第1章
InlookingroundthewideandluminouscircleofourgreatlivingEnglishmen，toselectonetowhomImightfitlydedicatethiswork，——onewho，inhislifeasinhisgenius，mightillustratetheprincipleIhavesoughttoconvey；elevatedbytheidealwhichheexalts，andserenelydwellinginagloriousexistencewiththeimagesbornofhisimagination，——inlookingroundforsomesuchman，mythoughtsresteduponyou。Afarfromourturbulentcabals；fromtheignoblejealousyandthesordidstrifewhichdegradeandacerbatetheambitionofGenius，——inyourRomanHome，youhavelivedamidstallthatisloveliestandleastperishableinthepast，andcontributedwiththenoblestaims，andinthepurestspirit，tothemightyheirloomsofthefuture。
Youryouthhasbeendevotedtotoil，thatyourmanhoodmaybeconsecratedtofame:afameunsulliedbyonedesireofgold。
Youhaveescapedthetwoworstperilsthatbesettheartistinourtimeandland，——thedebasingtendenciesofcommerce，andtheangryrivalriesofcompetition。Youhavenotwroughtyourmarbleforthemarket，——youhavenotbeentempted，bythepraiseswhichourviciouscriticismhasshowereduponexaggerationanddistortion，toloweryourtastetothelevelofthehour；youhavelived，andyouhavelaboured，asifyouhadnorivalsbutinthedead，——nopurchasers，saveinjudgesofwhatisbest。Inthedivinepriesthoodofthebeautiful，youhavesoughtonlytoincreaseherworshippersandenrichhertemples。ThepupilofCanova，youhaveinheritedhisexcellences，whileyouhaveshunnedhiserrors，——yourshisdelicacy，nothisaffectation。
Yourheartresembleshimevenmorethanyourgenius:youhavethesamenobleenthusiasmforyoursublimeprofession；thesameloftyfreedomfromenvy，andthespiritthatdepreciates；thesamegenerousdesirenottowarwithbuttoserveartistsinyourart；aiding，strengthening，advising，elevatingthetimidityofinexperience，andthevagueaspirationsofyouth。Bytheintuitionofakindredmind，youhaveequalledthelearningofWinckelman，andtheplasticpoetryofGoethe，intheintimatecomprehensionoftheantique。Eachworkofyours，rightlystudied，isinitselfaCRITICISM，illustratingthesublimesecretsoftheGrecianArt，which，withouttheservilityofplagiarism，youhavecontributedtoreviveamongstus；inyouwebeholditsthreegreatandlong-undetectedprinciples，——
simplicity，calm，andconcentration。
ButyouradmirationoftheGreekshasnotledyoutothebigotryofthemereantiquarian，normadeyoulesssensibleoftheunappreciatedexcellenceofthemightymodern，worthytobeyourcountryman，——thoughtillhisstatueisinthestreetsofourcapital，weshowourselvesnotworthyofthegloryhehassheduponourland。YouhavenotsufferedevenyourgratitudetoCanovatoblindyoutothesuperiorityofFlaxman。Whenwebecomesensibleofourtitle-deedstorenowninthatsinglename，wemaylookforanEnglishpubliccapableofrealpatronagetoEnglishArt，——andnottillthen。
I，artistinwords，dedicate，then，toyou，artistwhoseideasspeakinmarble，thiswell-lovedworkofmymaturedmanhood。I
loveitnotthelessbecauseithasbeenlittleunderstoodandsuperficiallyjudgedbythecommonherd:itwasnotmeantforthem。IloveitnotthemorebecauseithasfoundenthusiasticfavorersamongsttheFew。Myaffectionformyworkisrootedinthesolemnandpuredelightwhichitgavemetoconceiveandtoperform。IfIhadgravenitontherocksofadesert，thisapparitionofmyowninnermostmind，initsleast-cloudedmoments，wouldhavebeentomeasdear；andthisought，I
believe，tobethesentimentwithwhichhewhoseArtisbornoffaithinthetruthandbeautyoftheprinciplesheseekstoillustrate，shouldregardhiswork。Yourserenerexistence，uniformandholy，mylotdenies，——ifmyheartcovets。Butourtruenatureisinourthoughts，notourdeeds:andtherefore，inbooks——whichAREhisthoughts——theauthor"scharacterliesbaretothediscerningeye。Itisnotinthelifeofcities，——intheturmoilandthecrowd；itisinthestill，thelonely，andmoresacredlife，whichforsomehours，undereverysun，thestudentlives(hisstolenretreatfromtheAgoratotheCave)，thatI
feelthereisbetweenusthebondofthatsecretsympathy，thatmagneticchain，whichunitestheeverlastingbrotherhoodofwhosebeingZanoniisthetype。
OneofthepeculiaritiesofBulwerwashispassionforoccultstudies。Theyhadacharmforhimearlyinlife，andhepursuedthemwiththeearnestnesswhichcharacterisedhispursuitofotherstudies。Hebecameabsorbedinwizardlore；heequippedhimselfwithmagicalimplements，——withrodsfortransmittinginfluence，andcrystalballsinwhichtodiscerncomingscenesandpersons；andcommunedwithspiritualistsandmediums。Thefruitofthesemysticstudiesisseenin"Zanoni"and"AstrangeStory，"romanceswhichwerealabouroflovetotheauthor，andintowhichhethrewallthepowerhepossessed，——powerre-
enforcedbymultifariousreadingandaninstinctiveappreciationofOrientalthought。Theseweirdstories，inwhichtheauthorhasformulatedhistheoryofmagic，areofawhollydifferenttypefromhispreviousfictions，and，inplaceoftheheroesandvillainsofeverydaylife，wehavebeingsthatbelonginparttoanothersphere，andthatdealwithmysteriousandoccultagencies。OncemoretheoldforgottenloreoftheCabalaisunfolded；thefurnaceofthealchemist，whosefireshavebeenextinctforcenturies，islightedanew，andthelampoftheRosicrucianre-illumined。
Nootherworksoftheauthor，contradictoryashavebeentheopinionsofthem，haveprovokedsuchadiversityofcriticismasthese。Tosomepersonstheyrepresentatemporaryaberrationofgeniusratherthananyseriousthoughtordefinitepurpose；whileothersregardthemassurpassinginboldandoriginalspeculation，profoundanalysisofcharacter，andthrillinginterest，alloftheauthor"sotherworks。Thetruth，webelieve，liesmidwaybetweentheseextremes。Itisquestionablewhethertheintroductionintoanovelofsuchsubjectsasarediscussedintheseromancesbenotanoffenceagainstgoodsenseandgoodtaste；butitisasunreasonabletodenythevigourandoriginalityoftheirauthor"sconceptions，astodenythattheexecutionisimperfect，and，attimes，bunglingandabsurd。
Ithasbeenjustlysaidthatthepresenthalfcenturyhaswitnessedtheriseandtriumphsofscience，theextentandmarvelsofwhichevenBacon"sfancyneverconceived，simultaneouslywithsuperstitionsgrosserthananywhichBacon"sagebelieved。"Theoneis，infact，thenaturalreactionfromtheother。Themorescienceseekstoexcludethemiraculous，andreduceallnature，animateandinanimate，toaninvariablelawofsequences，themoredoesthenaturalinstinctofmanrebel，andseekanoutletforthoseobstinatequestionings，those"blankmisgivingsofacreaturemovingaboutinworldsnotrealised，"
takingrefugeindelusionsasdegradingasanyoftheso-calledDarkAges。"Itwastherevoltfromthechillingmaterialismoftheagewhichinspiredthemysticcreationsof"Zanoni"and"A
StrangeStory。"Oftheseworks，whichsupportandsupplementeachother，oneisthecontemplationofouractuallifethroughaspiritualmedium，theotherisdesignedtoshowthat，withoutsomegleamsofthesupernatural，manisnotman，nornaturenature。
In"Zanoni"theauthorintroducesustotwohumanbeingswhohaveachievedimmortality:one，Mejnour，voidofallpassionorfeeling，calm，benignant，bloodless，anintellectratherthanaman；theother，Zanoni，thepupilofMejnour，therepresentativeofanideallifeinitsutmostperfection，possessingeternalyouth，absolutepower，andabsoluteknowledge，andwithalthefullestcapacitytoenjoyandtolove，and，asanecessityofthatlove，tosorrowanddespair。ByhisloveforViolaZanoniiscompelledtodescendfromhisexaltedstate，tolosehiseternalcalm，andtoshareinthecaresandanxietiesofhumanity；andthisdegradationiscompletedbythebirthofachild。Finally，hegivesupthelifewhichhangsonthatofanother，inordertosavethatother，thelovingandbelovedwife，whohasdeliveredhimfromhissolitudeandisolation。
Wifeandchildaremortal，andtooutlivethemandhisloveforthemisimpossible。ButMejnour，whoistheimpersonationofthought，——pureintellectwithoutaffection，——liveson。
Bulwerhashimselfjustlycharacterisedthiswork，intheIntroduction，asaromanceandnotaromance，asatruthforthosewhocancomprehendit，andanextravaganceforthosewhocannot。Themostcarelessormatter-of-factreadermustseethatthework，liketheenigmatical"Faust，"dealsintypesandsymbols；thatthewriterintendstosuggesttothemindsomethingmoresubtleandimpalpablethanthatwhichisembodiedtothesenses。Whatthatsomethingis，hardlytwopersonswillagree。
Themostobviousinterpretationofthetypesis，thatinZanonitheauthordepictstoushumanity，perfected，sublimed，whichlivesnotforself，butforothers；inMejnour，aswehavebeforesaid，cold，passionless，self-sufficingintellect；inGlyndon，theyoungEnglishman，themingledstrengthandweaknessofhumannature；intheheartless，selfishartist，Nicot，icy，soullessatheism，believingnothing，hopingnothing，trustingandlovingnothing；andinthebeautiful，artlessViola，anexquisitecreation，purewomanhood，loving，trustingandtruthful。
Asaworkofarttheromanceisoneofgreatpower。Itisoriginalinitsconception，andpervadedbyonecentralidea；butitwouldhavebeenimproved，wethink，byamoresparinguseofthesupernatural。Theinevitableeffectofsomuchhackneyeddiablerie——ofsuchanaccumulationofwonderuponwonder——istodeadentheimpressiontheywouldnaturallymakeuponus。InHawthorne"stalesweseewithwhateaseagreatimaginativeartistcanproduceadeeperthrillbyafarslighteruseoftheweirdandthemysterious。
Thechiefinterestofthestoryfortheordinaryreadercentres，notinitsghostlycharactersandimprobablemachinery，thescenesinMejnour"schamberintheruinedcastleamongtheApennines，thecolossalandappallingapparitionsonVesuvius，thehideousphantomwithitsburningeyethathauntedGlyndon，butinthelovesofViolaandthemysteriousZanoni，theblissfulandthefearfulscenesthroughwhichtheypass，andtheirfinaldestiny，whentheheroofthestorysacrificeshisown"charmedlife"tosavehers，andtheImmortalfindstheonlytrueimmortalityindeath。Amongthestrikingpassagesintheworkarethepatheticsketchoftheoldviolinistandcomposer，Pisani，withhissympathetic"barbiton"whichmoaned，groaned，growled，andlaughedresponsivetothefeelingsofitsmaster；
thedescriptionofViola"sandherfather"striumph，when"TheSiren，"hismasterpiece，isperformedattheSanCarloinNaples；
Glyndon"sadventureattheCarnivalinNaples；thedeathofhissister；thevividpicturesoftheReignofTerrorinParis，closingwiththedownfallofRobespierreandhissatellites；andperhaps，aboveall，thethrillingscenewhereZanonileavesViolaasleepinprisonwhenhisguardscallhimtoexecution，andshe，unconsciousoftheterriblesacrifice，butawakingandmissinghim，hasavisionoftheprocessiontotheguillotine，withZanonithere，radiantinyouthandbeauty，followedbythesuddenvanishingoftheheadsman，——thehorror，——andthe"Welcome"ofherlovedonetoHeaveninamyriadofmelodiesfromthechoralhostsabove。
"Zanoni"wasoriginallypublishedbySaundersandOtley，London，inthreevolumes12mo。，in1842。AtranslationintoFrench，madebyM。SheldonunderthedirectionofP。Lorain，waspublishedinParisinthe"BibliothequedesMeilleursRomansEtrangers。"
W。M。
PREFACETOTHEEDITIONOF1853。
Asaworkofimagination，"Zanoni"ranks，perhaps，amongstthehighestofmyprosefictions。InthePoemof"KingArthur，"
publishedmanyyearsafterwards，Ihavetakenupananalogousdesign，inthecontemplationofourpositivelifethroughaspiritualmedium；andIhaveenforced，throughafarwiderdevelopment，and，Ibelieve，withmorecompleteandenduringsuccess，thatharmonybetweentheexternaleventswhichareallthatthesuperficialbeholdonthesurfaceofhumanaffairs，andthesubtleandintellectualagencieswhichinrealityinfluencetheconductofindividuals，andshapeoutthedestiniesoftheworld。Asmanhastwolives，——thatofactionandthatofthought，——soIconceivethatworktobethetruestrepresentationofhumanitywhichfaithfullydelineatesboth，andopenssomeelevatingglimpseintothesublimestmysteriesofourbeing，byestablishingtheinevitableunionthatexistsbetweentheplainthingsoftheday，inwhichourearthlybodiesperformtheirallottedpart，andthelatent，oftenuncultivated，ofteninvisible，affinitiesofthesoulwithallthepowersthateternallybreatheandmovethroughouttheUniverseofSpirit。
Ireferthosewhodomethehonourtoread"Zanoni"withmoreattentionthanisgiventoordinaryromance，tothePoemof"KingArthur，"forsuggestiveconjectureintomostoftheregionsofspeculativeresearch，affectingthehigherandmoreimportantconditionofourultimatebeing，whichhaveengagedthestudentsofimmaterialphilosophyinmyownage。
Affixedtothe"Note"withwhichthisworkconcludes，andwhichtreatsofthedistinctionsbetweentypeandallegory，thereaderwillfind，fromthepenofoneofourmosteminentlivingwriters，aningeniousattempttoexplaintheinteriorortypicalmeaningsoftheworknowbeforehim。
INTRODUCTION。
Itispossiblethatamongmyreaderstheremaybeafewnotunacquaintedwithanold-bookshop，existingsomeyearssinceintheneighbourhoodofCoventGarden；Isayafew，forcertainlytherewaslittleenoughtoattractthemanyinthosepreciousvolumeswhichthelabourofalifehadaccumulatedonthedustyshelvesofmyoldfriendD。Thereweretobefoundnopopulartreatises，noentertainingromances，nohistories，notravels，no"LibraryforthePeople，"no"AmusementfortheMillion。"Butthere，perhaps，throughoutallEurope，thecuriousmightdiscoverthemostnotablecollection，everamassedbyanenthusiast，oftheworksofalchemist，cabalist，andastrologer。Theownerhadlavishedafortuneinthepurchaseofunsalabletreasures。ButoldD——didnotdesiretosell。
Itabsolutelywenttohisheartwhenacustomerenteredhisshop:hewatchedthemovementsofthepresumptuousintruderwithavindictiveglare；heflutteredaroundhimwithuneasyvigilance，——hefrowned，hegroaned，whenprofanehandsdislodgedhisidolsfromtheirniches。Ifitwereoneofthefavouritesultanasofhiswizardharemthatattractedyou，andthepricenamedwerenotsufficientlyenormous，hewouldnotunfrequentlydoublethesum。Demur，andinbriskdelighthesnatchedthevenerablecharmerfromyourhands；accede，andhebecamethepictureofdespair，——norunfrequently，atthedeadofnight，wouldheknockatyourdoor，andentreatyoutosellhimback，atyourownterms，whatyouhadsoegregiouslyboughtathis。AbelieverhimselfinhisAverroesandParacelsus，hewasaslothasthephilosophershestudiedtocommunicatetotheprofanethelearninghehadcollected。
Itsochancedthatsomeyearsago，inmyyoungerdays，whetherofauthorshiporlife，IfeltadesiretomakemyselfacquaintedwiththetrueoriginandtenetsofthesingularsectknownbythenameofRosicrucians。Dissatisfiedwiththescantyandsuperficialaccountstobefoundintheworksusuallyreferredtoonthesubject，itstruckmeaspossiblethatMr。D——"scollection，whichwasrich，notonlyinblack-letter，butinmanuscripts，mightcontainsomemoreaccurateandauthenticrecordsofthatfamousbrotherhood，——written，whoknows？byoneoftheirownorder，andconfirmingbyauthorityanddetailthepretensionstowisdomandtovirtuewhichBringarethadarrogatedtothesuccessorsoftheChaldeanandGymnosophist。AccordinglyIrepairedtowhat，doubtless，Ioughttobeashamedtoconfess，wasonceoneofmyfavouritehaunts。Butaretherenoerrorsandnofallacies，inthechroniclesofourownday，asabsurdasthoseofthealchemistsofold？Ourverynewspapersmayseemtoourposterityasfullofdelusionsasthebooksofthealchemistsdotous；notbutwhatthepressistheairwebreathe，——anduncommonlyfoggytheairistoo!
Onenteringtheshop，IwasstruckbythevenerableappearanceofacustomerwhomIhadneverseentherebefore。Iwasstruckyetmorebytherespectwithwhichhewastreatedbythedisdainfulcollector。"Sir，"criedthelast，emphatically，asIwasturningovertheleavesofthecatalogue，——"sir，youaretheonlymanI
havemet，infive-and-fortyyearsthatIhavespentintheseresearches，whoisworthytobemycustomer。How——where，inthisfrivolousage，couldyouhaveacquiredaknowledgesoprofound？
Andthisaugustfraternity，whosedoctrines，hintedatbytheearliestphilosophers，arestillamysterytothelatest；tellmeiftherereallyexistsupontheearthanybook，anymanuscript，inwhichtheirdiscoveries，theirtenets，aretobelearned？"
Atthewords，"augustfraternity，"Ineedscarcelysaythatmyattentionhadbeenatoncearoused，andIlistenedeagerlyforthestranger"sreply。
"Idonotthink，"saidtheoldgentleman，"thatthemastersoftheschoolhaveeverconsigned，exceptbyobscurehintandmysticalparable，theirrealdoctrinestotheworld。AndIdonotblamethemfortheirdiscretion。"
Herehepaused，andseemedabouttoretire，whenIsaid，somewhatabruptly，tothecollector，"Iseenothing，Mr。D——，inthiscataloguewhichrelatestotheRosicrucians!"
"TheRosicrucians!"repeatedtheoldgentleman，andinhisturnhesurveyedmewithdeliberatesurprise。"WhobutaRosicruciancouldexplaintheRosicrucianmysteries!Andcanyouimaginethatanymembersofthatsect，themostjealousofallsecretsocieties，wouldthemselveslifttheveilthathidestheIsisoftheirwisdomfromtheworld？"
"Aha!"thoughtI，"this，then，is"theaugustfraternity"ofwhichyouspoke。Heavenbepraised!Icertainlyhavestumbledononeofthebrotherhood。"
"But，"Isaidaloud，"ifnotinbooks，sir，whereelseamItoobtaininformation？Nowadaysonecanhazardnothinginprintwithoutauthority，andonemayscarcelyquoteShakespearewithoutcitingchapterandverse。Thisistheageoffacts，——theageoffacts，sir。"
"Well，"saidtheoldgentleman，withapleasantsmile，"ifwemeetagain，perhaps，atleast，Imaydirectyourresearchestothepropersourceofintelligence。"Andwiththathebuttonedhisgreatcoat，whistledtohisdog，anddeparted。
ItsohappenedthatIdidmeetagainwiththeoldgentleman，exactlyfourdaysafterourbriefconversationinMr。D——"sbook-
shop。IwasridingleisurelytowardsHighgate，when，atthefootofitsclassichill，Irecognisedthestranger；hewasmountedonablackpony，andbeforehimtrottedhisdog，whichwasblackalso。
Ifyoumeetthemanwhomyouwishtoknow，onhorseback，atthecommencementofalonghill，where，unlesshehasborrowedafriend"sfavouritehack，hecannot，indecenthumanitytothebrutecreation，rideawayfromyou，Iapprehendthatitisyourownfaultifyouhavenotgonefarinyourobjectbeforeyouhavegainedthetop。Inshort，sowelldidIsucceed，thatonreachingHighgatetheoldgentlemaninvitedmetorestathishouse，whichwasalittleapartfromthevillage；andanexcellenthouseitwas，——small，butcommodious，withalargegarden，andcommandingfromthewindowssuchaprospectasLucretiuswouldrecommendtophilosophers:thespiresanddomesofLondon，onaclearday，distinctlyvisible；heretheRetreatoftheHermit，andtheretheMareMagnumoftheworld。
Thewallsoftheprincipalroomswereembellishedwithpicturesofextraordinarymerit，andinthathighschoolofartwhichissolittleunderstoodoutofItaly。Iwassurprisedtolearnthattheywereallfromthehandoftheowner。Myevidentadmirationpleasedmynewfriend，andledtotalkuponhispart，whichshowedhimnolesselevatedinhistheoriesofartthananadeptinthepractice。Withoutfatiguingthereaderwithirrelevantcriticism，itisnecessary，perhaps，aselucidatingmuchofthedesignandcharacteroftheworkwhichtheseprefatorypagesintroduce，thatIshouldbrieflyobserve，thatheinsistedasmuchupontheconnectionofthearts，asadistinguishedauthorhasuponthatofthesciences；thatheheldthatinallworksofimagination，whetherexpressedbywordsorbycolours，theartistofthehigherschoolsmustmakethebroadestdistinctionbetweentherealandthetrue，——inotherwords，betweentheimitationofactuallife，andtheexaltationofNatureintotheIdeal。
"Theone，"saidhe，"istheDutchSchool，theotheristheGreek。"
"Sir，"saidI，"theDutchisthemostinfashion。"
"Yes，inpainting，perhaps，"answeredmyhost，"butinliterature——"
"ItwasofliteratureIspoke。OurgrowingpoetsareallforsimplicityandBettyFoy；andourcriticsholditthehighestpraiseofaworkofimagination，tosaythatitscharactersareexacttocommonlife，eveninsculpture——"
"Insculpture!No，no!THEREthehighidealmustatleastbeessential!"
"Pardonme；IfearyouhavenotseenSouterJohnnyandTamO"Shanter。"
"Ah!"saidtheoldgentleman，shakinghishead，"Iliveverymuchoutoftheworld，Isee。IsupposeShakespearehasceasedtobeadmired？"
"Onthecontrary；peoplemaketheadorationofShakespearetheexcuseforattackingeverybodyelse。ButthenourcriticshavediscoveredthatShakespeareissoREAL!"
"Real!Thepoetwhohasneveroncedrawnacharactertobemetwithinactuallife，——whohasneveroncedescendedtoapassionthatisfalse，orapersonagewhoisreal!"
Iwasabouttoreplyveryseverelytothisparadox，whenI
perceivedthatmycompanionwasgrowingalittleoutoftemper。
AndhewhowishestocatchaRosicrucian，musttakecarenottodisturbthewaters。Ithoughtitbetter，therefore，toturntheconversation。
"Revenonsanosmoutons，"saidI；"youpromisedtoenlightenmyignoranceastotheRosicrucians。"
"Well!"quothhe，rathersternly；"butforwhatpurpose？Perhapsyoudesireonlytoenterthetempleinordertoridiculetherites？"
"Whatdoyoutakemefor!Surely，wereIsoinclined，thefateoftheAbbedeVillarsisasufficientwarningtoallmennottotreatidlyoftherealmsoftheSalamanderandtheSylph。
Everybodyknowshowmysteriouslythatingeniouspersonagewasdeprivedofhislife，inrevengeforthewittymockeriesofhis"ComtedeGabalis。""
"SalamanderandSylph!Iseethatyoufallintothevulgarerror，andtranslateliterallytheallegoricallanguageofthemystics。"
Withthattheoldgentlemancondescendedtoenterintoaveryinteresting，and，asitseemedtome，averyeruditerelation，ofthetenetsoftheRosicrucians，someofwhom，heasserted，stillexisted，andstillprosecuted，inaugustsecrecy，theirprofoundresearchesintonaturalscienceandoccultphilosophy。
"Butthisfraternity，"saidhe，"howeverrespectableandvirtuous，——virtuousIsay，fornomonasticorderismoresevereinthepracticeofmoralprecepts，ormoreardentinChristianfaith，——thisfraternityisbutabranchofothersyetmoretranscendentinthepowerstheyhaveobtained，andyetmoreillustriousintheirorigin。AreyouacquaintedwiththePlatonists？"
"Ihaveoccasionallylostmywayintheirlabyrinth，"saidI。
"Faith，theyareratherdifficultgentlementounderstand。"
"Yettheirknottiestproblemshaveneveryetbeenpublished。
Theirsublimestworksareinmanuscript，andconstitutetheinitiatorylearning，notonlyoftheRosicrucians，butofthenoblerbrotherhoodsIhavereferredto。MoresolemnandsublimestillistheknowledgetobegleanedfromtheelderPythagoreans，andtheimmortalmasterpiecesofApollonius。"
"Apollonius，theimposterofTyanea!arehiswritingsextant？"
"Imposter!"criedmyhost；"Apolloniusanimposter!"
"Ibegyourpardon；Ididnotknowhewasafriendofyours；andifyouvouchforhischaracter，Iwillbelievehimtohavebeenaveryrespectableman，whoonlyspokethetruthwhenheboastedofhispowertobeintwoplacesatthesametime。"
"Isthatsodifficult？"saidtheoldgentleman；"ifso，youhaveneverdreamed!"
Hereendedourconversation；butfromthattimeanacquaintancewasformedbetweenuswhichlastedtillmyvenerablefrienddepartedthislife。Peacetohisashes!Hewasapersonofsingularhabitsandeccentricopinions；butthechiefpartofhistimewasoccupiedinactsofquietandunostentatiousgoodness。
HewasanenthusiastinthedutiesoftheSamaritan；andashisvirtuesweresoftenedbythegentlestcharity，sohishopeswerebaseduponthedevoutestbelief。Heneverconverseduponhisownoriginandhistory，norhaveIeverbeenabletopenetratethedarknessinwhichtheywereconcealed。Heseemedtohaveseenmuchoftheworld，andtohavebeenaneye-witnessofthefirstFrenchRevolution，asubjectuponwhichhewasequallyeloquentandinstructive。Atthesametimehedidnotregardthecrimesofthatstormyperiodwiththephilosophicalleniencywithwhichenlightenedwriters(theirheadssafeupontheirshoulders)are，inthepresentday，inclinedtotreatthemassacresofthepast:
hespokenotasastudentwhohadreadandreasoned，butasamanwhohadseenandsuffered。Theoldgentlemanseemedaloneintheworld；nordidIknowthathehadonerelation，tillhisexecutor，adistantcousin，residingabroad，informedmeoftheveryhandsomelegacywhichmypoorfriendhadbequeathedme。
Thisconsisted，first，ofasumaboutwhichIthinkitbesttobeguarded，foreseeingthepossibilityofanewtaxuponrealandfundedproperty；and，secondly，ofcertainpreciousmanuscripts，towhichthefollowingvolumesowetheirexistence。
IimagineItracethislatterbequesttoavisitIpaidtheSage，ifsoImaybepermittedtocallhim，afewweeksbeforehisdeath。
Althoughhereadlittleofourmodernliterature，myfriend，withtheaffablegood-naturewhichbelongedtohim，graciouslypermittedmetoconsulthimuponvariousliteraryundertakingsmeditatedbythedesultoryambitionofayoungandinexperiencedstudent。AndatthattimeIsoughthisadviceuponaworkofimagination，intendedtodepicttheeffectsofenthusiasmupondifferentmodificationsofcharacter。Helistenedtomyconception，whichwassufficientlytriteandprosaic，withhisusualpatience；andthen，thoughtfullyturningtohisbookshelves，tookdownanoldvolume，andreadtome，first，inGreek，andsecondly，inEnglish，someextractstothefollowingeffect:——
"Platohereexpressesfourkindsofmania，bywhichIdesiretounderstandenthusiasmandtheinspirationofthegods:Firstly，themusical；secondly，thetelesticormystic；thirdly，theprophetic；andfourthly，thatwhichbelongstolove。"
Theauthorhequoted，aftercontendingthatthereissomethinginthesoulaboveintellect，andstatingthatthereareinournaturedistinctenergies，——bytheoneofwhichwediscoverandseize，asitwere，onsciencesandtheoremswithalmostintuitiverapidity，byanother，throughwhichhighartisaccomplished，likethestatuesofPhidias，——proceededtostatethat"enthusiasm，inthetrueacceptationoftheword，is，whenthatpartofthesoulwhichisaboveintellectisexcitedtothegods，andthencederivesitsinspiration。"
Theauthor，thenpursuinghiscommentuponPlato，observes，that"oneofthesemaniasmaysuffice(especiallythatwhichbelongstolove)toleadbackthesoultoitsfirstdivinityandhappiness；butthatthereisanintimateunionwiththemall；andthattheordinaryprogressthroughwhichthesoulascendsis，primarily，throughthemusical；next，throughthetelesticormystic；thirdly，throughtheprophetic；andlastly，throughtheenthusiasmoflove。"
WhilewithabewilderedunderstandingandareluctantattentionI
listenedtotheseintricatesublimities，myadviserclosedthevolume，andsaidwithcomplacency，"Thereisthemottoforyourbook，——thethesisforyourtheme。"
"Davussum，nonOedipus，"saidI，shakingmyhead，discontentedly。"Allthismaybeexceedinglyfine，but，Heavenforgiveme，——Idon"tunderstandawordofit。ThemysteriesofyourRosicrucians，andyourfraternities，aremerechild"splaytothejargonofthePlatonists。"
"Yet，nottillyourightlyunderstandthispassage，canyouunderstandthehighertheoriesoftheRosicrucians，orofthestillnoblerfraternitiesyouspeakofwithsomuchlevity。"
"Oh，ifthatbethecase，Igiveupindespair。Whynot，sinceyouaresowellversedinthematter，takethemottoforabookofyourown？"
"ButifIhavealreadycomposedabookwiththatthesisforitstheme，willyouprepareitforthepublic？"
"Withthegreatestpleasure，"saidI，——alas，toorashly!
"Ishallholdyoutoyourpromise，"returnedtheoldgentleman，"andwhenIamnomore，youwillreceivethemanuscripts。Fromwhatyousayoftheprevailingtasteinliterature，Icannotflatteryouwiththehopethatyouwillgainmuchbytheundertaking。AndItellyoubeforehandthatyouwillfinditnotalittlelaborious。"
"Isyourworkaromance？"
"Itisaromance，anditisnotaromance。Itisatruthforthosewhocancomprehendit，andanextravaganceforthosewhocannot。"
Atlasttherearrivedthemanuscripts，withabriefnotefrommydeceasedfriend，remindingmeofmyimprudentpromise。
Withmournfulinterest，andyetwitheagerimpatience，Iopenedthepacketandtrimmedmylamp。ConceivemydismaywhenIfoundthewholewritteninanunintelligiblecipher。Ipresentthereaderwithaspecimen:
(Severalstrangecharacters。)
andsoonforninehundredandfortymortalpagesinfoolscap。I
couldscarcelybelievemyeyes:infact，Ibegantothinkthelampburnedsingularlyblue；andsundrymisgivingsastotheunhallowednatureofthecharactersIhadsounwittinglyopenedupon，coupledwiththestrangehintsandmysticallanguageoftheoldgentleman，creptthroughmydisorderedimagination。
Certainly，tosaynoworseofit，thewholethinglookedUNCANNY!
Iwasabout，precipitately，tohurrythepapersintomydesk，withapiousdeterminationtohavenothingmoretodowiththem，whenmyeyefelluponabook，neatlyboundinbluemorocco，andwhich，inmyeagerness，Ihadhithertooverlooked。Iopenedthisvolumewithgreatprecaution，notknowingwhatmightjumpout，and——guessmydelight——foundthatitcontainedakeyordictionarytothehieroglyphics。Nottowearythereaderwithanaccountofmylabours，IamcontentedwithsayingthatatlastI
imaginedmyselfcapableofconstruingthecharacters，andsettoworkingoodearnest。Stillitwasnoeasytask，andtwoyearselapsedbeforeIhadmademuchprogress。Ithen，bywayofexperimentonthepublic，obtainedtheinsertionofafewdesultorychapters，inaperiodicalwithwhich，forafewmonths，Ihadthehonourtobeconnected。TheyappearedtoexcitemorecuriositythanIhadpresumedtoanticipate；andIrenewed，withbetterheart，mylaboriousundertaking。Butnowanewmisfortunebefellme:Ifound，asIproceeded，thattheauthorhadmadetwocopiesofhiswork，onemuchmoreelaborateanddetailedthantheother；Ihadstumbledupontheearliercopy，andhadmywholetasktoremodel，andthechaptersIhadwrittentoretranslate。
Imaysaythen，that，exclusiveofintervalsdevotedtomorepressingoccupations，myunluckypromisecostmethetoilofseveralyearsbeforeIcouldbringittoadequatefulfilment。
Thetaskwasthemoredifficult，sincethestyleintheoriginaliswritteninakindofrhythmicalprose，asiftheauthordesiredthatinsomedegreehisworkshouldberegardedasoneofpoeticalconceptionanddesign。Tothisitwasnotpossibletodojustice，andintheattemptIhavedoubtlessveryoftenneedofthereader"sindulgentconsideration。Mynaturalrespectfortheoldgentleman"svagaries，withamuseofequivocalcharacter，mustbemyonlyexcusewheneverthelanguage，withoutluxuriatingintoverse，borrowsflowersscarcelynaturaltoprose。Truthcompelsmealsotoconfess，that，withallmypains，IambynomeanssurethatIhaveinvariablygiventhetruemeaningofthecipher；nay，thathereandthereeitheragapinthenarrative，orthesuddenassumptionofanewcipher，towhichnokeywasafforded，hasobligedmetoresorttointerpolationsofmyown，nodoubteasilydiscernible，butwhich，Iflattermyself，arenotinharmonioustothegeneraldesign。ThisconfessionleadsmetothesentencewithwhichIshallconclude:If，reader，inthisbooktherebeanythingthatpleasesyou，itiscertainlymine；
butwheneveryoucometosomethingyoudislike，——laytheblameupontheoldgentleman!
London，January，1842。
N。B——Thenotesappendedtothetextaresometimesbytheauthor，sometimesbytheeditor。Ihaveoccasionally(butnotalways)
markedthedistinction；where，however，thisisomitted，theingenuityofthereaderwillberarelyatfault。
ZANONI。
BOOKI。
THEMUSICIAN。
DueFontaneChididiversoeffetohannoliquore!
"Ariosto，Orland。Fur。"Canto1。7。
(TwoFountsThatholdadraughtofdifferenteffects。)
CHAPTER1。I。
VerginaeraD"altabelta，masuabeltanoncura:……
Dinatura，d"amor，de"cieliamiciLenegligenzesuesonoartifici。
"Gerusal。Lib。，"cantoii。xiv-xviii。
(Shewasavirginofagloriousbeauty，butregardednotherbeauty……NegligenceitselfisartinthosefavouredbyNature，bylove，andbytheheavens。)
AtNaples，inthelatterhalfofthelastcentury，aworthyartistnamedGaetanoPisanilivedandflourished。Hewasamusicianofgreatgenius，butnotofpopularreputation；therewasinallhiscompositionssomethingcapriciousandfantasticwhichdidnotpleasethetasteoftheDilettantiofNaples。Hewasfondofunfamiliarsubjectsintowhichheintroducedairsandsymphoniesthatexcitedakindofterrorinthosewholistened。
Thenamesofhispieceswillprobablysuggesttheirnature。I
find，forinstance，amonghisMSS。，thesetitles:"TheFeastoftheHarpies，""TheWitchesatBenevento，""TheDescentofOrpheusintoHades，""TheEvilEye，""TheEumenides，"andmanyothersthatevinceapowerfulimaginationdelightinginthefearfulandsupernatural，butoftenrelievedbyanairyanddelicatefancywithpassagesofexquisitegraceandbeauty。Itistruethatintheselectionofhissubjectsfromancientfable，GaetanoPisaniwasmuchmorefaithfulthanhiscontemporariestotheremoteoriginandtheearlygeniusofItalianOpera。
Thatdescendant，howevereffeminate，oftheancientunionbetweenSongandDrama，when，afterlongobscurityanddethronement，itregainedapuniersceptre，thoughagaudierpurple，bythebanksoftheEtrurianArno，oramidstthelagunesofVenice，hadchosenallitsprimaryinspirationsfromtheunfamiliarandclassicsourcesofheathenlegend；andPisani"s"DescentofOrpheus"wasbutabolder，darker，andmorescientificrepetitionofthe"Euridice"whichJacopiPerisettomusicattheaugustnuptialsofHenryofNavarreandMaryofMedicis。*Still，asIhavesaid，thestyleoftheNeapolitanmusicianwasnotonthewholepleasingtoearsgrownniceandeuphuisticinthemoredulcetmelodiesoftheday；andfaultsandextravaganceseasilydiscernible，andoftentoappearancewilful，servedthe
criticsforanexcusefortheirdistaste。Fortunately，orthepoormusicianmighthavestarved，hewasnotonlyacomposer，butalsoanexcellentpracticalperformer，especiallyontheviolin，andbythatinstrumentheearnedadecentsubsistenceasoneoftheorchestraattheGreatTheatreofSanCarlo。Hereformalandappointedtasksnecessarilykepthiseccentricfanciesintolerablecheck，thoughitisrecordedthatnolessthanfivetimeshehadbeendeposedfromhisdeskforhavingshockedtheconoscenti，andthrownthewholebandintoconfusion，byimpromptuvariationsofsofranticandstartlinganaturethatonemightwellhaveimaginedthattheharpiesorwitcheswhoinspiredhiscompositionshadclawedholdofhisinstrument。
Theimpossibility，however，tofindanyoneofequalexcellenceasaperformer(thatistosay，inhismorelucidandorderlymoments)hadforcedhisreinstalment，andhehadnow，forthemostpart，reconciledhimselftothenarrowsphereofhisappointedadagiosorallegros。Theaudience，too，awareofhispropensity，werequicktoperceivetheleastdeviationfromthetext；andifhewanderedforamoment，whichmightalsobedetectedbytheeyeaswellastheear，insomestrangecontortionofvisage，andsomeominousflourishofhisbow，agentleandadmonitorymurmurrecalledthemusicianfromhisElysiumorhisTartarustothesoberregionsofhisdesk。Thenhewouldstartasiffromadream，castahurried，frightened，apologeticglancearound，and，withacrestfallen，humbledair，drawhisrebelliousinstrumentbacktothebeatentrackoftheglibmonotony。Butathomehewouldmakehimselfamendsforthisreluctantdrudgery。Andthere，graspingtheunhappyviolinwithferociousfingers，hewouldpourforth，oftentillthemorningrose，strange，wildmeasuresthatwouldstartletheearlyfishermanontheshorebelowwithasuperstitiousawe，andmakehimcrosshimselfasifmermaidorspritehadwailednoearthlymusicinhisear。
(*OrpheuswasthefavouriteheroofearlyItalianOpera，orLyricalDrama。TheOrfeoofAngeloPolitianowasproducedin1475。TheOrfeoofMonteverdewasperformedatVenicein1667。)
Thisman"sappearancewasinkeepingwiththecharacteristicsofhisart。Thefeatureswerenobleandstriking，butwornandhaggard，withblack，carelesslockstangledintoamazeofcurls，andafixed，speculative，dreamystareinhislargeandholloweyes。Allhismovementswerepeculiar，sudden，andabrupt，astheimpulseseizedhim；andinglidingthroughthestreets，oralongthebeach，hewasheardlaughingandtalkingtohimself。
Withal，hewasaharmless，guileless，gentlecreature，andwouldsharehismitewithanyidlelazzaroni，whomheoftenpausedtocontemplateastheylaylazilybaskinginthesun。Yetwashethoroughlyunsocial。Heformednofriends，flatterednopatrons，resortedtononeofthemerry-makingssodeartothechildrenofmusicandtheSouth。Heandhisartseemedalonesuitedtoeachother，——bothquaint，primitive，unworldly，irregular。Youcouldnotseparatethemanfromhismusic；itwashimself。Withoutithewasnothing，ameremachine!WITHit，hewaskingoverworldsofhisown。Poorman，hehadlittleenoughinthis!AtamanufacturingtowninEnglandthereisagravestoneonwhichtheepitaphrecords"oneClaudiusPhillips，whoseabsolutecontemptforriches，andinimitableperformanceontheviolin，madehimtheadmirationofallthatknewhim!"Logicalconjunctionofoppositeeulogies!Inproportion，OGenius，tothycontemptforricheswillbethyperformanceonthyviolin!
GaetanoPisani"stalentsasacomposerhadbeenchieflyexhibitedinmusicappropriatetothishisfavouriteinstrument，ofallunquestionablythemostvariousandroyalinitsresourcesandpoweroverthepassions。AsShakespeareamongpoetsistheCremonaamonginstruments。Nevertheless，hehadcomposedotherpiecesoflargerambitionandwideraccomplishment，andchiefofthese，hisprecious，hisunpurchased，hisunpublished，hisunpublishableandimperishableoperaofthe"Siren。"Thisgreatworkhadbeenthedreamofhisboyhood，themistressofhismanhood；inadvancingage"itstoodbesidehimlikehisyouth。"
Vainlyhadhestruggledtoplaceitbeforetheworld。Evenbland，unjealousPaisiello，MaestrodiCapella，shookhisgentleheadwhenthemusicianfavouredhimwithaspecimenofoneofhismostthrillingscenas。Andyet，Paisiello，thoughthatmusicdiffersfromallDurantetaughttheetoemulate，theremay——butpatience，GaetanoPisani!bidethytime，andkeepthyviolinintune!
Strangeasitmayappeartothefairerreader，thisgrotesquepersonagehadyetformedthosetieswhichordinarymortalsareapttoconsidertheirespecialmonopoly，——hewasmarried，andhadonechild。Whatismorestrangeyet，hiswifewasadaughterofquiet，sober，unfantasticEngland:shewasmuchyoungerthanhimself；shewasfairandgentle，withasweetEnglishface；shehadmarriedhimfromchoice，and(willyoubelieveit？)sheyetlovedhim。Howshecametomarryhim，orhowthisshy，unsocial，waywardcreatureeverventuredtopropose，IcanonlyexplainbyaskingyoutolookroundandexplainfirsttoMEhowhalfthehusbandsandhalfthewivesyoumeeteverfoundamate!Yet，onreflection，thisunionwasnotsoextraordinaryafterall。Thegirlwasanaturalchildofparentstoonobleevertoownandclaimher。ShewasbroughtintoItalytolearntheartbywhichshewastolive，forshehadtasteandvoice；shewasadependantandharshlytreated，andpoorPisaniwashermaster，andhisvoicetheonlyoneshehadheardfromhercradlethatseemedwithoutonetonethatcouldscornorchide。Andso——well，istherestnatural？Naturalornot，theymarried。Thisyoungwifelovedherhusband；andyoungandgentleasshewas，shemightalmostbesaidtobetheprotectorofthetwo。FromhowmanydisgraceswiththedespotsofSanCarloandtheConservatoriohadherunknownofficiousmediationsavedhim!Inhowmanyailments——forhisframewasweak——hadshenursedandtendedhim!Often，inthedarknights，shewouldwaitatthetheatrewithherlanterntolighthimandhersteadyarmtoleanon；otherwise，inhisabstractreveries，whoknowsbutthemusicianwouldhavewalkedafterhis"Siren"intothesea!Andthenshewouldsopatiently，perhaps(forintruelovethereisnotalwaysthefinesttaste)soDELIGHTEDLY，listentothosestormsofeccentricandfitfulmelody，andstealhim——whisperingpraisesalltheway——fromtheunwholesomenight-watchtorestandsleep!
Isaidhismusicwasapartoftheman，andthisgentlecreatureseemedapartofthemusic；itwas，infact，whenshesatbesidehimthatwhateverwastenderorfairy-likeinhismotleyfantasiacreptintotheharmonyasbystealth。Doubtlessherpresenceactedonthemusic，andshapedandsoftenedit；but，he，whoneverexaminedhoworwhathisinspiration，knewitnot。Allthatheknewwas，thathelovedandblessedher。Hefanciedhetoldhersotwentytimesaday；butheneverdid，forhewasnotofmanywords，eventohiswife。Hislanguagewashismusic，——ashers，hercares!Hewasmorecommunicativetohisbarbiton，asthelearnedMersennusteachesustocallallthevarietiesofthegreatviolfamily。Certainlybarbitonsoundsbetterthanfiddle；
andbarbitonletitbe。HewouldtalktoTHATbythehourtogether，——praiseit，scoldit，coaxit，nay(forsuchisman，eventhemostguileless)，hehadbeenknowntoswearatit；butforthatexcesshewasalwayspenitentiallyremorseful。Andthebarbitonhadatongueofhisown，couldtakehisownpart，andwhenHEalsoscolded，hadmuchthebestofit。Hewasanoblefellow，thisViolin!——aTyrolese，thehandiworkoftheillustriousSteiner。Therewassomethingmysteriousinhisgreatage。Howmanyhands，nowdust，hadawakenedhisstringserehebecametheRobinGoodfellowandFamiliarofGaetanoPisani!Hisverycasewasvenerable，——beautifullypainted，itwassaid，byCaracci。AnEnglishcollectorhadofferedmoreforthecasethanPisanihadevermadebytheviolin。ButPisani，whocarednotifhehadinhabitedacabinhimself，wasproudofapalaceforthebarbiton。Hisbarbiton，itwashiselderchild!Hehadanotherchild，andnowwemustturntoher。
HowshallIdescribethee，Viola？Certainlythemusichadsomethingtoanswerforintheadventofthatyoungstranger。
Forbothinherformandhercharacteryoumighthavetracedafamilylikenesstothatsingularandspirit-likelifeofsoundwhichnightafternightthrewitselfinairyandgoblinsportoverthestarryseas……Beautifulshewas，butofaveryuncommonbeauty，——acombination，aharmonyofoppositeattributes。HerhairofagoldricherandpurerthanthatwhichisseenevenintheNorth；buttheeyes，ofallthedark，tender，subduinglightofmorethanItalian——almostofOriental——splendour。Thecomplexionexquisitelyfair，butneverthesame，——vividinonemoment，palethenext。Andwiththecomplexion，theexpressionalsovaried；nothingnowsosad，andnothingnowsojoyous。
Igrievetosaythatwhatwerightlyentitleeducationwasmuchneglectedfortheirdaughterbythissingularpair。Tobesure，neitherofthemhadmuchknowledgetobestow；andknowledgewasnotthenthefashion，asitisnow。ButaccidentornaturefavouredyoungViola。Shelearned，asofcourse，hermother"slanguagewithherfather"s。Andshecontrivedsoontoreadandtowrite；andhermother，who，bytheway，wasaRomanCatholic，taughtherbetimestopray。Butthen，tocounteractalltheseacquisitions，thestrangehabitsofPisani，andtheincessantwatchandcarewhichherequiredfromhiswife，oftenleftthechildalonewithanoldnurse，who，tobesure，lovedherdearly，butwhowasinnowaycalculatedtoinstructher。
DameGionettawaseveryinchItalianandNeapolitan。Heryouthhadbeenalllove，andheragewasallsuperstition。Shewasgarrulous，fond，——agossip。Nowshewouldprattletothegirlofcavaliersandprincesatherfeet，andnowshewouldfreezeherbloodwithtalesandlegends，perhapsasoldasGreekorEtrurianfable，ofdemonandvampire，——ofthedancesroundthegreatwalnut-treeatBenevento，andthehauntingspelloftheEvilEye。
AllthishelpedsilentlytoweavecharmedwebsoverViola"simaginationthatafterthoughtandlateryearsmightlabourvainlytodispel。Andallthisespeciallyfittedhertohang，withafearfuljoy，uponherfather"smusic。Thosevisionarystrains，everstrugglingtotranslateintowildandbrokensoundsthelanguageofunearthlybeings，breathedaroundherfromherbirth。
Thusyoumighthavesaidthatherwholemindwasfullofmusic；
associations，memories，sensationsofpleasureorpain，——allweremixedupinexplicablywiththosesoundsthatnowdelightedandnowterrified；thatgreetedherwhenhereyesopenedtothesun，andwokehertremblingonherlonelycouchinthedarknessofthenight。ThelegendsandtalesofGionettaonlyservedtomakethechildbetterunderstandthesignificationofthosemysterioustones；theyfurnishedherwithwordstothemusic。Itwasnaturalthatthedaughterofsuchaparentshouldsoonevincesometasteinhisart。Butthisdevelopeditselfchieflyintheearandthevoice。Shewasyetachildwhenshesangdivinely。
AgreatCardinal——greatalikeintheStateandtheConservatorio——heardofhergifts，andsentforher。Fromthatmomentherfatewasdecided:shewastobethefuturegloryofNaples，theprimadonnaofSanCarlo。
TheCardinalinsistedupontheaccomplishmentofhisownpredictions，andprovidedherwiththemostrenownedmasters。Toinspireherwithemulation，hisEminencetookheroneeveningtohisownbox:itwouldbesomethingtoseetheperformance，somethingmoretoheartheapplauselavishedupontheglitteringsignorasshewashereaftertoexcel!Oh，howgloriouslythatlifeofthestage，thatfairyworldofmusicandsong，dawneduponher!Itwastheonlyworldthatseemedtocorrespondwithherstrangechildishthoughts。Itappearedtoherasif，casthithertoonaforeignshore，shewasbroughtatlasttoseetheformsandhearthelanguageofhernativeland。Beautifulandtrueenthusiasm，richwiththepromiseofgenius!Boyorman，thouwiltneverbeapoet，ifthouhastnotfelttheideal，theromance，theCalypso"sislethatopenedtotheewhenforthefirsttimethemagiccurtainwasdrawnaside，andletintheworldofpoetryontheworldofprose!
Andnowtheinitiationwasbegun。Shewastoread，tostudy，todepictbyagesture，alook，thepassionsshewastodelineateontheboards；lessonsdangerous，intruth，tosome，butnottothepureenthusiasmthatcomesfromart；forthemindthatrightlyconceivesartisbutamirrorwhichgivesbackwhatiscastonitssurfacefaithfullyonly——whileunsullied。Sheseizedonnatureandtruthintuitively。Herrecitationsbecamefullofunconsciouspower；hervoicemovedthehearttotears，orwarmeditintogenerousrage。Butthisarosefromthatsympathywhichgeniuseverhas，eveninitsearliestinnocence，withwhateverfeels，oraspires，orsuffers。
Itwasnoprematurewomancomprehendingtheloveorthejealousythatthewordsexpressed；herartwasoneofthosestrangesecretswhichthepsychologistsmayunriddletousiftheyplease，andtelluswhychildrenofthesimplestmindsandthepurestheartsareoftensoacutetodistinguish，inthetalesyoutellthem，orthesongsyousing，thedifferencebetweenthetrueartandthefalse，passionandjargon，HomerandRacine，——echoingback，fromheartsthathavenotyetfeltwhattheyrepeat，themelodiousaccentsofthenaturalpathos。Apartfromherstudies，Violawasasimple，affectionate，butsomewhatwaywardchild，