DOCTORTHORNE
CHAPTERI
THEGRESHAMSOFGRESHAMSBURY
Beforethereaderisintroducedtothemodestcountrymedicalpractitionerwhoistobethechiefpersonageofthefollowingtale，itwillbewellthatheshouldbemadeacquaintedwithsomeparticularsastothelocalityinwhich，andtheneighboursamongwhom，ourdoctorfollowedhisprofession。
ThereisacountyinthewestofEnglandnotsofulloflife，indeed，norsowidelyspokenofassomeofitsmanufacturingleviathanbrethreninthenorth，butwhichis，nevertheless，verydeartothosewhoknowitwell。Itsgreenpastures，itswavingwheat，itsdeepandshadyand——letusadd——dirtylanes，itspathsandstiles，itstawny-coloured，well-builtruralchurches，itsavenuesofbeeches，andfrequentTudormansions，itsconstantcountyhunt，itssocialgraces，andthegeneralairofclanshipwhichpervadesit，hasmadeittoitsowninhabitantsafavouredlandofGoshen。Itispurelyagricultural；agriculturalinitsproduce，agriculturalinitspoor，andagriculturalinitspleasures。Therearetownsinit，ofcourse；depotsfromwhencearebroughtseedsandgroceries，ribbonsandfire-shovels；inwhichmarketsareheldandcountyballsarecarriedon；whichreturnmemberstoParliament，generally——inspiteofReformBills，past，present，andcoming——inaccordancewiththedictatesofsomeneighbouringlandmagnate；fromwhenceemanatethecountrypostmen，andwhereislocatedthesupplyofpost-horsesnecessaryforcountyvisitings。Butthesetownsaddnothingtotheimportanceofthecounty；dull，allbutdeath-likesinglestreets。Eachpossessestwopumps，threehotels，tenshops，fifteenbeer-houses，abeadle，andamarket-place。
Indeed，thetownpopulationofthecountyreckonsfornothingwhentheimportanceofthecountyisdiscussed，withtheexception，asbeforesaid，oftheassizetown，whichisalsoacathedralcity。Hereinaclericalaristocracy，whichiscertainlynotwithoutitsdueweight。A
residentbishop，aresidentdean，anarchdeacon，threeorfourresidentprebendaries，andalltheirnumerouschaplains，vicars，andecclesiasticalsatellites，domakeupasocietysufficientlypowerfultobecountedassomethingbythecountysquirearchy。InotherrespectsthegreatnessofBarsetshiredependswhollyonthelandedpowers。
Barsetshire，however，isnotnowsoessentiallyonewholeasitwasbeforetheReformBilldividedit。ThereisinthesedaysanEastBarsetshire，andthereisaWestBarsetshire；andpeopleconversantwithBarsetshiredoingsdeclarethattheycanalreadydeciphersomedifferenceoffeeling，somedivisionofinterests。TheeasternmoietyofthecountyismorepurelyConservativethanthewestern；thereis，orwas，ataintofPeelisminthelatter；andthen，too，theresidenceoftwosuchgreatWhigmagnatesastheDukeofOmniumandtheEarlDeCourcyinthatlocalityinsomedegreeovershadowsandrenderslessinfluentialthegentlemenwholivenearthem。
ItistoEastBarsetshirethatwearecalled。Whenthedivisionabovespokenofwasfirstcontemplated，inthosestormydaysinwhichgallantmenwerestillcombattingreformministers，ifnotwithhope，stillwithspirit，thebattlewasfoughtbynonemorebravelythanbyJohnNewboldGreshamofGreshamsbury，thememberforBarsetshire。Fate，however，andtheDukeofWellingtonwereadverse，andinthefollowingParliamentJohnNewboldGreshamwasonlymemberforEastBarsetshire。
Whetherornotitwastrue，asstatedatthetime，thattheaspectofthemenwithwhomhewascalledontoassociateatStStephen\'sbrokehisheart，itisnotforusnowtoinquire。ItiscertainlytruethathedidnotlivetoseethefirstyearofthereformedParliamentbroughttoaclose。
ThethenMrGreshamwasnotanoldmanatthetimeofhisdeath，andhiseldestson，FrancieNewboldGresham，wasaveryyoungman；but，notwithstandinghisyouth，andnotwithstandingothergroundsofobjectionwhichstoodinthewayofsuchpreferment，andwhich，itmustbeexplained，hewaschoseninhisfather\'splace。Thefather\'sserviceshadbeentoorecent，toowellappreciated，toothoroughlyinunisonwiththefeelingsofthosearoundhimtoallowofanyotherchoice；andinthiswayyoungFrankGreshamfoundhimselfmemberforEastBarsetshire，althoughtheverymenwhoelectedhimknewthattheyhadbutslendergroundfortrustinghimwiththeirsuffrages。
FrankGresham，thoughthenonlytwentyfouryearsofage，wasamarriedman，andafather。Hehadalreadychosenawife，andbyhischoicehadgivenmuchgroundofdistrusttothemenofEastBarsetshire。HehadmarriednootherthanLadyArabellaDeCourcy，thesisterofthegreatWhigearlwholivedatCourcyCastleinthewest；thatearlwhonotonlyhadvotedfortheReformBill，buthadbeeninfamouslyactiveinbringingoverotheryoungpeerssotovote，andwhosenamethereforestankinthenostrilsofthestaunchTorysquiresofthecounty。
NotonlyhadFrankGreshamsowedded，buthavingthusimproperlyandunpatrioticallychosenawife，hehadaddedtohissinsbybecomingrecklesslyintimatewithhiswife\'srelations。ItistruethathestillcalledhimselfaTory，belongedtotheclubofwhichhisfatherhadbeenoneofthemosthonouredmembers，andinthedaysofthegreatbattlegothisheadbrokeninarow，ontherightside；but，nevertheless，itwasfeltbythegoodmen，trueandblue，ofEastBarsetshire，thataconstantsojourneratCourcyCastlecouldnotberegardedasaconsistentTory。When，however，hisfatherdied，thatbrokenheadservedhimingoodstead：hissufferingsinthecauseweremadethemostof；these，inunisonwithhisfather\'smerits，turnedthescale，anditwasaccordinglydecided，atameetingheldattheGeorgeandDragon，atBarchester，thatFrankGreshamshouldfillhisfather\'sshoes。
ButFrankGreshamcouldnotfillhisfather\'sshoes；theyweretoobigforhim。HedidbecomememberforEastBarsetshire，buthewassuchamember——solukewarm，soindifferent，sopronetoassociatewiththeenemiesofthegoodcause，solittlewillingtofightthegoodfight，thathesoondisgustedthosewhomostdearlylovedthememoryoftheoldsquire。
DeCourcyCastleinthosedayshadgreatallurementsforayoungman，andallthoseallurementsweremadethemostoftowinoveryoungGresham。Hiswife，whowasayearortwoolderthanhimself，wasafashionablewoman，withthoroughWhigtastesandaspirations，suchasbecamethedaughterofagreatWhigearl；shecaredforpolitics，orthoughtthatshecaredforthem，morethanherhusbanddid；foramonthortwoprevioustoherengagementshehadbeenattachedtotheCourt，andhadbeenmadetobelievethatmuchofthepolicyofEngland\'srulersdependedonthepoliticalintriguesofEngland\'swomen。Shewasonewhowouldfainbedoingsomethingifsheonlyknewhow，andthefirstimportantattemptshemadewastoturnherrespectableyoungToryhusbandintoasecond-rateWhigbantling。Asthislady\'scharacterwill，itishoped，showitselfinthefollowingpages，weneednotnowdescribeitmoreclosely。
Itisnotabadthingtobeson-in-lawtoapotentearl，memberofParliamentforacounty，andapossessorofafineoldEnglishseat，andafineoldEnglishfortune。Asaveryyoungman，FrankGreshamfoundthelifetowhichhewasthusintroducedagreeableenough。Heconsoledhimselfasbesthemightforthebluelookswithwhichhewasgreetedbyhisownparty，andtookhisrevengebyconsortingmorethoroughlythaneverwithhispoliticaladversaries。Foolishly，likeafoolishmoth，heflewtothebrightlight，and，likethemoths，ofcourseheburnthiswings。Earlyin1833hehadbecomeamemberofParliament，andintheautumnof1834thedissolutioncame。Youngmembersofthreehadfour-and-twentydonotthinkmuchofdissolutions，forgetthefanciesoftheirconstituents，andaretooproudofthepresenttocalculatemuchastothefuture。SoitwaswithMrGresham。
HisfatherhadbeenmemberforBarsetshireallhislife，andhelookedforwardtosimilarprosperityasthoughitwaspartofhisinheritance；
buthefailedtotakeanyofthestepswhichhadsecuredhisfather\'sseat。
Intheautumnof1834thedissolutioncame，andFrankGresham，withhishonourableladywifeandalltheDeCourcysathisback，foundthathehadmortallyoffendedthecounty。
Tohisgreatdisgustanothercandidatewasbroughtforwardasafellowtohislatecolleague，andthoughhemanfullyfoughtthebattle，andspenttenthousandpoundsinthecontest，hecouldnotrecoverhisposition。AhighTory，withagreatWhiginteresttobackhim，isneverapopularpersoninEngland。Noonecantrusthim，thoughtheremaybethosewhoarewillingtoplacehim，untrusted，inhighpositions。SuchwasthecasewithMrGresham。Thereweremanywhowerewilling，forfamilyconsiderations，tokeephiminParliament；butnoonethoughtthathewasfittobethere。Theconsequenceswere，thatabitterandexpensivecontestensued。FrankGresham，whentwittedwithbeingaWhig，foresworetheDeCourcyfamily；andthen，whenridiculedashavingbeenthrownoverbytheTories，foresworehisfather\'soldfriends。Sobetweenthetwostoolshefelltotheground，and，asapolitician，heneveragainrosetohisfeet。
Heneveragainrosetohisfeet；buttwiceagainhemadeviolenteffortstodoso。ElectionsinEastBarsetshire，fromvariouscauses，camequickuponeachotherinthosedays，andbeforehewaseight-and-twentyyearsofageMrGreshamhadthreetimescontestedthecountyandbeenthreetimesbeaten。Tospeakthetruthofhim，hisownspiritwouldhavebeensatisfiedwiththelossofthefirsttenthousandpounds；butLadyArabellawasmadeofhighermettle。Shehadmarriedamanwithafineplaceandafinefortune；butshehadneverthelessmarriedacommonerandhadinsofarderogatedfromherhighbirth。ShefeltthatherhusbandshouldbebyrightsamemberoftheHouseofLords；but，ifnot，thatitwasatleastessentialthatheshouldhaveaseatinthelowerchamber。Shewouldbedegreessinkintonothingifsheallowedherselftositdown，themerewifeofacountysquire。
Thusinstigated，MrGreshamrepeatedtheuselesscontestthreetimes，andrepeatediteachtimeataseriouscost。Helosthismoney，LadyArabellalosthertemper，andthingsatGreshamsburywentonbynomeansasprosperouslyastheyhaddoneinthedaysoftheoldsquire。
Inthefirsttwelveyearsoftheirmarriage，childrencamefastintothenurseryatGreshamsbury。Thefirstthatwasbornwasaboy；andinthosehappyhalcyondays，whentheoldsquirewasstillalive，greatwasthejoyatthebirthofanheirtoGreshamsbury；bonfiresgleamedthroughthecountry-side，oxenwereroastedwhole，andthecustomaryparaphernaliaofjoy，usualtorichBritonsonsuchoccasionsweregonethroughwithwondrouseclat。Butwhenthetenthbaby，andtheninthlittlegirl，wasbroughtintotheworld，theoutwardshowofjoywasnotsogreat。
Thenothertroublescame。Someoftheselittlegirlsweresickly，someverysickly。LadyArabellahadherfaults，andtheyweresuchaswereextremelydetrimentaltoherhusband\'shappinessandherown；butthatofbeinganindifferentmotherwasnotamongthem。ShehadworriedherhusbanddailyforyearsbecausehewasnotinParliament，shehadworriedhimbecausehewouldnotfurnishhishouseinPortmanSquare，shehadworriedhimbecauseheobjectedtohavemorepeoplecarriedeverywinteratGreshamsburyParkthanthehousewouldhold；butnowshechangedhertuneandworriedhimbecauseSelinacoughed，becauseHelenawashectic，becausepoorSophy\'sspinewasweak，andMatilda\'sappetitewasgone。
Worryingfromsuchcauseswaspardonableitwillbesaid。Soitwas；
butthemannerwashardlypardonable。Selina\'scoughwascertainlynotfairlyattributabletotheold-fashionedfurnitureinPortmanSquare；
norwouldSophy\'sspinehavebeenmateriallybenefitedbyherfatherhavingaseatinParliament；andyet，tohaveheardLadyArabelladiscussingthosemattersinfamilyconclave，onewouldhavethoughtthatshewouldhaveexpectedsuchresults。
Asitwas，herpoorweakdarlingswerecarriedaboutfromLondontoBrighton，fromBrightontosomeGermanbaths，fromtheGermanbathsbacktoTorquay，andthence——asregardedthefourwehavenamed——tothatbournefromwhencenofurtherjourneycouldbemadeunderLadyArabella\'sdirections。
TheonesonandheirtoGreshamsburywasnamedashisfather，FrancisNewboldGresham。Hewouldhavebeentheheroofourtalehadnotthatplacebeenpre-occupiedbythevillagedoctor。Asitis，thosewhopleasemayregardhim。Itishewhoistobeourfavouriteyoungman，todothelovescenes，tohavehistrialsandhisdifficulties，andtowinthroughthemornot，asthecasemaybe。Iamtoooldnowtobeahard-heartedauthor，andsoitisprobablethathemaynotdieofabrokenheart。Thosewhodon\'tapproveofamiddle-agedbachelorcountrydoctorasahero，maytaketheheirtoGreshamsburyinhisstead，andcallthebook，ifitsopleasethem，\'TheLovesandAdventuresofFrancisNewboldGreshamtheYounger。\'
AndMasterFrankGreshamwasnotilladaptedforplayingthepartofaheroofthissort。Hedidnotsharehissisters\'ill-health，andthoughtheonlyboyofthefamily，heexcelledallhissistersinpersonalappearance。TheGreshamsfromtimeimmemorialhadbeenhandsome。Theywerebroadbrowed，blue-eyed，fairhaired，bornwithdimplesintheirchins，andthatpleasant，aristocraticdangerouscurloftheupperlipwhichcanequallyexpressgoodhumourorscorn。YoungFrankwaseveryinchaGresham，andwasthedarlingofhisfather\'sheart。
TheDeCourcyshadneverbeenplain。Therewastoomuchhauteur，toomuchpride，wemayperhapsevenfairlysay，toomuchnobilityintheirgaitandmanners，andevenintheirfaces，toallowoftheirbeingconsideredplain；buttheywerenotaracenurturedbyVenusorApollo。Theyweretallandthin，withhighcheek-bones，highforeheads，andlarge，dignified，coldeyes。TheDeCourcygirlsallhadgoodhair；and，astheyalsopossessedeasymannersandpowersoftalking，theymanagedtopassintheworldforbeautiestilltheywereabsorbedinthematrimonialmarket，andtheworldatlargecarednolongerwhethertheywerebeautiesornot。TheMissesGreshamweremadeintheDeCourcymould，andwerenotonthisaccountthelessdeartotheirmother。
Thetwoeldest，AugustaandBeatrice，lived，andwereapparentlylikelytolive。Thefournextfadedanddiedoneafteranother——allinthesamesadyear——andwerelaidintheneat，newcemeteryatTorquay。Thencameapair，bornatonebirth，weak，delicate，fraillittleflowers，withdarkhairanddarkeyes，andthin，long，palefaces，withlong，bonyhands，andlongbonyfeet，whommenlookedonasfatedtofollowtheirsisterswithquicksteps。Hitherto，however，theyhadnotfollowedthem，norhadtheysufferedastheirsistershadsuffered；andsomepeopleatGreshamsburyattributedthistothefactthatachangehadbeenmadeinthefamilymedicalpractitioner。
Thencametheyoungestoftheflock，shewhosebirthwehavesaidwasnotheraldedwithloudjoy；forwhenshecameintotheworld，fourotherswithpaletemples，wan，worncheeks，andskeleton，whitearms，wereawaitingpermissiontoleaveit。
Suchwasthefamilywhen，intheyear1854，theeldestsoncameofage。HehadbeeneducatedatHarrow，andwasnowstillatCambridge；
but，ofcourse，onsuchadayasthishewasathome。Thatcomingofagemustbeadelightfultimetoayoungmanborntoinheritbroadacresandwidewealth。Thosefull-mouthedcongratulations；thosewarmprayerswithwhichhismanhoodiswelcomedbythegrey-hairedseniorsofthecounty；theaffectionate，allbutmotherlycaressesofneighbouringmotherswhohaveseenhimgrowupfromhiscradle，ofmotherswhohavedaughters，perhaps，fairenough，andgoodenough，andsweetenoughevenforhim；thesoft-spoken，half-bashful，buttendergreetingsofthegirls，whonow，perhapsforthefirsttime，callhimbyhissternfamilyname，instructedbyinstinctratherthanpreceptthatthetimehascomewhenthefamiliarCharlesorfamiliarJohnmustbythembelaidaside；the\'luckydogs\'，andhintsofsilverspoonswhicharepouredintohisearsaseachyoungcompeerslapshisbackandbidshimliveathousandyearsandthenneverdie；theshoutingofthetenantry，thegoodwishesoftheoldfarmerswhocomeuptowringhishand，thekisseswhichhegetsfromthefarmers\'wives，andthekisseswhichhegivestothefarmers\'daughters；allthesethingsmustmakethetwenty-firstbirthdaypleasantenoughtoayoungheir。Toayouth，however，whofeelsthatheisnowliabletoarrest，andthatheinheritsnootherprivilege，thepleasuremayverypossiblynotbequitesokeen。
ThecasewithyoungFrankGreshammaybesupposedtomuchnearertheformerthanthelatter；butyettheceremonyofhiscomingofagewasbynomeanslikethatwhichfatehadaccordedtohisfather。MrGreshamwasnotanembarrassedman，andthoughtheworlddidnotknowit，or，atanyrate，didnotknowthathewasdeeplyembarrassed，hehadnotthehearttothrowopenhismansionandreceivethecountywithafreehandasthoughallthingsweregoingwellforhim。
Nothingwasgoingwellwithhim。LadyArabellawouldallownothingnearhimoraroundhimtobewell。Everythingwithhimwasnowturnedtovexation；hewasnolongerajoyous，happyman，andthepeopleofEastBarsetshiredidnotlookforgaladoingsonagrandscalewhenyoungGreshamcameofage。
Galadoings，toacertainextent，therewerethere。ItwasinJuly，andtableswerespreadundertheoaksforthetenants。Tableswerespread，andmeatandbeer，andwinewerethere，andFrank，ashewalkedroundandshookhisguestsbythehand，expressedahopethattheirrelationswitheachothermightbelong，close，andmutuallyadvantageous。
Wemustsayafewwordsnowabouttheplaceitself。GreshamsburyParkwasafineoldEnglishman\'sseat——wasandis；butwecanassertitmoreeasilyinpasttense，aswearespeakingofitwithreferencetoapasttime。WehavespokenofGreshamsburyPark；therewasaparksocalled，butthemansionitselfwasgenerallyknownasGreshamsburyHouse，anddidnotstandinthepark。WemayperhapsbestdescribeitbysayingthatthevillageofGreshamsburyconsistedofonelong，stragglingstreet，amileinlength，whichinthecentreturnedsharpround，sothatonehalfofthestreetlaydirectlyatrightanglestotheother。
InthisanglestoodGreshamsburyHouse，andthegardensandgroundsarounditfilledupthespacesomade。Therewasanentrancewithlargegatesateachendofthevillage，andeachgatewasguardedbytheeffigiesoftwohugepaganswithclubs，suchbeingthecrestbornebythefamily；fromeachentranceabroadroad，quitestraight，runningthroughamajesticavenueoflimes，leduptothehouse。Thiswasbuiltintherichest，perhapsweshouldrathersayinthepurest，styleofTudorarchitecture；somuchsothat，thoughGreshamsburyislesscompletethanLongleat，lessmagnificentthanHatfield，itmayinsomesensebesaidtobethefinestspecimenofTudorarchitectureofwhichthecountrycanboast。
Itstandsamidamultitudeoftrimgardensandstone-builtterraces，dividedonefromanother：thesetooureyesarenotsoattractiveasthatbroadexpanseoflawnbywhichourcountryhousesaregenerallysurrounded；butthegardensofGreshamsburyhavebeencelebratedfortwocenturies，andanyGreshamwhowouldhavealteredthemwouldhavebeenconsideredtohavedestroyedoneofthewell-knownlandmarksofthefamily。
GreshamsburyPark——properlysocalled——spreadfarawayontheothersideofthevillage。Oppositetothetwogreatgatesleadinguptothemansionweretwosmallergates，theoneopeningontothestables，kennels，andfarm-yard，andtheothertothedeerpark。Thislatterwastheprincipalentrancetothedemesne，andagrandandpicturesqueentranceitwas。theavenueoflimeswhichononesidestretcheduptothehouse，wasontheotherextendedforaquarterofamile，andthenappearedtobeterminatedonlybyanabruptriseintheground。Attheentrancetherewerefoursavagesandfourclubs，twotoeachportal，andwhatwiththemassiveirongates，surmountedbyastonewall，onwhichstoodthefamilyarmssupportedbytwootherclub-bearers，thestone-builtlodges，theDoric，ivy-coveredcolumnswhichsurroundedthecircle，thefourgrimsavages，andtheextentofthespaceitselfthroughwhichthehighroadran，andwhichjustabuttedonthevillage，thespotwassufficientlysignificantofoldfamilygreatness。
ThosewhoexamineditmorecloselymightseethatunderthearmswasascrollbearingtheGreshammotto，andthatthewordswererepeatedinsmallerlettersundereachofthesavages。\'GardezGresham\'，hadbeenchoseninthedaysofmotto-choosingprobablybysomeherald-at-armsasanappropriatelegendforsignifyingthepeculiarattributesofthefamily。Now，however，unfortunately，menwerenotofonemindastotheexactideasignified。Somedeclared，withmuchheraldicwarmth，thatitwasanaddresstothesavages，callingonthemtotakecareoftheirpatron；whileothers，withwhomImyselfaminclinedtoagree，averredwithequalcertaintythatitwasanadvicetothepeopleatlarge，especiallytothoseinclinedtorebelagainstthearistocracyofthecounty，thattheshould\'bewaretheGresham\'。Thelattersignificationwouldbetokenstrength——sosaidtheholdersofthedoctrine；theformerweakness。NowtheGreshamswereeverastrongpeople，andneveraddictedtohumility。
Wewillnotpretendtodecidethequestion。Alas！eitherconstructionwasnotequallyunsuitedtothefamilyfortunes。SuchchangeshadtakenplaceinEnglandsincetheGreshamshadfoundedthemselvesthatnosavagecouldanylongerinanywayprotectthem；theymustprotectthemselveslikecommonfolk，orliveunprotected。NornowwasitnecessarythatanyneighbourshouldshakeinhisshoeswhentheGreshamfrowned。ItwouldhavebeentobewishedthatthepresentGreshamhimselfcouldhavebeenasindifferenttothefrownsofsomeofhisneighbours。
Buttheoldsymbolsremained，andmaysuchsymbolslongremainamongus；theyarestilllovelyandfittobeloved。Theytellusofthetrueandmanlyfeelingsofothertimes；andtohimwhocanreadaright，theyexplainmorefully，moretrulythananywrittenhistorycando，howEnglishmenhavebecomewhattheyare。Englandisnotyetacommercialcountryinthesensethatepithetisusedforher；andletusstillhopethatshewillnotsoonbecomeso。ShemightsurelyaswellbecalledfeudalEngland，orchivalrousEngland。IfinwesterncivilizedEurope，theredoesexistanationamongwhomtherearehighsignors，andwithwhomtheownersofthelandarethetruearistocracy，thearistocracyistrustedasbeingbestandfittesttorule，thatnationistheEnglish。ChooseoutthetenleadingmenofeachgreatEuropeanpeople。ChoosetheminFrance，inAustria，Sardinia，Prussia，Russia，Sweden，Denmark，Spain(？)，andthenselecttheteninEnglandwhosenamesarebestknownasthoseofleadingstatesmen；theresultwillshowinwhichcountrytherestillexiststheclosestattachmentto，thesinceresttrustin，theoldfeudalandnowso-calledlandedinterests。
Englandacommercialcountry！Yes；asVenicewas。Shemayexcelothernationsincommerce，butyetitisnotthatinwhichshemostpridesherself，inwhichshemostexcels。Merchantsassucharenotthefirstmenamongus；thoughitperhapsbeopen，barelyopen，toamerchanttobecomeoneofthem。Buyingandsellingisgoodandnecessary；itisverynecessary，andmay，possibly，beverygood；butitcannotbethenoblestworkofman；andletushopethatitmaynotbeinyourtimebeesteemedthenoblestworkofanyEnglishman。
GreshamsburyParkwasverylarge；itlayontheoutsideoftheangleformedbythevillagestreet，andstretchedawayontwosideswithoutapparentlimitorboundariesvisiblefromthevillageroadorhouse。
Indeed，thegroundonthissidewassobrokenupintoabrupthills，andconical-shaped，oak-coveredexcrescences，whichwereseenpeepingupthroughandovereachother，thatthetrueextentoftheparkwasmuchmagnifiedtotheeye。Itwasverypossibleforastrangertogetintoitandtofindsomedifficultyingettingoutagainbyanyofitsknowngates；andsuchwasthebeautyofthelandscape，thataloverorscenerywouldbetemptedthustolosehimself。
Ihavesaidthatononesidelaythekennels，andthiswillgivemeanopportunityofdescribinghereoneespecialepisode，alongepisode，inthelifeoftheexistingsquire。
HehadoncerepresentedhiscountyinParliament，andwhenheceasedtodosohestillfeltanambitiontobeconnectedinsomepeculiarwaywiththatcounty\'sgreatness；hestilldesiredthataGreshamofGreshamsburyshouldbesomethingmoreinEastBarsetshire，thanJacksonoftheGrange，orBakerofMillHill，orBatesonofAnnesgrove。Theywereallhisfriends，andveryrespectablecountrygentlemen；butMrGreshamofGreshamsburyshouldbemorethanthis：evenhehadenoughambitiontobeawareofsuchalonging。Therefore，whenanopportunityoccurredhetooktohuntingthecounty。
Forthisemploymenthewasineverywaywellsuited；——unlessitwasinthematteroffinance。Thoughhehadinhisveryearliestmanlyyearsgivensuchgreatoffencebyindifferencetohisfamilypolitics，andhadinacertaindegreefosteredtheill-feelingbycontestingthecountyinoppositiontothewishesofhisbrothersquires，nevertheless，heborealovedandpopularname。Menregrettedthatheshouldnothavebeenwhattheywishedhimtobe，thatheshouldnothavebeensuchaswastheoldsquire；butwhentheyfoundthatsuchwasthecase，thathecouldnotbegreatamongthemasapolitician，theywerestillwillingthatheshouldbegreatinanyotherwayiftherewerecountygreatnessforwhichhewassuited。Nowhewasknownasanexcellenthorseman，asathoroughsportsman，asoneknowingindogs，andtender-heartedasasuckingmothertoalitterofyoungfoxes；hehadriddeninthecountysincehewasfifteen，andhadafinevoiceforaviewhallo，kneweveryhoundbyname，andcouldwindahornwithsufficientmusicforallhuntingpurposes；moreover，hehadcometohisproperty，aswaswellknownthroughallBarsetshire，withaclearincomeoffourteenthousandayear。
Thus，whensomeoldworn-outmasterofhoundswasruntoground，aboutayearafterMrGresham\'slastcontestforthecounty，itseemedtoallpartiestobeapleasantandrationalarrangementthatthehoundsshouldgotoGreshamsbury。Pleasant，indeed，toallexcepttheLadyArabella；andrational，perhaps，toallexceptthesquirehimself。
Allthistimehewasalreadyconsiderableencumbered。Hehadspentmuchmorethanheshouldhavedone，andsoindeedhadhiswife，inthosetwosplendidyearsinwhichtheyhadfiguredasgreatamongthegreatonesoftheearth。FourteenthousandayearoughttohavebeenenoughtoallowamemberofParliamentwithayoungwifeandtwoorthreechildrentoliveinLondonandkeepuptheircountryfamilymansion；butthentheDeCourcyswereverygreatpeople，andLadyArabellachosetoliveasshehadbeenaccustomedtodo，andashersister-in-lawthecountesslived；nowLorddeCourcyhadmuchmorethanfourteenthousandayear。Thencamethethreeelections，withtheirvastattendantcost，andthenthosecostlyexpedientstowhichgentlemenareforcedtohaverecoursewhohavelivedbeyondtheirincomeandfinditimpossibletoreducetheirestablishmentsastolivemuchbelowit。ThuswhenthehoundscametoGreshamsbury，MrGreshamwasalreadyapoorman。
LadyArabellasaidmuchtoopposetheircoming；butLadyArabella，thoughitcouldhardlybesaidofherthatshewasunderherhusband\'srule，certainlywasnotentitledtoboastthatshehadmadehimunderhers。ShethenmadeherfirstgrandattackastothefurnitureinPortmanSquare；andwasthenforthefirsttimespeciallyinformedthatthefurnituretherewasnotmatterofmuchimportance，asshewouldnotinfutureberequiredtomoveherfamilytothatresidenceduringtheLondonseasons。Thesortofconversationwhichgrewfromsuchacommencementmaybeimagined。HadLadyArabellaworriedherlordless，hemightperhapshaveconsideredwithmorecoolnessthefollyofencounteringsoprodigiousanincreasetotheexpenseofhisestablishment；hadhenotspentsomuchmoneyinapursuitwhichhiswifedidnotenjoy，shemightperhapshavebeenmoresparinginherrebukesastohisindifferencetoherLondonpleasures。Asitwas，thehoundscametoGreshamsbury，andLadyArabelladidgotoLondonforsomeperiodineachyear，andthefamilyexpenseswerebynomeanslessened。
Thekennels，however，werenowagainempty。Twoyearsprevioustothetimeatwhichourstorybegins，thehoundshadbeencarriedofftotheseatofsomerichersportsman。ThiswasmorefeltbyMrGreshamthananyothermisfortunewhichhehadyetincurred。Hehadbeenmasterofhoundsfortenyears，andthatworkhehadatanyratedonewell。Thepopularityamonghisneighbourswhichhehadlostasapoliticianhehadregainedasasportsman，andhewouldfainhaveremainedautocraticinthehunt，haditbeenpossible。Buthesoremainedmuchlongerthanheshouldhavedone，andatlasttheywentaway，notwithoutsignsandsoundsofvisiblejoyonthepartofLadyArabella。
ButwehavekepttheGreshamsburytenancywaitingundertheoak-treesbyfartoolong。Yes；whenyoungFrankcameofagetherewasstillenoughleftatGreshamsbury，stillmeansenoughatthesquire\'sdisposal，tolightonebonfire，toroast，wholeinitsskin，onebullock。Frank\'svirilitycameonhimnotquiteunmarked，asthatoftheparson\'ssonsmightdo，orthesonofaneighbouringattorney。ItcouldstillbereportedintheBarsetshireConservative“Standard“that\'Thebeardswaggledall，\'atGreshamsbury，nowastheyhaddoneformanycenturiesonsimilarfestivals。Yes；itwassoreported。Butthis，likesomanyothersuchreports，hadbutashadowoftruthinit。\'Theypouredtheliquorin，\'certainly，thosewhowerethere；butthebeardsdidnotwagastheyhadbeenwonttowaginformeryears。
Beardswon\'twagforthetelling。Thesquirewasathiswits\'endformoney，andthetenantsoneandallhadsoheard。Rentshadbeenraisedonthem；timberhadfallenfast；thelawyerontheestatewasgrowingrich；tradesmeninBarchester，nay，inGreshamsburyitself，werebeginningtomutter；andthesquirehimselfwouldnotbemerry。Undersuchcircumstancesthethroatsofthetenantrywillstillswallow，buttheirbeardswillnotwag。
\'Imindswell，\'saidFarmerOaklerathtohisneighbour，\'whenthesquirehisselfcomedofage。Lordlove\'ee！Therewasfungoingthatday。Therewasmoreyaledrankethenthan\'sbeenbrewedatthebighousethesetwoyears。T\'oldsquoirewasaone\'er。\'
\'AndImindswhenthesquoirewasborned；mindsitwell，\'saidanoldfarmersittingopposite。\'Themwasthedays！Itan\'tthatlongageneither。Squoirea\'ntcomeo\'fiftyyet；no，noran\'tnighit，thoughhelooksit。ThingsbealteredatGreemsbury\'——suchwastheruralpronunciation——\'alteredsadly，neeborOaklerath。Well，well；I\'llsoonbegone，Iwill，andsoitan\'tnousetalking；butarterpayingonepoundfifteenforthemacresformorenorfiftyyear，Ididn\'tthinkI\'deverbeaxedforfortyshilling。\'
Suchwasthestyleofconversationwhichwentonatthevarioustables。Ithadcertainlybeenofaverydifferenttonewhenthesquirewasborn，whenhecameofage，andwhen，justtwoyearssubsequently，hissonhadbeenborn。Oneachoftheseeventssimilarruralfeteshadbeengiven，andthesquirehimselfhadontheseoccasionsbeenfrequentamonghisguests。Onthefirst，hehadbeencarriedroundbyhisfather，awholetrainofladiesandnursesfollowing。Onthesecond，hehadhimselfmixedinallthesports，thegayestofthegay，andeachtenanthadsqueezedhiswayuptothelawntogetasightoftheLadyArabella，who，aswasalreadyknown，wastocomefromCourcyCastletoGreshamsburytobetheirmistress。ItwaslittletheyanyofthemcarednowfortheLadyArabella。Onthethird，hehimselfhadbornehim；hischildinhisarmsashisfatherhadbeforebornehim；hewasinthezenithofhispride，andthoughthetenantryhadwhisperedthathewassomewhatlessfamiliarwiththemthanofyore，thathehadputonsomewhattoomuchoftheDeCourcyairs，stillhewastheirsquire，theirmaster，therichmaninwhosehandtheylay。Theoldsquirewasthengone，andtheywereproudoftheyoungmemberandhisladybrideinspiteofalittlehauteur。Noneofthemwereproudofhimnow。
Hewalkedonceroundamongtheguests，andspokeafewwordsofwelcomeateachtable；andashedidsothetenantsgotupandbowedandwishedhealthtotheoldsquire，happinesstotheyoungone，andprosperitytoGreshamsbury；but，nevertheless，itwasbutatameaffair。
Therewerealsoothervisitors，ofthegentlesort，todohonourtotheoccasion；butnotsuchswarms，notsuchacrowdatthemansionitselfandatthehousesoftheneighbouringgentryashadalwaysbeencollectedontheseformergaladoings。Indeed，thepartyatGreshamsburywasnotalargeone，andconsistedchieflyofLadydeCourcyandhersuite。LadyArabellastillkeptup，asfarasshewasable，hercloseconnexionwithCourcyCastle。Shewasthereasmuchaspossible，towhichMrGreshamneverobjected；andshetookherdaughterstherewhenevershecould，though，asregardedthetwoeldergirls，shewasinterferedwithbyMrGresham，andnotunfrequentlybythegirlsthemselves。LadyArabellahadaprideinherson，thoughhewasbynomeansherfavouritechild。Hewas，however，theheirofGreshamsbury，ofwhichfactshewasdisposedtomakethemost，andhewasalsoafineopen-heartedyoungman，whocouldnotbutbedeartoanymother。LadyArabelladidlovehimdearly，thoughshefeltasortofdisappointmentinregardtohim，seeingthathewasnotsomuchlikeaDeCourcyasheshouldhavebeen。Shedidlovehimdearly；and，therefore，whenhecameofageshegothersister-in-lawandalltheLadiesAmelia，Rosinaetc。tocometoGreshamsbury；andshealso，withsomedifficulty，persuadedtheHonourableGeorgesandtheHonourableJohnstobeequallycondescending。LorddeCourcyhimselfwasinattendanceattheCourt——orsaidthathewas——andLordPorlock，theeldestson，simplytoldhisauntwhenhewasinvitedthatheneverboredhimselfwiththosesortofthings。
ThenthereweretheBakers，andtheBatesons，andtheJacksons，whoalllivednearandreturnedhomeatnight；therewastheReverendCalebOriel，theHigh-Churchrector，withhisbeautifulsisterPatienceOriel；therewasMrYatesUmbleby，theattorneyandagent；andtherewasDrThorne，andthedoctor\'smodest，quiet-lookinglittleniece，MissMary。
CHAPTERII
LONG，LONGAGO
AsDrThorneisourhero——orIshouldrathersaymyhero，aprivilegeofselectingforthemselvesinthisrespectbeinglefttoallmyreaders——andasMissMaryThorneistobeourheroine，apointonwhichnochoicewhatsoeverislefttoanyone，itisnecessarythattheyshallbeintroducedandexplainedanddescribedinaproper，formalmanner。Ifeelquiteanapologyisdueforbeginninganovelwithtwolongdullchaptersfullofdescription。Iamperfectlyawareofthedangerofsuchacourse。InsodoingIsinagainstthegoldenrulewhichrequiresusalltoputourbestfootforemost，thewisdomofwhichisfullyrecognizedbynovelists，myselfamongthenumber。Itcanhardlybeexpectedthatanyonewillconsenttogothroughwithafictionthatofferssolittleallurementinitsfirstpages；buttwistitasIwillIcannotdootherwise。IfindthatIcannotmakepoorMrGreshamhemandhawandturnhimselfuneasilyinhisarm-chairinanaturalmannertillIhavesaidwhyheisuneasy。IcannotbringmydoctorspeakinghismindfreelyamongthebigwigstillIhaveexplainedthatitisinaccordancewithhisusualcharactertodoso。Thisisunartisticonmypart，andshowswantofimaginationaswellaswantofskill。WhetherornotIcanatoneforthesefaultsbystraightforward，simple，plainstory-telling——that，indeed，isverydoubtful。
DrThornebelongedtoafamilyinonesenseasgood，andatanyrateasold，asthatofMrGresham；andmucholder，hewasapttoboast，thanthatoftheDeCourcys。Thistraitinhischaracterismentionedfirst，asitwastheweaknessforwhichhewasmostconspicuous。HewassecondcousintoMrThorneofUllathorne，aBarsetshiresquirelivingintheneighbourhoodofBarchester，andwhoboastedthathisestatehadremainedinhisfamily，descendingfromThornetoThorne，longerthanhadbeenthecasewithanyotherestateoranyotherfamilyinthecounty。
ButDrThornewasonlyasecondcousin；and，therefore，thoughhewasentitledtotalkofthebloodasbelongingtosomeextenttohimself，hehadnorighttolayclaimtoanypositioninthecountyotherthansuchashemightwinforhimselfifhechosetolocatehimselfinit。
Thiswasafactofwhichnoonewasmorefullyawarethanourdoctorhimself。
Hisfather，whohadbeenfirstcousinofaformerSquireThorne，hadbeenaclericaldignitaryinBarchester，buthadbeendeadnowmanyyears。Hehadhadtwosons；onehehadeducatedasamedicalman，buttheother，andtheyounger，whomhehadintendedfortheBar，hadnotbetakenhimselfinanysatisfactorywaytoanycalling。ThissonhadbeenfirstrusticatedfromOxford，andthenexpelled；andthencereturningtoBarchester，hadbeenthecausetohisfatherandbrotherofmuchsuffering。
OldDrThorne，theclergyman，diedwhenthetwobrotherswereyetyoungmen，andleftbehindhimnothingbutsomehouseholdandotherpropertyofthevalueofabouttwothousandpounds，whichhebequeathedtoThomas，theelderson，muchmorethanthathavingbeenspentinliquidatingdebtscontractedbytheyounger。UptothattimetherehadbeencloseharmonybetweentheUllathornefamilyandthatoftheclergyman；butamonthortwobeforethedoctor\'sdeath——theperiodofwhichwearespeakingwasabouttwo-and-twentyyearsbeforethecommencementofourstory——thethenMrThorneofUllathornehadmadeitunderstoodthathewouldnolongerreceiveathishousehiscousinHenry，whomheregardedasadisgracetothefamily。
Fathersareapttobemorelenienttotheirsonsthanunclestotheirnephews，orcousinstoeachother。DrThornestillhopedtoreclaimhisblacksheep，andthoughtthattheheadofhisfamilyshowedanunnecessaryharshnessinputtinganobstacleinhiswayofdoingso。
Andifthefatherwaswarminsupportofhisprofligateson，theyoungmedicalaspirantwaswarmerinsupportofhisprofligatebrother。DrThorne，junior，wasnorouehimself，butperhaps，asayoungman，hehadnotsufficientabhorrenceofhisbrother\'svices。Atanyrate，hestucktohimmanfully；andwhenitwassignifiedintheClosethatHenry\'scompanywasnotconsidereddesirableatUllathorne，DrThomasThornesentwordtothesquirethatundersuchcircumstanceshisvisitstherewouldalsocease。
Thiswasnotveryprudent，astheyoungGalenhadelectedtoestablishhimselfinBarchester，verymainlyinexpectationforthehelpwhichhisUllathorneconnexionwouldgivehim。This，however，inhisangerhefailedtoconsider；hewasneverknown，eitherinearlyorinmiddlelife，toconsiderinhisangerthosepointswhichwereprobablybestworthhisconsideration。This，perhaps，wasofthelessmomentashisangerwasofanunenduringkind，evaporatingfrequentlywithmoreceleritythanhecouldgetangrywordsoutofhismouth。WiththeUllathornepeople，however，hedidestablishaquarrelsufficientlypermanenttobeofvitalinjurytohismedicalprospects。
Andthenthefatherdied，andthetwobrotherswereleftlivingtogetherwithverylittlemeansbetweenthem。AtthistimetherewaslivinginBarchester，peopleofthenameofScatcherd。Ofthatfamily，asthenexisting，wehaveonlytodowithtwo，abrotherandasister。
Theywereinalowrankoflife，theonebeingajourneymanstone-mason，andtheotheranapprenticetoastraw-bonnetmaker；buttheywere，nevertheless，insomesortremarkablepeople。ThesisterwasreputedinBarchestertobeamodeloffemalebeautyofthestrongandrobustercast，andhadalsoabetterreputationasbeingagirlofgoodcharacterandhonest，womanlyconduct。Bothofherbeautyandofherreputationherbrotherwasexceedinglyproud，andhewasthemoresowhenhelearntthatshehadbeenaskedinmarriagebyadecentmaster-tradesmaninthecity。
RogerScatcherdhadalsoareputation，butnotforbeautyorproprietyofconduct。Hewasknownforthebeststone-masoninthefourcounties，andasthemanwhocould，onoccasion，drinkthemostalcoholinagiventimeinthesamelocalities。Asaworkman，indeed，hehadhigherreputationeventhanthis：hewasnotonlyagoodandveryquickstone-mason，buthehadalsoacapacityforturningothermenintogoodstone-masons：hehadagiftofknowingwhatamancouldandshoulddo；
and，bydegrees，hetaughthimselfwhatfive，andten，andtwenty——latterly，whatathousandandtwothousandmenmightaccomplishamongthem：this，also，hedidwithverylittleaidfrompenandpaper，withwhichhewasnot，andneverbecame，veryconversant。Hehadalsoothergiftsandotherpropensities。Hecouldtalkinamannerdangeroustohimselfandtoothers；hecouldpersuadewithoutknowingthathedidso；andbeinghimselfanextremedemagogue，inthosenoisytimesjustpriortotheReformBill，hecreatedahubbubinBarchesterofwhichhehimselfhadhadnopreviousconception。
HenryThorneamonghisotherbadqualitieshadonewhichhisfriendsregardedasworsethanalltheothers，andwhichperhapsjustifiedtheUllathornepeopleintheirseverity。Helovedtoconsortwithlowpeople。Henotonlydrankintap-roomswithvulgardrinkers；sosaidhisfriends，andsosaidhisenemies。Hedeniedthechargeasbeingmadeinthepluralnumber，anddeclaredthathisonlylowco-revellerwasRogerScatcherd。WithRogerScatcherd，atanyrate，heassociated，andbecameasdemocraticasRogerhimself。NowtheThornesofUllathornewereoftheveryhighestorderofToryexcellence。
WhetherornotMaryScatcherdatonceacceptedtheofferoftherespectabletradesman，Icannotsay。Aftertheoccurrenceofcertaineventswhichmusthereshortlybetold，shedeclaredthatshehadneverdoneso。Herbrotheraverredthatshemostpositivelyhad。Therespectabletradesmanhimselfrefusedtospeakonthesubject。
Itiscertain，however，thatScatcherd，whohadhithertobeensilentenoughabouthissisterinthosesocialhourswhichhepassedwithhisgentlemanfriend，boastedoftheengagementwhenitwas，ashesaid，made；andthenboastedalsoofthegirl\'sbeauty。Scatcherd，inspiteofhisoccasionalintemperance，lookedupintheworld，andthecomingmarriageofhissisterwas，hethought，suitabletohisownambitionforhisfamily。
HenryThornehadalreadyheardof，andalreadyseen，MaryScatcherd；
buthithertoshehadnotfalleninthewayofhiswickedness。Now，however，whenheheardthatshewastobedecentlymarried，thedeviltemptedhimtotempther。Itbootsnottotellallthetale。Itcameoutclearlyenoughwhenallwastold，thathemadehermostdistinctpromisesofmarriage；heevengavehersuchinwriting；andhavinginthiswayobtainedfromherhercompanyduringsomeofherlittleholidays——herSundaysorsummerevenings——heseducedher。Scatcherdaccusedhimopenlyofhavingintoxicatedherwithdrugs；andThomasThorne，whotookupthecase，ultimatelybelievedthecharge。ItbecameknowninBarchesterthatshewaswithchild，andthattheseducerwasHenryThorne。
RogerScatcherd，whenthenewsfirstreachedhim，filledhimselfwithdrink，andthensworethathewouldkillthemboth。Withmanlywrath，however，hesetforth，firstagainsttheman，andthatwithmanlyweapons。HetooknothingwithhimbuthisfistsandabigstickashewentinsearchofHenryThorne。
Thetwobrotherswerethenlodgingtogetheratafarm-housecloseabuttingonthetown。Thiswasnotaneligibleabodeforamedicalpractitioner；buttheyoungdoctorhadnotbeenabletosettlehimselfeligiblysincehisfather\'sdeath；andwishingtoputwhatconstrainthecoulduponhisbrother，hadsolocatedhimself。Tothisfarm-housecameRogerScatcherdonesultrysummerevening，hisangergleamingfromhisbloodshoteyes，andhisrageheightenedtomadnessbytherapidpaceatwhichhehadrunfromthecity，andbytheardentspiritswhichwerefermentingwithinhim。
Attheverygateofthefarm-yard，standingplacidlywithhiscigarinhismouth，heencounteredHenryThorne。Hehadthoughtofsearchingforhimthroughthewholepremises，ofdemandinghisvictimwithloudexclamations，andmakinghiswaytohimthroughallobstacles。Inlieuofthat，therestoodthemanbeforehim。
\'Well，Roger，what\'sinthewind？\'saidHenryThorne。
Theywerethelastwordsheeverspoke。Hewasansweredbyablowfromtheblackthorn。Acontestensued；whichendedinScatcherdkeepinghisword——atanyrate，asregardedtheworstoffender。Howthefatalblowonthetemplewasstruckwasneverexactlydetermined；onemedicalmansaiditmighthavebeendoneinafightwithaheavy-headedstick；
anotherthoughtthatastonehadbeenused；athirdsuggestedastone-mason\'shammer。Itseemed，however，tobeprovedsubsequentlythatnohammerwastakenout，andScatcherdhimselfpersistedindeclaringthathehadtakeninhishandnoweaponbutthestick。
Scatcherd，however，wasdrunk；andeventhoughheintendedtotellthetruth，mayhavebeenmistaken。Therewere，however，thefactsthatThornewasdead；thatScatcherdhadsworntokillhimaboutanhourpreviously；andthathehadwithoutdelayaccomplishedthethreat。Hewasarrestedandtriedwithmurder，allthedistressingcircumstancesofthecasecameoutonthetrial：hewasfoundguiltyofman-slaughter，andsentencedtobeimprisonedforsixmonths。Ourreaderswillprobablythinkthatthepunishmentwastoosevere。
ThomasThorneandthefarmerwereonthespotsoonafterHenryThornehadfallen。Thebrotherwasatfirstfuriousforvengeanceagainsthisbrother\'smurderer；but，asthefactscameout，ashelearntwhathadbeentheprovocationgiven，whathadbeenthefeelingsofScatcherdwhenheleftthecity，determinedtopunishhimwhohadruinedhissister，hisheartwaschanged。Thoseweretryingdaysforhim。Itbehovedhimtodowhatinhimlaytocoverhisbrother\'smemoryfromtheobloquywhichitdeserved；itbehovedhimalsotosave，ortoassisttosave，fromunduepunishmenttheunfortunatemanwhohadshedhisbrother\'sblood；anditbehovedhimalso，atleastsohethought，tolookafterthatpoorfallenonewhosemisfortuneswerelessmeritedthanthoseeitherofhisbrotherorofhers。
Andhewasnotthemantogetthroughthesethingslightly，orwithasmucheaseasheperhapsmightconscientiouslyhavedone。Hewouldpayforthedefenceoftheprisoner；hewouldpayforthedefenceofhisbrother\'smemory；andhewouldpayforthepoorgirl\'scomforts。Hewoulddothis，andhewouldallownoonetohelphim。Hestoodaloneintheworld，andinsistedonsostanding。OldMrThorneofUllathorneofferedagaintoopenhisarmstohim；buthehadconceivedafoolishideathathiscousin\'sseverityhaddrivenhisbrotherontohisbadcareer，andhewouldconsequentlyacceptnokindnessfromUllathorne。
MissThorne，theoldsquire\'sdaughter——acousinconsiderablyolderthanhimself，towhomhehadatonetimebeenmuchattached——senthimmoney；andhereturnedittoherunderablankcover。Hehadstillenoughforthoseunhappypurposeswhichhehadinhand。Astowhatmighthappenafterwards，hewasthenmainlyindifferent。
Theaffairmademuchnoiseinthecounty，andwasinquiredintocloselybymanyofthecountymagistrates；bynonemorecloselythanbyJohnNewboldGresham，withtheenergyandjusticeshownbyDrThorneontheoccasion；andwhenthetrialwasover，heinvitedhimtoGreshamsbury。
Thevisitendedinthedoctorestablishinghimselfinthevillage。
WemustreturnforamomenttoMaryScatcherd。Shewassavedfromthenecessityofencounteringherbrother\'swrath，forthatbrotherwasunderarrestformurderbeforehecouldgetather。Herimmediatelot，however，wasacruelone。Deepaswashercauseforangeragainstthemanwhohadsoinhumanlyusedher，stillitwasnaturalthatsheshouldturntohimwithloveratherthanwithaversion。Towhomelsecouldsheinsuchplightlookforlove？When，therefore，sheheardthathewasslain，herheartsankwithinher；sheturnedherfacetothewall，andlaidherselfdowntodie；todieadoubledeath，forherselfandthefatherlessbabethatwasnowquickwithinher。
But，infact，lifehadstillmuchtooffer，bothtoherandherchild。
Forheritwasstilldestinedthatsheshould，inadistantland，betheworthywifeofagoodhusband，andthehappymotherofmanychildren。Forthatembryooneitwasdestined——butthatmaynotbesoquicklytold：todescribeherdestinythisvolumehasyettobewritten。
EveninthosebitterestdaysGodtemperedthewindtotheshornlamb。
DrThornewasbyherbedsidesoonafterthebloodytidingshadreachedher，anddidforhermorethaneitherherloverorherbrothercouldhavedone。Whenthebabywasborn，Scatcherdwasstillinprison，andhadstillthreemonths\'moreconfinementtoundergo。Thestoryofhergreatwrongsandcruelusageasmuchtalkedof，andmensaidthatonewhohadbeensoinjuredshouldberegardedashavinginnowisesinnedatall。
Oneman，atanyrate，sothought。Attwilight，oneevening，ThornewassurprisedbyavisitfromademureBarchesterhardwaredealer，whomhedidnotrememberevertohaveaddressedbefore。ThiswastheformerloverofthepoorMaryScatcherd。Hehadaproposaltomakeanditwasthis：——ifMarywouldconsenttoleavethecountryatonce，toleaveitwithoutnoticefromherbrother，ortalkoreclatonthematter，hewouldsellallthathehad，marryher，andemigrate。Therewasbutonecondition；shemustleaveherbabybehindher。Thehardware-mancouldfinditinhishearttobegenerous，tobegenerousandtruetohislove；buthecouldnotbegenerousenoughtofathertheseducer\'schild。
\'Icouldneverabideit，sir，ifItookit，\'saidhe；\'andshe，——whyincourseshewouldalwaysloveitthebest。\'
Inpraisinghisgenerosity，whocanmingleanycensureforsuchmanifestprudence？Hewouldstillmakeherthewifeofhisbosom，defiledintheeyesoftheworldasshehadbeen；butshemustbetohimthemotherofhisownchildren，notthemotherofanother\'schild。
Andnowagainourdoctorhadahardtasktowinthrough。Hesawatoncethatitwashisdutytousehisutmostauthoritytoinducethepoorgirltoacceptsuchanoffer。Shelikedtheman；andherewasopenedtoheracoursewhichwouldhavebeenmostdesirable，evenbeforehermisfortune。Butitishardtopersuadeamothertopartwithherfirstbabe；harder，perhaps，whenthebabehadbeensofatheredandsobornthanwhentheworldhasshonebrightlyonitsearliesthours。Sheatfirstrefusedstoutly：shesentathousandloves，athousandthanks，profusestacknowledgementsforhisgenerositytothemanwhoshowedherthathelovedhersowell；butNature，shesaid，wouldnotletherleaveherchild。
\'Andwhatwillyoudoforherhere，Mary？\'saidthedoctor。PoorMaryrepliedtohimwithadelugeoftears。
\'Sheismyniece，\'saidthedoctor，takingupthetinyinfantinhishugehands；\'sheisalreadythenearestthing，theonlythingthatI
haveintheworld。Iamheruncle，Mary。IfyouwillgowiththismanIwillbefathertoherandmothertoher。OfwhatbreadIeat，sheshalleat；ofwhatcupIdrink，sheshalldrink。See，Mary，hereistheBible；\'andhecoveredthebookwithhishand，\'Leavehertome，andbythiswordsheshallbemychild。\'
Themotherconsentedatlast；leftherbabywiththedoctor，married，andwenttoAmerica。AllthiswasconsummatedbeforeRogerScatcherdwasliberatedfromjail。Someconditionsthedoctormade。Thefirstwas，thatScatcherdshouldnotknowhissister\'schildwasthusdisposedof。DrThorne，inundertakingtobringupthebaby，didnotchoosetoencounteranygirl\'srelationsontheotherside。Relationsshewouldundoubtedlyhavehadnonehadshebeenlefttoliveordieasaworkhousebastard；butshouldthedoctorsucceedinlife，shouldheultimatelybeabletomakethisgirlthedarlingofhisownhouse，andthenthedarlingofsomeotherhouse，shouldsheliveandwintheheartofsomemanwhomthedoctormightdelighttocallhisfriendandnephew；thenrelationsmightspringupwhosetieswouldnotadvantageous。
NomanplumedhimselfongoodbloodmorethanDrThorne；nomanhadgreaterprideinhisgenealogicaltree，andhishundredandthirtyclearlydescendantfromMacAdam；nomanhadastrongertheoryastotheadvantageheldbymenwhohavegrandfathersoverthosewhohavenone，orhavenoneworthtalkingabout。Letitnotbethoughtthatourdoctorwasaperfectcharacter。No，indeed；mostfarfromperfect。Hehadwithinhimaninner，stubborn，self-admiringpride，whichmadehimbelievehimselftobebetterandhigherthanthosearoundhim，andthisfromsomeunknowncausewhichhecouldhardlyexplaintohimself。Hehadaprideinbeingapoormanofahighfamily；hehadaprideinrepudiatingtheveryfamilyofwhichhewasproud；andhehadaspecialprideinkeepinghispridesilentlytohimself。HisfatherhadbeenaThorne，hismotheraThorold。TherewasnobetterbloodtobehadinEngland。Itwasinthepossessionofsuchpropertiesasthesethathecondescendedtorejoice；thisman，withaman\'sheart，aman\'scourage，andaman\'shumanity！Otherdoctorsroundthecountyhadditch-waterintheirveins；hecouldboastofapureichor，towhichthatofthegreatOmniumfamilywasbutamuddypuddle。Itwasthusthathelovedtoexcelhisbrotherpractitioners，hewhomighthaveindulgedintheprideofexcellingthembothintalentandinenergy！Wespeaknowofhisearlydays；buteveninhismaturerlife，theman，thoughmellowed，wasthesame。
Thiswasthemanwhonowpromisedtotaketohisbosomashisownchildapoorbastardwhosefatherwasalreadydead，andwhosemother\'sfamilywassuchastheScatcherds！Itwasnecessarythatthechild\'shistoryshouldbeknowntonone。Excepttothemother\'sbrotheritwasanobjectofinteresttonoone。Themotherhadforsomeshorttimebeentalkedof；butnowthatthenine-days\'wonderwasawondernolonger。
Shewentofftoherfar-awayhome；herhusband\'sgenerositywasdulychronicledinthepapers，andthebabewasleftuntalkedofandunknown。
ItwaseasytoexplaintoScatcherdthatthechildhadnotlived。Therewasapartinginterviewbetweenthebrotherandsisterinthejail，duringwhichwithrealtearsandunaffectedsorrow，themotherthusaccountedfortheoffspringofhershame。Thenshestarted，fortunateinhercomingfortunes；andthedoctortookwithhimhischargetothenewcountryinwhichtheywerebothtolive。Therehefoundforherafittinghometillsheshouldbeoldenoughtositathistableandliveinhisbachelorhouse；andnoonebutoldMrGreshamknewwhoshewas，orwhenceshehadcome。
ThenRogerScatcherd，havingcompletedhissixmonths\'confinement，cameoutofprison。
RogerScatcherd，thoughhishandswerenowredwithblood，wastobepitied。AshorttimebeforethedaysofHenryThorne\'sdeathhehadmarriedayoungwifeinhisownclassoflife，andhadmademanyresolvesthathenceforwardhisconductshouldbesuchasmightbecomeamarriedman，andmightnotdisgracetherespectablebrother-in-lawhewasabouttohavegivenhimsuchwashisconditionwhenhefirstheardofhissister\'splight。Ashasbeensaid，hefilledhimselfwithdrinkandstartedoffonthescentofblood。
Duringhisprisondayshiswifehadtosupportherselfasshemight。
Thedecentarticlesoffurniturewhichtheyhadputtogetherweresold；
shegaveuptheirlittlehouse，and，boweddownbymisery，shealsowasbroughtneartodeath。Whenhewasliberatedheatoncegotwork；butthosewhohavewatchedthelivesofsuchpeopleknowhowharditisforthemtorecoverlostground。Shebecameamotherimmediatelyafterhisliberation，andwhenherchildwasborntheywereindirestwant；forScatcherdwasagaindrinking，andhisresolveswereblowntothewind。
ThedoctorwasthenlivingatGreshamsbury。HehadgoneovertherebeforethedayonwhichheundertookthechargeofpoorMary\'sbaby，andsoonfoundhimselfsettledastheGreshamsburydoctor。Thisoccurredverysoonafterthebirthoftheyoungheir。Hispredecessorinthiscareerhad\'bettered\'himself，orendeavouredtodoso，byseekingthepracticeofsomelargetown，andLadyArabella，ataverycriticaltime，wasabsolutelyleftwithnootheradvicethanthatofastranger，pickedup，asshedeclaredtoLadydeCourcy，somewherebetweenBarchesterjail，orBarchestercourt-house，shedidnotknowwhich。
OfcourseLadyArabellacouldnotsuckletheyoungheirherself。LadiesArabellanevercan。Theyaregiftedwiththepowersofbeingmothers，butnotnursing-mothers。Naturegivesthembosomsforshow，butnotforuse。SoLadyArabellahadawet-nurse。AttheendofsixmonthsthenewdoctorfoundMasterFrankwasnotdoingquitesowellasheshoulddo；andafteralittletroubleitwasdiscoveredthattheveryexcellentyoungwomanwhohadbeensentexpressfromCourcyCastletoGreshamsbury——asupplybeingkeptuponthelord\'sdemesneforthefamilyuse——wasfondofbrandy。Shewasatoncesentbacktothecastle，ofcourse；and，asLadydeCourcywastoomuchindudgeontosendanother，DrThornewasallowedtoprocureone。HethoughtofthemiseryofRogerScatcherd\'swife，thoughalsoofherhealthandstrength，andactivehabits；andthusMrsScatcherdbecamethefoster-mothertoyoungGresham。
Oneotherepisodewemusttellofpasttimes。Previoustohisfather\'sdeath，DrThornewasinlove。Norhadhealtogethersighedandpleadedinvain；thoughithadnotquitecometothat，theyounglady\'sfriends，oreventheyoungladyherself，hadactuallyacceptedhissuit。AtthattimehisnamestoodwellinBarchester。Hisfatherwasaprebendary；hiscousinsandhisbestfriendsweretheThornesofUllathorne，andthelady，whoshallbenameless，wasnotthoughttobeinjudiciousinlisteningtotheyoungdoctor。ButwhenHenryThornewentsofarastray，whentheolddoctordied，whentheyoungdoctorquarrelledwithUllathorne，whenthebrotherwaskilledinadisgracefulquarrel，anditturnedoutthatthephysicianhadnothingbuthisprofessionandnosettledlocalityinwhichtoexerciseit；
then，indeed，theyounglady\'sfriendsthoughtthatshewasinjudicious，andtheyoungladyherselfhadnotspiritenough，orloveenough，tobedisobedient。InthosestormydaysofthetrialshetoldDrThorne，thatperhapsitwouldbewisethattheyshouldnotseeeachotheranymore。
DrThorne，socounselled，atsuchamoment，——soinformedthen，whenhemostrequiredcomfortfromhislove，atoncesworeloudlythatheagreedwithher。Herushedforthwithaburstingheart，andsaidtohimselfthattheworldwasbad，allbad。Hesawtheladynomore；and，ifIamrightlyinformed，neveragainmadematrimonialoverturestoanyone。
CHAPTERIII
DRTHORNE
AndthusDrThornebecamesettledforlifeinthelittlevillageofGreshamsbury。Aswasthenthewontwithmanycountrypractitioners，andasshouldbethewontwiththemalliftheyconsultedtheirowndignityalittlelessandthecomfortsoftheircustomerssomewhatmore，headdedthebusinessofadispensingapothecarytothatofaphysician。Indoingso，hewasofcoursemuchreviled。Manypeoplearoundhimdeclaredthathecouldnottrulybeadoctor，or，atanyrate，adoctortobesocalled；andhisbrethrenintheartlivingroundhim，thoughtheyknewthathisdiplomas，degrees，andcertificateswereallenregle，rathercountenancedthereport。Therewasmuchaboutthisnew-comerwhichdidnotendearhimtohisownprofession。Inthefirstplacehewasanew-comer，and，assuch，wasofcoursetoberegardedbyotherdoctorsasbeingdetrop。
GreshamsburywasonlyfifteenmilesfromBarchester，wheretherewasaregulardepotofmedicalskill，andbuteightfromSilverbridge，whereaproperlyestablishedphysicianhadbeeninresidenceforthelastfortyyears。DrThorne\'spredecessoratGreshamsburyhadbeenahumble-mindedgeneralpractitioner，giftedwithaduerespectforthephysiciansofthecounty；andhe，thoughhehadbeenallowedtophysictheservants，andsometimesthechildrenofGreshamsbury，hadneverhadthepresumptiontoputhimselfonaparwithhisbetters。
Thenalso，DrThorne，thoughagraduatedphysician，thoughentitledbeyondalldisputetocallhimselfadoctor，accordingtoallthelawsofthecolleges，madeitknowntotheEastBarsetshireworld，verysoonafterhehadseatedhimselfatGreshamsbury，thathisrateofpaywastobeseven-and-sixpenceavisitwithinacircuitoffivemiles，withaproportionallyincreasedchargeatproportionallyincreaseddistances。
Nowtherewassomethinglow，mean，unprofessional，anddemocraticinthis；so，atleast，saidthechildrenofAEsculapiusgatheredtogetherinconclaveatBarchester。Inthefirstplace，itshowedthatthisThornewasalwaysthinkingofhismoney，likeanapothecary，ashewas；
whereas，itwouldhavebehovedhim，asaphysician，hadhehadthefeelingsofaphysicianunderhishat，tohaveregardedhisownpursuitsinapurelyphilosophicalspirit，andtohavetakenanygainwhichmighthaveaccruedasanaccidentaladjuncttohisstationinlife。Aphysicianshouldtakehisfeewithoutlettinghislefthandknowwhathisrighthandwasdoing；itshouldbetakenwithoutathought，withoutalook，withoutamoveofthefacialmuscles；thetruephysicianshouldhardlybeawarethatthelastfriendlygraspofthehandhadbeenmorepreciousbythetouchofgold。Whereas，thatfellowThornewouldlugouthalfacrownfromhisbreechespocketandgiveitinchangeforatenshillingpiece。Andthenitwasclearthatthismanhadnoappreciationofthedignityofalearnedprofession。Hemightconstantlybeseencompoundingmedicinesintheshop，atthelefthandofhisfrontdoor；notmakingexperimentsphilosophicallyinmaterialsmedicaforthebenefitofcomingages——which，ifhedid，heshouldhavedoneintheseclusionofhisstudy，farfromprofaneeyes——butpositivelyputtingtogethercommonpowdersforruralbowels，orspreadingvulgarointmentsforagriculturalailments。
AmanofthissortwasnotfitforsocietyforDrFillgraveofBarchester。Thatmustbeadmitted。AndyethehadbeenfoundtobefitsocietyfortheoldsquireofGreshamsbury，whoseshoe-ribbonsDrFillgravewouldnothaveobjectedtotie；sohighdidtheoldsquirestandinthecountyjustprevioustohisdeath。ButthespiritoftheLadyArabellawasknownbythemedicalprofessionofBarsetshire，andwhenthatgoodmandieditwasfeltthatThorne\'sshorttenureofGreshamsburyfavourwasalreadyover。TheBarsetshireregularswere，however，doomedtodisappointment。Ourdoctorhadalreadycontrivedtoendearhimselftotheheir；andthoughtherewasnotevenmuchpersonallovebetweenhimandtheLadyArabella，hekepthisplaceatthegreathouseunmoved，notonlyinthenurseryandinthebedrooms，butalsoatthesquire\'sdining-table。
Nowtherewasinthis，itmustbeadmitted，quiteenoughtomakehimunpopularwithhisbrethren；andthisfeelingwassoonshowninamarkedanddignifiedmanner。DrFillgrave，whohadcertainlythemostrespectableprofessionalconnexioninthecounty，whohadareputationtomaintain，andwhowasaccustomedtomeet，onalmostequalterms，thegreatmedicalbaronetsfromthemetropolisatthehousesofthenobility——DrFillgravedeclinedtomeetDrThorneinconsultation。Heexceedinglyregretted，hesaid，mostexceedingly，thenecessityhefeltofdoingso：hehadneverbeforehadtoperformsopainfuladuty；but，asadutywhichheowedtohisprofession，hemustperformit。WitheveryfeelingofrespectofLady-，——asickguestatGreshamsbury，——andforMrGresham，hemustdeclinetoattendinconjunctionwithDrThorne。Ifhisservicescouldbemadeavailableunderanyothercircumstances，hewouldgotoGreshamsburyasfastaspost-horsescouldcarryhim。
Then，indeed，therewaswarinBarsetshire。IftherewasonDrThorne\'scraniumonebumpmoredevelopedthananother，itwasthatofcombativeness。Notthatthedoctorwasabully，orevenpugnacious，intheusualsenseoftheword；hehadnodispositiontoprovokeafight，nopropenseloveofquarrelling；buttherewasthatinhimwhichwouldallowhimtoyieldtonoattack。Neitherinargumentnorincontestwouldheeverallowhimselftobewrong；neveratleasttoanyonebuthimself；andonbehalfofhisspecialhobbies，hewasreadytomeettheworldatlarge。
Itwillthereforebeunderstood，thatwhensuchagauntletwasthusthrowninhisveryteethbyDrFillgrave，hewasnotslowtotakeitup。HeaddressedalettertotheBarsetshireConservativeStandard，inwhichheattackedDrFillgravewithsomeconsiderableacerbity。DrFillgraverespondedinfourlines，sayingthatonmatureconsiderationhehadmadeuphismindnottonoticeanyremarksthatmightbemadeonhimbyDrThorneinthepublicpress。TheGreshamsburydoctorthenwroteanotherletter，morewittyandmuchmoreseverethanthelast；
andasthiswascopiedintotheBristol，Exeter，andGloucesterpapers，DrFillgravefounditverydifficulttomaintainthemagnanimityofhisreticence。ItissometimesbecomingenoughforaMediterraneantowraphimselfinthedignifiedtogaofsilence，andproclaimhimselfindifferenttopublicattacks；butitisasortofdignitywhichitisverydifficulttomaintain。Aswellmightaman，whenstungtomadnessbywasps，endeavourtositinhischairwithoutmovingamuscle，asendurewithpatienceandwithoutreplythecourtesiesofanewspaperopponent。DrThornewroteathirdletterwhichwastoomuchformedicalfleshandbloodtobear。DrFillgraveansweredit，not，indeed，inhisownname，butinthatofabrotherdoctor；andthenthewarragedmerrily。ItishardlytoomuchtosaythatDrFillgraveneverknewanotherhappyhour。HadhedreamedofwhatmaterialswasmadethatyoungcompounderofdosesatGreshamsburyhewouldhavemethiminconsultation，morning，noon，andnight，withoutobjection；buthavingbegunthewar，hewasconstrainedtogoonwithit：hisbrethrenwouldallowhimnoalternative。Thushewascontinuallybeingbroughtuptothefight，asaprize-fightermaybeseentobe，whoiscarrieduproundafterround，withoutanyhopeonhisownpart，andwho，ineachround，dropstothegroundbeforetheverywindofhisopponent\'sblows。
ButDrFillgrave，thoughthusweakhimself，wasbackedinpracticeandincountenancebynearlyallhisbrethreninthecounty。Theguineafee，theprincipleofgivingadviceandofsellingnomedicine，thegreatresolvetokeepadistinctbarrierbetweenthephysicianandtheapothecary，and，aboveall，thehatredofthecontaminationofabill，werestronginthemedicalmindofBarsetshire。DrThornehadtheprovincialmedicalworldagainsthim，andsoheappealedtothemetropolis。TheLancettookthematterupinhisfavour，buttheJournalofMedicalSciencewasagainsthim；theWeeklyChirurgeon，notedforitsmedicaldemocracy，upheldhimasamedicalprophet，buttheScalpingKnife，amonthlyperiodicalgotupindeadoppositiontotheLancet，showedhimnomercy。Sothewarwenton，andourdoctor，toacertainextent，becameanotedcharacter。
Hehad，moreover，otherdifficultiestoencounterinhisprofessionalcareer。Itwassomethinginhisfavourthatheunderstoodhisbusiness；somethingthathewaswillingtolabouratitwithenergy；
andresolvedtolabouratitconscientiously。Hehadalsoothergifts，suchasconversationalbrilliancy，andaptitudefortruegoodfellowship，firmnessinfriendship，andgeneralhonestyofdisposition，whichstoodhiminsteadasheadvancedinlife。But，athisfirststarting，muchthatbelongedtohimselfpersonallywasagainsthim。Lethimenterwhathousehewould，heentereditwithaconviction，oftenexpressedtohimself，thathewasequalasamantotheproprietor，equalasahumanbeingtotheproprietress。Toagehewouldallowdeference，andtospecialrecognizedtalent——atleastsohesaid；torankalso，hewouldpaythatrespectwhichwasitsclearandrecognizedprerogative；hewouldletalordwalkoutofaroombeforehimifhedidnothappentoforgetit；inspeakingtoadukehewouldaddresshimasHisGrace；andhewouldinnowayassumeafamiliaritywithbiggermenthanhimself，allowingtothebiggermantheprivilegeofmakingthefirstadvances。Butbeyondthishewouldadmitthatnomanshouldwalktheearthwithhisheadhigherthanhisown。
Hedidnottalkofthesethingsmuch；heoffendednorankbyboastsofhisownequality；hedidnotabsolutelytelltheEarldeCourcyinwords，thattheprivilegeofdiningatCourcyCastlewastohimnogreaterthantheprivilegeofdiningatCourcyParsonage；buttherewasthatinhismannerthattoldit。Thefeelinginitselfwasperhapsgood，andwascertainlymuchjustifiedbythemannerinwhichheborehimselftothosebelowhiminrank；buttherewasfollyintheresolutiontoruncountertotheworld\'srecognizedrulesonsuchmatters；andmuchabsurdityinhismodeofdoingso，seeingthatathearthewasathoroughConservative。Itishardlytoomuchtosaythathenaturallyhatedalordatfirstsight；but，nevertheless，hewouldhaveexpendedhismeans，hisblood，andspirit，infightingfortheupperhouseofParliament。
Suchadisposition，untilitwasthoroughlyunderstood，didnottendtoingratiatehimwiththewivesofthecountrygentlemenamongwhomhehadtolookforpractice。Andthen，also，therewasnotmuchinhisindividualmannertorecommendhimtothefavourofladies。Hewasbrusque，authoritative，giventocontradiction，roughthoughneverdirtyinhispersonalbelongings，andinclinedtoindulgeinasortofquietraillery，whichsometimeswasnotthoroughlyunderstood。Peopledidnotalwaysknowwhetherhewaslaughingatthemorwiththem；andsomepeoplewere，perhaps，inclinedtothinkthatadoctorshouldnotlaughatallwhencalledintoactdoctorially。
Whenhewasknown，indeed，whenthecoreofthefruithadbeenreached，whenthehugeproportionofthatlovingtrustinghearthadbeenlearned，andunderstood，andappreciated，whenthathonestyhadbeenrecognized，thatmanly，almostwomanlytendernesshadbeenfelt，then，indeed，thedoctorwasacknowledgedtobeadequateinhisprofession。
Totriflingailmentshewastoooftenbrusque。Seeingthatheacceptedmoneyforthecureofsuch，heshould，wemaysay，havecuredthemwithoutanoffensivemanner。Sofarheiswithoutdefence。Buttorealsufferingnoonefoundhimbrusque；nopatientlyingpainfullyonabedofsicknesseverthoughthimrough。
Anothermisfortunewas，thathewasabachelor。Ladiesthink，andI，forone，thinkthatladiesarequiterightinsothinking，thatdoctorsshouldbemarriedmen。Alltheworldfeelsthatamanwhenmarriedacquiressomeoftheattributesoftheoldwoman——hebecomes，toacertainextent，amotherlysortofbeing；heacquiresaconversancewithwomen\'swaysandwomen\'swants，andlosesthewilderandoffensivesparksofhisvirility。ItmustbeeasiertotalktosuchaoneaboutMatilda\'sstomach，andthegrowingpainsinFanny\'slegs，thantoayoungbachelor。ThisimpedimentalsostoodmuchinDrThorne\'swayduringhisfirstyearsatGreshamsbury。
Buthiswantswerenotatfirstgreat；andthoughhisambitionwasperhapshigh，itwasnotofanimpatientnature。Theworldwashisoyster；but，circumstancedashewas，heknewthatitwasnotforhimtoopenitwithhislancetallatonce。Hehadbreadtoearn，whichhemustearnwearily；hehadacharactertomake，whichmustcomeslowly；
itsatisfiedhissoul，thatinadditiontohisimmortalhopes，hehadapossiblefutureinthisworldtowhichhecouldlookforwardwithcleareyes，andadvancewithhisheartthatwouldknownofainting。
