Yet，evennow，wearenotattheendofthismostfortunatediscovery。ItwouldappearthattherewaslittledemandforworksoflearningandreligioninScotland，oratleastatFairport；fortheparchmentsheetcontainsfragmentsofaBalladintheScotstongue。Nonebutapoorandstrugglingprinterwouldthenhavelenthistypestosuchwork，andfortunateforushasbeenthepovertyofyourgreatancestor。Herewehavetheveryearliestprintedballadintheworld，and，thoughfragmentary，itisthemorepreciousasthestyleprovestodemonstration，andagainstthefranticscepticismevenofaRitson，theantiqueandvenerablecharacterofthosecompositions。IsendyouacopyoftheBallad，withthegaps（wherethetoothoftimeoroftheworm，edaxrerum，hathimpairedit）filledupwithconjecturalrestorationsofmyown。Buthowfardotheyfallshortoftheoriginalsimplicity!
Noncuiviscontingit。Asthetitleislacking，aswellastheimprint，IhavestyleditTHEFRAGMENTOFTHEFAUSELOVER
ANDTHEDEADLEMAN。
OWillierade，andWilliegaedAtweentheshoreandsea，AndstillitwashisdeadLadyThatkepthimcompany。
OWillierade，andWilliegaedAtweenthe[lochandheather]，AndstillitwashisdeadLadyThat[heldhisstirrupleather]。
\"OWillie，tak’meupbyye，SaefaritisIgang；
Otak’meonyoursaddlebow，Or[yourdayshallnotbelang]。\"
\"Gaeback，gaeback，yefauseillwife，Tothegravewhereinyelie，ItneverwasseenthatadeadlemanKeptlover’scompany!
\"Gaeback，gaebackfraeme，\"hesaid，\"ForthisdaymaunIwed，AndhowcanIkissalivinglass，Whenyecomefraethedead？
\"Ifyemaunhauntalivingman，Yourbritherhaunt，\"sayshe，\"Foritwasnevermyknife，buthisThat[twinedthylifeandthee!]
***
Wearetounderstand，Imakenodoubt，thatWilliehadbeentoofortunatealover，andthatinhisabsence——thefrailtyofhisladybecomingconspicuous——herbrotherhadavengedthefamilyhonouraccordingtothatoldlawofScotlandwhichthecourteousAriostostyles\"l’aspraleggediScozia，empiaesevera。\"
Prayletmeknow，atyourleisure，whatyouthinkofthistrouvaille。Itis，ofcourse，entirelyatyourservice，ifyouthinkitworthyofaplaceinaneweditionofthe\"Minstrelsy。\"I
havenoroomtoinflictmoreballadsorlegendsonyou；andremain，mostfaithfullyyours，R。SURTEES。
LETTER：FromJonathanOldbuck，Esq。，ofMonkbarns，toRobertSurtees，Esq。，Mainsforth。
Monkbarns，June1。
MyDearSir，——HowkindhathFortunebeentoyou，and，inasecondarydegree，tomyself。YourlettermustdispeltheunreasoningandIfearenviousscepticismofMacCribb，whohasputforthaplaunflet（Ilovethatoldspelling）inwhichhederidesthehistoryofAldobrandOldenbuckasafable。TheBalladshall，indeed，haveanhonouredplaceinmypoorCollectionwheneverthepublictastecallsforanewedition。Buttheoriginal，whatwouldInotgivetohaveitinmyhands，totouchtheveryparchmentwhichcamefromthepressofmyreveredancestor，and，gloatingonthecrabbedletters，confuteMacCribbtohisfaceipsovisuettactuofsoinestimableararity。Exchanges——or\"swaps，\"asthevulgarcallthem——arenotunknownamongourfraternity。Askwhatyouwillforthistreasure，tothehalfofmykingdom：mygoldAurelius（foundatBermuckety，ontheverylimitsofRomanCaledonia），my\"ComplaynteofScotland\"（theonlyperfectcopyknown），Mycopperplate，withalmanacksEngrav’dupon’t，andotherknacks；
Mymoon—dial，withNapier’sbonesAndseveralconstellationstones。
Makeyourchoice，infact，ofallmyGabions，ashonestoldGeorgeRuthvencalledthem。
Nay，excusethecovetousnessofanAntiquary，mydearsir；IwellknowthatnothingIcouldofferwereworthatitheofyourpricelessdiscovery，theoldestprintedScotsBalladextant。Itshallsufficeformetolookonit，undertheroofofMainsforth，whennextImakearaidacrosstheBorder。Ihaveconqueredmypassions，andcanobeythelastoftheCommandments。Haudequideninvideo，minormagis。Ineednotbidyoubewatchfulofyourbooty。——Yoursmostfaithfully，JONATHANOLDBUCK。
FromRobertSurtees，Esq。，toJonathanOldbuck，Esq。
June11。
MyDearSir，——Alas，yourwarningcomestoolate。Anaccursedexampleofwomankind，fitdescendantofthatunhappyBettyBarnes，cooktoMr。Warburton，whodestroyedhisancientmanuscriptplays，hathinvadedmysanctum，andtheoriginalblack—lettertextoftheballadhasgonetojoinShakspeare’s\"Stephen\"and\"HenryII。\"Shehathlitwithitmystudyfire，anditisfortunateindeedthatI
hadmadethecopyoftheballadforyou。ButthevolumeofCoquillartisalivetotestifytotheauthenticityofthepoem；
which，afterall，isneedlessevidence，asnotevenRitsoncouldsuspectofeithertheskillorthemaliceofsuchaforgery，Yoursmostfaithfully，ROBERTSURTEES。
LETTER：FromNicholastotheEditoroftheSt。James’sGazette，Itisonlytooprobablethatalatergenerationhasforgotten\"Nicholas，\"thesportingProphetof\"Fun，\"inthereignofMr。Hoodtheyounger。Thelittlework，\"Nicholas’sNotes，\"inwhichMr。W。
J。ProwsecollectedthepapersoftheoldProphet，is，indeed，notan\"editiondelooks，\"astheagedSeersays，withhissimplehumour。FromtheParadiseofFiction，however（andtheParadiseofTouts），Nicholashascommunicated，perhapstothePsychicalSociety，thefollowingEpistle。HisfriendlymentionofabrotherjournalistspeakswellfortheOldMan’sheadandheart。
TheParadiseofFiction，Feb。9，1888。
Sir，——Mydearyoungfriend，itistentoone，andnotakers，thatthepublic，thanwhom，betweenyouandme，Idonotthinkmuchofthem，haveforgottenNicholas，orevenneverheardoftheProphet。
Youthwillbeserved；anditisnowbetweentwentyyearssinceheleftoffvaticinatingin\"Fun，\"duringyoungMr。Hood’stime，offuturesportiveeventsfortocome，andcametoliveHEREwiththeothercelebratedcharactersofFiction，thanwhomIamsureamoremixedlot，thoughperhapsalittlegay。IthavingcometotheProphet’sknowledgethatsomeofthemwaswritinglettersto\"TheSt。James’sGazette\"（thanwhichIamsurenonemorerespectable，thoughperhapsalittlenotquitesoattentivetosportiveinterestsasitmightbe），hehavedecidedthatNicholaswilltakeuphispenoncemore，asofold。
TheStateoftheTurf，mydearyoungfriend，sinceanoldbutstillhandsomebirdwouldfreelyalight（whennotwarnedoff）onNewmarketHeath，havecausedNicholassomeanxiety。Sir，betweenyouandme，ITISRAPIDLYGETTINGNOBETTER。HereisLord——（thanwhomamoresterlingsportsman）asgoodassayingtoSir——（thanwhom，perhaps），\"DidyoueverhearofasportingcharactercalledSwindells？\"AndtheProphetHAVEbeentoldthatitmayfurnishmatterforthegentlemenofthelongrobe——which，inmytime，manyofthemwasbackersofhorses。
Andallalongofwhat？Why，ofthe\"inexplicablein—and—outrunningofhorses，\"asthe\"Standard\"says，andaswilloftenhappen，you，perhaps，havingalikelydarkoneasyouwanttogetlightintoahigh—classautumnhandicap。ThedaysislongpastsinceNicholaswasnutsonthegamelittleLecturer，butstillhastheinterestsoftheTurfatheart；and，mydearyoungfriend，ifhorsesneverraninandout，wherewouldbe\"thegloriousuncertaintyofthesport\"？Onthewhole，then，ifaskedmyopiniononthisaffair，theProphetwouldsay——puttingitambiguous—like——
\"Gentlemen，whenthere’ssomuchdirtylinentowash，can’tyourememberthatwe’reallprettymuchtarredwiththesamebrush？\"A
greatpolitician——whichalotofhisfamilyishere，Coningsby，andtheYoungDuke，andmanyothersportsmen——usedtosayaswhattheTurfwas\"agiganticengineofnationaldemoralisation；\"whichNicholasisnotquitesurebutwhathewasrightforhim，thoughhislanguageonratheralargescale。Horsesrunninginandoutisinexplicable!Why，gentsall，whichofusWOULDN’Tdoit，ifhehadthechancetoputthepotonhandsome，humannaturebeingwhatitis，especiallyconsideringthelownessofthemarketoddsasyouhaveoftenandoftentobecontentwith。Inshort，themoreyoustiritthemoreitwon’texactlyremindyouofgalesfromArabytheBlest；thanwhichamoredelightfulcountry，onlynottobefoundonanyatlasasNicholasevercastaglanceatthemap，howeverlarge。
Butenoughofasubjectthanwhichperhapsonemorepainfultome；
theProphethavingoftenandoften，inearlydays，beenwarnedoffNewmarketHeathhimself，andcalleda\"disreputableoldtout，\"
thoughonlylabouringinhisvocation。
（Makeanewbeginninghere，please，Printer。）
IthavecometotheknowledgeoftheProphetthathis\"Notes\"arenotquitesomuchreadastheyoncewas，partlyowing，nodoubt，tothebookbeingnotsomuchan\"editiondelooks\"asratheralow—
livedlot，toacasualeye，atfourpence；thepictureoutsiderepresentingNicholasratherashavinghadtoomuchfortodrinkthanasaprominentmemberoftheBlueRibbonSociety，whichitdidnotexistinhisperiod，norwouldithaveenjoyed，toanyconsiderableextent，mypersonalorpecuniarysupport，hehavingsomethingelsetodowithhismoney。（Printer，pleaseputinafullstopsomewherehere，Nicholasbeingalittleoutofthehabitofwritingfortheperiodicalpress。）Hehavealsoheardthatitisproposedinliterarycirclestostarta\"NicholasSociety\"forthepurposeofprintingalimitededitionofmyworksincludingmylosttreatiseofKnurandSpell，onJapanesepaper，illustratedwithphoto—gravelures；theyhavingcomeinsincetheProphet’speriod，thoughperhapsalittlegay。
But，mydearthoughexquisiteyoungfriends，istherenobetterwayofrallyingroundtheProphetthanTHIS？Ihaveheard，fromcharactersinancientliterature，suchasAgamemnon——thanwhomamoreenergeticsoldier，thoughperhapsatriflearbitrary——theProphetHAVEheard，Isay，thatadealofliquorusedtobepouredonthegravesofcoveslikehimandme，andthatitdidthemgood。
Thismaybethecase，andanywaytheexperimentiswellworthtrying；though，Iwouldsay，donotletitbemilk，asIgatherwascustomaryinearlytimes，asdidn’tknowanybetter；but，ifpossible，abottleortwoofsherrywine，towhich，asiswellbeknown，Nicholaswaspartial。Hewillnowconclude；andtheProphethopesthatanexperiment，thanwhich，Iamsure，onemoredeeplyinteresting，willnotbedeferred；henotmuchtakingtotheliquorhere，thoughthecompanymakesupforagreatdeal，especiallyanIrishofficerbythenameofCostigan，thanwhomasweetersingeroramorehonourablegentleman；andsignshimself，withgratitudeforpastfavours，andkindrespectstotheEditorofthe\"Guardian，\"
NICHOLAS。
LETTER：FromtheEarlofMontrosetoCaptainDugaldDalgetty。
Whoeverhasreadthe\"MemoirsofMonsieurd’Artagnan\"——aMarshalintheFrenchKing’sservice——astheyarepublishedbyMonsieurAlexandreDumasin\"LesTroisMousquetaires，\"willnothaveforgottenthatduelbehindtheLuxembourg，inwhich，asisdeclared，anEnglishmanranawayfromtheChevalierd’Herblay，calledAramisinhisregiment。EnglishmenhaveneverheldthatMonsieurDumaswaswellinformedaboutthisaffair。ThefollowinglettersoftheGreatMarquisandCaptainDalgettyfromthe\"KirkhopePapers\"provethatEnglishmenwereintheright。
—，164—。
Sir，——TouchingthatIdid，toyourapprehension，turnawayfromyouwithsomeshowofcoldnessonyourlatecoming，itmaybethatyoubutlittlemisreadme。But，forthatnomaniscondemnedwithoutahearing，Iwouldfainknowunderyourownhandthetruthconcerningthatwhereofashamefulreportisbruitedabroad，eveninthe\"GalloBelgicus\"andthe\"FliegenderMercoeur\"ofLeipsic——namely，thatinacertainduellatelyfoughtinParisbehindthePalaceoftheLuxembourg，fourEnglishmenencounteringasmanyMusketeersoftheFrenchKing’s，oneoutofthisrealm，toourdisgrace，shamefullyfled；andhe（byreport）RittmasterDugaldDalgetty。
Tillwhich，bruitbeeitherabolished，andthestain——asanillblotonacleanscutcheon——wipedaway，orasshamefullyacknowledgedasitisitselfshameful，Iabide，asIshallhearfromyourself，MONTROSE。
FromCaptainDugaldDalgetty，ofDrumthwacket，totheMostNobleandPuissantPrinceJames，EarlofMontrose，commandingthemustersoftheKinginScotland。These—
MyLord，——Astouchingthebruit，orfama，aswesaidattheMareschalCollege，Ishallforthwithanswer，andthatperemptorie。
Forthisstoryoftheduello，asamanmaysay（though，indeed，theythatfoughtinitwerenotinthedualnumber，asyourGrecianhathit，buteightsoldados——sevenofthemgallantmen），trulythestoryisofthelongest；butasyourlordshipwillhaveit，thoughmoreexpertwiththeswordthanthegoosequill，Imustevenbuckleto。
Letyourlordshipconceiveofyourpoorofficer，oncelieutenantandRittmasterunderthatinvinciblemonarch，thebulwarkoftheProtestantfaith，GustavustheVictorious；conceive，Isay，DugaldDalgetty，ofDrumthwacketthatshouldbe，inParis，concernedwithamatterofweightandmomentnotnecessarytobemootedormintedof。AsIamsittingatmytavernordinary，forIconsiderthatanexperiencedcavaliershouldeverlayinprovenantasoccasionserveth，comesintomeastipendiaryofmyLordWinter，biddingmeknowthathismasterwouldspeaktome：andthatnotcorampopulo，asIdoubtnotyourlordshipsaidatSt。Leonard’sCollegeinSt。
Andrews，butprivily。ThereonIriseandwaitonhim；tobebrief—
—brevisesselaboro，aswesaidlangsyne——hislordshipwouldhavemetobeofhisbackersinprivaterencontrewithfourgentlemenoftheKing’sMusketeers。
Concerningthecauseofthisduello，Imaywellsayteterrimacausa。Hislordship’sownsisterMiladyClarikwasinquestion；
shebeing，Ifearme，ratherakininherwayoflifetoJeanDrocheils（whomyourlordshipmayremember；for，theBailliesexpulsingherfromAberdeen，shemigratedtoSt。Andrews，adeundem，asthesayingis）thanlike，inherwalkandconduct，toavirtuousladyofanoblefamily。Shewas，indeed，ascurrentrumourhadit，thelighto’loveorbelleamieofMonsieurd’Artagnan，hislordship’sadversary。
Butofsiclikeleastsaidsoonestmended。Itakecloakandsword，andfollowwithhislordshipandtwootherexperiencedcavaliersuntotheplaceofrencontre，beingawastecroftwhereonaloonwasherdinggoats，behindthePalaceoftheLuxembourg。Herewefindwaitingusfoursoldados，propertallmenoftheirhands，whoreceiveuscourteously。HethatfirstgavecauseofquarreltomyLordWinterboreaworthynameenoughoutofGascony，thatisaridanutrix，aswesaidattheMareschalCollege，ofhonourablesoldados——towit，asIsaid，hewasMonsieurd’Artagnan。Tohisfriends，howbeit，hegavesicheathentitlesasIneversaworheardofoutoftheGrecianbooks：namely，MonsieurPorthos，averytallman，albeitsomethingofalourdaud；MonsieurAthos；andhethatwastobemineownopposite，MonsieurAramis。Hearingtheseoutlandishandinsolentappellations，Ithoughtitbecomingme，asanhonourablecavalier，toresentthisfashionofpresenting：anddemurredthatagentlemanoftheHouseofDalgettyofDrumthwacketcouldneithertakeaffrontfrom，norgivehonourablesatisfactionto，anamelesslandlouper。Whereinyourlordship，Idoubtmenot，willholdmejustificate。
LordWinterhomologatingmineopinion，hethatcalledhimselfAthosdreweachofusapart，andwhisperedthetruenamesandqualitiesterritorialofthesegentlemen；thewhilk，asmaybefallhonourablesoldados，theyhadreasonsufficienttoconcealwhileservingasprivategentlemeninaregiment，thoughdisdainingtoreceivehalberds，asunbecomingtheirbirth。HethatalignedhimselfforenenstmewasstyledtheChevalierd’Herblay；and，thewordbeinggiven，wefellto。
Now，mineadversarydecliningtofightcomminusgladio，butbreakinggroundinamannerunworthyofagallantsoldado，andtheplace，savingyourpresence，beingsomewhatslipperyandtreacherousbecauseofthegoatsthatwerefedthere，Ideliveredasufficientonslaught；andhefell，hisswordflyingfromhishand。
WhenIhadtakenhisweapon——thespoliaopima，aswesaidatMareschalCollege——Ibidhimrise，andthendiscoursedhimonthedishonourofsuchahastydefeat。Then，heconfessinghimselftomethat，thoughunderarms，hewasayoungfledgelingpriestinPopishorders，Ibeganuponhimwithsuchwordsonhisdisgracingthenobleprofessionofarmsasmighthavemadehimchoosetoreturntohiscloister；whensuddenlyhefled，and，beingyoungandlight—footed，robbedme，notonlyofsuchcaduacsandcasualtiesasanexperiencedcavaliermightwelltakefromhisprisonerforransom，butalso，asnowitappears，ofmygoodname。ForIdoubtnotthatthismusketeerpriest，MonsieurAramis，orl’Abbed’Herblay（forhehathasmanynamesasIhaveseencampaigns），wastheloonthatbeguiledwithalyingtalethenewsmanofthe\"GalloBelgicus。\"AndIhaveeverseenthatanhonourablesoldadowillgivethego—bytothesenewsmenandtheirflyingsheets，asunworthyofthenoticeofhonourablecavaliers；ofwhom（recommendingyourlordshipforthetruthofmytaletomyLordWinter，nowwithhisgraciousMajestytheKing）Iamfaintosubscribemyselfone，andyourlordship’spoorofficer，asyeshallentreathim，DUGALDDALGETTY，ofDrumthwacket，LateCommanderofthewholestiftofDunklespielontheLowerRhine。
LETTER：FromMr。LovelacetoJohnBelford，Esq。
ThefollowinglettermusthavebeenomittedfromthepaperstowhichMr。SamuelRichardson，theeditorof\"Clarissa，\"hadaccess。
Itwaswritten，apparently，afterthedisgracefulsuccessofLovelace’sdisgracefuladventure，andshowsusthatscoundrelincompanynotchoice，indeed，butbetterthanhedeserved，thesocietyofMr。ThomasJones，aFoundling。Mr。Jones’sadmirablewife（neeWestern），havingheardofLovelace’sconduct，sentherhusbandtoexecutethatrevengewhichshouldhavebeencompetedforbyeverymanofheart。ItwillbeseenthatMr。JoneswasnomatchfortheperfidiesofMr。Lovelace。ThecynicalreflectionsofthatbadmanonLordFellamar，andhisrelationswithMrs。Jones，willonlycauseindignationandcontemptamongherinnumerableandhonourableadmirers。TheywillrememberthecriticalandpainfulcircumstancesasrecordedinMr。HenryFielding’sbiographyofMr。
Jones。
ParciusjunctasquatiuntfenestrasIctibuscrebrisjuvenesprotervi。
Curseuponthystars，Jack!HowlongwiltthoubeatmeabouttheheadwiththymustycitationsfromNatLeeandthytroopofpoeticaldivines？Thouhastdrivenmetomotto—huntingforthecomelinessofmineepistle，liketheweeklyscribblers。See，Jack，Ihaveanadventuretotellthee!ItisnottheavengingMordenthathathflashedthroughthewindow，swordinhand，asinmyfrightfuldream；norhaththestatueoftheCommandantvisitedme，likeDonJuan，thatRakeofSpain；butachallengercamehitherthatisnotakintomybelovedMiss。Dostrememberatall，fresh—
coloured，cudgel—playingoafthatmyLadyBellastonledaboutwithher——asmaidsleadapesinhell，thoughhemoreofanapethansheofamaid——’tisayeargone？Thisbrawny—beefedchairmanhathmarriedafortuneandadeliciousgirl，youdog，MissSophiaWestern，ofSomerset，andisnowintrain，Idoubtnot，tobegetasgoodlyatribeofchuckle—headedboysandwhey—facedwenchesasyoushallseeroundanoldsquire’stombinaparishchurch。Whereforedoeshenotabideatthishisappointedlawfulhusbandry，Imarvel；
butnotawhit!
OurcursedadventurehathspreadfromtheflippantiofbothsexesdowntotheheathenishpartsofSomerset；whereithathreachedMadamJones’sears，andinflamedthisprettyvixenwithadesiretoavengeMissHarloweonme，andbythecudgelofMr。Jones，hisSophiahavingsenthimuptotownfornootherpurpose。DelaTour，myman，cametomeyesterdaymorningwiththetidingsthattheNewGiant，ashesupposes，waitsonmetosolicitthefavourofmypatronage。Iaminthepowderingcloset，beingboundforarout，andcry，\"LettheGiantin!\"Thenaheavytread：and，lookingup，whatdoIseebutashoulder—of—muttonfistatmynose，andlo!aSomersettonguecries，\"Lovelace，thouvillain，thoushalttasteofthis!\"Amaninapowderingclosetcannotfight，evenifhebeaboxinggluttonlikeyourFigsandothergladiatorsoftheArtilleryGround。NeedsmustIparley。\"What，\"saysI，\"what，thehappyMr。JonesfromtheWest!Whatbringshimhereamongthewicked，andhowcanthepossessorofthebeauteousSophiabeamomentfromhercharms？\"
\"Takenothername，\"criesmyclod—hopper，\"intothyperjuredmouth。’Tisherselfsendsmeheretoavengethebest，themostinjured……\"Herehefella—blubbering!Oh，Belford，thevirtueofthisworldisagreatdiscouragerofrepentance。
\"IfMr。Jonesinsistsonthearbitramentofthesword……\"Iwasbeginning——\"Nay，noneofthyFrenchifiedblades，\"crieshe，\"comeoutofthyearth，thoustinkingfox，andtryconclusionswithanEnglishcudgel!\"
Belford，Iamnocudgel—player，andIknewnotwellhowtoridmyselfofthisswasher。
\"Mr。Jones!\"Isaid，\"Iwillfightyouhowyouwill，whereyouwill，withwhatweaponyouwill；butfirstinformmeofthenatureofourquarrel。WouldyoublazonabroadyetfurtherthemalignanttalesthathaveinjuredbothmeandaladyforwhomIhavenonebutthemosthallowedesteem？Iprayyousitdown，Sir；becalm，thelightisillforanyplaywithcudgelorsword。DelaTour，abottleofrightBurgundy；Mr。JonesandIhavebusiness，andhehathtravelledfar。\"
Inatricetherewasachicken，abottle，asetofknivesandforks，awhitecloth，andahungryoafthatdideatandswear!Onebottlefollowedanother。BythethirdMr。Jonesembracedme，sayingthatneverhadamanbeenmorebeliedthanI；thatitwasLordFellamar，notI，wasthevillain。TothiseffectIownthatI
didmyselfdropahint；conceivingthatthedivineSophiamustoftenhaveregrettedourfriendFellamarwhenonceshewasboundtotheoaf，andthatJoneswascapableofaresentfuljealousy。BymidnightIhadtocallachairformybesottedchallenger，andwhentheAvengerwastheresafelybestowed，Iaskedhimwherethemenshouldcarryhim？Histonguebeingnowthick，andhisbrainsbemused，hecouldnotfindthesignofhisinninhisnoddle。So，themerrydevilpromptingme，Igavethementheaddressofhisancientflame，myLadyBellaston，andofftheyjoggedwithJones。
Wasthereever，Belford，astrangeramorisredintegratiothanthismusthavebeen，whenourLydiaheardtheoldloveattherarelyshakendoors：
Metuolongaspereuntenoctes，Lydia，dormis？
Ah，howlittlehathMadamSophiatakenbydespatchingherlordtotown，andalltobreakmyhead。Myfellow，whocarriesthistothee，hasjustmetFellamar’sman，andtellsmethatFELLAMAR
YESTERDAYWENTDOWNINTOSOMERSET。Whatbodesthisrareconjunctionanddisjunctionofmanandwifeandofoldaffections？
andhath\"Thomas，aFoundling，\"too，gonethewayofallflesh？
ThyLOVELACE。
Nonewsofthedearfugitive!Ah，Belford，myconscienceandmycousinscallmeavillain!Minxesall。
LETTER：FromMissCatherineMorlandtoMissEleanorTilney。
MissCatherineMorland，of\"NorthangerAbbey，\"givesheraccountofavisittoMr。Rochester，andofhisgoverness’speculiarbehaviour。Mrs。Rochester（neeEyre）hasnomentionofthisinherMemoirs。
Thornfield，MidnightAtlength，mydearEleanor，theterrorsonwhichyouhavesooftenralliedmearebecomeREALITIES，andyourCatherineisinthemidstofthosecircumstancestowhichwemay，withoutexaggeration，givetheepithet\"horrible。\"Iwrite，asIfirmlybelieve，fromthemansionofamaniac!OnavisittomyAuntIngram，andcarriedbyhertoThornfield，theseatofherwealthyneighbour，Mr。
Rochester，howshallyourCatherine’stremblingpenunfoldthemysteriesbywhichshefindsherselfsurrounded!NosoonerhadI
enteredthisbattlementedmansionthanacoldchillstruckthroughme，aswithasenseofsomebroodingterror。All，indeed，waselegance，allsplendour!ThearcheswerehungwithTyrian—dyedcurtains。TheornamentsonthepaleParianmantelpiecewereofredBohemianglass。Everywherewerecrimsoncouchesandsofas。Thehousekeeper，Mrs。Fairfax，pointedouttomynoticesomevasesoffinepurplespar，andonallsideswereTurkeycarpetsandlargemirrors。Eleganceoftasteandfastidiousresearchofornamentcoulddonomore；butwhatisluxurytothemindillatease？orcanarestlessconsciencebestilledbyredBohemianglassorpaleParianmantelpieces？
No，alas!tooplainlywasthisconspicuouswhen，onenteringthelibrary，wefoundMr。Rochester——alone!Theenviedpossessorofallthisopulencecanbenohappyman。Hewasseatedwithhisheadbentonhisfoldedarms，andwhenhelookedupamorose——almostamalignant——scowlblackenedhisfeatures!Hastilybeckoningtothegoverness，whoenteredwithus，tofollowhim，heexclaimed，\"Oh，hangitall!\"inanaccentofdespair，andrushedfromthechamber。
Wedistinctlyheardthedoorsclangingbehindhimasheflew!Atdinner，thesamehollowreserve；hisconversationentirelyconfinedtothegoverness（aMissEyre），whosepositionhereyourCatherinedoesnotunderstand，andtowhomIdistinctlyheardhimobservethatMissBlancheIngramwas\"anextensivearmful。\"
Theeveningwasspentinthelugubriousmockeryofpretendingtoconsultanoldgipsy—womanwhosmokedashortblackpipe，andwasrecognisedBYALLasMr。Rochesterindisguise。IwasconductedbyMissEyretomybedroom——throughalongpassage，narrow，low，anddim，withtworowsofsmallblackdoors，allshut；’twaslikeacorridorinsomeBlueBeard’scastle。\"Hurry，hurry，Ihearthechainsrattling，\"saidthisstrangegirl；whoseposition，myEleanor，inthishousecausesyourCatherinesomenaturalperplexity。Whenwehadreachedmychamber，\"Besilent，silentasdeath，\"saidMissEyre，herfingeronherlipandhermeagrebodyconvulsedwithsomemysteriousemotion。\"Speaknotofwhatyouhear，donotrememberwhatyousee!\"andshewasgone。
Iundressed，aftertestingthewallsforsecretpanelsandlookingforassassinsintheusualplace，butwashauntedallthetimebyanunnaturalsoundoflaughter。Atlength，gropingmywaytothebed，Ijumpedhastilyin，andwouldhavesoughtsomesuspensionofanguishbycreepingfarunderneaththeclothes。ButeventhisrefugewasdeniedtoyourwretchedCatherine!Icouldnotstretchmylimbs；forthesheet，mydearEleanor，hadbeensoarranged，insomemannerwhichIdonotunderstand，astorenderthisimpossible。Thelaughterseemedtoredouble。Iheardafootstepatmydoor。Ihurriedonmyfrockandshawlandcreptintothegallery。Astrangedarkfigurewasglidinginfrontofme，stoopingateachdoor；andeverytimeitstooped，cameALOW
GURGLINGNOISE!InspiredbyIknownotwhatdesperationofcourage，Irushedonthefigureandseizeditbytheneck。ItwasMissEyre，thegoverness，fillingthebootsofalltheguestswithwater，whichshecarriedinacan。WhenshesawmeshegaveascreamandthrewherselfagainstadoorhungwithacurtainofTyriandye。Ityielded，andtherepouredintothepassageabluecloudofsmoke，withastrongandodioussmellofcigars，intowhich（andtowhatcompany？）shevanished。IgropedmywayaswellasImighttomyownchamber：whereeachhourtheclocks，astheystruck，foundanechointheapprehensiveheartofTHEILL—FATED
CATHERINEMORLAND。
LETTER：FromMontagueTigg，Esq。，toMr。DavidCrimp。
Thefollowingletterneedsnoexplanationforanywhohavestudiedthefortunesandadmiredthestyleofthatcelebratedandsanguinefinancier，Mr。MontagueTigg，in\"MartinChuzzlewit。\"HischancemeetingwiththeromanticComtedeMonteCristonaturallysuggestedtohimtheplansandhopeswhichheunfoldstoanunsympatheticcapitalist。
1542ParkLane，May27，1848。
MyPremiumPomegranate，——Oraclesarenotinit，David，withyou，mypippin，asauspiciouscounsellorsofingeniousindigence。Theremarkwhichyouutteredlately，whenrefusingtomakethetrumperyadvanceofhalf—a—crownonagarmentwhichhadbeenneartotheillustriouspersonofmyfriendChevySlime，thatremarkwasinspired。\"GotoHolborn!\"yousaid，andthelongest—beardedofearlyprophetsneverutteredaughtmorepregnantwithDestiny。I
wenttoHolborn，tothehumbleestablishmentofthetunefultonsor，Sweedle—pipe。Allthingscome，thepoetsays，tohimwhoknowshowtowait——especially，Imayadd，tohimwhoknowshowtowaitbehindthinpartitionswithachinkinthem。Ensconcedinsuchanambush—
—infact，inthebackshop——Ibidedmytime，intendingtosolicitpecuniaryaccommodationfromthebarber，andstudyinghumannatureasdevelopedinhiscustomers。
ThereareoddcustomersinKingsgateStreet，Holborn——foreigngentsandrefugees。Suchacovemyeagleeyedetectedinamanwhoenteredtheshopwearingalongblackbeardstreakedwiththesnowsofage，andwhorequestedPolltoshavehimclean。Hewasasailor—mantolookat；buthisprofile，David，mighthavebeencarvedbyaGrecianchiseloutofaniceberg，andthatsteelgreyeyeofhismighthavestruckachill，eventhroughachink，intoanyheartlessstoutthanbeatsbehindthevestofMontagueTigg。
ThetaskofraspingsohirsuteacustomerseemedtositheavyonthesoulofPoll，andthreatenedtoexhausttheresourcesofhislimitedestablishment。Thebarberwentforthtocommand，asI
presume，afresherstrop，ormorekeenlytemperedsteel，andglitteringcansofwaterheatedtoafiercerheat。Nosoonerwasthecoastclearthanthestreet—dooropened，andmystrangerwasjoinedbyamantledform，thatglidedintoPoll’semporium。Thenew—comerdoffedaswartsombrero，anddisclosedhistoricfeaturesthatwerenotunknowntotheconcealedobserver——meaningme。Yes，David，thataquilinebeak，thatlongandwaxedmoustache，thatimpassiblemaskofaface，Ihadseenthem，Sir，conspicuous（thoughtheirownerbeofalienandevenhostilebirth）amongEngland’sspecialchivalry。TheforemosthehadchargedontheIdesofApril（ImeanagainsttheungentlemanlyChartistthrong）
andinthestoriedlistsofEglinton。Thenew—comer，inshort，wasthenephewofhimwhoatehisheartoutinanEnglishgaol（likeourillustriousChiv）——infact，hewasPrinceLouisN—B—。
Glidingtotheseatwhere，half—lathered，themoreorlessancientMarinerawaitedPoll’sreturn，thePrincemuttered（intheFrenchlingo，familiartomefromlongexileinBoulogne）：
\"Hist，goesallwell？\"
\"Magnificently，Sire!\"saystheotherchap。
\"Ourpassagestaken？\"
\"Ay，andprivatecabinspaidfortoboot，incaseofthestorm’sinclemency。\"
ThePrincenoddedandseemedpleased；thenheaskedanxiously，\"TheBird？YouhavebeentoJamrach’s？\"
\"Pardonme，Sire，\"saysthemanwhowaswaitingtobeshaved，\"I
canslipfromyourjessesnomercenaryeagle。TheselimbshaveyetthepithtoclimbandthisheartthedaringtoventuretotheairiestcragofMonted’Oro，andIhaveravishedfromhiseyrieatrueCorsicaneagletobetheomenofourexpedition。Whereverthiseagleisyouruncle’slegionswillgathertogether。\"
\"’Tiswell；andthegold？\"
\"TRUSTMONTECRISTO!\"saysthebeardedman；andthen，David，begad!
IknewIhadthem!
\"Wemeet？\"
\"AtFolkestonepier，7。45，tidaltrain。\"
\"Ishallbetherewithoutfail，\"saysthePrince，andsneaksoutofthestreet—doorjustasPollcomesinwiththeextrasoapandstrop。
Well，David，tomakeitasshortasIcan，themanoftheicyglancewasclean—shavedatlast，andthemotherwhoborehimwouldnothaveknownhimashelookedintheglasswhenitwasdone。HechuckedPolladiamondworthaboutamillionpiastres，and，remarkingthathewouldnottroublehimforthechange，hewalkedout。Bythischaracteristicswagger，ofcourse，hemorethanconfirmedmybeliefthathewas，indeed，thecelebratedforeignertheCountofMonteCristo；whosenameandhistoryevenYOUmustbeacquaintedwith，thoughyoumaynotbewhatIhaveheardmyfriendChevySlimecallhimself，\"themostliterarymanalive。\"A
desperatefollowerofthestarofAusterlitzfromhisyouth，amartyrtothecauseintheChateaud’If，MonteCristohasnotdeserteditnowthathehascomeintohisown——oranybodyelse’s。
OfcourseIwasafterhimlikeashot。HewalkeddownKingsgateStreetandtookafour—wheelerthatwasloiteringatthecorner。I
followedonfoot，escapingthenoticeofthepolicefromthefact，madeonlytoonaturalbyFortune’scursedspite，thatunderthetoga—likesimplicityofMontagueTigg’scostumetheseminionsmerelyguessedatacab—tout。
Well，David，heledmealongchase。Hegotoutofthefour—
wheeler（itwasdarknow）attheTravellers’，throwingthecabmanapurse——ofsequins，nodoubt。AtthedooroftheTravellers’heenteredabrougham；and，drivingtotheFrenchEmbassyinAlbertGate，healighted，INDIFFERENTTOGS，quitetheswell，andLET
HIMSELFINWITHHISOWNLATCH—KEY。
Infact，Sir，thisconspiratorofbarbers’shops，thisprisoneroftheChateaud’If，thisclimberofCorsicaneyries，isto—daytheFrenchMinisteraccreditedtotheCourtofSt。James’s!
Andnowperhaps，David，youbegintoseehowthelandlies，thePromisedLand，thelandwherethereiscornandmilkandhoney—dew。
Iholdthoseeminentandhighlyromanticpartiesinthehollowofmyhand。AletterfrommetoM。Lecoq，oftheRueJerusalem，andtheirlittlegameisup，theireaglemoults，thehistoryofEuropeisaltered。ButwhatgoodwouldallthatdoMontagueTigg？Willitsomuchasputthatdelightfulcoin，agoldensovereign，inthepocketofhisnethergarments？No，Tiggisnoinformer；amanwhohaschargedattheheadofhisregimentonthecoastofAfricaisnovulgarspy。ThereismoretobegotbymakingtheCountpaythroughthenose，aswesay；chanter，astheFrenchsay；\"singasongofsixpence\"——toagoldentune。
But，asFortunenowusesme，IcannotpersonallyapproachhisExcellency。Powderedmenialswouldurgemefromhisportals。Anadvance，asmalladvance——say30l。——isneededforpreliminaryexpenses：forthechargesoftheclothier，thebootmaker，thehosier，thebarber。Giveme30l。fortherestorationofTiggtothesemblanceoftheMontagues，andwiththatsumIconquermillions。ThediamondsofMonteCristo，theingots，therubies，thegoldencrownswiththeimageandsuperscriptionofPopeAlexanderVI。——allaremine：Imeanareours。
More，David；more，mypremiumtulip：weshallmaketheCountarichermanthaneverhehasbeen。Weshallpromotenewcompanies，weshallputhimontheboardofdirectors。Iseetheprospectusesfromafar。
UNIVERSALINTERNATIONALTREASURERECOVERYCOMPANY。
Chairman。
HisExcellencytheCOMTEDEMONTECRISTO。K。G。，K。C。B。，KnightoftheBlackEagle。
Directors。
CHEVYSLIME，Esq。，BerkeleySquare。
MONTAGUETIGG，Esq。，ParkLane。
M。VAUTRIN（LesBagnespresdeToulon）。
M。JEANVALJEAN。
TheCHEVALIERSTRONG。（Wouldhecomein？）
Hon。Secretary。——DAVIDCRIMP，Esq。
ArchaeologicalAdviser。——Dr。SPIEGELMANN，Berlin。
Thentheprospectus!Treasure—huntingtoolonglefttoindividualanduneducatedenterprise。Needoforganisedandinstructedeffort。Examplesoftreasureeasilytobehad。GraveofAlaric。
GoldenchainofCuzco。GalleonsofVigoBay。LootofDelphi。
StraitsofSalamis。Adviceofmostdistinguishedforeignexpertsalreadysecured。Paid—upcapital，a6andasmany0’sastheresourcesoftheprintingestablishmentcancommand。Thepublicwillrushinbythemyriad。AndIamalsosketchinga\"DisinterestedAssociationforSecuringtheRightsofFoundlings，\"
againwithMonteCristointhechair。David，youhavesavedafewpounds；intheconfidenceofunofficialmomentsyouhaveconfessedasmuch（thoughnotexactlyHOWmuch）tome。Willyouneglectoneofthoseopportunitieswhichonlygeniuscandiscover，butwhichthehumblecapitalistcanhelptofructify？Withthirty，nay，withtwentypounds，IcanmasterthismillionaireandtamethisEarthlyProvidence。Behindusliespenuryandsqualor，beforeusglittersjewelledopulence。Youwillbeat1542ParkLaneto—morrowWITH
THEDIBS？——Yoursexpectantly，MONTAGUETIGG。
FromMr。DavidCrimptoMontagueTigg，Esq。
TheGoldenBalls，May28。
DearMr。Tigg，——YoualwaysWEREfullofyourchaff，butyoumusthavebeendrinkingwhenyouwroteallthatcock—and—a—bullgammon。
Thirtypounds!No；norfifteen；norasmanypence。IneverheardofthepartyyoumentionbythenameoftheCountofMonteCristo；
andasforthePrince，he’saslikelytobesettingoutforBoulognewithaneagleasyouaretostartamonkeyandabarrel—
organinJericho；ormaybeTHAT’Sthelikeliestofthetwo。Sostowyourgammon，andspareyourstamps，ismylastword。——Yoursrespectfullytocommand，D。CRIMP。
LETTER：FromChristiantoPiscator。
WaltonandBunyanweremenwhoshouldhaveknowneachother。Itisapleasantfancy，tome，thattheymayhavemetonthebanksofOuse，whileJohnwasmeditatingasermon，andIzaakwas\"attentiveofhistremblingquill。\"
Sir，——BeingnowcomeintotheLandofBeulah；here，whenceIcannotsomuchasseeDoubtingCastle；here，whereIamsolacedwiththesoundofvoicesfromtheCity，——mymind，thatisnowmoreatpeaceaboutmineownsalvation，misgivesmesoreaboutthine。Thouwiltrememberme，perchance，forhimthatmettheebyastreamoftheDelectableMountains，andtooktheetobeamanfleeingfromtheCityofDestruction。For，beholdingtheefromafar，methoughtthatthoudidstcarryaburdenonthyback，evenasmyselfbeforemydeliverancedidbeartheburdenofmysinsandfears。YetwhenI
drewnearIperceivedthatitwasbutafisherman’sbasketonthyback，andthatthoudidstratherseektoaddtotheweightofthyburdenthantolightenitorflingitaway。But，whenwefellintodiscourse，Imarvelledmuchhowthoucamestsofarupontheway，evenamongthesheepandtheshepherdsofthatcountry。ForI
foundthatthouhadstlittleexperienceinconflictwithApollyon，andthatthouhadstneverpassedthroughtheSloughofDespondnorwanderedintheValleyoftheShadow。Nay，thouhadstneversomuchasbeendistressedinthymindwithgreatfear，norhadstthoufledfromthywifeandchildren，tosave，ifitmightbe，thysoulforthyself，asIhavedone。Nay，ratherthoudidstparleywiththeshepherdsasonethatlovedtheirlife；andIremember，evennow，thatsweetcarnalsongTheShepherdswainsshalldanceandsing，Forthydelight，eachMaymorning；
Ifthesedelightsthymindmaymove，Thenlivewithmeandbemylove。
ThesearenotthesongsthatfittheDelectableCountry；nay，rathertheyarethemirthofwantons。Yetdidstthoutakepleasureinthem；andthereforeImakeboldtoaskhowdidstthoufleeatallfromtheCityofDestruction，andcomesofaruponthyway？
Bewarelest，whenthouwinnesttothatbrookwhereinnomancastsangle，eventothatfloodwherethereisnobridgetogooverandtheRiverisverydeep——beware，Isay，ofoneVainHope，theFerryman!ForIwouldnothavetheelost，becausethouartakindlymanandasimple。YetforIgnorancethereisanillway，evenfromtheverygatesoftheCity。——Thyfellow—traveller，CHRISTIAN。
FromPiscatortoChristian。
Sir，——Idoindeedrememberthee；andItrustthouartamendedofthesegripingswhichcausedtheetogroanandmoan，evenbythepleasantstreamsfromthehillsoftheDelectableMountains。Andasformy\"burden\"’twaspleasanttometobearit；for，likenottheleastoftheApostles，Iamafisher，andIcarriedtrout。ButItakenoshameinthatIamanangler；foranglingissomewhatlikepoetry；menaretobebornso，andIwouldnotbeotherwisethanmyMakerdesignedtohaveme。OftheantiquityofanglingI
couldsaymuch；butImisdoubtmethatthoudostnotheedthelearningofancienttimes，butartacontemnerofgoodlearningandvirtuousrecreations。YetitmayalittlemovetheethatintheBookofJobmentionismadeoffish—hooks，andwithoutreproof；forletmetellyouthatintheScripturesanglingisalwaystakeninthebestsense。
TouchingmyflightfromtheCityofDestruction，Ilovethatplacenomorethanthoudost；yetIfearnotitsevilcommunications，norwouldIsohastilydesertitastoleavemywifeandchildrenbehindtherein。NorhaveIanyexperienceofconflictwiththeEvilOne；whereforeIthankHimthathathsetmeinpleasantfields，byclearwaters，wherecomenowickedwhispers（betheyfromApollyonorfromourownhearts）；butthereiscalmnessofspirit，andaworldofblessingsattendinguponit。AndhencecannomanseethetowersofDoubtingCastle，forthegreentreesandthehedgeswhitewithMay。Thislifeisnotwhollyvile，assomeofthyfriendsdeclare（Thou，whomakestthypilgrimsdancetothelute，knowestbetter）；and，formyself，IownthatIlovesuchmirthasdoesnotmakemenashamedtolookuponeachothernextmorning。Lethimthatbearsaheavyheartforhisill—deedsturnhimtobetter，butnotmournasthoughthesunweretakenoutofthesky。Whatsaysthesong？——nay，’tisasgoodbalmforthesoulasmanyahymn：
Amerryheartgoesalltheday，Yoursadonetiresinamile—a!
Hethatmadetheworldmademantotakedelightinit；evenasthousaw’stmejoyfulwiththeshepherds——ay，withgodlyMr。RichardHooker，\"hebeingthentendinghissmallallotmentofsheepinacommonfield，\"asIrecountinabrieflifeofagoodman。AstowhatawaitsmeontheothersideofthatRiver，Idoexpectitwithapeacefulheart，andinhumblehopethatamanmayreachtheCitywithacheerfulcountenance，nolessthanthroughgroansandsighsandfears。Forwehavenotatyrantoverus，butaFather，thatlovethacheerfullivernolessthanacheerfulgiver。
Nevertheless，Ithanktheeforthykindthoughtofonethatisnotofthycompany，nornoNonconformist，butapeacefulProtestant。
And，lestthoubetroubledwithapparitionsofhobgoblinsandevilspirits，readthatcomfortablesermonofMr。Hooker’stoweakbelievers，ontheCERTAINTYOFADHERENCE，thoughtheywanttheinwardtestimonyofit。
Butnowfallsthereasweetshower，\"asingingshower\"saitholdGeorgeChapman，andmethinksIshallhavesport；forIdonotethatthemayflyisup；and，seeingallthesebeautifulcreaturesplayingintheairandwater，Ifeelmyownheartplaywithinme；andI
mustoutanddapeunderyondersycamoretree。Wherefore，prithee，pardonmealongerdiscourseasatthistime。——Thyfriend，PISCATOR。
LETTER：FromTruthfulJamestoMr。BretHarte。
WILLIAMNYE’SEXPERIMENT。
Angel’s。
DearBretHarte，I’mintears，Andthecamp’sinthedust，ForwithanguishithearsAspoorWilliammaybust，AndthelastoftheNyesisindangerofsleepingthesleepofthejust。
NorevolveritwasInterferedwithhishealth，TheconvivialglassDidnotharmhimbystealth；
Itwasnary!Hefellbyaschemewhichhethoughtwouldaccumulatewealth!
ForaMoquicameroundTothecamp——InjunJoe；
AndthedollarswasfoundInhispocketstoflow；
Forheplayedoffsometrickswithlivesnakes，aswasreckonedacompetentshow。
Theywasrattlers；apairInhisteethhewouldhold，Andanotherhe’dwearLikeascarftoenfoldHisneck，withthemdangerouscrittersassafeasthesaintwasofold。
SezWilliam，\"ThatsameIsaseasyaswink。
Iamflytohisgame；
Forthemrattlers，Ithink，Hashadalltheirincisorsextracted。
They’reharmlessassuthin’todrink。\"
SohebettedhispileHecouldhandlethemsnakes；
Andhetried，withasmile，Andarattlerhetakes，Feelingsafeasthey’dsomehowbeendoctored；butblessyou，thatsarpentawakes!
Wakensnakes!andtheyDID
Andtheyrattledlikemad；
Foritwasnota\"kid，\"
Butsomemedicinehehad，InjunJoe，forpersuadin’thecrittersbutWilliam’sbitpowerfulbad。
Sothey’veputhimoutsideOfabottleofRye，Andthey’vesethimtorideAmustangaskinshy，Tokeepuphispoorcirculation；andthat’sthelastchanceforBillNye。
Butanearthingitis，Andthecamp’sinthedust。
He’sapardaswe’dmissIfpoorBillwastobust—
IfthelastoftheNyeswerea—sleepinthepeaceablesleepofthejust。
LETTER：FromProfessorForthtotheRev。Mr。Casaubon。
Thedelicacyofthedomesticmatterswithwhichthefollowingcorrespondencedealscannotbeexaggerated。ItseemsthatBelinda（whoseMemoirsweowetoMissRhodaBroughton）wasatOxfordwhileMr。andMrs。Casaubonwerealsoresidentnearthatpleasantcity，sofamedforitsBodleianLibrary。ProfessorForthandMr。
Casaubonwerefriends，asmaybeguessed；theircongenialcharacters，theirkindredstudies，EtruscologyandMythology，combinedtoallythem。Theirwiveswerenotwhollyabsorbedintheirlearnedpursuits，andifMr。LadislawwasdanglingafterMrs。
Casaubon，weknowthatMr。RiversusedtohauntwithMrs。ForththewalksofMagdalen。TheregretanddisapprovalwhichMrs。Casaubonexpresses，andherdesiretodogoodtoMrs。Forth，are，itisbelieved，notalientoherdevotedandexemplarycharacter。
Bradmore—road，Oxford，May29。
DearMr。Casaubon，——InthecourseofaninvestigationwhichmyresearchesintothecharacteroftheEtruscan\"Involuti\"havenecessitated，IfrequentlyencountertherootKad，k2ad，orQad。
Schnitzler’srecentandepoch—makingdiscoverythatdinEtruscan=
b2，hasledmetoconsideritaplausiblehypothesisthatwemayconvertKadorQadintoKab2，inwhichcaseitisbynomeansbeyondtherangeofacautiousconjecturethattheInvolutiareidenticalwiththeCab—iri（Cabiri）。Thoughyouwillpardonmeforconfessing，whatyoualreadyknow，thatIamnotinallpointsanadherenttoyourideasconcerninga\"KeytoAllMythologies\"（atleast，asbrieflysetforthbyyouinKuhn’sZeitung），yetIamdeeplyimpressedwiththisapparentopportunityofbridgingtheseeminglyimpassablegulfbetweenEtrurianReligionandthecomparativelyclearandcomprehensiblesystemsofthePelasgo—
Phoenicianpeoples。ThatKadorKabcanrefereither（asinQuatuor）toafour—footedanimal（quadruped，\"quad\"）ortoafour—
wheeledvehicle（esseda，Celticcab）Icannotforamomentbelieve，thoughIunderstandthatthistheoryhasthesupportofSchrader，Penka，andBaunder。{10}Anyinformationwhichyourlearningcanprocure，andyourkindcourtesycansupply，willbewarmlywelcomedanddulyacknowledged。——Believeme，faithfullyyours，JAMESFORTH。
P。S。——Iopenthisnote，whichwaswrittenfrommydictationbymysecretary，Mrs。Forth，toassuremyselfthatherinexperiencehasbeenguiltyofnoerrorinmattersofsomuchdelicacyandimportance。Ihavedetectednomistakeofmoment，andbegintohopethattheimportantstepofmatrimonytowhichIwasguidedbyyourexamplemaynothavebeenarashexperiment。
FromtheRev。Mr。CasaubontoJamesForth，Esq。，ProfessorofEtruscan，Oxford。
DearMr。Forth，——Yourletterthrowsconsiderablelightonatopicwhichhaslongengagedmyearnestattention。Tomythinking，theCabinCabiri=CAV，\"hollow，\"asincavus，andreferstotheArkofNoah，which，ofcourse，beforetheentranceofeverylivingthingaccordingtohiskind，musthavebeenthelargestartificialholloworemptyspaceknowntoourAdamiteancestors。ThustheCabiriwouldanswer，naturally，tothePataeci，which，asHerodotustellsus，wereusuallyfiguredontheprowsofships。TheCabiriorPataeci，aschildrenofNoahandmenofthe\"greatvessel，\"orCave—men（awonderfulanticipationofmodernscience），wouldperpetuatethememoryofArkitecircumstances，andwouldbeselected，asthesacredtraditionfadedfrommen’sminds，astheguidesofnavigation。Iamsorrytoseemoutofharmonywithyourideas；butitisonlyamatterofseeming，forIhavenodoubtthattheEtruscanInvolutiarealsoArkite，andthattheydonot，asMaxMullermaybeexpectedtointimate，representtheveiledorcloudyDawns，butrathertheArkitePatriarchs。Wethus，fromdifferentstarting—places，arriveatthesamegoal，theArkitesolutionofBryant。IamawarethatIamold—fashioned——likeEumaeus，\"Idwellhereamongtheswine，andgonotoftentothecity。\"Yourletterswithlittlenumerals（ask2）mayrepresenttheexactnessofmodernphilology；butmorecloselyremindmeoftheformulaeofalgebra，astudyinwhichIatnotimeexcelled。
ItismypurposetovisitCambridgeonJune3，tolistentoamostvaluableaddressbyProfessorTosch，ofBonn，onHittiteandAztecaffinities。Ifyoucanmeetmethereandacceptthehospitalityofmycollege，theencountermayproveaturningpointinMythologicalandPhilologicalScience。——Veryfaithfullyyours，J。CASAUBON。
P。S。——Iopenthisnote，writtenfrommydictationbymywife，toenclosemycongratulationsonMrs。Forth’sscholarlyattainments。
FromProfessorForthtoRev。Mr。Casaubon。
（Telegram。）
WillbewithyouatCambridgeonthethird。
FromMrs。Forth，Bradmore—road，Oxford，toDavidRivers，Esq。，Milnthorpe，Yorkshire。
HegoesonSaturdaytoCambridgetohearsomeonetalkabouttheHittitesandtheAsiatics。DidyounotsaytherewasagoodSundaytrain？Theysing\"ORestintheLord\"atMagdalen。IoftenwonderthatAddison’sWalkissodesertedonSundays。HestaysoverSundayatCambridge。{11}
FromDavidRivers，Esq。，toMrs。Forth，Oxford。
DearMrs。Forth，——Saturdayisahalf—holidayattheWorks，andI
proposetocomeupandseewhetherourboatcannotbumpBalliol。
Howextraordinaryitisthatpeopleshouldneglect，onSundays，thefavouritepromenadeoftheShort—facedHumourist。Ishallbethere：theoldplace。——Believeme，yoursever，D。RIVERS。
FromMrs。CasaubontoWilliamLadislaw，Esq。，Stratford—on—Avon。
DearFriend，——YourkindletterfromStratfordisindeedinteresting。Ah，whenshallIhaveanopportunityofseeingthese，andsomanyotherinterestingplaces!ButinaworldwheredutyisSOMUCH，andsoALWAYSwithus，whyshouldweregretthevoidsinourexperiencewhich，afterall，lifeisfillingintheexperienceofothers？Theworkisadvancing，andMr。Casaubonhopesthatthefirstchapterofthe\"KeytoAllMythologies\"willbefairlycopiedandcompletedbytheendofautumn。Mr。CasaubonisgoingtoCambridgeonSaturdaytohearProfessorToschlectureonthePittitesandsomeotherparty，Ireallyforgetwhich；{12}butitisnotoftenthathetakessomuchinterestinmereMODERNhistory。
Howcuriousitsometimesistothinkthatthegreatspiritofhumanityandoftheworld，asyousay，keepsworkingitsway——ah，towhatwonderfulgoal——bymeansoftheseobscuredifficultpolitics：almostunworthyinstruments，oneistemptedtothink。
Thatwasatruelineyouquotedlatelyfromthe\"VitaNuova。\"Wehavenobooksofpoetryhere，exceptaLithuaniantranslationoftheRigVeda。HowdelightfulitmustbetoreadDantewithasympatheticfellow—student，onewhohasalsoloved——andRENOUNCED!—
—Yoursverysincerely，DOROTHEACASAUBON。
P。S。——IdonotexpectMr。CasaubonbackfromCambridgebeforeMondayafternoon。
FromWilliamLadislaw，Esq。，totheHon。SecretaryoftheLiteraryandPhilosophicalMechanics’Institute，Middlemarch。
MyDearSir，——IfindthatIcanbeinyourneighbourhoodonSaturday，andwillgladlyacceptyourinvitationtolectureatyourInstituteontheImmutabilityofMorals。——Faithfullyyours，W。LADISLAW。
FromWilliamLadislaw，Esq。，toMrs。
Casaubon。
DearMrs。Casaubon，——OnlyalinetosaythatIamtolectureattheMechanics’InstituteonSaturday。Icanscarcelyhopethat，asMr。
Casaubonisaway，youwillbeabletoattendmypoorperformance，butonSundayImayhave，Ihope，thepleasureofwaitingonyouintheafternoon？——Verysincerelyyours，W。LADISLAW。
P。S。——Ishallbringthe’VitaNuova’——itisnotsodifficultasthe’Paradiso’——andIshallbehappytohelpyouwithafewoftheearliersonnets。
FromMrs。CasaubontoMrs。Forth。
June5。
DearLady，——Youwillbesurprisedatreceivingaletterfromastranger!HowshallIaddressyou——howshallIsaywhatIoughttosay？Ourhusbandsarenotunknowntoeachother，Imayalmostcallthemfriends，butwehavemetonlyonce。Youdidnotseeme；butI
wasatMagdalenafewweeksago，andIcouldnothelpaskingwhoyouwere，soyoung，sobeautiful；andwhenIsawyousolonelyamongallthoselearnedmenmyheartwentouttoyou，forItooknowwhatthelearnedare，andhowoften，whenweareyoung，wefeelasiftheyweresocold，soremote。Ah，thentherecomeTEMPTATIONS，buttheymustbeconquered。——Wearenotborntoliveforourselvesonly，wemustlearntoliveforothers——ah!notforANOTHER!
Someone{13}webothknow，alady，hasspokentomeofyoulately。
Shetoo，thoughyoudidnotknowit，wasinMagdalenWalkonSundayeveningwhenthebellswerechimingandthebirdssinging。Shesawyou；youwerenotalone!Mr。Rivers（Iaminformedthatishisname）waswithyou。Ah，stopandthink，andhearmebeforeitistoolate。Aword；Idonotknow——awordofminemaybelistenedto，thoughIhavenorighttospeak。Butsomethingforcesmetospeak，andtoimploreyoutorememberthatitisnotforPleasurewelive，butforDuty。Wemustbreakthedearesttiesiftheydonotbindustothestake——thestakeofallweowetoall!Youwillunderstand，youwillforgiveme，willyounot？Youwillforgiveanotherwomanwhomyourbeautyandsadnesshavewontoadmireandloveyou。YouWILLbreaktheseties，willyounot，andbefree，foronlyinRenunciationistherefreedom？HeMUSTNOTcomeagain，youwilltellhimthathemustnot。——Yoursalways，DOROTHEACASAUBON。
LETTER：FromEuphuestoSirAmyasLeigh，Kt。
ThislittlecontroversyonthevalueoftheherbtobaccopassedbetweentherenownedEuphuesandthatearlybutassiduoussmoker，SirAmyasLeigh，wellknowntoreadersof\"WestwardHo。\"
（HedissuadethhimfromdrinkingthesmokeoftheIndianweed。）
SirAmyas，——Takeitnotunkindlythatatraveller（thoughlesswideawandererthanthou）dissuadeththeefromanew—foundnovelty——thewantonmisuse，orratherthemisusefulwantonness，oftheIndianherb。Itisablindgoosethatknowethnotafoxfromafern—bush，andastrangetemeritythatmistakethsmokeforprovender。Thesow，whensheissick，eateththesea—crabandisimmediatelyrecovered：why，then，shouldman，beingwholeandsound，hastetothatwhichmakethmanysick？Thelobsterfliethnotintheair，nordoththesalamanderwantoninthewater；wherefore，then，willmanbetakehimfornourishmentorsolacetothefire？Vesuviusbringethnotforthspeechfromhismouth，butman，likeavolcano，willuttersmoke。Thereisgreatdifferencebetweenthetableandthechimney；butthouartformakingbothalike。ThoughtheRosebesweet，yetwillitprovelessfragrantifitbewreathedabouttheskunk；andsoanillweedfromthelandwherethatbeasthathitshabitationdefilethacourteousknight。Consider，ifthispracticedelightsthee，thattheapplesofSodomareoutwardlyfairbutinwardlyfullofashes；thebox—treeisalwaysgreen，buthisseedispoison。Mithridatemustbetakeninwardly，notspreadonplasters。Ofhisnaturesmokegoethupwardandoutward；whywiltthoumakeitgoinwardanddownward？ThemannersoftheCannibalfitnottheEnglishman；andthisthypoisonisunlikeLove，whichmaimetheverypartbeforeitkilltheLiver，whereastobaccodothvextheLiverbeforeitharmethanyotherpart。Excusethismyboldness，andforswearthyweed，anthoulovestEUPHUES。
FromSirAmyasLeightoEuphues。
Whereasthoubringestinarabbleofreasonstoconvinceme，Iwillanswertheeinthineownkind。Thouartlikethosethatprofferamanphysicbeforehebesick，and，becausehispleasureisnottheirs，callhimfoolishthatisbutearlyadvised。Naturemakethnothingwithoutanend：theeyetoseewith，theeartohear，theherbtobaccotobesmoked。Aswinestrengthenethandmeatmakethfull，tobaccomakeththeheartatrest。HelengaveNepenthetothemthatsorrowed，andHeavenhathmadethisweedforsuchaslackcomfort。Tobaccoisthehungryman’sfood，thewakefulman’ssleep，thewearyman’srest，theoldman’sdefenceagainstmelancholy，thebusyman’srepose，thetalkativeman’smuzzle，thelonelyman’scompanion。Indeed，therewasnothingbutthisonethingwantingtoman，ofthosethatearthcangive；wherefore，havingfoundit，lethimsouseasnotabusingit，asnowIamaboutdoing。——Thyservant，AMYASLEIGH。
LETTER：FromMr。PaulRondelettotheVeryRev。DeanMaitland。
{14}
ThatDeanMaitlandshouldhavetakenthepoliticallineindicatedinMr。Rondelet’sletterwillamazenoreaderof’TheSilenceofDeanMaitland。’ThatMr。PaulRondeletflewfromhispennypapertoaParadisemeetforhimisamatterofcongratulationtoallbuthiscreditors。HereallyisnowintheonlytrueMonasteryofThelema，andissimplydressedinaneye—glassandacinctureofpandanusflowers。Thenativesworshiphim，andheistheFirstAEstheticBeach—comber。
Te—a—Iti，ThePacific。
DearMaitland，——AsmyoldfriendandtutoratLothian，youaskmetojointheOxfordHomeRuleAssociation。Excusemydelayinanswering。Yourletterwassenttothatdetestedandlong—desertednewspaperofficeinFleetStreet，andfromFleetStreettoTe—a—
Iti；thankHeaven!itisalongway。WereIathome，andstillendeavouringtoswaythemasses，Imightpossiblyacceptyourinvitation。Idislikecrowds，andIdislikeshouting；butifshoutImust，likeyouIwouldchoosetochimeinwiththedingierandthelargerandthemoreviolentassembly。But，havingperceivedthatthemasseswereveryperceptiblylearningtoswaythemselves，IhaveretiredtoTe—a—Iti。Youhaveread\"Epipsychidion，\"mydearDean？And，inyourtime，nodoubtyouhaveloved？{15}Well，thisistheIsleofLove，described，asinadream，bytheraptfancyofShelley。Urged，perhaps，byareminiscenceoftheGreatAryanwaveofmigration，IhavemovedwestwardtothisParadise。
LikeObermann，Ihidemyhead\"fromthewildtempestoftheage，\"
butinamuchdearerplacethan\"chaletsneartheAlpinesnow。\"
LongagoIsaid，toonewhowouldnotlisten，that\"allthereligionsoftheworldarebasedonfalsefoundations，restingontheFamily，andfatallyunsound。\"HeretheFamily，inoursense，hasnotbeendeveloped。Herenorulestrammelthebestandthereforethemostevanescentofouraffections。AndasforReligion，itisbaseduponMe，onRondeletofLothian。HerenobodyasksmewhyorhowIam\"superior。\"Theartlessnativesatonceperceivedthefact，recognisedmeasagod，andworshipme（donotshudder，mygoodDean）withfloralservices。InTe—a—Iti（vaintolookforitonthemap!）Ihavefoundmyplace——aplacefarfromthebabelofyourbrutalpolitics，aplacewhereIamaddressedinliquidaccentsofadoration。
YoumayaskwhetherIendeavourtoraisetheislanderstomyownlevel？ItisthelastthingthatIwouldattempt。Culturetheydonotneed：theirdaintyhieraticprecisionsofritualareasufficientcultureinthemselves。AsIsaidoncebefore，\"itisanabsurditytospeakofmarriedpeoplebeingone。\"Hereweareanindefinitenumber；andnojealousy，noambitiousexclusiveness，marsthehappinessofall。ThisistheHigherLifeaboutwhichweusedignorantlytotalk。Herethegrosstemporalnecessitiesaresatisfiedwithabreadfruit，aroastedfish，andafewpandanusflowers。Therestisallclimateandtheaffections。
Conceive，mydearDean，theundisturbedfelicityoflifewithoutnewspapers!Empiresmayfall，perhapshavefallen，sinceIleftFleetStreet；AlanDunlopmaybeaditcheringoodearnestonanestatenolongerhis；butherewefleetthetimecarelessly，asinthegoldenworld。Andyouaskmetojoinaraucouspoliticalassociationforanobjectyoudetestinyourheart，merelybecauseyouwanttoswimwiththeturbiddemocraticcurrent!Youareanhistorian，Maitland：didyoueverknowthispolicysucceed？Didyoueverknowtherespectablesprosperwhentheyalliedthemselveswiththevulgar？Ah，keepoutofyoursecond—handrevolutions。
Keepyourhandsclean，whetheryoukeepyourheadonyourshouldersornot。Youwillnever，Ifear，beBishopofWinkum，withallyourhistoricalhandbooksandallyourOxfordLiberalism。
ButIamlosingmytemper，forthefirsttimesinceIdiscoveredTe—a—Iti。Thismustnotbe。——Yoursregretfully，PAULRONDELET。
P。S。——Don’tgiveanyonemyaddress；someoftheseOxfordharpiesarestillunappeased。TheonlyEuropeanIhaveseenwasnotanUniversityman。HewasapopularScotchnovelist，andcarriedShorterCatechisms，whichhedistributedtomyflock。Ionlyhopehewon’tmake\"copy\"outofmeandmysituation。