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librispeech-long/dev-clean/1272/128104/128104_0000.txt

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+TO MANY NO DOUBT HE WILL SEEM TO BE SOMEWHAT BLATANT AND BUMPTIOUS BUT WE PREFER TO REGARD HIM AS BEING SIMPLY BRITISH. MISTER QUILTER IS THE APOSTLE OF THE MIDDLE CLASSES AND WE ARE GLAD TO WELCOME HIS GOSPEL. NOR IS MISTER QUILTER'S MANNER LESS INTERESTING THAN HIS MATTER. HE TELLS US THAT AT THIS FESTIVE SEASON OF THE YEAR WITH CHRISTMAS AND ROAST BEEF LOOMING BEFORE US SIMILES DRAWN FROM EATING AND ITS RESULTS OCCUR MOST READILY TO THE MIND. IN GAINSBOROUGH HE SEES A PLAINNESS ALMOST AMOUNTING TO BRUTALITY WHILE VULGARITY AND SNOBBISHNESS ARE THE CHIEF QUALITIES HE FINDS IN SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS. HE HAS GRAVE DOUBTS WHETHER SIR FREDERICK LEIGHTON'S WORK IS REALLY GREEK AFTER ALL AND CAN DISCOVER IN IT BUT LITTLE OF ROCKY ITHACA. MISTER POYNTER HOWEVER IS A CART HORSE COMPARED TO THE PRESIDENT AND FREDERICK WALKER WAS A DULL GREEK BECAUSE HE HAD NO SYMPATHY WITH POETRY. LINNELL'S PICTURES ARE A SORT OF UP GUARDS AND AT EM PAINTINGS AND MASON'S EXQUISITE IDYLLS ARE AS NATIONAL AS A JINGO POEM MISTER BIRKET FOSTER'S LANDSCAPES SMILE AT ONE MUCH IN THE SAME WAY THAT MISTER CARKER USED TO FLASH HIS TEETH AND MISTER JOHN COLLIER GIVES HIS SITTER A CHEERFUL SLAP ON THE BACK BEFORE HE SAYS LIKE A SHAMPOOER IN A TURKISH BATH NEXT MAN. MISTER HERKOMER'S ART IS IF NOT A CATCH PENNY ART AT ALL EVENTS A CATCH MANY POUNDS ART AND MISTER W B RICHMOND IS A CLEVER TRIFLER WHO MIGHT DO REALLY GOOD WORK IF HE WOULD EMPLOY HIS TIME IN LEARNING TO PAINT. IT IS OBVIOUSLY UNNECESSARY FOR US TO POINT OUT HOW LUMINOUS THESE CRITICISMS ARE HOW DELICATE IN EXPRESSION. THE REMARKS ON SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS ALONE EXEMPLIFY THE TRUTH OF SENTENTIA NO NINETEEN FROM A PICTURE WE GAIN BUT LITTLE MORE THAN WE BRING. ON THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF ART MISTER QUILTER WRITES WITH EQUAL LUCIDITY. PAINTING HE TELLS US IS OF A DIFFERENT QUALITY TO MATHEMATICS AND FINISH IN ART IS ADDING MORE FACT. AS FOR ETCHINGS THEY ARE OF TWO KINDS BRITISH AND FOREIGN. THE LATTER FAIL IN PROPRIETY. YET REALLY FINE ETCHING IS AS FREE AND EASY AS IS THE CHAT BETWEEN OLD CHUMS AT MIDNIGHT OVER A SMOKING ROOM FIRE. ANY ONE HE POINTS OUT CAN PAINT IN GOOD TONE WHO PAINTS ONLY IN BLACK AND WHITE AND THE GREAT SIGN OF A GOOD DECORATOR IS HIS CAPABILITY OF DOING WITHOUT NEUTRAL TINTS. INDEED ON DECORATION MISTER QUILTER IS ALMOST ELOQUENT. HE LAMENTS MOST BITTERLY THE DIVORCE THAT HAS BEEN MADE BETWEEN DECORATIVE ART AND WHAT WE USUALLY CALL PICTURES MAKES THE CUSTOMARY APPEAL TO THE LAST JUDGMENT AND REMINDS US THAT IN THE GREAT DAYS OF ART MICHAEL ANGELO WAS THE FURNISHING UPHOLSTERER. WITH THE PRESENT TENDENCIES OF DECORATIVE ART IN ENGLAND MISTER QUILTER CONSEQUENTLY HAS BUT LITTLE SYMPATHY AND HE MAKES A GALLANT APPEAL TO THE BRITISH HOUSEHOLDER TO STAND NO MORE NONSENSE. LET THE HONEST FELLOW HE SAYS ON HIS RETURN FROM HIS COUNTING HOUSE TEAR DOWN THE PERSIAN HANGINGS PUT A CHOP ON THE ANATOLIAN PLATE MIX SOME TODDY IN THE VENETIAN GLASS AND CARRY HIS WIFE OFF TO THE NATIONAL GALLERY TO LOOK AT OUR OWN MULREADY. NEAR THE FIRE AND THE ORNAMENTS FRED BROUGHT HOME FROM INDIA ON THE MANTEL BOARD

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+IT IS REALLY IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO BE TOUCHED BY SO CHARMING A DESCRIPTION. HOW CULTIVATED THE MIND THAT THUS RAISES LITERATURE TO THE POSITION OF UPHOLSTERY AND PUTS THOUGHT ON A LEVEL WITH THE ANTIMACASSAR. AND FINALLY FOR THE YOUNG WORKERS IN ART MISTER QUILTER HAS LOUD WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT. IN FACT HE IS QUITE SEVERE ON MISTER RUSKIN FOR NOT RECOGNISING THAT A PICTURE SHOULD DENOTE THE FRAILTY OF MAN AND REMARKS WITH PLEASING COURTESY AND FELICITOUS GRACE THAT MANY PHASES OF FEELING. ARE AS MUCH A DEAD LETTER TO THIS GREAT ART TEACHER AS SANSKRIT TO AN ISLINGTON CABMAN. NOR IS MISTER QUILTER ONE OF THOSE WHO FAILS TO PRACTICE WHAT HE PREACHES FAR FROM IT. ONLY UNFORTUNATELY HIS OWN WORK NEVER DOES GET GOOD. MISTER QUILTER HAS MISSED HIS CHANCE FOR HE HAS FAILED EVEN TO MAKE HIMSELF THE TUPPER OF PAINTING. BY HARRY QUILTER M A

librispeech-long/dev-clean/1272/135031/135031_0000.txt

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+AFTER THE KING HAD MADE GOOD HIS ESCAPE FILES SAID TO THE DRAGON IN A SAD VOICE ALAS. WHY DID YOU NOT COME BEFORE. BECAUSE YOU WERE SLEEPING INSTEAD OF CONQUERING THE LOVELY ROSE PRINCESS HAS BECOME A FIDDLE WITHOUT A BOW WHILE POOR SHAGGY SITS THERE A COOING DOVE. DON'T WORRY REPLIED QUOX. TITITI HOOCHOO KNOWS HIS BUSINESS AND I HAVE MY ORDERS FROM THE GREAT JINJIN HIMSELF. BRING THE FIDDLE HERE AND TOUCH IT LIGHTLY TO MY PINK RIBBON. NEXT INSTANT SHAGGY WAS HIMSELF AGAIN AND QUOX SAID TO HIM GRUMBLINGLY. PLEASE GET OFF MY LEFT TOE SHAGGY MAN AND BE MORE PARTICULAR WHERE YOU STEP. I BEG YOUR PARDON. THEN HE RAN TO LIFT THE HEAVY DIAMOND OFF TIK TOK'S CHEST AND TO ASSIST THE CLOCKWORK MAN TO HIS FEET. HE HAS GONE AND GONE FOR GOOD ANSWERED POLYCHROME WHO HAD MANAGED TO SQUEEZE INTO THE ROOM BESIDE THE DRAGON AND HAD WITNESSED THE OCCURRENCES WITH MUCH INTEREST. BUT I WONDER WHERE BETSY BOBBIN AND HANK CAN BE AND IF ANY HARM HAS BEFALLEN THEM. WE MUST SEARCH THE CAVERN UNTIL WE FIND THEM DECLARED SHAGGY BUT WHEN HE WENT TO THE DOOR LEADING TO THE OTHER CAVERNS HE FOUND IT SHUT AND BARRED. BUT YOU ARE A PRISONER AND THE CHAINS THAT HOLD YOU ARE FASTENED IN SOME OTHER ROOM SO THAT WE CANNOT RELEASE YOU FILES SAID ANXIOUSLY. I HAVE REMAINED A PRISONER ONLY BECAUSE I WISHED TO BE ONE AND WITH THIS HE STEPPED FORWARD AND BURST THE STOUT CHAINS AS EASILY AS IF THEY HAD BEEN THREADS. BUT WHEN HE TRIED TO PUSH IN THE HEAVY METAL DOOR EVEN HIS MIGHTY STRENGTH FAILED AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS HE GAVE IT UP AND SQUATTED HIMSELF IN A CORNER TO THINK OF A BETTER WAY. I'LL O PEN THE DOOR ASSERTED TIK TOK AND GOING TO THE KING'S BIG GONG HE POUNDED UPON IT UNTIL THE NOISE WAS ALMOST DEAFENING. KALIKO IN THE NEXT CAVERN WAS WONDERING WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO RUGGEDO AND IF HE HAD ESCAPED THE EGGS AND OUTWITTED THE DRAGON. BUT THE EGGS WERE ALSO GONE AND SO KALIKO ADVANCED TO THE DRAGON WHOM HE KNEW TO BE TITITI HOOCHOO'S MESSENGER AND BOWED HUMBLY BEFORE THE BEAST. WHAT IS YOUR WILL HE INQUIRED. WHERE IS BETSY DEMANDED THE DRAGON. SAFE IN MY OWN PRIVATE ROOM SAID KALIKO. GO AND GET HER COMMANDED QUOX. SO KALIKO WENT TO BETSY'S ROOM AND GAVE THREE RAPS UPON THE DOOR. THE LITTLE GIRL HAD BEEN ASLEEP BUT SHE HEARD THE RAPS AND OPENED THE DOOR. YOU MAY COME OUT NOW SAID KALIKO. THE KING HAS FLED IN DISGRACE AND YOUR FRIENDS ARE ASKING FOR YOU. SO BETSY AND HANK RETURNED WITH THE ROYAL CHAMBERLAIN TO THE THRONE CAVERN WHERE SHE WAS RECEIVED WITH GREAT JOY BY HER FRIENDS. THEY TOLD HER WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO RUGGEDO AND SHE TOLD THEM HOW KIND KALIKO HAD BEEN TO HER. QUOX DID NOT HAVE MUCH TO SAY UNTIL THE CONVERSATION WAS ENDED BUT THEN HE TURNED TO KALIKO AND ASKED. DO YOU SUPPOSE YOU COULD RULE YOUR NOMES BETTER THAN RUGGEDO HAS DONE. WELL I COULDN'T BE A WORSE KING I'M SURE. WOULD THE NOMES OBEY YOU. THEY LIKE ME BETTER THAN EVER THEY DID RUGGEDO. THEN HEREAFTER YOU SHALL BE THE METAL MONARCH KING OF THE NOMES AND TITITI HOOCHOO EXPECTS YOU TO RULE YOUR KINGDOM WISELY AND WELL SAID QUOX

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+HOORAY CRIED BETSY I'M GLAD OF THAT KING KALIKO I SALUTE YOUR MAJESTY AND WISH YOU JOY IN YOUR GLOOMY OLD KINGDOM. WE ALL WISH HIM JOY SAID POLYCHROME AND THEN THE OTHERS MADE HASTE TO CONGRATULATE THE NEW KING. WILL YOU RELEASE MY DEAR BROTHER ASKED SHAGGY THE UGLY ONE. VERY WILLINGLY REPLIED KALIKO. I BEGGED RUGGEDO LONG AGO TO SEND HIM AWAY BUT HE WOULD NOT DO SO. I ALSO OFFERED TO HELP YOUR BROTHER TO ESCAPE BUT HE WOULD NOT GO. HE'S SO CONSCIENTIOUS SAID SHAGGY HIGHLY PLEASED. ALL OF OUR FAMILY HAVE NOBLE NATURES. BUT IS MY DEAR BROTHER WELL HE ADDED ANXIOUSLY. HE EATS AND SLEEPS VERY STEADILY REPLIED THE NEW KING. I HOPE HE DOESN'T WORK TOO HARD SAID SHAGGY. HE DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. IN FACT THERE IS NOTHING HE CAN DO IN THESE DOMINIONS AS WELL AS OUR NOMES WHOSE NUMBERS ARE SO GREAT THAT IT WORRIES US TO KEEP THEM ALL BUSY. SO YOUR BROTHER HAS ONLY TO AMUSE HIMSELF. WHY IT'S MORE LIKE VISITING THAN BEING A PRISONER ASSERTED BETSY. NOT EXACTLY RETURNED KALIKO. A PRISONER CANNOT GO WHERE OR WHEN HE PLEASES AND IS NOT HIS OWN MASTER. WHERE IS MY BROTHER NOW. INQUIRED SHAGGY IN THE METAL FOREST. WHERE IS THAT. THE METAL FOREST IS IN THE GREAT DOMED CAVERN THE LARGEST IN ALL OUR DOMINIONS REPLIED KALIKO. IT IS ALMOST LIKE BEING OUT OF DOORS IT IS SO BIG AND RUGGEDO MADE THE WONDERFUL FOREST TO AMUSE HIMSELF AS WELL AS TO TIRE OUT HIS HARD WORKING NOMES. ALL THE TREES ARE GOLD AND SILVER AND THE GROUND IS STREWN WITH PRECIOUS STONES SO IT IS A SORT OF TREASURY. LET US GO THERE AT ONCE AND RESCUE MY DEAR BROTHER PLEADED SHAGGY EARNESTLY. KALIKO HESITATED. I DON'T BELIEVE I CAN FIND THE WAY SAID HE. RUGGEDO MADE THREE SECRET PASSAGES TO THE METAL FOREST BUT HE CHANGES THE LOCATION OF THESE PASSAGES EVERY WEEK SO THAT NO ONE CAN GET TO THE METAL FOREST WITHOUT HIS PERMISSION. HOWEVER IF WE LOOK SHARP WE MAY BE ABLE TO DISCOVER ONE OF THESE SECRET WAYS. I'M SURE I CAN'T SAY REPLIED KALIKO. DO YOU SUPPOSE RUGGEDO DESTROYED THEM. OH NO I'M QUITE SURE HE DIDN'T. THAT'S FUNNY REMARKED BETSY THOUGHTFULLY. I DON'T BELIEVE ANN KNEW ANY MAGIC OR SHE'D HAVE WORKED IT BEFORE. BUT TO DISAPPEAR LIKE THAT SEEMS LIKE MAGIC NOW DOESN'T IT. THEY AGREED THAT IT DID BUT NO ONE COULD EXPLAIN THE MYSTERY. AND THE IMPORTANT THING JUST NOW IS TO RESCUE MY DEAR BROTHER FROM CAPTIVITY. WHY DO THEY CALL HIM THE UGLY ONE ASKED BETSY. I DO NOT KNOW CONFESSED SHAGGY. I CAN NOT REMEMBER HIS LOOKS VERY WELL IT IS SO LONG SINCE I HAVE SEEN HIM BUT ALL OF OUR FAMILY ARE NOTED FOR THEIR HANDSOME FACES. BETSY LAUGHED AND SHAGGY SEEMED RATHER HURT BUT POLYCHROME RELIEVED HIS EMBARRASSMENT BY SAYING SOFTLY ONE CAN BE UGLY IN LOOKS BUT LOVELY IN DISPOSITION. OUR FIRST TASK SAID SHAGGY A LITTLE COMFORTED BY THIS REMARK IS TO FIND ONE OF THOSE SECRET PASSAGES TO THE METAL FOREST. TRUE AGREED KALIKO. SO I THINK I WILL ASSEMBLE THE CHIEF NOMES OF MY KINGDOM IN THIS THRONE ROOM AND TELL THEM THAT I AM THEIR NEW KING. THEN I CAN ASK THEM TO ASSIST US IN SEARCHING FOR THE SECRET PASSAGES. THAT'S A GOOD IDEA SAID THE DRAGON WHO SEEMED TO BE GETTING SLEEPY AGAIN

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+KALIKO WENT TO THE BIG GONG AND POUNDED ON IT JUST AS RUGGEDO USED TO DO BUT NO ONE ANSWERED THE SUMMONS. OF COURSE NOT SAID HE JUMPING UP FROM THE THRONE WHERE HE HAD SEATED HIMSELF. THAT IS MY CALL AND I AM STILL THE ROYAL CHAMBERLAIN AND WILL BE UNTIL I APPOINT ANOTHER IN MY PLACE. HAVING RETURNED TO THE ROYAL CAVERN KALIKO FIRST POUNDED THE GONG AND THEN SAT IN THE THRONE WEARING RUGGEDO'S DISCARDED RUBY CROWN AND HOLDING IN HIS HAND THE SCEPTRE WHICH RUGGEDO HAD SO OFTEN THROWN AT HIS HEAD. WHEN GUPH ENTERED HE WAS AMAZED. BETTER GET OUT OF THAT THRONE BEFORE OLD RUGGEDO COMES BACK HE SAID WARNINGLY. ALL OF WHICH IS QUITE TRUE ASSERTED THE DRAGON AND ALL OF THOSE WHO STOOD AROUND THE THRONE BOWED RESPECTFULLY TO THE NEW KING

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+FOR MY MOTHER AND FATHER. A MAN SAID TO THE UNIVERSE SIR I EXIST. HOWEVER REPLIED THE UNIVERSE THE FACT HAS NOT CREATED IN ME A SENSE OF OBLIGATION STEPHEN CRANE. SWEAT COVERED BRION'S BODY TRICKLING INTO THE TIGHT LOINCLOTH THAT WAS THE ONLY GARMENT HE WORE. THE LIGHT FENCING FOIL IN HIS HAND FELT AS HEAVY AS A BAR OF LEAD TO HIS EXHAUSTED MUSCLES WORN OUT BY A MONTH OF CONTINUAL EXERCISE. THESE THINGS WERE OF NO IMPORTANCE. THE CUT ON HIS CHEST STILL DRIPPING BLOOD THE ACHE OF HIS OVERSTRAINED EYES EVEN THE SOARING ARENA AROUND HIM WITH THE THOUSANDS OF SPECTATORS WERE TRIVIALITIES NOT WORTH THINKING ABOUT. THERE WAS ONLY ONE THING IN HIS UNIVERSE THE BUTTON TIPPED LENGTH OF SHINING STEEL THAT HOVERED BEFORE HIM ENGAGING HIS OWN WEAPON. HE FELT THE QUIVER AND SCRAPE OF ITS LIFE KNEW WHEN IT MOVED AND MOVED HIMSELF TO COUNTERACT IT. AND WHEN HE ATTACKED IT WAS ALWAYS THERE TO BEAT HIM ASIDE. A SUDDEN MOTION. HE REACTED BUT HIS BLADE JUST MET AIR. HIS INSTANT OF PANIC WAS FOLLOWED BY A SMALL SHARP BLOW HIGH ON HIS CHEST. ONE MINUTE A VOICE SAID AND THE TIME BUZZER SOUNDED. BRION HAD CAREFULLY CONDITIONED THE REFLEX IN HIMSELF. A MINUTE IS NOT A VERY LARGE MEASURE OF TIME AND HIS BODY NEEDED EVERY FRACTION OF IT. THE BUZZER'S WHIRR TRIGGERED HIS MUSCLES INTO COMPLETE RELAXATION. ONLY HIS HEART AND LUNGS WORKED ON AT A STRONG MEASURED RATE. HIS EYES CLOSED AND HE WAS ONLY DISTANTLY AWARE OF HIS HANDLERS CATCHING HIM AS HE FELL CARRYING HIM TO HIS BENCH. WHILE THEY MASSAGED HIS LIMP BODY AND CLEANSED THE WOUND ALL OF HIS ATTENTION WAS TURNED INWARD. HE WAS IN REVERIE SLIDING ALONG THE BORDERS OF CONSCIOUSNESS. IT WAS THE VERY UNEXPECTEDNESS OF THE EVENT THAT HAD BEEN SO UNUSUAL. THE CONTESTANTS IN THE TWENTIES NEEDED UNDISTURBED REST THEREFORE NIGHTS IN THE DORMITORIES WERE AS QUIET AS DEATH. DURING THE FIRST FEW DAYS OF COURSE THE RULE WASN'T OBSERVED TOO CLOSELY. THE MEN THEMSELVES WERE TOO KEYED UP AND EXCITED TO REST EASILY. PARTICULARLY SO ON THIS LAST NIGHT WHEN ONLY TWO OF THE LITTLE CUBICLES WERE OCCUPIED THE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS STANDING WITH DARK EMPTY DOORS. THE WORDS WERE WHISPERED BUT CLEAR TWO VOICES JUST OUTSIDE THE THIN METAL OF HIS DOOR. SOMEONE SPOKE HIS NAME. BRION BRANDD OF COURSE NOT. THE OTHER VOICE SNAPPED WITH A HARSH URGENCY CLEARLY USED TO COMMAND. I'M HERE BECAUSE THE MATTER IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE AND BRANDD IS THE ONE I MUST SEE NOW STAND ASIDE. THE TWENTIES. I DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT YOUR GAMES HEARTY CHEERS AND PHYSICAL EXERCISES. THIS IS IMPORTANT OR I WOULDN'T BE HERE. HE MUST HAVE DRAWN HIS GUN BECAUSE THE INTRUDER SAID QUICKLY PUT THAT AWAY YOU'RE BEING A FOOL OUT. WAS THE SINGLE SNARLED WORD OF THE RESPONSE. THERE WAS SILENCE THEN AND STILL WONDERING BRION WAS ONCE MORE ASLEEP. TEN SECONDS. THE MONTH OF CONTINUOUS MENTAL AND PHYSICAL COMBAT HAD TAKEN ITS TOLL. IT WOULD BE HARD TO STAY ON HIS FEET MUCH LESS SUMMON THE STRENGTH AND SKILL TO FIGHT AND WIN A TOUCH. HOW DO WE STAND. HE ASKED THE HANDLER WHO WAS KNEADING HIS ACHING MUSCLES. FOUR FOUR ALL YOU NEED IS A TOUCH TO WIN. NO ONE WHO HAD REACHED THE FINALS IN THE TWENTIES COULD POSSIBLY BE A WEAK OPPONENT BUT THIS ONE IROLG WAS THE PICK OF THE LOT

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+A RED HAIRED MOUNTAIN OF A MAN WITH AN APPARENTLY INEXHAUSTIBLE STORE OF ENERGY. THAT WAS REALLY ALL THAT COUNTED NOW. THERE COULD BE LITTLE ART IN THIS LAST AND FINAL ROUND OF FENCING. JUST THRUST AND PARRY AND VICTORY TO THE STRONGER. EVERY MAN WHO ENTERED THE TWENTIES HAD HIS OWN TRAINING TRICKS. HE HAD A STANDING ORDER WITH OFF PLANET AGENTS FOR ARCHAIC CHESS BOOKS THE OLDER THE BETTER. HE HAD MEMORIZED THOUSANDS OF THESE ANCIENT GAMES AND OPENINGS THIS WAS ALLOWED. ANYTHING WAS ALLOWED THAT DIDN'T INVOLVE DRUGS OR MACHINES. SELF HYPNOSIS WAS AN ACCEPTED TOOL. COMMON AS THE PHENOMENON SEEMED TO BE IN THE TEXTBOOKS IT PROVED IMPOSSIBLE TO DUPLICATE. THERE APPEARED TO BE AN IMMEDIATE ASSOCIATION WITH THE DEATH TRAUMA AS IF THE TWO WERE INEXTRICABLY LINKED INTO ONE. BERSERKERS AND JURAMENTADOS CONTINUE TO FIGHT AND KILL THOUGH CARVED BY SCORES OF MORTAL WOUNDS. MEN WITH BULLETS IN THE HEART OR BRAIN FIGHT ON THOUGH ALREADY CLINICALLY DEAD. DEATH SEEMED AN INESCAPABLE PART OF THIS KIND OF STRENGTH. BUT THERE WAS ANOTHER TYPE THAT COULD EASILY BE BROUGHT ABOUT IN ANY DEEP TRANCE HYPNOTIC RIGIDITY. THE STRENGTH THAT ENABLES SOMEONE IN A TRANCE TO HOLD HIS BODY STIFF AND UNSUPPORTED EXCEPT AT TWO POINTS THE HEAD AND HEELS. THIS IS PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE WHEN CONSCIOUS. WORKING WITH THIS AS A CLUE BRION HAD DEVELOPED A SELF HYPNOTIC TECHNIQUE THAT ALLOWED HIM TO TAP THIS RESERVOIR OF UNKNOWN STRENGTH THE SOURCE OF SECOND WIND THE SURVIVAL STRENGTH THAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH. BUT THAT WASN'T IMPORTANT. OTHERS HAD DIED BEFORE DURING THE TWENTIES AND DEATH DURING THE LAST ROUND WAS IN SOME WAYS EASIER THAN DEFEAT. BREATHING DEEPLY BRION SOFTLY SPOKE THE AUTO HYPNOTIC PHRASES THAT TRIGGERED THE PROCESS. FATIGUE FELL SOFTLY FROM HIM AS DID ALL SENSATIONS OF HEAT COLD AND PAIN. HE COULD FEEL WITH ACUTE SENSITIVITY HEAR AND SEE CLEARLY WHEN HE OPENED HIS EYES. WITH EACH PASSING SECOND THE POWER DREW AT THE BASIC RESERVES OF LIFE DRAINING IT FROM HIS BODY. WHEN THE BUZZER SOUNDED HE PULLED HIS FOIL FROM HIS SECOND'S STARTLED GRASP AND RAN FORWARD. THE FORCE OF HIS RUSH WAS SO GREAT THAT THE GUARDS ON THEIR WEAPONS LOCKED AND THEIR BODIES CRASHED TOGETHER. IROLG LOOKED AMAZED AT THE SUDDEN FURY OF THE ATTACK THEN SMILED. HE THOUGHT IT WAS A LAST BURST OF ENERGY HE KNEW HOW CLOSE THEY BOTH WERE TO EXHAUSTION. THIS MUST BE THE END FOR BRION. THEY DISENGAGED AND IROLG PUT UP A SOLID DEFENSE. BRION SAW SOMETHING CLOSE TO PANIC ON HIS OPPONENT'S FACE WHEN THE MAN FINALLY RECOGNIZED HIS ERROR. BRION WASN'T TIRING. IF ANYTHING HE WAS PRESSING THE ATTACK. A WAVE OF DESPAIR ROLLED OUT FROM IROLG BRION SENSED IT AND KNEW THE FIFTH POINT WAS HIS. THRUST THRUST AND EACH TIME THE PARRYING SWORD A LITTLE SLOWER TO RETURN. THEN THE POWERFUL TWIST THAT THRUST IT ASIDE IN AND UNDER THE GUARD. THE SLAP OF THE BUTTON ON FLESH AND THE ARC OF STEEL THAT REACHED OUT AND ENDED ON IROLG'S CHEST OVER HIS HEART. WAVES OF SOUND CHEERING AND SCREAMING LAPPED AGAINST BRION'S PRIVATE WORLD BUT HE WAS ONLY REMOTELY AWARE OF THEIR EXISTENCE. IROLG DROPPED HIS FOIL AND TRIED TO SHAKE BRION'S HAND BUT HIS LEGS SUDDENLY GAVE WAY

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+BRION HAD AN ARM AROUND HIM HOLDING HIM UP WALKING TOWARDS THE RUSHING HANDLERS. THEN IROLG WAS GONE AND HE WAVED OFF HIS OWN MEN WALKING SLOWLY BY HIMSELF EXCEPT THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG AND IT WAS LIKE WALKING THROUGH WARM GLUE. WALKING ON HIS KNEES. NO NOT WALKING FALLING AT LAST

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+THE PRIZE WAS NOT UNWORTHY OF HIS AMBITION. AT A DISTANCE FROM THE COURT AND AT THE HEAD OF AN IMMENSE CAPITAL THE PATRIARCH AS HE WAS NOW STYLED OF ALEXANDRIA HAD GRADUALLY USURPED THE STATE AND AUTHORITY OF A CIVIL MAGISTRATE. ARDENT IN THE PROSECUTION OF HERESY CYRIL AUSPICIOUSLY OPENED HIS REIGN BY OPPRESSING THE NOVATIANS THE MOST INNOCENT AND HARMLESS OF THE SECTARIES. THE INTERDICTION OF THEIR RELIGIOUS WORSHIP APPEARED IN HIS EYES A JUST AND MERITORIOUS ACT AND HE CONFISCATED THEIR HOLY VESSELS WITHOUT APPREHENDING THE GUILT OF SACRILEGE. THE TOLERATION AND EVEN THE PRIVILEGES OF THE JEWS WHO HAD MULTIPLIED TO THE NUMBER OF FORTY THOUSAND WERE SECURED BY THE LAWS OF THE CAESARS AND PTOLEMIES AND A LONG PRESCRIPTION OF SEVEN HUNDRED YEARS SINCE THE FOUNDATION OF ALEXANDRIA. WITHOUT ANY LEGAL SENTENCE WITHOUT ANY ROYAL MANDATE THE PATRIARCH AT THE DAWN OF DAY LED A SEDITIOUS MULTITUDE TO THE ATTACK OF THE SYNAGOGUES. UNARMED AND UNPREPARED THE JEWS WERE INCAPABLE OF RESISTANCE THEIR HOUSES OF PRAYER WERE LEVELLED WITH THE GROUND AND THE EPISCOPAL WARRIOR AFTER REWARDING HIS TROOPS WITH THE PLUNDER OF THEIR GOODS EXPELLED FROM THE CITY THE REMNANT OF THE UNBELIEVING NATION. PERHAPS HE MIGHT PLEAD THE INSOLENCE OF THEIR PROSPERITY AND THEIR DEADLY HATRED OF THE CHRISTIANS WHOSE BLOOD THEY HAD RECENTLY SHED IN A MALICIOUS OR ACCIDENTAL TUMULT. SUCH CRIMES WOULD HAVE DESERVED THE ANIMADVERSION OF THE MAGISTRATE BUT IN THIS PROMISCUOUS OUTRAGE THE INNOCENT WERE CONFOUNDED WITH THE GUILTY AND ALEXANDRIA WAS IMPOVERISHED BY THE LOSS OF A WEALTHY AND INDUSTRIOUS COLONY. THE ZEAL OF CYRIL EXPOSED HIM TO THE PENALTIES OF THE JULIAN LAW BUT IN A FEEBLE GOVERNMENT AND A SUPERSTITIOUS AGE HE WAS SECURE OF IMPUNITY AND EVEN OF PRAISE. ORESTES COMPLAINED BUT HIS JUST COMPLAINTS WERE TOO QUICKLY FORGOTTEN BY THE MINISTERS OF THEODOSIUS AND TOO DEEPLY REMEMBERED BY A PRIEST WHO AFFECTED TO PARDON AND CONTINUED TO HATE THE PRAEFECT OF EGYPT. AS HE PASSED THROUGH THE STREETS HIS CHARIOT WAS ASSAULTED BY A BAND OF FIVE HUNDRED OF THE NITRIAN MONKS HIS GUARDS FLED FROM THE WILD BEASTS OF THE DESERT HIS PROTESTATIONS THAT HE WAS A CHRISTIAN AND A CATHOLIC WERE ANSWERED BY A VOLLEY OF STONES AND THE FACE OF ORESTES WAS COVERED WITH BLOOD. AT THE COMMAND OF CYRIL HIS BODY WAS RAISED FROM THE GROUND AND TRANSPORTED IN SOLEMN PROCESSION TO THE CATHEDRAL THE NAME OF AMMONIUS WAS CHANGED TO THAT OF THAUMASIUS THE WONDERFUL HIS TOMB WAS DECORATED WITH THE TROPHIES OF MARTYRDOM AND THE PATRIARCH ASCENDED THE PULPIT TO CELEBRATE THE MAGNANIMITY OF AN ASSASSIN AND A REBEL. SUCH HONORS MIGHT INCITE THE FAITHFUL TO COMBAT AND DIE UNDER THE BANNERS OF THE SAINT AND HE SOON PROMPTED OR ACCEPTED THE SACRIFICE OF A VIRGIN WHO PROFESSED THE RELIGION OF THE GREEKS AND CULTIVATED THE FRIENDSHIP OF ORESTES. IN THE BLOOM OF BEAUTY AND IN THE MATURITY OF WISDOM THE MODEST MAID REFUSED HER LOVERS AND INSTRUCTED HER DISCIPLES THE PERSONS MOST ILLUSTRIOUS FOR THEIR RANK OR MERIT WERE IMPATIENT TO VISIT THE FEMALE PHILOSOPHER AND CYRIL BEHELD WITH A JEALOUS EYE THE GORGEOUS TRAIN OF HORSES AND SLAVES WHO CROWDED THE DOOR OF HER ACADEMY. A RUMOR WAS SPREAD AMONG THE CHRISTIANS THAT THE DAUGHTER OF THEON WAS THE ONLY OBSTACLE TO THE RECONCILIATION OF THE PRAEFECT AND THE ARCHBISHOP AND THAT OBSTACLE WAS SPEEDILY REMOVED. WHICH OPPRESSED THE METROPOLITANS OF EUROPE AND ASIA INVADED THE PROVINCES OF ANTIOCH AND ALEXANDRIA AND MEASURED THEIR DIOCESE BY THE LIMITS OF THE EMPIRE. THE LONG MODERATION OF ATTICUS THE MILD USURPER OF THE THRONE OF CHRYSOSTOM SUSPENDED THE ANIMOSITIES OF THE EASTERN PATRIARCHS BUT CYRIL WAS AT LENGTH AWAKENED BY THE EXALTATION OF A RIVAL MORE WORTHY OF HIS ESTEEM AND HATRED. AFTER THE SHORT AND TROUBLED REIGN OF SISINNIUS BISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE THE FACTIONS OF THE CLERGY AND PEOPLE WERE APPEASED BY THE CHOICE OF THE EMPEROR WHO ON THIS OCCASION CONSULTED THE VOICE OF FAME AND INVITED THE MERIT OF A STRANGER. GIVE ME O CAESAR HE EXCLAIMED GIVE ME THE EARTH PURGED OF HERETICS AND I WILL GIVE YOU IN EXCHANGE THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

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+I SUPPOSE I LOOKED AS SICK AS I FELT. I NEVER KNOW YOU WAS SO BRAVE JIM SHE WENT ON COMFORTINGLY. NOW WE TAKE THAT SNAKE HOME AND SHOW EVERYBODY. NOBODY AIN'T SEEN IN THIS KAWN TREE SO BIG SNAKE LIKE YOU KILL. SHE WENT ON IN THIS STRAIN UNTIL I BEGAN TO THINK THAT I HAD LONGED FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY AND HAD HAILED IT WITH JOY. CAUTIOUSLY WE WENT BACK TO THE SNAKE HE WAS STILL GROPING WITH HIS TAIL TURNING UP HIS UGLY BELLY IN THE LIGHT. A FAINT FETID SMELL CAME FROM HIM AND A THREAD OF GREEN LIQUID OOZED FROM HIS CRUSHED HEAD. LOOK TONY THAT'S HIS POISON I SAID. I TOOK A LONG PIECE OF STRING FROM MY POCKET AND SHE LIFTED HIS HEAD WITH THE SPADE WHILE I TIED A NOOSE AROUND IT. WE PULLED HIM OUT STRAIGHT AND MEASURED HIM BY MY RIDING QUIRT HE WAS ABOUT FIVE AND A HALF FEET LONG. HE HAD TWELVE RATTLES BUT THEY WERE BROKEN OFF BEFORE THEY BEGAN TO TAPER SO I INSISTED THAT HE MUST ONCE HAVE HAD TWENTY FOUR. I EXPLAINED TO ANTONIA HOW THIS MEANT THAT HE WAS TWENTY FOUR YEARS OLD THAT HE MUST HAVE BEEN THERE WHEN WHITE MEN FIRST CAME LEFT ON FROM BUFFALO AND INDIAN TIMES. AS I TURNED HIM OVER I BEGAN TO FEEL PROUD OF HIM TO HAVE A KIND OF RESPECT FOR HIS AGE AND SIZE. HE SEEMED LIKE THE ANCIENT ELDEST EVIL. CERTAINLY HIS KIND HAVE LEFT HORRIBLE UNCONSCIOUS MEMORIES IN ALL WARM BLOODED LIFE. WE DECIDED THAT ANTONIA SHOULD RIDE DUDE HOME AND I WOULD WALK. I FOLLOWED WITH THE SPADE OVER MY SHOULDER DRAGGING MY SNAKE. HER EXULTATION WAS CONTAGIOUS. IF THE RED GRASS WERE FULL OF RATTLERS I WAS EQUAL TO THEM ALL. NEVERTHELESS I STOLE FURTIVE GLANCES BEHIND ME NOW AND THEN TO SEE THAT NO AVENGING MATE OLDER AND BIGGER THAN MY QUARRY WAS RACING UP FROM THE REAR. OTTO FUCHS WAS THE FIRST ONE WE MET. HE WAS SITTING ON THE EDGE OF THE CATTLE POND HAVING A QUIET PIPE BEFORE SUPPER. ANTONIA CALLED HIM TO COME QUICK AND LOOK. HE DID NOT SAY ANYTHING FOR A MINUTE BUT SCRATCHED HIS HEAD AND TURNED THE SNAKE OVER WITH HIS BOOT. WHERE DID YOU RUN ONTO THAT BEAUTY JIM. UP AT THE DOG TOWN I ANSWERED LACONICALLY. WE'D BEEN UP TO RUSSIAN PETER'S TO BORROW A SPADE FOR AMBROSCH. IT WAS JUST LUCK YOU HAD A TOOL HE SAID CAUTIOUSLY. HE COULD STAND RIGHT UP AND TALK TO YOU HE COULD DID HE FIGHT HARD. ANTONIA BROKE IN HE FIGHT SOMETHING AWFUL HE IS ALL OVER JIMMY'S BOOTS I SCREAM FOR HIM TO RUN BUT HE JUST HIT AND HIT THAT SNAKE LIKE HE WAS CRAZY. OTTO WINKED AT ME. SUBSEQUENT EXPERIENCES WITH RATTLESNAKES TAUGHT ME THAT MY FIRST ENCOUNTER WAS FORTUNATE IN CIRCUMSTANCE. MY BIG RATTLER WAS OLD AND HAD LED TOO EASY A LIFE THERE WAS NOT MUCH FIGHT IN HIM. A SNAKE OF HIS SIZE IN FIGHTING TRIM WOULD BE MORE THAN ANY BOY COULD HANDLE. SO IN REALITY IT WAS A MOCK ADVENTURE THE GAME WAS FIXED FOR ME BY CHANCE AS IT PROBABLY WAS FOR MANY A DRAGON SLAYER. I HAD BEEN ADEQUATELY ARMED BY RUSSIAN PETER THE SNAKE WAS OLD AND LAZY AND I HAD ANTONIA BESIDE ME TO APPRECIATE AND ADMIRE. THIS WAS ENOUGH FOR ANTONIA. SHE LIKED ME BETTER FROM THAT TIME ON AND SHE NEVER TOOK A SUPERCILIOUS AIR WITH ME AGAIN

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+WHILE THE AUTUMN COLOR WAS GROWING PALE ON THE GRASS AND CORNFIELDS THINGS WENT BADLY WITH OUR FRIENDS THE RUSSIANS. PETER TOLD HIS TROUBLES TO MISTER SHIMERDA HE WAS UNABLE TO MEET A NOTE WHICH FELL DUE ON THE FIRST OF NOVEMBER HAD TO PAY AN EXORBITANT BONUS ON RENEWING IT AND TO GIVE A MORTGAGE ON HIS PIGS AND HORSES AND EVEN HIS MILK COW. PETER COULD GIVE NO VERY CLEAR ACCOUNT OF HIS TRANSACTIONS WITH CUTTER. HE ONLY KNEW THAT HE HAD FIRST BORROWED TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS THEN ANOTHER HUNDRED THEN FIFTY THAT EACH TIME A BONUS WAS ADDED TO THE PRINCIPAL AND THE DEBT GREW FASTER THAN ANY CROP HE PLANTED. NOW EVERYTHING WAS PLASTERED WITH MORTGAGES. SOON AFTER PETER RENEWED HIS NOTE PAVEL STRAINED HIMSELF LIFTING TIMBERS FOR A NEW BARN AND FELL OVER AMONG THE SHAVINGS WITH SUCH A GUSH OF BLOOD FROM THE LUNGS THAT HIS FELLOW WORKMEN THOUGHT HE WOULD DIE ON THE SPOT. THEY HAULED HIM HOME AND PUT HIM INTO HIS BED AND THERE HE LAY VERY ILL INDEED. MISFORTUNE SEEMED TO SETTLE LIKE AN EVIL BIRD ON THE ROOF OF THE LOG HOUSE AND TO FLAP ITS WINGS THERE WARNING HUMAN BEINGS AWAY. ONE AFTERNOON ANTONIA AND HER FATHER CAME OVER TO OUR HOUSE TO GET BUTTERMILK AND LINGERED AS THEY USUALLY DID UNTIL THE SUN WAS LOW. JUST AS THEY WERE LEAVING RUSSIAN PETER DROVE UP. PAVEL WAS VERY BAD HE SAID AND WANTED TO TALK TO MISTER SHIMERDA AND HIS DAUGHTER HE HAD COME TO FETCH THEM. MY PLAN MUST HAVE SEEMED VERY FOOLISH TO HER BUT SHE WAS OFTEN LARGE MINDED ABOUT HUMORING THE DESIRES OF OTHER PEOPLE. SHE ASKED PETER TO WAIT A MOMENT AND WHEN SHE CAME BACK FROM THE KITCHEN SHE BROUGHT A BAG OF SANDWICHES AND DOUGHNUTS FOR US. MISTER SHIMERDA AND PETER WERE ON THE FRONT SEAT ANTONIA AND I SAT IN THE STRAW BEHIND AND ATE OUR LUNCH AS WE BUMPED ALONG. AFTER THE SUN SANK A COLD WIND SPRANG UP AND MOANED OVER THE PRAIRIE. IF THIS TURN IN THE WEATHER HAD COME SOONER I SHOULD NOT HAVE GOT AWAY. WE BURROWED DOWN IN THE STRAW AND CURLED UP CLOSE TOGETHER WATCHING THE ANGRY RED DIE OUT OF THE WEST AND THE STARS BEGIN TO SHINE IN THE CLEAR WINDY SKY. PETER KEPT SIGHING AND GROANING. TONY WHISPERED TO ME THAT HE WAS AFRAID PAVEL WOULD NEVER GET WELL. WE LAY STILL AND DID NOT TALK. UP THERE THE STARS GREW MAGNIFICENTLY BRIGHT. THOUGH WE HAD COME FROM SUCH DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD IN BOTH OF US THERE WAS SOME DUSKY SUPERSTITION THAT THOSE SHINING GROUPS HAVE THEIR INFLUENCE UPON WHAT IS AND WHAT IS NOT TO BE. PERHAPS RUSSIAN PETER COME FROM FARTHER AWAY THAN ANY OF US HAD BROUGHT FROM HIS LAND TOO SOME SUCH BELIEF. THE LITTLE HOUSE ON THE HILLSIDE WAS SO MUCH THE COLOR OF THE NIGHT THAT WE COULD NOT SEE IT AS WE CAME UP THE DRAW. THE RUDDY WINDOWS GUIDED US THE LIGHT FROM THE KITCHEN STOVE FOR THERE WAS NO LAMP BURNING. WE ENTERED SOFTLY. THE MAN IN THE WIDE BED SEEMED TO BE ASLEEP. TONY AND I SAT DOWN ON THE BENCH BY THE WALL AND LEANED OUR ARMS ON THE TABLE IN FRONT OF US. THE FIRELIGHT FLICKERED ON THE HEWN LOGS THAT SUPPORTED THE THATCH OVERHEAD. PAVEL MADE A RASPING SOUND WHEN HE BREATHED AND HE KEPT MOANING WE WAITED. THE WIND SHOOK THE DOORS AND WINDOWS IMPATIENTLY THEN SWEPT ON AGAIN SINGING THROUGH THE BIG SPACES. EACH GUST AS IT BORE DOWN RATTLED THE PANES AND SWELLED OFF LIKE THE OTHERS. THEY MADE ME THINK OF DEFEATED ARMIES RETREATING OR OF GHOSTS WHO WERE TRYING DESPERATELY TO GET IN FOR SHELTER AND THEN WENT MOANING ON. PRESENTLY IN ONE OF THOSE SOBBING INTERVALS BETWEEN THE BLASTS THE COYOTES TUNED UP WITH THEIR WHINING HOWL ONE TWO THREE THEN ALL TOGETHER TO TELL US THAT WINTER WAS COMING. THIS SOUND BROUGHT AN ANSWER FROM THE BED A LONG COMPLAINING CRY AS IF PAVEL WERE HAVING BAD DREAMS OR WERE WAKING TO SOME OLD MISERY. PETER LISTENED BUT DID NOT STIR. HE WAS SITTING ON THE FLOOR BY THE KITCHEN STOVE

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+THE COYOTES BROKE OUT AGAIN YAP YAP YAP THEN THE HIGH WHINE. PAVEL CALLED FOR SOMETHING AND STRUGGLED UP ON HIS ELBOW. WE SLID CLOSER TOGETHER ALONG THE BENCH. I COULD NOT TAKE MY EYES OFF THE MAN IN THE BED. HIS SHIRT WAS HANGING OPEN AND HIS EMACIATED CHEST COVERED WITH YELLOW BRISTLE ROSE AND FELL HORRIBLY HE BEGAN TO COUGH. PETER SHUFFLED TO HIS FEET CAUGHT UP THE TEA KETTLE AND MIXED HIM SOME HOT WATER AND WHISKEY. THE SHARP SMELL OF SPIRITS WENT THROUGH THE ROOM. PAVEL SNATCHED THE CUP AND DRANK THEN MADE PETER GIVE HIM THE BOTTLE AND SLIPPED IT UNDER HIS PILLOW GRINNING DISAGREEABLY AS IF HE HAD OUTWITTED SOME ONE. HIS EYES FOLLOWED PETER ABOUT THE ROOM WITH A CONTEMPTUOUS UNFRIENDLY EXPRESSION. IT SEEMED TO ME THAT HE DESPISED HIM FOR BEING SO SIMPLE AND DOCILE. PRESENTLY PAVEL BEGAN TO TALK TO MISTER SHIMERDA SCARCELY ABOVE A WHISPER. HE WAS TELLING A LONG STORY AND AS HE WENT ON ANTONIA TOOK MY HAND UNDER THE TABLE AND HELD IT TIGHT. SHE LEANED FORWARD AND STRAINED HER EARS TO HEAR HIM. HE GREW MORE AND MORE EXCITED AND KEPT POINTING ALL AROUND HIS BED AS IF THERE WERE THINGS THERE AND HE WANTED MISTER SHIMERDA TO SEE THEM. IT'S WOLVES JIMMY ANTONIA WHISPERED. THE SICK MAN RAGED AND SHOOK HIS FIST. HE SEEMED TO BE CURSING PEOPLE WHO HAD WRONGED HIM. MISTER SHIMERDA CAUGHT HIM BY THE SHOULDERS BUT COULD HARDLY HOLD HIM IN BED. AT LAST HE WAS SHUT OFF BY A COUGHING FIT WHICH FAIRLY CHOKED HIM. HE PULLED A CLOTH FROM UNDER HIS PILLOW AND HELD IT TO HIS MOUTH. QUICKLY IT WAS COVERED WITH BRIGHT RED SPOTS I THOUGHT I HAD NEVER SEEN ANY BLOOD SO BRIGHT. WHEN HE LAY DOWN AND TURNED HIS FACE TO THE WALL ALL THE RAGE HAD GONE OUT OF HIM. HE LAY PATIENTLY FIGHTING FOR BREATH LIKE A CHILD WITH CROUP. ANTONIA'S FATHER UNCOVERED ONE OF HIS LONG BONY LEGS AND RUBBED IT RHYTHMICALLY. FROM OUR BENCH WE COULD SEE WHAT A HOLLOW CASE HIS BODY WAS. HIS SPINE AND SHOULDER BLADES STOOD OUT LIKE THE BONES UNDER THE HIDE OF A DEAD STEER LEFT IN THE FIELDS. THAT SHARP BACKBONE MUST HAVE HURT HIM WHEN HE LAY ON IT. GRADUALLY RELIEF CAME TO ALL OF US. WHATEVER IT WAS THE WORST WAS OVER. MISTER SHIMERDA SIGNED TO US THAT PAVEL WAS ASLEEP. WITHOUT A WORD PETER GOT UP AND LIT HIS LANTERN. MISTER SHIMERDA WENT WITH HIM. WE SAT AND WATCHED THE LONG BOWED BACK UNDER THE BLUE SHEET SCARCELY DARING TO BREATHE. ON THE WAY HOME WHEN WE WERE LYING IN THE STRAW UNDER THE JOLTING AND RATTLING ANTONIA TOLD ME AS MUCH OF THE STORY AS SHE COULD. WHAT SHE DID NOT TELL ME THEN SHE TOLD LATER WE TALKED OF NOTHING ELSE FOR DAYS AFTERWARD. WHEN PAVEL AND PETER WERE YOUNG MEN LIVING AT HOME IN RUSSIA THEY WERE ASKED TO BE GROOMSMEN FOR A FRIEND WHO WAS TO MARRY THE BELLE OF ANOTHER VILLAGE. IT WAS IN THE DEAD OF WINTER AND THE GROOM'S PARTY WENT OVER TO THE WEDDING IN SLEDGES. PETER AND PAVEL DROVE IN THE GROOM'S SLEDGE AND SIX SLEDGES FOLLOWED WITH ALL HIS RELATIVES AND FRIENDS. AFTER THE CEREMONY AT THE CHURCH THE PARTY WENT TO A DINNER GIVEN BY THE PARENTS OF THE BRIDE. THE DINNER LASTED ALL AFTERNOON THEN IT BECAME A SUPPER AND CONTINUED FAR INTO THE NIGHT. THERE WAS MUCH DANCING AND DRINKING. AT MIDNIGHT THE PARENTS OF THE BRIDE SAID GOOD BYE TO HER AND BLESSED HER. THE GROOM TOOK HER UP IN HIS ARMS AND CARRIED HER OUT TO HIS SLEDGE AND TUCKED HER UNDER THE BLANKETS. HE SPRANG IN BESIDE HER AND PAVEL AND PETER OUR PAVEL AND PETER. TOOK THE FRONT SEAT PAVEL DROVE. THE PARTY SET OUT WITH SINGING AND THE JINGLE OF SLEIGH BELLS THE GROOM'S SLEDGE GOING FIRST. ALL THE DRIVERS WERE MORE OR LESS THE WORSE FOR MERRY MAKING AND THE GROOM WAS ABSORBED IN HIS BRIDE. THE WOLVES WERE BAD THAT WINTER AND EVERY ONE KNEW IT YET WHEN THEY HEARD THE FIRST WOLF CRY THE DRIVERS WERE NOT MUCH ALARMED. THEY HAD TOO MUCH GOOD FOOD AND DRINK INSIDE THEM. THE FIRST HOWLS WERE TAKEN UP AND ECHOED AND WITH QUICKENING REPETITIONS. THE WOLVES WERE COMING TOGETHER

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+THERE WAS NO MOON BUT THE STARLIGHT WAS CLEAR ON THE SNOW. A BLACK DROVE CAME UP OVER THE HILL BEHIND THE WEDDING PARTY. THE WOLVES RAN LIKE STREAKS OF SHADOW THEY LOOKED NO BIGGER THAN DOGS BUT THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF THEM. SOMETHING HAPPENED TO THE HINDMOST SLEDGE THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL HE WAS PROBABLY VERY DRUNK THE HORSES LEFT THE ROAD THE SLEDGE WAS CAUGHT IN A CLUMP OF TREES AND OVERTURNED. THE SHRIEKS THAT FOLLOWED MADE EVERYBODY SOBER. THE DRIVERS STOOD UP AND LASHED THEIR HORSES. THE GROOM HAD THE BEST TEAM AND HIS SLEDGE WAS LIGHTEST ALL THE OTHERS CARRIED FROM SIX TO A DOZEN PEOPLE. ANOTHER DRIVER LOST CONTROL THE SCREAMS OF THE HORSES WERE MORE TERRIBLE TO HEAR THAN THE CRIES OF THE MEN AND WOMEN. NOTHING SEEMED TO CHECK THE WOLVES. IT WAS HARD TO TELL WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THE REAR THE PEOPLE WHO WERE FALLING BEHIND SHRIEKED AS PITEOUSLY AS THOSE WHO WERE ALREADY LOST. THE LITTLE BRIDE HID HER FACE ON THE GROOM'S SHOULDER AND SOBBED. PAVEL SAT STILL AND WATCHED HIS HORSES. THE ROAD WAS CLEAR AND WHITE AND THE GROOM'S THREE BLACKS WENT LIKE THE WIND. IT WAS ONLY NECESSARY TO BE CALM AND TO GUIDE THEM CAREFULLY. AT LENGTH AS THEY BREASTED A LONG HILL PETER ROSE CAUTIOUSLY AND LOOKED BACK. THERE ARE ONLY THREE SLEDGES LEFT HE WHISPERED. AND THE WOLVES PAVEL ASKED ENOUGH ENOUGH FOR ALL OF US. PAVEL REACHED THE BROW OF THE HILL BUT ONLY TWO SLEDGES FOLLOWED HIM DOWN THE OTHER SIDE. IN THAT MOMENT ON THE HILLTOP THEY SAW BEHIND THEM A WHIRLING BLACK GROUP ON THE SNOW. PRESENTLY THE GROOM SCREAMED. HE SPRANG UP AS IF HE MEANT TO JUMP BUT THE GIRL SHRIEKED AND HELD HIM BACK IT WAS EVEN THEN TOO LATE. THE BLACK GROUND SHADOWS WERE ALREADY CROWDING OVER THE HEAP IN THE ROAD AND ONE HORSE RAN OUT ACROSS THE FIELDS HIS HARNESS HANGING TO HIM WOLVES AT HIS HEELS. BUT THE GROOM'S MOVEMENT HAD GIVEN PAVEL AN IDEA. THEY WERE WITHIN A FEW MILES OF THEIR VILLAGE NOW. THE ONLY SLEDGE LEFT OUT OF SIX WAS NOT VERY FAR BEHIND THEM AND PAVEL'S MIDDLE HORSE WAS FAILING. BESIDE A FROZEN POND SOMETHING HAPPENED TO THE OTHER SLEDGE PETER SAW IT PLAINLY. THREE BIG WOLVES GOT ABREAST OF THE HORSES AND THE HORSES WENT CRAZY. THEY TRIED TO JUMP OVER EACH OTHER GOT TANGLED UP IN THE HARNESS AND OVERTURNED THE SLEDGE. THEY STILL COME HE ASKED PETER. YES HOW MANY. TWENTY THIRTY ENOUGH. NOW HIS MIDDLE HORSE WAS BEING ALMOST DRAGGED BY THE OTHER TWO. PAVEL GAVE PETER THE REINS AND STEPPED CAREFULLY INTO THE BACK OF THE SLEDGE. HE CALLED TO THE GROOM THAT THEY MUST LIGHTEN AND POINTED TO THE BRIDE. THE YOUNG MAN CURSED HIM AND HELD HER TIGHTER. PAVEL TRIED TO DRAG HER AWAY IN THE STRUGGLE THE GROOM ROSE. PAVEL KNOCKED HIM OVER THE SIDE OF THE SLEDGE AND THREW THE GIRL AFTER HIM. PETER CROUCHING IN THE FRONT SEAT SAW NOTHING. THE FIRST THING EITHER OF THEM NOTICED WAS A NEW SOUND THAT BROKE INTO THE CLEAR AIR LOUDER THAN THEY HAD EVER HEARD IT BEFORE THE BELL OF THE MONASTERY OF THEIR OWN VILLAGE RINGING FOR EARLY PRAYERS. PAVEL AND PETER DROVE INTO THE VILLAGE ALONE AND THEY HAD BEEN ALONE EVER SINCE. THEY WERE RUN OUT OF THEIR VILLAGE. PAVEL'S OWN MOTHER WOULD NOT LOOK AT HIM. THEY WENT AWAY TO STRANGE TOWNS BUT WHEN PEOPLE LEARNED WHERE THEY CAME FROM THEY WERE ALWAYS ASKED IF THEY KNEW THE TWO MEN WHO HAD FED THE BRIDE TO THE WOLVES. WHEREVER THEY WENT THE STORY FOLLOWED THEM. IT TOOK THEM FIVE YEARS TO SAVE MONEY ENOUGH TO COME TO AMERICA. THEY WORKED IN CHICAGO DES MOINES FORT WAYNE BUT THEY WERE ALWAYS UNFORTUNATE. WHEN PAVEL'S HEALTH GREW SO BAD THEY DECIDED TO TRY FARMING. PAVEL DIED A FEW DAYS AFTER HE UNBURDENED HIS MIND TO MISTER SHIMERDA AND WAS BURIED IN THE NORWEGIAN GRAVEYARD. PETER SOLD OFF EVERYTHING AND LEFT THE COUNTRY WENT TO BE COOK IN A RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION CAMP WHERE GANGS OF RUSSIANS WERE EMPLOYED. AT HIS SALE WE BOUGHT PETER'S WHEELBARROW AND SOME OF HIS HARNESS

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+DURING THE AUCTION HE WENT ABOUT WITH HIS HEAD DOWN AND NEVER LIFTED HIS EYES. HE SEEMED NOT TO CARE ABOUT ANYTHING. THE BLACK HAWK MONEY LENDER WHO HELD MORTGAGES ON PETER'S LIVE STOCK WAS THERE AND HE BOUGHT IN THE SALE NOTES AT ABOUT FIFTY CENTS ON THE DOLLAR. EVERY ONE SAID PETER KISSED THE COW BEFORE SHE WAS LED AWAY BY HER NEW OWNER. THE LOSS OF HIS TWO FRIENDS HAD A DEPRESSING EFFECT UPON OLD MISTER SHIMERDA. WHEN HE WAS OUT HUNTING HE USED TO GO INTO THE EMPTY LOG HOUSE AND SIT THERE BROODING. THIS CABIN WAS HIS HERMITAGE UNTIL THE WINTER SNOWS PENNED HIM IN HIS CAVE. FOR ANTONIA AND ME THE STORY OF THE WEDDING PARTY WAS NEVER AT AN END

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+THROUGHOUT THIS CENTURY THE POWER OF THE CHURCH WAS CONSTANTLY ON THE INCREASE AND IS VISIBLE IN MANY IMPORTANT CHANGES. THE LAST ARMED STRUGGLE OF DRUIDISM AND THE ONLY INVASION OF IRELAND BY THE ANGLO SAXONS ARE ALSO EVENTS OF THE CIVIL HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH CENTURY. OF THE SCHOOL AND THE SAINTS WE SHALL SPEAK HEREAFTER THE BATTLE DESERVES MORE IMMEDIATE MENTION. NOW THE HY NIAL FAMILY NOT ONLY HAD LONG GIVEN MONARCHS TO ALL IRELAND BUT HAD ALSO THE LION'S SHARE OF THEIR OWN PROVINCE AND KING DONALD AS THEIR HEAD COULD NOT PERMIT THEIR ASCENDENCY TO BE DISPUTED. THE ANCESTORS OF THE PRESENT PRETENDER CONGAL SURNAMED THE SQUINT EYED HAD TWICE RECEIVED AND CHERISHED THE LICENTIOUS BARDS WHEN UNDER THE BAN OF TARA AND HIS POPULARITY WITH THAT STILL POWERFUL ORDER WAS ONE PROP OF HIS AMBITION. IT IS PRETTY CLEAR ALSO THAT THE LAST RALLY OF DRUIDISM AGAINST CHRISTIANITY TOOK PLACE BEHIND HIS BANNER ON THE PLAIN OF MOIRA. CONGAL HAD RECRUITED NUMEROUS BANDS OF SAXONS BRITONS PICTS AND ARGYLE SCOTS WHO POURED INTO THE LARBOURS OF DOWN FOR MONTHS AND WERE MARSHALLED ON THE BANKS OF THE LAGAN TO SUSTAIN HIS CAUSE. THE POETS OF SUCCEEDING AGES HAVE DWELT MUCH IN DETAIL ON THE OCCURRENCES OF THIS MEMORABLE DAY. IT WAS WHAT MIGHT STRICTLY BE CALLED A PITCHED BATTLE TIME AND PLACE BEING FIXED BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT. KING DONALD WAS ACCOMPANIED BY HIS BARD WHO DESCRIBED TO HIM AS THEY CAME IN SIGHT THE SEVERAL STANDARDS OF CONGAL'S HOST AND WHO SERVED UNDER THEM. THE CAUSE OF THE CONSTITUTION AND THE CHURCH PREVAILED AND DRUIDISM MOURNED ITS LAST HOPE EXTINGUISHED ON THE PLAINS OF MOIRA IN THE DEATH OF CONGAL AND THE DEFEAT OF HIS VAST ARMY. KING DONALD RETURNED IN TRIUMPH TO CELEBRATE HIS VICTORY AT EMANIA AND TO RECEIVE THE BENEDICTION OF THE CHURCH AT ARMAGH. LIKE THE TWO KINGS OF SPARTA THEY REIGNED JOINTLY DIVIDING BETWEEN THEM THE LABOURS AND CARES OF STATE. TO HEIGHTEN THE AWFUL SENSE OF INEVITABLE DOOM AN ECLIPSE OF THE SUN OCCURRED CONCURRENTLY WITH THE APPEARANCE OF THE PESTILENCE ON THE FIRST SUNDAY IN MAY. IT WAS THE SEASON WHEN THE ANCIENT SUN GOD HAD BEEN ACCUSTOMED TO RECEIVE HIS ANNUAL OBLATIONS AND WE CAN WELL BELIEVE THAT THOSE WHOSE HEARTS STILL TREMBLED AT THE NAME OF BEL MUST HAVE CONNECTED THE ECLIPSE AND THE PLAGUE WITH THE REVOLUTION IN THE NATIONAL WORSHIP AND THE OVERTHROW OF THE ANCIENT GODS ON THAT PLAIN OF PROSTRATION WHERE THEY HAD SO LONG RECEIVED THE HOMAGE OF AN ENTIRE PEOPLE. AMONG THE VICTIMS OF THIS FEARFUL VISITATION WHICH LIKE THE MODERN CHOLERA SWEPT THROUGH ALL RANKS AND CLASSES OF SOCIETY AND RETURNED IN THE SAME TRACK FOR SEVERAL SUCCESSIVE SEASONS WERE VERY MANY OF THOSE VENERATED MEN THE THIRD AND FOURTH GENERATION OF THE ABBOTS AND BISHOPS. THE MUNSTER KING AND MANY OF THE CHIEFTAIN CLASS SHARED THE COMMON LOT. LASTLY THE ROYAL BROTHERS FELL THEMSELVES VICTIMS TO THE EPIDEMIC WHICH SO SADLY SIGNALIZES THEIR REIGN. THE ONLY CONFLICTS THAT OCCURRED ON IRISH SOIL WITH A PICTISH OR AN ANGLO SAXON FORCE IF WE EXCEPT THOSE WHO FORMED A CONTINGENT OF CONGAL'S ARMY AT MOIRA OCCURRED IN THE TIME OF THE HOSPITABLE FINNACTA. AS LEADING TO THE MENTION OF OTHER INTERESTING EVENTS WE MUST SET THIS INROAD CLEARLY BEFORE THE READER. THE SAXONS HAD NOW BEEN FOR FOUR CENTURIES IN BRITAIN THE OLDER INHABITANTS OF WHICH CELTS LIKE THE GAULS AND IRISH THEY HAD CRUELLY HARASSED JUST AS THE MILESIAN IRISH OPPRESSED THEIR BELGIC PREDECESSORS AND AS THE NORMANS IN TURN WILL BE FOUND OPPRESSING BOTH CELT AND SAXON IN ENGLAND AND IRELAND

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+THE SAXONS OF KENT AND THE SOUTHERN KINGDOMS GENERALLY WERE CONVERTED BY MISSIONARIES FROM FRANCE OR ROME OR NATIVE PREACHERS OF THE FIRST OR SECOND CHRISTIAN GENERATION THOSE OF NORTHUMBRIA RECOGNISE AS THEIR APOSTLES SAINT AIDAN AND SAINT CUTHBERT TWO FATHERS FROM IONA. THE KINGDOM OF NORTHUMBRIA AS THE NAME IMPLIES EMBRACED NEARLY ALL THE COUNTRY FROM THE HUMBER TO THE PICTISH BORDER. BEORT LANDED PROBABLY IN THE BOYNE AND SWEPT OVER THE RICH PLAIN OF MEATH WITH FIRE AND SWORD BURNING CHURCHES DRIVING OFF HERDS AND FLOCKS AND SLAUGHTERING THE CLERGY AND THE HUSBANDMEN. THE PIETY OF AN AFTER AGE SAW IN THE RETRIBUTION WHICH OVERTOOK EGFRID THE FOLLOWING YEAR WHEN HE WAS SLAIN BY THE PICTS AND SCOTS THE JUDGMENT OF HEAVEN AVENGING THE UNPROVOKED WRONGS OF THE IRISH. HIS SCOTTISH CONQUERORS RETURNING GOOD FOR EVIL CARRIED HIS BODY TO IONA WHERE IT WAS INTERRED WITH ALL DUE HONOUR. IONA WAS NOW IN THE ZENITH OF ITS GLORY. THE BARREN ROCK ABOUT THREE MILES IN LENGTH WAS COVERED WITH MONASTIC BUILDINGS AND ITS CEMETERY WAS ALREADY ADORNED WITH THE TOMBS OF SAINTS AND KINGS. FIVE SUCCESSORS OF COLUMBKILL SLEPT IN PEACE AROUND THEIR HOLY FOUNDER AND A SIXTH EQUAL IN LEARNING AND SANCTITY TO ANY WHO PRECEDED HIM RECEIVED THE REMAINS OF KING EGFRID FROM THE HANDS OF HIS CONQUERORS. ADAMNAN REGARDED THE FATE OF EGFRID WE MAY BE SURE IN THE LIGHT OF A JUDGMENT ON HIM FOR HIS MISDEEDS AS BEDE AND BRITISH CHRISTIANS VERY GENERALLY DID. HE LEARNED TOO THAT THERE WERE IN NORTHUMBRIA SEVERAL CHRISTIAN CAPTIVES CARRIED OFF IN BEORT'S EXPEDITION AND PROBABLY SOLD INTO SLAVERY. NOW EVERY MISSIONARY THAT EVER WENT OUT FROM IONA HAD TAUGHT THAT TO REDUCE CHRISTIANS TO SLAVERY WAS WHOLLY INCONSISTENT WITH A BELIEF IN THE DOCTRINES OF THE GOSPEL. IN THE SAME SPIRIT ADAMNAN VOLUNTARILY UNDERTOOK A JOURNEY TO YORK WHERE ALDFRID A PRINCE EDUCATED IN IRELAND AND WHOSE ITINERARY OF IRELAND WE STILL HAVE NOW REIGNED. THE ABBOT OF IONA SUCCEEDED IN HIS HUMANE MISSION AND CROSSING OVER TO HIS NATIVE LAND HE RESTORED SIXTY OF THE CAPTIVES TO THEIR HOMES AND KINDRED. WHILE THE LIBERATED EXILES REJOICED ON THE PLAIN OF MEATH THE TENT OF THE ABBOT OF IONA WAS PITCHED ON THE RATH OF TARA A FACT WHICH WOULD SEEM TO INDICATE THAT ALREADY IN LITTLE MORE THAN A CENTURY SINCE THE INTERDICT HAD FALLEN ON IT THE EDIFICES WHICH MADE SO FINE A SHOW IN THE DAYS OF PATRICK WERE RUINED AND UNINHABITABLE. THE MILD MATERNAL GENIUS OF CHRISTIANITY IS FAITHFULLY EXHIBITED IN SUCH A LAW WHICH CONSUMMATES THE GLORY OF THE WORTHY SUCCESSOR OF COLUMBKILL. IT IS CURIOUS HERE TO OBSERVE THAT IT WAS NOT UNTIL ANOTHER HUNDRED YEARS HAD PAST NOT TILL THE BEGINNING OF THE NINTH CENTURY THAT THE CLERGY WERE EXEMPT FROM MILITARY SERVICE. SO SLOW AND PATIENT IS THE PROCESS BY WHICH CHRISTIANITY INFUSES ITSELF INTO THE SOCIAL LIFE OF A CONVERTED PEOPLE. THE ALL POWERFUL INTERCESSOR IN THIS CASE WAS SAINT MOLING OF THE ROYAL HOUSE OF LEINSTER AND BISHOP OF FERNAMORE NOW FERNS. IN THE EARLY PART OF HIS REIGN FINNACTA SEEMS NOT TO HAVE BEEN DISPOSED TO COLLECT THIS INVIDIOUS TAX BY FORCE BUT YIELDING TO OTHER MOTIVES HE AFTERWARDS TOOK A DIFFERENT VIEW OF HIS DUTY AND MARCHED INTO LEINSTER TO COMPEL ITS PAYMENT. HERE THE HOLY PRELATE OF FERNS MET HIM AND RELATED A VISION IN WHICH HE HAD BEEN INSTRUCTED TO DEMAND THE ABOLITION OF THE IMPOST. THE ABOLITION HE CONTENDED SHOULD NOT BE SIMPLY A SUSPENSION BUT FINAL AND FOR EVER. THE TRIBUTE WAS AT THIS PERIOD ENORMOUS FIFTEEN THOUSAND HEAD OF CATTLE ANNUALLY

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+ABOLISHED IT WAS AND THOUGH ITS RE ENACTMENT WAS OFTEN ATTEMPTED THE AUTHORITY OF SAINT MOLING'S SOLEMN SETTLEMENT PREVENTED IT FROM BEING RE ENFORCED FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME EXCEPT AS A POLITICAL OR MILITARY INFLICTION. FINNACTA FELL IN BATTLE IN THE TWENTIETH YEAR OF HIS LONG AND GLORIOUS REIGN AND IS COMMEMORATED AS A SAINT IN THE IRISH CALENDAR. SAINT MOLING SURVIVED HIM THREE YEARS AND SAINT ADAMNAN SO INTIMATELY CONNECTED WITH HIS REIGN TEN YEARS. NOTHING COULD BE MORE NATURAL THAN SUCH AN ASSEMBLY IN SUCH A PLACE AT SUCH A PERIOD. IN EVERY RECORDED INSTANCE THE POWER OF THE CLERGY HAD BEEN OMNIPOTENT IN POLITICS FOR ABOVE A CENTURY

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+TO MAKE YEAST FOR BREAD. SEVENTEEN SIXTEEN. MODE BOIL THE HOPS IN THE WATER FOR TWENTY MINUTES LET IT STAND FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES THEN ADD IT TO ONE POUNDS OF BRUISED MALT PREPARED AS FOR BREWING. THE BOTTLES OF YEAST REQUIRE VERY CAREFUL OPENING AS IT IS GENERALLY EXCEEDINGLY RIPE. KIRKLEATHAM YEAST. SEVENTEEN SEVENTEEN. BOTTLE IT UP AND TIE THE CORKS DOWN. TO MAKE GOOD HOME MADE BREAD. MISS ACTON'S RECIPE. SEVENTEEN EIGHTEEN. ILLUSTRATION COTTAGE LOAF. ILLUSTRATION TIN BREAD. MODE PUT THE FLOUR INTO A LARGE EARTHENWARE BOWL OR DEEP PAN THEN WITH A STRONG METAL OR WOODEN SPOON HOLLOW OUT THE MIDDLE BUT DO NOT CLEAR IT ENTIRELY AWAY FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE PAN AS IN THAT CASE THE SPONGE OR LEAVEN AS IT WAS FORMERLY TERMED WOULD STICK TO IT WHICH IT OUGHT NOT TO DO. NEXT TAKE EITHER A LARGE TABLESPOONFUL OF BREWER'S YEAST WHICH HAS BEEN RENDERED SOLID BY MIXING IT WITH PLENTY OF COLD WATER AND LETTING IT AFTERWARDS STAND TO SETTLE FOR A DAY AND NIGHT OR NEARLY AN OUNCE OF GERMAN YEAST PUT IT INTO A LARGE BASIN AND PROCEED TO MIX IT SO THAT IT SHALL BE AS SMOOTH AS CREAM WITH THREE QUARTERS PINT OF WARM MILK AND WATER OR WITH WATER ONLY THOUGH EVEN A VERY LITTLE MILK WILL MUCH IMPROVE THE BREAD. POUR THE YEAST INTO THE HOLE MADE IN THE FLOUR AND STIR INTO IT AS MUCH OF THAT WHICH LIES ROUND IT AS WILL MAKE A THICK BATTER IN WHICH THERE MUST BE NO LUMPS. LOOK AT IT FROM TIME TO TIME WHEN IT HAS BEEN LAID FOR NEARLY AN HOUR AND WHEN THE YEAST HAS RISEN AND BROKEN THROUGH THE FLOUR SO THAT BUBBLES APPEAR IN IT YOU WILL KNOW THAT IT IS READY TO BE MADE UP INTO DOUGH. THEN PLACE THE PAN ON A STRONG CHAIR OR DRESSER OR TABLE OF CONVENIENT HEIGHT POUR INTO THE SPONGE THE REMAINDER OF THE WARM MILK AND WATER STIR INTO IT AS MUCH OF THE FLOUR AS YOU CAN WITH THE SPOON THEN WIPE IT OUT CLEAN WITH YOUR FINGERS AND LAY IT ASIDE. WHEN THE FLOUR IS NEARLY ALL KNEADED IN BEGIN TO DRAW THE EDGES OF THE DOUGH TOWARDS THE MIDDLE IN ORDER TO MIX THE WHOLE THOROUGHLY AND WHEN IT IS FREE FROM FLOUR AND LUMPS AND CRUMBS AND DOES NOT STICK TO THE HANDS WHEN TOUCHED IT WILL BE DONE AND MAY AGAIN BE COVERED WITH THE CLOTH AND LEFT TO RISE A SECOND TIME. IN THREE QUARTERS HOUR LOOK AT IT AND SHOULD IT HAVE SWOLLEN VERY MUCH AND BEGIN TO CRACK IT WILL BE LIGHT ENOUGH TO BAKE. TURN IT THEN ON TO A PASTE BOARD OR VERY CLEAN DRESSER AND WITH A LARGE SHARP KNIFE DIVIDE IT IN TWO MAKE IT UP QUICKLY INTO LOAVES AND DISPATCH IT TO THE OVEN MAKE ONE OR TWO INCISIONS ACROSS THE TOPS OF THE LOAVES AS THEY WILL RISE MORE EASILY IF THIS BE DONE. IF BAKED IN TINS OR PANS RUB THEM WITH A TINY PIECE OF BUTTER LAID ON A PIECE OF CLEAN PAPER TO PREVENT THE DOUGH FROM STICKING TO THEM. ALL BREAD SHOULD BE TURNED UPSIDE DOWN OR ON ITS SIDE AS SOON AS IT IS DRAWN FROM THE OVEN IF THIS BE NEGLECTED THE UNDER PART OF THE LOAVES WILL BECOME WET AND BLISTERED FROM THE STEAM WHICH CANNOT THEN ESCAPE FROM THEM

librispeech-long/dev-clean/2078/142845/142845_0001.txt

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+TO MAKE THE DOUGH WITHOUT SETTING A SPONGE MERELY MIX THE YEAST WITH THE GREATER PART OF THE WARM MILK AND WATER AND WET UP THE WHOLE OF THE FLOUR AT ONCE AFTER A LITTLE SALT HAS BEEN STIRRED IN PROCEEDING EXACTLY IN EVERY OTHER RESPECT AS IN THE DIRECTIONS JUST GIVEN. AS THE DOUGH WILL SOFTEN IN THE RISING IT SHOULD BE MADE QUITE FIRM AT FIRST OR IT WILL BE TOO LITHE BY THE TIME IT IS READY FOR THE OVEN. ILLUSTRATION ITALIAN MILLET. ITALIAN MILLET OR GREAT INDIAN MILLET IS CULTIVATED IN EGYPT AND NUBIA WHERE IT IS CALLED DHOURRA AND IS USED AS HUMAN FOOD AS WELL AS FOR THE FERMENTATION OF BEER. IT WILL GROW ON POOR SOILS AND IS EXTREMELY PRODUCTIVE. IT HAS BEEN INTRODUCED INTO ITALY WHERE THEY MAKE A COARSE BREAD FROM IT AND IT IS ALSO EMPLOYED IN PASTRY AND PUDDINGS THEY ALSO USE IT FOR FEEDING HORSES AND DOMESTIC FOWLS. A YELLOW VARIETY CALLED GOLDEN MILLET IS SOLD IN THE GROCERS SHOPS FOR MAKING PUDDINGS AND IS VERY DELICATE AND WHOLESOME. TO MAKE A PECK OF GOOD BREAD SEVENTEEN NINETEEN. THE RED VARIETIES OF WHEAT ARE GENERALLY HARDIER AND MORE EASILY GROWN THAN THE WHITE SORTS AND ALTHOUGH OF LESS VALUE TO THE MILLER THEY ARE FULLY MORE PROFITABLE TO THE GROWER IN CONSEQUENCE OF THE BETTER CROPS WHICH THEY PRODUCE. ANOTHER ADVANTAGE THE RED WHEATS POSSESS IS THEIR COMPARATIVE IMMUNITY FROM THE ATTACKS OF MILDEW AND FLY. SEVENTEEN TWENTY. MODE BOIL THE RICE IN WATER UNTIL IT IS QUITE TENDER POUR OFF THE WATER AND PUT THE RICE BEFORE IT IS COLD TO THE FLOUR. IF THE RICE IS BOILED IN MILK INSTEAD OF WATER IT MAKES VERY DELICIOUS BREAD OR CAKES. WHEN BOILED IN THIS MANNER IT MAY BE MIXED WITH THE FLOUR WITHOUT STRAINING THE LIQUID FROM IT. INDIAN CORN FLOUR BREAD. SEVENTEEN TWENTY ONE. ILLUSTRATION MAIZE PLANT. ILLUSTRATION EAR OF MAIZE. MAIZE NEXT TO WHEAT AND RICE MAIZE IS THE GRAIN MOST USED IN THE NOURISHMENT OF MAN. IN ASIA AFRICA AND AMERICA IT IS THE PRINCIPAL DAILY FOOD OF A LARGE PORTION OF THE POPULATION ESPECIALLY OF THE COLONISTS. IN SOME OF THE PROVINCES OF FRANCE TOO IT IS CONSUMED IN LARGE QUANTITIES. THERE ARE EIGHT VARIETIES OF THE MAIZE THE MOST PRODUCTIVE IS THE MAIZE OF CUSCO. THE FLOUR OF MAIZE IS YELLOW AND IT CONTAINS AN OILY MATTER WHICH WHEN FRESH GIVES IT AN AGREEABLE FLAVOUR AND ODOUR BUT THE ACTION OF THE AIR ON IT SOON DEVELOPS RANCIDITY. IF CARRIED ANY DISTANCE IT SHOULD BE STORED AWAY IN AIR TIGHT VESSELS. AN EXCELLENT SOUP IS PREPARED WITH MEAT AND MAIZE FLOUR. THE INHABITANTS OF SOME COUNTRIES WHERE WHEAT IS SCARCE MAKE WITH MAIZE AND WATER OR MILK AND SALT A KIND OF BISCUIT WHICH IS PLEASANT IN TASTE BUT INDIGESTIBLE. SOME OF THE PREPARATIONS OF MAIZE FLOUR ARE VERY GOOD AND WHEN PARTAKEN IN MODERATION SUITABLE FOOD FOR ALMOST EVERYBODY. SODA BREAD. SEVENTEEN TWENTY TWO. MODE LET THE TARTARIC ACID AND SALT BE REDUCED TO THE FINEST POSSIBLE POWDER THEN MIX THEM WELL WITH THE FLOUR. DISSOLVE THE SODA IN THE MILK AND POUR IT SEVERAL TIMES FROM ONE BASIN TO ANOTHER BEFORE ADDING IT TO THE FLOUR

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+SOUR MILK OR BUTTERMILK MAY BE USED BUT THEN A LITTLE LESS ACID WILL BE NEEDED. POLISH AND POMERANIAN WHEAT ARE ACCOUNTED BY AUTHORITIES MOST EXCELLENT. LARGE RAFT LIKE BARGES CONVEY THIS GRAIN DOWN THE RIVERS FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE COUNTRY TO THE SEAPORTS. THIS CORN IS DESCRIBED AS BEING WHITE HARD AND THIN SKINNED AND IT YIELDS A LARGE QUANTITY OF FLOUR HAVING A SMALL PROPORTION OF BRAN. EXCELLENT ROLLS. SEVENTEEN TWENTY THREE. ILLUSTRATION ROLLS. PUT THE FLOUR INTO A PAN STIR IN THE ABOVE INGREDIENTS AND LET THE DOUGH RISE COVERED IN A WARM PLACE. KNEAD IT WELL MAKE IT INTO ROLLS LET THEM RISE AGAIN FOR A FEW MINUTES AND BAKE IN A QUICK OVEN. RICHER ROLLS MAY BE MADE BY ADDING ONE OR TWO EGGS AND A LARGER PROPORTION OF BUTTER AND THEIR APPEARANCE IMPROVED BY BRUSHING THE TOPS OVER WITH YOLK OF EGG OR A LITTLE MILK. HOT ROLLS. SEVENTEEN TWENTY FOUR. AS SOON AS THE ROLLS COME FROM THE BAKER'S THEY SHOULD BE PUT INTO THE OVEN WHICH IN THE EARLY PART OF THE MORNING IS SURE NOT TO BE VERY HOT AND THE ROLLS MUST NOT BE BUTTERED UNTIL WANTED. WHEN THEY ARE QUITE HOT DIVIDE THEM LENGTHWISE INTO THREE PUT SOME THIN FLAKES OF GOOD BUTTER BETWEEN THE SLICES PRESS THE ROLLS TOGETHER AND PUT THEM IN THE OVEN FOR A MINUTE OR TWO BUT NOT LONGER OR THE BUTTER WOULD OIL TAKE THEM OUT OF THE OVEN SPREAD THE BUTTER EQUALLY OVER DIVIDE THE ROLLS IN HALF AND PUT THEM ON TO A VERY HOT CLEAN DISH AND SEND THEM INSTANTLY TO TABLE. TO MAKE DRY TOAST. SEVENTEEN TWENTY FIVE. TO MAKE DRY TOAST PROPERLY A GREAT DEAL OF ATTENTION IS REQUIRED MUCH MORE INDEED THAN PEOPLE GENERALLY SUPPOSE. NEVER USE NEW BREAD FOR MAKING ANY KIND OF TOAST AS IT EATS HEAVY AND BESIDES IS VERY EXTRAVAGANT. MOVE IT BACKWARDS AND FORWARDS UNTIL THE BREAD IS NICELY COLOURED THEN TURN IT AND TOAST THE OTHER SIDE AND DO NOT PLACE IT SO NEAR THE FIRE THAT IT BLACKENS. DRY TOAST SHOULD BE MORE GRADUALLY MADE THAN BUTTERED TOAST AS ITS GREAT BEAUTY CONSISTS IN ITS CRISPNESS AND THIS CANNOT BE ATTAINED UNLESS THE PROCESS IS SLOW AND THE BREAD IS ALLOWED GRADUALLY TO COLOUR. AS SOON AS EACH PIECE IS READY IT SHOULD BE PUT INTO A RACK OR STOOD UPON ITS EDGES AND SENT QUICKLY TO TABLE. TO MAKE HOT BUTTERED TOAST SEVENTEEN TWENTY SIX. A LOAF OF HOUSEHOLD BREAD ABOUT TWO DAYS OLD ANSWERS FOR MAKING TOAST BETTER THAN COTTAGE BREAD THE LATTER NOT BEING A GOOD SHAPE AND TOO CRUSTY FOR THE PURPOSE. CUT AS MANY NICE EVEN SLICES AS MAY BE REQUIRED RATHER MORE THAN ONE QUARTER INCH IN THICKNESS AND TOAST THEM BEFORE A VERY BRIGHT FIRE WITHOUT ALLOWING THE BREAD TO BLACKEN WHICH SPOILS THE APPEARANCE AND FLAVOUR OF ALL TOAST. WHEN OF A NICE COLOUR ON BOTH SIDES PUT IT ON A HOT PLATE DIVIDE SOME GOOD BUTTER INTO SMALL PIECES PLACE THEM ON THE TOAST SET THIS BEFORE THE FIRE AND WHEN THE BUTTER IS JUST BEGINNING TO MELT SPREAD IT LIGHTLY OVER THE TOAST. TRIM OFF THE CRUST AND RAGGED EDGES DIVIDE EACH ROUND INTO FOUR PIECES AND SEND THE TOAST QUICKLY TO TABLE. SOME PERSONS CUT THE SLICES OF TOAST ACROSS FROM CORNER TO CORNER SO MAKING THE PIECES OF A THREE CORNERED SHAPE

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+SOYER RECOMMENDS THAT EACH SLICE SHOULD BE CUT INTO PIECES AS SOON AS IT IS BUTTERED AND WHEN ALL ARE READY THAT THEY SHOULD BE PILED LIGHTLY ON THE DISH THEY ARE INTENDED TO BE SERVED ON. HE SAYS THAT BY CUTTING THROUGH FOUR OR FIVE SLICES AT A TIME ALL THE BUTTER IS SQUEEZED OUT OF THE UPPER ONES WHILE THE BOTTOM ONE IS SWIMMING IN FAT LIQUID. IT IS HIGHLY ESSENTIAL TO USE GOOD BUTTER FOR MAKING THIS DISH. MUFFINS. SEVENTEEN TWENTY SEVEN. ILLUSTRATION MUFFINS. THEN PLACE THEM CAREFULLY ON A HOT PLATE OR STOVE AND BAKE THEM UNTIL THEY ARE SLIGHTLY BROWNED TURNING THEM WHEN THEY ARE DONE ON ONE SIDE. MUFFINS ARE NOT EASILY MADE AND ARE MORE GENERALLY PURCHASED THAN MANUFACTURED AT HOME. TO TOAST THEM DIVIDE THE EDGE OF THE MUFFIN ALL ROUND BY PULLING IT OPEN TO THE DEPTH OF ABOUT AN INCH WITH THE FINGERS. DO NOT TOAST THEM TOO QUICKLY AS IF THIS IS DONE THE MIDDLE OF THE MUFFIN WILL NOT BE WARMED THROUGH. TO TOAST THEM HAVE READY A VERY BRIGHT CLEAR FIRE PUT THE CRUMPET ON A TOASTING FORK AND HOLD IT BEFORE THE FIRE NOT TOO CLOSE UNTIL IT IS NICELY BROWN ON ONE SIDE BUT DO NOT ALLOW IT TO BLACKEN. TURN IT AND BROWN THE OTHER SIDE THEN SPREAD IT WITH GOOD BUTTER CUT IT IN HALF AND WHEN ALL ARE DONE PILE THEM ON A HOT DISH AND SEND THEM QUICKLY TO TABLE. MUFFINS AND CRUMPETS SHOULD ALWAYS BE SERVED ON SEPARATE DISHES AND BOTH TOASTED AND SERVED AS EXPEDITIOUSLY AS POSSIBLE. TIME FROM TEN TO FIFTEEN MINUTES TO BAKE THEM. SUFFICIENT ALLOW TWO CRUMPETS TO EACH PERSON. PLAIN BUNS SEVENTEEN TWENTY NINE. MODE PUT THE FLOUR INTO A BASIN MIX THE SUGAR WELL WITH IT MAKE A HOLE IN THE CENTRE AND STIR IN THE YEAST AND MILK WHICH SHOULD BE LUKEWARM WITH ENOUGH OF THE FLOUR TO MAKE IT THE THICKNESS OF CREAM. MELT THE BUTTER BUT DO NOT ALLOW IT TO OIL STIR IT INTO THE OTHER INGREDIENTS WITH ENOUGH WARM MILK TO MAKE THE WHOLE INTO A SOFT DOUGH THEN MOULD IT INTO BUNS ABOUT THE SIZE OF AN EGG LAY THEM IN ROWS QUITE THREE INCHES APART SET THEM AGAIN IN A WARM PLACE UNTIL THEY HAVE RISEN TO DOUBLE THEIR SIZE THEN PUT THEM INTO A GOOD BRISK OVEN AND JUST BEFORE THEY ARE DONE WASH THEM OVER WITH A LITTLE MILK. FROM FIFTEEN TO TWENTY MINUTES WILL BE REQUIRED TO BAKE THEM NICELY. THESE BUNS MAY BE VARIED BY ADDING A FEW CURRANTS CANDIED PEEL OR CARAWAY SEEDS TO THE OTHER INGREDIENTS AND THE ABOVE MIXTURE ANSWERS FOR HOT CROSS BUNS BY PUTTING IN A LITTLE GROUND ALLSPICE AND BY PRESSING A TIN MOULD IN THE FORM OF A CROSS IN THE CENTRE OF THE BUN. SUFFICIENT TO MAKE EIGHTEEN BUNS. TO MAKE GOOD PLAIN BUNS SEVENTEEN THIRTY. MODE WARM THE BUTTER WITHOUT OILING IT BEAT IT WITH A WOODEN SPOON STIR THE FLOUR IN GRADUALLY WITH THE SUGAR AND MIX THESE INGREDIENTS WELL TOGETHER. SUFFICIENT TO MAKE TWELVE BUNS SEASONABLE AT ANY TIME LIGHT BUNS. ILLUSTRATION BUNS. SEVENTEEN THIRTY ONE

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+MODE RUB THE TARTARIC ACID SODA AND FLOUR ALL TOGETHER THROUGH A HAIR SIEVE WORK THE BUTTER INTO THE FLOUR ADD THE SUGAR CURRANTS AND CARAWAY SEEDS WHEN THE FLAVOUR OF THEM LATTER IS LIKED. MIX ALL THESE INGREDIENTS WELL TOGETHER MAKE A HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FLOUR AND POUR IN THE MILK MIXED WITH THE EGG WHICH SHOULD BE WELL BEATEN MIX QUICKLY AND SET THE DOUGH WITH A FORK ON BAKING TINS AND BAKE THE BUNS FOR ABOUT TWENTY MINUTES. SUFFICIENT TO MAKE ABOUT TWELVE BUNS. VICTORIA BUNS SEVENTEEN THIRTY TWO. MODE WHISK THE EGG STIR IN THE SUGAR AND BEAT THESE INGREDIENTS WELL TOGETHER BEAT THE BUTTER TO A CREAM STIR IN THE GROUND RICE CURRANTS AND CANDIED PEEL AND AS MUCH FLOUR AS WILL MAKE IT OF SUCH A CONSISTENCY THAT IT MAY BE ROLLED INTO SEVEN OR EIGHT BALLS. THEY SHOULD BE PUT INTO THE OVEN IMMEDIATELY OR THEY WILL BECOME HEAVY AND THE OVEN SHOULD BE TOLERABLY BRISK. SUFFICIENT TO MAKE SEVEN OR EIGHT BUNS SEASONABLE AT ANY TIME. ITALIAN RUSKS. SEVENTEEN THIRTY THREE. A STALE SAVOY OR LEMON CAKE MAY BE CONVERTED INTO VERY GOOD RUSKS IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER. CUT THE CAKE INTO SLICES DIVIDE EACH SLICE IN TWO PUT THEM ON A BAKING SHEET IN A SLOW OVEN AND WHEN THEY ARE OF A NICE BROWN AND QUITE HARD THEY ARE DONE. THEY SHOULD BE KEPT IN A CLOSED TIN CANISTER IN A DRY PLACE TO PRESERVE THEIR CRISPNESS. ILLUSTRATION PANNICLED MILLET. PANNICLED MILLET THIS IS THE SMALLEST SEEDED OF THE CORN PLANTS BEING A TRUE GRASS BUT THE NUMBER OF THE SEEDS IN EACH EAR MAKES UP FOR THEIR SIZE. IT GROWS IN SANDY SOILS THAT WILL NOT DO FOR THE CULTIVATION OF MANY OTHER KINDS OF GRAIN AND FORMS THE CHIEF SUSTENANCE IN THE ARID DISTRICTS OF ARABIA SYRIA NUBIA AND PARTS OF INDIA. IT IS NOT CULTIVATED IN ENGLAND BEING PRINCIPALLY CONFINED TO THE EAST. THE NATIONS WHO MAKE USE OF IT GRIND IT IN THE PRIMITIVE MANNER BETWEEN TWO STONES AND MAKE IT INTO A DIET WHICH CANNOT BE PROPERLY CALLED BREAD BUT RATHER A KIND OF SOFT THIN CAKE HALF BAKED. WHEN WE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THAT THE ARABIANS ARE FOND OF LIZARDS AND LOCUSTS AS ARTICLES OF FOOD THEIR CUISINE ALTOGETHER IS SCARCELY A TEMPTING ONE. TO MAKE RUSKS SUFFOLK RECIPE. SEVENTEEN THIRTY FOUR. ILLUSTRATION RUSKS. MODE PUT THE MILK AND BUTTER INTO A SAUCEPAN AND KEEP SHAKING IT ROUND UNTIL THE LATTER IS MELTED. PUT THE FLOUR INTO A BASIN WITH THE SUGAR MIX THESE WELL TOGETHER AND BEAT THE EGGS. STIR THEM WITH THE YEAST TO THE MILK AND BUTTER AND WITH THIS LIQUID WORK THE FLOUR INTO A SMOOTH DOUGH. COVER A CLOTH OVER THE BASIN AND LEAVE THE DOUGH TO RISE BY THE SIDE OF THE FIRE THEN KNEAD IT AND DIVIDE IT INTO TWELVE PIECES PLACE THEM IN A BRISK OVEN AND BAKE FOR ABOUT TWENTY MINUTES. TAKE THE RUSKS OUT BREAK THEM IN HALF AND THEN SET THEM IN THE OVEN TO GET CRISP ON THE OTHER SIDE. WHEN COLD THEY SHOULD BE PUT INTO TIN CANISTERS TO KEEP THEM DRY AND IF INTENDED FOR THE CHEESE COURSE THE SIFTED SUGAR SHOULD BE OMITTED

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+WHEN A WRITER CALLS HIS WORK A ROMANCE IT NEED HARDLY BE OBSERVED THAT HE WISHES TO CLAIM A CERTAIN LATITUDE BOTH AS TO ITS FASHION AND MATERIAL WHICH HE WOULD NOT HAVE FELT HIMSELF ENTITLED TO ASSUME HAD HE PROFESSED TO BE WRITING A NOVEL. THE LATTER FORM OF COMPOSITION IS PRESUMED TO AIM AT A VERY MINUTE FIDELITY NOT MERELY TO THE POSSIBLE BUT TO THE PROBABLE AND ORDINARY COURSE OF MAN'S EXPERIENCE. THE FORMER WHILE AS A WORK OF ART IT MUST RIGIDLY SUBJECT ITSELF TO LAWS AND WHILE IT SINS UNPARDONABLY SO FAR AS IT MAY SWERVE ASIDE FROM THE TRUTH OF THE HUMAN HEART HAS FAIRLY A RIGHT TO PRESENT THAT TRUTH UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES TO A GREAT EXTENT OF THE WRITER'S OWN CHOOSING OR CREATION. IF HE THINK FIT ALSO HE MAY SO MANAGE HIS ATMOSPHERICAL MEDIUM AS TO BRING OUT OR MELLOW THE LIGHTS AND DEEPEN AND ENRICH THE SHADOWS OF THE PICTURE. HE WILL BE WISE NO DOUBT TO MAKE A VERY MODERATE USE OF THE PRIVILEGES HERE STATED AND ESPECIALLY TO MINGLE THE MARVELOUS RATHER AS A SLIGHT DELICATE AND EVANESCENT FLAVOR THAN AS ANY PORTION OF THE ACTUAL SUBSTANCE OF THE DISH OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC. HE CAN HARDLY BE SAID HOWEVER TO COMMIT A LITERARY CRIME EVEN IF HE DISREGARD THIS CAUTION. THE POINT OF VIEW IN WHICH THIS TALE COMES UNDER THE ROMANTIC DEFINITION LIES IN THE ATTEMPT TO CONNECT A BYGONE TIME WITH THE VERY PRESENT THAT IS FLITTING AWAY FROM US. IT IS A LEGEND PROLONGING ITSELF FROM AN EPOCH NOW GRAY IN THE DISTANCE DOWN INTO OUR OWN BROAD DAYLIGHT AND BRINGING ALONG WITH IT SOME OF ITS LEGENDARY MIST WHICH THE READER ACCORDING TO HIS PLEASURE MAY EITHER DISREGARD OR ALLOW IT TO FLOAT ALMOST IMPERCEPTIBLY ABOUT THE CHARACTERS AND EVENTS FOR THE SAKE OF A PICTURESQUE EFFECT. THE NARRATIVE IT MAY BE IS WOVEN OF SO HUMBLE A TEXTURE AS TO REQUIRE THIS ADVANTAGE AND AT THE SAME TIME TO RENDER IT THE MORE DIFFICULT OF ATTAINMENT. MANY WRITERS LAY VERY GREAT STRESS UPON SOME DEFINITE MORAL PURPOSE AT WHICH THEY PROFESS TO AIM THEIR WORKS. IN GOOD FAITH HOWEVER HE IS NOT SUFFICIENTLY IMAGINATIVE TO FLATTER HIMSELF WITH THE SLIGHTEST HOPE OF THIS KIND. THE AUTHOR HAS CONSIDERED IT HARDLY WORTH HIS WHILE THEREFORE RELENTLESSLY TO IMPALE THE STORY WITH ITS MORAL AS WITH AN IRON ROD OR RATHER AS BY STICKING A PIN THROUGH A BUTTERFLY THUS AT ONCE DEPRIVING IT OF LIFE AND CAUSING IT TO STIFFEN IN AN UNGAINLY AND UNNATURAL ATTITUDE. A HIGH TRUTH INDEED FAIRLY FINELY AND SKILFULLY WROUGHT OUT BRIGHTENING AT EVERY STEP AND CROWNING THE FINAL DEVELOPMENT OF A WORK OF FICTION MAY ADD AN ARTISTIC GLORY BUT IS NEVER ANY TRUER AND SELDOM ANY MORE EVIDENT AT THE LAST PAGE THAN AT THE FIRST. THE READER MAY PERHAPS CHOOSE TO ASSIGN AN ACTUAL LOCALITY TO THE IMAGINARY EVENTS OF THIS NARRATIVE. IF PERMITTED BY THE HISTORICAL CONNECTION WHICH THOUGH SLIGHT WAS ESSENTIAL TO HIS PLAN THE AUTHOR WOULD VERY WILLINGLY HAVE AVOIDED ANYTHING OF THIS NATURE. NOT TO SPEAK OF OTHER OBJECTIONS IT EXPOSES THE ROMANCE TO AN INFLEXIBLE AND EXCEEDINGLY DANGEROUS SPECIES OF CRITICISM BY BRINGING HIS FANCY PICTURES ALMOST INTO POSITIVE CONTACT WITH THE REALITIES OF THE MOMENT. IT HAS BEEN NO PART OF HIS OBJECT HOWEVER TO DESCRIBE LOCAL MANNERS NOR IN ANY WAY TO MEDDLE WITH THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A COMMUNITY FOR WHOM HE CHERISHES A PROPER RESPECT AND A NATURAL REGARD. HE TRUSTS NOT TO BE CONSIDERED AS UNPARDONABLY OFFENDING BY LAYING OUT A STREET THAT INFRINGES UPON NOBODY'S PRIVATE RIGHTS AND APPROPRIATING A LOT OF LAND WHICH HAD NO VISIBLE OWNER AND BUILDING A HOUSE OF MATERIALS LONG IN USE FOR CONSTRUCTING CASTLES IN THE AIR. THE PERSONAGES OF THE TALE THOUGH THEY GIVE THEMSELVES OUT TO BE OF ANCIENT STABILITY AND CONSIDERABLE PROMINENCE ARE REALLY OF THE AUTHOR'S OWN MAKING OR AT ALL EVENTS OF HIS OWN MIXING THEIR VIRTUES CAN SHED NO LUSTRE NOR THEIR DEFECTS REDOUND IN THE REMOTEST DEGREE TO THE DISCREDIT OF THE VENERABLE TOWN OF WHICH THEY PROFESS TO BE INHABITANTS

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+HE WOULD BE GLAD THEREFORE IF ESPECIALLY IN THE QUARTER TO WHICH HE ALLUDES THE BOOK MAY BE READ STRICTLY AS A ROMANCE HAVING A GREAT DEAL MORE TO DO WITH THE CLOUDS OVERHEAD THAN WITH ANY PORTION OF THE ACTUAL SOIL OF THE COUNTY OF ESSEX. LENOX JANUARY TWENTY SEVENTH EIGHTEEN FIFTY ONE

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+THE ENCLOSURE HAD FORMERLY BEEN VERY EXTENSIVE BUT WAS NOW CONTRACTED WITHIN SMALL COMPASS AND HEMMED ABOUT PARTLY BY HIGH WOODEN FENCES AND PARTLY BY THE OUTBUILDINGS OF HOUSES THAT STOOD ON ANOTHER STREET. IN ITS CENTRE WAS A GRASS PLAT SURROUNDING A RUINOUS LITTLE STRUCTURE WHICH SHOWED JUST ENOUGH OF ITS ORIGINAL DESIGN TO INDICATE THAT IT HAD ONCE BEEN A SUMMER HOUSE. A HOP VINE SPRINGING FROM LAST YEAR'S ROOT WAS BEGINNING TO CLAMBER OVER IT BUT WOULD BE LONG IN COVERING THE ROOF WITH ITS GREEN MANTLE. THREE OF THE SEVEN GABLES EITHER FRONTED OR LOOKED SIDEWAYS WITH A DARK SOLEMNITY OF ASPECT DOWN INTO THE GARDEN. THE BLACK RICH SOIL HAD FED ITSELF WITH THE DECAY OF A LONG PERIOD OF TIME SUCH AS FALLEN LEAVES THE PETALS OF FLOWERS AND THE STALKS AND SEED VESSELS OF VAGRANT AND LAWLESS PLANTS MORE USEFUL AFTER THEIR DEATH THAN EVER WHILE FLAUNTING IN THE SUN. THE EVIL OF THESE DEPARTED YEARS WOULD NATURALLY HAVE SPRUNG UP AGAIN IN SUCH RANK WEEDS SYMBOLIC OF THE TRANSMITTED VICES OF SOCIETY AS ARE ALWAYS PRONE TO ROOT THEMSELVES ABOUT HUMAN DWELLINGS. PHOEBE SAW HOWEVER THAT THEIR GROWTH MUST HAVE BEEN CHECKED BY A DEGREE OF CAREFUL LABOR BESTOWED DAILY AND SYSTEMATICALLY ON THE GARDEN. THE WHITE DOUBLE ROSEBUSH HAD EVIDENTLY BEEN PROPPED UP ANEW AGAINST THE HOUSE SINCE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE SEASON AND A PEAR TREE AND THREE DAMSON TREES WHICH EXCEPT A ROW OF CURRANT BUSHES CONSTITUTED THE ONLY VARIETIES OF FRUIT BORE MARKS OF THE RECENT AMPUTATION OF SEVERAL SUPERFLUOUS OR DEFECTIVE LIMBS. THERE WERE ALSO A FEW SPECIES OF ANTIQUE AND HEREDITARY FLOWERS IN NO VERY FLOURISHING CONDITION BUT SCRUPULOUSLY WEEDED AS IF SOME PERSON EITHER OUT OF LOVE OR CURIOSITY HAD BEEN ANXIOUS TO BRING THEM TO SUCH PERFECTION AS THEY WERE CAPABLE OF ATTAINING. THE REMAINDER OF THE GARDEN PRESENTED A WELL SELECTED ASSORTMENT OF ESCULENT VEGETABLES IN A PRAISEWORTHY STATE OF ADVANCEMENT. SUMMER SQUASHES ALMOST IN THEIR GOLDEN BLOSSOM CUCUMBERS NOW EVINCING A TENDENCY TO SPREAD AWAY FROM THE MAIN STOCK AND RAMBLE FAR AND WIDE TWO OR THREE ROWS OF STRING BEANS AND AS MANY MORE THAT WERE ABOUT TO FESTOON THEMSELVES ON POLES TOMATOES OCCUPYING A SITE SO SHELTERED AND SUNNY THAT THE PLANTS WERE ALREADY GIGANTIC AND PROMISED AN EARLY AND ABUNDANT HARVEST. PHOEBE WONDERED WHOSE CARE AND TOIL IT COULD HAVE BEEN THAT HAD PLANTED THESE VEGETABLES AND KEPT THE SOIL SO CLEAN AND ORDERLY. NOT SURELY HER COUSIN HEPZIBAH'S WHO HAD NO TASTE NOR SPIRITS FOR THE LADY LIKE EMPLOYMENT OF CULTIVATING FLOWERS AND WITH HER RECLUSE HABITS AND TENDENCY TO SHELTER HERSELF WITHIN THE DISMAL SHADOW OF THE HOUSE WOULD HARDLY HAVE COME FORTH UNDER THE SPECK OF OPEN SKY TO WEED AND HOE AMONG THE FRATERNITY OF BEANS AND SQUASHES. IT BEING HER FIRST DAY OF COMPLETE ESTRANGEMENT FROM RURAL OBJECTS PHOEBE FOUND AN UNEXPECTED CHARM IN THIS LITTLE NOOK OF GRASS AND FOLIAGE AND ARISTOCRATIC FLOWERS AND PLEBEIAN VEGETABLES. THE EYE OF HEAVEN SEEMED TO LOOK DOWN INTO IT PLEASANTLY AND WITH A PECULIAR SMILE AS IF GLAD TO PERCEIVE THAT NATURE ELSEWHERE OVERWHELMED AND DRIVEN OUT OF THE DUSTY TOWN HAD HERE BEEN ABLE TO RETAIN A BREATHING PLACE. THE SPOT ACQUIRED A SOMEWHAT WILDER GRACE AND YET A VERY GENTLE ONE FROM THE FACT THAT A PAIR OF ROBINS HAD BUILT THEIR NEST IN THE PEAR TREE AND WERE MAKING THEMSELVES EXCEEDINGLY BUSY AND HAPPY IN THE DARK INTRICACY OF ITS BOUGHS. BEES TOO STRANGE TO SAY HAD THOUGHT IT WORTH THEIR WHILE TO COME HITHER POSSIBLY FROM THE RANGE OF HIVES BESIDE SOME FARM HOUSE MILES AWAY. HOW MANY AERIAL VOYAGES MIGHT THEY HAVE MADE IN QUEST OF HONEY OR HONEY LADEN BETWIXT DAWN AND SUNSET. YET LATE AS IT NOW WAS THERE STILL AROSE A PLEASANT HUM OUT OF ONE OR TWO OF THE SQUASH BLOSSOMS IN THE DEPTHS OF WHICH THESE BEES WERE PLYING THEIR GOLDEN LABOR

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+THERE WAS ONE OTHER OBJECT IN THE GARDEN WHICH NATURE MIGHT FAIRLY CLAIM AS HER INALIENABLE PROPERTY IN SPITE OF WHATEVER MAN COULD DO TO RENDER IT HIS OWN. THIS WAS A FOUNTAIN SET ROUND WITH A RIM OF OLD MOSSY STONES AND PAVED IN ITS BED WITH WHAT APPEARED TO BE A SORT OF MOSAIC WORK OF VARIOUSLY COLORED PEBBLES. THE PLAY AND SLIGHT AGITATION OF THE WATER IN ITS UPWARD GUSH WROUGHT MAGICALLY WITH THESE VARIEGATED PEBBLES AND MADE A CONTINUALLY SHIFTING APPARITION OF QUAINT FIGURES VANISHING TOO SUDDENLY TO BE DEFINABLE. THENCE SWELLING OVER THE RIM OF MOSS GROWN STONES THE WATER STOLE AWAY UNDER THE FENCE THROUGH WHAT WE REGRET TO CALL A GUTTER RATHER THAN A CHANNEL. NOR MUST WE FORGET TO MENTION A HEN COOP OF VERY REVEREND ANTIQUITY THAT STOOD IN THE FARTHER CORNER OF THE GARDEN NOT A GREAT WAY FROM THE FOUNTAIN. IT NOW CONTAINED ONLY CHANTICLEER HIS TWO WIVES AND A SOLITARY CHICKEN. ALL OF THEM WERE PURE SPECIMENS OF A BREED WHICH HAD BEEN TRANSMITTED DOWN AS AN HEIRLOOM IN THE PYNCHEON FAMILY AND WERE SAID WHILE IN THEIR PRIME TO HAVE ATTAINED ALMOST THE SIZE OF TURKEYS AND ON THE SCORE OF DELICATE FLESH TO BE FIT FOR A PRINCE'S TABLE. IN PROOF OF THE AUTHENTICITY OF THIS LEGENDARY RENOWN HEPZIBAH COULD HAVE EXHIBITED THE SHELL OF A GREAT EGG WHICH AN OSTRICH NEED HARDLY HAVE BEEN ASHAMED OF. BE THAT AS IT MIGHT THE HENS WERE NOW SCARCELY LARGER THAN PIGEONS AND HAD A QUEER RUSTY WITHERED ASPECT AND A GOUTY KIND OF MOVEMENT AND A SLEEPY AND MELANCHOLY TONE THROUGHOUT ALL THE VARIATIONS OF THEIR CLUCKING AND CACKLING. IT WAS EVIDENT THAT THE RACE HAD DEGENERATED LIKE MANY A NOBLE RACE BESIDES IN CONSEQUENCE OF TOO STRICT A WATCHFULNESS TO KEEP IT PURE. THESE FEATHERED PEOPLE HAD EXISTED TOO LONG IN THEIR DISTINCT VARIETY A FACT OF WHICH THE PRESENT REPRESENTATIVES JUDGING BY THEIR LUGUBRIOUS DEPORTMENT SEEMED TO BE AWARE. THEY KEPT THEMSELVES ALIVE UNQUESTIONABLY AND LAID NOW AND THEN AN EGG AND HATCHED A CHICKEN NOT FOR ANY PLEASURE OF THEIR OWN BUT THAT THE WORLD MIGHT NOT ABSOLUTELY LOSE WHAT HAD ONCE BEEN SO ADMIRABLE A BREED OF FOWLS. THE DISTINGUISHING MARK OF THE HENS WAS A CREST OF LAMENTABLY SCANTY GROWTH IN THESE LATTER DAYS BUT SO ODDLY AND WICKEDLY ANALOGOUS TO HEPZIBAH'S TURBAN THAT PHOEBE TO THE POIGNANT DISTRESS OF HER CONSCIENCE BUT INEVITABLY WAS LED TO FANCY A GENERAL RESEMBLANCE BETWIXT THESE FORLORN BIPEDS AND HER RESPECTABLE RELATIVE. THE GIRL RAN INTO THE HOUSE TO GET SOME CRUMBS OF BREAD COLD POTATOES AND OTHER SUCH SCRAPS AS WERE SUITABLE TO THE ACCOMMODATING APPETITE OF FOWLS. RETURNING SHE GAVE A PECULIAR CALL WHICH THEY SEEMED TO RECOGNIZE. THE CHICKEN CREPT THROUGH THE PALES OF THE COOP AND RAN WITH SOME SHOW OF LIVELINESS TO HER FEET WHILE CHANTICLEER AND THE LADIES OF HIS HOUSEHOLD REGARDED HER WITH QUEER SIDELONG GLANCES AND THEN CROAKED ONE TO ANOTHER AS IF COMMUNICATING THEIR SAGE OPINIONS OF HER CHARACTER. SO WISE AS WELL AS ANTIQUE WAS THEIR ASPECT AS TO GIVE COLOR TO THE IDEA NOT MERELY THAT THEY WERE THE DESCENDANTS OF A TIME HONORED RACE BUT THAT THEY HAD EXISTED IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY EVER SINCE THE HOUSE OF THE SEVEN GABLES WAS FOUNDED AND WERE SOMEHOW MIXED UP WITH ITS DESTINY. THEY WERE A SPECIES OF TUTELARY SPRITE OR BANSHEE ALTHOUGH WINGED AND FEATHERED DIFFERENTLY FROM MOST OTHER GUARDIAN ANGELS. HERE YOU ODD LITTLE CHICKEN SAID PHOEBE HERE ARE SOME NICE CRUMBS FOR YOU. THE CHICKEN HEREUPON THOUGH ALMOST AS VENERABLE IN APPEARANCE AS ITS MOTHER POSSESSING INDEED THE WHOLE ANTIQUITY OF ITS PROGENITORS IN MINIATURE MUSTERED VIVACITY ENOUGH TO FLUTTER UPWARD AND ALIGHT ON PHOEBE'S SHOULDER. THAT LITTLE FOWL PAYS YOU A HIGH COMPLIMENT SAID A VOICE BEHIND PHOEBE. TURNING QUICKLY SHE WAS SURPRISED AT SIGHT OF A YOUNG MAN WHO HAD FOUND ACCESS INTO THE GARDEN BY A DOOR OPENING OUT OF ANOTHER GABLE THAN THAT WHENCE SHE HAD EMERGED

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+HE HELD A HOE IN HIS HAND AND WHILE PHOEBE WAS GONE IN QUEST OF THE CRUMBS HAD BEGUN TO BUSY HIMSELF WITH DRAWING UP FRESH EARTH ABOUT THE ROOTS OF THE TOMATOES. THE CHICKEN REALLY TREATS YOU LIKE AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE CONTINUED HE IN A QUIET WAY WHILE A SMILE MADE HIS FACE PLEASANTER THAN PHOEBE AT FIRST FANCIED IT. THOSE VENERABLE PERSONAGES IN THE COOP TOO SEEM VERY AFFABLY DISPOSED. YOU ARE LUCKY TO BE IN THEIR GOOD GRACES SO SOON. THEY HAVE KNOWN ME MUCH LONGER BUT NEVER HONOR ME WITH ANY FAMILIARITY THOUGH HARDLY A DAY PASSES WITHOUT MY BRINGING THEM FOOD. MISS HEPZIBAH I SUPPOSE WILL INTERWEAVE THE FACT WITH HER OTHER TRADITIONS AND SET IT DOWN THAT THE FOWLS KNOW YOU TO BE A PYNCHEON. THE SECRET IS SAID PHOEBE SMILING THAT I HAVE LEARNED HOW TO TALK WITH HENS AND CHICKENS. AH BUT THESE HENS ANSWERED THE YOUNG MAN THESE HENS OF ARISTOCRATIC LINEAGE WOULD SCORN TO UNDERSTAND THE VULGAR LANGUAGE OF A BARN YARD FOWL. I PREFER TO THINK AND SO WOULD MISS HEPZIBAH THAT THEY RECOGNIZE THE FAMILY TONE FOR YOU ARE A PYNCHEON. MY NAME IS PHOEBE PYNCHEON SAID THE GIRL WITH A MANNER OF SOME RESERVE FOR SHE WAS AWARE THAT HER NEW ACQUAINTANCE COULD BE NO OTHER THAN THE DAGUERREOTYPIST OF WHOSE LAWLESS PROPENSITIES THE OLD MAID HAD GIVEN HER A DISAGREEABLE IDEA. I DID NOT KNOW THAT MY COUSIN HEPZIBAH'S GARDEN WAS UNDER ANOTHER PERSON'S CARE. YES SAID HOLGRAVE I DIG AND HOE AND WEED IN THIS BLACK OLD EARTH FOR THE SAKE OF REFRESHING MYSELF WITH WHAT LITTLE NATURE AND SIMPLICITY MAY BE LEFT IN IT AFTER MEN HAVE SO LONG SOWN AND REAPED HERE. I TURN UP THE EARTH BY WAY OF PASTIME. MY SOBER OCCUPATION SO FAR AS I HAVE ANY IS WITH A LIGHTER MATERIAL. IN SHORT I MAKE PICTURES OUT OF SUNSHINE AND NOT TO BE TOO MUCH DAZZLED WITH MY OWN TRADE I HAVE PREVAILED WITH MISS HEPZIBAH TO LET ME LODGE IN ONE OF THESE DUSKY GABLES. IT IS LIKE A BANDAGE OVER ONE'S EYES TO COME INTO IT. BUT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE A SPECIMEN OF MY PRODUCTIONS. A DAGUERREOTYPE LIKENESS DO YOU MEAN. ASKED PHOEBE WITH LESS RESERVE FOR IN SPITE OF PREJUDICE HER OWN YOUTHFULNESS SPRANG FORWARD TO MEET HIS. I DON'T MUCH LIKE PICTURES OF THAT SORT THEY ARE SO HARD AND STERN BESIDES DODGING AWAY FROM THE EYE AND TRYING TO ESCAPE ALTOGETHER. THEY ARE CONSCIOUS OF LOOKING VERY UNAMIABLE I SUPPOSE AND THEREFORE HATE TO BE SEEN. IF YOU WOULD PERMIT ME SAID THE ARTIST LOOKING AT PHOEBE I SHOULD LIKE TO TRY WHETHER THE DAGUERREOTYPE CAN BRING OUT DISAGREEABLE TRAITS ON A PERFECTLY AMIABLE FACE. BUT THERE CERTAINLY IS TRUTH IN WHAT YOU HAVE SAID. MOST OF MY LIKENESSES DO LOOK UNAMIABLE BUT THE VERY SUFFICIENT REASON I FANCY IS BECAUSE THE ORIGINALS ARE SO. THERE IS A WONDERFUL INSIGHT IN HEAVEN'S BROAD AND SIMPLE SUNSHINE. WHILE WE GIVE IT CREDIT ONLY FOR DEPICTING THE MEREST SURFACE IT ACTUALLY BRINGS OUT THE SECRET CHARACTER WITH A TRUTH THAT NO PAINTER WOULD EVER VENTURE UPON EVEN COULD HE DETECT IT. THERE IS AT LEAST NO FLATTERY IN MY HUMBLE LINE OF ART. NOW HERE IS A LIKENESS WHICH I HAVE TAKEN OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND STILL WITH NO BETTER RESULT. YET THE ORIGINAL WEARS TO COMMON EYES A VERY DIFFERENT EXPRESSION. IT WOULD GRATIFY ME TO HAVE YOUR JUDGMENT ON THIS CHARACTER. HE EXHIBITED A DAGUERREOTYPE MINIATURE IN A MOROCCO CASE. PHOEBE MERELY GLANCED AT IT AND GAVE IT BACK. IT IS MY PURITAN ANCESTOR WHO HANGS YONDER IN THE PARLOR. TO BE SURE YOU HAVE FOUND SOME WAY OF COPYING THE PORTRAIT WITHOUT ITS BLACK VELVET CAP AND GRAY BEARD AND HAVE GIVEN HIM A MODERN COAT AND SATIN CRAVAT INSTEAD OF HIS CLOAK AND BAND. I DON'T THINK HIM IMPROVED BY YOUR ALTERATIONS. YOU WOULD HAVE SEEN OTHER DIFFERENCES HAD YOU LOOKED A LITTLE LONGER SAID HOLGRAVE LAUGHING YET APPARENTLY MUCH STRUCK. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THIS IS A MODERN FACE AND ONE WHICH YOU WILL VERY PROBABLY MEET

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+NOW THE REMARKABLE POINT IS THAT THE ORIGINAL WEARS TO THE WORLD'S EYE AND FOR AUGHT I KNOW TO HIS MOST INTIMATE FRIENDS AN EXCEEDINGLY PLEASANT COUNTENANCE INDICATIVE OF BENEVOLENCE OPENNESS OF HEART SUNNY GOOD HUMOR AND OTHER PRAISEWORTHY QUALITIES OF THAT CAST. THE SUN AS YOU SEE TELLS QUITE ANOTHER STORY AND WILL NOT BE COAXED OUT OF IT AFTER HALF A DOZEN PATIENT ATTEMPTS ON MY PART. HERE WE HAVE THE MAN SLY SUBTLE HARD IMPERIOUS AND WITHAL COLD AS ICE LOOK AT THAT EYE. WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE AT ITS MERCY. AT THAT MOUTH COULD IT EVER SMILE. AND YET IF YOU COULD ONLY SEE THE BENIGN SMILE OF THE ORIGINAL. IT IS SO MUCH THE MORE UNFORTUNATE AS HE IS A PUBLIC CHARACTER OF SOME EMINENCE AND THE LIKENESS WAS INTENDED TO BE ENGRAVED. WELL I DON'T WISH TO SEE IT ANY MORE OBSERVED PHOEBE TURNING AWAY HER EYES IT IS CERTAINLY VERY LIKE THE OLD PORTRAIT. BUT MY COUSIN HEPZIBAH HAS ANOTHER PICTURE A MINIATURE. IF THE ORIGINAL IS STILL IN THE WORLD I THINK HE MIGHT DEFY THE SUN TO MAKE HIM LOOK STERN AND HARD. YOU HAVE SEEN THAT PICTURE THEN EXCLAIMED THE ARTIST WITH AN EXPRESSION OF MUCH INTEREST. I NEVER DID BUT HAVE A GREAT CURIOSITY TO DO SO. AND YOU JUDGE FAVORABLY OF THE FACE. THERE NEVER WAS A SWEETER ONE SAID PHOEBE. IT IS ALMOST TOO SOFT AND GENTLE FOR A MAN'S. IS THERE NOTHING WILD IN THE EYE CONTINUED HOLGRAVE SO EARNESTLY THAT IT EMBARRASSED PHOEBE AS DID ALSO THE QUIET FREEDOM WITH WHICH HE PRESUMED ON THEIR SO RECENT ACQUAINTANCE. IS THERE NOTHING DARK OR SINISTER ANYWHERE. COULD YOU NOT CONCEIVE THE ORIGINAL TO HAVE BEEN GUILTY OF A GREAT CRIME. IT IS NONSENSE SAID PHOEBE A LITTLE IMPATIENTLY FOR US TO TALK ABOUT A PICTURE WHICH YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN. YOU MISTAKE IT FOR SOME OTHER A CRIME INDEED. SINCE YOU ARE A FRIEND OF MY COUSIN HEPZIBAH'S YOU SHOULD ASK HER TO SHOW YOU THE PICTURE. IT WILL SUIT MY PURPOSE STILL BETTER TO SEE THE ORIGINAL REPLIED THE DAGUERREOTYPIST COOLLY. AS TO HIS CHARACTER WE NEED NOT DISCUSS ITS POINTS THEY HAVE ALREADY BEEN SETTLED BY A COMPETENT TRIBUNAL OR ONE WHICH CALLED ITSELF COMPETENT BUT STAY. DO NOT GO YET IF YOU PLEASE I HAVE A PROPOSITION TO MAKE YOU. PHOEBE WAS ON THE POINT OF RETREATING BUT TURNED BACK WITH SOME HESITATION FOR SHE DID NOT EXACTLY COMPREHEND HIS MANNER ALTHOUGH ON BETTER OBSERVATION ITS FEATURE SEEMED RATHER TO BE LACK OF CEREMONY THAN ANY APPROACH TO OFFENSIVE RUDENESS. THERE WAS AN ODD KIND OF AUTHORITY TOO IN WHAT HE NOW PROCEEDED TO SAY RATHER AS IF THE GARDEN WERE HIS OWN THAN A PLACE TO WHICH HE WAS ADMITTED MERELY BY HEPZIBAH'S COURTESY. IF AGREEABLE TO YOU HE OBSERVED IT WOULD GIVE ME PLEASURE TO TURN OVER THESE FLOWERS AND THOSE ANCIENT AND RESPECTABLE FOWLS TO YOUR CARE. COMING FRESH FROM COUNTRY AIR AND OCCUPATIONS YOU WILL SOON FEEL THE NEED OF SOME SUCH OUT OF DOOR EMPLOYMENT. MY OWN SPHERE DOES NOT SO MUCH LIE AMONG FLOWERS. YOU CAN TRIM AND TEND THEM THEREFORE AS YOU PLEASE AND I WILL ASK ONLY THE LEAST TRIFLE OF A BLOSSOM NOW AND THEN IN EXCHANGE FOR ALL THE GOOD HONEST KITCHEN VEGETABLES WITH WHICH I PROPOSE TO ENRICH MISS HEPZIBAH'S TABLE. SO WE WILL BE FELLOW LABORERS SOMEWHAT ON THE COMMUNITY SYSTEM. SILENTLY AND RATHER SURPRISED AT HER OWN COMPLIANCE PHOEBE ACCORDINGLY BETOOK HERSELF TO WEEDING A FLOWER BED BUT BUSIED HERSELF STILL MORE WITH COGITATIONS RESPECTING THIS YOUNG MAN WITH WHOM SHE SO UNEXPECTEDLY FOUND HERSELF ON TERMS APPROACHING TO FAMILIARITY. SHE DID NOT ALTOGETHER LIKE HIM. HIS CHARACTER PERPLEXED THE LITTLE COUNTRY GIRL AS IT MIGHT A MORE PRACTISED OBSERVER FOR WHILE THE TONE OF HIS CONVERSATION HAD GENERALLY BEEN PLAYFUL THE IMPRESSION LEFT ON HER MIND WAS THAT OF GRAVITY AND EXCEPT AS HIS YOUTH MODIFIED IT ALMOST STERNNESS

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+THE AUTHOR WISHES IT TO BE UNDERSTOOD THAT EREWHON IS PRONOUNCED AS A WORD OF THREE SYLLABLES ALL SHORT THUS E RE WHON. PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION. THIS IS A MISTAKE THOUGH A PERFECTLY NATURAL ONE. A FRIEND HAVING CALLED MY ATTENTION TO ONE OF THE FIRST OF THESE ADVERTISEMENTS AND SUGGESTING THAT IT PROBABLY REFERRED TO A WORK OF SIMILAR CHARACTER TO MY OWN I TOOK EREWHON TO A WELL KNOWN FIRM OF PUBLISHERS ON THE FIRST OF MAY EIGHTEEN SEVENTY ONE AND LEFT IT IN THEIR HANDS FOR CONSIDERATION. ON MY RETURN I PURPOSELY AVOIDED LOOKING INTO IT UNTIL I HAD SENT BACK MY LAST REVISES TO THE PRINTER. THEN I HAD MUCH PLEASURE IN READING IT BUT WAS INDEED SURPRISED AT THE MANY LITTLE POINTS OF SIMILARITY BETWEEN THE TWO BOOKS IN SPITE OF THEIR ENTIRE INDEPENDENCE TO ONE ANOTHER. I REGRET THAT REVIEWERS HAVE IN SOME CASES BEEN INCLINED TO TREAT THE CHAPTERS ON MACHINES AS AN ATTEMPT TO REDUCE MISTER DARWIN'S THEORY TO AN ABSURDITY. NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM MY INTENTION AND FEW THINGS WOULD BE MORE DISTASTEFUL TO ME THAN ANY ATTEMPT TO LAUGH AT MISTER DARWIN BUT I MUST OWN THAT I HAVE MYSELF TO THANK FOR THE MISCONCEPTION FOR I FELT SURE THAT MY INTENTION WOULD BE MISSED BUT PREFERRED NOT TO WEAKEN THE CHAPTERS BY EXPLANATION AND KNEW VERY WELL THAT MISTER DARWIN'S THEORY WOULD TAKE NO HARM. THE ONLY QUESTION IN MY MIND WAS HOW FAR I COULD AFFORD TO BE MISREPRESENTED AS LAUGHING AT THAT FOR WHICH I HAVE THE MOST PROFOUND ADMIRATION. I AM SURPRISED HOWEVER THAT THE BOOK AT WHICH SUCH AN EXAMPLE OF THE SPECIOUS MISUSE OF ANALOGY WOULD SEEM MOST NATURALLY LEVELLED SHOULD HAVE OCCURRED TO NO REVIEWER NEITHER SHALL I MENTION THE NAME OF THE BOOK HERE THOUGH I SHOULD FANCY THAT THE HINT GIVEN WILL SUFFICE. HE WHO DOES THIS IS AN ENEMY WHO DESERVES NO QUARTER. I SHOULD HAVE IMAGINED THAT I HAD BEEN SUFFICIENTLY EXPLICIT BUT HAVE MADE A FEW ADDITIONS TO THE CHAPTER ON MALCONTENTS WHICH WILL I THINK SERVE TO RENDER FURTHER MISTAKE IMPOSSIBLE. THE ART OF WRITING THINGS THAT SHALL SOUND RIGHT AND YET BE WRONG HAS MADE SO MANY REPUTATIONS AND AFFORDS COMFORT TO SUCH A LARGE NUMBER OF READERS THAT I COULD NOT VENTURE TO NEGLECT IT THE LATIN GRAMMAR HOWEVER IS A SUBJECT ON WHICH SOME OF THE YOUNGER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY FEEL STRONGLY SO I HAVE NOW WRITTEN AGRICOLAS. I HAVE ALSO PARTED WITH THE WORD INFORTUNIAM THOUGH NOT WITHOUT REGRET BUT HAVE NOT DARED TO MEDDLE WITH OTHER SIMILAR INACCURACIES. BUT THIS HAD AN EFFECT OF WHICH I HAVE LITTLE REASON TO COMPLAIN FOR I WAS ALLOWED ALMOST TO CALL THEM LIFE LONG SELF DECEIVERS TO THEIR FACES AND THEY SAID IT WAS QUITE TRUE BUT THAT IT DID NOT MATTER. I MUST NOT CONCLUDE WITHOUT EXPRESSING MY MOST SINCERE THANKS TO MY CRITICS AND TO THE PUBLIC FOR THE LENIENCY AND CONSIDERATION WITH WHICH THEY HAVE TREATED MY ADVENTURES. JUNE NINTH EIGHTEEN SEVENTY TWO. PREFACE TO THE REVISED EDITION. I THEREFORE PLACE ON RECORD AS MUCH AS I CAN REMEMBER ON THIS HEAD AFTER A LAPSE OF MORE THAN THIRTY YEARS. IT WAS WRITTEN IN THE UPPER RANGITATA DISTRICT OF THE CANTERBURY PROVINCE AS IT THEN WAS OF NEW ZEALAND AND APPEARED AT CHRISTCHURCH IN THE PRESS NEWSPAPER JUNE THIRTEENTH EIGHTEEN SIXTY THREE. A COPY OF THIS ARTICLE IS INDEXED UNDER MY BOOKS IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM CATALOGUE. A SECOND ARTICLE ON THE SAME SUBJECT AS THE ONE JUST REFERRED TO APPEARED IN THE PRESS SHORTLY AFTER THE FIRST BUT I HAVE NO COPY. I AGAIN REWROTE AND ENLARGED IT TILL IT ASSUMED THE FORM IN WHICH IT APPEARED IN THE FIRST EDITION OF EREWHON. THE NEXT PART OF EREWHON THAT I WROTE WAS THE WORLD OF THE UNBORN A PRELIMINARY FORM OF WHICH WAS SENT TO MISTER HOLYOAKE'S PAPER BUT AS I CANNOT FIND IT AMONG THOSE COPIES OF THE REASONER THAT ARE IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM I CONCLUDE THAT IT WAS NOT ACCEPTED. I ALSO WROTE ABOUT THIS TIME THE SUBSTANCE OF WHAT ULTIMATELY BECAME THE MUSICAL BANKS AND THE TRIAL OF A MAN FOR BEING IN A CONSUMPTION. THESE FOUR DETACHED PAPERS WERE I BELIEVE ALL THAT WAS WRITTEN OF EREWHON BEFORE EIGHTEEN SEVENTY

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+I SEE FROM MY SECOND PREFACE THAT I TOOK THE BOOK TO MESSRS CHAPMAN AND HALL MAY FIRST EIGHTEEN SEVENTY ONE AND ON THEIR REJECTION OF IT UNDER THE ADVICE OF ONE WHO HAS ATTAINED THE HIGHEST RANK AMONG LIVING WRITERS I LET IT SLEEP TILL I TOOK IT TO MISTER TRUBNER EARLY IN EIGHTEEN SEVENTY TWO. AS REGARDS ITS REJECTION BY MESSRS CHAPMAN AND HALL I BELIEVE THEIR READER ADVISED THEM QUITE WISELY. I HOPE THAT IF I HAD BEEN THEIR READER AND THE BOOK HAD BEEN SUBMITTED TO MYSELF I SHOULD HAVE ADVISED THEM TO THE SAME EFFECT. EREWHON APPEARED WITH THE LAST DAY OR TWO OF MARCH EIGHTEEN SEVENTY TWO. I ATTRIBUTE ITS UNLOOKED FOR SUCCESS MAINLY TO TWO EARLY FAVOURABLE REVIEWS THE FIRST IN THE PALL MALL GAZETTE OF APRIL TWELFTH AND THE SECOND IN THE SPECTATOR OF APRIL TWENTIETH. THERE WAS ALSO ANOTHER CAUSE. I WAS COMPLAINING ONCE TO A FRIEND THAT THOUGH EREWHON HAD MET WITH SUCH A WARM RECEPTION MY SUBSEQUENT BOOKS HAD BEEN ALL OF THEM PRACTICALLY STILL BORN. HE SAID YOU FORGET ONE CHARM THAT EREWHON HAD BUT WHICH NONE OF YOUR OTHER BOOKS CAN HAVE. I ASKED WHAT AND WAS ANSWERED THE SOUND OF A NEW VOICE AND OF AN UNKNOWN VOICE. THE FIRST EDITION OF EREWHON SOLD IN ABOUT THREE WEEKS I HAD NOT TAKEN MOULDS AND AS THE DEMAND WAS STRONG IT WAS SET UP AGAIN IMMEDIATELY. I MADE A FEW UNIMPORTANT ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS AND ADDED A PREFACE OF WHICH I CANNOT SAY THAT I AM PARTICULARLY PROUD BUT AN INEXPERIENCED WRITER WITH A HEAD SOMEWHAT TURNED BY UNEXPECTED SUCCESS IS NOT TO BE TRUSTED WITH A PREFACE. I MADE A FEW FURTHER VERY TRIFLING ALTERATIONS BEFORE MOULDS WERE TAKEN BUT SINCE THE SUMMER OF EIGHTEEN SEVENTY TWO AS NEW EDITIONS WERE FROM TIME TO TIME WANTED THEY HAVE BEEN PRINTED FROM STEREOS THEN MADE. HAVING NOW I FEAR AT TOO GREAT LENGTH DONE WHAT I WAS ASKED TO DO I SHOULD LIKE TO ADD A FEW WORDS ON MY OWN ACCOUNT. I AM STILL FAIRLY WELL SATISFIED WITH THOSE PARTS OF EREWHON THAT WERE REPEATEDLY REWRITTEN BUT FROM THOSE THAT HAD ONLY A SINGLE WRITING I WOULD GLADLY CUT OUT SOME FORTY OR FIFTY PAGES IF I COULD. THIS HOWEVER MAY NOT BE FOR THE COPYRIGHT WILL PROBABLY EXPIRE IN A LITTLE OVER TWELVE YEARS. IT WAS NECESSARY THEREFORE TO REVISE THE BOOK THROUGHOUT FOR LITERARY INELEGANCIES OF WHICH I FOUND MANY MORE THAN I HAD EXPECTED AND ALSO TO MAKE SUCH SUBSTANTIAL ADDITIONS AS SHOULD SECURE A NEW LEASE OF LIFE AT ANY RATE FOR THE COPYRIGHT. IF THEN INSTEAD OF CUTTING OUT SAY FIFTY PAGES I HAVE BEEN COMPELLED TO ADD ABOUT SIXTY INVITA MINERVA THE BLAME RESTS NEITHER WITH MY PUBLISHER NOR WITH ME BUT WITH THE COPYRIGHT LAWS. IN EREWHON THERE WAS HARDLY ANY STORY AND LITTLE ATTEMPT TO GIVE LIFE AND INDIVIDUALITY TO THE CHARACTERS I HOPE THAT IN EREWHON REVISITED BOTH THESE DEFECTS HAVE BEEN IN GREAT MEASURE AVOIDED. EREWHON WAS NOT AN ORGANIC WHOLE EREWHON REVISITED MAY FAIRLY CLAIM TO BE ONE

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+JULIAN'S LAST ATTEMPT TO RESTORE PAGANISM BY IMPERIAL INFLUENCE HAD ONLY PROVED THAT THE OLD FAITH HAD LOST ALL HOLD UPON THE HEARTS OF THE MASSES AT HIS DEATH THE GREAT TIDE WAVE OF NEW OPINION ROLLED ON UNCHECKED AND THE RULERS OF EARTH WERE FAIN TO SWIM WITH THE STREAM TO ACCEPT IN WORDS AT LEAST THE CHURCH'S LAWS AS THEIRS TO ACKNOWLEDGE A KING OF KINGS TO WHOM EVEN THEY OWED HOMAGE AND OBEDIENCE AND TO CALL THEIR OWN SLAVES THEIR POORER BRETHREN AND OFTEN TOO THEIR SPIRITUAL SUPERIORS. BUT IF THE EMPERORS HAD BECOME CHRISTIAN THE EMPIRE HAD NOT. HERE AND THERE AN ABUSE WAS LOPPED OFF OR AN EDICT WAS PASSED FOR THE VISITATION OF PRISONS AND FOR THE WELFARE OF PRISONERS OR A THEODOSIUS WAS RECALLED TO JUSTICE AND HUMANITY FOR A WHILE BY THE STERN REBUKES OF AN AMBROSE. BUT THE EMPIRE WAS STILL THE SAME STILL A GREAT TYRANNY ENSLAVING THE MASSES CRUSHING NATIONAL LIFE FATTENING ITSELF AND ITS OFFICIALS ON A SYSTEM OF WORLD WIDE ROBBERY AND WHILE IT WAS PARAMOUNT THERE COULD BE NO HOPE FOR THE HUMAN RACE. NAY THERE WERE EVEN THOSE AMONG THE CHRISTIANS WHO SAW LIKE DANTE AFTERWARDS IN THE FATAL GIFT OF CONSTANTINE AND THE TRUCE BETWEEN THE CHURCH AND THE EMPIRE FRESH AND MORE DEADLY DANGER. WAS NOT THE EMPIRE TRYING TO EXTEND OVER THE CHURCH ITSELF THAT UPAS SHADOW WITH WHICH IT HAD WITHERED UP EVERY OTHER FORM OF HUMAN EXISTENCE TO MAKE HER TOO ITS STIPENDIARY SLAVE OFFICIAL TO BE PAMPERED WHEN OBEDIENT AND SCOURGED WHENEVER SHE DARE ASSERT A FREE WILL OF HER OWN A LAW BEYOND THAT OF HER TYRANTS TO THROW ON HER BY A REFINED HYPOCRISY THE CARE AND SUPPORT OF THE MASSES ON WHOSE LIFEBLOOD IT WAS FEEDING. SO THOUGHT MANY THEN AND AS I BELIEVE NOT UNWISELY. BUT IF THE SOCIAL CONDITION OF THE CIVILISED WORLD WAS ANOMALOUS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FIFTH CENTURY ITS SPIRITUAL STATE WAS STILL MORE SO. THE UNIVERSAL FUSION OF RACES LANGUAGES AND CUSTOMS WHICH HAD GONE ON FOR FOUR CENTURIES UNDER THE ROMAN RULE HAD PRODUCED A CORRESPONDING FUSION OF CREEDS AN UNIVERSAL FERMENTATION OF HUMAN THOUGHT AND FAITH. ALL HONEST BELIEF IN THE OLD LOCAL SUPERSTITIONS OF PAGANISM HAD BEEN LONG DYING OUT BEFORE THE MORE PALPABLE AND MATERIAL IDOLATRY OF EMPEROR WORSHIP AND THE GODS OF THE NATIONS UNABLE TO DELIVER THOSE WHO HAD TRUSTED IN THEM BECAME ONE BY ONE THE VASSALS OF THE DIVUS CAESAR NEGLECTED BY THE PHILOSOPHIC RICH AND ONLY WORSHIPPED BY THE LOWER CLASSES WHERE THE OLD RITES STILL PANDERED TO THEIR GROSSER APPETITES OR SUBSERVED THE WEALTH AND IMPORTANCE OF SOME PARTICULAR LOCALITY. IN THE MEANWHILE THE MINDS OF MEN CUT ADRIFT FROM THEIR ANCIENT MOORINGS WANDERED WILDLY OVER PATHLESS SEAS OF SPECULATIVE DOUBT AND ESPECIALLY IN THE MORE METAPHYSICAL AND CONTEMPLATIVE EAST ATTEMPTED TO SOLVE FOR THEMSELVES THE QUESTIONS OF MAN'S RELATION TO THE UNSEEN BY THOSE THOUSAND SCHISMS HERESIES AND THEOSOPHIES IT IS A DISGRACE TO THE WORD PHILOSOPHY TO CALL THEM BY IT ON THE RECORDS OF WHICH THE STUDENT NOW GAZES BEWILDERED UNABLE ALIKE TO COUNT OR TO EXPLAIN THEIR FANTASIES. YET EVEN THESE LIKE EVERY OUTBURST OF FREE HUMAN THOUGHT HAD THEIR USE AND THEIR FRUIT. THEY BROUGHT BEFORE THE MINDS OF CHURCHMEN A THOUSAND NEW QUESTIONS WHICH MUST BE SOLVED UNLESS THE CHURCH WAS TO RELINQUISH FOR EVER HER CLAIMS AS THE GREAT TEACHER AND SATISFIER OF THE HUMAN SOUL. BUT THE HEALTH OF A CHURCH DEPENDS NOT MERELY ON THE CREED WHICH IT PROFESSES NOT EVEN ON THE WISDOM AND HOLINESS OF A FEW GREAT ECCLESIASTICS BUT ON THE FAITH AND VIRTUE OF ITS INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS. THE MENS SANA MUST HAVE A CORPUS SANUM TO INHABIT

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+AND EVEN FOR THE WESTERN CHURCH THE LOFTY FUTURE WHICH WAS IN STORE FOR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT SOME INFUSION OF NEW AND HEALTHIER BLOOD INTO THE VEINS OF A WORLD DRAINED AND TAINTED BY THE INFLUENCE OF ROME. AND THE NEW BLOOD AT THE ERA OF THIS STORY WAS AT HAND. THE GREAT TIDE OF THOSE GOTHIC NATIONS OF WHICH THE NORWEGIAN AND THE GERMAN ARE THE PUREST REMAINING TYPES THOUGH EVERY NATION OF EUROPE FROM GIBRALTAR TO SAINT PETERSBURG OWES TO THEM THE MOST PRECIOUS ELEMENTS OF STRENGTH WAS SWEEPING ONWARD WAVE OVER WAVE IN A STEADY SOUTH WESTERN CURRENT ACROSS THE WHOLE ROMAN TERRITORY AND ONLY STOPPING AND RECOILING WHEN IT REACHED THE SHORES OF THE MEDITERRANEAN. AND THEIR STRENGTH WAS FELT AT ONCE. THEIR VANGUARD CONFINED WITH DIFFICULTY FOR THREE CENTURIES BEYOND THE EASTERN ALPS AT THE EXPENSE OF SANGUINARY WARS HAD BEEN ADOPTED WHEREVER IT WAS PRACTICABLE INTO THE SERVICE OF THE EMPIRE AND THE HEART'S CORE OF THE ROMAN LEGION WAS COMPOSED OF GOTHIC OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS. BUT NOW THE MAIN BODY HAD ARRIVED. TRIBE AFTER TRIBE WAS CROWDING DOWN TO THE ALPS AND TRAMPLING UPON EACH OTHER ON THE FRONTIERS OF THE EMPIRE. THE HUNS SINGLY THEIR INFERIORS PRESSED THEM FROM BEHIND WITH THE IRRESISTIBLE WEIGHT OF NUMBERS ITALY WITH HER RICH CITIES AND FERTILE LOWLANDS BECKONED THEM ON TO PLUNDER AS AUXILIARIES THEY HAD LEARNED THEIR OWN STRENGTH AND ROMAN WEAKNESS A CASUS BELLI WAS SOON FOUND. HOW INIQUITOUS WAS THE CONDUCT OF THE SONS OF THEODOSIUS IN REFUSING THE USUAL BOUNTY BY WHICH THE GOTHS WERE BRIBED NOT TO ATTACK THE EMPIRE THE WHOLE PENT UP DELUGE BURST OVER THE PLAINS OF ITALY AND THE WESTERN EMPIRE BECAME FROM THAT DAY FORTH A DYING IDIOT WHILE THE NEW INVADERS DIVIDED EUROPE AMONG THEMSELVES. THE FIFTEEN YEARS BEFORE THE TIME OF THIS TALE HAD DECIDED THE FATE OF GREECE THE LAST FOUR THAT OF ROME ITSELF. THE COUNTLESS TREASURES WHICH FIVE CENTURIES OF RAPINE HAD ACCUMULATED ROUND THE CAPITOL HAD BECOME THE PREY OF MEN CLOTHED IN SHEEPSKINS AND HORSE HIDE AND THE SISTER OF AN EMPEROR HAD FOUND HER BEAUTY VIRTUE AND PRIDE OF RACE WORTHILY MATCHED BY THOSE OF THE HARD HANDED NORTHERN HERO WHO LED HER AWAY FROM ITALY AS HIS CAPTIVE AND HIS BRIDE TO FOUND NEW KINGDOMS IN SOUTH FRANCE AND SPAIN AND TO DRIVE THE NEWLY ARRIVED VANDALS ACROSS THE STRAITS OF GIBRALTAR INTO THE THEN BLOOMING COAST LAND OF NORTHERN AFRICA. EVERYWHERE THE MANGLED LIMBS OF THE OLD WORLD WERE SEETHING IN THE MEDEA'S CALDRON TO COME FORTH WHOLE AND YOUNG AND STRONG. A FEW MORE TUMULTUOUS YEARS AND THE FRANKS WOULD FIND THEMSELVES LORDS OF THE LOWER RHINELAND AND BEFORE THE HAIRS OF HYPATIA'S SCHOLARS HAD GROWN GRAY THE MYTHIC HENGIST AND HORSA WOULD HAVE LANDED ON THE SHORES OF KENT AND AN ENGLISH NATION HAVE BEGUN ITS WORLD WIDE LIFE. BUT SOME GREAT PROVIDENCE FORBADE TO OUR RACE TRIUMPHANT IN EVERY OTHER QUARTER A FOOTING BEYOND THE MEDITERRANEAN OR EVEN IN CONSTANTINOPLE WHICH TO THIS DAY PRESERVES IN EUROPE THE FAITH AND MANNERS OF ASIA. THE EASTERN WORLD SEEMED BARRED BY SOME STERN DOOM FROM THE ONLY INFLUENCE WHICH COULD HAVE REGENERATED IT. THAT EXTRAORDINARY REFORM IN MORALS WHICH ACCORDING TO SALVIAN AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES THE VANDAL CONQUERORS WORKED IN NORTH AFRICA AVAILED THEM NOTHING THEY LOST MORE THAN THEY GAVE. CLIMATE BAD EXAMPLE AND THE LUXURY OF POWER DEGRADED THEM IN ONE CENTURY INTO A RACE OF HELPLESS AND DEBAUCHED SLAVE HOLDERS DOOMED TO UTTER EXTERMINATION BEFORE THE SEMI GOTHIC ARMIES OF BELISARIUS AND WITH THEM VANISHED THE LAST CHANCE THAT THE GOTHIC RACES WOULD EXERCISE ON THE EASTERN WORLD THE SAME STERN YET WHOLESOME DISCIPLINE UNDER WHICH THE WESTERN HAD BEEN RESTORED TO LIFE. THE EGYPTIAN AND SYRIAN CHURCHES THEREFORE WERE DESTINED TO LABOUR NOT FOR THEMSELVES BUT FOR US

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+THE SIGNS OF DISEASE AND DECREPITUDE WERE ALREADY BUT TOO MANIFEST IN THEM. THAT VERY PECULIAR TURN OF THE GRAECO EASTERN MIND WHICH MADE THEM THE GREAT THINKERS OF THE THEN WORLD HAD THE EFFECT OF DRAWING THEM AWAY FROM PRACTICE TO SPECULATION AND THE RACES OF EGYPT AND SYRIA WERE EFFEMINATE OVER CIVILISED EXHAUSTED BY CENTURIES DURING WHICH NO INFUSION OF FRESH BLOOD HAD COME TO RENEW THE STOCK. MORBID SELF CONSCIOUS PHYSICALLY INDOLENT INCAPABLE THEN AS NOW OF PERSONAL OR POLITICAL FREEDOM THEY AFFORDED MATERIAL OUT OF WHICH FANATICS MIGHT EASILY BE MADE BUT NOT CITIZENS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD. SUCH A PEOPLE COULD OFFER NO RESISTANCE TO THE STEADILY INCREASING TYRANNY OF THE EASTERN EMPIRE. BUT AT THE PERIOD WHEREOF THIS STORY TREATS THE GRAECO EASTERN MIND WAS STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF ITS GREAT WORK. THAT WONDERFUL METAPHYSIC SUBTLETY WHICH IN PHRASES AND DEFINITIONS TOO OFTEN UNMEANING TO OUR GROSSER INTELLECT SAW THE SYMBOLS OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SPIRITUAL REALITIES AND FELT THAT ON THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN HOMOOUSIOS AND HOMOIOUSIOS MIGHT HANG THE SOLUTION OF THE WHOLE PROBLEM OF HUMANITY WAS SET TO BATTLE IN ALEXANDRIA THE ANCIENT STRONGHOLD OF GREEK PHILOSOPHY WITH THE EFFETE REMAINS OF THE VERY SCIENTIFIC THOUGHT TO WHICH IT OWED ITS EXTRAORDINARY CULTURE. MONASTIC ISOLATION FROM FAMILY AND NATIONAL DUTIES ESPECIALLY FITTED THE FATHERS OF THAT PERIOD FOR THE TASK BY GIVING THEM LEISURE IF NOTHING ELSE TO FACE QUESTIONS WITH A LIFELONG EARNESTNESS IMPOSSIBLE TO THE MORE SOCIAL AND PRACTICAL NORTHERN MIND. I AM INCLINED HOWEVER FOR VARIOUS HISTORICAL REASONS TO DATE HER DEATH TWO YEARS EARLIER THAN HE DOES. THE TRADITION THAT SHE WAS THE WIFE OF ISIDORE THE PHILOSOPHER I REJECT WITH GIBBON AS A PALPABLE ANACHRONISM OF AT LEAST FIFTY YEARS ISIDORE'S MASTER PROCLUS NOT HAVING BEEN BORN TILL THE YEAR BEFORE HYPATIA'S DEATH CONTRADICTED MOREOVER BY THE VERY AUTHOR OF IT PHOTIUS WHO SAYS DISTINCTLY AFTER COMPARING HYPATIA AND ISIDORE THAT ISIDORE MARRIED A CERTAIN DOMNA. NO HINT MOREOVER OF HER HAVING BEEN MARRIED APPEARS IN ANY CONTEMPORARY AUTHORS AND THE NAME OF ISIDORE NOWHERE OCCURS AMONG THOSE OF THE MANY MUTUAL FRIENDS TO WHOM SYNESIUS SENDS MESSAGES IN HIS LETTERS TO HYPATIA IN WHICH IF ANYWHERE WE SHOULD FIND MENTION OF A HUSBAND HAD ONE EXISTED. TO SYNESIUS'S MOST CHARMING LETTERS AS WELL AS TO THOSE OF ISIDORE THE GOOD ABBOT OF PELUSIUM I BEG LEAVE TO REFER THOSE READERS WHO WISH FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRIVATE LIFE OF THE FIFTH CENTURY. I CANNOT HOPE THAT THESE PAGES WILL BE ALTOGETHER FREE FROM ANACHRONISMS AND ERRORS

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+IF THE GODS HAVE DESERTED THEIR ORACLES THEY HAVE NOT DESERTED THE SOULS WHO ASPIRE TO THEM. IF THEY HAVE CEASED TO GUIDE NATIONS THEY HAVE NOT CEASED TO SPEAK TO THEIR OWN ELECT. IF THEY HAVE CAST OFF THE VULGAR HERD THEY HAVE NOT CAST OFF HYPATIA. TO BE WELCOMED INTO THE CELESTIAL RANKS OF THE HEROIC TO RISE TO THE IMMORTAL GODS TO THE INEFFABLE POWERS ONWARD UPWARD EVER THROUGH AGES AND THROUGH ETERNITIES TILL I FIND MY HOME AT LAST AND VANISH IN THE GLORY OF THE NAMELESS AND THE ABSOLUTE ONE. AND HER WHOLE FACE FLASHED OUT INTO WILD GLORY AND THEN SANK AGAIN SUDDENLY INTO A SHUDDER OF SOMETHING LIKE FEAR AND DISGUST AS SHE SAW WATCHING HER FROM UNDER THE WALL OF THE GARDENS OPPOSITE A CROOKED WITHERED JEWISH CRONE DRESSED OUT IN THE MOST GORGEOUS AND FANTASTIC STYLE OF BARBARIC FINERY. WHY DOES THAT OLD HAG HAUNT ME. I SEE HER EVERYWHERE TILL THE LAST MONTH AT LEAST AND HERE SHE IS AGAIN. I WILL ASK THE PREFECT TO FIND OUT WHO SHE IS AND GET RID OF HER BEFORE SHE FASCINATES ME WITH THAT EVIL EYE. THANK THE GODS THERE SHE MOVES AWAY. FOOLISH FOOLISH OF ME A PHILOSOPHER. I TO BELIEVE AGAINST THE AUTHORITY OF PORPHYRY HIMSELF TOO IN EVIL EYES AND MAGIC. BUT THERE IS MY FATHER PACING UP AND DOWN IN THE LIBRARY. AS SHE SPOKE THE OLD MAN ENTERED FROM THE NEXT ROOM. HE WAS A GREEK ALSO BUT OF A MORE COMMON AND PERHAPS LOWER TYPE DARK AND FIERY THIN AND GRACEFUL HIS DELICATE FIGURE AND CHEEKS WASTED BY MEDITATION HARMONISED WELL WITH THE STAID AND SIMPLE PHILOSOPHIC CLOAK WHICH HE WORE AS A SIGN OF HIS PROFESSION. MISERABLE MAN THAT I AM. DID NOT YOU WORK THE SUM OUT ONCE HYPATIA. SIT DOWN MY DEAR FATHER AND EAT. YOU HAVE TASTED NO FOOD YET THIS DAY. WHAT DO I CARE FOR FOOD. THE INEXPRESSIBLE MUST BE EXPRESSED THE WORK MUST BE DONE IF IT COST ME THE SQUARING OF THE CIRCLE. HOW CAN HE WHOSE SPHERE LIES ABOVE THE STARS STOOP EVERY MOMENT TO EARTH. AY SHE ANSWERED HALF BITTERLY AND WOULD THAT WE COULD LIVE WITHOUT FOOD AND IMITATE PERFECTLY THE IMMORTAL GODS. BUT WHILE WE ARE IN THIS PRISON HOUSE OF MATTER WE MUST WEAR OUR CHAIN EVEN WEAR IT GRACEFULLY IF WE HAVE THE GOOD TASTE AND MAKE THE BASE NECESSITIES OF THIS BODY OF SHAME SYMBOLIC OF THE DIVINE FOOD OF THE REASON. THERE IS FRUIT WITH LENTILS AND RICE WAITING FOR YOU IN THE NEXT ROOM AND BREAD UNLESS YOU DESPISE IT TOO MUCH. THE FOOD OF SLAVES HE ANSWERED. WELL I WILL EAT AND BE ASHAMED OF EATING. STAY DID I TELL YOU. SIX NEW PUPILS IN THE MATHEMATICAL SCHOOL THIS MORNING. IT GROWS IT SPREADS. WE SHALL CONQUER YET SHE SIGHED. STRANGE THAT MEN SHOULD BE CONTENT TO GROVEL AND BE MEN WHEN THEY MIGHT RISE TO THE RANK OF GODS. AH MY FATHER THAT IS MY BITTEREST GRIEF. TO SEE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN PRETENDING IN THE MORNING LECTURE ROOM TO WORSHIP EVERY WORD OF MINE AS AN ORACLE LOUNGING IN THE AFTERNOON ROUND PELAGIA'S LITTER AND THEN AT NIGHT FOR I KNOW THAT THEY DO IT THE DICE AND THE WINE AND WORSE. THAT PALLAS HERSELF SHOULD BE CONQUERED EVERY DAY BY VENUS PANDEMOS. NOT THAT SUCH A CREATURE AS THAT DISTURBS ME NO CREATED THING I HOPE CAN MOVE MY EQUANIMITY BUT IF I COULD STOOP TO HATE I SHOULD HATE HER HATE HER. AND HER VOICE TOOK A TONE WHICH MADE IT SOMEWHAT UNCERTAIN WHETHER IN SPITE OF ALL THE LOFTY IMPASSIBILITY WHICH SHE FELT BOUND TO POSSESS SHE DID NOT HATE PELAGIA WITH A MOST HUMAN AND MUNDANE HATRED. BUT AT THAT MOMENT THE CONVERSATION WAS CUT SHORT BY THE HASTY ENTRANCE OF A SLAVE GIRL WHO WITH FLUTTERING VOICE ANNOUNCED

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+SLIGHT RAINSTORMS ARE LIKELY TO BE ENCOUNTERED IN A TRIP ROUND THE MOUNTAIN BUT ONE MAY EASILY FIND SHELTER BENEATH WELL THATCHED TREES THAT SHED THE RAIN LIKE A ROOF. THEN THE SHINING OF THE WET LEAVES IS DELIGHTFUL AND THE STEAMY FRAGRANCE AND THE BURST OF BIRD SONG FROM A MULTITUDE OF THRUSHES AND FINCHES AND WARBLERS THAT HAVE NESTS IN THE CHAPARRAL. THE NIGHTS TOO ARE DELIGHTFUL WATCHING WITH SHASTA BENEATH THE GREAT STARRY DOME. A THOUSAND THOUSAND VOICES ARE HEARD BUT SO FINELY BLENDED THEY SEEM A PART OF THE NIGHT ITSELF AND MAKE A DEEPER SILENCE. AND HOW GRANDLY DO THE GREAT LOGS AND BRANCHES OF YOUR CAMPFIRE GIVE FORTH THE HEAT AND LIGHT THAT DURING THEIR LONG CENTURY LIVES THEY HAVE SO SLOWLY GATHERED FROM THE SUN STORING IT AWAY IN BEAUTIFUL DOTTED CELLS AND BEADS OF AMBER GUM. THE NEIGHBORING TREES LOOK INTO THE CHARMED CIRCLE AS IF THE NOON OF ANOTHER DAY HAD COME FAMILIAR FLOWERS AND GRASSES THAT CHANCE TO BE NEAR SEEM FAR MORE BEAUTIFUL AND IMPRESSIVE THAN BY DAY AND AS THE DEAD TREES GIVE FORTH THEIR LIGHT ALL THE OTHER RICHES OF THEIR LIVES SEEM TO BE SET FREE AND WITH THE REJOICING FLAMES RISE AGAIN TO THE SKY. IN SETTING OUT FROM STRAWBERRY VALLEY BY BEARING OFF TO THE NORTHWESTWARD A FEW MILES YOU MAY SEE. THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW PLACES IN CALIFORNIA WHERE THE CHARMING LINNAEA IS FOUND THOUGH IT IS COMMON TO THE NORTHWARD THROUGH OREGON AND WASHINGTON. HERE TOO YOU MAY FIND THE CURIOUS BUT UNLOVABLE DARLINGTONIA A CARNIVOROUS PLANT THAT DEVOURS BUMBLEBEES GRASSHOPPERS ANTS MOTHS AND OTHER INSECTS WITH INSATIABLE APPETITE. IN APPROACHING IT ITS SUSPICIOUS LOOKING YELLOW SPOTTED HOOD AND WATCHFUL ATTITUDE WILL BE LIKELY TO MAKE YOU GO CAUTIOUSLY THROUGH THE BOG WHERE IT STANDS AS IF YOU WERE APPROACHING A DANGEROUS SNAKE. IT ALSO OCCURS IN A BOG NEAR SOTHERN'S STATION ON THE STAGE ROAD WHERE I FIRST SAW IT AND IN OTHER SIMILAR BOGS THROUGHOUT THE MOUNTAINS HEREABOUTS. THE BIG SPRING OF THE SACRAMENTO IS ABOUT A MILE AND A HALF ABOVE SISSON'S ISSUING FROM THE BASE OF A DRIFT COVERED HILL. IT IS LINED WITH EMERALD ALGAE AND MOSSES AND SHADED WITH ALDER WILLOW AND THORN BUSHES WHICH GIVE IT A FINE SETTING. ITS WATERS APPARENTLY UNAFFECTED BY FLOOD OR DROUTH HEAT OR COLD FALL AT ONCE INTO WHITE RAPIDS WITH A RUSH AND DASH AS IF GLAD TO ESCAPE FROM THE DARKNESS TO BEGIN THEIR WILD COURSE DOWN THE CANYON TO THE PLAIN. MUIR'S PEAK A FEW MILES TO THE NORTH OF THE SPRING RISES ABOUT THREE THOUSAND FEET ABOVE THE PLAIN ON WHICH IT STANDS AND IS EASILY CLIMBED. THE VIEW IS VERY FINE AND WELL REPAYS THE SLIGHT WALK TO ITS SUMMIT FROM WHICH MUCH OF YOUR WAY ABOUT THE MOUNTAIN MAY BE STUDIED AND CHOSEN. THE VIEW OBTAINED OF THE WHITNEY GLACIER SHOULD TEMPT YOU TO VISIT IT SINCE IT IS THE LARGEST OF THE SHASTA GLACIERS AND ITS LOWER PORTION ABOUNDS IN BEAUTIFUL AND INTERESTING CASCADES AND CREVASSES. IT IS THREE OR FOUR MILES LONG AND TERMINATES AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT NINE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL IN MORAINE SPRINKLED ICE CLIFFS SIXTY FEET HIGH. THE LONG GRAY SLOPES LEADING UP TO THE GLACIER SEEM REMARKABLY SMOOTH AND UNBROKEN. THEY ARE MUCH INTERRUPTED NEVERTHELESS WITH ABRUPT JAGGED PRECIPITOUS GORGES WHICH THOUGH OFFERING INSTRUCTIVE SECTIONS OF THE LAVAS FOR EXAMINATION WOULD BETTER BE SHUNNED BY MOST PEOPLE. THIS MAY BE DONE BY KEEPING WELL DOWN ON THE BASE UNTIL FRONTING THE GLACIER BEFORE BEGINNING THE ASCENT

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+THE VAN BREMER BROTHERS AFTER WHOM THE MOUNTAIN IS NAMED TOLD ME THAT THEY ONCE CLIMBED THE MOUNTAIN WITH THEIR RIFLES AND HOUNDS ON A GRAND HUNT BUT AFTER KEEPING UP THE PURSUIT FOR A WEEK THEIR BOOTS AND CLOTHING GAVE WAY AND THE HOUNDS WERE LAMED AND WORN OUT WITHOUT HAVING RUN DOWN A SINGLE SHEEP NOTWITHSTANDING THEY RAN NIGHT AND DAY. ON SMOOTH SPOTS LEVEL OR ASCENDING THE HOUNDS GAINED ON THE SHEEP BUT ON DESCENDING GROUND AND OVER ROUGH MASSES OF ANGULAR ROCKS THEY FELL HOPELESSLY BEHIND. ONLY HALF A DOZEN SHEEP WERE SHOT AS THEY PASSED THE HUNTERS STATIONED NEAR THEIR PATHS CIRCLING ROUND THE RUGGED SUMMIT. THE FULL GROWN BUCKS WEIGH NEARLY THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY POUNDS. THE MULE DEER ARE NEARLY AS HEAVY. THEIR LONG MASSIVE EARS GIVE THEM A VERY STRIKING APPEARANCE. ONE LARGE BUCK THAT I MEASURED STOOD THREE FEET AND SEVEN INCHES HIGH AT THE SHOULDERS AND WHEN THE EARS WERE EXTENDED HORIZONTALLY THE DISTANCE ACROSS FROM TIP TO TIP WAS TWO FEET AND ONE INCH. HERE YOU ARE LOOKING SOUTHEASTWARD AND THE MODOC LANDSCAPE WHICH AT ONCE TAKES POSSESSION OF YOU LIES REVEALED IN FRONT. WHEN I FIRST STOOD THERE ONE BRIGHT DAY BEFORE SUNDOWN THE LAKE WAS FAIRLY BLOOMING IN PURPLE LIGHT AND WAS SO RESPONSIVE TO THE SKY IN BOTH CALMNESS AND COLOR IT SEEMED ITSELF A SKY. NO MOUNTAIN SHORE HIDES ITS LOVELINESS. THE FOREST ALSO WAS FLOODED WITH SUN PURPLE NOT A SPIRE MOVING AND MOUNT SHASTA WAS SEEN TOWERING ABOVE IT REJOICING IN THE INEFFABLE BEAUTY OF THE ALPENGLOW. BUT NEITHER THE GLORIFIED WOODS ON THE ONE HAND NOR THE LAKE ON THE OTHER COULD AT FIRST HOLD THE EYE. THAT DARK MYSTERIOUS LAVA PLAIN BETWEEN THEM COMPELLED ATTENTION. HERE YOU TRACE YAWNING FISSURES THERE CLUSTERS OF SOMBER PITS NOW YOU MARK WHERE THE LAVA IS BENT AND CORRUGATED IN SWELLING RIDGES AND DOMES AGAIN WHERE IT BREAKS INTO A ROUGH MASS OF LOOSE BLOCKS. TUFTS OF GRASS GROW FAR APART HERE AND THERE AND SMALL BUSHES OF HARDY SAGE BUT THEY HAVE A SINGED APPEARANCE AND CAN DO LITTLE TO HIDE THE BLACKNESS. THEN FELL THE GLOAMING MAKING EVERYTHING STILL MORE FORBIDDING AND MYSTERIOUS. THEN DARKNESS LIKE DEATH. NEXT MORNING THE CRISP SUNSHINY AIR MADE EVEN THE MODOC LANDSCAPE LESS HOPELESS AND WE VENTURED DOWN THE BLUFF TO THE EDGE OF THE LAVA BEDS. JUST AT THE FOOT OF THE BLUFF WE CAME TO A SQUARE ENCLOSED BY A STONE WALL. THIS IS A GRAVEYARD WHERE LIE BURIED THIRTY SOLDIERS MOST OF WHOM MET THEIR FATE OUT IN THE LAVA BEDS AS WE LEARN BY THE BOARDS MARKING THE GRAVES A GLOOMY PLACE TO DIE IN AND DEADLY LOOKING EVEN WITHOUT MODOCS. THE POOR FELLOWS THAT LIE HERE DESERVE FAR MORE PITY THAN THEY HAVE EVER RECEIVED. THIS IS WHERE GENERAL CANBY WAS SLAIN WHILE SEEKING TO MAKE PEACE WITH THE TREACHEROUS MODOCS. TWO OR THREE MILES FARTHER ON IS THE MAIN STRONGHOLD OF THE MODOCS HELD BY THEM SO LONG AND DEFIANTLY AGAINST ALL THE SOLDIERS THAT COULD BE BROUGHT TO THE ATTACK. YOSEMITE WAS NOT HELD FOR A SINGLE DAY AGAINST THE PURSUING TROOPS BUT THE MODOCS HELD THEIR FORT FOR MONTHS UNTIL WEARY OF BEING HEMMED IN THEY CHOSE TO WITHDRAW. IT CONSISTS OF NUMEROUS REDOUBTS FORMED BY THE UNEQUAL SUBSIDENCE OF PORTIONS OF THE LAVA FLOW AND A COMPLICATED NETWORK OF REDANS ABUNDANTLY SUPPLIED WITH SALIENT AND RE ENTERING ANGLES BEING UNITED EACH TO THE OTHER AND TO THE REDOUBTS BY A LABYRINTH OF OPEN AND COVERED CORRIDORS SOME OF WHICH EXPAND AT INTERVALS INTO SPACIOUS CAVERNS FORMING AS A WHOLE THE MOST COMPLETE NATURAL GIBRALTAR I EVER SAW

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+PROBABLY NINETY NINE PER CENT OF IT IS AT ONCE ABSORBED AND DRAINED AWAY BENEATH THE POROUS LAVA FOLDS OF THE MOUNTAIN TO GUSH FORTH FILTERED AND PURE IN THE FORM OF IMMENSE SPRINGS SO LARGE SOME OF THEM THAT THEY GIVE BIRTH TO RIVERS THAT START ON THEIR JOURNEY BENEATH THE SUN FULL GROWN AND PERFECT WITHOUT ANY CHILDHOOD. THUS THE SHASTA RIVER ISSUES FROM A LARGE LAKE LIKE SPRING IN SHASTA VALLEY AND ABOUT TWO THIRDS OF THE VOLUME OF THE MC CLOUD GUSHES FORTH IN A GRAND SPRING ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN A FEW MILES BACK FROM ITS IMMEDIATE BASE. SHOULD THE VOLUME OF THE STREAM WHERE YOU STRIKE IT SEEM SMALL THEN YOU WILL KNOW THAT YOU ARE ABOVE THE SPRING IF LARGE NEARLY EQUAL TO ITS VOLUME AT ITS CONFLUENCE WITH THE PITT RIVER THEN YOU ARE BELOW IT AND IN EITHER CASE HAVE ONLY TO FOLLOW THE RIVER UP OR DOWN UNTIL YOU COME TO IT. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS YOU MAY HEAR THE ROAR OF THE WATER RUSHING FROM THE ROCK AT A DISTANCE OF HALF A MILE OR EVEN MORE OR YOU MAY NOT HEAR IT UNTIL WITHIN A FEW RODS. IT COMES IN A GRAND EAGER GUSH FROM A HORIZONTAL SEAM IN THE FACE OF THE WALL OF THE RIVER GORGE IN THE FORM OF A PARTIALLY INTERRUPTED SHEET NEARLY SEVENTY FIVE YARDS IN WIDTH AND AT A HEIGHT ABOVE THE RIVERBED OF ABOUT FORTY FEET AS NEARLY AS I COULD MAKE OUT WITHOUT THE MEANS OF EXACT MEASUREMENT. FOR ABOUT FIFTY YARDS THIS FLAT CURRENT IS IN ONE UNBROKEN SHEET AND FLOWS IN A LACEWORK OF PLASHING UPLEAPING SPRAY OVER BOULDERS THAT ARE CLAD IN GREEN SILKY ALGAE AND WATER MOSSES TO MEET THE SMALLER PART OF THE RIVER WHICH TAKES ITS RISE FARTHER UP. JOINING THE RIVER AT RIGHT ANGLES TO ITS COURSE IT AT ONCE SWELLS ITS VOLUME TO THREE TIMES ITS SIZE ABOVE THE SPRING. THE VIVID GREEN OF THE BOULDERS BENEATH THE WATER IS VERY STRIKING AND COLORS THE ENTIRE STREAM WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE PORTIONS BROKEN INTO FOAM. THE COLOR IS CHIEFLY DUE TO A SPECIES OF ALGAE WHICH SEEMS COMMON IN SPRINGS OF THIS SORT. THAT ANY KIND OF PLANT CAN HOLD ON AND GROW BENEATH THE WEAR OF SO BOISTEROUS A CURRENT SEEMS TRULY WONDERFUL EVEN AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE FREEDOM OF THE WATER FROM CUTTING DRIFT AND THE CONSTANCE OF ITS VOLUME AND TEMPERATURE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE TEMPERATURE IS ABOUT FORTY FIVE DEGREES AND THE HEIGHT OF THE RIVER ABOVE THE SEA IS HERE ABOUT THREE THOUSAND FEET. ASPLENIUM EPILOBIUM HEUCHERA HAZEL DOGWOOD AND ALDER MAKE A LUXURIOUS FRINGE AND SETTING AND THE FORESTS OF DOUGLAS SPRUCE ALONG THE BANKS ARE THE FINEST I HAVE EVER SEEN IN THE SIERRA. FROM THE SPRING YOU MAY GO WITH THE RIVER A FINE TRAVELING COMPANION DOWN TO THE SPORTSMAN'S FISHING STATION WHERE IF YOU ARE GETTING HUNGRY YOU MAY REPLENISH YOUR STORES OR BEARING OFF AROUND THE MOUNTAIN BY HUCKLEBERRY VALLEY COMPLETE YOUR CIRCUIT WITHOUT INTERRUPTION EMERGING AT LENGTH FROM BENEATH THE OUTSPREAD ARMS OF THE SUGAR PINE AT STRAWBERRY VALLEY WITH ALL THE NEW WEALTH AND HEALTH GATHERED IN YOUR WALK NOT TIRED IN THE LEAST AND ONLY EAGER TO REPEAT THE ROUND. TRACING RIVERS TO THEIR FOUNTAINS MAKES THE MOST CHARMING OF TRAVELS. AS THE LIFE BLOOD OF THE LANDSCAPES THE BEST OF THE WILDERNESS COMES TO THEIR BANKS AND NOT ONE DULL PASSAGE IS FOUND IN ALL THEIR EVENTFUL HISTORIES

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+TRACING THE MC CLOUD TO ITS HIGHEST SPRINGS AND OVER THE DIVIDE TO THE FOUNTAINS OF FALL RIVER NEAR FORT CROOK THENCE DOWN THAT RIVER TO ITS CONFLUENCE WITH THE PITT ON FROM THERE TO THE VOLCANIC REGION ABOUT LASSEN'S BUTTE THROUGH THE BIG MEADOWS AMONG THE SOURCES OF THE FEATHER RIVER AND DOWN THROUGH FORESTS OF SUGAR PINE TO THE FERTILE PLAINS OF CHICO THIS IS A GLORIOUS SAUNTER AND IMPOSES NO HARDSHIP. FOOD MAY BE HAD AT MODERATE INTERVALS AND THE WHOLE CIRCUIT FORMS ONE EVER DEEPENING BROADENING STREAM OF ENJOYMENT. FALL RIVER IS A VERY REMARKABLE STREAM. IT IS ONLY ABOUT TEN MILES LONG AND IS COMPOSED OF SPRINGS RAPIDS AND FALLS SPRINGS BEAUTIFULLY SHADED AT ONE END OF IT A SHOWY FALL ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY FEET HIGH AT THE OTHER AND A RUSH OF CRYSTAL RAPIDS BETWEEN. NOWHERE WITHIN THE LIMITS OF CALIFORNIA ARE THE FORESTS OF YELLOW PINE SO EXTENSIVE AND EXCLUSIVE AS ON THE HEADWATERS OF THE PITT. THEY COVER THE MOUNTAINS AND ALL THE LOWER SLOPES THAT BORDER THE WIDE OPEN VALLEYS WHICH ABOUND THERE PRESSING FORWARD IN IMPOSING RANKS SEEMINGLY THE HARDIEST AND MOST FIRMLY ESTABLISHED OF ALL THE NORTHERN CONIFERAE. THE VOLCANIC REGION ABOUT LASSEN'S BUTTE I HAVE ALREADY IN PART DESCRIBED. MILES OF ITS FLANKS ARE DOTTED WITH HOT SPRINGS MANY OF THEM SO SULPHUROUS AND BOISTEROUS AND NOISY IN THEIR BOILING THAT THEY SEEM INCLINED TO BECOME GEYSERS LIKE THOSE OF THE YELLOWSTONE. THE ASCENT OF LASSEN'S BUTTE IS AN EASY WALK AND THE VIEWS FROM THE SUMMIT ARE EXTREMELY TELLING. THE LOFTY ICY SHASTA TOWERING HIGH ABOVE ALL SEEMS BUT AN HOUR'S WALK FROM YOU THOUGH THE DISTANCE IN AN AIR LINE IS ABOUT SIXTY MILES. THE BIG MEADOWS LIE NEAR THE FOOT OF LASSEN'S BUTTE A BEAUTIFUL SPACIOUS BASIN SET IN THE HEART OF THE RICHLY FORESTED MOUNTAINS SCARCELY SURPASSED IN THE GRANDEUR OF ITS SURROUNDINGS BY TAHOE. DURING THE GLACIAL PERIOD IT WAS A MER DE GLACE THEN A LAKE AND NOW A LEVEL MEADOW SHINING WITH BOUNTIFUL SPRINGS AND STREAMS. IN THE NUMBER AND SIZE OF ITS BIG SPRING FOUNTAINS IT EXCELS EVEN SHASTA. ONE OF THE LARGEST THAT I MEASURED FORMS A LAKELET NEARLY A HUNDRED YARDS IN DIAMETER AND IN THE GENEROUS FLOOD IT SENDS FORTH OFFERS ONE OF THE MOST TELLING SYMBOLS OF NATURE'S AFFLUENCE TO BE FOUND IN THE MOUNTAINS. THE GREAT WILDS OF OUR COUNTRY ONCE HELD TO BE BOUNDLESS AND INEXHAUSTIBLE ARE BEING RAPIDLY INVADED AND OVERRUN IN EVERY DIRECTION AND EVERYTHING DESTRUCTIBLE IN THEM IS BEING DESTROYED. HOW FAR DESTRUCTION MAY GO IT IS NOT EASY TO GUESS. EVERY LANDSCAPE LOW AND HIGH SEEMS DOOMED TO BE TRAMPLED AND HARRIED. EVEN THE SKY IS NOT SAFE FROM SCATH BLURRED AND BLACKENED WHOLE SUMMERS TOGETHER WITH THE SMOKE OF FIRES THAT DEVOUR THE WOODS. THE SHASTA REGION IS STILL A FRESH UNSPOILED WILDERNESS ACCESSIBLE AND AVAILABLE FOR TRAVELERS OF EVERY KIND AND DEGREE. WOULD IT NOT THEN BE A FINE THING TO SET IT APART LIKE THE YELLOWSTONE AND YOSEMITE AS A NATIONAL PARK FOR THE WELFARE AND BENEFIT OF ALL MANKIND PRESERVING ITS FOUNTAINS AND FORESTS AND ALL ITS GLAD LIFE IN PRIMEVAL BEAUTY. VERY LITTLE OF THE REGION CAN EVER BE MORE VALUABLE FOR ANY OTHER USE CERTAINLY NOT FOR GOLD NOR FOR GRAIN

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+SWEET LITTLE MISS CLARKE. WHEN WE TOOK OUR SEATS AT THE BREAKFAST TABLE IT WAS WITH THE FEELING OF BEING NO LONGER LOOKED UPON AS CONNECTED IN ANY WAY WITH THIS CASE. HIS ANSWER CONVEYED THE SOMEWHAT EXCITING INFORMATION THAT THE FOUR PERSONS SEATED IN MY REAR WERE THE SAME FOUR WHO HAD BEEN READING AT THE ROUND TABLE IN THE MEZZANINE AT THE TIME OF MISS CHALLONER'S DEATH. INSTANTLY THEY ABSORBED ALL MY ATTENTION THOUGH I DARED NOT GIVE THEM A DIRECT LOOK AND CONTINUED TO OBSERVE THEM ONLY IN THE GLASS. IS IT ONE FAMILY I ASKED. YES AND A VERY RESPECTABLE ONE. TRANSIENTS OF COURSE BUT VERY WELL KNOWN IN DENVER. THE LADY IS NOT THE MOTHER OF THE BOYS BUT THEIR AUNT. THE BOYS BELONG TO THE GENTLEMAN WHO IS A WIDOWER. THEIR WORD OUGHT TO BE GOOD. GEORGE NODDED. THE BOYS LOOK WIDE AWAKE ENOUGH IF THE FATHER DOES NOT. DO THEY STILL INSIST THAT MISS CHALLONER WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE ROOM WITH THEM AT THIS TIME. THEY DID LAST NIGHT. I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY WILL MEET THIS STATEMENT OF THE DOCTOR'S. GEORGE. HE LEANED NEARER. HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT THAT SHE MIGHT HAVE BEEN A SUICIDE. THAT SHE STABBED HERSELF. AND ARE YOU SURE THAT NONE WAS. POSITIVE SUCH A FACT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN KEPT QUIET. IF A WEAPON HAD BEEN PICKED UP THERE WOULD BE NO MYSTERY AND NO NECESSITY FOR FURTHER POLICE INVESTIGATION. AND THE DETECTIVES ARE STILL HERE. I JUST SAW ONE. GEORGE. I KNOW IT SOUNDS FOOLISH BUT THE ALTERNATIVE IS SO IMPROBABLE. A FAMILY LIKE THAT CANNOT BE LEAGUED TOGETHER IN A CONSPIRACY TO HIDE THE TRUTH CONCERNING A MATTER SO SERIOUS. TO BE SURE THEY MAY ALL BE SHORT SIGHTED OR SO LITTLE GIVEN TO OBSERVATION THAT THEY DIDN'T SEE WHAT PASSED BEFORE THEIR EYES. THE BOYS LOOK WIDE AWAKE ENOUGH BUT WHO CAN TELL I WOULD SOONER BELIEVE THAT. I STOPPED SHORT SO SUDDENLY THAT GEORGE LOOKED STARTLED. MY ATTENTION HAD BEEN CAUGHT BY SOMETHING NEW I SAW IN THE MIRROR UPON WHICH MY ATTENTION WAS FIXED. A MAN WAS LOOKING IN FROM THE CORRIDOR BEHIND AT THE FOUR PERSONS WE WERE JUST DISCUSSING. HE WAS WATCHING THEM INTENTLY AND I THOUGHT I KNEW HIS FACE. I INQUIRED OF GEORGE WITH MY EYES STILL ON THIS FURTIVE WATCHER. A FELLOW TO MAKE YOU LAUGH. A PERFECT CHARACTER LAURA HIDEOUSLY HOMELY BUT AGREEABLE ENOUGH. I TOOK QUITE A FANCY TO HIM WHY. I AM LOOKING AT HIM NOW. VERY LIKELY HE'S DEEP IN THIS AFFAIR. JUST AN EVERYDAY DETECTIVE BUT AMBITIOUS I SUPPOSE AND QUITE ALIVE TO THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING THOROUGH. NO HE ISN'T HOW QUICKLY HE DISAPPEARED. YES HE'S MERCURIAL IN ALL HIS MOVEMENTS. LAURA WE MUST GET OUT OF THIS. THERE HAPPENS TO BE SOMETHING ELSE IN THE WORLD FOR ME TO DO THAN TO SIT AROUND AND FOLLOW UP MURDER CLEWS. WHAT DOES HE WANT. I ASKED AS SOON AS GEORGE HAD RETURNED TO MY SIDE. HE WANTS ME TO STAND READY TO OBEY ANY SUMMONS THE POLICE MAY SEND ME. THEN THEY STILL SUSPECT BROTHERSON THEY MUST. MY HEAD ROSE A TRIFLE AS I GLANCED UP AT GEORGE. THEN WE ARE NOT ALTOGETHER OUT OF IT. I EMPHASISED COMPLACENTLY. HE SMILED WHICH HARDLY SEEMED APROPOS

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+WHY DOES GEORGE SOMETIMES SMILE WHEN I AM IN MY MOST SERIOUS MOODS. AS WE STEPPED OUT OF THE HOTEL GEORGE GAVE MY ARM A QUIET PINCH WHICH SERVED TO DIRECT MY ATTENTION TO AN ELDERLY GENTLEMAN WHO WAS JUST ALIGHTING FROM A TAXICAB AT THE KERB. HE MOVED HEAVILY AND WITH SOME APPEARANCE OF PAIN BUT FROM THE CROWD COLLECTED ON THE SIDEWALK MANY OF WHOM NUDGED EACH OTHER AS HE PASSED HE WAS EVIDENTLY A PERSON OF SOME IMPORTANCE AND AS HE DISAPPEARED WITHIN THE HOTEL ENTRANCE I ASKED GEORGE WHO THIS KIND FACED BRIGHT EYED OLD GENTLEMAN COULD BE. HE APPEARED TO KNOW FOR HE TOLD ME AT ONCE THAT HE WAS DETECTIVE GRYCE A MAN WHO HAD GROWN OLD IN SOLVING JUST SUCH BAFFLING PROBLEMS AS THESE. HE GAVE UP WORK SOME TIME AGO I HAVE BEEN TOLD MY HUSBAND WENT ON BUT EVIDENTLY A GREAT CASE STILL HAS ITS ALLUREMENT FOR HIM. THE TRAIL HERE MUST BE A VERY BLIND ONE FOR THEM TO CALL HIM IN. I WISH WE HAD NOT LEFT SO SOON. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN QUITE AN EXPERIENCE TO SEE HIM AT WORK. I WOULDN'T HAVE MINDED THAT NOT ON MY OWN ACCOUNT THAT IS. HOWEVER THE OFFICE IS WAITING. COME LET ME PUT YOU ON THE CAR. THAT NIGHT I BIDED HIS COMING WITH AN IMPATIENCE I COULD NOT CONTROL. HE WAS LATE OF COURSE BUT WHEN HE DID APPEAR I ALMOST FORGOT OUR USUAL GREETING IN MY HURRY TO ASK HIM IF HE HAD SEEN THE EVENING PAPERS. BEEN PUSHED ABOUT ALL DAY NO TIME FOR ANYTHING. THEN LET ME TELL YOU. BUT HE WOULD HAVE DINNER FIRST. HOWEVER A LITTLE LATER WE HAD A COMFORTABLE CHAT. MISTER GRYCE HAD MADE A DISCOVERY AND THE PAPERS WERE FULL OF IT. IT WAS ONE WHICH GAVE ME A SMALL TRIUMPH OVER GEORGE. THE SUGGESTION HE HAD LAUGHED AT WAS NOT SO ENTIRELY FOOLISH AS HE HAD BEEN PLEASED TO CONSIDER IT. BUT LET ME TELL THE STORY OF THAT DAY WITHOUT ANY FURTHER REFERENCE TO MYSELF. THE OPINION HAD BECOME QUITE GENERAL WITH THOSE BEST ACQUAINTED WITH THE DETAILS OF THIS AFFAIR THAT THE MYSTERY WAS ONE OF THOSE ABNORMAL ONES FOR WHICH NO SOLUTION WOULD EVER BE FOUND WHEN THE AGED DETECTIVE SHOWED HIMSELF IN THE BUILDING AND WAS TAKEN TO THE ROOM WHERE AN INSPECTOR OF POLICE AWAITED HIM. THEIR GREETING WAS CORDIAL AND THE LINES ON THE LATTER'S FACE RELAXED A LITTLE AS HE MET THE STILL BRIGHT EYE OF THE MAN UPON WHOSE INSTINCT AND JUDGMENT SO MUCH RELIANCE HAD ALWAYS BEEN PLACED. THIS IS VERY GOOD OF YOU HE BEGAN GLANCING DOWN AT THE AGED DETECTIVE'S BUNDLED UP LEGS AND GENTLY PUSHING A CHAIR TOWARDS HIM. I KNOW THAT IT WAS A GREAT DEAL TO ASK BUT WE'RE AT OUR WITS END AND SO I TELEPHONED. IT'S THE MOST INEXPLICABLE THERE. BUT CLEWS THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NONE. THAT IS WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANY PERHAPS YOU CAN. AT LEAST THAT IS WHAT WE HOPE. I'VE KNOWN YOU MORE THAN ONCE TO SUCCEED WHERE OTHERS HAVE FAILED. I AM NOT WHAT I WAS. I CAN NO LONGER GET DOWN ON MY HANDS AND KNEES TO PICK UP THREADS FROM THE NAP OF A RUG OR SPY OUT A SPOT OF BLOOD IN THE CRIMSON WOOF OF A CARPET. YOU SHALL HAVE SWEETWATER HERE TO DO THE ACTIVE WORK FOR YOU. WHAT WE WANT OF YOU IS THE DIRECTING MIND THE INFALLIBLE INSTINCT. IT'S A CASE IN A THOUSAND GRYCE. WE'VE NEVER HAD ANYTHING JUST LIKE IT. YOU'VE NEVER HAD ANYTHING AT ALL LIKE IT. IT WILL MAKE YOU YOUNG AGAIN

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+THE OLD MAN'S EYES SHOT FIRE AND UNCONSCIOUSLY ONE FOOT SLIPPED TO THE FLOOR. THEN HE BETHOUGHT HIMSELF AND PAINFULLY LIFTED IT BACK AGAIN. WHAT ARE THE POINTS. WHAT'S THE DIFFICULTY HE ASKED. WE THOUGHT SHE HAD BEEN SHOT FOR THAT WAS INTELLIGIBLE AND INVOLVED NO IMPOSSIBILITIES. AS THE WOUND EXTENDS NO FURTHER THAN THE HEART THIS SETTLES ONE GREAT POINT AT LEAST. DOCTOR HEATH IS A RELIABLE MAN AND ONE OF OUR ABLEST CORONERS. YES THERE CAN BE NO QUESTION AS TO THE TRUTH OF HIS REPORT. YOU KNOW THE VICTIM HER NAME I MEAN AND THE CHARACTER SHE BORE. YES SO MUCH WAS TOLD ME ON MY WAY DOWN. A FINE GIRL UNSPOILED BY RICHES AND SEEMING INDEPENDENCE. SUICIDE BY STABBING CALLS FOR A WEAPON. STABBED WHILE BY HERSELF OR WHAT YOU MAY CALL BY HERSELF. SHE HAD NO COMPANION NEAR HER. NONE IF WE CAN BELIEVE THE FOUR MEMBERS OF THE PARRISH FAMILY WHO WERE SEATED AT THE OTHER END OF THE ROOM. THEY NEVER KNEW THE WOMAN FATHER MAIDEN AUNT AND TWO BOYS CLEAR EYED JOLLY YOUNG CHAPS WHOM EVEN THE HORROR OF THIS TRAGEDY PERPETRATED AS IT WERE UNDER THEIR VERY NOSE CANNOT MAKE SERIOUS FOR MORE THAN A PASSING MOMENT. IT WOULDN'T SEEM SO. SO THEY TELL ME. SHE FELL JUST A FEW FEET FROM THE DESK WHERE SHE HAD BEEN WRITING. NO WORD NO CRY JUST A COLLAPSE AND SUDDEN FALL. IN OLDEN DAYS THEY WOULD HAVE SAID STRUCK BY A BOLT FROM HEAVEN. BUT IT WAS A BOLT WHICH DREW BLOOD NOT MUCH BLOOD I HEAR BUT SUFFICIENT TO END LIFE ALMOST INSTANTLY. SHE NEVER LOOKED UP OR SPOKE AGAIN. WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF IT GRYCE. I SHOULD LIKE TO SEE THE DESK YOU SPEAK OF AND THE SPOT WHERE SHE FELL. A YOUNG FELLOW WHO HAD BEEN HOVERING IN THE BACKGROUND AT ONCE STEPPED FORWARD. HE WAS THE PLAIN FACED DETECTIVE WHO HAD SPOKEN TO GEORGE. WILL YOU TAKE MY ARM SIR. MISTER GRYCE'S WHOLE FACE BRIGHTENED. THIS SWEETWATER AS THEY CALLED HIM WAS I HAVE SINCE UNDERSTOOD ONE OF HIS PROTEGES AND MORE OR LESS OF A FAVOURITE. HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE AT THIS THING HE ASKED. BEEN OVER THE GROUND STUDIED THE AFFAIR CAREFULLY. YES SIR THEY WERE GOOD ENOUGH TO ALLOW IT. VERY WELL THEN YOU'RE IN A POSITION TO PIONEER ME. YOU'VE SEEN IT ALL AND WON'T BE IN A HURRY. NO I'M AT THE END OF MY ROPE I HAVEN'T AN IDEA SIR. WELL WELL THAT'S HONEST AT ALL EVENTS. THEN AS HE SLOWLY ROSE WITH THE OTHER'S CAREFUL ASSISTANCE THERE'S NO CRIME WITHOUT ITS CLEW. THE THING IS TO RECOGNISE THAT CLEW WHEN SEEN. BUT I'M IN NO POSITION TO MAKE PROMISES. OLD DAYS DON'T RETURN FOR THE ASKING. NEVERTHELESS HE LOOKED TEN YEARS YOUNGER THAN WHEN HE CAME IN OR SO THOUGHT THOSE WHO KNEW HIM. CONSEQUENTLY THE TWO REMAINED QUITE UNINTERRUPTED WHILE THEY MOVED ABOUT THE PLACE IN QUIET CONSULTATION. OTHERS HAD PRECEDED THEM HAD EXAMINED THE PLAIN LITTLE DESK AND FOUND NOTHING HAD PACED OFF THE DISTANCES HAD LOOKED WITH LONGING AND INQUIRING EYES AT THE ELEVATOR CAGE AND THE OPEN ARCHWAY LEADING TO THE LITTLE STAIRCASE AND THE MUSICIANS GALLERY. BUT THIS WAS NOTHING TO THE OLD DETECTIVE. THE LOCALE WAS WHAT HE WANTED AND HE GOT IT

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+WHETHER HE GOT ANYTHING ELSE IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY FROM HIS MANNER AS HE FINALLY SANK INTO A CHAIR BY ONE OF THE OPENINGS AND LOOKED DOWN ON THE LOBBY BELOW. IT WAS FULL OF PEOPLE COMING AND GOING ON ALL SORTS OF BUSINESS AND PRESENTLY HE DREW BACK AND LEANING ON SWEETWATER'S ARM ASKED HIM A FEW QUESTIONS. WHO WERE THE FIRST TO RUSH IN HERE AFTER THE PARRISHES GAVE THE ALARM. ONE OR TWO OF THE MUSICIANS FROM THE END OF THE HALL. THEY HAD JUST FINISHED THEIR PROGRAMME AND WERE PREPARING TO LEAVE THE GALLERY. NATURALLY THEY REACHED HER FIRST. GOOD THEIR NAMES. MARK SOWERBY AND CLAUS HENNERBERG. HONEST GERMANS MEN WHO HAVE PLAYED HERE FOR YEARS. AND WHO FOLLOWED THEM. WHO CAME NEXT ON THE SCENE SOME PEOPLE FROM THE LOBBY. THEY HEARD THE DISTURBANCE AND RUSHED UP PELL MELL. WHO DID TOUCH HER. ANYBODY BEFORE THE FATHER CAME IN. YES MISS CLARKE THE MIDDLE AGED LADY WITH THE PARRISHES. I SUPPOSE SHE HAS BEEN CAREFULLY QUESTIONED VERY I SHOULD SAY. AND SHE SPEAKS OF NO WEAPON. NO NEITHER SHE NOR ANY ONE ELSE AT THAT MOMENT SUSPECTED MURDER OR EVEN A VIOLENT DEATH. FATHER AND ALL YES. BUT THE BLOOD SURELY THERE MUST HAVE BEEN SOME SHOW OF BLOOD. THEY SAY NOT NO ONE NOTICED ANY. NOT TILL THE DOCTOR CAME HER DOCTOR WHO WAS HAPPILY IN HIS OFFICE IN THIS VERY BUILDING. HE SAW THE DROPS AND UTTERED THE FIRST SUGGESTION OF MURDER. HOW LONG AFTER WAS THIS. IS THERE ANY ONE WHO HAS VENTURED TO MAKE AN ESTIMATE OF THE NUMBER OF MINUTES WHICH ELAPSED FROM THE TIME SHE FELL TO THE MOMENT WHEN THE DOCTOR FIRST RAISED THE CRY OF MURDER. YES MISTER SLATER THE ASSISTANT MANAGER WHO WAS IN THE LOBBY AT THE TIME SAYS THAT TEN MINUTES AT LEAST MUST HAVE ELAPSED. TEN MINUTES AND NO BLOOD. THE WEAPON MUST STILL HAVE BEEN THERE SOME WEAPON WITH A SHORT AND INCONSPICUOUS HANDLE. I THINK THEY SAID THERE WERE FLOWERS OVER AND AROUND THE PLACE WHERE IT STRUCK. NOBODY NOTICED NOBODY LOOKED. A PANIC LIKE THAT SEEMS TO PARALYSE PEOPLE. TEN MINUTES. I MUST SEE EVERY ONE WHO APPROACHED HER DURING THOSE TEN MINUTES. EVERY ONE SWEETWATER AND I MUST MYSELF TALK WITH MISS CLARKE. YOU WILL LIKE HER. YOU WILL BELIEVE EVERY WORD SHE SAYS. NO DOUBT. ALL THE MORE REASON WHY I MUST SEE HER. SWEETWATER SOMEONE DREW THAT WEAPON OUT. EFFECTS STILL HAVE THEIR CAUSES NOTWITHSTANDING THE NEW CULT. THE QUESTION IS WHO. THE STONES HAVE ALL BEEN TURNED OVER ONCE. BY YOU. NOT ALTOGETHER BY ME. THEN THEY WILL BEAR BEING TURNED OVER AGAIN. WHEREVER SHE PLEASES ONLY I CAN'T WALK FAR. YOU SHALL HAVE THE USE OF THIS ELEVATOR. IT HAS NOT BEEN RUNNING SINCE LAST NIGHT OR IT WOULD BE FULL OF CURIOUS PEOPLE ALL THE TIME HUSTLING TO GET A GLIMPSE OF THIS PLACE. BUT THEY'LL PUT A MAN ON FOR YOU. VERY GOOD MANAGE IT AS YOU WILL. I'LL WAIT HERE TILL YOU'RE READY EXPLAIN YOURSELF TO THE LADY TELL HER I'M AN OLD AND RHEUMATIC INVALID WHO HAS BEEN USED TO ASKING HIS OWN QUESTIONS. I'LL NOT TROUBLE HER MUCH. BUT THERE IS ONE POINT SHE MUST MAKE CLEAR TO ME. SWEETWATER DID NOT PRESUME TO ASK WHAT POINT BUT HE HOPED TO BE FULLY ENLIGHTENED WHEN THE TIME CAME. AND HE WAS

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+MISTER GRYCE HAD UNDERTAKEN TO EDUCATE HIM FOR THIS WORK AND NEVER MISSED THE OPPORTUNITY OF GIVING HIM A LESSON. THE THREE MET IN A PRIVATE SITTING ROOM ON AN UPPER FLOOR THE DETECTIVES ENTERING FIRST AND THE LADY COMING IN SOON AFTER. AS HER QUIET FIGURE APPEARED IN THE DOORWAY SWEETWATER STOLE A GLANCE AT MISTER GRYCE. HE WAS NOT LOOKING HER WAY OF COURSE HE NEVER LOOKED DIRECTLY AT ANYBODY BUT HE FORMED HIS IMPRESSIONS FOR ALL THAT AND SWEETWATER WAS ANXIOUS TO MAKE SURE OF THESE IMPRESSIONS. THERE WAS NO DOUBTING THEM IN THIS INSTANCE. MISS CLARKE WAS NOT A WOMAN TO ROUSE AN UNFAVOURABLE OPINION IN ANY MAN'S MIND. OF SLIGHT ALMOST FRAIL BUILD SHE HAD THAT PECULIAR ANIMATION WHICH GOES WITH A SPEAKING EYE AND A WIDELY SYMPATHETIC NATURE. MISTER GRYCE WAS ENGAGED AT THE MOMENT IN SHIFTING HIS CANE FROM THE RIGHT HAND TO THE LEFT BUT HIS MANNER WAS NEVER MORE ENCOURAGING OR HIS SMILE MORE BENEVOLENT. PARDON ME HE APOLOGISED WITH ONE OF HIS OLD FASHIONED BOWS I'M SORRY TO TROUBLE YOU AFTER ALL THE DISTRESS YOU MUST HAVE BEEN UNDER THIS MORNING. BUT THERE IS SOMETHING I WISH ESPECIALLY TO ASK YOU IN REGARD TO THE DREADFUL OCCURRENCE IN WHICH YOU PLAYED SO KIND A PART. YOU WERE THE FIRST TO REACH THE PROSTRATE WOMAN I BELIEVE. YES. THE BOYS JUMPED UP AND RAN TOWARDS HER BUT THEY WERE FRIGHTENED BY HER LOOKS AND LEFT IT FOR ME TO PUT MY HANDS UNDER HER AND TRY TO LIFT HER UP. DID YOU MANAGE IT. I SUCCEEDED IN GETTING HER HEAD INTO MY LAP NOTHING MORE. AND SAT SO. FOR SOME LITTLE TIME THAT IS IT SEEMED LONG THOUGH I BELIEVE IT WAS NOT MORE THAN A MINUTE BEFORE TWO MEN CAME RUNNING FROM THE MUSICIANS GALLERY. ONE THINKS SO FAST AT SUCH A TIME AND FEELS SO MUCH. YOU KNEW SHE WAS DEAD THEN. I FELT HER TO BE SO. YOU HAVE SEEN WOMEN IN A FAINT. YES MANY TIMES. WHAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE. I CANNOT TELL YOU. PERHAPS THERE WAS ANOTHER REASON. PERHAPS THAT CONSCIOUSLY OR UNCONSCIOUSLY YOU LAID YOUR PALM UPON HER HEART. MISS CLARKE STARTED AND HER SWEET FACE SHOWED A MOMENT'S PERPLEXITY DID I SHE QUERIED MUSINGLY. THEN WITH A SUDDEN ACCESS OF FEELING I MAY HAVE DONE SO INDEED I BELIEVE I DID MY ARMS WERE AROUND HER IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AN UNNATURAL ACTION. NO A VERY NATURAL ONE I SHOULD SAY. CANNOT YOU TELL ME POSITIVELY WHETHER YOU DID THIS OR NOT. YES I DID. AND THE GLANCE SHE CAST HIM WHILE NOT MEETING HIS EYE SHOWED THAT SHE UNDERSTOOD THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ADMISSION. I KNOW SHE SAID WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO ASK ME NOW. DID I FEEL ANYTHING THERE BUT THE FLOWERS AND THE TULLE. NO MISTER GRYCE I DID NOT. THERE WAS NO PONIARD IN THE WOUND. MISTER GRYCE FELT AROUND FOUND A CHAIR AND SANK INTO IT. I THINK SO MISTER GRYCE. I WAS IN A STATE OF EXCITEMENT OF COURSE BUT THE WOMAN WAS A STRANGER TO ME AND MY FEELINGS WERE NOT UNDULY AGITATED. SWEETWATER WE CAN LET MY SUGGESTION GO IN REGARD TO THOSE TEN MINUTES I SPOKE OF

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+THE TIME IS NARROWED DOWN TO ONE AND IN THAT ONE MISS CLARKE WAS THE ONLY PERSON TO TOUCH HER. I WILL TROUBLE YOU NO FURTHER. SO SAID THE OLD DETECTIVE THOUGHTFULLY. SWEETWATER HELP ME OUT OF THIS. HIS EYE WAS DULL AND HIS MANNER BETRAYED EXHAUSTION. BUT VIGOUR RETURNED TO HIM BEFORE HE HAD WELL REACHED THE DOOR AND HE SHOWED SOME OF HIS OLD SPIRIT AS HE THANKED MISS CLARKE AND TURNED TO TAKE THE ELEVATOR. BUT ONE POSSIBILITY REMAINS HE CONFIDED TO SWEETWATER AS THEY STOOD WAITING AT THE ELEVATOR DOOR. MISS CHALLONER DIED FROM A STAB. THE NEXT MINUTE SHE WAS IN THIS LADY'S ARMS. NO WEAPON PROTRUDED FROM THE WOUND NOR WAS ANY FOUND ON OR NEAR HER IN THE MEZZANINE WHAT FOLLOWS. SHE STRUCK THE BLOW HERSELF AND THE STRENGTH OF PURPOSE WHICH LED HER TO DO THIS GAVE HER THE ADDITIONAL FORCE TO PULL THE WEAPON OUT AND FLING IT FROM HER. IT DID NOT FALL UPON THE FLOOR AROUND HER THEREFORE IT FLEW THROUGH ONE OF THOSE OPENINGS INTO THE LOBBY AND THERE IT EITHER WILL BE OR HAS BEEN FOUND

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+WITH AN EDUCATION WHICH OUGHT TO HAVE ENSURED ME AN HONOURABLE STANDING IN THE WORLD WITH SOME INTELLIGENCE WIT GOOD LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE AND ENDOWED WITH THOSE ACCIDENTAL PHYSICAL QUALITIES WHICH ARE SUCH A GOOD PASSPORT INTO SOCIETY I FOUND MYSELF AT THE AGE OF TWENTY THE MEAN FOLLOWER OF A SUBLIME ART IN WHICH IF GREAT TALENT IS RIGHTLY ADMIRED MEDIOCRITY IS AS RIGHTLY DESPISED. I WAS COMPELLED BY POVERTY TO BECOME A MEMBER OF A MUSICAL BAND IN WHICH I COULD EXPECT NEITHER ESTEEM NOR CONSIDERATION AND I WAS WELL AWARE THAT I SHOULD BE THE LAUGHING STOCK OF THE PERSONS WHO HAD KNOWN ME AS A DOCTOR IN DIVINITY AS AN ECCLESIASTIC AND AS AN OFFICER IN THE ARMY AND HAD WELCOMED ME IN THE HIGHEST SOCIETY. I KNEW ALL THAT FOR I WAS NOT BLIND TO MY POSITION BUT CONTEMPT THE ONLY THING TO WHICH I COULD NOT HAVE REMAINED INDIFFERENT NEVER SHEWED ITSELF ANYWHERE UNDER A FORM TANGIBLE ENOUGH FOR ME TO HAVE NO DOUBT OF MY BEING DESPISED AND I SET IT AT DEFIANCE BECAUSE I WAS SATISFIED THAT CONTEMPT IS DUE ONLY TO COWARDLY MEAN ACTIONS AND I WAS CONSCIOUS THAT I HAD NEVER BEEN GUILTY OF ANY. I FELT THAT IN MY FIRST PROFESSION AS I WAS NOT BLESSED WITH THE VOCATION NECESSARY TO IT I SHOULD HAVE SUCCEEDED ONLY BY DINT OF HYPOCRISY AND I SHOULD HAVE BEEN DESPICABLE IN MY OWN ESTIMATION EVEN IF I HAD SEEN THE PURPLE MANTLE ON MY SHOULDERS FOR THE GREATEST DIGNITIES CANNOT SILENCE A MAN'S OWN CONSCIENCE. BESIDES I WAS OF OPINION THAT A MAN'S PROFESSION WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE OUGHT TO SUPPLY HIM WITH ENOUGH MONEY TO SATISFY ALL HIS WANTS AND THE VERY POOR PAY OF AN OFFICER WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENT TO COVER MY EXPENSES BECAUSE MY EDUCATION HAD GIVEN ME GREATER WANTS THAN THOSE OF OFFICERS IN GENERAL. BY SCRAPING MY VIOLIN I EARNED ENOUGH TO KEEP MYSELF WITHOUT REQUIRING ANYBODY'S ASSISTANCE AND I HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT THE MAN WHO CAN SUPPORT HIMSELF IS HAPPY. WHEN THE PLAY WAS OVER I WENT WITH THEM TO THE DRINKING BOOTH WHICH WE OFTEN LEFT INTOXICATED TO SPEND THE NIGHT IN HOUSES OF ILL FAME. OUR SCANDALOUS PROCEEDINGS OFTEN EXPOSED US TO THE GREATEST DANGER. WE WOULD VERY OFTEN SPEND THE WHOLE NIGHT RAMBLING ABOUT THE CITY INVENTING AND CARRYING INTO EXECUTION THE MOST IMPERTINENT PRACTICAL JOKES. WE DID THE SAME WITH PHYSICIANS WHOM WE OFTEN SENT HALF DRESSED TO SOME NOBLEMAN WHO WAS ENJOYING EXCELLENT HEALTH. WE WERE IN THE HABIT OF CUTTING THE WIRES OF THE BELLS IN EVERY HOUSE AND IF WE CHANCED TO FIND A GATE OPEN WE WOULD GO UP THE STAIRS IN THE DARK AND FRIGHTEN THE SLEEPING INMATES BY TELLING THEM VERY LOUDLY THAT THE HOUSE DOOR WAS NOT CLOSED AFTER WHICH WE WOULD GO DOWN MAKING AS MUCH NOISE AS WE COULD AND LEAVE THE HOUSE WITH THE GATE WIDE OPEN. DURING A VERY DARK NIGHT WE FORMED A PLOT TO OVERTURN THE LARGE MARBLE TABLE OF SAINT ANGELO'S SQUARE ON WHICH IT WAS SAID THAT IN THE DAYS OF THE LEAGUE OF CAMBRAY THE COMMISSARIES OF THE REPUBLIC WERE IN THE HABIT OF PAYING THE BOUNTY TO THE RECRUITS WHO ENGAGED TO FIGHT UNDER THE STANDARD OF SAINT MARK A CIRCUMSTANCE WHICH SECURED FOR THE TABLE A SORT OF PUBLIC VENERATION. WHENEVER WE COULD CONTRIVE TO GET INTO A CHURCH TOWER WE THOUGHT IT GREAT FUN TO FRIGHTEN ALL THE PARISH BY RINGING THE ALARM BELL AS IF SOME FIRE HAD BROKEN OUT BUT THAT WAS NOT ALL WE ALWAYS CUT THE BELL ROPES SO THAT IN THE MORNING THE CHURCHWARDENS HAD NO MEANS OF SUMMONING THE FAITHFUL TO EARLY MASS. THE CITY WAS ALIVE WITH COMPLAINTS AND WE LAUGHED AT THE USELESS SEARCH MADE BY THE POLICE TO FIND OUT THOSE WHO DISTURBED THE PEACE OF THE INHABITANTS. WE TOOK GOOD CARE TO BE CAREFUL FOR IF WE HAD BEEN DISCOVERED WE STOOD A VERY FAIR CHANCE OF BEING SENT TO PRACTICE ROWING AT THE EXPENSE OF THE COUNCIL OF TEN. BUT AT LAST FEAR PUT A STOP TO OUR CRIMINAL JOKES WHICH IN THOSE DAYS I USED TO CALL ONLY THE FROLICS OF YOUNG MEN

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+THIS IS THE AMUSING ADVENTURE WHICH CLOSED OUR EXPLOITS. IN EVERY ONE OF THE SEVENTY TWO PARISHES OF THE CITY OF VENICE THERE IS A LARGE PUBLIC HOUSE CALLED MAGAZZINO. IT REMAINS OPEN ALL NIGHT AND WINE IS RETAILED THERE AT A CHEAPER PRICE THAN IN ALL THE OTHER DRINKING HOUSES. PEOPLE CAN LIKEWISE EAT IN THE MAGAZZINO BUT THEY MUST OBTAIN WHAT THEY WANT FROM THE PORK BUTCHER NEAR BY WHO HAS THE EXCLUSIVE SALE OF EATABLES AND LIKEWISE KEEPS HIS SHOP OPEN THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT. THE NOBILITY THE MERCHANTS EVEN WORKMEN IN GOOD CIRCUMSTANCES ARE NEVER SEEN IN THE MAGAZZINO FOR CLEANLINESS IS NOT EXACTLY WORSHIPPED IN SUCH PLACES. YET THERE ARE A FEW PRIVATE ROOMS WHICH CONTAIN A TABLE SURROUNDED WITH BENCHES IN WHICH A RESPECTABLE FAMILY OR A FEW FRIENDS CAN ENJOY THEMSELVES IN A DECENT WAY. IT WAS DURING THE CARNIVAL OF SEVENTEEN FORTY FIVE AFTER MIDNIGHT WE WERE ALL THE EIGHT OF US RAMBLING ABOUT TOGETHER WITH OUR MASKS ON IN QUEST OF SOME NEW SORT OF MISCHIEF TO AMUSE US AND WE WENT INTO THE MAGAZZINO OF THE PARISH OF THE HOLY CROSS TO GET SOMETHING TO DRINK. WE FOUND THE PUBLIC ROOM EMPTY BUT IN ONE OF THE PRIVATE CHAMBERS WE DISCOVERED THREE MEN QUIETLY CONVERSING WITH A YOUNG AND PRETTY WOMAN AND ENJOYING THEIR WINE. OUR CHIEF A NOBLE VENETIAN BELONGING TO THE BALBI FAMILY SAID TO US IT WOULD BE A GOOD JOKE TO CARRY OFF THOSE THREE BLOCKHEADS AND TO KEEP THE PRETTY WOMAN IN OUR POSSESSION. HE IMMEDIATELY EXPLAINED HIS PLAN AND UNDER COVER OF OUR MASKS WE ENTERED THEIR ROOM BALBI AT THE HEAD OF US. OUR SUDDEN APPEARANCE RATHER SURPRISED THE GOOD PEOPLE BUT YOU MAY FANCY THEIR ASTONISHMENT WHEN THEY HEARD BALBI SAY TO THEM UNDER PENALTY OF DEATH AND BY ORDER OF THE COUNCIL OF TEN I COMMAND YOU TO FOLLOW US IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT MAKING THE SLIGHTEST NOISE AS TO YOU MY GOOD WOMAN YOU NEED NOT BE FRIGHTENED YOU WILL BE ESCORTED TO YOUR HOUSE. WHEN HE HAD FINISHED HIS SPEECH TWO OF US GOT HOLD OF THE WOMAN TO TAKE HER WHERE OUR CHIEF HAD ARRANGED BEFOREHAND AND THE OTHERS SEIZED THE THREE POOR FELLOWS WHO WERE TREMBLING ALL OVER AND HAD NOT THE SLIGHTEST IDEA OF OPPOSING ANY RESISTANCE. THE WAITER OF THE MAGAZZINO CAME TO BE PAID AND OUR CHIEF GAVE HIM WHAT WAS DUE ENJOINING SILENCE UNDER PENALTY OF DEATH. WE TOOK OUR THREE PRISONERS TO A LARGE BOAT. NOT ONE OF US KNEW WHERE BALBI WANTED TO TAKE THE THREE POOR DEVILS. HE SAILS ALL ALONG THE CANAL GETS OUT OF IT TAKES SEVERAL TURNINGS AND IN A QUARTER OF AN HOUR WE REACH SAINT GEORGE WHERE BALBI LANDS OUR PRISONERS WHO ARE DELIGHTED TO FIND THEMSELVES AT LIBERTY. AFTER THIS THE BOATMAN IS ORDERED TO TAKE US TO SAINT GENEVIEVE WHERE WE LAND AFTER PAYING FOR THE BOAT. WE PROCEED AT ONCE TO PALOMBO SQUARE WHERE MY BROTHER AND ANOTHER OF OUR BAND WERE WAITING FOR US WITH OUR LOVELY PRISONER WHO WAS CRYING. DO NOT WEEP MY BEAUTY SAYS BALBI TO HER WE WILL NOT HURT YOU WE INTEND ONLY TO TAKE SOME REFRESHMENT AT THE RIALTO AND THEN WE WILL TAKE YOU HOME IN SAFETY. WHERE IS MY HUSBAND. NEVER FEAR YOU SHALL SEE HIM AGAIN TO MORROW. WE TAKE OFF OUR MASKS AND THE SIGHT OF EIGHT YOUNG HEALTHY FACES SEEMS TO PLEASE THE BEAUTY WE HAD SO UNCEREMONIOUSLY CARRIED OFF. OUR CHIEF AS A MATTER OF RIGHT CLAIMS THE PRIVILEGE OF OPENING THE BALL AND BY DINT OF SWEET WORDS HE OVERCOMES THE VERY NATURAL REPUGNANCE SHE FEELS AT CONSUMMATING THE SACRIFICE IN SO NUMEROUS COMPANY. SHE DOUBTLESS THINKS THE OFFERING AGREEABLE FOR WHEN I PRESENT MYSELF AS THE PRIEST APPOINTED TO SACRIFICE A SECOND TIME TO THE GOD OF LOVE SHE RECEIVES ME ALMOST WITH GRATITUDE AND SHE CANNOT CONCEAL HER JOY WHEN SHE FINDS OUT THAT SHE IS DESTINED TO MAKE US ALL HAPPY

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+MY READERS MAY IMAGINE WHETHER WE FELT INCLINED TO LAUGH WHEN THE CHARMING CREATURE BADE US GOOD NIGHT THANKING US ALL WITH PERFECT GOOD FAITH. TWO DAYS AFTERWARDS OUR NOCTURNAL ORGY BEGAN TO BE TALKED OF. THE YOUNG WOMAN'S HUSBAND WAS A WEAVER BY TRADE AND SO WERE HIS TWO FRIENDS. THEY JOINED TOGETHER TO ADDRESS A COMPLAINT TO THE COUNCIL OF TEN. IT WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE TWO MEN WHO HAD CARRIED HER OFF HAD TAKEN HER TO SUCH A PLACE WHERE THEY HAD AN HOUR LATER BEEN MET BY THE OTHER SIX AND THAT THEY HAD ALL REPAIRED TO THE TWO SWORDS WHERE THEY HAD SPENT AN HOUR IN DRINKING. SHE HAD INFORMED HIM OF ALL THAT HAD HAPPENED SHE COMPLAINED OF NOTHING BUT OF THE GREAT FRIGHT SHE HAD EXPERIENCED ON ACCOUNT OF HER HUSBAND AND ON THAT COUNT SHE ENTREATED JUSTICE AND THE PUNISHMENT OF THE GUILTY PARTIES. THE DOCUMENT PRODUCED THREE DIFFERENT RESULTS IN THE FIRST PLACE IT AMUSED THE TOWN IN THE SECOND ALL THE IDLERS OF VENICE WENT TO SAINT JOB TO HEAR THE ACCOUNT OF THE ADVENTURE FROM THE LIPS OF THE HEROINE HERSELF AND SHE GOT MANY PRESENTS FROM HER NUMEROUS VISITORS IN THE THIRD PLACE THE COUNCIL OF TEN OFFERED A REWARD OF FIVE HUNDRED DUCATS TO ANY PERSON GIVING SUCH INFORMATION AS WOULD LEAD TO THE ARREST OF THE PERPETRATORS OF THE PRACTICAL JOKE EVEN IF THE INFORMER BELONGED TO THE BAND PROVIDED HE WAS NOT THE LEADER. THE OFFER OF THAT REWARD WOULD HAVE MADE US TREMBLE IF OUR LEADER PRECISELY THE ONE WHO ALONE HAD NO INTEREST IN TURNING INFORMER HAD NOT BEEN A PATRICIAN. THERE WAS NO COWARDLY TRAITOR AMONGST US ALTHOUGH WE WERE ALL POOR BUT FEAR HAD ITS EFFECT AND OUR NOCTURNAL PRANKS WERE NOT RENEWED. THREE OR FOUR MONTHS AFTERWARDS THE CHEVALIER NICOLAS IRON THEN ONE OF THE INQUISITORS ASTONISHED ME GREATLY BY TELLING ME THE WHOLE STORY GIVING THE NAMES OF ALL THE ACTORS. HE DID NOT TELL ME WHETHER ANY ONE OF THE BAND HAD BETRAYED THE SECRET AND I DID NOT CARE TO KNOW BUT I COULD CLEARLY SEE THE CHARACTERISTIC SPIRIT OF THE ARISTOCRACY FOR WHICH THE SOLO MIHI IS THE SUPREME LAW. I PLAYED THE VIOLIN IN ONE OF THE NUMEROUS BANDS ENGAGED FOR THE BALLS WHICH WERE GIVEN FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE DAYS IN THE SORANZO PALACE. ON THE THIRD DAY TOWARDS THE END OF THE DANCING AN HOUR BEFORE DAY BREAK FEELING TIRED I LEFT THE ORCHESTRA ABRUPTLY AND AS I WAS GOING DOWN THE STAIRS I OBSERVED A SENATOR WEARING HIS RED ROBES ON THE POINT OF GETTING INTO A GONDOLA. IN TAKING HIS HANDKERCHIEF OUT OF HIS POCKET HE LET A LETTER DROP ON THE GROUND. I PICKED IT UP AND COMING UP TO HIM JUST AS HE WAS GOING DOWN THE STEPS I HANDED IT TO HIM. HE RECEIVED IT WITH MANY THANKS AND ENQUIRED WHERE I LIVED. I TOLD HIM AND HE INSISTED UPON MY COMING WITH HIM IN THE GONDOLA SAYING THAT HE WOULD LEAVE ME AT MY HOUSE. I ACCEPTED GRATEFULLY AND SAT DOWN NEAR HIM. A FEW MINUTES AFTERWARDS HE ASKED ME TO RUB HIS LEFT ARM WHICH HE SAID WAS SO BENUMBED THAT HE COULD NOT FEEL IT. I RUBBED IT WITH ALL MY STRENGTH BUT HE TOLD ME IN A SORT OF INDISTINCT WHISPER THAT THE NUMBNESS WAS SPREADING ALL ALONG THE LEFT SIDE AND THAT HE WAS DYING. I WAS GREATLY FRIGHTENED I OPENED THE CURTAIN TOOK THE LANTERN AND FOUND HIM ALMOST INSENSIBLE AND THE MOUTH DRAWN ON ONE SIDE. I UNDERSTOOD THAT HE WAS SEIZED WITH AN APOPLECTIC STROKE AND CALLED OUT TO THE GONDOLIERS TO LAND ME AT ONCE IN ORDER TO PROCURE A SURGEON TO BLEED THE PATIENT. I JUMPED OUT OF THE GONDOLA AND FOUND MYSELF ON THE VERY SPOT WHERE THREE YEARS BEFORE I HAD TAUGHT RAZETTA SUCH A FORCIBLE LESSON I ENQUIRED FOR A SURGEON AT THE FIRST COFFEE HOUSE AND RAN TO THE HOUSE THAT WAS POINTED OUT TO ME

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+I KNOCKED AS HARD AS I COULD THE DOOR WAS AT LAST OPENED AND I MADE THE SURGEON FOLLOW ME IN HIS DRESSING GOWN AS FAR AS THE GONDOLA WHICH WAS WAITING HE BLED THE SENATOR WHILE I WAS TEARING MY SHIRT TO MAKE THE COMPRESS AND THE BANDAGE. TAKING EVERYTHING UPON MYSELF I ORDERED A SERVANT TO HURRY OUT FOR A PHYSICIAN WHO CAME IN A SHORT TIME AND ORDERED THE PATIENT TO BE BLED AGAIN THUS APPROVING THE FIRST BLEEDING PRESCRIBED BY ME. THINKING I HAD A RIGHT TO WATCH THE SICK MAN I SETTLED MYSELF NEAR HIS BED TO GIVE HIM EVERY CARE HE REQUIRED. AN HOUR LATER TWO NOBLEMEN FRIENDS OF THE SENATOR CAME IN ONE A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE OTHER. THEY WERE IN DESPAIR THEY HAD ENQUIRED ABOUT THE ACCIDENT FROM THE GONDOLIERS AND HAVING BEEN TOLD THAT I KNEW MORE THAN THEY DID THEY LOADED ME WITH QUESTIONS WHICH I ANSWERED. THEY DID NOT KNOW WHO I WAS AND DID NOT LIKE TO ASK ME WHILST I THOUGHT IT BETTER TO PRESERVE A MODEST SILENCE. ALL VISITORS WERE SENT AWAY BY MY ADVICE AND THE TWO NOBLEMEN AND MYSELF WERE THE ONLY PERSONS IN THE SICK MAN'S ROOM. AT NOON WE PARTOOK SILENTLY OF SOME DINNER WHICH WAS SERVED IN THE SICK ROOM. IN THE EVENING ONE OF THE TWO FRIENDS TOLD ME THAT IF I HAD ANY BUSINESS TO ATTEND TO I COULD GO BECAUSE THEY WOULD BOTH PASS THE NIGHT ON A MATTRESS NEAR THE PATIENT. THIS SENTENTIOUS ANSWER STRUCK THEM WITH ASTONISHMENT AS I EXPECTED IT WOULD AND THEY LOOKED AT EACH OTHER IN GREAT SURPRISE. HE WAS CELEBRATED IN VENICE NOT ONLY FOR HIS ELOQUENCE AND HIS GREAT TALENTS AS A STATESMAN BUT ALSO FOR THE GALLANTRIES OF HIS YOUTH. HE HAD BEEN VERY EXTRAVAGANT WITH WOMEN AND MORE THAN ONE OF THEM HAD COMMITTED MANY FOLLIES FOR HIM. HE HAD GAMBLED AND LOST A GREAT DEAL AND HIS BROTHER WAS HIS MOST BITTER ENEMY BECAUSE HE WAS INFATUATED WITH THE IDEA THAT HE HAD TRIED TO POISON HIM. THE PHYSICIAN WHO ATTENDED HIM WAS NAMED TERRO HE THOUGHT BY SOME PECULIAR TRAIN OF REASONING THAT HE COULD CURE HIM BY APPLYING A MERCURIAL OINTMENT TO THE CHEST TO WHICH NO ONE RAISED ANY OBJECTION. THE RAPID EFFECT OF THE REMEDY DELIGHTED THE TWO FRIENDS BUT IT FRIGHTENED ME FOR IN LESS THAN TWENTY FOUR HOURS THE PATIENT WAS LABOURING UNDER GREAT EXCITEMENT OF THE BRAIN. I EXAMINED HIM CLOSELY AND FOUND HIM HARDLY ABLE TO BREATHE. DELIGHTED WITH SUCH A FORTUNATE RESULT WE LAY DOWN AGAIN. DOCTOR THE PERSON WHO HAS DELIVERED ME FROM YOUR MERCURY WHICH WAS KILLING ME IS A MORE SKILFUL PHYSICIAN THAN YOU AND SAYING THESE WORDS HE POINTED TO ME. IT WOULD BE HARD TO SAY WHO WAS THE MORE ASTONISHED THE DOCTOR WHEN HE SAW AN UNKNOWN YOUNG MAN WHOM HE MUST HAVE TAKEN FOR AN IMPOSTOR DECLARED MORE LEARNED THAN HIMSELF OR I WHEN I SAW MYSELF TRANSFORMED INTO A PHYSICIAN AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE. THEIR INFATUATION ENCOURAGING ME I SPOKE LIKE A LEARNED PHYSICIAN I DOGMATIZED I QUOTED AUTHORS WHOM I HAD NEVER READ. HE ENTREATED ME TO TELL HIM THE TRUTH. WHAT EXTRAORDINARY THINGS WILL SOMETIMES OCCUR FROM MERE CHANCE OR FROM THE FORCE OF CIRCUMSTANCES. UNWILLING TO HURT HIS VANITY BY TELLING HIM THAT HE WAS MISTAKEN I TOOK THE WILD RESOLUTION OF INFORMING HIM IN THE PRESENCE OF HIS TWO FRIENDS THAT I POSSESSED A CERTAIN NUMERAL CALCULUS WHICH GAVE ANSWERS ALSO IN NUMBERS TO ANY QUESTIONS I LIKED TO PUT. THE HERMIT REMARKED THE SENATOR HAS WITHOUT INFORMING YOU OF IT LINKED AN INVISIBLE SPIRIT TO THE CALCULUS HE HAS TAUGHT YOU FOR SIMPLE NUMBERS CAN NOT HAVE THE POWER OF REASON. YOU POSSESS A REAL TREASURE AND YOU MAY DERIVE GREAT ADVANTAGES FROM IT. I OBEYED IMPLICITLY AND MET YOUR EXCELLENCY. THE THREE FRIENDS WERE ASTOUNDED. I DECLARED MYSELF QUITE WILLING FOR IT WAS NECESSARY TO BRAZEN IT OUT AFTER HAVING VENTURED AS FAR AS I HAD DONE

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+HE WROTE THE QUESTION AND GAVE IT TO ME I READ IT I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND EITHER THE SUBJECT OR THE MEANING OF THE WORDS BUT IT DID NOT MATTER I HAD TO GIVE AN ANSWER. IF THE QUESTION WAS SO OBSCURE THAT I COULD NOT MAKE OUT THE SENSE OF IT IT WAS NATURAL THAT I SHOULD NOT UNDERSTAND THE ANSWER. I THEREFORE ANSWERED IN ORDINARY FIGURES FOUR LINES OF WHICH HE ALONE COULD BE THE INTERPRETER NOT CARING MUCH AT LEAST IN APPEARANCE HOW THEY WOULD BE UNDERSTOOD. THEY ASKED QUESTIONS ON ALL SORTS OF SUBJECTS AND MY ANSWERS PERFECTLY UNINTELLIGIBLE TO MYSELF WERE ALL HELD AS DIVINE BY THEM. THEY ALL ASKED ME HOW LONG I WOULD REQUIRE TO TEACH THEM THE RULES OF MY SUBLIME CALCULUS. NOT VERY LONG I ANSWERED AND I WILL TEACH YOU AS YOU WISH ALTHOUGH THE HERMIT ASSURED ME THAT I WOULD DIE SUDDENLY WITHIN THREE DAYS IF I COMMUNICATED MY SCIENCE TO ANYONE BUT I HAVE NO FAITH WHATEVER IN THAT PREDICTION. THEY VERY LIKELY THOUGHT THAT IF THEY COULD ATTACH ME TO THEM IT WOULD ANSWER THE PURPOSE AS WELL AS IF THEY POSSESSED THE SCIENCE THEMSELVES. THEY BELIEVED THAT THROUGH ME THEY POSSESSED THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE THE UNIVERSAL PANACEA THE INTERCOURSE WITH ALL THE ELEMENTARY HEAVENLY AND INFERNAL SPIRITS THEY HAD NO DOUBT WHATEVER THAT THANKS TO MY SUBLIME SCIENCE THEY COULD FIND OUT THE SECRETS OF EVERY GOVERNMENT IN EUROPE. AFTER THEY HAD ASSURED THEMSELVES OF THE REALITY OF MY CABALISTIC SCIENCE BY QUESTIONS RESPECTING THE PAST THEY DECIDED TO TURN IT TO SOME USE BY CONSULTING IT UPON THE PRESENT AND UPON THE FUTURE. I SAW HOW EASY IT MUST HAVE BEEN FOR THE ANCIENT HEATHEN PRIESTS TO IMPOSE UPON IGNORANT AND THEREFORE CREDULOUS MANKIND. BUT WHAT I COULD NOT AND PROBABLY NEVER SHALL UNDERSTAND WAS THE REASON FOR WHICH THE FATHERS WHO WERE NOT SO SIMPLE OR SO IGNORANT AS OUR EVANGELISTS DID NOT FEEL ABLE TO DENY THE DIVINITY OF ORACLES AND IN ORDER TO GET OUT OF THE DIFFICULTY ASCRIBED THEM TO THE DEVIL. BUT ALTHOUGH BELIEVING FULLY IN MY ORACLES THEY WERE TOO KIND HEARTED TO THINK THEM THE WORK OF THE DEVIL AND IT SUITED THEIR NATURAL GOODNESS BETTER TO BELIEVE MY ANSWERS INSPIRED BY SOME HEAVENLY SPIRIT. THEY WERE NOT ONLY GOOD CHRISTIANS AND FAITHFUL TO THE CHURCH BUT EVEN REAL DEVOTEES AND FULL OF SCRUPLES. THEY WERE NOT MARRIED AND AFTER HAVING RENOUNCED ALL COMMERCE WITH WOMEN THEY HAD BECOME THE ENEMIES OF THE FEMALE SEX PERHAPS A STRONG PROOF OF THE WEAKNESS OF THEIR MINDS. WITH ALL THESE ODDITIES THE THREE FRIENDS WERE TRULY INTELLIGENT AND EVEN WITTY AND AT THE BEGINNING OF MY ACQUAINTANCE WITH THEM I COULD NOT RECONCILE THESE ANTAGONISTIC POINTS. BUT A PREJUDICED MIND CANNOT REASON WELL AND THE FACULTY OF REASONING IS THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL. I OFTEN LAUGHED WHEN I HEARD THEM TALK ON RELIGIOUS MATTERS THEY WOULD RIDICULE THOSE WHOSE INTELLECTUAL FACULTIES WERE SO LIMITED THAT THEY COULD NOT UNDERSTAND THE MYSTERIES OF RELIGION. THE INCARNATION OF THE WORD THEY WOULD SAY WAS A TRIFLE FOR GOD AND THEREFORE EASY TO UNDERSTAND AND THE RESURRECTION WAS SO COMPREHENSIBLE THAT IT DID NOT APPEAR TO THEM WONDERFUL BECAUSE AS GOD CANNOT DIE JESUS CHRIST WAS NATURALLY CERTAIN TO RISE AGAIN. AS FOR THE EUCHARIST TRANSUBSTANTIATION THE REAL PRESENCE IT WAS ALL NO MYSTERY TO THEM BUT PALPABLE EVIDENCE AND YET THEY WERE NOT JESUITS. THEY WERE IN THE HABIT OF GOING TO CONFESSION EVERY WEEK WITHOUT FEELING THE SLIGHTEST TROUBLE ABOUT THEIR CONFESSORS WHOSE IGNORANCE THEY KINDLY REGRETTED

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+WITH THOSE THREE EXTRAORDINARY CHARACTERS WORTHY OF ESTEEM AND RESPECT FOR THEIR MORAL QUALITIES THEIR HONESTY THEIR REPUTATION AND THEIR AGE AS WELL AS FOR THEIR NOBLE BIRTH I SPENT MY DAYS IN A VERY PLEASANT MANNER ALTHOUGH IN THEIR THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE THEY OFTEN KEPT ME HARD AT WORK FOR TEN HOURS RUNNING ALL FOUR OF US BEING LOCKED UP TOGETHER IN A ROOM AND UNAPPROACHABLE TO EVERYBODY EVEN TO FRIENDS OR RELATIVES. I CONFESS CANDIDLY THAT I DECEIVED THEM AS THE PAPA DELDIMOPULO USED TO DECEIVE THE GREEKS WHO APPLIED TO HIM FOR THE ORACLES OF THE VIRGIN. I CERTAINLY DID NOT ACT TOWARDS THEM WITH A TRUE SENSE OF HONESTY BUT IF THE READER TO WHOM I CONFESS MYSELF IS ACQUAINTED WITH THE WORLD AND WITH THE SPIRIT OF SOCIETY I ENTREAT HIM TO THINK BEFORE JUDGING ME AND PERHAPS I MAY MEET WITH SOME INDULGENCE AT HIS HANDS. I MIGHT BE TOLD THAT IF I HAD WISHED TO FOLLOW THE RULES OF PURE MORALITY I OUGHT EITHER TO HAVE DECLINED INTIMATE INTERCOURSE WITH THEM OR TO HAVE UNDECEIVED THEM. THERE IS ALSO ANOTHER CONSIDERATION DEAR READER AND AS I LOVE YOU I WILL TELL YOU WHAT IT IS. THROUGH THE FRIENDSHIP OF THOSE THREE MEN I WAS CERTAIN OF OBTAINING CONSIDERATION AND INFLUENCE IN MY OWN COUNTRY. BESIDES I FOUND IT VERY FLATTERING TO MY VANITY TO BECOME THE SUBJECT OF THE SPECULATIVE CHATTERING OF EMPTY FOOLS WHO HAVING NOTHING ELSE TO DO ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO FIND OUT THE CAUSE OF EVERY MORAL PHENOMENON THEY MEET WITH WHICH THEIR NARROW INTELLECT CANNOT UNDERSTAND. WHOEVER YOU MAY BE I AM INDEBTED TO YOU FOR MY LIFE. YOUR FIRST PROTECTORS WANTED TO MAKE YOU A PRIEST A DOCTOR AN ADVOCATE A SOLDIER AND ENDED BY MAKING A FIDDLER OF YOU THOSE PERSONS DID NOT KNOW YOU. I KNOW YOU AND APPRECIATE YOU. YOUR APARTMENT IS READY YOU MAY SEND YOUR CLOTHES YOU SHALL HAVE A SERVANT A GONDOLA AT YOUR ORDERS MY OWN TABLE AND TEN SEQUINS A MONTH. IT IS THE SUM I USED TO RECEIVE FROM MY FATHER WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE. YOU NEED NOT THINK OF THE FUTURE THINK ONLY OF ENJOYING YOURSELF AND TAKE ME AS YOUR ADVISER IN EVERYTHING THAT MAY HAPPEN TO YOU IN EVERYTHING YOU MAY WISH TO UNDERTAKE AND YOU MAY BE CERTAIN OF ALWAYS FINDING ME YOUR FRIEND. I THREW MYSELF AT HIS FEET TO ASSURE HIM OF MY GRATITUDE AND EMBRACED HIM CALLING HIM MY FATHER