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The Atlantic Monthly, Volume V, Number 29, March, 1860 A Magazine Of iterature, Art, An! "olitic#

Variou#

The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Atlantic Monthly, Volume V, Number 29,

March, !"#, by Variou$

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Title8 The Atlantic Monthly, Volume V, Number 29, March, !"# A Magaine :f ;iterature, Art, An) Politic$

Author8 Variou$

3elea$e +ate8 No(ember, 2##< =EBook >9?!9@=.e$, 'e are more than one year ahea) of $che)ule@=Thi$ file 'a$ fir$t &o$te) on 5e&tember 2!, 2##?@

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;anguage8 Engli$h

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/// 5TA3T :1 T4E P3:E%T GTENBE3G EB::C AT;ANT-% M:NT4;., V:;* V, N:* 29 ///

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A MAGAD-NE :1 ;-TE3AT3E, A3T, AN+ P:;-T-%5*

V:;* V*MA3%4, !"#*N:* FF-F*

T4E 13EN%4 %4A3A%TE3*

The American character i$ no' generally ackno'le)ge) to be the mo$tco$mo&olitan of mo)ern time$ an) a nati(e of thi$ country, all thing$being eHual, i$ likely to form a le$$ &re$cri&ti(e i)ea of other nation$than the inhabitant$ of countrie$ 'ho$e neighborhoo) an) hi$tory uniteto beHueathe an) &er&etuate certain fie) notion$* Before the freHuentintercour$e no' ei$ting bet'een Euro&e an) the nite) 5tate$, 'e)eri(e) our im&re$$ion$ of the 1rench &eo&le, a$ 'ell a$ of -talian$kie$, from Engli$h literature* The &robability 'a$ that our earlie$ta$$ociation 'ith the Gallic race &artook largely of the ri)iculou$*All the etra(agant anec)ote$ of morbi) $elflo(e, mi$erly e&icuri$m,

$traine) courte$y, an) fri(olou$ ab$ur)ity current u$e) to boa$t a1renchman a$ their hero* -t 'a$ $o in no(el$, &lay$, an) after)inner$torie$* :ur fir$t &er$onal acHuaintance often confirme) thi$ &reju)icefor the chance 'a$ that the one $&ecimen of the Gran) Nation familiar toour chil)hoo) &ro(e) a &oor IemigreI 'ho gaine) a &recariou$ li(elihoo)a$ a )ancingma$ter, cook, teacher, or barber, 'ho 'a$ &rofu$e of$mile$, $hrug$, bo'$, an) com&liment$, &ri)e) him$elf on Ila belle1ranceI, &laye) the fi))le, an) took $nuff* A more )ignifie) (ie'$uccee)e), 'hen 'e rea) TelemaHue, $o long an initiatory tetbookin the $tu)y of the language, blen)e) a$ it$ cry$tal $tyle 'a$ in ourimagination$ 'ith the &ure an) noble character of 1enelon* Perha&$ thenet link in the chain of our e$timate 'a$ $u&&lie) by the bu$t of

Voltaire, 'ho$e 'ithere), $neering &hy$iognomy embo)ie$ the 'it an)in)ifference, the $oulle$$ (agabon)age that form$ the 'or$t $i)e ofthe national min)* A$ &atriotic $entiment a'akene), the )i$intere$te)enthu$ia$m of ;afayette, 'o(en, a$ it i$, into the recor) of the$truggle 'hich ga(e birth to our re&ublic, yiel)e) another an) moreattracti(e element to the fancy &ortrait* Then, a$ our rea)ing e&an)e),came the tragic chronicle of the fir$t 1rench 3e(olution an) thebrilliant an) )aling melo)rama of Na&oleon, the tra)ition$ $o &athetican) $ublime of gifte) 'omen, the ItableauI $o eciting to a youthfultem&er of military glory* An) thu$, by )egree$, 'e foun) our$el(e$be'il)ere) by the mo$t (i(i) contra$t$ an) a&&arently irreconcilabletrait$, until the original i)ea of a 1renchman e&an)e) to the 'i)e$t

range of a$$ociation$, from the ingeniou$ )e(ice$ of a my$teriou$Icui$ineI to the brilliant manoeu(re$ of the battlefiel) infinitefemale tact, rare &hilo$o&hic har)ihoo), inimitable Ibonmot$I,eHui$ite millinery, con$ummate general$hi&, holy fortitu)e, refine)&rofligacy, an) intoicating $entiment,)e, Na&oleon, Ma)ame 3ecamier,Pa$cal, Ninon )e -JEnclo$, an) 3ou$$eau* %a$ual a$$ociation$ an))e$ultory rea)ing thu$ &re)i$&o$e u$ to recognie $omething half comicalan) half enchanting in 1rench life an) it )e&en)$ on acci)ent, 'hen 'efir$t (i$it Pari$, 'hich (ie' i$ confirme)* The $ociety of one of tho$ebenign I$a(an$I 'ho attract the $ym&athy an) 'in the a)miration ofyoung $tu)ent$ may yiel) a )elightful an) noble a$$ociation to ourfuture remini$cence$ or an unmo)ifie) e&erience of cynical heart$

joine) to $cenical manner$ may lea(e u$ nothing to regret, u&on our)e&arture, $a(e the material a)(antage$ there enjoye)* But 'hoe(er kno'$life in Pari$, unrelie(e) by $ome con$i$tent an) in)i(i)ual &ur&o$e,'ill fin) it a $ucce$$ion of ecitement$, tem&orary, yet (arie),full

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of the agreeable, yet barren of con$ecuti(e intere$t an) $ati$factoryre$ult$,a)mirable a$ a recreati(e hygiene, )e&lorable a$ a &ermanentre$ource their ine(itable con$eHuence being a faith in the eternal, a)e&en)ence on the imme)iate, an) a habit of (agrant &lea$ure$eeking,'hich mu$t at la$t cloy an) har)en the manly $oul* 1or thi$ (ery rea$on,ho'e(er, the $cene$, character$, an) $ociety there ehibite) are&rolific of $ugge$tion to the &hilo$o&hic min)*

-n e(ery &ha$e of life, manner$, an) action, 'e $ee a characteri$ticecellence in )etail an) &roce$$, an) an eHually remarkable )eficiencyin gran) &ractical i)ea an) con$i$tent moral $entiment* The 1renchchemi$t$ ha(e the art to etract Huinine from Peru(ian bark an) con$er(ethe juice$ of meat$ but one of their mo$t &atriotic 'riter$ call$attention to the 'holly )i(er$e moti(e$ a))re$$e) by Na&oleon an) Nel$onto their re$&ecti(e follo'er$* 5ol)ier$, eclaime) the former, fromthe $ummit of tho$e Pyrami)$ forty age$ are looking )o'n u&on you*Englan), $ai) the latter, e&ect$ e(ery man to )o hi$ )uty* -nPari$, the $cience of )i$$ection i$ &erfect in ;on)on, that ofnutrition+uma$ ha$ re)uce) &lagiari$m to a fine art %obbett ma)e

common$en$e a $ocial le(era Briti$h merchant or $tate$man attache$hi$ name to a )ocument in character$ of $uch in)i(i)uality that the$ignature i$ kno'n at a glance a 1rench official in(ent$ a flouri$h$o intricate that the forgerJ$ ingenuity i$ baffle) in the attem&t toimitate itgo(ernment, on one $i)e of the %hannel, em&loy$ a ta$ter to)etect a)ulteration in 'ine 'ho$e $en$iti(e &alate i$ a fortune onthe other, the here)itary fame of a bre'ery i$ the guaranty of theecellence of ale*

Thi$ minute ob$er(ance of )etail ha$ ma)e the 1rench lea)er$ in fa$hionit )irect$ in(ention to the minutiae of )re$$, an) confirm$ the $'ay ofthe con(entional, $o a$ to gi(e la mo)e the force of $ocial la' to an

etent unkno'n el$e'here* The tyranny an) ca&rice of fa$hion 'ere a$characteri$tic in MontaigneJ$ )ay a$ at &re$ent* - fin) fault 'iththeir e$&ecial in)i$cretion, he $ay$, in $uffering them$el(e$ to be $oim&o$e) u&on an) blin)e) by the authority of the &re$ent cu$tom a$e(ery month to alter their o&inion* -n thi$ country, 'rite$ .orick,nothing mu$t be $&are) for the back an) if you )ine on an onion, an)lie in a garret $e(en $torie$ high, you mu$t not betray it in yourclothe$*

The $u&eriority of the 1rench in the minor &hilo$o&hy of life 'a$curiou$ly eem&lifie) )uring our 3e(olutionary 0ar* The octogenarian$ of3ho)e -$lan) u$e) to e&atiate on the remarkable )ifference bet'een the

troo&$ of 1rance an) tho$e of Englan) 'hen Huartere) among them* Theformer $&ee)ily ma)e a $erie$ of little arrangement$, an) fell naturallyinto a &lea$ant routine, making the be$t of e(erything, a)a&tingthem$el(e$ to the 'ay$ an) &reju)ice$ of the inhabitant$, an), in a'or), becoming a$$imilate) at once to a ne' mo)e of life an) form of$ociety their 'it, cheerfulne$$, an) gallantry are yet &ro(erbialin that region* The Engli$h, on the other han), e(en 'hen in full&o$$e$$ion of the country, ma)e but an a'k'ar) u$e of their &ri(ilege$,'ere illatea$e, faile) to recognie anything genial in the habit$ an)manner$ e(en of the Tory familie$* 0hile the 1rench officer$ intro)uce)the my$terie$ of their Icui$ineI, an) brightene) many a ru$tichou$ehol) 'ith $ong, anec)ote, )ance, an) con(er$ation, the Engli$h

com&laine) of the $im&le (ian)$, regrette) ;on)on fog$ an) beer,an) ma)e them$el(e$ an) their ho$t$, 'hether force) or (oluntary,uncomfortable* They ehibite) no tact or facility in im&ro(ing there$ource$ at han), an) relie) only on brute force to 'in a)(antage* 0e

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behel) the $ame contra$t recently in the %rimea 'hile e&o$ure an)im&atience thinne) the rank$ of the bra(e i$lan)er$, their Gallicallie$ con$tructe) roa)$, )ug 'here they coul) not buil) a $helter, an)ingeniou$ly &re&are) (ariou$ )i$he$ from a meagre lar)er, fighting off,meantime, chagrin an) IennuiI 'ith a$ much alacrity a$ they )i)%o$$ack$*

I1ine$$eI characterie$ $er(ant$ not le$$ than courtier$, thecab)ri(er a$ 'ell a$ the notary, the com&o$ition of a )i$h a$ 'ell a$the )rift of a come)y* Thi$ Huality $eem$ a re$ult of the conflict ofintelligence$ in a $tate of great, material ci(iliation no'here i$ itmore ob$er(able than in Pari$ life* 0hat bullyi$m i$ to the Engli$h,$hre')ne$$ to the .ankee, an) intrigue to the -talian, i$ Ifine$$eI,'hich i$ a union of in$ight an) a))re$$, to the 1rench* Thi$ normalattribute i$ another &roof ho' the economy of Gallic life i$ re)uce) toan art* -t i$ the e&re$$ion in manner$ of 3ochefoucaul)J$ maim$,of 3ichelieuJ$ &olicy, of Talleyran)J$ cunning* -t i$ fa(ore) by theten)ency to minutene$$ of ecellence an) lo(e of $y$tem before note)*To un)er$tan) 'hat $u&erior range i$ affor)e) to $uch a &rinci&le in

1rance, it i$ only reHui$ite to con$ult the memoir$ of a celebrate)'oman, or e(en an ol) Gui)e or Picture of Pari$, $uch a$ in former )ay$the &ro(incial gentlemen u$e) to $tu)y o(er their breakfa$t, in or)erto learn the I$a(oir (i(reI of the metro&oli$* -tinerarie$ of othercitie$ merely )e$cribe $treet$, &ublic in$titution$, the fair$,the court$, an) the &lace$ of fa$hionable amu$ement one of the$ecurio$itie$ of literature no' before u$, &ubli$he) le$$ than a centuryago, )e$cribe$, a$ a(ailable re$ource$ to the $tranger, IGou(ernante$,Emeute$, 3e(e$ PolitiHue$, ;JArt )e +iner, Bureau )JE$&ritI,corre$&on)ing to our mo)ern blue$tocking coterie$, Ifemme$ )eHuarante an$I, 'ith their I)eu re$$ource$, la )e(otion et le bele$&rit %ontre Poi$on$I,in)i$&en$able in tho$e )ay$ of jealou$y

an) a$$a$$ination IPot$ )e 1leur$I form an item of the mo$t limite)e$tabli$hment emblem$, $uch a$ I3uban$I an) IBonnet$ 3ouge$I, are)e$cribe) a$ e$$ential to the intelligent con)uct of the (i$itor an) acha&ter i$ )e(ote) to Gallantry, of 'hich a mo)ern author in the $ame)e&artment &en$i(ely remark$, I%ette ancienne galanterie Hui (i(ait)Je$&rit et )Jinfi)elite$ e$t com&tletement )enatureeI*

-t i$ curiou$ ho' munici&al, economical, an) $ocial life are thu$$imultaneou$ly )aguerreoty&e) an) in)icate their mutual an) intricatea$$ociation in the 1rench ca&ital* -t$ hi$tory in(ol(e$ that ofchurche$, congre$$e$, aca)emie$, &ri$on$, cemeterie$, an) &olice, eachof 'hich re&re$ent$ )ome$tic an) royal (ici$$itu)e$* 0hat other city

furni$he$ $uch a 'ork a$ the +uche$$ +JAbrante$J 4i$toire )e$ 5alon$)e Pari$K The I$alon$I of Ma)ame Necker, Polignac, +e Beaumont, +eMaarin, 3olan), +e Genli$, of %on)orcet, of Malmai$on, of Talleyran),an) of the 4otel 3ambouillet, etc*, embrace the career of $tate$menan) $ol)ier$, the literary celebritie$, the $chool$ of &hilo$o&hy,the re(olution$, the court, the 'ar$, )i&lomacy, an), in a 'or), the(eritable annal$ of 1rance* 5ociety, accor)ing to thi$ li(ely 'riter, inthe &ro&er acce&tation of the term, 'a$ born in 1rance in the reign ofthe %ar)inal )e 3ichelieu an) thenceforth, in it$ hi$tory, 'e tracethat of the nation*

Throughout the mo$t $alient era$ of thi$ hi$tory, therefore, i$ (i$ible

female influence* %ou$in ha$ ju$t re(i(e) the career of Ma)ame )e;ongue(ille, 'hich i$ i)entifie) 'ith the cabal$, financial e&e)ient$,an) 'ar of the 1ron)e tournament$, 'hich forme) $o $triking a featurein the )i(er$ion$ of ;oui$ F-V*J$ court, o'e) their re(i(al to the 'him

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of one of hi$ mi$tre$$e$ Monte$&an fo$tere) a broo) of $atiri$t$,an) Maintenon one of )e(otee$, 'hile that etraor)inary religiou$contro(er$y 'hich initiate) the $ect of the Luieti$t$ ha) it$ origin inthe eam&le an) agency of Ma)ame Guyon* E(en no', although, a$ a late'riter ha$ Huaintly ob$er(e), no la)y bring$ her )i$taff to thecouncilchamber, the influence of the $e on &olitical o&inion, init$ o&eration a$ a $ocial &rinci&le, i$ recognie)* A frien) of mine,

returning from a )inner&arty, )e$cribe) the free an) 'itty $arca$m 'ith'hich a fair ;egitimi$t a$$aile) the -m&erial rule a 'eek after'ar)$,meeting her at the $ame table, $he relate), that, a fe' )ay$ after herim&ru)ent con(er$ation, $he recei(e) a courteou$ in(itation from thechief of &olice* 0hen they 'ere $eate) alone in hi$ bureau,Ma)ame,$ai) he, you ha(e &o$ition, con(er$ational talent, an) 'iel) the &eneffecti(ely are you )i$&o$e) to eert thi$ influence, henceforth, inbehalf of, in$tea) of again$t the go(ernmentK Before her in)ignantnegati(e 'a$ fairly uttere), he o&ene) a )ra'er that $eeme) full ofNa&oleon$, an) glance) at them an) her $ignificantly* Thu$ Monte$HuieuJ$ob$er(ation continue$ true8The in)i(i)ual 'ho 'oul) attem&t to ju)geof the go(ernment by the men at the hea) of affair$, an) not by the

'omen 'ho $'ay tho$e men, 'oul) fall into the $ame error a$ he 'hoju)ge$ of a machine by it$ out'ar)action, an) not by it$ $ecret$&ring$ an) the ol) ba$e $y$tem of e$&ionage i$ re(i(e) un)er the ne')e$&oti$m*

-t ha$ become &ro(erbial in 1rance, that the life of 'oman ha$ threeera$,in youth a coHuette, in mi))lelife a 'it, an) in age aI)e(oteI,'hich i$ but another mo)e of e&re$$ing that economy of&er$onal gift$, that $hre') u$e of the mo$t a(ailable $ocial &o'er,'hich )i$tingui$he$ the Gallic from the 5aon 'oman, the 'orl)ly fromthe )ome$tic in$tinct$* There only can 'e imagine a royal fa(oritea)mitting her in)ebte)ne$$ to a royal 'ife* To her, 'rote Ma)ame )e

Maintenon of the Lueen of ;oui$ - o'e the CingJ$ affection* Picturea $o(ereign 'orn out 'ith $tate affair$, intrigue$, an) ceremonie$,&o$$e$$e) of a Iconfi)anteI al'ay$ the $ame, al'ay$ calm, al'ay$rational, eHually able to in$truct an) to $oothe, 'ith the intelligenceof a confe$$or an) the 'inning gentlene$$ of a 'oman* -t i$ &eculiarto the $e there to e$ca&e out'ar) $oil, 'hate(er may be their morale&o$ure for one in$tincti(ely recognie$ a 1rench'oman by her cleanboot$, e(en in the mu))ie$t thoroughfare, her $&otle$$ mu$lin ca&,kerchief, an) collar* 5he retain$ al$o her in)i(i)uality after marriagebetter than the fair of other nation$, not only in character, but inname, the mai)en a&&ellati(e being joine) to her hu$ban)J$, $o that,although a Ma)ame, $he kee&$ the 'orl) informe) that $he 'a$ IneeI of a

family 'ho$e title, ho'e(er mo)e$t, $he 'ill not )ro&* The maim$, $o&re(alent in 1rance, 'hich )eclare matrimony the tomb of lo(e, arethe legitimate re$ult of a $u&erficial theory of life an) the mutualin)e&en)ence of the $ee$ thence ari$ing accor)ingly 'e are a$$ure),%Je$t $urtout entre mari et femme Hue lJamour a le moin$ )e chance )e$ucce$* -l$ (ieillirent en$emble comme )eu &ortrait$ )e famille, $an$aucune intimite, aucun &rofit &our lJe$&rit, et arri(e$ au )ernierrelai$ )e leur ei$tence, le $ou(enir nJa(ait rien a faire entre eu*

-t i$ a curiou$ illu$tration at once of the mobility an) the i$olationof the 1rench min), that, 'hile it a$$imilate$ element$ 'ithin it$$&here 'hich in other nation$ are ke&t com&arati(ely a&art, it reject$

the &roce$$ in regar) to foreign material* Thu$, in no other ca&ital are&olitic$ an) literature $o inter'o(en 'ith $ociety the lo(eaffair$ ofa mini$ter )irectly influence hi$ &olicy the tone of the I$alonIoften in$&ire$ an) moul)$ the author the $ocial hi$tory of an e&och

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nece$$arily inclu)e$ the geniu$ of it$ $tate$man$hi& an) of it$ letter$,becau$e they are i)entifie) 'ith the intrigue$, Ithe bonmot$I, an) thecon(er$ation of the &erio) more i$ to be learne) at a la)yJ$ morningrece&tion or e(ening I$oireeI than in the 'riterJ$ library or theofficialJ$ cabinet* :n the other han), ho' fe' threa)$ from abroa) canbe foun) in thi$ mingle) 'eb of ci(ic, literary, an) $ocial life7 The(icinity of Englan) an) the influ of Engli$hmen ha(e $carcely brought

the i)ea$ or the $entiment of that country into nearer recognition atPari$ than 'a$ the ca$e a century ago* Not'ith$tan)ing an occa$ionaloutbreak of Anglomania, the be$t 1rench author$ $&ell Engli$h &ro&ername$ no better, the be$t 1rench critic$ a&&reciate 5hak$&eare a$little, an) the majority of Pari$ian$ ha(e no le$$ &artial an) fie) anotion of the characteri$tic$ of their in$ular neighbor$, than beforethe )ay$ of journali$m an) $team* The attem&t$ to re&re$ent Engli$hmanner$ an) character are a$ gro$$ caricature$ no' a$ in the time ofMontaigne* 4o'e(er a&t at fu$ion 'ithin, the national egoti$m i$a$ re&ugnant to a$$imilation from 'ithout a$ e(er* The $tock $eem$inca&able of (ital grafting, a$ ha$ been remarkably e(i)ence) in all thecolonial e&eriment$ of 1rance*

The ecellence of the 1rench character, intellectually $&eaking,con$i$t$ in routine an) )etail* 4o' 'ell their author$ )e$cribe an)their arti$t$ )e&ict &eculiaritie$7 ho' eact the e(olution$ of a 1renchregiment, an) the $tatement$ of a 1rench naturali$t7 ho' a&t i$ aPari$ian 'oman in rai$ing gracefully her $kirt$, thro'ing on a $ha'l, orcarrying a ba$ket7 -n loyalty to a metho) they are unri(alle), in thetrium&h of in)i(i)ualitie$ 'eak their arti$an$ can make a glo(e fit&erfectly, but ha(e yet to learn ho' to cut out a coat their author$,like their $ol)ier$, can be mar$halle) in grou&$ mean$ are $u&eriorto en)$ manner$, the e&onent of Nature in other lan)$, there color,mo)ify, an) characterie the )e(elo&ment of intellect the $ubor)inate

&rinci&le in go(ernment, in $cience, an) in life, become$ &aramount)ra'ing, the elemental language of Art, i$ ma$tere), 'hile the $tan)ar)of e&re$$ion remain$ ina)eHuate the la'$ of )i$ea$e are &rofoun)ly$tu)ie), 'hile thi$ kno'le)ge bear$ no &ro&ortionate relation to the&ractical art of healing the ancient rule$ of )ramatic literature are&e)antically follo'e), 'hile the &ity an) terror they 'ere ma)e toillu$trate are una'akene) the &rogramme of re&ublican go(ernment i$luci)ly announce), it$ 'atch'or)$ a)o&te), it$ &hilo$o&hy e&oun)e),'hile it$ $&irit an) realiation continue in abeyance8 an) thu$e(ery'here 'e fin) a $ingular )i$&ro&ortion bet'een formula an) fact,&rofe$$ion an) &ractice, $&ecific kno'le)ge an) it$ a&&lication* Thecitien of the 'orl) fin)$ no armory like that 'hich the in$titution$,

the ta$te, an) the geniu$ of the 1rench nation affor) him, 'hether hea$&ire to be a courtier or a chemi$t, a $ol)ier or a I$a(antI, a )anceror a )octor an) yet, for com&lete eHui&ment, he mu$t tem&er each 'ea&onhe there acHuire$, or it 'ill break in hi$ han)*

-n e(ery e&och a 'or) rule$ or illu$trate$ the )ominant $&irit8IcitoyenI in the 3e(olution, Imou$tacheI )uring the %on$ulate,I(ictoireI un)er the Em&ire, to)ay Ila Bour$eI* To a 1renchman, $ay$Mr$* ame$on, the 'or)$ that e&re$$ thing$ $eem the thing$ them$el(e$,an) he &ronounce$ the 'or)$ Iamour, grace, $en$ibiliteI, etc*, 'ith areli$h in hi$ mouth a$ if he ta$te) them, a$ if he &o$$e$$e) them* Theytalk of Ile $entiment )u metierI in tra(elling, Pari$ i$ the eternal

theme* A $agaciou$ ob$er(er ha$ remarke) in their language the $hort,a&hori$tic &hra$e, the freHuent ab$ence of the co&ulati(e, a(oi)ance of)e&en)ent &hra$e$, an) )i$)ain of mo)ifying a)(erb$* INai(ete, aban)on,ennuiI, etc*, are $&ecific term$ of the language, an) )e$ignate national

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trait$* 0hen Beaumarchai$ ri)icule) a &ro(incial e&re$$ion, the+au&hine$$, 'e are tol), com&o$e) a hea))re$$ e&re$$ly to gi(e it alocal habitation an) a name*

The mania for eHuality, in the fir$t 3e(olution, +e TocHue(ille $ho'$'a$ not $o much the re$ult of &olitical a$&iration a$ the fierce &rote$tagain$t tho$e eclu$i(e right$ once enjoye) by the nobility, $ho'n by

Arthur .oung to ha(e been the &rimary im&ul$e to re(olution, to hunt,kee& &igeon$, grin) corn, &re$$ gra&e$, etc* 1or a long &erio), the manof letter$ 'a$ ne(er combine) 'ith the $tate$man, a$ in Englan)* -n1rance, $&eculation in go(ernment ran 'il), becau$e the thinker$,$u))enly rai$e) to influence in affair$, ha) enjoye) no or)eal of &ublic)uty* 4ence certain imaginary fruit$ of liberty 'ere $ought, an) it$ab$olute 'orth mi$un)er$too)* An) no' that e&erience, )early bought,ha$ mo)ifie) (i$ionary an) moul)e) &ractical theorie$, ho' much of thenormal intere$t of the 1rench character ha$ e(a&orate)7 E(en the lo(eof beauty an) the lo(e of glory, &ro(erbially it$ )i$tinction$, areecli&$e) by the $ullen orb of -m&eriali$m the Bour$e i$ more attracti(ethan the battlefiel), material luury than arti$tic )i$tinction*

:ne of their o'n &hilo$o&her$ ha$ $umme) u&, 'ith ju$tice, the anomalou$element$ of the (er$atile national character8

+i) there e(er a&&ear on the earth another nation $o fertile incontra$t$, $o etreme in it$ act$,more un)er the )ominion offeeling, le$$ rule) by &rinci&le al'ay$ better or 'or$e than 'a$antici&ate),no' belo' the le(el of humanity, no' far abo(e a &eo&le$o unchangeable in it$ lea)ing feature$ that it may be recognie) by&ortrait$ )ra'n t'o or three thou$an) year$ ago, an) yet $o fickle init$ )aily o&inion$ an) ta$te$ that it become$ at la$t a my$tery toit$elf, an) i$ a$ much a$toni$he) a$ $tranger$ at the $ight of 'hat it

ha$ )one naturally fon) of home an) routine, yet, 'hen once )ri(enforth an) force) to a)o&t ne' cu$tom$, rea)y to carry &rinci&le$ toany length$ an) to )are anything in)ocile by )i$&o$ition, but better&lea$e) 'ith the arbitrary an) e(en (iolent rule of a $o(ereign than'ith a free an) regular go(ernment un)er it$ chief citien$ no' fie)in ho$tility to $ubjection of any kin), no' $o &a$$ionately 'e))e) to$er(itu)e that nation$ ma)e to $er(e cannot (ie 'ith it le) by a threa)$o long a$ no 'or) of re$i$tance i$ $&oken, 'holly ungo(ernable 'hen the$tan)ar) of re(olt i$ rai$e),thu$ al'ay$ )ecei(ing it$ ma$ter$,'ho fear it too much or too little ne(er $o free that it cannot be$ubjugate), ne(er $o ke&t )o'n that it cannot break the yoke Hualifie)for e(ery &ur$uit, but ecelling in nothing but 'ar more &rone to

'or$hi& chance, force, $ucce$$, IeclatI, noi$e, than real glory en)o'e)'ith more heroi$m than (irtue, more geniu$ than common $en$e bettera)a&te) for the conce&tion of gran) )e$ign$ than the accom&li$hment ofgreat enter&ri$e$ the mo$t brilliant an) the mo$t )angerou$ nationof Euro&e, an) the one that i$ $ure$t to in$&ire a)miration, hatre),terror, or &ity, but ne(er in)ifferenceK=@

0hat other $ocial $&here coul) affor) room for the (ocation $o a&tly)e$cribe) in the follo'ing $ketch of hi$ 'ay$ an) mean$, gi(en in arecent &icture of life in Pari$ by a $yco&hant of millionnaire$, ata &erio) 'hen intere$t$, not right$, are the 'atch'or)$ of thenationKMon role )e familier )an$ une (eritable &o&ulation )Jenrichi$

me )onnait )u cre)it )an$ le$ bou)oir$, et mon cre)it )an$ le$ bou)oir$ajoutait a ma fa(eur &re$ ce$ &au(re$ )iable$ )e millionaire$, &re$Huetou$ (ieu et bla$e$, courant toujour$ en chancelant a&re$ un &lai$irnou(eau* ;e$ marchan)$ )e (in me font la cour comme le$ jolie$ femme$,

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&our Hue je )aigne leur in)iHner )e$ connai$$eur$ a$$e riche$ &our&ayer le$ bonne$ cho$e$ le &ri HuJelle$ (alent* Mon metier e$t )e tout$a(oir,lJanec)ote )e la cour, le $can)ale )e la (ille, le $ecret )e$couli$$e$* An) thi$ $&ecie$ of a)(enturer, 'e are tol), ha$ al'ay$ the$ame commencement to hi$ memoir$,I-l (int a Pari$ en $abot$*I

=1ootnote 8 +e TocHue(ille*@

The numerou$ a(ocation$ of 'omen in the 1rench ca&ital e&lain, in amea$ure, their $u&erior tact, efficiency, an) force of character* Thi$i$ e$&ecially true of female$ of the mi))le cla$$, 'ho ha(e been ju$tly)e$cribe) a$ remarkable for goo) $en$e an) a&&ro&riate co$tume$* The&artici&ation of 'omen in $o many )e&artment$ of art an) in)u$tryaffect$, al$o, the $ocial tone an) the manner$* 5terne, long ago,remarke) it of the fair $ho&kee&er$* The geniu$ of a &eo&le, he $ay$,'here nothing but the monarchy i$ I5aliHueI, ha(ing ce)e) thi$)e&artment totally to the 'omen, by a continual higgling 'ith cu$tomer$of all rank$ an) $ie$, from morning to night, like $o many rough&ebble$ in a bag, by amicable colli$ion$, they ha(e 'orn )o'n their

a$&eritie$ an) $har& angle$, an) not only become roun) an) $mooth, but'ill recei(e, $ome of them, a &oli$h like a brilliant*

4o' )i$tinctly may be rea) the &olitical (ici$$itu)e$ of 1rance in herliterature,cla$$ic, highly fini$he), keen, an) formal, 'hen a monarch'a$ i)olie) an) author$ 'rote only for court$ an) $cholar$8 Bo$$uet,'ith hi$ rhetorical grace$ ;a Bruyere, 'ith hi$ gallery of character$,not one of 'hich 'a$ moul)e) among the &eo&le +e la 3ochefoucaul)J$maim$, )ra'n from the arcana of fa$hionable life 3acine, 'ho$e heroe$)ie 'ith an immaculate cou&let an) $&eak the faint echoe$ of Grecian or3oman $entiment7 0hen &olitic$ became common &ro&erty, an) the 'all$ ofa &re$cri&ti(e an) con(entional $y$tem fell, ho' 'il) ran $&eculation

an) $entiment in the co&iou$ an) $u&erficial Voltaire an) the (aguehumanitie$ of 3ou$$eau7 0hen an era of military )e$&oti$m $u&er(ene)u&on the reign of licen$e, ho' )e$titute of lettere) geniu$ $eeme) thenation, ece&t 'hen the &en$i(e enthu$ia$m of %hateaubrian) breathe)mu$ic from American 'il)$ or a ;on)on garret, an) Ma)ame )e 5tael ga(eutterance to her eloHuent &hilo$o&hy in eile at Gene(a7 INa&oleon eut(oulu faire manoeu(rer lJe$&rit humain comme il fai$ait manoeu(rer $e$(ieu bataillon$I* .et more em&hatic i$ the reaction of &oliticalcon)ition$ u&on literary )e(elo&ment after the 3e$toration* The tragichorror$ an) &rotracte) fe(er of the 3e(olution, an) the &a$$ion formilitary glory eaggerate) by the (ictorie$ of Na&oleon, legitimatelyinitiate) the inten$e $chool, 'hich )uring the &re$ent century ha$

$ignalie) 1rench literature* The I&re$tigeI of the $cholar re(i(e), an)literary ecli&$e) 'arlike fame but 'ith the re(i(al of letter$ camethe re(olutionary $&irit before ehibite) on the battlefiel) an)in cabinet$* 1or the artificial an) elegant 'a$ $ub$titute) themelo)ramatic an) effecti(e lyric$ from the o(er'rought heart broke in)reamy $'eetne$$ from ;amartine an) in $im&le energy from Berangerfiction the mo$t elaborate, incongruou$, an) eciting, here Huaintlyarti$tic, there morbi)ly $cientific, re(eale) the chao$ an) theearthHuake$ that lai) bare an) u&hea(e) life an) $ociety in the&rece)ing e&och$ the journal became an intellectual gymna$ium an):lym&ic game, 'here the fir$t min)$ of the nation $ought eerci$e an)glory the IfeuilletonI almo$t nece$$itate) the no(eli$t to concentrate

u&on each cha&ter the amount of intere$t once )iffu$e) through a (olumecritici$m, from te)iou$ analy$i$, became a brilliant or)eal egoti$min$&ire) a 'orl) of ne' confe$$ion$, &olitical Hue$tion$ a ne' $choolof &o&ular 'riting, the lo(e of effect an) the &a$$ion for ecitement a

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multitu)e of )ramatic, narrati(e, an) biogra&hical book$, 'herein the$erenity of thought, the tranHuil beauty of truth, an) the healthfultone of nature 'ere $acrifice), not 'ithout )aling geniu$, toimme)iate fame, &ecuniary re'ar), an) the )elight I)Je&rou(er une$en$ationI* E(en in the hi$tory of the fine art$, 'e fin) the &oliticalelement gui)ing the &encil an) ruling the fortune$ of geniu$* +a(i) 'a$the go(ernment &ainter, an) regar)e) Gro$ an) Giro)et a$ I$u$&ect$I*

4e effecte) a re(olution in Art by going back to $e(ere anatomical&rinci&le$ in )e$ign* There 'ere con$&iracie$ again$t him in the$tu)io$, an) 'ar 'a$ )eclare) bet'een color an) )e$ign the &alettean) the &encil 'ere in conflict +a(i), the Na&oleon of theformer,Pru)Jhon, Gericault, +elacroi, an) other$, lea)er$ in thelatter faction* Each &arty 'a$ $urroun)e) by it$ re$&ecti(e cor&$ ofamateur$ an) military term$ 'ere in (ogue in the IatelierI an) aca)emy*I5Jil e$t &ermi$I $ay$ +elacroi, $&eaking of hi$ 5ar)ana&alu$,)e com&arer le$ &etite$ cho$e$ au gran)e$, ce fut mon 0aterloo* e)e(enai$ lJabomination )e la &einture il fallait me refu$er lJeau etle $el* -f you 'i$h to $hare the fa(or$ of the go(ernment, $ai) anofficial to another arti$t, you mu$t change your manner* 1rom the

tyranny of eternal influence$ ha(e ari$en the incongruitie$ of the1rench $chool$ of &ainting, an) e$&ecially 'hat ha$ been 'ell calle)that meretriciou$ bree) 'hich continue to )e&ict the Mag)alen 'iththe unite) attraction$ of Pale$tine an) the Palai$ 3oyal* The large&icture$ 'hich Gro$ &ainte) )uring the Em&ire 'ere con$igne) tolong ob$curity at the 3e$toration* The li(e$, too, of many of the$eculti(ator$ of the art$ of &eace ha) a tragic clo$e* 4ay)onJ$ fate ma)ea )ee& im&re$$ion in Englan), becau$e it 'a$ an ece&tional ca$e 'hile,of the mo)ern &ainter$ of 1rance, 'ho$e career 'a$ far more harmoniou$an) $ucce$$ful than hi$, Gro$ )ro'ne) him$elf, 3obert cut hi$ throat,Pru)Jhon )ie) in mi$ery, an) Greue 'a$ burie) in PotterJ$ 1iel)* The$i)e of life 'e naturally a$$ociate 'ith tranHuillity thu$ offer$, in

thi$ )ramatic realm, $cene$ of ecitement an) &ity* -t i$ the $ame inliterature* 0itne$$ the fierce $truggle bet'een the 3omantic an) %la$$ic$chool$,the early (ictorie$ of the Ienfant $ublimeI, Victor 4ugo*An) 'e mu$t ackno'le)ge that Ile$ lettre$ et le$ art$ ont au$$i leur$emeute$ et leur$ re(olution$I, an) acce&t the inference of one of theIPari$ian literatiI,that IlJe$&rit a toujour$ HuelHue cho$e )e$ataniHueI* E(ery re(olution i$ i)entifie) 'ith $ome mu$ical air8 'hen;oui$ FV---* fir$t a&&eare) at the theatre, after hi$ long eile, he 'a$greete) 'ith the Vi(e 4enri -V*, an) the ne' con$titution of !?# 'a$u$here) in by the Mar$eillai$e* The Vau)e(ille theatre, 'e are tol),)uring the 3e(olution an) un)er the Em&ire, 'a$ e$$entially &olitical*An imaginary re$emblance bet'een Ila cha$te 5uanneI an) Marie

Antoinette cau$e) the &rohibition of that )rama an) the intere$t 'hich%ambacere$ took in an actre$$ of thi$ e$tabli$hment le) him to gi(e ithi$ official &rotection*

-n the family of nation$ 1rance i$ the chil) of illu$ion$, an) ecite$the $ym&athy of the magnanimou$ becau$e her )e$tinie$ ha(e been marre)through the error$ of the imagination rather than of the heart*Go(ernment, religion, an) $ocietythe three great element$ of ci(illifeha(e no'here been $o mo)ifie) by the )ominion of fancy o(er fact*Take the hi$tory of 1rench re&ublicani$m, of Luieti$m, of court an)literary circle$ 'hat &er$&icuity in the e&re$$ion, an) (aguene$$in the realiation of i)ea$7 -n each a mania to fa$cinate, in none a

thorough ba$i$ of truth abun)ance of talent, but no faith gayety,gallantry, 'it, )e(otion, )ream$, an) e&igram$ in &erfection, 'ithoutthe $oli) foun)ation of &rinci&le$ an) the efficient )e(elo&ment in&ractice, either of &olity, a $ocial $y$tem, or religiou$ belief,the

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theory an) the $entiment of each being at the $ame time luuriant,attracti(e, an) &rolific*

The &o&ular 'riter$ are eloHuent in ab$traction$, but each $eem$in$&ire) by a thorough egoti$m* +e$carte$, their &hilo$o&her, )re' allhi$ inference$ from con$ciou$ne$$ Ma)ame )e 5e(igne, the e&i$tolaryHueen, ha) for her central moti(e of all $&eculation an) go$$i& the lo(e

of her )aughter Ma)ame Guyon eliminate) her tenet$ from the ec$ta$y of$elflo(e 3ochefoucaul) )eri(e) a $et of &hilo$o&hical maim$ from thele$$on$ of mere 'orl)ly )i$a&&ointment %al(in $ought to reform $ocietythrough the $tern bigotry of a &ri(ate cree) ;a Bruyere elaborate)generic character$ from the acute, but narro' ob$er(ation of artificial$ociety Boileau e$tabli$he) a cla$$ical $tan)ar) of critici$m $ugge$te)by &er$onal ta$te, 'hich ignore) the &rogre$$ of the human min)*

The re)eeming grace of the nation i$ to be foun) in it$ 'hole$ome $en$eof the enjoyable an) the a(ailable in or)inary life, in it$ free)omfrom the )i$content 'hich el$e'here i$ born of a(arice an) unmitigate)materiali$m* The lo(e of &lea$ing, the influence of 'omen, an) a

fri(olou$ tem&er e(ery'here an) on all occa$ion$ $ignalie them* 0hy,&eo&le laugh at e(erything here7 nai(ely eclaime) the young +uche$$ ofBurgun)y, on her arri(al at the 1rench court*

The amount of commo)itie$ taken by 1rench &eo&le on a journey, an) thecool $elf$ati$faction 'ith 'hich they are a&&ro&riate) a$ occa$ion)eman)$, gi(e a $tranger the mo$t (i(i) i)ea of $en$ual egoti$m* TheI&ateI, the long roll of brea), the $our 'ine, the la&)og, the $nuff,an) the nightca&, 'hich tran$form the car or carriage into a refectoryan) bou)oir, 'ith the chatter, $noring, an) $hifting of leg$, make aninterior $cene for the no(ice, e$&ecially on a nightjaunt, com&are) to'hich the humble$t of +utch &icture$ are refine) an) elegant*

The intrin$ic )i(er$ity an) the national relation$ bet'een the 1renchan) Engli$h are curiou$ly illu$trate) by their re$&ecti(e hi$tory an)literature* %om&are, for in$tance, the &lay$ of 5hak$&eare, 'hich)ramatie the long 'ar$ of the early king$, 'ith the account gi(en inthe journal$ of the rece&tion of Victoria at Pari$ an) of ;oui$ Na&oleonin ;on)on imagine the royal $alutation an) the official recognition ofthe once anathematie) Na&oleon )yna$ty General Bona&arte become$ inhi$ tomb Na&oleon -* No 'on)er Punch affirme) that the $tatue of Pitt$hook it$ brone hea) an) the bone$ of %a$tlereagh $tirre) in &rote$t*

The Engli$h, $ay$ a celebrate) 'riter, like ancient me)al$, ke&t more

a&art, &re$er(e the fir$t $har&ne$$ 'hich the fair han) of Nature ha$gi(en them they are not $o &lea$ant to feel, but, in return, the legen)i$ $o (i$ible, that, at the fir$t look, you can $ee 'ho$e image an)$u&er$cri&tion they bear* Thi$ i$ a )elicate 'ay of $etting forththe $u&erior hone$ty an) bluntne$$ an) the inferior $moothne$$ an)a$$imilating in$tinct of the Anglo5aon,a (ital )ifference, 'hichno alliance or intercour$e 'ith hi$ Gallic neighbor$ can e$$entiallychange*

A century ago there 'ere fe' better te$t$ of &o&ular $entiment inEnglan) than the &lay$ in (ogue* A$ in)ication$ of the $tate of the&ublic min), they 'ere 'hat the balla)$ are to earlier time$, an) the

)aily &re$$ i$ to our o'n,generalie) ca$ual, but em&hatic &roof$ ofthe o&inion$, &reju)ice$, an) fancie$ of the hour* No' a large Engli$hcolony i$ )ome$ticate) in 1rance it i$ but a fe' hour$J tri& from;on)on to Pari$ ne'$&a&er$ an) the telegra&h in both ca&ital$ make

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almo$t $imultaneou$ announcement$ of ne'$ the $ol)ier$ of the t'onation$ fight $i)e by $i)e the 1rench $ho&man )eclare$ on hi$ $ign thatEngli$h i$ $&oken 'ithin the Time$, &orter, an) tea are obtainablecommo)itie$ in Pari$ an) IfraterniteI i$ the 'atch'or) at +o(er an)%alai$* .et the normal i)ea 'hich obtain$ in the con$er(ati(e brain of agenuine IAnglai$I, though )oubtle$$ e&an)e) an) mo)ifie) by intercour$ean) treatie$, may be foun) $till in that once &o&ular )rama, 1ooteJ$

Engli$hman in Pari$* A 1renchman, $ay$ one of the character$, i$ afo&* Their ta$te i$ trifling, an) their &olitene$$ &ri)e* 0hat the )eu$ebring$ you to Pari$, thenK 0hereJ$ the u$eK -t gi(e$ Engli$hmen a truereli$h for their o'n )ome$tic ha&&ine$$, a &ro&er (eneration for theirnational libertie$, an) an honor for the eten)e) generou$ commerce oftheir country* The men there are all &u&&ie$, the 'omen &ainte) )oll$*Mon$ieur 3agout an) Mon$ieur 3o$bif ban)y 'or)$ the former i$ $ai) tolook a$ if he ha) not ha) a &iece of beef or &u))ing in hi$ &aunch fort'enty year$, an) ha) li(e) 'holly on frog$,an) the latter &ine$ tolea& a fi(ebarre) gate, an) i$ afrai) of being entra&&e) by a rich$hePa&i$t* 4i$ fair country'oman i$ in(ite) by a 1rench marHui$ tomarry him, 'ith thi$ &rogramme,A &er&etual re$i)ence in thi$ &ara)i$e

of &lea$ure$ to be the object of uni(er$al a)oration to $ay 'hat you&lea$e,go 'here you 'ill,)o 'hat you like,form fa$hion$,hateyour hu$ban), an) let him $ee it,in)ulge your gallant,run in )ebt,an) oblige the &oor )e(il to &ay it*

A$ a &en)ant, take the )e$cri&tion of one of the la$t 1rench no(el$8APari$ tout $Joublie, tout $e &ar)onne* Par con(enance, &ar )ecence,HuelHuefoi$ &ar crainte, on $Jab$ente, ou fait un entrJacte8 &ui$ leri)eau $e rele(e &our le $&ectacle )e nou(elle$ faute$ et )e nou(elle$folie$ toute la Hue$tion e$t )e $a(oir $Jy &ren)re*

%ome)y i$ nati(e to 1rench geniu$ an) a&&reciation it follo'$ the

change$ of $ocial life 'ith mar(ellou$ celerity it i$ the be$t $choolof the 1rench language an) i$ refine) an) $ub)i(i)e), a$ an art, bothin )egree an) kin), in 1rance more than in any other country* The&rolific author$ in thi$ )e&artment, an) the (ariety an) richne$$ ofin(ention they )i$&lay, a$ 'ell a$ the &ermanent attraction of the %omicMu$e, are $triking &eculiaritie$ of the 1rench theatre* No ca&italaffor)$ the material an) the au)ience reHui$ite for $uch trium&h$ likePari$ an) there i$ al'ay$ a &lay of thi$ kin) in (ogue there, 'hereinno(elty of combination, $ignificance of )ialogue, an) arti$ticfelicitie$ Huite unri(alle) el$e'here, are ehibite)*

-t i$ Huite the re(er$e 'ith the $eriou$ )rama* -n Englan) thi$ i$ a

form of literature 'hich goe$ neare$t to the normal fact$ an) con)ition$of human nature it teache$ the highe$t an) )ee&e$t le$$on$, 'in$ themo$t &rofoun) $ym&athy, an) i$ remarkable an) intere$ting through it$$ubtile an) com&rehen$i(e truth to Nature8 'herea$ in 1rance the ma$ter$of tragic art are but $kilful re&ro)ucer$ of the cla$$ical )rama* 1renchtrage)y i$ e$$entially artificial, grafte) on the con(entionalitie$ ofa )i$tant age* -t gi(e$ $co&e either to mere elocutionary art ormelo)ramatic in(ention,not to the uni(er$al an) ei$ting &a$$ion$*There i$ but a $len)er o&&ortunity to i)entify our $ym&athie$tho$e ofmo)ern ci(iliation'ith 'hat i$ going on* 1igure$ in 3oman toga$or Grecian mantle$ rehear$e the $entiment$ of fatali$m, the cree) ofancient mythology, or Gallic rhetoric in a cla$$ic )re$$ an) the$e

)i$gui$e$ $o en(elo&e the lo(e, ambition, )e$&air, hate, or &atrioti$m,that 'e are al'ay$ con$ciou$ of the theatrical, an) it reHuire$ theetraor)inary gift$ of a 3achel to enli$t other than arti$tic intere$t*

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The 1rench ha(e manual$ for breathing an) com&o$ing the feature$to $ecure arti$tic effect$ they offer aca)emic &rie$ for e(eryconcei(able achie(ement their (ery lam&&o$t$ are )e$igne) 'ith ta$tea huck$ter in the $treet 'ill ehibit )ramatic tact an) 'on)erfulmechanical )eterity* Luan) il &arait un homme )e genie en 1rance,$ay$ Ma)ame )e 5tael, )an$ HuelHue carriere Hue ce $oit, il atteint&re$Hue toujour$ a un )egre )e &erfection $an$ eem&le car il reunit

lJau)ace Hui fait $ortir )e la route commune au tact )u bon gout* An)yet in (a$t &olitical intere$t$ they are (ictim$,in the more earne$t)e(elo&ment$ of the $oul, chil)ren* A ne' artificial lake in the Boi$ )eBoulogne, a gran) military rece&tion, ne'$ of a (ictory in $ome )i$tantcorner of the globe, the )i$tribution of eagle$ to bra(e $ur(i(or$,ina 'or), an a&&eal to the lo(e of amu$ement, of )i$&lay, an) ofglory,Huiet$ the murmur about to ri$e again$t interference 'ith humanright$ or u$ur&ation of the national 'ill* Political intere$t$ of thegra(e$t character are treate) 'ith fli&&ancy8 one 'riter call$ theformation of a ne' go(ernment Talleyran)J$ table of 'hi$t an) anotherca$ually ob$er(e$ that Itou$ le$ gou(ernement$ nou(eau ont leur lune)e mielI*

That great &rinci&le of the )i(i$ion of labor, 'hich the Engli$h carryinto mechanical an) commercial affair$, the 1rench al$o a&&ly to theeconomy of life an) to Art but, a$ the$e latter intere$t$ are more$&ontaneou$ an) unlimite), the re$ult i$ often a &erfection in )etail,an) a like )eficiency in general effect* Thu$, there are $chool$ of&ainting in 1rance more )i$tinct an) a&art than ei$t el$e'here u$uallythe follo'er$ of $uch are )i$tingui$he) for ecellence in the mechanicala&titu)e$ of their (ocation the figure i$ a)mirably )ra'n, the co$tumerightly )i$&o$e), an) $ometime$ the )egree of fini$h Huite mar(ellou$but, u$ually, thi$ $u&eriority i$ attaine) at the e&en$e of the$entiment of the &icture* 1rench hi$toric Art, like 1rench life, i$

a&t to be etra(agant an) melo)ramatic, or o(errefine) in unim&ortant&articular$ it often lack$ moral harmony,the gran), $im&le, truereflection of Nature in it$ nicety* +elaroche, 'ho, of all 1rench&ainter$, ro$e mo$t abo(e the a)(entitiou$, an) ga(e him$elf to the $oulof Art, to &ure e&re$$ion, 'a$, for thi$ (ery rea$on, thought by hi$brother arti$t$ to be col) an) unattracti(e* There i$ one $&here,ho'e(er, 'here thi$ eclu$i(ene$$ of $tyle an) &artition of labor are&ro)ucti(e of the mo$t felicitou$ re$ult$8 namely, the minor )rama* -nEnglan) an) America the $ame theatre ehibit$ o&era, melo)rama, trage)y,come)y, ro&e)ancing, an) leger)emain but in Pari$, each branch an)element of hi$trionic art ha$ it$ $e&arate tem&le, it$ $&ecial cor&$ ofactor$ an) author$, nay, it$ &articular cla$$ of $ubject$ hence their

unri(alle) &erfection* -ngenuity, $cience, an) Art are concentrate) bythu$ a$$igning free an) in)i(i)ual $co&e to the )ramatic nicetie$ an)&ha$e$ of life, of hi$tory, of geniu$, an) of $ociety* At the :&era%omiHue you fin) one kin) of mu$ical creation at the -talien$ thelyrical )rama of 5outhern Euro&e alone at the Variete$ a uniHue or)erof comic )ialogue an) at the Porte 5t* Martin yet another $&ecie$ of&lay* :ne theatre gi(e$ back the i)entical tone of ei$ting $ociety an)current e(ent$ another )eal$ 'ith the cla$$ical i)ea$ of the &a$t*5atire an) $ong, the horrible an) the brilliant, the graceful an) thehighly arti$tic, &ictorial, elocutionary, &antomimic, tragic, (ocal,$tatue$Hue, the &a$t an) &re$ent, all the element$ of Art an) of life,fin) re&re$entation in the &lot, the language, the $entiment, the

co$tume, the mu$ic, an) the $cenery of the many Pari$ian theatre$*

.et ho' much of thi$ $u&eriority i$ fugiti(e7 ho' little in the 'hole)ramatic )e(elo&ment take$ &ermanent hol) u&on &o&ular $ym&athy7 Much

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of it$ $ignificance i$ &urely local, an) of it$ intere$t altogethertem&orary* 5cholar$ an) the higher cla$$e$ can talk eloHuently of%orneille an) 3acine the beau an) I$&irituelleI 'omen of the )ay canre&eat an) enjoy the la$t hit of 5cribe, or the ne' IbonmotI ofthe theatre8 but contra$t the$e re$ult$ 'ith the national lo(e an)a&&reciation of 5hak$&eare,'ith the &ermanent reflection of 5&ani$hlife in ;o&e )e Vega,the &atriotic a$&iration$ 'hich the young -talian

broo)$ o(er in the trage)ie$ of Alfieri* The grace of mo(ement, thetrium&h of tact an) ingenuity, the )e(otion to con(entionali$m, either&e)antry or the geniu$ of the hour, al$o rule$ the )rama in Pari$* 0ithall it$ brilliancy, entertainment, grace, 'it, an) &o&ularity,thereei$t$ not a &ermanently (ital an) uni(er$ally recognie) ty&e of thi$greate$t )e&artment of literature, familiar an) en)eare) alike to&ea$ant an) &eer, a re&re$entati(e of humanity for all time,like thebar) aroun) 'ho$e name an) 'or)$ clu$ter the Anglo5aon heart$ an)intelligence from generation to generation*

But no'here )o life an) the )rama $o trench u&on each other no'here i$e(ery inci)ent of e&erience $o )ramatic* Mi$$ 4*M* 0illiam$ tol) the

&oet 3oger$ that $he ha) $een men an) 'omen, 'aiting for a)mi$$ion atthe )oor of the theatre, $u))enly lea(e their $tation, on the &a$$ing ofa $et of 'retche$ going to be guillotine), an) then, ha(ing a$certaine)that none of their relation$ or frien)$ 'ere among them, (eryunconcerne)ly return to the )oor of the theatre* A chil) i$ born at the:&era %omiHue )uring the &erformance, an) it i$ in$tantly ma)e an e(entof $ym&athy an) effect by the au)ience a $ub$cri&tion i$ rai$e), thechil) name) for the )ramatic heroine of the moment, an) the fortunatemother $ent home in a carriage, ami) the &lau)it$ of the cro')* .ou areli$tening to a &lay an) a co&y of the EntrJacte i$ thru$t into yourhan), containing a minute account of the )eath of a $tate$man t'o$Huare$ off 'ho$e name fill$ &age$ of hi$tory, or a battle in the Ea$t,

'here $ome officer 'hom you met t'o month$ before on the Boule(ar) ha$'on immortal fame by &ro)igie$ of (alor* 5o )o the actualitie$ an) the&a$time$, the real an) the imaginary )rama, miraculou$ly interfu$e atPari$ the come)y of life i$ &atent there, an) often the $&ectatoreclaim$, IArleHuin a(ait bien arrange le$ cho$e$, mai$ %olombine)erange tout7I

The Pari$ian female$ are unece&tionably $ho),but the agriculturalin$trument$ no' in u$e in the rural )i$trict$ of 1rance are of a forman) mechani$m 'hich, to a .ankee farmer, 'oul) $eem ante)ilu(ian thecook$, gar)ener$, an) other 'orking&eo&le, ha(e annually the mo$tgraceful fe$ti(al$,but the tra(eller $ee$ in the fiel)$ 'omen $o

brone) an) 'rinkle) by toil an) e&o$ure that their $e i$ har)ly to berecognie)* 0hen the Gothamite &a$$e$ along Pearl or Broa) 5treet,he behol)$ the )aily $&ectacle of unem&loye) carmen rea)ingne'$&a&er$there may be $ai) to be no $uch thing a$ &o&ular literaturein 1rance mental recreation, $uch a$ the German an) 5cotch &ea$antryenjoy, i$ unkno'n there* The Art an) letter$ of the king)om flouri$he)in her court an) 'ere culti(ate) a$ an ari$tocratic element for $o longa &erio), that neither ha$ become )ome$ticate) among the lo'er cla$$e$'e fin) in them the $entiment of military glory, of religion in it$$u&er$titiou$ &ha$e, of mu$ic &erha&$, of ru$tic fe$ti(ity,but not theenjoyment$ 'hich $&ring from or are a$$ociate) 'ith thought an) &oetic$ym&athie$ $uch a$ national 'riter$ like Burn$ in$&ire)* An ece&tion

com&arati(ely recent may be foun) in the &o&ular a&&reciation ofBeranger an) 5ou(e$tre*

There i$ not a natural object too beautiful or an occa$ion too $olemn

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to arre$t the 1rench ten)ency to the theatrical* E(en one of their mo$tar)ent eulogi$t$ remark$,All that can be $ai) again$t the 1rench$ublime i$ thi$,that the gran)eur i$ more in the 'or) than in thething the 1rench e&re$$ion &rofe$$e$ more than it &erform$ an) ol)Montaigne )eclare$ that lying i$ not a (ice among the 1rench, Ibut a'ay of $&eakingI* Both ob$er(ation$ a)mit too much an) in)icate anhabitual )e&arture from Nature an) $im&licity a$ a national trait*

0ho but 1renchmen e(er )elighte) in re)ucing to artificial $ha&e$ thegraceful form$ of (egetable life, or can $o far lay a$i)e the $entimentof grief a$ to engage in rhetorical &anegyric$ o(er the fre$h gra(e$of )e&arte) frien)$K %om&are the high )ea) 'all 'ith it$ range offlo'er&ot$, the &orche$ un)ecke) by 'oo)bine$ or je$$amine, the formal&ath$, the &roimate kitchen, $table$, an) ungarni$he) I$alonI ofa 1rench (illa, 'ith the he)ge$, mea)o'$, 'oo)lan)$, an) trelli$e)eglantine of an Engli$h countryhou$e an) a glance a$$ure$ u$ thatto the former nation the country i$ a I)ernier re$$ortI, an) not anen)eare) $eclu$ion* .et they romance, in their 'ay, on rural $ubject$8IA la cam&agneI, $ay$ one of their &oet$, Iou chaHue feuille Huitombe e$t une elegie toute faiteI* Through an a(enue of $craggy &o&lar$

'e a&&roach a )ila&i)ate) IchateauI, 'ho$e o'ner i$ &laying )ominoe$at the cafe of the neare$t &ro(incial to'n, or ehau$ting the $&ar$ere(enue$ of the e$tate at the theatre$, roulettetable$, or ball$ ofPari$* Peo&le lea(e the$e for a rural (icinage only to economie, tohi)e chagrin, or to )ie* 5o recognie) i$ thi$ in)ifference to Naturean) ina&titu)e for rural life in 1rance, that, 'hen 'e )e$ire toe&re$$ the o&&o$ite of natural ta$te$, 'e habitually u$e the 'or)1renchifie)* The i)ea 'hich a Pari$ian ha$ of a tree i$ that of acon(enient a&&en)age to a lam&* The tra(eller ne(er $ee$ artificiallight reflecte) from green lea(e$, 'ithout thinking of hi$ e(ening&romena)e$ in the 1rench ca&ital, or a )ance in the gro(e$ ofMontmorency* The ol) (erbal tyranny of the 1rench Aca)emy, the

&ainte) 'reath$ $ol) at cemeterygate$, the colore) &late$ of fa$hion$,&o')ere) hair, an) rouge) cheek$, ty&ify an) illu$trate thi$ irre(erentambition to &er(ert Nature an) create artificial effect$ they are but$o many form$ of the theatrical in$tinct, an) &roof$ of the a$cen)encyof meretriciou$ ta$te* -t i$ thi$ 'ant of loyalty to Nature, an)in$en$ibility to her una)ulterate) charm$, 'hich con$titute the realbarrier bet'een the Gallic min) an) that of Englan) an) -taly, an)'hich e&lain the fer(ent &rote$t of $uch men a$ Alfieri an) %oleri)ge*5im&licity an) earne$tne$$ are the normal trait$ of efficient character,'hether )e(elo&e) in action or Art, in $entiment or reflection an)manufacture) (er$e, (egetation, an) com&leion$ in)icate a faith ina&&earance$ an) a )i(orce from reality, 'hich, in &olitical intere$t$,

ten) to com&romi$e, to theory, an) to acHuie$cence in a militaryIregimeI an) an embelli$he) ab$oluti$m*

-t i$ thi$ incom&letene$$, thi$ com&arati(e untruth, that gi(e$ ri$e tothe )i$$ati$faction 'e feel in the la$t analy$i$ of 1rench character*-t i$ )elu$i(e* The &romi$e of beauty hel) out by eternal ta$te i$unfulfille) the fa$cination of manner bear$ a (a$tly un)ue &ro&ortionto the $ub$tantial kin)ne$$ an) tru$t 'hich that imme)iate charm$ugge$t$* u$t 4ea(en7 eclaim$ .orick, for 'hat 'i$e rea$on$ ha$tthou or)ere) it, that beggary an) urbanity, 'hich are at $uch (ariancein other countrie$, $houl) fin) a 'ay to be at unity in thi$K Thebearing of an Engli$hman $el)om a'aken$ e&ectation of courte$y

or entertainment yet, if (ouch$afe), ho' to be relie) on i$ thefrien)$hi&7 ho' generou$ the ho$&itality7 The urbane $alutation 'ith'hich a 1renchman greet$ the female &a$$enger, a$ $he enter$ a &ubliccon(eyance, i$ not follo'e) by the offer of hi$ $eat or a $lice of hi$

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reeking I&ateI,'hile the roughe$t back'oo)$man in America, 'ho ne(ertouche) hi$ hat or incline) hi$ bo)y to a $tranger, 'ill guar) a'oman from in$ult, an) incommo)e him$elf to &romote her comfort, 'ithre$&ectful alacrity* -t i$ $o in literature* 4o' often 'e eagerly follo'the clear e&o$ition of a $ubject in the &age$ of a 1rench author, toreach an im&otent conclu$ion7 or $uffer our $ym&athie$ to be enli$te) bythe a)mirable )e$cri&tion of an interior or a character in one of their

no(el$, to fin) the &lot 'hich embo)ie$ them an ab$ur) melo)rama7E(ane$cence i$ the la' of Pari$ian felicitie$,$elfi$hne$$ thebackgroun) of 1rench &olitene$$,$ociability flouri$he$ in an in(er$eratio to attachment 'e become $ke&tical almo$t in &ro&ortion a$ 'e areattracte)* -f 'e a$k the 'ay, 'e are graciou$ly )irecte) but if 'e)eman) the lea$t $acrifice, 'e mu$t acce&t (olubility for $er(ice* Thu$the &er&etual flo'ering in manner$, in &hilo$o&hy, in &olitic$, an) ineconomy, i$ rarely accom&anie) by fruit in either* To enjoy Pari$, 'emu$t cea$e to be in earne$tto &a$$ the time, an) not to 're$t from ita ble$$ing or a trium&h, i$ the main object* The ba)ge$, the gar)en$,the $mile$, the agreeable &hra$e, the keen re&artee, the tem&ting )i$h,the ingeniou$ I(au)e(illeI, the &retty foot, the elegant chair an)

becoming curtain, the etra(agant ge$ture, the &ointe) e&igram oralluring formula, mu$t be taken a$ $o many agreeabilitie$,not forthing$ &erforme), but imaginati(ely &romi$e)* The folly of 'ar ha$ been)emon$trate) to the entire $en$e of mankin) at be$t, it i$ no' )eeme)a &ainful nece$$ity yet the mo$t $eriou$ &ha$e of life in 1rance i$military* +e&th an) refinement of feeling are lonely gro'th$, an) can nomore $&ring u& in a gregariou$ an) fe$tal life than tree$ in Huick$an)$citien$hi& i$ ba$e) on con$i$tent act$, not on (erbo$ity an)brilliant accom&animent$ ne(er reconcile $trong heart$ to the lo$$ ofin)e&en)ence, 'hich $ome Engli$h author ha$ acutely )eclare) the fir$te$$ential of a gentleman* The ci(iliation of 1rance i$ an arti$tic an)$cientific materiali$m the $&iritual element i$ 'anting* Pari$ i$ the

theatre of nation$ 'e mu$t regar) it a$ a continuou$ $&ectacle, aboun)le$$ mu$eum, a &lace of )i(er$ion, of $tu)y,not of faith, the)ee&e$t 'ant an) mo$t $acre) birthright of humanity*

The 'ant of )irectne$$, the ab$ence of can)or, the nonrecognition oftruth in it$ broa) an) )ee& $en$e, i$, in)ee), a characteri$tic &ha$eof life, of e&re$$ion, an) of manner$ in 1rance* A lo(er of hi$ nationconfe$$e$ that e(en in Igalante$ a(enture$ lJe$&rit &renait la &lace)u coeur, la fantai$ie celle )u $entimentI* VoltaireJ$ cree) 'a$, thatIle men$onge nJe$t un (ice Hue Huan) il fait )u mal cJe$t une gran)e(ertu Huan) il fait )u bienI* I;JeagerationI $ay$ +e Mai$tre, Ie$tle men$onge )e$ honnete$ gen$I*

-n e(ery a$&ect the hi$trionic &re(ail$,by facility of a$$ociation an)colloHuial a&titu)e in the common intercour$e of life,by the in(enti(eelement in )re$$, furniture, an) material arrangement$, &la$tic to theca&rice of ta$te an) ingenuity,by the habitu)e$ of outof)oor life,gi(ing greater (ariety an) a)a&tation to manner$,an) by a nationaltem&erament, $u$ce&tible an) )emon$trati(e* The current (ocabulary$ugge$t$ a &er&etual recour$e to the ca$ual, a $hifting of thelife$cene, a recognition of the tem&orary an) acci)ental* 5uchoftrecurring 'or)$ a$ IflaneurI, Iliai$onI, Iba)inageI, etc*, ha(e noeact $ynonyme$ in other tongue$* All that i$ )one, thought, an) felttake$ a )ramatic e&re$$ion* ;amartine elaborate$ a 4i$tory of

the 3e$toration from t'o re&ort$,the one monarchical, the otherre&ublican,an), by making the fact$ &icture$Hue an) $entimental, 'in$countle$$ rea)er$* %omte elaborate$ a ma$terly analy$i$ of the $cience$,&roclaim$ a fa$cinating theory of era$ or $tage$ in human )e(elo&ment

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but the &o$iti(e &hilo$o&hy, of 'hich all thi$ i$ but the intro)uction,to be a&&lie) to the in)i(i)ual an) $ociety, elu)e$, at la$t, )irect an)com&lete a&&lication* A &o&ular I$a(antI )ie$, an) $tu)ent$ )rag thehear$e an) $catter flo'er$ o(er the gra(e a &hilo$o&her lecture$, an)imme)iately hi$ )i$ci&le$ form a $chool, an) a)(ocate hi$ $y$tem 'iththe ar)or of &arti$an$ a )i$a&&ointe) $ol)ier commit$ $uici)e bythro'ing him$elf from Na&oleonJ$ column, 'hile a Igri$etteI an) her

lo(er make their eit through a la$t embrace an) the fume$ of charcoala 'it $eek$ re(enge 'ith a cle(er re&artee in$tea) of hi$ fi$t$ or cane*A la)y i$ the centre of attraction at a rece&tion, an), u&on inHuiry, 'eare gra(ely informe) that the charm lie$ in the fact, that, though no'fat an) more than forty, a$ 'ell a$ marrie) to an ol) noble, in heryouth $he 'a$ the mi$tre$$ of a celebrate) &oet* Notoriety, e(en 'hen$can)alou$, i$ a$ goo) a $ocial )i$tinction a$ birth, fame, or beauty*3ou$$eau 'rote a lo(e$tory, an) $entiment became the rage* An arti$anha$ a )ay to $&are, an) take$ hi$ family to a gar)en or a )ance* 4umanei$tence, thu$ embelli$he), im&ul$i(e, an) caricature), become$a continuou$ melo)rama, 'ith an occa$ional cata$tro&he in)uce) by&olitical re(olution$* ;oui$ F-V*, the mo$t characteri$tic king 1rance

e(er ha), i$ a genuine re&re$entati(e of thi$ theatrical in$tinct an))e(elo&ment*

4erein may 'e fin) a key to the ri))le of go(ernmental (ici$$itu)e$in 1rance* Peo&le $o ea$ily $ati$fie) 'ith illu$ion$, $o fertile in$u&erficial e&e)ient$, are like chil)ren an) $a(age$ in their $en$e of'hat i$ no(el an) amu$ing, an) their lo(e of ecitement,an) makeno $uch )eman)$ u&on reality a$ fullgro'n men an) e)ucate) citien$in$tincti(ely cra(e* Their &o'er$, in thi$ regar), ha(e not been)i$ci&line),their 'ant$ but (aguely realie)* Accu$tome) to look outof them$el(e$ for a la' of action, to con$ult authority u&on e(eryocca$ion, to )efer to official $ource$ for gui)ance in e(ery )etail of

munici&al an) &er$onal affair$,the le$$on of $elf)e&en)ence,the courage an) the kno'le)ge nee)ful for efficiency are 'anting*I5a(e(ou$I, a$k$ an e&icure, Ice Hui a cha$$e la gaiteK %Je$t la&olitiHueI* They rally at the (oice of comman), $ubmit to interference,an) take for grante) a &re$cribe) formula, &artly becau$e it i$trouble$ome to think, an) &artly on account of ine&erience in a$$umingre$&on$ibility* +e TocHue(ille ha$ remarke), that, in e(ery in$tanceof attem&te) coloniation, they ha(e a)a&te) them$el(e$ to, in$tea) ofele(ating $a(age tribe$* They ha(e ne(er gone through the &roce$$ of$tatee)ucation by the ine(itable claim of &er$onal )uty, like theAnglo5aon$* 4ence their nee) of a ma$ter, an) the feeling of $tabilityrealie) among them only un)er legitimacy an) )e$&oti$m* 5hallo'

rea$oner$ argue from the mere ackno'le)gment of thi$ $tate of thing$that it i$ an ultimate &ublic ble$$ing 'hen the man a&&ear$ 'ith 'it an)'ill enough to regulate an) kee& from chao$ a $ociety thu$ )e$titute of&olitical training* But tho$e 'ho look )ee&er kno' that thi$ &oliticalinefficiency i$ but the eternal manife$tation or the latent cau$e ofmore $eriou$ )efect$8 by im&e)ing healthful )e(elo&ment in one 'ay, itocca$ion$ a morbi) )e(elo&ment in another* -f citien$hi& in it$ mo$tfree an) acti(e &ri(ilege 'ere enjoye), there 'oul) be le$$ )e(otion toamu$ement, a more (irile national character, an) the $anctitie$ oflife 'oul) ha(e ob$er(ance* Public $&irit an) a &olitical career areincenti(e$ to manly ambition,to an em&loyment of min) an) feelingthat 'in$ men from trifling &ur$uit$ an) (ain )i(er$ion they are the

national ba$i$ of &ri(ate u$efulne$$ to th'art them i$ to con)emnhumanity to &er&etual chil)hoo),to ren)er member$ of a $tate machine$*

The $ocial e(il$ an) kin)$ of crime in 1rance are referable in no

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$mall )egree to the ab$ence of great moti(e$,the limite) $&here$ an)ho&ele$$ routine in(ol(e) in arbitrary go(ernment, un$u$taine) by anyele(ate) $entiment* 5uch a rule make$ literature $er(ile, enter&ri$emercenary, an) manner$ &rofligate8 all hi$tory &ro(e$ thi$* -t i$ not,therefore, rational to infer, from the a&&arent 'ant of ability in thenation to take care of it$ o'n affair$, that a military )e$&oti$m i$ju$tifiable 'hen the truth i$ eHually )emon$trate), that $uch a $'ay,

by in)efinitely &o$t&oning the chance to acHuire the reHui$ite training,kee&$ )o'n an) thro'$ back the national im&ul$e an) )e$tiny* The man 'hothu$ abu$e$ &o'er i$ none the le$$ a traitor an) a &arrici)e*

T4E P35-T :1 CN:0;E+GE N+E3 +-11-%;T-E5 AN+ 04AT %AME :1 -T*

Mr* Geer7

Mr* Geer 'a$ unHue$tionably a$lee&*

Thi$ certainly )i) not in)icate a $ufficiently 'arm a&&reciation of Mr$*GeerJ$ $ocial charm$ but the enormity of the offence 'ill be greatlymo)ifie) by a brief re(ie' of the atten)ing circum$tance$* -f you 'illbut con$i)er that the crackling of burning 'oo) in a huge 1ranklin$to(e i$ $trongly $o&orific in it$ ten)encie$,that the cu$hion of aca&aciou$ armchair, con$tructe) an) a)ju$te) a$ if 'ith a $ingle eyeto a )eliciou$ )o$e, nay, to a long $ucce$$ion of )o$e$, i$ a &o'erfultem&tation to a $lee&y $oul,that the regular, an), it mu$t beconfe$$e), $ome'hat monotonou$ Iclick, click, clickI of Mr$* GeerJ$knittingnee)le$ only $er(e) to mea$ure, 'ithout )i$turbing the$ilence,an), la$tly, that they ha) been hu$ban) an) 'ife for thirty

year$,you 'ill not cea$e to 'on)er that Mr* Geer

'a$ gloriou$, :Jer all the ill$ of life (ictoriou$*

To mo$t men, an interru&tion at $uch a time 'oul) ha(e been &articularlyannoying but 'hen Mr$* Geer $&oke in that 'ay, Mr* Geer, a$lee& ora'ake, al'ay$ ma)e a &oint of hearing $o he rou$e) him$elf, an) turne)hi$ roun), hone$t face an) &laci) blue eye$ on the &artner of hi$ bo$om,'ho 'ent on,

Mr* Geer, our -(y 'ill be $e(enteen, come fall*

Po$$ibleK re&lie) Mr* Geer* 0hoJ) JaJ thunk itK

Mr* Geer, a$ you may infer, 'a$ eminently a freethinker, or rather, afreeactor, in re$&ect of irregular (erb$* -n fact, he tyrannie) o(erall &art$ of $&eech8 're$te) noun$ an) (erb$ from their original $ha&e,till you coul) har)ly recognie their )i$torte) face$ an) committe)that net 'or$t $in to mur)ering oneJ$ mother, namely,mur)ering oneJ$mothertongue, 'ith an Iaban)onI that 'a$ ab$olutely fa$cinating* 4a(ing)eli(ere) hi$ o&inion thu$ $ententiou$ly, he at once $ub$i)e), clo$e)hi$ &laci) eye$, an) retire) into hi$ inner 'orl) ofthought, &erha&$*

IMr* Geer7I

Thi$ time he fairly jum&e) from hi$ $eat, an) ca$t about him $care),blinking eye$*

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Mr* Geer, ho' can you $lee& a'ay your &reciou$ time $oK

5lee&K --am $ure, - 'a$ ne(er 'i)er a'ake in my life*

0ell, then, tell me 'hat - $ai)*

5ai)K Eh,eh,$omething about -(y, 'a$nJt itK

An) Mr* Geer ner(ou$ly t'itche) u& the $kirt$ of hi$ coat, an) re&lace)hi$ a'ry cu$hion, an) began to think that &erha&$, after all, he ha)been a$lee&* But Mr$* Geer 'a$ too much intere$te) in the $ubject of hero'n cogitation$ to &ur$ue her (ictory farther $o $he an$'ere),

.e$, an) 'hat i$ agoing to become of herK

;u), lu)7 0hatJ$ the matterK a$ke) Mr* Geer, 'il)ly*

MatterK 0hy, $heJll be $e(enteen, come fall, an) )oe$nJt kno' a thing*

: ;u)7 that allK That aJnJt nothinJ*

An) Mr* Geer $ettle) comfortably )o'n into hi$ armchair once more*4e felt )eci)e)ly relie(e)* Vi$ion$ of $mall&o, cholera, an)throat)i$tem&er, the 'or$t e(il$ that he coul) think of an) )rea) forhi$ )arling, ha) been conjure) u& by hi$ 'ifeJ$ 'or)$ an) 'hen he foun)the real $tate of the ca$e, a great bur)en, 'hich ha) $u))enly fallen onhi$ heart, 'a$ a$ $u))enly lifte)*

But - tell you it Ii$I $omething, continue) Mr$* Geer, energetically*-(y i$ Jmo$t a 'oman, an) ha$ ne(er been ten mile$ from home in her

life, an) to no $chool but our little )i$trict

An) $heJ$ a$ &airk a gal, interru&te) Mr* Geer, a$ any youJll fin) inall the ten mile$ roun), be the other 'ho $he 'ill*

5heJ$ 'ell enough in her 'ay, re&lie) Mr$* Geer, in all the humilityof motherly &ri)e an) $o much the more rea$on 'hy $he $houl)nJt be letgo $o* ThereJ$ Mr* +ingham $en)ing hi$ great logy girl$ to Mi$$ PorterJ$$eminary* - 'on)er if he e&ect$ theyJll e(er turn out anything* An)hereJ$ our -(y, bright a$ a button, an) you full 'ell able to maintainher like a la)y, an) ha(e )one nothing but turn her out to gra$$ all herlife, till $heJ$ fairly run 'il)* - )eclare itJ$ a $hame* 5he ought to

be $ent to $chool tomorro'*

Non$en$e, 5ally7 non$en$e7 - aJnJt agoinJ lo ha(e no $uch )oinJ$*5haJnJt go off to $chool* 0hatJ$ the u$e ha(inJ her, if $he canJt $tayat home 'ith u$K ;et Mr* +ingham $en) hi$ gal$ to %hiny, if he 'ant$ to*All the booklarninJ in the 'orl) 'onJt make Jem eHual to our -(y 'ithonly her o'n hea)* - )onJt 'ant her to go to gettinJ u& highfalutinJnotion$* 5heJ$ all gol) no'* 5he )onJt nee) no im&ro(inJ* 5haJnJt bu)gean inch* 5haJnJt $tir a $te&*

But )o con$i)er, Mr* Geer, the chil) ha$ got to lea(e u$ $ome time* 0ecanJt ha(e her al'ay$*

0hy canJt 'eK eclaime) Mr* Geer, almo$t fiercely*

5ure enough7 0hy canJt 'eK There aJnJt nobo)y be$i)e$ you an) me, -

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$u&&o$e, that think$ $heJ$ &airk* 0hatJ$ ohn 4errick$ an) +an Norri$hanginJ roun) for all the timeK

An) they may hang roun) till the co'$ come home7 Nary hair of -(yJ$hea) $hall they touch,nary one on em7

u$t at thi$ juncture of affair$, the )am$el in Hue$tion boun)e) into

the room*

%ome here, -(y, $ai) the ol) man your motherJ$ been a$lan)erinJyou $ay$ you )onJt kno' nothinJ*

-(y knelt before him, re$te) her arm$ on hi$ knee$, an) turne) u&on hima &air of &al&ably rogui$h eye$*

1ather, it Ii$I an a'ful $lan)er* - )o kno' a $ight*

;u), chil), ye$7 - kne' you )i)* No more you )onJt 'ant to marry ohn4errick$, )o youK

:h, +a))y Geer7 :hh7

Nor +an Norri$K nor none of JemK

Ne(er a one, father*

Nor )onJt you e(er think of gettinJ marrie) an) $la(inJ your$elf outfor nobo)y* -Jm &lenty 'ell able to take care of you, a$ long a$ - li(e*.ouJll ne(er li(e $o ha&&y a$ you )o at home an) youJll break my heartto go a'ay, -(y*

-Jll ne(er go, &a&a* 5he &ronounce) it 'ith the accent on the fir$t$yllable* -n)ee), - ne(er 'ill* -Jll ne(er be marrie), a$ long a$ -li(e*

No more you $haJnJt, goo) chil), goo) chil)7

An) again 1armer Geer betook him$elf to the )e&th$ of hi$ armchair,'ith the com&lacent con$ciou$ne$$ of ha(ing faithfully )i$charge) hi$&arental )utie$* 5he $houl) not go to $chool* 5he 'oul) not be marrie)*5he ha) $ai) $he 'oul) not, an) of cour$e $he 'oul) not*

:f cour$e - $hall not, mu$e) -(y, a$ $he lay in her 'hite be)* 0hat

coul) &ut it into &oor &a&aJ$ hea)K Marry ohn 4errick$, 'ith hi$e(erla$ting $mirk, an) hi$ )i))ling 'alk, an) take care of all the4errick$J $i$ter$ an) mother$ an) aunt$, an) the 4errick$J co'$ an)hor$e$ an) &ig$an)hen$an)an)

But -(y ha) ke&t her thought$ on her marriage longer than e(er beforein her life an) ere $he ha) fini$he) the in(entory of ohn 4errick$J$&er$onal &ro&erty an) real e$tate, the blue eye$ 'ere clo$e) in the$'eet, $oun) $lee& of youth an) health*

Mr$* Geer, in her e$timate of her )aughterJ$ attainment$, 'a$ &artlyright an) &artly 'rong* -(y ha) ne(er been fini$he) at Mr$* PorterJ$

$eminary, an) 'a$ con$eHuently in a highly unfini$he) con)ition* 5mall;atin an) le$$ Greek jo$tle) each other in her hea)* German an) 1rench,-talian an) 5&ani$h, 'ere $trange tongue$ to -(y* 5he coul) not )ance,nor &lay, nor )ra', nor &aint, nor 'ork little )og$ on foot$tool$*

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0hat, then, coul) $he )oK

I-m&rimi$I, $he coul) climb a tree like a $Huirrel* I5ecun)oI, $he coul)'alk acro$$ the great beam in the barn like a yearol) kitten* -n the&ur$uit of hen$J egg$ $he kne' no ob$tacle$ from $caffol) to $caffol),from haymo' to haymo', $he lea&e) )efiant* 5he &ulle) out the hay from

un)er the (ery no$e$ of the a$toni$he) co'$, to $ee if, &erchance, $omeine&erience) &ullet might there ha(e )e&o$ite) her gol)en trea$ure*0ith all fourfoote) bea$t$ $he 'a$ on the be$t of term$* The matronlyan) lay ol) $hee& $he unceremoniou$ly hu$tle) a$i)e, to a)mini$tercon$olation an) care$$e$ to the timi), Huaking lamb in the cornerbehin)* 0ithout $a))le or bri)le $he coul)

3i)e a black hor$e To Banbury %ro$$*

N*B*- )onJt $ay $he actually )i)* - only $ay $he coul) an) un)er$ufficiently $trong &ro(ocation, - ha(e no )oubt $he 'oul)* 5he kne'

'here the &ur&le (iolet$ an) the 'hite innocence fir$t flecke) the$&ring turf, an) 'here the groun)$&arro'$ hi) their mottle) egg$*All the little 'a))ling, )o'ny go$ling$, the feeble chicken$, an)fainthearte), )e$&on)ing turkey$, that broke the $hell too $oon, an)$hi(ere) mi$erably becau$e the $&ring $un 'a$ not high enough in themorning to 'arm them, $he fe) 'ith &a&, an) cheri$he) in cotton'ool,an) nur$e) an) 'atche) 'ith eager, ha&&y eye$* : ble$$e) -(y Geer7 True5i$ter of %harity7 Thrice ble$$e) $te&mother of a broo) 'ho$e name 'a$;egion7

1rom the conjugal an) filial con(er$ation 'hich - ha(e faithfullyre&orte), a ca$ual ob$er(er, &articularly if young an) ine&erience),

might infer that the Hue$tion of Mi$$ -(yJ$ e)ucation 'a$ )efiniti(ely$ettle), an) that $he 'a$ henceforth to remain un)er the &aternal roof*- $houl), my$elf, ha(e fallen into the $ame error, ha) not a long an)intimate acHuaintance 'ith the female $e generate) an) cheri$he)a &rofoun) an) mournful con(iction of the truth of the maim, thata&&earance$ are )eceitful* E*g*, a 'oman ha$ $et her heart on $omething,an) i$ refu$e)* 5he &out$ an) $ulk$8 that i$ clou)$, an) 'ill $oon blo'o(er* 5he $col)$, $torm$, an) ra(e$ - $&eak in a figure - mean $he)oe$ $omething a$ much like that a$ a ten)er, )elicate, angelic 'omancan8 that i$ thun)er, an) only clear$ the air* 5he betake$ her$elf totear$, $ob$, an) embroi)ere) cambric8 thatJ$ a $ho'er, an) e(erything'ill be greener an) fre$her after it* .ou may go your 'ay$,one to hi$

farm, another to hi$ merchan)i$e the 'orl) 'ill not 'in) u& it$ affair$ju$t yet* But, &ut the ca$e, $he goe$ on the e(en tenor of her 'ayunmo(e)8

Be'are7 be'are7 Tru$t her not $he i$ fooling thee*

Thu$ Mr$* Geer, 'ho 'a$ a thorough tactician* ;ike Na&oleon, $he 'a$ne(er more elate) than after a )efeat* Before con$ulting her hu$ban)at all, $he ha) contem&late) the $ubject in all it$ bearing$, an) ha))eliberately )eci)e) that -(y 'a$ to go to $chool* The con$ent of the$enior &artner of the firm 'a$ a $econ)ary matter, 'hich time

an) ju)iciou$ management 'oul) infallibly $ecure* %on$eHuently,not'ith$tan)ing the un&ro&itiou$ re$ult of their fir$t colloHuy, $he thenet )ay commence) &re&aration$ for -(yJ$ )e&arture, a$ unhe$itatingly,a$ calmly, a$ a$$i)uou$ly, a$ if the )ay of that )e&arture ha) been

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fie)*

Mr$* Geer 'a$ right* 5he kne' $he 'a$, all the time* 5he ha) a $ublimefaith in her$elf* 5he felt in her $oul the )i(ine afflatu$, an) &re$$e)for'ar) gloriou$ly to her goal* Mr* Geer ha) a$ much firmne$$, not to$ay ob$tinacy, a$ fall$ to the lot of mo$t men but Mr$* Geer ha) morean) a$ ;aunce :utram, har) be$et, $o &athetically moane), A 'oman in

the (ery hou$e ha$ $uch )eu$e) o&&ortunitie$7 $o 1armer Geer grumble),an) $Huirme), an) remon$trate), an)yiel)e)*

Mr$* Geer 'a$ InotI right* 5he ha) reckone) 'ithout her ho$t* 4eraffair$ 'ere gli)ing )o'n the (ery A&&ian 0ay of &ro$&erity in achariotan)four, 'ith footmen an) outri)er$, 'hen, &re$to7 they turne)a $har& an) une&ecte) corner, an) o(er 'ent the 'hole e$tabli$hmentinto a mirier mire than e(er be$&attere) +r* 5lo&*

To $&eak 'ithout a &arable* 0hen her e&ecte) 4egira 'a$ announce) toMi$$ Mary -(e$ Geer, that young la)y, to the illconceale) (eation ofher mother, an) the notattem&te)tobeconceale) eultation of her

father, e&re$$e) )eci)e) )i$a&&robation of the 'hole $cheme* A$ $he'a$ the chief I)ramati$ &er$onaI, the (ery 4amlet of the &lay, thi$unlooke)for )eci$ion $ome'hat interfere) 'ith Mr$* GeerJ$ &lan$* Allthe eloHuence of that e$timable 'oman 'a$ brought to bear on thi$ one&oint but thi$ one &oint 'a$ in(incible* E&o$tulation an) entreaty'ere alike (ain* Neither ambition nor &lea$ure coul) hol) out anyallurement$ to -(y* Maternal authority 'a$ at length hinte) at, onlyhinte) at, an) the $&oile) chil) )eclare) that $he ha) not ha) her o'n'ill an) 'ay for $iteen year$ to gi(e u& Huietly in her $e(enteenth*:ne la$t re$ort, one forlorn ho&e,one e&e)ient, 'hich ha) ne(erfaile) to o(ercome her chil)i$h $tubbornne$$8 0oul) $he grie(e her&arent$ $o much a$ to o&&o$e thi$ their )arling 'i$hK An) -(y bur$t

into tear$, an) begge) to kno' if $he $houl) $ho' her lo(e to her fatheran) mother by going a'ay from them* Thi$ )ro(e the nail into her ol)fatherJ$ heart, an) then the little (ien clenche) it by thro'ingher$elf into hi$ arm$, an) $obbing, :h, &a&a7 'oul) you turn your -(yout of )oor$ an) break her heartK

1lim$ie$t of fallacie$7 5hallo'e$t of $o&hi$t$7 But $he 'a$ the only an)belo(e) chil) of hi$ ol) age $o the fallacy &a$$e) unchallenge) the$trong arm$ clo$e) aroun) the naughty girl an) the $oothing (oicemurmure), There, there, -(y7 )onJt cry, chil)7 ;u)7 lu)7 you $haJnJtbe bothere) no more you $haJnJt, lo(ey7 an) the I$tatu$ HuoI 'a$re$tore)*

-t i$ not in the $ea nor in the $trife 0e feel benumbe) an) 'i$h to be no more, But in the after $ilence on the $hore, 0hen all i$ lo$t, ece&t a little life,

$ai) one 'ho ha) brea$te) the $tormie$t $ea an) &lunge) into thefierce$t $trife* -(y, 'ho ha) ne(er rea) Byron, an) therefore coul) notbe $u$&ecte) of any Byronical affectation$, felt it, 'hen, ha(ing gaine)her &oint, $he $at )o'n alone in her o'n room* 0hen her $ingle $elf ha)been &itte) again$t $u&erior number$, age, e&erience, an) &arentalauthority, all her heroi$m 'a$ rou$e), an) $he 'a$ a)eHuate to the

emergency but her en) gaine), the ecitement gone, the $en$e of)i$obe)ience alone remaining, an) $he 'a$ thoroughly uncomfortable, nay,mi$erable*

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Mamma i$ right - kno' - am a little goo$e, $obbe) $he* The 'or)$'ere mental, intangible, un$&oken the $ob$ &hy$ical, &al&able,)eci)e)* - ne(er )i) kno' anything, an) - ne(er $hall,an) - )onJtcare if - )onJt* - )onJt $ee any goo) in kno'ing $o much* 0e )onJt ha(ea great 'hile to $tay in the 'orl) any 'ay, an) - )onJt $ee 'hy 'e canJtbe let alone an) ha(e a goo) time 'hile 'e are here, an) 'hen 'e get tohea(en 'e can take a fre$h $tart* :h, )ear7 - ne(er $hall go to hea(en,

if - am $o ba) an) (e mamma* But then &a&a )i)nJt care* But then he'oul) ha(e like) me to go to $chool* But there, - 'onJt7 - 'onJt7 -I'ill not7I -Jll $tu)y at home* :h, )ear7 - 'i$h &a&a 'a$ a great man,an) kne' e(erything, an) coul) teach me* 0ell, he i$ ju$t a$ ha&&y, an)ju$t a$ rich, an) e(erybo)y like$ him ju$t a$ 'ell, a$ if he kne' the'hole 'orl) full an) 'hy canJt - )o $o, tooK 3ebecca +ingham, in)ee)7Mercy7 - ho&e - ne(er $hall be like her - 'oul) rather not kno' my AB %7 0hat I$hallI - )oK ThereJ$ Mr* Bro'n$lo' might teach me he kno'$enough* But, )ear me7 he i$ a$ bu$y a$ he can be, all )ay long an)5Huire Merrill goe$ out of to'n e(ery )ay an) thereJ$ +r* Mi, to be$ure, but he $mell$ $o $trong of &aregoric, an) - )onJt belie(e he kno'$much, either an) thereJ$ nobo)y el$e in to'n that kno'$ any more than

anybo)y el$e an) thereJ$ nothing for it but - mu$t go to $chool, if -am e(er to kno' anything* A rene'al of $ob$, uninterru&te) for $e(eralminute$* ThereJ$ Mr* %lerron7 A $u))en ce$$ation* - $u&&o$e hekno'$ more than the 'hole to'n tumble) into one an) 'rite$ book$,an)mercy7 thereJ$ no en) to hi$ kno'le)ge an) heJ$ rich, an) )oe$e(erything he like$, all )ay long* :h, if - only I)i)I kno' him7 - 'oul)a$k him $traight off to teach me* - $houl) be $care) to )eath* -J(e agreat min) to a$k him, a$ it i$* - can tell him 'ho - am* 4e ne(er 'illkno' any other 'ay, for he i$nJt acHuainte) 'ith anybo)y* They $ay he i$a$ &rou) a$ ;ucifer* -f he 'ere ten time$ &rou)er, - 'oul) rather a$khim than go to $chool* 4e might ju$t a$ 'ell )o $omething a$ not* - am$ure, if Go) ha) ma)e me him, an) him me, - $houl) be gla) to hel& him*

-Jll go $traight to him the fir$t thing tomorro' morning*

:nce $eeing a &o$$ible 'ay out of her )ifficultie$, her $orro' (ani$he)*Not Huite $o gayly a$ u$ual, it i$ true, )i) $he $ing about thehou$e that night for $he 'a$ $ummoning all her &o'er$ to &re&are anintro)uctory $&eech to 1eli %lerron, E$H*, a gentleman an) a $cholar*4er elocutionary attem&t$ 'ere not Huite $ati$factory to her$elf, but$he 'a$ not to be )aunte) an) 'hen morning came, $he took heart ofgrace, $lung her broa)brimme) hat o(er her arm, an) began her marcho(er the hill$ an) far a'ay, in $earch of herfate*

An) )i) her mother really let her roam a'ay, alone, on $uch an erran),

to a &erfect $trangerK

4umanly $&eaking, nothing 'a$ more unlikely than that Mr$* Geer, a&ru)ent, mo)e$t, an) $en$ible 'oman, $houl) gi(e her con$ent to $uchanto u$e the mil)e$t termunu$ual un)ertaking* Nor )i) $he* The facti$, her con$ent 'a$ not a$ke)* 5he kne' nothing 'hate(er of the &lan*

0or$e an) 'or$e7 +i) the 'ilful girl go off 'ithout lea(eK 'ithout e(eninforming her &arent$K

- am $orry to $ay $he )i)* -n 'riting a $tory of real life, onecannot take that liberty 'ith fact$ 'hich i$ Huite &ro&er, not to $ay

in)i$&en$able, in hi$tory, $cience, an) belle$lettre$ generally* +utycom&el$ me to a)here clo$ely to the truth an) for 'hate(er of obloHuymay be hea&e) u&on me, or u&on my -(y, - $hall fin) con$olation in the'or)$ of the illu$triou$ 4arri$on or &erha&$ it 'a$ the illu$triou$

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Taylor - am not Huite $ure, ho'e(er, that it 'a$ not the illu$triou$0a$hington8+o right, an) let the con$eHuence$ take care ofthem$el(e$* - am therefore oblige) to $ay, that -(yJ$ )e&arture in&ur$uit of kno'le)ge 'a$ entirely unkno'n to her re$&ecte) an) belo(e)&arent$* But you mu$t remember that $he 'a$ an only chil), an) a $&oile)chil),$&oile) a$ only $tern Ne' Englan) Puritan &arent$, $ome'hata)(ance) in year$, can $&oil their chil)ren* - )o not )efen) -(y* :n

the contrary, not'ith$tan)ing my regar) for her, - han) her o(er to there&robation of an enlightene) community an) - hereby entreat all young&er$on$ into 'ho$e han)$ thi$ memoir may fall to take 'arning by thefate of &oor -(y, an) ne(er enter u&on any im&ortant un)ertaking, untilthey ha(e, to $ay the lea$t, con$ulte) tho$e 'ho are their naturalgui)e$, their 'arme$t frien)$, an) their mo$t e&erience) coun$ellor$*

0hile - ha(e been 'riting thi$, -(y Geer, light of heart, fleet of foot,an) firm of 'ill, ha$ &a$$e) o(er hill$i)e, through 'oo)&ath, an)acro$$ mea)o'lan), an) )ra'n near the )omain$ of 1eli %lerron,E$H* ;ight of heart &erha&$ - $carcely ought to $ay* %ertainly, thatenter&ri$ing organ ha) ne(er before beat $o furiou$ a tattoo in -(yJ$

brea$t, a$ 'hen $he $too), hat in han), on the $te&$ of the $ome'hat$tately )'elling* To )o her ju$tice, $he ha) inten)e) to )o the &enanceof 'earing her hat 'hen $he $houl) ha(e reache) her )e$tination butin her ecitement $he Huite forgot it* 5o, a$ - $ai), $he $too) on the)oor$te&, a$ a royal mai)en $too) three hun)re) year$ before, notin the $ame &lace, 'ith the 'in) blo'ing her fair hair about herbeautiful cheek$*

There ha) come to -(y from the great, gay 'orl) a (ague rumor, that,in$tea) of knocking at a )oor, like a %hri$tian, 'ith your o'n goo)knuckle$, for $uch ca$e ma)e an) &ro(i)e), mo)ern fa$hion ha) intro)uce)the ringing an) the )inging of the bell$* Thi$ (ague rumor foun)

a local habitation, 'hen Mr* %lerron came )o'n u&on the (illage an)e$tabli$he) him$elf, hi$ men an) 'omen an) hor$e$ an) cattle but a$-(y $too) on hi$ )oor$te&, looking u&'ar), )o'n'ar), $i)e'i$e, 'ithearne$t, &eering gae, no bell, an) no $ign of bell, 'a$ (i$iblenothing unu$ual, $a(e a little )oorknob at the righthan) $i)e of the)oor,a thing 'hich coul) not be accounte) for* After long an) $eriou$)eliberation, $he came to the conclu$ion that the bell mu$t be in$i)e,an) that the knob 'a$ a $cre' attache) to it* 5o $he trie) to t'i$t it,fir$t one 'ay, then the other but t'i$t it 'oul) not* -n )e$&air $hebetook her$elf to her finger$ an) knocke)* Nobo)y came* T'i$t again*No u$e* Cnock again* +itto* Then $he 'ent )o'n to the gra(elle) &ath,$electe) one of the large$t &ebble$, took u& her $tation before the

)oor, an) began to &oun) a'ay* -n a moment, a gentleman in )re$$inggo'nan) $mokingca&, 'ith a cigar bet'een hi$ finger$, came roun) thecorner* 5eeing her, he thre' a'ay hi$ cigar, lifte) hi$ (el(et ca&,bo'e), an), 'ith a &olite allo' me, $te&&e) to the )oor, &ulle) thebell, an) again &a$$e) out of $ight* -(y 'a$ not $o confu$e) at being)etecte) in her a$$ault an) battery on the )oor of a re$&ectable,&eaceable, &ri(ate gentleman, a$ not to make the $ilent reflection,Pulle) the knob, in$tea) of t'i$ting it* 4o' ea$y it i$ to )o athing, if you only kno' ho'7

The $ummon$ 'a$ $oon an$'ere) by a black gnome, an) -(y 'a$ u$here) intoa large room, 'hich, to her )ale), $un'eary eye$, $eeme) )elightfully

fre$h an) IgreenIlooking* T'o minute$ more of 'aiting,then a $te& inthe hall, a gently o&ening )oor, an) -(y felt rather than $a' her$elf inthe &re$ence of the formi)able Mr* %lerron* A $ingle glance $ho'e) herthat he 'a$ the &er$on 'ho ha) rung the bell for her, though the gay

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)re$$inggo'n ha) been change) for a $oberer $uit* Mr* %lerron bo'e)*-(y, har)ly kno'ing 'hat $he )i), faltere) forth, - am -(y Geer* Ahalfcuriou$, half$arca$tic $mile glimmere) behin) the hea(y bear), an)gleame) beneath the hea(y eyebro'$, a$ he an$'ere), - am ha&&y tomake your acHuaintance but another glance at the trembling form, thefrightene), &ale face, an) Hui(ering li&$, change) the $mile into onethat 'a$ (ery goo)nature), an) e(en kin) an) he a))e), &layfully,

- am 1eli %lerron, (ery much at your $er(ice*

.ou 'rite book$ an) are a (ery learne) man, &ur$ue) -(y, hurrie)ly,ne(er lifting her eye$ from the floor, an) ne(er cea$ing to t'irl herhat$tring$*

There 'a$ no &o$$ibility of $u&&o$ing her guilty of committing a little)i&lomatic flattery in con(eying thi$ $uccinct bit of information* 5hema)e the a$$ertion 'ith the air of one 'ho ha$ a )i$agreeable &iece ofbu$ine$$ on han), an) i$ )etermine) to go through 'ith it a$ $oon a$&o$$ible* 4e bo'e) an) $mile) again Huite unnece$$arily,$ince, a$ -

ha(e before remarke), -(yJ$ eye$ 'ere $tea)fa$tly fie) on the car&et* A$light &au$e for breath an) $he &itche) ahea) again*

- am (ery ignorant, an) - am gro'ing ol)* - am almo$t $e(enteen* -)onJt kno' anything to $&eak of* Mamma 'i$he$ me to go to $chool* Pa&a)i) not, but no' he )oe$* - 'onJt go* - 'oul) rather be $tu&i) all mylife long than lea(e home* But mamma i$ (ee), an) - 'ant to &lea$eher, an) - thought,Mr* Bro'n$lo' i$ $o bu$y,an) you,if you ha(enothing to )o,an) kno' $o much,- thought

5he $to&&e) $hort, utterly unable to &rocee)* 0on)erfully )ifferent )i)thi$ affair $eem from the one $he ha) &lanne) the &rece)ing e(ening* My

)ear 5ir, Ma)am,ha(e not 'e, too, $ometime$ foun) it an ea$ier thingto fight the battle of life in our o'n chimneycorner, by the ru))y an)genial firelight, than in broa) )ay on the 'orl)J$ great battlefiel)K

Mr* %lerron, $eeing -(yJ$ confu$ion, kin)ly came to her ai)* An) youthought my $u&erfluou$ time an) 'i$)om might be tran$ferre) to you, thu$making a more eHual )i(i$ion of &ro&ertyK

-f you 'oul) be $o goo),-,ye$, 5ir*

May - inHuire ho' you &ro&o$e to effect $uch an echangeK

4e really )i) not inten) to be anything but kin), but the 'hole matter&re$ente) it$elf to him in a (ery lu)icrou$ light an) in en)ea(oring to&re$er(e &ro&er gra(ity, he became $e(ere* -(y, allunu$e) to the 'orl),$till ha) a $ecret feeling that he 'a$ laughing at her* Tear$, that'oul) not be re&re$$e), gli$tene) in her )o'nca$t eye$, gathere) on thelong la$he$, )ro&&e) $ilently to the floor* 4e $a' that $he 'a$ entirelya chil), ignorant, artle$$, an) $incere* 4i$ better feeling$ 'ererou$e), an) he eclaime), 'ith real earne$tne$$,

My )ear young la)y, - $houl) rejoice to $er(e you in any 'ay, - beg youto belie(e*

4i$ 'or)$ only ha$tene) the cata$tro&he 'hich $eem$ to be al'ay$im&en)ing o(er the 'eaker $e* -(y $obbe) outright,a &erfect tem&e$t*1eli %lerron looke) on 'ith a bachelorJ$ )i$may* 0hat in thun)erK%onfoun) the girl7 'ere hi$ fir$t reflection$ but her utter

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aban)onment to $orro' melte) hi$ heart again,not a (ery $u$ce&tibleheart either but men, e$&ecially bachelor$, are $oIgreen7I the 'or)i$ foun) in %o'&er*

4e $at )o'n by her $i)e, $troke) the hair from her burning forehea), a$if $he ha) been $i in$tea) of $iteen, an) again an) again a$$ure) herof hi$ 'illingne$$ to a$$i$t her*

- mu$t go home, 'hi$&ere) -(y, a$ $oon a$ $he coul) comman), or rathercoa her (oice*

4i$ ho$&itality 'a$ $hocke)*

-n)ee) you mu$t not, till 'e ha(e at lea$t ha) a con$ultation* Tell meho' much you kno'* 0hat ha(e you $tu)ie)K

:h, nothing, 5ir* - am (ery $tu&i)*

Ah7 'e mu$t begin 'ith the Al&habet, then* Block$ or a &rimerK

-(y $mile) through her tear$*

Not Huite $o ba) a$ that, 5ir*

.ou )o kno' your letter$K Perha&$ you can