Thetablewasliterallyloadedwithgoodcheer，andpresentedan
　　epitomeofcountryabundance，inthisseasonofoverflowinglarders。A
　　distinguishedpostwasallottedto"ancientsirloin，"asminehost
　　termedit；being，asheadded，"thestandardofoldEnglish
　　hospitality，andajointofgoodlypresence，andfullofexpectation。"
　　Therewereseveraldishesquaintlydecorated，andwhichhad
　　evidentlysomethingtraditionalintheirembellishments；butabout
　　which，asIdidnotliketoappearover—curious，Iaskednoquestions。
　　Icouldnot，however，butnoticeapie，magnificentlydecoratedwith
　　peacock’sfeathers，inimitationofthetailofthatbird，which
　　overshadowedaconsiderabletractofthetable。This，thesquire
　　confessed，withsomelittlehesitation，wasapheasantpie，thougha
　　peacockpiewascertainlythemostauthentical；buttherehadbeen
　　suchamortalityamongthepeacocksthisseason，thathecouldnot
　　prevailuponhimselftohaveonekilled。*
　　*Thepeacockwasancientlyingreatdemandforstately
　　entertainments。Sometimesitwasmadeintoapie，atoneendof
　　whichtheheadappearedabovethecrustinallitsplumage，withthe
　　beakrichlygilt；attheotherendthetailwasdisplayed。Suchpies
　　wereservedupatthesolemnbanquetsofchivalry，whenknights—errant
　　pledgedthemselvestoundertakeanyperilousenterprise，whencecame
　　theancientoath，usedbyjusticeShallow，"bycockandpie。"
　　ThepeacockwasalsoanimportantdishfortheChristmasfeast；
　　andMassinger，inhisCityMadam，givessomeideaofthe
　　extravagancewithwhichthis，aswellasotherdishes，wasprepared
　　forthegorgeousrevelsoftheoldentimes：—
　　MenmaytalkofCountryChristmasses，
　　Theirthirtypoundbutter’deggs，theirpiesofcarps’tongues；
　　Theirpheasantsdrench’dwithambergris；thecarcasesofthreefat
　　wethersbruisedforgravytomakesauceforasinglepeacock。
　　Itwouldbetedious，perhaps，tomywiserreaders，whomaynot
　　havethatfoolishfondnessforoddandobsoletethingstowhichIama
　　littlegiven，wereItomentiontheothermake—shiftsofthisworthy
　　oldhumorist，bywhichhewasendeavoringtofollowup，thoughat
　　humbledistance，thequaintcustomsofantiquity。Iwaspleased，
　　however，toseetherespectshowntohiswhimsbyhischildrenand
　　relatives；who，indeed，enteredreadilyintothefullspiritof
　　them，andseemedallwellversedintheirparts；havingdoubtlessbeen
　　presentatmanyarehearsal。Iwasamused，too，attheairofprofound
　　gravitywithwhichthebutlerandotherservantsexecutedtheduties
　　assignedthem，howevereccentric。Theyhadanold—fashionedlook；
　　having，forthemostpart，beenbroughtupinthehousehold，andgrown
　　intokeepingwiththeantiquatedmansion，andthehumorsofits
　　lord；andmostprobablylookeduponallhiswhimsicalregulationsas
　　theestablishedlawsofhonorablehousekeeping。
　　Whentheclothwasremoved，thebutlerbroughtinahugesilver
　　vesselofrareandcuriousworkmanship，whichheplacedbeforethe
　　squire。Itsappearancewashailedwithacclamation；beingthe
　　WassailBowl，sorenownedinChristmasfestivity。Thecontentshad
　　beenpreparedbythesquirehimself；foritwasabeverageinthe
　　skilfulmixtureofwhichheparticularlypridedhimself：allegingthat
　　itwastooabtruseandcomplexforthecomprehensionofanordinary
　　servant。Itwasapotation，indeed，thatmightwellmaketheheart
　　ofatoperleapwithinhim；beingcomposedoftherichestand
　　raciestwines，highlyspicedandsweetened，withroastedapples
　　bobbingaboutthesurface。*
　　*TheWassailBowlwassometimescomposedofaleinsteadofwine；
　　withnutmeg，sugar，toast，ginger，androastedcrabs；inthisway
　　thenut—brownbeverageisstillpreparedinsomeoldfamilies，and
　　roundthehearthsofsubstantialfarmersatChristmas。Itisalso
　　calledLamb’sWool，andiscelebratedbyHerrickinhisTwelfthNight：
　　Nextcrownethebowlefull
　　WithgentleLamb’sWool；
　　Addsugar，nutmeg，andginger
　　Withstoreofaletoo；
　　Andthusyemustdoe
　　TomaketheWassaileaswinger。
　　Theoldgentleman’swholecountenancebeamedwithaserenelookof
　　indwellingdelight，ashestirredthismightybowl。Havingraisedit
　　tohislips，withaheartywishofamerryChristmastoallpresent，
　　hesentitbrimmingroundtheboard，foreveryonetofollowhis
　　example，accordingtotheprimitivestyle；pronouncingit"theancient
　　fountainofgoodfeeling，whereallheartsmettogether。"*
　　*"Thecustomofdrinkingoutofthesamecupgaveplacetoeach
　　havinghiscup。WhenthestewardcametothedoorewiththeWassel，he
　　wastocrythreetimes，Wassel，Wassel，Wassel，andthenthe
　　chappell（chaplein）wastoanswerwithasong。"—ARCHAEOLOGIA。
　　Therewasmuchlaughingandrallyingasthehonestemblemof
　　Christmasjovialitycirculated，andwaskissedrathercoylybythe
　　ladies。WhenitreachedMasterSimon，heraiseditinbothhands，
　　andwiththeairofabooncompanionstruckupanoldWassailchanson。
　　Thebrownbowle，
　　Themerrybrownbowle，
　　Asitgoesroundabout—a，
　　Fill
　　Still，
　　Lettheworldsaywhatitwill，
　　Anddrinkyourfillallout—a。
　　Thedeepcanne，
　　Themerrydeepcanne，
　　Asthoudostfreelyquaff—a，
　　Sing
　　Fling，
　　Beasmerryasaking，
　　Andsoundalustylaugh—a。**FromPoorRobin’sAlmanac。
　　Muchoftheconversationduringdinnerturneduponfamilytopics，to
　　whichIwasastranger。Therewas，however，agreatdealofrallying
　　ofMasterSimonaboutsomegaywidow，withwhomhewasaccusedof
　　havingaflirtation。Thisattackwascommencedbytheladies；butit
　　wascontinuedthroughoutthedinnerbythefat—headedoldgentleman
　　nexttheparson，withtheperseveringassiduityofaslowhound；being
　　oneofthoselong—windedjokers，who，thoughratherdullatstarting
　　game，areunrivalledfortheirtalentsinhuntingitdown。Atevery
　　pauseinthegeneralconversation，herenewedhisbanteringin
　　prettymuchthesameterms；winkinghardatmewithbotheyes，
　　wheneverhegaveMasterSimonwhatheconsideredahomethrust。The
　　latter，indeed，seemedfondofbeingteasedonthesubject，asold
　　bachelorsareapttobe；andhetookoccasiontoinformme，inan
　　undertone，thattheladyinquestionwasaprodigiouslyfinewoman，
　　anddroveherowncurricle。
　　Thedinner—timepassedawayinthisflowofinnocenthilarity，
　　and，thoughtheoldhallmayhaveresoundedinitstimewithmanya
　　sceneofbroaderroutandrevel，yetIdoubtwhetheriteverwitnessed
　　morehonestandgenuineenjoyment。Howeasyitisforonebenevolent
　　beingtodiffusepleasurearoundhim；andhowtrulyisakindheart
　　afountainofgladness，makingeverythinginitsvicinityto
　　freshenintosmiles！thejoyousdispositionoftheworthysquirewas
　　perfectlycontagious；hewashappyhimself，anddisposedtomakeall
　　theworldhappy；andthelittleeccentricitiesofhishumordidbut
　　season，inamanner，thesweetnessofhisphilanthropy。
　　Whentheladieshadretired，theconversation，asusual，became
　　stillmoreanimated；manygoodthingswerebroachedwhichhadbeen
　　thoughtofduringdinner，butwhichwouldnotexactlydofora
　　lady’sear；andthoughIcannotpositivelyaffirmthattherewas
　　muchwituttered，yetIhavecertainlyheardmanycontestsofrarewit
　　producemuchlesslaughter。Wit，afterall，isamightytart，
　　pungentingredient，andmuchtooacidforsomestomachs；buthonest
　　goodhumoristheoilandwineofamerrymeeting，andthereisno
　　jovialcompanionshipequaltothatwherethejokesarerathersmall，
　　andthelaughterabundant。
　　Thesquiretoldseverallongstoriesofearlycollegepranksand
　　adventures，insomeofwhichtheparsonhadbeenasharer；thoughin
　　lookingatthelatter，itrequiredsomeeffortofimaginationto
　　figuresuchalittledarkanatomyofamanintotheperpetratorofa
　　madcapgambol。Indeed，thetwocollegechumspresentedpicturesof
　　whatmenmaybemadebytheirdifferentlotsinlife。Thesquirehad
　　lefttheuniversitytolivelustilyonhispaternaldomains，inthe
　　vigorousenjoymentofprosperityandsunshine，andhadflourishedon
　　toaheartyandfloridoldage；whilstthepoorparson，onthe
　　contrary，haddriedandwitheredaway，amongdustytomes，inthe
　　silenceandshadowsofhisstudy。Stillthereseemedtobeaspark
　　ofalmostextinguishedfire，feeblyglimmeringinthebottomofhis
　　soul；andasthesquirehintedataslystoryoftheparsonanda
　　prettymilkmaid，whomtheyoncemetonthebanksoftheIsis，the
　　oldgentlemanmadean"alphabetoffaces，"which，asfarasIcould
　　decipherhisphysiognomy，Iverilybelievewasindicativeof
　　laughter；—indeed，Ihaverarelymetwithanoldgentlemanthattook
　　absoluteoffenceattheimputedgallantriesofhisyouth。
　　Ifoundthetideofwineandwassailfastgainingonthedrylandof
　　soberjudgment。Thecompanygrewmerrierandlouderastheirjokes
　　grewduller。MasterSimonwasinaschirpingahumorasa
　　grasshopperfilledwithdew；hisoldsongsgrewofawarmer
　　complexion，andhebegantotalkmaudlinaboutthewidow。Heevengave
　　alongsongaboutthewooingofawidow，whichheinformedmehehad
　　gatheredfromanexcellentblack—letterwork，entitled"Cupid’s
　　SolicitorforLove，"containingstoreofgoodadviceforbachelors，
　　andwhichhepromisedtolendme：thefirstversewastothiseffect：
　　Hethatwillwooawidowmustnotdally，
　　Hemustmakehaywhilethesundothshine；
　　Hemustnotstandwithher，shallI，shallI，
　　ButboldlysayWidow，thoumustbemine。
　　Thissonginspiredthefat—headedoldgentleman，whomadeseveral
　　attemptstotellaratherbroadstoryoutofJoeMiller，thatwas
　　pattothepurpose；buthealwaysstuckinthemiddle，everybody
　　recollectingthelatterpartexceptinghimself。Theparson，too，began
　　toshowtheeffectsofgoodcheer，havinggraduallysettleddown
　　intoadoze，andhiswigsittingmostsuspiciouslyononeside。Just
　　atthisjunctureweweresummonedtothedrawing—room，and，Isuspect，
　　attheprivateinstigationofminehost，whosejovialityseemedalways
　　temperedwithaproperloveofdecorum。
　　Afterthedinnertablewasremoved，thehallwasgivenuptothe
　　youngermembersofthefamily，who，promptedtoallkindofnoisy
　　mirthbytheOxonianandMasterSimon，madeitsoldwallsringwith
　　theirmerriment，astheyplayedatrompinggames。Idelightin
　　witnessingthegambolsofchildren，andparticularlyatthishappy
　　holidayseason，andcouldnothelpstealingoutofthedrawing—roomon
　　hearingoneoftheirpealsoflaughter。Ifoundthematthegameof
　　blind—man’s—buff。MasterSimon，whowastheleaderoftheirrevels，
　　andseemedonalloccasionstofulfilltheofficeofthatancient
　　potentate，theLordofMisrule，*wasblindedinthemidstofthehall。
　　Thelittlebeingswereasbusyabouthimasthemockfairiesabout
　　Falstaff；pinchinghim，pluckingattheskirtsofhiscoat，and
　　ticklinghimwithstraws。Onefineblue—eyedgirlofaboutthirteen，
　　withherflaxenhairallinbeautifulconfusion，herfrolicfacein
　　aglow，herfrockhalftornoffhershoulders，acompletepictureofa
　　romp，wasthechieftormentor；and，fromtheslynesswithwhichMaster
　　Simonavoidedthesmallergame，andhemmedthiswildlittlenymphin
　　corners，andobligedhertojumpshriekingoverchairs，Isuspected
　　therogueofbeingnotawhitmoreblindedthanwasconvenient。
　　*AtChristmassetherewasintheKinge’shouse，wheresoeverheewas
　　lodged，alordeofmisrule，ormaysterofmeriedisportes，andthe
　　likehadyeinthehouseofeverynoblemanofhonor，orgood
　　worshippe，werehespirituallortemporall。—STOWE。
　　WhenIreturnedtothedrawing—room，Ifoundthecompanyseated
　　roundthefire，listeningtotheparson，whowasdeeplyensconcedina
　　high—backedoakenchair，theworkofsomecunningartificerofyore，
　　whichhadbeenbroughtfromthelibraryforhisparticular
　　accommodation。Fromthisvenerablepieceoffurniture，withwhich
　　hisshadowyfigureanddarkweazenfacesoadmirablyaccorded，he
　　wasdealingoutstrangeaccountsofthepopularsuperstitionsand
　　legendsofthesurroundingcountry，withwhichhehadbecome
　　acquaintedinthecourseofhisantiquarianresearches。Iamhalf
　　inclinedtothinkthattheoldgentlemanwashimselfsomewhat
　　tincturedwithsuperstition，asmenareveryapttobewholivea
　　recluseandstudiouslifeinasequesteredpartofthecountry，and
　　poreoverblack—lettertracts，sooftenfilledwiththemarvellousand
　　supernatural。Hegaveusseveralanecdotesofthefanciesofthe
　　neighboringpeasantry，concerningtheeffigyofthecrusader，which
　　layonthetombbythechurchaltar。Asitwastheonlymonumentof
　　thekindinthatpartofthecountry，ithadalwaysbeenregardedwith
　　feelingsofsuperstitionbythegoodwivesofthevillage。Itwassaid
　　togetupfromthetombandwalktheroundsofthechurch—yardin
　　stormynights，particularlywhenitthundered；andoneoldwoman，
　　whosecottageborderedonthechurch—yard，hadseenitthroughthe
　　windowsofthechurch，whenthemoonshone，slowlypacingupand
　　downtheaisles。Itwasthebeliefthatsomewronghadbeenleft
　　unredressedbythedeceased，orsometreasurehidden，whichkeptthe
　　spiritinastateoftroubleandrestlessness。Sometalkedofgoldand
　　jewelsburiedinthetomb，overwhichthespectrekeptwatch；and
　　therewasastorycurrentofasextoninoldtimes，whoendeavored
　　tobreakhiswaytothecoffinatnight，but，justashereachedit，
　　receivedaviolentblowfromthemarblehandoftheeffigy，which
　　stretchedhimsenselessonthepavement。Thesetaleswereoften
　　laughedatbysomeofthesturdieramongtherustics，yet，when
　　nightcameon，thereweremanyofthestoutestunbelieversthatwere
　　shyofventuringaloneinthefootpaththatledacrossthe
　　church—yard。
　　Fromtheseandotheranecdotesthatfollowed，thecrusader
　　appearedtobethefavoriteheroofghoststoriesthroughoutthe
　　vicinity。Hispicture，whichhungupinthehall，wasthoughtbythe
　　servantstohavesomethingsupernaturalaboutit；fortheyremarked
　　that，inwhateverpartofthehallyouwent，theeyesofthewarrior
　　werestillfixedonyou。Theoldporter’swife，too，atthelodge，who
　　hadbeenbornandbroughtupinthefamily，andwasagreatgossip
　　amongthemaidservants，affirmed，thatinheryoungdaysshehad
　　oftenheardsay，thatonMidsummereve，whenitwaswellknownall
　　kindsofghosts，goblins，andfairiesbecomevisibleandwalk
　　abroad，thecrusaderusedtomounthishorse，comedownfromhis
　　picture，rideaboutthehouse，downtheavenue，andsotothechurch
　　tovisitthetomb；onwhichoccasionthechurchdoormostcivilly
　　swungopenofitself；notthatheneededit；forherodethrough
　　closedgatesandevenstonewalls，andhadbeenseenbyoneofthe
　　dairymaidstopassbetweentwobarsofthegreatparkgate，making
　　himselfasthinasasheetofpaper。
　　AllthesesuperstitionsIfoundhadbeenverymuchcountenancedby
　　thesquire，who，thoughnotsuperstitioushimself，wasveryfondof
　　seeingothersso。Helistenedtoeverygoblintaleofthe
　　neighboringgossipswithinfinitegravity，andheldtheporter’s
　　wifeinhighfavoronaccountofhertalentforthemarvellous。Hewas
　　himselfagreatreaderofoldlegendsandromances，andoftenlamented
　　thathecouldnotbelieveinthem；forasuperstitiousperson，he
　　thought，mustliveinakindoffairyland。
　　Whilstwewereallattentiontotheparson’sstories，ourears
　　weresuddenlyassailedbyaburstofheterogeneoussoundsfromthe
　　hall，inwhichweremingledsomethingliketheclangofrude
　　minstrelsy，withtheuproarofmanysmallvoicesandgirlishlaughter。
　　Thedoorsuddenlyflewopen，andatraincametroopingintothe
　　room，thatmightalmosthavebeenmistakenforthebreakingupof
　　thecourtofFairy。Thatindefatigablespirit，MasterSimon，inthe
　　faithfuldischargeofhisdutiesaslordofmisrule，hadconceivedthe
　　ideaofaChristmasmummeryormasking；andhavingcalledintohis
　　assistancetheOxonianandtheyoungofficer，whowereequallyripe
　　foranythingthatshouldoccasionrompingandmerriment，theyhad
　　carrieditintoinstanteffect。Theoldhousekeeperhadbeen
　　consulted；theantiqueclothes—pressesandwardrobesrummaged，and
　　madetoyielduptherelicsoffinerythathadnotseenthelight
　　forseveralgenerations；theyoungerpartofthecompanyhadbeen
　　privatelyconvenedfromtheparlorandhall，andthewholehadbeen
　　bedizenedout，intoaburlesqueimitationofanantiquemask。*
　　*MaskingsormummerieswerefavoritesportsatChristmasinold
　　times；andthewardrobesathallsandmanor—houseswereoftenlaid
　　undercontributiontofurnishdressesandfantasticdisguisings。I
　　stronglysuspectMasterSimontohavetakentheideaofhisfromBen
　　Jonson’sMasqueofChristmas。
　　MasterSimonledthevan，as"AncientChristmas，"quaintly
　　apparelledinaruff，ashortcloak，whichhadverymuchtheaspectof
　　oneoftheoldhousekeeper’spetticoats，andahatthatmighthave
　　servedforavillagesteeple，andmustindubitablyhavefiguredinthe
　　daysoftheCovenanters。Fromunderthishisnosecurvedboldlyforth，
　　flushedwithafrost—bittenbloom，thatseemedtheverytrophyofa
　　Decemberblast。Hewasaccompaniedbytheblue—eyedromp，dishedupas
　　"DameMincePie，"inthevenerablemagnificenceofafadedbrocade，
　　longstomacher，peakedhat，andhigh—heeledshoes。Theyoungofficer
　　appearedasRobinHood，inasportingdressofKendalgreen，anda
　　foragingcapwithagoldtassel。
　　Thecostume，tobesure，didnotbeartestimonytodeepresearch，
　　andtherewasanevidenteyetothepicturesque，naturaltoayoung
　　gallantinthepresenceofhismistress。ThefairJuliahungonhis
　　arminaprettyrusticdress，as"MaidMarian。"Therestofthe
　　trainhadbeenmetamorphosedinvariousways；thegirlstrussedup
　　inthefineryoftheancientbellesoftheBracebridgeline，andthe
　　striplingsbewhiskeredwithburntcork，andgravelycladinbroad
　　skirts，hangingsleeves，andfull—bottomedwigs，torepresentthe
　　characterofRoastBeef，PlumPudding，andotherworthiescelebrated
　　inancientmaskings。ThewholewasunderthecontroloftheOxonian，
　　intheappropriatecharacterofMisrule；andIobservedthathe
　　exercisedratheramischievousswaywithhiswandoverthesmaller
　　personagesofthepageant。
　　Theirruptionofthismotleycrew，withbeatofdrum，accordingto
　　ancientcustom，wastheconsummationofuproarandmerriment。Master
　　Simoncoveredhimselfwithglorybythestatelinesswithwhich，as
　　AncientChristmas，hewalkedaminuetwiththepeerless，though
　　giggling，DameMincePie。Itwasfollowedbyadanceofallthe
　　characters，whichfromitsmedleyofcostumes，seemedasthoughthe
　　oldfamilyportraitshadskippeddownfromtheirframestojoininthe
　　sport。Differentcenturieswerefiguringatcrosshandsandright
　　andleft；thedarkageswerecuttingpirouettesandrigadoons；andthe
　　daysofQueenBessjiggingmerrilydownthemiddle，throughaline
　　ofsucceedinggenerations。
　　Theworthysquirecontemplatedthesefantasticsports，andthis
　　resurrectionofhisoldwardrobe，withthesimplerelishofchildish
　　delight。Hestoodchucklingandrubbinghishands，andscarcely
　　hearingawordtheparsonsaid，notwithstandingthatthelatterwas
　　discoursingmostauthenticallyontheancientandstatelydanceofthe
　　Pavon，orpeacock，fromwhichheconceivedtheminuettobe
　　derived。*Formypart，Iwasinacontinualexcitementfromthevaried
　　scenesofwhimandinnocentgayetypassingbeforeme。Itwasinspiring
　　toseewild—eyedfrolicandwarm—heartedhospitalitybreakingoutfrom
　　amongthechillsandloomsofwinter，andoldagethrowingoffhis
　　apathy，andcatchingoncemorethefreshnessofyouthfulenjoyment。
　　Ifeltalsoaninterestinthescene，fromtheconsiderationthat
　　thesefleetingcustomswerepassingfastintooblivion，andthat
　　thiswas，perhaps，theonlyfamilyinEnglandinwhichthewholeof
　　themwasstillpunctiliouslyobserved。Therewasaquaintness，too，
　　mingledwithallthisrevelry，thatgaveitapeculiarzest：itwas
　　suitedtothetimeandplace；andastheoldmanor—housealmostreeled
　　withmirthandwassail，itseemedechoingbackthejovialityoflong
　　departedyears。*（2）
　　*SirJohnHawkins，speakingofthedancecalledthePavon，from
　　pavo，apeacock，says，"Itisagraveandmajesticdance；themethod
　　ofdancingitancientlywasbygentlemendressedwithcapsandswords，
　　bythoseofthelongrobeintheirgowns，bythepeersintheir
　　mantles，andbytheladiesingownswithlongtrains，themotion
　　whereof，indancing，resembledthatofapeacock。"—HistoryofMusic。
　　*（2）Atthetimeofthefirstpublicationofthispaper，thepicture
　　ofanold—fashionedChristmasinthecountrywaspronouncedbysomeas
　　outofdate。Theauthorhadafterwardsanopportunityofwitnessing
　　almostallthecustomsabovedescribed，existinginunexpectedvigor
　　intheskirtsofDerbyshireandYorkshire，wherehepassedthe
　　Christmasholidays，Thereaderwillfindsomenoticeoftheminthe
　　author’saccountofhissojournatNewsteadAbbey。
　　ButenoughofChristmasanditsgambols；itistimeformeto
　　pauseinthisgarrulity。MethinksIhearthequestionsaskedbymy
　　graverreaders，"Towhatpurposeisallthis—howistheworldtobe
　　madewiserbythistalk？"Alas！istherenotwisdomenoughextant
　　fortheinstructionoftheworld？Andifnot，aretherenot
　　thousandsofablerpenslaboringforitsimprovement？—Itissomuch
　　pleasantertopleasethantoinstruct—toplaythecompanionrather
　　thanthepreceptor。
　　What，afterall，isthemiteofwisdomthatIcouldthrowintothe
　　massofknowledge；orhowamIsurethatmysagestdeductionsmaybe
　　safeguidesfortheopinionsofothers？Butinwritingtoamuse，if
　　Ifail，theonlyevilisinmyowndisappointment。If，however，I
　　canbyanyluckychance，inthesedaysofevil，ruboutonewrinkle
　　fromthebrowofcare，orbeguiletheheavyheartofonemomentof
　　sorrow；ifIcannowandthenpenetratethroughthegatheringfilm
　　ofmisanthropy，promptabenevolentviewofhumannature，andmake
　　myreadermoreingoodhumorwithhisfellowbeingsandhimself，
　　surely，surely，Ishallnotthenhavewrittenentirelyinvain。
　　THEEND