Ifoundmyselfstanding，whenagleamofconsciousnesscameuponme，holdingontosomething。Idon'tknowwhat。Ithinkitwastheboatswain:oritmayhavebeenthepump:orpossiblythecow。
　　Ican'tsayhowlongIhadbeenthere；whetheradayoraminute。
　　Irecollecttryingtothinkaboutsomethingaboutanythinginthewholewideworld，Iwasnotparticularwithoutthesmallesteffect。Icouldnotevenmakeoutwhichwasthesea，andwhichthesky，forthehorizonseemeddrunk，andwasflyingwildlyaboutinalldirections。Eveninthatincapablestate，however，I
　　recognisedthelazygentlemanstandingbeforeme:nauticallycladinasuitofshaggyblue，withanoilskinhat。ButIwastooimbecile，althoughIknewittobehe，toseparatehimfromhisdress；andtriedtocallhim，Iremember，PILOT。Afteranotherintervaloftotalunconsciousness，Ifoundhehadgone，andrecognisedanotherfigureinitsplace。ItseemedtowaveandfluctuatebeforemeasthoughIsawitreflectedinanunsteadylooking-glass；butIknewitforthecaptain；andsuchwasthecheerfulinfluenceofhisface，thatItriedtosmile:yes，eventhenItriedtosmile。Isawbyhisgesturesthatheaddressedme；
　　butitwasalongtimebeforeIcouldmakeoutthatheremonstratedagainstmystandinguptomykneesinwater-asIwas；ofcourseI
　　don'tknowwhy。Itriedtothankhim，butcouldn't。Icouldonlypointtomyboots-orwhereverIsupposedmybootstobe-andsayinaplaintivevoice，'Corksoles:'atthesametimeendeavouring，Iamtold，tositdowninthepool。FindingthatIwasquiteinsensible，andforthetimeamaniac，hehumanelyconductedmebelow。
　　ThereIremaineduntilIgotbetter:suffering，wheneverIwasrecommendedtoeatanything，anamountofanguishonlysecondtothatwhichissaidtobeenduredbytheapparentlydrowned，intheprocessofrestorationtolife。OnegentlemanonboardhadaletterofintroductiontomefromamutualfriendinLondon。Hesentitbelowwithhiscard，onthemorningofthehead-wind；andI
　　waslongtroubledwiththeideathathemightbeup，andwell，andahundredtimesadayexpectingmetocalluponhiminthesaloon。
　　Iimaginedhimoneofthosecast-ironimages-Iwillnotcallthemmen-whoask，withredfaces，andlustyvoices，whatsea-sicknessmeans，andwhetheritreallyisasbadasitisrepresentedtobe。
　　Thiswasverytorturingindeed；andIdon'tthinkIeverfeltsuchperfectgratificationandgratitudeofheart，asIdidwhenIheardfromtheship'sdoctorthathehadbeenobligedtoputalargemustardpoulticeonthisverygentleman'sstomach。Idatemyrecoveryfromthereceiptofthatintelligence。
　　Itwasmateriallyassistedthough，Ihavenodoubt，byaheavygaleofwind，whichcameslowlyupatsunset，whenwewereabouttendaysout，andragedwithgraduallyincreasingfuryuntilmorning，savingthatitlulledforanhouralittlebeforemidnight。Therewassomethingintheunnaturalreposeofthathour，andintheaftergatheringofthestorm，soinconceivablyawfulandtremendous，thatitsburstingintofullviolencewasalmostarelief。
　　ThelabouringoftheshipinthetroubledseaonthisnightIshallneverforget。'Williteverbeworsethanthis？'wasaquestionI
　　hadoftenheardasked，wheneverythingwasslidingandbumpingabout，andwhenitcertainlydidseemdifficulttocomprehendthepossibilityofanythingafloatbeingmoredisturbed，withouttopplingoverandgoingdown。Butwhattheagitationofasteam-
　　vesselis，onabadwinter'snightinthewildAtlantic，itisimpossibleforthemostvividimaginationtoconceive。Tosaythatsheisflungdownonhersideinthewaves，withhermastsdippingintothem，andthat，springingupagain，sherollsoverontheotherside，untilaheavyseastrikesherwiththenoiseofahundredgreatguns，andhurlsherback-thatshestops，andstaggers，andshivers，asthoughstunned，andthen，withaviolentthrobbingatherheart，dartsonwardlikeamonstergoadedintomadness，tobebeatendown，andbattered，andcrushed，andleapedonbytheangrysea-thatthunder，lightning，hail，andrain，andwind，areallinfiercecontentionforthemastery-thateveryplankhasitsgroan，everynailitsshriek，andeverydropofwaterinthegreatoceanitshowlingvoice-isnothing。Tosaythatallisgrand，andallappallingandhorribleinthelastdegree，isnothing。Wordscannotexpressit。Thoughtscannotconveyit。
　　Onlyadreamcancallitupagain，inallitsfury，rage，andpassion。
　　Andyet，intheverymidstoftheseterrors，Iwasplacedinasituationsoexquisitelyridiculous，thateventhenIhadasstrongasenseofitsabsurdityasIhavenow，andcouldnomorehelplaughingthanIcanatanyothercomicalincident，happeningundercircumstancesthemostfavourabletoitsenjoyment。Aboutmidnightweshippedasea，whichforceditswaythroughtheskylights，burstopenthedoorsabove，andcameragingandroaringdownintotheladies'cabin，totheunspeakableconsternationofmywifeandalittleScotchlady-who，bytheway，hadpreviouslysentamessagetothecaptainbythestewardess，requestinghim，withhercompliments，tohaveasteelconductorimmediatelyattachedtothetopofeverymast，andtothechimney，inorderthattheshipmightnotbestruckbylightning。Theyandthehandmaidbeforementioned，beinginsuchecstasiesoffearthatIscarcelyknewwhattodowiththem，Inaturallybethoughtmyselfofsomerestorativeorcomfortablecordial；andnothingbetteroccurringtome，atthemoment，thanhotbrandy-and-water，Iprocuredatumblerfullwithoutdelay。Itbeingimpossibletostandorsitwithoutholdingon，theywereallheapedtogetherinonecornerofalongsofa-afixtureextendingentirelyacrossthecabin-wheretheyclungtoeachotherinmomentaryexpectationofbeingdrowned。
　　WhenIapproachedthisplacewithmyspecific，andwasabouttoadministeritwithmanyconsolatoryexpressionstothenearestsufferer，whatwasmydismaytoseethemallrollslowlydowntotheotherend!AndwhenIstaggeredtothatend，andheldouttheglassoncemore，howimmenselybaffledweremygoodintentionsbytheshipgivinganotherlurch，andtheirallrollingbackagain!I
　　supposeIdodgedthemupanddownthissofaforatleastaquarterofanhour，withoutreachingthemonce；andbythetimeIdidcatchthem，thebrandy-and-waterwasdiminished，byconstantspilling，toateaspoonful。Tocompletethegroup，itisnecessarytorecogniseinthisdisconcerteddodger，anindividualverypalefromsea-
　　sickness，whohadshavedhisbeardandbrushedhishair，last，atLiverpool:andwhoseonlyarticleofdresslinennotincluded
　　wereapairofdreadnoughttrousers；abluejacket，formerlyadmiredupontheThamesatRichmond；nostockings；andoneslipper。
　　Oftheoutrageousanticsperformedbythatshipnextmorning；whichmadebedapracticaljoke，andgettingup，byanyprocessshortoffallingout，animpossibility；Isaynothing。ButanythingliketheutterdrearinessanddesolationthatmetmyeyeswhenI
　　literally'tumbledup'ondeckatnoon，Ineversaw。Oceanandskywereallofonedull，heavy，uniform，leadcolour。Therewasnoextentofprospectevenoverthedrearywastethatlayaroundus，forthesearanhigh，andthehorizonencompasseduslikealargeblackhoop。Viewedfromtheair，orsometallbluffonshore，itwouldhavebeenimposingandstupendous，nodoubt；butseenfromthewetandrollingdecks，itonlyimpressedonegiddilyandpainfully。Inthegaleoflastnightthelife-boathadbeencrushedbyoneblowofthesealikeawalnut-shell；andthereithungdanglingintheair:amerefaggotofcrazyboards。Theplankingofthepaddle-boxeshadbeentornsheeraway。Thewheelswereexposedandbare；andtheywhirledanddashedtheirsprayaboutthedecksatrandom。Chimney，whitewithcrustedsalt；
　　topmastsstruck；storm-sailsset；riggingallknotted，tangled，wet，anddrooping:agloomierpictureitwouldbehardtolookupon。
　　Iwasnowcomfortablyestablishedbycourtesyintheladies'cabin，where，besidesourselves，therewereonlyfourotherpassengers。
　　First，thelittleScotchladybeforementioned，onherwaytojoinherhusbandatNewYork，whohadsettledtherethreeyearsbefore。
　　Secondlyandthirdly，anhonestyoungYorkshireman，connectedwithsomeAmericanhouse；domiciledinthatsamecity，andcarryingthitherhisbeautifulyoungwifetowhomhehadbeenmarriedbutafortnight，andwhowasthefairestspecimenofacomelyEnglishcountrygirlIhaveeverseen。Fourthy，fifthly，andlastly，anothercouple:newlymarriedtoo，ifonemightjudgefromtheendearmentstheyfrequentlyinterchanged:ofwhomIknownomorethanthattheywereratheramysterious，run-awaykindofcouple；
　　thattheladyhadgreatpersonalattractionsalso；andthatthegentlemancarriedmoregunswithhimthanRobinsonCrusoe，woreashooting-coat，andhadtwogreatdogsonboard。Onfurtherconsideration，Irememberthathetriedhotroastpigandbottledaleasacureforsea-sickness；andthathetooktheseremediesusuallyinbeddayafterday，withastonishingperseverance。I
　　mayadd，fortheinformationofthecurious，thattheydecidedlyfailed。
　　Theweathercontinuingobstinatelyandalmostunprecedentedlybad，weusuallystraggledintothiscabin，moreorlessfaintandmiserable，aboutanhourbeforenoon，andlaydownonthesofastorecover；duringwhichinterval，thecaptainwouldlookintocommunicatethestateofthewind，themoralcertaintyofitschangingto-morrowtheweatherisalwaysgoingtoimproveto-
　　morrow，atsea，thevessel'srateofsailing，andsoforth。
　　Observationstherewerenonetotellusof，fortherewasnosuntotakethemby。Butadescriptionofonedaywillserveforalltherest。Hereitis。
　　Thecaptainbeinggone，wecomposeourselvestoread，iftheplacebelightenough；andifnot，wedozeandtalkalternately。Atone，abellrings，andthestewardesscomesdownwithasteamingdishofbakedpotatoes，andanotherofroastedapples；andplatesofpig'sface，coldham，saltbeef；orperhapsasmokingmessofrarehotcollops。Wefalltouponthesedainties；eatasmuchaswecanwehavegreatappetitesnow；andareaslongaspossibleaboutit。
　　IfthefirewillburnitWILLsometimesweareprettycheerful。
　　Ifitwon't，weallremarktoeachotherthatit'sverycold，rubourhands，coverourselveswithcoatsandcloaks，andliedownagaintodoze，talk，andreadprovidedasaforesaid，untildinner-time。Atfive，anotherbellrings，andthestewardessreappearswithanotherdishofpotatoes-boiledthistime-andstoreofhotmeatofvariouskinds:notforgettingtheroastpig，tobetakenmedicinally。Wesitdownattableagainrathermorecheerfullythanbefore；prolongthemealwitharathermouldydessertofapples，grapes，andoranges；anddrinkourwineandbrandy-and-water。Thebottlesandglassesarestilluponthetable，andtheorangesandsofortharerollingaboutaccordingtotheirfancyandtheship'sway，whenthedoctorcomesdown，byspecialnightlyinvitation，tojoinoureveningrubber:
　　immediatelyonwhosearrivalwemakeapartyatwhist，andasitisaroughnightandthecardswillnotlieonthecloth，weputthetricksinourpocketsaswetakethem。Atwhistweremainwithexemplarygravitydeductingashorttimeforteaandtoastuntileleveno'clock，orthereabouts；whenthecaptaincomesdownagain，inasou'-westerhattiedunderhischin，andapilot-coat:makingthegroundwetwherehestands。Bythistimethecard-playingisover，andthebottlesandglassesareagainuponthetable；andafteranhour'spleasantconversationabouttheship，thepassengers，andthingsingeneral，thecaptainwhonevergoestobed，andisneveroutofhumourturnsuphiscoatcollarforthedeckagain；shakeshandsallround；andgoeslaughingoutintotheweatherasmerrilyastoabirthdayparty。
　　Astodailynews，thereisnodearthofthatcommodity。ThispassengerisreportedtohavelostfourteenpoundsatVingt-et-uninthesaloonyesterday；andthatpassengerdrinkshisbottleofchampagneeveryday，andhowhedoesitbeingonlyaclerk，nobodyknows。Theheadengineerhasdistinctlysaidthatthereneverwassuchtimes-meaningweather-andfourgoodhandsareill，andhavegivenin，deadbeat。Severalberthsarefullofwater，andallthecabinsareleaky。Theship'scook，secretlyswiggingdamagedwhiskey，hasbeenfounddrunk；andhasbeenplayeduponbythefire-engineuntilquitesober。Allthestewardshavefallendown-stairsatvariousdinner-times，andgoaboutwithplastersinvariousplaces。Thebakerisill，andsoisthepastry-cook。Anewman，horriblyindisposed，hasbeenrequiredtofilltheplaceofthelatterofficer；andhasbeenproppedandjammedupwithemptycasksinalittlehouseupondeck，andcommandedtorolloutpie-crust，whichheprotestsbeinghighlybiliousitisdeathtohimtolookat。News!Adozenmurdersonshorewouldlacktheinterestoftheseslightincidentsatsea。
　　Dividedbetweenourrubberandsuchtopicsasthese，wewererunningaswethoughtintoHalifaxHarbour，onthefifteenthnight，withlittlewindandabrightmoon-indeed，wehadmadetheLightatitsouterentrance，andputthepilotincharge-whensuddenlytheshipstruckuponabankofmud。Animmediaterushondecktookplaceofcourse；thesideswerecrowdedinaninstant；
　　andforafewminuteswewereinaslivelyastateofconfusionasthegreatestloverofdisorderwoulddesiretosee。Thepassengers，andguns，andwater-casks，andotherheavymatters，beingallhuddledtogetheraft，however，tolightenherinthehead，shewassoongotoff；andaftersomedrivingontowardsanuncomfortablelineofobjectswhosevicinityhadbeenannouncedveryearlyinthedisasterbyaloudcryof'Breakersa-head!'andmuchbackingofpaddles，andheavingoftheleadintoaconstantlydecreasingdepthofwater，wedroppedanchorinastrangeoutlandish-lookingnookwhichnobodyonboardcouldrecognise，althoughtherewaslandallaboutus，andsoclosethatwecouldplainlyseethewavingbranchesofthetrees。
　　Itwasstrangeenough，inthesilenceofmidnight，andthedeadstillnessthatseemedtobecreatedbythesuddenandunexpectedstoppageoftheenginewhichhadbeenclankingandblastinginourearsincessantlyforsomanydays，towatchthelookofblankastonishmentexpressedineveryface:beginningwiththeofficers，tracingitthroughallthepassengers，anddescendingtotheverystokersandfurnacemen，whoemergedfrombelow，onebyone，andclusteredtogetherinasmokygroupaboutthehatchwayoftheengine-room，comparingnotesinwhispers。Afterthrowingupafewrocketsandfiringsignalgunsinthehopeofbeinghailedfromtheland，oratleastofseeingalight-butwithoutanyothersightorsoundpresentingitself-itwasdeterminedtosendaboatonshore。Itwasamusingtoobservehowverykindsomeofthepassengerswere，involunteeringtogoashoreinthissameboat:
　　forthegeneralgood，ofcourse:notbyanymeansbecausetheythoughttheshipinanunsafeposition，orcontemplatedthepossibilityofherheelingoverincasethetidewererunningout。
　　Norwasitlessamusingtoremarkhowdesperatelyunpopularthepoorpilotbecameinoneshortminute。HehadhadhispassageoutfromLiverpool，andduringthewholevoyagehadbeenquiteanotoriouscharacter，asatellerofanecdotesandcrackerofjokes。
　　Yethereweretheverymenwhohadlaughedtheloudestathisjests，nowflourishingtheirfistsinhisface，loadinghimwithimprecations，anddefyinghimtohisteethasavillain!
　　Theboatsoonshovedoff，withalanternandsundrybluelightsonboard；andinlessthananhourreturned；theofficerincommandbringingwithhimatolerablytallyoungtree，whichhehadpluckedupbytheroots，tosatisfycertaindistrustfulpassengerswhosemindsmisgavethemthattheyweretobeimposeduponandshipwrecked，andwhowouldonnoothertermsbelievethathehadbeenashore，orhaddoneanythingbutfraudulentlyrowalittlewayintothemist，speciallytodeceivethemandcompasstheirdeaths。
　　OurcaptainhadforeseenfromthefirstthatwemustbeinaplacecalledtheEasternpassage；andsowewere。Itwasaboutthelastplaceintheworldinwhichwehadanybusinessorreasontobe，butasuddenfog，andsomeerroronthepilot'spart，werethecause。Weweresurroundedbybanks，androcks，andshoalsofallkinds，buthadhappilydrifted，itseemed，upontheonlysafespeckthatwastobefoundthereabouts。Easedbythisreport，andbytheassurancethatthetidewaspasttheebb，weturnedinatthreeo'clockinthemorning。
　　Iwasdressingabouthalf-pastninenextday，whenthenoiseabovehurriedmeondeck。WhenIhadleftitovernight，itwasdark，foggy，anddamp，andtherewerebleakhillsallroundus。Now，wewereglidingdownasmooth，broadstream，attherateofelevenmilesanhour:ourcoloursflyinggaily；ourcrewriggedoutintheirsmartestclothes；ourofficersinuniformagain；thesunshiningasonabrilliantAprildayinEngland；thelandstretchedoutoneitherside，streakedwithlightpatchesofsnow；whitewoodenhouses；peopleattheirdoors；telegraphsworking；flagshoisted；wharfsappearing；ships；quayscrowdedwithpeople；
　　distantnoises；shouts；menandboysrunningdownsteepplacestowardsthepier:allmorebrightandgayandfreshtoourunusedeyesthanwordscanpaintthem。Wecametoawharf，pavedwithupliftedfaces；gotalongside，andweremadefast，aftersomeshoutingandstrainingofcables；darted，ascoreofusalongthegangway，almostassoonasitwasthrustouttomeetus，andbeforeithadreachedtheship-andleapeduponthefirmgladearthagain!
　　IsupposethisHalifaxwouldhaveappearedanElysium，thoughithadbeenacuriosityofuglydulness。ButIcarriedawaywithmeamostpleasantimpressionofthetownanditsinhabitants，andhavepreservedittothishour。NorwasitwithoutregretthatIcamehome，withouthavingfoundanopportunityofreturningthither，andoncemoreshakinghandswiththefriendsImadethatday。
　　IthappenedtobetheopeningoftheLegislativeCouncilandGeneralAssembly，atwhichceremonialtheformsobservedonthecommencementofanewSessionofParliamentinEnglandweresocloselycopied，andsogravelypresentedonasmallscale，thatitwaslikelookingatWestminsterthroughthewrongendofatelescope。Thegovernor，asherMajesty'srepresentative，deliveredwhatmaybecalledtheSpeechfromtheThrone。Hesaidwhathehadtosaymanfullyandwell。Themilitarybandoutsidethebuildingstruckup"GodsavetheQueen"withgreatvigourbeforehisExcellencyhadquitefinished；thepeopleshouted；thein'srubbedtheirhands；theout'sshooktheirheads；theGovernmentpartysaidthereneverwassuchagoodspeech；theOppositiondeclaredthereneverwassuchabadone；theSpeakerandmembersoftheHouseofAssemblywithdrewfromthebartosayagreatdealamongthemselvesanddoalittle:and，inshort，everythingwenton，andpromisedtogoon，justasitdoesathomeuponthelikeoccasions。
　　Thetownisbuiltonthesideofahill，thehighestpointbeingcommandedbyastrongfortress，notyetquitefinished。Severalstreetsofgoodbreadthandappearanceextendfromitssummittothewater-side，andareintersectedbycrossstreetsrunningparallelwiththeriver。Thehousesarechieflyofwood。Themarketisabundantlysupplied；andprovisionsareexceedinglycheap。Theweatherbeingunusuallymildatthattimefortheseasonoftheyear，therewasnosleighing:buttherewereplentyofthosevehiclesinyardsandby-places，andsomeofthem，fromthegorgeousqualityoftheirdecorations，mighthave'goneon'
　　withoutalterationastriumphalcarsinamelodramaatAstley's。
　　Thedaywasuncommonlyfine；theairbracingandhealthful；thewholeaspectofthetowncheerful，thriving，andindustrious。
　　Welaytheresevenhours，todeliverandexchangethemails。Atlength，havingcollectedallourbagsandallourpassengersincludingtwoorthreechoicespirits，who，havingindulgedtoofreelyinoystersandchampagne，werefoundlyinginsensibleontheirbacksinunfrequentedstreets，theengineswereagainputinmotion，andwestoodoffforBoston。
　　EncounteringsquallyweatheragainintheBayofFundy，wetumbledandrolledaboutasusualallthatnightandallnextday。Onthenextafternoon，thatistosay，onSaturday，thetwenty-secondofJanuary，anAmericanpilot-boatcamealongside，andsoonafterwardstheBritanniasteam-packet，fromLiverpool，eighteendaysout，wastelegraphedatBoston。
　　TheindescribableinterestwithwhichIstrainedmyeyes，asthefirstpatchesofAmericansoilpeepedlikemolehillsfromthegreensea，andfollowedthem，astheyswelled，byslowandalmostimperceptibledegrees，intoacontinuouslineofcoast，canhardlybeexaggerated。Asharpkeenwindblewdeadagainstus；ahardfrostprevailedonshore；andthecoldwasmostsevere。Yettheairwassointenselyclear，anddry，andbright，thatthetemperaturewasnotonlyendurable，butdelicious。
　　HowIremainedondeck，staringaboutme，untilwecamealongsidethedock，andhow，thoughIhadhadasmanyeyesasArgus，Ishouldhavehadthemallwideopen，andallemployedonnewobjects-aretopicswhichIwillnotprolongthischaptertodiscuss。NeitherwillImorethanhintatmyforeigner-likemistakeinsupposingthatapartyofmostactivepersons，whoscrambledonboardattheperiloftheirlivesasweapproachedthewharf，werenewsmen，answeringtothatindustriousclassathome；whereas，despitetheleathernwalletsofnewsslungaboutthenecksofsome，andthebroadsheetsinthehandsofall，theywereEditors，whoboardedshipsinpersonasonegentlemaninaworstedcomforterinformedme，'becausetheylikedtheexcitementofit。'Sufficeitinthisplacetosay，thatoneoftheseinvaders，withareadycourtesyforwhichIthankhimheremostgratefully，wentonbeforetoorderroomsatthehotel；andthatwhenIfollowed，asIsoondid，I
　　foundmyselfrollingthroughthelongpassageswithaninvoluntaryimitationofthegaitofMr。T。P。Cooke，inanewnauticalmelodrama。
　　'Dinner，ifyouplease，'saidItothewaiter。
　　'When？'saidthewaiter。
　　'Asquickaspossible，'saidI。
　　'Rightaway？'saidthewaiter。
　　Afteramoment'shesitation，Ianswered'No，'athazard。
　　'NOTrightaway？'criedthewaiter，withanamountofsurprisethatmademestart。
　　Ilookedathimdoubtfully，andreturned，'No；Iwouldratherhaveitinthisprivateroom。Ilikeitverymuch。'
　　Atthis，Ireallythoughtthewaitermusthavegoneoutofhismind:asIbelievehewouldhavedone，butfortheinterpositionofanotherman，whowhisperedinhisear，'Directly。'
　　'Well!andthat'safact!'saidthewaiter，lookinghelplesslyatme:'Rightaway。'
　　Isawnowthat'Rightaway'and'Directly'wereoneandthesamething。SoIreversedmypreviousanswer，andsatdowntodinnerintenminutesafterwards；andacapitaldinneritwas。
　　ThehotelaveryexcellentoneiscalledtheTremontHouse。Ithasmoregalleries，colonnades，piazzas，andpassagesthanIcanremember，orthereaderwouldbelieve。
　　CHAPTERIII-BOSTON
　　INallthepublicestablishmentsofAmerica，theutmostcourtesyprevails。MostofourDepartmentsaresusceptibleofconsiderableimprovementinthisrespect，buttheCustom-houseaboveallotherswoulddowelltotakeexamplefromtheUnitedStatesandrenderitselfsomewhatlessodiousandoffensivetoforeigners。TheservilerapacityoftheFrenchofficialsissufficientlycontemptible；butthereisasurlyboorishincivilityaboutourmen，alikedisgustingtoallpersonswhofallintotheirhands，anddiscreditabletothenationthatkeepssuchill-conditionedcurssnarlingaboutitsgates。
　　WhenIlandedinAmerica，IcouldnothelpbeingstronglyimpressedwiththecontrasttheirCustom-housepresented，andtheattention，politenessandgoodhumourwithwhichitsofficersdischargedtheirduty。
　　AswedidnotlandatBoston，inconsequenceofsomedetentionatthewharf，untilafterdark，IreceivedmyfirstimpressionsofthecityinwalkingdowntotheCustom-houseonthemorningafterourarrival，whichwasSunday。Iamafraidtosay，bytheway，howmanyoffersofpewsandseatsinchurchforthatmorningweremadetous，byformalnoteofinvitation，beforewehadhalffinishedourfirstdinnerinAmerica，butifImaybeallowedtomakeamoderateguess，withoutgoingintonicercalculation，Ishouldsaythatatleastasmanysittingswereprofferedus，aswouldhaveaccommodatedascoreortwoofgrown-upfamilies。Thenumberofcreedsandformsofreligiontowhichthepleasureofourcompanywasrequested，wasinveryfairproportion。
　　Notbeingable，intheabsenceofanychangeofclothes，togotochurchthatday，wewerecompelledtodeclinethesekindnesses，oneandall；andIwasreluctantlyobligedtoforegothedelightofhearingDr。Channing，whohappenedtopreachthatmorningforthefirsttimeinaverylonginterval。ImentionthenameofthisdistinguishedandaccomplishedmanwithwhomIsoonafterwardshadthepleasureofbecomingpersonallyacquainted，thatImayhavethegratificationofrecordingmyhumbletributeofadmirationandrespectforhishighabilitiesandcharacter；andfortheboldphilanthropywithwhichhehaseveropposedhimselftothatmosthideousblotandfouldisgrace-Slavery。
　　ToreturntoBoston。WhenIgotintothestreetsuponthisSundaymorning，theairwassoclear，thehousesweresobrightandgay:
　　thesignboardswerepaintedinsuchgaudycolours；thegildedlettersweresoverygolden；thebricksweresoveryred，thestonewassoverywhite，theblindsandarearailingsweresoverygreen，theknobsandplatesuponthestreetdoorssomarvellouslybrightandtwinkling；andallsoslightandunsubstantialinappearance-
　　thateverythoroughfareinthecitylookedexactlylikeasceneinapantomime。Itrarelyhappensinthebusinessstreetsthatatradesman，ifImayventuretocallanybodyatradesman，whereeverybodyisamerchant，residesabovehisstore；sothatmanyoccupationsareoftencarriedoninonehouse，andthewholefrontiscoveredwithboardsandinscriptions。AsIwalkedalong，Ikeptglancingupattheseboards，confidentlyexpectingtoseeafewofthemchangeintosomething；andIneverturnedacornersuddenlywithoutlookingoutfortheclownandpantaloon，who，Ihadnodoubt，werehidinginadoorwayorbehindsomepillarcloseathand。AstoHarlequinandColumbine，Idiscoveredimmediatelythattheylodgedtheyarealwayslookingafterlodgingsinapantomime
　　ataverysmallclockmaker'sonestoryhigh，nearthehotel；which，inadditiontovarioussymbolsanddevices，almostcoveringthewholefront，hadagreatdialhangingout-tobejumpedthrough，ofcourse。
　　Thesuburbsare，ifpossible，evenmoreunsubstantial-lookingthanthecity。Thewhitewoodenhousessowhitethatitmakesonewinktolookatthem，withtheirgreenjalousieblinds，aresosprinkledanddroppedaboutinalldirections，withoutseemingtohaveanyrootatallintheground；andthesmallchurchesandchapelsaresoprim，andbright，andhighlyvarnished；thatI
　　almostbelievedthewholeaffaircouldbetakenuppiecemeallikeachild'stoy，andcrammedintoalittlebox。
　　Thecityisabeautifulone，andcannotfail，Ishouldimagine，toimpressallstrangersveryfavourably。Theprivatedwelling-housesare，forthemostpart，largeandelegant；theshopsextremelygood；andthepublicbuildingshandsome。TheStateHouseisbuiltuponthesummitofahill，whichrisesgraduallyatfirst，andafterwardsbyasteepascent，almostfromthewater'sedge。Infrontisagreenenclosure，calledtheCommon。Thesiteisbeautiful:andfromthetopthereisacharmingpanoramicviewofthewholetownandneighbourhood。Inadditiontoavarietyofcommodiousoffices，itcontainstwohandsomechambers；inonetheHouseofRepresentativesoftheStateholdtheirmeetings:intheother，theSenate。SuchproceedingsasIsawhere，wereconductedwithperfectgravityanddecorum；andwerecertainlycalculatedtoinspireattentionandrespect。
　　ThereisnodoubtthatmuchoftheintellectualrefinementandsuperiorityofBoston，isreferabletothequietinfluenceoftheUniversityofCambridge，whichiswithinthreeorfourmilesofthecity。Theresidentprofessorsatthatuniversityaregentlemenoflearningandvariedattainments；andare，withoutoneexceptionthatIcancalltomind，menwhowouldshedagraceupon，anddohonourto，anysocietyinthecivilisedworld。ManyoftheresidentgentryinBostonanditsneighbourhood，andIthinkIamnotmistakeninadding，alargemajorityofthosewhoareattachedtotheliberalprofessionsthere，havebeeneducatedatthissameschool。WhateverthedefectsofAmericanuniversitiesmaybe，theydisseminatenoprejudices；rearnobigots；diguptheburiedashesofnooldsuperstitions；neverinterposebetweenthepeopleandtheirimprovement；excludenomanbecauseofhisreligiousopinions；aboveall，intheirwholecourseofstudyandinstruction，recogniseaworld，andabroadonetoo，lyingbeyondthecollegewalls。
　　Itwasasourceofinexpressiblepleasuretometoobservethealmostimperceptible，butnotlesscertaineffect，wroughtbythisinstitutionamongthesmallcommunityofBoston；andtonoteateveryturnthehumanisingtastesanddesiresithasengendered；theaffectionatefriendshipstowhichithasgivenrise；theamountofvanityandprejudiceithasdispelled。ThegoldencalftheyworshipatBostonisapigmycomparedwiththegianteffigiessetupinotherpartsofthatvastcounting-housewhichliesbeyondtheAtlantic；andthealmightydollarsinksintosomethingcomparativelyinsignificant，amidstawholePantheonofbettergods。
　　Aboveall，IsincerelybelievethatthepublicinstitutionsandcharitiesofthiscapitalofMassachusettsareasnearlyperfect，asthemostconsideratewisdom，benevolence，andhumanity，canmakethem。Ineverinmylifewasmoreaffectedbythecontemplationofhappiness，undercircumstancesofprivationandbereavement，thaninmyvisitstotheseestablishments。
　　ItisagreatandpleasantfeatureofallsuchinstitutionsinAmerica，thattheyareeithersupportedbytheStateorassistedbytheState；orintheeventoftheirnotneedingitshelpinghand
　　thattheyactinconcertwithit，andareemphaticallythepeople's。Icannotbutthink，withaviewtotheprincipleanditstendencytoelevateordepressthecharacteroftheindustriousclasses，thataPublicCharityisimmeasurablybetterthanaPrivateFoundation，nomatterhowmunificentlythelattermaybeendowed。Inourowncountry，whereithasnot，untilwithintheselaterdays，beenaverypopularfashionwithgovernmentstodisplayanyextraordinaryregardforthegreatmassofthepeopleortorecognisetheirexistenceasimprovablecreatures，privatecharities，unexampledinthehistoryoftheearth，havearisen，todoanincalculableamountofgoodamongthedestituteandafflicted。Butthegovernmentofthecountry，havingneitheractnorpartinthem，isnotinthereceiptofanyportionofthegratitudetheyinspire；and，offeringverylittleshelterorreliefbeyondthatwhichistobefoundintheworkhouseandthejail，hascome，notunnaturally，tobelookeduponbythepoorratherasasternmaster，quicktocorrectandpunish，thanakindprotector，mercifulandvigilantintheirhourofneed。
　　Themaximthatoutofevilcomethgood，isstronglyillustratedbytheseestablishmentsathome；astherecordsofthePrerogativeOfficeinDoctors'Commonscanabundantlyprove。Someimmenselyricholdgentlemanorlady，surroundedbyneedyrelatives，makes，uponalowaverage，awilla-week。Theoldgentlemanorlady，neververyremarkableinthebestoftimesforgoodtemper，isfullofachesandpainsfromheadtofoot；fulloffanciesandcaprices；
　　fullofspleen，distrust，suspicion，anddislike。Tocanceloldwills，andinventnewones，isatlastthesolebusinessofsuchatestator'sexistence；andrelationsandfriendssomeofwhomhavebeenbredupdistinctlytoinheritalargeshareoftheproperty，andhavebeen，fromtheircradles，speciallydisqualifiedfromdevotingthemselvestoanyusefulpursuit，onthataccountaresooftenandsounexpectedlyandsummarilycutoff，andreinstated，andcutoffagain，thatthewholefamily，downtotheremotestcousin，iskeptinaperpetualfever。Atlengthitbecomesplainthattheoldladyorgentlemanhasnotlongtolive；andtheplainerthisbecomes，themoreclearlytheoldladyorgentlemanperceivesthateverybodyisinaconspiracyagainsttheirpoorolddyingrelative；whereforetheoldladyorgentlemanmakesanotherlastwill-positivelythelastthistime-concealsthesameinachinateapot，andexpiresnextday。Thenitturnsout，thatthewholeoftherealandpersonalestateisdividedbetweenhalf-a-
　　dozencharities；andthatthedeadandgonetestatorhasinpurespitehelpedtodoagreatdealofgood，atthecostofanimmenseamountofevilpassionandmisery。
　　ThePerkinsInstitutionandMassachusettsAsylumfortheBlind，atBoston，issuperintendedbyabodyoftrusteeswhomakeanannualreporttothecorporation。Theindigentblindofthatstateareadmittedgratuitously。ThosefromtheadjoiningstateofConnecticut，orfromthestatesofMaine，Vermont，orNewHampshire，areadmittedbyawarrantfromthestatetowhichtheyrespectivelybelong；or，failingthat，mustfindsecurityamongtheirfriends，forthepaymentofabouttwentypoundsEnglishfortheirfirstyear'sboardandinstruction，andtenforthesecond。
　　'Afterthefirstyear，'saythetrustees，'anaccountcurrentwillbeopenedwitheachpupil；hewillbechargedwiththeactualcostofhisboard，whichwillnotexceedtwodollarsperweek；'atriflemorethaneightshillingsEnglish；'andhewillbecreditedwiththeamountpaidforhimbythestate，orbyhisfriends；alsowithhisearningsoverandabovethecostofthestockwhichheuses；sothatallhisearningsoveronedollarperweekwillbehisown。Bythethirdyearitwillbeknownwhetherhisearningswillmorethanpaytheactualcostofhisboard；iftheyshould，hewillhaveitathisoptiontoremainandreceivehisearnings，ornot。Thosewhoproveunabletoearntheirownlivelihoodwillnotberetained；
　　asitisnotdesirabletoconverttheestablishmentintoanalms-
　　house，ortoretainanybutworkingbeesinthehive。Thosewhobyphysicalormentalimbecilityaredisqualifiedfromwork，aretherebydisqualifiedfrombeingmembersofanindustriouscommunity；andtheycanbebetterprovidedforinestablishmentsfittedfortheinfirm。'
　　Iwenttoseethisplaceoneveryfinewintermorning:anItalianskyabove，andtheairsoclearandbrightoneveryside，thatevenmyeyes，whicharenoneofthebest，couldfollowtheminutelinesandscrapsoftraceryindistantbuildings。LikemostotherpublicinstitutionsinAmerica，ofthesameclass，itstandsamileortwowithoutthetown，inacheerfulhealthyspot；andisanairy，spacious，handsomeedifice。Itisbuiltuponaheight，commandingtheharbour。WhenIpausedforamomentatthedoor，andmarkedhowfreshandfreethewholescenewas-whatsparklingbubblesglanceduponthewaves，andwelledupeverymomenttothesurface，asthoughtheworldbelow，likethatabove，wereradiantwiththebrightday，andgushingoverinitsfulnessoflight:whenIgazedfromsailtosailawayuponashipatsea，atinyspeckofshiningwhite，theonlyclouduponthestill，deep，distantblue-and，turning，sawablindboywithhissightlessfaceaddressedthatway，asthoughhetoohadsomesensewithinhimofthegloriousdistance:Ifeltakindofsorrowthattheplaceshouldbesoverylight，andastrangewishthatforhissakeitweredarker。Itwasbutmomentary，ofcourse，andamerefancy，butIfeltitkeenlyforallthat。
　　Thechildrenwereattheirdailytasksindifferentrooms，exceptafewwhowerealreadydismissed，andwereatplay。Here，asinmanyinstitutions，nouniformisworn；andIwasverygladofit，fortworeasons。Firstly，becauseIamsurethatnothingbutsenselesscustomandwantofthoughtwouldreconcileustotheliveriesandbadgeswearesofondofathome。Secondly，becausetheabsenceofthesethingspresentseachchildtothevisitorinhisorherownpropercharacter，withitsindividualityunimpaired；notlostinadull，ugly，monotonousrepetitionofthesameunmeaninggarb:
　　whichisreallyanimportantconsideration。Thewisdomofencouragingalittleharmlessprideinpersonalappearanceevenamongtheblind，orthewhimsicalabsurdityofconsideringcharityandleatherbreechesinseparablecompanions，aswedo，requiresnocomment。