第2章

Green"spupilscouldgenerallywriteinhisownlanguage，moreorless，andcould"envisage"things，aswesaidthen，fromhispointofview。Todothiswasbelieved，probablywithoutcause，tobeusefulinexaminations。Forone，Icouldnevertakeitmuchmoreseriously，neverbelievedthat"theAbsolute，"astheOxfordSpectatorsaid，hadreallybeen"gotintoacorner。"TheAbsolutehastoooftenbeenapparentlycornered，toooftenhasescapedfromthatsituation。SomewhereinanoldnotebookIbelieveIhaveaportraitinpencilofMr。GreenashewrestledatlecturewithAristotle，withtheNotion，withhischairandtable。Perhapshewasthelastofthatremarkableseriesofmen，whomayhavebegunwithWycliffe，amongwhomNewman"sisafamousname，thatweresuccessivelyacceptedatOxfordasknowingsomethingesoteric，aspossessingashrewdguessatthesecret。

"NonethelessIstillcameoutnowiserthanIwent。"

Allofthesemastersandteachersmadetheirmark，probablywontheirhold，inthefirstplace，bydintofcharacter，notofsomepeculiarviewsoftheologyandphilosophy。DoubtlessitwasthesamewithSocrates，withBuddha。Tobelikethem，nottobelievewiththem，isthethingneedful。Buttheyoungerweare，theless，perhaps，weseethisclearly，andwepersuadeourselvesthatthereissomemysteryinthesemen"spossession，somepieceofknowledge，somemethodofthinkingwhichwillleadustocertaintyandtopeace。Alas，theirsecretisincommunicable，andthereisnomoreaphilosophicthanthereisaroyalroadtotheCity。

ThismayseemadigressionfromAdventuresamongBooksintotheBookofHumanLife。Butwhilemuchofeducationisstillorallycommunicatedbylecturesandconversations，manythoughtswhicharetobefoundinbooks，GreekorGerman，reachusthroughthehearing。Therearemanypupilswhocanbestbetaughtinthisway；

but，forone，iftherebeaughtthatisdesirableinabook，I

then，asnow，preferred，ifIcould，togotothebookforit。

Yetitisoddthatonerememberssolittleofone"sundergraduatereadings，apartfromtheconstantstudyoftheancientclassics，whichmightnotbeescaped。OfthesethecalmwisdomofAristotle，inmoralthoughtandinpolitics，madeperhapsthedeepestimpression。ProbablypoliticiansarethelastpeoplewhoreadAristotle"s"Politics。"Theworkis，indeed，apttodisenchantonewithpoliticallife。ItismelancholytoseethelittleGreekstatesrunningtheregularround——monarchy，oligarchy，tyranny，democracyinallitsdegrees，the"ultimatedemocracy"ofplunder，lawlessness，licenseofwomen，children，andslaves，andthentyrannyagain，orsubjectiontosomeforeignpower。Inpolitics，too，thereisnosecretofsuccess，ofthehappylifeforall。

ThereisnosuchroadtotheCity，eitherdemocraticorroyal。

ThisisthelessonwhichAristotle"s"Polities"impressesonus，thisandtheimpossibilityofimposingidealconstitutionsonmankind。

"Whate"erisbestadministeredisbest。"ThesearesomeoftheimpressionsmadeatOxfordbythestudiesoftheschools，themoreorlessinevitable"curricoolum，"astheScotchgentlemanpronouncedtheword。ButatOxford，formostmen，theregularworkoftheschoolsisonlyasmallpartoftheliteraryeducation。

Peopleread，indifferentdegrees，accordingtotheirprivatetastes。Therearealwaysafewmen，atleast，wholoveliterarystudiesfortheirownsake，regardlessoflecturesandof"classes。"InmyowntimeIreallybelieveyoucouldknownothingwhichmightnot"pay"intheschoolsandproveserviceableinexaminations。Butagooddealdependedonbeingabletouseyourknowledgebywayofliteraryillustration。Perhapsthecleverestofmyownjuniors，sinceverywellknowninletters，didnotusehisownspecialvein，evenwhenhehadthechance，inwritinganswerstoquestionsinexaminations。Hencehisacademicsuccesswasmuchbelowhisdeserts。Formyownpart，Iremembermytutorsaying，"Don"twriteasifyouwerewritingforapennypaper。"

Alas，itwas"aprediction，cruel，smart。"But，"asyetnosinwasdreamed。"

Atmyowncollegewehadtowriteweeklyessays，alternatelyinEnglishandLatin。Thismighthavebeengoodliterarytraining，butIfeartheessayswerenottakenveryseriously。ThechiefobjectwastomakethelatelearnedDr。Scottboundonhischairbyparadoxes。Butnobodyeversucceeded。Hewasexperiencedintrash。Asforwhatmaybecalledunacademicliterature，therewerenotmanyessaysinthatart。Therehavebeenveryliterarygenerations，aswhenCorydonandThyrsis"livedinOxfordasifithadbeenagreatcountryhouse；"soCorydonconfessed。ProbablymanyofthepoemsbyMr。MatthewArnoldandmanyofMr。Swinburne"searlyworkswereundergraduatepoems。Alatergenerationproduced"LoveinIdleness，"averypleasingvolume。Butthegodshadnotmadeuspoetical。InthosedaysIrememberpickingup，intheUnionReading-room，aprettywhitequarto，"AtalantainCalydon，"

byA。C。Swinburne。OnlyoncehadIseenMr。Swinburne"snamebefore，signingabrieftaleinOnceaWeek。"Atalanta"wasarevelation；therewasanewandoriginalpoethere，aBalliolman，too。Inmyownmind"Atalanta"remainsthebest，themostbeautiful，themostmusicalofMr。Swinburne"smanypoems。Heinstantlybecametheeasilyparodiedmodelofundergraduateversifiers。

Swinburnianprizepoems，even，wereattempted，withoutsuccess。AsyetwehadnotseenMr。MatthewArnold"sverses。Ifellinlovewiththem，onelongvacation，andneverfelloutoflove。Heisnot，andcannotbe，thepoetofthewideworld，buthischarmisallthemorepowerfuloverthosewhomheattractsandsubdues。HeistheoneOxfordpoetofOxford，andhis"ScholarGypsy"isour"Lycidas。"AtthistimehewasProfessorofPoetry；but，alas，helecturedjustatthehourwhenwicketswerepitchedonCowleyMarsh，andIneverwaspresentathisdiscourses，athishumorouspropheciesofEngland"sfate，whicharecomingalltootrue。Somanywearylectureshadtobeattended，couldnotbe"cut，"thatweabstainedfromlecturesofsupererogation，sotospeak。Fortheresttherewasno"literarymovement"amongcontemporaryundergraduates。Theyreadfortheschools，andtheyrowedandplayedcricket。Wehadnopoets，exceptthestrokeoftheCorpusboat，Mr。Bridges，andheconcealedhiscourtshipoftheMuse。

Corpusisasmallcollege，butMr。Bridgespulleditsboattotheproudplaceofsecondontheriver。B。N。C。wastheheadboat，andevenB。N。C。didCorpusbump。Butthetriumphwasbrief。B。

N。C。madechangesinitscrew，gotanewship，drankthefoaminggrape，andbumpedCorpusback。Ithinktheywentheadnextyear，butnotthatyear。ThusMr。Bridges，asKingsleyadvises，wasdoingnobledeeds，notdreamingthem，atthatmoment。

Thereexistedaperiodicalentirelydevotedtoverse，butnobodyknewanybodywhowroteinit。Acomicjournalwasstarted；I

rememberthepridewithwhichwhenafreshman，Ireceivedaninvitationtojoinitscouncilsasanartist。Iwastodothecaricaturesofallthings。Now，methought，IshallmeettheOxfordwitsofwhomIhaveread。Butthewitswereunutterablydisappointing，andthewholethingdiedearlyandnotlamented。

Onlyonepieceofacademicliteratureobtainedanddeservedsuccess。ThiswasTheOxfordSpectator，amosthumorouslittleperiodical，inshapeandsizelikeAddison"sfamousjournal。TheauthorswereMr。ReginaldCopleston，nowBishopofColombo，Mr。

HumphryWard，andMr。Nolan，agreatathlete，whodiedearly。

Therehavebeengoodperiodicalssince；manyamusingthingsoccurintheEchoesfromtheOxfordMagazine，buttheSpectatorwastheflowerofacademicjournals。"WhenIlookbacktomyownexperience，"saystheSpectator，"Ifindonescene，ofallOxford，mostdeeplyengravedupon"themindfultabletsofmysoul。"Andyetnotascene，butafairycompoundofsmellandsound，andsightandthought。ThewonderfulscentofthemeadowairjustaboveIffley，onahotMayevening，andthegaycoloursoftwentyboatsalongtheshore，thepolesallstretchedoutfromthebanktosettheboatsclear，andthesonorouscriesof"tensecondsmore，"alldownfromthegreenbargetothelasher。Andyetthatunrivalledmomentisonlytypicalofalltheterm；thevariouselementsofbeautyandpleasureareconcentratedthere。"

Unfortunately，lifeatOxfordisnotallbeautyandpleasure。

Thingsgowrongsomehow。Lifedropsherhappymask。Butthishasnothingtodowithbooks。

Aboutbooks，however，IhavenotmanymoreconfessionsthatIcaretomake。Aman"soldselfissofarawaythathecanspeakaboutitanditsadventuresalmostasifhewerespeakingaboutanotherwhoisdead。Aftertakingone"sdegree，andbeginningtowritealittleforpublication，thetopichasatendencytobecomemuchmorepersonal。MylastundergraduateliterarydiscoverieswereofFranceandtheRenaissance。AccidentallyfindingoutthatIcouldreadFrench，InaturallybetookmyselftoBalzac。Ifyoureadhimstraighton，withoutadictionary，youbegintolearnagoodmanywords。TheliteratureofFrancehasbeenmuchmorepopularinEnglandlately，butthirtyyearsagoneitwassomewhatneglected。

TheredoesseemtobesomethinginFrenchpoetrywhichfailstoplease"theGermanpasteinourcomposition。"Mr。MatthewArnold，adiscipleofSainte-Beuve，nevercouldappreciateFrenchpoetry。

Apoet-critichasevenremarkedthattheFrenchlanguageisnearlyincapableofpoetry!Wecannotargueinsuchmatters，wherealldependsonthetasteandtheear。

Ourancestors，liketheauthorofthe"FaeryQueen，"translatedandadmiredDuBellayandRonsard；tosomecriticsofourowntimethistasteseemsamodishaffectation。Forone，IhaveeverfoundanoriginalcharminthelyricsofthePleiad，andhavetakengreatdelightinHugo"samazingvarietyofmusic，intheromanceofAlfreddeMusset，inthebeautifulcameosofGautier。Whatispoetical，ifnotthe"SongofRoland，"theonlytruenationalepicsinceHomer？Whatisfrank，naturalverse，ifnotthatoftheoldPastourelles？Whereistherenaiveteofnarrativeandunconsciouscharm，ifnotinAucassinetNicolette？InthelongnormallydevelopedliteratureofFrance，sovariouslyrich，wefindthenearestanalogytotheliteratureofGreece，thoughthatofEnglandcontainsgreatermasterpieces，andherversefallsmorewinninglyontheear。FrancehasnoShakespeareandnoMilton；wehavenoMoliereandno"SongofRoland。"Onestardiffersfromanotheringlory，butitisafortunatemomentwhenthisplanetofFranceswimsintoourken。ManyofourgenerationsawitfirstthroughMr。Swinburne"stelescope，heardofitinhiscriticisms，andaregratefultothatwatcheroftheskies，evenifwedonotshareallhistransports。TherethenaroseatOxford，outofoldFrench，andoldoak，andoldchina，a"school"or"movement。"Itwasaesthetic，andanearlypurchaserofMr。WilliamMorris"swallpapers。Itexistedtenortwelveyearsbeforethepublic"caughton，"astheysay，tothesedelights。But，exceptoneortwoofthemasters，theschoolwereonlyplayingataesthetics，andlaughingattheirownperformances。Therewasmorefunthanfashioninthecult，whichwaslaterrevived，developed，andgossipedaboutmorethanenough。

Toawriternowdead，andthenfirstmet，Iamspeciallyboundingratitude——thelateMr。J。F。M"Lennan。Mr。M"LennanhadthemostacuteandingeniousofmindswhichIhaveencountered。Hiswritingsonearlymarriageandearlyreligionwererevelationswhichledontoothers。Thetopicoffolk-lore，andthedevelopmentofcustomandmyths，isnotgenerallyattractive，tobesure。Onlyafewpeopleseeminterestedinthatspectacle，sofullofsurprises——thedevelopmentofallhumaninstitutions，fromfairytalestodemocracy。Inbeholdingitwelearnhowweoweallthings，humanlyspeaking，tothepeopleandtogenius。Thenaturalpeople，thefolk，hassuppliedus，initsunconsciousway，withthestuffofallourpoetry，law，ritual:andgeniushasselectedfromthemass，hasturnedcustomsintocodes，nurserytalesintoromance，mythintoscience，balladintoepic，magicmummeryintogorgeousritual。Theworldhasbeeneducated，butnotasmanwouldhavetrainedandtaughtit。"Heledusbyawayweknewnot，"led，andisleadingus，weknownotwhither；wefollowinfear。

Thestudentofthislorecanlookbackandseethelongtroddenwaybehindhim，thewindingtracksthroughmarshandforestandoverburningsands。Heseesthecaves，thecamps，thevillages，thetownswheretheracehastarried，forshortertimesorlonger，strangeplacesmanyofthem，andstrangelyhaunted，desolatedwellingsandinhospitable。Butthescarcevisibletracksconvergeatlastonthebeatenways，thewaystothatcitywhithermankindiswandering，andwhichitmayneverwin。Wehaveaforebodingofapurposewhichweknownot，asenseasofwill，working，aswewouldnothaveworked，toahiddenend。

Thisisthelesson，Ithink，ofwhatwecallfolkloreoranthropology，whichtomanyseemstrivial，tomanyseemsdull。Itmaybecomethemostattractiveandseriousofthesciences；

certainlyitisrichinstrangecuriosities，likethosemysticstoneswhichwerefingeredandarrayedbythepupilsinthatallegoryofNovalis。Iamnotlikelytoregrettheaccidentwhichbroughtmeuponfairytales，andtheinquisitivenesswhichledmetoexaminetheotherfragmentsofantiquity。Butthepoetryandthesignificanceofthemareapttobehiddenbytheenormouscrowdofdetails。Onlylatewefindthetruemeaningofwhatseemslikeamassoffantastic，savageeccentricities。Iverywellrememberthemomentwhenitoccurredtome，soonaftertakingmydegree，thattheusualideasaboutsomeofthesematterswerethereverseofthetruth，thatthecommontheoryhadtobeinverted。Thenotionwas"intheair，"ithadalreadyflashedonMannhardt，probably，but，liketheWhiteKnightin"Alice，"Iclaimeditfor"myowninvention。"

Thesereminiscencesandreflectionshavenowbeenproducedasfaras1872，orthereabouts，anditisnotmyintentiontopursuethemfurther，nortospeakofanylivingcontemporarieswhohavenotwontheirwaytotheclassical。InwritingoffriendsandteachersatOxford，Ihavenotventuredtoexpressgratitudetothosewhostilllive，stillteach，stillarethewisestandkindestfriendsofthehurryinggenerations。Itisasilencenotofthanklessness，butofrespectanddevotion。Aboutothers——contemporaries，orjuniorsbymanyyears——whohaveinstructed，consoled，strengthened，andamusedus，wemustalsobesilent。

CHAPTERII:RECOLLECTIONSOFROBERTLOUISSTEVENSON

TUSITALA

WespokeofarestinaFairyhillofthenorth，butheFarfromthefirthsoftheeastandtheracingtidesofthewestSleepsinthesightandthesoundoftheinfinitesouthernsea，Wearyandwellcontent，inhisgraveontheVaeacrest。

Tusitala，theloverofchildren，thetelleroftales，Giverofcounselanddreams，awonder，aworld"sdelight，Lookso"erthelabourofmenintheplainandthehill，andthesailsPassandrepassontheseathatheloved，inthedayandthenight。

Windsofthewestandtheeastintherainyseasonblow，Heavywithperfume，andallhisfragrantwoodsarewet，Windsoftheeastandthewestastheywandertoandfro，Bearhimtheloveofthelandsheloved，andthelongregret。

Oncewewerekindest，hesaid，whenleaguesofthelimitlesssea，Flowedbetweenus，butnowthatnorangeoftherefluenttidesSundersuseachfromeach，yetnearerweseemtobe，WhenonlytheunbridgedstreamoftheRiverofDeathdivides。

Beforeattemptingtogiveany"reminiscences"ofMr。Stevenson，itisrighttoobservethatreminiscencesofhimcanbestbefoundinhisownworks。Inhisessayon"Child"sPlay，"andinhis"Child"sGardenofVerse，"hegavetotheworldhisvividrecollectionsofhisimaginativeinfancy。Inotheressayshespokeofhisboyhood，hishealth，hisdreams，hismethodsofworkandstudy。"TheSilveradoSquatters"revealspartofhisexperienceinAmerica。

TheParisianscenesin"TheWrecker"areinspiredbyhissojourninFrenchBohemia；hisjourneysarerecordedin"TravelswithaDonkey"and"AnInlandVoyage"；whilehisSouthSeasketches，whichappearedinperiodicals，dealwithhisOceanicadventures。Hewasthemostautobiographicalofauthors，withanegoismnearlyascomplete，andtousasdelightful，astheegoismofMontaigne。

Thus，thepropersourcesofinformationabouttheauthorof"Kidnapped"areinhisdelightfulbooks。

"John"sownJohn，"asDr。Holmessays，maybeveryunlikehisneighbour"sJohn；butinthecaseofMr。Stevenson，hisLouiswasverysimilartomyLouis；Imeanthat，ashepresentshispersonalitytotheworldinhiswritings，evensodidthatpersonalityappeartomeinourintercourse。ThemanIknewwasalwaysaboy。

"Singmeasongoftheladthatisgone，"

hewroteaboutPrinceCharlie，butinhisowncasetheladwasnever"gone。"LikeKeatsandShelley，hewas，andhelooked，oftheimmortallyyoung。HeandIwereatschooltogether，butIwasanelderlyboyofseventeen，whenhewaslostinthecrowdof"gytes，"asthemembersofthelowestformarecalled。LikeallScotchpeople，wehadavaguefamilyconnection；agreat-uncleofhis，Ifancy，marriedanauntofmyown，calledforherbeauty，"TheFlowerofEttrick。"Sowehadbothheard；butthesethingswerebeforeourday。AladyofmykindredrememberscarryingStevensonaboutwhenhewas"aratherpeevishbaby，"andIhaveseenabeautifulphotographofhim，likeoneofRaffael"schildren，takenwhenhisyearswerethreeorfour。ButIneverhadheardofhisexistencetill，in1873，Ithink，IwasatMentone，intheinterestsofmyhealth。HereImetMr。SidneyColvin，nowoftheBritishMuseum，and，withMr。Colvin，Stevenson。Helookedas，inmyeyes，healwaysdidlook，morelikealassthanalad，witharatherlong，smoothovalface，brownhairwornatgreaterlengththaniscommon，largelucideyes，butwhetherblueorbrownI

cannotremember，ifbrown，certainlylightbrown。Onappealingtotheauthorityofalady，IlearnthatbrownWASthehue。Hiscolourwasatriflehectic，asisnotunusualatMentone，butheseemed，underhisbigbluecloak，tobeofslender，yetagileframe。HewaslikenobodyelsewhomIevermet。Therewasasortofuncommoncelerityinchangingexpression，inthoughtandspeech。

HiscloakandTyrolesehat(hewouldadmittheinnocentimpeachment)weredecidedlydeartohim。OnthefrontierofItaly，whyshouldhenotdoastheItaliansdo？ItwouldhavebeenwellformeifIcouldhaveimitatedthewearingofthecloak!

Ishallnotdenythatmyfirstimpressionwasnotwhollyfavourable。"Here，"Ithought，"isoneofyouraestheticyoungmen，thoughaverycleverone。"Whatthetalkwasabout，Idonotremember；probablyofbooks。Mr。StevensonafterwardstoldmethatIhadspokenofMonsieurPauldeSt。Victor，asafinewriter，butaddedthat"hewasnotaBritishsportsman。"Mr。Stevensonhimself，tomysurprise，wasunabletowalkbeyondaveryshortdistance，and，asitsoonappeared，hethoughthisthreadoflifewasnearlyspun。Hehadjustwrittenhisessay，"OrderedSouth，"

thefirstofhispublishedworks，forhis"PentlandRising"

pamphletwasunknown，aboy"sperformance。Onreading"OrderedSouth，"Isaw，atonce，thatherewasanewwriter，awriterindeed；onewhocoulddowhatnoneofus，nousautres，couldrival，orapproach。Iwasinstantly"sealedoftheTribeofLouis，"anadmirer，adevotee，afanatic，ifyouplease。Atleastmytastehasneveraltered。Fromthisessayitisplainenoughthattheauthor(asissocommoninyouth，butwithbetterreasonthanmanyhave)thoughthimselfdoomed。Mostofushavegonethroughthat，theMillevoyephase，butwhoelsehasshownsuchawiseandgayacceptanceoftheapparentlyinevitable？Weparted；Irememberlittleofourconverse，exceptashrewdandheartypieceofencouragementgivenmebymyjunior，whoalreadyknewsomuchmoreoflifethanhisseniorwilleverdo。Forheranforthtoembracelifelikealover:HISmottowasneverLucyAshton"s-

"Vacantheart，andhand，andeye，Easyliveandquietdie。"

Mr。StevensoncamepresentlytovisitmeatOxford。Imakenohandofreminiscences；Iremembernothingaboutwhatwedidorsaid，withoneexception，whichisnotgoingtobepublished。Iheardofhim，writingessaysinthePortfolioandtheCornhill，thosedelightfulviewsoflifeattwenty-five，sobrave，soreal，sovivid，sowise，soexquisite，whichallshouldknow。Howwelookedfor"R。L。S。"attheendofanarticle，andhowdevoutwasourbelief，howhappyourpride，intheyoungone!

About1878，Ithink(Iwasnowaslaveofthequillmyself)，I

receivedabriefnotefromMr。Stevenson，introducingtomethepersonwhom，inhisessayonhisoldcollegemagazine，hecalled"GlasgowBrown。"Whathisrealnamewas，whencehecame，whencethemoneycame，Ineverknew。G。B。wasgoingtostartaweeklyTorypaper。WouldIcontribute？G。B。cametoseeme。Mr。

Stevensonhasdescribedhim，NOTasIwouldhavedescribedhim:

likeMr。BillSikes"sdog，IhavetheChristianpeculiarityofnotlikingdogs"asarenotofmybreed。"G。B。"spaper，London，wastostartnextweek。Hehadnowriterofpoliticalleadingarticles。WouldIdoa"leader"？ButIwasNOTinfavourofLordLytton"sAfghanpolicy。HowcouldIdoaToryleader？Well，Ididaneutral-tintedthing，withcitationsfromAristophanes!IfoundpresentlysomeotherscribesforG。B。

Whatapaperthatwas!IhaveheardthatG。B。paidinhandfulsofgold，inhandfulsofbank-notes。NobodyeverreadLondon，oradvertisedinit，orheardofit。ItwasfullofthemostwonderfullycleverversesinoldFrenchforms。Theywere(itafterwardsappeared)byMr。W。E。Henley。Mr。StevensonhimselfastonishedanddelightedthepublicofLondon(thatis，thecontributors)byhis"NewArabianNights。"Nobodyknewaboutthembutourselves，afortunatefew。PoorG。B。diedandMr。Henleybecametheeditor。Imaynotnamethecontributors，thefloweroftheyounglions，elderlylionsnow，thereisanewrace。Butonelion，adistinguishedandlearnedlion，saidalreadythatfiction，notessay，wasMr。Stevenson"sfield。Well，bothfieldswerehis，andIcannotsaywhetherIwouldbemoresorrytoloseVirginibusPuerisqueand"StudiesofMenandBooks，"or"TreasureIsland"and"Catriona。"WiththedeceaseofG。B。，Pactolusdriedupinitsmysterioussources，Londonstruggledanddisappeared。

Mr。Stevensonwasintown，nowandagain，attheoldSavilleClub，inSavilleRow，whichhadthetiniestandblackestofsmoking-

rooms。Here，orsomewhere，hespoketomeofanideaofatale，aManwhowasTwoMen。Isaid""WilliamWilson"byEdgarPoe，"anddeclaredthatitwouldneverdo。Buthis"Brownies，"inavisionofthenight，showedhimacentralscene，andhewrote"JekyllandHyde。"My"friendofthesedaysandofalldays，"Mr。CharlesLongman，sentmethemanuscript。Inaverycommon-placeLondondrawing-room，at10。30P。M。，Ibegantoreadit。ArrivingattheplacewhereUttersonthelawyer，andthebutlerwaitoutsidetheDoctor"sroom，Ithrewdownthemanuscriptandfledinahurry。I

hadnotasteforsolitudeanymore。Thestorywonitsgreatsuccess，partlybydintofthemoral(whateverthatmaybe)，morebyitsterrible，lucid，visionarypower。IrememberMr。Stevensontellingme，atthistime，thathewasdoingsome"regularcrawlers，"forthispuristhadaboyishhabitofslang，andITHINK

itwashewhocalledJuliusCaesar"thehowlingestcheesewhoeverlived。"Oneofthe"crawlers"was"ThrawnJanet"；after"WanderingWillie"sTale"(butcertainlyAFTERit)，tomytaste，itseemsthemostwonderfulstoryofthe"supernatural"inourlanguage。

Mr。StevensonhadaninfinitepleasureinBoisgobey，Montepin，and，ofcourse，Gaboriau。Therewasnothingofthe"culturedperson"

abouthim。Concerninganoveldeartoculture，hesaidthathewoulddiebymyside，inthelastditch，proclaimingittheworstfictionintheworld。ImakehastetoaddthatIhaveonlyknowntwomenoflettersasfreeasMr。Stevenson，notonlyfromliteraryjealousy，butfromthewriter"snatural，ifexaggerated，distasteforworkwhich，thoughinhisownline，isverydifferentinaimandmethodfromhisown。Idonotrememberanothercaseinwhichhedispraisedanybook。Idorememberhisobservationsonanovelthenandnowverypopular，butnottohistaste，nor，indeed，byanymeans，impeccable，thoughstirring；hiscensureandpraisewerebothjust。Fromhisoccasionalfineefforts，theauthorofthisromance，hesaid，shouldhaveclearedawayacresofbrushwood，ofineffectualmatter。Itwasso，nodoubt，asthewriterspokenofwouldbereadytoacknowledge。Buthewasanimproviserofgenius，andMr。Stevensonwasaconsciousartist。

Ofcoursewedidbynomeansalwaysagreeinliteraryestimates；notwopeopledo。Butwhencertainworks——inhislineinoneway——

werestupidlysetupasrivalsofhis，thepersonwhowasmostirritatedwasnothe，buthisequallymagnanimouscontemporary。

Therewasnothoughtofrivalryorcompetitionineithermind。TheyoungerromancistswhoaroseafterMr。StevensonwenttoSamoawerehisfriendsbycorrespondence；fromthem，whoneversawhisface，I

hearofhissympathyandencouragement。Everywriterknowsthespecialtemptationsofhistribe:theyweretemptationsnotevenfelt，Idobelieve，byMr。Stevenson。Hisheartwasfartoohigh，hisnaturewasineverywayasgenerousashishandwasopen。Itisinthinkingofthesethingsthatonefeelsafreshthegreatnessoftheworld"sloss；for"agoodheartismuchmorethanstyle，"

writesonewhoknewhimonlybywayofletters。

ItisatrivialreminiscencethatweonceplottedaBoisgobesquestorytogether。TherewasaprisonerinaMuscovitedungeon。

"We"llextractinformationfromhim，"Isaid。

"How？"

"Withcorkscrews。"

Butthemeresuggestionofsuchaprocesswasterriblydistastefultohim；notthatIreallymeanttogototheseextremelengths。Wenever，ofcourse，couldreallyhaveworkedtogether；and，hismaladiesincreasing，hebecamemoreandmoreawanderer，livingatBournemouth，atDavos，intheGrisons，finally，asallknow，inSamoa。Thus，thoughwecorresponded，notunfrequently，Ineverwasoftheinnercircleofhisfriends。Amongmentherewereschoolorcollegecompanions，orcompanionsofParisorFontainebleau，cousins，likeMr。R。A。M。Stevenson，orastraysenior，likeMr。

SidneyColvin。Fromsomeofthem，orfromMr。Stevensonhimself，I

haveheardtalesof"thewildPrinceandPoins。"Thatheandafriendtravelledutterlywithoutbaggage，buyingashirtwhereashirtwasneeded，isafact，andtheincidentisusedin"TheWrecker。"LegendsaysthatonceheandafriendDIDpossessabag，andalso，nobodyeverknewwhy，alargebottleofscent。Buttherewasnoroomforthebottleinthebag，soMr。Stevensonspilledthewholecontentsovertheotherman"shead，takinghimunawares，thatnothingmightbewasted。Ithinkthetaleoftheendlessstaircase，in"TheWrecker，"isfoundedonfact，soarethestoriesoftheatelier，whichIhaveheardMr。StevensonnarrateattheOxfordandCambridgeClub。Foranocturnaladventure，inthemannerofthe"NewArabianNights，"alearnedcriticalreadyspokenofmustbeconsulted。Itisnotmystory。InParis，atacafe，I

rememberthatMr。StevensonheardaFrenchmansaytheEnglishwerecowards。Hegotupandslappedtheman"sface。

"Monsieur，vousm"avezfrappe!"saidtheGaul。

"Acequ"ilparait，"saidtheScot，andthereitended。Healsotoldmethatyearsagohewaspresentataplay，Iforgetwhatplay，inParis，wherethemoralheroexposesawoman"withahistory。"Hegotupandwentout，sayingtohimself:

"Whataplay!whatapeople!"

"Ah，Monsieur，vousetesbienjeune!"saidanoldFrenchgentleman。

LikearightScot，Mr。Stevensonwasfondof"ourauldallyofFrance，"towhomourcountryandourexiledkingsowedsomuch。

Irathervaguelyrememberanotheranecdote。HemissedhistrainfromEdinburghtoLondon，andhissoleportablepropertywasareturnticket，ameerschaumpipe，andavolumeofMr。Swinburne"spoems。Thelasthefoundunmarketable；thepipe，Ithink，hemademerchandiseof，butsomehowhisprovenderfortheday"sjourneyconsistedinonebathbun，whichhecouldnotfinish。

ThesetrivialtalesillustrateaperiodinhislifeandadventureswhichIonlyknowbyrumour。Ourownacquaintancewas，toagreatdegree，literaryandbookish。Perhapsitbegan"withaslightaversion，"butitseemed，likemadeira，toberipenedandimprovedbyhislongseavoyage；andthenewsofhisdeathtaughtme，atleast，thetruenatureoftheaffectionwhichhewasdestinedtowin。Indeed，ouracquaintancewaslikethefriendshipofawildsingingbirdandofapunctual，domesticatedbarn-doorfowl，layingitsdaily"article"forthebreakfast-tableofthecitizens。HeoftenwrotetomefromSamoa，sometimeswithnewsofnativemannersandfolklore。Hesentmeadevil-box，the"luck"ofsomestrangeisland，whichheboughtatagreatprice。Afterpartingwithits"luck，"orfetish(ashellinacuriouswoodenbox)，theislandwasunfortunate，andwasravagedbymeasles。

IoccasionallysentoutbooksneededforMr。Stevenson"sstudies，ofwhichmorewillbesaid。ButImustmakeitplainthat，inthebody，wemetbutrarely。HisreallyintimatefriendswereMr。

ColvinandMr。Baxter(whomanagedthepracticalsideofhisliterarybusinessbetweenthem)；Mr。Henley(inpartnershipwithwhomhewroteseveralplays)；hiscousin，Mr。R。A。M。Stevenson；

and，amongotherliterati，Mr。Gosse，Mr。AustinDobson，Mr。

Saintsbury，MrWalterPollock，knewhimwell。ThebestportraitofMr。StevensonthatIknowisbySir。W。B。Richmond，R。A。，andisinthatgentleman"scollectionofcontemporaries，withtheeffigiesofMr。HolmanHunt，Mr。WilliamMorris，Mr。Browning，andothers。

Itisunfinished，owingtoanillnesswhichstoppedthesittings，anddoesnotshowthesubjectathisbest，physicallyspeaking。

Thereisalsoabrilliant，slightsketch，almostacaricature，byMr。Sargent。ItrepresentsMr。Stevensonwalkingabouttheroominconversation。

ThepeopleIhavenamed，orsomeofthem，knewMr。StevensonmoreintimatelythanIcanboastofdoing。Unlikeeachother，oppositesinadozenways，wealwayswereunitedbytheloveofletters，andofScotland，ourdearcountry。Hewasapatriot，yethespokehismindquitefreelyaboutBurns，aboutthatapparentwantofheartinthepoet"samours，whichourcountrymendonotcaretohearmentioned。Well，perhaps，forsomereasons，ithadtobementionedonce，andsonomoreofit。

Mr。Stevensonpossessed，morethananymanIevermet，thepowerofmakingothermenfallinlovewithhim。Imeanthatheexcitedapassionateadmirationandaffection，somuchsothatIverilybelievesomemenwerejealousofothermen"splaceinhisliking。

Ioncemetastrangerwho，havingbecomeacquaintedwithhim，spokeofhimwithatouchingfondnessandpride，hisfancyreposing，asitseemed，inafondcontemplationofsomuchgeniusandcharm。

Whatwassotakinginhim？andhowisonetoanalysethatdazzlingsurfaceofpleasantry，thatchangefulshininghumour，wit，wisdom，recklessness；beneathwhichbeatthemostkindandtolerantofhearts？

Peoplewerefondofhim，andpeoplewereproudofhim:hisachievements，asitwere，sensiblyraisedtheirpleasureintheworld，and，tothem，becamepartsofthemselves。Theywarmedtheirhandsatthatcentreoflightandheat。Itisnoteverysuccesswhichhasthesebeneficentresults。Weseethesuccessfulsneeredat，decried，insulted，evenwhensuccessisdeserved。Verylittleofallthis，hardlyaughtofallthis，Ithink，cameinMr。

Stevenson"sway。Afterthebeginning(whenthepraisesofhisearliestadmirerswereirritatingtodullscribes)hefoundthecriticsfairlykind，Ibelieve，andoftenenthusiastic。Hewassomuchhisownseverestcriticthatheprobablypaidlittleheedtoprofessionalreviewers。Inadditiontohis"Rathillet，"andotherMSS。whichhedestroyed，heonce，intheHighlands，longago，lostaportmanteauwithabatchofhiswritings。Alas，thatheshouldhavelostorburnedanything!"King"schaff，"saysourcountryproverb，"isbetterthanotherfolk"scorn。"

Ihaverememberedverylittle，orverylittlethatIcanwrite，andaboutourlastmeeting，whenhewassoneardeath，inappearance，andsofullofcourage——howcanIspeak？Hiscouragewasastrongrock，nottobetakenorsubdued。Whenunabletoutterasingleword，hispencilledremarkstohisattendantswerepithyandextremelycharacteristic。Thiscourageandspiritualvitalitymadeonehopethathewould，ifhedesiredit，liveaslongasVoltaire，thatreedamongoaks。Therewereofcourse，insorareacombinationofcharacteristics，somewhichwerenotequallytothelikingofall。Hewashighlyoriginalincostume，but，ashisphotographsarefamiliar，thepointdoesnotneedelucidation。

Lifewasadramatohim，andhedelighted，likehisownBritishadmirals，todothingswithacertainair。Heobservedhimself，I

usedtothink，asheobservedothers，and"sawhimself"ineverypartheplayed。Therewasnothingofthecabotininthisself-

consciousness；itwastheunextinguishedchildishpassionfor"playingatthings"whichremainedwithhim。Ihaveatheorythatallchildrenpossessgenius，andthatitdiesoutinthegeneralityofmortals，abidingonlywithpeoplewhosegeniustheworldisforcedtorecognise。Mr。Stevensonillustrates，andperhapspartlysuggested，thisprivatephilosophyofmine。

Ihavesaidverylittle；Ihavenoskillinreminiscences，noarttobringthelivingaspectofthemanbeforethosewhoneverknewhim。Ifaintlyseemtoseetheeagerface，thelightnervousfigure，thefingersbusywithrollingcigarettes；Mr。Stevensontalking，listening，oftenrisingfromhisseat，standing，walkingtoandfro，alwaysfullofvividintelligence，wearingamysterioussmile。Irememberonepleasantdarkafternoon，whenhetoldmemanytalesofstrangeadventures，narrativeswhichhehadheardaboutamurderouslonelyinn，somewhereintheStates。Hewasasgoodtohearastoread。Idonotrecollectmuchofthatdelightindiscussion，incontroversy，whichheshowsinhisessayonconversation，wherehedescribes，Ibelieve，Mr。Henleyas"Burley，"andMr。Symondsas"Opalstein。"HehadgreatpleasureinthetalkofthelateProfessorFleemingJenkin，whichwasbothvariousandcopious。ButinthesenoctescoenaequedeumIwasneverapartaker。Inmanytopics，suchasangling，golf，cricket，whereonIamwillinglydiffuse，Mr。Stevensontooknointerest。Hewasveryfondofboatingandsailingineverykind；hehazardedhishealthbylongexpeditionsamongthefairyislesofocean，buthe"wasnotaBritishsportsman，"thoughforhismeasureofstrengthagoodpedestrian，afriendoftheopenair，andofallwholiveandtoiltherein。

Astohisliterarylikings，theyappearinhisownconfessions。HerevelledinDickens，but，aboutThackeray——well，Iwouldratherhavetalkedtosomebodyelse!Tomyamazement，hewasofthose(I

think)whofindThackeray"cynical。""Hetakesyouintoagarden，andthenpeltsyouwith"——horridthings!Mr。Stevenson，ontheotherhand，hadafreeadmirationofMr。GeorgeMeredith。HedidnotsoeasilyforgivethelongueusandlazinessesofScott，asaScotshoulddo。HereadFrenchmuch；Greekonlyintranslations。

Literaturewas，ofcourse，hisfirstlove，buthewasactuallyanadvocateattheScottishBar，and，assuch，hadhisnameonabrazendoor-plate。OncehewasacompetitorforaChairofModernHistoryinEdinburghUniversity；heknewtheromanticsideofScottishhistoryverywell。Inhisnovel，"Catriona，"thecharacterofJamesMohrMacgregoriswonderfullydivined。OnceI

readsomeunpublishedlettersofCatriona"sunworthyfather，writtenwhenhewassellinghimselfasaspy(andlyingashespied)totheHanoverianusurper。Mr。StevensonmighthavewrittentheselettersforJamesMohr；theymightbeextractsfrom"Catriona。"

InturningoveroldJacobitepamphlets，IfoundaforgottenromanceofPrinceCharles"shiddenyears，andlongedthatMr。Stevensonshouldretellit。Therewasatreasure，anauthentictreasure；

therewererealspies，arealassassin；areal，orreported，rescueofalovelygirlfromafireatStrasbourg，bythePrince。Thetalewastobeginsurlepontd"Avignon:ayoungScotchexilewatchingtheRhone，thinkinghowmuchofithecouldcoverwithasalmonfly，thinkingoftheTayorBeauly。Tohimenteranothershadytrampingexile，Blairthwaite，amurderer。Andsoitwastorunon，astheauthor"sfancymightleadhim，withAlanBreckandtheMasterforcharacters。Atlast，inunpublishedMSS。IfoundanactualMasterofBallantrae，aHighlandchief——noble，majesticallyhandsome——andapaidspyofEngland!AllthesepapersIsentouttoSamoa，toolate。Thenovelwastohavebeendedicatedtome，andthatchanceofimmortalityisgone，withsomuchelse。

Mr。Stevenson"slastletterstomyselfwerefullofhisconcernforacommonfriendofours，whowasveryill。Depressedhimself，Mr。

Stevensonwrotetothisgentleman——whyshouldInotmentionMr。

JamesPayn？——withconsolinggaiety。Iattributedhisdepressiontoanycausebuthisownhealth，ofwhichherarelyspoke。Helamentedthe"ill-stagedfifthactoflife"；he，atleast，hadnolonghopelessyearsofdiminishedforcetobear。

Ihaveknownnomaninwhomthepre-eminentlymanlyvirtuesofkindness，courage，sympathy，generosity，helpfulness，weremorebeautifullyconspicuousthaninMr。Stevenson，nomansomuchloved——itisnottoostrongaword——bysomanyandsuchvariouspeople。Hewasasuniqueincharacterasinliterarygenius。

CHAPTERIII:RAB"SFRIEND

TosaywhatoughttobesaidconcerningDr。JohnBrown，amanshouldhaveknownhimwellandlong，andshouldremembermuchofthatoldgenerationofScotchmentowhomtheauthorof"RabandhisFriends"belonged。Butthatgenerationhasdeparted。OnebyonethesewitsandscholarsoftheNorth，theseepigoniwhowerenot，indeed，oftheheroes，butwhohadseenandrememberedScottandWilson，havepassedaway。AytounandCarlyleandDr。Burton，andlast，Dr。Brown，aregone。SirTheodoreMartinaloneisleft。InhermemoirofDr。Burton——thehistorianofScotland，andauthorof"TheBook-hunter"——Mrs。Burtonremarksthat，inherhusband"slaterdays，onlyDr。JohnBrownandProfessorBlackieremainedofallherhusband"sancientfriendsandcoevals，ofallwhorememberedLockhart，andHogg，andtheirtimes。ButmanyareleftwhoknewDr。Brownfarbetterandmoreintimatelythantheauthorofthisnotice。IcanhardlysaywhenIfirstbecameacquaintedwithhim，probablyitwasinmychildhood。EversinceIwasaboy，certainly，Iusedtoseehimatintervals，especiallyintheChristmasvacations。ButheseldommovedfromEdinburgh，exceptinsummer，whichhefrequentlypassedinthecountryhouseofcertainfriendsofhis，whoseaffectionmademuchofthehappinessofhislatestyears，andwhoseunfailingkindnessattendedhiminhisdyinghours。LivingalwaysinScotland，Dr。BrownwasseenbutrarelybyhisfriendswhoresidedinEngland。Thus，thoughDr。

Brown"ssweetnessofdispositionandcharmofmanner，hishumour，andhisunfailingsympathyandencouragement，madeonefeeltowardhimastoafamiliarfriend，yet，ofhisactuallifeIsawbutlittle，andhavefewreminiscencestocontribute。Onecanonlyspeakofthatsingulargenialityofhis，thattemperofgoodnessandnaturaltoleranceandaffection，which，asScotsmenbestknow，isnotuniversalamongtheScots。Ourracedoesnotneedtopray，likethemechanicinthestory，thatProvidencewillgiveus"agoodconceitofourselves。"ButwemustacknowledgethattheScotchtemperiscriticalifnotcaptious，argumentative，inclinedtolookattheseamysideofmenandoftheirperformances，andtodwellonimperfectionsratherthanonmeritsandvirtues。AnexampleoftheseblemishesoftheScotchdisposition，carriedtoanextremedegreeinthenatureofamanofgenius，isofferedtotheworldinthewritingsand"Reminiscences"ofMr。Carlyle。

Now，Dr。JohnBrownwasattheoppositepoleoffeeling。Hehadnomawkishtolerationofthingsandpeopleintolerable，buthepreferrednottoturnhismindthatway。Histhoughtswerewiththegood，thewise，themodest，thelearned，thebraveoftimespast，andhewaseagertocatchareflectionoftheirqualitiesinthecharactersoftheliving，ofallwithwhomhecameintocontact。Hewas，forexample，almostoptimisticinhisestimateoftheworkofyoungpeopleinartorliterature。Fromeverythingthatwasbeautifulorgood，fromasummerdaybytheTweed，orfromtheeyesofachild，orfromthehumoroussayingofafriend，orfromtreasuredmemoriesofoldScotchworthies，fromrecollectionsofhisownchildhood，fromexperienceofthestoicalheroismofthepoor，heseemedtoextractmatterforpleasantthoughtsofmenandtheworld，andnourishmentforhisowngreatandgentlenature。I

haveneverknownanymantowhomothermenseemedsodear——mendead，andmenliving。Hegavehisgeniustoknowingthem，andtomakingthembetterknown，andhisunselfishnessthusbecamenotonlyagreatpersonalvirtue，butagreatliterarycharm。Whenyoumethim，hehadsome"goodstory"orsomestoryofgoodnesstotell——forbothcamealiketohim，andhishumourwasasunfailingashiskindness。Therewasinhisfaceasingularcharm，blended，asitwere，oftheexpressionsofmirthandofpatience。Beingmostsensitivetopain，aswellastopleasure，hewasanexceptiontothatruleofRochefoucauld"s——"nousavonstousassezdeforcepoursupporterlesmauxd"autrui。"{2}

Hedidnotbeareasilythemisfortunesofothers，andtheevilsofhisownlotwereheavyenough。Theysaddenedhim；butneitherillness，norhispoignantanxietyforothers，couldsouranaturesounselfish。Heappearednottohavelostthatanodyneandconsolationofreligioushope，whichhadbeenthestrengthofhisforefathers，andwashisbestinheritancefromaremarkableraceofScotsmen。Whereverhecame，hewaswelcome；peoplefeltgladwhentheyhadencounteredhiminthestreets——thestreetsofEdinburgh，wherealmosteveryoneknowseveryonebysight——andhewasatleastasjoyouslyreceivedbythechildrenandthedogsasbythegrown-uppeopleofeveryfamily。AfriendhaskindlyshownmealetterinwhichitistoldhowDr。Brown"sloveofdogs，hisinterestinahalf-blindoldDandywhichwasattachedtohim，wasevincedintheverylasthoursofhislife。Butenoughhasbeensaid，ingeneralterms，aboutthecharacterof"thebelovedphysician，"asDr。BrownwascalledinEdinburgh，andabriefaccountmaybegiven，insomedetail，ofhislifeandways。

Dr。JohnBrownwasborninBiggar，oneofthegray，slaty-lookinglittletownsinthepastoralmoorlandsofsouthernScotland。Thesetownshavenogreatbeautythattheyshouldbeadmiredbystrangers，butthenatives，asScottsaidtoWashingtonIrving，areattachedtotheir"grayhills，"andtotheTweed，sobeautifulwhereman"sgreeddoesnotpolluteit，thattheBorderpeopleareallinlovewithit，asTyro，inHomer，lovedthedivineEnipeus。

Weholdit"farthefairestofthefloodsthatrunupontheearth。"

HowdeartheborderscenerywastoDr。JohnBrown，andhowwellheknewandcouldexpressitslegendarymagic，itscharmwovenofcountlessancientspells，themusicofoldballads，thesorceryofoldstories，maybeunderstoodbyreadersofhisessayonMinchmoor。"{3}ThefatherofDr。BrownwasthethirdinalineageofministersofthesectcalledSeceders。ToexplainwhotheSecederswere，itwouldbenecessarytoexplorethesinkingmorassesofScotchecclesiasticalhistory。Theministerwasproudofbeingnotonlya"Seceder"buta"Burgher。"Heinherited，tobebrief，thetraditionsofamostspiritually-mindedandmostspiritedsetofmen，toomuchbent，itmayappeartous，onestablishingdelicatedistinctionsofopinions，butcertainlymosttruetothemselvesandtotheirownidealsoflibertyandoffaith。

Dr。Brown"sgreat-grandfatherhadbeenashepherdboy，whotaughthimselfGreekthathemightreadtheNewTestament；whowalkedtwenty-fourmiles——leavinghisfoldedsheepinthenight——tobuythepreciousvolumeinSt。Andrews，andwho，finally，becameateacherofmuchreputeamonghisownpeople。OfDr。Brown"sfather，hehimselfwroteamosttouchingandbeautifulaccountinhis"LettertoJohnCairns，D。D。"Thisessaycontains，perhaps，theveryfinestpassagesthattheauthoreverpenned。HissayingsabouthisownchildhoodremindoneofthemannerofLamb，withoutthatcuriousfantastictouchwhichisoftheessenceofLamb"sstyle。Thefollowinglines，forexample，arearevelationofchildishpsychology，andprobablymaybeapplied，withalmostasmuchtruth，tothechildhoodofourrace:-

"Childrenarelongofseeing，oratleastoflookingatwhatisabovethem；theyliketheground，anditsflowersandstones，its"redsodgers"andlady-birds，andallitsqueerthings；THEIRWORLD

ISABOUTTHREEFEETHIGH，andtheyaremoreoftenstoopingthangazingup。IknowIwaspasttenbeforeIsaw，orcaredtosee，theceilingsoftheroomsinthemanseatBiggar。"

Ihaveoftenthoughtthattheearliestfathersofourrace，child-

likeinsomanyways，werechild-likeinthis，andworshipped，notthephenomenaoftheheavens，butobjectsmoreonalevelwiththeireyes——the"queerthings"oftheirlow-lyingworld。Inthisessayonhisfather，Dr。Brownhaswrittenlinesaboutachild"sfirstknowledgeofdeath，whichseemasnoteworthyasSteele"sfamouspassageabouthisfather"sdeathandhisownhalf-consciousgriefandanger。Dr。BrowndescribesaScottishfuneral——thefuneralofhisownmother——ashesawitwiththeeyesofaboyoffiveyearsold，whilehisyoungerbrother，ababyofafewmonths-

"leapedupandcrowedwithjoyatthestrangesight——thecrowdinghorsemen，thecoaches，andthenoddingplumesofthehearse……

Then，tomysurpriseandalarm，thecoffin，restingonitsbearers，wasplacedoverthedarkhole，andIwatchedwithcuriouseyetheunrollingofthoseneatblackbunchesofcords，whichIhaveoftenenoughseensince。Myfathertooktheoneatthehead，andalsoanothermuchsmaller，springingfromthesamepointashis，whichhehadcausedtobeplacedthere，andunrollingit，putitintomyhand。Itwisteditfirmlyroundmyfingers，andawaitedtheresult；theburialmenwiththeirrealropesloweredthecoffin，andwhenitrestedatthebottomitwastoofardownformetoseeit。Thegravewasmadeverydeep，asheusedafterwardstotellus，thatitmightholdusall。Myfatherfirstandabruptlylethiscorddrop，followedbytherest。Thiswastoomuch。Inowsawwhatwasmeant，andheldonandfixedmyfistandfeet，andI

believemyfatherhadsomedifficultyinforcingopenmysmallfingers；heletthelittleblackcorddrop，andIremember，inmymiseryandanger，seeingitsopenenddisappearinginthegloom。"

{4}

Themanwhowrotethis，andmanyanotherpassageastrueandtender，mightsurelyhavebeenfamousinfiction，ifhehadturnedhispowersthatway。Hehadimagination，humour，pathos；hewasalwaysstudyingandobservinglife；hislastvolume，especially，islikeacollectionoffragmentsthatmighthavegonetowardmakingawork，insomewaysnotinferiortotheromancesofScott。WhenthethirdvolumeofEssayswaspublished，inthespringofhislastyear，areviewer，whoapparentlyhadnopersonalknowledgeofDr。

Brown，askedwhyhedidnotwriteanovel。Hewasbythattimeoverseventyyearsofage，and，thoughnoneguessedit，withinafewweeksofhisdeath。Whathemighthavedone，hadhegivenhimselftoliteratureonly，itisimpossibletoguess。Buthecausedsomuchhappiness，anddidsomuchgood，inthatgentleprofessionofhealingwhichhechose，andwhichbroughthimneartomanywhoneededconsolationmorethanphysic，thatweneednotforgethisdeliberatechoice。Literaturehadonlyhishoraesubsecivae，ashesaid:Subsecivaquaedamtemporaquaeegoperirenonpatior，asCicerowrites，"shredsandwasteendsoftime，whichIsuffernottobelost。"

ThekindoflifewhichDr。Brown"sfatherandhispeoplelivedatBiggar，theausterelifeofwork，andofthoughtintenselybentontherealaimofexistence，onGod，onthedestinyofthesoul，isperhapsrarenow，eveninruralScotland。WearelessobedientthanofoldtothemottoofthatringfoundonMagusMoor，whereArchbishopShairpwasmurdered，REMEMBERUPONDETHE。IfanyreaderhasnotyetmadetheacquaintanceofDr。Brown"sworks，onemightcounselhimtobeginwiththe"LettertoJohnCairns，D。D。，"thefragmentofbiographyandautobiography，thedescriptionofthefountainheadsfromwhichthegeniusoftheauthorflowed。Inhisearlyboyhood，JohnBrownwaseducatedbyhisfather，amanwho，fromhisson"saffectionatedescription，seemstohaveconfinedafieryandromanticgeniuswithinthechannelsofSecederandBurghertheology。Whenthefatherreceivedacalltothe"RoseStreetSecessionChurch，"inEdinburgh，thesonbecameapupilofthatancientScottishseminary，theHighSchool——theschoolwhereScottwastaughtnotmuchLatinandnoGreekworthmentioning。

Scottwasstillaliveandstronginthosedays，andDr。BrowndescribeshowheandhisschoolcompanionswouldtakeofftheirhatstotheShirraashepassedinthestreets。