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the latter feeling was predominant。 The parting words of my
brother had sunk into my mind。 He had talked of travelling in
strange regions and seeing strange and wonderful objects； and my
imagination fell to work； and drew pictures of adventures wild and
fantastic； and I thought what a fine thing it must be to travel；
and I wished that my father would give me his blessing； and the
same sum that he had given my brother； and bid me go forth into the
world； always forgetting that I had neither talents nor energies at
this period which would enable me to make any successful figure on
its stage。
And then I again sought up the book which had so captivated me in
my infancy； and I read it through； and I sought up others of a
similar character； and in seeking for them I met books also of
adventure； but by no means of a harmless description； lives of
wicked and lawless men； Murray and Latroon … books of singular
power； but of coarse and prurient imagination … books at one time
highly in vogue； now deservedly forgotten； and most difficult to be
found。
And when I had gone through these books； what was my state of mind？
I had derived entertainment from their perusal； but they left me
more listless and unsettled than before； and really knew not what
to do to pass my time。 My philological studies had become
distasteful； and I had never taken any pleasure in the duties of my
profession。 I sat behind my desk in a state of torpor； my mind
almost as blank as the paper before me； on which I rarely traced a
line。 It was always a relief to hear the bell ring； as it afforded
me an opportunity of doing something which I was yet capable of
doing； to rise and open the door and stare in the countenances of
the visitors。 All of a sudden I fell to studying countenances； and
soon flattered myself that I had made considerable progress in the
science。
'There is no faith in countenances；' said some Roman of old； 'trust
anything but a person's countenance。' 'Not trust a man's
countenance？' say some moderns； 'why； it is the only thing in many
people that we can trust； on which account they keep it most
assiduously out of the way。 Trust not a man's words if you please；
or you may come to very erroneous conclusions； but at all times
place implicit confidence in a man's countenance； in which there is
no deceit； and of necessity there can be none。 If people would but
look each other more in the face； we should have less cause to
complain of the deception of the world； nothing so easy as
physiognomy nor so useful。' Somewhat in this latter strain I
thought at the time of which I am speaking。 I am now older； and；
let us hope； less presumptuous。 It is true that in the course of
my life I have scarcely ever had occasion to repent placing
confidence in individuals whose countenances have prepossessed me
in their favour； though to how many I may have been unjust； from
whose countenances I may have drawn unfavourable conclusions； is
another matter。
But it had been decreed by that Fate which governs our every action
that I was soon to return to my old pursuits。 It was written that
I should not yet cease to be Lav…engro； though I had become； in my
own opinion； a kind of Lavater。 It is singular enough that my
renewed ardour for philology seems to have been brought about
indirectly by my physiognomical researches； in which had I not
indulged； the event which I am about to relate； as far as connected
with myself； might never have occurred。 Amongst the various
countenances which I admitted during the period of my answering the
bell； there were two which particularly pleased me； and which
belonged to an elderly yeoman and his wife； whom some little
business had brought to our law sanctuary。 I believe they
experienced from me some kindness and attention； which won the old
people's hearts。 So； one day； when their little business had been
brought to a conclusion； and they chanced to be alone with me； who
was seated as usual behind the deal desk in the outer room； the old
man with some confusion began to tell me how grateful himself and
dame felt for the many attentions I had shown them； and how
desirous they were to make me some remuneration。 'Of course；' said
the old man； 'we must be cautious what we offer to so fine a young
gentleman as yourself； we have； however； something we think will
just suit the occasion； a strange kind of thing which people say is
a book； though no one that my dame or myself have shown it to can
make anything out of it； so as we are told that you are a fine
young gentleman； who can read all the tongues of the earth and
stars； as the Bible says； we thought； I and my dame； that it would
be just the thing you would like and my dame has it now at the
bottom of her basket。'
'A book！' said I； 'how did you come by it？'
'We live near the sea；' said the old man； 'so near that sometimes
our thatch is wet with the spray； and it may now be a year ago that
there was a fearful storm； and a ship was driven ashore during the
night； and ere the morn was a complete wreck。 When we got up at
daylight； there were the poor shivering crew at our door； they were
foreigners； red…haired men； whose speech we did not understand； but
we took them in； and warmed them； and they remained with us three
days； and when they went away they left behind them this thing；
here it is； part of the contents of a box which was washed ashore。'
'And did you learn who they were？'
'Why； yes； they made us understand that they were Danes。'
Danes！ thought I； Danes！ and instantaneously； huge and grisly；
appeared to rise up before my vision the skull of the old pirate
Dane； even as I had seen it of yore in the pent…house of the
ancient church to which； with my mother and my brother； I had
wandered on the memorable summer eve。
And now the old man handed me the book； a strange and uncouth…
looking volume enough。 It was not very large； but instead of the
usual covering was bound in wood； and was compressed with strong
iron clasps。 It was a printed book； but the pages were not of
paper； but vellum； and the characters were black； and resembled
those generally termed Gothic。
'It is certainly a curious book；' said I； 'and I should like to
have it； but I can't think of taking it as a gift； I must give you
an equivalent； I never take presents from anybody。'
The old man whispered with his dame and chuckled； and then turned
his face to me； and said； with another chuckle； 'Well； we have
agreed about the price； but； maybe； you will not consent。'
'I don't know；' said I； 'what do you demand？'
'Why； that you shake me by the hand； and hold out your cheek to my
old dame； she has taken an affection to you。'
'I shall be very glad to shake you by the hand；' said I； 'but as
for the other condition； it requires consideration。'
'No consideration at all；' said the old man； with something like a
sigh； 'she thinks you like her son； our only child； that was lost
twenty years ago in the waves of the North Sea。'
'Oh； that alters the case altogether；' said I； 'and of course I can
have no objection。'
And now at once I shook off my listlessness； to enable me to do
which nothing could have happened more opportune than the above
event。 The Danes； the Danes！ And was I at last to become
acquainted； and in so singular a manner； with the speech of a
people which had as far back as I could remember exercised the
strongest influence over my imagination； as how should they not！ …
in infancy there was the summer…eve adventure； to which I often
looked back； and always with a kind of strange interest with
respect to those to whom such gigantic and wondrous bones could
belong as I had seen on that occasion； and； more than this； I had
been in Ireland； and there； under peculiar circumstances； this same
interest was increased tenfold。 I had mingled much whilst there
with the genuine Irish … a wild but kind…hearted race； whose
conversation was deeply imbued with traditionary lore； connected
with the early history of their own romantic land； and from them I
heard enough of the Danes； but nothing commonplace； for they never
mentioned them but in terms which tallied well with my own
preconceived ideas。 For at an early period the Danes had invaded
Ireland； and had subdued it； and； though eventually driven out； had
left behind them an enduring remembrance in the minds of the
people； who loved to speak of their strength and their stature； in
evidence of which they would point to the ancient raths or mounds
where the old Danes were buried； and where bones of extraordinary
size were occasionally exhumed。 And as the Danes surpassed other
people in strength； so； according to my narrators； they also
excelled all others in wisdom； or rather in Drao