Sir Roger de Coverley, and Other Literary Pieces
October 30, 2017 | Author: Anonymous | Category: N/A
Short Description
sir roger de coverley and other literary pieces by sir james george frazer fellow of trinity ......
Description
S I R R O G E R D E C O V E R L EY AND
O T H E R L I T E R A R Y P I EC E S
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pi eces coll ec te d i n th i s l i t tle v o l u me have b een wr i t ten at var i ous t i mes as i n te rl udes i n a l i fe d e v o ted to graver s t ud i es So me o f th em have b een pu b l i sh ed b e fo re o t hers now see t he l i gh t fo r th e fi rs t t i me \ V h e t h e r i t was wort h wh i le to draw t hese fro m the o b sc ur i ty o f t h e au thor s desk an d to gather those fro m t h e b ooks an d j ou rnals wh ere th ey lay d i spersed i s a q ues t i o n to b e deci ded b y t he reader to wh om I s u b m i t th e wai fs an d s trays i n th e h O p e that the y may hel p h i m to wh i le awa y an i d le hal f h ou r snatched fro m t he d ut i es or pleasu res of ord i nary l i fe M os t o f th e pi eces were c o m posed i n the c lass i c g roves of Cam b ri d ge an d t h e res t i n the hardly less class i c co urts o f the T emple hau n ted b y t h e shades o f Joh nson o f G oldsm i th o f Cowper an d a crowd o f other E n gl i sh wort h i es wh o se memor i es th e w o rld w i l l no t w i ll i n gly let d i e I t wi ll b e more than e nough fo r me i f th ese t r i fl es should b e dee med n o t wh ol ly u nworth y o f t he scenes i n wh i c h t hey were wr i t ten and to wh i c h the y o w e an y measu re o f i nspi rati on t hey may possess J G F R A Z ER .
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H A V I N G u ndertaken to ed i t th e essays i n wh ich S i r R oger de Coverl ey plays a lead i ng part I natu ral ly formed a w ish to v isi t th e ol d kn igh t s pleasan t seat i n W orcestersh i re wh ere th e Spectator passed th e mon th o f J u l y w i th h i m i n r u ral reti re men t more than t w o h u ndr e d years ago I was th e more d es i ro us o f do i ng so b ecause m y research es i n to th e h isto ry o f th e Spectato r Cl u b had l ed me to b el i eve that o n th e d issol u tio n o f th e cl u b many o f th e papers relati ng to i t had b ee n sen t for safe keepi ng to Captai n Se ntry S i r R oger s h e i r and that so me o f th em at least were sti l l preserved i n th e m u n i men t roo m at C o verl ey Hal l A ccord i ngl y I w rote to i nq u i re o f th e p resen t owner o f th e Hal l a nd r e c e i v e d fro m h i m a very co u rteo us l ette r i n repl y H e i n fo rmed me that h e had i n h is possessio n a c o nsidera b l e n u m b er o f papers co ncern i ng th e cl u b that h e had never h i msel f exam i ned th e m w i th attenti o n b u t that I sh o ul d b e free to do so and to p u b l ish anyth i ng o f i n terest I m igh t fi nd i n them ,
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i f I W u ld pay h i m a v i i t and exam i n e th e d o c u ment s o n t h e p t as h e val ued th em to o h igh l y t o t r u t th e m t th e hazards o f th e p o st He o nl y tipu lated that I sho u ld no t make h is name p u b l ic n r d r o p any h i n t as to th e part o f Wo rcestersh i re i n wh ich Coverl ey is si t uated ; f r h e leads as h e t o ld me a ver y reti red l i fe o n h is ancestral estate an d h e fears that were th e H a l lb etter k n o w n th e fam e o f S i r R o ger m igh t attract many v isi tors wh o m h e c o ul d not ad m i t w i th o u t i nco nven i ence n or re fuse ad m i ttance w i tho u t d isco u rtesy 1 Need less t o say I glad ly accepted h is k i nd i nv i tat io n and wi ll i ngl y gave th e req u i red pl edge o f secrecy l \/l y w ish was t o v isi t the ol d H al l i n s u m mer that I m igh t see i t as th e Spectator h i msel f saw i t i n th ose b righ t J u ly days o f 1 7 1 1 b u t l ega l b usi ness ( fo r l i ke a wel l known mem b er o f th e Spectator Cl u b I am a Templar) detai ned me i n tow n last year a l l th ro ugh th e su m mer and i t was no t u nti l late i n th e au tu m n that I was a b l e to go down i n to Worcester sh i re Y et th e d e l ay had i ts co mpensatio n fo r th e au tu m n was o ne o f u n usua l b eau ty Never perhaps s
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S I R RO G E R D E C OV E R L E Y i g y f th e C rusader w i th h is u p u nc u th e fl t u rned f ace C lasped sw o rd and c rossed l egs dow n to th e mar b l e ta b lets o f generals and ad m i rals o f deans and p re b ends i n th e re igns o f Charles th e Second and Ja mes th e Second I have paced th e l ong gal lery w h ere th e f am i ly po rtrai ts hang Th ey hang j ust as th e Spectator descri b es th em b u t natu ral ly not a few have b een added si nce h is t i me ; f or tho ugh th e name o f Coverley b ecame exti nct wi th S i r R oger th e f am i l y has co nt i n ued u n b ro ke n to th is day a nd w i th o u t risi ng t o posts o f th e h igh est d isti ncti on has served i ts k i ng and co u ntry i n peace a nd war on sea and land w i th cred i t to i tsel f a nd ad van tage to th e p u b l ic Even a mong th e portrai ts wh ich th e Spectator m ust have seen I noted no t a few worth y o f remark wh ich h e passed over i n si l ence F o r i nstance th ere is a portrai t b y V andyke o f a dark handso me man i n a sh i n i ng c u i rass a nd great pl u med hat wh i ch th rows hal f h is face i n to deep shadow H e b ore th e k i ng s co m missio n and fe l l at th e b attl e o f Nase b y A noth er o f th e fam i l y i n th e same cen tu ry rose to b e A d mi ra l o f th e W h i te u nder th e sai lor k i ng James th e Seco nd Th ere is a po rtra i t i n h is ad mi ral s d ress b y K nel ler Th e of him face is r u b icu nd b ronzed and weath er b eaten ; h is r igh t hand rests o n th e h i l t o f h i s sword th e l eft sleeve is empty and p i n ned to h is b reast wh ich is covered wi th orders Th e trad i tio n at Coverley is that h e lost h is arm at th e b attl e o f L a Hog ue h is sh ip b ei ng o ne o f th ose that pressed hardest o n th e F rench t he
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A VI S IT TO COVE RL E Y HAL L th e R oya lS zm wh en that gal la n t sh ip a l o ne an d su rro u nded b y e nem ies fel l s u l l enl y b ack th e fl eu r de l y s sti l l Hau nti ng pro udl y at th e mast h ead al l h er porthol es sp u tteri ng fi re and al l h er scuppers spo u ti ng b lood t i l lsh e was l ost to h er p ursu ers i n th e darkness Next to th e portrai t o f t h e ad mi ral hangs th e pictu re o f a grave di v i ne i n cassock and fl owi ng wi g seated i n a pensi ve atti tu de wi th a great b oo k open b efore h i m and th e spi re o f Co verl ey ch u rch appeari n g o ver very gree n trees and u nder a very b l ue s ky i n th e b ac kgro u nd H e was a you nger son and h eld th e fam i ly l i v i ng o f Cover l ey for many years Th ey say h e was a l ea rned man a F el low o f h is col l ege at o ne o f th e U n i versi ti es ( I forget wh i ch ) and very deep i n He b rew and th e math emati cs I n l ater l i fe h e devo ted m uch o f h is a mple l eis u re —fo r th e parish d uti es o f Coverl ey i n those days were no t very onero us— to calc ulati ng th e n u m b er o f th e B east i n R evelations ; h e even med i tated a treatise o n th e s u bj ect wh ich no do u b t wo u l d have done h i m great h ono u r had h e l i ved to p u b l ish i t b u t u n fortu natel y h e d ied b e fore h e had C o mpleted h is cal cu latio ns A mong th ese grave and gal lan t me n th ere are portrai ts o f fa i r lad i es I noticed o ne i n parti cu la r o f a b loo m i ng mai d o f— h ono u r who danced w i th Char l es th e Sec o nd at th e fi rst b al l wh ich th e M erry M onarch gave at W h i tehal l a fter h is resto ration B u t o f al l th e portrai ts i n th e gal lery th e ge m i n my eyes is that o f d ear S i r R oger h i msel f I ca me flagsh i p ,
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S I R RO G E R D I G CO V E R L E Y
sudden ly a nd wi th o u t a h i n t o f w h o m i t r e p r e sented F o r I had asked o f th e k i nd o w ner o f th e lthat I m igh t wal k b y mysel f f or a l i ttl e i n th e Ha l l o ng gal lery and gi ve m ys e l f u p w i tho u t i n terru pti o n t o th e med i tatio ns wh ich th e pl ace was fitted to e v o ke I was pac i ng u p a nd dow n i n a fi t o f m usi ng I t was n ea r s u nset and th e l igh t was fai l i ng ; b u t s udden ly th e departi ng l u m i nary b ro ke th ro ugh a b an k o f cl o uds i n th e west and h is l ong l evel b eams sho o ti ng th r o ugh a l ofty ori el fel l ful l o n a portrai t wh ich at o nce ri veted my attenti on I co uld not m istake i t Th e tal l slender grace fu l fi gu re th e featu res o f al most fem i n i ne del icacy— th e fran k h o nest b l u e eyes—th e pl easan t sm i le —th e a i r o f ol d worl d co u rtesy— al l ti nged and as i t were fused i n to tenderness b y someth i ng ch i l d l i ke and appea l i ng al most path eti c—i t was Si r R oger h i msel f He is d ressed i n h u nti ng costu me w i th h is dogs a b o u t h i m and a rath er fl ori d landscape i n th e b ack gro u nd Th e portrai t is you th fu l th ere is a do u b t wh ether i t is b y L ely or K ne l ler I a m no great j udge o f p ictu res b u t i t seemed to me to b e i n th e b est man ner o f L e l y I have sl ept i n th e hau n ted cham b er wh i ch was sh u t u p wh en S i r R oger too k possessio n o f th e Hal l and wh i ch h e caused to b e exorci zed b y h is chap l ai n To j udge b y experi ence th e exorcis m was e ff ectual for th o ugh I lay long awake I saw noth i ng more ghostl y than th e dance o f shadows cast b y th e fi re l igh t o n th e ceil i ng ( th e even i ng b ei ng damp and o
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A V I S I T TO CO V E R LE Y HAL L ch i l ly th ey h ad l igh ted a b righ t fi re o n th e h earth ) and h eard noth i ng more b lood cu rdl i ng than th e tic k o f a death watch b eh i nd th e b lac k wai nscot th e croak i ng of frogs i n th e l i l y l ake u nder my w i ndow a nd th e h ooti ng o f owls i n th e el ms W i th th ese so u nds i n my ears I fel l fast asl eep and slept as sweetly as ever I d i d i n m y l i fe t il l a su n b eam steal i ng th rough a C h i n k i n th e sh u tters wo ke me and I sat u p wonderi ng wh ere I was B efore I q u i t th e Hal l I wi l l o n l y add that si tti ng i n th e great oriel w h ere th e arms o f th e C o v e r l e s y are b lazoned on th e p anes I chanced to take u p an ol d vo l u me that was l yi ng o n th e wi ndow seat W hat was m y j oy to fi nd i t to b e B aker s Chr onicl e th e very copy that S i r R oger was won t to per use s i tti ng i n h is h igh armchai r b y th e great fi replace o f th e hal l after a hard day s h u nti ng I I al most th ou gh t I cou ld recogn ize th e o l d k n igh t s th u m b marks o n so me o f th e yellow dog eared l eaves I fancy h e m ust have nodded over so me o f th ese same pages and wakened w i th a start wh en th e ponderous vol u me fel l w i th a crash to th e fl oor Th en too I have seen th e cottage o f M ol l W h i te th e w i tch Her memory s u rvi ves i n th e v i llage and an yb od y can poi n t o u t h er former a b od e I t is on e o f a row o f wh i tewash ed cottages w i th h igh thatch ed roofs w h ich overloo k th e co m mon a l on g straggl i ng green b o u nded b y ta l l e l ms and encl o si ng i n i ts m idst a pool wh ere ch i ld re n paddl e d ucks swi m and o n h o t su m mer days th e c o ws stand ,
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S IR RO G E R D E CO VE R L E Y i n the water w i th th e flies b uzzi ng a b ou t th ei r h eads B eyo nd a nd a b o ve th e el ms at th e f ar e nd o f th e C o m m o n appears a l i n e o f l ow h i lls wh ich wh en I saw th em sh owed b l u e and fai n t th rou gh th e ga theri ng m ists o f a n au tu m n even i ng M ol l s c o ttage is wel l kept and except fo r a ta bb y cat w h ich sat p u rri ng o n th e doorstep and r u bb ed i tsel f a ffe c tio nately agai nst my l egs th ere was noth i ng a b o u t i t to suggest that i t had ever b ee n th e ho me o f a wi tch Th ere were pots o f fl owers i n th e w i ndows creepers growi ng over th e porch a nd a Ii n net si ngi ng 1 merri ly i n a cage a b ove th e door Th e last o f th e scenes assoc iated w i th S i r R oge r w h ich I v isi ted i n th e neigh b o u rhood was th e Sarace n s Head I t is a l i ttl e waysi de i n n stand i n g o n th e b row o f a h i l l w h ere th e road d ips dow n rath er steeply i nto a val ley B efore tu rn i ng to .
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d ri b d I i wh i rt i n ly n h w n B i n m y p i y f d i r I m b nd M ll g p int n i h r h yl n h i i n f h h g h v l wh i h n w r w ll h S p t r d r i p i n f i ” d i n l i r y r n r nd r h i d f h w d P rh p h h r b n r b i l nd i m pr v d i n h M ll d y nd g ni b h t h id n ifi in m y h v g r wn i O p b wn r f h i n r b i r r y n d v i d p rh p b y m i n g n i h k f r n i n g d i h n p nn y P N I f h g I did lip m ll i l v r i n i n h h nd f h m i l i n g hink f i h k i h n nd I d r y h r l h l m p p in d d m ny d b n h b f r m I m rr y h v d n r y f pi r q r d i i n nd n h i n g b r g rd tri d hr gh h my r h l d i nd m B f r r h i h b n m y n n im w i g h v ry t m n d w n n n f wh i h h r i n i h r n l i v v i d n nd f pr b b i l i y I ld n v r n n l hig h d g r lv n m b ll i h li k m h i ri n p l i n n rr i v f f wi h h v rn i h f fi i n i kl h im g in i n f my r d r xp n f h i r nd r nd i n g I
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A V I S I T TO COVE R LEY HAL L exa mi ne th e famo us sign b oard I stood for a mo men t to con template th e prospect fro m th e h eigh t ; for th e su n was setti ng b eh i nd th e l i ne o f bl u e h i l ls I have spoken o f a nd h is last rays spread a soft rad ian t g l ory over th e woods i n th e vall ey some o f th em al ready stri pped and b are oth ers sti l l wrapt i n a gorgeo us pal l o f au tu mnal red and gold Th ro ugh th ei r gaps I cou ld catch gl i mpses o f a w i nd i ng ri ver i ts s u rface h ere darkened b y th e even i ng shadows th ere gl eam i ng l i ke fi re wi th re fl ec tions o f th e cel estial glory Th e s ign b oard dang l es fro m an i ro n stanch io n a b ove th e door o f th e i n n Th e h ead o f th e Saracen wh ich had latel y rece i ved a fres h coat o f pai n t is certai nl y very ferocio us b u t u nder th e l ong mo ustach i os and wh iskers I fanci ed I co u ld sti l l trace a fai n t a ri d i cu l o us resem bl ance to t h e k i ndl y features o f S i r R oger That was th e end o f my v isi t to Cover l ey Next day I retu rned to L ondo n and resu med my usua l d uti es I have seldo m e nj oyed anyth i ng so m uch as th is excu rs io n i n to W orcestersh i re and I sha l l al ways treasu re th e memory o f i t C u ri ousl y e no ugh tho ugh i t happened so la te l y there is some th i ng far away a b o u t i t i n my m i nd as i f i t had taken p l ace many years i nstead o f onl y a few mon ths ago I ndeed wr i ti ng as I now do i n th e h eart o f L ondo n w i th th e r u m b l e o f i ts ceaseless tra ffi c i n my ears th e tho ugh t o f th e q u iet o l d hal l th e tal l el ms th e ca w i ng r oo ks th e v i l lage C h u rch and th e cottages o n th e green i n th e even i ng tw il igh t comes bac k ,
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I
SIR
RO G E R D E COV E R LE Y
l i k e ! b eau ti fu l d ream rath er than th e r e c o l lect i o n o f a wak i ng real i ty A l o ng wi th th e papers relati ng t o the Spectat o r Cl u b wh ich are preserved at Co verl ey Hal l th ere is a smal l b u t i nteresti n g co l lection o f rel i cs A mon g the m I n o ted i n partic ular S i r R oger s wal k i ng sti c k and favou ri te a rmchai r ; th e sword wh ich Captai n Sentry used at th e b attl e of Steen k i rk and wh ich h e wore whe n h e esco rted S i r R oger to th e th eatre ; also a hat w i th two b u l let h ol es th ro ugh th e crow n wh ich is trad i tio nal l y sai d ( for I cou l d fi n d no w ri tten record o n th e su bj ect ) to have b een worn b y th e captai n 0 1 1 th e same hard fough t day i n F landers wh en h e charged w i th h is regi men t o n a F rench b attery The n th ere is a col l ectio n o f pipes smoked b y mem b ers o f th e cl u b together wi th a n u m b er o f to b acco — stoppers some of wh ich are su pposed th ough agai n I cou ld fi nd no good ev idence i n ( su pport of th e trad i tion ) to have b een made b y W i l l W i m b l e B u t perhaps th e most i n teresti ng rel i c o f al l is th e ori gi nal letter i n wh ich S i r R oger s b u tl er annou nced h is old master s death to th e Spectator Th e paper is so mewhat yel low and th e i n k faded w i th ti me b u t th e handwri ti ng i s sti l l perfectl y l egi b l e except i n a few places wh ere i t has b een acci den tal ly b l u rred perh aps b y th e tears o f th e wr i ter o r b y those wh ich S i r A nd rew F reepor t sh ed wh en h e read th e l etter alo u d to th e cl u b I n my q ual i ty o f ed i tor I th ou gh t i t my d u ty to col late th e l etter carefu l l y w i th th e copy o f i t p u bl ish ed i n o
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1 2
RO G E R D E CO V E RL E Y
QIR
H neyc m b
Th e paper appears t o b e a r o u gh u n fi n ished sketch for a paper i n The Sp ecta tor ; b u t i t is i mp o ssi b l e t o pea k w i th co n fidence o n th e e c t as th e man uscri pt b egi ns and ends a b ruptl y i and b ears nei th er date no r s ignatu re Th e h and wri ti ng is certai nl y no t Add is o n s a nd th e styl e is q u i te u nl i ke h is b ei ng e nti rely desti tu te of those l i terary graces and d el icate stro kes o f h u mou r wh i ch enl iven th e prod ucti o ns of that elegan t wri ter I t is rath er i n th e manner o f B u dg e l lat h is b est or o f Steel e at h is worst Th e onl y val u e o f th e pi ece so far as i t has any is a certai n plai n straigh t forward way o f tel l i ng th e facts wh i ch carries th e i mpress o f tru th and veris i m i l i tu de o n th e face o f i t to every u nprej ud i ced m i nd I ven tu re to b e l i eve that readers wh o are i n terested i n th e h istory o f th e cl u b wi l l b e w i l l i ng to overloo k th e b ald ness o f th e styl e for th e sake o f th e ge n u i ne b iograph ical i n terest o f th e matter Th e many fri ends o f th e cl u b have al ways mo u rned th e sad fate o f M r W i l l ia m Honey co m b wh o was c u t o ff b y an u n ti me l y marr iage wh i l e h e was sti l l i n th e ful l b loo m o f a very p ro longed yo u th Th e paper wh i ch I have b een so happy as to u nearth sh eds perhaps a gl i m mer o f l i gh t o n h is mysterious d isappearance fro m that fash iona b l e wor l d o f wh ich h e was so long a sh i n i ng ornamen t A t al l events i t i l l ustrates th e l ast phase o f h i s l i fe wh e n h e had b idden farewel l to th e gai eties o f th e metropol is and d evoted h i msel f i n th e s e cl u s ion o f th e cou n try to th e cu l ti vation o f ca b b ages o
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1 4.
A V I S IT TO COV E RLE Y HAL L and th e dom est i c vi rtues I t is my i n ten tio n h ere after to p u b l ish th e p i ece i n facs i m i l e w i th a ful l apparatus o f conj ec t u ra l emendations or corruptions as th e case may b e a nd a co m men tary i n wh ich I w il l explai n everyth i ng that is perfect l y o b vi ou s and w il l l eave a ll that i s dark i n a decen t o b scu ri ty I n th is way I do not dou b t that I shal l w i n fo r mysel f a place among th e foremost scholars o f th e age and b e hai l ed as a p rod igy o f learn i ng a sort o f second Scal i ger o r B en tley a n ew sta r j ust r isen a b ove th e l i terary hori zon o f E u rope B u t as I fo resee that so me ti me m ust elapse b efore I can fu l fi l th ese astro nom i ca l p red i ctions b y completi ng what a l earned l ady once cal l ed my op us m ag nus I a m reso l ved not to keep th e p u b l i c trem b l i ng o n th e ti ptoe o f suspense b u t to o b l ige th em b y pu b l ish i ng th e man uscrip t at once j ust as i t came i n to my hands u nadorned b y any o f those b ri l l ian t co n e mendations on w h i ch I b u i l d al l my h opes ec t u r a l j o f posth u mo us renown I have m ere l y red u ced th e som ewhat eccen tri c o rth ograph y o f th e essay to o u r modern standard and rel ieved i t o f th e super fiu i t y o f cap i tals and i ta l ics ( i nd i cated b y u nder scori ng i n th e man uscript) wh i ch h owever th ey may have b een d eemed o rnamen tal i n th e days o f u een A n n e are rej ected b y th e taste o f th e mo re Q p o l i te age i n w h ich i t is o u r happ i ness to l i ve u nd er go o d K i n g George th e F i fth W i th ou t fu rth er preface o r ap o l o gy I su bj o i n a C o py o f th e man u sc r i pt : .
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DE
B u t th e cl u b was f st b reak i ng u p Th e death f S i r R ger d e C verl ey was so n f l l wed a
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a n o th er d isaster o f al m o st eq ual magn i tude th e ma rriage o f W il l H oneycom b I t i s sad t o th i n k that th e glass o f fash i on th e gay do g th e agreea b l e rattl e th e faded b eau th e b attered rake w h o had b een eigh t and fo rty any ti me these twel ve years past sho ul d reti re fro m th e scene o f h is tri u mphs a b l ush i ng b ridegro o m arm i n a rm w i th a bl owzy m i l kmaid wh i le th e b el ls o f th e vi l lage ch u rch rang a j o y o us peal Th e ci rc u mstances attend i ng th is melanch oly a fifa i r have neve r b een full y cleared u p ; i ndeed we k now noth i ng a b o u t th e m excep t th e l i ttl e we can gl ean fro m W i l l s ow n acco u n t wh ich i s natu ral ly colou red i n rosy ti n ts and fl avo u red w i th some rath er fai n t rem i n iscences o f l ove s yo u ng d ream B u t for m y part I can not h elp suspecti ng that a h orsewh ip b rand ish ed b y a stou t b ucol i c arm had so me share i n l ead i ng M r Honeycom b l i ke a l am b to th e al tar B e that as i t may we l eave poor W i l l i n th e cou ntry dej ected l y strol l i ng a b ou t h is paternal acres and con templati ng h is tu rn i p fiel ds wi th lac k l ustre eyes wh i l e h is m i nd wanders far away to th e M al l and S t James s P ark a nd Coven t Garden and h e th i n ks w i th a si gh o f t h e happy days wh en h e str u tted and swaggered a b o u t th ese hau nts o f fash i o n h is sword at h is sid e and h is hat coc ked at th e most rakish a ng l ogl i n g th e frai l b eau ties e glari ng d e fiance at th e men and b owi ng to th e greatest toasts i n th ei r coach es wh eth e r h e had eve r by
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6
A VI S IT TO CO V E RL E Y HAL L seen th em b efore o r not And those ear l y wi nter morn i ngs too wh en a l l so b er peopl e were a b ed and th e s ky was j ust b egi n n i ng to p u rpl e b eh i n d th e tal l g a b l es o f th e ho uses h ow h e used to l u rk w i th oth er yo u ng bl oods i n a n al l ey an d h ear the d istan t watch man d ron i ng o u t th e h o u r and th en peep i ng ro u nd th e corner to see h i m com i ng dow n th e dark street w i th h is lantern to b o u nce o u t k noc k h i m down and h ol d h is h ead spl u tteri n g a nd sweari ng u nder th e refresh i ng water of th e matu ti nal p u mp I A nd th e n that fat p u rsy ci t i n Ch eapsi de h ow h e sk ipped and capered w h en th ey formed a ri ng ro u nd h i m and p i n ked h i m b eh i nd w i th th ei r toast i ng fo r k s l To see h i m sp i n n i ng ro u nd and ro u nd l i ke a teeto tu m and to h ear h i m sq u eal i ng l i ke a stuc k pi g l Ha I ha I h a I ha I Th e tears ra n down th e o l d b ea u s w i th ered ch eeks at the tho ugh t o f i t A h I that was so meth i ng l i ke l i fe d i fferen t fro m th ose da m ned t u rn ip tops l H e k i cked v ic io usl y at a ston e i n th e path and hav i ng sq u i rred i t away amo ng th e tu rn ips h e fel t a l i ttl e rel i eved and res u med h is agreea b l e med i tations B u t th e sm i le that had b egu n to dawn o n h is face d ied o u t and a shadow crossed h is b ro w as h e tho ugh t o f that o th er earl y w i n ter morn i ng i n th e fi elds b eh i nd M on tagu e H ouse— how dar k i t was — h e sh ivered yet at th e me mory o f and h o w cold l i t — and th e fl ari ng torch es —and th e measu red gro u nd — and th e fl ash o f swords—and that l i mp figu re b o rne away b y staggeri n g m e n th ro ugh th e .
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7
C
RO G E R D E CO V E R L E Y
SIR
darkness N o no i t was b etter no t t o th i n k o f i t B u t h o w del igh tfu l i t was i n w i n te r even i ngs wh en th e candles were l i t i n th e th eatre a nd th e m usi c struc k u p a nd th e c u rta i n was a b o u t to r ise o n I\ I r s B racegi rdl e o r S ignor N icol i n i a nd th e l i o n I H o w pl easan t t o o o n s u m mer even i ngs t o b e r o wed u p th e Thames t o Spri ng Gard en w i th th e plash o f oars and th e ri ppl e o f th e c u rre nt at th e b ow wh il e s natch es o f song a nd th e so u nd o f merry voices came wafted across th e water and th e wh o l e b road b osom o f th e ri ver gl owed and sh i m mered i n th e warm rays o f th e setti ng su n I A nd th en wh en th e last q uavers o f th e si ngers i n th e garden had d i ed away and th e l a mps were o u t and th e wal ks d e s e r t e d t o d rop down th e ri ver i n th e moonsh i n e to see th e l igh ts o f L ondo n twi n kl i ng th r o u gh th e gloo m o n ei th er b an k and th e great A bb ey towers stand i ng o u t b lack agai nst th e l i n geri ng gl ow i n th e western sky I Th e very si gh t and so u nd of th e streets w i th th e th rong o f foot passengers th e stream o f coach es and th e forest o f gaudy sign b oards sh i n i ng i n th e su n and creak i ng i n th e w i nd — i t warmed th e cockles o f h is h eart to th i n k of th e m al l A nd h ow ch eerfu l i n th e afterno o ns to l ou nge i n at W i l l s o r B u tto n s and d isc uss th e latest news o f th e co u rt o r t h e war o ver a pot o f steam i n g co ff ee wi th that arch W h i g D ic ky S teel e o r that sol em n p ri g Joey Add is o n wh o k new a good glass o f w i ne b y Gad and cou ld take o ff h is b o ttl e l i ke a man fo r ,
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A V IS I T TO CO V E RL E Y HAL L al l h is sm ug p ragmati cal ai rs A nd th en j ust as th ey were growi ng warm over th e do i ngs i n F land ers and th e c u rsed delays o f th e Al l i es to b e suddenl y cal led to th e do o r b y th e exci ted co ff ee man sh o u ti n g Here h e co m es I H ere h e c o mes I A nd to r ush to the door and t o see th e Q ueen s messenger fro m Dover spen t w i th hard ri d i n g and al l b espattered w i th m ud sp u rri ng th ro u gh th e streets to St James s wi th the peopl e r u n n i ng after h i m to get th e fi rst ne w s l A nd to stand i n th e crowd o u tsi de th e palace w h i l e th ey read th e despatch es— and to see th e w i nd o w fl u ng o pen and th e placard h u ng o u t : ,
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A NOTH ER
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a nd then th e h uzzas and th e hats u p i n th e ai r an d th e th ree t i mes th ree and o ne ch eer mo re a nd th e b on fi res and th e i l l u m i nations and th e Tower gu ns b oom i ng o u t o ve r all and B u t from th ese d rea ms o f va n ish ed b l iss th e ol d b eau was su dden l y recal led t o th e stern real i ties o f l i fe b y a sh ri l l vo ice cal l i ng o u t W i ll ia m I W i l l iam I I t was M rs ” H o neyc o m b ,
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Here th e man u c ript b reaks o ff a b ruptl y I t is o bvio usl f or th e wri ter m ust certai nl y v u n fi n i h ed have mean t t o tel l us wha t I\ I r s H o neyc o m b had to say t o M r H ne yc o m b t geth er w i th th e o u t b u rst o f p ro fan i ty r rath er o f tend erness w i th wh ich th e f nd h us b and met th is t o uch i ng appeal s
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9
SI R
RO G E R D E COV E RLE Y
fr m th e w i fe o f h is b o s o m P erhaps a fu rth er search am o ng th e papers o f th e cl u b may yet ena b l e me t o suppl y th e lacu na M eanti me I w i l l o nl y add a few wo rds hb o u t a noth er smal l d iscovery o f a d i ff eren t k i nd w h ich I was so fo rtu nate as to make i n th e c o u rse o f my la b o rio us research es I t appears h igh l y pro b a b l e i f no t q u i te certai n that d u ri ng th e period wh en h e was p u b l ish i ng h is cel e b ra t e d papers th e Spectator occu pi ed cham b ers i n Stapl e I n n So fa r as I a m aware— I wri te su bj ect t o correct io n — no one i n modern years had even guessed at th is Th e way i n wh ich I came t o ascertai n i t was w hat h u manly speaki ng you m igh t cal l a n acciden t I t was o ne o f th e hottest afternoons o f J u l y i n th e very h ot s u m mer th ree years ago I had b ee n sti fl ed w i th th e h eat and stu n ned w i th th e noise o f th e streets and had stepped i n to St Ja mes s P ark i n S earch o f a l i ttl e cool ness a nd shade A fter strol l i ng a b o u t u nder th e trees and ad m i ri ng th e gay fl ower b eds th en i n th e ful l po mp of th ei r m i d s u m mer b eau ty I sat dow n o n a chai r i n th e shad e and am used mysel f b y watch i ng th e swans w i th th ei r arch ed nec ks r u ffl ed pl u mage and swel l i ng b reasts as th ey slowl y sai led a mong th e water l i l i es Th e h eat made me d rowsy and perhaps I c l osed my eyes fo r a m i n u te or two I can not say b u t certai nl y wh e n I loo ked a b o u t m e agai n th e par k seemed u n usual l y sti l l and deserted for a s u m mer afternoon Not a l i vi n g sou l was i n sigh t J ust o
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20
S I R RO G E R
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h is hat w i th a n a i r o f o l d fash i o ned p o l i te ness th e s u n sh o ne ful l O I I h is f ace and I k new at o nce that i t was S i r R o ger d e C o verl ey I guessed that h is c o mpan io n was W i l l Honeyco m b a nd m y c u ri o si ty b ei ng a roused I fol l o wed th e m a t a l i ttl e d ista nce They see med to b e co ncerti ng a sch eme fo r s u rprisi ng s o me b ody wh i ch a ff orded the m am usemen t ; fo r I h eard S i r R o ger say as h e p u l led “ h is watch o u t o f h is fo b J ust th ree o c l oc k W e ” a re s u re t o catch h i m at i t i f we go at o nce To ” b e su re repl ied W i l l Ho neyc o m b h e al ways spec u lates at th is h ou r He l l addl e h is b rai ns ove r those c u rsed b oo ks I t s a Ch ristia n d u ty to go ” ” a nd ro u t h i m fro m th em W el l said S i r R oger we l l cal l a coach i n th e M al l and go stra igh t to ” him B y th is ti me th ey were co me t o th e gate o f th e park and S i r R oge r hai led a hackn ey c o ach and gave th e coach man a d i rection wh ich I cou l d not h ear ; for h e was a l i tt l e way o ff and h ad h is b ac k to me I cal l ed anothe r coach and b ade th e coach ma n fo l l ow th e oth er two gent l e men closel y Th e ge ntleman i n v i olet a nd th e o ne i n rose I h e asked I nodded and away we d r o ve j ol ti ng and rattl i ng over th e pavi ng stones I t never struc k me b e fore how very b ad l y th e streets o f L ondo n were laid Th e co bb l es were su ch that at every j ol t I th o ugh t al l th e b ones o f my b ody wo ul d co me o u t o f j oi n t A nd th e streets had a strange and novel appearance L i ke th e park th ey were u n usual ly q u i et and th e
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22
A V I S I T TO CO V ER LEY HAL L few passengers I saw were d ressed so oddl y th e women i n great h ooped petti coats and b ri gh t h oods wi th b lac k patch es o n th ei r faces a nd th e me n i n cocked hats b ag wi gs k nee b reech es a nd coats of al l th e colo u rs i n th e rai n b ow w i th lo ng rap i ers dangl i ng at th ei r sides Th en I was su rprised at th e n u m b er o f ol d b lac k ti m b ered h o uses wh i ch somehow I had never noti ced b efore th ough th ey stood o u t b oldl y eno ugh w i th th ei r tal l ga b l es pr oj ecti ng over th e street th ei r wooden gal ler i es th ei r ca semen t w i ndows w i th l i ttl e d iamond shaped pa n es o f glass and th ei r gay si gn b oards Hau n ti ng i n th e su n I was sti l l wo nderi ng at i t al l wh en th e C oach sudden l y d rew u p an d p u tti ng my h ead o u t o f th e w i ndow I saw that we were i n Hol b orn j ust opposi te to Stapl e I n n S i r R oger a nd W i l l Honeyco m b were al ready o n th e pavemen t Th ey had d ism issed th ei r coach and were tu rn i ng i n to th e I n n I d ismissed m y coach also and foll owed Th ey passed u nder th e arch way w i th i ts massi ve doors and en tered a l i tt l e co b b led co u rt shaded b y tal l plane trees There th ey sat d own o n a b ench u nder a tree seem i ngly to concert th ei r plans for th e i n tended su rprise I h u ng b ac k i n th e shadow o f th e arch way wh ere I c o ul d watch th em w i th o u t b ei ng o b served As th ey sat th ere chatti ng i n th e dappl ed shade a fo u n ta i n plash ed hard b y w i th a d rowsy m u rm u r d o ves were cooi ng and flu tteri ng and o n th e far s ide o f th e c o u rt u nder th e th ic k fo l iage o f th e ,
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S I R RO G E R D E COVE R L EY p l anes I c o ul d see th e hal l i ts b lac k old wal ls hal f man tl ed i n v i nes and creepers th e s u nl igh t S h i n i ng so ftly th ro ugh th e c ri mso n an d b l u e and pu rpl e panes o f i ts great o ri el T h e v were no t l ong o f com i ng t o a decis ion for S i r R oger soo n r o se b riskl y fro m th e b ench and l ed th e way across th e cou rt to a vaul ted passage b esi de th e hal l I fol l o wed them sti l l u n n o ti ced and passi ng u nder th e vaul t emerged o n a seco nd cou rt w i th a smal l garden a stretch o f greensward and gay fl ower b eds al l sl eepi ng peacefu l l y i n th e h eat o f th e s u m mer a fternoon A fl igh t o f sto ne steps j ust opposi te us l ed u p to a terrace over l oo k i ng th e garden b u t i nstead o f ascend i ng th e m S i r R oger t u rned sharpl y to th e l eft and en teri ng a l ow door way mou n ted a S teep wooden stai rcase w i th a h eavy b al ustrade of bl ack oak H e l ed th e way o n ti ptoe look i n g b ack now and then w i th a sm i l e and a fi nger on h is l ip as i f to enj oi n S i lence o n h is co m pan io n M r Honeyco m b was b y no means so carefu l for h e cough ed a nd h em med d isti nctl y twi ce o r th ri ce and h is sword clattered o n th e treads o f th e steps I n oticed too that th e j au n ty ai r wi th wh i ch h e wal ked o n th e fla t q u i te deserted h i m i n cl i m b i ng th e stai rcase ; h e pu ff ed and wheezed and i f I a m no t m istaken I heard h i m swear at th ose dam ned steps u nder h is b reath O n th e fi rst land i ng th ere were several doors al l o f th em l i ke th e b al ustrade mad e o f massi ve b lack o a k Si r R o ger tu rn ed to th e ri gh t and ,
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24
A V I S I T TO CO V E RL E Y HAL L
tapped l i gh tl y at o ne of th em A voi ce fro m w i th i n answered i n what seemed a peevish to ne Come ” i n I so h e p ush ed t h e door open and en tered fol lowed b y W i l l Honeyco m b Th en I h eard h i m say i n h is h igh q uaveri ng vo i ce Stil l specu lat i ng my d ea r ph i losoph er ! W e ve come to carry yo u ” o ff to Sq u i re s to d ri n k a d ish of co ff ee w i th us ” Come along ol d cock I co u ld h ear W i l l Ho ney co m b add i ng i n h is gru ff er voi ce th e D u tch mai l i s j ust come i n and they say th ere s great news fro m F landers Y o u haven t fi n ish ed th e paper fo r to morrow yo u say I C u rse i t gi ve i t to D i cky to fi n ish ; h e l l scri bb l e i t o ff fast enough I warran t ” yo u Come along Th ey had l eft t h e door aj ar b eh i nd th em S O I peeped i n and got a clear vi ew o f th e apartmen t w i tho u t b ei ng percei ved fo r th ey al lhad th ei r b ac ks to me I t was a l ow b u t fai rl y spac io us room wai nscoted w i th so me dark wood perhaps wal n u t O n th e far si de was a h uge fir e place w i th a great man tel pi ece o f carved stone over i t To th e le ft a si ngl e w i ndow i n a deep em b rasu re l et i n a strea m o f d u s ty su nsh i ne wh ich fel l o n a w ri ti ng ta b l e d rawn u p cl ose to th e w i ndow A t th e ta b l e was seated a man plai nl y d ressed i n d ra b w i th h is b ac k to m e H e had b een w ri ti ng fo r h e had j ust p ush ed a sh eet o f paper fro m h i m and I co uld see that th e i n k o n i t was stil l wet S i r R oger was stand i ng b eh i nd h i m w i th o ne hand l i gh tl y la id o n the w ri ter s sh o uld er l o o k i ng d o wn at h i m an d sm il i ng Th e w ri ter had tu rned hal f r u nd .
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S I R RO G ER D E COV E R L E Y t o wa rd h is i nterl o c u tors a nd fr o m th e expressi o n and th e way i n w h i ch h e d ru mmed o n o f h is f ace th e ta b le w i th h is fi ngers I j udged that h e was s o mewha t i mpati en t o f th e i nterru ption A t last as i f a b o u t to remonstrate w i th th e i n truders h e t u rned ful l r o u nd o n th em and b y th e b road face th e sn u b nose th e square j owls a nd th e settled grav i t y o f h is co u n tenance I k new that h e co u l d b e no oth er than th e Spectato r I w as so overj oyed at hav i ng trac ked h i m t o h is d en at l ast a nd fo u nd h i m i n th e very h eat o f composi tion that I co ul d restra i n mysel f no lo nger b u t tapped o n th e doo r to an no u nce my p resence and i n trod uce mysel f to th ei r s o c iet y B u t th ey seemed not to h ear m e for th ey conti n u ed th ei r conversation or to spea k more correctl y S i r R oger and W i l l Honeycom b co nti n u ed to tal k w h i l e th e Spectato r sat si l en t wi th an ai r o f rath er sul l en resignatio n So I rapped lo u der b u t sti l l th ey pai d no h eed A nd now th e r o o m b egan to grow d i m and th ei r figu res to fade and th ei r vo i ces to so u nd very far o ff I r u b b ed my eyes to clear m y v isi on and wh en I opened th em I fo u nd mysel f agai n on th e chai r i n St James s P ark Th e swans were sti l l sw i m m i ng lazi l y among th e water l i l i es b u t th e su n was l ower i n th e s ky and th e shadows o f th e trees fel l l onger ac ross th e grass Th e park keeper was tappi ng me o n th e sho u lder and sayi ng A pen ny fo r th e chai r ” i f yo u please Y o u have had a l ong nap si r I started u p and hav i ng pai d my penn y q u i tted ,
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26
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A V I S IT TO CO V E R L E Y HAL L the park and h u rri ed b ac k to Stapl e I n n Th e streets as I passed th ro ugh th em had resu m ed t h e usual aspec t o f b ustl e a nd t u m u l t wh ich th ey presen t o n a J u l y afternoo n towards th e end o f th e L ondo n season I co u ld see non e of th e q uai n t b lac k ti m b ered h o uses wh ic h had fi gu red so pro m i ne nt l on my recen t ri de th ro ugh th e c i ty th e ; y excr uc iati ng co b b les had d isappeared and th e t id e o f tra ffi c rol l ed smooth l y over th e asphal t pavemen t I b ega n to th i n k that I m ust have b een dream i ng and that I sh ou l d fi nd Stapl e I n n to have van ish ed l i ke th e rest o f my v ision B u t o n that po i n t I was soo n reassu red F or th ere i t was i n i ts old place j ust as I had seen i t wi th i ts anci en t ti m b ered ga bl es overloo k i ng th e h u rry and seem i ng l y deaf to th e uproar o f Hol b orn I agai n passed u nder th e arch way and en tered th e fi rst co u rt Y es th ere was th e very b ench u nder th e plan e wh i ch had b een so latel y occ upi ed b y S i r R oger and W i l l Honeyc o m b Th ere across th e co u rt was sti l l th e old hal l w i th i ts v i nes and creepers a nd th e s u nl igh t stream i n g th rough th e pai n ted g l ass o f i ts w i nd o ws A ga i n I passed th ro ugh th e vau l ted passage b esid e th e hal l and agai n I fo u nd mysel f i n th e garden c o u rt w i th i ts grass and fl ower b eds i ts terrace and st o n e steps al l sleep i ng as b e fore i n t he d rowsy h eat o f th e su m mer a fternoon B u t th e sta i rcase w i th th e b al ustrad e o f b lac k o a k was g o n e and th o u gh I search ed fo r i t careful l y th en and si nce I h ave never b een a b l e to fi nd i t fro m .
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S I R R O G E R D E CO V E R LE Y th at day t o th is Y et I k n o w i t m ust b e th ere fo r I saw i t and I sh al l fi nd i t o ne day and see S i r R o ger a gai n and W i l l Honeycom b and th e; Spectator th ere— th ere o r som ewh ere o f d re a ms .
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28
S I R RO G E R D E COV E RL E Y expect to feel w hen I l eft L o ndo n fo r C o verl ey I n tru th I f al l mo re and m o re i n l o ve w i th th e c o u ntry Th e so ft green o f fields and m eadows th e fl o wery lanes th e w i nd i n g o f trees a nd h edges w i l l ow fri nged streams th e p rospect o f far b l u e h i lls th e great expanse o f s ky fl ecked w i th w h i te s u m mer clo uds at n o o n o r k i ndled i n to c ri mso n a nd g o l d at su nset th e fresh ness and s weetness o f th e ai r th e peace and tranq u i l l i ty po u red l i ke a h eal i ng b al m o ver al l — th ese th i ngs a ff ect me w i th a pl easu re wh ich I feel deepl y b u t am powerl ess I b egi n t o th i n k o f fo rsweari ng t h e t o express ci ty and reti ri ng far fro m i ts smoke and u pr o ar i ts fever and fret to S pend th e remai nder o f my days i n so me r u ral sol i tu d e I f ever I d o so I can no t i magi ne any spo t that wo ul d attract m e more than Coverl ey and i f S i r R oger wou l d have m e for a tenan t I shou ld b e con ten t to take u p m y a b ode w i th a few favou ri te b ooks i n a cottage somewh ere wi th i n sigh t o f th e ch u rc h steepl e peepi ng o u t a mong th e ol d el ms and w i th i n th e sou nd o f i ts sol em n b el l s F or to m e th ere is someth i n g stran gel y fasci nati ng i n an E ngl ish vi l lage ch u rch Th e grey t i me worn wal ls w i th th ei r mosses and l i ch ens and weath er S tai ns th e very b areness a nd s i mpl i ci ty o f th e wh i tewash ed i n teri or w i th i ts plai n pews and u npretend i ng pul pi t th e si l ence that reigns wi th i n wh en you en ter o n a wee k day th e sigh t o f th e gree n l eaves flu tteri n g o u tside i n th e b reeze th e sweet scent o f th e hawthorn no t
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3O
SP E CTAT O R IN T H E C O UN TRY
TH E
or th e hay b lown i n upo n yo u th rough th e ope n w i ndows o r door make up an i mpression or rath er a seri es o f i mpress ions wel l fi tted to ease th e trou b l ed o r j aded m i nd to wear away i ts cark i ng cares to smooth o u t i f I may say so i ts creases and r u mpl es i n a word to restore i ts composu re and cal m A nd th e charm o f a v i l lage ch u rch i s greatl y en ha nced wh en as h ere at Coverley i t adj oi ns an anci en t Hal l the two togeth er carryi ng th e m i nd b ac k i n to th e past to E ngland o f th e olden t i me wh i ch w h eth er j ustl y or no t i n th e b ustl e o f modern l i fe we regard w i th a certai n fo nd regret Th e worl d we are fai n to th i n k wen t very wel l th en ; th o ugh to b e cand id I i magi ne that i f t h e k i ndl y w i zard Ti m e wh o spreads enchan tmen t over d istan t v i ews were to transpo rt us to th ose van ish ed scen es we m igh t fi nd th e spel l b roken and o u rse l ves d isenchan ted However that may b e th e lo nger I stay at t h e Hal l th e more I love i ts master F or th ere is a b ou t h i m a sweet s i mpl ic i ty a s o rt o f ch i ldl i ke fran kness and i n nocence wh i ch wonderful l y pl eases m e and p u ts me many t i mes i n m i nd o f O u r Sav io u r s words S u ff e r th e l i ttl e ch i ld ren to come u nto me and fo r b i d th em not for o f such is th e k i ngdo m o f ” h eaven I th i n k I n eve r met o ne w h o seemed t o m e t o need l ess p reparatio n fo r d eath and fo r that c o m m u n i o n w i th th e spi ri ts o f th e j ust made per fect to w h ich Scri ptu re teaches us t o loo k fo rward a a pri nc ipal s o u rce o f t h e happ i ness that ,
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1
SIR
RO G E R D E COVE RL E Y
awa i ts us i n th e l i fe h ereafter Not that S i r R oger is e i th er very w ise o r very w i tty ; for i n tru th h e is n ei th er u nl ess as I am s o meti mes pro ne to th i n k the greatest w isdom consists i n th e greatest p u ri ty o f th e h eart fo r j udged b y that standard I woul d b e b old t o match S i r R oger aga i nst Socrates o r any sage i n h isto ry A S h e has arri ved at th e t i me o f l i fe wh en me n nat u ra l l y tu rn th ei r th ough ts to th e long past that is b eh i nd the m rath er than to th e sh ort and u ncertai n fu t u re b efo re th em S i r R oger l oves to recal l th e memories o f h is yo u th and i n th is propensi ty I encou rage h i m fo r h e has m u ch to tel l o f sti rri ng scenes that h e w i tnessed i n days wh en E ngland was more agi tated than now and had no t yet attai ned to that settled state o f i n ternal tranq u i l l i ty fo r wh ich we are i nde b ted to th e pr udence and v i gi l ance o f H er presen t M ost Gracio us M aj esty H e remem b ers fai ntl y as i n a d ream th e d ismal pagean try o f th e day wh en th e remai ns o f th e usu rper w h o were b orn e w i th more S t yl ed h i msel f P ro tecto r than rega l sol e mn i ty am id th e si l ence o f an i n n u mera b l e th ron g to rest w i th th e d ust o f k i ngs and pri nces H e recal ls more d isti nctl y and w i th far greater pleasu re th e wi l d o u t b u rst o f j oy wh ich greeted th e ret u rn o f H is M aj esty K i ng Char l es th e Second ; h ow th e streets were strewed w i th fl owers and h u ng wi th tapestry ; h ow th e w i ndows a nd b al con i es were crowded w i th lad i es ; h ow b el l s rang tr u mpets b lared and fo u n tai ns ra n w i n e ; .
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and h o w th e horse and fo o t w i th sh o u ts and b rand i sh i ng o f sw o rds th e L i ver y Compan i es w i th the i r cha i ns o f g o l d and b an ners and lords and no b l es clad i n cloth o f si l ver and vel vet were passi n g fo r h o u rs the place wh ere h e sto o d i n th e Strand As a y o u ng man h e w i tnessed th e t o watch th em G rea t P lague and th e G rea t F i re o f L o ndo n and h e wel l remem b ers th e sad day wh e n th e r o ar o f th e D u tch gu ns i n th e Thames was h ea rd l i ke th e r u m b l e o f th u nder al l over th e c i t y th e peopl e i n a d read fu l s uspense c ro wd i ng i n t o th e S treets to l i s ten ti l l th e s ul len s o u nd o f th e fi ri ng d rew farth er and farth er o ff and fi nal l y d i ed away i n th e d istance Y esterda y S i r R oger was i n a parti c ularl y c o m m u n i cat i ve vei n Th e day was h ot an d i n th e a fternoo n we wal ked o u t th ro ugh th e fields b y a fo o t path b es ide a h igh h edge and i n th e dappled hade o f a long r o w o f ven era b l e el ms ; th en cr o ss i ng a mead w and pas i ng th ro ugh th e C h u rch wh ere th e grassy mo u nds yard o f a l i ttle hamlet and m o sy h ead t ne basked i n th e s u nsh i ne among anc i en t yews we a s cended th e s l o pe o f a b i l lb y a trac k that l ed th r o ugh tal l wh eat no w t u rn ed a r ich rus et b r o wn and S pangl ed w i th ca rl et poppi es Th u a cend i n g we reach ed th e b r o w o f th e h i l l and struc k a h igh r o ad wh ich h er e r u ns fo r m i les al o ng th e c re t o f th e ridge k i rted n th e o ne s ide b y a w d and n th e o th er hand a ff o rd i ng w id e V i ew d o wn th e decl i v i t y and away o ver th e fl at ,
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DE
ow c o u ntry t me l b l u e h i l ls wh ich b o u nd th e pro pect i n th e f ar d istance J ust o n t h e b r o w o f th e h i l l th ere stands a ru i no us o l d w i nd m i l l i ts ti m b ers r tti ng and i ts great sai ls d r o o pi ng l i k e th e w i ngs o f a w o u nded b i rd H ere o n a b ench w e a t dow n t o rest and t o enj oy th e fresh ness o f th e a i r o n th e h e igh t b e f ore retrac i ng o u r steps h o me wa rd T h e land s cape sp read o u t b efo re us was peaceful and pl easi ng A t o u r feet th e h igh road ran steeply d o w n th e sl o pe and wh ere i t passed o u t f s igh t we c o uld stil l trace i ts l i ne b y th e trees that fri nged i t o n ei th er sid e r isi ng a nd si n k i ng l i ke a green wave w i th th e u nd ulati o ns o f th e gr o u nd A way to th e n o rth fai n tly d iscern i b l e as specks o n the h oriz o n appeared th e towers o f a m i nster b u t so far o ff that th ey wo ul d have escaped me i f S i r R oger h ad not po i n ted th em o u t I n th e foregro u nd b u t sti ll at a d istance o f several m i les we c o ul d see th e w o ods o f Coverl ey and j ust over th e edge o f th e h i l l th e spi re o f th e l i ttl e v i llage ch u rch wh ich we had passed b efore ascend i ng th e sl o pe O n th e s i de o f th e d istan t b l u e h il ls b eyo nd th e woods o f Coverl ey my friend b ade m e mark what l o o ked l i ke a wh i te scar ; h e sai d i t was th e h igh road to O xfo rd Charm ed as i t were b y th e prospect we sat a long ti me and S i r R oger chatted of oth e r days wh i le I l istened spel l b o u nd t i l l th e su n si n k i ng i n th e west stretched o u t th e shadows on th e slope o f th e h i l l and rem i nded us that i t was ti me to retu rn o
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34
S P E CT AT O R IN T H E CO UNT R Y
THE
So risi n g rel uctan tl we d escended th e h i l l and y fo l lowed th e h i gh road b ac k to C o verl e y W hat th e d kn igh t t o l d me as we sat there that su mm er ol even i ng w i l l lo ng remai n i mpri n ted o n my memory and m a y fu rn ish matter for th e fu tu re en tertai n m en t o f my readers B u t th ei r pat ience l i ke m y pape r is no dou b t exhausted a nd I w i l l no t tax i t fu rth e r to day ,
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I D O no t k n o w that I have anywh ere menti o n ed that S i r R o ger d e Coverl ey th ough h e i s no t h i msel f l earn ed has a ver y great — I may even say an excessi ve respect fo r l earn i ng a nd l earned m en I have seen h i m stand hat i n hand i n F l eet Street speak i ng deferential ly t o a co mmo n scri bb l er a l i terar y b a c k wh o had j ust d esce nded fro m h is garret i n Gr u b Street wh ere h e earns h is b read i n th e sweat o f h is b row b y lampoo n i ng th e most e m i nen t characters and b elau d i ng th e b asest fo r any ma n wh o w i l l h i re h is servi ces at a sh i ll i ng a sh eet I f I m ista ke not th e fel low has stood i n th e pi llor y m o re tha n o nce for h is sc u rri l o us Ii b els and has recei ved th e tri b u te o f p u b l i c esteem for h is tal en ts i n th e S hape o f dead cats and rotten eggs wh ich t o h i m are what la u rels and i vy are to wri ters o f a d i ff e ren t stamp V er y m uch ast o n ish ed I can assu re yo u h e seemed t o b e wh en th e b aro n et b en t th e wretch is a sq uat d u m py l i ttl e man and l ow ( S i r R oger is tal l and sl ender) to catch th e words o f ,
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” He a b u t that can ti ng c r o p cared c u r I t m grew s o wa rm that I was fai n t o t u rn th e co nversa t i n b y h u rri edl y m e nti o n i ng L o velace and Cowl ey I k new as Caval i ers stood h igh i n S i r R oger s wh go d graces Th e cl o ud at o nce passed fro m th e ol d k n igh t s b row and gave place to a b eam i ng sm il e b o th o f I c nt l e m e n o f s o u nd pri nc iples ” lb e th em sa i d h e and very go o d poets too I l b o u nd No man s i r can wri te go od poet ry w h o has n t a proper respect for Ch u rch and K i ng B u t as f r J o h n what do ye— cal l h i m that sn i vel l i ng gl u m faced s o n f a H e was a b o u t to b u rst o u t aga i n o n th e s o re su bj ect o f M i l ton wh e n I d xterousl y i nterposed th e name of H erri ck and aga i n th e k n i gh t s passi o n cal med dow n as s uddenl y as i t had risen F or i n S i r R oger s yo u th Herri c k s verses were at th e h eigh t o f th e fash i on ; h e had l earned many o f th e m b y h eart and set th em o n th e same l ofty pedestal wi th B aker s Chr oni cl e wh i ch is th e on l y o th er b oo k I ever h eard h i m q uote w i th approval I had stru c k th e ri gh t key H e h u m med to h i msel f so me o f th e poet s l i nes I caugh t so meth i ng a b o u t l ove and fl eet i ng yo u th and fad i ng roses and saw b y h is e y e t hat h i s th o ugh ts had wandered far away to oth er days and d istan t scenes ; perhaps h e was yo u ng agai n roam i ng th e hawth orn lanes a nd cowsl i p meadows o f W orcester o r l i ngeri ng i n s h i re o u a s u nsh i ny day i n spri ng th e twi l igh t o n th e wi llow fri nged b an ks o f Severn t o mar k the red au tu m nal s u n setti ng i n m ist b eyond e
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th e Welsh mou n ta i ns Wh e n h e ca me to h i msel f at l ength h e had recovered al l h is us ual placi d i ty a nd seren i ty o f tem per ; I\I i l t o n a n d th e o the r c rop ea red c u rs were q u i te forgotten A s h is j ou rn eys to and fro m Worcestersh i re ta ke h i m th ro u g h O xfo rd h e is wel l acq uai n ted w i th t hat fa mous c i ty a n d a wa rm ad m i rer o f i t tho u gh I have never been able to determ i n e exactl y w h eth er i t is th e l ea rn i n g o r t h e l oyal ty o f th e place t ha t exci tes h is ad m i rat i on i n th e h i gh er measu re ; fo r i n h is re ferences to i t h e ha rdl y seems to d ist i ngu is h between t hese cla i ms o f t h e U n i vers i ty tow n to p u bl i c grat i tu de H is fa th er attended K i n g C harl es t h e F i rst w h en h e h eld h is co u rt at O xford a nd S i r R o ger has man y sto ri es to tel l o f th e mo narch s gracio us demeano u r to t h e schola rs a nd learned me n h ow h e d i n ed w i th th em i n th e col l ege hal ls and prayed w i t h th e m i n th e col l ege chapels ; h ow on su m mer a fternoons h e strol l ed w i th t h e m i n t h e cl o isters o f I\ I a g da l e n or played at bowl s w i th t h em i n t h e ga rdens o f St Joh n s ; a nd h o w w h en h e r o d e o u t o f th e tow n fo r th e last t i m e befo re th e battl e o f Naseb y h e was atten ded to t h e gate b y th e V i ce C hancel lo r t h e H eads o f H o uses an d t h e D cto rs o f D i vi n i ty al l i n sca rl et w ho d i d homage to h i m a n d bade h i m G o d speed b efo re h e mo u n ted h is h o rse Th en h e l eaped i n to t h e sadd l e t h e m us ic stru c k u p a n d th e wh ol e cavalcad e was i n m o t i n A s h e rod e a wa y h e t u rn ed o nce m ore i n th e s t i rru ps t o wave a good bye t th e loyal .
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39
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c i t y h e was never t o set eyes o n agai n ; a nd t h e d o ctors i n t h ei r red gow ns at t h e g ate st o o d g azi n g a ft er h i m a nd s had i n g t h ei r eyes w i t h t h e i r hands cade d i sappea red i n a clo ud t i l l t h e last o f t h e cava l o f d us t a nd t he m us i c d i ed away i n t he d ista nce S u ch a re th e rem i n iscences wh i ch S i r R oger l oves to relate o f O xfo rd B u t as fo r t h e d usty l i brari es a nd th e w ra ngl i n g d ispu tat i o ns o f that seat o f l ea rn i n g h e has l i ttl e to s a y abou t th em I ha \ e freq u e ntly had ccas io n to m en t i on t h e Tem pla r a g entl ema n o f som e read i n g and st i l l greater pretens i ons i n pol i te l etters w h o is a m em be r o f o u r cl u b a nd t h ere lavs d ow n th e law o n al l q u esti ons o f taste w i t h a co n fi dence w h i ch I en vy t ho ugh I can not al wa y s share A s h e was bred at Ca mbrid g e h e has a partial i t y w h i ch I do not blame for that U n i versi ty to w h ich h e wou l d awa rd — i n m y h u m ble opi n i on very u nj ustl y t h e pal m o f a n ti q u i ty an d renown above i ts ri val o n th e ba n ks o f t h e I s is A ccord i n g l y w h en S i r R oger al l u des to th e gl ori es o f O x f ord t h e Tem plar is apt to va u n t w hat h e consi d ers t h e su peri or glori es o f Ca m bri dge a nd seems n ettl ed i f a n y m ember o f th e C l u b d isp u tes i ts cla i m to pre em i n ence A s for S i r R oger w h i l e h e regards O x ford w i t h a ffe c ti on h e has lon g l ooked o n Cam bri dge wi t h deep d istrust as th e breed i ng place o f that m ost pern i c ious va rlet O l i ver C rom wel l To a b ate h is pre j u d ice on t h is h ead t h e Tem pla r proposed a few days ago t hat S i r R oger a nd h e sh o u l d v is i t Cam br i dge to ,
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geth er ass u ri ng ou r fri end that i f h e o n l y saw th e p l ace h e wo u l d l i ke i t as wel l as O xford o r rat h er better ; b es ides k nowi n g th e k n i gh t s profo u nd reveren ce for th e ver y name o f l ea rn i n g h e art fu l l y h eld o u t as a b a i t th e prospect o f h is ma ki ng th e acq ua i n tance o f a sch ola r w h o i f we may bel i eve t h e Tem plar i s o n e o f th e most learn ed an d cel e b r a t e d m en i n E u rope Th is had a v isi bl e e ff ect o n S i r R oger a n d a fter a l i ttl e h esi tatio n h e agreed to u ndert a ke t h e j ou rney o n l y barga i n i n g that t h e ph i losoph er as h e cal ls m e sh o u ld ma ke o ne o f th e pa rty I read i l y agreed to t h e proposal for hav i ng had t h e m is fort u ne ( as t h e Tem plar wo u ld t h i n k i t ) to be bred at t h e s ister U n i vers i ty I had n ever v is i ted Ca mbri dge a nd fel t som e cu ri os i ty to see a p l ace abo u t wh i ch I had h eard so m u ch So i t was agreed that we s ho u l d m eet n ext morn i ng at t h e R a i n b o w i n Hol born fro m w h i ch t h e coach pl i es to Cam bri dge We met n ext m orn i n g as agreed at th e R a i n bow S i r R oger was attended by h is bu tl er a rmed wi th h ol ter pi tols fo r fear o f h i gh waymen w h o had been o n th e road ab o u t R oyston th ree days befo re I n eed n ot tr u bl e m y readers wi th a n accou n t o f th e j o u rn ey I t passed o ff w i tho u t ad ve n t u re We sa w n o t h i ng o f t h e h i g h waymen — a t l east o f th e l i ve on es —fo r we pas ed two dead on es han g i n g i n cha i ns o n a gi bbet a l i tt l e way beyond Hat field To wa rds t h e end o f t h e day S i r R o g er g rew wea ry and fel l a l eep bu t a b u t d u k h e w a rou ed by t h e ,
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ou nd o f ch u rch bel ls a nd pu tti ng o u r h eads o u t o f t h e w i nd w we saw t h e l i g h ts o f Ca mbri dge i n lth e th e d ista nce As we rode i n t o t h e tow n a l bel ls i n t h e steepl es seem ed t o be j a ngl i n g to welco me us ; t h e clan g o u r was al m ost d eafen i n g Th e Tem pla r tol d u s that t h is was t h e c u rfew w h ic h i s st i l l r u ng i n Ca m bri dge ever y even i n g as i t has been r u ng s i nce t h e days o f Wi l l iam th e Conq u ero r I t was dark wh e n we rattled i n to th e co u rtyard o f t h e R ed L io n We cou l d see noth i ng b u t som e tal l gabl es fai n tl y o u tl i n ed aga i ns t t h e s ky a nd a l on g wooden g al l ery d i ml y l i gh ted by a few spl u tteri n g oil lam ps w h i c h appea red to ru n ro u nd th e yard Next morn i n g we were u p beti mes and havi ng bro ken o u r fast we prepared to sal l y forth Th e Templa r add ressed u s w i t h som e sol emn i ty ” sai d h e I shal l co nd uct yo u fi rst G en tlemen to m y own col lege t h e col lege o f t h e H ol y and U n d i v i ded Tr i n i ty I t is t h e greatest col l ege i n ” ei th er U n i versi ty A t th i s po i n t I was sei zed w i t h a v i olen t fi t o f co u g h i n g Th e Tem plar paused “ ” a nd look i n g h ard at m e I h ope s i r says h e “ somewhat tartl y that yo u do n ot mea n to d isp u te ” t hat proposi ti on Not at al l s i r ; n ot at al l “ I st u ttered b etween th e fi ts ; bu t I a m a ffl i cted w i t h a ch ron i c cou gh w h i ch al ways sei zes m e I do no t k now w h y w h eneve r I h ear th e na me o f Tri n i ty Col le g e Cam b rid g e M any O xford m en I b el i eve “ ” ” s u ff er i n th e same way Wel l res u m ed th e “ Tem pla r as I was say i ng w h en I was i n terru pted s
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b y ou r s u ff eri ng fri end I a m abou t to carry yo u to Tri n i ty Col lege and to ma ke y o u k now n to th e M aster D r B nt ly H e is u n q u est iona b ly th e ” greates t schola r i n C h riste ndom H ere I was aga i n ove rta ken b y a fi t o f co u gh i ng more v i ol en t t ha n before A t t hat th e Te mplar seem ed to lose ” G en tl emen pati ence a nd s natch i ng u p h is hat ” h e cri ed fol l ow m e I w i l l l ead th e way He d i d so a nd tri ppi n g a t h is h eels we descend ed i n to t h e co u rtyard a n d passed o u t i n to th e street I k now not w hat devi l possessed m e b u t no soo ner were we i n th e street t han I t u r ned sharp to th e ri gh t a nd had ta ken a few steps i n that d i rect i on w h en t h e Templar ran a fter m e a nd layi ng h is ha nd ” o n m y sho u ld er F o r G od s sake s i r sa ys h e ” don t go t hat way A nd w h y n ot s i r P I ” as ked w i th som e s u rprise B ecause s i r sa y s h e t hat i s t h e way to C h rist s Col lege an d S i d n ey ” S ussex Col lege A s I sti l l looked bewi ldered h e clapt h is mo u t h to m y ear an d w h ispered h oarsel y Th e col l ege o f I\ I i l t o n a nd th e col l ege o f O l i ver C ro m wel l ! S i r R oger wo u ld rat h er be blasted ” by l igh tn i n g t ha n pu t h is foot i ns id e ei t h er o f th em I u nder tood a t o nce We t u rn ed bac k and r e j o i n ed S i r R o g er w h o had happi ly n ot i ced a n d over h ea rd noth i n g bei ng occ u pi ed i n h is da i l y exercise o f cl ea ri n g h is p i pe as h e cal ls i t i n th e fre h morn i n g a i r a n d con te mplat i n g w i t h g reat sat i fact ion th e n ovel cen es a ro u nd h i m We no w s a w w hat t h e da rk ness o f t h e n i g h t be f re had preven ted us fr o m ,
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RO G E R
m : CO V E R L EY
percei v i ng t hat th e st reet was very narrow and t ra i tened st i l l m ore by th e proj ect i n g g ables wa o f th e h o uses w h i ch seemed as i f t h e y w o u ld m eet o verh ead I c o n fe s I was a l i ttl e d is g u s ted to beh ld so ma n y rel ics o f th e ba rba ro us taste o f Q u een E l i z abeth s da y w i th t h ei r h eavy blac k t i m b ers a nd th e i r cram ped l i ttl e latti ce w i ndows and t h e i r d ia mond shaped pan es o f b o ttle g reen g lass H ow pa i n fu l ly t h ese G ot h i c an ti q u i t i es as I may cal l t h em con trasted w i t h a few o f th ose n eat sq ua re h o uses o f red bri c k w h i ch have so happi l y com e i n to fash io n i n ou r o w n t i m e a nd part ic u larl y u nde r t h e g l ori o us rei g n o f H er presen t I\I aj es t y F rom th is street w h i c h I t h i n k th ey cal l P etty ” C u ry we t u rn ed i n to a la rge open sq uare Th is “ ” sa i d t h e Tem pla r is th e market place I ndeed we co u l d see fo r o u rsel ves t hat i t was so fo r i t was covered wi th booths w h ere h u cksters were b usy sel l i ng t h ei r wares Th e stal ls w i th t h ei r d i splay o f fl owers fru i t ve g eta b les an d so forth made a p retty eno ugh sh ow i n t h e su ns h i n e for i t was a fi n e m orn i ng Th ence we th readed o u r way t h rou gh a labyri n t h o f narrow streets o r rath er lan es al l overh u n g by th e sa me u ns i gh tly protr ud i ng h o uses w h ic h bl oc ked o u t th e s u nl i gh t and th reaten ed to fal l on o u r h eads A t last emergi n g fro m th ese al leys we cam e to a great arch ed gateway fl a n ked by tal l em bat tl ed towers wi t h many coats o f— arms “ blazon ed o n i ts grey t i me worn fron t Th is i s ” Tri n i t y sa i d t h e Tem pla r sho rtly I th i n k h e ,
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DE
where m y d u t i es as prebendary ta ke m e fo r t w o m o nt h s ever y s u m m er I have o ften passed you r ” gates i n terposed S i r R g er I h e n I hope s i r t ha t th e n ext t i me y u c o m e dow n yo u w i l l do m e ” t h e h o n o u r o f pa y i n g a v i i t to t h e Hal l I shal l ” be happy to do so s i r repl i ed t h e hda s t e r w i th “ g reat s u a x i t v ; I shal l be very happy to do so S i r R oger yo u have a good na me i n t h e c o u n ty as a stau nc h C h u rc h ma n and a l oya l s u bj ect I n t h ese days o f ath eis m a nd sed i ti on — I l eave yo u s i r as a la yma n t o appl y t h e appropriate epi t h ets to t hose pests o f o u r t i me — I s a y s i r i n t h ese days o f sed i t i o n a nd a th eism i t i s a pleasu re to ma ke th e acq uai nt a nce o f a gentlema n o f s u c h so u n d pri nci ples I ” s hal l be happy to v isi t yo u at Coverl ey Th i s graci ous acceptance o f h is i n vi tat i o n q u i te wo n S i r R oger s h eart a nd h e p rattl ed l i ke a ch i ld t h e M aster l isten i n g to h i m wi th a ben evolen t al most fath erl y s m i l e h is mass i ve bro w u n b en t a n d w hat I t h ou gh t m ust be t h e ha b i t ua l stern ness o f h is express i on sensi bl y relaxed I t was su rpr i s i ng to see h ow th ese two m en apparen tl y so d i ff eren t d rew to each oth er ; i t was al most as i f t h ey h ad co ncei ved a s udde n an d m u tual a ff ect i on I have sai d t hat Si r R oger l ooks u p to l earn ed m en w i th a g en u i n e reverence ; t h is t i m e h e had to do w i th a scholar i ndeed a nd n o s ha m Th e M aster fel t an d accepted t h e h omage pa i d fro m th e h ea rt t o h is pro fo u n d l ea rn i ng ; h e bas ked as i t were i n a n a u t u m nal s u nsh i n e fo r ti m e has gri zzl ed h i s dark l ocks an d ,
‘9
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46
SI R
R O G ER
IN
CA M B R I D G E
fu rrowed h i s c heeks I watch ed th e two m en wi th i n teres t for th e y made a p i ct u re si tti ng th ere togeth er i n t h e s u nsh i n e a t t h e w i ndo w that looked o u t o n th e G rea t Cou rt B u t m y th o ugh ts wa ndered a nd I hard ly h eed ed wha t t h ey sai d Ho wever fro m scraps o f t h ei r tal k I gath ered t hat S i r R oger was tel l i ng t h e l VI a s t e r abo u t Coverl ey a nd relati ng som e o f h i s best stori es abo u t th e gh osts a t th e Hal l a n d h ow th e c haplai n lai d th em es p ec i a l l y that good ol d ghost w i t h th e b loody ha nd a nd th e clan k i ng cha i ns—oh L ord h ow often I have end u red h i m—an d I\4 0 11 Wh i te and h er w i tch eri es — that o l d ol d story abo u t th e b u tterm i l k and th e b roomst i c k—a nd so o n a nd so on A t las t th e M aster seemed to recol l ect h i msel f and p u l l i n g ou t h is watch h e started a n d sa i d I had G en tlemen I a m sorr y I m ust l eave yo u a n appo i n tmen t w i th th e R egi u s P ro fessor o f G reek a t el even o clock a n d I see that i t i s n ow n ea rl y hal f pas t I had n ot percei ved ho w t h e t i m e was ” ” go i ng Th e R egi us P ro fessor o f G ree k l repeated S i r R o g er i n a n a we stri cken v o ice A “ ” ver y grea t sc hola r I l l be b o u nd s i r So s o ” s i r ; s o s o answered t h e M aster frown i n g sl igh tly a nd pu rs i ng h i s l i ps — th e sm i l e h ad q u i te gon e “ o u t f h is face by t h is ti m e ; h e has h is l i m i ta lhave I sh o u l d be t i on s s i r as I s u ppose we a l s u rprised s i r to l ea rn tha t h e c u l d d ist i ngu i s h between t h e han ds o f Joh n a nd I saac Tzetzes i n t h e sch ol ia on L ycoph r n H is v i ews on .
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47
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D I"
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CO V E R L E Y
t h e d i g a m ma i n H ome r a re m o st u n s o u nd m o t u n u nd ; a nd wo u l d yo u bel i eve i t s i r—i t seems i ncred i bl e bu t i t i s tru e — that h e once w rote a c o py a na paest i c verse i n w h i ch h e d isre g a rded of act ual l y d is re ga rded — th e s y naph ea G o d bless ” I cri ed S i r R oger q u i te s hoc ked yo u m y so u l “ ” ” do n t s a y s o ! B u t I d o th ou g h sa i d t h e ” ! Wal ker i s i t n ot so Th e V i ce M a ter M aster had been gazi ng abstracted ly o u t o f t h e w i ndow abs o r b ed i n t h e con tem plat i o n o f t w o yo u ng m en engaged i n th e last ro u nd o f a s i ngl e com bat o n t h e g rass plot o u ts i de Th us s udden l y recal l ed to h is d u t y h e t u rn ed hasti l y ro u nd sayi n g Certai n l y M aster certa i nl y wi th ou t q uest i on i t is ” so Y o u are u ndo u bted ly ri gh t Y o u h ear w hat ” th e V i ce M aster says gen tl emen sai d t h e M aster ; a t u s Jos h ua forgot al l yes yes i n h is poet i cal a fll abo u t th e synaph ea I Ha I ha I ha I H e Co m ” 1 H e l ea ned b ac k for g ot th e synaph ea l e l I e t p y i n h is c ha i r la u gh i n g h earti l y The n h e rose '
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t h e pre e t le r e i e t t h e G reek h i r r i e w h e re e t e i ti er e re t t i r t h e w r l l et ter I f we i i f r e t h ere ee re t h p e r etwee Dr w hi h t the per i ty w i t h w hi h t h e t r ppe r tre t ri v l i h r hi p h e r t h t pr i v te l i fe Dr B r i i l e t he p i i P r e r B t h t t he wr i tte i l th t he ti k ert t h t t h e pr fe r h e w i fe h er ey i i h er i k p ti e i ti er er t h e ter e per i the p et per l e t i ty w i t h t h e e rew rh i t t he e pe i i p te t h e l e r e we re e e — — G F t
n i s no do u b t o j o s l i ua B - r n- e s , s n C a a t Cam b dg , os c n a n d n c u m b n of h as m a d a g a s in o d of s d o n of H om h as b n m o an o n as s a g e ar e n o t m s n o m d, n h i m a nd B nt I -y, c m a y ac c o u n fo r of a m s b doc o a c a s to a his a i n the as a We a in a d cu s do m a n o f s c o l a s of s s o a Il i a d w as n b y K ng non o f O do e s no t s c a to as s a o sso S o o m o n, a nd m on b y ndu c ng to s n i t a l li n h i s of c ou s d h i s u na l s u as on o f ab l u nd d d o n o f H om u m o na c H b Bu t n o s s o na i d n o s ” do no t c a a n d t o d s c nd ddl ng d s u s o f ( N 0/e i c a t i on to M S , a pp a r ent l ) J y not i nt e nded f or p u bl 1
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48
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S I R R O G ER
CA M BR I D G E
IN
say i n g h u rr i ed l y B u t I m ust be gon e G en t l e m en I w i s h yo u good day S i r R oger I a m you r ” very h u m b l e servan t w i t h a deep bow Mr ” yo u r servan t So a nd So ( na m i n g th e Templar ) w i th a bow Th en t u rn i ng to m e and barel y i ncl i n i n g h is tal l figu re h e added wi th a j e r k G ood ” morn i ng s i r Wal ker m y hat I Th e V i ce M aster handed h i m t h e ca p reveren tial l y a nd fol lowed b y h i s obseq u i o us attendan t t h e M aster stal ked maj est i ca l l y away .
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49
E
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IV
S I R RO G E R
IN
CO V E N T G AR D EN
R O GER D E C O V ER L E Y i s n ow i n town a n d h e s pen t a n even i n g wi th us at t h e cl u b t wo days ago ” B u t h e le ft us b efore i t grew late ; F o r says h e “ yo u k now I a m a cou n tr y b i rd ; I go earl y to ” roos t Wh e n h e had go n e on e o f th e com pan y “ remarked I daresay S i r R oger d i d not a l ways keep s u ch ea rl y h o u rs They say h e was a gay fel l o w i n h i s yo u th What is th at story abo u t h i m an d a woman o f th e tow n I ” I S i r R oger and a wo man of t h e tow n cr i ed S i r A nd rew F reepor t h otl y n onsense I I do not b el i eve t hat h e ever spo ke to on e i n h i s l i fe or wou l d ” k now o n e o f t h e poor crea t u res i f h e saw h er ” A s to t h e spea k i n g i n terposed W i l l Hon ey co m b yo u a re wron g I was w i th h i m w h en h e spoke w i t h o n e a nd by G a d I s h al l remem b er t h e ” 9 occas i on as l H ow was i t o n as I l i ve Te ll g ” us we a l l asked I a m th e l ess l i ke l y to forget “ ” i t a nswered W i l l H on eycom b because i t was t h e very fi rst day I ever met S i r R oger and t h at SI R
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50
S I R RO G E R
CO V EN T GAR D EN
IN
not yes terday I ca n tel l yo u I was a yo u ng ma n t h en —that i s to sa y I —I — I mean I was ” Y es yes we i n terr upted lau g h i n g we q u i te u n derstand Y o u were even you n ger t h en t ha n ” yo u are now ” “ Wel l that s t ru e anyho w a nswered Wi l l w i t h a rath er r u efu l s m i l e ; b u t to go o n w i th m y story A co m mo n fri en d h ad made us k now n to each oth er at th e R ai n b ow a nd we agreed to go to th e play at Coven t G arden togeth er Wh en we ca me o u t o f th e th eatre I o ff ered to con d u ct h i m to h i s l odgi n gs i n St Jam es s Street Th e n igh t was dark a nd so meh ow w e ca me to spea k o f t h e I\ l Th ey had b een o u t i n force two oh o c k s n igh ts before a nd havi ng ca ugh t a gen tl ema n i n a lan e o ff F leet Street th ey sl i t h is nose fro m end to end go u ged o u t b ot h h i s eyes a nd left h i m to grope h is way h om e bl i n d al l because b e i n g a ma n o f p i ri t h e h ad refused to ta ke o ff h is ha t to th em Wel l says S i r R oger I h ope t h ey wo n t catch us I have no m i n d to h ave m y n ose s li t No says I i t s a handso me nose ; i t wou l d be a p i ty to spo i l i t A nd for m y part I do n t w ish to lose m y eyes n ei th e r B u t I th i n k we are pretty sa fe Th ey h ave do u bled t h e watc h “ J ust th e n we t u rn ed t h e corn er o f a street ( I t h i n k i t was K i n g S treet ) an d perce i ved at o nce t hat so meth i ng was wro ng F o r a crowd had g ath ered an d w e h ea rd screa ms Som e hac kn ey coac h es were d rawn u p an d t h e coach men were stand i n g w as
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eats l ook i n g o ve r t h e h eads o f th e peopl e an d la u g h i n g and poi n t i ng a t som eth i n g We mend ed o u r pace a nd made u p to t h em an d soo n saw w hat was th e matter I t was t h e l \ I o h o c k s a n d a n u gl i er set o f th e m I n eve r clapped eyes o n fo r I not i ced L o rd I\I o h u n a mong t h em a nd that blac k c u t th roat Capta i n M acart ney Th ey had got a wo ma n o f th e town —a co m mo n l i o n— among th em I d o n t kno w w hat t h ey tru l had b een do i n g to h er b u t sh e was dow n o n t h e pave men t w i t h h er face to t h e wal l scream i n g an d so bb i n g Th e mo men t S i r R oger saw that h e pressed v i olentl y forwa rd I tr i ed to h o ld h i m back fo r I k n ew i t was as m uc h as h i s l i fe an d m i ne were worth to m eddl e w i th th ese ru ffi ans t h ere m u st have b een nea r a sco re o f th em ; b u t h e sh oo k m e o ff bro ke t h ro u gh th e c rowd p l an ted h i msel f i n fro n t o f th e woma n w i t h h i s face to t h e m al l and d rew h is swo rd A nd th ere h e was I do ass u re you g i v i ng po i n t to t h e w h o l e m u rderou s gan g o f t h em and say i ng— o r t ry i ng to say fo r h e co u ld hardl y spea k fo r pass i o n ( i t was th e o n l y t i m e I ever saw S i r R oger an gry ) — h e was sayi ng : I f —i f a n y o f yo u d d dare to to u c h t h i s—th i s l ady b y G o d I l l r u n h i m t h ro ug h th e b od y A nd he wo u l d have do ne i t too a nd t h ey k new i t for t h ey fel l back cowed a nd m u tteri ng Wh en S i r R oger saw t hat th ey wo u l d no t com e on h e pu t u p h is s word a nd t u rn i n g to t h e woman too k o ff h i s hat a nd made h er a l ow b ow o
n th e
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52
COVE R LEY ” lI was n ea r bl u b b eri n g mysel f w el Th ere was s i l en ce i n t h e cl u b N o on e sp o ke t i l l Wi l l c l eared h is vo i ce w h i c h had gr o w n h us ky a nd added A n d yo u may take my word f or i t t hat was t h e fi rst a nd t h e l as t t i m e that ever S i r R oge r spo ke to a woma n o f t h e tow n SI R
RO G E R
DE
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54
V
S I R RO G E R
T E M PLE
I N THE
las t t i me S i r R oger d e Cover l ey was a t t h e cl u b th e tal k fel l I k now n ot h ow o n m us i c ” Wh o i s t h i s Handel h e as ked o f w h o m every bod y i s speak i ng Th ey say h e plays d i vi ne l y o n ” t h e o rgan I s ho u ld l i ke to h ear h i m Th ere ” i s n oth i n g easi er repl i ed th e Templa r ; h e i s to play t h e o rgan at th e even i ng serv i ce i n t h e Templ e C h u rc h to mo rrow Wi l l yo u co me ! I can no t mysel f stay for th e servi ce b u t I wi l l see t hat yo u ” get a good seat To t h is proposal S i r R oge r read i ly assen ted and as I lost n o oppo rtu n i ty o f b ei ng w i t h t h e good old man w henever h e was i n town I begged to b e al l owed to j o i n h i m So i t w as agreed that we sho u l d m eet o n th e morrow i n t h e Tem pla r s cha mbers a l i ttle b e fore t h e h o u r o f serv i ce a nd tha t h e sh o u ld co nd u ct u s to t h e c h u rc h a nd l ea ve us t h e re We met n ext day accord i ngly I n ever saw S i r R oger i n b etter h eal t h a nd spi ri ts H e tal ked gai l y a nd we fel l i n w i t h h is c h eerfu l mood We even ven t u red to ral ly h i m o n t h e
THE
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R O G ER
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COVE RLE Y
DE
w i dow a nd h e too k i t i n very good part Wel l “ ” wel l h e sa id I som eti mes t h i n k s h e w i l l have m e a fte r a l l B u t I begi n to grow a n old fel l ow ” a n old fel lo w We sto u tl y d en i ed t h e i mpu tat i on a nd i ns i sted t hat o n t h e con tra ry h e grew yo u nger every day Havi ng d i ssi pated t he sl i gh t s hade o f mela nc holy w h i c h d i m med for a m o men t t h e hab i t ual seren i ty o f o u r fr i end we sal l i ed forth w i t h h i m to strol l for a l i ttl e i n t h e garden before repa i ri n g to t h e c h u rch How wel l I rem ember i t al l no w t h ou gh yea rs have com e a nd go ne s i nce th e n I I t was a cal m bri gh t day i n Septem ber bu t al ready a few yel low l eaves were d ri fti n g s i l ently to t h e grou nd I n the co u rt o n w h i c h we i ss u ed doves were fl u tteri n g a n d coo i ng a nd a fou n ta i n was plas h i n g i n t h e dappled s had e o f so me a nci en t el ms D escend i ng a broad fl i gh t o f ston e steps we en tered t h e ga rden T h e beds we re st i ll gay w i t h t h e r i ch h u es o f a u t u m n M i c h ael mas dais i es and mar i gol ds vy i n g w i t h t h e s ta te li er s u n fl owers a nd h ol l yh ocks Wh en w e “ ” had ad m i red t h em Com e sa i d t h e Tem pla r “ ” I w i l lsh ow yo u r am q u a [oror u m r em m or at u r H e l ed t h e way i n to a l i tt l e t h i c ket w h ere s u re en ou gh was a rose t ree w i th som e red roses st i l l b l ow i ng fres h and sweet amon g th e l eaves Th ey ” say yo u know h e rem i nd ed us that i n th is very garden t h e P r i n ces o f Y o rk and L ancaster pl uc ked t h e w h i te an d red roses t hat were to b e t h e b adges o f th e i r ri val h ouses and t hat gave t h ei r nam e to ,
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56
TH E T E M PL E “ ” ” t h e Wars o f t h e R oses A ye aye sa i d S i r R oger a nd t h e red rose was t h e fi tter em bl em o f th e two ; for t hey say that yo u r wh i te rose w i l l n eve r bl oom o n g ro u n d wh ere b l ood has been spi l t Y o u m a y plan t a w h i te rose tree o n a battl e fi eld bu t ” n ext su m m er al l th e roses o n i t wi l l blo w red Wh en we seemed to do u bt t h e tru t h o f t h i s axi o m i n nat u ra l h i story S i r R oger earn estl y ass u red u s ” Wh y to prove i t says h e m y t ha t i t was so fr i end S i r R i cha rd D evereu x o f t h e L i fe G uards was w i th h is regi m en t a t t h e blood y b attle o f L an den a nd n ext yea r w he n h e c h anced to pass by th e place t h e w hol e battl e fi el d was noth i ng b u t a great sheet o f red popp i es H e n ever saw s uch a blaze of scarl et i n h is l i fe no t e ven at a rev i ew i n H yde ” ” Park A nd t h en t h e cr i mso n wal l fl owe r sa i d t h e Te mpla r wi l l i ng to c h i me i n w i t h th e ol d “ man s fancy everybod y k nows that i t i s cal l ed ” B l oody Wa rri ors because i t grows on fiel ds o f blood ” “ To be s u re to be s u re rej oi ned S i r R oger in m y co u n tr y i t blooms n owh ere so we l l as o n th e battle fi el d of Tewkes b u ry M a n y an d ma ny a t i me have I seen i t t h ere o n a s u m m er s day as I have b een ri d i ng past That s th e tr u th B u t as for w ha t t h e poet H err ic k says a b o u t red roses I n eve r ” co u ld b el i eve i t Wh y w hat does h e say a b o u t t h em we both asked c u rio us to el ic i t t h e k n i g h t s “ opi n i on o n a po i n t o f poet ry Wel l I a m not ” s u re t ha t I remem ber t h e verses h e repl ied “ th o u g h I used t o s i n g t h em w h en I was a yo u ng SIR ROGER
IN
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57
,
RO G E R
SI R
COVE RLE Y
DE
man I l ea rn ed th em fro m m y m oth er w h e n s h e wal ked w i t h m e i n t h e rose g a rden and I o nce san g ” t h em th ere h e added d roppi n g h is vo i ce a n d “ ” l ook i n g grave to h er We k n ew w h o m h e mea n t by h er and d i d n ot press h i m fu rthe r A v i s i o n o f t h e rose garde n a t Coverl ey Hal l a nd a s u m me r tw i l i gh t a nd S i r R oger paci n g t h ere w i th t h e w i do w rose before m y m i nd a nd I remai ned si le n t R ous i ng h i msel f fro m a rever i e i n to wh i ch h e had fal len S i r R oger wen t on L et m e see l et me see ,
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” O h yes I re member th e m now A nd h e rec i ted i n l i l t i ng ton es an d a h i gh crac ked vo i ce—I th i n k I can h ear h i m n o w and see h i m as h e stood w i th th e s u nsh i n e o n h is face s m i l i n g a nd beat i n g t i m e w i th h is han d ,
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r t wer w h i te lt h e y Til ld n t g re Wh et h er m y S p p h b re t O t h e y m r w h i te h ld be R os
e
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h e d q i te A b l h t h e r h ee k b e p re d S i n w h i h b e l i eve h re t Th e fir t me d e
v
B u t b i ng
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Wh en h e had don e t h e Tem pla r p u l led som e o f t h e red roses an d o ff ered t h em to S i r R oger wh o “ st u c k t h em i n h is h a t sayi n g : I f yo u w i l l g i ve m e a sl i p o f that rose bush I w i l l plan t i t i n t h e ,
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58
S I R RO G E R IN TH E TE M P LE garden a t Coverl ey an d n ext s u m mer yo u s hal l come a nd gat h er t h e roses A ye an d I w i l l sh ow yo u t h e B loody Warri ors o n t h e fi el d o f Tew kesbu ry too Y o u wi l l bel i eve m e t h en I know yo u gen t l em en o f th e law are hard to pers uade B u t ” yo u s hal l see for you rsel f yo u shal l see for yo u rsel f I n s uch d isco u rse we wh i l ed away an i d le hal f h ou r ti l l th e fai l i n g l i g h t rem i nd ed u s t hat th e ti m e o f servi ce was a t hand So we q u i tted th e garde n a nd mad e o u r way th ro ugh th e darken i ng cou rts to t h e ch u rch I n th e t rees overh ead t h e starl i ngs were settl i n g to roost w i t h a c la moro us chatter i ng wh i ch S i r R oger tol d u s was t h ei r evenson g o f pra ise Passi n g th ro u gh t h e ch u rch porch w e e n tered t h e oldest part o f th e a nci en t ed i fice t h e o r i gi nal ro u nd ch u rch o f t h e Templars w h ere t h e wa rr i or kn i gh ts l i e u n der th ei r ston e e ffi gi es o n t h e pavemen t S i r R oger a nd I were p u tt i n g so m e q u es ti ons i n a w h isper to o u r fri en d th e Tem plar concern i n g t hese q uai n t fi g u res l y i n g th ere so st i l l a fte r al l t h ese ages w i th th ei r u ptu rn ed faces a nd clasped swords w h en t h e o rga n bega n to play So so ft a nd sweet a nd sol em n were t h e notes t ha t th e words d i ed away o n o u r l i ps an d we fol l owed o u r fri end as h e beckon ed us forwa rd i n to th e i n ne r part o f t h e ch u rch Th ere h e ush ered us i n to a lbes i de a pi l la r an d l eft u s Th e tw i l i gh t was s ta l now deepen i n g i n to n i g h t t h e h o u r o f al l th e day bes t fi tted t o c o m pos e th e m i n d to se r i ou s th ou gh t a nd th e o ffi ces o f rel i gi on Th e cand l es were ,
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59
SI R
RO G E R
DE
CO V E RL EY
al ready l i t i n th e c h u rc h b u t even w i thou t t h e i r g l i m m eri n g fl am es we cou l d sti l l d i ml y d iscern th e i nte rlaci n g a rch es o f t he va u l ted roo f t h e rows o f tal lcl ustered col u m ns a nd b etween th em th e sai n ts a nd proph ets o n th e w i n dows sh ow i ng i n fai n t spl endou r o f p u rpl e an d cr i mson a nd bl u e agai nst t h e d yi ng l igh t o f day Th e serv ice o f o u r E ngl i sh C h u rch beau ti fu l a t al l t i mes seemed to m e d ou b ly beau ti fu l i n t h ese s u rro u nd i ngs A bove al l t h e ravi sh i n g sweetness o f th e m usi c was s uc h as I had n ever h ea rd befo re Th e voi ces o f th e c h oi r bl en t i n a so rt o f seraph i c harmon y w i th t h e d eep lo ng d rawn n otes o f t h e organ n ow peal i n g o u t i n a sto rm o f t r i u m phan t exu l tati o n a n d j oy no w dy i n g away as i t seem ed i n to d epths o f i n e ff abl e d istan ce I t was s u ch m usi c as so u ls i n bl i ss m i gh t ma ke a rou nd t h e t h ron e for ever O u r h earts m el ted w i th i n us and consc i o us o f m y ow n u n worth i ness I fel t l i ke a l ost sp i r i t a t t h e gate o f Pa rad ise l isten i n g to t h e ange l s song W h en t he servi ce was over we k n e l t for a few m omen ts s i de b y s i d e w h i le t h e so l em n strai ns o f t h e organ tou ch ed b y a master s hand sti l l rol l ed th ro ugh th e d i ml y l i g h ted ch u rch A s my fr i end rema i n ed so mewhat longer t ha n us ual at h i s d e vot i ons I sto l e a loo k at h i m a nd see i ng h i m w i t h h is s i l very ha i r h is clasped hands a nd a l oo k as o f rapt u re o n h is ven erabl e face I co u l d not b u t fan cy mysel f kn eel i n g b es id e a sa i n t i n h eaven We rose sol em n i zed by t h e scen e and by th e b ea u t i fu l servi ce ,
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60
II THE TH E
E S T U Q
G oRG O N s A
F A N TA S I A
OF H EA D
Q U EST
THE
O F T H E G O R G ON A
FA
NT
’
S H EAD
A SI A
O N C E u pon a t i m e l ong l ong ago th ere was a k i ng w h o h ad a b ea u ti fu l dau gh ter B u t before s h e was b orn a mag i c i an had told th e k i ng that w h en s h e grew u p sh e wo u ld b e t h e mot h er o f a b oy w h o wo u l d ki l l t h e k i ng h is gran d fath er an d r u l e over man y l ands So th e k i ng sai d S h e s hal l n ever ” ma rry a n d h e sh u t h er u p w h en sh e was q u i te a l i ttle gi rl i n a h i gh tower o n th e top o f a l o nel y mo u n ta i n Y ea rs rol led on an d th e pr i ncess grew to b e as b ea u ti fu l as th e s u n b u t sti l l s h e was kept i n th e h i gh lon el y tower a nd h er fat h er wou l d no t h ea r o f h e r go i n g o u t Wel l o ne day sh e was s i tt i n g and look i ng o u t o f th e w i ndow wonderi n g wh eth er an y pri nce wo u l d ever come to free an d marry h er wh en sh e h eard a strange no ise over h ead an d l ook i n g u p sh e saw that gold real sh i n i n g gold was po u ri n g th r o ugh a h ol e i n th e roo f a nd fal l i n g i n a h eap on th e fl o r U p sh e j u mped an d spread o u t he r s k i rt to ca tc h i t ti ll h er l ap was ful l Th e n a vo i ce a sweet stran ge vo i ce cr i ed F a i ry gold ,
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65
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Q U E ST
G O RG ON S H EAD ” a nd w i th tha t al l t h e fa i ry gold a nd a fa i ry s b r i d e gold van ished away a nd sh e was l e ft stan d i n g a nd hol d i ng o u t h er em pty l ap Th en sh e sat down a nd cri ed fo r s h e d i d n ot u ndersta nd t hat t h e gold was fa i ry gold a n d t hat sh e was a fai ry s b r i de Wel l spr i ng pas sed a nd su m mer passed a nd w h en t h e l e aves i n t h e forest were t u rn i n g yel low an d red a n d th e swal lows were gat h eri n g i n fl oc ks a nd twi tteri ng before t h ey fl ew away h er b a b y was b orn B u t h er fat h er was angry a nd sa i d You ” m ust go away yo u a n d t h e b rat So h e l ed h er down to t h e seash ore h er an d t h e ch i ld I t was n i gh t D ar k c l o u ds h i d t h e s k y th e w i nd s i gh ed i n th e b ra nc h es overh ead a nd th e col d water lapped a t th e i r feet A l i ttl e s ha l lop was toss i ng o n th e waves Th e k i ng d rew i t i n a nd p u t h is dau gh ter an d t h e ch i l d i n to i t a nd push ed i t awa y O u t t h e l i tt l e b oat d r i fted to sea sad at h eart sat th e moth er clasp i ng h er sleep i ng ba b e to h er b reast I ts red cl oak fl u ttered i n t h e w i nd t h e spray das h ed over i t b u t i t sl ept peacefu l l y sm i l i n g i n i ts sleep I t seemed as i f som e a nge l watch ed over t h e mot h er a n d h er c h i l d for soon th e w i n d fel l th e moon bro ke t h ro ugh th e fl y i n g clo u ds a n d do wn a b road path of s h i m meri n g si l ver fl oated t h e l i ttl e boat a b lac k spec k toss i ng o n t h e moon l i t sea A t b rea k o f day a fish erman p u tti ng o u t to cast h i s n ets fo u nd th e shal lop w i th i ts preci o us frei gh t To u ch ed wi th p i ty h e too k t h e moth er and c h i ld to h is h om e Now h e was a good ma n a nd feared TH E
O F THE
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66
TH E
Q U EST
G O R G ON S ’
OF TH E
G od
H EA D
and h is w i fe was l i ke m i nded Th ey were t h ri fty too an d had saved a l i ttle mon ey ; so a fter cons u l ti ng togeth er th ey proposed to b u y a cottage for D ana e ( for t hat was th e p ri ncess s na me ) at t h e end of th e fis h i n g vi l lage w h ere th e y l i ved B u t D a na e sa i d n o a fter t hat d read fu l n i gh t s h e co u l d n ever b ea r to loo k at th e sea aga i n So i t was arranged that sh e s ho u ld go to l i ve at a v i l lage u p a mon g th e h i l ls wh ere th e fish erman had fri en ds H ere w i th t h e h el p o f t h e k i n d n ei gh b ou rs a cot tage was b o ugh t fo r h er I t stood a t th e edge o f a wood w h ere th e n i gh t i ngales san g i n su m mer I ts wal ls were overgrow n w i t h v i nes sweet b r i a r a n d eg l an t i ne : t h e s wal lows b u i l t th ei r nests i n th e b road thatch ed eaves o f t h e h i gh — p i tch ed roo f ; an d beh i n d i t b i ckered a broo k w h ere water l i l i es grew and broad sedge w i th i ts yel low fl owers H ere t h e moth er l i ved earn i n g a l i vel i h ood fo r h ersel f an d h er boy by spi n n i ng ; a nd i n th is q u i et retreat th e years passed peacefu l l y a nd happi ly aw a y Th e k i n g o f th e co u n try was Po l a d e c t es y w i c ked a nd c ru el ma n H is evi l do i n g s used to fu rn ish th e th em e o f th ri l l i n g tal es tol d to awe b v ma ny a cotta g e fi re o n w i n ter s tr uck l iste ner n igh ts B u t h is ca s tl e was far awa y an d th e v i l lage rs kn ew o f h is bad deeds on l y b y h earsay I n t i me th e b o y wh ose n am e was P erse us gre w t o b e a handsome yo u th an d a great h el p a nd co m fo rt to h is m oth er Non e o f th e v i l lage l a ds was a match for h i m i n s t ren gth a n d speed ; b u t h e used -
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67
TH E
Q U EST
or TH E
G O RG ON S H EA D ’
h is st ren g t h no t to opp ress b u t to protec t t h e wea k a nd h el pl ess a nd al l th e bu l l i es fo r m i les rou nd feared and hated h i m fo r th ere was not on e o f t h em t hat had n ot fel t t h e wei gh t o f h is hand O n e day i t was a day i n a u t u m n —h ow wel l th e y both remem b ered i t a fterwards—th e mot h er a nd son had been o u t toget h er i n t h e wood gather i ng sti cks for t h e fi re and were s i tti ng down a t t h e s i de o f th e path to res t w h en a pac k o f h o u nds i n fu l l cry dash ed pas t closel y fol lowed b y th e h u n ts men Th e foremost o f t h ese had al ready gal loped pas t a nd d i sappeared w h en a seco nd gro u p appeared ri d i n g more l e i su rel y I n th e cen tre rode on e w h ose r i c h d ress a nd magn i ficen t h orse a t o nce a rrested t h e eye P erseus w h o h ad on ce b een a t th e palace i m med iatel y recogn i zed th e sp l end i d ” h orseman I t i s H i s M aj esty h e sa i d an d stood u p a nd h i s m oth er w i th h i m A s t h e k i n g was r i d i n g past h e ca u gh t s i gh t of th e moth er a nd son a nd re i ned u p a b ru ptl y H e was a m i dd l e aged man s i newy and wel l b u i l t H i s ova l c l ea n s h aven face was o f a dar k ol i ve co mp l exi o n ; h i s feat u res keen mo b i l e express i ve ; h i s d eepl y set eyes l arge b lack pen etrat i ng T h i n i ron grey ha i r fl oated l i gh tl y a b o u t h i s tem pl es Wh o a re th ese 9 h e d emand ed o f o n e o f t h e r i ders wh o b y t h e sobe r c u t of h i s ga rmen ts seem ed to be a secretary or m i n i ster P l ease you r “ ” was th e repl y o n l y a sp i nster o f th e M aj esty ” v i l lage we have j ust passed and h er son Th e ,
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68
'
‘
I I IE
Q U ES T
G O R G O N S H EAD ’
O F TH E
” C o m e gentlem en sai d th e
I w i l l rewa rd yo u k i n g brea ki ng o ff we have f al len beh i nd L et ” us rej o i n th e h u n t A nd w i th o u t de i gn i ng a noth er l oo k a t Pe rseu s o r h i s moth er h e p u t spu rs to h is h orse a n d th e w h ol e ba nd soon clatte red o u t o f s igh t No soo ner were th ey gon e tha n D ana e fel l o n h er son s n eck weep i n g and i mplori ng h i m no t to attem pt th e peri lou s task B u t al l h er prayers an d en treati es were i n vai n H e had passed h i s word t h e yo u th sa i d a nd h e wo u l d n ever go b ack u po n i t ; t h e k i n g sho u ld see w hat stu ff h e was mad e ” of B esi des m oth er h e added i n a so fter to n e “ th e k i ng sai d h e wou ld rewa rd m e H e w i l l g i ve m e h eaps o f mon ey o r a place at cou rt ; a nd t h en yo u k n ow yo u w i l l n ever n eed to wear yo u r eyes ” ou t over that spi n n i n g a n y mo re F i nd i ng t ha t al lremonstrances were fru i tl ess h is moth er d r i ed h er eyes a nd res i gn ed h ersel f to t h e i n ev i tabl e S h e h ad a brave spi ri t too as beca me t h e dau gh te r o f a lo ng l i n e of k i ngs ; so w h en sh e saw t h at h er so n was resol ved sh e set h ersel f w i th a co u rage l i ke h is own to conceal h er h eart break i n g sorrow l est i t s ho u ld d i stress an d u n ma n h i m and to do everyth i n g i n h er power to ch eer an d e nco u rage h i m I t was a sad even i ng i n th e l i ttle cottage besi de th e wood Th e few preparati ons were soo n mad e a nd t he n moth er a nd son sat h and i n hand tal k i n g lon g and earn estl y N ex t m o rn i ng a t daybrea k h e set o u t H i s .
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70
TH E
Q U E ST
O F T H E G O R G ON
’
S H EA D
mot h er acco mpa n i ed h i m to th e gard e n gate and th ere th e y parted Nei th er sa i d m u ch t h ei r h earts were too fu l l Wh en h e looked back fro m t h e t u r n i n th e road w h i c h wo u ld carry h i m o u t o f s i gh t s h e was sti l l s tand i n g a t th e gate loo k i ng a fter h i m th e roses that tw i ned abo u t t h e r usti c arc h were abo ve h er h ead an d th ei r s hado w o n her face Th e m orn i n g a i r was fres h and exh i larat i ng yet bl en t w i th that su btle i nexpress i b le breath o f d ecay wh i c h saddens even th e l ovel i est a u t u m n morn i n gs as w i th a regret for departed s u m mer o r a presage o f approach i ng w i n ter Sett i n g h i s face westwa rd P erseus wal ked b ris kl y on He had soon passed th ro u gh t h e cl ear fa m i l i ar v i l lage wh ere al l was yet q u i et an d sti l l O n l y t h e b l u e s moke c u rl i ng h ere a nd th ere from a ch i m ney b eto ken ed tha t th e cottagers were afoo t and pre par i n g fo r t h e work o f th e day Now th e road wo u n d th ro u gh fi elds w h ere t h e harves t lay gath ered i n sh eaves o r sti l l waved to th e morn i n g b reeze l i ke a golden sea N ow i t passed th rou gh a ham l et or l i ttl e th orp w h ere cottage h omes wi t h t h e i r y el l o w beeh i ves and latt i ced w i ndows peep i ng t h ro ugh cl i m bi n g rose b us h es an d trel l ised vi nes s m i l ed s h y l y a t th e travel l er Th en aga i n i t l ed o ver breez y u pla nd s wh ence t h e eye wa nd ered w i th d el igh t acro s a w id e rol l i n g co u n t r y wh ich d i vers i fie d w i th m eado w w o od an d r i ver st retch ed a way fo r m i l es t o mel t i n to tenderest b l u e o n th e h ori zon O r aga i n d escend i ng i t wou l d w i nd by t h e lo n el y ,
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7
1
Q U ES T
TH E
O F TH E
G O RG ON S H EAD ’
s hore o f so me br o ad water on w hose f arth er s i de th e h i l ls grey w i th rocks a b ove green w i th trees a nd grass below fel l i n soft l y ro u nded slopes a nd s u n ny k nol ls to m eet th e i r fa i ry s i sters o f t h e water t hose i n verted i mages that m i rrored w i t h a fa i n t q u i v eri n g m ot i on sl ept o n t h e tra nq u i l b oso m o f t h e lake P erseus had b egu n by i nq u i r i n g o f th e peop l e h e m et w h eth er t h ey co u ld d i rect h i m to th e o bj ect o f h is search B u t th e resu l t o f h is i nq u i r i es was d i sappo i n t i n g T h e b u m p k i ns w h o m h e as ked on l y scratch ed th e i r h eads or b u rst i n to a h orse l au g h O n e su peri or person of blan d exter i or wh o m h e ven tu red to add ress l istened wi th pol i te a tten ti on to al l h e h ad to say ; b u t wh en P erseus h ad q u i te ” fi n i sh ed h e o n ly sai d A h s m i led sweetl y an d wen t o n h i s way to al l appeara nce rej o i c i ng A n ol d da me w h o sat s u n n i ng h ersel f at h er cottage door wh en s h e at l ast fu l l y co mpre h ended h i s mean i n g ( h e had to screa m very l o u d l y to make h er h ear for sh e was n ear l y as deaf as h er own door post ) clapped h er han ds to h er ears ( a pre cau ti on w h i ch i n th e c i rcu mstance seem ed a l most s u per fl uo us) a n d h o bb led s h r i ek i ng i n to t h e h o use Ba ffl ed and d i sco u raged P erseus soon gave u p i nq u i ri ng a n d resol ved to go o n h is way w i th ou t as ki n g h el p or d i rect i on fro m a n y on e B y t h i s t i me t h e s u n was low down o n t h e western h i l ls A l read y t h e travel l er had m et teams o f oxen plodd i ng wear i l y h omeward d raggi n g ,
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2 7
TH E
T T O F H E U E S G O R G ON Q
’
S
H EA D
beh i nd th em t h e u ptu rned plo ugh an d had recei v ed “ ” and answered th e ro ugh of the G ood n i gh t attendan t swa i ns Th e ti n kl i n g of bel ls i n d i stan t s h eepfolds th e h u m o f t h e b ats a n d b eetl es as th ey wh eel ed dron i n g past or th e sol i tary b ark o f a dog were t h e on ly so u nds that b ro ke t h e sti l l n ess o f t h e a u t u m n even i ng A s t h e cri mson glow sl owl y faded i n t h e west gi v i n g place fi rst to a pal e pu re green wh i c h i n tu rn passed by a n i nsensi ble tra nsi t i o n i n to th e steel bl u e o f th e n i g h tl y sky o n e b y one th e stars s h one o u t co ld an d cal m an d on e b y on e t h e l i gh ts i n t h e cottage w i ndows b egan to twi n kl e th rou gh th e even i ng s hadows rem i nd i n g t h e b elated a nd weary wayfarer o f th e h om e fro m w h ich every step was taki ng h i m farth er an d fa rth er away Th e fam i l iar roo m rose u p before h i m n ow l i t by th e fl i c ker i n g glow o f t h e cheerfu l fir el i g ht H is mot h er h e fel t s u re was stand i n g at th e w i ndow l ook i ng down t h e road w h ere h e h ad passed ou t o f h er s i gh t that morn i ng and w h ere at t h e las t t u rn i ng h e h ad stopped to loo k bac k an d wave h er o nce more good bye O n ly that morn i n g I H ow lon g i t seemed s i nce th en and w i t h h o w d i ff ere n t feel i n gs no w i n th e st i l l n ess an d dark n ess o f approac h i n g n igh t h e rega rd ed th e fatal en terprise o n wh i c h h e had em b arked F u l l o f t hese m ela nch ol y th ou gh ts h e pa used an d l ooked back Th e m oon was no w r is i ng A ga i ns t h er bri gh t d isc j ust appear i n g a bove th e da rk eastern ri dge t h e pi n es th at fr i n ged t h e u m m i t o f t h e h i l l stood ou t sha rp a nd blac k ,
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73
T H E Q U E S T O I“ TH E
G O RG O N S
H EA D
’
t ri ki ng a c h i l l y h o rro r t h rou g h t h e b lo o d o f th e travel le r to w hose h i g h w rou gh t i ma g i nat i o n th ey as u med a n o m i no us character as o f sp i ri ts o f da rkness a nd o f d ea t h ri s i n g u p to bl ot ou t w i t h th ei r fo u l a nd blast i n g presence th e l i g h t o f l i fe o f g ood ness an d o f h o m e S hak i ng o ff as best h e co u ld th ese g l oo my fore b od i ngs h e res u med h i s w ay Th e moo n had n ow fu l l y ri sen ; a nd fl ood ed by h e r b ri l l ia nce every l ea f and tw i g every fer n a nd stone stood o u t clear and d ist i nct as by da y b u t blanch ed w i th t h e ghostl y pal lor o f moon l i gh t Th e s hadows cas t o n t h e road by roc k o r tree were startl i ng i n t h e i n tensi t y o f t hei r blac kn ess ; a nd stretch ed alon g i ts wh i te expanse t h e m ov i ng shadow o f th e t ravel l er seemed as i f c u t o u t o f sol i d dark ness w i th a kn i fe Th us h e trudged on how lon g h e k new not Th e s i len ce t h e mo noton y o f t h e moti o n th e d u l l oppress io n o f h is m elanc hol y tho u g h ts al l u n i ted to pl u nge h i m i n to a n u nconsc i o usness border i ng o n sl eep a state o f so m nolen t o b l i v i on u nder t h e i n fl u en ce o f w h i ch s u rro u nd i ng obj ects fl oated past as i n a haze o r a d ream u nd i sti ngu ish ed u n noted u n remem b ered F ro m t h e d epths of th i s l ethargi c tra nce h e was s u dden l y roused by someth i ng h e co u ld not a t th e momen t tel l w hat bu t i nst i n ct i vely h e fel t t hat so me mo m en to us change had ta ken place a nd that a great decis i ve cri si s i n h is l i fe was a t hand A t t h e po i n t wh ere h e t h us s u dden l y awo ke to consc i ou sn ess t h e road was ascend i n g s
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74
TH E
Q U E ST
OF TH E
G O R G O N S H EA D ’
th ro u gh a p i n e fo rest O n ei th er ha nd th e s i l en t sol em n p i nes rose u p t h ei r tops gl isten i n g i n t h e moon l i gh t t h ei r l ower bra nches bu ri ed i n a black n ess as of th e grave B eyon d th em a nd a t no grea t d istance to wered o n ei th er s i de of th e narrow de fi l e a ra nge of toppl i ng crags w h ose s i des h ere scarped w i th a wfu l p reci pi ces th ere carved an d hacked i n to gu l l i es an d torren t beds tha t seemed to eat i n to t h e very en trai ls o f th e mou n tai n presen ted a bewi l der i n g s uccessi o n o f glari ng l i gh t an d deepest shadow wh i l e t h e j agged pi n nacl es t hat s hot u p fro m t h e s u m m i t o f t h e ri dge i n to t h e d eep b l u e of th e s ky oppressed th e m i n d w i th a feel i ng of h ei gh t i m meas u rabl e a sensati o n as o f fal l i n g fal l i ng fo r etern i ty th ro ug h an i n fi n i te a b ys m o f space Th e cond i ti o n o f sem i som nol ence i n w h i c h th e travel l er had b een so long pl u nged had passed away l i ke a fl as h and had been i nstan taneousl y s u cceed ed by a n extrao rd i nary state o f n ervo us tensi o n i n w h ic h every sense seemed stretc h ed to th e u tmos t l i m i t o f i ts range and th e facu l ty o f th o u gh t i tsel f to be q u i c ke ned and el evated to a n u tterly abno rma l d egree o f v i vi d n ess an d powe r A t fi rst h e was en ti rel y u nabl e to po i n t to a nyth i ng wh i c h co u ld explai n th e marvel lo us change o f wh i c h h e wa s consc io us i n eve ry n erve o f h is bod y a n d w h i c h seemed to t h ri l l even th e dead s i len ce o f t h e scene a rou n d h i m w i th a th robbi ng p u l s i n g l i fe B u t soo n h e beca me awa re o f a c i rc u msta nce as u n us ual as i t was sta rtl i ng R i gh t i n fro n t o f a nd a b ove ,
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75
.
THE
Q U E ST
TH E G O R G ON S H EAD ’
OF
h i m a t t h e spo t w h ere th e ascend i ng road cleft t h e p i n e f orest an d tou ch ed t h e s ky — l i n e t h ere s h o ne a s tra nge l i gh t a l igh t too n ear an d d i ff used to be tha t o f a sett i ng star too rad i an t a nd i n tense to be th e daw n th en j ust b egi n n i ng to l i g h te n f ai ntl y i n t h e east Eagerl y wi t h b eati ng h eart h e pressed u p t h e steep A s h e d rew n ear t h e l igh t grew b ri gh ter ti l l o n reach i ng th e s u m m i t w h at was h is a maze men t to see t h at i t s u rro u nd ed as w i th a halo th e figu re o f a tal l a nd s tatel y wo man w h o stood o n a roc k b y th e ways i de I nstan tl y recogn i z i n g th e d i v i n e featu res o f th e goddess “ A t h ena h e b en t i n l ow l y reverence T h ou seekes t th e G orgo n s h ead i s h e as ked H e b owed “ “ ” K now th en assen t sh e p u rs u ed that t h e d evi l m i nded Pol y e c t es seeket h th y l i fe a nd t h e ha nd o f t h y moth er Th erefore h at h h e sen t t h ee o n t h is errand that th o u mayes t per i s h a nd t h at h e may take perforce t h y mot h er to w i fe O n e way al on e i s t here b y w h i ch t h o u mayest save h er a n d t h y sel f E n ter i n to th e c i ty w h i c h l i et h b efore t h ee a nd w h en t h o u art co m e to t h e tavern at t h e ” s h ew u n to th e h os t th i s r i n g S i gn o f th e O wl a n d s h e h a nded h i m a c u r i ous l y carved S i gnet r i ng H e w i l l fu rn is h t h ee w i th a s h i p wh ere i n t h o u sh al t sai l man y days t i l l tho u comest to t h e L and beyo nd th e S u nset Th ere b y t h e s h ore of a great sea s hal t th o u fi n d t h e G orgo n s Cave I n fron t o f t h e cave watch t h e Th ree G rey Wo men a nd t h ey w h o have bu t o ne eye between th em ,
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6 7
THE
Q U E ST
OF
TH E G O RG O N S H EA D ’
th e p i ne fo rest bei n g soon replaced by b eech a nd ch estn u t woods and t h ese i n t u rn d isappear i n g to ma ke roo m fo r lawns an d m eadows i n terspersed w i th groves th e t rees o f w h i c h were too remote to be d ist i ngu ish ed by th e eye b u t w h i c h even a t t ha t d is tance st ru c k h i m w i th a n aspect somewhat s trange a nd exot i c A t th e u tmos t verge o f th e land h e d escri ed t h e do mes a nd m i narets o f a great c i ty gl i tteri n g i n t h e s u n and send i n g far o u t i n to t h e sapph i re sea l ong l i n es o f stu pen do us mason ry w h ereat h e saw o r fanc i ed that h e saw t h e tal l masts a nd fl u tter i n g pen nons o f cou n tl ess gal leys “ ” Y onder t hou gh t h e i s t h e c i ty w h i th er I am ” b ou nd So th i n k i n g h e too k t h e road down th e hill Wal k i n g q u i ckl y h e h ad soon passed th e p i n e forest traversed th e beech an d chest n u t woods an d emerged o n th e savan nahs E ven as h e descended th e s u n grew h otter a n d h otte r I nstead o f th e kee n ai r i m pregnated w i th th e br i s k smel l o f th e p i nes wh i ch h e h ad i n hal ed wi th de l i gh t a nd exh i larati o n o n t h e m ou n ta i n h ei g h t h e no w breath ed a n at mosph ere laden w i th t h e h eavy perfu m e o f fl oweri ng pla nts a n d odoro us gu ms Th e h edges were t h i c k w i th w h i te roses a nd en twi ned w i th h on eysu ckl e The pal e p u rpl e b loo m o f th e al mo nd d roop i n g over th e road al ternated w i th th e dark glossy fol i age a n d golden bal ls o f t h e ora nge tree o r th e l igh ter yel low o f t h e more d el icate l emon F ro m s u n n y groves o f ,
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8 7
Q U EST
THE
OF THE
G O R G O N S H EAD ’
oleanders and myrtl es th e p u rl o f u nseen strea ml ets fel l on t h e ea r w i t h a sooth i ng m u rm u r a del i ci ou s s uggesti o n o f cool n ess i n th e n oonday h eat F o r st i l l as t h e road descended th e h eat grew m ore i n ten se th e atmosph ere s u l tri er a nd more oppress i ve Th e road no w wo u nd u nder a con t i n uous arch o f t h e most l u xu ria n t a nd vari ed fol iage Tal l pal m s r ea red th ei r gracefu l h ea ds h igh i n a i r ; t ree ferns w i th feath ery crowns cactuses twi rl ed i n to end l ess grotesq u e s hapes th e great s word b lades o f aloes an d a tho usand oth er stran ge plan ts w i th g i gan t i c leaves and fa n tast i c fl owers i n terlaced an d festoon ed i n every d i rectio n b y th e tra i l i ng s hoots of bri l l ia n t creepers formed a verd u ro us al le y across wh i ch da rted u nceasi n gl y parrots an d h u m m i ng b i rds o f th e most v i vi d pl u mage cr i mso n b l u e and green wh i le th e h u m a nd gl i tter o f myriads o f gay i nsects g la nci n g l i ke spa rks o f fi re i n th e s u bd u ed l i gh t tha t penet rated th ro u gh th e green ca nopy overh ead s t u n ned th e ea r and dazzl ed t h e e ye a nd th e sense reel ed and fa i nted i n th e s team i ng sweetn ess o f th e i ncense lade n a tmosph ere Th e day was al ready on th e decl i n e w h en t h e t ravel l er reach ed th e ci ty bu t i n th e streets th e bustl e o f tra ffi c wh ich had so mewha t l u l led d u ri n g th e s u l tr y h o u rs o f n oon was n ow a t i ts h ei g h t D own lon g bazaars h e passed w h ere i n recesses o pen to th e st reet an d protected by man y col o u red awn i ngs from th e g lare o f t h e s u n r i ch bal es o f costl y s i l k j ewel l ed a rms a nd prec i ous t ri n kets ,
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79
Q U EST
THE
G O R G O N S H EAD
OF THE
’
a l te rnated i n p ictu resq u e con fus i o n w i t h th e mos t l usc i o us fru i ts a nd t h e fa i rest fl owers Eager grou ps crowded rou nd t h e stal ls haggl i ng over th e wa res w h i le oth ers l o u nged l e i s u rel y along i n t h e grate fu l shad e o f t h e awn i n g s watc h i ng w i t h i d l e c u ri osi ty th e b u yers a nd sel lers o r stopp i ng to greet a nd c h at w i t h th ei r acq uai n tances Th e cen tre o f t h e street was crowded w i t h j ostl i ng veh i c l es fro m th e statel y c hari o t wh ere t h e d usky w h i te t u rbaned s l ave s tood h o l d i ng t h e s u n shade over h i s fa i rer s k i n n ed master dow n to th e crea k i n g c u m b ro us waggons d raw n by t h e sl o w paced m i ld eyed oxen M a k i ng th e best o f h is way th rou gh t h e crowd ed st reets P erseus a t las t t u rn ed u p a narrow l an e o u t o f o n e o f t h e ma i n t horo u gh fares an d hal ted before a tavern Th e tavern had l i tt l e to d ist i ngu i s h i t fro m man y t hat h e had al ready passed except a r ude fi gu re o f an owl carved i n sto n e over t h e l ow l i n te l A n awn i ng str i ped b roadl y w i t h red a nd w h i te shaded t h e door a nd w i n dow th ro u g h w h i c h fl oated a so u nd o f m us i c vo i ces a nd l au g h ter P erseu s en tered a nd fo u n d h i mse l f i n a l o w roo m o f moderate s ize crowded w i th peopl e seated a t l on g narrow ta b l es eat i ng d ri n ki ng and tal k i ng I n a corn er a m us i c i a n was twangi ng a l u te a nd s i ng i n g as h e played w h i l e two gau d i l y d ressed wo men j oi n ed i n w i th crac ked vo i ces A l l eyes were t u rn ed o n t h e n ew com er a nd a sl igh t l u l l ens u ed of wh i c h t h e m us i cians w h ose en ergi es had b een langu i sh i n g u nder th e col d s h ad e of n e g lect .
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8o
TH E Q U E ST
OF THE
G O R G ON S H EAD ’
h asti l y avai l ed t h emse l ves to b u rs t i n to a m elod i ou s b rav u ra o f u ncom mon strength Th e cu r i os i ty o f th e freq u en ters o f th e tavern h owever w h i c h s eem ed to have b een exc i ted for a momen t b y P erseus rust i c d ress was soon satis fied ; th ey retu rn ed to t h e i r c u ps an d p l atters t h e no i se of vo i ces i n con versati o n rose h i gh er tha n ever a n d t hose o f th e sweet s i ngers i n t h e corn er san k to a l u gu b ri ous d ept h proport i o nate to th e h e i gh t to wh i c h th ey h ad late l y r i sen A s P erse us was loo k i n g a b o u t h i m for t h e h os t a grave e l der l y ma n approac h ed h i m an d b owed asked P erseus Th e M i n e h ost o f t h e O wl “ ” sam e repl i ed th e ma n w h at ca n I do for “ ” P I h ave pr i vate b us i n ess o f i mportance yo u “ “ ” sa i d P erseus may I see yo u a l o ne ! P ray ” s tep t h i s way sa i d t h e h os t co u r teo us l y a nd p us h i ng as i de a tapestry hang i n g t hat co ncea l ed a doorway o n t h e b ac k wal l h e l ed th e wa y across a c l o i stered co u rt i n w h i c h a fou n ta i n was plas h i n g fro m t h e mou ths o f mar b l e Tr i tons i n a l i ttl e grove o f feat h ery pal ms a nd sweet s mel l i n g owers Th rou g h a door i n th e clo i ster fac i n g fl t hat b y w h i ch t h ey en tered th e h ost us h ered P erseus i n to a spac i ou s apartmen t w h ose cool ness str u ck h i m grate fu l l y a fter t h e fu rnace glo w o f th e co u rt th rou gh w h i c h th ey h ad j us t passed So far as h e cou l d see i n t h e d i m l i gh t ( fo r th e room was darkened to exc l u de t h e h eat ) th e fu rn i t u re was b o th r i ch an d t a ste fu l T h e footstep fel l n o ise l essl y o n so ft deep 81 G .
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Q U ES T
THE
G O RG O N S
O F THE
’
H EA D
ca rpets Ta bl es o f i n la id wo o d s u ppo rted vases o f g racefu l s hapes a nd s tori ed s ides fi l led w i th masses o f grea t l i l i es a nd gorgeo us t ru m pet — o wers Th e fl wal ls were h u ng w i th ma ny h u ed tapest ri es wo rks o f t h e gay A ssyr i an l oo ms ; and th e co ff ered and fret ted ce i l i n g s hon e resp l enden t w i th bl u e and go ld I n a recess bu rned a s i l ve r lam p o n a smal l al ta r and i n th e depth o f th e recess i t seemed t o Perseus t hat h e cau gh t a gl i m pse o f a marbl e i m a g e ” A nd no w s i r sa i d th e h ost t u rn i n g to h i m ” may I b eg to k no w you r busi n ess ! Th i s r i ng ” w i l l h el p to expla i n i t sa id P e rseus d raw i n g from h is boso m th e S i gn et ri ng w h i ch h e had recei ved fro m t h e goddess an d hand i ng i t to t h e h ost Th e l atter looked at i t cl osel y bowed deepl y a nd restori n g i t to P erseus stepped to th e al tar o n wh i c h h e appea red to place so meth i n g A s th e h eavy s mel l o f i ncense d i ff used i tsel f th rou gh th e apartm en t h e k nel t dow n a nd rema i n ed for som e mom ents i n a n att i t u de o f prayer T h en h e rose a nd ret u rn i n g to th e spo t wh ere t h e yo u ng man stood req u ested to k now h i s ” pl eas u re I seek sai d P erseus fi rm l y th e ” Th e h ost started an d h is chee k G orgon s h ead ” b len ch ed v i s i b l y Y o u ng ma n h e sa i d sol em nl y do yo u know t h e per i lo us nat u re o f t h e en terpr i se “ ” ” on w h i ch yo u are embarked ! I k now sai d Perse us a nd a m resol ved E xpost u lat i on i s ” usel ess Th e h ost placed h i s han d o n th e yo u th s s h ou l de r a nd loo ked h i m stead i l y i n t h e eyes for so me secon ds Th en re movi ng h i s hand w i th hal f .
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82
TH E
Q UEST
O F TH E
’
G O R G ON S H EA D
a si gh h e sai d i n a c han ged voi ce Y o u w i s h a s h i p “ ” I s u ppose Wh en do y o u sa i l ! To day i f ” possi b l e ret u rned P erseus Th en I m ust ma ke arrangemen ts i m med iately M ea n t i m e wi l l yo u refres h yo u rsel f a fter you r j o u rn ey 9 P erseus accepted th e o ff er glad l y an d t h e host at h is d es i re l ed h i m bac k to th e ta vern w h ere a n a b u ndan t repast o f fish ch ees e bread fi gs dates wa ter mel ons a nd rais i ns was placed before h i m w i th a fl ago n o f red w i ne H e sat i n a corn er o f th e roo m s h u n n i ng observati on a n d t h e ot h er custo mers pa i d l i ttl e h eed to h i m H is tho u gh ts were too b usy wi t h h i s approach i n g voyage to al low h i m to der i ve fro m t h e o b servat i o n of t h e motl ey com pa n y by w h i c h h e was s u rro u nded t h e a m usem en t a nd i n terest wh i ch at a l ess ser i o us mo men t i t m igh t have a ff o rded h i m I n a b o u t a n ho u r s t i me t h e h ost ret u rned a nd i n ti mat i n g t hat al l was ready begged P erseus to fol low h i m L eavi ng th e tavern th ey passed t h ro ugh many streets w h ic h P erse us had no t yet seen Tra ffi c had by t h is t i m e som ewhat a b ated b u t t h e crowds o f l o u ngers a ttracted b y th e cool er even i ng a i r had co ns iderabl y i nc reased J u g lers i n grotesq u e cost u mes s u rro u nded by c u ri o us a nd lau g h i n g grou ps were busy plyi ng th ei r trad e a t th e street co rn ers a nd i n t h e p iazzas F lower — gi rls o ff ered to th e passers b y a bewi l der i n g pro fusi o n o f th e l ovel i es t a n d mos t fragran t fl owers — orc h ids ca mel l ias roses v i olets lot us o ran ge fl ower ,
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83
,
,
THE
Q U E ST
O F THE
G O R G ON S ’
H EA D
m yrtl e w i ld t h yme j asm i n e a n d co u ntl ess mo re fresh l y c u l l ed i n t h e ga rdens t hat s u rro u nd ed t h e c i ty o r brou gh t s i nce m orn i n g fro m t h e d i sta n t h i l ls Th e wea l t h an d magn i ficence of t h e c i ty stru c k P erseus w i t h a mazemen t Th ey passed palace a fter palace w h ere th rou g h stately portals t h ey cau gh t gl i mpses o f b road mar b l e s ta i rcases and col on naded co u rts adorned w i th s tatu es a n d fo u n ta i ns a nd b r i gh t w i t h th e l i v i ng verd u re o f m yrtl es orange trees a nd pal ms A t l ast t u rn i ng d ow n a s i de street th ey i ssu ed abru ptl y o n t h e ha r b o u r I f th e scenes t h rough w h i c h th ey had passed h ad b een gorgeous an d i m pos i n g tha t w h i ch now b u rs t o n t h e eyes o f P erse us overpowered h i m w i th a fa b u l ous a n d d rea m l i ke spl en do u r O n e i t h er s i de o f t h e har b o u r rose a h i gh h i l l o n w hose s teep s i des masses o f r i c h green fol i age appeared h ere a n d t he re a mon g th e gra nd i ose str u ct u res w h i c h terrace a b ove terrace colon nade a b ove co l on nade towered far u p i n to th e s k y t h e i r d i zzy pi n nac l es r i gh t aga i ns t t h e b l u e b e i ng crown ed b y what seemed temp l es o r palaces o f w h i te mar b l e g l i sten i n g respl enden t i n th e s u n F a rt h er o ff t h e descend i n g sp u rs o f t h e h i l ls were adorned a nd crowded w i t h b u i ld i ngs no l ess magn i ficen t wh i l e l on g l i nes o f q uays th ron ged w i th t h e pomp o f gay ga ll eys w i t h gi lded prows and fl u tteri n g s tream ers stretch ed sea ward far as eye co u l d reach T h e w h ol e scen e was s u ff used a nd as i t were t ra ns fig u r ed w i t h a n ,
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84
THE
Q U E ST
O F THE
G O R G O N S H EA D ’
a l most i m percept i bly fr o m t h e q uay Th e a dv e n tu rer sea ted h i msel f o n th e l o fty s tern a nd watc h ed w i t h i n terest a nd ad m i rat i o n t h e l ong l i nes o f q uays a n d sh i ppi ng pas t w h ic h t h e y were now rapid l y m ov i ng H is th ou g h ts were S t i l l fu l l o f al l th e s igh ts to h i m both novel a nd st ran g e w h ic h h e had so latel y been w i tness i n g a nd l on g a fter th e vessel had cleared th e harbo u r mou t h a nd u rged b y a fresh en i ng breeze was breast i n g w i th foa m i ng pro w t h e rol l i n g waves o f t h e open sea h e co n t i n u ed to ga z e bac k a t t h e towers a n d tem pl es o f t h e great c i ty n ow fast d i m i n ish i ng to w i n d ward B u t grad ua ll y th e scenes t h ro u gh w h i ch h e was passi ng d i verted h is th ou gh ts both fro m th e pas t a nd th e fu t u re Th e cool sea a i r blow i ng freel y ro u nd h i m refresh ed a n d i n v i gorated h i m a fter t h e sti fl i n g h eat of t h e c i ty G reen i slands fl oated past w i t h l i ttl e towns n estl i ng o n t h e i r s i des w h ose w h i te h o uses fl ush ed a rosy p i n k i n t h e war m su nset l i gh t Tal l cypresses peeped over t h e wal ls an d rows o f nets h u n g d ryi ng o n th e beach Now a nd th e n a fis h i ng b oat w i t h sa i l of r usset brown wo u l d b e seen sta nd i ng i n to a bl u e creek w h i l e o n th e stran d th e wom en an d ch i ld ren wa i ted to we l co me t h e fis h erma n to h i s h o me Th us t h ey sa i l ed man y days Th ey h ad l on g lost si gh t o f land an d w i t h every day t h e s u n san k l o wer a nd l ower i n t h e s ky ti l l at last i t n o l onger appeared even a t m i d day a nd al l t hat th e forlorn mar i ne rs cou ld see o f i t was a fai n t gl o w that ci rcl ed .
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86
TH E
Q U E ST
O F TH E
G O R G O N S H EA D ’
s lowl y w i th th e h eavy h o u rs ro u nd and rou nd t h e h ori zon E ven th is gre w fai n ter a n d fai n ter t i l l at last i t seemed as i f th e last gl i m mer were abo u t to d isappear an d leave t h em sh ro u ded i n perpet ual n i gh t Th en th e capta i n kn ew t hat th ey were draw i n g n ear to land O n e a fternoon ( th ey est i mated t h e lapse of ti m e n ow b y th e h o u r glass alo ne ) Perseus oppressed by th e lon g con t i n u ed dar kn ess a n d th e wei gh t o f som bre forebod i ngs had la i n do wn to sleep o n th e deck B u t h i s sl eep was t ro u bl ed a nd h e d rea m ed a d ream I t seem ed to h i m t ha t h e saw h is mot h er fl ee i ng p u rs u ed by Po l d e c t e s w i th a fl ash i ng sword O n o n t h ey y sped th rou gh a waste l on e land I n va i n h e st ru ggled to fol l ow t h e m : a we i gh t l i ke l ead was o n h is l i m bs : a t every step h e fel l fart h er a n d fart h er beh i nd a n d no w th e s word h eaved o n h i gh glea ms a far a w i l d sh ri e k re nds t h e a i r Too late too late I a nd Wi th a start h e a wo ke to h ear th e cry La n d a h ead L eapi n g to h is feet a nd peeri n g th ro u gh t h e gloom h e co u l d see that t h ey were r u n n i ng close to a h i g h wooded coast G reat cl i ff s rose sh eer above th em a t w hose b ase th e sea bro ke w i t h a gu rgl i n g ch o ki ng so u nd No w a n d th en th ey s u r g ed past a h ead land over t h e blac k roc ks o f w h i c h t h e waves dash ed i n wh i te foa m that g l ea med th rou g h t h e darkn e s s A t last a word o f co m mand rang o u t fro m th e capta i n and th e vessel s w u ng ro u nd a w o o ded p romon tory i n to a sh el tered cove .
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87
TH E
Q U EST
OF
TH E G O R G ON S H EA D ’
A s th e sea b reeze i n tercepted by th e roc ky h e i gh t that closed t h e m ou th o f t h is natu ra l h ar b o u r d i ed away t h e tal l sai ls fl apped t h en d rooped l i ke t h e weary w i ngs o f some great sea b i rd : t h e rus h o f water a t t h e pro w slowl y s u bs i d ed : t h e anc h o r was cast i ts cha i n ra n o u t w i th a pro l on ged rattl e ; an d th en h er l ong voyage over th e vesse l “ ” rode at rest Th is i s o u r desti nat i on sai d t h e “ ” capta i n ; t h is i s t h e L a n d b eyon d t h e S u nset Hasti ly sl i ng i n g h is wal l et over h i s s h o u l d er an d g i rd i n g o n h is sword P erseu s stepped i n to t h e b oat to b e rowed ash ore T h e u n d u l at i ons prod uced by t h e en try of th e vessel i n to t h e cove had b y t h i s t i m e s u b si ded a n d except for t h ose ra i sed b y t h e l passage o f t h e b oat i tsel f not a r i ppl e r u fl ed t h e da rk su rface o f th e water n ot a sou n d b ro ke th e s i len ce save t h e m easu red clan k o f t h e oars i n t h e rowl oc ks a nd t h e splash o f th ei r blades i n t h e water Soo n t h e b oat d rew u p b esi de a j u tti ng l edge o f roc k a t t h e h ead o f t h e creek a n d P erseu s stepped ashore To t h e capta i n w h o had accom pa n i ed h i m i n th e b oat h e b ade a b r i ef farewel l a nd t h en stood for a few mom ents watch i n g t h e b oat as i t d i sappeared i n t h e d i rect i o n o f t h e s h i p I t was arra nged t h at i v e B r a nch ( for t hat was t h e na me o f t h e t h e Ol vessel ) was to awa i t h i m for th e space o f forty days A fter t h at i f h e had n ot retu rn ed t h ey were to g i ve h i m u p for l ost a nd set sai l for h om e F ro m t h e h ead o f th e cree k w h ere P erseu s stood a fa i n t semblan ce o f a pat h appeared to l ead s teepl y -
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88
Q U E ST
TH E
TH E G O RG ON S H EA D ’
OF
t h a t g l o om y wood h e neve r k new I t seem ed to h i m da ys a nd days ; b u t h e had los t al l reckon i n g o f t i me a n d i n t h e da rkness t h e sol i t ude th e s i l ence m i n u tes passed l i ke h ou rs h ou rs l i ke days a nd days l i ke yea rs H e had gi ve n u p al l h ope o f ever e merg i n g fro m t h e wood bu t goaded by a gnaw i ng i m pat i ence i n h is so u l st i l l con t i n u ed to press o n wa rd w h en a t last h e beca m e grad ual l y a ware that h e had reach ed t h e o u ts ki rts of th e forest a nd t h a t t h e scen e was b egi n n i n g to change A ston y pla i n had s u cceed ed to t h e forest an d over th is t h e fo rlorn travel l er no w d ragged h is sl o w a nd pa i n fu l steps Com pared w i t h t h is w i lderness of roc k a nd b o u lder th e forest appeared to h is m e mory l i ke parad ise A t every few steps h e s tu m b l ed an d fel l o n th e cru el ston es w hose j agged edges c u t h i m l i ke kn i ves ; or agai n h e wou l d S l i p i n to a gapi ng h ol e between great bo u lders fro m w h i ch h e had to extr i cate h i msel f w i t h d i ffi cu l ty a nd pa i n Th e desolat i o n seem ed m u l t i pl i ed a th o usa nd fold In th e forest h e had at l east had th e co mpan i onsh i p o f t h e trees b u t h ere t h ere was not a blade o f grass not a scrap o f m oss to clot h e th e a ri d na ked ness o f th e rocks F at i gu e overpowered h i m : aga i n a n d aga i n h e lay dow n o n th e sharp stones to sl eep b u t not to rest H o rri d d reams b eset h i m d read fu l shapes seemed to t h ro ng t he a i r peeri ng o u t o f t h e darkness w i th fiery eyes g i bb er i ng a nd mow i n g at h i m H e sta rted u p i n terror a n d stu m bl ed o n ,
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90
Q U E ST
TH E
OF
TH E G O R G ON S HEA D ’
Th us i t seem ed to h i m that ages rol l ed over h i m h e appeared to h i msel f to b e swal lowed u p a n d a n n i h i lated i n th e i nco nce i vabl e vastn ess o f t i me Th e m emory o f h is form er l i fe o f t h e t i m e w h e n h e had seen t h e s u n a nd co nversed w i t h h u ma n bei ngs occu rred to h i m occas i onal l y b u t as som e th i n g so i m m eas u ra b l y remote t ha t h e scarcel y t h ou gh t o f i t i n con nex io n w i th h i msel f ; i t m ore resem b l ed a d ream a v is i o n o f so m e strange state o f b e i ng wh i ch h e had n ever k now n an d i n w h i ch h e co u ld never part i ci pate T h e very sto nes over wh i ch h e st i l l d ragged h is bl eed i n g feet b ega n to fad e a n d m el t away i n to t h e sam e d i m d istance : h e scarcel y fel t t h e pan g i t too was a part o f t hat i fe i n w h i ch h e had no part pa i n i tsel f b egan far o ff l to gro w i mpersonal S uch a state o f feel i ng co u l d have had b u t on e end had h e not been ro used fro m h i s st u por b y a s udde n shoc k th e percept i o n o f a c h ange that was ta ki n g place i n h is c i rcu msta nces a nd w h i c h w h i l e i t awo ke a n d st i rred h i m to h is i n most d ept hs froze h is so u l w i th h orror Th e l igh t th e d i m fa i n t gl i m m eri n g l i g h t wh i c h had h i th erto cast a feebl e an d u n certa i n i l l u m i nat i o n over t h e gro u n d i n h is i mm ed iate v ic i n i ty was fas t fa i l i n g : i ts l i ttl e c i rcl e was speed i l y co n t ract i n g : da rkness abso l u te an d com pl ete was cl os i n g i n o n h i m w i th rapi d str id es A no th er i nstan t a n d i t was o n h i m t h e last s pa r k and g l i m mer had d isappeared : h e was en veloped i n darkn ess that c o u l d be fel t .
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91
THE
Q U E ST
or TH E
G O R G ON S H EA D ’
Th e n D eat h stood b e fore h i m an d i ts h orro r took h o l d o f h i m ; b u t w i t h o ne s u preme e ff ort on e las t d espa i ri n g cl u tc h a t t h e l i fe tha t was sl i ppi n g fro m h is grasp h e pl u nged forward i n to t h e n igh t a n d lo I t h e l on g agon y o f t h ese tor tu ri n g stones was over h i s foot rested o n th e s moot h rock A S park of h ope fa i n t as t h e l i gh t w h i ch h ad j us t va n i sh ed a ro u n d h i m rev i ved i n h i s b reast : h e h u rr i ed o n wi t h fever i s h strengt h scarcel y h eed i n g th e dark ness i n t h e j oy o f a t las t m ovi ng free l y on ward O n ward — b u t to w h at ! H e was soon to k now ; fo r n o w a l u r i d l i g h t s u dden l y a nd si l en tl y l i t u p t h e scen e an d as s u dden l y a n d si l en t l y d i sappeared M ercy o f h eaven I h e was stand i n g o n t h e b ri n k of a n a b yss ; a noth er step a nd h e wo u l d h ave p l u nged i n to i ts yawn i ng depths I Th e mo men tary gl ea m h ad s u ffi ced to S h ow t hat t h e plai n had van i s h ed above h i m on every s i d e b lack frown i n g m ou n ta i ns s h o t u p i n s h eer preci p i ces to i ncal cu la b le h ei g h ts w h i l e beneat h h i m gaped d epths even a glance at w h i c h ca used th e b rai n to reel a nd t h e eyes to grow d i m H e staggered b ac k appal l ed B u t even i n h i s h orro r remem b eri ng t hat to sta nd sti l l was d eat h an d t h a t sa fety ( t ho ugh t h e very t ho u g h t o f i t seem ed a mockery) cou ld o n l y b e had i n moti on h e d ragged h i msel f o n stu m b l i n g a nd fal l i n g i ndeed b u t on l y to stagger to h i s feet an d h u rry o nce more mad l y along A ga i n a n d yet aga i n tha t we i rd an d s i l en t l i gh t fl a red u p an d van i sh ed a fter cas ti n g for a ,
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2 9
TH E
Q U ES
'
I
‘
O I“ T H E
G O RG ON S
H EA D
’
h e fel t t h e blood begi n n i n g t o c o u rse th ro u gh h is vei ns a n d to ma n tl e o nce mo re h is s u n ken c h eeks Wi th t h is grad ual res u rrect i on o f t h e bod y came a C o rrespond i n g rev i val both o f m emory a nd hope Th e past be g a n to d isen tan gl e i tsel f fro m th e d reary m ists o f o b l i v i on a nd th e fu t u re to b rea k t h ro ugh t h e clo u ds o f d espa i r l i ke a ray of s u nsh i n e b u rsti n g t h ro u gh a S torm y sky H is posi ti o n was S t i l l appal l i n g i n th e extrem e F o r aga i n th e sa me wa n mysteri o us glow had sh on e o u t s i l en tl y a nd van ish ed a n d by i ts pal e glam ou r h e had seen t hat h e was st i l l creepi ng al ong tha t d izzy l edge Th e roc k o ver w h i ch h is hands groped i n va i n fo r som e sl igh t prot u b eran ce so me t r i fl i ng i n eq ual i t y o f w h i ch to lay h old st i l l rose s moot h an d perpend i c u lar above h i m ; sti l l o n th e oth er s i d e yawn ed a n em pty g u l f i n to w h i ch a si n gl e sl i p o f t h e foo t wo u l d h u rl h i m h eadl on g to d estruct io n F a r below h e had ca ugh t o n e fl y i n g gl i m pse o f a w i ld waste of waters w h ose h oarse boo m cam e fl oati ng fai n tl y u p from t h e prod i gi ou s depth below H e was s ti l l edgi ng h is way al on g i n t h e dark n ess a nd c l i ngi ng to t h e roc k as best h e cou ld w h e n i n th e act o f p u tti n g h is foot forward as us ual a nd feel i n g fo r t h e l edge w h i l e h e kept th e oth er foo t fi rm l y plan ted h e was h orri fi ed to fi n d t hat h i s foot co u l d fi n d n o rest i n g place o n l y th e e mpty a i r— th e l edge had com e to a n end A n d w h en h e groped forward w i t h h is h and h e co u l d feel th e roc k no l onger rock an d l edge had stopped ,
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94
Q U E ST
TH E
G O R G ON S ’
or TH E
H EAD
toget h er Wha t was h e to do P To t u rn o n t hat kn i fe edge was i m poss i bl e : to make h is way bac k ward over i t was eq ual l y o u t of t h e q u est i on A l l h e co u l d do was to wai t for anoth er fl ash of that m yster i ous l igh t : i t wou l d reveal to h i m h is fate So h e stood h u ggi n g th e s mooth wal l o f roc k a n d wai ti n g I n th e cram ped posi ti o n i n w h i ch h e stood h is l i mbs ach ed n u m bn ess c rep t over t h em h e co u ld not keep h is h ol d m u ch l on ger A t last t h e s i l en t gl ea m fl as h ed o u t a g a i n a nd by i ts l i gh t h e becam e awa re o f a roc ky plat form t hat seem ed scooped o u t o f th e face o f t h e preci pi ce I t l ay ri gh t i n fro n t o f h i m b u t separated from h i m alas I b y a b lac k ya wn i n g chas m I t was h is o n l y cha nce an oth er m om en t a nd h e wo u ld have to l et go h is h ol d h e l eaped w i t h al l h is force fel l s h ort b u t i n fal l i n g cau g h t t h e edge o f th e rock a n d w i th a g reat effo r t cla mbered u p a n d fel l swoon i n g o n t h e platfo rm Scarcel y had h e co me to h i msel f a nd str u ggl ed to h is feet w h en t h e l i gh t gl eamed o u t aga i n an d by i ts trans i to r y fl ash b e percei ved at th e farth er end o f t h e rock y plat form o n w h i c h h e stood t h ree da rk g igan t i c fi g u re loom i n g t h rou gh th e m u rky a i r Th ei r backs were hal f t u rn ed to h i m an d t h ey sat l ook i n g s eawa rd vas t s i l en t mot io n less s ph i n x — l i ke I nsta n tan eo u s l y i t flas h ed o n h i m w i th a t h ri l l o f awe a n d rapt u re—t h ese were th e G or g on Sen t i n els th e G rey Wom en I H i s h eart beat w i th s u c h v i o l ence t hat h e co u l d sca rcel y .
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breath e b u t brac i ng h i msel f fo r th e great h azard h e crept so ftly i n t h e d i rect i o n i n w h i c h h e had cau gh t s i gh t o f t h e mysteri o us fo rms A s h e d i d so a b l i n d i ng flas h l i t u p t h e gl oo m : t h e t h ree h u ge fi gu res s u dden l y l oom ed close i n fron t of h i m t h e fl as h passed d isti n ctl y fro m o n e to a not h er o f t h em a nd was i nstan tl y fol l owed b y t h e sam e we i rd u n i versal glo w w h i c h h e h ad so ofte n b e h e l d w i th wonder a nd fea r Now h e saw i t a ll —i t was t h e E Y E t hat h ad passed fro m t h e o n e to t h e oth er a nd h ad caused t hat wond ro us l i gh t—t h e Sen ti n e l s were rel i ev i n g guard ! Cro u c h i n g dow n fo r a spr i n g h e wa i ted a nd w h en n ext t h e gl eam came h e made on e m i gh ty b o u nd se i zed i n b ot h h ands t h e h u ge crysta l l i n e sp h ere a nd b l i nded t h o u g h h e was b y i ts fl as h i n g rad ia nce spra ng to th e edge o f th e cl i ff a nd h u r l ed i t over D own dow n i t d ropped t h ro u g h t h e dark ness l i ke a fa ll i ng star F or o n e mo m en t i t s h ed a pa l e glo w over t h at s tar l ess h eaven for o n e mo men t i t l i t u p far a nd w i de t h e h eav i ng waters o f t hat w i l d h omel ess sea t h en n i gh t spread h er sa b l e pal l o nce more over t h e scen e A n d no w fro m th ese gr i m S ph i nx l i ke figu res a s u ll en m u tteri ng so u nd b egan to i ss u e l i ke t h e grow l i ng o f a l i o n b efore h e l eaps o r t h e rol l o f d i stan t t h u nder W i th o u t wai ti ng a n i nstan t P erseus t u rn ed to searc h for t h e mo u th o f t h e cave a n d i m med iatel y h i s eye was arrested by a sol i tary spec k o f l i gh t w h i c h b e j u dged m ust b e i n th e rock ,
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96
Q U EST
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fi ery e n tra i ls i n a prod i g i ous col u m n o f flam e i n t o t h e face of t h e red a ff ro n ted s ky A nd yonder a t t h e foot o f a beetl i n g c ra g ri g h t u n der t he con e Perseus esp i ed th ree d read fu l forms stretch ed p ro n e o n th e b u rn i n g marl Th e l ong expec ted momen t had co m e a t last yonder were t h e G orgons Nerv i n g h i msel f fo r t h e fi na l t rial h e d rew h i s sword an d sped u p th e cr i mson slope Th e gl owi n g lava scorch ed h is na ked feet : i ts fi erce l ustre bl i nded h i m th e s tu n n i n g roa r o f t h e volcano b attered h is ears l i ke t h e blows o f a g ian t s ham mer : i ts b u rn i n g hai l pel ted h i m l i ke d rops o f mol ten l ead ; b u t u p h e sped A nd now h e was u nder th e crag ; now h is hand was tw i n i ng i n th e G orgo n s s na ky l ocks ; h e fel t th e cla m m y serpents coi l i ng abo u t h is a rm h e h eard th e i r h orri d h i ss B u t h is sword was u p and t h e n ext mo men t h e h eld w i t h averted eyes t h e G orgo n s h ead i n h i s han d B u t har k O h a r k I A sou nd as o f t h e crack o f doo m i s h eard s u c h so u nd as clas h i n g s u ns a n d b u rsti ng stars s hal l make i n th e fi nal catastrop h e o f th e u n i verse H e loo ks u p a nd ri gh t overhead down fro m t hat aw fu l co ne t hat rises s h eer above h i m h e sees a fi er y s u rge a n avalanch e o f fl am e rus h i n g w i th t h e speed o f a torren t to overw h el m h i m Terror stri cken b u t s ti l l graspi n g th e fatal h ead by i ts s na ky hai r h e t u rn ed an d fl ed .
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I t was h is bri dal n i gh t a nd i n t h e great b an q u et hal l h e had gath ered th e nobl es of h is k i n gdo m to cel ebrate h is u n i o n w i th th e fai r D ana e T h e hal l was worth y of th e great occasi on I ts enormo us d i mens i ons b a ffl i n g t h e eye i n th e va i n attem pt to fatho m th em r i val led th e mos t s tu pendo us stru e t u res o f E gyp t o r Assyria or whatever remai ns to a tt es t to a feebl e a nd degenerate age th e Ti tan i c glori es o f t h e a n ti q u e world L o ng rows o f mass i ve Egyptia n pi l lars s u pported vas t gran i te arcades t hat rose o ne above t h e o th er t i l l th ey were crown ed by th e s k y th e on l y roo f that b e fit t e d so giga n ti c a str uctu re Col ossal stat u es i n end less vi sta h el d i n th e i r u p li fted a rms flari n g torch es o f pi newood o n h u ge tr i pods o f b ro nze were se t blazi ng cressets tha t tossed alo ft t h ei r fi ery arms ; wh i l e i n th e u pp e r a rca d es appeared mazy festoons o f starr y lam ps that tw i n kled th ro ug h t h e gloom Th e n igh t was late : th e q u een had lo ng r e t i red ; b u t th e revel r y was a t i ts h ei gh t a n d t h e k i n g sti l l sa t o n h is lo fty t h ron e i n t h e cen tre o f t h e vast hal l I n that gay scen e h e alone seem ed u nhappy a h eavy clo u d da rken ed h i s b ro w Wh y i s t h e k i n g s o s o rrow fu l o n h is wedd i ng ” ni g h t ! a ked o f h i m a wh i te h eaded m i n ister wh o stood nea r th e th ron e ” “ N es t o r repl i ed t h e k i n g th e c r i s is of m y ” fate is at hand I feel i t ” What m eans my l o rd t h e k i ng ! Yo u rem em ber th e C haldea n sage .
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Th e h oa ry vagabo nd wh ose eyes yo u r M aj esty ca used to be p u t o u t last a u tu m n ! I re me m b e r ” h i m t h e c ha rlata n H e deserved h i s f ate “ ” Wh en we st retch ed h i m o n th e rac k co n h e c ri ed o u t t hat I sho u ld n ever t i nu e d t h e k i n g l i ve to see t h e s u n r ise o n a noth er yea r A nd ” to n igh t is t h e last n i g h t o f th e yea r ” “ Th en w h y n eed yo u r M aj esty b e a fra id ! as ked th e m i n i ster I n a noth er h o u r t h e s u n w i l l be u p a nd you r M aj esty s va i n fears w i l l b e ” d ispel l ed ” I t may be so sai d t he k i ng gloo m i ly bu t ” my h eart i s very h eavy D eat h is i n th e a i r Wh i l e h e spo ke th e lower part of th e hal l was st i l l steeped i n t h e red t u m u l tu ous g lare o f th e b laz i n g fl a mbeaus a nd c ressets bu t over th e arch es a nd col u m n s o f th e u pper gal leri es a pal e co l d l i gh t b ega n to steal I t was th e daw n A u d i ence o f t he k i ng I a vo i ce ra n g t h rou gh t h e hal l a clar i o n vo i ce that s mote o n th e k i ng s ear l i ke a k n el l H e sta rted to h i s feet t rem b li ng i n every l i m b a nd cl u tch ed for s u pport at t h e golden eagl es t hat fl a n ked th e th ron e I n vai n h e tr i ed to screa m for h is gua rds : no so u nd i ssu ed fro m h i s d ry parc h ed t h roat Th e crowd o f revel l ers a nd attendan ts pa rted a nd dow n th e l i v i n g lan e ca me str i d i n g Perseus H e stopped before th e th ron e a nd bowed l ow to th e k i n g w h o stood ag h ast an d m otion less ” Y o u r M aj esty h e sai d com ma nded me to .
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1 00
TH E
Q U E ST
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t h e t h ro ne I t played so ftly o ver h is grey ha i r t u rn i n g b y i ts h eaven ly al ch em y t h e si l ver strea ks to gol d ; a nd i t l i t u p—O ghastl y S pectacle — th e l i v i d agon y o f h is d raw n a nd d istorted feat u res Th e su n had risen bu t h e k n ew i t n ot F o r a n d al l l o rds a nd lad i es were tu rn ed to ston e ,
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1 02
III B I O G R A PH I C A L
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BI O G RA P H ICAL S K E I C H E S '
’
d i fferen t l i nes fro m H en r y th e Th i rd K i n g o f E ng l a nd I n o n e o f h i s l etters h e tel ls u s th at at t h e des i re o f h is k i ns man th e R e v J oh n Joh nso n D a on ne o n th e moth er s s id e h e had sen t u p t h e ( ) l o n g m u s ter rol l o f h is ancestors s i gned a nd dated t I\dr B l u e — man tl e add i n g R est u nd is t u rbed sa y I t h ei r l o rdl y d u cal an d roya l d us t ! Had t h ey l e ft m e som eth i ng ha ndso me I s hou l d have ” respected t h em more A nd agai n i n t h e l i nes o n t h e rece i pt o f h is moth er s pi ct u re h e to u ch es l i gh tl y o n t h e sam e st ri n g : ,
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t h t I d e l re m y bi rt h F r m l i n e nt h r ne d nd r l er f t h e e rt h B t h i g h er f my pr d p rete n i n r i e Th n f p re nt p e d i nt t h e k i e ! M y boas o
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H e l ost h is moth er w h e n h e was s i x years old S h e d i ed i n 1 7 3 7 a t t h e age o f t h i rty fou r i n gi v i ng b i rth to h is b roth er J oh n ; b u t s h e mad e so deep a n i mpress i o n o n Cowper s a ff ect i onate h eart t hat i t n ever w e r e o u t an d wh e n fift y two years a fterwards h e rece i ved h er portra i t with ” a t repi dat i o n o f n erves a n d sp i ri ts h e cou ld answer for th e fidel i ty o f th e l i keness H e k issed i t a nd h u ng i t by h i s bed w h ere h e co u l d see i t t h e last t h i n g a t n igh t a nd t h e fi rst t h i ng a t wa ken i ng i n t h e mo rn i n g Th e s i gh t o f i t revi ved h is m emori es o f h er an d o f h is ch i ld hood a n d h e co mposed “ ” no t w i th o u t tears t h e verses w h i ch ensh r i n e h er memory a nd h i s own i n a casket m ore precio us .
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1 06
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WI L L IA M CO WPE R an d more l asti n g tha n a ny of go l d a nd j ewels I t recal l ed t h e sad day w h en fro m h i s n u rsery w i ndo w h e watch ed th e h earse b eari n g h er slowl y away an d h eard t h e bel l tol l i n g to h er fu neral ; w h i l e th e ma ids i n pi ty for h is pass i onate gri ef soot h ed h i m w i th prom ises w h i ch h e l ong ch er i s h ed that s h e wo u ld retu rn Th e p i ct u re too b ro ug h t b ac k happi er recol l ect i ons o f h is moth er s love an d ca re h er n igh tl y v isi ts to h is c ham b er to see that h e was safe a nd wa rm t h e sca rl et ma n tl e i n w h i ch h e w as wrapped a nd th e ve l vet ca p h e wo re w h en th e ga rden er R obi n d rew h i m day b y day i n h i s ba u b l e coach alo ng t h e p u bl i c way to sc hool and th e h o u rs h e passed seated at h is moth er s s i de play i n g w i t h t h e fl owers o f h er d ress th e v i ol et th e p i n k a n d th e j essam i ne w h i le sh e s tro ked h is h ead spo ke so ftl y to h i m a nd sm i led Cowper s fath er su rv i ved t he deat h o f h is w i fe for n earl y t we nty years ; h e d i ed i n 1 7 5 6 H is so n th en res iden t i n L ondon was sen t for to at ten d h i m i n h is l as t i l l n ess bu t arr i ved too la te to see h i m i n l i fe Th en for th e fi rst t i me i t stru c k Cowper wh ose constan t a n d a ffect ionate na tu re fo r med s t rong loca l a ttach m en ts that th e t i e w i th th e place o f h is b i rth m ust be broken for ever T h ere was no t a t ree no r a gate n or a st i l e i n al l tha t h e tel ls u s to wh i ch h e d i d no t feel a Co u n t r y relati on a nd th e h o use i tsel f h e pre ferred to a palace H e s igh ed a l on g ad i eu to fi elds an d woods from wh ic h h e o nce t h ou g h t that h e sh o u l d n ever .
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1 0 7
B IO G RAPH ICAL
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S K E I C H ES '
be pa rted an d was n ever so sens i bl e o f t h e i r beau t ies as at th e mo men t w h en h e l eft t h em to retu rn n o m ore A fter h is mot h er s deat h Cowper was placed i n a sch ool kept by a D r P i t ma n i n M a rkyate Street a d u l l straggl i ng v i l lage o f H ert fordsh i re b etween S t A l ba ns a nd D u nstable Th ere for two yea rs h e s u ff ered m u ch fro m th e cr u el ty o f a b ar b aro us yo u ng b u l l y m ore t ha n tw i ce h is age wh o s i ngl ed o u t th e tend erl y n u rtu red l i ttl e b oy to b e t h e b u tt o f systemati c b u t secret persecu t i on B ei n g a t last d etected th e r u ffia n was expel led th e school T h e t reat m en t to w h ich h e was su bj ected a t th is sc hool made nat u ral l y a d eep and last i n g i mpress i on o n Cowper s m i nd a nd n o do u b t h e l ped to for m a nd colo u r th ose stro ng v i ews o f t h e pern i c i o us i n fl uence o f E ngl i sh p u b l i c sc h ools to w h i c h h e gave powerfu l express i on i n h is poe m Wh e n Cowper was re moved fro m D r P i tman s h e was i n so me da nger o f l osi ng h i s si gh t for specks h ad appeared i n h is eyes per h aps as a conseq u ence o f t h e persec u ti on h e had s u ff ered a nd i t was feared t hat th ey m i gh t extend and cover t h e reti na H e was t h erefore placed i n th e h o use o f a n oc u l i s t w h ere h e remai n ed two years Th e t rou bl e grad ual l y s u b s i ded t ho ugh to th e e nd o f h is l i fe h is eyes were l i a b l e to i n fl a m mati on I n t h e last sad days w h en fa r fro m t h e green la n es a nd s hady aven u es o f h is beloved Weston h e paced t h e Norfol k b each l oo ki ng o u t o n th e grey North Sea t h e sa l t spray ,
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1 08
B [O G RA PH I C A L S K ET C H ES Ha s t i n gs a n d h is en emy I m p e y F o r Hast i n gs t h e poet had a h igh esteem a nd t h e favo u ra b l e op i n i o n o f so good a ma n a nd so s h rewd a j udge o f character sh ou l d pl ead strongl y i n favou r o f th e acc used O n t h e great day s tates ma n at th e bar o f h i sto r y w h en Westm i nste r Hal l i ts grey ol d wal ls d raped w i th scarlet was cra mm ed w i th th e ra n k a nd fash i o n t h e bea u ty th e eloq u ence th e gen i us an d l earn i ng o f E n glan d gath ered to wi t ness t h e t r i al o f one wh o had s pread th e fear o f th e E ngl ish nam e a nd th e s way o f th e E ngl i sh race a mon g t h e d us ky races of t h e East Cowper t hou gh t o f h i s ol d sch ool fel low th e l i ttle pal e faced ma n w i t h t h e pens i ve brow a nd th e resol u te l i nes abou t th e m ou th fac i n g t hat a u gus t asse mbl y ; a nd h e u rged h i s co us i n L ady H es keth even at t h e r is k o f bei n g sq u eezed an d i nco m moded fo r so me h ou rs n ot to m iss t h e chance o f w i tness i ng so memora b l e a nd i m press i ve a S pectacl e S h e too k h is ad v i ce an d ret i red fro m t h e h al l stu n ned by th e t h u nder o f B u rke s i nvect i ve Th e l on g charges a n d Hasti ngs s repl i es to th em were read b y H en ry Cowpe r Cl er k o f th e Ho use o f L ords a n d the report o f t he s i lence a nd atten t i o n w i t h w h i ch h is s i l very vo i ce was l i stened to b y t h e a u d i ence fo r two w h ol e days gave p l eas u re to h is co us i n th e poet wh o refers to t h e ach i evemen t i n h i s correspondence a n d com me morated i t i n 1 a son net .
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1
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W I LL IA M CO W P E R A t t h e age of ei gh teen Cowper l e ft Westm i nster Schoo l a n d h avi n g fi xed o n t h e law as h is pro fess i on h e was arti cl ed fo r th ree years to a sol i c i tor I\I r C hapma n o f E l y P lace H ol born a n d resi ded w i th h i m d u ri n g that ti me O n e o f h is fel l ow cl er ks i n t h e o ffi ce was E dwa rd Th u rl ow a fterwards L ord C ha ncel lo r w h o had been ed u cated at Can ter b u r y Sch oo l M u ch o f t h e ti m e w h i c h th e two yo u n g men s h o u l d h ave devo ted to t h e st u dy o f law i n Hol born was more agreea b l y spen t by th e m not far o ff i n Sou tha mpton R o w at th e h o use o f Cowper s u ncle Ash ley Cowper a fterwards C l er k o f t h e Pa rl ia men ts a dapper l i ttl e man i n a w h i te hat w i t h a yel low l i n i n g wh i c h made h i m l iabl e to be m i s ta ken for a m ush room B u t i t was n ot fo r th e pleas u re o f h is soc i et y that t h e two cl erks repai red w i th pra isewo rth y regu lari ty to h is abode fro m th e d usty p u rl i e us o f th e la w H e had two char m i ng dau gh ters Harri et and Th eodora w i t h wh o m t h e fu t u re poet a nd fu t u re L o rd C hancel lo r pas sed th ei r da y s fro m morn i ng t o n i gh t gi ggl i n g ” a nd ma ki ng gig g l e Th e nat u ral conseq uences fol lowed Cowper lost h is heart t o h is co us i n Th eodo ra wh o ret u rn ed h is love Th u rlo w havi ng n o h ea rt to l ose was u n moved by th e charms o f t h e l i vel y ha ndso me a nd g ood natu red Harri et w ho a fterwards marri ed S i r Tho mas H esketh a nd re m a i ned th e poet s k i nd w ise a nd stead y fr i end to the en d o f h is l i fe O n e day wh i l e t h e t w yo u n g men we re d ri n k i n g tea wi th a lad y fri end ,
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B I O G RA P H ICA L S K ET C H ES a nd h er s i ter i n K i n g St reet B l oom s b u ry Cowper “ a id t o Th u rlow Th u r l o w I a m n o bod y and hal l a l ways b e nobod y a nd yo u w i l l be L ord C ha n cel lo r Y o u shal l provi de for me w h en yo u Th u rlow s m i l ed a nd sa id I s u rel y w i l l I a re I ” These lad i es a re w i tnesses sa i d Cowper Let “ ” t h em b e a nswered Th u rlow for I certa i n l y ” will T h e proph ecy was fu l fil led b u t t h e pro m ise was bro ken A false l over ( for i n a fter l i fe h e beca me a fath er th ou gh n ever a h usband ) and a fa i th l ess fr i end Th u r l ow appears to have b ee n as u na m iabl e i n pri vate l i fe as h e was rash dom i n eer i n g a nd h eadst ron g i n p u b l i c a ffa i rs Th e l etters w h i ch a fter a s i l ence o f many yea rs h e condescended to wr i te to h is n ow fa mous fr i end w h o m h e had n egl ected an d i gnored i n h is poverty an d obscu ri ty a re far fro m con fi rm i ng t h e test i mon y w h i c h D r J oh nson b ore to th e i n tel l ectu al capac i ty o f th i s od i o us bu l l y Wh en h e l e ft t h e sol i c i tor s o ffi ce i n 1 7 5 2 Cowper n ow i n h is t wen ty firs t year too k cham b ers i n t h e M i ddl e Tem pl e I t was t h ere t h at t h e s hadow of rel i gi o us m elanc h o l y w h i ch was a fter wards to deepen i n to h opel ess gloom fi rs t fe ll across h is l i fe H e t r i ed to d i spe l i t b y por i n g over th e grave sweet poetry o f H er b ert ; b u t a more e ffect ual i f tem porar y rel i ef was a ff orded b y a v is i t wh i c h h e pai d to Sou tham pton wi th M r H es keth t h e betroth ed l over o f h is cous i n Harr i e t T h ere to pl ease M r H esketh w h o l oved yach t i n g s
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B I O G RA P H ICAL S K ETC H E S o r seated o n a h ei gh t i n cl ear st i l l weathe r loo ki n g ac ross t h e su nl i t sea to t h e N ew F orest F ro m So u t ham pton a fter a stay o f so me mon t h s h e retu rned to h is c ham b ers i n t h e Tem pl e a n d was ca l l ed to t h e b a r o n th e fo u rteen t h of J u n e 1 7 5 4 B u t h e had taken n o pa i ns to q ual i fy h i msel f for h is profess i o n ; a nd i t i s more t han dou b tfu l wh eth er h e ever h ad a cl i en t H e tel ls us i ndeed t hat o ne day read i n g b y t h e fi res i de i n h is cha m b ers h e was start l ed by a prod i gi ous l u m b eri ng at t h e doo r a nd o n open i n g i t b eh el d a most ru ra l fi gu re i n m uddy b oots a nd greatcoat w h o m for a few del i ri ous mo men ts h e too k fo r a cl i en t d raw n from a far b y t h e renown o f h is l egal ac u men a nd l earn i n g to s i t at t h e feet o f t h e n ew G a mal i el V isi o ns o f s i l k i f no t o f t h e woolsack perhaps fl oated b efore t h e m i nd o f th e br i e fl ess b arr i ster b u t t h ey were r ude l y d ispel l ed w h e n th e st ra nger d rew fro m h i s b u l g i ng pockets a pai r o f fat capo ns a nd p resen ted th em to h i m expla i n i ng t hat h e was t h e farme r w i th wh o m th e poet s b rot h er l odged at O rpi ngto n i n K e n t T h e c rest fal len b arr i ster ass i sted b y a few ch o i ce sp i r i ts d isposed of t h e capons at su pper b u t al l prospects o f l egal ad va ncem en t had va n i sh ed fo r ever A deeper d isappo i n tmen t b e fe lh i m w h en h is u nc l e A sh l ey Cowper refused h i s consen t to t h e poet s engagem en t w i th h i s co usi n Th eodora T h e reason w h i ch th e fath er al leged fo r h is refusa l was that th e ti e o f b lood b etween cous i ns i s too c l ose ,
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1 1
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W I L LIA M CO W P E R to ad m i t o f marr i age ; bu t perhaps h e saw t h e yo u n g man s i n capaci ty for b us i ness or d i scern ed o m i nous symptoms o f t h e m en tal dera ngemen t wh i ch w as to fo ll ow B e t hat as i t may t h e cous i ns pa rted a nd n ever met aga i n That Cowper fe l t t h e separat i o n deepl y at t h e t i me see ms certa i n ; yet i n later l i fe h e appea rs to h ave forgotten h is ea r l y love en t i rel y even w h i l e h e kept u p a c l ose fr i endsh i p a nd correspon dence w i t h h er s i ster Harr i et L ady H esketh Th eodora was m ore constan t s h e loved h i m to th e en d o f h er l i fe t reas u red t he poems h e had wr i tten for h er h e l ped h i m w i tho u t h is k nowl edge or s usp i c i o n i n h is poverty a n d d i ed l ong after h i m u n marr i ed D u r i ng h is l i fe i n th e Tem pl e Cowper b e l o nged to t h e Nonsense C l u b a soci ety o f seven West m i nster m en w h o d i n ed togeth er every Th u rsday a nd a m used th e mse l ves by co m pos i n g l u d i crous verses A mon g th e m embers o f t h e cl u b were Bon nel l Th orn ton G eo rge Col man R obert L loyd a nd Joseph H i l l Th e las t o f th ese was a tr u e fri en d to Cowper th rou gh good a nd i l l ; t h e poet a fter wa rds corres ponded w i t h h i m a nd b ore h o no u ra b l e tes t i mo n y to h is s terl i ng wo rt h i n th e r h ym i n g os ep h H i Ep i s tl l l A ma n o f s i m pl e e to E s j q tas tes a nd re g u la r hab i ts H i l l d ru dged s uccess fu l ly a t t h e la w b u t c o u l d relax h i msel f fro m h is pro fes s i o na l ca res i n th e C u n t ry read i ng o n s u nsh i n y ba n ks o r l y i n g n h is bac k an d watch i ng t h e cl ou ds go by Cowper has pa i n ted a noth er p ic tu re o f H i l l ’
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1 1
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B I O G RA P I I [C A L S K ET C H ES i tt i n g i n h is box a t t h e co ffee ho use o n a w i n te r even i ng w h i l e t h e wa i ter w i th h igh ra i sed hand pou red fro m t h e teapot a long a nd l i m pi d cascad e i n to t h e foam i ng froth i ng cu p below Th ree years a fter h is fath er s d eath w h i c h occ u rred i n 1 7 5 6 Cowper removed from t h e M i dd l e to t h e I n n er Tem pl e w h ere h e p u rc h ased c ham bers for two h u nd red a nd fi fty pou nds i n a n a i ry s i t uat i on A b ou t th e sam e t i me h e was made a Com m iss io ner o f Ban kru pts b u t h e seems to have c u l t i vated th e l VI u s es m uc h more d i l i gen t l y tha n t h e law H e prod u ced several hal fpen n y b al lads two o r th ree o f w h i ch had t h e h ono u r to b ecom e popu la r ; and w i th h is broth er J oh n th en st u dy i n g fo r t h e C h u rch at Cam b r i dge h e kept u p a r h ym i n g correspond en ce : t h e w h ol e o f i t b e preserved for a t i m e b u t i t peris h ed i n th e w rec k o f a t h ousan d oth er t h i ngs w h e n h e l eft th e Tem pl e H e also h el ped h is b roth er w i t h a translat i o n o f Vol ta i re s H enr l con tr i b u t i n g a vers i on o f fo u r a de books Wi th a fri en d named A lsto n h e a b o u t t h i s t i m e read H omer t h ro u gh com pari ng P ope s trans lat i on w i th t h e o r i gi nal al l t h e way a nd com i n g to t h e con cl usi on t ha t t h ere was hard l y a n yt h i ng i n t h e worl d o f w h i ch P ope was so d est i t u te as a taste for H o m er Cowper also con tr i b u ted a few papers to The C onnoi s s eu r a magaz i n e o f essays i n t h e s tyl e o f Th e Sp ecta t or and The R a m bl er w h ic h was started by h is two sch ool fr i ends Bon nel l Th orn ton and G eorge Col man i n Jan ua ry 1 7 5 4 -
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1 1
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B I O G RAP H ICAL S K ETCH ES t i on T h is co u ld n ot last a nd w h en th e vacat i o n was prett y fa r advanced h e wen t i n th e mon th o f \ I a rg a t e to rest h is ac h i n g bra i n A u gus t 1 7 6 3 to l a nd res to re h is s hattered n erves by fresh a i r and 1 sea b reezes Th e v i s i t l i ke t h e on e o n a s i m i la r occas i o n to So u tha m pto n h ad a b en e fi cia l e ff ect L i ttl e as h e enj o y ed sa i l i n g o n th e sea h e l oved t h e prospect o f t h e ocea n a nd th e sol em n m onotonous roa r o f t h e waves h e tel ls us a ffected h i m as sweet m us i c a ffects oth ers com pos i ng h i s t h ou g h ts i n to a m elanch ol y n o t u n pleasi n g B u t t h e l u l la b y o f t h e b i l l ows has i ts dan gers O n e day wal k i n g o n t h e stra nd wh ere th e cl i ff i s h i gh a n d perpend i c u lar Cowper fa i l ed for a t i me to not i ce tha t t h e t i de was risi n g an d w h en h e d i d o b serve i t i t was al mos t too late B y ru n n i n g at fu ll speed h e was j us t abl e to reach o n e o f t h e cart ways c u t t h ro u g h t h e rock w h i ch l ed h i m to t h e top o f t h e cl i ff an d to sa fety Wh i l e th e sea pleased h i m a t M a rga te t h e soc i ety d i d not E very week th e sa i l i ng h oy ( for i t was l on g b efore t h e days o f steam ers ) wen t to L ondon loaded w i t h mackerel a n d h err i ngs an d ret u rn ed load ed w i t h com pa n y w h i c h was more l i ve l y t ha n sel ect B y t h e sa me b oy C harl es L a m b a fterwards made t h e sa me voyage i n t h e com pa ny o f t h e ge n t l e ma n w h o p ro fessed to have sa i l ed u nder th e l egs o f t h e Co l ossu s o f R h odes ; a n d for al l i ts d elays an d .
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ye r ( S epte m b er 7 6 ) C wper h d p i d nd f nd i t vi i t ene f i dl ene nd l x ry i d n i ng r d w l k i ng r i di ng b t h i n” e t i ng dr i nki ng m g nd ldre i ng y w ni ng l eep i ng ff ee 1
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WI L L IA M CO WPE R d i sco m forts t h e essayis t preferred t h e ol d sa i l i ng v essel w i th i ts weat her beaten s u n b u rn t captai n to t h e tri m ness a nd foppery o f t h e modern stea m packet w h ich h e l i ved to see F ro m M a rgate th e poet ret u rn ed to L on do n re fres h ed bu t on l y to pl u nge i n to deeper shad es of m isery Th e terror o f t h e d readed ordeal i n creas ed h e grew su l le n a nd r eserved h e fl ed fro m soc i ety a nd sh u t h i msel f u p i n h is cha m b ers w h en h is co us i n L ady H esketh cam e to see h i m h e wo u l d no t spea k to h er or loo k at h er To s u ch a p i tc h d i d h is i nsan e fears carry h i m tha t on th e morn i n g o f th e day wh en h e was to appear at th e bar o f t h e Ho use o f L ords h e mad e a determ i n ed an d n earl y s u ccessfu l attem pt o n h is l i fe Wh en M aj or Cowper cal l ed a t h is roo ms to co nd u ct h i m to t h e H o use h e fo u nd h is u n happy relat i ve i n a con d i t i o n w h i ch once for al l pu t a n en d to th e prospect o f h i s h old i n g th e parl ia men tary o ffi ce B u t th e remova l o f th is a nxi ety d i d not br i n g peace to h is t ro u b l ed m i nd : t h e d isease was too d eep — seated a n d soo n developed i n to a b l c k rel i g i o us m elancho ly o r rath er man ia wh i c h obl i g ed h is fa m i l y to p u t h i m u nd er res tra i n t I n D ecember 1 7 6 3 h e was r e moved to a pr i va te asyl u m kept b y D r Nathan i el Cotton a s k i l fu l doctor a nd a good man a t S t A l bans U nd er th e care o f th is k i nd an d j ud i c i o us ph ys i cia n Cowper recovered h i s senses i n a few mon ths b u t i t was a yea r a nd a hal f b efo re h e ven tu red t o leave t h e asyl u m a nd face th e o u ter -
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1 1
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B IO G RAP H ICAL S K ETCH E S wor l d o nce more I n t h e i n terval h is rel i g io us despai r had b een changed by a stron g rev u l s i o n o f feel i ng i n to rel i gi ous raptu re fro m b e li ev i n g h i m s el f e t e r na l l y da m ned h e n ow cam e to b el i eve h i msel f e ternal ly saved a nd was tra nspo rted w i th j oy an d grat i t ud e : h e gr udged even t h e h ou rs o f s l u m b er beca use t h ey i n te rr u pted t h e fl ow o f h i s happy med i tat i o n o n t h e bl iss fu l wor k o f t h e R edeemer A t fi rst t h e s u dde n t ra nsi ti o n exc i ted t h e fears o f D r Cotto n ; b u t h i msel f a d evo u t C h r i st ian h e was l ed b y t h e assu ran ces of h i s pat i en t to acq u i esce i n th e sou nd n ess o f h i s c u re a nd h ence forth so l on g as Cowper re ma i n ed i n h is h o use t he two h ad m u ch happy d isco u rse togeth er o n th e s u bj ects o f th e i r co m mo n fai th Wh en h e was s u ffi ci en tl y recovered to l eave t h e as y l u m Cowper resol ved to avo i d L ondon a nd seek a q u i et h om e for h i msel f e l sew h ere H e was very poor ; fo r h is patr i mon y was spen t o r n earl y so a nd h e now res i gned h i s Com m i ss i o nersh i p of Ba n kr u pts w h i ch had b rough t h i m i n £ 6 0 a year B u t h is fa m i l y s u b scr i b ed to make h i m a n a n n ual al lowance ; a mong th ose w h o con tri b u ted was h is k i n d a n d gen ero us k i ns man M aj or Cowper Th e poet s w is h was to settl e near h is broth er Jo h n w h o a fter h ol d i ng a c u racy at O rpi ngto n i n K en t was now a F el lo w o f S t B enet s ( Corpus C h r i st i ) Col l ege Ca m b r i dge ; b u t som ewhat strangel y h is b roth er cou l d find no s u i ta b l e lodgi ngs for h i m n earer tha n H u n t i n gdon Cowper l eft S t A l bans .
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1 20
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B IO G RA P H ICAL S K ETCHE S w h o as h e fo nd l y bel i eved had l ed h is strayed s h eep i n to a q u i et fol d Th e d istance fro m Ca mbri dge made Cowpe r a h orseman fo r h e me t h is b roth er J oh n al ternatel y a t Cam br i dge a nd H u n ti n gdo n ; a nd t ho ug h h e so met i mes go t a l i ft i n a n ei gh bo u r s chaise h e gen eral l y rod e over a d ista nce o f som e fi ftee n m il es across a fl at co u ntry to t h e U n i vers i ty town A mongst t h e fri en ds to w h o m h e wrote fro m H u n ti ngdo n were t h e ever fai t h fu l Josep h H i l l who had k i nd ly ta ke n c harge o f Cowper s a ff a i rs d u ri ng h is i l l ness L ady H esketh an d M aj or a nd M r s Cowper O f t h ese M rs Cowper was h i s fi rst co usi n H er broth er was M art i n M adan at t hat t i m e chapla i n to t h e L oc k Hospi tal a cl ergyma n o f t h e C h u rc h o f E ngland w hose styl e o f p reach i ng approach ed to that o f t he I\ I e t h o di s ts t h en r isi ng i n to i mportance H e had vis i ted Cowper d u ri n g h i s men tal a ffl i ct i on i n t h e Te mpl e an d had attempted to soot h e h i s co us i n s d istress b y rel i gi o us consolat io n A fter wards b e i nc u rred Cowper s deep d isgust by p u bl i sh i ng a t reat i se ca ll ed Thel yp hthor a i n defence o f pol ygam y To t ha t wor k t h e poet makes ma n y references i n h i s l etters I t d rew dow n o n i ts au t h or a stor m o f oppro b r i u m w h i ch d rove h i m fro m h is C hapla i n cy i n to ret i remen t T h e l onger Cowper stayed a t H u n t i n gdo n t h e more h e l i ked t h e place an d th e people I n abo u t ” two mo nt h s a fter m y arri val h e says I b eca m e k now n to al l t h e v isi ta b l e peopl e h ere a n d d o ,
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1 22
WI L L IA M CO WPE R ver i ta b l y th i n k i t t h e most agreea b l e n ei gh b ou rhood ” I ever sa w A mongst t h e acq ua i n tances w h o m h e made at H u n t i ngdon was th e fa mi l y o f t h e U nw i ns d es t i ned to i n fl u ence t h e w hol e s u bseq u en t co u rse o f h i s l i fe I t co ns isted o f a fat h er a n d mot h er a \do r l e so n a nd a dau gh ter Th e fath er t h e R ev l y U n w i n a ma n n ow advanced i n years had b een master o f t h e free school a nd l ect u rer to th e two ch u rch es at H u n t i ngdon before h e o b tai ned a col lege l i vi n g a t G ri msto ne i n Norfol k H is w i fe w hose memory i s i m perishably l i n ked w i t h t hat o f Cowper was M ary Cawt horn e t h e dau gh ter o f a d raper a t E l y S h e was m u ch yo u nger tha n h er h us b a nd H er u ndersta nd i ng was good h er te mpera men t ca l m a n d c heerfu l h er p i ety deep a nd ferven t h er co u n tena nce grave b u t sweet a nd seren e S h e was wel l read i n th e E ngl ish poets a nd had excel l en t l i tera ry taste sh e lo ved r u ral wal ks ; a nd h er ma n ners accord i n g to Cowper a very good j u dge were more pol i te t ha n t hose o f a d u c h ess No t l i k i ng t h e soci ety a nd t h e seq uestered s i t uat i o n o f G r i mston e s h e pers uaded h e r h usband to ret u rn to H u n t i n gdon wh ere h e was k no wn an d respected A ccord i ngl y h e too k a la rge co n ve n i en t ho use i n 1 th e H igh S tree t o f t he town a n d recei ved i n to i t a fe w p u pi ls wh om h e prepared fo r t h e U n i vers i ty .
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e p l i n e di fi e b i l t f b r i k w h i h n e were d b h ve t r ned d ky l r h n b ee n di v i de d i nt Th p rl r i n w h i h C wper i b e l i eve d h ve wi t h t h e f m i l y i h nd m e p rt m e nt n h g r nd fl r w i t h t h ree deep w i nd w l k i ng nt h e treet Th h r h f S M ry w h ere h e i i d h ve w r hi pped i nl y few tep ff r t h e treet 1
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B IO G RA P H ICAL S K ETCH E S H i s o n l y ch i ld ren were a s o n and dau gh te r T h e so n Wi l l ia m Caw th orn e U n w i n a n a m i a b l e you ng ma n o f a bo u t twen t y o ne had lately retu rn ed h o m e a fter grad uat i ng a t Ca m b r i dge Th e dau g h ter “ S usa n na was a gi rl o f abou t e i gh teen rath e r ” ha ndsome a nd g en teel as Cowper descr i b es h er ; sh e appea rs to have resem bl ed h er mot h er i n cha racter as wel l as i n p i et y A l toget h er Cowper “ fo u n d t h e U nw i ns th e c h ee r fu l a nd most es t ” — engagi n g f am i l y p i ece i t i s possi ble to concei ve Th e fri endsh i p w h i c h h e st ruc k u p wi t h t h em based on con g en ial tastes a nd s i m i lar d ispos i t i ons was so cl ose t hat w h e n a vacan cy occ u rred i n M r U nw i ns h ouse t h rou g h t he d epartu re o f a p u pi l Cowper appl i ed to s u cceed h i m and o n t h e el even t h o f Novem b er 1 7 6 5 h e became a n i n mate o f t h e h ouse I n h is l etters h e descri bes t h e cal m happy regu lar l i fe wh i ch h e l ed as o n e o f t h e fam i l y th e morn i n g p rayers a n d serv i ce i n c h u rc h t h e earl y d i n ner t h e rel i gi ou s tal k i n t h e gard en t h e wal k a fter tea t h e even i n g read i n g and co n versat i o n t i l l s u pper t h e h vm ns s u ng to M r s U nw i ns accom pan i men t o n t h e h a rps i chord an d l ast o f al l t h e eve n i n g p rayers I n t h is peacefu l ro u nd h is l i fe gl i ded q u i etly away fo r more than e i g h teen mon ths E ve n w i n try weath er w h i c h d ispel l ed so me o f t h e s u m mer charms o f H u n t i ngdon co u l d “ ” no t s po i l h i s do mest i c h app i n ess I a m glad h e wr i tes to L ady H esket h i n Jan uary 1 7 6 7 yo u s pen t yo u r s u m m er i n a place so agreeabl e to vo u .
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1 2 .1r
B IO G RAPH ICAL
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S K E I C H ES
i s i t w h i ch t h ey recei ved a t H u n t i n g d o n fr o m t h e Re v Jo h n N ewto n a few days a fter M r M or l ey U nw i ns d eat h d eterm i ned M r s Unwi n and Cowper to remove to O l ney w h ere M r N ewto n was c u rate H e u ndertoo k to fi n d a h ouse fo r th em and t h ey accepted h is o ff er A cco rd i ngl y h e en gaged O rchard S i de a tal l p l a i n red b r i c k h ouse sta nd i n g i n t h e market — place o f O l n ey an d so n ea r t h e V i ca rage t hat by open i n g doorways i n t h e gard en wal ls th e occ u pa n ts o f t h e two h o uses cou l d co m m u n i cate w i t h ou t go i n g i n to t h e s treet N ewto n l i ved i n th e V i carage for M oses B rown e t h e v i car b u rd en ed w i t h a la rge fam i l y was a n absentee t h rou gh debt Th i t h er accord i n gl y M r s U n w i n a nd Cowper removed a nd were settl ed i n t h ei r n ew h om e b efore t h e end o f t h e yea r Th e tow n o f O l ney i s t h e mos t n ort h erl y i n B uc ki ngha msh i re I t sta nds o n t h e northe rn s i d e of th e O use a n d cons isted i n Cowper s t i me o f l i ttl e more t ha n a s i n gl e l on g st reet b road en i n g abo u t th e m i ddl e i n to a t riangu lar market — place adorned w i th th ree fi n e el ms M ost o f t h e h o uses were b u i l t o f yel lo w ston e w i t h t h atc h ed roo fs Th e o u tsta nd i n g feat u res o f t h e place were t h e ha ndsom e o l d c h u rc h w i th i ts tal l sp i re r is i ng o n t h e o u ts k i rts o f th e town a nd th e l on g br i dge w i th a rch es o f var i ous s hapes a nd sizes b estri d i n g t h e 1 A t O l n ey th e O use is a sl u ggis h r i ver i n fron t \
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b r i dg e h v i ng f ll e n i nt rep l e d b y m h h rter
d Th e o l i n 1 8 3 2 a nd 1
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stream w i nd i ng i n serpen ti n e c u rves b etween ban ks fr i n ged b y b u l r ush es O n e i th er s i de th e meadows a re flat an d green an d beyo nd t h em t h e gro u nd r ises i n to h e i gh ts wh i ch h ere ad vance towards t h e ri ver i n fl a n d th ere recede fro m a t promon tori es i t i n s hal lo w ba y s Stand i ng on th e bri dge a nd l ook i n g westwa rd u p th e st ream yo u see on h i gh er gro u nd at a d istance of l ess tha n two m i les tal l fores t trees r i s i n g u p aga i ns t t h e s ky l i n e a nd seem i n g to overha ng a sq uare ch u rch tower Th ey ma rk th e s i te of Westo n U nderwood Th e road to i t so o ften t rodden b y t h e feet o f Wi l l ia m Cowper and M ary U n w i n r u ns paral l el to th e r i ver hard l y m ore than hal f a fi eld s breadt h u p th e slope ; fro m t he po i n t w h ere t h e road rises wi th th e swel l of t h e gro u n d th ere is a pl easan t prospec t over t h e broad green val le y o f th e O use a prospect l oved by th e p oet a nd celebrated b v h i m i n t h e fi rst boo k .
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f Th e Ta s k
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I n i t el f th e town o f O l ne v was m ean i f n ot sq ual id and a great p roport io n of th e i n hab i ta n ts m iserabl y poor L ace mak i ng a n u n w holesom e seden tary occ u pat i on was t h e pri nc i pal i nd ustry an d w i th straw pla i t i n g i t em pl oyed so man y wo men an d c h i ld ren that th e fa rmers o f th e n ei g h bou rh ood s
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l ey nd i ne i g h b r h d de r i b ed w i t h l v i ng fi de l i ty b y H g h M i l l er i n h i Fi I mp n f E ng lnd nd P pl O l ney nd W e t n i n t h e h p xv H m de p i l g r i m g e t m n f 84 5 nd “ f rt n te b g i de d ver t h e p t h nt b y h l e l d m n h we ll re m e m b ere d C wper 1
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S K ET C H ISS
B IO G RA P H ICAL
f u n d i t d i ffi cu l t to o b ta i n hands fo r th e i r work I n h is h ouse o n t h e ma rket place adj o i n i ng t h e la ne cal l ed S i l ver E nd t h e l east rep u ta b l e q ua rter o f t h e to wn t h e poet h ad to p u t u p w i th t h e i ncessa n t screa m i n g o f c h il dren a n d b ark i n g o f dogs ; a nd o n t h e fi ft h o f Novem b er w h en th e u rch i ns were parti c u larl y o b streperous a nd engaged i n a sport w h i ch t h ey cal l ed h oc key b u t w h i ch co ns i sted essen t ial l y i n bespatter i n g each oth er an d t h e w i ndows o f t h e h o uses w i t h m ud th e poet was forced fro m t i me to t i me to ar i se i n h i s wrath a nd t h r eaten th em w i t h a h orse wh i p P u t ri d exhala t i ons fi sh y fu mes o f mars h m iasma a nd m i ry roads i n w i n ter a re a mong th e u natt ract i ve feat u res o f O l n ey w h i ch Cowper has l eft o n record Wh en Wi l l ia m U n w i n fi rst v is i ted h i s mot h er a t O l ney a n d con templated th e fro n t o f t h e h o use h e was s h oc ked ; i n h is eyes i t h ad th e appearance o f a pr i so n M r s U n w i n a n d Cowper had b een d rawn fro m H u n ti n gdo n to O l ney b y t h e attract i ons o f th e R ev Joh n N ewto n w h ose c l er i ca l m i n i strat i o ns t hey expected to enj oy Th ey certa i n l y rece i ved t h e m i n fu l l meas u re b u t w h eth er t h ey enj oyed t h e m o r b en e fi ted b y t h e m i s at l east open to q u est i on N ewton a ma n o f ro b ust const i t u t i on and i ro n n erve had b egu n l i fe as a capta i n o f a L i verpool slaver a profess i o n w h ic h h e a fterwards exc han ged fo r that o f a cl ergyma n of th e C h u rc h o f E ngla nd Tha t h is pi ety was d eep and s i ncere o
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1 28
B I O G RAP H ICAL S K E T C H E S exh i bi t i ons cost h i m ho u rs o f great a g i tat i o n be fore h e too k part i n t h em a nd we ca n easi ly i ma g i n e t h e r a pi d pu lse th e fl ush ed c h eek an d th e th robbi n g h ead w i th wh i ch h e iss u ed fro m th e m eeti ngs a fter expos i n g h i s h ea rt s deepest e mot i ons to t h e scru t i ny o f t h e censor io us too o ften i t may b e fea red to t h e m ere i d l e c u ri os i ty o f th e v u l gar E ven h is wal ks o n s u m mer even i n gs were sacr i fi ced to th ese rel i gi o us exerc i ses ; a n d i nstead o f enj oy i ng t h e fres h a i r a nd s u nsh i n e i n t h e ope n fi elds h e was s h u t u p i n th e h o use l isten i ng to l on g wi nded prayers a nd sermo ns t i l l su pper — t i me Th e b an efu l e ff ect o f al l t h is o n Cowper soo n man i fested i tsel f A fter th e settl em en t at O l ney h is l etters to h is fri e nds fi rst b eca me rare an d t h en ceased al togeth er Th e correspon den ce w i th L ad y H es keth came to a n e nd a nd was not res u med for ma n y years ; that w i t h J oseph H i l l grew per fu nct o r y a nd was ch i e fl y con fi ned to matters o f b us i ness wh i ch that u n weari ed fr i end con t i n u ed to transact for th e recl use Th e d i stance from Ca m bri dge also c u t h i m o ff fro m easy i n terco u rse w i t h h is broth er ; i nstead o f meet i n g o nce a week t h ey met now on l y o nce a year I n J u l y 1 7 6 9 h e l ost th e co mpan i onsh i p o f h is fr i en d W i l l i a m U n w i n wh o l eft O l ney to resi d e at Stoc k n ear R amsd en i n Essex o f w h i ch h e had been appo i n ted recto r A noth er bl o w fel l o n t h e poet i n M arc h 1 7 7 0 wh en h is b rot h er d i ed o f asth ma at Cam b ri dge Cowper was w i th h i m i n h is l ast days a nd wrote ,
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30
W I L L IA M CO W P E R a n acco u n t of h is i l l ness a nd d eath w h i c h i s i ncl u ded i n h is works Th us more a nd more isolated a n d l eft to th e tender m erci es o f t h e R ev J oh n N ewton Co wper grad ual l y sa n k i n to a pro fo u nd m elanch ol y wh i ch t h e com posi tio n o f t h e 01 71 6} Hym ns u nd er ta ken a t N ewto n s su ggesti o n by th e t wo fri en ds j oi n tl y i n I 7 7 I was hard l y o f a s u ffi ci en tl y recreat i ve and e x h i larati ng character to d ispel B y Ja n uary 1 7 7 3 t h e melanchol y had d eepen ed i n to mad ness O n e n i gh t towa rds t h e en d o f t h e mon th t h e sym pto ms were so ala rm i n g t hat M r a nd I\I r s N ewton were ro used fro m bed at fo u r o cl ock i n th e morn i n g to atten d h i m wh i ch t h ey d i d p rom ptl y Th e most th reaten i n g appeara nce soon wore o ff b u t th e malad y co n ti n u ed fo r mon t hs O n t h e approach o f th e a n n ual fai r at O l ney wh i ch was h el d i n A pri l Cowper en treated to b e al lowed to pass t h e n i gh t at t h e V i carage i n order to be o u t o f h ea ri n g o f t h e n oise T h e req u est was gran ted ; h e wen t for a n i gh t a n d stayed fo r more t ha n a h is terro rs ma ki ng i t i m possi bl e to remove yea r h i m except by force wh i ch N ewton was to o a ffecti o nate a fri end to em ploy We s hou ld have had more s ym path y w i t h Newto n i n t h is em barrass i n g s i t uat ion i f h e had n ot d ra wn t h e t ro u bl e o n h i msel f by h is i n j u d i c io us con d u ct H owever i n th e t ryi n g c i rcu m s tances h e seems to have behaved wel l s u bm i tt i n g w i th pat i en ce to th e h u mo u rs a nd fa nc ies o f th e poo r s u ffe rer a nd re fus i n g to accep t an y pec u nia ry rem u nerat io n fo r th e ext rao rd i nary ,
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31
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B IO G RA P H ICAL S K E T CH E S exh i b i t i ons cost h i m h ou rs o f great agi tat i on be fore h e too k pa rt i n th em a nd we ca n eas i ly i magi n e th e rapi d p u lse t h e fl ush ed c hee k a nd th e th robbi ng h ead w i t h wh i c h h e iss u ed fro m t h e meet i ngs a fter expos i n g h i s h ea rt s deepest emot i ons to t h e scru t i n y o f t h e censor i o us too o ften i t may b e feared to t h e m ere i d le c u r i osi ty o f th e v u lgar E ve n h i s wal ks o n s u m m er even i n gs were sacr i fi ced to th ese rel i gi o us exercises ; a n d i nstead o f enj oyi ng t h e fres h a i r a nd s u nsh i n e i n t h e open fi el ds h e was s h u t u p i n th e h o use l isten i ng to l on g wi nded prayers an d sermo ns t i l l s u pper — ti me Th e ban efu l e ff ect o f al l t h is o n Cowper soo n man i fested i tsel f A fter t h e settl em en t a t O l n ey h is l etters to h i s fr i ends fi rst beca me ra re an d t h en ceased al togeth er Th e correspond ence w i t h L ad y Hes keth cam e to a n end a nd was not res u med for ma ny years ; t hat w i t h Joseph H i l l grew per fu nc t o r y a nd was ch i e fl y co n fi n ed to matters o f b us i ness w h i ch t hat u n weari ed fr i end con ti n u ed to transact for t h e recl use Th e d i stance from Ca m br i dge also c u t h i m o ff fro m easy i n terco u rse w i t h h is brot h er ; i nstead o f m eet i n g on ce a week t h ey met now on l y on ce a year I n J u l y 1 7 6 9 h e l ost th e com pan i onsh i p o f h is fri en d W illi a m U n wi n wh o l eft O l ney to res i d e a t Stock n ear R amsd en i n Essex o f w h i c h h e had been appo i n ted rector A noth er bl o w fel l o n t h e poet i n M a rc h 1 7 7 0 wh en h i s b roth er d i ed o f asth ma a t Ca m b ri dge Cowper was w i t h h i m i n h is last days a nd w rote ,
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B IO G RA P H ICAL S K E I '
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C H I ‘IS
to w h i ch h e was pu t by t h e pre s ence o f t wo u n i n vi ted gu ests F o r M rs U n w i n aecom p a ni e d Cowpe r to t h e V i ca rage a nd was u n weari ed i n h er attendance o n h i m b y day a nd n i g h t e q u a l l v rega rdl ess o f h e r o w n h eal th a nd o f th e u nchari ta b l e ” co nst ru ct i o n o f censor i ous a n d mal i gnan t tongu es F o r t h e state o f m i nd o f th e i n val i d req u i red a co nstan t watch to be kept o n h i m i t grew rath er wo rse tha n better an d i n O cto b er h e attempted h is l i fe u nder t h e i nsane i dea t hat G o d req u i red h i m to offe r h i msel f u p as a sacri fice a fter th e approved styl e o f A braha m an d I saac w i t h t h e i m portan t d i fference tha t t h e s a c r i fic e r was to o perate o n h i msel f i nstead o f m erel y o n a b eloved so n Th e m u rdero us attempt l i ke i ts p rototype fort u natel y m iscarr i ed G rad ual l y t h e cl ou d b ega n to l i ft : th ou gh h e spo ke l i ttl e a n d n ever except w h en spoken to h e p ru n ed th e trees i n th e garden : a t las t h e bega n to ma ke remarks o n t h em a nd o n e happy day i n feed i n g t h e c h i ckens h e was seen to s m i l e Soo n after h e was pers uaded to ret u rn h o me a n d fro m t hat t i me t h e a m end men t see ms to h ave p roceeded stead i l y S hortl y before h i s ret u rn i n M a y I 7 7 4 M r s U nw i n s dau gh ter S usan na was marri ed to th e R ev I\I a t t h e w P owl ey v i car o f D ews b u ry a nd removed wi t h h er h us b an d to Y orksh i re so t hat Cowper a nd M r s U n w i n were now l eft al o n e at O rchard S i d e Th e poet too k to garden i ng a nd ca rpen ter i ng ; a nd a fri en d presen ted h i m w i t h t h ree bares w h i ch e\
p e ns es
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W I L L IA M CO W P E R a fforded h i m a fu nd of i n nocen t a m usemen t T h e i r m emory even t h ei r i nd i vi d ual characters h e has i m mortal ized i n L at i n a nd E ngl i sh i n verse an d prose I n 1 7 7 6 a fter a s i l ence o f abo u t fou r years h e res u med h is corresponden ce w i t h h is fr i ends B u t t h e strea m o f h i s l etters d i d not fl ow freel y t i l l a fter Newto n s departu re fro m O l ney w h i c h happi l y for t h e poet too k place i n Septe mber 1 7 7 9 Th e good sh eph erd was v e r v fa r fro m b ei ng sat is fi ed w i th h is fl oc k ; i n deed t h e i r prospects for etern i ty i f we ma y ta ke h is wo rd for i t were exceed i ngl y gloo my H e spo ke o f t h e m pri vatel y i n mos t u n com pl i men tary language H e cal l ed t h em sons o f B el ial l i ons a nd fi re b ra nds m en w h ose teet h were spea rs and arrows and th e i r tongues a sharp sword bad enou gh w h e n t h e v were so b er b u t very terr i bl e wh e n th ey were d ru n k H e com pared h i msel f a nd th e few ri gh teous i n O l n ey to pi o u s L ot res i d i n g i n t h e m i dst o f Sodo m a n d t h e co m parison t h ou gh u n q u est i o na b l y grace fu l a n d poss i b l y j ust was not o f a sort i f i t got w i n d to i ngrat i at e h i m wi t h h is pa rish i o ners I ndeed t h e re l ati ons between h i m a n d th em see m to have been severe l y st ra i n ed a nd th ey ca me to a b rea k i n g po i n t w h e n h e ven tu red to d eno u n ce from th e p u l pi t th e pop u la r cel ebrat io n o f G u y Fa w k es s D a y a nd i n pa rti c u la r to d i s co u rage t h e l igh t i n g o f bon fi res a n d t h e i l l u m i nat ion o f h o use s w i th c and l es o n t hat fest i v e even i n g Th is was too m u ch So lon g as h e con fi ned h i msel f st rictl y t h el l fi re an d bri m s ton e .
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B IO G RA PH I C A L S K ETC H ES h e m i g h t be tol erated bu t w h e n h e to uch ed t h e sac red a rk o f bo n fi res a nd tal lo w ca nd les o n t h e F i fth o f Nove m b er t h e p o pu lace rose l i ke o n e ma n Th ere was a g eneral explos ion O n G u y F a w k e s s n i g h t peopl e pu t ca ndl es i n t h ei r w i ndows w ho had never do ne so before ; a nd t h ose w h o had don e so b efore n ow p u t twi ce as man y N i gh t was t u rn ed i n to day by th e blaze o f t h e i l l u m i nati on A mob paraded t h e street s mash i n g w i ndows a n d extort i n g mo ney fro m o n e en d o f th e tow n to th e o th er Th e V i carage was th reaten ed Th e c u rate co m m i tted t h e case to th e L ord bu t th e L ord pai d n o atten t i on P rov i dence d i d no t i n terpose Th e crowd d rew n ea r M r s Newton was terr i fi ed A fl ag o f t r uce was sen t o u t a pa rl ey was h eld So ft words had so m e e ff ect a sh i l l i ng had m u c h more t h e mob d ispersed a nd t h e v s l ept i n peace at t h e V i carage So i n t i me M r Newton i n t h e character o f r i gh teous L ot t u rn ed h is bac k o n O l ney a nd reti red to L ondon w h ere h e had b een p resen ted by h is fri en d M r Thorn to n to t h e rectory o f S t B u t th e paral l el was not co m l \da r y Wool noth th e d estru cti o n of t h e w i c ked town l e d by e t p O l n ey s u rvi ved h i s d epartu re : t h e e ff ervescence sti rred u p b y h is fi ery m i n i stry s ubsi ded a n d t h e percen tage o f l u nacy i n t h e paris h v i s i bl y d ecl i ned P eace o f m i n d o nce more rei gned a t O rchard S i de a nd Cowper en tered o n what was perhaps th e h appi est peri o d o f h is l i fe Not that h e was th en ,
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34
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na mes appea r no t to be b lazo ned o n t h e bead rol l o f fa me H i s s tyl e o f p reach i n g was acri d : h e had a l ow op i n i o n o f h is pari s h io n ers a n d was a t n o pa i ns to co nceal h is op i n i o n h e detected severa l “ ” pro fessors w ho had mo re l eaves t h a n fr u i t ; a n d as h e preac h ed on l y tw i ce a day o n S u n days h e fai l ed to satis fy th e i mmoderate appet i te fo r sermo ns w h i ch t h e popu lat i o n o f O l ney had con tracted u nder h is predecessor so t hat th ere was a m e l anchol y fal l i n g away to D i ssen t I f M r N ewto n d i d m uc h to u n h i nge h i s fr i en d s m i nd h e at l east made a n attem pt after h is d epart u re fro m O l n ey to repai r t h e m isch i ef Wi th th i s h u man e i n ten ti o n h e i nv i ted Cowper to co nsi der t h e pa ral l el case o f th e R ev S i mo n B row n e a respectabl e d issen t i n g cl ergyman w h o hav i n g s u ffered a do mest i c b ereavem en t o r knoc ked a h i gh wayma n o n t h e h ead ( for acco u n ts d i ffer as to t h e so u rce of h i s m en tal a ffl i ct i on ) sa n k i n to a deep dej ecti on end i ng i n a settl ed pers uas i on that “ h e h ad fal len u n der th e sens i b l e d i sp l eas u re o f G od w h o had caused h i s rat i onal sou l grad ual l y to peris h an d l eft h i m on l y a n an i ma l l i fe i n co m mo n w i t h b r u tes ; so that th ou g h h e retai ned t h e facu l ty o f spea k i ng i n a man n er t ha t appeared rat i onal to oth ers h e had al l th e w h i l e n o more n ot io n o f w hat h e sai d t h a n a parrot—b e i n g u tterly ” d i vested o f co nsc i o usn ess I n th is m elanch ol y si t uat i on B row n e proposed to appl y for th e rest i tu t io n o f h i s lost so u l si n gu larl y e nou gh to Q u een -
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W I L L IA M CO W P E R Carol i n e ; b u t th e appl i cat i o n bei n g n i pped i n t h e bu d b y h is fri ends h e devoted h is shattered en ergi es to th e co mpos i t i o n o f a d i ct i onary a wor k for w h i ch as h e observed w i t h som e appearan ce of j usti ce th e possessi o n o f a rati onal so u l is wh ol l y u n n ecessary L ater i n l i fe si n k i n g sti l l lower i n th e scal e of be i n g h e t u rned h is atten ti on to pol em i cal d i v i n i ty a s u bj ect to w h i ch h is caust i c re marks o n d i ct i onar i es m igh t perhaps be appl i ed w i t h eq ual force a n d even grea ter j ust i ce B u t th e spectacl e o f a o nce rat i onal m i nd red uced to s u ch deplorabl e extrem i ti es bro u gh t no com fort to poor Cowper H e ad m i tted perhaps h e even sm i led a t t h e d el us i o n o f th e l exi cograph er an d d i v i n e bu t h e refused to appl y th e l esson to h is ow n case M r N ewto n rendered Cowper a m u ch be tter serv i ce wh en o n l eav i n g O l n ey h e i n trod u ced h i m to th e R ev Wi l l ia m B u l l an I ndepen den t m i n i ster res i d i n g at Newpor t Pagn el l five m i les d ista n t fro m O l n e y A ma n o f so b er m i nd yet fi n e i magi nat i on am iabl e d ispo i ti on l i terary tastes an d c u l t i vated u nderstan d i n g l \ I r B u l l was a n en terta i n i n g co m pan i on i n soci ety th o u gh at oth er t i m es h is v i vac i ty was dash ed w i th a ve i n o f tender an d del i cate m elanch ol y M oti ves o f co m pass i on at fi rst l ed h i m to v i s i t Cowper o nce a f ortn i g h t b u t th e two soo n becam e good fri ends ; th e poet occasi onal l y ret u rned h is v i s i ts a nd co rresponded w i th h i m Cowper no w bet o o k h i msel f t o g arden i n g I n th e pla i n l i ttl e g a rden at th e bac k f th e h o u s e h e bu i l t ,
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37
B I O G RAP H ICAL S K E I '
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a co u pl e o f fra mes fo r grow i n g pi nes a nd g lazed t h e m h i msel f w i t h glass proc u red fro m B ed fo rd H e al o a m used h i msel f w i t h carpen try ma n u fa c t u r i ng tabl es i n pro fus i o n a nd j o i n t stools su c h as n ever were befo re o r s i nce H e also mad e sq u i rrel h o uses h u tc h es fo r ra b b i ts an d bi rd cages as wel l as a n y sq u i re i n t h e co u n try ; a nd i n t h e a rt i cl e o f cabbage n ets h e had n o s u per i or H e even too k to d raw i n g a nd c u l t i vated t ha t fi n e art for a w hol e yea r prod uc i ng as t h e fr u i t o f m u ch labo u r a seri es o f figu res w h i ch had h e ass u res us t h e meri t o f bei n g u n paral lel ed by a n y p rod ucti ons e i t h er o f a rt o r natu re I n M r s U nw i ns eyes t h ey were bea u ti fu l an d sh e had t h ree o f h is landscapes fra med a nd gla z ed A fter reco u n t i n g h is art i st i c explo i ts i n o ne o f h is l etters h e b u rsts o u t O l I co u ld spen d w hol e days an d moon l i gh t n i gh ts i n feed i ng u po n a l ovel y prospect ! M y eyes d ri n k ” t h e r i vers as th ey fl ow Happ i l y fo r t h e worl d h e so u gh t for recreati o n a n d fo u nd h is tru e vocat i o n i n l i terat u re M rs U n w i n u rged h i m to wri te a lon g poem a nd ” “ s uggested as a s u bj ect Th e P rogress o f E rror H e assen ted a n d engaged i n th e la b o u r o f poetry w i th s uch ardo u r t hat between D ecember 1 7 80 a nd M arch I 7 8 1 h e had completed fo u r l on g /h e Tel poems The Pr og r es s of Er r or Tr u th Ta bl a n d Ex p os t u l Th e tas k o f fi nd i ng a p u bl i s h er a t i on was u n derta ken by M r Newton w h o i nd uced M r J oseph Jo h nson o f S t Pa u l s C h u rch yard to accept ,
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38
B I O G RAP H ICAL S K ETCH E S i s t h e secret o f al most al l g ood wr i t i ng ; w i t h t h e enco u ragemen t o f h is p u bl is h er h e added several fre s h poems i ncl ud i n g C onv er s a t i on a nd R et i r e m ent A t Cowper s req uest N ewto n w rote a p re face for t h e vol u me b u t i ts seri o us to ne fr i gh ten ed t h e p u bl is h er w h o t h ou gh t t hat w h i l e i t m i gh t att ract t h e p i o us i t wo u ld d isgust th e pro fane ; a nd as h e appa ren tl y rested h i s hopes o f th e sale o f t h e work rath er on t h e pro fan e t ha n o n t h e p i o us part o f th e p u bl i c h e earn estl y reco m mended t hat t h e o b nox i o us preface sh o u ld be w i th d rawn Cowper regretfu l ly an d Newton h ono u rabl y acq u i esced I t was n ot t i l l t h e vol u me had r u n t h rou gh fo u r ed i t i ons a nd co u ld stan d o n i ts ow n meri ts that J oh nson ven t u red to pre fi x to i t Newto n s wel l m ean t tri b u te to h is fri en d s poetry Th e s u m mer o f 1 7 8 1 w h en Cowper was b usy w i t h h is poet i cal labo u rs an d t h e correct i o n of t h e press was very h ot : t h e fi elds lan gu i s h ed a n d th e u pla nd grass was b u rn t I n o rder to p rocu re some cool ness an d s hade i n t h e garden w h ere th e h eat re fl ected fro m t h e wal ls an d t h e grave l seem ed l i ke t hat of A fr i ca Cowper con verted a s mal l green h o use i n to a s u m mer parl o u r Th e wal ls were h u ng w i th mats t h e fl oor covered w i t h a carpet a n d t h e s u n for t h e most part excl u ded by a n a wn i n g ; an d i n t h is pleasan t noo k w i t h m yrtles loo k i ng i n at th e w i ndo w a n d a p rospect o f rows o f p i n ks a n d b eans o f carnat i ons and roses bloo m i n g i n t h e s u ns h i n e o u tsi de t h e poet a nd h is fri ends passed t h e h eat o f ,
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W I L L IA M CO W P E R th e day i n happ y co n verse or con ten ted s i l ence w h i l e t h e rustl i n g o f t h e w i nd i n t h e trees t h e s i ngi n g o f b i rds a nd th e h u m o f bees i n a b ed of m i gnonette made m usi c i n t h ei r ears F o r b y t h is t i me th e do m esti c c i rcl e a t O rchard S i de was en la rged by a n i m portan t add i ti on O n e da v look i n g o u t o f t h e parl ou r w i n dow o n t h e ma rket place Cowper saw two lad i es cal l i ng a t a s hop opposi te O n e o f th e m h e k n ew ; s h e was M r s Jon es w i fe o f a clergyma n w h o resi ded at th e v i l lage o f C l i fto n w i th i n a m i le o f O l ney B u t wh o was th e oth er ! Cowper s c u ri os i ty was aro used h e made i nq u i r ies an d i t t u rned o u t t hat sh e was L ady A usten s i ster o f M r s Jon es a n d w i dow o f S i r R obert A usten a baronet Str u ck b y h er appeara n ce t h e poet pers uaded M r s U n w i n to as k t h e two lad i es to tea t ho ugh w h e n th ey cam e h is s hyness getti n g th e better o f h i m h e cou l d hard l y b e preva i led o n to face t h e stranger However h av i n g forced h i msel f to engage i n co nversat i o n w i th L ad y A usten a l i vel y a g reeabl e woma n o f t he world h e was so st i rred a n d attracted by h er t ha t h e esco rted th e t wo lad i es bac k to Cl i fton a nd C u l t i vated h is n e w acq ua i n tance w i t h su c h ass i d u i ty th at h e soo n “ ” ca m e to cal l h er by t he fam i l ia r t i tle o f S i ster A n n O n h er s id e L ady A uste n fo u nd t h e soc i ety at O rcha rd S ide n o l e s s to h er m i nd ; a nd th e t wo fa m i l i es we re q u i ck l y o n t h e m o s t i n t i mate terms O n e fi n e J u l y day t h ey p i cn i cked to g eth er i n th e Spi n n ey a del i g h tfu l bower i n Weston Pa rk Th e ,
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41
B IO G RA PH I C A L S K ET C H ES ea t a bl es a nd d ri n ka b l es were co n veyed to t he spot i n a w h eel ba rrow t h e serva n ts bo i l ed t h e kettl e u nd er a great el m t he w h eel barrow served as a tea tabl e ; a nd a fter a wa l k i n t h e n ei gh bou r i ng Wi ld ern ess t h e fri en ds retu rn ed h ome havi ng spen t t h e day togeth er fro m noo n t i l l eve n i ng w i th ou t one cross occ u rren ce or t h e l east weari ness o f each ot h er So pl eased i ndeed was L ady A usten w i t h O l n ey a nd i ts soci ety tha t sh e t h o u g h t o f settl i ng i n i t as soo n as s h e co u l d d ispose o f h er h o use i n L ondon Cowper welco med t h e prospect for M r s U nw i ns sa ke as wel l as h is ow n ; for s i nce th e depart u re o f t h e Newtons sh e had had n o femal e fr i ends i n t h e place nor even a woma n w i th w h o m sh e co u l d co n verse i n a ny e mergency Wi th h er h i g h spi ri ts l i vel y fan cy a nd ready fl o w o f co nversat i on L ad y A usten p rom ised to i n trod uce a spri gh tl i n ess i n to t h e cal m h o me wh i ch i f i t was peacefu l before m i gh t be n on e t h e wo rse for b ei ng a l i ttl e en l i ven ed F or a ti me th e pro m ise was fu l fi l led t h e fa i r prospect was u nclo u ded ; a n d yvh e n L ady A usten ret u rn ed to L o ndo n i n O cto b er t h e t wo fri en ds a t O rchard S i d e m issed h er Cowper an d sh e corresponded ; b u t w h e n sh e expressed too roman t i c a n i dea o f t h e meri ts o f h er n e w fri ends a nd too h igh fl ow n expectat i ons o f happi ness fro m h er i n terco u rse wi th t h em Cowper was constra i n ed to c h ec k th ese e ffusi o ns i n a l etter w h i c h gave deep o ff ence a n d for a w h i l e al l correspo ndence b etween th em ceased H owever i n t i me t h e lad y rel en ted a nd sen t a -
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42
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i m posed a h eavy tax o n Cowper s t i me was h i gh l y ben e ficial to h i s h eal th a nd sp i r i ts Th e gay v i vacio us L ad y A usten d ispel l ed fo r a t i me th e clo u ds o f mela nchol y w h i c h too o ften h u ng over h i m sh e was th e M use w ho i n s p i red th e most sport i ve a nd so me o f th e most seri o us o f h i s poe ms H e com posed songs fo r h er to s i ng to t h e harps i c h ord ; a mon g st o th ers t h e D i r g e for t he R oya lGeor g e was wri tte n to s u i t on e o f h er favo u ri te a i rs A noth er da v seei n g h i m su n k i n dej ect i on sh e to l d h i m t h e s tory o f Jo h n G i lp i n Next morn i n g h e sa i d that h e had la i n awa ke most o f t h e n i gh t l a ugh i n g at t h e story a n d t hat h e had t u rn ed i t i n to a b al lad Th e bal lad was eagerl y cop i ed a nd fi nd i n g i ts way i n to t h e n ewspapers was p u b li cl y reci ted b y t h e co med ia n H enderson w i th great s u ccess I t b eca me very pop u lar b efore Cowper p u b li c l y ack nowl edged i t by p r i n t i n g i t alo ng w i t h The Tos h i n t h e seco nd vol u m e o f h i s poetry Th e t h eme o f Th e Tos h i tsel f t h e greatest o f h is poems a nd o ne o f t h e most del i gh t fu l works i n th e E ngl i sh l an guage was su ggested b y L ady A usten S h e had o ften u rged h i m to t ry h is ha nd at b l an k verse an d h e pro m i sed ” to com pl y i f s h e wo u l d fi nd h i m a s u bj ect Oh “ s h e a nswered yo u ca n n ever b e i n wan t o fa s u bj ect ; ” yo u ca n wri te u po n a n y ; wr i te u po n th is so fa l Th e poet too k t h e h i n t a nd set to work o n Th e To s h earl y i n th e s u mm er o f 1 7 8 3 Wr i ti ng so met i mes a n h ou r a day so m et i mes hal f a n ho u r a nd so me t i mes two h o u rs often i n great depress i o n of sp i ri ts ’
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44
W I L L IA M CO W P E R h e C om pleted t h e poe m i n th e a u tu m n o f t h e fol low i n g yea r b u t i t was n ot p u bl i sh ed t i l l J u ne 1 7 8 5 I n th e i n terva l th e fri endsh i p w i t h L ady A uste n was severed for ever a nd i n th e s u m mer o f 1 7 84 sh e had l eft O l ney not to retu rn Th e ca use o f th e b reach has not been fu l l y ascerta i n ed b u t o n th e wh ole i t seems probabl e t hat s h e was i n l ove w i th Cowper an d w i s h ed to marry h i m ; that M r s U n w i n was j ealo us a nd t hat Cowpe r too deepl y at tach ed to h is M ary to d rea m o f wo u nd i n g h er l ovi ng a nd fa i th fu l h ea rt reno u nced fo r h er sa ke al l relati ons w i t h h is b ri l l ian t a n d fasc i nat i ng fri en d H e bade h er fa rewel l i n a l etter wh i ch i n a b u rst o f 1 m o r t i fica t i o n a nd p i q u e sh e destroyed B u t i f Cowper l ost a fr i en d i n L ad y A u sten h e abou t th e sam e t i m e gai n ed n ew fri en ds i n t h e T h roc kmortons o f th e Hal l at Westo n U nderwood Th ei r h o use wh i ch has lon g s i nce b een razed to th e g ro u n d stood i n an ol d fash i oned pa rk wh i c h sk i rts t h e h i g h road fro m O l n ey a t th e po i n t w h ere i t en ters th e vi l lage Th e h ead o f th e Th rock morto n a very fa m i l v was th en S i r R o b ert Th roc k morton old g en tle man w ho resi ded at h is seat o f B uc klands i n Berksh i re O n th e death o f an el de r bro th er i n 8 r a fterwa rds S i r Joh n Th roc kmo rton 1 2 l \ d ) 7 ( ca me i n to possessio n o f Westo n Pa rk Wi t h h i s predecessor at th e Pa rk Cowper had had no relat ions ,
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B I O G RAP H ICAL
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S K E I C H ES
t h ou g h h e had b een favo u red w i t h a key to th e pl eas u re gro u nds an d t h us had been abl e to enj oy t h ose ru ral wal ks an d scenes wh i c h h e has i m morta li zed i n th e fi rst boo k o f The To s h — th e u m b rageou s aven u e o f chestn u ts—t he r ust i c b r i dge wh ere t h e w i l lows d i pped t h e i r pend en t b ou gh s i n t h e strea m — th e p ro u d al cove crown i n g th e s u mm i t w i t h i ts far prospect over t h e nea rer woodlands to th e w i n d i n g O use — th e l i me t ree wal k w i t h i ts h i gh verd u ro us a rch l i ke a cat h ed ral a i s l e an d t h e gro u n d dapp l ed w i t h danc i ng l i gh ts an d shadows as t h e w i nd st i rred t he l i gh t l eaves overh ead —th e Wi l dern ess w i th i ts wel l rol l ed path s o f easy sweep — a nd last th e el m grove fro m b etween w h ose statel y t ru n ks o n a u tu m n days th e t h resh er m i gh t b e d iscern ed sweat i n g at h i s task w h i l e t h e c h a ff fl ew w i de a nd t h e straw sen t u p a m ist o f motes that sparkl ed i n t h e noon day s u nsh i n e W h en M r Jo h n Th rock morto n came to res i de i n Westo n Cowper sen t h i m a com pl i men tary card and req u ested a con t i n uance o f th e pr i vi l ege wh i ch h e h ad enj oyed b y t h e favo u r o f M r Th rock morto n s mot h er w h o had gon e to en d h er days a t Bath Th e req u es t was read i l y gran ted b u t for a b o u t two years th ere was n o i n terco u rse b etween th e fa m i l i es at O l n ey a nd Weston Th e Th rock mortons were Cath ol i cs a nd hav i n g o n t h at acco u n t rece i ved man y gross a ff ron ts a fter t h ey settl ed a t Weston t h ey were natu ra ll y sh y o f ma k i n g n ew acq uai n tances However i n M a y 1 7 84 w h en -
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B I O G RA P H ICAL S K E T C H E S
g ood Col lect io n o f b oo ks w h e n h e res ided i n t h e Tem pl e h e lost i t o n h is removal to S t A l b ans a nd ,
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h is e ff orts a fterwa rds to recover i t were fru i tl ess Th e p u bl icati o n o f The To s h a nd yol pi ni n m Gi l t h e s u m mer o f 1 7 8 5 made Cowper fa mous E ven h i s n ei g h bo u rs at O l ney— and n eigh b o u rs are gen er al l y th e last to recogn i ze that t h ere can be anyth i n g o u t o f t h e com mon i n a ma n w h o m t h ey see wa l ki n g abo u t every day—ad m i tted that t h e i r fel low towns man was a gen i u s Th e c u ra te M r Scott expressed h is ad m i rat i on an d t h e school master Sam u el T eedo n ca refu l l y po i n ted ou t to th e a u th or al l th e beau t i es i n h is ow n poems l est t h e poet h i msel f sh o u ld have overl oo ked t h em B u t better than t h e fa me deserved as i t was and last i n g as i t has proved w h i ch t h e vol u m e b ro u gh t h i m was th e renewal o f h is fr i en dsh i p w i th h is bel oved co usi n L ady H esketh A fter a m u t ual si l en ce o f man y years s h e wrote to h i m i n th e a u t u m n o f 1 7 85 and t h e l etter ca me l i ke s u nsh i n e i n to th e q u i et parlou r a t O rchard S i de I t wo u l d be do i n g great i nj ust i ce to L ady H es ket h to su ppose that i t was th e esta b l ish men t o f Cowper s repu tat i on w h i ch i nd u ced h er as i t see ms to h ave i n d uced o t h er fri ends o f former da ys Th u r l ow an d Col man to renew acq ua i n tan ce w i th h i m S h e had ceased to correspond w i t h h i m w h en h e san k i n to a rel i gio us m elancholy w h i c h sh e deplored an d w h i ch w i th c h aracteristi c good sense sh e attr i b u ted i n large m eas u re to i ts real ca use t h e .
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W I L L IA M CO WP E R eternal p rayi n g and preach i ng o f l \dr Newton S h e ren ewed t he correspondence w i t h h er co us i n w ho m sh e al ways l oved a nd b efri ended w h en h is p u bl i sh ed wri t i n gs gave ev i dence that h e had r e covered a h eal th i er to n e o f m i n d an d w h en accord i ng l m i s he n eed not fea r bei ng d raw n by h i n to y a bootl ess rel i gio us co ntrovers y S h e seems to h ave been a n ad m i rabl e wo man o f a good u nderstand i n g a ch eerfu l eq uabl e tem per a nd a war m h eart F ro m h er po rtra i t pa i n ted b y Cotes i n 1 7 5 5 we may j udge that sh e was han dso me those w ho r e mem b ered h er i n h er pri me spo ke o f h er as a b ri l l ian t bea u ty wh o d rew al l eyes o n h er a t R a n elagh I t was a happy day for Cowper w h en com i n g dow n to brea k fast on a n O cto b er morn i n g i n 1 7 8 5 h e sa w on th e ta b l e a l et ter fra n ked by h i s u ncl e A sh l ey Cowper an d on open i ng i t fo u nd a l etter from L ad y H es keth I t was th e b egi n n i ng o f a fre s h co rrespond ence i n wh i ch h e po u red o u t to h er al l t h e weal t h o f h i s broth erl y a ff ecti on al l t h e pla y fu l h u mou r a nd ga ie ty o f h is natu ral ly seren e an d c h eerful d i pos i t i on I n on e o f h i s ea rl y letters to h e r at th i s peri od i n a nswer perhaps to so me i n q u i ri es o f h ers h e descri bes h i msel f as a very smart yo u t h o f h is years ( wh i ch were fift y fo u r i n n u mber ) rath er bal d tha n g rey w i t h eno u gh hai r o f h is own to c u rl at h is ea rs a nd to han g down a l i ttl e belo w th e bag — w i g wh i ch h e wore w i th a blac k r i band abou t h is n ec k F ro m h is acco u n t o f h i msel f i n The To s h pu bl i h ed that s u m me r we .
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B I O G RA P H ICAL S KETCH E S know that ad vanci n g years had no t yet p i l fered fro m him i n r g f n nwe r i e d f t p T h t m nt t h e t i l e w i t h e e l e p t h e fe n e T h t p l y f l ng i nh l i ng nd g i n R e p i r i ng free l y t h fre h i th t m ke S w i ft p tee p e nt n t i lt m T he
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No r h ad t h ey i m pa i red h is rel ish o f fa i r p rospects t h e scen es t ha t sooth ed an d c harmed h i m i n h i s yo u th sti l l sooth ed a n d charm ed h i m grow i ng old w h en h e gazed o n th em w i th h is a rm fast loc ked i n h ers th e dear co mpa n i o n o f h is wal ks t h ro u gh t wen ty wi n ters W i t h t h e ren ewal o f h er correspondence L ady H esketh no w a w i dow b y th e death o f S i r T h o mas H es ket h a few years b efore open ed t h e spr i ngs o f h er bo u n ty a n d Cowper s l etters to h er a re fu l l of t han ks fo r th e su bstan t i al marks o f h er k i nd ness an d a ff ecti on wh i ch freq u en tly arr i ved at O rchard S i de Wi t h t h em too ca me fro m t i m e to t i me presents fro m a na mel ess b ene factor w h o m Co wper ca l ls A non ymo us an d w h o appears to have b een t h o ugh h e n ever gu essed th e secret h i s forgotten b u t n ever forget fu l l ove Th eodora Cowper F ro m wri ti ng to h is co usi n i t was natu ra l that Cowper sho u ld en terta i n t he w i sh to see h er aga i n Th e wi sh was m u t ual a nd was shared b y M r s U n wi n A ccord d u ri n g t h e w i n ter i t was arran ged b etween i ng l y t h e m that L ady H esketh sh ou l d co me to th e m a t O l n e y i n t h e fol lowi n g J u ne A s O rchard S i d e ,
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B IO G RA P H ICAL S K ET CH E S t ho u g h h e co nsol ed h i msel f w i th th e thou gh t that t h ere wou l d be roses a nd j asm i ne a nd ho neys u ckl e a nd s had y wal ks an d cool alcoves ye t h e grudged t ha t t h e ad va nce o f th e seaso n sh o u l d steal away a s i ngl e pleasu re b efore sh e co u l d co me to e nj oy i t L odgi ngs were fi nal l y en g aged fo r h er not at t h e h o use opposi te O rcha rd Si de b u t at th e V i carage t h e sa me l od g i n gs w h i c h L ad y A usten had occu pi ed before Th e V i cara g e was t h en i n a d reary co m fo r t l al most bare o f fu rn i t ure for th e ess co nd i ti on v i car l \f os es B rown e a n ol d ma n o f e i g h ty si x l i ved i n i t alon e w i th o u t even a serva n t an d wai ted o n o n l y b y a wo ma n w h o mad e h is b ed d ressed h i s d i n ner a n d l eft h i m to h is l u c u b rat ions F u rn i t u re had to b e p u t i n a nd oth er preparat i o ns made fo r t h e co m fort o f L ady H es keth a n d th e th ree servan ts s h e was to b ri ng w i t h h er Th ese arran gemen ts were act i vel y carr i ed o u t by M r s U n wi n an d Cowper i n h is letters to h is co us i n descri b es th e h o use a nd th e s mart fu rn i t u re wi t h w h i ch u nder M r s U nw i ns s u per i n ten dence i t was b ei ng gar ni s h e d Th e V i carage was a n ew h o use n eat l y b u i l t o f ston e w i t h sas h w i ndows t h e sq uare garden was enclosed w i t h wal ls b u t was shadeless except for th e s hadow o f th e h o use th e w i ndows o f L a dv H esket h s chamber com manded a v i ew ove r t h e m eadows a n d t h e r i ver w i t h t h e l ong b r i dge occu py i ng a co nsp i c uo us place i n th e foregro u nd a nd th e road w i n d i n g away i n th e d i sta nce H er bed was d raped wi th a s u perb coverl et o f pri n ted cotto n ,
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W I L L IA M CO W P E R adorn ed wi t h class i cal s u bj ects : every morn i n g sh e wo u ld open h er e y es o n P haethon k neel i n g to A pol lo a nd i mplor i n g h i m to gran t h i m th e con d uc t o f th e cha ri o t o f t he s u n fo r a day So at last a fter som e dela y s a nd d isappo i n tmen ts L ady H esketh arri ved a nd i n h er ch eerfu l co mpan y Cowper a nd I\ I rs U n wi n were happi er t ha n t h ey had ever been before at O l n ey Nor were t h ey th e on ly peopl e i n th e town to wh o m th e presence o f t h e ki n d h ea rted lady bro ugh t s m i l es a nd s u nsh i n e E very ti me sh e wen t o u t sh e too k w i th h er coppers i n a ve l vet bag w i t h w h i c h s h e made th e c h i ld ren happy M an y years a fterwards w h en Cowper a nd h is fri ends had l on g b een dead and gon e a n old wo ma n o f O l ney re me mbered th i s L ad y B o u n ti fu l a nd t h e poet h i msel f i n h is wh i te cap a nd s u no f green t u rn ed u p w i t h b u ff 1 and the l i ttl e do g B ea u t rotti n g bes i de th e m —a s mart petted creat u re w i th s i l ke n ea rs w h o o ne s u m m er da y made h i msel f fa mo us for ever b y pl u ngi ng i n to t h e O use a nd bri ngi n g bac k i n h i s mo u th a water l i l y w h ich h is master had va i n ly t ri ed to reac h w i th h is sti c k Th e arri val o f L ady H es keth a t O l ney soon l ed to an i m portan t c hange i n t h e l i fe o f h er two fri ends Sh e was d issat is fied no t w i th ou t ca use ,
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P p l( Edi n b rg h h pter xv pp 5 ; q T h ld w m n i d b I h ve ve nt re d rre t h er g ree n t r ne d p w i t h b l k m e m ry b y C wp r n t te m e nt G ree n nd b ff l r n whi h I m fte ner ee n t h n i n n t h er nd be m e lm t nt r l m p rr t 1
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B I O G RAP H ICAL
S K ETCH ES
bo th w i th O l ney a nd w i t h t h e i r h o use C owper \ f rs U n w i n were fon d o f r u ral wal ks an d a nd l la rgel y d epended o n t he m fo r th e ma i n tenance o f t h ei r h eal t h a nd sp i r i ts ; b u t a t O l ney t h ey had s u ff ered m uc h i n h eal th fro m co n fi ne men t for i n w i n ter th e roads i n t h e n ei gh b o u rh ood were m u ddy and i n su m m er t h ey were ho t a nd s hade l ess so t ha t by t h e t i m e th e two fri ends reach ed t h ei r favo u ri te hau n t th e woods o f Weston t h ey were t i red an d i t was t i me to retu rn A gravel wal k i n t h e i r garden a b o u t t h i rty yards l on g was th e on l y p ro m enad e o n w h i c h t h ey cou l d co u n t i n al l weath ers a nd as Cowper observed i t a fforded b u t i nd i ff eren t scope to th e loco moti ve facu l ty ; th e battl e men ts o f t h e Tower h e says had h e b een co n fi n ed a prison er to th at fortress wo u l d have fu rn i s h ed h i m w i t h a l arger space for exercise F ort u natel y a t t h is t i me a good h o use b elong i ng to M r Th rock morto n a n d close to h i s pl easu re gro u nds was vacan t at Weston w i th i n a few days o f L ady H es ket h s a rr i va l i t was settl ed t hat th e fr i ends were to take i t and move i n to i t i n th e a u tu m n 1 Cowper was del i gh ted w i t h t h e p rospect “ ” L ad y H es keth h e wr i tes i s o u r good an gel by w hose ai d we are ena b l ed to pass i n to a b etter a i r and a more wal ka b l e co u n t ry T h e i mpr i son .
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Fr m C wper l etter we t h t L dy H e ket h h d n nl y nd t h t b y J ne 9 rr i ve d O l ney b y J ne 7 86 eek l ter t h e h e l re dy t ke n nd t h e re m v l ett l e d ’
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B I O G RAP H I CAL S K ET CH E S t h reaten ed to t u mbl e abo u t th ei r ears ; a nd w h en i t stood e m pty t he ca nd i dates for t h e tena ncy were a shoemaker and a p u bl i ca n w h o kept th e H orse a n d G roo m a t O l n ey Y et th e poet tel ls us t hat h e co u l d no t l oo k for t h e last t i me w i th ou t a pang o f regret o n th e r u i no us abode w h ere h e had been u n happy for so ma ny yea rs and t ha t h e fel t som e t h i ng l i ke a h eartach e at b i dd i n g farewel l to a scen e t ha t had noth i ng i n i tsel f to en gage a ff ect i on B u t w h en t h e dom esti c chaos i nsepara b l e fro m t h e removal to a n ew h o use had so mew hat su b si ded Cowper b ega n t h oro u gh ly to enj oy h is ne w s u r ro u nd i ngs Th ou gh t h e weath er was w i n try t h e h o use was al ways s n u g a nd warm an d h e cou l d ra m b l e every day i n a n ew d i rectio n w i t h s hort grass u nder h is feet an d co m e h o me after a wal k o f fi ve m i les w i th sh oes no t too d i rty for a d raw i ng room O n t h ese ra mbles h e was somet i mes j o i ned by t h e Th rock mortons wh o con t i n u ed to b e th e most obl i gi ng of n ei gh b o u rs I n t h ei r com pa ny h e wal ked to th e c l i ff a b ea u ti fu l terrace sl op i n g gen tl y dow n to t h e O use fro m t h e b row o f w h i c h t h e v i ew over t h e val l ey far s u rpassed a n y t hat co u l d b e had fro m wha t Cowper cal l s t h e h ill s n ear O l n ey B u t scarce l y had t h e fr i ends b egu n to e nj oy t h e pl easan tn ess o f th ei r n ew s i t uat i on a nd to fi n d as m u ch co m fort as t h e season o f t h e year wo u ld per m i t w h en t h ei r happ i n ess was marred by a h eavy b ereavem en t Wi l l ia m U n w i n Cowper s fri en d and M r s U nw i n s son d i ed o f a p u tri d fever ,
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W I L L IA M CO W P E R a t Wi n ch ester on a to u r w h i ch h e had ta ken w i t h a fr i en d to th e West of E ngla nd H e i s b u ri ed i n t h e so u th a isl e o f Wi n ch ester Cath edral A fter h e had fi n ish ed Th e To s h a nd sen t away t h e last proof sh eet corrected Cowper very soon fel t th e n eed o f en gagi n g i n so me ot h er l i terary l abo u r i n o rder to d i vert h i s t ho u gh ts fro m t h e m elanch ol y t h emes o n w h i ch i n h o u rs of i dl eness h e was ap t to b rood O n e day bei n g i n great i a d an d m erely d istress o f m i n d h e too k u p t h e I l to t u rn h i s atten t i o n t ranslated t h e fi rst twel ve l i n es o f t h e poem Th e sa m e necess i ty p ress i n g o n h i m h e h ad reco u rse aga i n an d aga i n to t h e same exped i en t t i l l grad ual l y h e co n cei ved t h e pla n o f ma ki n g a com pl ete n ew verse translat i o n o f H o mer U po n th i s tas k h e soo n set to wor k i n earn es t : i t fu rn ish ed h i m w i t h u n re m i tt i ng occ u pat i o n for abou t s i x years provi n g i nd eed t ho u gh no t t h e most i m porta n t by fa r t h e most labori o us o f h is l i tera ry u nderta k i n gs Th e trans lati on was begu n at O l n ey i n 1 7 8 5 on l y a few weeks a fter t h e co m plet i o n o f Th e To s h ; an d t h e b oo k was p u bl is h ed by s u b scr i pt i o n i n t wo handso m e q ua rto vol u mes by Joseph J oh nso n a t L on don i n J uly 1 79 1 I n th e i n terval h is l et ters con ta i n man y al l us i ons t o h is st ren uo us labou rs i n t h e Ho meri c fi el d a nd man y val uabl e c r i t ical remarks o n th e l i terary a rt I t i s i m poss i bl e t read t h em and s i m i la r rema rks sca tte red th rou gh h is co rres po nden ce w i tho u t ,
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B IO G RA P H ICAL S K ET CH E S recogn i z i n g th e end l ess pa i ns w h i c h Cowper too k to g i ve th e mos t perfect pol is h h e co u l d co m man d to every o n e o f t h e man y t h o usands o f verses w h i c h fl owed fro m h i s pen Y et i t may b e safel y a ffi rm ed t hat n o wr i ter h as l e ft fewer traces o f t h e l i terary fi l e t ha n h e has don e i n h i s wr i ti ngs A l l h i s pro du c t i o ns are character i zed b y a seem i n gl y spo n t a neo u s a nd nat u ra l fl ow as i f t h ey had t r i pped o ff h i s pen w i tho u t prem ed i tat i o n an d w i t h ou t e ffort I t i s o n l y fro m h i s ow n fra n k an d repeated con fess i ons o r rath er pro fess i ons t hat we l earn t h e l a b ou r that i t cost h i m t h us to g i ve to art t h e appearance o f nat u re O n t h e oth er hand h e tel l s us an d t h ere i s every reason to b el i eve h i m t h at h e too k n o pa i ns w hatever w i t h t h e co m pos i t i o n o f h i s l etters b u t reel ed t h e m o ff h e l ter skel ter as fast as h i s pen wo u ld r u n Th e reaso n for t h e d i ff erence was t hat w h i l e h i s poems at l east al l t h e lo n ger ones were i n tend ed for t h e p u b l i c eye h i s l etters were wr i tten p u re l y fo r h i s pr i vate fr i en ds an d h e n ever d rea m ed o f th e i r b e i n g p u b li sh ed H e d i d not l i ke P ope s i t a t h is desk w i t h o n e eye t u rn ed to h i s correspon den t a n d t h e oth e r th e weat h er eye fi xed i m mova b l y u pon t h e p u bl i c h i s o bj ect was si m ply to chat w i th a fr i end at a d ista nce i t was n ot l i ke that o f t h e l i ttl e ma n at Tw i cken ha m to pose b efore th e worl d as a parago n o f V i rt u e a nd gen i us A l l s u c h l i terary a r t i fices i n deed a ff ectat i ons o f every so rt were a b h orren t to t h e h o n es t m i n d o f Cowper That i s w h y th e l etters .
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acq ua i n tances many o f t h em peopl e o f h igh ran k a nd weal t h Co wper s ol d a nd ever fa i th fu l fr i en d J oseph H i l l also best i rred h i msel f i n b eat i ng u p for s u b scri bers to t h e H o mer A n ew fr i end w h o a h el ped h i m i n t h e la b o u r o f t ranscri b i n g h is t ra ns l t i o n fo r t h e press was a yo u n g man Sa m u e l R ose Th e son o f a sch ool master at C h i sw i ck h e st u d i ed at th e U n i vers i ty o f G l asgo w a nd o n h is way fro m G lasgow to L ondo n i n Ja n uary 1 7 8 7 t u rn ed s i x m i l es o u t o f h i s way to v is i t Cowper at Weston d raw n by h i s ad m i rat i o n o f t h e poet s wri t i n gs a nd charged w i th co mpl i men ts for h i m fro m so m e o f t h e Scotch pro fessors Next year h e pa i d a v is i t s o stay i ng to Weston w h en L ady H es ket h w a s a l t h ere a n d i n a l etter wr i tten at t h e t i me h e h as gi ven a p l eas i n g accou n t o f t h e happy regu lar l i fe t h ey l ed i n eac h oth er s compan y Th ey b rea k fasted a b o u t hal f— past n i n e a n d spen t a n h ou r over i t i n l i vel y co n versat i o n enj oy i n g t h e mse l ves most wond erfu l l y T h en t h ey separated to t h e i r var i o us tas ks a n d occu pat i o ns Cowper to trans l ate H om er R ose to copy w hat was al ready translated L ady H es ket h to wor k or read a n d M r s U n w i n w h o i n everyth i ng b u t h er face i s l i ke a k i n d an ge l sen t fro m h eaven to guard t h e h eal t h o f o u r poet i s b usy i n do mesti c co ncerns A t on e o u r l a b o u rs fi n i s h ed t h e poet a n d I wal k for t wo h ou rs I t h en d ri n k most pl en ti fu l d rau gh ts of i nstr u ct i on w h i ch fl ow fro m h i s l i ps i nstr u ct i on so sweet ov es i t for i ts an d good n ess so exq u i si te t hat o n e l ,
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A t t h ree we ret u rn a nd d ress a n d th e s u cceed i n g ho u r b r i ngs d i n n er u pon t h e ta b l e an d col l ects aga i n t h e s m i l i n g co u n tenan ces o f t h e fa m i l y to parta ke o f t h e n ea t a n d e l ega n t mea l Co n versat i o n con t i n u es t i l l tea t i me ; wh en a n en terta i n i n g vol u me engrosses o u r t ho ugh ts t i l l t h e l as t mea l i s an no u nced Co n versat i on aga i n a nd th en rest b e fore t we l ve to e na b l e u s to r i s e aga i n to t h e sa me ro u n d o f i n noce n t v i rt u o us pl easu re Ca n yo u won der that I sh o u l d feel m elan ch ol y a t th e th ou g h t o f l ea v i n s u ch a fa m i l y ; g or rath er w i l l yo u no t b e s u rpr i sed at m y reso l u t i on to d epa rt fro m t h is q u i et scen e o n Th u rsday n ext P I t was th ro u g h R ose that Co wper b eca me acq uai n ted w i th th e poetry o f B u rns for w h ose nat u ra l gen i us h e exp resses ad m i rat i on t ho u gh h e w i sh es that t h e Scotch b ard wo u ld d i vest h i mse l f o f h i s u nco u t h ” d ial ect a nd con ten t h i mse l f w i th wr i t i n g p u re E ngl ish i n w h ic h he appears perfect l y q ual i fied to ” excel Several years later i n Ja n uary 1 7 9 0 Cowper made t he personal acq ua i n ta nce o f a yo u n g k i ns man w h o was to play a very i m porta n t pa rt i n t h e remai nder o f th e poet s l i fe Th i s was Jo h n “ ” Joh nson Joh n n y o f N o r fol k as Cowper fa m i l i a rl y cal ls h i m H e was a gra ndso n o f Cowper s maternal u ncl e R oger D on n e w h o had been d i n Norfol k recto r o f C a t fie l A t th is t i m e h e was a stu den t a t Cam b r i dge an d made use o f a C h r i st mas vacat i on to i n trod u ce h i msel f to h is n ow famou s .
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relat i ve at Weston Cowpe r conce i ved a wa rm a ff ecti o n for t h e yo u ng man w h o th ou gh somew ha t b as h fu l appears to have b een very engag i n g fu l l o f l i gh t h ea rted gai ety a nd h u m ou r Wh en h e was a b o u t to ta ke o rd ers n o t lon g a fterwa rds Cowper wa rn ed h i m to adop t a som ew ha t more sobe r d eportm en t i nas m u ch as th e spectacle o f a sk i ppi ng c u rvet i n g bo u nd i n g d i v i n e m i g h t no t b e al toget h e r to th e taste o f h is parish i on ers T h e yo u th ret u rn ed th e poet s a ff ect ion a nd w h en h e l eft Westo n a fter h is fi rst v is i t b e carri ed o ff w i t h h i m severa l boo ks o f H o mer to wri te o u t fa i r fro m Cowper s fo u l copy O n t h e co mpl eti o n o f t h e w h ole wor k i n Septe m b er 1 7 9 0 you n g Joh nson co nveyed t h e p rec i o us an d vol u m i no us man uscri pt th e res u l t o f fi ve years la b ou r to h is nam esa ke t h e p u bl i sh er i n ” L on don H e has go ne says Cowper w i th a box fu l l o f poetry of w h ic h I th i n k n o b od y w i l l p l u n der h i m H e h as on l y to say w hat i t i s a n d t h ere i s n o co m mod i ty I t h i n k a free b ooter wo u l d ” covet l ess A not h er i n d i rect res u l t of J oh n Joh nso n s fi rst v i s i t to Westo n was to g i ve b i rth to o n e o f Cowper s most j ustl y cel e b rated poems Th e yo u n g ma n h ad observed w i t h w ha t a ff ect i on Cowper spok e o f h i s moth er Th e o n l y portra i t o f h e r i n existence was i n possessi o n o f h er n i ece M r s Bod ham J oh nso n s a u n t w h o m t h e poet had k nown a n d l oved i n h er c h i l d hood S h e was h i s co us i n A n n e D on n e d dau gh ter o f h is m oth er s broth er B orn at C a t fie l .
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w i t h eac h ot h er Th ese happy a n t i c i pat i n s appear to have been pe rfectl y fu l fi l led s o l ng as th e lh ro c k i no r t o ns o r F ro g s as Cowper a ff ect i natel y cal ls t h em con t i n u ed to res ide at Westo n In Co wper s l etters t h ere a re man y pl easi n g gl i m pses o f th e consta n t and fri end l y i n terco u rse between t h e L o dge an d t h e Hal l O n e day for exam p l e w h en h e was expect i ng L ady H es ket h s a rr i va l a nd was do u bt fu l w h i c h o f two roads s h e s h ou l d ta ke o n e b e i ng h ea vy a n d t h e ot h er ro u gh h e m et t h e F rogs a rmed w i t h b ows a nd arro ws go i n g to pract i se at t h e target i n t h e ga rden O n p u tt i n g t h e q u esti o n to t h em M rs F rog c u t a caper on th e grass plot a n d sa i d s h e wo u l d go r i de to O l n ey i m med iatel y o n p u rpose to exa m i ne t h e road Somet i mes M r s F rog d rove h i m over to pay a m orn i n g cal l o n th e C h esters a t C h i ch el ey O n o n e o f t h ese occas i ons d ressed i n state for th e cal l a nd awa i t i ng th e a rr i va l o f two cha i ses w i th a stron g pa rty o f lad i es t h e sh y poet l ooked w i t h en v y at a poor ol d wo ma n com i n g u p t h e l a n e an d t ho u gh t h ow h appy s h e was to b e exem pted by h er s i t uati o n i n l i fe fro m ma k i n g h ersel f fi n e o f a morn i n g a nd go i n g i n a chaise to pay v is i ts H e was more at h i s ease i n a q u i et soc i a b l e even i n g at t h e Ha l l w h il e M r Th roc k morto n spoke to h i m o f h i s H om er w i th spark l i n g eyes a n d a face ” express i ve o f t h e h i gh est pl easu re o r M r s Th rock morton played to h i m o n t h e harps i c h ord T h es e k i n d n e i gh b o u rs h e l os t i n M a rc h 1 7 9 2 o
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WI L L IA M CO WP E R w h en o n th e death o f h is fat h er S i r R o b er t Th rock m orto n M r Joh n Th roc k morto n s u cceeded to t h e baron etcy a nd removed wi t h h i s wi fe now L ad y Th rockmorton to t h e fa m i l y es tate o f B u ckla nd i n B erksh i re H e was s ucceed ed a t Westo n Hal l by h is you nger bro th er G eo rge Th roc k morton w ho had changed h is na me to Co u rtenay H i s w i fe I\I r s Co u rtenay was Cowper s Correspo nd en t Cathari na S h e had been a l \di ss Stapl eton a n d even befo re h er marriage Cowper h ad k now n a nd l i ked h er a t th e Hal l wh ere s h e played a nd sa ng l i ke a n an gel H er u n i o n w i t h l \I r Co u rtenay w h i c h too k place i n t h e s u m mer o f 1 7 9 2 made t h e poet happ y S h e a n d h er h u s b a n d proved no l ess k i n d a n d fr i end l y n ei gh b o u rs t ha n t h ei r predecessors Wh e n Co wper wen t to t h e Hal l to pay h i s fi rst v is i t to t h e m a fter t h ei r marr i age M r Co u rtenay fl ew i n to t h e cou r t to m eet h i m a nd wh e n h e en tered th e par l o u r Catha r i na sprang i n to h i s a rms B u t th e poet we nt that s u m mer day alon e to th e H al l A g rea t sorrow had befal len h i m F or som e yea r I\ I rs U nw i ns h eal t h had b een fa i l i n g I n Ja n ua ry 1 7 89 s h e fel l o n th e gravel wal k t h e n sl i ppery w i t h i ce a n d th ou gh sh e n e i t h er b roke n o r d isl ocated a ny bon es s h e recei ved a n i nj u ry wh ic h fo r a t i m e c ri ppl ed h er en t i rel y S h e r e covered th e po wer o f wal k i n g a nd res u m ed h er h o useh ol d d u t i es bu t i t may be d o u bted wh eth er sh e ever was q u i te st rong aga i n I n th e fol l ow i ng s u m m e r C o w pe r ,
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men t io ns t ha t t h e da y be fore h e had d i ned alon e \I r wi th l at th e Hal l t h e ways be i n g m i r y a nd I\ I rs U n w i n no l on g e r abl e to wal k i n patte ns o r clo g s D u ri n g th e n ext two y ea rs sh e s u ffered al most constan tly fro m a pa i n i n h er s i de w h ic h n earl y forbade h er t h e use o f t h e pen s o that sh e cou l d no t t ranscri be Cowper s verses B u t m u ch worse was to fol l o w O n e Satu rday i n D ecem ber 1 7 9 1 w h i l e Cowper was at h i s d es k n ea r t h e wi ndo w a n d l \drs U n w i n was seated i n h er c ha i r at th e fi res i de h e s u dden l y h eard h e r cry “ ” Oh ! l \l r Cowper do n t l et m e fal l I He sprang to h er an d wi t h d i ffi c u l ty cau gh t a nd ra ised h er as sh e was fal l i ng wi t h h er c hai r to t h e fl oo r S h e had been sei zed w i th a v i ol en t d i z z i ness w h i ch a ff ected h er s i gh t a nd h er speech t ho u g h sh e d i d no t l ose co nsci o us n ess I t was a paral yt i c stroke H o wever t h e sym pto ms grad ual l y a b ated a nd s h e slo wl y recovered B u t i n t h e foll ow i n g M a y ( 1 7 9 2 ) s h e was str u c k agai n t h is t i me m u c h more severely : h er speec h becam e al mos t u n i n tell i g i b l e h er feat u res d isto rted s h e co u l d h ard l y open h er eyes a n d sh e l os t en t i rel y t h e use o f h er r i gh t han d a nd a rm N everth el ess s h e agai n partial l y recovered : el ectri c i ty was appl i ed w i t h seem i ngl y good res u l ts Ea rl y i n J u n e h er speech was n earl y per fect h er eyes ope n al most al l day an d h er step greatl y i m proved B y t h e m idd l e o f th e mon th t h ou gh sti l l feebl e s h e cou l d wal k do wn an d u p stai rs .
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b e p u b l is h ed b y J oseph Joh nso n and i l l ustra ted w i t h t h i rty p i ct u res b y t h e pa i n ter F usel i a ma n o f fi ne l i terary taste w h o had cr i t i c i zed m i n u te l y t h e proo f s h eets o f Cowper s H o mer I n sp i te o f t h e poet s war m ad m i rat i on for M i l to n a nd h i s i n t i mate acq ua i n tance wi t h h i s poetry t h e o ffi ce o f ed i tor an d co m me n tator i mposed a n i rkso m e restra i n t o n h is or i g i nal gen i us c u r b i n g a nd b r i d l i n g h is P egas us even m o re e ff ect ual l y tha n Ho mer h ad do n e ; i t wei gh ed o n i ns tead o f l i gh ten i ng h i s a nd had to b e u l t i matel y reno u nced B u t S pi ri ts i t b ro ugh t i nc i den tal l y t h e advan tage o f ma k i ng h i m acq uai n ted w i t h Hayl e y w h o h appen i n g to be t h en en gaged o n a L ife of M i l t on a nd read i n g i n t h e n ewspapers a paragrap h w h i ch d es cr i b ed h i msel f an d Cowper as r i vals i n th e M i l to n i c fi el d wrote to t h e poet a genero us l etter fu ll o f ad m i rat i o n fo r h i s gen i us a n d d i sc l a i m i n g a l l i n ten t i ons o f doi n g a nyt h i ng t h at wou l d c l as h w i t h t h e proj ected ed i t i o n o f M i l to n s works Cowper a nswered i n t h e sa me sp i r i t a nd t h e t wo poets b ecam e war m fr i e nds F or a poet Hayl ey was i n h i s t i m e t h ou g h h is poetry h as lon g passed i nto o b l i v i on I n deed th e l i terary cr i t i cs of t h e day so m e o f w h o m h ad pou red con tempt o n Cowper s fi rst vo l u m e h a i l ed t h e fi rs t p u b l i c app ea ra n ce o f H ay l ey as t h at o f a n ew a n d br i gh t star o n t h e poeti ca l h or i zo n T h ey percei ved i n h i m a n al mos t u n r i val l ed excel l ence an i mag i na t i o n t ru l y creat i ve an d a j u dgemen t cr i t i cal l y ,
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WI LL IA M CO W P E R exac t Th e i n i m i ta b l e pe n o f t h is masterl y wr i ter we a re i n for m ed d rew a n i mated portrai ts w i th ad m i rabl e tr u t h an d p rec i s i on H e co m b i n ed t h e fi re an d i n ven ti o n o f D ryde n w i t h t h e w i t a nd ease o f P ri or a n d i f h is v e rs i fic a t i o n was a s had e less p o l ish ed tha n t hat of P ope i t was very m u c h more var i o us l \de r e t r i c i o u s orna men ts h e s t ud i o usl y esch ewed an d t ho u gh h i s i deas were con cei ved i n t h e fi n es t vei n o f poeti ca l fren zy t h ey were expressed w i th th e m os t el ega n t per s icu i t a nd t h e c hastest s i mpl i ci ty To cro w n p y al l h e bel i eved i n reveal ed rel i gi on Th i s was eno u gh Th e b ard was s wept u p to t h e seven th poeti ca l h eaven i n a halo o f gl ory a nd a w h i rl w i n d o f pra i se Th e p u b l i c st i m u lated by t h e b last o f t h e cr i t i ca l tr u m pet p u rch ased h is works w i t h a persevera nce worth y o f a better ca use Th ey we re d i stri b u ted as pri zes t h ey we re b estowed as presen ts th e pe rusal o f t h e m re for med t h e cha racte r o f i n tractabl e yo u ng lad i es a nd k i n d led a fl am e i n t h e boso m o f n u rsery ga rdeners w h o re fused to accept paym en t for t h e i r wa res fro m t h e great ma n w h e n th ey d iscovered h is i den t i ty Th e s u rl y Th u rlo w com pl i m en ted h i m P i t t o ff ered h i m t h e l a u reates h i p I n sh or t h e st o od fo r a t i m e n t h e l o fty ped esta l w h i c h had been latel y vacated b y t he i m peri s habl e P ye an d was a fterwa rds ado rn ed by th e i m mortal Tu ppe r B u t i t co u l d n o t last Th e t i m e cam e t o k no c k h i m dow n a nd pu t u p a n o t h e r i n h is place Th e t h i n g was s n d n e .
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T h e b r a / e n t ru m pe t a g a i n ran g o u t : t h e p u b l i c gaped a t t h e last n ew i d o l ; a nd poor Hayl ey was forgotte n B u t i f h e was a n i nd i ff ere n t poet Hayley was a n a ff ect i onate fri end as free as Cowper h i msel f fro m t h ose m ea n pass i ons o f e n vy an d j eal ousy w h i ch i n t h e opi n i o n o f a censor i o us worl d a re pec u l iarl y ap t to w ri n g t h e b reasts o f a u th ors H e used al l h is i n fl u ence w i t h Th u rlo w to extract fro m h i m a pens i o n for Cowper H e a rt ful l y p resen ted t h e chancel lo r s basta rd dau g h ter w i t h a cop y o f Cow per s poems h e brea k fasted w i t h t h e great ma n h i msel f a n d exerted h is u t mos t powers o f persona l fasci na t i on w h i c h were cons i d erabl e bu t i t was al l to n o p u rpose ; for th o ugh be i ng a ma n o f san g u i n e tem pera men t h e l eft t h e brea kfast tabl e i n h i gh feat h er u n der t h e i mpress i o n t hat h e had so ften ed t h e n eth er m i l lston e of Th u rl ow s h eart n oth i ng b u t d isappoi n t men t ca me o f t h e i n tervi ew H owever Hayl ey d i d m u c h better for Cowper t ha n get h i m a pens i o n H e v isi ted h i m a t Westo n i n M a y 1 7 9 2 an d b y h is a m i a b l e ma n n ers h is b u oyan t l i vel y d isposi ti on a nd agreea b l e co n versat io n h e won t h e h earts a nd ch eered th e l i ves o f t h e t wo recl uses O n h is s id e Hayley was no l ess charmed w i t h th em Wri t i n g fro m Weston to h is fr i e nd t h e pa i n ter R o m ney h e says O ften have I w i s h ed to co n vey yo u b y magi c to m y s i de w h en yo u were not n ea r m e ; b u t I bel i eve I n ever w ish ed i t mo re a rden tl y t ha n I have don e u nder t h is v e r v k i n d .
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t h e graces o f a benevol en t sp i r i t I looked w i t h a ff ect iona te ven erat i on a nd pl eas u re o n t h e lady w h o h av i n g d evoted h er l i fe a nd fort u ne to t h e serv i ce o f t h i s tender a n d s u b l i m e ge n i us i n watch i n g ove r h i m w i t h maternal v i gi la nce t h rou gh ma ny years o f t h e darkest calam i ty appeared to b e now e nj oy i ng a rewa rd j ustl y d u e to t h e n o b lest exert i ons o f fri en dsh i p i n co n templat i n g t h e h eal t h a nd th e renow n o f th e poet wh om sh e h ad t h e h appi n ess to p reserve I t seemed hard l y possi bl e to s u rvey h u ma n nat u re i n a more to u c h i n g a nd a more sat isfactory po i n t o f v i ew Th ei r tender atten t i on to each oth er th e i r s i m pl e devo u t grat i t u de for t h e m erci es w h i ch t h ey had exper i enced toget h er a n d t h e i r constan t b u t u na ff ected propens i ty to i m press o n t h e m i n d an d h ear t o f a n ew fr i en d t h e deep sense w h i ch t h ey i ncessa n tl y fel t o f t h e i r m u tual o b l i gati ons to each oth er a fford ed me very s i n gu lar ” grat i ficat i on Th e m u t ual happ i ness o f t h e fr i ends i n eac h oth er s soc i et y was sad l y dash ed b y M rs U nw i ns seco nd s tro ke o f paralys is w h i c h b e fe lh er on e a fternoo n w h en Cowper a nd Hay l ey a fter a m orn i ng passed i n s tu dy were o u t wal ki n g togeth er T h e m elanc ho l y n ews was co m m u n i cated to t h e m on t h ei r ret u r n b y M r Sa m u e l G r ea t h ee d a d i ssen t i ng m i n i ster o f N ewport Pagnel l w h o h appen ed to b e cal l i n g at th e L odge Hay l ey was a b l e to sooth e h i s fri en d s agi tat i on a n d h is ten der at ten t i ons to t h e i n val i d endeared h i m sti l l m ore to th e poet A fter .
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72
W I L L IA M CO W PE R spend i ng more t ha n a fortn i g h t w i t h h is fri en ds a t Weston h e l eft t h em on th e fi rst o f J u n e stea l i ng q u i etl y o u t o f t h e h ou se i n th e morn i n g l est h e sh ou l d wake I\ I rs U n wi n and leav i n g a pe nci l led n ote fo r Cowper i n a song boo k B u t b efore h e d eparted i t h ad been a rrange d VI r s U nw i ns h eal t h per between t h em that i f l m i t t e d i t s h e an d Cowper s h ou l d pay h i m a v i s i t i n th e cou rse o f t h e s u m mer at h is h om e i n S ussex Hayl ey th en res i ded at Eartha m a s mal l estate del igh t fu l l y s i t ua ted o n h i gh gro u nd a b ou t s i x m i l es fro m Ch i ch ester a nd fiv e fro m A ru ndel H e had i n h er i ted t h e property fro m h is fat h er an d h ad en larged th e h o use a n d e m bel l i s h ed t h e garden Th e pl eas u re gro u nds i n terspersed w i t h r u ra l grottoes and i vi ed seats occu p i ed t h ree s i des o f a h i l l crown ed w i t h a n arbo u r H o use an d grou n ds bea u t i fu l v i ews o ver a deep fert i l e C m ma nded val ley en closed by wooded h i l ls a nd away to t h e sea n i n e m i l es d istan t an d th e I sl e o f W i gh t l oo k i n g l i ke a th ic k clo u d o n t h e hori zon G i b bon wh o v i i ted H ayl ey a t Eartha m an d w h ose portra i t h u n g i n th e l i bra r y cal l ed t h e place a l i tt le Parad i se A s th e s u m m er wo re o n I\I r s U nw i n s h eal t h grad ual l y i m proved an d i n spi te o f man y fea rs a n d m i s g i v i ngs on Cowper s part i t was fi nal l y d ec id ed t ha t th e y h o u l d g o togeth er to Ea rt ham a t t h e be g i n n i ng o f A u g u s t I t was a t re mend ous u n der tak i n g fo r t w peopl e w h o had l i ved so q u i et a nd secl u ded a l i fe and had n eve r b een mo re t ha n a ,
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73
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B IO G RA P H ICAL few m i l es d istan t fro m h o me f or ma ny y ears A coac h an d fo u r was sen t fro m L o ndo n to co nvey t h em J o h n n y o f Norfol k C o wper s ma n — serva n t Sa m u e l R oberts h is w i fe a nd th e l i ttl e do g Beau wen t w i t h t h em A t ei g h t o cloc k i n t h e morn i n g o f t h e fi rst o f A u g ust 1 7 9 2 t h e coac h d rew u p a t t h e doo r o f t h e L od g e Sam u el mo u n ted th e box t h e rest g o t i n a n d th e y al l d rove o ff i n good spi ri ts Th e j o u rn ey occ u pi ed th ree days t h e weath er was ver y hot and t h e roads d ust y Th ey lodged t h e fi rs t n igh t at t h e M i tre i n Ba rn et w h ere t h ey fou n d t h ei r fri en d M r R ose w h o had wa l ked th i t h er fro m h is h o use i n C hancery L a n e to m eet th em H is presence an d c o nversat io n a ff o rd ed a wel co m e rel ie f to th e weary an d j aded sp i ri ts o f t h e two u nacc usto med travel l ers a fter th e i r l on g c o nfine me n t a n d j ol t i ng i n t h e coach U n fortu natel y th e i n n was very no isy a nd Cowper was d ri ve n al most to d espai r fo r M r s U n w i n l est s h e s ho u l d get no rest B u t t h o u gh s h e was so weary t hat s h e co u ld hard l y spea k s h e sl ept wel l an d rose refresh ed O n t h e secon d day th ey d i n ed at K i ngston w h ere Cowper met h i s ol d fri end G en eral Cowper w h o m h e had n ot seen fo r t h i rty yea rs a n d a t n igh t t h ey lodged a t R i pl ey s i x m i l es fro m G u i l d ford i n a q u iet i n n w h i ch t h ey had al l to t h emsel ves Th ere t h ey both sl ept wel l a nd i n t h e m orn i ng fel t q u i te rested N ext day b ro u gh t th e m to Eart ha m abo u t ten o cloc k at n i gh t D ark ness had fal len a nd t h e m oon had risen w h en t h ey crossed th e S ussex downs .
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74
B I O G RA P H ICAL
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t hat l i ke th e ma n i n t h e fa b l e w h o co u ld l eap n o w h ere b u t a t R h odes h e was i ncapabl e o f w r i t i n g a n y w h ere b u t a t Weston H owever h e fo u nd p l en ty o f occ u pat i on Th e mo rn i n g h o u rs w h i ch cou l d b e spared for b ooks were c h i e fl y d evoted to rev i s i ng an d correct i ng w i th Hayl ey s h el p al l t h e t ra nslat i ons w h i c h h e had mad e o f M i l to n s L ati n a n d I tal i an poems fo r t h e proj ected ed i ti on of h i s works a n d a fter d i n ner t h e fr i en ds gen eral l y a m used t h emse l ves w i t h co m pos i n g j o i n tl y a rapi d m etr i ca l vers i on o f A ndr e i ni s fl do m o a n I tal ia n d ra ma p u bl is h ed a t M il an i n 1 6 1 3 w h i c h Hayl ey fol low i n g a h i n t o f V ol tai re s s u pposed to have i n fl u enced M i l ton s ch o i ce o f th e s u bj ect fo r h i s great ep i c Cowper too gave so me t i m e to s i tt i ng fo r h i s l i ken ess to t h e pa i n ter R o m n ey w h o was a mon g t h e gu ests at Eartham T h e portra i t d raw n i n crayons was esteemed b y h i s fr i ends very l i ke I t i s per h aps t h e b es t k now n o f t h e th ree portra i ts o f t h e poet S ho rtl y b efore h i s d epart u re for Ea rtha m h e had b een pa i n ted b y A b b o t a n d i n t h e fol low i ng year h e was pa i n ted by L awrence A mong t h e gu ests at Eart h a m d u r i n g Cowper s stay was M rs C harlotte S m i th w h o was t h en e n d M a nor gaged i n w r i t i ng h er b est n ovel Th e Ol Th e earl y part o f t h e day sh e devo ted to H ou s e com pos i t i o n i n h er o wn room a nd i n t h e even i ng sh e read to t h e assem b l ed party w ha t sh e had wr i tten c harm i n g h er h ea rers b y t h e s i mpl i c i ty an d grace ,
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6 7
W I L L IA M CO W P E R o f h er elocu t i on a nd del i very Cowper repeated l y d eclared t hat a mon g h is earl y associates so me o f wh om pri ded t h emsel ves o n rapi d compos i t i o n h e kn ew o f no ne w h o co u l d h ave co mposed so rap i d l y and wel l A noth er v is i tor w ho came to Eartha m to meet Cowper was h i s corresponden t t he R ev Ja m es H u rd is rector o f B is h opsgate i n S ussex D eepl y a ffected by th e deat h o f h is s ister h e had res igned h is l i vi n g a nd was a b o u t to settle at O xford w h ere h e afterwards beca m e P rofesso r o f Poet ry H e and Cowper me t a t Eartha m for t h e fi rst a n d o n l y t i m e N or a mon g t h e fri en ds gath ered a t Hay l ey s pl easa n t h o me s ho u l d Cowper s l i tt l e dog B eau be forgotten H e h ad r i dde n i n th e coac h w i th h i s master fro m Weston a n d w h en Hayley h is so n Tom a n d th e pa i n ter R o m ney set o ff to t h e sea to bat h e B ea u wen t w i t h th e m Wh et h er h e enj oyed battl i ng wi th th e sal t waves o n th e b eac h as m uc h as sw i m m i n g i n t h e s l uggis h waters o f t h e O use a nd ga th er i ng water l i l i es o n i ts ca l m b oso m i s n o t reco rded by h i sto ry A greater con tras t ca n h ard l y be co ncei ved tha n t ha t w h i c h was pres en ted by t h ese peacefu l sce nes a t Eartha m a nd t h e scenes o f t u m u l t a nd h orro r wh ic h were t h en bei n g enacted a t Pa ris w h i th er Cowper s fr i ends t h e Th roc k mort o ns had g on e o n a v i s i t F o r Pa ris was th en at th e h e i g h t o f t h e rev o l u t io na ry fren zy Wh i l e t h e p o et wo rked a t h i books w i th Hayley i n th e q u i et l i b rary w i th i ts w i ndows look i n g a way ove r th e b ea u t i fu l lan dscape .
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77
N
B IO G RA P H ICAL
S K ICT C H BS
o r acco m pan i ed l \l rs U n w i n i n h er wal ks i n t h e ga rden o r sat w i t h h er i n t h e a rbou r fan ned by th e fresh breezes fro m t h e d istan t sea t he palace o f t h e Tu i l eri es was bei n g stor med t h e S wiss G ua rd c u t to p i eces t h e K i n g an d Q uee n made capt i ve a nd t h e d read fu l September massacres were b ei ng perpetrated a t t h e pr isons I t was w i t h a great sense o f rel i e f th at Cowper l earn ed that S i r Joh n a nd L ady Th roc k morto n had q u i tted Paris two days before t h e terri b l e ten th o f A u gust So i n happy soc ial i n tercou rse l i terary occu pa t i o n a nd enj oym en t o f nat u re t h e weeks at Ea rtha m gl i d ed pl easan tly away B u t t h e days were s h orten i n g t h e a u tu m n was ad va nci n g t h e weath er a fter t h e fi rs t fortn i gh t had t u rn ed wet an d stormy an d Cowper b ega n to lon g to b e at h o m e aga i n Th e b eau ti fu l scen ery an d man i fol d cha rms o f Eartham h e ass u res h i s correspon den ts had not al i enated h i s a ff ecti o ns from t h e peacefu l t h ou gh l ess spl end i d Westo n ; t h e p rospects w h i ch met h i s eye fro m every w i n do w o f woods l i ke forests a nd h i l l s l i ke mo u n ta i ns rat h er deepen ed t ha n al l evi ated h i s nat u ra l m elancho l y a n d h e preferred t h e s n u g co ncea l m en t o f t h e B u c ki ngha msh i re v i l l age w h i ch to h i m was t h e dearest spot o n earth So o n th e seven teen t h o f Septem b er t h e t wo fri ends set o u t for h om e Wi t h a h eavy h eart Cowper too k l eave o f Hayl ey w i th a h eavy h eart h e bad e farewel l to To m a t th e foot o f t h e c hal k h i l l ; b u t soon a fter h is trou bles gush ed fro m h is eyes an d th e n h e w a s .
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B I OG RA P H ICAL S K I TI C H I I S '
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t u rn ed fr o m t h e u n g ratefu l tas k a nd b u r i ed h i msel f i n a rev is i o n o f h is H o mer w h i c h was for h i m a l a b o u r o f l ove to be perform ed o f h is o w n free w i l l a nd a t h is o w n t i me not a matter o f con tract to b e execu ted to date fo r a boo ksel l er I n ord er t h at h e m i gh t gi ve t h e w h o l e o f th e day to wa i t i n g o n M r s U n w i n w h o i n t h e en fee b led state of h er b ody and m i n d n eeded and exacted al l h i s atten t i on h e used to r ise at si x a nd fag at H o mer fast i n g t i l l el even o clock w h e n h e b reak fasted I n w i n ter h e was u p b efore daybrea k w h i l e th e ow l s were s t ill h oot i n g and h e sat b y th e w i ndo w to catc h th e fi rs t gl i m m er o f dayl i gh t so m et i mes so col d that th e pen sl i pped fro m h is ben u m bed fi ngers Wh en t h e weath e r was fa i r h e regu larl y wal ked w i t h M rs U n w i n i n t h e orc hard at t h e back o f t h e ho use w h ere h e had made a n ew pat h s hel tered fro m t h e nort h an d fac i n g t h e so u t h wester n s u n B u t M rs U n w i n was n o w so cri pp l ed t h at o n t h ese wa l ks sh e had a l ways to b e s u pported b etwee n t wo an d co u ld o n ly c reep I n th e even i n g h e read to h er h is rev i sed t ra ns l ati o n o f H om er o r som e ot h er b ook s u c h as Ba ker s Chr onicl e i n wh i ch h e h oped i n t i me to be as wel l versed as S i r R oger de Coverl ey w h o used t o keep t h e b oo k l yi n g o n h is hal l w i ndow an d occasi onal l y u n be n d h i s m i nd a fter t h e ser i o u s busi ness o f h u n t i ng foxes o r sen ten c i ng poach ers by per us i n g t h e an nals o f h is co u n try Th e reaso n w h i c h i nd u ced Cowper to rev i se h is H o mer was o n e h e sa i d w h i ch an y poet may gu ess ,
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i f h e w i l l o n l y th r ust h is ha n d i n to h i s pocket A t t h e sa me ti me i n deference to cr i ti cis ms w h i ch had .
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been passed o n h is t ra nslati on h e attempted to adapt i t to t h e over — del i cate taste o f th e day by ren deri ng t h e L at i n is ms i n to plai n E n gl ish b y exp u ngi n g th e o ccas i o na l i n vers i ons w h i ch had gi ven d i g n i ty to t h e verse a n d by plan i n g do wn t h e ro u gh er l i n es w h i c h t h e poet h i msel f h ad deem ed i nd i spensa b l e to sec u re va ri ety o f caden ce Wh en al l t h ese c hanges had been made h e h oped to g i ve to far t h e greater n u m b er o f h i s verses a fl o w as s moot h as o i l i a d a n d Odys s ey i n to pla i n t u rn pi ke to con vert t h e I l al on g w h i c h t h e most fasti d i ous or sq u eam i s h reader m igh t g l i de w i t ho u t exper i en c i n g a s i ngl e j ol t to d istract h is atten t i on o r d ist u rb h i s sl u m b er O f t h is excess i ve s mooth ness o f v e r s i fic a t i o n Cowper h i msel f dec i ded l y d isapproved A cr i t i c o f t h e “ ” pres en t day h e says serves a poe m as a cook serves a d ead t u rkey w h e n sh e fastens t h e l egs o f i t to a post and d raws o u t a l l th e s i news F o r t h is we may tha n k Pope ; b u t u nl ess we co u l d i m i tate h i m i n t h e closen ess a n d co m pactn ess o f h is express i on as wel l as i n t h e s mooth n ess o f h i s n u m bers w e had b etter d rop t h e i m i tati on w h i c h ser v es n o oth er p u rpose t han to e masc u late a n d weaken al l we wri te f i ve m e a man l y rou gh l i n e w i th a d eal o f mean i n g i n i t rat h er t ha n a w hol e poe m fu l l o f m us i cal peri ds t hat h ave n ot h i n g b u t t h ei r o i l y s mooth n ess to reco m m en d t h em I B u t wh i l e i n h is H m er as i n al l h is o ri g i nal ,
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B IO G RA P H ICAL
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poe ms C O VV PC I too k t h e u tmost pa i ns to sat i s fy h i s i t e ra r y work mansh i p a nd to m eet ow n fi n e sense o f l al l reasonabl e a nd eve n som e u n reasonabl e d ema nds o f cri t ic ism h e n ever repl i ed to an y o f h is c ri t i cs i n pri n t L i ke a not h er w ise a nd magna n i mo us man t h e target o f man y en veno med s ha fts—D av i d H u me —h e d isda i n ed to engage i n t h e sq ua bb l i n g an d scu ffl i n g t h e clo u t i n g o f h eads a n d t h e claw i n g o f faces w h i ch g oes b y th e na m e o f l i tera ry co n 1 t r o ve rs Wi t h a sensi t i ven ess a nd d el i cacy o f y nat u re more t ha n fem i n i n e h e happi l y co m b i n ed a ro b ust a nd manl y st ra i n o f t h ou gh t wh i c h mad e h i m r ise s u peri o r to petty wo u nds that wo u l d have ra n kl ed i n weaker natu res H is eq uan i m i ty was n ever r u ffl ed o r at al l even ts n ever ser i o usl y d i s t u r b e d by t h e attacks o f cri t i cs H e cou ld a ff ord to d isregard th e m a n d to b i de h i s t i me H i s wo rks w i l l last w i th th e E ngl i s h language t hei r cr i t i c i s ms have lon g been forgotten Cowper had oth er a nd deeper tha n pec u n iary moti ves fo r applyi n g h i msel f zealo us l y to Ho mer Th e occu pati on served to d i vert h i s m i n d for a t i m e fro m sad s igh ts a n d m elanch ol y re fl ecti ons H i s sp i ri ts were lo w a n d as t i m e wen t o n th ey san k l owe r an d l ower E ven s h ortl y a fter h i s ret u rn fro m ‘
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B I O G RAP H ICAL S K ET CH E S a ffl icted fri end and see med t o h ave no t ho u gh t b u t for h is wel fare n ow beca me q u eru lo us a nd exact i ng f or g et fu l o f h i m an d m i nd fu l appa re n tl y on l y o f h ersel f U nabl e to move o u t o f h er cha i r W i t ho u t h el p o r to wal k across t h e room u n l ess s u ppo rted b y t w o peopl e h er speec h at t i m es al most u n i n tel l ig i bl l h is wo n ted exerc i ses e sh e d epr i ved h i m o f a l both b od i ly a nd m en tal as sh e d i d n ot ch oose t hat h e s hou ld l eave h er fo r a m om en t or ever use a pen or a boo k except wh e n h e read to h er To t h ese deman ds h e respond ed w i t h al l th e d evot i o n o f grat i tu de a nd a ffecti on ; h e was ass i d u o us i n h is atten t i ons to h er bu t t he s tra i n tol d h eav i l y o n h i s strengt h I t i s no wonder that i n t h ese m elanch ol y c i rc u m s ta nces th e oppress i o n o f spi ri ts u nd er wh ic h h e had la b o u red for so many years sh ou l d grow ever h eav i er I n o n e o f h i s l etters h e m en t i o ns that h e s u ffered fro m a dej ect i o n s u c h as h e had never k now n s i nce h e co m menced a u t ho r except w h en h e was a b sol u tel y la i d by I n an oth er h e s pea ks o f risi n g i n t h e “ morn i n g l i ke a n i n ferna l frog o u t o f A ch eron covered w i t h t h e ooze an d m u d o f m ela nch ol y i n an oth er h e says t hat h e seems to h i msel f to be scra m b l i ng a l ways i n t h e dark am on g rocks a nd preci pi ces w i th o u t a g u i de b u t w i th an en em y ever at h is h eels ready to p ush h i m h ead lon g A b ove al l h i s rel i gi o us d el us io n rose to a p i tch o f h orror w h i ch t h reaten ed to overcast h i s w hol e m en tal h ori zon an d to ext i ngu is h t h e last gl i m m eri n gs o f ,
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W I LL IA M CO WP E R reaso n a nd hope H e was ha u n ted w i th forebod i n gs o f so me overwh el m i ng evi l : h i s i magi nati o n was terri fi ed by an endl ess t ra i n o f h orri bl e pha n toms : h e s u ff ered agon i es o f despa i r H is d reams were fri gh t fu l O n e n i gh t for i nstance h e see med to be tak i n g a fi nal l eave o f h i s d wel l i n g a n d o f every t h i ng w i t h wh i ch h e had bee n most fam i l i ar on th e even i n g before h is exec u t i o n H e fel t t h e tenderest regret a t t h e separati on a n d l oo ked a b o u t for so me t h i ng d u rabl e to ca rry w i t h h i m as a m emori al Th e i ro n hasp o f t h e garden door prese nt i n g i tsel f h e was o n t h e poi n t o f tak i n g t hat ; b u t recol l ect i n g that t h e h eat o f th e fi re i n w h i c h h e was go i n g to b e torm ented wou l d fuse t h e metal a n d t h a t i t wo u l d t h ere fore o n l y ser ve to i ncrease h is i ns u pportab le m isery h e l e ft i t a n d a wo ke i n al l t h e h orror wi t h w h i c h t h e real i ty o f th e v isi onary terrors cou ld have fi l led h i m Wi th s uc h extre m i ti es o f tortu re cou l d a gloo m y rel i gio us creed rac k t h e m i n d o f o n e o f t h e best a nd m ost i n nocen t m en w h o ever d ign i fi ed an d b e a u t i fie d o u r earth by th e i r presen ce N o dou bt th e m en tal decay o f M r s U n w i n was on e o f th e ca uses w h ic h co n tri bu ted most power fu l l y to pl u nge Cowpe r i n to t h is a b ys m o f m isery I t was n ot m e rel y tha t h e was doom ed da i l y a nd h o u rly to w i tn ess s u ff eri n gs wh i c h w ru n g h is h eart and w h i c h h e was po werl ess to rel i eve bu t t hat h e n o l o n g e r rece i ved fro m h er those p i o us co nsolat i ons wh ic h h er m i l der fa i th an d h e r ol d u nsha ke n t ru st i n th e ( l l \ II l C good n ess had enabl ed h er to m i n i te r .
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to h i m i n h is da rkest h o u rs Th us d epri ved o f sp i ri t ual g u i dance at h om e h e loo ked fo r i t abroad an d u n happi l y h e fo u n d i t i n Sa m u el T ee do n t h e p i o us i gnoran t fool is h sel f s u ffi ci en t sc hool master o f O l ney w h ose c l u msy com pl i men ts c lown is h ma n n ers d u l l co n versati o n and r i d i c u lo us acco u n ts o f h is petty a i l me nts Cowper i n h is happi er days had not fa i l ed to ma ke th e t h eme o f del i cate b a n ter Th is aw k wa rd booby t h is pres u m pt uo us ass w h ose p i ety i f i t was s i ncere was perhaps n ot w h ol l y d is i n terested s i nce h e rece i ved t h ro u gh Cowper s agency a re g u lar al lowa nce i n mo n ey w h ic h h e l i beral ly repai d i n prayer was n o w co nsu l ted by th e poet a nd M r s U n w i n as a sort o f d i v i n e o racl e Wh en Cowper had had a parti c u l arl y bad d ream o r o n wa ki n g i n t h e morn i ng i magi n ed h e h eard vo i ces spea ki n g to h i m h e i nq u i red o f th e L ord by t h e mo u th o f Sa m u el T e e do n as to w hat t h ese th i n gs m i gh t m ea n a n d i n d u e t i m e recei ved graci o us a n d reass u r i n g a nswers Wh en h e h es i tated a b o u t go i n g o n w i th t h e ed i t io n of M i l ton w h i ch fai l ed so m isera b l y t h e case was la i d before t h e school master wh o a fter spread i n g i t o u t as usua l o n th e mercy seat a n no u nced t ha t th e L ord enco u raged h i m to proceed by s h i n i n g o n h is add resses an d ” q u i c ken i n g h i m by h is word Th e l etters w h i ch Cow per wrote to t h i s poor d ri vel l er a re mela nc h ol y w i t nesses to t h e wrec k o f a fi n e i n tel l ect ; a nd i n r ea d i n g th e m we can not b u t w is h t hat wh en h e so u gh t t h e L o rd at t h e sch ool h o use o f O l n ey a .
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n o w t h e R everen d J oh n Joh nson j oi ned t h e party a t Weston a nd ea rl y i n Novem b er Hay l ey cam e o n h is seco n d v i si t H e fo u nd Cowper apparen t l y w el l an d enl i ve ned by t h e soc i ety o f h is t wo favou r i te fri ends Joh nso n a n d R ose Th e poet sti l l possessed com pl etel y a l l th e ad m i ra b l e fac u l t i es o f h i s m i nd a nd al l t h e nat i ve tendern ess o f h is h eart ; yet t h ere was so meth i ng i ndescr i b able i n h i s appearance w h i c h alarm ed Ha y l ey w i t h a ppre h ens i o ns o f com i ng ev i l D u ri ng h is v i s i t t h e two a u t h ors kept eac h ot h er t on a nd b usy Co wper rev is i n g Hayl ey s L ife of M i l Hayl ey doi ng t h e sa m e for h is fr i en d s H om er w h i l e I\I r s U n w i n sat i n h er corn er b y th e fi re so met i mes s i len t l isten i ng to t h e patter o f t h e rai n o n t h e w i ndo ws som et i mes la ug h i n g at th e t wo fr i ends or i n terru pti n g t he m w i t h a q u esti o n o r a re mark so met i mes w h en no h eed was pa i d to h er h ol d i n g a con versat i o n wi t h h ersel f Wh en Hayl ey had gon e a fter a fo rtn i gh t s v i s i t L ady H es ket h a rr i ved abo u t t h e m i ddl e of Novem b er K now i ng t h e terr i b l e c hange w h i c h h ad taken p l ace i n M rs U n w i n a n d h o w severe l y i t m ust h ave a ff ected Cowper sh e fo u n d h i m better t h a n s h e expected B u t t h e b low w h i c h t h e w a tc h fu l H ayl ey had appreh ended fe l l o n t h e poet i n t h e secon d wee k o f J a nu a r y I 7 9 4 an d b ro ke h i m fi na l l y H i s sp i ri ts w ho l l y d eserted h i m H e ceased to wor k and to correspond w i t h h i s fr i ends F or s i x days ” h e sat st i l l an d si l en t as d eath a nd too k n o oth er food d u ri ng t hat t i m e t ha n a m orsel o f bread d i pped ,
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W I L L IA M CO W P E R i n w i n e a nd water Wh en every oth er re med y had fai led t h e m ed i c al atte ndan t s u ggested tha t \l l as th e on l y rema i n i ng chance l Unwi n shou ld rs i n v i te h i m to go o u t w i th h er S h e was i nd u ced no t w i th ou t th e exerc ise o f tact and manage men t to ma ke th e experi m en t a n d observ i ng that i t was a fi n e m orn i n g sa i d s h e s h o u ld l i ke to try to wa l k Co w per at o nce rose too k h er by t h e arm a n d t h e s pel l w h i c h had bo u nd h i m to h is cha i r was broken Y et t ho u gh h e l i ved no i mprovem en t too k place i n h is m en tal cond i t i on Th e arr i val o f Hay l ey i n t h e spr i n g w h o ca m e a t m u c h perso na l i nco n v e ni e nc e to at ten d to h i s u n happy fr i end seem ed to g i ve no pl eas u re to t h e s u ff erer ; h e tes ti fied n ot t h e l eas t gl i m meri ng o f satisfact io n at t h e appea ra nce o f a gu es t w h o m h e used to rece i ve w i t h t h e mos t l i vel y express ions o f a ff ect i onate d el igh t D u ri n g Hayl ey s stay a l ette r cam e fro m L o rd Spence r a n no u nc i n g that i t was H is M aj esty s i n ten t i o n to gran t Co wper a pens io n o f th ree h u nd red po u nds a yea r for t h e res i d u e o f h i s l i fe B u t th e n ews cam e too late t o b ri n g h i m t h e s mal le s t co m for t 1 A s t i me wen t on i n spi te o f t h e u n rem i tt i ng atten ti o n s o f L ady H es ket h w h o stayed at Westo n a nd devoted h ersel f to t h e care o f th e two s u ff er i n g fr i ends Cowper g rew rath er worse t ha n b etter H e ha rd l y a te h e was worn to a s hado w h e d i d noth i n g .
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B I O G RA P H ICAL S K ET C H ES b u t pace i n cessa n tl y u p an d dow n i n h is stu dy o r h is bed roo m : h e l i ved i n a c o nsta n t state o f terro r d read fu l to behold expect i n g da i ly a nd even h ou rl y to be ca rri ed o ff by t h e D ev i l Th is lasted fo r abo u t e igh teen mon ths fro m t h e spr i ng o f 1 7 9 4 t i l l th e latter e nd o f J u l y 1 7 9 5 Th en th e R ev Joh n J o h nso n cam e to Westo n fro m No rfol k a nd w i t h a ffect i o nate sol i c i t u d e a nd tact persuad ed t h e two i nval ids to acco mpa n y h i m o n a v i s i t to Nor fol k i n th e h ope t hat a com pl ete chan ge o f scen e m i g h t be bene fi c ial to both Cowper was rel uctan t to l eave th e beau ti fu l a nd peacefu l Weston to w h i ch i n sp i te of al l h e had s u ff ered t h ere h i s h eart cl u n g w i th co nstan t a ffecti on H e had a presen t i m en t w h i c h proved t r u e t hat h e sh o u l d see i t n o m ore ; a nd o n a pa nel o f t h e wi ndow s h u tter i n h i s b ed roo m t h e bed roo m overlook i ng t h e q u i et garde n w h ere h e h ad so o ften wal ked w i t h M rs U n w i n —h e w rote i n penc i l t h e sad l i nes : ,
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they l a nd h e saw e d h i m i n to th e c ha m be r o f d eath h er l yi n g o n t h e b ed fo r ever sti l l h e gave way to a bu rs t o f e mot i on Th e n h e q u i tted t h e roo m an d n eve r spo ke o f h er agai n Th ey bu r i ed h er i n D ereha m c h u rch yard at n igh t by torch l i gh t l est th e s i gh t a n d so u n ds o f t h e l ast sad p rocess i o n sh o u l d agi tate h i m u n d u l y H e l i ngered fo r a few ve a rs more al ways pl u nged i n t h e deepest t h e mos t h opel ess m ela ncholy Y et h e al lo wed th e m to read to h i m and h e l isten ed to h is own poems i n s i l ence ; on l y h e f orbad e t h em to read to h i m yak ” p i n H e was even i nd uced Gi l to res u m e h i s lon g i n terr u pted rev is i o n o f Ho m er a n d h e see med cal mer w h i l e h e was engaged i n th e o l d fam i l iar tas k ; h is very breath i ng was observed to be lo nger a n d eas i er w h i l e h e sat w i t h bo wed h ead o ver h i s des k Hav i n g o nce begu n h e wor ked s tead i ly an d com pl eted t h e rev is i on o n t h e e i gh t h o f M arc h I 7 9 9 A few days later h e w rote h is last o r i gi nal poem Th e Ca s ta w ay fo u nd ed o n a n i nc i den t i n A nso n s Voya g e: w h i ch h e had read l on g before H is wor k was no w do ne a nd t h e h o u r o f res t was not fa r o ff A t t h e e nd o f Ja n uary 1 8 0 0 sympto ms o f d ropsy appea red i n h is feet an d an kles a nd grad ual l y i ncreased B y t h e en d o f F e b r uary h e ceased to co m e dow nstai rs ; by t h e en d o f M arch h e was con fi ned to h is bed room Wh e n a doctor “ as ked h i m h o w h e fel t h e answered I fee l u n ” u tterabl e despai r Th e n igh t be fo re h e d i ed b e i n g very wea k t h ey o ffered h i m a co rd i al b u t h e ,
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W I LL IA M CO W P E R rej ected i t sayi n g What ca n i t s i gn i fy 9 Th ey were h is las t words N ext morn i n g F r i day t h e fift h day of A pri l 1 8 0 0 t h ere was deat h o n t wen ty — h is face b u t h e s u rv i ved ti l l fi ve o cloc k i n t h e after n oon wh en h is l ong s u ff er i ngs a nd sorrows q u i etl y ceased A l l t hat i s mortal o f h i m rests i n D ereha m ch u rch not far fro m th e d ust of M ary U n wi n O ver h is grave L ady H es keth caused a mon u men t to be erected a n d Havl ey Co mposed for i t a copy of verses con tai n i n g a tri bu te to h i s departed fr i en d a tri b u te w h i c h al l wh o k no w a n d love Co wper w i l l ac kn ow l edge to be j ust : ,
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W I L L IA M RO B E RTSO N S M I T H t h e deat h o f Wi l l ia m R o b ertso n Sm i t h t h i s co u n try has l ost o n e o f i ts greatest sch ola rs an d abl est m en No o n e co u l d have been b rou gh t even casual l y i n to co n tact w i th h i m w i th ou t feel i n g t hat h e was i n t h e presen ce o f a r e marka b l e m a n Th e exten t an d acc u racy o f h i s i n formati on on al most a n y top i c t hat m i gh t be started t h e fres h ness an d ori gi nal i ty o f h i s v i ews t h e el ectr i c q u i ckn ess o f h i s appreh ensi on t h e v i vac i ty a nd e nergy o f h is ma n n er th e ease p re c i s i o n a n d fo rce w i th w h i c h h e expressed h i mse l f co mb i n ed w i t h th e p h ys i ca l cha racterist i cs o f th e ma n — th e sl i gh t al most p u n y yet s i n ewy an d v i go ro u s fra me t h e eager express i ve face t h e h i gh p i erc i ng i n to nat i o n o f h i s vo i ce— made u p a person al i ty w h i ch o nce seen was not eas il y forgotten B u t i t was reserved for t h ose w h o m h e h ono u red w i t h h i s fri en dsh i p to k now that w i th a l u c i d i ty o f i n tel l ect w h i c h n o soph i st ry co u l d i mpose u pon a nd a fi rm ness o f character wh ic h n oth i n g cou l d BY
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th e F ree C h u rc h Col l ege a t A berd een was o f i m m ense p u bl i c serv i ce i n pro mot i n g a mo re l i bera l a n d rat i o nal ton e o f t h ou gh t o n th eol og i cal s u bj ects not i n t h e F ree C h u rc h on l y b u t i n Scotland gen eral ly O f h is co ntri bu t io ns to Sem i t i c sc hola rsh i p i t i s no t fo r m e to spea k t h ei r val u e h a s b een attested b y so m e o f t h e most d i st i n gu i sh ed o f l i v i n g o r recen t l y deceased O ri en tal ists as wel l as by th e s uccess i ve cal ls w h ic h h e r ece i ved to fi l l fi rst t h e L ord A l mo n er s R eaders h i p i n A ra b i c a nd a fterwa rds th e P ro fessors h i p o f A ra b i c i n t h e U n i vers i ty o f Ca m b r i dge B u t o f R obertso n Sm i t h s q ual i ficat i ons o a aia B ca n i as ed i tor o f t h e Encycl r i ta n I may p ve n t u re to spea k fro m personal k nowl edge as I l i ved o n terms o f i n t i macy w i t h h i m d u ri n g t h e latter years o f h is ed i torsh i p a n d was pr i v i l eged to co n tr i b u te so me arti cl es to t h e book H e seem ed th en to m e as I b el i eve h e m ust have seem ed to most o f t h e co n t r i b u tors a n a b sol u tel y i deal ed i tor o f s u ch a wor k Th e range a n d exact ness of h i s k no wl edge were s u c h as i n t h e co u rse o f a l i fe mostl y spen t at t h e U n i vers i ti es I have n ev er k no wn eq ual l ed o r even approach ed Th e l i gh tn i n g l i ke rap i d i ty a nd pe net rat i on o f h is m i n d w h i ch l ed h i m s trai gh t to t h e h eart o f a s u bj ect t h ro u g h a maze o f b ewi ld eri n g deta i ls were a l so i n m y exper i ence u n i q u e a nd d i d at l east as m u c h as h is i m mense l earn i n g to fi t h i m for carryi n g th rou gh t h e press a wor k w h i c h a i ms a t be i n g a cl ear an d com preh ens i ve s u m mary o f h u ma n k nowl edge To ,
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W I L L IA M R O B E R T SO N S M ITH th ese q ual i ficat ions h e added a n u n fai l i n g tact an d co u rtes y co mb i n ed wi th perfect fi rm n ess a nd dec is i o n i n deal i n g w i t h m en ; a pract i cal sagaci ty a n d good sense w h i ch mad e h i m o n al l su bj ects th e oracl e o f h is fri ends ; a nd a n apt i t u de for bus i n ess to w h i ch h is p u bl is h er has recen tl y born e t h e most e mp hat i c t es ti mon y A n y n oti ce o f R obertso n S m i t h s m u l t i fari o us acti vi ty wo u ld be i n co m pl ete w h i c h d i d not m en ti o n t hat h e h el d fo r several years t h e i m portan t post o f U n i versi ty L i brari a n at Ca m bri dge a nd tha t i n h is yo u nger days h e acted as ass istan t a nd demo nstrato r to t h e d ist i ngu ish ed pro fesso r o f Nat u ra l P h i l osoph y o r P h ys ics at t h e U n i vers i ty o f E d i n b u rgh P ro fesso r Ta i t I n t h i s “ last capaci ty i t has been sa i d o f S m i th t hat h i s deftn ess at experi me n ts an d cl earn ess o f exposi t i o n were q u i te extraord i nary a n d th e man co m manded al mos t as m u ch ad m i rat i o n fro m t h e stu den ts as d i d t h e master w h ic h is sayi n g a good deal Th e atten t i on wh i c h i n th ese earl y days h e pa i d to math emat ical ph y s i c s bore perma n en t fru i t i n t h e pu bl i cat i o n o f so m e math emati cal papers wh i c h a re I u nderstand rega rd ed as class i cal by math e still ,
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Y et w h en we have en u m erated al l t h ese vari ed ca pac i t i es i n wh ic h R obert s o n S m i t h d i d so m u c h ad m i rabl e w o rk we have st i l l n ot to u ch ed o n t h e s ide o f h i m en tal acti v i ty w h i ch was m o st prod uct i ve o f i m portan t res u l ts a n d by w h i c h h e w i l l be bes t rem em bered by p o steri ty I t was by h is resea rc h es ,
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B I O G RA P H ICAL S K ET CH ES i n to t h e h istory o f rel i g i on i n g en era l a nd o f t h e Sem i t i c rel i g i ons i n part i c u lar t hat R obertso n S m i t h has i n fl u enced most deepl y i f not as yet m ost obv i o usl y t h e t h o u gh t o f t h is generat i on ; an d so n u merou s a nd fru i tfu l are t h e l i nes o f i nq u i ry w h i c h h e str u c k o u t t hat h i s i n fl u ence is l i kel y to grow rath er t ha n d i m i n i s h fo r so m e t i me to co me T h e met hod wh i c h i n h i s h ands p roved so powerfu l a n i nstru men t i n ope n i n g u p n ew a nd r i c h ve i ns of t ho u gh t was w h at i s k now n as t h e com parat i ve m eth od A s few perhaps even o f ed u cated readers have a d e fi n i te n ot i on o f t h e pr i nci pl es o f t h e co m parat i ve meth od i n i ts appl i cati o n to t h e stu dy o f rel i gi on an d o f i ts beari ng o n man y pro fo u n d p ract i cal pro b l ems w h i ch a re press i n g o n us fo r sol u ti o n n ow a nd w h i c h l oo m st i l l l arger i n t h e fu t u re som e general observat i ons o n t h e s u bj ect may not be o u t o f place h ere i n so fa r as th ey enabl e t h e reader to appreh en d more cl earl y R obertso n S m i t h s place i n t h e rap i d l y mov i n g strea m o f co n tem porary t h o ug h t Th e i d ea o f regard i ng t h e rel i g i o ns of t h e wor l d n ot dogmat i cal l y b u t h i stor i cal l y—i n oth er words no t as systems o f tr u t h or falsehood to b e demon s t r a t e d o r refu ted b u t as p h eno me na o f co nsc i o us ness to be st u d i ed l i ke an y ot h er aspect o f h u ma n natu re — i s o n e w h i ch seems h ard l y to have s u ggested i tsel f be fore t h e n i n etee nt h cen t u ry Certa i n l y t h e system at i c d evelopm en t o f t h e concept i on i s a prod u ct o f th at u n paral l el ed anal yt i c or sc i en t i fi c act i v i t y w h ic h ,
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B IO G RAP H ICAL S K ETCH E S answer to t h em ; fo r i t proves t hat many rel i gi o us doct ri nes a n d pract i ces are based o n pri m i ti ve con c e p t i o ns w h ic h most ci v i l i zed a n d ed u cated m en have l ong agreed i n abandon i n g as m ista ken F ro m t h is i t i s a nat u ral an d o ften a pro b a b l e i n ference t hat doctr i n es so based are false an d t ha t practi ces so b ased are fool is h I t s ho u l d be observed h owever t hat t h is i n feren ce t ho u gh nat u ral a nd o ften pro b a b l e i s n ever n ecessary a n d certa i n because a bel i ef may be t ru e an d a pract i ce may be wise al th o ugh th e part i cu lar reaso ns ass i gned for hol d i ng t h e bel i ef a n d observ i ng t h e practi ce M u l ti tu d es o f t ru e b el i efs a nd may be false sal u tary c usto ms have been an d a re dai l y defen ded by argu men ts w h i c h are abs u rd Th e d i ff erence i n t h is respect between a tru e a n d a false bel i e f a nd between a w i se a n d a fool is h pract i ce i s merel y t hat so me good reaso n has been or may be fo u n d fo r t h e o n e wh ereas n o good reason has b een or so far as h u man fores igh t extends i s l i kel y to b e d i scovered for t h e oth er Th us t h e proo f t h at a b el i ef i s false o r a pract i ce fool is h can n ever b e co m pl ete o r fi nal beca use i t i s a l ways possi b l e to al l ege t hat excel l en t reasons for i t may ex i st w h i ch have h i th erto el u ded t h e scr u ti n y o f o u r l i m i ted i n tel l i gence Th e pl ea i s q u i te i rrefu ta b l e B u t fo r al l practi cal p u rposes we a re perfectl y j usti fi ed i n st i gmat i zi n g as false or fool ish a bel i ef o r practi ce fo r w h i c h al l t h e reasons h i th erto add u ced have p ro ved o n a care fu l a n d d i spassi onate exam i nat i on .
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Z OO
W I L L IA M RO B E R T SON S M I T H to be m istaken Now t h e care fu l an d d ispass i o nate a nalys is to w h i ch t h e comparat i ve st u d y o f rel i gi o n s u bj ects th e rel i gi o us bel i efs a nd practi ces o f ma n k i nd l eads i n evi tabl y to t h e concl us i o n t hat a great proporti on o f t h e m are false an d fool ish i n t h e l i m i ted an d provis i onal se nse t hat n o good reason has h i t h erto been add u ced fo r a n y of t h em A n d as t h e r u les o f cond u ct w h i c h have gu i ded an d st i l l gu id e m en i n t h e a ffai rs o f l i fe are to a large exten t d ed uced fro m rel i gi o us or t h eologi cal prem ises i t fol lows t hat t h e com parati ve st udy o f rel i gi o n i n so fa r as i t i n val i dates th ese prem ises cal ls fo r a reco ns i derat i on o f t h e specu lat i ve basi s o f et h i cs as wel l as o f t h eolog y Th us a wri ter l i ke R obertso n Sm i th w h ose gen i us an d l earn i n g h ave greatl y accel erated th e progres s o f t h is st u dy espec ial l y i n i ts appl i cati on to t h e Sem i t i c rel i g i o ns i s a force to be rec ko ned wi t h i n es t i mat i n g t h e d ri ft o f tho u gh t i n t h is gen erat ion Bot h by tra i n i n g an d by nat u re h e was ad m i ra bl y eq u i pped fo r th e tas k w h ic h h e accom pl i h ed H is w i de an d exact knowledge o f Sem i t i c l i terat u re and h is t ravels i n Sem i t i c la nds la i d th e sol i d fou ndat ion o f h is i n t i mate fam i l iar i ty wi t h Sem i t i c rel i g i on and l i fe ; and h is fri endsh i p wi t h th e late F I\ I c L e nna n wh ose acq ua i n tance h e was fo rt u nate enou g h to ma ke d u ri ng h is st u den t da ys at Ed i n bu r g h earl y reveal ed to h i m t h e fu l l i m portan ce o f t h e c o m pa rat i ve m ethod as a ppl i ed t th e i n vest igat i o n f pr i m i t i ve soc iety a n d rel i g i on .
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201
B I O G RA P H I CAL S K ET CH E S Th e i n fl u ence w h ic h M c L e nna n t h e fou nder o f t h e com parat i ve sc hool o f soc i o l ogy i n t h is co u n t ry exerc i sed over R o b ertso n S m i t h was deep and last i ng I t permeated h i s w h ol e way o f regard i n g t h e o ri gi ns o f soc i ety a nd rel i g i on an d may be traced i n al l h is more i mportan t wr i t i ngs o n th ese s u bj ects most co nsp i cu o usl y i n h is K i m /rip a nd M a r r i ag e i n Ea r l y fl r a bi a w h i c h i s i n t h e ma i n a n app l i cat i o n o f M c L e nna ns gen era l pr i nc i pl es to th e part i cu l ar fi el d o f earl y A ra b i a n soc i ety B u t R o b ertson S m i t h was an yt h i n g b u t on e o f t h ose wr i ters w h o merel y sort ou t facts u nder h ead i ngs t raced for t h e m b y oth ers Th e nat i ve force an d ori gi nal i ty o f h is m i n d were s u c h t hat to w hatever st u dy h e m i gh t have devo ted h i msel f h e co u ld h ard l y have fa i led o f carry i n g i t to a po i n t farth er than had been reach ed by h i s predecessors I f we see k to a nalyse t h e special q ua l i ti es b y v i rt u e o f wh i ch h e d i d so m u c h to adva nce t h e s tu dy o f co mparat i ve re l i gi on t h ey see m to resol ve t h emsel ves i n to grea t fert i l i ty o f i d eas a nd a v i vi d h i stori cal i mag i nat i on fed by a m e mory stored w i t h a prod i gi o us a rray o f facts a nd kept u nder s tr i ct co n trol b y a n u n vary i n g so u n d ness a nd so b ri ety o f j u dg e m e nt T h i s cool ness a nd so b ri ety o f j udgemen t al l t h e more remarka b l e i n a man o f h i s eager ferv i d tem peramen t was o n e o f t h e l ead i ng c haracter i st i cs o f h i s m i nd H e n ever lost to u c h o f t h e real wor l d n ever al lowed h is i magi nati o n to stray i n to t h e rea l m o f t h e vagu e and fa nci fu l al l was cl ear s harpl y d e fi ned co ncrete ,
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2 02
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B I O G RAP H ICAL S K ET C H ES nat u re a nd devel o pmen t o f a people s rel i gi on are la r g el y m o d i fi ed a nd d eterm i n ed by ph ysi cal s u r rou nd i ngs mater ial c u l tu re ma n ner o f l i fe soc i al a n d pol i ti cal o r g an i zat ion an d relat i ons w i th ne i gh b o u r i ng peopl es ; t ha t al l t h ese t h i n gs ac t an d react u pon eac h ot h er a nd m ust al l be al lowed for i f we wo u l d u nderstan d a n y o n e s i d e o f t h e co m pl ex prod u ct I n pri m i t i ve soc i ety i ndeed t h is fus io n o f th e rel i gi o us w i th th e oth er el em en ts o f h u man l i fe i s far more co m pl ete tha n i n advanced soc i et i es F or t h e rel i gi o n o f th e savage does for h i m w hat ph i losoph y a n d sc i ence essay to do fo r c i vi l i zed man ; i t fu r n is hes h i m w i t h a general expla nati o n o f t h e p rocesses o f nat u re a nd h is own bei ng an d d esti n y H ence t h e l i fe o f t h e savage i s sat u rated wi th i t B y i t h e explai ns al l even ts : o n i t h e b ases al l h i s r u l es o f cond uct H e can not sepa rate i t even i n t ho u gh t fro m t h e rest o f h is l i fe : t h e d isti nct i o n between rel i g i o us a n d sec u lar a ff ai rs o r b etween rel i gi o n a nd moral i ty has n o m ean i n g for h i m Th e p rogress o f c i vi l i zat i on ten ds to restri ct th e sph ere o f rel i gi o n by s u bsti tu ti ng nat u ral for s u pernat u ral agenci es as th e i m med ia te ca uses o f eve n ts an d nat u ral for s u pernat u ral san ct i ons as t h e i m med iate basi s o f et h i cs B u t t h e st ud en t o f earl y t h o u gh t an d c usto m m us t re mem b er t ha t rel i gi on as a n el emen t o f soci ety t h ou gh i t i s s lowl y prec i pi ta ted by c i vi l i zati on i s h el d i n sol u t i o n by savagery col o u ri ng a nd b e i n g colo u red by al l t h e oth er elem en ts w i t h w h i c h i t i s bl en t No on e ’
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2 04
RO B E R T SO N S M I T H
\ VI L L I A M
was more keen l y al i ve t ha n R oberts o n S m i th to t h is i n terpen etrati o n o f rel i gi o n an d oth er el emen ts o f pri m i t i ve soci ety A fi n e i ns tan ce o f h is habi t ual recogn i t i o n o f i t is fu rn is h ed b y t h e co m parison w h i c h h e i nsti t u tes bet ween t h e evo l u ti o n o f rel i gio n i n t h e East a nd i n t h e West H e s hows t hat a t fi rst co n tra ry to c u rren t noti o ns t h e Sem i t i c an d G ree k rel i gi o ns ran o n paral l el l i nes an d t hat t h e i r s u bseq u en t w i de d i vergence fro m eac h ot he r was prod u ced n ot as i s com mo n l y s u pposed by a ny i n nate tendency to mo noth eis m on t h e o ne si d e a nd to pol yth eis m o n t h e o th er b u t b y t h e d i ff eren t co u rs es ta ke n by t h e evol u t i o n o f pol i t i ca l i ns t i t u t i o ns i n t h e Eas t a nd t he West soci ety grav i tat i ng to monarc h y i n t h e East a nd to aristocracy a n d rep u b li ca n is m i n t h e West a n d t h e gods as us ual b ei ng crea ted i n t h e l i ken ess o f th ei r worsh i ppers Th e com pariso n i s m erel y a s ketch b u t th e l i n es a re d rawn w i th th e han d o f a master U n fort u natel y too m u c h o f R obertso n S m i t h s wor k rema i ns i n th e con d i t i o n o f s ketch es w h i ch h e d i d n ot l i ve to com pl ete Wi t h h is keen si gh t a nd co m preh ens i ve glance h e s u rveyed w id e regio ns o f rel i gio us h istory mapped t h em o u t i n t h e ro u gh a nd l e ft o th ers to fi l l i n t h e deta i ls To en u merate al l th e o r i gi na l con t ri b u ti ons w h ic h h e made to th e co m parat i ve st u dy o f rel i g i o n wo u ld be o u t o f place h ere eve n i f i t were p ract i cabl e Ti me a nd res earc h are n eeded to te t t h e val u e a nd t o asce rta i n t h e fu l l beari n gs o f man y o f t h em B u t readers .
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B I O G RAP H ICAL S K ET CH E S who happe n to be u nacq ua i n ted w i t h h i s w r i t i n gs ma y fa i rl y expect to be fu rn i s h ed w i t h spec i mens o f t h em I w i l l t h ere fore men t i o n two Tha t m yst i cal o r sac ra men tal sacr i fic es have played a n i mporta n t pa rt i n th e h i story o f ma n y rel i gi ons was fi rs t I b el i eve po i n ted o u t b y R obertso n S m i th Th e pec u l iari ty o f t h es e sacr i fi ces i s t hat i n t h em t h e v i ct i m sla i n i s a n an i ma l o r a ma n w h o m t h e worsh i ppers regard as d i v i n e a nd o f w h ose fl es h a nd b l ood t h ey so meti mes partake ei th er actual l y o r sym b ol i cal l y as a sol em n for m o f co m m u n i o n w i t h t h e dei ty T h e con cept i o n o f s u ch a sacr i fice a nd t h e o b servance o f s uc h a co m m u n i o n a re o f co u rse fa m i l ia r to us i n t h e C h r i st i a n d octri n e o f th e A ton emen t a n d th e C h r i stian sacra men t o f t h e E u charis t B u t R o b ertson S m i th was t h e fi rst to s ho w t h at co n cept i o ns an d sacra m en ts o f t h is sort a re not con fi ned to C h r i stian i ty b u t a re co m mo n to i t w i t h h eat h e n an d eve n savage rel i g i o ns W h et h er h e was ri g h t i n trac i n g t h ei r ori gi n to totem i s m may b e q u est i o ned t h e ev i dence t h us fa r does n ot ena b l e us to prono u nce decis i vel y B u t that rel i gi ous i deas a n d O b servances o f th is type a re worl d w i d e a n d t h at th ey ori gi nated n ot i n a n ad vanced b u t i n a l ow stage o f soc i ety a nd i n a very cru de p h ase o f t h o u gh t is not open to q u est i o n T h e d i sco very was R obertso n S m i t h s a nd i t i s o f capi ta l i m portance for t h e h i story o f rel i gi on A mon g t h e man y q u esti ons w h i c h i t raises t h e o n e w h i ch w i l l n atu ral l y i n terest .
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2 06
B I O G RA PH ICAL S K ET C H E S concl us io ns w h ic h h e a rr i ved a t ma i n l y fro m a n a nal ys is o f Sem i t i c sac ri fic ial r i t ual a re s tr i k i n g l y co n fi rmed by a n i nd u cti o n from t h e facts o f pasto ra l l i fe as observed a mon g r ud e pastora l t ri bes i n vari o u s pa rts o f th e worl d especial ly i n A fri ca H e s h owed that am on g pastora l tr i b es t h e h erds a re co m mon l y rega rded as sacred a nd t hat t h e i r slau gh ter i s perm i tted on l y u nder except i onal c i rcu mstances t h e t ri besm en gen eral l y s u b s ist i n g o n t h e m i l k and o n gam e Now as h e poi n ted o u t t h is vene rat io n o f pastoral tri b es for th ei r cattl e p ro b abl y exp l a i ns man y feat u res i n t h e rel igi on a n d mythology o f t h e c i vi l ized peopl es o f an t i q u i ty al l o f wh o m seem to have passed th ro ugh t h e pas toral stage o n t h ei r progress u pward fro m t h e h u n t i ng to th e agr i cu l t u ra l s tage Th us for exam pl e i t probabl y explai ns t h e sa ncti ty o f th e cow i n t h e I ran ian an d B rah m i n i ca l rel igi ons a nd t h e worsh i p of th e b u l l god A p i s t h e co w goddess I s is Hath or a n d t h e ram god A m mon i n a nci en t E gypt I n a nci en t G reece i t explai ns t h e l egen d o f t h e G ol den A ge i n so far as that l egend represen ted pri m i t i ve man as vegetar ian t h e l egen d b ei n g a rem i n iscence o f a t i me wh en cattl e were sacred a nd were n ot eaten A n d a mon g t h e c i v i l i zed nati o ns of a n ti q u i ty i n gen eral an d t h e Sem i tes i n parti c u lar i t explai ns wh y t h e ch i ef associat i ons o f th e great d e i t i es were w i t h t h e m i l k gi vi n g an i mals— th e cow t h e s h eep a nd th e goat Th ese a re o n l y spec i m ens o f R o b ertso n S m i th s far — reac h i ng d iscoveri es i n t h e fi eld o f p r i m i t i v e ,
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W I L L IA M RO B E RTSO N S M ITH rel i gi on H i s w r i ti ngs are s toreh o uses o f o ri gi nal a n d p ro fo u n d o b servati o ns an d fr u i tfu l s uggesti o ns A s s u ch t h ey w i l l lo ng b e resorted to b y st u de n ts o f rel i g i o n a n d i t seems pro b a b l e t hat m u c h o f t h e progress w h i ch i t i s to b e h oped w i l l b e mad e i n t h e st u dy o f rel i g i o n i n t h e i m m ed iate fu t u re w i l l co ns is t i n carry i n g o u t th e l i nes o f resea rch w h i c h were i nd i cated a nd i n i tiated by h i m .
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A N T H R O PO L O G Y i n g en eral a nd A ustral i an a n th ro 1 o i n pa rt i c u lar has latel y s u ff ered t wo very pol gy h eavy l osses b y th e deaths o f t h e R ev L ori m er F i s o n a n d D r A W How i tt two ol d fr i ends a nd col leagu es w h o passed away at a n i n terva l o f a few mon ths E i so n dy i n g i n D ece m b e r 1 9 0 7 a n d D r H ow i tt i n M arc h 1 9 0 8 To th e i r i ns i gh t e n t h us i asm an d i n d ustry we o we t he fi rst exact an d com preh ensi ve st u dy o f t h e socia l organ i zat i o n o f t h e A ustral ia n t r i b es a nd t h e facts w h i c h t h ey b ro u gh t to l i gh t togeth er w i t h th e exp l anat i ons w h i ch t h ey gave o f th em have not on l y con tr i b u ted to a b etter u nders ta n d i n g o f th e A ustral i a n a b or i gi nes b u t have sh ed m u c h l i gh t o n t h e ear l y h i story o f i nsti t u t i o ns i n general a nd especial l y o f marr i age L or i mer Fi s o n was b orn o n Novem b er n i n t h i n t h e p i ctu resq u e v i l lage o f Barn i ngha m i n 1 83 2 ,
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S h e ass i sted i n h er sons ed u cat i on prepa ri n g t h e V i rgi l l esson o ver n ig h t w i th t h e h ol iday t u to r w h o m sh e had engaged fo r t h e b oys a n d st r i k i n g o u t a l l passages wh i c h s h e d i d not w i s h t h e m to read To h er L o ri mer o wed m u ch o f h is fi n e c ha racter S h e was so meth i ng o f a R o ma n moth er a n d b el i eved that t h e s tron g i nsti n ct o f h e ro wors h i p i n h u ma n nat u re sh o u l d b e fostered i n ch i l d re n fro m t h e i r ear l i est yea rs A ccord i n gl y w h i l e h er ch i ld ren were ga thered ro u n d t h e board at t h e i r s i mpl e meals s h e s i tt i ng a t t h e h ead o f t h e ta b l e a n d l oo k i n g s tatel y a n d beau t i ful wo u ld tel l t he m s to r i es o f grea t men w ho w i t h h eaven s h el p had wor ked for th e good o f man k i nd T h e seed d ropped o n recepti ve soi l a n d bore fr u i t t ho u g h perhaps no t al ways o f t he sort w h i c h t h e wort h y lady desi red ; fo r L o ri mer a nd h is broth er Josep h fo ug h t o ver t h e i r favo u r i te h eroes even i n th e n u rsery Th e b oo ks s h e gave t h em to read were mostl y th e ol d E ngl i s h class i cs expu rga ted b y h er fat her s carefu l pen Th e F a er i e Qu een was a l i v i n g real i ty to t h e boys a n d L or i me r perso nated i ts h eroes w i t h da u n tl ess b ravery O n t h e ot h er ha nd t h e v i rt uo us h ero o f The Pi l r i m s Pr o r es s g g was l ess to h i s taste ; i ndeed i t is to be fea red t hat h e fo u n d t h e fo u l fi en d A pol l yo n t h e most attract i ve c haracte r i n that ed i fyi ng wor k ; for fi red w i t h “ e m u lat i on h e wo u l d stradd le q u i te ove r t h e ” wh o le bread t h o f t h e way so far as l east as h is l i ttl e l egs al lowed h i m to do so an d fo r lac k o f a ’
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dar t to h u rl a t C h rist i an h e wo u ld s natc h a large gravy spoo n fro m t h e n u rsery tabl e an d roa r ” o u t i n a terri bl e vo i ce H ere w i l l I sp i l l t h y so u l Wh en a r i gh teo us retr i b u t io n over too k t he co u n ter fei t A pol lyon fo r t h is or oth er escapades h is s mal l bro th er a n d siste r wo u l d sta nd o ne o n ei t h e r s i d e o f t h e s u ff erer a n d exh ort h i m to fo rti t u de sayi ng ” I And a B e a Spartan L orr y be a Sparta n S par ta n agreeabl y b len t w i th th e c haracte r o f A pol l yo n L o rry p roved to be fo r no t a m uscl e o f h i s l i ttl e w h i te face wo u l d t wi tc h ti l l t h e p u n is h m en t was over I n t h e i n terva l s b etwee n th ese h ero i c d eeds a n d s u ffer i n gs L orry sco u red t h e co u n try ro u nd Th ere was n ot a s tac k o f co rn nor a tal l tree i n t h e n ei gh b o u rh ood o n t h e top o f wh i ch h e had no t perc h ed no t a pon d i n to w h i c h h e had n ot wad ed to explore i ts l i v i ng i n ha b i ta n ts Th e ol d groo m was k i nd to t h e ch i ld ren ; b u t t h e ste ward fro wn ed w h en L orry a n d h is yo u ng s ister wo u l d gal lop pas t w i th a c la tter o f hoo fs a t day brea k mo u n ted o n fo rb id den h orses to r i de fi ve m i l es to t h e n eare t post tow n fo r t h e j oy o f plac i n g t h e post bag be fo re t h ei r fath er a t brea k fas t I n t i me t h ese yo u th fu l del i gh ts ca me to a n e nd L o ri m e r a nd J oseph were sen t to sc hool a t S h e ffi eld w h ere t h ey had th e ben e fi t o f a n able sta ff o f Cam bridge masters A fte r l eav i n g sc hoo l L o ri me r rea d fo r a yea r i n Cam brid g e w i t h M r P otts o f Tri n i ty Col l ege w h o e ed i ti o n o f E ucl i d i s wel l k no wn H e e n te red th e U n i vers i ty i n 1 8 5 5 .
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bei n g e n rol l ed as a s tu den t o f G o nv i l l e an d Ca i us Col l ege B u t t h e sp i ri t o f ad ve n t u re was too stro n g i n h i m to b roo k t h e ta me ro u ti ne o f a stu de n t s l i fe a nd a fter keep i n g o n l y two te rms t h e M i c hael mas ter m o f 1 8 5 5 a nd t h e L en t term o f 1 8 5 6 h e l e ft t h e U n i ve rs i ty w i t h o u t tak i ng a degree a nd sai led f or A ustral ia to d i g fo r gold H e was at th e d iggi ngs w h en t h e n ews o f h is fat h er s deat h reach ed h i m u nexpected l y I t a ffec ted h i m deepl y I n h i s d i stress h e was ta ken to a m i ss i o n m eet i n g h el d i n t h e open a i r a nd t h ere u nder t h e do u b l e i m press i o n o f sorrow a nd o f th e sol em n words h e h eard h e fel l to t h e gro u n d an d u nder wen t o n e o f t h ose s u dd en co n vers i ons o f w h i c h we read i n rel i g i o us h istory A ccord i ng l y h e l e ft t h e gol d d i ggi n gs i n o r a b o u t 1 8 6 1 a nd repa i red to t h e U n i vers i ty o f M el b o u rn e w h ere t h e terms w h i c h h e had kept at Ca m b r i dge were al lowed to co u n t t h o u gh even t h en h e d i d no t p roceed to a d egree A t M el b o u rn e h e j o i ned t h e Wes l eya n co m m u n i on a nd h eari ng t ha t m i ssi o nar i es were wa n ted i n F ij i h e o ff ered h i msel f fo r th e serv i ce Th e o ffer was accepted ; h e was orda i ned a m i n iste r a n d sai led for F ij i i n 1 8 6 3 He h ad prev i o usl y marr i ed a lady o f t h e Wesleya n C h u rc h w h o s u rv i ves h i m togeth er w i t h a fa m i l y o f t wo sons a n d fo u r dau gh ters I\I r F i s o n labo u red as a m i ss i o nary i n F ij i fro m 1 86 3 to 1 8 7 1 an d aga i n fro m 1 8 7 5 to 1 8 84 D u ri n g t h e fi rs t o f th ese peri ods h e was appo i n ted .
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B I O G RA P H ICAL S K ET CH E S m i ss i onary wor k i n F ij i I h av e borrowed ma i n l y fro m a n o b i t ua ry n ot i ce b y h i s ol d and i n ti mate fr i end t h e exper i enced So u th Sea m is s i o na r : w h o says o f h i m D r G eorge B row n y D r E iso n an d I were close fri ends for man y years a nd d u r i n g th ose years I had t h e p r i v i lege of s har i n g i n h i s j oys a nd o f k now i ng more o f h i s t ri als an d d i ffi cu l t i es perhaps tha n a n y ot h er m an H e n ever wore h i s h ea rt u pon h i s sl eeve an d so h is l i fe o ften a ppea red to ot h ers to b e eas i er and more free fro m tro u b l e t ha n i t real l y was H e a l ways kept a b rave face to th e world an d ma n y even o f h i s i n ti mate fri en ds n ever k n ew h ow h ard a b attl e h e had so meti mes to fi gh t I k new h i m i n th e M i ss i o n fi eld a nd o n b oard s h i p i n h i s h o me at Essen do n abou t wh i ch I ca n no t tr ust mysel f to wr i te a n d i n my o w n h o me I have m et h i m i n co u nse l a n d i n o u r o w n Co n fe r e nc es h ave s h ared h i s j oys a n d have b een t h e co n fidan t o f h i s tro u bles a nd sorrows an d I al ways fo u n d h i m to b e a devoted C h r i st i an a man w i th a ch i l d l i ke h eart i n h i s relat i onsh i p to G o d a w ise co u nsel lo r a t ru e an d l oyal fr i end an d on e o f th e best m iss i o nar i es w h om G o d has eve r g i ven to o u r ” ch u rc h 1 A mon g t h e feat u res i n M r F i s ons c haracter w h i ch co m manded t h e respect o f al l w ho k n ew h i m were h i s t ransparen t h o nesty h i s read i ness to M r Fi s o ns ’
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acknowl edge i ndeed to procla i m o n t h e h o usetops an y m ista ke w h i c h h e had made a n d moreover h is a b sol u te d isi n terested ness Wh en h e l i ved as a m iss i onary i n F ij i h e was repea ted l y o ff ered lan d b y th e na ti ves a n d h e m i gh t easi ly have made large pro fi ts b y accept i n g th ei r o ffers a n d sel l i ng t h e la nd aga i n to set tl ers B u t h e stead i l y re fused to en ri c h h i msel f b y mea ns w h i ch h e rega rd ed as i nj u r i o us to t h e nati ves an d i n co ns i sten t wi t h h is sacred p r o fes s i on O nce as h e was wal ki n g w i th a c h i e f o n t h e s hore th e ch i ef p ressed h i m to accept land I\I r F ison stopped m easu red s i x feet o r perhaps a l i ttl e more ( fo r h e was a ta l l ma n ) o n th e sand a n d sa i d I f I d i e i n F ij i yo u may g i ve m e so m u ch l a nd ” I wi l l n ot ta ke more 1 So h e l i ved a n d d i ed poor b u t h ono u red I\ I r F i s o ns i n t i mate acq ua i n ta nce w i t h F ij i an c usto m was o f p u bl i c serv i ce Wh en th e L a nds Com m iss i o n was abo u t to s i t h e d el i vered a lec t u re a t L ev u ka o n th e nat i ve system o f la nd ten u re i n F ij i Th e s u bstance o f i t was pu bl ish ed i n Th e 2 ou r n o n al o i ca l I ns t i t u t e an d soon y g f t he fl thr op ol a fter b y th e B ri t ish G overn me n t i n a B l u e B ook I t was also t ranslated i n to G erman a n d p u bl ish ed i n on e o f th e G erma n o ffi cia l b oo ks a t th e t i m e M r P i n p i ni n nd pr t i e i n t hi m tter were h re d b y ,
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B I O G R AP H ICAL S K ET CH E S w he n t h e c la i ms o f G erma n lan do wn ers i n F ij i were u nde r cons i derat i on M a ny years l ater th e G overnor o f F ij i t h en S i r H en ry M Jackson esteemed th e treat ise so h igh l y t hat h e caused i t to b e repr i n ted fro m M r F i s o ns man u scri p t i n a fu l le r fo rm a t t h e G overn men t P ress a n d i n a d espatch o f J u l y t h i r ty firs t 1 9 0 3 M r C ha m b erla i n t h en Sec retary o f S ta te fo r t h e “ Colo n i es w rote to t h e G overno r I have read th is val uabl e t reat ise w i th m u ch i n teres t I e n t i rel y approve o f yo u r act i o n i n ca us i n g i t to b e repri n ted b y t h e G ove rn men t P ress a n d I cons i der t hat th e co l on y o wes D r F i s o n a de b t o f grat i tu de for h i s k i n dn ess i n recopy i n g th e ” o r i gi na l man uscri p t Wh e n t h e d ist i ngu is h ed A meri ca n eth no l ogist L ew is H M organ was col lect i n g materials fo r h i s great work Sys t em s of Cons a ng u i ni ty a na flfi nity of t he H u m a nFa m i l y b e c i rcu lated a pape r o f q u est i ons very w i del y an d t h ro u gh t h e agen cy o f Pro fesso r G o l d w i n S m i t h o n e o f th ese papers reache d M r I n a nswer to t h e q u est i on s h e F i s o n i n F ij i co n tr i b u ted a fu l l a n d acc u rate acco u n t o f th e F ij i a n a n d Ton ga n systems o f consan gu i n i ty a n d a ffi n i ty to M orga n s fa mo us b oo k Th e va l u e a n d i m porta nce o f t h i s con tri b u ti o n were fu ll y ac know l edged b y M organ 1 I t spea ks h i gh l y fo r M r .
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B I O G RA PH I C A L S K ET C H E S Syd n ey l V I el b o u rn e ( A dela i de a nd B ri s b a n e so nam ed a fter t h e two tri bes o n e i n N ew So u th Wales t h e o th er i n V ic to ria to w h i ch t h e a u tho rs had pai d spec ia l a tte n t i o n Th is i m po rta n t wo rk fo r w h i c h L ewi s \I o r g a n wrote a n apprec iat i ve pre face 1 u n H l q u est i onabl y la i d t h e fou ndat i ons o f a sc i en t i fi c k n ow l edge o f t h e A ustra li a n a b ori g i nes a n d i ts va l u e i n sett i n g forth th e wonderfu l socia l system see m i ngl y com pl ex co n fused a n d casual yet real l y cl ear l ogi cal an d p u rpose fu l o f t h ese savages ca n ha rd l y be overes ti ma ted V i ewed both i n i tsel f a n d i n t h e l i gh t o f th e s u bseq ue n t research es to wh i c h i t gave b i rth espec ial ly those o f Spen cer an d G i l le n i n Ce n tra l A ustra l ia K a m i l a r oi a n d K a r na i i s a doc u men t o f pr i ma ry i mporta nce i n t h e a rch i ves o f a n th ropology No t that al l i ts t h eor i es have stood t h e test o f t i me M r F i s o n h i msel f wi th ad m i ra b l e cando u r a n no u nced p u bl i cl y fro m h is pres i den t i al cha i r at a meet i n g o f t h e A ustralas ia n A ssoc i at i o n for th e A dvan cemen t o f Sc i ence t hat a n ela b orate th eory wh i ch h e had propo u nded i n t h a t b oo k was not ” wo rt h a r ush A s th e words i n w h i c h h e d i d so a re n ot o n ly h i gh l y cha racteri st i c o f t h e ma n b u t co n tai n a warn i n g o f permanen t i m portan ce to K a m i /a r oi
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prev i ly ntr i b ted i nf r m t i n t L H M r g n l t b k A n i n S y ( L nd n pp 5 4 3 Fr m n f M r g n refere n e p 4 3 him ( p i n te ) i t ppe r t h t M r F i n h d b ee n n t i m e re i de nt S ydney 1
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a n th ropolog i sts espec ial l y to th ose o f th em w h o st u d y savages a t a safe d istan ce a n d have n ever perhaps seen on e o f t h e m i n t h e i r l i ves t ho u gh t h ey may poss i bl y have watch ed t h ei r i mage s da nc i n g si l en tl y i n a c i n ematograph or h ea rd t h e ech o o f t h ei r vo i c es cha n ti ng a n d w h oopi ng o u t o f a p h o nograph I w i l l q uo te t h e passage e n ti re “ fo r t h ei r bene fi t M r F i s o n sai d I n t h ese i n ves ti ga t i o ns t wo t h i n gs ma i n l y a re req u i red fir s t a pat i en t co n t i n ua nce i n th e co l l ect i n g o f facts a nd second l y th e facu l ty o f seei n g i n t h em wha t is seen b y t h e nat i ves t h e msel ves We m ust ever remem b er tha t o u r m i nd wo rl d i s very d i f fe r e nt fro m t h ei rs I t i s no t fi l l ed w i t h t h e sa m e i mages ; i t i s n ot go vern ed b y t h e sa me laws I t i s to t he i rs as t h e E ngla n d o f t h e p resen t day i s to th e E ngla nd o f w ho s hal l say h o w ma n y ages ago 3 Th e cl i mate th e coast l i ne t h e waters h eds t h e fl o ra t h e fa u na — i n s h ort nearl y all t h e aspects o f nat u re — a re cha nged I t i s to al l i n ten ts a n d p u rposes a noth er la nd A s to t h e fo rm er o f t h ese t wo req u is i tes on e s natu ral tende ncy especial l y i n t h e b egi n n i ng o f th e work i s to fo r m a t h eory as soo n as o n e has go t h ol d o f a fac t ; a nd as to t h e l a tte r we a re too apt to l oo k at t h e facts i n savagery fro m th e m en tal sta nd po i n t o f t h e c i vi l ised ma n B ot h o f t h ese a re extre mel y m i sch i evo us Th ey lead i n vest i gato rs i n to fatal m ista kes a nd b r i n g u po n th em m u c h pa i n fu l experi ence ; fo r t h e pan g attend i n g th e extract io n o f a n ach i n g ,
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B IO G RAP H ICAL S K ETC H E S do u bl e toot h i s s weetest bl iss w h en co m pared w i t h t h e teari n g u p by t h e roots o f a c h er i sh ed th eory I spea k feel i n g l y h ere because I ca n h old mysel f u p as a n aw fu l wa rn i ng aga i nst t h eo ry mak i n g To take o n e i nstance o n l y I n K a m i /a r oi a nd K a r na i t h e j o i n t wor k o f I\I r A W H ow i t t a nd m ysel f th ere i s a l on g chapter con ta i n i n g a most beau t i fu l th eory o f t h e K u r na i syste m w h i c h I wor ked o u t w i th i n fi n i te pa i ns I t acco u n ts fo r t hat syste m so co m p l etel y a nd so sat i s factor i l y tha t th e K u r na i o ugh t to b e asha med o f t h e mse l ves fo r h av i n g bee n perverse e nou gh to arr i ve at t h e i r syste m b y a d i ff ere n t road w h i c h fu rt h er i nq u i ry s h owed u s most co n c l us i vel y t hat th ey d i d St ud en ts o f an th ropology w h o h ave read o u r work a nd w h o s ti l l s u rv i ve w i l l p l ease accep t t h i s i n t i mat i o n t ha t ” 1 t h e t h eory a foresa i d i s n ot wo rth a r u sh I t i s to b e hoped t h at t h i s wa rn i n g w i l l b e l a i d to h eart b y al l w h o v i e w savages th ro u gh a te l escope w h eth er fro m a cl u b o r a col l ege w i ndo w I f o u r glass b e a good o n e a nd we app l y o u r eye to t h e en d o f i t s tead i l y u nd i stracted b y th e s i gh ts a nd so u nds abo u t u s we s h al l see a nd h ear stran ge t h i ngs .
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F ij ian l i fe a nd co n tr i b u ted to The j ou r na lof the o i ca l a i an A nt hr op ol I n t u t e o Gr ea t B r i t a i na n I d s t r el g f a seri es o f va l uabl e papers d eal i ng w i th b u ri a l c ustoms lan d ten u re r i dd les r i tes o f i n i tiat i on 1 a ss i fic a t o r a nd t he c l system M an y o f r el a t i on shi p y r \l yea rs a fterwards l F i s o n p u b l i s h ed a vol u me o f F ij ia n s tori es wi t h a n i ntrod u cti o n an d notes i l l us t ra t i ng so me aspec ts of t h e nat i ve l i fe an d ma n n ers 2 F ro m F ij i M r F i s o n ret u rn ed to V i ctori a i n 1 884 Next yea r h e res u med h i s m i n isteri al d u ti es an d con t i n u ed to d isc harge t h e m u n ti l 1 8 8 8 wh en i l l h ea l t h obl i ged h i m fi nal l y to res i gn t h em I n th e sa m e yea r ( 1 88 8) h e b u i l t partl y w i th borro wed cap i ta l a ho use a t Essen don n ear M e l b o u rne w h ere h e res i ded w i th h i s w i fe a nd fo u r u n marr i ed da u gh ters to th e en d o f h i s l i fe T h e ho use was b u i l t fo r a sc hool an d h i s da u gh ters accom pl ish ed an d i nd ustr i o us l ad ies ta u gh t p u pi ls i n i t u n ti l n ew r u l es adopted by t h e State o f V i ctori a ren dered th e ho use i n w h i c h M r F i s o n had s u n k so me o f h is s mal l sav i ngs u ns u i table for th e p u rpose M e a n ti m e l \l r F i s o n labou red hard a t j o u rnal is m F ro m 1 888 to w i th i n abo u t t h ree yea rs o f h is deat h b o u r ne paper p u b h e ed i ted Th e Sp ect a t or a I\ I e l i s h e d i n con nex io n w i t h t h e Wesl eya n C h u rch l ,
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B I O G KAP H ICAL S KETCH E S ar a nd l H ow i t t \l t h e wel l k nown a n d popu la r y w ri ters Th e fath e r a nat i ve o f th e d el i g h t fu l l i ttl e vi l lage o f H ea nor i n D erb y sh i re en g a g ed i n t h e b u i ness o f a n apoth ecar y a t No tt i ngham b u t fi nal ly devoted h i msel f to l i terat u re pou ri n g o u t a l on g seri es o f vol u m es Soo n a fte r h is ma rr i age I\I r H ow i t t a n d h i s w i fe made a to u r o n foot to Scotla nd a ra re al most u n preceden ted u nder tak i n g i n t hose days I n 1 84 0 w h e n A l fred was ten y ea rs ol d t h e paren ts wen t to H e idel berg for th e ed u cat i o n o f th e i r C h i ld ren a n d rema i n e d a b o u t two yea rs i n G erman y A fterward A l fred stud i ed a t U n i vers i ty Col lege L on do n I n J u n e 1 85 2 \ I r How i tt accom pa n i ed b y h is t wo sons A l fred l a n d C harl ton sai l ed fo r A ustra l ia ostensi bl y t o v is i t h is b roth er D r G od frey H ow i tt t h e n settled as a m ed i ca l m a n i n M el b o u r n e bu t perhaps also to see fo r t h emsel ves t h e n ew L a n d o f G o l d a nd to partake o f i ts fa b u l o us r i ch es T h ey reached M e l bo u rn e a fter a t h ree mo n t hs voyage a nd p u rchas i n g a car t an d h orses j o u rn eyed u p co u n try to t h e O vens gol d d iggi n gs A fter abo u t t wo years o f toi lso m e d i ggi n g a n d wande ri ng i n what was th en a w i l d co u n try Wi l l ia m H ow i tt w i t h h i s so n C h a r l to n ret u rned to E nglan d i n l eav i ng h i s o th er son A l fred t h en t wen ty fo u r years o f age beh i n d h i m a t M el bo u rn e Yo u ng H ow i tt was n ow n ot m erel y a n acco m pl i sh ed b ush man b u t h ad begu n to t u rn h i s keen powers o f observat i on to h i gh er acco u n t by s tu d y i n g nat u re A t fi rst h e farmed lan d a t -
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exped i t i o n was to d i s pel th is pasto ral d rea m H e l oo ked fo r a Pa rad ise a n d fou n d a d esert Co m i n g fro m t h e forest clad a nd s now capped m o u n ta i ns o f V i ctori a w i t h t he i r a b u nda n t ra i ns a n d l u x u r i a n t vegetat i on h e fo u n d h i msel f i n a noth er world In t h e d ista nce ba rre n ra nges o f na ked brow n rocks a n d prec i p i ces l oo med wei rd l y th ro u gh t h e desert haze 3 a n d a nearer app roac h reveal ed th e pro fo u n d rav i nes by w h i c h th ese desolate mou n tai ns were cl eft fro m s i de to s i de A t t h ei r feet st re tch ed e i t her was tes o f sa n d across w h i c h w i n d d r i ve n co l u m ns o f d ust sta l ked l i ke th e j i n n o f The A r a bi a n N i g h t s o r p lai ns so sto n y t hat r i d i n g a t n i gh t t h e explo rers co u ld f l low t h ei r l eader by t h e spa rks o f fi re wh i ch h i s h orse s h oo fs str uc k o u t o f t h e s to n es at every step i n t h e dark ness B y day t h e a t mosp h ere was a t t i m es so c l ear t ha t t h e t ravel l ers co u l d h ard l y tel l w h et h er o bj ects see n t h ro u gh i t were n ea r o r far 5 a t ot h er ti m es t h e m i rage worked s u c h fa n tasti c e ffects o n t h e la ndscape tha t t h ey fel t “ as i f tra nsported to a n en cha n ted la nd I t was ” a n i n terest i n g experi ence i n a won der fu l co u n try says D r H ow i t t d ry l y i n co n cl us io n b u t i t was ” 1 no t th e k i nd o f co u n t ry tha t was wa n ted A fter h i s retu rn fro m t h i s explori n g exped i t i o n VI r H ow i tt too k a post as manager o f t h e M o u n t l Napi er ca ttl e sta t i on near Ham i l ton B u t i n .
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t Rep or t of M e A u r t r a l cem en a s i a rz A ss oci a t i on or t he A dv a n f S ci ence , A d a d , 1 9 0 7 I na ug u r a l A ddr es s by A W How i t t , B S c , P C S Pr e s z denr, n a a 1 1 s ) ( 9 1
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h e was aga i n despa tc h ed by t h e V i ctor i a n G overn men t on th e tas k of explorati on Th i s ti me h e wen t w i th a party o f p i c ked m i n ers to prospect fo r gold i n th e r u gged mo u n tai nous trac kless a nd t h en al mos t u n kn ow n regio n o f G i ppsla n d i n So u t h eastern V ic toria wh ere i n w i n ter t h e snow l i es fo r mon ths o n th e peaks an d tabl ela nds a n d w h ere i n th e d ense j u n gl e o f th e val leys t h e t rees gro w to h e i gh ts scarcel y eq ual led o n ea rt h Th e m iss io n was s u ccess fu l ; gol d fi e l ds were open ed o n t h e C roo ked D argo a n d Wen twort h R i vers It was d u ri ng th i s exped i t io n t hat M r H ovyi t t fi rst beca me keen l y i n terested i n th e e u ca l yptus t rees to w h i c h i n a fter l i fe h e pa i d m u ch at ten ti o n acq u i r i n g a n i n ti mate k no w l edge o f t h e su bj ec t b ot h fro m t h e pract i cal a n d th e sc i en t i fi c po i n t o f v i ew I n th e yea r I 86 0 a n i l l fated exped i t i o n eq u i pped a t lav ish cos t a nd l ed by B u rke a n d W i l had l s sta rted fro m M el bo u rn e a m i d th e en t h us i as m o f t h e c i t i zens to t raverse A ustra l ia fro m so u th to n orth Wh en m on th a fter mon th passed a n d n o word cam e o f th e explo rers grea t u n easi n ess was fe l t i n V i c toria a nd nJ u n e eigh teen th 1 8 6 1 i t was d ec id ed to send o u t a sea rch pa rty to th e i r rel i e f ( ) f t h i s part y M r H ow i tt was appo i n ted l eader H e s tarted o n J u l y f u rteen th a ndj o u r neye d n ort h to M e ni ndi e o n th e D a rl i n g R i ver t h en t h e last o u tpost o f ci v i l i zat i on i f i n deed c i v i l iza t io n ca n be sa i d to be represen ted by a pu b l i c h o use a s hop a l o c k u p and a k no t o f bea rd ed m en i n cabbage t ree h at s w h s o f ar a s 1
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t h ey d i d no t pa s s th ei r l e is u re h o u rs i n th e co n tem l a t i v e sec l us io n o f t h e l o c k — u p p d evoted t h em to s mo k i n g a nd l o u n g i n g i n t h e p u bl i c — h o use d isc uss i ng ” t h e latest b rus h w i t h t h e n i ggers a nd cri ti ci zi n g t h e sto res o ff ered fo r t h e u se o f explorers part ic u larl y t h e d ri ed beef w h i c h th ey sm el t a n d tasted w i th t h e a i r o f co n no isse u rs L ea v m g t h ese represen tat i ves o f th e h i gh er c u l t u re beh i nd M r H ow i tt a nd h i s s mal l pa rty w i t h t h e i r h orses a nd ca mels str uc k wes twa rd i n to t h e d esert H e has d escr i b ed h is 1 experi en ces b ri e fl y b u t g rap h i cal ly H e tel ls us h o w w h en th ey ca m e to a r i ver o r a creek th e ca mels s tu b b orn l y refused to ta ke to th e wate r b u t were c i rc u mven ted by h u ma n i n tel l i gen ce ; for hav i n g pers uad ed t h e m to s i t do w n o n t h e ba n k a n d th e n to get u p aga i n M r H ow i tt and h is com pan i ons s u dd en l y p rec i p i tated t he mse l ves u pon t h e bru tes i n a n u n guarded mo men t w h en t h ey were o ff t h ei r b ala nce i n t h e act o f ri s i n g an d so toppl ed t h e m bod i l y i n to t h e strea m a n d h a u l ed th e m across A fter fl o u nder i n g t h ro u gh t h e water t h e ca mels waded i n t h e deep m u d o n t h e oth er s i de d raw i n g t h ei r h oo fs o u t o f i t o n e a fter th e oth er w i t h a lo u d plop l i ke t h e so u n d o f d raw i n g a gigan ti c cor k o u t o f a B ro b d i n gnag i a n b ott l e D a y a fter day over grou n d paved w i th sharp sp l i n ters o f fl i n ty ston e t h rou gh d eep d ry gorges i n t h e deso ,
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w o u ld chan g e as by ma g ic i n to a teem i n g j u ngl e o f vegeta t i on T h us t h ey j ou rn eyed t i l l o n e day ri d i ng al o ne M r H owi tt pe rce i ved so me nat i ve h u ts o n t h e farth er s id e o f a d ry waddy an d i n th e foregro u n d a blac k ma n a nd wo ma n gath eri n g st i c ks Th e wo ma n at on ce made o ff towa rds th e h u ts b u t t he man stood h i s gro u n d a nd gest i cu l ated i n great exc i tem en t to M r H ow i t t u n ti l o n t h e approac h o f t h e t ravel ler h e also too k to h is h eels To rega i n h is party l r H ow i tt rode a l on g t h e b an k \l o f t h e wadd y an d met h is nati ve r i ders one o f w h o m l a l a s h o u ted to h i m F i n d e m w h i t e fel two fe l ” dead boy a nd o n e fel la l i vo Haste n i n g to t h e nat i ve ca mp M r H ow i tt fo u n d t h e last s u rv i vo r o f t h e m iss i ng exp l orers Jo h n K i n g s i tt i n g i n on e o f t h e h u ts H e was a me l anch ol y o bj ect hard l y to b e d i st i n gu i s h ed as a c i v i l i zed ma n by t h e tatters t ha t s ti l l h u ng o n h i s wea k e maciated fram e A t fi rst h e was too m u c h overcom e b y e mot i o n to spea k d ist i n ct l y ; b u t i n t i me h e recovered s u ffi c i e nt l to tel l h is tal e o f s u er i n g a n d d isaster ff y I t was th e t we n ty fi fth o f Septem b er w h en t h e resc u ers a n d th e rescu ed t u rn ed th e i r faces h om e l wa rd o n Novem ber t we n ty e i gh t h 1 86 1 t h ey a l reach ed M el b ou rn e i n sa fety A fe w days later t h e i n trepi d an d i nde fat iga b l e explorer started aga i n for t h e deserts o f t h e fa r i n ter i o r to explore t h e regi o n o f Cooper s C ree k an d to b r i n g b ac k t h e b on es o f t h e m en w h o had fal l en martyrs to sc i en ce that th ey m ig h t b e b u ri ed ,
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w i t h p u bl i c h ono u rs i n th e ci t y Th is tas k a lso VI r H ow i tt accom pl ish ed s u ccessfu l l y H e bro u gh t l \ll el b o u r ne bac k th e remai ns o f B u r ke a n d Wi l ls to l o n D ecem b er t wen ty ei gh t h 1 8 6 2 F or t h ese \ i r How i t t was appoi n ted P ol i ce M ag i s servi ces l t ra te a nd Ward en o f th e G ol d fi elds i n G i ppsla nd a po s t w h i ch b e fi l l ed wi th co nspi cu o us s u ccess d u r i n g s i x y ears o f i ncessa n t work fro m 1 8 6 3 to t w e nt v — .
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I t was d u ri n g t h e exped i ti o n o f 1 86 2 w h en h e was no l on ger u n der t h e n ecess i ty o f p us h i n g o n fro m day to day l es t h e sh o u l d co m e too late to resc u e t h e s u rv i vors tha t M r How i tt fo u nd le is u re to st u dy t h e nati ves w i th wh o m h e cam e i n to co n tact a nd i t was th en t hat h e ga i n ed h i s fi rst i nsi gh t i n to th e soc ial orga n izat i o n o f t h e D i er i t ri b e w h o roamed t h e w i lderness o f Cooper s C ree k a nd L ake E yre W i th t h e h el p o f a nat i ve i n terpreter of t h e Narr i n yeri tri be I\ I r H ow i tt before l on g was abl e to ma ke h i msel f u nderstood s u ffi c i en t l y fo r o rd i na ry p u rposes O n th i s exped i t io n a l so h e sa w fo r h i m el f t h e wo nderfu l trans for mat i o n w h i c h a fter h ea x y ra i n co n verts t h e C en tra l A u t ral ia n d e ert i n to a j u n g l e Wh ere a n earl i er explo rer had beh el d not h i n g b u t a dark b row n w i lde rn e w i th o u t a blad e o f g rass l \ i r H o w i tt r o d e f r man y da ys t h r u g h a la n d o f l a k es la g oo ns a nd w a t e r c ha nn l w i t h w id e tretch es o f pl a i n s s co v red by a ra nk g r o wth f t a l l plan ts h i g h e r t ha n a ma n o n h o rs eback l k i n g l i ke va s t beds ,
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w h i te h ol lyhoc ks i n fu l l bloom an d h i s h o rses revel led i n th e l u xu r i an t h er b age So sha rp was t he l i ne o f d ema rcat io n betwee n th e d ry an d t h e wate red lan d t ha t o n a steep ban k a t t h e po i n t to w h i c h th e fl ood had r isen t h e t rave l ler stood w i t h th e h i n d feet o f h is h orse i n th e d esert a nd h is fro n t feet o n t h e teem i ng vegeta t i o n Th e d istr ic t o f G i ppslan d w h i ch was co m m i tted to M r H o w i t t s care extend ed fro m Wi lso n s P ro mon to ry to Cape H o we I t was th en a w i ld al mos t u ne x p lored co u n try an d every yea r M r H ow i t t t ravel l ed t ho usa nds o f m i l es th ro u gh i t o n h orsebac k a n d as h e rode a mon g t h e mo u n ta i ns a n d th ro u gh t h e great forests h e l ear ned to s t ud y m i n u tel y both t h e roc ks a nd th e t rees H is capac i ty fo r wor k was extraord i nary m uc h o f h is read i n g was do n e i n th e sadd l e Th e botan i cal a nd geo log i ca l o b servat i ons w h i ch h e mad e o n th ese j o u rn eys b ore fr u i t i n a ser i es o f memo i rs w h i c h b e co n tr i b u ted to th e p u bl i cat i o ns o f h i s o ffi cial D epartmen t th e R oyal Soci ety o f V i ctor i a t h e A u stra l as ia n A ssociati o n for t h e A d va n cemen t o f Sc i ence a n d occas i o nal l y to t h e Qu a r t er l ou r n ol y f o eol o i ca l S ci en ce A m ong t h ese m e mo i rs may G g f “ be part i cu larl y m en t io n ed h is treat ise Th e ” E u cal ypt i o f G i ppslan d w h i c h appeared i n th e Tr a ns a ct i ons of t h e R oya lS oci ety of Vi ct or i a fo r o
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t h e p u b l i cat i o n o f t h a t b o o k M r F i s o n had r e t u rn ed to F ij i So me o f th e res u l ts o f th ese i nvest i a ti on s were gi ve n to t h e wor l d i n a long ser ies o f g val uabl e me mo i rs o n t h e A ustra l ia n tri bes w h i c h a ppea red fo r th e mos t part i n The j ou r na lof th e A nt hr op ol i o o i ca l I n t u te G at t s r e B r i t a i n a nd g f I r el an d fro m t h e year 1 88 3 to t h e yea r 1 9 0 7 \des s r s F i s o n Th ey open ed w i t h a j o i n t paper by l a nd H ow i tt cal l ed F ro m M oth er R i gh t to ” F ath er R igh t a n d t h ey closed w i th on e by D r H ow i tt o n A ustral ia n G ro u p R elat i o ns h i ps In “ t h is ser i es a n earl y o n e en t i tled No tes o n t h e ” A ustral i a n C lass Syste ms read i n t h e a u t h o r s a b sence b efore t h e A n th ropologica l I nst i t u te i n L o ndo n o n D ece mber twel ft h i s seco nd to n on e i n i mporta nce for i ts cl ear en u nc iat i o n o f t he pri nci pl es u nder l y i ng t h e see m i ngly co m plex ma rr i age syste m o f t h e A ustral i a n a b or ig i nes Strange l y eno u gh wh en man y yea rs l ater h e ca me to wr i te h i s great wor k The N a ti v e Tr i bes i r o a D H o w i tt had forgotten S ou t h E a s t A u s t r a l f h is o w n en u nciat i o n o f t h ese i mportan t pri nc i p l es for i t was o n l y a fter a co n versati o n w i th m e at m y h o use i n Cam br i dge i n t h e s u m mer o f 1 9 04 t hat h e i nserted a s tatem en t o f t h em i n h is b oo k wh i c h was th en go i ng t h ro u gh t h e press Wi t h charac t e r i s t i c ca ndo u r h e accepted th e pr i n ci ples as t r u e 2 t h e d iscovery o f t h e m to m e It a nd a si gn ed ,
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t h r o ol I ns t i t u t e , o t he A n Th e j ou r na l f p og i c a l 6 pp 4 9 51 0 2 The /a , N a t i v e Tr i bes of S ou t h - E a s t A u s t r a l 1
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was n o t t i l lJa n ua ry second 1 9 0 8 tha t I detec ted o u r j o i n t m ista ke for on t hat day read i n g aga i n “ D r H ow i t t s o ld paper Notes o n t h e A ustra l ia n ” Class Systems I fo u n d t h a t i n i t h e had c l ea rl y a n d co nc isel y sta ted th e p r i nc i pl es i n q u est i o n man y years b e fore I h ad eve n g i ve n a tho u gh t to th e s u b j ec t A s I had certa i n l y s t u d i ed a nd c i ted t ha t 1 paper l on g be fore I ma ke n o do u bt that I h ad l ea rn ed t he pri nc i ples fro m i t t ho ugh l i ke t h e a u tho r o f t h e paper I had forgotten th e so u rce o f m y i n format i o n I at o nce wrote to D r H ow i t t to do h i m t h e j ust i ce w h i c h h e had fa i led to d o h i ms el f 2 Th o u gh I d i d no t k no w i t t h ere was no t i m e to b e los t for w h e n I was wr i t i n g h e h ad al read y b ee n s tr u c k do w n b y morta l s i c k ness Happ i l y m y l etter reac h ed h i m i n l i fe a n d h e sen t m e th ro u gh h is da u gh ter a las t message a k i n d an d gen ero us m essage i n repl y A noth er paper wh i c h deserves to b e spec i al l y men t io ned i s a later o n e en t i tl ed F u rthe r Notes ” o n th e A us tral ia n C lass Systems 3 i n wh ic h M r How i tt ac u te l y po i n ted o u t h o w a mon g t h e A ustral ia n savages a certa i n soc i a l ad van ce h as been mad e i n th e bette r watered a nd m ore fert i l e ,
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p b l i h ed i n 887 e t i e I wr te h m e effe t l etter t A ln nd m y l etter p bl i h ed i n t h t j r n l Fe b r ry 9 8 pp lb l i I “ t h e m e t i m e n i de nt i l l etter 7 Th A h n b n r ry e r h t h r g h fi l e f t h t per i di l I h ve n b n b l e f nd t h e l tter n Th l f h A n h r p lg lI n i l xv i i i y ( 8 89 ) pp 3 7 I n m y Tot em t s m , A t t he s a m m
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B I O G RA P H ICAL S K ETCHES d istr ic ts pa rt i cu larl y o n t h e coast w h i l e th e m o re archa i c fo rms o f soc i ety l i n ge r i n th e d ry an d desert i n te r i o r fro m w h i ch h e i n ferred t h at i n A ustra l i a t h e fi rs t steps towards c i v i l i zat i o n h ave b een co n di t i o ne d b y a h eav i er ra i n fal l a n d a co nseq u en t greater a b u nda nce o f food T h i s i m porta n t p r i n c i pl e was a fterwa rds fu l l y recogn i zed a nd cl ear l y s tated b y h i m i n Th e Na ti v e Tr i bes of S ou th Ea s t ia A us tr a l I ndeed h e j ust l y a ttach ed so m u c h we i g h t to i t th at h e w i sh ed to i l l ustra te i t i n h i s boo k by a map o f t h e ra i n fal l i n A ust ra l i a w h i c h wou l d sh ow h ow i n t hat co n t i n e n t p rogress i n c u l tu re va r i es d i rectl y w i t h t h e ra i n fal l F o r t hat p u rpose h e appl i ed to t h e m eteoro l og i ca l a u th ori t i es i n L o n don b u t for lac k o f t h e n ecessary data i f I re me m b er ar i gh t th e proj ect was a b a n do ne d A mo ngst h i s a n th ropologica l papers p u b i s h ed elsew h ere may b e m en t i on ed h i s pape r l ” “ A ust ra l i a n G ro u p R elat i ons h i ps p u b l is h ed i n t h e A nnu a lR ep or t of t he S m i ths onia n I ns ti t u t i on fo r 1 88 ano th er O n t h e O rgan isat i o n o f A us tral i an 3 ” Tri bes i n t h e Tr a ns a cti ons of t he R oya lS oci ety of Vi ct or i a fo r 1 889 ; a n d so me papers p u b l ish ed i n Fol h L or e for th e years 1 9 0 6 a n d 1 9 0 7 I n 1 8 89 M r H ow i tt becam e Sec reta ry fo r M i n es i n V i cto ria a n d i n 1 89 6 h e was appoi n ted A u d i t Co m m iss io ne r B esi des t h ese p u b l i c d u t i es h e sat o n o th er G overn m en t co m m iss i o ns a n d b oards o f i n q u i ry fo r w h i ch h i s w i de exper i ence ri pe knowl edge an d so u n d j u dgem en t pre em i n en tl y ,
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2 42
BI O G RA P H I CAL S K IS I C H ES '
‘
ac t as c h a i rman o f a R oya l C o m m i ss i o n o n t h e coa l fi e l ds o f V i cto r i a a n d soo n a fter h e h ad d is c harged t h is fu nct io n h e was appo i n ted a me m b er o f th e Co m m iss i o n to w h i c h was en tr usted th e o nero us a nd d i ffi cu l t tas k o f c h oos i ng a s i te for th e fu t u re federa l cap i ta l o f A ustral ia These d u t i es i n vol ved m u c h t ravel l i n g as w e l las m u ch cr i t i ca l wei gh i n g o f evi de nce b u t i n sp i te o f a l l d ist ract i o ns h e made s tead y progress w i t h t h e rev i s i o n a n d co m e t i o n o f h is l i felo n g researc h es i n A us tral i an pl eth no logy B y th e s u m m er o f 1 9 04 th e wo rk was so fa r ad van ced t ha t h e cam e to E n glan d w i t h h is da u gh ter l Vl i s s M a ry E B H ow i tt to see h is boo k th ro u gh t h e press I t was th e n t hat I had t h e pr i v il ege o f ma k i ng h i s personal acq ua i n tan ce I hasten ed to greet h i m i n L on do n soo n a fter h i s a rr i va l a nd l earn ed to estee m as a ma n o n e wh o m I had l o n g respected as an a n th ropol og i st L ater i n t h e s u m m er i n th e mon t h o f A u gus t h e an d h i s dau gh ter d i d m e t h e h ono u r o f stay i n g for so m e days i n m y ho use a t Ca m b r i dge to atten d t h e meet i ng o f th e B r i t is h A ssoc iat i on H e read a paper O n ” a t th e G rou p M arr iage i n A ustra l ia n Tr i b es meeti ng a nd th e U n i vers i ty o f Cam b r i dge s h owed i ts h i gh apprec iat i o n o f h i s serv i ces to sc i ence b y co n ferr i n g t h e ho norary degree o f D octor of Sc i ence u po n h i m I shal l a l ways c h eris h t h e m emory o f h i s v is i t a n d o f t h e co n versat i o ns we h ad o n t h e top i cs i n w h i c h we bot h too k a d eep i n teres t L ater i n t h e a u t u m n h e l e ft E nglan d fo r A ustral i a spend i ng ,
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2 44
FI S O N A N D
H O WITT
so me t i me happi l y i n I taly by t h e way a nd th ere m eet i ng o nce more a s ister w h o m h e had n ot seen fo r mo re tha n fi fty years B efore t h e en d o f t h e sa m e year ( 1 9 04 ) th e boo k b y wh i ch h e w i l l al ways be ch i e fl y re mem b ered was p ubl is h ed u n der t h e ia t i t le o f Th e a t i c e Tr i bes of S ou t h Ea s t A u s tr a l Th e va l u e a n d i m porta nce o f th e wo rk are too wel l k no wn to cal l for a n y detai l ed apprec iat i o n or eu logi u m I t m us t al ways re ma i n a n a n t h ro class i c a n d th e s ta ndard a u t hor i ty o n t h e o l o i ca l p g s u bj ect wi th w h i c h i t dea ls l \du c h as h e had enj oyed h i s t ravels i n E u rop e a n d h i s v i s i t a fter so ma n y years to th e scen es o f h is yo u th h e was glad to ret u rn to h is A ustral ia n h o m e a n d h e n o w t h re w h i msel f w i t h t h e en ergy a n d en t h us i as m o f yo u th i n to h i s b ota n i cal a nd petro l ogi ca l st u d i es w h i c h th e com pos i t i o n o f h is great boo k o n t h e A ustral ian n at i ves had co m pel l ed h i m fo r a t i me to i n ter m i t H e c h erish ed t h e h ope o f wr i t i n g a co m preh ens i ve wor k o n t h e e u cal ypt u s t rees o f V i cto r i a an d a not h er o n th e rocks o f G i pp s lan d wh i c h n o ma n kn ew so wel l as b e B u t t h ese h opes were no t d est i n ed to be fu l fi l l ed D u r i n g t h e last years o f h i s l i fe h e was m uc h co n cern ed by certa i n m isappre h ens ions a nd m i s r e pre s en tat ion s as h e co nce i ved t h e m to be o f facts rel at i ng to t h e A ustral ia n abo ri g i n es to wh ic h c u rren cy had bee n g i ven bot h i n A ustral ia a nd E u r o pe a nd h e to o k great pa i ns t co rrec t th ese m isappreh e n s i n a nd t o g i ve w ide pu bl ic i t y t o h i s ,
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2 45
B I O G RA P H ICAL S KETCHE S correct io ns Th ese t h i n gs absor b ed so me o f h is t i me a nd i n 1 9 0 7 h e was ca l l ed o n to pres i de ove r t h e m eet i n g o f th e A u st ra las ia n A ssoc i at i o n fo r t h e A dva ncem e n t o f Sc i en ce a t A dela i de I n h is P res id en t ia l A dd ress h e deal t w i th h is rem i n iscen ces of exp l ora t i o n i n Cen t ral A ust ral ia pa rt ic u l a rl y h i s exped i t ions to rescu e th e l os t explorers a n d to bri ng bac k t h ei r re ma i ns I n prev i ou s years h e had presi d ed o ver t h e E th nolog i cal a nd G eograp h i cal Secti ons o f th e Associat io n an d h ad b een awa rded th e fi rs t l l Vl e r medal for h i s man y d ist i n gu is h ed u el co n tri bu t i ons to A ustral ia n sc i en ce I n t h e prev i o us yea r ( 1 9 0 6 ) a C o m pan i onsh i p o f th e O rder o f S t M i chael an d S t G eorge had b ee n co n ferred u pon h i m i n recogn i t i o n o f h i s serv i ces to th e S tate as wel l as to l earn i n g So fu l l o f years a n d h ono u rs h e retu rn ed to h i s h o me a t l T h e eve n \de t u ng i n j an uary 1 9 0 7 teno u r o f h is st u d io us l i fe was pl easan t ly d i vers i fied by o n e o r t wo v i s i ts to M e l b o u rn e a n d b y a n exped i t i o n i n to t h e mo u n ta i ns o f t h e O meo d istr i ct to co mplete h i s observati o ns o n t h e roc ks Th e seven ty e i gh t years o f h i s lo n g l i fe sa t very l i g h tl y o n h i m ; i ndeed so yo u t h fu l was h e i n m i n d so kee n i n i n tel l ect so exu b eran t i n e n ergy t h at h i s fri ends a n t i ci pated w i th con fi den ce fo r h i m yet ma ny years o f usefu l act i v i ty B u t i t was n o t to b e O n t h e last day o f t h e year 1 9 0 7 o n l y t wo days a fter th e deat h o f h i s ol d fri en d M r F i s o n h e was su dden l y stru c k dow n b y h aemorr h age o f .
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2 46
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B IO G RA P H ICAL
'
S K E I C H ES ‘
\l l E B How i tt was h i s fa i th fu l h el pe r i n h is ar y a n t h ropological labo u rs a nd n u rsed h i m to t h e end I n perso na l appearance a nd to som e exten t also i n man ner n o t wo m en co u l d wel l d i ffer mo re w i de l y t ha n t h e fast fri en ds F i s o n a nd H ow i tt Fi s o n was a b i g b u r l y man po werfu l l y a n d h eav i l y b u i l t w i t h a j ol l y good — h u mo u red face a b l u ff al most j ov i al man ner te nder h earted b u t b u bb l i ng over w i th h u mo u r o n w h i ch t h e reme m b ra nce o f h i s c ler i cal pro fess i o n as we ll as h i s deep a b sol u t e l u na ffected p i ety per h aps i mposed a certa i n y lma n w i t h a spare r es tra i n t H ow i tt was a s m a l b u t we ll k n i t fram e l i gh t act i ve a nd i n u red to expos u re a n d fat i gu e H is featu res were kee n a n d fi n el y cu t w i th deep set eyes a nd a pen etrat i n g l oo k I t was a h aw k s face ; a n d h i s b r i s k a l er t man ner an d q u i c k move men ts added to t h e r e sem b l ance I reme mber t hat w h en h e stayed i n m y h o use a t Ca m b r i dge h e used not to wal k b u t to r u n u psta i rs l i ke a b oy t h o u gh h e was t h e n i n h i s seven ty fift h year Wh e n t h e t wo ol d m en ” met fo r t h e last t i m e H ow i tt sa i d F i s o n do yo u n ever feel t h e i nfir m i t i es o f old age What are t h ey 9 h e a nswered W h i l e h a b i tual l y graver t han h i s fri en d H ow i tt was b y n o m eans d evo i d o f d ry h u mo u r an d co u l d tel l o l d stor i es o f th e b us h w i th ad m i ra b le po i n t a n d zes t O n t h e s u bj ect w h i c h per h aps occ u p i ed t h ei r t h o ug h ts more t h a n an y ot h er t h e soc i al organ i zat i o n o f t h e A ustra l i a n t ri bes t h e two m en were i n fu nda men ta l agree .
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2 48
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PISO N A N D
H O W I TT
m en t O n q u esti o ns m u ch deeper a nd more perpl exi n g th ei r v i ews d i ff ered w i del y b u t th e d i ff erence never a ff ected t h ei r fr i en dsh i p as i ndeed s u ch d i ff eren ces n eed n ever a ff ect t h e fr i endsh i p o f h ones t m en a l i ke a n i mated as t h ese two u n q u esti ona b l y were b y a s i n gl e — h earted d isi n terested d evoti on to t r u th Th ey l o ved eac h o t h er l i ke bro th ers i n l i fe a nd t h ey were n o t lon g d i v i ded i n d eath S u c h were F i s o n a nd H ow i tt as I k new t h e m i n th e i r w ri t i ngs a nd i n t h e fl esh I am pro ud to have k no wn t wo s uch m en an d to have n u m b ered th em a mon g m y fri ends I n th e h istory o f th e sci e nce o f ma n t h e na mes of F i s o n an d Ho w i t t w i l l b e i nsepa ra b l y assoc iated I t w i l l be for oth ers i n fu t u re b et ter i n for med a nd per haps m ore i m part ia l t h an I a m to pro no u nce a fi nal u dg e m e nt on th e val u e o f t h e i r work as a w h ol e He re I w i l l s i ng l e o u t o n l y w hat appears to m e to be th e i r most i mpo rta n t con tri b u ti o n to k no wl ed g e t hat is t h e l i gh t w h ich t h ey have th ro w n o n t h e sys te ms o f ma rriage a n d relat i onsh i p p reval en t a mon g th e A u st ral ia n ab o ri gi n es Th ese systems a re o f extrao rd i nary i n te rest no t m e rel y i n th em sel ves b u t i n th e i r bea ri n g o n th e h i sto ry o f m a r r i a g e i n gen eral F o r t h e sys tems agree fu ndam en tal l y w i th th ose pract ised b y races i n many oth er parts o f t h e wo rld and th o u gh t h ey presen t pec u l i a r i t i es w h ic h have no t been d iscovered elsewh ere t h ese pec u l iari t i es t h emsel ves appear to be on l y spec ial d evel o pm en t f th e g en eral p r i nc i p l e s wh ic h u nd e r .
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2 49
B I O G R APH I CAL
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S K E I C H ES
l i e al l th e systems i n q u est io n le r ha ps th e most stri k i ng featu re o f t h e A ustral ia n systems i s th ei r apparen t compl exi ty co m b i ned w i th a l o gical al most math emat ical p rec is io n a nd regu lari ty I n u i re rs have l o ng b ee n d i v ided o n th e q u esti on q wh eth e r th is featu re is th e resu l t o f acc iden t o r d esign ; w h eth e r th e A ustral ian a b or i gi nes have st u m b l ed o n th ei r systems b y chance o r have grad ua l l y evol ved th e m b y co nsc io us re fl ecti on and d el i b erate e ff ort M ost o f th ose wh o know th ese savages o nl y b y read i ng a b o u t th e m i n b oo ks appea r to b e o f op i n io n that th ei r socia l systems for al l th e i r appearance o f co mpl exi ty co m b i ned wi th exactness and regu lari ty a re th e resu l t o f acci d en t that they grew u p th ro ugh a fortu i to us tra i n o f c i rc u mstances w i tho u t an y prev is io n o r p u rpose o n th e part o f th ose w h o practise th em O n th e oth er hand most o f th ose wh o are b est acq uai n ted w i th th e A ustral ia n a b or igi nes no t th ro ugh b ooks b u t th ro u gh persona l i n terco u rse appear to b e o f opi n io n that th ei r soc ial systems are th e fr u i t o f d esign an d that th ey were del i b eratel y d ev ised to e nsu re th e resu l ts wh ich th ey u nq uestiona bl y ach i eve Th e latter was th e opi n i o n o f F i s o n a nd H owi tt and i t is th e op i n i o n o f th ei r d isti ngu ish ed fri ends and d isci ples Spencer and G i l l en I n th e b roadest o u tl i ne o m i tti n g detai l s and m i nor d i ff erences a n a b or igi nal A ustral ia n tri b e is d i v i ded i n to two fo u r o r ei gh t exoga mo us classes ; that is i t co ns ists o f two fo u r o r e igh t ’
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50
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B I O G R AP H ICAL
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S K E I C H I ES '
th e class e i th er o f th e i r f ath er o r o f th ei r mo th er h ave at l eas t a s u per fi c ia l appeara nce o f b ei n g a rti fic ial ; a nd th e i n ference that th ey m ust have b e e n del i b eratel y d ev ised no t c reated b y a seri es o f acc id en ts i n oth e r words that th ey a re a p rod uct o f reas o n no t o f chance is c o n fi rmed b y a closer exa m i natio n F o r i t can easi l y b e sh o w n that th e e ff ect o f d iv id i ng a tri b e i n to two exogamo us classes is to preven t th e marriage o f b roth ers wi t h s isters tha t th e e ff ect o f d i vi d i n g a tri b e i n to fo u r exoga mo us classes w i th th e characteri sti c r u l e o f d escen t i s to preven t th e marriage o f paren ts w i th 1 c h i ld ren ; an d that th e e ffect o f d i vi d i n g a tri b e i n to ei gh t exoga mous classes w i th th e character ist i c r ul e o f descen t i s to preven t a man s ch i ld re n fro m marryi ng h is sister s ch i ld ren — that is i ts e ff ect is to preven t th e marriage o f so me th o ugh no t al l o f th ose wh o m we cal l fi rst c o us i ns As al l th e ma rr iages wh i ch th ese r u les actual l y b ar are a b h orred b y th e A ustral ia n a b ori gi nes w h o o b serve th e r ul es i t is natu ral to i n fer that th e e ff ect wh i ch th e ru l es prod uce i s th e e ff ect wh i ch th ey were designed to prod uce ; i n o th er words that th e r u l es w h i ch have certai n l y th e appearance of b ei n g arti ficial are rea l l y so hav i ng b een d ev ised to accomp l ish th e to
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nd f r x g m d ivi i n i n l wi h l i r r l f d n i n h f r l y m n n l y pr d d h p ff i n nd d p r d h m l r l y d” h b n h A i n hi p p r N r l i n C l Sy m byD H w i l lx ii pp n lf / A n h p l T/ j g i lI n
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very o bj ec t wh ich i n po i n t o f fact t h e v d o very s uccessfu l l y ach i eve I f th is i n fere nce i s so u nd th e del i b erate i nsti tu ti o n o f th e A ustral ian marriage s y ste m may b e taken as p roved Th e o bj ections ra ised to th is v i ew b y th o se w h o know th e A ustral ia n nati ves o nl y or mai n l y th ro u gh b ooks r esolve th emsel ves ro ugh l y speak i ng i n to two F i rst th ey deny that th e A ustral ia n savages are capa b l e o f th i n k i ng o u t a marriage syste m at once so co mp l ex and so regu l ar B u t th is o bj ectio n is o u tweigh ed b y th e testi mo ny o f th ose w ho b est know th e A ustral ian a b ori gi n es perso nal l y s uch 1 as D r Howi tt and M essrs Spencer and Gi l len i n whose op i n io n the nati ves are q u i te capa bl e b oth o f concei vi n g and o f execu ti ng th e system i n q uestion That th e nati ves u nderstand th ei r c o mpl ex system perfectly and wor k i t smooth l y and regularl y is certai n W h y th en sh o u ld th ey not have origi nated i t F W o u l d th ey b e mo re l i kel v t o u ndersta nd and work i t as th ey do w i thou t a nv serious h i tch i f th ey had d ri fted i nto i t b y acciden t tha n i f the y had th o ugh t i t o u t fo r th emsel ves ! Th e o th er o bj ect i o n o ften b ro ugh t aga i n t th e ,
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Th e 49 6 89 Ce nt r a l
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s t t t u t e, e t c v o l A nt h r op ol og t c a lI n Id , Th e N a t t t c Tnhe: of S ou t h - Ea s t A u s t r a l /a , I 4O I 43 S e ce an d G e , [Va t i v e Tr i b es of u st r a l i a , 69 1 2-1 5 N or t her n Tnhe: of Ce nt r a l A ustr a l /a , “ 1 2 3 id , S o m e R e m a s o n T o t e m s m as a e to us t a i a T i be s , The f/ ou r na lof t he nt h r op ol s ti tu te , o i ca lI n g e t c vo l x x u ii 2 7 8 ; (S i r ) Ba w S e c e , T o t e m s m us t a ia I n Tr a ns a c t t on: o tm tm A s s oc / a t t on f or t he f t he fl u x / r a l fl d‘v a nce m e nt of S ci e nce , D u e 1 9 04 , , 4 1 9 sq
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B I O G RA PH I C A L
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S K E I C I I ES
th eory o f th e d e l i b erate i nsti tu ti o n o f th e A ustral ia n marr iage syste m is that i f th e syste m was designed to preven t th e marriage o f b roth ers w i th sisters o f paren ts w i th ch i l d ren and o f a ma n s ch i ld ren w i th h is s ister s c h i l d ren i t greatl y over shoots th e mar k b y si m u l ta neo usl y b arr i ng th e marriage o f man y oth er perso ns w ho stand i n no ne o f th ese re l at io nsh i ps to each o th er Th is o bj ectio n i mp l i es a total m isco nceptio n o f th e A ustral ia n syste m o f a s s i fic a t o r relationsh ips F o r accord i ng to th e cl y system o f re l atio nsh i p wh ich is u n i versal l y pre va l e n t amo ng th e A ustral ia n a b ori gi nes th e terms fath er moth er b roth er sister son a n d dau gh ter a re employed i n a far w i der sign i ficatio n th an w i th us so as to i ncl ud e many persons wh o are no b lood relations at al l to th e speaker Th e syste m so rts o u t th e wh ol e co m m u n i ty i n to classes o r gro u ps wh ic h are vari o us l y d esignated b y th ese terms th e relati o nsh i p w h ich i t recogn izes b etween mem b ers o f a class o r gro u p is socia l no t con sangu i n eo us ; a nd th o ugh each class o r group i ncl u des th e b lood relatio ns wh om we d esi gnate b y th e correspond i ng terms i t i ncl udes man y more a nd fo r social p u rposes a man does no t d isti ngu ish b etween th e m em b ers o f a grou p wh o are related to h i m b y b l ood and th o se mem b ers o f th e gro u p w h o are no t so related to h i m Eac h man has “ ” th us man y fath ers wh o n ever b egat h i m and ” many moth ers wh o n ever b o re h i m ; h e ca l ls many men and w o men h is b ro th ers and sisters ,
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254
B I O G R APH ICAL
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S K IS I C I I ES
namely i n th e e igh t c l ass o rgan izati o n was no t a cl u ms y exped ien t wh ic h o versh o t i ts mar k b y sepa rati ng fro m each o th er man y pers o ns w ho m th e a u th o rs o f i t had no i n ten tio n o f separati ng : i t was a dev ice ad m i ra b l y adapted to e ff ect j us t wha t i ts i nve ntors i ntended ne i th er more no r l ess B u t wh i l e th ere a re strong gro u nds fo r th i n ki ng that th e syste m o f exogamy has b een del i b erate l y d ev ised a nd i nsti tu ted b y t h e A ustral ia n a b ori gi nes f or th e p u rpose o f e ff ect i ng j ust wha t i t d o es e ffec t i t w o ul d do u b t l ess b e a m ista ke t o su ppose that i ts mos t compl ex fo rm th e eigh t class system was struc k o u t a t a s i ngl e b lo w A l l th e evi dence and p ro b a b i l i ty are i n fav o u r o f th e v i ew that th e system origi nated i n a s i mp l e b isect i o n o f th e co m m u n i ty i nto two exogam o us c l asses o nl y ; that wh en th is was fo u nd i ns u ffi c i en t to b ar marriages wh i ch th e nat i ves regarded as o bj ec tio na b l e each o f th e two c l asses was aga i n su b d i vi ded i n to two m ak i n g fo u r exoga mo us classes i n al l ; a nd fi nal l y that w h e n fou r exogamous c l asses sti l l proved i nadeq uate fo r th e p u rpose each o f the m was aga i n s u b d i vid ed i nto two mak i ng e igh t exogamo us classes i n all Th us fro m a s i m pl e b egi n n i ng th e A ustral ia n a b ori gi nes appear to have ad va nced step b y step to th e c o mplex syste m o f e igh t exoga mo us classes th e process b e i ng o ne o f su cc essi ve b isections o r d ichoto m i es Th e fi rst b isectio n b arred th e marriage o f b ro th ers w i th s isters : th e second b isectio n co m b i ned w i th th e -
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AN D H O W I TT
F I SON
characteristi c r u le o f desce n t w h i ch places th e ch i ld re n i n a d i fferen t class b oth fro m th e fath er a nd fro m th e moth e r b arred th e marriage o f paren ts w i th ch i ld ren ; and th e th i rd b isectio n co m b i ned wi th a r u l e o f descen t l i ke th e preced i ng b arred th e marriage o f a ma n s ch i ld ren wi th h is sister s ch i ld ren i n o th er wo rds i t preve nted th e marriage o f some b u t no t al l o f those w ho m we cal l fi rst co usi ns 1 B u t i f th e syste m was devised to preven t th e marriage o f b roth ers w i th sisters o f paren ts w i th ch i l d ren an d o f a man s ch il d ren w i th h is sister s ch i ld ren i t seems to fol low that s uch marriages were co m mo n b efo re th e system was i nsti tu ted to ch ec k th em ; i n sh o rt i t i mpl i es that exogam y was a del i b erate p roh i b i tio n o f a fo rm er u n restri cted practice o f i ncest wh ich al lowed th e n earest rela tio ns to mate w i th each o th er Th is i mpl i cat io n is con fi rmed as M essrs H ow i tt Spencer a nd Gi l len have sh ow n fo r th e tri b es o f Cen tral A ustral ia b y c usto ms wh ich ca n b e reasona b ly i n terpreted o nl y as a syste m o f gr o up marr iage o r as s u rv i vals o f a stil l w i de r p ractice o f sexual co m m u n ism A nd as th e c usto m o f ex o gam y co m b i n ed w i th th e cl o t c o n fi ned syste m as s i fic a t o r o f relati o nsh i p is n y t o A ust ral i a b u t is fo u nd a mon g many races i n many parts o f th e w o rld i t b ecomes p ro b a b l e t hat ,
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B I O G RAP H ICAL S K E T CH E S a large part i f no t th e w h ol e o f th e h u man race have a t on e t i me no t n ecessari l y th e earl iest i n th e i r h istory perm i tted th e pract ice o f i ncest that is o f th e cl osest i n ter b reed i ng and that hav i n g percei ved o r i magi ned th e practice to b e i nj u rio us th ey del i b eratel y fo r b ade and too k e ffecti ve measu res to p reven t i t That is th e great general izati o n reach ed b y L ew is H M orga n fro m h is d iscovery o f th e cl as s i fic a t o r y system o f relat io nsh i p I t i s perhaps th e most remar ka b l e ach i evemen t o f F i s o n a nd How i tt fi rst an d o f th ei r d isc iples Spencer and G i ll en afterwards that th ei r research es a mong th e A ustra l ian tri b es have no t o nl y l en t power fu l su pport to th e co n cl o f th e A m er ican eth nologist b u t have u s i on s gi ven us an i nsi gh t i n to th e mach i nery b y w h i ch th e great social re fo rm was e ff ected Th e mach i nery was i n deed si mpl e i t co nsisted mere l y i n th e b isection wh eth er si ng l e o r repeated o f th e who l e co m m u n i ty i n to two exoga mo us c l asses I n A ustral ia th e appl icatio n o f th is mach i nery to e ff ect th is p u rpose is seen mo re c l ear l y than i n any o th er part o f th e wor l d b ecause i n man y A ustra l ian tri b es th e b isectio n has b een repeated o ftene r than anywh ere else o r rath er o ftener tha n i t is k now n to have b een repeated e l sewh ere ; for i t is possi bl e that a mong oth er races o f me n s i m i lar seco ndary an d tertiary s u b d i v isions h ave occu rred th ou gh th ey seem now to have van ish ed wi tho u t l eav i ng a trace Th e o l dest social strati ficatio n so to ,
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M
I S CE L LANI E S
w i th h is al m o st gigan ti c statu re I was t o l d that h is q uee r v o ice was d u e t o a b u l l et wh i ch had gone cl ea n th ro ugh h i m at th e b attle o f I ona O n l ea rn i ng t hat I was fresh fr o m th e sch o o l o f F o n ta i ne b leau h e made a gri mace a nd said ” I\l l i eu tenan t was ki l l ed yesterday I k new h e , y mean t to say I t s yo u w h o are t o ta ke h is place ” a nd yo u are not fi t for i t A reto rt was o n m y l i ps b u t I ch ecked mysel f Th e moo n rose b eh i nd th e redo u b t o f C h e v e r i no si tuated a co u pl e o f can no n shots fro m o u r l i nes I t was large a nd red as i t us ual l y i s at r is i ng B u t that eve n i ng i t seemed to m e extraord i nari l y l arge F o r a mo men t th e redou b t stood o u t b lac k agai nst th e b ri gh t d isc o f th e moo n I t l oo ked l i ke th e co ne o f a volcano at th e i nstan t o f eru pti o n A n ol d sold ier b esi de me remar ked th e col o u r “ “ ” o f th e moon I t is very red sai d h e that s a s ign i t w i l l cost us dear to take i t that b lessed ol d ” redo u b t I have al ways b een s upersti tio us and th is augu ry espec ial ly at su ch a mo men t a ff ected me I lay down b u t c o u l d no t sl eep so I got u p an d wal ked fo r a wh i l e watch i ng th e vast l i ne o f fi res that covered th e h e igh ts b eyo nd th e v i l lage o f .
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W h en I th o ugh t that my b l ood had b een r e fresh ed enough b y th e kee n n igh t ai r I retu rned to th e fi re wrapped myse l f u p care fu l l y i n m y cl oak an d closed my eyes h op i ng no t to ope n th e m t i l l dayl igh t B u t sleep w o u l d n ot come ,
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2 64 .
T H E T A K ING
T H E RE D O U B T
OF
G rad ual l y m y th o ugh ts too k a so m b re h ue I sa i d to mysel f that I had not a si ngl e fr i end amo ng th e h u nd red th o usand men wh o covered th e pla i n I f I were wo u nded I sh ou l d b e i n a h osp i tal care l essl y treated b y i gnoran t s u rgeons A l l that I had h eard a b o u t s u rgical operati o ns came b ac k u po n me I\ l h ear t b eat vi ol en tl y and mechan i cal l y I y arra nged as a sort o f b reast plate my hand kerch i e f a nd th e poc ket b o o k I carri ed i n th e b reast o f m y coat F at igue overpowered me ; every i nstan t I was fal l i ng asleep a nd every i nstan t so me s i n ister tho ugh t retu rned w i th fresh force a nd awo ke m e w i th a star t However weari ness at last prevai led and wh en th e revei l l e so u nded I was fast asl eep W e fel l i n a nd th e rol l was cal led ; th e n we stac ked ar ms and everyth i ng seemed to sh ow that we were go i ng to pass a q u i et day A b o u t th ree o cl o c k a n a ide de camp a rr i ved w i th an o rder W e g o t u nder a rms agai n : o u r sk i rm i h ers spread o u t i n th e pla i n : we fol lowed th em sl o wl y and at the e nd o f twenty m i n u tes we saw th e R uss ia n o u tposts fal l i ng b ac k and reti ri ng i nt o th e redo u b t A b attery o f a rti l l ery t o o k u p posi tio n o n o u r ri gh t and an o th er o n o u r l e ft b u t b o th were a l o ng way i n fr o n t o f us Th ey opened a h o t fi re o n th e ene m y w h o repl i ed v i go ro u l y and soo n th e red o u b t o f C h e v e r i no d isappeared i n th ic k cl o u ds o f m o ke .
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265
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M I S CE L LANI E S
regi men t was al most shel tered fro m th e R uss ian fi re b y a r ise i n th e gro u nd The i r sh ots ( th ere were not many o f th em fo r th ey fi red b y pre ference a t o u r arti l le ryme n ) passed over o u r h eads o r at most sen t us sh owers o f earth and pe b b l es As soo n as th e o rd er to advance was gi ven my captai n o b served me so atten ti vel y that I was o b l iged to pass m y hand two or th ree t i mes over m y b udd i ng mo ustach e wi th as easy a n ai r as I co u l d assu me I real ly was no t afrai d th e o n l y fear I had was that th ey m igh t th i n k I was afraid B esides th ese harm l ess shots h elped to keep me i n m y h ero i c cal m I was flattered b y th e i dea that I ran a real ris k b e i ng now at l ast u nder fi re o f a b attery I was del igh ted at feel i ng so m uch at my ease a nd I th o u gh t h ow pl easan t i t wo u l d b e to tel l o f th e ta ki ng o f th e redo u b t o f C h e v e r i no i n th e d rawi ng roo m o f M adame de B R u e de P rovence Th e colone l passed i n fro n t o f o u r co mpan y ; h e spo ke to me W el l yo u are go i ng to see sharp ” wor k for yo u r b egi n ni ng I s m i l ed w i th a martial a i r b rush i ng th e s l eeve o f m y coat w h i ch had recei ved a l i ttl e d ust fro m a shot that had fal l en a b o u t th i rty paces o ff I t appeared that th e R ussians saw th e s mal l e ff ect o f th e i r shots for th ey exchanged th e m for sh el ls wh i ch co u l d reac h us more easi l y i n th e d i p wh ere we were posted T h ere was a lo ud no ise ()
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2 66
M
I S CE LLANI E S
so me c ha ff fr o m my co m rades wh o were more ” fam i l ia r w i th th e s o u nd A fter al l sai d I to ” m y sel f a b attle is n ot such a terri b le th i ng W e adva nced at th e d o u b l e preceded b y s ki r m i s h e rs A l l o f a s udden th e R ussians gave th ree h u rrahs th ree d isti nct h u rrahs th en remai ned “ s i l en t a nd w i th o u t fi ri ng I do n t l i ke that ” “ s i l ence sai d m y captai n i t means no good t o us I th ou gh t o u r fel lows j ust a tri fl e too noisy a nd co u l d no t h el p men tal l y co n trast i n g th ei r tu m u l tu o us c ri es w i th th e i mpressi ve si lence o f th e e ne my W e soo n reach ed th e fo o t o f th e redo u b t Th e pal isades had b ee n b ro ken and th e earth t u m b l ed a b o u t b y o u r sh ots Th e men r ushed o n th ese ” “ n ewl y made r u i ns w i th sh o u ts of V i v e lEm p e r e u r m u ch lo uder than c o u l d have b ee n expected fr o m people wh o had al ready sh o u ted so m u ch I l o o ked u p and never shal l I forget th e si gh t I saw Th e smo ke h ad mostl y r isen a nd remai ned hangi ng l i ke a canopy twen ty feet a b ove th e redo u b t Th ro ugh a b l u ish vapo u r we saw th e R ussian gre nad i ers stand i ng b eh i nd th ei r hal f r u i n ed parapet wi th th ei r m uskets raised mot ionless as stat ues I th i n k I see th em sti l l every man w i th h is l e ft eye fi xed o n us h is r i gh t h i dden b y h is raised m usket I n a n em b ras u re a few paces fro m us a ma n w i th a l igh ted match w as stand i ng b esid e a gu n I sh uddered a nd th o ugh t that m y last h o u r was ,
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2 68
T H E T A K ING
TH E RE DO U BT
OF
” H ere s a pretty dance a b o u t to b egi n
co me “ ” — cri ed m y captai n good n igh t Th ey were th e last words I h eard h i m speak A rol l o f d r u ms was h eard i n th e redo u b t I saw th e m us kets b ro ugh t down I closed m y eyes and h eard a frigh tfu l no ise fol lowed b y cr i es and groans I opened my eyes s u rprised at fi nd i ng mysel f sti l l al i ve Th e redo u b t was o nce more wrapped i n smo ke I was s u rro u nded b y wo u nded an d dead M y captai n lay at m y feet ; h is h ead had b een smash ed b y a b u l let and I was b espattered w i th h is b lood a nd b rai ns O u t o f m y w h ol e compan y th ere were l e ft stand i ng o n l y si x men and mysel f Th is ca rnage was s ucceede d b y a mo men t o f stupor Th e colo nel p u tti ng h is cap o n th e po i n t o f h is sword was th e fi rst to cl i m b th e parapet ” c ryi n g V i ve lEm p e r e u r and was i m med iatel y fol lowed b y al l th e su rv i vors I hard l y remem b er what fol lowed I do n t k no w ho w we g o t i n to th e redo u b t Th ere was a hand to hand figh t i n th e m idst o f a smoke so th ic k that yo u c o u l d no t see y o u rsel f I s u ppose I m ust have used m y sword fo r i t was al l b lood y A t last I h eard c ries o f v icto ry and the s mo ke cl eari n g a l i ttle I saw th e b lood an d th e corpses wh ich c o m pletel y h id the s o i l o f th e redo u b t Th e gu ns e pec ial l y were b u ried u nder h eaps o f d ead A b o u t t w o h u nd red men l e ft s tand i ng i n F rench u n i fo rm were gr o u ped w i th o u t o rder s o m e l o ad i ng th ei r m uskets othe rs ’
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2 69
M I S CE L LANI E S
w i p i ng th e i r b ayo nets A m o ng th e m were e l even R ussia n pr iso ners Th e col onel lay o n h is b ack covered w i th b lood o n a b ro ken caisso n cl ose to th e gu l l y So me sol d i ers we re p ressi ng ro u nd h i m a nd I j o i ned th e “ ” grou p W h ere is th e sen io r captai n ! he as ked o f a sergean t Th e sergean t sh rugged h is i eu te n sho ul ders expressi vel y A nd th e sen io r l ” an t ! H ere h e is th e gen t l eman wh o ca me ” yesterday sai d th e sergean t q u i te cal m l y Th e “ ” co l o nel s mi led b i tter l y Co me s i r sai d h e yo u are i n co m mand Have th e redo u b t stre ngth ened w i th t u m b re l s i m med iate l y o n th e si de o f th e gu l l y fo r th e enem y is i n force B u t Ge neral “ ” ” C w i l l s upport yo u Col onel sai d I m y dear are yo u b ad l y h u rt 9 ” fel low b u t th e redo u b t is taken .
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M I S CE LLANI E S
B y n igh t th e troops are paraded I n th e b al lad o f Z ed l i tz W h ere th e shad o wy empero r m usters Th e gh osts o f A usterl i tz ,
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B u t spectres i n th e c i ty
I
G h osts i n th e crowded lane W i th n ever a sh ro u d o r a grave cloth A n d d ri ppi ng too w i th ra i n I -
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A real l y re marka b le v isi on Th ree wra i ths o f tooth l ess loo ns I n th e faci ngs o f th e O l d G uard W i th shadows o f d ragoo ns As i n Ra ffe t s great e ngravi n g Th e dead go troopi ng b y A nd sq uadro n a fter sq uad ro n Napol eo n l sti l l th ey cry ’
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B u t i t was not th e dead wh o wa ke ’
To th e t uc k o f th e m i d n igh t d r u m Twas a few of th e O l d G uard keep i ng Th e day o f th e great Home co me -
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S i nce was fo ugh t th e fi na l b attl e Th ey have grown one fat o ne th i n Th e coat o f th e one needs l etti n g o u t O f th e other ta ki ng i n ,
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W i th th e medal for a star 2
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V E T E RAN S
OF
THE O LD
G UARD
I d rather wear those tatters Tha n re ign th e R ussia n Czar ’
l
Th e d raggled pl u me d roops sad l y Th e sha ko is b attered a nd worn I n th e t u n i c th e moth has w i dened Th e h o l es b y th e b ul lets torn ,
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Th e b uc ks ki ns hang i n creases O n th ighs al l s ki n and b ones Th e r usty sa b re rattl es As i t sm i tes o n th e pav i ng— stones ,
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A noth er is sto u t a nd b reath l ess H e p u ffs as h is b row h e w i pes H is coat h e ca n hard l y b u tto n Th is h ero o f meda l s a nd stri pes ,
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Nay sneer no t O m y co mrade B u t b ow w i th reverence d ue To th e me n o f a greater I l iad Than eve r Home r d rew ,
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H o no u r th e h ead so h oary A nd th e b ro w al l b ronzed a nd sco red W i th th e fu rrows o f a g e an d o f glory Trench ed b y th e slash o f sword ,
Egyptian s u ns have darkened Th e sk i n i n b o yhood fa i r A nd R uss ian sn o ws have wh i tened W hat o nce was rave n ha i r .
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73
M I S CE L LANI E S Th e i r palsi ed ha nds are trem b l i n g They l i mp b u t do not s m i le F o r l ong i s th e march an d weary To M osc o w fro m th e N i l e ,
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L et th e u rch i n j eer and h ol lo
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Tis not for u s to sl igh t Th e me n wh o were th e morn i ng W h i l e we are th e eve and th e n igh t ,
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I f w e forget t hey re me m b er R ed lancer and b l u e grenad i er Th ey are co me to th e col u m n to worsh i p Th ei r o n l y god is h ere ,
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H ere p ro u d of a l l th ey s u ff ered B y wo u nds a nd snows and h eats Th ey fee l n eath th e i r tattered garmen ts Tis th e h eart o f F rance that b eats ,
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So th e laugh ter i s bl en t w i th weepi ng To see th is carn i val Th is masqu e i mper ia l passi ng L i ke m u m mers fro m a b al l ,
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A nd th e Grand A rmy s eag l e F ro m i ts h eaven w i th gl ory s ta r r d Spreads i ts gol den w i ngs tri u mphan t O er th e V eterans o f th e G uard ,
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I S CE L LANI E S
W h y d rew sh e sword a nd fl i ngi ng th e sca bb ard far away W h y r ush ed sh e i n to b attl e th e foremost i n th e fray 9 F or a scrap o f paper fo r a scrap o f paper noth i ng more I ,
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W h en th e
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O u e en
o f E mpi res s u m moned h er ch i l dre n to h er sh ore A n d to set th e ocean rol l i ng sh e b u t spo ke a word n o more O h co me to me m y ch i l d ren to yo u r mother co me to me I W h y fl oc ked th e regi m ents troopi ng from th e l ands b eyond th e sea 9 F o r a scrap o f paper for a scrap o f paper noth i ng m ore ,
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W h y hasted al l th e peop l es to co n fro n t th e b a nd i t crew W h en th ey h eard th e tocsi n to l l i ng and th e b last that J usti ce b l ew W h y th ri l l ed th ey at th e s u m mo ns an d answered o n e and a l l B y tho usand tho usands th rongi ng to th e far b l ow n b ug l e cal l 9 F or a scrap o f paper for a scrap o f paper noth i ng more I ,
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FO R
A S C RAP
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PAPER
W h en th e gu ns have ceased to th u nder and th e b attl e sto rm to rave W h en th e stars a b ove are cal l i ng th e last m uster o f th e b rave -
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As th e y l i e there i n th ei r tho usands w i th th ei r faces to th e s ky W e ca n h ear th ei r vo ices answer W e were g l ad a nd pro u d to d i e F o r a scrap o f paper for a scrap o f paper noth i ng more I ,
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IV F RENCH AN D ENG L I S H CH I VALRY I
a j o u rnal i n tended t o d raw closer th e t ies b etwee n F rance a nd E ng l an d b y h el pi n g th e two peop l es to 1 a b etter u nderstand i ng o f each oth er i t may no t b e i nappropriate to recal l o ne featu re w h i ch th e very d i fferen t characters o f th e two nations have i n co m mo n —th ei r ch i va l ry i n war Th e co u rtesi es wh ich b rave men exh i b i t to gal lan t ad versari es o n th e b att l e fi e l d wh eth er i n v i ctory or i n defeat are a mong th e most grace fu l and most to u ch i ng man i fes ta t i o ns o f h u man nat u re at i ts b est and go far to redee m war fro m th e horro r o f s i mp l e b u tc hery F or th ey i mp l y a u n io n o f co u rage wi th h u man i ty and even w i th tenderness w h i ch i s al l th e more i mpressi ve b ecause i t is d isp l ayed u nder c i rc u m stances wh i ch i n b ase natu res gi ve l oose to al l th e v i l est passio ns and wh i ch eve n i n com mo n men revea l th e l aten t wea knesses that are usual l y vei l ed u nder th e decen t conven ti ons o f ord i nary l i fe Th e N
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M I S CE L LAN IE S
They were ad m i tted to su p w i th th e P r i nce o f Wales and th e E ngl ish n o b il i ty and after su pper th e K i n g h i msel f ca me i n to th e apartmen t and wen t a b o u t co nversi n g fam i l iarl y w i th one o r o th er of h is pr iso ners B u t h e openl y b estowed th e h igh est encom i u ms o n R i b a u m o nt ; ca l led h i m th e most valoro us kn i gh t that h e had ever b ee n acq uai n ted w i th and con fessed that h e h i mse l f had at no ti me b ee n i n so great danger as wh e n engaged i n co m bat w i th h i m H e th e n too k a stri ng of pearls wh i ch h e wore a b o u t h is own h ead and th rowi n g i t over th e h ead o f Ri b a u m o nt h e sai d to h i m S i r E ustace I b estow th is presen t u pon yo u as a testi mo n y o f m y estee m fo r yo u r b ravery a nd I desi re yo u to wear i t a year for m y sake I k now yo u to b e gay and a moro us and to take del igh t i n th e co mpan y o f l ad ies and da msels l et th e m a l l k now fro m w hat ha nd yo u had th e p resen t Y o u are no longer a prisoner I acq u i t yo u o f yo u r ra nso m an d yo u are at l i b erty to morrow 1 to d ispose o f you rse l f as yo u th i n k proper Th e so n o f th is ga ll an t k i n g Ed ward th e B l ac k P r i nce no t l o n a fterwards proved h i mse l f worth y g o f h is fath er b y th e e l a b orate co u rtesy w i th wh i ch after th e great v i ctory o f Po i c t i e r s h e treated h is royal capti ve Joh n K i ng o f F ra nce Here co m m e nc es th e rea l and tru l y ad m i ra b le h eroism o f Ed ward fo r v i ctori es are v ul gar th i ngs i n com ,
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lii pp 44 5 s q ( Ed i n c x ii c h ap s cx l cx i
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F R ENCH
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pariso n o f that moderatio n and h u man i ty d isp l ayed b y a yo u ng pri nce o f twen ty; seven years o f age no t ye t cool ed fro m th e fu ry o f b att l e an d elated b y as extraord i nary and as u nexp ected s uccess as h ad ever crowned th e arms o f a ny co m mander H e ca me forth to meet th e capti ve k i ng w i th al l th e marks o f regard and sympath y adm i n istered com fort to h i m am i dst h is m isfortu nes pai d h i m th e tri b u te o f praise d ue to h is valo u r a nd ascri b ed h is own v i ctory merel y to th e b l i n d chance o f war o r to a superio r prov idence wh i ch co ntrols al l th e e fforts o f h u man force an d pr u dence Th e b ehavi o u r o f Jo h n sh owed h i m no t u nworth y o f th is co u rteo us treatme n t H is presen t a bj ect fortu ne never made h i m forget a mo m en t that h e was a k i n g M ore to u ch ed b y Ed ward s generosi ty than b y h is ow n calam i ti es h e co n fessed that n otw i thstand i n g h is de feat and capti v i ty h is h ono u r was sti l l u n i mpai red an d that i f h e yiel ded th e v ictory i t was at least gai ned b y a pri nce o f s uch co nsu m mate valo u r and h u man i ty Ed ward o rdered a repast to b e prepared i n h is ten t fo r th e prisoner and h e h i msel f served at th e royal capti ve s ta b le as i f h e had b een one o f h is reti n ue H e stood at th e k i ng s b ac k d u ri ng th e meal co nstan t l y refused to take a place at ta b le and declared that b ei ng a su bj ec t h e was t o o wel l acq ua i n ted w i th th e d istance b etween h is own ran k and that o f r o ya l maj esty to ass u m e such freedom A l l h is fathe r s pretensi n s t th e c r wn o f F ran ce we re no w b u ri e d ,
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M I S CE L LANIE S
i n o bl iv ion Joh n i n captiv i ty recei ved th e h onou rs o f a k i n g wh ich were re fused h i m wh en seated o n th e th rone H is m isfortu nes not h is ti tl e were respected ; and th e F re nch prisoners conq u ered b y th is el evation o f m i nd more than b y the i r late di s co m fit u r e b u rst i n to tears o f a dm i ra t i o n wh i c h were onl y ch ec ked b y th e re fl ection that s uch gen u i ne a nd u nal tered h eroism i n a n enem y m ust certai n l y i n th e issue prove b u t th e more dangerous ” 1 to th ei r nati ve co u n try A t th e b attl e o f F ontenoy wh en th e E ngl ish Guards l ed b y L i eu tenan t Genera l Camp b e ll M aj o r Gen eral th e Ear l o f A lb e mar l e and B rigadi er Ch u rch h i ll had advance d to w i th i n fi fty paces o f th e F rench G uards th e E ngl ish o ffi cers sa l u ted th e F rench o ffi cers b y taki ng o ff th ei r hats O n th e F re nch s i de th e Co m te d e Cha b anes and th e D u e de B i ro n w h o were i n fro n t and a l l th e o ffi cers o f th e G uards retu rned th e sa l u te L ord Char l es Hay cap tai n o f th e E ng l ish G uards th en cri ed ” out Gen t l eme n o f th e F rench G uards fi re ! Th e Co m te de Ha u teroch e l i eu tenan t i n th e G renad i ers answered i n a l ou d vo i ce Gent l e men ” we never fi re fi rst F i re yo u rse l ves l Th e i ng fi re wh i ch l ai d h u nd reds E ng l ish repl i ed b y a r o l l o f th ei r gal lan t ad versari es i n th e d ust Th e anecdote is reported b y V ol tai re wh o pro b a b l y had i t fro m an eyew i tness for h e was a c on temporary .
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M I S CE L LANIE S nea r th e d u ke s ten t Th e d u ke a t once stopped th e su rgeo n and sa id A ttend to th is F rench o ffi ce r fi rst h is h u rt i s worse than m i ne H e m igh t b e ” 1 overloo ked I shal l no t A fter th e b attle o f Cor u n na i n wh ic h S i r Jo h n M oore d ied a her o s death th e gu ns o f th e enemy pa i d h is fu nera l h o no u rs a nd So u l t w i th a no b l e feel i ng o f respect for h is va l ou r raised a mo n u men t ” 2 to h is memory o n th e fiel d o f b att l e I n h is old age M arsha l So u l t ca me to Eng l and to represen t L o u is P h i l i ppe a t th e coronatio n o f O u ee n V i ctoria and rece i ved a war m we l co me fro m th e E ngl ish peop l e wh o k no w h o w to respect a nd ho no u r a gal la nt a nd ch i va l ro us enem y Th ey ch eered h i m t i l l th ey were h o arse wh en ever h e appeared i n p u b l i c a nd th ey sh oo k hands w i th h i m to s uch an exten t that th e M arshal s ar m was wor n o u t an d h e had to dep u te th e tas k o f han d shak i ng to th e mem b ers o f h is sta ff A t M anch ester wh e n th e rai l way ca rriage co n veyi ng Sou l t e n tered th e stat ion i t was so b ese t b y a n en th usiasti c crowd cl i ngi ng to th e foot b oards c l am b eri ng o n th e roo f and th r usti n g th ei r h eads an d h ands i n at th e w i ndows that so me ti me elapsed b e fo re th e po l ice b y Hercu l ean e ff orts were a b le to wrench open th e door o f th e carriage a nd make stand i ng roo m for th e M arshal o n th e platform and even th e n h e was al l b u t swept o ff ’
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F R ENCH AN D EN G L I S H C H I V AL RY
h is feet i n th e press As h e d rove i n a n ope n carriage th rou gh th e streets he was su rro u nded a nd fol l owed b y a r u n n i ng mo b con ti n ual l y sho u ti ng So u l t for ever I w h i l e th ei r cheers were ech oed b y tens o f th o usands o f gri m y sh ri vel l ed h eads proj ecti ng i n b u nch es fro m th e i n n u mera b l e w i n dows o f th e h i gh bl ac k smo ky factori es w h ich th e M arshal passed i n h is tri u mphal p rogress Wh e n h e v isi ted th e docks at L i verpool th e b an ks o f th e r i ver were crowded wi th m u l ti tu des for th e w h ol e d istance th e r i ver was covered w i th b oats every sh i p o f every natio n was gay w i th fl ags a nd th e sh o u ti ng a nd wav i ng o f hats were i ncessan t A t B i rm i ngha m a p u b l i c d i n ner was gi ven i n h o no u r o f th e i ll ustrio us guest I n p roposi n g Sou l t s h eal th th e cha i rman d wel t parti c u l arl y o n th e t ri b u te o f respect wh ic h h e had pa id to th e rema i ns o f S i r Joh n M oore Th is seemed to tou ch So u l t s gal lan t h ear t He rose w i th great an i matio n a nd a fter rap id l y retu rn i ng than ks fo r th e us ual h o no u r paid to h is k i n g h e b ro ke o u t i n praise o f S i r Joh n M oo re a nd th e E ngl ish arm y “ “ ” I l earned h e said to estee m th em i n th e fi eld o f b attl e and s i nce I have b ee n i n En gland I have acq u i red a feel i n g warme r than estee m I fi nd th e m as worth y and k i nd and gene r o us towards th e i r anc i en t en e m ies as th ey a re b rave and h ones t i n b attl e for I spea k not alon e o f t h e i r c o u rage w h en I ca l l th e m wo rth y o f estee m as e nem i es F ro m L ord W el l i ngt o n and al l th e B ri ti h o fficers w h o m .
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M I S CE L LANI E S I had th e hono u r to meet i n figh t I ever experi e nced fran k a nd loyal cond uct ; we fo u gh t for o u r r e b u t l i ke men w i th o u t ra nco u r s p e c t i ve co u n tri es w i tho u t a n y feel i ngs o f perso nal ange r I ad m i re and respect th e m b oth as fri en ds and foes and I now gi ve th e B ri tish A rm y and Navy To th is toast than ks were retu rned fo r th e B ri tish A rmy b y Colo ne l(a fterwards Genera l ) S i r W i ll ia m Napi er wh o had fo u gh t agai nst So u l t i n many p i tch ed b attl es o f th e P en i nsu lar W ar and o f wh o m i t m i gh t w i th tru th b e sai d that i t was h is l ot at fa cer e s cr i benda e t s cr i her e l d I n h is e en a g speech i n wh i ch h e referred i n terms o f warm ad m i ratio n to th e great F rench captai n w ho now ” s i ts h ere yo u r h ono u red guest th ere occu rs th e fol l owi ng passage w h ich we l l expresses th e feel i ngs o f many E ngl ish h earts at th e prese nt t i me B u t th ere is a h igh er grati ficatio n to b e deri ved fro m th is happy meeti ng b y every perso n wh o has th e we l fare o f man k i nd at h eart ; th e h earty genero us reception w h i ch has b een gi ven to M a rsha l So u l t and th e co n te n tmen t wh i ch h e has there b y recei ved and has th is n igh t expressed i n s uch s i mp l e fee l i ng a nd d ign i fied language may b e hai l ed as a s ign a great s ign an d a testi mo n y that al l anc ie n t feu ds al l i l l b lood a ll h eart b u rn i ngs a l l h osti l i ty b etween E ng l and a nd F rance those two great natio ns have passed away an d are forgo tten and that h encefo rth th e o nl y r i val ry w i l l b e a genero us em u l atio n i n works o f peace and u ti l i ty ,
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M I S CE LLANI E S
la yi ng o f a swo rd u po n h is sh o u l der to sti r h i m u p b o th b y h is co u nsel and h is arms to sec u re and 1 protect th e wea k ness o f attempted i n nocence Th e co u rtes ies o f war w h ic h F rench and E ng l ish sold i ers so o ften exchanged wh e n th ey met as foes o n th e b att l e fiel d have not ceased to b e rec i procated no w tha t en m i ty has happi l y b een exch a nged fo r com radesh i p i n a rms W h en L i l l e a fte r fo u r years o f occu pati on was at last evacuated b y th e ene my and th e army o f del i verance was a b ou t to march i n to th e c i ty an Eng l ish regi men t w h ich was to have h eaded th e procession ri gh tl y stood asi de and a l l owed a F rench regi men t to ta ke th e place o f h onou r an d to rece i ve th e fi rst over wh el m i ng demonstrations o f j oy h eaped b y th e del i vered o n th e de l i verers A nd i n th e great an d fi na l ad vance o n th e M arn e wh en th e ti de o f Teu to n i c i n vasio n was a t l ast ste m med a nd ro l led b ack a H igh land regi men t march ed si de b y s i de wi th th e F rench regi men ts to th e assau l t o f th e Germa n posi tion M an y Scotsme n a nd many F rench men fel l i n th e attac k and a fte r th e b att l e th e F rench wi th a to uch i ng grati tude set u p a mon u me n t o n th e spot to th e H igh l a nders wh o had come so far fro m th ei r m isty mo u n tai ns a nd sto rmy seas to figh t and d i e fo r F rance O n th e mon u men t th ey carved a F rench i nscr iption w h ic h set forth that H ere th e th istl es o f Scot l and w i l l b loo m fo r ” ever among th e roses o f F rance ,
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F R ENCH AN D ENG L I S H CH I V ALR Y
These a r eamong th e th i ngs that endea r th e two nati ons to each o th er k n i tti ng th em togeth er b y ties that are i ndeed ties o f bl ood an d stronger and more end u ri ng tha n i ron F or th ese an d a tho usan d o th er reasons fo r al l th e crowded and sp l e nd i d memori es o f F rench ach ievemen t i n arts and l etters as wel l as i n arms we i n th is co u n try h o no u r and l ove th e F ren ch a nd are pro ud to b a i lth e m as b roth ers Th e very name o f F rance is a so u nd to sti r o u r b lood as w i th th e b last of a tr u mpet T o b orrow th e pro ud words i nscri b ed over th e palace o f V ersai l les we j oi n th e w h ol e ci vil i zed wor l d i n a tri b u te o f h eartfel t a ffectio n and ad m i ratio n ,
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U
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A
C O N TRAS T
A T H O U G H T F U L travel l er i n Greece a nd I tal y can hard l y fai l to b e str uc k b y th e pauc i ty o f rel ics o f th e M i ddle A ges i n th e o ne co u ntry and th ei r freq uency i n th e o th er I n Greece h e may j o u rney fo r h o u rs o r even days togeth er w i th o u t seei ng a n y wor k o f man s hand to re mi nd h i m o f th e two tho usan d y ea rs o r mo re wh i ch d i vi de th e statel y re mai ns o f anci en t temples an d palaces and fortresses fro m th e mea n cottages o f th e modern peasan try A few —a very few—fine B yzan ti ne ch u rch es w i th thei r mosa ics an d e i ko ns th e mo ul deri ng r u i ns o f V enetia n c ast l es an d monasteri es wh i ch co ntrast b y th e i r sq ua l o r a nd poverty w i th th e nat u ra l b ea u ty o f th ei r s u rro u nd i ngs are al most th e o n l y mo n u men ts b eq ueath ed to modern Greece b y th e ce ntu ri es wh i ch have e nrich ed modern I tal y i n p ro fusio n wi th al l th e spl endou r o f med i aeval arch i tect u re and sc ul pt ure and pai n ti ng A nd i t is no t mere l y th e rari ty b u t th e sty l e of th e remai ns ,
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Th e causes o f th is l o ng peri od o f i nte l l ec tua l a nd mora l stagnation o r rath er retrogression a re no do u b t many a nd vari o us B y th e c rush i ng weigh t o f h e r fi nanc ial opp ression R o me at o nce d ra i ned th e material reso u rces and sapped the v i ta l energi es o f th e peopl e w h i l e at th e sa me t i me h er worl d w ide dom i n io n powerfu l l y seco nded b y th e teach i ngs o f a cosmopol i ta n rel i gion d isso l ved th e t ies o f pu re l y l oca l patri otism a nd b ro ke th e spri ng o f th ose c i vi c v i rtues wh i ch that patriotism had fostered O n th e nation th us i mpoverish ed and en fee b l ed th ere fel l l i ke a n i ncu b us the l on g b l igh t o f th e T u rkish do m i n io n wh ich com pl eted th e wor k o f degradatio n a nd deca y W h i l e t h e Tu rk as a man appears to have many good q ual i ti es wh i ch wi n h i m th e esteem o f those wh o k now h i m th e Tu rks as a peop l e are to a l l i ntents as u nprogressi ve a s th e i r ow n sheep and oxen Th ey ma y d isca rd th e t u r b an for th e fez th e yataghan for th e b a yo net th e b ow a nd arrow for th e f i fl e a n d th e mach i n e gu n b u t i n th e frame o f th ei r m i nds and th e ci rcl e o f th ei r i deas th ey are what th ei r fore fath ers were w h e n th ei r h ordes emerged fro m th e deserts o f Cen tra l As ia a nd tram pl ed u n der foo t th e last s u rvi vi n g rel i cs o f th e B yzan ti ne E mp i re I n th e ce n t u ri es wh ich have e l apsed si nce th ey esta b l ish ed th ei r al i en r ul e on E u ropea n soi l h ave th ey co n tri b u ted a nyth i ng to E u ropean l i teratu re or sci ence o r art ! Have th ey prod uced a s i ng l e man w ho is k now n to th e wor l d a t l arge ,
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292
M O D ERN
I TALY
G R EE C E
A ND
fo r anyth i n g b u t th e wars h e waged o r th e massacres h e ordered S i nce th e advance o f th ei r v i ctorio us arms ceased to b e a menace to E u ropean ci vi l izatio n Tu rkey has served o nl y as a ma kewei gh t i n E u ropean pol i ti cs to b e th rown fro m ti me to t i m e i n to th e sca l es b y u nscr upu lo us statesmen i n orde r to tri m th e b alance o f power or to i ncl i ne i t i n thei r ow n favou r I t i s on e o f th e man y b lessi ngs o f I tal y that sh e has n eve r b een s u bj ec t to th e r u l e o f these Asiati c b ar b arians that th e Tu rk has never gai ned eve n a foothol d o n h er soi l Tr ue sh e has b owed h er n ec k to th e yo ke o f man y nor th ern i nvaders fro m th e days o f th e Goths o n ward b u t b ar b aro us as have b een many o f her co nq uero rs th ey have b ee n at l east more or less ak i n to h er i n race and language an d so me o f th e m have co ntri b u ted to th e glori es o f I tal ian ar t and pro b a b l y also o f I ta l ia n l i teratu re Certai n l y these i nvasi ons have n ever fo r a n y l ong period together i n terru pted th e co u rse o f nati ve I ta l ian gen i us Th e fal l o f th e R oman E mp i re was fol lowed b y th e r ise o f th e separate I tal ia n states each w i th i ts acti ve m u n i c ipa l l i fe i ts i nd ustri es a nd c o m merce i ts l ocal ar t an d l i teratu re A nd i n I ta ly th e dark ness o f th e M id dl e A ges was a prel ud e to th e spl end i d dawn o f th e R enaissance Th e s u n o f anc ien t l earn i ng wh i ch se t o n C o nstan t i n o ple rose agai n o n R o me : th e fa l l o f th e B yzan ti n e E mpi re scattered th e dyi ng e m b ers o f G reek scholarsh i p and b l ew th e m up i n to fresh fi re i n ,
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Ml S CE l LAN l ES -
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I ta l y w h ich ha nded th e m o n to th e W est Hence I tal y u nl i ke G reece is c rowded w i th mon u men ts o f th e M idd le Ages o f th e R enaissance and o f th e fr u i tful cen t u ri es wh ich have elapsed si nce that m igh ty awaken i ng o f th e E u ropean m i nd : i t is ha u n ted b y th e memor i es o f th e great me n wh o i n every departmen t o f h u man act iv i ty have i ll u m i nated a nd en rich ed n ot o n l y th e i r co u n try b u t man k i nd b y th e energy o f thei r character th e ra nge o f the i r k nowl edge th e o ri gi nal i ty o f th e i r i d eas th e l i gh t and fi re o f th ei r i magi natio n Th e b usy marts th e great l i b rari es th e magn i ficen t c h u rch es th e statel y palaces th e glowi ng canvases th e b reath i ng sc ul ptu res i n b ro nze and mar b l e w h i ch ador n I tal ia n c i ties are on l y th e most o b v i ous b ecause th e o u tward a nd v isi b le ev i dence o f that i n ward spi ri tual l i fe so poten t so vari ed so a b u ndan t wh ich has an i mated th e I ta l ian peopl e u n i nterr uptedl y fro m an ti q u i ty ti l l now W hat a d e b t does no t th e world owe to I tal ian merchan ts and explorers to I tal ian artists and craftsmen to I tal ia n poets and m usi cians to I tal ian sch olars and t h i nk e r s l Con trast th e a maz i ng ferti l i ty o f th e I tal ia n gen i us i n med i aeval and modern ti mes w i th th e al most a b sol u te steri l i t y o f th e G ree k i n th e same period S i nce the fi nal separatio n o f th e Eastern fro m th e W estern E mpi r e w hat has G reece co n tri b u ted t o th e s u m of h u ma n tho ugh t to th e p rogress o f h u ma n k nowl edge to th e i mprovem en t o f h u ma n societ y 9 I f we except th e l egislat io n o f ,
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M IS CE L LAN I E S
b ri dge across wh i ch we can sti ll trave l i n thou gh t b ac k th rou gh th e n igh t o f th e M idd l e A ges to th e s u nset g l ory o f th e an ti qu e worl d sh e is l i ke o n e
o f h er ow n anci en t aq ued ucts w h ic h sti l l b ri ng to th e h eart o f th e E ternal C i ty a c u rren t o f l i v i ng water fro m th e pu rple mo u n tai ns that loom fai n t H i nt and d i m as d reams on th e far h orizon ,
I nt ern at p ocul a s a cr a
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VI
UN D E R A T U S CAN CA S E M EN T T H E moo n is up a b ove th e wood I t sh i m mers on th e l ake I m h ere b eneath yo u r wi ndow A wake my love awake I .
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O n yo nd e r spray the n igh ti ngale A ttu nes h er l o ve lorn lay O l iste n to a lover s ta l e Too soo n wi l l b reak th e day -
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I ve come so far fai r lady So many a weary m i l e T o see y o u r g o lden ri nglets T o w i n y o u r b o n ny sm il e ’
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Th en c o me away my dearest Sweet L isa come w i th m e F ar fa r b ey o nd th e fo rest A c r o ss th e rol l i ng sea ,
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297
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M I S C E L LA N I ES S he
p
ns the
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ea s em e
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nd s i ng s
W ho b ids me leave i n danger A nd care my nati ve strand To roam wi th h i m a strange r To so me far foreign land P ,
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O I m a k n igh t fai r l ady W i th sword and steed and l ance ’
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A nd that far foreign co u n try I s th e gay land o f F rance .
S he
Th ey tel l me i t is l ovel y That land o f ch i val ry B u t no h earts can b eat so k i ndly As at home i n Tuscany ,
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Th e n igh t grows l ate sweet l ad y O haste th ee for my sa ke ! See see a b ove th e mo u n tai ns Th e day b egi ns to b reak ,
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[A
r ed
flu s h sp r ea ds
ov er
t he
ea s t er
ns h y .
Th e ti me o f l ove soo n c l oses So swee t so dear i t seems I t passes l i ke th e roses L i ke you th l i ke spri ng l i ke d reams .
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l CS M I S C E L L AN l
They speak o f love that s death l ess O f tr o th that l asts for aye O f h earts that b eat togeth er Thou gh al l th e seas ru n d ry ’
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Th ey say that souls o nce pl igh ted W h en l i fe s b ri ef d rea m is o er W i l l meet b eyo nd d eath s r i ver W i l l meet to part no more ’
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Then tel l me that yo u l ove me W i l l love i n endl ess tr ust W h en lov i ng l ips are s i len t A nd lov i ng h earts are d ust ,
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Co me j oys or co me d istresses I l l love thee th en as n o w W h e n al l yo u r golden t resses A re si l vered o n yo u r b row
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I t shal l b e yo u rs for ever M y l i vi ng dyi ng l ove W e l l o nl y part my darl i ng To meet i n h eaven a b ove
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S h e s i ng s
O th en I l l co me my dearest ’
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I l l co me away w i th th ee F ar far b eyond th e fores t A cross th e rol l i ng sea ,
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VI I J UNE
IN
CA M B R I D G E
A N O T H E R J u ne is passi n g A nd faded is th e may A n d s ti l l o er b oo ks I l i nger Th e l i velong s u m mer day ,
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F or me th ere is no s u m mer No d eep woods s u n l i gh t p i ed No p u rpl e h eath er o n th e h il l A w i mpl i ng b u rn b esi de -
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F o r me no r i ppl i ng ri ver F l ows o n b y weald a nd wold W i th l i l i es o n i ts b oso m A nd i ts feet o n sands o f gold
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I shal l n t feel th e b reezes I may no t sme l l th e sea That b reaks t o day i n Scot l and O n sho res h w dea r to me I o
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1 0 3
I\ I I S C E L L A N I E S
I m ’
fa r away dear Scotland A prisoner i n th e hal ls W h ere s l uggish Ca m stea l s si l en t B v anc i en t Engl ish walls ,
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Sti l l sti ll I co n ol d pages A nd th ro ugh great vol u mes wade W h i l e l i fe s b rie f s u m mer passes A nd y o u th s b r i e f roses fad e ,
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A h yes I Th ro ugh th ese d ul l pages A gl i m meri ng vista opes W h ere fai re r fl owers are b low i ng Than b loo m o n earth l y slopes ,
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Th e d reamland worl d o f fancy I Th ere is m y ow n tru e h o me Th ere are the p u rp l e mo u ntai ns A nd bl u e seas fri nged w i th foam ,
A nd th ere th e death less gar l ands That c row n th e ch osen h ead W h en yo u th s b r i e f J u ne i s over A nd you th s b ri ef roses d ead ,
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3 02
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IX '
‘
T E M PTA T I O N
S I U D EN T S
Fa u s t i n hi s beg i nnin g
s tu d , y
to
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br ea k
—Ch
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bu r ning
ow l
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S i r i ts
N igh t is passi ng I I n th e sky the s tars are pal i ng B i rds are waki ng day is b rea ki ng S l eep no more 1 ,
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Day is passi ng 1 I n th e west th e red su n s i nk e t h F lowers are sl eep i ng stars are peepi ng Wo rk no more ,
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Y ou th is passi ng 1 L i fe s b ri ef spri ng w i l l soo n b e o er F l owers are dyi n g su m mer s fl yi ng Wa i t no more 1 ’
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X
M Y O L D ST U D Y
F I N A L L Y I t han k t h e me mbers presen t a nd pas t o f th e Co u nci l o f Tri n i ty Col l ege w h o b y t h r i ce prol ongi n g m y F el l o ws h i p have ena b l ed m e free from sord i d ca re to pass m y days i n th e ca l m a n d ” st i l l a i r o f d el i gh t fu l st ud i es a m i d s u rro u nd i ngs o f al l o th ers t he most co ngen ia l to learn i n g Th e w i ndows o f my st u dy l oo k o n t h e tra nq u i l co u rt o f a n a nc i en t col lege w h ere t h e s u n d i al ma rks t h e s i len t pas age o f th e ho u rs a n d i n th e lo ng s u m mer days th e fo u n ta i n plas h es d ro ws i l y a m i d flo wers a n d grass 3 w here as t h e even i n g s hadows deepen t h e l i gh ts come o u t i n t h e b lazo n ed w i ndows o f la nd fro m t h e c hapel t h e s weet t h e E l izabetha n h a l vo i ces o f t he c ho i r b l en t w i th th e peal i n g m us i c o f th e o r g an fl oa t o n th e peace fu l a i r tel l i n g o f ma n eternal asp i rat ions a fter tr u th a n d good ness an d i m mortal i t y H ere i t an ywh e re remo te fro m t he tu m u l t an d bu tl e o f t h e w rld w i t h i ts po m ps d va n i t i e an d :u nh i t i o ns t h e t uden t may h ope an f t ru th to penetrate th rou g h t o h ea r t h e s t i l l \ i c ,
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3 05
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M
I SC E L LA N IE S
t h e l i ttl e tra nsi tory q u est i ons o f t h e h o u r to t h e real i t i es w h i c h a b i d e o r rath er w h i c h we fon d l y t h i n k m ust a b i de w h i l e t h e gen erat i ons co m e a n d go I ca n not be too t ha n k fu l t hat I h ave been al lowed to spen d so ma n y q u i et a n d h appy yea rs i n s u c h a scen e an d w h en I q u i t m y ol d col l ege roo ms as I soo n s ha l l do fo r a noth er h om e i n Ca m b r i dge I s hal l h ope to carry forward to n ew wo rk i n a new scen e t h e l ove o f st u dy a n d l a b o u r w h i c h h as b een n o t i ndeed i mp l an ted b u t fostered a n d c h eris h ed i n t h i s a nc i en t h o me o f l earn i n g a n d peace ,
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6 0 3
M
I SC E L LAN I E S
r isen H ow pa l e a n d ghost l y t h e roo fs l oo ked i n h e r s i l very l igh t h ow b la nc h ed a n d wa n th e fl owers i n t h e i r b ed a b ou t th e fo u n ta i n w h ere th e fal l i ng wa ter plash ed w i t h a m u rm u ro u s so u n d as soft as s l eep I We passed t h e w i ndows o f t h e h al l n ow dark s i l en t a nd deserted a nd ascend i n g t h e steps t raversed t h e screens an d emerged o n th e terrace over l oo k i n g N ev i l le s Co u rt A ro u nd u s l ay t h e cl o i s ters o n t h e o n e s i de s h ro u ded i n deep dar kness o n t h e ot h er s i de floode d w i t h t h e b road m oon b eams o n l y th e s h adows o f t h e pi l lars s h ow i n g l i ke b l ack bars o n th e pavem en t We paced t h em for a t i m e i n d i sco u rse as o f o ld o n fr i en ds an d b oo ks o n Nat u re s l ovel i ness o n t h e glor i es o f t h e an t i q u e wor l d o n the v i s i on t h e b ea t i fic v i s i on o f a G o lden A ge to co m e Th en q u i tt i n g t h e c l o isters we passed u n der th e arc h way an d en tered t h e l on g aven u e o f l i mes w h e re th e i n terlac i n g b ra nc h es cast a c h eq u er wor k o f s h adow o n t h e moon l i t pa t h We pa used o n th e b r i dge over th e r i ver H ow s weet t h e m oo n l i gh t s l ept u po n t h e water a nd s i l vered al l t h e fol iage o f t h e trees t h at d rooped t h ei r pen den t bo ughs i n to t h e plac i d s tream w h i l e t h e w h i te b ri dges l i ke s h eeted g h osts receded l i n e beyo n d l i n e i n to th e d i sta nce— a scen e o f encha n t m en t o r fa i rylan d forlorn I A n d n o w w i t h t h e i nconsta ncy o f d rea ms th e season a nd t h e l a ndscape s u dden ly c han ged It was a s u nsh i n y a ftern oo n i n M a y T h e co ll ege gard ens t h rou g h w h i c h we passed were gay w i t h .
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0 8 3
A
D R EA M O F
CA M B R I D G E
th e p i n k a nd w h i te b l ossoms o f t h e c h est n u ts w i th th e p u rpl e an d gol d o f t h e l i lac a nd la b u rn u m B eyo nd t h em we e n tered t h e fi e lds a n d fol lowed t h e footpat h b es i d e th e l on g h edgero w u n der t h e dappl ed s had e o f th e tal l el ms Th e h edges were w h i te w i th t h e hawthor n bl oo m an d t h e a i r was h eavy w i t h i ts fragrance Y e t fa rth er o n we c rossed t h e m eadows starred w i th b u tterc ups a n d daisi es a n d passed t h ro ugh t h e graveya rd o f t h e l i ttl e ol d Coto n C h u rch w i t h i ts grey tower r i si ng a mon g t h e trees a n d i ts moss gro wn h eadsto nes sl eepi n g a mon g t h e grass Th ence b y t h e fa m i l ia r footpat h we ascended t h e sl ope o f M ad i n g l ey H i l l I nsensi b l y as we ad va nced t h e seaso n see med to c ha nge fo r no w t h e s no w w h i te b losso m o f t h e hawt hor n i n t h e h edges had t u rn ed to red roses a n d n o w i n t h e fie l ds a ro u nd u s th e yel low corn s tood r i pe fo r th e S pa ngl ed w i th sca r l et poppi es s i c kl e ; an d yet aga i n t h e woods t ha t fri n ged th e c res t o f th e h i l l s ho wed h ere a nd t here t h e r usse t h u es o f a u t u m n O n ga i n i n g t h e s u mm i t we s tood once mo re as we had s tood so o ften n ear th e r u i ned w i nd m i l l ( few n ow re me m b er i t l ) to s u rvey t h e la ndsca pe t h e fa r spread i n g peace fu l landscape be fo re b end i ng o u r steps ho mewa rd To t h e r i gh t th e spi re o f Coto n c h u rc h j ust peeped over t h e s ho u ld er o f th e h i l l l i ke a fi n ger po i n ti n g stead fastl y fro m t h e t ra ns i en t t u m u l ts a n d sor rows o f eart h to th e eternal peace a nd j oy o f h eaven A t o u r feet t h e h i g h r o ad ran dow n t h e sl pe an d t h en ,
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3 09
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M
ISCE L LANIE S
gi rt w i th trees fl owed away l i ke a wave i n green u nd u lat io ns to t h e d i sta n t woods a b ove w h i c h appea red t h e sp i res a nd p i n nacl es o f Ca m b r id ge B eyo nd th e m we co u l d d i scern t h e l ow b l u e l i n e o f t h e G og l VI a g o g h i l ls w i t h t h e w h i te sca r o f t h e h igh road c l i mb i ng t h e i r steep s i de w h il e away to t h e n o rt h t h e towers o f E l y Cat h ed ra l l oo med l i ke specks o n t h e fa r h or i zo n fa i n t a nd d i m as d rea ms A fter con tem plat i n g t h e scen e fo r a t i me i n s i le nce we t u rn ed to descen d t h e h i l l B e fore we “ d i d so I sa i d to my co mpan i o n L as t n ig h t I ” d ream ed a n i l l d rea m Wha t was i t h e as ked ” I d rea med I sa i d t hat yo u were dead a nd tha t “ ” I had le ft Ca mbr i dge fo r ever B u t i t was ” o n l y a d rea m h e a nswered s m i l i n g fo r here I a m a n d yon der a mo ng th e woods is Cam bri dge ” We s hal l soo n b e t h ere toget h er A s h e spoke h e s udden l y va n i sh ed I loo ked a b o u t m e b u t t h e la ndscape o n w h i c h b u t a mo men t b e fore I h ad gazed w i t h rapt u re was go n e a n d I h eard a vo i ce l i ke t h e s i gh i ng o f t h e w i nd w h i c h cr i ed F or ” ever ! fo r eve r I I wo ke w i t h a s ta rt Th e grey l i gh t o f a L o ndo n mo rn i n g was steal i n g t h ro u gh t h e c u rta i ns a nd sti l l h a l f s l eep i n g hal f wa ki n g I h eard a vo i ce dy i ng away i n th e d ista nce w h ic h cri ed F o r ever I for ever I ,
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o f yo u th A m i st born h i des t h e scen e A nd ma n y a d rea m o f yo u th n i g h t an d see t h e l i g h ts roar o f L o ndon .
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n o t o f th e sea r i ses u p a nd as th e v i s i o n fades l i ke b efore I l oo k o u t i n to th e an d h ea r aga i n m u ffl ed ,
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3
1 2
XIII L I FE S ’
FI
TF U L
FE
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A P A R T fro m al l q u est io ns o f i ts rel i gi o us a n d h istori cal i m por t w h i c h do no t h ere co ncern u s th e B i bl e i s a n epi c i f n ot a h i story o f t h e worl d o r to change t h e m etap h or i t u n rol ls a vas t pa nora ma i n w h i c h th e ages o f th e wor l d move be fore us i n a l on g t ra i n o f so l e m n i magery fro m t h e creat io n o f t h e eart h a n d t h e h eavens o n ward to th e fi nal pass i ng a way o f al l t h i s material u n i verse a n d th e co m i n g o f a n ew h eave n a nd a ne w earth w h ere i n shal l d wel l r i g h teo usn ess A ga i nst t h is go rgeous backgro u nd t h i s ever s h i ft i n g scenery n o w bri gh t w i t h th e h u es o f h eaven n ow l u r i d w i t h t h e glare o f h el l we see ma n k i nd str u tti n g an d playi n g th ei r l i ttl e pa rt o n th e s tage o f h i story We see th e m taken fro m t h e d ust and ret u rn i n g to th e d us t We see t h e rise a n d fal l o f em pi res we see great c i t i es n o w th e h i ve o f b usy m u l ti t udes n o w s i len t an d desolate a den o f w i l d beasts A l l l i fe s feve r i s th ere— i ts l oves an d h opes a n d j oys i t h i g h end eavo u rs i ts s u ff e ri ng an d s i n a nd s o rr w ,
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A n d th en las t scen e o f al l we see th e great w h i te t h ron e a n d th e e nd less m u l t i t u de gath ered b e fore i t we h ea r t h e fi na l doo m prono u nced a nd as t h e c u rta i n fal ls we catc h a gl i mpse o f t h e fi res o f h e ll a n d t h e glor i es o f h eave n —a v i s i o n o f a worl d how d i f f eren t fro m th i s w h ere care a n d s i n an d I ) ( sorro w s h a l l b e no more w h ere t h e s ai n ts s h al l res t fro m t h e i r la b o u rs a n d w h ere G o d H i msel f s hal l w i pe away al l tears fro m t h ei r eyes Th i s may n o t b e sc i e nce a n d h istory b u t i t i s at l east a n i m pres s i ve pagea n t a statel y d ra ma w i th o u t m etap h o r i t i s no b l e l i terat u re a n d l i ke a ll no b l e l i terat u re i t is fi tted to de l igh t to el evate a nd to conso l e ,
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a n d l i ttl e so rrows i n to com m u n i o n w i t h t h ose h i gh er powers w hatever t h ey are w h i c h ex isted be fore ma n bega n to b e a nd w h i c h wi l l ex i s t w h e n t h e w h o l e h u ma n race as we are da i l y rem i n ded b y th e catacl ysms a nd co n v u ls i ons o f Natu re shal l be s wept o u t o f ex i stence for ever I t s trengt h ens i n us t h e bl i n d con v i ct ion o r th e t rem b l i n g h ope t ha t so mew h ere beyo n d th ese eart h l y s hadows t h ere i s a wor l d o f l i g h t eternal w h ere t h e o b st i nate q u es t i o n i ngs of t h e m i nd w i l l b e a ns wered an d t h e h eart fi nd res t ,
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6 3 1
XV
A D L I BE L L U M
SUUM
A U CTO R u a es o u l t i ma m t i b i man u m ded i i a m e v o l es q e fu mo s t r e p i t u q u e h u i u s m ax i m a e rer u m u r b i s : i a m h o rtos petas a p r i cos l o c os u e u i e t i s e t t ra n q q q uos ego n on s i n e des i der i o uil i l e nis s i m o s atis l t p q an tis S u bi t en i m s a e p e v e lv i g i l vel r e c o r do r l i u s e t fo n te do r m i e nt i s an i mo speci es au lae i l pel l uc ido e t fio r i b u s p u rpu reis di s t i nc t a e : s u bi t a b e nt i s tac i t u rn i fiu m i nis i mago a nt i q u o s s u b t e r l m u ros : v i de o r m i h i a dh u c p ra ta i l la a moena c u m ca ri s p e r e r r a ns a m i c i s ben i gno a es t i va m ser mon e noc t e m tende re : v i de o r m i h i a dh u c a u d i re s uaves sa cr i i l l i u s c hor i voces v es p e ra s c e nt e d i e q uas i sole m cano ro de fl en t i s c o nc e nt u Ah o c c i du u m q uot i en i b i vo l ven te a n n et al b is i nca nes t e r m i x ta m c e nt e m ro i s e e m e t fia y am p u ni c e i s i n p
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s i lvas i l las q uae l o n i n u u m s u perem i nen t col lem g q i a m vern is v i r es ce ntes s o l i b u s i a m a u c t u m na l i r u b escen tes fr i g o r e v i d i u ot i ens me l en to Q de v e x u m a m n i s p i ss a a r b o r u m aest us l e va n ti u m r e c r ea v i t u m b ra d u m vel a q u a r u m m u rm u r c a de nt i u m vel di u m l eve m ea r u m s usu rr us fr o n p op u l i nir e s o m nu m s u a de b a t l O r u ra m i h i prae F o r t u na t o r u m i ns u l i s i l l is ca ra l O arva m e i ud i ce fa b u l H es p e r i du m h o r t i s b ea t i o ra l os i s Q ua m s u a v i te r i b i o l i m l ongos fa l l e nt i b u s a n nos s t u di i s i nc u b u i 1 i b e nt e r i b i e t i pso c o ns u m e r e r G ua m l a e vo et s u p rem u m c o nde r e m di e m l U tc u nq u e cr i t i u va b i t ta m e n d i u i b i v i x i ss e e t pro v i r i l i parte l \l v a ca v i ss e Sc i l i cet b eat us i l le m i h i prae usis ceter i s esse v i det u r q u i i n ver i i nv es t i g a t i o ne t o t u s v e r s a t u r a r u m or i b u s h o m i nu m e t i nv i d ia e t prava a m b i ti on e lon ge r e m o t u s ac ne morti s q u i d e m met u r t u rb a t u s i m i m m n a s cael i t e r r a e u e n e e e d u m e s t p q regi ones d u m i nfini ta m e t p r a e t e r i t i t e m p o r i s e t atu r fu tu r i ser i e m m e n te c o nt e m p l fi t u t a n i m us i s ne g o t i i s c u r i s q u e a v e r s u s e t i n reru m cog a p usi l l ni t i o ne de fix u s fra g i l i ta t e m h u m a na m q u oda m mod o i t a t e m n esc i o q ua m cogi tando ex u a t et i m m or t a l ca p e s sa t Hac v i ta q u i fr u i t u r no n r eg i b u s i nv i de t p u rp u rei s no n t r i u m p ha l i s ca nde nt i b u s Cap i tol i u m m i c u r r u no n O l a c a s u e r b i e nt i b u s pal ma Haec p y p n obis o m n i b us q u i b us fl ore m a e ta t i s i b i ca r p e r e c o nt i g i t i u v e ni b u s a r r i de b a nt h aec s e ni b u s me mo e nt i b u s placen t : h aec u t post nos q ua m r ia r e co l l i u ri m i s et u ve n i b et n i edac i i n tact u s s e b s a u p ,
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8 3 1
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