The Elf–Child and the Minister

           GovernorBellingham,inaloosegownandeasycap—suchaselderlygentlemenlovedtoenduethemselveswith,intheirdomesticprivacy—walkedforemost,andappearedtobeshowingoffhisestate,andexpatiatingonhisprojectedimprovements.Thewidecircumferenceofanelaborateruff,beneathhisgreybeard,intheantiquatedfashionofKingJames’sreign,causedhisheadtolooknotalittlelikethatofJohntheBaptistinacharger.Theimpressionmadebyhisaspect,sorigidandsevere,andfrost-bittenwithmorethanautumnalage,washardlyinkeepingwiththeappliancesofworldlyenjoymentwherewithhehadevidentlydonehisutmosttosurroundhimself.Butitisanerrortosupposethatourgreatforefathers—thoughaccustomedtospeakandthinkofhumanexistenceasastatemerelyoftrialandwarfare,andthoughunfeignedlypreparedtosacrificegoodsandlifeatthebehestofduty—madeitamatterofconsciencetorejectsuchmeansofcomfort,orevenluxury,aslayfairlywithintheirgrasp.Thiscreedwasnevertaught,forinstance,bythevenerablepastor,JohnWilson,whosebeard,whiteasasnow-drift,wasseenoverGovernorBellingham’sshoulders,whileitswearersuggestedthatpearsandpeachesmightyetbenaturalisedintheNewEnglandclimate,andthatpurplegrapesmightpossiblybecompelledtoflourishagainstthesunnygarden-wall.