Andisitnotwithwritersaswithraconteurs?Oughttheynottohavetheiringenuousmodesty?Mayauthorstelloldstories，andhowmanytimesover?WhenIcometolookataplacewhichIhavevisitedanytimethesetwentyorthirtyyears，Irecallnottheplacemerely，butthesensationsIhadatfirstseeingit，andwhicharequitedifferenttomyfeelingsto-day。ThatfirstdayatCalais；thevoicesofthewomencryingoutatnight，asthevesselcamealongsidethepier；thesupperatQuillacq\'sandtheflavorofthecutletsandwine；thered-calicocanopyunderwhichIslept；thetiledfloor，andthefreshsmellofthesheets；thewonderfulpostilioninhisjack-bootsandpigtail；——allreturnwithperfectclearnesstomymind，andIamseeingthem，andnottheobjectswhichareactuallyundermyeyes。HereisCalais。YonderisthatcommissionerIhaveknownthisscoreofyears。Herearethewomenscreamingandhustlingoverthebaggage；thepeopleatthepassport-
barrierwhotakeyourpapers。Mygoodpeople，Ihardlyseeyou。
Younomoreinterestmethanadozenorange-womeninCovent-Garden，orashopbook-keeperinOxfordStreet。Butyoumakemethinkofatimewhenyouwereindeedwonderfultobehold——whenthelittleFrenchsoldiersworewhitecockadesintheirshakos——whenthediligencewasfortyhoursgoingtoParis；andthegreat-bootedpostilion，assurveyedbyyouthfuleyesfromthecoupe，withhisjurons，hisendsofropefortheharness，andhisclubbedpigtail，wasawonderfulbeing，andproductiveofendlessamusement。Youyoungfolksdon\'tremembertheapple-girlswhousedtofollowthediligenceupthehillbeyondBoulogne，andthedelightsofthejollyroad?Inmakingcontinentaljourneyswithyoungfolks，anoldstermaybeveryquiet，and，tooutwardappearance，melancholy；butreallyhehasgonebacktothedaysofhisyouth，andheisseventeenoreighteenyearsofage(asthecasemaybe)，andisamusinghimselfwithallhismight。Heisnotingthehorsesastheycomesquealingoutofthepost-houseyardatmidnight；heisenjoyingthedeliciousmealsatBeauvaisandAmiens，andquaffingadlibitumtherichtable-d\'hotewine；heishail-fellowwiththeconductor，andalivetoalltheincidentsoftheroad。Amancanbealivein1860and1830atthesametime，don\'tyousee?Bodily，I
maybein1860，inert，silent，torpid；butinthespiritIamwalkingaboutin1828，letussay；——inabluedress-coatandbrassbuttons，asweetfiguredsilkwaistcoat(whichIbuttonroundaslimwaistwithperfectease)，lookingatbeautifulbeingswithgigotsleevesandtea-trayhatsunderthegoldenchestnutsoftheTuileries，orroundthePlaceVendome，wherethedrapeaublancisfloatingfromthestatuelesscolumn。Shallwegoanddineat“Bombarda\'s，“nearthe“HotelBreteuil，“oratthe“CafeVirginie?“——
Away！“Bombarda\'s“andthe“HotelBreteuil“havebeenpulleddowneversolong。TheyknockeddownthepooroldVirginiaCoffee-houselastyear。Myspiritgoesanddinesthere。Mybody，perhaps，isseatedwitheversomanypeopleinarailway-carriage，andnowondermycompanionsfindmedullandsilent。HaveyoureadMr。DaleOwen\'s“FootfallsontheBoundaryofAnotherWorld?“——(Mydearsir，itwillmakeyourhairstandquiterefreshinglyonend。)Inthatworkyouwillreadthatwhengentlemen\'sorladies\'spiritstraveloffafewscoreorthousandmilestovisitafriend，theirbodiesliequietandinatorpidstateintheirbedsorintheirarm-chairsathome。Sointhisway，Iamabsent。Mysoulwhisksawaythirtyyearsbackintothepast。Iamlookingoutanxiouslyforabeard。
IamgettingpasttheageoflovingByron\'spoems，andpretendthatIlikeWordsworthandShelleymuchbetter。NothingIeatordrink(inreason)disagreeswithme；andIknowwhomIthinktobethemostlovelycreatureintheworld。Ah，dearmaid(ofthatremotebutwell-rememberedperiod)，areyouawifeorwidownow?——areyoudead?——areyouthinandwitheredandold?——orareyougrownmuchstouter，withafalsefront?andsoforth。
OEliza，Eliza！——Stay，WASsheEliza?Well，IprotestIhaveforgottenwhatyourChristiannamewas。YouknowIonlymetyoufortwodays，butyoursweetfaceisbeforemenow，andtherosesbloomingonitareasfreshasinthattimeofMay。Ah，dearMissX——，mytimidyouthandingenuousmodestywouldneverhaveallowedme，eveninmyprivatethoughts，toaddressyouotherwisethanbyyourpaternalname，butTHAT(thoughIconcealit)Irememberperfectlywell，andthatyourdearandrespectedfatherwasabrewer。
CARILLON——IwasawakenedthismorningwiththechimewhichAntwerpcathedralclockplaysathalf-hours。Thetunehasbeenhauntingmeeversince，astuneswill。Youdress，eat，drink，walkandtalktoyourselftotheirtune:theirinaudiblejingleaccompaniesyouallday:youreadthesentencesofthepapertotheirrhythm。Itrieduncouthlytoimitatethetunetotheladiesofthefamilyatbreakfast，andtheysayitis“theshadowdanceofDinorah。”Itmaybeso。Idimlyrememberthatmybodywasoncepresentduringtheperformanceofthatopera，whilstmyeyeswereclosed，andmyintellectualfacultiesdormantatthebackofthebox；howbeit，I
havelearnedthatshadowdancefromhearingitpealingupeversohighintheair，atnight，morn，noon。
Howpleasanttolieawakeandlistentothecheerypeal！whilsttheoldcityisasleepatmidnight，orwakinguprosyatsunrise，orbaskinginnoon，orsweptbythescuddingrainwhichdrivesingustsoverthebroadplaces，andthegreatshiningriver；orsparklinginsnowwhichdressesupahundredthousandmasts，peaks，andtowers；
orwrappedroundwiththunder-cloudcanopies，before，whichthewhitegablesshinewhiter；dayandnightthekindlittlecarillonplaysitsfantasticmelodiesoverhead。Thebellsgoonringing。
Quotvivosvocant，mortuosplangunt，fulgarafrangunt；soontothepastandfuturetenses，andforhowmanynights，days，andyears！
WhilsttheFrenchwerepitchingtheirfulgaraintoChasse\'scitadel，thebellswentonringingquitecheerfully。WhilstthescaffoldswereupandguardedbyAlva\'ssoldiery，andregimentsofpenitents，blue，black，andgray，pouredoutofchurchesandconvents，droningtheirdirges，andmarchingtotheplaceoftheHoteldeVille，wherehereticsandrebelsweretomeettheirdoom，thebellsupyonderwerechantingattheirappointedhalf-hoursandquarters，andrangthemauvaisquartd\'heureformanyapoorsoul。ThisbellcanseeasfarawayasthetowersanddykesofRotterdam。ThatonecancallagreetingtoSt。Ursula\'satBrussels，andtossarecognitiontothatoneatthetown-hallofOudenarde，andrememberhowafteragreatstrugglethereahundredandfiftyyearsagothewholeplainwascoveredwiththeflyingFrenchcavalry——Burgundy，andBern，andtheChevalierofSt。Georgeflyingliketherest。“WhatisyourclamoraboutOudenarde?“saysanotherbell(BobMajorTHISonemustbe)。“Bestill，thouquerulousoldclapper！IcanseeovertoHougoumontandSt。John。Andaboutforty-fiveyearssince，IrangallthroughoneSundayinJune，whentherewassuchabattlegoingoninthecorn-fieldsthere，asnoneofyouotherseverheardtolledof。Yes，frommorningserviceuntilaftervespers，theFrenchandEnglishwereallatit，ding-dong。”Andthencallsofbusinessintervening，thebellshavetogiveuptheirprivatejangle，resumetheirprofessionalduty，andsingtheirhourlychorusoutofDinorah。
Whataprodigiousdistancethosebellscanbeheard！Iwasawakenedthismorningtotheirtune，Isay。Ihavebeenhearingitconstantlyeversince。AndthishousewhenceIwrite，Murraysays，istwohundredandtenmilesfromAntwerp。Anditisaweekoff；
andthereisthebellstilljanglingitsshadowdanceoutofDinorah。Anaudibleshadowyouunderstand，andaninvisiblesound，butquitedistinct；andaplaguetakethetune！
UNDERTHEBELLS——Whohasnotseenthechurchunderthebells?
Thoseloftyaisles，thosetwilightchapels，thatcumbersomepulpitwithitshugecarvings，thatwidegraypavementfleckedwithvariouslightfromthejewelledwindows，thosefamouspicturesbetweenthevoluminouscolumnsoverthealtars，whichtwinklewiththeirornaments，theirvotivelittlesilverhearts，legs，limbs，theirlittlegutteringtapers，cupsofshamroses，andwhatnot?Isawtworegimentsoflittlescholarscreepinginandformingsquare，eachinitsappointedplace，underthevastroof；andteacherspresentlycomingtothem。Astreamoflightfromthejewelledwindowsbeamsslantingdownuponeachlittlesquadofchildren，andthetallbackgroundofthechurchretiresintoagrayergloom。
Patteringlittlefeetoflaggardsarrivingechothroughthegreatnave。Theytrotinandjointheirregiments，gatheredundertheslantingsunbeams。Whataretheylearning?Isittruth?Thosetwograyladieswiththeirbooksintheirhandsinthemidstoftheselittlepeoplehavenodoubtofthetruthofeverywordtheyhaveprintedundertheireyes。Look，throughthewindowsjewelledalloverwithsaints，thelightcomesstreamingdownfromthesky，andheaven\'sownilluminationspaintthebook！Asweet，touchingpictureindeeditis，thatofthelittlechildrenassembledinthisimmensetemple，whichhasenduredforages，andgraveteachersbendingoverthem。Yes，thepictureisveryprettyofthechildrenandtheirteachers，andtheirbook——butthetext?Isitthetruth，theonlytruth，nothingbutthetruth?IfIthoughtso，Iwouldgoandsitdownontheformcumparvulis，andlearnthepreciouslessonwithallmyheart。
BEADLE——ButIsubmit，anobstacletoconversionsistheintrusionandimpertinenceofthatSwissfellowwiththebaldric——theofficerwhoanswerstothebeadleoftheBritishIslands，andispacingaboutthechurchwithaneyeonthecongregation。NowtheboastofCatholicsisthattheirchurchesareopentoall；butincertainplacesandchurchesthereareexceptions。AtRomeIhavebeenintoSt。Peter\'satallhours:thedoorsarealwaysopen，thelampsarealwaysburning，thefaithfulareforeverkneelingatoneshrineortheother。ButatAntwerpnotso。Intheafternoonyoucangotothechurch，andbecivillytreated；butyoumustpayafrancatthesidegate。Intheforenoonthedoorsareopen，tobesure，andthereisnoonetolevyanentrancefee。Iwasstandingeversostill，lookingthroughthegreatgatesofthechoiratthetwinklinglights，andlisteningtothedistantchantsofthepriestsperformingtheservice，whenasweetchorusfromtheorgan-loftbrokeoutbehindmeoverhead，andIturnedround。Myfriendthedrum-majorecclesiasticwasdownuponmeinamoment。“Donotturnyourbacktothealtarduringdivineservice，“sayshe，inveryintelligibleEnglish。Itaketherebuke，andturnasoftright-
aboutface，andlistenawhileastheservicecontinues。SeeitI
cannot，northealtaranditsministrants。Weareseparatedfromthesebyagreatscreenandclosedgatesofiron，throughwhichthelampsglitterandthechantcomesbygustsonly。Seeingascoreofchildrentrottingdownasideaisle，IthinkImayfollowthem。I
amtiredoflookingatthathideousoldpulpitwithitsgrotesquemonstersanddecorations。Islipofftothesideaisle；butmyfriendthedrum-majorisinstantlyafterme——almostIthoughthewasgoingtolayhandsonme。“Youmustn\'tgothere，“sayshe；“youmustn\'tdisturbtheservice。”Iwasmovingasquietlyasmightbe，andtenpacesoffthereweretwentychildrenkickingandclatteringattheirease。IpointthemouttotheSwiss。“Theycometopray，“
sayshe。“YOUdon\'tcometopray，you——““WhenIcometopay，“
saysI，“Iamwelcome，“andwiththiswitheringsarcasm，Iwalkoutofchurchinahuff。Idon\'tenvythefeelingsofthatbeadleafterreceivingpointblanksuchastrokeofwit。
LEOBELGICUS——PerhapsyouwillsayafterthisIamaprejudicedcritic。Iseethepicturesinthecathedralfumingundertherudenessofthatbeadle，oratthelawfulhoursandprices，pesteredbyaswarmofshabbytouters，whocomebehindmechatteringinbadEnglish，andwhowouldhavemeseethesightsthroughtheirmean，greedyeyes。BetterseeRubensanywherethaninachurch。AttheAcademy，forexample，whereyoumaystudyhimatyourleisure。Butatchurch?——IwouldassoonaskAlexandreDumasforasermon。
Eitherwouldpaintyouamartyrdomveryfiercelyandpicturesquely——
writhingmuscles，flamingcoals，scowlingcaptainsandexecutioners，swarminggroups，andlight，shade，colormostdexterouslybrilliantordark；butinRubensIamadmiringtheperformerratherthanthepiece。Withwhatastonishingrapidityhetravelsoverhiscanvas；
howtellinglythecoollightsandwarmshadowsaremadetocontrastandrelieveeachother；howthatblazing，blowsypenitentinyellowsatinandglitteringhaircarriesdownthestreamoflightacrossthepicture！Thisisthewaytowork，myboys，andearnahundredflorinsaday。See！Iamassureofmylineasaskaterofmakinghisfigureofeight！anddownwithasweepgoesabrawnyarmoraflowingcurlofdrapery。Thefiguresarrangethemselvesasifbymagic。Thepaint-potsareexhaustedinfurnishingbrownshadows。
Thepupilslookwonderingon，asthemastercareersoverthecanvas。
IsabelorHelena，wifeNo。1orNo。2，aresittingby，buxom，exuberant，readytobepainted；andthechildrenareboxinginthecorner，waitingtilltheyarewantedtofigureascherubsinthepicture。Graveburghersandgentlefolkscomeinonavisit。ThereareoystersandRhenishalwaysreadyonyondertable。Wasthereeversuchapainter?Hehasbeenanambassador，anactualExcellency，andwhatbettermancouldbechosen?Hespeaksallthelanguages。Heearnsahundredflorinsaday。Prodigious！Thirty-
sixthousandfivehundredflorinsayear。Enormous！Heridesouttohiscastlewithascoreofgentlemenafterhim，liketheGovernor。ThatishisownportraitasSt。George。YouknowheisanEnglishknight?ThosearehistwowivesasthetwoMaries。Hechoosesthehandsomestwives。Heridesthehandsomesthorses。Hepaintsthehandsomestpictures。Hegetsthehandsomestpricesforthem。ThatslimyoungVanDyck，whowashispupil，hasgeniustoo，andispaintingallthenobleladiesinEngland，andturningtheheadsofsomeofthem。AndJordaens——whatadrolldogandcleverfellow！HaveyouseenhisfatSilenus?Themasterhimselfcouldnotpaintbetter。Andhisaltar-pieceatSt。Bavon\'s?Hecanpaintyouanything，thatJordaenscan——adrunkenjollificationofboorsanddoxies，oramartyrhowlingwithhalfhisskinoff。Whataknowledgeofanatomy！Butthereisnothinglikethemaster——
nothing。Hecanpaintyouhisthirty-sixthousandfivehundredflorins\'worthayear。HaveyouheardofwhathehasdonefortheFrenchCourt?Prodigious！Ican\'tlookatRubens\'spictureswithoutfancyingIseethathandsomefigureswaggeringbeforethecanvas。AndHansHemmelinckatBruges?HaveyouneverseenthatdearoldhospitalofSt。John，onpassingthegateofwhichyouenterintothefifteenthcentury?Iseethewoundedsoldierstilllingeringinthehouse，andtendedbythekindgraysisters。Hislittlepanelonitseaselisplacedatthelight。Hecovershisboardwiththemostwondrous，beautifullittlefigures，inrobesasbrightasrubiesandamethysts。Ithinkhemusthaveamagicglass，inwhichhecatchesthereflectionoflittlecherubswithmany-
coloredwings，verylittleandbright。Angels，inlongcrisprobesofwhite，surroundedwithhalosofgold，comeandflutteracrossthemirror，andhedrawsthem。Hehearsmasseveryday。HefaststhroughLent。NomonkismoreaustereandholythanHans。Whichdoyoulovebesttobehold，thelamborthelion?theeaglerushingthroughthestorm，andpouncingmayhaponcarrion；orthelinnetwarblingonthespray?
BymuchthemostdelightfuloftheChristophersetofRubenstomymind(andegoisintroducedontheseoccasions，sothattheopinionmaypassonlyformyown，atthereader\'shumbleservicetobereceivedordeclined，)isthe“PresentationintheTemple:“splendidincolor，insentimentsweetandtender，finelyconveyingthestory。
Tobesure，alltheotherstelltheirtaleunmistakably——witnessthatcoarse“Salutation，“thatmagnificent“AdorationoftheKings“
(attheMuseum)，bythesamestrongdownrighthands；thatwonderful“CommunionofSt。Francis，“which，Ithink，givesthekeytotheartist\'sfairebetterthananyofhisperformances。Ihavepassedhoursbeforethatpictureinmytime，tryingandsometimesfancyingIcouldunderstandbywhatmassesandcontraststheartistarrivedathiseffect。Inmanyothersofthepicturespartsofhismethodarepainfullyobvious，andyouseehowgriefandagonyareproducedbybluelips，andeyesrollingbloodshotwithdabsofvermilion。
Thereissomethingsimpleinthepractice。Contorttheeyebrowsufficiently，andplacetheeyeballnearit，——byafewlinesyouhaveangerorfiercenessdepicted。Givemeamouthwithnospecialexpression，andpopadabofcarmineateachextremity——andtherearethelipssmiling。Thisisartifyouwill，butaverynaivekindofart:andnowyouknowthetrick，don\'tyouseehoweasyitis?
TUQUOQUE——Nowyouknowthetrick，supposeyoutakeacanvasandseewhetherYOUcandoit?Therearebrushes，palettes，andgallipotsfullofpaintandvarnish。Haveyoutried，mydearsir——
youwhosetuptobeaconnoisseur?Haveyoutried?Ihave——andmanyaday。Andtheendoftheday\'slabor?Odismalconclusion！
Isthispuerileniggling，thisfeeblescrawl，thisimpotentrubbish，allyoucanproduce——you，whobutnowfoundRubenscommonplaceandvulgar，andwerepointingoutthetricksofhismystery?Pardon，O
greatchief，magnificentmasterandpoet！YoucanDO。Wecritics，whosneerandarewise，canbutpry，andmeasure，anddoubt，andcarp。Lookatthelion。Didyoueverseesuchagross，shaggy，mangy，roaringbrute?Lookathimeatinglumpsofrawmeat——
positivelybleeding，andrawandtough——till，faugh！itturnsone\'sstomachtoseehim——Othecoarsewretch！Yes，butheisalion。
Rubenshasliftedhisgreathand，andthemarkhehasmadehasenduredfortwocenturies，andwestillcontinuewonderingathim，andadmiringhim。Whatastrengthinthatarm！Whatsplendorofwillhiddenbehindthattawnybeard，andthosehonesteyes！Sharpenyourpen，mygoodcritic，shootafeatherintohim；hithim，andmakehimwince。Yes，youmayhithimfair，andmakehimbleed，too；
but，forallthat，heisalion——amighty，conquering，generous，rampageousLeoBelgicus——monarchofhiswood。Andheisnotdeadyet，andIwillnotkickathim。
SIRANTONY——Inthat“Pieta“ofVanDyck，intheMuseum，haveyoueverlookedattheyellow-robedangel，withtheblackscarfthrownoverherwingsandrobe?Whatacharmingfigureofgriefandbeauty！Whataprettycompassionitinspires！Itsoothesandpleasesmelikeasweetrhythmicchant。Seehowdelicatelytheyellowrobecontrastswiththeblueskybehind，andthescarfbindsthetwo！IfRubenslackedgrace，VanDyckaboundedinit。Whataconsummateelegance！Whataperfectcavalier！NowonderthefineladiesinEnglandadmiredSirAntony。Lookat——
Heretheclockstrikesthree，andthethreegendarmeswhokeeptheMuseecryout，“Allons！Sortons！Ilesttroisheures！Allez！
Sortez！“andtheyskipoutofthegalleryashappyasboysrunningfromschool。Andwemustgotoo，forthoughmanystaybehind——manyBritonswithMurray\'sHandbooksintheirhandsomehands——theyhavepaidafrancforentrance-fee，yousee；andweknewnothingaboutthefrancforentranceuntilthosegendarmeswithsheathedsabreshaddrivenusoutofthisParadise。
Butitwasgoodtogoanddriveonthegreatquays，andseetheshipsunlading，andbythecitadel，andwonderhowaboutsandwhereaboutsitwassostrong。WeexpectacitadeltolooklikeGibraltarorEhrenbreitsteinatleast。Butinthisonethereisnothingtoseebutaflatplainandsomeditches，andsometrees，andmoundsofuninterestinggreen。AndthenIrememberhowtherewasaboyatschool，alittledumpyfellowofnopersonalappearancewhatever，whocouldn\'tbeovercomeexceptbyamuchbiggerchampion，andtheimmensestquantityofthrashing。Aperfectcitadelofaboy，withaGeneralChassesittinginthatbomb-proofcasemate，hisheart，lettingblowafterblowcomethumpingabouthishead，andneverthinkingofgivingin。
Andwegohome，andwedineinthecompanyofBritons，atthecomfortableHotelduParc，andwehaveboughtanovelapieceforashilling，andeveryhalf-hourthesweetcarillonplaysthewaltzfromDinorahintheair。Andwehavebeenhappy；anditseemsaboutamonthsinceweleftLondonyesterday；andnobodyknowswhereweare，andwedefycareandthepostman。
SPOORWEG——Vastgreenflats，speckledbyspottedcows，andboundbyagrayfrontierofwindmills；shiningcanalsstretchingthroughthegreen；odorslikethoseexhaledfromtheThamesinthedog-days，andafinepervadingsmellofcheese；littletrimhouses，withtallroofs，andgreatwindowsofmanypanes；gazebos，orsummer-houses，hangingoverpea-greencanals；kind-looking，dumpling-facedfarmers\'
women，withlacedcapsandgoldenfrontletsandearrings；aboutthehousesandtownswhichwepassagreatairofcomfortandneatness；
aqueerfeelingofwonderthatyoucan\'tunderstandwhatyourfellow-passengersaresaying，thetoneofwhosevoices，andacertaincomfortabledowdinessofdress，aresolikeourown；——whilstweareremarkingonthesesights，sounds，smells，thelittlerailwayjourneyfromRotterdamtotheHaguecomestoanend。IspeaktotherailwayportersandhackneycoachmeninEnglish，andtheyreplyintheirownlanguage，anditseemssomehowasifweunderstoodeachotherperfectly。Thecarriagedrivestothehandsome，comfortable，cheerfulhotel。Wesitdownascoreatthetable；andthereisoneforeignerandhiswife，——ImeaneveryothermanandwomanatdinnerareEnglish。Asweareclosetothesea，andinthemidstofendlesscanals，wehavenofish。WeareremindedofdearEnglandbythenoblepriceswhichwepayforwines。IconfessIlostmytemperyesterdayatRotterdam，whereIhadtopayaflorinforabottleofale(thewaternotbeingdrinkable，andcountryorBavarianbeernotbeinggenteelenoughforthehotel)；——Iconfess，Isay，thatmyfinetemperwasruffled，whenthebottleofpalealeturnedouttobeapintbottle；andImeeklytoldthewaiterthatIhadboughtbeeratJerusalematalessprice。ButthenRotterdamiseighteenhoursfromLondon，andthesteamerwiththepassengersandbeercomesuptothehotelwindows；whilsttoJerusalemtheyhavetocarrythealeoncamels\'backsfromBeyroutorJaffa，andthroughhordesofmaraudingArabs，whoevidentlydon\'tcareforpaleale，thoughIamtolditisnotforbiddenintheKoran。Minewouldhavebeenverygood，butIchokedwithragewhilstdrinkingit。Aflorinforabottle，andthatbottlehavingthewords“imperialpint，“inboldrelief，onthesurface！Itwastoomuch。Iintendednottosayanythingaboutit；butIMUSTspeak。Aflorinabottle，andthatbottleapint！Oh，forshame！forshame！Ican\'tcorkdownmyindignation；Ifrothupwithfury；Iampalewithwrath，andbitterwithscorn。
Aswedrovethroughtheoldcityatnight，howitswarmedandhummedwithlife！Whataspecialclatter，crowd，andoutcrytherewasintheJewishquarter，wheremyriadsofyoungonesweretrottingaboutthefishystreet！Whydon\'ttheyhavelamps?Wepassedbycanalsseemingsofullthatapailfulofwatermorewouldoverflowtheplace。Thelaquais-de-placecallsoutthenamesofthebuildings:
thetown-hall，thecathedral，thearsenal，thesynagogue，thestatueofErasmus。Getalong！WEknowthestatueofErasmuswellenough。
Wepassoverdrawbridgesbycanalswherethousandsofbargesareatroost。Atroost——atrest！ShallWEhaverestinthosebedrooms，thoseancientloftybedrooms，inthatinnwherewehavetopayaflorinforapintofpa——psha！atthe“NewBathHotel“ontheBoompjes?Ifthisdrearyedificeisthe“NewBath，“whatmusttheOldBathbelike?AsIfearedtogotobed，Isatinthecoffee-
roomaslongasImight；butthreeyoungmenwereimpartingtheirprivateadventurestoeachotherwithsuchfreedomandlivelinessthatIfeltIoughtnottolistentotheirartlessprattle。AsI
putthelightout，andfeltthebedclothesanddarknessoverwhelmme，itwaswithanawfulsenseofterror——thatsortofsensationwhichIshouldthinkgoingdowninadiving-bellwouldgive。
Supposetheapparatusgoeswrong，andtheydon\'tunderstandyoursignaltomount?Supposeyourmatchesmissfirewhenyouwake；whenyouWANTthem，whenyouwillhavetoriseinhalfanhour，anddobattlewiththehorridenemywhocrawlsonyouinthedarkness?I
protestIneverwasmoresurprisedthanwhenIwokeandbeheldthelightofdawn。Indianbirdsandstrangetreeswerevisibleontheancientgilthangingsoftheloftychamber，andthroughthewindowstheBoompjesandtheshipsalongthequay。Wehaveallreadofdesertersbeingbroughtout，andmadetokneel，withtheireyesbandaged，andhearingthewordto“Fire“givenIdeclareIunderwentalltheterrorsofexecutionthatnight，andwonderhowIeverescapedunwounded。
ButifeverIgotothe“BathHotel，“Rotterdam，again，IamaDutchman。Aguilderforabottleofpaleale，andthatbottleapint！Ah！forshame——forshame！
MINEEASEINMINEINN——Doyouobjecttotalkaboutinns?Italwaysseemstometobeverygoodtalk。WalterScottisfullofinns。In“DonQuixote“and“GilBlas“thereisplentyofinn-talk。Sterne，Fielding，andSmollettconstantlyspeakaboutthem；and，intheirtravels，thelasttwototupthebill，anddescribethedinnerquitehonestly；whilstMr。Sternebecomessentimentaloveracab，andweepsgeneroustearsoveradonkey。
HowIadmireandwonderattheinformationinMurray\'sHandbooks——
wonderhowitisgot，andadmirethetravellerswhogetit。Forinstance，youread:Amiens(pleaseselectyourtowns)，60，000
inhabitants。Hotels，&c——“Liond\'Or，“goodandclean。“LeLiond\'Argent，“soso。“LeLionNoir，“bad，dirty，anddear。Nowsay，therearethreetravellers——threeinn-inspectors，whoaresentforthbyMr。Murrayonagreatcommission，andwhostopateveryinnintheworld。Theeldestgoestothe“Liond\'Or“——capitalhouse，goodtable-d\'hote，excellentwine，moderatecharges。Thesecondcommissionertriesthe“SilverLion“——tolerablehouse，bed，dinner，billandsoforth。ButfancyCommissionerNo。3——thepoorfag，doubtless，andbootsoftheparty。Hehastogotothe“LionNoir。”
Heknowsheistohaveabaddinner——heeatsituncomplainingly。Heistohavebadwine。Heswallowsit，grindinghiswretchedteeth，andawarethathewillheunwellinconsequence。Heknowsheistohaveadirtybed，andwhatheistoexpectthere。Hepopsoutthecandle。Hesinksintothosedingysheets。Hedeliversoverhisbodytothenightlytormentors，hepaysanexorbitantbill，andhewritesdown，“LionNoir，bad，dirty，dear。”NextdaythecommissionsetsoutforArras，wewillsay，andtheybeginagain:“LeCochond\'Or，““LeCochond\'Argent，““LeCochonNoir“——andthatispoorBoots\'sinn，ofcourse。Whatalifethatpoormanmustlead！Whathorrorsofdinnershehastogothrough！Whatahidehemusthave！
Andyetnotimpervious；forunlessheisbitten，howishetobeabletowarnothers?No:onsecondthoughts，youwillperceivethatheoughttohaveaverydelicateskin。Themonstersoughttotrooptohimeagerly，andbitehiminstantaneouslyandfreely，sothathemaybeabletowarnallfuturehandbookbuyersoftheirdanger。I
fancythismandevotinghimselftodanger，todirt，tobaddinners，tosourwine，todampbeds，tomidnightagonies，toextortionatebills。Iadmirehim，Ithankhim。Thinkofthischampion，whodevoteshisbodyforus——thisdauntlessgladiatorgoingtodobattlealoneinthedarkness，withnootherarmorthanalighthelmetofcotton，andaloricaofcalico。Ipityandhonorhim。Go，Spartacus！Go，devotedman——tobleed，togroan，tosuffer——andsmileinsilenceasthewildbeastsassailthee！
HowdidIcomeintothistalk?Iprotestitwasthewordinnsetmeoff——andhereisone，the“HoteldeBelleVue，“attheHague，ascomfortable，ashandsome，ascheerfulasanyIevertookmineeasein。AndtheBavarianbeer，mydearfriend，howgoodandbriskandlightitis！Takeanotherglass——itrefreshesanddoesnotstupefy——
andthenwewillsallyout，andseethetownandtheparkandthepictures。
Theprettiestlittlebrickcity，thepleasantestlittleparktoridein，theneatestcomfortablepeoplewalkingabout，thecanalsnotunsweet，andbusyandpicturesquewithold-worldlife。Rowsuponrowsofhouses，builtwiththeneatestlittlebricks，withwindowsfreshpainted，andtalldoorspolished，andcarvedtoanicety。
Whatapleasantspaciousgardenourinnhas，allsparklingwithautumnflowersandbedizenedwithstatues！Attheendisarowoftrees，andasummer-house，overthecanal，whereyoumightgoandsmokeapipewithMynheerVanDunck，andquitecheerfullycatchtheague。Yesterday，aswepassed，theyweremakinghay，andstackingitinabargewhichwaslyingbythemeadow，handy。RoundaboutKensingtonPalacetherearehouses，roofs，chimneys，andbrickslikethese。IfeelthataDutchmanisamanandabrother。Itisveryfunnytoreadthenewspaper，onecanunderstanditsomehow。Sureitistheneatest，gayestlittlecity——scoresandhundredsofmansionslookinglikeCheyneWalk，ortheladies\'schoolsaboutChiswickandHackney。
LEGROSLOT——Toafewluckymenthechancebefallsofreachingfameatonce，and(ifitisofanyprofitmorituro)retainingtheadmirationoftheworld。DidpoorOliver，whenhewasatLeydenyonder，everthinkthatheshouldpaintalittlepicturewhichshouldsecurehimtheapplauseandpityofallEuropeforacenturyafter?HeandSternedrewthetwentythousandprizeoffame。Thelatterhadsplendidinstalmentsduringhislifetime。Theladiespressedroundhim；thewitsadmiredhim，thefashionhailedthesuccessorofRabelais。Goldsmith\'slittlegemwashardlysovalueduntillaterdays。TheirworksstillformthewonderanddelightoftheloversofEnglishart；andthepicturesoftheVicarandUncleTobyareamongthemasterpiecesofourEnglishschool。HereintheHagueGalleryisPaulPotter\'spale，eagerface，andyonderisthemagnificentworkbywhichtheyoungfellowachievedhisfame。Howdidyou，soyoung，cometopaintsowell?Whathiddenpowerlayinthatweaklyladthatenabledhimtoachievesuchawonderfulvictory?CouldlittleMozart，whenhewasfiveyearsold，tellyouhowhecametoplaythosewonderfulsonatas?Potterwasgoneoutoftheworldbeforehewasthirty，butleftthisprodigy(andIknownothowmanymorespecimensofhisgeniusandskill)behindhim。
Thedetailsofthisadmirablepictureareascuriousastheeffectisadmirableandcomplete。Theweatherbeingunsettled，andcloudsandsunshineinthegustysky，wesawinourlittletournumberlessPaulPotters——themeadowsstreakedwithsunshineandspottedwiththecattle，thecitytwinklinginthedistance，thethundercloudsgloomingoverhead。Napoleoncarriedoffthepicture(videMurray)
amongstthespoilsofhisbowandspeartodecoratehistriumphoftheLouvre。IfIwereaconqueringprince，Iwouldhavethispicturecertainly，andtheRaphael“Madonna“fromDresden，andtheTitian“Assumption“fromVenice，andthatmatchlessRembrandtofthe“Dissection。”Theprostratenationswouldhowlwithrageasmygendarmestookoffthepictures，nicelypacked，andaddressedto“Mr。theDirectorofmyImperialPalaceoftheLouvre，atParis。
Thissideuppermost。”TheAustrians，Prussians，Saxons，Italians，&c。，shouldbefreetocomeandvisitmycapital，andbleatwithtearsbeforethepicturestornfromtheirnativecities。Theirambassadorswouldmeeklyremonstrate，andwithfadedgrinsmakeallusionstothefeelingofdespairoccasionedbytheabsenceofthebelovedworksofart。Bah！IwouldofferthemapinchofsnuffoutofmyboxasIwalkedalongmygallery，withtheirExcellenciescringingafterme。Zenobiawasafinewomanandaqueen，butshehadtowalkinAurelian\'striumph。Theprocedewaspeudelicat?Enusezvous，monchermonsieur！(Themarquissaysthe“Macaba“isdelicious。)Whatasplendorofcolorthereisinthatcloud！Whatarichness，whatafreedomofhandling，andwhatamarvellousprecision！ItroduponyourExcellency\'scorn?——athousandpardons。
HisExcellencygrinsanddeclaresthatheratherlikestohavehiscornstroddenon。WereyoueververyangrywithSoult——aboutthatMurillowhichwehavebought?Theveteranlovedthatpicturebecauseitsavedthelifeofafellow-creature——thefellow-creaturewhohidit，andwhomtheDukeintendedtohangunlessthepicturewasforthcoming。
Wegaveseveralthousandpoundsforit——howmanythousand?Aboutitsmeritisaquestionoftastewhichwewillnothereargue。IfyouchoosetoplaceMurillointhefirstclassofpainters，foundinghisclaimupontheseVirginaltar-pieces，Iamyourhumbleservant。
TomMoorepaintedaltar-piecesaswellasMilton，andwarbledSacredSongsandLovesoftheAngelsafterhisfashion。IwonderdidWatteauevertryhistoricalsubjects?AndasforGreuze，youknowthathisheadswillfetch1，000L。，1，500L。，2，000L——asmuchasaSevres“cabaret“ofRoseduBarri。Ifcostpriceistobeyourcriterionofworth，whatshallwesaytothatlittlereceiptfor10L。forthecopyrightof“ParadiseLost，“whichusedtohanginoldMr。Rogers\'sroom?Whenlivingpainters，asfrequentlyhappensinourdays，seetheirpicturessoldatauctionsforfourorfivetimesthesumswhichtheyoriginallyreceived，aretheyenragedorelated?
Ahundredyearsagothestateofthepicture-marketwasdifferent:
thatdrearyoldItalianstockwasmuchhigherthanatpresent；
Rembrandthimself，acloseman，wasknowntobeindifficulties。Ifghostsarefondofmoneystill，whatawrathhismustbeatthepresentvalueofhisworks！
TheHagueRembrandtisthegreatestandgrandestofallhispiecestomymind。SomeoftheheadsareassweetlyandlightlypaintedasGainsborough；thefacesnotugly，butdelicateandhigh-bred；theexquisitegraytonesarecharmingtomarkandstudy；theheadsnotplastered，butpaintedwithafree，liquidbrush:theresult，oneofthegreatvictorieswonbythisconsummatechief，andleftforthewonderanddelightofsucceedingages。
Thehumblestvolunteerintheranksofart，whohasservedacampaignortwoeversoingloriously，hasatleastthisgoodfortuneofunderstanding，orfancyingheisabletounderstand，howthebattlehasbeenfought，andhowtheengagedgeneralwonit。ThisistheRhinelander\'smostbrilliantachievement——victoryalongthewholeline。The“Night-watch“atAmsterdamismagnificentinparts，butonthesidetothespectator\'sright，smokyanddim。The“FiveMastersoftheDrapers“iswonderfulfordepth，strength，brightness，massivepower。Whatwordsarethesetoexpressapicture！todescribeadescription！Ioncesawamoonridingintheskyserenely，attendedbyhersparklingmaidsofhonor，andalittleladysaid，withanairofgreatsatisfaction，“IMUSTSKETCHIT。”
Ah，mydearlady，ifwithanH。B。，aBristolboard，andabitofindia-rubber，youcansketchthestarryfirmamentonhigh，andthemooninherglory，Imakeyoumycompliment！Ican\'tsketch“TheFiveDrapers“withanyinkorpenatpresentatcommand——butcanlookwithallmyeyes，andbethankfultohaveseensuchamasterpiece。
Theysayhewasamoody，ill-conditionedman，theoldtenantofthemill。Whatdoeshethinkofthe“VanderHelst“whichhangsoppositehis“Night-watch，“andwhichisoneofthegreatpicturesoftheworld?ItisnotpaintedbysogreatamanasRembrandt；butthereitis——toseeitisaneventofyourlife。Havingbeheldityouhavelivedintheyear1648，andcelebratedthetreatyofMunster。
YouhaveshakenthehandsoftheDutchGuardsmen，eatenfromtheirplatters，drunktheirRhenish，heardtheirjokes，astheywaggedtheirjollybeards。TheAmsterdamCataloguediscoursesthusaboutit:——amodelcatalogue:itgivesyouthepricespaid，thesignaturesofthepainters，asuccinctdescriptionofthework。
“Thismasterpiecerepresentsabanquetofthecivicguard，whichtookplaceonthe18thJune，1648，intimegreathalloftheSt。
JorisDoele，ontheSingelatAmsterdam，tocelebratetheconclusionofthePeaceatMunster。Thethirty-fivefigurescomposingthepictureareallportraits。
“\'TheCaptainWITSE\'isplacedattheheadofthetable，andattractsourattentionfirst。Heisdressedinblackvelvet，hisbreastcoveredwithacuirass，onhisheadabroad-brimmedblackhatwithwhiteplumes。Heiscomfortablyseatedonachairofblackoak，withavelvetcushion，andholdsinhislefthand，supportedonhisknee，amagnificentdrinking-horn，surroundedbyaSt。Georgedestroyingthedragon，andornamentedwitholive-leaves。Thecaptain\'sfeaturesexpresscordialityandgood-humor；heisgraspingthehandof\'LieutenantVANWAVERN\'seatednearhim，inahabitofdarkgray，withlaceandbuttonsofgold，lace-collarandwristbands，hisfeetcrossed，withbootsofyellowleather，withlargetops，andgoldspurs，onhisheadablackhatanddark-brownplumes。Behindhimatthecentreofthepicture，isthestandard-bearer，\'JACOB
BANNING，\'inaneasymartialattitude，hatinhand，hisrighthandonhischair，hisrightlegonhisleftknee。Heholdstheflagofbluesilk，inwhichtheVirginisembroidered，(suchasilk！suchaflag！suchapieceofpainting！)emblematicofthetownofAmsterdam。
Thebannercovershisshoulder，andhelookstowardsthespectatorfranklyandcomplacently。
“Themanbehindhimisprobablyoneofthesergeants。Hisheadisbare。Hewearsacuirass，andyellowgloves，graystockings，andbootswithlargetops，andkneecapsofcloth。Hehasanapkinonhisknees，andinhishandapieceofham，asliceofbread，andaknife。Theoldmanbehindisprobably\'WILLIAMTHEDRUMMER。\'Hehashishatinhisrighthand，andinhisleftagold-footedwineglass，filledwithwhitewine。Hewearsaredscarf，andablacksatindoublet，withlittleslashesofyellowsilk。Behindthedrummer，twomatchlock-menareseatedattheendofthetable。Oneinalargeblackhabit，anapkinonhisknee，ahausse-colofiron，andalinenscarfandcollar。Heiseatingwithhisknife。Theotherholdsalongglassofwhitewine。Fourmusketeers，withdifferentshapedhats，arebehindthese，oneholdingaglass，thethreeotherswiththeirgunsontheirshoulders。Otherguestsareplacedbetweenthepersonagewhoisgivingthetoastandthestandard-bearer。Onewithhishatoff，andhishanduplifted，istalkingtoanother。Thesecondiscarvingafowl。Athirdholdsasilverplate；andanother，inthebackground，asilverflagon，fromwhichhefillsacup。Thecornerbehindthecaptainisfilledbytwoseatedpersonages，oneofwhomispeelinganorange。Twoothersarestanding，armedwithhalberts，ofwhomoneholdsaplumedhat。
Behindhimareotherthreeindividuals，oneofthemholdingapewterpot，onwhichthename\'Poock，\'thelandlordofthe\'HotelDoele，\'
isengraved。Attheback，amaid-servantiscominginwithapasty，crownedwithaturkey。Mostoftheguestsarelisteningtothecaptain。Fromanopenwindowinthedistance，thefacadesoftwohousesareseen，surmountedbystonefiguresofsheep。”
There，nowyouknowallaboutit:nowyoucangohomeandpaintjustsuchanother。Ifyoudo，doprayremembertopaintthehandsofthefiguresastheyareheredepicted；theyareaswonderfulportraitsasthefaces。NoneofyourslimVanDyckelegancies，whichhavedonedutyatthecuffsofsomanydoublets；buteachmanwithahandforhimself，aswithafaceforhimself。Iblushedforthecoarsenessofoneofthechiefsinthisgreatcompany，thatfellowbehind“WILLIAMTHEDRUMMER，“splendidlyattired，sittingfullinthefaceofthepublic；andholdingapork-boneinhishand。
SupposetheSaturdayReviewcriticweretocomesuddenlyonthispicture?Ah！whatashockitwouldgivethatnoblenature！Whyisthatknuckleofporknotpaintedout?atanyrate，whyisnotalittlefringeoflacepaintedroundit?oracutpinkpaper?orcouldn\'tasmelling-bottlebepaintedininstead，withacrestandagoldtop，oracambricpocket-handkerchief，inlieuofthehorridpig，withapinkcoronetinthecorner?orsupposeyoucoveredtheman\'shand(whichisverycoarseandstrong)，andgavehimthedecencyofakidglove?Butapieceofporkinanakedhand?O
nervesandeaudeCologne，hideit，hideit！
Inspiteofthislamentablecoarseness，mynoblesergeant，givemethyhandasnaturemadeit！Agreat，andfamous，andnoblehandiworkIhaveseenhere。Notthegreatestpictureintheworld——
notaworkofthehighestgenius——butaperformancesogreat，various，andadmirable，soshrewdofhumor，sowiseofobservation，sohonestandcompleteofexpression，thattohaveseenithasbeenadelight，andtorememberitwillbeapleasurefordaystocome。
Welldone，BartholomeusVanderHelst！Brave，meritorious，victorious，happyBartholomew，towhomithasbeengiventoproduceamasterpiece！
MayItakeoffmyhatandpayarespectfulcomplimenttoJanSteen，Esq。?Heisagloriouscomposer。HishumorisasfrankasFielding\'s。Lookathisownfiguresittinginthewindow-sillyonder，androaringwithlaughter！Whatatwinkleintheeyes！whatamouthitisforasong，orajoke，oranoggin！IthinkthecompositioninsomeofJan\'spicturesamountstothesublime，andlookatthemwiththesamedelightandadmirationwhichIhavefeltbeforeworksoftheveryhigheststyle。Thisgalleryisadmirable——
andthecityinwhichthegalleryis，isperhapsevenmorewonderfulandcurioustobeholdthanthegallery。
ThefirstlandingatCalais(or，Isuppose，onanyforeignshore)——
thefirstsightofanEasterncity——thefirstviewofVenice——andthisofAmsterdam，areamongthedelightfulshockswhichIhavehadasatraveller。AmsterdamisasgoodasVenice，withasuperaddedhumorandgrotesqueness，whichgivesthesight-seerthemostsingularzestandpleasure。ArunthroughPekinIcouldhardlyfancytobemoreodd，strange，andyetfamiliar。Thisrush，andcrowd，andprodigiousvitality；thisimmenseswarmoflife；thesebusywaters，crowdingbarges，swingingdrawbridges，piledancientgables，spaciousmarketsteemingwithpeople；thatever-wonderfulJews\'quarter；thatdearoldworldofpaintingandthepast，yetalive，andthrobbing，andpalpable——actual，andyetpassingbeforeyouswiftlyandstrangelyasadream！OfthemanyjourneysofthisRoundaboutlife，thatdrivethroughAmsterdamistobespeciallyandgratefullyremembered。YouhaveneverseenthepalaceofAmsterdam，mydearsir?Why，there\'samarblehallinthatpalacethatwillfrightenyouasmuchasanyhallinVathek，oranightmare。Atoneendofthatold，cold，glassy，glittering，ghostly，marblehalltherestandsathrone，onwhichawhitemarblekingoughttositwithhiswhitelegsgleamingdownintothewhitemarblebelow，andhiswhiteeyeslookingatagreatwhitemarbleAtlas，whobearsonhisicyshouldersablueglobeasbigasthefullmoon。Ifhewerenotagenie，andenchanted，andwithastrengthaltogetherhyperatlantean，hewoulddropthemoonwithashriekontothewhitemarblefloor，anditwouldsplitterintoperdition。Andthepalacewouldrock，andheave，andtumble；andthewaterswouldrise，rise，rise；andthegablessink，sink，sink；andthebargeswouldriseuptothechimneys；andthewater-soucheefisheswouldflapovertheBoompjes，wherethepigeonsandstorksusedtoperch；andtheAmster，andtheRotter，andtheSaar，andtheOp，andallthedamsofHollandwouldburst，andtheZuyderZeerolloverthedykes；andyouwouldwakeoutofyourdream，andfindyourselfsittinginyourarm-chair。
Wasitadream?itseemslikeone。HavewebeentoHolland?haveweheardthechimesatmidnightatAntwerp?Werewereallyawayforaweek，orhaveIbeensittingupintheroomdozing，beforethisstaleolddesk?Here\'sthedesk；yes。But，ifithasbeenadream，howcouldIhavelearnedtohumthattuneoutofDinorah?Ah，isitthattune，ormyselfthatIamhumming?Ifitwasadream，howcomesthisyellowNOTICEDESTABLEAUXDUMUSEED\'AMSTERDAMAVEC
FACSIMILEDESMONOGRAMMESbeforeme，andthissignatureofthegallantBARTHOLOMEUSVANDERHELST，FECITAo，1648。
Yes，indeed，itwasadelightfullittleholiday；itlastedawholeweek。WiththeexceptionofthatlittlepintofamarialiquidatRotterdam，wewereallveryhappy。Wemighthavegoneonbeinghappyforwhoeverknowshowmanydaysmore?aweekmore，tendaysmore:whoknowshowlongthatdearteetotumhappinesscanbemadetospinwithouttopplingover?
Butoneofthepartyhaddesiredletterstobesentposterestante，Amsterdam。Thepost-officeishardbythatawfulpalacewheretheAtlasis，andwhichwereallysaw。
Therewasonlyoneletter，yousee。Onlyonechanceoffindingus。
Thereitwas。“Theposthasonlythismomentcomein，“saysthesmirkingcommissioner。Andhehandsoverthepaper，thinkinghehasdonesomethingclever。
Beforetheletterhadbeenopened，IcouldreadCOMEBACK，asclearlyasifithadbeenpaintedonthewall。Itwasallover。
Thespellwasbroken。Thesprightlylittleholidayfairythathadfriskedandgambolledsokindlybesideusforeightdaysofsunshine——orrainwhichwasascheerfulassunshine——gaveapartingpiteouslook，andwhiskedawayandvanished。Andyonderscudsthepostman，andhereistheolddesk。
NILNISIBONUM。
AlmostthelastwordswhichSirWalterspoketoLockhart，hisbiographer，were，“Beagoodman，mydear！“andwiththelastflickerofbreathonhisdyinglips，hesighedafarewelltohisfamily，andpassedawayblessingthem。
Twomen，famous，admired，beloved，havejustleftus，theGoldsmithandtheGibbonofourtime。*Ereafewweeksareover，manyacritic\'spenwillbeatwork，reviewingtheirlives，andpassingjudgmentontheirworks。Thisisnoreview，orhistory，orcriticism:onlyawordintestimonyofrespectandregardfromamanofletters，whoowestohisownprofessionallaborthehonorofbecomingacquaintedwiththesetwoeminentliterarymen。OnewasthefirstambassadorwhomtheNewWorldofLetterssenttotheOld。
Hewasbornalmostwiththerepublic；thepaterpatriaehadlaidhishandonthechild\'shead。HeboreWashington\'sname:hecameamongstusbringingthekindestsympathy，themostartless，smilinggoodwill。Hisnewcountry(whichsomepeopleheremightbedisposedtoregardrathersuperciliously)couldsendus，asheshowedinhisownperson，agentleman，who，thoughhimselfborninnoveryhighsphere，wasmostfinished，polished，easy，witty，quiet；and，socially，theequalofthemostrefinedEuropeans。IfIrving\'swelcomeinEnglandwasakindone，wasitnotalsogratefullyremembered?Ifheateoursalt，didhenotpayuswithathankfulheart?Whocancalculatetheamountoffriendlinessandgoodfeelingforourcountrywhichthiswriter\'sgenerousanduntiringregardforusdisseminatedinhisown?Hisbooksarereadbymillions**ofhiscountrymen，whomhehastaughttoloveEngland，andwhytoloveher。Itwouldhavebeeneasytospeakotherwisethanhedid:toinflamenationalrancors，which，atthetimewhenhefirstbecameknownasapublicwriter，warhadjustrenewed:tocrydowntheoldcivilizationattheexpenseofthenew:topointoutourfaults，arrogance，short-comings，andgivetherepublictoinferhowmuchshewastheparentstate\'ssuperior。TherearewritersenoughintheUnitedStates，honestandotherwise，whopreachthatkindofdoctrine。ButthegoodIrving，thepeaceful，thefriendly，hadnoplaceforbitternessinhisheart，andnoschemebutkindness。ReceivedinEnglandwithextraordinarytendernessandfriendship(Scott，Southey，Byron，ahundredothershavebornewitnesstotheirlikingforhim)，hewasamessengerofgood-willandpeacebetweenhiscountryandours。“See，friends！“heseemstosay，“theseEnglisharenotsowicked，rapacious，callous，proud，asyouhavebeentaughttobelievethem。Iwentamongstthemahumbleman；wonmywaybymypen；and，whenknown，foundeveryhandheldouttomewithkindlinessandwelcome。Scottisagreatman，youacknowledge。DidnotScott\'sKingofEnglandgiveagoldmedaltohim，andanothertome，yourcountryman，andastranger?“
*WashingtonIrvingdied，November28，1859；LordMacaulaydied，December28，1859。
**SeehisLifeinthemostremarkableDictionaryofAuthors，publishedlatelyatPhiladelphia，byMr。Allibone。
TraditionintheUnitedStatesstillfondlyretainsthehistoryofthefeastsandrejoicingswhichawaitedIrvingonhisreturntohisnativecountryfromEurope。Hehadanationalwelcome；hestammeredinhisspeeches，hidhimselfinconfusion，andthepeoplelovedhimallthebetter。HehadworthilyrepresentedAmericainEurope。InthatyoungcommunityamanwhobringshomewithhimabundantEuropeantestimonialsisstilltreatedwithrespect(IhavefoundAmericanwriters，ofwide-worldreputation，strangelysolicitousabouttheopinionsofquiteobscureBritishcritics，andelatedordepressedbytheirjudgments)；andIrvingwenthomemedalledbytheKing，diplomatizedbytheUniversity，crownedandhonoredandadmired。Hehadnotinanywayintriguedforhishonors，hehadfairlywonthem；and，inIrving\'sinstance，asinothers，theoldcountrywasgladandeagertopaythem。
InAmericatheloveandregardforIrvingwasanationalsentiment。
Partywarsareperpetuallyragingthere，andarecarriedonbythepresswitharancorandfiercenessagainstindividualswhichexceedBritish，almostIrish，virulence。Itseemedtome，duringayear\'stravelinthecountry，asifnooneeveraimedablowatIrving。
Allmenheldtheirhandfromthatharmless，friendlypeacemaker。I
hadthegoodfortunetoseehimatNewYork，Philadelphia，Baltimore，andWashington，*andremarkedhowineveryplacehewashonoredandwelcome。Everylargecityhasits“IrvingHouse。”Thecountrytakesprideinthefameofitsmenofletters。ThegateofhisowncharminglittledomainonthebeautifulHudsonRiverwasforeverswingingbeforevisitorswhocametohim。Heshutoutnoone。**I
hadseenmanypicturesofhishouse，andreaddescriptionsofit，inbothofwhichitwastreatedwithanotunusualAmericanexaggeration。
Itwasbutaprettylittlecabinofaplace；thegentlemanofthepresswhotooknotesoftheplace，whilsthiskindoldhostwassleeping，mighthavevisitedthewholehouseinacoupleofminutes。
*AtWashington，Mr。Irvingcametoalecturegivenbythewriter，whichMr。FilmoreandGeneralPierce，thePresidentandPresidentElect，werealsokindenoughtoattendtogether。“TwoKingsofBrentfordsmellingatonerose，“saysIrving，lookingupwithhisgood-humoredsmile。
**Mr。Irvingdescribedtome，withthathumorandgood-humorwhichhealwayskept，how，amongstothervisitors，amemberoftheBritishpresswhohadcarriedhisdistinguishedpentoAmerica(whereheemployeditinvilifyinghisowncountry)cametoSunnyside，introducedhimselftoIrving，partookofhiswineandluncheon，andintwodaysdescribedMr。Irving，hishouse，hisnieces，hismeal，andhismannerofdozingafterwards，inaNewYorkpaper。Onanotheroccasion，Irvingsaid，laughing，“Twopersonscametome，andoneheldmeinconversationwhilsttheothermiscreanttookmyportrait！“
Andhowcameitthatthishousewassosmall，whenMr。Irving\'sbooksweresoldbyhundredsofthousands，nay，millions，whenhisprofitswereknowntobelarge，andthehabitsoflifeofthegoodoldbachelorwerenotoriouslymodestandsimple?Hehadlovedonceinhislife。Theladyheloveddied；andhe，whomalltheworldloved，neversoughttoreplaceher。Ican\'tsayhowmuchthethoughtofthatfidelityhastouchedme。Doesnottheverycheerfulnessofhisafterlifeaddtothepathosofthatuntoldstory?Togrievealwayswasnotinhisnature；or，whenhehadhissorrow，tobringalltheworldintocondolewithhimandbemoanit。
Deepandquiethelaystheloveofhisheart，andburiesit；andgrassandflowersgrowoverthescarredgroundinduetime。
Irvinghadsuchasmallhouseandsuchnarrowrooms，becausetherewasagreatnumberofpeopletooccupythem。Hecouldonlyaffordtokeeponeoldhorse(which，lazyandagedasitwas，managedonceortwicetorunawaywiththatcarelessoldhorseman)。HecouldonlyaffordtogiveplainsherrytothatamiableBritishparagraph-
mongerfromNewYork，whosawthepatriarchasleepoverhismodest，blamelesscup，andfetchedthepublicintohisprivatechambertolookathim。Irvingcouldonlyliveverymodestly，becausethewifeless，childlessmanhadanumberofchildrentowhomhewasasafather。Hehadasmanyasninenieces，Iamtold——Isawtwooftheseladiesathishouse——withallofwhomthedearoldmanhadsharedtheproduceofhislaborandgenius。
“Beagoodman，mydear。”Onecan\'tbutthinkoftheselastwordsoftheveteranChiefofLetters，whohadtastedandtestedthevalueofworldlysuccess，admiration，prosperity。WasIrvingnotgood，and，ofhisworks，wasnothislifethebestpart?Inhisfamily，gentle，generous，good-humored，affectionate，self-denying:insociety，adelightfulexampleofcompletegentlemanhood；quiteunspoiledbyprosperity；neverobsequioustothegreat(or，worsestill，tothebaseandmean，assomepublicmenareforcedtobeinhisandothercountries)eagertoacknowledgeeverycontemporary\'smerit；alwayskindandaffabletotheyoungmembersofhiscalling；
inhisprofessionalbargainsandmercantiledealingsdelicatelyhonestandgrateful；oneofthemostcharmingmastersofourlighterlanguage；theconstantfriendtousandournation；tomenoflettersdoublydear，notforhiswitandgeniusmerely，butasanexemplarofgoodness，probity，andpurelife:——Idon\'tknowwhatsortoftestimonialwillberaisedtohiminhisowncountry，wheregenerousandenthusiasticacknowledgmentofAmericanmeritisneverwanting:butIrvingwasinourserviceaswellastheirs；andastheyhaveplacedastoneatGreenwichyonderinmemoryofthatgallantyoungBellot，whosharedtheperilsandfateofsomeofourArcticseamen，IwouldliketohearofsomememorialraisedbyEnglishwritersandfriendsoflettersinaffectionateremembranceofthedearandgoodWashingtonIrving。
Asfortheotherwriter，whosedeparturemanyfriends，somefewmostdearly-lovedrelatives，andmultitudesofadmiringreadersdeplore，ourrepublichasalreadydecreedhisstatue，andhemusthaveknownthathehadearnedthisposthumoushonor。Heisnotapoetandmanoflettersmerely，butcitizen，statesman，agreatBritishworthy。
Almostfromthefirstmomentwhenheappears，amongstboys，amongstcollegestudents，amongstmen，heismarked，andtakesrankasagreatEnglishman。Allsortsofsuccessesareeasytohim:asaladhegoesdownintothearenawithothers，andwinsalltheprizestowhichhehasamind。Aplaceinthesenateisstraightwayofferedtotheyoungman。Hetakeshisseatthere；hespeaks，whensominded，withoutpartyangerorintrigue，butnotwithoutpartyfaithandasortofheroicenthusiasmforhiscause。Stillheispoetandphilosopherevenmorethanorator。Thathemayhaveleisureandmeanstopursuehisdarlingstudies，heabsentshimselfforawhile，andacceptsarichly-remunerativepostintheEast。Aslearnedamanmayliveinacottageoracollegecommon-room；butitalwaysseemedtomethatamplemeansandrecognizedrankwereMacaulay\'sasofright。YearsagotherewasawretchedoutcryraisedbecauseMr。
MacaulaydatedaletterfromWindsorCastle，wherehewasstaying。
Immortalgods！Wasthismannotafitguestforanypalaceintheworld?orafitcompanionforanymanorwomaninit?Idaresay，afterAusterlitz，theoldK。K。courtofficialsandfootmensneeredatNapoleonfordatingfromSchonbrunn。Butthatmiserable“WindsorCastle“outcryisanechooutoffast-retreatingold-worldremembrances。Theplaceofsuchanaturalchiefwasamongstthefirstoftheland；andthatcountryisbest，accordingtoourBritishnotionatleast，wherethemanofeminencehasthebestchanceofinvestinghisgeniusandintellect。
Ifacompanyofgiantsweregottogether，verylikelyoneortwoofthemeresix-feet-sixpeoplemightbeangryattheincontestablesuperiorityoftheverytallestoftheparty；andsoIhaveheardsomeLondonwits，ratherpeevishatMacaulay\'ssuperiority，complainthatheoccupiedtoomuchofthetalk，andsoforth。Nowthatwonderfultongueistospeaknomore，willnotmanyamangrievethathenolongerhasthechancetolisten?Torememberthetalkistowonder:tothinknotonlyofthetreasureshehadinhismemory，butofthetrifleshehadstoredthere，andcouldproducewithequalreadiness。AlmostonthelastdayIhadthefortunetoseehim，aconversationhappenedsuddenlytospringupaboutseniorwranglers，andwhattheyhaddoneinafterlife。Tothealmostterrorofthepersonspresent，Macaulaybeganwiththeseniorwranglerof1801-2-
3-4，andsoon，givingthenameofeach，andrelatinghissubsequentcareerandrise。Everymanwhohasknownhimhashisstoryregardingthatastonishingmemory。Itmaybethathewasnotillpleasedthatyoushouldrecognizeit；buttothoseprodigiousintellectualfeats，whichweresoeasytohim，whowouldgrudgehistributeofhomage?Histalkwas，inaword，admirable，andweadmiredit。
OfthenoticeswhichhaveappearedregardingLordMacaulay，uptothedaywhenthepresentlinesarewritten(the9thofJanuary)，thereadershouldnotdenyhimselfthepleasureoflookingespeciallyattwo。Itisagoodsignofthetimeswhensucharticlesasthese(I
meanthearticlesinThetimesandSaturdayReview)appearinourpublicprintsaboutourpublicmen。Theyeducateus，asitwere，toadmirerightly。Anuninstructedpersoninamuseumorataconcertmaypassbywithoutrecognizingapictureorapassageofmusic，whichtheconnoisseurbyhissidemayshowhimisamasterpieceofharmony，orawonderofartisticskill。Afterreadingthesepapersyoulikeandrespectmorethepersonyouhaveadmiredsomuchalready。AndsowithregardtoMacaulay\'sstyletheremaybefaultsofcourse——whatcriticcan\'tpointthemout?Butforthenoncewearenottalkingaboutfaults:wewanttosaynilnisibonum。Well——
takeathazardanythreepagesofthe“Essays“or“History；“——and，glimmeringbelowthestreamofthenarrative，asitwere，you，anaveragereader，seeone，two，three，ahalf-scoreofallusionstootherhistoricfacts，characters，literature，poetry，withwhichyouareacquainted。Whyisthisepithetused?Whenceisthatsimiledrawn?Howdoeshemanage，intwoorthreewords，topaintanindividual，ortoindicatealandscape?Yourneighbor，whohasHIS
reading，andhislittlestockofliteraturestowedawayinhismind，shalldetectmorepoints，allusions，happytouches，indicatingnotonlytheprodigiousmemoryandvastlearningofthismaster，butthewonderfulindustry，thehonest，humbleprevioustoilofthisgreatscholar。Hereadstwentybookstowriteasentence；hetravelsahundredmilestomakealineofdescription。
ManyLondoners——notall——haveseentheBritishMuseumLibrary。I
speakacoeurouvert，andpraythekindlyreadertobearwithme。I
haveseenallsortsofdomesofPetersandPauls，Sophia，Pantheon，——
whatnot?——andhavebeenstruckbynoneofthemsomuchasbythatcatholicdomeinBloomsbury，underwhichourmillionvolumesarehoused。Whatpeace，whatlove，whattruth，whatbeauty，whathappinessforall，whatgenerouskindnessforyouandme，areherespreadout！Itseemstomeonecannotsitdowninthatplacewithoutaheartfullofgratefulreverence。Iowntohavesaidmygraceatthetable，andtohavethankedheavenforthismyEnglishbirthright，freelytopartakeofthesebountifulbooks，andtospeakthetruthIfindthere。UnderthedomewhichheldMacaulay\'sbrain，andfromwhichhissolemneyeslookedoutontheworldbutafortnightsince，whatavast，brilliant，andwonderfulstoreoflearningwasranged！whatstrangelorewouldhenotfetchforyouatyourbidding！Avolumeoflaw，orhistory，abookofpoetryfamiliarorforgotten(exceptbyhimselfwhoforgotnothing)，anoveleversoold，andhehaditathand。Ispoketohimonceabout“Clarissa。”“Notread\'Clarissa！\'“hecriedout。“Ifyouhaveoncethoroughlyenteredon\'Clarissa\'andareinfectedbyit，youcan\'tleaveit。WhenIwasinIndiaIpassedonehotseasonatthehills，andthereweretheGovernor-General，andtheSecretaryofGovernment，andtheCommander-in-Chief，andtheirwives。Ihad\'Clarissa\'withme:and，assoonastheybegantoread，thewholestationwasinapassionofexcitementaboutMissHarloweandhermisfortunes，andherscoundrellyLovelace！TheGovernor\'swifeseizedthebook，andtheSecretarywaitedforit，andtheChiefJusticecouldnotreaditfortears！“Heactedthewholescene:hepacedupanddownthe“Athenaeum“library:Idaresayhecouldhavespokenpagesofthebook——ofthatbook，andofwhatcountlesspilesofothers！
Inthislittlepaperletuskeeptothetextofnilnisibonum。OnepaperIhavereadregardingLordMacaulaysays“hehadnoheart。”
Why，aman\'sbooksmaynotalwaysspeakthetruth，buttheyspeakhismindinspiteofhimself:anditseemstomethisman\'sheartisbeatingthrougheverypagehepenned。Heisalwaysinastormofrevoltandindignationagainstwrong，craft，tyranny。Howhecheersheroicresistance；howhebacksandapplaudsfreedomstrugglingforitsown；howhehatesscoundrels，eversovictoriousandsuccessful；
howherecognizesgenius，thoughselfishvillainspossessit！ThecriticwhosaysMacaulayhadnoheart，mightsaythatJohnsonhadnone:andtwomenmoregenerous，andmoreloving，andmorehating，andmorepartial，andmorenoble，donotliveinourhistory。ThosewhoknewLordMacaulayknewhowadmirablytenderandgenerous，*andaffectionatehewas。Itwasnothisbusinesstobringhisfamilybeforethetheatrefootlights，andcallforbouquetsfromthegalleryasheweptoverthem。
*Sincetheabovewaswritten，Ihavebeeninformedthatithasbeenfound，onexaminingLordMacaulay\'spapers，thathewasinthehabitofgivingawayMORETHANAFOURTHPARTofhisannualincome。
Ifanyyoungmanoflettersreadsthislittlesermon——andtohim，indeed，itisaddressed——Iwouldsaytohim，“BearScott\'swordsinyourmind，and\'begood，mydear。\'“Herearetwoliterarymengonetotheiraccount，and，lausDeo，asfarasweknow，itisfair，andopen，andclean。Hereisnoneedofapologiesforshortcomings，orexplanationsofviceswhichwouldhavebeenvirtuesbutforunavoidable&c。Herearetwoexamplesofmenmostdifferentlygifted:eachpursuinghiscalling；eachspeakinghistruthasGodbadehim；eachhonestinhislife；justandirreproachableinhisdealings；deartohisfriends；honoredbyhiscountry；belovedathisfireside。Ithasbeenthefortunatelotofbothtogiveincalculablehappinessanddelighttotheworld，whichthankstheminreturnwithanimmensekindliness，respect，affection。Itmaynotbeourchance，brotherscribe，tobeendowedwithsuchmerit，orrewardedwithsuchfame。ButtherewardsofthesemenarerewardspaidtoOURSERVICE。Wemaynotwinthebatonorepaulettes；butGodgiveusstrengthtoguardthehonoroftheflag！
ONHALFALOAF。
ALETTERTOMESSRS。BROADWAY，BATTERYANDCO。，OFNEWYORK，BANKERS。
Isitallover?Maywelockupthecaseofinstruments?Havewesignedourwills；settledupouraffairs；pretendedtotalkandrattlequitecheerfullytothewomenatdinner，sothattheyshouldnotbealarmed；sneakedawayundersomepretext，andlookedatthechildrensleepingintheirbedswiththeirlittleunconsciousthumbsintheirmonths，andaflushonthesoft-pillowedcheek；madeeveryarrangementwithColonelMacTurk，whoactsasoursecond，andknowstheotherprincipalagreatdealtoowelltothinkhewillevergivein；inventedamonstrousfigmentaboutgoingtoshootpheasantswithMacinthemorning，soastosoothetheanxiousfearsofthedearmistressofthehouse；earlyasthehourappointedforthe——thelittleaffair——was，havewebeenawakehoursandhourssooner；risenbeforedaylight，withafainthope，perhaps，thatMacTurkmighthavecometosomearrangementwiththeotherside；atseveno\'clock(confoundhispunctuality！)heardhiscab-wheelatthedoor，andlethiminlookingperfectlytrim，fresh，jolly，andwellshaved；drivenoffwithhiminthecoldmorning，afteraveryunsatisfactorybreakfastofcoffeeandstalebread-and-butter(whichchoke，somehow，intheswallowing)；drivenofftoWormwoodScrubsinthecold，muddy，misty，moonshinymorning；steppedoutofthecab，whereMachasbidthemantohaltonaretiredspotinthecommon；inoneminutemore，seenanothercabarrive，fromwhichdescendtwogentlemen，oneofwhomhasacaselikeMacTurk\'sunderhisarm；——
lookedroundandroundthesolitude，andseennotonesinglesignofapoliceman——no，nomorethaninarowinLondon；——deprecatedthehorriblenecessitywhichdrivescivilizedmentotheuseofpowderandbullet；——takengroundasfirmlyasmaybe，andlookedonwhilstMacisneatlyloadinghisweapons；andwhenallready，andonelookedforthedecisiveOne，Two，Three——haveweevenheardCaptainO\'Toole(thesecondoftheotherprincipal)walkup，andsay:
“ColonelMacTurk，Iamdesiredbymyprincipaltodeclareatthiseleventh——thistwelfthhour，thatheiswillingtoownthatheseesHEHASBEENWRONGinthedisputewhichhasarisenbetweenhimandyourfriend；thatheapologizesforoffensiveexpressionswhichhehasusedintheheatofthequarrel；andregretsthecoursehehastaken?“Ifsomethinglikethishashappenedtoyou，howevergreatyourcourage，youhavebeengladnottofight；——howeveraccurateyouraim，youhavebeenpleasednottofire。
OnthesixthdayofJanuaryinthisyearsixty-two，whathundredsofthousands——Imaysay，whatmillionsofEnglishmen，wereinthepositionofthepersonageheresketched——Christianmen，Ihope，shockedatthedreadfulnecessityofbattle:awareofthehorrorswhichtheconflictmustproduce，andyetfeelingthatthemomentwascome，andthattherewasnoarbitramentleftbutthatofsteelandcannon！Myreader，perhaps，hasbeeninAmerica。Ifhehas，heknowswhatgoodpeoplearetobefoundthere；howpolished，howgenerous，howgentle，howcourteous。Butitisnotthevoicesoftheseyouhearintheroarofhate，defiance，folly，falsehood，whichcomestousacrosstheAtlantic。Youcan\'theargentlevoices；verymanywhocouldspeakareafraid。Menmustgoforward，orbecrushedbythemaddenedcrowdbehindthem。Isupposeaftertheperpetrationofthatactof——whatshallwecallit?——ofsuddenwar，whichWilkesdid，andEverettapproved，mostofusbelievedthatbattlewasinevitable。WhohasnotreadtheAmericanpapersforsixweekspast?DidyoueverthinktheUnitedStatesGovernmentwouldgiveupthoseCommissioners?Ineverdid，formypart。ItseemstometheUnitedStatesGovernmenthavedonethemostcourageousactofthewar。Beforethatactwasdone，whatanexcitementprevailedinLondon！IneveryClubtherewasaparliamentsittinginpermanence:ineverydomesticgatheringthissubjectwassuretoformamainpartofthetalk。OfcourseIhaveseenmanypeoplewhohavetravelledinAmerica，andheardthemonthismatter——friendsoftheSouth，friendsoftheNorth，friendsofpeace，andAmericanstockholdersinplenty——“Theywillnevergiveupthemen，sir，“thatwastheopiniononallsides；and，iftheywouldnot，weknewwhatwastohappen。
Forweekspastthisnightmareofwarhasbeenridingus。TheCitywasalreadygloomyenough。WhenagreatdomesticgriefandmisfortunevisitsthechiefpersonoftheState，theheartofthepeople，too，issadandawe-stricken。Itmightbethissorrowandtrialwerebutpresagesofgreatertrialsandsorrowtocome。Whatifthesorrowofwaristobeaddedtotheothercalamity?Suchforebodingshaveformedthethemeofmanyaman\'stalk，anddarkenedmanyafireside。Thencametherapidordersforshipstoarmandtroopstodepart。Howmanyofushavehadtosayfarewelltofriendswhomdutycalledawaywiththeirregiments；onwhomwestrovetolookcheerfully，asweshooktheirhands，itmightbeforthelasttime；andwhomourthoughtsdepicted，treadingthesnowsoftheimmenseCanadianfrontier，wheretheirintrepidlittlebandmighthavetofacetheassaultsofotherenemiesthanwinterandroughweather！Iwenttoaplayonenight，andprotestIhardlyknowwhatwastheentertainmentwhichpassedbeforemyeyes。InthenextstallwasanAmericangentleman，whoknewme。“Goodheavens，sir，“Ithought，“isitdecreedthatyouandIaretobeauthorizedtomurdereachothernextweek；thatmypeopleshallbebombardingyourcities，destroyingyournavies，makingahideousdesolationofyourcoast；thatourpeacefulfrontiershallbesubjecttofire，rapine，andmurder?““Theywillnevergiveupthemen，“saidtheEnglishman。“Theywillnevergiveupthemen，“saidtheAmerican。
AndtheChristmaspiecewhichtheactorswereplayingproceededlikeapieceinadream。Tomakethegrandcomicperformancedoublycomic，myneighborpresentlyinformedmehowoneofthebestfriendsIhadinAmerica——themosthospitable，kindly，amiableofmen，fromwhomIhadtwicereceivedthewarmestwelcomeandthemostdelightfulhospitality——wasaprisonerinFortWarren，onchargesbywhichhislifeperhapsmightberisked。IthinkthatwasthemostdismalChristmasfunwhichtheseeyeseverlookedon。
Carryoutthatnotionalittlefarther，anddepicttenthousand，ahundredthousandhomesinEnglandsaddenedbythethoughtofthecomingcalamity，andoppressedbythepervadinggloom。Mynext-doorneighborperhapshaspartedwithherson。Nowtheshipinwhichheis，withathousandbravecomrades，isploughingthroughthestormymidnightocean。Presently(undertheflagweknowof)thethinredlineinwhichherboyformsaspeck，iswindingitswaythroughthevastCanadiansnows。Anotherneighbor\'sboyisnotgone，butisexpectingorderstosail；andsomeoneelse，besidesthecircleathomemaybe，isinprayerandterror，thinkingofthesummonswhichcallstheyoungsailoraway。Byfiresidesmodestandsplendid，alloverthethreekingdoms，thatsorrowiskeepingwatch，andmyriadsofheartsbeatingwiththatthought，“Willtheygiveupthemen?“
Idon\'tknowhow，onthefirstdayafterthecaptureoftheSouthernCommissionerswasannounced，arumorgotabroadinLondonthatthetakingofthemenwasanactaccordingtolaw，ofwhichournationcouldtakenonotice。Itwassaidthatthelawauthoritieshadsodeclared，andaverynobletestimonytotheLOYALTYofEnglishmen，I
think，wasshownbytheinstantsubmissionofhigh-spiritedgentlemen，mostkeenlyfeelingthatthenationhadbeensubjecttoacoarseoutrage，whoweresilentwhentoldthatthelawwaswiththeaggressor。Thereliefwhichpresentlycame，when，afterapauseofaday，wefoundthatlawwasonourside，wasindescribable。ThenationMIGHTthentakenoticeofthisinsulttoitshonor。Neverwerepeoplemoreeagerthanourswhentheyfoundtheyhadarighttoreparation。
IhavetalkedduringthelastweekwithmanyEnglishholdersofAmericansecurities，who，ofcourse，havebeenawareofthethreatheldoverthem。“England，“saystheNewYorkHerald，“cannotaffordtogotowarwithus，forsixhundredmillions\'worthofAmericanstockisownedbyBritishsubjects，which，ineventofhostilities，wouldbeconfiscated；andwenowcallupontheCompaniesnottotakeitofftheirhandsonanyterms。LetitsforfeiturebeheldoverEnglandasaweaponinterrorem。BritishsubjectshavetwoorthreehundredmillionsofdollarsinvestedinshippingandotherpropertyintheUnitedStates。Allthisproperty，togetherwiththestocks，wouldbeseized，amountingtoninehundredmillionsofdollars。
