Ithasalsobeenthepeculiarlotofourcountrytobevisitedby
　　theworstkindofEnglishtravellers。Whilemenofphilosophical
　　spiritandcultivatedmindshavebeensentfromEnglandtoransackthe
　　poles，topenetratethedeserts，andtostudythemannersand
　　customsofbarbarousnations，withwhichshecanhavenopermanent
　　intercourseofprofitorpleasure；ithasbeenlefttothebroken—down
　　tradesman，theschemingadventurer，thewanderingmechanic，the
　　ManchesterandBirminghamagent，tobeheroraclesrespectingAmerica。
　　Fromsuchsourcessheiscontenttoreceiveherinformationrespecting
　　acountryinasingularstateofmoralandphysicaldevelopment；a
　　countryinwhichoneofthegreatestpoliticalexperimentsinthe
　　historyoftheworldisnowperforming；andwhichpresentsthemost
　　profoundandmomentousstudiestothestatesmanandthephilosopher。
　　ThatsuchmenshouldgiveprejudicialaccountsofAmericaisnota
　　matterofsurprise。Thethemesitoffersforcontemplationaretoo
　　vastandelevatedfortheircapacities。Thenationalcharacteris
　　yetinastateoffermentation；itmayhaveitsfrothinessand
　　sediment，butitsingredientsaresoundandwholesome；ithas
　　alreadygivenproofsofpowerfulandgenerousqualities；andthewhole
　　promisestosettledownintosomethingsubstantiallyexcellent。But
　　thecauseswhichareoperatingtostrengthenandennobleit，andits
　　dailyindicationsofadmirableproperties，arealllostuponthese
　　purblindobservers；whoareonlyaffectedbythelittleasperities
　　incidenttoitspresentsituation。Theyarecapableofjudgingonlyof
　　thesurfaceofthings；ofthosematterswhichcomeincontactwith
　　theirprivateinterestsandpersonalgratifications。Theymisssomeof
　　thesnugconveniencesandpettycomfortswhichbelongtoanold，
　　highly—finished，andover—populousstateofsociety；wheretheranks
　　ofusefullaborarecrowded，andmanyearnapainfulandservile
　　subsistencebystudyingtheverycapricesofappetiteand
　　self—indulgence。Theseminorcomforts，however，areall—importantin
　　theestimationofnarrowminds；whicheitherdonotperceive，or
　　willnotacknowledge，thattheyaremorethancounterbalancedamongus
　　bygreatandgenerallydiffusedblessings。
　　Theymay，perhaps，havebeendisappointedinsomeunreasonable
　　expectationofsuddengain。TheymayhavepicturedAmericato
　　themselvesanElDorado，wheregoldandsilverabounded，andthe
　　nativeswerelackinginsagacity；andwheretheyweretobecome
　　strangelyandsuddenlyrich，insomeunforeseen，buteasymanner。
　　Thesameweaknessofmindthatindulgesabsurdexpectationsproduces
　　petulanceindisappointment。Suchpersonsbecomeembitteredagainst
　　thecountryonfindingthatthere，aseverywhereelse，amanmust
　　sowbeforehecanreap；mustwinwealthbyindustryandtalent；and
　　mustcontendwiththecommondifficultiesofnature，andthe
　　shrewdnessofanintelligentandenterprisingpeople。
　　Perhaps，throughmistaken，orill—directedhospitality，orfrom
　　thepromptdispositiontocheerandcountenancethestranger，
　　prevalentamongmycountrymen，theymayhavebeentreatedwith
　　unwontedrespectinAmerica；andhavingbeenaccustomedalltheir
　　livestoconsiderthemselvesbelowthesurfaceofgoodsociety，and
　　broughtupinaservilefeelingofinferiority，theybecomearrogant
　　onthecommonboonofcivility：theyattributetothelowlinessof
　　otherstheirownelevation；andunderrateasocietywherethereareno
　　artificialdistinctions，andwhere，byanychance，suchindividualsas
　　themselvescanrisetoconsequence。
　　Onewouldsuppose，however，thatinformationcomingfromsuch
　　sources，onasubjectwherethetruthissodesirable，wouldbe
　　receivedwithcautionbythecensorsofthepress；thatthemotivesof
　　thesemen，theirveracity，theiropportunitiesofinquiryand
　　observation，andtheircapacitiesforjudgingcorrectly，wouldbe
　　rigorouslyscrutinizedbeforetheirevidencewasadmitted，insuch
　　sweepingextent，againstakindrednation。Theveryreverse，
　　however，isthecase，anditfurnishesastrikinginstanceofhuman
　　inconsistency。NothingcansurpassthevigilancewithwhichEnglish
　　criticswillexaminethecredibilityofthetravellerwhopublishesan
　　accountofsomedistant，andcomparativelyunimportantcountry。How
　　warilywilltheycomparethemeasurementsofapyramid，orthe
　　descriptionsofaruin；andhowsternlywilltheycensureany
　　inaccuracyinthesecontributionsofmerelycuriousknowledge：while
　　theywillreceive，witheagernessandunhesitatingfaith，thegross
　　misrepresentationsofcoarseandobscurewriters，concerningacountry
　　withwhichtheirownisplacedinthemostimportantanddelicate
　　relations。Nay，theywillevenmaketheseapocryphalvolumes
　　text—books，onwhichtoenlargewithazealandanabilityworthyofa
　　moregenerouscause。
　　Ishallnot，however，dwellonthisirksomeandhackneyedtopic；nor
　　shouldIhaveadvertedtoit，butfortheundueinterestapparently
　　takeninitbymycountrymen，andcertaininjuriouseffectswhichI
　　apprehendeditmightproduceuponthenationalfeeling。Weattach
　　toomuchconsequencetotheseattacks。Theycannotdousanyessential
　　injury。Thetissueofmisrepresentationsattemptedtobewovenround
　　usarelikecobwebswovenroundthelimbsofaninfantgiant。Our
　　countrycontinuallyoutgrowsthem。Onefalsehoodafteranotherfalls
　　offofitself。Wehavebuttoliveon，andeverydayweliveawhole
　　volumeofrefutation。
　　AllthewritersofEnglandunited，ifwecouldforamoment
　　supposetheirgreatmindsstoopingtosounworthyacombination，could
　　notconcealourrapidly—growingimportance，andmatchless
　　prosperity。Theycouldnotconcealthattheseareowing，notmerelyto
　　physicalandlocal，butalsotomoralcauses—tothepolitical
　　liberty，thegeneraldiffusionofknowledge，theprevalenceofsound
　　moralandreligiousprinciples，whichgiveforceandsustained
　　energytothecharacterofapeople；andwhich，infact，havebeenthe
　　acknowledgedandwonderfulsupportersoftheirownnationalpower
　　andglory。
　　ButwhyarewesoexquisitelyalivetotheaspersionsofEngland？
　　Whydowesufferourselvestobesoaffectedbythecontumelyshe
　　hasendeavoredtocastuponus？ItisnotintheopinionofEngland
　　alonethathonorlives，andreputationhasitsbeing。Theworldat
　　largeisthearbiterofanation’sfame；withitsthousandeyesit
　　witnessesanation’sdeeds，andfromtheircollectivetestimonyis
　　nationalgloryornationaldisgraceestablished。
　　Forourselves，therefore，itiscomparativelyofbutlittle
　　importancewhetherEnglanddoesusjusticeornot；itis，perhaps，
　　offarmoreimportancetoherself。Sheisinstillingangerand
　　resentmentintothebosomofayouthfulnation，togrowwithits
　　growthandstrengthenwithitsstrength。IfinAmerica，assomeofher
　　writersarelaboringtoconvinceher，sheishereaftertofindan
　　invidiousrival，andagiganticfoe，shemaythankthosevery
　　writersforhavingprovokedrivalshipandirritatedhostility。Every
　　oneknowstheall—pervadinginfluenceofliteratureatthepresent
　　day，andhowmuchtheopinionsandpassionsofmankindareunderits
　　control。Themerecontestsoftheswordaretemporary；theirwounds
　　arebutintheflesh，anditistheprideofthegeneroustoforgive
　　andforgetthem；buttheslandersofthepenpiercetotheheart；they
　　ranklelongestinthenoblestspirits；theydwelleverpresentin
　　themind，andrenderitmorbidlysensitivetothemosttrifling
　　collision。Itisbutseldomthatanyoneovertactproduces
　　hostilitiesbetweentwonations；thereexists，mostcommonly，a
　　previousjealousyandill—will；apredispositiontotakeoffence。
　　Tracethesetotheircause，andhowoftenwilltheybefoundto
　　originateinthemischievouseffusionsofmercenarywriters；who，
　　secureintheirclosets，andforignominiousbread，concoctand
　　circulatethevenomthatistoinflamethegenerousandthebrave。
　　Iamnotlayingtoomuchstressuponthispoint；foritappliesmost
　　emphaticallytoourparticularcase。Overnonationdoesthepress
　　holdamoreabsolutecontrolthanoverthepeopleofAmerica；for
　　theuniversaleducationofthepoorestclassesmakesevery
　　individualareader。ThereisnothingpublishedinEnglandonthe
　　subjectofourcountrythatdoesnotcirculatethrougheverypartof
　　it。ThereisnotacalumnydroppedfromEnglishpen，noranunworthy
　　sarcasmutteredbyanEnglishstatesman，thatdoesnotgotoblight
　　good—will，andaddtothemassoflatentresentment。Possessing，then，
　　asEnglanddoes，thefountain—headwhencetheliteratureofthe
　　languageflows，howcompletelyisitinherpower，andhowtrulyisit
　　herduty，tomakeitthemediumofamiableandmagnanimousfeeling—
　　astreamwherethetwonationsmightmeettogether，anddrinkinpeace
　　andkindness。Shouldshe，however，persistinturningittowaters
　　ofbitterness，thetimemaycomewhenshemayrepentherfolly。The
　　presentfriendshipofAmericamaybeofbutlittlemomenttoher；
　　butthefuturedestiniesofthatcountrydonotadmitofadoubt；over
　　thoseofEnglandtherelowersomeshadowsofuncertainty。Should，
　　then，adayofgloomarrive；shouldthesereversesovertakeher，
　　fromwhichtheproudestempireshavenotbeenexempt；shemaylook
　　backwithregretatherinfatuation，inrepulsingfromhersidea
　　nationshemighthavegrappledtoherbosom，andthusdestroyingher
　　onlychanceforrealfriendshipbeyondtheboundariesofherown
　　dominions。
　　ThereisageneralimpressioninEngland，thatthepeopleofthe
　　UnitedStatesareinimicaltotheparentcountry。Itisoneofthe
　　errorswhichhavebeendiligentlypropagatedbydesigningwriters。
　　Thereis，doubtless，considerablepoliticalhostility，andageneral
　　sorenessattheilliberalityoftheEnglishpress；but，generally
　　speaking，theprepossessionsofthepeoplearestronglyinfavorof
　　England。Indeed，atonetime，theyamounted，inmanypartsofthe
　　Union，toanabsurddegreeofbigotry。ThebarenameofEnglishmanwas
　　apassporttotheconfidenceandhospitalityofeveryfamily，and
　　toooftengaveatransientcurrencytotheworthlessandthe
　　ungrateful。Throughoutthecountrytherewassomethingofenthusiasm
　　connectedwiththeideaofEngland。Welookedtoitwithahallowed
　　feelingoftendernessandveneration，asthelandofourforefathers—
　　theaugustrepositoryofthemonumentsandantiquitiesofourrace—
　　thebirthplaceandmausoleumofthesagesandheroesofourpaternal
　　history。Afterourowncountry，therewasnoneinwhoseglorywemore
　　delighted—nonewhosegoodopinionweweremoreanxioustopossess—
　　nonetowardswhichourheartsyearnedwithsuchthrobbingsofwarm
　　consanguinity。Evenduringthelatewar，whenevertherewastheleast
　　opportunityforkindfeelingstospringforth，itwasthedelightof
　　thegenerousspiritsofourcountrytoshowthat，inthemidstof
　　hostilities，theystillkeptalivethesparksoffuturefriendship。
　　Isallthistobeatanend？Isthisgoldenbandofkindred
　　sympathies，sorarebetweennations，tobebrokenforever？—Perhaps
　　itisforthebest—itmaydispelanillusionwhichmighthavekeptus
　　inmentalvassalage；whichmighthaveinterferedoccasionallywithour
　　trueinterests，andpreventedthegrowthofpropernationalpride。But
　　itishardtogiveupthekindredtie！andtherearefeelingsdearer
　　thaninterest—closertotheheartthanpride—thatwillstillmakeus
　　castbackalookofregret，aswewanderfartherandfartherfrom
　　thepaternalroof，andlamentthewaywardnessoftheparentthatwould
　　repeltheaffectionsofthechild。
　　Short—sightedandinjudicious，however，astheconductofEngland
　　maybeinthissystemofaspersion，recriminationonourpartwouldbe
　　equallyill—judged。Ispeaknotofapromptandspiritedvindication
　　ofourcountry，northekeenestcastigationofherslanderers—butI
　　alludetoadispositiontoretaliateinkind；toretortsarcasm，and
　　inspireprejudice；whichseemstobespreadingwidelyamongour
　　writers。Letusguardparticularlyagainstsuchatemper，foritwould
　　doubletheevilinsteadofredressingthewrong。Nothingissoeasy
　　andinvitingastheretortofabuseandsarcasm；butitisapaltry
　　andanunprofitablecontest。Itisthealternativeofamorbidmind，
　　frettedintopetulance，ratherthanwarmedintoindignation。If
　　Englandiswillingtopermitthemeanjealousiesoftrade，orthe
　　rancorousanimositiesofpolitics，todepravetheintegrityofher
　　press，andpoisonthefountainofpublicopinion，letusbewareofher
　　example。Shemaydeemitherinteresttodiffuseerror，andengender
　　antipathy，forthepurposeofcheckingemigration；wehaveno
　　purposeofthekindtoserve。Neitherhaveweanyspiritofnational
　　jealousytogratify，forasyet，inallourrivalshipswithEngland，
　　wearetherisingandthegainingparty。Therecanbenoendto
　　answer，therefore，butthegratificationofresentment—amere
　　spiritofretaliation；andeventhatisimpotent。Ourretortsare
　　neverrepublishedinEngland；theyfallshort，therefore，oftheir
　　aim；buttheyfosteraquerulousandpeevishtemperamongourwriters；
　　theysourthesweetflowofourearlyliterature，andsowthornsand
　　bramblesamongitsblossoms。Whatisstillworse，theycirculate
　　throughourowncountry，and，asfarastheyhaveeffect，excite
　　virulentnationalprejudices。Thislastistheevilmostespeciallyto
　　bedeprecated。Governed，asweare，entirelybypublicopinion，the
　　utmostcareshouldbetakentopreservethepurityofthepublicmind。
　　Knowledgeispower，andtruthisknowledge；whoever，therefore，
　　knowinglypropagatesaprejudice，willfullysapsthefoundationofhis
　　country’sstrength。
　　Themembersofarepublic，aboveallothermen，shouldbecandidand
　　dispassionate。Theyare，individually，portionsofthesovereign
　　mindandsovereignwill，andshouldbeenabledtocometoall
　　questionsofnationalconcernwithcalmandunbiasedjudgments。From
　　thepeculiarnatureofourrelationswithEngland，wemusthavemore
　　frequentquestionsofadifficultanddelicatecharacterwithherthan
　　withanyothernation；questionsthataffectthemostacuteand
　　excitablefeelings；andas，intheadjustingofthese，ournational
　　measuresmustultimatelybedeterminedbypopularsentiment，wecannot
　　betooanxiouslyattentivetopurifyitfromalllatentpassionor
　　prepossession。
　　Opening，too，aswedo，anasylumforstrangersfromeveryportion
　　oftheearth，weshouldreceiveallwithimpartiality。Itshouldbe
　　ourpridetoexhibitanexampleofonenation，atleast，destitute
　　ofnationalantipathies，andexercisingnotmerelytheovertactsof
　　hospitality，butthosemorerareandnoblecourtesieswhichspring
　　fromtheliberalityofopinion。
　　Whathavewetodowithnationalprejudices？Theyaretheinveterate
　　diseasesofoldcountries，contractedinrudeandignorantages，
　　whennationsknewbutlittleofeachother，andlookedbeyondtheir
　　ownboundarieswithdistrustandhostility。We，onthecontrary，
　　havesprungintonationalexistenceinanenlightenedand
　　philosophicage，whenthedifferentpartsofthehabitableworld，
　　andthevariousbranchesofthehumanfamily，havebeen
　　indefatigablystudiedandmadeknowntoeachother；andweforego
　　theadvantagesofourbirth，ifwedonotshakeoffthenational
　　prejudices，aswewouldthelocalsuperstitionsoftheoldworld。
　　Butaboveallletusnotbeinfluencedbyanyangryfeelings，sofar
　　astoshutoureyestotheperceptionofwhatisreallyexcellent
　　andamiableintheEnglishcharacter。Weareayoungpeople，
　　necessarilyanimitativeone，andmusttakeourexamplesandmodels，
　　inagreatdegree，fromtheexistingnationsofEurope。Thereisno
　　countrymoreworthyofourstudythanEngland。Thespiritofher
　　constitutionismostanalogoustoours。Themannersofherpeople—
　　theirintellectualactivity—theirfreedomofopinion—theirhabitsof
　　thinkingonthosesubjectswhichconcernthedearestinterestsand
　　mostsacredcharitiesofprivatelife，areallcongenialtothe
　　Americancharacter；and，infact，areallintrinsicallyexcellent；for
　　itisinthemoralfeelingofthepeoplethatthedeepfoundations
　　ofBritishprosperityarelaid；andhoweverthesuperstructuremay
　　betime—worn，oroverrunbyabuses，theremustbesomethingsolidin
　　thebasis，admirableinthematerials，andstableinthestructure
　　ofanedifice，thatsolonghastoweredunshakenamidstthetempests
　　oftheworld。
　　Letitbetheprideofourwriters，therefore，discardingall
　　feelingsofirritation，anddisdainingtoretaliatetheilliberality
　　ofBritishauthors，tospeakoftheEnglishnationwithout
　　prejudice，andwithdeterminedcandor。Whiletheyrebukethe
　　indiscriminatingbigotrywithwhichsomeofourcountrymenadmire
　　andimitateeverythingEnglish，merelybecauseitisEnglish，let
　　themfranklypointoutwhatisreallyworthyofapprobation。Wemay
　　thusplaceEnglandbeforeusasaperpetualvolumeofreference，
　　whereinarerecordedsounddeductionsfromagesofexperience；and
　　whileweavoidtheerrorsandabsurditieswhichmayhavecreptinto
　　thepage，wemaydrawthencegoldenmaximsofpracticalwisdom，
　　wherewithtostrengthenandtoembellishournationalcharacter。
　　THEEND。
　　1819—20
　　THESKETCHBOOK
　　LONDONANTIQUES
　　byWashingtonIrving
　　—Idowalk
　　MethinkslikeGuidoVaux，withmydarklanthorn，
　　Stealingtosetthetowno’fire；i’th’country
　　IshouldbetakenforWilliamo’theWisp，
　　OrRobinGoodfellow。
　　FLETCHER。
　　IAMsomewhatofanantiquityhunter，andamfondofexploring
　　Londoninquestoftherelicsofoldtimes。Theseareprincipallyto
　　befoundinthedepthsofthecity，swallowedupandalmostlostin
　　awildernessofbrickandmortar；butderivingpoeticalandromantic
　　interestfromthecommonplaceprosaicworldaroundthem。Iwas
　　struckwithaninstanceofthekindinthecourseofarecentsummer
　　rambleintothecity；forthecityisonlytobeexploredtoadvantage
　　insummertime，whenfreefromthesmokeandfog，andrainandmud
　　ofwinter。Ihadbeenbuffetingforsometimeagainstthecurrentof
　　populationsettingthroughFleet—street。Thewarmweatherhadunstrung
　　mynerves，andmademesensitivetoeveryjarandjostleand
　　discordantsound。Thefleshwasweary，thespiritfaint，andIwas
　　gettingoutofhumorwiththebustlingbusythrongthroughwhichIhad
　　tostruggle，wheninafitofdesperationItoremywaythroughthe
　　crowd，plungedintoabylane，andafterpassingthroughseveral
　　obscurenooksandangles，emergedintoaquaintandquietcourtwitha
　　grassplotinthecentre，overhungbyelms，andkeptperpetually
　　freshandgreenbyafountainwithitssparklingjetofwater。A
　　studentwithbookinhandwasseatedonastonebench，partlyreading，
　　partlymeditatingonthemovementsoftwoorthreetrimnursery
　　maidswiththeirinfantcharges。
　　IwaslikeanArab，whohadsuddenlycomeuponanoasisamidthe
　　pantingsterilityofthedesert。Bydegreesthequietandcoolness
　　oftheplacesoothedmynervesandrefreshedmyspirit。Ipursuedmy
　　walk，andcame，hardbytoaveryancientchapel，withalow—browed
　　Saxonportalofmassiveandricharchitecture。Theinteriorwas
　　circularandlofty，andlightedfromabove。Aroundweremonumental
　　tombsofancientdate，onwhichwereextendedthemarbleeffigiesof
　　warriorsinarmor。Somehadthehandsdevoutlycrosseduponthe
　　breast；othersgraspedthepommelofthesword，menacinghostility
　　eveninthetomb！—whilethecrossedlegsofseveralindicated
　　soldiersoftheFaithwhohadbeenoncrusadestotheHolyLand。
　　Iwas，infact，inthechapeloftheKnightsTemplars，strangely
　　situatedintheverycentreofsordidtraffic；andIdonotknowa
　　moreimpressivelessonforthemanoftheworldthanthussuddenly
　　toturnasidefromthehighwayofbusymoney—seekinglife，andsit
　　downamongtheseshadowysepulchres，whereallistwilight，dust，
　　andforgetfulness。
　　Inasubsequenttourofobservation，Iencounteredanotherof
　　theserelicsofa"foregoneworld"lockedupintheheartofthecity。
　　Ihadbeenwanderingforsometimethroughdullmonotonousstreets，
　　destituteofanythingtostriketheeyeorexcitetheimagination，
　　whenIbeheldbeforemeaGothicgatewayofmoulderingantiquity。It
　　openedintoaspaciousquadrangleformingthecourt—yardofa
　　statelyGothicpile，theportalofwhichstoodinvitinglyopen。
　　Itwasapparentlyapublicedifice，andasIwasantiquity
　　hunting，Iventuredin，thoughwithdubioussteps。Meetingnoone
　　eithertoopposeorrebukemyintrusion，IcontinuedonuntilI
　　foundmyselfinagreathall，withaloftyarchedroofandoaken
　　gallery，allofGothicarchitecture。Atoneendofthehallwasan
　　enormousfireplace，withwoodensettlesoneachside；attheotherend
　　wasaraisedplatform，ordais，theseatofstate，abovewhichwasthe
　　portraitofamaninantiquegarb，withalongrobe，aruff，anda
　　venerablegraybeard。
　　Thewholeestablishmenthadanairofmonasticquietand
　　seclusion，andwhatgaveitamysteriouscharm，was，thatIhadnot
　　metwithahumanbeingsinceIhadpassedthethreshold。
　　Encouragedbythisloneliness，Iseatedmyselfinarecessofa
　　largebowwindow，whichadmittedabroadfloodofyellowsunshine，
　　checkeredhereandtherebytintsfrompanesofcoloredglass；while
　　anopencasementletinthesoftsummerair。Here，leaningmyhead
　　onmyhand，andmyarmonanoldoakentable，Iindulgedinasort
　　ofreverieaboutwhatmighthavebeentheancientusesofthis
　　edifice。Ithadevidentlybeenofmonasticorigin；perhapsoneof
　　thosecollegiateestablishmentsbuiltofyoreforthepromotionof
　　learning，wherethepatientmonk，intheamplesolitudeofthe
　　cloister，addedpagetopageandvolumetovolume，emulatinginthe
　　productionofhisbrainthemagnitudeofthepileheinhabited。
　　AsIwasseatedinthismusingmood，asmallpanelleddoorinan
　　archattheupperendofthehallwasopened，andanumberof
　　gray—headedoldmen，cladinlongblackcloaks，cameforthonebyone；
　　proceedinginthatmannerthroughthehall，withoututteringaword，
　　eachturningapalefaceonmeashepassed，anddisappearing
　　throughadooratthelowerend。
　　Iwassingularlystruckwiththeirappearance；theirblackcloaks
　　andantiquatedaircomportedwiththestyleofthismostvenerableand
　　mysteriouspile。Itwasasiftheghostsofthedepartedyears，
　　aboutwhichIhadbeenmusing，werepassinginreviewbeforeme。
　　Pleasingmyselfwithsuchfancies，Isetout，inthespiritof
　　romance，toexplorewhatIpicturedtomyselfarealmofshadows，
　　existingintheverycentreofsubstantialrealities。
　　Myrambleledmethroughalabyrinthofinteriorcourts，and
　　corridors，anddilapidatedcloisters，forthemainedificehadmany
　　additionsanddependencies，builtatvarioustimesandinvarious
　　styles；inoneopenspaceanumberofboys，whoevidentlybelonged
　　totheestablishment，wereattheirsports；buteverywhereI
　　observedthosemysteriousoldgraymeninblackmantles，sometimes
　　saunteringalone，sometimesconversingingroups：theyappearedto
　　bethepervadinggeniioftheplace。InowcalledtomindwhatIhad
　　readofcertaincollegesinoldtimes，wherejudicialastrology，
　　geomancy，necromancy，andotherforbiddenandmagicalscienceswere
　　taught。Wasthisanestablishmentofthekind，andwerethese
　　black—cloakedoldmenreallyprofessorsoftheblackart？
　　Thesesurmiseswerepassingthroughmymindasmyeyeglancedintoa
　　chamber，hungroundwithallkindsofstrangeanduncouthobjects；
　　implementsofsavagewarfare；strangeidolsandstuffedalligators；
　　bottledserpentsandmonstersdecoratedthemantelpiece；whileon
　　thehightesterofanold—fashionedbedsteadgrinnedahumanskull，
　　flankedoneachsidebyadriedcat。