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I reflected on the alliance which commonly subsists between
ignorance and the practice of agriculture； and indulged myself in
airy speculations as to the influence of progressive knowledge in
dissolving this alliance and embodying the dreams of the poets。 I
asked why the plow and the hoe might not become the trade of every
human being； and how this trade might be made conducive to； or at
least consistent with； the acquisition of wisdom and eloquence。
Weary with these reflections； I returned to the kitchen to perform
some household office。 I had usually but one servant； and she was
a girl about my own age。 I was busy near the chimney； and she was
employed near the door of the apartment； when some one knocked。
The door was opened by her； and she was immediately addressed with；
〃Prythee； good girl； canst thou supply a thirsty man with a glass
of buttermilk？〃 She answered that there was none in the house。
〃Aye； but there is some in the dairy yonder。 Thou knowest as well
as I； though Hermes never taught thee； that； though every dairy be
a house； every house is not a dairy。〃 To this speech； though she
understood only a part of it； she replied by repeating her
assurances that she had none to give。 〃Well； then；〃 rejoined the
stranger； 〃for charity's sweet sake； hand me forth a cup of cold
water。〃 The girl said she would go to the spring and fetch it。
〃Nay； give me the cup； and suffer me to help myself。 Neither
manacled nor lame； I should merit burial in the maw of carrion
crows if I laid this task upon thee。〃 She gave him the cup； and he
turned to go to the spring。
I listened to this dialogue in silence。 The words uttered by the
person without affected me as somewhat singular； but what chiefly
rendered them remarkable was the tone that accompanied them。 It
was wholly new。 My brother's voice and Pleyel's were musical and
energetic。 I had fondly imagined that； in this respect； they were
surpassed by none。 Now my mistake was detected。 I cannot pretend
to communicate the impression that was made upon me by these
accents； or to depict the degree in which force and sweetness were
blended in them。 They were articulated with a distinctness that
was unexampled in my experience。 But this was not all。 The voice
was not only mellifluent and clear； but the emphasis was so just；
and the modulation so impassioned； that it seemed as if a heart of
stone could not fail of being moved by it。 It imparted to me an
emotion altogether involuntary and uncontrollable。 When he uttered
the words； 〃for charity's sweet sake；〃 I dropped the cloth that I
held in my hand； my heart overflowed with sympathy and my eyes with
unbidden tears。
This description will appear to you trifling or incredible。 The
importance of these circumstances will be manifested in the sequel。
The manner in which I was affected on this occasion was； to my own
apprehension； a subject of astonishment。 The tones were indeed
such as I never heard before； but that they should in an instant；
as it were； dissolve me in tears； will not easily be believed by
others； and can scarcely be comprehended by myself。
It will be readily supposed that I was somewhat inquisitive as to
the person and demeanor of our visitant。 After a moment's pause； I
stepped to the door and looked after him。 Judge my surprise when I
beheld the selfsame figure that had appeared a half…hour before
upon the bank。 My fancy had conjured up a very different image。 A
form and attitude and garb were instantly created worthy to
accompany such elocution； but this person was； in all visible
respects； the reverse of this phantom。 Strange as it may seem； I
could not speedily reconcile myself to this disappointment。
Instead of returning to my employment； I threw myself in a chair
that was placed opposite the door； and sunk into a fit of musing。
My attention was in a few minutes recalled by the stranger； who
returned with the empty cup in his hand。 I had not thought of the
circumstance； or should certainly have chosen a different seat。 He
no sooner showed himself； than a confused sense of impropriety；
added to the suddenness of the interview； for which； not having
foreseen it； I had made no preparation； threw me into a state of
the most painful embarrassment。 He brought with him a placid brow；
but no sooner had he cast his eyes upon me than his face was as
glowingly suffused as my own。 He placed the cup upon the bench；
stammered out thanks； and retired。
It was some time before I could recover my wonted composure。 I had
snatched a view of the stranger's countenance。 The impression that
it made was vivid and indelible。 His cheeks were pallid and lank；
his eyes sunken； his forehead overshadowed by coarse straggling
hairs； his teeth large and irregular； though sound and brilliantly
white； and his chin discolored by a tetter。 His skin was of coarse
grain and sallow hue。 Every feature was wide of beauty； and the
outline of his face reminded you of an inverted cone。
And yet his forehead； so far as shaggy locks would allow it to be
seen； his eyes lustrously black； and possessing； in the midst of
haggardness； a radiance inexpressibly serene and potent； and
something in the rest of his features which it would be in vain to
describe； but which served to betoken a mind of the highest order；
were essential ingredients in the portrait。 This； in the effects
which immediately flowed from it； I count among the most
extraordinary incidents of my life。 This face； seen for a moment；
continued for hours to occupy my fancy； to the exclusion of almost
every other image。 I had proposed to spend the evening with my
brother； but I could not resist the inclination of forming a sketch
upon paper of this memorable visage。 Whether my hand was aided by
any peculiar inspiration； or I was deceived by my own fond
conceptions； this portrait； though hastily executed； appeared
unexceptionable to my own taste。
I placed it at all distances and in all lights； my eyes were
riveted upon it。 Half the night passed away in wakefulness and in
contemplation of this picture。 So flexible； and yet so stubborn；
is the human mind！ So obedient to impulses the most transient and
brief； and yet so unalterably observant of the direction which is
given to it！ How little did I then foresee the termination of that
chain of which this may be regarded as the first link！
Next day arose in darkness and storm。 Torrents of rain fell during
the whole day； attended with incessant thunder； which reverberated
in stunning echoes from the opposite declivity。 The inclemency of
the air would not allow me to walk out。 I had； indeed； no
inclination to leave my apartment。 I betook myself to the
contemplation of this portrait； whose attractions time had rather
enhanced than diminished。 I laid aside my usual occupations； and；
seating myself at a window； consumed the day in alternately looking
out upon the storm and gazi