Andyetthecompensationsofcalamityaremadeapparenttotheunderstandingalso，afterlongintervalsoftime。Afever，amutilation，acrueldisappointment，alossofwealth，alossoffriends，seemsatthemomentunpaidloss，andunpayable。Butthesureyearsrevealthedeepremedialforcethatunderliesallfacts。

Thedeathofadearfriend，wife，brother，lover，whichseemednothingbutprivation，somewhatlaterassumestheaspectofaguideorgenius；foritcommonlyoperatesrevolutionsinourwayoflife，terminatesanepochofinfancyorofyouthwhichwaswaitingtobeclosed，breaksupawontedoccupation，orahousehold，orstyleofliving，andallowstheformationofnewonesmorefriendlytothegrowthofcharacter。Itpermitsorconstrainstheformationofnewacquaintances，andthereceptionofnewinfluencesthatproveofthefirstimportancetothenextyears；andthemanorwomanwhowouldhaveremainedasunnygarden-flower，withnoroomforitsrootsandtoomuchsunshineforitshead，bythefallingofthewallsandtheneglectofthegardener，ismadethebanianoftheforest，yieldingshadeandfruittowideneighbourhoodsofmen。

SPIRITUALLAWS

ThelivingHeaventhyprayersrespect，Houseatonceandarchitect，Quarryingman'srejectedhours，Buildstherewitheternaltowers；

Soleandself-commandedworks，Fearsnotunderminingdays，Growsbydecays，And，bythefamousmightthatlurksInreactionandrecoil，Makesflametofreeze，andicetoboil；

Forging，throughswartarmsofOffence，ThesilverseatofInnocence。

ESSAYIV_SpiritualLaws_

Whentheactofreflectiontakesplaceinthemind，whenwelookatourselvesinthelightofthought，wediscoverthatourlifeisembosomedinbeauty。Behindus，aswego，allthingsassumepleasingforms，ascloudsdofaroff。Notonlythingsfamiliarandstale，buteventhetragicandterrible，arecomely，astheytaketheirplaceinthepicturesofmemory。Theriver-bank，theweedatthewater-side，theoldhouse，thefoolishperson，——howeverneglectedinthepassing，——haveagraceinthepast。Eventhecorpsethathaslaininthechambershasaddedasolemnornamenttothehouse。Thesoulwillnotknoweitherdeformityorpain。If，inthehoursofclearreason，weshouldspeaktheseveresttruth，weshouldsay，thatwehadnevermadeasacrifice。Inthesehoursthemindseemssogreat，thatnothingcanbetakenfromusthatseemsmuch。Allloss，allpain，isparticular；theuniverseremainstotheheartunhurt。Neithervexationsnorcalamitiesabateourtrust。Nomaneverstatedhisgriefsaslightlyashemight。Allowforexaggerationinthemostpatientandsorelyriddenhackthateverwasdriven。Foritisonlythefinitethathaswroughtandsuffered；theinfiniteliesstretchedinsmilingrepose。

Theintellectuallifemaybekeptcleanandhealthful，ifmanwilllivethelifeofnature，andnotimportintohisminddifficultieswhicharenoneofhis。Nomanneedbeperplexedinhisspeculations。Lethimdoandsaywhatstrictlybelongstohim，and，thoughveryignorantofbooks，hisnatureshallnotyieldhimanyintellectualobstructionsanddoubts。Ouryoungpeoplearediseasedwiththetheologicalproblemsoforiginalsin，originofevil，predestination，andthelike。Theseneverpresentedapracticaldifficultytoanyman，——neverdarkenedacrossanyman'sroad，whodidnotgooutofhiswaytoseekthem。Thesearethesoul'smumps，andmeasles，andwhooping-coughs，andthosewhohavenotcaughtthemcannotdescribetheirhealthorprescribethecure。Asimplemindwillnotknowtheseenemies。Itisquiteanotherthingthatheshouldbeabletogiveaccountofhisfaith，andexpoundtoanotherthetheoryofhisself-unionandfreedom。Thisrequiresraregifts。

Yet，withoutthisself-knowledge，theremaybeasylvanstrengthandintegrityinthatwhichheis。“Afewstronginstinctsandafewplainrules“sufficeus。

Mywillnevergavetheimagesinmymindtheranktheynowtake。Theregularcourseofstudies，theyearsofacademicalandprofessionaleducation，havenotyieldedmebetterfactsthansomeidlebooksunderthebenchattheLatinSchool。Whatwedonotcalleducationismorepreciousthanthatwhichwecallso。Weformnoguess，atthetimeofreceivingathought，ofitscomparativevalue。

Andeducationoftenwastesitseffortinattemptstothwartandbalkthisnaturalmagnetism，whichissuretoselectwhatbelongstoit。

Inlikemanner，ourmoralnatureisvitiatedbyanyinterferenceofourwill。Peoplerepresentvirtueasastruggle，andtaketothemselvesgreatairsupontheirattainments，andthequestioniseverywherevexed，whenanoblenatureiscommended，whetherthemanisnotbetterwhostriveswithtemptation。Butthereisnomeritinthematter。EitherGodisthere，orheisnotthere。

Welovecharactersinproportionastheyareimpulsiveandspontaneous。Thelessamanthinksorknowsabouthisvirtues，thebetterwelikehim。Timoleon'svictoriesarethebestvictories；

whichranandflowedlikeHomer'sverses，Plutarchsaid。Whenweseeasoulwhoseactsareallregal，graceful，andpleasantasroses，wemustthankGodthatsuchthingscanbeandare，andnotturnsourlyontheangel，andsay，`Crumpisabettermanwithhisgruntingresistancetoallhisnativedevils。'

Notlessconspicuousisthepreponderanceofnatureoverwillinallpracticallife。Thereislessintentioninhistorythanweascribetoit。Weimputedeep-laid，far-sightedplanstoCaesarandNapoleon；butthebestoftheirpowerwasinnature，notinthem。

Menofanextraordinarysuccess，intheirhonestmoments，havealwayssung，`Notuntous，notuntous。'Accordingtothefaithoftheirtimes，theyhavebuiltaltarstoFortune，ortoDestiny，ortoSt。

Julian。Theirsuccesslayintheirparallelismtothecourseofthought，whichfoundinthemanunobstructedchannel；andthewondersofwhichtheywerethevisibleconductorsseemedtotheeyetheirdeed。Didthewiresgeneratethegalvanism？Itiseventruethattherewaslessinthemonwhichtheycouldreflect，thaninanother；

asthevirtueofapipeistobesmoothandhollow。Thatwhichexternallyseemedwillandimmovablenesswaswillingnessandself-annihilation。CouldShakspearegiveatheoryofShakspeare？

Couldeveramanofprodigiousmathematicalgeniusconveytoothersanyinsightintohismethods？Ifhecouldcommunicatethatsecret，itwouldinstantlyloseitsexaggeratedvalue，blendingwiththedaylightandthevitalenergythepowertostandandtogo。

Thelessonisforciblytaughtbytheseobservations，thatourlifemightbemucheasierandsimplerthanwemakeit；thattheworldmightbeahappierplacethanitis；thatthereisnoneedofstruggles，convulsions，anddespairs，ofthewringingofthehandsandthegnashingoftheteeth；thatwemiscreateourownevils。Weinterferewiththeoptimismofnature；for，wheneverwegetthisvantage-groundofthepast，orofawisermindinthepresent，weareabletodiscernthatwearebegirtwithlawswhichexecutethemselves。

Thefaceofexternalnatureteachesthesamelesson。Naturewillnothaveusfretandfume。Shedoesnotlikeourbenevolenceorourlearningmuchbetterthanshelikesourfraudsandwars。Whenwecomeoutofthecaucus，orthebank，ortheAbolition-convention，ortheTemperance-meeting，ortheTranscendentalclub，intothefieldsandwoods，shesaystous，`Sohot？mylittleSir。'

Wearefullofmechanicalactions。Wemustneedsintermeddle，andhavethingsinourownway，untilthesacrificesandvirtuesofsocietyareodious。Loveshouldmakejoy；butourbenevolenceisunhappy。OurSunday-schools，andchurches，andpauper-societiesareyokestotheneck。Wepainourselvestopleasenobody。Therearenaturalwaysofarrivingatthesameendsatwhichtheseaim，butdonotarrive。Whyshouldallvirtueworkinoneandthesameway？Whyshouldallgivedollars？Itisveryinconvenienttouscountryfolk，andwedonotthinkanygoodwillcomeofit。Wehavenotdollars；

merchantshave；letthemgivethem。Farmerswillgivecorn；poetswillsing；womenwillsew；laborerswilllendahand；thechildrenwillbringflowers。AndwhydragthisdeadweightofaSunday-schooloverthewholeChristendom？Itisnaturalandbeautifulthatchildhoodshouldinquire，andmaturityshouldteach；butitistimeenoughtoanswerquestionswhentheyareasked。Donotshutuptheyoungpeopleagainsttheirwillinapew，andforcethechildrentoaskthemquestionsforanhouragainsttheirwill。

Ifwelookwider，thingsareallalike；laws，andletters，andcreeds，andmodesofliving，seematravestieoftruth。Oursocietyisencumberedbyponderousmachinery，whichresemblestheendlessaqueductswhichtheRomansbuiltoverhillanddale，andwhicharesupersededbythediscoveryofthelawthatwaterrisestothelevelofitssource。ItisaChinesewallwhichanynimbleTartarcanleapover。Itisastandingarmy，notsogoodasapeace。Itisagraduated，titled，richlyappointedempire，quitesuperfluouswhentown-meetingsarefoundtoanswerjustaswell。

Letusdrawalessonfromnature，whichalwaysworksbyshortways。Whenthefruitisripe，itfalls。Whenthefruitisdespatched，theleaffalls。Thecircuitofthewatersismerefalling。Thewalkingofmanandallanimalsisafallingforward。

Allourmanuallaborandworksofstrength，asprying，splitting，digging，rowing，andsoforth，aredonebydintofcontinualfalling，andtheglobe，earth，moon，comet，sun，star，fallforeverandever。

Thesimplicityoftheuniverseisverydifferentfromthesimplicityofamachine。Hewhoseesmoralnatureoutandout，andthoroughlyknowshowknowledgeisacquiredandcharacterformed，isapedant。Thesimplicityofnatureisnotthatwhichmayeasilyberead，butisinexhaustible。Thelastanalysiscannowisebemade。

Wejudgeofaman'swisdombyhishope，knowingthattheperceptionoftheinexhaustiblenessofnatureisanimmortalyouth。Thewildfertilityofnatureisfeltincomparingourrigidnamesandreputationswithourfluidconsciousness。Wepassintheworldforsectsandschools，foreruditionandpiety，andweareallthetimejejunebabes。OneseesverywellhowPyrrhonismgrewup。Everymanseesthatheisthatmiddlepoint，whereofeverythingmaybeaffirmedanddeniedwithequalreason。Heisold，heisyoung，heisverywise，heisaltogetherignorant。Hehearsandfeelswhatyousayoftheseraphim，andofthetin-pedler。Thereisnopermanentwiseman，exceptinthefigmentoftheStoics。Wesidewiththehero，aswereadorpaint，againstthecowardandtherobber；butwehavebeenourselvesthatcowardandrobber，andshallbeagain，notinthelowcircumstance，butincomparisonwiththegrandeurspossibletothesoul。

Alittleconsiderationofwhattakesplacearounduseverydaywouldshowus，thatahigherlawthanthatofourwillregulatesevents；thatourpainfullaborsareunnecessary，andfruitless；thatonlyinoureasy，simple，spontaneousactionarewestrong，andbycontentingourselveswithobediencewebecomedivine。Beliefandlove，——abelievinglovewillrelieveusofavastloadofcare。O

mybrothers，Godexists。Thereisasoulatthecentreofnature，andoverthewillofeveryman，sothatnoneofuscanwrongtheuniverse。Ithassoinfuseditsstrongenchantmentintonature，thatweprosperwhenweacceptitsadvice，andwhenwestruggletowounditscreatures，ourhandsaregluedtooursides，ortheybeatourownbreasts。Thewholecourseofthingsgoestoteachusfaith。Weneedonlyobey。Thereisguidanceforeachofus，andbylowlylisteningweshallheartherightword。Whyneedyouchoosesopainfullyyourplace，andoccupation，andassociates，andmodesofaction，andofentertainment？Certainlythereisapossiblerightforyouthatprecludestheneedofbalanceandwilfulelection。Foryouthereisareality，afitplaceandcongenialduties。Placeyourselfinthemiddleofthestreamofpowerandwisdomwhichanimatesallwhomitfloats，andyouarewithouteffortimpelledtotruth，toright，andaperfectcontentment。Thenyouputallgainsayersinthewrong。Thenyouaretheworld，themeasureofright，oftruth，ofbeauty。Ifwewillnotbemar-plotswithourmiserableinterferences，thework，thesociety，letters，arts，science，religionofmenwouldgoonfarbetterthannow，andtheheavenpredictedfromthebeginningoftheworld，andstillpredictedfromthebottomoftheheart，wouldorganizeitself，asdonowtherose，andtheair，andthesun。

Isay，_donotchoose_；butthatisafigureofspeechbywhichIwoulddistinguishwhatiscommonlycalled_choice_amongmen，andwhichisapartialact，thechoiceofthehands，oftheeyes，oftheappetites，andnotawholeactoftheman。ButthatwhichIcallrightorgoodnessisthechoiceofmyconstitution；andthatwhichI

callheaven，andinwardlyaspireafter，isthestateorcircumstancedesirabletomyconstitution；andtheactionwhichIinallmyyearstendtodo，istheworkformyfaculties。Wemustholdamanamenabletoreasonforthechoiceofhisdailycraftorprofession。

Itisnotanexcuseanylongerforhisdeeds，thattheyarethecustomofhistrade。Whatbusinesshashewithaneviltrade？Hashenota_calling_inhischaracter。

Eachmanhashisownvocation。Thetalentisthecall。Thereisonedirectioninwhichallspaceisopentohim。Hehasfacultiessilentlyinvitinghimthithertoendlessexertion。Heislikeashipinariver；herunsagainstobstructionsoneverysidebutone；onthatsideallobstructionistakenaway，andhesweepsserenelyoveradeepeningchannelintoaninfinitesea。Thistalentandthiscalldependonhisorganization，orthemodeinwhichthegeneralsoulincarnatesitselfinhim。Heinclinestodosomethingwhichiseasytohim，andgoodwhenitisdone，butwhichnoothermancando。Hehasnorival。Forthemoretrulyheconsultshisownpowers，themoredifferencewillhisworkexhibitfromtheworkofanyother。

Hisambitionisexactlyproportionedtohispowers。Theheightofthepinnacleisdeterminedbythebreadthofthebase。Everymanhasthiscallofthepowertodosomewhatunique，andnomanhasanyothercall。Thepretencethathehasanothercall，asummonsbynameandpersonalelectionandoutward“signsthatmarkhimextraordinary，andnotintherollofcommonmen，“isfanaticism，andbetraysobtusenesstoperceivethatthereisonemindinalltheindividuals，andnorespectofpersonstherein。

Bydoinghiswork，hemakestheneedfeltwhichhecansupply，andcreatesthetastebywhichheisenjoyed。Bydoinghisownwork，heunfoldshimself。Itistheviceofourpublicspeakingthatithasnotabandonment。Somewhere，notonlyeveryoratorbuteverymanshouldletoutallthelengthofallthereins；shouldfindormakeafrankandheartyexpressionofwhatforceandmeaningisinhim。Thecommonexperienceis，thatthemanfitshimselfaswellashecantothecustomarydetailsofthatworkortradehefallsinto，andtendsitasadogturnsaspit。Thenisheapartofthemachinehemoves；

themanislost。Untilhecanmanagetocommunicatehimselftoothersinhisfullstatureandproportion，hedoesnotyetfindhisvocation。Hemustfindinthatanoutletforhischaracter，sothathemayjustifyhisworktotheireyes。Ifthelaborismean，lethimbyhisthinkingandcharactermakeitliberal。Whateverheknowsandthinks，whateverinhisapprehensionisworthdoing，thatlethimcommunicate，ormenwillneverknowandhonorhimaright。Foolish，wheneveryoutakethemeannessandformalityofthatthingyoudo，insteadofconvertingitintotheobedientspiracleofyourcharacterandaims。

Welikeonlysuchactionsashavealreadylonghadthepraiseofmen，anddonotperceivethatanythingmancandomaybedivinelydone。Wethinkgreatnessentailedororganizedinsomeplacesorduties，incertainofficesoroccasions，anddonotseethatPaganinicanextractrapturefromacatgut，andEulensteinfromajews-harp，andanimble-fingeredladoutofshredsofpaperwithhisscissors，andLandseeroutofswine，andtheherooutofthepitifulhabitationandcompanyinwhichhewashidden。Whatwecallobscureconditionorvulgarsocietyisthatconditionandsocietywhosepoetryisnotyetwritten，butwhichyoushallpresentlymakeasenviableandrenownedasany。Inourestimates，letustakealessonfromkings。

Thepartsofhospitality，theconnectionoffamilies，theimpressivenessofdeath，andathousandotherthings，royaltymakesitsownestimateof，andaroyalmindwill。Tomakehabituallyanewestimate，——thatiselevation。

Whatamandoes，thathehas。Whathashetodowithhopeorfear？Inhimselfishismight。Lethimregardnogoodassolid，butthatwhichisinhisnature，andwhichmustgrowoutofhimaslongasheexists。Thegoodsoffortunemaycomeandgolikesummerleaves；lethimscatterthemoneverywindasthemomentarysignsofhisinfiniteproductiveness。

Hemayhavehisown。Aman'sgenius，thequalitythatdifferenceshimfromeveryother，thesusceptibilitytooneclassofinfluences，theselectionofwhatisfitforhim，therejectionofwhatisunfit，determinesforhimthecharacteroftheuniverse。A

manisamethod，aprogressivearrangement；aselectingprinciple，gatheringhisliketohim，whereverhegoes。Hetakesonlyhisownoutofthemultiplicitythatsweepsandcirclesroundhim。Heislikeoneofthoseboomswhicharesetoutfromtheshoreonriverstocatchdrift-wood，orliketheloadstoneamongstsplintersofsteel。

Thosefacts，words，persons，whichdwellinhismemorywithouthisbeingabletosaywhy，remain，becausetheyhavearelationtohimnotlessrealforbeingasyetunapprehended。Theyaresymbolsofvaluetohim，astheycaninterpretpartsofhisconsciousnesswhichhewouldvainlyseekwordsforintheconventionalimagesofbooksandotherminds。Whatattractsmyattentionshallhaveit，asIwillgotothemanwhoknocksatmydoor，whilstathousandpersons，asworthy，gobyit，towhomIgivenoregard。Itisenoughthattheseparticularsspeaktome。Afewanecdotes，afewtraitsofcharacter，manners，face，afewincidents，haveanemphasisinyourmemoryoutofallproportiontotheirapparentsignificance，ifyoumeasurethembytheordinarystandards。Theyrelatetoyourgift。Letthemhavetheirweight，anddonotrejectthem，andcastaboutforillustrationandfactsmoreusualinliterature。Whatyourheartthinksgreatisgreat。Thesoul'semphasisisalwaysright。

Overallthingsthatareagreeabletohisnatureandgenius，themanhasthehighestright。Everywherehemaytakewhatbelongstohisspiritualestate，norcanhetakeanythingelse，thoughalldoorswereopen，norcanalltheforceofmenhinderhimfromtakingsomuch。Itisvaintoattempttokeepasecretfromonewhohasarighttoknowit。Itwilltellitself。Thatmoodintowhichafriendcanbringusishisdominionoverus。Tothethoughtsofthatstateofmindhehasaright。Allthesecretsofthatstateofmindhecancompel。Thisisalawwhichstatesmenuseinpractice。AlltheterrorsoftheFrenchRepublic，whichheldAustriainawe，wereunabletocommandherdiplomacy。ButNapoleonsenttoViennaM。deNarbonne，oneoftheoldnoblesse，withthemorals，manners，andnameofthatinterest，saying，thatitwasindispensabletosendtotheoldaristocracyofEuropemenofthesameconnection，which，infact，constitutesasortoffree-masonry。M。deNarbonne，inlessthanafortnight，penetratedallthesecretsoftheimperialcabinet。

Nothingseemssoeasyastospeakandtobeunderstood。Yetamanmaycometofind_that_thestrongestofdefencesandofties，——

thathehasbeenunderstood；andhewhohasreceivedanopinionmaycometofinditthemostinconvenientofbonds。

Ifateacherhaveanyopinionwhichhewishestoconceal，hispupilswillbecomeasfullyindoctrinatedintothatasintoanywhichhepublishes。Ifyoupourwaterintoavesseltwistedintocoilsandangles，itisvaintosay，Iwillpouritonlyintothisorthat；——

itwillfinditslevelinall。Menfeelandacttheconsequencesofyourdoctrine，withoutbeingabletoshowhowtheyfollow。Showusanarcofthecurve，andagoodmathematicianwillfindoutthewholefigure。Wearealwaysreasoningfromtheseentotheunseen。Hencetheperfectintelligencethatsubsistsbetweenwisemenofremoteages。Amancannotburyhismeaningssodeepinhisbook，buttimeandlike-mindedmenwillfindthem。Platohadasecretdoctrine，hadhe？WhatsecretcanheconcealfromtheeyesofBacon？ofMontaigne？

ofKant？Therefore，Aristotlesaidofhisworks，“Theyarepublishedandnotpublished。“

Nomancanlearnwhathehasnotpreparationforlearning，howeverneartohiseyesistheobject。Achemistmaytellhismostprecioussecretstoacarpenter，andheshallbeneverthewiser，——

thesecretshewouldnotuttertoachemistforanestate。Godscreensusevermorefromprematureideas。Oureyesareholdenthatwecannotseethingsthatstareusintheface，untilthehourarriveswhenthemindisripened；thenwebeholdthem，andthetimewhenwesawthemnotislikeadream。

Notinnaturebutinmanisallthebeautyandworthhesees。

Theworldisveryempty，andisindebtedtothisgilding，exaltingsoulforallitspride。“Earthfillsherlapwithsplendors“_notherown_。ThevaleofTempe，Tivoli，andRomeareearthandwater，rocksandsky。Thereareasgoodearthandwaterinathousandplaces，yethowunaffecting！

Peoplearenotthebetterforthesunandmoon，thehorizonandthetrees；asitisnotobservedthatthekeepersofRomangalleries，orthevaletsofpainters，haveanyelevationofthought，orthatlibrariansarewisermenthanothers。Therearegracesinthedemeanourofapolishedandnobleperson，whicharelostupontheeyeofachurl。Thesearelikethestarswhoselighthasnotyetreachedus。

Hemayseewhathemaketh。Ourdreamsarethesequelofourwakingknowledge。Thevisionsofthenightbearsomeproportiontothevisionsoftheday。Hideousdreamsareexaggerationsofthesinsoftheday。Weseeourevilaffectionsembodiedinbadphysiognomies。OntheAlps，thetravellersometimesbeholdshisownshadowmagnifiedtoagiant，sothateverygestureofhishandisterrific。“Mychildren，“saidanoldmantohisboysscaredbyafigureinthedarkentry，“mychildren，youwillneverseeanythingworsethanyourselves。“Asindreams，sointhescarcelylessfluideventsoftheworld，everymanseeshimselfincolossal，withoutknowingthatitishimself。Thegood，comparedtotheevilwhichhesees，isashisowngoodtohisownevil。Everyqualityofhismindismagnifiedinsomeoneacquaintance，andeveryemotionofhisheartinsomeone。Heislikeaquincunxoftrees，whichcountsfive，east，west，north，orsouth；or，aninitial，medial，andterminalacrostic。Andwhynot？Hecleavestooneperson，andavoidsanother，accordingtotheirlikenessorunlikenesstohimself，trulyseekinghimselfinhisassociates，andmoreoverinhistrade，andhabits，andgestures，andmeats，anddrinks；andcomesatlasttobefaithfullyrepresentedbyeveryviewyoutakeofhiscircumstances。

Hemayreadwhathewrites。Whatcanweseeoracquire，butwhatweare？YouhaveobservedaskilfulmanreadingVirgil。Well，thatauthorisathousandbookstoathousandpersons。Takethebookintoyourtwohands，andreadyoureyesout；youwillneverfindwhatIfind。Ifanyingeniousreaderwouldhaveamonopolyofthewisdomordelighthegets，heisassecurenowthebookisEnglished，asifitwereimprisonedinthePelews'tongue。Itiswithagoodbookasitiswithgoodcompany。Introduceabasepersonamonggentlemen；itisalltonopurpose；heisnottheirfellow。Everysocietyprotectsitself。Thecompanyisperfectlysafe，andheisnotoneofthem，thoughhisbodyisintheroom。

Whatavailsittofightwiththeeternallawsofmind，whichadjusttherelationofallpersonstoeachother，bythemathematicalmeasureoftheirhavingsandbeings？GertrudeisenamouredofGuy；

howhigh，howaristocratic，howRomanhismienandmanners！tolivewithhimwerelifeindeed，andnopurchaseistoogreat；andheavenandeartharemovedtothatend。Well，GertrudehasGuy；butwhatnowavailshowhigh，howaristocratic，howRomanhismienandmanners，ifhisheartandaimsareinthesenate，inthetheatre，andinthebilliard-room，andshehasnoaims，noconversation，thatcanenchanthergracefullord？

Heshallhavehisownsociety。Wecanlovenothingbutnature。

Themostwonderfultalents，themostmeritoriousexertions，reallyavailverylittlewithus；butnearnessorlikenessofnature，——howbeautifulistheeaseofitsvictory！Personsapproachusfamousfortheirbeauty，fortheiraccomplishments，worthyofallwonderfortheircharmsandgifts；theydedicatetheirwholeskilltothehourandthecompany，withveryimperfectresult。Tobesure，itwouldbeungratefulinusnottopraisethemloudly。Then，whenallisdone，apersonofrelatedmind，abrotherorsisterbynature，comestoussosoftlyandeasily，sonearlyandintimately，asifitwerethebloodinourproperveins，thatwefeelasifsomeonewasgone，insteadofanotherhavingcome；weareutterlyrelievedandrefreshed；itisasortofjoyfulsolitude。Wefoolishlythinkinourdaysofsin，thatwemustcourtfriendsbycompliancetothecustomsofsociety，toitsdress，itsbreeding，anditsestimates。

ButonlythatsoulcanbemyfriendwhichIencounteronthelineofmyownmarch，thatsoultowhichIdonotdecline，andwhichdoesnotdeclinetome，but，nativeofthesamecelestiallatitude，repeatsinitsownallmyexperience。Thescholarforgetshimself，andapesthecustomsandcostumesofthemanoftheworld，todeservethesmileofbeauty，andfollowssomegiddygirl，notyettaughtbyreligiouspassiontoknowthenoblewomanwithallthatisserene，oracular，andbeautifulinhersoul。Lethimbegreat，andloveshallfollowhim。Nothingismoredeeplypunishedthantheneglectoftheaffinitiesbywhichalonesocietyshouldbeformed，andtheinsanelevityofchoosingassociatesbyothers'eyes。

Hemaysethisownrate。Itisamaximworthyofallacceptation，thatamanmayhavethatallowancehetakes。Taketheplaceandattitudewhichbelongtoyou，andallmenacquiesce。Theworldmustbejust。Itleaveseveryman，withprofoundunconcern，tosethisownrate。Heroordriveller，itmeddlesnotinthematter。

Itwillcertainlyacceptyourownmeasureofyourdoingandbeing，whetheryousneakaboutanddenyyourownname，orwhetheryouseeyourworkproducedtotheconcavesphereoftheheavens，onewiththerevolutionofthestars。

Thesamerealitypervadesallteaching。Themanmayteachbydoing，andnototherwise。Ifhecancommunicatehimself，hecanteach，butnotbywords。Heteacheswhogives，andhelearnswhoreceives。Thereisnoteachinguntilthepupilisbroughtintothesamestateorprincipleinwhichyouare；atransfusiontakesplace；

heisyou，andyouarehe；thenisateaching；andbynounfriendlychanceorbadcompanycanheeverquitelosethebenefit。Butyourpropositionsrunoutofoneearastheyraninattheother。WeseeitadvertisedthatMr。GrandwilldeliveranorationontheFourthofJuly，andMr。HandbeforetheMechanics'Association，andwedonotgothither，becauseweknowthatthesegentlemenwillnotcommunicatetheirowncharacterandexperiencetothecompany。Ifwehadreasontoexpectsuchaconfidence，weshouldgothroughallinconvenienceandopposition。Thesickwouldbecarriedinlitters。Butapublicorationisanescapade，anon-committal，anapology，agag，andnotacommunication，notaspeech，notaman。

AlikeNemesispresidesoverallintellectualworks。Wehaveyettolearn，thatthethingutteredinwordsisnotthereforeaffirmed。Itmustaffirmitself，ornoformsoflogicorofoathcangiveitevidence。Thesentencemustalsocontainitsownapologyforbeingspoken。

Theeffectofanywritingonthepublicmindismathematicallymeasurablebyitsdepthofthought。Howmuchwaterdoesitdraw？Ifitawakenyoutothink，ifitliftyoufromyourfeetwiththegreatvoiceofeloquence，thentheeffectistobewide，slow，permanent，overthemindsofmen；ifthepagesinstructyounot，theywilldielikefliesinthehour。Thewaytospeakandwritewhatshallnotgooutoffashionis，tospeakandwritesincerely。Theargumentwhichhasnotpowertoreachmyownpractice，Imaywelldoubt，willfailtoreachyours。ButtakeSidney'smaxim：——“Lookinthyheart，andwrite。“Hethatwritestohimselfwritestoaneternalpublic。Thatstatementonlyisfittobemadepublic，whichyouhavecomeatinattemptingtosatisfyyourowncuriosity。Thewriterwhotakeshissubjectfromhisear，andnotfromhisheart，shouldknowthathehaslostasmuchasheseemstohavegained，andwhentheemptybookhasgatheredallitspraise，andhalfthepeoplesay，`Whatpoetry！whatgenius！'itstillneedsfueltomakefire。Thatonlyprofitswhichisprofitable。Lifealonecanimpartlife；andthoughweshouldburst，wecanonlybevaluedaswemakeourselvesvaluable。Thereisnoluckinliteraryreputation。Theywhomakeupthefinalverdictuponeverybookarenotthepartialandnoisyreadersofthehourwhenitappears；butacourtasofangels，apublicnottobebribed，nottobeentreated，andnottobeoverawed，decidesuponeveryman'stitletofame。Onlythosebookscomedownwhichdeservetolast。

Giltedges，vellum，andmorocco，andpresentation-copiestoallthelibraries，willnotpreserveabookincirculationbeyonditsintrinsicdate。ItmustgowithallWalpole'sNobleandRoyalAuthorstoitsfate。Blackmore，Kotzebue，orPollokmayendureforanight，butMosesandHomerstandforever。TherearenotintheworldatanyonetimemorethanadozenpersonswhoreadandunderstandPlato：——neverenoughtopayforaneditionofhisworks；

yettoeverygenerationthesecomedulydown，forthesakeofthosefewpersons，asifGodbroughttheminhishand。“Nobook，“saidBentley，“waseverwrittendownbyanybutitself。“Thepermanenceofallbooksisfixedbynoeffortfriendlyorhostile，butbytheirownspecificgravity，ortheintrinsicimportanceoftheircontentstotheconstantmindofman。“Donottroubleyourselftoomuchaboutthelightonyourstatue，“saidMichelAngelototheyoungsculptor；

“thelightofthepublicsquarewilltestitsvalue。“

Inlikemannertheeffectofeveryactionismeasuredbythedepthofthesentimentfromwhichitproceeds。Thegreatmanknewnotthathewasgreat。Ittookacenturyortwoforthatfacttoappear。Whathedid，hedidbecausehemust；itwasthemostnaturalthingintheworld，andgrewoutofthecircumstancesofthemoment。

Butnow，everythinghedid，eventotheliftingofhisfingerortheeatingofbread，lookslarge，all-related，andiscalledaninstitution。

Thesearethedemonstrationsinafewparticularsofthegeniusofnature；theyshowthedirectionofthestream。Butthestreamisblood；everydropisalive。Truthhasnotsinglevictories；allthingsareitsorgans，——notonlydustandstones，buterrorsandlies。Thelawsofdisease，physicianssay，areasbeautifulasthelawsofhealth。Ourphilosophyisaffirmative，andreadilyacceptsthetestimonyofnegativefacts，aseveryshadowpointstothesun。

Byadivinenecessity，everyfactinnatureisconstrainedtoofferitstestimony。

Humancharacterevermorepublishesitself。Themostfugitivedeedandword，themereairofdoingathing，theintimatedpurpose，expressescharacter。Ifyouact，youshowcharacter；ifyousitstill，ifyousleep，youshowit。Youthink，becauseyouhavespokennothingwhenothersspoke，andhavegivennoopiniononthetimes，onthechurch，onslavery，onmarriage，onsocialism，onsecretsocieties，onthecollege，onpartiesandpersons，thatyourverdictisstillexpectedwithcuriosityasareservedwisdom。Farotherwise；yoursilenceanswersveryloud。Youhavenooracletoutter，andyourfellow-menhavelearnedthatyoucannothelpthem；

for，oraclesspeak。Dothnotwisdomcry，andunderstandingputforthhervoice？

Dreadfullimitsaresetinnaturetothepowersofdissimulation。Truthtyrannizesovertheunwillingmembersofthebody。Facesneverlie，itissaid。Nomanneedbedeceived，whowillstudythechangesofexpression。Whenamanspeaksthetruthinthespiritoftruth，hiseyeisasclearastheheavens。Whenhehasbaseends，andspeaksfalsely，theeyeismuddyandsometimesasquint。

Ihaveheardanexperiencedcounsellorsay，thatheneverfearedtheeffectuponajuryofalawyerwhodoesnotbelieveinhisheartthathisclientoughttohaveaverdict。Ifhedoesnotbelieveit，hisunbeliefwillappeartothejury，despiteallhisprotestations，andwillbecometheirunbelief。Thisisthatlawwherebyaworkofart，ofwhateverkind，setsusinthesamestateofmindwhereintheartistwaswhenhemadeit。Thatwhichwedonotbelieve，wecannotadequatelysay，thoughwemayrepeatthewordsneversooften。ItwasthisconvictionwhichSwedenborgexpressed，whenhedescribedagroupofpersonsinthespiritualworldendeavouringinvaintoarticulateapropositionwhichtheydidnotbelieve；buttheycouldnot，thoughtheytwistedandfoldedtheirlipseventoindignation。

Amanpassesforthatheisworth。Veryidleisallcuriosityconcerningotherpeople'sestimateofus，andallfearofremainingunknownisnotlessso。Ifamanknowthathecandoanything，——

thathecandoitbetterthananyoneelse，——hehasapledgeoftheacknowledgmentofthatfactbyallpersons。Theworldisfullofjudgment-days，andintoeveryassemblythatamanenters，ineveryactionheattempts，heisgaugedandstamped。Ineverytroopofboysthatwhoopandrunineachyardandsquare，anew-comerisaswellandaccuratelyweighedinthecourseofafewdays，andstampedwithhisrightnumber，asifhehadundergoneaformaltrialofhisstrength，speed，andtemper。Astrangercomesfromadistantschool，withbetterdress，withtrinketsinhispockets，withairsandpretensions：anolderboysaystohimself，`It'sofnouse；weshallfindhimoutto-morrow。'`Whathashedone？'isthedivinequestionwhichsearchesmen，andtranspierceseveryfalsereputation。Afopmaysitinanychairoftheworld，norbedistinguishedforhishourfromHomerandWashington；butthereneedneverbeanydoubtconcerningtherespectiveabilityofhumanbeings。Pretensionmaysitstill，butcannotact。Pretensionneverfeignedanactofrealgreatness。PretensionneverwroteanIliad，nordrovebackXerxes，norchristianizedtheworld，norabolishedslavery。

Asmuchvirtueasthereis，somuchappears；asmuchgoodnessasthereis，somuchreverenceitcommands。Allthedevilsrespectvirtue。Thehigh，thegenerous，theself-devotedsectwillalwaysinstructandcommandmankind。Neverwasasincerewordutterlylost。

Neveramagnanimityfelltotheground，butthereissomehearttogreetandacceptitunexpectedly。Amanpassesforthatheisworth。

Whatheisengravesitselfonhisface，onhisform，onhisfortunes，inlettersoflight。Concealmentavailshimnothing；boastingnothing。Thereisconfessionintheglancesofoureyes；inoursmiles；insalutations；andthegraspofhands。Hissinbedaubshim，marsallhisgoodimpression。Menknownotwhytheydonottrusthim；buttheydonottrusthim。Hisviceglasseshiseye，cutslinesofmeanexpressioninhischeek，pinchesthenose，setsthemarkofthebeastonthebackofthehead，andwritesOfool！fool！ontheforeheadofaking。

Ifyouwouldnotbeknowntodoanything，neverdoit。Amanmayplaythefoolinthedriftsofadesert，buteverygrainofsandshallseemtosee。Hemaybeasolitaryeater，buthecannotkeephisfoolishcounsel。Abrokencomplexion，aswinishlook，ungenerousacts，andthewantofdueknowledge，——allblab。Canacook，aChiffinch，anIachimobemistakenforZenoorPaul？Confuciusexclaimed，——“Howcanamanbeconcealed！Howcanamanbeconcealed！”

Ontheotherhand，theherofearsnot，that，ifhewithholdtheavowalofajustandbraveact，itwillgounwitnessedandunloved。

Oneknowsit，——himself，——andispledgedbyittosweetnessofpeace，andtonoblenessofaim，whichwillproveintheendabetterproclamationofitthantherelatingoftheincident。Virtueistheadherenceinactiontothenatureofthings，andthenatureofthingsmakesitprevalent。Itconsistsinaperpetualsubstitutionofbeingforseeming，andwithsublimeproprietyGodisdescribedassaying，I

AM。

Thelessonwhichtheseobservationsconveyis，Be，andnotseem。Letusacquiesce。Letustakeourbloatednothingnessoutofthepathofthedivinecircuits。Letusunlearnourwisdomoftheworld。LetuslielowintheLord'spower，andlearnthattruthalonemakesrichandgreat。

Ifyouvisityourfriend，whyneedyouapologizefornothavingvisitedhim，andwastehistimeanddefaceyourownact？Visithimnow。Lethimfeelthatthehighestlovehascometoseehim，inthee，itslowestorgan。Orwhyneedyoutormentyourselfandfriendbysecretself-reproachesthatyouhavenotassistedhimorcomplimentedhimwithgiftsandsalutationsheretofore？Beagiftandabenediction。Shinewithreallight，andnotwiththeborrowedreflectionofgifts。Commonmenareapologiesformen；theybowthehead，excusethemselveswithprolixreasons，andaccumulateappearances，becausethesubstanceisnot。

Wearefullofthesesuperstitionsofsense，theworshipofmagnitude。Wecallthepoetinactive，becauseheisnotapresident，amerchant，oraporter。Weadoreaninstitution，anddonotseethatitisfoundedonathoughtwhichwehave。Butrealactionisinsilentmoments。Theepochsofourlifearenotinthevisiblefactsofourchoiceofacalling，ourmarriage，ouracquisitionofanoffice，andthelike，butinasilentthoughtbytheway-sideaswewalk；inathoughtwhichrevisesourentiremanneroflife，andsays，——`Thushastthoudone，butitwerebetterthus。'Andallourafteryears，likemenials，serveandwaitonthis，and，accordingtotheirability，executeitswill。Thisrevisalorcorrectionisaconstantforce，which，asatendency，reachesthroughourlifetime。Theobjectoftheman，theaimofthesemoments，istomakedaylightshinethroughhim，tosufferthelawtotraversehiswholebeingwithoutobstruction，sothat，onwhatpointsoeverofhisdoingyoureyefalls，itshallreporttrulyofhischaracter，whetheritbehisdiet，hishouse，hisreligiousforms，hissociety，hismirth，hisvote，hisopposition。Nowheisnothomogeneous，butheterogeneous，andtheraydoesnottraverse；therearenothoroughlights：buttheeyeofthebeholderispuzzled，detectingmanyunliketendencies，andalifenotyetatone。

Whyshouldwemakeitapointwithourfalsemodestytodisparagethatmanweare，andthatformofbeingassignedtous？A

goodmaniscontented。IloveandhonorEpaminondas，butIdonotwishtobeEpaminondas。Iholditmorejusttolovetheworldofthishour，thantheworldofhishour。Norcanyou，ifIamtrue，excitemetotheleastuneasinessbysaying，`Heacted，andthousitteststill。'Iseeactiontobegood，whentheneedis，andsittingstilltobealsogood。Epaminondas，ifhewasthemanItakehimfor，wouldhavesatstillwithjoyandpeace，ifhislothadbeenmine。Heavenislarge，andaffordsspaceforallmodesofloveandfortitude。Whyshouldwebebusybodiesandsuperserviceable？Actionandinactionarealiketothetrue。Onepieceofthetreeiscutforaweathercock，andoneforthesleeperofabridge；thevirtueofthewoodisapparentinboth。

Idesirenottodisgracethesoul。ThefactthatIamherecertainlyshowsmethatthesoulhadneedofanorganhere。ShallI

notassumethepost？ShallIskulkanddodgeandduckwithmyunseasonableapologiesandvainmodesty，andimaginemybeinghereimpertinent？lesspertinentthanEpaminondasorHomerbeingthere？

andthatthesouldidnotknowitsownneeds？Besides，withoutanyreasoningonthematter，Ihavenodiscontent。Thegoodsoulnourishesme，andunlocksnewmagazinesofpowerandenjoymenttomeeveryday。Iwillnotmeanlydeclinetheimmensityofgood，becauseIhaveheardthatithascometoothersinanothershape。

Besides，whyshouldwebecowedbythenameofAction？'Tisatrickofthesenses，——nomore。Weknowthattheancestorofeveryactionisathought。Thepoorminddoesnotseemtoitselftobeanything，unlessithaveanoutsidebadge，——someGentoodiet，orQuakercoat，orCalvinisticprayer-meeting，orphilanthropicsociety，oragreatdonation，orahighoffice，or，anyhow，somewildcontrastingactiontotestifythatitissomewhat。Therichmindliesinthesunandsleeps，andisNature。Tothinkistoact。

Letus，ifwemusthavegreatactions，makeourownso。Allactionisofaninfiniteelasticity，andtheleastadmitsofbeinginflatedwiththecelestialairuntiliteclipsesthesunandmoon。

Letusseek_one_peacebyfidelity。Letmeheedmyduties。WhyneedIgogaddingintothescenesandphilosophyofGreekandItalianhistory，beforeIhavejustifiedmyselftomybenefactors？HowdareIreadWashington'scampaigns，whenIhavenotansweredthelettersofmyowncorrespondents？Isnotthatajustobjectiontomuchofourreading？Itisapusillanimousdesertionofourworktogazeafterourneighbours。Itispeeping。ByronsaysofJackBunting，——

“Heknewnotwhattosay，andsoheswore。“

Imaysayitofourpreposteroususeofbooks，——Heknewnotwhattodo，andso_heread_。Icanthinkofnothingtofillmytimewith，andIfindtheLifeofBrant。ItisaveryextravagantcomplimenttopaytoBrant，ortoGeneralSchuyler，ortoGeneralWashington。Mytimeshouldbeasgoodastheirtime，——myfacts，mynetofrelations，asgoodastheirs，oreitheroftheirs。Ratherletmedomyworksowellthatotheridlers，iftheychoose，maycomparemytexturewiththetextureoftheseandfinditidenticalwiththebest。

Thisover-estimateofthepossibilitiesofPaulandPericles，thisunder-estimateofourown，comesfromaneglectofthefactofanidenticalnature。Bonaparteknewbutonemerit，andrewardedinoneandthesamewaythegoodsoldier，thegoodastronomer，thegoodpoet，thegoodplayer。ThepoetusesthenamesofCaesar，ofTamerlane，ofBonduca，ofBelisarius；thepainterusestheconventionalstoryoftheVirginMary，ofPaul，ofPeter。Hedoesnot，therefore，defertothenatureoftheseaccidentalmen，ofthesestockheroes。Ifthepoetwriteatruedrama，thenheisCaesar，andnottheplayerofCaesar；thentheselfsamestrainofthought，emotionaspure，witassubtle，motionsasswift，mounting，extravagant，andaheartasgreat，self-sufficing，dauntless，whichonthewavesofitsloveandhopecanupliftallthatisreckonedsolidandpreciousintheworld，——palaces，gardens，money，navies，kingdoms，——markingitsownincomparableworthbytheslightitcastsonthesegaudsofmen，——theseallarehis，andbythepoweroftheseherousesthenations。LetamanbelieveinGod，andnotinnamesandplacesandpersons。Letthegreatsoulincarnatedinsomewoman'sform，poorandsadandsingle，insomeDollyorJoan，goouttoservice，andsweepchambersandscourfloors，anditseffulgentdaybeamscannotbemuffledorhid，buttosweepandscourwillinstantlyappearsupremeandbeautifulactions，thetopandradianceofhumanlife，andallpeoplewillgetmopsandbrooms；until，lo！

suddenlythegreatsoulhasenshrineditselfinsomeotherform，anddonesomeotherdeed，andthatisnowtheflowerandheadofalllivingnature。

Wearethephotometers，wetheirritablegoldleafandtinfoilthatmeasuretheaccumulationsofthesubtleelement。Weknowtheauthenticeffectsofthetruefirethrougheveryoneofitsmilliondisguises。

LOVE

“Iwasasagemconcealed；

Memyburningrayrevealed。“

_Koran_

ESSAYV_Love_

Everypromiseofthesoulhasinnumerablefulfilments；eachofnt。Nature，uncontainable，flowing，forelooking，inthefirstsentimentofkindnessanticipatesalreadyabenevolencewhichshallloseallparticularregardsinitsgenerallight。Theintroductiontothisfelicityisinaprivateandtenderrelationofonetoone，whichistheenchantmentofhumanlife；which，likeacertaindivinerageandenthusiasm，seizesonmanatoneperiod，andworksarevolutioninhismindandbody；uniteshimtohisrace，pledgeshimtothedomesticandcivicrelations，carrieshimwithnewsympathyintonature，enhancesthepowerofthesenses，openstheimagination，addstohischaracterheroicandsacredattributes，establishesmarriage，andgivespermanencetohumansociety。

Thenaturalassociationofthesentimentoflovewiththeheydayofthebloodseemstorequire，thatinordertoportrayitinvividtints，whicheveryyouthandmaidshouldconfesstobetruetotheirthrobbingexperience，onemustnotbetooold。Thedeliciousfanciesofyouthrejecttheleastsavourofamaturephilosophy，aschillingwithageandpedantrytheirpurplebloom。And，therefore，I

knowIincurtheimputationofunnecessaryhardnessandstoicismfromthosewhocomposetheCourtandParliamentofLove。ButfromtheseformidablecensorsIshallappealtomyseniors。Foritistobeconsideredthatthispassionofwhichwespeak，thoughitbeginwiththeyoung，yetforsakesnottheold，orrathersuffersnoonewhoistrulyitsservanttogrowold，butmakestheagedparticipatorsofit，notlessthanthetendermaiden，thoughinadifferentandnoblersort。Foritisafirethat，kindlingitsfirstembersinthenarrownookofaprivatebosom，caughtfromawanderingsparkoutofanotherprivateheart，glowsandenlargesuntilitwarmsandbeamsuponmultitudesofmenandwomen，upontheuniversalheartofall，andsolightsupthewholeworldandallnaturewithitsgenerousflames。

Itmattersnot，therefore，whetherweattempttodescribethepassionattwenty，atthirty，orateightyyears。Hewhopaintsitatthefirstperiodwilllosesomeofitslater，hewhopaintsitatthelast，someofitsearliertraits。Onlyitistobehopedthat，bypatienceandtheMuses'aid，wemayattaintothatinwardviewofthelaw，whichshalldescribeatrutheveryoungandbeautiful，socentralthatitshallcommenditselftotheeye，atwhateveranglebeholden。

Andthefirstconditionis，thatwemustleaveatoocloseandlingeringadherencetofacts，andstudythesentimentasitappearedinhopeandnotinhistory。Foreachmanseeshisownlifedefacedanddisfigured，asthelifeofmanisnot，tohisimagination。Eachmanseesoverhisownexperienceacertainstainoferror，whilstthatofothermenlooksfairandideal。Letanymangobacktothosedeliciousrelationswhichmakethebeautyofhislife，whichhavegivenhimsincerestinstructionandnourishment，hewillshrinkandmoan。Alas！Iknownotwhy，butinfinitecompunctionsembitterinmaturelifetheremembrancesofbuddingjoy，andcovereverybelovedname。Everythingisbeautifulseenfromthepointoftheintellect，orastruth。Butallissour，ifseenasexperience。Detailsaremelancholy；theplanisseemlyandnoble。Intheactualworld——thepainfulkingdomoftimeandplace——dwellcare，andcanker，andfear。Withthought，withtheideal，isimmortalhilarity，theroseofjoy。RounditalltheMusessing。Butgriefcleavestonames，andpersons，andthepartialinterestsofto-dayandyesterday。

Thestrongbentofnatureisseenintheproportionwhichthistopicofpersonalrelationsusurpsintheconversationofsociety。

Whatdowewishtoknowofanyworthypersonsomuch，ashowhehasspedinthehistoryofthissentiment？Whatbooksinthecirculatinglibrariescirculate？Howweglowoverthesenovelsofpassion，whenthestoryistoldwithanysparkoftruthandnature！Andwhatfastensattention，intheintercourseoflife，likeanypassagebetrayingaffectionbetweentwoparties？Perhapsweneversawthembefore，andnevershallmeetthemagain。Butweseethemexchangeaglance，orbetrayadeepemotion，andwearenolongerstrangers。Weunderstandthem，andtakethewarmestinterestinthedevelopmentoftheromance。Allmankindlovealover。Theearliestdemonstrationsofcomplacencyandkindnessarenature'smostwinningpictures。Itisthedawnofcivilityandgraceinthecoarseandrustic。Therudevillageboyteasesthegirlsabouttheschool-housedoor；——butto-dayhecomesrunningintotheentry，andmeetsonefairchilddisposinghersatchel；heholdsherbookstohelpher，andinstantlyitseemstohimasifsheremovedherselffromhiminfinitely，andwasasacredprecinct。Amongthethrongofgirlsherunsrudelyenough，butonealonedistanceshim；andthesetwolittleneighbours，thatweresoclosejustnow，havelearnedtorespecteachother'spersonality。Orwhocanaverthiseyesfromtheengaging，half-artful，half-artlesswaysofschool-girlswhogointothecountryshopstobuyaskeinofsilkorasheetofpaper，andtalkhalfanhouraboutnothingwiththebroad-faced，good-naturedshop-boy。Inthevillagetheyareonaperfectequality，whichlovedelightsin，andwithoutanycoquetrythehappy，affectionatenatureofwomanflowsoutinthisprettygossip。Thegirlsmayhavelittlebeauty，yetplainlydotheyestablishbetweenthemandthegoodboythemostagreeable，confidingrelations，whatwiththeirfunandtheirearnest，aboutEdgar，andJonas，andAlmira，andwhowasinvitedtotheparty，andwhodancedatthedancing-school，andwhenthesinging-schoolwouldbegin，andothernothingsconcerningwhichthepartiescooed。Byandbythatboywantsawife，andverytrulyandheartilywillheknowwheretofindasincereandsweetmate，withoutanyrisksuchasMiltondeploresasincidenttoscholarsandgreatmen。

Ihavebeentold，thatinsomepublicdiscoursesofminemyreverencefortheintellecthasmademeunjustlycoldtothepersonalrelations。ButnowIalmostshrinkattheremembranceofsuchdisparagingwords。Forpersonsarelove'sworld，andthecoldestphilosophercannotrecountthedebtoftheyoungsoulwanderinghereinnaturetothepoweroflove，withoutbeingtemptedtounsay，astreasonabletonature，aughtderogatorytothesocialinstincts。

For，thoughthecelestialrapturefallingoutofheavenseizesonlyuponthoseoftenderage，andalthoughabeautyoverpoweringallanalysisorcomparison，andputtingusquitebesideourselves，wecanseldomseeafterthirtyyears，yettheremembranceofthesevisionsoutlastsallotherremembrances，andisawreathofflowersontheoldestbrows。Buthereisastrangefact；itmayseemtomanymen，inrevisingtheirexperience，thattheyhavenofairerpageintheirlife'sbookthanthedeliciousmemoryofsomepassageswhereinaffectioncontrivedtogiveawitchcraftsurpassingthedeepattractionofitsowntruthtoaparcelofaccidentalandtrivialcircumstances。Inlookingbackward，theymayfindthatseveralthingswhichwerenotthecharmhavemorerealitytothisgropingmemorythanthecharmitselfwhichembalmedthem。Butbeourexperienceinparticularswhatitmay，nomaneverforgotthevisitationsofthatpowertohisheartandbrain，whichcreatedallthingsnew；whichwasthedawninhimofmusic，poetry，andart；

whichmadethefaceofnatureradiantwithpurplelight，themorningandthenightvariedenchantments；whenasingletoneofonevoicecouldmaketheheartbound，andthemosttrivialcircumstanceassociatedwithoneformisputintheamberofmemory；whenhebecamealleyewhenonewaspresent，andallmemorywhenonewasgone；whentheyouthbecomesawatcherofwindows，andstudiousofaglove，aveil，aribbon，orthewheelsofacarriage；whennoplaceistoosolitary，andnonetoosilent，forhimwhohasrichercompanyandsweeterconversationinhisnewthoughts，thananyoldfriends，thoughbestandpurest，cangivehim；forthefigures，themotions，thewordsofthebelovedobjectarenotlikeotherimageswritteninwater，but，asPlutarchsaid，“enamelledinfire，“andmakethestudyofmidnight。

“Thouartnotgonebeinggone，where'erthouart，Thouleav'stinhimthywatchfuleyes，inhimthylovingheart。“

Inthenoonandtheafternoonoflifewestillthrobattherecollectionofdayswhenhappinesswasnothappyenough，butmustbedruggedwiththerelishofpainandfear；forhetouchedthesecretofthematter，whosaidoflove，——

“Allotherpleasuresarenotworthitspains“；

andwhenthedaywasnotlongenough，butthenight，too，mustbeconsumedinkeenrecollections；whentheheadboiledallnightonthepillowwiththegenerousdeeditresolvedon；whenthemoonlightwasapleasingfever，andthestarswereletters，andtheflowersciphers，andtheairwascoinedintosong；whenallbusinessseemedanimpertinence，andallthemenandwomenrunningtoandfrointhestreets，merepictures。

Thepassionrebuildstheworldfortheyouth。Itmakesallthingsaliveandsignificant。Naturegrowsconscious。Everybirdontheboughsofthetreesingsnowtohisheartandsoul。Thenotesarealmostarticulate。Thecloudshavefacesashelooksonthem。

Thetreesoftheforest，thewavinggrass，andthepeepingflowershavegrownintelligent；andhealmostfearstotrustthemwiththesecretwhichtheyseemtoinvite。Yetnaturesoothesandsympathizes。Inthegreensolitudehefindsadearerhomethanwithmen。

“Fountain-headsandpathlessgroves，Placeswhichpalepassionloves，Moonlightwalks，whenallthefowlsAresafelyhoused，savebatsandowls，Amidnightbell，apassinggroan，——

Thesearethesoundswefeedupon。“

Beholdthereinthewoodthefinemadman！Heisapalaceofsweetsoundsandsights；hedilates；heistwiceaman；hewalkswitharmsakimbo；hesoliloquizes；heaccoststhegrassandthetrees；hefeelsthebloodoftheviolet，theclover，andthelilyinhisveins；

andhetalkswiththebrookthatwetshisfoot。

Theheatsthathaveopenedhisperceptionsofnaturalbeautyhavemadehimlovemusicandverse。Itisafactoftenobserved，thatmenhavewrittengoodversesundertheinspirationofpassion，whocannotwritewellunderanyothercircumstances。

Thelikeforcehasthepassionoverallhisnature。Itexpandsthesentiment；itmakestheclowngentle，andgivesthecowardheart。

Intothemostpitifulandabjectitwillinfuseaheartandcouragetodefytheworld，soonlyithavethecountenanceofthebelovedobject。Ingivinghimtoanother，itstillmoregiveshimtohimself。Heisanewman，withnewperceptions，newandkeenerpurposes，andareligioussolemnityofcharacterandaims。Hedoesnotlongerappertaintohisfamilyandsociety；_he_issomewhat；

_he_isaperson；_he_isasoul。

Andhereletusexaminealittlenearerthenatureofthatinfluencewhichisthuspotentoverthehumanyouth。Beauty，whoserevelationtomanwenowcelebrate，welcomeasthesunwhereveritpleasestoshine，whichpleaseseverybodywithitandwiththemselves，seemssufficienttoitself。Thelovercannotpainthismaidentohisfancypoorandsolitary。Likeatreeinflower，somuchsoft，budding，informinglove-linessissocietyforitself，andsheteacheshiseyewhyBeautywaspicturedwithLovesandGracesattendinghersteps。Herexistencemakestheworldrich。Thoughsheextrudesallotherpersonsfromhisattentionascheapandunworthy，sheindemnifieshimbycarryingoutherownbeingintosomewhatimpersonal，large，mundane，sothatthemaidenstandstohimforarepresentativeofallselectthingsandvirtues。Forthatreason，theloverneverseespersonalresemblancesinhismistresstoherkindredortoothers。Hisfriendsfindinheralikenesstohermother，orhersisters，ortopersonsnotofherblood。Theloverseesnoresemblanceexcepttosummereveningsanddiamondmornings，torainbowsandthesongofbirds。

Theancientscalledbeautythefloweringofvirtue。Whocananalyzethenamelesscharmwhichglancesfromoneandanotherfaceandform？Wearetouchedwithemotionsoftendernessandcomplacency，butwecannotfindwhereatthisdaintyemotion，thiswanderinggleam，points。Itisdestroyedfortheimaginationbyanyattempttoreferittoorganization。Nordoesitpointtoanyrelationsoffriendshiporloveknownanddescribedinsociety，but，asitseemstome，toaquiteotherandunattainablesphere，torelationsoftranscendentdelicacyandsweetness，towhatrosesandvioletshintandfore-show。Wecannotapproachbeauty。Itsnatureislikeopalinedoves'-necklustres，hoveringandevanescent。Hereinitresemblesthemostexcellentthings，whichallhavethisrainbowcharacter，defyingallattemptsatappropriationanduse。WhatelsedidJeanPaulRichtersignify，whenhesaidtomusic，“Away！away！

thouspeakesttomeofthingswhichinallmyendlesslifeIhavenotfound，andshallnotfind。“Thesamefluencymaybeobservedineveryworkoftheplasticarts。Thestatueisthenbeautifulwhenitbeginstobeincomprehensible，whenitispassingoutofcriticism，andcannolongerbedefinedbycompassandmeasuring-wand，butdemandsanactiveimaginationtogowithit，andtosaywhatitisintheactofdoing。Thegodorheroofthesculptorisalwaysrepresentedinatransition_from_thatwhichisrepresentabletothesenses，_to_thatwhichisnot。Thenfirstitceasestobeastone。

Thesameremarkholdsofpainting。Andofpoetry，thesuccessisnotattainedwhenitlullsandsatisfies，butwhenitastonishesandfiresuswithnewendeavoursaftertheunattainable。Concerningit，Landorinquires“whetheritisnottobereferredtosomepurerstateofsensationandexistence。“

Inlikemanner，personalbeautyisthenfirstcharminganditself，whenitdissatisfiesuswithanyend；whenitbecomesastorywithoutanend；whenitsuggestsgleamsandvisions，andnotearthlysatisfactions；whenitmakesthebeholderfeelhisunworthiness；whenhecannotfeelhisrighttoit，thoughhewereCaesar；hecannotfeelmorerighttoitthantothefirmamentandthesplendorsofasunset。

Hencearosethesaying，“IfIloveyou，whatisthattoyou？”

Wesayso，becausewefeelthatwhatweloveisnotinyourwill，butaboveit。Itisnotyou，butyourradiance。Itisthatwhichyouknownotinyourself，andcanneverknow。

ThisagreeswellwiththathighphilosophyofBeautywhichtheancientwritersdelightedin；fortheysaidthatthesoulofman，embodiedhereonearth，wentroamingupanddowninquestofthatotherworldofitsown，outofwhichitcameintothis，butwassoonstupefiedbythelightofthenaturalsun，andunabletoseeanyotherobjectsthanthoseofthisworld，whicharebutshadowsofrealthings。Therefore，theDeitysendsthegloryofyouthbeforethesoul，thatitmayavailitselfofbeautifulbodiesasaidstoitsrecollectionofthecelestialgoodandfair；andthemanbeholdingsuchapersoninthefemalesexrunstoher，andfindsthehighestjoyincontemplatingtheform，movement，andintelligenceofthisperson，becauseitsuggeststohimthepresenceofthatwhichindeediswithinthebeauty，andthecauseofthebeauty。

If，however，fromtoomuchconversingwithmaterialobjects，thesoulwasgross，andmisplaceditssatisfactioninthebody，itreapednothingbutsorrow；bodybeingunabletofulfilthepromisewhichbeautyholdsout；butif，acceptingthehintofthesevisionsandsuggestionswhichbeautymakestohismind，thesoulpassesthroughthebody，andfallstoadmirestrokesofcharacter，andtheloverscontemplateoneanotherintheirdiscoursesandtheiractions，thentheypasstothetruepalaceofbeauty，moreandmoreinflametheirloveofit，andbythisloveextinguishingthebaseaffection，asthesunputsoutthefirebyshiningonthehearth，theybecomepureandhallowed。Byconversationwiththatwhichisinitselfexcellent，magnanimous，lowly，andjust，thelovercomestoawarmerloveofthesenobilities，andaquickerapprehensionofthem。Thenhepassesfromlovingtheminonetolovingtheminall，andsoistheonebeautifulsoulonlythedoorthroughwhichheenterstothesocietyofalltrueandpuresouls。Intheparticularsocietyofhismate，heattainsaclearersightofanyspot，anytaint，whichherbeautyhascontractedfromthisworld，andisabletopointitout，andthiswithmutualjoythattheyarenowable，withoutoffence，toindicateblemishesandhindrancesineachother，andgivetoeachallhelpandcomfortincuringthesame。And，beholdinginmanysoulsthetraitsofthedivinebeauty，andseparatingineachsoulthatwhichisdivinefromthetaintwhichithascontractedintheworld，theloverascendstothehighestbeauty，totheloveandknowledgeoftheDivinity，bystepsonthisladderofcreatedsouls。

Somewhatlikethishavethetrulywisetoldusofloveinallages。Thedoctrineisnotold，norisitnew。IfPlato，Plutarch，andApuleiustaughtit，sohavePetrarch，Angelo，andMilton。Itawaitsatruerunfoldinginoppositionandrebuketothatsubterraneanprudencewhichpresidesatmarriageswithwordsthattakeholdoftheupperworld，whilstoneeyeisprowlinginthecellar，sothatitsgravestdiscoursehasasavorofhamsandpowdering-tubs。Worst，whenthissensualismintrudesintotheeducationofyoungwomen，andwithersthehopeandaffectionofhumannature，byteachingthatmarriagesignifiesnothingbutahousewife'sthrift，andthatwoman'slifehasnootheraim。

Butthisdreamoflove，thoughbeautiful，isonlyonesceneinourplay。Intheprocessionofthesoulfromwithinoutward，itenlargesitscirclesever，likethepebblethrownintothepond，orthelightproceedingfromanorb。Theraysofthesoulalightfirstonthingsnearest，oneveryutensilandtoy，onnursesanddomestics，onthehouse，andyard，andpassengers，onthecircleofhouseholdacquaintance，onpolitics，andgeography，andhistory。Butthingsareevergroupingthemselvesaccordingtohigherormoreinteriorlaws。Neighbourhood，size，numbers，habits，persons，losebydegreestheirpoweroverus。Causeandeffect，realaffinities，thelongingforharmonybetweenthesoulandthecircumstance，theprogressive，idealizinginstinct，predominatelater，andthestepbackwardfromthehighertothelowerrelationsisimpossible。Thusevenlove，whichisthedeificationofpersons，mustbecomemoreimpersonaleveryday。Ofthisatfirstitgivesnohint。Littlethinktheyouthandmaidenwhoareglancingateachotheracrosscrowdedrooms，witheyessofullofmutualintelligence，ofthepreciousfruitlonghereaftertoproceedfromthisnew，quiteexternalstimulus。Theworkofvegetationbeginsfirstintheirritabilityofthebarkandleaf-buds。Fromexchangingglances，theyadvancetoactsofcourtesy，ofgallantry，thentofierypassion，toplightingtroth，andmarriage。Passionbeholdsitsobjectasaperfectunit。Thesouliswhollyembodied，andthebodyiswhollyensouled。

“HerpureandeloquentbloodSpokeinhercheeks，andsodistinctlywrought，Thatonemightalmostsayherbodythought。“

Romeo，ifdead，shouldbecutupintolittlestarstomaketheheavensfine。Life，withthispair，hasnootheraim，asksnomore，thanJuliet，——thanRomeo。Night，day，studies，talents，kingdoms，religion，areallcontainedinthisformfullofsoul，inthissoulwhichisallform。Theloversdelightinendearments，inavowalsoflove，incomparisonsoftheirregards。Whenalone，theysolacethemselveswiththerememberedimageoftheother。Doesthatotherseethesamestar，thesamemeltingcloud，readthesamebook，feelthesameemotion，thatnowdelightme？Theytryandweightheiraffection，and，addingupcostlyadvantages，friends，opportunities，properties，exultindiscoveringthatwillingly，joyfully，theywouldgiveallasaransomforthebeautiful，thebelovedhead，notonehairofwhichshallbeharmed。Butthelotofhumanityisonthesechildren。Danger，sorrow，andpainarrivetothem，astoall。Loveprays。ItmakescovenantswithEternalPowerinbehalfofthisdearmate。Theunionwhichisthuseffected，andwhichaddsanewvaluetoeveryatominnature，forittransmuteseverythreadthroughoutthewholewebofrelationintoagoldenray，andbathesthesoulinanewandsweeterelement，isyetatemporarystate。Notalwayscanflowers，pearls，poetry，protestations，norevenhomeinanotherheart，contenttheawfulsoulthatdwellsinclay。Itarousesitselfatlastfromtheseendearments，astoys，andputsontheharness，andaspirestovastanduniversalaims。Thesoulwhichisinthesoulofeach，cravingaperfectbeatitude，detectsincongruities，defects，anddisproportioninthebehaviouroftheother。Hencearisesurprise，expostulation，andpain。Yetthatwhichdrewthemtoeachotherwassignsofloveliness，signsofvirtue；andthesevirtuesarethere，howevereclipsed。Theyappearandreappear，andcontinuetoattract；buttheregardchanges，quitsthesign，andattachestothesubstance。Thisrepairsthewoundedaffection。Meantime，aslifewearson，itprovesagameofpermutationandcombinationofallpossiblepositionsoftheparties，toemployalltheresourcesofeach，andacquainteachwiththestrengthandweaknessoftheother。

Foritisthenatureandendofthisrelation，thattheyshouldrepresentthehumanracetoeachother。Allthatisintheworld，whichisoroughttobeknown，iscunninglywroughtintothetextureofman，ofwoman。

“Thepersonlovedoestousfit，Likemanna，hasthetasteofallinit。“

Theworldrolls；thecircumstancesvaryeveryhour。Theangelsthatinhabitthistempleofthebodyappearatthewindows，andthegnomesandvicesalso。Byallthevirtuestheyareunited。Iftherebevirtue，allthevicesareknownassuch；theyconfessandflee。

Theironceflamingregardissoberedbytimeineitherbreast，and，losinginviolencewhatitgainsinextent，itbecomesathoroughgoodunderstanding。Theyresigneachother，withoutcomplaint，tothegoodofficeswhichmanandwomanareseverallyappointedtodischargeintime，andexchangethepassionwhichoncecouldnotlosesightofitsobject，foracheerful，disengagedfurtherance，whetherpresentorabsent，ofeachother'sdesigns。Atlasttheydiscoverthatallwhichatfirstdrewthemtogether，——thoseoncesacredfeatures，thatmagicalplayofcharms，——wasdeciduous，hadaprospectiveend，likethescaffoldingbywhichthehousewasbuilt；

andthepurificationoftheintellectandtheheart，fromyeartoyear，istherealmarriage，foreseenandpreparedfromthefirst，andwhollyabovetheirconsciousness。Lookingattheseaimswithwhichtwopersons，amanandawoman，sovariouslyandcorrelativelygifted，areshutupinonehousetospendinthenuptialsocietyfortyorfiftyyears，Idonotwonderattheemphasiswithwhichtheheartprophesiesthiscrisisfromearlyinfancy，attheprofusebeautywithwhichtheinstinctsdeckthenuptialbower，andnature，andintellect，andartemulateeachotherinthegiftsandthemelodytheybringtotheepithalamium。

Thusareweputintrainingforalovewhichknowsnotsex，norperson，norpartiality，butwhichseeksvirtueandwisdomeverywhere，totheendofincreasingvirtueandwisdom。Wearebynatureobservers，andtherebylearners。Thatisourpermanentstate。Butweareoftenmadetofeelthatouraffectionsarebuttentsofanight。Thoughslowlyandwithpain，theobjectsoftheaffectionschange，astheobjectsofthoughtdo。Therearemomentswhentheaffectionsruleandabsorbtheman，andmakehishappinessdependentonapersonorpersons。Butinhealththemindispresentlyseenagain，——itsoverarchingvault，brightwithgalaxiesofimmutablelights，andthewarmlovesandfearsthatsweptoverusasclouds，mustlosetheirfinitecharacterandblendwithGod，toattaintheirownperfection。Butweneednotfearthatwecanloseanythingbytheprogressofthesoul。Thesoulmaybetrustedtotheend。Thatwhichissobeautifulandattractiveastheserelationsmustbesucceededandsupplantedonlybywhatismorebeautiful，andsoonforever。

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