第1章

"AMORTALANTIPATHY"wasatrulyhazardousexperiment。Averywiseandverydistinguishedphysicianwhoisasmuchathomeinliteratureasheisinscienceandthepracticeofmedicine，wrotetomeinreferringtothisstory:"Ishouldhavebeenafraidofmysubject。”

Hedidnotexplainhimself，butIcaneasilyunderstandthathefelttheimprobabilityofthe，physiologicalorpathologicaloccurrenceonwhichthestoryisfoundedtobesogreatthatthenarrativecouldhardlyberenderedplausible。Ifeltthedifficultyformyselfaswellasformyreaders，anditwasonlybyrecallingforourconsiderationaseriesofextraordinarybutwell-authenticatedfactsofsomewhatsimilarcharacterthatIcouldhopetogainanyseriousattentiontosostrangeanarrative。

Ineednotrecurtothesewonderfulstories。Thereis，however，one，nottobefoundonrecordelsewhere，towhichIwouldespeciallycallthereader"sattention。Itisthatofthemiddle-agedman，whoassuredmethathecouldneverpassatallhallclockwithoutanindefinableterror。Whileaninfantinarmstheheavyweightofoneofthesetallclockshadfallenwithaloudcrashandproducedanimpressiononhisnervoussystemwhichhehadnevergotover。

Thelastingeffectofashockreceivedbythesenseofsightorthatofhearingisconceivableenough。

Butthereisanothersense，thenervesofwhichareincloserelationwiththehigherorgansofconsciousness。Thestrengthoftheassociationsconnectedwiththefunctionofthefirstpairofnerves，theolfactory，isfamiliartomostpersonsintheirownexperienceandasrelatedbyothers。Nowweknowthateveryhumanbeing，aswellaseveryotherlivingorganism，carriesitsowndistinguishingatmosphere。Ifaman"sfrienddoesnotknowit，hisdogdoes，andcantrackhimanywherebyit。Thispersonalpeculiarityvarieswiththeageandconditionsoftheindividual。

Itmaybeagreeableorotherwise，asourceofattractionorrepulsion，butitsinfluenceisnotlessreal，thoughfarlessobviousandlessdominant，thanintheloweranimals。Itwasanatmosphericimpressionofthisnaturewhichassociateditselfwithaterribleshockexperiencedbytheinfantwhichbecamethesubjectofthisstory。Theimpressioncouldnotbeoutgrown，butitmightpossiblybebrokenupbysomesuddenchangeinthenervoussystemeffectedbyacauseaspotentastheonewhichhadproducedthedisorderedcondition。

ThisisthebestkeythatIcanfurnishtoastorywhichmusthavepuzzledsome，repelledothers，andfailedtointerestmanywhodidnotsuspectthetruecauseofthemysteriousantipathy。

BEVERLYFARMS，MASS。，August，1891。

O。W。H。

AMORTALANTIPATHY。

FIRSTOPENINGOFTHENEWPORTFOLIO。

INTRODUCTION。

"AndwhytheNewPortfolio，Iwouldask？"

Pray，doyouremember，whentherewasanaccessiontothenurseryinwhichyouhaveaspecialinterest，whetherthenew-comerwascommonlyspokenofasababy？Wasitnot，onthecontrary，invariably，underallconditions，inallcompanies，bythewholehousehold，spokenofasthebaby？Andwasthesmallreceptacleprovidedforitcommonlyspokenofasacradle；orwasitnotalwayscalledthecradle，asiftherewerenootherinexistence？

NowthisNewPortfolioisthecradleinwhichIamtorockmynew-bornthoughts，andfromwhichIamtoliftthemcarefullyandshowthemtocallers，namely，tothewholefamilyofreadersbelongingtomylistofintimates，andsuchotherfriendsasmaydropinbyaccident。Andsoitshallhavethedefinitearticle，andnotbelostinthemobofitsfellowsasaportfolio。

ThereareafewpersonalandincidentalmattersofwhichIwishtosaysomethingbeforereachingthecontentsofthePortfolio，whateverthesemaybe。Ihavehadotherportfoliosbeforethis，——two，moreespecially，andthefirstthingIbegleavetointroducerelatestothese。

Donotthrowthisvolumedown，orturntoanotherpage，whenItellyouthattheearliestofthem，thatofwhichInowamabouttospeak，wasopenedmorethanfiftyyearsago。Thisisaverydangerousconfession，forfiftyyearsmakeeverythinghopelesslyold-fashioned，withoutgivingitthecharmofrealantiquity。IfIcouldsayahundredyears，now，myreaderswouldacceptallIhadtotellthemwithacuriousinterest；butfiftyyearsago，——therearetoomanytalkativeoldpeoplewhoknowallaboutthattime，andatbesthalfacenturyisahalf-bakedbitofware。Acoin-fancierwouldsaythatyourfifty-year-oldfactshavejustenoughofantiquitytospotthemwithrust，andnotenoughtogivethem——thedelicateanddurablepatinawhichistime"sexquisiteenamel。

WhenthefirstPortfoliowasopenedthecoinoftherealmboreforitslegend，——ormighthaveborneifthemoredevouthero-worshipperscouldhavehadtheirway，——AndreasJackson，PopuliGratia，Imp。

Caesrzr。Aug。Div。，Max。，etc。，etc。Ineverhappenedtoseeanygoldorsilverwiththatlegend，butthetruthisIwasnotveryfamiliarlyacquaintedwiththepreciousmetalsatthatperiodofmycareer，and，theremighthavebeenagooddealofsuchcoinincirculationwithoutmyhandlingit，orknowingmuchaboutit。

Permitmetoindulgeinafewreminiscencesofthatfar-offtime。

InthosedaystheAthenaeumPictureGallerywasaprincipalcentreofattractiontoyoungBostonpeopleandtheirvisitors。Manyofusgotourfirstideasofart，tosaynothingofourfirstlessonsinthecomparativelyinnocentflirtationsofourcity"sprimitiveperiod，inthatagreeableresortofamateursandartists。

HowthepicturesonthosewallsinPearlStreetdokeeptheirplacesinthemind"sgallery!Trumbull"sSortieofGibraltar，withredenoughinitforoneofoursunsetafter-glows；andNeagle"sfull-

lengthportraitoftheblacksmithinhisshirt-sleeves；andCopley"slong-waistcoatedgentlemenandsatin-cladladies，——theylookedlikegentlemenandladies，too；andStuart"sfloridmerchantsandhigh-

waistedmatrons；andAllston"slovelyItaliansceneryanddreamy，unimpassionedwomen，notforgettingFlorimelinfullflightonherinterminablerocking-horse，——youmaystillseeherattheArtMuseum；

andtherivallandscapesofDoughtyandFisher，muchtalkedofandlargelypraisedinthosedays；andtheMurillo，——notfromMarshalSoup"scollection；andtheportraitofAnnibaleCaraccibyhimself，whichcosttheAthenaeumahundreddollars；andCole"sallegoricalpictures，andhisimmenseanddrearycanvas，inwhichtheprostrateshepherdsandtheangelinJoseph"scoatofmanycolorslookasiftheymusthavebeenthrowninfornothing；andWest"sbrawnyLeartearinghisclothestopieces。Butwhygoonwiththecatalogue，whenmostofthesepicturescanbeseeneitherattheAthenaeumbuildinginBeaconStreetorattheArtGallery，andadmiredorcriticisedperhapsmorejustly，certainlynotmoregenerously，thaninthoseearlieryearswhenwelookedatthemthroughthejapannedfish-horns？

IfonehappenedtopassthroughAtkinsonStreetonhiswaytotheAthenaeum，hewouldnoticealarge，square，painted，brickhouse，inwhichlivedaleadingrepresentativeofold-fashionedcoleopterousCalvinism，andfromwhichemergedoneoftheliveliestofliterarybutterflies。Thefatherwaseditorofthe"BostonRecorder，"averyrespectable，butveryfarfromamusingpaper，mostlargelypatronizedbythatclassofthecommunitywhichspokehabituallyofthefirstdayoftheweekas"theSahbuth。”Thesonwastheeditorofseveraldifferentperiodicalsinsuccession，noneofthemoversevereorserious，andofmanypleasantbooks，filledwithlivelydescriptionsofsociety，whichbestudiedontheoutsidewithaquickeyeforformandcolor，andwithacertainamountofsentiment，notverydeep，butreal，thoughsomewhatfrothedoverbyhisworldlyexperiences。

NathanielParkerWilliswasinfullbloomwhenIopenedmyfirstPortfolio。Hehadmadehimselfknownbyhisreligiouspoetry，publishedinhisfather"spaper，Ithink，andsigned"Roy。”Hehadstartedthe"AmericanMagazine，"afterwardsmergedintheNewYorkMirror。”Hehadthenleftoffwritingscripturepieces，andtakentolighterformsofverse。Hehadjustwritten"I"mtwenty-two，I"mtwenty-two，Theyidlygivemejoy，AsifIshouldbegladtoknowThatIwaslessaboy。”

Hewasyoung，therefore，andalreadyfamous。Hecameverynearbeingveryhandsome。Hewastall；hishair，oflightbrowncolor，wavedinluxuriantabundance；hischeekwasasrosyasifithadbeenpaintedtoshowbehindthefootlights；hedressedwithartisticelegance。HewassomethingbetweenaremembranceofCountD"OrsayandananticipationofOscarWilde。ThereusedtobeinthegalleryoftheLuxembourgapictureofHippolytusandPhxdra，inwhichthebeautifulyoungman，whohadkindledapassionintheheartofhiswickedstep-

mother，alwaysremindedmeofWillis，inspiteoftheshortcomingsofthelivingfaceascomparedwiththeideal。Thepaintedyouthisstillbloomingonthecanvas，butthefresh-cheecked，jauntyyoungauthoroftheyear1830haslongfadedoutofhumansight。Itooktheleaveswhichliebeforemeatthismoment，asIwrite，fromhiscoffin，asitlayjustoutsidethedoorofSaintPaul"sChurch，onasad，overcloudedwinter"sday，intheyear1867。Atthatearliertime，WilliswasbyfarthemostprominentyoungAmericanauthor。

Cooper，Irving，Bryant，Dana，Halleck，Drake，hadalldonetheirbestwork。Longfellowwasnotyetconspicuous。Lowellwasaschool-boy。

Emersonwasunheardof。Whittierwasbeginningtomakehiswayagainstthewriterswithbettereducationaladvantageswhomhewasdestinedtooutdoandtooutlive。Notoneofthegreathistories，whichhavedonehonortoourliterature，hadappeared。Ourschool-

booksdepended，sofarasAmericanauthorswereconcerned，onextractsfromtheorationsandspeechesofWebsterandEverett；onBryant"sThanatopsis，hislinesToaWaterfowl，andtheDeathoftheFlowers，Halleck"sMarcoBozzaris，RedJacket，andBurns；onDrake"sAmericanFlag，andPercival"sCoralGrove，andhisGeniusSleepingandGeniusWaking，——andnotgettingverywideawake，either。Thesecouldbedependedupon。Afewothercopiesofversesmightbefound，butDwight"s"Columbia，Columbia，"andPierpont"sAirsofPalestine，werealreadyeffaced，asmanyofthefavoritesofourowndayandgenerationmustsoonbe，bythegreatwavewhichthenearfuturewillpouroverthesandsinwhichtheystillarelegible。

Aboutthistime，intheyear1832，cameoutasmallvolumeentitled"Truth，aGiftforScribblers，"whichmadesometalkforawhile，andisnowchieflyvaluableasakindofliterarytombstoneonwhichmaybereadthenamesofmanywhoserenownhasbeenburiedwiththeirbones。The"LondonAthenaeum"spokeofitashavingbeendescribedasa"tomahawksortofsatire。”AstheauthorhadbeenatrapperinMissouri，hewasfamiliarlyacquaintedwiththatweaponandthewarfareofitsowners。BorninBoston，in1804，thesonofanarmyofficer，educatedatWestPoint，hecamebacktohisnativecityabouttheyear1830。HewroteanarticleonBryant"sPoemsforthe"NorthAmericanReview，"andanotheronthefamousIndianchief，BlackHawk。Inthislast-mentionedarticlehetellsthisstoryasthegreatwarriortoldithimself。ItwasanincidentofafightwiththeOsages。

"Standingbymyfather"sside，Isawhimkillhisantagonistandtearthescalpfromhishead。Firedwithvalorandambition，Irushedfuriouslyuponanother，smotehimtotheearthwithmytomahawk，ranmylancethroughhisbody，tookoffhisscalp，andreturnedintriumphtomyfather。Hesaidnothing，butlookedpleased。”

ThislittleredstorydescribesverywellSpelling"sstyleofliterarywarfare。Hishandlingofhismostconspicuousvictim，Willis，wasverymuchlikeBlackHawk"swayofdealingwiththeOsage。Hetomahawkedhiminheroics，ranhimthroughinprose，andscalpedhiminbarbarousepigrams。BryantandHalleckwereabundantlypraised；hardlyanyoneelseescaped。

Ifthereaderwishestoseethebubblesofreputationthatwerefloating，someofthemgaywithprismaticcolors，halfacenturyago，hewillfindinthepagesof"Truth"alongcatalogueofcelebritiesheneverheardof。Irecognizeonlythreenames，ofallwhicharementionedinthelittlebook，asbelongingtopersonsstillliving；

butasIhavenotreadtheobituariesofalltheothers，someofthemmaybestillflourishinginspiteofMr。Spelling"sexterminatingonslaught。TimedealtashardlywithpoorSpelling，whowasnotwithouttalentandinstruction，ashehaddealtwithourauthors。I

thinkhefoundshelteratlastunderaroofwhichheldnumerousinmates，someofwhomhadseenbetterandmanyofwhomhadknownworsedaysthanthosewhichtheywerepassingwithinitsfriendlyandnotexclusiveprecincts。Such，atleast，wasthestoryIheardafterhedisappearedfromgeneralobservation。

ThatwasthedayofSouvenirs，Tokens，Forget-me-nots，Bijous，andallthatclassofshowyannuals。Shortstories，slenderpoems，steelengravings，onalevelwiththecommonfashion-platesofadvertisingestablishments，giltedges，resplendentbinding，——tomanifestationsofthissortourlighterliteraturehadverylargelyrunforsomeyears。The"ScarletLetter"wasanunhintedpossibility。The"VoicesoftheNight"hadnotstirredthebroodingsilence；theConcordseerwasstillinthelonelydesert；mostofthecontributorstothoseyearlyvolumes，whichtookupsuchpretentiouspositionsonthecentretable，haveshrunkintoentireoblivion，or，atbest，holdtheirplaceinliteraturebyascraportwoinsomeomnivorouscollection。

WhatdreadfulworkSpellingmadeamongthoseslightreputations，floatinginswollentenuityonthesurfaceofthestream，andmirroringeachotherinreciprocalreflections!Violent，abusiveashewas，unjusttoanyagainstwhomhehappenedtohaveaprejudice，hiscastigationofthesmalllitterateursofthatdaywasnotharmful，butratherofuse。HisattackonWillisveryprobablydidhimgood；heneededalittlediscipline，andthoughhegotittoounsparingly，somecautionscamewithitwhichwereworththestripeshehadtosmartunder。OnenoblewriterSpellingtreatedwithrudeness，probablyfromsomeaccidentalpique，orequallyinsignificantreason。Imyself，oneofthethreesurvivorsbeforereferredto，escapedwithalove-pat，astheyoungestsonoftheMuse。Longfellowgetsabriefnodofacknowledgment。Bailey，anAmericanwriter，"whomadelongsinceahappysnatchatfame，"whichmusthavebeensnatchedawayfromhimbyenvioustime，forIcannotidentifyhim；Thatcher，whodiedearly，leavingonepoem，TheLastRequest，notwhollyunremembered；MissHannahF。Gould，averybrightandagreeablewriteroflightverse，——allthesearecommendedtothekeepingofthatvenerablepubliccarrier，whofindshisscytheandhour-glasssuchaloadthathegenerallydropstheburdenscommittedtohischarge，aftermakingashowofpayingeverypossibleattentiontothemsolongasheiskeptinsight。

Itwasagoodtimetoopenaportfolio。Butmyoldonehadboyhoodwrittenoneverypage。AsinglepassionateoutcrywhentheoldwarshipIhadreadaboutinthebroadsidesthatwereapartofourkitchenliterature，andinthe"NavalMonument，"wasthreatenedwithdemolition；afewversessuggestedbythesightofoldMajorMelvilleinhiscockedhatandbreeches，werethebestscrapsthatcameoutofthatfirstPortfolio，whichwassoonclosedthatitshouldnotinterferewiththedutiesofaprofessionauthorizedtoclaimallthetimeandthoughtwhichwouldhavebeenotherwiseexpendedinfillingit。

DuringaquarterofacenturythefirstPortfolioremainedclosedforthegreaterpartofthetime。Onlynowandthenitwouldbetakenupandopened，andsomethingdrawnfromitforaspecialoccasion，moreparticularlyfortheannualreunionsofacertainclassofwhichI

wasamember。

Intheyear1857，towardsitsclose，the"AtlanticMonthly，"whichI

hadthehonorofnaming，wasstartedbytheenterprisingfirmofPhillips&Sampson，undertheeditorshipofMr。JamesRussellLowell。

HethoughtthatImightbringsomethingoutofmyoldPortfoliowhichwouldbenotunacceptableinthenewmagazine。Ilookedatthepooroldreceptacle，which，partlyfromuseandpartlyfromneglect，hadlostitsfreshness，andseemedhardlypresentabletothenewcompanyexpectedtowelcomethenew-comerintheliteraryworldofBoston，theleastprovincialofAmericancentresoflearningandletters。

Thegildedcoveringwheretheemblemsofhopeandaspirationhadlookedsobrighthadfaded；notwholly，perhaps，buthowwasthegoldbecomedim!——howwasthemostfinegoldchanged!Longdevotiontootherpursuitshadleftlittletimeforliterature，andthewaifsandstraysgatheredfromtheoldPortfoliohaddonelittlemorethankeepalivethememorythatsuchasourceofsupplywasstillinexistence。

IlookedattheoldPortfolio，andsaidtomyself，"Toolate!toolate。Thistarnishedgoldwillneverbrighten，thesebatteredcoverswillstandnomorewearandtear；closethem，andleavethemtothespiderandthebook-worm。”

Inthemeantimethenebulaofthefirstquarterofthecenturyhadcondensedintotheconstellationofthemiddleofthesameperiod。

When，alittlewhileaftertheestablishmentofthenewmagazine，the"SaturdayClub"gatheredaboutthelongtableat"Parker"s，"sucharepresentationofallthatwasbestinAmericanliteraturehadneverbeencollectedwithinsosmallacompass。MostoftheAmericanswhomeducatedforeignerscaredtosee-leavingoutofconsiderationofficialdignitaries，whosetemporaryimportancemakesthemobjectsofcuriosity——wereseatedatthatboard。Buttheclubdidnotyetexist，andthe"AtlanticMonthly"wasanexperiment。Therehadalreadybeenseveralmonthlyperiodicals，moreorlesssuccessfulandpermanent，amongwhich"Putnam"sMagazine"wasconspicuous，owingitssuccesslargelytothecontributionsofthatveryaccomplishedanddelightfulwriter，Mr。GeorgeWilliamCurtis。Thatmagazine，afterasomewhatprolongedandveryhonorableexistence，hadgonewhereallperiodicalsgowhentheydie，intothearchivesofthedeaf，dumb，andblindrecordingangelwhosenameisOblivion。Ithadsowelldeservedtolivethatitsdeathwasasurpriseandasourceofregret。Couldanothermonthlytakeitsplaceandkeepitwhenthat，withallitsattractionsandexcellences，haddiedout，andleftablankinourperiodicalliteraturewhichitwouldbeveryhardtofillaswellasthathadfilledit？

Thiswastheexperimentwhichtheenterprisingpublishersventuredupon，andI，whofeltmyselfoutsideofthecharmedcircledrawnaroundthescholarsandpoetsofCambridgeandConcord，havinggivenmyselftootherstudiesandduties，wonderedsomewhatwhenMr。Lowellinsisteduponmybecomingacontributor。Andso，yieldingtoapressurewhichIcouldnotunderstand，andyetfoundmyselfunabletoresist，Ipromisedtotakeapartinthenewventure，asanoccasionalwriterinthecolumnsofthenewmagazine。

ThatwasthewayinwhichthesecondPortfoliofounditswaytomytable，andwasthereopenedintheautumnoftheyear1857。IwasalreadyatleastNelmezzodelcammindimia，vita，whenIriskedmyself，withmanymisgivings，inlittle-triedpathsofwhatlookedatfirstlikeawilderness，aselvaoscura，where，ifI

didnotmeetthelionorthewolf，Ishouldbesuretofindthecritic，themostdangerousofthecarnivores，waitingtowelcomemeafterhisownfashion。

ThesecondPortfolioisclosedandlaidaway。Perhapsitwashardlyworthwhiletoprovideandopenanewone；buthereitliesbeforeme，andIhopeImayfindsomethingbetweenitscoverswhichwilljustifymeincomingoncemorebeforemyoldfriends。ButbeforeI

openitIwanttoclaimalittlefurtherindulgence。

Thereisasubjectofprofoundinteresttoalmosteverywriter，I

mightsaytoalmosteveryhumanbeing。Nomatterwhathiscultureorignorance，nomatterwhathispursuit，nomatterwhathischaracter，thesubjectIrefertoisoneofwhichherarelyceasestothink，and，ifopportunityisoffered，totalk。Onthisheiseloquent，ifonnothingelse。Theslowofspeechbecomesfluent；thetorpidlistenerbecomeselectricwithvivacity，andalivealloverwithinterest。

Thesagaciousreaderknowswellwhatiscomingafterthisprelude。

Heisaccustomedtothephraseswithwhichtheplausiblevisitor，whohasasubscriptionbookinhispocket，prepareshisvictimforthedepressingdisclosureofhisrealerrand。Heisnotunacquaintedwiththeconversationalamenitiesofthecordialandinterestingstranger，who，havinghadthemisfortuneofleavinghiscarpet-baginthecars，orofhavinghispocketpickedatthestation，findshimselfwithoutthemeansofreachingthatdistanthomewhereaffluencewaitsforhimwithitsluxuriouswelcome，buttowhomforthemomenttheloanofsomefiveandtwentydollarswouldbeaconvenienceandafavorforwhichhisheartwouldachewithgratitudeduringthebriefintervalbetweentheloananditsrepayment。

Iwishtosayafewwordsinmyownpersonrelatingtosomepassagesinmyownhistory，andmoreespeciallytosomeoftherecentexperiencesthroughwhichIhavebeenpassing。

Whatcanjustifyoneinaddressinghimselftothegeneralpublicasifitwerehisprivatecorrespondent？Thereareatleastthreesufficientreasons:first，ifhehasastorytotellthateverybodywantstohear，——ifbehasbeenshipwrecked，orhasbeeninabattle，orhaswitnessedanyinterestingevent，andcantellanythingnewaboutit；secondly，ifhecanputinfittingwordsanycommonexperiencesnotalreadywelltold，sothatreaderswillsay，"Why，yes!Ihavehadthatsensation，thought，emotion，ahundredtimes，butIneverhearditspokenofbefore，andIneversawanymentionofitinprint；"andthirdly，anythingonelikes，providedhecansotellitastomakeitinteresting。

IhavenostorytotellinthisIntroductionwhichcanofitselfclaimanygeneralattention。Myfirstpagesrelatetheeffectofacertainliteraryexperienceuponmyself，——aseriesofpartialmetempsychosesofwhichIhavebeenthesubject。NextfollowsabrieftributetothememoryofaverydearandrenownedfriendfromwhomIhaverecentlybeenparted。TherestoftheIntroductionwillbeconsecratedtothememoryofmybirthplace。

IhavejustfinishedaMemoir，whichwillappearsoonafterthispageiswritten，andwillhavebeenthesubjectofcriticismlongbeforeitisinthereader"shands。Theexperienceofthinkinganotherman"sthoughtscontinuouslyforalongtime；oflivingone"sselfintoanotherman"slifeforamonth，orayear，ormore，isaverycuriousone。Nomatterhowmuchsuperiortothebiographerhissubjectmaybe，themanwhowritesthelifefeelshimself，inacertainsense，onthelevelofthepersonwhoselifeheiswriting。

OnecannotfightoverthebattlesofMarengoorAusterlitzwithNapoleonwithoutfeelingasifhehimselfhadafractionalclaimtothevictory，sorealseemsthetransferofhispersonalityintothatoftheconquerorwhilehereads。Stillmoremustthisidentificationof"subject"and"object"takeplacewhenoneiswritingofapersonwhosestudiesoroccupationsarenotunlikehisown。

Herearesomeofmymetempsychoses:

TenyearsagoIwrotewhatIcalledAMemorialOutlineofaremarkablestudentofnature。Hewasabornobserver，andsucharefarfromcommon。Hewasalsoamanofgreatenthusiasmandunwearyingindustry。Hisquickeyedetectedwhatotherspassedbywithoutnotice:theIndianrelic，whereanotherwouldseeonlypebblesandfragments；theraremollusk，orreptile，whichhiscompanionwouldpokewithhiscane，neversuspectingthattherewasaprizeattheendofit。Gettinghissinglefactstogetherwithmarvelloussagacityandlong-breathedpatience，hearrangedthem，classifiedthem，describedthem，studiedthemintheirrelations，andbeforethosearoundhimwereawareofitthecollectorwasanaccomplishednaturalist。When——hediedhiscollectionsremained，andtheystillremain，ashisrecordinthehieraticlanguageofscience。

Inwritingthismemoirthespiritofhisquietpursuits，theeventempertheybredinhim，gainedpossessionofmyownmind，sothatI

seemedtolookatnaturethroughhisgold-bowedspectacles，andtomoveabouthisbeautifullyorderedmuseumasifIhadmyselfpreparedandarrangeditsspecimens。Ifeltwisewithhiswisdom，fair-mindedwithhiscalmimpartiality；itseemedasifforthetimehisplacid，observant，inquiring，keen-sightednature"slidintomysoul，"andifIhadlookedatmyselfintheglassIshouldalmosthaveexpectedtoseetheimageoftheHerseyprofessorwhoselifeandcharacterIwassketching。

AfewyearshaterIlivedoverthelifeofanotherfriendinwritingaMemoirofwhichhewasthesubject。Isawhim，thebeautiful，bright-eyedboy，withdark，wavinghair；theyouthfulscholar，firstatHarvard，thenatGottingenandBerlin，thefriendandcompanionofBismarck；theyoungauthor，makingadashforrenownasanovelist，andshowingtheelementswhichmadehisfailuresthepromiseofsuccessinalargerfieldofliterarylabor；thedelvinghistorian，buryinghisfreshyoungmanhoodinthedustyalcovesofsilentlibraries，tocomeforthinthefaceofEuropeandAmericaasoneoftheleadinghistoriansofthetime；thediplomatist，accomplished，ofcaptivatingpresenceandmanners，anardentAmerican，andinthetimeoftrialanimpassionedandeloquentadvocateofthecauseoffreedom；reachingatlastthesummitofhisambitionasministerattheCourtofSaintJames。AllthisIseemedtosharewithhimasI

trackedhiscareerfromhisbirthplaceinDorchester，andthehouseinWalnutStreetwherehepassedhisboyhood，tothepalacesofViennaandLondon。Andthenthecruelblowwhichstruckhimfromtheplaceheadorned；thegreatsorrowthatdarkenedhislateryears；theinvasionofillness，athreatthatwarnedofdanger，andafteraperiodofinvalidism，duringapartofwhichIsharedhismostintimatedailylife，thesudden，hardlyunwelcome，finalsummons。

Didnotmyownconsciousnessmigrate，orseem，atleast，totransferitselfintothisbrilliantlifehistory，asItraceditsglowingrecord？I，too，seemedtofeelthedelightofcarryingwithme，asiftheyweremyown，thecharmsofapresencewhichmadeitsownwelcomeeverywhere。Isharedhisheroictoils，Ipartookofhisliteraryandsocialtriumphs，Iwashonoredbythemarksofdistinctionwhichgatheredabouthim，Iwaswrongedbytheindignityfromwhichhesuffered，mournedwithhiminhissorrow，andthus，afterIhadbeenlivingformonthswithhismemory，IfeltasifI

shouldcarryapartofhisbeingwithmesolongasmyself-

consciousnessmightremainimprisonedintheponderableelements。

Theyearspassedaway，andtheinfluencesderivedfromthecompanionshipsIhavespokenofhadblendedintimatelywithmyowncurrentofbeing。Thentherecametomeanewexperienceinmyrelationswithaneminentmemberofthemedicalprofession，whomI

methabituallyforalongperiod，andtowhosememoryIconsecratedafewpagesasapreludetoaworkofhisown，writtenunderverypeculiarcircumstances。Hewasthesubjectofaslow，torturing，malignant，andalmostnecessarilyfataldisease。Knowingwellthatthemindwouldfeeduponitselfifitwerenotsuppliedwithfoodfromwithout，hedeterminedtowriteatreatiseonasubjectwhichhadgreatlyinterestedhim，andwhichwouldobligehimtobestowmuchofhistimeandthoughtuponit，ifindeedhecouldholdouttofinishthework。Duringtheperiodwhilehewasengagedinwritingit，hiswife，whohadseemedinperfecthealth，diedsuddenlyofpneumonia。Physicalsuffering，mentaldistress，theprospectofdeathatanear，ifuncertain，timealwaysbeforehim，itwashardtoconceiveamoreterriblestrainthanthatwhichhehadtoendure。

When，inthehourofhisgreatestneed，hisfaithfulcompanion，thewifeofmanyyearsofhappyunion，whosehandhadsmoothedhispillow，whosevoicehadconsoledandcheeredhim，wastornfromhimafterafewdaysofillness，Ifeltthatmy，friend"strialwassuchthatthecryofthemanofmanyafflictionsandtemptationsmightwellhaveescapedfromhislips:"Iwasatease，buthehathbrokenmeasunder；hehathalsotakenmebymyneckandshakenmetopieces，andsetmeupforhismark。Hisarcherscompassmeroundabout，hecleavethmyreinsasunder，anddothnotspare；hepourethoutmygallupontheground。”

Ihaddreadedmeetinghimforthefirsttimeafterthiscrushingblow。WhatalessonhegavemeofpatienceundersufferingswhichthefearfuldescriptionoftheEasternpoetdoesnotpicturetoovividly!WehavebeentaughttoadmirethecalmphilosophyofHaller，watchinghisfalteringpulseashelaydying；wehaveheardthewordsofpiousresignationsaidtohavebeenutteredwithhislastbreathbyAddison:butherewasatrial，notofhours，ordays，orweeks，butofmonths，evenyears，ofcruelpain，andinthemidstofitsthickdarknessthelightoflove，whichhadburnedsteadilyathisbedside，wassuddenlyextinguished。

Thereweretimesinwhichthethoughtwouldforceitselfuponmyconsciousness，Howlongistheuniversetolookuponthisdreadfulexperimentofamalariousplanet，withitsunmeasurablefreightofsuffering，itspoisonousatmosphere，sosweettobreathe，sosuretokillinafewscoresofyearsatfarthest，anditsheart-breakingwoeswhichmakeeventhatbriefspaceoftimeaneternity？Therecanbebutoneanswerthatwillmeetthisterriblequestion，whichmustariseineverythinkingnaturethatwouldfain"justifythewaysofGodtomen。”Somustitbeuntilthat"onefar-offdivineeventTowhichthewholecreationmoves"

hasbecomeareality，andtheantheminwhichthereisnodiscordantnoteshallbejoinedbyavoicefromeverylifemade"perfectthroughsufferings。”

SuchwasthelessonintowhichIlivedinthosesadyetplacidyearsofcompanionshipwithmysufferingandsorrowingfriend，inretracingwhichIseemedtofindanotherexistencemingledwithmyown。

AndnowformanymonthsIhavebeenlivingindailyrelationsofintimacywithonewhoseemsnearertomesincehehasleftusthanwhilehewashereinlivingformandfeature。IdidnotknowhowdifficultataskIhadundertakeninventuringuponamemoirofamanwhomall，oralmostall，agreeuponasoneofthegreatlightsoftheNewWorld，andwhomverymanyregardasanunpredictedMessiah。

NeverbeforewasIsoforciblyremindedofCarlyle"sdescriptionoftheworkofanewspapereditor，——thatthreshingofstrawalreadythricebeatenbytheflailsofotherlaborersinthesamefield。

Whatcouldbesaidthathadnotbeensaidof"transcendentalism"andofhimwhowasregardedasitsprophet；ofthepoetwhomsomeadmiredwithoutunderstanding，afewunderstood，orthoughttheydid，withoutadmiring，andmanybothunderstoodandadmired，——amongthesetherebeingnotasmallnumberwhowentfarbeyondadmiration，andlostthemselvesindevoutworship？Whileoneexaltedhimas"thegreatestmanthateverlived，"another，afriend，famousintheworldofletters，wroteexpresslytocautionmeagainstthedangerofoverratingawriterwhomheiscontenttorecognizeasanAmericanMontaigne，andnothingmore。

AfterfinishingthisMemoir，whichhasbutjustleftmyhands，I

wouldgladlyhaveletmybrainrestforawhile。ThewiderangeofthoughtwhichbelongedtothesubjectoftheMemoir，theoccasionalmysticismandthefrequenttendencytowardit，thesweepofimaginationandthesparkleofwitwhichkepthisreader"smindonthestretch，theunionofprevailinggoodsensewithexceptionalextravagances，themodestaudacityofanaturethatshoweditselfinitsnakedtruthfulnessandwasnotashamed，thefeelingthatIwasinthecompanyofasibyllineintelligencewhichwasdiscountingthepromisesoftheremotefuturelongbeforetheyweredue，——allthismadethetaskagraveone。ButwhenIfoundmyselfamidstthevorticesofuncounted，various，bewilderingjudgments，CatholicandProtestant，orthodoxandliberal，scholarlyfromunderthetreeofknowledgeandinstinctivefromoverthepotato-hill；thepassionateenthusiasmofyoungadorersandthecool，ifnotcynical，estimateofhardenedcritics，allintersectingeachotherastheywhirled，eacharounditsowncentre，Ifeltthatitwasindeedverydifficulttokeepthefacultiesclearandthejudgmentunbiassed。

Itisagreatprivilegetohavelivedsolonginthesocietyofsuchaman。"Henothingcommon"said，"ormean。”Hewasalwaysthesamepureandhigh-souledcompanion。Afterbeingwithhimvirtueseemedasnaturaltomanasitsoppositedidaccordingtotheoldtheologies。Buthowtoletone"sselfdownfromthehighlevelofsuchacharactertoone"sownpoorstandard？Itrustthattheinfluenceofthislongintellectualandspiritualcompanionshipneverabsolutelyleavesonewhohaslivedinit。Itmaycometohimintheformofself-reproachthathefallssofarshortofthesuperiorbeingwhohasbeensolongtheobjectofhiscontemplation。Butitalsocarrieshimattimesintotheother"spersonality，sothathefindshimselfthinkingthoughtsthatarenothisown，usingphraseswhichhehasunconsciouslyborrowed，writing，itmaybe，asnearlylikehislong-studiedoriginalasJulioRomano"spaintingwaslikeRaphael"s；andallthiswiththeunquestioningconvictionthatheistalkingfromhisownconsciousnessinhisownnaturalway。Sofarastonesandexpressionsandhabitswhichbelongedtotheidiosyncrasyoftheoriginalareborrowedbythestudentofhislife，itisamisfortunefortheborrower。Buttosharetheinmostconsciousnessofanoblethinker，toscanone"sselfinthewhitelightofapureandradiantsoul，——thisisindeedthehighestformofteachinganddiscipline。

Ihavewrittenthesefewmemoirs，andIamgratefulforallthattheyhavetaughtme。Butletmewritenomore。Therearebuttwobiographerswhocantellthestoryofaman"sorawoman"slife。Oneisthepersonhimselforherself；theotheristheRecordingAngel。

Theautobiographercannotbetrustedtotellthewholetruth，thoughhemaytellnothingbutthetruth，andtheRecordingAngelneverletshisbookgooutofhisownhands。Asformyself，Iwouldsaytomyfriends，intheOrientalphrase，"Liveforever!"Yes，liveforever，andI，atleast，shallnothavetowrongyourmemoriesbymyimperfectrecordandunsatisfyingcommentary。

Inconnectionwiththesebiographies，ormemoirs，moreproperly，inwhichIhavewrittenofmydepartedfriends，Ihopemyreaderswillindulgemeinanotherpersonalreminiscence。Ihavejustlostmydearandhonoredcontemporaryofthelastcentury。Ahundredyearsagothisday，December13，1784，diedtheadmirableandevertoberememberedDr。SamuelJohnson。Theyear1709wasmadeponderousandillustriousinEnglishbiographybyhisbirth。Myownhumbleadventtotheworldofprotoplasmwasintheyear1809ofthepresentcentury。Summerwasjustendingwhenthosefourletters，"sonb。”

werewrittenunderthedateofmybirth，August29th。Autumnhadjustbegunwhenmygreatpre-contemporaryenteredthisun-ChristianuniverseandwasmadeamemberoftheChristianchurchonthesameday，forhewasbornandbaptizedonthe18thofSeptember。

ThustherewasestablishedaclosebondofrelationshipbetweenthegreatEnglishscholarandwriterandmyself。Yearbyyear，andalmostmonthbymonth，mylifehaskeptpaceinthiscenturywithhislifeinthelastcentury。IhadonlytoopenmyBoswellatanytime，andIknewjustwhatJohnsonatmyage，twentyorfiftyorseventy，wasthinkinganddoing；whatwerehisfeelingsaboutlife；whatchangestheyearshadwroughtinhisbody，hismind，hisfeelings，hiscompanionships，hisreputation。Itwasformeakindofunisonbetweentwoinstruments，bothplayingthatoldfamiliarair，"Life，"——

oneabassoon，ifyouwill，andtheotheranoatenpipe，ifyoucaretofindanimageforit，butstillkeepingpacewitheachotheruntiltheplayersbothgrewoldandgray。Atlastthethinnerthreadofsoundisheardbyitself，anditsdeepaccompanimentrollsoutitsthundernomore。

Ifeellonelynowthatmygreatcompanionandfriendofsomanyyearshasleftme。IfeltmoreintimatelyacquaintedwithhimthanIdowithmanyofmylivingfriends。IcanhardlyrememberwhenIdidnotknowhim。Icanseehiminhisbushywig，exactlylikethatoftheReverendDr。SamuelCooper(whodiedinDecember，1783)asCopleypaintedhim，——hehangsthereonmywall，overtherevolvingbookcase。

Hisamplecoat，too，Isee，withitsbroadflapsandmanybuttonsandgenerouscuffs，andbeneathitthelong，stillmorecopiouslybuttonedwaistcoat，archinginfrontofthefinecrescentic，almostsemi-lunarFalstaffianprominence，involvingnolessthanadozenoftheabove-mentionedbuttons，andthestronglegswiththeirsturdycalves，fittingcolumnsofsupporttothemassivebodyandsolid，capaciousbrainenthronedoverit。IcanhearhimwithhisheavytreadashecomesintotheClub，andagapiswidenedtomakeroomforhisportlyfigure。"Afineday，"saysSirJoshua。"Sir，"heanswers，"itseemspropitious，buttheatmosphereishumidandtheskiesarenebulous，"atwhichthegreatpaintersmiles，shiftshistrumpet，andtakesapinchofsnuff。

Dearoldmassive，deep-voiceddogmatistandhypochondriacoftheeighteenthcentury，howonewouldliketositatsomeghastlyClub，betweenyouandthebony，"mighty-mouthed，"harsh-tonedtermagantanddyspepticofthenineteenth!ThegrowloftheEnglishmastiffandthesnarloftheScotchterrierwouldmakeaduetwhichwouldenliventheshoresofLethe。IwishIcouldfindour"spiritualist"s"paperinthePortfolio，inwhichthetwoarebroughttogether，butIhardlyknowwhatIshallfindwhenitisopened。

Yes，mylifeisalittlelessprecioustomesinceIhavelostthatdearoldfriend；andwhenthefuneraltrainmovestoWestminsterAbbeynextSaturday，forIfeelasifthiswere1784，andnot1884，——

Iseemtofindmyselffollowingthehearse，oneofthesilentmourners。

Amongtheeventswhichhaverenderedthepastyearmemorabletomehasbeenthedemolitionofthatvenerableandinterestingolddwelling-house，preciousforitsintimateassociationwiththeearlieststagesofthewaroftheRevolution，andsacredtomeasmybirthplaceandthehomeofmyboyhood。

The"OldGambrel-roofedHouse"existsnolonger。Iremembersayingsomething，inoneofaseriesofpaperspublishedlongago，abouttheexperienceofdyingoutofahouse，——ofleavingitforever，asthesouldiesoutofthebody。Wemaydieoutofmanyhouses，butthehouseitselfcandiebutonce；andsorealisthelifeofahousetoonewhohasdweltinit，moreespeciallythelifeofthehousewhichheldhimindreamyinfancy，inrestlessboyhood，inpassionateyouth，——soreal，Isay，isitslife，thatitseemsasifsomethinglikeasoulofitmustoutlastitsperishingframe。

TheslaughteroftheOldGambrel-roofedHousewas，Iamreadytoadmit，acaseofjustifiabledomicide。Notthelesswasittobedeploredbyallwholovethememoriesofthepast。Withitsdestructionareobliteratedsomeofthefootprintsoftheheroesandmartyrswhotookthefirststepsinthelongandbloodymarchwhichledusthroughthewildernesstothepromisedlandofindependentnationality。Personally，Ihavearighttomournforitasapartofmylifegonefromme。Myprivategriefforitslosswouldbeamatterformysolitarydigestion，wereitnotthattheexperiencethroughwhichIhavejustpassedisonesofamiliartomyfellow-

countrymenthat，intellingmyownreflectionsandfeelings，Iamrepeatingthoseofgreatnumbersofmenandwomenwhohavehadthemisfortunetooutlivetheirbirthplace。

Itisagreatblessingtobebornsurroundedbyanaturalhorizon。

TheOldGambrel-roofedHousecouldnotboastanunbrokenringofnaturalobjectsencirclingit。Northerlyitlookeduponitsownoutbuildingsandsomeunpretendingtwo-storyhouseswhichhadbeenitsneighborsforacenturyandmore。Tothesouthofitthesquarebrickdormitoriesandthebelfriedhalloftheuniversityhelpedtoshutoutthedistantview。Butthewestwindowsgaveabroadoutlookacrossthecommon，beyondwhichthehistorical"Washingtonelm"andtwocompanionsinlinewithit，spreadtheirleavesinsummerandtheirnetworksinwinter。Andfarawayrosethehillsthatboundedtheview，withtheglimmerhereandthereofthewhitewallsortheilluminatedcasementsofsomeembowered，half-hiddenvilla。

Eastwardlyalso，theprospectwas，inmyearlierremembrance，widelyopen，andIhavefrequentlyseenthesunlitsailsglidingalongasifthroughthelevelfields，fornowaterwasvisible。Sotherewerebroadexpansesontwosidesatleast，formyimaginationtowanderover。

Icannothelpthinkingthatwecarryourchildhood"shorizonwithusallourdays。Amongthesewesternwoodedhillsmyday-dreamsbuilttheirfairypalaces，andevennow，asIlookatthemfrommylibrarywindow，acrosstheestuaryoftheCharles，Ifindmyselfinthefamiliarhomeofmyearlyvisions。The"cloudsofglory"whichwetrailwithusinafterlifeneednotbetracedtoapre-natalstate。

Thereisenoughtoaccountfortheminthatunconsciouslyrememberedperiodofexistencebeforewehavelearnedthehardlimitationsofreallife。Thoseearliestmonthsinwhichwelivedinsensationswithoutwords，andideasnotfetteredinsentences，haveallthefreshnessofproofsofanengraving"beforetheletter。”Iamverythankfulthatthefirstpartofmylifewasnotpassedshutinbetweenhighwallsandtreadingtheunimpressibleandunsympatheticpavement。

Ouruniversitytownwasverymuchliketherealcountry，inthosedaysofwhichIamthinking。Therewereplentyofhuckleberriesandblueberrieswithinhalfamileofthehouse。Blackberriesripenedinthefields，acornsandshagbarksdroppedfromthetrees，squirrelsranamongthebranches，andnotrarelythehen-hawkmightbeseencirclingoverthebarnyard。Stillanotherruralelementwasnotwanting，intheformofthatfar-diffused，infragranteffluvium，which，dilutedbyagoodhalfmileofpureatmosphere，isnolongerodious，nayispositivelyagreeable，tomanywhohavelongknownit，thoughitssourceandcentrehasanunenviablereputation。IneednotnametheanimalwhoseParthianwarfareterrifiesandputstoflightthemightiesthunterthateverrousedthetigerfromhisjungleorfacedthelionofthedesert。Strangeasitmayseem，anaerialhintofhispersonalityinthefardistancealwaysawakensinmymindpleasantremembrancesandtenderreflections。Awholeneighborhoodrisesupbeforeme:thebarn，withitshaymow，wherethehenslaidtheireggstohatch，andweboyshidourapplestoripen，bothoccasionallyillustratingthesicvosnonvobis；theshed，wheretheannualTragedyofthePigwasactedwitharealismthatmadeSalvini"sOthelloseembutapalecounterfeit；thericketyoldouthouse，withthe"corn-chamber"whichthemiceknewsowell；thepavedyard，withitsopengutter，——theseandhowmuchelsecomeupatthehintofmyfar-offfriend，whoismyverynearenemy。Nothingismorefamiliarthanthepowerofsmellinrevivingoldmemories。

Therewasthatquitedifferentfragranceofthewood-house，thesmelloffreshsawdust。Itcomesbacktomenow，andwithitthehissofthesaw；thetumbleofthedivorcedlogswhichGodputtogetherandmanhasjustputasunder；thecomingdownoftheaxeandthehah!

thathelpedit，——thestraight-grainedstickopeningatthefirstappealoftheimplementasifitwereapleasure，andthestickwithaknotinthemiddleofitthatmockedtheblowsandthehahs!untilthebeetleandwedgemadeitlistentoreason，——therearejustsuchstraight-grainedandjustsuchknottymenandwomen。AllthispassesthroughmymindwhileBiddy，whoseparlor-nameisAngela，contentsherselfwithexclaiming"egh!*******!"

HowdifferentdistanceswereinthoseyoungdaysofwhichIamthinking!Fromtheoldhousetotheoldyellowmeeting-house，wheretheheadofthefamilypreachedandthelimbsofthefamilylistened，wasnotmuchmorethantwoorthreetimesthewidthofCommonwealthAvenue。Butofahotsummer"safternoon，afterhavingalreadyheardonesermon，whichcouldnotinthenatureofthingshavethecharmofnoveltyofpresentationtothemembersofthehomecircle，andthetheologyofwhichwasnottoocleartotenderapprehensions；withthreehymnsmoreorlesslugubrious，renderedbyavillage-choir，gotintovoicebymanypreliminarysnufflesandotherexpiratoryefforts，andaccompaniedbythesnortofahugebassviolwhichwallowedthroughthetunelikeahippopotamus，withotherexercisesofthecustomarycharacter，——afterallthisintheforenoon，theafternoonwalktothemeeting-houseinthehotsuncountedforasmuch，inmychildishdead-reckoning，asfromoldIsraelPorter"sinCambridgetotheExchangeCoffeehouseinBostondidinafteryears。Ittakesagoodwhiletomeasuretheradiusofthecirclethatisaboutus，forthemoonseemsatfirstasnearasthewatchface。Whoknowsbutthat，afteracertainnumberofages，theplanetweliveonmayseemtousnobiggerthanourneighborVenusappearedwhenshepassedbeforethesunafewmonthsago，lookingasifwecouldtakeherbetweenourthumbandfinger，likeabulletoramarble？Andtime，too；howlongwasitfromtheserioussunrisetothejoyous"sun-

down"ofanold-fashioned，puritanical，judaicalfirstdayoftheweek，whichapiousfraudchristened"theSabbath"？Wasitafortnight，aswenowreckonduration，oronlyaweek？Curiousentities，ornon-entities，spaceandtithe？Whenyouseeametaphysiciantryingtowashhishandsofthemandgetridoftheseaccidents，soastolayhisdry，cleanpalmontheabsolute，doesitnotremindyouofthehopelesstaskofchangingthecoloroftheblackamoorbyasimilarproceeding？Forspaceisthefluidinwhichheiswashing，andtimeisthesoapwhichheisusingupintheprocess，andhecannotgetfreefromthemuntilhecanwashhimselfinamentalvacuum。