Contents：
　　TheSpiritofPlaceMrs。DingleySolitudeTheLadyoftheLyricsJulyWellsTheFootHavePatience，LittleSaintTheLadiesoftheIdyllADerivationACounterchangeRainLettersofMarcelineValmoreTheHoursofSleepTheHorizonHabitsandConsciousnessShadowsTHESPIRITOFPLACE
　　Withmimicry，withpraises，withechoes，orwithanswers，thepoetshaveallbutoutsungthebells。Theinarticulatebellhasfoundtoomuchinterpretation，toomanyrhymesprofessingtoclosewithherinaccessibleutterance，andtoagreewithherremotetongue。Thebell，likethebird，isamusicianpesteredwithliterature。
　　Tothebell，moreover，mendoactualviolence。Youcannotshaketogetheranightingale’snotes，orstrikeordrivethemintohaste，norcanyoumakealarktollforyouwithintervalstosuityourturn，whereaswedding-bellsarecompelledtoseemgaybymeremovementandhustling。Ihaveknownsomegrimbells，withnotasinglejoyousnoteinthewholepeal，soforcedtohurryforahumanfestival，withtheirharshnessmadelightof，asthoughtheBishopofHerefordhadagainbeenforcedtodanceinhisbootsbyamerryhighwayman。
　　Theclockisaninexorablebutlessarbitraryplayerthanthebellringer，andthechimesawaittheirappointedtimetofly——wildprisoners——bytwosorthrees，oringreatercompanies。Fugitives——
　　oneortwelvetakingwing——theyaresudden，theyarebrief，theyaregone；theyaredeliveredfromtheclosehandsofthisactualpresent。Notinvainisthesuddenupperdooropenedagainstthesky；theyareaway，hoursofthepast。
　　Ofallunfamiliarbells，thosewhichseemtoholdthememorymostsurelyafterbutonehearingarebellsofanunseencathedralofFrancewhenonehasarrivedbynight；theyarenomoretobeforgottenthanthebellsin"Parsifal。"Theyminglewiththesoundoffeetinunknownstreets，theyarethevoicesofanunknowntower；
　　theyareloudintheirownlanguage。Thespiritofplace，whichistobeseenintheshapesofthefieldsandthemannerofthecrops，tobefeltinaprevalentwind，breathedinthebreathoftheearth，overheardinafarstreet-cryorinthetinkleofsomeblack-smith，callsoutandpealsinthecathedralbells。Itspeaksitslocaltongueremotely，steadfastly，largely，clamorously，loudly，andgreatlybythesevoices；youhearthesoundinitsdignity，andyouknowhowfamiliar，howchildlike，howlifelongitisintheearsofthepeople。Thebellsarestrange，andyouknowhowhomelytheymustbe。Theirutterancesare，asitwere，theclassicsofadialect。
　　Spiritofplace！Itisforthiswetravel，tosurpriseitssubtlety；andwhereitisastronganddominantangel，thatplace，seenonce，abidesentireinthememorywithallitsownaccidents，itshabits，itsbreath，itsname。Itisrecalledallalifetime，havingbeenperceivedaweek，andisnotscatteredbutabides，onelivingbodyofremembrance。Theuntravelledspiritofplace——nottobepursued，foritneverflies，butalwaystobediscovered，neverabsent，withoutvariation——lurksintheby-waysandrulesoverthetowers，indestructible，anindescribableunity。Itawaitsusalwaysinitsancientandeagerfreshness。Itissweetandnimblewithinitsimmemorialboundaries，butitnevercrossesthem。Longwhiteroadsoutsidehavemeresuggestionsofitandprophecies；theygivepromisenotofitscoming，foritabides，butofanewandsingularandunforeseengoalforourpresentpilgrimage，andofanintimacytobemade。Waseverjourneytoohardortoolongthathadtopaysuchavisit？Andifbygoodfortuneitisachildwhoisthepilgrim，thespiritofplacegiveshimapeculiarwelcome，forantiquityandtheconceiverofantiquity（whoisonlyachild）knowoneanother；noristhereamoredelicateperceiveroflocalitythanachild。Heiswellusedtowordsandvoicesthathedoesnotunderstand，andthisisaconditionofhissimplicity；andwhenthoseunknownwordsarebells，loudinthenight，theyaretohimashomelyandasoldaslullabies。
　　If，especiallyinEngland，wemakeroughandreluctantbellsgoingaymeasures，whenwewhipthemtorundownthescaletoringinawedding——bellsthatwouldsteptoquiteanotherandalessagilemarchwithabettergrace——therearebelfriesthatholdfarsweetercompanies。IfthereisnomusicwithinItalianchurches，thereisamostcuriouslocalimmemorialmusicinmanyacampanileontheheights。Theirwayisfortheringerstoplayatuneonthefestivals，andthetunesarenothymntunesorpopularmelodies，butproperbell-tunes，madeforbells。Doubtlesstheyweremadeintimesbetterversedthanoursinthesub-divisionsofthearts，andbetterabletounderstandthestrengththatliesreadyinthemerelittlesubmissiontothemeansofalittleart，andtothelimits——
　　nay，theveryembarrassments——ofthosemeans。Ifitwerebutpossibletogiveherearealbell-tune——whichcannotbe，forthosemelodiesareratherlong——thereaderwouldunderstandhowsomevillagemusicianofthepastusedhisnarrowmeansasacomposerforthebells，withwhatfreshness，completeness，significance，fancy，andwhateffectofliberty。
　　Thesehamlet-bellsarethesweetest，astotheirownvoices，intheworld。ThenIspeakoftheirantiquityIusethewordrelatively。
　　Thebelfriesarenoolderthanthesixteenthorseventeenthcentury，thetimewhenItalyseemstohavebeengenerallyrebuilt。But，needlesstosay，thisisantiquityformusic，especiallyinItaly。
　　Atthattimetheymusthavehadfoundriesforbellsoftendervoices，andpure，warm，light，andgoldenthroats，preciselytuned。
　　ThehoundsofTheseushadnotamorejustscale，tunedinapeal，thanaNorthItalianbelfryholdsinleash。Butitdoesnotsendthemoutinamerescale，ittouchesthemintheorderofthegameofacharmingmelody。Ofallcheerfulsoundsmadebymanthisisbyfarthemostlight-hearted。Youdonothearitfromthegreatchurches。Giotto’scolouredtowerinFlorence，thatcarriesthebellsforSantaMariadelFioreandBrunelleschi’ssilentdome，doesnotringmorethanfourcontraltonotes，tunedwithsweetness，depth，anddignity，andswingingonemusicalphrasewhichsoftlyfillsthecountry。
　　Thevillagebelfryitisthatgrowssofantasticandhassuchnimblebells。Obviouslyitstandsalonewithitsownvillage，andcanthereforehearitsowntunefrombeginningtoend。Therearenootherbellsinearshot。Othersuchdovecote-doorsaresuddenlysetopentothecloud，onafestamorning，toletflythosesoft-voicedflocks，butthenearestisbehindoneofmanymountains，andourlocaltuneisuninterrupted。Doubtlessthisiswhythelittle，secluded，sequesteredartofcomposingmelodiesforbells——charmingdivisionofanart，havingitsownendsandmeans，andkeepingitsownwingsforunfoldingbylaw——dwellsinthesesolitaryplaces。Notunesinatownwouldgetthishearing，orwouldbemadecleartotheendoftheirfrolicamidsuchawideandloftysilence。
　　NordoeseveryinnervillageofItalyholdabell-tuneofitsown；
　　thecustomisLigurian。NowheresomuchasinGenoadoesthenervoustouristcomplainofchurchbellsinthemorning，andinfactheismadetohearanhonestroutofthembetimes。Butthenervoustouristhasnot，perhaps，thesenseofplace，andthegeniusofplacedoesnotsignaltohimtogoandfinditamonginnumerablehills，whereonebyone，onebyone，thebelfriesstandandplaytheirtunes。Variablearethoselonelymelodies，havingadifferinggaietyforthefestivals；andapitifulairisplayedfortheburialofavillager。
　　Asforthepoets，thereisbutoneamongsomanyoftheirbellsthatseemstotollwithaspiritualmusicsoloudastobeunforgottenwhenthemindgoesupalittlehigherthantheearth，tolisteninthoughttoearth’suntetheredsounds。ThisisMilton’scurfew，thatswaysacrossoneofthegreatestofalltheseashoresofpoetry——
　　"thewide-watered。"
　　MRS。DINGLEY
　　WecannotdoherhonourbyherChristianname。{1}AllwehavetocallherbymoretenderlyisthemereD，theDthattieshertoStella，withwhomshemadethetwo-in-onewhomSwiftloved"betterathousandtimesthanlife，ashopesaved。"MD，withoutfullstops，Swiftwritesiteighttimesinalineforthepleasureofwritingit。"MDsometimesmeansStellaalone，"saysoneofmanyeditors。
　　"TheletterswerewrittennominallytoStellaandMrs。Dingley，"
　　saysanother，"butitdoesnotrequiretobesaidthatitwasreallyforStella’ssakealonethattheywerepenned。"Notso。"MD"neverstandsforStellaalone。Andtheeditordoesnotyetlivewhoshallpersuadeonehonestreader，againstthewordofSwift，thatSwiftlovedStellaonly，withanordinarylove，andnot，byamostdelicateexception，StellaandDingley，sojoinedthattheymakethe"she"and"her"ofeveryletter。AndthisshallbeapaperofreparationtoMrs。Dingley。
　　Nooneelseinliteraryhistoryhasbeensodefraudedofherhonours。Inlove"todivideisnottotakeaway，"asShelleysays；
　　andDingley’shalfofthetenderthingssaidtoMDisequaltoanywhole，andtakesnothingfromthewholeofStella’shalf。ButthesentimentalisthasfoughtagainstMrs。Dingleyfromtheoutset。Hehasdislikedher，shirkedher，misconceivedher，andeffacedher。
　　Slysentimentalist——hefindsherirksome。Throughoneofhismostmodernrepresentativeshehasbutlatelycalledhera"chaperon。"A
　　chaperon！
　　MDwasnotasentimentalist。Stellawasnotso，thoughshehasbeenpressedintothatcharacter；Dcertainlywasnot，andhasinthisrespectbeensparedbythechronicler；andMDtogetherwere"saucycharmingMD，""saucylittle，pretty，dearrogues，""littlemonkeysmine，""littlemischievousgirls，""nautinautinautideargirls，"
　　"brats，""huzziesboth，""impudenceandsaucy-face，""saucynoses，"
　　"mydearestlivesanddelights，""dearlittleyoungwomen，""gooddallars，notcryingdallars"（whichmeans"girls"），"tenthousandtimesdearestMD，"andsoforthinahundredrepetitions。Theyare，everynowandthen，"poorMD，"butobviouslynotbecauseoftheirowncomplaining。Swiftcalledthemsobecausetheyweremortal；andhe，likeallgreatsouls，livedandloved，consciouseverydayoftheprice，whichisdeath。
　　Thetwowerejoinedbylove，notwithoutsolemnity，thoughman，withhissummaryandwholesaleready-madesentiment，hasthusobstinatelyputthemasunder。Nowholesalesentimentcandootherwisethanfoolishlyplayhavocwithsucharelation。ToSwiftitwasthemostsecludedthingintheworld。"Iamwearyoffriends，andfriendshipsareallmonsters，exceptMD’s；""IoughttoreadtheselettersIwriteafterIhavedone。ButIhopeitdoesnotpuzzlelittleDingleytoread，forIthinkImend：butmethinks，"headds，"whenIwriteplain，Idonotknowhow，butwearenotalone，alltheworldcanseeus。Abadscrawlissosnug；itlookslikePMD。"
　　Again："IdonotlikewomensomuchasIdid。MD，youmustknow，arenotwomen。""GodAlmightypreserveyoubothandmakeushappytogether。""IsayAmenwithallmyheartandvitals，thatwemayneverbeasundertendaystogetherwhilepoorPrestolives。"
　　"Farewell，dearestbelovedMD，andlovepoor，poorPresto，whohasnothadonehappydaysinceheleftyou，ashopesaved。"
　　Withthem——withher——hehidhimselfintheworld，atCourt，atthebarofSt。James’scoffee-house，whitherhewentontheIrishmail-
　　day，andwas"inpainexcepthesawMD’slittlehandwriting。"Hehidwiththeminthelonglaboursoftheseexquisiteletterseverynightandmorning。Ifnolettercame，hecomfortedhimselfwiththinkingthat"hehadityettobehappywith。"Andtheworldhasagreedtohideunderitsownmanifoldandlachrymoseblundersthegraceandsingularity——thedistinction——ofthissweetromance。
　　"Little，sequesteredpleasure-house"——itseemedasthough"themanycouldnotmissit，"butnoteventhefewhavefoundit。
　　ItispartoftheschemeofthesympathetichistorianthatStellashouldbethevictimofhopedeferred，watchingforlettersfromSwift。ButdayandnightPrestocomplainsofthescantinessofMD’slittleletters；hewaitsupon"her"will："Ishallmakeasortofjournal，andwhenitisfullIwillsenditwhetherMDwritesornot；andsothatwillbepretty。""Naughtygirlsthatwillnotwritetoabody！""Iwishyouwerewhippedforforgettingtosend。
　　Go，befarenough，negligentbaggages。""You，MistressStella，shallwriteyourshare，andthencomesDingleyaltogether，andthenStellaalittlecrumbattheend；andthenconcludewithsomethinghandsomeandgenteel，as`yourmosthumblecumdumble。’"ButScottandMacaulayandThackerayareallexceedinglysorryforStella。
　　Swiftismostcharmingwhenheisfeigningtocomplainofhistask：
　　"HereissuchastirandbustlewiththislittleMDofours；Imustbewritingeverynight；OLord，OLord！""Imustgowriteidlethings，andtwittletwattle。""Thesesaucyjadestakeupsomuchofmytimewithwritingtotheminthemorning。"IsitnotastealthywrongdoneuponMrs。Dingleythatsheshouldbestrippedofalltheseornamentstohernameandmemory？WhenSwifttellsawomaninaletterthatthereheis"writinginbed，likeatiger，"sheshouldgogayintheeyesofallgenerations。
　　TheywillnotletStellagogay，becauseofsentiment；andtheywillnotletMrs。Dingleygogay，becauseofsentimentforStella。Marrycomeup！Whydidnotthehistoriansassignallthetenderpassages（takenveryseriously）toStella，andletDingleyhavethejokes，then？ThatwouldhavebeennoillshareforDingley。Butno，forsooth，Dingleyisallowednothing。
　　Therearepassages，nevertheless，whichcanhardlybetakenfromher。FornowandthenSwiftpartshisdearMD。Whenhedoessoheinvariablydropsthoseinitialsandwrites"Stella"or"Ppt"fortheone，and"D"or"Dingley"fortheother。Thereisnoexceptiontothisanywhere。HeisanxiousaboutStella’s"littleeyes，"andaboutherhealthgenerally；whereasDingleyisstrong。PoorPpt，hethinks，willnotcatchthe"newfever，"becausesheisnotwell；
　　"butwhyshouldDescapeit，pray？"AndMrs。DingleyisrebukedforhertaleofajourneyfromDublintoWexford。"Idoubt，MadamDingley，youareapttolieinyourtravels，thoughnotsobadasStella；shetellsthumpers。"Stellaisoftenreprovedforherspelling，andMrs。Dingleywritesmuchthebetterhand。Butsheisapuzzle-headedwoman，likeanother。"Whatdoyoumeanbymyfourthletter，MadamDinglibus？DoesnotStellasayyouhadmyfifth，goodyBlunder？""Now，MistressDingley，areyounotanimpudentsluttoexceptaletternextpacket？Unreasonablebaggage！No，littleDingley，Iamalwaysinbedbytwelve，andItakegreatcareofmyself。""Youareapretendingslut，indeed，withyour`fourth’
　　and`fifth’inthemargin，andyour`journal’andeverything。O
　　Lord，neversawthelike，weshallneverhavedone。""Ineversawsuchaletter，sosaucy，sojournalish，soeverything。"Swiftisinsistentlygratefulfortheirinquiriesforhishealth。Hepausesseriouslytothanktheminthemidstofhisprattle。Bothwomen——
　　MD——areralliedontheirpolitics："IhaveafancythatPptisaTory，Ifancyshelookslikeone，andDasortoftrimmer。"
　　ButitisforDingleyseparatelythatSwiftenduredawildbirdinhislodgings。HismanPatrickhadgotonetotakeovertoherinIreland。"Hekeepsitinacloset，whereitmakesaterriblelitter；butIsaynothing；Iamastameasaclout。"
　　ForgottenDingley，happyinthis，hasnothadtoenduretheignominy，inahundredessays，toberetrospectivelyofferedtoSwiftasanunclaimedwife；sofarsogood。Buttwohundredyearsislongforhertohavegonestrippedofsoradiantagloryasishersbyright。"Better，thankstoMD’sprayers，"wrotetheimmortalmanwholovedher，inaprivatefragmentofajournal，nevermeantforDingley’seyes，norforPpt’s，norforanyhumaneyes；andtherogueStellahasfortwocenturiesstolenallthecreditofthoseprayers，andallthethanksofthatpiousbenediction。
　　SOLITUDE
　　Thewildmanisaloneatwill，andsoisthemanforwhomcivilizationhasbeenkind。Buttherearethemultitudestowhomcivilizationhasgivenlittlebutitsreaction，itsrebound，itschips，itsrefuse，itsshavings，sawdustandwaste，itsfailures；tothemsolitudeisarightforegoneoraluxuryunattained；arightforegone，wemaynameit，inthecaseofthenearlysavage，andaluxuryunattainedinthecaseofthenearlyrefined。Thesehasthemovementoftheworldthrongedtogetherintosomeblindby-way。
　　Theirshareintheenormoussolitudewhichisthecommon，unbounded，andvirtuallyillimitablepossessionofallmankindhaslapsed，unclaimed。Theydonotknowitistheirs。Ofmanyoftheirkingdomstheyareignorant，butofthismostignorant。Theyhavenotguessedthattheyownforeverymanaspaceinviolate，aplaceofunhiddenlibertyandofnoobscureenfranchisement。Theydonotclaimeventhesolitudeofclosedcorners，thenarrowprivacyofthelockandkey；norcouldtheycommandsomuch。Forthesolitudethathasaskyandahorizontheyknownothowtowish。
　　Itliesinaperpetualdistance。Englandhasleaguesthereof，landscapes，vergebeyondverge，athousandthousandplacesinthewoods，andonupliftedhills。Orrather，solitudesarenottobemeasuredbymiles；theyaretobenumberedbydays。Theyarefreshlyandfreelythedominionofeverymanforthedayofhispossession。Thereislonelinessforinnumerablesolitaries。Asmanydaysasthereareinalltheages，somanysolitudesarethereformen。Thisistheopenhouseoftheearth；nooneisrefused。
　　Noristhespaceshortenedorthesilencemarredbecause，onebyone，meninmultitudeshavebeenalonetherebefore。Solitudeisseparateexperience。Nay，solitudesarenottobenumberedbydays，butbymenthemselves。Everymanofthelivingandeverymanofthedeadmighthavehadhis"privacyoflight。"
　　Itneedsnopark。Itistobefoundinthemerestworkingcountry；
　　andathicketmaybeassecretasaforest。Itisnotsodifficulttogetforatimeoutofsightandearshot。Evenifyoursolitudebeenclosed，itisstillanopensolitude，sotherebe"nocloisterfortheeyes，"andaspaceoffarcountryoracloudintheskybeprivytoyourhiding-place。Butthebestsolitudedoesnothideatall。
　　Thisthepeoplewhohavedriftedtogetherintothestreetslivewholelivesandneverknow。Dotheysufferfromtheirdeprivationofeventhesolitudeofthehiding-place？Therearemanywhoneverhaveawholehouralone。Theyliveinreluctantorindifferentcompanionship，aspeoplemayinaboarding-house，byparadoxicalchoice，familiarwithoneanotherandnotintimate。Theyliveundercarelessobservationandsubjecttoavagabondcuriosity。Theirsistheinvoluntaryandperhapstheunconsciouslosswhichisfutileandbarren。
　　Oneknowsthemen，andthemanywomen，whohavesacrificedalltheirsolitudetotheperpetualsocietyoftheschool，thecloister，orthehospitalward。Theywalkwithoutsecrecy，candid，simple，visible，withoutmoods，unchangeable，inaconstantcommunicationandpracticeofactionandspeech。Theirsassuredlyisnobarrenorfutileloss，andtheyhaveaconviction，andtheybestowtheconviction，ofsolitudedeferred。
　　Whohaspaintedsolitudesothatthesolitaryseemedtostandaloneandinaccessible？ThereisthelonelinessoftheshepherdessinmanyadrawingofJ。F。Millet。Thelittlefigureisaway，aloof。
　　Thegirlstandssowhenthepainterisgone。Shewaitssoonthesunfortheclosingofthehoursofpasture。Millethasherasshelooks，outofsight。
　　Now，althoughsolitudeisaprepared，secured，defended，elaboratepossessionoftherich，theytoodenythemselvesthenaturalsolitudeofawomanwithachild。Anewly-bornchildissonursedandtalkedabout，handledandjoltedandcarriedaboutbyaliens，andthereissomuchimportunateservicegoingforward，thatawomanishardlyalonelongenoughtobecomeaware，inrecollection，howherownbloodmovesseparately，besideher，withanotherrhythmanddifferentpulses。Alliscommonplaceuntilthedoorsarecloseduponthetwo。Thisuniqueintimacyisaprofoundretreat，anabsoluteseclusion。Itismorethansinglesolitude；itisaredoubledisolationmoreremotethanmountains，saferthanvalleys，deeperthanforests，andfurtherthanmid-sea。
　　Thatsolitudepartaken——theonlypartakensolitudeintheworld——isthePointofHonourofethics。Treacherytothatobligationandabetrayalofthatconfidencemightwellbeheldtobetheleastpardonableofallcrimes。Thereisnoinnocentsleepsoinnocentassleepsharedbetweenawomanandachild，thelittlebreathhurryingbesidethelonger，asachild’sfootruns。Butthefavouritecrimeofthesentimentalististhatofawomanagainstherchild。Herpower，herintimacy，heropportunity，thatshouldbeheraccusers，areheldtoexcuseher。Shegainsthemostslovenlyofindulgencesandthegrossestcompassion，onthevulgargroundsthathercrimewaseasy。
　　Lawlessandvainartofacertainkindisapttoclaimto-day，bytheway，somesuchfondlingasaheroineofthedockreceivesfromcommonopinion。Thevainartisthadalltheopportunitiesofthesituation。Hewasmasterofhisownpurpose，suchasitwas；itwashissecret，andthepublicwasnotprivytohisartisticconscience。
　　Hedoesviolencetotheobligationsofwhichheisaware，andwhichtheworlddoesnotknowveryexplicitly。Nothingiseasier。Orheislawlessinamoreliteralsense，butonlyhopestheworldwillbelievethathehasawholecodeofhisownmaking。Itwould，nevertheless，belessunworthytobreakobviousrulesobviouslyintheobviousfaceofthepublic，andtoabidethecommonrebuke。
　　Ithasjustbeensaidthataparkisbynomeansnecessaryforthepreparationofacountrysolitude。Indeed，tomakethosefarandwideandlongapproachesandavenuestopeaceseemstobeadenialoftheaccessibilityofwhatshouldbesosimple。Astep，apaceorsoaside，isenoughtoleadthither。
　　Aparkinsiststoomuch，and，besides，doesnotinsistverysincerely。Inordertofulfiltheapparentprofessionsandtokeepthepublishedpromiseofapark，theownerthereofshouldbealoveroflongseclusionorofaverylifeofloneliness。Heshouldhavegainedthestateofsolitarinesswhichisaconditionoflifequiteunlikeanyother。Thetravellerwhomayhavegoneastrayincountrieswhereanalmostlife-longsolitudeispossibleknowshowinvinciblyapartarethelonelyfigureshehasseenindesertplacesthere。Theirlonelinessisbrokenbyhispassage，itistrue，buthardlysotothem。Theylookathim，buttheyarenotawarethathelooksatthem。Nay，theylookathimasthoughtheywereinvisible。
　　Theirun-self-consciousnessisabsolute；itisinthewilddegree。
　　Theyaresolitaries，bodyandsoul；evenwhentheyarecurious，andturntowatchthepasser-by，theyareessentiallyalone。Now，nooneeverfoundthatattitudeinasquire’sfigure，orthatlookinanycountrygentleman’seyes。Thesquireisnotalife-longsolitary。Heneverborehimselfasthoughhewereinvisible。HeneverhadtheimpersonalwaysofaherdsmanintheremoterApennines，withablind，blankhutintherocksforhisdwelling。
　　MilletwouldnotevenhavetakenhimasamodelforasolitaryinthebrieferandmildersylvansolitudesofFrance。Andyetnothingbutalife-long，habitual，andwildsolitarinesswouldbequiteproportionatetoaparkofanymagnitude。
　　Ifthereisalookofhumaneyesthattellsofperpetualloneliness，sothereisalsothefamiliarlookthatisthesignofperpetualcrowds。ItistheLondonexpression，and，initsway，theParisexpression。Itisthequicklycaught，thoughnotinterested，look，thedullbutreadyglanceofthosewhodonotknowoftheirforfeitedplaceapart；whohaveneithertheopensecretnortheclose；noreserve，noneedofrefuge，noflightnorimpulseofflight；nomoodsbutwhattheymaybraveoutinthestreet，nohopeofnewsfromsolitarycounsels。
　　THELADYOFTHELYRICS
　　Sheiseclipsed，orgone，orinhiding。Butthesixteenthcenturytookherforgrantedastheobjectofsong；shewasaclass，astate，asex。Itwasscarcelynecessarytowastethelyrist’stime——
　　timethatwentsogailytometreasnottobrookdelays——inmakingherouttooclearly。Shehadnomoreofwhatlatertimescallindividualitythanhastherose，herrival，herfoilwhenshewaskinder，hersuperiorwhenshewascruel，hereverfreshandeverconventionalparagon。Sheneedednottobedevisedordivined；shewasready。Amerryheartgoesalltheday；thelyrist’snevergrewweary。Honestmennevergrowtiredofbreadorofanyotherdailythingswhereofthesweetnessisintheirownsimplicity。
　　Theladyofthelyricswasnotlovedinmortalearnest，andherpunishmentnowandthenforheringratitudewastobetoldthatshewaslovedinjest。Shedidnotlove；herfancywasfickle；shewasnotmovedbylongservice，which，bytheway，wasevidentlytobetakenforgrantedpreciselylikethewholelongpastofadream。
　　Shehadnotagoodtemper。Whenthepoetgroansitseemsthatshehaslaughedathim；whenhefloutsher，wemayunderstandthatshehaschiddenherlyristinnotemperateterms。IndoingthisshehassinnednotsomuchagainsthimasagainstLove。Withthatsheisperpetuallyreproved。ThelyristcomplainstoLove，pitiesLoveforherscorning，andthreatenstogoawaywithLove，whoisonhisside。Thesweetestverseistunedtolovewhenthelovedoneprovesworthy。
　　Thereisnorecordofsuccessforthispolicy。Shegoesondancingorscolding，asthecasemaybe，andthelyristgoesonboastingofhisconstancy，orsuddenlyrenouncesitforaday。Thesituationhasvariants，butnosurpriseorending。Thelover’sconventionisexplicitenough，butitmightpuzzleareadertoaccountforthelady’s。Prideinherbeauty，atanyrate，ishers——pridesogreatthatshecannotbringherselftoperceivetheshortnessofherday。
　　Sheissounobservantastoneedtobetoldthatlifeisbrief，andyouthbrieferthanlife；thattherosefades，andsoforth。
　　Nowweneednotassumethattheladyofthelyricseverlived。Buttakingherastheperfectlyunanimousconceptionofthelyrists，howisitshedidnotdiscoverthesethingsunaided？Whydoestheloverinvariablyimagineherwithamindintenselyirritableunderhisownpraiseandpoetry？Obviouslywecannothaveherexplanationofanyofthesematters。Whydothepoetssomuchlamenttheabsenceoftruthinonewhosetruthwouldbeoflittlemoment？Andwhywastheconventionsopleasant，amongallothers，astooccupyawholeage——
　　nay，twogreatages——ofliterature？
　　Musicseemstobeprincipallyanswerable。Forthelyricsoftheladyare"wordsformusic"byagreatmajority。ThereishardlyasinglepoemintheElizabethanSong-books，properlysonamed，thathaswhatwouldinourdaybecalledatoneofsentiment。Musichadnotthenthetoneherself；shewasingenious，andsomustthewordsbe。Shehadtheairofepigram，andanaccuratelydefinitelimit。
　　So，too，theladyofthelyrics，whomightbecalledtheladyofthestanzas，sostrictlydoesshegobymeasure。Whensheisquarrelsome，itisbutfuguishness；whenshedances，shedoesitbyacanon。Shecouldnotbutbeperverse，merrilysungtosuchgravenotes。
　　Sofixedwasthelawofthisperversitythatnoneinthesong-booksisallowedtobekindenoughfora"melody，"exceptoneladyonly。
　　Shemaythusderogate，fortheexceedinglyElizabethanreasonthatsheis"brown。"Sheisbrownandkind，anda"sadflower，"butthesongmadeforherwouldhavebeentooinsipid，apparently，withoutanantithesis。Thefaironeiswarnedthatherdisdainmakesherevenlesslovelythanthebrown。
　　Fairasalily，hardtoplease，easilyangry，ungratefulforinnumerableverses，uncertainwiththeregularityofthemadrigal，andinconstantwiththepunctualityofastanza，shehasgonewiththeartsofthatday；andneitherversenormusicwillevermakesuchanotherlady。Sherefusedtoobservethetransiencyofroses；
　　sheneverreallyintended——muchasshewasurged——tobeashepherdess；shewasneverpersuadedtomitigateherdress。Inreturn，theworldhasletherdisappear。Shescornedthepoetsuntiltheyturneduponherintheepigramofmanyafinalcouplet；
　　andofthesethelasthasbeenlongwritten。Her"No"wassettocounterpointinthepart-song，andshefrightenedLoveoutofhersightinaballet。Thoseoccupationsaregone，andthelovelyElizabethanhasslippedaway。Shewassomethinglessthanmortal。
　　Butshewhowasmorethanmortalwasmortaltoo。Thiswasnoladyoftheunanimouslyrists，butararevisitantunknowntotheseexquisitelittletalents。Shewasnotsetforsinging，butpoetryspokeofher；sometimeswhenshewassleeping，andthenFletchersaid-
　　NonecanrockHeaventosleepbuther。
　　Orwhenshewassinging，andCarewrhymed-
　　AskmenomorewhitherdothhasteThenightingalewhenMayispast；
　　ForinyoursweetdividingthroatShewinters，andkeepswarmhernote。
　　Sometimeswhentheladywasdead，andCarew，again，wroteonhermonument-
　　Andherethepreciousdustislaid，Whosepurely-temperedclaywasmadeSofinethatittheguestbetrayed。
　　ButtherewasbesidesanotherLadyofthelyrics；onewhowillneverpassfromtheworld，buthaspassedfromsong。InthesixteenthcenturyandintheseventeenthcenturythisladywasDeath。Herinspirationneverfailed；notapoetbutfounditasfreshastheinspirationoflife。Fancywasnotquenchedbytheinevitablethoughtinthosedays，asitisinours，andthephraselostnodignitybytheintegrityofuse。
　　Toeverymanithappensthatatonetimeofhislife——foraspaceofyearsorforaspaceofmonths——heisconvincedofdeathwithanincomparablereality。Itmightseemasthoughliterature，livingthelifeofaman，underwentthatconvictioninthoseages。Deathwasasoftenonthetonguesofmeninolderages，andoftenerintheirhands，butinthesixteenthcenturyitwasattheirhearts。
　　Thediscoveryofdeathdidnotshakethepoetsfromtheircomposure。
　　Onthecontrary，theverseisnevermeasuredwithmoremajesticeffectthanwhenitmovesinhonourofthisLadyofthelyrics。SirWalterRaleighisbutajerkywriterwhenheisrhymingotherthings，howeverbitterorhoweversolemn；buthislinesondeath，whicharealsolinesonimmortality，areinfinitelynoble。Theseare，needlesstosay，meditationsupondeathbylawandviolence；
　　andsoaretheingeniousrhymesofChidiockTichborne，writtenafterhislastproseinhisfarewelllettertohiswife——"Now，Sweet-
　　cheek，whatislefttobestowonthee，asmallrecompenseforthydeservings"——andsingularlybeautifulproseisthis。SoalsoareSouthwell’swords。Buttheseareexceptionaldeaths，andmoredramaticthanwasneededtoawakethepoetryofthemeditativeage。
　　Itwasdeathastheendofthevisibleworldandoftheidlebusinessoflife——notdeathasapassagenordeathasafearoradarkness——thatwastheLadyofthelyrists。Norwastheirsongoftheactofdying。Withthisamuchlaterandmuchmoretrivialliteraturebusieditself。Thosetwocenturiesfeltwithashockthatdeathwouldbringanend，andthatitsequalitieswouldmakevainthedifferencesofwitandwealthwhichtheytookapparentlymoreseriouslythantousseemsprobable。Theyneverweariedofthewonder。Thepoetryofourdayhasanentirelydifferentemotionfordeathasparting。Itwasnotpartingthatthelyristssangof；itwasthemeresimplicityofdeath。Noneofourcontemporarieswilltakesuchasubject；theyhavenomorethantheordinaryconvictionofthematter。Forthegreattreatmentofobviousthingstheremustevidentlybeanextraordinaryconviction。
　　ButwhetherthechiefLadyofthelyricsbethis，orwhethershebetheimplacableElizabethanfeignedbythelove-songs，shehasequallypassedfrombeforetheeyesofpoets。
　　JULY
　　OnehastheleisureofJulyforperceivingallthedifferencesofthegreenofleaves。Itisnolongeradifferenceindegreesofmaturity，forallthetreeshavedarkenedtotheirfinaltone，andstandintheirdifferencesofcharacterandnotofmeredate。
　　Almostallthegreenisgrave，notsadandnotdull。Ithasadarkenedandadailycolour，inmajesticbutnotobviousharmonywithdarkgreyskies，andmightlook，toinconstanteyes，asprosaicafterspringaseleveno’clocklooksafterthedawn。
　　Gravityistheword——notsolemnityastowardsevening，normenaceasatnight。ThedaylighttreesofJulyaresignsofcommonbeauty，commonfreshness，andamysteryfamiliarandabidingasnightandday。Inchildhoodweallhaveamoreexaltedsenseofdawnandsummersunrisethanweeverfullyretainorquiterecover；andalsoafarhighersensibilityforAprilandAprilevenings——aheartacheforthem，whichinriperyearsisgraduallyandirretrievablyconsoled。
　　But，ontheotherhand，childhoodhassoquicklylearnedtofinddailythingstedious，andfamiliarthingsimportunate，thatithasnogreatdelightinthemeremiddleoftheday，andfeelswearinessofthesummerthathasceasedtochangevisibly。Thepoetryofmeredayandoflatesummerbecomesperceptibletomatureeyesthathavelongceasedtobesated，havetakenleaveofweariness，andcannotnowfindanythinginnaturetoofamiliar；eyeswhichhave，indeed，lostsightofthefurtheraweofmidsummerdaybreak，andnolongerseesomuchofthepastinApriltwilightastheysawwhentheyhadnopast；butwhichlookfreshlyatthedailinessofgreensummer，ofearlyafternoon，ofeveryskyofanyformthatcomestopass，andofthedarkenedelms。
　　Notunbelovedisthisserioustree，theelm，withitsleafsittingclose，unthrilled。Itsstaturegivesitadarkgoldheadwhenitlooksalonetoalatesun。Butifonecouldgobyallthewoods，acrossalltheoldforeststhatarenowmeadowlandssetwithtrees，andcouldwalkacountygatheringtreesofasinglekindinthemind，asonewalksagardencollectingflowersofasinglekindinthehand，wouldnottheharvestbeaharvestofpoplars？A
　　veritablepassionforpoplarsisamostintelligiblepassion。Theeyesdogatherthem，farandnear，onawholeday’sjourney。Notoneisunperceived，eventhoughgreattimbershouldbepassed，andhill-sidesdenseanddeepwithtrees。Thefancymakesapoplardayofit。Immediatelythecountrylooksalivewithsignals；forthepoplarseverywherereplytotheglance。Thewoodsmaybeallvarious，butthepoplarsareseparate。
　　Alltheirmanykinds（andaspens，theirkin，mustbecountedwiththem）shakethemselvesperpetuallyfreeofthemotionlessforest。
　　Itiseasytogatherthem。Glancessentintothefardistancepaythemaflashofrecognitionoftheirgentleflashes；andasyoujourneyyouaresuddenlyawareofthemcloseby。Lightandthebreezesareasquickastheeyesofapoplar-lovertofindthewillingtreethatdancestobeseen。
　　Nolurkingforthem，noreluctance。Onecouldnevermakeforoneselfanoakdaysowell。Theoakswouldwaittobefound，andmanywouldbemissedfromthegathering。Butthepoplarsarealertenoughforatravellerbyexpress；theyhaveanalarumaloft，anddonotsleep。Fromwithinsomelittlegroveofothertreesasinglepoplarmakesaslightsign；oralongrowofpoplarssuddenlysweepthewind。Theyaresalienteverywhere，andfullofreplies。Theyareasfreshasstreams。
　　Itisdifficulttorealizeadroughtwheretherearemanypoplars。
　　Andyettheirgreenisnotrich；thecoolesthaveacolourmuchmingledwithacloud-grey。Itdoesbutneedfreshandsimpleeyestorecognizetheirunfadedlife。Whentheothertreesgrowdarkandkeepstill，thepoplarandtheaspendonotdarken——orhardly——andthedeepestsummerwillnotfindadayinwhichtheydonotkeepawake。Nowatersaresovigilant，evenwherealakeisbaretothewind。
　　WhenKeatssaidofhisDianthatshefastenedupherhair"withfingerscoolasaspenleaves，"heknewthecoolestthingintheworld。Itisacoolnessofcolour，aswellasofaleafwhichthebreezetakesonbothsides——thegreenishandthegreyish。Thepoplargreenhasnoglows，nogold；itisanausterecolour，aslittlerichasthecolourofwillows，andlesssilverythantheirs。
　　Thesuncanhardlygildit；buthecanshinebetween。Poplarsandaspensletthesunthroughwiththewind。Youmayhavetheskysprinkledthroughtheminhighmidsummer，whenallthewoodsareclose。
　　Sendingyourfancypoplar-gathering，then，youensnarewildtrees，beatingwithlife。Nofisher’snetevertooksuchglancingfishes，nordidthenetofaconstellation’sshapeeverenclosemorevibratingPleiades。
　　WELLS
　　Theworldatpresentisinclinedtomakesorrymysteriesorunattractivesecretsofthemethodsandsuppliesofthefreshandperennialmeansoflife。Averydullsecretismadeofwater，forexample，andtheplumbersetshissealuponthefloodswherebywelive。Theyarecovered，theyarecarried，theyarehushed，fromthespringtothetap；andwhentheirvoicesarereleasedatlastintheLondonscullery，why，itcanhardlybesaidthatthesongiseloquentofthenaturalsourceofwaters，whetherearthlyorheavenly。Thereisnotoneofthecircumstancesofthiscaptureofstreams——thecompany，thewater-rate，andtherest——thatisnotasignoftheill-luckofmoderndevicesinregardtostyle。Forstyleimpliesacandourandsimplicityofmeans，anaction，agesture，asitwere，inthedoingofsmallthings；itistheignoranceofsecretways；whereasthefinishofmodernlifeanditsneatnessseemtobesecuredbyasystemoflittleshufflingsandsurprises。
　　Dress，amongotherthings，isfurnishedthroughoutwithsuchfittings；theyformitsveryconstruction。Styledoesnotexistinmodernarrayings，foralltheirprettinessandprecision，andforallthesuccesses——whicharenottobedenied——oftheirouterpart；
　　thehappylittleswaggerthatsimulatesstyleisbutanothersignofitsabsence，beingpreparedbymeredodgesanddexteritiesbeneath，andthetriumphandsuccessofthepresentartofraiment——"fit"
　　itself——isbuttheresultofamaskedandlurkinglabouranddevice。
　　Themastersoffinemanners，moreover，seemtobealwaysawareofthebeautythatcomesofpausingslightlyuponthesmallerandslighteractions，suchasmeanermenareapttohurryoutoftheway。Inaword，theworkman，withhisfinishandaccomplishment，isthedexterousproviderofcontemporarythings；andtheready，well-
　　appointed，anddecoratedlifeofalltownsisnowaltogetherinhishands；whereastheartistcraftsmanofothertimesmadeamanifestationofhismeans。Thefirsthidesthestreams，understressandpressure，inpaltrypipeswhichweallmustmakehastetocallupontheearthtocover，andthesecondliftedupthearchesoftheaqueduct。
　　Thesearchofeasywaystoliveisnotalwaysoreverywherethewaytougliness，butinsomecountries，atsomedates，itisthesureway。Inallcountries，andatalldates，extremefinishcompassedbyhiddenmeansmustneeds，fromthebeginning，preparetheabolitionofdignity。Thisiseasytounderstand，butitislesseasytoexplaintheill-fortunethatpressesupontheexpertworkman，insearchofeasywaystolive，alltheill-favouredmaterials，makesthemcheapforhim，makesthemserviceableandeffectual，urgeshimtousethem，sealthem，andinterthem，turningthetrimanddullcompletenessouttotheviewofthedailyworld。
　　Itisanaddedmischance。Nor，ontheotherhand，isiteasytoexplainthebeautifulgoodluckattendingthesimplerdeviceswhichare，afterall，onlylessexpertwaysoflabour。Inthosehappyconditions，neitherfromthematerial，suggestingtotheworkman，norfromtheworkmanlookingaskanceathisunhandsomematerial，comesafirstproposaltopourincementandmakefasttheunderworld，outofsight。Butfatesparesnotthatsuggestiontotheableandtheunluckyattheirtaskofmakingneatworkofthemeans，thedistribution，thetraffickoflife。
　　Thesprings，then，theprofoundwells，thestreams，areofallthemeansofourlivesthosewhichweshouldwishtoseeopentothesun，withtheirwatersontheirprogressandtheirwaytous；but，no，theyarelappedinlead。
　　KingPandionandhisfriendslienotunderheavierseals。
　　Yetwehavebeendelighted，elsewhere，byopenfloods。Thehiding-
　　placethatnatureandthesimplercraftsallottothewatersofwellsare，attheirdeepest，incommunicationwiththeopensky。Noothermineissovisited；forthenoondaysunhimselfisvisiblethere；anditisfinetothinkofthewatersofthisplanet，shallowandprofound，allchargedwithshiningsuns，amultitudeofwatersmultiplyingsuns，andcarryingthatremotefire，asitwere，withintheirunalterablefreshness。Notapoolwithoutthisvisitant，orwithoutpassagesofstars。AsforthewellsoftheEquator，youmaythinkofthemintheirlastrecessesasthedailybathing-placesoflight；aluminousfancyisablesotoscatterfitfulfiguresofthesun，andtoplungetheminthousandswithinthosedeeps。
　　Roundimageslieinthedarkwaters，butinthebrightwatersthesunisshatteredoutofitscircle，scatteredintowaves，brokenacrossstones，andrippledoversand；andintheshallowriversthatfallthroughchestnutwoodstheimageismingledwiththemobilefiguresofleaves。Toallthesewaterstheagileairhasperpetualaccess。Notsocangreattownsbewatered，itwillbesaidwithreason；andthisispreciselytheill-luckofgreattowns。
　　Nevertheless，therearetowns，not，inasense，sogreat，thathavethegraceofvisiblewells；suchasVenice，whereeverycampohasitscircleofcarvedstone，itsclashingofdarkcopperonthepavement，itssoftkissofthecoppervesselwiththesurfaceofthewaterbelow，andthecheerfulworkofthecable。
　　OrtheRomansknewhowtocausethepartedfloodstomeasuretheirplainwiththestrong，steady，andlevelflightofarchesfromthewatershedsinthehillstotheandcity；andhavingthewaterscaptive，theyknewhowtocompelthemtotakepart，byfountains，inthisRomantriumph。Theyhadthewittoboastthusoftheirbrilliantprisoner。
　　NonemoresplendidcameboundtoRome，orgracedcaptivitywithamoreinvinciblelibertyoftheheart。Andthecaptivityandtheleapoftheheartofthewatershaveoutlivedtheircaptors。TheyhaveremainedinRome，andhaveremainedalone。Overthemthevictorywaslongerthanempire，andtheirthousandsofloudvoiceshaveneverceasedtoconfesstheconquestofthecoldfloods，separatedlongago，drawnonebyone，alive，totheheadandfrontoftheworld。
　　Ofsuchatransitismadenosecret。ItwasthemostmanifestfactofRome。Youcouldnotlooktothecityfromthemountainsortothedistancefromthecitywithoutseeingtheapproachofthoseperpetualwaters——watersboundupondailytasksandminuteservices。
　　This，then，wasthestyleofamaster，whodoesnotlapsefrom"incidentalgreatness，"hasnomeanprecision，outofsight，topreparethefinishofhisphrases，anddoesnotthinkthemeansandtheapproachesaretobeplottedandconcealed。Withoutanxiety，withouthaste，andwithoutmisgivingareallgreatthingstobedone，andneitherinterruptioninthedoingnorruinaftertheyaredonefindsanythinginthemtobetray。Therewasneveranydisgraceofmeans，andwhentheworldseestheworkbrokenthroughthereisnodisgraceofdiscovery。ThelabourofMichelangelo’schisel，littlemorethanbegun，aRomanstructurelongexposedindisarray——
　　uponthesethelightofdaylooksfull，andtheRomanandtheFlorentinehavetheirunrefutedpraise。
　　THEFOOT
　　Timewaswhennogoodnewsmadeajourney，andnofriendcamenear，butawelcomewasuttered，oratleastthought，forthetravellingfeetofthewayfarerortheherald。Thefeet，thefeetwerebeautifulonthemountains；theirtoilwasthepriceofallcommunication，andtheirrewardthefirstserviceandrefreshment。
　　Theywereblessedandbathed；theysuffered，buttheywerefriendswiththeearth；dewsingrassatmorning，shallowriversatnoon，gavethemcoolness。Theymusthavegrownhardupontheirmountainpaths，yetneversohardbuttheyneededandhadthefirstpityandthereadiestsuccour。Itwasnevereasyforthefeetofmantotravelthisearth，shodorunshod，andhisfeetaredelicate，likehiscolour。
　　Iftheysufferedhardshiponce，theysufferprivationnow。Yetthefeetshouldhavemoreoftheacquaintanceofearth，andknowmoreofflowers，freshness，coolbrooks，wildthyme，andsaltsandthandoesanythingelseaboutus。Itistheircalling；andthehandsmightbegladtobestrokedforadaybygrassandstruckbybuttercups，asthefeetareofthosewhogobarefoot；andthenostrilsmightbeflatteredtobe，likethem，solongnearmoss。Thefacehasonlynowandthen，foraresting-while，theirprivilege。
　　Ifourfeetarenowsoseveredfromthenaturalground，theyhaveinevitablylostlifeandstrengthbytheseparation。Itisonlytheentirelyunshodthathavelivelyfeet。Watchapeasantwhoneverwearsshoes，exceptforafewunkindhoursonceaweek，andyoumayseetheplayofhistalkinhismobilefeet；theybecomeasdramaticashishands。Freshastheair，brownwiththelight，andhealthyfromthefield，notusedtodarkness，notgrowninprison，thefootofthecontadinoisnotabashed。Itisthefootofhighlifethatisprim，andneverliftsaheelagainstitsdullconditions，forithasforgottenliberty。Itismoreactivenowthanitlatelywas——
　　certainlythefootofwomanismoreactive；butwhetheronthepedalorinthestirrup，orcladforawalk，orarmedforagame，ordeckedforthewaltz，itisinbonds。Itis，atanyrate，inarticulate。
　　Ithasnolongeradistinctanddividedlife，ornonethatisvisibleandsensible。Whereasthewholelivingbodyhasnaturallysuchinfinitedistinctnessthatthesenseoftouchdiffers，asitwere，witheverynerve，andthefingersaresoseparatethatitwasbelievedofthemofoldthateachonehaditsangel，yetthemodernfootis，asmuchaspossible，deprivedofallthatdelicatedistinction：undone，unspecialized，sentbacktolowerformsofindiscriminatelife。Itisasthoughalandscapewithseparatesweetnessineverytreeshouldberudelypaintedwiththeblank——
　　blank，notsimple——generalitiesofavulgarhand。Orasthoughoneshouldtakethepleasuresofadayofhappinessinawholesalefashion，not"turningthehourstomoments，"whichjoycandotothefullasperfectlyaspain。
　　Thefoot，withitsarticulations，issuppressed，anditslanguageconfused。WhenLovelacelikensthehandofAmaranthatoaviolin，andherglovetothecase，hehasatanyrateaglovetodealwith，notaboot。YetAmarantha’sfootisaslovelyasherhand。It，too，hasa"tenderinward"；nowayfaringwouldevermakeitlookanythingbutdelicate；itsarchseemstooslighttocarryherthroughanightofdances；itdoes，infact，butbalanceher。Itisfittoclingtotheground，butratherforspringingthanforrest。
　　And，doubtless，forman，woman，andchildthetender，irregular，sensitive，livingfoot，whichdoesnotevenstandwithallitslittlesurfaceontheground，andwhichmakesnobasetosatisfyanarchitecturaleye，is，asitwere，theunexpectedthing。Itisapartofvitaldesignandhasahistory；andmandoesnotgoerectbutatapriceofwearinessandpain。Howweakitismaybeseenfromafootprint：fornothingmakesamorehelplessandunsymmetricalsignthandoesanakedfoot。
　　Tender，too，isthesilenceofhumanfeet。Youhavebuttopassaseasonamongstthebarefootedtofindthatman，who，shod，makessomuchado，isnaturallyassilentassnow。Woman，whonotonlymakesherarmedheelheard，butalsogoesrustlinglikeashower，isnaturallysilentassnow。Thevintagerisnotheardamongthevines，northeharvesteronhisthreshing-floorofstone。Thereisakindofsimplestealthintheircomingandgoing，andtheyshowsuddensmilesanddarkeyesinandoutoftherowsofharvestwhenyouthoughtyourselfalone。Thelackofnoiseintheirmovementsetsfreethesoundoftheirvoices，andtheirlaughterfloats。
　　Butweshallnotpraisethe"simple，sweet"and"earth-confidingfeet"enoughwithoutthanksfortheruleofverseandforthetimeofsong。IfPoetrywasfirstdividedbythemarch，andnextvariedbythedance，thentotheruleofthefootaretobeascribedthethought，theinstruction，andthedreamthatcouldnotspeakbyprose。Outofthatlittlephysicallaw，then，grewaspirituallawwhichisoneofthegreatestthingsweknow；andfromthetestofthefootcametheultimatetestofthethinker："IsitacceptedofSong？"
　　Themonastery，inlikemanner，holdsitssonstolittletrivialrulesoftimeandexactitude，nottobebroken，lawsthataremadesecureagainsttherestlessnessoftheheartfrettingforinsignificantliberties——triviallawstorestrainfromatrivialfreedom。Andwithinthegateoftheselawswhichseemsosmall，liestheworldofmysticvirtue。Theyenclose，theyimply，theylock，theyanswerforit。Lesservirtuesmayflowerindailylibertyandmayflourishinprose；butinfinitevirtuesandgreatnessarecompelledtothemeasureofpoetry，andobeytheconstraintofanhourlyconventbell。Itisnowonderthateverypoetworthythenamehashadapassionformetre，fortheveryverse。Tohimthedifficultfetteristheconditionofaninteriorrangeimmeasurable。
　　HAVEPATIENCE，LITTLESAINT
　　Someconsiderabletimemusthavegonebysinceanykindofcourtesyceased，inEngland，tobeheldnecessaryinthecourseofcommunicationwithabeggar。Feelingmaybehumane，andtheinterioractmostgentle；theremaybeatacitapology，andaprofoundmisgivingunexpressed；areluctancenotonlytorefusebuttobearbiter；adislikeoftheoffice；aregret，whetherfortheunequaldistributionofsocialluckorforapurseleftathome，equallysincere；howbeitcustomexactsnowordorsign，nothingwhateverofintercourse。Ifadogoracataccostsyou，oracalfinafieldcomesclosetoyouwithacandidinfantfaceandbreathingnostrilsofinvestigation，orifanykindofanimalcomestoyouonsomeobscureimpulseoffriendlyapproach，youacknowledgeit。Butthebeggartowhomyougivenothingexpectsnoanswertoaquestion，norecognitionofhispresence，notsomuchastheturnofyoureyelidinhisdirection，andneverawordtoexcuseyou。
　　Nordoesthisblankbehaviourseemsavagetothosewhoareusedtonothingelse。Yetitissomewhatmoreinhumantorefuseananswertothebeggar’sremarkthantoleaveashopwithout"Goodmorning。"
　　Whencomplaintismadeofthemodernsocialmanner——thatithasnomeritbutwhatisnegative，andthatitisapteventoabstainfromcourtesywithmorelackofgracethantheabstinenceabsolutelyrequires——thehabitofmannertowardsbeggarsisprobablynotsomuchasthoughtof。Tothesimplyhumaneye，however，theprevalentmannertowardsbeggarsisastrikingthing；itissignificantofsomuch。
　　Obviouslyitisnoteasytoreplytobeggingexceptbytheintelligibleactofgiving。WehavenottheingenuoussimplicitythatmarksthecasteansweringmoreorlesstothatofVeredeVere，inItaly，forexample。AnelderlyItalianladyonherslowwayfromherownancientancestralpalazzotothevillage，andaccustomedtomeet，empty-handed，acertainnumberofbeggars，answersthembyaretortwhichwouldbe，literallytranslated，"Excuseme，dear；I，too，amapoordevil，"andthelastwordshenaturallyputsintothefeminine。
　　Moreover，thesentenceisspokeninallthefamiliarityofthelocaldialect——adialectthatputsanytwopeopleatonceuponequaltermsasnothingelsecandoit。WoulditwerepossibletopresentthephrasetoEnglishreadersinallitsownhelplessgood-humour。Theexcellentwomanwhousesitispractisingnoeccentricitythereby，andraisesnosmile。Itisonlyinanotherclimate，andamidothermanners，thatonecannotrecallitwithoutasmile。ToamindhavingalivelysenseofcontrastitisnotalittlepleasanttoimagineanelderlyladyofcorrespondingstationinEnglandreplyingsotoimportunitiesforalms；albeitwehavenothingansweringtothegoodfellowshipofabroadpatoisusedcurrentlybyrichandpoor，andyetslightlygrotesqueinthecaseofallspeakers——adialectinwhich，forexample，nosermoniseverpreached，andinwhichnobookiseverprinted，exceptforfun；adialect"familiar，butbynomeansvulgar。"Besides，evenifourEnglishwomancouldbyanypossibilitybringherselftosaytoamendicant，"Excuseme，dear；I，too，amapoordevil，"shewouldstillnothavetheopportunityofputtingthelastwordpunctuallyintothefeminine，whichdoessocompletethecharacterofthesentence。