第5章

Forthepatriarchwasnotgiventojoking。Icanstillseehisseriousface，hisunclippedheadofhair，oftenbroughtbackbehindhisearswithaflickofthethumbandspreadingitsancientGallicmaneoverhisshoulders。Iseehislittlethree—corneredhat，hissmallclothesbuckledattheknees，hiswoodenshoes，stuffedwithstraw，thatechoedashewalked。Ah，no！Oncechildhood’sgameswerepast，itwouldneverhavedonetoreartheGrasshopperandunearththeDungbeetlefromhisnaturalsurroundings。

Grandmother，pioussoul，usedtoweartheeccentricheaddressoftheRouerguehighlanders:alargediskofblackfelt，stiffasaplank，adornedinthemiddlewithacrownafinger’sbreadthhighandhardlywideracrossthanasixfrancpiece。Ablackribbonfastenedunderthechinmaintainedtheequilibriumofthiselegant，butunsteadycircle。Pickles，hemp，chickens，curdsandwhey，butter;washingtheclothes，mindingthechildren，seeingtothemealsofthehousehold:saythatandyouhavesummedupthestrenuouswoman’sroundofideas。Onherleftside，thedistaff，withitsloadofflax;inherrighthand，thespindleturningunderaquicktwistofherthumb，moistenedatintervalswithhertongue:

soshewentthroughlife，unwearied，attendingtotheorderandthewelfareofthehouse。Iseeherinmymind’seyeparticularlyonwinterevenings，whichweremorefavorabletofamilytalk。Whenthehourcameformeals，allofus，bigandlittle，wouldtakeourseatsroundalongtable，onacoupleofbenches，dealplankssupportedbyfourricketylegs。Eachfoundhiswoodenbowlandhistinspooninfrontofhim。Atoneendofthetablealwaysstoodanenormousryeloaf，thesizeofacartwheel，wrappedinalinenclothwithapleasantsmellofwashing，andremaineduntilnothingwasleftofit。Withavigorousstroke，grandfatherwouldcutoffenoughfortheneedsofthemoment;thenhewoulddividethepieceamonguswiththeoneknifewhichhealonewasentitledtowield。

Itwasnoweachone’sbusinesstobreakuphisbitwithhisfingersandtofillhisbowlashepleased。

Nextcamegrandmother’sturn。Acapaciouspotbubbledlustilyandsangupontheflamesinthehearth，exhalinganappetizingsavorofbaconandturnips。Armedwithalongmetalladle，grandmotherwouldtakefromit，foreachofusinturn，firstthebroth，whereintosoakthebread，andnexttherationofturnipsandbacon，partlyfatandpartlylean，fillingthebowltothetop。Attheotherendofthetablewasthepitcher，fromwhichthethirstywerefreetodrinkatwill。Whatappetiteswehadandwhatfestivemealsthosewere，especiallywhenacreamcheese，homemade，wastheretocompletethebanquet！

Nearusblazedthehugefireplace，inwhichwholetreetrunkswereconsumedintheextremecoldweather。Fromacornerofthatmonumental，soot—glazedchimney，projected，ataconvenientheight，abracketwithaslateshelf，whichservedtolightthekitchenwhenwesatuplate。Onthisweburntchipsofpinewood，selectedamongthemosttranslucent，thosecontainingthemostresin。Theyshedovertheroomaluridredlight，whichsavedthewalnutoilinthelamp。

Whenthebowlswereemptiedandthelastcrumbofcheesescrapedup，grandamwentbacktoherdistaff，onastoolbythechimneycorner。Wechildren，boysandgirls，squattingonourheelsandputtingoutourhandstothecheerfulfireoffurze，formedacircleroundherandlistenedtoherwitheagerears。Shetoldusstories，notgreatlyvaried，itistrue，butstillwonderful，forthewolfoftenplayedapartinthem。Ishouldhaveverymuchlikedtoseethiswolf，theheroofsomanytalesthatmadeourfleshcreep;buttheshepherdalwaysrefusedtotakemeintohisstrawhut，inthemiddleofthefold，atnight。Whenwehaddonetalkingaboutthehorridwolf，thedragonandtheserpentandwhentheresinoussplintershadgivenouttheirlastgleams，wewenttosleepthesweetsleepthattoilgives。Astheyoungestofthehousehold，Ihadarighttothemattress，asackstuffedwithoatchaff。Theothershadtobecontentwithstraw。

Ioweagreatdealtoyou，deargrandmother:itwasinyourlapthatIfoundconsolationformyfirstsorrows。Youhavehandeddowntome，perhaps，alittleofyourphysicalvigor，alittleofyourloveofwork;butcertainlyyouwerenomoreaccountablethangrandfatherformypassionforinsects。

Norwaseitherofmyownparents。Mymother，whowasquiteilliterate，havingknownnoteacherthanthebitterexperienceofaharassedlife，wastheexactoppositeofwhatmytastesrequiredfortheirdevelopment。Mypeculiaritymustseekitsoriginelsewhere:thatIwillswear。ButIdonotfinditinmyfather，either。Theexcellentman，whowashardworkingandsturdilybuiltlikegranddad，hadbeentoschoolasachild。Heknewhowtowrite，thoughhetookthegreatestlibertieswithspelling;heknewhowtoreadandunderstoodwhatheread，providedthereadingpresentednomoreseriousliterarydifficultiesthanoccurredinthestoriesinthealmanac。Hewasthefirstofhislinetoallowhimselftobetemptedbythetownandhelivedtoregretit。Badlyoff，havingbutlittleoutletforhisindustry，makingGodknowswhatshiftstopickupalivelihood，hewentthroughallthedisappointmentsofthecountrymanturnedtownsman。Persecutedbybadluck，bornedownbytheburden，forallhisenergyandgoodwill，hewasfarindeedfromstartingmeinentomology。Hehadothercares，caresmoredirectandmoreserious。AgoodcuffortwowhenhesawmepinninganinsecttoacorkwasalltheencouragementthatIreceivedfromhim。Perhapshewasright。

Theconclusionispositive:thereisnothinginhereditytoexplainmytasteforobservation。YoumaysaythatIdonotgofarenoughback。Well，whatshouldIfindbeyondthegrandparentswheremyfactscometoastop？Iknow，partly。Ishouldfindevenmoreunculturedancestors:sonsofthesoil，plowmen，sowersofrye，neatherds;oneandall，bytheveryforceofthings，ofnottheleastaccountinthenicemattersofobservation。

Andyet，inme，theobserver，theinquirerintothingsbegantotakeshapealmostininfancy。WhyshouldInotdescribemyfirstdiscoveries？Theyareingenuousintheextreme，butwillservenotwithstandingtotellussomethingofthewayinwhichtendenciesfirstshowthemselves。Iwasfiveorsixyearsold。Thatthepoorhouseholdmighthaveonemouthlesstofeed，Ihadbeenplacedingrandmother’scare，asIhavejustbeensaying。Here，insolitude，myfirstgleamsofintelligencewereawakenedamidstthegeese，thecalvesandthesheep。Everythingbeforethatisimpenetrabledarkness。Myrealbirthisatthatmomentwhenthedawnofpersonalityrises，dispersingthemistsofunconsciousnessandleavingalastingmemory。Icanseemyselfplainly，cladinasoiledfriezefrockflappingagainstmybareheels;Irememberthehandkerchiefhangingfrommywaistbyabitofstring，ahandkerchiefoftenlostandreplacedbythebackofmysleeve。

ThereIstandoneday，apensiveurchin，withmyhandsbehindmybackandmyfaceturnedtothesun。Thedazzlingsplendorfascinatesme。IamtheMothattractedbythelightofthelamp。

WithwhatamIenjoyingthegloriousradiance:withmymouthormyeyes？Thatisthequestionputbymybuddingscientificcuriosity。

Reader，donotsmile:thefutureobserverisalreadypracticingandexperimenting。Iopenmymouthwideandclosemyeyes:theglorydisappears。Iopenmyeyesandshutmymouth:thegloryreappears。

Irepeattheperformance，withthesameresult。Thequestion’ssolved:IhavelearntbydeductionthatIseethesunwithmyeyes。

Oh，whatadiscovery！Thatevening，Itoldthewholehouseallaboutit。Grandmothersmiledfondlyatmysimplicity:theotherslaughedatit。’Tisthewayoftheworld。

Anotherfind。Atnightfall，amidsttheneighboringbushes，asortofjingleattractedmyattention，soundingveryfaintlyandsoftlythroughtheeveningsilence。Whoismakingthatnoise？Isitalittlebirdchirpinginhisnest？Wemustlookintothematterandthatquickly。True，thereisthewolf，whocomesoutofthewoodsatthistime，sotheytellme。Let’sgoallthesame，butnottoofar:justthere，behindthatclumpofgroom。Istandonthelookoutforlong，butallinvain。Atthefaintestsoundofmovementinthebrushwood，thejingleceases。Itryagainnextdayandthedayafter。Thistime，mystubbornwatchsucceeds。Whoosh！AgrabofmyhandandIholdthesinger。Itisnotabird;itisakindofGrasshopperwhosehindlegsmyplayfellowshavetaughtmetolike:apoorrecompenseformyprolongedambush。Thebestpartofthebusinessisnotthetwohauncheswiththeshrimpyflavor，butwhatIhavejustlearnt。Inowknow，frompersonalobservation，thattheGrasshoppersings。Ididnotpublishmydiscovery，forfearofthesamelaughterthatgreetedmystoryaboutthesun。

Oh，whatprettyflowers，inafieldclosetothehouse！Theyseemtosmiletomewiththeirgreatvioleteyes。Lateron，Isee，intheirplace，bunchesofbigredcherries。Itastethem。Theyarenotniceandtheyhavenostones。Whatcanthosecherriesbe？Attheendofthesummer，grandfathercomeswithaspadeandturnsmyfieldofobservationtopsy—turvy。Fromundergroundtherecomes，bythebasketfulandsackful，asortofroundroot。Iknowthatroot;itaboundsinthehouse;timeaftertimeIhavecookeditinthepeatstove。Itisthepotato。Itsvioletfloweranditsredfruitarepigeonholedforgoodandallinmymemory。

Withaneverwatchfuleyeforanimalsandplants，thefutureobserver，thelittlesix—year—oldmonkey，practicedbyhimself，allunawares。Hewenttotheflower，hewenttotheinsect，evenasthelargewhitebutterflygoestothecabbageandtheredadmiraltothethistle。Helookedandinquired，drawnbyacuriositywhereofhereditydidnotknowthesecret。Heborewithinhimthegermofafacultyunknowntohisfamily;hekeptaliveaglimmerthatwasforeigntotheancestralhearth。Whatwillbecomeofthatinfinitesimalsparkofchildishfancy？Itwilldieout，beyondadoubt，unlesseducationintervene，givingitthefuelofexample，fanningitwiththebreathofexperience。Inthatcase，schoolingwillexplainwhatheredityleavesunexplained。Thisiswhatwewillexamineinthenextchapter。

CHAPTERVIMYSCHOOLING

Iambackinthevillage，inmyfather’shouse。Iamnowsevenyearsold;anditishightimethatIwenttoschool。Nothingcouldhaveturnedoutbetter:themasterismygodfather。WhatshallIcalltheroominwhichIwastobecomeacquaintedwiththealphabet？Itwouldbedifficulttofindtheexactword，becausetheroomservedforeverypurpose。Itwasatonceaschool，akitchen，abedroom，adiningroomand，attimes，achickenhouseandapiggery。Palatialschoolswerenotdreamtofinthosedays;

anywretchedhovelwasthoughtgoodenough。

Abroadfixedladderledtothefloorabove。Undertheladderstoodabigbedinaboardedrecess。Whatwasthereupstairs？I

neverquiteknew。Iwouldseethemastersometimesbringdownanarmfulofhayfortheass，sometimesabasketofpotatoeswhichthehousewifeemptiedintothepotinwhichthelittleporkers’foodwascooked。Itmusthavebeenaloftofsorts，astorehouseofprovisionsformanandbeast。Thosetwoapartmentscomposedthewholebuilding。

Toreturntothelowerone，theschoolroom:awindowfacessouth，theonlywindowinthehouse，alow，narrowwindowwhoseframeyoucantouchatthesametimewithyourheadandbothyourshoulders。

Thissunnyapertureistheonlylivelyspotinthedwelling，itoverlooksthegreaterpartofthevillage，whichstragglesalongtheslopesofaslantingvalley。Inthewindowrecessisthemaster’slittletable。

Theoppositewallcontainsanicheinwhichstandsagleamingcopperpailfullofwater。Heretheparchedchildrencanrelievetheirthirstwhentheyplease，withacupleftwithintheirreach。

Atthetopofthenicheareafewshelvesbrightwithpewterplates，dishesanddrinkingvessels，whicharetakendownfromtheirsanctuaryongreatoccasionsonly。

Moreorlesseverywhere，atanyspotwhichthelighttouches，arecrudelycoloredpictures，pastedonthewalls。HereisOurLadyoftheSevenDolours，thedisconsolateMotherofGodopeningherbluecloaktoshowherheartpiercedwithsevendaggers。Betweenthesunandmoon，whichstareatyouwiththeirgreat，roundeyes，istheEternalFather，whoserobeswellsasthoughpuffedoutwiththestorm。Totherightofthewindow，intheembrasure，istheWanderingJew。Hewearsathree—corneredhat，alarge，whiteleatherapron，hobnailedshoesandastoutstick。’Neverwassuchabeardedmanseenbeforeorafter，’saysthelegendthatsurroundsthepicture。Thedraftsmanhasnotforgottenthisdetail:theoldman’sbeardspreadsinasnowyavalancheovertheapronandcomesdowntohisknees。OntheleftisGenevieveofBrabant，accompaniedbytheroe，withfierceGolohidinginthebushes，swordinhand。AbovehangsTheDeathofMr。Credit，slainbydefaultersatthedoorofhisinn;andsoonandsoon，ineveryvarietyofsubject，atalltheunoccupiedspotsofthefourwalls。

Iwasfilledwithadmirationofthispicturegallery，whichheldone’seyeswithitsgreatpatchesofred，blue，greenandyellow。

Themaster，however，hadnotsetuphiscollectionwithaviewtotrainingourmindsandhearts。Thatwasthelastandleastoftheworthyman’sambitions。Anartistinhisfashion，hehadadornedhishouseaccordingtohistaste;andwebenefitedbytheschemeofdecoration。

Whilethegalleryofhalfpennypicturesmademehappyalltheyearround，therewasanotherentertainmentwhichIfoundparticularlyattractiveinwinter，infrostyweather，whenthesnowlaylongontheground。Againstthefarwallstandsthefireplace，asmonumentalinsizeasatmygrandmother’s。Itsarchedcorniceoccupiesthewholewidthoftheroom，fortheenormousredoubtfulfilsmorethanonepurpose。Inthemiddleisthehearth，but，ontherightandleft，aretwobreast—highrecesses，halfwoodandhalfstone。Eachofthemisabed，withamattressstuffedwithchaffofwinnowedcorn。Twoslidingplanksserveasshuttersandclosethechestifthesleeperwouldbealone。Thisdormitory，shelteredunderthechimneymantel，suppliescouchesforthefavoredonesofthehouse，thetwoboarders。Theymustliesnuginthereatnight，withtheirshuttersclosed，whenthenorthwindhowlsatthemouthofthedarkvalleyandsendsthesnowawhirl。

Therestisoccupiedbythehearthanditsaccessories:thethree—

leggedstools;thesaltbox，hangingagainstthewalltokeepitscontentsdry;theheavyshovelwhichittakestwohandstowield;

lastly，thebellowssimilartothosewithwhichIusedtoblowoutmycheeksingrandfather’shouse。Theyconsistofamightybranchofpine，hollowedthroughoutitslengthwithared—hotiron。Bymeansofthischannel，one’sbreathisapplied，fromaconvenientdistance，tothespotwhichistoberevived。Withacoupleofstonesforsupports，themaster’sbundleofsticksandourownlogsblazeandflicker，eachofushavingtobringalogofwoodinthemorning，ifhewouldshareinthetreat。

Forthatmatter，thefirewasnotexactlylitforus，but，aboveall，towarmarowofthreepotsinwhichsimmeredthepigs’food，amixtureofpotatoesandbran。That，despitethetributeofalog，wastherealobjectofthebrushwoodfire。Thetwoboarders，ontheirstools，inthebestplaces，andweotherssittingonourheelsformedasemicirclearoundthosebigcauldrons，fulltothebrimandgivingofflittlejetsofsteam，withpuff—puff—puffingsounds。Thebolderamongus，whenthemaster’seyeswereengagedelsewhere，woulddigaknifeintoawellcookedpotatoandaddittotheirbitofbread;forImustsaythat，ifwedidlittleworkinmyschool，atleastwedidadealofeating。Itwastheregularcustomtocrackafewnutsandnibbleatacrustwhilewritingourpageorsettingoutourrowsoffigures。

We，thesmallerones，inadditiontothecomfortofstudyingwithourmouthsfull，hadeverynowandthentwootherdelights，whichwerequiteasgoodascrackingnuts。Thebackdoorcommunicatedwiththeyardwherethehen，surroundedbyherbroodofchicks，scratchedatthedunghill，whilethelittleporkers，ofwhomtherewereadozen，wallowedintheirstonetrough。Thisdoorwouldopensometimestoletoneofusout，aprivilegewhichweabused，fortheslyonesamonguswerecarefulnottocloseitonreturning。

Forthwith，theporkerswouldcomerunningin，oneaftertheother，attractedbythesmelloftheboiledpotatoes。Mybench，theonewheretheyoungsterssat，stoodagainstthewall，underthecopperpailtowhichweusedtogoforwaterwhenthenutshadmadeusthirsty，andwasrightinthewayofthepigs。Uptheycametrottingandgrunting，curlingtheirlittletails;theyrubbedagainstourlegs;theypokedtheircoldpinksnoutsintoourhandsinsearchofascrapofcrust;theyquestioneduswiththeirsharplittleeyestolearnifwehappenedtohaveadrychestnutfortheminourpockets。Whentheyhadgonetheround，somethiswayandsomethat，theywentbacktothefarmyard，drivenawaybyafriendlyflickofthemaster’shandkerchief。Nextcamethevisitofthehen，bringinghervelvet—coatedchickstoseeus。Allofuseagerlycrumbledalittlebreadforourprettyvisitors。Weviedwithoneanotherincallingthemtousandticklingwithourfingerstheirsoftanddownybacks。No，therewascertainlynolackofdistractions。

Whatcouldwelearninsuchaschoolasthat！Letusfirstspeakoftheyoungones，ofwhomIwasone。Eachofushad，orratherwassupposedtohave，inhishandsalittlepennybook，thealphabet，printedongraypaper。Itbegan，onthecover，withapigeon，orsomethinglikeit。Nextcameacross，followedbythelettersintheirorder。Whenweturnedover，oureyesencounteredtheterribleba，be，bi，bo，bu，thestumblingblockofmostofus。

Whenwehadmasteredthatformidablepage，wewereconsideredtoknowhowtoreadandwereadmittedamongthebigones。But，ifthelittlebookwastobeofanyuse，theleastthatwasrequiredwasthatthemastershouldinteresthimselfinustosomeextentandshowushowtosetaboutthings。Forthis，theworthyman，toomuchtakenupwiththebigones，hadnotthetime。Thefamousalphabetwiththepigeonwasthrustuponusonlytogiveustheairofscholars。Weweretocontemplateitonourbench，todecipheritwiththehelpofournextneighbor，incasehemightknowoneortwooftheletters。Ourcontemplationcametonothing，beingeverymomentdisturbedbyavisittothepotatoesinthestewpots，aquarrelamongplaymatesaboutamarble，thegruntinginvasionoftheporkersorthearrivalofthechicks。Withtheaidofthesedistractions，wewouldwaitpatientlyuntilitwastimeforustogohome。Thatwasourmostseriouswork。

Thebigonesusedtowrite。Theyhadthebenefitofthesmallamountoflightintheroom，bythenarrowwindowwheretheWanderingJewandruthlessGolofacedeachother，andofthelargeandonlytablewithitscircleofseats。Theschoolsuppliednothing，notevenadropofink;everyonehadtocomewithafullsetofutensils。Theinkhornofthosedays，arelicoftheancientpencaseofwhichRabelaisspeaks，wasalongcardboardboxdividedintotwostages。Theuppercompartmentheldthepens，madeofgooseorturkeyquillstrimmedwithapenknife;thelowercontained，inatinywell，inkmadeofsootmixedwithvinegar。

Themaster’sgreatbusinesswastomendthepens——adelicatework，notwithoutdangerforinexperiencedfingers——andthentotraceattheheadofthewhitepagealineofstrokes，singlelettersorwords，accordingtothescholar’scapabilities。Whenthatisover，keepaneyeontheworkofartwhichiscomingtoadornthecopy！

Withwhatundulatingmovementsofthewristdoesthehand，restingonthelittlefinger，prepareandplanitsflight！Allatonce，thehandstartsoff，flies，whirls;and，loandbehold，underthelineofwritingisunfurledagarlandofcircles，spiralsandflourishes，framingabirdwithoutspreadwings，thewhole，ifyouplease，inredink，theonlykindworthyofsuchapen。Largeandsmall，westoodawestruckinthepresenceofthesemarvels。Thefamily，intheevening，aftersupper，wouldpassfromhandtohandthemasterpiecebroughtbackfromschool:’Whataman！’wasthecomment。’Whataman，todrawyouaHolyGhostwithastrokeofthepen！’

Whatwasreadatmyschool？Atmost，inFrench，afewselectionsfromsacredhistory。Latinrecurredoftener，toteachustosingvespersproperly。Themoreadvancedpupilstriedtodeciphermanuscript，adeedofsale，thehieroglyphicsofsomescrivener。

Andhistory，geography？Nooneeverheardofthem。Whatdifferencediditmaketouswhethertheearthwasroundorsquare！

Ineithercase，itwasjustashardtomakeitbringforthanything。

Andgrammar？Themastertroubledhisheadverylittleaboutthat;

andwestillless。Weshouldhavebeengreatlysurprisedbythenoveltyandtheforbiddinglookofsuchwordsinthegrammaticaljargonassubstantive，indicativeandsubjunctive。Accuracyoflanguage，whetherofspeechorwriting，mustbelearntbypractice。

Andnoneofuswastroubledbyscruplesinthisrespect。Whatwastheuseofallthesesubtleties，when，oncomingoutofschool，aladsimplywentbacktohisflockofsheep！

Andarithmetic？Yes，wedidalittleofthisbutnotunderthatlearnedname。Wecalleditsums。Toputdownrowsoffigures，nottoolong，addthemandsubtractthemonefromtheotherwasmoreorlessfamiliarwork。OnSaturdayevenings，tofinishuptheweek，therewasageneralorgyofsums。Thetopboystoodupand，inaloudvoice，recitedthemultiplicationtableuptotwelvetimes。I

saytwelvetimes，forinthosedays，becauseofouroldduodecimalmeasures，itwasthecustomtocountasfarasthetwelvetimestable，insteadofthetentimesofthemetricsystem。Whenthisrecitalwasover，thewholeclass，thelittleonesincluded，tookitupinchorus，creatingsuchanuproarthatchicksandporkerstooktoflightiftheyhappenedtobethere。Andthiswentontotwelvetimestwelve，thefirstintherowstartingthenexttableandthewholeclassrepeatingitasloudasitcouldyell。Ofallthatweweretaughtinschool，themultiplicationtablewaswhatweknewbest，forthisnoisymethodendedbydinningthedifferentnumbersintoourears。Thisdoesnotmeanthatwebecameskilfulreckoners。Thecleverestofuseasilygotmuddledwiththefigurestobecarriedinamultiplicationsum。Asfordivision，rareindeedweretheywhoreachedsuchheights。Inshort，themomentaproblem，howeverinsignificant，hadtobesolved，wehadrecoursetomentalgymnasticsmuchratherthantothelearnedaidofarithmetic。

Whenallissaid，ourmasterwasanexcellentmanwhocouldhavekeptschoolverywellbutforhislackofonething;andthatwastime。Hedevotedtousallthelittleleisurewhichhisnumerousfunctionslefthim。And，firstofall，hemanagedthepropertyofanabsenteelandowner，whoonlyoccasionallysetfootinthevillage。Hehadunderhiscareanoldcastlewithfourtowers，whichhadbecomesomanypigeonhouses;hedirectedthegettinginofthehay，thewalnuts，theapplesandtheoats。Weusedtohelphimduringthesummer，whentheschool，whichwaswellattendedinwinter，wasalmostdeserted。Allthatremained，becausetheywerenotyetbigenoughtoworkinthefields，wereafewchildren，includinghimwhowasonedaytosetdownthesememorablefacts。

Lessonsatthattimewerelessdull。Theywereoftengivenonthehayoronthestraw;oftenerstill，lessontimewasspentincleaningoutthedovecoteorstampingonthesnailsthathadsalliedinrainyweatherfromtheirfortresses，thetallboxbordersofthegardenbelongingtothecastle。

Ourmasterwasabarber。Withhislighthand，whichwassocleveratbeautifyingourcopieswithcurlicuebirds，heshavedthenotabilitiesoftheplace:themayor，theparishpriest，thenotary。Ourmasterwasabellringer。Aweddingorachristeninginterruptedthelessons:hehadtoringapeal。Agatheringstormgaveusaholiday:thegreatbellmustbetolledtowardoffthelightningandthehail。Ourmasterwasachoirsinger。Withhismightyvoice，hefilledthechurchwhenheledtheMagnificatatvespers。Ourmasterwoundupandregulatedthevillageclock。

Thiswashisproudestfunction。Givingaglanceatthesun，toascertainthetimemoreorlessnearly，hewouldclimbtothetopofthesteeple，openahugecageofraftersandfindhimselfinamazeofwheelsandspringswhereofthesecretwasknowntohimalone。

Withsuchaschoolandsuchamasterandsuchexamples，whatwillbecomeofmyembryotastes，asyetsoimperceptible？Inthatenvironment，theyseemboundtoperish，stifledforever。Yetno，thegermhaslife;itworksinmyveins，nevertoleavethemagain。

Itfindsnourishmenteverywhere，downtothecoverofmypennyalphabet，embellishedwithacrudepictureofapigeonwhichI

studyandcontemplatemuchmorezealouslythantheABC。Itsroundeye，withitscircletofdots，seemstosmileuponme。Itswing，ofwhichIcountthefeathersonebyone，tellsmeofflightsonhigh，amongthebeautifulclouds;itcarriesmetothebeechesraisingtheirsmoothtrunksaboveamossycarpetstuddedwithwhitemushroomsthatlooklikeeggsdroppedbysomevagranthen;ittakesmetothesnow—cladpeakswherethebirdsleavethestarryprintoftheirredfeet。Heisafinefellow，mypigeonfriend:heconsolesmeforthewoeshiddenbehindthecoverofmybook。Thankstohim，Isitquietlyonmybenchandwaitmoreorlesstillschoolisover。

Schooloutofdoorshasothercharms。Whenthemastertakesustokillthesnailsintheboxborders，Idonotalwaysscrupulouslyfulfilmyofficeasanexterminator。MyheelsometimeshesitatesbeforecomingdownuponthehandfulwhichIhavegathered。Theyaresopretty！Justthink，thereareyellowonesandpink，whiteonesandbrown，allwithdarkspiralstreaks。Ifillmypocketswiththehandsomest，soastofeastmyeyesonthematmyleisure。

Onhaymakingdaysinthemaster’sfield，Istrikeupanacquaintancewiththefrog。Flayedandstuckattheendofasplitstick，heservesasbaittotemptthecrayfishtocomeoutofhisretreatbythebrookside。OnthealdertreesIcatchtheHoplia，thesplendidscarabwhopalestheazureoftheheavens。Ipickthenarcissusandlearntogather，withthetipofmytongue，thetinydropofhoneythatliesrightatthebottomofthecleftcorolla。

Ialsolearnthattoolongindulgenceinthisfeastbringsaheadache;butthisdiscomfortinnowayimpairsmyadmirationforthegloriouswhiteflower，whichwearsanarrowredcollaratthethroatofitsfunnel。

Whenwegotobeatthewalnuttrees，thebarrengrassplotsprovidemewithlocustsspreadingtheirwings，someintoabluefan，othersintoared。Andthustherusticschool，evenintheheartofwinter，furnishedcontinuousfoodformyinterestinthings。Therewasnoneedforpreceptandexample:mypassionforanimalsandplantsmadeprogressofitself。

Whatdidnotmakeprogresswasmyacquaintancewithmyletters，greatlyneglectedinfavorofthepigeon。Iwasstillatthesamestage，hopelesslybehindhandwiththeintractablealphabet，whenmyfather，byachanceinspiration，broughtmehomefromthetownwhatwasdestinedtogivemeastartalongtheroadofreading。Despitethenotinsignificantpartwhichitplayedinmyintellectualawakening，thepurchasewasbynomeansaruinousone。Itwasalargeprint，pricesixfarthings，coloredanddividedintocompartmentsinwhichanimalsofallsortstaughttheABCbymeansofthefirstlettersoftheirnames。

WhereshouldIkeepthepreciouspicture？Asithappened，intheroomsetapartforthechildrenathome，therewasalittlewindowliketheoneintheschool，openinginthesamewayoutofasortofrecessandinthesamewayoverlookingmostofthevillage。Onewasontheright，theotherontheleftofthecastlewiththepigeonhousetowers;bothaffordedanequallygoodviewoftheheightsoftheslantingvalley。Iwasabletoenjoytheschoolwindowonlyatrareintervals，whenthemasterlefthislittletable;theotherwasatmydisposalasoftenasIliked。Ispentlonghoursthere，sittingonalittlefixedwindowseat。

Theviewwasmagnificent。Icouldseetheendsoftheearth，thatistosay，thehillsthatblockedthehorizon，allbutamistygapthroughwhichthebrookwiththecrayfishflowedunderthealdersandwillows。Highupontheskyline，afewwind—batteredoaksbristledontheridges;andbeyondtherelaynothingbuttheunknown，ladenwithmystery。

Atthebackofthehollowstoodthechurch，withitsthreesteeplesanditsclock;and，alittlehigher，thevillagesquare，whereaspring，fashionedintoafountain，gurgledfromonebasinintoanother，underawidearchedroof。Icouldhearfrommywindowthechatterofthewomenwashingtheirclothes，thestrokesoftheirbeaters，theraspingofthepotsscouredwithsandandvinegar。

Sprinkledovertheslopesarelittlehouseswiththeirgardenpatchesinterracesbankedupbytotteringwalls，whichbulgeunderthethrustoftheearth。Hereandthereareverysteeplanes，withthedentsoftherockforminganaturalpavement。Themule，sure—

footedthoughhebe，wouldhesitatetoenterthesedangerouspasseswithhisloadofbranches。

Furtheron，beyondthevillage，half—wayupthehills，stoodthegreatever—so—oldlimetree，theTel，asweusedtocallit，whosesides，hollowedoutbytheages，werethefavoritehidingplacesofuschildrenatplay。Onfairdays，itsimmense，spreadingfoliagecastawideshadowovertheherdsofoxenandsheep。Thosesolemndays，whichonlycameonceayear，broughtmeafewideasfromwithout:Ilearntthattheworlddidnotendwithmyamphitheaterofhills。Isawtheinnkeeper’swinearriveonmulebackandingoatskinbottles。Ihungaboutthemarketplaceandwatchedtheopeningofjarsfullofstewedpears，thesettingoutofbasketsofgrapes，analmostunknownfruit，theobjectofeagercovetousness。

Istoodandgazedinadmirationattherouletteboardonwhich，forasou，accordingtothespotatwhichitsneedlestoppedonacircularrowofnails，youwonapinkpoodlemadeofbarleysugar，oraroundjarofaniseedsweets，or，muchoftener，nothingatall。

Onapieceofcanvasontheground，rollsofprintedcalicowithredflowers，weredisplayedtotemptthegirls。Closebyroseapileofbeechwoodclogs，topsandboxwoodflutes。Heretheshepherdschosetheirinstruments，tryingthembyblowinganoteortwo。Hownewitallwastome！Whatalotofthingsthereweretoseeinthisworld！Alas，thatwonderfultimewasofbutshortduration！Atnight，afteralittlebrawlingattheinn，itwasallover;andthevillagereturnedtosilenceforayear。

ButImustnotlingeroverthesememoriesofthedawnoflife。Wewerespeakingofthememorablepicturebroughtfromtown。WhereshallIkeepit，tomakethebestuseofit？Why，ofcourse，itmustbepastedontheembrasureofmywindow。Therecess，withitsseat，shallbemystudycell;hereIcanfeastmyeyesbyturnsonthebiglimetreeandtheanimalsofmyalphabet。AndthiswaswhatIdid。

Andnow，mypreciouspicture，itisourturn，yoursandmine。Youbeganwiththesacredbeast，theass，whosename，withabiginitial，taughtmetheletterA。Theboeuf，theox，stoodforB;

thecanard，theduck，toldmeaboutC;thedindon，theturkey，gavemetheletterD。Andsoonwiththerest。Afewcompartments，itistrue，werelackinginclearness。Ihadnofriendlyfeelingforthehippopotamus，thekamichi，orhornedscreamer，andthezebu，whoaimedatmakingmesayH，KandZ。Thoseoutlandishbeasts，whichfailedtogivetheabstractletterthesupportofarecognizedreality，causedmetohesitateforatimeovertheirrecalcitrantconsonants。Nomatter:fathercametomyaidindifficultcases;andImadesuchrapidprogressthat，inafewdays，Iwasabletoturningoodearnestthepagesofmylittlepigeonbook，hithertosoundecipherable。Iwasinitiated;Iknewhowtospell。Myparentsmarveled。Icanexplainthisunexpectedprogresstoday。Thosespeakingpictures，whichbroughtmeamongstmyfriendsthebeasts，wereinharmonywithmyinstincts。IftheanimalhasnotfulfilledallthatitpromisedinsofarasIamconcerned，Ihaveatleasttothankitforteachingmetoread。I

shouldhavesucceededbyothermeans，Idonotdoubt，butnotsoquicklynorsopleasantly。Animalsforever！