第1章

Contents：

Announcementin\"HouseholdWords\"

ThePoorManandhisBeerFiveNewPointsofCriminalLawLeighHunt：ARemonstranceTheTattlesnivelBleaterTheYoungManfromtheCountryAnEnlightenedClergymanRatheraStrongDoseTheMartyrMediumTheLateMr。StanfieldASlightQuestionofFactLandor’sLifeAddresswhichappearedshortlyprevioustothecompletionofthe20thvolumeANNOUNCEMENTIN\"HOUSEHOLDWORDS\"OFTHEAPPROACHINGPUBLICATIONOF

\"ALLTHEYEARROUND\"

AftertheappearanceofthepresentconcludingNumberofHouseholdWords，thispublicationwillmergeintothenewweeklypublication，AlltheYearRound，andthetitle，HouseholdWords，willformapartofthetitle—pageofAlltheYearRound。

TheProspectusofthelatterJournaldescribesitinthesewords：

\"ADDRESS

\"NineyearsofHouseholdWords，arethebestpracticalassurancethatcanbeofferedtothepublic，ofthespiritandobjectsofAlltheYearRound。

\"Intransferringmyself，andmystrongestenergies，fromthepublicationthatisabouttobediscontinued，tothepublicationthatisabouttobebegun，IhavethehappinessoftakingwithmethestaffofwriterswithwhomIhavelaboured，andalltheliteraryandbusinessco—operationthatcanmakemyworkapleasure。Insomeimportantrespects，Iamnowfreegreatlytoadvanceonpastarrangements。Those，Ileavetotestifyforthemselvesinduecourse。

\"Thatfusionofthegracesoftheimaginationwiththerealitiesoflife，whichisvitaltothewelfareofanycommunity，andforwhichIhavestrivenfromweektoweekashonestlyasIcouldduringthelastnineyears，willcontinuetobestrivenfor\"alltheyearround\"。TheoldweeklycaresanddutiesbecomethingsofthePast，merelytobeassumed，withanincreasedloveforthemandbrighterhopesspringingoutofthem，inthePresentandtheFuture。

\"Ilook，andplan，foraverymuchwidercircleofreaders，andyetagainforasteadilyexpandingcircleofreaders，intheprojectsI

hopetocarrythrough\"alltheyearround\"。AndIfeelconfidentthatthisexpectationwillberealized，ifitdeserverealization。

\"Thetaskofmynewjournalisset，anditwillsteadilytrytoworkthetaskout。Itspagesshallshowtowhatgoodpurposetheirmottoisrememberedinthem，andwithhowmuchoffidelityandearnestnesstheytell\"thestoryofourlivesfromyeartoyear。

\"CHARLESDICKENS。\"

Sincethiswasissued，theJournalitselfhascomeintoexistence，andhasspokenforitselffiveweeks。ItsfifthNumberispublishedto—day，anditscirculation，moderatelystated，treblesthatnowrelinquishedinHouseholdWords。

Inreferringourreaders，henceforth，toAlltheYearRound，wecanbutassurethemafresh，ofourunwearyingandfaithfulservice，inwhatisatoncetheworkandthechiefpleasureofourlife。

Throughallthatwearedoing，andthroughallthatwedesigntodo，ouraimistodoourbestinsincerityofpurpose，andtruedevotionofspirit。

Wedonotforamomentsupposethatwemayleanonthecharacterofthesepages，andrestcontentedatthepointwheretheystop。Weseeinthatpointbutastarting—placeforournewjourney；andonthatjourney，withnewprospectsopeningoutbeforeuseverywhere，wejoyfullyproceed，entreatingourreaders——withoutanyofthepainofleave—takingincidentaltomostjourneys——tobearuscompanyAlltheyearround。

Saturday，May28，1859。

THEPOORMANANDHISBEER

MyfriendPhilosewersandI，contemplatingafarm—labourertheotherday，whowasdrinkinghismugofbeeronasettleataroadsideale—

housedoor，wefelltohummingthefag—endofanoldditty，ofwhichthepoormanandhisbeer，andthesinofpartingthem，formthedolefulburden。Philosewersthenmentionedtomethatafriendofhisinanagriculturalcounty——sayaHertfordshirefriend——had，fortwoyearslastpast，endeavouredtoreconcilethepoormanandhisbeertopublicmorality，bymakingitapointofhonourbetweenhimselfandthepoormanthatthelattershouldusehisbeerandnotabuseit。Interestedinaneffortofsounobtrusiveandunspeechifyinganature，\"OPhilosewers，\"saidI，afterthemannerofthedrearysagesinEasternapologues，\"Showme，Ipray，themanwhodeemsthattemperancecanbeattainedwithoutamedal，anoration，abanner，andadenunciationofhalftheworld，andwhohasatoncetheheadandhearttosetaboutit!\"

Philosewersexpressing，inreply，hiswillingnesstogratifythedrearysage，anappointmentwasmadeforthepurpose。Andonthedayfixed，I，theDrearyone，accompaniedbyPhilosewers，wentdownNor’—Westperrailway，insearchoftemperatetemperance。Itwasathunderousday；andthecloudsweresoimmoderatelywatery，andsoverymuchdisposedtosourallthebeerinHertfordshire，thattheyseemedtohavetakenthepledge。

But，thesunburstforthgailyintheafternoon，andgildedtheoldgables，andoldmullionedwindows，andoldweathercockandoldclock—face，ofthequaintoldhousewhichisthedwellingofthemanwesought。HowshallIdescribehim？Asoneofthemostfamouspracticalchemistsoftheage？Thatdesignationwilldoaswellasanother——better，perhaps，thanmostothers。Andhisname？FriarBacon。

\"Though，takenotice，Philosewers，\"saidI，behindmyhand，\"thatthefirstFriarBaconhadnotthathandsomelady—wifebesidehim。

Wherein，OPhilosewers，hewasachemist，wretchedandforlorn，comparedwithhissuccessor。YoungRomeobadetheholyfatherLawrencehangupphilosophy，unlessphilosophycouldmakeaJuliet。

ChemistrywouldinfalliblybehangedifitslifewerestakedonmakinganythinghalfsopleasantasthisJuliet。\"ThegentlePhilosewerssmiledassent。

Theforegoingwhisperfrommyself，theDrearyone，tickledtheearofPhilosewers，aswewalkedonthetrimgardenterracebeforedinner，amongtheearlyleavesandblossoms；twopeacocks，apparentlyinverytightnewboots，occasionallycrossingthegravelatadistance。Thesun，shiningthroughtheoldhouse—windows，nowandthenflashedoutsomebrilliantpieceofcolourfrombrighthangingswithin，orupontheoldoakpanelling；similarly，FriarBacon，aswepacedtoandfro，revealedlittleglimpsesofhisgoodwork。

\"Itisnotmuch，\"saidhe。\"Itisnowonderfulthing。Thereusedtobeagreatdealofdrunkennesshere，andIwantedtomakeitbetterifIcould。Thepeopleareveryignorant，andhavebeenmuchneglected，andIwantedtomakeTHATbetter，ifIcould。Myutmostobjectwas，tohelpthemtoalittleself—governmentandalittlehomelypleasure。Ionlyshowthewaytobetterthings，andadvisethem。Ineveractforthem；Ineverinterfere；aboveall，Ineverpatronise。\"

IhadsaidtoPhilosewersaswecamealongNor’—WestthatpatronagewasoneofthecursesofEngland；IappearedtoriseintheestimationofPhilosewerswhenthusconfirmed。

\"Andso，\"saidFriarBacon，\"IestablishedmyAllotment—club，andmypig—clubs，andthoselittleConcertsbytheladiesofmyownfamily，ofwhichwehavethelastoftheseasonthisevening。Theyareagreatsuccess，forthepeoplehereareamazinglyfondofmusic。Butthereistheearlydinner—bell，andIhavenoneedtotalkofmyendeavourswhenyouwillsoonseethemintheirworkingdress\"。

Dinnerdone，beholdtheFriar，Philosewers，andmyselftheDrearyone，walking，atsixo’clock，acrossthefields，tothe\"Club—

house。\"

Asweswungopenthelastfield—gateandenteredtheAllotment—

grounds，manymemberswerealreadyontheirwaytotheClub，whichstandsinthemidstoftheallotments。Whocouldhelpthinkingofthewonderfulcontrastbetweentheseclub—menandtheclub—menofSt。James’sStreet，orPallMall，inLondon!Lookatyonderprematurelyoldman，doubledupwithwork，andleaningonarudestickmorecrookedthanhimself，slowlytrudgingtotheclub—house，inashapelesshatlikeanItalianharlequin’s，oranoldbrown—

paperbag，leathernleggings，anddullgreensmock—frock，lookingasthoughduck—weedhadaccumulatedonit——theresultofitsstagnantlife——orasifitwereavegetableproduction，originallymeanttoblowintosomethingbetter，butstoppedsomehow。ComparehimwithOldCousinFeenix，amblingalongSt。James’sStreet，gotupinthestyleofacoupleofgenerationsago，andwithaheadofhair，acomplexion，andasetofteeth，profoundlyimpossibletobebelievedinbythewideststretchofhumancredulity。Cantheybothbemenandbrothers？Verilytheyare。AndalthoughCousinFeenixhaslivedsofastthathewilldieatBaden—Baden，andalthoughthisclub—maninthefrockhaslived，eversincehecametoman’sestate，onnineshillingsaweek，andissuretodieintheUnionifhedieinbed，yethebroughtasmuchintotheworldasCousinFeenix，andwilltakeasmuchout——more，formoreofhimisreal。

Apretty，simplebuilding，theclub—house，witharusticcolonnadeoutside，underwhichthememberscansitonwetevenings，lookingatthepatchesofgroundtheycultivateforthemselves；within，awell—

ventilatedroom，largeandlofty，cheerfulpavementofcolouredtiles，abarforservingoutthebeer，goodsupplyofformsandchairs，andabravebigchimney—corner，wherethefireburnscheerfully。Adjoiningthisroom，another：

\"Builtforareading—room，\"saidFriarBacon；\"butnotmuchused——

yet。\"

Thedrearysage，lookinginthroughthewindow，perceivingafixedreading—deskwithin，andinquiringitsuse：

\"IhaveServicethere，\"saidFriarBacon。\"Theyneverwentanywheretohearprayers，andofcourseitwouldbehopelesstohelpthemtobehappierandbetter，iftheyhadnoreligiousfeelingatall。\"

\"Thewholeplaceisverypretty。\"Thusthesage。

\"Iamgladyouthinkso。IbuiltitfortheholdersoftheAllotment—grounds，andgaveitthem：onlyrequiringthemtomanageitbyacommitteeoftheirownappointing，andnevertogetdrunkthere。Theyneverhavegotdrunkthere。\"

\"Yettheyhavetheirbeerfreely？\"

\"Oyes。Asmuchastheychoosetobuy。Theclubgetsitsbeerdirectfromthebrewer，bythebarrel。Sotheygetitgood；atoncemuchcheaper，andmuchbetter，thanatthepublic—house。Thememberstakeitinturnstobesteward，andserveoutthebeer：ifamanshoulddeclinetoservewhenhisturncame，hewouldpayafineoftwopence。Thestewardlasts，aslongasthebarrellasts。

Whenthereisanewbarrel，thereisanewsteward。\"

\"Whatanoblefireisroaringupthatchimney!\"

\"Yes，acapitalfire。Everymemberpaysahalfpennyaweek。\"

\"EverymembermustbetheholderofanAllotment—garden？\"

\"Yes；forwhichhepaysfiveshillingsayear。TheAllotmentsyouseeaboutus，occupysomesixteenoreighteenacres，andeachgardenisaslargeasexperienceshowsonemantobeabletomanage。Youseehowadmirablytheyaretilled，andhowmuchtheygetoffthem。

Theyarealwaysworkinginthemintheirsparehours；andwhenamanwantsamugofbeer，insteadofgoingofftothevillageandthepublic—house，heputsdownhisspadeorhishoe，comestotheclub—

houseandgetsit，andgoesbacktohiswork。Whenhehasdonework，helikestohavehisbeerattheclub，still，andtositandlookathislittlecropsastheythrive。\"

\"Theyseemtomanagetheclubverywell。\"

\"Perfectlywell。Herearetheirownrules。Theymadethem。I

neverinterferewiththem，excepttoadvisethemwhentheyaskme。\"

RULESANDREGULATIONS

MADEBYTHECOMMITTEE

Fromthe21stSeptember，1857

Onehalf—pennyperweektobepaidtotheclubbyeachmember1。——Eachmembertodrawthebeerinorder，accordingtothenumberofhisallotment；onfailing，aforfeitoftwopencetobepaidtotheclub。

2。——Thememberthatdrawsthebeertopayforthesame，andbringhisticketupreceiptedwhenthesubscriptionsarepaid；onfailingtodoso，apenaltyofsixpencetobeforfeitedandpaidtotheclub。

3。——Thesubscriptionsandforfeitstobepaidattheclub—roomonthelastSaturdaynightofeachmonth。

4。——Thesubscriptionsandforfeitstobeclearedupeveryquarter；

ifnot，apenaltyofsixpencetobepaidtotheclub。

5。——Thememberthatdrawsthebeertobeattheclub—roombysixo’clockeveryevening，andstaytillten；butintheeventofnomemberbeingthere，hemayleaveatnine；onfailingsotoattend，apenaltyofsixpencetobepaidtotheclub。

6。——Anymembergivingbeertoastrangerinthisclub—room，exceptingtohiswifeorfamily，shallbeliabletothepenaltyofoneshilling。

7。——Anymemberliftinghishandtostrikeanotherinthisclub—roomshallbeliabletothepenaltyofsixpence。

8。——Anymemberswearinginthisclub—roomshallbeliabletoapenaltyoftwopenceeachtime。

9。——Anymembersellingbeershallbeexpelledfromtheclub。

10。——Anymemberwishingtogiveuphisallotment，mayapplytothecommittee，andtheyshallvaluethecropandtheconditionoftheground。Theamountofthevaluationshallbepaidbythesucceedingtenant，whoshallbeallowedtoenteronanypartoftheallotmentwhichisuncroppedatthetimeofnoticeoftheleavingtenant。

11。——Anymembernotkeepinghisallotment—gardenclearfromseed—

weeds，orotherwiseinjuringhisneighbours，maybeturnedoutofhisgardenbythevotesoftwo—thirdsofthecommittee，onemonth’snoticebeinggiventohim。

12。——Anymembercarelesslybreakingamug，istopaythecostofreplacingthesame。

IwassolicitingtheattentionofPhilosewerstosomeoldoldbonnetshangingintheAllotment—gardenstofrightenthebirds，andthefashionofwhichIshouldthinkwouldterrifyaFrenchbirdtodeathatanydistance，whenPhilosewerssolicitedmyattentiontothescrapersattheclub—housedoor。TheamountofthesoilofEnglandwhicheverymemberbroughtthereonhisfeet，wasindeedsurprising；andevenI，whoamprofessedlyasalad—eater，couldhavegrownasaladformydinner，intheearthonanymember’sfrockorhat。

\"Now，\"saidFriarBacon，lookingathiswatch，\"forthePig—clubs!\"

ThedrearySageentreatedexplanation。

\"Why，apigissoveryvaluabletoapoorlabouringman，anditissoverydifficultforhimatthistimeoftheyeartogetmoneyenoughtobuyone，thatIlendhimapoundforthepurpose。But，I

doitinthisway。Ileavesuchoftheclubmembersaschooseitanddesireit，toformthemselvesintopartiesoffive。Toeverymanineachcompanyoffive，Ilendapound，tobuyapig。But，eachmanofthefivebecomesboundforeveryotherman，astotherepaymentofhismoney。Consequently，theylookafteroneanother，andpickouttheirpartnerswithcare；selectingmeninwhomtheyhaveconfidence。\"

\"Theyrepaythemoney，Isuppose，whenthepigisfattened，killed，andsold？\"

\"Yes。Thentheyrepaythemoney。Andtheydorepayit。Ihadoneman，lastyear，whowasalittletardy（hewasinthehabitofgoingtothepublic—house）；butevenhedidpay。ItisanimmenseAdvantagetooneofthesepoorfellowstohaveapig。Thepigconsumestherefusefromtheman’scottageandallotment—garden，andthepig’srefuseenrichestheman’sgardenbesides。Thepigisthepoorman’sfriend。Comeintotheclub—houseagain。\"

Thepoorman’sfriend。Yes。Ihaveoftenwonderedwhoreallywasthepoorman’sfriendamongagreatnumberofcompetitors，andInowclearlyperceivehimtobethepig。HEnevermakesanyflourishesaboutthepoorman。HEnevergammonsthepoorman——excepttohismanifestadvantageinthearticleofbacon。HEnevercomesdowntothishouse，orgoesdowntohisconstituents。Heopenlydeclarestothepoorman，\"IwantmystybecauseIamaPig。Idesiretohaveasmuchtoeatasyoucanbyanymeansstuffmewith，becauseIamaPig。\"HEnevergivesthepoormanasovereignforbringingupafamily。HEnevergruntsthepoorman’snameinvain。AndwhenhediesintheodourofPorkity，hecutsup，ahighlyusefulcreatureandablessingtothepoorman，fromtheringinhissnouttothecurlinhistail。Whichofthepoorman’sotherfriendscansayasmuch？WhereistheM。P。whomeansMerePork？

ThedrearySagehadglidedintothesereflections，whenhefoundhimselfsittingbytheclub—housefire，surroundedbygreensmock—

frocksandshapelesshats：withFriarBaconlively，busy，andexpert，atalittletablenearhim。

\"Now，then，come。Thefirstfive!\"saidFriarBacon。\"Whereareyou？\"

\"Order!\"criedamerry—facedlittleman，whohadbroughthisyoungdaughterwithhimtoseelife，andwhoalwaysmodestlyhidhisfaceinhisbeer—mugafterhehadthusassistedthebusiness。

\"JohnNightingale，WilliamThrush，JosephBlackbird，CecilRobin，andThomasLinnet!\"criedFriarBacon。

\"Here，sir!\"and\"Here，sir!\"AndLinnet，Robin，Blackbird，Thrush，andNightingale，stoodconfessed。

We，theundersigned，declare，ineffect，bythiswrittenpaper，thateachofusisresponsiblefortherepaymentofthispig—moneybyeachoftheother。\"Sureyouunderstand，Nightingale？\"

\"Ees，sur。\"

\"Canyouwriteyourname，Nightingale？\"

\"Na，sur。\"

Nightingale’seyeuponhisname，asFriarBaconwroteit，wasasighttoconsiderinafteryears。RatherincredulouswasNightingale，withahandatthecornerofhismouth，andhisheadononeside，astothosedrawingsreallymeaninghim。DoubtfulwasNightingalewhetheranyvirtuehadgoneoutofhiminthatcommittaltopaper。MeditativewasNightingaleastowhatwouldcomeofyoungNightingale’sgrowinguptotheacquisitionofthatart。SuspendedwastheinterestofNightingale，whenhisnamewasdone——asifhethoughttheletterswereonlysown，tocomeuppresentlyinsomeotherform。Prodigious，andwrong—handedwasthecrossmadebyNightingaleonmuchencouragement——thestrokesdirectedfromhiminsteadoftowardshim；andmostpatientandsweet—humouredwasthesmileofNightingaleashesteppedbackintoagenerallaugh。

\"Order!\"criedthelittleman。Immediatelydisappearingintohismug。

\"RalphMangel，RogerWurzel，EdwardVetches，MatthewCarrot，andCharlesTaters!\"saidFriarBacon。

\"Allhere，sir。\"

\"Youunderstandit，Mangel？\"

\"Iss，sir，Iunnerstaansit。\"

\"Canyouwriteyourname，Mangel？\"

\"Iss，sir。\"

Breathlessinterest。Adensebackgroundofsmock—frocksaccumulatedbehindMangel，andmanyeyesinitlookeddoubtfullyatFriarBacon，aswhoshouldsay，\"Canhereallythough？\"Mangelputdownhishat，retiredalittletogetagoodlookatthepaper，wettedhisrighthandthoroughlybydrawingitslowlyacrosshismouth，approachedthepaperwithgreatdetermination，flattenedit，satdownatit，andgotwelltohiswork。Circuitousandsea—serpent—like，werethemovementsofthetongueofMangelwhileheformedtheletters；

elevatedweretheeyebrowsofMangelandsidelongtheeyes，as，withhisleftwhiskerreposingonhisleftarm，theyfollowedhisperformance；manywerethemisgivingsofMangel，andslowwashisretrospectivemeditationtouchingthejunctionoftheletterpwithh；somethingtooactivewasthebigforefingerofMangelinitspropensitytoruboutwithoutprovedcause。Atlast，longanddeepwasthebreathdrawnbyMangelwhenhelaiddownthepen；longanddeepthewonderingbreathdrawnbythebackground——asiftheyhadwatchedhiswalkingacrosstherapidsofNiagara，onstilts，andnowcried，\"Hehasdoneit!\"

But，Mangelwasanhonestman，ifeverhonestmanlived。\"T’owttobeahell，sir，\"saidhe，contemplatinghiswork，\"andIha’madeaton’t。\"

Theover—fraughtbosomsofthebackgroundfoundreliefinaroaroflaughter。

\"OR—DER!\"criedthelittleman。\"CHEER!\"Andafterthatsecondword，cameforthfromhismugnomore。

Severalotherclubssigned，andreceivedtheirmoney。Veryfewcouldwritetheirnames；allwhocouldnot，pleadedthattheycouldnot，moreorlesssorrowfully，andalwayswithashakeofthehead，andinalowervoicethantheirnaturalspeakingvoice。Crossescouldbemadestanding；signaturesmustbesatdownto。Therewasnoexceptiontothisrule。Meantime，thevariousclub—memberssmoked，dranktheirbeer，andtalkedtogetherquiteunrestrained。

Theyallworetheirhats，exceptwhentheywentuptoFriarBacon’stable。Themerry—facedlittlemanofferedhisbeer，withanaturalgood—fellowship，bothtotheDrearyoneandPhilosewers。Bothpartookofitwiththanks。

\"Seveno’clock!\"saidFriarBacon。\"Andnowwebettergetacrosstotheconcert，men，forthemusicwillbebeginning。\"

TheconcertwasinFriarBacon’slaboratory；alargebuildingnearathand，inanopenfield。Thebettermostpeopleofthevillageandneighbourhoodwereinagalleryononeside，and，inagalleryoppositetheorchestra。Thewholespacebelowwasfilledwiththelabouringpeopleandtheirfamilies，tothenumberoffiveorsixhundred。Wehadbeenobligedtoturnawaytwohundredto—night，FriarBaconsaid，forwantofroom——andthat，notcountingtheboys，ofwhomwehadtakeninonlyafewpickedones，byreasonoftheboys，asaclass，beinggiventotooferventacustomofapplaudingwiththeirboot—heels。

TheperformersweretheladiesofFriarBacon’sfamily，andtwogentlemen；oneofthem，whopresided，aDoctorofMusic。Apianowastheonlyinstrument。Amongthevocalpieces，wehadanegromelody（rapturouslyencored），theIndianDrum，andtheVillageBlacksmith；neitherdidwewantforfashionableItalian，havingAh!

nongiunge，andMimancalavoce。Oursuccesswassplendid；ourgood—humoured，unaffected，andmodestbearing，apattern。Astotheaudience，theywerefarmorepoliteandfarmorepleasedthanattheOpera；theywerefaultless。Thusforbarelyanhourtheconcertlasted，withthousandsofgreatbottleslookingonfromthewalls，containingtheresultsofFriarBacon’sMillionandoneexperimentsinagriculturalchemistry；andcontainingtoo，nodoubt，avarietyofmaterialswithwhichtheFriarcouldhaveblownusallthroughtheroofatfiveminutes’notice。

GodsavetheQueenbeingdone，thegoodFriarsteppedforwardandsaidafewwords，moreparticularlyconcerningtwopoints；firstly，thatSaturdayhalf—holiday，whichitwouldbekindinfarmerstogrant；secondly，theadditionalAllotment—groundsweweregoingtoestablish，inconsequenceofthehappysuccessofthesystem，butwhichwecouldnotguaranteeshouldentitletheholderstobemembersoftheclub，becausethepresentmembersmustconsiderandsettlethatquestionforthemselves：abargainbetweenmanandmanbeingalwaysabargain，andwehavingmadeovertheclubtothemastheoriginalAllotment—men。Thiswasloudlyapplauded，andso，withcontentedandaffectionatecheering，itwasallover。

AsPhilosewers，andItheDreary，postedbacktoLondon，lookingupatthemoonanddiscussingitasaworldpreparingforthehabitationofresponsiblecreatures，weexpatiatedonthehonourduetomeninthisworldofourswhotrytoprepareitforahighercourse，andtoleavetheracewholiveanddieuponitbetterthantheyfoundthem。

FIVENEWPOINTSOFCRIMINALLAW

TheexistingCriminalLawhasbeenfoundintrialsforMurder，tobesoexceedinglyhasty，unfair，andoppressive——inaword，tobesoveryobjectionabletotheamiablepersonsaccusedofthatthoughtlessact——thatitis，weunderstand，theintentionoftheGovernmenttobringinaBillforitsamendment。Wehavebeenfavouredwithanoutlineofitsprobableprovisions。

ItwillbegroundedontheprofoundprinciplethattherealoffenderistheMurderedPerson；butforwhoseobstinatepersistencyinbeingmurdered，theinterestingfellow—creaturetobetriedcouldnothavegotintotrouble。

Itsleadingenactmentsmaybeexpectedtoresolvethemselvesunderthefollowingheads：

1。Thereshallbenojudge。Strongrepresentationshavebeenmadebyhighlypopularculpritsthatthepresenceofthisobtrusivecharacterisprejudicialtotheirbestinterests。TheCourtwillbecomposedofapoliticalgentleman，sittinginasecludedroomcommandingaviewofSt。James’sPark，whohasalreadymoretodothananyhumancreaturecan，byanystretchofthehumanimagination，besupposedcapableofdoing。

2。ThejurytoconsistofFiveThousandFiveHundredandFifty—fiveVolunteers。

3。Thejurytobestrictlyprohibitedfromseeingeithertheaccusedorthewitnesses。Theyarenottobesworn。Theyareonnoaccounttoheartheevidence。Theyaretoreceiveit，orsuchrepresentationsofit，asmayhappentofallintheirway；andtheywillconstantlywritelettersaboutittoallthePapers。

4。SupposingthetrialtobeatrialforMurderbypoisoning，andsupposingthehypotheticalcase，ortheevidence，fortheprosecutiontochargetheadministrationoftwopoisons，sayArsenicandAntimony；andsupposingthetaintofArsenicinthebodytobepossiblebutnotprobable，andthepresenceofAntimonyinthebody，tobeanabsolutecertainty；itwillthenbecomethedutyofthejurytoconfinetheirattentionsolelytotheArsenic，andentirelytodismisstheAntimonyfromtheirminds。

5。Thesymptomsprecedingthedeathoftherealoffender（orMurderedPerson）beingdescribedinevidencebymedicalpractitionerswhosawthem，othermedicalpractitionerswhoneversawthemshallberequiredtostatewhethertheyareinconsistentwithcertainknowndiseases——but，THEYSHALLNEVERBEASKEDWHETHER

THEYARENOTEXACTLYCONSISTENTWITHTHEADMINISTRATIONOFPOISON。

ToillustratethisenactmentintheproposedBillbyacase：—A

ragingmaddogisseentorunintothehousewhereZlivesalone，foamingatthemouth。Zandthemaddogareforsometimelefttogetherinthathouseunderprovedcircumstances，irresistiblyleadingtotheconclusionthatZhasbeenbittenbythedog。Zisafterwardsfoundlyingonhisbedinastateofhydrophobia，andwiththemarksofthedog’steeth。Now，thesymptomsofthatdiseasebeingidenticalwiththoseofanotherdiseasecalledTetanus，whichmightsuperveneonZ’srunningarustynailintoacertainpartofhisfoot，medicalpractitionerswhoneversawZ，shallbeartestimonytothatabstractfact，anditshallthenbeincumbentontheRegistrar—GeneraltocertifythatZdiedofarustynail。

Itishopedthatthesealterationsinthepresentmodeofprocedurewillnotonlybequitesatisfactorytotheaccusedperson（whichisthefirstgreatconsideration），butwillalsotend，inatolerabledegree，tothewelfareandsafetyofsociety。ForitisnotsoughtinthismoderateandprudentmeasuretobewhollydeniedthatitisaninconveniencetoSocietytobepoisonedovermuch。

LEIGHHUNT：AREMONSTRANCE

\"Thesenseofbeautyandgentleness，ofmoralbeautyandfaithfulgentleness，grewuponhimasthecleareveningclosedin。WhenhewenttovisithisrelativeatPutney，hestillcarriedwithhimhiswork，andthebookshemoreimmediatelywanted。Althoughhisbodilypowershadbeengivingway，hismostconspicuousqualities，hismemoryforbooks，andhisaffectionremained；andwhenhishairwaswhite，whenhisamplechesthadgrownslender，whentheveryproportionofhisheighthadvisiblylessened，hisstepwasstillready，andhisdarkeyesbrightenedateveryhappyexpression，andateverythoughtofkindness。Hisdeathwassimplyexhaustion；hebrokeoffhisworktoliedownandrepose。Sogentlewasthefinalapproach，thathescarcelyrecognisedittilltheverylast，andthenitcamewithoutterrors。Hisphysicalsufferinghadnotbeensevere；atthelatesthourhesaidthathisonlyuneasinesswasfailingbreath。Andthatfailingbreathwasusedtoexpresshissenseoftheinexhaustiblekindnesshehadreceivedfromthefamilywhohadbeensounexpectedlymadehisnurses，——todrawfromoneofhissons，byminute，eager，andsearchingquestions，allthathecouldlearnaboutthelatestvicissitudesandgrowinghopesofItaly，——toaskthefriendsandchildrenaroundhimfornewsofthosewhomheloved，——andtosendloveandmessagestotheabsentwholovedhim。\"

Thus，withamanlysimplicityandfilialaffection，writestheeldestsonofLeighHuntinrecordinghisfather’sdeath。ThesearetheclosingwordsofaneweditionofTheAutobiographyofLeighHunt，publishedbyMessrs。SmithandElder，ofCornhill，revisedbythatson，andenrichedwithanintroductorychapterofremarkablebeautyandtenderness。Theson’sfirstpresentationofhisfathertothereader，\"rathertall，straightasanarrow，lookingslendererthanhereallywas；hishairblackandshining，andslightlyinclinedtowave；hisheadhigh，hisforeheadstraightandwhite，hiseyesblackandsparkling，hisgeneralcomplexiondark；inhiswholecarriageandmanneranextraordinarydegreeoflife，\"

completesthepicture。Itisthepictureoftheflourishingandfadingawayofmanthatisbornofawomanandhathbutashorttimetolive。

Inhispresentationofhisfather’smoralnatureandintellectualqualities，MrHuntisnolessfaithfulandnolesstouching。ThosewhoknewLeighHunt，willseethebrightfaceandhearthemusicalvoiceagain，whenheisrecalledtotheminthispassage：\"Evenatseasonsofthegreatestdepressioninhisfortunes，healwaysattractedmanyvisitors，butstillnotsomuchforanyreputethatattendedhimasforhispersonalqualities。Fewmenweremoreattractive，insociety，whetherinalargecompanyoroverthefireside。Hismannerswerepeculiarlyanimated；hisconversation，varied，rangingoveragreatfieldofsubjects，wasmovedandcalledforthbytheresponseofhiscompanion，bethatcompanionphilosopherorstudent，sageorboy，manorwoman；andhewasequallyreadyforthemostlivelytopicsorforthegravestreflections——hisexpressioneasilyadaptingitselftothetoneofhiscompanion’smind。Withmuchfreedomofmanners，hecombinedaspontaneouscourtesythatneverfailed，andaconsideratenessderivedfromaceaselesskindnessofheartthatinvariablyfascinatedevenstrangers。\"Orinthis：\"Hisanimation，hissympathywithwhatwasgayandpleasurable；hisavoweddoctrineofcultivatingcheerfulness，weremanifestonthesurface，andcouldbeappreciatedbythosewhoknewhiminsociety，mostprobablyevenexaggeratedassalienttraits，onwhichhehimselfinsistedWITHA

SORTOFGAYANDOSTENTATIOUSWILFULNESS。\"

Thelastwordsdescribeoneofthemostcaptivatingpeculiaritiesofamostoriginalandengagingman，betterthananyotherwordscould。

Thereaderisbesoughttoobservethem，forareasonthatshallpresentlybegiven。Lastly：\"Theanxietytorecognisetherightofothers，thetendencyto’refine’，whichwasnotedbyanearlyschoolcompanion，andthepropensitytoelaborateeverythought，madehim，alongwiththedirectargumentbywhichhesustainedhisownconviction，recogniseandalmostadmitallthatmightbesaidontheoppositeside\"。Forthesereasons，andforotherssuggestedwithequalfelicity，andwithequalfidelity，thesonwritesofthefather，\"Itismostdesirablethathisqualitiesshouldbeknownastheywere；forsuchdeficienciesashehadarethehonestexplanationofhismistakes；while，asthereadermayseefromhiswritingsandhisconduct，theyarenot，asthefaultsofwhichhewasaccusedwouldbe，incompatiblewiththenoblestfacultiesbothofheadandheart。ToknowLeighHuntashewas，wastoholdhiminreverenceandlove。\"

Thesequotationsaremadehere，withaspecialobject。Itisnot，thatthepersonaltestimonyofonewhoknewLeighHuntwell，maybebornetotheirtruthfulness。Itisnot，thatitmayberecordedinthesepages，asinhisson’sintroductorychapter，thathislifewasofthemostamiableanddomestickind，thathiswantswerefew，thathiswayoflifewasfrugal，thathewasamanofsmallexpenses，noostentations，adiligentlabourer，andasecludedmanofletters。

Itisnot，thattheinconsiderateandforgetfulmayberemindedofhiswrongsandsufferingsinthedaysoftheRegency，andofthenationaldisgraceofhisimprisonment。Itisnot，thattheirforbearancemaybeentreatedforhisgrave，inrightofhisgracefulfancyorhispoliticallaboursandendurances，though—

Notonlywe，thelatestseedofTime，Newmen，thatintheflyingofawheelCrydownthepast，notonlywe，thatprateOfrightsandwrongs，havelovedthepeoplewell。

Itis，thatadutymaybedoneinthemostdirectwaypossible。Anactofplain，clearduty。

Fourorfiveyearsago，thewriteroftheselineswasmuchpainedbyaccidentallyencounteringaprintedstatement，\"thatMr。LeighHuntwastheoriginalofHaroldSkimpoleinBleakHouse\"。Thewriteroftheselines，istheauthorofthatbook。ThestatementcamefromAmerica。Itisnodisrespecttothatcountry，inwhichthewriterhas，perhaps，asmanyfriendsandastrueaninterestasanymanthatlives，good—humouredlytostatethefact，thathehas，nowandthen，beenthesubjectofparagraphsinTransatlanticnewspapers，moresurprisinglydestituteofallfoundationintruththanthewildestdelusionsofthewildestlunatics。Forreasonsbornofthisexperience，heletthethinggoby。

But，sinceMr。LeighHunt’sdeath，thestatementhasbeenrevivedinEngland。Thedelicacyandgenerosityevincedinitsrevival，arefortheratherlateconsiderationofitsrevivers。Thefactisthis：

Exactlythosegracesandcharmsofmannerwhicharerememberedinthewordswehavequoted，wererememberedbytheauthoroftheworkoffictioninquestion，whenhedrewthecharacterinquestion。

Aboveallotherthings，that\"sortofgayandostentatiouswilfulness\"inthehumouringofasubject，whichhadmanyatimedelightedhim，andimpressedhimasbeingunspeakablywhimsicalandattractive，wastheairyqualityhewantedforthemanheinvented。

Partlyforthisreason，andpartly（hehassinceoftengrievedtothink）forthepleasureitaffordedhimtofindthatdelightfulmannerreproducingitselfunderhishand，heyieldedtothetemptationoftoooftenmakingthecharacterSPEAKlikehisoldfriend。Henomorethought，Godforgivehim!thattheadmiredoriginalwouldeverbechargedwiththeimaginaryvicesofthefictitiouscreature，thanhehashimselfeverthoughtofchargingthebloodofDesdemonaandOthello，ontheinnocentAcademymodelwhosatforIago’sleginthepicture。Evenastothemereoccasionalmanner，hemeanttobesocautiousandconscientious，thatheprivatelyreferredtheproofsheetsofthefirstnumberofthatbooktotwointimateliteraryfriendsofLeighHunt（bothstillliving），andalteredthewholeofthatpartofthetextontheirdiscoveringtoostrongaresemblancetohis\"way\"。

Hecannotseethesonlaythiswreathonthefather’stomb，andleavehimtothepossibilityofeverthinkingthatthepresentwordsmighthaverightedthefather’smemoryandwereleftunwritten。Hecannotknowthathisownsonmayhavetoexplainhisfatherwhenfollyormalicecanwoundhisheartnomore，andleavethistaskundone。

THETATTLESNIVELBLEATER

Thepenistakeninhandonthepresentoccasion，byaprivateindividual（notwhollyunaccustomedtoliterarycomposition），fortheexposureofaconspiracyofamostfrightfulnature；aconspiracywhich，likethedeadlyUpas—treeofJava，onwhichtheindividualproducedapoeminhisearlieryouth（notwhollydevoidoflength），whichwassoflatteringlyreceived（incirclesnotwhollyunaccustomedtoformcriticalopinions），thathewasrecommendedtopublishit，andwouldcertainlyhavecarriedoutthesuggestion，butforprivateconsiderations（notwhollyunconnectedwithexpense）。

Theindividualwhoundertakestheexposureofthegiganticconspiracynowtobelaidbareinallitshideousdeformity，isaninhabitantofthetownofTattlesnivel——alowlyinhabitant，itmaybe，butonewho，asanEnglishmanandaman，willne’erabasehiseyebeforethegaudyandthemockingthrong。