Contents：
TheSpiritofPlaceMrs。DingleySolitudeTheLadyoftheLyricsJulyWellsTheFootHavePatience，LittleSaintTheLadiesoftheIdyllADerivationACounterchangeRainLettersofMarcelineValmoreTheHoursofSleepTheHorizonHabitsandConsciousnessShadowsTHESPIRITOFPLACE
Withmimicry，withpraises，withechoes，orwithanswers，thepoetshaveallbutoutsungthebells。Theinarticulatebellhasfoundtoomuchinterpretation，toomanyrhymesprofessingtoclosewithherinaccessibleutterance，andtoagreewithherremotetongue。Thebell，likethebird，isamusicianpesteredwithliterature。
Tothebell，moreover，mendoactualviolence。Youcannotshaketogetheranightingale’snotes，orstrikeordrivethemintohaste，norcanyoumakealarktollforyouwithintervalstosuityourturn，whereaswedding-bellsarecompelledtoseemgaybymeremovementandhustling。Ihaveknownsomegrimbells，withnotasinglejoyousnoteinthewholepeal，soforcedtohurryforahumanfestival，withtheirharshnessmadelightof，asthoughtheBishopofHerefordhadagainbeenforcedtodanceinhisbootsbyamerryhighwayman。
Theclockisaninexorablebutlessarbitraryplayerthanthebellringer，andthechimesawaittheirappointedtimetofly——wildprisoners——bytwosorthrees，oringreatercompanies。Fugitives——
oneortwelvetakingwing——theyaresudden，theyarebrief，theyaregone；theyaredeliveredfromtheclosehandsofthisactualpresent。Notinvainisthesuddenupperdooropenedagainstthesky；theyareaway，hoursofthepast。
Ofallunfamiliarbells，thosewhichseemtoholdthememorymostsurelyafterbutonehearingarebellsofanunseencathedralofFrancewhenonehasarrivedbynight；theyarenomoretobeforgottenthanthebellsin\"Parsifal。\"Theyminglewiththesoundoffeetinunknownstreets，theyarethevoicesofanunknowntower；
theyareloudintheirownlanguage。Thespiritofplace，whichistobeseenintheshapesofthefieldsandthemannerofthecrops，tobefeltinaprevalentwind，breathedinthebreathoftheearth，overheardinafarstreet-cryorinthetinkleofsomeblack-smith，callsoutandpealsinthecathedralbells。Itspeaksitslocaltongueremotely，steadfastly，largely，clamorously，loudly，andgreatlybythesevoices；youhearthesoundinitsdignity，andyouknowhowfamiliar，howchildlike，howlifelongitisintheearsofthepeople。Thebellsarestrange，andyouknowhowhomelytheymustbe。Theirutterancesare，asitwere，theclassicsofadialect。
Spiritofplace！Itisforthiswetravel，tosurpriseitssubtlety；andwhereitisastronganddominantangel，thatplace，seenonce，abidesentireinthememorywithallitsownaccidents，itshabits，itsbreath，itsname。Itisrecalledallalifetime，havingbeenperceivedaweek，andisnotscatteredbutabides，onelivingbodyofremembrance。Theuntravelledspiritofplace——nottobepursued，foritneverflies，butalwaystobediscovered，neverabsent，withoutvariation——lurksintheby-waysandrulesoverthetowers，indestructible，anindescribableunity。Itawaitsusalwaysinitsancientandeagerfreshness。Itissweetandnimblewithinitsimmemorialboundaries，butitnevercrossesthem。Longwhiteroadsoutsidehavemeresuggestionsofitandprophecies；theygivepromisenotofitscoming，foritabides，butofanewandsingularandunforeseengoalforourpresentpilgrimage，andofanintimacytobemade。Waseverjourneytoohardortoolongthathadtopaysuchavisit？Andifbygoodfortuneitisachildwhoisthepilgrim，thespiritofplacegiveshimapeculiarwelcome，forantiquityandtheconceiverofantiquity（whoisonlyachild）knowoneanother；noristhereamoredelicateperceiveroflocalitythanachild。Heiswellusedtowordsandvoicesthathedoesnotunderstand，andthisisaconditionofhissimplicity；andwhenthoseunknownwordsarebells，loudinthenight，theyaretohimashomelyandasoldaslullabies。
If，especiallyinEngland，wemakeroughandreluctantbellsgoingaymeasures，whenwewhipthemtorundownthescaletoringinawedding——bellsthatwouldsteptoquiteanotherandalessagilemarchwithabettergrace——therearebelfriesthatholdfarsweetercompanies。IfthereisnomusicwithinItalianchurches，thereisamostcuriouslocalimmemorialmusicinmanyacampanileontheheights。Theirwayisfortheringerstoplayatuneonthefestivals，andthetunesarenothymntunesorpopularmelodies，butproperbell-tunes，madeforbells。Doubtlesstheyweremadeintimesbetterversedthanoursinthesub-divisionsofthearts，andbetterabletounderstandthestrengththatliesreadyinthemerelittlesubmissiontothemeansofalittleart，andtothelimits——
nay，theveryembarrassments——ofthosemeans。Ifitwerebutpossibletogiveherearealbell-tune——whichcannotbe，forthosemelodiesareratherlong——thereaderwouldunderstandhowsomevillagemusicianofthepastusedhisnarrowmeansasacomposerforthebells，withwhatfreshness，completeness，significance，fancy，andwhateffectofliberty。
Thesehamlet-bellsarethesweetest，astotheirownvoices，intheworld。ThenIspeakoftheirantiquityIusethewordrelatively。
Thebelfriesarenoolderthanthesixteenthorseventeenthcentury，thetimewhenItalyseemstohavebeengenerallyrebuilt。But，needlesstosay，thisisantiquityformusic，especiallyinItaly。
Atthattimetheymusthavehadfoundriesforbellsoftendervoices，andpure，warm，light，andgoldenthroats，preciselytuned。
ThehoundsofTheseushadnotamorejustscale，tunedinapeal，thanaNorthItalianbelfryholdsinleash。Butitdoesnotsendthemoutinamerescale，ittouchesthemintheorderofthegameofacharmingmelody。Ofallcheerfulsoundsmadebymanthisisbyfarthemostlight-hearted。Youdonothearitfromthegreatchurches。Giotto’scolouredtowerinFlorence，thatcarriesthebellsforSantaMariadelFioreandBrunelleschi’ssilentdome，doesnotringmorethanfourcontraltonotes，tunedwithsweetness，depth，anddignity，andswingingonemusicalphrasewhichsoftlyfillsthecountry。
Thevillagebelfryitisthatgrowssofantasticandhassuchnimblebells。Obviouslyitstandsalonewithitsownvillage，andcanthereforehearitsowntunefrombeginningtoend。Therearenootherbellsinearshot。Othersuchdovecote-doorsaresuddenlysetopentothecloud，onafestamorning，toletflythosesoft-voicedflocks，butthenearestisbehindoneofmanymountains，andourlocaltuneisuninterrupted。Doubtlessthisiswhythelittle，secluded，sequesteredartofcomposingmelodiesforbells——charmingdivisionofanart，havingitsownendsandmeans，andkeepingitsownwingsforunfoldingbylaw——dwellsinthesesolitaryplaces。Notunesinatownwouldgetthishearing，orwouldbemadecleartotheendoftheirfrolicamidsuchawideandloftysilence。
NordoeseveryinnervillageofItalyholdabell-tuneofitsown；
thecustomisLigurian。NowheresomuchasinGenoadoesthenervoustouristcomplainofchurchbellsinthemorning，andinfactheismadetohearanhonestroutofthembetimes。Butthenervoustouristhasnot，perhaps，thesenseofplace，andthegeniusofplacedoesnotsignaltohimtogoandfinditamonginnumerablehills，whereonebyone，onebyone，thebelfriesstandandplaytheirtunes。Variablearethoselonelymelodies，havingadifferinggaietyforthefestivals；andapitifulairisplayedfortheburialofavillager。
Asforthepoets，thereisbutoneamongsomanyoftheirbellsthatseemstotollwithaspiritualmusicsoloudastobeunforgottenwhenthemindgoesupalittlehigherthantheearth，tolisteninthoughttoearth’suntetheredsounds。ThisisMilton’scurfew，thatswaysacrossoneofthegreatestofalltheseashoresofpoetry——
\"thewide-watered。\"
MRS。DINGLEY
WecannotdoherhonourbyherChristianname。{1}AllwehavetocallherbymoretenderlyisthemereD，theDthattieshertoStella，withwhomshemadethetwo-in-onewhomSwiftloved\"betterathousandtimesthanlife，ashopesaved。\"MD，withoutfullstops，Swiftwritesiteighttimesinalineforthepleasureofwritingit。\"MDsometimesmeansStellaalone，\"saysoneofmanyeditors。
\"TheletterswerewrittennominallytoStellaandMrs。Dingley，\"
saysanother，\"butitdoesnotrequiretobesaidthatitwasreallyforStella’ssakealonethattheywerepenned。\"Notso。\"MD\"neverstandsforStellaalone。Andtheeditordoesnotyetlivewhoshallpersuadeonehonestreader，againstthewordofSwift，thatSwiftlovedStellaonly，withanordinarylove，andnot，byamostdelicateexception，StellaandDingley，sojoinedthattheymakethe\"she\"and\"her\"ofeveryletter。AndthisshallbeapaperofreparationtoMrs。Dingley。
Nooneelseinliteraryhistoryhasbeensodefraudedofherhonours。Inlove\"todivideisnottotakeaway，\"asShelleysays；
andDingley’shalfofthetenderthingssaidtoMDisequaltoanywhole，andtakesnothingfromthewholeofStella’shalf。ButthesentimentalisthasfoughtagainstMrs。Dingleyfromtheoutset。Hehasdislikedher，shirkedher，misconceivedher，andeffacedher。
Slysentimentalist——hefindsherirksome。Throughoneofhismostmodernrepresentativeshehasbutlatelycalledhera\"chaperon。\"A
chaperon！
MDwasnotasentimentalist。Stellawasnotso，thoughshehasbeenpressedintothatcharacter；Dcertainlywasnot，andhasinthisrespectbeensparedbythechronicler；andMDtogetherwere\"saucycharmingMD，\"\"saucylittle，pretty，dearrogues，\"\"littlemonkeysmine，\"\"littlemischievousgirls，\"\"nautinautinautideargirls，\"
\"brats，\"\"huzziesboth，\"\"impudenceandsaucy-face，\"\"saucynoses，\"
\"mydearestlivesanddelights，\"\"dearlittleyoungwomen，\"\"gooddallars，notcryingdallars\"（whichmeans\"girls\"），\"tenthousandtimesdearestMD，\"andsoforthinahundredrepetitions。Theyare，everynowandthen，\"poorMD，\"butobviouslynotbecauseoftheirowncomplaining。Swiftcalledthemsobecausetheyweremortal；andhe，likeallgreatsouls，livedandloved，consciouseverydayoftheprice，whichisdeath。
Thetwowerejoinedbylove，notwithoutsolemnity，thoughman，withhissummaryandwholesaleready-madesentiment，hasthusobstinatelyputthemasunder。Nowholesalesentimentcandootherwisethanfoolishlyplayhavocwithsucharelation。ToSwiftitwasthemostsecludedthingintheworld。\"Iamwearyoffriends，andfriendshipsareallmonsters，exceptMD’s；\"\"IoughttoreadtheselettersIwriteafterIhavedone。ButIhopeitdoesnotpuzzlelittleDingleytoread，forIthinkImend：butmethinks，\"headds，\"whenIwriteplain，Idonotknowhow，butwearenotalone，alltheworldcanseeus。Abadscrawlissosnug；itlookslikePMD。\"
Again：\"IdonotlikewomensomuchasIdid。MD，youmustknow，arenotwomen。\"\"GodAlmightypreserveyoubothandmakeushappytogether。\"\"IsayAmenwithallmyheartandvitals，thatwemayneverbeasundertendaystogetherwhilepoorPrestolives。\"
\"Farewell，dearestbelovedMD，andlovepoor，poorPresto，whohasnothadonehappydaysinceheleftyou，ashopesaved。\"
Withthem——withher——hehidhimselfintheworld，atCourt，atthebarofSt。James’scoffee-house，whitherhewentontheIrishmail-
day，andwas\"inpainexcepthesawMD’slittlehandwriting。\"Hehidwiththeminthelonglaboursoftheseexquisiteletterseverynightandmorning。Ifnolettercame，hecomfortedhimselfwiththinkingthat\"hehadityettobehappywith。\"Andtheworldhasagreedtohideunderitsownmanifoldandlachrymoseblundersthegraceandsingularity——thedistinction——ofthissweetromance。
\"Little，sequesteredpleasure-house\"——itseemedasthough\"themanycouldnotmissit，\"butnoteventhefewhavefoundit。
ItispartoftheschemeofthesympathetichistorianthatStellashouldbethevictimofhopedeferred，watchingforlettersfromSwift。ButdayandnightPrestocomplainsofthescantinessofMD’slittleletters；hewaitsupon\"her\"will：\"Ishallmakeasortofjournal，andwhenitisfullIwillsenditwhetherMDwritesornot；andsothatwillbepretty。\"\"Naughtygirlsthatwillnotwritetoabody！\"\"Iwishyouwerewhippedforforgettingtosend。
Go，befarenough，negligentbaggages。\"\"You，MistressStella，shallwriteyourshare，andthencomesDingleyaltogether，andthenStellaalittlecrumbattheend；andthenconcludewithsomethinghandsomeandgenteel，as`yourmosthumblecumdumble。’\"ButScottandMacaulayandThackerayareallexceedinglysorryforStella。
Swiftismostcharmingwhenheisfeigningtocomplainofhistask：
\"HereissuchastirandbustlewiththislittleMDofours；Imustbewritingeverynight；OLord，OLord！\"\"Imustgowriteidlethings，andtwittletwattle。\"\"Thesesaucyjadestakeupsomuchofmytimewithwritingtotheminthemorning。\"IsitnotastealthywrongdoneuponMrs。Dingleythatsheshouldbestrippedofalltheseornamentstohernameandmemory？WhenSwifttellsawomaninaletterthatthereheis\"writinginbed，likeatiger，\"sheshouldgogayintheeyesofallgenerations。
TheywillnotletStellagogay，becauseofsentiment；andtheywillnotletMrs。Dingleygogay，becauseofsentimentforStella。Marrycomeup！Whydidnotthehistoriansassignallthetenderpassages（takenveryseriously）toStella，andletDingleyhavethejokes，then？ThatwouldhavebeennoillshareforDingley。Butno，forsooth，Dingleyisallowednothing。
Therearepassages，nevertheless，whichcanhardlybetakenfromher。FornowandthenSwiftpartshisdearMD。Whenhedoessoheinvariablydropsthoseinitialsandwrites\"Stella\"or\"Ppt\"fortheone，and\"D\"or\"Dingley\"fortheother。Thereisnoexceptiontothisanywhere。HeisanxiousaboutStella’s\"littleeyes，\"andaboutherhealthgenerally；whereasDingleyisstrong。PoorPpt，hethinks，willnotcatchthe\"newfever，\"becausesheisnotwell；
\"butwhyshouldDescapeit，pray？\"AndMrs。DingleyisrebukedforhertaleofajourneyfromDublintoWexford。\"Idoubt，MadamDingley，youareapttolieinyourtravels，thoughnotsobadasStella；shetellsthumpers。\"Stellaisoftenreprovedforherspelling，andMrs。Dingleywritesmuchthebetterhand。Butsheisapuzzle-headedwoman，likeanother。\"Whatdoyoumeanbymyfourthletter，MadamDinglibus？DoesnotStellasayyouhadmyfifth，goodyBlunder？\"\"Now，MistressDingley，areyounotanimpudentsluttoexceptaletternextpacket？Unreasonablebaggage！No，littleDingley，Iamalwaysinbedbytwelve，andItakegreatcareofmyself。\"\"Youareapretendingslut，indeed，withyour`fourth’
and`fifth’inthemargin，andyour`journal’andeverything。O
Lord，neversawthelike，weshallneverhavedone。\"\"Ineversawsuchaletter，sosaucy，sojournalish，soeverything。\"Swiftisinsistentlygratefulfortheirinquiriesforhishealth。Hepausesseriouslytothanktheminthemidstofhisprattle。Bothwomen——
MD——areralliedontheirpolitics：\"IhaveafancythatPptisaTory，Ifancyshelookslikeone，andDasortoftrimmer。\"
ButitisforDingleyseparatelythatSwiftenduredawildbirdinhislodgings。HismanPatrickhadgotonetotakeovertoherinIreland。\"Hekeepsitinacloset，whereitmakesaterriblelitter；butIsaynothing；Iamastameasaclout。\"
ForgottenDingley，happyinthis，hasnothadtoenduretheignominy，inahundredessays，toberetrospectivelyofferedtoSwiftasanunclaimedwife；sofarsogood。Buttwohundredyearsislongforhertohavegonestrippedofsoradiantagloryasishersbyright。\"Better，thankstoMD’sprayers，\"wrotetheimmortalmanwholovedher，inaprivatefragmentofajournal，nevermeantforDingley’seyes，norforPpt’s，norforanyhumaneyes；andtherogueStellahasfortwocenturiesstolenallthecreditofthoseprayers，andallthethanksofthatpiousbenediction。
SOLITUDE
Thewildmanisaloneatwill，andsoisthemanforwhomcivilizationhasbeenkind。Buttherearethemultitudestowhomcivilizationhasgivenlittlebutitsreaction，itsrebound，itschips，itsrefuse，itsshavings，sawdustandwaste，itsfailures；tothemsolitudeisarightforegoneoraluxuryunattained；arightforegone，wemaynameit，inthecaseofthenearlysavage，andaluxuryunattainedinthecaseofthenearlyrefined。Thesehasthemovementoftheworldthrongedtogetherintosomeblindby-way。
Theirshareintheenormoussolitudewhichisthecommon，unbounded，andvirtuallyillimitablepossessionofallmankindhaslapsed，unclaimed。Theydonotknowitistheirs。Ofmanyoftheirkingdomstheyareignorant，butofthismostignorant。Theyhavenotguessedthattheyownforeverymanaspaceinviolate，aplaceofunhiddenlibertyandofnoobscureenfranchisement。Theydonotclaimeventhesolitudeofclosedcorners，thenarrowprivacyofthelockandkey；norcouldtheycommandsomuch。Forthesolitudethathasaskyandahorizontheyknownothowtowish。
Itliesinaperpetualdistance。Englandhasleaguesthereof，landscapes，vergebeyondverge，athousandthousandplacesinthewoods，andonupliftedhills。Orrather，solitudesarenottobemeasuredbymiles；theyaretobenumberedbydays。Theyarefreshlyandfreelythedominionofeverymanforthedayofhispossession。Thereislonelinessforinnumerablesolitaries。Asmanydaysasthereareinalltheages，somanysolitudesarethereformen。Thisistheopenhouseoftheearth；nooneisrefused。
Noristhespaceshortenedorthesilencemarredbecause，onebyone，meninmultitudeshavebeenalonetherebefore。Solitudeisseparateexperience。Nay，solitudesarenottobenumberedbydays，butbymenthemselves。Everymanofthelivingandeverymanofthedeadmighthavehadhis\"privacyoflight。\"
Itneedsnopark。Itistobefoundinthemerestworkingcountry；
andathicketmaybeassecretasaforest。Itisnotsodifficulttogetforatimeoutofsightandearshot。Evenifyoursolitudebeenclosed，itisstillanopensolitude，sotherebe\"nocloisterfortheeyes，\"andaspaceoffarcountryoracloudintheskybeprivytoyourhiding-place。Butthebestsolitudedoesnothideatall。
Thisthepeoplewhohavedriftedtogetherintothestreetslivewholelivesandneverknow。Dotheysufferfromtheirdeprivationofeventhesolitudeofthehiding-place？Therearemanywhoneverhaveawholehouralone。Theyliveinreluctantorindifferentcompanionship，aspeoplemayinaboarding-house，byparadoxicalchoice，familiarwithoneanotherandnotintimate。Theyliveundercarelessobservationandsubjecttoavagabondcuriosity。Theirsistheinvoluntaryandperhapstheunconsciouslosswhichisfutileandbarren。
Oneknowsthemen，andthemanywomen，whohavesacrificedalltheirsolitudetotheperpetualsocietyoftheschool，thecloister，orthehospitalward。Theywalkwithoutsecrecy，candid，simple，visible，withoutmoods，unchangeable，inaconstantcommunicationandpracticeofactionandspeech。Theirsassuredlyisnobarrenorfutileloss，andtheyhaveaconviction，andtheybestowtheconviction，ofsolitudedeferred。
Whohaspaintedsolitudesothatthesolitaryseemedtostandaloneandinaccessible？ThereisthelonelinessoftheshepherdessinmanyadrawingofJ。F。Millet。Thelittlefigureisaway，aloof。
Thegirlstandssowhenthepainterisgone。Shewaitssoonthesunfortheclosingofthehoursofpasture。Millethasherasshelooks，outofsight。
Now，althoughsolitudeisaprepared，secured，defended，elaboratepossessionoftherich，theytoodenythemselvesthenaturalsolitudeofawomanwithachild。Anewly-bornchildissonursedandtalkedabout，handledandjoltedandcarriedaboutbyaliens，andthereissomuchimportunateservicegoingforward，thatawomanishardlyalonelongenoughtobecomeaware，inrecollection，howherownbloodmovesseparately，besideher，withanotherrhythmanddifferentpulses。Alliscommonplaceuntilthedoorsarecloseduponthetwo。Thisuniqueintimacyisaprofoundretreat，anabsoluteseclusion。Itismorethansinglesolitude；itisaredoubledisolationmoreremotethanmountains，saferthanvalleys，deeperthanforests，andfurtherthanmid-sea。
Thatsolitudepartaken——theonlypartakensolitudeintheworld——isthePointofHonourofethics。Treacherytothatobligationandabetrayalofthatconfidencemightwellbeheldtobetheleastpardonableofallcrimes。Thereisnoinnocentsleepsoinnocentassleepsharedbetweenawomanandachild，thelittlebreathhurryingbesidethelonger，asachild’sfootruns。Butthefavouritecrimeofthesentimentalististhatofawomanagainstherchild。Herpower，herintimacy，heropportunity，thatshouldbeheraccusers，areheldtoexcuseher。Shegainsthemostslovenlyofindulgencesandthegrossestcompassion，onthevulgargroundsthathercrimewaseasy。
Lawlessandvainartofacertainkindisapttoclaimto-day，bytheway，somesuchfondlingasaheroineofthedockreceivesfromcommonopinion。Thevainartisthadalltheopportunitiesofthesituation。Hewasmasterofhisownpurpose，suchasitwas；itwashissecret，andthepublicwasnotprivytohisartisticconscience。
Hedoesviolencetotheobligationsofwhichheisaware，andwhichtheworlddoesnotknowveryexplicitly。Nothingiseasier。Orheislawlessinamoreliteralsense，butonlyhopestheworldwillbelievethathehasawholecodeofhisownmaking。Itwould，nevertheless，belessunworthytobreakobviousrulesobviouslyintheobviousfaceofthepublic，andtoabidethecommonrebuke。
Ithasjustbeensaidthataparkisbynomeansnecessaryforthepreparationofacountrysolitude。Indeed，tomakethosefarandwideandlongapproachesandavenuestopeaceseemstobeadenialoftheaccessibilityofwhatshouldbesosimple。Astep，apaceorsoaside，isenoughtoleadthither。
Aparkinsiststoomuch，and，besides，doesnotinsistverysincerely。Inordertofulfiltheapparentprofessionsandtokeepthepublishedpromiseofapark，theownerthereofshouldbealoveroflongseclusionorofaverylifeofloneliness。Heshouldhavegainedthestateofsolitarinesswhichisaconditionoflifequiteunlikeanyother。Thetravellerwhomayhavegoneastrayincountrieswhereanalmostlife-longsolitudeispossibleknowshowinvinciblyapartarethelonelyfigureshehasseenindesertplacesthere。Theirlonelinessisbrokenbyhispassage，itistrue，buthardlysotothem。Theylookathim，buttheyarenotawarethathelooksatthem。Nay，theylookathimasthoughtheywereinvisible。
Theirun-self-consciousnessisabsolute；itisinthewilddegree。
Theyaresolitaries，bodyandsoul；evenwhentheyarecurious，andturntowatchthepasser-by，theyareessentiallyalone。Now，nooneeverfoundthatattitudeinasquire’sfigure，orthatlookinanycountrygentleman’seyes。Thesquireisnotalife-longsolitary。Heneverborehimselfasthoughhewereinvisible。HeneverhadtheimpersonalwaysofaherdsmanintheremoterApennines，withablind，blankhutintherocksforhisdwelling。
MilletwouldnotevenhavetakenhimasamodelforasolitaryinthebrieferandmildersylvansolitudesofFrance。Andyetnothingbutalife-long，habitual，andwildsolitarinesswouldbequiteproportionatetoaparkofanymagnitude。
Ifthereisalookofhumaneyesthattellsofperpetualloneliness，sothereisalsothefamiliarlookthatisthesignofperpetualcrowds。ItistheLondonexpression，and，initsway，theParisexpression。Itisthequicklycaught，thoughnotinterested，look，thedullbutreadyglanceofthosewhodonotknowoftheirforfeitedplaceapart；whohaveneithertheopensecretnortheclose；noreserve，noneedofrefuge，noflightnorimpulseofflight；nomoodsbutwhattheymaybraveoutinthestreet，nohopeofnewsfromsolitarycounsels。
THELADYOFTHELYRICS
Sheiseclipsed，orgone，orinhiding。Butthesixteenthcenturytookherforgrantedastheobjectofsong；shewasaclass，astate，asex。Itwasscarcelynecessarytowastethelyrist’stime——
timethatwentsogailytometreasnottobrookdelays——inmakingherouttooclearly。Shehadnomoreofwhatlatertimescallindividualitythanhastherose，herrival，herfoilwhenshewaskinder，hersuperiorwhenshewascruel，hereverfreshandeverconventionalparagon。Sheneedednottobedevisedordivined；shewasready。Amerryheartgoesalltheday；thelyrist’snevergrewweary。Honestmennevergrowtiredofbreadorofanyotherdailythingswhereofthesweetnessisintheirownsimplicity。
Theladyofthelyricswasnotlovedinmortalearnest，andherpunishmentnowandthenforheringratitudewastobetoldthatshewaslovedinjest。Shedidnotlove；herfancywasfickle；shewasnotmovedbylongservice，which，bytheway，wasevidentlytobetakenforgrantedpreciselylikethewholelongpastofadream。
Shehadnotagoodtemper。Whenthepoetgroansitseemsthatshehaslaughedathim；whenhefloutsher，wemayunderstandthatshehaschiddenherlyristinnotemperateterms。IndoingthisshehassinnednotsomuchagainsthimasagainstLove。Withthatsheisperpetuallyreproved。ThelyristcomplainstoLove，pitiesLoveforherscorning，andthreatenstogoawaywithLove，whoisonhisside。Thesweetestverseistunedtolovewhenthelovedoneprovesworthy。
Thereisnorecordofsuccessforthispolicy。Shegoesondancingorscolding，asthecasemaybe，andthelyristgoesonboastingofhisconstancy，orsuddenlyrenouncesitforaday。Thesituationhasvariants，butnosurpriseorending。Thelover’sconventionisexplicitenough，butitmightpuzzleareadertoaccountforthelady’s。Prideinherbeauty，atanyrate，ishers——pridesogreatthatshecannotbringherselftoperceivetheshortnessofherday。
Sheissounobservantastoneedtobetoldthatlifeisbrief，andyouthbrieferthanlife；thattherosefades，andsoforth。
Nowweneednotassumethattheladyofthelyricseverlived。Buttakingherastheperfectlyunanimousconceptionofthelyrists，howisitshedidnotdiscoverthesethingsunaided？Whydoestheloverinvariablyimagineherwithamindintenselyirritableunderhisownpraiseandpoetry？Obviouslywecannothaveherexplanationofanyofthesematters。Whydothepoetssomuchlamenttheabsenceoftruthinonewhosetruthwouldbeoflittlemoment？Andwhywastheconventionsopleasant，amongallothers，astooccupyawholeage——
nay，twogreatages——ofliterature？
Musicseemstobeprincipallyanswerable。Forthelyricsoftheladyare\"wordsformusic\"byagreatmajority。ThereishardlyasinglepoemintheElizabethanSong-books，properlysonamed，thathaswhatwouldinourdaybecalledatoneofsentiment。Musichadnotthenthetoneherself；shewasingenious，andsomustthewordsbe。Shehadtheairofepigram，andanaccuratelydefinitelimit。
So，too，theladyofthelyrics，whomightbecalledtheladyofthestanzas，sostrictlydoesshegobymeasure。Whensheisquarrelsome，itisbutfuguishness；whenshedances，shedoesitbyacanon。Shecouldnotbutbeperverse，merrilysungtosuchgravenotes。
Sofixedwasthelawofthisperversitythatnoneinthesong-booksisallowedtobekindenoughfora\"melody，\"exceptoneladyonly。
Shemaythusderogate，fortheexceedinglyElizabethanreasonthatsheis\"brown。\"Sheisbrownandkind，anda\"sadflower，\"butthesongmadeforherwouldhavebeentooinsipid，apparently，withoutanantithesis。Thefaironeiswarnedthatherdisdainmakesherevenlesslovelythanthebrown。
Fairasalily，hardtoplease，easilyangry，ungratefulforinnumerableverses，uncertainwiththeregularityofthemadrigal，andinconstantwiththepunctualityofastanza，shehasgonewiththeartsofthatday；andneitherversenormusicwillevermakesuchanotherlady。Sherefusedtoobservethetransiencyofroses；
sheneverreallyintended——muchasshewasurged——tobeashepherdess；shewasneverpersuadedtomitigateherdress。Inreturn，theworldhasletherdisappear。Shescornedthepoetsuntiltheyturneduponherintheepigramofmanyafinalcouplet；
andofthesethelasthasbeenlongwritten。Her\"No\"wassettocounterpointinthepart-song，andshefrightenedLoveoutofhersightinaballet。Thoseoccupationsaregone，andthelovelyElizabethanhasslippedaway。Shewassomethinglessthanmortal。
Butshewhowasmorethanmortalwasmortaltoo。Thiswasnoladyoftheunanimouslyrists，butararevisitantunknowntotheseexquisitelittletalents。Shewasnotsetforsinging，butpoetryspokeofher；sometimeswhenshewassleeping，andthenFletchersaid-
NonecanrockHeaventosleepbuther。
Orwhenshewassinging，andCarewrhymed-
AskmenomorewhitherdothhasteThenightingalewhenMayispast；
ForinyoursweetdividingthroatShewinters，andkeepswarmhernote。
Sometimeswhentheladywasdead，andCarew，again，wroteonhermonument-
Andherethepreciousdustislaid，Whosepurely-temperedclaywasmadeSofinethatittheguestbetrayed。
ButtherewasbesidesanotherLadyofthelyrics；onewhowillneverpassfromtheworld，buthaspassedfromsong。InthesixteenthcenturyandintheseventeenthcenturythisladywasDeath。Herinspirationneverfailed；notapoetbutfounditasfreshastheinspirationoflife。Fancywasnotquenchedbytheinevitablethoughtinthosedays，asitisinours，andthephraselostnodignitybytheintegrityofuse。
Toeverymanithappensthatatonetimeofhislife——foraspaceofyearsorforaspaceofmonths——heisconvincedofdeathwithanincomparablereality。Itmightseemasthoughliterature，livingthelifeofaman，underwentthatconvictioninthoseages。Deathwasasoftenonthetonguesofmeninolderages，andoftenerintheirhands，butinthesixteenthcenturyitwasattheirhearts。
Thediscoveryofdeathdidnotshakethepoetsfromtheircomposure。
Onthecontrary，theverseisnevermeasuredwithmoremajesticeffectthanwhenitmovesinhonourofthisLadyofthelyrics。SirWalterRaleighisbutajerkywriterwhenheisrhymingotherthings，howeverbitterorhoweversolemn；buthislinesondeath，whicharealsolinesonimmortality，areinfinitelynoble。Theseare，needlesstosay，meditationsupondeathbylawandviolence；
andsoaretheingeniousrhymesofChidiockTichborne，writtenafterhislastproseinhisfarewelllettertohiswife——\"Now，Sweet-
cheek，whatislefttobestowonthee，asmallrecompenseforthydeservings\"——andsingularlybeautifulproseisthis。SoalsoareSouthwell’swords。Buttheseareexceptionaldeaths，andmoredramaticthanwasneededtoawakethepoetryofthemeditativeage。
Itwasdeathastheendofthevisibleworldandoftheidlebusinessoflife——notdeathasapassagenordeathasafearoradarkness——thatwastheLadyofthelyrists。Norwastheirsongoftheactofdying。Withthisamuchlaterandmuchmoretrivialliteraturebusieditself。Thosetwocenturiesfeltwithashockthatdeathwouldbringanend，andthatitsequalitieswouldmakevainthedifferencesofwitandwealthwhichtheytookapparentlymoreseriouslythantousseemsprobable。Theyneverweariedofthewonder。Thepoetryofourdayhasanentirelydifferentemotionfordeathasparting。Itwasnotpartingthatthelyristssangof；itwasthemeresimplicityofdeath。Noneofourcontemporarieswilltakesuchasubject；theyhavenomorethantheordinaryconvictionofthematter。Forthegreattreatmentofobviousthingstheremustevidentlybeanextraordinaryconviction。
ButwhetherthechiefLadyofthelyricsbethis，orwhethershebetheimplacableElizabethanfeignedbythelove-songs，shehasequallypassedfrombeforetheeyesofpoets。
JULY
OnehastheleisureofJulyforperceivingallthedifferencesofthegreenofleaves。Itisnolongeradifferenceindegreesofmaturity，forallthetreeshavedarkenedtotheirfinaltone，andstandintheirdifferencesofcharacterandnotofmeredate。
Almostallthegreenisgrave，notsadandnotdull。Ithasadarkenedandadailycolour，inmajesticbutnotobviousharmonywithdarkgreyskies，andmightlook，toinconstanteyes，asprosaicafterspringaseleveno’clocklooksafterthedawn。
Gravityistheword——notsolemnityastowardsevening，normenaceasatnight。ThedaylighttreesofJulyaresignsofcommonbeauty，commonfreshness，andamysteryfamiliarandabidingasnightandday。Inchildhoodweallhaveamoreexaltedsenseofdawnandsummersunrisethanweeverfullyretainorquiterecover；andalsoafarhighersensibilityforAprilandAprilevenings——aheartacheforthem，whichinriperyearsisgraduallyandirretrievablyconsoled。
But，ontheotherhand，childhoodhassoquicklylearnedtofinddailythingstedious，andfamiliarthingsimportunate，thatithasnogreatdelightinthemeremiddleoftheday，andfeelswearinessofthesummerthathasceasedtochangevisibly。Thepoetryofmeredayandoflatesummerbecomesperceptibletomatureeyesthathavelongceasedtobesated，havetakenleaveofweariness，andcannotnowfindanythinginnaturetoofamiliar；eyeswhichhave，indeed，lostsightofthefurtheraweofmidsummerdaybreak，andnolongerseesomuchofthepastinApriltwilightastheysawwhentheyhadnopast；butwhichlookfreshlyatthedailinessofgreensummer，ofearlyafternoon，ofeveryskyofanyformthatcomestopass，andofthedarkenedelms。
Notunbelovedisthisserioustree，theelm，withitsleafsittingclose，unthrilled。Itsstaturegivesitadarkgoldheadwhenitlooksalonetoalatesun。Butifonecouldgobyallthewoods，acrossalltheoldforeststhatarenowmeadowlandssetwithtrees，andcouldwalkacountygatheringtreesofasinglekindinthemind，asonewalksagardencollectingflowersofasinglekindinthehand，wouldnottheharvestbeaharvestofpoplars？A
veritablepassionforpoplarsisamostintelligiblepassion。Theeyesdogatherthem，farandnear，onawholeday’sjourney。Notoneisunperceived，eventhoughgreattimbershouldbepassed，andhill-sidesdenseanddeepwithtrees。Thefancymakesapoplardayofit。Immediatelythecountrylooksalivewithsignals；forthepoplarseverywherereplytotheglance。Thewoodsmaybeallvarious，butthepoplarsareseparate。
Alltheirmanykinds（andaspens，theirkin，mustbecountedwiththem）shakethemselvesperpetuallyfreeofthemotionlessforest。
Itiseasytogatherthem。Glancessentintothefardistancepaythemaflashofrecognitionoftheirgentleflashes；andasyoujourneyyouaresuddenlyawareofthemcloseby。Lightandthebreezesareasquickastheeyesofapoplar-lovertofindthewillingtreethatdancestobeseen。
Nolurkingforthem，noreluctance。Onecouldnevermakeforoneselfanoakdaysowell。Theoakswouldwaittobefound，andmanywouldbemissedfromthegathering。Butthepoplarsarealertenoughforatravellerbyexpress；theyhaveanalarumaloft，anddonotsleep。Fromwithinsomelittlegroveofothertreesasinglepoplarmakesaslightsign；oralongrowofpoplarssuddenlysweepthewind。Theyaresalienteverywhere，andfullofreplies。Theyareasfreshasstreams。
Itisdifficulttorealizeadroughtwheretherearemanypoplars。
Andyettheirgreenisnotrich；thecoolesthaveacolourmuchmingledwithacloud-grey。Itdoesbutneedfreshandsimpleeyestorecognizetheirunfadedlife。Whentheothertreesgrowdarkandkeepstill，thepoplarandtheaspendonotdarken——orhardly——andthedeepestsummerwillnotfindadayinwhichtheydonotkeepawake。Nowatersaresovigilant，evenwherealakeisbaretothewind。
WhenKeatssaidofhisDianthatshefastenedupherhair\"withfingerscoolasaspenleaves，\"heknewthecoolestthingintheworld。Itisacoolnessofcolour，aswellasofaleafwhichthebreezetakesonbothsides——thegreenishandthegreyish。Thepoplargreenhasnoglows，nogold；itisanausterecolour，aslittlerichasthecolourofwillows，andlesssilverythantheirs。
Thesuncanhardlygildit；buthecanshinebetween。Poplarsandaspensletthesunthroughwiththewind。Youmayhavetheskysprinkledthroughtheminhighmidsummer，whenallthewoodsareclose。
Sendingyourfancypoplar-gathering，then，youensnarewildtrees，beatingwithlife。Nofisher’snetevertooksuchglancingfishes，nordidthenetofaconstellation’sshapeeverenclosemorevibratingPleiades。
WELLS
Theworldatpresentisinclinedtomakesorrymysteriesorunattractivesecretsofthemethodsandsuppliesofthefreshandperennialmeansoflife。Averydullsecretismadeofwater，forexample，andtheplumbersetshissealuponthefloodswherebywelive。Theyarecovered，theyarecarried，theyarehushed，fromthespringtothetap；andwhentheirvoicesarereleasedatlastintheLondonscullery，why，itcanhardlybesaidthatthesongiseloquentofthenaturalsourceofwaters，whetherearthlyorheavenly。Thereisnotoneofthecircumstancesofthiscaptureofstreams——thecompany，thewater-rate，andtherest——thatisnotasignoftheill-luckofmoderndevicesinregardtostyle。Forstyleimpliesacandourandsimplicityofmeans，anaction，agesture，asitwere，inthedoingofsmallthings；itistheignoranceofsecretways；whereasthefinishofmodernlifeanditsneatnessseemtobesecuredbyasystemoflittleshufflingsandsurprises。
Dress，amongotherthings，isfurnishedthroughoutwithsuchfittings；theyformitsveryconstruction。Styledoesnotexistinmodernarrayings，foralltheirprettinessandprecision，andforallthesuccesses——whicharenottobedenied——oftheirouterpart；
thehappylittleswaggerthatsimulatesstyleisbutanothersignofitsabsence，beingpreparedbymeredodgesanddexteritiesbeneath，andthetriumphandsuccessofthepresentartofraiment——\"fit\"
itself——isbuttheresultofamaskedandlurkinglabouranddevice。
Themastersoffinemanners，moreover，seemtobealwaysawareofthebeautythatcomesofpausingslightlyuponthesmallerandslighteractions，suchasmeanermenareapttohurryoutoftheway。Inaword，theworkman，withhisfinishandaccomplishment，isthedexterousproviderofcontemporarythings；andtheready，well-
appointed，anddecoratedlifeofalltownsisnowaltogetherinhishands；whereastheartistcraftsmanofothertimesmadeamanifestationofhismeans。Thefirsthidesthestreams，understressandpressure，inpaltrypipeswhichweallmustmakehastetocallupontheearthtocover，andthesecondliftedupthearchesoftheaqueduct。
Thesearchofeasywaystoliveisnotalwaysoreverywherethewaytougliness，butinsomecountries，atsomedates，itisthesureway。Inallcountries，andatalldates，extremefinishcompassedbyhiddenmeansmustneeds，fromthebeginning，preparetheabolitionofdignity。Thisiseasytounderstand，butitislesseasytoexplaintheill-fortunethatpressesupontheexpertworkman，insearchofeasywaystolive，alltheill-favouredmaterials，makesthemcheapforhim，makesthemserviceableandeffectual，urgeshimtousethem，sealthem，andinterthem，turningthetrimanddullcompletenessouttotheviewofthedailyworld。
Itisanaddedmischance。Nor，ontheotherhand，isiteasytoexplainthebeautifulgoodluckattendingthesimplerdeviceswhichare，afterall，onlylessexpertwaysoflabour。Inthosehappyconditions，neitherfromthematerial，suggestingtotheworkman，norfromtheworkmanlookingaskanceathisunhandsomematerial，comesafirstproposaltopourincementandmakefasttheunderworld，outofsight。Butfatesparesnotthatsuggestiontotheableandtheunluckyattheirtaskofmakingneatworkofthemeans，thedistribution，thetraffickoflife。
Thesprings，then，theprofoundwells，thestreams，areofallthemeansofourlivesthosewhichweshouldwishtoseeopentothesun，withtheirwatersontheirprogressandtheirwaytous；but，no，theyarelappedinlead。
KingPandionandhisfriendslienotunderheavierseals。
Yetwehavebeendelighted，elsewhere，byopenfloods。Thehiding-
placethatnatureandthesimplercraftsallottothewatersofwellsare，attheirdeepest，incommunicationwiththeopensky。Noothermineissovisited；forthenoondaysunhimselfisvisiblethere；anditisfinetothinkofthewatersofthisplanet，shallowandprofound，allchargedwithshiningsuns，amultitudeofwatersmultiplyingsuns，andcarryingthatremotefire，asitwere，withintheirunalterablefreshness。Notapoolwithoutthisvisitant，orwithoutpassagesofstars。AsforthewellsoftheEquator，youmaythinkofthemintheirlastrecessesasthedailybathing-placesoflight；aluminousfancyisablesotoscatterfitfulfiguresofthesun，andtoplungetheminthousandswithinthosedeeps。
Roundimageslieinthedarkwaters，butinthebrightwatersthesunisshatteredoutofitscircle，scatteredintowaves，brokenacrossstones，andrippledoversand；andintheshallowriversthatfallthroughchestnutwoodstheimageismingledwiththemobilefiguresofleaves。Toallthesewaterstheagileairhasperpetualaccess。Notsocangreattownsbewatered，itwillbesaidwithreason；andthisispreciselytheill-luckofgreattowns。
Nevertheless，therearetowns，not，inasense，sogreat，thathavethegraceofvisiblewells；suchasVenice，whereeverycampohasitscircleofcarvedstone，itsclashingofdarkcopperonthepavement，itssoftkissofthecoppervesselwiththesurfaceofthewaterbelow，andthecheerfulworkofthecable。
OrtheRomansknewhowtocausethepartedfloodstomeasuretheirplainwiththestrong，steady，andlevelflightofarchesfromthewatershedsinthehillstotheandcity；andhavingthewaterscaptive，theyknewhowtocompelthemtotakepart，byfountains，inthisRomantriumph。Theyhadthewittoboastthusoftheirbrilliantprisoner。
NonemoresplendidcameboundtoRome，orgracedcaptivitywithamoreinvinciblelibertyoftheheart。Andthecaptivityandtheleapoftheheartofthewatershaveoutlivedtheircaptors。TheyhaveremainedinRome，andhaveremainedalone。Overthemthevictorywaslongerthanempire，andtheirthousandsofloudvoiceshaveneverceasedtoconfesstheconquestofthecoldfloods，separatedlongago，drawnonebyone，alive，totheheadandfrontoftheworld。
Ofsuchatransitismadenosecret。ItwasthemostmanifestfactofRome。Youcouldnotlooktothecityfromthemountainsortothedistancefromthecitywithoutseeingtheapproachofthoseperpetualwaters——watersboundupondailytasksandminuteservices。
This，then，wasthestyleofamaster，whodoesnotlapsefrom\"incidentalgreatness，\"hasnomeanprecision，outofsight，topreparethefinishofhisphrases，anddoesnotthinkthemeansandtheapproachesaretobeplottedandconcealed。Withoutanxiety，withouthaste，andwithoutmisgivingareallgreatthingstobedone，andneitherinterruptioninthedoingnorruinaftertheyaredonefindsanythinginthemtobetray。Therewasneveranydisgraceofmeans，andwhentheworldseestheworkbrokenthroughthereisnodisgraceofdiscovery。ThelabourofMichelangelo’schisel，littlemorethanbegun，aRomanstructurelongexposedindisarray——
uponthesethelightofdaylooksfull，andtheRomanandtheFlorentinehavetheirunrefutedpraise。
THEFOOT
Timewaswhennogoodnewsmadeajourney，andnofriendcamenear，butawelcomewasuttered，oratleastthought，forthetravellingfeetofthewayfarerortheherald。Thefeet，thefeetwerebeautifulonthemountains；theirtoilwasthepriceofallcommunication，andtheirrewardthefirstserviceandrefreshment。
Theywereblessedandbathed；theysuffered，buttheywerefriendswiththeearth；dewsingrassatmorning，shallowriversatnoon，gavethemcoolness。Theymusthavegrownhardupontheirmountainpaths，yetneversohardbuttheyneededandhadthefirstpityandthereadiestsuccour。Itwasnevereasyforthefeetofmantotravelthisearth，shodorunshod，andhisfeetaredelicate，likehiscolour。
Iftheysufferedhardshiponce，theysufferprivationnow。Yetthefeetshouldhavemoreoftheacquaintanceofearth，andknowmoreofflowers，freshness，coolbrooks，wildthyme，andsaltsandthandoesanythingelseaboutus。Itistheircalling；andthehandsmightbegladtobestrokedforadaybygrassandstruckbybuttercups，asthefeetareofthosewhogobarefoot；andthenostrilsmightbeflatteredtobe，likethem，solongnearmoss。Thefacehasonlynowandthen，foraresting-while，theirprivilege。
Ifourfeetarenowsoseveredfromthenaturalground，theyhaveinevitablylostlifeandstrengthbytheseparation。Itisonlytheentirelyunshodthathavelivelyfeet。Watchapeasantwhoneverwearsshoes，exceptforafewunkindhoursonceaweek，andyoumayseetheplayofhistalkinhismobilefeet；theybecomeasdramaticashishands。Freshastheair，brownwiththelight，andhealthyfromthefield，notusedtodarkness，notgrowninprison，thefootofthecontadinoisnotabashed。Itisthefootofhighlifethatisprim，andneverliftsaheelagainstitsdullconditions，forithasforgottenliberty。Itismoreactivenowthanitlatelywas——
certainlythefootofwomanismoreactive；butwhetheronthepedalorinthestirrup，orcladforawalk，orarmedforagame，ordeckedforthewaltz，itisinbonds。Itis，atanyrate，inarticulate。
Ithasnolongeradistinctanddividedlife，ornonethatisvisibleandsensible。Whereasthewholelivingbodyhasnaturallysuchinfinitedistinctnessthatthesenseoftouchdiffers，asitwere，witheverynerve，andthefingersaresoseparatethatitwasbelievedofthemofoldthateachonehaditsangel，yetthemodernfootis，asmuchaspossible，deprivedofallthatdelicatedistinction：undone，unspecialized，sentbacktolowerformsofindiscriminatelife。Itisasthoughalandscapewithseparatesweetnessineverytreeshouldberudelypaintedwiththeblank——
blank，notsimple——generalitiesofavulgarhand。Orasthoughoneshouldtakethepleasuresofadayofhappinessinawholesalefashion，not\"turningthehourstomoments，\"whichjoycandotothefullasperfectlyaspain。
Thefoot，withitsarticulations，issuppressed，anditslanguageconfused。WhenLovelacelikensthehandofAmaranthatoaviolin，andherglovetothecase，hehasatanyrateaglovetodealwith，notaboot。YetAmarantha’sfootisaslovelyasherhand。It，too，hasa\"tenderinward\"；nowayfaringwouldevermakeitlookanythingbutdelicate；itsarchseemstooslighttocarryherthroughanightofdances；itdoes，infact，butbalanceher。Itisfittoclingtotheground，butratherforspringingthanforrest。
And，doubtless，forman，woman，andchildthetender，irregular，sensitive，livingfoot，whichdoesnotevenstandwithallitslittlesurfaceontheground，andwhichmakesnobasetosatisfyanarchitecturaleye，is，asitwere，theunexpectedthing。Itisapartofvitaldesignandhasahistory；andmandoesnotgoerectbutatapriceofwearinessandpain。Howweakitismaybeseenfromafootprint：fornothingmakesamorehelplessandunsymmetricalsignthandoesanakedfoot。
Tender，too，isthesilenceofhumanfeet。Youhavebuttopassaseasonamongstthebarefootedtofindthatman，who，shod，makessomuchado，isnaturallyassilentassnow。Woman，whonotonlymakesherarmedheelheard，butalsogoesrustlinglikeashower，isnaturallysilentassnow。Thevintagerisnotheardamongthevines，northeharvesteronhisthreshing-floorofstone。Thereisakindofsimplestealthintheircomingandgoing，andtheyshowsuddensmilesanddarkeyesinandoutoftherowsofharvestwhenyouthoughtyourselfalone。Thelackofnoiseintheirmovementsetsfreethesoundoftheirvoices，andtheirlaughterfloats。
Butweshallnotpraisethe\"simple，sweet\"and\"earth-confidingfeet\"enoughwithoutthanksfortheruleofverseandforthetimeofsong。IfPoetrywasfirstdividedbythemarch，andnextvariedbythedance，thentotheruleofthefootaretobeascribedthethought，theinstruction，andthedreamthatcouldnotspeakbyprose。Outofthatlittlephysicallaw，then，grewaspirituallawwhichisoneofthegreatestthingsweknow；andfromthetestofthefootcametheultimatetestofthethinker：\"IsitacceptedofSong？\"
Themonastery，inlikemanner，holdsitssonstolittletrivialrulesoftimeandexactitude，nottobebroken，lawsthataremadesecureagainsttherestlessnessoftheheartfrettingforinsignificantliberties——triviallawstorestrainfromatrivialfreedom。Andwithinthegateoftheselawswhichseemsosmall，liestheworldofmysticvirtue。Theyenclose，theyimply，theylock，theyanswerforit。Lesservirtuesmayflowerindailylibertyandmayflourishinprose；butinfinitevirtuesandgreatnessarecompelledtothemeasureofpoetry，andobeytheconstraintofanhourlyconventbell。Itisnowonderthateverypoetworthythenamehashadapassionformetre，fortheveryverse。Tohimthedifficultfetteristheconditionofaninteriorrangeimmeasurable。
HAVEPATIENCE，LITTLESAINT
Someconsiderabletimemusthavegonebysinceanykindofcourtesyceased，inEngland，tobeheldnecessaryinthecourseofcommunicationwithabeggar。Feelingmaybehumane，andtheinterioractmostgentle；theremaybeatacitapology，andaprofoundmisgivingunexpressed；areluctancenotonlytorefusebuttobearbiter；adislikeoftheoffice；aregret，whetherfortheunequaldistributionofsocialluckorforapurseleftathome，equallysincere；howbeitcustomexactsnowordorsign，nothingwhateverofintercourse。Ifadogoracataccostsyou，oracalfinafieldcomesclosetoyouwithacandidinfantfaceandbreathingnostrilsofinvestigation，orifanykindofanimalcomestoyouonsomeobscureimpulseoffriendlyapproach，youacknowledgeit。Butthebeggartowhomyougivenothingexpectsnoanswertoaquestion，norecognitionofhispresence，notsomuchastheturnofyoureyelidinhisdirection，andneverawordtoexcuseyou。
Nordoesthisblankbehaviourseemsavagetothosewhoareusedtonothingelse。Yetitissomewhatmoreinhumantorefuseananswertothebeggar’sremarkthantoleaveashopwithout\"Goodmorning。\"
Whencomplaintismadeofthemodernsocialmanner——thatithasnomeritbutwhatisnegative，andthatitisapteventoabstainfromcourtesywithmorelackofgracethantheabstinenceabsolutelyrequires——thehabitofmannertowardsbeggarsisprobablynotsomuchasthoughtof。Tothesimplyhumaneye，however，theprevalentmannertowardsbeggarsisastrikingthing；itissignificantofsomuch。
Obviouslyitisnoteasytoreplytobeggingexceptbytheintelligibleactofgiving。WehavenottheingenuoussimplicitythatmarksthecasteansweringmoreorlesstothatofVeredeVere，inItaly，forexample。AnelderlyItalianladyonherslowwayfromherownancientancestralpalazzotothevillage，andaccustomedtomeet，empty-handed，acertainnumberofbeggars，answersthembyaretortwhichwouldbe，literallytranslated，\"Excuseme，dear；I，too，amapoordevil，\"andthelastwordshenaturallyputsintothefeminine。
Moreover，thesentenceisspokeninallthefamiliarityofthelocaldialect——adialectthatputsanytwopeopleatonceuponequaltermsasnothingelsecandoit。WoulditwerepossibletopresentthephrasetoEnglishreadersinallitsownhelplessgood-humour。Theexcellentwomanwhousesitispractisingnoeccentricitythereby，andraisesnosmile。Itisonlyinanotherclimate，andamidothermanners，thatonecannotrecallitwithoutasmile。ToamindhavingalivelysenseofcontrastitisnotalittlepleasanttoimagineanelderlyladyofcorrespondingstationinEnglandreplyingsotoimportunitiesforalms；albeitwehavenothingansweringtothegoodfellowshipofabroadpatoisusedcurrentlybyrichandpoor，andyetslightlygrotesqueinthecaseofallspeakers——adialectinwhich，forexample，nosermoniseverpreached，andinwhichnobookiseverprinted，exceptforfun；adialect\"familiar，butbynomeansvulgar。\"Besides，evenifourEnglishwomancouldbyanypossibilitybringherselftosaytoamendicant，\"Excuseme，dear；I，too，amapoordevil，\"shewouldstillnothavetheopportunityofputtingthelastwordpunctuallyintothefeminine，whichdoessocompletethecharacterofthesentence。
