第8章

Thestreamscanbecrosseddry-shod，keltsareplunginginthepools，butevenkeltswillnotlookatafly。Now，bywayofapleasantchange，anicynorthwindisblowing，withgustsofsnow，notsnowenoughtoswellthelochthatfeedstheriver，butjustenoughsnow(asthetouristsaidofthewaterintheRiverStyx)

"toswearby，"orat!TheFieldannouncesthataduke，whorentsthreerodsonaneighbouringriver，hasnotyetcaughtonesalmon。

Theacrimoniouslydemocraticmindmaytakecomfortinthatintelligence，but，iftheweatherwillnotimproveforaduke，itisnotlikelytochangeforamerepersonofletters。ThusthedevoteeoftheMusesisdrivenback，bystressofclimate，uponliterature，andasthereisnothinginthelodgetoreadheiscompelledtowrite。

Nowcertainlyonewouldnotlackmaterial，ifonlyonewerecapableoftheartoffiction。Thegenesisofnovelsandstoriesisatopiclittlestudied，butIaminclinedtobelievethat，likethepearlsinthemusselsoftheriver，fictionisabeautifuldiseaseofthebrain。Something，anincidentoranexperience，orareflection，getsimbedded，incrusted，intheproperlyconstitutedmind，andbecomesthenucleusofapearlofromance。Mr。MarionCrawford，inarecentwork，describeshishero，whoisanovelist，atwork。Thisyounggentleman，byaseriesoffaultsormisfortunes，hashimselfbecomeacentreofharrowingemotion。Twoyoungladies，toeachofwhomhehasbeenbetrothed，areweepingouttheireyesforhim，orarekneelingtoheavenwithdespairingcries，orarehardeningtheirheartstomarrymenforwhomthey"donotcareabawbee。"Thehero"saunthascommittedacrime；

everybody，infact，isindespair，whenanideaoccurstothehero。

Indifferenttothesorrowsofhisnearestanddearest，hesitsdownwithhisnotionandwritesanovel——writeslikeapersonpossessed。

Hehastheproperkindofbrain，thenucleushasbeendroppedintoit，thepearlbeginstogrow，andtoassumeprismatichues。Soheishappy，andeventhefrozen-outanglermightbehappyifhecouldwriteanovelintheabsenceofsalmon。Unluckily，mybrainisnotcapableofthisaestheticmalady，andtosavemylife，orto"milkafinewarmcowrain，"astheZulussay，Icouldnotwriteanovel，orevenashortstory。AboutTheShortStory，astheycallit，withcapitalletters，ourcriticalAmericancousinshavemuchtosay。Itsgerm，onefancies，isusuallyanincident，oramereanecdote，accordingtothenatureoftheauthor"sbrain；thisgermbecomeseitherthepearlofabriefconte，ortheseedofastatelytree，inthreevolumes。Anauthorofexperiencesoonfindsouthowheshouldtreathismaterial。Onewriterinformsmethat，giventheidea，thegerminalidea，itisaseasyforhimtomakeanoveloutofitasatale——aseasy，andmuchmoresatisfactoryandremunerative。Others，likeM。GuydeMaupassant，forexample，seemtofindtheirstrengthinbrevity，incuttingdown，notinamplifying；inselectingandreducing，notinallowingotherideastogroupthemselvesroundthefirst，othercharacterstoassembleaboutthosewhoareessential。Thatseemstobereallythewholephilosophyofthismatter，concerningwhichsomanywordsareexpended。Thegrowthofthegerminalideadependsonthenatureofanauthor"stalent——hemayexcelinexpansion，orinreduction；hemaybeeconomical，andoutofananecdotemayspinthewholecocoonofaromance；orhemaybeextravagant，andgiveacapableideaawayinthebriefestformpossible。

Theseideasmaycometoamaninmanyways，aswesaid，fromadream，fromafragmentaryexperience(asmostexperiencesinlifearefragmentary)，fromahintinanewspaper，fromataletoldinconversation。Notlongago，forexample，IheardananecdoteoutofwhichM。GuydeMaupassantcouldhavemadethemostghastly，themostsqualid，andthemostsupernaturallymovingofallhiscontes。

Indeed，thatisnotsayingmuch，ashedidnotexcelinthesupernatural。WereitwritteninFrench，itmightlieinmylady"schamber，and，astimesgo，nobodywouldbeshocked。But，byourcuriousBritishconventions，thistalecannotbetoldinanEnglishbookormagazine。Itwasnot，initstendency，immoral；thoseterribletalesneverare。Theeventswererathercalculatedtofrightenthehearerintothepathsofvirtue。WhenMr。RichardCameron，thefounderoftheCameronians，andthegodfatheroftheCameronianRegiment，wassenttohisparish，hewasbiddenbyMr。

Pedento"puthell-firetothetails"ofhiscongregation。ThisvigorousexpressionwaswellfittedtodescribethecontewhichI

haveinmymind(IratherwishIhaditnot)，andwhichisnottobenarratedhere，norinEnglish。

Foracombinationofpityandterror，itseemedtomeunmatchedintheworksofthemodernfancy，orinthehorrorsofmodernexperience；whetherinexperienceorinimaginationithaditsoriginalsource。ButeventheEnglishauthors，whoplumethemselvesontheiraudacity，ortheirrealism，ortheircontemptfor"theyoungperson，"wouldnotventurethislittleromance，muchless，then，isatimidlyuncorrectpen-manlikelytotemptMr。

Mudiewiththeconte。Itisoneoftwotales，bothtoldastrue，whichonewouldliketobeabletonarrateinthelanguageofMoliere。Theotherisalsoverygood，andhasawonderfulscenewithacorpseandachapelleardente，andayounglady；itishistorical，andofthelastgenerationbutone。

Evenourfrozenstrathherehasitsmodernlegend，whichmaybetoldinEnglish，andoutofwhich，Iamsure，anovelistcouldmakeagoodshortstory，orapleasantopeningchapterofaromance。

Whatisthemysteriousartbywhichthesethingsaredone？Whatmakesthewell-toldstoryseemreal，richwithlife，actual，engrossing？Itisthesecretofgenius，ofthenovelist"sart，andthewriterwhocannotpractisetheartmightaswelltrytodiscoverthePhilosopher"sStone，orto"harpfishoutofthewater。"However，letmetellthelegendassimplyasmaybe，andasitwastoldtome。

Thestrathrunsduenorth，theriverflowingfromagreatlochtotheNorthernsea。Allaroundarelow，undulatinghills，brownwithheather，andaslonelyalmostastheSahara。Onthehorizontothesouthrisethemountains，BenthisandBenthat，realmountainsofbeautifuloutline，thoughnohigherthansomethreethousandfeet。

Beforethecountrywasdividedintomoorsandforests，tenantedbymakersofpatentcorkscrews，andboilersofpatentsoap，beforetheriversweredistributedintobeats，markedoffbywhiteandredposts，therelivedovertothesouth，underthemountains，asportsmanofathleticframeandadventurousdisposition。HisnameIhaveforgotten，butwemaycallhimDickLindsay。Itistoldofhimthatheoncefoundapoacherintheforest，and，beingunabletocatchtheintruder，firedhisrifle，notathim，butinhisneighbourhood，whereonthepoacher，deliberatelykneelingdown，tookalongshotatDick。Howtheduelended，andwhethereitherpartyflewaflagoftruce，historydoesnotrecord。

Atallevents，onestormydayinlateSeptember，Dickhadstalkedandwoundedastagonthehillstothesouth-eastofthestrath。

Here，ifonlyonewereanovelist，onecouldweaveseveralpagesofvaluablecopyoutofthestalk。Thestagmadeforthestrathhere，andDick，whohadnogillie，butwasanindependentsportsmanoftheoldschool，pursuedonfoot。Plungingdownthelow，birch-cladhills，thestagfoundthefloodedriverbeforehim，blackandswollenwithrain。Hetookthewater，crossingbythebigpool，whichlookedalmostlikealittleloch，tempestuousunderanorthwindblowingupstream，andcoveredwithsmallwhite，viciouscrests。Thestagcrossedandstaggeredupthebank，wherehestoodpanting。Itisnotahumanethingtoleaveadeertodieslowlyofariflebullet，andDick，reachingthepool，hesitatednot，butthrewoffhisclothes，tookhisskenebetweenhisteeth，plungedin，andswamtheriver。

Allnakedashewashecutthestag"sthroatintheusualmanner，andgrallochedhimwithalltheskillofBucklaw。Thiswasverywell，andverywellitwouldbetoaddadescriptionofthestagatbay；butasIneverhappenedtoseeastagatbay，Iomitallthat。

Dickhadachievedsuccess，buthisclotheswereononesideofaroaringriverinspate，andheandthedeadstagwereontheother。

Therewasnochanceoffordingthestream，andtherewasthennobridge。Hedidnotcaretoswimback，fortheexcitementwasoutofhim。Hewastremblingwithcold，andafraidofcramp。"A

mother-nakedman，"inawilderness，withafloodbetweenhimandhisraiment，wasinapitiableposition。Itdidnotoccurtohimtoflaythestag，anddressinthehide，and，indeed，hewouldhavebeenfrozenbeforehecouldhaveaccomplishedthattask。Sohereconnoitred。

Therewasnobodywithinsightbutonegirl，whowasherdingcows。

Nowforanakedman，withaknife，andbedabbledwithblood，toaddressayoungwomanonalonelymoorisadelicatebusiness。Thechanceswerethatthegirlwouldfleelikeastartledfawn，andleaveDicktowalk，justashewas，tothenearestfarmhouse，aboutamileaway。However，Dickhadtoriskit；helaydownsothatonlyhisfaceappearedabovethebank，andheshoutedtothemaiden。Whenhehadcaughtherattentionhebrieflyexplainedtheunusualsituation。Thentheyoungwomanbehavedlikeatrump，orlikeaHighlandNausicaa，forstudentsofthe"Odyssey"willrememberhowOdysseus，simplycladinaleafyboughofatree，madesupplicationtothesea-king"sdaughter，andhowshebefriendedhim。EvenifDickhadbeenareaderofHomer，whichisnotprobable，therewerenotreeswithinconvenientreach，andhecouldnotadopttheleafycoveringofOdysseus。

"Yousitstill；ifyoumoveaninchbeforeIgiveyoutheword，I"llleaveyouwhereyouare!"saidMissMary。Shethencastherplaidoverherface，marcheduptothebankwhereDickwascrouchingandshivering，droppedherampleplaidoverhim，andspedawaytowardsthefarmhouse。Whenshehadreacheditsshelter，andwasgivinganaccountoftheadventure，Dicksetforth，likeaprimevalHighlander，thecoveringdoingdutybothforplaidandkilt。Clothesofsomekindwereprovidedforhimatthecottage，aricketyoldboatwasfetched，andheandhisstagwererowedacrosstherivertotheplacewherehisclotheslay。

Thatisall，butifonewereadealerinromance，muchplaymightbemadewiththefuturefortunesofthesportsmanandthemaiden，happyfortunesorunhappy。Inreallife，thelassie"drewupwith"

ashepherdlad，asMissJennyDenisonhasit，marriedhim，andhelpedtopopulatethestrath。AsforDick，historytellsnomoreofhisadventures，norisitallegedthatheeveragainvisitedthedistantvalley，orbeheldthefaceofhisHighlandNausicaa。

Now，ifonewerearomancer，thismereanecdoteprobablywould"rest，lovelypearl，inthebrain，andslowlymatureintheoyster，"tillitbecameanovel。Properlyhandled，theincidentwouldmakeaveryagreeablefirstchapter，withtheaidofscenery，botany，climate，andremarksonthemannersandcustomsofthereddeerstolenfromSt。John，ortheStuartsd"Albanie。Then，probably，onewouldreflectonthecharactersofMaryandofRichard；Marymusthaveparents，ofcourse，andonewouldmakethemtalkinScottish。Probablyshealreadyhadalover；howshouldshebehavetothatlover？Thereisplentyofroomforspeculationinthatproblem。AstoDick，ishetobeaLothario，oraloverpourlebonmotif？Whatarehisdistinguishedfamilytothinkoftheloveaffair，whichwouldcertainlyensueinfiction，thoughinreallifenobodythoughtofitatall？Arewetoendhappily，withamarriageormarriages，orarewetowindallupinthepleasant，pessimistic，realistic，fashionablemodernway？IsMarytodrownthebabyintheMucklePool？IsshetosufferthepenaltyofhercrimeatInverness？Or，happythought，shallwenotmakeherdiscardedrivallovermeetDickinthehillsonasunnydayandthen——aretheynot(takingahintfromfacts)tofightaduelwithrifles？IseeDicklying，withabulletinhisbrow，onthesideofacorrie；hisbloodcrimsonsthesnow，aneaglestoopsfromthesky。Thatmakesaprettypicturesqueconclusiontotheunwrittenromanceofthestrath。

Anotheranecdoteoccurstome；good，Ithink，forashortstory，butcapable，also，ofbeingdumpeddowninthemiddleofalongnovel。Itwasintheoldcoachingdays。ABordersquirewasgoingnorth，inthecoach，alone。Atavillagehewasjoinedbyamanandayounglady:theirpurposewasmanifest，theywerearunawaycouple，boundforGretnaGreen。Theyhadnottravelledlongtogetherbeforetheyounglady，turningtothesquire，said，"Vousparlezfrancais，Monsieur？"HedidspeakFrench——itwasplainthatthebridegroomdidnot——and，totheendofthejourney，thatremarkableladyconductedalivelyandaffectionateconversationwiththesquireinFrench!Manifestly，hehadonlytoaskandreceive，but，alas!hewasanunadventurous，plaingentleman；healightedathisownvillage；hedrovehomeinhisowndogcart；thefugitivepairwentforward，andtheGretnablacksmithunitedtheminholymatrimony。Therestissilence。

Iwouldgivemuchtoknowwhatthatyoungperson"sprevioushistoryandadventureshadbeen，tolearnwhatbefellherafterherwedding，tounderstand，inbrief，herconductandhermotives。

WereIanovelist，aMaupassant，oraMeredith，theMuse，"fromwhatsoeverquartershechose，"wouldenlightenmeaboutall，andI

wouldenlightenyou。ButIcanonlymarvel，onlythrowoutthehint，onlydepositthegrainofsand，thenucleusofromance，insomemorefertilebrain。IndeedthetopicismuchmorepuzzlingthantherightconclusionformyHighlandromance。Inthatcasefancycouldfindcertainobviouschannels，intooneorotherofwhichitmustflow。ButIseenochannelsforthelivesofthesethreequeerlymetpeopleinthecoach。

Asarule，fanciesarecapableofbeingarrangedinbutafewfamiliarpatterns，sothatitseemshardlyworthwhiletomakethearrangement。Buthewholooksatthingsthuswillneverbeawriterofstories。Nay，evenoftheslowlyunfoldingtaleofhisownexistencehemayweary，forthecombinationsthereinhavealloccurredbefore；itisinahackneyedoldstorythatheisliving，andyou，andI。Yettoactonthisknowledgeistomakeabadaffairofourlittlelife:wemusttryourbesttotakeitseriously。Andsoofstory-writing。AsMr。Stevensonsays，amanmustview"hisverytriflingenterprisewithagravitythatwouldbefitthecaresofempire，andthinkthesmallestimprovementworthaccomplishingatanyexpenseoftimeandindustry。Thebook，thestatue，thesonata，mustbegoneuponwiththeunreasoninggoodfaithandtheunflaggingspiritofchildrenattheirplay。"

Thatistrue，thatistheworstofit。Theman，thewriter，overwhomtheirresistibledesiretomockathimself，hiswork，hispuppetsandtheirfortuneshaspower，willneverbeanovelist。

Thenovelistmust"makebelieveverymuch"；hemustbeinearnestwithhischaracters。Buthowtobeinearnest，howtokeepthenoteofdisbeliefandderision"outofthememorial"？Ah，thereisthedifficulty，butitisadifficultyofwhichmanyauthorsappeartobeinsensible。Perhapstheysufferfromnosuchtemptations。

CHAPTERXV:THESUPERNATURALINFICTION

Itisatruismthatthesupernaturalinfictionshould，asageneralrule，beleftinthevague。InthecreepiesttaleIeverread，thehorrorlayinthis——THEREWASNOGHOST!Youmaydescribeaghostwithallthemosthideousfeaturesthatfancycansuggest——

saucereyes，redstaringhair，aforkedtail，andwhatyouplease——

butthereaderonlylaughs。Itiswisertomakeasifyouweregoingtodescribethespectre，andthenbreakoff，exclaiming，"Butno!Nopencandescribe，nomemory，thankHeaven，canrecall，thehorrorofthathour!"Sowriters，asarule，prefertoleavetheirterror(usuallystyled"TheThing")entirelyinthedark，andtothefrightenedfancyofthestudent。Thus，onthewhole，thetreatmentofthesupernaturallyterribleinfictionisachievedintwoways，eitherbyactualdescription，orbyadroitsuggestion，theauthorsaying，likecabmen，"Ileaveittoyourself，sir。"

Therearedangersinbothmethods；thedescription，ifattempted，isusuallyoverdoneandincredible:thesuggestionisapttoprepareustooanxiouslyforsomethingthatneverbecomesreal，andtoleaveusdisappointed。

Examplesofbothmethodsmaybeselectedfrompoetryandprose。

Theexamplesinversearerareenough；thefirstandbestthatoccursinthewayofsuggestionis，ofcourse，themysteriousladyin"Christabel。"

"Shewasmostbeautifultosee，Likealadyofafarcountree。"

Whowasshe？Whatdidshewant？Whencedidshecome？WhatwasthehorrorsherevealedtothenightinthebowerofChristabel？

"ThendrawinginherbreathaloudLikeonethatshuddered，sheunboundThecincturefrombeneathherbreast。

HersilkenrobeandinnervestDropttoherfeet，andfullinviewBeholdherbosomandhalfherside-

Asighttodreamof，nottotell!

Oshieldher!shieldsweetChristabel!"

Andthenwhatdoherwordsmean？

"Thouknowestto-night，andwiltknowto-morrow，Thismarkofmyshame，thissealofmysorrow。"

Whatwasit——the"sighttodreamof，nottotell？"

Coleridgeneverdidtell，and，thoughheandMr。Gilmansaidheknew，Wordsworththoughthedidnotknow。Heraisedaspiritthathehadnotthespelltolay。IntheParadiseofPoetshashediscoveredthesecret？Weonlyknowthatthemischief，whateveritmayhavebeen，waswrought。

"Osorrowandshame!Canthisbeshe-

Theladywhokneltattheoldoaktree？"……

"Astarhathset，astarhathrisen，OGeraldine，sincearmsofthineHavebeenthelovelylady"sprison。

OGeraldine，onehourwasthine。"{11}

IfColeridgeknew，whydidhenevertell？Andyethemaintainsthat"intheveryfirstconceptionofthetale，Ihadthewholepresenttomymind，withthewholenessnolessthanwiththelivelinessofavision，"andheexpectedtofinishthethreeremainingpartswithintheyear。Theyearwas1816，thepoemwasbegunin1797，andfinished，asfarasitgoes，in1800。IfColeridgeeverknewwhathemeant，hehadtimetoforget。Thechancesarethathisindolence，orhisforgetfulness，wasthemakingof"Christabel，"whichremainsamasterpieceofsupernaturalsuggestion。

Fordescriptionitsufficestoreadthe"AncientMariner。"Thesemarvels，truly，arespeciosamiracula，and，unlikeSouthey，webelieveasweread。"Youhaveselectedapassagefertileinunmeaningmiracles，"LambwrotetoSouthey(1798)，"buthavepassedbyfiftypassagesasmiraculousasthemiraclestheycelebrate。"

Lambappearstohavebeenalmostaloneinappreciatingthismasterpieceofsupernaturaldescription。Coleridgehimselfshrankfromhisownwonders，andwantedtocallthepiece"APoet"sReverie。""ItisasbadasBottomtheweaver"sdeclarationthatheisnotalion，butonlythescenicalrepresentationofalion。

Whatnewideaisgainedbythistitlebutonesubversiveofallcredit——whichthetaleshouldforceuponus——ofitstruth？"Lambhimselfwasforced，bythetemperofthetime，todeclarethathe"dislikedallthemiraculouspartofit，"asifitwerenotALL

miraculous!WordsworthwantedtheMariner"tohaveacharacterandaprofession，"perhapswouldhavelikedhimtobeagardener，orabutler，with"anexcellentcharacter!"Infact，theloveofthesupernaturalwasthenatsolowanebbthatacertainMr。Marshall"wenttosleepwhilethe"AncientMariner"wasreading，"andthebookwasmainlyboughtbyseafaringmen，deceivedbythetitle，andsupposingthatthe"AncientMariner"wasanauticaltreatise。

Inverse，then，Coleridgesucceedswiththesupernatural，bothbywayofdescriptionindetail，andofsuggestion。Ifyouwishtoseeafailure，trytheghost，themoralbutnotaffableghost，inWordsworth"s"Laodamia。"Itisblasphemytoaskthequestion，butistheghostin"Hamlet"quiteasuccess？Dowenotseeandhearalittletoomuchofhim？Macbeth"sairyandviewlessdaggerisreallymuchmoresuccessfulbywayofsuggestion。Thestagemakesaghostvisibleandfamiliar，andthisisonegreatdangerofthesupernaturalinart。Itisapttoinsistonbeingtooconspicuous。

DidtheghostofDarius，in"AEschylus，"frightentheAthenians？

Probablytheysmiledattheimperialspectre。ThereismorediscretioninCaesar"sghost-

"IthinkitistheweaknessofmineeyesThatshapesthismonstrousapparition，"

saysBrutus，andhelaysnoverygreatstressonthebriefvisitoftheappearance。Forwantofthisdiscretion，AlexandreDumas"sghosts，asin"TheCorsicanBrothers，"arefailures。Theymakethemselvestoocommonandtoocheap，likethespectreinMrs。

Oliphant"snovel，"TheWizard"sSon。"This，indeed，isthecruxofthewholeadventure。Ifyoupaintyourghostwithtooheavyahand，youraiselaughter，notfear。Ifyoutouchhimtoolightly，youraiseunsatisfiedcuriosity，notfear。Itmaybeeasytoshudder，butitisdifficulttoteachshuddering。

Inprose，agoodexampleoftheovervagueisMiriam"smysteriousvisitor——theshadowofthecatacombs——in"Transformation；or，TheMarbleFaun。"Hawthorneshouldhavetoldusmoreorless；tobesurehiscontemporariesknewwhathemeant，knewwhoMiriamandtheSpectrewere。Thedwellerinthecatacombsnowpowerfullyexcitescuriosity，andwhenthatcuriosityisunsatisfied，wefeelaggrieved，vexed，andsuspectthatHawthornehimselfwaspuzzled，andknewnomorethanhisreaders。Hehasnot——asinothertaleshehas——managedtothrowtherightatmosphereaboutthisbeing。Heisvagueinthewrongway，whereasGeorgeSand，inLesDamesVertes，isvagueintherightway。WeareleftinLesDamesVerteswiththatkindofcuriositywhichpersonsreallyengagedintheadventuremighthavefelt，notwiththeirritationofhavingasecretkeptfromus，asin"Transformation。"

In"WanderingWillie"sTale"(in"Redgauntlet")，therightatmosphereisfound，therightnoteisstruck。Allisvividlyreal，andyet，ifyouclosethebook，allmeltsintoadreamagain。

Scottwasalmostequallysuccessfulwithadescribedhorrorin"TheTapestriedChamber。"Theideaisthecommonplaceofhauntedhouses，theapparitionisdescribedasminutelyasaburglarmighthavebeen；andyetwedonotmock，butshudderasweread。Then，ontheotherside——thesideofanticipation——takethesceneoutsidethecloseddoorofthevanishedDr。Jekyll，inMr。Stevenson"swell-knownapologue:

Theyarewaitingonthethresholdofthechamberwhencethedoctorhasdisappeared——thechambertenantedbywhat？Avoicecomesfromtheroom。"Sir，"saidPoole，lookingMr。Uttersonintheeyes，"wasthatmymaster"svoice？"

Afriend，amanofaffairs，andapersonneveraccusedofbeingfanciful，toldmethathereadthroughthebooktothatpointinalonelyHighlandchateau，atnight，andthathedidnotthinkitwelltofinishthestorytillnextmorning，butrushedtobed。Sothepassageseems"well-found"andsuccessfulbydintofsuggestion。Ontheotherside，perhaps，onlyScotsmenbroughtupincountryplaces，familiarfromchildhoodwiththeterrorsofCameronianmyth，andfromchildhoodapttohauntthelonelychurchyards，neverstirredsincetheyearofthegreatPlaguechokedthesoilwiththedead，perhapsTHEYonlyknowhowmuchshuddermaybefoundinMr。Stevenson"s"ThrawnJanet。"Theblacksmoulderingheatinthehillsandglensthatarecommonlysofresh，theaspectoftheMan，theTempteroftheBrethren，weknowthem，andwehaveenoughoftheoldbloodinustobethrilledbythatmasterpieceofthedescribedsupernatural。Itmaybeonlyalocalsuccess，itmaynotmuchaffecttheEnglishreader，butitisofsureappealtothelowlandScot。TheancestralCovenanterwithinusawakens，andisterrifiedbyhisancientfears。

Perhapsitmaydieoutinapositiveage——thispoweroflearningtoshudder。Tousitdescendsfromverylongago，fromthefar-offforefatherswhodreadedthedark，andwho，halfstarvedandalluntaught，sawspiritseverywhere，andscarcediscernedwakingexperiencefromdreams。Whenweareallperfectpositivistphilosophers，whenathousandgenerationsofnursesthatneverheardofghostshaveeducatedthethousandandfirstgenerationofchildren，thenthesupernaturalmayfadeoutoffiction。ButhasitnotgrownandincreasedsinceWordsworthwantedthe"AncientMariner"tohave"aprofessionandacharacter，"sinceSoutheycalledthatpoemaDutchpieceofwork，sinceLambhadtopretendtodislikeits"miracles"？Why，assciencebecomesmorecock-sure，havemenandwomenbecomemoreandmorefondofoldfollies，andmorepleasedwiththestirringofancientdreadwithintheirveins？

Asthevisibleworldismeasured，mapped，tested，weighed，weseemtohopemoreandmorethataworldofinvisibleromancemaynotbefarfromus，or，atleast，wecaremoreandmoretofollowfancyintotheseairyregions，etinaniaregna。Thesupernaturalhasnotceasedtotemptromancers，likeAlexandreDumas，usuallytotheirdestruction；morerarely，asinMrs。Oliphant"s"BeleagueredCity，"

tosuchsuccessastheydonotfindintheworldofdailyoccupation。Theordinaryshillingtalesof"hypnotism"andmesmerismarevulgartrashenough，andyetIcanbelievethatanimpossibleromance，iftherightmanwroteitintherightmood，mightstillwinusfromthenewspapers，andthestoriesofshabbylove，andcheapremorses，andcommonplacefailures。

"ButitneedsHeaven-sentmomentsforthisskill。"

CHAPTERXVI:ANOLDSCOTTISHPSYCHICALRESEARCHER

ADVERTISEMENT

"IfanyGentlemen，andothers，willbepleasedtosendmeanyrelationsaboutSpirits，Witches，andApparitions，InanypartoftheKingdom；oranyInformationabouttheSecondSight，Charms，Spells，Magic，andthelike，TheyshallobligetheAuthor，andhavethempublishttotheirsatisfaction。

"DirectyourRelationstoAlexanderOgstouns，ShopStationer，atthefootofthePlain-stones，atEdinburgh，ontheNorth-sideoftheStreet。"

IsthisnotapleasingopportunityforGentlemen，andOthers，whoseAuntshavebeheldwraiths，doubles，andfetches？ItanswersverycloselytotherequestsoftheSocietyforPsychicalResearch，whopublish，assomeonedisparaginglysays，"thedreamsofthemiddleclasses。"ThankstoFreedom，Progress，andthedeclineofSuperstition，itisnowquitesafetoseeapparitions，andeventopublishthenarrativeoftheirappearance。

ButwhenMr。GeorgeSinclair，sometimeProfessorofPhilosophyinGlasgow，issuedtheinvitationwhichIhavecopied，attheendofhis"Satan"sInvisibleWorldDiscovered，"{12}thevocationofaseerwasnotsosecurefromharm。He，orshe，mightjustasprobablybeburnedasnot，onthechargeofsorcery，intheyearofgrace，1685。However，ProfessorSinclairmanagedtoraketogetheranoddenoughsetoflegends，"provingclearlythatthereareDevils，"adesirablemattertohavecertaintyabout。"Satan"sInvisibleWorldDiscovered"isaveryrarelittlebook；IthinkScottsaysinaMS。notethathehadgreatdifficultyinprocuringit，whenhewasatworkonhis"infernaldemonology。"Asacopyfellinmyway，orratherasIfellinitsway，ahelplessvictimtoitscharmsanditsbluemoroccobinding，Itakethischanceoftellingagaintheoldtalesof1685。

Mr。SinclairbeganwithalongdedicatoryEpistleaboutnothingatall，totheLordWintonoftheperiod。TheEarldugcoal-mines，andconstructed"amoliminousrampierforaharbour。"A

"moliminousrampier"isachoicephrase，andmaybeenviedbynovelistswhoaimatdistinctionofstyle。"YourdefendingthesaltpansagainsttheimperiouswavesoftheragingseafromtheNE。issingular，"addstheProfessor，addressing"thegreatestcoalandsalt-masterinScotland，whoisanobleman，andthegreatestnoblemanwhoisaCoalandSaltMerchant。"PerhapsitisalreadyplaintothemodernmindthatMr。GeorgeSinclair，thoughaProfessorofPhilosophy，wasnotaverysagaciouscharacter。

Mr。SinclairprofessesthathisproofsoftheexistenceofDevils"arenooldwife"strattlesaboutthefire，butsuchasmaybidethetest。"Helived，oneshouldremember，inanagewhenfaithwasreallyseekingaidfromghoststories。Glanvil"sbooks——and，inAmerica，thoseofCottonMather——showthehospitalitytoanecdotesofanedifyingsort，whichweadmireinMr。Sinclair。Indeed，SinclairborrowsfromGlanvilandHenryMore，authorswho，likehimself，wishedtoestablishtheexistenceofthesupernaturalonthestrangeincidentswhichstillperplexus，butwhicharescarcelyregardedassafemattertoargueupon。ThetestimonyforaGhostwouldseldomgotoajuryinourdays，thoughamplysufficientinthetimeofMr。Sinclair。About"TheDevilofGlenluce"hetookparticularcaretobewellinformed，andfirstgaveittotheworldinavolumeon——youwillneverguesswhatsubject——Hydrostatics!Inthepresentworkheoffersus"TheDevilofGlenluceEnlargedWithseveralRemarkableAdditionsfromanEyeandEarWitness，APersonofundoubtedHonesty。"

Mr。Sinclairrecommendsits"usefulnessforrefutingAtheism。"

ProbablyMr。Sinclairgotthestory，orhaditputoffonhimrather，throughoneCampbell，astudentofphilosophyinGlasgow，thesonofGilbertCampbell，aweaverofGlenluce，inGalloway；thesceneinourowntime，ofamysteriousmurder。CampbellhadrefusedalmstoAlexanderAgnew，aboldandsturdybeggar，who，whenaskedbytheJudgewhetherhebelievedinaGod，answered:

"HeknewnoGodbutSalt，Meal，andWater。"Inconsequenceoftherefusalofalms，"TheStirsfirstbegan。"The"Stirs"areghostlydisturbances。Theycommencedwithwhistlinginthehouseandoutofit，"suchaschildrenusetomakewiththeirsmall，slenderglasswhistles。""AbouttheMiddleofNovember，"saysMr。

Sinclair，"theFoulFiendcameonwithhisextraordinaryassaults。"

ObservethathetakestheFoulFiendentirelyforgranted，andthathenevertellsusthedateoftheoriginalquarrel，andtheearlyagitation。Stoneswerethrowndownthechimneyandinatthewindows，butnobodywashurt。

NaturallyGilbertCampbellcarriedhistaleofsorrowtotheparishMinister。Thisdidnotavailhim。Hiswarpandthreadswerecutonhisloom，andeventheclothesofhisfamilywerecutwhiletheywerewearingthem。Atnightsomethingtuggedtheblanketsofftheirbeds，afavouriteoldspiritualtrick，whichwasplayed，ifI

rememberwell，onaRomanEmperor，accordingtoSuetonius。PoorCampbellhadtoremovehisstock-in-trade，andsendhischildrentoboardout，"totrywhomthetroubledidmostfollow。"Afterthis，allwasquiet(asperhapsmightbeexpected)，andquietallremained，tillasonnamedThomaswasbroughthomeagain。Thenthehousewastwicesetonfire，anditmighthavebeenenoughtogiveThomasabeating。Ontheotherhand，CampbellsentThomastostaywiththeMinister。Butthetroublescontinuedintheoldway。AtlastthefamilybecamesoaccustomedtotheDevil，"thattheywerenomoreafraidtokeepuptheClash"(chatter)"withtheFoulFiendthantospeaktoeachother。"TheywereliketheWesleys，whoweresofamiliarwiththefiendJeffrey，thathauntedtheirhome。

TheMinister，withafewofthegentry，heardoftheirunholyfriendship，andpaidCampbellavisit。"AttheirfirstcomingintheDevilsays:"QuumLiterarumisgoodLatin。""ThesearethefirstwordsoftheLatinrudimentswhichscholarsaretaughtwhentheygototheGrammarSchool。Thentheyallprayed，andaVoicecamefromunderthebed:"WouldyouknowtheWitchesofGlenluce？"

TheVoicenamedafew，includingonelongdead。ButtheMinister，withraregoodsense，remarkedthatwhatSatansaidwasnotevidence。

Letitberemarkedthat"theladTom"hadthatveryday"comebackwiththeMinister。"TheFiendthenofferedterms。"Givemeaspadeandshovel，anddepartfromthehouseforsevendays，andI

willmakeagrave，andliedowninit，andtroubleyounomore。"

HereonCampbell，withScottishcaution，declinedtogivetheDevilthevalueofastraw。Thevisitorsthenhuntedafterthevoice，observingthatsomeofthechildrenwereinbed。Theyfoundnothing，andthen，asthenovelistssay，"astrangethinghappened。"