INJULY
OnehastheleisureofJulyforperceivingallthedifferencesofthegreenofleaves。Itisnolongeradifferenceindegreesofmaturity，forallthetreeshavedarkenedtotheirfinaltone，andstandintheirdifferencesofcharacterandnotofmeredate。
Almostallthegreenisgrave，notsadandnotdull。Ithasadarkenedandadailycolour，inmajesticbutnotobviousharmonywithdarkgreyskies，andmightlook，toinconstanteyes，asprosaicafterspringaseleveno’clocklooksafterthedawn。
Gravityistheword——notsolemnityastowardsevening，normenaceasatnight。ThedaylighttreesofJulyaresignsofcommonbeauty，commonfreshness，andamysteryfamiliarandabidingasnightandday。Inchildhoodweallhaveamoreexaltedsenseofdawnandsummersunrisethanweeverfullyretainorquiterecover；andalsoafarhighersensibilityforAprilandAprilevenings——aheartacheforthem，whichinriperyearsisgraduallyandirretrievablyconsoled。
But，ontheotherhand，childhoodhassoquicklylearnedtofinddailythingstedious，andfamiliarthingsimportunate，thatithasnogreatdelightinthemeremiddleoftheday，andfeelswearinessofthesummerthathasceasedtochangevisibly。Thepoetryofmeredayandoflatesummerbecomesperceptibletomatureeyesthathavelongceasedtobesated，havetakenleaveofweariness，andcannotnowfindanythinginnaturetoofamiliar；eyeswhichhave，indeed，lostsightofthefurtheraweofmidsummerdaybreak，andnolongerseesomuchofthepastinApriltwilightastheysawwhentheyhadnopast；butwhichlookfreshlyatthedailinessofgreensummer，ofearlyafternoon，ofeveryskyofanyformthatcomestopass，andofthedarkenedelms。
Notunbelovedisthisserioustree，theelm，withitsleafsittingclose，unthrilled。Itsstaturegivesitadarkgoldheadwhenitlooksalonetoalatesun。Butifonecouldgobyallthewoods，acrossalltheoldforeststhatarenowmeadowlandssetwithtrees，andcouldwalkacountygatheringtreesofasinglekindinthemind，asonewalksagardencollectingflowersofasinglekindinthehand，wouldnottheharvestbeaharvestofpoplars？A
veritablepassionforpoplarsisamostintelligiblepassion。Theeyesdogatherthem，farandnear，onawholeday’sjourney。Notoneisunperceived，eventhoughgreattimbershouldbepassed，andhill-sidesdenseanddeepwithtrees。Thefancymakesapoplardayofit。Immediatelythecountrylooksalivewithsignals；forthepoplarseverywherereplytotheglance。Thewoodsmaybeallvarious，butthepoplarsareseparate。
Alltheirmanykinds（andaspens，theirkin，mustbecountedwiththem）shakethemselvesperpetuallyfreeofthemotionlessforest。
Itiseasytogatherthem。Glancessentintothefardistancepaythemaflashofrecognitionoftheirgentleflashes；andasyoujourneyyouaresuddenlyawareofthemcloseby。Lightandthebreezesareasquickastheeyesofapoplar-lovertofindthewillingtreethatdancestobeseen。
Nolurkingforthem，noreluctance。Onecouldnevermakeforoneselfanoakdaysowell。Theoakswouldwaittobefound，andmanywouldbemissedfromthegathering。Butthepoplarsarealertenoughforatravellerbyexpress；theyhaveanalarumaloft，anddonotsleep。Fromwithinsomelittlegroveofothertreesasinglepoplarmakesaslightsign；oralongrowofpoplarssuddenlysweepthewind。Theyaresalienteverywhere，andfullofreplies。Theyareasfreshasstreams。
Itisdifficulttorealizeadroughtwheretherearemanypoplars。
Andyettheirgreenisnotrich；thecoolesthaveacolourmuchmingledwithacloud-grey。Itdoesbutneedfreshandsimpleeyestorecognizetheirunfadedlife。Whentheothertreesgrowdarkandkeepstill，thepoplarandtheaspendonotdarken——orhardly——andthedeepestsummerwillnotfindadayinwhichtheydonotkeepawake。Nowatersaresovigilant，evenwherealakeisbaretothewind。
WhenKeatssaidofhisDianthatshefastenedupherhair\"withfingerscoolasaspenleaves，\"heknewthecoolestthingintheworld。Itisacoolnessofcolour，aswellasofaleafwhichthebreezetakesonbothsides——thegreenishandthegreyish。Thepoplargreenhasnoglows，nogold；itisanausterecolour，aslittlerichasthecolourofwillows，andlesssilverythantheirs。
Thesuncanhardlygildit；buthecanshinebetween。Poplarsandaspensletthesunthroughwiththewind。Youmayhavetheskysprinkledthroughtheminhighmidsummer，whenallthewoodsareclose。
Sendingyourfancypoplar-gathering，then，youensnarewildtrees，beatingwithlife。Nofisher’snetevertooksuchglancingfishes，nordidthenetofaconstellation’sshapeeverenclosemorevibratingPleiades。
CLOUD
DuringapartoftheyearLondondoesnotseetheclouds。Nottoseetheclearskymightseemherchiefloss，butthatissharedbytherestofEngland，andis，besides，butaslightprivation。Nottoseetheclearskyis，elsewhere，toseethecloud。ButnotsoinLondon。Youmaygoforaweekortwoatatime，eventhoughyouholdyourheadupasyouwalk，andeventhoughyouhavewindowsthatreallyopen，andyetyoushallseenocloud，orbutasingleedge，thefragmentofaform。
Guillotinewindowsneverwhollyopen，butarefilledwithadoubledglasstowardstheskywhenyouopenthemtowardsthestreet。Theyare，therefore，asuresignthatforalltheyearswhennootherwindowswereusedinLondon，nobodytherecaredmuchforthesky，orevenknewsomuchaswhethertherewereasky。
Buttheprivationofcloudisindeedagraverlossthantheworldknows。Terrestrialsceneryismuch，butitisnotall。Mengoinsearchofit；butthecelestialsceneryjourneystothem。Itgoesitswayroundtheworld。Ithasnonation，itcostsnoweariness，itknowsnobonds。Theterrestrialscenery——thetourist’s——isaprisonercomparedwiththis。Thetourist’sscenerymovesindeed，butonlylikeWordsworth’smaiden，withearth’sdiurnalcourse；itismadeasfastasitsowngraves。Andforitschangesitdependsuponthemobilityoftheskies。Themeregreenflushingofitsownsapmakesonlytheleastofitsvarieties；forthegreateritmustwaituponthevisitsofthelight。Springandautumnareinconsiderableeventsinalandscapecomparedwiththeshadowsofacloud。
Thecloudcontrolsthelight，andthemountainsonearthappearorfadeaccordingtoitspassage；theywearsosimply，fromheadtofoot，theluminousgreyortheemphaticpurple，asthecloudpermits，thattheirownlocalcolourandtheirownlocalseasonarelostandcease，effacedbeforetheall-importantmoodofthecloud。
Theseahasnomoodexceptthatoftheskyandofitswinds。Itisthecloudthat，holdingthesun’sraysinasheafasagiantholdsahandfulofspears，strikesthehorizon，touchestheextremeedgewithadelicaterevelationoflight，orsuddenlyputsitoutandmakestheforegroundshine。
Everyoneknowsthemanifestworkofthecloudwhenitdescendsandpartakesinthelandscapeobviously，lieshalf-wayacrossthemountainslope，stoopstorainheavilyuponthelake，andblotsoutpartoftheviewbytheroughmethodofstandinginfrontofit。
Butitsgreatestthingsaredonefromitsownplace，aloft。Thencedoesitdistributethesun。
Thencedoesitlockawaybetweenthehillsandvalleysmoremysteriesthanapoetconceals，but，likehim，notbyinterception。
ThenceitwritesoutandcancelsallthetraceryofMonteRosa，orletsthepencilsofthesunrenewthem。Thence，hidingnothing，andyetmakingdark，itshedsdeepcolourupontheforestlandofSussex，sothat，seenfromthehills，allthecountryisdividedbetweengraveblueandgraversunlight。
Andallthisisbutitsinfluence，itssecondaryworkupontheworld。Itsownbeautyisunalteredwhenithasnoearthlybeautytoimprove。Itisalwaysgreat：abovethestreet，abovethesuburbs，abovethegas-worksandthestucco，abovethefacesofpaintedwhitehouses——thepaintedsurfacesthathavebeendevisedastheonlythingsabletovulgariselight，astheycatchitandreflectitgrotesquelyfromtheirimportunategloss。ThisistobewellseenonasunnyeveninginRegentStreet。
Evenherethecloudisnotsovictoriousaswhenittowersabovesomelittlelandscapeofratherpaltryinterest——aconventionalriverheavywithwater，gardenswiththeirlittleevergreens，walks，andshrubberies；andthicktreesimpervioustothelight，touched，asthenovelistsalwayshaveit，with\"autumntints。\"Highovertheserises，intheenormousscaleofthesceneryofclouds，whatnomanexpected——anheroicsky。Fewofthethingsthatwereeverdoneuponeartharegreatenoughtobedoneundersuchaheaven。Itwassurelydesignedforotherdays。Itisforanepicworld。Youreyessweepathousandmilesofcloud。Whatarethedistancesofearthtothese，andwhatarethedistancesoftheclearandcloudlesssky？
Theveryhorizonsofthelandscapearenear，fortheroundworlddipssosoon；andthedistancesofthemereclearskyareunmeasured——yourestuponnothinguntilyoucometoastar，andthestaritselfisimmeasurable。
Butintheskyof\"sunnyAlps\"ofcloudsthesightgoesfarther，withconsciousflight，thanitcouldeverhavejourneyedotherwise。
Manwouldnothaveknowndistanceveritablywithouttheclouds。
Therearemountainsindeed，precipicesanddeeps，towhichthoseoftheeartharepigmy。Yetthesky-heights，beingsofaroff，arenotoverpoweringbydisproportion，likesomefutilebuildingfatuouslymadetoobigforthehumanmeasure。ThecloudinitsmajesticplacecomposeswithalittlePeruginotree。Foryoustandorstrayinthefutilebuilding，whilethecloudisnomansionforman，andoutofreachofhislimitations。
Thecloud，moreover，controlsthesun，notmerelybykeepingthecustodyofhisrays，butbybecomingthecounsellorofhistemper。
Thecloudveilsanangrysun，or，moreterribly，letsflyanangryray，suddenlybrightupontreeandtower，withiron-greystormforabackground。Orwhenangerhadbutthreatened，thecloudrevealshim，gentlebeyondhope。Itmakespeace，constantly，justbeforesunset。
Itisintheconfidenceofthewinds，andwearstheircolours。
Thereisaheavenlygame，onsouth-westwinddays，whenthecloudsarebowledbyabreezefrombehindtheevening。Theyareroundandbrilliant，andcomeleapingupfromthehorizonforhours。Thisisafrolicandhaphazardsky。
Allunlikethisistheskythathasacentre，andstandscomposedaboutit。Asthecloudsmarshalledtheearthlymountains，sothecloudsinturnarenowranged。ThetopsofallthecelestialAndesaloftaresweptatoncebyasingleray，warmedwithasinglecolour。Promontoryafterleague-longpromontoryofastillerMediterraneanintheskyiscalledoutofmistandgreybythesamefinger。Thecloudlandisverygreat，butasunbeammakesallitsnationsandcontinentssuddenwithlight。
Allthisisfortheuntravelled。Allthewindsbringhimthisscenery。ItisonlyinLondon，forpartoftheautumnandpartofthewinter，thattheunnaturalsmoke-fogcomesbetween。AndformanyandmanyadaynoLondoneyecanseethehorizon，orthefirstthreatofthecloudlikeaman’shand。Thereneverwasagreatpainterwhohadnotexquisitehorizons，andifCorotandCromewereright，theLondonerlosesagreatthing。
Helosesthecomingofthecloud，andwhenitishighinairhelosesitsshape。Acloud-loverisnotcontenttoseeasnowyandrosyheadpilingintothetopoftheheavens；hewantstoseethebaseandthealtitude。Theperspectiveofacloudisagreatpartofitsdesign——whetheritliessothatyoucanlookalongtheimmensehorizontaldistancesofitsfloor，orwhetheritrearssouprightapillarthatyoulookupitsmountainsteepsintheskyasyoulookattherisingheightsofamountainthatstands，withyou，ontheearth。
Thecloudhasanamesuggestingdarkness；nevertheless，itisnotmerelytheguardianofthesun’sraysandtheirdirector。Itisthesun’streasurer；itholdsthelightthattheworldhaslost。Wetalkofsunshineandmoonshine，butnotofcloud-shine，whichisyetoneoftheilluminationsofourskies。Ashiningcloudisoneofthemostmajesticofallsecondarylights。Ifthereflectingmoonisthebride，thisisthefriendofthebridegroom。
Needlesstosay，thecloudofathunderoussummeristhemostbeautifulofall。Ithasspacesofagreyforwhichthereisnoname，andnoothercloudlooksoveratavanishingsunfromsuchheightsofblueair。Theshower-cloud，too，withitsthinedges，comesacrosstheskywithsoinfluentialaflightthatnoshipgoingouttoseacanbebetterworthwatching。ThedullestthingperhapsintheLondonstreetsisthatpeopletaketheirraintherewithoutknowinganythingofthecloudthatdropsit。Itismerelyrain，andmeanswetness。Theshower-cloudtherehaslimitsoftime，butnolimitsofform，andnohistorywhatever。Ithasnotcomefromtheclearedgeoftheplaintothesouth，andwillnotshoulderanonthehilltothenorth。Therain，forthiscity，hardlycomesorgoes；
itdoesbutbeginandstop。Noonelooksafteritonthepathofitsretreat。
SHADOWS
Anothergoodreasonthatweoughttoleaveblank，unvexed，andunencumberedwithpaperpatternstheceilingandwallsofasimplehouseisthattheplainsurfacemaybevisitedbytheuniquedesignsofshadows。Theopportunityissofineathingthatitoughtoftenertobeofferedtothelightandtoyonderhandfuloflongsedgesandrushesinavase。Theirslendergreydesignofshadowsuponwhitewallsisbetterthanatedious，trivial，oranxiousdevicefromtheshop。
Theshadowhasallintricaciesofperspectivesimplytranslatedintolineandintersectingcurve，andpictoriallypresentedtotheeyes，nottothemind。Theshadowknowsnothingexceptitsflatdesigns。
Itissingle；itdrawsadecorationthatwasneverseenbefore，andwillneverbeseenagain，andthat，untouched，varieswiththejourneyofthesun，shiftstheinterrelationofascoreofdelicatelinesatthemerepassingoftime，thoughalltheroombemotionless。Whywilldesigninsistuponitsimportunateimmortality？Wiseristhedrama，andwiserthedance，thatdonotpauseuponanattitude。Butthesewalkwithpassionorpleasure，whiletheshadowwalkswiththeearth。Italtersasthehourswheel。
Moreover，whilethehabitofyoursunwardthoughtsisstillflowingsouthward，afterthewinterandthespring，itsurprisesyouinthesuddengleamofanorth-westeringsun。Itdecksanewwall；itisshedbyalatesunsetthroughawindowunvisitedforayearpast；itbetraystheflittingofthesunintounwontedskies——asunthattakesthemidsummerworldintherear，andshowshisheadatasally-porte，andisabouttoalightonanunusedhorizon。Sodoesthegreydrawing，withwhichyouhaveallowedthesunandyourpotofrushestoadornyourroom，playthestealthygameoftheyear。
Youneednotstintyourselfofshadows，foranoccasion。ItneedsbutfourcandlestomakeahangingOrientalbellplaythemostbuoyantjuggleryoverhead。Twolampsmakeofonepalm-branchasymmetricalcounterchargeofshadows，andheretwopalm-branchesclosewithoneanotherinshadow，theirarchesflowingtogether，andtheirpalergreysdarkening。Itishardtobelievethattherearemanytoprefera\"repeatingpattern。\"
Itmustbegrantedtothemthatagreydayrobsoftheirdecorationthewallsthatshouldbesprinkledwithshadows。Let，then，aplaqueorapicturebekeptforhangingonshadowlessclays。Todressaroomonceforall，andtogiveitnomoreheed，istoneglecttheunitsofthedays。
Shadowswithindoorsareyetonlymessagesfromthatworldofshadowswhichisthelandscapeofsunshine。FacingaMaysunyouseelittleexceptaninfinitenumberofshadows。Atomsofshadow——
bethedaybrightenough——composetheveryairthroughwhichyouseethelight。Thetreesshowyouashadowforeveryleaf，andthepoplarsaresprinkledupontheshiningskywithlittleshadowsthatlooktranslucent。Thelivelinessofeveryshadowisthatsomelightisreflectedintoit；shadeandshinehavebeenentangledasthoughbysomewildwindthroughtheirmillionmolecules。
Thecoolnessandthedarkofnightareinterlockedwiththeuncloudedsun。Turnsunwardfromthenorth，andshadowscometolife，andarethemselvesthelife，theaction，andthetransparenceoftheirday。
Toeyestiredandretiredalldaywithinloweredblinds，thelightlooksstillandchangeless。Somanysquaresofsunshineabideforsomanyhours，andwhenthesunhascircledawaytheypassandareextinguished。Himwholiesalonetheretheouterworldtoucheslessbythislongsunshinethanbythehasteandpassageofashadow。
Althoughtheremaybenotreetostandbetweenhiswindowandthesouth，andalthoughnonoondaywindmayblowabranchofrosesacrosstheblind，shadowsandtheirlifewillbecarriedacrossbyabrilliantbird。
Tothesickmanacloud-shadowisnothingbutaneclipse；hecannotseeitsshape，itscolor，itsapproach，oritsflight。Itdoesbutdarkenhiswindowasitdarkenstheday，andisgoneagain；hedoesnotseeitpluckandsnatchthesun。Buttheflyingbirdshowshimwings。Whatflashoflightcouldbemorebrightforhimthansuchaflashofdarkness？
Itisthepulseoflife，whereallchangehadseemedtobecharmed。
Ifhehadseenthebirditselfhewouldhaveseenless——thebird’sshadowwasamessagefromthesun。
Therearetwoseparatedflightsforthefancytofollow，theflightofthebirdintheair，andtheflightofitsshadowonearth。Thisgoesacrossthewindowblind，acrossthewood，whereitisastrayforawhileintheshades；itdipsintothevalley，growingvaguerandlarger，runs，quickerthanthewind，uphill，smalleranddarkeronthesoftanddrygrass，andrushestomeetitsbirdwhenthebirdswoopstoabranchandclings。
Inthegreatbirdcountryofthenorth-easternlittoralofEngland，aboutHolyIslandandthebasalticrocks，theshadowsofthehighbirdsarethemovementandthepulseofthesolitude。Wheretherearenowoodstomakeashade，thesunsuffersthebrillianteclipseofflocksofpearl-whiteseabirds，orofthesolitarycreaturedrivingonthewind。Theirsisalwaysasurpriseofflight。Thecloudsgooneway，butthebirdsgoallways：infromtheseaorout，acrossthesands，inlandtohighnorthernfields，wherethecropsarelatebyamonth。Theyflysohighthatthoughtheyhavetheshadowofthesunundertheirwings，theyhavethelightoftheearththerealso。Thewavesandthecoastshineuptothem，andtheyflybetweenlights。
Blackflocksandwhitetheygathertheirdelicateshadowsup，\"swiftasdreams，\"attheendoftheirflightintotheclefts，platforms，andledgesofharbourlessrocksdominatingtheNorthSea。Theysubsidebydegrees，withlesseningandshorteningvolleysofwingsandcriesuntiltherecomesthegeneralshadowofnightwherewiththelittleshadowsclose，complete。
Theeveningistheshadowofanotherflight。Allthebirdshavetracedwildandinnumerablepathsacrossthemid-Mayearth；theirshadowshavefledalldayfasterthanherstreams，andhaveovertakenallthemovementofherwinglesscreatures。Butnowitistheflightoftheveryearththatcarriesherclaspedshadowfromthesun。
THESEVENTEENTHCENTURY
AllEnglishmenknowthenameofLucyHutchinson；andofhercallingandelectiontothemostwifelyofallwifehoods——thatofasoldier’swife——historyhasmadehercountrymenaware。InasmuchasColonelHutchinsonwasapoliticalsoldier，moreover，sheissomethingmorethanhisbiographer——hishistorian。AndsheconvincesherreaderthatherPuritanprincipleskeptabreastofheraffections。Thereisnoself-abandonment；sheisnotprecipitate；
keepsherownfooting；wifeofasoldierassheis，wouldnothavearmedhimwithoutherownpreviousindignationagainsttheenemy。
Sheisasoldierathisorders，butshehadwarilyandfreelychosenhercaptain。
Briefly，andwiththedignitythatthelanguageofherdaykeptunmarredforheruse，sherelatesherownchildhoodandyouth。Shewasachildsuchasthoseserioustimesdesiredthatachildshouldbe；thatis，shewasasslightlyachild，andforasbriefatime，asmightbe。Childhood，asanageofprogress，wasnottobedelayed，asanageofimperfectionwastobeimproved，asanageofinabilitywasnottobeexposedexceptwhenprecocitydistinguishedit。Itmustatanyratebeshortened。LucyApsley，atfouryearsold，readEnglishperfectly，andwas\"carriedtosermons，andcouldrememberandrepeatthemexactly。\"\"Atsevenshehadeighttutorsinseveralqualities。\"SheoutstrippedherbrothersinLatin，albeittheywereatschoolandshehadnoteacherexceptherfather’schaplain，who，poorgentleman，was\"apitifuldullfellow。\"
Shewasnotcompanionable。Hermanyfriendswereindulgedwith\"babies\"（thatis，dolls）andtheseshepulledtopieces。Sheexhortedthemaids，sheowned，\"much。\"Butshealsoheardmuchoftheirlovestories，andacquiredatasteforsonnets。
Itwasasonnet，andindeedoneofherownwriting，thatbroughtaboutheracquaintancewithMr。Hutchinson。Thesonnetwasreadtohim，anddiscussedamongsthisfriends，withguessesattheauthorship；forayoungwomandidnot，inthatworld，writeasonnetwithoutafeintofhidingitsorigin。Onegentlemanbelievedawomanhadmadeit。Anothersaid，ifso，therewerebuttwowomencapableofmakingit；butheowned，later，thathesaid\"two\"outofcivility（verygoodcivilityofakindthatisnotnowpractised）toaladywhochancedtobepresent；butthatheknewwelltherewasbutone；andhenamedher。FromherfuturehusbandLucyApsleyreceivedthatpraiseofexceptionswherewithwomenarenow，andalwayswillbe，praised：\"Mr。Hutchinson，shesays，\"fancyingsomethingofrationalityinthesonnetbeyondthecustomaryreachofashe-wit，couldscarcelybelieveitwasawoman’s。\"
Hesoughtheracquaintance，andtheyweremarried。Hertreasuredconsciencedidnotpreventherfromnotingthejealousyofheryoungfriends。Agenerousmind，perhaps，wouldratheritselfsufferjealousythanbequickinsuspecting，orcomplacentincausing，orpreciseinsettingitdown。ButMrs。HutchinsondoubtlessoffereduptheenvyofhercompanionsinhomagetoherPuritanlover’ssplendour。Hisausteritydidnothinderhimfromwearinghis\"fine，thick-setheadofhair\"inlonglocksthatwereanoffencetomanyofhisownsect，but，shesays，\"agreatornamenttohim。\"Butforherselfshehassomedissimulatedvanities。Shewasnegligentofdress，andwhen，aftermuchwaitingandmanydevices，hersuitorfirstsawher，shewas\"notuglyinacarelessriding-habit。\"Asforhim，\"inspiteofallherindifference，shewassurprised（shewrites）withsomeunusuallikinginhersoulwhenshesawthisgentleman，whohadhair，eyes，shape，andcountenanceenoughtobegetloveinanyone。\"Hemarriedherassoonasshecouldleaveherchamber，whenshewassodeformedbysmall-poxthat\"thepriestandallthatsawherwereaffrightedtolookather；butGodrecompensedhisjusticeandconstancybyrestoringher。\"
ThefollowingaresomeoftheadmirablesentencesthatproveLucyHutchinsonawomanoflettersinafarmoreserioussensethanourowntimeuses。OnephrasehasaStevenson-likecharacter，akindofgestureoflanguage；thisiswhereshepraisesherhusband’s\"handsomemanagementoflove。\"{1}Shethusprefacesherdescriptionofherhonouredlord：\"IfmytreacherousmemoryhavenotlostthedearesttreasurethateverIcommittedtoitstrust。\"Sheboastsofhercountryinloftyphrase：\"Godhath，asitwere，enclosedapeoplehere，outofthewastecommonoftheworld。\"Andagainofherhusband：\"Itwillbeashardtosaywhichwasthepredominantvirtueinhimaswhichissoinitsownnature。\"\"Hehadmadeuphisaccountswithlifeanddeath，andfixedhispurposetoentertainbothhonourably。\"\"Theheatofhisyouthalittleinclinedhimtothepassionofanger，andthegoodnessofhisnaturetothoseofloveandgrief；butreasonwasneverdethronedbythem，butcontinuedgovernorandmoderatorofhissoul。\"
Shedescribessweetlycertainthreedamselswhohad\"conceivedakindness\"forherlord，theirsusceptibility，theirwillingness，their\"admirabletemptingbeauty，\"and\"suchexcellentgood-natureaswouldhavethawedarockofice\"；butsheaddsnolessbeautifully，\"Itwasnothistimetolove。\"Inherwidowhoodsherememberedthatshehadbeencommanded\"nottogrieveatthecommonrateofwomen\"；andthisisthelovelyphraseofhergrief：\"Ashisshadow，shewaitedonhimeverywhere，tillhewastakentothatregionoflightwhichadmitsofnone，andthenshevanishedintonothing。\"
Shehasaninvincibleangeragainsttheenemiesofherhusbandandofthecause。Thefevers，\"littlelessthanplagues，\"thatwerecommoninthatagecarrythemoffexemplarilybyfamiliesatatime。
Anadversaryis\"thedevil’sexquisitesolicitor。\"AllRoyalistsareof\"thewickedfaction。\"ShesuspectedhiswardersofpoisoningColonelHutchinsonintheprisonwhereinhedied。Thekeeperhadgivenhim，underpretenceofkindness，abottleofexcellentwine，andthetwogentlemenwhodrankofitdiedwithinfourmonths。A
poisonofstrangeoperation！\"Wemustleaveittothegreatday，whenallcrimes，howsecretsoever，willbemademanifest，whethertheyaddedpoisontoalltheirotheriniquity，wherebytheycertainlymurderedthisguiltlessservantofGod。\"Whenhewasneardeath，sheadds，\"agentlewomanoftheCastlecameupandaskedhimhowhedid。Hetoldher，Incomparablywell，andfulloffaith。\"
Onthesubjectofpolitics，Mrs。Hutchinsonwrites，itmustbeowned，platitudes；butallaresimple，andsomearestatedwithdignity。Herpower，herintegrity，hertenderness，herpomp，theliberalandpublicinterestsofherlife，hergoodbreeding，hereducation，herexquisitediction，aresuchasmaywellmakeareaderaskhowandwhytheliteratureofEnglanddeclineduponthevulgarity，ignorance，cowardice，foolishness，thatbecame\"feminine\"
intheestimationofalaterage；thatis，inthecharacterofwomensucceedingher，andintheestimationofmensucceedingherlord。
ThenoblegracesofLucyHutchinson，Isay，maywellmakeusmarvelatthedownfallfollowing——atGoldsmith’sinventionofthewomenof\"TheVicarorWakefield\"inoneage，andatThackeray’sinventionofthewomenof\"Esmond\"inanother。
Mrs。Hutchinsonhaslittleleisureformuchpraiseofthenaturalbeautyofskyandlandscape，butnowandtheninherworkthereappearsanabidingsenseofthepleasantnessoftheruralworld——inherdayanimplicitfeelingratherthananexplicit。\"Thehappinessofthesoilandaircontributeallthingsthatarenecessarytotheuseordelightofman’slife。\"\"Hehadanopportunityofconversingwithherinthosepleasantwalkswhich，atthesweetseasonofthespring，invitedalltheneighbouringinhabitantstoseektheirjoys。\"AndshedescribesadreamwhereofthescenewasinthegreenfieldsofSouthwark。WhatanEnglandwashers！AndwhatanEnglish！Amemorablevintageofourliteratureandspeechwasgrantedinherday；weowemuchtothosewho——asshedid——gathereditin。
MRS。DINGLEY
WecannotdoherhonourbyherChristianname。{2}AllwehavetocallherbymoretenderlyisthemereD，theDthattieshertoStella，withwhomshemadethetwo-in-onewhomSwiftloved\"betterathousandtimesthanlife，ashopesaved。\"MD，withoutfullstops，Swiftwritesiteighttimesinalineforthepleasureofwritingit。\"MDsometimesmeansStellaalone，\"saysoneofmanyeditors。
\"TheletterswerewrittennominallytoStellaandMrs。Dingley，\"
saysanother，\"butitdoesnotrequiretobesaidthatitwasreallyforStella’ssakealonethattheywerepenned。\"Notso。\"MD\"neverstandsforStellaalone。Andtheeditordoesnotyetlivewhoshallpersuadeonehonestreader，againstthewordofSwift，thatSwiftlovedStellaonly，withanordinarylove，andnot，byamostdelicateexception，StellaandDingley，sojoinedthattheymakethe\"she\"and\"her\"ofeveryletter。AndthisshallbeapaperofreparationtoMrs。Dingley。
Nooneelseinliteraryhistoryhasbeensodefraudedofherhonours。Inlove\"todivideisnottotakeaway，\"asShelleysays；
andDingley’shalfofthetenderthingssaidtoMDisequaltoanywhole，andtakesnothingfromthewholeofStella’shalf。ButthesentimentalisthasfoughtagainstMrs。Dingleyfromtheoutset。Hehasdislikedher，shirkedher，misconceivedher，andeffacedher。
Slysentimentalist——hefindsherirksome。Throughoneofhismostmodernrepresentativeshehasbutlatelycalledhera\"chaperon。\"A
chaperon！
MDwasnotasentimentalist。Stellawasnotso，thoughshehasbeenpressedintothatcharacter；Dcertainlywasnot，andhasinthisrespectbeensparedbythechronicler；andMDtogetherwere\"saucycharmingMD，\"\"saucylittle，pretty，dearrogues，\"\"littlemonkeysmine，\"\"littlemischievousgirls，\"\"nautinautinautideargirls，\"
\"brats，\"\"huzziesboth，\"\"impudenceandsaucy-face，\"\"saucynoses，\"
\"mydearestlivesanddelights，\"\"dearlittleyoungwomen，\"\"gooddallars，notcryingdallars\"（whichmeans\"girls\"），\"tenthousandtimesdearestMD，\"andsoforthinahundredrepetitions。Theyare，everynowandthen，\"poorMD，\"butobviouslynotbecauseoftheirowncomplaining。Swiftcalledthemsobecausetheyweremortal；andhe，likeallgreatsouls，livedandloved，consciouseverydayoftheprice，whichisdeath。
Thetwowerejoinedbylove，notwithoutsolemnity，thoughman，withhissummaryandwholesaleready-madesentiment，hasthusobstinatelyputthemasunder。Nowholesalesentimentcandootherwisethanfoolishlyplayhavocwithsucharelation。ToSwiftitwasthemostsecludedthingintheworld。\"Iamwearyoffriends，andfriendshipsareallmonsters，exceptMD’s；\"\"IoughttoreadtheselettersIwriteafterIhavedone。ButIhopeitdoesnotpuzzlelittleDingleytoread，forIthinkImend：butmethinks，\"headds，\"whenIwriteplain，Idonotknowhow，butwearenotalone，alltheworldcanseeus。Abadscrawlissosnug；itlookslikePMD。\"
Again：\"IdonotlikewomensomuchasIdid。MD，youmustknow，arenotwomen。\"\"GodAlmightypreserveyoubothandmakeushappytogether。\"\"IsayAmenwithallmyheartandvitals，thatwemayneverbeasundertendaystogetherwhilepoorPrestolives。\"
\"Farewell，dearestbelovedMD，andlovepoor，poorPresto，whohasnothadonehappydaysinceheleftyou，ashopesaved。\"
Withthem——withher——hehidhimselfintheworld，atCourt，atthebarofSt。James’scoffee-house，whitherhewentontheIrishmail-
day，andwas\"inpainexcepthesawMD’slittlehandwriting。\"Hehidwiththeminthelonglaboursoftheseexquisiteletterseverynightandmorning。Ifnolettercame，hecomfortedhimselfwiththinkingthat\"hehadityettobehappywith。\"Andtheworldhasagreedtohideunderitsownmanifoldandlachrymoseblundersthegraceandsingularity——thedistinction——ofthissweetromance。
\"Little，sequesteredpleasure-house\"——itseemedasthough\"themanycouldnotmissit，\"butnoteventhefewhavefoundit。
ItispartoftheschemeofthesympathetichistorianthatStellashouldbethevictimofhopedeferred，watchingforlettersfromSwift。ButdayandnightPrestocomplainsofthescantinessofMD’slittleletters；hewaitsupon\"her\"will：\"Ishallmakeasortofjournal，andwhenitisfullIwillsenditwhetherMDwritesornot；andsothatwillbepretty。\"\"Naughtygirlsthatwillnotwritetoabody！\"\"Iwishyouwerewhippedforforgettingtosend。
Go，befarenough，negligentbaggages。\"\"You，MistressStella，shallwriteyourshare，andthencomesDingleyaltogether，andthenStellaalittlecrumbattheend；andthenconcludewithsomethinghandsomeandgenteel，as’yourmosthumblecumdumble。’\"ButScottandMacaulayandThackerayareallexceedinglysorryforStella。
Swiftismostcharmingwhenheisfeigningtocomplainofhistask：
\"HereissuchastirandbustlewiththislittleMDofours；Imustbewritingeverynight；OLord，OLord！\"\"Imustgowriteidlethings，andtwittletwattle。\"\"Thesesaucyjadestakeupsomuchofmytimewithwritingtotheminthemorning。\"IsitnotastealthywrongdoneuponMrs。Dingleythatsheshouldbestrippedofalltheseornamentstohernameandmemory？WhenSwifttellsawomaninaletterthatthereheis\"writinginbed，likeatiger，\"sheshouldgogayintheeyesofallgenerations。
TheywillnotletStellagogay，becauseofsentiment；andtheywillnotletMrs。Dingleygogay，becauseofsentimentforStella。Marrycomeup！Whydidnotthehistoriansassignallthetenderpassages（takenveryseriously）toStella，andletDingleyhavethejokes，then？ThatwouldhavebeennoillshareforDingley。Butno，forsooth，Dingleyisallowednothing。
Therearepassages，nevertheless，whichcanhardlybetakenfromher。FornowandthenSwiftpartshisdearMD。Whenhedoessoheinvariablydropsthoseinitialsandwrites\"Stella\"or\"Ppt\"fortheone，and\"D\"or\"Dingley\"fortheother。Thereisnoexceptiontothisanywhere。HeisanxiousaboutStella’s\"littleeyes，\"andaboutherhealthgenerally；whereasDingleyisstrong。PoorPpt，hethinks，willnotcatchthe\"newfever，\"becausesheisnotwell；
\"butwhyshouldDescapeit，pray？\"AndMrs。DingleyisrebukedforhertaleofajourneyfromDublintoWexford。\"Idoubt，MadamDingley，youareapttolieinyourtravels，thoughnotsobadasStella；shetellsthumpers。\"Stellaisoftenreprovedforherspelling，andMrs。Dingleywritesmuchthebetterhand。Butsheisapuzzle-headedwoman，likeanother。\"Whatdoyoumeanbymyfourthletter，MadamDinglibus？DoesnotStellasayyouhadmyfifth，goodyBlunder？\"\"Now，MistressDingley，areyounotanimpudentsluttoexceptaletternextpacket？Unreasonablebaggage！No，littleDingley，Iamalwaysinbedbytwelve，andItakegreatcareofmyself。\"\"Youareapretendingslut，indeed，withyour’fourth’
and’fifth’inthemargin，andyour’journal’andeverything。O
Lord，neversawthelike，weshallneverhavedone。\"\"Ineversawsuchaletter，sosaucy，sojournalish，soeverything。\"Swiftisinsistentlygratefulfortheirinquiriesforhishealth。Hepausesseriouslytothanktheminthemidstofhisprattle。Bothwomen——
MD——areralliedontheirpolitics：\"IhaveafancythatPptisaTory，Ifancyshelookslikeone，andDasortoftrimmer。\"
ButitisforDingleyseparatelythatSwiftenduredawildbirdinhislodgings。HismanPatrickhadgotonetotakeovertoherinIreland。\"Hekeepsitinacloset，whereitmakesaterriblelitter；butIsaynothing；Iamastameasaclout。\"
ForgottenDingley，happyinthis，hasnothadtoenduretheignominy，inahundredessays，toberetrospectivelyofferedtoSwiftasanunclaimedwife；sofarsogood。Buttwohundredyearsislongforhertohavegonestrippedofsoradiantagloryasishersbyright。\"Better，thankstoMD’sprayers，\"wrotetheimmortalmanwholovedher，inaprivatefragmentofajournal，nevermeantforDingley’seyes，norforPpt’s，norforanyhumaneyes；andtherogueStellahasfortwocenturiesstolenallthecreditofthoseprayers，andallthethanksofthatpiousbenediction。
PRUE
Throughthelonghistoryofhumanrelations，whichisthehistoryofthelifeofourrace，theresoundsatintervalstheclamourofasinglevoicewhichhasnotthetoneoforatory，butasks，answers，interruptsitself，interrupts——whatelse？Whateverelseitinterruptsissilence；therearepauses，butnoanswers。Thereisthejestwithoutthelaugh，andagainthelaughwithoutthejest。
AndthisisbecausetheletterswrittenbyMadamedeSevignewereallsaved，andnotmanywrittentoher；becauseSwiftburntthelettersthatwerethedearestthingsinlifetohim，while\"MD\"bothmadeatreasuryofhis；andbecausePruekeptalltheletterswhichSteelewrotetoherfromtheirmarriage-dayonwards，andSteelekeptnoneofhers。
InSwift’scasethesilenceisfullofechoes；thatistosay，hislettersrepeatthephrasesofStella’sandDingley’s，toplaywiththem，floutthem，andtossthembackagainstthetwosilencedvoices。Heneverletsthewordofthesetwowomenfalltotheground；andwhentheyhavebutblunderedwithit，andaimeditwide，andsentitweakly，hewillcatchit，andplayyoutwentydelicateandexpertjugglingprankswithitashesendsitbackintotheirinnocentfaces。SowehavesomethingofMD’slettersinthe\"journal，\"andthisintheonlyforminwhichwedesirethem，totellthetruth；forwhenSwiftgravelysavesussomespecimensofStella’swit，afterherdeath，asshespokethem，andnotashemimickedthem，theymakeasorryshow。
Inmanycorrespondences，whereonevoiceremainsandtheotherisgone，theretortisenoughfortwo。Itisaswhen，theotherday，thehalfofaprettyquarrelbetweennurseandchildcamedownfromanupperfloortotheearsofamotherwhodecidedthatsheneednotinterfere。Thevoiceoftheundauntedchilditwasthatwasaudiblealone，anditreplied，\"I’mnot；YOUare\"；andanon，\"I’lltellYOURS。\"Nothingwasreallymissingthere。
ButSteele’sletterstoPrue，hiswife，arenosuchsimplematter。
Theturnweshallgivethemdependsupontheunheardtonewheretotheyreply。Andthereisroomforconjecture。IthaspleasedthemoremodernofthemanyspiritsofbantertosupplyPrue’seternalsilencewiththevoiceofascold。ItispainfultometocomplainofThackeray；butseewhatafigurehemakesofPruein\"Esmond。\"
Itis，saysthenineteenth-centuryhumourist，indefenceagainstthepursuitofajealous，exacting，neglected，orevadedwifethatpoorDickSteelesendsthoselittlenotesofexcuse：\"DearestBeingonearth，pardonmeifyoudonotseemetilleleveno’clock，havingmetaschoolfellowfromIndia\"；\"Mydear，dearwife，IwritetoletyouknowIdonotcomehometodinner，beingobligedtoattendsomebusinessabroad，ofwhichIshallgiveyouanaccount（whenIseeyouintheevening），asbecomesyourdutifulandobedienthusband\"；
\"DearPrue，Icannotcomehometodinner。Ilanguishforyourwelfare\"；\"IstayhereinordertogetTonsontodiscountabillforme，andshalldinewithhimtothatend\"；andsoforth。OnceonlydoesSteelereallyaffordtherecenthumouristthesuggestionthatisapparentlyalwayssowelcome。ItiswhenhewritesthatheisinvitedtosuppertoMr。Boyle’s，andadds：\"DearPrue，donotsendafterme，forIshallberidiculous。\"Buteventhisistobereadnotungracefullybyawell-gracedreader。Pruewasyoungandunusedtotheworld。Herhusband，bytheway，hadbeenalreadymarried；
andhisgreateragemakeshisconstantdeferenceallthemorecharming。
Butwiththisoneexception，Steele’slittlenotes，keptbyhiswifewhileshelived，andtreasuredafterherdeathbyherdaughterandhis，arenorecordofthewatchingsanddodgingsofaLondonfarce。
ItisworthwhiletorememberthatSteele’sdinner，whichitwassooftendifficulttoeatathome，wasathingofmidday，andthereforeofmid-business。Butthatisadetail。WhatisdesirableisthatareasonabledegreeofsweetnessshouldbeattributedtoPrue；foritisnomorethanjust。ToherSteelewroteinadedication：\"Howoftenhasyourtendernessremovedpainfrommyachinghead，howoftenanguishfrommyafflictedheart。Iftherearesuchbeingsasguardianangels，theyarethusemployed。Icannotbelieveoneofthemtobemoregoodininclination，ormorecharminginform，thanmywife。\"
True，thiswasforthepublic；butnotsowerethesedailynotes；
andthesecarrytoherhisassurancethatsheis\"thebeautifullestobjectintheworld。IknownohappinessinthislifeinanydegreecomparabletothepleasureIhaveinyourpersonandsociety。\"\"Butindeed，thoughyouhaveeveryperfection，youhaveanextravagantfault，whichalmostfrustratesthegoodinyoutome；andthatis，thatyoudonotlovetodress，toappear，toshineout，evenatmyrequest，andtomakemeproudofyou，orrathertoindulgetheprideIhavethatyouaremine。\"Thecorrectionofthephraseisfinelyconsiderate。
Pruecannothavebeenadullwife，forthislastcomplimentisareply，fullofpolitealacrity，toaletterfromheraskingforalittleflattery。Howassiduously，andwithwhatacivilizedabsenceofuncouthness，ofshame-facedness，andofslangofthemind，withwhatsimplicity，alertness，andfinish，doeshestepoutatherinvitation，andperform！Shewantedacompliment，thoughtheyhadbeenlongmarriedthen，andheimmediatelyturnedit。ThiswasnodowdyPrue。
Herrequest，bytheway，whichherepeatsinobeyingit，isoneofthefewinstancesoftheothersideofthecorrespondence——oneofthefewdirectechoesofthatoneofthetwovoiceswhichissilent。
Theceremonyofthelettersandthedeferentmethodofaddressandsignatureareneverdroppedinthismostintimateofletter-writing。
Itisnotalittledepressingtothinkthatinthisveryformandstateissupposed，bythemodernreader，tolurkthestealthinessofthehusbandoffarce，the\"rogue。\"Onedoesnotliketheword。IsitnotclownishtoapplyitwithintentiontothehusbandofPrue？
Hedidnotpay，hewasalwaysindifficulties，hehidfrombailiffs，hedidmanyotherthingsthattarnishhonour，moreorless，andthingsforwhichhehadtobegPrue’sspecialpardon；butyetheisnotafitsubjectfortheunhandsomeincredulitywhichisproudtobealwaysathandwithanironiccommentaryonsuchlettersashis。
IhavenowishtobowdlerizeSirRichardSteele，hiswaysandwords。
HewrotetoPrueatnightwhentheburgundyhadbeentoomuchforhim，andinthemorningafter。Heannouncesthatheiscomingtoher\"withinapintofwine。\"Oneofhisgayestletters——alove-
letterbeforethemarriage，addressedto\"dearlovelyMrs。
Scurlock\"——confessescandidlythathehadbeenpledginghertoowell：\"Ihavebeeninverygoodcompany，whereyourhealth，underthecharacterofthewomanIlovedbest，hasbeenoftendrunk；sothatImaysaythatIamdeaddrunkforyoursake，whichismorethanIDIEFORYOU。\"
Steeleobviouslydrankburgundywildly，asdidhis\"goodcompany\"；
asdidalsotheadmirableAddison，whowassosolitaryincharacterandsosereneintemperament。Butnoonehas，forthisfault，therighttoputarailingaccusationintothemouthofPrue。Everywomanhasarighttoherownsilence，whetherhersilencebehersofsetpurposeorbyaccident。Andeverycreaturehasarighttosecurityfromthebanteringspeculiartothehumouristsofasucceedingage。Toeverycenturyitsownironies，toeverycenturyitsownvulgarities。InSteele’stimetheyhadtheirs。TheymighthaveralliedPruemorecoarsely，butitwouldhavebeenwithadifferentrallying。Writersofthenineteenthcenturywentabouttorobherofhergrace。
Shekeptsomefourhundredoftheselittlelettersofherlord’s。
Itwasaloyalkeeping。ButwhatdoesThackeraycallit？Hiswordis\"thrifty。\"Hesays：\"TherearefourhundredlettersofDickSteele’stohiswife，whichthatthriftywomanpreservedaccurately。\"