtupinthegay
　　heartlessnessofdissipatedlife，tolaughatalllovestories，andto
　　treatthetalesofromanticpassionasmerefictionsofnovelists
　　andpoets。Myobservationsonhumannaturehaveinducedmetothink
　　otherwise。Theyhaveconvincedme，thathoweverthesurfaceofthe
　　charactermaybechilledandfrozenbythecaresoftheworld，or
　　cultivatedintomeresmilesbytheartsofsociety，stillthereare
　　dormantfireslurkinginthedepthsofthecoldestbosom，which，
　　whenonceenkindled，becomeimpetuous，andaresometimesdesolatingin
　　theireffects。Indeed，Iamatruebelieverintheblinddeity，andgo
　　tothefullextentofhisdoctrines。ShallIconfessit？—Ibelievein
　　brokenhearts，andthepossibilityofdyingofdisappointedlove。Ido
　　not，however，consideritamaladyoftenfataltomyownsex；butI
　　firmlybelievethatitwithersdownmanyalovelywomanintoan
　　earlygrave。
　　Manisthecreatureofinterestandambition。Hisnatureleadshim
　　forthintothestruggleandbustleoftheworld。Loveisbutthe
　　embellishmentofhisearlylife，orasongpipedintheintervalsof
　　theacts。Heseeksforfame，forfortune，forspaceintheworld’s
　　thought，anddominionoverhisfellow—men。Butawoman’swholelifeis
　　ahistoryoftheaffections。Theheartisherworld：itisthereher
　　ambitionstrivesforempire；itisthereheravariceseeksfor
　　hiddentreasures。Shesendsforthhersympathiesonadventure；she
　　embarksherwholesoulinthetrafficofaffection；andif
　　shipwrecked，hercaseishopeless—foritisabankruptcyofthe
　　heart。
　　Toamanthedisappointmentoflovemayoccasionsomebitter
　　pangs：itwoundssomefeelingsoftenderness—itblastssomeprospects
　　offelicity；butheisanactivebeing—hemaydissipatehis
　　thoughtsinthewhirlofvariedoccupation，ormayplungeintothe
　　tideofpleasure；or，ifthesceneofdisappointmentbetoofullof
　　painfulassociations，hecanshifthisabodeatwill，andtakingasit
　　werethewingsofthemorning，can"flytotheuttermostpartsof
　　theearth，andbeatrest。"
　　Butwoman’siscomparativelyafixed，asecluded，andmeditative
　　life。Sheismorethecompanionofherownthoughtsandfeelings；
　　andiftheyareturnedtoministersofsorrow，whereshallshelook
　　forconsolation？Herlotistobewooedandwon；andifunhappyinher
　　love，herheartislikesomefortressthathasbeencaptured，and
　　sacked，andabandoned，andleftdesolate。
　　Howmanybrighteyesgrowdim—howmanysoftcheeksgrowpale—how
　　manylovelyformsfadeawayintothetomb，andnonecantellthecause
　　thatblightedtheirloveliness！Asthedovewillclaspitswingsto
　　itsside，andcoverandconcealthearrowthatispreyingonits
　　vitals，soisitthenatureofwomantohidefromtheworldthe
　　pangsofwoundedaffection。Theloveofadelicatefemaleisalways
　　shyandsilent。Evenwhenfortunate，shescarcelybreathesitto
　　herself；butwhenotherwise，sheburiesitintherecessesofher
　　bosom，andthereletsitcowerandbroodamongtheruinsofherpeace。
　　Withherthedesireofthehearthasfailed。Thegreatcharmof
　　existenceisatanend。Sheneglectsallthecheerfulexercises
　　whichgladdenthespirits，quickenthepulses，andsendthetideof
　　lifeinhealthfulcurrentsthroughtheveins。Herrestisbroken—
　　thesweetrefreshmentofsleepispoisonedbymelancholydreams—
　　"drysorrowdrinksherblood，"untilherenfeebledframesinksunder
　　theslightestexternalinjury。Lookforher，afteralittlewhile，and
　　youfindfriendshipweepingoverheruntimelygrave，andwondering
　　thatone，whobutlatelyglowedwithalltheradianceofhealthand
　　beauty，shouldsospeedilybebroughtdownto"darknessandtheworm。"
　　Youwillbetoldofsomewintrychill，somecasualindisposition，that
　　laidherlow；—butnooneknowsofthementalmaladywhich
　　previouslysappedherstrength，andmadehersoeasyapreytothe
　　spoiler。
　　Sheislikesometendertree，theprideandbeautyofthegrove；
　　gracefulinitsform，brightinitsfoliage，butwiththewormpreying
　　atitsheart。Wefinditsuddenlywithering，whenitshouldbemost
　　freshandluxuriant。Weseeitdroopingitsbranchestotheearth，and
　　sheddingleafbyleaf，until，wastedandperishedaway，itfalls
　　eveninthestillnessoftheforest；andaswemuseoverthebeautiful
　　ruin，westriveinvaintorecollecttheblastorthunderboltthat
　　couldhavesmittenitwithdecay。
　　Ihaveseenmanyinstancesofwomenrunningtowasteandself—
　　neglect，anddisappearinggraduallyfromtheearth，almostasif
　　theyhadbeenexhaledtoheaven；andhaverepeatedlyfanciedthatI
　　couldtracetheirdeaththroughthevariousdeclensionsof
　　consumption，cold，debility，languor，melancholy，untilIreached
　　thefirstsymptomofdisappointedlove。Butaninstanceofthekind
　　waslatelytoldtome；thecircumstancesarewellknowninthecountry
　　wheretheyhappened，andIshallbutgivetheminthemannerin
　　whichtheywererelated。
　　patriot；itwastootouchingtobesoonforgotten。Duringthetroubles
　　inIreland，hewastried，condemned，andexecuted，onachargeof
　　treason。Hisfatemadeadeepimpressiononpublicsympathy。Hewasso
　　young—sointelligent—sogenerous—sobrave—soeverythingthatwe
　　areapttolikeinayoungman。Hisconductundertrial，too，wasso
　　loftyandintrepid。Thenobleindignationwithwhichherepelledthe
　　chargeoftreasonagainsthiscountry—theeloquentvindicationofhis
　　name—andhispatheticappealtoposterity，inthehopelesshourof
　　condemnation—alltheseentereddeeplyintoeverygenerousbosom，and
　　evenhisenemieslamentedthesternpolicythatdictatedhis
　　execution。
　　Buttherewasoneheart，whoseanguishitwouldbeimpossibleto
　　describe。Inhappierdaysandfairerfortunes，hehadwonthe
　　affectionsofabeautifulandinterestinggirl，thedaughterofalate
　　celebratedIrishbarrister。Shelovedhimwiththedisinterested
　　fervorofawoman’sfirstandearlylove。Wheneveryworldlymaxim
　　arrayeditselfagainsthim；whenblastedinfortune，anddisgrace
　　anddangerdarkenedaroundhisname，shelovedhimthemoreardently
　　forhisverysufferings。If，then，hisfatecouldawakenthe
　　sympathyevenofhisfoes，whatmusthavebeentheagonyofher，whose
　　wholesoulwasoccupiedbyhisimage！Letthosetellwhohavehad
　　theportalsofthetombsuddenlyclosedbetweenthemandthebeing
　　theymostlovedonearth—whohavesatatitsthreshold，asoneshut
　　outinacoldandlonelyworld，whenceallthatwasmostlovelyand
　　lovinghaddeparted。
　　Butthenthehorrorsofsuchagrave！sofrightful，sodishonored！
　　therewasnothingformemorytodwellonthatcouldsoothethepangof
　　separation—noneofthosetenderthoughmelancholycircumstances，
　　whichendearthepartingscene—nothingtomeltsorrowintothose
　　blessedtears，sentlikethedewsofheaven，torevivetheheartin
　　thepartinghourofanguish。
　　Torenderherwidowedsituationmoredesolate，shehadincurred
　　herfather’sdispleasurebyherunfortunateattachment，andwasan
　　exilefromthepaternalroof。Butcouldthesympathyandkind
　　officesoffriendshavereachedaspiritsoshockedanddriveninby
　　horror，shewouldhaveexperiencednowantofconsolation，forthe
　　Irishareapeopleofquickandgeneroussensibilities。Themost
　　delicateandcherishingattentionswerepaidherbyfamiliesofwealth
　　anddistinction。Shewasledintosociety，andtheytriedbyallkinds
　　ofoccupationandamusementtodissipatehergrief，andweanher
　　fromthetragicalstoryofherloves。Butitwasallinvain。There
　　aresomestrokesofcalamitywhichscatheandscorchthesoul—which
　　penetratetothevitalseatofhappiness—andblastit，neveragainto
　　putforthbudorblossom。Sheneverobjectedtofrequentthehauntsof
　　pleasure，butwasasmuchalonethereasinthedepthsofsolitude；
　　walkingaboutinasadreverie，apparentlyunconsciousoftheworld
　　aroundher。Shecarriedwithheraninwardwoethatmockedatall
　　theblandishmentsoffriendship，and"heedednotthesongofthe
　　charmer，charmheneversowisely。"
　　Thepersonwhotoldmeherstoryhadseenheratamasquerade。There
　　canbenoexhibitionoffar—gonewretchednessmorestrikingand
　　painfulthantomeetitinsuchascene。Tofinditwanderinglikea
　　spectre，lonelyandjoyless，whereallaroundisgay—toseeit
　　dressedoutinthetrappingsofmirth，andlookingsowanand
　　wobegone，asifithadtriedinvaintocheatthepoorheartintoa
　　momentaryforgetfulnessofsorrow。Afterstrollingthroughthe
　　splendidroomsandgiddycrowdwithanairofutterabstraction，she
　　satherselfdownonthestepsofanorchestra，and，lookingabout
　　forsometimewithavacantair，thatshowedherinsensibilityto
　　thegarishscene，shebegan，withthecapriciousnessofasickly
　　heart，towarblealittleplaintiveair。Shehadanexquisitevoice；
　　butonthisoccasionitwassosimple，sotouching，itbreathed
　　forthsuchasoulofwretchedness，thatshedrewacrowdmuteand
　　silentaroundher，andmeltedeveryoneintotears。
　　Thestoryofonesotrueandtendercouldnotbutexcitegreat
　　interestinacountryremarkableforenthusiasm。Itcompletelywonthe
　　heartofabraveofficer，whopaidhisaddressestoher，andthought
　　thatonesotruetothedeadcouldnotbutproveaffectionatetothe
　　living。Shedeclinedhisattentions，forherthoughtswereirrevocably
　　engrossedbythememoryofherformerlover。He，however，persistedin
　　hissuit。Hesolicitednothertenderness，butheresteem。Hewas
　　assistedbyherconvictionofhisworth，andhersenseofherown
　　destituteanddependentsituation，forshewasexistingonthe
　　kindnessoffriends。Inaword，heatlengthsucceededingaining
　　herhand，thoughwiththesolemnassurance，thatherheartwas
　　unalterablyanother’s。
　　HetookherwithhimtoSicily，hopingthatachangeofscene
　　mightwearouttheremembranceofearlywoes。Shewasanamiableand
　　exemplarywife，andmadeanefforttobeahappyone；butnothing
　　couldcurethesilentanddevouringmelancholythathadenteredinto
　　herverysoul。Shewastedawayinaslow，buthopelessdecline，andat
　　lengthsunkintothegrave，thevictimofabrokenheart。
　　ItwasonherthatMoore，thedistinguishedIrishpoet，composedthe
　　followinglines：
　　Sheisfarfromthelandwhereheryoungherosleeps，
　　Andloversaroundheraresighing：
　　Butcoldlysheturnsfromtheirgaze，andweeps，
　　Forherheartinhisgraveislying。
　　Shesingsthewildsongsofherdearnativeplains，
　　Everynotewhichhelovedawaking—
　　Ah！littletheythink，whodelightinherstrains，
　　Howtheheartoftheminstrelisbreaking！
　　Hehadlivedforhislove—forhiscountryhedied，
　　Theywereallthattolifehadentwinedhim—
　　Norsoonshallthetearsofhiscountrybedried，
　　Norlongwillhislovestaybehindhim！
　　Oh！makeheragravewherethesunbeamsrest，
　　Wheretheypromiseagloriousmorrow；
　　They’llshineo’erhersleep，likeasmilefromthewest，
　　Fromherownlovedislandofsorrow！
　　THEEND。
　　1819—20
　　THESKETCHBOOK
　　THECHRISTMASDINNER
　　byWashingtonIrving
　　Lo，nowiscomeourjoyful’stfeast！
　　Leteverymanbejolly，
　　Eacheroomewithyvieleavesisdrest，
　　Andeverypostwithholly。
　　Nowallourneighbours’chimneyssmoke，
　　AndChristmasblocksareburning；
　　Theirovenstheywithbak’tmeatschoke
　　Andalltheirspitsareturning。
　　Withoutthedoorletsorrowlie，
　　Andif，forcold，ithaptodie，
　　Wee’lebury’tinaChristmaspye，
　　Andevermorebemerry。
　　WITHERS’JUVENILIA。
　　IHADfinishedmytoilet，andwasloiteringwithFrankBracebridge
　　inthelibrary，whenweheardadistantthwackingsound，whichhe
　　informedmewasasignalfortheservingupofthedinner。The
　　squirekeptupoldcustomsinkitchenaswellashall；andthe
　　rolling—pin，struckuponthedresserbythecook，summonedthe
　　servantstocarryinthemeats。
　　Justinthisnickthecookknock’dthrice，
　　Andallthewaitersinatrice
　　Hissummonsdidobey；
　　Eachservingman，withdishinhand，
　　March’dboldlyup，likeourtrainband，
　　Presented，andaway。**SirJohnSuckling。
　　Thedinnerwasservedupinthegreathall，wherethesquire
　　alwaysheldhisChristmasbanquet。Ablazingcracklingfireoflogs
　　hadbeenheapedontowarmthespaciousapartment，andtheflame
　　wentsparklingandwreathingupthewide—mouthedchimney。Thegreat
　　pictureofthecrusaderandhiswhitehorsehadbeenprofusely
　　decoratedwithgreensfortheoccasion；andhollyandivyhadlikewise
　　beenwreathedroundthehelmetandweaponsontheoppositewall，which
　　Iunderstoodwerethearmsofthesamewarrior。Imustown，bytheby，
　　Ihadstrongdoubtsabouttheauthenticityofthepaintingandarmor
　　ashavingbelongedtothecrusader，theycertainlyhavingthestamp
　　ofmorerecentdays；butIwastoldthatthepaintinghadbeenso
　　consideredtimeoutofmind；andthat，astothearmor，ithadbeen
　　foundinalumber—room，andelevatedtoitspresentsituationbythe
　　squire，whoatoncedeterminedittobethearmorofthefamily
　　hero；andashewasabsoluteauthorityonallsuchsubjectsinhisown
　　household，thematterhadpassedintocurrentacceptation。Asideboard
　　wassetoutjustunderthischivalrictrophy，onwhichwasadisplay
　　ofplatethatmighthavevied（atleastinvariety）with
　　Belshazzar’sparadeofthevesselsofthetemple："flagons，cans，
　　cups，beakers，goblets，basins，andewers；"thegorgeousutensilsof
　　goodcompanionshipthathadgraduallyaccumulatedthroughmany
　　generationsofjovialhousekeepers。BeforethesestoodthetwoYule
　　candles，beamingliketwostarsofthefirstmagnitude；otherlights
　　weredistributedinbranches，andthewholearrayglitteredlikea
　　firmamentofsilver。
　　Wewereusheredintothisbanquetingscenewiththesoundof
　　minstrelsy，theoldharperbeingseatedonastoolbesidethe
　　fireplace，andtwanginghisinstrumentwithavastdealmorepower
　　thanmelody。NeverdidChristmasboarddisplayamoregoodlyand
　　graciousassemblageofcountenances；thosewhowerenothandsomewere，
　　atleast，happy；andhappinessisarareimproverofyourhard—favored
　　visage。IalwaysconsideranoldEnglishfamilyaswellworthstudying
　　asacollectionofHolbein’sportraitsorAlbertDurer’sprints。There
　　ismuchantiquarianloretobeacquired；muchknowledgeofthe
　　physiognomiesofformertimes。Perhapsitmaybefromhaving
　　continuallybeforetheireyesthoserowsofoldfamilyportraits，with
　　whichthemansionsofthiscountryarestocked；certainitis，that
　　thequaintfeaturesofantiquityareoftenmostfaithfullyperpetuated
　　intheseancientlines；andIhavetracedanoldfamilynosethrougha
　　wholepicturegallery，legitimatelyhandeddownfromgenerationto
　　generation，almostfromthetimeoftheConquest。Somethingofthe
　　kindwastobeobservedintheworthycompanyaroundme。Manyoftheir
　　faceshadevidentlyoriginatedinaGothicage，andbeenmerelycopied
　　bysucceedinggenerations；andtherewasonelittlegirlin
　　particular，ofstaiddemeanor，withahighRomannose，andan
　　antiquevinegaraspect，whowasagreatfavoriteofthesquire’s，
　　being，ashesaid，aBracebridgeallover，andtheverycounterpartof
　　oneofhisancestorswhofiguredinthecourtofHenryVIII。
　　Theparsonsaidgrace，whichwasnotashortfamiliarone，suchas
　　iscommonlyaddressedtotheDeityintheseunceremoniousdays；but
　　along，courtly，well—wordedoneoftheancientschool。Therewas
　　nowapause，asifsomethingwasexpected；whensuddenlythebutler
　　enteredthehallwithsomedegreeofbustle：hewasattendedbya
　　servantoneachsidewithalargewax—light，andboreasilverdish，
　　onwhichwasanenormouspig’shead，decoratedwithrosemary，witha
　　lemoninitsmouth，whichwasplacedwithgreatformalityatthe
　　headofthetable。Themomentthispageantmadeitsappearance，the
　　harperstruckupaflourish；attheconclusionofwhichtheyoung
　　Oxonian，onreceivingahintfromthesquire，gave，withanairofthe
　　mostcomicgravity，anoldcarol，thefirstverseofwhichwasas
　　follows：
　　Caputapridefero
　　ReddenslaudesDomino。
　　Theboar’sheadinhandbringI，
　　Withgarlandsgayandrosemary。
　　Iprayyouallsyngemerrily
　　Quiestisinconvivio。
　　Thoughpreparedtowitnessmanyoftheselittleeccentricities，from
　　beingapprisedofthepeculiarhobbyofminehost；yet，Iconfess，the
　　paradewithwhichsooddadishwasintroducedsomewhatperplexed
　　me，untilIgatheredfromtheconversationofthesquireandthe
　　parson，thatitwasmeanttorepresentthebringinginoftheboar’s
　　head；adishformerlyservedupwithmuchceremonyandthesoundof
　　minstrelsyandsong，atgreattables，onChristmasday。"Ilikethe
　　oldcustom，"saidthesquire，"notmerelybecauseitisstatelyand
　　pleasinginitself，butbecauseitwasobservedatthecollegeat
　　OxfordatwhichIwaseducated。WhenIheartheoldsongchanted，it
　　bringstomindthetimewhenIwasyoungandgamesome—andthenoble
　　oldcollegehall—andmyfellow—studentsloiteringaboutintheir
　　blackgowns；manyofwhom，poorlads，arenowintheirgraves！"
　　Theparson，however，whosemindwasnothauntedbysuch
　　associations，andwhowasalwaysmoretakenupwiththetextthan
　　thesentiment，objectedtotheOxonian’sversionofthecarol；which
　　heaffirmedwasdifferentfromthatsungatcollege。Hewenton，
　　withthedryperseveranceofacommentator，togivethecollege
　　reading，accompaniedbysundryannotations；addressinghimselfat
　　firsttothecompanyatlarge；butfindingtheirattentiongradually
　　divertedtoothertalkandotherobjects，heloweredhistoneashis
　　numberofauditorsdiminished，untilheconcludedhisremarksinan
　　undervoice，toafat—headedoldgentlemannexthim，whowas
　　silentlyengagedinthediscussionofahugeplatefulofturkey。*
　　*Theoldceremonyofservinguptheboar’sheadonChristmasdayis
　　stillobservedinthehallofQueen’sCollege，Oxford。Iwasfavored
　　bytheparsonwithacopyofthecarolasnowsung，andasitmaybe
　　acceptabletosuchofmyreadersasarecuriousinthesegraveand
　　learnedmatters，Igiveitentire。
　　Theboar’sheadinhandbearI，
　　Bedeck’dwithbaysandrosemary；
　　AndIprayyou，mymasters，bemerry
　　Quotestisinconvivio。
　　Caputapridefero，
　　Reddenslaudesdomino。
　　Theboar’shead，asIunderstand，
　　Istherarestdishinallthisland，
　　Whichthusbedeck’dwithagaygarland
　　Letusservirecantico。
　　Caputapridefero，etc。
　　Ourstewardhathprovidedthis
　　InhonoroftheKingofBliss，
　　Whichonthisdaytobeservedis
　　InReginensiAtrio。
　　Caputapridefero，
　　etc。，etc。，etc。