The Scarlet Letter Progressive Translation Books for French A1 Students

THECUSTOM-HOUSE.

INTRODUCTORYTO“THESCARLETLETTER.”

tisa

peu

littleremarkable,that—thoughdisinclinedto

parler

talkovermuchofmyselfandmyaffairsatthefireside,

andtomypersonalfriends—anautobiographicalimpulse

devrait

shouldtwiceinmylife

avoir

havetakenpossessionofme,inaddressingthepublic.

The

première

firsttimewasthreeor

quatre

fouryearssince,whenIfavoredthereader—inexcusably,

andfornoearthlyreason,

que

thateithertheindulgentreader

ortheintrusiveauthorcouldimagine—withadescriptionofmywayof

vie

lifeinthedeepquietudeofan

Vieux

OldManse.

Andnow—because,beyondmydeserts,Iwas

heureux

happyenoughtofindalistener

ortwoontheformeroccasion—I

nouveau

againseizethepublicby

thebutton,andtalkofmy

trois

threeyears’experienceinaCustom-House.

Theexampleofthefamous“P.P.,Clerkof

cette

thisParish,”wasnevermorefaithfully

suivi

followed.

Thetruthseemstobe,however,that,

quand

whenhecastshisleavesforthuponthewind,theauthoraddresses,notthe

nombreux

manywhowillflingasidehisvolume,

ornevertakeitup,

mais

butthefewwhowill

comprendront

understandhim,betterthanmostofhisschoolmates

orlifemates.

Someauthors,indeed,

font

dofarmorethanthis,

andindulgethemselvesinsuchconfidentialdepthsofrevelationas

pourraient

couldfittinglybeaddressed,only

andexclusively,totheone

cœur

heartandmindofperfectsympathy;

iftheprintedbook,thrownatlargeonthewide

monde

world,werecertaintofindoutthedividedsegmentofthewriter’s

propre

ownnature,andcompletehiscircleofexistencebybringinghimintocommunion

avec

withit.

Itisscarcelydecorous,however,to

parlons

speakall,evenwherewe

parlons

speakimpersonally.

But,asthoughtsarefrozen

andutterancebenumbed,unlessthespeakerstandinsometruerelation

avec

withhisaudience,itmaybepardonabletoimaginethat

afriend,akindandapprehensive,thoughnottheclosest

ami

friend,islisteningtoourtalk;

andthen,anativereservebeingthawedby

cette

thisgenialconsciousness,wemayprateof

thecircumstancesthatliearoundus,

andevenofourself,but

toujours

stillkeeptheinmostMe

derrière

behinditsveil.

Tothisextent,

andwithintheselimits,anauthor,methinks,

peut

maybeautobiographical,withoutviolatingeither

les

thereader’srightsorhisown.

Itwillbe

verra

seen,likewise,thatthisCustom-Housesketchhas

une

acertainpropriety,ofakind

toujours

alwaysrecognizedinliterature,asexplaining

comment

howalargeportionof

thefollowingpagescameintomypossession,

andasofferingproofsof

theauthenticityofanarrativethereincontained.

Cela

This,infact,—adesireto

mettre

putmyselfinmytruepositionaseditor,

orverylittlemore,of

themostprolixamongthetales

qui

thatmakeupmyvolume,—this,

andnoother,ismytruereasonforassuming

une

apersonalrelationwiththepublic.

Inaccomplishingthemainpurpose,ithasappearedallowable,byafewextratouches,to

donner

giveafaintrepresentationofamodeof

vie

lifenotheretoforedescribed,together

avec

withsomeofthecharacters

qui

thatmoveinit,amongwhomtheauthor

arrivé

happenedtomakeone.

Inmynative

ville

townofSalem,atthe

tête

headofwhat,halfacenturyago,in

thedaysofoldKingDerby,was

abustlingwharf,—butwhichis

maintenant

nowburdenedwithdecayedwoodenwarehouses,

andexhibitsfewornosymptomsofcommercial

vie

life;

except,perhaps,abark

orbrig,half-waydownitsmelancholylength,discharginghides;

or,nearerathand,aNovaScotiaschooner,pitchingouthercargooffirewood,—atthe

tête

head,Isay,ofthisdilapidatedwharf,whichthetideoftenoverflows,

andalongwhich,atthebase

andintherearoftherowofbuildings,thetrackofmanylanguidyearsisseeninaborderofunthriftygrass,—here,

avec

withaviewfromits

avant

frontwindowsadownthisnot

très

veryenliveningprospect,andthenceacrosstheharbor,standsaspaciousedificeofbrick.

Fromtheloftiest

point

pointofitsroof,duringprecisely

trois

threeandahalfhoursof

chaque

eachforenoon,floatsordroops,inbreeze

orcalm,thebanneroftherepublic;

mais

butwiththethirteenstripesturnedvertically,insteadofhorizontally,

andthusindicatingthatacivil,

andnotamilitarypostofUncleSam’sgovernmentis

ici

hereestablished.

Itsfrontisornamentedwith

aporticoofhalfadozenwoodenpillars,supporting

abalcony,beneathwhichaflightofwidegranitestepsdescendstowards

thestreet.

OvertheentrancehoversanenormousspecimenoftheAmericaneagle,

avec

withoutspreadwings,ashield

devant

beforeherbreast,and,ifIrecollectaright,abunchofintermingledthunderbolts

andbarbedarrowsineachclaw.

Avec

Withthecustomaryinfirmityoftemper

qui

thatcharacterizesthisunhappyfowl,sheappears,bythefiercenessofherbeak

andeye,andthegeneraltruculencyofherattitude,tothreatenmischieftotheinoffensivecommunity;

andespeciallytowarnallcitizens,carefuloftheirsafety,

contre

againstintrudingonthepremiseswhichsheovershadows

avec

withherwings.

Nevertheless,vixenlyasshe

cherchent

looks,manypeopleareseeking,at

thisverymoment,toshelterthemselves

sous

underthewingofthefederaleagle;

imagining,Ipresume,

que

thatherbosomhasallthesoftness

andsnugnessofaneider-downpillow.

Mais

Butshehasnogreattenderness,

même

eveninherbestofmoods,

and,soonerorlater,—oftenersoonthanlate,—isapttoflingoffhernestlings,

avec

withascratchofherclaw,adabofherbeak,

oraranklingwoundfromherbarbedarrows.

Thepavementroundabouttheabove-describededifice—whichwe

pourrions

mayaswellnameatonceastheCustom-Houseoftheport—hasgrassenoughgrowinginitschinksto

montrer

showthatithasnot,oflatedays,beenwornbyanymultitudinousresortofbusiness.

certains

somemonthsoftheyear,however,thereoftenchances

aforenoonwhenaffairsmoveonward

avec

withaliveliertread.

Suchoccasions

pourraient

mightremindtheelderlycitizenofthatperiod

avant

beforethelastwarwithEngland,

quand

whenSalemwasaportbyitself;

notscorned,assheis

maintenant

now,byherownmerchants

andship-owners,whopermitherwharvestocrumbletoruin,

tandis que

whiletheirventuresgotoswell,needlessly

andimperceptibly,themightyfloodofcommerceatNewYork

orBoston.

Onsomesuchmorning,

quand

whenthreeorfourvessels

arrivés

happentohavearrivedatonce,—usuallyfromAfrica

orSouthAmerica,—ortobeonthevergeoftheirdeparturethitherward,thereis

asoundoffrequentfeet,passingbrisklyup

anddownthegranitesteps.

Ici

Here,beforehisownwifehasgreetedhim,you

pouvez

maygreetthesea-flushedshipmaster,

juste

justinport,withhisvessel’spapers

sous

underhisarm,inatarnishedtinbox.

Ici

Here,too,comeshisowner,cheerful

orsombre,graciousorinthesulks,accordinglyashisschemeofthe

maintenant

nowaccomplishedvoyagehasbeenrealizedinmerchandisethat

été

willreadilybeturnedtogold,

orhasburiedhimunder

une

abulkofincommodities,suchasnobody

été

willcaretoridhimof.

Ici

Here,likewise,—thegermofthewrinkle-browed,grizzly-bearded,care-wornmerchant,—wehavethesmart

jeune

youngclerk,whogetsthetasteoftrafficas

awolf-cubdoesofblood,

andalreadysendsadventuresinhismaster’sships,whenhehad

mieux

betterbesailingmimic-boatsupon

amill-pond.

Anotherfigureinthesceneistheoutward-boundsailorinquestof

une

aprotection;

ortherecentlyarrivedone,pale

andfeeble,seekingapassporttothehospital.

Nor

devons

mustweforgetthecaptainsof

les

therustylittleschoonersthat

apportent

bringfirewoodfromtheBritishprovinces;

arough-looking

ensemble

setoftarpaulins,withoutthealertnessof

theYankeeaspect,butcontributinganitemof

pas

noslightimportancetoourdecayingtrade.

Cluster

tous

alltheseindividualstogether,asthey

parfois

sometimeswere,withothermiscellaneousonestodiversifythegroup,

and,forthetimebeing,it

fait

madetheCustom-Houseastirringscene.

Plus

Morefrequently,however,onascendingthesteps,youwoulddiscern—intheentry,

ifitweresummertime,

orintheirappropriaterooms,

ifwintryorinclementweather—arowofvenerablefigures,

assises

sittinginold-fashionedchairs,whichweretippedontheirhindlegs

arrière

backagainstthewall.

Oftentimestheywereasleep,

mais

butoccasionallymightbeheard

parler

talkingtogether,invoicesbetweenspeech

andasnore,andwiththatlackofenergythatdistinguishestheoccupantsofalmshouses,

andallotherhumanbeingswhodependforsubsistenceoncharity,onmonopolizedlabor,

oranythingelse,buttheirownindependentexertions.

Ces

Theseoldgentlemen—seated,likeMatthew,at

thereceiptofcustoms,butnot

très

veryliabletobesummonedthence,

comme

likehim,forapostolicerrands—wereCustom-Houseofficers.

Furthermore,on

thelefthandasyouenter

thefrontdoor,isacertainroom

oroffice,aboutfifteenfeetsquare,

andofaloftyheight;

avec

withtwoofitsarchedwindowscommanding

une

aviewoftheaforesaiddilapidatedwharf,

andthethirdlookingacross

une

anarrowlane,andalong

une

aportionofDerbyStreet.

All

trois

threegiveglimpsesoftheshopsofgrocers,block-makers,slop-sellers,

andship-chandlers;

aroundthedoorsof

qui

whicharegenerallytobe

voit

seen,laughingandgossiping,clustersof

vieux

oldsalts,andsuchotherwharf-ratsashaunt

theWappingofaseaport.

Theroomitselfiscobwebbed,

anddingywitholdpaint;

itsfloorisstrewnwithgraysand,inafashion

qui

thathaselsewherefalleninto

longtemps

longdisuse;

anditis

facile

easytoconclude,fromthegeneralslovenlinessoftheplace,

que

thatthisisasanctuaryintowhichwomankind,

avec

withhertoolsofmagic,thebroom

andmop,hasveryinfrequentaccess.

les

thewayoffurniture,thereis

astovewithavoluminousfunnel;

vieux

oldpinedesk,withathree-leggedstoolbesideit;

deux

twoorthreewooden-bottomchairs,exceedinglydecrepit

andinfirm;

and—nottoforget

thelibrary—onsomeshelves,ascore

ortwoofvolumesof

theActsofCongress,andabulkyDigestof

theRevenueLaws.

Atinpipeascends

travers

throughtheceiling,andforms

amediumofvocalcommunication

avec

withotherpartsoftheedifice.

Andhere,somesixmonthsago,—pacingfromcornertocorner,

orloungingonthelong-leggedstool,

avec

withhiselbowonthedesk,

andhiseyeswanderingup

anddownthecolumnsofthe

matin

morningnewspaper,—youmighthaverecognized,honoredreader,the

même

sameindividualwhowelcomedyouintohischeery

petit

littlestudy,wherethesunshineglimmeredsopleasantly

travers

throughthewillowbranches,onthewestern

côté

sideoftheOldManse.

Mais

Butnow,shouldyougothithertoseekhim,you

alliez

wouldinquireinvainfortheLocofocoSurveyor.

Thebesomofreformhasswepthimoutofoffice;

andaworthiersuccessorwearshisdignity,

andpocketshisemoluments.

Thisold

ville

townofSalem—mynativeplace,thoughIhavedweltmuch

loin

awayfromit,bothinboyhoodandmatureryears—possesses,

ordidpossess,aholdonmyaffections,

theforceofwhichIhave

jamais

neverrealizedduringmyseasonsofactualresidence

ici

here.

Indeed,sofarasitsphysicalaspectisconcerned,

avec

withitsflat,unvariedsurface,coveredchiefly

avec

withwoodenhouses,fewornoneofwhichpretendtoarchitecturalbeauty,—itsirregularity,whichisneitherpicturesquenorquaint,

mais

butonlytame,—itslongandlazy

rue

street,loungingwearisomelythroughthewholeextentofthepeninsula,

avec

withGallowsHillandNewGuineaatone

extrémité

end,andaviewofthealmshouseattheother,—suchbeingthefeaturesofmynative

ville

town,itwouldbequiteasreasonabletoformasentimentalattachmenttoadisarrangedchecker-board.

Andyet,thoughinvariablyhappiestelsewhere,thereiswithinme

afeelingforoldSalem,

qui

which,inlackofa

meilleure

betterphrase,Imustbecontenttocallaffection.

Thesentimentisprobablyassignableto

thedeepandagedrootswhichmy

famille

familyhasstruckintothesoil.

Itis

maintenant

nownearlytwocenturiesandaquarter

depuis

sincetheoriginalBriton,theearliestemigrantofmy

nom

name,madehisappearanceinthewild

andforest-borderedsettlement,whichhas

depuis

sincebecomeacity.

And

ici

herehisdescendantshavebeenborn

anddied,andhavemingledtheirearthysubstance

avec

withthesoil;

untilnosmallportionofitmustnecessarilybeakintothemortalframewherewith,for

alittlewhile,Iwalkthestreets.

partie

part,therefore,theattachmentwhichI

parle

speakofisthemeresensuoussympathyofdustfordust.

Peu

Fewofmycountrymencan

savent

knowwhatitis;

nor,asfrequenttransplantationis

peut-être

perhapsbetterforthestock,

doivent

needtheyconsideritdesirableto

savoir

know.

Butthesentimenthaslikewiseitsmoralquality.

Thefigureofthatfirstancestor,investedbyfamilytraditionwithadim

andduskygrandeur,waspresenttomyboyishimagination,as

loin

farbackasIcanremember.

toujours

stillhauntsme,andinduces

une

asortofhome-feelingwiththe

passé

past,whichIscarcelyclaiminreferencetothepresentphaseofthe

ville

town.

Iseemtohaveastrongerclaimtoaresidence

ici

hereonaccountofthisgrave,bearded,sable-cloaked

andsteeple-crownedprogenitor,—whocamesoearly,

avec

withhisBibleandhissword,

andtrodetheunwornstreet

avec

withsuchastatelyport,

andmadesolargeafigure,asamanof

guerre

warandpeace,—astrongerclaimthanformyself,whose

nom

nameisseldomheardandmy

visage

facehardlyknown.

Hewasasoldier,legislator,judge;

hewas

arulerintheChurch;

hehad

tous

allthePuritanictraits,both

bien

goodandevil.

Hewaslikewiseabitterpersecutor,aswitnesstheQuakers,whohaverememberedhimintheirhistories,

andrelateanincidentofhishardseveritytowardsa

femme

womanoftheirsect,which

été

willlastlonger,itistobefeared,than

n'importe quel

anyrecordofhisbetterdeeds,althoughthesewere

nombreux

many.

Hisson,too,inheritedthepersecutingspirit,

andmadehimselfsoconspicuousinthemartyrdomofthewitches,

que

thattheirbloodmayfairlybe

dire

saidtohaveleftastainuponhim.

Sodeep

une

astain,indeed,thathis

vieux

olddrybones,intheCharter

Rue

Streetburial-ground,muststillretainit,

iftheyhavenotcrumbledutterlytodust!

sais

knownotwhethertheseancestorsofminebethoughtthemselvestorepent,

andaskpardonofHeavenfortheircruelties;

orwhethertheyarenowgroaning

sous

undertheheavyconsequencesofthem,in

autre

anotherstateofbeing.

Atallevents,

I,thepresentwriter,astheirrepresentative,hereby

prends

takeshameuponmyselffortheirsakes,

andpraythatanycurseincurredbythem—asIhave

entendu

heard,andasthedreary

andunprosperousconditionoftherace,formanyalongyearback,

être

wouldarguetoexist—maybe

maintenant

nowandhenceforthremoved.

Doubtless,however,eitherof

ces

thesesternandblack-browedPuritanswouldhave

pensé

thoughtitquiteasufficientretributionforhissins,that,

après

aftersolongalapseofyears,the

vieux

oldtrunkofthefamilytree,

avec

withsomuchvenerablemossuponit,shouldhaveborne,asitstopmostbough,anidlerlikemyself.

Aucun

Noaim,thatIhaveevercherished,wouldtheyrecognizeaslaudable;

aucun

nosuccessofmine—ifmy

vie

life,beyonditsdomesticscope,hadeverbeenbrightenedbysuccess—wouldtheydeemotherwisethanworthless,

ifnotpositivelydisgraceful.

“Whatishe?”

murmurs

une

onegrayshadowofmyforefatherstotheother.

“Awriterofstory-books!

Whatkindofabusinessinlife—whatmodeofglorifying

Dieu

God,orbeingserviceabletomankindinhisday

andgeneration—maythatbe?

Why,thedegeneratefellow

mightaswellhavebeen

afiddler!”

Sucharethecomplimentsbandied

entre

betweenmygreat-grandsiresandmyself,acrossthegulfof

temps

time!

Andyet,letthemscornmeasthey

veulent

will,strongtraitsoftheirnaturehaveintertwinedthemselves

avec

withmine.

Planteddeep,in

thetown’searliestinfancyandchildhood,by

ces

thesetwoearnestandenergeticmen,

theracehaseversincesubsisted

ici

here;

always,too,inrespectability;

jamais

never,sofarasIhave

sache

known,disgracedbyasingleunworthymember;

mais

butseldomornever,on

les

theotherhand,afterthefirst

deux

twogenerations,performinganymemorabledeed,

orsomuchasputtingforward

une

aclaimtopublicnotice.

Gradually,they

ont

havesunkalmostoutofsight;

asoldhouses,

ici

hereandthereaboutthestreets,getcoveredhalf-wayto

les

theeavesbytheaccumulationof

nouveau

newsoil.

Fromfatherto

fils

son,foraboveahundredyears,they

suivi

followedthesea;

agray-headedshipmaster,in

chaque

eachgeneration,retiringfromthequarter-decktothehomestead,while

aboyoffourteentookthehereditary

place

placebeforethemast,confrontingthesaltspray

andthegale,whichhadblustered

contre

againsthissireandgrandsire.

The

garçon

boy,also,induetime,passedfromtheforecastletothecabin,spent

une

atempestuousmanhood,andreturnedfromhisworld-wanderings,togrowold,

anddie,andminglehisdust

avec

withthenatalearth.

This

longue

longconnectionofafamily

avec

withonespot,asitsplaceofbirth

andburial,createsakindred

entre

betweenthehumanbeingandthelocality,

tout à fait

quiteindependentofanycharminthescenery

ormoralcircumstancesthatsurroundhim.

Itisnotlove,

mais

butinstinct.

Thenewinhabitant—who

venu

camehimselffromaforeignland,

orwhosefatherorgrandfathercame—has

peu

littleclaimtobecalled

aSalemite;

hehasnoconceptionof

theoyster-liketenacitywithwhich

anoldsettler,overwhomhisthirdcenturyiscreeping,clingsto

thespotwherehissuccessivegenerations

ont

havebeenimbedded.

Itisno

importe

matterthattheplaceisjoylessfor

lui

him;

thatheiswearyoftheoldwoodenhouses,themud

anddust,thedeadlevelofsite

andsentiment,thechilleastwind,

andthechillestofsocialatmospheres;—allthese,

andwhateverfaultsbesideshe

puisse

mayseeorimagine,are

rien

nothingtothepurpose.

Thespellsurvives,

andjustaspowerfullyas

ifthenatalspotwere

anearthlyparadise.

Sohasitbeeninmy

cas

case.

Ifeltitalmostas

adestinytomakeSalemmy

maison

home;

sothatthemouldoffeatures

andcastofcharacterwhichhadallalongbeenfamiliarhere,—ever,as

onerepresentativeoftheracelaydowninhisgrave,

autre

anotherassuming,asitwere,hissentry-marchalongthemainstreet,—might

toujours

stillinmylittledaybe

seenandrecognizedintheold

ville

town.

Nevertheless,thisverysentimentisanevidencethat

theconnection,whichhasbecomeanunhealthyone,

devrait

shouldatlastbesevered.

Humannaturewillnotflourish,any

plus

morethanapotato,ifitbeplanted

andreplanted,fortoolong

une

aseriesofgenerations,inthe

même

sameworn-outsoil.

Mychildren

ont

havehadotherbirthplaces,and,sofarastheirfortunesmaybewithinmy

contrôle

control,shallstriketheirrootsintounaccustomed

terre

earth.

Onemergingfromthe

Vieux

OldManse,itwaschiefly

cet

thisstrange,indolent,unjoyousattachmentformynative

ville

town,thatbroughtmetofill

une

aplaceinUncleSam’sbrickedifice,whenI

mightaswell,orbetter,have

aller

gonesomewhereelse.

Mydoomwason

moi

me.

Itwasnotthe

première

firsttime,northesecond,

que

thatIhadgoneaway,—asitseemed,permanently,—butyetreturned,

comme

likethebadhalf-penny;

oras

ifSalemwereforme

theinevitablecentreoftheuniverse.

So,

onefinemorning,Iascendedtheflightofgranitesteps,

avec

withthePresident’scommissioninmypocket,

andwasintroducedtothecorpsofgentlemen

qui

whoweretoaidmeinmyweightyresponsibility,aschiefexecutiveofficeroftheCustom-House.

Idoubtgreatly—or,rather,I

donotdoubtatall—whether

tout

anypublicfunctionaryoftheUnitedStates,

soit

eitherinthecivilormilitary

ligne

line,haseverhadsuch

apatriarchalbodyofveterans

sous

underhisordersasmyself.

ThewhereaboutsoftheOldestInhabitantwasatoncesettled,

quand

whenIlookedatthem.

Forupwardsoftwentyyears

avant

beforethisepoch,theindependentpositionoftheCollectorhad

gardé

kepttheSalemCustom-Houseoutofthewhirlpoolofpoliticalvicissitude,

qui

whichmakesthetenureofofficegenerallysofragile.

Asoldier,—NewEngland’smostdistinguishedsoldier,—he

tenait

stoodfirmlyonthepedestalofhisgallantservices;

and,himselfsecureinthewiseliberalityofthesuccessiveadministrations

travers

throughwhichhehadheldoffice,hehadbeenthesafetyofhissubordinatesinmanyanhourofdanger

andheart-quake.

GeneralMillerwasradicallyconservative;

amanoverwhosekindlynaturehabithad

pas

noslightinfluence;

attachinghimselfstronglytofamiliarfaces,

andwithdifficultymovedto

changer

change,evenwhenchangemighthave

apporter

broughtunquestionableimprovement.

Thus,on

prenant

takingchargeofmydepartment,I

trouvai

foundfewbutagedmen.

Theywereancientsea-captains,forthemostpart,

qui

who,afterbeingtostoneverysea,

andstandingupsturdilyagainstlife’stempestuousblasts,

avoir

hadfinallydriftedintothis

tranquille

quietnook;

where,withlittletodisturbthem,excepttheperiodicalterrorsofaPresidentialelection,theyoneand

tous

allacquiredanewleaseofexistence.

Thoughby

pas

nomeanslessliablethantheirfellow-mentoage

andinfirmity,theyhadevidentlysometalisman

orotherthatkeptdeathatbay.

Deux

Twoorthreeoftheir

nombre

number,asIwasassured,beinggouty

andrheumatic,orperhapsbedridden,

jamais

neverdreamedofmakingtheirappearanceat

theCustom-House,duringalarge

partie

partoftheyear;

but,

après

afteratorpidwinter,wouldcreepoutinto

thewarmsunshineofMay

orJune,golazilyaboutwhattheytermedduty,

and,attheirownleisure

andconvenience,betakethemselvesto

lit

bedagain.

Imustpleadguiltytothechargeofabbreviatingtheofficialbreathof

plus

morethanoneofthesevenerableservantsoftherepublic.

Theywereallowed,onmyrepresentation,to

reposer

restfromtheirarduouslabors,

andsoonafterwards—asiftheirsoleprincipleof

vie

lifehadbeenzealfortheircountry’sservice,asIverily

crois

believeitwas—withdrewtoabetter

monde

world.

Itisapiousconsolationto

moi

me,that,throughmyinterference,asufficientspacewasallowedthemforrepentanceof

theevilandcorruptpracticesintowhich,asamatterofcourse,

chaque

everyCustom-Houseofficermustbesupposedto

tomber

fall.

Neitherthefrontnor

thebackentranceoftheCustom-Houseopenson

theroadtoParadise.

ThegreaterpartofmyofficerswereWhigs.

Itwas

bien

wellfortheirvenerablebrotherhood

que

thatthenewSurveyorwasnot

apolitician,andthoughafaithfulDemocratinprinciple,neitherreceivednorheldhisoffice

avec

withanyreferencetopoliticalservices.

Haditbeenotherwise,—hadanactivepoliticianbeen

mis

putintothisinfluentialpost,toassumethe

facile

easytaskofmakinghead

contre

againstaWhigCollector,whoseinfirmitieswithheldhimfromthepersonaladministrationofhisoffice,—hardlya

homme

manoftheoldcorps

été

wouldhavedrawnthebreathofofficial

vie

life,withinamonthaftertheexterminatingangelhadcomeuptheCustom-Housesteps.

Accordingtothereceivedcodeinsuchmatters,it

été

wouldhavebeennothingshortofduty,inapolitician,tobringeveryoneofthosewhiteheads

sous

undertheaxeoftheguillotine.

Itwasplainenoughtodiscern,

que

thattheoldfellowsdreadedsomesuchdiscourtesyatmyhands.

Itpained,

andatthesametimeamused

me,tobeholdtheterrors

qui

thatattendedmyadvent;

voir

seeafurrowedcheek,weather-beatenby

demi

halfacenturyofstorm,turnashypaleattheglanceofsoharmlessanindividualasmyself;

todetect,asone

oranotheraddressedme,thetremorofavoice,

qui

which,inlong-pastdays,hadbeenwonttobellow

travers

throughaspeaking-trumpet,hoarselyenoughtofrightenBoreashimselftosilence.

They

savaient

knew,theseexcellentoldpersons,that,byallestablishedrule,—and,asregarded

certains

someofthem,weighedbytheir

propre

ownlackofefficiencyforbusiness,—theyoughtto

dû

havegivenplacetoyoungermen,

plus

moreorthodoxinpolitics,andaltogetherfitterthanthemselvestoserveourcommon

Oncle

Uncle.

Iknewittoo,

mais

butcouldneverquitefindinmy

cœur

hearttoactupontheknowledge.

Beaucoup

Muchanddeservedlytomy

propre

owndiscredit,therefore,andconsiderablytothedetrimentofmyofficialconscience,theycontinued,duringmyincumbency,tocreep

sur

aboutthewharves,andloiterup

anddowntheCustom-Housesteps.

Theyspentagooddealof

temps

time,also,asleepintheiraccustomedcorners,

avec

withtheirchairstiltedback

contre

againstthewall;

awaking,however,

fois

onceortwiceinaforenoon,toboreoneanother

avec

withtheseveralthousandthrepetitionofoldsea-stories,

andmouldyjokes,thathadgrowntobepasswords

andcountersignsamongthem.

Thediscoverywas

bientôt

soonmade,Iimagine,thatthenewSurveyorhad

pas

nogreatharminhim.

So,

avec

withlightsomehearts,andthehappyconsciousnessofbeingusefullyemployed,—intheir

propre

ownbehalf,atleast,ifnotforourbelovedcountry,—thesegood

vieux

oldgentlemenwentthroughthevariousformalitiesofoffice.

Sagaciously,

sous

undertheirspectacles,didtheypeepinto

les

theholdsofvessels!

Mightywastheirfuss

sur

aboutlittlematters,andmarvellous,

parfois

sometimes,theobtusenessthatallowedgreateronestoslip

entre

betweentheirfingers!

Wheneversuch

amischanceoccurred,—whenawagon-loadofvaluablemerchandisehadbeensmuggledashore,atnoonday,

peut-être

perhaps,anddirectlybeneaththeirunsuspiciousnoses,—nothingcouldexceedthevigilance

andalacritywithwhichtheyproceededtolock,

anddouble-lock,andsecurewithtape

andsealing-wax,alltheavenuesofthedelinquentvessel.

Insteadofareprimandfortheirpreviousnegligence,

thecaseseemedrathertorequireaneulogiumontheirpraiseworthycaution,

après

afterthemischiefhadhappened;

une

agratefulrecognitionofthepromptitudeoftheirzeal,themomentthat

therewasnolongeranyremedy.

Unless

gens

peoplearemorethancommonlydisagreeable,itismyfoolishhabittocontract

une

akindnessforthem.

The

meilleure

betterpartofmycompanion’scharacter,ifithave

une

abetterpart,isthatwhichusually

vient

comesuppermostinmyregard,

andformsthetypewherebyIrecognizetheman.

Asmostof

ces

theseoldCustom-Houseofficershadgoodtraits,

andasmypositioninreferencetothem,beingpaternal

andprotective,wasfavorabletothegrowthoffriendlysentiments,I

bientôt

soongrewtolikethem

tous

all.

Itwaspleasant,inthesummerforenoons,—whentheferventheat,

qui

thatalmostliquefiedtherestofthehuman

famille

family,merelycommunicatedagenialwarmthtotheirhalf-torpidsystems,—itwaspleasantto

entendre

hearthemchattinginthe

arrière

backentry,arowofthem

tous

alltippedagainstthewall,asusual;

tandis que

whilethefrozenwitticismsofpastgenerationswerethawedout,

andcamebubblingwithlaughterfromtheirlips.

Externally,

thejollityofagedmenhas

beaucoup

muchincommonwiththemirthof

enfants

children;

theintellect,anymorethan

adeepsenseofhumor,has

peu

littletodowiththe

question

matter;

itis,withboth,agleam

qui

thatplaysuponthesurface,

andimpartsasunnyandcheeryaspectaliketothegreenbranch,

andgray,moulderingtrunk.

onecase,however,itis

vrai

realsunshine;

intheother,it

plus

moreresemblesthephosphorescentglowofdecayingwood.

Itwouldbesadinjustice,

thereadermustunderstand,torepresent

tous

allmyexcellentoldfriendsasintheirdotage.

Inthe

premier

firstplace,mycoadjutorswerenotinvariably

vieux

old;

thereweremenamongthemintheirstrength

andprime,ofmarkedability

andenergy,andaltogethersuperiortothesluggish

anddependentmodeoflifeonwhichtheirevilstarshadcastthem.

Then,moreover,thewhitelocksofagewere

parfois

sometimesfoundtobethethatchofanintellectualtenementin

bon

goodrepair.

But,asrespectsthemajorityofmycorpsofveterans,

therewillbenowrong

fait

done,ifIcharacterizethemgenerallyas

asetofwearisomeoldsouls,

qui

whohadgatherednothingworthpreservationfromtheirvariedexperienceof

vie

life.

Theyseemedtohaveflungaway

tout

allthegoldengrainofpracticalwisdom,whichthey

avoir

hadenjoyedsomanyopportunitiesofharvesting,

andmostcarefullytohavestoredtheirmemories

avec

withthehusks.

Theyspoke

avec

withfarmoreinterestandunctionoftheirmorning’sbreakfast,

oryesterday’s,to-day’s,orto-morrow’sdinner,thanof

les

theshipwreckoffortyorfiftyyearsago,

andalltheworld’swonders

dont

whichtheyhadwitnessedwiththeiryouthfuleyes.

The

père

fatheroftheCustom-House—thepatriarch,notonlyof

cette

thislittlesquadofofficials,

mais

but,Iamboldto

dire

say,oftherespectablebodyoftide-waiters

tous

allovertheUnitedStates—was

acertainpermanentInspector.

pourrait

mighttrulybetermedalegitimate

fils

sonoftherevenuesystem,dyedinthewool,

or,rather,borninthepurple;

depuis

sincehissire,aRevolutionarycolonel,

andformerlycollectoroftheport,hadcreatedan

bureau

officeforhim,andappointedhimtofillit,ataperiodoftheearlyageswhich

peu

fewlivingmencannowremember.

Cet

ThisInspector,whenIfirst

connu

knewhim,wasamanoffourscoreyears,

orthereabouts,andcertainlyoneof

themostwonderfulspecimensofwinter-green

que

thatyouwouldbelikelytodiscoverinalifetime’ssearch.

Avec

Withhisfloridcheek,hiscompactfigure,smartlyarrayedin

une

abright-buttonedbluecoat,hisbrisk

andvigorousstep,andhishale

andheartyaspect,altogetherheseemed—not

jeune

young,indeed—butakindofnewcontrivanceof

Mère

MotherNatureintheshapeofman,whomage

andinfirmityhadnobusinessto

toucher

touch.

Hisvoiceandlaugh,

qui

whichperpetuallyre-echoedthroughtheCustom-House,had

rien

nothingofthetremulousquaver

andcackleofanoldman’sutterance;

theycamestruttingoutofhislungs,

comme

likethecrowofacock,

ortheblastofaclarion.

Lookingathimmerelyasananimal,—andtherewas

très

verylittleelsetolookat,—hewasamostsatisfactoryobject,fromthethoroughhealthfulness

andwholesomenessofhissystem,

andhiscapacity,atthatextremeage,toenjoy

tous

all,ornearlyall,thedelightswhichhehadeveraimedat,

orconceivedof.

Thecarelesssecurityofhis

vie

lifeintheCustom-House,on

aregularincome,andwith

mais

butslightandinfrequentapprehensionsofremoval,hadnodoubtcontributedto

faire

maketimepasslightlyoverhim.

Theoriginal

andmorepotentcauses,however,layintherareperfectionofhisanimalnature,themoderateproportionofintellect,

andtheverytriflingadmixtureofmoral

andspiritualingredients;

theselatterqualities,indeed,beinginbarelyenoughmeasuretokeep

theoldgentlemanfromwalkingonall-fours.

Hepossessed

aucun

nopowerofthought,nodepthoffeeling,

aucun

notroublesomesensibilities;

nothing,inshort,

mais

butafewcommonplaceinstincts,which,aidedbythecheerfultemperthatgrewinevitablyoutofhisphysicalwell-being,

faisaient

diddutyveryrespectably,andtogeneralacceptance,inlieuofa

cœur

heart.

Hehadbeenthe

mari

husbandofthreewives,all

longtemps

longsincedead;

thefatheroftwenty

enfants

children,mostofwhom,at

tous

everyageofchildhoodormaturity,hadlikewise

retournés

returnedtodust.

Here,one

être

wouldsuppose,mighthavebeensorrowenoughtoimbue

thesunniestdisposition,throughand

travers

through,withasabletinge.

NotsowithouroldInspector!

Onebriefsighsufficedtocarryoff

theentireburdenofthesedismalreminiscences.

Thenextmoment,hewasas

prêt

readyforsportasanyunbreechedinfant;

farreadier

que

thantheCollector’sjuniorclerk,

qui

who,atnineteenyears,wasmuchtheelder

andgravermanofthe

deux

two.

Iusedtowatch

andstudythispatriarchalpersonage

avec

with,Ithink,liveliercuriosity,

que

thananyotherformofhumanitytherepresentedtomynotice.

Hewas,in

vérité

truth,ararephenomenon;

parfait

perfect,inonepointofview;

soshallow,sodelusive,soimpalpable,such

une

anabsolutenonentity,inevery

autre

other.

Myconclusionwasthathehad

pas

nosoul,noheart,nomind;

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