S. ANTHONY. _The
ornamental head-pieces are by_ L. S. IPSEN.

PAGE

THE CUSTOM-HOUSE 1

THE PRISON DOOR 49

VIGNETTE,--WILD ROSE 51

THE GOSSIPS 57

"STANDING ON THE MISERABLE EMINENCE" 65

"SHE WAS LED BACK TO PRISON" 78

"THE EYES OF THE WRINKLED SCHOLAR GLOWED" 87

THE LONESOME DWELLING 93

LONELY FOOTSTEPS 99

VIGNETTE 104

A TOUCH OF PEARL'S BABY-HAND 113

VIGNETTE 118

THE GOVERNOR'S BREASTPLATE 125

"LOOK THOU TO IT! I WILL NOT LOSE THE CHILD!" 135

THE MINISTER AND LEECH 148

THE LEECH AND HIS PATIENT 165

THE VIRGINS OF THE CHURCH 172

"THEY STOOD IN THE NOON OF THAT STRANGE SPLENDOR" 185

HESTER IN THE HOUSE OF MOURNING 195

MANDRAKE 211

"HE GATHERED HERBS HERE AND THERE" 213

PEARL ON THE SEA-SHORE 217

"WILT THOU YET FORGIVE ME?" 237

A GLEAM OF SUNSHINE 249

THE CHILD AT THE BROOK-SIDE 257

CHILLINGWORTH,--"SMILE WITH A SINISTER MEANING" 287

NEW ENGLAND WORTHIES 289

"SHALL WE NOT MEET AGAIN?" 311

HESTER'S RETURN 320

THE CUSTOM-HOUSE.

[Illustration: The Custom-House]

THE CUSTOM-HOUSE.

INTRODUCTORY TO "THE SCARLET LETTER."

It is a little remarkable, that--though disinclined to talk overmuch
of myself and my affairs at the fireside, and to my personal
friends--an autobiographical impulse should twice in my life have
taken possession of me, in addressing the public. The first time was
three or four years since, when I favored the reader--inexcusably, and
for no earthly