Another version is, that Edmund on this and the like occasions
stood by his order; the oldest, and indeed only true order of
Nobility known under the stars, that of just Men and Sons of God,
in opposition to Unjust and Sons of Belial,--which latter indeed
are _second_-oldest, but yet a very unvenerable order. This,
truly, seems the likeliest hypothesis of all. Names and
appearances alter so strangely, in some half-score centuries;
and all fluctuates chameleon-like, taking now this hue, now that.
Thus much is very plain, and does not change hue: Landlord
Edmund was seen and felt by all men to have done verily a man's
part in this life-pilgrimage of his; and benedictions, and
outflowing love and admiration from the universal heart, were his
meed. Well-done! Well-done! cried the hearts of all men. They
raised his slain and martyred body; washed its wounds with fast-
flowing universal tears; tears of endless pity, and yet of a
sacred joy and triumph. The beautifullest kind of tears,--indeed
perhaps the beautifullest kind of thing: like a sky all flashing
diamonds and prismatic radiance; all weeping, yet shone on by
the everlasting Sun:--and _this_ is not a sky, it is a Soul and
living Face! Nothing liker the _Temple of the Highest,_ bright
with some real effulgence of the Highest, is seen in this world.

O, if all Yankee-land follow a small good 'Schnuspel the
distinguished Novelist' with blazing torches, dinner-invitations,
universal hep-hep-hurrah, feeling that he, though small, is
something; how might all Angle-land once follow a hero-martyr
and great true Son of Heaven! It is the very joy of man's heart
to admire, where he can; nothing so lifts him from all his mean
imprisonments, were it but for moments, as true admiration. Thus