III
VARIATIONS——ONAPLEASANTPHRASEFROMMONTAIGNE
Montaignehasgivenasourtext，\"Goodness，freedom，gayety，andfriendship，\"——thesearetheconditionswhichproducetalkability.
Andonthisfourfoldthemewemayembroiderafewvariations，bywayofexpositionandenlargement.
GOODNESSisthefirstthingandthemostneedful.Anugly，envious，irritabledispositionisnotfittedfortalk.Theoccasionsforoffencearetoonumerous，andthewayintostrifeistooshortandeasy.Atouchofgood—naturedcombativeness，afondnessforbriskargument，areadinesstotryafriendlyboutwithanycomer，onanyground，isadecidedadvantageinatalker.Itbreaksuptheoffensivemonotonyofpoliteconcurrence，andmakesthingslively.
Butquarrelsomenessisquiteanotheraffair，andveryfatal.
IamalwaysalittleuneasyinadiscoursewiththeReverendBellicosusMacduff.Itislikeplayinggolfonlinksliabletoearthquakes.Oneneverknowswhenthelandscapewillbethrownintoconvulsions.Macduffhasatendencytoregardadifferenceofopinionasapersonalinsult.Ifhemakesabadstrokeheseemstothinkthatthewaytoretrieveitistodeliverthenextoneontheheadoftheotherplayer.Hedoesnottarryfortheinvitationtolayon;andbeforeyouknowwhathashappenedyoufindyourselfinapositionwhereyouareobligedtocry，\"Hold，enough！\"andtobeliberallydamnedwithoutanybargaintothateffect.Thisisdiscouraging，andcalculatedtomakeonewishthathumanintercoursemightbeput，asfarasMacduffisconcerned，uponthegoldbasisofsilence.
Ontheotherhand，whatadelightitwastotalkwiththatoldworthy，ChancellorHowardCrosby.Hewasafightingmanforfourorfivegenerationshack，Dutchononeside，Englishontheother.Buttherewasnotonelittledropofgallinhisblood.Hisopinionswerefixedtoadegree;helovedtodobattleforthem;heneverchangedthem——atleastneverinthecourseofthesamediscussion.
Headmiredandrespectedagallantadversary，andurgedhimon，withquipsandpunsanddaringassaultsandunqualifiedstatements，todohisbest.Easyvictorieswerenottohistaste.Evenifhejoinedwithyouinlayingoutsomecommonfalsehoodforburial，youmightbesurethatbeforetheaffairwasconcludedtherewouldbeeveryprospectofwhatanIrishmanwouldcall\"anelegantwake.\"Ifyoustoodupagainsthimononeofhisfavoritesubjectsofdiscussionyoumustbepreparedforhotwork.Youwouldhavetotakeoffyourcoat.Butwhenthecombatwasoverhewouldbethemantohelpyouonwithitagain;andyouwouldwalkhometogetherarminarm，throughthetwilight，smokingthepipeofpeace.Talklikethatdoesgood.Itquickensthebeatingoftheheart，andleavesnoscarsuponit.
Butthismanlyspirit，whichloves\"Todrinkdelightofbattlewithitspeers，\"
isaverydifferentthingfromthatmean，bad，hostiletemperwhichlovestoinflictwoundsandinjuriesjustforthesakeofshowingpower，andwhichisneversohappyaswhenitismakingsomeonewince.Therearesuchpeopleintheworld，andsometimestheirbrilliancytemptsustoforgettheirmalignancy.Buttohavemuchconversewiththemisasifweshouldmakeplaymatesofrattlesnakesfortheirgraceofmovementandswiftnessofstroke.
Iknewamanonce（Iwillnotnamehimevenwithaninitial）whowasmalignanttothecore.Learned，industrious，accomplished，hekeptallhistalentsattheserviceofaperfectgeniusforhatred.Ifyoucrossedhispathbutonce，hewouldneverceasetocurseyou.
Thegravemightcloseoveryou，buthewouldrevileyourepitaphandmockatyourmemory.Itwasnotevennecessarythatyoushoulddoanythingtoincurhisenmity.Itwasenoughtobeuprightandsincereandsuccessful，towakenthewrathofthisShimei.
Integritywasanoffencetohim，andexcellenceofanykindfilledhimwithspleen.Therewasnogoodcausewithinhishorizonthathedidnotgiveabadwordto，andnodecentmaninthecommunitywhomhedidnottryeithertouseortoabuse.Tolistentohimortoreadwhathehadwrittenwastolearntothinkalittleworseofeveryonethathementioned，andworstofallofhim.Hehadtheairofagentleman，thevocabularyofascholar，thestyleofaJunius，andtheheartofaThersites.
Talk，insuchcompany，isimpossible.Thesenseofsomethingevil，lurkingbeneaththeplayofwit，isliketheknowledgethattherearesnakesinthegrass.Everystepmustbetakenwithfear.Buttherealpleasureofawalkthroughthemeadowcomesfromthefeelingofsecurity，ofease，ofsafeandhappyabandontothemoodofthemoment.Thisungirdledandunguardedfelicityinmutualdiscoursedepends，afterall，upontheassuranceofrealgoodnessinyourcompanion.Idonotmeanastiffimpeccabilityofconduct.
PrudesandPhariseesarepoorcomrades.Imeansimplygoodnessofheart，thewholesome，generous，kindlyqualitywhichthinkethnoevil，rejoicethnotininiquity，hopethallthings，endurethallthings，andwishethwelltoallmen.Whereyoufeelthisqualityyoucanletyourselfgo，intheeaseofheartytalk.
FREEDOMisthesecondnotethatMontaignestrikes，anditisessentialtotheharmonyoftalking.Verycareful，prudent，precisepersonsareseldomentertaininginfamiliarspeech.Theyareliketennisplayersintoofineclothes.Theythinkmoreoftheircostumethanofthegame.
Amaniaforabsolutelycorrectpronunciationisfatal.Thepeoplewhoareafflictedwiththispainfulailmentareasanxiousabouttheirutteranceasdyspepticsabouttheirdiet.TheymovethroughtheirsentencesasdelicatelyasAgagwalked.Theirlittleairsofnicety，theirstarchedcadencesandfrilledphrasesseemasiftheyhadjustbeentakenoutofaliterarybandbox.Ifperchanceyouhappentomisplaceanaccent，youshallseetheireyebrowscurluplikeaninterrogationmark，andtheywillaskyouwhatauthorityyouhaveforthatpronunciation.Asif，forsooth，amancouldnottalkwithoutbook—license！Asifhemusthaveapermitfromsomedustylexiconbeforehecantakeagoodwordintohismouthandspeakitoutlikethepeoplewithwhomhehaslived！
Thetruthisthatthemanwhoisveryparticularnottocommithimself，inpronunciationorotherwise，andtalksasifhisremarkswerebeingtakendowninshorthand，andshuddersatthethoughtofmakingamistake，willhardlybeabletoopenyourheartorletoutthebestthatisinhisown.
Reserveandprecisionareagreatprotectiontooverratedreputations;buttheyaredeathtotalk.
Intalkitisnotcorrectnessofgrammarnoreleganceofenunciationthatcharmsus;itisspirit，VERVE，thesuddenturnofhumour，thekeen，pungenttasteoflife.Forthisreasonatouchofdialect，aflavourofbrogue，isdelightful.Anydialectisclassicthathasconveyedbeautifulthoughts.WhothatevertalkedwiththepoetTennyson，whenhelethimselfgo，overthepipes，wouldmissthesavourofhisbroad—rollingLincolnshirevowels，nowheighteningthehumour，nowdeepeningthepathos，ofhisgenuinemanlyspeech？
TherearemanygoodstorieslingeringinthememoriesofthosewhoknewDr.JamesMcCosh，thelatepresidentofPrincetonUniversity，——
storiestoogood，Ifear，togetintoabiography;butthebestofthem，inprint，wouldnothavethesnapandvigourofthepoorestofthem，intalk，withhisowninimitableScotch—Irishbroguetosetitforth.
Abrogueisnotafault.Itisabeauty，anheirloom，adistinction.Alocalaccentislikealandedinheritance;itmarksaman’splaceintheworld，tellswherehecomesfrom.Ofcourseitispossibletohavetoomuchofit.Amandoesnotneedtocarrythesoilofhiswholefarmaroundwithhimonhisboots.But，withinlimits，theaccentofanativeregionisdelightful.’Tistheflavourofheatherinthegrouse，thetasteofwildherbsandevergreen—budsinthevenison.Ilikethemaple—sugartangoftheVermonter’ssharp—edgedspeech;theround，full—waistedr’sofPennsylvaniaandOhio;thesoft，indolentvowelsoftheSouth.OneofthebesttalkersnowlivingisaschoolmasterfromVirginia，ColonelGordonMcCabe.IoncecrossedtheoceanwithhimonastreamofstoriesthatreachedfromLiverpooltoNewYork.Hedidnottalkintheleastlikeabook.HetalkedlikeaVirginian.
WhenMontaignementionsGAYETYasthethirdclementofsatisfyingdiscourse，Ifancyhedoesnotmeanmerefun，thoughthathasitsvalueattherighttimeandplace.Butthereisanotherqualitywhichisfarmorevaluableandalwaysfit.Indeeditunderliesthebestfunandmakesitwholesome.Itischeerfulness，thetemperwhichmakesthebestofthingsandsqueezesthelittledropsofhoneyevenoutofthistle—blossoms.IthinkthisiswhatMontaignemeant.Certainlyitiswhathehad.
Cheerfulnessisthebackgroundofallgoodtalk.Asenseofhumourisameansofgrace.WithitIhaveheardapleasantsoulmakeeventhatmostperilousofallsubjects，thedescriptionofalongillness，entertaining.Thevariousphysiciansmovedthroughtherecitalasexcellentcomedians，andthemedicinesappearedlikeasuccessionoftimelyjests.
Thereisnooccasionuponwhichthispreciouselementoftalkabilitycomesoutstrongerthanwhenweareonajourney.Travelwithacheerlessandeasilydiscouragedcompanionisanunadulteratedmisery.Butacheerfulcomradeisbetterthanawaterproofcoatandafoot—warmer.
IrememberridingoncewithmyladyGraygownfifteenmilesthroughacoldrainstorm，inanopenbuckboard，overtheworstroadintheworld，fromLACALABELLERIVIEREtotheMetabetchouanRiver.Suchwasthecheerfulnessofherejaculations（theonlypossibleformoftalk）thatwearrivedatourdestinationaswarmandmerryasifwehadbeensittingbesidearoaringcamp—fire.
Butafterall，theverybestthingingoodtalk，andthethingthathelpsitmost，isFRIENDSHIP.Howitdissolvesthebarriersthatdivideus，andloosensallconstraint，anddiffusesitselflikesomefineoldcordialthroughalltheveinsoflife——thisfeelingthatweunderstandandtrusteachother，andwisheachotherheartilywell！
Everythingintowhichitreallycomesisgood.Ittransformsletter—writingfromataskintoapleasure.Itmakesmusicathousandtimesmoresweet.Thepeoplewhoplayandsingnotatus，butTOus，——howdelightfulitistolistentothem！Yes，thereisatalkabilitythatcanexpressitselfevenwithoutwords.Thereisanexchangeofthoughtandfeelingwhichishappyalikeinspeechandinsilence.Itisquietnesspervadedwithfriendship.
HavingcomethusfarintheexpositionofMontaigne，Ishallconcludewithanopinionofmyown，eventhoughIcannotquoteasentenceofhistobackit.
Theonepersonofalltheworldinwhomtalkabilityismostdesirable，andtalkativenessleastendurable，isawife.
AWILDSTRAWBERRY
\"SuchisthestoryoftheBoblink;oncespiritual，musical，admired，thejoyofthemeadows，andthefavouritebirdofspring;finallyagrosslittlesensualistwhoexpiateshissensualityinthelarder.
Hisstorycontainsamoral，worthytheattentionofalllittlebirdsandlittleboys;warningthemtokeeptothoserefinedandintellectualpursuitswhichraisedhimtosohighapitchofpopularityduringtheearlypartofhiscareer;buttoeschewalltendencytothatgrossanddissipatedindulgence，whichbroughtthismistakenlittlebirdtoanuntimelyend.\"——WASHINGTONIRVING：
Wolfert’sRoost.
TheSwiftwaterbrookwaslaughingsoftlytoitselfasitranthroughastripofhemlockforestontheedgeoftheWoodlings’farm.Amongtheevergreenbranchesoverheadthegayly—dressedwarblers，——littlefriendsoftheforest，——wereflittingtoandfro，lispingtheirJunesongsofcontentedlove：milder，slower，laziernotesthanthoseinwhichtheyvoicedtheamourousrapturesofMay.Prince’sPineandgoldenloose—strifeandpinklaurelandbluehare—bellsandpurple—
fringedorchids，andascoreoflovelyflowerswereallabloom.Thelatespringhadhinderedsome;thesuddenheatsofearlysummerhadhastenedothers;andnowtheyseemedtocomeoutalltogether，asifNaturehadsuddenlytilteduphercornucopiaandpouredforthhertreasuresinspendthriftjoy.
Ilayonamossybankatthefootofatree，fillingmypipeafterafrugallunch，andthinkinghowharditwouldbetofindinanyquarteroftheglobeaplacemorefairandfragrantthanthishiddenvaleamongtheAlleghanyMountains.Theperfumeoftheflowersoftheforestismoresweetandsubtlethantheheavyscentoftropicalblossoms.Nolily—fieldinBermudacouldgiveafragrancehalfsomagicalasthefairy—likeodourofthesewoodlandslopes，softcarpetedwiththegreenofglossyvinesabovewhosetinyleaves，indelicateprofusion，\"TheslightLinnaeahangsitstwin—bornheads.\"
NorarethereanybirdsinAfrica，oramongtheIndianIsles，moreexquisiteincolourthantheseminiaturewarblers，showingtheirgoldandgreen，theirorangeandblack，theirblueandwhite，againstthedarkbackgroundoftherhododendronthicket.
Buthowseldomweputacupofpleasuretoourlipswithoutadashofbitters，atouchoffaultfinding.Mydropofdiscontent，thatday，wasthethoughtthatthenorthernwoodland，atleastinJune，yieldednofruittomatchitsbeautyanditsfragrance.
Thereisgoodbrowsingamongtheleavesofthewoodandthegrassesofthemeadow，aseverywell—instructedanglerknows.Thebrightemeraldtipsthatbreakfromthehemlockandthebalsamlikeverdantflameshaveapleasantsavourtothetongue.Theleavesofthesassafrasarefullofspice，andthebarkoftheblack—birchtwigsholdsafinecordial.Crinkle—rootisspicy，butyoumustpartakeofitdelicately，oritwillbiteyourtongue.Spearmintandpeppermintneverlosetheircharmforthepalatethatstillremembersthedelightsofyouth.Wildsorrelhasanagreeable，sour，shiveryflavour.Eventhetenderstalkofayoungbladeofgrassisathingthatcanbechewedbyapersonofchildlikemindwithmuchcontentment.
But，afterall，theseareonlyrelishes.Theywhettheappetitemorethantheyappeaseit.Thereshouldbesomethingtoeat，intheJunewoods，asperfectinitskind，assatisfyingtothesenseoftaste，asthebirdsandtheflowersaretothesensesofsightandhearingandsmell.Blueberriesaregood，buttheyarefarawayinJuly.Blackberriesarelusciouswhentheyarefullyripe，butthatwillnotbeuntilAugust.Thenthefishingwillbeover，andtheangler’shourofneedwillbepast.Theonethingthatislackingnowbesidethismountainstreamissomefruitmorelusciousanddaintythangrowsinthetropics，tomeltuponthelipsandfillthemouthwithpleasure.
Butthatiswhatthesecoldnorthernwoodswillnotoffer.Theyaretooreserved，toolofty，toopuritanicaltomakeprovisionforthegrosserwantsofhumanity.Theyarenotfriendlytoluxury.
Justthen，asIshiftedmyheadtofindasofterpillowofmossafterthisphilosophicandimmoralreflection，Naturegavemehersilentanswer.Threewildstrawberries，noddingontheirlongstems，hungovermyface.Itwasaninvitationtotasteandseethattheyweregood.
Theberrieswerenottheroundandrosyonesofthemeadow，butthelong，slender，darkcrimsononesoftheforest.One，two，three;nomoreonthatvine;buteachoneasittouchedmylipswasadropofnectarandacrumbofambrosia，aconcentratedessenceofallthepungentsweetnessofthewildwood，sapid，penetrating，anddelicious.Itastedtheodourofahundredblossomsandthegreenshimmeringofinnumerableleavesandthesparkleofsiftedsunbeamsandthebreathofhighlandbreezesandthesongofmanybirdsandthemurmurofflowingstreams，——allinawildstrawberry.
Doyouremember，inTHECOMPLEATANGLER，aremarkwhichIsaakWaltonquotesfromacertain\"DoctorBoteler\"aboutstrawberries？
\"Doubtless，\"saidthatwiseoldman，\"Godcouldhavemadeabetterberry，butdoubtlessGodneverdid.\"
Well，thewildstrawberryistheonethatGodmade.
IthinkitwouldhavebeenpleasanttoknowamanwhocouldsumuphisreflectionsupontheimportantquestionofberriesinsuchapithysayingasthatwhichWaltonrepeats.Histonguemusthavebeeninclosecommunicationwithhisheart.Hemusthavehadafairsenseofthatsprightlyhumourwithoutwhichpietyitselfisofteninsipid.
Ihaveoftentriedtofindoutmoreabouthim，andsomedayIhopeI
shall.Butuptothepresent，allthatthebookshavetoldmeofthisobscuresageisthathisnamewasWilliamButler，andthathewasaneminentphysician，sometimescalled\"theAesculapiusofhisage.\"HewasbornatIpswich，inl535，andeducatedatClareHall，Cambridge;intheneighbourhoodofwhichtownheappearstohavespentthemostofhislife，inhighreputeasapractitionerofphysic.HehadthehonourofdoctoringKingJamestheFirstafteranaccidentonthehuntingfield，andmusthaveprovedhimselfapleasantoldfellow，forthekinglookedhimupatCambridgethenextyear，andspentanhourinhislodgings.Thiswisephysicianalsoinventedamedicinalbeveragecalled\"DoctorButler’sAle.\"I
donotquitelikethesoundofit，butperhapsitwasbetterthanitsname.Thismuchissure，atallevents：eitheritwasreallyaharmlessdrink，orelsethedoctormusthaveconfineditsuseentirelytohispatients;forhelivedtotheripeageofeighty—
threeyears.
BetweenthetimewhenWilliamButlerfirstneededtheservicesofaphysician，in1535，andthetimewhenhelastprescribedforapatient，in1618，therewasplentyoftroubleinEngland.BloodyQueenMarysatonthethrone;andtherewereallkindsofquarrelsaboutreligionandpolitics;andCatholicsandProtestantswerekillingoneanotherinthenameofGod.Afterthatthered—hairedElizabeth，calledtheVirginQueen，worethecrown，andwagedtriumphantwarandtempestuouslove.ThenfatJamesofScotlandwasmadekingofGreatBritain;andGuyFawkestriedtoblowhimupwithgunpowder，andfailed;andthekingtriedtoblowoutallthepipesinEnglandwithhisCOUNTERBLASTAGAINSTTOBACCO;buthefailedtoo.
Somewhereaboutthattime，earlyintheseventeenthcentury，averysmalleventhappened.AnewberrywasbroughtoverfromVirginia，——
FRAGRARIAVIRGINIANA，——andthen，amidwarsandrumoursofwars，DoctorButler’shappinesswassecure.ThatnewberrywassomuchricherandsweeterandmoregenerousthanthefamiliarFRAGRARIA
VESCAofEurope，thatitattractedthesincereinterestofallpersonsofgoodtaste.Itinauguratedanewerainthehistoryofthestrawberry.ThelonglostmasterpieceofParadisewasrestoredtoitstrueplaceintheaffectionsofman.
Istherenotatouchofmerrycontemptforallthevaincontroversiesandconflictsofhumanityinthegratefulejaculationwithwhichtheolddoctorgreetedthatpeaceful，comfortinggiftofProvidence？
\"Fromthistimeforward，\"heseemstosay，\"thefatescannotbeggarme，forIhaveeatenstrawberries.WitheveryMaytimethatvisitsthisdistractedisland，thewhiteblossomswithheartsofgoldwillarrive.IneveryJunethereddropsofpleasantsavourwillhangamongthescallopedleaves.Thechildrenofthisworldmaywrangleandgiveoneanotherwoundsthatevenmygoodalecannotcure.
Nevertheless，theearthasGodcreateditisafairdwellingandfullofcomfortforallwhohaveaquietmindandathankfulheart.
DoubtlessGodmighthavemadeabetterworld，butdoubtlessthisistheworldHemadeforus;andinitHeplantedthestrawberry.\"
Fineolddoctor！Bravephilosopherofcheerfulness！TheVirginianberryshouldhavebeenbroughttoEnglandsooner，oryoushouldhavelivedlonger，atleasttoahundredyears，sothatyoumighthavewelcomedascoreofstrawberry—seasonswithgratitudeandanepigram.
SincethattimeagreatchangehaspassedoverthefruitwhichDoctorButlerpraisedsowell.ThatproductofcreativeartwhichDivinewisdomdidnotchoosetosurpass，humanindustryhaslabouredtoimprove.Ithasgrownimmenselyinsizeandsubstance.ThetravellerfromAmericawhosteamsintoQueenstownharbourinearlysummerispresented（foraconsideration）withacabbage—leaffullofpale—huedberries，sweetandjuicy，anyoneofwhichwouldoutbulkadozenofthosethatusedtogrowinVirginiawhenPocahontaswassmittenwiththecharmsofCaptainJohnSmith.Theyaresuperb，thoselight—tintedIrishstrawberries.AndtherearewonderfulnewvarietiesdevelopedinthegardensofNewJerseyandRhodeIsland，whichcomparewiththeancientberriesofthewoodsandmeadowsasLeviathanwithaminnow.Thehugecrimsoncushionshangamongtheplantssothickthattheyseemlikebunchesoffruitwithafewleavesattachedforornament.Youcansatisfyyourhungerinsuchaberry—patchintenminutes，whileoutinthefieldyoumustpickforhalfanhour，andintheforestthriceaslong，beforeyoucanfillasmalltincup.
Yet，afterall，itisquestionablewhethermenhavereallybetteredGod’sCHEFD’OEUVREintheberryline.Theyhaveenlargeditandmadeitmoreplentifulandmorecertaininitsharvest.Butsweeter，morefragrant，morepoignantinitsflavour？No.Thewildberrystillstandsfirstinitssubtlegusto.
Sizeisnotthemeasureofexcellence.Perfectionliesinquality，notinquantity.Concentrationenhancespleasure，givesitapointsothatitgoesdeeper.
Isnotaten—inchtroutbetterthanaten—footsturgeon？IwouldratherreadatinyessaybyCharlesLambthanafive—hundredpagelibelonlifebyamodernBritishnovelistwhoshallbenameless.
Flavouristhepricelessquality.Styleisthethingthatcountsandisremembered，inliterature，inart，andinberries.
NoJOCUNDA，norTRIUMPH，norVICTORIA，noranyotherhigh—titledfruitthatevertookthefirstprizeatanagriculturalfair，ishalfsodelicateandsatisfyingasthewildstrawberrythatdroppedintomymouth，underthehemlocktree，besidetheSwiftwater.
Atouchofsurpriseisessentialtoperfectsweetness.
Togetwhatyouhavebeenwishingforispleasant;buttogetwhatyouhavenotbeensureof，makesthepleasuretingle.Anewdoorofhappinessisopenedwhenyougoouttohuntforsomethinganddiscoveritwithyourowneyes.Butthereisanexperienceevenbetterthanthat.Whenyouhavestupidlyforgotten（ordespondentlyforgone）tolookaboutyoufortheunclaimedtreasuresandunearnedblessingswhicharescatteredalongtheby—waysoflife，then，sometimesbyaspecialmercy，asmallsampleofthemisquietlylaidbeforeyousothatyoucannothelpseeingit，anditbringsyoubacktoasenseofthejoyfulpossibilitiesofliving.
Howfullofenjoymentisthesearchafterwildthings，——wildbirds，wildflowers，wildhoney，wildberries！TherewasacountryclubonStormKingMountain，abovetheHudsonRiver，wheretheyusedtocelebrateafestivalofflowerseveryspring.Menandwomenwhohadconservatoriesoftheirown，fullofrareplantsandcostlyorchids，cametogethertoadmirethegatheredblossomsofthewoodlandsandmeadows.Butthepeoplewhohadthebestoftheentertainmentweretheboysandgirlswhowanderedthroughthethicketsanddownthebrooks，pushedtheirwayintothetangledcopsesandcreptventuresomelyacrosstheswamps，tolookfortheflowers.Someoftheseekersmayhavehadafewgrayhairs;butforthatdayatleasttheywereallboysandgirls.Naturewasasyoungasever，andtheywereallherchildren.Handtouchedhandwithoutaglove.Thehiddenblossomsoffriendshipunfolded.Laughterandmerryshoutsandsnatchesofhalf—forgottensongrosetothelips.Gayadventuresparkledintheair.Schoolwasoutandnobodylistenedforthebell.Itwasjustadaytolive，andbenatural，andtakenothoughtforthemorrow.
Thereisgreatluckinthisaffairoflookingforflowers.Idonotseehowanyonewhoisprejudicedagainstgamesofchancecanconsistentlyundertakeit.
Formyownpart，Iapproveofgardenflowersbecausetheyaresoorderlyandsocertain;butwildflowersIlove，justbecausethereissomuchchanceaboutthem.Natureisallinfavourofcertaintyingreatlawsandofuncertaintyinsmallevents.Youcannotappointthedayandtheplaceforherflower—shows.Ifyouhappentodropinattherightmomentshewillgiveyouafreeadmission.
Buteventhenitseemsasifthetableofbeautyhadbeenspreadforthejoyofahighervisitor，andinobediencetosecretorderswhichyouhavenotheard.
Haveyoueverfoundthefringedgentian？
\"Justbeforethesnows，TherecameapurplecreatureThatlavishedallthehill：
Andsummerhidherforehead，Andmockerywasstill.
Thefrostswerehercondition：
TheTyrianwouldnotcomeUntiltheNorthevokedher，——
’Creator，shallIbloom？’\"
Therearestrangefreaksoffortuneinthefindingofwildflowers，andcuriouscoincidenceswhichmakeusfeelasifsomeonewereplayingfriendlytricksonus.Irememberreading，oneeveninginMay，apassageinagoodbookcalledTHEPROCESSIONOFTHEFLOWERS，inwhichColonelHigginsondescribesthesingularluckthatafriendofhisenjoyed，yearafteryear，infindingtherareblossomsofthedoublerueanemone.Itseemsthatthismanneededonlytotakeawalkinthesuburbsofanytown，andhewouldcomeuponabedoftheseflowers，withouteffortordesign.Ienviedhimhisgoodfortune，forIhadneverdiscoveredevenoneofthem.Butthenextmorning，asIstrolledouttofishtheSwiftwater，downbelowBillyLerns’sspring—houseIfoundagreenbankintheshadowofthewoodallbespangledwithtiny，trembling，twofoldstars，——doublerueanemones，forluck！Itwasafavourableomen，andthatdayI
camehomewithacreelfulloftrout.
ThetheorythatAdamlivedoutinthewoodsforsometimebeforehewasputintothegardenofEden\"todressitandtokeepit\"hasanairofprobability.Howelseshallweaccountforthearborealinstinctsthatclingtohisposterity？
Thereisawildingstraininourbloodthatallthecivilizationintheworldwillnoteradicate.Ineverknewarealboy——or，forthatmatter，agirlworthknowing——whowouldnotratherclimbatree，anyday，thanwalkupagoldenstairway.
Itisatouchofthisinstinct，Isuppose，thatmakesitmoredelightfultofishinthemostinsignificantoffreestreamsthaninacarefullystockedandpreservedpond，wherethefisharebroughtupbyhandandfedonmincedliver.Suchelaborateprecautionstoensuregoodluckextractallthespicefromthesportofangling.
Castingtheflyinsuchapond，ifyouhookedafish，youmightexpecttohearthekeepersay，\"Ah，thatisCharles，wewillplayhimandputhimback，ifyouplease，sir;forthemasterisveryfondofhim，\"——or，\"NowyouhavegotholdofEdward;letuslandhimandkeephim;heisthreeyearsoldthismonth，andjustreadytobeeaten.\"Itwouldseemliketakingtroutoutofcoldstorage.
Whocouldfindanypleasureinanglingforthetamecarpinthefish—poolofFontainebleau？Theygatheratthemarblesteps，thosevenerable，courtlyfish，toreceivetheirrations;andthereareveteransamongthem，inancientlivery，withfringesofgreenmossontheirshoulders，whocouldtellyouprettytalesofbeingfedbythewhitehandsofmaidsofhonour，orevenofnibblingtheircrumbsofbreadfromthejewelledfingersofaprincess.
Thereisnosportinbringingpetstothetable.Itmaybenecessarysometimes;butthetruesportsmanwouldalwaysprefertoleavetheunpleasanttaskofexecutiontomenialhands，whilehegoesoutintothewildcountrytocapturehisgamebyhisownskill，——ifhehasgoodluck.Iwouldratherrunsomeriskinthisenterprise（evenastheyoungTobiasdid，whenthevoraciouspikesprangathimfromthewatersoftheTigris，andwouldhavedevouredhimbutforthefriendlyinstructionofthepiscatoryAngel，whotaughtTobiashowtolandthemonster），——Iwouldfarrathertakeanynumberofchancesinmysportthanhaveitdomesticatedtothepointofdulness.
Thetrimplantationsoftreeswhicharecalled\"forests\"incertainpartsofEurope——scientificallyprunedandtended，countedeveryyearbyuniformedforesters，anddefendedagainstallpossibledepredations——areadmirableandusefulintheirway;buttheylackthemysticenchantmentofthefragmentsofnativewoodlandwhichlingeramongtheAdirondacksandtheWhiteMountains，orthevast，shaggy，sylvanwildernesseswhichhidethelakesandriversofCanada.TheseLaurentianHillslieinNoMan’sLand.Hereyoudonotneedtokeeptothepath，forthereisnone.Youmaymakeyourowntrail，whithersoeverfancyleadsyou;andatnightyoumaypitchyourtentunderanytreethatlooksfriendlyandfirm.
Here，ifanywhere，youshallfindDryads，andNaiads，andOreads.
Andifyouchancetoseeone，bymoonlight，combingherlonghairbesidetheglimmeringwaterfall，orslippingsilently，withgleamingshoulders，throughthegroveofsilverbirches，youmaycallherbythenamethatpleasesyoubest.Sheisallyourowndiscovery.
Thereisnosocialdirectoryinthewilderness.
Onesideofournature，nodoubt，findsitssatisfactionintheregular，theproper，theconventional.Butthereisanothersideofournature，underneath，thattakesdelightinthestrange，thefree，thespontaneous.WeliketodiscoverwhatwecallalawofNature，andmakeourcalculationsaboutit，andharnesstheforcewhichliesbehinditforourownpurposes.Butwetasteadifferentkindofjoywhenaneventoccurswhichnobodyhasforeseenorcountedupon.
Itseemslikeanevidencethatthereissomethingintheworldwhichisaliveandmysteriousanduntrammelled.
Theweather—prophettellsusofanapproachingstorm.Itcomesaccordingtotheprogramme.Weadmiretheaccuracyoftheprediction，andcongratulateourselvesthatwehavesuchagoodmeteorologicalservice.Butwhen，perchance，abright，crystallinepieceofweatherarrivesinsteadoftheforetoldtempest，dowenotfeelasecretsenseofpleasurewhichgoesbeyondourmerecomfortinthesunshine？Thewholeaffairisnotaseasyasasuminsimpleaddition，afterall，——atleastnotwithourpresentknowledge.ItisagoodjokeontheWeatherBureau.\"Aha，OldProbabilities！\"wesay，\"youdon’tknowitallyet;therearestillsomechancestobetaken！\"
Someday，Isuppose，allthingsintheheavensabove，andintheearthbeneath，andintheheartsofthemenandwomenwhodwellbetween，willbeinvestigatedandexplained.Weshallliveaperfectlyorderedlife，withnoaccidents，happyorunhappy.
Everybodywillactaccordingtorule，andtherewillbenodottedlinesonthemapofhumanexistence，noregionsmarked\"unexplored.\"
Perhapsthatgoldenageofthemachinewillcome，butyouandIwillhardlylivetoseeit.Andifthatseemstoyouamatterfortears，youmustdoyourownweeping，forIcannotfinditinmyhearttoaddasingledropofregret.
Theresultsofeducationandsocialdisciplineinhumanityarefine.
Itisagoodthingthatwecancountuponthem.Butatthesametimeletusrejoiceintheplayofnativetraitsandindividualvagaries.Cultivatedmannersareadmirable，yetthereisasuddentouchofinborngraceandcourtesythatgoesbeyondthemall.Noarrayofaccomplishmentscanrivalthecharmofanunsuspectedgiftofnature，broughtsuddenlytolight.IonceheardapeasantgirlsingingdowntheTraunthal，andtheechoofhersongoutlives，inthehearingofmyheart，allmemoriesofthegrandopera.
Theharvestofthegardensandtheorchards，theresultofprudentplantingandpatientcultivation，isfullofsatisfaction.Weanticipateitindueseason，andwhenitcomeswefillourmouthsandaregrateful.Butpray，kindProvidence，letmeslipoverthefenceoutofthegardennowandthen，toshakeanut—treethatgrowsuntendedinthewood.Givemelibertytoputoffmyblackcoatforaday，andgoa—fishingonafreestream，andfindbychanceawildstrawberry.
LOVERSANDLANDSCAPE
\"Heinsistedthatthelovethatwasofrealvalueintheworldwasn’tinteresting，andthatthelovethatwasinterestingwasn’talwaysadmirable.Lovethathappenedtoapersonlikethemeaslesorfits，andwasreallyofnoparticularcredittoitselforitsvictims，wasthesortthatgotintothebooksandwasmademuchof;
whereasthekindthatwasattainedbytheendeavouroftruesouls，andthathadwearinit，andthatmadethingsgorightinsteadoftanglingthemup，wastoomuchlikedutytomakesatisfactoryreadingforpeopleofsentiment.\"——E.S.MARTIN：MyCousinAnthony.
Thefirstdayofspringisonething，andthefirstspringdayisanother.Thedifferencebetweenthemissometimesasgreatasamonth.
Thefirstdayofspringisduetoarrive，ifthecalendardoesnotbreakdown，aboutthetwenty—firstofMarch，whentheearthturnsthecornerofSunAlleyandstartsforSummerStreet.Butthefirstspringdayisnotonthetime—tableatall.Itcomeswhenitisready，andinthelatitudeofNewYorkthisisusuallynottillafterAllFools’Day.
Aboutthistime，——
\"WhenchinksinApril’swindydomeLetthroughadayofJune，Andfootandthoughtinclinetoroam，Andeverysound’satune，\"——
itisthehabitoftheanglerwholivesintowntoprepareforthelaboursoftheapproachingseasonbylongerwalksorbicycle—ridesintheparks，oralongtheriverside，orinthesomewhatdemoralizedEdensofthesuburbs.Inthecourseofthesevernalperegrinationsandcircumrotations，Iobservethatloversofvariouskindsbegintooccupyanotableplaceinthelandscape.
Theburnisheddoveputsalivelieririsaroundhisneck，andpractisesfantasticbowsandamourousquickstepsalongtheverandahofthepigeon—houseandoneveryconvenientroof.Theyoungmaleofthehumanspecies，lessgiftedinthematterofrainbows，doeshisbestwithagaycravat，andturnsthethoughtswhichcirculateaboveittowardsthesecuringorpropitiatingofabestgirl.
Theobjectsofthesemoreorlessbrilliantattentions，dovesandgirls，showabecomingreciprocity，andactinawaywhichleadsustoinfer（sofarasinferencesholdgoodinthemysteriousregionoffemaleconduct）thattheyarenotseriouslydispleased.Toarightlytemperedmind，pleasureisapleasantsight.AndthephilosophicobserverwhocouldlookuponthisspringspectacleoftheloverswithanybutfriendlyfeelingswouldbeindeedwhatthegreatDr.SamuelJohnsoncalled\"apersonnottobeenvied.\"
Farbeitfrommetofallintosuchadesiccatedandsuperciliousmood.Mysmallolive—branchoffancywillbewithered，intruth，andreadytodropbudlessfromthetree，whenIceasetofeelamilddelightinthebillingsandcooingsofthelittlebirdsthatseparatefromtheflockstoflytogetherinpairs，orintheuninstructivebutmutuallysatisfactoryconversewhichStrephonholdswithChloewhiletheydallyalongtheprimrosepath.
Iamgladthateventhestonyandtumultuouscityaffordssomeopportunitiesfortheseamiableobservations.InthemonthofAprilthereishardlyaclumpofshrubberyintheCentralParkwhichwillnotserveasatrysting—placeforyellowwarblersandcatbirdsjusthomefromtheirsoutherntours.Atthesametime，youshallseemanyabench，designedfortheaccommodationofsixpersons，occupiedatthesunsethourbyonlytwo，andapparentlysomuchtoosmallforthemthattheycannotavoidalittlecrowding.
Theseareinfalliblesigns.Takeninconjunctionwiththeeruptionoftopsandmarblesamongthesmallboys，andthepurchaseoffishing—tackleandgolf—clubsbytheoldboys，theycertifyusthatthevernalequinoxhasarrived，notonlyinthecelestialregions，butalsointheheartofman.
Ihavebeenreflectingoflateupontherelationofloverstothelandscape，andquestioningwhetherarthasgivenitquitethesameplaceasthatwhichbelongstoitinnature.Infiction，forexample，andinthedrama，andinmusic，Ihavesomevaguemisgivingsthatromanticlovehascometoholdamoreprominentandamorepermanentpositionthanitfillsinreallife.
Thisisdangerousgroundtoventureupon，eveninthemostmodestanddeprecatoryway.Themanwhoexpressesanopinion，orevenadoubt，onthissubject，contrarytotherulingtraditions，willhaveaswarmofangrycriticsbuzzingabouthim.Hewillbecalledaheretic，aheathen，acold—bloodedfreakofnature.Asforthewomanwhohesitatestosubscribeallthethirty—ninearticlesofromanticlove，ifsuchaonedarestoputherreluctanceintowords，sheiscertaintobeaccusedeitherofunwomanlyambitionoroffemininedisappointment.
Letusmakehaste，then，togetbackforsafetytotheornithologicalaspectofthesubject.Heretherecanbenopenaltiesforheresy.AndhereImakeboldtoavowmyconvictionthatthepairingseasonisnottheonlypointofinterestinthelifeofthebirds;noristheinstinctbywhichtheymatealtogetherandbeyondcomparisonthenoblestpassionthatstirstheirfeatheredbreasts.
’Tistrue，thetimeofmatingistheirprettiestseason;butitisveryshort.Howlittleweshouldknowofthedramaoftheirairylifeifwehadeyesonlyforthisbriefscene！Theirfinestqualitiescomeoutinthepatientcaresthatprotecttheyounginthenest，inthevariedstrugglesforexistencethroughthechangingyear，andintheincredibleheroismsoftheannualmigrations.
Hereinisaparable.
Itmaybeobservedfurther，withoutfearofrebuke，thatthebehaviourofthedifferentkindsofbirdsduringtheprevalenceofromanticloveisnotalwaysequallyabovereproach.ThecourtshipofEnglishsparrows——blustering，noisy，vulgar——isasighttooffendthetasteofeverygentleon—looker.Somebirdsreiterateandvociferatetheirlove—songsinafashionthatdisplaystheirinconsideratenessaswellastheirignoranceofmusic.Thistraitismostmarkedindomesticfowls.Therewasaguinea—cock，once，thatchosetodohiswooingcloseunderthewindowofafarm—housewhereIwaslodged.Hehadnoregardformyhoursofsleepormeditation.Hisamatoryclick—clackpreventedthemorningandwreckedthetranquillityoftheevening.Itwasodious，brutal，——
worse，itwasabsolutelythoughtless.Hereinisanotherparable.
Letusadmitcheerfullythatlovershaveaplaceinthelandscapeandlendacharmtoit.Thisdoesnotmeanthattheyaretotakeupalltheroomthereis.Suppose，forexample，thatapairofthem，onGoatIsland，putthemselvesinsuchapositionastocompletelyblockoutyourviewofNiagara.Youcannotregardthemwithgratitude.Theyevenbecomealittletedious.Orsupposethatyouarevisitingatacountry—house，andyoufindthatyoumustnotenjoythemoonlightontheverandahbecauseAugustusandAmandaaremurmuringinonecorner，andthatyoumustnotgointothegardenbecauseLouisandLizziearethere，andthatyoucannothaveasailonthelakebecauseRichardandRebeccahavetakentheboat.
Ofcourse，unlessyouhappentobeaselfisholdcurmudgeon，yourejoice，bysympathy，inthehappinessoftheseestimableyoungpeople.Butyoufailtoseewhyitshouldcoversomuchground.
Whyshouldtheynotpooltheirinterests，andallgooutintheboat，orallwalkinthegarden，orallsitontheverandah？Thentherewouldberoomforsomebodyelseabouttheplace.
Inoldtimesyoucouldrelyuponloversforretirement.Butnowadaystheirroleseemstobeaboldostentationoftheircondition.Theyrelyuponotherpeopletodothetimid，shrinkingpart.Society，inAmerica，isarrangedprincipallyfortheirconvenience;andwhateverportionofthelandscapestrikestheirfancy，theypreemptandoccupy.Allthisgoesuponthepresumptionthatromanticloveisreallytheonlyimportantinterestinlife.
Thistrainofthoughtwasilluminated，theothernight，byanincidentwhichbefellmeataparty.Itwasanassemblyofmen，drawntogetherbytheircommondevotiontothesportofcanoeing.
Therewereonlythreeorfourofthegentlersexpresent（ashonorarymembers），andonlyoneofwhomitcouldbesuspectedthatshewasatthattimeavictimoranobjectofthetenderpassion.
Inthecourseoftheevening，bywayofdiversiontoourdisputationsonkeelsandcentreboards，canvasandbirch—bark，cedar—woodandbass—wood，paddlesandsteering—gear，afineyoungApollo，withabig，manlyvoice，sangusafewsongs.Buthedidnotchantthejoysofweatheringasuddensquall，orrunningarapidfeather—whitewithfoam，orfloatingdownalong，quiet，elm—boweredriver.Notall.Hissongswerefullofsighsandyearnings，languidlipsandsheep’s—eyes.Hispowerfulvoiceinformedusthatcrownsofthornsseemedlikegarlandsofroses，andkisseswereassweetassamplesofheaven，andvariousothercurioussensationswereexperienced;andattheendofeverystanzathereasonwasstated，intonesofthunder——
\"BecauseIloveyou，dear.\"
Eveniftrue，itseemedinappropriate.Howfoolishtheaverageaudienceinadrawing—roomlookswhileitislisteningtopassionatelove—ditties！AndyetIsupposethesingerchosethesesongs，notfromanymaliceaforethought，butsimplybecausesongsofthiskindaresoabundantthatitisnexttoimpossibletofindanythingelseintheshops.
Inregardtonovels，thesituationisalmostasdiscouraging.Tenlove—storiesareprintedtooneofanyotherkind.Wehaveastandinginvitationtoconsiderthetribulationsanddifficultiesofsomeyoungmanoryoungwomaninfindingamate.Itmustbeadmittedthatthesubjecthasitscapabilitiesofinterest.Naturehasherusesforthelover，andshegiveshimanexcellentparttoplayinthedramaoflife.Butisthistantamounttosayingthathisinterestisperennialandall—absorbing，andthathisroleonthestageistheonlyonethatissignificantandnoteworthy？
Lifeismuchtoolargetobeexpressedinthetermsofasinglepassion.Friendship，patriotism，parentaltenderness，filialdevotion，theardourofadventure，thethirstforknowledge，theecstasyofreligion，——theseallhavetheirdwellingintheheartofman.Theymouldcharacter.Theycontrolconduct.Theyarestarsofdestinyshiningintheinnerfirmament.Andifartwouldtrulyholdthemirroruptonature，itmustreflectthesegreaterandlesserlightsthatrulethedayandthenight.
Howmanyoftheplaysthatdivertandmisinformthemoderntheatre—
goerturnonthepivotofalove—affair，notalwayspure，butgenerallysimple！AndhowmanyofthosethatareimportedfromFranceproceeduponthetheorythattheSeventhistheonlyCommandment，andthattheprincipalattractionoflifeliesintheopportunityofbreakingit！Thematinee—girlisnotlikelytohaveaveryluminousortruthfulideaofexistencefloatingaroundinherprettylittlehead.
But，afterall，thegreatplays，thosethattakethedeepestholdupontheheart，likeHAMLETandKINGLEAR，MACBETHandOTHELLO，arenotlove—plays.Andthemostcharmingcomedies，likeTHEWINTER’S
TALE，andTHERIVALS，andRIPVANWINKLE，arechieflymemorableforotherthingsthanlove—scenes.
Eveninnovels，loveshowsatitsbestwhenitdoesnotabsorbthewholeplot.LORNADOONEisalovers’story，butthereisablessedminimumofspooninginit，andalwaysenoughofworkingandfightingtokeeptheairclearandfresh.THEHEARTOFMIDLOTHIAN，andHYPATIA，andROMOLA，andTHECLOISTERANDTHEHEARTH，andJOHN
INGLESANT，andTHETHREEMUSKETEERS，andNOTREDAME，andPEACEAND
WAR，andQUOVADIS，——thesearegreatnovelsbecausetheyaremuchmorethantalesofromanticlove.AsforHENRYESMOND，（whichseemstomethebestofall，）certainly\"loveatfirstsight\"doesnotplaythefinestroleinthatbook.
Therearegoodstoriesofourownday——pathetic，humourous，entertaining，powerful——inwhichtheelementofromanticloveisaltogethersubordinate，orevenimperceptible.THERISEOFSILAS
LAPHAMdoesnotoweitsdeepinteresttotheengagementoftheverycharmingyoungpeoplewhoenlivenit.MADAMEDELPHINEandOLE
’STRACTEDareperfectstoriesoftheirkind.IwouldnotbarterTHE
JUNGLEBOOKSforahundredofTHEBRUSHWOODBOY.
Thetruthisthatlove，consideredmerelyasthepreferenceofonepersonforanotheroftheoppositesex，isnot\"thegreatestthingintheworld.\"Itbecomesgreatonlywhenitleadson，asitoftendoes，toheroismandself—sacrificeandfidelity.Itschiefvalueforart（theinterpreter）liesnotinitself，butinitsquickeningrelationtotheotherelementsoflife.Itmustbeseenandshowninitsdueproportion，andinharmonywiththebroaderlandscape.
Doyoubelievethatinalltheworldthereisonlyonewomanspeciallycreatedforeachman，andthattheorderoftheuniversewillbehopelesslyaskewunlessthesetwoneedlesfindeachotherinthehaystack？Youbelieveitforyourself，perhaps;butdoyoubelieveitforTomJohnson？Yourememberwhataterrificdisturbancehemadeinthesummerof189—，atBarHarbor，aboutEllinorBrown，andhowheranawaywithherinSeptember.Youhavealsoseenthemtogether（occasionally）atLenoxandNewport，sincetheirmarriage.AreyouhonestlyoftheopinionthatifTomhadnotmarriedEllinor，thesetwoyoungliveswouldhavebeenatotalwreck？
AdamSmith，inhisbookonTHEMORALSENTIMENTS，goessofarastosaythat\"loveisnotinterestingtotheobserverbecauseitisAN
AFFECTIONOFTHEIMAGINATION，intowhichitisdifficultforathirdpartytoenter.\"SomethingofthesamekindoccurredtomeinregardtoTomandEllinor.YetIwouldnothavepresumedtosuggestthisthoughttoeitherofthem.NorwouldIhavequotedintheirhearingthemelancholyandfrigidpredictionofRalphWaldoEmerson，totheeffectthattheywouldsomedaydiscover\"thatallwhichatfirstdrewthemtogether——thoseoncesacredfeatures，thatmagicalplayofcharm——wasdeciduous.\"
DECIDUOUS，indeed？Cold，unpleasant，botanicalword！RatherwouldIprognosticatefortheloverssomethingperennial，\"Asobercertaintyofwakingbliss，commonaboutit.Itwashishabittosucceed，andalltherestofuswerehardenedtoit.
WhenhemarriedCorneliaCochrane，wewereconsoledforourpartiallossbytheapparentfitnessandbrilliancyofthematch.IfBeekmanwasamasterfulman，Corneliawascertainlywhatyoumightcallamistressfulwoman.Shehadbeentheheadofherhousesinceshewaseighteenyearsold.Shecarriedhergoodlookslikethefamilyplate;andwhenshecameintothebreakfast—roomandsaidgood—morning，itwaswithanairasifshepresentedeveryonewithacheckforathousanddollars.Hertasteswereacceptedasjudgments，andherpreferenceshadtheforceoflaws.Wherevershewantedtogointhesummer—time，therethefingerofhouseholddestinypointed.AtNewport，atBarHarbour，atLenox，atSouthampton，shemadearecord.WhenshewasjoinedinholywedlocktoBeekmanDePeyster，herfatherandmotherheavedasighofsatisfaction，andsettleddownforaquietvacationinCherryValley.
ItwasinthesecondsummeraftertheweddingthatBeekmanadmittedtoafewofhisancientPetrinecronies，inmomentsofconfidence（unjustifiable，butnatural），thathiswifehadonefault.
\"Itisnotexactlyafault，\"hesaid，\"notapositivefault，youknow.Itisjustakindofadefect，duetohereducation，ofcourse.Ineverythingelseshe’smagnificent.Butshedoesn’tcareforfishing.\"
tosurvivetheevanescenceoflove’syoungdream.EllinorshouldturnouttobeawomanliketheLadyElizabethHastings，ofwhomRichardSteelewrotethat\"toloveherwasaliberaleducation.\"
Tomshouldprovethathehadinhimthelastingstuffofatruemanandahero.Thenitwouldmakelittledifferencewhethertheirconjunctionhadbeeneternallyprescribedinthebookoffateornot.Itwouldbeevidentlyafitmatch，madeonearthandillustrativeofheaven.
Buteveninthemakingofsuchamatchasthis，thevariousstagesofattraction，infatuation，andappropriationshouldnotbedisplayedtooprominentlybeforetheworld，nortreatedaseventsofoverwhelmingimportanceandenduringmoment.IwouldnotcounselTomandEllinor，inthemidsummeroftheirengagement，tohavetheirphotographstakentogetherinaffectionateattitudes.
Thepicturesofanimaginarykindwhichdealwiththesubjectofromanticloveare，almostwithoutexception，fatuousandfutile.
Theinanelyamatory，withtheirlanguishingeyes，wearyus.Theendlesslyosculatory，withtheirprotractedsalutations，aresickening.Evenwhenanairofsentimentalproprietyisthrownaboutthembysomesuchtitleas\"Wedded\"or\"TheHoneymoon，\"theyfatigueus.Forthemostpart，theyremindmeoftheremarkwhichtheCommodoremadeuponacertainpaintingofJupiterandlowhichhangsinthewriting—roomoftheContraryClub.
\"Sir，\"saidthatgentlypiercingcritic，\"thatpictureisequallyunsatisfactorytotheartist，tothemoralist，andtothevoluptuary.\"
Nevertheless，havingmadeacleanbreastofmymisgivingsandreservationsonthesubjectofloversandlandscape，Iwillnowconfessthatthewholeofmydoubtsdonotweighmuchagainstmyunreasonedfaithinromanticlove.AtheartIamnoinfidel，butamostobstinatebelieveranddevotee.Myseasonsofskepticismaretransient.Theyareconnectedwithatorpidliverandaggravatedbyconfinementtoasedentarylifeandenforcedabstinencefromangling.Out—of—doors，Ireturntoasanerandhappierframeofmind.
AsmywheelrollsalongtheRiversideDriveinthegoldenglowofthesunset，IrejoicethattheepisodeofCharlesHenryandMatildaJanehasnotbeenomittedfromtheview.Thisvastandpopulouscity，withallitspassingshowoflife，wouldbelittlebetterthanawaste，howlingwildernessifwecouldnotcatchaglimpse，nowandthen，ofyoungpeoplefallinginloveinthegoodold—fashionedway.
Evenonatrout—stream，IhaveseennothingprettierthanthesightuponwhichIoncecamesuddenlyasIwasfishingdowntheNeversink.
Aboywaskneelingbesidethebrook，andagirlwasgivinghimadrinkofwateroutofherrosyhands.Theystaredwithwonderandcompassionatthewetandsolitaryangler，wadingdownthestream，asifheweresomekindofamildlunatic.ButasIglanceddiscreetlyattheirsmalltableau，Iwasnotunconsciousofthenewjoythatcameintothelandscapewiththepresenceof\"Aloverandhislass.\"
Iknewhowsweetthewatertastedfromthatkindofacup.IalsohavelivedinArcadia，andhavenotforgottenthewayback.
AFATALSUCCESS
\"Whatsurprisesmeinherbehaviour，\"saidhe，\"isitsthoroughness.
Womanseldomdoesthingsbyhalves，butoftenbydoubles.\"——SOLOMON
SINGLEWITZ：TheLifeofAdam.
BeekmanDePeysterwasprobablythemostpassionateandtriumphantfishermaninthePetrineClub.Heangledwiththesamedashandconfidencethathethrewintohisoperationsinthestock—market.
Hewassuretobethefirstmantogethisfliesonthewaterattheopeningoftheseason.Andwhenwecametogetherforourfallmeeting，tocomparenotesofourwanderingsonvariousstreamsandmakeupthefish—storiesfortheyear，Beekmanwasalmostalways\"highhook.\"Weexpected，asamatterofcourse，tohearthathehadtakenthemostandthelargestfish.
Itwassowitheverythingthatheundertook.Hewasamasterfulman.Iftherewasanunusuallylargetroutinariver，Beekmanknewaboutitbeforeanyoneelse，andgottherefirst，andcamehomewiththefish.Itdidnotmakehimundulyproud，becausetherewasnothingunShesaysit’sstupid，——can’tseewhyanyoneshouldlikethewoods，——callscampingoutthelunatic’sdiversion.
It’sratherawkwardforamanwithmyhabitstohavehiswifetakesuchaview.Butitcanbechangedbytraining.Iintendtoeducateherandconverther.Ishallmakeananglerofheryet.\"
Andsohedid.
TheneweducationwasbegunintheAdirondacks，andthefirstlessonwasgivenatPaulSmith’s.Itwasacompletefailure.
BeekmanpersuadedhertocomeoutwithhimforadayonMeachamRiver，andpromisedtoconvinceherofthecharmofangling.Sheworeanewgown，fawn—colourandviolet，withapicture—hat，verytaking.ButtheMeachamRivertroutwasshythatday;notevenBeekmancouldinducehimtorisetothefly.Whatthetroutlackedinconfidencethemosquitoesmorethanmadeup.Mrs.DePeystercamehomemuchsunburned，andexpressedahighlyunfavourableopinionoffishingasanamusementandofMeachamRiverasaresort.
\"Thenicepeopledon’tcometotheAdirondackstofish，\"saidshe;
\"theycometotalkaboutthefishingtwentyyearsago.Besides，whatdoyouwanttocatchthattroutfor？Ifyoudo，theothermenwillsayyouboughtit，andthehotelwillhavetoputinanewonefortherestoftheseason.\"
ThefollowingyearBeekmantriedMooseheadLake.Herehefoundanatmospheremorefavourabletohisplanofeducation.Therewereagoodmanypeoplewhoreallyfished，andshortexpeditionsinthewoodswerequitefashionable.Corneliahadacamping—costumeofthemostapprovedstylemadebyDewlaponFifthAvenue，——pearl—graywithliningsofrose—silk，——andconsentedtogowithherhusbandonatripupMooseRiver.TheypitchedtheirtentthefirsteveningatthemouthofMiseryStream，andastormcameon.Therainsiftedthroughthecanvasinafinespray，andMrs.DePeystersatupallnightinawaterproofcloak，holdinganumbrella.Thenextdaytheywerebackatthehotelintimeforlunch.
\"Itwashorrid，\"shetoldhermostintimatefriend，\"perfectlyhorrid.Theideaofsleepinginashower—bath，andeatingyourbreakfastfromatinplate，justforsakeofcatchingafewsillyfish！Whynotsendyourguidesouttogetthemforyou？\"
But，inspiteofthisprofessionofobstinateheresy，Beekmanobservedwithsecretjoythatthereweresigns，beforetheendoftheseason，thatCorneliawasdriftingalittle，averylittlebutstillperceptibly，inthedirectionofachangeofheart.Shebegantotakeaninterest，asthebigtroutcamealonginSeptember，inthereportsofthecatchesmadebythedifferentanglers.Shewouldsaunteroutwiththeotherpeopletothecorneroftheporchtoseethefishweighedandspreadoutonthegrass.SeveraltimesshewentwithBeekmaninthecanoetoHardscrabblePoint，andshoweddistinctevidencesofpleasurewhenhecaughtlargetrout.Thelastdayoftheseason，whenhereturnedfromasuccessfulexpeditiontoRoachRiverandLilyBay，sheinquiredwithsomeparticularityabouttheresultsofhissport;andintheevening，asthecompanysatbeforethegreatopenfireinthehallofthehotel，shewasheardtousethisinformationwithconsiderableskillinputtingdownMrs.
MinotPeabodyofBoston，whowasrecountingthedetailsofherhusband’scatchatSpencerPond.Corneliawasnotapersontobecontentedwiththebackseat，eveninfish—stories.
WhenBeekmanobservedtheseindicationshewasmuchencouraged，andresolvedtopushhiseducationalexperimentbrisklyforwardtohiscustomarygoalofsuccess.
\"Somethingscanbedone，aswellasothers，\"hesaidinhismasterfulway，asthreeofuswerewalkinghometogetheraftertheautumnaldinnerofthePetrineClub，whichhealwaysattendedasagraduatemember.\"Arealfishermannevergivesup.ItoldyouI’dmakeanangleroutofmywife;andsoIwill.Ithasbeenratherdifficult.Sheis’dour’inrising.Butshe’sbeginningtotakenoticeoftheflynow.Givemeanotherseason，andI’llhaveherlanded.\"
GoodoldBeekman！Littledidhethink——ButImustnotinterruptthestorywithmoralreflections.
Thepreparationsthathemadeforhisfinaleffortatconversionwerethoroughandprudent.HehadaprivateinterviewwithDewlapinregardtotheconstructionofapracticalfishing—costumeforalady，whichresultedinsomethingmorereasonableandworkmanlikethanhadeverbeenturnedoutbythatfamousartist.HeorderedfromHookandCatchettalady’sangling—outfitofthemostenticingdescription，——asplit—bamboorod，lightasagirl’swish，andstrongasamatron’swill;anoxidizedsilverreel，withamonogramononeside，andasapphiresetinthehandleforgoodluck;abookofflies，ofallsizesandcolours，withthecorrectnamesinscribedingiltlettersoneachpage.Hesurroundedhisfavouritesportwithanaureoleofeleganceandbeauty.AndthenhetookCorneliainSeptembertotheUpperDamatRangeley.
Shewentreluctant.Shearriveddisgusted.Shestayedincredulous.
Shereturned——Waitabit，andyoushallhearhowshereturned.
TheUpperDamatRangeleyistheplace，ofallothersintheworld，wherethelunacyofanglingmaybeseeninitsincurablestage.
Thereisacosylittleinn，calledacamp，atthefootofabiglake.Infrontoftheinnisahugedamofgraystone，overwhichtheriverplungesintoagreatovalpool，wherethetroutassembleintheearlyfalltoperpetuatetheirrace.FromthetenthofSeptembertothethirtieth，thereisnotanhourofthedayornightwhentherearenoboatsfloatingonthatpool，andnoanglerstrailingtheflyacrossitswaters.Beforethelatefishermenarereadytocomeinatmidnight，theearlyfishermenmaybeseencreepingdowntotheshorewithlanternsinordertobeginbeforecock—crow.Thenumberoffishtakenisnotlarge，——perhapsfiveorsixforthewholecompanyonanaverageday，——butthesizeissometimesenormous，——nothingunderthreepoundsiscounted，——andtheypervadethoughtandconversationattheUpperDamtotheexclusionofeveryothersubject.Thereisnodriving，nodancing，nogolf，notennis.Thereisnothingtodobutfishordie.
Atfirst，Corneliathoughtshewouldchoosethelatteralternative.
Butaremarkofthatskilfulandmoroseoldangler，McTurk，whichsheoverheardontheverandahaftersupper，changedhermind.
\"Womenhavenosportinginstinct，\"saidhe.\"Theyonlyfishbecausetheyseemendoingit.Theyareimitativeanimals.\"
ThatsamenightshetoldBeekman，inthesubduedtonewhichthearchitecturalconstructionofthehouseimposesuponallconfidentialcommunicationsinthebedrooms，butwithresolutionineveryaccent，thatsheproposedtogofishingwithhimonthemorrow.
\"Butnotonthatpool，rightinfrontofthehouse，youunderstand.
Theremustbesomeotherplace，outonthelake，wherewecanfishforthreeorfourdays，untilIgetthetrickofthiswobblyrod.
ThenI’llshowthatoldbear，McTurk，whatkindofananimalwomanis.
Beekmanwassimplydelighted.FivedaysofdiligentpracticeatthemouthofMillBrookbroughthispupiltothepointwherehepronouncedhersafe.
\"Ofcourse，\"hesaidpatronizingly，\"youhave’ntlearnedallaboutityet.Thatwilltakeyears.Butyoucangetyourflyoutthirtyfeet，andyoucankeepthetipofyourrodup.Ifyoudothat，thetroutwillhookhimself，inrapidwater，eighttimesoutoften.
Forplayinghim，ifyoufollowmydirections，you’llbeallright.
Wewilltrythepooltonight，andhopeforamedium—sizedfish.\"
Corneliasaidnothing，butsmiledandnodded.Shehadherownthoughts.
Ataboutnineo’clockSaturdaynight，theyanchoredtheirboatontheedgeoftheshoalwherethebigeddyswingsaround，putoutthelanternandbegantofish.Beekmansatinthebowoftheboat，withhisrodovertheleftside;Corneliainthestern，withherrodovertherightside.Thenightwascloudyandveryblack.Eachofthemhadputonthelargestpossiblefly，onea\"Bee—Pond\"andtheothera\"Dragon;\"buteventhesewereinvisible.Theymeasuredouttherightlengthofline，andletthefliesdriftbackuntiltheyhungovertheshoal，inthecurlywaterwherethetwocurrentsmeet.
Therewerethreeotherboatstotheleftofthem.McTurkwastheironlyneighbourinthedarknessontheright.Oncetheyheardhimswearingsoftlytohimself，andknewthathehadhookedandlostafish.
Awaydownatthetailofthepool，dimlyvisiblethroughthegloom，thefurtivefisherman，Parsons，hadanchoredhisboat.Nonoiseevercamefromthatcraft.Ifhewishedtochangehisposition，hedidnotpulluptheanchorandletitdownagainwithabump.Hesimplylengthenedorshortenedhisanchorrope.Therewasnoclickofthereelwhenheplayedafish.Hedrewinandpaidoutthelinethroughtheringsbyhand，withoutasound.Whathethoughtwhenafishgotaway，nooneknew，forheneversaidit.Heconcealedhisanglingasifithadbeenaconspiracy.Twicethatnighttheyheardafaintsplashinthewaternearhisboat，andtwicetheysawhimputhisarmoverthesideinthedarknessandbringitbackagainveryquietly.
\"That’sthesecondfishforParsons，\"whisperedBeekman，\"whatasecretiveoldFortunatusheis！Heknowsmoreaboutfishingthananymanonthepool，andtalksless.\"
Corneliadidnotanswer.Herthoughtswereallonthetipofherownrod.Abouteleveno’clockafine，drizzlingrainsetin.Thefishingwasveryslack.Alltheotherboatsgaveitupindespair;
butCorneliasaidshewantedtostayoutalittlelonger，theymightaswellfinishuptheweek.
Atpreciselyfiftyminutespasteleven，Beekmanreeleduphisline，andremarkedwithfirmnessthattheholySabbathdaywasalmostathandandtheyoughttogoin.
\"NottillI’velandedthistrout，\"saidCornelia.
\"What？Atrout！Haveyougotone？\"
\"Certainly;I’vehadhimonforatleastfifteenminutes.I’mplayinghimMr.Parsons’way.Youmightaswelllightthelanternandgetthenetready;he’scomingintowardstheboatnow.\"
Beekmanbrokethreematchesbeforehemadethelanternburn;andwhenhehelditupoverthegunwale，therewasthetroutsureenough，gleamingghostlypaleinthedarkwater，closetotheboat，andquitetiredout.Heslippedthenetoverthefishanddrewitin，——amonster.
\"I’llcarrythattrout，ifyouplease，\"saidCornelia，astheysteppedoutoftheboat;andshewalkedintothecamp，onthelaststrokeofmidnight，withthefishinherhand，andquietlyaskedforthesteelyard.
Eightpoundsandfourteenounces，——thatwastheweight.Everybodywasamazed.Itwasthe\"bestfish\"oftheyear.Corneliashowednosignofexultation，untiljustasJohnwascarryingthetrouttotheice—house.Thensheflashedout：——\"Quiteafairimitation，Mr.
McTurk，——isn’tit？\"
NowMcTurk’sbestrecordforthelastfifteenyearswassevenpoundsandtwelveounces.
SofarasMcTurkisconcerned，thisistheendofthestory.ButnotfortheDePeysters.Iwishitwere.Beekmanwenttosleepthatnightwithacontentedspirit.Hefeltthathisexperimentineducationhadbeenasuccess.Hehadmadehiswifeanangler.
Hehadindeed，andtoanextentwhichhelittlesuspected.ThatUpperDamtroutwastoherlikethefirsttasteofbloodtothetiger.Itseemedtochange，atonce，notsomuchhercharacterasthedirectionofhervitalenergy.Sheyieldedtothelunacyofangling，notbyslowdegrees，（asfirstatransientdelusion，thenafixedidea，thenachronicinfirmity，finallyamildinsanity，）butbyasuddenplungeintothemostviolentmania.SofarfrombeingreadytodieatUpperDam，herdesirenowwastolivethere——andtolivesolelyforthesakeoffishing——aslongastheseasonwasopen.
ThereweretwohundredandfortyhourslefttomidnightonthethirtiethofSeptember.Atleasttwohundredoftheseshespentonthepool;andwhenBeekmanwastooexhaustedtomanagetheboatandthenetandthelanternforher，sheengagedatrustworthyguidetotakeBeekman’splacewhileheslept.Attheendofthelastdayherscorewastwenty—three，withanaverageoffivepoundsandaquarter.Hisscorewasnine，withanaverageoffourpounds.Hehadsucceededfarbeyondhiswildesthopes.
Thenextyearhissuccessbecameevenmoreastonishing.TheywenttotheTitanClubinCanada.TheugliestandmostinaccessiblesheetofwaterinthatterritoryisLakePharaoh.Butitisfamousfortheextraordinaryfishingatacertainspotneartheoutlet，wherethereisjustroomenoughforonecanoe.TheycampedonLakePharaohforsixweeks，byMrs.DePeyster’scommand;andhercanoewasalwaysthefirsttoreachthefishing—groundinthemorning，andthelasttoleaveitintheevening.
Someoneaskedhim，whenhereturnedtothecity，whetherhehadgoodluck.
\"Quitefair，\"hetossedoffinacarelessway;\"wetookoverthreehundredpounds.\"
\"Toyourownrod？\"askedtheinquirer，inadmiration.
\"No—o—o，\"saidBeekman，\"thereweretwoofus.\"
Thereweretwoofthem，also，thefollowingyear，whentheyjoinedtheNatasheeboSalmonClubandfishedthatcelebratedriverinLabrador.Thecustomofdrawinglotseverynightforthewaterthateachmemberwastoangleoverthenextday，seemedtobeespeciallydesignedtofitthesituation.Mrs.DePeystercouldfishherownpoolandherhusband’stoo.Theresultofthatyear’sfishingwassomethingphenomenal.Shehadascorethatmadeaparagraphinthenewspapersandcalledouteditorialcomment.Oneeditorwassoinadequatetothesituationastoentitlethearticleinwhichhedescribedhertriumph\"TheEquivalenceofWoman.\"Itwaswell—
meant，butshewasnotatallpleasedwithit.