Theauthorneedsgreatfaithinhisreader’ssympathy；elsehemusthesitatetogivedetailssominute，andincidentsapparentlysotrifling，asareessentialtomakeuptheideaofthisgarden-life。ItwastheEdenofathunder-smittenAdam，whohadfledforrefugethitheroutofthesamedrearyandperilouswildernessintowhichtheoriginalAdamwasexpelled。
Oneoftheavailablemeansofamusement，ofwhichPhoebemadethemostinClifford’sbehalf，wasthatfeatheredsociety，thehens，abreedofwhom，aswehavealreadysaid，wasanimmemorialheirloominthePyncheonfamily。IncompliancewithawhimofClifford，asittroubledhimtoseetheminconfinement，theyhadbeensetatliberty，andnowroamedatwillaboutthegarden；doingsomelittlemischief，buthinderedfromescapebybuildingsonthreesides，andthedifficultpeaksofawoodenfenceontheother。TheyspentmuchoftheirabundantleisureonthemarginofMaule’swell，whichwashauntedbyakindofsnail，evidentlyatitbittotheirpalates；andthebrackishwateritself，howevernauseoustotherestoftheworld，wassogreatlyesteemedbythesefowls，thattheymightbeseentasting，turninguptheirheads，andsmackingtheirbills，withpreciselytheairofwine-bibbersroundaprobationarycask。Theirgenerallyquiet，yetoftenbrisk，andconstantlydiversifiedtalk，onetoanother，orsometimesinsoliloquy，——astheyscratchedwormsoutoftherich，blacksoil，orpeckedatsuchplantsassuitedtheirtaste，——hadsuchadomestictone，thatitwasalmostawonderwhyyoucouldnotestablisharegularinterchangeofideasabouthouseholdmatters，humanandgallinaceous。Allhensarewellworthstudyingforthepiquancyandrichvarietyoftheirmanners；
butbynopossibilitycantherehavebeenotherfowlsofsuchoddappearanceanddeportmentastheseancestralones。Theyprobablyembodiedthetraditionarypeculiaritiesoftheirwholelineofprogenitors，derivedthroughanunbrokensuccessionofeggs；orelsethisindividualChanticleerandhistwowiveshadgrowntobehumorists，andalittlecrack-brainedwithal，onaccountoftheirsolitarywayoflife，andoutofsympathyforHepzibah，theirlady-patroness。
Queer，indeed，theylooked！Chanticleerhimself，thoughstalkingontwostilt-likelegs，withthedignityofinterminabledescentinallhisgestures，washardlybiggerthananordinarypartridge；histwowiveswereaboutthesizeofquails；andasfortheonechicken，itlookedsmallenoughtobestillintheegg，and，atthesametime，sufficientlyold，withered，wizened，andexperienced，tohavebeenfounderoftheantiquatedrace。Insteadofbeingtheyoungestofthefamily，itratherseemedtohaveaggregatedintoitselftheages，notonlyoftheselivingspecimensofthebreed，butofallitsforefathersandforemothers，whoseunitedexcellencesandodditiesweresqueezedintoitslittlebody。Itsmotherevidentlyregardeditastheonechickenoftheworld，andasnecessary，infact，totheworld’scontinuance，or，atanyrate，totheequilibriumofthepresentsystemofaffairs，whetherinchurchorstate。Nolessersenseoftheinfantfowl’simportancecouldhavejustified，eveninamother’seyes，theperseverancewithwhichshewatchedoveritssafety，rufflinghersmallpersontotwiceitspropersize，andflyingineverybody’sfacethatsomuchaslookedtowardsherhopefulprogeny。Nolowerestimatecouldhavevindicatedtheindefatigablezealwithwhichshescratched，andherunscrupulousnessindiggingupthechoicestflowerorvegetable，forthesakeofthefatearthwormatitsroot。Hernervouscluck，whenthechickenhappenedtobehiddeninthelonggrassorunderthesquash-leaves；hergentlecroakofsatisfaction，whilesureofitbeneathherwing；hernoteofill-concealedfearandobstreperousdefiance，whenshesawherarch-enemy，aneighbor’scat，onthetopofthehighfence，——oneorotherofthesesoundswastobeheardatalmosteverymomentoftheday。Bydegrees，theobservercametofeelnearlyasmuchinterestinthischickenofillustriousraceasthemother-hendid。
Phoebe，aftergettingwellacquaintedwiththeoldhen，wassometimespermittedtotakethechickeninherhand，whichwasquitecapableofgraspingitscubicinchortwoofbody。Whileshecuriouslyexamineditshereditarymarks，——thepeculiarspeckleofitsplumage，thefunnytuftonitshead，andaknoboneachofitslegs，——thelittlebiped，assheinsisted，keptgivingherasagaciouswink。ThedaguerreotypistoncewhisperedherthatthesemarksbetokenedtheodditiesofthePyncheonfamily，andthatthechickenitselfwasasymbolofthelifeoftheoldhouse，embodyingitsinterpretation，likewise，althoughanunintelligibleone，assuchclewsgenerallyare。Itwasafeatheredriddle；amysteryhatchedoutofanegg，andjustasmysteriousasiftheegghadbeenaddle！
ThesecondofChanticleer’stwowives，eversincePhoebe’sarrival，hadbeeninastateofheavydespondency，caused，asitafterwardsappeared，byherinabilitytolayanegg。Oneday，however，byherself-importantgait，thesidewaysturnofherhead，andthecockofhereye，asshepriedintooneandanothernookofthegarden，——croakingtoherself，allthewhile，withinexpressiblecomplacency，——itwasmadeevidentthatthisidenticalhen，muchasmankindundervaluedher，carriedsomethingaboutherpersontheworthofwhichwasnottobeestimatedeitheringoldorpreciousstones。Shortlyafter，therewasaprodigiouscacklingandgratulationofChanticleerandallhisfamily，includingthewizenedchicken，whoappearedtounderstandthematterquiteaswellasdidhissire，hismother，orhisaunt。ThatafternoonPhoebefoundadiminutiveegg，——notintheregularnest，itwasfartooprecioustobetrustedthere，——butcunninglyhiddenunderthecurrant-bushes，onsomedrystalksoflastyear’sgrass。Hepzibah，onlearningthefact，tookpossessionoftheeggandappropriatedittoClifford’sbreakfast，onaccountofacertaindelicacyofflavor，forwhich，assheaffirmed，theseeggshadalwaysbeenfamous。
Thusunscrupulouslydidtheoldgentlewomansacrificethecontinuance，perhaps，ofanancientfeatheredrace，withnobetterendthantosupplyherbrotherwithadaintythathardlyfilledthebowlofatea-spoon！ItmusthavebeeninreferencetothisoutragethatChanticleer，thenextday，accompaniedbythebereavedmotheroftheegg，tookhispostinfrontofPhoebeandClifford，anddeliveredhimselfofaharanguethatmighthaveprovedaslongashisownpedigree，butforafitofmerrimentonPhoebe’spart。Hereupon，theoffendedfowlstalkedawayonhislongstilts，andutterlywithdrewhisnoticefromPhoebeandtherestofhumannature，untilshemadeherpeacewithanofferingofspice-cake，which，nexttosnails，wasthedelicacymostinfavorwithhisaristocratictaste。
Welingertoolong，nodoubt，besidethispaltryrivuletoflifethatflowedthroughthegardenofthePyncheonHouse。Butwedeemitpardonabletorecordthesemeanincidentsandpoordelights，becausetheyprovedsogreatlytoClifford’sbenefit。Theyhadtheearth-smellinthem，andcontributedtogivehimhealthandsubstance。Someofhisoccupationswroughtlessdesirablyuponhim。
Hehadasingularpropensity，forexample，tohangoverMaule’swell，andlookattheconstantlyshiftingphantasmagoriaoffiguresproducedbytheagitationofthewateroverthemosaic-workofcoloredpebblesatthebottom。Hesaidthatfaceslookedupwardtohimthere，——beautifulfaces，arrayedinbewitchingsmiles，——eachmomentaryfacesofairandrosy，andeverysmilesosunny，thathefeltwrongedatitsdeparture，untilthesameflittingwitchcraftmadeanewone。Butsometimeshewouldsuddenlycryout，\"Thedarkfacegazesatme！\"andbemiserablethewholedayafterwards。
Phoebe，whenshehungoverthefountainbyClifford’sside，couldseenothingofallthis，——neitherthebeautynortheugliness，——butonlythecoloredpebbles，lookingasifthegushofthewatersshookanddisarrangedthem。Andthedarkface，thatsotroubledClifford，wasnomorethantheshadowthrownfromabranchofoneofthedamson-trees，andbreakingtheinnerlightofMaule’swell。Thetruthwas，however，thathisfancy——revivingfasterthanhiswillandjudgment，andalwaysstrongerthanthey——createdshapesoflovelinessthatweresymbolicofhisnativecharacter，andnowandthenasternanddreadfulshapethattypifiedhisfate。
OnSundays，afterPhoebehadbeenatchurch，——forthegirlhadachurch-goingconscience，andwouldhardlyhavebeenateasehadshemissedeitherprayer，singing，sermon，orbenediction，——afterchurch-time，therefore，therewas，ordinarily，asoberlittlefestivalinthegarden。InadditiontoClifford，Hepzibah，andPhoebe，twoguestsmadeupthecompany。OnewastheartistHolgrave，who，inspiteofhisconsociationwithreformers，andhisotherqueerandquestionabletraits，continuedtoholdanelevatedplaceinHepzibah’sregard。Theother，wearealmostashamedtosay，wasthevenerableUncleVenner，inacleanshirt，andabroadclothcoat，morerespectablethanhisordinarywear，inasmuchasitwasneatlypatchedoneachelbow，andmightbecalledanentiregarment，exceptforaslightinequalityinthelengthofitsskirts。Clifford，onseveraloccasions，hadseemedtoenjoytheoldman’sintercourse，forthesakeofhismellow，cheerfulvein，whichwaslikethesweetflavorofafrost-bittenapple，suchasonepicksupunderthetreeinDecember。Amanattheverylowestpointofthesocialscalewaseasierandmoreagreeableforthefallengentlemantoencounterthanapersonatanyoftheintermediatedegrees；and，moreover，asClifford’syoungmanhoodhadbeenlost，hewasfondoffeelinghimselfcomparativelyyouthful，now，inappositionwiththepatriarchalageofUncleVenner。Infact，itwassometimesobservablethatCliffordhalfwilfullyhidfromhimselftheconsciousnessofbeingstrickeninyears，andcherishedvisionsofanearthlyfuturestillbeforehim；
visions，however，tooindistinctlydrawntobefollowedbydisappointment——though，doubtless，bydepression——whenanycasualincidentorrecollectionmadehimsensibleofthewitheredleaf。
Sothisoddlycomposedlittlesocialpartyusedtoassembleundertheruinousarbor。Hepzibah——statelyaseveratheart，andyieldingnotaninchofheroldgentility，butrestinguponitsomuchthemore，asjustifyingaprincess-likecondescension——exhibitedanotungracefulhospitality。Shetalkedkindlytothevagrantartist，andtooksagecounsel——ladyasshewas——withthewood-sawyer，themessengerofeverybody’spettyerrands，thepatchedphilosopher。AndUncleVenner，whohadstudiedtheworldatstreet-corners，andotherpostsequallywelladaptedforjustobservation，wasasreadytogiveouthiswisdomasatown-pumptogivewater。
\"MissHepzibah，ma’am，\"saidheonce，aftertheyhadallbeencheerfultogether，\"IreallyenjoythesequietlittlemeetingsofaSabbathafternoon。TheyareverymuchlikewhatIexpecttohaveafterIretiretomyfarm！\"
\"UncleVenner\"observedCliffordinadrowsy，inwardtone，\"isalwaystalkingabouthisfarm。ButIhaveabetterschemeforhim，byandby。
Weshallsee！\"
\"Ah，Mr。CliffordPyncheon！\"saidthemanofpatches，\"youmayschemeformeasmuchasyouplease；butI’mnotgoingtogiveupthisoneschemeofmyown，evenifIneverbringitreallytopass。Itdoesseemtomethatmenmakeawonderfulmistakeintryingtoheapuppropertyuponproperty。IfIhaddoneso，I
shouldfeelasifProvidencewasnotboundtotakecareofme；
and，atallevents，thecitywouldn’tbe！I’moneofthosepeoplewhothinkthatinfinityisbigenoughforusall——andeternitylongenough。\"
\"Why，sotheyare，UncleVenner，\"remarkedPhoebeafterapause；
forshehadbeentryingtofathomtheprofundityandappositenessofthisconcludingapothegm。\"Butforthisshortlifeofours，onewouldlikeahouseandamoderategarden-spotofone’sown。\"
\"Itappearstome，\"saidthedaguerreotypist，smiling，\"thatUncleVennerhastheprinciplesofFourieratthebottomofhiswisdom；
onlytheyhavenotquitesomuchdistinctnessinhismindasinthatofthesystematizingFrenchman。\"
\"Come，Phoebe，\"saidHepzibah，\"itistimetobringthecurrants。\"
Andthen，whiletheyellowrichnessofthedecliningsunshinestillfellintotheopenspaceofthegarden，Phoebebroughtoutaloafofbreadandachinabowlofcurrants，freshlygatheredfromthebushes，andcrushedwithsugar。These，withwater，——butnotfromthefountainofillomen，closeathand，——constitutedalltheentertainment。Meanwhile，HolgravetooksomepainstoestablishanintercoursewithClifford，actuated，itmightseem，entirelybyanimpulseofkindliness，inorderthatthepresenthourmightbecheerfullerthanmostwhichthepoorreclusehadspent，orwasdestinedyettospend。Nevertheless，intheartist’sdeep，thoughtful，all-observanteyes，therewas，nowandthen，anexpression，notsinister，butquestionable；asifhehadsomeotherinterestinthescenethanastranger，ayouthfulandunconnectedadventurer，mightbesupposedtohave。Withgreatmobilityofoutwardmood，however，heappliedhimselftothetaskofenliveningtheparty；andwithsomuchsuccess，thatevendark-huedHepzibahthrewoffonetintofmelancholy，andmadewhatshiftshecouldwiththeremainingportion。Phoebesaidtoherself，——\"Howpleasanthecanbe！\"AsforUncleVenner，asamarkoffriendshipandapprobation，hereadilyconsentedtoaffordtheyoungmanhiscountenanceinthewayofhisprofession，——notmetaphorically，beitunderstood，butliterally，byallowingadaguerreotypeofhisface，sofamiliartothetown，tobeexhibitedattheentranceofHolgrave’sstudio。
Clifford，asthecompanypartookoftheirlittlebanquet，grewtobethegayestofthemall。Eitheritwasoneofthoseup-quiveringflashesofthespirit，towhichmindsinanabnormalstateareliable，orelsetheartisthadsubtlytouchedsomechordthatmademusicalvibration。Indeed，whatwiththepleasantsummerevening，andthesympathyofthislittlecircleofnotunkindlysouls，itwasperhapsnaturalthatacharactersosusceptibleasClifford’sshouldbecomeanimated，andshowitselfreadilyresponsivetowhatwassaidaroundhim。Buthegaveouthisownthoughts，likewise，withanairyandfancifulglow；sothattheyglistened，asitwere，throughthearbor，andmadetheirescapeamongtheintersticesofthefoliage。Hehadbeenascheerful，nodoubt，whilealonewithPhoebe，butneverwithsuchtokensofacute，althoughpartialintelligence。
But，asthesunlightleftthepeaksoftheSevenGables，sodidtheexcitementfadeoutofClifford’seyes。Hegazedvaguelyandmournfullyabouthim，asifhemissedsomethingprecious，andmisseditthemoredrearilyfornotknowingpreciselywhatitwas。
\"Iwantmyhappiness！\"atlasthemurmuredhoarselyandindistinctly，hardlyShapingoutthewords。\"Many，manyyearshaveIwaitedforit！Itislate！Itislate！Iwantmyhappiness！\"
Alas，poorClifford！Youareold，andwornwithtroublesthatoughtnevertohavebefallenyou。Youarepartlycrazyandpartlyimbecile；aruin，afailure，asalmosteverybodyis，——thoughsomeinlessdegree，orlessperceptibly，thantheirfellows。Fatehasnohappinessinstoreforyou；unlessyourquiethomeintheoldfamilyresidencewiththefaithfulHepzibah，andyourlongsummerafternoonswithPhoebe，andtheseSabbathfestivalswithUncleVennerandthedaguerreotypist，deservetobecalledhappiness！
Whynot？Ifnotthethingitself，itismarvellouslylikeit，andthemoresoforthatetherealandintangiblequalitywhichcausesitalltovanishattoocloseanintrospection。Takeit，therefore，whileyoumayMurmurnot，——questionnot，——butmakethemostofit！
XITheArchedWindowFROMtheinertness，orwhatwemaytermthevegetativecharacter，ofhisordinarymood，Cliffordwouldperhapshavebeencontenttospendonedayafteranother，interminably，——or，atleast，throughoutthesummer-time，——injustthekindoflifedescribedintheprecedingpages。Fancying，however，thatitmightbeforhisbenefitoccasionallytodiversifythescene，Phoebesometimessuggestedthatheshouldlookoutuponthelifeofthestreet。Forthispurpose，theyusedtomountthestaircasetogether，tothesecondstoryofthehouse，where，attheterminationofawideentry，therewasanarchedwindow，ofuncommonlylargedimensions，shadedbyapairofcurtains。Itopenedabovetheporch，wheretherehadformerlybeenabalcony，thebalustradeofwhichhadlongsincegonetodecay，andbeenremoved。Atthisarchedwindow，throwingitopen，butkeepinghimselfincomparativeobscuritybymeansofthecurtain，Cliffordhadanopportunityofwitnessingsuchaportionofthegreatworld’smovementasmightbesupposedtorollthroughoneoftheretiredstreetsofanotverypopulouscity。ButheandPhoebemadeasightaswellworthseeingasanythatthecitycouldexhibit。Thepale，gray，childish，aged，melancholy，yetoftensimplycheerful，andsometimesdelicatelyintelligentaspectofClifford，peeringfrombehindthefadedcrimsonofthecurtain，——watchingthemonotonyofevery-dayoccurrenceswithakindofinconsequentialinterestandearnestness，and，ateverypettythrobofhissensibility，turningforsympathytotheeyesofthebrightyounggirl！
Ifoncehewerefairlyseatedatthewindow，evenPyncheonStreetwouldhardlybesodullandlonelybutthat，somewhereorotheralongitsextent，Cliffordmightdiscovermattertooccupyhiseye，andtitillate，ifnotengross，hisobservation。Thingsfamiliartotheyoungestchildthathadbegunitsoutlookatexistenceseemedstrangetohim。Acab；anomnibus，withitspopulousinterior，droppinghereandthereapassenger，andpickingupanother，andthustypifyingthatvastrollingvehicle，theworld，theendofwhosejourneyiseverywhereandnowhere；
theseobjectshefollowedeagerlywithhiseyes，butforgotthembeforethedustraisedbythehorsesandwheelshadsettledalongtheirtrack。Asregardednovelties(amongwhichcabsandomnibusesweretobereckoned)，hismindappearedtohavelostitspropergripeandretentiveness。Twiceorthrice，forexample，duringthesunnyhoursoftheday，awater-cartwentalongbythePyncheonHouse，leavingabroadwakeofmoistenedearth，insteadofthewhitedustthathadrisenatalady’slightestfootfall；itwaslikeasummershower，whichthecityauthoritieshadcaughtandtamed，andcompelleditintothecommonestroutineoftheirconvenience。Withthewater-cartCliffordcouldnevergrowfamiliar；italwaysaffectedhimwithjustthesamesurpriseasatfirst。Hismindtookanapparentlysharpimpressionfromit，butlosttherecollectionofthisperambulatoryshower，beforeitsnextreappearance，ascompletelyasdidthestreetitself，alongwhichtheheatsoquicklystrewedwhitedustagain。
Itwasthesamewiththerailroad。Cliffordcouldheartheobstreperoushowlofthesteam-devil，and，byleaningalittlewayfromthearchedwindow，couldcatchaglimpseofthetrainsofcars，flashingabrieftransitacrosstheextremityofthestreet。Theideaofterribleenergythusforceduponhimwasnewateveryrecurrence，andseemedtoaffecthimasdisagreeably，andwithalmostasmuchsurprise，thehundredthtimeasthefirst。
Nothinggivesasaddersenseofdecaythanthislossorsuspensionofthepowertodealwithunaccustomedthings，andtokeepupwiththeswiftnessofthepassingmoment。Itcanmerelybeasuspendedanimation；for，werethepoweractuallytoperish，therewouldbelittleuseofimmortality。Wearelessthanghosts，forthetimebeing，wheneverthiscalamitybefallsus。
Cliffordwasindeedthemostinveterateofconservatives。Alltheantiquefashionsofthestreetweredeartohim；evensuchaswerecharacterizedbyarudenessthatwouldnaturallyhaveannoyedhisfastidioussenses。Helovedtheoldrumblingandjoltingcarts，theformertrackofwhichhestillfoundinhislong-buriedremembrance，astheobserverofto-dayfindsthewheel-tracksofancientvehiclesinHerculaneum。Thebutcher’scart，withitssnowycanopy，wasanacceptableobject；sowasthefish-cart，heraldedbyitshorn；so，likewise，wasthecountryman’scartofvegetables，ploddingfromdoortodoor，withlongpausesofthepatienthorse，whilehisownerdroveatradeinturnips，carrots，summer-squashes，string-beans，greenpeas，andnewpotatoes，withhalfthehousewivesoftheneighborhood。
Thebaker’scart，withtheharshmusicofitsbells，hadapleasanteffectonClifford，because，asfewthingselsedid，itjingledtheverydissonanceofyore。Oneafternoonascissor-grinderchancedtosethiswheela-goingunderthePyncheonElm，andjustinfrontofthearchedwindow。Childrencamerunningwiththeirmothers’
scissors，orthecarving-knife，orthepaternalrazor，oranythingelsethatlackedanedge(except，indeed，poorClifford’swits)，thatthegrindermightapplythearticletohismagicwheel，andgiveitbackasgoodasnew。Roundwentthebusilyrevolvingmachinery，keptinmotionbythescissor-grinder’sfoot，andworeawaythehardsteelagainstthehardstone，whenceissuedanintenseandspitefulprolongationofahissasfierceasthoseemittedbySatanandhiscompeersinPandemonium，thoughsqueezedintosmallercompass。Itwasanugly，little，venomousserpentofanoise，aseverdidpettyviolencetohumanears。ButCliffordlistenedwithrapturousdelight。Thesound，howeverdisagreeable，hadverybrisklifeinit，and，togetherwiththecircleofcuriouschildrenwatchingtherevolutionsofthewheel，appearedtogivehimamorevividsenseofactive，bustling，andsunshinyexistencethanhehadattainedinalmostanyotherway。Nevertheless，itscharmlaychieflyinthepast；forthescissor-grinder’swheelhadhissedinhischildishears。
Hesometimesmadedolefulcomplaintthattherewerenostage-coachesnowadays。Andheaskedinaninjuredtonewhathadbecomeofallthoseoldsquare-toppedchaises，withwingsstickingoutoneitherside，thatusedtobedrawnbyaplough-horse，anddrivenbyafarmer’swifeanddaughter，peddlingwhortle-berriesandblackberriesaboutthetown。
Theirdisappearancemadehimdoubt，hesaid，whethertheberrieshadnotleftoffgrowinginthebroadpasturesandalongtheshadycountrylanes。
Butanythingthatappealedtothesenseofbeauty，inhoweverhumbleaway，didnotrequiretoberecommendedbytheseoldassociations。ThiswasobservablewhenoneofthoseItalianboys(whoareratheramodernfeatureofourstreets)camealongwithhisbarrel-organ，andstoppedunderthewideandcoolshadowsoftheelm。Withhisquickprofessionaleyehetooknoteofthetwofaceswatchinghimfromthearchedwindow，and，openinghisinstrument，begantoscatteritsmelodiesabroad。Hehadamonkeyonhisshoulder，dressedinaHighlandplaid；and，tocompletethesumofsplendidattractionswherewithhepresentedhimselftothepublic，therewasacompanyoflittlefigures，whosesphereandhabitationwasinthemahoganycaseofhisorgan，andwhoseprincipleoflifewasthemusicwhichtheItalianmadeithisbusinesstogrindout。Inalltheirvarietyofoccupation，——thecobbler，theblacksmith，thesoldier，theladywithherfan，thetoperwithhisbottle，themilkmaidsittingbyher，cow——thisfortunatelittlesocietymighttrulybesaidtoenjoyaharmoniousexistence，andtomakelifeliterallyadance。
TheItalianturnedacrank；and，behold！everyoneofthesesmallindividualsstartedintothemostcuriousvivacity。Thecobblerwroughtuponashoe；theblacksmithhammeredhisiron，thesoldierwavedhisglitteringblade；theladyraisedatinybreezewithherfan；thejollytoperswiggedlustilyathisbottle；ascholaropenedhisbookwitheagerthirstforknowledge，andturnedhisheadtoandfroalongthepage；themilkmaidenergeticallydrainedhercow；andamisercountedgoldintohisstrong-box，——allatthesameturningofacrank。Yes；and，movedbytheself-sameimpulse，aloversalutedhismistressonherlips！Possiblysomecynic，atoncemerryandbitter，haddesiredtosignify，inthispantomimicscene，thatwemortals，whateverourbusinessoramusement，——howeverserious，howevertrifling，——alldancetooneidenticaltune，and，inspiteofourridiculousactivity，bringnothingfinallytopass。Forthemostremarkableaspectoftheaffairwas，that，atthecessationofthemusic，everybodywaspetrifiedatonce，fromthemostextravagantlifeintoadeadtorpor。Neitherwasthecobbler’sshoefinished，northeblacksmith’sironshapedout；norwasthereadroplessofbrandyinthetoper’sbottle，noradropmoreofmilkinthemilkmaid’spail，noroneadditionalcoininthemiser’sstrong-box，norwasthescholarapagedeeperinhisbook。Allwerepreciselyinthesameconditionasbeforetheymadethemselvessoridiculousbytheirhastetotoil，toenjoy，toaccumulategold，andtobecomewise。Saddestofall，moreover，theloverwasnonethehappierforthemaiden’sgrantedkiss！But，ratherthanswallowthislasttooacridingredient，werejectthewholemoraloftheshow。
Themonkey，meanwhile，withathicktailcurlingoutintopreposterousprolixityfrombeneathhistartans，tookhisstationattheItalian’sfeet。Heturnedawrinkledandabominablelittlevisagetoeverypasser-by，andtothecircleofchildrenthatsoongatheredround，andtoHepzibah’sshop-door，andupwardtothearchedwindow，whencePhoebeandCliffordwerelookingdown。
Everymoment，also，hetookoffhisHighlandbonnet，andperformedabowandscrape。Sometimes，moreover，hemadepersonalapplicationtoindividuals，holdingouthissmallblackpalm，andotherwiseplainlysignifyinghisexcessivedesireforwhateverfilthylucremighthappentobeinanybody’spocket。Themeanandlow，yetstrangelyman-likeexpressionofhiswiltedcountenance；
thepryingandcraftyglance，thatshowedhimreadytogripeateverymiserableadvantage；hisenormoustail(tooenormoustobedecentlyconcealedunderhisgabardine)，andthedeviltryofnaturewhichitbetokened，——takethismonkeyjustashewas，inshort，andyoucoulddesirenobetterimageoftheMammonofcoppercoin，symbolizingthegrossestformoftheloveofmoney。
Neitherwasthereanypossibilityofsatisfyingthecovetouslittledevil。Phoebethrewdownawholehandfulofcents，whichhepickedupwithjoylesseagerness，handedthemovertotheItalianforsafekeeping，andimmediatelyrecommencedaseriesofpantomimicpetitionsformore。
Doubtless，morethanoneNew-Englander——or，lethimbeofwhatcountryhemight，itisaslikelytobethecase——passedby，andthrewalookatthemonkey，andwenton，withoutimagininghownearlyhisownmoralconditionwashereexemplified。Clifford，however，wasabeingofanotherorder。Hehadtakenchildishdelightinthemusic，andsmiled，too，atthefigureswhichitsetinmotion。But，afterlookingawhileatthelong-tailedimp，hewassoshockedbyhishorribleugliness，spiritualaswellasphysical，thatheactuallybegantoshedtears；aweaknesswhichmenofmerelydelicateendowments，anddestituteofthefiercer，deeper，andmoretragicpoweroflaughter，canhardlyavoid，whentheworstandmeanestaspectoflifehappenstobepresentedtothem。
PyncheonStreetwassometimesenlivenedbyspectaclesofmoreimposingpretensionsthantheabove，andwhichbroughtthemultitudealongwiththem。Withashiveringrepugnanceattheideaofpersonalcontactwiththeworld，apowerfulimpulsestillseizedonClifford，whenevertherushandroarofthehumantidegrewstronglyaudibletohim。Thiswasmadeevident，oneday，whenapoliticalprocession，withhundredsofflauntingbanners，anddrums，fifes，clarions，andcymbals，reverberatingbetweentherowsofbuildings，marchedallthroughtown，andtraileditslengthoftramplingfootsteps，andmostinfrequentuproar，pasttheordinarilyquietHouseoftheSevenGables。Asamereobjectofsight，nothingismoredeficientinpicturesquefeaturesthanaprocessionseeninitspassagethroughnarrowstreets。Thespectatorfeelsittobefool’splay，whenhecandistinguishthetediouscommonplaceofeachman’svisage，withtheperspirationandwearyself-importanceonit，andtheverycutofhispantaloons，andthestiffnessorlaxityofhisshirt-collar，andthedustonthebackofhisblackcoat。Inordertobecomemajestic，itshouldbeviewedfromsomevantagepoint，asitrollsitsslowandlongarraythroughthecentreofawideplain，orthestateliestpublicsquareofacity；forthen，byitsremoteness，itmeltsallthepettypersonalities，ofwhichitismadeup，intoonebroadmassofexistence，——onegreatlife，——onecollectedbodyofmankind，withavast，homogeneousspiritanimatingit。But，ontheotherhand，ifanimpressibleperson，standingaloneoverthebrinkofoneoftheseprocessions，shouldbeholdit，notinitsatoms，butinitsaggregate，——asamightyriveroflife，massiveinitstide，andblackwithmystery，and，outofitsdepths，callingtothekindreddepthwithinhim，——thenthecontiguitywouldaddtotheeffect。
Itmightsofascinatehimthathewouldhardlyberestrainedfromplungingintothesurgingstreamofhumansympathies。
SoitprovedwithClifford。Heshuddered；hegrewpale；hethrewanappealinglookatHepzibahandPhoebe，whowerewithhimatthewindow。Theycomprehendednothingofhisemotions，andsupposedhimmerelydisturbedbytheunaccustomedtumult。Atlast，withtremulouslimbs，hestartedup，sethisfootonthewindow-sill，andinaninstantmorewouldhavebeenintheunguardedbalcony。Asitwas，thewholeprocessionmighthaveseenhim，awild，haggardfigure，hisgraylocksfloatinginthewindthatwavedtheirbanners；alonelybeing，estrangedfromhisrace，butnowfeelinghimselfmanagain，byvirtueoftheirrepressibleinstinctthatpossessedhim。HadCliffordattainedthebalcony，hewouldprobablyhaveleapedintothestreet；butwhetherimpelledbythespeciesofterrorthatsometimesurgesitsvictimovertheveryprecipicewhichheshrinksfrom，orbyanaturalmagnetism，tendingtowardsthegreatcentreofhumanity，itwerenoteasytodecide。Bothimpulsesmighthavewroughtonhimatonce。
Buthiscompanions，affrightedbyhisgesture，——whichwasthatofamanhurriedawayinspiteofhimself，——seizedClifford’sgarmentandheldhimback。Hepzibahshrieked。Phoebe，towhomallextravagancewasahorror，burstintosobsandtears。
\"Clifford，Clifford！areyoucrazy？\"criedhissister。
\"Ihardlyknow，Hepzibah，\"saidClifford，drawingalongbreath。
\"Fearnothing，——itisovernow，——buthadItakenthatplunge，andsurvivedit，methinksitwouldhavemademeanotherman！\"
Possibly，insomesense，Cliffordmayhavebeenright。Heneededashock；orperhapsherequiredtotakeadeep，deepplungeintotheoceanofhumanlife，andtosinkdownandbecoveredbyitsprofoundness，andthentoemerge，sobered，invigorated，restoredtotheworldandtohimself。Perhapsagain，herequirednothinglessthanthegreatfinalremedy——death！
Asimilaryearningtorenewthebrokenlinksofbrotherhoodwithhiskindsometimesshoweditselfinamilderform；andonceitwasmadebeautifulbythereligionthatlayevendeeperthanitself。Intheincidentnowtobesketched，therewasatouchingrecognition，onClifford’spart，ofGod’scareandlovetowardshim，——towardsthispoor，forsakenman，who，ifanymortalcould，mighthavebeenpardonedforregardinghimselfasthrownaside，forgotten，andlefttobethesportofsomefiend，whoseplayfulnesswasanecstasyofmischief。
ItwastheSabbathmorning；oneofthosebright，calmSabbaths，withitsownhallowedatmosphere，whenHeavenseemstodiffuseitselfovertheearth’sfaceinasolemnsmile，nolesssweetthansolemn。OnsuchaSabbathmorn，werewepureenoughtobeitsmedium，weshouldbeconsciousoftheearth’snaturalworshipascendingthroughourframes，onwhateverspotofgroundwestood。
Thechurch-bells，withvarioustones，butallinharmony，werecallingoutandrespondingtooneanother，——\"ItistheSabbath！——
TheSabbath！——Yea；theSabbath！\"——andoverthewholecitythebellsscatteredtheblessedsounds，nowslowly，nowwithlivelierjoy，nowonebellalone，nowallthebellstogether，cryingearnestly，——\"ItistheSabbath！\"andflingingtheiraccentsafaroff，tomeltintotheairandpervadeitwiththeholyword。
TheairwithGod’ssweetestandtenderestsunshineinit，wasmeetformankindtobreatheintotheirhearts，andsenditforthagainastheutteranceofprayer。
CliffordsatatthewindowwithHepzibah，watchingtheneighborsastheysteppedintothestreet。Allofthem，howeverunspiritualonotherdays，weretransfiguredbytheSabbathinfluence；sothattheirverygarments——whetheritwereanoldman’sdecentcoatwellbrushedforthethousandthtime，oralittleboy’sfirstsackandtrousersfinishedyesterdaybyhismother’sneedle——hadsomewhatofthequalityofascension-robes。Forth，likewise，fromtheportaloftheoldhousesteppedPhoebe，puttinguphersmallgreensunshade，andthrowingupwardaglanceandsmileofpartingkindnesstothefacesatthearchedwindow。Inheraspecttherewasafamiliargladness，andaholinessthatyoucouldplaywith，andyetreverenceitasmuchasever。Shewaslikeaprayer，offeredupinthehomeliestbeautyofone’smother-tongue。
FreshwasPhoebe，moreover，andairyandsweetinherapparel；
asifnothingthatshewore——neitherhergown，norhersmallstrawbonnet，norherlittlekerchief，anymorethanhersnowystockings——hadeverbeenputonbefore；or，ifworn，wereallthefresherforit，andwithafragranceasiftheyhadlainamongtherose-buds。
ThegirlwavedherhandtoHepzibahandClifford，andwentupthestreet；areligioninherself，warm，simple，true，withasubstancethatcouldwalkonearth，andaspiritthatwascapableofheaven。
\"Hepzibah，\"askedClifford，afterwatchingPhoebetothecorner，\"doyounevergotochurch？\"
\"No，Clifford！\"shereplied，——\"notthesemany，manyyears！\"
\"WereItobethere，\"herejoined，\"itseemstomethatIcouldprayoncemore，whensomanyhumansoulswereprayingallaroundme！\"
ShelookedintoClifford’sface，andbeheldthereasoftnaturaleffusion；forhisheartgushedout，asitwere，andranoverathiseyes，indelightfulreverenceforGod，andkindlyaffectionforhishumanbrethren。TheemotioncommunicateditselftoHepzibah。Sheyearnedtotakehimbythehand，andgoandkneeldown，theytwotogether，——bothsolongseparatefromtheworld，and，asshenowrecognized，scarcelyfriendswithHimabove，——tokneeldownamongthepeople，andbereconciledtoGodandmanatonce。
\"Dearbrother，\"saidsheearnestly，\"letusgo！Webelongnowhere。Wehavenotafootofspaceinanychurchtokneelupon；butletusgotosomeplaceofworship，evenifwestandinthebroadaisle。Poorandforsakenasweare，somepew-doorwillbeopenedtous！\"
SoHepzibahandherbrothermadethemselves，ready——asreadyastheycouldinthebestoftheirold-fashionedgarments，whichhadhungonpegs，orbeenlaidawayintrunks，solongthatthedampnessandmouldysmellofthepastwasonthem，——madethemselvesready，intheirfadedbettermost，togotochurch。Theydescendedthestaircasetogether，——gaunt，sallowHepzibah，andpale，emaciated，age-strickenClifford！Theypulledopenthefrontdoor，andsteppedacrossthethreshold，andfelt，bothofthem，asiftheywerestandinginthepresenceofthewholeworld，andwithmankind’sgreatandterribleeyeonthemalone。TheeyeoftheirFatherseemedtobewithdrawn，andgavethemnoencouragement。Thewarmsunnyairofthestreetmadethemshiver。Theirheartsquakedwithinthemattheideaoftakingonestepfarther。
\"Itcannotbe，Hepzibah！——itistoolate，\"saidCliffordwithdeepsadness。\"Weareghosts！Wehavenorightamonghumanbeings，——norightanywherebutinthisoldhouse，whichhasacurseonit，andwhich，therefore，wearedoomedtohaunt！And，besides，\"hecontinued，withafastidioussensibility，inalienablycharacteristicoftheman，\"
itwouldnotbefitnorbeautifultogo！ItisanuglythoughtthatIshouldbefrightfultomyfellow-beings，andthatchildrenwouldclingtotheirmothers’gownsatsightofme！\"
Theyshrankbackintotheduskypassage-way，andclosedthedoor。
But，goingupthestaircaseagain，theyfoundthewholeinteriorofthehousetenfold，moredismal，andtheaircloserandheavier，fortheglimpseandbreathoffreedomwhichtheyhadjustsnatched。
Theycouldnotflee；theirjailerhadbutleftthedoorajarinmockery，andstoodbehindittowatchthemstealingout。Atthethreshold，theyfelthispitilessgripeuponthem。For，whatotherdungeonissodarkasone’sownheart！Whatjailersoinexorableasone’sself！
ButitwouldbenofairpictureofClifford’sstateofmindwerewetorepresenthimascontinuallyorprevailinglywretched。Onthecontrary，therewasnoothermaninthecity，weareboldtoaffirm，ofsomuchashalfhisyears，whoenjoyedsomanylightsomeandgrieflessmomentsashimself。Hehadnoburdenofcareuponhim；therewerenoneofthosequestionsandcontingencieswiththefuturetobesettledwhichwearawayallotherlives，andrenderthemnotworthhavingbytheveryprocessofprovidingfortheirsupport。Inthisrespecthewasachild，——achildforthewholetermofhisexistence，beitlongorshort。
Indeed，hislifeseemedtobestandingstillataperiodlittleinadvanceofchildhood，andtoclusterallhisreminiscencesaboutthatepoch；justas，afterthetorporofaheavyblow，thesufferer’srevivingconsciousnessgoesbacktoamomentconsiderablybehindtheaccidentthatstupefiedhim。HesometimestoldPhoebeandHepzibahhisdreams，inwhichheinvariablyplayedthepartofachild，oraveryyoungman。Sovividwerethey，inhisrelationofthem，thatheonceheldadisputewithhissisterastotheparticularfigureorprintofachintzmorning-dresswhichhehadseentheirmotherwear，inthedreamoftheprecedingnight。
Hepzibah，piquingherselfonawoman’saccuracyinsuchmatters，heldittobeslightlydifferentfromwhatClifforddescribed；
but，producingtheverygownfromanoldtrunk，itprovedtobeidenticalwithhisremembranceofit。HadClifford，everytimethatheemergedoutofdreamssolifelike，undergonethetortureoftransformationfromaboyintoanoldandbrokenman，thedailyrecurrenceoftheshockwouldhavebeentoomuchtobear。
Itwouldhavecausedanacuteagonytothrillfromthemorningtwilight，allthedaythrough，untilbedtime；andeventhenwouldhavemingledadull，inscrutablepainandpallidhueofmisfortunewiththevisionarybloomandadolescenceofhisslumber。Butthenightlymoonshineinterwoveitselfwiththemorningmist，andenvelopedhimasinarobe，whichhehuggedabouthisperson，andseldomletrealitiespiercethrough；hewasnotoftenquiteawake，butsleptopen-eyed，andperhapsfanciedhimselfmostdreamingthen。
Thus，lingeringalwayssonearhischildhood，hehadsympathieswithchildren，andkepthisheartthefresherthereby，likeareservoirintowhichrivuletswerepouringnotfarfromthefountain-head。Thoughprevented，byasubtilesenseofpropriety，fromdesiringtoassociatewiththem，helovedfewthingsbetterthantolookoutofthearchedwindowandseealittlegirldrivingherhoopalongthesidewalk，orschoolboysatagameofball。
Theirvoices，also，wereverypleasanttohim，heardatadistance，allswarmingandinterminglingtogetherasfliesdoinasunnyroom。
Cliffordwould，doubtless，havebeengladtosharetheirsports。
Oneafternoonhewasseizedwithanirresistibledesiretoblowsoap-bubbles；anamusement，asHepzibahtoldPhoebeapart，thathadbeenafavoriteonewithherbrotherwhentheywerebothchildren。Beholdhim，therefore，atthearchedwindow，withanearthenpipeinhismouth！Beholdhim，withhisgrayhair，andawan，unrealsmileoverhiscountenance，wherestillhoveredabeautifulgrace，whichhisworstenemymusthaveacknowledgedtobespiritualandimmortal，sinceithadsurvivedsolong！
Beholdhim，scatteringairyspheresabroadfromthewindowintothestreet！Littleimpalpableworldswerethosesoap-bubbles，withthebigworlddepicted，inhuesbrightasimagination，onthenothingoftheirsurface。Itwascurioustoseehowthepassers-byregardedthesebrilliantfantasies，astheycamefloatingdown，andmadethedullatmosphereimaginativeaboutthem。Somestoppedtogaze，andperhaps，carriedapleasantrecollectionofthebubblesonwardasfarasthestreet-corner；somelookedangrilyupward，asifpoorCliffordwrongedthembysettinganimageofbeautyafloatsoneartheirdustypathway。Agreatmanyputouttheirfingersortheirwalking-stickstotouch，withal；andwereperverselygratified，nodoubt，whenthebubble，withallitspicturedearthandskyscene，vanishedasifithadneverbeen。
Atlength，justasanelderlygentlemanofverydignifiedpresencehappenedtobepassing，alargebubblesailedmajesticallydown，andburstrightagainsthisnose！Helookedup，——atfirstwithastern，keenglance，whichpenetratedatonceintotheobscuritybehindthearchedwindow，——thenwithasmilewhichmightbeconceivedasdiffusingadog-daysultrinessforthespaceofseveralyardsabouthim。
\"Aha，CousinClifford！\"criedJudgePyncheon。\"What！stillblowingsoap-bubbles！\"
Thetoneseemedasifmeanttobekindandsoothing，butyethadabitternessofsarcasminit。AsforClifford，anabsolutepalsyoffearcameoverhim。Apartfromanydefinitecauseofdreadwhichhispastexperiencemighthavegivenhim，hefeltthatnativeandoriginalhorroroftheexcellentJudgewhichispropertoaweak，delicate，andapprehensivecharacterinthepresenceofmassivestrength。Strengthisincomprehensiblebyweakness，and，therefore，themoreterrible。Thereisnogreaterbugbearthanastrong-willedrelativeinthecircleofhisownconnections。
XIITheDaguerreotypistITmustnotbesupposedthatthelifeofapersonagenaturallysoactiveasPhoebecouldbewhollyconfinedwithintheprecinctsoftheoldPyncheonHouse。Clifford’sdemandsuponhertimewereusuallysatisfied，inthoselongdays，considerablyearlierthansunset。Quietashisdailyexistenceseemed，itneverthelessdrainedalltheresourcesbywhichhelived。Itwasnotphysicalexercisethatoverweariedhim，——forexceptthathesometimeswroughtalittlewithahoe，orpacedthegarden-walk，or，inrainyweather，traversedalargeunoccupiedroom，——itwashistendencytoremainonlytooquiescent，asregardedanytoilofthelimbsandmuscles。But，eithertherewasasmoulderingfirewithinhimthatconsumedhisvitalenergy，orthemonotonythatwouldhavedraggeditselfwithbenumbingeffectoveraminddifferentlysituatedwasnomonotonytoClifford。Possibly，hewasinastateofsecondgrowthandrecovery，andwasconstantlyassimilatingnutrimentforhisspiritandintellectfromsights，sounds，andeventswhichpassedasaperfectvoidtopersonsmorepractisedwiththeworld。Asallisactivityandvicissitudetothenewmindofachild，somightitbe，likewise，toamindthathadundergoneakindofnewcreation，afteritslong-suspendedlife。
Bethecausewhatitmight，Cliffordcommonlyretiredtorest，thoroughlyexhausted，whilethesunbeamswerestillmeltingthroughhiswindow-curtains，orwerethrownwithlatelustreonthechamberwall。Andwhilehethussleptearly，asotherchildrendo，anddreamedofchildhood，Phoebewasfreetofollowherowntastesfortheremainderofthedayandevening。
ThiswasafreedomessentialtothehealthevenofacharactersolittlesusceptibleofmorbidinfluencesasthatofPhoebe。
Theoldhouse，aswehavealreadysaid，hadboththedry-rotandthedamp-rotinitswalls；itwasnotgoodtobreathenootheratmospherethanthat。Hepzibah，thoughshehadhervaluableandredeemingtraits，hadgrowntobeakindoflunaticbyimprisoningherselfsolonginoneplace，withnoothercompanythanasingleseriesofideas，andbutoneaffection，andonebittersenseofwrong。Clifford，thereadermayperhapsimagine，wastooinerttooperatemorallyonhisfellow-creatures，howeverintimateandexclusivetheirrelationswithhim。Butthesympathyormagnetismamonghumanbeingsismoresubtileanduniversalthanwethink；
itexists，indeed，amongdifferentclassesoforganizedlife，andvibratesfromonetoanother。Aflower，forinstance，asPhoebeherselfobserved，alwaysbegantodroopsoonerinClifford’shand，orHepzibah’s，thaninherown；andbythesamelaw，convertingherwholedailylifeintoaflowerfragranceforthesetwosicklyspirits，thebloominggirlmustinevitablydroopandfademuchsoonerthanifwornonayoungerandhappierbreast。Unlessshehadnowandthenindulgedherbriskimpulses，andbreathedruralairinasuburbanwalk，oroceanbreezesalongtheshore，——hadoccasionallyobeyedtheimpulseofNature，inNewEnglandgirls，byattendingametaphysicalorphilosophicallecture，orviewingaseven-milepanorama，orlisteningtoaconcert，——hadgoneshoppingaboutthecity，ransackingentiredepotsofsplendidmerchandise，andbringinghomearibbon，——hademployed，likewise，alittletimetoreadtheBibleinherchamber，andhadstolenalittlemoretothinkofhermotherandhernativeplace——unlessforsuchmoralmedicinesastheabove，weshouldsoonhavebeheldourpoorPhoebegrowthinandputonableached，unwholesomeaspect，andassumestrange，shyways，propheticofold-maidenhoodandacheerlessfuture。
Evenasitwas，achangegrewvisible；achangepartlytoberegretted，althoughwhatevercharmitinfringeduponwasrepairedbyanother，perhapsmoreprecious。Shewasnotsoconstantlygay，buthadhermoodsofthought，whichClifford，onthewhole，likedbetterthanherformerphaseofunmingledcheerfulness；
becausenowsheunderstoodhimbetterandmoredelicately，andsometimeseveninterpretedhimtohimself。Hereyeslookedlarger，anddarker，anddeeper；sodeep，atsomesilentmoments，thattheyseemedlikeArtesianwells，down，down，intotheinfinite。Shewaslessgirlishthanwhenwefirstbeheldheralightingfromtheomnibus；lessgirlish，butmoreawoman。
TheonlyyouthfulmindwithwhichPhoebehadanopportunityoffrequentintercoursewasthatofthedaguerreotypist。
Inevitably，bythepressureoftheseclusionaboutthem，theyhadbeenbroughtintohabitsofsomefamiliarity。Hadtheymetunderdifferentcircumstances，neitheroftheseyoungpersonswouldhavebeenlikelytobestowmuchthoughtupontheother，unless，indeed，theirextremedissimilarityshouldhaveprovedaprincipleofmutualattraction。Both，itistrue，werecharacterspropertoNewEnglandlife，andpossessingacommonground，therefore，intheirmoreexternaldevelopments；butasunlike，intheirrespectiveinteriors，asiftheirnativeclimeshadbeenatworld-widedistance。Duringtheearlypartoftheiracquaintance，PhoebehadheldbackrathermorethanwascustomarywithherfrankandsimplemannersfromHolgrave’snotverymarkedadvances。
Norwassheyetsatisfiedthatsheknewhimwell，althoughtheyalmostdailymetandtalkedtogether，inakind，friendly，andwhatseemedtobeafamiliarway。
Theartist，inadesultorymanner，hadimpartedtoPhoebesomethingofhishistory。Youngashewas，andhadhiscareerterminatedatthepointalreadyattained，therehadbeenenoughofincidenttofill，verycreditably，anautobiographicvolume。
AromanceontheplanofGilBlas，adaptedtoAmericansocietyandmanners，wouldceasetobearomance。Theexperienceofmanyindividualsamongus，whothinkithardlyworththetelling，wouldequalthevicissitudesoftheSpaniard’searlierlife；whiletheirultimatesuccess，orthepointwhithertheytend，maybeincomparablyhigherthananythatanovelistwouldimagineforhishero。Holgrave，ashetoldPhoebesomewhatproudly，couldnotboastofhisorigin，unlessasbeingexceedinglyhumble，norofhiseducation，exceptthatithadbeenthescantiestpossible，andobtainedbyafewwinter-months’attendanceatadistrictschool。Leftearlytohisownguidance，hehadbeguntobeself-dependentwhileyetaboy；anditwasaconditionaptlysuitedtohisnaturalforceofwill。Thoughnowbuttwenty-twoyearsold(lackingsomemonths，whichareyearsinsuchalife)，hehadalreadybeen，first，acountryschoolmaster；next，asalesmaninacountrystore；and，eitheratthesametimeorafterwards，thepoliticaleditorofacountrynewspaper。HehadsubsequentlytravelledNewEnglandandtheMiddleStates，asapeddler，intheemploymentofaConnecticutmanufactoryofcologne-waterandotheressences。Inanepisodicalwayhehadstudiedandpractiseddentistry，andwithveryflatteringsuccess，especiallyinmanyofthefactory-townsalongourinlandstreams。
Asasupernumeraryofficial，ofsomekindorother，aboardapacket-ship，hehadvisitedEurope，andfoundmeans，beforehisreturn，toseeItaly，andpartofFranceandGermany。AtalaterperiodhehadspentsomemonthsinacommunityofFourierists。
StillmorerecentlyhehadbeenapubliclectureronMesmerism，forwhichscience(asheassuredPhoebe，and，indeed，satisfactorilyproved，byputtingChanticleer，whohappenedtobescratchingnearby，tosleep)hehadveryremarkableendowments。
Hispresentphase，asadaguerreotypist，wasofnomoreimportanceinhisownview，norlikelytobemorepermanent，thananyoftheprecedingones。Ithadbeentakenupwiththecarelessalacrityofanadventurer，whohadhisbreadtoearn。Itwouldbethrownasideascarelessly，wheneverheshouldchoosetoearnhisbreadbysomeotherequallydigressivemeans。Butwhatwasmostremarkable，and，perhaps，showedamorethancommonpoiseintheyoungman，wasthefactthat，amidallthesepersonalvicissitudes，hehadneverlosthisidentity。Homelessashehadbeen，——continuallychanginghiswhereabout，and，therefore，responsibleneithertopublicopinionnortoindividuals，——puttingoffoneexterior，andsnatchingupanother，tobesoonshiftedforathird，——hehadneverviolatedtheinnermostman，buthadcarriedhisconsciencealongwithhim。
ItwasimpossibletoknowHolgravewithoutrecognizingthistobethefact。Hepzibahhadseenit。Phoebesoonsawitlikewise，andgavehimthesortofconfidencewhichsuchacertaintyinspires。
Shewasstartled。however，andsometimesrepelled，——notbyanydoubtofhisintegritytowhateverlawheacknowledged，butbyasensethathislawdifferedfromherown。Hemadeheruneasy，andseemedtounsettleeverythingaroundher，byhislackofreverenceforwhatwasfixed，unless，atamoment’swarning，itcouldestablishitsrighttoholditsground。
Then，moreover，shescarcelythoughthimaffectionateinhisnature。
Hewastoocalmandcoolanobserver。Phoebefelthiseye，often；
hisheart，seldomornever。HetookacertainkindofinterestinHepzibahandherbrother，andPhoebeherself。Hestudiedthemattentively，andallowednoslightestcircumstanceoftheirindividualitiestoescapehim。Hewasreadytodothemwhatevergoodhemight；but，afterall，heneverexactlymadecommoncausewiththem，norgaveanyreliableevidencethathelovedthembetterinproportionasheknewthemmore。Inhisrelationswiththem，heseemedtobeinquestofmentalfood，notheart-sustenance。
Phoebecouldnotconceivewhatinterestedhimsomuchinherfriendsandherself，intellectually，sincehecarednothingforthem，or，comparatively，solittle，asobjectsofhumanaffection。
Always，inhisinterviewswithPhoebe，theartistmadeespecialinquiryastothewelfareofClifford，whom，exceptattheSundayfestival，heseldomsaw。
\"Doeshestillseemhappy？\"heaskedoneday。
\"Ashappyasachild，\"answeredPhoebe；\"but——likeachild，too——veryeasilydisturbed。\"
\"Howdisturbed？\"inquiredHolgrave。\"Bythingswithout，orbythoughtswithin？\"
\"Icannotseehisthoughts！HowshouldI？\"repliedPhoebewithsimplepiquancy。\"Veryoftenhishumorchangeswithoutanyreasonthatcanbeguessedat，justasacloudcomesoverthesun。Latterly，sinceIhavebeguntoknowhimbetter，Ifeelittobenotquiterighttolookcloselyintohismoods。Hehashadsuchagreatsorrow，thathisheartismadeallsolemnandsacredbyit。Whenheischeerful，——whenthesunshinesintohismind，——thenIventuretopeepin，justasfarasthelightreaches，butnofurther。Itisholygroundwheretheshadowfalls！\"
\"Howprettilyyouexpressthissentiment！\"saidtheartist。\"Icanunderstandthefeeling，withoutpossessingit。HadIyouropportunities，noscrupleswouldpreventmefromfathomingCliffordtothefulldepthofmyplummet-line！\"
\"Howstrangethatyoushouldwishit！\"remarkedPhoebeinvoluntarily。\"WhatisCousinCliffordtoyou？\"
\"Oh，nothing，——ofcourse，nothing！\"answeredHolgravewithasmile。
\"Onlythisissuchanoddandincomprehensibleworld！ThemoreIlookatit，themoreitpuzzlesme，andIbegintosuspectthataman’sbewildermentisthemeasureofhiswisdom。Menandwomen，andchildren，too，aresuchstrangecreatures，thatonenevercanbecertainthathereallyknowsthem；noreverguesswhattheyhavebeenfromwhatheseesthemtobenow。JudgePyncheon！Clifford！Whatacomplexriddle——acomplexityofcomplexities——dotheypresent！Itrequiresintuitivesympathy，likeayounggirl’s，tosolveit。Amereobserver，likemyself(whoneverhaveanyintuitions，andam，atbest，onlysubtileandacute)，isprettycertaintogoastray。\"
Theartistnowturnedtheconversationtothemeslessdarkthanthatwhichtheyhadtouchedupon。Phoebeandhewereyoungtogether；norhadHolgrave，inhisprematureexperienceoflife，wastedentirelythatbeautifulspiritofyouth，which，gushingforthfromonesmallheartandfancy，maydiffuseitselfovertheuniverse，makingitallasbrightasonthefirstdayofcreation。
Man’sownyouthistheworld’syouth；atleast，hefeelsasifitwere，andimaginesthattheearth’sgranitesubstanceissomethingnotyethardened，andwhichhecanmouldintowhatevershapehelikes。SoitwaswithHolgrave。Hecouldtalksagelyabouttheworld’soldage，butneveractuallybelievedwhathesaid；hewasayoungmanstill，andthereforelookedupontheworld——thatgray-beardedandwrinkledprofligate，decrepit，withoutbeingvenerable——asatenderstripling，capableofbeingimprovedintoallthatitoughttobe，butscarcelyyethadshowntheremotestpromiseofbecoming。Hehadthatsense，orinwardprophecy，——whichayoungmanhadbetterneverhavebeenbornthannottohave，andamaturemanhadbetterdieatoncethanutterlytorelinquish，——thatwearenotdoomedtocreeponforeverintheoldbadway，butthat，thisverynow，therearetheharbingersabroadofagoldenera，tobeaccomplishedinhisownlifetime。
ItseemedtoHolgrave，——asdoubtlessithasseemedtothehopefulofeverycenturysincetheepochofAdam’sgrandchildren，——thatinthisage，morethaneverbefore，themoss-grownandrottenPastistobetorndown，andlifelessinstitutionstobethrustoutoftheway，andtheirdeadcorpsesburied，andeverythingtobeginanew。
Astothemainpoint，——mayweneverlivetodoubtit！——astothebettercenturiesthatarecoming，theartistwassurelyright。
Hiserrorlayinsupposingthatthisage，morethananypastorfutureone，isdestinedtoseethetatteredgarmentsofAntiquityexchangedforanewsuit，insteadofgraduallyrenewingthemselvesbypatchwork；inapplyinghisownlittlelife-spanasthemeasureofaninterminableachievement；and，morethanall，infancyingthatitmatteredanythingtothegreatendinviewwhetherhehimselfshouldcontendforitoragainstit。Yetitwaswellforhimtothinkso。Thisenthusiasm，infusingitselfthroughthecalmnessofhischaracter，andthustakinganaspectofsettledthoughtandwisdom，wouldservetokeephisyouthpure，andmakehisaspirationshigh。Andwhen，withtheyearssettlingdownmoreweightilyuponhim，hisearlyfaithshouldbemodifiedbyinevitableexperience，itwouldbewithnoharshandsuddenrevolutionofhissentiments。Hewouldstillhavefaithinman’sbrighteningdestiny，andperhapslovehimallthebetter，asheshouldrecognizehishelplessnessinhisownbehalf；andthehaughtyfaith，withwhichhebeganlife，wouldbewellbarteredforafarhumbleroneatitsclose，indiscerningthatman’sbestdirectedeffortaccomplishesakindofdream，whileGodisthesoleworkerofrealities。
Holgravehadreadverylittle，andthatlittleinpassingthroughthethoroughfareoflife，wherethemysticlanguageofhisbookswasnecessarilymixedupwiththebabbleofthemultitude，sothatbothoneandtheotherwereapttoloseanysensethatmighthavebeenproperlytheirown。Heconsideredhimselfathinker，andwascertainlyofathoughtfulturn，but，withhisownpathtodiscover，hadperhapshardlyyetreachedthepointwhereaneducatedmanbeginstothink。Thetruevalueofhischaracterlayinthatdeepconsciousnessofinwardstrength，whichmadeallhispastvicissitudesseemmerelylikeachangeofgarments；
inthatenthusiasm，soquietthathescarcelyknewofitsexistence，butwhichgaveawarmthtoeverythingthathelaidhishandon；
inthatpersonalambition，hidden——fromhisownaswellasothereyes——amonghismoregenerousimpulses，butinwhichlurkedacertainefficacy，thatmightsolidifyhimfromatheoristintothechampionofsomepracticablecause。Altogetherinhiscultureandwantofculture，——inhiscrude，wild，andmistyphilosophy，andthepracticalexperiencethatcounteractedsomeofitstendencies；inhismagnanimouszealforman’swelfare，andhisrecklessnessofwhatevertheageshadestablishedinman’sbehalf；
inhisfaith，andinhisinfidelity。inwhathehad，andinwhathelacked，——theartistmightfitlyenoughstandforthastherepresentativeofmanycompeersinhisnativeland。
Hiscareeritwouldbedifficulttoprefigure。ThereappearedtobequalitiesinHolgrave，suchas，inacountrywhereeverythingisfreetothehandthatcangraspit，couldhardlyfailtoputsomeoftheworld’sprizeswithinhisreach。Butthesemattersaredelightfullyuncertain。Atalmosteverystepinlife，wemeetwithyoungmenofjustaboutHolgrave’sage，forwhomweanticipatewonderfulthings，butofwhom，evenaftermuchandcarefulinquiry，weneverhappentohearanotherword。Theeffervescenceofyouthandpassion，andthefreshglossoftheintellectandimagination，endowthemwithafalsebrilliancy，whichmakesfoolsofthemselvesandotherpeople。Likecertainchintzes，calicoes，andginghams，theyshowfinelyintheirfirstnewness，butcannotstandthesunandrain，andassumeaverysoberaspectafterwashing-day。
ButourbusinessiswithHolgraveaswefindhimonthisparticularafternoon，andinthearborofthePyncheongarden。Inthatpointofview，itwasapleasantsighttobeholdthisyoungman，withsomuchfaithinhimself，andsofairanappearanceofadmirablepowers，——solittleharmed，too，bythemanyteststhathadtriedhismetal，——itwaspleasanttoseehiminhiskindlyintercoursewithPhoebe。Herthoughthadscarcelydonehimjusticewhenitpronouncedhimcold；or，ifso，hehadgrownwarmernow。Withoutsuchpurposeonherpart，andunconsciouslyonhis，shemadetheHouseoftheSevenGableslikeahometohim，andthegardenafamiliarprecinct。Withtheinsightonwhichhepridedhimself，hefanciedthathecouldlookthroughPhoebe，andallaroundher，andcouldreadherofflikeapageofachild’sstory-book。Butthesetransparentnaturesareoftendeceptiveintheirdepth；thosepebblesatthebottomofthefountainarefartherfromusthanwethink。Thustheartist，whateverhemightjudgeofPhoebe’scapacity，wasbeguiled，bysomesilentcharmofhers，totalkfreelyofwhathedreamedofdoingintheworld。Hepouredhimselfoutastoanotherself。Verypossibly，heforgotPhoebewhilehetalkedtoher，andwasmovedonlybytheinevitabletendencyofthought，whenrenderedsympatheticbyenthusiasmandemotion，toflowintothefirstsafereservoirwhichitfinds。But，hadyoupeepedatthemthroughthechinksofthegarden-fence，theyoungman’searnestnessandheightenedcolormighthaveledyoutosupposethathewasmakinglovetotheyounggirl！
Atlength，somethingwassaidbyHolgravethatmadeitappositeforPhoebetoinquirewhathadfirstbroughthimacquaintedwithhercousinHepzibah，andwhyhenowchosetolodgeinthedesolateoldPyncheonHouse。Withoutdirectlyansweringher，heturnedfromtheFuture，whichhadheretoforebeenthethemeofhisdiscourse，andbegantospeakoftheinfluencesofthePast。
Onesubject，indeed，isbutthereverberationoftheother。
\"Shallwenever，nevergetridofthisPast？\"criedhe，keepinguptheearnesttoneofhisprecedingconversation。\"ItliesuponthePresentlikeagiant’sdeadbodyInfact，thecaseisjustasifayounggiantwerecompelledtowasteallhisstrengthincarryingaboutthecorpseoftheoldgiant，hisgrandfather，whodiedalongwhileago，andonlyneedstobedecentlyburied。Justthinkamoment，anditwillstartleyoutoseewhatslaveswearetobygonetimes，——toDeath，ifwegivethemattertherightword！\"
\"ButIdonotseeit，\"observedPhoebe。
\"Forexample，then，\"continuedHolgrave:\"adeadman，ifhehappenstohavemadeawill，disposesofwealthnolongerhisown；
or，ifhedieintestate，itisdistributedinaccordancewiththenotionsofmenmuchlongerdeadthanhe。Adeadmansitsonallourjudgment-seats；andlivingjudgesdobutsearchoutandrepeathisdecisions。Wereadindeadmen’sbooks！Welaughatdeadmen’sjokes，andcryatdeadmen’spathos！Wearesickofdeadmen’sdiseases，physicalandmoral，anddieofthesameremedieswithwhichdeaddoctorskilledtheirpatients！WeworshipthelivingDeityaccordingtodeadmen’sformsandcreeds。Whateverweseektodo，ofourownfreemotion，adeadman’sicyhandobstructsus！
Turnoureyestowhatpointwemay，adeadman’swhite，immitigablefaceencountersthem，andfreezesourveryheart！Andwemustbedeadourselvesbeforewecanbegintohaveourproperinfluenceonourownworld，whichwillthenbenolongerourworld，buttheworldofanothergeneration，withwhichweshallhavenoshadowofarighttointerfere。Ioughttohavesaid，too，thatweliveindeadmen’shouses；as，forinstance，inthisoftheSevenGables！\"
\"Andwhynot，\"saidPhoebe，\"solongaswecanbecomfortableinthem？\"
\"Butweshalllivetoseetheday，Itrust，\"wentontheartist，\"whennomanshallbuildhishouseforposterity。Whyshouldhe？Hemightjustasreasonablyorderadurablesuitofclothes，——leather，orguttapercha，orwhateverelselastslongest，——sothathisgreat-grandchildrenshouldhavethebenefitofthem，andcutpreciselythesamefigureintheworldthathehimselfdoes。
Ifeachgenerationwereallowedandexpectedtobuilditsownhouses，thatsinglechange，comparativelyunimportantinitself，wouldimplyalmosteveryreformwhichsocietyisnowsufferingfor。Idoubtwhetherevenourpublicedifices——ourcapitols，state-houses，court-houses，city-hall，andchurches，——oughttobebuiltofsuchpermanentmaterialsasstoneorbrick。Itwerebetterthattheyshouldcrumbletoruinonceintwentyyears，orthereabouts，asahinttothepeopletoexamineintoandreformtheinstitutionswhichtheysymbolize。\"
\"Howyouhateeverythingold！\"saidPhoebeindismay。\"Itmakesmedizzytothinkofsuchashiftingworld！\"
\"Icertainlylovenothingmouldy，\"answeredHolgrave。\"Now，thisoldPyncheonHouse！Isitawholesomeplacetolivein，withitsblackshingles，andthegreenmossthatshowshowdamptheyare？——
itsdark，low-studdedrooms——itsgrimeandsordidness，whicharethecrystallizationonitswallsofthehumanbreath，thathasbeendrawnandexhaledhereindiscontentandanguish？Thehouseoughttobepurifiedwithfire，——purifiedtillonlyitsashesremain！\"
\"Thenwhydoyouliveinit？\"askedPhoebe，alittlepiqued。
\"Oh，Iampursuingmystudieshere；notinbooks，however，\"
repliedHolgrave。\"Thehouse，inmyview，isexpressiveofthatodiousandabominablePast，withallitsbadinfluences，againstwhichIhavejustbeendeclaiming。Idwellinitforawhile，thatImayknowthebetterhowtohateit。Bythebye，didyoueverhearthestoryofMaule，thewizard，andwhathappenedbetweenhimandyourimmeasurablygreat-grandfather？\"
\"Yes，indeed！\"saidPhoebe；\"Ihearditlongago，frommyfather，andtwoorthreetimesfrommycousinHepzibah，inthemonththatIhavebeenhere。SheseemstothinkthatallthecalamitiesofthePyncheonsbeganfromthatquarrelwiththewizard，asyoucallhim。Andyou，Mr。Holgravelookasifyouthoughtsotoo！
Howsingularthatyoushouldbelievewhatissoveryabsurd，whenyourejectmanythingsthatareagreatdealworthierofcredit！\"
\"Idobelieveit，\"saidtheartistseriously；\"notasasuperstition，however，butasprovedbyunquestionablefacts，andasexemplifyingatheory。Now，see:underthosesevengables，atwhichwenowlookup，——andwhicholdColonelPyncheonmeanttobethehouseofhisdescendants，inprosperityandhappiness，downtoanepochfarbeyondthepresent，——underthatroof，throughaportionofthreecenturies，therehasbeenperpetualremorseofconscience，aconstantlydefeatedhope，strifeamongstkindred，variousmisery，astrangeformofdeath，darksuspicion，unspeakabledisgrace，——all，ormostofwhichcalamityIhavethemeansoftracingtotheoldPuritan’sinordinatedesiretoplantandendowafamily。Toplantafamily！Thisideaisatthebottomofmostofthewrongandmischiefwhichmendo。Thetruthis，that，onceineveryhalf-century，atlongest，afamilyshouldbemergedintothegreat，obscuremassofhumanity，andforgetallaboutitsancestors。Humanblood，inordertokeepitsfreshness，shouldruninhiddenstreams，asthewaterofanaqueductisconveyedinsubterraneanpipes。InthefamilyexistenceofthesePyncheons，forinstance，——forgiveme，Phoebe。butI，cannotthinkofyouasoneofthem，——intheirbriefNewEnglandpedigree，therehasbeentimeenoughtoinfectthemallwithonekindoflunacyoranother。\"
\"Youspeakveryunceremoniouslyofmykindred，\"saidPhoebe，debatingwithherselfwhethersheoughttotakeoffence。
\"Ispeaktruethoughtstoatruemind！\"answeredHolgrave，withavehemencewhichPhoebehadnotbeforewitnessedinhim。\"ThetruthisasIsay！Furthermore，theoriginalperpetratorandfatherofthismischiefappearstohaveperpetuatedhimself，andstillwalksthestreet，——atleast，hisveryimage，inmindandbody，——withthefairestprospectoftransmittingtoposterityasrichandaswretchedaninheritanceashehasreceived！Doyourememberthedaguerreotype，anditsresemblancetotheoldportrait？\"
\"Howstrangelyinearnestyouare！\"exclaimedPhoebe，lookingathimwithsurpriseandperplexity；halfalarmedandpartlyinclinedtolaugh。\"YoutalkofthelunacyofthePyncheons；isitcontagious？\"
\"Iunderstandyou！\"saidtheartist，coloringandlaughing。
\"IbelieveIamalittlemad。ThissubjecthastakenholdofmymindwiththestrangesttenacityofclutchsinceIhavelodgedinyonderoldgable。Asonemethodofthrowingitoff，IhaveputanincidentofthePyncheonfamilyhistory，withwhichI
happentobeacquainted，intotheformofalegend，andmeantopublishitinamagazine。\"
\"Doyouwriteforthemagazines？\"inquiredPhoebe。
\"Isitpossibleyoudidnotknowit？\"criedHolgrave。\"Well，suchisliteraryfame！Yes。MissPhoebePyncheon，amongthemultitudeofmymarvellousgiftsIhavethatofwritingstories；andmynamehasfigured，Icanassureyou，onthecoversofGrahamandGodey，makingasrespectableanappearance，foraughtIcouldsee，asanyofthecanonizedbead-rollwithwhichitwasassociated。Inthehumorousline，Iamthoughttohaveaveryprettywaywithme；
andasforpathos，Iamasprovocativeoftearsasanonion。
ButshallIreadyoumystory？\"
\"Yes，ifitisnotverylong，\"saidPhoebe，——andaddedlaughingly，——\"norverydull。\"
Asthislatterpointwasonewhichthedaguerreotypistcouldnotdecideforhimself，heforthwithproducedhisrollofmanuscript，and，whilethelatesunbeamsgildedthesevengables，begantoread。
XIIIAlicePyncheonTHEREwasamessagebrought，oneday，fromtheworshipfulGervaysePyncheontoyoungMatthewMaule，thecarpenter，desiringhisimmediatepresenceattheHouseoftheSevenGables。
\"Andwhatdoesyourmasterwantwithme？\"saidthecarpentertoMr。Pyncheon’sblackservant。\"Doesthehouseneedanyrepair？
Wellitmay，bythistime；andnoblametomyfatherwhobuiltit，neither！IwasreadingtheoldColonel’stombstone，nolongeragothanlastSabbath；and，reckoningfromthatdate，thehousehasstoodseven-and-thirtyyears。Nowonderifthereshouldbeajobtodoontheroof。\"
\"Don’tknowwhatmassawants，\"answeredScipio。\"Thehouseisaberrygoodhouse，andoldColonelPyncheonthinksotoo，I
reckon；——elsewhytheoldmanhauntitso，andfrightenapoornigga，Ashedoes？\"
\"Well，well，friendScipio；letyourmasterknowthatI’mcoming，\"
saidthecarpenterwithalaugh。\"Forafair，workmanlikejob，he’llfindmehisman。Andsothehouseishaunted，isit？ItwilltakeatighterworkmanthanIamtokeepthespiritsoutoftheSevenGables。EveniftheColonelwouldbequiet，\"headded，mutteringtohimself，\"myoldgrandfather，thewizard，willbeprettysuretosticktothePyncheonsaslongastheirwallsholdtogether。\"
\"What’sthatyoumuttertoyourself，MatthewMaule？\"askedScipio。\"Andwhatfordoyoulooksoblackatme？\"
\"Nomatter，darky。\"saidthecarpenter。\"Doyouthinknobodyistolookblackbutyourself？GotellyourmasterI’mcoming；
andifyouhappentoseeMistressAlice，hisdaughter，giveMatthewMaule’shumblerespectstoher。ShehasbroughtafairfacefromItaly，——fair，andgentle，andproud，——hasthatsameAlicePyncheon！\"
\"HetalkofMistressAlice！\"criedScipio，ashereturnedfromhiserrand。\"Thelowcarpenter-man！Henobusinesssomuchastolookatheragreatwayoff！\"
ThisyoungMatthewMaule，thecarpenter，itmustbeobserved，wasapersonlittleunderstood，andnotverygenerallyliked，inthetownwhereheresided；notthatanythingcouldbeallegedagainsthisintegrity，orhisskillanddiligenceinthehandicraftwhichheexercised。Theaversion(asitmightjustlybecalled)
withwhichmanypersonsregardedhimwaspartlytheresultofhisowncharacteranddeportment，andpartlyaninheritance。
HewasthegrandsonofaformerMatthewMaule，oneoftheearlysettlersofthetown，andwhohadbeenafamousandterriblewizardinhisday。ThisoldreprobatewasoneofthesuffererswhenCottonMather，andhisbrotherministers，andthelearnedjudges，andotherwisemen，andSirWilliamPhipps，thesagaciousgovernor，madesuchlaudableeffortstoweakenthegreatenemyofsouls，bysendingamultitudeofhisadherentsuptherockypathwayofGallowsHill。Sincethosedays，nodoubt，ithadgrowntobesuspectedthat，inconsequenceofanunfortunateoverdoingofaworkpraiseworthyinitself，theproceedingsagainstthewitcheshadprovedfarlessacceptabletotheBeneficentFatherthantothatveryArchEnemywhomtheywereintendedtodistressandutterlyoverwhelm。Itisnotthelesscertain，however，thataweandterrorbroodedoverthememoriesofthosewhodiedforthishorriblecrimeofwitchcraft。Theirgraves，inthecrevicesoftherocks，weresupposedtobeincapableofretainingtheoccupantswhohadbeensohastilythrustintothem。
