The Scarlet Letter: The House of the Seven Gables (Classic Reprint)

THE SCARLET LETTER
THE CUSTOM-HOUSE
INTRODUCTORY TO "THE SCARLET LETTER"
I T 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 readerinexcusably,
and for no earthly reason, that either the
indulgent reader or the intrusive author could imagine
- with a description of my way of life in the deep quietude
of an Old Manse. And now- because, beyond
my deserts, I was happy enough to find a listener or
two on the former occasion - I again seize the public
by the button, and talk of my three years' experience in
a Custom-House. The example of the famous" P. P.,
Clerk of this Parish," was never more faithfully followed.
The truth seems to be, however, that, when
he casts his leaves forth upon the wind, the author
a

Table of Contents

CONTENTS; INTRODUCTION; PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION; THE SCARLET LETTER:; THE CUSTOM-HOUSE INTRODUCTORY; :HAFTRR; I THE PRISON-DOOR • • 0; II THE MARKET-PLACE •; III THE RECOGNITION • •; IV THE INTERVIEW; V HESTER AT HER NEEDLE; VI PEARL; V II THE GOVERNOR'S HALL; VIII THE ELF-CHILD AND THE MINISTER; IX THE LEECH; X THE LEECH AND HIS PATIENT; XI THE INTERIOR OF A HEART •; XII THE MINISTER'S VIGIL •; XIII ANOTHER VIEW OF HESTER •; XIV HESTER AND THE PHYSICIAN; XV HESTER AND PEARL; XVI A FOREST WALK •; iii; •; •; •; PAGa; V; • xvii; I; • 43; 4S; • S5; 64; 71; 81; 91; 99; 108; 119; 129;