“Ihavesuspected。”hesaid，——“Ihavehadakindoffeeling——thatshe——Well，come，Doctor，——Idon’tknowthatthere’sanyuseindisguisingthematter，——IhavethoughtElsieVeneerhadratherafancyforsomebodyelse，——Imeanmyself。”
　　Therewassomethingsobecomingintheblushwithwhichtheyoungmanmadethisconfession，andsomanly，too，inthetonewithwhichhespoke，soremotefromanyshallowvanity，suchasyoungmenwhoareincapableofloveareapttofeel，whensomeloosetendrilofawoman’sfancywhichachancewindhasblownagainstthemtwinesaboutthemforthewantofanythingbetter，thattheoldDoctorlookedathimadmiringly，andcouldnothelpthinkingthatitwasnowonderanyyounggirlshouldbepleasedwithhim。
　　“Youareamanofnerve，Mr。Langdon？“saidtheDoctor。
　　“Ithoughtsotillverylately。”hereplied。“Iamnoteasilyfrightened，butIdon’tknowbutImightbebewitchedormagnetized，orwhateveritiswhenoneistiedupandcannotmove。IthinkIcanfindnerveenough，however，ifthereisanyspecialuseyouwanttoputitto。”
　　“Letmeaskyouonemorequestion，Mr。Langdon。DoyoufindyourselfdisposedtotakeaspecialinterestinElsie，——tofallinlovewithher，inaword？Pardonme，forIdonotaskfromcuriosity，butamuchmoreseriousmotive。”
　　“Elsieinterestsme。”saidtheyoungman，“interestsmestrangely。
　　ShehasawildflavorinhercharacterwhichiswhollydifferentfromthatofanyhumancreatureIeversaw。Shehasmarksofgenius，poeticordramatic，——Ihardlyknowwhich。ShereadapassagefromKeats’s’Lamia’theotherday，intheschoolroom，insuchawaythatIdeclaretoyouIthoughtsomeofthegirlswouldfaintorgointofits。MissDarleygotupandlefttheroom，tremblingallover。
　　Then，Ipityher，sheissolonely。Thegirlsareafraidofher，andsheseemstohaveeitheradislikeorafearofthem。Theyhaveallsortsofpainfulstoriesabouther。Theygiveheranamewhichnohumancreatureoughttobear。Theysayshehidesamarkonherneckbyalwayswearinganecklace。Sheisverygraceful，youknow，andtheywillhaveitthatshecantwistherselfintoallsortsofshapes，ortieherselfinaknot，ifshewantsto。Thereisnotoneofthemthatwilllookherintheeyes。Ipitythepoorgirl；but，Doctor，Idonotloveher。Iwouldriskmylifeforher，ifitwoulddoheranygood，butitwouldbeincoldblood。Ifherhandtouchesmine，itisnotathrillofpassionIfeelrunningthroughme，butaverydifferentemotion。Oh，Doctor！theremustbesomethinginthatcreature’sbloodwhichhaskilledthehumanityinher。Godonlyknowsthecausethathasblightedsuchasoulinsobeautifulabody！
　　No，Doctor，Idonotlovethegirl。”
　　“Mr。Langdon。”saidtheDoctor，“youareyoung，andIamold。Letmetalktoyouwithanoldman’sprivilege，asanadviser。Youhavecometothiscountry-townwithoutsuspicion，andyouaremovinginthemidstofperils。TherearethingswhichImustnottellyounow；
　　butImaywarnyou。Keepyoureyesopenandyourheartshut。If，throughpityingthatgirl，youevercometoloveher，youarelost。
　　Ifyoudealcarelesslywithher，beware！Thisisnotall。ThereareothereyesonyoubesideElsieVenner’s。Doyougoarmed？“
　　“Ido！“saidMr。Bernard，——andhe“puthishandsup“intheshapeoffists，insuchawayastoshowthathewasmasterofthenaturalweaponsatanyrate。
　　TheDoctorcouldnothelpsmiling。Buthisfacefellinaninstant。
　　“Youmaywantsomethingmorethanthosetoolstoworkwith。Comewithmeintomysanctum。”
　　TheDoctorledMr。Bernardintoasmallroomopeningoutofthestudy。Itwasaplacesuchasanybodybutamedicalmanwouldshivertoenter。Therewastheusualtallboxwithitsbleached，rattlingtenant；therewerejarsinrowswhere“interestingcases“outlivedthegriefofwidowsandheirsinalcoholicimmortality，——foryour“preparation-jar“isthetrue“monumentumaereperennius；“therewerevarioussemi-possibilitiesofminutedimensionsandunpromisingdevelopments；therewereshininginstrumentsofevilaspect，andgrimplatesonthewalls，andononeshelfbyitself，accursedandapart，coiledinalongcylinderofspirit，ahugecrotalus，rough-scaled，flatheaded，variegatedwithdullbands，oneofwhichpartiallyencircledthenecklikeacollar，——anawfulwretchtolookupon，withmurderwrittenalloverhiminhorridhieroglyphics。Mr。Bernard’slookwasrivetedonthiscreature，——notfascinatedcertainly，foritseyeslookedlikewhitebeads，beingcloudedbytheactionofthespiritsinwhichithadbeenlongkept，——butfixedbysomeindefinitesenseoftherenewalofapreviousimpression；——everybodyknowsthefeeling，withitssuggestionofsomepaststateofexistence。Therewasascrapofpaperonthejar，withsomethingwrittenonit。HewasreachinguptoreaditwhentheDoctortouchedhimlightly。
　　“Lookhere，Mr。Langdon！“hesaid，withacertainvivacityofmanner，asifwishingtocallawayhisattention，——“thisismyarmory。”
　　TheDoctorthrewopenthedoorofasmallcabinet，whereweredisposedinartisticpatternsvariousweaponsofoffenceanddefence，——forhewasavirtuosoinhisway，andbythesideoftheimplementsoftheartofhealinghadpleasedhimselfwithdisplayingacollectionofthoseotherinstruments，theuseofwhichrendersthefirstnecessary。
　　“Seewhichoftheseweaponsyouwouldlikebesttocarryaboutyou。”
　　saidtheDoctor。
　　Mr。Bernardlaughed，andlookedattheDoctorasifhehalfdoubtedwhetherhewasinearnest。
　　“Thislooksdangerousenough。”hesaid，——“forthemanwhocarriesit，atleast。”
　　HetookdownoneoftheprohibitedSpanishdaggersorkniveswhichatravellermay，occasionallygetholdofandsmuggleoutofthecountry。Thebladewasbroad，trowel-like，butthepointdrawnoutseveralinches，soastolooklikeaskewer。
　　“Thismustbeajealousbull-fighter’sweapon。”hesaid，andputitbackinitsplace。
　　Thenhetookdownanancient-lookingbroad-bladeddagger，withacomplexaspectaboutit，asifithadsomekindofmechanismconnectedwithit。
　　“Takecare！“saidtheDoctor；“thereisatricktothatdagger。”
　　Hetookitandtouchedaspring。Thedaggersplitsuddenlyintothreeblades，aswhenoneseparatestheforefingerandthering-
　　fingerfromthemiddleone。Theoutsidebladesweresharpontheirouteredge。Thestabwastobemadewiththedaggershut，thenthespringtouchedandthesplitbladeswithdrawn。
　　Mr。Bernardreplacedit，saying，thatitwouldhaveservedforside-
　　armtooldSuwarrow，whotoldhismentoworktheirbayonetsbackandforwardwhentheypinnedaTurk，buttowrigglethemaboutinthewoundwhentheystabbedaFrenchman。
　　“Here。”saidtheDoctor，“thisisthethingyouwant。”
　　Hetookdownamuchmoremodernandfamiliarimplement，——asmall，beautifullyfinishedrevolver。
　　“Iwantyoutocarrythis。”hesaid；“andmorethanthat，Iwantyoutopractisewithitoften，asforamusement，butsothatitmaybeseenandunderstoodthatyouareapttohaveapistolaboutyou。
　　Pistol-shootingispleasantsportenough，andthereisnoreasonwhyyoushouldnotpractiseitlikeotheryoungfellows。Andnow。”theDoctorsaid，“Ihaveoneother，weapontogiveyou。”
　　Hetookasmallpieceofparchmentandshookawhitepowderintoitfromoneofhismedicine-jars。Thejarwasmarkedwiththenameofamineralsalt，ofanaturetohavebeenserviceableincaseofsuddenillnessinthetimeoftheBorgias。TheDoctorfoldedtheparchmentcarefully，andmarkedtheLatinnameofthepowderuponit。
　　“Here。”hesaid，handingittoMr。Bernard，“youseewhatitis，andyouknowwhatserviceitcanrender。Keepthesetwoprotectorsaboutyourpersondayandnight；theywillnotharmyou，andyoumaywantoneortheotherorbothbeforeyouthinkofit。”
　　Mr。Bernardthoughtitwasveryodd，andnotveryold-gentlemanlike，tobefittinghimoutfortreason，stratagem，andspoils，inthisway。Therewasnoharm，however，incarryingadoctor’spowderinhispocket，orinamusinghimselfwithshootingatamark，ashehadoftendonebefore。Iftheoldgentlemanhadthesefancies，itwasaswelltohumorhim。
　　SohethankedoldDoctorKittredge，andshookhishandwarmlyashelefthim。
　　“Thefellow’shanddidnottremble，norhiscolorchange。”theDoctorsaid，ashewatchedhimwalkingaway。“Heisoneoftherightsort。”
　　CHAPTERXVI
　　EPISTOLARY。
　　Mr。LangdontotheProfessor。
　　MYDEARPROFESSOR，YouwerekindenoughtopromisemethatyouwouldassistmeinanyprofessionalorscientificinvestigationsinwhichImightbecomeengaged。Ihaveoflatebecomedeeplyinterestedinaclassofsubjectswhichpresentpeculiardifficulty，andImustexercisetheprivilegeofquestioningyouonsomepointsuponwhichIdesireinformationIcannototherwiseobtain。Iwouldnottroubleyou，ifI
　　couldfindanypersonorbookscompetenttoenlightenmeonsomeofthesesingularmatterswhichhavesoexcitedme。Theleadingdoctorhereisashrewd，sensibleman，butnotversedinthecuriositiesofmedicalliterature。
　　Iproceed，withyourleave，toaskaconsiderablenumberofquestions，——hopingtogetanswerstosomeofthem，atleast。
　　Isthereanyevidencethathumanbeingscanbeinfectedorwroughtuponbypoisons，orotherwise，sothattheyshallmanifestanyofthepeculiaritiesbelongingtobeingsofalowernature？Cansuchpeculiarities——betransmittedbyinheritance？Isthereanythingtocountenancethestories，longandwidelycurrent，aboutthe“evileye“？orisitamerefancythatsuchapowerbelongstoanyhumanbeing？Haveyouanypersonalexperienceastothepoweroffascinationsaidtobeexercisedbycertainanimals？Whatcanyoumakeofthosecircumstantialstatementswehaveseeninthepapers，ofchildrenformingmysteriousfriendshipswithophidiansofdifferentspecies，sharingtheirfoodwiththem，andseemingtobeundersomesubtileinfluenceexercisedbythosecreatures？Haveyouread，critically，Coleridge’spoemof“Christabel。”andKeats’s“Lamia“？——Ifso，canyouunderstandthem，orfindanyphysiologicalfoundationforthestoryofeither？
　　ThereisanothersetofquestionsofadifferentnatureIshouldliketoask，butitishardlyfairtoputsomanyonasinglesheet。
　　Thereisone，however，youmustanswer。Doyouthinktheremaybepredispositions，inheritedoringrafted，butatanyrateconstitutional，whichshalltakeoutcertainapparentlyvoluntarydeterminationsfromthecontrolofthewill，andleavethemasfreefrommoralresponsibilityastheinstinctsoftheloweranimals？Doyounotthinktheremaybeacrimewhichisnotasin？
　　Pardonme，mydearSir，fortroublingyouwithsuchalistofnotesofinterrogation。Therearesomeverystrangethingsgoingonhereinthisplace，country-townasitis。Country-lifeisapttobedull；butwhenitoncegetsgoing，itbeatsthecityhollow，becauseitgivesitswholemindtowhatitisabout。TheseruralsinnersmaketerribleworkwiththemiddleoftheDecalogue，whentheygetstarted。However，IhopeIshalllivethroughmyyear’sschool-
　　keepingwithoutcatastrophes，thoughtherearequeerdoingsaboutmewhichpuzzlemeandmightscaresomepeople。Ifanythingshouldhappen，youwillbeoneofthefirsttohearofit，nodoubt。ButI
　　trustnottohelpouttheeditorsofthe“RocklandWeeklyUniverse“
　　withanobituaryofthelatelamented，whosignedhimselfinlifeYourfriendandpupil，BERNARDC。LANGDON。
　　TheProfessortoMr。Langdon。
　　MYDEARMR。LANGDON，Idonotwonderthatyoufindnoanswerfromyourcountryfriendstothecuriousquestionsyouput。Theybelongtothatmiddleregionbetweenscienceandpoetrywhichsensiblemen，astheyarecalled，areveryshyofmeddlingwith。Somepeoplethinkthattruthandgoldarealwaystobewashedfor；butthewisersortareofopinion，that，unlesstherearesomanygrainstothepeckofsandornonsenserespectively，itdoesnotpaytowashforeither，solongasonecanfindanythingelsetodo。Idon’tdoubtthereissometruthinthephenomenaofanimalmagnetism，forinstance；butwhenyouaskmetocradleforit，Itellyouthatthehystericgirlscheatso，andtheprofessionalsaresuchasetofpickpockets，thatIcandosomethingbetterthanhuntforthegrainsoftruthamongtheirtricksandlies。
　　DoyourememberwhatIusedtosayinmylectures？——orwereyouasleepjustthen，orcuttingyourinitialsontherail？YouseeI
　　canaskquestions，myyoungfriend。Leverageiseverything，——waswhatIusedtosay；——don’tbegintoprytillyouhavegotthelongarmonyourside。
　　Topleaseyou，andsatisfyyourdoubtsasfaraspossible，Ihavelookedintotheoldbooks，——intoSchenckiusandTurnerandKenelm。
　　Digbyandtherest，whereIhavefoundplentyofcuriousstorieswhichyoumusttakeforwhattheyareworth。
　　YourfirstquestionIcananswerintheaffirmativeuponprettygoodauthority。Mizaldustells，inhis“Memorabilia。”thewell-knownstoryofthegirlfedonpoisons，whowassentbythekingoftheIndiestoAlexandertheGreat。“WhenAristotlesawhereyessparklingandsnappinglikethoseofserpents，hesaid，’Lookoutforyourself，Alexander！thisisadangerouscompanionforyou！’“——andsureenough，theyoungladyprovedtobeaveryunsafepersontoherfriends。CardanusgetsastoryfromAvicenna，ofacertainmanbitbyaserpent，whorecoveredofhisbite，thesnakedyingtherefrom。
　　Thismanafterwardshadadaughterwhomvenomousserpentscouldnotharm，thoughshehadafatalpoweroverthem。
　　IsupposeyoumayrememberthestatementsofoldauthorsaboutZycanthropy，thediseaseinwhichmentookonthenatureandaspectofwolves。ActiusandPaulus，bothmenofauthority，describeit。
　　Altomarisgivesahorridcase；andFinceliusmentionsoneoccurringaslateas1541，thesubjectofwhichwascaptured，stillinsistingthathewasawolf，onlythatthehairofhishidewasturnedin！
　　Versipelles，itmayberemembered，wastheLatinnameforthese“were-wolves。”
　　Asforthecaseswhererabidpersonshavebarkedandbitlikedogs，thereareplentyofsuchonrecord。
　　Moresingular，oratleastmorerare，istheaccountgivenbyAndreasBaccius，ofamanwhowasstruckinthehandbyacock，withhisbeak，andwhodiedonthethirddaythereafter，lookingforalltheworldlikeafighting-cock，tothegreathorrorofthespectators。
　　Astoimpressionstransmittedataveryearlyperiodofexistence，everyoneknowsthestoryofKingJames’sfearofanakedsword，andthewayitisaccountedfor。SirKenelmDigbysays，——“IrememberwhenhedubbedmeKnight，intheceremonyofputtingthepointofanakedsworduponmyshoulder，hecouldnotenduretolookuponit，butturnedhisfaceanotherway，insomuch，that，inlieuoftouchingmyshoulder，hehadalmostthrustthepointintomyeyes，hadnottheDukeofBuckinghamguidedhishandaright。”Itishe，too，whotellsthestoryofthemulberrymarkupontheneckofacertainladyofhighcondition，which“everyyear，tomulberryseason，didswell，growbig，anditch。”AndGaffarelmentionsthecaseofagirlbornwiththefigureofafishononeofherlimbs，ofwhichthewonderwas，that，whenthegirldideatfish，thismarkputhertosensiblepain。Butthereisnoendtocasesofthiskind，andIcouldgivesomeofrecentdate，ifnecessary，lendingacertainplausibilityatleasttothedoctrineoftransmittedimpressions。
　　Ineversawadistinctcaseofevileye，thoughIhaveseeneyessobadthattheymightproducestrangeeffectsonverysensitivenatures。Butthebeliefinitundervariousnames，fascination，jettcztura，etc。，issopermanentanduniversal，fromEgypttoItaly，andfromthedaysofSolomontothoseofFerdinandofNaples，thattheremustbesomepeculiarity，tosaytheleast，onwhichtheopinionisbased。Thereisverystrongevidencethatsomesuchpowerisexercisedbycertainoftheloweranimals。Thus，itisstatedongoodauthoritythat“almosteveryanimalbecomespanic-struckatthesightoftherattlesnake，andseemsatoncedeprivedofthepowerofmotion，ortheexerciseofitsusualinstinctofself-preservation。”
　　Otherserpentsseemtosharethispoweroffascination，astheCobraandtheBuccephalusCapensis。
　　Somethinkthatitisnothingbutfright；othersattributeittothe“strangepowersthatlieWithinthemagiccircleoftheeye。”——
　　asChurchillsaid，speakingofGarrick。
　　Youaskmeaboutthosemysteriousandfrightfulintimaciesbetweenchildrenandserpents，ofwhichsomanyinstanceshavebeenrecorded。
　　IamsureIcannottellwhattomakeofthem。Ihaveseenseveralsuchaccountsinrecentpapers，buthereisonepublishedintheseventeenthcentury，whichisasstrikingasanyofthemoremodernones：
　　“Mr。HerbertTonesofMonmouth，whenhewasalittleBoy，wasusedtoeathisMilkinaGardenintheMorning，andwasnosoonerthere，butalargeSnakealwayscame，andeatoutoftheDishwithhim，anddidsoforaconsiderabletime，tilloneMorning，hestrikingtheSnakeontheHead，ithissedathim。UponwhichhetoldhisMotherthattheBabyforsohecall’ditcry’dHissathim。HisMotherhaditkill’d，whichoccasionedhimagreatFitofSickness，and’twasthoughtwouldhavedy’d，butdidrecover。”
　　Therewaslikewiseone“WilliamWrittle，condemnedatMaidstonAssizesforadoublemurder，toldaMinisterthatwaswithhimafterhewascondemned，thathismothertoldhim，thatwhenhewasaChild，therecreptalwaystohimaSnake，wherevershelaidhim。SometimesshewouldconveyhimupStairs，andleavehimneversolittle，sheshouldbesuretofindaSnakeintheCradlewithhim，butneverperceiveditdidhimanyharm。”
　　Oneofthemoststrikingallegedfactsconnectedwiththemysteriousrelationexistingbetweentheserpentand-thehumanspeciesistheinfluencewhichthepoisonoftheCrotulus，takeninternally，seemedtoproduceoverthemoralfaculties，intheexperimentsinstitutedbyDr。HeringatSurinam。Thereissomethingfrightfulinthedispositionofcertainophidians，asthewhipsnake，whichdartsattheeyesofcattlewithoutanyapparentprovocationorothermotive。
　　Itisnaturalenoughthattheevilprincipleshouldhavebeenrepresentedintheformofaserpent，butitisstrangetothinkofintroducingitintoahumanbeinglikecow-poxbyvaccination。
　　YouknowallaboutthePsylli，orancientserpenttamers，Isuppose。
　　Savarygivesanaccountofthemodernserpent-tamersinhis“LettersonEgypt。”ThesemodernjugglersareinthehabitofmakingthevenomousNajacounterfeitdeath，lyingoutstraightandstiff，changingitintoarod，astheancientmagiciansdidwiththeirserpents，probablythesameanimal，inthetimeofMoses。
　　IamafraidIcannotthrowmuchlighton“Christabel“or“Lamia“byanycriticismIcanoffer。Geraldine，intheformer，seemstobesimplyamalignantwitch-womanwiththeevileye，butwithnoabsoluteophidianrelationship。Lamiaisaserpenttransformedbymagicintoawoman。Theideaofbothismythological，andnotinanysensephysiological。Somewomenunquestionablysuggesttheimageofserpents；menrarelyornever。Ihavebeenstruck，likemanyothers，withtheophidianheadandeyeofthefamousRachel。
　　Yourquestionaboutinheritedpredispositions，aslimitingthesphereofthewill，and，consequently，ofmoralaccountability，opensaverywiderangeofspeculation。Icangiveyouonlyabriefabstractofmyownopinionsonthisdelicateanddifficultsubject。Crimeandsin，beingthepreservesoftwogreatorganizedinterests，havebeenguardedagainstallreformingpoacherswithasgreatjealousyastheRoyalForests。Itissoeasytohangatroublesomefellow！Itissomuchsimplertoconsignasoultoperdition，orsaymasses，formoney，tosaveit，thantotaketheblameonourselvesforlettingitgrowupinneglectandruntoruinforwantofhumanizinginfluences！
　　Theyhungpoor，crazyBellinghamforshootingMr。Perceval。TheordinaryofNewgatepreachedtowomenwhoweretoswingatTyburnforapettytheftasiftheywereworsethanotherpeople，——justasthoughhewouldnothavebeenapickpocketorshoplifter，himself，ifhehadbeenborninadenofthievesandbreduptostealorstarve！
　　TheEnglishlawneverbegantogetholdoftheideathatacrimewasnotnecessarilyasin，tillHadfield，whothoughthewastheSaviourofmankind，wastriedforshootingatGeorgetheThird；——luckyforhimthathedidnothithisMajesty！
　　Itisverysingularthatwerecognizeallthebodilydefectsthatunfitamanformilitaryservice，andalltheintellectualonesthatlimithisrangeofthought，butalwaystalkathimasifallhismoralpowerswereperfect。Isupposewemustpunishevil-doersasweextirpatevermin；butIdon’tknowthatwehaveanymorerighttojudgethemthanwehavetojudgeratsandmice，whicharejustasgoodascatsandweasels，thoughwethinkitnecessarytotreatthemascriminals。
　　Thelimitationsofhumanresponsibilityhaveneverbeenproperlystudied，unlessitbebythephrenologists。YouknowfrommylecturesthatIconsiderphrenology，astaught，apseudo-science，andnotabranchofpositiveknowledge；but，forallthat，weoweitanimmensedebt。Ithasmeltedtheworld’sconscienceinitscrucible，andcastitinanewmould，withfeatureslesslikethoseofMolochandmorelikethoseofhumanity。Ifithasfailedtodemonstrateitssystemofspecialcorrespondences，ithasprovedthattherearefixedrelationsbetweenorganizationandmindandcharacter。Ithasbroughtoutthatgreatdoctrineofmoralinsanity，whichhasdonemoretomakemencharitableandsoftenlegalandtheologicalbarbarismthananyonedoctrinethatIcanthinkofsincethemessageofpeaceandgood-willtomen。
　　Automaticactioninthemoralworld；thereflexmovementwhichseemstobeself-determination，andhasbeenhangedandhowledatassuchmetaphoricallyfornobodyknowshowmanycenturies：untilsomebodyshallstudythisasMarshallHallhasstudiedreflexnervousactioninthebodilysystem，Iwouldnotgivemuchformen’sjudgmentsofeachothers’characters。Shutuptherobberandthedefaulter，wemust。ButwhatifyouroldestboyhadbeenstolenfromhiscradleandbredinaNorth-Streetcellar？Whatifyouaredrinkingalittletoomuchwineandsmokingalittletoomuchtobacco，andyoursontakesafteryou，andsoyourpoorgrandson’sbrainbeingalittleinjuredinphysicaltexture，helosesthefinemoralsenseonwhichyouprideyourself，anddoesn’tseethedifferencebetweensigninganotherman’snametoadraftandhisown？
　　IsupposethestudyofautomaticactioninthemoralworldyouseewhatImeanthroughtheapparentcontradictionoftermsmaybeadangerousoneintheviewofmanypeople。Itisliabletoabuse，nodoubt。Peoplearealwaysgladto，getholdofanythingwhichlimitstheirresponsibility。Butrememberthatourmoralestimatescomedowntousfromancestorswhohangedchildrenforstealingfortyshillings’worth，andsenttheirsoulstoperditionforthesinofbeingborn，——whopunishedtheunfortunatefamiliesofsuicides，andintheireagernessforjusticeexecutedoneinnocentpersoneverythreeyears，ontheaverage，asSirJamesMackintoshtellsus。
　　Idonotknowinwhatshapethepracticalquestionmaypresentitselftoyou；butIwilltellyoumyruleinlife，andIthinkyouwillfinditagoodone。Treatbadmenexactlyasiftheywereinsane。
　　Theyarein-sane，outofhealth，morally。Reason，whichisfoodtosoundminds，isnottolerated，stilllessassimilated，unlessadministeredwiththegreatestcaution；perhaps，notatall。Avoidcollisionwiththem，sofarasyouhonorablycan；keepyourtemper，ifyoucan，——foroneangrymanisasgoodasanother；restrainthemfromviolence，promptly，completely，andwiththeleastpossibleinjury，justasinthecaseofmaniacs，——andwhenyouhavegotridofthem，orgotthemtiedhandandfootsothattheycandonomischief，sitdownandcontemplatethemcharitably，rememberingthatninetenthsoftheir’perversitycomesfromoutsideinfluences，drunkenancestors，abuseinchildhood，badcompany，fromwhichyouhavehappilybeenpreserved，andforsomeofwhichyou，asamemberofsociety，maybefractionallyresponsible。Ithinkalsothattherearespecialinfluenceswhichworkinthebroodlakeferments，andI
　　haveasuspicionthatsomeofthosecuriousoldstoriesIcitedmayhavemorerecentparallels。HaveyouevermetwithanycaseswhichadmittedofasolutionlikethatwhichIhavementioned？，Yoursverytruly，__________________________
　　BernardLangdontoPhilipStaples。
　　MYDEARPHILIP，——
　　Ihavebeenforsomemonthsestablishedinthisplace，turningthemaincrankofthemachineryforthemanufactoryofaccomplishmentssuperintendedby，orratherworkedtotheprofitof，acertainMr。
　　SilasPeckham。Heisapoorwretch，withalittlethinfishybloodinhisbody，leanandflat，long-armedandlarge-handed，thick-
　　jointedandthin-muscled，——youknowthoseunwholesome，weak-eyed，half-fedcreatures，thatlooknotfittoberoundamonglivefolks，andyetnotquitedeadenoughtobury。Ifyoueverhearofmybeingincourttoanswertoachargeofassaultandbattery，youmayguessthatIhavebeengivinghimathrashingtosettleoffoldscores；forheisatyrant，andhascomeprettynearkillinghisprincipallady-
　　assistantwithoverworkingherandkeepingheroutofalldecentprivileges。
　　HelenDarleyisthislady’sname，——twentytwoorthreeyearsold，I
　　shouldthink，——averysweet，palewoman，——daughteroftheusualcountry-clergyman，——thrownonherownresourcesfromanearlyage，andtherest：acommonstory，butanuncommonperson，——very。Allconscienceandsensibility，Ishouldsay，——acruelworker，——nokindofregardforherself，seemsasfragileandsuppleasayoungwillow-
　　shoot，buttryherandyoufindshehasthespringinherofasteelcross-bow。IamgladIhappenedtocometothisplace，ifitwereonlyforhersake。Ihavesavedthatgirl’slife；IamassureofitasifIhadpulledheroutofthefireorwater。
　　OfcourseI’minlovewithher，yousay，——wealwayslovethosewhomwehavebenefited；“savedherlife，——herlovewastherewardofhisdevotion。”etc。，etc。，asinaregularsetnovel。Inlove，Philip？
　　Well，aboutthat，——IloveHelenDarley——verymuch：thereishardlyanybodyIlovesowell。Whatanoblecreaturesheis！Oneofthosethatjustgorighton，dotheirownworkandeverybodyelse’s，killingthemselvesinchbyinchwithouteverthinkingaboutit，——
　　singinganddancingattheirtoilwhentheybegin，wornandsaddenedafterawhile，butpressingsteadilyon，totteringbyandby，andcatchingattherailbytheway-sidetohelpthemliftonefootbeforetheother，andatlastfalling，facedown，armsstretchedforwardPhilip，myboy，doyouknowIamthesortofmanthatlockshisdoorsometimesandcrieshisheartoutofhiseyes，——thatcansoblikeawomanandnotbeashamedofit？Icomeoffighting-bloodononeside，youknow；IthinkIcouldbesavageonoccasion。ButIamtender，——moreandmoretenderasIcomeintomyfulnessofmanhood。
　　Idon’tliketostrikeaman，laugh，ifyoulike，——IknowIhithardwhenIdostrike，——butwhatIcan’tstandisthesightofthesepoor，patient，toilingwomen，whoneverfindoutinthislifehowgoodtheyare，andneverknowwhatitistobetoldtheyareangelswhiletheystillwearthepleasingincumbrancesofhumanity。Idon’tknowwhattomakeofthesecases。Tothinkthatawomanisnevertobeawomanagain，whatevershemaycometoasanunsexedangel，——andthatsheshoulddieunloved！Whydoesnotsomebodycomeandcarryoffthisnoblewoman，waitinghereallreadytomakeamanhappy？
　　Philip，doyouknowthepathosthereisintheeyesofunsoughtwomen，oppressedwiththeburdenofaninnerlifeunshared？IcanseeintothemnowasIcouldnotinthose’earlierdays。Isometimesthinktheirpupilsdilateonpurposetoletmyconsciousnessglidethroughthem；indeed，Idreadthem，Icomesoclosetothenerveofthesoulitselfinthesemomentaryintimacies。YouusedtotellmeI
　　wasaTurk，——thatmyheartwasfullofpigeon-holes，withaccommodationsinsideforawholeflockofdoves。Idon’tknowbutI
　　amstillasYoungishaseverinmyways，——Brigham-Youngish，Imean；
　　atanyrate，T。alwayswanttogivealittlelovetoallthepoorthingsthatcannothaveawholemantothemselves。Iftheywouldonlybecontentedwithalittle！
　　HerenowaretwogirlsinthisschoolwhereIamteaching。Oneofthem，RosaM。，isnotmorethansixteenyearsold，Ithinktheysay；
　　butNaturehasforcedherintoatropicalluxurianceofbeauty，asifitwereJulywithher，insteadofMay。Isupposeitisallnaturalenoughthatthisgirlshouldlikeayoungman’sattention，evenifhewereagraveschoolmaster；buttheeloquenceofthisyoungthing’slookisunmistakable，——andyetshedoesnotknowthelanguageitistalking，——theynoneofthemdo；andthereiswhereagoodmanypoorcreaturesofourgood-for-nothingsexaremistaken。Thereisnodangerofmybeingrash，butIthinkthisgirlwillcostsomebodyhislifeyet。Sheisoneofthosewomenmenmakeaquarrelaboutandfighttothedeathfor，——theoldferalinstinct，youknow。
　　Pray，don’tthinkIamlostinconceit，butthereisanothergirlherewhoIbegintothinklookswithacertainkindnessonme。HernameisElsieV。，andsheistheonlydaughterandheiressofanoldfamilyinthisplace。Sheisaportentousandalmostfearfulcreature。IfIshouldtellyouallIknowandhalfofwhatIfancyabouther，youwouldtellmetogetmylifeinsuredatonce。Yetsheisthemostpainfullyinterestingbeing，——sohandsome！solonely！——
　　forshehasnofriendsamongthegirls，andsitsapartfromthem，——
　　withblackhairliketheflowofamountain-brookafterathaw，withalow-browed，scowlingbeautyofface，andsucheyesaswereneverseenbefore，Ireallybelieve，inanyhumancreature。
　　Philip，Idon’tknowwhattosayaboutthisElsie。ThereissomethingaboutherIhavenotfathomed。IhaveconjectureswhichI
　　couldnotuttertoanylivingsoul。Idarenotevenhintthepossibilitieswhichhavesuggestedthemselvestome。ThisIwillsay，thatIdotakethemostintenseinterestinthisyoungperson，aninterestmuchmorelikepitythanloveinitscommonsense。IfwhatIguessatistrue，ofallthetragediesofexistenceIeverknewthisisthesaddest，andyetsofullofmeaning！Donotaskmeanyquestions，——IhavesaidmorethanImeanttoalready；butIaminvolvedinstrangedoubtsandperplexities，——indangerstoo，verypossibly，——anditisareliefjusttospeakeversoguardedlyofthemtoanearlyandfaithfulfriend。
　　Yoursever，BERNARD。
　　P。S。IrememberyouhadacopyofFortuniusLicetus’“DeMonstris“
　　amongyouroldbooks。Can’tyoulendittomeforawhile？Iamcurious，anditwillamuseme。
　　CHAPTERXVII。
　　OLDSOPHYCALLSONTHEREVERENDDOCTOR。
　　Thetwomeeting-houseswhichfacedeachotherlikeapairoffighting-cockshadnotflappedtheirwingsorcrowedateachotherforaconsiderabletime。TheReverendMr。Fairweatherhadbeendyspepticandlow-spiritedoflate，andwastoolanguidforcontroversy。TheReverendDoctorHoneywoodhadbeenverybusywithhisbenevolentassociations，andhaddiscoursedchieflyonpracticalmatters，totheneglectofspecialdoctrinalsubjects。Hisseniordeaconventuredtosaytohimthatsomeofhispeoplerequiredtoberemindedofthegreatfundamentaldoctrineoftheworthlessnessofallhumaneffortsandmotives。SomeofthemwerealtogethertoomuchpleasedwiththesuccessoftheTemperanceSocietyandtheAssociationfortheReliefofthePoor。Therewasapestilentheresyabout，concerningthesatisfactiontobederivedfromagoodconscience，asif，anybodyeverdidanythingwhichwasnottobehated，loathed，despised，andcondemned。
　　Theoldministerlistenedgravely，withaninwardsmile，andtoldhisdeaconthathewouldattendtohissuggestion。Afterthedeaconhadgone，hetumbledoverhismanuscripts，untilatlengthhecameuponhisfirst-rateoldsermonon“HumanNature。”Hehadreadagreatdealofhardtheology，andhadatlastreachedthatcuriousstatewhichissocommoningoodministers，——that，namely，inwhichtheycontrivetoswitchofftheirlogicalfacultiesonthenarrowsidetrackoftheirtechnicaldogmas，whilethegreatfreight-trainoftheirsubstantialhumanqualitieskeepsinthemainhighwayofcommon-sense，inwhichkindlysoulsarealwaysfoundbyallwhoapproachthembytheirhumanside。
　　TheDoctorreadhissermonwithapleasant，paternalinterest：itwaswellarguedfromhispremises。Hereandtherehedashedhispenthroughaharshexpression。Nowandthenheaddedanexplanationorqualifiedabroadstatement。Buthismindwasonthelogicalside-
　　track，andhefollowedthechainofreasoningwithoutfairlyperceivingwhereitwouldleadhim，ifhecarrieditintoreallife。
　　Hewasjusttouchingupthefinalproposition，whenhisgranddaughter，Letty，oncebeforereferredto，cameintotheroomwithhersmilingfaceandlivelymovement。MissLettyorLetitiaForresterwasacity-bredgirlofsomefifteenorsixteenyearsold，whowaspassingthesummerwithhergrandfatherforthesakeofcountryairandquiet。Itwasasensiblearrangement；for，havingthepromiseoffiguringasabellebyandby，andbeingalittlegiventodancing，andhavingavoicewhichdrewaprettydensecirclearoundthepianowhenshesatdowntoplayandsing，itwashardtokeepherfrombeingcarriedintosocietybeforehertime，bythemereforceofmutualattraction。Fortunately，shehadsomequietaswellassomesocialtastes，andwaswillingenoughtopasstwoorthreeofthesummermonthsinthecountry，whereshewasmuchbetterbestowedthanshewouldhavebeenatoneofthosewatering-placeswheresomanyhalf-formedgirlsgetprematurelyhardenedintheviceofself-
　　consciousness。
　　MissLettywasaltogethertoowholesome，hearty，andhigh-strungayounggirltobeamodel，accordingtotheflat-chestedandcachecticpatternwhichistheclassicaltypeofcertainexcellentyoungfemales，oftenthesubjectsofbiographicalmemoirs。Buttheoldministerwasproudofhisgranddaughterforallthat。Shewassofulloflife，sograceful，sogenerous，sovivacious，soreadyalwaystodoallshecouldforhimandforeverybody，soperfectlyfrankinheravoweddelightinthepleasureswhichthismiserableworldofferedherintheshapeofnaturalbeauty，ofpoetry，ofmusic，ofcompanionship，ofbooks，ofcheerfulcooperationinthetasksofthoseabouther，thattheReverendDoctorcouldnotfinditinhishearttocondemnherbecauseshewasdeficientinthoseparticulargracesandthatsignalother-worldlinesshehadsometimesnoticedinfeebleyoungpersonssufferingfromvariouschronicdiseaseswhichimpairedtheirvivacityandremovedthemfromtherangeoftemptation。
　　WhenLetty，therefore，cameboundingintotheoldminister’sstudy，heglancedupfromhismanuscript，and，ashiseyefelluponher，itflashedacrosshimthattherewasnothingsoverymonstrousandunnaturalaboutthespecimenofcongenitalperversionhewaslookingat，withhisfeaturesopeningintotheirpleasantestsunshine。
　　Technically，accordingtothefifthpropositionofthesermononHumanNature，verybad，nodoubt。Practically，accordingtothefactbeforehim，averyprettypieceoftheCreator’shandiwork，bodyandsoul。WasitnotaconceivablethingthatthedivinegracemightshowitselfindifferentformsinafreshyounggirllikeLetitia，andinthatpoorthinghehadvisitedyesterday，half-grown，half-
　　colored，inbedforthelastyearwithhip-disease？
　　Wasittobesupposedthatthishealthyyounggirl，withlifethrobbingalloverher，could，withoutamiracle，begoodaccordingtotheinvalidpatternandformula？
　　Andyetthereweremysteriesinhumannaturewhichpointedtosometremendousperversionofitstendencies，——tosomeprofound，radicalviceofmoralconstitution，nativeortransmitted，asyouwillhaveit，butpositive，atanyrate，astheleprosy，breakingoutinthebloodofraces，guardthemeversocarefully。DidhenotknowthecaseofayoungladyinRockland，daughterofoneofthefirstfamiliesintheplace，averybeautifulandnoblecreaturetolookat，forwhosebringingupnothinghadbeenspared，——agirlwhohadhadgovernessestoteachheratthehouse，whohadbeenindulgedalmosttookindly，——agirlwhosefatherhadgivenhimself，uptoher，hebeinghimselfapureandhigh-souledman？——andyetthisgirlwasaccusedinwhispersofhavingbeenontheveryvergeofcommittingafatalcrime；shewasanobjectoffeartoallwhoknewthedarkhintswhichhadbeenletfallabouther，andthereweresomethatbelieved——Why，whatwasthisbutaninstanceofthetotalobliquityanddegenerationofthemoralprinciple？andtowhatcoulditbeowing，buttoaninnateorganictendency？
　　“Busy，grandpapa？“saidLetty，andwithoutwaitingforananswerkissedhischeekwithapairoflipsmadeonpurposeforthatlittlefunction，——fine，butrichlyturnedout，thecornerstuckedinwithafinishofprettydimples，therose-budlipsofgirlhood’sJune。
　　Theoldgentlemanlookedathisgranddaughter。Natureswelledupfromhisheartinawavethatsentaglowtohischeekandasparkletohiseye。Butitisveryhardtobeinterruptedjustaswearewindingupastringofpropositionswiththegrandconclusionwhichisthestatementinbriefofallthathasgonebefore：ourownstarting-point，intowhichwehavebeentryingtobackourreaderorlistenerasonebacksa，horseintotheshafts。
　　“Videomeliora，proboque，——Iseethebetter，andapproveit；
　　deteriorasequor，Ifollowaftertheworse；’tisthatnaturaldisliketowhatisgood，pure，holy，andtrue，thatinrootedselfishness，totallyinsensibletotheclaimsof“——
　　HeretheworthymanwasinterruptedbyMissLetty。
　　“Docome，ifyoucan，grandpapa。”saidtheyounggirl；“hereisapooroldblackwomanwantstoseeyousomuch！“
　　Thegoodministerwasaskind-heartedasifhehadnevergropedinthedustandashesofthosecrueloldabstractionswhichhavekilledoutsomuchoftheworld’slifeandhappiness。“Withtheheartmanbelievethuntorighteousness；“aman’sloveisthemeasureofhisfitnessforgoodorbadcompanyhereorelsewhere。MenaretattooedwiththeirspecialbeliefslikesomanySouth-SeaIslanders；butarealhumanheart，withDivineloveinit，beatswiththesameglowunderall，thepatternsofallearth’sthousandtribes！
　　TheDoctorsighed，andfoldedthesermon，andlaidtheQuartoCrudenonit。Herosefromhisdesk，and，lookingoncemoreattheyounggirl’sface，forgothislogicalconclusions，andsaidtohimselfthatshewasalittleangel，——whichwasinviolentcontradictiontotheleadingdoctrineofhissermononHumanNature。Andsohefollowedheroutofthestudyintothewideentryoftheold-fashionedcountry-house。
　　Anoldblackwomansatontheplainoakensettlewhichhumblevisitorswaitingtoseetheministerwerewonttooccupy。Shewasold，buthowolditwouldbeveryhardtoguess。Shemightbeseventy。Shemightbeninety。Onecouldnotswearshewasnotahundred。Blackwomenremainatastationaryagetotheeyesofwhitepeople，atleastforthirtyyears。TheydonotappeartochangeduringthisperiodanymorethansomanyTrentontrilobites。
　　Bentup，wrinkled，yellow-eyed，withlongupper-lip，projectingjaws，retreatingchin，stillmeekfeatures，longarms，largeflathandswithuncoloredpalmsandslightlywebbedfingers，itwasimpossiblenottoseeinthisoldcreatureahintofthegradationsbywhichlifeclimbsupthroughthelowernaturestothehighesthumandevelopments。Wecannottellsucholdwomen’sagesbecausewedonotunderstandthephysiognomyofaracesounlikeourown。Nodoubttheyseeagreatdealineachother’sfacesthatwecannot，——changesofcolorandexpressionasrealasourown，blushesandsuddenbetrayalsoffeeling，——justasthesetwocanariesknowwhattheirsinglenotesandshortsentencesandfullsongwiththisorthatvariationmean，thoughitisamysterytousunplumedmortals。
　　Thisparticularoldblackwomanwasastrikingspecimenofherclass。
　　Oldasshelooked，hereyewasbrightandknowing。Sheworeared-
　　and-yellowturban，whichsetoffhercomplexionwell，andhoopsofgoldinherears，andbeadsofgoldaboutherneck，andanoldfuneralringuponherfinger。Shehadthattouchingstillnessaboutherwhichbelongstoanimalsthatwaittobespokentoandthenlookupwithakindofsadhumility。
　　“Why，Sophy！“saidthegoodminister，“isthisyou？“
　　Shelookedupwiththestillexpressiononherface。“It’sol’
　　Sophy。”shesaid。
　　“Why。”saidtheDoctor，“IdidnotbelieveyoucouldwalksofarasthistosavetheUnion。BringSophyaglassofwine，Letty。Wine’sgoodforoldfolkslikeSophyandme，afterwalkingagoodway，orpreachingagoodwhile。”
　　Theyounggirlsteppedintotheback-parlor，whereshefoundthegreatpewterflagoninwhichthewinethatwasleftaftereachcommunion-servicewasbroughttotheminister’shouse。Withmuchtoilshemanagedtotipitsoastogetacoupleofglassesfilled。
　　Theministertastedhis，andmadeoldSophyfinishhers。
　　“Iwan’toseeyou’n’talkwi’youallalone。”shesaidpresently。
　　Theministergotupandledthewaytowardshisstudy。“Tobesure。”
　　hesaid；hehadonlywaitedforhertorestamomentbeforeheaskedherintothelibrary。Theyounggirltookhergentlybythearm，andhelpedherfeeblestepsalongthepassage。Whentheyreachedthestudy，shesmoothedthecushionofarocking-chair，andmadetheoldwomansitdowninit。Thenshetrippedlightlyaway，andleftheralonewiththeminister。
　　OldSophywasamemberoftheReverendDoctorHoneywood’schurch。
　　Shehadbeenputthroughthenecessaryconfessionsinatolerablysatisfactorymanner。Tobesure，ashergrandfatherhadbeenacannibalchief，accordingtothecommonstory，and，atanyrate，aterriblewildsavage，andashermotherretainedtothelastsomeoftheprejudicesofherearlyeducation，therewasaheathenflavorinherChristianitywhichhadoftenscandalizedtheelderoftheminister’stwodeacons。But，thegoodministerhadsmoothedmattersover：hadexplainedthatallowancesweretobemadeforthosewhohadbeenlongsittingwithoutthegateofZion，——that，nodoubt，apartofthecursewhichdescendedtothechildrenofHamconsistedin“havingtheunderstandingdarkened。”aswellastheskin，——andsohadbroughthissuspiciousseniordeacontotolerateoldSophyasoneofthecommunionoffellow-sinners——
　　Poorthings！HowlittleweknowthesimplenotionswithwhichtheserudimentsofsoulsarenourishedbytheDivineGoodness！DidnotMrs。Professorcomehomethisveryblessedmorningwithastoryofoneofheroldblackwomen？
　　“Andhowdoyoufeelto-day，Mrs。Robinson？“
　　“Oh，mydear，Ihavethissinginginmyheadallthetime。”Whatdoctorscalltinnitusaurium。
　　“She’sgotacoldinthehead。”saidoldMrs。Rider。
　　“Oh，no，mydear！WhateverI’mthinkingabout，it’sallthissinging，thismusic。WhenI’mthinkingofthedearRedeemer，itallturnsintothissingingandmusic。Whentheclarkcametoseeme，I
　　askedhimifhecouldn’tcureme，andhesaid，No，——itwastheHolySpiritinme，singingtome；andallthetimeIhearthisbeautifulmusic，andit’stheHolySpirita-singingtome。”
　　ThegoodmanwaitedforSophytospeak；butshedidnotopenherlipsasyet。
　　“Ihopeyouarenottroubledinmindorbody。”hesaidtoheratlength，findingshedidnotspeak。
　　Thepooroldwomantookoutawhitehandkerchief，andliftedit——toherblackface。Shecouldnotsayawordforhertearsandsobs。
　　Theministerwouldhaveconsoledher；hewasusedtotears，andcouldinmostcaseswithstandtheircontagionmanfully；butsomethingchokedhisvoicesuddenly，andwhenhecalleduponit，hegotnoanswer，butatremulousmovementofthemuscles，whichwasworsethansilence。
　　Atlastshespoke。
　　“Oh，no，no，no！It’smypoorgirl，mydarling，mybeauty，mybaby，that’sgrownuptobeawoman；shewillcometoabadend；shewilldosomethingthatwillmakethemkillherorshutherupallherlife。Or，Doctor，Doctor，saveher，prayforher！Ita’n’therfault。Ita’n’therfault。IftheyknewallthatIknow，theywouldn’blamethatpoorchild。Imusttellyou，Doctor：ifIshoulddie，perhapsnobodyelsewouldtellyou。MassaVeneercan’ttalkaboutit。DoctorKittredgewon’ttalkaboutit。NobodybutoldSophytotellyou，Doctor；andoldSophycan’tdiewithouttellingyou。”
　　Thekindministersoothedthepooroldsoulwiththosegentle，quietingtoneswhichhadcarriedpeaceandcomforttosomanychambersofsicknessandsorrow，tosomanyheartsoverburdenedbythetrialslaiduponthem。
　　OldSophybecamequietinafewminutes，andproceededtotellherstory。Shetolditinthelowhalf-whisperwhichisthenaturalvoiceoflipsoppressedwishgriefandfears；withquickglancesaroundtheapartmentfromtimetotime，asifshedreadedlestthedimportraitsonthewallsandthedarkfoliosontheshelvesmightoverhearherwords。
　　Itwasnotoneofthoseconversationswhichathirdpersoncanreportminutely，unlessbythatmiracleofclairvoyanceknowntothereadersofstoriesmadeoutofauthors’brains。Yetitsmaincharactercanbeimpartedinamuchbrieferspacethantheoldblackwomantooktogiveallitsdetails。
　　ShewentfarbacktothetimewhenDudleyVennerwasborn，——shebeingthenamiddle-agedwoman。Theheirandhopeofafamilywhichhadbeennarrowingdownasifdoomedtoextinction，hehadbeensurroundedwitheverycareandtrainedbythebesteducationhecouldhaveinNewEngland。Hehadleftcollege，andwasstudyingtheprofessionwhichgentlemenofleisuremostaffect，whenhefellinlovewithayounggirlleftintheworldalmostalone，ashewas。
　　Theoldwomantoldthestoryofhisyoungloveandhisjoyousbridalwithatendernesswhichhadsomethingmore，even，thanherfamilysympathiestoaccountforit。Hadshenothangingoverherbedapaper-cuttingofaprofile，——jetblack，butnotblackerthanthefaceitrepresented——ofonewhowouldhavebeenherownhusbandinthesmallyearsofthiscentury，ifthevesselinwhichhewenttosea，likeJamieintheballad，hadnotsailedawayandnevercomebacktoland？Hadshenotherbitsoffurniturestowedawaywhichhadbeengotreadyforherownwedding，——tworocking-chairs，onewornwithlonguse，onekeptforhimsolongthatithadgrownasuperstitionwithhernevertositinit，——andmighthenotcomebackyet，afterall？Hadshenotherchestoflinenreadyforherhumblehouse-
　　keepingwithstoreofserviceablehuckabackandpilesofneatlyfoldedkerchiefs，wherefromthisonethatshowedsowhiteagainstherblackfacewastaken，forthatsheknewhereyeswouldbetrayherin“thepresence“？
　　Allthefirstpartofthestorytheoldwomantoldtenderly，andyetdwellinguponeveryincidentwithalovingpleasure。Howhappythisyoungcouplehadbeen，whatplansandprojectsofimprovementtheyhadformed，howtheylivedineachother，alwaystogether，soyoungandfreshandbeautifulassherememberedtheminthatoneearlysummerwhentheywalkedarminarmthroughthewildernessofrosesthatranriotinthegarden，——shetoldofthisasloathtoleaveitandcometothewoethatlaybeneath。
　　Shetoldthewholestory；-shallIrepeatit？Notnow。If，inthecourseofrelatingtheincidentsIhaveundertakentoreport，ittellsitself，perhapsthiswillbebetterthantoruntheriskofproducingapainfulimpressiononsomeofthosesusceptiblereaderswhomitwouldbeill-advisedtodisturborexcite，whentheyratherrequiretobeamusedandsoothed。Inourpicturesoflife，wemustshowtheflowering-outofterriblegrowthswhichhavetheirrootsdeep，deepunderground。Justhowfarweshalllaybaretheunseemlyrootsthemselvesisamatterofdiscretionandtaste，andwhichnoneofusareinfallible。
　　TheoldwomantoldthewholestoryofElsie，ofherbirth，ofherpeculiaritiesofpersonanddisposition，ofthepassionatefearsandhopeswithwhichherfatherhadwatchedthecourseofherdevelopment。Sherecountedallherstrangeways，fromthehourwhenshefirsttriedtocrawlacrossthecarpet，andherfather’slookassheworkedherwaytowardshim。WiththememoryofJuliet’snurseshetoldthestoryofherteething，andhow，thewomantowhosebreastshehadclungdyingsuddenlyaboutthattime，theyhadtostrugglehardwiththechildbeforeshewouldlearntheaccomplishmentoffeedingwithaspoon。Andsoofherfierceplaysandfiercerdisputeswiththatboywhohadbeenhercompanion，andthewholesceneofthequarrelwhenshestruckhimwiththosesharpwhiteteeth，frighteningher，oldSophy，almosttodeath；for，asshesaid，theboywouldhavedied，ifithadn’tbeenfortheoldDoctor’sgallopingoverasfastashecouldgallopandburningtheplacesrightoutofhisarm。Thencamethestoryofthatotherincident，sufficientlyalludedtoalready，whichhadproducedsuchanecstasyoffrightandleftsuchanightmareofapprehensioninthehousehold。
　　Andsotheoldwomancamedowntothispresenttime。Thatboysheneverlovednortrustedwasgrowntoadark，dangerous-lookingman，andhewasundertheirroof。HewantedtomarryourpoorElsie，andElsiehatedhim，andsometimesshewouldlookathimoverhershoulderjustassheusedtolookatthatwomanshehated；andshe，oldSophy，couldn’tsleepforthinkingsheshouldhearascreamfromthewhitechambersomenightandfindhiminspasmssuchasthatwomancamesoneardyingwith。AndthentherewassomethingaboutElsieshedidnotknowwhattomakeof：shewouldsitandhangherheadsometimes，andlookasifsheweredreaming；andshebroughthomebookstheysaidayounggentlemanupatthegreatschoollenther；andoncesheheardherwhisperinhersleep，andshetalkedasyounggirlsdotothemselveswhenthey’rethinkingaboutsomebodytheyhavealikingforandthinknobodyknowsit。
　　Shefinishedherlongstoryatlast。Theministerhadlistenedtoitinperfectsilence。Hesatstillevenwhenshehaddonespeaking，——
　　still，andlostinthought。Itwasaveryawkwardmatterforhimtohaveahandin。OldSophywashisparishioner，buttheVeneershadapewintheReverendMr。Fairweather’smeeting-house。Itwouldseemthathe，Mr。Fairweather，wasthenaturaladviserofthepartiesmostinterested。Hadhesenseandspiritenoughtodealwithsuchpeople？
　　Wasthereenoughcapitalofhumanityinhissomewhatlimitednaturetofurnishsympathyandunshrinkingserviceforhisfriendsinanemergency？orwashetoobusywithhisownattacksofspiritualneuralgia，andtoomuchoccupiedwithtakingaccountofstockofhisownthin-bloodedoffences，toforgethimselfandhispersonalinterestsonthesmallscaleandthelarge，andrunariskofhislife，ifneedwere，atanyrategivehimselfupwithoutreservetothedangeroustaskofguidingandcounsellingthesedistressedandimperilledfellow-creatures？
　　ThegoodministerthoughtthebestthingtodowouldbetocallandtalkoversomeofthesematterswithBrotherFairweather，——forsohewouldcallhimattimes，especiallyifhisseniordeaconwerenotwithinearshot。Havingsettledthispoint，hecomfortedSophywithafewwordsofcounselandapromiseofcomingtoseeherverysoon。
　　HethencalledhismantoputtheoldwhitehorseintothechaiseanddriveSophybacktothemansion-house。
　　WhentheDoctorsatdowntohissermonagain，itlookedverydifferentlyfromthewayithadlookedatthemomentheleftit。
　　Whenhecametothinkofit，hedidnotfeelquitesosurepracticallyaboutthatmatteroftheutternaturalselfishnessofeverybody。TherewasLetty，now，seemedtotakeaveryunselfishinterestinthatoldblackwoman，andindeedinpoorpeoplegenerally；perhapsitwouldnotbetoomuchtosaythatshewasalwaysthinkingofotherpeople。Hethoughthehadseenotheryoungpersonsnaturallyunselfish，thoughtfulforothers；itseemedtobeafamilytraitinsomehehadknown。
　　ButmostofallhewasexercisedaboutthispoorgirlwhosestorySophyhadbeentelling。Ifwhattheoldwomanbelievedwastrue，——
　　andithadtoomuchsemblanceofprobability，——whatbecameofhistheoryofingrainedmoralobliquityappliedtosuchacase？IfbythevisitationofGodapersonreceivesanyinjurywhichimpairstheintellectorthemoralperceptions，isitnotmonstroustojudgesuchapersonbyourcommonworkingstandardsofrightandwrong？
　　Certainly，everybodywillanswer，incaseswherethereisapalpableorganicchangebroughtabout，aswhenablowontheheadproducesinsanity。Fools！Howlongwillitbebeforeweshalllearnthatforeverywoundwhichbetraysitselftothesightbyascar，thereareathousandunseenmutilationsthatcripple，eachofthem，someoneormoreofourhighestfaculties？IfwhatSophytoldandbelievedwastherealtruth，whatprayerscouldbeagonizingenough，whattendernesscouldbedeepenough，forthispoor，lost，blighted，hapless，blamelesschildofmisfortune，struckbysuchadoomasperhapsnolivingcreatureinallthesisterhoodofhumanitysharedwithher？
　　Theministerthoughtthesemattersoveruntilhismindwasbewilderedwithdoubtsandtossedtoandfroonthatstormydeepofthoughtheavingforeverbeneaththeconflictofwindydogmas。Helaidbyhisoldsermon。Heputbackapileofoldcommentatorswiththeireyesandmouthsandheartsfullofthedustoftheschools。ThenheopenedthebookofGenesisattheeighteenthchapterandreadthatremarkableargumentofAbraham’swithhisMakerinwhichheboldlyappealstofirstprinciples。Hetookashistext，“ShallnottheJudgeofalltheearthdoright？“andbegantowritehissermon，afterwardssofamous，“OntheObligationsofanInfiniteCreatortoaFiniteCreature。”
　　Itastonishedthegoodpeople，whohadbeenaccustomedsolongtorepeatmechanicallytheirOrientalhyperbolesofself-abasement，toheartheirworthyministermaintainingthatthedignifiedattitudeoftheoldPatriarch，insistingonwhatwasreasonableandfairwithreferencetohisfellow-creatures，wasreallymuchmorerespectfultohisMaker，andagreatdealmanlierandmoretohiscredit，thanifhehadyieldedthewholematter，andpretendedthatmenhadnotrightsaswellasduties。Thesamelogicwhichhadcarriedhimtocertainconclusionswithreferencetohumannature，thissameirresistiblelogiccarriedhimstraightonfromhistextuntilhearrivedatthoseotherresults，whichnotonlyastonishedhispeople，aswassaid，butsurprisedhimself。Hewentsofarindefenceoftherightsofman，thatheputhisfootintoseveralheresies，forwhichmenhadbeenburnedsooften，itwastime，ifeveritcouldbe，toacknowledgethedemonstrationoftheargumentumadignem。Hedidnotbelieveintheresponsibilityofidiots。Hedidnotbelieveanew-
　　borninfantwasmorallyanswerableforotherpeople’sacts。Hethoughtamanwithacrookedspinewouldneverbecalledtoaccountfornotwalkingerect。Hethoughtifthecrookwasinhisbrain，insteadofhisback，hecouldnotfairlybeblamedforanyconsequenceofthisnaturaldefect，whateverlawyersordivinesmightcallit。Heargued，that，ifapersoninheritedaperfectmind，body，anddisposition，andhadperfectteachingfrominfancy，thatpersoncoulddonothingmorethankeepthemorallawperfectly。ButsupposingthattheCreatorallowsapersontobebornwithanhereditaryoringraftedorganictendency，andthenputsthispersonintothehandsofteachersincompetentorpositivelybad，isnotwhatiscalledsinortransgressionofthelawnecessarilyinvolvedinthepremises？IsnotaCreatorboundtoguardhischildrenagainsttheruinwhichinheritedignorancemightentailonthem？Woulditbefairforaparenttoputintoachild’shandsthetitle-deedstoallitsfuturepossessions，andabunchofmatches？Andarenotmenchildren，nay，babes，intheeyeofOmniscience？——Theministergrewboldinhisquestions。HadnotheasgoodrighttoaskquestionsasAbraham？
　　ThiswasthedangerousveinofspeculationinwhichtheReverendDoctorHoneywoodfoundhimselfinvolved，asaconsequenceofthesuggestionsforceduponhimbyoldSophy’scommunication。Thetruthwas，thegoodmanhadgotsohumanizedbymixingupwithotherpeopleinvariousbenevolentschemes，that，theverymomenthecouldescapefromhisoldscholasticabstractions，hetookthesideofhumanityinstinctively，justastheFatheroftheFaithfuldid，——allhonorbetothenobleoldPatriarchforinsistingontheworthofanhonestman，andmakingthebesttermshecouldforaveryill-conditionedmetropolis，whichmightpossibly，however，havecontainedtenrighteouspeople，forwhosesakeitshouldbespared！
　　Theconsequenceofallthiswas，thathewasinasingularandseeminglyself-contradictorystateofmindwhenhetookhishatandcaneandwentforthtocallonhishereticalbrother。TheoldministertookitforgrantedthattheReverendMr。Fairweatherknewtheprivatehistoryofhisparishioner’sfamily。Hedidnotreflectthattherearegriefsmenneverputintowords，——thattherearefearswhichmustnotbespoken，——intimatemattersofconsciousnesswhichmustbecarried，asbulletswhichhavebeendrivendeepintothelivingtissuesaresometimescarried，forawholelifetime，——encystedgriefs，ifwemayborrowthechirurgeon’sterm，nevertobereached，nevertobeseen，nevertobethrownout，buttogointothedustwiththeframethatborethemaboutwithit，duringlongyearsofanguish，knownonlytothesuffererandhisMaker。DudleyVennerhadtalkedwithhisministeraboutthischildofhis。Buthehadtalkedcautiously，feelinghiswayforsympathy，lookingoutforthoseindicationsoftactandjudgmentwhichwouldwarranthiminsomepartialcommunication，atleast，oftheoriginofhisdoubtsandfears，andneverfindingthem。
　　TherewassomethingabouttheReverendMr。Fairweatherwhichrepressedallattemptsatconfidentialintercourse。Whatthissomethingwas，DudleyVennercouldhardlysay；buthefeltitdistinctly，anditsealedhislips。Henevergotbeyondcertaingeneralitiesconnectedwitheducationandreligiousinstruction。Theministercouldnothelpdiscovering，however，thatthereweredifficultiesconnectedwiththisgirl’smanagement，andheheardenoughoutsideofthefamilytoconvincehimthatshehadmanifestedtendencies，fromanearlyage，atvariancewiththetheoreticalopinionshewasinthehabitofpreaching，andinadimwayofholdingfortruth，astothenaturaldispositionsofthehumanbeing。
　　Aboutthisterriblefactofcongenitalobliquityhisnewbeliefsbegantoclusterasacentre，andtotakeformasacrystalarounditsnucleus。Still，hemightperhapshavestruggledagainstthem，haditnotbeenforthelittleRomanCatholicchapelhepassedeverySunday，onhiswaytothemeeting-house。Suchacrowdofworshippers，swarmingintothepewslikebees，fillingalltheaisles，runningoveratthedoorlikeberriesheapedtoofullinthemeasure，——somekneelingonthesteps，somestandingonthesidewalk，hatsoff，headsdown，lipsmoving，somelookingondevoutlyfromtheothersideofthestreet！Oh，couldhehavefollowedhisownBridget，maidofallwork，intotheheartofthatsteamingthrong，andbowedhisheadwhilethepriestsintonedtheirLatinprayers！
　　couldhehavesnuffedupthecloudoffrankincense，andfeltthathewasinthegreatarkwhichholdsthebetterhalfoftheChristianworld，whileallarounditarewretchedcreatures，somestrugglingagainstthewavesinleakyboats，andsomeonill-connectedrafts，andsomewiththeirheadsjustabovewater，thinkingtorideoutthefloodwhichistosweeptheearthcleanofsinners，upontheirownprivate，individuallife-preservers！
　　SuchwasthepresentstateofmindoftheReverendChauncyFairweather，whenhisclericalbrothercalleduponhimtotalkoverthequestionstowhicholdSophyhadcalledhisattention。
　　CHAPTERVIII。
　　THEREVERENDDOCTORCALLSONBROTHERFAIRWEATHER。
　　Forthelastfewmonths，whileallthesevariousmattersweregoingoninRockland，theReverendChauncyFairweatherhadbeenbusywiththerecordsofancientcouncilsandthewritingsoftheearlyfathers。Themoreheread，themorediscontentedhebecamewiththeplatformuponwhichheandhispeoplewerestanding。Theyandhewereclearlyinaminority，andhisdeepinwardlongingtobewiththemajoritywasgrowingintoanengrossingpassion。Heyearnedespeciallytowardsthegoodoldunquestioning，authoritativeMotherChurch，withherarticlesoffaithwhichtookawaythenecessityforprivatejudgment，withhertraditionalformsandceremonies，andherwholeapparatusofstimulantsandanodynes。
　　Aboutthistimeheprocuredabreviaryandkeptitinhisdeskundertheloosepapers。HesenttoaCatholicbookstoreandobtainedasmallcrucifixsuspendedfromastringofbeads。Heorderedhisnewcoattobecutverynarrowinthecollarandtobemadesingle-
　　breasted。HebegananinformalseriesofreligiousconversationswithMissO’Brien，theyoungpersonofIrishextractionalreadyreferredtoasBridget，maidofallwork。Thesenotprovingverysatisfactory，hemanagedtofallinwithFatherMcShane，theCatholicpriestoftheRocklandchurch。
　　FatherMcShaneencouragedhisnibbleveryscientifically。ItwouldbesuchafinethingtobringoveroneofthoseProtestantheretics，anda“liberal“onetoo！——notthattherewasanyrealdifferencebetweenthem，butitsoundedbetter，tosaythatoneoftheserationalizingfree-and-equalreligionistshadbeenmadeaconvertthananyofthosehalf-wayProtestantswhoweretheslavesofcatechismsinsteadofcouncils，andofcommentatorsinsteadofpopes。
　　Thesubtlepriestplayedhisdisciplewithhisfinesttackle。Itwashardlynecessary：whenanythingoranybodywishestobecaught，abarehookandacoarselineareallthatisneeded。
　　Ifamanhasagenuine，sincere，heartywishtogetridofhisliberty，ifheisreallybentuponbecomingaslave，nothingcanstophim。Andthetemptationistosomenaturesaverygreatone。
　　Libertyisoftenaheavyburdenonaman。Itinvolvesthatnecessityforperpetualchoicewhichisthekindoflabormenhavealwaysdreaded。Incommonlifeweshirkitbyforminghabits，whichtaketheplaceofself-determination。Inpoliticsparty-organizationsavesusthepainsofmuchthinkingbeforedecidinghowtocastourvote。Inreligiousmatterstherearegreatmultitudeswatchingusperpetually，eachpropagandistreadywithhisbundleoffinalities，whichhavingacceptedwemaybeatpeace。Themoreabsolutethesubmissiondemanded，thestrongerthetemptationbecomestothosewhohavebeenlongtossedamongdoubtsandconflicts。
　　Soitisthatinallthequietbayswhichindenttheshoresofthegreatoceanofthought，ateverysinkingwharf，weseemooredthehulksandtherazeesofenslavedorhalf-enslavedintelligences。
　　Theyrockpeacefullyaschildrenintheircradlesonthesubduedswellwhichcomesfeeblyinoverthebarattheharbor’smouth，slowlycrustingwithbarnacles，pullingattheirironcablesasiftheyreallywantedtobefree；butbettercontentedtoremainboundastheyare。Forthesenomoretheroundunwalledhorizonoftheopensea，thejoyousbreezealoft，thefurrow，thefoam，thesparkle，thattracktherushingkeel！Theyhaveescapedthedangersofthewave，andliestillhenceforth，evermore。Happiestofsouls，iflethargyisbliss，andpalsythechiefbeatitude！
　　AmericaowesitspoliticalfreedomtoreligiousProtestantism。Butpoliticalfreedomisreactingonreligiousprescriptionwithstillmightierforce。Wewonder，therefore，whenwefindasoulwhichwasborntoafullsenseofindividualliberty，anunchallengedrightofself-determinationoneverynewallegedtruthofferedtoitsintelligence，voluntarilysurrenderinganyportionofitslibertytoaspiritualdictatorshipwhichalwaysprovestorest，inthelastanalysis，onamajorityvote，nothingmorenorless，commonlyanoldone，passedinthosebarbaroustimeswhenmencursedandmurderedeachotherfordifferencesofopinion，andofcoursewerenotinaconditiontosettlethebeliefsofacomparativelycivilizedcommunity。
　　Inourdisgust，weareliabletobeintolerant。Weforgetthatweaknessisnotinitselfasin。Weforgetthatevencowardicemaycallforourmostlenientjudgment，ifitspringfrominnateinfirmity，Whoofusdoesnotlookwithgreattendernessontheyoungchieftaininthe“FairMaidofPerth。”whenheconfesseshiswantofcourage？Allofuslovecompanionshipandsympathy；someofusmaylovethemtoomuch。Allofusaremoreorlessimaginativeinourtheology。
　　Someofusmayfindtheaidofmaterialsymbolsacomfort，ifnotanecessity。Theboldestthinkermayhavehismomentsoflanguoranddiscouragement，whenhefeelsasifhecouldwillinglyexchangefaithswiththeoldbeldamecrossingherselfatthecathedral-door，——
　　nay，that，ifhecoulddropallcoherentthought，andlieintheflowerymeadowwiththebrown-eyedsolemnlyunthinkingcattle，lookinguptothesky，andalltheirsimpleconsciousnessstainingitselfblue，thendowntothegrass，andlifeturningtoameregreenness，blendedwithconfusedscentsofherbs，——noindividualmind-movementsuchasmenareteasedwith，butthegreatcalmcattle-
　　senseofalltimeandallplacesthatknowthemilkysmellofherds，——ifhecouldbelikethese，hewouldbecontenttobedrivenhomebythecow-boy，andsharethegrassybanquetofthekingofancientBabylon。Letusbeverygenerous，then，inourjudgmentofthosewholeavethefrontranksofthoughtforthecompanyofthemeeknon-
　　combatantswhofollowwiththebaggageandprovisions。Age，illness，toomuchwearandtear，ahalf-formedparalysis，maybringanyofustothispass。Butwhilewecanthinkandmaintaintherightsofourownindividualityagainsteveryhumancombination，letusnotforgettocautionallwhoaredisposedtowaverthatthereisacowardicewhichiscriminal，andalongingforrestwhichitisbasenesstoindulge。Godhelphim，overwhosedeadsoulinhislivingbodymustbeutteredthesadsupplication，Requiescatinpace！
　　AknockattheReverendMr。Fairweather’sstudydoorcalledhiseyesfromthebookonwhichtheywereintent。Helookedup，asifexpectingawelcomeguest。
　　TheReverendPierrepontHoneywood，D。D。，enteredthestudyoftheReverendChauncyFairweather。Hewasnottheexpectedguest。Mr。
　　Fairweatherslippedthebookhewasreadingintoahalf-opendrawer，andpushedinthedrawer。Heslidsomethingwhichrattledunderapaperlyingonthetable。Herosewithaslightchangeofcolor，andwelcomed，alittleawkwardly，hisunusualvisitor。
　　“Good-evening，BrotherFairweather！“saidtheReverendDoctor，inaverycordial，good-humoredway。“IhopeIamnotspoilingoneofthoseeloquentsermonsIneverhaveachancetohear。”