Inmyreferencetotheoldhouseinaformerpaper，publishedyearsago，Isaid，\"ByandbythestonyfootofthegreatUniversitywillplantitselfonthiswholeterritory，andtheprivaterecollectionswhichclungsotenaciouslytotheplaceanditshabitationswillhavediedwiththosewhocherishedthem。”
WhatstridesthegreatUniversityhastakensincethosewordswerewritten!DuringallmyearlyyearsouroldHarvardAlmaMatersatstillandlifelessasthecolossiintheEgyptiandesert。Thenallatonce，likethestatueinDonGiovanni，shemovedfromherpedestal。Thefallofthat\"stonyfoot\"haseffectedamiracleliketheharpthatOrpheusplayed，liketheteethwhichCadmussowed。TheplainwherethemooseandthebearwerewanderingwhileShakespearewaswritingHamlet，whereafewplaindormitoriesandotherneededbuildingswerescatteredaboutinmyschool-boydays，groansundertheweightofthemassiveedificeswhichhavesprungupallaroundthem，crownedbythetowerofthatnoblestructurewhichstandsinfullviewbeforemeasIliftmyeyesfromtheportfolioonthebackofwhichIamnowwriting。
ForImustbepermittedtoremindyouthatIhavenotyetopenedit。
IhavetoldyouthatIhavejustfinishedalongmemoir，andthatithascostmenolittlelabortoovercomesomeofitsdifficulties，——ifIhaveovercomethem，whichothersmustdecide。AndIfeelexactlyashonestDobbinfeelswhenhisharnessisslippedoffafteralongjourneywithagooddealofup-hillwork。Hewantstorestalittle，thentofeedalittle；then，ifyouwillturnhimlooseinthepasture，hewantstoroll。Ihaveleftmystarryandetherealcompanionship，——notforalongtime，Ihope，forithasliftedmeabovemycommonself，butforawhile。AndnowIwant，sotospeak，torollinthegrassandamongthedandelionswiththeotherpachyderms。SoIhavekepttotheoutsideoftheportfolioasyet，andamdisportingmyselfinreminiscences，andfancies，andvagaries，andparentheses。
HowwellIunderstandthefeelingwhichledthePisanstoloadtheirvesselswithearthfromtheHolyLand，andfilltheareaoftheCampoSantowiththatsacredsoil!Theoldhousestooduponaboutasperversealittlepatchoftheplanetaseverharboredahalf-starvedearth-worm。ItwasassandyasSaharaandasthirstyasTantalus。
Therusticaid-de-campsofthehouseholdusedtoaverthatallfertilizingmatters\"leached\"throughit。Itriedtodisprovetheirassertionbygorgingitwiththebestofterrestrialnourishment，untilIbecameconvincedthatIwasfeedingthetea-plantsofChina，andthenIgaveovertheattempt。AndyetIdidlove，anddolove，thataridpatchofground。IwonderifasingleflowercouldnotbemadetogrowinapotofearthfromthatCampoSantoofmychildhood!
Onenobleproductofnaturedidnotrefusetoflourishthere，——thetall，stately，beautiful，soft-haired，many-jointed，generousmaizeorIndiancorn，whichthrivesonsandanddefiestheblazeofourshrivellingsummer。Whatchildbutlovestowanderinitsforest-
likedepths，amidsttherustlingleavesandwiththeloftytasselstossingtheirheadshighabovehim!Therearetwoaspectsofthecornfieldwhichalwaysimpressmyimagination:thefirstwhenithasreacheditsfullgrowth，anditsorderedrankslooklikeanarmyonthemarchwithitsplumedandbanneredbattalions；thesecondwhen，afterthebattleoftheharvest，thegirdledstacksstandonthefieldofslaughterlikesomanyraggedNiobes，——sayratherlikethecrazywidowsanddaughtersofthedeadsoldiery。
Oncemoreletuscomebacktotheoldhouse。Itwasfaralonginitssecondcenturywhentheedictwentforththatitmuststandnolonger。
Thenaturaldeathofahouseisverymuchlikethatofoneofitshumantenants。Theroofisthefirstparttoshowthedistinctsignsofage。Slatesandtilesloosenandatlastslideoff，andleavebaldtheboardsthatsupportedthem；shinglesdarkenanddecay，andsoonthegarretortheatticletsintherainandthesnow；byandbythebeamssag，thefloorswarp，thewallscrack，thepaperpeelsaway，theceilingsscaleoffandfall，thewindowsarecrustedwithclingingdust，thedoorsdropfromtheirrustedhinges，thewindscomeinwithoutknockingandhowltheircrueldeath-songsthroughtheemptyroomsandpassages，andatlasttherecomesacrash，agreatcloudofdustrises，andthehomethathadbeentheshelterofgenerationaftergenerationfindsitsgraveinitsowncellar。Onlythechimneyremainsasitsmonument。Slowly，littlebylittle，thepatientsolventsthatfindnothingtoohardfortheirchemistrypickoutthemortarfrombetweenthebricks；atlastamightywindroarsarounditandrushesagainstit，andthemonumentalreliccrashesdownamongthewrecksithaslongsurvived。Sodiesahumanhabitationlefttonaturaldecay，allthatwasseenabovethesurfaceofthesoilsinkinggraduallybelowit，TillnaughtremainsthesaddeningtaletotellSavehome\'slastwrecks，thecellarandthewell。
Butifthissightissaddening，whatisittoseeahumandwellingfallbythehandofviolence!Therippingoffoftheshelterthathaskeptoutathousandstorms，thetearingoffoftheonceornamentalwoodwork，thewrenchoftheinexorablecrowbar，themurderousblowsoftheaxe，theprogressiveruin，whichendsbyrendingallthejointsasunderandflingingthetenonedandmortisedtimbersintoheapsthatwillbesawedandsplittowarmsomenewhabitationasfirewood，——whatabrutalactofdestructionitseems!
WhyshouldIgoovertheoldhouseagain，havingalreadydescribeditmorethantenyearsago？Alas!howmanyrememberanythingtheyreadbutonce，andsolongagoasthat？Howmanywouldfinditoutifoneshouldsayoverinthesamewordsthatwhichhesaidinthelastdecade？Butthereisreallynoneedoftellingthestoryasecondtime，foritcanbefoundbythosewhoarecuriousenoughtolookitupinavolumeofwhichitoccupiestheopeningchapter。
Inorder，however，tosaveanyinquisitivereaderthattrouble，letmeremindhimthattheoldhousewasGeneralWard\'sheadquartersatthebreakingoutoftheRevolution；thattheplanforfortifyingBunker\'sHillwaslaid，ascommonlybelieved，inthesoutheastlowerroom，thefloorofwhichwascoveredwithdents，made，itwasalleged，bythebuttsofthesoldiers\'muskets。Inthathouse，too，GeneralWarrenprobablypassedthenightbeforetheBunkerHillbattle，andoveritsthresholdmustthestatelyfigureofWashingtonhaveoftencastitsshadow。
Butthehouseinwhichonedrewhisfirstbreath，andwhereheonedaycameintotheconsciousnessthathewasapersonality，anego，alittleuniversewithaskyoverhimallhisown，withapersistentidentity，withtheterribleresponsibilityofaseparate，independent，inalienableexistence，——thathousedoesnotaskforanyhistoricalassociationstomakeitthecentreoftheearthforhim。
Ifthereisanypersonintheworldtobeenvied，itistheonewhoisborntoanancientestate，withalonglineoffamilytraditionsandthemeansinhishandsofshapinghismansionandhisdomaintohisowntaste，withoutlosingsightofallthecharacteristicfeatureswhichsurroundedhisearliestyears。TheAmericanis，forthemostpart，anomad，whopullsdownhishouseastheTartarpullsuphistent-poles。IfIhadanideallifetoplanforhimitwouldbesomethinglikethis:
Hisgrandfathershouldbeawise，scholarly，large-brained，large-
heartedcountryminister，fromwhomheshouldinheritthetemperamentthatpredisposestocheerfulnessandenjoyment，withthefinerinstinctswhichdirectlifetonobleaimsandmakeitrichwiththegratificationofpureandelevatedtastesandthecarryingoutofplansforthegoodofhisneighborsandhisfellow-creatures。Heshould，ifpossible，havebeenborn，atanyratehavepassedsomeofhisearlyyears，oralargepartofthem，undertheroofofthegoodoldminister。Hisfathershouldbe，wewillsay，abusinessmaninoneofourgreatcities，——agenerousmanipulatorofmillions，someofwhichhaveadheredtohisprivatefortunes，inspiteofhisliberaluseofhismeans。Hisheir，ourideallyplacedAmerican，shalltakepossessionoftheoldhouse，thehomeofhisearliestmemories，andpreserveitsacredly，notexactlyliketheSantaCasa，but，asnearlyasmaybe，justasheremembersit。Hecanaddasmanyacresashewilltothenarrowhouse-lot。Hecanbuildagrandmansionforhimself，ifhechooses，inthenotdistantneighborhood。Buttheoldhouse，andallimmediatelyroundit，shallbeasherecollectsitwhenbehadtostretchhislittlearmuptoreachthedoor-handles。
Then，havingwellprovidedforhisownhousehold，himselfincluded，lethimbecometheprovidenceofthevillageorthetownwherebefindshimselfduringatleastaportionofeveryyear。Itsschools，itslibrary，itspoor，——andperhapsthenewclergymanwhohassucceededhisgrandfather\'ssuccessormaybeoneofthem，——allitsinterests，heshallmakehisown。Andfromthiscentrehisbeneficenceshallradiatesofarthatallwhohearofhiswealthshallalsohearofhimasafriendtohisrace。
Isnotthisapleasingprogramme？Wealthisasteephill，whichthefatherclimbsslowlyandthesonoftentumblesdownprecipitately；
butthereisatable-landonalevelwithit，whichmaybefoundbythosewhodonotlosetheirheadinlookingdownfromitssharplyclovensummit——Ourdangerouslyrichmencanmakethemselveshated，heldasenemiesoftherace，orbelovedandrecognizedasitsbenefactors。Thecloudsofdiscontentarethreatening，butifthegold-pointedlightning-rodsarerightlydistributedthedestructiveelementmaybedrawnoffsilentlyandharmlessly。ForitcannotberepeatedtoooftenthatthesafetyofgreatwealthwithusliesinobediencetothenewversionoftheOldWorldaxiom，RICHESSoblige。
THENEWPORTFOLIO:FIRSTOPENING。
AMORTALANTIPATHY。
I
GETTINGREADY。
Itisimpossibletobeginastorywhichmustofnecessitytaxthepowersofbeliefofreadersunacquaintedwiththeclassoffactstowhichitscentralpointofinterestbelongswithoutsomewordsinthenatureofpreparation。ReadersofCharlesLambrememberthatSarahBattleinsistedonaclean-swepthearthbeforesittingdowntoherfavoritegameofwhist。
Thenarratorwishestosweepthehearth，asitwere，intheseopeningpages，beforesittingdowntotellhisstory。Hedoesnotintendtofrightenthereaderawaybyprolixexplanation，buthedoesmeantowarnhimagainsthastyjudgmentswhenfactsarerelatedwhicharenotwithintherangeofevery-dayexperience。DidheeverseetheSiamesetwins，oranypairlikethem？Probablynot，yethefeelssurethatChangandEngreallyexisted；andifhehastakenthetroubletoinquire，hehassatisfiedhimselfthatsimilarcaseshavebeenrecordedbycrediblewitnesses，thoughatlongintervalsandincountriesfarapartfromeachother。
Thisisthefirstsweepofthebrush，toclearthehearthoftheskepticismandincredulitywhichmustbegotoutofthewaybeforewecanbegintotellandtolisteninpeacewithourselvesandeachother。
Onemorestrokeofthebrushisneededbeforethestagewillbereadyforthechiefcharactersandtheleadingcircumstancestowhichthereader\'sattentionisinvited。Iftheprincipalpersonagesmadetheirentranceatonce，thereaderwouldhavetocreateforhimselfthewholesceneryoftheirsurroundingconditions。Inpointoffact，nomatterhowastoryisbegun，manyofitsreadershavealreadyshapeditschiefactorsoutofanyhinttheauthormayhavedropped，andprovidedfromtheirownresourcesalocalityandasetofoutwardconditionstoenvirontheseimaginedpersonalities。Thesearealltobebrushedaway，andtheactualsurroundingsofthesubjectofthenarrativerepresentedastheywere，attheriskofdetainingthereaderalittlewhilefromtheeventsmostlikelytointeresthim。
Thechoicesteggthateverwaslaidwasnotsobigasthenestthatheldit。Ifastoryweresointerestingthatamaidenwouldratherhearitthanlistentothepraiseofherownbeauty，orapoetwouldratherreaditthanrecitehisownverses，stillitwouldhavetobewrappedinsometissueofcircumstance，oritwouldlosehalfitseffectiveness。
Itmaynotbeeasytofindtheexactlocalityreferredtointhisnarrativebylookingintothefirstgazetteerthatisathand。
Recentexperienceshaveshownthatitisunsafetobetooexactindesignatingplacesandthepeoplewholiveinthem。Thereare，itmaybeadded，somanyadvertisementsdisguisedundertheformofstoriesandotherliteraryproductionsthatonenaturallydesirestoavoidthesuspicionofbeingemployedbytheenterprisingproprietorsofthisorthatcelebratedresorttousehisgiftsfortheirespecialbenefit。Therearenodoubtmanypersonswhoremembertheoldsignandtheoldtavernanditsfourchiefpersonagespresentlytobementioned。Itistobehopedthattheywillnotfurnishthepublicwithakeytothisnarrative，andperhapsbringtroubletothewriterofit，ashashappenedtootherauthors。Iftherealnamesarealittlealtered，itneednotinterferewiththeimportantfactsrelatingtothosewhobearthem。ItmightnotbesafetotelladamagingstoryaboutJohnorJamesSmythe；butiftheslightchangeismadeofspellingthenameSmith，theSmytheswouldneverthinkofbringinganaction，asiftheallusionrelatedtoanyofthem。ThesamegulfoffamilydistinctionseparatestheThompsonswithapfromtheThomsonswithoutthatletter。
TherearefewpleasanterplacesintheNorthernStatesforasummerresidencethanthatknownfromthefirstperiodofitssettlementbythenameofArrowheadVillage。TheIndianshadfounditout，astherelicstheyleftbehindthemabundantlytestified。Thecommonestofthesewerethosechippedstoneswhicharethemedalsofbarbarism，andfromWhichtheplacetookitsname，——theheadsofarrows，ofvarioussizes，material，andpatterns:somesmallenoughforkillingfishandlittlebirds，somelargeenoughforsuchgameasthemooseandthebear，tosaynothingofthehostileIndianandthewhitesettler；someofflint，nowandthenoneofwhitequartz，andothersofvariouslycoloredjasper。TheIndiansmusthavelivedhereformanygenerations，anditmusthavebeenakindoffactoryvillageofthestoneage，——whichlasteduptonearthepresenttime，ifwemayjudgefromthefactthatmanyoftheserelicsaremetwithclosetothesurfaceoftheground。
Nowondertheyfoundthisapleasantresidence，foritisto-dayoneofthemostattractiveofallsummerresorts；soinviting，indeed，thatthosewhoknowitdonotliketosaytoomuchaboutit，lesttheswarmsoftouristsshouldmakeitunendurabletothosewholoveitforitself，andnotasacentreoffashionabledisplayandextramuralcockneyism。
Thereisthelake，inthefirstplace，——CedarLake，——aboutfivemileslong，andfromhalfamiletoamileandahalfwide，stretchingfromnorthtosouth。NearthenorthernextremityarethebuildingsofStoughtonUniversity，aflourishingyoungcollegewithanambitiousname，butwellequippedandpromising，thegroundsofwhichreachthewater。AtthesouthernendofthelakearetheedificesoftheCorinnaInstitute，afavoriteschoolforyoungladies，wherelargenumbersofthedaughtersofAmericaarefitted，sofaraseducationcandoit，forallstationsinlife，fromcampingoutwithahusbandattheminesinNevadatoactingthepartofchiefladyofthelandintheWhiteHouseatWashington。
Midwaybetweenthetwoextremities，ontheeasternshoreofthelake，isavalleybetweentwohills，whichcomedowntotheveryedgeofthelake，leavingonlyroomenoughforaroadbetweentheirbaseandthewater。Thisvalley，halfamileinwidth，hasbeenlongsettled，andhereforacenturyormorehasstoodtheoldAnchorTavern。A
famousplaceitwassolongasitssignswungatthesideoftheroad:famousforitslandlord，portly，paternal，whosewelcometoaguestthatlookedworthyoftheattentionwaslikethatofaparenttoareturningprodigal，andwhosepartingwordswerealmostasgoodasamarriagebenediction；famousforitslandlady，ampleinperson，motherly，seeingtothewholehouseholdwithherowneyes，mistressofallculinarysecretsthatNorthernkitchensaremostproudof；
famousalsoforitsancientservant，ascitypeoplewouldcallher，——help，asshewascalledinthetavernandwouldhavecalledherself，——theunchanging，seeminglyimmortalMiranda，whocaredfortheguestsasifsheweretheirnursingmother，andpressedthespeciallyfavoritedelicaciesontheirattentionasaconnoisseurcallsthewanderingeyesofanamateurtothebeautiesofapicture。
WhothathaseverbeenattheoldAnchorTavernforgetsMiranda\'s\"Alittleofthisfricassee？-itisver-ynice；\"
or\"Someofthesecakes？Youwillfindthemver-ygood。”
Norwoulditbejusttomemorytoforgetthatothernotableandnotedmemberofthehousehold，——theunsleeping，unresting，omnipresentPushee，readyforeverybodyandeverything，everywherewithinthelimitsoftheestablishmentatallhoursofthedayandnight。Hefed，nobodycouldsayaccuratelywhenorwhere。Therewererumorsofa\"bunk，\"inwhichhelaydownwithhisclotheson，butheseemedtobealwayswideawake，andattheserviceofasmanyguest，atonceasiftherehadbeenhalfadozenofhim。
Somuchforoldreminiscences。
ThelandlordoftheAnchorTavernhadtakendownhissign。Hehadhadthehousethoroughlyrenovatedandfurnisheditanew，andkeptitopeninsummerforafewboarders。Ithappenedmorethanoncethatthesummerboardersweresomuchpleasedwiththeplacethattheystayedonthroughtheautumn，andsomeofthemthroughthewinter。
Theattractionsofthevillagewerereallyremarkable。Boatinginsummer，andskatinginwinter；ice-boats，too，whichthewildduckscouldhardlykeepupwith；fishing，forwhichthelakewasrenowned；
variedandbeautifulwalksthroughthevalleyandupthehillsides；
housesshelteredfromthenorthandnortheasterlywinds，andrefreshedinthehotsummerdaysbythebreezewhichcameoverthewater，——allthismadetheframeforapleasingpictureofrestandhappiness。Buttherewasagreatdealmorethanthis。Therewasafinelibraryinthelittlevillage，presentedandrichlyendowedbyawealthynativeoftheplace。Therewasasmallpermanentpopulationofasuperiorcharactertothatofaneverydaycountrytown；therewasaprettylittleEpiscopalchurch，withagood-heartedrector，broadenoughfortheBishopofthediocesetobealittleafraidof，andhospitabletoalloutsiders，ofwhom，inthesummerseason，therewerealwayssomewhowantedaplaceofworshiptokeeptheirreligionfromdyingoutduringtheheathenmonths，whiletheshepherdsoftheflockstowhichtheybelongedwereawayfromtheiremptyfolds。
Whatmosthelpedtokeeptheplacealiveallthroughtheyearwasthefrequentcomingtogetherofthemembersofacertainliteraryassociation。Sometimebeforethetaverntookdownitssignthelandlordhadbuiltahall，wheremanyaballhadbeenheld，towhichtheyoungfolksofallthecountryroundhadresorted。Itwasstillsometimesusedforsimilaroccasions，butitwasespeciallynotableasbeingtheplaceofmeetingofthefamousPANSOPHIANSOCIETY。
Thisassociation，thenameofwhichmightbeinvidiouslyinterpretedassignifyingthatitsmemberskneweverything，hadnosuchpretensions，but，asitsConstitutionsaidveryplainlyandmodestly，helditselfopentoacceptknowledgeonanyandallsubjectsfromsuchashadknowledgetoimpart。ItsPresidentwastherectorofthelittlechapel，amanwho，inspiteoftheThirty-NineArticles，couldstandfirefromthewidest-mouthedhereticalblunderbusswithoutflinchingorlosinghistemper。ThehalloftheoldAnchorTavernwasaconvenientplaceofmeetingforthestudentsandinstructorsoftheUniversityandtheInstitute。Sometimesinboat-loads，sometimesincarriage-loads，sometimesinprocessionsofskaters，theycametothemeetingsinPansophianHall，asitwasnowcommonlycalled。
Thesemeetingshadgrowntobeoccasionsofgreatinterest。ItwascustomarytohavepaperswrittenbymembersoftheSociety，forthemostpart，butnowandthenbyfriendsofthemembers，sometimesbythestudentsoftheCollegeortheInstitute，andinrarerinstancesbyanonymouspersonages，whosepapers，havingbeenlookedoveranddiscussedbytheCommitteeappointedforthatpurpose，werethoughtworthlisteningto。Thevarietyoftopicsconsideredwasverygreat。
TheyoungladiesofthevillageandtheInstitutehadtheirfavoritesubjects，theyounggentlemenadifferentsetoftopics，andtheoccasionaloutsidecontributorstheirown；sothatonewhohappenedtobeadmittedtoameetingneverknewwhetherhewasgoingtohearanaccountofrecentarcticdiscoveries，oranessayonthefreedomofthewill，orapsychologicalexperience，orastory，orevenapoem。
Oflatetherehadbeenatendencytodiscussthequestionsrelatingtothetruestatusandthelegitimatesocialfunctionsofwoman。Themostconflictingviewswereheldonthesubject。ManyoftheyoungladiesandsomeoftheUniversitystudentswerestrongindefenceofallthe\"woman\'srights\"doctrines。Someoftheseyoungpeoplewereextremeintheirviews。TheyhadreadaboutSemiramisandBoadiceaandQueenElizabeth，untiltheywereready，iftheycouldgetthechance，tovoteforawomanasPresidentoftheUnitedStatesorasGeneraloftheUnitedStatesArmy。Theywereevendisposedtoassertthephysicalequalityofwomantoman，onthestrengthoftheratherquestionablehistoryoftheAmazons，andespeciallyofthestory，believedtobeauthentic，ofthefemalebody-guardoftheKingofDahomey，——femalesfrightfulenoughtoneednootherweaponthantheirlookstoscareoffanarmyofCossacks。
MissLuridaVincent，goldmedallistofheryearattheCorinnaInstitute，wastheleaderoftheseadvocatesofvirilewomanhood。Itwasrathersingularthatsheshouldhaveelectedtobetheapostleofthisextremedoctrine，forshewasherselffarbetterequippedwithbrainthanmuscles。Infact，shewasalarge-headed，large-eyed，long-eyelashed，slender-necked，slightlydevelopedyoungwoman；
lookingalmostlikeachildatanagewhenmanyofthegirlshadreachedtheirfullstatureandproportions。Inherstudiesshewassofarinadvanceofherdifferentclassesthattherewasalwaysawidegapbetweenherandthesecondscholar。SofataltoallrivalryhadsheprovedherselfthatshepassedundertheschoolnameofTheTerror。Shelearnedsoeasilythatsheundervaluedherownextraordinarygifts，andfeltthedeepestadmirationforthoseofherfriendsendowedwithfacultiesofanentirelydifferentandalmostoppositenature。Aftersittingatherdeskuntilherheadwashotandherfeetwerelikeice，shewouldgoandlookatthebloomingyounggirlsexercisinginthegymnasiumoftheschool，andfeelasifshewouldgiveallherknowledge，allhermathematicsandstrangetonguesandhistory，allthoseaccomplishmentsthatmadehertheencyclopaediaofeveryclassshebelongedto，ifshecouldgothroughtheseriesofdifficultandgracefulexercisesinwhichshesawherschoolmatesdelighting。
Oneamongthem，especially，wastheobjectofheradmiration，asshewasofallwhoknewherexceptionalpowersinthelineforwhichnaturehadspeciallyorganizedher。AllthephysicalperfectionswhichMissLuridahadmissedhadbeenunitedinMissEuthymiaTower，whoseschoolnamewasTheWonder。Thoughoffullwomanlystature，therewereseveraltallergirlsofherage。Whileallhercontoursandallhermovementsbetrayedafinemusculardevelopment，therewasnolackofproportion，andherfinelyshapedhandsandfeetshowedthatherorganizationwasoneofthosecarefullyfinishedmasterpiecesofnaturewhichsculptorsarealwaysinsearchof，andfindithardtodetectamongtheimperfectproductsofthelivinglaboratory。
Thisgirlofeighteenwasmorefamousthanshecaredtobeforherperformancesinthegymnasium。Shecommonlycontentedherselfwiththesameexercisesthathercompanionswereaccustomedto。Onlyherdumb-bells，withwhichsheexercisedeasilyandgracefully，weretooheavyformostofthegirlstodomorewiththanliftthemfromthefloor。
Shewasfondofdaringfeatsonthetrapeze，andhadtobecheckedinherindulgenceinthem。TheProfessorofgymnasticsattheUniversitycameovertotheInstitutenowandthen，anditwasasourceofgreatexcitementtowatchsomeoftheathleticexercisesinwhichtheyoungladyshowedherremarkablemuscularstrengthandskillinmanagingherselfintheaccomplishmentoffeatswhichlookedimpossibleatfirstsight。HowoftenTheTerrorhadthoughttoherselfthatshewouldgladlygiveupallherknowledgeofGreekandthedifferentialandintegralcalculusifshecouldonlyperformtheleastofthosefeatswhichweremereplaytoTheWonder!MissEuthymiawasnotbehindtherestinherattainmentsinclassicalormathematicalknowledge，andshewasoneoftheverybeststudentsintheout-doorbranches，——botany，mineralogy，sketchingfromnature，——
tobefoundamongthescholarsoftheInstitute。
Therewasaneight-oaredboatrowedbyacrewoftheyoungladies，ofwhichMissEuthymiawasthecaptainandpulledthebowoar。PoorlittleLuridacouldnotpullanoar，butongreatoccasions，whenthereweremanyboatsout，shewaswantedascoxswain，beingamerefeather-weight，andquick-wittedenoughtoservewellintheimportantofficewherebrainsaremoreneededthanmuscle。
Therewasalsoaneight-oaredboatbelongingtotheUniversity，androwedbyapickedcrewofstalwartyoungfellows。ThebowoarandcaptainoftheUniversitycrewwasapowerfulyoungman，who，likethecaptainofthegirls\'boat，wasanotedgymnast。HehadhadoneortwoquiettrialswithMissEuthymia，inwhich，accordingtotheultrasofthewoman\'srightsparty，hehadnotvindicatedthesuperiorityofhissexinthewaywhichmighthavebeenexpected。
Indeed，itwasclaimedthatheletacannon-balldropwhenheoughttohavecaughtit，anditwasnotdisputedthathehadbeeningloriouslyknockedoverbyasand-bagprojectedbythestrongarmsoftheyoungmaiden。Thiswasofcourseastorythatwaswidelytoldandlaughinglylistenedto，andthecaptainoftheUniversitycrewhadbecomealittlesensitiveonthesubject。Whentherewasatalk，therefore，aboutaracebetweenthechampionboatsofthetwoinstitutionstherewasimmenseexcitementinbothofthem，aswellasamongthemembersofthePansophianSocietyandallthegoodpeopleofthevillage。
Thereweremanyobjectionstobeovercome。Somethoughtitunladylikefortheyoungmaidenstotakepartinacompetitionwhichmustattractmanylookers-on，andwhichitseemedtothemveryhoidenishtoventureupon。Somesaiditwasashametoletacrewofgirlstrytheirstrengthagainstanequalnumberofpowerfulyoungmen。Theseobjectionswereoffsetbytheadvocatesoftheracebythefollowingarguments。Theymaintainedthatitwasnomorehoidenishtorowaboatthanitwastotakeapartinthecalisthenicexercises，andthatthegirlshadnothingtodowiththeyoungmen\'sboat，excepttokeepasmuchaheadofitaspossible。Astostrength，thewoman\'srightersbelievedthat，weightforweight，theircrewwasasstrongastheother，andofcoursedueallowancewouldbemadeforthedifferenceofweightandallotheraccidentalhindrances。Itwastimetotesttheboastedsuperiorityofmasculinemuscle。Herewasachance。Ifthegirlsbeat，thewholecountrywouldknowit，andafterthatfemalesuffragewouldbeonlyaquestionoftime。Suchwastheconclusion，fromratherinsufficientpremises，itmustbeconfessed；butifnaturedoesnothingpersaltum，——byjumps，——astheoldadagehasit，youthisveryapttotakelongleapsfromafacttoapossiblesequelorconsequence。Soithadcomeaboutthatacontestbetweenthetwoboat-crewswaslookedforwardtowithaninterestalmostequaltothatwithwhichthecombatbetweentheHoratiiandCuriatiiwasregarded。
Thetermshadbeenatlastarrangedbetweenthetwocrews，aftercautiousprotocolsandmanydiplomaticdiscussions。Itwassonovelinitscharacterthatitnaturallytookagooddealoftimetoadjustitinsuchawayastobefairtobothparties。Thecoursemustnotbetoolongforthelighterandweakercrew，forthestayingpoweroftheyoungpersonswhomadeitupcouldnotbesafelyreckonedupon。
Acertainadvantagemustbeallowedthematthestart，andthiswasadelicatemattertosettle。Theweatherwasanotherimportantconsideration。Junewouldbeearlyenough，inallprobability，andifthelakeshouldbetolerablysmooththegrandaffairmightcomeoffsometimeinthatmonth。Anyroughnessofthewaterwouldbeunfavorabletotheweakercrew。Therowing-coursewasontheeasternsideofthelake，thestarting-pointbeingoppositetheAnchorTavern；fromthatthreequartersofamiletothesouth，wheretheturning-stakewasfixed，sothatthewholecourseofonemileandahalfwouldbringtheboatsbacktotheirstarting-point。
TheracewastobebetweentheAlgonquin，eight-oaredboatwithoutriggers，rowedbyyoungmen，studentsofStoughtonUniversity，andtheAtalanta，alsoeight-oaredandoutriggerboat，byyoungladiesfromtheCorinnaInstitute。Theirboatwasthreeincheswiderthantheother，forvarioussufficientreasons，oneofwhichwastomakeitalittlelesslikelytogooverandthrowitscrewintothewater，whichwasasoundprecaution，thoughallthegirlscouldswim，andoneatleast，thebowoar，wasafamousswimmer，whohadpulledadrowningmanoutofthewaterafterahardstruggletokeephimfromcarryingherdownwithhim。
Thoughthecomingtrialhadnotbeenadvertisedinthepapers，soastodrawtogetherarabbleofbettingmenandill-conditionedlookers-
on，therewasaconsiderablegathering，madeupchieflyofthevillagersandthestudentsofthetwoinstitutions。Amongthemwereafewwhoweredisposedtoaddtotheirinterestinthetrialbysmallwagers。Thebetswereratherinfavorofthe\"Quins，\"astheUniversityboatwascommonlycalled，exceptwherethenaturalsympathyoftheyoungladiesorthegallantryofsomeoftheyoungmenledthemtorisktheirglovesorcigars，orwhateveritmightbe，ontheAtalantas。Theelementsofjudgmentwerethese:averageweightoftheAlgonquinsonehundredandsixty-fivepounds；averageweightoftheAtalantas，onehundredandforty-eightpounds；skillinpracticeaboutequal；advantageofthenarrowboatequaltothreelengths；wholedistanceallowedtheAtalantaseightlengths，——alongstretchtobemadeupinamileandahalf。
Andsobothcrewsbeganpractisingforthegrandtrial。
II
THEBOAT-RACE。
The10thofJunewasadelicioussummerday，ratherwarm，butstillandbright。Thewaterwassmooth，andthecrewswereinthebestpossiblecondition。Allwasexpectation，andforsometimenothingbutexpectation。Noboat-raceorregattaeverbeganatthetimeappointedforthestart。Somebodybreaksanoar，orsomebodyfailstoappearinseason，orsomethingisthematterwithaseatoranoutrigger；orifthereisnosuchexcuse，thecrewofoneorbothoralltheboatstotakepartintheracemustpaddleabouttogetthemselvesreadyforwork，totheinfinitewearinessofallthespectators，whonaturallyaskwhyallthisgettingreadyisnotattendedtobeforehand。TheAlgonquinsworeplaingrayflannelsuitsandwhitecaps。Theyoungladieswereallindarkbluedresses，touchedupwitharedribbonhereandthere，andworelightstrawhats。ThelittlecoxswainoftheAtalantawasthelasttosteponboard。Asshetookherplaceshecarefullydepositedatherfeetawhitehandkerchiefwrappedaboutsomethingorother，perhapsasponge，incasetheboatshouldtakeinwater。
AtlasttheAlgonquinshotoutfromthelittlenookwhereshelay，——
long，narrow，shining，swiftasapickerelwhenhedartsfromthereedyshore。Itwasabeautifulsighttoseetheeightyoungfellowsintheirclose-fittingsuits，theirbrownmusculararmsbare，bendingtheirbacksforthestrokeandrecovering，asiftheywerepartsofasinglemachine。
\"Thegalscan\'tstan\'itaginthemfellers，\"saidtheoldblacksmithfromthevillage。
\"Youwaittillthegalsgeta-goin\'，\"saidthecarpenter，whohadoftenworkedinthegymnasiumoftheCorinnaInstitute，andknewsomethingoftheirmuscularaccomplishments。\"Y\'oughttosee\'emclimbropes，andswingdumb-bells，andpullinthemrowin\'-machines。
AskJaketherewhethertheycan\'trowamildindouble-quicktime，——
heknowsallabaoutit。”
Jakewasbyprofessionafisherman，andafreshwaterfishermaninacountryvillageisinspector-generalofallthatgoesonout-of-
doors，beingalazy，wanderingsortoffellow，whosestudyofthehabitsandhabitatsoffishesgiveshimakindofshrewdnessofobservation，justasdealinginhorsesisaneducationofcertainfaculties，andbreedsaraceofmenpeculiarlycunning，suspicious，wary，andwideawake，witharhetoricofappreciationanddepreciationallitsown。
Jakemadehisusualpreliminarysignal，anddeliveredhimselftothefollowingeffect:
\"Wahl，Idon\'knowjestwhattosay。I\'veseed\'embothoftenenoughwhentheywaspractisin\'，an\'Itellyethe\'wa\'n\'tnoslouchabaoutneitheron\'em。Butthembatsisall-firedlong，\'n\'eighton\'emstretchedinastraightlineeendwaysmakesaconsid\'ablepieceaout\'famile\'n\'ahaaf。I\'dbateonthemgalsifitwa\'n\'tthatthemfellersisnaterallylongerwinded，asthegals\'llfindaoutbythetimetheygitraoundthestake\'n\'overaginthebigellum。I\'llgoyeaquarteronthepahntsaginthepetticoats。”
Thefresh-waterfishermanhadexpressedtheprevailingbeliefthattheyoungladieswereovermatched。Stilltherewerenotwantingthosewhothoughttheadvantageallowedthe\"Lantas，\"astheycalledtheCorinnaboatcrew，wastoogreat，andthatitwouldbeimpossibleforthe\"Quins\"tomakeitupandgobythem。
TheAlgonquinsrowedupanddownafewtimesbeforethespectators。
Theyappearedinperfecttraining，neithertoofatnortoofine，mettlesomeascolts，steadyasdraught-horses，deep-breathedasoxen，disciplinedtoworktogetherassymmetricallyasasinglescullerpullshispairofoars。Thefishermanofferedtomakehisquarterfiftycents。Notakers。
Fiveminutespassed，andalleyeswerestrainedtothesouth，lookingfortheAtalanta。AclumpoftreeshidtheedgeofthelakealongwhichtheCorinna\'sboatwasstealingtowardsthestarting-point。
Presentlythelongshellsweptintoview，withitsbloomingrowers，who，withtheirampledresses，seemedtofillitalmostasfullasRaphaelfillshisskiffontheedgeoftheLakeofGalilee。ButhowsteadilytheAtalantacameon!——norocking，nosplashing，noapparentstrain；thebowoarturningtolookaheadeverynowandthen，andwatchinghercourse，whichseemedtobestraightasanarrow，thebeatofthestrokesastrueandregularasthepulseofthehealthiestroweramongthemall。Andifthesightoftheotherboatanditscrewwasbeautiful，howlovelywasthelookofthis!
Eightyounggirls，——youngladies，forthosewhopreferthatmoredignifiedandlessattractiveexpression，——allintheflushofyouth，allinvigoroushealth；everymuscletaughtitsduty；eachroweralert，nottobeatenthofasecondoutoftime，orletheroardallywiththewatersoastoloseanounceofitspropellingvirtue；
everyeyekindlingwiththehopeofvictory。Eachoftheboatswascheeredasitcameinsight，butthecheersfortheAtalantawerenaturallytheloudest，asthegallantryofonesexandtheclear，highvoicesoftheothergaveitlifeandvigor。
\"Takeyourplaces!\"shoutedtheumpire，fiveminutesbeforethehalfhour。Thetwoboatsfelttheirwayslowlyandcautiouslytotheirpositions，whichhadbeendeterminedbycarefulmeasurement。Afteralittlebackingandfillingtheygotintoline，attheproperdistancefromeachother，andsatmotionless，theirbodiesbentforward，theirarmsoutstretched，theiroarsinthewater，waitingfortheword。
\"Go!\"shoutedtheumpire。
AwaysprangtheAtalanta，andfarbehindherleapedtheAlgonquin，heroarsbendinglikesomanylongIndianbowsastheirbladesflashedthroughthewater。
\"Asternchaseisalongchase，\"especiallywhenonecraftisagreatdistancebehindtheother。Itlookedasifitwouldbeimpossiblefortherearboattoovercometheoddsagainstit。OfcoursetheAlgonquinkeptgaining，butcoulditpossiblygainenough？Thatwasthequestion。Astheboatsgotfartherandfartheraway，itbecamemoreandmoredifficulttodeterminewhatchangetherewasintheintervalbetweenthem。Butwhentheycametoroundingthestakeitwaseasiertoguessattheamountofspacewhichhadbeengained。Itwasclearthatsomethinglikehalfthedistance，fourlengths，asnearlyascouldbeestimated，hadbeenmadeupinrowingthefirstthreequartersofamile。CouldtheAlgonquinsdoalittlebetterthanthisinthesecondhalfoftherace-course，theywouldbesureofwinning。
Theboatshadturnedthestake，andwerecominginrapidly。EveryminutetheUniversityboatwasgettingnearertheother。
\"Goit，Quins!\"shoutedthestudents。
\"Pullaway，Lantas!\"screamedthegirls，whowerecrowdingdowntotheedgeofthewater。
Nearer，——nearer，——therearboatispressingtheothermoreandmoreclosely，——afewmorestrokes，andtheywillbeeven，forthereisbutonelengthbetweenthem，andthirtyrodswillcarrythemtotheline。
ItlooksdesperatefortheAtalantas。ThebowoaroftheAlgonquinturnshishead。Heseesthelittlecoxswainleaningforwardateverystroke，asifhertrivialweightwereofsuchmightyconsequence，——
butafewouncesmightturnthescaleofvictory。AsheturnedhegotaglimpseofthestrokeoaroftheAtalanta。Whataflashoflovelinessitwas!HerfacewaslikethereddestofJuneroses，withtheheatandthestrainandthepassionofexpectedtriumph。Theupperbuttonofherclose-fittingflannelsuithadstrangledherasherbosomheavedwithexertion，andithadgivenwaybeforethefierceclutchshemadeatit。Thebowoarwasastaunchandsteadyrower，buthewashuman。Thebladeofhisoarlingeredinthewater；
alittlemoreandhewouldhavecaughtacrab，andperhapslosttheracebyhismomentarybewilderment。
Theboat，whichseemedasifithadallthelifeandnervousnessofaDerbythree-year-old，felttheslightcheck，andallhermenbentmorevigorouslytotheiroars。TheAtalantassawthemovement，andmadeaspurttokeeptheirleadandgainuponitiftheycould。Itwasofnouse。Thestrongarmsoftheyoungmenweretoomuchfortheyoungmaidens；onlyafewlengthsremainedtoberowed，andtheywouldcertainlypasstheAtalantabeforeshecouldreachtheline。
Thelittlecoxswainsawthatitwasallupwiththegirls\'crewifshecouldnotsavethembysomestrategicdevice。
\"Dolusanvirtusquisinhosterequirat？\"
shewhisperedtoherself，——forTheTerrorrememberedherVirgilasshedideverythingelsesheeverstudied。Asshestooped，sheliftedthehandkerchiefatherfeet，andtookfromitaflamingbouquet。
\"Look!\"shecried，andflungitjustforwardofthetrackoftheAlgonquin。ThecaptainoftheUniversityboatturnedhishead，andtherewasthelovelyvisionwhichhadamomentbeforebewitchedhim。
Theownerofallthatlovelinessmust，hethought，haveflungthebouquet。Itwasachallenge:howcouldhebesuchacowardastodeclineacceptingitHewassurehecouldwintheracenow，andhewouldsweeppastthelineintriumphwiththegreatbunchofflowersatthestemofhisboat，proudasVanTrompintheBritishchannelwiththebroomathismast-head。
Heturnedtheboat\'sheadalittlebybackingwater。Hecameupwiththefloatingflowers，andnearenoughtoreachthem。Hestoopedandsnatchedthemup，withthelossperhapsofasecondinall，——nomore。
Hefeltsureofhisvictory。
Howcanonetellthestoryofthefinishincold-bloodedpreterites？
Arewenotthereourselves？Arenotourmusclesstrainingwiththoseofthesesixteenyoungcreatures，fullofhot，freshblood，theirnervesalltinglinglikesomanytight-strainedharp-strings，alltheirlifeconcentratingitselfinthispassionatemomentofsupremeeffort？No!Weareseeing，nottellingaboutwhatsomebodyelseoncesaw!——
ThebowoftheAlgonquinpassesthesternoftheAtalanta!——
ThebowoftheAlgonquinisonalevelwiththemiddleoftheAtalanta!——
Threemorelengths\'rowingandthecollegecrewwillpassthegirls!——
\"HurrahfortheQuins!\"TheAlgonquinrangesupalongsideoftheAtalanta!
\"Throughwithher!\"shoutsthecaptainoftheAlgonquin。
\"Now，girls!\"shrieksthecaptainoftheAtalanta。
Theyneartheline，everyrowerstrainingdesperately，almostmadly——
CrackgoestheoaroftheAtalanta\'scaptain，andupflashitssplinteredfragments，asthestemofherboatspringspasttheline，eighteeninchesatleastaheadoftheAlgonquin。
HoorawfortheLantas!HoorawfortheGirls!HoorawfortheInstitoot!shoutahundredvoices。
\"Hurrahforwoman\'srightsandfemalesuffrage!\"pipesthesmallvoiceofTheTerror，andthereisloudlaughingandcheeringallround。
Shehadnotstudiedherclassicaldictionaryandhermythologyfornothing。\"Ihavepaidoffoneoldscore，\"shesaid。\"SetdownmydamaskrosesagainstthegoldenapplesofHippomenes!\"
ItwasthatonesecondlostinsnatchingupthebouquetwhichgavetheracetotheAtalantas。
III
THEWHITECANOE。
Whilethetwoboatswereracing，otherboatswithlookers-oninthemwererowingorsailingintheneighborhoodoftherace-course。Thesceneonthewaterwasagayone，fortheyoungpeopleintheboatswere，manyofthem，acquaintedwitheachother。Therewasagooddealoflivelytalkuntiltheracebecametooexciting。Thenmanyfellsilent，until，astheboatsnearedtheline，andstillmoreastheycrossedit，theshoutsburstforthwhichshowedhowacrampofattentionfindsitsnaturalreliefinafitofconvulsiveexclamation。
Butfaraway，ontheothersideofthelake，abirchbarkcanoewastobeseen，inwhichsatayoungman，whopaddleditskillfullyandswiftly。Itwasevidentenoughthathewaswatchingtheraceintently，butthespectatorscouldseelittlemorethanthat。Oneofthem，however，whosatuponthestand，hadapowerfulspy-glass，andcoulddistinguishhismotionsveryminutelyandexactly。Itwasseenbythiscuriousobserverthattheyoungmanhadanopera-glasswithhim，whichheusedagooddealatintervals。Thespectatorthoughthekeptitdirectedtothegirls\'boat，chiefly，ifnotexclusively。
Hethoughtalsothattheopera-glasswasmoreparticularlypointedtowardsthebowoftheboat，andcametothenaturalconclusionthatthebowoar，MissEuthymiaTower，captainoftheAtalantas，\"TheWonder\"oftheCorinnaInstitute，wastheattractionwhichdeterminedthedirectionoftheinstrument。
\"Whoisthatinthecanoeoverthere？\"askedtheownerofthespy-
glass。
\"That\'sjustwhatweshouldliketoknow，\"answeredtheoldlandlord\'swife。\"Heandhismanboardedwithuswhentheyfirstcame，butwecouldneverfindoutanythingabouthimonlyjusthisnameandhiswaysofliving。HisnameisKirkwood，MauriceKirkwood，Esq。，itusedtocomeonhisletters。Asforhiswaysofliving，hewasthesolitariesthumanbeingthatIevercameacross。Hismancarriedhismealsuptohim。Heusedtostayinhisroomprettymuchallday，butatnighthewouldbeoff，walking，orridingonhorseback，orpaddlingaboutinthelake，sometimestillnighmorning。There\'ssomethingverystrangeaboutthatMr。Kirkwood。
Buttheredon\'tseemtobeanyharminhim。Onlynobodycanguesswhathisbusinessis。Theygotupastoryabouthimatonetime。
Whatdoyouthink？Theysaidhewasacounterfeiter!Andsotheywentonenighttohisroom，whenhewasout，andthatmanofhiswasawaytoo，andtheycarriedkeys，andopenedprettymucheverything；
andtheyfound——well，theyfoundjustnothingatallexceptwritingsandletters，——lettersfromplacesinAmericaandinEngland，andsomewithItalianpostmarks:thatwasall。Sincethattimethesheriffandhisfolkshavelethimaloneandmindedtheirownbusiness。Hewasagentleman，——anybodyoughttohaveknownthat；andanybodythatknewabouthisnicewaysoflivingandbehaving，andknewthekindofwearhehadforhisunderclothing，mighthaveknownit。Icouldhavetoldthoseofficersthattheyhadbetternotbotherhim。Iknowthewaysofrealgentlemenandrealladies，andIknowthosefellowsinstoreclothesthatlookalittletoofine，——outside。Waittillwashing-daycomes!\"
Thegoodladyhadherownstandardsfortestinghumanity，andtheywerenotwhollyunworthyofconsideration；theywerequiteasmuchtobereliedonasthejudgmentsofthetravellingphrenologist，whosenthisaccompliceonbeforehimtostudyouttheprincipalpersonagesinthevillage，andinthelightoftheserevelationsinterpretedthebumps，withverylittleregardtoGallandSpurzheim，oranyotherauthorities。