“What do you say, my dear, to the removal of this cobweb? What would you say to a little ‘Mumm,’ or a ‘High-ball,’ before we go to dinner?” “Well, Billsey, I’d just say ‘Let’s,’ for I really do feel nervous. But there--goodness gracious! I’ve gone and left that bottle of Lonnie in the laboratory. Oh, well, never mind; I don’t believe he’s much good as essence, anyway. Patchouli’s good enough. Don’t you think so, Billsey?” * * * * * And close to the cask of copper wire had rolled a tiny vial, rolled and lost itself in the litter thereabouts, a vial on which the double label read as follows: “_Aqua Vitae_” ALONZO LEFFINGWELL, D. P.[2] “_Memoria in Aeterna_.” FINIS. “_Tacks Vobiscum_.” [Footnote 2: Defunct Philosopher.] POSTLUDE. Literature is but a symbol. A book is but an array of signs by which ideas are conveyed, facts transmitted, or truths revealed. The office of literature is to instruct, inspire, entertain, or demoralize the reader. Varied as individuality itself are the literary devices of authors. Innumerable are the expedients to which human intelligence resorts in its efforts to transmit knowledge, to impart ideas and ideals, or to illustrate and elucidate truths. Born of individual aspirations, ambitions and convictions, and formulated by individual genius, are the poems, essays, dramas, songs, sermons, and even the satires of literature. And none of these has excuse for being, except its creator has something of value to express, reveal or illustrate. If the author’s motive be pure, and if his cause be just and his art sufficient, we forgive the mere literary form or trick by which he commands attention and awakens interest. If, for example, a feathery skit be employed to illustrate a substantial fact or lofty principle in nature, or some current social or philosophic pretension, it should not offend the wise. It could in nowise minimize Truth, nor belittle the great purpose in the background. It is possible, however, that it may teach a valuable lesson by indirection. It may enlarge the understanding and remove the prejudice of a few people. To travesty a noble theme is easy, for in this great world of ours the sublime and the ridiculous forever march side by side, and oftentimes their relation is one of great intimacy. Side by side walk the noble and the ignoble, the wise and the foolish, the serious and the mirthful, the fine and the unrefined, the lofty and the trivial, the religious and the sacrilegious, the philosophic and the foolish. The wise man and the faker hourly cross each other’s paths, and their contact and contrast often afford a laugh for the merry and a lesson for the thoughtful. F. H. * * * * * =HARMONIC SERIES=