WehadapleasantinterviewwithLordBroughamalso。ThePhiladelphiaAnti-slaverySocietysenthimanelaboratelycarvedinkstand，madefromthewoodofPennsylvaniaHall，whichwasdestroyedbyapro-slaverymob。

Mr。Birneymadeamostgracefulspeechinpresentingthememento，andLordBroughamwasequallyhappyinreceivingit。

OneofthemostnotablecharacterswemetatthistimewasDanielO'Connell。

HemadehisfirstappearanceintheLondonconventionafewdaysafterthewomenwererejected。Hepaidabeautifultributetowomanandsaidthat，ifhehadbeenpresentwhenthequestionwasunderdiscussion，heshouldhavespokenandvotedfortheiradmission。Hewasatall，well-developed，magnificent-lookingman，andprobablyoneofthemosteffectivespeakersIrelandeverproduced。IsawhimatagreatIndiameetinginExeterHall，wheresomeofthebestoratorsfromFrance，America，andEnglandwerepresent。

ThereweresixnativesfromIndiaontheplatformwho，notunderstandinganythingthatwassaid，naturallyremainedlistlessthroughouttheproceedings。

ButthemomentO'Connellbegantospeaktheywereallattention，bendingforwardandcloselywatchingeverymovement。Onecouldalmosttellwhathesaidfromtheplayofhisexpressivefeatures，hiswonderfulgestures，andtheposeofhiswholebody。Whenhefinished，thenativesjoinedinthegeneralapplause。HehadallWendellPhillips'powerofsarcasmanddenunciation，andaddedtothatthemosttenderpathos。Hecouldmakehisaudiencelaughorcryatpleasure。Itwasararesighttoseehimdressedin“Repealcloth“inoneofhisRepealmeetings。WewereinDublininthemidstofthatexcitement，whenthehopesofnewlibertiesforthatoppressedpeopleallcenteredonO'Connell。TheenthusiasmofthepeoplefortheRepealoftheUnionwasthenatwhite-heat。Diningonedaywiththe“GreatLiberator，“ashewascalled，Iaskedhimifhehopedtocarrythatmeasure。

“No，“hesaid，“butitisalwaysgoodpolicytoclaimtheuttermostandthenyouwillbesuretogetsomething。“

Couldhehavelookedforwardfiftyyearsandhaveseenthepresentconditionofhisunhappycountry，hewouldhaveknownthatEnglishgreedandselfishnesscoulddefeatanypolicy，howeverwiseandfar-seeing。ThesuccessivestepsbywhichIrishcommercewasruinedandreligiousfeudsbetweenherpeoplecontinuallyfannedintolife，andthenationsubjugated，formthedarkestpageinthehistoryofEngland。Butthepeopleareawakeningatlasttotheirduty，and，forthefirsttime，organizingEnglishpublicsentimentinfavorof“HomeRule。“Iattendedseverallarge，enthusiasticmeetingswhenlastinEngland，inwhichthemostradicalutterancesofIrishpatriotswerereceivedwithprolongedcheers。ItrustthedayisnotfaroffwhenthebeautifulEmeraldIslewillunfurlherbannerbeforethenationsoftheearth，enthronedastheQueenRepublicofthosenorthernseas！

WevisitedWordsworth'shomeatGrasmere，amongthebeautifullakes，buthewasnotthere。However，wesawhissurroundings杢helandscapethatinspiredsomeofhispoeticdreams，andthedenserowsofhollyhocksofeveryshadeandcolor，leadingfromhisporchtothegate。Thegardenertoldusthiswashisfavoriteflower。Thoughithadnospecialbeautyinitself，takenalone，yetthewonderfulcombinationofroyalcolorswasindeedstrikingandbeautiful。WesawHarrietMartineauathercountryhomeaswellasatherhouseintown。Aswewereobligedtoconversewithherthroughaneartrumpet，welefthertodomostofthetalking。ShegaveusmanyamusingexperiencesofhertravelsinAmerica，andhercommentsontheLondonConventionwererichandracy。Shewasnotanattractivewomanineithermannerorappearance，thoughconsideredgreatandgoodbyallwhoknewher。

WespentafewdayswithThomasClarkson，inIpswich。Helivedinaveryoldhousewithlongramblingcorridors，surroundedbyamoat，whichwecrossedbymeansofadrawbridge。Hehadjustwrittenanarticleagainstthecolonizationscheme，whichhiswifereadaloudtous。Hewassoabsorbedinthesubjectthatheforgotthearticlewaswrittenbyhimself，andkeptuparunningapplausewith“hear！”“hear！”theEnglishmodeofexpressingapprobation。HetoldusoftheseverestrugglesheandWilberforcehadgonethroughinrousingthepublicsentimentofEnglandtothedemandforemancipationinJamaica。Buttheirtrialsweremild，comparedwithwhatGarrisonandhiscoadjutorshadsufferedinAmerica。

Havingreadofallthesepeople，itwasdifficulttorealize，asIvisitedthemintheirownhomesfromdaytoday，thattheywerethesamepersonsIhadsolongworshipedfromafar！ChapterVI。ChapterVI。CHAPTERVI。HOMEWARDBOUND。

AFTERtakingaviewofthewondersandsurroundingsofLondonwespentamonthinParis。FiftyyearsagotherewasagreaterdifferenceinthegeneralappearanceofthingsbetweenFranceandEnglandthannow。Thatcountriesonlyafewhours'journeyapartshoulddiffersowidelywastousagreatsurprise。Howchangedthesightsandsounds！Herewastheolddiligence，lumberingalongwithitsvariouscompartmentsanditsindefinitenumberofhorses，harnessedwithropeandleather，sometimestwo，sometimesthreeabreast，andsometimesoneinadvance，withanoutriderbelaboringthepoorbeastswithoutcessation，andthedriveryellingandcrackinghiswhip。Theuproar，confusion，andsquabblesateverystoppingplaceareoverwhelming；theupperclasses，menandwomenalike，rushingintoeachother'sarms，embraceandkiss，whiledriversandhostlersontheslightestprovocationhurlateachotherallthedenunciatoryadjectivesinthelanguage，andwithsuchvehemencethatyouexpecteverymomenttoseeadeadlyconflict。Butto-day，asfiftyyearsago，theyneverarriveatthatpoint。Theirswasandispurelyanencounterofwords，whichtheykeepup，astheydriveoffinoppositedirections，justasfarastheycanhearandseeeachother，withthreatsofvengeancetocome。SuchanencounterbetweentwoEnglishmenwouldmeanthedeathofoneortheother。

AllthiswasinmarkedcontrastwithJohnBullandhisIsland。Therethepeoplewereassilentasiftheyhadbeenborndeafanddumb。TheEnglishstagecoachwascompact，clean，andpolishedfromtoptobottom，thehorsesandharnessglossyandinorder，thewell-dressed，dignifiedcoachman，whoseldomspokealoudwordorusedhiswhip，kepthisseatatthevariousstages，whilehostlerswateredorchangedthesteeds；thepostmanblewhisbugleblasttohavethemailinreadiness，andthereservedpassengersmadenoremarksonwhatwaspassing；for，inthosedays，Englishmenwereafraidtospeaktoeachotherforfearofrecognizingonenotoftheirclass，whiletostrangersandforeignerstheywouldnotspeakexceptincaseofdirenecessity。TheFrenchmanwasreadyenoughtotalk，but，unfortunately，wewereseparatedbydifferentlanguages。ThustheEnglishmanwouldnottalk，theFrenchmancouldnot，andtheintelligent，loquaciousAmericandriver，whodiscoursesonpolitics，religion，nationalinstitutions，andsocialgossipwasunknownonthatsideoftheAtlantic。WhatthecuriousAmericantravelercouldfindouthimselffromobservationandpertinaciousseekinghewaswelcometo，buttheBritonwouldwastenobreathtoenlightenYankeesastothepointsofinterestorcustomsofhiscountry。

OurpartyconsistedofMissPugh，AbbyKimber，Mr。Stanton，andmyself。

Ihadmanyamusingexperiencesinmakingmywantsknownwhenalone，havingforgottenmostofmyFrench。Forinstance，travelingnightanddayinthediligencetoParis，asthestopswereshort，onewassometimesinneedofsomethingtoeat。Onenightasmycompanionswereallasleep，Iwentouttogetapieceofcakeoracracker，orwhateverofthatsortIcouldobtain，but，owingtomyclumsyuseofthelanguage，Iwasmisunderstood。

Justasthediligencewasabouttostart，andtheshoutforustogetaboardwasheard，thewaitercamerunningwithapipinghotplateofsweetbreadsnicelybroiled。Ihadwaitedandwonderedwhyittooksolongtogetasimplepieceofcakeorbiscuit，andlo！apieceofhotmeatwasofferedme。Icouldnottakethefrizzlingthinginmyhandnoreatitwithoutbread，knife，orfork，soIhurriedofftothecoach，themanpursuingmetotheverydoor。Iwasvexedanddisappointed，whiletherestofthepartywereconvulsedwithlaughteratthepartingsaluteandmyattempttomakemywayalone。ItwassometimebeforeIheardthelastofthe“sweetbreads。“

WhenwereachedPariswesecuredacourierwhocouldspeakEnglish，toshowusthesightsofthatwonderfulcity。Everymorningearlyhewasatthedoor，rainorshine，tocarryoutourplans，which，withtheaidofourguidebook，wehadmadetheeveningbefore。Inthisway，goingsteadily，dayafterday，wevisitedallpointsofinterestformilesroundandsailedupanddowntheSeine。ThePalaceoftheTuileries，withitsmanyassociationswithalonglineofmoreorlessunhappykingsandqueens，wastheninitsglory，anditsextensiveandbeautifulgroundswerealwaysgaywithcrowdsofhappypeople。Thesegardenswereagreatresortfornursesandchildrenandwerefurnishedwithallmannerofnovelappliancesfortheiramusement，includingbeautifullittlecarriagesdrawnbyfourgoatswithgirlsorboysdriving，boatssailingintheair，seeminglypropelledbyoars，andhobbyhorsesflyingroundonwhirligigswithboysvainlytryingtocatcheachother。NopeoplehaveevertakenthetroubletoinventsomanyamusementsforchildrenashavetheFrench。Thepeopleenjoyedbeingalwaysintheopenair，nightandday。Theparksarecrowdedwithamusementseekers，somereadingandplayinggames，somesewing，knitting，playingonmusicalinstruments，dancing，sittingaroundtablesinbevieseating，drinking，andgaylychatting。Andyet，whentheydriveincarriagesorgototheirhomesatnight，theywillshutthemselvesinastightasoystersintheirshells。Theyhaveatheorythatnightairisveryinjurious，杋nthehouse，朼lthoughtheywillsitoutsideuntilmidnight。IfoundthissamesuperstitionprevalentinFrancefiftyyearslater。

WevisitedtheH&ocirc；teldesInvalidesjustastheywerepreparingthesarcophagusforthereceptionoftheremainsofNapoleon。Wewitnessedthewildexcitementofthatenthusiasticpeople，andlistenedwithdeepinteresttotheoldsoldiers'praisesoftheirgreatgeneral。Theladiesofourpartychattedfreelywiththem。Theyallhadinterestinganecdotestorelateoftheirchief。Theysaidheseldomsleptoverfourhours，wasanabstemiouseater，andrarelychangedaservant，ashehatedastrangefaceabouthim。Hewasveryfondofagameofchess，andsnuffedcontinuously；

talkedbutlittle，wasalightsleeper，杢hestirringofamousewouldawakenhim，朼ndalwaysonthewatchtower。Theysaidthat，inhisgreatcampaigns，heseemedtobeomnipresent。AsentinelasleepathispostwouldsometimeswakentofindNapoleonondutyinhisplace。

TheshipthatbroughtbackNapoleon'sremainswastheBellePoule(thebeautifulhen！)，whichlandedatCherbourg，November30，1840。ThebodywasconveyedtotheChurchoftheInvalides，whichadjoinsthetomb。

ThePrincedeJoinvillebroughtthebodyfromSaintHelena，andLouisPhilippereceivedit。

Atthattimeeachsoldierhadalittlepatchoflandtodecorateashepleased，inwhichmanyscenesfromtheirgreatbattleswereillustrated。

OnerepresentedNapoleoncrossingtheAlps。Therewerethecannon，thesoldiers，Napoleononhorseback，alltoilingupthesteepascent，perfectinminiature。InanotherwasNapoleon，flaginhand，leadingthechargeacrossthebridgeofLodi。InstillanotherwasNapoleoninEgypt，beforethePyramids，seated，impassive，onhishorse，gazingattheSphinx，asifabouttoutterhisimmortalwordstohissoldiers：“Here，fortycenturieslookdownuponus。“Theseobjectlessonsofthepastareallgonenowandthelandusedformoreprosaicpurposes。

Ilittlethought，asIwitnessedthatgreateventinFrancein1840，thatfifty-sevenyearslaterIshouldwitnessasimilarpageantintheAmericanRepublic，whenournationpaiditslasttributestoGeneralGrant。

Therearemanypointsofsimilarityinthesegreatevents。Asmentheywerealikeaggressiveandself-reliant。InNapoleon'swillheexpressedthewishthathislastrestingplacemightbeinthelandandamongthepeoplehelovedsowell。Hisdesireisfulfilled。HerestsinthechiefcityoftheFrenchrepublic，whoseshoresarewashedbythewatersoftheSeine。GeneralGrantexpressedthewishthathemightbeinterredinourmetropolisandadded：“WhereverIamburied，I

desirethatthereshallberoomformywifebymyside。“Hiswishes，too，arefulfilled。HerestsinthechiefcityoftheAmericanRepublic，whoseshoresarewashedbythewatersoftheHudson，andinhismagnificentmausoleumthereisroomforhiswifebyhisside。

SeveralmembersoftheSocietyofFriendsfromBostonandPhiladelphia，whohadattendedtheWorld'sAnti-slaveryConventioninLondon，joinedourpartyforatripontheContinent。Thoughopposedtowar，theyalltookadeepinterestinthenationalexcitementandinthepageantsthatheraldedtheexpectedarrivaloftheherofromSaintHelena。AstheyallworemilitarycoatsofthetimeofGeorgeFox，thesoldiers，supposingtheybelongedtothearmyofsomecountry，gavethemthemilitarysalutewhereverwewent，muchtotheirannoyanceandouramusement。

Ingoingtherounds，MissPughamusedusbyreadingaloudthedescriptionofwhatwewereadmiringandthehistoricaleventsconnectedwiththatparticularbuildingorlocality。Weurgedhertospendthetimetakinginallshecouldseeandtoreadupafterward；butno，ahistoryofFranceandGalignani'sguideshecarriedeverywhere，and，whiletherestofuslookeduntilwewerefullysatisfied，shetookabird's-eyeviewandreadthedescription。Dearlittlewoman！Shewasafinescholar，agoodhistorian，waswellinformedonallsubjectsandcountries，provedaninvaluabletravelingcompanion，andcouldtellmoreofwhatwesawthanalltherestofustogether。

OnseveraloccasionswechancedtomeetLouisPhilippedashingbyinanopenbarouche。Wefeltgreatsatisfactioninrememberingthatatonetimehewasanexileinourcountry，whereheearnedhislivingbyteachingschool。WhatanhonorforYankeechildrentohavebeentaught，byaFrenchking，therudimentsofhislanguage。

HavingbeenaccustomedtothePuritanSundayofrestraintandsolemnity，IfoundthatdayinParisgayandcharming。ThefirsttimeIenteredintosomeofthefestivities，Ireallyexpectedtobestruckbylightning。Thelibraries，artgalleries，concerthalls，andtheaterswereallopentothepeople。Bandsofmusicwereplayingintheparks，wherewholefamilies，withtheirluncheons，spenttheday杊usbands，wives，andchildren，onanexcursiontogether。TheboatsontheSeineandallpublicconveyanceswerecrowded。Thosewhohadbutthisonedayforpleasureseemeddeterminedtomakethemostofit。AwonderfulcontrastwiththatgloomydayinLondon，whereallplacesofamusementwereclosedandnothingopentothepeoplebutthechurchesanddrinkingsaloons。ThestreetsandhousesinwhichVoltaire，LaFayette，Mme。deSta&euml；l，Mme。Roland，CharlotteCorday，andotherfamousmenandwomenlivedanddied，werepointedouttous。

Welittlethought，then，ofalltheterriblescenestobeenactedinParis，northatFrancewouldemergefromthedangersthatbesetheroneverysideintoasisterrepublic。Ithasbeenawonderfulachievement，withkingsandPopesallplottingagainstherexperiment，thatshehassucceededinputtingkingcraftunderherfeetandproclaimedliberty，equality，fraternityforherpeople。

AfterafewweeksinFrance，wereturnedtoLondon，travelingthroughEngland，Ireland，andScotlandforseveralmonths。WevisitedthescenesthatShakespeare，Burns，andDickenshadmadeclassic。WespentafewdaysatHuntingdon，thehomeofOliverCromwell，andvisitedtheestatewherehepassedhisearlymarriedlife。Whilethere，oneofhisgreatadmirersreadaloudtousasplendidarticleinoneofthereviews，writtenbyCarlyle，giving“TheProtector，“ashisfriendsaid，histrueplaceinhistory。

ItwaslongthefashionofEngland'shistorianstorepresentCromwellasafanaticandhypocrite，buthischaracterwasvindicatedbylaterwriters。

“Never，“saysMacaulay，“wasarulersoconspicuouslybornforsovereignty。

Thecupwhichhasintoxicatedalmostallotherssoberedhim。“

WesawthepicturesqueruinsofKenilworthCastle，thebirthplaceofShakespeare，thehomesofByronandMaryChaworth，wanderedthroughNewsteadAbbey，sawthemonumenttothefaithfuldog，andthelargediningroomwhereByronandhisbooncompanionsusedtoshootatamark。Itwasadesolateregion。WestoppedadayortwoatAyranddroveouttothebirthplaceofBurns。Theoldhousethathadshelteredhimwasstillthere，butitswallsnowechoedtoothervoices，andthefieldswherehehadtoiledwereplowedbyotherhands。WesawthestreamandbankswhereheandMarysattogether，theoldstonechurchwherethewitchesheldtheirmidnightrevels，thetwodogs，andthebridgeofAyr。WithBurns，aswithSappho，itwaslovethatawokehishearttosong。Abonnylasswhoworkedwithhimintheharvestfieldinspiredhisfirstattemptsatrhyme。Life，withBurns，wasonelong，hardstruggle。Withhisnaturalloveforthebeautiful，theterribledepressionofspiritshesufferedfromhisdrearysurroundingswasinevitable。Theinterestgreatmentookinhim，whentheyawoketohisgenius，cametoolateforhissafetyandencouragement。Inaglassofwhiskyhefound，atlast，therestandcheerheneverknewwhensober。

Povertyandignorancearetheparentsofintemperance，andthatvicewillneverbesuppresseduntiltheburdensoflifeareequallysharedbyall。

WesawMelrosebymoonlight，spentseveralhoursatAbbotsford，andlingeredinthelittlesanctumsanctorumwhereScottwrotehisimmortalworks。Itwassosmallthathecouldreachthebookshelvesoneveryside。

Wewentthroughtheprisons，castles，andnarrowstreetsofEdinburgh，wherethehousesaresevenandeightstorieshigh，eachstoryprojectingafewfeetuntil，attheuppermost，oppositeneighborscouldeasilyshakehandsandchattogether。Alltheintervalsfromactivesightseeingwespentinreadingthelivesofhistoricalpersonagesinpoetryandprose，untiloursympathiesflowedouttotherealandidealcharacters。LadyJaneGrey，AnneBoleyn，MaryQueenofScots，EllenDouglas，JeanieandEffieDeans，HighlandMary，RebeccatheJewess，DiVernon，andRobRoyallalikeseemedrealmenandwomen，whoseshadesordescendantswehopedtomeetontheirnativeheath。

HereamongtheScotchlakesandmountainsMr。StantonandIweretravelingaloneforthefirsttimesinceourmarriage，andaswebothenjoyedwalking，wemademanyexcursionsonfoottopointsthatcouldnotbereachedinanyotherway。WespentsometimeamongtheGrampianHills，sofamiliartoeveryschoolboy，walking，andridingaboutondonkeys。WesailedupanddownLochKatrineandLochLomond。MyhusbandwaswritinglettersforsomeNewYorknewspapersontheentiretrip，andaimedtogetexactknowledgeofallwesaw；thusIhadtheadvantageoftheinformationhegathered。

OntheselongtrampsIworeashortdress，reachingjustbelowtheknee，ofdark-bluecloth，amilitarycapofthesamematerialthatshadedmyeyes，andapairoflongboots，madeonthemasculinepatternthengenerallyworn杢hemosteasystyleforwalking，asthepressureisequalonthewholefootandtheanklehasfreeplay。Thusequipped，andearlytrainedbymygoodbrother-in-lawtolongwalks，Ifoundnodifficultyinkeepingpacewithmyhusband。

Beingself-reliantandventuresomeinourexplorations，weoccasionallyfoundourselvesinvolvedingravedifficultiesbyrefusingtotakeaguide。

Forinstance，wedecidedtogotothetopofBenNevisalone。Itlookedtousastraightforwardpieceofbusinesstowalkupamountainsideonabeeline，andso，inthefaceofrepeatedwarningsbyourhost，westarted：

Weknewnothingofzigzagpathstoavoidtherocks，thesprings，andswamps；

infactwesupposedallmountainssmoothanddry，likeournativehillsthatwewereaccustomedtoclimb。Thelandlordshookhisheadandsmiledwhenwetoldhimweshouldreturnatnoontodinner，andwesmiled，too，thinkingheplacedalowestimateonourcapacityforwalking。Butwehadnotgonefarwhenwediscoveredthedifficultiesahead。SomeplacesweresosteepthatIhadtoholdontomycompanion'scoattails，whileheheldontorocksandtwigs，orbracedhimselfwithaheavycane。Bythetimewewerehalfwayupwewereinadrippingperspiration，ourfeetweresoakingwet，andwewerereallytootiredtoproceed。But，afterstartingwithsuchsupremeconfidenceinourselves，wewereashamedtoconfessourfatiguetoeachother，andmuchmoretoreturnandverifyalltheprognosticationsofthehostandhisguides。Sowedeterminedtopushonanddowhatwehadproposed。Withtheprospectofamagnificentviewandanhour'sdeliciousrestonthetop，westartedwithrenewedcourage。Asteadyclimbofsixhoursbroughtustothegoalofpromise；ourascentwasaccomplished。Butalas！itwasimpossibletostopthere杢hecoldwindchilledustotheboneinaminute。Sowetookoneglanceattheworldbelowandhurrieddownthesouthsidetogetthemountainbetweenusandthecoldnortheaster。

Whenyourteetharechatteringwiththecold，andthewindthreateningtomakehavocwithyourraiment，youarenotinafavorableconditiontoappreciategrandscenery。LikethekingofFrancewithtwicetenthousandmen，wemarchedupthehillandthen，marcheddownagain。Wefounddescendingstillmoredifficult，aswewereinconstantfearofslipping，losingourhold，androllingtothebottom。Weweretired，hungry，anddisappointed，andthefearofnotreachingthevalleybeforenightfallpressedheavilyuponus。Neitherconfessedtotheotherthefatigueandapprehensioneachfelt，but，withfreshendeavorandwordsofencouragement，wecautiouslywenton。Weaccidentallystruckatrailthatleduswindingdowncomfortablysomedistance，butwelostit，andwentclamberingdownaswellaswecouldinourusualway。Toaddtoourmisery，adenseScotchmistsoonenvelopedus，sothatwecouldseebutashortdistanceahead，andnotknowingthepointfromwhichwestarted，wefearedwemightbegoingfaroutofourway。Thecomingtwilight，too，madetheprospectstilldarker。Fortunatelyourhost，havinglessfaithinusthanwehadinourselves，sentaguidetoreconnoiter，and，justatthemomentwhenwebegantorealizeourdangerofspendingthenightonthemountain，andtoadmitittoeachother，thewelcomeguidehailedusinhisbroadaccent。Hisshepherddogledthewayintothebeatenpath。AsIcouldhardlystandItooktheguide'sarm，andwhenwereachedthebottomtwodonkeyswereinreadinesstotakeustothehotel。

Wedidnotrecoverfromthefatigueofthatexpeditioninseveraldays，andwemadenomoreexperimentsofexploringstrangeplaceswithoutguides。

Welearned，too，thatmountainsarenotsohospitableastheyseemnorsogentlyundulatingastheyappearinthedistance，andthatguidesserveotherpurposesbesidesextortingmoneyfromtravelers。If，undertheirguidance，wehadgoneupanddowneasily，weshouldalwayshavethoughtwemightaswellhavegonealone。Soourexperiencegaveusagoodlessoninhumility。Wehadbeentwelvehoursonfootwithnothingtoeat，whenatlastwereachedthehotel。Wewereinnomoodforboastingofthesuccessofourexcursion，andouranswerswereshorttoinquiriesastohowwehadpassedtheday。

Beingtiredoftravelingandcontendingaboutwoman'sspherewiththeRev。JohnScoble，anEnglishman，whoescortedMr。BirneyandMr。Stantonontheirtourthroughthecountry，IdecidedtospendamonthinDublin；

whilethegentlemenheldmeetingsinCork，Belfast，Waterford，Limerick，andotherchieftowns，finishingtheserieswithalarge，enthusiasticgatheringinDublin，atwhichO'ConnellmadeoneofhismostwitheringspeechesonAmericanslavery；theinconsistencyofsuchan“institution“

withtheprinciplesofarepublicangovernmentgivingfullplaytohispowersofsarcasm。Ononeoccasion，whenintroducedtoaslaveholder，heputhishandsbehindhisback，refusingtorecognizeamanwhoboughtandsoldhisfellow-beings。TheRev。JohnScoblewasoneofthemostconceitedmenIevermet。Hisnarrowideasinregardtowoman，andthesuperiorityoftheroyalandnobleclassesinhisowncountry，weretomesoexasperatingthatIgrewmoreandmorebellicoseeverydaywetraveledincompany。HewasterriblyseasickcrossingtheChannel，tomyintensesatisfaction。

Ashealwaysboastedofhisdistinguishedcountrymen，Isuggested，inthemidstofoneofhismostagonizingspasms，thatheoughttofindconsolationinthefactthatLordNelsonwasalwaysseasickontheslightestprovocation。

ThepovertyinIrelandwasacontinualtrialtooursensibilities；beggarshauntedourfootstepseverywhere，inthestreetandonthehighways，crouchingonthestepsofthefrontdoorandonthecurbstones，andsurroundingourcarriagewhereverandwheneverwestoppedtoshopormakeavisit。Thebonyhandsandsunkeneyesandsinceregratitudeexpressedforeverypennyprovedtheirsufferingreal。AsmymeanswerelimitedandIcouldnotpassoneby，Igotapoundchangedintopennies，andputtheminagreenbag，whichItookinthecarriagewhereverIwent。Itwasbutadropintheocean，butitwasallIcoulddotorelievethatunfathomedmisery。ThepovertyIsaweverywhereintheOldWorld，andespeciallyinIreland，wasapuzzlingproblemtomymind，butIrejectedtheideathatitwasanecessarylinkinhumanexperience杢hatitalwayshadbeenandalwaysmustbe。

Aswedrove，daybyday，inthatmagnificentPhoenixPark，offifteenhundredacres，oneofthelargestparks，Ibelieve，intheworld，Iwouldoftenputthequestiontomyself，whatrighthavethefewtomakeapleasuregroundoftheseacres，whilethemanyhavenowheretolaytheirheads，crouchingunderstilesandbridges，clothedinrags，andfeedingonseaweedwithnohope，intheslowlypassingyears，ofanychangeforthebetter？

Thedespairstampedoneverybrowtoldthesadstoryoftheirwrongs。Thoseaccustomedtosucheverydayexperiencesbrushbeggarsasideastheywouldsomanyflies，butthosetowhomsuchsightsarenewcannotsoeasilyquiettheirownconsciences。Everyoneinthefullenjoymentofalltheblessingsoflife，inhisnormalcondition，feelssomeindividualresponsibilityforthepovertyofothers。Whenthesympathiesarenotbluntedbyanyfalsephilosophy，onefeelsreproachedbyone'sownabundance。Ionceheardayounggirl，abouttotakehersummerouting，whenaskedbyhergrandmotherifshehadallthedressessheneeded，reply，“Oh，yes！Iwasoppressedwithaconstantsenseofguilt，whenpacking，toseehowmuchIhad，whilesomanygirlshavenothingdecenttowear。“

MorethanhalfacenturyhasrolledbysinceIstoodonIrishsoil，andshedtearsofpityforthewretchednessIsaw，andnochangeforthebetterhasasyetcometothatunhappypeople杫etthiswasthelandofBurke，Grattan，Shiel，andEmmett；thelandintowhichChristianitywasintroducedinthefifthcentury，St。Patrickbeingthechiefapostleofthenewfaith。InthesixthcenturyIrelandsentforthmissionariesfromhermonasteriestoconvertGreatBritainandthenationsofNorthernEurope。

FromtheeighthtothetwelfthcenturyIrishscholarsheldanenviablereputation。Infact，Irelandwasthecenteroflearningatonetime。Thearts，too，werecultivatedbyherpeople；andtheroundtowers，stillpointedouttotravelers，arebelievedtobetheremainsofthearchitectureofthetenthcentury。TheruinofIrelandmustbetracedtoothercausesthanthecharacterofthepeopleortheCatholicreligion。HistoriansgiveusfactsshowingEnglishoppressionssufficienttodestroyanynation。

Theshort，darkdaysofNovemberintensified，inmyeyes，thegloomyprospectsofthatpeople，andmadethechangetotheSiriusoftheCunardLine，thefirstregularAtlanticsteamshiptocrosstheocean，mostenjoyable。Onceontheboundlessocean，oneseesnobeggars，nosignsofhumanmisery，nocrumblingruinsofvastcathedralwalls，norecordsofthedownfallofmightynations，notrace，even，ofthemortalagonyoftheinnumerablehostburiedbeneathherbosom。Byrontrulysays：“Timewritesnowrinkleonthineazurebrow？

Suchascreation'sdawnbeheld，thourollestnow。“WhenweembarkedontheSirius，wehadgravedoubtsastooursafetyandtheprobabilityofourreachingtheotherside，aswedidnotfeelthatoceansteamershadyetbeenfairlytried。But，afterapassageofeighteendays，elevenhours，andfifteenminutes，wereachedBoston，havingspentsixhoursatHalifax。WelittlethoughtthatthesteamerSiriusoffiftyyearsagowouldeverdevelopintothemagnificentfloatingpalacesofto-day杢hreetimesaslargeandthreetimesasswift。Inspiteofthesteamer，however，wehadacold，rough，drearyvoyage，andIhavenopleasantmemoriesconnectedwithit。Ourfellow-passengerswereallintheirstateroomsmostofthetime。OurgoodfriendMr。Birneyhadsailedtwoweeksbeforeus，andasMr。Stantonwasconfinedtohisberth，Iwasthrownonmyownresources。IfoundmychiefamusementinreadingnovelsandplayingchesswithaBritishofficeronhiswaytoCanada。WhenitwaspossibleIwalkedondeckwiththecaptain，orsatinsomeshelteredcorner，watchingthewaves。WearrivedinNewYork，byrail，thedaybeforeChristmas。Everythinglookedbrightandgayinourstreets。Itseemedtomethattheskywasclearer，theairmorerefreshing，andthesunlightmorebrilliantthaninanyotherland！ChapterVII。ChapterVII。CHAPTERVII。MOTHERHOOD。

WEfoundmysisterHarrietinanewhomeinClintonPlace(EighthStreet)，NewYorkcity，thenconsideredsofaruptownthatMr。Eaton'sfriendswerecontinuallyaskinghimwhyhewentsofarawayfromthesocialcenter，thoughinafewmonthstheyfollowedhim。Herewepassedaweek。Iespeciallyenjoyedseeingmylittlenieceandnephew，theonlygrandchildreninthefamily。ThegirlwasthemostbeautifulchildIeversaw，andtheboythemostintelligentandamusing。HewasveryfondofhearingmerecitethepoembyOliverWendellHolmesentitled“TheHeightoftheRidiculous，“

whichIdidmanytimes，buthealwayswantedtoseethelinesthatalmostkilledthemanwithlaughing。Hewentaroundtoanumberofthebookstoresonedayandinquiredforthem。Itoldhimafterwardtheywereneverpublished；

thatwhenMr。Holmessawtheeffectonhisservanthesuppressedthem，lesttheyshouldproducethesameeffectonthetypesetters，editors，andthereadersoftheBostonnewspapers。Myexplanationneversatisfiedhim。

ItoldhimhemightwritetoMr。Holmes，andasktheprivilegeofreadingtheoriginalmanuscript，ifitstillwasoreverhadbeeninexistence。

Asoneofmygrandnephewswastroubledinexactlythesameway，IdecidedtoappealmyselftoDr。Holmesfortheenlightenmentofthissecondgeneration。

SoIwrotehimthefollowingletter，whichhekindlyanswered，tellingusthathis“wretchedman“wasamythliketheheroesinMotherGoose'sMelodies“：

“DEARDR。HOLMES：

“IhavealittlenephewtowhomIoftenrecite'TheHeightoftheRidiculous，'

andheinvariablyasksforthelinesthatproducedthefataleffectonyourservant。HevisitedmostofthebookstoresinNewYorkcitytofindthem，andnothingbutyourownword，Iamsure，willeverconvincehimthatthe'wretchedman'isbutafigmentofyourimagination。Itriedtosatisfyhimbysayingyoudidnotdaretopublishthelineslesttheyshouldproduceasimilareffectonthetypesetters，editors，andthereadersoftheBostonjournals。

“However，hewishesmetoaskyouwhetheryoukeptacopyoftheoriginalmanuscript，orcouldreproducethelineswithequalpower。Ifnottoomuchtrouble，pleasesendmeafewlinesonthispoint，andgreatlyoblige，“Yourssincerely，“ELIZABETHCADYSTANTON。“

“MYDEARMRS。STANTON：

“Iwishyouwouldexplaintoyourlittlenephewthatthestoryofthepoorfellowwhoalmostdiedlaughingwasakindofadreamofmine，andnotarealthingthathappened，anymorethanthatanoldwoman'livedinashoeandhadsomanychildrenshedidn'tknowwhattodo，'orthatJackclimbedthebeanstalkandfoundthegiantwholivedatthetopofit。Youcanexplaintohimwhatismeantbyimagination，andthusturnmyyouthfulrhymesintoatextforadiscourseworthyoftheConcordSchoolofPhilosophy。Ihavenotmypoemsbymehere，butIrememberthat'TheHeightoftheRidiculous'endedwiththisverse：“Tendaysandnights，withsleeplesseye，Iwatchedthatwretchedman，Andsince，IneverdaretowriteAsfunnyasIcan。““Buttellyournephewhemustn'tcryaboutitanymorethanbecausegeesegobarefootandbaldeagleshavenonightcaps。Theversesareinalltheeditionsofmypoems。

“Believeme，dearMrs。Stanton，“VeryTrulyandRespectfullyYours，“OLIVERWENDELLHOLMES。“

AfterspendingtheholidaysinNewYorkcity，westartedforJohnstownina“stagesleigh，conveyingtheUnitedStatesmail，“drawnbyspankingteamsoffourhorses，uptheHudsonRivervalley。WewerethreedaysgoingtoAlbany，stoppingovernightatvariouspoints；ajourneynowperformedinthreehours。Theweatherwasclearandcold，thesleighingfine，thescenerygrand，andourtravelingcompanionsmostentertaining，sothetripwasveryenjoyable。FromAlbanytoSchenectadywewentintherailwaycars；

thenanothersleighrideofthirtymilesbroughtustoJohnstown。Mynativehills，buriedundertwofeetofsnow，tintedwiththelastraysofthesettingsun，wereabeautifulandfamiliarsight。ThoughIhadbeenabsentbuttenmonths，itseemedlikeyears，andIwassurprisedtofindhowfewchangeshadoccurredsinceIleft。Myfatherandmother，sistersMadgeandKate，theoldhouseandfurniture，theneighbors，alllookedpreciselythesameaswhenIleftthem。IhadseensomuchandbeensoconstantlyonthewingthatIwonderedthatallthingshereshouldhavestoodstill。

Iexpectedtohearofmanybirths，marriages，deaths，andsocialupheavals，butthevillagenewswasremarkablymeager。Thishungerforhomenewsonreturningiscommon，Isuppose，toalltravelers。

Ourtrunksunpacked，wardrobesarrangedinclosetsanddrawers，theexcitementofseeingfriendsover，wespentsometimeinmakingplansforthefuture。

Myhusband，aftersomeconsultationwithmyfather，decidedtoenterhisofficeandcommencethestudyofthelaw。Asthisarrangementkeptmeundertheparentalroof，Ihadtwoaddedyearsofpleasure，walking，driving，andridingonhorsebackwithmysisters。MadgeandKateweredearertomethanever，asIsawtheinevitableseparationawaitingusinthenearfuture。Induetimetheyweremarriedandcommencedhousekeeping朚adgeinherhusband'shousenearby，andKateinBuffalo。Allmysisterswerepeculiarlyfortunateintheirmarriages；theirhusbandsbeingmenoffinepresence，liberaleducation，highmoralcharacter，andmarkedability。

Thesewerepleasantandprofitableyears。Idevotedthemtoreadinglaw，history，andpoliticaleconomy，withoccasionalinterruptionstotakepartinsometemperanceoranti-slaveryexcitement。

ElizaMurrayandIhadclassesofcoloredchildrenintheSundayschool。

Ononeoccasion，whentherewastobeafestival，speakinginthechurch，aprocessionthroughthestreets，andotherpublicperformancesfortheSunday-schoolcelebration，somenarrow-mindedbigotsobjectedtothecoloredchildrentakingpart。TheyapproachedMissMurrayandmewithmostpersuasivetonesonthewisdomofnotallowingthemtomarchintheprocessiontothechurch。Wesaid，“Oh，no！Itwon'tdotodisappointthechildren。Theyarealldressed，withtheirbadgeson，andlookingforwardwithgreatpleasuretothefestivitiesoftheday。Besides，wewouldnotcatertoanyofthesecontemptibleprejudicesagainstcolor。“Wewereallassembledinthecourthousepreparatorytoforminginthelineofmarch。Someweredeterminedtodrivethecoloredchildrenhome，butMissMurrayandI，liketwodefianthens，keptourlittlebroodclosebehindus，determinedtoconquerorperishinthestruggle。Atlastmildercounselsprevailed，anditwasagreedthattheymightmarchintherear。Wemadenoobjectionandfellintoline，but，whenwereachedthechurchdoor，itwaspromptlyclosedasthelastwhitechildwentin。Wetriedtwootherdoors，butallwereguarded。Weshedtearsofvexationandpityforthepoorchildren，and，whentheyaskedusthereasonwhytheycouldnotgoin，wewereembarrassedandmortifiedwiththeexplanationwewereforcedtogive。However，Iinvitedthemtomyfather'shouse，whereMissMurrayandIgavethemrefreshmentsandentertainedthemfortherestoftheday。

Thepuzzlingquestionsoftheologyandpovertythathadoccupiedsomuchofmythoughts，nowgaveplacetothepracticalone，“whattodowithababy。“Thoughmotherhoodisthemostimportantofalltheprofessions，杛equiringmoreknowledgethananyotherdepartmentinhumanaffairs，杫etthereisnotsufficientattentiongiventothepreparationforthisoffice。Ifwebuyaplantofahorticulturistweaskhimmanyquestionsastoitsneeds，whetheritthrivesbestinsunshineorinshade，whetheritneedsmuchorlittlewater，whatdegreesofheatorcold；butwhenweholdinourarmsforthefirsttime，abeingofinfinitepossibilities，inwhosewisdommayrestthedestinyofanation，wetakeitforgrantedthatthelawsgoverningitslife，health，andhappinessareintuitivelyunderstood，thatthereisnothingnewtobelearnedinregardtoit。Yethereisasciencetowhichphilosophershave，asyet，givenbutlittleattention。Animportantfacthasonlybeendiscoveredandacteduponwithinthelasttenyears，thatchildrencomeintotheworldtired，andnothungry，exhaustedwiththeperilousjourney。Insteadofbeingthoroughlybathedanddressed，andkeptontherackwhilethenursemakesaprolongedtoiletandfeedsitsomenostrumsupposedtohavemuchneededmedicinalinfluence，thechild'sface，eyes，andmouthshouldbehastilywashedwithwarmwater，andtherestofitsbodythoroughlyoiled，andthenitshouldbeslippedintoasoftpillowcase，wrappedinablanket，andlaidtosleep。Ordinarily，intheproperconditions，withitsfaceuncoveredinacool，pureatmosphere，itwillsleeptwelvehours。Thenitshouldbebathed，fed，andclothedinahigh-necked，long-sleevedsilkshirtandablanket，allofwhichcouldbedoneinfiveminutes。Asbabiesliestillmostofthetimethefirstsixweeks，theyneednodressing。

Ithinkthenursewasafullhourbathinganddressingmyfirstborn，whoprotestedwithamelancholywaileveryblessedminute。

Ignorantmyselfoftheinitiativestepsonthethresholdoftime，I

supposedthisproceedingwasapprovedbythebestauthorities。However，Ihadbeenthinking，reading，observing，andhadaslittlefaithinthepopulartheoriesinregardtobabiesasonanyothersubject。Isawthem，onallsides，illhalfthetime，paleandpeevish，dyingearly，havingnojoyinlife。Iheardparentscomplainingofwearydaysandsleeplessnights，whileeachchild，inturn，ranthegauntletofredgum，jaundice，whoopingcough，chicken-pox，mumps，measles，scarletfever，andfits。Theyallseemedtothinktheseinflictionswereapartoftheeternalplan杢hatProvidencehadakindofPandora'sbox，fromwhichhescatteredthesevenerablediseasesmostliberallyamongthosewhomheespeciallyloved。Havinggonethroughtheordealofbearingachild，Iwasdetermined，ifpossible，tokeephim，soIreadeverythingIcouldfindonthesubject。ButtheliteratureonthissubjectwasasconfusingandunsatisfactoryasthelongerandshortercatechismsandtheThirty-nineArticlesofourfaith。Ihadrecentlyvisitedourdearfriends，TheodoreandAngelinaGrimke-Weld，andtheywarnedmeagainstbooksonthissubject。Theyhadbeensomisledbyoneauthor，whoassuredthemthatthestomachofachildcouldonlyholdonetablespoonful，thattheynearlystarvedtheirfirstborntodeath。Thoughthechilddwindled，daybyday，and，attheendofamonth，lookedlikealittleoldman，yettheystillstoodbythedistinguishedauthor。Fortunately，theybothwentoff，oneday，andleftthechildwithSister“Sarah，“whothoughtshewouldmakeanexperimentandseewhatachild'sstomachcouldhold，asshehadgravedoubtsaboutthetablespoonfultheory。Tohersurprisethebabytookapintbottlefullofmilk，andhadthesweetestsleepthereonhehadknowninhisearthlycareer。Afterthathewaspermittedtotakewhathewanted，and“theauthor“wasinformedofhislibelontheinfantilestomach。

Sohere，again，Iwasentirelyafloat，launchedontheseasofdoubtwithoutchartorcompass。Thelifeandwell-beingoftheraceseemedtohangontheslenderthreadofsuchtraditionsaswerehandeddownbyignorantmothersandnurses。Onepowerfulrayoflightilluminatedthedarkness；

itwastheworkofAndrewCombeon“Infancy。“Hehad，evidentlywatchedsomeofthemanifestationsofmaninthefirststagesofhisdevelopment，andcouldtell，atleast，asmuchofbabiesasnaturalistscouldofbeetlesandbees。Hedidgiveyoungmotherssomehintsofwhattodo，thewhysandwhereforesofcertainlinesofprocedureduringantenatallife，aswellasthepropercarethereafter。Ireadseveralchapterstothenurse。

Although，outofhertenchildren，shehadburiedfive，shestillhadtoomuchconfidenceinherownwisdomandexperiencetopaymuchattentiontoanynewideathatmightbesuggestedtoher。Amongotherthings，Combesaidthatachild'sbathshouldberegulatedbythethermometer，inordertobealwaysofthesametemperature。Sheridiculedtheidea，andsaidherelbowwasbetterthananythermometer，and，whenIinsistedonitsuse，shewouldinvariably，withasmileofderision，putherelbowinfirst，toshowhowexactlyittalliedwiththethermometer。WhenIinsistedthatthechildshouldnotbebandaged，sherebelledoutright，andsaidshewouldnottaketheresponsibilityofnursingachildwithoutabandage。Isaid，“Pray，sitdown，dearnurse，andletusreasontogether。DonotthinkI

amsettingupmyjudgmentagainstyours，withallyourexperience。Iamsimplytryingtoactontheopinionsofadistinguishedphysician，whosaysthereshouldbenopressureonachildanywhere；thatthelimbsandbodyshouldbefree；thatitiscrueltobandageaninfantfromhiptoarmpit，asisusuallydoneinAmerica；orbothbodyandlegs，asisdoneinEurope；orstrapthemtoboards，asisdonebysavagesonbothcontinents。

Canyougivemeonegoodreason，nurse，whyachildshouldbebandaged？”

“Yes，“shesaidemphatically，“Icangiveyouadozen。“

“Ionlyaskedforone，“Ireplied。

“Well，“saidshe，aftermuchhesitation，“thebonesofanewborninfantaresoft，likecartilage，and，unlessyoupinthemupsnugly，thereisdangeroftheirfallingapart。“

“Itseemstome。“Ireplied，“youhavegiventhestrongestreasonwhytheyshouldbecarefullyguardedagainsttheslightestpressure。Itisveryremarkablethatkittensandpuppiesshouldbesowellputtogetherthattheyneednoartificialbracing，andthehumanfamilybeleftwhollytothemercyofabandage。Supposeachildwasbornwhereyoucouldnotgetabandage，whatthen？NowIthinkthischildwillremainintactwithoutabandage，and，ifIamwillingtotaketherisk，whyshouldyoucomplain？”

“Because，“saidshe，“ifthechildshoulddie，itwouldinjuremynameasanurse。Ithereforewashmyhandsofallthesenew-fanglednotions。“

Soshebandagedthechildeverymorning，andIasregularlytookitoff。Ithasbeenfullyprovedsincetobeasuselessanappendageasthevermiform。Shehadseveralcupswithvariousconcoctionsofherbsstandingonthechimney-corner，readyforinsomnia，colic，indigestion，etc。，etc。，allofwhichwerespiritedawaywhenshewasatherdinner。InvainItoldherwewerehomeopathists，andafraidofeverythingintheanimal，vegetable，ormineralkingdomslowerthanthetwo-hundredthdilution。ItriedtoexplaintheHahnemannsystemoftherapeutics，thephilosophyoftheprinciplesimiliasimilibuscurantur，butshehadnocapacityforfirstprinciples，anddidnotunderstandmydiscourse。Itoldherthat，ifshewouldwashthebaby'smouthwithpurecoldwatermorningandnightandgiveitateaspoonfultodrinkoccasionallyduringtheday，therewouldbenodangerofredgum；

thatifshewouldkeeptheblindsopenandletintheairandsunshine，keepthetemperatureoftheroomatsixty-fivedegrees，leavethechild'sheaduncoveredsothatitcouldbreathefreely，stoprockingandtrottingitandsingingsuchmelancholyhymnsas“Hark，fromthetombsadolefulsound！”thebabyandIwouldbothbeabletoweatherthecapewithoutabandage。ItoldherIshouldnursethechildonceintwohours，andthatshemustnotfeeditanyofhernostrumsinthemeantime；thatachild'sstomach，beingmadeonthesamegeneralplanasourown，neededintervalsofrestaswellasours。Shesaiditwouldberackedwithcolicifthestomachwasemptyanylengthoftime，andthatitwouldsurelyhavericketsifitwerekepttoostill。Itoldherifthechildhadnoanodynes，naturewouldregulateitssleepandmotions。Shesaidshecouldnotstayinaroomwiththethermometeratsixty-fivedegrees，soItoldhertositinthenextroomandregulatetheheattosuitherself；thatIwouldringabellwhenherserviceswereneeded。

Thereaderwillwonder，nodoubt，thatIkeptsuchacantankerousservant。

Icouldgetnoother。Dear“MotherMonroe，“aswiseasshewasgood，andastenderasshewasstrong，whohadnursedtwogenerationsofmothersinourvillage，wasengagedatthattime，andIwascompelledtotakeanexotic。Ihadoftenwatched“MotherMonroe“withadmiration，assheturnedandtwistedmysister'sbaby。Itlayaspeacefullyinherhandsasiftheywerelinedwitheiderdown。Shebathedanddresseditbyeasystages，turningthechildoverandoverlikeapancake。Butshewassofullofthemagnetismofhumanlove，givingthechild，allthetime，themostconsolingassurancethattheoperationwastobeashortone，thatthewholeproceedingwasquiteentertainingtotheobserverandseeminglyagreeabletothechild，thoughithadarathersurprisedlookasittookabird's-eyeview，inquicksuccession，oftheceilingandthefloor。Stillmynursehadhergoodpoints。Shewasverypleasantwhenshehadherownway。Shewasneatandtidy，andreadytoservemeatanytime，nightorday。Shedidnotwearfalseteeththatrattledwhenshetalked，norbootsthatsqueakedwhenshewalked。Shedidnotsnuffnorchewcloves，norspeakexceptwhenspokento。Ourdiscussions，onvariouspoints，wentonatintervals，untilIsucceededinplantingsomeideasinhermind，andwhensheleftme，attheendofsixweeks，sheconfessedthatshehadlearnedsomevaluablelessons。Asthebabyhadsleptquietlymostofthetime，hadnocryingspells，norcolic，andIlookedwell，shenaturallycametotheconclusionthatpureair，sunshine，properdressing，andregularfeedingweremorenecessaryforbabiesthanherbteasandsoothingsyrups。

Besidestheobstinacyofthenurse，Ihadtheignoranceofphysicianstocontendwith。Whenthechildwasfourdaysoldwediscoveredthatthecollarbonewasbent。Thephysician，wishingtogetapressureontheshoulder，bracedthebandageroundthewrist。“Leavethat，“hesaid，“tendays，andthenitwillbeallright。“SoonafterheleftInoticedthatthechild'shandwasblue，showingthatthecirculationwasimpeded。“Thatwillneverdo，“saidI；“nurse，takeitoff。““No，indeed，“sheanswered，“Ishallneverinterferewiththedoctor。“SoItookitoffmyself，andsentforanotherdoctor，whowassaidtoknowmoreofsurgery。Heexpressedgreatsurprisethatthefirstphysiciancalledshouldhaveputonsosevereabandage。“That，“saidhe，“woulddoforagrownman，buttendaysofitonachildwouldmakehimacripple。“However，hedidnearlythesamething，onlyfasteningitroundthehandinsteadofthewrist。Isoonsawthattheendsofthefingerswereallpurple，andthattoleavethatontendayswouldbeasdangerousasthefirst。SoItookthatoff。

“Whatawoman！”exclaimedthenurse。“Whatdoyouproposetodo？”

“Thinkoutsomethingbetter，myself；sobracemeupwithsomepillowsandgivethebabytome。“

Shelookedatmeaghastandsaid，“You'dbettertrustthedoctors，oryourchildwillbeahelplesscripple。“

“Yes，“Ireplied，“hewouldbe，ifwehadlefteitherofthosebandageson，butIhaveanideaofsomethingbetter。“

“Now，“saidI，talkingpartlytomyselfandpartlytoher，“whatwewantisalittlepressureonthatbone；thatiswhatboththosemenaimedat。Howcanwegetitwithoutinvolvingthearm，isthequestion？”

“IamsureIdon'tknow，“saidshe，rubbingherhandsandtakingtwoorthreebriskturnsroundtheroom。

“Well，bringmethreestripsoflinen，fourdouble。“Ithenfoldedone，wetinarnicaandwater，andlaiditonthecollarbone，puttwootherbands，likeapairofsuspenders，overtheshoulders，crossingthembothinfrontandbehind，pinningtheendstothediaper，whichgavetheneededpressurewithoutimpedingthecirculationanywhere。AsIfinishedshegavemealookofbuddingconfidence，andseemedsatisfiedthatallwaswell。

Severaltimes，nightandday，wewetthecompressandreadjustedthebands，untilallappearancesofinflammationhadsubsided。

AttheendoftendaysthetwosonsofAesculapiusappearedandmadetheirexaminationandsaidallwasright，whereuponItoldthemhowbadlytheirbandagesworkedandwhatIhaddonemyself。Theysmiledateachother，andonesaid：

“Well，afterall，amother'sinstinctisbetterthanaman'sreason。“

“Thankyou，gentlemen，therewasnoinstinctaboutit。IdidsomehardthinkingbeforeIsawhowIcouldgetapressureontheshoulderwithoutimpedingthecirculation，asyoudid。“

Thus，inthesuprememomentofayoungmother'slife，whenIneededtendercareandsupport，Ifeltthewholeresponsibilityofmychild'ssupervision；butthoughuncertainateverystepofmyownknowledge，I

learnedanotherlessoninself-reliance。Itrustedneithermennorbooksabsolutelyafterthis，eitherinregardtotheheavensaboveortheearthbeneath，butcontinuedtousemy“mother'sinstinct，“if“reason“istoodignifiedatermtoapplytowoman'sthoughts。Myadvicetoeverymotheris，aboveallotherartsandsciences，studyfirstwhatrelatestobabyhood，asthereisnodepartmentofhumanactioninwhichthereissuchlamentableignorance。

Attheendofsixweeksmynursedeparted，andIhadagoodwomaninherplacewhoobeyedmyorders，andnowanewdifficultyarosefromanunexpectedquarter。Myfatherandhusbandtookitintotheirheadsthatthechildslepttoomuch。Ifnotawakewhentheywishedtolookathimortoshowhimtotheirfriends，theywouldpullhimoutofhiscribonalloccasions。WhenIfoundneitherofthemwasamenabletoreasononthispoint，Ilockedthedoor，andnoamountofeloquentpleadingevergainedthemadmittanceduringthetimeIconsideredsacredtothebaby'sslumbers。

Atsixmonthshaving，asyet，hadnoneofthediseasessupposedtobeinevitable，theboyweighedthirtypounds。ThenthestatelyPetercameagainintorequisition，andinhisstrongarmsthechildspentmanyofhiswakinghours。Peter，withalong，elephantinegait，slowlywanderedoverthetown，lingeringespeciallyinthebusymartsoftrade。Peter'scuriosityhadstrengthenedwithyears，and，whereveracrowdgatheredroundamonkeyandhandorgan，avender'swagon，anauctionstand，orthepostofficeatmailtime，therestoodPeter，blackascoal，with“thebeautifulboyinwhite，“themostconspicuousfigureinthecrowd。AsItoldPeternevertoletchildrenkissthebaby，forfearofsomedisease，hekepthimwellaloft，allowingnoaffectionatemanifestationsexcepttowardhimself。

Myreading，atthistime，centeredonhygiene。Icametotheconclusion，aftermuchthoughtandobservation，thatchildrennevercriedunlesstheywereuncomfortable。AprofessoratUnionCollege，whousedtocombatmanyofmytheories，saidhegaveoneofhischildrenasoundspankingatsixweeks，anditneverdisturbedhimanightafterward。AnotherSolomontoldmethataveryweakpreparationofopiumwouldkeepachildalwaysquietandtakeitthroughthedangerousperiodofteethingwithoutarippleonthesurfaceofdomesticlife。Aschildrencannottellwhatailsthem，andsufferfrommanythingsofwhichparentsareignorant，thecryingofthechildshouldarousethemtoanintelligentexamination。Tospankitforcryingistosilencethewatchmanonthetowerthroughfear，togivesoothingsyrupistodrugthewatchmanwhiletheevilsgoon。Parentsmaytherebyinsureeighthours'sleepatthetime，butattheriskofgreatertroubleinthefuturewithsickanddyingchildren。TomMooretellsus“theheartfromlovetoone，growsbountifultoall。“Iknowthecareofonechildmademethoughtfulofall。Ineverhearachildcry，now，thatIdonotfeelthatIamboundtofindoutthereason。

Inmyextensivetravelsonlecturingtours，inafteryears，Ihadmanyvariedexperienceswithbabies。Oneday，inthecars，achildwascryingnearme，whiletheparentswerealternatelyshakingandslappingit。Firstonewouldtakeitwithanemphaticjerk，andthentheother。AtlastI

heardthefathersayinaspitefultone，“Ifyoudon'tstopI'llthrowyououtofthewindow。“Onenaturallyhesitatesaboutinterferingbetweenparentsandchildren，soIgenerallyrestrainmyselfaslongasIcanendurethetortureofwitnessingsuchoutrages，butatlengthIturnedandsaid：

“LetmetakeyourchildandseeifIcanfindoutwhatailsit。“

“Nothingailsit，“saidthefather，“butbadtemper。“

Thechildreadilycametome。Ifeltallaroundtoseeifitsclothespinchedanywhere，oriftherewereanypinspricking。Itookoffitshatandcloaktoseeiftherewereanystringscuttingitsneckorchokingit。ThenIglancedatthefeet，andlo！therewasthetrouble。Thebootswereatleastonesizetoosmall。Itookthemoff，andthestockings，too，andfoundthefeetascoldasiceandtheprintsofthestockingsclearlytracedonthetenderflesh。Weallknowtheagonyoftightboots。Irubbedthefeetandheldtheminmyhandsuntiltheywerewarm，whenthepoorlittlethingfellasleep。Isaidtotheparents，“Youareyoungpeople，Isee，andthisisprobablyyourfirstchild。“Theysaid，“Yes。““Youdon'tintendtobecruel，Iknow，butifyouhadthrownthosebootsoutofthewindow，whenyouthreatenedtothrowthechild，itwouldhavebeenwiser。

Thispoorchildhassufferedeversinceitwasdressedthismorning。“I

showedthemthemarksonthefeet，andcalledtheirattentiontothefactthatthechildfellasleepassoonasitspainwasrelieved。Themothersaidsheknewthebootsweretight，asitwaswithdifficultyshecouldgetthemon，buttheoldonesweretooshabbyforthejourneyandtheyhadnotimetochangetheothers。

“Well，“saidthehusband，“ifIhadknownthosebootsweretight，I

wouldhavethrownthemoutofthewindow。“

“Now，“saidI，“letmegiveyouonerule：whenyourchildcries，rememberitistellingyou，aswellasitcan，thatsomethinghurtsit，eitheroutsideorin，anddonotrestuntilyoufindwhatitis。Neitherspanking，shaking，orscoldingcanrelievepain。“

Ihaveseenwomenenterthecarswiththeirbabies'facescompletelycoveredwithablanketshawl。IhaveoftenthoughtIwouldliketocovertheirfacesforanhourandseehowtheywouldbearit。Insuchcircumstances，inordertogettheblanketopen，Ihaveaskedtoseethebaby，andgenerallyfounditasredasabeet。Ignorantnursesandmothershavediscoveredthatchildrensleeplongerwiththeirheadscovered。Theydon'tknowwhy，northeinjuriouseffectofbreathingoverandoverthesameairthathasbeenthrownoffthelungspollutedwithcarbonicacidgas。Thisstupefiesthechildandprolongstheunhealthyslumber。

Onehotday，inthemonthofMay，IenteredacrowdedcaratCedarRapids，Ia。，andtooktheonlyemptyseatbesideagentlemanwhoseemedverynervousaboutacryingchild。Iwasscarcelyseatedwhenhesaid：

“Mother，doyouknowanythingaboutbabies？”

“Oh，yes！”Isaid，smiling，“thatisadepartmentofknowledgeonwhichIespeciallypridemyself。“

“Well，“saidhe，“thereisachildthathascriedmostofthetimeforthelasttwenty-fourhours。Whatdoyouthinkailsit？”

Makingarandomsupposition，Ireplied，“Itprobablyneedsabath。“

Hepromptlyrejoined，“Ifyouwillgiveitone，Iwillprovidethenecessarymeans。“

Isaid，“Iwillfirstseeifthechildwillcometomeandifthemotheriswilling。“

Ifoundthemotheronlytoogladtohaveafewminutes'rest，andthechildtootiredtocarewhotookit。Shegavemeasuitofcleanclothesthroughout，thegentlemanspreadhisblanketshawlontheseat，securingtheoppositeoneformeandthebathingappliances。Thenheproducedatowel，sponge，andanindia-rubberbowlfullofwater，andIgavethechildagenerousdrinkandathoroughablution。Itstretchedandseemedtoenjoyeverystepoftheproceeding，and，whileIwasbrushingitsgoldencurlsasgentlyasIcould，itfellasleep；soIcovereditwiththetowelandblanketshawl，notwillingtodisturbitfordressing。Thepoormother，too，wassoundasleep，andthegentlemanveryhappy。Hehadchildrenofhisownand，likeme，feltgreatpityforthepoor，helplesslittlevictimofignoranceandfolly。Iengagedoneoftheladiestodressitwhenitawoke，asIwassoontoleavethetrain。ItsleptthetwohoursIremained杊owmuchlongerIneverheard。

Ayoungman，whohadwitnessedtheproceeding，gotoffatthesamestationandaccostedme，saying：

“Ishouldbeverythankfulifyouwouldcomeandseemybaby。Itisonlyonemontholdandcriesallthetime，andmywife，whoisonlysixteenyearsold，iswornoutwithitandneitherofusknowwhattodo，soweallcrytogether，andthedoctorsayshedoesnotseewhatailsit。“

SoIwentonmymissionofmercyandfoundthechildbandagedastightasadrum。WhenItookoutthepinsandunrolledit，itfairlypoppedlikethecorkoutofachampagnebottle。Irubbeditsbreastanditsbackandsoonsoothedittosleep。Iremainedalongtime，tellingthemhowtotakecareofthechildandthemother，too。ItoldthemeverythingIcouldthinkofinregardtoclothes，diet，andpureair。Iaskedthemotherwhyshebandagedherchildasshedid。Shesaidhernursetoldherthattherewasdangerofherniaunlesstheabdomenwaswellbandaged。Itoldherthattheonlyobjectofabandagewastoprotectthenavel，forafewdays，untilitwashealed，andforthatpurposeallthatwasnecessarywasapieceoflinenfourinchessquare，welloiled，foldedfourtimesdouble，withaholeinthecenter，laidoverit。Iremembered，nextday，thatI

forgottotellthemtogivethechildwater，andsoItelegraphedthem，“Givethebabywatersixtimesaday。“Iheardofthatbabyafterward。

Itlivedandflourished，andtheparentsknewhowtoadministertothewantsofthenextone。Thefatherwasatelegraphoperatorandhadmanyfriends杒nightsofthekey杢hroughoutIowa。Formanyyearsafterward，inleisuremoments，theseknightswould“callup“thisparentandsay，overthewire，“Givethebabywatersixtimesaday。“Thusdidthey“repeatthestory，andspreadthetruthfrompoletopole。“ChapterVIII。ChapterVIII。CHAPTERVIII。BOSTONANDCHELSEA。

INtheautumnof1843myhusbandwasadmittedtothebarandcommencedthepracticeoflawinBostonwithMr。Bowles，brother-in-lawofthelateGeneralJohnA。Dix。ThisgavemetheopportunitytomakemanypleasantacquaintancesamongthelawyersinBoston，andtomeet，intimately，manyofthenoblemenandwomenamongreformers，whomIhadlongworshippedatadistance。Here，forthefirsttime，ImetLydiaMariaChild，AbbyKelly，PaulinaWright，ElizabethPeabody，MariaChapmanandherbeautifulsisters，theMissesWeston，OliverandMariannaJohnson，JosephandThankfulSouthwickandtheirthreebrightdaughters。ThehomeoftheSouthwickswasalwaysaharborofrestfortheweary，wheretheanti-slaveryhostswerewonttocongregate，andwhereonewasalwayssuretomeetsomeoneworthknowing。Theirhospitalitywasgeneroustoanextreme，andsoboundlessthattheywere，atlast，fairlyeatenoutofhouseandhome。Here，too，forthefirsttime，ImetTheodoreParker，JohnPierpont，JohnG。Whittier，Emerson，Alcott，Lowell，Hawthorne，Mr。andMrs。SamuelE。Sewall，SidneyHowardGay，Pillsbury，Foster，FrederickDouglass，andlastthoughnotleast，thosenoblemen，CharlesHoveyandFrancisJackson，theonlymenwhoeverleftanymoneytothecauseofwomansuffrage。IalsometMissJackson，afterwardMrs。Eddy，wholefthalfherfortune，fiftythousanddollars，forthesamepurpose。

IwasafrequentvisitoratthehomeofWilliamLloydGarrison。Thoughhehadaprolongedbattletofightintheroughoutsideworld，hishomewasalwaysahavenofrest。Mrs。Garrisonwasasweet-tempered，conscientiouswoman，whotried，underallcircumstances，todowhatwasright。Shehadsoundjudgmentandrarecommonsense，wastallandfine-looking，withluxuriantbrownhair，largetenderblueeyes，delicatefeatures，andaffablemanners。

Theyhadanexceptionallyfinefamilyoffivesonsandonedaughter。Fanny，nowthewifeofHenryVillard，thefinancier，wasthefavoriteandpet。

Allthechildren，intheirmatureryears，havefulfilledthepromisesoftheirchildhood。Thoughalwaysinstraitenedcircumstances，theGarrisonswereveryhospitable。ItwasnexttoimpossibleforMr。Garrisontomeetafriendwithoutinvitinghimtohishouse，especiallyatthecloseofaconvention。

Iwasoneoftwelveatoneofhisimpromptuteaparties。Wealltookitforgrantedthathiswifeknewwewerecoming，andthatherpreparationswerealreadymade。Surroundedbyhalfadozenchildren，shewasperformingthelastactintheoperaofLullaby，whollyunconsciousoftheinvasiondownstairs。ButMr。Garrisonwasequaltoeveryemergency，and，afterplacinghisguestsattheireaseintheparlor，hehastenedtothenursery，tookoffhiscoat，androckedthebabyuntilhiswifehaddisposedoftheremainingchildren。Thentheyhadaconsultationaboutthetea，andwhen，basketinhand，thegoodmansalliedforthforthedesiredviands，Mrs。Garrison，havingmadeahastytoilet，camedowntowelcomeherguests。Shewasasgenialandself-possessedasifallthingshadbeenprepared。Shemadenoapologiesforwhatwaslackinginthegeneralappearanceofthehousenorinthevarietyofthemenu杋twassufficientforhertoknowthatMr。Garrisonwashappyinfeelingfreetoinvitehisfriends。Theimpromptumealwasexcellent，andwehadamostenjoyableevening。IhavenodoubtthatMrs。Garrisonhadmorerealpleasurethanifshehadbeenbusyalldaymakingpreparationsandhadbeentiredoutwhenherguestsarrived。

Theanti-slaveryconventionsandfairs，heldeveryyearduringtheholidays，broughtmanycharmingpeoplefromotherStates，andmadeBostonasocialcenterforthecoadjutorsofGarrisonandPhillips。TheseconventionssurpassedanymeetingsIhadeverattended；thespeecheswereeloquentandthedebatesearnestandforcible。GarrisonandPhillipswereintheirprime，andslaverywasaquestionofnationalinterest。Thehallinwhichthefairswereheld，undertheauspicesofMrs。Chapmanandhercohorts，wasmostartisticallydecorated。Thereonecouldpurchasewhateverthefancycoulddesire，forEnglishfriends，stimulatedbytheappealsofHarrietMartineauandElizabethPease，usedtosendboxesofbeautifulthings，gatheredfromallpartsoftheEasternContinent。There，too，onecouldgetamostrecherch&eacute；luncheoninthesocietyoftheliteratiofBoston；for，howeverindifferentmanyweretoslaveryperse，theyenjoyedthesefairs，andallclassesflockedtheretillfarintothenight。Itwasakindofladies'exchangefortheholidayweek，whereeachonewassuretomeetherfriends。Thefairandtheannualconvention，cominginsuccession，intensifiedtheinterestinboth。Inevergrewwearyoftheconventions，thoughIattendedallthesessions，lasting，sometimes，untileleveno'clockatnight。Thefieryeloquenceoftheabolitionists，theamusingepisodesthatoccurredwhensomecrankwassuppressedandborneoutontheshouldersofhisbrethren，gavesufficientvarietytotheproceedingstokeeptheinterestuptohigh-watermark。

Therewasoneoldmandressedinwhite，carryingascythe，whoimaginedhimselfthepersonificationof“Time，“thoughcalled“FatherLampson。“

Occasionallyhewouldbubbleoverwithsomepropheticvision，and，ashecouldnotbesilenced，hewascarriedout。Heusuallymadehimselfaslimpaspossible，whichaddedtothedifficultyofhisexitandtheamusementoftheaudience。Arippleofmerrimentwouldunsettle，foramoment，eventhedignityoftheplatformwhenAbigailFolsom，anothercrank，wouldshoutfromthegallery，“Stopnot，mybrother，ontheorderofyourgoing，butgo。“Theabolitionistsweremakingtheexperiment，atthistime，ofafreeplatform，allowingeveryonetospeakasmovedbythespirit，buttheysoonfoundthatwouldnotdo，asthoseevidentlymovedbythespiritofmischiefwerequiteasapttoairtheirvagariesasthosemovedbythespirtoftruth。

However，theGarrisonianplatformalwaysmaintainedacertaindegreeoffreedomoutsideitsregularprogramme，and，althoughthisinvolvedextradutyinsuppressingcranks，yetthemeetinggainedenthusiasmbysomegoodspontaneousspeakingontheflooraswellasontheplatform。AnumberofimmensemassmeetingswereheldinFaneuilHall，alarge，drearyplace，withitsbarewallsandinnumerabledingywindows。TheonlyattemptatanornamentwastheAmericaneagle，withitswingsspreadandclawsfirmlyset，inthemiddleofthegallery。Thegiltwaswornoffitsbeak，givingittheappearance，asEdmundQuincysaid，ofhavingabadcoldinthehead。

ThisoldhallwassacredtosomanymemoriesconnectedwiththeearlydaysoftheRevolutionthatitwasakindofMeccafortheloversoflibertyvisitingBoston。Theanti-slaverymeetingsheldtherewereoftendisturbedbymobsthatwouldholdthemostgiftedoratoratbayhourafterhour，andwouldlistenonlytothesongsoftheHutchinsonfamily。Althoughthesesongswereacondensedextractofthewholeanti-slaveryconstitutionandby-laws，yetthemobwasaspeacefulunderthesepaeanstolibertyasachildundertheinfluenceofananodyne。Whatawelcomeandbeautifulvisionthatwaswhenthefourbrothers，inbluebroadclothandwhitecollars，turneddown&agrave；laByron，andlittlesisterAbbyinsilk，softlace，andblueribbon，appearedontheplatformtosingtheirquaintballadsoffreedom！FreshfromthehillsofNewHampshire，theylookedsosturdy，sovigorous，sopure，sotruethattheyseemedfittingrepresentativesofallthecardinalvirtues，andevenahowlingmobcouldnotresisttheirinfluence。Perhaps，afteroneoftheirballads，themobwouldlistenfiveminutestoWendellPhillipsorGarrisonuntilhegavethemsomehomethrusts，whenallwasuproaragain。TheNorthernmerchantswhomadetheirfortunesoutofSoutherncotton，thepoliticianswhowantedvotes，andtheministerswhowantedtokeeppeaceinthechurches，wereallasmuchopposedtotheanti-slaveryagitationasweretheslaveholdersthemselves。Theseweretheclassesthemobrepresented，thoughseeminglycomposedofgamblers，liquordealers，anddemagogues。Foryearstheanti-slaverystruggleattheNorthwascarriedonagainststatecraft，priestcraft，thecupidityofthemoneyedclasses，andtheignoranceofthemasses，but，inspiteofalltheseforcesofevil，ittriumphedatlast。

IwasinBostonatthetimethatLaneandWright，somemetaphysicalEnglishmen，andourownAlcottheldtheirfamousphilosophicalconversations，inwhichElizabethPeabodytookpart。Iwenttothemregularly。IwasambitioustoabsorballthewisdomIcould，but，really，Icouldnotgiveanintelligentreportofthepointsunderdiscussionatanysitting。OliverJohnsonaskedme，oneday，ifIenjoyedthem。Ithought，fromatwinkleinhiseye，thathethoughtIdidnot，soItoldhimIwasashamedtoconfessthatIdidnotknowwhattheyweretalkingabout。Hesaid，“NeitherdoI，杤eryfewoftheirhearersdo，杝oyouneednotbesurprisedthattheyareincomprehensibletoyou，northinklessofyourowncapacity。“

IwasindebtedtoMr。JohnsonforseveralofthegreatestpleasuresIenjoyedinBoston。HeescortedmetoanentirecourseofTheodoreParker'slectures，giveninMarlboroughChapel。Thiswassoonafterthegreatpreacherhadgivenhisfamoussermonon“ThePermanentandTransientinReligion，“

whenhewasostracised，evenbytheUnitarians，forhisradicalutterances，andnotpermittedtopreachinanyoftheirpulpits。Hislecturesweredeemedstillmoreheterodoxthanthatsermon。Heshockedtheorthodoxchurchesofthatday杕ore，even，thanIngersollhasinourtimes。

Thelectures，however，weresosoul-satisfyingtomethatIwassurprisedatthebittercriticismsIheardexpressed。Thoughtheyweretwohourslong，Inevergrewweary，and，whenthecourseended，IsaidtoMr。Johnson：

“IwishIcouldhearthemoveragain。“

“Well，youcan，“saidhe，“Mr。ParkeristorepeattheminCambridgeport，beginningnextweek。“Accordinglywewentthereandheardthemagainwithequalsatisfaction。

DuringthewinterinBostonIattendedallthelectures，churches，theaters，concerts，andtemperance，peace，andprison-reformconventionswithinmyreach。Ihadneverlivedinsuchanenthusiasticallyliteraryandreformlatitudebefore，andmymentalpowerswerekeptatthehighesttension。

WewenttoChelsea，forthesummer，andboardedwiththeBaptistminister，theRev。JohnWesleyOlmstead，afterwardeditorofTheWatchmanandReflector。Hehadmarriedmycousin，MaryLivingston，oneofthemostlovely，unselfishcharactersIeverknew。ThereIhadtheopportunityofmeetingseveraloftheleadingBaptistministersinNewEngland，and，asIwasthoroughlyimbuedwithParker'sideas，wehadmanyheateddiscussionsontheology。There，too，ImetOrestesBronson，aremarkablewell-readman，whohadgonethrougheveryphaseofreligiousexperiencefromblankatheismtothebosomoftheCatholicChurch，whereIbelievehefoundreposeattheendofhisdays。Hewassoarbitraryanddogmaticthatmostpeopledidnotlikehim；butIappreciatedhisacquaintance，ashewasaliberalthinkerandhadaworldofinformationwhichhereadilyimpartedtothoseofateachablespirit。AsIwastheninahungering，thirstingconditionfortruthoneverysubject，thefriendshipofsuchamanwas，tome，aninestimableblessing。ReadingTheodoreParker'slectures，yearsafterward，Iwassurprisedtofindhowlittletherewasinthemtoshockanybody杢hemajorityofthinkingpeoplehavinggrownuptothem。

WhilelivinginChelseatwoyears，Iusedtowalk(therebeingnopublicconveyancesrunningonSunday)fromtheferrytoMarlboroughChapeltohearMr。Parkerpreach。Itwasalongwalk，overtwomiles，andIwassotired，onreachingthechapel，thatImadeitapointtosleepthroughallthepreliminaryservice，soastobefreshforthesermon，asthefriendnextwhomIsatalwayswakenedmeintime。OneSunday，whenmyfriendwasabsent，itbeingaverywarmdayandIunusuallyfatigued，Isleptuntilthesextoninformedmethathewasabouttoclosethedoors！InanunwarymomentIimpartedthisfacttomyBaptistfriends。TheymadeallmanneroffuneverafterwardofthesoothingnatureofMr。Parker'stheology，andmylongwalk，everySunday，toreposeintheshadowofaheterodoxaltar。Still，thelossofthesermonwastheonlyvexatiouspartofit，andIhadthebenefitofthewalkandtherefreshingslumber，tothemusicofMr。Parker'smelodiousvoiceandthedeep-tonedorgan。

Mrs。OliverJohnsonandIspenttwodaysattheBrookFarmcommunitywhenintheheightofitsprosperity。ThereImettheRipleys，杦howere，Ibelieve，thebackboneoftheexperiment，朩illiamHenryChanning，BronsonAlcott，CharlesA。Dana，FrederickCabot，WilliamChase，Mrs。HoraceGreeley，whowasspendingafewdaysthere，andmanyothers，whosenamesIcannotrecall。Herewasacharmingfamilyofintelligentmenandwomen，doingtheirownfarmandhousework，withlectures，readings，music，dancing，andgameswhendesired；realizing，inameasure，EdwardBellamy'sbeautifulvisionoftheequalconditionsofthehumanfamilyintheyear2000。ThestoryofthebeginningandendofthisexperimentofcommunitylifehasbeentoldsooftenthatIwillsimplysaythatitsfailurewasagravedisappointmenttothosemostdeeplyinterestedinitssuccess。Mr。Channingtoldme，yearsafter，whenhewaspastoroftheUnitarianchurchinRochester，aswewerewanderingthroughMountHopeoneday，that，whentheRoxburycommunitywasdissolvedandhewasobligedtoreturntotheoldlifeofcompetition，hewouldgladlyhavebeenlaidunderthesod，astheisolatedhomeseemedsosolitary，silent，andselfishthatthewholeatmospherewasoppressive。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读