第6章

Andisitnotwithwritersaswithraconteurs?Oughttheynottohavetheiringenuousmodesty?Mayauthorstelloldstories，andhowmanytimesover?WhenIcometolookataplacewhichIhavevisitedanytimethesetwentyorthirtyyears，Irecallnottheplacemerely，butthesensationsIhadatfirstseeingit，andwhicharequitedifferenttomyfeelingsto-day。ThatfirstdayatCalais；thevoicesofthewomencryingoutatnight，asthevesselcamealongsidethepier；thesupperatQuillacq"sandtheflavorofthecutletsandwine；thered-calicocanopyunderwhichIslept；thetiledfloor，andthefreshsmellofthesheets；thewonderfulpostilioninhisjack-bootsandpigtail；——allreturnwithperfectclearnesstomymind，andIamseeingthem，andnottheobjectswhichareactuallyundermyeyes。HereisCalais。YonderisthatcommissionerIhaveknownthisscoreofyears。Herearethewomenscreamingandhustlingoverthebaggage；thepeopleatthepassport-

barrierwhotakeyourpapers。Mygoodpeople，Ihardlyseeyou。

Younomoreinterestmethanadozenorange-womeninCovent-Garden，orashopbook-keeperinOxfordStreet。Butyoumakemethinkofatimewhenyouwereindeedwonderfultobehold——whenthelittleFrenchsoldiersworewhitecockadesintheirshakos——whenthediligencewasfortyhoursgoingtoParis；andthegreat-bootedpostilion，assurveyedbyyouthfuleyesfromthecoupe，withhisjurons，hisendsofropefortheharness，andhisclubbedpigtail，wasawonderfulbeing，andproductiveofendlessamusement。Youyoungfolksdon"tremembertheapple-girlswhousedtofollowthediligenceupthehillbeyondBoulogne，andthedelightsofthejollyroad?Inmakingcontinentaljourneyswithyoungfolks，anoldstermaybeveryquiet，and，tooutwardappearance，melancholy；butreallyhehasgonebacktothedaysofhisyouth，andheisseventeenoreighteenyearsofage(asthecasemaybe)，andisamusinghimselfwithallhismight。Heisnotingthehorsesastheycomesquealingoutofthepost-houseyardatmidnight；heisenjoyingthedeliciousmealsatBeauvaisandAmiens，andquaffingadlibitumtherichtable-d"hotewine；heishail-fellowwiththeconductor，andalivetoalltheincidentsoftheroad。Amancanbealivein1860and1830atthesametime，don"tyousee?Bodily，I

maybein1860，inert，silent，torpid；butinthespiritIamwalkingaboutin1828，letussay；——inabluedress-coatandbrassbuttons，asweetfiguredsilkwaistcoat(whichIbuttonroundaslimwaistwithperfectease)，lookingatbeautifulbeingswithgigotsleevesandtea-trayhatsunderthegoldenchestnutsoftheTuileries，orroundthePlaceVendome，wherethedrapeaublancisfloatingfromthestatuelesscolumn。Shallwegoanddineat“Bombarda"s，“nearthe“HotelBreteuil，“oratthe“CafeVirginie?“——

Away！“Bombarda"s“andthe“HotelBreteuil“havebeenpulleddowneversolong。TheyknockeddownthepooroldVirginiaCoffee-houselastyear。Myspiritgoesanddinesthere。Mybody，perhaps，isseatedwitheversomanypeopleinarailway-carriage，andnowondermycompanionsfindmedullandsilent。HaveyoureadMr。DaleOwen"s“FootfallsontheBoundaryofAnotherWorld?“——(Mydearsir，itwillmakeyourhairstandquiterefreshinglyonend。)Inthatworkyouwillreadthatwhengentlemen"sorladies"spiritstraveloffafewscoreorthousandmilestovisitafriend，theirbodiesliequietandinatorpidstateintheirbedsorintheirarm-chairsathome。Sointhisway，Iamabsent。Mysoulwhisksawaythirtyyearsbackintothepast。Iamlookingoutanxiouslyforabeard。

IamgettingpasttheageoflovingByron"spoems，andpretendthatIlikeWordsworthandShelleymuchbetter。NothingIeatordrink(inreason)disagreeswithme；andIknowwhomIthinktobethemostlovelycreatureintheworld。Ah，dearmaid(ofthatremotebutwell-rememberedperiod)，areyouawifeorwidownow?——areyoudead?——areyouthinandwitheredandold?——orareyougrownmuchstouter，withafalsefront?andsoforth。

OEliza，Eliza！——Stay，WASsheEliza?Well，IprotestIhaveforgottenwhatyourChristiannamewas。YouknowIonlymetyoufortwodays，butyoursweetfaceisbeforemenow，andtherosesbloomingonitareasfreshasinthattimeofMay。Ah，dearMissX——，mytimidyouthandingenuousmodestywouldneverhaveallowedme，eveninmyprivatethoughts，toaddressyouotherwisethanbyyourpaternalname，butTHAT(thoughIconcealit)Irememberperfectlywell，andthatyourdearandrespectedfatherwasabrewer。

CARILLON——IwasawakenedthismorningwiththechimewhichAntwerpcathedralclockplaysathalf-hours。Thetunehasbeenhauntingmeeversince，astuneswill。Youdress，eat，drink，walkandtalktoyourselftotheirtune:theirinaudiblejingleaccompaniesyouallday:youreadthesentencesofthepapertotheirrhythm。Itrieduncouthlytoimitatethetunetotheladiesofthefamilyatbreakfast，andtheysayitis“theshadowdanceofDinorah。”Itmaybeso。Idimlyrememberthatmybodywasoncepresentduringtheperformanceofthatopera，whilstmyeyeswereclosed，andmyintellectualfacultiesdormantatthebackofthebox；howbeit，I

havelearnedthatshadowdancefromhearingitpealingupeversohighintheair，atnight，morn，noon。

Howpleasanttolieawakeandlistentothecheerypeal！whilsttheoldcityisasleepatmidnight，orwakinguprosyatsunrise，orbaskinginnoon，orsweptbythescuddingrainwhichdrivesingustsoverthebroadplaces，andthegreatshiningriver；orsparklinginsnowwhichdressesupahundredthousandmasts，peaks，andtowers；

orwrappedroundwiththunder-cloudcanopies，before，whichthewhitegablesshinewhiter；dayandnightthekindlittlecarillonplaysitsfantasticmelodiesoverhead。Thebellsgoonringing。

Quotvivosvocant，mortuosplangunt，fulgarafrangunt；soontothepastandfuturetenses，andforhowmanynights，days，andyears！

WhilsttheFrenchwerepitchingtheirfulgaraintoChasse"scitadel，thebellswentonringingquitecheerfully。WhilstthescaffoldswereupandguardedbyAlva"ssoldiery，andregimentsofpenitents，blue，black，andgray，pouredoutofchurchesandconvents，droningtheirdirges，andmarchingtotheplaceoftheHoteldeVille，wherehereticsandrebelsweretomeettheirdoom，thebellsupyonderwerechantingattheirappointedhalf-hoursandquarters，andrangthemauvaisquartd"heureformanyapoorsoul。ThisbellcanseeasfarawayasthetowersanddykesofRotterdam。ThatonecancallagreetingtoSt。Ursula"satBrussels，andtossarecognitiontothatoneatthetown-hallofOudenarde，andrememberhowafteragreatstrugglethereahundredandfiftyyearsagothewholeplainwascoveredwiththeflyingFrenchcavalry——Burgundy，andBern，andtheChevalierofSt。Georgeflyingliketherest。“WhatisyourclamoraboutOudenarde?“saysanotherbell(BobMajorTHISonemustbe)。“Bestill，thouquerulousoldclapper！IcanseeovertoHougoumontandSt。John。Andaboutforty-fiveyearssince，IrangallthroughoneSundayinJune，whentherewassuchabattlegoingoninthecorn-fieldsthere，asnoneofyouotherseverheardtolledof。Yes，frommorningserviceuntilaftervespers，theFrenchandEnglishwereallatit，ding-dong。”Andthencallsofbusinessintervening，thebellshavetogiveuptheirprivatejangle，resumetheirprofessionalduty，andsingtheirhourlychorusoutofDinorah。

Whataprodigiousdistancethosebellscanbeheard！Iwasawakenedthismorningtotheirtune，Isay。Ihavebeenhearingitconstantlyeversince。AndthishousewhenceIwrite，Murraysays，istwohundredandtenmilesfromAntwerp。Anditisaweekoff；

andthereisthebellstilljanglingitsshadowdanceoutofDinorah。Anaudibleshadowyouunderstand，andaninvisiblesound，butquitedistinct；andaplaguetakethetune！

UNDERTHEBELLS——Whohasnotseenthechurchunderthebells?

Thoseloftyaisles，thosetwilightchapels，thatcumbersomepulpitwithitshugecarvings，thatwidegraypavementfleckedwithvariouslightfromthejewelledwindows，thosefamouspicturesbetweenthevoluminouscolumnsoverthealtars，whichtwinklewiththeirornaments，theirvotivelittlesilverhearts，legs，limbs，theirlittlegutteringtapers，cupsofshamroses，andwhatnot?Isawtworegimentsoflittlescholarscreepinginandformingsquare，eachinitsappointedplace，underthevastroof；andteacherspresentlycomingtothem。Astreamoflightfromthejewelledwindowsbeamsslantingdownuponeachlittlesquadofchildren，andthetallbackgroundofthechurchretiresintoagrayergloom。

Patteringlittlefeetoflaggardsarrivingechothroughthegreatnave。Theytrotinandjointheirregiments，gatheredundertheslantingsunbeams。Whataretheylearning?Isittruth?Thosetwograyladieswiththeirbooksintheirhandsinthemidstoftheselittlepeoplehavenodoubtofthetruthofeverywordtheyhaveprintedundertheireyes。Look，throughthewindowsjewelledalloverwithsaints，thelightcomesstreamingdownfromthesky，andheaven"sownilluminationspaintthebook！Asweet，touchingpictureindeeditis，thatofthelittlechildrenassembledinthisimmensetemple，whichhasenduredforages，andgraveteachersbendingoverthem。Yes，thepictureisveryprettyofthechildrenandtheirteachers，andtheirbook——butthetext?Isitthetruth，theonlytruth，nothingbutthetruth?IfIthoughtso，Iwouldgoandsitdownontheformcumparvulis，andlearnthepreciouslessonwithallmyheart。

BEADLE——ButIsubmit，anobstacletoconversionsistheintrusionandimpertinenceofthatSwissfellowwiththebaldric——theofficerwhoanswerstothebeadleoftheBritishIslands，andispacingaboutthechurchwithaneyeonthecongregation。NowtheboastofCatholicsisthattheirchurchesareopentoall；butincertainplacesandchurchesthereareexceptions。AtRomeIhavebeenintoSt。Peter"satallhours:thedoorsarealwaysopen，thelampsarealwaysburning，thefaithfulareforeverkneelingatoneshrineortheother。ButatAntwerpnotso。Intheafternoonyoucangotothechurch，andbecivillytreated；butyoumustpayafrancatthesidegate。Intheforenoonthedoorsareopen，tobesure，andthereisnoonetolevyanentrancefee。Iwasstandingeversostill，lookingthroughthegreatgatesofthechoiratthetwinklinglights，andlisteningtothedistantchantsofthepriestsperformingtheservice，whenasweetchorusfromtheorgan-loftbrokeoutbehindmeoverhead，andIturnedround。Myfriendthedrum-majorecclesiasticwasdownuponmeinamoment。“Donotturnyourbacktothealtarduringdivineservice，“sayshe，inveryintelligibleEnglish。Itaketherebuke，andturnasoftright-

aboutface，andlistenawhileastheservicecontinues。SeeitI

cannot，northealtaranditsministrants。Weareseparatedfromthesebyagreatscreenandclosedgatesofiron，throughwhichthelampsglitterandthechantcomesbygustsonly。Seeingascoreofchildrentrottingdownasideaisle，IthinkImayfollowthem。I

amtiredoflookingatthathideousoldpulpitwithitsgrotesquemonstersanddecorations。Islipofftothesideaisle；butmyfriendthedrum-majorisinstantlyafterme——almostIthoughthewasgoingtolayhandsonme。“Youmustn"tgothere，“sayshe；“youmustn"tdisturbtheservice。”Iwasmovingasquietlyasmightbe，andtenpacesoffthereweretwentychildrenkickingandclatteringattheirease。IpointthemouttotheSwiss。“Theycometopray，“

sayshe。“YOUdon"tcometopray，you——““WhenIcometopay，“

saysI，“Iamwelcome，“andwiththiswitheringsarcasm，Iwalkoutofchurchinahuff。Idon"tenvythefeelingsofthatbeadleafterreceivingpointblanksuchastrokeofwit。

LEOBELGICUS——PerhapsyouwillsayafterthisIamaprejudicedcritic。Iseethepicturesinthecathedralfumingundertherudenessofthatbeadle，oratthelawfulhoursandprices，pesteredbyaswarmofshabbytouters，whocomebehindmechatteringinbadEnglish，andwhowouldhavemeseethesightsthroughtheirmean，greedyeyes。BetterseeRubensanywherethaninachurch。AttheAcademy，forexample，whereyoumaystudyhimatyourleisure。Butatchurch?——IwouldassoonaskAlexandreDumasforasermon。

Eitherwouldpaintyouamartyrdomveryfiercelyandpicturesquely——

writhingmuscles，flamingcoals，scowlingcaptainsandexecutioners，swarminggroups，andlight，shade，colormostdexterouslybrilliantordark；butinRubensIamadmiringtheperformerratherthanthepiece。Withwhatastonishingrapidityhetravelsoverhiscanvas；

howtellinglythecoollightsandwarmshadowsaremadetocontrastandrelieveeachother；howthatblazing，blowsypenitentinyellowsatinandglitteringhaircarriesdownthestreamoflightacrossthepicture！Thisisthewaytowork，myboys，andearnahundredflorinsaday。See！Iamassureofmylineasaskaterofmakinghisfigureofeight！anddownwithasweepgoesabrawnyarmoraflowingcurlofdrapery。Thefiguresarrangethemselvesasifbymagic。Thepaint-potsareexhaustedinfurnishingbrownshadows。

Thepupilslookwonderingon，asthemastercareersoverthecanvas。

IsabelorHelena，wifeNo。1orNo。2，aresittingby，buxom，exuberant，readytobepainted；andthechildrenareboxinginthecorner，waitingtilltheyarewantedtofigureascherubsinthepicture。Graveburghersandgentlefolkscomeinonavisit。ThereareoystersandRhenishalwaysreadyonyondertable。Wasthereeversuchapainter?Hehasbeenanambassador，anactualExcellency，andwhatbettermancouldbechosen?Hespeaksallthelanguages。Heearnsahundredflorinsaday。Prodigious！Thirty-

sixthousandfivehundredflorinsayear。Enormous！Heridesouttohiscastlewithascoreofgentlemenafterhim，liketheGovernor。ThatishisownportraitasSt。George。YouknowheisanEnglishknight?ThosearehistwowivesasthetwoMaries。Hechoosesthehandsomestwives。Heridesthehandsomesthorses。Hepaintsthehandsomestpictures。Hegetsthehandsomestpricesforthem。ThatslimyoungVanDyck，whowashispupil，hasgeniustoo，andispaintingallthenobleladiesinEngland，andturningtheheadsofsomeofthem。AndJordaens——whatadrolldogandcleverfellow！HaveyouseenhisfatSilenus?Themasterhimselfcouldnotpaintbetter。Andhisaltar-pieceatSt。Bavon"s?Hecanpaintyouanything，thatJordaenscan——adrunkenjollificationofboorsanddoxies，oramartyrhowlingwithhalfhisskinoff。Whataknowledgeofanatomy！Butthereisnothinglikethemaster——

nothing。Hecanpaintyouhisthirty-sixthousandfivehundredflorins"worthayear。HaveyouheardofwhathehasdonefortheFrenchCourt?Prodigious！Ican"tlookatRubens"spictureswithoutfancyingIseethathandsomefigureswaggeringbeforethecanvas。AndHansHemmelinckatBruges?HaveyouneverseenthatdearoldhospitalofSt。John，onpassingthegateofwhichyouenterintothefifteenthcentury?Iseethewoundedsoldierstilllingeringinthehouse，andtendedbythekindgraysisters。Hislittlepanelonitseaselisplacedatthelight。Hecovershisboardwiththemostwondrous，beautifullittlefigures，inrobesasbrightasrubiesandamethysts。Ithinkhemusthaveamagicglass，inwhichhecatchesthereflectionoflittlecherubswithmany-

coloredwings，verylittleandbright。Angels，inlongcrisprobesofwhite，surroundedwithhalosofgold，comeandflutteracrossthemirror，andhedrawsthem。Hehearsmasseveryday。HefaststhroughLent。NomonkismoreaustereandholythanHans。Whichdoyoulovebesttobehold，thelamborthelion?theeaglerushingthroughthestorm，andpouncingmayhaponcarrion；orthelinnetwarblingonthespray?

BymuchthemostdelightfuloftheChristophersetofRubenstomymind(andegoisintroducedontheseoccasions，sothattheopinionmaypassonlyformyown，atthereader"shumbleservicetobereceivedordeclined，)isthe“PresentationintheTemple:“splendidincolor，insentimentsweetandtender，finelyconveyingthestory。

Tobesure，alltheotherstelltheirtaleunmistakably——witnessthatcoarse“Salutation，“thatmagnificent“AdorationoftheKings“

(attheMuseum)，bythesamestrongdownrighthands；thatwonderful“CommunionofSt。Francis，“which，Ithink，givesthekeytotheartist"sfairebetterthananyofhisperformances。Ihavepassedhoursbeforethatpictureinmytime，tryingandsometimesfancyingIcouldunderstandbywhatmassesandcontraststheartistarrivedathiseffect。Inmanyothersofthepicturespartsofhismethodarepainfullyobvious，andyouseehowgriefandagonyareproducedbybluelips，andeyesrollingbloodshotwithdabsofvermilion。

Thereissomethingsimpleinthepractice。Contorttheeyebrowsufficiently，andplacetheeyeballnearit，——byafewlinesyouhaveangerorfiercenessdepicted。Givemeamouthwithnospecialexpression，andpopadabofcarmineateachextremity——andtherearethelipssmiling。Thisisartifyouwill，butaverynaivekindofart:andnowyouknowthetrick，don"tyouseehoweasyitis?

TUQUOQUE——Nowyouknowthetrick，supposeyoutakeacanvasandseewhetherYOUcandoit?Therearebrushes，palettes，andgallipotsfullofpaintandvarnish。Haveyoutried，mydearsir——

youwhosetuptobeaconnoisseur?Haveyoutried?Ihave——andmanyaday。Andtheendoftheday"slabor?Odismalconclusion！

Isthispuerileniggling，thisfeeblescrawl，thisimpotentrubbish，allyoucanproduce——you，whobutnowfoundRubenscommonplaceandvulgar，andwerepointingoutthetricksofhismystery?Pardon，O

greatchief，magnificentmasterandpoet！YoucanDO。Wecritics，whosneerandarewise，canbutpry，andmeasure，anddoubt，andcarp。Lookatthelion。Didyoueverseesuchagross，shaggy，mangy，roaringbrute?Lookathimeatinglumpsofrawmeat——

positivelybleeding，andrawandtough——till，faugh！itturnsone"sstomachtoseehim——Othecoarsewretch！Yes，butheisalion。

Rubenshasliftedhisgreathand，andthemarkhehasmadehasenduredfortwocenturies，andwestillcontinuewonderingathim，andadmiringhim。Whatastrengthinthatarm！Whatsplendorofwillhiddenbehindthattawnybeard，andthosehonesteyes！Sharpenyourpen，mygoodcritic，shootafeatherintohim；hithim，andmakehimwince。Yes，youmayhithimfair，andmakehimbleed，too；

but，forallthat，heisalion——amighty，conquering，generous，rampageousLeoBelgicus——monarchofhiswood。Andheisnotdeadyet，andIwillnotkickathim。

SIRANTONY——Inthat“Pieta“ofVanDyck，intheMuseum，haveyoueverlookedattheyellow-robedangel，withtheblackscarfthrownoverherwingsandrobe?Whatacharmingfigureofgriefandbeauty！Whataprettycompassionitinspires！Itsoothesandpleasesmelikeasweetrhythmicchant。Seehowdelicatelytheyellowrobecontrastswiththeblueskybehind，andthescarfbindsthetwo！IfRubenslackedgrace，VanDyckaboundedinit。Whataconsummateelegance！Whataperfectcavalier！NowonderthefineladiesinEnglandadmiredSirAntony。Lookat——

Heretheclockstrikesthree，andthethreegendarmeswhokeeptheMuseecryout，“Allons！Sortons！Ilesttroisheures！Allez！

Sortez！“andtheyskipoutofthegalleryashappyasboysrunningfromschool。Andwemustgotoo，forthoughmanystaybehind——manyBritonswithMurray"sHandbooksintheirhandsomehands——theyhavepaidafrancforentrance-fee，yousee；andweknewnothingaboutthefrancforentranceuntilthosegendarmeswithsheathedsabreshaddrivenusoutofthisParadise。

Butitwasgoodtogoanddriveonthegreatquays，andseetheshipsunlading，andbythecitadel，andwonderhowaboutsandwhereaboutsitwassostrong。WeexpectacitadeltolooklikeGibraltarorEhrenbreitsteinatleast。Butinthisonethereisnothingtoseebutaflatplainandsomeditches，andsometrees，andmoundsofuninterestinggreen。AndthenIrememberhowtherewasaboyatschool，alittledumpyfellowofnopersonalappearancewhatever，whocouldn"tbeovercomeexceptbyamuchbiggerchampion，andtheimmensestquantityofthrashing。Aperfectcitadelofaboy，withaGeneralChassesittinginthatbomb-proofcasemate，hisheart，lettingblowafterblowcomethumpingabouthishead，andneverthinkingofgivingin。

Andwegohome，andwedineinthecompanyofBritons，atthecomfortableHotelduParc，andwehaveboughtanovelapieceforashilling，andeveryhalf-hourthesweetcarillonplaysthewaltzfromDinorahintheair。Andwehavebeenhappy；anditseemsaboutamonthsinceweleftLondonyesterday；andnobodyknowswhereweare，andwedefycareandthepostman。

SPOORWEG——Vastgreenflats，speckledbyspottedcows，andboundbyagrayfrontierofwindmills；shiningcanalsstretchingthroughthegreen；odorslikethoseexhaledfromtheThamesinthedog-days，andafinepervadingsmellofcheese；littletrimhouses，withtallroofs，andgreatwindowsofmanypanes；gazebos，orsummer-houses，hangingoverpea-greencanals；kind-looking，dumpling-facedfarmers"

women，withlacedcapsandgoldenfrontletsandearrings；aboutthehousesandtownswhichwepassagreatairofcomfortandneatness；

aqueerfeelingofwonderthatyoucan"tunderstandwhatyourfellow-passengersaresaying，thetoneofwhosevoices，andacertaincomfortabledowdinessofdress，aresolikeourown；——whilstweareremarkingonthesesights，sounds，smells，thelittlerailwayjourneyfromRotterdamtotheHaguecomestoanend。IspeaktotherailwayportersandhackneycoachmeninEnglish，andtheyreplyintheirownlanguage，anditseemssomehowasifweunderstoodeachotherperfectly。Thecarriagedrivestothehandsome，comfortable，cheerfulhotel。Wesitdownascoreatthetable；andthereisoneforeignerandhiswife，——ImeaneveryothermanandwomanatdinnerareEnglish。Asweareclosetothesea，andinthemidstofendlesscanals，wehavenofish。WeareremindedofdearEnglandbythenoblepriceswhichwepayforwines。IconfessIlostmytemperyesterdayatRotterdam，whereIhadtopayaflorinforabottleofale(thewaternotbeingdrinkable，andcountryorBavarianbeernotbeinggenteelenoughforthehotel)；——Iconfess，Isay，thatmyfinetemperwasruffled，whenthebottleofpalealeturnedouttobeapintbottle；andImeeklytoldthewaiterthatIhadboughtbeeratJerusalematalessprice。ButthenRotterdamiseighteenhoursfromLondon，andthesteamerwiththepassengersandbeercomesuptothehotelwindows；whilsttoJerusalemtheyhavetocarrythealeoncamels"backsfromBeyroutorJaffa，andthroughhordesofmaraudingArabs，whoevidentlydon"tcareforpaleale，thoughIamtolditisnotforbiddenintheKoran。Minewouldhavebeenverygood，butIchokedwithragewhilstdrinkingit。Aflorinforabottle，andthatbottlehavingthewords“imperialpint，“inboldrelief，onthesurface！Itwastoomuch。Iintendednottosayanythingaboutit；butIMUSTspeak。Aflorinabottle，andthatbottleapint！Oh，forshame！forshame！Ican"tcorkdownmyindignation；Ifrothupwithfury；Iampalewithwrath，andbitterwithscorn。

Aswedrovethroughtheoldcityatnight，howitswarmedandhummedwithlife！Whataspecialclatter，crowd，andoutcrytherewasintheJewishquarter，wheremyriadsofyoungonesweretrottingaboutthefishystreet！Whydon"ttheyhavelamps?Wepassedbycanalsseemingsofullthatapailfulofwatermorewouldoverflowtheplace。Thelaquais-de-placecallsoutthenamesofthebuildings:

thetown-hall，thecathedral，thearsenal，thesynagogue，thestatueofErasmus。Getalong！WEknowthestatueofErasmuswellenough。

Wepassoverdrawbridgesbycanalswherethousandsofbargesareatroost。Atroost——atrest！ShallWEhaverestinthosebedrooms，thoseancientloftybedrooms，inthatinnwherewehavetopayaflorinforapintofpa——psha！atthe“NewBathHotel“ontheBoompjes?Ifthisdrearyedificeisthe“NewBath，“whatmusttheOldBathbelike?AsIfearedtogotobed，Isatinthecoffee-

roomaslongasImight；butthreeyoungmenwereimpartingtheirprivateadventurestoeachotherwithsuchfreedomandlivelinessthatIfeltIoughtnottolistentotheirartlessprattle。AsI

putthelightout，andfeltthebedclothesanddarknessoverwhelmme，itwaswithanawfulsenseofterror——thatsortofsensationwhichIshouldthinkgoingdowninadiving-bellwouldgive。

Supposetheapparatusgoeswrong，andtheydon"tunderstandyoursignaltomount?Supposeyourmatchesmissfirewhenyouwake；whenyouWANTthem，whenyouwillhavetoriseinhalfanhour，anddobattlewiththehorridenemywhocrawlsonyouinthedarkness?I

protestIneverwasmoresurprisedthanwhenIwokeandbeheldthelightofdawn。Indianbirdsandstrangetreeswerevisibleontheancientgilthangingsoftheloftychamber，andthroughthewindowstheBoompjesandtheshipsalongthequay。Wehaveallreadofdesertersbeingbroughtout，andmadetokneel，withtheireyesbandaged，andhearingthewordto“Fire“givenIdeclareIunderwentalltheterrorsofexecutionthatnight，andwonderhowIeverescapedunwounded。

ButifeverIgotothe“BathHotel，“Rotterdam，again，IamaDutchman。Aguilderforabottleofpaleale，andthatbottleapint！Ah！forshame——forshame！

MINEEASEINMINEINN——Doyouobjecttotalkaboutinns?Italwaysseemstometobeverygoodtalk。WalterScottisfullofinns。In“DonQuixote“and“GilBlas“thereisplentyofinn-talk。Sterne，Fielding，andSmollettconstantlyspeakaboutthem；and，intheirtravels，thelasttwototupthebill，anddescribethedinnerquitehonestly；whilstMr。Sternebecomessentimentaloveracab，andweepsgeneroustearsoveradonkey。

HowIadmireandwonderattheinformationinMurray"sHandbooks——

wonderhowitisgot，andadmirethetravellerswhogetit。Forinstance，youread:Amiens(pleaseselectyourtowns)，60，000

inhabitants。Hotels，&c——“Liond"Or，“goodandclean。“LeLiond"Argent，“soso。“LeLionNoir，“bad，dirty，anddear。Nowsay，therearethreetravellers——threeinn-inspectors，whoaresentforthbyMr。Murrayonagreatcommission，andwhostopateveryinnintheworld。Theeldestgoestothe“Liond"Or“——capitalhouse，goodtable-d"hote，excellentwine，moderatecharges。Thesecondcommissionertriesthe“SilverLion“——tolerablehouse，bed，dinner，billandsoforth。ButfancyCommissionerNo。3——thepoorfag，doubtless，andbootsoftheparty。Hehastogotothe“LionNoir。”

Heknowsheistohaveabaddinner——heeatsituncomplainingly。Heistohavebadwine。Heswallowsit，grindinghiswretchedteeth，andawarethathewillheunwellinconsequence。Heknowsheistohaveadirtybed，andwhatheistoexpectthere。Hepopsoutthecandle。Hesinksintothosedingysheets。Hedeliversoverhisbodytothenightlytormentors，hepaysanexorbitantbill，andhewritesdown，“LionNoir，bad，dirty，dear。”NextdaythecommissionsetsoutforArras，wewillsay，andtheybeginagain:“LeCochond"Or，““LeCochond"Argent，““LeCochonNoir“——andthatispoorBoots"sinn，ofcourse。Whatalifethatpoormanmustlead！Whathorrorsofdinnershehastogothrough！Whatahidehemusthave！

Andyetnotimpervious；forunlessheisbitten，howishetobeabletowarnothers?No:onsecondthoughts，youwillperceivethatheoughttohaveaverydelicateskin。Themonstersoughttotrooptohimeagerly，andbitehiminstantaneouslyandfreely，sothathemaybeabletowarnallfuturehandbookbuyersoftheirdanger。I

fancythismandevotinghimselftodanger，todirt，tobaddinners，tosourwine，todampbeds，tomidnightagonies，toextortionatebills。Iadmirehim，Ithankhim。Thinkofthischampion，whodevoteshisbodyforus——thisdauntlessgladiatorgoingtodobattlealoneinthedarkness，withnootherarmorthanalighthelmetofcotton，andaloricaofcalico。Ipityandhonorhim。Go，Spartacus！Go，devotedman——tobleed，togroan，tosuffer——andsmileinsilenceasthewildbeastsassailthee！

HowdidIcomeintothistalk?Iprotestitwasthewordinnsetmeoff——andhereisone，the“HoteldeBelleVue，“attheHague，ascomfortable，ashandsome，ascheerfulasanyIevertookmineeasein。AndtheBavarianbeer，mydearfriend，howgoodandbriskandlightitis！Takeanotherglass——itrefreshesanddoesnotstupefy——

andthenwewillsallyout，andseethetownandtheparkandthepictures。

Theprettiestlittlebrickcity，thepleasantestlittleparktoridein，theneatestcomfortablepeoplewalkingabout，thecanalsnotunsweet，andbusyandpicturesquewithold-worldlife。Rowsuponrowsofhouses，builtwiththeneatestlittlebricks，withwindowsfreshpainted，andtalldoorspolished，andcarvedtoanicety。

Whatapleasantspaciousgardenourinnhas，allsparklingwithautumnflowersandbedizenedwithstatues！Attheendisarowoftrees，andasummer-house，overthecanal，whereyoumightgoandsmokeapipewithMynheerVanDunck，andquitecheerfullycatchtheague。Yesterday，aswepassed，theyweremakinghay，andstackingitinabargewhichwaslyingbythemeadow，handy。RoundaboutKensingtonPalacetherearehouses，roofs，chimneys，andbrickslikethese。IfeelthataDutchmanisamanandabrother。Itisveryfunnytoreadthenewspaper，onecanunderstanditsomehow。Sureitistheneatest，gayestlittlecity——scoresandhundredsofmansionslookinglikeCheyneWalk，ortheladies"schoolsaboutChiswickandHackney。

LEGROSLOT——Toafewluckymenthechancebefallsofreachingfameatonce，and(ifitisofanyprofitmorituro)retainingtheadmirationoftheworld。DidpoorOliver，whenhewasatLeydenyonder，everthinkthatheshouldpaintalittlepicturewhichshouldsecurehimtheapplauseandpityofallEuropeforacenturyafter?HeandSternedrewthetwentythousandprizeoffame。Thelatterhadsplendidinstalmentsduringhislifetime。Theladiespressedroundhim；thewitsadmiredhim，thefashionhailedthesuccessorofRabelais。Goldsmith"slittlegemwashardlysovalueduntillaterdays。TheirworksstillformthewonderanddelightoftheloversofEnglishart；andthepicturesoftheVicarandUncleTobyareamongthemasterpiecesofourEnglishschool。HereintheHagueGalleryisPaulPotter"spale，eagerface，andyonderisthemagnificentworkbywhichtheyoungfellowachievedhisfame。Howdidyou，soyoung，cometopaintsowell?Whathiddenpowerlayinthatweaklyladthatenabledhimtoachievesuchawonderfulvictory?CouldlittleMozart，whenhewasfiveyearsold，tellyouhowhecametoplaythosewonderfulsonatas?Potterwasgoneoutoftheworldbeforehewasthirty，butleftthisprodigy(andIknownothowmanymorespecimensofhisgeniusandskill)behindhim。

Thedetailsofthisadmirablepictureareascuriousastheeffectisadmirableandcomplete。Theweatherbeingunsettled，andcloudsandsunshineinthegustysky，wesawinourlittletournumberlessPaulPotters——themeadowsstreakedwithsunshineandspottedwiththecattle，thecitytwinklinginthedistance，thethundercloudsgloomingoverhead。Napoleoncarriedoffthepicture(videMurray)

amongstthespoilsofhisbowandspeartodecoratehistriumphoftheLouvre。IfIwereaconqueringprince，Iwouldhavethispicturecertainly，andtheRaphael“Madonna“fromDresden，andtheTitian“Assumption“fromVenice，andthatmatchlessRembrandtofthe“Dissection。”Theprostratenationswouldhowlwithrageasmygendarmestookoffthepictures，nicelypacked，andaddressedto“Mr。theDirectorofmyImperialPalaceoftheLouvre，atParis。

Thissideuppermost。”TheAustrians，Prussians，Saxons，Italians，&c。，shouldbefreetocomeandvisitmycapital，andbleatwithtearsbeforethepicturestornfromtheirnativecities。Theirambassadorswouldmeeklyremonstrate，andwithfadedgrinsmakeallusionstothefeelingofdespairoccasionedbytheabsenceofthebelovedworksofart。Bah！IwouldofferthemapinchofsnuffoutofmyboxasIwalkedalongmygallery，withtheirExcellenciescringingafterme。Zenobiawasafinewomanandaqueen，butshehadtowalkinAurelian"striumph。Theprocedewaspeudelicat?Enusezvous，monchermonsieur！(Themarquissaysthe“Macaba“isdelicious。)Whatasplendorofcolorthereisinthatcloud！Whatarichness，whatafreedomofhandling，andwhatamarvellousprecision！ItroduponyourExcellency"scorn?——athousandpardons。

HisExcellencygrinsanddeclaresthatheratherlikestohavehiscornstroddenon。WereyoueververyangrywithSoult——aboutthatMurillowhichwehavebought?Theveteranlovedthatpicturebecauseitsavedthelifeofafellow-creature——thefellow-creaturewhohidit，andwhomtheDukeintendedtohangunlessthepicturewasforthcoming。

Wegaveseveralthousandpoundsforit——howmanythousand?Aboutitsmeritisaquestionoftastewhichwewillnothereargue。IfyouchoosetoplaceMurillointhefirstclassofpainters，foundinghisclaimupontheseVirginaltar-pieces，Iamyourhumbleservant。

TomMoorepaintedaltar-piecesaswellasMilton，andwarbledSacredSongsandLovesoftheAngelsafterhisfashion。IwonderdidWatteauevertryhistoricalsubjects?AndasforGreuze，youknowthathisheadswillfetch1，000L。，1，500L。，2，000L——asmuchasaSevres“cabaret“ofRoseduBarri。Ifcostpriceistobeyourcriterionofworth，whatshallwesaytothatlittlereceiptfor10L。forthecopyrightof“ParadiseLost，“whichusedtohanginoldMr。Rogers"sroom?Whenlivingpainters，asfrequentlyhappensinourdays，seetheirpicturessoldatauctionsforfourorfivetimesthesumswhichtheyoriginallyreceived，aretheyenragedorelated?

Ahundredyearsagothestateofthepicture-marketwasdifferent:

thatdrearyoldItalianstockwasmuchhigherthanatpresent；

Rembrandthimself，acloseman，wasknowntobeindifficulties。Ifghostsarefondofmoneystill，whatawrathhismustbeatthepresentvalueofhisworks！

TheHagueRembrandtisthegreatestandgrandestofallhispiecestomymind。SomeoftheheadsareassweetlyandlightlypaintedasGainsborough；thefacesnotugly，butdelicateandhigh-bred；theexquisitegraytonesarecharmingtomarkandstudy；theheadsnotplastered，butpaintedwithafree，liquidbrush:theresult，oneofthegreatvictorieswonbythisconsummatechief，andleftforthewonderanddelightofsucceedingages。

Thehumblestvolunteerintheranksofart，whohasservedacampaignortwoeversoingloriously，hasatleastthisgoodfortuneofunderstanding，orfancyingheisabletounderstand，howthebattlehasbeenfought，andhowtheengagedgeneralwonit。ThisistheRhinelander"smostbrilliantachievement——victoryalongthewholeline。The“Night-watch“atAmsterdamismagnificentinparts，butonthesidetothespectator"sright，smokyanddim。The“FiveMastersoftheDrapers“iswonderfulfordepth，strength，brightness，massivepower。Whatwordsarethesetoexpressapicture！todescribeadescription！Ioncesawamoonridingintheskyserenely，attendedbyhersparklingmaidsofhonor，andalittleladysaid，withanairofgreatsatisfaction，“IMUSTSKETCHIT。”

Ah，mydearlady，ifwithanH。B。，aBristolboard，andabitofindia-rubber，youcansketchthestarryfirmamentonhigh，andthemooninherglory，Imakeyoumycompliment！Ican"tsketch“TheFiveDrapers“withanyinkorpenatpresentatcommand——butcanlookwithallmyeyes，andbethankfultohaveseensuchamasterpiece。

Theysayhewasamoody，ill-conditionedman，theoldtenantofthemill。Whatdoeshethinkofthe“VanderHelst“whichhangsoppositehis“Night-watch，“andwhichisoneofthegreatpicturesoftheworld?ItisnotpaintedbysogreatamanasRembrandt；butthereitis——toseeitisaneventofyourlife。Havingbeheldityouhavelivedintheyear1648，andcelebratedthetreatyofMunster。

YouhaveshakenthehandsoftheDutchGuardsmen，eatenfromtheirplatters，drunktheirRhenish，heardtheirjokes，astheywaggedtheirjollybeards。TheAmsterdamCataloguediscoursesthusaboutit:——amodelcatalogue:itgivesyouthepricespaid，thesignaturesofthepainters，asuccinctdescriptionofthework。

“Thismasterpiecerepresentsabanquetofthecivicguard，whichtookplaceonthe18thJune，1648，intimegreathalloftheSt。

JorisDoele，ontheSingelatAmsterdam，tocelebratetheconclusionofthePeaceatMunster。Thethirty-fivefigurescomposingthepictureareallportraits。

“"TheCaptainWITSE"isplacedattheheadofthetable，andattractsourattentionfirst。Heisdressedinblackvelvet，hisbreastcoveredwithacuirass，onhisheadabroad-brimmedblackhatwithwhiteplumes。Heiscomfortablyseatedonachairofblackoak，withavelvetcushion，andholdsinhislefthand，supportedonhisknee，amagnificentdrinking-horn，surroundedbyaSt。Georgedestroyingthedragon，andornamentedwitholive-leaves。Thecaptain"sfeaturesexpresscordialityandgood-humor；heisgraspingthehandof"LieutenantVANWAVERN"seatednearhim，inahabitofdarkgray，withlaceandbuttonsofgold，lace-collarandwristbands，hisfeetcrossed，withbootsofyellowleather，withlargetops，andgoldspurs，onhisheadablackhatanddark-brownplumes。Behindhimatthecentreofthepicture，isthestandard-bearer，"JACOB

BANNING，"inaneasymartialattitude，hatinhand，hisrighthandonhischair，hisrightlegonhisleftknee。Heholdstheflagofbluesilk，inwhichtheVirginisembroidered，(suchasilk！suchaflag！suchapieceofpainting！)emblematicofthetownofAmsterdam。

Thebannercovershisshoulder，andhelookstowardsthespectatorfranklyandcomplacently。

“Themanbehindhimisprobablyoneofthesergeants。Hisheadisbare。Hewearsacuirass，andyellowgloves，graystockings，andbootswithlargetops，andkneecapsofcloth。Hehasanapkinonhisknees，andinhishandapieceofham，asliceofbread，andaknife。Theoldmanbehindisprobably"WILLIAMTHEDRUMMER。"Hehashishatinhisrighthand，andinhisleftagold-footedwineglass，filledwithwhitewine。Hewearsaredscarf，andablacksatindoublet，withlittleslashesofyellowsilk。Behindthedrummer，twomatchlock-menareseatedattheendofthetable。Oneinalargeblackhabit，anapkinonhisknee，ahausse-colofiron，andalinenscarfandcollar。Heiseatingwithhisknife。Theotherholdsalongglassofwhitewine。Fourmusketeers，withdifferentshapedhats，arebehindthese，oneholdingaglass，thethreeotherswiththeirgunsontheirshoulders。Otherguestsareplacedbetweenthepersonagewhoisgivingthetoastandthestandard-bearer。Onewithhishatoff，andhishanduplifted，istalkingtoanother。Thesecondiscarvingafowl。Athirdholdsasilverplate；andanother，inthebackground，asilverflagon，fromwhichhefillsacup。Thecornerbehindthecaptainisfilledbytwoseatedpersonages，oneofwhomispeelinganorange。Twoothersarestanding，armedwithhalberts，ofwhomoneholdsaplumedhat。

Behindhimareotherthreeindividuals，oneofthemholdingapewterpot，onwhichthename"Poock，"thelandlordofthe"HotelDoele，"

isengraved。Attheback，amaid-servantiscominginwithapasty，crownedwithaturkey。Mostoftheguestsarelisteningtothecaptain。Fromanopenwindowinthedistance，thefacadesoftwohousesareseen，surmountedbystonefiguresofsheep。”

There，nowyouknowallaboutit:nowyoucangohomeandpaintjustsuchanother。Ifyoudo，doprayremembertopaintthehandsofthefiguresastheyareheredepicted；theyareaswonderfulportraitsasthefaces。NoneofyourslimVanDyckelegancies，whichhavedonedutyatthecuffsofsomanydoublets；buteachmanwithahandforhimself，aswithafaceforhimself。Iblushedforthecoarsenessofoneofthechiefsinthisgreatcompany，thatfellowbehind“WILLIAMTHEDRUMMER，“splendidlyattired，sittingfullinthefaceofthepublic；andholdingapork-boneinhishand。

SupposetheSaturdayReviewcriticweretocomesuddenlyonthispicture?Ah！whatashockitwouldgivethatnoblenature！Whyisthatknuckleofporknotpaintedout?atanyrate，whyisnotalittlefringeoflacepaintedroundit?oracutpinkpaper?orcouldn"tasmelling-bottlebepaintedininstead，withacrestandagoldtop，oracambricpocket-handkerchief，inlieuofthehorridpig，withapinkcoronetinthecorner?orsupposeyoucoveredtheman"shand(whichisverycoarseandstrong)，andgavehimthedecencyofakidglove?Butapieceofporkinanakedhand?O

nervesandeaudeCologne，hideit，hideit！

Inspiteofthislamentablecoarseness，mynoblesergeant，givemethyhandasnaturemadeit！Agreat，andfamous，andnoblehandiworkIhaveseenhere。Notthegreatestpictureintheworld——

notaworkofthehighestgenius——butaperformancesogreat，various，andadmirable，soshrewdofhumor，sowiseofobservation，sohonestandcompleteofexpression，thattohaveseenithasbeenadelight，andtorememberitwillbeapleasurefordaystocome。

Welldone，BartholomeusVanderHelst！Brave，meritorious，victorious，happyBartholomew，towhomithasbeengiventoproduceamasterpiece！

MayItakeoffmyhatandpayarespectfulcomplimenttoJanSteen，Esq。?Heisagloriouscomposer。HishumorisasfrankasFielding"s。Lookathisownfiguresittinginthewindow-sillyonder，androaringwithlaughter！Whatatwinkleintheeyes！whatamouthitisforasong，orajoke，oranoggin！IthinkthecompositioninsomeofJan"spicturesamountstothesublime，andlookatthemwiththesamedelightandadmirationwhichIhavefeltbeforeworksoftheveryhigheststyle。Thisgalleryisadmirable——

andthecityinwhichthegalleryis，isperhapsevenmorewonderfulandcurioustobeholdthanthegallery。

ThefirstlandingatCalais(or，Isuppose，onanyforeignshore)——

thefirstsightofanEasterncity——thefirstviewofVenice——andthisofAmsterdam，areamongthedelightfulshockswhichIhavehadasatraveller。AmsterdamisasgoodasVenice，withasuperaddedhumorandgrotesqueness，whichgivesthesight-seerthemostsingularzestandpleasure。ArunthroughPekinIcouldhardlyfancytobemoreodd，strange，andyetfamiliar。Thisrush，andcrowd，andprodigiousvitality；thisimmenseswarmoflife；thesebusywaters，crowdingbarges，swingingdrawbridges，piledancientgables，spaciousmarketsteemingwithpeople；thatever-wonderfulJews"quarter；thatdearoldworldofpaintingandthepast，yetalive，andthrobbing，andpalpable——actual，andyetpassingbeforeyouswiftlyandstrangelyasadream！OfthemanyjourneysofthisRoundaboutlife，thatdrivethroughAmsterdamistobespeciallyandgratefullyremembered。YouhaveneverseenthepalaceofAmsterdam，mydearsir?Why，there"samarblehallinthatpalacethatwillfrightenyouasmuchasanyhallinVathek，oranightmare。Atoneendofthatold，cold，glassy，glittering，ghostly，marblehalltherestandsathrone，onwhichawhitemarblekingoughttositwithhiswhitelegsgleamingdownintothewhitemarblebelow，andhiswhiteeyeslookingatagreatwhitemarbleAtlas，whobearsonhisicyshouldersablueglobeasbigasthefullmoon。Ifhewerenotagenie，andenchanted，andwithastrengthaltogetherhyperatlantean，hewoulddropthemoonwithashriekontothewhitemarblefloor，anditwouldsplitterintoperdition。Andthepalacewouldrock，andheave，andtumble；andthewaterswouldrise，rise，rise；andthegablessink，sink，sink；andthebargeswouldriseuptothechimneys；andthewater-soucheefisheswouldflapovertheBoompjes，wherethepigeonsandstorksusedtoperch；andtheAmster，andtheRotter，andtheSaar，andtheOp，andallthedamsofHollandwouldburst，andtheZuyderZeerolloverthedykes；andyouwouldwakeoutofyourdream，andfindyourselfsittinginyourarm-chair。

Wasitadream?itseemslikeone。HavewebeentoHolland?haveweheardthechimesatmidnightatAntwerp?Werewereallyawayforaweek，orhaveIbeensittingupintheroomdozing，beforethisstaleolddesk?Here"sthedesk；yes。But，ifithasbeenadream，howcouldIhavelearnedtohumthattuneoutofDinorah?Ah，isitthattune，ormyselfthatIamhumming?Ifitwasadream，howcomesthisyellowNOTICEDESTABLEAUXDUMUSEED"AMSTERDAMAVEC

FACSIMILEDESMONOGRAMMESbeforeme，andthissignatureofthegallantBARTHOLOMEUSVANDERHELST，FECITAo，1648。

Yes，indeed，itwasadelightfullittleholiday；itlastedawholeweek。WiththeexceptionofthatlittlepintofamarialiquidatRotterdam，wewereallveryhappy。Wemighthavegoneonbeinghappyforwhoeverknowshowmanydaysmore?aweekmore，tendaysmore:whoknowshowlongthatdearteetotumhappinesscanbemadetospinwithouttopplingover?

Butoneofthepartyhaddesiredletterstobesentposterestante，Amsterdam。Thepost-officeishardbythatawfulpalacewheretheAtlasis，andwhichwereallysaw。

Therewasonlyoneletter，yousee。Onlyonechanceoffindingus。

Thereitwas。“Theposthasonlythismomentcomein，“saysthesmirkingcommissioner。Andhehandsoverthepaper，thinkinghehasdonesomethingclever。

Beforetheletterhadbeenopened，IcouldreadCOMEBACK，asclearlyasifithadbeenpaintedonthewall。Itwasallover。

Thespellwasbroken。Thesprightlylittleholidayfairythathadfriskedandgambolledsokindlybesideusforeightdaysofsunshine——orrainwhichwasascheerfulassunshine——gaveapartingpiteouslook，andwhiskedawayandvanished。Andyonderscudsthepostman，andhereistheolddesk。

NILNISIBONUM。

AlmostthelastwordswhichSirWalterspoketoLockhart，hisbiographer，were，“Beagoodman，mydear！“andwiththelastflickerofbreathonhisdyinglips，hesighedafarewelltohisfamily，andpassedawayblessingthem。

Twomen，famous，admired，beloved，havejustleftus，theGoldsmithandtheGibbonofourtime。*Ereafewweeksareover，manyacritic"spenwillbeatwork，reviewingtheirlives，andpassingjudgmentontheirworks。Thisisnoreview，orhistory，orcriticism:onlyawordintestimonyofrespectandregardfromamanofletters，whoowestohisownprofessionallaborthehonorofbecomingacquaintedwiththesetwoeminentliterarymen。OnewasthefirstambassadorwhomtheNewWorldofLetterssenttotheOld。

Hewasbornalmostwiththerepublic；thepaterpatriaehadlaidhishandonthechild"shead。HeboreWashington"sname:hecameamongstusbringingthekindestsympathy，themostartless，smilinggoodwill。Hisnewcountry(whichsomepeopleheremightbedisposedtoregardrathersuperciliously)couldsendus，asheshowedinhisownperson，agentleman，who，thoughhimselfborninnoveryhighsphere，wasmostfinished，polished，easy，witty，quiet；and，socially，theequalofthemostrefinedEuropeans。IfIrving"swelcomeinEnglandwasakindone，wasitnotalsogratefullyremembered?Ifheateoursalt，didhenotpayuswithathankfulheart?Whocancalculatetheamountoffriendlinessandgoodfeelingforourcountrywhichthiswriter"sgenerousanduntiringregardforusdisseminatedinhisown?Hisbooksarereadbymillions**ofhiscountrymen，whomhehastaughttoloveEngland，andwhytoloveher。Itwouldhavebeeneasytospeakotherwisethanhedid:toinflamenationalrancors，which，atthetimewhenhefirstbecameknownasapublicwriter，warhadjustrenewed:tocrydowntheoldcivilizationattheexpenseofthenew:topointoutourfaults，arrogance，short-comings，andgivetherepublictoinferhowmuchshewastheparentstate"ssuperior。TherearewritersenoughintheUnitedStates，honestandotherwise，whopreachthatkindofdoctrine。ButthegoodIrving，thepeaceful，thefriendly，hadnoplaceforbitternessinhisheart，andnoschemebutkindness。ReceivedinEnglandwithextraordinarytendernessandfriendship(Scott，Southey，Byron，ahundredothershavebornewitnesstotheirlikingforhim)，hewasamessengerofgood-willandpeacebetweenhiscountryandours。“See，friends！“heseemstosay，“theseEnglisharenotsowicked，rapacious，callous，proud，asyouhavebeentaughttobelievethem。Iwentamongstthemahumbleman；wonmywaybymypen；and，whenknown，foundeveryhandheldouttomewithkindlinessandwelcome。Scottisagreatman，youacknowledge。DidnotScott"sKingofEnglandgiveagoldmedaltohim，andanothertome，yourcountryman，andastranger?“

*WashingtonIrvingdied，November28，1859；LordMacaulaydied，December28，1859。

**SeehisLifeinthemostremarkableDictionaryofAuthors，publishedlatelyatPhiladelphia，byMr。Allibone。

TraditionintheUnitedStatesstillfondlyretainsthehistoryofthefeastsandrejoicingswhichawaitedIrvingonhisreturntohisnativecountryfromEurope。Hehadanationalwelcome；hestammeredinhisspeeches，hidhimselfinconfusion，andthepeoplelovedhimallthebetter。HehadworthilyrepresentedAmericainEurope。InthatyoungcommunityamanwhobringshomewithhimabundantEuropeantestimonialsisstilltreatedwithrespect(IhavefoundAmericanwriters，ofwide-worldreputation，strangelysolicitousabouttheopinionsofquiteobscureBritishcritics，andelatedordepressedbytheirjudgments)；andIrvingwenthomemedalledbytheKing，diplomatizedbytheUniversity，crownedandhonoredandadmired。Hehadnotinanywayintriguedforhishonors，hehadfairlywonthem；and，inIrving"sinstance，asinothers，theoldcountrywasgladandeagertopaythem。

InAmericatheloveandregardforIrvingwasanationalsentiment。

Partywarsareperpetuallyragingthere，andarecarriedonbythepresswitharancorandfiercenessagainstindividualswhichexceedBritish，almostIrish，virulence。Itseemedtome，duringayear"stravelinthecountry，asifnooneeveraimedablowatIrving。

Allmenheldtheirhandfromthatharmless，friendlypeacemaker。I

hadthegoodfortunetoseehimatNewYork，Philadelphia，Baltimore，andWashington，*andremarkedhowineveryplacehewashonoredandwelcome。Everylargecityhasits“IrvingHouse。”Thecountrytakesprideinthefameofitsmenofletters。ThegateofhisowncharminglittledomainonthebeautifulHudsonRiverwasforeverswingingbeforevisitorswhocametohim。Heshutoutnoone。**I

hadseenmanypicturesofhishouse，andreaddescriptionsofit，inbothofwhichitwastreatedwithanotunusualAmericanexaggeration。

Itwasbutaprettylittlecabinofaplace；thegentlemanofthepresswhotooknotesoftheplace，whilsthiskindoldhostwassleeping，mighthavevisitedthewholehouseinacoupleofminutes。

*AtWashington，Mr。Irvingcametoalecturegivenbythewriter，whichMr。FilmoreandGeneralPierce，thePresidentandPresidentElect，werealsokindenoughtoattendtogether。“TwoKingsofBrentfordsmellingatonerose，“saysIrving，lookingupwithhisgood-humoredsmile。

**Mr。Irvingdescribedtome，withthathumorandgood-humorwhichhealwayskept，how，amongstothervisitors，amemberoftheBritishpresswhohadcarriedhisdistinguishedpentoAmerica(whereheemployeditinvilifyinghisowncountry)cametoSunnyside，introducedhimselftoIrving，partookofhiswineandluncheon，andintwodaysdescribedMr。Irving，hishouse，hisnieces，hismeal，andhismannerofdozingafterwards，inaNewYorkpaper。Onanotheroccasion，Irvingsaid，laughing，“Twopersonscametome，andoneheldmeinconversationwhilsttheothermiscreanttookmyportrait！“

Andhowcameitthatthishousewassosmall，whenMr。Irving"sbooksweresoldbyhundredsofthousands，nay，millions，whenhisprofitswereknowntobelarge，andthehabitsoflifeofthegoodoldbachelorwerenotoriouslymodestandsimple?Hehadlovedonceinhislife。Theladyheloveddied；andhe，whomalltheworldloved，neversoughttoreplaceher。Ican"tsayhowmuchthethoughtofthatfidelityhastouchedme。Doesnottheverycheerfulnessofhisafterlifeaddtothepathosofthatuntoldstory?Togrievealwayswasnotinhisnature；or，whenhehadhissorrow，tobringalltheworldintocondolewithhimandbemoanit。

Deepandquiethelaystheloveofhisheart，andburiesit；andgrassandflowersgrowoverthescarredgroundinduetime。

Irvinghadsuchasmallhouseandsuchnarrowrooms，becausetherewasagreatnumberofpeopletooccupythem。Hecouldonlyaffordtokeeponeoldhorse(which，lazyandagedasitwas，managedonceortwicetorunawaywiththatcarelessoldhorseman)。HecouldonlyaffordtogiveplainsherrytothatamiableBritishparagraph-

mongerfromNewYork，whosawthepatriarchasleepoverhismodest，blamelesscup，andfetchedthepublicintohisprivatechambertolookathim。Irvingcouldonlyliveverymodestly，becausethewifeless，childlessmanhadanumberofchildrentowhomhewasasafather。Hehadasmanyasninenieces，Iamtold——Isawtwooftheseladiesathishouse——withallofwhomthedearoldmanhadsharedtheproduceofhislaborandgenius。

“Beagoodman，mydear。”Onecan"tbutthinkoftheselastwordsoftheveteranChiefofLetters，whohadtastedandtestedthevalueofworldlysuccess，admiration，prosperity。WasIrvingnotgood，and，ofhisworks，wasnothislifethebestpart?Inhisfamily，gentle，generous，good-humored，affectionate，self-denying:insociety，adelightfulexampleofcompletegentlemanhood；quiteunspoiledbyprosperity；neverobsequioustothegreat(or，worsestill，tothebaseandmean，assomepublicmenareforcedtobeinhisandothercountries)eagertoacknowledgeeverycontemporary"smerit；alwayskindandaffabletotheyoungmembersofhiscalling；

inhisprofessionalbargainsandmercantiledealingsdelicatelyhonestandgrateful；oneofthemostcharmingmastersofourlighterlanguage；theconstantfriendtousandournation；tomenoflettersdoublydear，notforhiswitandgeniusmerely，butasanexemplarofgoodness，probity，andpurelife:——Idon"tknowwhatsortoftestimonialwillberaisedtohiminhisowncountry，wheregenerousandenthusiasticacknowledgmentofAmericanmeritisneverwanting:butIrvingwasinourserviceaswellastheirs；andastheyhaveplacedastoneatGreenwichyonderinmemoryofthatgallantyoungBellot，whosharedtheperilsandfateofsomeofourArcticseamen，IwouldliketohearofsomememorialraisedbyEnglishwritersandfriendsoflettersinaffectionateremembranceofthedearandgoodWashingtonIrving。

Asfortheotherwriter，whosedeparturemanyfriends，somefewmostdearly-lovedrelatives，andmultitudesofadmiringreadersdeplore，ourrepublichasalreadydecreedhisstatue，andhemusthaveknownthathehadearnedthisposthumoushonor。Heisnotapoetandmanoflettersmerely，butcitizen，statesman，agreatBritishworthy。

Almostfromthefirstmomentwhenheappears，amongstboys，amongstcollegestudents，amongstmen，heismarked，andtakesrankasagreatEnglishman。Allsortsofsuccessesareeasytohim:asaladhegoesdownintothearenawithothers，andwinsalltheprizestowhichhehasamind。Aplaceinthesenateisstraightwayofferedtotheyoungman。Hetakeshisseatthere；hespeaks，whensominded，withoutpartyangerorintrigue，butnotwithoutpartyfaithandasortofheroicenthusiasmforhiscause。Stillheispoetandphilosopherevenmorethanorator。Thathemayhaveleisureandmeanstopursuehisdarlingstudies，heabsentshimselfforawhile，andacceptsarichly-remunerativepostintheEast。Aslearnedamanmayliveinacottageoracollegecommon-room；butitalwaysseemedtomethatamplemeansandrecognizedrankwereMacaulay"sasofright。YearsagotherewasawretchedoutcryraisedbecauseMr。

MacaulaydatedaletterfromWindsorCastle，wherehewasstaying。

Immortalgods！Wasthismannotafitguestforanypalaceintheworld?orafitcompanionforanymanorwomaninit?Idaresay，afterAusterlitz，theoldK。K。courtofficialsandfootmensneeredatNapoleonfordatingfromSchonbrunn。Butthatmiserable“WindsorCastle“outcryisanechooutoffast-retreatingold-worldremembrances。Theplaceofsuchanaturalchiefwasamongstthefirstoftheland；andthatcountryisbest，accordingtoourBritishnotionatleast，wherethemanofeminencehasthebestchanceofinvestinghisgeniusandintellect。

Ifacompanyofgiantsweregottogether，verylikelyoneortwoofthemeresix-feet-sixpeoplemightbeangryattheincontestablesuperiorityoftheverytallestoftheparty；andsoIhaveheardsomeLondonwits，ratherpeevishatMacaulay"ssuperiority，complainthatheoccupiedtoomuchofthetalk，andsoforth。Nowthatwonderfultongueistospeaknomore，willnotmanyamangrievethathenolongerhasthechancetolisten?Torememberthetalkistowonder:tothinknotonlyofthetreasureshehadinhismemory，butofthetrifleshehadstoredthere，andcouldproducewithequalreadiness。AlmostonthelastdayIhadthefortunetoseehim，aconversationhappenedsuddenlytospringupaboutseniorwranglers，andwhattheyhaddoneinafterlife。Tothealmostterrorofthepersonspresent，Macaulaybeganwiththeseniorwranglerof1801-2-

3-4，andsoon，givingthenameofeach，andrelatinghissubsequentcareerandrise。Everymanwhohasknownhimhashisstoryregardingthatastonishingmemory。Itmaybethathewasnotillpleasedthatyoushouldrecognizeit；buttothoseprodigiousintellectualfeats，whichweresoeasytohim，whowouldgrudgehistributeofhomage?Histalkwas，inaword，admirable，andweadmiredit。

OfthenoticeswhichhaveappearedregardingLordMacaulay，uptothedaywhenthepresentlinesarewritten(the9thofJanuary)，thereadershouldnotdenyhimselfthepleasureoflookingespeciallyattwo。Itisagoodsignofthetimeswhensucharticlesasthese(I

meanthearticlesinThetimesandSaturdayReview)appearinourpublicprintsaboutourpublicmen。Theyeducateus，asitwere，toadmirerightly。Anuninstructedpersoninamuseumorataconcertmaypassbywithoutrecognizingapictureorapassageofmusic，whichtheconnoisseurbyhissidemayshowhimisamasterpieceofharmony，orawonderofartisticskill。Afterreadingthesepapersyoulikeandrespectmorethepersonyouhaveadmiredsomuchalready。AndsowithregardtoMacaulay"sstyletheremaybefaultsofcourse——whatcriticcan"tpointthemout?Butforthenoncewearenottalkingaboutfaults:wewanttosaynilnisibonum。Well——

takeathazardanythreepagesofthe“Essays“or“History；“——and，glimmeringbelowthestreamofthenarrative，asitwere，you，anaveragereader，seeone，two，three，ahalf-scoreofallusionstootherhistoricfacts，characters，literature，poetry，withwhichyouareacquainted。Whyisthisepithetused?Whenceisthatsimiledrawn?Howdoeshemanage，intwoorthreewords，topaintanindividual，ortoindicatealandscape?Yourneighbor，whohasHIS

reading，andhislittlestockofliteraturestowedawayinhismind，shalldetectmorepoints，allusions，happytouches，indicatingnotonlytheprodigiousmemoryandvastlearningofthismaster，butthewonderfulindustry，thehonest，humbleprevioustoilofthisgreatscholar。Hereadstwentybookstowriteasentence；hetravelsahundredmilestomakealineofdescription。

ManyLondoners——notall——haveseentheBritishMuseumLibrary。I

speakacoeurouvert，andpraythekindlyreadertobearwithme。I

haveseenallsortsofdomesofPetersandPauls，Sophia，Pantheon，——

whatnot?——andhavebeenstruckbynoneofthemsomuchasbythatcatholicdomeinBloomsbury，underwhichourmillionvolumesarehoused。Whatpeace，whatlove，whattruth，whatbeauty，whathappinessforall，whatgenerouskindnessforyouandme，areherespreadout！Itseemstomeonecannotsitdowninthatplacewithoutaheartfullofgratefulreverence。Iowntohavesaidmygraceatthetable，andtohavethankedheavenforthismyEnglishbirthright，freelytopartakeofthesebountifulbooks，andtospeakthetruthIfindthere。UnderthedomewhichheldMacaulay"sbrain，andfromwhichhissolemneyeslookedoutontheworldbutafortnightsince，whatavast，brilliant，andwonderfulstoreoflearningwasranged！whatstrangelorewouldhenotfetchforyouatyourbidding！Avolumeoflaw，orhistory，abookofpoetryfamiliarorforgotten(exceptbyhimselfwhoforgotnothing)，anoveleversoold，andhehaditathand。Ispoketohimonceabout“Clarissa。”“Notread"Clarissa！"“hecriedout。“Ifyouhaveoncethoroughlyenteredon"Clarissa"andareinfectedbyit，youcan"tleaveit。WhenIwasinIndiaIpassedonehotseasonatthehills，andthereweretheGovernor-General，andtheSecretaryofGovernment，andtheCommander-in-Chief，andtheirwives。Ihad"Clarissa"withme:and，assoonastheybegantoread，thewholestationwasinapassionofexcitementaboutMissHarloweandhermisfortunes，andherscoundrellyLovelace！TheGovernor"swifeseizedthebook，andtheSecretarywaitedforit，andtheChiefJusticecouldnotreaditfortears！“Heactedthewholescene:hepacedupanddownthe“Athenaeum“library:Idaresayhecouldhavespokenpagesofthebook——ofthatbook，andofwhatcountlesspilesofothers！

Inthislittlepaperletuskeeptothetextofnilnisibonum。OnepaperIhavereadregardingLordMacaulaysays“hehadnoheart。”

Why，aman"sbooksmaynotalwaysspeakthetruth，buttheyspeakhismindinspiteofhimself:anditseemstomethisman"sheartisbeatingthrougheverypagehepenned。Heisalwaysinastormofrevoltandindignationagainstwrong，craft，tyranny。Howhecheersheroicresistance；howhebacksandapplaudsfreedomstrugglingforitsown；howhehatesscoundrels，eversovictoriousandsuccessful；

howherecognizesgenius，thoughselfishvillainspossessit！ThecriticwhosaysMacaulayhadnoheart，mightsaythatJohnsonhadnone:andtwomenmoregenerous，andmoreloving，andmorehating，andmorepartial，andmorenoble，donotliveinourhistory。ThosewhoknewLordMacaulayknewhowadmirablytenderandgenerous，*andaffectionatehewas。Itwasnothisbusinesstobringhisfamilybeforethetheatrefootlights，andcallforbouquetsfromthegalleryasheweptoverthem。

*Sincetheabovewaswritten，Ihavebeeninformedthatithasbeenfound，onexaminingLordMacaulay"spapers，thathewasinthehabitofgivingawayMORETHANAFOURTHPARTofhisannualincome。

Ifanyyoungmanoflettersreadsthislittlesermon——andtohim，indeed，itisaddressed——Iwouldsaytohim，“BearScott"swordsinyourmind，and"begood，mydear。"“Herearetwoliterarymengonetotheiraccount，and，lausDeo，asfarasweknow，itisfair，andopen，andclean。Hereisnoneedofapologiesforshortcomings，orexplanationsofviceswhichwouldhavebeenvirtuesbutforunavoidable&c。Herearetwoexamplesofmenmostdifferentlygifted:eachpursuinghiscalling；eachspeakinghistruthasGodbadehim；eachhonestinhislife；justandirreproachableinhisdealings；deartohisfriends；honoredbyhiscountry；belovedathisfireside。Ithasbeenthefortunatelotofbothtogiveincalculablehappinessanddelighttotheworld，whichthankstheminreturnwithanimmensekindliness，respect，affection。Itmaynotbeourchance，brotherscribe，tobeendowedwithsuchmerit，orrewardedwithsuchfame。ButtherewardsofthesemenarerewardspaidtoOURSERVICE。Wemaynotwinthebatonorepaulettes；butGodgiveusstrengthtoguardthehonoroftheflag！

ONHALFALOAF。

ALETTERTOMESSRS。BROADWAY，BATTERYANDCO。，OFNEWYORK，BANKERS。

Isitallover?Maywelockupthecaseofinstruments?Havewesignedourwills；settledupouraffairs；pretendedtotalkandrattlequitecheerfullytothewomenatdinner，sothattheyshouldnotbealarmed；sneakedawayundersomepretext，andlookedatthechildrensleepingintheirbedswiththeirlittleunconsciousthumbsintheirmonths，andaflushonthesoft-pillowedcheek；madeeveryarrangementwithColonelMacTurk，whoactsasoursecond，andknowstheotherprincipalagreatdealtoowelltothinkhewillevergivein；inventedamonstrousfigmentaboutgoingtoshootpheasantswithMacinthemorning，soastosoothetheanxiousfearsofthedearmistressofthehouse；earlyasthehourappointedforthe——thelittleaffair——was，havewebeenawakehoursandhourssooner；risenbeforedaylight，withafainthope，perhaps，thatMacTurkmighthavecometosomearrangementwiththeotherside；atseveno"clock(confoundhispunctuality！)heardhiscab-wheelatthedoor，andlethiminlookingperfectlytrim，fresh，jolly，andwellshaved；drivenoffwithhiminthecoldmorning，afteraveryunsatisfactorybreakfastofcoffeeandstalebread-and-butter(whichchoke，somehow，intheswallowing)；drivenofftoWormwoodScrubsinthecold，muddy，misty，moonshinymorning；steppedoutofthecab，whereMachasbidthemantohaltonaretiredspotinthecommon；inoneminutemore，seenanothercabarrive，fromwhichdescendtwogentlemen，oneofwhomhasacaselikeMacTurk"sunderhisarm；——

lookedroundandroundthesolitude，andseennotonesinglesignofapoliceman——no，nomorethaninarowinLondon；——deprecatedthehorriblenecessitywhichdrivescivilizedmentotheuseofpowderandbullet；——takengroundasfirmlyasmaybe，andlookedonwhilstMacisneatlyloadinghisweapons；andwhenallready，andonelookedforthedecisiveOne，Two，Three——haveweevenheardCaptainO"Toole(thesecondoftheotherprincipal)walkup，andsay:

“ColonelMacTurk，Iamdesiredbymyprincipaltodeclareatthiseleventh——thistwelfthhour，thatheiswillingtoownthatheseesHEHASBEENWRONGinthedisputewhichhasarisenbetweenhimandyourfriend；thatheapologizesforoffensiveexpressionswhichhehasusedintheheatofthequarrel；andregretsthecoursehehastaken?“Ifsomethinglikethishashappenedtoyou，howevergreatyourcourage，youhavebeengladnottofight；——howeveraccurateyouraim，youhavebeenpleasednottofire。

OnthesixthdayofJanuaryinthisyearsixty-two，whathundredsofthousands——Imaysay，whatmillionsofEnglishmen，wereinthepositionofthepersonageheresketched——Christianmen，Ihope，shockedatthedreadfulnecessityofbattle:awareofthehorrorswhichtheconflictmustproduce，andyetfeelingthatthemomentwascome，andthattherewasnoarbitramentleftbutthatofsteelandcannon！Myreader，perhaps，hasbeeninAmerica。Ifhehas，heknowswhatgoodpeoplearetobefoundthere；howpolished，howgenerous，howgentle，howcourteous。Butitisnotthevoicesoftheseyouhearintheroarofhate，defiance，folly，falsehood，whichcomestousacrosstheAtlantic。Youcan"theargentlevoices；verymanywhocouldspeakareafraid。Menmustgoforward，orbecrushedbythemaddenedcrowdbehindthem。Isupposeaftertheperpetrationofthatactof——whatshallwecallit?——ofsuddenwar，whichWilkesdid，andEverettapproved，mostofusbelievedthatbattlewasinevitable。WhohasnotreadtheAmericanpapersforsixweekspast?DidyoueverthinktheUnitedStatesGovernmentwouldgiveupthoseCommissioners?Ineverdid，formypart。ItseemstometheUnitedStatesGovernmenthavedonethemostcourageousactofthewar。Beforethatactwasdone，whatanexcitementprevailedinLondon！IneveryClubtherewasaparliamentsittinginpermanence:ineverydomesticgatheringthissubjectwassuretoformamainpartofthetalk。OfcourseIhaveseenmanypeoplewhohavetravelledinAmerica，andheardthemonthismatter——friendsoftheSouth，friendsoftheNorth，friendsofpeace，andAmericanstockholdersinplenty——“Theywillnevergiveupthemen，sir，“thatwastheopiniononallsides；and，iftheywouldnot，weknewwhatwastohappen。

Forweekspastthisnightmareofwarhasbeenridingus。TheCitywasalreadygloomyenough。WhenagreatdomesticgriefandmisfortunevisitsthechiefpersonoftheState，theheartofthepeople，too，issadandawe-stricken。Itmightbethissorrowandtrialwerebutpresagesofgreatertrialsandsorrowtocome。Whatifthesorrowofwaristobeaddedtotheothercalamity?Suchforebodingshaveformedthethemeofmanyaman"stalk，anddarkenedmanyafireside。Thencametherapidordersforshipstoarmandtroopstodepart。Howmanyofushavehadtosayfarewelltofriendswhomdutycalledawaywiththeirregiments；onwhomwestrovetolookcheerfully，asweshooktheirhands，itmightbeforthelasttime；andwhomourthoughtsdepicted，treadingthesnowsoftheimmenseCanadianfrontier，wheretheirintrepidlittlebandmighthavetofacetheassaultsofotherenemiesthanwinterandroughweather！Iwenttoaplayonenight，andprotestIhardlyknowwhatwastheentertainmentwhichpassedbeforemyeyes。InthenextstallwasanAmericangentleman，whoknewme。“Goodheavens，sir，“Ithought，“isitdecreedthatyouandIaretobeauthorizedtomurdereachothernextweek；thatmypeopleshallbebombardingyourcities，destroyingyournavies，makingahideousdesolationofyourcoast；thatourpeacefulfrontiershallbesubjecttofire，rapine，andmurder?““Theywillnevergiveupthemen，“saidtheEnglishman。“Theywillnevergiveupthemen，“saidtheAmerican。

AndtheChristmaspiecewhichtheactorswereplayingproceededlikeapieceinadream。Tomakethegrandcomicperformancedoublycomic，myneighborpresentlyinformedmehowoneofthebestfriendsIhadinAmerica——themosthospitable，kindly，amiableofmen，fromwhomIhadtwicereceivedthewarmestwelcomeandthemostdelightfulhospitality——wasaprisonerinFortWarren，onchargesbywhichhislifeperhapsmightberisked。IthinkthatwasthemostdismalChristmasfunwhichtheseeyeseverlookedon。

Carryoutthatnotionalittlefarther，anddepicttenthousand，ahundredthousandhomesinEnglandsaddenedbythethoughtofthecomingcalamity，andoppressedbythepervadinggloom。Mynext-doorneighborperhapshaspartedwithherson。Nowtheshipinwhichheis，withathousandbravecomrades，isploughingthroughthestormymidnightocean。Presently(undertheflagweknowof)thethinredlineinwhichherboyformsaspeck，iswindingitswaythroughthevastCanadiansnows。Anotherneighbor"sboyisnotgone，butisexpectingorderstosail；andsomeoneelse，besidesthecircleathomemaybe，isinprayerandterror，thinkingofthesummonswhichcallstheyoungsailoraway。Byfiresidesmodestandsplendid，alloverthethreekingdoms，thatsorrowiskeepingwatch，andmyriadsofheartsbeatingwiththatthought，“Willtheygiveupthemen?“

Idon"tknowhow，onthefirstdayafterthecaptureoftheSouthernCommissionerswasannounced，arumorgotabroadinLondonthatthetakingofthemenwasanactaccordingtolaw，ofwhichournationcouldtakenonotice。Itwassaidthatthelawauthoritieshadsodeclared，andaverynobletestimonytotheLOYALTYofEnglishmen，I

think，wasshownbytheinstantsubmissionofhigh-spiritedgentlemen，mostkeenlyfeelingthatthenationhadbeensubjecttoacoarseoutrage，whoweresilentwhentoldthatthelawwaswiththeaggressor。Thereliefwhichpresentlycame，when，afterapauseofaday，wefoundthatlawwasonourside，wasindescribable。ThenationMIGHTthentakenoticeofthisinsulttoitshonor。Neverwerepeoplemoreeagerthanourswhentheyfoundtheyhadarighttoreparation。

IhavetalkedduringthelastweekwithmanyEnglishholdersofAmericansecurities，who，ofcourse，havebeenawareofthethreatheldoverthem。“England，“saystheNewYorkHerald，“cannotaffordtogotowarwithus，forsixhundredmillions"worthofAmericanstockisownedbyBritishsubjects，which，ineventofhostilities，wouldbeconfiscated；andwenowcallupontheCompaniesnottotakeitofftheirhandsonanyterms。LetitsforfeiturebeheldoverEnglandasaweaponinterrorem。BritishsubjectshavetwoorthreehundredmillionsofdollarsinvestedinshippingandotherpropertyintheUnitedStates。Allthisproperty，togetherwiththestocks，wouldbeseized，amountingtoninehundredmillionsofdollars。