Hecouldbecruelwithhistonguewhenhefanciedinsincerityorpretence，andthencruellysorryforthehurthegave。Hewasindeedtremulouslysensitive，notonlyforhimselfbutforothers，andwouldofferatonementfarbeyondthemeasureoftheoffencehesupposedhimselftohavegiven。
Atalltimeshethoughtoriginallyinwordsofdelightfuloriginality，whichpaintedafactwiththegreatestvividness。Ofapersonwhohadanervoustwitchingoftheface，andwhowishedtocallupafriendtothem，hesaid，"Hespasmedtothefellowacrosstheroom，andintroducedhim。"Hiswrittenstylehadtraitsofthesameboldadventurousness，butitwashisspeechwhichwasmostcaptivating。AsIwriteofhimI
seehimbeforeme：hiswhitebeardedface，withakindlyintensitywhichatfirstglanceseemedfierce，themouthhumorouslyshapingthemustache，theeyesvaguebehindtheglasses；hissensitivehandgrippingthestickonwhichherestedhisweighttoeaseitfromtheartificiallimbhewore。
V。
TheGoetheanfaceandfigureofLouisAgassizwereinthosedaystobeseenintheshadywalksofCambridgetowhichformetheylentaWeimarishquality，inthedegreethatinWeimaritselfafewyearsago，IfeltaqualityofCambridge。Agassiz，ofcourse，wasSwissandLatin，andnotTeutonic，buthewasoftheContinentalEuropeancivilization，andwaswidelydifferentfromtheotherCambridgemenineverythingbutloveoftheplace。"HeisalwaysanEuropaen，"saidLowelloneday，indistinguishingconcerninghim；andforanyonewhohadtastedtheflavorofthelifebeyondtheoceanandthechannel，thishaditscharm。Yethewasextremelyfondofhisadoptivecompatriots，andnoalienbornhadatruerortenderersenseofNewEnglandcharacter。IhaveanideathatnooneelseofhisdaycouldhavegotsomuchmoneyforscienceoutoftheGeneralCourtofMassachusetts；andIhaveheardhimspeakwiththewisestandwarmestappreciationofthehardmaterialfromwhichhewasabletoextractthistreasure。ThelegislatorswhovotedappropriationsforhisMuseumandhisotherscientificobjectswerenotusuallylawyersorprofessionalmen，withtheperspectivesofaliberaleducation，butwerehard—fistedfarmers，whohadagripoftheState’smoneyasifitweretheirown，andyetgaveitwithintelligentmunificence。Theyunderstoodthathedidnotwantitforhimself，andhadnointerestedaimingettingit；theyknewthat，asheoncesaid，hehadnotimetomakemoney，andwishedtouseitsolelyfortheadvancementoflearning；andwiththisunderstandingtheywereready，tohelphimgenerously。
Hecomparedtheirliberalitywiththatofkingsandprinces，whenthesepatronizedscience，witharecognitionofthesuperiorplebeiangenerosity。ItwasontheverandaofhissummerhouseatNahant，whilehelayinthehammock，talkingofthis，thatIheardhimreferalsototheofferwhichNapoleonIII。hadmadehim，invitinghimuponcertainsplendidconditionstocometoParisafterhehadestablishedhimselfinCambridge。HesaidthathehadnotcometoAmericawithoutgoingovereverysuchpossibilityinhisownmind，anddecidingbeforehandagainstit。Hewasarepublican，bynationalityandbypreference，andwasentirelysatisfiedwithhispositionandenvironmentinNewEngland。
OutsideofhisscientificcircleinCambridgehewasmorefriendswithLongfellowthanwithanyoneelse，Ibelieve，andLongfellowtoldmehow，afterthedoctorshadcondemnedAgassiztoinaction，onaccountofhisfailinghealthhehadbrokendowninhisfriend’sstudy，andweptlikean’Europaer’，andlamented，"Ishallneverfinishmywork！"SomepaperswhichhehadbeguntowritefortheMagazine，incontraventionoftheDarwiniantheory，orpartofit，whichitisknownAgassizdidnotaccept，remainedpartoftheworkwhichheneverfinished。Afterhisdeath，IwishedProfessorJeffriesWymantowriteofhimintheAtlantic，butheexcusedhimselfonaccountofhismanylabors，andthenhevoluntarilyspokeofAgassiz’smethods，whichheagreedwithratherthanhistheories，beinghimselfthoroughlyDarwinian。IthinkhesaidAgassizwasthefirsttoimagineestablishingafactnotfromasingleexample，butfromexamplesindefinitelyrepeated。Ifitwasaquestionofsomethingaboutrobinsforinstance，hewouldhaveahundredrobinsexaminedbeforehewouldreceiveanappearanceasafact。
Ofcoursenopreconceptionorprepossessionofhisownwassufferedtobarhiswaytothefinaltruthhewasseeking，andhejoyouslyrenouncedevenaconclusionifhefounditmistaken。IdonotknowwhetherMrs。
Agassizhasputintoherinterestinglifeofhim，adelightfulstorywhichshetoldmeabouthim。Hecametoherbeamingoneday，anddemanded，"YouknowIhavealwaysheldsuchandsuchanopinionaboutacertaingroupoffossilfishes？""Yes，yes！""Well，Ihavejustbeenreading——————’snewbook，andhehasshownmethatthereisn’ttheleasttruthinmytheory"；andheburstintoalaughofunalloyedpleasureinrelinquishinghiserror。
IcouldtouchscienceatCambridgeonlyonitsliteraryandsocialside，ofcourse，andmymeetingswithAgassizwerenotmany。IrecalladinnerathishousetoMr。BretHarte，whenthepoetcameonfromCalifornia，andAgassizapproachedhimoverthecoffeethroughtheirmutualscientificinterestinthelastmeetingofthegeological"SocietyupontheStanislow。"Hequotedtotheauthorsomepassagesfromthepoemrecordingthefinalproceedingsofthisbody，whichhadparticularlypleasedhim，andIthinkMr。Hartewasasmuchamusedatfindinghimselfthusintouchwiththesavant，asAgassizcouldeverhavebeenwiththatdeliciouspoem。
AgassizlivedatoneendofQuincyStreet，andJamesalmostattheotherend，withanintervalbetweenthemwhichbutpoorlytypifiedtheirdifferenceoftemperament。Theonewasallphilosophicalandtheotherallscientific，andyettowardsthecloseofhislife，Agassizmaybesaidtohaveledthatmovementtowardsthenewpositionofscienceinmattersofmysterywhichisnowcharacteristicofit。HewasancestrallyoftheSwiss"Brahminicalcaste，"assomanyofhisfriendsinCambridgewereoftheBrahminicalcasteofNewEngland；andperhapsitwasthelineofancestralpasteurswhichatlastdrewhimback，oron，totheaffirmationofanunformulatedfaithofhisown。Atanyrate，beforemostothersavantswouldsaythattheyhadsoulsoftheirownhebecame，byopeningasummerschoolofsciencewithprayer，nearlyasconsolatorytotheunscientificwhowishedtobelievetheyhadsouls，asMr。JohnFiskehimself，thoughMr。Fiske，asthearch—apostleofDarwinism，hadarrivedatnearlythesamepointbysuchaverydifferentroad。
Mr。FiskehadbeenourneighborinourfirstCambridgehome，andwhenwewenttoliveinBerkeleyStreet，hefollowedwithhisfamilyandplacedhimselfacrossthewayinahousewhichIalreadyknewasthehomeofRichardHenryDana，theauthorof’TwoYearsBeforetheMast。’LikenearlyalltheotherCambridgemenofmyacquaintanceDanawasverymuchmysenior，andliketheresthewelcomedmyliterarypromiseascordiallyasifitwereperformance，withnosuggestionofthecondescensionwhichwassaidtobehisattitudetowardsmanyofhisfellow—men。Ineversawanythingofthis，infact，andIsupposehemayhavebeenablendofthosepatricianqualitiesanddemocraticprincipleswhichmadeLowellanomalouseventohimself。Heispartoftheanti—slaveryhistoryofhistime，andhegavetotheoppressedhisstrenuoushelpbothasamanandapolitician；hisgiftsandlearninginthelawwerefreelyattheirservice。Heneverlosthisinterestinthosewhiteslaves，whosebrutalbondageherememberedasboundwiththeminhis’TwoYearsBeforetheMast，’andanylucklessseamanwithacaseorcausemightcountuponhisfriendshipassurelyastheblackslavesoftheSouth。Hewasabletotemperhisindignationfortheiroppressionwithahumorousperceptionofwhatwasdrollinitsagentsandcircumstances；andIwishIcouldrecallallthathesaidonceaboutsea—etiquetteonmerchantvessels，wherethechiefmatemightnomorespeaktothecaptainattablewithoutbeingaddressedbyhimthanasubjectmightputaquestiontohissovereign。
HewasamusinginhisstoriesofthePacifictradeinwhichhesaiditwasverynobletodealinfursfromtheNorthwest，andveryignobletodealinhidesalongtheMexicanandSouthAmericancoasts。Everyship’smasterwishednaturallytobeinthefur—carryingtrade，andinoneofDana’sinstances，twovesselsencounterinmid—ocean，andexchangetheusualparleyastotheirrespectiveportsofdepartureanddestination。
Thefinaldemandcomesthroughthetrumpet，"Whatcargo？"andthecaptainsochallengedyieldstotemptationandroarsback"Furs！"Amomentofhesitationelapses，andthenthequestionerpursues，"Hereandthereahorn？"
Therewereotherdistinctions，ofwhichseafaringmenofotherdayswerekeenlysensible，andDanadramatizedthemeetingofagreat，swellingEastIndiaman，withalittleAtlantictrader，whichhashailedher。Sheshoutsbackthroughhercaptain’strumpetthatsheisfromCalcutta，andladenwithsilks，spices，andotherorienttreasures，andinherturnsherequireslikeanswerfromthesailwhichhaspresumedtoenterintoparleywithher。"Whatcargo？"ThetraderconfessestoamixedcargoforBoston，andtothefinalquestion，hermasterrepliesinmeekapology，"OnlyfromLiverpool，sir！"andscuttlesdownthehorizonasswiftlyaspossible。
DanawasnotoftheCambridgemenwhosecallingwasinCambridge。Hewasalawyerinactivepractice，andhewenteverydaytoBoston。Onewasapttomeethiminthosehorse—carswhichformerlytinkledbackandforthbetweenthetwocities，andwhichwereoftensofullofone’sacquaintancethattheyhadallthesocialelementsofanafternoontea。
Theywereabusivelyovercrowdedattimes，ofcourse，andonemighteasilyseeaprimeliterarycelebrityswayingfrom，astrap，orhanginguneasilybythehand—railtothelowerstepsofthebackplatform。IdonotmeanthatIeverhappenedtoseetheauthorofTwoYearsBeforetheMastineitherfact，butinhiscelebrityhehadeveryqualificationfortheillustrationofmypoint。HisbookprobablycarriedtheAmericannamefartherandwiderthananyAmericanbooksexceptthoseofIrvingandCooperatadaywhenourwriterswereverylittleknown，andourliteraturewastheonlyinfantindustrynotfosteredagainstforeignravage，butexpresslylefttohardenandstrengthenitselfasitbestmightinaheartlessneglectevenathome。Thebookwasdelightful，andIrememberitfromareadingofthirtyyearsago，asofthestuffthatclassicsaremadeof。Iventurenoconjectureastoitspresentpopularity，butofallbooksrelatingtotheseaIthinkit，isthebest。
TheauthorwhenIknewhimwasstillRichardHenryDana，Jr。，hisfather，theagedpoet，whofirstestablishedthenameinthepublicrecognition，beingalive，thoughpastliteraryactivity。Itwasdistinctivelyaliteraryrace，andintheactualgenerationithasgivenproofsofitscontinuedliteraryvitalityintheromanceof’EspirituSanto’bytheyoungestdaughteroftheDanaIknew。
VII。
Therecouldbenostrongercontrasttohiminorigin，education，andcharacterthanamanwholivedatthesametimeinCambridge，andwhoproducedabookwhichinitsfinalfidelitytolifeisnotunworthytobenamedwith’TwoYearsBeforetheMast。’RalphKeelerwrotethe’VagabondAdventures’whichhehadlived。IhaveitonmyhearttonamehiminthepresenceofourgreatliterarymennotonlybecauseIhadanaffectionforhim，tendererthanIthenknew，butbecauseIbelievehisbookisworthierofmoreremembrancethanitseemstoenjoy。Iwasreadingitonlytheotherday，andIfounditdelightful，andmuchbetterthanI
imaginedwhenIacceptedfortheAtlantictheseveralpaperswhichitismadeupof。IamnotsurebutitbelongstothegreatliteratureinthatfidelitytolifewhichIhavespokenof，andwhichtheauthorbroughthimselftopractisewithsuchdifficulty，andundersomuchstressfromhiseditor。Hereallywantedtofakeitattimes，buthewasdocileatlastanddiditsohonestlythatittellsthehistoryofhisstrangecareerinmuchbettertermsthanitcanbegivenagain。Hehadbeen，asheclaimed，"acrueluncle’sward"inhisearlyorphan—hood，andwhileyetalmostachildhehadrunawayfromhome，tofulfilhisheart’sdesireofbecomingaclog—dancerinatroupeofnegrominstrels。Butitwasfirsthisfatetobecabin—boyandbootblackonalakesteamboat，andmeetwithmanysqualidadventures，scarcelytobematchedoutsideofaSpanishpicaresquenovel。Whenhedidbecomeadancer（andevenadanseuse）ofthesortheaspiredtobe，thefruitionofhishopeswassolittlewhatheimaginedthathewasverywillingtoleavetheFloatingPalaceontheMississippiinwhichhistroupevoyagedandexhibited，andenterthecollegeoftheJesuitFathersatCapeGirardeauinMissouri。
Theywereverygoodtohim，andintheirchargehepickedupagooddealmoreLatin，ifnotlessGreekthananotherstrollingplayerwhoalsotooktoliterature。FromcollegeKeelerwenttoEurope，andthentoCalifornia，whencehewrotemethathewascomingontoBostonwiththemanuscriptofanovelwhichhewishedmetoreadforthemagazine。I
reportedagainstittomychief，butnothingcouldshakeKeeler’sfaithinit，untilhehadprinteditathisowncost，andknownitfailinstantlyanddecisively。HehadcometoCambridgetoseeitthroughthepress，andheremainedtherefourorfiveyears，withcertainbriefabsences。Then，duringtheCubaninsurrectionoftheearlyseventies，heacceptedtheinvitationofaNewYorkpapertogotoCubaasitscorrespondent。
"Don’tgo，Keeler，"Ientreatedhim，whenhecametotellmeofhisintention。"They’llgarroteyoudownthere。"
"Well，"hesaid，withtheairofbeingpleasantlyinterestedbythecoincidence，ashestoodonmystudyhearthwithhisfeetwideapartinafashionhehad，andgaylyflirtedhishandintheair，"that’swhatAldrichsays，andhe’sagreedtowritemybiography，onconditionthatImakealastdyingspeechwhentheybringmeoutontheplazatodoit，’IfIhadtakentheadviceofmyfriendT。B。Aldrich，authorof’MarjorieDawandOtherPeople，’Ishouldnotnowbeinthisplace。’"
Hewent，andhedidnotcomeback。Hewasnotindeedgarrotedashisfriendshadpromised，buthewasprobablyassassinatedonthesteamerbywhichhesailedfromSantiago，forheneverarrivedinHavana，andwasneverheardofagain。
InowrealizethatIlovedhim，thoughIdidaslittletoshowitasmencommonlydo。IfIamtomeetsomewhereelsethefriendswhoarenolongerhere，IshouldliketomeetRalphKeeler，andIwouldtakesomechancesofmeetinginahappyplaceasoulwhichhadbynomeanskeptitselfunspotted，butwhichinallitsconsciousnessoferror，cheerfullytrustedthat"theAlmightywasnotgoingtoscoopanyofus。"Thefaithwordedsogrotesquelycouldnothavebeenmoresimplyorhumblyaffirmed，andnomanIthinkcouldhavebeenmorehelplesslysincere。Hehadnothingofthatfalseself—respectwhichforbidsamantoownhimselfwrongpromptlyandutterlywhenneedis；andinfactheownedtosomethingsinhischeckeredpastwhichwouldhardlyallowhimanysortofself—respect。Hehadalwaysanessentialgaietynottobedampedbyanydiscipline，andadocilitywhichexpresseditselfincheerfulcompliance。
"Whydoyouusebiasforopinion？"Idemanded，ingoingoveraproofwithhim。"Oh，becauseI’msuchanass——suchabi—ass。"
Hehadaphilosophywhichhelikedtoimpresswithavividtouchonhislistener’sshoulder："Putyourfingeronthepresentmomentandenjoyit。
It’stheonlyoneyou’vegot，oreverwillhave。"ThislightandjoyouscreaturecouldnotbutbeaPariahamongourBrahmins，andIneednotsaythatInevermethiminanyofthegreatCambridgehouses。Iamnotsurethathewasapersonagratatoeveryoneinmyown，forKeelerwasframedratherformen’sliking，andMr。AldrichandIhadoursubtletiesastowhetherhismindaboutwomenwasnotsoChineseassomewhattoinfecthismanner。Keelerwastooreallymodesttobeofanyrebelliousmindtowardsthesocietywhichignoredhim，andoftoosweetacheerfulnesstobegreatlyvexedbyit。Helivedoninthehouseofasuaveoldactor，whooddlymadehishomeinCambridge，andhecontinuedofaharmlessBohemianisminhisdailywalk，whichincludedlunchesatBostonrestaurantsasoftenashecouldgetyoutolethimgivethemyou，ifyouwereofhisacquaintance。OnaSundayhewouldappearcomingoutofthepost—officeusuallyatthehourwhenallcultivatedCambridgewascomingforitsletters，andwaveagladhandinair，andshoutablithesalutationtothefriendhehadmarkedforhiscompanioninamorningstroll。ThestrollwascommonlyovertheflatstowardsBrighton（Idonotknowwhy，exceptperhapsthatitwasoutofthebeatofthebetterelement）andthetalkwasmainlyofliterature，inwhichhewasdoinglessthanhemeanttodo，andwhichheseemedneverablequitetofeelwasnotabranchoftheShowBusiness，andmightnotbelegitimatelyworkedbylikeadvertising，thoughhetrulylovedandhonoredit。
Isupposeitwasnotaltogetherahappylife，andKeelerhadhismomentsofamusingdepression，whichshowedtheirshadowsinhissmilingface。
Hewasofaslightfigureandlowstature，withhandsandfeetofalmostwomanishlittleness。Hewasveryblonde，andhisrestlesseyeswereblue；heworehisyellowbeardinwhiskersonly，whichhepullednervouslybutperhapsdidnotgettodroopsomuchashewished。
VIII。
KeelerwasanativeofOhio，andtherelivedatCambridgewhenIfirstcamethereanIndianian，moreacceptedbyliterarysociety，whowasofrealqualityasapoet。ForceytheWillson，whosepoemof"TheOldSergeant"DoctorHolmesusedtoreadpubliclyintheclosingyearofthecivilwar，wasofaWesternaltitudeoffigure，andofanextraordinarybeautyoffaceinanorientalsort。Hehadlarge，darkeyeswithcloudedwhites；hisfull，silkenbeardwasofaflashingPersianblackness。
Hewasexcessivelynervous，tosuchanextremethatwhenIfirstmethimatLongfellow’s，hecouldnotholdhimselfstillinhischair。Ithinkthiswasaneffectofshynessinhim，aswellasphysical，forafterwardswhenIwenttofindhiminhisownhousehewasmuchmoreatease。
Hepreferredtoreceivemeinthedim，largehallafteropeninghisdoortomehimself，andwesatdownthereandtalked，Iremember，ofsupernaturalthings。Hewasmuchinterestedinspiritualism，andhehadseveralstoriestotellofhisownexperienceinsuchmatters。ButnonewassogoodasonewhichIhadatsecondhandfromLowell，whothoughtitalmostthebestghoststoryhehadeverheard。ThespiritofWillson’sfatherappearedtohim，andstoodbeforehim。Willsonwasaccustomedtoapparitions，andsohesaidsimply，"Won’tyousitdown，father？"Thephantomputouthishandtolayholdofachair—backassomepeopledointakingaseat，andhisshadowyarmpassedthroughtheframe—work。
"Ah！"hesaid，"IforgotthatIwasnotsubstance。"
Idonotknowwhether"TheOldSergeant"iseverreadnow；ithasprobablypassedwithothergreatmemoriesofthegreatwar；andIamafraidnoneofWillson’sotherverseisremembered。Buthewasthenadistinctliteraryfigure，andnottobeleftoutofthecountofourpoets。Ididnotseehimagain。ShortlyafterwardsIheardthathehadleftCambridgewithsignsofconsumption，whichmusthaverunarapidcourse，foraverylittlelatercamethenewsofhisdeath。
IX。
ThemostdevotedCantabrigian，afterLowell，whomIknew，wouldperhapshavecontendedthatifhehadstayedwithusWillsonmighthavelived；
forJohnHolmesaffirmedafaithinthevirtuesoftheplacewhichascribedalmostanasepticcharactertoitsair，andwhenheoncelistenedtomyowncomplaintsofanobstinatecold，hecheeredhimself，ifnotme，withthedeclaration，"Well，onething，Mr。Howells，Cambridgeneverletamankeepacoldyet！"
IfhehadsaiditwasbettertoliveinCambridgewithacoldthanelsewherewithoutoneIshouldhavebelievedhim；asitwas，Cambridgeborehimoutinhisassertion，thoughshetookherowntimetodoit。
LowellhadtalkedtomeofhimbeforeImethim，celebratinghispeculiarhumorwiththataffectionwhichwasnotalwayssodiscriminating，andHolmeswasoneofthefirstCambridgemenIknew。IknewhimfirstinthecharmingoldColonialhouseinwhichhisfamousbrotherandhewereborn。ItwasdemolishedlongbeforeIleftCambridge，butinmemoryitstillstandsonthegroundsinceoccupiedbytheHemenwayGymnasium，andshowsformethroughthatbulkaphantomframeofContinentalbuffintheshadowofelmsthatareshadowsthemselves。The’geniusloci’waslimpingaboutthepleasantmansionwiththerheumatismwhichthenexpresseditselftohisfriendsinaresolutesmile，butwhichnowinsistsuponbeinganessentialtraitofthefull—lengthpresencetomymind：ashortstoutfigure，helpedoutwithacane，andagrizzledheadwithfeaturesformedtowintheheartratherthantheeyeofthebeholder。
Inoneofhisowneyestherewasacastofsuchwinninghumorandgenialitythatittookthelikingmorethananybeautycouldhavedone，andthesweetest，shylaughintheworldwentwiththiscast。
IlongwishedtogethimtowritesomethingfortheMagazine，andatlastIprevailedwithhimtoreviewahistoryofCambridgewhichhadcomeout。
Hediditcharminglyofcourse，forhelovedmoretospeakofCambridgethananythingelse。Heheldhisnativetowninanidolatrywhichwasnotblind，butwhichwasnonethelessdevotedbecausehewasawareofherdrollpointsandherweakpoints。Healwayscelebratedtheseassomanyvirtues，andIthinkitwasmyownpassionforherthatfirstcommendedmetohim。Iwasnotherson，buthefeltthatthiswasmymisfortunemorethanmyfault，andheseemedmoreandmoretoforgiveit。Afterwehadgotuponthetermsofeditorandcontributor，wemetoftenerthanbefore，thoughIdonotnowrememberthatIeverpersuadedhimtowriteagainforme。Oncehegavemesomething，andthentookitback，withaself—distrustofitwhichIcouldnotovercome。
WhentheHolmeshousewastakendown，hewenttolivewithanolddomesticinasmallhouseonthestreetamusinglycalledAppianWay。Hehadcertainroomsofher，andhisowntable，buthewouldnotallowthathewaseveranythingbutalodgerintheplace，wherehecontinuedtillhedied。Intheprocessoftimehecamesofartotrusthisexperienceofme，thatheformedthehabitofgivingmeanannualsupper。Somedaysbeforethisevent，hewouldappearinmystudy，andwithdiversdelicateandtentativeapproaches，nearlyalwaysofthesametenor，hewouldsaythatheshouldliketoaskmyfamilytoanoystersupperwithhim。"Butyouknow，"hewouldexplain，"Ihaven’tahouseofmyowntoaskyouto，andIshouldliketogiveyouthesupperhere。"WhenIhadagreedtothissuggestionwithduegravity，hewouldinquireourengagements，andthensay，asifagreatloadwereoffhismind，"Well，then，Iwillsendupafewoystersto—morrow，"orwhateverdaywehadfixedon；andafteralittlemoretalktotakethestrangenessoutoftheaffair，wouldgohisway。Onthedayappointedthefish—manwouldcomewithseveralgallonsofoysters，whichhereportedMr。Holmeshadaskedhimtobring，andintheeveningthegiverofthefeastwouldreappear，withalankoil—clothbag，saggedbysomebottlesofwine。Therewasalwaysabottleofredwine，andsometimesabottleofchampagne，andhehadtakentheprecautiontosendsomecrackersbeforehand，sothatthesuppershouldbeasentirelyofhisowngivingaspossible。Hewasforcedtoletusdothecookingandtosupplythecold—slaw，andperhapsheindemnifiedhimselfforputtingustothesechargesandfortheuseofourlinenandsilver，bythevastsuperfluityofhisoysters，withwhichweremainedinundatedfordays。Hedidnotcaretoeatmanyhimself，butseemedcontenttofancydoingusapleasure；andIhaveknownfewgreateronesinlife，thaninthehospitalitythatsooddlyplayedthehosttousatourowntable。
ItmusthaveseemedincomprehensibletosuchaCantabrigianthatweshouldeverhavebeenwillingtoleaveCambridge，andinfactIdonotwellunderstanditmyself。Butifheresentedit，henevershowedhisresentment。AsoftenasIhappenedtomeethimafterourdefectionheusedmewithunabatedkindness，andsparkledintosomegaietytooetherealforremembrance。ThelasttimeImethimwasatLowell’sfuneral，whenIdrovehomewithhimandCurtisandChild，andintherevulsionfromthestressofthatsaddestevent，hadourlaugh，aspeopledointhepresenceofdeath，atsomethingdrollwerememberedofthefriendwemourned。
Mynearestliteraryneighbor，whenwelivedinSacramentoStreet，wastheRev。Dr。JohnG。Palfrey，thehistorianofNewEngland，whosechimney—
topsamidthepine—topsIcouldseefrommystudywindowwhentheleaveswereoffthelittlegroveofoaksbetweenus。Hewasoneofthefirstofmyacquaintances，notsufferingthegreatdisparityofouragestocountagainstme，buttactfullyandsweetlyadjustinghimselftomyyouthinthefriendlyintercoursewhichheinvited。Hewasamostgentleandkindlyoldman，withstillaninterestinliberalthingswhichlastedtilltheinfirmitiesofagesecludedhimfromtheworldandallitsinterests。Asisknown，hehadbeeninhisprimeoneoftheforemostoftheNewEnglandanti—slaverymen，andhehadfoughtthegoodfightwithaheavyheartforabrotherlongsettledinLouisianawhosidedwiththeSouth，andwhoafterthecivilwarfoundhimselfdisfranchised。InthistemporarydisabilityhecameNorthtovisitDoctorPalfreyuponthedoctor’sinsistence，thoughatfirsthewouldhavenothingtodowithhim，andrefusedeventoanswerhisletters。"Ofcourse，"thedoctorsaid，"Iwasnotgoingtostandthatfrommymother’sson，andIsimplykeptonwriting。"Soheprevailed，butthefieryoldgentlemanfromLouisianawasreconciledtonothingintheNorthbuthisbrother，andwhenhecametoreturnmyvisit，hequicklytoucheduponhiscauseofquarrelwithus。"Ican’tvote，"hedeclared，"butmycoachmancan，andIdon’tknowhowI’mtogetthesuffrage，unlessmyphysicianpaintsmealloverwiththeiodinehe’susingformyrheumaticside。"
DoctorPalfreywasmostdistinctlyoftheBrahminicalcasteandwaslonganeminentUnitarianminister，butatthetimeIbegantoknowhimhehadlongquittedthepulpit。HewassofarofcivicorpubliccharacterastobepostmasteratBoston，whenwewerefirstneighbors，butthisofficialitywasprobablysolittleinkeepingwithhisnaturethatitwaslikeareturntohistruerselfwhenheceasedtoholdtheplace，andgavehistimealtogethertohishistory。Itisaworkwhichwillhardlybesupersededintheinterestofthosewhovaluethoroughresearchandtemperateexpression。Itisveryjust，andwithoutendeavorforpictureordramaitistomeveryattractive。MuchthathastoberecordedofNewEnglandlackscharm，buthegaveformanddignityandpresencetothememoriesofthepast，andthefinermomentsofthatgreatstory，hegavewiththesimplicitythatwastheirbestsetting。Itseemstomesuchanapology（intheoldsense）asNewEnglandmighthavewrittenforherself，andinfactDoctorPalfreywasapersonificationofNewEnglandinoneofthebestandtruestkinds。Hewasrefinedintheessentialgentlenessofhisheartwithoutbeingrefinedaway；hekeptthefaithofherPuritantraditionthoughhenolongerkeptthePuritanfaith，andhisdefenceofthePuritanseveritywiththewitchesandQuakerswasasimpartialasitwasefficientinpositingthePuritansasoftheirtime，andratherbetterandnotworsethanotherpeopleofthesametime。Hewashimselfamosttolerantman，andhistolerancewasneverweakorfond；itstoppedwellshortofcondoningerror，whichhecondemnedwhenhepreferredtoleaveittoitsownpunishment。Personallyhewaswithoutanyflavorofharshness；hismindwasasgentleashismanner，whichwasoneofthegentlestIhaveeverknown。
Ofasgentlemakebutofmorepensivetemper，withunexpectedburstsoflyricalgaiety，wasChristopherPearseCranch，thepoet，whomIhadknowninNewYorklongbeforehecametoliveinCambridge。Hecouldnotonlyplayandsingmostamusingsongs，buthewroteverygoodpoemsandpaintedpicturesperhapsnotsogood。IalwayslikedhisVenetianpictures，fortheirpoetic，unsentimentalizedveracity，andIprintedaswellaslikedmanyofhispoems。DuringthetimethatIknewhimmorethanhisdueshareoftroublesandsorrowsaccumulatedthemselvesonhisfinehead，whichtheyearshadwhitened，andgaveadrooptothebeautiful，white—beardedface。Buthehadtheartistsoulandthepoetheart，andnodoubthecouldtakerefugeinthesefromthecaresthatshadowedhisvisage。MyacquaintancewithhiminCambridgereneweditselfupontheverytermsofitsbeginninginNewYork。WemetatLongfellow’stable，wherehelifteduphisvoiceintheYankeefolk—song，"OnSpringfieldMountaintherediddwell，"whichhegavewithaperfectlykillingmock—gravity。
XI。
AtCambridgethebestsocietywasbetter，itseemstome，thaneventhatoftheneighboringcapital。Itwouldberatherhardtoprovethis，andI
mustaskthereadertotakemywordforit，ifhewishestobelieveit。
Thegreatinterestsinthatpleasantworld，whichIthinkdoesnotpresentitselftomymemoryinafalseiridiscence，weretheintellectualinterests，andallotherinterestswerelostinthesetosuchasdidnotseekthemtooinsistently。
Peopleheldthemselveshigh；theyheldthemselvespersonallyalooffrompeoplenotdulyassayed；theircivilizationwasstillPuritanthoughtheirbeliefhadlongceasedtobeso。Theyhadweightsandmeasure，stampedinanearliertime，atimesurerofitselfthanours，bywhichtheyratedthemeritofallcomers，andrejectedsuchasdidnotbearthetest。Thesestandardsweretheirown，andtheyweresatisfiedwiththem；
mostAmericanshavenostandardsoftheirown，butthesearenotsatisfiedevenwithotherpeople’s，andsooursocietyisinastateoftolerantandtremulousmisgiving。
FamilycountedinCambridge，withoutdoubt，asitcountsinNewEnglandeverywhere，butfamilyalonedidnotmeanposition，andthewantoffamilydidnotmeanthewantofit。Moneystilllessthanfamilycommanded；onecouldbeopenlypoorinCambridgewithoutopenshame，orshameatall，fornoonewasveryrichthere，andnoonewasproudofhisriches。
IdonotwonderthatTurguenieffthoughttheconditionsideal，asBoyesenportrayedthemtohim；andIlookbackatmyownlifetherewithwonderatmygoodfortune。Iwassensible，andIstillamsensiblethishaditsalloys。Iwasyoungandunknownandwasmakingmyway，andIhadtosuffersomeofthepenaltiesofthesedisadvantages；butIdonotbelievethatanywhereelseinthisill—contrivedeconomy，whereitisvainlyimaginedthatthematerialstruggleformsahighincentiveandinspiration，wouldmypenaltieshavebeensolight。Ontheotherhand，thegoodthatwasdonemeIcouldneverrepayifIlivedalloveragainforothersthelifethatIhavesolonglivedformyself。Attimes，whenIhadexperiencedfromthoseelectspiritswithwhomIwasassociated，someactoffriendship，assignalasitwasdelicate，Iusedtoaskmyself，howIcouldeverdoanythingunhandsomeorungeneroustowardsanyoneagain；andIhadabadconsciencethenexttimeIdidit。
TheairoftheCambridgethatIknewwassufficientlycooltobebracing，butwhatwasofgoodimportinmeflourishedinit。Thelifeoftheplacehaditslaterallimitations；sometimesitslightsfailedtodetectexcellentthingsthatlaybeyondit；butupwarditopenedillimitably。
IspeakofitfranklybecausethatlifeasIwitnesseditisnowalmostwhollyofthepast。Cambridgeisstillthehomeofmuchthatisgoodandfineinourliterature：onerealizesthisifonenamesColonelThomasWentworthHigginson，Mr。JohnFiske，Mr。WilliamJames，Mr。HoraceE。
Scudder，nottonameanyothers，butthefirsthadnotyetcomebacktoliveinhisbirthplaceatthetimeIhavebeenwritingof，andtheresthadnotyettheiractualprominence。One，indeedamongsomanyabsent，isstillpresentthere，whomfromtimetotimeIhavehithertonamedwithoutofferinghimtherecognitionwhichIshouldhaveknownaninfringementofhispreferences。ButtheliteraryCambridgeofthirtyyearsagocouldnotbeclearlyimaginedorjustlyestimatedwithouttakingintoaccountthecreativesympathyofamanwhosecontributionstoourliteratureonlypartiallyrepresentwhathehasconstantlydoneforthehumanities。Iamsurethat，aftertheeasyheroesofthedayarelongforgot，andthenoisyfamesofthestrenuouslifeshalldwindletotheiressentialinsignificancebeforethoseofthegentlelife，weshallallseeinCharlesEliotNortontheeminentscholarwholeftthequietofhisbookstobecomeourchiefcitizenatthemomentwhenhewarnedhiscountrymenoftheignominyanddisasterofdoingwrong。