VOLUMEII
ESSAYI
ONALANDSCAPEOFNICOLASPOUSSIN
AndblindOrionhungryforthemorn。
Orion，thesubjectofthislandscape，wastheclassicalNimrod；andiscalledbyHomer，”ahunterofshadows，himselfashade。”HewasthesonofNeptune；andhavinglostaneveinsomeaffraybetweentheGodsandmen，wastoldthatifhewouldgotomeettherisingsunhewouldrecoverhissight。Heisrepresentedsettingoutonhisjourney，withmenonhisshoulderstoguidehim，abowinhishand，andDianainthecloudsgreetinghim。Hestalksalong，agiantuponearth，andreelsandfaltersinhisgait，asifjustawakenedoutofsleep，oruncertainofhisway；——youseehisblindness，thoughhisbackisturned。Mistsrisearoundhim，andveilthesidesofthegreenforests；earthisdankandfreshwithdews，the”graydawnandthePleiadesbeforehimdance”andinthedistanceareseenthebluehillsandsullenocean。Nothingwasevermorefinelyconceivedordone。Itbreathesthespiritofthemorning；itsmoisture，itsrepose，itsobscurity，waitingthemiracleoflighttokindleitintosmiles；thewholeis，liketheprincipalfigureinit，”aforerunnerofthedawn。”Thesameatmospheretingesandimbueseveryobject，thesamedulllight”shadowysetsoff”thefaceofnature：onefeelingofvastness，ofstrangeness，andofprimevalformspervadesthepainter”scanvas，andwearethrownbackuponthefirstintegrityofthings。Thisgreatandlearnedmanmightbesaidtoseenaturethroughtheglassoftime；healonehasarighttobeconsideredasthepainterofclassicalantiquity。SirJoshuahasdonehimjusticeinthisrespect。Hecouldgivetothesceneryofhisheroicfablesthatunimpairedlookoforiginalnature，full，solid，large，luxuriant，teemingwithlifeandpower；ordeckitwithallthepompofart，withtempylesandtowers，andmythologicgroves。Hispictures”denoteaforegoneconclusion。”HeappliesNaturetohispurposes，worksoutherimagesaccordingtothestandardofhisthoughts，embodieshighfictions；andthefirstconceptionbeinggiven，alltherestseemstogrowoutofandbeassimilatedtoit，bytheunfailingprocessofastudiousimagination。LikehisownOrion，heoverlooksthesurroundingscene，appearsto”takeuptheislesasaverylittlething，andtolaytheearthinabalance。”Withalaboriousandmightygrasp，heputsnatureintothemouldoftheidealandantique；andwasamongpainters(morethananyoneelse)whatMiltonwasamongpoets。Thereisinbothsomethingofthesamepedantry，thesamestiffness，thesameelevation，thesamegrandeur，thesamemixtureofartandnature，thesamerichnessofborrowedmaterials，thesameunityofcharacter。Neitherthepoetnorthepainterloweredthesubjectstheytreated，butfilleduptheoutlineinthefancy，andaddedstrengthandrealitytoit；andthusnotonlysatisfied，butsurpassedtheexpectationsofthespectatorandthereader。Thisisheldforthetriumphandtheperfectionofworksofart。Togiveusnature，suchasweseeit，iswellanddeservingofpraise；togiveusnature，suchaswehaveneverseen，buthaveoftenwishedtoseeit，isbetter，anddeservingofhigherpraise。Hewhocanshowtheworldinitsfirstnakedglory，withthehuesoffancyspreadoverit，orinitshighandpalmystate，withthegravityofhistorystampedontheproudmonumentsofvanishedempire，——who，byhis”sopotentart”canrecalltimepast，transportustodistantplaces，andjointheregionsofimagination(anewconquest)tothoseofreality，——whoshowsusnotonlywhatNatureis，butwhatshehasbeen，andiscapableof，——hewhodoesthis，anddoesitwithsimplicity，withtruth，andgrandeur，islordofNatureandherpowers；andhismindisuniversal，andhisartthemaster-art！
Thereisnothinginthis”morethannatural”ifcriticismcouldbepersuadedtothinkso。ThehistoricpainterdoesnotneglectorcontraveneNature，butfollowshermorecloselyupintoherfantasticheightsorhiddenrecesses。Hedemonstrateswhatshewouldbeinconceivablecircumstancesandunderimpliedconditions。He”givestoairynothingalocalhabitation”not”aname。”Athistouch，wordsstartupintoimages，thoughtsbecomethings。Heclothesadream，aphantom，withformandcolour，andthewholesomeattributesofreality。
_His_artisasecondnature；notadifferentone。Therearethose，indeed，whothinkthatnottocopynatureistheruleforattainingperfection。Becausetheycannotpainttheobjectswhichtheyhavetheyhave，theyfancythemselvesqualifiedtopainttheideaswhichtheyhavenotseen。Butitispossibletofailinthislatterandmoredifficultstyleofimitation，aswellasintheformerhumblerone。Thedetection，itistrue，isnotsoeasy，becausetheobjectsarenotsonighathandtocompare，andthereforethereismoreroombothforfalsepretensionandforself-deceit。Theytakeanepicmottoorsubject，andconcludethatthespiritisimpliedasathingofcourse。Theypaintinferiorportraits，maudlinlifelessfaces，withoutordinaryexpression，oronelook，feature，orparticleofnatureinthem，andthinkthatthisistorisetothetruthofhistory。Theyvulgariseanddegradewhateverisinterestingorsacredtothemind，andsupposethattheythusaddtothedignityoftheirprofession。Theyrepresentafacethatseemsasifnothoughtorfeelingofanykindhadeverpassedthroughit，andwouldhaveyoubelievethatthisistheverysublimeofexpression，suchasitwouldappearinheroes，ordemigodsofold，whenraptureoragonywasraisedtoitsheight。Theyshowyoualandscapethatlooksasifthesunnevershoneuponit，andtellyouthatitisnotmodern——thatsoearthlookedwhenTitanfirstkisseditwithhisrays。Thisisnotthetrueideal。Itisnottofillthemouldsoftheimagination，buttodefaceandinjurethem；itisnottocomeupto，buttofallshortofthepoorestconceptioninthepublicmind。SuchpicturesshouldnotbehunginthesameroomwiththatofOrion。[1]
Poussinwas，ofallpainters，themostpoetical。Hewasthepainterofideas。Nooneevertoldastoryhalfsowell，norsowellknewwhatwascapableofbeingtoldbythepencil。Heseizedon，andstruckoffwithgraceandprecision，justthatpointofviewwhichwouldbelikelytocatchthereader”sfancy。Thereisasignificance，aconsciousnessinwhateverhedoes(sometimesavice，butofteneravirtue)beyondanyotherpainter。HisGiantssittingonthetopsofcraggymountains，ashugethemselves，andplayingidlyontheirPan”s-pipes，seemtohavebeenseatedtherethesethreethousandyears，andtoknowthebeginningandtheendoftheirownstory。AninfantBacchusorJupiterisbigwithhisfuturedestiny。Eveninanimateanddumbthingsspeakalanguageoftheirown。Hissnakes，themessengersoffate，areinspiredwithhumanintellect。Histreesgrowandexpandtheirleavesintheair，gladoftherain，proudofthesun，awaketothewindsofheaven。
InhisPlagueofAthens，theverybuildingsseemstiffwithhorror。HispictureoftheDelugeis，perhaps，thefinesthistoricallandscapeintheworld。Youseeawasteofwaters，wide，interminablethesunislabouring，wanandweary，uptheskytheclouds，dullandleaden，lielikealoadupontheeye，andheavenandearthseemcomminglingintooneconfusedmass！Hishumanfiguresaresometimes”o”erinformed”withthiskindoffeeling。Theiractionshavetoomuchgesticulation，andthesetexpressionofthefeaturesborderstoomuchonthemechanicalandcaricaturedstyle。InthisrespecttheyformacontrasttoRaphael”s，whosefiguresneverappeartobesittingfortheirpictures，ortobeconsciousofaspectator，ortohavecomefromthepainter”shand。InNicolasPoussin，onthecontrary，everythingseemstohaveadistinctunderstandingwiththeartist；”theverystonesprateoftheirwhereabout”；eachobjecthasitspartandplaceassigned，andisinasortofcompactwiththerestofthepicture。Itisthisconsciouskeeping，and，asitwere，_internal_design，thatgivestheirpeculiarcharactertotheworksofthisartist。TherewasapictureofAuroraintheBritishGalleryayearortwoago。Itwasasuffusionofgoldenlight。TheGoddessworehersaffron-colouredrobes，andappearedjustrisenfromthegloomybedofoldTithonus。Herverysteeds，milk-white，weretingedwiththeyellowdawn。Itwasapersonificationofthemorning。Poussinsucceededbetterinclassicthaninsacredsubjects。
Thelatterarecomparativelyheavy，forced，fullofviolentcontrastsofcolour，ofred，blue，andblack，andwithoutthetruepropheticinspirationofthecharacters。Butinhispaganallegoriesandfableshewasquiteathome。ThenativegravityandnativelevityoftheFrenchmanwerecombinedwithItaliansceneryandanantiquegusto，andgaveeventohiscolouringanairoflearnedindifference。Hewants，inonerespect，grace，form，expression；buthehaseverywheresenseandmeaning，perfectcostumeandpropriety。Hispersonagesalwaysbelongtotheclassandtimerepresented，andarestrictlyversedinthebusinessinhand。Hisgrotesquecompositionsinparticular，hisNymphsandFauns，aresuperior(atleast，asfarasstyleisconcerned)eventothoseofRubens。Theyaretakenmoreimmediatelyoutoffabuloushistory。Rubens”SatyrsandBacchanteshaveamorejovialandvoluptuousaspect，aremoredrunkwithpleasure，morefullofanimalspiritsandriotousimpulses；theylaughandboundalong——
Leapinglikewantonkidsinpleasantspring：
butthoseofPoussinhavemoreoftheintellectualpartofthecharacter，andseemviciousonreflection，andofsetpurpose。Rubens”
arenoblespecimensofaclass；Poussin”sareallegoricalabstractionsofthesameclass，withbodieslesspampered，butwithmindsmoresecretlydepraved。TheBacchanaliangroupsoftheFlemishpainterwere，however，hismasterpiecesincomposition。Witnessthoseprodigiesofcolour，character，andexpressionatBlenheim。Inthemorechasteandrefineddelineationofclassicfable，Poussinwaswithoutarival。
Rubens，whowasamatchforhiminthewildandpicturesque，couldnotpretendtoviewiththeeleganceandpurityofthoughtinhispictureofApollogivingapoetacupofwatertodrink，norwiththegracefulnessofdesigninthefigureofanymphsqueezingthejuiceofabunchofgrapesfromherfingers(arosywine-press)whichfallsintothemouthofachubbyinfantbelow。But，aboveall，whoshallcelebrate，intermsoffitpraise，hispictureoftheshepherdsintheValeofTempegoingoutinafinemorningofthespring，andcomingtoatombwiththisinscription：ETEGOINARCADIAVIXI！Theeagercuriosityofsome，theexpressionofotherswhostartbackwithfearandsurprise，theclearbreezeplayingwiththebranchesoftheshadowingtrees，”thevalleyslow，wherethemildzephyrsuse”thedistant，uninterrupted，sunnyprospectspeak(andforeverwillspeakon)ofagespasttoagesyettocome！[2]
Picturesareasetofchosenimages，astreamofpleasantthoughtspassingthroughthemind。Itisaluxurytohavethewallsofourroomshungroundwiththem，andnolesssotohavesuchagalleryinthemind，toconoverthereliesofancientartboundup”withinthebookandvolumeofthebrain，unmixed(ifitwerepossible)withbasermatter！”
Alifepassedamongpictures，inthestudyandtheloveofart，isahappynoiselessdream：orrather，itistodreamandtobeawakeatthesametime；forithasall”thesobercertaintyofwakingbliss”withtheromanticvoluptuousnessofavisionaryandabstractedbeing。Theyarethebrightconsummateessencesofthings，and”hewhoknowsofthesedelightstotasteandinterposethemoft，isnotunwise！”——TheOrion，whichIhaveheretakenoccasiontodescantupon，isoneofacollectionofexcellentpictures，asthiscollectionisitselfoneofaseriesfromtheoldmasters，whichhaveforsomeyearsbackembrownedthewallsoftheBritishGallery，andenrichedthepubliceye。Whathues(thoseofnaturemellowedbytime)breathearoundasweenter！Whatformsarethere，wovenintothememory！Whatlooks，whichonlytheansweringlooksofthespectatorcanexpress！Whatintellectualstoreshavebeenyearlypouredforthfromtheshrineofancientart！Theworksarevarious，butthenamesthesame——heapsofRembrandtsfrowningfromthedarkenedwalls，Rubens”gladgorgeousgroups，Titiansmorerichandrare，Claudesalwaysexquisite，sometimesbeyondcompare，Guido”sendlesscloyingsweetness，thelearningofPoussinandtheCaracci，andRaphael”sprincelymagnificencecrowningall。WereadcertainlettersandsyllablesintheCatalogue，andatthewell-knownmagicsoundamiracleofskillandbeautystartstoview。Onemightthinkthatoneyear”sprodigaldisplayofsuchperfectionwouldexhaustthelaboursofoneman”slife；butthenextyear，andthenexttothat，wefindanotherharvestreapedandgatheredintothegreatgarnerofart，bythesameimmortalhands——
OldGENIUStheporterofthemwas；
Helettethin，helettethouttowend——
Theirworksseemendlessastheirreputation——tobemanyastheyarecomplete——tomultiplywiththedesireofthemindtoseemoreandmoreofthem；asiftherewerealivingpowerinthebreathofFame，andintheverynamesofthegreatheirsofglory”therewerepropagationtoo”！
Itissomethingtohaveacollectionofthissorttocountupononceayear；tohaveonelast，lingeringlookyettocome。Picturesarescatteredlikestraygiftsthroughtheworld；andwhiletheyremain，earthhasyetalittlegildingleft，notquiterubbedoff，dishonoured，anddefaced。Thereareplentyofstandardworksstilltobefoundinthiscountry，inthecollectionsatBlenheim，atBurleigh，andinthosebelongingtoMr。Angerstein，LordGrosvenor，theMarquisofStafford，andothers，tokeepupthistreattotheloversofartformanyyears；
anditisthemoredesirabletoreserveaprivilegedsanctuaryofthissort，wheretheeyemaydote，andthehearttakeitsfillofsuchpicturesasPoussin”sOrion，sincetheLouvreisstrippedofitstriumphantspoils，andsincehewhocollectedit，andworeitasarichjewelinhisIronCrown，thehunterofgreatnessandofglory，ishimselfashade！
NOTEStoESSAYI
[1]Everythingtendstoshowthemannerinwhichagreatartistisformed。Ifanypersoncouldclaimanexemptionfromthecarefulimitationofindividualobjects，itwasNicolasPoussin。Hestudiedtheantique，buthealsostudiednature。”Ihaveoftenadmired”saysVignueldoMarville，whoknewhimatalateperiodofhislife，”thelovehehadforhisart。Oldashewas，IfrequentlysawhimamongtheruinsofancientRome，outintheCampagna，oralongthebanksoftheTyber，sketchingascenethathadpleasedhim；andIoftenmethimwithhishandkerchieffullofstones，moss，orflowers，whichhecarriedhome，thathemightcopythemexactlyfromnature。OnedayIaskedhimhowhehadattainedtosuchadegreeofperfectionastohavegainedsohigharankamongthegreatpaintersofItaly？Heanswered，“IHAVE
NEGLECTEDNOTHING。””——_SeehisLifelatelypublished。_ItappearsfromthisaccountthathehadnotfallenIntoarecenterror，thatNatureputsthemanofgeniusout。Asacontrasttotheforegoingdescription，Imightmention，thatIrememberanoldgentlemanonceaskingMr。WestIntheBritishGalleryifhehadeverbeenatAthens？TowhichthePresidentmadeanswer，No；nordidhefeelanygreatdesiretogo；forthathethoughthehadasgoodanideaoftheplacefromtheCatalogueashecouldgetbylivingthereforanynumberofyears。Whatwouldhehavesaid，ifanyonehadtoldhimhecouldgetasgoodanideaofthesubjectofoneofhisgreatworksfromreadingtheCatalogueofit，asfromseeingthepictureitself？Yettheanswerwascharacteristicofthegeniusofthepainter。
[2]Poussinhasrepeatedthissubjectmorethanonce，andappearstohaverevelledinitswitcheries。Ihavebeforealludedtoit，andmayagain。Itishardthatweshouldnotbeallowedtodwellasoftenaswepleaseonwhatdelightsus，whenthingsthataredisagreeablerecursooftenagainstourwill。
ESSAYII
ONMILTON”SSONNETS
ThegreatobjectoftheSonnetseemstobe，toexpressinmusicalnumbers，andasitwerewithundividedbreath，someoccasionalthoughtorpersonalfeeling，”somefee-griefduetothepoet”sbreast。”Itisasighutteredfromthefulnessoftheheart，aninvoluntaryaspirationbornanddyinginthesamemoment。IhavealwaysbeenfondofMilton”sSonnetsforthisreason，thattheyhavemoreofthispersonalandinternalcharacterthananyothers；andtheyacquireadoublevaluewhenweconsiderthattheycomefromthepenoftheloftiestofourpoets。
Comparedwith_Paradise_Lost，theyareliketenderflowersthatadornthebaseofsomeproudcolumnorstatelytemple。Theauthorintheonecouldworkhimselfupwithunabatedfortitude”totheheightofhisgreatargument”；butintheotherhehasshownthathecouldcondescendtomenoflowestate，andafterthelightningandthethunderboltofhispen，letsfallsomedropsofnaturalpityoverhaplessinfirmity，minglingstrainswiththenightingale”s，”mostmusical，mostmelancholy。”Theimmortalpoetpourshismortalsorrowsintoourbreasts，andatearfallsfromhissightlessorbsonthefriendlyhandhepresses。TheSonnetsareakindofpensiverecordofpastachievements，loves，andfriendships，andanobleexhortationtohimselftobearupwithcheerfulhopeandconfidencetothelast。Someofthemareofamorequaintandhumorouscharacter；butIspeakofthoseonlywhichareintendedtobeseriousandpathetical——Idonotknowindeedbuttheymaybesaidtobealmostthefirsteffusionsofthissortofnaturalandpersonalsentimentinthelanguage。Drummond”soughtperhapstobeexcepted，weretheyformedlesscloselyonthemodelofPetrarch”s，soastobeoftenlittlemorethantranslationsoftheItalianpoet。ButMilton”sSonnetsaretrulyhisowninallusion，thought，andversification。ThoseofSirPhilipSydney，whowasagreattransgressorinhisway，turnsufficientlyonhimselfandhisownadventures；buttheyareelaboratelyquaintandintricate，andmorelikeriddlesthansonnets。Theyare”verytolerableandnottobeendured。”
Shakespear”s，whichsomepersonsbetterinformedinsuchmattersthanI
canpretendtobe，professtocryupas”thedivine，thematchless，whatyouwill”——tosaynothingofthewantofpointoraleading，prominentideainmostofthem，areIthinkoverchargedandmonotonous，andastotheirultimatedrift，asformyself，Icanmakeneitherheadnortailofit。Yetsomeofthem，Iown，aresweeteventoasenseoffaintness，lusciousasthewoodbine，andgracefulandluxuriantlikeit。Hereisone：
FromyouhaveIbeenabsentinthespring，Whenproud-piedApril，dress”dinallhistrim，Hathputaspiritofyouthineverything；
ThatheavySaturnlaugh”dandleap”dwithhim。
Yetnorthelaysofbirds，northesweetsmellOfdifferentflowersinodourandinhue，Couldmakemeanysummer”sstorytell，Orfromtheirproudlappluckthemwheretheygrew：
NordidIwonderatthelilieswhite，Norpraisethedeepvermilionintherose；
Theywerebutsweet，butfiguresofdelight，Drawnafteryou，youpatternofallthose。
Yetseem”ditwinterstill，andyouaway，Aswithyourshadow，Iwiththesedidplay。
IamnotawareofanywriterofSonnetsworthmentioningheretilllongafterMilton，thatis，tillthetimeofWartonandtherevivalofatasteforItalianandforourownearlyliterature。DuringtherageforFrenchmodelstheSonnethadnotbeenmuchstudied。Itisamodeofcompositionthatdependsentirelyon_expression，_andthistheFrenchandartificialstylegladlydispenseswith，asitlaysnoparticularstressonanything——exceptvague，generalcommon-places。Warton”sSonnetsareundoubtedlyexquisite，bothinstyleandmatter；theyarepoeticalandphilosophicaleffusionsofverydelightfulsentiment；butthethoughts，thoughfineanddeeplyfelt，arenot，likeMilton”ssubjects，identifiedcompletelywiththewriter，andsofarwantamoreindividualinterest。Mr。Wordsworth”sarealsofinelyconceivedandhigh-soundingSonnets。Theymouthitwell，andaresaidtobesacredtoLiberty。Brutus”sexclamation，”OhVirtue，Ithoughttheeasubstance，butIfindtheeashadow”wasnotconsideredasacompliment，butasabittersarcasm。ThebeautyofMilton”sSonnetsistheirsincerity，thespiritofpoeticalpatriotismwhichtheybreathe。EitherMilton”sorthelivingbard”saredefectiveinthisrespect。ThereisnoSonnetofMilton”sontheRestorationofCharlesII。ThereisnoSonnetofMr。
Wordsworth”scorrespondingtothatof”thepoetblindandbold””OnthelateMassacreinPiedmont。”ItwouldbenoniggardpraisetoMr。
WordsworthtograntthathewaseitherhalfthemanorhalfthepoetthatMiltonwas。Hehasnothishighandvariousimagination，norhisdeepandfixedprinciple。Miltondidnotworshiptherisingsun，norturnhisbackonalosingandfallencause。
Suchrecantationhadnocharmsforhim！
Mr。Southeyhasthoughtpropertoputtheauthorof_ParadiseLost_intohislateHeaven，ontheunderstoodconditionthatheis”nolongertokingsandtohierarchshostile。”Inhislifetimehegavenosignofsuchanalteration；anditisratherpresumptuousinthepoet-laureatetopursuethedeceasedantagonistofSalmasiusintotheotherworldtocomplimenthimwithhisowninfirmityofpurpose。ItisawonderhedidnotaddinanotethatMiltoncalledhimasidetowhisperinhisearthathepreferredthenewEnglishhexameterstohisownblankverse！
Ourfirstofpoetswasoneofourfirstofmen。Hewasaneminentinstancetoprovethatapoetisnotanothernamefortheslaveofpowerandfashion，asisthecasewithpaintersandmusicians——thingswithoutanopinion——andwhomerelyaspiretomakeupthepageantandshowoftheday。Therearepersonsincommonlifewhohavethateagercuriosityandrestlessadmirationofbustleandsplendour，thatsoonerthannotbeadmittedongreatoccasionsoffeastingandluxuriousdisplay，theywillgointhecharacteroflivery-servantstostandbehindthechairsofthegreat。Thereareotherswhocansolittlebeartobeleftforanylengthoftimeoutofthegrandcarnivalandmasqueradeofprideandfolly，thattheywillgainadmittancetoitattheexpenseoftheircharactersaswellasofachangeofdress。Miltonwasnotoneofthese。Hehadtoomuchofthe_ideal_facultyinhiscomposition，aloftycontemplativeprinciple，andconsciousnessofinwardpowerandworth，tobetemptedbysuchidlebaits。Wehaveplentyofchantingandchiminginamongsomemodernwriterswiththetriumphsovertheirownviewsandprinciples；butnoneofapatientresignationtodefeat，sustainingandnourishingitselfwiththethoughtofthejusticeoftheircause，andwithfirm-fixedrectitude。IdonotpretendtodefendthetoneofMilton”spoliticalwritings(whichwasborrowedfromthestyleofcontroversialdivinity)，ortosaythathewasrightintheparthetook，——Isaythathewasconsistentinit，anddidnotconvicthimselfoferror：hewasconsistentinitinspiteofdangerandobloquy，”onevildaysthoughfallen，andeviltongues”andthereforehischaracterhasthesaltofhonestyaboutit。Itdoesnotoffendinthenostrilsofposterity。Hehadtakenhispartboldlyandstoodtoitmanfully，andsubmittedtothechangeoftimeswithpiousfortitude，buildinghisconsolationsontheresourcesofhisownmindandtherecollectionofthepast，insteadofendeavouringtomakehimselfaretreatforthetimetocome。AsaninstanceofthiswemaytakeoneofthebestandmostadmiredoftheseSonnets，thataddressedtoCyriacSkinner，onhisownblindness：——
Cyriac，thisthreeyears”day，theseeyes，thoughclear，Tooutwardview，ofblemishorofspot，Bereftoflighttheirseeinghaveforgot，NortotheiridleorbsdothsightappearOfsunormoonorstarsthroughouttheyear，Ormanorwoman。YetIarguenotAgainstHeav”n”shandorwill，norbateajotOfheartorhope；butstillbearupandsteerRightonward。Whatsupportsme，dostthouask？
Theconscience，Friend，tohavelostthemoverply”dInliberty”sdefence，mynobletask，OfwhichallEuropetalksfromsidetoside。
Thisthoughtmightleadmethroughtheworld”svainmask，Contentthoughblind，hadInobetterguide。
Nothingcanexceedthemild，subduedtoneofthisSonnet，northestrikinggrandeuroftheconcludingthought。Itiscurioustoremarkwhatseemstobeatraitofcharacterinthetwofirstlines。FromMilton”scaretoinformthereaderthat”hiseyesworestillclear，tooutwardview，ofspotorblemish”itwouldbethoughtthathehadnotyetgivenupallregardtopersonalappearance；afeelingtowhichhissingularbeautyatanearlieragemighthesupposednaturallyenoughtolead。Ofthepoliticalor(whatmaybecalled)his_State-Sonnets，_
thosetoCromwell，toFairfax，andtotheyoungerVanearefullofexaltedpraiseanddignifiedadvice。Theyareneitherfamiliarnorservile。Thewriterknowswhatisduetopowerandtofame。Hefeelsthetrue，unassumedequalityofgreatness。Hepaysthefulltributeofadmirationforgreatactsachieved，andsuggestsbecomingoccasiontodeservehigherpraise。ThattoCromwellisaproofhowcompletelyourpoetmaintainedtheerectnessofhisunderstandingandspiritinhisintercoursewithmeninpower。Itissuchacomplimentasapoetmightpaytoaconquerorandheadofthestatewithoutthepossibilityofself-degradation：
Cromwell，ourchiefofmen，whothroughacloud，Notofwaronly，butdetractionsrude，Guidedbyfaithandmatchlessfortitude，Topeaceandtruththygloriouswayhastplough”d，AndontheneckofcrownedfortuneproudHastrear”dGod”strophiesandhisworkpursuedWhileDarwenstreamwithbloodofScotsimbrued，AndDunbarfieldresoundsthypraisesloud，AndWorcester”slaureatwreath。YetmuchremainsToconquerstill；peacehathhervictoriesNolessrenown”dthanwar：newfoesariseThreateningtobindoursoulswithsecularchains；
HelpustosavefreeconsciencefromthepawOfhirelingwolves，whosegospelistheirmaw。
Themostspiritedandimpassionedofthemall，andthemostinspiredwithasortofpropheticfury，istheoneentitled，”OnthelateMassacreinPiedmont。”
Avenge，OLord，thyslaughter”dsaints，whosebonesLiescatter”dontheAlpinemountainscold；
Eventhemwhokeptthytruthsopureofold，Whenallourfathersworshipp”dstocksandstones，Forgotnot：inthybookrecordtheirgroansWhowerethysheep，andintheirancientfoldSlainbythebloodyPiedmontesethatroll”dMotherwithinfantdowntherocks。TheirmoansThevalesredoubledtothehills，andtheyToHeav”n。Theirmartyr”dbloodandashessowO”eralltheItalianfields，wherestilldothswayThetripleTyrant；thatfromthesemaygrowAhundredfold，whohavinglearn”dthywayEarlymayflytheBabylonianwoe。
IntheNineteenthSonnet，whichisalso”Onhisblindness”weseethejealouswatchfulnessofhismindovertheuseofhishighgifts，andthebeautifulmannerinwhichhesatisfieshimselfthatvirtuousthoughtsandintentionsarenottheleastacceptableofferingtotheAlmighty：
WhenIconsiderhowmylightisspentErehalfmydays，inthisdarkworldandwide，Andthatonetalentwhichisdeathtohide，Lodgedwithmeuseless，thoughmysoulmorebent，ToservetherewithmyMaker，andpresentMytrueaccount，lesthereturningchide；
DothGodexactday-labour，lightdenied，Ifondlyask：ButpatiencetopreventThatmurmur，soonreplies，GoddothnotneedEitherman”sworkorhisowngifts；whobestBearhismildyoke，theyservehimbest；hisstateIskingly；thousandsathisbiddingspeed，Andposto”erlandandoceanwithoutrest；
Theyalsoservewhoonlystandandwait。
ThosetoMr。HenryLawes_onhisAirs，_andtoMr。Lawrence，canneverbeenoughadmired。Theybreathetheverysoulofmusicandfriendship。
Bothhaveatender，thoughtfulgrace；andfortheirlightness，withacertainmelancholycomplainingintermixed，mightbestolenfromtheharpofAeolus。Thelastisthepictureofadayspentinsocialretirementandelegantrelaxationfromsevererstudies。Wesitwiththepoetattableandhearhisfamiliarsentimentsfromhisownlipsafterwards：——
Lawrence，ofvirtuousfathervirtuousson，Nowthatthefieldsaredankandwaysaremire，Whereshallwesometimesmeet，andbythefireHelpwasteasullenday，whatmaybewonFromthehardseasongaining？TimewillrunOnsmoother，tillFavoniusre-inspireThefrozenearth，andclotheinfreshattireThelilyandrose，thatneithersow”dnorspun。
Whatneatrepastshallfeastus，lightandchoice，OfAttictaste，withwine，whencewemayriseTohearthelutewell-touched，orartfulvoiceWarbleimmortalnotesandTuscanair？
Hewhoofthesedelightscanjudge，andspareTointerposethemoft，isnotunwise。
Inthelast，”OnhisdeceasedWife”theallusiontoAlcestisisbeautiful，andshowshowthepoet”smindraisedandrefinedhisthoughtsbyexquisiteclassicalconceptions，andhowtheseagainwereenrichedbyapassionatereferencetoactualfeelingsandimages。ItisthisrareunionthatgivessuchvoluptuousdignityandtouchingpuritytoMilton”sdelineationofthefemalecharacter：——
MethoughtIsawmylateespousedsaintBroughttomelikeAlcestisfromthegrave，WhomJove”sgreatsontohergladhusbandgave，Rescuedfromdeathbyforce，thoughpaleandfaint。
Mine，aswhomwash”dfromspotofchild-bedtaintPurificationintheoldlawdidsave，Andsuch，asyetoncemoreItrusttohaveFullsightofherinHeav”nwithoutrestraint，Camevestedallinwhite，pureashermind：
Herfacewasveil”d，yettomyfanciedsightLove，sweetness，goodnessinherpersonshinedSoclear，asinnofacewithmoredelight：
ButOastoembracemesheinclined，Iwaked，shefled，anddaybroughtbackmynight。
TherecouldnothavebeenagreatermistakeoramoreunjustpieceofcriticismthantosupposethatMiltononlyshoneongreatsubjects，andthatonordinaryoccasionsandinfamiliarlifehismindwasunwieldy，aversetothecultivationofgraceandelegance，andunsusceptibleofharmlesspleasures。Thewholetenorofhissmallercompositionscontradictsthisopinion，which，however，theyhavebeencitedtoconfirm。Thenotionfirstgotabroadfromthebitterness(orvehemence)
ofhiscontroversialwritings，andhasbeenkeptupsincewithlittlemeaningandwithlesstruth。HisLetterstoDonatusandothersarenotmoreremarkableforthedisplayofascholasticenthusiasmthanforthatofthemostamiabledispositions。Theyare”severeinyouthfulvirtueunreproved。”Thereisapassageinhisprose-works(theTreatiseonEducation)whichshows，Ithink，hisextremeopennessandpronenesstopleasingoutwardimpressionsinastrikingpointofview。”Buttoreturntoourowninstitute”hesays，”besidestheseconstantexercisesathome，thereisanotheropportunityofgainingexperiencetobewonfrompleasureitselfabroad。_Inthosevernalseasonsoftheyear，whentheairiscalmandpleasant，itwereaninjuryandsullennessagainstNaturenottogooutandseeherriches，andpartakeinherrejoicingwithHeavenandearth。_Ishouldnotthereforebeapersuadertothemofstudyingmuchthen，buttorideoutincompanieswithprudentandwell-staidguides，toallquartersoftheland”etc。Manyotherpassagesmightbequoted，inwhichthepoetbreaksthroughthegroundworkofprose，asitwere，bynaturalfecundityandagenial，unrestrainedsenseofdelight。Tosupposethatapoetisnoteasilyaccessibletopleasure，orthathedoesnottakeaninterestinindividualobjectsandfeelings，istosupposethatheisnopoet；andproceedsonthefalsetheory，whichhasbeensooftenappliedtopoetryandtheFineArts，thatthewholeisnotmadeupoftheparticulars。Ifourauthor，accordingtoDr。Johnsonsaccountofhim，couldonlyhavetreatedepic，high-soundingsubjects，hewouldnothavebeenwhathewas，butanotherSirRichardBlackmore——Imayconcludewithobserving，thatIhaveoftenwishedthatMiltonhadlivedtoseetheRevolutionof1688。Thiswouldhavebeenatriumphworthyofhim，andwhichhewouldhaveearnedbyfaithandhope。Hewouldthenhavebeenold，butwouldnothavelivedinvaintoseeit，andmighthavecelebratedtheeventinonemoreundyingstrain！
NOTEStoESSAYII
NonotesforthisessayESSAYIII
ONGOINGAJOURNEY
Oneofthepleasantestthingsintheworldisgoingajourney；butI
liketogobymyself。Icanenjoysocietyinaroom；butoutofdoors，natureiscompanyenoughforme。Iamthenneverlessalonethanwhenalone。
Thefieldshisstudy，naturewashisbook。
Icannotseethewitofwalkingandtalkingatthesametime。WhenIaminthecountryIwishtovegetatelikethecountry。Iamnotforcriticisinghedge-rowsandblackcattle。Igooutoftowninordertoforgetthetownandallthatisinit。Therearethosewhoforthispurposegotowatering-places，andcarrythemetropoliswiththem。I
likemoreelbow-roomandfewerencumbrances。Ilikesolitude，whenI
givemyselfuptoit，forthesakeofsolitude；nordoIaskforafriendinmyretreat，WhomImaywhispersolitudeissweet。
Thesoulofajourneyisliberty，perfectliberty，tothink，feel，do，justasonepleases。Wegoajourneychieflytobefreeofallimpedimentsandofallinconveniences；toleaveourselvesbehindmuchmoretogetridofothers。ItisbecauseIwantalittlebreathing-spacetomuseonindifferentmatters，whereContemplationMayplumeherfeathersandletgrowherwings，ThatinthevariousbustleofresortWerealltooruffled，andsometimesimpair”d，thatIabsentmyselffromthetownforawhile，withoutfeelingatalossthemomentIamleftbymyself。InsteadofafriendinapostchaiseorinaTilbury，toexchangegoodthingswith，andvarythesamestaletopicsoveragain，foronceletmehaveatrucewithimpertinence。Givemetheclearblueskyovermyhead，andthegreenturfbeneathmyfeet，awindingroadbeforeme，andathreehours”marchtodinner——andthentothinking！ItishardifIcannotstartsomegameontheseloneheaths。Ilaugh，Irun，Ileap，Isingforjoy。FromthepointofyonderrollingcloudIplungeintomypastbeing，andrevelthere，asthesun-burntIndianplungesheadlongintothewavethatwaftshimtohisnativeshore。Thenlong-forgottenthings，like”sunkenwrackandsumlesstreasuries”burstuponmyeagersight，andIbegintofeel，think，andbemyselfagain。Insteadofanawkwardsilence，brokenbyattemptsatwitordullcommon-places，mineisthatundisturbedsilenceoftheheartwhichaloneisperfecteloquence。Noonelikespuns，alliterations，antitheses，argument，andanalysisbetterthanIdo；butIsometimeshadratherbewithoutthem。”Leave，oh，leavemetomyrepose！”Ihavejustnowotherbusinessinhand，whichwouldseemidletoyou，butiswithme”verystuffo”theconscience。”Isnotthiswildrosesweetwithoutacomment？Doesnotthisdaisyleaptomyheartsetinitscoatofemerald？YetifIworetoexplaintoyouthecircumstancethathassoendearedittome，youwouldonlysmile。HadI
notbetterthenkeepittomyself，andletitservemetobroodover，fromheretoyondercraggypoint，andfromthenceonwardtothefar-distanthorizon？Ishouldbebutbadcompanyallthatway，andthereforepreferbeingalone。Ihavehearditsaidthatyoumay，whenthemoodyfitcomeson，walkorrideonbyyourself，andindulgeyourreveries。Butthislookslikeabreachofmanners，aneglectofothers，andyouarethinkingallthetimethatyououghttorejoinyourparty。”Outuponsuchhalf-facedfellowship”sayI。Iliketobeeitherentirelytomyself，orentirelyatthedisposalofothers；totalkorbesilent，towalkorsitstill，tobesociableorsolitary。IwaspleasedwithanobservationofMr。Cobbett”s，that”hethoughtitabadFrenchcustomtodrinkourwinewithourmeals，andthatanEnglishmanoughttodoonlyonethingatatime。”SoIcannottalkandthink，orindulgeinmelancholymusingandlivelyconversationbyfitsandstarts。”Letmehaveacompanionofmyway”saysSterne，”wereitbuttoremarkhowtheshadowslengthenasthesundeclines。”Itisbeautifullysaid；but，inmyopinion，thiscontinualcomparingofnotesinterfereswiththeinvoluntaryimpressionofthingsuponthemind，andhurtsthesentiment。
Ifyouonlyhintwhatyoufeelinakindofdumbshow，itisinsipid：
ifyouhavetoexplainit，itismakingatoilofapleasure。Youcannotreadthebookofnaturewithoutbeingperpetuallyputtothetroubleoftranslatingitforthebenefitofothers。Iamforthissyntheticalmethodonajourneyinpreferencetotheanalytical。Iamcontenttolayinastockofideasthen，andtoexamineandanatomisethemafterwards。Iwanttoseemyvaguenotionsfloatlikethedownofthethistlebeforethebreeze，andnottohavethementangledinthebriarsandthornsofcontroversy。Foronce，Iliketohaveitallmyownway；andthisisimpossibleunlessyouarealone，orinsuchcompanyasIdonotcovet。Ihavenoobjectiontoargueapointwithanyonefortwentymilesofmeasuredroad，butnotforpleasure。Ifyouremarkthescentofabean-fieldcrossingtheroad，perhapsyourfellow-travellerhasnosmell。Ifyoupointtoadistantobject，perhapsheisshort-sighted，andhastotakeouthisglasstolookatit。Thereisafeelingintheair，atoneinthecolourofacloud，whichhitsyourfancy，buttheeffectofwhichyouareunabletoaccountfor。Thereisthennosympathy，butanuneasycravingafterit，andadissatisfactionwhichpursuesyouontheway。andintheendprobablyproducesill-humour。NowIneverquarrelwithmyself，andtakeallmyownconclusionsforgrantedtillIfinditnecessarytodefendthemagainstobjections。Itisnotmerelythatyoumaynotbeofaccordontheobjectsandcircumstancesthatpresentthemselvesbeforeyou——thesemayrecallanumberofobjects，andleadtoassociationstoodelicateandrefinedtobepossiblycommunicatedtoothers。YettheseIlovetocherish，andsometimesstillfondlyclutchthem，whenIcanescapefromthethrongtodoso。Togivewaytoourfeelingsbeforecompanyseemsextravaganceoraffectation；and，ontheotherhand，tohavetounravelthismysteryofourbeingateveryturn，andtomakeotherstakeanequalinterestinit(otherwisetheendisnotanswered)，isatasktowhichfewarecompetent。Wemust”giveitanunderstanding，butnotongue。”MyoldfriendColeridge，however，coulddoboth。Hecouldgooninthemostdelightfulexplanatorywayoverhillanddaleasummer”sday，andconvertalandscapeintoadidacticpoemoraPindaricode。”Hetalkedfarabovesinging。”IfIcouldsoclothemyideasinsoundingandflowingwords，Imightperhapswishtohavesomeonewithmetoadmiretheswellingtheme；orIcouldbemorecontent，wereitpossibleformestilltohearhisechoingvoiceinthewoodsofAll-Foxden。[1]Theyhad”thatfinemadnessinthemwhichourfirstpoetshad”；andiftheycouldhavebeencaughtbysomerareinstrument，wouldhavebreathedsuchstrainsasthefollowing：——
HerebewoodsasgreenAsany，airlikewiseasfreshandsweetAswhensmoothZephyrusplaysonthefleetFaceofthecurledstreams，withflow”rsasmanyAstheyoungspringgives，andaschoiceasany；
Herebeallnewdelights，coolstreamsandwells，Arbourso”ergrownwithwoodbines，cavesanddells；
Choosewherethouwilt，whilstIsitbyandsing，OrgatherrushestomakemanyaringForthylongfingers；telltheetalesoflove，HowthepalePhoebe，huntinginagrove，FirstsawtheboyEndymion，fromwhoseeyesShetooketernalfirethatneverdies；
Howsheconvey”dhimsoftlyinasleep，Histemplesboundwithpoppy，tothesteepHeadofoldLatmos，whereshestoopseachnight，Gildingthemountainwithherbrother”slight，Tokisshersweetest。[2]
HadIwordsandimagesatcommandlikethese，Iwouldattempttowakethethoughtsthatlieslumberingongoldenridgesintheeveningclouds：
butatthesightofnaturemyfancy，poorasitis，droopsandclosesupitsleaves，likeflowersatsunset。Icanmakenothingoutonthespot：
Imusthavetimetocollectmyself。
Ingeneral，agoodthingspoilsout-of-doorprospects：itshouldhereservedforTable-talk。Lambisforthisreason，Itakeit，theworstcompanyintheworldoutofdoors；becauseheisthebestwithin。I
grantthereisonesubjectonwhichitispleasanttotalkonajourney，andthatis，whatoneshallhaveforsupperwhenwegettoourinnatnight。Theopenairimprovesthissortofconversationorfriendlyaltercation，bysettingakeeneredgeonappetite。Everymileoftheroadheightenstheflavouroftheviandsweexpectattheendofit。
Howfineitistoentersomeoldtown，walledandturreted，justatapproachofnightfall，ortocometosomestragglingvillage，withthelightsstreamingthroughthesurroundinggloom；andthen，afterinquiringforthebestentertainmentthattheplaceaffords，to”takeone”seaseatone”sinn”！Theseeventfulmomentsinourlives”historyaretooprecious，toofullofsolid，heartfelthappinesstobefritteredanddribbledawayinimperfectsympathy。Iwouldhavethemalltomyself，anddrainthemtothelastdrop：theywilldototalkofortowriteaboutafterwards。Whatadelicatespeculationitis，afterdrinkingwholegobletsoftea——
Thecupsthatcheer，butnotinebriate——
andlettingthefumesascendintothebrain，tositconsideringwhatweshallhaveforsupper——eggsandarasher，arabbitsmotheredinonions，oranexcellentveal-cutlet！Sanchoinsuchasituationoncefixedoncow-heel；andhischoice，thoughhecouldnothelpit，isnottobedisparaged。Then，intheintervalsofpicturedsceneryandShandeancontemplation，tocatchthepreparationandthestirinthekitchen[gettingreadyforthegentlemanintheparlour]。_Procul，Oproculesteprofani！_Thesehoursaresacredtosilenceandtomusing，tobetreasuredupinthememory，andtofeedthesourceofsmilingthoughtshereafter。Iwouldnotwastetheminidletalk；orifImusthavetheintegrityoffancybrokeninupon，Iwouldratheritwerebyastrangerthanafriend。Astrangertakeshishueandcharacterfromthetimeandplace；heisapartofthefurnitureandcostumeofaninn。IfheisaQuaker，orfromtheWestRidingofYorkshire，somuchthebetter。Idonoteventrytosympathisewithhim，andhebreaksnosquares。[HowI
lovetoseethecampsofthegypsies，andtosighmysoulintothatsortoflife。IfIexpressthisfeelingtoanother，hemayqualifyandspoilitwithsomeobjection。]Iassociatenothingwithmytravellingcompanionbutpresentobjectsandpassingevents。Inhisignoranceofmeandmyaffairs，Iinamannerforgetmyself。Butafriendremindsoneofotherthings，ripsupoldgrievances，anddestroystheabstractionofthescene。Hecomesinungraciouslybetweenusandourimaginarycharacter。Somethingisdroppedinthecourseofconversationthatgivesahintofyourprofessionandpursuits；orfromhavingsomeonewithyouthatknowsthelesssublimeportionsofyourhistory，itseemsthatotherpeopledo。Youarenolongeracitizenoftheworld；
butyour”unhousedfreeconditionisputintocircumspectionandconfine。”Theincognitoofaninnisoneofitsstrikingprivileges——”lordofone”sself，uncumberedwithaname。”Oh！itisgreattoshakeoffthetrammelsoftheworldandofpublicopinion——toloseourimportunate，tormenting，everlastingpersonalidentityintheelementsofnature，andbecomethecreatureofthemoment，clearofallties——toholdtotheuniverseonlybyadishofsweetbreads，andtoowenothingbutthescoreoftheevening——andnolongerseekingforapplauseandmeetingwithcontempt，tobeknownbynoothertitlethan_theGentlemanintheparlour！_Onemaytakeone”schoiceofallcharactersinthisromanticstateofuncertaintyastoone”srealpretensions，andbecomeindefinitelyrespectableandnegativelyright-worshipful。Webaffleprejudiceanddisappointconjecture；andfrombeingsotoothers，begintobeobjectsofcuriosityandwondereventoourselves。Wearenomorethosehackneyedcommon-placesthatweappearintheworld；aninnrestoresustothelevelofnature，andquitsscoreswithsociety！
Ihavecertainlyspentsomeenviablehoursatinns——sometimeswhenI
havebeenleftentirelytomyself，andhavetriedtosolvesomemetaphysicalproblem，asonceatWithamCommon，whereIfoundouttheproofthatlikenessisnotacaseoftheassociationofideas——atothertimes，whentherehavebeenpicturesintheroom，asatSt。Neot”s(I
thinkitwas)，whereIfirstmetwithGribelin”sengravingsoftheCartoons，intowhichIenteredatonce，andatalittleinnonthebordersofWales，wheretherehappenedtobehangingsomeofWestall”sdrawings，whichIcomparedtriumphantly(foratheorythatIhad，notfortheadmiredartist)withthefigureofagirlwhohadferriedmeovertheSevern，standingupinaboatbetweenmeandthetwilight——atothertimesImightmentionluxuriatinginbooks，withapeculiarinterestinthisway，asIremembersittinguphalfthenighttoread_PaulandVirginia，_whichIpickedupataninnatBridgewater，afterbeingdrenchedintherainallday；andatthesameplaceIgotthroughtwovolumesofMadameD”Arblay”s_Camilla。_Itwasonthe10thofApril1798thatIsatdowntoavolumeofthe_NewEloise，_attheinnatLlangollen，overabottleofsherryandacoldchicken。TheletterI
chosewasthatinwhichSt。PreuxdescribeshisfeelingsashefirstcaughtaglimpsefromtheheightsoftheJuraofthePaysdeVaud，whichIhadbroughtwithmeasa_bonbouche_tocrowntheeveningwith。Itwasmybirthday，andIhadforthefirsttimecomefromaplaceintheneighbourhoodtovisitthisdelightfulspot。TheroadtoLlangollenturnsoffbetweenChirkandWrexham；andonpassingacertainpointyoucomeallatonceuponthevalley，whichopenslikeanamphitheatre，broad，barrenhillsrisinginmajesticstateoneitherside，with”greenuplandswellsthatechotothebleatofflocks”below，andtheriverDeebabblingoveritsstonybedinthemidstofthem。Thevalleyatthistime”glitteredgreenwithsunnyshowers”andabuddingash-treedippeditstenderbranchesinthechidingstream。Howproud，howgladIwastowalkalongthehighroadthatoverlooksthedeliciousprospect，repeatingthelineswhichIhavejustquotedfromMr。Coleridge”spoems！
Butbesidestheprospectwhichopenedbeneathmyfeet，anotheralsoopenedtomyinwardsight，aheavenlyvision，onwhichwerewritten，inletterslargeasHopecouldmakethem，thesefourwords，LIBERTY，GENIUS，LOVE，VIRTUE；whichhavesincefadedintothelightofcommonday，ormockmyidlegaze。
Thebeautifulisvanished，andreturnsnot。
StillIwouldreturnsometimeorothertothisenchantedspot；butI
wouldreturntoitalone。WhatotherselfcouldIfindtosharethatinfluxofthoughts，ofregret，anddelight，thefragmentsofwhichI
couldhardlyconjureuptomyself，somuchhavetheybeenbrokenanddefaced。Icouldstandonsometallrock，andoverlooktheprecipiceofyearsthatseparatesmefromwhatIthenwas。IwasatthattimegoingshortlytovisitthepoetwhomIhaveabovenamed。Whereishenow？
NotonlyImyselfhavechanged；theworld，whichwasthennewtome，hasbecomeoldandincorrigible。YetwillIturntotheeinthought，O
sylvanDee，injoy，inyouthandgladnessasthouthenwert；andthoushaltalwaysbetometheriverofParadise，whereIwilldrinkofthewatersoflifefreely！
Thereishardlyanythingthatshowstheshort-sightednessorcapriciousnessoftheimaginationmorethantravellingdoes。Withchangeofplacewechangeourideas；nay，ouropinionsandfeelings。Wecanbyaneffortindeedtransportourselvestooldandlong-forgottenscenes，andthenthepictureofthemindrevivesagain；butweforgetthosethatwehavejustleft。Itseemsthatwecanthinkbutofoneplaceatatime。Thecanvasofthefancyisbutofacertainextent，andifwepaintonesetofobjectsuponit，theyimmediatelyeffaceeveryother。Wecannotenlargeourconceptions，weonlyshiftourpointofview。Thelandscapebaresitsbosomtotheenrapturedeye，wetakeourfillofit，andseemasifwecouldformnootherimageofbeautyorgrandeur。Wepasson，andthinknomoreofit：thehorizonthatshutsitfromoursightalsoblotsitfromourmemorylikeadream。IntravellingthroughawildbarrencountryIcanformnoideaofawoodyandcultivatedone。Itappearstomethatalltheworldmustbebarren，likewhatIseeofit。Inthecountryweforgetthetown，andintownwedespisethecountry。”BeyondHydePark”saysSirToplingFlutter，”allisadesert。”Allthatpartofthemapthatwedonotseebeforeusisblank。Theworldinourconceitofitisnotmuchbiggerthananutshell。Itisnotoneprospectexpandedintoanother，countyjoinedtocounty，kingdomtokingdom，landtoseas，makinganimagevoluminousandvast；themindcanformnolargerideaofspacethantheeyecantakeinatasingleglance。Therestisanamewritteninamap，acalculationofarithmetic。Forinstance，whatisthetruesignificationofthatimmensemassofterritoryandpopulationknownbythenameofChinatous？Aninchofpasteboardonawoodenglobe，ofnomoreaccountthanaChinaorange！Thingsnearusareseenofthesizeoflife：thingsatadistancearediminishedtothesizeoftheunderstanding。Wemeasuretheuniversebyourselves，andevencomprehendthetextureofourbeingonlypiecemeal。Inthisway，however，werememberaninfinityofthingsandplaces。Themindislikeamechanicalinstrumentthatplaysagreatvarietyoftunes，butitmustplaytheminsuccession。Oneidearecallsanother，butitatthesametimeexcludesallothers。Intryingtorenewoldrecollections，wecannotasitwereunfoldthewholewebofourexistence；wemustpickoutthesinglethreads。Soincomingtoaplacewherewehaveformerlylived，andwithwhichwehaveintimateassociations，everyonemusthavefoundthatthefeelinggrowsmorevividthenearerweapproachthespot，fromthemereanticipationoftheactualimpression：weremembercircumstances，feelings，persons，faces，namesthatwehadnotthoughtofforyears；butforthetimealltherestoftheworldisforgotten！——ToreturntothequestionIhavequittedabove：
Ihavenoobjectiontogotoseeruins，aqueducts，pictures，incompanywithafriendoraparty，butratherthecontrary，fortheformerreasonreversed。Theyareintelligiblematters，andwillbeartalkingabout。
Thesentimenthereisnottacit，butcommunicableandovert。SalisburyPlainisbarrenofcriticism，butStonehengewillbearadiscussionantiquarian，picturesque，andphilosophical。Insettingoutonapartyofpleasure，thefirstconsiderationalwaysiswhereweshallgoto：intakingasolitaryramble，thequestioniswhatweshallmeetwithbytheway。”Themindisitsownplace”；norareweanxioustoarriveattheendofourjourney。Icanmyselfdothehonoursindifferentlywelltoworksofartandcuriosity。IoncetookapartytoOxfordwithnomeaneclat——showedthemthatseatoftheMusesatadistance，Withglisteringspiresandpinnaclesadorn”d——
descantedonthelearnedairthatbreathesfromthegrassyquadranglesandstonewallsofhallsandcolleges——wasathomeintheBodleian；andatBlenheimquitesupersededthepowderedCiceronethatattendedus，andthatpointedinvainwithhiswandtocommonplacebeautiesinmatchlesspictures。Asanotherexceptiontotheabovereasoning，Ishouldnotfeelconfidentinventuringonajourneyinaforeigncountrywithoutacompanion。Ishouldwantatintervalstohearthesoundofmyownlanguage。ThereisaninvoluntaryantipathyinthemindofanEnglishmantoforeignmannersandnotionsthatrequirestheassistanceofsocialsympathytocarryitoff。Asthedistancefromhomeincreases，thisrelief，whichwasatfirstaluxury，becomesapassionandanappetite。ApersonwouldalmostfeelstifledtofindhimselfinthedesertsofArabiawithoutfriendsandcountrymen：theremustheallowedtobesomethingintheviewofAthensoroldRomethatclaimstheutteranceofspeech；andIownthatthePyramidsaretoomightyforanysinglecontemplation。Insuchsituations，sooppositetoallone”sordinarytrainofideas，oneseemsaspeciesbyone”s-self，alimbtornofffromsociety，unlessonecanmeetwithinstantfellowshipandsupport。YetIdidnotfeelthiswantorcravingverypressingonce，whenIfirstsetmyfootonthelaughingshoresofFrance。Calaiswaspeopledwithnoveltyanddelight。Theconfused，busymurmuroftheplacewaslikeoilandwinepouredintomyears；nordidthemariners”
hymn，whichwassungfromthetopofanoldcrazyvesselintheharbour，asthesunwentdown，sendanaliensoundintomysoul。Ionlybreathedtheairofgeneralhumanity。Iwalkedover”thevine-coveredhillsandgayregionsofFrance”erectandsatisfied；fortheimageofmanwasnotcastdownandchainedtothefootofarbitrarythrones：Iwasatnolossforlanguage，forthatofallthegreatschoolsofpaintingwasopentome。Thewholeisvanishedlikeashade。Pictures，heroes，glory，freedom，allarefled：nothingremainsbuttheBourbonsandtheFrenchpeople！——Thereisundoubtedlyasensationintravellingintoforeignpartsthatistobehadnowhereelse；butitismorepleasingatthetimethanlasting。Itistooremotefromourhabitualassociationstobeacommontopicofdiscourseorreference，and，likeadreamoranotherstateofexistence，doesnotpieceintoourdailymodesoflife。
Itisananimatedbutamomentaryhallucination。Itdemandsanefforttoexchangeouractualforouridealidentity；andtofeelthepulseofouroldtransportsreviveverykeenly，wemust”jump”allourpresentcomfortsandconnections。Ourromanticanditinerantcharacterisnottobedomesticated。Dr。Johnsonremarkedhowlittleforeigntraveladdedtothefacilitiesofconversationinthosewhohadbeenabroad。
Infact，thetimewehavespentthereisbothdelightful，andinonesenseinstructive；butitappearstobecutoutofoursubstantial，downrightexistence，andnevertojoinkindlyontoit。Wearenotthesame，butanother，andperhapsmoreenviableindividual，allthetimeweareoutofourowncountry。Wearelosttoourselves，aswellasourfriends。Sothepoetsomewhatquaintlysings：
OutofmycountryandmyselfIgo。
Thosewhowishtoforgetpainfulthoughts，dowelltoabsentthemselvesforawhilefromthetiesandobjectsthatrecallthem；butwecanbesaidonlytofulfilourdestinyintheplacethatgaveusbirth。I
shouldonthisaccountlikewellenoughtospendthewholeofmylifeintravellingabroad，ifIcouldanywhereborrowanotherlifetospendafterwardsathome！
NOTEStoESSAYIII
[1]NearNether-Stowey，Somersetshire，wheretheauthorofthisEssayvisitedColeridgein1798。Hewasthereagainin1803。
[2]Fletcher”s”FaithfulShepherdess”i。3(Dyce”s_BeaumontandFletcher，_ii。38，39)。
ESSAYIV
ONCOFFEE-HOUSEPOLITICIANS
Thereisasetofpeoplewhofairlycomeunderthisdenomination。Theyspendtheirtimeandtheirbreathincoffee-housesandotherplacesofpublicresort，hearingorrepeatingsomenewthing。Theysitwithapaperintheirhandsinthemorning，andwithapipeintheirmouthsintheevening，discussingthecontentsofit。The_Times，_the_MorningChronicle，_andthe_Herald_arenecessarytotheirexistence：inthem”theyliveandmoveandhavetheirbeing。”TheEveningPaperisimpatientlyexpectedandcalledforatacertaincriticalminute：thenewsofthemorningbecomesstaleandvapidbythedinner-hour。A
fresherinterestisrequired，anappetiteforthelatest-stirringinformationisexcitedwiththereturnoftheirmeals；andaglassofoldportorhummingalehardlyrelishesasitoughtwithouttheinfusionofsomelivelytopicthathaditsbirthwiththeday，andperishesbeforenight。”Thencomeinthesweetsoftheevening”：——theQueen，thecoronation，thelastnewplay，thenextfight，theinsurrectionoftheGreeksorNeapolitans，thepriceofstocks，ordeathofkings，keepthemonthealerttillbedtime。Noquestioncomesamisstothemthatisquitenew——noneiseverheardofthatisatallold。
Thatofanhour”sagedothhissthespeaker。
TheWorldbeforetheFloodortheIntermediateStateoftheSoulareneveroncethoughtof——suchisthequicksuccessionofsubjects，thesuddennessandfugitivenessoftheinteresttakeninthem，thatthe_TwopennyPostBag_wouldbeatpresentlookeduponasanold-fashionedpublication；andtheBattleofWaterloo，liketheproverb，issomewhatmusty。Itisstrangethatpeopleshouldtakesomuchinterestatonetimeinwhattheysosoonforget；——thetruthis，theyfeelnointerestinitatanytime，butitdoesforsomethingtotalkabout。Theirideasareserveduptothem，liketheirbilloffare，fortheday；andthewholecreation，history，war，politics，morals，poetry，metaphysics，istothemlikeafileofantedatednewspapers，ofnouse，notevenforreference，excepttheonewhichliesonthetable！Youcannottakeanyofthesepersonsatagreaterdisadvantagethanbeforetheyareprovidedwiththeircuefortheday。Theyaskwithafaceofdrearyvacuity，”Haveyouanythingnew？”——andonreceivingananswerinthenegative，havenothingfurthertosay。[Theyarelikeanoysterattheebbofthetide，gapingforfresh_tidings。_]TalkoftheWestminsterElection，theBridgeStreetAssociation，orMr。Cobbett”sLettertoJohnCropperofLiverpool，andtheyarealiveagain。Beyondthelasttwenty-fourhours，orthenarrowroundinwhichtheymove，theyareutterlytoseek，withoutideas，feelings，interests，apprehensionsofanysort；sothatifyoubetrayanyknowledgebeyondthevulgarroutineofSECONDEDITIONS
andfirst-handprivateintelligence，youpasswiththemforadullfellow，notacquaintedwithwhatisgoingforwardintheworld，orwiththepracticalvalueofthings。IhaveknownapersonofthisstampcensureJohnCamHobhouseforreferringsooftenashedoestotheaffairsoftheGreeksandRomans，asiftheaffairsofthenationwerenotsufficientforhishands：anotherasksyouifageneralinmoderntimescannotthrowabridgeoverariverwithouthavingstudiedCaesar”s_Commentaries；_andathirdcannotseetheuseofthelearnedlanguages，ashehasobservedthatthegreatestproficientsinthemarerathertaciturnthanotherwise，andhesitateintheirspeechmorethanotherpeople。Adearthofgeneralinformationisalmostnecessarytothethorough-pacedcoffee-housepolitician；intheabsenceofthought，imagination，sentiment，heisattractedimmediatelytothenearestcommonplace，andfloatsthroughthechosenregionsofnoiseandemptyrumourswithoutdifficultyandwithoutdistraction。Meet”anysixofthesemeninbuckram”andtheywillaccostyouwiththesamequestionandthesameanswer：theyhaveseenitsomewhereinprint，orhaditfromsomecityoracle，thatmorning；andthesoonertheyventtheiropinionsthebetter，fortheywillnotkeep。Liketicketsofadmissiontothetheatreforaparticularevening，theymustbeusedimmediately，ortheywillbeworthnothing：andtheobjectistofindauditorsfortheoneandcustomersfortheother，neitherofwhichisdifficult；
sincepeoplewhohavenoideasoftheirownaregladtohearwhatanyoneelsehastosay，asthosewhohavenotfreeadmissionstotheplaywillveryobliginglytakeupwithanoccasionalorder。Itsometimesgivesoneamelancholybutmixedsensationtoseeoneofthebettersortofthisclassofpoliticians，notwithouttalentsorlearning，absorbedforfiftyyearstogetherintheall-engrossingtopicoftheday：
mountingonitforexerciseandrecreationofhisfaculties，likethegreathorseatariding-school，andafterhisshort，improgressive，untiredcareer，dismountingjustwherehegotup；flyingabroadincontinualconsternationonthewingsofallthenewspapers；wavinghisarmlikeapump-handleinsignofconstantchange，andspoutingouttorrentsofpuddledpoliticsfromhismouth；deadtoallinterestsbutthoseofthestate；seeminglyneitheroldernorwiserforage；
unaccountablyenthusiastic，stupidlyromantic，andactuatedbynoothermotivethanthemechanicaloperationsofthespiritofnewsmongering。[1]”Whatthings”exclaimsBeaumontinhisversestoBenJonson，”havewenotseendoneattheMermaid！”ThenwhentherehathbeenthrownWitableenoughtojustifythetownForthreedayspast，witthatmightwarrantbeForthewholecitytotalkfoolishly！”
IcannotsaythesameoftheSouthampton，thoughitstandsonclassicground，andisconnectedbyvocaltraditionwiththegreatnamesoftheElizabethanage。WhatafallingoffishereIOurancestorsofthatperiodseemnotonlytobeolderbytwohundredyears，andproportionablywiserandwittierthanwe，buthardlyatraceofthemisleft，noteventhememoryofwhathasbeen。HowshouldImakemyfriendMounseystare，ifIweretomentionthenameofmystillbetterfriend，oldhonestSignorFriscobaldo，thefatherofBellafront；——yethisnamewasperhapsinvented，andthescenesinwhichhefiguresunrivalledmightforthefirsttimehavebeenreadaloudtothrillingearsonthisveryspot！WhoreadsDeckernow？Orifbychanceanyoneawakesthestringsofthatancientlyre，andstartswithdelightastheyyieldwild，brokenmusic，ishenotaccusedofenvytothelivingMuse？Whatwouldalinen-draperfromHolbornthink，ifIweretoaskhimaftertheclerkofSt。Andrew”s，theimmortal，theforgottenWebster？Hisnameandhisworksarenomoreheardof：though_these_werewrittenwithapenofadamant，”withinthered-leavedtablesoftheheart”hisfamewas”writinwater。”Soperishableisgenius，soswiftistime，sofluctuatingisknowledge，andsofarisitfrombeingtruethatmenperpetuallyaccumulatethemeansofimprovementandrefinement。Onthecontrary，livingknowledgeisthetombofthedead，andwhilelightandworthlessmaterialsfloatonthesurface，thesolidandsterlingasoftensinktothebottom，andareswallowedupforeverinweedsandquicksands！——Astrikinginstanceoftheshort-livednatureofpopularreputationoccurredoneeveningattheSouthampton，whenwegotintoadispute，themostlearnedandreconditethatovertookplace，onthecomparativemeritsofLordByronandGray。Acountrygentlemanhappenedtodropin，andthinkingtoshowoffinLondoncompany，launchedintoaloftypanegyricon_TheBard_ofGrayasthesublimestcompositionintheEnglishlanguage。Thisassertionpresentlyappearedtobeananachronism，thoughitwasprobablytheopinioninvoguethirtyyearsago，whenthegentlemanwaslastintown。Afteralittlefloundering，oneofthepartyvolunteeredtoexpressamorecontemporarysentiment，byaskinginatoneofmingledconfidenceanddoubt——”Butyoudon”tthink，sir，thatGrayistobementionedasapoetinthesamedaywithmyLordByron？”Thedisputantswerenowatissue：allthatresultedwasthatGraywassetasideasapoetwhowouldnotgodownamongreadersofthepresentday，andhispatrontreatedtheworksoftheNobleBardasmereephemeraleffusions，andspokeofpoetsthatwouldbeadmiredthirtyyearshence，whichwasthefartheststretchofhiscriticalimagination。Hisantagonist”sdidnotevenreachsofar。Thiswasthemostromanticdigressionweoverhad；andthesubjectwasnotafterwardsresumed——Noonehere(generallyspeaking)hastheslightestnotionofanythingthathashappened，thathasbeensaid，thought，ordoneoutofhisownrecollection。Itwouldbeinvaintohearkenafterthose”wit-skirmishes”those”bravesublunarythings”whichweretheemploymentanddelightoftheBeaumontsandBensofformertimes：butwemayhappilyreposeondulness，driftwiththetideofnonsense，andgainanagreeablevertigobylendinganeartoendlesscontroversies。Theconfusion，providedyoudonotmingleinthefrayandtrytodisentangleit，isamusingandedifyingenough。Everyspeciesoffalsewitandspuriousargumentmaybelearntherebypotentexamples。Whateverobservationsyouheardropthavebeenpickedupinthesameplaceorinakindredatmosphere。Thereisakindofconversationmadeupentirelyofscrapsandhearsay，asthereareakindofbooksmadeupentirelyofreferencestootherbooks。Thismayaccountforthefrequentcontradictionswhichaboundinthediscourseofpersonseducatedanddisciplinedwhollyincoffee-houses。Thereisnothingstableorwell-groundedinit：itis”nothingbutvanity，chaoticvanity。”TheyheararemarkattheGlobewhichtheydonotknowwhattomakeof；
anotherattheRainbowindirectoppositiontoit；andnothavingtimetoreconcilethem，ventbothattheMitre。Inthecourseofhalfanhour，iftheyarenotmorethanordinarilydull，youaresuretofindthemonoppositesidesofthequestion。Thisisthesickeningpartofit。Peopledonotseemtotalkforthesakeofexpressingtheiropinions，buttomaintainanopinionforthesakeoftalking。Wemeetneitherwithmodestignorancenorstudiousacquirement。Theirknowledgehasbeentakenintoomuchbysnatchestodigestproperly。Thereisneithersinceritynorsysteminwhattheysay。Theyhazardthefirstcrudenotionthatcomestohand，andthendefendithowtheycan；whichisforthemostpartbutill。”Don”tyouthink”saysMounsey，”thatMr——isaverysensible，well-informedman？””Why，no”Isay，”heseemstometohavenoideasofhisown，andonlytowaittoseewhatotherswillsayinordertosethimselfagainstit。Ishouldnotthinkthatisthewaytogetatthetruth。Idonotdesiretobedrivenoutofmyconclusions(suchastheyare)merelytomakewayforhisupstartpretensions。”——”Thenthereis——：whatofhim？””Hemightverywellexpressallhehastosayinhalfthetime，andwithhalfthetrouble。
Whyshouldhebeataboutthebushashedoes？HeappearstobegettingupalittlespeechandpractisingonasmallerscaleforaDebatingSociety——thelowestambitionamancanhave。Besides，byhismannerofdrawlingouthiswords，andinterlardinghisperiodswithinnuendosandformalreservations，heisevidentlymakinguphismindallthetimewhichsideheshalltake。Heputshissentencestogetherasprinterssetuptypes，letterbyletter。Thereiscertainlynoprincipleofshort-handinhismodeofelocution。Hegoesroundforameaning，andthesensewaitsforhim。Itisnotconversation，butrehearsingapart。
Menofeducationandmenoftheworldorderthismatterbetter。Theyknowwhattheyhavetosayonasubject，andcometothepointatonce。
Yourcoffee-housepoliticianbalancesbetweenwhatheheardlastandwhatheshallsaynext；andnotseeinghiswayclearly，putsyouoffwithcircumstantialphrases，andtriestogaintimeforfearofmakingafalsestep。Thisgentlemanhasheardsomeoneadmiredforprecisionandcopiousnessoflanguage；andgoesaway，congratulatinghimselfthathehasnotmadeablunderingrammarorinrhetoricthewholeevening。Heisatheoretical_Quidnunc_——istenaciousinargument，thoughwary；
carrieshispointthusandthus，bandiesobjectionsandanswerswithuneasypleasantry，andwhenhehastheworstofthedispute，punsveryemphaticallyonhisadversary”sname，ifitadmitsofthatkindofmisconstruction。”GeorgeKirkpatrickisadmiredbythewaiter，whoisasleekhand，[2]forhistemperinmanaginganargument。Anyoneelsewouldperceivethatthelatentcauseisnotpatiencewithhisantagonist，butsatisfactionwithhimself。Ithinkthisunmovedself-complacency，thiscavalier，smooth，simperingindifferenceismoreannoyingthantheextremestviolenceorirritability。Theoneshowsthatyouropponentdoescaresomethingaboutyou，andmaybeputoutofhiswaybyyourremarks；theotherseemstoannouncethatnothingyousaycanshakehisopinionajot，thathehasconsideredthewholeofwhatyouhavetoofferbeforehand，andthatheisinallrespectsmuchwiserandmoreaccomplishedthanyou。Suchpersonstalktogrownpeoplewiththesameairofpatronageandcondescensionthattheydotochildren。”Theywillexplain”——isafamiliarexpressionwiththem，thinkingyoucanonlydifferfromtheminconsequenceofmisconceivingwhattheysay。Orifyoudetecttheminanyerrorinpointoffact(astoacknowledgeddeficiencyinwitorargument，theywouldsmileattheidea)，theyaddsomecorrectiontoyourcorrection，andthushavethewhip-handofyouagain，beingmorecorrectthanyouwhocorrectedthem。
Ifyouhintsomeobviousoversight，theyknowwhatyouaregoingtosay。
andwereawareoftheobjectionbeforeyouutteredit：——”Soshalltheiranticipationpreventyourdiscovery。”Bybeingintherightyougainnoadvantage：bybeinginthewrongyouareentitledtothebenefitoftheirpityorscorn。ItissometimescurioustoseeaselectgroupofourlittleGothamgettingaboutaknottypointthatwillbearawager，aswhetherDr。Johnson”sDictionarywasoriginallypublishedinquartoorfolio。Theconfidentassertions，thecautiousovertures，thelengthoftimedemandedtoascertainthefact，theprecisetermsoftheforfeit，theprovisosforgettingoutofpayingitatlast，leadtoalongandinextricablediscussion。GeorgeKirkpatrickwas，however，soconvincedinhisownmindthatthe_MourningBride_waswrittenbyShakespear，thatheranheadlongintothesnare：thebetwasdecided，andthepunchwasdrunk。Hehasskillinnumbers，andseldomexceedshissevenpence——Hehadabrotheronce，noMichaelCassio，nogreatarithmetician。RogerKirkpatrickwasararefellow，ofthedriesthumour，andthenicesttact，ofinfinitesleightsandevasions，ofapickedphraseology，andtheverysoulofmimicry。IfancyIhavesomeinsightintophysiognomymyself，buthecouldoftenexpoundtomeatasingleglancethecharactersofthoseofmyacquaintancethatIhadbeenmostatfaultabout。Theaccountasitwascastupandbalancedbetweenuswasnotalwaysveryfavourable。Howfinely，howtruly，howgailyhetookoffthecompanyattheSouthampton！Poorandfaintaremysketchescomparedtohis！Itwaslikelookingintoa_cameraobscura_——yousawfacesshiningandspeaking——thesmokecurled，thelightsdazzled，theoakwainscottingtookahigherpolish——therewasoldSarratt，tallandgaunt，withhiscoupletfromPopeandcaseatNisiPrius，Mounseyeyeingtheventilatorandlying_perdu_foramoral，andHumeandAyrtontakinganotherfriendlyfinishingglass！——Theseandmanymorewindfallsofcharacterhegaveusinthought，word，andaction。IrememberhisoncedescribingthreedifferentpersonstogethertomyselfandMartinBurney，viz。themanagerofacountrytheatre，atragicandacomicperformer，tillwewerereadytotumbleonthefloorwithlaughingattheoddityoftheirhumours，andatRoger”sextraordinarypowersofventriloquism，bodilyandmental；andBurneysaid(suchwasthevividnessofthescene)
thatwhenheawokethenextmorning，hewonderedwhatthreeamusingcharactershehadbeenincompanywiththeeveningbefore。Oh！itwasarichtreattoseehimdescribeMudford，himofthe_Courier，_theContemplativeMan，whowroteananswertoCoelebs，comingintoaroom，foldinguphisgreatcoat，takingoutalittlepocketvolume，layingitdowntothink，rubbingthecalfofhislegwithgraveself-complacency，andstartingoutofhisreveriewhenspokentowithaninimitablevapidexclamationof”Eh！”Mudfordislikeamanmadeoffleecyhosiery：
Rogerwaslankandlean”asistheribbedsea-sand。”Yetheseemedtheverymanherepresented，asfat，pert，anddullasitwaspossibletobe。Ihavenotseenhimoflate：——
ForKaisisfled，andourtentsareforlorn。
ButIthoughtofhimtheotherday，whenthenewsofthedeathofBuonapartecame，whomwebothlovedforpreciselycontraryreasons，heforputtingdowntherabbleofthepeople，andIbecausehehadputdowntherabbleofkings。Perhapsthiseventmayrousehimfromhislurking-place，wherehelieslikeReynard，”withheaddeclined，infeignedslumbers！”[3]
IhadalmostforgottentheSouthamptonTavern。WeforsometimetookC——foralawyer，fromacertainargutenessofvoiceandslendernessofneck，andfromhishavingaquibbleandalaughathimselfalwaysready。Oninquiry，however，hewasfoundtobeapatent-medicineseller，andhavingleisureinhisapprenticeship，andaforwardnessofparts，hehadtakentostudyBlackstoneandthe_StatutesatLarge。_OnappealingtoMounseyforhisopiniononthismatter，heobservedpithily，”Idon”tlikesomuchlaw：thegentlemenhereseemfondoflaw，butIhavelawenoughatchambers。”Oneseesagreatdealofthehumoursandtempersofmeninaplaceofthissort，andmayalmostgathertheiropinionsfromtheircharacters。ThereisC——，afellowthatisalwaysinthewrong——whoputsmightforrightonalloccasions——aToryingrain——whohasnooneideabutwhathasbeeninstilledintohimbycustomandauthority——aneverlastingbabbleronthestrongersideofthequestion——querulousanddictatorial，andwithapeevishwhineinhisvoicelikeabeatenschoolboy。HeisagreatadvocatefortheBourbonsandfortheNationalDebt。TheformerheaffirmstobethechoiceoftheFrenchpeople，andthelatterheinsistsisnecessarytothesalvationofthesekingdoms。Thislastpointalittleinoffensivegentlemanamongus，ofasaturnineaspectbutsimpleconceptions，cannotcomprehend。”Iwilltellyou，sir——Iwillmakemypropositionssoclearthatyouwillbeconvincedofthetruthofmyobservationinamoment。Consider，sir，thenumberoftradesthatwouldbethrownoutofemployifitweredoneawaywith：whatwouldbecomeoftheporcelainmanufacturewithoutit？”AnystrangertooverhearoneofthesedebateswouldswearthattheEnglishasanationarebadlogicians。Moodandfigureareunknowntothem。Theydonotarguebythebook。Theyarriveatconclusionsthroughtheforceofprejudice，andontheprinciplesofcontradiction。Mr。C——havingthustriumphedinargument，offersaflowertothenoticeofthecompanyasaspecimenofhisflower-garden，acuriousexotic，nothinglikeittobefoundinthiskingdom；talksofhiscarnations，ofhiscountry-house，andoldEnglishhospitality，butneverinvitesanyofhisfriendstocomedownandtaketheirSunday”sdinnerwithhim。Heismeanandostentatiousatthesametime，insolentandservile，doesnotknowwhethertotreatthoseheconverseswithasiftheywerehisportersorhiscustomers：
theprentice-boyisnotyetwipedoutofhim，andhisimaginationstillhoversbetweenhismansionat——andtheworkhouse。OpposedtohimandtoeveryoneelseisB。，aradicalreformerandlogician，whomakesclearworkofthetaxesandNationalDebt，reconstructstheGovernmentfromthefirstprinciplesofthings，shatterstheHolyAllianceatablow，grindsoutthefutureprospectsofsocietywithamachine，andissettingoutafreshwiththecommencementoftheFrenchRevolutionfiveandtwentyyearsago，asifonanuntriedexperiment。Hemindsnothingbuttheformalagreementofhispremisesandhisconclusions，anddoesnotstickatobstaclesintheway，norconsequencesintheend。Iftherewasbutonesideofaquestion，hewouldbealwaysintheright。
Hecastsuponecolumnoftheaccounttoadmiration，buttotallyforgetsandrejectstheother。Hisideaslielikesquarepiecesofwoodinhisbrain，andmaybesaidtobepileduponastiffarchitecturalprinciple，perpendicularly，andatrightangles。Thereisnoinflection，nomodification，nogracefulembellishment，noCorinthiancapitals。Ineverheardhimagreetotwopropositionstogether，ortomorethanhalfaoneatatime。Hisrigidloveoftruthbendstonothingbuthishabitualloveofdisputation。Heputsoneinmindofoneofthoselong-headedpoliticiansandfrequentersofcoffee-housesmentionedinBerkeley”s_MinutePhilosopher，_whowouldmakenothingofsuchold-fashionedfellowsasPlatoandAristotle。Hehasthenewlightstronguponhim，andheknocksotherpeopledownwithitssolidbeams。
HedeniesthathehasgotcertainviewsoutofCobbett，thoughheallowsthatthereareexcellentideasoccasionallytobemetwithinthatwriter。Itisapitythatthisenthusiasticandunqualifiedregardtotruthshouldbeaccompaniedwithanequalexactnessofexpenditureandunrelentingeyetothemainchance。Hebringsabunchofradisheswithhimforcheapness，andgivesabandofmusiciansatthedoorapenny，observingthathelikestheirperformancebetterthanalltheOperasqualling。Thisbringstheseverityofhispoliticalprinciplesintoquestion，ifnotintocontempt。HewouldabolishtheNationalDebtfrommotivesofpersonaleconomy，andobjectstoMr。Canning”spensionbecauseitperhapstakesafarthingayearoutofhisownpocket。A
greatdealofradicalreasoninghasitssourceinthisfeeling——HebestowsnosmallquantityofhistediousnessuponMounsey，onwhosemindalltheseformulasanddiagramsfalllikeseedonstonyground：”whilethemannaisdescending”heshakeshisears，and，intheintervalsofthedebate，insinuatesanobjection，andcallsforanotherhalf-pint。I
havesometimessaidtohim，”Anyonetocomeinherewithoutknowingyou，wouldtakeyouforthemostdisputatiousmanalive，foryouarealwaysengagedinanargumentwithsomebodyorother。”Thetruthis，thatMounseyisagood-natured，gentlemanlyman，whonotwithstanding，ifappealedto，willnotletanabsurdorunjustpropositionpasswithoutexpressinghisdissent；andthereforeheisasortofmarkforallthose(andwehaveseveralofthatstamp)wholiketoteaseotherpeople”sunderstandingsaswool-combersteasewool。Heiscertainlythefloweroftheflock。Heistheoldestfrequenteroftheplace，thelatestsitter-up，well-informed，inobtrusive，andthatsturdyoldEnglishcharacter，aloveroftruthandjustice。IneverknewMounseyapproveofanythingunfairorilliberal。Thereisacandouranduprightnessabouthismindwhichcanneitherbewheedlednorbrowbeatintounjustifiablecomplaisance。Helooksstraightforwardashesitswithhisglassinhishand，turningneithertotherightnortheleft，andI
willventuretosaythathehasneverhadasinisterobjectinviewthroughlife。Mrs。Battle(itisrecordedinherOpinionsonWhist)
couldnotmakeuphermindtousetheword_”Go。”_Mounsey，fromlongpractice，hasgotoverthisdifficulty，andusesitincessantly。Itisnomatterwhatadjunctfollowsinthetrainofthisdespisedmonosyllable，——whateverliquidcomesafterthisprefixiswelcome。
Mounsey，withoutbeingthemostcommunicative，isthemostconversiblemanIknow。Thesocialprincipleisinseparablefromhisperson。Ifhehasnothingtosay，hedrinksyourhealth；andwhenyoucannot，fromtherapidityandcarelessnessofhisutterance，catchwhathesays，youassenttoitwithequalconfidence：youknowhismeaningisgood。Hisfavouritephraseis，”Wehaveallofussomethingofthecoxcomb”；andyethehasnoneofithimself。BeforeIhadexchangedhalfadozensentenceswithMounsey，Ifoundthatheknewseveralofmyoldacquaintance(animmediateintroductionofitself，forthediscussingthecharactersandfoiblesofcommonfriendsisagreatsweetenerandcementoffriendship)——andhadbeenintimatewithmostofthewitsandmenabouttownforthelasttwentyyears。HeknewTobin，Wordsworth，Porson，Wilson，Paley，Erskine，andmanyothers。HespeaksofPaley”spleasantryandunassumingmanners，anddescribesPorson”slongpotationsandlongquotationsformerlyattheCiderCellarinaverylivelyway。
Hehasdoubts，however，astothatsortoflearning。OnmysayingthatIhadneverseentheGreekProfessorbutonce，attheLibraryoftheLondonInstitution，whenhewasdressedinanoldrustyblackcoatwithcobwebshangingtotheskirtsofit，andwithalargepatchofcoarsebrownpapercoveringthewholelengthofhisnose，lookingforalltheworldlikeadrunkencarpenter，andtalkingtooneoftheproprietorswithanairofsuavity，approachingtocondescension，Mounseycouldnothelpexpressingsomelittleuneasinessforthecreditofclassicalliterature。”Isubmit，sir，whethercommonsenseisnottheprincipalthing？Whatistheadvantageofgeniusandlearningiftheyareofnouseintheconductoflife？”——Mounseyisonewholovesthehoursthatusherinthemorn，whenaselectfewareleftintwosandthreeslikestarsbeforethebreakofday，andwhenthediscourseandthealeare”ayegrowingbetterandbetter。”Wells，Mounsey，andmyselfwereallthatremainedoneevening。Wehadsattogetherseveralhourswithoutbeingtiredofoneanother”scompany。TheconversationturnedontheBeautiesofCharlestheSecond”sCourtatWindsor，andfromthencetoCountGrammont，theirgallantandgayhistorian。Wetookourfavouritepassagesinturn——onepreferringthatofKilligrew”scountrycousin，who，havingbeenresolutelyrefusedbyMissWarminster(oneoftheMaidsofHonour)，whenhefoundshehadbeenunexpectedlybroughttobed，fellonhiskneesandthankedGodthatnowshemighttakecompassiononhim——anotherinsistingthattheChevalierHamilton”sassignationwithLadyChesterfield，whenshekepthimallnightshiveringinanoldout-house，wasbetter。JacobHall”sprowesswasnotforgotten，northestoryofMissStuart”sgarters。Iwasgettingoninmywaywiththatdelicate_endroit_inwhichMissChurchillisfirstintroducedatcourtandisbesieged(asamatterofcourse)bytheDukeofYork，whowasgallantaswellasbigotedonsystem。Hisassiduities，however，soonslackened，owing(itissaid)toherhavingapale，thinface：tilloneday，astheywereridingouthuntingtogether，shefellfromherhorse，andwastakenupalmostlifeless。Thewholeassembledcourtwasthrownbythiseventintoadmirationthatsuchabodyshouldbelongtosuchaface[4](sotranscendentapatternwassheofthefemaleform)，andtheDukewasfixed。This，Icontended，wasstriking，affecting，andgrand，thesublimeofamorousbiography，andsaidIcouldconceiveofnothingfinerthantheideaofayoungpersoninhersituation，whowastheobjectofindifferenceorscornfromoutwardappearance，withtheproudsuppressedconsciousnessofaGoddess-likesymmetry，lockedupby”fearandniceness，thehandmaidsofailwomen”fromthewonderandworshipofmankind。Isaidsothen，andIthinksonow：mytonguegrewwantoninthepraiseofthispassage，andIbelieveitborethebellfromitscompetitors。WellsthenspokeofLuciusApuleiusandhisGoldenAss，whichcontainsthestoryofCupidandPsyche，withothermatterrichandrare，andwentontotheromanceofHeliodorus，TheagenesandChariclea。
This，asheaffirmed，openswithapastorallandscapeequaltoClaude，andinitthepresidingdeitiesofLoveandWineappearinalltheirpristinestrength，youth，andgrace，crownedandworshippedasofyore。
Thenightwaned，butourglassesbrightened，enrichedwiththepearlsofGrecianstory。Ourcup-bearersleptinacorneroftheroom，likeanotherEndymion，inthepalerayofahalf-extinguishedlamp，andstartingupatafreshsummonsforafurthersupply，hesworeitwastoolate，andwasinexorabletoentreaty。Mounseysatwithhishatonandwithahecticflushinhisfacewhileanyhoperemained，butassoonaswerosetogo，hedartedoutoftheroomasquickaslightning，determinednottobethelastthatwent——Isaidsometimeaftertothewaiter，that”Mr。Mounseywasnoflincher。””Oh！sir”sayshe，”youshouldhaveknownhimformerly，whenMr。HumeandMr。Ayrtonusedtobehere。Nowheisquiteanotherman：heseldomstayslaterthanoneortwo。”——”Why，didtheykeepitupmuchthen？””Oh！yes；andusedtosingcatchesandallsorts。”——”What，didMr。Mounseysingcatches？””Hejoinedchorus，sir，andwasasmerryasthebestofthem。Hewasalwaysapleasantgentleman！”——ThisHumeandAyrtonsuccumbedinthefight。
AyrtonwasadryScotchman，Humeagood-natured，heartyEnglishman。I
donotmeanthatthesamecharacterappliestoallScotchmenortoallEnglishmen。HumewasofthePipe-Office(notunfitlyappointed)，andinhischeerfullercupswoulddelighttospeakofawidowandabowling-green，thatraninhisheadtothelast。”Whatisthegoodoftalkingofthosethingsnow？”saidthemanofutility。”Idon”tknow”
repliedtheother，quaffinganotherglassofsparklingale，andwithalambentfireplayinginhiseyeandroundhisbaldforehead——(hehadaheadthatSirJoshuawouldhavemadesomethingblandandgenialof)——”I
don”tknow，buttheyweredelightfultomeatthetime，andarestillpleasanttotalkandthinkof。”——_Suchaone，_inTouchstone”sphrase，_isanaturalphilosopher；_andinninecasesoutoftenthatsortofphilosophyisthebest！Icouldenlargethissketch，suchasitis；buttoproseontotheendofthechaptermightprovelessprofitablethantedious。
IlikeverywelltositinaroomwheretherearepeopletalkingonsubjectsIknownothingof，ifIamonlyallowedtositsilentandasaspectator；butIdonotmuchliketojoinintheconversation，exceptwithpeopleandonsubjectstomytaste。Sympathyisnecessarytosociety。Tolookon，avarietyoffaces，humours，andopinionsissufficient；tomixwithothers，agreementaswellasvarietyisindispensable。Whatmakesgoodsociety？Ianswer，inoneword，realfellowship。Withoutasimilitudeoftastes，acquirements，andpursuits(whatevermaybethedifferenceoftempersandcharacters)therecanbenointimacyorevencasualintercourseworththehaving。Whatmakesthemostagreeableparty？Anumberofpeoplewithanumberofideasincommon，”yetsoaswithadifference”；thatis，whocanputoneormoresubjectswhichtheyhaveallstudiedinthegreatestvarietyofentertainingorusefullights。Or，inotherwords，asuccessionofgoodthingssaidwithgood-humour，andaddressedtotheunderstandingsofthosewhohearthem，makethemostdesirableconversation。Ladies，lovers，beaux，wits，philosophers，thefashionableorthevulgar，arethefittestcompanyforoneanother。ThediscourseatRandal”sisthebestforboxers；thatatLong”sforlordsandloungers。IpreferHunt”sconversationalmosttoanyotherperson”s，because，withafamiliarrangeofsubjects，hecolourswithatotallynewandsparklinglight，reflectedfromhisowncharacter。Elia，thegraveandwitty，saysthingsnottobesurpassedinessence；butthemannerismorepainfulandlessarelieftomyownthoughts。Someoneconceivedhecouldnotbeanexcellentcompanion，becausehewasseenwalkingdownthesideoftheThames，_passibusiniquis，_afterdiningatRichmond。Theobjectionwasnotvalid。Iwill，however，admitthatthesaidEliaistheworstcompanyintheworldinbadcompany，ifitbegrantedmethatingoodcompanyheisnearlythebestthatcanbe。Heisoneofthoseofwhomitmaybesaid，Tellmeyourcompany，andI”lltellyouyourmanners。
Heisthecreatureofsympathy，andmakesgoodwhateveropinionyouseemtoentertainofhim。Hecannotoutgotheapprehensionsofthecircle，andinvariablyactsupordowntothepointofrefinementorvulgarityatwhichtheypitchhim。Heappearstotakeapleasureinexaggeratingtheprejudiceofstrangersagainsthim；aprideinconfirmingtheprepossessionsoffriends。Inwhateverscaleofintellectheisplaced，heisaslivelyorasstupidastherestcanbefortheirlives。Ifyouthinkhimoddandridiculous，hebecomesmoreandmoresoeveryminute，_alafolie，_tillheisawondergazed[at]byall——sethimagainstagoodwitandareadyapprehension，andhebrightensmoreandmore——
OrlikeagateofsteelFrontingthesun，receivesandrendersbackItsfigureanditsheat。
WehadapleasantpartyoneeveningatProcter”s。Ayoungliterarybooksellerwhowaspresentwentawaydelightedwiththeeleganceoftherepast，andspokeinrapturesofaservantingreenliveryandapatentlamp。IthoughtmyselfthatthecharmoftheeveningconsistedinsometalkaboutBeaumontandFletcherandtheoldpoets，inwhicheveryonetookpartorinterest，andinaconsciousnessthatwecouldnotpayourhostabettercomplimentthaninthusalludingtostudiesinwhichheexcelled，andinpraisingauthorswhomhehadimitatedwithfeelingandsweetness！——Ishouldthinkitmayalsobelaiddownasaruleonthissubject，thattoconstitutegoodcompanyacertainproportionofhearersandspeakersisrequisite。Coleridgemakesgoodcompanyforthisreason。Heimmediatelyestablishestheprincipleofthedivisionoflabourinthisrespectwhereverhecomes。Hetakeshiscueasspeaker，andtherestofthepartytheirsaslisteners——a”Circaherd”——withoutanypreviousarrangementhavingbeengonethrough。Iwilljustaddthattherecanbenogoodsocietywithoutperfectfreedomfromaffectationandconstraint。Iftheunreservedcommunicationoffeelingoropinionleadstooffensivefamiliarity，itisnotwell；butitisnobetterwheretheabsenceofoffensiveremarksarisesonlyfromformalityandanassumedrespectfulnessofmanner。
