FIRSTBRANCH——MYSELF
Ihavekeptonesecretinthecourseofmylife。Iamabashfulman。Nobodywouldsupposeit，nobodyeverdoessupposeit，nobodyeverdidsupposeit，butIamnaturallyabashfulman。ThisisthesecretwhichIhaveneverbreatheduntilnow。
ImightgreatlymovethereaderbysomeaccountoftheinnumerableplacesIhavenotbeento，theinnumerablepeopleIhavenotcalleduponorreceived，theinnumerablesocialevasionsIhavebeenguiltyof，solelybecauseIambyoriginalconstitutionandcharacterabashfulman。ButIwillleavethereaderunmoved，andproceedwiththeobjectbeforeme。
ThatobjectistogiveaplainaccountofmytravelsanddiscoveriesintheHolly—TreeInn；inwhichplaceofgoodentertainmentformanandbeastIwasoncesnowedup。
IthappenedinthememorableyearwhenIpartedforeverfromAngelaLeath，whomIwasshortlytohavemarried，onmakingthediscoverythatshepreferredmybosomfriend。Fromourschool—daysIhadfreelyadmittedEdwin，inmyownmind，tobefarsuperiortomyself；
and，thoughIwasgrievouslywoundedatheart，Ifeltthepreferencetobenatural，andtriedtoforgivethemboth。ItwasunderthesecircumstancesthatIresolvedtogotoAmerica——onmywaytotheDevil。
CommunicatingmydiscoveryneithertoAngelanortoEdwin，butresolvingtowriteeachofthemanaffectingletterconveyingmyblessingandforgiveness，whichthesteam—tenderforshoreshouldcarrytothepostwhenImyselfshouldbeboundfortheNewWorld，farbeyondrecall，——Isay，lockingupmygriefinmyownbreast，andconsolingmyselfasIcouldwiththeprospectofbeinggenerous，I
quietlyleftallIhelddear，andstartedonthedesolatejourneyI
havementioned。
Thedeadwinter—timewasinfulldrearinesswhenIleftmychambersforever，atfiveo’clockinthemorning。Ihadshavedbycandle—
light，ofcourse，andwasmiserablycold，andexperiencedthatgeneralall—pervadingsensationofgettinguptobehangedwhichI
haveusuallyfoundinseparablefromuntimelyrisingundersuchcircumstances。
HowwellIremembertheforlornaspectofFleetStreetwhenIcameoutoftheTemple！Thestreet—lampsflickeringinthegustynorth—
eastwind，asiftheverygaswerecontortedwithcold；thewhite—
toppedhouses；thebleak，star—lightedsky；themarketpeopleandotherearlystragglers，trottingtocirculatetheiralmostfrozenblood；thehospitablelightandwarmthofthefewcoffee—shopsandpublic—housesthatwereopenforsuchcustomers；thehard，dry，frostyrimewithwhichtheairwascharged（thewindhadalreadybeatenitintoeverycrevice），andwhichlashedmyfacelikeasteelwhip。
Itwantedninedaystotheendofthemonth，andendoftheyear。
ThePost—officepacketfortheUnitedStateswastodepartfromLiverpool，weatherpermitting，onthefirstoftheensuingmonth，andIhadtheinterveningtimeonmyhands。Ihadtakenthisintoconsideration，andhadresolvedtomakeavisittoacertainspot（whichIneednotname）onthefartherbordersofYorkshire。ItwasendearedtomebymyhavingfirstseenAngelaatafarmhouseinthatplace，andmymelancholywasgratifiedbytheideaoftakingawintryleaveofitbeforemyexpatriation。Ioughttoexplain，that，toavoidbeingsoughtoutbeforemyresolutionshouldhavebeenrenderedirrevocablebybeingcarriedintofulleffect，IhadwrittentoAngelaovernight，inmyusualmanner，lamentingthaturgentbusiness，ofwhichsheshouldknowallparticularsby—and—by—
—tookmeunexpectedlyawayfromherforaweekortendays。
TherewasnoNorthernRailwayatthattime，andinitsplacetherewerestage—coaches；whichIoccasionallyfindmyself，incommonwithsomeotherpeople，affectingtolamentnow，butwhicheverybodydreadedasaveryseriouspenancethen。Ihadsecuredthebox—seatonthefastestofthese，andmybusinessinFleetStreetwastogetintoacabwithmyportmanteau，sotomakethebestofmywaytothePeacockatIslington，whereIwastojointhiscoach。ButwhenoneofourTemplewatchmen，whocarriedmyportmanteauintoFleetStreetforme，toldmeaboutthehugeblocksoficethathadforsomedayspastbeenfloatingintheriver，havingclosedupinthenight，andmadeawalkfromtheTempleGardensovertotheSurreyshore，I
begantoaskmyselfthequestion，whetherthebox—seatwouldnotbelikelytoputasuddenandafrostyendtomyunhappiness。Iwasheart—broken，itistrue，andyetIwasnotquitesofargoneastowishtobefrozentodeath。
WhenIgotuptothePeacock，——whereIfoundeverybodydrinkinghotpurl，inself—preservation，——Iaskediftherewereaninsideseattospare。Ithendiscoveredthat，insideorout，Iwastheonlypassenger。Thisgavemeastilllivelierideaofthegreatinclemencyoftheweather，sincethatcoachalwaysloadedparticularlywell。However，Itookalittlepurl（whichIfounduncommonlygood），andgotintothecoach。WhenIwasseated，theybuiltmeupwithstrawtothewaist，and，consciousofmakingaratherridiculousappearance，Ibeganmyjourney。
ItwasstilldarkwhenweleftthePeacock。Foralittlewhile，pale，uncertainghostsofhousesandtreesappearedandvanished，andthenitwashard，black，frozenday。Peoplewerelightingtheirfires；smokewasmountingstraightuphighintotherarifiedair；
andwewererattlingforHighgateArchwayoverthehardestgroundI
haveeverheardtheringofironshoeson。Aswegotintothecountry，everythingseemedtohavegrownoldandgray。Theroads，thetrees，thatchedroofsofcottagesandhomesteads，thericksinfarmers’yards。Out—doorworkwasabandoned，horse—troughsatroad—
sideinnswerefrozenhard，nostragglersloungedabout，doorswerecloseshut，littleturnpikehouseshadblazingfiresinside，andchildren（eventurnpikepeoplehavechildren，andseemtolikethem）
rubbedthefrostfromthelittlepanesofglasswiththeirchubbyarms，thattheirbrighteyesmightcatchaglimpseofthesolitarycoachgoingby。Idon’tknowwhenthesnowbegintosetin；butI
knowthatwewerechanginghorsessomewherewhenIheardtheguardremark，\"Thattheoldladyupintheskywaspickinghergeeseprettyhardto—day。\"Then，indeed，Ifoundthewhitedownfallingfastandthick。
Thelonelydayworeon，andIdozeditout，asalonelytravellerdoes。Iwaswarmandvaliantaftereatinganddrinking，——
particularlyafterdinner；coldanddepressedatallothertimes。I
wasalwaysbewilderedastotimeandplace，andalwaysmoreorlessoutofmysenses。ThecoachandhorsesseemedtoexecuteinchorusAuldLangSyne，withoutamoment’sintermission。Theykeptthetimeandtunewiththegreatestregularity，androseintotheswellatthebeginningoftheRefrain，withaprecisionthatworriedmetodeath。Whilewechangedhorses，theguardandcoachmanwentstumpingupanddowntheroad，printingofftheirshoesinthesnow，andpouredsomuchliquidconsolationintothemselveswithoutbeinganytheworseforit，thatIbegantoconfoundthem，asitdarkenedagain，withtwogreatwhitecasksstandingonend。Ourhorsestumbleddowninsolitaryplaces，andwegotthemup，——whichwasthepleasantestvarietyIhad，foritwarmedme。Anditsnowedandsnowed，andstillitsnowed，andneverleftoffsnowing。Allnightlongwewentoninthismanner。Thuswecameroundtheclock，upontheGreatNorthRoad，totheperformanceofAuldLangSynebydayagain。Anditsnowedandsnowed，andstillitsnowed，andneverleftoffsnowing。
Iforgetnowwherewewereatnoononthesecondday，andwhereweoughttohavebeen；butIknowthatwewerescoresofmilesbehindhand，andthatourcasewasgrowingworseeveryhour。Thedriftwasbecomingprodigiouslydeep；landmarksweregettingsnowedout；theroadandthefieldswereallone；insteadofhavingfencesandhedge—rowstoguideus，wewentcrunchingonoveranunbrokensurfaceofghastlywhitethatmightsinkbeneathusatanymomentanddropusdownawholehillside。Stillthecoachmanandguard——
whokepttogetheronthebox，alwaysincouncil，andlookingwellaboutthem——madeoutthetrackwithastonishingsagacity。
Whenwecameinsightofatown，itlooked，tomyfancy，likealargedrawingonaslate，withabundanceofslate—pencilexpendedonthechurchesandhouseswherethesnowlaythickest。Whenwecamewithinatown，andfoundthechurchclocksallstopped，thedial—
faceschokedwithsnow，andtheinn—signsblottedout，itseemedasifthewholeplacewereovergrownwithwhitemoss。Astothecoach，itwasameresnowball；similarly，themenandboyswhoranalongbesideustothetown’send，turningourcloggedwheelsandencouragingourhorses，weremenandboysofsnow；andthebleakwildsolitudetowhichtheyatlastdismisseduswasasnowySahara。
Onewouldhavethoughtthisenough：notwithstandingwhich，Ipledgemywordthatitsnowedandsnowed，andstillitsnowed，andneverleftoffsnowing。
WeperformedAuldLangSynethewholeday；seeingnothing，outoftownsandvillages，butthetrackofstoats，hares，andfoxes，andsometimesofbirds。Atnineo’clockatnight，onaYorkshiremoor，acheerfulburstfromourhorn，andawelcomesoundoftalking，withaglimmeringandmovingaboutoflanterns，rousedmefrommydrowsystate。Ifoundthatweweregoingtochange。
Theyhelpedmeout，andIsaidtoawaiter，whosebareheadbecameaswhiteasKingLear’sinasingleminute，\"WhatInnisthis？\"
\"TheHolly—Tree，sir，\"saidhe。
\"Uponmyword，Ibelieve，\"saidI，apologetically，totheguardandcoachman，\"thatImuststophere。\"
Nowthelandlord，andthelandlady，andtheostler，andthepost—
boy，andallthestableauthorities，hadalreadyaskedthecoachman，tothewide—eyedinterestofalltherestoftheestablishment，ifhemeanttogoon。Thecoachmanhadalreadyreplied，\"Yes，he’dtakeherthroughit，\"——meaningbyHerthecoach，——\"ifsobeasGeorgewouldstandbyhim。\"Georgewastheguard，andhehadalreadyswornthathewouldstandbyhim。Sothehelperswerealreadygettingthehorsesout。
Mydeclaringmyselfbeaten，afterthisparley，wasnotanannouncementwithoutpreparation。Indeed，butforthewaytotheannouncementbeingsmoothedbytheparley，Imorethandoubtwhether，asaninnatelybashfulman，Ishouldhavehadtheconfidencetomakeit。Asitwas，itreceivedtheapprovalevenoftheguardandcoachman。Therefore，withmanyconfirmationsofmyinclining，andmanyremarksfromonebystandertoanother，thatthegentlemancouldgofor’ardbythemailto—morrow，whereasto—nighthewouldonlybefroze，andwherewasthegoodofagentlemanbeingfroze——ah，letaloneburiedalive（whichlatterclausewasaddedbyahumoroushelperasajokeatmyexpense，andwasextremelywellreceived），Isawmyportmanteaugotoutstiff，likeafrozenbody；
didthehandsomethingbytheguardandcoachman；wishedthemgood—
nightandaprosperousjourney；and，alittleashamedofmyself，afterall，forleavingthemtofightitoutalone，followedthelandlord，landlady，andwaiteroftheHolly—Treeup—stairs。
IthoughtIhadneverseensuchalargeroomasthatintowhichtheyshowedme。Ithadfivewindows，withdarkredcurtainsthatwouldhaveabsorbedthelightofageneralillumination；andtherewerecomplicationsofdraperyatthetopofthecurtains，thatwentwanderingaboutthewallinamostextraordinarymanner。Iaskedforasmallerroom，andtheytoldmetherewasnosmallerroom。
Theycouldscreenmein，however，thelandlordsaid。Theybroughtagreatoldjapannedscreen，withnatives（Japanese，Isuppose）
engagedinavarietyofidioticpursuitsalloverit；andleftmeroastingwholebeforeanimmensefire。
Mybedroomwassomequarterofamileoff，upagreatstaircaseattheendofalonggallery；andnobodyknowswhatamiserythisistoabashfulmanwhowouldrathernotmeetpeopleonthestairs。ItwasthegrimmestroomIhaveeverhadthenightmarein；andallthefurniture，fromthefourpostsofthebedtothetwooldsilvercandle—sticks，wastall，high—shouldered，andspindle—waisted。
Below，inmysitting—room，ifIlookedroundmyscreen，thewindrushedatmelikeamadbull；ifIstucktomyarm—chair，thefirescorchedmetothecolourofanewbrick。Thechimney—piecewasveryhigh，andtherewasabadglass——whatImaycallawavyglass——
aboveit，which，whenIstoodup，justshowedmemyanteriorphrenologicaldevelopments，——andtheseneverlookwell，inanysubject，cutshortoffattheeyebrow。IfIstoodwithmybacktothefire，agloomyvaultofdarknessaboveandbeyondthescreeninsistedonbeinglookedat；and，initsdimremoteness，thedraperyofthetencurtainsofthefivewindowswenttwistingandcreepingabout，likeanestofgiganticworms。
IsupposethatwhatIobserveinmyselfmustbeobservedbysomeothermenofsimilarcharacterinthemselves；thereforeIamemboldenedtomention，that，whenItravel，IneverarriveataplacebutIimmediatelywanttogoawayfromit。BeforeIhadfinishedmysupperofbroiledfowlandmulledport，Ihadimpresseduponthewaiterindetailmyarrangementsfordepartureinthemorning。Breakfastandbillateight。Flyatnine。Twohorses，or，ifneedful，evenfour。
TiredthoughIwas，thenightappearedaboutaweeklong。Incasesofnightmare，IthoughtofAngela，andfeltmoredepressedthaneverbythereflectionthatIwasontheshortestroadtoGretnaGreen。
WhathadItodowithGretnaGreen？IwasnotgoingthatwaytotheDevil，butbytheAmericanroute，Iremarkedinmybitterness。
InthemorningIfoundthatitwassnowingstill，thatithadsnowedallnight，andthatIwassnowedup。Nothingcouldgetoutofthatspotonthemoor，orcouldcomeatit，untiltheroadhadbeencutoutbylabourersfromthemarket—town。WhentheymightcuttheirwaytotheHolly—Treenobodycouldtellme。
ItwasnowChristmas—eve。IshouldhavehadadismalChristmas—timeofitanywhere，andconsequentlythatdidnotsomuchmatter；still，beingsnowedupwaslikedyingoffrost，athingIhadnotbargainedfor。Ifeltverylonely。YetIcouldnomorehaveproposedtothelandlordandlandladytoadmitmetotheirsociety（thoughIshouldhavelikedit——verymuch）thanIcouldhaveaskedthemtopresentmewithapieceofplate。Heremygreatsecret，therealbashfulnessofmycharacter，istobeobserved。Likemostbashfulmen，Ijudgeofotherpeopleasiftheywerebashfultoo。Besidesbeingfartooshamefacedtomaketheproposalmyself，Ireallyhadadelicatemisgivingthatitwouldbeinthelastdegreedisconcertingtothem。
Tryingtosettledown，therefore，inmysolitude，Ifirstofallaskedwhatbookstherewereinthehouse。ThewaiterbroughtmeaBookofRoads，twoorthreeoldNewspapers，alittleSong—Book，terminatinginacollectionofToastsandSentiments，alittleJest—
Book，anoddvolumeofPeregrinePickle，andtheSentimentalJourney。Ikneweverywordofthetwolastalready，butIreadthemthroughagain，thentriedtohumallthesongs（AuldLangSynewasamongthem）；wententirelythroughthejokes，——inwhichIfoundafundofmelancholyadaptedtomystateofmind；proposedallthetoasts，enunciatedallthesentiments，andmasteredthepapers。Thelatterhadnothinginthembutstockadvertisements，ameetingaboutacountyrate，andahighwayrobbery。AsIamagreedyreader，I
couldnotmakethissupplyholdoutuntilnight；itwasexhaustedbytea—time。Beingthenentirelycastuponmyownresources，Igotthroughanhourinconsideringwhattodonext。Ultimately，itcameintomyhead（fromwhichIwasanxiousbyanymeanstoexcludeAngelaandEdwin），thatIwouldendeavourtorecallmyexperienceofInns，andwouldtryhowlongitlastedme。Istirredthefire，movedmychairalittletoonesideofthescreen，——notdaringtogofar，forIknewthewindwaswaitingtomakearushatme，Icouldhearitgrowling，——andbegan。
MyfirstimpressionsofanInndatedfromtheNursery；consequentlyIwentbacktotheNurseryforastarting—point，andfoundmyselfatthekneeofasallowwomanwithafishyeye，anaquilinenose，andagreengown，whosespeciallywasadismalnarrativeofalandlordbytheroadside，whosevisitorsunaccountablydisappearedformanyyears，untilitwasdiscoveredthatthepursuitofhislifehadbeentoconvertthemintopies。Forthebetterdevotionofhimselftothisbranchofindustry，hehadconstructedasecretdoorbehindtheheadofthebed；andwhenthevisitor（oppressedwithpie）hadfallenasleep，thiswickedlandlordwouldlooksoftlyinwithalampinonehandandaknifeintheother，wouldcuthisthroat，andwouldmakehimintopies；forwhichpurposehehadcoppers，underneathatrap—door，alwaysboiling；androlledouthispastryinthedeadofthenight。Yetevenhewasnotinsensibletothestingsofconscience，forheneverwenttosleepwithoutbeingheardtomutter，\"Toomuchpepper！\"whichwaseventuallythecauseofhisbeingbroughttojustice。Ihadnosoonerdisposedofthiscriminalthantherestartedupanotherofthesameperiod，whoseprofessionwasoriginallyhouse—breaking；inthepursuitofwhicharthehadhadhisrightearchoppedoffonenight，ashewasburglariouslygettinginatawindow，byabraveandlovelyservant—maid（whomtheaquiline—nosedwoman，thoughnotatallansweringthedescription，alwaysmysteriouslyimpliedtobeherself）。Afterseveralyears，thisbraveandlovelyservant—maidwasmarriedtothelandlordofacountryInn；whichlandlordhadthisremarkablecharacteristic，thathealwaysworeasilknightcap，andneverwouldonanyconsiderationtakeitoff。Atlast，onenight，whenhewasfastasleep，thebraveandlovelywomanlifteduphissilknightcapontherightside，andfoundthathehadnoearthere；uponwhichshesagaciouslyperceivedthathewastheclippedhousebreaker，whohadmarriedherwiththeintentionofputtinghertodeath。Sheimmediatelyheatedthepokerandterminatedhiscareer，forwhichshewastakentoKingGeorgeuponhisthrone，andreceivedthecomplimentsofroyaltyonhergreatdiscretionandvalour。Thissamenarrator，whohadaGhoulishpleasure，Ihavelongbeenpersuaded，interrifyingmetotheutmostconfinesofmyreason，hadanotherauthenticanecdotewithinherownexperience，founded，Inowbelieve，uponRaymondandAgnes，ortheBleedingNun。Shesaidithappenedtoherbrother—in—law，whowasimmenselyrich，——whichmyfatherwasnot；andimmenselytall，——whichmyfatherwasnot。ItwasalwaysapointwiththisGhoultopresentmyclearestrelationsandfriendstomyyouthfulmindundercircumstancesofdisparagingcontrast。Thebrother—in—lawwasridingoncethroughaforestonamagnificenthorse（wehadnomagnificenthorseatourhouse），attendedbyafavouriteandvaluableNewfoundlanddog（wehadnodog），whenhefoundhimselfbenighted，andcametoanInn。Adarkwomanopenedthedoor，andheaskedherifhecouldhaveabedthere。Sheansweredyes，andputhishorseinthestable，andtookhimintoaroomwherethereweretwodarkmen。Whilehewasatsupper，aparrotintheroombegantotalk，saying，\"Blood，blood！Wipeuptheblood！\"Uponwhichoneofthedarkmenwrungtheparrot’sneck，andsaidhewasfondofroastedparrots，andhemeanttohavethisoneforbreakfastinthemorning。Aftereatinganddrinkingheartily，theimmenselyrich，tallbrother—in—lawwentuptobed；buthewasrathervexed，becausetheyhadshuthisdoginthestable，sayingthattheyneveralloweddogsinthehouse。Hesatveryquietformorethananhour，thinkingandthinking，when，justashiscandlewasburningout，heheardascratchatthedoor。Heopenedthedoor，andtherewastheNewfoundlanddog！Thedogcamesoftlyin，smeltabouthim，wentstraighttosomestrawinthecornerwhichthedarkmenhadsaidcoveredapples，torethestrawaway，anddisclosedtwosheetssteepedinblood。Justatthatmomentthecandlewentout，andthebrother—in—law，lookingthroughachinkinthedoor，sawthetwodarkmenstealingup—stairs；onearmedwithadaggerthatlong（aboutfivefeet）；theothercarryingachopper，asack，andaspade。Havingnoremembranceofthecloseofthisadventure，I
supposemyfacultiestohavebeenalwayssofrozenwithterroratthisstageofit，thatthepoweroflisteningstagnatedwithinmeforsomequarterofanhour。
Thesebarbarousstoriescarriedme，sittingthereontheHolly—Treehearth，totheRoadsideInn，renownedinmytimeinasixpennybookwithafoldingplate，representinginacentralcompartmentofovalformtheportraitofJonathanBradford，andinfourcornercompartmentsfourincidentsofthetragedywithwhichthenameisassociated，——colouredwithahandatoncesofreeandeconomical，thatthebloomofJonathan’scomplexionpassedwithoutanypauseintothebreechesoftheostler，and，smearingitselfoffintothenextdivision，becameruminabottle。ThenIrememberedhowthelandlordwasfoundatthemurderedtraveller’sbedside，withhisownknifeathisfeet，andblooduponhishand；howhewashangedforthemurder，notwithstandinghisprotestationthathehadindeedcometheretokillthetravellerforhissaddle—bags，buthadbeenstrickenmotionlessonfindinghimalreadyslain；andhowtheostler，yearsafterwards，ownedthedeed。BythistimeIhadmademyselfquiteuncomfortable。Istirredthefire，andstoodwithmybacktoitaslongasIcouldbeartheheat，lookingupatthedarknessbeyondthescreen，andatthewormycurtainscreepinginandcreepingout，likethewormsintheballadofAlonzotheBraveandtheFairImogene。
TherewasanInninthecathedraltownwhereIwenttoschool，whichhadpleasanterrecollectionsaboutitthananyofthese。Itookitnext。ItwastheInnwherefriendsusedtoputup，andwhereweusedtogotoseeparents，andtohavesalmonandfowls，andbetipped。Ithadanecclesiasticalsign，——theMitre，——andabarthatseemedtobethenextbestthingtoabishopric，itwassosnug。I
lovedthelandlord’syoungestdaughtertodistraction，——butletthatpass。ItwasinthisInnthatIwascriedoverbymyrosylittlesister，becauseIhadacquiredablackeyeinafight。Andthoughshehadbeen，thatHolly—Treenight，formanyalongyearwherealltearsaredried，theMitresoftenedmeyet。
\"Tobecontinuedto—morrow，\"saidI，whenItookmycandletogotobed。Butmybedtookituponitselftocontinuethetrainofthoughtthatnight。Itcarriedmeaway，liketheenchantedcarpet，toadistantplace（thoughstillinEngland），andthere，alightingfromastage—coachatanotherInninthesnow，asIhadactuallydonesomeyearsbefore，IrepeatedinmysleepacuriousexperienceIhadreallyhadthere。MorethanayearbeforeImadethejourneyinthecourseofwhichIputupatthatInn，Ihadlostaverynearanddearfriendbydeath。Everynightsince，athomeorawayfromhome，Ihaddreamedofthatfriend；sometimesasstillliving；
sometimesasreturningfromtheworldofshadowstocomfortme；
alwaysasbeingbeautiful，placid，andhappy，neverinassociationwithanyapproachtofearordistress。ItwasatalonelyInninawidemoorlandplace，thatIhaltedtopassthenight。WhenIhadlookedfrommybedroomwindowoverthewasteofsnowonwhichthemoonwasshining，Isatdownbymyfiretowritealetter。Ihadalways，untilthathour，keptitwithinmyownbreastthatIdreamedeverynightofthedearlostone。ButintheletterthatIwroteI
recordedthecircumstance，andaddedthatIfeltmuchinterestedinprovingwhetherthesubjectofmydreamwouldstillbefaithfultome，travel—tired，andinthatremoteplace。No。Ilostthebelovedfigureofmyvisioninpartingwiththesecret。Mysleephasneverlookeduponitsince，insixteenyears，butonce。IwasinItaly，andawoke（orseemedtoawake），thewell—rememberedvoicedistinctlyinmyears，conversingwithit。Ientreatedit，asitroseabovemybedandsoareduptothevaultedroofoftheoldroom，toanswermeaquestionIhadaskedtouchingtheFutureLife。Myhandswerestilloutstretchedtowardsitasitvanished，whenIheardabellringingbythegardenwall，andavoiceinthedeepstillnessofthenightcallingonallgoodChristianstoprayforthesoulsofthedead；itbeingAllSouls’Eve。
ToreturntotheHolly—Tree。WhenIawokenextday，itwasfreezinghard，andtheloweringskythreatenedmoresnow。Mybreakfastclearedaway，Idrewmychairintoitsformerplace，and，withthefiregettingsomuchthebetterofthelandscapethatIsatintwilight，resumedmyInnremembrances。
ThatwasagoodInndowninWiltshirewhereIputuponce，inthedaysofthehardWiltshireale，andbeforeallbeerwasbitterness。
ItwasontheskirtsofSalisburyPlain，andthemidnightwindthatrattledmylatticewindowcamemoaningatmefromStonehenge。Therewasahanger—onatthatestablishment（asupernaturallypreservedDruidIbelievehimtohavebeen，andtobestill），withlongwhitehair，andaflintyblueeyealwayslookingafaroff；whoclaimedtohavebeenashepherd，andwhoseemedtobeeverwatchingforthereappearance，onthevergeofthehorizon，ofsomeghostlyflockofsheepthathadbeenmuttonformanyages。HewasamanwithaweirdbeliefinhimthatnoonecouldcountthestonesofStonehengetwice，andmakethesamenumberofthem；likewise，thatanyonewhocountedthemthreetimesninetimes，andthenstoodinthecentreandsaid，\"Idare！\"wouldbeholdatremendousapparition，andbestrickendead。Hepretendedtohaveseenabustard（Isuspecthimtohavebeenfamiliarwiththedodo），inmannerfollowing：Hewasoutupontheplainatthecloseofalateautumnday，whenhedimlydiscerned，goingonbeforehimatacuriousfitfullyboundingpace，whatheatfirstsupposedtobeagig—umbrellathathadbeenblownfromsomeconveyance，butwhathepresentlybelievedtobealeandwarfmanuponalittlepony。Havingfollowedthisobjectforsomedistancewithoutgainingonit，andhavingcalledtoitmanytimeswithoutreceivinganyanswer，hepursueditformilesandmiles，when，atlengthcomingupwithit，hediscoveredittobethelastbustardinGreatBritain，degeneratedintoawinglessstate，andrunningalongtheground。Resolvedtocapturehimorperishintheattempt，heclosedwiththebustard；butthebustard，whohadformedacounter—resolutionthatheshoulddoneither，threwhim，stunnedhim，andwaslastseenmakingoffduewest。Thisweirdmain，atthatstageofmetempsychosis，mayhavebeenasleep—walkeroranenthusiastorarobber；butIawokeonenighttofindhiminthedarkatmybedside，repeatingtheAthanasianCreedinaterrificvoice。Ipaidmybillnextday，andretiredfromthecountywithallpossibleprecipitation。
ThatwasnotacommonplacestorywhichworkeditselfoutatalittleInninSwitzerland，whileIwasstayingthere。Itwasaveryhomelyplace，inavillageofonenarrowzigzagstreet，amongmountains，andyouwentinatthemaindoorthroughthecow—house，andamongthemulesandthedogsandthefowls，beforeascendingagreatbarestaircasetotherooms；whichwereallofunpaintedwood，withoutplasteringorpapering，——likeroughpacking—cases。Outsidetherewasnothingbutthestragglingstreet，alittletoychurchwithacopper—colouredsteeple，apineforest，atorrent，mists，andmountain—sides。AyoungmanbelongingtothisInnhaddisappearedeightweeksbefore（itwaswinter—time），andwassupposedtohavehadsomeundiscoveredloveaffair，andtohavegoneforasoldier。
Hehadgotupinthenight，anddroppedintothevillagestreetfromtheloftinwhichhesleptwithanotherman；andhehaddoneitsoquietly，thathiscompanionandfellow—labourerhadheardnomovementwhenhewasawakenedinthemorning，andtheysaid，\"Louis，whereisHenri？\"Theylookedforhimhighandlow，invain，andgavehimup。Now，outsidethisInn，therestood，astherestoodoutsideeverydwellinginthevillage，astackoffirewood；butthestackbelongingtotheInnwashigherthananyoftherest，becausetheInnwastherichesthouse，andburntthemostfuel。Itbegantobenoticed，whiletheywerelookinghighandlow，thataBantamcock，partofthelivestockoftheInn，puthimselfwonderfullyoutofhiswaytogettothetopofthiswood—stack；andthathewouldstaythereforhoursandhours，crowing，untilheappearedindangerofsplittinghimself。Fiveweekswenton，——sixweeks，——andstillthisterribleBantam，neglectinghisdomesticaffairs，wasalwaysonthetopofthewood—stack，crowingtheveryeyesoutofhishead。
BythistimeitwasperceivedthatLouishadbecomeinspiredwithaviolentanimositytowardstheterribleBantam，andonemorninghewasseenbyawoman，whosatnursinghergoitreatalittlewindowinagleamofsun，tocatchuparoughbilletofwood，withagreatoath，hurlitattheterribleBantamcrowingonthewood—stack，andbringhimdowndead。Hereuponthewoman，withasuddenlightinhermind，stoleroundtothebackofthewood—stack，and，beingagoodclimber，asallthosewomenare，climbedup，andsoonwasseenuponthesummit，screaming，lookingdownthehollowwithin，andcrying，\"SeizeLouis，themurderer！Ringthechurchbell！Hereisthebody！\"Isawthemurdererthatday，andIsawhimasIsatbymyfireattheHolly—TreeInn，andIseehimnow，lyingshackledwithcordsonthestablelitter，amongthemildeyesandthesmokingbreathofthecows，waitingtobetakenawaybythepolice，andstaredatbythefearfulvillage。Aheavyanimal，——thedullestanimalinthestables，——withastupidhead，andalumpishfacedevoidofanytraceofinsensibility，whohadbeen，withintheknowledgeofthemurderedyouth，anembezzlerofcertainsmallmoneysbelongingtohismaster，andwhohadtakenthishopefulmodeofputtingapossibleaccuseroutofhisway。Allofwhichheconfessednextday，likeasulkywretchwhocouldn’tbetroubledanymore，nowthattheyhadgotholdofhim，andmeanttomakeanendofhim。Isawhimonceagain，onthedayofmydeparturefromtheInn。
InthatCantontheheadsmanstilldoeshisofficewithasword；andIcameuponthismurderersittingbound，toachair，withhiseyesbandaged，onascaffoldinalittlemarket—place。Inthatinstant，agreatsword（loadedwithquicksilverinthethickpartoftheblade）sweptroundhimlikeagustofwindorfire，andtherewasnosuchcreatureintheworld。Mywonderwas，notthathewassosuddenlydispatched，butthatanyheadwasleftunreaped，withinaradiusoffiftyyardsofthattremendoussickle。
ThatwasagoodInn，too，withthekind，cheerfullandladyandthehonestlandlord，whereIlivedintheshadowofMontBlanc，andwhereoneoftheapartmentshasazoologicalpaperingonthewalls，notsoaccuratelyjoinedbutthattheelephantoccasionallyrejoicesinatiger’shindlegsandtail，whilethelionputsonatrunkandtusks，andthebear，moultingasitwere，appearsastoportionsofhimselflikealeopard。ImadeseveralAmericanfriendsatthatInn，whoallcalledMontBlancMountBlank，——exceptonegood—
humouredgentleman，ofaverysociablenature，whobecameonsuchintimatetermswithitthathespokeofitfamiliarlyas\"Blank；\"
observing，atbreakfast，\"Blanklooksprettytallthismorning；\"orconsiderablydoubtinginthecourtyardintheevening，whethertherewarn’tsomego—aheadnatersinourcountry，sir，thatwouldmakeoutthetopofBlankinacoupleofhoursfromfirststart——now！
OnceIpassedafortnightatanInnintheNorthofEngland，whereI
washauntedbytheghostofatremendouspie。ItwasaYorkshirepie，likeafort，——anabandonedfortwithnothinginit；butthewaiterhadafixedideathatitwasapointofceremonyateverymealtoputthepieonthetable。AftersomedaysItriedtohint，inseveraldelicateways，thatIconsideredthepiedonewith；as，forexample，byemptyingfag—endsofglassesofwineintoit；
puttingcheese—platesandspoonsintoit，asintoabasket；puttingwine—bottlesintoit，asintoacooler；butalwaysinvain，thepiebeinginvariablycleanedoutagainandbroughtupasbefore。Atlast，beginningtobedoubtfulwhetherIwasnotthevictimofaspectralillusion，andwhethermyhealthandspiritsmightnotsinkunderthehorrorsofanimaginarypie，Icutatriangleoutofit，fullyaslargeasthemusicalinstrumentofthatnameinapowerfulorchestra。Humanprovisioncouldnothaveforeseentheresult——butthewaitermendedthepie。Withsomeeffectualspeciesofcement，headroitlyfittedthetriangleinagain，andIpaidmyreckoningandfled。
TheHolly—Treewasgettingratherdismal。Imadeanoverlandexpeditionbeyondthescreen，andpenetratedasfarasthefourthwindow。HereIwasdrivenbackbystressofweather。Arrivedatmywinter—quartersoncemore，Imadeupthefire，andtookanotherInn。
ItwasintheremotestpartofCornwall。AgreatannualMiners’
FeastwasbeingholdenattheInn，whenIandmytravellingcompanionspresentedourselvesatnightamongthewildcrowdthatweredancingbeforeitbytorchlight。Wehadhadabreak—downinthedark，onastonymorasssomemilesaway；andIhadthehonourofleadingoneoftheunharnessedpost—horses。Ifanyladyorgentleman，onperusalofthepresentlines，willtakeanyverytallpost—horsewithhistraceshangingabouthislegs，andwillconducthimbythebearing—reinintotheheartofacountrydanceofahundredandfiftycouples，thatladyorgentlemanwillthen，andonlythen，formanadequateideaoftheextenttowhichthatpost—
horsewilltreadonhisconductor’stoes。Overandabovewhich，thepost—horse，findingthreehundredpeoplewhirlingabouthim，willprobablyrear，andalsolashoutwithhishindlegs，inamannerincompatiblewithdignityorself—respectonhisconductor’spart。
Withsuchlittledrawbacksonmyusuallyimpressiveaspect，I
appearedatthisCornishInn，totheunutterablewonderoftheCornishMiners。Itwasfull，andtwentytimesfull，andnobodycouldbereceivedbutthepost—horse，——thoughtogetridofthatnobleanimalwassomething。Whilemyfellow—travellersandIwerediscussinghowtopassthenightandsomuchofthenextdayasmustintervenebeforethejovialblacksmithandthejovialwheelwrightwouldbeinaconditiontogooutonthemorassandmendthecoach，anhonestmansteppedforthfromthecrowdandproposedhisunletflooroftworooms，withsupperofeggsandbacon，aleandpunch。
Wejoyfullyaccompaniedhimhometothestrangestofcleanhouses，wherewewerewellentertainedtothesatisfactionofallparties。
Butthenovelfeatureoftheentertainmentwas，thatourhostwasachair—maker，andthatthechairsassignedtousweremereframes，altogetherwithoutbottomsofanysort；sothatwepassedtheeveningonperches。Norwasthistheabsurdestconsequence；forwhenweunbentatsupper，andanyoneofusgavewaytolaughter，heforgotthepeculiarityofhisposition，andinstantlydisappeared。
Imyself，doubledupintoanattitudefromwhichself—extricationwasimpossible，wastakenoutofmyframe，likeaclowninacomicpantomimewhohastumbledintoatub，fivetimesbythetaper’slightduringtheeggsandbacon。
TheHolly—Treewasfastrevivingwithinmeasenseofloneliness。I
begantofeelconsciousthatmysubjectwouldnevercarryonuntilI
wasdugout。Imightbeaweekhere，——weeks！
Therewasastorywithasingularideainit，connectedwithanInnIoncepassedanightatinapicturesqueoldtownontheWelshborder。Inalargedouble—beddedroomofthisInntherehadbeenasuicidecommittedbypoison，inonebed，whileatiredtravellersleptunconsciousintheother。Afterthattime，thesuicidebedwasneverused，buttheotherconstantlywas；thedisusedbedsteadremainingintheroomempty，thoughastoallotherrespectsinitsoldstate。Thestoryran，thatwhosoeversleptinthisroom，thoughneversoentireastranger，fromneversofaroff，wasinvariablyobservedtocomedowninthemorningwithanimpressionthathesmeltLaudanum，andthathismindalwaysturneduponthesubjectofsuicide；towhich，whateverkindofmanhemightbe，hewascertaintomakesomereferenceifheconversedwithanyone。Thiswentonforyears，untilitatlengthinducedthelandlordtotakethedisusedbedsteaddown，andbodilyburnit，——bed，hangings，andall。
Thestrangeinfluence（thiswasthestory）nowchangedtoafainterone，butneverchangedafterwards。Theoccupantofthatroom，withoccasionalbutveryrareexceptions，wouldcomedowninthemorning，tryingtorecallaforgottendreamhehadhadinthenight。Thelandlord，onhismentioninghisperplexity，wouldsuggestvariouscommonplacesubjects，notoneofwhich，asheverywellknew，wasthetruesubject。Butthemomentthelandlordsuggested\"Poison，\"
thetravellerstarted，andcried，\"Yes！\"Heneverfailedtoacceptthatsuggestion，andheneverrecalledanymoreofthedream。
ThisreminiscencebroughttheWelshInnsingeneralbeforeme；withthewomenintheirroundhats，andtheharperswiththeirwhitebeards（venerable，buthumbugs，Iamafraid），playingoutsidethedoorwhileItookmydinner。ThetransitionwasnaturaltotheHighlandInns，withtheoatmealbannocks，thehoney，thevenisonsteaks，thetroutfromtheloch，thewhisky，andperhaps（havingthematerialssotemptinglyathand）theAtholbrose。OncewasIcomingsouthfromtheScottishHighlandsinhothaste，hopingtochangequicklyatthestationatthebottomofacertainwildhistoricalglen，whentheseeyesdidwithmortificationseethelandlordcomeoutwithatelescopeandsweepthewholeprospectforthehorses；
whichhorseswereawaypickinguptheirownliving，anddidnotheaveinsightunderfourhours。Havingthoughtoftheloch—trout，IwastakenbyquickassociationtotheAnglers’InnsofEngland（I
haveassistedatinnumerablefeatsofanglingbylyinginthebottomoftheboat，wholesummerdays，doingnothingwiththegreatestperseverance；whichIhavegenerallyfoundtobeaseffectualtowardsthetakingoffishasthefinesttackleandtheutmostscience），andtothepleasantwhite，clean，flower—pot—decoratedbedroomsofthoseinns，overlookingtheriver，andtheferry，andthegreenait，andthechurch—spire，andthecountrybridge；andtothepearlessEmmawiththebrighteyesandtheprettysmile，whowaited，blessher！withanaturalgracethatwouldhaveconvertedBlue—Beard。CastingmyeyesuponmyHolly—Treefire，InextdiscernedamongtheglowingcoalsthepicturesofascoreormoreofthosewonderfulEnglishposting—innswhichweareallsosorrytohavelost，whichweresolargeandsocomfortable，andwhichweresuchmonumentsofBritishsubmissiontorapacityandextortion。Hewhowouldseethesehousespiningaway，lethimwalkfromBasingstoke，orevenWindsor，toLondon，bywayofHounslow，andmoraliseontheirperishingremains；thestablescrumblingtodust；
unsettledlabourersandwanderersbivouackingintheouthouses；
grassgrowingintheyards；therooms，whereerstsomanyhundredbedsofdownweremadeup，letofftoIrishlodgersateighteenpenceaweek；alittleill—lookingbeer—shopshrinkinginthetapofformerdays，burningcoach—housegatesforfirewood，havingoneofitstwowindowsbungedup，asifithadreceivedpunishmentinafightwiththeRailroad；alow，bandy—legged，brick—makingbulldogstandinginthedoorway。WhatcouldInextseeinmyfiresonaturallyasthenewrailway—houseofthesetimesnearthedismalcountrystation；withnothingparticularondraughtbutcoldairanddamp，nothingworthmentioninginthelarderbutnewmortar，andnobusinessdoingbeyondaconceitedaffectationofluggageinthehall？ThenIcametotheInnsofParis，withtheprettyapartmentoffourpiecesuponehundredandseventy—fivewaxedstairs，theprivilegeofringingthebellalldaylongwithoutinfluencinganybody’smindorbodybutyourown，andthenot—too—much—for—