第3章

MR。CROTCHET。Thegreatphilosopher,Diderot-

REV。DR。FOLLIOTT。Sir,Diderotisnotamanaftermyheart。KeeptotheGreeks,ifyouplease;albeitthisSleepingVenusisnotanantique。

MR。CROTCHET。Well,sir,theGreeks:whydowecalltheElginmarblesinestimable?Simplybecausetheyaretruetonature。Andwhyaretheysosuperiorinthatpointtoallmodernworks,withallourgreaterknowledgeofanatomy?Why,sir,butbecausetheGreeks,havingnocant,hadbetteropportunitiesofstudyingmodels?

REV。DR。FOLLIOTT。Sir,Idenyourgreaterknowledgeofanatomy。

ButIshalltakethelibertytoemploy,onthisoccasion,theargumentumadhominem。WouldyouhaveallowedMissCrotchettositforamodeltoCanova?

MR。CROTCHET。Yes,sir。

\"Godblessmysoul,sir!\"exclaimedtheReverendDoctorFolliott,throwinghimselfbackintoachair,andflinginguphisheels,withthepremeditateddesignofgivingemphasistohisexclamation;butbymiscalculatinghisimpetus,heoverbalancedhischair,andlaidhimselfonthecarpetinarightangle,ofwhichhisbackwasthebase。

CHAPTERVIII:SCIENCEANDCHARITY

Chistanelmondounpard’orecontento,Neglivientolta,ovvercontaminata,Quellasuapaceinverunomomento,PuodircheGiovedrittamenteilguata。

FORTEGUERRI。

TheReverendDoctorFolliotttookhisdepartureaboutteno’clock,towalkhometohisvicarage。Therewasnomoon,butthenightwasbrightandclear,andaffordedhimasmuchlightasheneeded。HepausedamomentbytheRomancamptolistentothenightingale;

repeatedtohimselfapassageofSophocles;proceededthroughtheparkgate,andenteredthenarrowlanethatledtothevillage。Hewalkedoninaverypleasantmoodofthestatecalledreverie;inwhichfishandwine,Greekandpoliticaleconomy,theSleepingVenushehadleftbehind,andpoordearMrs。Folliott,towhosefondarmshewasreturning,passed,asinacameraobscura,overthetabletsofhisimagination。PresentlytheimageofMr。

Eavesdrop,withaprintedsketchoftheReverendDoctorF。,presenteditselfbeforehim,andhebeganmechanicallytoflourishhisbamboo。Themovementwaspromptedbyhisgoodgenius,fortheupliftedbambooreceivedtheblowofaponderouscudgel,whichwasintendedforhishead。Thereverendgentlemanrecoiledtwoorthreepaces,andsawbeforehimacoupleofruffians,whowerepreparingtorenewtheattack,butwhom,withtwoswingsofhisbamboo,helaidwithcrackedsconcesontheearth,whereheproceededtodealwiththemlikecornbeneaththeflailofthethresher。Oneofthemdrewapistol,whichwentoffintheveryactofbeingstruckasidebythebamboo,andlodgedabulletinthebrainoftheother。Therewasthenonlyoneenemy,whovainlystruggledtorise,everyeffortbeingattendedwithanewandmoresignalprostration。Thefellowroaredformercy。\"Mercy,rascal!\"

criedthedivine;\"whatmercywereyougoingtoshowme,villain?

What!Iwarrantme,youthoughtitwouldbeaneasymatter,andnosin,torobandmurderaparsononhiswayhomefromdinner。Yousaidtoyourself,doubtless,\"We’llwaylaythefatparson(youirreverentknave),ashewaddleshome(youdisparagingruffian),half-seas-over,(youcalumniousvagabond)。\"Andwitheverydyslogisticterm,whichhesupposedhadbeenappliedtohimself,heinflictedanewbruiseonhisrollingandroaringantagonist。\"Ah,rogue!\"heproceeded,\"youcanroarnow,marauder;youweresilentenoughwhenyoudevotedmybrainstodispersionunderyourcudgel。

ButseeingthatIcannotbindyou,andthatIintendyounottoescape,andthatitwouldbedangeroustoletyourise,Iwilldisableyouinallyourmembers。IwillcontundyouasThestylisdidstrongsmellingherbs,inthequalitywhereofyoudomostgravelypartake,asmynosebearethtestimony,illweedthatyouare。Iwillbeatyoutoajelly,andIwillthenrollyouintotheditch,tolietilltheconstablecomesforyou,thief。\"

\"Hold!hold!reverendsir,\"exclaimedthepenitentculprit,\"Iamdisabledalreadyineveryfinger,andineveryjoint。Iwillrollmyselfintotheditch,reverendsir。\"

\"Stirnot,rascal,\"returnedthedivine,\"stirnotsomuchasthequietestleafaboveyou,ormybambooreboundsonyourbody,likehailinathunder-storm。Confess,speedily,villain;areyouasimplethief,orwouldyouhavemanufacturedmeintoasubjectforthebenefitofscience?Ay,miscreantcaitiff,youwouldhavemademeasubjectforscience,wouldyou?Youareaschool-masterabroad,areyou?Youaremarchingwithadetachmentofthemarchofmind,areyou?YouareamemberoftheSteamIntellectSociety,areyou?Youswearbythelearnedfriend,doyou?\"

\"Oh,no!reverendsir,\"answeredthecriminal,\"Iaminnocentofalltheseoffences,whatevertheyare,reverendsir。TheonlyfriendIhadintheworldislyingdeadbesideme,reverendsir。\"

Thereverendgentlemanpausedamoment,andleanedonhisbamboo。

Theculprit,bruisedashewas,sprangonhislegs,andwentoffindoublequicktime。TheDoctorgavehimchase,andhadnearlybroughthimwithinarm’slength,whenthefellowturnedatrightangles,andsprangcleanoveradeepdryditch。Thedivine,followingwithequalardour,andlessdexterity,wentdownoverheadandearsintoathicketofnettles。Emergingwithmuchdiscomposure,heproceededtothevillage,androusedtheconstable;buttheconstablefound,onreachingthesceneofaction,thatthedeadmanwasgone,aswellashislivingaccomplice。

\"Oh,themonster!\"exclaimedtheReverendDoctorFolliott,\"hehasmadeasubjectforscienceoftheonlyfriendhehadintheworld。\"

\"Ay,mydear,\"heresumed,thenextmorningatbreakfast,\"ifmyoldreading,andmyearlygymnastics(for,asthegreatHermannsays,beforeIwasdemulcedbytheMuses,Iwasferocisingeniipuer,etadarmaquamadliterasparatior),hadnotimbuedmeindeliblywithsomeoftheholyrageofFrereJeandesEntommeures,Ishouldbe,atthismoment,lyingonthetableofsomeflinty-

heartedanatomist,whowouldhaveslicedanddisjointedmeasunscrupulouslyasIdotheseremnantsofthecaponandchine,wherewithyouconsoledyourselfyesterdayformyabsenceatdinner。

Phew!Ihaveanoblethirstuponme,whichIwillquenchwithfloodsoftea。\"

Thereverendgentlemanwasinterruptedbyamessenger,whoinformedhimthattheCharityCommissionersrequestedhispresenceattheinn,wheretheywereholdingasitting。

\"TheCharityCommissioners!\"exclaimedthereverendgentleman,\"whooneartharethey?\"

Themessengercouldnotinformhim,andthereverendgentlemantookhishatandstick,andproceededtotheinn。

Onenteringthebestparlour,hesawthreewell-dressedandbulkygentlemensittingatatable,andafourthofficiatingasclerk,withanopenbookbeforehim,andapeninhishand。Thechurch-

wardens,whohadbeenalsosummoned,werealreadyinattendance。

ThechiefcommissionerpolitelyrequestedtheReverendDoctorFolliotttobeseated,andaftertheusualmeteorologicalpreliminarieshadbeensettledbyaresolution,nem。con。,thatitwasafinedaybutveryhot,thechiefcommissionerstated,thatinvirtueofthecommissionofParliament,whichtheyhadthehonourtohold,theywerenowtoinquireintothestateofthepubliccharitiesofthisvillage。

REV。DR。FOLLIOTT。Thestateofthepubliccharities,sir,isexceedinglysimple。Therearenone。Thecharitieshereareallprivate,andsoprivate,thatIforoneknownothingofthem。

FIRSTCOMMISSIONER。Wehavebeeninformed,sir,thatthereisanannualrentchargedonthelandofHautbois,fortheendowmentandrepairofanalmshouse。

REV。DR。FOLLIOTT。Hautbois!Hautbois!

FIRSTCOMMISSIONER。ThemanorialfarmofHautbois,nowoccupiedbyFarmerSeedling,ischargedwiththeendowmentandmaintenanceofanalmshouse。

REV。DR。FOLLIOTT(totheChurchwarden)。Howisthis,Mr。

Bluenose?

FIRSTCHURCHWARDEN。Ireallydonotknow,sir。Whatsayyou,Mr。

Appletwig?

MR。APPLETWIG(parishclerkandschoolmaster;anoldman)。Idoremember,gentlemen,tohavebeeninformed,thattheredidstand,attheendofthevillage,aruinedcottage,whichhadoncebeenanalmshouse,whichwasendowedandmaintained,byanannualrevenueofamarkandahalf,oronepoundsterling,chargedsomecenturiesagoonthefarmofHautbois;butthemeans,bytheprogressoftime,havingbecomeinadequatetotheend,thealmshousetumbledtopieces。

FIRSTCOMMISSIONER。Butthisisarightwhichcannotbeabrogatedbydesuetude,andthesumofonepoundperannumisstillchargeableforcharitablepurposesonthemanorialfarmofHautbois。

REV。DR。FOLLIOTT。Verywell,sir。

MR。APPLETWIG。But,sir,theonepoundperannumisstillreceivedbytheparish,butwaslongago,byanunanimousvoteinopenvestry,giventotheminister。

THETHREECOMMISSIONERS(unavoce)。Theminister!

FIRSTCOMMISSIONER。Thisisanunjustifiableproceeding。

SECONDCOMMISSIONER。Amisappropriationofapublicfund。

THIRDCOMMISSIONER。Aflagrantperversionofacharitabledonation。

REV。DR。FOLLIOTT。Godblessmysoul,gentlemen!Iknownothingofthismatter。Howisthis,Mr。Bluenose?DoIreceivethisonepoundperannum?

FIRSTCHURCHWARDEN。Really,sir,Iknownomoreaboutitthanyoudo。

MR。APPLETWIG。Youcertainlyreceiveit,sir。Itwasvotedtooneofyourpredecessors。FarmerSeedlinglumpsitinwithhistithes。

FIRSTCOMMISSIONER。Lumpsitin,sir!Lumpinacharitabledonation!

SECONDANDTHIRDCOMMISSIONER。Oh-oh-oh-h-h!

FIRSTCOMMISSIONER。Reverendsir,andgentlemen,officersofthisparish,weareunderthenecessityofadmonishingyouthatthisisamostimproperproceeding:andyouareherebydulyadmonishedaccordingly。Makearecord,Mr。Milky。

MR。MILKY(writing)。Theclergymanandchurch-wardensofthevillageofHm-ra-m-m-gravelyadmonished。Hm-m-m-m。

REV。DR。FOLLIOTT。Isthatall,gentlemen?

THECOMMISSIONERS。Thatisall,sir;andwewishyouagoodmorning。

REV。DR。FOLLIOTT。Averygoodmorningtoyou,gentlemen。

\"Whatinthenameofallthatiswonderful,Mr。Bluenose,\"saidtheReverendDoctorFolliott,ashewalkedoutoftheinn,\"whatinthenameofallthatiswonderful,canthosefellowsmean?Theyhavecomehereinachaiseandfour,tomakeafussaboutapoundperannum,which,afterall,theyleaveasitwas:Iwonderwhopaysthemfortheirtrouble,andhowmuch。\"

MR。APPLETWIG。Thepublicpayforit,sir。Itisajobofthelearnedfriendwhomyouadmiresomuch。Itmakesawaywithpublicmoneyinsalaries,andprivatemoneyinlawsuits,anddoesnoparticleofgoodtoanylivingsoul。

REV。DR。FOLLIOTT。Ay,ay,Mr。Appletwig;thatisjustthesortofpublicservicetobelookedforfromthelearnedfriend。Oh,thelearnedfriend!thelearnedfriend!Heistheevilgeniusofeverythingthatfallsinhisway。

TheReverendDoctorwalkedofftoCrotchetCastle,tonarratehismisadventures,andexhalehisbudgetofgrievancesonMr。MacQuedy,whomheconsideredaringleaderofthemarchofmind。

CHAPTERIX:THEVOYAGE

[Greektext]

Mountingthebark,theycleftthewateryways。——Homer。

Fourbeautifulcabinedpinnaces,onefortheladies,oneforthegentlemen,oneforkitchenandservants,oneforadining-roomandbandofmusic,weighedanchor,onafineJulymorning,frombelowCrotchetCastle,andweretowedmerrily,bystrongtrottinghorses,againstthestreamoftheThames。Theypassedfromthedistrictofchalk,successivelyintothedistrictsofclay,ofsand-rock,ofoolite,andsoforth。Sometimestheydinedintheirfloatingdining-room,sometimesintents,whichtheypitchedonthedry,smooth-shavengreenofanewly-mownmeadow:sometimestheylefttheirvesselstoseesightsinthevicinity;sometimestheypassedadayortwoinacomfortableinn。

AtOxford,theywalkedabouttoseethecuriositiesofarchitecture,paintedwindows,andundisturbedlibraries。TheReverendDoctorFolliottlaidawagerwithMr。Crotchet\"thatinalltheirperlustrationstheywouldnotfindamanreading,\"andwonit。\"Ay,\"saidthereverendgentleman,\"thisisstillaseatoflearning,ontheprincipleof——onceacaptain,alwaysacaptain。

Wemaywellask,inthesegreatreservoirsofbookswhereofnomaneverdrawsasluice,QuorsumpertinuitstiperePlatonaMenandro?

Whatisdoneherefortheclassics?ReprintingGermaneditionsonbetterpaper。Agreatboast,verily!Whatformathematics?Whatformetaphysics?Whatforhistory?Whatforanythingworthknowing?ThiswasaseatoflearninginthedaysofFriarBacon。

ButtheFriarisgone,andhislearningwithhim。Nothingofhimisleftbuttheimmortalnose,which,whenhisbrazenheadhadtumbledtopieces,crying\"Time’sPast,\"wastheonlypalpablefragmentamongitsminutelypulverisedatoms,andwhichisstillresplendentovertheportalsofitscognominalcollege。Thatnose,sir,istheonlythingtowhichIshalltakeoffmyhat,inallthisBabylonofburiedliterature。

MR。CROTCHET。But,doctor,itissomethingtohaveagreatreservoiroflearning,atwhichsomemaydrawiftheyplease。

REV。DR。FOLLIOTT。But,here,goodcareistakenthatnobodyshallplease。Ifevenasmalldropfromthesacredfountain,[Greektext],asCallimachushasit,werecarriedoffbyanyone,itwouldbeevidenceofsomethingtohopefor。Butthesystemofdissuasionfromallgoodlearningisbroughtheretoapitchofperfectionthatbafflesthekeenestaspirant。IrunovertomyselfthenamesofthescholarsofGermany,agloriouscatalogue:butaskforthoseofOxford,——Wherearethey?Theechoesoftheircourts,asvacantastheirheads,willanswer,Wherearethey?Thetreeshallbeknownbyitsfruit:andseeingthatthisgreattree,withallitsspeciousseeming,bringsforthnofruit,Idodenounceitasabarrenfig。

MR。MACQUEDY。Ishallsetyourightonthispoint。Wedonothingwithoutmotives。Iflearninggetnothingbuthonour,andverylittleofthat;andifthegoodthingsofthisworld,whichoughttobetherewardsoflearning,becomethemeregiftsofself-

interestedpatronage;youmustnotwonderif,inthefinishingofeducation,thesciencewhichtakesprecedenceofallothers,shouldbethescienceofcurryingfavour。

REV。DR。FOLLIOTT。Verytrue,sir。Educationiswellfinished,forallworldlypurposes,whentheheadisbroughtintothestatewhereintoIamaccustomedtobringamarrow-bone,whenithasbeensetbeforemeonatoast,withawhitenapkinwrappedroundit。

Nothingtrundlesalongthehighroadofprefermentsotrimlyasawell-biassedsconce,pickedcleanwithinandpolishedwithout;

totusteresatquerotundus。Theperfectionofthefinishingliesinthebias,whichkeepsittrundlinginthegivendirection。

Thereisgoodandsufficientreasonforthefigbeingbarren,butitisnotthereforethelessabarrenfig。

AtGodstow,theygatheredhazelonthegraveofRosamond;and,proceedingontheirvoyage,fellintoadiscussiononlegendaryhistories。

LADYCLARINDA。Historyisbutatiresomethinginitself:itbecomesmoreagreeablethemoreromanceismixedupwithit。ThegreatenchanterhasmademelearnmanythingswhichIshouldneverhavedreamedofstudying,iftheyhadnotcometomeintheformofamusement。

REV。DR。FOLLIOTT。Whatenchanteristhat?Therearetwoenchanters:heofthenorth,andheofthesouth。

MR。TRILLO。Rossini!

REV。DR。FOLLIOTT。Ay,thereisanotherenchanter。ButImeanthegreatenchanterofCoventGarden:hewho,formorethanaquarterofacentury,hasproducedtwopantomimesayear,tothedelightofchildrenofallages;includingmyselfatallages。Thatistheenchanterforme。Iamforthepantomimes。Allthenorthernenchanter’sromancesputtogetherwouldnotfurnishmaterialsforhalftheSouthernenchanter’spantomimes。

LADYCLARINDA。Surelyyoudonotclassliteraturewithpantomime?

REV。DR。FOLLIOTT。Inthesecases,Ido。Theyarebothone,withaslightdifference。Theoneistheliteratureofpantomime,theotheristhepantomimeofliterature。Thereisthesamevarietyofcharacter,thesamediversityofstory,thesamecopiousnessofincident,thesameresearchintocostume,thesamedisplayofheraldry,falconry,minstrelsy,scenery,monkery,witchery,devilry,robbery,poachery,piracy,fishery,gipsy-astrology,demonology,architecture,fortification,castrametation,navigation;thesamerunningbaseofloveandbattle。Themaindifferenceis,thattheonesetofamusingfictionsistoldinmusicandaction;theotherinalltheworstdialectsoftheEnglishlanguage。Astoanysentenceworthremembering,anymoralorpoliticaltruth,anythinghavingatendency,howeverremote,tomakemenwiserorbetter,tomakethemthink,tomakethemeverthinkofthinking;theyarebothpreciselyalikenuspiam,nequaquam,nullibi,nullimodis。

LADYCLARINDA。Veryamusing,however。

REV。DR。FOLLIOTT。Veryamusing,veryamusing。

MR。CHAINMAIL。Myquarrelwiththenorthernenchanteris,thathehasgrosslymisrepresentedthetwelfthcentury。

REV。DR。FOLLIOTT。Hehasmisrepresentedeverything,orhewouldnothavebeenveryamusing。Sobertruthisbutdullmattertothereadingrabble。Theangler,whoputsnotonhishookthebaitthatbestpleasesthefish,maysitalldayonthebankwithoutcatchingagudgeon。

MR。MACQUEDY。Buthowdoyoumeanthathehasmisrepresentedthetwelfthcentury?Byexhibitingsomeofitsknightsandladiesinthecoloursofrefinementandvirtue,seeingthattheywereallnobetterthanruffians,andsomethingelsethatshallbenameless?

MR。CHAINMAIL。Bynomeans。Bydepictingthemasmuchworsethantheywere,not,asyousuppose,muchbetter。Noonewouldinferfromhispicturesthattheirswasamuchbetterstateofsocietythanthiswhichwelivein。

MR。MACQUEDY。No,norwasit。Itwasaperiodofbrutality,ignorance,fanaticism,andtyranny;whenthelandwascoveredwithcastles,andeverycastlecontainedagangofbanditti,headedbyatitledrobber,wholeviedcontributionswithfireandsword;

plundering,torturing,ravishing,buryinghiscaptivesinloathsomedungeons,andbroilingthemongridirons,toforcefromthemthesurrenderofeveryparticleoftreasurewhichhesuspectedthemofpossessing;andfightingeverynowandthenwiththeneighbouringlords,hisconterminalbandits,fortherightofmaraudingontheboundaries。Thiswasthetwelfthcentury,asdepictedbyallcontemporaryhistoriansandpoets。

MR。CHAINMAIL。No,sir。Weightheevidenceofspecificfacts;youwillfindmoregoodthanevil。WhowasEngland’sgreatesthero——

themirrorofchivalry,thepatternofhonour,thefountainofgenerosity,themodeltoallsucceedingagesofmilitaryglory?

RichardtheFirst。Thereisakingofthetwelfthcentury。Whatwasthefirststepofliberty?MagnaCharta。Thatwasthebestthingeverdonebylords。Therearelordsofthetwelfthcentury。

Youmustremember,too,thattheselordswerepettyprinces,andmadewaroneachotheraslegitimatelyastheheadsoflargercommunitiesdidordo。Fortheirsystemofrevenue,itwas,tobesure,moreroughandsummarythanthatwhichhassucceededit,butitwascertainlylesssearchingandlessproductive。Andastothepeople,Icontentmyselfwiththesegreatpoints:thateverymanwasarmed,everymanwasagoodarcher,everymancouldandwouldfighteffectively,withswordorpike,orevenwithoakencudgel;

nomanwouldlivequietlywithoutbeefandaleifhehadthemnot;

hefoughttillheeithergotthem,orwasputoutofconditiontowantthem。Theywerenot,andcouldnotbe,subjectedtothatpowerfulpressureofalltheotherclassesofsociety,combinedbygunpowder,steam,andfiscality,whichhasbroughtthemtothatdismaldegradationinwhichweseethemnow。Andtherearethepeopleofthetwelfthcentury。

MR。MACQUEDY。Astoyourking,theenchanterhasdonehimamplejustice,eveninyourownview。Astoyourlordsandtheirladies,hehasdrawnthemtoofavourably,giventhemtoomanyofthefalsecoloursofchivalry,throwntooattractivealightontheirabominabledoings。Astothepeople,hekeepsthemsomuchinthebackground,thathecanhardlybesaidtohaverepresentedthematall,muchlessmisrepresentedthem,whichindeedhecouldscarcelydo,seeingthat,byyourownshowing,theywereallthieves,readytoknockdownanymanforwhattheycouldnotcomebyhonestly。

MR。CHAINMAIL。No,sir。Theycouldcomehonestlybybeefandale,whiletheywerelefttotheirsimpleindustry。Whenoppressioninterferedwiththeminthat,thentheystoodonthedefensive,andfoughtforwhattheywerenotpermittedtocomebyquietly。

MR。MACQUEDY。IfA。,beingaggrievedbyB。,knocksdownC。,doyoucallthatstandingonthedefensive?

MR。CHAINMAIL。ThatdependsonwhoorwhatC。is。

REV。DR。FOLLIOTT。Gentlemen,youwillneversettlethiscontroversytillyouhavefirstsettledwhatisgoodformaninthisworld;thegreatquestion,definibus,whichhaspuzzledallphilosophers。Iftheenchanterhasrepresentedthetwelfthcenturytoobrightlyforone,andtoodarklyfortheotherofyou,Ishouldsay,asanimpartialman,hehasrepresenteditfairly。Myquarrelwithhimis,thathisworkscontainnothingworthquoting;andabookthatfurnishesnoquotations,ismejudice,nobook——itisaplaything。Thereisnoquestionabouttheamusement,——amusementofmultitudes;butifhewhoamusesusmostistobeourenchanter[Greektext],thenmyenchanteristheenchanterofCoventGarden。

CHAPTERX:THEVOYAGE,CONTINUED

Continuantnostreroutte,navigasmespartroisjourssansriendescouvrir。——RABELAIS。

\"Thereisabeautifulstructure,\"saidMr。Chainmail,astheyglidedbyLechladechurch;\"asubjectforthepencil,Captain。Itisaquestionworthasking,Mr。MacQuedy,whetherthereligiousspiritwhichrearedtheseedifices,andconnectedwiththemeverywhereanasylumformisfortune,andaprovisionforpoverty,wasnotbetterthanthecommercialspirit,whichhasturnedallthebusinessofmodernlifeintoschemesofprofitandprocessesoffraudandextortion。Idonotsee,inallyourboastedimprovements,anycompensationforthereligiouscharityofthetwelfthcentury。Idonotseeanycompensationforthatkindlyfeelingwhich,withintheirownlittlecommunities,boundtheseveralclassesofsocietytogether,whilefullscopewasleftforthedevelopmentofnaturalcharacter,whereinindividualsdifferedasconspicuouslyasincostume。Now,weallwearoneconventionaldress,oneconventionalface;wehavenobondofunionbutpecuniaryinterest;wetalkanythingthatcomesuppermostfortalking’ssake,andwithoutexpectingtobebelieved;wehavenonature,nosimplicity,nopicturesqueness:everythingaboutusisasartificialandascomplicatedasoursteam-machinery:ourpoetryisakaleidoscopeoffalseimagery,expressingnorealfeeling,portrayingnorealexistence。Idonotseeanycompensationforthepoetryofthetwelfthcentury。\"

MR。MACQUEDY。Iwondertohearyou,Mr。Chainmail,talkingofthereligiouscharityofasetoflazymonksandbeggarlyfriars,whoweremuchmoreoccupiedwithtakingthangiving;ofwhomthosewhowereinearnestdidnothingbutmakethemselvesandeverybodyaboutthemmiserablewithfastingsandpenances,andothersuchtrash;

andthosewhowerenot,didnothingbutguzzleandroyster,and,havingnowivesoftheirown,tookveryunbecominglibertieswiththoseofhonestermen。Andastoyourpoetryofthetwelfthcentury,itisnotgoodformuch。

MR。CHAINMAIL。Ithas,atanyrate,whatourswants,truthtonatureandsimplicityofdiction。

Thepoetry,whichwasaddressedtothepeopleofthedarkages,pleasedinproportiontothetruthwithwhichitdepictedfamiliarimages,andtotheirnaturalconnectionwiththetimeandplacetowhichtheywereassigned。Inthepoetryofourenlightenedtimes,thecharacteristicsofallseasons,soils,andclimatesmaybeblendedtogetherwithmuchbenefittotheauthor’sfameasanoriginalgenius。Thecowslipofacivicpoetisalwaysinblossom,hisfernisalwaysinfullfeather;hegathersthecelandine,theprimrose,theheath-flower,thejasmine,andthechrysanthemumallonthesamedayandfromthesamespot;hisnightingalesingsalltheyearround,hismoonisalwaysfull,hiscygnetisaswhiteashisswan,hiscedarisastremulousashisaspen,andhispoplarasemboweringashisbeech。Thusallnaturemarcheswiththemarchofmind;butamongbarbarians,insteadofmeadandwine,andthebestseatbythefire,therewardofsuchageniuswouldhavebeentobesummarilyturnedoutofdoorsinthesnow,tomeditateonthedifferencebetweendayandnightandbetweenDecemberandJuly。Itisanageofliberality,indeed,whennottoknowanoakfromaburdockisnodisqualificationforsylvanminstrelsy。Iamfortruthandsimplicity。

REV。DR。FOLLIOTT。——LethimwholovesthemreadGreek:Greek,Greek,Greek。

MR。MACQUEDY。——Ifhecan,sir。

REV。DR。FOLLIOTT。——Verytrue,sir;ifhecan。HereistheCaptainwhocan。ButIthinkhemusthavefinishedhiseducationatsomeveryrigidcollege,whereaquotationoranyotherovertactshowingacquaintancewithclassicalliteraturewasvisitedwithaseverepenalty。Formypart,ImakeitmyboastthatIwasnottobesosubdued。IcouldnotbeabatedofasinglequotationbyallthebumpersinwhichIwasfined。

Inthismannertheyglidedoverthefaceofthewaters,discussingeverythingandsettlingnothing。Mr。MacQuedyandtheReverendDoctorFolliotthadmanydigladiationsonpoliticaleconomy:

wherein,eachinhisownview,DoctorFolliottdemolishedMr。MacQuedy’sscience,andMr。MacQuedydemolishedDr。Folliott’sobjections。

Wewouldprintthesedialoguesifwethoughtanyonewouldreadthem;buttheworldisnotyetripeforthishautesagessePantagrueline。WemustthereforecontentourselveswithanechantillonofoneoftheReverendDoctor’sperorations。

\"Youhavegiventhenameofasciencetowhatisyetanimperfectinquiry,andtheupshotofyourso-calledscienceisthis:thatyouincreasethewealthofanationbyincreasinginitthequantityofthingswhichareproducedbylabour:nomatterwhattheyare,nomatterhowproduced,nomatterhowdistributed。Thegreaterthequantityoflabourthathasgonetotheproductionofthequantityofthingsinacommunity,thericheristhecommunity。

Thatisyourdoctrine。Now,Isay,ifthisbeso,richesarenottheobjectforacommunitytoaimat。Isaythenationisbestoff,inrelationtoothernations,whichhasthegreatestquantityofthecommonnecessariesoflifedistributedamongthegreatestnumberofpersons;whichhasthegreatestnumberofhonestheartsandstoutarmsunitedinacommoninterest,willingtooffendnoone,butreadytofightindefenceoftheirowncommunityagainstalltherestoftheworld,becausetheyhavesomethinginitworthfightingfor。Themomentyouadmitthatoneclassofthings,withoutanyreferencetowhattheyrespectivelycost,isbetterworthhavingthananother;thatasmallercommercialvalue,withonemodeofdistribution,isbetterthanagreatercommercialvalue,withanothermodeofdistribution;thewholeofthatcuriousfabricofpostulatesanddogmas,whichyoucallthescienceofpoliticaleconomy,andwhichIcallpoliticaeaeconomiaeinscientia,tumblestopieces。\"

Mr。ToogoodagreedwithMr。ChainmailagainstMr。MacQuedy,thattheexistingstateofsocietywasworsethanthatofthetwelfthcentury;butheagreedwithMr。MacQuedyagainstMr。Chainmail,thatitwasinprogresstosomethingmuchbetterthaneither——towhich\"somethingmuchbetter\"Mr。ToogoodandMr。MacQuedyattachedtwoverydifferentmeanings。

Mr。ChainmailfoughtwithDoctorFolliott,thebattleoftheromanticagainsttheclassicalinpoetry;andMr。SkionarcontendedwithMr。MacQuedyforintuitionandsynthesis,againstanalysisandinductioninphilosophy。

Mr。Philpotwouldliealongforhours,listeningtothegurglingofthewaterroundtheprow,andwouldoccasionallyedifythecompanywithspeculationsonthegreatchangesthatwouldbeeffectedintheworldbythesteam-navigationofrivers:sketchingthecourseofasteamboatupanddownsomemightystreamwhichcivilisationhadeithernevervisited,orlongsincedeserted;theMissouriandtheColumbia,theOroonokoandtheAmazon,theNileandtheNiger,theEuphratesandtheTigris,theOxusandtheIndus,theGangesandtheHoangho;undertheovercanopyingforestsofthenew,orbythelong-silentruinsoftheancient,world;throughtheshapelessmoundsofBabylon,orthegigantictemplesofThebes。

Mr。Trillowentonwiththecompositionofhisopera,andtooktheopinionsoftheyoungladiesoneverystepinitsprogress;

occasionallyregalingthecompanywithspecimens;andwonderingattheblindnessofMr。MacQuedy,whocouldnot,orwouldnot,seethatanoperainperfection,beingtheunionofallthebeautifularts——music,painting,dancing,poetry——exhibitingfemalebeautyinitsmostattractiveaspects,andinitsmostbecomingcostume——was,accordingtothewell-knownprecept,Ingenuasdidicisse,etc。,themostefficientinstrumentofcivilisation,andoughttotakeprecedenceofallotherpursuitsinthemindsoftruephilanthropists。TheReverendDoctorFolliott,ontheseoccasions,neverfailedtosayawordortwoonMr。Trillo’sside,derivedfromthepracticeoftheAthenians,andfromthecombination,intheirtheatre,ofallthebeautifularts,inadegreeofperfectionunknowntothemodernworld。

LeavingLechlade,theyenteredthecanalthatconnectstheThameswiththeSevern;ascendedbymanylocks;passedbyatunnel,threemileslong,throughthebowelsofSappertonHill;agreedunanimouslythatthegreatestpleasurederivablefromvisitingacavernofanysortwasthatofgettingoutofit;descendedbymanylocksagainthroughthevalleyofStroudintotheSevern;continuedtheirnavigationintotheEllesmerecanal;mooredtheirpinnacesintheValeofLlangollenbytheaqueductofPontycysyllty;anddeterminedtopasssomedaysininspectingthescenery,beforecommencingtheirhomewardvoyage。

TheCaptainomittednoopportunityofpressinghissuitonLadyClarinda,butcouldneverdrawfromheranyreplybutthesamedoctrinesofworldlywisdom,deliveredinatoneofbadinage,mixedwithacertainkindnessofmannerthatinducedhimtohopeshewasnotinearnest。

ButthemorningaftertheyhadanchoredunderthehillsoftheDee——

whethertheladyhadreflectedmoreseriouslythanusual,orwassomewhatlessingoodhumourthanusual,ortheCaptainwasmorepressingthanusual——shesaidtohim:\"Itmustnotbe,CaptainFitzchrome;’thecourseoftrueloveneverdidrunsmooth:’myfathermustkeephisborough,andImusthaveatownhouseandacountryhouse,andanoperabox,andacarriage。Itisnotwellforeitherofusthatweshouldflirtanylonger:’Imustbecruelonlytobekind。’Besatisfiedwiththeassurancethatyoualone,ofallmen,haveeverbrokenmyrest。Tobesure,itwasonlyforaboutthreenightsinall;butthatistoomuch。\"

TheCaptainhadlecoeurnavre。Hetookhisportfoliounderhisarm,madeupthelittlevaliseofapedestrian,and,withoutsayingawordtoanyone,wanderedoffatrandomamongthemountains。

Afterthelapseofadayortwo,theCaptainwasmissed,andeveryonemarvelledwhatwasbecomeofhim。Mr。Philpotthoughthemusthavebeenexploringariver,andfalleninandgotdrownedintheprocess。Mr。Firedamphadnodoubthehadbeencrossingamountainbog,andhadbeensuddenlydeprivedoflifebytheexhalationsofmarshmiasmata。Mr。HenbanedeemeditprobablethathehadbeentemptedinsomewoodbythelargeblackbrilliantberriesoftheAtropaBelladonna,orDeadlyNightshade;andlamentedthathehadnotbeenby,toadministeraninfallibleantidote。Mr。Eavesdrophopedtheparticularsofhisfatewouldbeascertained;andaskedifanyonepresentcouldhelphimtoanyauthenticanecdotesoftheirdepartedfriend。TheReverendDoctorFolliottproposedthataninquiryshouldbeinstitutedastowhetherthemarchofintellecthadreachedthatneighbourhood,as,ifso,theCaptainhadprobablybeenmadeasubjectforscience。

Mr。MacQuedysaiditwasnosuchgreatmattertoascertaintheprecisemodeinwhichthesurpluspopulationwasdiminishedbyone。

Mr。Toogoodasseveratedthattherewasnosuchthingassurpluspopulation,andthattheland,properlymanaged,wouldmaintaintwentytimesitspresentinhabitants;andhereupontheyfellintoadisputation。

LadyClarindadidnotdoubtthattheCaptainhadgoneawaydesignedly;shemissedhimmorethanshecouldhaveanticipated,andwishedshehadatleastpostponedherlastpieceofcrueltytillthecompletionoftheirhomewardvoyage。

CHAPTERXI:CORRESPONDENCE

\"Baseistheslavethatpays。\"——ANCIENTPISTOL。

TheCaptainwasneitherdrownednorpoisoned,neithermiasmatisednoranatomised。But,beforeweproceedtoaccountforhim,wemustlookbacktoayounglady,ofwhomsomelittlenoticewastakeninthefirstchapter;andwho,thoughshehassincebeenoutofsight,hasneverwithusbeenoutofmind:MissSusannahTouchandgo,theforsakenofthejuniorCrotchet,whomweleftaninmateofasolitaryfarm,inoneofthedeepvalleysunderthecloud-captsummitsofMeirion,comfortingherwoundedspiritwithairandexercise,rusticcheer,music,painting,andpoetry,andtheprattleofthelittleApLlymrys。

Oneevening,afteranintervalofanxiousexpectation,thefarmer,returningfrommarketbroughtforhertwoletters,ofwhichthecontentswerethese:

\"Dotandcarryonetown,StateofApodidraskiana。

\"April1,18……

MyDearChild,\"Iamanxioustolearnwhatareyourpresentposition,intention,andprospects。Thefairieswhodroppedgoldinyourshoe,onthemorningwhenIceasedtobearespectablemaninLondon,willsoonfindatalismanicchannelfortransmittingyouastockingfullofdollars,whichwillfittheshoeaswellasthefootofCinderellafittedherslipper。IamhappytosayIamagainbecomearespectableman。Itwasalwaysmyambitiontobearespectableman,andIamaveryrespectablemanhere,inthisnewtownshipofanewstate,whereIhavepurchasedfivethousandacresofland,attwodollarsanacre,hardcash,andestablishedaveryflourishingbank。ThenotesofTouchandgoandCompany,softcash,arenowtheexclusivecurrencyofallthisvicinity。Thisisthelandinwhichallmenflourish;buttherearethreeclassesofmenwhoflourishespecially,——methodistpreachers,slave-drivers,andpaper-moneymanufacturers;andasoneofthelatter,IhavejustpaintedthewordBANKonafineslabofmaple,whichwasgreenandgrowingwhenIarrived,andhavediscountedforthesettlers,inmyowncurrency,sundrybills,whicharetobepaidwhentheproceedsofthecroptheyhavejustsownshallreturnfromNewOrleans;sothatmynotesaretherepresentativesofvegetationthatistobe,andI

amaccordinglyacapitalistofthefirstmagnitude。ThepeoplehereknowverywellthatIranawayfromLondon;butthemostofthemhaverunawayfromsomeplaceorother;andtheyhaveagreatrespectforme,becausetheythinkIranawaywithsomethingworthtaking,whichfewofthemhadtheluckorthewittodo。Thisgivesthemconfidenceinmyresources,atthesametimethat,asthereisnothingportableinthesettlementexceptmyownnotes,theyhavenofearthatIshallrunawaywiththem。TheyknowIamthoroughlyconversantwiththeprinciplesofbanking,andastheyhaveplentyofindustry,nolackofsharpness,andabundanceofland,theywantednothingbutcapitaltoorganiseaflourishingsettlement;andthiscapitalIhavemanufacturedtotheextentrequired,attheexpenseofasmallimportationofpens,ink,andpaper,andtwoorthreeinimitablecopperplates。Ihaveabundancehereofallgoodthings,agoodconscienceincluded;forIreallycannotseethatIhavedoneanywrong。Thiswasmyposition:I

owedhalfamillionofmoney;andIhadatrifleinmypocket。Itwasclearthatthistriflecouldneverfinditswaytotherightowner。Thequestionwas,whetherIshouldkeepit,andlivelikeagentleman;orhanditovertolawyersandcommissionersofbankruptcy,anddielikeadogonadunghill。IfIcouldhavethoughtthatthesaidlawyers,etc。,hadabettertitletoitthanmyself,Imighthavehesitated;but,assuchtitlewasnotapparenttomysatisfaction,Idecidedthequestioninmyownfavour,therightowners,asIhavealreadysaid,beingoutofthequestionaltogether。Ihavealwaystakenscientificviewsofmoralsandpolitics,ahabitfromwhichIderivemuchcomfortunderexistingcircumstances。

\"Ihopeyouadheretoyourmusic,thoughIcannothopeagaintoaccompanyyourharpwithmyflute。Mylastandantemovementwastooforteforthosewhomittookbysurprise。LetnotyourallegrovivacebedampedbyyoungCrotchet’sdesertion,which,thoughI

havenotheardit,Itakeforgranted。Heis,likemyself,ascientificpolitician,andhasaneyeaskeenasaneedletohisowninterest。Hehashadgoodlucksofar,andisgorgeousinthespoilsofmanygulls;butIthinkthePolarBasinandWalrusCompanywillbetoomuchforhimyet。Therehasbeenasplendidoutlayoncredit,andheistheonlyman,oftheoriginalpartiesconcerned,ofwhomhisMajesty’ssheriffscouldgiveanyaccount。

\"Iwillnotaskyoutocomehere。Thereisnohusbandforyou。

Themensmoke,drink,andfight,andbreakmoreoftheirownheadsthanofgirls’hearts。Thoseamongthemwhoaremusical,singnothingbutpsalms。Theyareexcellentfellowsintheirway,butyouwouldnotlikethem。

\"Aureste,herearenorents,notaxes,nopoor-rates,notithes,nochurchestablishment,norouts,noclubs,norottenboroughs,nooperas,noconcerts,notheatres,nobeggars,nothieves,noking,nolords,noladies,andonlyonegentleman,videlicet,yourlovingfather,TimothyTouchandgo。\"

P。S。——Isendyouoneofmynotes;Icanaffordtopartwithit。Ifyouareaccusedofreceivingmoneyfromme,youmaypayitovertomyassignees。Robthetillcontinuestobemyfactotum;Isaynomoreofhiminthisplace:hewillgiveyouanaccountofhimself。\"

\"Dotandcarryonetown,etc。

\"DearMiss,\"Mr。Touchandgowillhavetoldyouofourarrivalhere,ofoursettingupabank,andsoforth。Wecamehereinatiltedwaggon,whichservedusforparlour,kitchen,andall。Wesoongotupalog-house;and,unluckily,weassoongotitdownagain,forthefirstfirewemadeinitburneddownhouseandall。However,oursecondexperimentwasmorefortunate;andweareprettywelllodgedinahouseofthreeroomsonafloor;Ishouldsaythefloor,forthereisbutone。

\"Thisnewstateisfreetoholdslaves;allthenewstateshavenotthisprivilege:Mr。Touchandgohasboughtsome,andtheyarebuildinghimavilla。Mr。Touchandgoisinathrivingway,butheisnothappyhere:helongsforpartiesandconcerts,andaseatinCongress。Hethinksitveryhardthathecannotbuyonewithhisowncoinage,asheusedtodoinEngland。Besides,heisafraidoftheRegulators,who,iftheydonotlikeaman’scharacter,waituponhimandfloghim,doublingthedoseatstatedintervals,tillhetakeshimselfoff。Hedoesnotlikethissystemofadministeringjustice:thoughIthinkhehasnothingtofearfromit。Hehasthecharacterofhavingmoney,whichisthebestofallcharactershere,asathome。HeletshisoldEnglishprejudicesinfluencehisopinionsofhisnewneighbours;but,I

assureyou,theyhavemanyvirtues。Thoughtheydokeepslaves,theyareallreadytofightfortheirownliberty;andIshouldnotliketobeanenemywithinreachofoneoftheirrifles。WhenI

sayenemy,Iincludebailiffintheterm。Onewasshotnotlongago。Therewasatrial;thejurygavetwodollarsdamages;thejudgesaidtheymustfindguiltyornotguilty;butthecounselforthedefendant(theywouldnotcallhimprisoner)offeredtofightthejudgeuponthepoint:andasthiswassaidliterally,notmetaphorically,andthecounselwasastoutfellow,thejudgegavein。Thetwodollarsdamageswerenotpaidafterall;forthedefendantchallengedtheforemantoboxfordoubleorquits,andtheforemanwasbeaten。ThefolksinNewYorkmadeagreatoutcryaboutit,buthereitwasconsideredallasitshouldbe。Soyousee,Miss,justice,liberty,andeverythingelseofthatkind,aredifferentindifferentplaces,justassuitstheconvenienceofthosewhohavetheswordintheirownhands。Hopingtohearofyourhealthandhappiness,Iremain,\"DearMiss,yourdutifulservant,\"RoderickRobthetill。\"

MissTouchandgorepliedasfollowstothefirstoftheseletters:

\"MyDearFather,\"Iamsureyouhavethebestofhearts,andIhavenodoubtyouhaveactedwiththebestintentions。Mylover,or,Ishouldrathersay,myfortune’slover,hasindeedforsakenme。IcannotsayI

didnotfeelit;indeed,Icriedverymuch;andthealteredlooksofpeoplewhousedtobesodelightedtoseeme,reallyannoyedmeso,thatIdeterminedtochangethescenealtogether。IhavecomeintoWales,andamboardingwithafarmerandhiswife。TheirstockofEnglishisverysmall;butImanagedtoagreewiththem,andtheyhavefourofthesweetestchildrenIeversaw,towhomI

teachallIknow,andImanagetopickupsomeWelsh。Ihavepuzzledoutalittlesong,whichIthinkverypretty;IhavetranslateditintoEnglish,andIsendityou,withtheoriginalair。Youshallplayitonyourfluteateighto’clockeverySaturdayevening,andIwillplayandsingitatthesametime,andIwillfancythatIhearmydearpapaaccompanyingme。

\"ThepeopleinLondonsaidveryunkindthingsofyou:theyhurtmeverymuchatthetime;butnowIamoutoftheirway,Idonotseemtothinktheiropinionofmuchconsequence。Iamsure,whenI

recollect,atleisure,everythingIhaveseenandheardamongthem,Icannotmakeoutwhattheydothatissovirtuous,astosetthemupforjudgesofmorals。AndIamsuretheyneverspeakthetruthaboutanything,andthereisnosincerityineithertheirloveortheirfriendship。AnoldWelshbardhere,whowearsawaistcoatembroideredwithleeks,andiscalledtheGreenBardofCadeirIdris,saystheScotchwouldbethebestpeopleintheworld,iftherewasnobodybutthemselvestogivethemacharacter:andsoI

thinkwouldtheLondoners。Ihatetheverythoughtofthem,forI

dobelievetheywouldhavebrokenmyheart,ifIhadnotgotoutoftheirway。NowIshallwriteyouanotherletterverysoon,anddescribetoyouthecountry,andthepeople,andthechildren,andhowIamusemyself,andeverythingthatIthinkyouwillliketohearabout:andwhenIsealthisletter,Ishalldropakissonthecover。

\"Yourlovingdaughter,\"SusannahTouchandgo。

P。S。——TellMr。RobthetillIwillwritetohiminadayortwo。

ThisisthelittlesongIspokeof:

\"Beyondthesea,beyondthesea,Myheartisgone,far,farfromme;

AndeveronitstrackwillfleeMythoughts,mydreams,beyondthesea。

\"Beyondthesea,beyondthesea,Theswallowwandersfastandfree;

Oh,happybird!wereIlikethee,I,too,wouldflybeyondthesea。

\"Beyondthesea,beyondthesea,Arekindlyheartsandsocialglee:

Buthereformetheymaynotbe;

Myheartisgonebeyondthesea。\"

CHAPTERXII:THEMOUNTAININN

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HowsweettomindsthatlovenotsordidwaysIssolitude!——MENANDER。

TheCaptainwandereddespondinglyupanddownhillforseveraldays,passingmanyhoursofeachinsittingonrocks;making,almostmechanically,sketchesofwaterfalls,andmountainpools;

takingcare,nevertheless,tobealwaysbeforenightfallinacomfortableinn,where,beingatemperateman,hewhiledawaytheeveningwithmakingabottleofsherryintonegus。HisramblesbroughthimatlengthintotheinteriorofMerionethshire,thelandofallthatisbeautifulinnature,andallthatislovelyinwoman。

Here,inasecludedvillage,hefoundalittleinn,ofsmallpretensionandmuchcomfort。Hefeltsosatisfiedwithhisquarters,anddiscoveredeverydaysomuchvarietyinthescenesofthesurroundingmountains,thathisinclinationtoproceedfartherdiminishedprogressively。

Itisonethingtofollowthehighroadthroughacountry,witheveryprincipallyremarkableobjectcarefullynoteddowninabook,taking,asthereindirected,aguide,atparticularpoints,tothemorereconditesights:itisanothertositdownononechosenspot,especiallywhenthechoiceisunpremeditated,andfromthence,byaseriesofexplorations,tocomedaybydayonunanticipatedscenes。Thelatterprocesshasmanyadvantagesovertheformer;itisfreefromthedisappointmentwhichattendsexcitedexpectation,whenimaginationhasoutstrippedreality,andfromtheaccidentsthatmartheschemeofthetourist’ssingleday,whenthevalleysmaybedrenchedwithrain,orthemountainsshroudedwithmist。

TheCaptainwasonemorningpreparingtosallyforthonhisusualexploration,whenheheardavoicewithout,inquiringforaguidetotheruinedcastle。Thevoiceseemedfamiliartohim,andgoingforthintothegateway,herecognisedMr。Chainmail。Aftergreetingsandinquiriesfortheabsent:\"Youvanishedveryabruptly,Captain,\"saidMr。Chainmail,\"fromourpartyonthecanal。\"

CAPTAINFITZCHROME。Totellyouthetruth,Ihadaparticularreasonfortryingtheeffectofabsencefromapartofthatparty。

MR。CHAINMAIL。Isurmisedasmuch:atthesametime,theunusualmelancholyofaningeneralmostvivaciousyoungladymademewonderatyourhavingactedsoprecipitately。Thelady’sheartisyours,iftherebetruthinsigns。

CAPTAINFITZCHROME。Heartsarenotnowwhattheywereinthedaysoftheoldsong:\"Willlovebecontrolledbyadvice?\"

MR。CHAINMAIL。Verytrue;hearts,heads,andarmshavealldegenerated,mostsadly。Wecannomorefeelthehighimpassionedloveoftheages,whichsomepeoplehavetheimpudencetocalldark,thanwecanwieldKingRichard’sbattleaxe,bendRobinHood’sbow,orflourishtheoakengraftofthePindarofWakefield。Stillwehaveourtastesandfeelings,thoughtheydeservenotthenameofpassions;andsomeofusmaypluckupspirittotrytocarryapoint,whenwereflectthatwehavetocontendwithmennobetterthanourselves。

CAPTAINFITZCHROME。Wedonotnowbreaklancesforladies。

MR。CHAINMAIL。No;norevenbulrushes。Wejinglepursesforthem,flourishpaper-moneybanners,andtiltwithscrollsofparchment。

CAPTAINFITZCHROME。InwhichsortoftiltingIhavebeenthrownfromthesaddle。Ipresumeitwasnotlovethatledyoufromtheflotilla?

MR。CHAINMAIL。Bynomeans。Iwastemptedbythesightofanoldtower,nottoleavethislandofruinedcastles,withouthavingcollectedafewhintsfortheadornmentofmybaronialhall。

CAPTAINFITZCHROME。Iunderstandyouliveenfamillewithyourdomestics。Youwillhavemoredifficultyinfindingaladywhowouldadoptyourfashionofliving,thanonewhowouldpreferyoutoaricherman。

MR。CHAINMAIL。Verytrue。Ihavetriedtheexperimentonseveralasguests;butoncewasenoughforthem:so,Isuppose,Ishalldieabachelor。

CAPTAINFITZCHROME。Isee,likesomeothersofmyfriends,youwillgiveupanythingexceptyourhobby。

MR。CHAINMAIL。Iwillgiveupanythingbutmybaronialhall。

CAPTAINFITZCHROME。Youwillneverfindawifeforyourpurpose,unlessinthedaughterofsomeold-fashionedfarmer。

MR。CHAINMAIL。No,Ithankyou。Imusthavealadyofgentleblood;Ishallnotmarrybelowmyowncondition:Iamtoomuchofaherald;Ihavetoomuchofthetwelfthcenturyinmeforthat。

CAPTAINFITZCHROME。Why,thenyourchanceisnotmuchbetterthanmine。Awell-bornbeautywouldscarcelybebetterpleasedwithyourbaronialhallthanwithmymorehumbleofferofloveinacottage。Shemusthaveatown-house,andanopera-box,androllaboutthestreetsinacarriage;especiallyifherfatherhasarottenborough,forthesakeofwhichhesellshisdaughter,thathemaycontinuetosellhiscountry。Butyouwereinquiringforaguidetotheruinedcastleinthisvicinity;Iknowthewayandwillconductyou。

TheproposalpleasedMr。Chainmail,andtheysetforthontheirexpeditionCHAPTERXIII:THELAKE——THERUIN

Orvieni,Amore,equamecot’assetta。

ORLANDOINNAMORATO。

MR。CHAINMAIL。Woulditnotbeafinething,Captain,youbeingpicturesque,andIpoetical;youbeingforthelightsandshadowsofthepresent,andIforthoseofthepast;ifweweretogotogetheroverthegroundwhichwastravelledinthetwelfthcenturybyGiraldusdeBarri,whenheaccompaniedArchbishopBaldwintopreachthecrusade?

CAPTAINFITZCHROME。Nothing,inmypresentframeofmind,couldbemoreagreeabletome。

MR。CHAINMAIL。WewouldprovideourselveswithhisItinerarium;

comparewhathasbeen,withwhatis;contemplateintheirdecaythecastlesandabbeys,whichhesawintheirstrengthandsplendour;

and,whileyouweresketchingtheirremains,Iwoulddispassionatelyinquirewhathasbeengainedbythechange。

CAPTAINFITZCHROME。Beitso。

Buttheschemewasnosoonerarranged,thantheCaptainwassummonedtoLondonbyaletteronbusiness,whichhedidnotexpecttodetainhimlong。Mr。Chainmail,who,liketheCaptain,wasfascinatedwiththeinnandthescenery,determinedtoawaithiscompanion’sreturn;and,havingfurnishedhimwithalistofbooks,whichhewastobringwithhimfromLondon,tookleaveofhim,andbegantopasshisdaysliketheheroesofAriosto,who-tuttoilgiorno,albeloprarintenti,Salironbalze,etraversartorrenti。

OnedayMr。Chainmailtracedupwardsthecourseofamountainstreamtoaspotwhereasmallwaterfallthrewitselfoveraslabofperpendicularrock,whichseemedtobarhisfartherprogress。

Onanearerview,hediscoveredaflightofsteps,roughlyhewnintherock,ononesideofthefall。Ascendingthesesteps,heenteredanarrowwindingpass,betweenhighandnakedrocks,thataffordedonlyspaceforaroughfootpath,carvedononeside,atsomeheightabovethetorrent。

Thepassopenedonalake,fromwhichthestreamissued,andwhichlaylikeadarkmirror,setinagiganticframeofmountainprecipices。Fragmentsofrocklayscatteredontheedgeofthelake,somehalf-buriedinthewater:Mr。Chainmailscrambledsomewayoverthesefragments,tillthebaseofarocksinkingabruptlyinthewater,effectuallybarredhisprogress。Hesatdownonalargesmoothstone;thefaintmurmurofthestreamhehadquitted,theoccasionalflappingofthewingsoftheheron,andatlongintervals,thesolitaryspringingofatrout,weretheonlysoundsthatcametohisear。Thesunshonebrightlyhalf-waydowntheoppositerocks,presenting,ontheirirregularfaces,strongmassesoflightandshade。Suddenlyheheardthedashofapaddle,and,turninghiseyes,sawasolitaryandbeautifulgirlglidingoverthelakeinacoracle:shewasproceedingfromthevicinityofthepointhehadquitted,towardstheupperendofthelake。Herapparelwasrustic,buttherewasinitsstylesomethingmorerecherchee,initsarrangementsomethingmoreofeleganceandprecision,thanwascommontothemountainpeasantgirl。Ithadmoreofthecontadinaoftheopera,thanofthegenuinemountaineer;soatleastthoughtMr。Chainmail;butshepassedsorapidly,andtookhimsomuchbysurprise,thathehadlittleopportunityforaccurateobservation。Hesawherland,atthefartherextremity,anddisappearamongtherocks:herosefromhisseat,returnedtothemouthofthepass,steppedfromstonetostoneacrossthestream,andattemptedtopassroundbytheothersideofthelake;butthereagaintheabruptlysinkingprecipiceclosedhisway。

Dayafterdayhehauntedthespot,butneversawagaineitherthedamselorthecoracle。Atlength,marvellingathimselfforbeingsosolicitousabouttheapparitionofapeasantgirlinacoracle,whocouldnot,byanypossibility,beanythingtohim,heresumedhisexplorationsinanotherdirection。

Onedayhewanderedtotheruinedcastle,onthesea-shore,whichwasnotverydistantfromhisinn;andsittingontherock,nearthebaseoftheruin,wascallinguptheformsofpastagesonthewallofaniviedtower,whenonitssummitappearedafemalefigure,whomherecognisedinaninstantforhisnymphofthecoracle。Thefoldsofthebluegownpressedbythesea-breezeagainstoneofthemostsymmetricaloffigures,theblackfeatheroftheblackhat,andtheringletedhairbeneathitflutteringinthewind;theapparentperilofherposition,ontheedgeofthemoulderingwall,fromwhoseimmediatebasetherockwentdownperpendicularlytothesea,presentedasingularlyinterestingcombinationtotheeyeoftheyoungantiquary。

Mr。Chainmailhadtopasshalfroundthecastle,onthelandside,beforehecouldreachtheentrance:hecoastedthedryandbramble-grownmoat,crossedtheunguardedbridge,passedtheunportcullisedarchofthegateway,enteredthecastlecourt,ascertainedthetower,ascendedthebrokenstairs,andstoodontheiviedwall。Butthenymphoftheplacewasgone。Hesearchedtheruinswithinandwithout,buthefoundnotwhathesought:hehauntedthecastledayafterday,ashehaddonethelake,butthedamselappearednomore。

CHAPTERXIV:THEDINGLE

ThestarsofmidnightshallbedearToher,andsheshallleanherearInmanyasecretplace,Whererivuletsdancetheirwaywardround,Andbeauty,bornofmurmuringsound,Shallpassintoherface。——WORDSWORTH。

MissSusannahTouchandgohadreadthefourgreatpoetsofItaly,andmanyofthebestwritersofFrance。Aboutthetimeofherfather’sdownfall,accidentthrewintoherwayLesReveriesduPromeneurSolitaire;andfromtheimpressionwhichthesemadeonher,shecarriedwithherintoretirementalltheworksofRousseau。Inthemidstofthatstartlinglight,whichtheconductofoldfriendsonasuddenreverseoffortunethrowsonayoungandinexperiencedmind,thedoctrinesofthephilosopherofGenevastruckwithdoubleforceuponhersympathies:sheimbibedthesweetpoison,assomebodycallsit,ofhiswritings,eventoaloveoftruth;which,everywisemanknows,oughttobelefttothosewhocangetanythingbyit。Thesocietyofchildren,thebeautiesofnature,thesolitudeofthemountains,becameherconsolation,and,bydegrees,herdelight。Thegaysocietyfromwhichshehadbeenexcluded,remainedonhermemoryonlyasadisagreeabledream。

Sheimbibedhernewmonitor’sideasofsimplicityofdress,assimilatingherownwiththatofthepeasant-girlsintheneighbourhood:theblackhat,thebluegown,theblackstockings,theshoes,tiedontheinstep。

Pridewas,perhaps,atthebottomofthechange:shewaswillingtoimposeinsomemeasureonherself,bymarkingacontemptuousindifferencetothecharacteristicsoftheclassofsocietyfromwhichshehadfallen。

AndwiththefoodofpridesustainedhersoulInsolitude。

Itistruethatshesomewhatmodifiedtheformsofherrusticdress:totheblackhatsheaddedablackfeather,tothebluegownsheaddedatippet,andawaistbandfastenedinfrontwithasilverbuckle;sheworeherblackstockingsverysmoothandtightonherankles,andtiedhershoesintastefulbows,withthenicestpossibleribbon。Inthisapparel,towhich,inwinter,sheaddedascarletcloak,shemadedreadfulhavocamongtherusticmountaineers,manyofwhomproposedto\"keepcompany\"withherintheCambrianfashion,anhonourwhich,totheirgreatsurprise,shealwaysdeclined。Amongthese,HarryAp-Heather,whosefatherrentedanextensivesheepwalk,andhadathousandshe-lambswanderinginthemountains,wasthemoststrenuousinhissuit,andthemostpatheticinhislamentationsforhercruelty。

MissSusannahoftenwanderedamongthemountainsalone,eventosomedistancefromthefarmhouse。Sometimesshedescendedintothebottomofthedingles,totheblackrockybedsofthetorrents,anddreamedawayhoursatthefeetofthecataracts。Onespotinparticular,fromwhichshehadatfirstshrunkwithterror,becamebydegreesherfavouritehaunt。Apathturningandreturningatacuteangles,leddownasteepwood-coveredslopetotheedgeofachasm,whereapool,orresting-placeofatorrent,layfarbelow。