第3章
“Mylove，“saidMrs。Bullfrogtenderly，“youwilldisarrangemycurls。“
“Oh，no，mysweetLaura！“repliedI，stillplayingwiththeglossyringlet。“Evenyourfairhandcouldnotmanageacurlmoredelicatelythanmine。Iproposemyselfthepleasureofdoingupyourhairinpaperseveryeveningatthesametimewithmyown。“
“Mr。Bullfrog，“repeatedshe，“youmustnotdisarrangemycurls。“
ThiswasspokeninamoredecidedtonethanIhadhappenedtohear，untilthen，frommygentlestofallgentlebrides。Atthesametimesheputupherhandandtookmineprisoner；butmerelydrewitawayfromtheforbiddenringlet，andthenimmediatelyreleasedit。Now，Iamafidgetylittleman，andalwayslovetohavesomethinginmyfingers；sothat，beingdebarredfrommywife"scurls，Ilookedaboutmeforanyotherplaything。Onthefrontseatofthecoachtherewasoneofthosesmallbasketsinwhichtravellingladieswhoaretoodelicatetoappearatapublictablegenerallycarryasupplyofgingerbread，biscuitsandcheese，coldham，andotherlightrefreshments，merelytosustainnaturetothejourney"send。Suchairydietwillsometimeskeeptheminprettygoodfleshforaweektogether。
Layingholdofthissamelittlebasket，Ithrustmyhandunderthenewspaperwithwhichitwascarefullycovered。
“What"sthis，mydear？“criedI；fortheblackneckofabottlehadpoppedoutofthebasket。
“AbottleofKalydor，Mr。Bullfrog，“saidmywife，coollytakingthebasketfrommyhandsandreplacingitonthefrontseat。
Therewasnopossibilityofdoubtingmywife"sword；butIneverknewgenuineKalydor，suchasIuseformyowncomplexion，tosmellsomuchlikecherrybrandy。Iwasabouttoexpressmyfearsthatthelotionwouldinjureherskin，whenanaccidentoccurredwhichthreatenedmorethanaskin-deepinjury。OurJehuhadcarelesslydrivenoveraheapofgravelandfairlycapsizedthecoach，withthewheelsintheairandourheelswhereourheadsshouldhavebeen。WhatbecameofmywitsIcannotimagine；theyhavealwayshadaperversetrickofdesertingmejustwhentheyweremostneeded；butsoitchanced，thatintheconfusionofouroverthrowIquiteforgotthattherewasaMrs。Bullfrogintheworld。Likemanymen"swives，thegoodladyservedherhusbandasasteppingstone。Ihadscrambledoutofthecoachandwasinstinctivelysettlingmycravat，whensomebodybrushedroughlybyme，andIheardasmartthwackuponthecoachman"sear。
“Takethat，youvillain！“criedastrange，hoarsevoice。“Youhaveruinedme，youblackguard！IshallneverbethewomanIhavebeen！“
Andthencameasecondthwack，aimedatthedriver"sotherear；
butwhichmissedit，andhithimonthenose，causingaterribleeffusionofblood。Now，whoorwhatfearfulapparitionwasinflictingthispunishmentonthepoorfellowremainedanimpenetrablemysterytome。Theblowsweregivenbyapersonofgrislyaspect，withaheadalmostbald，andsunkencheeks，apparentlyofthefemininegender，thoughhardlytobeclassedinthegentlersex。Therebeingnoteethtomodulatethevoice，ithadamumbledfierceness，notpassionate，butstern，whichabsolutelymademequiverlikecalf"s-footjelly。Whocouldthephantombe？Themostawfulcircumstanceoftheaffairisyettobetold:forthisogre，orwhateveritwas，hadaridinghabitlikeMrs。Bullfrog"s，andalsoagreensilkcalashdanglingdownherbackbythestrings。InmyterrorandturmoilofmindIcouldimaginenothinglessthanthattheOldNick，atthemomentofouroverturn，hadannihilatedmywifeandjumpedintoherpetticoats。
Thisideaseemedthemostprobable，sinceIcouldnowhereperceiveMrs。Bullfrogalive，nor，thoughIlookedverysharplyaboutthecoach，couldIdetectanytracesofthatbelovedwoman"sdeadbody。TherewouldhavebeenacomfortingivingherChristianburial。
“Come，sir，bestiryourself！Helpthisrascaltosetupthecoach，“saithehobgoblintome；then，withaterrificscreechatthreecountrymenatadistance，“Here，youfellows，ain"tyouashamedtostandoffwhenapoorwomanisindistress？“
Thecountrymen，insteadoffleeingfortheirlives，camerunningatfullspeed，andlaidholdofthetopsy-turvycoach。I，also，thoughasmall-sizedman，wenttoworklikeasonofAnak。Thecoachman，too，withthebloodstillstreamingfromhisnose，tuggedandtoiledmostmanfully，dreading，doubtless，thatthenextblowmightbreakhishead。Andyet，bemauledasthepoorfellowhadbeen，heseemedtoglanceatmewithaneyeofpity，asifmycaseweremoredeplorablethanhis。ButIcherishedahopethatallwouldturnoutadream，andseizedtheopportunity，asweraisedthecoach，tojamtwoofmyfingersunderthewheel，trustingthatthepainwouldawakenme。
“Why，hereweare，alltorightsagain！“exclaimedasweetvoicebehind。“Thankyouforyourassistance，gentlemen。MydearMr。
Bullfrog，howyouperspire！Doletmewipeyourface。Don"ttakethislittleaccidenttoomuchtoheart，gooddriver。Weoughttobethankfulthatnoneofournecksarebroken。“
“Wemighthavesparedoneneckoutofthethree，“mutteredthedriver，rubbinghisearandpullinghisnose，toascertainwhetherhehadbeencuffedornot。“Why，thewoman"sawitch！“
Ifearthatthereaderwillnotbelieve，yetitispositivelyafact，thattherestoodMrs。Bullfrog，withherglossyringletscurlingonherbrow，andtworowsoforientpearlsgleamingbetweenherpartedlips，whichworeamostangelicsmile。Shehadregainedherridinghabitandcalashfromthegrislyphantom，andwas，inallrespects，thelovelywomanwhohadbeensittingbymysideattheinstantofouroverturn。Howshehadhappenedtodisappear，andwhohadsuppliedherplace，andwhenceshedidnowreturn，wereproblemstooknottyformetosolve。Therestoodmywife。Thatwastheonethingcertainamongaheapofmysteries。
Nothingremainedbuttohelpherintothecoach，andplodon，throughthejourneyofthedayandthejourneyoflife，ascomfortablyaswecould。Asthedriverclosedthedooruponus，I
heardhimwhispertothethreecountrymen，“Howdoyousupposeafellowfeelsshutupinthecagewithashetiger？“
Ofcoursethisquerycouldhavenoreferencetomysituation。
Yet，unreasonableasitmayappear，IconfessthatmyfeelingswerenotaltogethersoecstaticaswhenIfirstcalledMrs。
Bullfrogmine。True，shewasasweetwomanandanangelofawife；butwhatifaGorgonshouldreturn，amidthetransportsofourconnubialbliss，andtaketheangel"splace。Irecollectedthetaleofafairy，whohalfthetimewasabeautifulwomanandhalfthetimeahideousmonster。HadItakenthatveryfairytobethewifeofmybosom？WhilesuchwhimsandchimeraswereflittingacrossmyfancyIbegantolookaskanceatMrs。
Bullfrog，almostexpectingthatthetransformationwouldbewroughtbeforemyeyes。
Todivertmymind，Itookupthenewspaperwhichhadcoveredthelittlebasketofrefreshments，andwhichnowlayatthebottomofthecoach，blushingwithadeep-redstainandemittingapotentspirituousfumefromthecontentsofthebrokenbottleofKalydor。Thepaperwastwoorthreeyearsold，butcontainedanarticleofseveralcolumns，inwhichIsoongrewwonderfullyinterested。Itwasthereportofatrialforbreachofpromiseofmarriage，givingthetestimonyinfull，withfervidextractsfromboththegentleman"sandlady"samatorycorrespondence。Thedeserteddamselhadpersonallyappearedincourt，andhadborneenergeticevidencetoherlover"sperfidyandthestrengthofherblightedaffections。Onthedefendant"sparttherehadbeenanattempt，thoughinsufficientlysustained，toblasttheplaintiff"scharacter，andaplea，inmitigationofdamages，onaccountofherunamiabletemper。Ahorribleideawassuggestedbythelady"sname。
“Madam，“saidI，holdingthenewspaperbeforeMrs。Bullfrog"seyes，——and，thoughasmall，delicate，andthin-visagedman，I
feelassuredthatIlookedveryterrific，——“madam，“repeatedI，throughmyshutteeth，“wereyoutheplaintiffinthiscause？“
“Oh，mydearMr。Bullfrog，“repliedmywife，sweetly，“Ithoughtalltheworldknewthat！“
“Horror！horror！“exclaimedI，sinkingbackontheseat。
Coveringmyfacewithbothhands，Iemittedadeepanddeathlikegroan，asifmytormentedsoulwererendingmeasunder——I，themostexquisitelyfastidiousofmen，andwhosewifewastohavebeenthemostdelicateandrefinedofwomen，withallthefreshdew-dropsglitteringonhervirginrosebudofaheart！
Ithoughtoftheglossyringletsandpearlyteeth；IthoughtoftheKalydor；Ithoughtofthecoachman"sbruisedearandbloodynose；Ithoughtofthetenderlovesecretswhichshehadwhisperedtothejudgeandjuryandathousandtitteringauditors，——andgaveanothergroan！
“Mr。Bullfrog，“saidmywife。
AsImadenoreply，shegentlytookmyhandswithinherown，removedthemfrommyface，andfixedhereyessteadfastlyonmine。
“Mr。Bullfrog，“saidshe，notunkindly，yetwithallthedecisionofherstrongcharacter，“letmeadviseyoutoovercomethisfoolishweakness，andproveyourself，tothebestofyourability，asgoodahusbandasIwillbeawife。Youhavediscovered，perhaps，somelittleimperfectionsinyourbride。
Well，whatdidyouexpect？Womenarenotangels。Iftheywere，theywouldgotoheavenforhusbands；or，atleast，bemoredifficultintheirchoiceonearth。“
“Butwhyconcealthoseimperfections？“interposedI，tremulously。
“Now，mylove，arenotyouamostunreasonablelittleman？“saidMrs。Bullfrog，pattingmeonthecheek。“Oughtawomantodiscloseherfrailtiesearlierthantheweddingday？Fewhusbands，Iassureyou，makethediscoveryinsuchgoodseason，andstillfewercomplainthatthesetriflesareconcealedtoolong。Well，whatastrangemanyouare！Poh！youarejoking。“
“Butthesuitforbreachofpromise！“groanedI。
“Ah，andisthattherub？“exclaimedmywife。“Isitpossiblethatyouviewthataffairinanobjectionablelight？Mr。
Bullfrog，Inevercouldhavedreamedit！IsitanobjectionthatIhavetriumphantlydefendedmyselfagainstslanderandvindicatedmypurityinacourtofjustice？Ordoyoucomplainbecauseyourwifehasshowntheproperspiritofawoman，andpunishedthevillainwhotrifledwithheraffections？“
“But，“persistedI，shrinkingintoacornerofthecoach，however，——forIdidnotknowpreciselyhowmuchcontradictiontheproperspiritofawomanwouldendure，——“but，mylove，woulditnothavebeenmoredignifiedtotreatthevillainwiththesilentcontempthemerited？“
“Thatisallverywell，Mr。Bullfrog，“saidmywife，slyly；“but，inthatcase，wherewouldhavebeenthefivethousanddollarswhicharetostockyourdrygoodsstore？“
“Mrs。Bullfrog，uponyourhonor，“demandedI，asifmylifehunguponherwords，“istherenomistakeaboutthosefivethousanddollars？“
“Uponmywordandhonorthereisnone，“repliedshe。“Thejurygavemeeverycenttherascalhad；andIhavekeptitallformydearBullfrog。“
“Then，thoudearwoman，“criedI，withanoverwhelminggushoftenderness，“letmefoldtheetomyheart。Thebasisofmatrimonialblississecure，andallthylittledefectsandfrailtiesareforgiven。Nay，sincetheresulthasbeensofortunate，Irejoiceatthewrongswhichdrovetheetothisblessedlawsuit。HappyBullfrogthatIam！“
THECELESTIALRAILROAD
Notagreatwhileago，passingthroughthegateofdreams，I
visitedthatregionoftheearthinwhichliesthefamousCityofDestruction。ItinterestedmemuchtolearnthatbythepublicspiritofsomeoftheinhabitantsarailroadhasrecentlybeenestablishedbetweenthispopulousandflourishingtownandtheCelestialCity。Havingalittletimeuponmyhands，Iresolvedtogratifyaliberalcuriositybymakingatripthither。
Accordingly，onefinemorningafterpayingmybillatthehotel，anddirectingtheportertostowmyluggagebehindacoach，I
tookmyseatinthevehicleandsetoutforthestation-house。Itwasmygoodfortunetoenjoythecompanyofagentleman——oneMr。
Smooth-it-away——who，thoughhehadneveractuallyvisitedtheCelestialCity，yetseemedaswellacquaintedwithitslaws，customs，policy，andstatistics，aswiththoseoftheCityofDestruction，ofwhichhewasanativetownsman。Being，moreover，adirectoroftherailroadcorporationandoneofitslargeststockholders，hehaditinhispowertogivemealldesirableinformationrespectingthatpraiseworthyenterprise。
Ourcoachrattledoutofthecity，andatashortdistancefromitsoutskirtspassedoverabridgeofelegantconstruction，butsomewhattooslight，asIimagined，tosustainanyconsiderableweight。Onbothsideslayanextensivequagmire，whichcouldnothavebeenmoredisagreeableeithertosightorsmell，hadallthekennelsoftheearthemptiedtheirpollutionthere。
“This，“remarkedMr。Smooth-it-away，“isthefamousSloughofDespond——adisgracetoalltheneighborhood；andthegreaterthatitmightsoeasilybeconvertedintofirmground。“
“Ihaveunderstood，“saidI，“thateffortshavebeenmadeforthatpurposefromtimeimmemorial。Bunyanmentionsthatabovetwentythousandcartloadsofwholesomeinstructionshadbeenthrowninherewithouteffect。“
“Veryprobably！Andwhateffectcouldbeanticipatedfromsuchunsubstantialstuff？“criedMr。Smooth-it-away。“Youobservethisconvenientbridge。Weobtainedasufficientfoundationforitbythrowingintothesloughsomeeditionsofbooksofmorality，volumesofFrenchphilosophyandGermanrationalism；tracts，sermons，andessaysofmodernclergymen；extractsfromPlato，Confucius，andvariousHindoosagestogetherwithafewingeniouscommentariesupontextsofScripture，——allofwhichbysomescientificprocess，havebeenconvertedintoamasslikegranite。
Thewholebogmightbefilledupwithsimilarmatter。“
Itreallyseemedtome，however，thatthebridgevibratedandheavedupanddowninaveryformidablemanner；and，inspiteofMr。Smooth-it-away"stestimonytothesolidityofitsfoundation，Ishouldbeloathtocrossitinacrowdedomnibus，especiallyifeachpassengerwereencumberedwithasheavyluggageasthatgentlemanandmyself。Neverthelesswegotoverwithoutaccident，andsoonfoundourselvesatthestationhouse。Thisveryneatandspaciousedificeiserectedonthesiteofthelittlewicketgate，whichformerly，asalloldpilgrimswillrecollect，stooddirectlyacrossthehighway，and，byitsinconvenientnarrowness，wasagreatobstructiontothetravellerofliberalmindandexpansivestomachThereaderofJohnBunyanwillbegladtoknowthatChristian"soldfriendEvangelist，whowasaccustomedtosupplyeachpilgrimwithamysticroll，nowpresidesattheticketoffice。SomemaliciouspersonsitistruedenytheidentityofthisreputablecharacterwiththeEvangelistofoldtimes，andevenpretendtobringcompetentevidenceofanimposture。WithoutinvolvingmyselfinadisputeIshallmerelyobservethat，sofarasmyexperiencegoes，thesquarepiecesofpasteboardnowdeliveredtopassengersaremuchmoreconvenientandusefulalongtheroadthantheantiquerollofparchment。
WhethertheywillbeasreadilyreceivedatthegateoftheCelestialCityIdeclinegivinganopinion。
Alargenumberofpassengerswerealreadyatthestation-houseawaitingthedepartureofthecars。Bytheaspectanddemeanorofthesepersonsitwaseasytojudgethatthefeelingsofthecommunityhadundergoneaveryfavorablechangeinreferencetothecelestialpilgrimage。ItwouldhavedoneBunyan"sheartgoodtoseeit。Insteadofalonelyandraggedmanwithahugeburdenonhisback，ploddingalongsorrowfullyonfootwhilethewholecityhootedafterhim，herewerepartiesofthefirstgentryandmostrespectablepeopleintheneighborhoodsettingforthtowardstheCelestialCityascheerfullyasifthepilgrimageweremerelyasummertour。Amongthegentlemenwerecharactersofdeservedeminence——magistrates，politicians，andmenofwealth，bywhoseexamplereligioncouldnotbutbegreatlyrecommendedtotheirmeanerbrethren。Intheladies"apartment，too，IrejoicedtodistinguishsomeofthoseflowersoffashionablesocietywhoaresowellfittedtoadornthemostelevatedcirclesoftheCelestialCity。Therewasmuchpleasantconversationaboutthenewsoftheday，topicsofbusinessandpolitics，orthelightermattersofamusement；whilereligion，thoughindubitablythemainthingatheart，wasthrowntastefullyintothebackground。Evenaninfidelwouldhaveheardlittleornothingtoshockhissensibility。
OnegreatconvenienceofthenewmethodofgoingonpilgrimageI
mustnotforgettomention。Ourenormousburdens，insteadofbeingcarriedonourshouldersashadbeenthecustomofold，wereallsnuglydepositedinthebaggagecar，and，asIwasassured，wouldbedeliveredtotheirrespectiveownersatthejourney"send。Anotherthing，likewise，thebenevolentreaderwillbedelightedtounderstand。ItmayberememberedthattherewasanancientfeudbetweenPrinceBeelzebubandthekeeperofthewicketgate，andthattheadherentsoftheformerdistinguishedpersonagewereaccustomedtoshootdeadlyarrowsathonestpilgrimswhileknockingatthedoor。Thisdispute，muchtothecreditaswelloftheillustriouspotentateabovementionedasoftheworthyandenlighteneddirectorsoftherailroad，hasbeenpacificallyarrangedontheprincipleofmutualcompromise。
Theprince"ssubjectsarenowprettynumerouslyemployedaboutthestation-house，someintakingcareofthebaggage，othersincollectingfuel，feedingtheengines，andsuchcongenialoccupations；andIcanconscientiouslyaffirmthatpersonsmoreattentivetotheirbusiness，morewillingtoaccommodate，ormoregenerallyagreeabletothepassengers，arenottobefoundonanyrailroad。Everygoodheartmustsurelyexultatsosatisfactoryanarrangementofanimmemorialdifficulty。
“WhereisMr。Greatheart？“inquiredI。“Beyondadoubtthedirectorshaveengagedthatfamousoldchampiontobechiefconductorontherailroad？“
“Why，no，“saidMr。Smooth-it-away，withadrycough。“Hewasofferedthesituationofbrakeman；but，totellyouthetruth，ourfriendGreathearthasgrownpreposterouslystiffandnarrowinhisoldage。Hehassooftenguidedpilgrimsovertheroadonfootthatheconsidersitasintotravelinanyotherfashion。
Besides，theoldfellowhadenteredsoheartilyintotheancientfeudwithPrinceBeelzebubthathewouldhavebeenperpetuallyatblowsorilllanguagewithsomeoftheprince"ssubjects，andthushaveembroiledusanew。So，onthewhole，wewerenotsorrywhenhonestGreatheartwentofftotheCelestialCityinahuffandleftusatlibertytochooseamoresuitableandaccommodatingman。Yondercomestheengineerofthetrain。Youwillprobablyrecognizehimatonce。“
Theengineatthismomenttookitsstationinadvanceofthecars，looking，Imustconfess，muchmorelikeasortofmechanicaldemonthatwouldhurryustotheinfernalregionsthanalaudablecontrivanceforsmoothingourwaytotheCelestialCity。Onitstopsatapersonagealmostenvelopedinsmokeandflame，which，nottostartlethereader，appearedtogushfromhisownmouthandstomachaswellasfromtheengine"sbrazenabdomen。
“Domyeyesdeceiveme？“criedI。“Whatonearthisthis！A
livingcreature？Ifso，heisownbrothertotheengineheridesupon！“
“Poh，poh，youareobtuse！“saidMr。Smooth-it-away，withaheartylaugh。“Don"tyouknowApollyon，Christian"soldenemy，withwhomhefoughtsofierceabattleintheValleyofHumiliation？Hewastheveryfellowtomanagetheengine；andsowehavereconciledhimtothecustomofgoingonpilgrimage，andengagedhimaschiefengineer。“
“Bravo，bravo！“exclaimedI，withirrepressibleenthusiasm；“thisshowstheliberalityoftheage；thisproves，ifanythingcan，thatallmustyprejudicesareinafairwaytobeobliterated。
AndhowwillChristianrejoicetohearofthishappytransformationofhisoldantagonist！IpromisemyselfgreatpleasureininforminghimofitwhenwereachtheCelestialCity。“
Thepassengersbeingallcomfortablyseated，wenowrattledawaymerrily，accomplishingagreaterdistanceintenminutesthanChristianprobablytrudgedoverinaday。Itwaslaughable，whileweglancedalong，asitwere，atthetailofathunderbolt，toobservetwodustyfoottravellersintheoldpilgrimguise，withcockleshellandstaff，theirmysticrollsofparchmentintheirhandsandtheirintolerableburdensontheirbacks。Thepreposterousobstinacyofthesehonestpeopleinpersistingtogroanandstumblealongthedifficultpathwayratherthantakeadvantageofmodernimprovements，excitedgreatmirthamongourwiserbrotherhood。Wegreetedthetwopilgrimswithmanypleasantgibesandaroaroflaughter；whereupontheygazedatuswithsuchwofulandabsurdlycompassionatevisagesthatourmerrimentgrewtenfoldmoreobstreperous。Apollyonalsoenteredheartilyintothefun，andcontrivedtoflirtthesmokeandflameoftheengine，orofhisownbreath，intotheirfaces，andenveloptheminanatmosphereofscaldingsteam。Theselittlepracticaljokesamusedusmightily，anddoubtlessaffordedthepilgrimsthegratificationofconsideringthemselvesmartyrs。
AtsomedistancefromtherailroadMr。Smooth-it-awaypointedtoalarge，antiqueedifice，which，heobserved，wasatavernoflongstanding，andhadformerlybeenanotedstopping-placeforpilgrims。InBunyan"sroad-bookitismentionedastheInterpreter"sHouse。
“Ihavelonghadacuriositytovisitthatoldmansion，“remarkedI。
“Itisnotoneofourstations，asyouperceive，“saidmycompanion“Thekeeperwasviolentlyopposedtotherailroad；andwellhemightbe，asthetracklefthishouseofentertainmentononeside，andthuswasprettycertaintodeprivehimofallhisreputablecustomers。Butthefootpathstillpasseshisdoor，andtheoldgentlemannowandthenreceivesacallfromsomesimpletraveller，andentertainshimwithfareasold-fashionedashimself。“
BeforeourtalkonthissubjectcametoaconclusionwewererushingbytheplacewhereChristian"sburdenfellfromhisshouldersatthesightoftheCross。ThisservedasathemeforMr。Smooth-it-away，Mr。Livefor-the-world，Mr。
Hide-sin-in-the-heart，Mr。Scaly-conscience，andaknotofgentlemenfromthetownofShun-repentance，todescantupontheinestimableadvantagesresultingfromthesafetyofourbaggage。
Myself，andallthepassengersindeed，joinedwithgreatunanimityinthisviewofthematter；forourburdenswererichinmanythingsesteemedpreciousthroughouttheworld；and，especially，weeachofuspossessedagreatvarietyoffavoriteHabits，whichwetrustedwouldnotbeoutoffashioneveninthepolitecirclesoftheCelestialCity。Itwouldhavebeenasadspectacletoseesuchanassortmentofvaluablearticlestumblingintothesepulchre。Thuspleasantlyconversingonthefavorablecircumstancesofourpositionascomparedwiththoseofpastpilgrimsandofnarrow-mindedonesatthepresentday，wesoonfoundourselvesatthefootoftheHillDifficulty。Throughtheveryheartofthisrockymountainatunnelhasbeenconstructedofmostadmirablearchitecture，withaloftyarchandaspaciousdoubletrack；sothat，unlesstheearthandrocksshouldchancetocrumbledown，itwillremainaneternalmonumentofthebuilder"sskillandenterprise。ItisagreatthoughincidentaladvantagethatthematerialsfromtheheartoftheHillDifficultyhavebeenemployedinfillinguptheValleyofHumiliation，thusobviatingthenecessityofdescendingintothatdisagreeableandunwholesomehollow。
“Thisisawonderfulimprovement，indeed，“saidI。“YetIshouldhavebeengladofanopportunitytovisitthePalaceBeautifulandbeintroducedtothecharmingyoungladies——MissPrudence，MissPiety，MissCharity，andtherest——whohavethekindnesstoentertainpilgrimsthere。“
“Youngladies！“criedMr。Smooth-it-away，assoonashecouldspeakforlaughing。“Andcharmingyoungladies！Why，mydearfellow，theyareoldmaids，everysoulofthem——prim，starched，dry，andangular；andnotoneofthem，Iwillventuretosay，hasalteredsomuchasthefashionofhergownsincethedaysofChristian"spilgrimage。“
“Ah，well，“saidI，muchcomforted，“thenIcanveryreadilydispensewiththeiracquaintance。“
TherespectableApollyonwasnowputtingonthesteamataprodigiousrate，anxious，perhaps，togetridoftheunpleasantreminiscencesconnectedwiththespotwherehehadsodisastrouslyencounteredChristian。ConsultingMr。Bunyan"sroad-book，IperceivedthatwemustnowbewithinafewmilesoftheValleyoftheShadowofDeath，intowhichdolefulregion，atourpresentspeed，weshouldplungemuchsoonerthanseemedatalldesirable。Intruth，IexpectednothingbetterthantofindmyselfintheditchononesideortheQuagontheother；butoncommunicatingmyapprehensionstoMr。Smooth-it-away，heassuredmethatthedifficultiesofthispassage，eveninitsworstcondition，hadbeenvastlyexaggerated，andthat，initspresentstateofimprovement，ImightconsidermyselfassafeasonanyrailroadinChristendom。
EvenwhilewewerespeakingthetrainshotintotheentranceofthisdreadedValley。ThoughIpleadguiltytosomefoolishpalpitationsoftheheartduringourheadlongrushoverthecausewayhereconstructed，yetitwereunjusttowithholdthehighestencomiumsontheboldnessofitsoriginalconceptionandtheingenuityofthosewhoexecutedit。Itwasgratifying，likewise，toobservehowmuchcarehadbeentakentodispeltheeverlastinggloomandsupplythedefectofcheerfulsunshine，notarayofwhichhaseverpenetratedamongtheseawfulshadows。Forthispurpose，theinflammablegaswhichexudesplentifullyfromthesoiliscollectedbymeansofpipes，andthencecommunicatedtoaquadruplerowoflampsalongthewholeextentofthepassage。Thusaradiancehasbeencreatedevenoutofthefieryandsulphurouscursethatrestsforeveruponthevalley——aradiancehurtful，however，totheeyes，andsomewhatbewildering，asIdiscoveredbythechangeswhichitwroughtinthevisagesofmycompanions。Inthisrespect，ascomparedwithnaturaldaylight，thereisthesamedifferenceasbetweentruthandfalsehood，butifthereaderhaveevertravelledthroughthedarkValley，hewillhavelearnedtobethankfulforanylightthathecouldget——ifnotfromtheskyabove，thenfromtheblastedsoilbeneath。Suchwastheredbrilliancyoftheselampsthattheyappearedtobuildwallsoffireonbothsidesofthetrack，betweenwhichweheldourcourseatlightningspeed，whileareverberatingthunderfilledtheValleywithitsechoes。Hadtheenginerunoffthetrack，——acatastrophe，itiswhispered，bynomeansunprecedented，——thebottomlesspit，iftherebeanysuchplace，wouldundoubtedlyhavereceivedus。Justassomedismalfooleriesofthisnaturehadmademyheartquaketherecameatremendousshriek，careeringalongthevalleyasifathousanddevilshadbursttheirlungstoutterit，butwhichprovedtobemerelythewhistleoftheengineonarrivingatastopping-place。
ThespotwherewehadnowpausedisthesamethatourfriendBunyan——atruthfulman，butinfectedwithmanyfantasticnotions——hasdesignated，intermsplainerthanIliketorepeat，asthemouthoftheinfernalregion。This，however，mustbeamistake，inasmuchasMr。Smooth-it-away，whileweremainedinthesmokyandluridcavern，tookoccasiontoprovethatTophethasnotevenametaphoricalexistence。Theplace，heassuredus，isnootherthanthecraterofahalf-extinctvolcano，inwhichthedirectorshadcausedforgestobesetupforthemanufactureofrailroadiron。Hence，also，isobtainedaplentifulsupplyoffuelfortheuseoftheengines。Whoeverhadgazedintothedismalobscurityofthebroadcavernmouth，whenceeverandanondartedhugetonguesofduskyflame，andhadseenthestrange，half-shapedmonsters，andvisionsoffaceshorriblygrotesque，intowhichthesmokeseemedtowreatheitself，andhadheardtheawfulmurmurs，andshrieks，anddeep，shudderingwhispersoftheblast，sometimesformingthemselvesintowordsalmostarticulate，wouldhaveseizeduponMr。Smooth-it-away"scomfortableexplanationasgreedilyaswedid。Theinhabitantsofthecavern，moreover，wereunlovelypersonages，dark，smoke-begrimed，generallydeformed，withmisshapenfeet，andaglowofduskyrednessintheireyesasiftheirheartshadcaughtfireandwereblazingoutoftheupperwindows。Itstruckmeasapeculiaritythatthelaborersattheforgeandthosewhobroughtfueltotheengine，whentheybegantodrawshortbreath，positivelyemittedsmokefromtheirmouthandnostrils。
Amongtheidlersaboutthetrain，mostofwhomwerepuffingcigarswhichtheyhadlightedattheflameofthecrater，Iwasperplexedtonoticeseveralwho，tomycertainknowledge，hadheretoforesetforthbyrailroadfortheCelestialCity。Theylookeddark，wild，andsmoky，withasingularresemblance，indeed，tothenativeinhabitants，likewhom，also，theyhadadisagreeablepropensitytoill-naturedgibesandsneers，thehabitofwhichhadwroughtasettledcontortionoftheirvisages。
Havingbeenonspeakingtermswithoneofthesepersons，——anindolent，good-for-nothingfellow，whowentbythenameofTake-it-easy，——Icalledhim，andinquiredwhatwashisbusinessthere。
“Didyounotstart，“saidI，“fortheCelestialCity？“
“That"safact，“saidMr。Take-it-easy，carelesslypuffingsomesmokeintomyeyes。“ButIheardsuchbadaccountsthatInevertookpainstoclimbthehillonwhichthecitystands。Nobusinessdoing，nofungoingon，nothingtodrink，andnosmokingallowed，andathrummingofchurchmusicfrommorningtillnight。
Iwouldnotstayinsuchaplaceiftheyofferedmehouseroomandlivingfree。“
“But，mygoodMr。Take-it-easy，“criedI，“whytakeupyourresidencehere，ofallplacesintheworld？“
“Oh，“saidtheloafer，withagrin，“itisverywarmhereabouts，andImeetwithplentyofoldacquaintances，andaltogethertheplacesuitsme。Ihopetoseeyoubackagainsomedaysoon。A
pleasantjourneytoyou。“
Whilehewasspeakingthebelloftheenginerang，andwedashedawayafterdroppingafewpassengers，butreceivingnonewones。
RattlingonwardthroughtheValley，weweredazzledwiththefiercelygleaminggaslamps，asbefore。Butsometimes，inthedarkofintensebrightness，grimfaces，thatboretheaspectandexpressionofindividualsins，orevilpassions，seemedtothrustthemselvesthroughtheveiloflight，glaringuponus，andstretchingforthagreat，duskyhand，asiftoimpedeourprogress。Ialmostthoughtthattheyweremyownsinsthatappalledmethere。Thesewerefreaksofimagination——nothingmore，certainly-meredelusions，whichIoughttobeheartilyashamedof；butallthroughtheDarkValleyIwastormented，andpestered，anddolefullybewilderedwiththesamekindofwakingdreams。Themephiticgasesofthatregionintoxicatethebrain。
Asthelightofnaturalday，however，begantostrugglewiththeglowofthelanterns，thesevainimaginationslosttheirvividness，andfinallyvanishedfromthefirstrayofsunshinethatgreetedourescapefromtheValleyoftheShadowofDeath。
ErewehadgoneamilebeyonditIcouldwell-nighhavetakenmyoaththatthiswholegloomypassagewasadream。
Attheendofthevalley，asJohnBunyanmentions，isacavern，where，inhisdays，dwelttwocruelgiants，PopeandPagan，whohadstrownthegroundabouttheirresidencewiththebonesofslaughteredpilgrims。Thesevileoldtroglodytesarenolongerthere；butintotheirdesertedcaveanotherterriblegianthasthrusthimself，andmakesithisbusinesstoseizeuponhonesttravellersandfattenthemforhistablewithplentifulmealsofsmoke，mist，moonshine，rawpotatoes，andsawdust。HeisaGermanbybirth，andiscalledGiantTranscendentalist；butastohisform，hisfeatures，hissubstance，andhisnaturegenerally，itisthechiefpeculiarityofthishugemiscreantthatneitherheforhimself，noranybodyforhim，haseverbeenabletodescribethem。Aswerushedbythecavern"smouthwecaughtahastyglimpseofhim，lookingsomewhatlikeanill-proportionedfigure，butconsiderablymorelikeaheapoffogandduskiness。Heshoutedafterus，butinsostrangeaphraseologythatweknewnotwhathemeant，norwhethertobeencouragedoraffrighted。
ItwaslateinthedaywhenthetrainthunderedintotheancientcityofVanity，whereVanityFairisstillattheheightofprosperity，andexhibitsanepitomeofwhateverisbrilliant，gay，andfascinatingbeneaththesun。AsIpurposedtomakeaconsiderablestayhere，itgratifiedmetolearnthatthereisnolongerthewantofharmonybetweenthetown"s-peopleandpilgrims，whichimpelledtheformertosuchlamentablymistakenmeasuresasthepersecutionofChristianandthefierymartyrdomofFaithful。Onthecontrary，asthenewrailroadbringswithitgreattradeandaconstantinfluxofstrangers，thelordofVanityFairisitschiefpatron，andthecapitalistsofthecityareamongthelargeststockholders。ManypassengersstoptotaketheirpleasureormaketheirprofitintheFair，insteadofgoingonwardtotheCelestialCity。Indeed，sucharethecharmsoftheplacethatpeopleoftenaffirmittobethetrueandonlyheaven；
stoutlycontendingthatthereisnoother，thatthosewhoseekfurtheraremeredreamers，andthat，ifthefabledbrightnessoftheCelestialCitylaybutabaremilebeyondthegatesofVanity，theywouldnotbefoolsenoughtogothither。Withoutsubscribingtotheseperhapsexaggeratedencomiums，Icantrulysaythatmyabodeinthecitywasmainlyagreeable，andmyintercoursewiththeinhabitantsproductiveofmuchamusementandinstruction。
Beingnaturallyofaseriousturn，myattentionwasdirectedtothesolidadvantagesderivablefromaresidencehere，ratherthantotheeffervescentpleasureswhicharethegrandobjectwithtoomanyvisitants。TheChristianreader，ifhehavehadnoaccountsofthecitylaterthanBunyan"stime，willbesurprisedtohearthatalmosteverystreethasitschurch，andthatthereverendclergyarenowhereheldinhigherrespectthanatVanityFair。
Andwelldotheydeservesuchhonorableestimation；forthemaximsofwisdomandvirtuewhichfallfromtheirlipscomefromasdeepaspiritualsource，andtendtoasloftyareligiousaim，asthoseofthesagestphilosophersofold。InjustificationofthishighpraiseIneedonlymentionthenamesoftheRev。Mr。
Shallow-deep，theRev。Mr。Stumble-at-truth，thatfineoldclericalcharactertheRev。Mr。This-today，whoexpectsshortlytoresignhispulpittotheRev。Mr。That-tomorrow；togetherwiththeRev。Mr。Bewilderment，theRev。Mr。Clog-the-spirit，and，lastandgreatest，theRev。Dr。Wind-of-doctrine。Thelaborsoftheseeminentdivinesareaidedbythoseofinnumerablelecturers，whodiffusesuchavariousprofundity，inallsubjectsofhumanorcelestialscience，thatanymanmayacquireanomnigenouseruditionwithoutthetroubleofevenlearningtoread。Thusliteratureisetherealizedbyassumingforitsmediumthehumanvoice；andknowledge，depositingallitsheavierparticles，except，doubtless，itsgoldbecomesexhaledintoasound，whichforthwithstealsintotheever-openearofthecommunity。Theseingeniousmethodsconstituteasortofmachinery，bywhichthoughtandstudyaredonetoeveryperson"shandwithouthisputtinghimselftotheslightestinconvenienceinthematter。Thereisanotherspeciesofmachineforthewholesalemanufactureofindividualmorality。Thisexcellentresultiseffectedbysocietiesforallmannerofvirtuouspurposes，withwhichamanhasmerelytoconnecthimself，throwing，asitwere，hisquotaofvirtueintothecommonstock，andthepresidentanddirectorswilltakecarethattheaggregateamountbewellapplied。Allthese，andotherwonderfulimprovementsinethics，religion，andliterature，beingmadeplaintomycomprehensionbytheingeniousMr。Smooth-it-away，inspiredmewithavastadmirationofVanityFair。
Itwouldfillavolume，inanageofpamphlets，wereItorecordallmyobservationsinthisgreatcapitalofhumanbusinessandpleasure。Therewasanunlimitedrangeofsociety——thepowerful，thewise，thewitty，andthefamousineverywalkoflife；
princes，presidents，poets，generals，artists，actors，andphilanthropists，——allmakingtheirownmarketatthefair，anddeemingnopricetooexorbitantforsuchcommoditiesashittheirfancy。Itwaswellworthone"swhile，evenifhehadnoideaofbuyingorselling，toloiterthroughthebazaarsandobservethevarioussortsoftrafficthatweregoingforward。
Someofthepurchasers，Ithought，madeveryfoolishbargains。
Forinstance，ayoungmanhavinginheritedasplendidfortune，laidoutaconsiderableportionofitinthepurchaseofdiseases，andfinallyspentalltherestforaheavylotofrepentanceandasuitofrags。Averyprettygirlbarteredaheartasclearascrystal，andwhichseemedhermostvaluablepossession，foranotherjewelofthesamekind，butsowornanddefacedastobeutterlyworthless。Inoneshoptherewereagreatmanycrownsoflaurelandmyrtle，whichsoldiers，authors，statesmen，andvariousotherpeoplepressedeagerlytobuy；somepurchasedthesepaltrywreathswiththeirlives，othersbyatoilsomeservitudeofyears，andmanysacrificedwhateverwasmostvaluable，yetfinallyslunkawaywithoutthecrown。Therewasasortofstockorscrip，calledConscience，whichseemedtobeingreatdemand，andwouldpurchasealmostanything。Indeed，fewrichcommoditiesweretobeobtainedwithoutpayingaheavysuminthisparticularstock，andaman"sbusinesswasseldomverylucrativeunlessheknewpreciselywhenandhowtothrowhishoardofconscienceintothemarket。Yetasthisstockwastheonlythingofpermanentvalue，whoeverpartedwithitwassuretofindhimselfaloserinthelongrun。Severalofthespeculationswereofaquestionablecharacter。OccasionallyamemberofCongressrecruitedhispocketbythesaleofhisconstituents；
andIwasassuredthatpublicofficershaveoftensoldtheircountryatverymoderateprices。Thousandssoldtheirhappinessforawhim。Gildedchainswereingreatdemand，andpurchasedwithalmostanysacrifice。Intruth，thosewhodesired，accordingtotheoldadage，tosellanythingvaluableforasong，mightfindcustomersallovertheFair；andtherewereinnumerablemessesofpottage，pipinghot，forsuchaschosetobuythemwiththeirbirthrights。Afewarticles，however，couldnotbefoundgenuineatVanityFair。Ifacustomerwishedtorenewhisstockofyouththedealersofferedhimasetoffalseteethandanauburnwig；ifhedemandedpeaceofmind，theyrecommendedopiumorabrandybottle。
Tractsoflandandgoldenmansions，situateintheCelestialCity，wereoftenexchanged，atverydisadvantageousrates，forafewyears"leaseofsmall，dismal，inconvenienttenementsinVanityFair。PrinceBeelzebubhimselftookgreatinterestinthissortoftraffic，andsometimescondescendedtomeddlewithsmallermatters。Ioncehadthepleasuretoseehimbargainingwithamiserforhissoul，which，aftermuchingeniousskirmishingonbothsides，hishighnesssucceededinobtainingataboutthevalueofsixpence。Theprinceremarkedwithasmile，thathewasaloserbythetransaction。
Dayafterday，asIwalkedthestreetsofVanity，mymannersanddeportmentbecamemoreandmorelikethoseoftheinhabitants。
Theplacebegantoseemlikehome；theideaofpursuingmytravelstotheCelestialCitywasalmostobliteratedfrommymind。Iwasremindedofit，however，bythesightofthesamepairofsimplepilgrimsatwhomwehadlaughedsoheartilywhenApollyonpuffedsmokeandsteamintotheirfacesatthecommencementofourjourney。TheretheystoodamidstthedensestbustleofVanity；thedealersofferingthemtheirpurpleandfinelinenandjewels，themenofwitandhumorgibingatthem，apairofbuxomladiesoglingthemaskance，whilethebenevolentMr。
Smooth-it-awaywhisperedsomeofhiswisdomattheirelbows，andpointedtoanewly-erectedtemple；butthereweretheseworthysimpletons，makingthescenelookwildandmonstrous，merelybytheirsturdyrepudiationofallpartinitsbusinessorpleasures。
Oneofthem——hisnamewasStick-to-the-right——perceivedinmyface，Isuppose，aspeciesofsympathyandalmostadmiration，which，tomyowngreatsurprise，Icouldnothelpfeelingforthispragmaticcouple。Itpromptedhimtoaddressme。
“Sir，“inquiredhe，withasad，yetmildandkindlyvoice。“doyoucallyourselfapilgrim？“
“Yes，“Ireplied，“myrighttothatappellationisindubitable。I
ammerelyasojournerhereinVanityFair，beingboundtotheCelestialCitybythenewrailroad。“
“Alas，friend，“rejoinedMr。Stick-to-the-truth，“Idoassureyou，andbeseechyoutoreceivethetruthofmywords，thatthatwholeconcernisabubble。Youmaytravelonitallyourlifetime，wereyoutolivethousandsofyears，andyetnevergetbeyondthelimitsofVanityFair。Yea，thoughyoushoulddeemyourselfenteringthegatesoftheblessedcity，itwillbenothingbutamiserabledelusion。“
“TheLordoftheCelestialCity，“begantheotherpilgrim，whosenamewasMr。Foot-it-to-heaven，“hasrefused，andwilleverrefuse，tograntanactofincorporationforthisrailroad；andunlessthatbeobtained，nopassengercaneverhopetoenterhisdominions。Whereforeeverymanwhobuysaticketmustlayhisaccountwithlosingthepurchasemoney，whichisthevalueofhisownsoul。“
“Poh，nonsense！“saidMr。Smooth-it-away，takingmyarmandleadingmeoff，“thesefellowsoughttobeindictedforalibel。
IfthelawstoodasitoncedidinVanityFairweshouldseethemgrinningthroughtheironbarsoftheprisonwindow。“
Thisincidentmadeaconsiderableimpressiononmymind，andcontributedwithothercircumstancestoindisposemetoapermanentresidenceinthecityofVanity；although，ofcourse，I
wasnotsimpleenoughtogiveupmyoriginalplanofglidingalongeasilyandcommodiouslybyrailroad。Still，Igrewanxioustobegone。Therewasonestrangethingthattroubledme。AmidtheoccupationsoramusementsoftheFair，nothingwasmorecommonthanforaperson——whetheratfeast，theatre，orchurch，ortraffickingforwealthandhonors，orwhateverhemightbedoing，tovanishlikeasoapbubble，andbenevermoreseenofhisfellows；andsoaccustomedwerethelattertosuchlittleaccidentsthattheywentonwiththeirbusinessasquietlyasifnothinghadhappened。Butitwasotherwisewithme。
Finally，afteraprettylongresidenceattheFair，IresumedmyjourneytowardstheCelestialCity，stillwithMr。Smooth-it-awayatmyside。AtashortdistancebeyondthesuburbsofVanitywepassedtheancientsilvermine，ofwhichDemaswasthefirstdiscoverer，andwhichisnowwroughttogreatadvantage，supplyingnearlyallthecoinedcurrencyoftheworld。AlittlefurtheronwardwasthespotwhereLot"swifehadstoodforeverunderthesemblanceofapillarofsalt。Curioustravellershavelongsincecarrieditawaypiecemeal。Hadallregretsbeenpunishedasrigorouslyasthispoordame"swere，myyearningfortherelinquisheddelightsofVanityFairmighthaveproducedasimilarchangeinmyowncorporealsubstance，andleftmeawarningtofuturepilgrims。
Thenextremarkableobjectwasalargeedifice，constructedofmoss-grownstone，butinamodernandairystyleofarchitecture。
Theenginecametoapauseinitsvicinity，withtheusualtremendousshriek。
“ThiswasformerlythecastleoftheredoubtedgiantDespair，“
observedMr。Smooth-it-away；“butsincehisdeathMr。
Flimsy-faithhasrepairedit，andkeepsanexcellenthouseofentertainmenthere。Itisoneofourstopping-places。“
“Itseemsbutslightlyputtogether，“remarkedI，lookingatthefrailyetponderouswalls。“IdonotenvyMr。Flimsy-faithhishabitation。Somedayitwillthunderdownupontheheadsoftheoccupants。“
“Weshallescapeatallevents，“saidMr。Smooth-it-away，“forApollyonisputtingonthesteamagain。“
TheroadnowplungedintoagorgeoftheDelectableMountains，andtraversedthefieldwhereinformeragestheblindmenwanderedandstumbledamongthetombs。Oneoftheseancienttombstoneshadbeenthrustacrossthetrackbysomemaliciousperson，andgavethetrainofcarsaterriblejolt。FaruptheruggedsideofamountainIperceivedarustyirondoor，halfovergrownwithbushesandcreepingplants，butwithsmokeissuingfromitscrevices。
“Isthat，“inquiredI，“theverydoorinthehill-sidewhichtheshepherdsassuredChristianwasaby-waytohell？“
“Thatwasajokeonthepartoftheshepherds，“saidMr。
Smooth-itaway，withasmile。“Itisneithermorenorlessthanthedoorofacavernwhichtheyuseasasmoke-houseforthepreparationofmuttonhams。“
Myrecollectionsofthejourneyarenow，foralittlespace，dimandconfused，inasmuchasasingulardrowsinesshereovercameme，owingtothefactthatwewerepassingovertheenchantedground，theairofwhichencouragesadispositiontosleep。Iawoke，however，assoonaswecrossedthebordersofthepleasantlandofBeulah。Allthepassengerswererubbingtheireyes，comparingwatches，andcongratulatingoneanotherontheprospectofarrivingsoseasonablyatthejourney"send。Thesweetbreezesofthishappyclimecamerefreshinglytoournostrils；webeheldtheglimmeringgushofsilverfountains，overhungbytreesofbeautifulfoliageanddeliciousfruit，whichwerepropagatedbygraftsfromthecelestialgardens。Once，aswedashedonwardlikeahurricane，therewasaflutterofwingsandthebrightappearanceofanangelintheair，speedingforthonsomeheavenlymission。Theenginenowannouncedtheclosevicinityofthefinalstation-housebyonelastandhorriblescream，inwhichthereseemedtobedistinguishableeverykindofwailingandwoe，andbitterfiercenessofwrath，allmixedupwiththewildlaughterofadeviloramadman。Throughoutourjourney，ateverystopping-place，Apollyonhadexercisedhisingenuityinscrewingthemostabominablesoundsoutofthewhistleofthesteam-engine；butinthisclosingeffortheoutdidhimselfandcreatedaninfernaluproar，which，besidesdisturbingthepeacefulinhabitantsofBeulah，musthavesentitsdiscordeventhroughthecelestialgates。
Whilethehorridclamorwasstillringinginourearsweheardanexultingstrain，asifathousandinstrumentsofmusic，withheightanddepthandsweetnessintheirtones，atoncetenderandtriumphant，werestruckinunison，togreettheapproachofsomeillustrioushero，whohadfoughtthegoodfightandwonagloriousvictory，andwascometolayasidehisbatteredarmsforever。Lookingtoascertainwhatmightbetheoccasionofthisgladharmony，Iperceived，onalightingfromthecars，thatamultitudeofshiningoneshadassembledontheothersideoftheriver，towelcometwopoorpilgrims，whowerejustemergingfromitsdepths。TheywerethesamewhomApollyonandourselveshadpersecutedwithtaunts，andgibes，andscaldingsteam，atthecommencementofourjourney——thesamewhoseunworldlyaspectandimpressivewordshadstirredmyconscienceamidthewildrevellersofVanityFair。
“Howamazinglywellthosemenhavegoton，“criedItoMr。
Smoothit——away。“Iwishweweresecureofasgoodareception。“
“Neverfear，neverfear！“answeredmyfriend。“Come，makehaste；
theferryboatwillbeoffdirectly，andinthreeminutesyouwillbeontheothersideoftheriver。Nodoubtyouwillfindcoachestocarryyouuptothecitygates。“
Asteamferryboat，thelastimprovementonthisimportantroute，layattheriverside，puffing，snorting，andemittingallthoseotherdisagreeableutteranceswhichbetokenthedeparturetobeimmediate。Ihurriedonboardwiththerestofthepassengers，mostofwhomwereingreatperturbation:somebawlingoutfortheirbaggage；sometearingtheirhairandexclaimingthattheboatwouldexplodeorsink；somealreadypalewiththeheavingofthestream；somegazingaffrightedattheuglyaspectofthesteersman；andsomestilldizzywiththeslumberousinfluencesoftheEnchantedGround。Lookingbacktotheshore，IwasamazedtodiscernMr。Smooth-it-awaywavinghishandintokenoffarewell。
“Don"tyougoovertotheCelestialCity？“exclaimedI。
“Oh，no！“answeredhewithaqueersmile，andthatsamedisagreeablecontortionofvisagewhichIhadremarkedintheinhabitantsoftheDarkValley。“Oh，no！Ihavecomethusfaronlyforthesakeofyourpleasantcompany。Good-by！Weshallmeetagain。“
AndthendidmyexcellentfriendMr。Smooth-it-awaylaughoutright，inthemidstofwhichcachinnationasmoke-wreathissuedfromhismouthandnostrils，whileatwinkleofluridflamedartedoutofeithereye，provingindubitablythathisheartwasallofaredblaze。Theimpudentfiend！TodenytheexistenceofTophet，whenhefeltitsfierytorturesragingwithinhisbreast。Irushedtothesideoftheboat，intendingtoflingmyselfonshore；butthewheels，astheybegantheirrevolutions，threwadashofsprayovermesocold——sodeadlycold，withthechillthatwillneverleavethosewatersuntilDeathbedrownedinhisownriver——thatwithashiverandaheartquakeIawoke。ThankHeavenitwasaDream！
THEPROCESSIONOFLIFE
Lifefiguresitselftomeasafestalorfunerealprocession。Allofushaveourplaces，andaretomoveonwardunderthedirectionoftheChiefMarshal。Thegranddifficultyresultsfromtheinvariablymistakenprinciplesonwhichthedeputymarshalsseektoarrangethisimmenseconcourseofpeople，somuchmorenumerousthanthosethattraintheirinterminablelengththroughstreetsandhighwaysintimesofpoliticalexcitement。Theirschemeisancient，farbeyondthememoryofmanoreventherecordofhistory，andhashithertobeenverylittlemodifiedbytheinnatesenseofsomethingwrong，andthedimperceptionofbettermethods，thathavedisquietedalltheagesthroughwhichtheprocessionhastakenitsmarch。Itsmembersareclassifiedbythemerestexternalcircumstances，andthusaremorecertaintobethrownoutoftheirtruepositionsthanifnoprincipleofarrangementwereattempted。Inonepartoftheprocessionweseemenoflandedestateormoneyedcapitalgravelykeepingeachothercompany，forthepreposterousreasonthattheychancetohaveasimilarstandinginthetax-gatherer"sbook。Tradesandprofessionsmarchtogetherwithscarcelyamorerealbondofunion。Inthismanner，itcannotbedenied，peoplearedisentangledfromthemassandseparatedintovariousclassesaccordingtocertainapparentrelations；allhavesomeartificialbadgewhichtheworld，andthemselvesamongthefirst，learntoconsiderasagenuinecharacteristic。Fixingourattentiononsuchoutsideshowsofsimilarityordifference，welosesightofthoserealitiesbywhichnature，fortune，fate，orProvidencehasconstitutedforeverymanabrotherhood，whereinitisonegreatofficeofhumanwisdomtoclassifyhim。WhenthemindhasonceaccustomeditselftoaproperarrangementoftheProcessionofLife，oratrueclassificationofsociety，eventhoughmerelyspeculative，thereisthenceforthasatisfactionwhichprettywellsufficesforitselfwithouttheaidofanyactualreformationintheorderofmarch。
Forinstance，assumingtomyselfthepowerofmarshallingtheaforesaidprocession，IdirectatrumpetertosendforthablastloudenoughtobeheardfromhencetoChina；andaherald，withworld-pervadingvoice，tomakeproclamationforacertainclassofmortalstotaketheirplaces。Whatshallbetheirprincipleofunion？Afterall，anexternalone，incomparisonwithmanythatmightbefound，yetfarmorerealthanthosewhichtheworldhasselectedforasimilarpurpose。Letallwhoareafflictedwithlikephysicaldiseasesformthemselvesintoranks。
Ourfirstattemptatclassificationisnotverysuccessful。Itmaygratifytheprideofaristocracytoreflectthatdisease，morethananyothercircumstanceofhumanlife，paysdueobservancetothedistinctionswhichrankandwealth，andpovertyandlowliness，haveestablishedamongmankind。Somemaladiesarerichandprecious，andonlytobeacquiredbytherightofinheritanceorpurchasedwithgold。Ofthiskindisthegout，whichservesasabondofbrotherhoodtothepurple-visagedgentry，whoobeytheherald"svoice，andpainfullyhobblefromallcivilizedregionsoftheglobetotaketheirpostinthegrandprocession。Inmercytotheirtoes，letushopethatthemarchmaynotbelong。TheDyspeptics，too，arepeopleofgoodstandingintheworld。Forthemtheearliestsalmoniscaughtinoureasternrivers，andtheshywoodcockstainsthedryleaveswithhisbloodinhisremotesthaunts，andtheturtlecomesfromthefarPacificIslandstobegobbledupinsoup。Theycanaffordtoflavoralltheirdisheswithindolence，which，inspiteofthegeneralopinion，isasaucemoreexquisitelypiquantthanappetitewonbyexercise。Apoplexyisanotherhighlyrespectabledisease。Wewillranktogetherallwhohavethesymptomofdizzinessinthebrain，andasfastasanydropbythewaysupplytheirplaceswithnewmembersoftheboardofaldermen。
Ontheotherhand，herecomewholetribesofpeoplewhosephysicallivesarebutadeterioratedvarietyoflife，andthemselvesameanerspeciesofmankind；sosadaneffecthasbeenwroughtbythetaintedbreathofcities，scantyandunwholesomefood，destructivemodesoflabor，andthelackofthosemoralsupportsthatmightpartiallyhavecounteractedsuchbadinfluences。Beholdhereatrainofhousepainters，allafflictedwithapeculiarsortofcolic。Nextinplacewewillmarshalthoseworkmenincutlery，whohavebreathedafataldisorderintotheirlungswiththeimpalpabledustofsteel。Tailorsandshoemakers，beingsedentarymen，willchieflycongregateintoonepartoftheprocessionandmarchundersimilarbannersofdisease；butamongthemwemayobservehereandthereasicklystudent，whohaslefthishealthbetweentheleavesofclassicvolumes；andclerks，likewise，whohavecaughttheirdeathsonhighofficialstools；andmenofgeniustoo，whohavewrittensheetaftersheetwithpensdippedintheirheart"sblood。Theseareawretchedquaking，short-breathedset。Butwhatisthiscloudofpale-cheeked，slendergirls，whodisturbtheearwiththemultiplicityoftheirshort，drycoughs？Theyareseamstresses，whohavepliedthedailyandnightlyneedleintheserviceofmastertailorsandclose-fistedcontractors，untilnowitisalmosttimeforeachtohemthebordersofherownshroud。
Consumptionpointstheirplaceintheprocession。Withtheirsadsisterhoodareintermingledmanyyouthfulmaidenswhohavesickenedinaristocraticmansions，andforwhoseaidsciencehasunavailinglysearcheditsvolumes，andwhombreathlesslovehaswatched。Inourrankstherichmaidenandthepoorseamstressmaywalkarminarm。Wemightfindinnumerableotherinstances，wherethebondofmutualdisease——nottospeakofnation-sweepingpestilence——embraceshighandlow，andmakesthekingabrotheroftheclown。Butitisnothardtoownthatdiseaseisthenaturalaristocrat。Lethimkeephisstate，andhavehisestablishedordersofrank，andwearhisroyalmantleofthecolorofafeverflushandletthenobleandwealthyboasttheirownphysicalinfirmities，anddisplaytheirsymptomsasthebadgesofhighstation。Allthingsconsidered，theseareaspropersubjectsofhumanprideasanyrelationsofhumanrankthatmencanfixupon。
Soundagain，thoudeep-breathedtrumpeter！andherald，withthyvoiceofmight，shoutforthanothersummonsthatshallreachtheoldbaronialcastlesofEurope，andtherudestcabinofourwesternwilderness！Whatclassisnexttotakeitsplaceintheprocessionofmortallife？Letitbethosewhomthegiftsofintellecthaveunitedinanoblebrotherhood。
Ay，thisisareality，beforewhichtheconventionaldistinctionsofsocietymeltawaylikeavaporwhenwewouldgraspitwiththehand。WereByronnowalive，andBurns，thefirstwouldcomefromhisancestralabbey，flingingaside，althoughunwillingly，theinheritedhonorsofathousandyears，totakethearmofthemightypeasantwhogrewimmortalwhilehestoopedbehindhisplough。Thesearegone；butthehall，thefarmer"sfireside，thehut，perhapsthepalace，thecounting-room，theworkshop，thevillage，thecity，life"shighplacesandlowones，mayallproducetheirpoets，whomacommontemperamentpervadeslikeanelectricsympathy。Peerorploughman，wewillmusterthempairbypairandshouldertoshoulder。Evensociety，initsmostartificialstate，consentstothisarrangement。ThesefactorygirlsfromLowellshallmatethemselveswiththeprideofdrawing-roomsandliterarycircles，thebluebellsinfashion"snosegay，theSapphos，andMontagues，andNortonsoftheage。
Othermodesofintellectbringtogetherasstrangecompanies。
Silk-gownedprofessoroflanguages，giveyourarmtothissturdyblacksmith，anddeemyourselfhonoredbytheconjunction，thoughyoubeholdhimgrimyfromtheanvil。Allvarietiesofhumanspeecharelikehismothertonguetothisrareman。
Indiscriminatelyletthosetaketheirplaces，ofwhateverranktheycome，whopossessthekinglygiftstoleadarmiesortoswayapeople——Nature"sgenerals，herlawgivers，herkings，andwiththemalsothedeepphilosopherswhothinkthethoughtinonegenerationthatistorevolutionizesocietyinthenext。Withthehereditarylegislatorinwhomeloquenceisafar-descendedattainment——arichechorepeatedbypowerfulvoicesfromCicerodownward——wewillmatchsomewondrousbackwoodsman，whohascaughtawildpoweroflanguagefromthebreezeamonghisnativeforestboughs。Butwemaysafelyleavethesebrethrenandsisterhoodtosettletheirowncongenialities。Ourordinarydistinctionsbecomesotrifling，soimpalpable，soridiculouslyvisionary，incomparisonwithaclassificationfoundedontruth，thatalltalkaboutthematterisimmediatelyacommonplace。
YetthelongerIreflectthelessamIsatisfiedwiththeideaofformingaseparateclassofmankindonthebasisofhighintellectualpower。Atbestitisbutahigherdevelopmentofinnategiftscommontoall。Perhaps，moreover，hewhosegeniusappearsdeepestandtruestexcelshisfellowsinnothingsavetheknackofexpression；hethrowsoutoccasionallyaluckyhintattruthsofwhicheveryhumansoulisprofoundly，thoughunutterably，conscious。Therefore，thoughwesufferthebrotherhoodofintellecttomarchonwardtogether，itmaybedoubtedwhethertheirpeculiarrelationwillnotbegintovanishassoonastheprocessionshallhavepassedbeyondthecircleofthispresentworld。Butwedonotclassifyforeternity。
Andnext，letthetrumpetpourforthafunerealwail，andtheherald"svoicegivebreathinonevastcrytoallthegroansandgrievousutterancesthatareaudiblethroughouttheearth。Weappealnowtothesacredbondofsorrow，andsummonthegreatmultitudewholaborundersimilarafflictionstotaketheirplacesinthemarch。
Howmanyaheartthatwouldhavebeeninsensibletoanyothercallhasrespondedtothedolefulaccentsofthatvoice！Ithasgonefarandwide，andhighandlow，andleftscarcelyamortalroofunvisited。Indeed，theprincipleisonlytoouniversalforourpurpose，and，unlesswelimitit，willquitebreakupourclassificationofmankind，andconvertthewholeprocessionintoafuneraltrain。Wewillthereforebeatsomepainstodiscriminate。Herecomesalonelyrichman:hehasbuiltanoblefabricforhisdwelling-house，withafrontofstatelyarchitectureandmarblefloorsanddoorsofpreciouswoods；thewholestructureisasbeautifulasadreamandassubstantialasthenativerock。Butthevisionaryshapesofalongposterity，forwhosehomethismansionwasintended，havefadedintonothingnesssincethedeathofthefounder"sonlyson。Therichmangivesaglanceathissablegarbinoneofthesplendidmirrorsofhisdrawing-room，anddescendingaflightofloftystepsinstinctivelyoffershisarmtoyonderpovertystrickenwidowintherustyblackbonnet，andwithacheckapronoverherpatchedgown。Thesailorboy，whowashersoleearthlystay，waswashedoverboardinalatetempest。Thiscouplefromthepalaceandthealmshousearebutthetypesofthousandsmorewhorepresentthedarktragedyoflifeandseldomquarrelfortheupperparts。Griefissuchaleveller，withitsowndignityanditsownhumility，thatthenobleandthepeasant，thebeggarandthemonarch，willwaivetheirpretensionstoexternalrankwithouttheofficiousnessofinterferenceonourpart。Ifpride——theinfluenceoftheworld"sfalsedistinctions——remainintheheart，thensorrowlackstheearnestnesswhichmakesitholyandreverend。Itlosesitsrealityandbecomesamiserableshadow。Onthisgroundwehaveanopportunitytoassignovermultitudeswhowouldwillinglyclaimplacesheretootherpartsoftheprocession。Ifthemournerhaveanythingdearerthanhisgriefhemustseekhistruepositionelsewhere。Therearesomanyunsubstantialsorrowswhichthenecessityofourmortalstatebegetsonidleness，thatanobserver，castingasidesentiment，issometimesledtoquestionwhethertherebeanyrealwoe，exceptabsolutephysicalsufferingandthelossofclosestfriends。A
crowdwhoexhibitwhattheydeemtobebrokenhearts——andamongthemmanylovelornmaidsandbachelors，andmenofdisappointedambitioninartsorpolitics，andthepoorwhowereoncerich，orwhohavesoughttoberichinvain——thegreatmajorityofthesemayaskadmittanceintosomeotherfraternity。Thereisnoroomhere。Perhapswemayinstituteaseparateclasswheresuchunfortunateswillnaturallyfallintotheprocession。Meanwhileletthemstandasideandpatientlyawaittheirtime。
Ifourtrumpetercanborrowanotefromthedoomsdaytrumpetblast，lethimsounditnow。Thedreadalarumshouldmaketheearthquaketoitscentre，fortheheraldisabouttoaddressmankindwithasummonstowhicheventhepurestmortalmaybesensibleofsomefaintrespondingechoinhisbreast。Inmanybosomsitwillawakenastillsmallvoicemoreterriblethanitsownreverberatinguproar。
Thehideousappealhassweptaroundtheglobe。Come，allyeguiltyones，andrankyourselvesinaccordancewiththebrotherhoodofcrime。This，indeed，isanawfulsummons。Ialmosttrembletolookatthestrangepartnershipsthatbegintobeformed，reluctantly，butbytheinvinciblenecessityofliketolikeinthispartoftheprocession。Aforgerfromthestateprisonseizesthearmofadistinguishedfinancier。Howindignantlydoesthelatterpleadhisfairreputationupon"Change，andinsistthathisoperations，bytheirmagnificenceofscope，wereremovedintoquiteanothersphereofmoralitythanthoseofhispitifulcompanion！Butlethimcuttheconnectionifhecan。Herecomesamurdererwithhisclankingchains，andpairshimself——horribletotell——withaspureanduprightaman，inallobservablerespects，aseverpartookoftheconsecratedbreadandwine。Heisoneofthose，perchancethemosthopelessofallsinners，whopractisesuchanexemplarysystemofoutwardduties，thatevenadeadlycrimemaybehiddenfromtheirownsightandremembrance，underthisunrealfrostwork。Yethenowfindshisplace。Whydothatpairofflauntinggirls，withthepert，affectedlaughandtheslyleerattheby-standers，intrudethemselvesintothesamerankwithyonderdecorousmatron，andthatsomewhatprudishmaiden？Surelythesepoorcreatures，borntoviceastheirsoleandnaturalinheritance，canbenofitassociatesforwomenwhohavebeenguardedroundaboutbyalltheproprietiesofdomesticlife，andwhocouldnoterrunlesstheyfirstcreatedtheopportunity。Ohno；itmustbemerelytheimpertinenceofthoseunblushinghussies；andwecanonlywonderhowsuchrespectableladiesshouldhaverespondedtoasummonsthatwasnotmeantforthem。
Weshallmakeshortworkofthismiserableclass，eachmemberofwhichisentitledtograspanyothermember"shand，bythatviledegradationwhereinguiltyerrorhasburiedallalike。Thefoulfiendtowhomitproperlybelongsmustrelieveusofourloathsometask。Letthebondservantsofsinpasson。Butneithermannorwoman，inwhomgoodpredominates，willsmileorsneer，norbidtheRogues"Marchbeplayed，inderisionoftheirarray。
Feelingwithintheirbreastsashudderingsympathy，whichatleastgivestokenofthesinthatmighthavebeen，theywillthankGodforanyplaceinthegrandprocessionofhumanexistence，saveamongthosemostwretchedones。Many，however，willbeastonishedatthefatalimpulsethatdragsthemthitherward。Nothingismoreremarkablethanthevariousdeceptionsbywhichguiltconcealsitselffromtheperpetrator"sconscience，andoftenest，perhaps，bythesplendorofitsgarments。Statesmen，rulers，generals，andallmenwhoactoveranextensivesphere，aremostliabletobedeludedinthisway；
theycommitwrong，devastation，andmurder，onsograndascale，thatitimpressesthemasspeculativeratherthanactual；butinourprocessionwefindthemlinkedindetestableconjunctionwiththemeanestcriminalswhosedeedshavethevulgarityofpettydetails。Heretheeffectofcircumstanceandaccidentisdoneaway，andamanfindshisrankaccordingtothespiritofhiscrime，inwhatevershapeitmayhavebeendeveloped。
WehavecalledtheEvil；nowletuscalltheGood。Thetrumpet"sbrazenthroatshouldpourheavenlymusicovertheearth，andtheherald"svoicegoforthwiththesweetnessofanangel"saccents，asiftosummoneachuprightmantohisreward。Buthowisthis？
Doesnoneanswertothecall？Notone:forthejust，thepure，thetrue，andanwhomightmostworthilyobeyit，shrinksadlyback，asmostconsciousoferrorandimperfection。ThenletthesummonsbetothosewhosepervadingprincipleisLove。Thisclassificationwillembraceallthetrulygood，andnoneinwhosesoulsthereexistsnotsomethingthatmayexpanditselfintoaheaven，bothofwell-doingandfelicity。
Thefirstthatpresentshimselfisamanofwealth，whohasbequeathedthebulkofhispropertytoahospital；hisghost，methinks，wouldhaveabetterrightherethanhislivingbody。
Butheretheycome，thegenuinebenefactorsoftheirrace。Somehavewanderedabouttheearthwithpicturesofblissintheirimagination，andwithheartsthatshranksensitivelyfromtheideaofpainandwoe，yethavestudiedallvarietiesofmiserythathumannaturecanendure。Theprison，theinsaneasylum，thesqualidchamberofthealmshouse，themanufactorywherethedemonofmachineryannihilatesthehumansoul，andthecottonfieldwhereGod"simagebecomesabeastofburden；totheseandeveryotherscenewheremanwrongsorneglectshisbrother，theapostlesofhumanityhavepenetrated。Thismissionary，blackwithIndia"sburningsunshine，shallgivehisarmtoapale-facedbrotherwhohasmadehimselffamiliarwiththeinfectedalleysandloathsomehauntsofviceinoneofourowncities。Thegenerousfounderofacollegeshallbethepartnerofamaidenladyofnarrowsubstance，oneofwhosegooddeedsithasbeentogatheralittleschooloforphanchildren。Ifthemightymerchantwhosebenefactionsarereckonedbythousandsofdollarsdeemhimselfworthy，lethimjointheprocessionwithherwhoselovehasproveditselfbywatchingsatthesick-bed，andallthoselowlyofficeswhichbringherintoactualcontactwithdiseaseandwretchedness。Andwiththosewhoseimpulseshaveguidedthemtobenevolentactions，wewillrankotherstowhomProvidencehasassignedadifferenttendencyanddifferentpowers。Menwhohavespenttheirlivesingenerousandholycontemplationforthehumanrace；thosewho，byacertainheavenlinessofspirit，havepurifiedtheatmospherearoundthem，andthussuppliedamediuminwhichgoodandhighthingsmaybeprojectedandperformed——givetothesealoftyplaceamongthebenefactorsofmankind，althoughnodeed，suchastheworldcallsdeeds，mayberecordedofthem。Therearesomeindividualsofwhomwecannotconceiveitproperthattheyshouldapplytheirhandstoanyearthlyinstrument，orworkoutanydefiniteact；andothers，perhapsnotlesshigh，towhomitisanessentialattributetolaborinbodyaswellasspiritforthewelfareoftheirbrethren。Thus，ifwefindaspiritualsagewhoseunseen，inestimableinfluencehasexaltedthemoralstandardofmankind，wewillchooseforhiscompanionsomepoorlaborerwhohaswroughtforloveinthepotatofieldofaneighborpoorerthanhimself。
Wehavesummonedthisvariousmultitude——and，tothecreditofournature，itisalargeone——ontheprincipleofLove。Itissingular，nevertheless，toremarktheshynessthatexistsamongmanymembersofthepresentclass，allofwhomwemightexpecttorecognizeoneanotherbythefreemasonryofmutualgoodness，andtoembracelikebrethren，givingGodthanksforsuchvariousspecimensofhumanexcellence。Butitisfarotherwise。Eachsectsurroundsitsownrighteousnesswithahedgeofthorns。ItisdifficultforthegoodChristiantoacknowledgethegoodPagan；
almostimpossibleforthegoodOrthodoxtograspthehandofthegoodUnitarian，leavingtotheirCreatortosettlethemattersindispute，andgivingtheirmutualeffortsstronglyandtrustinglytowhateverrightthingistooevidenttobemistaken。Thenagain，thoughtheheartbelarge，yetthemindisoftenofsuchmoderatedimensionsastobeexclusivelyfilledupwithoneidea。
Whenagoodmanhaslongdevotedhimselftoaparticularkindofbeneficence——toonespeciesofreform——heisapttobecomenarrowedintothelimitsofthepathwhereinhetreads，andtofancythatthereisnoothergoodtobedoneonearthbutthatself-samegoodtowhichhehasputhishand，andintheverymodethatbestsuitshisownconceptions。Allelseisworthless。Hisschememustbewroughtoutbytheunitedstrengthofthewholeworld"sstockoflove，ortheworldisnolongerworthyofapositionintheuniverse。Moreover，powerfulTruth，beingtherichgrapejuiceexpressedfromthevineyardoftheages，hasanintoxicatingquality，whenimbibedbyanysaveapowerfulintellect，andoften，asitwere，impelsthequaffertoquarrelinhiscups。Forsuchreasons，strangetosay，itishardertocontriveafriendlyarrangementofthesebrethrenofloveandrighteousness，intheprocessionoflife。thantouniteeventhewicked，who，indeed，arechainedtogetherbytheircrimes。Thefactistoopreposterousfortears，toolugubriousforlaughter。
But，letgoodmenpushandelbowoneanotherastheymayduringtheirearthlymarch，allwillbepeaceamongthemwhenthehonorablearrayortheirprocessionshalltreadonheavenlyground。Theretheywilldoubtlessfindthattheyhavebeenworkingeachfortheother"scause，andthateverywell-deliveredstroke，which，withanhonestpurposeanymortalstruck，evenforanarrowobject，wasindeedstrickenfortheuniversalcauseofgood。Theirownviewmaybeboundedbycountry，creed，profession，thediversitiesofindividualcharacter——butabovethemallisthebreadthofProvidence。Howmanywhohavedeemedthemselvesantagonistswillsmilehereafter，whentheylookbackupontheworld"swideharvestfield，andperceivethat，inunconsciousbrotherhood，theywerehelpingtobindtheselfsamesheaf！