Hedidnotcaresomuchforpopularityasforthepraiseofhisfriends。
Ifhelikedyouhewishedyounotonlytolikewhathewrote，buttosayso。Hewashimselfmostcordialinhisrecognitionofthethingsthatpleasedhim。Whathappenedtomefromhim，happenedtoothers，andIamonlydescribinghiscommonhabitwhenIsaythatnothingIdidtohislikingfailedtobringmeaspokenoroftenerawrittenacknowledgment。
Thiscontinuedtothelatestyearsofhislifewhentheefforteventogivesuchpleasuremusthavecosthimaphysicalpang。
Hewasofaverycatholictaste；andhewasapttobecarriedawaybyalittletouchoflifeorhumor，andtoovervaluethepieceinwhichhefoundit；but，mainlyhisjudgmentsoflettersandmenwerejust。
OneofthedangersofscholarshipwasapeculiardangerintheCambridgekeeping，butLowellwasalmostasaverseasLongfellowfromcontempt。
Hecouldsnub，andpitilessly，wherehethoughttherewaspresumptionandapparentlysometimesmerelybecausehewasinthemood；butIcannotrememberevertohaveheardhimsneer。Hewasoftenwonderfullypatientoftiresomepeople，andsometimescelestiallyinsensibletovulgarity。
Inspiteofhisreserve，hereallywishedpeopletolikehim；hewaskeenlyalivetoneighborlygood—willorill—will；andwhentherewasaquestionofwideningElmwoodavenuebytakingpartofhisgrounds，hewaskeenlyhurtbyhearingthatsomeonewholivednearhimhadsaidhehopedthecitywouldcutdownLowell’selms：hisEnglishelms，whichhisfatherhadplanted，andwithwhichhewashimselfalmostoneblood！
VIII。
IntheperiodofwhichIamspeaking，Lowellwasconstantlywritingandprettyconstantlyprinting，thoughstillthesuperstitionheldthathewasanidleman。Tothistimebelongsthepublicationofsomeofhisfinestpoems，ifnottheirinception：therewerecasesinwhichtheirinceptiondatedfarback，eventotenortwentyyears。Hewrotehispoemsataheat，andthemanuscriptwhichcametomeforthemagazinewasusuallythefirstdraft，verylittlecorrected。Butifthecoldfittookhimquicklyitmightholdhimsofastthathewouldleavethepoeminabeyancetillhecouldslowlylivebacktoalikingforit。
Themostofhisbestprosebelongstothetimebetween1866and1874，andtothistimeweowetheseveralvolumesofessaysandcriticismscalled’AmongMyBooks’and’MyStudyWindows’。Hewishedtonamethesemoresoberly，butattheurgenceofhispublishershegavethemtitleswhichtheythoughtwouldbeattractivetothepublic，thoughhefeltthattheytookfromthedignityofhiswork。Hewasnotagoodbusinessmaninaliteraryway，hesubmittedtoothers’judgmentinallsuchmatters。
Idoubtifheeverputapriceuponanythinghesold，andIdaresayhewasusuallysurprisedatthelargenessofthepricepaidhim；butsometimesifhisneedwasforalargersum，hethoughtittoolittle，withoutreferencetoformerpayments。ThishappenedwithalongpoemintheAtlantic，whichIhadurgedthecounting—roomauthoritiestodealhandsomelywithhimfor。Ididnotknowhowmanyhundredtheygavehim，andwhenImethimIventuredtoexpressthehopethatthepublishershaddonetheirpart。Heheldupfourfingers，\"Quattro，\"hesaidinItalian，andthenaddedwithadisappointmentwhichhetriedtosmileaway，\"Ithoughttheymighthavemadeitcinque。\"
BetweenmeandmeIthoughtquattroverywell，butprobablyLowellhadinmindsomeendwhichcinquewouldhavefittedbetter。Itwasprettysuretobeanunselfishend，apleasuretosomeonedeartohim，agiftthathehadwishedtomake。LongafterwardswhenIhadbeenthemeansofgettinghimcinqueforapoemone—tenththelength，hespokeofthepaymenttome。\"Itcameveryhandily；Ihadbeenwantingtogiveawatch。\"
IdonotbelieveatanytimeLowellwasabletodealwithmoney\"Likewealthymen，notknowingwhattheygive。\"
moreprobablyhefeltasacrednessinthemoneygotbyliterature，whichtheliterarymanneverquiteridshimselfof，evenwhenheisnotapoet，andwhichmadehimwishtodedicateittosomethingfinerthantheeverydayuses。Helivedveryquietly，buthehadbynomeansmorethanheneededtoliveupon，andatthattimehehadpecuniarylosses。Hewaswritinghard，andwasdoingfullworkinhisHarvardprofessorship，andhewassofardependentuponhissalary，thathefeltitsabsencefortheyearhewentabroad。Idonotknowquitehowtoexpressmysenseofsomethingunworldly，ofsomethingalmostwomanlikeinhisrelationtomoney。
Hewasnotonlygenerousofmoney，buthewasgenerousofhimself，whenhethoughthecouldbeofuse，ormerelyofencouragement。HecameallthewayintoBostontohearcertainlecturesofmineontheItalianpoets，whichhecouldnothavefoundeitheredifyingoramusing，thathemighttestifyhisinterestinme，andshowotherpeoplethattheywereworthcomingto。Hewouldgocarefullyoverapoemwithme，wordbyword，andcriticiseeveryturnofphrase，andafterallbemagnanimouslytolerantofmystickingtophrasingsthathedisliked。Inacertainline\"Thesilvernchordsofthepianotrembled，\"
heobjectedtosilvern。Whynotsilver？Iallegedleathern，golden，andlikeadjectivesindefenceofmyword；butstillhefoundanaffectationinit，andsufferedittostandwithextremereluctance。Anotherlineofanotherpiece：
\"Andwhatshewould，wouldratherthatshewouldnot\"
hewouldbynomeanssuffer。Hesaidthatthestressfallingonthelastwordmadeit\"public—schoolEnglish，\"andhemockeditwiththeansweramaidhadlatelygivenhimwhenheaskedifthemasterofthehousewasathome。Shesaid，\"No，sir，heisnot，\"whensheoughttohavesaid\"No，sir，heisn’t。\"HewasappeasedwhenIcamebackthenextdaywiththestanzaamendedsothattheversecouldread：
\"Andwhatshewould，wouldrathershewouldnotso\"
butIfancyheneverquiteforgavemywordsilvern。Yet，heprofessednottohaveprejudicesinsuchmatters，buttouseanywordthatwouldservehisturn，withoutwincing；andhecertainlydiduseanddefendwords，asundisprivaciedanddisnatured，thatmadeotherswince。
Hewasotherwisesuchasticklerforthebestdictionthathewouldnothavehadmeuseslovenlyvernaculareveninthedialogueinmystories：
mycharactersmustnotsaytheywantedtodosoandso，butwished，andthelike。InacopyofoneofmybookswhichIfoundhimreading，IsawhehadcorrectedmyerringWesternwouldsandshoulds；ashegrewoldhewaslessandlessabletorestrainhimselffromsettingpeoplerighttotheirfaces。Once，inthevastareaofmyignorance，hespecifiedmysmallacquaintancewithacertainperiodofEnglishpoetry，saying，\"You’rerathershady，there，oldfellow。\"Buthewouldnothavehadmetoolearned，holdingthathehadhimselfbeenhurtforliteraturebyhisscholarship。
Hispatienceinanalyzingmyworkwithmemighthavebeentheeasyeffortofhishabitofteaching；andhiswillingnesstogivehimselfandhisownwasnodoubtmoresignallyattestedinhisaskingabrothermanofletterswhowishedtoworkupasubjectinthecollegelibrary，tostayafortnightinhishouse，andtosharehisstudy，hisbelovedstudy，withhim。Thismusttrulyhavecosthimdear，asanyauthoroffixedhabitswillunderstand。Happilythemanofletterswasagoodfellow，andknewhowtoprizethefavor—donehim，butifhehadbeenotherwise，itwouldhavebeenthesametoLowell。Henotonlyendured，butdidmanythingsfortheweakerbrethren，whichwereamusingenoughtooneinthesecretofhisinwardrevolt。Yetinthesethingshewasconsideratealsooftheeditorwhomhemighthavemadethesharerofhisself—sacrifice，andheseldomofferedmemanuscriptsforothers。TheonlyrealburdenofthekindthatheputuponmewasthediaryofaVirginianwhohadtravelledinNewEnglandduringtheearlythirties，andhadsetdownhisimpressionsofmenandmannersthere。Itbegancharmingly，andwentonverywellunderLowell’sdiscreetpruning，butafterawhileheseemedtofallinlovewiththecharacterofthediaristsomuchthathecouldnotbeartocutanything。
IX。
HehadagreattendernessforthebrokenandruinedSouth，whosesinshefeltthathehadhadhisshareinvisitinguponher，andhewaswillingtodowhathecouldtoeasehersorrowsinthecaseofanyparticularSoutherner。HecouldnothelplookingaskanceuponthedramaticshowsofretributionwhichsomeoftheNorthernpoliticianswereworking，butwithallhismisgivingshecontinuedtoactwiththeRepublicanpartyuntilaftertheelectionofHayes；hewasawayfromthecountryduringtheGarfieldcampaign。HewasinfactoneoftheMassachusettselectorschosenbytheRepublicanmajorityin1816，andinthatmostpainfulhourwhentherewasquestionofthepolicyandjusticeofcountingHayesinforthepresidency，itwassuggestedbysomeofLowell’sfriendsthatheshouldusetheoriginalrightoftheelectorsundertheconstitution，andvoteforTilden，whomonevotewouldhavechosenpresidentoverHayes。AfterhehadcasthisvoteforHayes，hequietlyreferredtothematteroneday，inthemomentoflightinghispipe，withperhapsthefaintesttraceofindignationinhistone。Hesaidthatwhateverthefirstintentoftheconstitutionwas，usagehadmadethepresidentialelectorsstrictlytheinstrumentsofthepartywhichchosethem，andthatforhimtohavevotedforTildenwhenhehadbeenchosentovoteforHayeswouldhave—beenanactofbadfaith。
Hewouldhaveresumedformealltheoldkindnessofourrelationsbeforetherecentyearofhisabsence，butthishadinevitablyworkedalittleestrangement。Hehadatleastlostthehabitofme，andthatsaysmuchinsuchmatters。HewasnotsoperfectlyatrestintheCambridgeenvironment；incertainindefinablewaysitdidnotsoentirelysufficehim，thoughhewouldhavebeenthenandalwaysthelasttoallowthis。
Iimaginehisfriendsrealizedmorethanhe，thatcertaindelicatebutvitalfilamentsofattachmenthadfrayedandpartedinalienair，andlefthimheart—looseashehadnotbeenbefore。
IdonotknowwhetheritcrossedhismindaftertheelectionofHayesthathemightbeofferedsomeplaceabroad，butitcertainlycrossedthemindsofsomeofhisfriends，andIcouldnotfeelthatIwasactingformyselfalonewhenIusedafamilyconnectionwiththePresident，veryearlyinhisterm，tolethimknowthatIbelievedLowellwouldacceptadiplomaticmission。IcouldassurehimthatIwaswritingwhollywithoutLowell’sprivityorauthority，andIgotbacksuchaletterasIcouldwishinitsdelicatesenseofthesituation。ThePresidentsaidthathehadalreadythoughtofofferingLowellsomething，andhegavemethepleasure，apleasurebeyondanyotherIcouldimagine，ofaskingLowellwhetherhewouldacceptthemissiontoAustria。IlostnotimecarryinghislettertoElmwood，whereIfoundLowelloverhiscoffeeatdinner。
Hesawmeatthethreshold，andcalledtomethroughtheopendoortocomein，andIhandedhimtheletter，andsatdownattablewhileheranitthrough。Whenhehadreadit，hegaveaquick\"Ah！\"andthrewitoverthelengthofthetabletoMrs。Lowell。Shereaditinasmilingandloyalreticence，asifshewouldnotsayonewordofallshemightwishtosayinurginghisacceptance，thoughIcouldseethatshewasintenselyeagerforit。ThewholesituationwasofaperfectNewEnglandcharacterinitstacitsignificance；afterLowellhadtakenhiscoffeeweturnedintohisstudywithoutfurtherallusiontothematter。
AdayortwolaterhecametomyhousetosaythathecouldnotaccepttheAustrianmission，andtoaskmetotellthePresidentsoforhim，andmakehisacknowledgments，whichhewouldalsowritehimself。Heremainedtalkingalittlewhileofotherthings，andwhenherosetogo，hesaidwithasighofvaguereluctance，\"IshouldliketoseeaplayofCalderon，\"asifithadnothingtodowithanywishofhisthatcouldstillbefulfilled。\"UponthishintIacted，\"andinduetimeitwasfoundinWashington，thatthegentlemanwhohadbeenofferedtheSpanishmissionwouldasliefgotoAustria，andLowellwassenttoMadrid。
X。
WhenwemetinLondon，someyearslater，hecamealmosteveryafternoontomylodging，andthestoryofourold—timeCambridgewalksbeganagaininLondonphrases。Therewerenotthevacantlotsandoutlyingfieldsofhisnativeplace，butwemadeshiftwiththevast，simpleparks，andwewalkedonthegrassaswecouldnothavedoneinanAmericanpark，andweregladtofeeltheearthunderourfeet。Isaidhowmuchitwaslikethoseearliertramps；andthatpleasedhim，forhewished，wheneverathingdelightedhim，tofindaCambridgequalityinit。
ButhewasinlovewitheverythingEnglish，andwasdeterminedIshouldbesotoo，beginningwiththeEnglishweather，whichinsummercannotbeoverpraised。Hecarried，ofcourse，anumbrella，buthewouldnotputitupinthelightshowersthatcaughtusattimes，sayingthattheEnglishrainneverwettedyou。Thethickshortturfdelightedhim；hewouldscarcelyallowthatthetreesweretheworseforfoliageblightedbyavileeasterlystorminthespringofthatyear。Thetenderair，thedelicateveilsthatthemoistureinitcastaboutallobjectsattheleastremove，thesoftcolorsoftheflowers，thedullblueofthelowskyshowingthroughtheriftsofthedirtywhiteclouds，thehoveringpallofLondonsmoke，werealldeartohim，andhewasanxiousthatI
shouldnotloseanythingoftheircharm。
HewasanxiousthatIshouldnotmissthevalueofanythinginEngland，andwhilehevolunteeredthatthearistocracyhadthecorruptionsofaristocracieseverywhere，heinsisteduponmyrespectfulinterestinitbecauseitwassohistorical。Perhapstherewasatouchofironyinthisdemand，butitiscertainthathewasveryhappyinEngland。Hehadcomeoftheagewhenamanlikessmooth，warmkeeping，inwhichheneedmakenostruggleforhiscomfort；disciplinedandobsequiousservice；society，perfectlyascertainedwithinthelargersocietywhichwecallcivilization；andinanalienenvironment，forwhichhewasinnowiseresponsible，hecouldhavethesewithoutapangoftheself—reproachwhichathomemakesamanunhappyamidsthisluxuries，whenheconsiderstheircosttoothers。Hehadapositionwhichforbadethoughtofunfairnessintheconditions；hemustnotwakebecauseoftheslave，itwashisdutytosleep。Besides，atthattimeLowellneededalltheresthecouldget，forhehadlatelypassedthroughtrialssuchasbreakthestrengthofmen，andhowthemwithprematureage。HewaslivingaloneinhislittlehouseinLowndesSquare，andMrs。Lowellwasinthecountry，slowlyrecoveringfromtheeffectsoftheterribletyphuswhichshehadbarelysurvivedinMadrid。Hewasyetsoneartheanguishofthatexperiencethathetoldmehehadstillinhisnervestheexpectationofacertainagonizedcryfromherwhichusedtorendthem。Buthesaidhehadadjustedhimselftothis，andhewentontospeakwithapatiencewhichwasmoreaffectinginhimthaninmenofmorephlegmatictemperament，ofhowwewereabletoadjustourselvestoallourtrialsandtotheconstantpresenceofpain。Hesaidhewasneverfreeofacertaindistress，whichwasoftenasharppang，inoneofhisshoulders，buthisphysiquehadestablishedsuchrelationswithitthat，thoughhewasneverunconsciousofit，hewasabletoendureitwithoutarecognitionofitassuffering。
Heseemedtome，however，verywell，andathisageofsixty—three，I
couldnotseethathewaslessalertandvigorousthanhewaswhenI
firstknewhiminCambridge。Hehadthesamebrisk，lightstep，andthoughhisbeardwaswellwhitenedandhisauburnhairhadgrownashenthroughthered，hisfacehadthefreshnessandhiseyestheclearnessofayoungman’s。Isupposethenoveltyofhislifekepthimfromthinkingabouthisyears；orperhapsincontactwiththosegreat，insenescentEnglishmen，hecouldnotfeelhimselfold。Atanyratehedidnotoncespeakofage，asheusedtodotenyearsearlier，andI，thenhalfthroughmyforties，wasstill\"Youyoungdog\"tohim。Itwasabrightandcheerfulrenewaloftheearlykindlinessbetweenus，onwhichindeedtherehadneverbeenashadow，exceptsuchasdistancethrows。Hewishedapparentlytodoeverythinghecouldtoassureusofhispersonalinterest；andwewereamusedtofindhimnervouslyapprehensiveofanypurpose，suchaswasfarfromus，toprofitbyhimofficially。Hebetrayedadistinctreliefwhenhefoundwewerenotgoingtocomeuponhimevenforadmissionstothehousesofparliament，whichweweretoseebymeansofanEnglishacquaintance。Hehadnotperhapsfoundsomeotherfellow—citizenssoconsiderate；hedreadedthehalf—dutiesofhisplace，likepresentationstothequeen，andcomplainedofthecheapambitionshehadtogratifyinthatway。
HewassoeagertohavemelikeEnglandineveryway，andseemedsofondoftheEnglish，thatIthoughtitbesttoaskhimwhetherhemindedmyquoting，inapaperaboutLexington，whichIwasjustthengoingtoprintinaLondonmagazine，somehumorouslinesofhisexpressingthemountingsatisfactionofanimaginaryYankeestory—tellerwhohastheoldfightterminateinLordPercy’scoming\"TohammerstoneforlifeinConcordjail。\"
IthadoccurredtomethatitmightpossiblyembarrasshimtohavethispatrioticpicturepresentedtoapublicwhichcouldnottakeourFourthofJulypleasureinit，andIofferedtosuppressit，asIdidafterwardsquiteforliteraryreasons。Hesaid，No，letitstand，andletthemmaketheworstofit；andIfancythatmuchofhissuccesswithapeoplewhoarenotgingerlywithotherpeople’ssensibilitiescamefromthefranknesswithwhichhetrampledontheirprejudicewhenhechose。
Hesaidhealwaystoldthem，whentherewasquestionofsuchthings，thatthebestsocietyhehadeverknownwasinCambridge，Massachusetts。
HecontendedthatthebestEnglishwasspokenthere；andsoitwas，whenhespokeit。
WewereinLondonoutoftheseason，andhewassorrythathecouldnothavememeetsometitleswhohedeclaredhadfoundpleasureinmybooks；
whenwereturnedfromItalyinthefollowingJune，hewasprompttodomethishonor。Idaresayhewishedmetofeelittoitslastimplication，andIdidmybest，buttherewasnothingintheeveningIenjoyedsomuchashiscominguptoMrs。Lowell，attheclose，whentherewasonlyatitleortwoleft，andsayingtoherashewouldhavesaidtoheratElmwood，whereshewouldhavepersonallyplannedit，\"Fanny，thatwasafinedinneryougaveus。\"Ofcourse，thiswasinatenderburlesque；
butitremainsthesupremeimpressionofwhatseemedtomeacloudlesslyhappyperiodforLowell。Hiswifewasquiterecoveredofherlongsuffering，andwasagainattheheadofhishouse，sharinginhispleasures，andenjoyinghissuccessesforhissake；successessogreatthatpeoplespokeofhimseriously，as\"anadditiontosociety\"inLondon，whereonemanmoreorlessseemedlikeadropinthesea。
ShewasawomanperfectlyoftheNewEnglandtypeandtradition：almostrepellantlyshyatfirst，andalmostglaciallycoldwithnewacquaintance，butafterwardsverysweetandcordial。ShewasofadarkbeautywitharegularfaceoftheSpanishoutline；Lowellwasofanidealmannertowardsher，andofanadmirationwhichdelicatelytravestieditselfandwhichsheknewhowtoreceivewithsmilingirony。Afterherdeath，whichoccurredwhilehewasstillinEngland，heneverspokeofhertome，thoughbeforethatheusedtobealwaysbringinghernamein，withayounglover—likefondness。
XI。
InthehurryoftheLondonseasonIdidnotseesomuchofLowellonoursecondsojournasonourfirst，butoncewhenwewerealoneinhisstudytherewasareturntothetermsoftheoldmeetingsinCambridge。Hesmokedhispipe，andsatbyhisfireandphilosophized；andbutforthegreatLondonseaswirlingoutsideandburstingthroughourshelter，anddashinghimwithnotesthatmustbeinstantlyanswered，itwasaveryfairimageofthepast。Hewantedtotellmeabouthiscoachmanwhomhehadgotatonhishumansidewithgreatlikingandamusement，andtherewasapatientgentlenessinhismannerwiththefootmanwhohadtokeepcominginuponhimwiththosenoteswhichwasliketheechoofhisyoungfaithintheequalityofmen。ButhealwaysdistinguishedbetweenthesimpleunconsciousequalityoftheordinaryAmericananditsassumptionbyaforeigner。HesaidhedidnotmindsuchanAmerican’scomingintohishousewithhishaton；butifaGermanorEnglishmandidit，hewantedtoknockitoff。Hewasapttoberatherpunctiliousinhisshowsofdeferencetowardsothers，andatonetimehepractisedremovinghisownhatwhenhewentintoshopsinCambridge。ItmusthavemystifiedtheCambridgesalesmen，andIdoubtifhekeptitup。
Withreferencetothedoctrineofhisyoungpoetry，thefierceandthetenderhumanityofhisstormandstressperiod，IfancyakindofbaffleinLowell，whichIshouldnotperhapsfinditeasytoprove。Ineverknewhimbywordorhinttorenouncethisdoctrine，buthecouldnotcometoseventyyearswithouthavingseenmanyhighhopesfade，andknownmanyinspiredpropheciesfail。Whenwehavedoneourbesttomaketheworldover，weareapttobedismayedbyfindingitinmuchtheoldshape。
Ashesaidofthemoralgovernmentoftheuniverse，thescaleissovast，andalittledifference，alittlechangeforthebetter，isscarcelyperceptibletotheeagerconsciousnessofthewholesalereformer。
Butwithwhateversenseofdisappointment，ofdoubtastohisowndeedsfortruerfreedomandforbetterconditionsIbelievehissympathywasstillwiththosewhohadsomeheartforhopingandstriving。Iamsurethatthoughhedidnotagreewithmeinsomeofmyownlaternotionsfortheredemptionoftherace，hedidnotlikemethelessbutratherthemorebecause（tomyowngreatsurpriseIconfess）Ihadnowandthenthecourageofmyconvictions，bothliteraryandsocial。
Hewasprobablymostatoddswithmeinregardtomytheoriesoffiction，thoughhepersistedindeclaringhispleasureinmyownfiction。Hewasinfact，bynatureandtradition，thoroughlyromantic，andhecouldnotorwouldnotsufferrealisminanybutafriend。HesteadfastlyrefusedeventoreadtheRussianmasters，tohisimmenseloss，asItriedtopersuadehim，andevenamongthemodernSpaniards，forwhomhemighthavehadasortofpersonalkindnessfromhisloveofCervantes，hechoseoneforhispraisetheleastworthy，ofit，andboremedownwithhisheaviermetalinargumentwhenIopposedtoAlarcon’sfactitiousnessthedelightfulgenuinenessofValdes。Ibsen，withalltheNorwegians，heputfarfromhim；hewouldnomoreknowthemthantheRussians；theFrenchnaturalistsheabhorred。Ithoughthimallwrong，butyoudonottryimprovingyourelderswhentheyhavecometothreescoreandtenyears，andIwouldratherhavehadhisaffectionunbrokenbyourdifferenceofopinionthanaperfectagreement。Whereheevenimaginedthatthisdifferencecouldworkmeharm，hewasanxioustohavemeknowthathemeantmenone；andhewasatthetroubletowritemealetterwhenaBostonpaperhadperverteditsreportofwhathesaidinapubliclecturetomydisadvantage，andtoassuremethathehadnotmeinmind。Whenoncehehadgivenhisliking，hecouldnotbearthatanyshadowofchangeshouldseemtohavecomeuponhim。Hehadamostbeautifulandendearingidealoffriendship；hedesiredtoaffirmitandtoreaffirmitasoftenasoccasionoffered，andifoccasiondidnotoffer，hemadeoccasion。
Itdidnotmatterwhatyousaidordidthatcontrariedhim；ifhethoughthehadessentiallydivinedyou，youwerestillthesame：andonhisparthewasbynomeansexactingofequaldemonstration，butseemednoteventowishit。
XII。
AfterhewasreplacedatLondonbyaministermoreimmediatelyrepresentativeoftheDemocraticadministration，hecamehome。Hemadeabraveshowofnotcaringtohaveremainedaway，butintruthhehadbecomeveryfondofEngland，wherehehadmadesomanyfriends，andwherethedistinctionhehad，inthatcomfortablypaddedenvironment，wassoagreeabletohim。
ItwouldhavebeenlikehimtohavesecretlyhopedthatthenewPresidentmightkeephiminLondon，butheneverbetrayedanyignobledisappointment，andhewouldnotjoininanyblameofhim。AtourfirstmeetingafterhecamehomehespokeofthemovementwhichhadmadeMr。
Clevelandpresident，andsaidhesupposedthatifhehadbeenhere，heshouldhavebeeninit。Allhisfriendswere，headded，alittlehelplessly；butheseemednottodislikemysayingIknewoneofhisfriendswhowasnot：infact，asIhavetold，heneverdislikedaplumpdifference——unlesshedislikedthedifferer。
ForseveralyearshewentbacktoEnglandeverysummer，anditwasnotuntilhetookuphisabodeatElmwoodagainthathespentawholeyearathome。Onewinterhepassedathissister’shomeinBoston，butmostlyhelivedwithhisdaughteratSouthborough。IhaveheardastoryofhisgoingtoElmwoodsoonafterhisreturnin1885，andsittingdowninhisoldstudy，wherehedeclaredwithtearsthattheplacewasfullofghosts。Butfourorfiveyearslateritwaswellforfamilyreasonsthatheshouldlivethere；andaboutthesametimeithappenedthatIhadtakenahouseforthesummerinhisneighborhood。Hecametoseeme，andtoassureme，inalltacitformsofhissympathyinasorrowforwhichtherecouldbenohelp；butitwasnotpossiblethattheoldintimaterelationsshouldberesumed。Theaffectionwasthere，asmuchonhissideasonmine，Ibelieve；buthewasnowanoldmanandIwasanelderlyman，andwecouldnot，withoutinsincerity，approacheachotherinthethingsthathaddrawnustogetherinearlierandhappieryears。
Hiscoursewasrun；myown，inwhichhehadtakensuchagenerouspleasure，couldscarcelymovehisjadedinterest。Hislife，sofarasitremainedtohim，hadreneweditselfinotherair；thelaterfriendshipsbeyondseassufficedhim，andwerewithoutthepang，withouttheeffortthatmustattendtheknittingupoffrayedtieshere。
HecouldneverhavebeenanythingbutAmerican，ifhehadtried，andhecertainlynevertried；buthecertainlydidnotreturntotheoutwardsimplicitiesofhislifeasIfirstknewit。Therewasnomoreround—
hat—and—sack—coatbusinessforhim；heworeafrockandahighhat，andwhateverelsewasratherlikeLondonthanCambridge；Idonotknowbutdrabgaiterssometimesaddedtotheeffectofagentlemanoftheoldschoolwhichhenowproduceduponthewitness。Somefastidiousnessesshowedthemselvesinhim，whichwerenotsosurprising。HecomplainedoftheAmericanlowerclassmanner；theconductorandcabmanwouldbekindtoyoubuttheywouldnotberespectful，andhecouldnotseethefunofthisintheoldway。Earlyinouracquaintanceheratherstupifiedmebysaying，\"Ilikeyoubecauseyoudon’tputyourhandsonme，\"andIheardofhisconsentingtosomesortofreceptioninthoselastyears，\"Yes，iftheywon’tshakehands。\"
EversincehisvisittoRomein1875hehadlethisheavymustachegrowlongtillitdroppedbelowthecornersofhisbeard，whichwasnowalmostwhite；hisfacehadlosttheruddyhuesocharacteristicofhim。Ifancyhewasthenailingwithpremonitionsofthedisorderwhichafewyearslaterprovedmortal，buthestillborehimselfwithsufficientvigor，andhewalkedthedistancebetweenhishouseandmine，thoughoncewhenI
missedhisvisitthefamilyreportedthatafterhecameinhesatalongtimewithscarcelyaword，asiftoowearytotalk。Thatwinter，IwentintoBostontolive，andIsawhimonlyatinfrequentintervals，whenI
couldgoouttoElmwood。AtsuchtimesIfoundhimsittingintheroomwhichwasformerlythedrawing—room，butwhichhadbeenjoinedwithhisstudybytakingawaythepartitionsbesidetheheavymassoftheoldcolonialchimney。Hetoldmethatwhenhewasanewbornbabe，thenursehadcarriedhimroundthischimney，forluck，andnowinfrontofthesamehearth，thewhiteoldmanstretchedhimselfinaneasy—chair，withhiswriting—padonhiskneesandhisbooksonthetableathiselbow，andwaswillingtobeentreatednottorise。Irememberthesunusedtocomeinattheeasternwindowsfullpour，andbathetheairinitswarmth。
Healwayshailedmegayly，andifIfoundhimwithlettersnewlycomefromEngland，asIsometimesdid，heglowedandsparkledwithfreshlife。
Hewantedtoreadpassagesfromthoseletters，hewantedtotalkabouttheirwriters，andtomakemefeeltheirworthandcharmashedid。
HestilldreamedofgoingbacktoEnglandthenextsummer，butthatwasnottobe。Onedayhereceivedmenotlessgaylythanusual，butwithacertainexcitement，andbegantotellmeaboutanoddexperiencehehadhad，notatallpainful，butwhichhadverymuchmystifiedhim。Hehadsinceseenthedoctor，andthedoctorhadassuredhimthattherewasnothingalarminginwhathadhappened，andinrecallingthisassurance，hebegantolookatthehumorousaspectsofthecase，andtomakesomejokesaboutit。Hewishedtotalkofit，asmendooftheirmaladies，andveryfully，andIgavehimsuchproofofmyinterestaseveninvitinghimtotalkofitwouldconvey。Inspiteofthedoctor’sassurance，andhisjoyfulacceptanceofit，Idoubtifatthebottomofhishearttherewasnotthestirofanuneasymisgiving；buthehadnotforalongtimeshownhimselfsocheerful。
Itwasthebeginningoftheend。Herecoveredandrelapsed，andrecoveredagain；butneverforlong。LateinthespringIcameout，andhehadmestaytodinner，whichwassomehowasitusedtobeattwoo’clock；andafterdinnerwewentoutonhislawn。Hegotalong—handledspud，andtriedtogrubupsomedandelionswhichhefoundinhisturf，butafteramomentortwohethrewitdown，andputhishanduponhisbackwithagroan。IdidnotseehimagaintillIcameouttotakeleaveofhimbeforegoingawayforthesummer，andthenIfoundhimsittingonthelittleporchinawesterncornerofhishouse，withavolumeofScottcloseduponhisfinger。Thereweresomeotherpeople，andourmeetingwaswiththeconstraintoftheirpresence。Itwasnaturalinnothingsomuchashissayingverysignificantlytome，asifheknewofmyheresiesconcerningScott，andwouldhavemeknowhedidnotapproveofthem，thattherewasnothinghenowfoundsomuchpleasureinasScott’snovels。
Anotherfriend，equallyheretical，wasby，butneitherofusattemptedtogainsayhim。Lowelltalkedverylittle，buthetoldofhavingbeenawalktoBeaverBrook，andofhavingwishedtojumpfromonestonetoanotherinthestream，andofhavinghadtogiveitup。Hesaid，withoutcompletingthesentence，Ifithadcometothatwithhim！Thenhefellsilentagain；andwithsomevaintalkofseeinghimwhenIcamebackinthefall，Iwentawaysickatheart。Iwasnottoseehimagain，andI
shallnotlookuponhislike。
IamawarethatIhavehereshownhimfromthispointandfromthatinaseriesofsketcheswhichperhapscollectivelyimpart，butdonotassemblehispersonalityinoneimpression。Hedidnot，indeed，makeoneimpressionuponme，butathousandimpressions，whichIshouldseekinvaintoembodyinasinglepresentment。WhatIhavecloudilybeforemeisthevisionofaveryloftyandsimplesoul，perplexed，andasitweresurprisedandevendismayedatthecomplexityoftheeffectsfrommotivessosingleinit，butescapingalwaystoaclearexpressionofwhatwasnoblestandloveliestinitselfatthesuprememoments，inthedivineexigencies。Ibelieveneitherinheroesnorinsaints；butIbelieveingreatandgoodmen，forIhaveknownthem，andamongsuchmenLowellwasoftherichestnatureIhaveknown。Hisnaturewasnotalwayssereneorpellucid；itwassometimesroiledbythecurrentsthatcounterandcrossinallofus；butitwaswithouttheleastalloyofinsincerity，anditwasneverdarkenedbytheshadowofaselfishfear。Hisgeniuswasaninstrumentthatrespondedinaffluentharmonytothepowerthatmadehimahumoristandthatmadehimapoet，andappointedhimrarelytobequiteeitheralone。