Reynolds’sownremarkableverseisnotbetterknown。\"Letustrytoknowitalittlebetter。
IhavenotsucceededingettingReynolds’sfirstvolumeofpoems，whichwaspublishedbefore\"Endymion。\"ItcontainedsomeOrientalmelodies，andwonacarelessgoodwordfromByron。TheearliestworkofhisIcanlaymyhandonis\"TheFancy，aSelectionfromthePoeticalRemainsofthelatePeterCorcoran，ofGray’sInn，StudentatLaw，withabriefmemoirofhisLife。\"ThereisamottofromWordsworth：
\"Frankarethesports，thestainsarefugitive。\"{4}
ItwastheoldpalmytimeoftheRing。EveryoneknowshowByrontooklessonsfromJacksontheboxer；howShelleyhadafightatEtoninwhichhequotedHomer，butwaslickedbyasmallerboy；howChristopherNorthwhippedtheprofessionalpugilist；howKeatshimselfneverhadenoughoffightingatschool，andbeatthebutcherafterwards。HisfriendReynolds，also，likedaset—towiththegloves。Hisimaginarycharacter，PeterCorcoran，isapoeticallad，whobecomespossessedbyapassionforprize—fighting。Itseemsoddinapoet，but\"thestainsarefugitive。\"
Wewouldlieferseeayoungmanrejoicinginhisstrengthandimprovinghisscience，thanloafingaboutwithlonghairandgivinganxiousthoughttothecolourofhisnecktie。Itisadisinterestedpreference，asfightingwasnevermyforte，anymorethanitwasArtemusWard’s。AtschoolIwas\"moreremarkableforwhatI
sufferedthanforwhatIachieved。\"
PeterCorcoran\"foughtnearlyassoonashecouldwalk，\"whereinheresembledKeats，andpartofhischaractermayevenhavebeenborrowedfromtheauthorofthe\"OdetotheNightingale。\"Peterfellinlove，wrotepoetry，witnesseda\"mill\"attheFives—Court，andbecametheLaureateoftheRing。\"Hehasmadeagoodset—towithEales，TomBelcher（themonarchofthegloves!），andTurner，anditisknownthathehasparriedthedifficultandravaginghandevenofRandallhimself。\"\"Thedifficultandravaginghand\"——thereisastyleforyou!
Reynoldshashimselftheenthusiasmofhishero；letusrememberthatHomer，Virgil，andTheocritushavealldescribedspiritedrallieswithadmirationandgoodtaste。Fromhisdissipationincider—cellarsandcoal—holes，thisrivalofTomandJerrywroteasonnetthatapplieswellenoughtoReynolds’sowncareer：
\"Werethisafeatherfromaneagle’swing，Andthou，mytabletwhite!amarbletileTakenfromancientJove’smajesticpile—
AndmightIdipmyfeatherinsomespring，AdownMountIdathreadlikewandering：—
AndweremythoughtsbroughtfromsomestarryisleInHeaven’sbluesea——IthenmightwithasmileWritedownahymntofame，andproudlysing!
\"ButIammortal：andIcannotwriteAughtthatmayfoilthefatalwingofTime。
Silent，IlookatFame：IcannotclimbTowhereherTempleis——Notminethemight：—
Ihavesomeglimmeringofwhatissublime—
But，ah!itisamostinconstantlight。\"
Keatsmighthavewrittenthissonnetinamelancholymood。
\"Aboutthistimehe（Peter）wroteaslangdescriptionofafighthehadwitnessedtoalady。\"UnluckyPeter!\"Waseverwomaninthismannerwooed？\"Thelady\"glancedhereyeoverpageafterpageinhopesofmeetingwithsomethingthatwasintelligible，\"andnowondershedidnotcareforalongletter\"devotedtothesubjectofamillbetweenBelascoandtheBrummagemyouth。\"Peterwassoill—
advisedastoappearbeforeherwithgloriousscars，\"twoblackeyes\"infact，andshe\"wasinexorablycruel。\"Peterdidnotsurviveherdisdain。\"Theladystilllives，andismarried\"!Itiseverthus!
Peter’spublishedworkscontainanAmericantragedy。Petersayshegotitfromafriend，whowassendinghimanAmericancopyof\"GuyMannering\"\"topresenttoayoungladywho，strangetosay，\"readbooksandworepockets，\"virtuesunusualinthesex。Oneofthesongs（onthedelightsofbull—baiting）containsthemostvigorouslinesIhaveevermet，buttheyaretoovigorousforourlaxage。
Thetragedyendsmosttragically，andthemoralcomesin\"betterlate，\"saystheauthor，\"thannever。\"Theotherpoemsareallverylively，andverymuchoutofdate。PoorPeter!
Reynoldswasmarriedby1818，anditisimpossibletoguesswhetherthepoemsofPeterCorcorandidordidnotcontainallusionstohisownmoreluckyloveaffair。\"Uponmysoul，\"writesKeats，\"Ihavebeengettingmoreandmoreclosetoyoueveryday，eversinceIknewyou，andnowoneofthefirstpleasuresIlooktoisyourhappymarriage。\"ReynoldswasurgingKeatstopublishthe\"PotofBasil\"
\"asananswertotheattackmadeonmeinBlackwood’sMagazineandtheQuarterlyReview。\"
NextKeatswritesthathehimself\"neverwasinlove，yetthevoiceandshapeofawomanhashauntedmethesetwodays。\"OnSeptember22，1819，KeatssentReynoldsthe\"OdetoAutumn，\"thanwhichthereisnomoreperfectpoeminthelanguageofShakespeare。ThiswasthelastofhispublishedletterstoReynolds。Hewasdying，hauntedeternallybythatwoman’sshapeandvoice。
Reynolds’sbest—knownbook，ifanyofthemcanbesaidtobeknownatall，waspublishedunderthenameofJohnHamilton。Itis\"TheGardenofFlorence，andOtherPoems\"（Warren，London，1821）。Thereisadedication——tohisyoungwife。
\"Thouhastentreatedmeto’writenomore，’\"andhe，asanelderly\"manoftwenty—four，\"promisestoobey。\"Thelilyandmyselfhencefortharetwo，\"hesays，implyingthatheandthelilyhavepreviouslybeen\"one，\"aquaintconfessionfromthepoetofPeterCorcoran。ThereissomethingverypleasantinthegracefulregretandobedienceofthisfarewelltotheMuse。HesaystoMrs。
Reynolds：
\"IwillnottelltheworldthatthouhastchidMyheartforworshippingtheidolMuse；
ThatthydarkeyehasgivenitsgentlelidTearsformywanderings；ImaynotchooseWhenthoudostspeakbutdoasIambid，—
Andthereforetotherosesandthedews，VeryrespectfullyImakemybow；—
Andturnmybackuponthetulipsnow。\"
\"Thechiefpoemsinthecollection，takenfromBoccaccio，weretohavebeenassociatedwithtalesfromthesamesource，intendedtohavebeenwrittenbyafriend；butillnessonhispartanddistractingengagementsonmine，preventedusfromaccomplishingourplanatthetime；andDeathnow，tomydeepsorrow，hasfrustrateditforever!\"
Icannotbutquotewhatfollows，thetributetoKeats’skindness，tothemostendearingqualityournaturepossesses；thequalitythatwasScott’sinsuchawinningdegree，thatwassomarkedinMoliere，\"He，whoisgone，wasoneoftheverykindestfriendsIeverpossessed，andyethewasnotkinder，perhaps，tomethantoothers。
Hisintensemindandpowerfulfeelingwould，Itrulybelieve，havedonetheworldsomeservicehadhislifebeenspared——buthewasoftoosensitiveanature——andthushewasdestroyed!Onestoryhecompleted，andthatistomenowthemostpatheticpoeminexistence。\"
Itwas\"Isabella，orthePotofBasil。\"
The\"GardenofFlorence\"iswritteninthecoupletsof\"Endymion，\"
andisabeautifulversionofthetaleoncemoreretoldbyAlfreddeMussetin\"Simone。\"From\"TheRomanceofYouth\"letmequoteonestanza，whichappliestoKeats：
\"HereadanddreamtofyoungEndymion，Tillhisromanticfancydrankitsfill；
Hesawthatlovelyshepherdsittinglone，WatchinghiswhiteflocksuponIda’shill；
TheMoonadoredhim——andwhenallwasstill，Andstarswerewakeful——shewouldearthwardstray，Andlingerwithhershepherdlove，untilThehoovesofthesteedsthatbearthecarofday，Strucksilverlightintheeast，andthenshewanedaway!\"
ItwasonLatmos，notIda，thatEndymionshepherdedhisflocks；butthatisofnomoment，excepttoschoolmasters。ThereareotherstanzasofReynoldsworthyofKeats；forexample，thisontheFairyQueen：
\"Herbodicewasaprettysighttosee；
Yewhowouldknowitscolour，——beathiefOftherose’smuffledbudfromoffthetree；
Andforyourknowledge，stripitleafbyleafSpiteofyourownremorseorFlora’sgrief，Tillyehavecomeuntoitsheart’spalehue；
Thelast，lastleaf，whichisthequeen，——thechiefOfbeautifuldimblooms：yeshallnotrue，Atsightofthatsweetleafthemischiefwhichyedo。\"
Onedoesnotknowwhentoleaveoffgatheringbudsinthe\"GardenofFlorence。\"EvenafterShakespeare，andafterKeats，thispassageonwildflowershasitsowncharm：
\"Wegatheredwoodflowers，——someblueastheveinO’erHero’seyelidstealing，andsomeaswhite，Intheclusteringgrass，asrichEuropa’shandNestedamidthecurlsonJupiter’sforehead，Whattimehesnatchedherthroughthestartledwaves；—
Somepoppies，too，suchasinEnna’smeadowsForsooktheirowngreenhomesandparentstalks，TokissthefingersofProserpina：
Andsomeweresmallasfairies’eyes，andbrightAslovers’tears!\"
IwishIhadroomforthreeorfoursonnets，theRobinHoodsonnetstoKeats，andanotheronapictureofalady。Excusethelengthofthisletter，andreadthis：
\"Sorrowhathmadethineeyesmoredarkandkeen，Andsetawhiterhueuponthycheeks，—
Androundthypressedlipsdrawnanguish—streaks，Andmadethyforeheadfearfullyserene。
Eveninthysteadyhairherworkisseen，Foritsstillparteddarkness——tillitbreaksInheavycurlsuponthyshoulders——speaksLikethesternwave，howhardthestormhathbeen!
\"SolookedthathaplessladyoftheSouth，SweetIsabella!atthatdrearypartOfallthepassion’dhoursofheryouth；
WhenhergreenBasilpotbybrother’sartWasstolenaway；solook’dherpainedmouthInthemutepatienceofabreakingheart!\"
Thereletusleavehim，thegayrhymerofprize—fightersandeminentpersons——letusleavehiminaserioushour，andwithamemoryofKeats。{5}
ONVIRGIL
ToLadyVioletLebas。
DearLadyViolet，——Whocanadmiretoomuchyourundefeatedresolutiontoadmireonlytherightthings？IwishIhadthisrespectforauthority!ButletmeconfessthatIhavealwaysadmiredthethingswhichnaturemademeprefer，andthatIhavenopowerofaccommodatingmytastetotheverdictofthecritical。IfIdonotlikeanauthor，Ileavehimalone，howevergreathisreputation。ThusIdonotcareforMr。Gibbon，exceptinhisAutobiography，norfortheelegantplaysofM。Racine，norverymuchforsomeofWordsworth，thoughhisgeniusisundeniable，norexcessivelyforthelateProf。Amiel。Whyshouldweforceourselvesintoanaffectionforthem，anymorethanintoarelishforolivesorclaret，bothofwhichexcellentcreaturesIhavethemisfortunetodislike？Nospectacleannoysmemorethanthesightofpeoplewhoaskifitis\"right\"totakepleasureinthisorthatworkofart。Theirlovesandhatredswillneverbegenuine，natural，spontaneous。
Yousaythatitis\"right\"tolikeVirgil，andyetyouadmitthatyouadmiretheMantuan，astheScotcheditorjoked，\"wi’
deeficulty。\"I，too，mustadmitthatmylikingformuchofVirgil’spoetryisnotenthusiastic，notliketheadmirationexpressed，forexample，byMr。FredericMyers，inwhose\"ClassicalEssays\"youwillfindallthattheadvocatesoftheLatinsingercansayforhim。
TheseheightsIcannotreach，anymorethanIcanequalthateloquence。YetmustVirgilalwaysappeartousoneofthemostbeautifulandmovingfiguresinthewholeofliterature。
Howsweetmusthavebeenthatpersonalitywhichcanstillwinouraffections，acrosseighteenhundredyearsofchange，andthroughthemistsofcommentaries，andschool—books，andtraditions!Doesittouchtheeatall，ohgentlespiritandserene，thatwe，whoneverknewthee，lovetheeyet，andreveretheeasasaintofheathendom？
Havethedeadanydelightinthereligiontheyinspire？
IdcineremautManescrediscuraresepultos？
IhalffancyIcantracetheoriginofthispersonalaffectionforVirgil，whichsurvivesinmedespitethelackofaverystrongloveofpartsofhispoems。WhenIwasatschoolwemeteverymorningforprayer，inalargecircularhall，roundwhich，onpedestals，weresetcopiesoftheportraitbustsofgreatancientwriters。
Amongthesewas\"theIonianfatheroftherest，\"ourfatherHomer，withawinningandvenerablemajesty。ButthebustofVirgilwas，I
think，ofwhitemarble，notacast（so，atleast，Irememberit），andwasofasingularyouthfulpurityandbeauty，sharingmyaffectionswithacopyoftheexquisitePsycheofNaples。ItshowedusthatVirgilwhowascalled\"TheMaiden\"asMiltonwasnamed\"TheLadyofChrist’s。\"Idon’tknowthearcheologyofit，perhapsitwasamereworkofmodernfancy，butthecharmofthisimage，behelddaily，overcameeventhetediumofshortscrapsofthe\"AEneid\"
dailyparsed，notwithoutstripesandanguish。SoIretainasentimentforVirgil，thoughIwellperceivethemanydrawbacksofhispoetry。
Itisnotalwayspoetryatfirsthand；itisoftenimitative，likeallLatinpoetry，oftheGreeksongsthatsoundedattheawakeningoftheworld。ThisismoretolerablewhenTheocritusisthemodel，asinthe\"Eclogues，\"andlessobviousinthe\"Georgics，\"whenthepoetiscarriedawayintonaturalnessbythepassionforhisnativeland，bythelongingforpeaceaftercruelwars，bythejoyofacountrylife。Virgilhadthatloveofriverswhich，Ithink，apoetisrarelywithout；anditdidnotneedGreecetoteachhimtosingofthefields：
Propteraquam，tardisingensubiflexibusMinciusettenerapraetexitarundineripas。
\"Bythewater—side，wheremightyMinciuswanders，withlinksandloops，andfringesallthebankswiththetenderreed。\"NottheMusesofGreece，buthisownCasmenae，song—maidensofItaly，haveinspiredhimhere，andhismusicisblownthroughareedoftheMincius。InmanysuchplacesheshowsatemperwithwhichweofEngland，inourlateage，maycloselysympathize。
DoyourememberthatmediaevalstoryofthebuildingofParthenope，howitwasbased，bytheMagicianVirgilius，onanegg，andhowthecityshakeswhenthefrailfoundationchancestobestirred？Thistoovastempireofoursisasfrailinitsfoundation，andtremblesataword。SoitwaswiththeEmpireofRomeinVirgil’stime：
civicrevolutionmutteringwithinit，likethesubterraneanthunder，andtheforcesofdestructiongatheringwithout。InVirgil，asinHorace，youconstantlynotetheiranxiety，theirapprehensionforthetotteringfabricoftheRomanstate。Thisitwas，Ithink，andnotthecontemplationofhumanfortunesalone，thatlentVirgilhismelancholy。Fromthesefearshelooksforashelterinthesylvanshades；heenviestheidealpastofthegoldenworld。
AureushancvitaminterrisSaturnusagebat!
\"Oh，forthefields!Oh，forSpercheiusandTaygetus，wherewandertheLacaenianmaids!Oh，thatonewouldcarrymetothecoolvalleysofHaemus，andcovermewiththewideshadowoftheboughs!
Happywashewhocametoknowthecausesofthings，whosethisfootonfearandoninexorableFate，andfarbelowhimheardtheroaringofthestreamsofHell!Andhappyhewhoknowstheruraldeities，Pan，andSylvanustheOld，andthesisterhoodofthenymphs!
Unmovedishebythepeople’sfavour，bythepurpleofkings，unmovedbyalltheperfidiesofcivilwar，bytheDacianmarchingdownfromhishostileDanube；bytheperiloftheRomanstate，andtheEmpirehurryingtoitsdoom。Hewastethnothisheartinpityofthepoor，heenviethnottherich，hegatherethwhatfruitsthebranchesbearandwhatthekindlywildernessunaskedbringsforth；
heknowsnotourlaws，northemadnessofthecourts，northerecordsofthecommonweal\"——doesnotreadthenewspapers，infact。
Thesorrowsofthepoor，theluxuryoftherich，theperiloftheEmpire，theshameanddreadofeachday’snews，wetooknowthem；
likeVirgilwetoodeplorethem。We，inourreveries，longforsomesuchcarelessparadise，butweplaceitnotinSpartabutintheIslandsoftheSouthernSeas。ItisinpassagesofthistemperthatVirgilwinsusmost，whenhespeaksforhimselfandforhisage，sodistant，andsoweary，andsomodern；whenhisownthought，unborrowedandunforced，isweddedtothemusicofhisownunsurpassablestyle。
Buthedoesnotalwayswriteforhimselfandoutofhisownthought，thatstyleofhisbeingfarmorefrequentlymisapplied，wastedontellingastorythatisonlyoffeignedandforeigninterest。
Doubtlessitwasthe\"AEneid，\"hisartificialandunfinishedepic，thatwonVirgilthefavouroftheMiddleAces。TotheMiddleAges，whichknewnotGreek，andknewnotHomer，Virgilwastherepresentativeoftheheroicandeternallyinterestingpast。ButtouswhoknowHomer，Virgil’sepicisindeed，\"likemoonlightuntosunlight；\"isabeautifulemptyworld，wherenoreallifestirs，aworldthatshineswithasilverlustrenotitsown，butborrowedfrom\"thesunofGreece。\"
Homersangofwhatheknew，ofspearsandships，ofheroicchiefsandbeggarmen，ofhuntsandsieges，ofmountainswherethelionroamed，andoffairyisleswhereagoddesswalkedalone。Helivedonthemarchesofthelandoffable，whenhalftheMediterraneanwasaseaunsailed，whenevenItalywasasdimlydescriedastheCityoftheSuninElizabeth’sreign。Ofallthatheknewhesang，butVirgilcouldonlyfollowandimitate，withapaleantiquarianinterest，thethingsthatwerealiveforHomer。WhatcouldVirgilcareforatusslebetweentwostoutmen—at—arms，fortheclashofcontendingwar—chariots，driveneachoneach，likewaveagainstwaveinthesea？Allthattidehadpassedover，allthestoryofthe\"AEneid\"ismereborrowedantiquity，liketheMiddleAgesofSirWalterScott；buttheborrowerhadnoneofScott’sjoyinthenoiseandmotionofwar，noneoftheHomeric\"delightinbattle。\"
Virgil，inwritingthe\"AEneid，\"executedanimperialcommission，andanungratefulcommission；itisthesublimeofhack—work，andthelegendmaybetruewhichdeclaresthat，onhisdeath—bed，hewishedhispoemburned。Hecouldonlybehimselfhereandthere，asinthatearliestpictureofromanticlove，assomehavecalledthestoryof\"Dido，\"notremembering，perhaps，thatevenhereVirgilhadbeforehismindaGreekmodel，thathewasthinkingofApolloniusRhodius，andofJasonandMedea。Hecouldbehimself，too，inpassagesofreflectionanddescription，asinthebeautifulsixthbook，withitspictureoftheunderworld，anditshintsofmysticalphilosophy。
Couldwechooseourownheavens，thereinthatElysianworldmightVirgilbewellcontenttodwell，intheshadowofthatfragrantlaurelgrove，withthemwhowere\"priestspureoflife，whilelifewastheirs，andholysingers，whosesongswereworthyofApollo。\"
TherehemightmuseonhisownreligionandontheDivinitythatdwellsin，thatbreathesin，thatis，allthingsandmorethanall。
WhocouldwishVirgiltobeoneofthespiritsthatLethaeumadflumenDuesevocatagminemagno，thatarecalledoncemoretotheLetheanstream，andthatoncemore，forgetfuloftheirhome，\"intotheworldandwaveofmendepart？\"
TherewillcomenootherVirgil，unlesshissoul，inaccordancewithhisownphilosophy，isamongusto—day，crownedwithyearsandhonours，thesingerof\"Ulysses，\"ofthe\"LotusEaters，\"of\"Tithonus，\"and\"OEnone。\"
So，afterall，Ihavebeenenthusiastic，\"maugremyhead，\"asMalorysays，andperhaps，LadyViolet，Ihaveshownyouwhyitis\"right\"
toadmireVirgil，andperhapsIhavepersuadednobodybutmyself。
P。S。——Mr。ColeridgewasnogreatloverofVirgil，inconsistently。
\"IfyoutakefromVirgilhisdictionandmetre，whatdoyouleavehim？\"YetMr。Coleridgehaddefinedpoetryas\"thebestwords，inthebestorder\"——thatis，\"dictionandmetre。\"He，therefore，proposedtotakefromVirgilhispoetry，andthentoaskwhatwasleftofthePoet!
AUCASSINANDNICOLETTE
TotheLadyVioletLebas。
DearLadyViolet，——IdonotwonderthatyouarepuzzledbythelanguageofthefirstFrenchnovel。TheFrenchof\"AucassinetNicolette\"isnotFrenchaftertheschoolofMissPinkerton，atChiswick。Indeed，asthelittlesong—storyhasbeentranslatedintomodernFrenchbyM。Bida，thepainter（whosebookisveryscarce），I
presumeeventhecountrywomenofAucassinfinditdifficult。Youwillnotexpectmetowriteanessayonthegrammar，norwouldyoureaditifIdid。Thechiefthingisthat\"s\"appearsasthesignofthesingular，insteadofbeingthesignoftheplural，andthenounshavecases。
Thestorymustbeasoldastheendofthetwelfthcentury，andmusthavereceiveditspresentforminPicardy。Itiswritten，asyousee，inalternatesnatchesofverseandprose。Theverse，whichwaschanted，isnotrhymedasarule，buteachlaisse，orscreed，asinthe\"ChansondeRoland，\"runsonthesamefinalassonance，orvowelsoundthroughout。
Somuchfortheform。Whoistheauthor？Wedonotknow，andnevershallknow。Apparentlyhementionshimselfinthefirstlines：
\"Whowouldlistentothelay，Ofthecaptiveoldandgray；\"
forthisisasmuchsenseasonecanmakeoutofdeldeportduvielcaitif。
Theauthor，then，wasanoldfellow。Ithinkwemightlearnasmuchfromthestory。Anoldmanhewas，oramanwhofeltold。Doyouknowwhomheremindsmeof？Why，ofMr。Bowes，oftheTheatreRoyal，Chatteris；ofMr。Bowes，thatbattered，old，kindlysentimentalistwhotoldhistalewithMr。ArthurPendennis。
Itisalovestory，astoryofloveovermastering，withoutconscienceorcareofaughtbutthebeloved。Andthevielcaitiftellsitwithsympathy，andwithasmile。\"Oh，follyoffondness，\"
heseemstocry；\"oh，prettyfeverandfoolish；oh，absurdhappydaysofdesolation：
\"WhenIwasyoung，asyouareyoung，Andlutesweretouched，andsongsweresung!
Andlove—lampsinthewindowshung!\"
ItistheverytoneofThackeray，whenThackerayistender；andtheworldhearditfirstfromthiselderlynamelessminstrel，strollingwithhisviolandhissingingboys，ablamelessD’Assoucy，fromcastletocastleinthehappypoplarland。IthinkIseehimandhearhiminthesilvertwilight，inthecourtofsomechateauofPicardy，whiletheladiesaroundsitlisteningonsilkencushions，andtheirlovers，fetteredwithsilverchains，lieattheirfeet。
Theylisten，andlook，anddonotthinkoftheminstrelwithhisgrayhead，andhisgreenheart；butwethinkofhim。Itisanoldman’swork，andawearyman’swork。Youcaneasilytelltheplaceswherehehaslingeredandbeenpleasedashewrote。
Thestoryissimpleenough。Aucassin，sonofCountGarin，ofBeaucaire，lovedsowellfairNicolette，thecaptivegirlfromanunknownland，thathewouldneverbedubbedknight，norfollowtourneys；norevenfightagainsthisfather’smortalfoe，CountBougarsdeValence。SoNicolettewasimprisonedhighinapaintedchamber。Buttheenemywerestormingthetown，and，forthepromiseof\"onewordortwowithNicolette，andonekiss，\"Aucassinarmedhimselfandledouthismen。ButhewasalladreamaboutNicolette，andhishorseborehimintothepressoffoesereheknewit。Thenheheardthemcontrivinghisdeath，andwokeoutofhisdream。
\"Thedamoiseauwastallandstrong，andthehorsewhereonhesatfierceandgreat，andAucassinlaidhandtosword，andfella—
smitingtorightandleft，andsmotethroughhelmandheadpiece，andarmandshoulder，makingamurderabouthim，likeawildboarthehoundsfallonintheforest。Thereslewhetenknights，andsmotedownseven，andmightilyandknightlyhehurledthroughthepress，andchargedhomeagain，swordinhand。\"ForthathourAucassinstrucklikeoneofMallory’smeninthebestofallromances。ButthoughhetookCountBougarsprisoner，hisfatherwouldnotkeephisword，norlethimhaveonewordortwowithNicolette，andonekiss。
Nay，Aucassinwasthrownintoprisoninanoldtower。TherehesangofNicolette，\"WasitnottheotherdayThatapilgrimcamethisway？
Andapassionhimpossessed，Thatuponhisbedhelay，Lay，andtossed，andknewnorest，Inhispaindiscomforted。
Butthoucamestbyhisbed，HoldinghighthineamicefineAndthykirtleofermine。
ThenthebeautythatisthineDidhelookon；anditfellThatthePilgrimstraightwaswell，Straightwashaleandcomforted。
Andheroseupfromhisbed，AndwentbacktohisownplaceSoundandstrong，andfairofface。\"
ThusAucassinmakesaLegendofhislady，asitwere，assigningtoherbeautysuchmiraclesasfaithattributestotheexcellenceofthesaints。
Meanwhile，Nicolettehadslippedfromthewindowofherprisonchamber，andletherselfdownintothegarden，wheresheheardthesongofthenightingales。\"Thencaughtsheupherkirtleinbothhands，behindandbefore，andflittedoverthedewthatlaydeeponthegrass，andfledoutofthegarden，andthedaisyflowersbendingbelowhertreadseemeddarkagainstherfeet，sowhitewasthemaiden。\"Can’tyouseeherstealingwiththose\"feetofivory，\"
likeBombyca’s，downthedarksideofthesilentmoonlitstreetsofBeaucaire？
ThenshecamewhereAucassinwaslamentinginhiscell，andshewhisperedtohimhowshewasfleeingforherlife。Andheansweredthatwithoutherhemustdie；andthenthisfoolishpair，intheverymouthofperil，mustneedsbeginawarofwordsastowhichlovedtheotherbest!
\"Nay，fairsweetfriend，\"saithAucassin，\"itmaynotbethatthoulovestmemorethanIlovethee。Womanmaynotlovemanasmanloveswoman，forawoman’sloveliesnodeeperthanintheglanceofhereye，andtheblossomofherbreast，andherfoot’stip—toe；butman’sloveisinhisheartplanted，whencenevercanitissueforthandpassaway。\"
Sowhiletheyspeak\"Indebateasbirdsare，Hawkonbough，\"
comesthekindsentineltowarnthemofadanger。AndNicoletteflees，andleapsintothefosse，andthenceescapesintoagreatforestandlonely。Inthemorningshemetshepherdsmerryovertheirmeat，andbadethemtellAucassintohuntinthatforest，whereheshouldfindadeerwhereofoneglancewouldcurehimofhismalady。Theshepherdsarehappy，laughingpeople，whohalfmockNicolette，andquitemockAucassin，whenhecomesthatway。ButatfirsttheytookNicoletteforafee，suchabeautyshonesobrightlyfromher，andlitupalltheforest。Aucassintheybanter；andindeedthefreetalkofthepeasantstotheirlord’ssoninthatfeudalagesoundscuriously，andmaywellmakeusreconsiderournotionsofearlyfeudalism。
ButAucassinlearnsatleastthatNicoletteisinthewood，andheridesatadventureafterher，tillthethornshaveruinedhissilkensurcoat，andtheblood，drippingfromhistornbody，makesavisibletrackinthegrass。So，ashewept，hemetamonstrousmanofthewood，thataskedhimwhyhelamented。Andhesaidhewassorrowingforalily—whitehoundthathehadlost。Thenthewildmanmockedhim，andtoldhisowntale。HewasinthatestatewhichAchilles，amongtheghosts，preferredtoallthekingshipofthedeadoutworn。
Hewashindandhirelingtoavillein，andhehadlostoneofthevillein’soxen。Forthathedarednotgointothetown，whereaprisonawaitedhim。Moreover，theyhaddraggedtheverybedfromunderhisoldmother，topaythepriceoftheox，andshelayonstraw；andatthatthewoodmanwept。
Acurioustouch，isitnot，ofpityforthepeople？Theoldpoetisseriousforonemoment。\"Compare，\"hesays，\"thesorrowsofsentiment，ofladiesandlovers，praisedinsong，withthesorrowsofthepoor，withtroublesthatarerealandnotoftheheart!\"
EvenAucassinthelovelornfeelsit，andgivesthehindmoneytopayforhisox，andsoridingoncomestoalodgethatNicolettehasbuiltwithblossomsandboughs。AndAucassincreptinandlookedthroughagapinthefragrantwallsofthelodge，andsawthestarsinheaven，andonethatwasbrighterthantherest。
Doesonenotfeelit，thecoolofthatoldsummernight，thesweetsmellofbrokenboughsandtroddengrassanddeepdew，andtheshiningofthestar？
\"StarthatIfromfarbeholdThatthemoondrawstoherfold，Nicolettewiththeedothdwell，Mysweetlovewithlocksofgold，\"
singsAucassin。\"AndwhenNicoletteheardAucassin，rightsocamesheuntohim，andpassedwithinthelodge，andcastherarmsabouthisneckandkissedandembracedhim：
\"Fairsweetfriend，welcomebethou!\"
\"Andthou，fairsweetlove，bethouwelcome!\"
Therethestoryshouldend，inadreamofasummer’snight。Buttheoldminstreldidnotenditso，orsomeonehascontinuedhisworkwithaheavierhand。Aucassinrides，hecaresnotwhither，ifhehasbuthislovewithhim。Andtheycometoafantasticlandofburlesque，suchasPantagruel’screwtouchedatmanyatime。AndNicoletteistakenbyCarthaginianpirates，andprovestobedaughtertotheKingofCarthage，andleaveshiscourtandcomestoBeaucaireinthedisguiseofaministrel，and\"journeysendinlovers’meeting。\"
Thatisallthetale，withitsgaps，itscarelesspassages，itsadventuresthatdonotinterestthepoet。Heonlycaresforyouth，love，spring，flowers，andthesongofthebirds；therest，exceptthepassageaboutthehind，ismere\"business\"donecasually，becausetheaudienceexpectsbroadjests，hardblows，misadventures，recognitions。Whatlivesisthetouchofpoetry，oflonging，oftenderheart，ofhumorousresignation。Itlives，andalwaysmustlive，\"whilethenatureofmanisthesame。\"Thepoethopeshistalewillgladdensadmen。ThisserviceitdidforM。Bida，hesays，inthedreadfulyearof1870—71，whenhetranslated\"Aucassin。\"This，too，ithasdoneformeindaysnotdelightful。
{6}
PLOTINUS（A。D。200—262）
TotheLadyVioletLebas。
DearLadyViolet，——Youarediscursiveanddesultoryenough，asareader，tohavepleasedeventhelateLordIddesleigh。Itwas\"AucassinandNicolette\"onlyamonthago，andto—dayyouhavebeenreadingLordLytton’s\"StrangeStory，\"Iamsure，foryouwantinformationaboutPlotinus!Hewasborn（aboutA。D。200）inWolf—
town（Lycopolis），inEgypt，thetown，youknow，wherethenativesmightnoteatwolves，poorfellows，justasthepeopleofThebesmightnoteatsheep。ProbablythisprohibitioncausedPlotinusnoregret，forhewasaconsistentvegetarian。
However，weareadvancingtoorapidly，andwemustdiscussPlotinusmoreinorder。Hisnameisverydeartomysticnovelists，liketheauthorof\"Zanoni。\"Theyalwaysdescribetheirfavouriteheroas\"deepinPlotinusorIamblichus，\"andIventuretothinkthatnearlyrepresentsthedepthoftheirownexplorations。WedonotknowexactlywhenPlotinuswasborn。Likemanyladiesheusedtowrapuphisageinamystery，observingthatthesepettydetailsaboutthebody（amerehuskoffleshbindingthesoul）wereofnoimportance。
Hewasnotweanedtillhewaseightyearsold，asingularcircumstance。Havingaturnforphilosophy，heattendedtheschoolsofAlexandria，concerningwhichKingsley’s\"Hypatia\"isthemostaccessibleauthority。
Alltheseanecdotes，Ishouldhavesaid，welearnfromPorphyry，theTyrian，whowasakindofBoswelltoPlotinus。ThephilosopherhimselfoftenremindsmeofDr。Johnson，especiallyasDr。JohnsonisdescribedbyMr。Carlyle。JustasthegooddoctorwasasoundChurchmaninthebeginningoftheageofnewideas，soPlotinuswasasoundpaganinthebeginningofthetriumphofChristianity。
LikeJohnson，Plotinuswaslazyandenergeticandshort—sighted。Hewroteaverylargenumberoftreatises，buthenevertookthetroubletoreadthroughthemwhenoncetheywerewritten，becausehiseyeswereweak。Hewassuperstitious，likeDr。Johnson，yethehadlucidintervalsofcommonsense，whenhelaughedatthesuperstitionsofhisdisciples。LikeDr。Johnson，hewasalwaysbegirtbydisciples，menandwomen，BozzysandThrales。Hewassofullofhonourandcharity，thathishousewascrowdedwithpersonsinneedofhelpandfriendlycare。Thoughhelivedsomuchinthecloudsandamongphilosophicalabstractions，hewasanexcellentmanofbusiness。Thoughaphilosopherhewaspious，andwascourageous，dreadingtheplaguenomorethanthegooddoctordreadedthetempestthatfellonhimwhenhewasvoyagingtoColl。
Youwilladmitthattheparallelisprettycloseforanhistoricalparallel，despitethedifferencesbetweentheasceticofWolf—townandthesageofBoltCourt，hardbyFleetStreet!
ToreturntotheeducationofPlotinus。Hewastwenty—eightwhenhewentuptotheUniversityofAlexandria。ForelevenyearshediligentlyattendedthelecturesofAmmonius。ThenhewentontheEmperorGordian’sexpeditiontotheEast，hopingtolearnthephilosophyoftheHindus。TheUpanishadswouldhavepuzzledPlotinus，hadhereachedIndia；butheneverdid。Gordian’sarmywasdefeatedinMesopotamia，no\"blessedword\"toGordian，andPlotinushardlyescapedwithhislife。HemusthavefeltlikeStendhalontheretreatfromMoscow。
FromSyriahisfriendanddiscipleAmeliusledhimtoRome，andhere，asnovelistssay，\"acuriousthinghappened。\"TherewasinRomeanEgyptianpriest，whoofferedtoraiseuptheDemon，orGuardianAngel，ofPlotinusinvisibleform。ButtherewasonlyonepurespotinallRome，sosaidthepriest，andthisspotwastheTempleofIsis。Heretheseancewasheld，andnodemonappeared，butaregularGodofoneofthefirstcircles。Soterrifiedwasanonlookerthathecrushedtodeaththelivingbirdswhichheheldinhishandsforsomeritualormagicalpurpose。
Itwasacuriousscene，acosmopolitanconfusionofEgypt，Rome，Isis，table—turning，thelateMr。Home，religion，andmummery，whileChristianhymnsoftheearlyChurchwerebeingsung，perhapsinthegarretsaround，outsidetheTempleofIsis。ThediscoverythathehadagodforhisguardianangelgavePlotinusplentyofconfidenceindealingwithrivalphilosophers。Forexample，AlexandrinusOlympius，anothermystic，triedmagicalartsagainstPlotinus。ButAlexandrinus，suddenlydoublingupduringlecturewithunaffectedagony，cried，\"GreatvirtuehaththesoulofPlotinus，formyspellshavereturnedagainstmyself。\"AsforPlotinus，heremarkedamonghisdisciples，\"NowthebodyofAlexandrinusiscollapsinglikeanemptypurse。\"
Howdivertingitwouldbe，LadyViolet，ifourmoderncontroversialistshadthoseaccomplishments，andifMr。MaxMullercould，literally，\"doubleup\"ProfessorWhitney，orifanyonecouldcausePeppmullertocollapsewithhisqueerHomerictheory!
Plotinushadmanysucharts。Apieceofjewellerywasstolenfromoneofhisprotegees，alady，andhedetectedthethief，aservant，byaglance。Afterbeingfloggedwithinaninchofhislife，theservant（perhapstosavetheremaininginch）confessedall。
OncewhenPorphyrywasatadistance，andwasmeditatingsuicide，Plotinusappearedathisside，saying，\"Thisthatthouschemestcomethnotofthepureintellect，butofblackhumours，\"andsosentPorphyryforchangeofairtoSicily。Thiswasthoroughlygoodadvice，butduringtheabsenceofthedisciplethemasterdied。
PorphyrydidnotseethegreatsnakethatglidedintothewallwhenPlotinusexpired；heonlyheardofthecircumstance。Plotinus’slastwordswere：\"Iamstrivingtoreleasethatwhichisdivinewithinus，andtomergeitintheuniversallydivine。\"Itisastrangemixtureofphilosophyandsavagesurvival。TheZulusstillbelievethatthesoulsofthedeadreappear，likethesoulofPlotinus，intheformofserpents。
PlotinuswroteagainstthepaganizingChristians，orGnostics。Likeallgreatmen，hewasaccusedofplagiarism。AdefenceofgreatmenaccusedofliterarytheftwouldbeasvaluableasNaude’sworkofalikenameaboutmagic。OnhisdeaththeDelphicOracle，inverysecond—ratehexameters，declaredthatPlotinushadbecomeademon。
SuchwasthelifeofPlotinus，amanofsenseandvirtue，andsomodestthathewouldnotallowhisportraittobepainted。Hischaracterdrewgoodmenroundhim，hisreputeforsupernaturalvirtuesbrought\"foolsintoacircle。\"Whathemeantbyhisbeliefthatfourtimeshehad，\"whetherinthebodyoroutofthebody，\"
beenunitedwiththeSpiritoftheworld，whoknows？WhatdoesTennysonmeanwhenhewrites：
\"Sowordbyword，andlinebyline，Thedeadmantouch’dmefromthepast，Andallatonceitseem’datlastHislivingsoulwasflashedonmine。
Andmineinhiswaswoundandwhirl’dAboutempyrealheightsofthought，Andcameonthatwhichis，andcaughtThedeeppulsationsoftheworld。\"
Mystery!Wecannotfathomit；weknownotthepathsofthesoulsofPascalandGordon，ofPlotinusandSt。Paul。Theyarewisewithawisdomnotofthisworld，orwithafoolishnessyetmorewise。
InhispracticalphilosophyPlotinuswasanoptimist，oratleasthewasatwarwithpessimism。
\"TheythatloveGodbearlightlythewaysoftheworld——bearlightlywhatsoeverbefallsthemofnecessityinthegeneralmovementofthings。\"HebelievedinarestthatremainsforthepeopleofGod，\"wheretheyspeaknotonewiththeother；but，asweunderstandmanythingsbytheeyesonly，sodoessoulreadsoulinheaven，wherethespiritualbodyispure，andnothingishidden，andnothingfeigned。\"
Theargumentsbywhichtheseopinionsarebuttressedmaybecalledmetaphysical，andmaybecalledworthless；theconviction，andthebeautyofthelanguageinwhichitisstated，remainimmortalpossessions。
WhysuchamanasPlotinus，withsuchideas，remainedapagan，whileChristianityofferedhimasympatheticrefuge，whocantell？
Probablynaturalconservatism，inhimasinDr。Johnson——
conservatismandtaste——causedhisadherencetotheformsatleastoftheoldercreeds。TherewasmuchtolaughatinPlotinus，andmuchtolike。Butifyoureadhiminhopesofmaterialforstrangestories，youwillbedisappointed。PerhapsLordLyttonandotherswhohaveinvokedhisnameinfiction（likeVivianGreyinLordBeaconsfield’stale）knewhisnamebetterthanhisdoctrine。His\"Enneads，\"evenaseditedbyhispatientBoswell，Porphyry，arenotverylightsubjectsofstudy。
LUCRETIUS
TotheRev。GeoffreyMartin，Oxford。
DearMartin，——\"HowindividualsfoundreligiousconsolationfromthecreedsofancientGreeceandRome\"is，asyouquoteC。O。Muller，\"averycuriousquestion。\"Itisoddthatwhilewehavecountlessbooksonthephilosophyandthemythologyandtheritualoftheclassicpeoples，wehearabouttheirreligioninthemodernsensescarcelyanythingfromanybody。Weknowverywellwhatgodstheyworshipped，andwhatsacrificestheyofferedtotheOlympians，andwhatstoriestheytoldabouttheirdeities，andaboutthebeginningsofthings。Weknow，too，inageneralway，thatthegodswereinterestedinmorality。Theywouldallpunishoffencesintheirowndepartment，atleastwhenitwasacaseofnuminelaeso，whenthegodwhoprotectedthehearthwasoffendedbybreachofhospitality，orwhenthegodsinvokedtowitnessanoathwereoffendedbyperjury。
Buthowdidareligiouslymindedmanregardthegods？Whathopeorwhatfearsdidheentertainwithregardtothefuturelife？Hadheanysenseofsin，asmorethanathingthatcouldbeexpiatedbypurificationwiththebloodofslaughteredswine，orbypurchasingtheprayersand\"masses，\"sotospeak，ofthemendicantclergyorcharlatans，mentionedbyPlatointhe\"Republic\"？Aboutthesegreatquestionsofthereligiouslife——theFutureandman’sfortunesinthefuture，thepunishmentorrewardofjusticeoriniquity——wereallyknownexttonothing。
ThatisonereasonwhythegreatpoemofLucretiusseemssovaluabletome。TheDeRerumNaturawaswrittenfornootherpurposethantodestroyReligion，asLucretiusunderstoodit，tofreemen’smindsfromalldreadastofuturepunishment，allhopeofHeaven，alldreadordesirefortheinterferenceofthegodsinthismortallifeofoursonearth。FornootherreasondidLucretiusdesireto\"knowthecausesofthings，\"exceptthattheknowledgewouldbring\"emancipation，\"aspeoplecallit，fromthegods，towhommenhadhithertostoodintherelationoftheRomansontotheRomansire，underthepatriapotestasorinmanupatris。
AsLucretiuswroughtallhisarduousworktothisend，itfollowsthathisfellow—countrymenmusthavegoneinaconstantterroraboutspiritualpenalties，whichweseldomassociateinthoughtwiththe\"blithe\"andcarelessexistenceoftheancientpeoples。IneverylineofLucretiusyoureadthejoyandtheindignationoftheslavejustescapedfromanintolerablethraldomtofear。NobodycouldwellhavebelievedonanyotherevidencethattheclassicalpeoplehadagloomyCalvinismoftheirowntime。True，asearlyasHomer，wehearoftheshadowyexistenceofthesouls，andofthetormentsenduredbythenotablywicked；byimpiousghosts，ortyrannical，likeSisyphusandTantalus。Butwhenwereadtheopeningbooksofthe\"Republic，\"wefindtheeducatedfriendsofSocratestreatingtheseterrorsasold—wives’fables。Theyhaveheard，theysay，thatsuchnotionscirculateamongthepeople，buttheyseemneverforamomenttohavethemselvesbelievedinafutureofrewardsandpunishments。
Theremainsofancientfunerealart，inEtruriaorAttica，usuallyshowusthesemblancesofthedeadlyingatendlessfeasts，orreceivingsacrificesoffoodandwine（asinEgypt）fromtheirdescendants，or，perhaps，welcomingthelaterdead，theirfriendswhohavejustrejoinedthem。ButitisonlyinthedescriptionsbyPausaniasandothersofcertainoldwall—paintingsthatwehearofthetormentsofthewicked，ofthedemonsthattorturethemand，aboveall，ofthegreatchieffiend，colouredlikeacarrionfly。
TojudgefromLucretius，althoughsolittleremainstousofthiscreed，yetithadaverystrongholdofthemindsofpeople，inthecenturybeforeChrist。PerhapsthebeliefwasreinforcedbytheteachingofSocrates，who，inthevisionofEr，inthe\"Republic，\"
bringsback，inamyth，theoldpopularfaithinaPurgatorio，ifnotinanInferno。
Inthe\"Phaedo，\"forcertain，wecometotheverydefiniteaccountofaHell，aplaceofeternalpunishment，aswellasofaPurgatory，whencesoulsarefreedwhentheirsinsareexpiated。\"Thespiritsbeyondredemption，forthemultitudeoftheirmurdersorsacrileges，FatehurlsintoTartarus，whencetheyneveranymorecomeforth。\"
ButsoulsoflighterguiltabideayearinTartarus，andthendriftoutdownthestreamsCocytusandPyriphlegethon。ThencetheyreachthemarshofAcheron，butarenotreleaseduntiltheyhavereceivedthepardonofthesoulswhominlifetheyhadinjured。
Allthis，andmuchmoretothesamepurposeinotherdialoguesofPlato’s，appearstohavebeenderivedbySocratesfromthepopularunphilosophictraditions，fromFolk—loreinshort，andtohavebeenraisedbyhimtotherankof\"piousopinion，\"ifnotofdogma。Now，Lucretiusrepresentsnothingbutthereactionagainstallthisdreadoffuturedoom，whetherthatdreadwasinculcatedbyPlatonicphilosophyorbypopularbelief。Thelattermusthavebeenmuchthemorepowerfulandwidelydiffused。ItfollowsthattheRomans，atleast，musthavebeenhauntedbyaconstantdreadofjudgmenttocome，fromwhich，butforthetestimonyofLucretiusandhismanifestsincerity，wemighthavebelievedthemfree。
PerhapswemayregrettheexistenceofthisRomanreligion，foritdiditsbesttoruinagreatpoet。ThesublimityofthelanguageofLucretius，whenhecanleavehisattemptsatscientificproof，theclosenessofhisobservation，hisenjoymentoflife，ofNature，andhispowerofpaintingthem，acertainlargenessoftouch，andnobleamplitudeofmanner——these，withaburningsincerity，markhimaboveallothersthatsmotetheLatinlyre。Yetthesegreatqualitiesarehalf—crushedbyhistask，byhisattempttoturntheatomictheoryintoverse，byhisunsympatheticefforttodestroyallfaithandhope，becausethesewereunited，inhismind，withdreadofStyxandAcheron。
Itisanalmostintolerablephilosophy，thephilosophyofeternalsleep，withoutdreamsandwithoutawakening。Thisbeliefiswhollydivorcedfromjoy，whichinspiresallthebestart。Thisnegationofhopehas\"close—lippedPatienceforitsonlyfriend。\"
InvaindoesLucretiuspaintpicturesoflifeandNaturesolarge，soglowing，somajesticthattheyremindusofnothingbutthe\"FeteChampetre\"ofGiorgione，intheLouvre。Allthatlifeisathingwemustleavesoon，andforever，andmustbehopelesslylappedinaneternityofblindsilence。\"Ishallletmenseethecertainendofall，\"hecries；\"thenwilltheyresistreligion，andthethreatsofpriestsandprophets。\"Butthis\"certainend\"isexactlywhatmortalsdonotdesiretosee。TothissleeptheyprefereventenebrasOrci，vastasquelacunas。
Theywillnotbedeprivedofgods，\"thefriendsofman，mercifulgods，compassionate。\"TheywillnotturnfromevenafainthopeinthosetotheLucretiandeitiesintheirendlessandindifferentreposeanddivine\"delightinimmortalandpeacefullife，far，farawayfromusandours——lifepainlessandfearless，needingnothingwecangive，repletewithitsownwealth，unmovedbyprayerandpromise，untouchedbyanger。\"
Doyourememberthathymn，asonemaycallit，ofLucretiustoDeath，toDeathwhichdoesnotharmus。\"Forasweknewnohurtofold，inageswhentheCarthaginianthrongedagainstusinwar，andtheworldwasshakenwiththeshockoffight，anddubioushungtheempireoverallthingsmortalbyseaandland，evensocareless，sounmoved，shallweremain，indayswhenweshallnomoreexist，whenthebondofbodyandsoulthatmakesourlifeisbroken。Thennaughtshallmoveus，norwakeasinglesense，notthoughearthwithseabemingled，andseawithsky。\"Thereisnohell，hecries，or，likeOmar，hesays，\"Hellisthevisionofasoulonfire。\"
YourtrueTityus，gnawedbythevulture，isonlytheslaveofpassionandoflove；yourtrueSisyphus（likeLordSalisburyinPunch）isonlythepolitician，strivingalways，neverattaining；thestonerollsdownagainfromthehill—crest，andthundersfaralongtheplain。
Thushisphilosophy，whichgiveshimsuchadelightfulsenseoffreedom，isrejectedafteralltheseyearsoftrialbymen。Theyfeelthatsincethoseremotestdays\"QuumVenusinsilvisjungebatcorporaamantum，\"
theyhavetravelledthelong，thewearywayLucretiusdescribestolittleavail，iftheymaynotkeeptheirhopesandfears。Robbedofthesewearerobbedofall；itservesusnothingtohaveconqueredthesoilandfoughtthewindsandwaves，tohavebuiltcities，andtamedfire，iftheworldistobe\"dispeopledofitsdreams。\"
Betterweretheoldlifewestartedfrom，anddreamstherewith，betterthefreedays—
\"NovitastumfloridamundiPabuladiatulit，miserismortablibusampla；\"
thanwealthorpower，andneitherhopenorfear，butonecertainendofallbeforetheeyesofall。
Thustheheartofmanhasanswered，andwillanswerLucretius，thenoblestRomanpoet，andtheleastbeloved，whosought，atlast，byhisownhand，theysay，thedoomthatVirgilwaitedforintheseasonappointed。
TOAYOUNGAMERICANBOOK—HUNTER
ToPhilipDodsworth，Esq。，NewYork。
DearDodsworth，——Letmecongratulateyouonhavingjoinedthearmyofbook—hunters。\"EverywherehaveIsoughtpeaceandfounditnowhere，\"saystheblessedThomaseKempis，\"saveinacornerwithabook。\"Whetherthatgoodmonkwrotethe\"DeImitationeChristi\"ornot，onealwayslikeshimforhisloveofbooks。Perhapshewastheonlybook—hunterthateverwroughtamiracle。\"Othersignsandmiracleswhichhewaswonttotellashavinghappenedattheprayerofanunnamedperson，arebelievedtohavebeengrantedtohisown，suchasthesuddenreappearanceofalostbookinhiscell。\"Ah，ifFaith，thatmovethmountains，couldonlybringbackthebookswehavelost，thebooksthathavebeenborrowedfromus!Butweareafaithlessgeneration。
Fromacollectorsomucholderandbetterexperiencedinmisfortunethanyourself，youaskforsomeadviceonthesportofbook—hunting。
Well，Iwillgiveit；butyouwillnottakeit。No；youwillhuntwild，likeyoungpointersbeforetheyareproperlybroken。
Letmesupposethatyouare\"tomiddlefortuneborn，\"andthatyoucannotstrollintothegreatbook—martsandgiveyourordersfreelyforallthatisrichandrare。Youareobligedtowaitandwatchanopportunity，topractisethatmaximoftheStoic’s，\"Endureandabstain。\"Thenabstainfromrushingateveryvolume，howeveroutofthelineofyourliteraryinterests，whichseemstobeabargain。
Probablyitisnotevenabargain；itcanseldombecheaptoyou，ifyoudonotneedit，anddonotmeantoreadit。
Notthatanycollectorreadsallhisbooks。Imayhave，andindeeddopossess，anAldineHomerandCaliergushisTheocritus；butI
prefertostudytheauthorsinacheapGermanedition。Theoldeditionswebuymainlyfortheirbeauty，andthesentimentoftheirantiquityandtheirassociations。
ButIdon’ttakemyownadvice。Theshelvesarecrowdedwithbooksquiteoutofmyline——awholesmalllibraryoftomesonthepastimeofcurling，andIdon’tcurl；and\"God’sRevengeagainstMurther，\"
though（sofar）Iamnotanassassin。ProbablyitwasforloveofSirWalterScott，andhismentionofthistruculenttreatise，thatI
purchasedit。Thefulltitleofitis\"TheTriumphsofGod’sRevengeagainsttheCryingandExecrableSinneof（willfulandpremeditated）Murther。\"Orratherthereisnearlyacolumnmoreoftitle，whichIspareyou。Butthepicturesaresobadastobenearlyworththeprice。Donotwasteyourmoney，likeyourfoolishadviser，onbookslikethat，oron\"LesSeptVisionsdeDonFranciscodeQuevedo，\"publishedatCologne，in1682。
WhyintheworlddidIpurchasethis，withthetitle—pageshowingQuevedoasleep，andallhissevenvisionsfloatingroundhiminlittlecircleslikesoap—bubbles？ProbablybecausethebookwaspublishedbyClementMalassis，andperhapshewasaforefatherofthatwhimsicalFrenchman，PouletMalassis，whopublishedforBanville，andBaudelaire，andCharlesAsselineau。Itwasabadreason。Morelikelythemerecheapnessattractedme。
Curiosity，notcheapness，assuredly，betrayedmeintoanotherpurchase。IfIwanttoread\"ThePilgrim’sProgress，\"ofcourseI
readitinJohnBunyan’sgoodEnglish。ThenwhymustIruinmyselftoacquire\"Voyaged’unChrestienversl’Eternite。EcritenAnglois，parMonsieurBunjan，F。M。，enBedtfort，etnouvellementtraduitenFrancois。AvecFigures。AAmsterdam，chezJeanBoekholtLibrairepresdelaBourse，1685\"？IsupposethisistheoldestFrenchversionofthefamedallegory。Doyouknowanolder？Bunyanwasstilllivingand，indeed，hadjustpublishedthesecondpartofthebook，aboutChristian’swifeandchildren，andthedeplorableyoungwomanwhosenamewasDull。
Asthelittlevolume，theElzevirsize，isboundinbluemorocco，byCuzin，Ihopeitisnotwhollyafoolishbargain；butwhatdoI
want，afterall，withaFrench\"Pilgrim’sProgress\"？Thesearetheerrorsamanisalwaysmakingwhodoesnotcollectbookswithsystem，withaconscienceandanaim。
Dohaveaspecially。Makeacollectionofworksonfewsubjects，wellchosen。Andwhatsubjectsshalltheybe？Thatdependsontaste。Probablyitiswelltoavoidthelatestfashion。Forexample，theillustratedFrenchbooksoftheeighteenthcenturyare，atthismoment，enhausse。Thereisa\"boom\"inthem。FiftyyearsagoBrunet，theauthorofthegreat\"Manuel，\"sneeredatthem。But，inhis，\"LibraryCompanion，\"Dr。Dibdin，admittedtheirmerit。TheillustrationsbyGravelot，Moreau，Marillier，andtherest，arecertainlydelicate，graceful，fullofcharacter，stampedwithstyle。
Butonlytheproofsbeforelettersareverymuchvalued，andforthesewildpricesaregivenbycompetitivemillionaires。Youcannotcompetewiththem。
Itisbetterwhollytoturnthebackonthesebooksandonanyothersattheheightofthefashion，unlessyoumeetthemforfourpenceonastall。Eventhenshouldagentlemantakeadvantageofapoorbookseller’signorance？Idon’tknow。Ineverfellintothetemptation，becauseIneverwastempted。Bargains，realbargains，aresorarethatyoumayhuntforalifetimeandnevermeetone。
Thebestplanforamanwhohastoseethathiscollectionisworthwhatitcosthim，isprobablytoconfineone’sselftoasingleline，say，inyourcase，firsteditionsofnewEnglish，French，andAmericanbooksthatarelikelytoriseinvalue。Iwouldtry，wereIyou，tocollectfirsteditionsofLongfellow，Bryant，Whittier，Poe，andHawthorne。
AstoPoe，youprobablywillneverhaveachance。OutsideoftheBritishMuseum，wheretheyhavethe\"Tamerlane\"of1827，IhaveonlyseenoneearlyexampleofPoe’spoems。Itis\"AlAaraaf，Tamerlane，andMinorPoems，byEdgarA。Poe。Baltimore：HatchandDunning，1829，8vo，pp。71。\"Thebook\"cametoMr。Locker（Mr。FrederickLocker—Lampson），throughMr。R。H。Stoddard，theAmericanpoet。\"SosaysMr。Locker—Lampson’sCatalogue。HealsohastheNewYorkeditionof1831。
Thesebooksareextraordinarilyrare；youaremorelikelytofindtheminsomecollectionoftwopennyrubbishthantobuythemintheregularmarket。Bryant’s\"Poems\"（Cambridge，1821）mustalsobeveryrare，andEmerson’sof1847，andDr。OliverWendellHolmes’sof1836，andLongfellow’s\"VoicesoftheNight，\"1839，andMr。Lowell’s\"AYear’sLife；\"noneofthesecanbecommon，andallaredesirable，asareMr。Whittier’s\"LegendsofNewEngland（1831），and\"Poems\"
（1838）。
Perhapsyoumayneverbeluckyenoughtocomeacrossthemcheap；nodoubttheyaregreatlysoughtforbyamateurs。Indeed，allAmericanbooksofacertainageorofaspecialinterestareexorbitantlydear。MenlikeMr。JamesLenoxusedtokeepthemarketup。OnecannotgettheJesuit\"Relations\"——shabbylittlemissionaryreportsfromCanada，indirtyvellum。
Cartier，Perrot，Champlain，andtheotherearlyexplorers’booksarebeyondthemeansofaworkingstudentwhoneedsthem。Mayyoucomeacrosstheminagarretofafarmhouse，orinsomedustylaneofthecity。Whyaretheynotreprinted，asMr。Arberhasreprinted\"CaptainJohnSmith’sVoyages，andReportsonVirginia\"？Theveryreprints，whentheyhavebeenmade，arerareandhardtocomeby。
Therearecertainmodernbooks，newbooks，that\"goup\"rapidlyinvalueandinterest。Mr。Swinburne’s\"Atalanta\"of1865，thequartoinwhitecloth，isvaluedattwentydollars。Twentyyearsagoonedollarwouldhavepurchasedit。Mr。AustinDobson’s\"ProverbsinPorcelain\"isalsoindemandamongthecurious。Nay，evenImaysayaboutthefirsteditionof\"BalladesinBlueChina\"（1880），asGibbonsaidofhis\"EssayontheStudyofLiterature：\"\"Theprimitivevalueofhalfacrownhasrisentothefancifulpriceofaguineaorthirtyshillings，\"orevenmore。IwishIhadacopymyself，foroldsake’ssake。
Certainmodernbooks，\"onlargepaper，\"aresafeinvestments。The\"BadmintonLibrary，\"anEnglishseriesofbooksonsport，isatahugepremiumalready，whenon\"largepaper。\"Butoneshouldneverbuythebookunless，asinthecaseofDr。JohnHillBurton’s\"Book—
Hunter\"（firstedition），itisnotonlyonlargepaper，andnotonlyrare（twenty—fivecopies），butalsoreadableandinteresting。{7}A
collectorshouldhavethetastetoseewhenanewbookisinitselfvaluableandcharming，andwhenitsauthorislikelytosucceed，sothathisearlyattempts（asinthecaseofMr。MatthewArnold，LordTennyson，andafewothersofthemoderns）arecertaintobecomethingsofcuriousinterest。
YoucanhardlyevergetanovelofJaneAusten’sinthefirstedition。SheisrarerthanFieldingorSmollett。SomedayitmaybethesameinMissBroughton’scase。ClingtothefairandwittyJane，ifyougetachance。Bewareofillustratedmodernbooksinwhich\"processes\"areemployed。Amateurswillneverreallyvaluemechanicalreproductions，whichcanbecopiedtoanyextent。TheoldFrenchcopper—plateengravingsandthebestEnglishmezzo—tintsaresovaluablebecausegoodimpressionsarenecessarilysorare。
Onemorepieceofadvice。Never（or\"hardlyever\"）buyanimperfectbook。Itisaconstantsourceofregret，aneyesore。HerehaveI
Lovelace’s\"Lucasta，\"1649，withouttheengraving。Itisdeplorable，butIneverhadachanceofanother\"Lucasta。\"Thisisnotacaseofinveniesaliam。Howeveryoufare，youwillhavethepleasureofHopeandtheconsolationofbooksquieteminveniendaminabditisrecessibusetlibellulis。
ROCHEFOUCAULD
TotheLadyVioletLebas。
DearLadyViolet，——IamnotsurethatIagreewithyouinyouradmirationofRochefoucauld——oftheReflexions，ouSentencesetMaximesMorales，Imean。Atleast，IhardlyagreewhenIhavereadmanyofthematastretch。Itisnotfairtoreadtheminthatway，ofcourse，fortherearemorethanfivehundredpensees，andsomuchespritbecomesfatiguing。Idoubtifpeoplestudythemmuch。Fiveorsixofthemhavebecomeknowneventowritersinthenewspapers，andweallcopythemfromeachother。
Rochefoucauldsaysthatamanmaybetoodulltobedupedbyaverycleverperson。Hehimselfwassocleverthathewasoftenduped，firstbythegeneralhonestdulnessofmankind，andthenbyhisownacuteness。Hethoughthesawmorethanhedidsee，andhesaidevenmorethanhethoughthesaw。Ifthetruemotiveofallouractionsisself—love，orvanity，nomanisabetterproofofthetruththanthegreatmaxim—maker。Hisself—lovetooktheshapeofabrilliancythatissometimesfalse。Heistrickedoutinpastefordiamonds，nowandthen，likeavain，provincialbeautyataball。\"Aclevermanwouldfrequentlybemuchataloss，\"hesays，\"instupidcompany。\"Onehasseenthisembarrassmentofawitinacompanyofdullards。ItisRochefoucauld’sownpositioninthisworldofmenandwomen。Weareall，inthemass，dullardscomparedwithhiscleverness，andsohefailstounderstandus，ismuchatalossamongus。\"Peopleonlypraiseothersinhopesofbeingpraisedinturn，\"hesays。Mankindisnotsuchacompanyof\"log—rollers\"asheavers。