Nature and Human Nature

and the doctor, but they had both retired. And as my chamber adjoined it, I

uit the busy haunts of men for the solitude of the forest. He seems to think and act differently from any one else in the country. Here too we have had Cutler, who is a scholar and a skilful navigator, filling the berth of a master of a fishing craft. He began life with nothing but good principles and good spirits, and is now about entering on a career, which in a few years will lead to a great fortune. He is as

a fool a man must be when character is written in such larg

ave, and will make capital wives for farmers of their own station in life. As such, they are favourable representatives of their class, and to my mind, far, far above those that look down upon them, who ape, but can't copy, and have the folly, because they sail in the wake

ow she would talk, if she would say what she thinks. Has she ability to build up a theory of her own, or does she, like half the women in the world, only think of a thing as it occurs? Does she live in instances or in generalities, I'll draw her out and see. Every order, where there are orders, and every class (and no place is without them where women are), have a way of judging in common with th

dsomer, and ninety-nine cleverer ones present; but she alone has the magnet that attracts you. Now, what is that magnet? Is it her manner that charms? is it her voice that strikes on one of those thousand and one chords of your nervous system, and makes it vibrate, a

petrate matrimony. Well, that's a thing that sharpens the eyesight, and will remove a cateract quicker than an oculist can, to save his

re weed, at any rate." Arter which I turned in. The following morning I did not rise as early as usual, for it's a great secret for a man never to be in the way, especially in a house like Peter's, where his daughters had, in course, a good

und Jessie and her sister there, the ta

e elder one, "your

father?" said I,

ed to see you again very much, and hoped to find you here on his return, which will be about four o'clock in the afternoon. He desir

he will be in very good time. But who in the world is Doctor Ovey? He

aft, but that, I believe, is only because he is so learned. He has a house a way back in the forest, wher

af that ever was; and then he knows all the ores, and coal mines, and everything of that kind. He is a great hand for stuffing birds and animals, and has some of every kind there is in the province

um?"

t's it,"

if he goes racing and chasing over the c

I don't know; but he makes wonderful cures. Nothing in the world makes him so angry as when anybody sends for him that can afford a doctor, for he don't take pay. Now, this morning he stormed, and raved, and stamped, and foamed at the mout

, 'the Squire will

end for Doctor Smith, and pay him? Does he think I am a going to rob that man of his living? Be off, Sir

n quitted the hous

erish after all; but I wish he hadn't sent for me, especial

set off immediately

aid I, "Jessie. I should like to see

world. He'll do it for you, I know he will; for he says you are a man after h

ress a salmon; roast, boil, or bake. How to make a bee-hunter's mess; a new way to do his potatoes camp fashion; and how to dispense with kitchen-ranges, cabouses, or cooking-stoves. If I could only knock over some wild-ducks at the lake here,

t, though I see a smile playin' over her face. The fact is, it is just as well she didn't, for I intended to draw he

what to raise, how to live, and where to save. If two things are equally good, and on

ais she, "are

me ever lost; where there was a place for everything, and everything was in its place. Where peace and pl

ou considered them game, did

; and a shot for the bank, at the eend of the year. I know all about farm things, from raisin' Indi

ive on a

ter all, what's bred in the bone, you know, is hard to get out of the flesh, and home is home, however ho

rose in her eyes, and she got up and walked to the window, and said, with her back towards me, as if she was lookin

in her mind, as well as if those eloquent tears had not touched my heart. Somehow or another, it appears to me, like a stumblin' horse, I

u marri

"to be sure I am;

, to believe that," she said, and laughed

n," s

R., and

ne, and J

., Eug

Iren

said, "but you are the queerest man I ever see. Yo

ter for his argufying, if he has any sense, and will let me; and I listen to the violin, and dance to it, if it's in tune, and played right. I like my pastime, and one day in seven is all the Lord asks. Evangelical people say he wants the other six. Let them state day and date and book and page for that, for I won't

hat talked like him, only he hante the fun you have; but he enjoys fun beyond everything. I must say I rather l

and her desire to see his house, and her tryin' to flatter me that I talked like him; that perhaps, like

that there is a subject, if he talk

you go on board and get me your book; and I will go a

d out my ha

llect, when I bring you the book

ress, and held her head as high as the Queen of Sheby. She gave me a

, "I didn't expect this of y

appears to me it's six of one and half-a-dozen of the other;" an

I found Jessie there, who received me with her usual ease and composure. She was trimming a work-bag, the sides o

w in all my born days. Creation, how that would be prized

truggle, "my people make and barter them at the Fort at the

the world, which is too apt to look down upon this mixed race with open or ill-concealed contempt. The scurvey opens old sores, and makes them bleed afresh, and an unfeeling fellow does the same. Whatever else I may be, I am not th

ts year after year and generation after generation in the identical same fashion, and moose winter after winter, and century after century, always follow in each other's tracks. They consider it safer, it ain't so laborious, and the crust of the snow

, used to say to me when

up a few herbs and roots, that have some virtue in them, but not str

t in natur is that? What the pla

the subject," said he, "if

h if I can't talk gibberish. But," sais I, "without joking, now, when yo

nsary; a book containin' rule

all. Why the plague can't you call it so at once, inste

, "the poet says

arning is a d

taste not the P

strange sail hove in sight, as I am aliv

man of that name, whose daughters, that were as conceited as you be, were changed into magpies by the Muses, for challengi

e way, that's a fact. Why on airth couldn't the poet have said Magpian Spring, then all the

ysic is a dan

rink not of the

trash of that kind, that half the time turns the wound into an ulcer; and then when it is too late the doctor is s

kes the cure, and all you got to do, is

ld only tell you what to do, but nature leaves

does tell you what to do, in a voice so clear you can't help hearing it, and in language so plain you can't help understandin' it. For it don't use chain-shot words like 'pharmacopia' and 'Pierian,' and so on, that is neither Greek nor Latin, nor go

, and if you ever run agin a doctor at an election, I shouldn't wonder if

d shy it back at you, in a way that will make you sing out 'Pen and ink,' I know. Well," sais I, quite mild (

by the first intention is, for that is a n

ond intention, do

lied, "I mea

rgue no more, for you get so hot always, I am afraid you will hurt my feelins. First," sais I, "I have no idea of runnin' agin a doctor either at

n' quite pleased, seein' me

, depend upon it. Then," sais I, "secondly, as to healin' by the first intention, I have heard of it, but never saw it practised yet. A doctor's first intention is to make money, and the second is to heal the wound. You have been kind enough to treat me to a bit of poetry, now I won't be in your debt, so I will just give y

pudding thou ha

alent is, but

coloured up, and looked

metimes called him Daddy on that account. It touched him, I see it did. Sais I, "Dad, give me your daddle, fun is fun, and we may carry our fun too far," and we shoo

" sai

ou cut up the dead, an

des, I do more good, for I make the patient leave a legac

fellow after amputation has said to you, 'a-leg-I-see.' But why is sawing off

iest man in the world? Do you give that up

replied. "But why is he the greatest coward in creation in

and all. Oh, come, that will do, you may take my hat. What a droll fellow you be. You are the old sixpence, a

one I can confide in, and I can't sleep at all. I was thinkin' of consultin' you, for I know I can trust you, and I am sure your kind and affec

hand very kindly, and sat down beside me. "Sam, I am very sorry for you. Confid

I, "Minister is

a good worthy man, but a mere child, as yo

I don't think I shall ever die of a br

pecuniary

an artful dodge, a good spekelation, o

id he, lookin' frightened to death, as

on or a know-nothin' sign to a juror, a temperance wink, or an orange nod to a partisan judg

is it

larfin, "I am most dead sometim

s sold so before, I vow; I cave in

ended our contro

, and keeps the blood a movin; a sort of central post-office that communicates with all the great lines and has way stations to all remote parts. Like that, there is no sleep in it day or night. Love, hope, fear, despair, disappointment, ambition, pride, supplication, craft, cant, fraud, piety, speculation, secrets, tenderness, bitterness, duty, disobedience, truth, falsehood, gra

ly it is a general term that includes, expresses, and stands for all these things together. We talk of it therefore as a living, animated, responsible being that thinks for itself, and acts through its agents. It is either our spiritual part, or something spiritual within us. Subordinate or independent of us--guiding or obeying us--influenc

ore, it would to my mind have been far better to have spoke of the natur of the animal, for I go the whole hog for human natur. But I suppose nobody would understand me if

ded, the patient must be humoured by agreeing with him, in the first instance, that he has been shamefully used (for that admits his right to feel hurt, which is a great thing); and then he may be convinced he ought to be ashamed to acknowledge it, for he is superior to his enemy, and in reality so far above him it would only gratify him to think he was of consequence enough to be hated. If he has met with a severe pecuniary loss in business, he ought to be told it's the fortune

ance: "Did you ever he

nev

ters, stone martins, ground squirrels, and every created critter that has a fur jacket, away up about the North Pole, and lets them wear them, for furs don't keep well, moths are death o

sais the man

turned loose that way, you might have compla

"how in the world does h

make your fortune as he has done for many others. He is the richest man you ever heard of. He owns the Astor House Hotel to New York, which is bigger than some whole towns on the Nova Scotia coast

lately, and sais he: 'Are

The sun is so almighty hot here in New York, no m

said the poor man, bow

, I hante come that yet; but Astoria Ann Oregon, my grand-d

igged, so he came to the pint at on

aid he. 'Are you a

-keeper and agent for twent

thought he would carry out the joke. Sais he, 'How would y

ed!' says

king after it; if you will relieve me and do my

down to the ground. 'I am under a great obligation to

er fear me,' said the clerk) 'and honestly, and I will fulfil mine. All I

their riches than their board and clothing. 'So don't repine, my friend. Cheer up! I will come and fast on canvas-back duck with you to-morrow, for it's Friday; and whatever liv

ed pride is mighty tender, but say it's a dreadful thing to leave so good, so kind, so indulgent, so liberal, so confidin' a man as you, if the case will bear it (in a general way it's a man's own fault); and if it won't bear it, why then there real

a good man may, taking care to remember that manner is everything, and all these arguments are not only no good, but do harm if the misfortunate critter is rub

all the dirty details. And then he talks to him of the devil, an unpronouncible place, fire and brimstone, and endless punishment. And assures him, if ever he hopes to be happy hereafter, he must be wretched for the rest of his life; for the evangelical rule is, that a man is never forgiven up to the l

t mortified at her descent, or that somehow or somehow else, there was a sore spot there. Well, having my own thoughts about the wounds of the h

rth-west for others of more use. There is one thing though I must

, tanned and dressed like felt, and the upper part black velvet, on which various patterns were worked with beads. I think I never saw anything

you prefer

ropean in appearance. The other is more like our own country, and I ain't sure that it isn't quite as handsome as

be the mocassins, you must have th

books on board, and giving them to her, "I am afraid, Miss, that I either said or did something

nce I came to this country. I was very wrong, for you (and she laid a s

ople annoy us on these subjects. It wouldn't be right of me to pry into any one's secrets, but this I will say, any person that would vex you, le

I am half Indian, and some f

aid I, "but if you knew what was passin' in

know you won't say anything to m

mitten, I ain't quite sartified, but I rather kinder sorter guess the first, than kinder sorter not so." I just throwed that in that she mightn't misunderstand me. "Well, she is the most

she was a woman, and she didn't flare up this tim

her, as a pr

u all straight with mankind in general, and the doctor in particular, afore I leave Ship Harbour, I'll give over for ever u

, she said: "Is this book all true, Mr Slick?

, but most of it is true, though some things are embellished a lit

tell what's true and what ain't? Do you think I shall be able

every person should do so. I have tried to stick to life as close as I co

" said she, "what natu

lars, not one in a hundred will define that tarm right off the reel, without stopping. It fairly stumpt me, and I ain't easily brought to a hack about common things. I could a told her what natur was circumbendibusly, and no mist

ou throw a stone in it. There is a centre, and circles form round it, each one a little larger than the other, until the impelling power ceases to act. Now you set off

," sais I,

hat the plague has n

n one man surround

se," sais he; "of

it's all solid wool and mutton, and I have every mother's son of them. It takes time, for I am all alone, and have no one to help me; but they are thar' at last. Now, suppose I went to the centre of the field, and started off arter them, what would it end in? Why, I'de run one down, and have hi

about the congregation, I consaited, but

und is, I like to gather up all that's in the cir

question of Jessie's sudden to fellows s

talk about natu

t ask me; every fool

; "that's the rea

ame plaguy near lettin' me ha

I, "Daddy; I was only

ow does who is looking for his spectacles, and can't f

his arm, "it's all that you se

first trial, that's a fact. It hit the

one of it at night, and things

he braved it out. "I didn't say it was ne

nd what you don't see; but then feelin' ain

aid he, "the laws

e are them

n you're so proud of," said he. "

is I, "any fool can't

you can,"

hen a feller does that it shows he is short of ammunition. But I'

!" sa

laws and its simplicities, and all that sort of thing. The noise water makes in tumblin' over stones in a brook, a splutterin' like a toothless old woman scoldin' with a mouthful of hot tea in her lantern cheek, is called the voice

voice of natur amid th

aying, 'No;' but then I hear the voice of natur clo

urnt up to a cinder. What a pack of stuff it is! It is just a pretty word like pharmacopia and Pierian spring, and so forth. I hate poets, stock, lock, and barrel; the whole seed, breed, and generation of them. If you see a she one, look at her stockings; they are all wrinkled about her ancles, and her shoes are down to heel, and her hair is as ta

tory. Said Jessie to me:

ies or laws are called their nature. Nature therefore is sometimes used for God himself, and sometimes for the world and its contents, and the secret laws of action imposed upon them when created. There is one nature to men (for though they don't all look alike, the laws of their

when I have time to think of it. Do yo

to Indian as to whit

the best

s the

hite, are the

ite

u thin

than another, and every man thinks he is superior to others; and so does every woman. They think their children the be

same nature," she said, "what becomes of those who are neither red nor white, who have no country, no nation, no tr

" I said; "in the eye of

o," she replied, rising with mu

seemed so new to her. "So," sais I, "I wonder the doctor hasn't arrived; it's past four. There he is, Jessie;

er face expressing bot

"You are not afraid

right," she said, and awa

r! if you was now alive and could read this Journal, I know what you would say as well as possible. "Sam," you would say, "this is a fulfil