lUBTERBANEAN BSCES8ES. 107 



" Have you any plan to suggest for the suppression of these 

 comVa s ?' 



" None ; unless it were a total neglect of persons engaging in 

 them — an utter disregard of all their words and actions (excepting 

 injurious ones) during the remainder of their life— a virtual exclu« 

 sion from society." 



" Your plan is harsh ; and even if men were convinced that it was 

 their duty to adopt it, they would find it exceedingly difficult to 

 perform." 



**. I had a friend, however, who did perform it. A citizen with 

 whom he was very familiar — often visiting and receiving visits in 

 return, to whom, in fact, his daughter was ahout to be married- 

 fought; but my friend never countenanced him afterwards. You 

 have suffered from similar encounters; perhaps you would relate to 

 our young friend the circumstances." 



*' I have no objection, if he is disposed to listen to them." 



" Certainly, I am, sir." 



'* I lost my father when in my sixth year, who fell by the hand of 

 one who always passed for his intimate friend. The attachment 

 manifested towards each other was indeed extraordinary, and generally 

 challenged observation, insomuch that they were sometimes styled 

 brothers. They never quarrelled but once, and that quai'rel was a 

 fatal one. What was the astonishment of the families of each — and 

 indeed of the whole city-^to observe, after a certain festival, on the 

 arm of each the signal always worn during the seven days preceding 

 a private conflict ! What could have happened ? These bosom 

 companions wearing the well known ribbon ! Astonishment knew 

 no bounds ; and I remember well seeing groups in various parts of 

 the town lifting their hands, and declaring in loud tones their utter 

 inability to solve the startling problem. Young as I was, I very soon 

 comprehended the import of what was passing ; indeed the meaning 

 of the signal already refeired to was known te every child in the city. 

 I cannot describe the paroxysm of grief into which my mother was 

 thrown on being made aware of the mournful truth. If the human 

 features are capable of assuming an expression of anguish, — if the 

 tones of the voice can communicate unutterable (imutterable in 



