PLEDGING HEALTHS 117 



of their being accomplished apart from others. 

 Animals are shy while eating because the head is 

 bent, the mouth and eyes are engaged, and a 

 sudden attack would find them unprepared ; hence 

 the custom, and from custom has come etiquette. 

 The origin of drinking healths, of pledging each 

 other when drinking, is, I believe, something 

 similar. When men wore dangerous weapons and 

 feuds were common, a man who raised a flagon 

 to his lips for a long draught, hiding his eyes 

 and engaging his right hand, was exposed there- 

 by to a stab from any enemy who happened to 

 be at hand, and therefore a friend pledged his 

 word to protect the drinker. Hence the custom, 

 and etiquette. 



March 20, 1888. 

 Snow and cold winds continue. 



LET the cold snow lie still. Lie still, cold snow ! 

 Ye sunbeams, touch it not, but leave it so ; 

 The worn and weary earth sleeps well below 

 Lie still, cold snow ! 



Her flowers had budded and had blossomed fair, 

 And decked her bosom as with jewels rare ; 

 Then came a quick sharp wind and laid it bare 

 Sleep, flowers fair ! 



They budded, blossomed, and were withered so ; 

 They bare no fruit ; but do not let them know : 

 Deep be their sleep beneath the sheltering snow 

 Let them not know ! 



