Passages from the American Notebooks, Volume 1 by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

8/14/2019 Passages from the American Notebooks, Volume 1 by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

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Title:PassagesFromTheAmericanNotebooks,Volume1

Author:NathanielHawthorne

ReleaseDate:May,2005[EBook#8088][ThisfilewasfirstpostedonJune13,2003][LastupdatedonFebruary7,2007]

Edition:10

Language:English

Charactersetencoding:ASCII

***STARTOFTHEPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKAMERICANNOTEBOOKS,V1***

ProducedbyTapioRiikonenandDavidWidger

PASSAGESFROMTHEAMERICANNOTE-BOOKS

OF

NATHANIELHAWTHORNE

VOL.I.


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Salem,June15,1835.--AwalkdowntotheJuniper.Theshoreofthecovesstrewnwithbunchesofsea-weed,driveninbyrecentwinds.Eel-grass,rolledandbundledup,andentangledwithit,--largemarinevegetables,ofanolive-color,withround,slender,snake-likestalks,fourorfivefeetlong,andnearlytwofeetbroad:thesearetheherbageofthedeepsea.Shoalsoffishes,atalittledistancefromtheshore,discerniblebytheirfinsoutofwater.Amongtheheapsofsea-weedthereweresometimessmallpiecesofpaintedwood,bark,andotherdriftage.Ontheshore,withpebblesofgranite,therewereroundorovalpiecesofbrick,whichthewaveshadrolledabouttilltheyresembledanaturalmineral.Hugestonestossedabout,ineveryvarietyofconfusion,someshaggedalloverwithsea-weed,othersonlypartlycovered,othersbare.Theoldten-gunbattery,attheouterangleoftheJuniper,veryverdant,andbesprinkledwithwhite-weed,clover,andbuttercups.Thejuniper-treesareveryagedanddecayedandmoss-grown.Thegrassaboutthehospitalisrank,beingtrodden,probably,bynobodybutmyself.Thereisarepresentationofavesselundersail,cutwithapenknife,onthecornerofthehouse.

Returningbythealmshouse,Istoppedagoodwhiletolookatthepigs,--agreatherd,--whoseemedtobejustfinishingtheirsuppers.Theycertainlyaretypesofunmitigatedsensuality,--somestandinginthetrough,inthemidstoftheirownandothers'victuals,--somethrusting

theirnosesdeepintothefood,--somerubbingtheirbacksagainstapost,--somehuddledtogetherbetweensleepingandwaking,breathinghard,--allwallowingabout;agreatboarswaggeringround,andabigsowwaddlingalongwithherhugepaunch.Notwithstandingtheunspeakabledefilementwithwhichthesestrangesensualistsspicealltheirfood,theyseemtohaveaquickanddelicatesenseofsmell.Whatridiculous-lookinganimals!Swifthimselfcouldnothaveimaginedanythingnastierthanwhattheypractisebythemereimpulseofnaturalgenius.YettheShakerskeeptheirpigsveryclean,andwithgreatadvantage.Thelegionofdevilsintheherdofswine,--whatasceneitmusthavebeen!

Sundayevening,goingbythejail,thesettingsunkindledupthewindows

mostcheerfully;asiftherewereabright,comfortablelightwithinitsdarksomestonewall.

June18th.--AwalkinNorthSaleminthedeclineofyesterdayafternoon,--beautifulweather,bright,sunny,withawesternornorthwesternwindjustcoolenough,andaslightsuperfluityofheat.Theverdure,bothoftreesandgrass,isnowinitsprime,theleaveselastic,alllife.Thegrass-fieldsareplenteouslybestrewnwithwhite-weed,largespaceslookingaswhiteasasheetofsnow,atadistance,yetwithanindescribablywarmertingethansnow,--livingwhite,intermixedwithlivinggreen.ThehillsandhollowsbeyondtheColdSpringcopiouslyshaded,principallywithoaksofgoodgrowth,andsomewalnut-trees,with

therichsunbrighteninginthemidstoftheopenspaces,andmellowingandfadingintotheshade,--andsingletrees,withtheircoolspotofshade,inthewasteofsun:quiteapictureofbeauty,gentlypicturesque.Thesurfaceofthelandissovaried,withwoodlandmingled,thattheeyecannotreachfaraway,exceptnowandtheninvistasperhapsacrosstheriver,showinghouses,orachurchandsurroundingvillage,inUpperBeverly.Inoneofthesunnybitsofpasture,walledirregularlyinwithoak-shade,Isawagraymarefeeding,and,asIdrewnear,acoltsprangupfromamidthegrass,--averysmallcolt.Helookedmeintheface,andItriedtostartlehim,soasto


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makehimgallop;buthestretchedhislonglegs,oneafteranother,walkedquietlytohismother,andbegantosuck,--justwettinghislips,notbeingveryhungry.Thenherubbedhishead,alternately,witheachhindleg.Hewasagracefullittlebeast.

Ibathedinthecove,overhungwithmaplesandwalnuts,thewatercoolandthrilling.Atadistanceitsparkledbrightandblueinthebreezeandsun.Therewerejelly-fishswimmingabout,andseverallefttomeltawayontheshore.Ontheshore,sproutingamongstthesandandgravel,Ifoundsamphire,growingsomewhatlikeasparagus.Itisanexcellentsaladatthisseason,salt,yetwithanherb-likevivacity,andverytender.Istrolledslowlythroughthepastures,watchingmylongshadowmakinggrave,fantasticgesturesinthesun.Itisaprettysighttoseethesunshinebrighteningtheentranceofaroadwhichshortlybecomesdeeplyovershadowedbytreesonbothsides.AttheColdSpring,threelittlegirls,fromsixtonine,wereseatedonthestonesinwhichthefountainisset,andpaddlinginthewater.Itwasaprettypicture,andwouldhavebeenprettier,iftheyhadshownbarelittlelegs,insteadofpantalets.Verylargetreesoverhungthem,andthesunwassonearlygonedownthatapleasantgloommadethespotsombre,incontrastwiththeselightandlaughinglittlefigures.Onperceivingme,theyroseup,titteringamongthemselves.Itseemedthat,therewasasortofplayfulmaliceinthosewhofirstsawme;fortheyallowedtheothertokeeponpaddling,withoutwarningherofmyapproach.Ipassedalong,andheard

themcomechatteringbehind.

June22d.--IrodetoBostonintheafternoonwithMr.Proctor.Itwasacoolishday,withcloudsandintermittingsunshine,andaprettyfreshbreeze.WestoppedaboutanhourattheMaverickHouse,inthesproutingbranchofthecity,atEastBoston,--astylishhouse,withdoorspaintedinimitationofoak;alargebar;bellsringing;thebar-keepercallsout,whenabellrings,"Number--";thenawaiterreplies,"Number--answered";andscampersupstairs.Aticketisgivenbythehostler,ontakingthehorseandchaise,whichisreturnedtothebar-keeperwhenthechaiseiswanted.Thelandlordwasfashionablydressed,withthewhitestoflinen,neatlyplaited,andascourteousasaLordChamberlain.

VisitorsfromBostonthrongingthehouse,--some,standingatthebar,watchingtheprocessofpreparingtumblersofpunch,--otherssittingatthewindowsofdifferentparlors,--somewithfacesflushed,puffingcigars.Thebilloffareforthedaywasstuckupbesidethebar.Oppositethisprincipalhoteltherewasanother,called"TheMechanics,"whichseemedtobeequallythronged.Isuspectthatthecompanywereaboutonaparineach;forattheMaverickHouse,thoughwelldressed,theyseemedtobemerelySundaygentlemen,--mostlyyoungfellows,--clerksindry-goodsstoresbeingthearistocracyofthem.One,veryfashionableinappearance,withahandsomecane,happenedtostopbymeandliftuphisfoot,andInoticedthatthesoleofhisboot(whichwasexquisitelypolished)wasallwornout.Iapprehendthatsomesuchminordeficienciesmighthavebeendetectedinthegeneralshowinessofmostof

them.Thereweregirls,too,butnotprettyones,nor,onthewhole,suchgoodimitationsofgentilityastheyoungmen.Therewereasmanypeopleasareusuallycollectedatamuster,oronsimilaroccasions,loungingabout,withoutanyapparentenjoyment;buttheobservationofthismayservemetomakeasketchofthemodeofspendingtheSabbathbythemajorityofunmarried,young,middling-classpeople,nearagreattown.Mostofthepeoplehadsmartcanesandbosom-pins.

CrossingtheferryintoBoston,wewenttotheCityTavern,wherethebar-roompresentedaSabbathsceneofrepose,--stage-folkloungingin


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chairshalfasleep,smokingcigars,generallywithcleanlinenandothernicetiesofapparel,tomarktheday.Thedoorsandblindsofanoysterandrefreshmentshopacrossthestreetwereclosed,butIsawpeopleenterit.Thereweretwoowlsinabackcourt,visiblethroughawindowofthebar-room,--speckledgray,withdark-blueeyes,--thequeerest-lookingbirdsthatexist,--sosolemnandwise,--dozingawaytheday,muchliketherestofthepeople,onlythattheylookedwiserthananyothers.Theirhookedbeakslookedlikehookednoses.Adullscenethis.Astranger,hereandthere,poringoveranewspaper.Manyofthestage-folksittinginchairsonthepavement,infrontofthedoor.

WewenttothetopofthehillwhichformedpartofGardinerGreene'sestate,andwhichisnowintheprocessoflevelling,andprettymuchtakenaway,exceptthehighestpoint,andanarrowpathtoascendtoit.Itgivesanadmirableviewofthecity,beingalmostashighasthesteeplesandthedomeoftheStateHouse,andoverlookingthewholemassofbrickbuildingsandslatedroofs,withglimpsesofstreetsfarbelow.Itwasreallyapitytotakeitdown.Inoticedthestumpofaverylargeelm,recentlyfelled.Nohouseinthecitycouldhavereareditsroofsohighastherootsofthattree,ifindeedthechurch-spiresdidso.

OnourdrivehomewepassedthroughCharlestown.Stagesinabundancewerepassingtheroad,burdenedwithpassengersinsideandout;also

chaisesandbarouches,horsemenandfootmen.WeareacommunityofSabbath-breakers.

August31st.--AdrivetoNahantyesterdayafternoon.StoppedatRice's,andafterwardswalkeddowntothesteamboatwharftoseethepassengersland.Itisstrangehowfewgoodfacesthereareintheworld,comparativelytotheuglyones.Scarcelyasinglecomelyoneinallthiscollection.Thentothehotel.Barouchesatthedoors,andgentlemenandladiesgoingtodrive,andgentlemensmokingroundthepiazza.Thebar-keeperhadoneofBenton'smint-dropsforabosom-brooch!Itmadeaveryhandsomeone.Icrossedthebeachforhomeaboutsunset.Thetidewassofardownasjusttogivemeapassageonthehardsand,between

theseaandtheloosegravel.Theseawascalmandsmooth,withonlythesurf-waveswhiteningalongthebeach.Severalladiesandgentlemenonhorsebackwerecanteringandgallopingbeforeandbehindme.

Ahintofastory,--someincidentwhichshouldbringonageneralwar;andthechiefactorintheincidenttohavesomethingcorrespondingtothemischiefhehadcaused.

September7th--AdrivetoIpswichwithB------.Atthetavernwasanold,fat,countrymajor,andanotheroldfellow,laughingandplayingoffjokesoneachother,--onetyingaribbonupontheother'shat.Onehadbeenatrumpetertothemajor'stroop.Walkingabouttown,weknocked,

forawhim,atthedoorofadarkoldhouse,andinquiredifMissHannahLordlivedthere.Awomanofaboutthirtycametothedoor,withratheraconfusedsmile,andadisorderaboutthebosomofherdress,asifshehadbeendisturbedwhilenursingherchild.Sheanswereduswithgreatkindness.

Enteringtheburial-ground,wheresomemasonswerebuildingatomb,wefoundagoodmanyoldmonuments,andseveralcoveredwithslabsofredfreestoneorslate,andwitharmssculpturedontheslab,oraninlaidcircleofslate.Ononeslategravestone,oftheRev.Nathl.Rogers,


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Butitsochancesthatheneverfallsinlove,andalthoughhegivesuptheexpectationofsodoing,andmarriescalmly,yetitissomewhatsadly,withsentimentsmerelyofesteemforhisbride.Theladymightbeonewhohadlovedhimearlyinlife,butwhomthen,inhisexpectationofpassionatelove,hehadscorned.

Thesceneofastoryorsketchtobelaidwithinthelightofastreet-lantern;thetime,whenthelampisneargoingout;andthecatastrophetobesimultaneouswiththelastflickeringgleam.

Thepeculiarwearinessanddepressionofspiritswhichisfeltafteradaywastedinturningoveramagazineorotherlightmiscellany,differentfromthestateofthemindafterseverestudy;becausetherehasbeennoexcitement,nodifficultiestobeovercome,butthespiritshaveevaporatedinsensibly.

Torepresenttheprocessbywhichsobertruthgraduallystripsoffallthebeautifuldraperieswithwhichimaginationhasenvelopedabelovedobject,tillfromanangelsheturnsouttobeamerelyordinarywoman.Thistobedonewithoutcaricature,perhapswithaquiethumorinterfused,buttheprevailingimpressiontobeasadone.Thestorymightconsistofthevariousalterationsinthefeelingsoftheabsentlover,causedbysuccessiveeventsthatdisplaythetruecharacterofhismistress;andthecatastropheshouldtakeplaceattheirmeeting,whenhe

findshimselfequallydisappointedinherperson;orthewholespiritofthethingmayherebereproduced.

Lastevening,fromtheoppositeshoreoftheNorthRiver,aviewofthetownmirroredinthewater,whichwasassmoothasglass,withnoperceptibletideoragitation,exceptatriflingswellandrefluxonthesand,althoughtheshadowofthemoondancedinit.Thepictureofthetownperfectinthewater,--towersofchurches,houses,withhereandtherealightgleamingneartheshoreabove,andmorefaintlyglimmeringunderwater,--allperfect,butsomewhatmorehazyandindistinctthanthereality.Thereweremanycloudsflittingaboutthesky;andthepictureofeachcouldbetracedinthewater,--theghostofwhatwasitselfunsubstantial.Therattlingofwheelsheardlongandfarthroughthe

town.Voicesofpeopletalkingontheothersideoftheriver,thetonesbeingsodistinguishableinalltheirvariationsthatitseemedasifwhatwastheresaidmightbeunderstood;butitwasnotso.

Twopersonsmightbebitterenemiesthroughlife,andmutuallycausetheruinofoneanother,andofallthatweredeartothem.Finally,meetingatthefuneralofagrandchild,theoffspringofasonanddaughtermarriedwithouttheirconsent,--andwho,aswellasthechild,hadbeenthevictimsoftheirhatred,--theymightdiscoverthatthesupposedgroundofthequarrelwasaltogetheramistake,andthenbewofullyreconciled.

Twopersons,bymutualagreement,tomaketheirwillsineachother's

favor,thentowaitimpatientlyforoneanother'sdeath,andbothtobeinformedofthedesiredeventatthesametime.Both,inmostjoyoussorrow,hastentobepresentatthefuneral,meet,andfindthemselvesbothhoaxed.

Thestoryofaman,coldandhard-hearted,andacknowledgingnobrotherhoodwithmankind.Athisdeaththeymighttrytodighimagrave,but,atalittlespacebeneaththeground,strikeuponarock,asiftheearthrefusedtoreceivetheunnaturalsonintoherbosom.Thentheywouldputhimintoanoldsepulchre,wherethecoffinsandcorpses


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wereallturnedtodust,andsohewouldbealone.Thenthebodywouldpetrify;andhehavingdiedinsomecharacteristicactandexpression,hewouldseem,throughendlessagesofdeath,torepelsocietyasinlife,andnoonewouldbeburiedinthattombforever.

Cannontransformedtochurch-bells.

Aperson,evenbeforemiddleage,maybecomemustyandfadedamongthepeoplewithwhomhehasgrownupfromchildhood;but,bymigratingtoanewplace,heappearsfreshwiththeeffectofyouth,whichmaybecommunicatedfromtheimpressionsofotherstohisownfeelings.

Inanoldhouse,amysteriousknockingmightbebeardonthewall,wherehadformerlybeenadoorway,nowbrickedup.

Itmightbestated,astheclosingcircumstanceofatale,thatthebodyofoneofthecharactershadbeenpetrified,andstillexistedinthatstate.

Ayoungmantowintheloveofagirl,withoutanyseriousintentions,andtofindthatinthatlove,whichmighthavebeenthegreatestblessingofhislife,hehadconjuredupaspiritofmischiefwhichpursuedhimthroughouthiswholecareer,--andthiswithoutanyrevengefulpurposesonthepartofthedesertedgirl.

Twolovers,orotherpersons,onthemostprivatebusiness,toappointameetinginwhattheysupposedtobeaplaceoftheutmostsolitude,andtofinditthrongedwithpeople.

October17th.--Someoftheoaksarenowadeepbrownred;othersarechangedtoalightgreen,which,atalittledistance,especiallyinthesunshine,lookslikethegreenofearlyspring.Insometrees,differentmassesofthefoliageshoweachofthesehues.Someofthewalnut-treeshaveayetmoredelicategreen.Othersareofabrightsunnyyellow.

Mr.------wasmarriedtoMiss------lastWednesday.YesterdayMr.

Brazer,preachingonthecomet,observedthatnotone,probably,ofallwhoheardhim,wouldwitnessitsreappearance.Mrs.------shedtears.Poorsoul!shewouldbecontentedtodwellinearthlylovetoalleternity!

Sometreasureorotherthingtobeburied,andatreeplanteddirectlyoverthespot,soastoembraceitwithitsroots.

Atree,tallandvenerable,tobesaidbytraditiontohavebeenthestaffofsomefamousman,whohappenedtothrustitintotheground,whereittookroot.

Afellowwithoutmoney,havingahundredandseventymilestogo,

fastenedachainandpadlocktohislegs,andlaydowntosleepinafield.Hewasapprehended,andcarriedgratistoajailinthetownwhitherhedesiredtogo.

Anoldvolumeinalargelibrary,--everyonetobeafraidtounclaspandopenit,becauseitwassaidtobeabookofmagic.

Aghostseenbymoonlight;whenthemoonwasout,itwouldshineandmeltthroughtheairysubstanceoftheghost,asthroughacloud.


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Prideaux,BishopofWorcester,duringtheswayoftheParliament,wasforcedtosupporthimselfandhisfamilybysellinghishouseholdgoods.Afriendaskedhim,"Howdothyourlordship?""Neverbetterinmylife,"saidtheBishop,"onlyIhavetoogreatastomach;forIhaveeatenthatlittleplatewhichthesequestratorsleftme.Ihaveeatenagreatlibraryofexcellentbooks.Ihaveeatenagreatdealoflinen,muchofmybrass,someofmypewter,andnowIamcometoeatiron;andwhatwillcomenextIknownot."

Ascoldandablockhead,--brimstoneandwood,--agoodmatch.

Tomakeone'sownreflectioninamirrorthesubjectofastory.

Inadreamtowandertosomeplacewheremaybeheardthecomplaintsofallthemiserableonearth.

Somecommonqualityorcircumstancethatshouldbringtogetherpeoplethemostunlikeinallotherrespects,andmakeabrotherhoodandsisterhoodofthem,--therichandtheproudfindingthemselvesinthesamecategorywiththemeanandthedespised.

Apersontoconsiderhimselfastheprimemoverofcertainremarkableevents,buttodiscoverthathisactionshavenotcontributedintheleastthereto.Anotherpersontobethecause,withoutsuspectingit.

October25th.--Apersonorfamilylongdesiressomeparticulargood.Atlastitcomesinsuchprofusionastobethegreatpestoftheirlives.

Aman,perhapswithapersuasionthatheshallmakehisfortunebysomesingularmeans,andwithaneagerlongingsotodo,whilediggingorboringforwater,tostrikeuponasalt-spring.

Tohaveoneeventoperateinseveralplaces,--as,forexample,ifaman'sheadweretobecutoffinonetown,men'sheadstodropoffinseveraltowns.

Followoutthefantasyofamantakinghislifebyinstalments,insteadofatonepayment,--saytenyearsoflifealternatelywithtenyearsofsuspendedanimation.

Sentimentsinaforeignlanguage,whichmerelyconveythesentimentwithoutretainingtothereaderanygracesofstyleorharmonyofsound,havesomewhatofthecharmofthoughtsinone'sownmindthathavenotyetbeenputintowords.Nopossiblewordsthatwemightadapttothemcouldrealizetheunshapedbeautythattheyappeartopossess.Thisisthereasonthattranslationsareneversatisfactory,--andlessso,Ishouldthink,toonewhocannotthantoonewhocanpronouncethelanguage.

Apersontobewritingatale,andtofindthatitshapesitselfagainsthisintentions;thatthecharactersactotherwisethanhethought;thatunforeseeneventsoccur;andacatastrophecomeswhichhestrivesinvaintoavert.Itmightshadowforthhisownfate,--hehavingmadehimselfoneofthepersonages.

Itisasingularthing,that,atthedistance,say,offivefeet,theworkofthegreatestduncelooksjustaswellasthatofthegreatestgenius,--thatlittlespacebeingallthedistancebetweengeniusandstupidity.


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Mrs.Sigourneysays,afterColeridge,that"poetryhasbeenitsownexceedinggreatreward."Forthewriting,perhaps;butwoulditbesoforthereading?

Fourprecepts:Tobreakoffcustoms;toshakeoffspiritsill-disposed;tomeditateonyouth;todonothingagainstone'sgenius.

Salem,August31st,1836.--Awalk,yesterday,downtotheshore,nearthehospital.Standingontheoldgrassybattery,thatformsasemicircle,andlookingseaward.Thesunnotagreatwayabovethehorizon,yetsofarastogiveaverygoldenbrightness,whenitshoneout.Cloudsinthevicinityofthesun,andnearlyalltherestoftheskycoveredwithcloudsinmasses,notagrayuniformityofcloud.Afreshbreezeblowingfromlandseaward.Ifithadbeenblowingfromthesea,itwouldhaveraiseditinheavybillows,andcausedittodashhighagainsttherocks.Butnowitssurfacewasnotatallcommovedwithbillows;therewasonlyroughnessenoughtotakeoffthegleam,andgiveittheaspectofironaftercooling.Thecloudsaboveaddedtotheblackappearance.Afewsea-birdswereflittingoverthewater,onlyvisibleatmoments,whentheyturnedtheirwhitebosomstowardsme,--asiftheywerethenfirstcreated.Thesunshinehadasingulareffect.Thecloudswouldinterposeinsuchamannerthatsomeobjectswereshadedfromit,whileotherswere

stronglyilluminated.Someoftheislandslayintheshade,darkandgloomy,whileotherswerebrightandfavoredspots.Thewhitelighthousewassometimesverycheerfullymarked.Therewasaschooneraboutamilefromtheshore,atanchor,ladenapparentlywithlumber.Theseaallaboutherhadtheblack,ironaspectwhichIhavedescribed;butthevesselherselfwasalight.Hull,masts,andsparswereallgilded,andtheriggingwasmadeofgoldenthreads.Asmallwhitestreakoffoambreakingaroundthebows,whichweretowardsthewind.Theshadowinessofthecloudsoverheadmadetheeffectofthesunlightstrange,whereitfell.

September.--Theelm-treeshavegoldenbranchesintermingledwiththeir

greenalready,andsotheyhadonthefirstofthemonth.

Topicturethepredicamentofworldlypeople,ifadmittedtoparadise.

Asthearchitectureofacountryalwaysfollowstheearlieststructures,Americanarchitectureshouldbearefinementofthelog-house.TheEgyptianissoofthecavernandmound;theChinese,ofthetent;theGothic,ofoverarchingtrees;theGreek,ofacabin.

"Thoughwespeaknonsense,Godwillpickoutthemeaningofit,"--anextemporeprayerbyaNewEnglanddivine.

Inoldtimesitmusthavebeenmuchlesscustomarythannowtodrinkpure

water.Walkeremphaticallymentions,amongthesufferingsofaclergyman'swifeandfamilyintheGreatRebellion,thattheywereforcedtodrinkwater,withcrab-applesstampedinittorelishit.

Mr.Kirby,authorofaworkontheHistory,Habits,andInstinctsofAnimals,questionswhethertheremaynotbeanabyssofwaterswithintheglobe,communicatingwiththeocean,andwhetherthehugeanimalsoftheSauriantribe--greatreptiles,supposedtobeexclusivelyantediluvian,andnowextinct--maynotbeinhabitantsofit.HequotesapassagefromRevelation,wherethecreaturesundertheeartharespokenofasdistinct


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fromthoseofthesea,andspeaksofaSaurianfossilthathasbeenfounddeepinthesubterraneanregions.Hethinks,orsuggests,thatthesemaybethedragonsofScripture.

Theelephantisnotparticularlysagaciousinthewildstate,butbecomessowhentamed.Thefoxdirectlythecontrary,andlikewisethewolf.

AmodernJewishadage,--"Letamanclothehimselfbeneathhisability,hischildrenaccordingtohisability,andhiswifeabovehisability."

Itissaidoftheeagle,that,inhoweverlongaflight,heisneverseentoclaphiswingstohissides.Heseemstogovernhismovementsbytheinclinationofhiswingsandtailtothewind,asashipispropelledbytheactionofthewindonhersails.

Inoldcountry-housesinEngland,insteadofglassforwindows,theyusedwicker,orfinestripsofoakdisposedcheckerwise.Hornwasalsoused.Thewindowsofprincesandgreatnoblemenwereofcrystal;thoseofStudleyCastle,Holinshedsays,ofberyl.Therewereseldomchimneys;andtheycookedtheirmeatsbyafiremadeagainstanironbackinthegreathall.Houses,oftenofgentry,werebuiltofaheavytimberframe,filledupwithlathandplaster.Peoplesleptonroughmatsorstrawpallets,witharoundlogforapillow;seldombetterbedsthanamattress,withasackofchaffforapillow.

October25th.--AwalkyesterdaythroughDarkLane,andhomethroughthevillageofDanvers.Landscapenowwhollyautumnal.Sawanelderlymanladenwithtwodry,yellow,rustlingbundlesofIndiancorn-stalks,--agoodpersonificationofAutumn.Anothermanhoeinguppotatoes.Rowsofwhitecabbageslayripening.FieldsofdryIndiancorn.Thegrasshasstillconsiderablegreenness.Wildrose-bushesdevoidofleaves,withtheirdeep,brightredseed-vessels.Meeting-houseinDanversseenatadistance,withthesunshiningthroughthewindowsofitsbelfry.Barberry-bushes,--theleavesnowofabrownred,stilljuicyandhealthy;veryfewberriesremaining,mostlyfrost-bittenandwilted.Allamongtheyetgreengrass,drystalksofweeds.Thedownofthistles

occasionallyseenflyingthroughthesunnyair.

InthisdismalchamberFAMEwaswon.(Salem,UnionStreet.)

ThosewhoareverydifficultinchoosingwivesseemasiftheywouldtakenoneofNature'sready-madeworks,butwantawomanmanufacturedparticularlytotheirorder.

Acouncilofthepassengersinastreet:calledbysomebodytodecideuponsomepointsimportanttohim.

Everyindividualhasaplacetofillintheworld,andisimportantinsomerespects,whetherhechoosestobesoornot.

AThanksgivingdinner.Allthemiserableoneartharetobeinvited,--asthedrunkard,thebereavedparent,theruinedmerchant,thebroken-heartedlover,thepoorwidow,theoldmanandwomanwhohaveoutlivedtheirgeneration,thedisappointedauthor,thewounded,sick,andbrokensoldier,thediseasedperson,theinfidel,themanwithanevilconscience,littleorphanchildrenorchildrenofneglectfulparents,shallbeadmittedtothetable,andmanyothers.Thegiverofthefeastgoesouttodeliverhisinvitations.Someoftheguestshemeetsinthestreets,someheknocksforatthedoorsoftheirhouses.


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Thedescriptionmustberapid.Butwhomustbethegiverofthefeast,andwhathisclaimstopreside?Amanwhohasneverfoundoutwhatheisfitfor,whohasunsettledaimsorobjectsinlife,andwhosemindgnawshim,makinghimthesuffererofmanykindsofmisery.Heshouldmeetsomepious,old,sorrowfulperson,withmoreoutwardcalamitiesthananyother,andinvitehim,withareflectionthatpietywouldmakeallthatmiserablecompanytrulythankful.

Merry,in"merryEngland,"doesnotmeanmirthful;butiscorruptedfromanoldTeutonicwordsignifyingfamousorrenowned.

InanoldLondonnewspaper,1678,thereisanadvertisement,amongothergoodsatauction,ofablackgirl,aboutfifteenyearsold,tobesold.

Wesometimescongratulateourselvesatthemomentofwakingfromatroubleddream:itmaybesothemomentafterdeath.

Theraceofmankindtobesweptaway,leavingalltheircitiesandworks.Thenanotherhumanpairtobeplacedintheworld,withnativeintelligencelikeAdamandEve,butknowingnothingoftheirpredecessorsoroftheirownnatureanddestiny.They,perhaps,tobedescribedasworkingoutthisknowledgebytheirsympathywithwhattheysaw,andbytheirownfeelings.

MemorialsofthefamilyofHawthorneinthechurchofthevillageofDundry,Somersetshire,England.Thechurchisancientandsmall,andhasaprodigiouslyhightowerofmoremoderndate,beingerectedinthetimeofEdwardIV.Itservesasalandmarkforanamazingextentofcountry.

Asingularfact,that,whenmanisabrute,heisthemostsensualandloathsomeofallbrutes.

Asnake,takenintoaman'sstomachandnourishedtherefromfifteenyearstothirty-five,tormentinghimmosthorribly.Atypeofenvyorsomeotherevilpassion.

Asketchillustratingtheimperfectcompensationswhichtimemakesfor

itsdevastationsontheperson,--givingawreathoflaurelwhileitcausesbaldness,honorsforinfirmities,wealthforabrokenconstitution,--andatlast,whenamanhaseverythingthatseemsdesirable,deathseizeshim.Tocontrastthemanwhohasthusreachedthesummitofambitionwiththeambitiousyouth.

Walkingalongthetrackoftherailroad,Iobservedaplacewheretheworkmenhadboredaholethroughthesolidrock,inordertoblastit;but,strikingaspringofwaterbeneaththerock,itgushedupthroughthehole.Itlookedasifthewaterwerecontainedwithintherock.

AFancyBall,inwhichtheprominentAmericanwritersshouldappear,dressedincharacter.

Alamentforlife'swastedsunshine.

Anewclassificationofsocietytobeinstituted.Insteadofrichandpoor,highandlow,theyaretobeclassed,--First,bytheirsorrows:forinstance,wheneverthereareany,whetherinfairmansionorhovel,whoaremourningthelossofrelationsandfriends,andwhowearblack,whethertheclothbecoarseorsuperfine,theyaretomakeoneclass.Secondly,allwhohavethesamemaladies,whethertheylieunderdamaskcanopiesoronstrawpalletsorinthewardsofhospitals,theyareto


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formoneclass.Thirdly,allwhoareguiltyofthesamesins,whethertheworldknowsthemornot;whethertheylanguishinprison,lookingforwardtothegallows,orwalkhonoredamongmen,theyalsoformaclass.Thenproceedtogeneralizeandclassifythewholeworldtogether,asnonecanclaimutterexemptionfromeithersorrow,sin,ordisease;andiftheycould,yetDeath,likeagreatparent,comesandsweepsthemallthroughonedarksomeportal,--allhischildren.

Fortunetocomelikeapedlerwithhisgoods,--aswreathsoflaurel,diamonds,crowns;sellingthem,butaskingforthemthesacrificeofhealth,ofintegrity,perhapsoflifeinthebattle-field,andoftherealpleasuresofexistence.Whowouldbuy,ifthepriceweretobepaiddown?

ThedyingexclamationoftheEmperorAugustus,"Hasitnotbeenwellacted?"Anessayonthemiseryofbeingalwaysunderamask.Aveilmaybeneedful,butneveramask.Instancesofpeoplewhowearmasksinallclassesofsociety,andnevertakethemoffeveninthemostfamiliarmoments,thoughsometimestheymaychancetoslipaside.

ThevariousguisesunderwhichRuinmakeshisapproachestohisvictims:tothemerchant,intheguiseofamerchantofferingspeculations;totheyoungheir,ajollycompanion;tothemaiden,asighing,sentimentalistlover.

WhatwerethecontentsoftheburdenofChristianinthePilgrim'sProgress?Hemusthavebeentakenforapedlertravellingwithhispack.

Tothink,asthesungoesdown,whateventshavehappenedinthecourseoftheday,--eventsofordinaryoccurrence:as,theclockshavestruck,thedeadhavebeenburied.

Curioustoimaginewhatmurmuringsanddiscontentwouldbeexcited,ifanyofthegreatso-calledcalamitiesofhumanbeingsweretobeabolished,--as,forinstance,death.

Triflestoonearemattersoflifeanddeathtoanother.As,for

instance,afarmerdesiresabriskbreezetowinnowhisgrain;andmariners,toblowthemoutofthereachofpirates.

Arecluse,likemyself,oraprisoner,tomeasuretimebytheprogressofsunshinethroughhischamber.

Woulditnotbewiserforpeopletorejoiceatallthattheynowsorrowfor,andviceversa?Toputonbridalgarmentsatfunerals,andmourningatweddings?Fortheirfriendstocondolewiththemwhentheyattainedrichesandhonor,asonlysomuchcareadded?

Ifinavillageitwereacustomtohangafuneralgarlandorothertokenofdeathonahousewheresomeonehaddied,andtheretoletitremain

tilladeathoccurredelsewhere,andthentohangthatsamegarlandovertheotherhouse,itwouldhave,methinks,astrongeffect.

NofountainsosmallbutthatHeavenmaybeimagedinitsbosom.

Fame!Someveryhumblepersonsinatownmaybesaidtopossessit,--as,thepenny-post,thetown-crier,theconstable,--andtheyareknowntoeverybody;whilemanyricher,moreintellectual,worthierpersonsareunknownbythemajorityoftheirfellow-citizens.Somethinganalogousintheworldatlarge.


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Theideasofpeopleingeneralarenotraisedhigherthantheroofsofthehouses.Alltheirinterestsextendovertheearth'ssurfaceinalayerofthatthickness.Themeeting-housesteeplereachesoutoftheirsphere.

Nobodywilluseotherpeople'sexperience,norhasanyofhisowntillitistoolatetouseit.

Twoloverstoplanthebuildingofapleasure-houseonacertainspotofground,butvariousseemingaccidentspreventit.Oncetheyfindagroupofmiserablechildrenthere;onceitisthescenewherecrimeisplotted;atlastthedeadbodyofoneoftheloversorofadearfriendisfoundthere;and,insteadofapleasure-house,theybuildamarbletomb.Themoral,--thatthereisnoplaceonearthfitforthesiteofapleasure-house,becausethereisnospotthatmaynothavebeensaddenedbyhumangrief,stainedbycrime,orhallowedbydeath.Itmightbethreefriendswhoplanit,insteadoftwolovers;andthedearestonedies.

Comfortforchildlesspeople.Amarriedcouplewithtenchildrenhavebeenthemeansofbringingabouttenfunerals.

Ablindmanonadarknightcarriedatorch,inorderthatpeoplemight

seehim,andnotrunagainsthim,anddirecthimhowtoavoiddangers.

Topictureachild's(oneoffourorfiveyearsold)reminiscencesatsunsetofalongsummer'sday,--hisfirstawakening,hisstudies,hissports,hislittlefitsofpassion,perhapsawhipping,etc.

Theblindman'swalk.

Topictureavirtuousfamily,thedifferentmembersexamplesofvirtuousdispositionsintheirway;thenintroduceaviciousperson,andtraceouttherelationsthatarisebetweenhimandthem,andthemannerinwhichallareaffected.

Amantoflatterhimselfwiththeideathathewouldnotbeguiltyofsomecertainwickedness,---as,forinstance,toyieldtothepersonaltemptationsoftheDevil,--yettofind,ultimately,thathewasatthatverytimecommittingthatsamewickedness.

Whatwouldamando,ifhewerecompelledtolivealwaysinthesultryheatofsociety,andcouldneverbathehimselfincoolsolitude?

Agirl'slovertobeslainandburiedinherflower-garden,andtheearthlevelledoverhim.Thatparticularspot,whichshehappenstoplantwithsomepeculiarvarietyofflowers,producesthemofadmirablesplendor,beauty,andperfume;andshedelights,withanindescribableimpulse,toweartheminherbosom,andscentherchamberwiththem.Thusthe

classicfantasywouldberealized,ofdeadpeopletransformedtoflowers.

Objectsseenbyamagic-lanternreversed.Astreet,orotherlocation,mightbepresented,wheretherewouldbeopportunitytobringforwardallobjectsofworldlyinterest,andthusmuchpleasantsatiremightbetheresult.

TheAbyssinians,afterdressingtheirhair,sleepwiththeirheadsinaforkedstick,inordernottodiscomposeit.


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AtthebattleofEdgeHill,October23,1642,CaptainJohnSmith,asoldierofnote,CaptainLieutenanttoLordJamesStuart'shorse,withonlyagroom,attackedaParliamentofficer,threecuirassiers,andthreearquebusiers,andrescuedtheroyalstandard,whichtheyhadtakenandwereguarding.WasthistheVirginianSmith?

StephenGowanssupposedthatthebodiesofAdamandEvewereclothedinrobesoflight,whichvanishedaftertheirsin.

LordChancellorClare,towardsthecloseofhislife,wenttoavillagechurch,wherehemightnotbeknown,topartakeoftheSacrament.

Amissionarytotheheatheninagreatcity,todescribehislaborsinthemannerofaforeignmission.

Inthetenthcentury,mechanismoforganssoclumsy,thatoneinWestminsterAbbey,withfourhundredpipes,requiredtwenty-sixbellowsandseventystoutmen.FirstorganeverknowninEuropereceivedbyKingPepin,fromtheEmperorConstantine,in757.Waterboilingwaskeptinareservoirunderthepipes;and,thekeysbeingstruck,thevalvesopened,andsteamrushedthroughwithnoise.Thesecretofworkingthemthusisnowlost.Thencamebellowsorgans,firstusedbyLouisleDebonnaire.

AfterthesiegeofAntwerp,thechildrenplayedmarblesinthestreets

withgrapeandcannonshot.

Ashell,infalling,buriesitselfintheearth,and,whenitexplodes,alargepitismadebytheearthbeingblownaboutinalldirections,--largeenough,sometimes,toholdthreeorfourcart-loadsofearth.Theholesarecircular.

AFrenchartillery-manbeingburiedinhismilitarycloakontheramparts,ashellexploded,andunburiedhim.

IntheNetherlands,toformhedges,youngtreesareinterwovenintoasortoflattice-work;and,intime,theygrowtogetheratthepointofjunction,sothatthefenceisallofonepiece.

Toshowtheeffectofgratifiedrevenge.Asaninstance,merely,supposeawomansuesherloverforbreachofpromise,andgetsthemoneybyinstalments,throughalongseriesofyears.Atlast,whenthemiserablevictimwereutterlytroddendown,thetriumpherwouldhavebecomeaverydevilofevilpassions,--theyhavingovergrownhiswholenature;sothatafargreaterevilwouldhavecomeuponhimselfthanonhisvictim.

Anciently,whenlong-buriedbodieswerefoundundecayedinthegrave,aspeciesofsanctitywasattributedtothem.

Somechimneysofancienthallsusedtobesweptbyhavingaculverinfiredupthem.

AtLeith,in1711,aglassbottlewasblownofthecapacityoftwoEnglishbushels.

ThebuffandblueoftheUnionwereadoptedbyFoxandtheWhigpartyinEngland.ThePrinceofWalesworethem.

In1621,aMr.Copingerleftacertaincharity,analmshouse,ofwhichfourpoorpersonsweretopartake,afterthedeathofhiseldestsonandhiswife.Itwasatenementandyard.Theparson,head-boroughs,andhis


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fiveothersonsweretoappointthepersons.Atthetimespecified,however,allbutoneofhissonsweredead;andhewasinsuchpoorcircumstancesthatheobtainedthebenefitofthecharityforhimself,asoneofthefour.

Atownclerkarrangesthepublishmentsthataregivenin,accordingtohisownjudgment.

TomakeastoryfromRobertRaikesseeingdirtychildrenatplay,inthestreetsofLondon,andinquiringofawomanaboutthem.ShetellshimthatonSundays,whentheywerenotemployed,theywereagreatdealworse,makingthestreetslikehell;playingatchurch,etc.HewasthereforeinducedtoemploywomenatashillingtoteachthemonSundays,andthusSundayschoolswereestablished.

TorepresentthedifferentdepartmentsoftheUnitedStatesgovernmentbyvillagefunctionaries.TheWarDepartmentbywatchmen,thelawbyconstables,themerchantsbyavarietystore,etc.

AttheaccessionofBloodyMary,aman,comingintoahouse,soundedthreetimeswithhismouth,aswithatrumpet,andthenmadeproclamationtothefamily.Abonfirewasbuilt,andlittlechildrenweremadetocarrywoodtoit,thattheymightrememberthecircumstanceinoldage.Meatanddrinkwereprovidedatthebonfires.

Todescribeaboyishcombatwithsnowballs,andthevictoriousleadertohaveastatueofsnowerectedtohim.Asatireonambitionandfametobemadeoutofthisidea.Itmightbeachild'sstory.

Ourbodytobepossessedbytwodifferentspirits;sothathalfofthevisageshallexpressonemood,andtheotherhalfanother.

AnoldEnglishsea-captaindesirestohaveafast-sailingship,tokeepagoodtable,andtosailbetweenthetropicswithoutmakingland.

Arichmanleftbywillhismansionandestatetoapoorcouple.Theyremoveintoit,andfindthereadarksomeservant,whomtheyare

forbiddenbywilltoturnaway.Hebecomesatormenttothem;and,inthefinale,heturnsouttobetheformermasteroftheestate.

Twopersonstobeexpectingsomeoccurrence,andwatchingforthetwoprincipalactorsinit,andtofindthattheoccurrenceiseventhenpassing,andthattheythemselvesarethetwoactors.

Thereisevilineveryhumanheart,whichmayremainlatent,perhaps,throughthewholeoflife;butcircumstancesmayrouseittoactivity.Toimaginesuchcircumstances.Awoman,temptedtobefalsetoherhusband,apparentlythroughmerewhim,--orayoungmantofeelaninstinctivethirstforblood,andtocommitmurder.Thisappetitemaybetracedinthepopularityofcriminaltrials.Theappetitemightbe

observedfirstinachild,andthentracedupwards,manifestingitselfincrimessuitedtoeverystageoflife.

Thegooddeedsinanevillife,--thegenerous,noble,andexcellentactionsdonebypeoplehabituallywicked,--toaskwhatistobecomeofthem.

Asatiricalarticlemightbemadeoutoftheideaofanimaginarymuseum,containingsucharticlesasAaron'srod,thepetticoatofGeneralHarrison,thepistolwithwhichBentonshotJackson,--andthenadiorama,


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consistingofpoliticalorotherscenes,ordoneinwax-work.Theideatobewroughtoutandextended.Perhapsitmightbethemuseumofadeceasedoldman.

Anarticlemightbemaderespectingvariouskindsofruin,--ruinasregardsproperty,--ruinofhealth,--ruinofhabits,asdrunkennessandallkindsofdebauchery,--ruinofcharacter,whileprosperousinotherrespects,--ruinofthesoul.Ruin,perhaps,mightbepersonifiedasademon,seizingitsvictimsbyvariousholds.

Anarticleonfire,onsmoke.Diseasesofthemindandsoul,--evenmorecommonthanbodilydiseases.

Tarleton,oftheRevolution,issaidtohavebeenoneofthetwohandsomestmeninEurope,--thePrinceofWales,afterwardsGeorgeIV.,beingtheother.Someauthorities,however,haverepresentedhimasungainlyinpersonandroughinmanners.Tarletonwasoriginallybredtothelaw,butquittedlawforthearmyearlyinlife.HewassontoamayorofLiverpool,bornin1754,ofancientfamily.HewrotehisownmemoirsafterreturningfromAmerica.AfterwardsinParliament.Neverafterwardsdistinguishedinarms.Createdbaronetin1818,anddiedchildlessin1833.Thoughthewasnotsufficientlyhonoredamongmoremodernheroes.LostpartofhisrighthandinbattleofGuilfordCourtHouse.AmanofpleasureinEngland.

Itwouldbeagoodideaforapaintertopaintapictureofagreatactor,representinghiminseveraldifferentcharactersofonescene,--IagoandOthello,forinstance.

Maine,July5th,1837.--HereIam,settledsincenightbeforelastwithB------,andlivingverysingularly.Heleadsabachelor'slifeinhispaternalmansion,onlyasmallpartofwhichisoccupiedbyafamilywhoservehim.Heprovideshisownbreakfastandsupper,andoccasionallyhisdinner;thoughthisisoftener,Ibelieve,takenatthehotel,oraneating-house,orwithsomeofhisrelatives.Iamhisguest,andmypresencemakesnoalterationinhiswayoflife.Ourfare,thusfar,has

consistedofbread,butter,andcheese,crackers,herrings,boiledeggs,coffee,milk,andclaretwine.Hehasanotherinmate,inthepersonofaqueerlittleFrenchman,whohashisbreakfast,tea,andlodginghere,andfindshisdinnerelsewhere.MonsieurS------doesnotappeartobemorethantwenty-oneyearsold,--adiminutivefigure,witheyesaskew,andotherwiseofanungainlyphysiognomy;heisill-dressedalso,inacoarsebluecoat,thincottonpantaloons,andunbrushedboots;altogetherwithaslittleofFrenchcoxcombryascanwellbeimagined,thoughwithsomethingofthemonkeyaspectinseparablefromalittleFrenchman.Heis,nevertheless,anintelligentandwell-informedman,apparentlyofextensivereadinginhisownlanguage,--aphilosopher,B------tellsme,andaninfidel.Hisinsignificantpersonalappearancestandsinthewayofhissuccess,andpreventshimfromreceivingtherespectwhichis

reallyduetohistalentsandacquirements;whereforeheisbitterlydissatisfiedwiththecountryanditsinhabitants,andoftenexpresseshisfeelingstoB------(whohasgainedhisconfidencetoacertaindegree)inverystrongterms.

Thusherearethreecharacters,eachwithsomethingoutofthecommonway,livingtogethersomewhatlikemonks.B------,ourhost,combinesmorehighandadmirablequalities,ofthatsortwhichmakeupagentleman,thananyotherthatIhavemetwith.Polished,yetnatural,frank,open,andstraightforward,yetwithadelicatefeelingforthe


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sensitivenessofhiscompanions;ofexcellenttemperandwarmheart;wellacquaintedwiththeworld,withakeenfacultyofobservation,whichhehashadmanyopportunitiesofexercising,andnevervaryingfromacodeofhonorandprinciplewhichisreallyniceandrigidinitsway.Thereisasortofphilosophydevelopingitselfinhimwhichwillnotimpossiblycausehimtosettledowninthisorsomeotherequallysingularcourseoflife.Heseemsalmosttohavemadeuphismindnevertobemarried,whichIwonderat;forhehasstrongaffections,andisfondbothofwomenandchildren.

ThelittleFrenchmanimpressesmeverystrongly,too,--solonelyasheishere,strugglingagainsttheworld,withbitterfeelingsinhisbreast,andyettalkingwiththevivacityandgayetyofhisnation;makingthishishomefromdarknesstodaylight,andenjoyingherewhatlittledomesticcomfortandconfidencethereisforhim;andthengoingaboutallthelivelongday,teachingFrenchtoblockheadswhosneerathim,andreturningataboutteno'clockintheevening(forIwaswronginsayinghesuppedhere,--heeatsnosupper)tohissolitaryroomandbed.Beforeretiring,hegoestoB------'sbedside,and,ifhefindshimawake,standstalkingFrench,expressinghisdislikeoftheAmericans,"Jehais,jehaislesYankees!"--thusgivingventtothestifledbitternessofthewholeday.InthemorningIhearhimgettingupearly,atsunriseorbefore,hummingtohimself,scufflingabouthischamberwithhisthickboots,andatlasttakinghisdepartureforasolitaryrambletill

breakfast.Thenhecomesin,cheerfulandvivaciousenough,eatsprettyheartily,andisoffagain,singingFrenchchansonsashegoesdownthegravel-walk.ThepoorfellowhasnobodytosympathizewithhimbutB------,andthusasingularconnectionisestablishedbetweentwoutterlydifferentcharacters.

Thenhereismyself,whoamlikewiseaqueercharacterinmyway,andhavecometospendaweekortwowithmyfriendofhalfalifetime,--thelongestspace,probably,thatweareeverdestinedtospendtogether;forFateseemspreparingchangesforbothofus.Mycircumstances,atleast,cannotlongcontinueastheyareandhavebeen;andB------,too,standsbetweenhighprosperityandutterruin.

IthinkIshouldsoonbecomestronglyattachedtoourwayoflife,soindependentanduntroubledbytheformsandrestrictionsofsociety.Thehouseisverypleasantlysituated,--halfamiledistantfromwherethetownbeginstobethicklysettled,andonaswellofland,withtheroadrunningatadistanceoffiftyyards,andagrassytractandagravel-walkbetween.BeyondtheroadrollstheKennebec,heretwoorthreehundredyardswide.Puttingmyheadoutofthewindow,Icanseeitflowingsteadilyalongstraightwaybetweenwoodedbanks;butarrivingnearlyoppositethehouse,thereisalargeandlevelsandislandinthemiddleofthestream;andjustbelowtheislandthecurrentisfurtherinterruptedbytheworksofthemill-dam,whichisperhapshalffinished,yetstillinsorudeastatethatitlooksasmuchliketheruinsofadamdestroyedbythespringfreshetsaslikethefoundationsofadamyet

tobe.IrishmenandCanadianstoilatworkonit,andtheechoesoftheirhammeringandofthevoicescomeacrosstheriveranduptothiswindow.Thenthereisasoundofthewindamongthetreesroundthehouse;and,whenthatissilent,thecalm,full,distantvoiceoftheriverbecomesaudible.Lookingdownwardthither,Iseetherushofthecurrent,andmarkthedifferenteddies,withhereandtherewhitespecksorstreaksoffoam;andoftenalogcomesfloatingon,glisteninginthesun,asitrollsoveramongtheeddies,havingvoyaged,foraughtIknow,hundredsofmilesfromthewilduppersourcesoftheriver,passingdown,down,betweenlinesofforest,andsometimesaroughclearing,tillhere


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itfloatsbycultivatedbanks,andwillsoonpassbythevillage.Sometimesalongraftofboardscomesalong,requiringthenicestskillinnavigatingitthroughthenarrowpassageleftbythemill-dam.Chaisesandwagonsoccasionallygoovertheroad,theridersallgivingapassingglanceatthedam,orperhapsalightingtoexamineitmorefully,andatlastdepartingwithominousshakesoftheheadastotheresultoftheenterprise.Mypositionissofarretiredfromtheriverandmill-dam,that,thoughthelatterisreallyratherascene,yetasortofquietseemstobediffusedoverthewhole.Twoorthreetimesadaythisquietisbrokenbythesuddenthunderfromaquarry,wheretheworkmenareblastingrocks;andapealofthundersoundsstrangelyinsuchagreen,sunny,andquietlandscape,withtheblueskybrighteningtheriver.

Ihavenotseenmuchofthepeople.Therehavebeen,however,severalincidentswhichamusedme,thoughscarcelyworthtelling.Apassionatetavern-keeper,quickasaflashofgunpowder,anervousman,andshowinginhisdemeanor,itseems,aconsciousnessofhisinfirmityoftemper.Iwasawitnessofascuffleofhiswithadrunkenguest.Thetavern-keeper,aftertheywereseparated,ravedlikeamadman,andinatoneofvoicehavingadrollypatheticorlamentablesoundmingledwithitsrage,asifhewereliftinguphisvoicetoweep.Thenhejumpedintoachaisewhichwasstandingby,whippedupthehorse,anddroveoffrapidly,asiftogivehisfuryventinthatway.

OnthemorningoftheFourthofJuly,twoprinter'sapprentice-lads,nearlygrown,dressedinjacketsandverytightpantaloonsofcheck,tightastheirskins,sothattheylookedlikeharlequinsorcircus-clowns,yetappearedtothinkthemselvesinperfectpropriety,withaverycalmandquietassuranceoftheadmirationofthetown.Acommonfellow,acarpenter,who,onthestrengthofpoliticalpartisanship,askedB------'sassistanceincuttingoutgreatlettersfromplay-billsinordertoprint"MartinVanBurenForever"onaflag;butB------refused.B------seemstobeconsiderablyofafavoritewiththelowerorders,especiallywiththeIrishmenandFrenchCanadians,--thelatteraccostinghiminthestreet,andaskinghisassistanceasaninterpreterinmakingtheirbargainsforwork.

ImeanttodineatthehotelwithB------to-day;buthavingreturnedtothehouse,leavinghimtodosomebusinessinthevillage,Ifoundmyselfunwillingtomovewhenthedinner-hourapproached,andthereforedinedverywellonbread,cheese,andeggs.Nothingofmuchinteresttakesplace.Weliveverycomfortablyinourbachelorestablishmentonacoldshoulderofmutton,withhamandsmokedbeefandboiledeggs;andastodrinkables,wehadbothclaretandbrownsherryonthedinner-tableto-day.LasteveningwehadalongliteraryandphilosophicalconversationwithMonsieurS------.Heisratherremarkablywell-informedforamanofhisage,andseemstohaveveryjustnotionsonethics,etc.,thoughdamnablypervertedastoreligion.Itisstrangetohearphilosophyofanysortfromsuchaboyishfigure."We

philosophers,"heisfondofsaying,todistinguishhimselfandhisbrethrenfromtheChristians.Oneofhisodditiesis,that,whilesteadfastlymaintaininganopinionthatheisaverysmallandsloweater,andthatwe,incommonwithotherYankees,eatimmenselyandfast,heactuallyeatsbothfasterandlongerthanwedo,anddevours,asB------avers,morevictualsthanbothofustogether.

Saturday,July8th.--Yesterdayafternoon,astrollwithB------upalargebrook,hefishingfortrout,andIlookingon.Thebrookruns


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throughavalley,ononesideborderedbyahighandprecipitousbank;ontheotherthereisaninterval,andthenthebankrisesupwardandupwardintoahighhillwithgorgesandravinesseparatingonesummitfromanother,andhereandtherearebareplaces,wheretherain-streamshavewashedawaythegrass.Thebrookisbestrewnwithstones,somebare,somepartiallymoss-grown,andsometimessohugeas--onceatleast--tooccupyalmostthewholebreadthofthecurrent.Amongstthesethestreambrawls,onlythatthisworddoesnotexpressitsgood-naturedvoice,and"murmur"istooquiet.Itsingsalong,sometimessmooth,withthepebblesvisiblebeneath,sometimesrushingdarkandswift,eddyingandwhiteningpastsomerock,orunderneaththehitherorthefartherbank;andattheseplacesB------casthisline,andsometimesdrewoutatrout,small,notmorethanfiveorsixincheslong.Thefartherwewentupthebrook,thewilderitgrew.Theoppositebankwascoveredwithpinesandhemlocks,ascendinghighupwards,blackandsolemn.Oneknewthattheremustbealmostaprecipicebehind,yetwecouldnotseeit.Atthefootyoucouldspy,alittlewaywithinthedarksomeshade,therootsandbranchesofthetrees;butsoonallsightwasobstructedamidstthetrunks.Onthehitherside,atfirstthebankwasbare,thenfringedwithalder-bushes,bendinganddippingintothestream,which,fartheron,flowedthroughthemidstofaforestofmaple,beech,andothertrees,itscoursegrowingwilderandwilderasweproceeded.Foraconsiderabledistancetherewasacauseway,builtlongagooflogs,todraglumberupon;itwasnowdecayedandrotten,areddecay,sometimes

sunkendowninthemidst,hereandthereaknottytrunkstretchingacross,apparentlysound.Thesunbeingnowlowtowardsthewest,apleasantgloomandbrightnesswerediffusedthroughtheforest,spotsofbrightnessscattereduponthebranches,orthrowndowningolduponthelastyear'sleavesamongthetrees.Atlastwecametowhereadamhadbeenbuiltacrossthebrookmanyyearsago,andwasnowgonetoruin,soastomakethespotlookmoresolitaryandwilderthanifmanhadneverleftvestigesofhistoilthere.Itwasaframeworkoflogswithacoveringofplanksufficienttoobstructtheonwardflowofthebrook;butitfounditswaypasttheside,andcamefoamingandstrugglingalongamongscatteredrocks.Abovethedamtherewasabroadanddeeppool,onesideofwhichwasborderedbyaprecipitouswallofrocks,assmoothasifhewnoutandsquared,andpiledoneuponanother,abovewhichrose

theforest.Ontheothersidetherewasstillagentlyshelvingbank,andtheshorewascoveredwithtalltrees,amongwhichIparticularlyremarkedastatelypine,whollydevoidofbark,risingwhiteinagedandmajesticruin,thrustingoutitsbarklessarms.Itmusthavestoodthereindeathmanyyears,itsownghost.Abovethedamthebrookflowedthroughtheforest,aglisteningandbabblingwater-path,illuminatedbythesun,whichsentitsraysalmoststraightalongitscourse.Itwasaslovelyandwildandpeacefulasitcouldpossiblyhavebeenahundredyearsago;andthetracesoflaborsofmenlongdepartedaddedadeeperpeacetoit.Ibathedinthepool,andthenpursuedmywaydownbesidethebrook,growingdarkwithapleasantgloom,asthesunsankandthewaterbecamemoreshadowy.B------saysthattherewasformerlyatraditionthattheIndiansusedtogoupthisbrook,andreturn,aftera

briefabsence,withlargemassesoflead,whichtheysoldatthetrading-stationsinAugusta;whencetherehasalwaysbeenanideathatthereisalead-minehereabouts.Greattoadstoolswereunderthetrees,andsomesmallonesasyellowandalmostthesizeofahalf-broiledyolkofanegg.Strawberrieswerescatteredalongthebrookside.

DinedatthehotelorMansionHouseto-day.Menwereplayingcheckersintheparlor.TheMarshalofMaine,acorpulent,jollyfellow,famedforhumor.Apassengerleftbythestage,hiringanexpressonward.Abottleofchampagnewasquaffedatthebar.


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July9th.--WentwithB------topayavisittotheshantiesoftheIrishandCanadians.Hesaysthattheysellandexchangethesesmallhousesamongthemselvescontinually.Theymaybebuiltinthreeorfourdays,andarevaluedatfourorfivedollars.Whentheturfthatispiledagainstthewallsofsomeofthembecomescoveredwithgrass,itmakesquiteapicturesqueobject.Itwasalmostdusk--justcandle-lightingtime--whenwevisitedthem.AyoungFrenchwoman,withababyinherarms,cametothedoorofoneofthem,smiling,andlookingprettyandhappy.Herhusband,adark,black-haired,livelylittlefellow,caressedthechild,laughingandsingingtoit;andtherewasared-beardedIrishman,wholikewisefondledthelittlebrat.Thenwecouldhearthemwithinthehut,gabblingmerrily,andcouldseethemmovingaboutbrisklyinthecandlelight,throughthewindowandopendoor.AnoldIrishwomansatinthedoorofanotherhut,undertheinfluenceofanextradoseofrum,--shebeinganoldladyofsomewhatdissipatedhabits.ShecalledtoB------,andbegantotalktohimaboutherresolutionnottogiveupherhouse:foritishisdesigntogetheroutofit.Sheisatruevirago,and,thoughsomewhatrestrainedbyrespectforhim,sheevincedasturdydesigntoremainherethroughthewinter,oratleastforaconsiderabletimelonger.Hepersisting,shetookherstandinthedoorwayofthehut,andstretchedoutherfistinaveryAmazonianattitude."Nobody,"quothshe,"shalldrivemeoutofthishouse,tillmypratiesareoutof

theground."Thenwouldshewheedleandlaughandblarney,beginninginarage,andendingasifshehadbeeninjest.Meanwhileherhusbandstoodbyveryquiet,occasionallytryingtostillher;butitistobepresumed,that,afterourdeparture,theycametoblows,itbeingacustomwiththeIrishhusbandsandwivestosettletheirdisputeswithblows;anditissaidthewomanoftenprovesthebetterman.Thedifferentfamiliesalsohavebattles,andoccasionallytheIrishfightwiththeCanadians.Thelatter,however,aremuchthemorepeaceable,neverquarrellingamongthemselves,andseldomwiththeirneighbors.Theyarefrugal,andoftengobacktoCanadawithconsiderablesumsofmoney.B------hasgainedmuchinfluencebothwiththeIrishandtheFrench,--withthelatter,bydintofspeakingtothemintheirownlanguage.Heistheumpireintheirdisputes,andtheiradviser,and

theylookuptohimasaprotectorandpatron-friend.Ihavebeenstrucktoseewithwhatcarefulintegrityandwisdomhemanagesmattersamongthem,hithertohavingknownhimonlyasafreeandgayyoungman.Heappearsperfectlytounderstandtheirgeneralcharacter,ofwhichhegivesnoveryflatteringdescription.Inthesehuts,lessthantwentyfeetsquare,hetellsmethatupwardsoftwentypeoplehavesometimesbeenlodged.

Adescriptionofayoungladywhohadformerlybeeninsane,andnowfelttheapproachofanewfitofmadness.Shehadbeenouttoride,hadexertedherselfmuch,andhadbeenveryvivacious.Onherreturn,shesatdowninathoughtfulanddespondentattitude,lookingverysad,butoneoftheloveliestobjectsthateverwereseen.Thefamilyspoketo

her,butshemadenoanswer,nortooktheleastnotice;butstillsatlikeastatueinherchair,--astatueofmelancholyandbeauty.Atlasttheyledherawaytoherchamber.

Wewenttomeetingthisforenoon.Isawnothingremarkable,unlessalittlegirlinthenextpewtous,threeorfouryearsold,whofellasleep,withherbeadinthelapofhermaid,andlookedverypretty:apictureofsleepinginnocence.


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July11th,Tuesday.--AdrivewithB------toHallowell,yesterday,wherewedined,andafterwardstoGardiner.Themostcuriousobjectinthislatterplacewastheelegantnewmansionof------.Itstandsonthesiteofhisformerdwelling,whichwasdestroyedbyfire.

Thenewbuildingwasestimatedtocostaboutthirtythousanddollars;buttwiceasmuchhasalreadybeenexpended,andagreatdealmorewillberequiredtocompleteit.Itiscertainlyasplendidstructure;thematerial,granitefromthevicinity.Attheanglesithassmall,circulartowers;theportalisloftyandimposing.Relativelytothegeneralstyleofdomesticarchitectureinourcountry,itwelldeservesthenameofcastleorpalace.Itssituation,too,isfine,farretiredfromthepublicroad,andattainablebyawindingcarriage-drive;standingamidfertilefields,andwithlargetreesinthevicinity.Thereisalsoabeautifulviewfromthemansion,adowntheKennebec.

Beneathsomeofthelargetreeswesawtheremainsofcircularseats,whereuponthefamilyusedtositbeforetheformerhousewasburneddown.Therewasnoonenowinthevicinityoftheplace,saveamanandayokeofoxen;andwhathewasabout,Ididnotascertain.Mr.------atpresentresidesinasmalldwelling,littlemorethanacottage,besidethemainroad,notfarfromthegatewaywhichgivesaccesstohispalace.

AtGardiner,onthewharf,IwitnessedthestartingofthesteamboatNew

EnglandforBoston.Therewasquiteacollectionofpeople,lookingonortakingleaveofpassengers,--thesteampuffing,--stagesarriving,full-freightedwithladiesandgentlemen.Amanwasonemomenttoolate;butrunningalongthegunwaleofamud-scow,andjumpingintoaskiff,hewasputonboardbyablackfellow.Thedarkcabin,wherein,descendingfromthesunshinydeck,itwasdifficulttodiscernthefurniture,looking-glasses,andmahoganywainscoting.Imettwooldcollegeacquaintances,O------,whowasgoingtoBoston,andB------withwhomweafterwardsdrankaglassofwineatthehotel.

B------,Mons.S------,andmyselfcontinuetoliveinthesamestyleasheretofore.Weappearmutuallytobeverywellpleasedwitheachother.Mons.S------displaysmanycomicalqualities,andmanagestoinsureus

severalheartylaughseverymorningandevening,--thosebeingtheseasonswhenwemeet.IamgoingtotakelessonsfromhiminthepronunciationofFrench.OffemalesocietyIseenothing.TheonlypetticoatthatcomeswithinourpremisesappertainstoNancy,thepretty,dark-eyedmaid-servantofthemanwholivesintheotherpartofthehouse.

OntheroadfromHallowelltoAugustawesawlittlebooths,intwoplaces,erectedontheroadside,whereboysofferedbeer,apples,etc.,forsale.WepassedanIrishwomanwithachildinherarms,andaheavybundle,andafterwardsanIrishmanwithalightbundle,sittingbythehighway.Theywerehusbandandwife;andB------saysthatanIrishmanandhiswife,ontheirjourneys,donotusuallywalksidebyside,butthatthemangivesthewomantheheaviestburdentocarry,andwalkson

lightlyahead!

Athoughtcomesintomymind:Whichsortofhouseexcitesthemostcontemptuousfeelingsinthebeholder,--suchahouseasMr.------'s,allcircumstancesconsidered,ortheboard-builtandturf-buttressedhovelsofthesewildIrish,scatteredaboutasiftheyhadsprunguplikemushrooms,inthedellsandgorges,andalongthebanksoftheriver?Mushrooms,bytheway,springupwheretherootsofanoldtreearehiddenundertheground.


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Thursday,July13th.--TwosmallCanadianboyscametoourhouseyesterday,withstrawberriestosell.ItsoundsstrangelytohearchildrenbargaininginFrenchonthebordersofYankee-land.AmongotherlanguagesspokenhereaboutsmustbereckonedthewildIrish.Someofthelaborersonthemill-damcanspeaknothingelse.Theintermixtureofforeignerssometimesgivesrisetoquarrelsbetweenthemandthenatives.Asweweregoingtothevillageyesterdayafternoon,wewitnessedthebeginningofaquarrelbetweenaCanadianandaYankee,--thelatteraccusingtheformerofstrikinghisoxen.B------thrusthimselfbetweenandpartedthem;buttheyafterwardsrenewedtheirfray,andtheCanadian,Ibelieve,thrashedtheYankeesoundly,--forwhichhehadtopaytwelvedollars.Yethewasbutalittlefellow.

ComingtotheMansionHouseaboutsupper-time,wefoundsomewhatofaconcourseofpeople,theGovernorandCouncilbeinginsessiononthesubjectofthedisputedterritory.TheBritishhavelatelyimprisonedamanwhowassenttotakethecensus;andtheMainiacsaremuchexcitedonthesubject.TheywishtheGovernortoorderoutthemilitiaatonce,andtakepossessionoftheterritorywiththestronghand.TherewasaBritisharmy-captainattheMansionHouse;andanideawasthrownoutthatitwouldbeaswelltoseizeuponhimasahostage.Iwould,forthejoke'ssake,thatithadbeendone.Personagesatthetavern:theGovernor,somewhatstaredafterashewalkedthroughthebar-room;

Councillorsseatedabout,sittingonbenchesnearthebar,oronthestoopalongthefrontofthehouse;theAdjutant-GeneraloftheState;twoyoungBlue-Noses,fromCanadaortheProvinces;agentleman"thumbinghishat"forliquor,orperhapsplayingoffthetrickofthe"honestlandlord"onsomestranger.Thedecantersandwine-bottlesonthemove,andthebeerandsodafountspouringoutcontinualstreams,withawhiz.Stage-drivers,etc.,askedtodrinkwiththearistocracy,andminehosttreatingandbeingtreated.Rubicundfaces;breathsodorousofbrandy-and-water.Occasionallythepopofachampagnecork.

Returnedhome,andtookalessoninFrenchofMons.S------.Ilikehimverymuch,andhaveseldommetwithamorehonest,simple,andapparentlysowell-principledaman;whichgoodqualitiesIimputetohisbeing,by

thefather'sside,ofGermanblood.HelooksmorelikeaGerman--or,ashesays,likeaSwiss--thanaFrenchman,havingverylighthairandalightcomplexion,andnotaFrenchexpression.Heisavivaciouslittlefellow,andwonderfullyexcitabletomirth;anditistrulyasighttoseehimlaugh;--everyfeaturepartakesofhismovement,andevenhiswholebodysharesinit,asherisesanddancesabouttheroom.Hehasgreatvarietyofconversation,commensuratewithhisexperiencesinlife,andsometimeswilltalkSpanish,orerotundo,--sometimesimitatetheCatholicpriests,chantingLatinsongsforthedead,indeep,gruff,awfultones,producingreallyaverystrongimpression,--thenhewillbreakoutintoalight,Frenchsong,perhapsoflove,perhapsofwar,actingitout,asifonthestageofatheatre:allthisintermingledwithcontinualfun,excitedbytheincidentsofthepassingmoment.He

hasFrenchifiedallournames,callingB------MonsieurDuPont,myselfM.deL'Aubepine,andhimselfM.leBerger,andall,KnightsoftheRound-Table.Andweliveingreatharmonyandbrotherhood,asqueeralifeasanybodyleads,andasqueerasetasmaybefoundanywhere.Inhismoreseriousintervals,hetalksphilosophyanddeism,andpreachesobediencetothelawofreasonandmorality;whichlawhesays(andIbelievehim)hehassowellobserved,that,notwithstandinghisresidenceindissolutecountries,hehasneveryetbeensinful.Hewishesme,eightornineweekshence,toaccompanyhimonfoottoQuebec,andthentoNiagaraandNewYork.Ishouldlikeitwell,ifmycircumstancesand


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otherconsiderationswouldpermit.WhatpleasesmuchinMons.S------isthesimpleandchildlikeenjoymenthefindsintrifles,andthejoywithwhichhespeaksofgoingbacktohisowncountry,awayfromthedullYankees,whoheremisunderstandanddespisehim.YetIhaveneverheardhimspeakharshlyofthem.IratherthinkthatB------andIwillberememberedbyhimwithmorepleasurethananybodyelseinthecountry;forwehavesympathizedwithhim,andtreatedhimkindly,andlikeagentlemanandanequal;andhecomestousatnightastohomeandfriends.

Iwentdowntotheriverto-daytoseeB------fishforsalmonwithafly,--ahopelessbusiness;forhesaysthatonlyoneinstancehasbeenknownintheUnitedStatesofsalmonbeingtakenotherwisethanwithanet.Afewchubswereallthefruitofhispiscatoryefforts.Butwhilelookingattherushingandripplingstream,Isawagreatfish,somesixfeetlongandthickinproportion,suddenlyemergeatwholelength,turnasomerset,andthenvanishagainbeneaththewater.Itwasofaglistening,yellowishbrown,withitsfinsallspread,andlookingverystrangeandstartling,dartingoutsolifelikefromtheblackwater,throwingitselffullyintothebrightsunshine,andthenlosttosightandtopursuit.Isawalsoalong,flat-bottomedboatgouptheriver,withabriskwind,andagainstastrongstream.Itssailswereofcuriousconstruction:alongmast,withtwosailsbelow,oneoneachsideoftheboat,andabroaderonesurmountingthem.Thesailswerecolored

brown,andappearedlikeleatherorskins,butwerereallycloth.Atadistance,thevessellookedlike,oratleastIcompareditto,amonstrouswater-insectskimmingalongtheriver.Ifthesailshadbeencrimsonoryellow,theresemblancewouldhavebeenmuchcloser.Therewasaprettyspaciousraisedcabinintheafterpartoftheboat.Itmovedalonglightly,anddisappearedbetweenthewoodybanks.Theseboatshavethetwoparallelsailsattachedtothesameyard,andsomehavetwosails,onesurmountingtheother.TheytradetoWatervilleandthereabouts,--names,as"PaulPry,"ontheirsails.

Saturday,July15th.--WentwithB------yesterdaytovisitseveralIrishshanties,endeavoringtofindoutwhohadstolensomerailsofafence.

Atthefirstdooratwhichweknocked(ashantywithanearthenmoundheapedagainstthewall,twoorthreefeetthick),theinmateswerenotup,thoughitwaspasteighto'clock.Atlastamiddle-agedwomanshowedherself,halfdressed,andcompletinghertoilet.Threatsweremadeoftearingdownherhouse;forsheisaladyofveryindifferentmorals,andsellsrum.Fewofthesepeopleareconnectedwiththemill-dam,--or,atleast,manyarenotso,buthaveintrudedthemselvesintothevacanthutswhichwereoccupiedbythemill-dampeoplelastyear.Intwoorthreeplaceshereaboutsthereisquiteavillageofthesedwellings,withaclayandboardchimney,orofteneranoldbarrel,smokedandcharredwiththefire.Someoftheirroofsarecoveredwithsods,andappearalmostsubterranean.Oneofthelittlehamletsstandsonbothsidesofadeepdell,woodedandbush-grown,withavista,asitwere,intotheheartof

awoodinonedirection,andtothebroad,sunnyriverintheother:therewasalittlerivulet,crossedbyaplank,atthebottomofthedell.Attwodoorswesawveryprettyandmodest-lookingyoungwomen,--onewithachildinherarms.Indeed,theyallhaveinnumerablelittlechildren;andtheyareinvariablyingoodhealth,thoughalwaysdirtyofface.Theycometothedoorwhiletheirmothersaretalkingwiththevisitors,standingstraightupontheirbarelegs,withtheirlittleplumpbodiesprotruding,inonehandasmalltinsaucepan,andintheotheranironspoon,withunwashedmouths,lookingasindependentasanychildorgrownpersonintheland.Theystareunabashed,butmakeno


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answerwhenspokento."I'venocalltoyourfence,MisserB------."Itseemsstrangethatamanshouldhavetheright,unarmedwithanylegalinstrument,oftearingdownthedwelling-housesofascoreoffamilies,anddrivingtheinmatesforthwithoutashelter.YetB------undoubtedlyhasthisright;anditisnotalittlestrikingtoseehowquietlythesepeoplecontemplatetheprobabilityofhisexercisingit,--resolving,indeed,toburrowintheirholesaslongasmaybe,yetcaringaboutaslittleforanejectmentasthosewhocouldfindatenementanywhere,andless.Yetthewomen,amidallthetrialsoftheirsituation,appeartohavekeptupthedistinctionbetweenvirtueandvice;thosewhocanclaimtheformerwillnotassociatewiththelatter.Whenthewomentravelwithyoungchildren,theycarrythebabyslungattheirbacks,andsleepingquietly.Thedressesofthenew-comersareold-fashioned,makingthemlookagedbeforetheirtime.

MonsieurS------shavinghimselfyesterdaymorning.Hewasinexcellentspirits,andcouldnotkeephistongueorbodystill,morethanlongenoughtomaketwoorthreeconsecutivestrokesathisbeard.Thenhewouldturn,flourishinghisrazorandgrimacingjoyously,enactingdrollantics,breakingoutintoscrapsandversesofdrinking-songs,"Aboire!aboire!"--thenlaughingheartily,andcrying,"Vivelagaite!"thenresuminghistask,lookingintotheglasswithgraveface,onwhich,however,agrinwouldsoonbreakoutanew,andallhisprankswouldberepeatedwithvariations.Heturnedthisfoolerytophilosophy,by

observingthatmirthcontributedtogoodnessofheart,andtomakeusloveourfellow-creatures.Conversingwithhimintheevening,heaffirmed,withevidentbeliefinthetruthofwhathesaid,thathewouldhavenoobjection,exceptthatitwouldbeaveryfoolishthing,toexposehiswholeheart,hiswholeinnerman,totheviewoftheworld.Notthattherewouldnotbemuchevildiscoveredthere;but,ashewasconsciousofbeinginastateofmentalandmoralimprovement,workingouthisprogressonward,hewouldnotshrinkfromsuchascrutiny.Thistalkwasintroducedbyhismentioningthe"Minister'sBlackVeil,"whichhesaidhehadseentranslatedintoFrench,asanexercise,byaMissAppletonofBangor.

Sawbytheriver-side,lateintheafternoon,oneoftheabove-described

boatsgoingintothestreamwiththewaterripplingattheprow,fromthestrengthofthecurrentandoftheboat'smotion.Byandbycomesdownaraft,perhapstwentyyardslong,guidedbytwomen,oneateachend,--theraftitselfofboardssawedatWaterville,andladenwithsquarebundlesofshinglesandroundbundlesofclapboards."Friend,"saysoneman,"howisthetidenow?"--thisbeingimportanttotheonwardprogress.Theymakefasttoatree,inordertowaitforthetidetorisealittlehigher.ItwouldbepleasantenoughtofloatdowntheKennebecononeoftheserafts,lettingtheriverconductyouonwardatitsownpace,leisurelydisplayingtoyouallthewildororderedbeautiesalongitsbanks,andperhapsrunningyouagroundinsomepeculiarlypicturesquespot,foryourlongerenjoymentofit.Anotherobject,perhaps,isasolitarymanpaddlinghimselfdowntheriverinasmallcanoe,thelight,

lonelytouchofhispaddleinthewatermakingthesilenceseemdeeper.Everyfewminutesasturgeonleapsforth,sometimesbehindyou,sothatyoumerelyhearthesplash,and,turninghastilyaround,seenothingbutthedisturbedwater.Sometimeshedartsstraightonendoutofaquietblackspotonwhichyoureyeshappentobefixed,and,whenevenhistailisclearofthesurface,hefallsdownonhissideanddisappears.

Ontheriver-bank,anIrishwomanwashingsomeclothes,surroundedbyherchildren,whosebabblingsoundspleasantlyalongtheedgeoftheshore;andshealsoanswersinasweet,kindly,andcheerfulvoice,thoughan


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immoralwoman,andwithoutthecertaintyofbreadorshelterfromdaytoday.AnIrishmansittinganglingonthebrinkwithanalderpoleandaclothes-line.Atfrequentintervals,thesceneissuddenlybrokenbyaloudreportlikethunder,rollingalongthebanks,echoingandreverberatingafar.Itisablastofrocks.Alongthemargin,sometimessticksoftimbermadefast,eitherseparatelyorseveraltogether;stonesofsomesize,varyingthepebblesandsand;aclayeyspot,whereashallowbrookrunsintotheriver,notwithadeepoutlet,butfindingitswayacrossthebankintwoorthreesinglerunlets.Lookingupwardintothedeepglenwhenceitissues,youseeitsshadycurrent.Elsewhere,ahighacclivity,withthebeachbetweenitandtheriver,theridgebrokenandcavedaway,sothattheearthlooksfreshandyellow,andispenetratedbythenestsofbirds.Anold,shiningtree-trunk,halfinandhalfoutofthewater.Anislandofgravel,longandnarrow,inthecentreoftheriver.Chips,blocksofwood,slabs,andotherscrapsoflumber,strewedalongthebeach;logsdriftingdown.Thehighbankcoveredwithvarioustreesandshrubbery,and,inoneplace,twoorthreeIrishshanties.

Thursday,July20th.--AdriveyesterdayafternoontoapondinthevicinityofAugusta,aboutninemilesoff,tofishforwhiteperch.Remarkables:thesteeringoftheboatthroughthecrooked,labyrinthinebrook,intotheopenpond,--themanwhoactedaspilot,--histalkingwith

B------aboutpolitics,thebank,theironmoneyof"akingwhocametoreign,inGreece,overacitycalledSparta,"--hisadvicetoB------tocomeamongstthelaborersonthemill-dam,becauseitstimulatedthem"toseeamangrinningamongstthem."ThemantookheartytugsatabottleofgoodScotchwhiskey,andbecameprettymerry.Thefishcaughtweretheyellowperch,whicharenotesteemedforeating;thewhiteperch,abeautiful,silvery,round-backedfish,whichbiteseagerly,runsaboutwiththelinewhilebeingpulledup,makesgoodsportfortheangler,andanadmirabledish;agreatchub;andthreehornedpouts,whichswallowthehookintotheirlowestentrails.Severaldozenfishweretakeninanhourortwo,andthenwereturnedtotheshopwherewehadleftourhorseandwagon,thepilotveryeccentricbehindus.Itwasasmall,dingyshop,dimlylightedbyasingleinchofcandle,faintlydisclosing

variousboxes,barrelsstandingonend,articleshangingfromtheceiling;theproprietoratthecounter,whereonappearginandbrandy,respectivelycontainedinatinpint-measureandanearthenwarejug,withtwoorthreetumblersbesidethem,outofwhichnearlyallthepartydrank;somecominguptothecounterfrankly,otherslingeringinthebackground,waitingtobepressed,twopayingfortheirownliquorandwithdrawing.B------treatedthemtwiceround.Thepilot,afterdrinkinghisbrandy,gaveahistoryofourfishingexpedition,andhowmanyandhowlargefishwecaught.B------makingacquaintancesandrenewingthem,andgaininggreatcreditforliberalityandfree-heartedness,--twoorthreeboyslookingonandlisteningtothetalk,--theshopkeepersmilingbehindhiscounter,withthetarnishedtinscalesbesidehim,--theinchofcandleburningdownalmosttoextinction.

Sowegotintoourwagon,withthefish,anddrovetoRobinson'stavern,almostfivemilesoff,wherewesuppedandpassedthenight.Inthebar-roomwasafatoldcountrymanonajourney,andaquackdoctorofthevicinity,andanEnglishmanwithapeculiaraccent.SeeingB------'sjointedandbrass-mountedfishing-pole,hetookitforatheodolite,andsupposedthatwehadbeenonasurveyingexpedition.Atsupper,whichconsistedofbread,butter,cheese,cake,doughnuts,andgooseberry-pie,wewerewaiteduponbyatall,verytallwoman,youngandmaiden-looking,yetwithastronglyoutlinedanddeterminedface.Afterwardswefoundhertobethewifeofminehost.Shepouredoutourtea,cameinwhenwe


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rangthetable-belltorefillourcups,andagainretired.Whileatsupper,thefatoldtravellerwasusheredthroughtheroomintoacontiguousbedroom.Myownchamber,apparentlythebestinthehouse,haditswallsornamentedwithasmall,gilt-framed,foot-squarelooking-glass,withahairbrushhangingbeneathit;arecordofthedeathsofthefamilywrittenonablacktomb,inanengraving,whereafather,mother,andchildwererepresentedinagraveyard,weepingoversaidtomb;themournersdressedinblack,country-cutclothes;theengravingexecutedinVermont.TherewasalsoawoodengravingoftheDeclarationofIndependence,withfac-similesoftheautographs;aportraitoftheEmpressJosephine,andanotherofSpring.Inthetwoclosetsofthischamberwereminehostess'scloak,bestbonnet,andgo-to-meetingapparel.Therewasagoodbed,inwhichIslepttolerablywell,and,risingbetimes,atebreakfast,consistingofsomeofourownfish,andthenstartedforAugusta.Thefatoldtravellerhadgoneoffwiththeharnessofourwagon,whichthehostlerhadputontohishorsebymistake.Thetavern-keepergaveushisownharness,andstartedinpursuitoftheoldman,whowasprobablyawareoftheexchange,andwellsatisfiedwithit.

OurdrivetoAugusta,sixorsevenmiles,wasverypleasant,aheavyrainhavingfallenduringthenight,andlaidtheoppressivedustofthedaybefore.TheroadlayparallelwiththeKennebec,ofwhichweoccasionallyhadnearglimpses.Thecountryswellsbackfromtheriver

inhillsandridges,withoutanyintervaloflevelground;andtherewerefrequentwoods,fillingupthevalleysorcrowningthesummits.Thelandisgood,thefarmslookneat,andthehousescomfortable.Thelatteraregenerallybutofonestory,butwithlargebarns;anditwasagoodsign,that,whilewesawnohousesunfinishednoroutofrepair,onemanatleasthadfounditexpedienttomakeanadditiontohisdwelling.Atthedistanceofmorethantwomiles,wehadaviewofwhiteAugusta,withitssteeples,andtheState-House,atthefartherendofthetown.Observablemattersalongtheroadwerethestage,--allthedustofyesterdaybrushedoff,andnonewdustcontracted,--fullofpassengers,insideandout;amongthemsomegentlemanlypeopleandprettygirls,alllookingfreshandunsullied,rosy,cheerful,andcuriousastothefaceofthecountry,thefacesofpassingtravellers,andtheincidentsof

theirjourney;notyetdamped,inthemorningsunshine,bylongmilesofjoltingoverroughandhillyroads,--tocomparethiswiththeirappearanceatmidday,andastheydriveintoBangoratdusk;--twowomendashingalonginawagon,andwithachild,rattlingprettyspeedilydownhill;--peoplelookingatusfromtheopendoorsandwindows;--thechildrenstaringfromthewayside;--themowersstopping,foramoment,theswayoftheirscythes;--thematronofafamily,indistinctlyseenatsomedistancewithinthehouse,herheadandshouldersappearingthroughthewindow,drawingherhandkerchiefoverherbosom,whichhadbeenuncoveredtogivethebabyitsbreakfast,--thesaidbaby,oritsimmediatepredecessor,sittingatthedoor,turningroundtocreepawayonallfours;--amanbuildingaflat-bottomedboatbytheroadside:hetalkedwithB------abouttheBoundaryquestion,andsworeferventlyin

favorofdrivingtheBritish"intohell'skitchen"bymainforce.

ColonelB------,theengineerofthemill-dam,isnowhere,afteraboutafortnight'sabsence.Heisaplaincountrysquire,withagoodfigure,butwithratheraheavybrow;aroughcomplexion;agaitstiff,andageneralrigidityofmanner,somethinglikethatofaschoolmaster.Heoriginatedinacountrytown,andisaself-educatedman.Ashewalkeddownthegravel-pathto-day,afterdinner,hetookupascythe,whichoneofthemowershadleftonthesward,andbegantomow,withquiteascientificswing.Onthecomingofthemower,helaiditdown,perhapsa


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littleashamedofhisamusement.Iwasinterestedinthis;toseeaman,aftertwenty-fiveyearsofscientificoccupation,thustryingwhetherhisarmsretainedtheirstrengthandskillforthelaborsofhisyouth,--mindfulofthedaywhenheworestripedtrousers,andtoiledinhisshirt-sleeves,--andnowtastingagain,forpastime,thisdrudgerybeneathafervidsun.Hestoodawhile,lookingattheworkmen,andthenwenttooverseethelaborersatthemill-dam.

Monday,July,24th.--IbathedintheriveronThursdayevening,andinthebrookattheolddamonSaturdayandSunday,--theformertimeatnoon.Theaspectofthesolitudeatnoonwaspeculiarlyimpressive,therebeingacloudlesssunshine,nowind,norustlingoftheforest-leaves,nowavingoftheboughs,nonoisebutthebrawlingandbabblingofthestream,makingitswayamongthestones,andpouringinalittlecataractroundonesideofthemoulderingdam.Lookingupthebrook,therewasalongvista,--nowripples,nowsmoothandglassyspaces,nowlargerocks,almostblockingupthechannel;whilethetreesstooduponeitherside,mostlystraight,buthereandthereabranchthrustingitselfoutirregularly,andonetree,apine,leaningover,--notbending,--butleaningatanangleoverthebrook,roughandragged;birches,alders;thetallestofallthetreesanold,dead,leaflesspine,risingwhiteandlonely,thoughcloselysurroundedbyothers.Alongthebrook,nowthegrassandherbageextendedclosetothewater;

nowasmall,sandybeach.Thewallofrockbeforedescribed,lookingasifithadbeenhewn,butwithirregularstrokesoftheworkman,doinghisjobbyroughandponderousstrength,--nowchancingtohewitawaysmoothlyandcleanly,nowcarelesslysmiting,andmakinggaps,orpilingontheslabsofrock,soastoleavevacantspaces.Intheintersticesgrowbrakeandbroad-leavedforest-grass.Thetreesthatspringfromthetopofthiswallhavetheirrootspressingclosetotherock,sothatthereisnosoilbetween;theyclingpowerfully,andgraspthecragtightlywiththeirknottyfingers.Thetreesonbothsidesaresothick,thatthesightandthethoughtsarealmostimmediatelylostamongconfusedstems,branches,andclusteringgreenleaves,--anarrowstripofbrightblueskyabove,thesunshinefallinglustrouslydown,andmakingthepathwayofthebrookluminousbelow.Enteringamongthethickets,I

findthesoilstrewnwitholdleavesofprecedingseasons,throughwhichmaybeseenablackordarkmould;therootsoftreesstretchfrequentlyacrossthepath;oftenamoss-grownbrownlogliesathwart,andwhenyousetyourfootdown,itsinksintothedecayingsubstance,--intotheheartofoakorpine.Theleafyboughsandtwigsoftheunderbrushenlacethemselvesbeforeyou,sothatyoumuststoopyourheadtopassunder,orthrustyourselfthroughamain,whiletheysweepagainstyourface,andperhapsknockoffyourhat.Therearerocksmossyandslippery;sometimesyoustagger,withagreatrustlingofbranches,againstaclumpofbushes,andintothemidstofit.Fromendtoendofallthistangledshadegoesapathwayscarcelyworn,fortheleavesarenottroddenthrough,yetplainenoughtotheeye,windinggentlytoavoidtree-trunksandrocksandlittlehillocks.Inthemoreopenground,theaspectofa

tall,fire-blackenedstump,standingalone,highuponaswellofland,thatrisesgraduallyfromonesideofthebrook,likeamonument.Yesterday,Ipassedagroupofchildreninthissolitaryvalley,--twoboys,Ithink,andtwogirls.Oneofthelittlegirlsseemedtohavesufferedsomewrongfromhercompanions,forshewasweepingandcomplainingviolently.Anothertime,IcamesuddenlyonasmallCanadianboy,whowasinahollowplace,amongtheruinedlogsofanoldcauseway,pickingraspberries,--lonelyamongbushesandgorges,farupthewildvalley,--andthelonelierseemedthelittleboyforthebrightsunshine,thatshowednooneelseinawidespaceofviewexcepthimandme.


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Remarkableitems:theobservationofMons.S------whenB------wassayingsomethingagainstthecharacteroftheFrenchpeople,--"Yououghtnottoformanunfavorablejudgmentofagreatnationfrommeanfellowslikeme,strollingaboutinaforeigncountry."Ithoughtitverynoblethustoprotestagainstanythingdiscreditableinhimselfpersonallybeingusedagainstthehonorofhiscountry.Heisaverysingularperson,withanoriginalityinallhisnotions;--notthatnobodyhaseverhadsuchbefore,butthathehasthoughtthemoutforhimself.Hetoldmeyesterdaythatoneofhissisterswasawaiting-maidintheRocherdeCancale.HeisaboutthesincerestmanIeverknew,neverpretendingtofeelingsthatarenotinhim,--neverflattering.Hisfeelingsdonotseemtobewarm,thoughtheyarekindly.Heissosingle-mindedthathecannotunderstandbadinage,buttakesitallasifmeantinearnest,--aGermantrait.HevalueshimselfgreatlyonbeingaFrenchman,thoughallhismostvaluablequalitiescomefromGermany.Histemperamentiscoolandpure,andheisgreatlydelightedwithanyattentionsfromtheladies.Ashorttimesince,aladygavehimabouquetofrosesandpinks;hecaperedanddancedandsang,putitinwater,andcarriedittohisownchamber;buthebroughtitoutforustoseeandadmiretwoorthreetimesaday,bestowingonitalltheepithetsofadmirationintheFrenchlanguage,--"Superbe!magnifique!"Whensomeoftheflowersbegantofade,hemadetherest,withothers,intoanewnosegay,andconsulteduswhetheritwouldbefittogivetoanotherlady.ContrastthisFrench

fopperywithhissolemnmoods,whenwesitinthetwilight,orafterB------isabed,talkingofChristianityandDeism,ofwaysoflife,ofmarriage,ofbenevolence,--inshort,ofalldeepmattersofthisworldandthenext.Aneveningortwosince,hebegansingingallmannerofEnglishsongs,--suchasMrs.Hemans's"LandingofthePilgrims,""AuldLangSyne,"andsomeofMoore's,--thesingingprettyfair,butintheoddesttoneandaccent.OccasionallyhebreaksoutwithscrapsfromFrenchtragedies,whichhespoutswithcorrespondingaction.Hegenerallygetsclosetomeinthesedisplaysofmusicalandhistrionictalent.OnceheofferedtomagnetizemeinthemannerofMonsieurP------.

Wednesday,July26th.--DinedatBarker'syesterday.Beforedinner,satwithseveralotherpersonsinthestoopofthetavern.TherewereB------,J.A.Chandler,ClerkoftheCourt,amanofmiddleageorbeyond,twoorthreestagepeople,and,nearby,anegro,whomtheycall"theDoctor,"acrafty-lookingfellow,oneofwhoseoccupationsisnameless.Inpresenceofthisgoodlycompany,amanofadepressed,neglectedair,asoft,simple-lookingfellow,withananxiousexpression,inalaborer'sdress,approachedandinquiredforMr.Barker.MinehostbeinggonetoPortland,thestrangerwasdirectedtothebar-keeper,whostoodatthedoor.ThemanaskedwhereheshouldfindoneMaryAnnRussell,--aquestionwhichexcitedgeneralandhardlysuppressedmirth;forthesaidMaryAnnisoneofaknotofwomenwhowereroutedonSundayeveningbyBarkerandaconstable.Themanwastoldthattheblack

fellowwouldgivehimalltheinformationhewanted.Theblackfellowasked,--

"Doyouwanttoseeher?"

Othersoftheby-standersorby-sittersputvariousquestionsastothenatureoftheman'sbusinesswithMaryAnn.Oneasked,--

"Issheyourdaughter?"


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"Why,alittlenearerthanthat,Icalkilate,"saidthepoordevil.

Herethemirthwasincreased,itbeingevidentthatthewomanwashiswife.Themanseemedtoosimpleandobtusetocomprehendtheridiculeofhissituation,ortoberenderedverymiserablebyit.Nevertheless,hemadesometouchingpoints.

"Amangenerallyplacessomelittledependenceonhiswife,"saidhe,"whethershe'sgoodornot."Hemeant,probably,thatherestssomeaffectiononher.Hetoldusthatshehadbehavedwell,tillcommittedtojailforstrikingachild;andIbelievehewasabsentfromhomeatthetime,andhadnotseenhersince.Andnowhewasinsearchofher,intending,doubtless,todohisbesttogetheroutofhertroubles,andthentotakeherbacktohishome.Someadvisedhimnottolookafterher;othersrecommendedhimtopay"theDoctor"aforesaidforguidinghimtoher;whichfinally"theDoctor"did,inconsiderationofatreat;andthefellowwentoff,havingheardlittlebutgibesandnotonewordofsympathy!Iwouldliketohavewitnessedhismeetingwithhiswife.

Therewasamoralpicturesquenessinthecontrastsofthescene,--amanmovedasdeeplyashisnaturewouldadmit,inthemidstofhardened,gibingspectators,heartlesstowardshim.Itisworththinkingoverandstudyingout.Heseemedratherhurtandprickedbythejeststhrownathim,yetboreitpatiently,andsometimesalmostjoinedinthelaugh,

beingofaneasy,unenergetictemper.

Hintsforcharacters:--Nancy,apretty,black-eyed,intelligentservant-girl,livinginCaptainH------'sfamily.Shecomesdailytomakethebedsinourpartofthehouse,andexchangesagood-morningwithme,inapleasantvoice,andwithaglanceandsmile,--somewhatshy,becausewearenotacquainted,yetcapableofbeingmadeconversable.Shewashesonceaweek,andmaybeseenstandingoverhertub,withherhandkerchiefsomewhatdisplacedfromherwhiteneck,becauseitishot.Oftenshestandswithherbarearmsinthewater,talkingwithMrs.H------,orlooksthroughthewindow,perhaps,atB------,orsomebodyelsecrossingtheyard,--ratherthoughtfully,butsoonsmilingorlaughing.Thengoethsheforapailofwater.Intheafternoon,very

probably,shedressesherselfinsilks,lookingnotonlypretty,butlady-like,andstrollsroundthehouse,notunconsciousthatsomegentlemanmaybestaringatherfrombehindthegreenblinds.Aftersupper,shewalkstothevillage.Morningandevening,shegoesa-milking.Andthuspassesherlife,cheerfully,usefully,virtuously,withhopes,doubtless,ofahusbandandchildren.--Mrs.H------isaparticularlyplump,soft-fleshed,fair-complexioned,comelywomanenough,withratherasimplecountenance,notnearlysopiquantasNancy's.Herwalkhassomethingoftherollorwaddleofafatwoman,thoughitweretoomuchtocallherfat.Sheseemstobeasociablebody,probablylaughter-loving.CaptainH------himselfhascommandedasteamboat,andhasacertainknowledgeoflife.

Query,inrelationtotheman'smissingwife,howmuchdesireandresolutionofdoingherdutybyherhusbandcanawiferetain,whileinjuringhiminwhatisdeemedthemostessentialpoint?

Observation.Theeffectofmorningsunshineonthewetgrass,onslopingandswellingland,betweenthespectatorandthesunatsomedistance,asacrossalawn.Itdiffusedadimbrilliancyoverthewholesurfaceofthefield.Themists,slow-risingfartheroff,partrestingontheearth,theremainderofthecolumnalreadyascendingsohighthatyoudoubtwhethertocallitafogoracloud.


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Friday,July28th.--Sawmyclassmateandformerlyintimatefriend,------,forthefirsttimesincewegraduated.Hehasmetwithgoodsuccessinlife,inspiteofcircumstance,havingstruggledupwardagainstbitteropposition,bytheforceofhisownabilities,tobeamemberofCongress,afterhavingbeenforsometimetheleaderofhispartyintheStateLegislature.Wemetlikeoldfriends,andconversedalmostasfreelyasweusedtodoincollegedays,twelveyearsagoandmore.Heisasingularperson,shrewd,crafty,insinuating,withwonderfultact,seizingoneachmanbyhismanageablepoint,andusinghimforhisownpurpose,oftenwithouttheman'ssuspectingthatheismadeatoolof;andyet,artificialashischaracterwouldseemtobe,hisconversation,atleasttomyself,wasfullofnaturalfeeling,theexpressionofwhichcanhardlybemistaken,andhisrevelationswithregardtohimselfhadreallyagreatdealoffrankness.Hespokeofhisambition,oftheobstacleswhichhehadencountered,ofthemeansbywhichhehadovercomethem,imputinggreatefficacytohispersonalintercoursewithpeople,andhisstudyoftheircharacters;thenofhiscourseasamemberoftheLegislatureandSpeaker,andhisstyleofspeakinganditseffects;ofthedishonorablethingswhichhadbeenimputedtohim,andinwhatmannerhehadrepelledthecharges.Inshort,hewouldseemtohaveopenedhimselfveryfreelyastohispubliclife.Then,astohisprivateaffairs,hespokeofhismarriage,ofhis

wife,hischildren,andtoldme,withtearsinhiseyes,ofthedeathofadearlittlegirl,andhowitaffectedhim,andhowimpossibleithadbeenforhimtobelievethatshewasreallytodie.Amanofthemostopennaturemightwellhavebeenmorereservedtoafriend,aftertwelveyears'separation,than------wastome.Nevertheless,heisreallyacraftyman,concealing,likeamurder-secret,anythingthatitisnotgoodforhimtohaveknown.Hebynomeansfeignsthegood-feelingthatheprofesses,noristhereanythingaffectedinthefranknessofhisconversation;anditisthisthatmakeshimsoveryfascinating.Thereissuchaquantityoftruthandkindlinessandwarmaffections,thataman'sheartopenstohim,inspiteofhimself.Hedeceivesbytruth.Andnotonlyishecrafty,but,whenoccasiondemands,boldandfierceasatiger,determined,andevenstraightforwardandundisguisedinhis

measures,--adaringfellowaswellasaslyone.Yet,notwithstandinghisconsummateart,thegeneralestimateofhischaracterseemstobeprettyjust.Hardlyanybody,probably,thinkshimbetterthanheis,andmanythinkhimworse.Nevertheless,ifnooverwhelmingdiscoveryofrascalitybemade,hewillalwayspossessinfluence;thoughIshouldhardlythinkthathewouldtakeanyprominentpartinCongress.Astoanyrascality,Iratherbelievethathehasthoughtoutforhimselfamuchhighersystemofmoralitythananynaturalintegritywouldhavepromptedhimtoadopt;thathehasseenthethoroughadvantageofmoralityandhonesty;andthesentimentofthesequalitieshasnowgotintohismindandspirit,andprettywellimpregnatedthem.Ibelievehimtobeaboutashonestasthegreatrunoftheworld,withsomethingevenapproachingtohigh-mindedness.Hispersoninsomedegreeaccords

withhischaracter,--thinandwithathinface,sharpfeatures,sallow,aprojectingbrownotveryhigh,deep-seteyes,aninsinuatingsmileandlook,whenhemeetsyou,andisabouttoaddressyou.Ishouldthinkthathewoulddoawaywiththispeculiarexpression,foritrevealsmoreofhimselfthancanbedetectedinanyotherway,inpersonalintercoursewithhim.Uponthewhole,Ihavequiteagoodlikingforhim,andmeantogoto--toseehim.

Observation.Asteam-engineacrosstheriver,whichalmostcontinuallyduringtheday,andsometimesallnight,maybeheardpuffingand


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panting,asifitutteredgroansforbeingcompelledtolaborintheheatandsunshine,andwhentheworldisasleepalso.

Monday,July31st.--Nothingremarkabletorecord.Achildasleepinayounglady'sarms,--alittlebaby,twoorthreemonthsold.Wheneveranythingpartiallydisturbedthechild,as,forinstance,whentheyoungladyorabystanderpatteditscheekorrubbeditschin,thechildwouldsmile;thenallitsdreamsseemedtobeofpleasureandhappiness.Atfirstthesmilewassofaint,thatIdoubtedwhetheritwerereallyasmileorno;butonfurtherefforts,itbrightenedforthverydecidedly.This,withoutopeningitseyes.--Aconstable,ahomely,good-natured,business-lookingman,withawarrantagainstanIrishman'swifeforthrowingabrickbatatafellow.HegavegoodadvicetotheIrishmanaboutthebestmethodofcomingeasiestthroughtheaffair.Finallysettled,--thejusticeagreeingtorelinquishhisfees,onconditionthattheIrishmanwouldpayforthemendingofhisoldboots!

IwentwithMonsieurS------yesterdaytopickraspberries.Hefellthroughanoldlogbridgethrownoverahollow;lookingback,onlyhisheadandshouldersappearedthroughtherottenlogsandamongthebushes.--Ashowercomingon,therapidrunningofalittlebarefootedboy,comingupunheard,anddashingswiftlypastus,ands

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Passages from the American Notebooks, Volume 1 by Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864