LittlePearl—whowasasgreatlypleasedwiththegleamingarmourasshehadbeenwiththeglitteringfrontispieceofthehouse—spentsometimelookingintothepolishedmirrorofthebreastplate。
\"Mother，\"criedshe，\"Iseeyouhere。Look！Look！\"
Hesterlooked，bywayofhumouringthechild；andshesawthat，owingtothepeculiareffectofthisconvexmirror，thescarletletterwasrepresentedinexaggeratedandgiganticproportions，soastobegreatlythemostprominentfeatureofherappearance。Intruth，sheseemedabsolutelyhiddenbehindit。Pearlpointedupward，also，atasimilarpictureinthehead—piece；smilingathermother，withtheelfishintelligencethatwassofamiliaranexpressiononhersmallphysiognomy。Thatlookofnaughtymerrimentwaslikewisereflectedinthemirror，withsomuchbreadthandintensityofeffect，thatitmadeHesterPrynnefeelasifitcouldnotbetheimageofherownchild，butofanimpwhowasseekingtomoulditselfintoPearl’sshape。
\"Comealong，Pearl，\"saidshe，drawingheraway。\"Comeandlookintothisfairgarden。Itmaybe，weshallseeflowersthere；morebeautifulonesthanwefindinthewoods。\"
Pearl，accordingly，rantothebow—window，atthefartherendofthehall，andlookedalongthevistaofagarden—walk，carpetedwithcloselyshavengrass，andborderedwithsomerudeandimmatureattemptatshrubbery。Buttheproprietorappearedalreadytohaverelinquished，ashopeless，theefforttoperpetuateonthissideoftheAtlantic，inahardsoilandamidtheclosestruggleforsubsistence，thenativeEnglishtasteforornamentalgardening。
Cabbagesgrewinplainsight；andapumpkinvine，rootedatsomedistance，hadrunacrosstheinterveningspace，anddepositedoneofitsgiganticproductsdirectlybeneaththehall—window；asiftowarntheGovernorthatthisgreatlumpofvegetablegoldwasasrichanornamentasNewEnglandearthwouldofferhim。Therewereafewrose—bushes，however，andanumberofapple—trees，probablythedescendantsofthoseplantedbytheReverendMr。Blackstone，thefirstsettlerofthepeninsula；thathalfmythologicalpersonage，whoridesthroughourearlyannals，seatedonthebackofabull。
Pearl，seeingtherose—bushes，begantocryforaredrose，andwouldnotbepacified。
\"Hush，child，hush！\"saidhermotherearnestly。\"Donotcry，dearlittlePearl！Ihearvoicesinthegarden。TheGovernoriscoming，andgentlemenalongwithhim！\"
Infact，adownthevistaofthegardenavenue，anumberofpersonswereseenapproachingtowardsthehouse。Pearl，inutterscornofhermother’sattempttoquiether，gaveaneldritchscream，andthenbecamesilent；notfromanynotionofobedience，butbecausethequickandmobilecuriosityofherdispositionwasexcitedbytheappearanceofthesenewpersonages。
VIII。
THEELF—CHILDANDTHEMINISTER。
GOVERNORBELLINGHAM，inaloosegownandeasycap—muchaselderlygentlemenlovedtoenduethemselveswith，intheirdomesticprivacy—
walkedforemost，andappearedtobeshowingoffhisestate，andexpatiatingonhisprojectedimprovements。Thewidecircumferenceofanelaborateruff，beneathhisgreybeard，intheantiquatedfashionofKingJames’reign，causedhisheadtolooknotalittlelikethatofJohntheBaptistinacharger。Theimpressionmadebyhisaspect，sorigidandsevere，andfrost—bittenwithmorethanautumnalage，washardlyinkeepingwiththeappliancesofworldlyenjoymentwherewithhehadevidentlydonehisutmosttosurroundhimself。Butitisanerrortosupposethatourgraveforefathers—thoughaccustomedtospeakandthinkofhumanexistenceasastatemerelyoftrialandwarfare，andthoughunfeignedlypreparedtosacrificegoodsandlifeatthebehestofduty—madeitamatterofconsciencetorejectsuchmeansofcomfort，orevenluxury，aslayfairlywithintheirgrasp。
Thiscreedwasnevertaught，forinstance，bythevenerablepastor，JohnWilson，whosebeard，whiteasasnow—drift，wasseenoverGovernorBellingham’sshoulder；whileitswearersuggestedthatpearsandpeachesmightyetbenaturalisedintheNewEnglandclimate，andthatpurplegrapesmightpossiblybecompelledtoflourish，againstthesunnygarden—wall。Theoldclergyman，nurturedattherichbosomoftheEnglishChurch，hadalong—establishedandlegitimatetasteforallgoodandcomfortablethings；andhoweversternhemightshowhimselfinthepulpit，orinhispublicreproofofsuchtransgressionsasthatofHesterPrynne，still，thegenialbenevolenceofhisprivatelifehadwonhimwarmeraffectionthanwasaccordedtoanyofhisprofessionalcontemporaries。
BehindtheGovernorandMr。Wilsoncametwootherguests；onetheReverendArthurDimmesdale，whomthereadermayrememberashavingtakenabriefandreluctantpartinthesceneofHesterPrynne’sdisgrace；and，inclosecompanionshipwithhim，oldRogerChillingworth，apersonofgreatskillinphysic，who，fortwoorthreeyearspast，hadbeensettledinthetown。Itwasunderstoodthatthislearnedmanwasthephysicianaswellasfriendoftheyoungminister，whosehealthhadseverelysuffered，oflate，byhistoounreservedself—sacrificetothelaboursanddutiesofthepastoralrelation。
TheGovernor，inadvanceofhisvisitors，ascendedoneortwosteps，and，throwingopentheleavesofthegreathall—window，foundhimselfclosetolittlePearl。TheshadowofthecurtainfellonHesterPrynne，andpartiallyconcealedher。
\"Whathavewehere？\"saidGovernorBellingham，lookingwithsurpriseatthescarletlittlefigurebeforehim。\"Iprofess，Ihaveneverseenthelike，sincemydaysofvanity，inoldKingJames’time，whenIwaswonttoesteemitahighfavourtobeadmittedtoacourtmask！
Thereusedtobeaswarmofthesesmallapparitions，inholidaytime；andwecalledthemchildrenoftheLordofMisrule。Buthowgatsuchaguestintomyhall？\"
\"Ay，indeed！\"criedgoodoldMr。Wilson。\"Whatlittlebirdofscarletplumagemaythisbe？MethinksIhaveseenjustsuchfigures，whenthesunhasbeenshiningthrougharichlypaintedwindow，andtracingoutthegoldenandcrimsonimagesacrossthefloor。Butthatwasintheoldland。Prithee，youngone，whoartthou，andwhathasailedthymothertobedizentheeinthisstrangefashion？ArtthouaChristianchild—ha？Dostknowthycatechism？Orartthouoneofthosenaughtyelfsorfairies，whomwethoughttohaveleftbehindus，withotherrelicsofPapistry，inmerryoldEngland？\"
\"Iammother’schild，\"answeredthescarletvision，\"andmynameisPearl！\"
\"Pearl？—Ruby，rather！—orCoral！—orRedRose，attheveryleast，judgingfromthyhue！\"respondedtheoldminister，puttingforthhishandinavainattempttopatlittlePearlonthecheek。\"Butwhereisthismotherofthine？Ah！Isee，\"headded；and，turningtoGovernorBellingham，whispered，\"Thisistheselfsamechildofwhomwehaveheldspeechtogether；andbeholdheretheunhappywoman，HesterPrynne，hermother！\"
\"Sayestthouso？\"criedtheGovernor。\"Nay，wemighthavejudgedthatsuchachild’smothermustneedsbeascarletwoman，andaworthytypeofherofBabylon！Butshecomesatagoodtime；andwewilllookintothismatterforthwith。\"
GovernorBellinghamsteppedthroughthewindowintothehall，followedbyhisthreeguests。
\"HesterPrynne，\"saidhe，fixinghisnaturallysternregardonthewearerofthescarletletter，\"therehathbeenmuchquestionconcerningthee，oflate。Thepointhathbeenweightilydiscussed，whetherwe，thatareofauthorityandinfluence，dowelldischargeourconsciencesbytrustinganimmortalSoul，suchasthereisinyonderchild，totheguidanceofonewhohathstumbledandfallenamidthepitfallsofthisworld。Speakthou，thechild’sownmother！Wereitnot，thinkestthou，forthylittleone’stemporalandeternalwelfare，thatshebetakenoutofthycharge，andcladsoberly，anddisciplinedstrictly，andinstructedinthetruthsofheavenandearth？Whatcanstthoudoforthechild，inthiskind？\"
\"IcanteachmylittlePearlwhatIhavelearnedfromthis！\"
answeredHesterPrynne，layingherfingerontheredtoken。
\"Woman，itisthybadgeofshame！\"repliedthesternmagistrate。\"Itisbecauseofthestainwhichthatletterindicates，thatwewouldtransferthychildtootherhands。\"
\"Nevertheless，\"saidthemothercalmly，thoughgrowingmorepale，\"thisbadgehathtaughtme—itdailyteachesme—itisteachingmeatthismoment—lessonswhereofmychildmaybethewiserandbetter，albeittheycanprofitnothingtothyself。\"
\"Wewilljudgewarily，\"saidBellingham，\"andlookwellwhatweareabouttodo。GoodMasterWilson，Iprayyou，examinethisPearl—
sincethatishername—andseewhethershehathhadsuchChristiannurtureasbefitsachildofherage。\"
Theoldministerseatedhimselfinanarm—chair，andmadeanefforttodrawPearlbetwixthisknees。Butthechild，unaccustomedtothetouchorfamiliarityofanybuthermother，escapedthroughtheopenwindow，andstoodontheupperstep，lookinglikeawildtropicalbird，ofrichplumage，readytotakeflightintotheupperair。Mr。
Wilson，notalittleastonishedatthisoutbreak—forhewasagrandfatherlysortofpersonage，andusuallyavastfavouritewithchildren—essayed，however，toproceedwiththeexamination。
\"Pearl，\"saidhe，withgreatsolemnity，\"thoumusttakeheedtoinstruction，thatso，indueseason，thoumayestwearinthybosomthepearlofgreatprice。Canstthoutellme，mychild，whomadethee？\"
NowPearlknewwellenoughwhomadeher；forHesterPrynne，thedaughterofapioushome，verysoonafterhertalkwiththechildaboutherHeavenlyFather，hadbeguntoinformherofthosetruthswhichthehumanspirit，atwhateverstageofimmaturity，imbibeswithsucheagerinterest。Pearl，therefore，solargeweretheattainmentsofherthreeyears’lifetime，couldhaveborneafairexaminationintheNewEnglandPrimer，orthefirstcolumnoftheWestminsterCatechisms，althoughunacquaintedwiththeoutwardformofeitherofthosecelebratedworks。Butthatperversity，whichallchildrenhavemoreorlessof，andofwhichlittlePearlhadatenfoldportion，now，atthemostinopportunemoment，tookthoroughpossessionofher，andclosedherlips，orimpelledhertospeakwordsamiss。
Afterputtingherfingerinhermouth，withmanyungraciousrefusalstoanswergoodMr。Wilson’squestion，thechildfinallyannouncedthatshehadnotbeenmadeatall，buthadbeenpluckedbyhermotheroffthebushofwildrosesthatgrewbytheprison—door。
ThisfantasywasprobablysuggestedbythenearproximityoftheGovernor’sredroses，asPearlstoodoutsideofthewindow；togetherwithherrecollectionoftheprisonrose—bush，whichshehadpassedincominghither。
OldRogerChillingworth，withasmileonhisface，whisperedsomethingintheyoungclergyman’sear。HesterPrynnelookedatthemanofskill，andeventhen，withherfatehanginginthebalance，wasstartledtoperceivewhatachangehadcomeoverhisfeatures—howmuchugliertheywere—howhisdarkcomplexionseemedtohavegrownduskier，andhisfiguremoremisshapen—sincethedayswhenshehadfamiliarlyknownhim。Shemethiseyesforaninstant，butwasimmediatelyconstrainedtogiveallherattentiontothescenenowgoingforward。
\"Thisisawful！\"criedtheGovernor，slowlyrecoveringfromtheastonishmentintowhichPearl’sresponsehadthrownhim。\"Hereisachildofthreeyearsold，andshecannottellwhomadeher！Withoutquestion，sheisequallyinthedarkastohersoul，itspresentdepravityandfuturedestiny！Methinks，gentlemen，weneedinquirenofurther！\"
HestercaughtholdofPearl，anddrewherforciblyintoherarms，confrontingtheoldPuritanmagistratewithalmostafierceexpression。Aloneintheworld，castoffbyit，andwiththissoletreasuretokeepherheartalive，shefeltthatshepossessedindefeasiblerightsagainsttheworld，andwasreadytodefendthemtothedeath。
\"Godgavemethechild！\"criedshe。\"Hegaveherinrequitalofallthingselse，whichyehadtakenfromme。Sheismyhappiness！—sheismytorture，nonetheless！Pearlkeepsmehereinlife！Pearlpunishesmetoo！Seeyenot，sheisthescarletletter，onlycapableofbeingloved，andsoendowedwithamillionfoldthepowerofretributionformysin？Yeshallnottakeher！Iwilldiefirst！\"
\"Mypoorwoman，\"saidthenotunkindoldminister，\"thechildshallbewellcaredfor！—farbetterthanthoucanstdoit！\"
\"Godgaveherintomykeeping，\"repeatedHesterPrynne，raisinghervoicealmosttoashriek。\"Iwillnotgiveherup！\"—Andhere，byasuddenimpulse，sheturnedtotheyoungclergyman，Mr。
Dimmesdale，atwhom，uptothismoment，shehadseemedhardlysomuchasoncetodirecthereyes。—\"Speakthouforme！\"criedshe。
\"Thouwastmypastor，andhadstchargeofmysoul，andknowestmebetterthanthesemencan。Iwillnotlosethechild！Speakforme！
Thouknowest—forthouhastsympathieswhichthesemenlack—thouknowestwhatisinmyheart，andwhatareamother’srights，andhowmuchthestrongertheyare，whenthatmotherhasbutherchildandthescarletletter！Lookthoutoit！Iwillnotlosethechild！Looktoit！\"
Atthiswildandsingularappeal，whichindicatedthatHesterPrynne’ssituationhadprovokedhertolittlelessthanmadness，theyoungministeratoncecameforward，pale，andholdinghishandoverhisheart，aswashiscustomwheneverhispeculiarlynervoustemperamentwasthrownintoagitation。HelookednowmorecarewornandemaciatedthanaswedescribedhimatthesceneofHester’spublicignominy；andwhetheritwerehisfailinghealth，orwhateverthecausemightbe，hislargedarkeyeshadaworldofpainintheirtroubledandmelancholydepth。
\"Thereistruthinwhatshesays，\"begantheminister，withavoicesweet，tremulous，butpowerful，insomuchthatthehallre—echoed，andthehollowarmourrangwithit—\"truthinwhatHestersays，andinthefeelingwhichinspiresher！Godgaveherthechild，andgaveher，too，aninstinctiveknowledgeofitsnatureandrequirements—bothseeminglysopeculiar—whichnoothermortalbeingcanpossess。And，moreover，istherenotaqualityofawfulsacrednessintherelationbetweenthismotherandthischild？\"
\"Ay！—howisthat，goodMasterDimmesdale？\"interruptedtheGovernor。\"Makethatplain，Iprayyou！\"
\"Itmustbeevenso，\"resumedtheminister。\"For，ifwedeemitotherwise，dowenottherebysaythattheHeavenlyFather，theCreatorofallflesh，hathlightlyrecognisedadeedofsin，andmadeofnoaccountthedistinctionbetweenunhallowedlustandholylove？Thischildofitsfather’sguiltanditsmother’sshamehathcomefromthehandofGod，toworkinmanywaysuponherheart，whopleadssoearnestly，andwithsuchbitternessofspirit，therighttokeepher。Itwasmeantforablessing；fortheoneblessingofherlife！Itwasmeant，doubtless，asthemotherherselfhathtoldus，foraretributiontoo；atorturetobefeltatmanyanunthought—ofmoment；apang，asting，anever—recurringagony，inthemidstofatroubledjoy！Hathshenotexpressedthisthoughtinthegarbofthepoorchild，soforciblyremindingusofthatredsymbolwhichsearsherbosom？\"
\"Wellsaidagain！\"criedgoodMr。Wilson。\"Ifearedthewomanhadnobetterthoughtthantomakeamountebankofherchild！\"
\"Oh，notso！—notso！\"continuedMr。Dimmesdale。\"Sherecognises，believeme，thesolemnmiraclewhichGodhathwrought，intheexistenceofthatchild。Andmayshefeel，too—what，methinks，istheverytruth—thatthisboonwasmeant，aboveallthingselse，tokeepthemother’ssoulalive，andtopreserveherfromblackerdepthsofsinintowhichSatanmightelsehavesoughttoplungeher！Thereforeitisgoodforthispoor，sinfulwomanthatshehathaninfantimmortality，abeingcapableofeternaljoyorsorrow，confidedtohercare—tobetrainedupbyhertorighteousness—toremindher，ateverymoment，ofherfall—butyettoteachher，asitwerebytheCreator’ssacredpledge，that，ifshebringthechildtoheaven，thechildalsowillbringitsparentthither！Hereinisthesinfulmotherhappierthanthesinfulfather。ForHesterPrynne’ssake，then，andnolessforthepoorchild’ssake，letusleavethemasProvidencehathseenfittoplacethem！\"
\"Youspeak，myfriend，withastrangeearnestness，\"saidoldRogerChillingworth，smilingathim。
\"Andthereisaweightyimportinwhatmyyoungbrotherhathspoken，\"addedtheReverendMr。Wilson。\"Whatsayyou，worshipfulMasterBellingham？Hathhenotpleadedwellforthepoorwoman？\"
\"Indeedhathhe，\"answeredthemagistrate，\"andhathadducedsucharguments，thatwewillevenleavethematterasitnowstands；solong，atleast，asthereshallbenofurtherscandalinthewoman。
Caremustbehad，nevertheless，toputthechildtodueandstatedexaminationinthecatechism，atthyhandsorMasterDimmesdale’s。
Moreover，ataproperseason，thetithing—menmusttakeheedthatshegobothtoschoolandtomeeting。\"
Theyoungminister，onceasingtospeak，hadwithdrawnafewstepsfromthegroup，andstoodwithhisfacepartiallyconcealedintheheavyfoldsofthewindow—curtain；whiletheshadowofhisfigure，whichthesunlightcastuponthefloor，wastremulouswiththevehemenceofhisappeal。Pearl，thatwildandflightylittleelf，stolesoftlytowardshim，andtakinghishandinthegraspofbothherown，laidhercheekagainstit；acaresssotender，andwithalsounobtrusive，thathermother，whowaslookingon，askedherself，\"IsthatmyPearl？\"Yetsheknewthattherewasloveinthechild’sheart，althoughitmostlyrevealeditselfinpassion，andhardlytwiceinherlifetimehadbeensoftenedbysuchgentlenessasnow。Theminister—
for，savethelong—soughtregardsofwoman，nothingissweeterthanthesemarksofchildishpreference，accordedspontaneouslybyaspiritualinstinct，andthereforeseemingtoimplyinussomethingtrulyworthytobeloved—theministerlookedround，laidhishandonthechild’shead，hesitatedaninstant，andthenkissedherbrow。
LittlePearl’sunwontedmoodofsentimentlastednolonger；shelaughed，andwentcaperingdownthehall，soairily，thatoldMr。
Wilsonraisedaquestionwhetherevenhertiptoestouchedthefloor。
\"Thelittlebaggagehadwitchcraftinher，Iprofess，\"saidhetoMr。Dimmesdale。\"Sheneedsnooldwoman’sbroomsticktoflywithal！\"
\"Astrangechild！\"remarkedoldRogerChillingworth。\"Itiseasytoseethemother’spartinher。Woulditbebeyondaphilosopher’sresearch，thinkye，gentlemen，toanalysethatchild’snature，and，fromitsmakeandmould，togiveashrewdguessatthefather？\"
\"Nay；itwouldbesinful，insuchaquestion，tofollowtheclewofprofanephilosophy，\"saidMr。Wilson。\"Bettertofastandprayuponit；andstillbetter，itmaybe，toleavethemysteryaswefindit，unlessProvidencerevealitofitsownaccord。Thereby，everygoodChristianmanhathatitletoshowafather’skindnesstowardsthepoor，desertedbabe。\"
Theaffairbeingsosatisfactorilyconcluded，HesterPrynne，withPearl，departedfromthehouse。Astheydescendedthesteps，itisaverredthatthelatticeofachamber—windowwasthrownopen，andforthintothesunnydaywasthrustthefaceofMistressHibbins，GovernorBellingham’sbitter—temperedsister，andthesamewho，afewyearslater，wasexecutedasawitch。
\"Hist，hist！\"saidshe，whileherill—omenedphysiognomyseemedtocastashadowoverthecheerfulnewnessofthehouse。\"Wiltthougowithusto—night？Therewillbeamerrycompanyintheforest；andI
well—nighpromisedtheBlackManthatcomelyHesterPrynneshouldmakeone。\"
\"Makemyexcusetohim，sopleaseyou！\"answeredHester，withatriumphantsmile。\"Imusttarryathome，andkeepwatchovermylittlePearl。Hadtheytakenherfromme，Iwouldwillinglyhavegonewiththeeintotheforest，andsignedmynameintheBlackMan’sbooktoo，andthatwithmineownblood！\"
\"Weshallhavetheethereanon！\"saidthewitch—lady，frowning，asshedrewbackherhead。
Buthere—ifwesupposethisinterviewbetwixtMistressHibbinsandHesterPrynnetobeauthentic，andnotaparable—wasalreadyanillustrationoftheyoungminister’sargumentagainstsunderingtherelationofafallenmothertotheoffspringofherfrailty。EventhusearlyhadthechildsavedherfromSatan’ssnare。
IX。
THELEECH。
UNDERtheappellationofRogerChillingworth，thereaderwillremember，washiddenanothername，whichitsformerwearerhadresolvedshouldnevermorebespoken。Ithasbeenrelated，how，inthecrowdthatwitnessedHesterPrynne’signominiousexposure，stoodaman，elderly，travel—worn，who，justemergingfromtheperilouswilderness，beheldthewoman，inwhomhehopedtofindembodiedthewarmthandcheerfulnessofhome，setupasatypeofsinbeforethepeople。Hermatronlyfamewastroddenunderallmen’sfeet。Infamywasbabblingaroundherinthepublicmarket—place。Forherkindred，shouldthetidingseverreachthem，andforthecompanionsofherunspottedlife，thereremainednothingbutthecontagionofherdishonour；whichwouldnotfailtobedistributedinstrictaccordanceandproportionwiththeintimacyandsacrednessoftheirpreviousrelationship。Thenwhy—sincethechoicewaswithhimself—shouldtheindividual，whoseconnectionwiththefallenwomanhadbeenthemostintimateandsacredofthemall，comeforwardtovindicatehisclaimtoaninheritancesolittledesirable？Heresolvednottobepilloriedbesideheronherpedestalofshame。UnknowntoallbutHesterPrynne，andpossessingthelockandkeyofhersilence，hechosetowithdrawhisnamefromtherollofmankind，andasregardedhisformertiesandinterests，tovanishoutoflifeascompletelyasifheindeedlayatthebottomoftheocean，whitherrumourhadlongagoconsignedhim。Thispurposeonceeffected，newinterestswouldimmediatelyspringup，andlikewiseanewpurpose；dark，itistrue，ifnotguilty，butofforceenoughtoengagethefullstrengthofhisfaculties。
Inpursuanceofthisresolve，hetookuphisresidenceinthePuritantown，asRogerChillingworth，withoutotherintroductionthanthelearningandintelligenceofwhichhepossessedmorethanacommonmeasure。Ashisstudies，atapreviousperiodofhislife，hadmadehimextensivelyacquaintedwiththemedicalscienceoftheday，itwasasaphysicianthathepresentedhimself，andassuchwascordiallyreceived。Skilfulmen，ofthemedicalandchirurgicalprofession，wereofrareoccurrenceinthecolony。Theyseldom，itwouldappear，partookofthereligiouszealthatbroughtotheremigrantsacrosstheAtlantic。Intheirresearchesintothehumanframe，itmaybethatthehigherandmoresubtilefacultiesofsuchmenwerematerialised，andthattheylostthespiritualviewofexistenceamidtheintricaciesofthatwondrousmechanism，whichseemedtoinvolveartenoughtocomprisealloflifewithinitself。Atallevents，thehealthofthegoodtownofBoston，sofarasmedicinehadaughttodowithit，hadhithertolainintheguardianshipofanageddeaconandapothecary，whosepietyandgodlydeportmentwerestrongertestimonialsinhisfavourthananythathecouldhaveproducedintheshapeofadiploma。Theonlysurgeonwasonewhocombinedtheoccasionalexerciseofthatnobleartwiththedailyandhabitualflourishofarazor。TosuchaprofessionalbodyRogerChillingworthwasabrilliantacquisition。Hesoonmanifestedhisfamiliaritywiththeponderousandimposingmachineryofantiquephysic；inwhicheveryremedycontainedamultitudeoffar—fetchedandheterogeneousingredients，aselaboratelycompoundedasiftheproposedresulthadbeentheElixirofLife。InhisIndiancaptivity，moreover，hehadgainedmuchknowledgeofthepropertiesofnativeherbsandroots；nordidheconcealfromhispatients，thatthesesimplemedicines，Nature’sboontotheuntutoredsavage，hadquiteaslargeashareofhisownconfidenceastheEuropeanpharmacopoeia，whichsomanylearneddoctorshadspentcenturiesinelaborating。
Thislearnedstrangerwasexemplary，asregarded，atleast，theoutwardformsofareligiouslife，and，earlyafterhisarrival，hadchosenforhisspiritualguidetheReverendMr。Dimmesdale。Theyoungdivine，whosescholar—likerenownstilllivedinOxford，wasconsideredbyhismoreferventadmirersaslittlelessthanaheavenly—ordainedapostle，destined，shouldheliveandlabourfortheordinarytermoflife，todoasgreatdeedsforthenowfeebleNewEnglandChurch，astheearlyFathershadachievedfortheinfancyoftheChristianfaith。Aboutthisperiod，however，thehealthofMr。
