Soaladytoldmeoncethatshehadbeeninliketroubleabouttheanthem。Shereadinherprayer-bookthatinchoirsandplaceswheretheysing"herefolloweththeanthem，"yetthepersonwiththismostmysteriouslysoundingnameneverdidfollow。Theyhadachoir，andnoonecouldsaythechurchwasnotaplacewheretheysang，fortheydidsing——bothchantsandhymns。Why，then，thispersistentslacknessonthepartoftheanthem，whoatthisjunctureshouldfollowherpapa，therector，intothereading-desk？Nodoubthewouldcomesomeday，andthenwhatwouldhebelike？Fairordark？
Tallorshort？Wouldhebebaldandwearspectacleslikepapa，orwouldhebeyoungandgood-looking？Anyhow，therewassomethingwrong，foritwasannouncedthathewouldfollow，andheneverdidfollow；thereforetherewasnoknowingwhathemightnotdonext。
IheardoftheparrotsayearortwolaterasgivinglessonsinItaliantoanEnglishmaid。Idonotknowwhattheirtermswere。
Alas！sincethenboththeyandtheirmistresshavejoinedthemajority。Whenthepoorladyfeltherendwasnearshedesired（andtheresponsibilityforthismustrestwithher，notme）thatthebirdsmightbedestroyed，asfearingthattheymightcometobeneglected，andknowingthattheycouldneverbelovedagainasshehadlovedthem。Onbeingtoldthatallwasover，shesaid，"Thankyou，"andimmediatelyexpired。
Reflectinginsuchrandomfashion，andstrollingwithnogreatermethod，IworkedmywaybackthroughCheapsideandfoundmyselfoncemoreinfrontofSweeting’swindow。Againtheturtlesattractedme。
Theywerealive，andsofaratanyratetheyagreedwithme。Nay，theyhadeyes，mouths，legs，ifnotarms，andfeet，sotherewasmuchinwhichwewerebothofamind，butsurelytheymustbemistakeninarmingthemselvessoveryheavily。Anycreatureongettingwhattheturtleaimedatwouldoverreachitselfandbelandednotinsafetybutannihilation。Itshouldhavenocommunionwiththeoutsideworldatall，fordeathcouldcreepinwhereverthecreaturecouldcreepout；anditmustcreepoutsomewhereifitwastohookontooutsidethings。Whatdeathcanbemoreabsolutethansuchabsoluteisolation？Perfectdeath，indeed，ifitwereattainable（whichitisnot），isasnearperfectsecurityaswecanreach，butitisnotthekindofsecurityaimedatbyanyanimalthatisatthepainsofdefendingitself。Forsuchwanttohavethingsbothways，desiringthelivingnessoflifewithoutitsperils，andthesafetyofdeathwithoutitsdeadness，andsomeofusdoactuallygetthisforaconsiderabletime，butwedonotgetitbyplatingourselveswitharmourastheturtledoes。WetriedthisintheMiddleAges，andnolongermockourselveswiththeweightofarmourthatourforefatherscarriedinbattle。Indeedthemoredeadlytheweaponsofattackbecomethemorewegointothefightslug-wise。
Slugshaveriddentheircontemptfordefensivearmourasmuchtodeathastheturtlestheirpursuitofit。Theyhavehardlymorethanskinenoughtoholdthemselvestogether；theycourtdeatheverytimetheycrosstheroad。Yetdeathcomesnottothemmorethantotheturtle，whosedefencesaresogreatthatthereislittleleftinsidetobedefended。Moreover，theslugsfarebestinthelongrun，forturtlesaredyingout，whileslugsarenot，andtheremustbemillionsofslugsalltheworldoverforeverysingleturtle。Ofthetwovanities，therefore，thatoftheslugseemsmostsubstantial。
Ineithercasethecreaturethinksitselfsafe，butissuretobefoundoutsoonerorlater；norisiteasytoexplainthismockerysavebyreflectingthateverythingmusthaveitsmeatindueseason，andthatmeatcanonlybefoundforsuchamultitudeofmouthsbygivingeverythingasmeatindueseasontosomethingelse。ThisisliketheKilkennycats，orrobbingPetertopayPaul；butitisthewayoftheworld，andaseveryanimalmustcontributeinkindtothepicnicoftheuniverse，onedoesnotseewhatbetterarrangementcouldbemadethantheprovidingeachracewithahereditaryfallacy，whichshallintheendgetitintoascrape，butwhichshallgenerallystandthewearandtearoflifeforsometime。"Doutdes"isthewritingonallfleshtohimthateatsit；andnocreatureisdearertoitselfthanitistosomeotherthatwoulddevourit。
Noristhereanystatementorpropositionmoreinvulnerablethanlivingformsare。Propositionspreyuponandaregroundedupononeanotherjustlikelivingforms。Theysupportoneanotherasplantsandanimalsdo；theyarebasedultimatelyoncredit，orfaith，ratherthanthecashofirrefragableconviction。Thewholeuniverseiscarriedononthecreditsystem，andifthemutualconfidenceonwhichitisbasedweretocollapse，itmustitselfcollapseimmediately。Justorunjust，itlivesbyfaith；itisbasedonvagueandimpalpableopinionthatbysomeinscrutableprocesspassesintowillandaction，andismademanifestinmatterandinflesh：
itismeteoric——suspendedinmidair；itisthebaselessfabricofavisionsovast，sovivid，andsogorgeousthatnobasecanseemmorebroadthansuchstupendousbaselessness，andyetanymancanbringitabouthisearsbybeingover-curious；whenfaithfailsasystembasedonfaithfailsalso。
Whethertheuniverseisreallyapayingconcern，orwhetheritisaninflatedbubblethatmustburstsoonerorlater，thisisanothermatter。Ifpeopleweretodemandcashpaymentinirrefragablecertaintyforeverythingthattheyhavetakenhithertoaspapermoneyonthecreditofthebankofpublicopinion，istheremoneyenoughbehinditalltostandsogreatadrainevenonsogreatareserve？Probablythereisnot，buthappilytherecanbenosuchpanic，foreventhoughtheculturedclassesmaydoso，theunculturedaretoodulltohavebrainsenoughtocommitsuchstupendousfolly。Ittakesalongcourseofacademictrainingtoeducateamanuptothestandardwhichhemustreachbeforehecanentertainsuchquestionsseriously，andbyamercifuldispensationofProvidence，universitytrainingisalmostascostlyasitisunprofitable。Themajoritywillthusbealwaysunabletoaffordit，andwillbasetheiropinionsonmotherwitandcurrentopinionratherthanondemonstration。
SoIturnedmystepshomewards；Isawagoodmanymorethingsonmywayhome，butIwastoldthatIwasnottoseemorethistimethanI
couldgetintotwelvepagesoftheUniversalReview；ImustthereforereserveanyremarkwhichIthinkmightperhapsentertainthereaderforanotheroccasion。
THEAUNT，THENIECES，ANDTHEDOG{3}
Whenathingisold，broken，anduselesswethrowitonthedust-
heap，butwhenitissufficientlyold，sufficientlybroken，andsufficientlyuselesswegivemoneyforit，putitintoamuseum，andreadpapersoveritwhichpeoplecomelongdistancestohear。By-
and-by，whenthewhirligigoftimehasbroughtonanotherrevenge，themuseumitselfbecomesadust-heap，andremainssotillafterlongagesitisre-discovered，andvaluedasbelongingtoaneo-
rubbishage——containing，perhaps，tracesofastillolderpaleo-
rubbishcivilisation。Sowhenpeopleareold，indigent，andinallrespectsincapable，weholdthemingreaterandgreatercontemptastheirpovertyandimpotenceincrease，tilltheyreachthepitchwhentheyareactuallyatthepointtodie，whereontheybecomesublime。
Thenweplaceeveryresourceourhospitalscancommandattheirdisposal，andshownostintinourconsiderationforthem。
Itisthesamewithallourinterests。Wecaremostaboutextremesofimportanceandofunimportance；butextremesofimportancearetaintedwithfear，andaveryimperfectfearcastethoutlove。
Extremesofunimportancecannothurtus，thereforewearewelldisposedtowardsthem；themeansmaycometodoso，thereforewedonotlovethem。Hencewepickaflyoutofamilk-jugandwatchwithpleasureoveritsrecovery，forweareconfidentthatundernoconceivablecircumstanceswillitwanttoborrowmoneyfromus；butwefeellesssureaboutamouse，soweshowitnoquarter。Thecompilersofouralmanacswellknowthistendencyofournatures，sotheytellus，notwhenNoahwentintotheark，norwhenthetempleofJerusalemwasdedicated，butthatLindleyMurray，grammarian，diedJanuary16，1826。Thisisnotbecausetheycouldnotfindsomanyasthreehundredandsixty-fiveeventsofconsiderableinterestsincethecreationoftheworld，butbecausetheywellknowwewouldratherhearofsomethinglessinteresting。Wecaremostaboutwhatconcernsuseitherveryclosely，orsolittlethatpracticallywehavenothingwhatevertodowithit。
IonceaskedayoungItalian，whoprofessedtohaveaconsiderableknowledgeofEnglishliterature，whichofallourpoemspleasedhimbest。Herepliedwithoutamoment’shesitation：-
"Heydiddlediddle，thecatandthefiddle，Thecowjumpedoverthemoon；
Thelittledoglaughedtoseesuchsport，Andthedishranawaywiththespoon。"
HesaidthiswasbetterthananythinginItalian。TheyhadDanteandTasso，andeversomanymoregreatpoets，buttheyhadnothingcomparableto"Heydiddlediddle，"norhadhebeenabletoconceivehowanyonecouldhavewrittenit。DidIknowtheauthor’sname，andhadwegivenhimastatue？OnthisItoldhimoftheyoungladyofHarrowwhowouldgotochurchinabarrow，andpliedhimwithwhateverrhymingnonsenseIcouldcalltomind，butitwasnouse；
allofthesethingshadanelementofrealitythatrobbedthemofhalftheircharm，whereas"Heydiddlediddle"hadnothinginitthatcouldconceivablyconcernhim。
Soagainitiswiththethingsthatgallusmost。Whatisitthatrisesupagainstusatoddtimesandsmitesusinthefaceagainandagainforyearsafterithashappened？Thatwespentallthebestyearsofourlifeinlearningwhatwehavefoundtobeaswindle，andtohavebeenknowntobeaswindlebythosewhotookmoneyformisleadingus？Thatthoseonwhomwemostleanedmostbetrayedus？
Thatwehaveonlycometofeelourstrengthwhenthereislittlestrengthleftofanykindtofeel？Thesethingswillhardlymuchdisturbamanofordinarygoodtemper。Butthatheshouldhavesaidthisorthatlittleunkindandwantonsaying；thatheshouldhavegoneawayfromthisorthathotelandgivenashillingtoolittletothewaiter；thathisclotheswereshabbyatsuchorsuchagarden-
party——thesethingsgallusasacornwillsometimesdo，thoughthelossofalimbwaynotbeseriouslyfelt。
Ihavebeenremindedlatelyoftheseconsiderationswithmorethancommonforcebyreadingtheveryvoluminouscorrespondenceleftbymygrandfather，Dr。Butler，ofShrewsbury，whosememoirsIamengagedinwriting。Ihavefoundalargenumberofinterestinglettersonsubjectsofseriousimport，butmustconfessthatitistothehardlylessnumerouslighterlettersthatIhavebeenmostattracted，nordoIfeelsurethatmyeminentnamesakedidnotsharemypredilection。AmongotherlettersinmypossessionIhaveonebundlethathasbeenkeptapart，andhasevidentlynoconnectionwithDr。Butler’sownlife。Icannotusetheseletters，therefore，formybook，butoverandabovethecharmoftheirinspiredspelling，IfindthemofsuchanextremelytrivialnaturethatI
inclinetohopethereadermayderiveasmuchamusementfromthemasIhavedonemyself，andventuretogivethemthepublicityherewhichImustrefusetheminmybook。Thedatesandsignatureshave，withtheexceptionofMrs。Newton’s，beencarefullyerased，butI
havecollectedthattheywerewrittenbythetwoservantsofasingleladywhoresidedatnogreatdistancefromLondon，totwoniecesofthesaidladywholivedinLondonitself。Theauntneverwrites，butalwaysgetsoneoftheservantstodosoforher。Sheappearseitheras"youraunt"oras"She"；hernameisnotgiven，butsheisevidentlylookeduponwithagooddealofawebyallwhohadtodowithher。
ThelettersalmostallofthemrelatetovisitseitheroftheaunttoLondon，oroftheniecestotheaunt’shome，which，fromoccasionalallusionstohopping，IgathertohavebeeninKent，Sussex，orSurrey。Ihavearrangedthemtothebestofmypower，andtakethefollowingtobetheearliest。Ithasnosignature，butisnotinthehandwritingoftheservantwhostylesherselfElizabeth，orMrs。Newton。Itruns：-
"MADAM，——YourAuntWishesmetoinformyoushewillbegladifyouwilllethirknowifyouthinkofcomingTohirHousethissmonthorNextasshecannothaveyouinSeptemberonakountoftheHopingIfyouarcomingshethinkesshehadbatterGotoLondonontheDayyoucomtohirHousethesaysyoushallhaveeverryThingraddyforyouathirHouseandMrs。NewtontomeetyouandstaywithyoutillShereturnesagann。
"ifyouarnotComingthissSummerShewillbeinLondonbeforethissMonthisoutandwillSleepontheSofyAsShewillnotbeinLondonmorethanntwonits。andSheSaysshewillnottrubleyouonannyakountasSheWillreturnetheSameDaybeforeShewillplageyouannymore。butShethanksyouforaskinghirtoLondon。butShesaysShecannotlevethehouseatprassantShesayhirSurvantsartodoforyouasshecannotlodgeyoursnorshewillnothavethiminatthehouseannymoretobrakeanddestroyhirthinksandbeslivehirandmakeupLiesbyhirandSkandelasyourtoodidShesaysshemenstopayfore2Nitsandoneday，ShesaysthePepelwilllethirhaveitifyouaskthimtolethir：youWillbesogoodastolethirknowsun：wishSheistodo，asShesaysShedosnotcareannythingaboutit。whichwaytisssheisbatterthanShewasanddesirshirLovetobouthbouth。
"YourauntwisestoknowhowthesilkClocksarmadup[howthesilkcloaksaremadeup]withaCapeorawoodassheisagointohaveonemadeuptorideoutininhirlittelshas[chaise]。
"Charlesisabuttyandsogood。
"Mr&MrsNewtonarquitewall&desirestoberememberedtoyou。"
Icanthrownolightonthemeaningoftheverbto"beslive。"EachletterintheMS。issoadmirablyformedthattherecanbenoquestionaboutthewordbeingasIhavegivenit。NorhaveIbeenabletodiscoverwhatisreferredtobythewords"Charlesisabuttyandsogood。"WeshallpresentlymeetwithaCharleswho"fliesintheFier，"butthatCharlesappearstohavebeeninLondon，whereasthisoneisevidentlyinKent，orwherevertheauntlived。
ThenextletterisfromMrs。Newton"DERMiss——，IReceveyourLetteryourAuntisvaryIllandLowspiretedIDontethinkyourAuntwoodGitupallDayifMySisterWasnottoPersageherWeallThinkhirlifistwomonopolous。youWishtoknowWhoWasLiveingWithyourAunt。thatisMySisterandWillian——andCariline——asCockandOldPollPepperisCometoStayWithheraLittelWileandIhoped[hopped]forYourAunt，andHarryhasWorkedforyourAuntalltheSummer。YourAuntandHarryWhenttotheWellsRacesandSpentaveryPleasantDayyourAunthasLostOldFanneySowSheDiedaboutaWeekaGoHarryheWantedyourAunttohaveherkilledandsendhertoLondonandSheeWoldFechher11
poundstheFarmershaveLostaGreetDealofCattelsuchasHogsandCowsWhattheaycallthePlageIWhenttoyourAuntasyouWishMeetoDoButSheToldMeeSheDidnotwontaneyBoddySheToldMeeSheShouldLiketoComeuptoseeyouButSheCantComeknowforsheisBoddyleyillandHarryDonteWorkthereknowButheGoupthereOnceinTwoorThreeDayHarryOfferedisselftoGouptoLiveWithyourAuntButSheMadehimknowAncer。IhayBeenuptoyourAuntatWorkfor5WeeksHoppingandRaglutingYourAuntDonteEatnorDrinkButvaryLittelindeed。
"IamHappytoSayWeareBothQuiteWellandIamGladnohearyouareBothQuiteWell"MRSNEWTON。"
Thisseemstohavemadetheniecesproposetopayavisittotheiraunt，perhapstotryandrelievethemonopolyofherexistenceandcheerherupalittle。Intheirletter，doubtless，thedogmotiveisintroducedthatissofinelydevelopedpresentlybyMrs。Newton。
Ishouldliketohavebeenabletogivethethemeasenouncedbytheniecesthemselves，buttheirlettersarenotbeforeme。Mrs。Newtonwrites：-
"MYDEARGIRLS，——YourAuntreceivyourLetteryourAuntwillBevarygladtoseeyouasitquiteagreeableifittistoyouandSheeisQuiteWillingtoEairthebedsandtheRoomsifyouLiketoTrusttohirandtheServantes；ifnotImayGoupthereasyouWish。MySisterSleepsintheBestRoomassheallwaysDidandtheCoockinthegarretandyouCanhavetheRoomsthesameasyouallwaysDidasyourAuntDontesetintheParlourSheContinlerySetsintheCiching。yourAuntsayssheCannotPartfromthedogknowhowsandSheSayshewillnothurtyouforheisLikeaChildandIcansafeleysayMySelfhewontehurtyouasSheCannotSleepintheRoomWithouthimasheallWaySleepintheSameRoomasSheDose。
yourAuntisagreeabletoGitinWhatColesandWoodyouWishforI
amknowhappytosayyourAuntisinasGoodhealthaseverSheWasandSheishappytohearyouareBothWellyourAuntWishesforAncerByReturnofPost。"
Theniecesrepliedthattheirauntmustchoosebetweenthedogandthem，andMrs。Newtonsendsasecondletterwhichbringsherdevelopmenttoaclimax。Itruns：-
"DEARMISS——，IhaveReceveyourLetterandiWhentuptoyourAuntasyouWishmeandiTrytoPervealWithherabouttheDogButsheWoldnotPuttheDogawaynoritalowhimtoBeTiedupButSheStillWishesyoutoComeasSheesaystheDogShallnotinterrupyouforSheDontealowtheDognorittheCatstoGointheParlourneversenceShehashaditDonupferfereofSpoilingthePaintyourAuntthinkitvaryStrangeyouShouldBesovaryMuchafraidofaDogandShesaysyouCantGooutinLondonButWhatyouareupaganceoneandShesaysSheWonteTrusttheDoginknowonehandsButherOwneforSheisafraidtheayWillnotfillisBelleyasheLivesuponRostBeeffandRostandBoilMouttenWichheEatsMorethentheServantesintheHousethereisnotaneyOneWoldBeabletoGiveSattefacktionuponthataccountHarryofferdtoTaketheDogButSheWoodnotTrusthiminourhandssoIColdnotDoaneythingWithheryourAuntyousetoTellMeWhenwewasatyourHouseinLondonSheDidnotknowhowtomakeyouamensandiToldherknowitwastheTimetoDoitButiConsidderShesetstheDogBeforeyouyourAuntkeepknowBeerknowSpritsknowWinesintheHouseofaneySortOneleyaLittleBarlofWineImadeherintheSummertheWorkmenandservantesareaBligetoDrinkwauterMorningNoonandNightyourAunttheSameSheDonteLowherSelfaneyTeenorCoffeeButisLoockingWonderfulWell"IStillRemaneyourHumbleServantMrsNewton"IamvarysorrytothinktheDogPerventesyourComeing"IamGladtohearyouareBothWellandwearethesame。"
Theniecesremainedfirm，andfromthefollowingletteritisplaintheauntgaveway。Thedogmotiveisrepeatedpianissimo，andisnotreturnedto——notatleastbyMrs。Newton。
"DEARMiss——，IReceveyourLetteronThursdayiWhenttoyourAuntandiseeherandSheisaGreabletoeverrythingiaskedherandsemesovaryMuchPleasetoseeyouBothNextTusedayandshehassentfortheFaggotstoDayandsheWillSendfortheColestoMorrowandiwillGouptheretoMorrowMorningandMaketheFiersandTendtotheBedsandsleepinitTillyouComeDownyourAuntsendsherLovetoyouBothandsheisQuitewellyourAuntWishesyouwoldWriteagaineBeforeyouComeasshemaExpeckyeandtheDogisnottoGointotheParloraTall"yourAuntkindLovetoyouBoth&hopesyouWonteFailinComingaccordingtoPrommisMRSNEWTON。"
Fromalaterletteritappearsthattheniecesdidnotpaytheirvisitafterall，andwhatisworsealetterhadmiscarried，andtheauntsatupexpectingthemfromseventilltwelveatnight，andHarryhadpaidfor"FaggotsandColesquarterofHund。FaggotsHalftunofColes1l。1s。3d。"Shortlyafterwards，however，"She"againtalksofcominguptoLondonherselfandwritesthroughherservant-
"MyDeargirlsiReceveyourkindletter&IamhappytohearyouarbothWellandIWasinhopesofseeingofyouBothDownatMyHousethisspringtostayaWileIamQuitewellmyselfinHelthButvaryLowSpiretedIamvarysorrytoheartheMisfortingofPoorcharles&howhecumtoflieintheFierIcannotthink。IshouldliketoknowifheisdeadoraLive，andIshallcometoLondoninAugust&
staythreeorfourdaiesifitisagreabletoyou。Mrs。NewtonhaslosthermotherinLaw4dayMarch&IhopeyousendmewordWathercharlesisDeadoraLiveassoonaspossible，andwillyousendmewordwhatLittleBettyisforIcannotmakeherout。"
Thenextletterisanewhandwriting，andtellstheniecesoftheiraunt’sdeathinthethefollowingterms：-
"DEARMiss——，ItismymostpainfuldutytoinformyouthatyourdearauntexpiredthismorningcomparativelyeasyasHannahinformsmeandinsodoingrestoredhersoultothecustodyofhimwhomsheconsideredtobealoneworthyofitscare。
"Thedoctorhadvisitedheraboutfiveminutespreviouslyandhadappliedablister。
"YouandyoursisterwillIamsureexcusefurtherdetailsatpresentandbelievemewithkindestremembrancestoremain"Yourstruly，&c。"
Afterafewdaysalawyer’sletterinformstheniecesthattheiraunthadleftthemthebulkofhernotveryconsiderableproperty，buthadchargedthemwithanannuityof1poundaweektobepaidtoHarryandMrs。Newtonsolongasthedoglived。
TheonlyotherlettersbyMrs。Newtonarewrittenonpaperofadifferentandmoremodernsize；theyleaveanimpressionofhavingbeenwrittenagoodmanyyearslater。Itakethemastheycome。
Thefirstisveryshort：-
"DEARMiss——，iwritetosayicannotpossiblelycomeonWednesdayaswehavekilledapig。your’struely，"ELIZABETHNEWTON。"
Thesecondruns：-
"DEARMiss——，ihopeyouarebothquitewellinhealth&yourLegmuchbetteriamhappytosayiamgettingquitewellagainihopeAmandyhasreachedyousafebythistimeisentasmallparclebyAmandy，therewashalfadozenPatsofbutter&theCakeswasveryhomelyandnotsolightasicouldwishihopebythistimeSarahAnnhaspromisedshewillstayuntillnextmondayasithinkafewdaieslongerwillnotmakemuchdiferanceandasheryoungmanhasbeenveryconsideratetowaitsolongashehasithinkhewouldforafewdaysLongerdearMiss——IwashforWilliamandihavenotgothisclothesyetasithasbeendelayedbythecarrier&icannotpossiblelygetitdonebeforeSundayandidonotLiketravilingonaSundaybuttoobligeyouiwouldcomebuttocomesoonericannotpossiblelybutihopeSarahAnnwillbeprevailedononcemoreasShehassomanytimesifeelsureifshetellsheryoungmanhewillhavepatientforheisaverykindyoungman"iremainyoursincerely"ELIZABETHNEWTON。"
ThelastletterinmycollectionseemswrittenalmostwithinmeasurabledistanceoftheChristmas-cardera。Thesheetisheadedbyabeautifullyembosseddeviceofsomehollyinredandgreen，wishingtherecipientoftheletteramerryXmasandahappynewyear，whiletheborderiscrimpedandedgedwithblue。Iknownotwhatitis，butthereissomethinginthewriter’shighlyfinishedstylethatremindsmeofMendelssohn。Itwouldalmostdoforthewordsofoneofhiscelebrated"LiederohneWorte"：
"DEARMISSMARIA，——IhastentoacknowledgethereceiptofyourkindnotewiththeinclosureforwhichIreturnmybestthanks。IneedscarcelysayhowgladIwastoknowthatthevolumessecuredyourapproval，andthattheannouncementoftheimprovementintheconditionofyourSister’slegsaffordedmeinfinitepleasure。Thegratifyingnewsencouragedmeinthehopethatnowthenatureofthedisorderiscomprehendedherlegswill——notwithstandingtheprocessmaybegradual——ultimatelygetquitewell。TheprettyRobinRedbreastwhichlayensconcedinyourepistle，conveyedtome，intermsmoreeloquentthanwords，howmuchyoudesiredmethoseComplimentswhichthelittlemissiveheboreinhisbillexpressed；
theemblemissweetlypretty，andnowthatweareagainallowedtofelicitateeachotheronanotherrecurrenceoftheseasonoftheChristian’srejoicing，permitmetotendertoyourself，andbyyoutoyourSister，mineandmyWife’sheartfeltcongratulationsandwarmestwisheswithrespecttothecomingyear。Itisacommonbeliefthatifwetakearetrospectiveviewofeachdepartingyear，asitbehovesusannuallytodo，weshallfindtheblessingswhichwehavereceivedtoimmeasurablyoutnumberourcausesofsorrow。
SpeakingformyselfIcanfullysubscribetothatsentiment，anddoubtlessneitherMiss——noryourselfareexceptions。Miss——’sillnessandconsequentconfinementtothehousehasbeenaseveretrial，butinthattroubleanopportunitywasaffordedyoutoproveaSister’sdevotionandshehasbeenenabledtorealisealarger（ifpossible）displayofsisterlyaffection。
"AhappyChristmastoyouboth，andmaythenewyearproveaCornucopiafromwhichstillgreaterblessingsthaneventhosewehavehithertoreceived，shallissue，tobenefitusallbycontributingtoourtemporalhappinessand，whatisofhigherimportance，conducingtoourfelicityhereafter。
"Iwassorrytohearthatyouweresoannoyedwithmiceandrats，andifIshouldhaveanopportunitytoobtainanicecatIwilldosoandsendmyboytoyourhousewithit。
"Iremain，"Yourstruly。"
Howlittlewhatiscommonlycallededucationcandoafteralltowardstheformationofagoodstyle，andwhatadelightfulvolumemightnotbeentitled"HalfHourswiththeWorstAuthors。"Why，thefinestwordIknowofintheEnglishlanguagewascoined，notbymypooroldgrandfather，whoseeducationhadleftlittletodesire，norbyanyoftheadmirablescholarswhomheinhisturneducated，butbyanoldmatronwhopresidedoveroneofthehalls，orhousesofhisschool。
Thisgoodlady，whosenamebythewaywasBromfield，hadafinehightemperofherown，orthoughtitpolitictoaffectone。Onenightwhentheboyswereparticularlynoisysheburstlikeahurricaneintothehall，collaredayoungster，andtoldhimhewas"theramp-
ingest-scampingest-rackety-tackety-tow-row-roaringestboyinthewholeschool。"WouldMrs。Newtonhavebeenabletosettheauntandthedogbeforeussovividlyifshehadbeenmorehighlyeducated？
WouldMrs。Bromfieldhavebeenabletoforgeandhurlherthunderboltofawordifshehadbeentaughthowtodoso，orindeedbeenatmuchpainstocreateitatall？Itcame。Itwasher[Greektext]。Shedidnotprobablyknowthatshehaddonewhatthegreatestscholarwouldhavehadtorackhisbrainsoverformanyanhourbeforehecouldevenapproach。Traditionsaysthathavingbroughtdownherboyshelookedroundthehallintriumph，andthenafteramoment’slullsaid，"Younggentlemen，prayersareexcused，"
andleftthem。
Ihavesometimesthoughtthat，afterall，themainuseofaclassicaleducationconsistsinthecheckitgivestooriginality，andthewayinwhichitpreventsaninconvenientnumberofpeoplefromusingtheirowneyes。Thatwewillnotbeatthetroubleoflookingatthingsforourselvesifwecangetanyonetotelluswhatweoughttoseegoeswithoutsaying，anditisthebusinessofschoolsanduniversitiestoassistusinthisrespect。Thetheoryofevolutionteachesthatanypowernotworkedatprettyhighpressurewilldeteriorate：originalityandfreedomfromaffectationareallverywellintheirway，butwecaneasilyhavetoomuchofthem，anditisbetterthatnoneshouldbeeitheroriginalorfreefromcantbutthosewhoinsistonbeingso，nomatterwhathindrancesobstruct，norwhatincentivesareofferedthemtoseethingsthroughtheregulationmedium。
Toinsistonseeingthingsforoneselfistobein[Greektext]，orinplainEnglish，anidiot；nordoIseeanysafercheckagainstgeneralvigourandclearnessofthought，withconsequenttersenessofexpression，thanthatprovidedbythecurriculaofouruniversitiesandschoolsofpublicinstruction。Ifayoungman，inspiteofeveryefforttofithimwithblinkers，willinsistongettingridofthem，hemustdosoathisownrisk。Hewillnotbelonginfindingouthismistake。Ourpublicschoolsanduniversitiesplaythebeneficentpartinoursocialschemethatcattledoinforests：theybrowsetheseedlingsdownandpreventthegrowthofallbuttheluckiestandsturdiest。Ofcourse，iftherearetoomanyeithercattleorschools，theybrowsesoeffectuallythattheyfindnomorefood，andstarvetillequilibriumisrestored；butitseemstobeaprovisionofnaturethatthereshouldalwaysbethesealternateperiods，duringwhicheitherthecattleorthetreesaregettingthebestofit；and，indeed，withoutsuchprovisionweshouldhaveneithertheonenortheother。Atthismomentthecattle，doubtless，areintheascendant，andifuniversityextensionproceedsmuchfarther，weshallassuredlyhavenomoreMrs。NewtonsandMrs。Bromfields；butwhateverisisbest，and，onthewhole，Ishouldproposetoletthingsfindprettymuchtheirownlevel。
Howeverthismaybe，whocanquestionthatthetreasureshiddeninmanyacountryhousecontainsleepingbeautiesevenfairerthanthosethatIhaveendeavouredtowakenfromlongsleepintheforegoingarticle？HowmanyMrs。QuicklysaretherenotlivinginLondonatthispresentmoment？ForthatMrs。QuicklywasaninventionofShakespeare’sIwillnotbelieve。TheoldwomanfromwhomhedrewsaideverywordthatheputintoMrs。Quickly’smouth，andagreatdealmorewhichhedidnotandperhapscouldnotmakeuseof。Thisquestion，however，wouldagainleadmefarfrommysubject，whichIshouldmarwereItodwelluponitlonger，andthereforeleavewiththehopethatitmaygivemyreadersabsolutelynofoodwhateverforreflection。
HOWTOMAKETHEBESTOFLIFE{4}
Ihavebeenaskedtospeakonthequestionhowtomakethebestoflife，butmayaswellconfessatoncethatIknownothingaboutit。
IcannotthinkthatIhavemadethebestofmyownlife，norisitlikelythatIshallmakemuchbetterofwhatmayormaynotremaintome。Idonotevenknowhowtomakethebestofthetwentyminutesthatyourcommitteehasplacedatmydisposal，andasforlifeasawhole，whoeveryetmadethebestofsuchacolossalopportunitybyconsciouseffortanddeliberation？Inlittlethingsnodoubtdeliberateandconsciouseffortwillhelpus，butwearespeakingoflargeissues，andsuchkingdomsofheavenasthemakingthebestofthesecomenotbyobservation。
Thequestion，therefore，onwhichIhaveundertakentoaddressyouis，asyoumustallknow，fatuous，ifitbefacedseriously。Lifeislikeplayingaviolinsoloinpublicandlearningtheinstrumentasonegoeson。Onecannotmakethebestofsuchimpossibilities，andthequestionisdoublyfatuousuntilwearetoldwhichofourtwolives——theconsciousortheunconscious——isheldbytheaskertobethetruerlife。Whichdoesthequestioncontemplate——thelifeweknow，orthelifewhichothersmayknow，butwhichweknownot？
Deathgivesalifetosomemenandwomencomparedwithwhichtheirso-calledexistencehereisasnothing。WhichisthetruerlifeofShakespeare，Handel，thatdivinewomanwhowrotethe"Odyssey，"andofJaneAusten——thelifewhichpalpitatedwithsensiblewarmmotionwithintheirownbodies，orthatinvirtueofwhichtheyarestillpalpitatinginours？Inwhoseconsciousnessdoestheirtruestlifeconsist——theirown，orours？CanShakespearebesaidtohavebegunhistruelifetillahundredyearsorsoafterhewasdeadandburied？Hisphysicallifewasbutasanembryonicstage，acomingupoutofdarkness，atwilightanddawnbeforethesunriseofthatlifeoftheworldtocomewhichhewastoenjoyhereafter。Weallliveforawhileafterwearegonehence，butweareforthemostpartstillborn，oratanyratedieininfancy，asregardsthatlifewhicheveryageandcountryhasrecognisedashigherandtruerthantheoneofwhichwearenowsentient。Asthelifeoftheraceislarger，longer，andinallrespectsmoretobeconsideredthanthatoftheindividual，soisthelifeweliveinotherslargerandmoreimportantthantheoneweliveinourselves。Thisappearsnowhereperhapsmoreplainlythaninthecaseofgreatteachers，whoofteninthelivesoftheirpupilsproduceaneffectthatreachesfarbeyondanythingproducedwhiletheirsingleliveswereyetunsupplementedbythoseotherlivesintowhichtheyinfusedtheirown。
Deathtosuchpeopleistheendingofashortlife，butitdoesnottouchthelifetheyarealreadylivinginthosewhomtheyhavetaught；andhappily，asnonecanknowwhenheshalldie，sononecanmakesurethathetooshallnotlivelongbeyondthegrave；forthelifeafterdeathislikemoneybeforeit——noonecanbesurethatitmaynotfalltohimorherevenattheeleventhhour。Moneyandimmortalitycomeinsuchoddunaccountablewaysthatnooneiscutofffromhope。Wemaynothavemadeeitherofthemforourselves，butyetanothermaygivethemtousinvirtueofhisorherlove，whichshallillumineusforever，andestablishusinsomeheavenlymansionwhereofweneitherdreamednorshalleverdream。LookattheDogeLoredanoLoredani，theoldman’ssmileuponwhosefacehasbeenreproducedsofaithfullyinsomanylandsthatitcanneverhenceforthbeforgotten——wouldhehavehadonehundredthpartofthelifehenowliveshadhenotbeenlinkedawhilewithoneofthoseheaven-sentmenwhoknowchecosaeamor？LookatRembrandt’soldwomaninourNationalGallery；hadshediedbeforeshewaseighty-
threeyearsoldshewouldnothavebeenlivingnow。Then，whenshewaseighty-three，immortalitypercheduponherasabirdonawitheredbough。
Iseemtohearsomeonesaythatthisisamockery，apieceofspecialpleading，agivingofstonestothosethataskforbread。
Lifeisnotlifeunlesswecanfeelit，andalifelimitedtoaknowledgeofsuchfractionofourworkasmayhappentosurviveusisnotruelifeinotherpeople；salveitaswemay，deathisnotlifeanymorethanblackiswhite。
Theobjectionisnotsotrueasitsounds。Idonotdenythatwehadrathernotdie，nordoIpretendthatmucheveninthecaseofthemostfavouredfewcansurvivethembeyondthegrave。Itisonlybecausethisissothatourownlifeispossible；othershavemaderoomforus，andweshouldmakeroomforothersinourturnwithoutunduerepining。WhatImaintainisthatanotinconsiderablenumberofpeopledoactuallyattaintoalifebeyondthegravewhichwecanallfeelforciblyenough，whethertheycandosoornot——thatthislifetendswithincreasingcivilisationtobecomemoreandmorepotent，andthatitisbetterworthconsidering，inspiteofitsbeingunfeltbyourselves，thananywhichwehavefeltorcaneverfeelinourownpersons。
Takeanextremecase。AgroupofpeoplearephotographedbyEdison’snewprocess——sayTitiens，Trebelli，andJennyLind，withanytwoofthefinestmensingerstheagehasknown——letthembephotographedincessantlyforhalfanhourwhiletheyperformascenein"Lohengrin"；letallbedonestereoscopically。Letthembephonographedatthesametimesothattheirminutestshadesofintonationarepreserved，lettheslidesbecolouredbyacompetentartist，andthenletthescenebecalledsuddenlyintosightandsound，sayahundredyearshence。Arethosepeopledeadoralive？
Deadtothemselvestheyare，butwhiletheylivesopowerfullyandsolivinglyinus，whichisthegreaterparadox——tosaythattheyarealiveorthattheyaredead？Tomyselfitseemsthattheirlifeinotherswouldbemoretrulylifethantheirdeathtothemselvesisdeath。Grantedthattheydonotpresentallthephenomenaoflife——
whoeverdoessoevenwhenheisheldtobealive？Weareheldtobealivebecausewepresentasufficientnumberoflivingphenomenatolettheothersgowithoutsaying；thosewhoseeustakethepartforthewholehereasineverythingelse，andsurely，inthecasesupposedabove，thephenomenaoflifepredominatesopowerfullyoverthoseofdeath，thatthepeoplethemselvesmustbeheldtobemorealivethandead。Ourlivingpersonalityis，asthewordimplies，onlyourmask，andthosewhostillownsuchamaskasIhavesupposedhavealivingpersonality。Grantedagainthatthecasejustputisanextremeone；stillmanyamanandmanyawomanhassostampedhimorherselfonhisworkthat，thoughwewouldgladlyhavetheaidofsuchaccessoriesaswedoubtlesspresentlyshallhavetothelivingnessofourgreatdead，wecanseethemverysufficientlythroughthemasterpiecestheyhaveleftus。
AsfortheirownunconsciousnessIdonotdenyit。Thelifeoftheembryowasunconsciousbeforebirth，andsoisthelife——Iamspeakingonlyoftheliferevealedtousbynaturalreligion——afterdeath。Butastheembryonicandinfantlifeofwhichwewereunconsciouswasthemostpotentfactorinourafterlifeofconsciousness，sotheeffectwhichwemayunconsciouslyproduceinothersafterdeath，anditmaybeevenbeforeitonthosewhohaveneverseenus，isinallsoberseriousnessourtruerandmoreabidinglife，andtheonewhichthosewhowouldmakethebestoftheirsojournherewilltakemostintotheirconsideration。
Unconsciousnessisnobartolivingness。Ourconsciousactionsareadropintheseaascomparedwithourunconsciousones。Couldweknowallthelifethatisinusbywayofcirculation，nutrition，breathing，wasteandrepair，weshouldlearnwhataninfinitesimallysmallpartconsciousnessplaysinourpresentexistence；yetourunconsciouslifeisastrulylifeasourconsciouslife，andthoughitisunconscioustoitselfitemergesintoanindirectandvicariousconsciousnessinourotherandconsciousself，whichexistsbutinvirtueofourunconsciousself。Sowehavealsoavicariousconsciousnessinothers。Theunconsciouslifeofthosethathavegonebeforeushasingreatpartmouldedusintosuchmenandwomenasweare，andourownunconsciousliveswillinlikemannerhaveavicariousconsciousnessinothers，thoughwebedeadenoughtoitinourselves。
Ifitisagainurgedthatitmattersnottoushowmuchwemaybealiveinothers，ifwearetoknownothingaboutit，Ireplythatthecommoninstinctofallwhoareworthconsideringgivesthelietosuchcynicism。Iseeherepresentsomewhohaveachieved，andotherswhonodoubtwillachieve，successinliterature。Willoneofthemhesitatetoadmitthatitisalivelypleasuretohertofeelthatontheothersideoftheworldsomeonemaybesmilinghappilyoverherwork，andthatsheisthuslivinginthatpersonthoughsheknowsnothingaboutit？Hereitseemstomethattruefaithcomesin。Faithdoesnotconsist，astheSundaySchoolpupilsaid，"inthepowerofbelievingthatwhichweknowtobeuntrue。"
Itconsistsinholdingfastthatwhichthehealthiestandmostkindlyinstinctsofthebestandmostsensiblemenandwomenareintuitivelypossessedof，withoutcaringtorequiremuchevidencefurtherthanthefactthatsuchpeoplearesoconvinced；andformyownpartIfindthebestmenandwomenIknowunanimousinfeelingthatlifeinothers，eventhoughweknownothingaboutit，isneverthelessathingtobedesiredandgratefullyacceptedifwecangetiteitherbeforedeathorafter。Iobservealsothatalargenumberofmenandwomendoactuallyattaintosuchlife，andinsomecasescontinuesotolive，ifnotforever，yettowhatispracticallymuchthesamething。Ourlifetheninthisworldis，tonaturalreligionasmuchastorevealed，aperiodofprobation。Theusewemakeofitistosettlehowfarwearetoenterintoanother，andwhetherthatotheristobeaheavenofjustaffectionorahellofrighteouscondemnation。
Who，then，arethemostlikelysotorunthattheymayobtainthisveritableprizeofourhighcalling？Settingasidesuchluckynumbersdrawnasitwereinthelotteryofimmortality，whichIhavereferredtocasuallyabove，andsettingasidealsothechancesandchangesfromwhichevenimmortalityisnotexempt，whoonthewholearemostlikelytoliveanewintheaffectionatethoughtsofthosewhoneversomuchassawthemintheflesh，andknownoteventheirnames？Thereisanisus，astraininginthedulldumbeconomyofthings，invirtueofwhichsome，whethertheywillitandknowitorno，aremorelikelytoliveafterdeaththanothers，andwhoarethese？Thosewhoaimedatitasbysomegreatthingthattheywoulddotomakethemfamous？Thosewhohavelivedmostinthemselvesandforthemselves，orthosewhohavebeenmostensouledconsciously，butperhapsbetterunconsciously，directlybutmoreoftenindirectly，bythemostlivingsoulspastandpresentthathaveflittednearthem？Canwethinkofamanorwomanwhogripsusfirmly，atthethoughtofwhomwekindlewhenwearealoneinourhonestdaw’splumes，withnonetoadmireorshrughisshoulders，canwethinkofonesuch，thesecretofwhosepowerdoesnotlieinthecharmofhisorherpersonality——thatistosay，inthewidenessofhisorhersympathywith，andthereforelifeinandcommunionwithotherpeople？Inthewreckagethatcomesashorefromtheseaoftimethereismuchtinselstuffthatwemustpreserveandstudyifwewouldknowourowntimesandpeople；grantedthatmanyadeadcharlatanliveslongandenterslargelyandnecessarilyintoourownlives；weusethemandthrowthemawaywhenwehavedonewiththem。
Idonotspeakofthese，IdonotspeakoftheVirgilsandAlexanderPopes，andwhocansayhowmanymorewhosenamesIdarenotmentionforfearofoffending。TheyareasstuffedbirdsorbeastsinaMuseum，serviceablenodoubtfromascientificstandpoint，butwithnovividorvivifyingholduponus。Theyseemtobealive，butarenot。Iamspeakingofthosewhodoactuallyliveinus，andmoveustohigherachievementsthoughtheybelongdead，whoselifethrustsoutourownandoverridesit。Ispeakofthosewhodrawusevermoretowardsthemfromyouthtoage，andtothinkofwhomistofeelatoncethatweareinthehandsofthosewelove，andwhomwewouldmostwishtoresemble。Whatisthesecretoftheholdthatthesepeoplehaveuponus？Isitnotthatwhile，conventionallyspeaking，alive，theymostmergedtheirlivesin，andwereinfullestcommunionwiththoseamongwhomtheylived？Theyfoundtheirlivesinlosingthem。Weneverlovethememoryofanyoneunlesswefeelthatheorshewashimselforherselfalover。
Ihaveseeniturged，again，inquerulousaccents，thattheso-
calledimmortalityevenofthemostimmortalisnotforever。IseeapassagetothiseffectinabookthatismakingastirasIwrite。
Iwillquoteit。Thewritersays：-
"So，itseemstome，istheimmortalitywesogliblypredicateofdepartedartists。Iftheysurviveatall，itisbutashadowylifetheylive，movingonthroughthegradationsofslowdecaytodistantbutinevitabledeath。Theycannolonger，asheretofore，speakdirectlytotheheartsoftheirfellow-men，evokingtheirtearsorlaughter，andallthepleasures，betheysadormerry，ofwhichimaginationholdsthesecret。Drivenfromthemarketplacetheybecomefirstthecompanionsofthestudent，thenthevictimsofthespecialist。Hewhowouldstillholdfamiliarintercoursewiththemmusttrainhimselftopenetratetheveilwhichinever-thickeningfoldsconcealsthemfromtheordinarygaze；hemustcatchthetoneofavanishedsociety，hemustmoveinacircleofalienassociations，hemustthinkinalanguagenothisown。"{5}
Thisiscryingforthemoon，orratherpretendingtocryforit，forthewriterisobviouslyinsincere。IseetheSaturdayReviewsaysthepassageIhavejustquoted"reachesalmosttopoetry，"andindeedIfindmanyblankversesinit，someofthemveryaggressive。
Noproseisfreefromanoccasionalblankverse，andagoodwriterwillnotgohuntingoverhisworktoroutthemout，butnineorteninlittlemorethanasmanylinesisindeedreachingtooneartopoetryforgoodprose。This，however，isatrifle，andmightpassifthetoneofthewriterwasnotsoobviouslythatofcheappessimism。Iknownotwhichischeapest，pessimismoroptimism。
Oneforceslights，theotherdarks；bothareequallyuntruetogoodart，andequallysureoftheireffectwiththegroundlings。Theoneextenuates，theothersetsdowninmalice。Thefirstisthemoreamiablelie，butbotharelies，andareknowntobesobythosewhoutterthem。TalkaboutcatchingthetoneofavanishedsocietytounderstandRembrandtorGiovanniBellini！It’snonsense——thefoldsdonotthickeninfrontofthesemen；weunderstandthemaswellasthoseamongwhomtheywentaboutintheflesh，andperhapsbetter。
HomerandShakespearespeaktousprobablyfarmoreeffectuallythantheydidtothemenoftheirowntime，andmostlikelywehavethemattheirbest。IcannotthinkthatShakespearetalkedbetterthanwehearhimnowin"Hamlet"or"HenrytheFourth"；likeenoughhewouldhavebeenfoundaverydisappointingpersoninadrawing-room。
Peoplestampthemselvesontheirwork；iftheyhavenotdonesotheyarenaught；iftheyhavewehavethem；andforthemostparttheystampthemselvesdeeperintheirworkthanontheirtalk。NodoubtShakespeareandHandelwillbeonedaycleanforgotten，asthoughtheyhadneverbeenborn。Theworldwillintheenddie；mortalitythereforeitselfisnotimmortal，andwhendeathdiesthelifeofthesemenwilldiewithit——butnotsooner。Itisenoughthattheyshouldlivewithinusandmoveusformanyagesastheyhaveandwill。Suchimmortality，therefore，assomemenandwomenarebornto，achieve，orhavethrustuponthem，isapracticalifnotatechnicalimmortality，andhewhowouldhavemorelethimhavenothing。
IseeIhavedriftedintospeakingratherofhowtomakethebestofdeaththanoflife，butwhocanspeakoflifewithouthisthoughtsturninginstantlytothatwhichisbeyondit？Heorshewhohasmadethebestofthelifeafterdeathhasmadethebestofthelifebeforeit；whocaresonestrawforanysuchchancesandchangesaswillcommonlybefallhimhereifheisupheldbythefullandcertainhopeofeverlastinglifeintheaffectionsofthosethatshallcomeafter？Ifthelifeafterdeathishappyintheheartsofothers，itmatterslittlehowunhappywasthelifebeforeit。
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