Reynolds’sownremarkableverseisnotbetterknown。"Letustrytoknowitalittlebetter。

IhavenotsucceededingettingReynolds’sfirstvolumeofpoems，whichwaspublishedbefore"Endymion。"ItcontainedsomeOrientalmelodies，andwonacarelessgoodwordfromByron。TheearliestworkofhisIcanlaymyhandonis"TheFancy，aSelectionfromthePoeticalRemainsofthelatePeterCorcoran，ofGray’sInn，StudentatLaw，withabriefmemoirofhisLife。"ThereisamottofromWordsworth：

"Frankarethesports，thestainsarefugitive。"{4}

ItwastheoldpalmytimeoftheRing。EveryoneknowshowByrontooklessonsfromJacksontheboxer；howShelleyhadafightatEtoninwhichhequotedHomer，butwaslickedbyasmallerboy；howChristopherNorthwhippedtheprofessionalpugilist；howKeatshimselfneverhadenoughoffightingatschool，andbeatthebutcherafterwards。HisfriendReynolds，also，likedaset—towiththegloves。Hisimaginarycharacter，PeterCorcoran，isapoeticallad，whobecomespossessedbyapassionforprize—fighting。Itseemsoddinapoet，but"thestainsarefugitive。"

Wewouldlieferseeayoungmanrejoicinginhisstrengthandimprovinghisscience，thanloafingaboutwithlonghairandgivinganxiousthoughttothecolourofhisnecktie。Itisadisinterestedpreference，asfightingwasnevermyforte，anymorethanitwasArtemusWard’s。AtschoolIwas"moreremarkableforwhatI

sufferedthanforwhatIachieved。"

PeterCorcoran"foughtnearlyassoonashecouldwalk，"whereinheresembledKeats，andpartofhischaractermayevenhavebeenborrowedfromtheauthorofthe"OdetotheNightingale。"Peterfellinlove，wrotepoetry，witnesseda"mill"attheFives—Court，andbecametheLaureateoftheRing。"Hehasmadeagoodset—towithEales，TomBelcher（themonarchofthegloves!），andTurner，anditisknownthathehasparriedthedifficultandravaginghandevenofRandallhimself。""Thedifficultandravaginghand"——thereisastyleforyou!

Reynoldshashimselftheenthusiasmofhishero；letusrememberthatHomer，Virgil，andTheocritushavealldescribedspiritedrallieswithadmirationandgoodtaste。Fromhisdissipationincider—cellarsandcoal—holes，thisrivalofTomandJerrywroteasonnetthatapplieswellenoughtoReynolds’sowncareer：

"Werethisafeatherfromaneagle’swing，Andthou，mytabletwhite!amarbletileTakenfromancientJove’smajesticpile—

AndmightIdipmyfeatherinsomespring，AdownMountIdathreadlikewandering：—

AndweremythoughtsbroughtfromsomestarryisleInHeaven’sbluesea——IthenmightwithasmileWritedownahymntofame，andproudlysing!

"ButIammortal：andIcannotwriteAughtthatmayfoilthefatalwingofTime。

Silent，IlookatFame：IcannotclimbTowhereherTempleis——Notminethemight：—

Ihavesomeglimmeringofwhatissublime—

But，ah!itisamostinconstantlight。"

Keatsmighthavewrittenthissonnetinamelancholymood。

"Aboutthistimehe（Peter）wroteaslangdescriptionofafighthehadwitnessedtoalady。"UnluckyPeter!"Waseverwomaninthismannerwooed？"Thelady"glancedhereyeoverpageafterpageinhopesofmeetingwithsomethingthatwasintelligible，"andnowondershedidnotcareforalongletter"devotedtothesubjectofamillbetweenBelascoandtheBrummagemyouth。"Peterwassoill—

advisedastoappearbeforeherwithgloriousscars，"twoblackeyes"infact，andshe"wasinexorablycruel。"Peterdidnotsurviveherdisdain。"Theladystilllives，andismarried"!Itiseverthus!

Peter’spublishedworkscontainanAmericantragedy。Petersayshegotitfromafriend，whowassendinghimanAmericancopyof"GuyMannering""topresenttoayoungladywho，strangetosay，"readbooksandworepockets，"virtuesunusualinthesex。Oneofthesongs（onthedelightsofbull—baiting）containsthemostvigorouslinesIhaveevermet，buttheyaretoovigorousforourlaxage。

Thetragedyendsmosttragically，andthemoralcomesin"betterlate，"saystheauthor，"thannever。"Theotherpoemsareallverylively，andverymuchoutofdate。PoorPeter!

Reynoldswasmarriedby1818，anditisimpossibletoguesswhetherthepoemsofPeterCorcorandidordidnotcontainallusionstohisownmoreluckyloveaffair。"Uponmysoul，"writesKeats，"Ihavebeengettingmoreandmoreclosetoyoueveryday，eversinceIknewyou，andnowoneofthefirstpleasuresIlooktoisyourhappymarriage。"ReynoldswasurgingKeatstopublishthe"PotofBasil"

"asananswertotheattackmadeonmeinBlackwood’sMagazineandtheQuarterlyReview。"

NextKeatswritesthathehimself"neverwasinlove，yetthevoiceandshapeofawomanhashauntedmethesetwodays。"OnSeptember22，1819，KeatssentReynoldsthe"OdetoAutumn，"thanwhichthereisnomoreperfectpoeminthelanguageofShakespeare。ThiswasthelastofhispublishedletterstoReynolds。Hewasdying，hauntedeternallybythatwoman’sshapeandvoice。

Reynolds’sbest—knownbook，ifanyofthemcanbesaidtobeknownatall，waspublishedunderthenameofJohnHamilton。Itis"TheGardenofFlorence，andOtherPoems"（Warren，London，1821）。Thereisadedication——tohisyoungwife。

"Thouhastentreatedmeto’writenomore，’"andhe，asanelderly"manoftwenty—four，"promisestoobey。"Thelilyandmyselfhencefortharetwo，"hesays，implyingthatheandthelilyhavepreviouslybeen"one，"aquaintconfessionfromthepoetofPeterCorcoran。ThereissomethingverypleasantinthegracefulregretandobedienceofthisfarewelltotheMuse。HesaystoMrs。

Reynolds：

"IwillnottelltheworldthatthouhastchidMyheartforworshippingtheidolMuse；

ThatthydarkeyehasgivenitsgentlelidTearsformywanderings；ImaynotchooseWhenthoudostspeakbutdoasIambid，—

Andthereforetotherosesandthedews，VeryrespectfullyImakemybow；—

Andturnmybackuponthetulipsnow。"

"Thechiefpoemsinthecollection，takenfromBoccaccio，weretohavebeenassociatedwithtalesfromthesamesource，intendedtohavebeenwrittenbyafriend；butillnessonhispartanddistractingengagementsonmine，preventedusfromaccomplishingourplanatthetime；andDeathnow，tomydeepsorrow，hasfrustrateditforever!"

Icannotbutquotewhatfollows，thetributetoKeats’skindness，tothemostendearingqualityournaturepossesses；thequalitythatwasScott’sinsuchawinningdegree，thatwassomarkedinMoliere，"He，whoisgone，wasoneoftheverykindestfriendsIeverpossessed，andyethewasnotkinder，perhaps，tomethantoothers。

Hisintensemindandpowerfulfeelingwould，Itrulybelieve，havedonetheworldsomeservicehadhislifebeenspared——buthewasoftoosensitiveanature——andthushewasdestroyed!Onestoryhecompleted，andthatistomenowthemostpatheticpoeminexistence。"

Itwas"Isabella，orthePotofBasil。"

The"GardenofFlorence"iswritteninthecoupletsof"Endymion，"

andisabeautifulversionofthetaleoncemoreretoldbyAlfreddeMussetin"Simone。"From"TheRomanceofYouth"letmequoteonestanza，whichappliestoKeats：

"HereadanddreamtofyoungEndymion，Tillhisromanticfancydrankitsfill；

Hesawthatlovelyshepherdsittinglone，WatchinghiswhiteflocksuponIda’shill；

TheMoonadoredhim——andwhenallwasstill，Andstarswerewakeful——shewouldearthwardstray，Andlingerwithhershepherdlove，untilThehoovesofthesteedsthatbearthecarofday，Strucksilverlightintheeast，andthenshewanedaway!"

ItwasonLatmos，notIda，thatEndymionshepherdedhisflocks；butthatisofnomoment，excepttoschoolmasters。ThereareotherstanzasofReynoldsworthyofKeats；forexample，thisontheFairyQueen：

"Herbodicewasaprettysighttosee；

Yewhowouldknowitscolour，——beathiefOftherose’smuffledbudfromoffthetree；

Andforyourknowledge，stripitleafbyleafSpiteofyourownremorseorFlora’sgrief，Tillyehavecomeuntoitsheart’spalehue；

Thelast，lastleaf，whichisthequeen，——thechiefOfbeautifuldimblooms：yeshallnotrue，Atsightofthatsweetleafthemischiefwhichyedo。"

Onedoesnotknowwhentoleaveoffgatheringbudsinthe"GardenofFlorence。"EvenafterShakespeare，andafterKeats，thispassageonwildflowershasitsowncharm：

"Wegatheredwoodflowers，——someblueastheveinO’erHero’seyelidstealing，andsomeaswhite，Intheclusteringgrass，asrichEuropa’shandNestedamidthecurlsonJupiter’sforehead，Whattimehesnatchedherthroughthestartledwaves；—

Somepoppies，too，suchasinEnna’smeadowsForsooktheirowngreenhomesandparentstalks，TokissthefingersofProserpina：

Andsomeweresmallasfairies’eyes，andbrightAslovers’tears!"

IwishIhadroomforthreeorfoursonnets，theRobinHoodsonnetstoKeats，andanotheronapictureofalady。Excusethelengthofthisletter，andreadthis：

"Sorrowhathmadethineeyesmoredarkandkeen，Andsetawhiterhueuponthycheeks，—

Androundthypressedlipsdrawnanguish—streaks，Andmadethyforeheadfearfullyserene。

Eveninthysteadyhairherworkisseen，Foritsstillparteddarkness——tillitbreaksInheavycurlsuponthyshoulders——speaksLikethesternwave，howhardthestormhathbeen!

"SolookedthathaplessladyoftheSouth，SweetIsabella!atthatdrearypartOfallthepassion’dhoursofheryouth；

WhenhergreenBasilpotbybrother’sartWasstolenaway；solook’dherpainedmouthInthemutepatienceofabreakingheart!"

Thereletusleavehim，thegayrhymerofprize—fightersandeminentpersons——letusleavehiminaserioushour，andwithamemoryofKeats。{5}

ONVIRGIL

ToLadyVioletLebas。

DearLadyViolet，——Whocanadmiretoomuchyourundefeatedresolutiontoadmireonlytherightthings？IwishIhadthisrespectforauthority!ButletmeconfessthatIhavealwaysadmiredthethingswhichnaturemademeprefer，andthatIhavenopowerofaccommodatingmytastetotheverdictofthecritical。IfIdonotlikeanauthor，Ileavehimalone，howevergreathisreputation。ThusIdonotcareforMr。Gibbon，exceptinhisAutobiography，norfortheelegantplaysofM。Racine，norverymuchforsomeofWordsworth，thoughhisgeniusisundeniable，norexcessivelyforthelateProf。Amiel。Whyshouldweforceourselvesintoanaffectionforthem，anymorethanintoarelishforolivesorclaret，bothofwhichexcellentcreaturesIhavethemisfortunetodislike？Nospectacleannoysmemorethanthesightofpeoplewhoaskifitis"right"totakepleasureinthisorthatworkofart。Theirlovesandhatredswillneverbegenuine，natural，spontaneous。

Yousaythatitis"right"tolikeVirgil，andyetyouadmitthatyouadmiretheMantuan，astheScotcheditorjoked，"wi’

deeficulty。"I，too，mustadmitthatmylikingformuchofVirgil’spoetryisnotenthusiastic，notliketheadmirationexpressed，forexample，byMr。FredericMyers，inwhose"ClassicalEssays"youwillfindallthattheadvocatesoftheLatinsingercansayforhim。

TheseheightsIcannotreach，anymorethanIcanequalthateloquence。YetmustVirgilalwaysappeartousoneofthemostbeautifulandmovingfiguresinthewholeofliterature。

Howsweetmusthavebeenthatpersonalitywhichcanstillwinouraffections，acrosseighteenhundredyearsofchange，andthroughthemistsofcommentaries，andschool—books，andtraditions!Doesittouchtheeatall，ohgentlespiritandserene，thatwe，whoneverknewthee，lovetheeyet，andreveretheeasasaintofheathendom？

Havethedeadanydelightinthereligiontheyinspire？

IdcineremautManescrediscuraresepultos？

IhalffancyIcantracetheoriginofthispersonalaffectionforVirgil，whichsurvivesinmedespitethelackofaverystrongloveofpartsofhispoems。WhenIwasatschoolwemeteverymorningforprayer，inalargecircularhall，roundwhich，onpedestals，weresetcopiesoftheportraitbustsofgreatancientwriters。

Amongthesewas"theIonianfatheroftherest，"ourfatherHomer，withawinningandvenerablemajesty。ButthebustofVirgilwas，I

think，ofwhitemarble，notacast（so，atleast，Irememberit），andwasofasingularyouthfulpurityandbeauty，sharingmyaffectionswithacopyoftheexquisitePsycheofNaples。ItshowedusthatVirgilwhowascalled"TheMaiden"asMiltonwasnamed"TheLadyofChrist’s。"Idon’tknowthearcheologyofit，perhapsitwasamereworkofmodernfancy，butthecharmofthisimage，behelddaily，overcameeventhetediumofshortscrapsofthe"AEneid"

dailyparsed，notwithoutstripesandanguish。SoIretainasentimentforVirgil，thoughIwellperceivethemanydrawbacksofhispoetry。

Itisnotalwayspoetryatfirsthand；itisoftenimitative，likeallLatinpoetry，oftheGreeksongsthatsoundedattheawakeningoftheworld。ThisismoretolerablewhenTheocritusisthemodel，asinthe"Eclogues，"andlessobviousinthe"Georgics，"whenthepoetiscarriedawayintonaturalnessbythepassionforhisnativeland，bythelongingforpeaceaftercruelwars，bythejoyofacountrylife。Virgilhadthatloveofriverswhich，Ithink，apoetisrarelywithout；anditdidnotneedGreecetoteachhimtosingofthefields：

Propteraquam，tardisingensubiflexibusMinciusettenerapraetexitarundineripas。

"Bythewater—side，wheremightyMinciuswanders，withlinksandloops，andfringesallthebankswiththetenderreed。"NottheMusesofGreece，buthisownCasmenae，song—maidensofItaly，haveinspiredhimhere，andhismusicisblownthroughareedoftheMincius。InmanysuchplacesheshowsatemperwithwhichweofEngland，inourlateage，maycloselysympathize。

DoyourememberthatmediaevalstoryofthebuildingofParthenope，howitwasbased，bytheMagicianVirgilius，onanegg，andhowthecityshakeswhenthefrailfoundationchancestobestirred？Thistoovastempireofoursisasfrailinitsfoundation，andtremblesataword。SoitwaswiththeEmpireofRomeinVirgil’stime：

civicrevolutionmutteringwithinit，likethesubterraneanthunder，andtheforcesofdestructiongatheringwithout。InVirgil，asinHorace，youconstantlynotetheiranxiety，theirapprehensionforthetotteringfabricoftheRomanstate。Thisitwas，Ithink，andnotthecontemplationofhumanfortunesalone，thatlentVirgilhismelancholy。Fromthesefearshelooksforashelterinthesylvanshades；heenviestheidealpastofthegoldenworld。

AureushancvitaminterrisSaturnusagebat!

"Oh，forthefields!Oh，forSpercheiusandTaygetus，wherewandertheLacaenianmaids!Oh，thatonewouldcarrymetothecoolvalleysofHaemus，andcovermewiththewideshadowoftheboughs!

Happywashewhocametoknowthecausesofthings，whosethisfootonfearandoninexorableFate，andfarbelowhimheardtheroaringofthestreamsofHell!Andhappyhewhoknowstheruraldeities，Pan，andSylvanustheOld，andthesisterhoodofthenymphs!

Unmovedishebythepeople’sfavour，bythepurpleofkings，unmovedbyalltheperfidiesofcivilwar，bytheDacianmarchingdownfromhishostileDanube；bytheperiloftheRomanstate，andtheEmpirehurryingtoitsdoom。Hewastethnothisheartinpityofthepoor，heenviethnottherich，hegatherethwhatfruitsthebranchesbearandwhatthekindlywildernessunaskedbringsforth；

heknowsnotourlaws，northemadnessofthecourts，northerecordsofthecommonweal"——doesnotreadthenewspapers，infact。

Thesorrowsofthepoor，theluxuryoftherich，theperiloftheEmpire，theshameanddreadofeachday’snews，wetooknowthem；

likeVirgilwetoodeplorethem。We，inourreveries，longforsomesuchcarelessparadise，butweplaceitnotinSpartabutintheIslandsoftheSouthernSeas。ItisinpassagesofthistemperthatVirgilwinsusmost，whenhespeaksforhimselfandforhisage，sodistant，andsoweary，andsomodern；whenhisownthought，unborrowedandunforced，isweddedtothemusicofhisownunsurpassablestyle。

Buthedoesnotalwayswriteforhimselfandoutofhisownthought，thatstyleofhisbeingfarmorefrequentlymisapplied，wastedontellingastorythatisonlyoffeignedandforeigninterest。

Doubtlessitwasthe"AEneid，"hisartificialandunfinishedepic，thatwonVirgilthefavouroftheMiddleAces。TotheMiddleAges，whichknewnotGreek，andknewnotHomer，Virgilwastherepresentativeoftheheroicandeternallyinterestingpast。ButtouswhoknowHomer，Virgil’sepicisindeed，"likemoonlightuntosunlight；"isabeautifulemptyworld，wherenoreallifestirs，aworldthatshineswithasilverlustrenotitsown，butborrowedfrom"thesunofGreece。"

Homersangofwhatheknew，ofspearsandships，ofheroicchiefsandbeggarmen，ofhuntsandsieges，ofmountainswherethelionroamed，andoffairyisleswhereagoddesswalkedalone。Helivedonthemarchesofthelandoffable，whenhalftheMediterraneanwasaseaunsailed，whenevenItalywasasdimlydescriedastheCityoftheSuninElizabeth’sreign。Ofallthatheknewhesang，butVirgilcouldonlyfollowandimitate，withapaleantiquarianinterest，thethingsthatwerealiveforHomer。WhatcouldVirgilcareforatusslebetweentwostoutmen—at—arms，fortheclashofcontendingwar—chariots，driveneachoneach，likewaveagainstwaveinthesea？Allthattidehadpassedover，allthestoryofthe"AEneid"ismereborrowedantiquity，liketheMiddleAgesofSirWalterScott；buttheborrowerhadnoneofScott’sjoyinthenoiseandmotionofwar，noneoftheHomeric"delightinbattle。"

Virgil，inwritingthe"AEneid，"executedanimperialcommission，andanungratefulcommission；itisthesublimeofhack—work，andthelegendmaybetruewhichdeclaresthat，onhisdeath—bed，hewishedhispoemburned。Hecouldonlybehimselfhereandthere，asinthatearliestpictureofromanticlove，assomehavecalledthestoryof"Dido，"notremembering，perhaps，thatevenhereVirgilhadbeforehismindaGreekmodel，thathewasthinkingofApolloniusRhodius，andofJasonandMedea。Hecouldbehimself，too，inpassagesofreflectionanddescription，asinthebeautifulsixthbook，withitspictureoftheunderworld，anditshintsofmysticalphilosophy。

Couldwechooseourownheavens，thereinthatElysianworldmightVirgilbewellcontenttodwell，intheshadowofthatfragrantlaurelgrove，withthemwhowere"priestspureoflife，whilelifewastheirs，andholysingers，whosesongswereworthyofApollo。"

TherehemightmuseonhisownreligionandontheDivinitythatdwellsin，thatbreathesin，thatis，allthingsandmorethanall。

WhocouldwishVirgiltobeoneofthespiritsthatLethaeumadflumenDuesevocatagminemagno，thatarecalledoncemoretotheLetheanstream，andthatoncemore，forgetfuloftheirhome，"intotheworldandwaveofmendepart？"

TherewillcomenootherVirgil，unlesshissoul，inaccordancewithhisownphilosophy，isamongusto—day，crownedwithyearsandhonours，thesingerof"Ulysses，"ofthe"LotusEaters，"of"Tithonus，"and"OEnone。"

So，afterall，Ihavebeenenthusiastic，"maugremyhead，"asMalorysays，andperhaps，LadyViolet，Ihaveshownyouwhyitis"right"

toadmireVirgil，andperhapsIhavepersuadednobodybutmyself。

P。S。——Mr。ColeridgewasnogreatloverofVirgil，inconsistently。

"IfyoutakefromVirgilhisdictionandmetre，whatdoyouleavehim？"YetMr。Coleridgehaddefinedpoetryas"thebestwords，inthebestorder"——thatis，"dictionandmetre。"He，therefore，proposedtotakefromVirgilhispoetry，andthentoaskwhatwasleftofthePoet!

AUCASSINANDNICOLETTE

TotheLadyVioletLebas。

DearLadyViolet，——IdonotwonderthatyouarepuzzledbythelanguageofthefirstFrenchnovel。TheFrenchof"AucassinetNicolette"isnotFrenchaftertheschoolofMissPinkerton，atChiswick。Indeed，asthelittlesong—storyhasbeentranslatedintomodernFrenchbyM。Bida，thepainter（whosebookisveryscarce），I

presumeeventhecountrywomenofAucassinfinditdifficult。Youwillnotexpectmetowriteanessayonthegrammar，norwouldyoureaditifIdid。Thechiefthingisthat"s"appearsasthesignofthesingular，insteadofbeingthesignoftheplural，andthenounshavecases。

Thestorymustbeasoldastheendofthetwelfthcentury，andmusthavereceiveditspresentforminPicardy。Itiswritten，asyousee，inalternatesnatchesofverseandprose。Theverse，whichwaschanted，isnotrhymedasarule，buteachlaisse，orscreed，asinthe"ChansondeRoland，"runsonthesamefinalassonance，orvowelsoundthroughout。

Somuchfortheform。Whoistheauthor？Wedonotknow，andnevershallknow。Apparentlyhementionshimselfinthefirstlines：

"Whowouldlistentothelay，Ofthecaptiveoldandgray；"

forthisisasmuchsenseasonecanmakeoutofdeldeportduvielcaitif。

Theauthor，then，wasanoldfellow。Ithinkwemightlearnasmuchfromthestory。Anoldmanhewas，oramanwhofeltold。Doyouknowwhomheremindsmeof？Why，ofMr。Bowes，oftheTheatreRoyal，Chatteris；ofMr。Bowes，thatbattered，old，kindlysentimentalistwhotoldhistalewithMr。ArthurPendennis。

Itisalovestory，astoryofloveovermastering，withoutconscienceorcareofaughtbutthebeloved。Andthevielcaitiftellsitwithsympathy，andwithasmile。"Oh，follyoffondness，"

heseemstocry；"oh，prettyfeverandfoolish；oh，absurdhappydaysofdesolation：

"WhenIwasyoung，asyouareyoung，Andlutesweretouched，andsongsweresung!

Andlove—lampsinthewindowshung!"

ItistheverytoneofThackeray，whenThackerayistender；andtheworldhearditfirstfromthiselderlynamelessminstrel，strollingwithhisviolandhissingingboys，ablamelessD’Assoucy，fromcastletocastleinthehappypoplarland。IthinkIseehimandhearhiminthesilvertwilight，inthecourtofsomechateauofPicardy，whiletheladiesaroundsitlisteningonsilkencushions，andtheirlovers，fetteredwithsilverchains，lieattheirfeet。

Theylisten，andlook，anddonotthinkoftheminstrelwithhisgrayhead，andhisgreenheart；butwethinkofhim。Itisanoldman’swork，andawearyman’swork。Youcaneasilytelltheplaceswherehehaslingeredandbeenpleasedashewrote。

Thestoryissimpleenough。Aucassin，sonofCountGarin，ofBeaucaire，lovedsowellfairNicolette，thecaptivegirlfromanunknownland，thathewouldneverbedubbedknight，norfollowtourneys；norevenfightagainsthisfather’smortalfoe，CountBougarsdeValence。SoNicolettewasimprisonedhighinapaintedchamber。Buttheenemywerestormingthetown，and，forthepromiseof"onewordortwowithNicolette，andonekiss，"Aucassinarmedhimselfandledouthismen。ButhewasalladreamaboutNicolette，andhishorseborehimintothepressoffoesereheknewit。Thenheheardthemcontrivinghisdeath，andwokeoutofhisdream。

"Thedamoiseauwastallandstrong，andthehorsewhereonhesatfierceandgreat，andAucassinlaidhandtosword，andfella—

smitingtorightandleft，andsmotethroughhelmandheadpiece，andarmandshoulder，makingamurderabouthim，likeawildboarthehoundsfallonintheforest。Thereslewhetenknights，andsmotedownseven，andmightilyandknightlyhehurledthroughthepress，andchargedhomeagain，swordinhand。"ForthathourAucassinstrucklikeoneofMallory’smeninthebestofallromances。ButthoughhetookCountBougarsprisoner，hisfatherwouldnotkeephisword，norlethimhaveonewordortwowithNicolette，andonekiss。

Nay，Aucassinwasthrownintoprisoninanoldtower。TherehesangofNicolette，"WasitnottheotherdayThatapilgrimcamethisway？

Andapassionhimpossessed，Thatuponhisbedhelay，Lay，andtossed，andknewnorest，Inhispaindiscomforted。

Butthoucamestbyhisbed，HoldinghighthineamicefineAndthykirtleofermine。

ThenthebeautythatisthineDidhelookon；anditfellThatthePilgrimstraightwaswell，Straightwashaleandcomforted。

Andheroseupfromhisbed，AndwentbacktohisownplaceSoundandstrong，andfairofface。"

ThusAucassinmakesaLegendofhislady，asitwere，assigningtoherbeautysuchmiraclesasfaithattributestotheexcellenceofthesaints。

Meanwhile，Nicolettehadslippedfromthewindowofherprisonchamber，andletherselfdownintothegarden，wheresheheardthesongofthenightingales。"Thencaughtsheupherkirtleinbothhands，behindandbefore，andflittedoverthedewthatlaydeeponthegrass，andfledoutofthegarden，andthedaisyflowersbendingbelowhertreadseemeddarkagainstherfeet，sowhitewasthemaiden。"Can’tyouseeherstealingwiththose"feetofivory，"

likeBombyca’s，downthedarksideofthesilentmoonlitstreetsofBeaucaire？

ThenshecamewhereAucassinwaslamentinginhiscell，andshewhisperedtohimhowshewasfleeingforherlife。Andheansweredthatwithoutherhemustdie；andthenthisfoolishpair，intheverymouthofperil，mustneedsbeginawarofwordsastowhichlovedtheotherbest!

"Nay，fairsweetfriend，"saithAucassin，"itmaynotbethatthoulovestmemorethanIlovethee。Womanmaynotlovemanasmanloveswoman，forawoman’sloveliesnodeeperthanintheglanceofhereye，andtheblossomofherbreast，andherfoot’stip—toe；butman’sloveisinhisheartplanted，whencenevercanitissueforthandpassaway。"

Sowhiletheyspeak"Indebateasbirdsare，Hawkonbough，"

comesthekindsentineltowarnthemofadanger。AndNicoletteflees，andleapsintothefosse，andthenceescapesintoagreatforestandlonely。Inthemorningshemetshepherdsmerryovertheirmeat，andbadethemtellAucassintohuntinthatforest，whereheshouldfindadeerwhereofoneglancewouldcurehimofhismalady。Theshepherdsarehappy，laughingpeople，whohalfmockNicolette，andquitemockAucassin，whenhecomesthatway。ButatfirsttheytookNicoletteforafee，suchabeautyshonesobrightlyfromher，andlitupalltheforest。Aucassintheybanter；andindeedthefreetalkofthepeasantstotheirlord’ssoninthatfeudalagesoundscuriously，andmaywellmakeusreconsiderournotionsofearlyfeudalism。

ButAucassinlearnsatleastthatNicoletteisinthewood，andheridesatadventureafterher，tillthethornshaveruinedhissilkensurcoat，andtheblood，drippingfromhistornbody，makesavisibletrackinthegrass。So，ashewept，hemetamonstrousmanofthewood，thataskedhimwhyhelamented。Andhesaidhewassorrowingforalily—whitehoundthathehadlost。Thenthewildmanmockedhim，andtoldhisowntale。HewasinthatestatewhichAchilles，amongtheghosts，preferredtoallthekingshipofthedeadoutworn。

Hewashindandhirelingtoavillein，andhehadlostoneofthevillein’soxen。Forthathedarednotgointothetown，whereaprisonawaitedhim。Moreover，theyhaddraggedtheverybedfromunderhisoldmother，topaythepriceoftheox，andshelayonstraw；andatthatthewoodmanwept。

Acurioustouch，isitnot，ofpityforthepeople？Theoldpoetisseriousforonemoment。"Compare，"hesays，"thesorrowsofsentiment，ofladiesandlovers，praisedinsong，withthesorrowsofthepoor，withtroublesthatarerealandnotoftheheart!"

EvenAucassinthelovelornfeelsit，andgivesthehindmoneytopayforhisox，andsoridingoncomestoalodgethatNicolettehasbuiltwithblossomsandboughs。AndAucassincreptinandlookedthroughagapinthefragrantwallsofthelodge，andsawthestarsinheaven，andonethatwasbrighterthantherest。

Doesonenotfeelit，thecoolofthatoldsummernight，thesweetsmellofbrokenboughsandtroddengrassanddeepdew，andtheshiningofthestar？

"StarthatIfromfarbeholdThatthemoondrawstoherfold，Nicolettewiththeedothdwell，Mysweetlovewithlocksofgold，"

singsAucassin。"AndwhenNicoletteheardAucassin，rightsocamesheuntohim，andpassedwithinthelodge，andcastherarmsabouthisneckandkissedandembracedhim：

"Fairsweetfriend，welcomebethou!"

"Andthou，fairsweetlove，bethouwelcome!"

Therethestoryshouldend，inadreamofasummer’snight。Buttheoldminstreldidnotenditso，orsomeonehascontinuedhisworkwithaheavierhand。Aucassinrides，hecaresnotwhither，ifhehasbuthislovewithhim。Andtheycometoafantasticlandofburlesque，suchasPantagruel’screwtouchedatmanyatime。AndNicoletteistakenbyCarthaginianpirates，andprovestobedaughtertotheKingofCarthage，andleaveshiscourtandcomestoBeaucaireinthedisguiseofaministrel，and"journeysendinlovers’meeting。"

Thatisallthetale，withitsgaps，itscarelesspassages，itsadventuresthatdonotinterestthepoet。Heonlycaresforyouth，love，spring，flowers，andthesongofthebirds；therest，exceptthepassageaboutthehind，ismere"business"donecasually，becausetheaudienceexpectsbroadjests，hardblows，misadventures，recognitions。Whatlivesisthetouchofpoetry，oflonging，oftenderheart，ofhumorousresignation。Itlives，andalwaysmustlive，"whilethenatureofmanisthesame。"Thepoethopeshistalewillgladdensadmen。ThisserviceitdidforM。Bida，hesays，inthedreadfulyearof1870—71，whenhetranslated"Aucassin。"This，too，ithasdoneformeindaysnotdelightful。

{6}

PLOTINUS（A。D。200—262）

TotheLadyVioletLebas。

DearLadyViolet，——Youarediscursiveanddesultoryenough，asareader，tohavepleasedeventhelateLordIddesleigh。Itwas"AucassinandNicolette"onlyamonthago，andto—dayyouhavebeenreadingLordLytton’s"StrangeStory，"Iamsure，foryouwantinformationaboutPlotinus!Hewasborn（aboutA。D。200）inWolf—

town（Lycopolis），inEgypt，thetown，youknow，wherethenativesmightnoteatwolves，poorfellows，justasthepeopleofThebesmightnoteatsheep。ProbablythisprohibitioncausedPlotinusnoregret，forhewasaconsistentvegetarian。

However，weareadvancingtoorapidly，andwemustdiscussPlotinusmoreinorder。Hisnameisverydeartomysticnovelists，liketheauthorof"Zanoni。"Theyalwaysdescribetheirfavouriteheroas"deepinPlotinusorIamblichus，"andIventuretothinkthatnearlyrepresentsthedepthoftheirownexplorations。WedonotknowexactlywhenPlotinuswasborn。Likemanyladiesheusedtowrapuphisageinamystery，observingthatthesepettydetailsaboutthebody（amerehuskoffleshbindingthesoul）wereofnoimportance。

Hewasnotweanedtillhewaseightyearsold，asingularcircumstance。Havingaturnforphilosophy，heattendedtheschoolsofAlexandria，concerningwhichKingsley’s"Hypatia"isthemostaccessibleauthority。

Alltheseanecdotes，Ishouldhavesaid，welearnfromPorphyry，theTyrian，whowasakindofBoswelltoPlotinus。ThephilosopherhimselfoftenremindsmeofDr。Johnson，especiallyasDr。JohnsonisdescribedbyMr。Carlyle。JustasthegooddoctorwasasoundChurchmaninthebeginningoftheageofnewideas，soPlotinuswasasoundpaganinthebeginningofthetriumphofChristianity。

LikeJohnson，Plotinuswaslazyandenergeticandshort—sighted。Hewroteaverylargenumberoftreatises，buthenevertookthetroubletoreadthroughthemwhenoncetheywerewritten，becausehiseyeswereweak。Hewassuperstitious，likeDr。Johnson，yethehadlucidintervalsofcommonsense，whenhelaughedatthesuperstitionsofhisdisciples。LikeDr。Johnson，hewasalwaysbegirtbydisciples，menandwomen，BozzysandThrales。Hewassofullofhonourandcharity，thathishousewascrowdedwithpersonsinneedofhelpandfriendlycare。Thoughhelivedsomuchinthecloudsandamongphilosophicalabstractions，hewasanexcellentmanofbusiness。Thoughaphilosopherhewaspious，andwascourageous，dreadingtheplaguenomorethanthegooddoctordreadedthetempestthatfellonhimwhenhewasvoyagingtoColl。

Youwilladmitthattheparallelisprettycloseforanhistoricalparallel，despitethedifferencesbetweentheasceticofWolf—townandthesageofBoltCourt，hardbyFleetStreet!

ToreturntotheeducationofPlotinus。Hewastwenty—eightwhenhewentuptotheUniversityofAlexandria。ForelevenyearshediligentlyattendedthelecturesofAmmonius。ThenhewentontheEmperorGordian’sexpeditiontotheEast，hopingtolearnthephilosophyoftheHindus。TheUpanishadswouldhavepuzzledPlotinus，hadhereachedIndia；butheneverdid。Gordian’sarmywasdefeatedinMesopotamia，no"blessedword"toGordian，andPlotinushardlyescapedwithhislife。HemusthavefeltlikeStendhalontheretreatfromMoscow。

FromSyriahisfriendanddiscipleAmeliusledhimtoRome，andhere，asnovelistssay，"acuriousthinghappened。"TherewasinRomeanEgyptianpriest，whoofferedtoraiseuptheDemon，orGuardianAngel，ofPlotinusinvisibleform。ButtherewasonlyonepurespotinallRome，sosaidthepriest，andthisspotwastheTempleofIsis。Heretheseancewasheld，andnodemonappeared，butaregularGodofoneofthefirstcircles。Soterrifiedwasanonlookerthathecrushedtodeaththelivingbirdswhichheheldinhishandsforsomeritualormagicalpurpose。

Itwasacuriousscene，acosmopolitanconfusionofEgypt，Rome，Isis，table—turning，thelateMr。Home，religion，andmummery，whileChristianhymnsoftheearlyChurchwerebeingsung，perhapsinthegarretsaround，outsidetheTempleofIsis。ThediscoverythathehadagodforhisguardianangelgavePlotinusplentyofconfidenceindealingwithrivalphilosophers。Forexample，AlexandrinusOlympius，anothermystic，triedmagicalartsagainstPlotinus。ButAlexandrinus，suddenlydoublingupduringlecturewithunaffectedagony，cried，"GreatvirtuehaththesoulofPlotinus，formyspellshavereturnedagainstmyself。"AsforPlotinus，heremarkedamonghisdisciples，"NowthebodyofAlexandrinusiscollapsinglikeanemptypurse。"

Howdivertingitwouldbe，LadyViolet，ifourmoderncontroversialistshadthoseaccomplishments，andifMr。MaxMullercould，literally，"doubleup"ProfessorWhitney，orifanyonecouldcausePeppmullertocollapsewithhisqueerHomerictheory!

Plotinushadmanysucharts。Apieceofjewellerywasstolenfromoneofhisprotegees，alady，andhedetectedthethief，aservant，byaglance。Afterbeingfloggedwithinaninchofhislife，theservant（perhapstosavetheremaininginch）confessedall。

OncewhenPorphyrywasatadistance，andwasmeditatingsuicide，Plotinusappearedathisside，saying，"Thisthatthouschemestcomethnotofthepureintellect，butofblackhumours，"andsosentPorphyryforchangeofairtoSicily。Thiswasthoroughlygoodadvice，butduringtheabsenceofthedisciplethemasterdied。

PorphyrydidnotseethegreatsnakethatglidedintothewallwhenPlotinusexpired；heonlyheardofthecircumstance。Plotinus’slastwordswere："Iamstrivingtoreleasethatwhichisdivinewithinus，andtomergeitintheuniversallydivine。"Itisastrangemixtureofphilosophyandsavagesurvival。TheZulusstillbelievethatthesoulsofthedeadreappear，likethesoulofPlotinus，intheformofserpents。

PlotinuswroteagainstthepaganizingChristians，orGnostics。Likeallgreatmen，hewasaccusedofplagiarism。AdefenceofgreatmenaccusedofliterarytheftwouldbeasvaluableasNaude’sworkofalikenameaboutmagic。OnhisdeaththeDelphicOracle，inverysecond—ratehexameters，declaredthatPlotinushadbecomeademon。

SuchwasthelifeofPlotinus，amanofsenseandvirtue，andsomodestthathewouldnotallowhisportraittobepainted。Hischaracterdrewgoodmenroundhim，hisreputeforsupernaturalvirtuesbrought"foolsintoacircle。"Whathemeantbyhisbeliefthatfourtimeshehad，"whetherinthebodyoroutofthebody，"

beenunitedwiththeSpiritoftheworld，whoknows？WhatdoesTennysonmeanwhenhewrites：

"Sowordbyword，andlinebyline，Thedeadmantouch’dmefromthepast，Andallatonceitseem’datlastHislivingsoulwasflashedonmine。

Andmineinhiswaswoundandwhirl’dAboutempyrealheightsofthought，Andcameonthatwhichis，andcaughtThedeeppulsationsoftheworld。"

Mystery!Wecannotfathomit；weknownotthepathsofthesoulsofPascalandGordon，ofPlotinusandSt。Paul。Theyarewisewithawisdomnotofthisworld，orwithafoolishnessyetmorewise。

InhispracticalphilosophyPlotinuswasanoptimist，oratleasthewasatwarwithpessimism。

"TheythatloveGodbearlightlythewaysoftheworld——bearlightlywhatsoeverbefallsthemofnecessityinthegeneralmovementofthings。"HebelievedinarestthatremainsforthepeopleofGod，"wheretheyspeaknotonewiththeother；but，asweunderstandmanythingsbytheeyesonly，sodoessoulreadsoulinheaven，wherethespiritualbodyispure，andnothingishidden，andnothingfeigned。"

Theargumentsbywhichtheseopinionsarebuttressedmaybecalledmetaphysical，andmaybecalledworthless；theconviction，andthebeautyofthelanguageinwhichitisstated，remainimmortalpossessions。

WhysuchamanasPlotinus，withsuchideas，remainedapagan，whileChristianityofferedhimasympatheticrefuge，whocantell？

Probablynaturalconservatism，inhimasinDr。Johnson——

conservatismandtaste——causedhisadherencetotheformsatleastoftheoldercreeds。TherewasmuchtolaughatinPlotinus，andmuchtolike。Butifyoureadhiminhopesofmaterialforstrangestories，youwillbedisappointed。PerhapsLordLyttonandotherswhohaveinvokedhisnameinfiction（likeVivianGreyinLordBeaconsfield’stale）knewhisnamebetterthanhisdoctrine。His"Enneads，"evenaseditedbyhispatientBoswell，Porphyry，arenotverylightsubjectsofstudy。

LUCRETIUS

TotheRev。GeoffreyMartin，Oxford。

DearMartin，——"HowindividualsfoundreligiousconsolationfromthecreedsofancientGreeceandRome"is，asyouquoteC。O。Muller，"averycuriousquestion。"Itisoddthatwhilewehavecountlessbooksonthephilosophyandthemythologyandtheritualoftheclassicpeoples，wehearabouttheirreligioninthemodernsensescarcelyanythingfromanybody。Weknowverywellwhatgodstheyworshipped，andwhatsacrificestheyofferedtotheOlympians，andwhatstoriestheytoldabouttheirdeities，andaboutthebeginningsofthings。Weknow，too，inageneralway，thatthegodswereinterestedinmorality。Theywouldallpunishoffencesintheirowndepartment，atleastwhenitwasacaseofnuminelaeso，whenthegodwhoprotectedthehearthwasoffendedbybreachofhospitality，orwhenthegodsinvokedtowitnessanoathwereoffendedbyperjury。

Buthowdidareligiouslymindedmanregardthegods？Whathopeorwhatfearsdidheentertainwithregardtothefuturelife？Hadheanysenseofsin，asmorethanathingthatcouldbeexpiatedbypurificationwiththebloodofslaughteredswine，orbypurchasingtheprayersand"masses，"sotospeak，ofthemendicantclergyorcharlatans，mentionedbyPlatointhe"Republic"？Aboutthesegreatquestionsofthereligiouslife——theFutureandman’sfortunesinthefuture，thepunishmentorrewardofjusticeoriniquity——wereallyknownexttonothing。

ThatisonereasonwhythegreatpoemofLucretiusseemssovaluabletome。TheDeRerumNaturawaswrittenfornootherpurposethantodestroyReligion，asLucretiusunderstoodit，tofreemen’smindsfromalldreadastofuturepunishment，allhopeofHeaven，alldreadordesirefortheinterferenceofthegodsinthismortallifeofoursonearth。FornootherreasondidLucretiusdesireto"knowthecausesofthings，"exceptthattheknowledgewouldbring"emancipation，"aspeoplecallit，fromthegods，towhommenhadhithertostoodintherelationoftheRomansontotheRomansire，underthepatriapotestasorinmanupatris。

AsLucretiuswroughtallhisarduousworktothisend，itfollowsthathisfellow—countrymenmusthavegoneinaconstantterroraboutspiritualpenalties，whichweseldomassociateinthoughtwiththe"blithe"andcarelessexistenceoftheancientpeoples。IneverylineofLucretiusyoureadthejoyandtheindignationoftheslavejustescapedfromanintolerablethraldomtofear。NobodycouldwellhavebelievedonanyotherevidencethattheclassicalpeoplehadagloomyCalvinismoftheirowntime。True，asearlyasHomer，wehearoftheshadowyexistenceofthesouls，andofthetormentsenduredbythenotablywicked；byimpiousghosts，ortyrannical，likeSisyphusandTantalus。Butwhenwereadtheopeningbooksofthe"Republic，"wefindtheeducatedfriendsofSocratestreatingtheseterrorsasold—wives’fables。Theyhaveheard，theysay，thatsuchnotionscirculateamongthepeople，buttheyseemneverforamomenttohavethemselvesbelievedinafutureofrewardsandpunishments。

Theremainsofancientfunerealart，inEtruriaorAttica，usuallyshowusthesemblancesofthedeadlyingatendlessfeasts，orreceivingsacrificesoffoodandwine（asinEgypt）fromtheirdescendants，or，perhaps，welcomingthelaterdead，theirfriendswhohavejustrejoinedthem。ButitisonlyinthedescriptionsbyPausaniasandothersofcertainoldwall—paintingsthatwehearofthetormentsofthewicked，ofthedemonsthattorturethemand，aboveall，ofthegreatchieffiend，colouredlikeacarrionfly。

TojudgefromLucretius，althoughsolittleremainstousofthiscreed，yetithadaverystrongholdofthemindsofpeople，inthecenturybeforeChrist。PerhapsthebeliefwasreinforcedbytheteachingofSocrates，who，inthevisionofEr，inthe"Republic，"

bringsback，inamyth，theoldpopularfaithinaPurgatorio，ifnotinanInferno。

Inthe"Phaedo，"forcertain，wecometotheverydefiniteaccountofaHell，aplaceofeternalpunishment，aswellasofaPurgatory，whencesoulsarefreedwhentheirsinsareexpiated。"Thespiritsbeyondredemption，forthemultitudeoftheirmurdersorsacrileges，FatehurlsintoTartarus，whencetheyneveranymorecomeforth。"

ButsoulsoflighterguiltabideayearinTartarus，andthendriftoutdownthestreamsCocytusandPyriphlegethon。ThencetheyreachthemarshofAcheron，butarenotreleaseduntiltheyhavereceivedthepardonofthesoulswhominlifetheyhadinjured。

Allthis，andmuchmoretothesamepurposeinotherdialoguesofPlato’s，appearstohavebeenderivedbySocratesfromthepopularunphilosophictraditions，fromFolk—loreinshort，andtohavebeenraisedbyhimtotherankof"piousopinion，"ifnotofdogma。Now，Lucretiusrepresentsnothingbutthereactionagainstallthisdreadoffuturedoom，whetherthatdreadwasinculcatedbyPlatonicphilosophyorbypopularbelief。Thelattermusthavebeenmuchthemorepowerfulandwidelydiffused。ItfollowsthattheRomans，atleast，musthavebeenhauntedbyaconstantdreadofjudgmenttocome，fromwhich，butforthetestimonyofLucretiusandhismanifestsincerity，wemighthavebelievedthemfree。

PerhapswemayregrettheexistenceofthisRomanreligion，foritdiditsbesttoruinagreatpoet。ThesublimityofthelanguageofLucretius，whenhecanleavehisattemptsatscientificproof，theclosenessofhisobservation，hisenjoymentoflife，ofNature，andhispowerofpaintingthem，acertainlargenessoftouch，andnobleamplitudeofmanner——these，withaburningsincerity，markhimaboveallothersthatsmotetheLatinlyre。Yetthesegreatqualitiesarehalf—crushedbyhistask，byhisattempttoturntheatomictheoryintoverse，byhisunsympatheticefforttodestroyallfaithandhope，becausethesewereunited，inhismind，withdreadofStyxandAcheron。

Itisanalmostintolerablephilosophy，thephilosophyofeternalsleep，withoutdreamsandwithoutawakening。Thisbeliefiswhollydivorcedfromjoy，whichinspiresallthebestart。Thisnegationofhopehas"close—lippedPatienceforitsonlyfriend。"

InvaindoesLucretiuspaintpicturesoflifeandNaturesolarge，soglowing，somajesticthattheyremindusofnothingbutthe"FeteChampetre"ofGiorgione，intheLouvre。Allthatlifeisathingwemustleavesoon，andforever，andmustbehopelesslylappedinaneternityofblindsilence。"Ishallletmenseethecertainendofall，"hecries；"thenwilltheyresistreligion，andthethreatsofpriestsandprophets。"Butthis"certainend"isexactlywhatmortalsdonotdesiretosee。TothissleeptheyprefereventenebrasOrci，vastasquelacunas。

Theywillnotbedeprivedofgods，"thefriendsofman，mercifulgods，compassionate。"TheywillnotturnfromevenafainthopeinthosetotheLucretiandeitiesintheirendlessandindifferentreposeanddivine"delightinimmortalandpeacefullife，far，farawayfromusandours——lifepainlessandfearless，needingnothingwecangive，repletewithitsownwealth，unmovedbyprayerandpromise，untouchedbyanger。"

Doyourememberthathymn，asonemaycallit，ofLucretiustoDeath，toDeathwhichdoesnotharmus。"Forasweknewnohurtofold，inageswhentheCarthaginianthrongedagainstusinwar，andtheworldwasshakenwiththeshockoffight，anddubioushungtheempireoverallthingsmortalbyseaandland，evensocareless，sounmoved，shallweremain，indayswhenweshallnomoreexist，whenthebondofbodyandsoulthatmakesourlifeisbroken。Thennaughtshallmoveus，norwakeasinglesense，notthoughearthwithseabemingled，andseawithsky。"Thereisnohell，hecries，or，likeOmar，hesays，"Hellisthevisionofasoulonfire。"

YourtrueTityus，gnawedbythevulture，isonlytheslaveofpassionandoflove；yourtrueSisyphus（likeLordSalisburyinPunch）isonlythepolitician，strivingalways，neverattaining；thestonerollsdownagainfromthehill—crest，andthundersfaralongtheplain。

Thushisphilosophy，whichgiveshimsuchadelightfulsenseoffreedom，isrejectedafteralltheseyearsoftrialbymen。Theyfeelthatsincethoseremotestdays"QuumVenusinsilvisjungebatcorporaamantum，"

theyhavetravelledthelong，thewearywayLucretiusdescribestolittleavail，iftheymaynotkeeptheirhopesandfears。Robbedofthesewearerobbedofall；itservesusnothingtohaveconqueredthesoilandfoughtthewindsandwaves，tohavebuiltcities，andtamedfire，iftheworldistobe"dispeopledofitsdreams。"

Betterweretheoldlifewestartedfrom，anddreamstherewith，betterthefreedays—

"NovitastumfloridamundiPabuladiatulit，miserismortablibusampla；"

thanwealthorpower，andneitherhopenorfear，butonecertainendofallbeforetheeyesofall。

Thustheheartofmanhasanswered，andwillanswerLucretius，thenoblestRomanpoet，andtheleastbeloved，whosought，atlast，byhisownhand，theysay，thedoomthatVirgilwaitedforintheseasonappointed。

TOAYOUNGAMERICANBOOK—HUNTER

ToPhilipDodsworth，Esq。，NewYork。

DearDodsworth，——Letmecongratulateyouonhavingjoinedthearmyofbook—hunters。"EverywherehaveIsoughtpeaceandfounditnowhere，"saystheblessedThomaseKempis，"saveinacornerwithabook。"Whetherthatgoodmonkwrotethe"DeImitationeChristi"ornot，onealwayslikeshimforhisloveofbooks。Perhapshewastheonlybook—hunterthateverwroughtamiracle。"Othersignsandmiracleswhichhewaswonttotellashavinghappenedattheprayerofanunnamedperson，arebelievedtohavebeengrantedtohisown，suchasthesuddenreappearanceofalostbookinhiscell。"Ah，ifFaith，thatmovethmountains，couldonlybringbackthebookswehavelost，thebooksthathavebeenborrowedfromus!Butweareafaithlessgeneration。

Fromacollectorsomucholderandbetterexperiencedinmisfortunethanyourself，youaskforsomeadviceonthesportofbook—hunting。

Well，Iwillgiveit；butyouwillnottakeit。No；youwillhuntwild，likeyoungpointersbeforetheyareproperlybroken。

Letmesupposethatyouare"tomiddlefortuneborn，"andthatyoucannotstrollintothegreatbook—martsandgiveyourordersfreelyforallthatisrichandrare。Youareobligedtowaitandwatchanopportunity，topractisethatmaximoftheStoic’s，"Endureandabstain。"Thenabstainfromrushingateveryvolume，howeveroutofthelineofyourliteraryinterests，whichseemstobeabargain。

Probablyitisnotevenabargain；itcanseldombecheaptoyou，ifyoudonotneedit，anddonotmeantoreadit。

Notthatanycollectorreadsallhisbooks。Imayhave，andindeeddopossess，anAldineHomerandCaliergushisTheocritus；butI

prefertostudytheauthorsinacheapGermanedition。Theoldeditionswebuymainlyfortheirbeauty，andthesentimentoftheirantiquityandtheirassociations。

ButIdon’ttakemyownadvice。Theshelvesarecrowdedwithbooksquiteoutofmyline——awholesmalllibraryoftomesonthepastimeofcurling，andIdon’tcurl；and"God’sRevengeagainstMurther，"

though（sofar）Iamnotanassassin。ProbablyitwasforloveofSirWalterScott，andhismentionofthistruculenttreatise，thatI

purchasedit。Thefulltitleofitis"TheTriumphsofGod’sRevengeagainsttheCryingandExecrableSinneof（willfulandpremeditated）Murther。"Orratherthereisnearlyacolumnmoreoftitle，whichIspareyou。Butthepicturesaresobadastobenearlyworththeprice。Donotwasteyourmoney，likeyourfoolishadviser，onbookslikethat，oron"LesSeptVisionsdeDonFranciscodeQuevedo，"publishedatCologne，in1682。

WhyintheworlddidIpurchasethis，withthetitle—pageshowingQuevedoasleep，andallhissevenvisionsfloatingroundhiminlittlecircleslikesoap—bubbles？ProbablybecausethebookwaspublishedbyClementMalassis，andperhapshewasaforefatherofthatwhimsicalFrenchman，PouletMalassis，whopublishedforBanville，andBaudelaire，andCharlesAsselineau。Itwasabadreason。Morelikelythemerecheapnessattractedme。

Curiosity，notcheapness，assuredly，betrayedmeintoanotherpurchase。IfIwanttoread"ThePilgrim’sProgress，"ofcourseI

readitinJohnBunyan’sgoodEnglish。ThenwhymustIruinmyselftoacquire"Voyaged’unChrestienversl’Eternite。EcritenAnglois，parMonsieurBunjan，F。M。，enBedtfort，etnouvellementtraduitenFrancois。AvecFigures。AAmsterdam，chezJeanBoekholtLibrairepresdelaBourse，1685"？IsupposethisistheoldestFrenchversionofthefamedallegory。Doyouknowanolder？Bunyanwasstilllivingand，indeed，hadjustpublishedthesecondpartofthebook，aboutChristian’swifeandchildren，andthedeplorableyoungwomanwhosenamewasDull。

Asthelittlevolume，theElzevirsize，isboundinbluemorocco，byCuzin，Ihopeitisnotwhollyafoolishbargain；butwhatdoI

want，afterall，withaFrench"Pilgrim’sProgress"？Thesearetheerrorsamanisalwaysmakingwhodoesnotcollectbookswithsystem，withaconscienceandanaim。

Dohaveaspecially。Makeacollectionofworksonfewsubjects，wellchosen。Andwhatsubjectsshalltheybe？Thatdependsontaste。Probablyitiswelltoavoidthelatestfashion。Forexample，theillustratedFrenchbooksoftheeighteenthcenturyare，atthismoment，enhausse。Thereisa"boom"inthem。FiftyyearsagoBrunet，theauthorofthegreat"Manuel，"sneeredatthem。But，inhis，"LibraryCompanion，"Dr。Dibdin，admittedtheirmerit。TheillustrationsbyGravelot，Moreau，Marillier，andtherest，arecertainlydelicate，graceful，fullofcharacter，stampedwithstyle。

Butonlytheproofsbeforelettersareverymuchvalued，andforthesewildpricesaregivenbycompetitivemillionaires。Youcannotcompetewiththem。

Itisbetterwhollytoturnthebackonthesebooksandonanyothersattheheightofthefashion，unlessyoumeetthemforfourpenceonastall。Eventhenshouldagentlemantakeadvantageofapoorbookseller’signorance？Idon’tknow。Ineverfellintothetemptation，becauseIneverwastempted。Bargains，realbargains，aresorarethatyoumayhuntforalifetimeandnevermeetone。

Thebestplanforamanwhohastoseethathiscollectionisworthwhatitcosthim，isprobablytoconfineone’sselftoasingleline，say，inyourcase，firsteditionsofnewEnglish，French，andAmericanbooksthatarelikelytoriseinvalue。Iwouldtry，wereIyou，tocollectfirsteditionsofLongfellow，Bryant，Whittier，Poe，andHawthorne。

AstoPoe，youprobablywillneverhaveachance。OutsideoftheBritishMuseum，wheretheyhavethe"Tamerlane"of1827，IhaveonlyseenoneearlyexampleofPoe’spoems。Itis"AlAaraaf，Tamerlane，andMinorPoems，byEdgarA。Poe。Baltimore：HatchandDunning，1829，8vo，pp。71。"Thebook"cametoMr。Locker（Mr。FrederickLocker—Lampson），throughMr。R。H。Stoddard，theAmericanpoet。"SosaysMr。Locker—Lampson’sCatalogue。HealsohastheNewYorkeditionof1831。

Thesebooksareextraordinarilyrare；youaremorelikelytofindtheminsomecollectionoftwopennyrubbishthantobuythemintheregularmarket。Bryant’s"Poems"（Cambridge，1821）mustalsobeveryrare，andEmerson’sof1847，andDr。OliverWendellHolmes’sof1836，andLongfellow’s"VoicesoftheNight，"1839，andMr。Lowell’s"AYear’sLife；"noneofthesecanbecommon，andallaredesirable，asareMr。Whittier’s"LegendsofNewEngland（1831），and"Poems"

（1838）。

Perhapsyoumayneverbeluckyenoughtocomeacrossthemcheap；nodoubttheyaregreatlysoughtforbyamateurs。Indeed，allAmericanbooksofacertainageorofaspecialinterestareexorbitantlydear。MenlikeMr。JamesLenoxusedtokeepthemarketup。OnecannotgettheJesuit"Relations"——shabbylittlemissionaryreportsfromCanada，indirtyvellum。

Cartier，Perrot，Champlain，andtheotherearlyexplorers’booksarebeyondthemeansofaworkingstudentwhoneedsthem。Mayyoucomeacrosstheminagarretofafarmhouse，orinsomedustylaneofthecity。Whyaretheynotreprinted，asMr。Arberhasreprinted"CaptainJohnSmith’sVoyages，andReportsonVirginia"？Theveryreprints，whentheyhavebeenmade，arerareandhardtocomeby。

Therearecertainmodernbooks，newbooks，that"goup"rapidlyinvalueandinterest。Mr。Swinburne’s"Atalanta"of1865，thequartoinwhitecloth，isvaluedattwentydollars。Twentyyearsagoonedollarwouldhavepurchasedit。Mr。AustinDobson’s"ProverbsinPorcelain"isalsoindemandamongthecurious。Nay，evenImaysayaboutthefirsteditionof"BalladesinBlueChina"（1880），asGibbonsaidofhis"EssayontheStudyofLiterature：""Theprimitivevalueofhalfacrownhasrisentothefancifulpriceofaguineaorthirtyshillings，"orevenmore。IwishIhadacopymyself，foroldsake’ssake。

Certainmodernbooks，"onlargepaper，"aresafeinvestments。The"BadmintonLibrary，"anEnglishseriesofbooksonsport，isatahugepremiumalready，whenon"largepaper。"Butoneshouldneverbuythebookunless，asinthecaseofDr。JohnHillBurton’s"Book—

Hunter"（firstedition），itisnotonlyonlargepaper，andnotonlyrare（twenty—fivecopies），butalsoreadableandinteresting。{7}A

collectorshouldhavethetastetoseewhenanewbookisinitselfvaluableandcharming，andwhenitsauthorislikelytosucceed，sothathisearlyattempts（asinthecaseofMr。MatthewArnold，LordTennyson，andafewothersofthemoderns）arecertaintobecomethingsofcuriousinterest。

YoucanhardlyevergetanovelofJaneAusten’sinthefirstedition。SheisrarerthanFieldingorSmollett。SomedayitmaybethesameinMissBroughton’scase。ClingtothefairandwittyJane，ifyougetachance。Bewareofillustratedmodernbooksinwhich"processes"areemployed。Amateurswillneverreallyvaluemechanicalreproductions，whichcanbecopiedtoanyextent。TheoldFrenchcopper—plateengravingsandthebestEnglishmezzo—tintsaresovaluablebecausegoodimpressionsarenecessarilysorare。

Onemorepieceofadvice。Never（or"hardlyever"）buyanimperfectbook。Itisaconstantsourceofregret，aneyesore。HerehaveI

Lovelace’s"Lucasta，"1649，withouttheengraving。Itisdeplorable，butIneverhadachanceofanother"Lucasta。"Thisisnotacaseofinveniesaliam。Howeveryoufare，youwillhavethepleasureofHopeandtheconsolationofbooksquieteminveniendaminabditisrecessibusetlibellulis。

ROCHEFOUCAULD

TotheLadyVioletLebas。

DearLadyViolet，——IamnotsurethatIagreewithyouinyouradmirationofRochefoucauld——oftheReflexions，ouSentencesetMaximesMorales，Imean。Atleast，IhardlyagreewhenIhavereadmanyofthematastretch。Itisnotfairtoreadtheminthatway，ofcourse，fortherearemorethanfivehundredpensees，andsomuchespritbecomesfatiguing。Idoubtifpeoplestudythemmuch。Fiveorsixofthemhavebecomeknowneventowritersinthenewspapers，andweallcopythemfromeachother。

Rochefoucauldsaysthatamanmaybetoodulltobedupedbyaverycleverperson。Hehimselfwassocleverthathewasoftenduped，firstbythegeneralhonestdulnessofmankind，andthenbyhisownacuteness。Hethoughthesawmorethanhedidsee，andhesaidevenmorethanhethoughthesaw。Ifthetruemotiveofallouractionsisself—love，orvanity，nomanisabetterproofofthetruththanthegreatmaxim—maker。Hisself—lovetooktheshapeofabrilliancythatissometimesfalse。Heistrickedoutinpastefordiamonds，nowandthen，likeavain，provincialbeautyataball。"Aclevermanwouldfrequentlybemuchataloss，"hesays，"instupidcompany。"Onehasseenthisembarrassmentofawitinacompanyofdullards。ItisRochefoucauld’sownpositioninthisworldofmenandwomen。Weareall，inthemass，dullardscomparedwithhiscleverness，andsohefailstounderstandus，ismuchatalossamongus。"Peopleonlypraiseothersinhopesofbeingpraisedinturn，"hesays。Mankindisnotsuchacompanyof"log—rollers"asheavers。

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