Thenewstatementwillcomprisetheskepticisms,aswellasthefaithsofsociety,andoutofunbeliefsacreedshallbeformed。
For,skepticismsarenotgratuitousorlawless,butarelimitationsoftheaffirmativestatement,andthenewphilosophymusttakethemin,andmakeaffirmationsout-sideofthem,justasmuchasitmustincludetheoldestbeliefs。
Itisveryunhappy,buttoolatetobehelped,thediscoverywehavemade,thatweexist。ThatdiscoveryiscalledtheFallofMan。
Everafterwards,wesuspectourinstruments。Wehavelearnedthatwedonotseedirectly,butmediately,andthatwehavenomeansofcorrectingthesecoloredanddistortinglenseswhichweare,orofcomputingtheamountoftheirerrors。Perhapsthesesubject-lenseshaveacreativepower;perhapstherearenoobjects。Oncewelivedinwhatwesaw;now,therapaciousnessofthisnewpower,whichthreatenstoabsorballthings,engagesus。Nature,art,persons,letters,religions,——objects,successivelytumblein,andGodisbutoneofitsideas。Natureandliteraturearesubjectivephenomena;everyevilandeverygoodthingisashadowwhichwecast。
Thestreetisfullofhumiliationstotheproud。Asthefopcontrivedtodresshisbailiffsinhislivery,andmakethemwaitonhisguestsattable,sothechagrinswhichthebadheartgivesoffasbubbles,atoncetakeformasladiesandgentlemeninthestreet,shopmenorbarkeepersinhotels,andthreatenorinsultwhateveristhreatenableandinsultableinus。\'Tisthesamewithouridolatries。Peopleforgetthatitistheeyewhichmakesthehorizon,andtheroundingmind\'seyewhichmakesthisorthatmanatypeorrepresentativeofhumanitywiththenameofheroorsaint。
Jesusthe“providentialman,“isagoodmanonwhommanypeopleareagreedthattheseopticallawsshalltakeeffect。Byloveononepart,andbyforbearancetopressobjectionontheotherpart,itisforatimesettled,thatwewilllookathiminthecentreofthehorizon,andascribetohimthepropertiesthatwillattachtoanymansoseen。Butthelongestloveoraversionhasaspeedyterm。
Thegreatandcresciveself,rootedinabsolutenature,supplantsallrelativeexistence,andruinsthekingdomofmortalfriendshipandlove。Marriageinwhatiscalledthespiritualworldisimpossible,becauseoftheinequalitybetweeneverysubjectandeveryobject。ThesubjectisthereceiverofGodhead,andateverycomparisonmustfeelhisbeingenhancedbythatcrypticmight。
Thoughnotinenergy,yetbypresence,thismagazineofsubstancecannotbeotherwisethanfelt:norcananyforceofintellectattributetotheobjecttheproperdeitywhichsleepsorwakesforeverineverysubject。Nevercanlovemakeconsciousnessandascriptionequalinforce。Therewillbethesamegulfbetweeneverymeandthee,asbetweentheoriginalandthepicture。Theuniverseisthebrideofthesoul。Allprivatesympathyispartial。Twohumanbeingsarelikeglobes,whichcantouchonlyinapoint,and,whilsttheyremainincontact,allotherpointsofeachofthespheresareinert;theirturnmustalsocome,andthelongeraparticularunionlasts,themoreenergyofappetencythepartsnotinunionacquire。
Lifewillbeimaged,butcannotbedividednordoubled。Anyinvasionofitsunitywouldbechaos。Thesoulisnottwin-born,buttheonlybegotten,andthoughrevealingitselfaschildintime,childinappearance,isofafatalanduniversalpower,admittingnoco-life。Everyday,everyactbetraystheill-concealeddeity。Webelieveinourselves,aswedonotbelieveinothers。Wepermitallthingstoourselves,andthatwhichwecallsininothers,isexperimentforus。Itisaninstanceofourfaithinourselves,thatmenneverspeakofcrimeaslightlyastheythink:or,everymanthinksalatitudesafeforhimself,whichisnowisetobeindulgedtoanother。Theactlooksverydifferentlyontheinside,andontheoutside;initsquality,andinitsconsequences。Murderinthemurdererisnosuchruinousthoughtaspoetsandromancerswillhaveit;itdoesnotunsettlehim,orfrighthimfromhisordinarynoticeoftrifles:itisanactquiteeasytobecontemplated,butinitssequel,itturnsouttobeahorriblejangleandconfoundingofallrelations。Especiallythecrimesthatspringfromlove,seemrightandfairfromtheactor\'spointofview,but,whenacted,arefounddestructiveofsociety。Nomanatlastbelievesthathecanbelost,northatthecrimeinhimisasblackasinthefelon。Becausetheintellectqualifiesinourowncasethemoraljudgments。Forthereisnocrimetotheintellect。Thatisantinomianorhypernomian,andjudgeslawaswellasfact。“Itisworsethanacrime,itisablunder,“saidNapoleon,speakingthelanguageoftheintellect。Toit,theworldisaprobleminmathematicsorthescienceofquantity,anditleavesoutpraiseandblame,andallweakemotions。Allstealingiscomparative。Ifyoucometoabsolutes,praywhodoesnotsteal?Saintsaresad,becausetheybeholdsin,evenwhentheyspeculate,fromthepointofviewoftheconscience,andnotoftheintellect;aconfusionofthought。Sinseenfromthethought,isadiminutionor_less_:seenfromtheconscienceorwill,itispravityor_bad_。Theintellectnamesitshade,absenceoflight,andnoessence。Theconsciencemustfeelitasessence,essentialevil。
Thisitisnot:ithasanobjectiveexistence,butnosubjective。
Thusinevitablydoestheuniversewearourcolor,andeveryobjectfallsuccessivelyintothesubjectitself。Thesubjectexists,thesubjectenlarges;allthingssoonerorlaterfallintoplace。AsIam,soIsee;usewhatlanguagewewill,wecanneversayanythingbutwhatweare;Hermes,Cadmus,Columbus,Newton,Buonaparte,arethemind\'sministers。Insteadoffeelingapovertywhenweencounteragreatman,letustreatthenewcomerlikeatravellinggeologist,whopassesthroughourestate,andshowsusgoodslate,orlimestone,oranthracite,inourbrushpasture。Thepartialactionofeachstrongmindinonedirection,isatelescopefortheobjectsonwhichitispointed。Buteveryotherpartofknowledgeistobepushedtothesameextravagance,erethesoulattainsherduesphericity。Doyouseethatkittenchasingsoprettilyherowntail?Ifyoucouldlookwithhereyes,youmightseehersurroundedwithhundredsoffiguresperformingcom-plexdramas,withtragicandcomicissues,longconversations,manycharacters,manyupsanddownsoffate,——andmeantimeitisonlypussandhertail。Howlongbeforeourmasqueradewillenditsnoiseoftamborines,laughter,andshouting,andweshallfinditwasasolitaryperformance?——Asubjectandanobject,——ittakessomuchtomakethegalvaniccircuitcomplete,butmagnitudeaddsnothing。
WhatimportsitwhetheritisKeplerandthesphere;ColumbusandAmerica;areaderandhisbook;orpusswithhertail?
Itistruethatallthemusesandloveandreligionhatethesedevelopments,andwillfindawaytopunishthechemist,whopublishesintheparlorthesecretsofthelaboratory。Andwecannotsaytoolittleofourconstitutionalnecessityofseeingthingsunderprivateaspects,orsaturatedwithourhumors。AndyetistheGodthenativeofthesebleakrocks。Thatneedmakesinmoralsthecapitalvirtueofself-trust。Wemustholdhardtothispoverty,howeverscandalous,andbymorevigorousself-recoveries,afterthesalliesofaction,possessouraxismorefirmly。Thelifeoftruthiscold,andsofarmournful;butitisnottheslaveoftears,contritions,andperturbations。Itdoesnotattemptanother\'swork,noradoptanother\'sfacts。Itisamainlessonofwisdomtoknowyourownfromanother\'s。IhavelearnedthatIcannotdisposeofotherpeople\'sfacts;butIpossesssuchakeytomyown,aspersuadesmeagainstalltheirdenials,thattheyalsohaveakeytotheirs。Asympatheticpersonisplacedinthedilemmaofaswimmeramongdrowningmen,whoallcatchathim,andifhegivesomuchasalegorafinger,theywilldrownhim。Theywishtobesavedfromthemischiefsoftheirvices,butnotfromtheirvices。Charitywouldbewastedonthispoorwaitingonthesymptoms。Awiseandhardyphysicianwillsay,_Comeoutofthat_,asthefirstconditionofadvice。
InthisourtalkingAmerica,weareruinedbyourgoodnatureandlisteningonallsides。Thiscompliancetakesawaythepowerofbeinggreatlyuseful。Amanshouldnotbeabletolookotherthandirectlyandforthright。Apreoccupiedattentionistheonlyanswertotheimportunatefrivolityofotherpeople:anattention,andtoanaimwhichmakestheirwantsfrivolous。Thisisadivineanswer,andleavesnoappeal,andnohardthoughts。InFlaxman\'sdrawingoftheEumenidesofAeschylus,OrestessupplicatesApollo,whilsttheFuriessleeponthethreshold。Thefaceofthegodexpressesashadeofregretandcompassion,butcalmwiththeconvictionoftheirreconcilablenessofthetwospheres。Heisbornintootherpolitics,intotheeternalandbeautiful。Themanathisfeetasksforhisinterestinturmoilsoftheearth,intowhichhisnaturecannotenter。AndtheEumenidestherelyingexpresspictoriallythisdisparity。Thegodissurchargedwithhisdivinedestiny。
Illusion,Temperament,Succession,Surface,Surprise,Reality,Subjectiveness,——thesearethreadsontheloomoftime,thesearethelordsoflife。Idarenotassumetogivetheirorder,butInamethemasIfindtheminmyway。Iknowbetterthantoclaimanycompletenessformypicture。Iamafragment,andthisisafragmentofme。Icanveryconfidentlyannounceoneoranotherlaw,whichthrowsitselfintoreliefandform,butIamtooyoungyetbysomeagestocompileacode。Igossipformyhourconcerningtheeternalpolitics。Ihaveseenmanyfairpicturesnotinvain。AwonderfultimeIhavelivedin。IamnotthenoviceIwasfourteen,noryetsevenyearsago。Letwhowillask,whereisthefruit?Ifindaprivatefruitsufficient。Thisisafruit,——thatIshouldnotaskforarasheffectfrommeditations,counsels,andthehivingoftruths。Ishouldfeelitpitifultodemandaresultonthistownandcounty,anoverteffectontheinstantmonthandyear。Theeffectisdeepandsecularasthecause。Itworksonperiodsinwhichmortallifetimeislost。AllIknowisreception;IamandIhave:butIdonotget,andwhenIhavefanciedIhadgottenanything,IfoundIdidnot。IworshipwithwonderthegreatFortune。Myreceptionhasbeensolarge,thatIamnotannoyedbyreceivingthisorthatsuperabundantly。IsaytotheGenius,ifhewillpardontheproverb,_Inforamill,inforamillion。_WhenIreceiveanewgift,Idonotmaceratemybodytomaketheaccountsquare,for,ifIshoulddie,Icouldnotmaketheaccountsquare。Thebenefitoverranthemeritthefirstday,andhasoverranthemeriteversince。Themerititself,so-called,Ireckonpartofthereceiving。
Also,thathankeringafteranovertorpracticaleffectseemstomeanapostasy。Ingoodearnest,Iamwillingtosparethismostunnecessarydealofdoing。Lifewearstomeavisionaryface。
Hardest,roughestactionisvisionaryalso。Itisbutachoicebetweensoftandturbulentdreams。Peopledisparageknowingandtheintellectuallife,andurgedoing。Iamverycontentwithknowing,ifonlyIcouldknow。Thatisanaugustentertainment,andwouldsufficemeagreatwhile。Toknowalittle,wouldbeworththeexpenseofthisworld。IhearalwaysthelawofAdrastia,“thateverysoulwhichhadacquiredanytruth,shouldbesafefromharmuntilanotherperiod。“
IknowthattheworldIconversewithinthecityandinthefarms,isnottheworldI_think。_Iobservethatdifferenceandshallobserveit。Oneday,Ishallknowthevalueandlawofthisdiscrepance。ButIhavenotfoundthatmuchwasgainedbymanipularattemptstorealizetheworldofthought。Manyeagerpersonssuccessivelymakeanexperimentinthisway,andmakethemselvesridiculous。Theyacquiredemocraticmanners,theyfoamatthemouth,theyhateanddeny。Worse,Iobserve,that,inthehistoryofmankind,thereisneverasolitaryexampleofsuccess,——takingtheirowntestsofsuccess。Isaythispolemically,orinreplytotheinquiry,whynotrealizeyourworld?Butfarbefrommethedespairwhichprejudgesthelawbyapaltryempiricism,——sincethereneverwasarightendeavor,butitsucceeded。Patienceandpatience,weshallwinatthelast。Wemustbeverysuspiciousofthedeceptionsoftheelementoftime。Ittakesagooddealoftimetoeatortosleep,ortoearnahundreddollars,andaverylittletimetoentertainahopeandaninsightwhichbecomesthelightofourlife。Wedressourgarden,eatourdinners,discussthehouseholdwithourwives,andthesethingsmakenoimpression,areforgottennextweek;butinthesolitudetowhicheverymanisalwaysreturning,hehasasanityandrevelations,whichinhispassageintonewworldshewillcarrywithhim。Nevermindtheridicule,nevermindthedefeat:upagain,oldheart!——itseemstosay,——thereisvictoryyetforalljustice;andthetrueromancewhichtheworldexiststorealize,willbethetransformationofgeniusintopracticalpower。
CHARACTER
Thesunset;butsetnothishope:
Starsrose;hisfaithwasearlierup:
Fixedontheenormousgalaxy,Deeperandolderseemedhiseye:
AndmatchedhissufferancesublimeThetaciturnityoftime。
Hespoke,andwordsmoresoftthanrainBroughttheAgeofGoldagain:
Hisactionwonsuchreverencesweet,Ashidallmeasureofthefeat。
WorkofhishandHenorcommendsnorgrieves:
Pleadsforitselfthefact;
AsunrepentingNatureleavesHereveryact。
ESSAYIII_Character_
IhavereadthatthosewholistenedtoLordChathamfeltthattherewassomethingfinerintheman,thananythingwhichhesaid。
IthasbeencomplainedofourbrilliantEnglishhistorianoftheFrenchRevolution,thatwhenhehastoldallhisfactsaboutMirabeau,theydonotjustifyhisestimateofhisgenius。TheGracchi,Agis,Cleomenes,andothersofPlutarch\'sheroes,donotintherecordoffactsequaltheirownfame。SirPhilipSidney,theEarlofEssex,SirWalterRaleigh,aremenofgreatfigure,andoffewdeeds。WecannotfindthesmallestpartofthepersonalweightofWashington,inthenarrativeofhisexploits。TheauthorityofthenameofSchilleristoogreatforhisbooks。Thisinequalityofthereputationtotheworksortheanecdotes,isnotaccountedforbysayingthatthereverberationislongerthanthethunder-clap;butsomewhatresidedinthesemenwhichbegotanexpectationthatoutranalltheirperformance。Thelargestpartoftheirpowerwaslatent。
ThisisthatwhichwecallCharacter,——areservedforcewhichactsdirectlybypresence,andwithoutmeans。Itisconceivedofasacertainundemonstrableforce,aFamiliarorGenius,bywhoseimpulsesthemanisguided,butwhosecounselshecannotimpart;whichiscompanyforhim,sothatsuchmenareoftensolitary,oriftheychancetobesocial,donotneedsociety,butcanentertainthemselvesverywellalone。Thepurestliterarytalentappearsatonetimegreat,atanothertimesmall,butcharacterisofastellarandundiminishablegreatness。Whatotherseffectbytalentorbyeloquence,thismanaccomplishesbysomemagnetism。“Halfhisstrengthheputnotforth。“Hisvictoriesarebydemonstrationofsuperiority,andnotbycrossingofbayonets。Heconquers,becausehisarrivalaltersthefaceofaffairs。`“OIole!howdidyouknowthatHerculeswasagod?”“Because,“answeredIole,“Iwascontentthemomentmyeyesfellonhim。WhenIbeheldTheseus,IdesiredthatImightseehimofferbattle,oratleastguidehishorsesinthechariot-race;butHerculesdidnotwaitforacontest;heconqueredwhetherhestood,orwalked,orsat,orwhateverthinghedid。“]\'Man,ordinarilyapendanttoevents,onlyhalfattached,andthatawkwardly,totheworldhelivesin,intheseexamplesappearstosharethelifeofthings,andtobeanexpressionofthesamelawswhichcontrolthetidesandthesun,numbersandquantities。
Buttouseamoremodestillustration,andnearerhome,I
observe,thatinourpoliticalelections,wherethiselement,ifitappearsatall,canonlyoccurinitscoarsestform,wesufficientlyunderstanditsincomparablerate。Thepeopleknowthattheyneedintheirrepresentativemuchmorethantalent,namely,thepowertomakehistalenttrusted。TheycannotcomeattheirendsbysendingtoCongressalearned,acute,andfluentspeaker,ifhebenotone,who,beforehewasappointedbythepeopletorepresentthem,wasappointedbyAlmightyGodtostandforafact,——invinciblypersuadedofthatfactinhimself,——sothatthemostconfidentandthemostviolentpersonslearnthathereisresistanceonwhichbothimpudenceandterrorarewasted,namely,faithinafact。Themenwhocarrytheirpointsdonotneedtoinquireoftheirconstituentswhattheyshouldsay,butarethemselvesthecountrywhichtheyrepresent:nowhereareitsemotionsoropinionssoinstantandtrueasinthem;nowheresopurefromaselfishinfusion。Theconstituencyathomehearkenstotheirwords,watchesthecoloroftheircheek,andtherein,asinaglass,dressesitsown。Ourpublicassembliesareprettygoodtestsofmanlyforce。Ourfrankcountrymenofthewestandsouthhaveatasteforcharacter,andliketoknowwhethertheNewEnglanderisasubstantialman,orwhetherthehandcanpassthroughhim。
Thesamemotiveforceappearsintrade。Therearegeniusesintrade,aswellasinwar,orthestate,orletters;andthereasonwhythisorthatmanisfortunate,isnottobetold。Itliesintheman:thatisallanybodycantellyouaboutit。Seehim,andyouwillknowaseasilywhyhesucceeds,as,ifyouseeNapoleon,youwouldcomprehendhisfortune。Inthenewobjectswerecognizetheoldgame,thehabitoffrontingthefact,andnotdealingwithitatsecondhand,throughtheperceptionsofsomebodyelse。Natureseemstoauthorizetrade,assoonasyouseethenaturalmerchant,whoappearsnotsomuchaprivateagent,asherfactorandMinisterofCommerce。Hisnaturalprobitycombineswithhisinsightintothefabricofsociety,toputhimabovetricks,andhecommunicatestoallhisownfaith,thatcontractsareofnoprivateinterpretation。
Thehabitofhismindisareferencetostandardsofnaturalequityandpublicadvantage;andheinspiresrespect,andthewishtodealwithhim,bothforthequietspiritofhonorwhichattendshim,andfortheintellectualpastimewhichthespectacleofsomuchabilityaffords。Thisimmenselystretchedtrade,whichmakesthecapesoftheSouthernOceanhiswharves,andtheAtlanticSeahisfamiliarport,centresinhisbrainonly;andnobodyintheuniversecanmakehisplacegood。Inhisparlor,Iseeverywellthathehasbeenathardworkthismorning,withthatknittedbrow,andthatsettledhumor,whichallhisdesiretobecourteouscannotshakeoff。Iseeplainlyhowmanyfirmactshavebeendone;howmanyvaliant_noes_
havethisdaybeenspoken,whenotherswouldhaveutteredruinous_yeas_。Isee,withtheprideofart,andskillofmasterlyarithmeticandpowerofremotecombination,theconsciousnessofbeinganagentandplayfellowoftheoriginallawsoftheworld。Hetoobelievesthatnonecansupplyhim,andthatamanmustbeborntotrade,orhecannotlearnit。
Thisvirtuedrawsthemindmore,whenitappearsinactiontoendsnotsomixed。Itworkswithmostenergyinthesmallestcompaniesandinprivaterelations。Inallcases,itisanextraordinaryandincomputableagent。Theexcessofphysicalstrengthisparalyzedbyit。Highernaturesoverpowerloweronesbyaffectingthemwithacertainsleep。Thefacultiesarelockedup,andoffernoresistance。Perhapsthatistheuniversallaw。Whenthehighcannotbringupthelowtoitself,itbenumbsit,asmancharmsdowntheresistanceoftheloweranimals。Menexertoneachotherasimilaroccultpower。Howoftenhastheinfluenceofatruemasterrealizedallthetalesofmagic!Ariverofcommandseemedtorundownfromhiseyesintoallthosewhobeheldhim,atorrentofstrongsadlight,likeanOhioorDanube,whichpervadedthemwithhisthoughts,andcoloredalleventswiththehueofhismind。“Whatmeansdidyouemploy?”wasthequestionaskedofthewifeofConcini,inregardtohertreatmentofMaryofMedici;andtheanswerwas,“Onlythatinfluencewhicheverystrongmindhasoveraweakone。“
CannotCaesarinironsshuffleofftheirons,andtransferthemtothepersonofHippoorThrasotheturnkey?Isanironhandcuffsoimmutableabond?SupposeaslaveronthecoastofGuineashouldtakeonboardagangofnegroes,whichshouldcontainpersonsofthestampofToussaintL\'Ouverture:or,letusfancy,undertheseswarthymaskshehasagangofWashingtonsinchains。WhentheyarriveatCuba,willtherelativeorderoftheship\'scompanybethesame?Istherenothingbutropeandiron?Istherenolove,noreverence?Isthereneveraglimpseofrightinapoorslave-captain\'smind;andcannotthesebesupposedavailabletobreak,orelude,orinanymannerovermatchthetensionofaninchortwoofironring?
Thisisanaturalpower,likelightandheat,andallnaturecooperateswithit。Thereasonwhywefeeloneman\'spresence,anddonotfeelanother\'s,isassimpleasgravity。Truthisthesummitofbeing:justiceistheapplicationofittoaffairs。Allindividualnaturesstandinascale,accordingtothepurityofthiselementinthem。Thewillofthepurerunsdownfromthemintoothernatures,aswaterrunsdownfromahigherintoalowervessel。Thisnaturalforceisnomoretobewithstood,thananyothernaturalforce。Wecandriveastoneupwardforamomentintotheair,butitisyettruethatallstoneswillforeverfall;andwhateverinstancescanbequotedofunpunishedtheft,orofaliewhichsomebodycredited,justicemustprevail,anditistheprivilegeoftruthtomakeitselfbelieved。Characteristhismoralorderseenthroughthemediumofanindividualnature。Anindividualisanencloser。Timeandspace,libertyandnecessity,truthandthought,areleftatlargenolonger。Now,theuniverseisacloseorpound。Allthingsexistinthemantingedwiththemannersofhissoul。Withwhatqualityisinhim,heinfusesallnaturethathecanreach;nordoeshetendtolosehimselfinvastness,but,athowlongacurvesoever,allhisregardsreturnintohisowngoodatlast。Heanimatesallhecan,andheseesonlywhatheanimates。Heenclosestheworld,asthepatriotdoeshiscountry,asamaterialbasisforhischaracter,andatheatreforaction。AhealthysoulstandsunitedwiththeJustandtheTrue,asthemagnetarrangesitselfwiththepole,sothathestandstoallbeholderslikeatransparentobjectbetwixtthemandthesun,andwhosojourneystowardsthesun,journeystowardsthatperson。Heisthusthemediumofthehighestinfluencetoallwhoarenotonthesamelevel。Thus,menofcharacteraretheconscienceofthesocietytowhichtheybelong。
Thenaturalmeasureofthispoweristheresistanceofcircumstances。Impuremenconsiderlifeasitisreflectedinopinions,events,andpersons。Theycannotseetheaction,untilitisdone。Yetitsmoralelementpre-existedintheactor,anditsqualityasrightorwrong,itwaseasytopredict。Everythinginnatureisbipolar,orhasapositiveandnegativepole。Thereisamaleandafemale,aspiritandafact,anorthandasouth。Spiritisthepositive,theeventisthenegative。Willisthenorth,actionthesouthpole。Charactermayberankedashavingitsnaturalplaceinthenorth。Itsharesthemagneticcurrentsofthesystem。
Thefeeblesoulsaredrawntothesouthornegativepole。Theylookattheprofitorhurtoftheaction。Theyneverbeholdaprincipleuntilitislodgedinaperson。Theydonotwishtobelovely,buttobeloved。Theclassofcharacterliketohearoftheirfaults:
theotherclassdonotliketohearoffaults;theyworshipevents;
securetothemafact,aconnexion,acertainchainofcircumstances,andtheywillasknomore。Theheroseesthattheeventisancillary:itmustfollow_him。_Agivenorderofeventshasnopowertosecuretohimthesatisfactionwhichtheimaginationattachestoit;thesoulofgoodnessescapesfromanysetofcircumstances,whilstprosperitybelongstoacertainmind,andwillintroducethatpowerandvictorywhichisitsnaturalfruit,intoanyorderofevents。Nochangeofcircumstancescanrepairadefectofcharacter。
Weboastouremancipationfrommanysuperstitions;butifwehavebrokenanyidols,itisthroughatransferoftheidolatry。WhathaveIgained,thatInolongerimmolateabulltoJove,ortoNeptune,oramousetoHecate;thatIdonottremblebeforetheEumenides,ortheCatholicPurgatory,ortheCalvinisticJudgment-day,——ifIquakeatopinion,thepublicopinion,aswecallit;oratthethreatofassault,orcontumely,orbadneighbors,orpoverty,ormutilation,orattherumorofrevolution,orofmurder?IfIquake,whatmattersitwhatIquakeat?Ourpropervicetakesforminoneoranothershape,accordingtothesex,age,ortemperamentoftheperson,and,ifwearecapableoffear,willreadilyfindterrors。Thecovetousnessorthemalignitywhichsaddensme,whenIascribeittosociety,ismyown。Iamalwaysenvironedbymyself。Ontheotherpart,rectitudeisaperpetualvictory,celebratednotbycriesofjoy,butbyserenity,whichisjoyfixedorhabitual。Itisdisgracefultoflytoeventsforconfirmationofourtruthandworth。Thecapitalistdoesnotruneveryhourtothebroker,tocoinhisadvantagesintocurrentmoneyoftherealm;heissatisfiedtoreadinthequotationsofthemarket,thathisstockshaverisen。Thesametransportwhichtheoccurrenceofthebesteventsinthebestorderwouldoccasionme,I
mustlearntotastepurerintheperceptionthatmypositioniseveryhourmeliorated,anddoesalreadycommandthoseeventsIdesire。
Thatexultationisonlytobecheckedbytheforesightofanorderofthingssoexcellent,astothrowallourprosperitiesintothedeepestshade。
Thefacewhichcharacterwearstomeisself-sufficingness。I
reverethepersonwhoisriches;sothatIcannotthinkofhimasalone,orpoor,orexiled,orunhappy,oraclient,butasperpetualpatron,benefactor,andbeatifiedman。Characteriscentrality,theimpossibilityofbeingdisplacedoroverset。Amanshouldgiveusasenseofmass。Societyisfrivolous,andshredsitsdayintoscraps,itsconversationintoceremoniesandescapes。ButifIgotoseeaningeniousman,Ishallthinkmyselfpoorlyentertainedifhegivemenimblepiecesofbenevolenceandetiquette;ratherheshallstandstoutlyinhisplace,andletmeapprehend,ifitwereonlyhisresistance;knowthatIhaveencounteredanewandpositivequality;——
greatrefreshmentforbothofus。Itismuch,thathedoesnotaccepttheconventionalopinionsandpractices。Thatnonconformitywillremainagoadandremembrancer,andeveryinquirerwillhavetodisposeofhim,inthefirstplace。Thereisnothingrealorusefulthatisnotaseatofwar。Ourhousesringwithlaughterandpersonalandcriticalgossip,butithelpslittle。Buttheuncivil,unavailableman,whoisaproblemandathreattosociety,whomitcannotletpassinsilence,butmusteitherworshiporhate,——andtowhomallpartiesfeelrelated,boththeleadersofopinion,andtheobscureandeccentric,——hehelps;heputsAmericaandEuropeinthewrong,anddestroystheskepticismwhichsays,`manisadoll,letuseatanddrink,\'tisthebestwecando,\'byilluminatingtheuntriedandunknown。Acquiescenceintheestablishment,andappealtothepublic,indicateinfirmfaith,headswhicharenotclear,andwhichmustseeahousebuilt,beforetheycancomprehendtheplanofit。Thewisemannotonlyleavesoutofhisthoughtthemany,butleavesoutthefew。Fountains,fountains,theself-moved,theabsorbed,thecommanderbecauseheiscommanded,theassured,theprimary,——theyaregood;fortheseannouncetheinstantpresenceofsupremepower。
Ouractionshouldrestmathematicallyonoursubstance。Innature,therearenofalsevaluations。Apoundofwaterintheocean-tempesthasnomoregravitythaninamidsummerpond。Allthingsworkexactlyaccordingtotheirquality,andaccordingtotheirquantity;attemptnothingtheycannotdo,exceptmanonly。Hehaspretension:hewishesandattemptsthingsbeyondhisforce。I
readinabookofEnglishmemoirs,“Mr。FoxafterwardsLordHolland
said,hemusthavetheTreasury;hehadserveduptoit,andwouldhaveit。“——XenophonandhisTenThousandwerequiteequaltowhattheyattempted,anddidit;soequal,thatitwasnotsuspectedtobeagrandandinimitableexploit。Yettherestandsthatfactunrepeated,ahigh-water-markinmilitaryhistory。Manyhaveattempteditsince,andnotbeenequaltoit。Itisonlyonreality,thatanypowerofactioncanbebased。Noinstitutionwillbebetterthantheinstitutor。Iknewanamiableandaccomplishedpersonwhoundertookapracticalreform,yetIwasneverabletofindinhimtheenterpriseoflovehetookinhand。Headopteditbyearandbytheunderstandingfromthebookshehadbeenreading。Allhisactionwastentative,apieceofthecitycarriedoutintothefields,andwasthecitystill,andnonewfact,andcouldnotinspireenthusiasm。
Hadtherebeensomethinglatentintheman,aterribleundemonstratedgeniusagitatingandembarrassinghisdemeanor,wehadwatchedforitsadvent。Itisnotenoughthattheintellectshouldseetheevils,andtheirremedy。Weshallstillpostponeourexistence,nortakethegroundtowhichweareentitled,whilstitisonlyathought,andnotaspiritthatincitesus。Wehavenotyetserveduptoit。
Thesearepropertiesoflife,andanothertraitisthenoticeofincessantgrowth。Menshouldbeintelligentandearnest。Theymustalsomakeusfeel,thattheyhaveacontrollinghappyfuture,openingbeforethem,whichshedsasplendoronthepassinghour。Theheroismisconceivedandmisreported:hecannotthereforewaittounravelanyman\'sblunders:heisagainonhisroad,addingnewpowersandhonorstohisdomain,andnewclaimsonyourheart,whichwillbankruptyou,ifyouhaveloiteredabouttheoldthings,andhavenotkeptyourrelationtohim,byaddingtoyourwealth。Newactionsaretheonlyapologiesandexplanationsofoldones,whichthenoblecanbeartoofferortoreceive。Ifyourfriendhasdispleasedyou,youshallnotsitdowntoconsiderit,forhehasalreadylostallmemoryofthepassage,andhasdoubledhispowertoserveyou,and,ereyoucanriseupagain,willburdenyouwithblessings。
Wehavenopleasureinthinkingofabenevolencethatisonlymeasuredbyitsworks。Loveisinexhaustible,andifitsestateiswasted,itsgranaryemptied,stillcheersandenriches,andtheman,thoughhesleep,seemstopurifytheair,andhishousetoadornthelandscapeandstrengthenthelaws。Peoplealwaysrecognizethisdifference。Weknowwhoisbenevolent,byquiteothermeansthantheamountofsubscriptiontosoup-societies。Itisonlylowmeritsthatcanbeenumerated。Fear,whenyourfriendssaytoyouwhatyouhavedonewell,andsayitthrough;butwhentheystandwithuncertaintimidlooksofrespectandhalf-dislike,andmustsuspendtheirjudgmentforyearstocome,youmaybegintohope。Thosewholivetothefuturemustalwaysappearselfishtothosewholivetothepresent。ThereforeitwasdrollinthegoodRiemer,whohaswrittenmemoirsofGoethe,tomakeoutalistofhisdonationsandgooddeeds,as,somanyhundredthalersgiventoStilling,toHegel,toTischbein:alucrativeplacefoundforProfessorVoss,apostundertheGrandDukeforHerder,apensionforMeyer,twoprofessorsrecommendedtoforeignuniversities,&c。&c。Thelongestlistofspecificationsofbenefit,wouldlookveryshort。Amanisapoorcreature,ifheistobemeasuredso。For,allthese,ofcourse,areexceptions;andtheruleandhodiernallifeofagoodmanisbenefaction。ThetruecharityofGoetheistobeinferredfromtheaccounthegaveDr。Eckermann,ofthewayinwhichhehadspenthisfortune。“Eachbon-motofminehascostapurseofgold。Halfamillionofmyownmoney,thefortuneIinherited,mysalary,andthelargeincomederivedfrommywritingsforfiftyyearsback,havebeenexpendedtoinstructmeinwhatInowknow。Ihavebesidesseen,“
&c。
Iownitisbutpoorchatandgossiptogotoenumeratetraitsofthissimpleandrapidpower,andwearepaintingthelightningwithcharcoal;butintheselongnightsandvacations,Iliketoconsolemyselfso。Nothingbutitselfcancopyit。Awordwarmfromtheheartenrichesme。Isurrenderatdiscretion。Howdeath-coldisliterarygeniusbeforethisfireoflife!Thesearethetouchesthatreanimatemyheavysoul,andgiveiteyestopiercethedarkofnature。Ifind,whereIthoughtmyselfpoor,therewasImostrich。
Thencecomesanewintellectualexaltation,tobeagainrebukedbysomenewexhibitionofcharacter。Strangealternationofattractionandrepulsion!Characterrepudiatesintellect,yetexcitesit;andcharacterpassesintothought,ispublishedso,andthenisashamedbeforenewflashesofmoralworth。
Characterisnatureinthehighestform。Itisofnousetoapeit,ortocontendwithit。Somewhatispossibleofresistance,andofpersistence,andofcreation,tothispower,whichwillfoilallemulation。
Thismasterpieceisbestwherenohandsbutnature\'shavebeenlaidonit。Careistakenthatthegreatly-destinedshallslipupintolifeintheshade,withnothousand-eyedAthenstowatchandblazoneverynewthought,everyblushingemotionofyounggenius。
Twopersonslately,——veryyoungchildrenofthemosthighGod,——
havegivenmeoccasionforthought。WhenIexploredthesourceoftheirsanctity,andcharmfortheimagination,itseemedasifeachanswered,`Frommynon-conformity:Ineverlistenedtoyourpeople\'slaw,ortowhattheycalltheirgospel,andwastedmytime。Iwascontentwiththesimpleruralpovertyofmyown:hencethissweetness:myworkneverremindsyouofthat;——ispureofthat。\'
Andnatureadvertisesmeinsuchpersons,that,indemocraticAmerica,shewillnotbedemocratized。Howcloisteredandconstitutionallysequesteredfromthemarketandfromscandal!Itwasonlythismorning,thatIsentawaysomewildflowersofthesewood-gods。Theyarearelieffromliterature,——thesefreshdraughtsfromthesourcesofthoughtandsentiment;asweread,inanageofpolishandcriticism,thefirstlinesofwrittenproseandverseofanation。Howcaptivatingistheirdevotiontotheirfavoritebooks,whetherAeschylus,Dante,Shakspeare,orScott,asfeelingthattheyhaveastakeinthatbook:whotouchesthat,touchesthem;——andespeciallythetotalsolitudeofthecritic,thePatmosofthoughtfromwhichhewrites,inunconsciousnessofanyeyesthatshalleverreadthiswriting。Couldtheydreamonstill,asangels,andnotwaketocomparisons,andtobeflattered!Yetsomenaturesaretoogoodtobespoiledbypraise,andwherevertheveinofthoughtreachesdownintotheprofound,thereisnodangerfromvanity。Solemnfriendswillwarnthemofthedangerofthehead\'sbeingturnedbytheflourishoftrumpets,buttheycanaffordtosmile。IremembertheindignationofaneloquentMethodistatthekindadmonitionsofaDoctorofDivinity,——`Myfriend,amancanneitherbepraisednorinsulted。\'Butforgivethecounsels;theyareverynatural。IrememberthethoughtwhichoccurredtomewhensomeingeniousandspiritualforeignerscametoAmerica,was,Haveyoubeenvictimizedinbeingbroughthither?——or,priortothat,answermethis,`Areyouvictimizable?\'
AsIhavesaid,naturekeepsthesesovereigntiesinherownhands,andhoweverpertlyoursermonsanddisciplineswoulddividesomeshareofcredit,andteachthatthelawsfashionthecitizen,shegoesherowngait,andputsthewisestinthewrong。Shemakesverylightofgospelsandprophets,asonewhohasagreatmanymoretoproduce,andnoexcessoftimetospareonanyone。Thereisaclassofmen,individualsofwhichappearatlongintervals,soeminentlyendowedwithinsightandvirtue,thattheyhavebeenunanimouslysalutedas_divine_,andwhoseemtobeanaccumulationofthatpowerweconsider。Divinepersonsarecharacterborn,or,toborrowaphrasefromNapoleon,theyarevictoryorganized。Theyareusuallyreceivedwithill-will,becausetheyarenew,andbecausetheysetaboundtotheexaggerationthathasbeenmadeofthepersonalityofthelastdivineperson。Natureneverrhymesherchildren,normakestwomenalike。Whenweseeagreatman,wefancyaresemblancetosomehistoricalperson,andpredictthesequelofhischaracterandfortune,aresultwhichheissuretodisappoint。
Nonewilleversolvetheproblemofhischaracteraccordingtoourprejudice,butonlyinhisownhighunprecedentedway。Characterwantsroom;mustnotbecrowdedonbypersons,norbejudgedfromglimpsesgotinthepressofaffairsoronfewoccasions。Itneedsperspective,asagreatbuilding。Itmaynot,probablydoesnot,formrelationsrapidly;andweshouldnotrequirerashexplanation,eitheronthepopularethics,oronourown,ofitsaction。
IlookonSculptureashistory。IdonotthinktheApolloandtheJoveimpossibleinfleshandblood。Everytraitwhichtheartistrecordedinstone,hehadseeninlife,andbetterthanhiscopy。Wehaveseenmanycounterfeits,butwearebornbelieversingreatmen。
Howeasilywereadinoldbooks,whenmenwerefew,ofthesmallestactionofthepatriarchs。Werequirethatamanshouldbesolargeandcolumnarinthelandscape,thatitshoulddeservetoberecorded,thathearose,andgirdeduphisloins,anddepartedtosuchaplace。
Themostcrediblepicturesarethoseofmajesticmenwhoprevailedattheirentrance,andconvincedthesenses;ashappenedtotheeasternmagianwhowassenttotestthemeritsofZertushtorZoroaster。
WhentheYunanisagearrivedatBalkh,thePersianstellus,GushtaspappointedadayonwhichtheMobedsofeverycountryshouldassemble,andagoldenchairwasplacedfortheYunanisage。ThenthebelovedofYezdam,theprophetZertusht,advancedintothemidstoftheassembly。TheYunanisage,onseeingthatchief,said,“Thisformandthisgaitcannotlie,andnothingbuttruthcanproceedfromthem。“Platosaid,itwasimpossiblenottobelieveinthechildrenofthegods,“thoughtheyshouldspeakwithoutprobableornecessaryarguments。“Ishouldthinkmyselfveryunhappyinmyassociates,ifI
couldnotcreditthebestthingsinhistory。“JohnBradshaw,“saysMilton,“appearslikeaconsul,fromwhomthefascesarenottodepartwiththeyear;sothatnotonthetribunalonly,butthroughouthislife,youwouldregardhimassittinginjudgmentuponkings。“Ifinditmorecredible,sinceitisanteriorinformation,thatonemanshould_knowheaven_,astheChinesesay,thanthatsomanymenshouldknowtheworld。“Thevirtuousprinceconfrontsthegods,withoutanymisgiving。Hewaitsahundredagestillasagecomes,anddoesnotdoubt。Hewhoconfrontsthegods,withoutanymisgiving,knowsheaven;hewhowaitsahundredagesuntilasagecomes,withoutdoubting,knowsmen。Hencethevirtuousprincemoves,andforagesshowsempiretheway。“Butthereisnoneedtoseekremoteexamples。Heisadullobserverwhoseexperiencehasnottaughthimtherealityandforceofmagic,aswellasofchemistry。
Thecoldestprecisiancannotgoabroadwithoutencounteringinexplicableinfluences。Onemanfastensaneyeonhim,andthegravesofthememoryrenderuptheirdead;thesecretsthatmakehimwretchedeithertokeeportobetray,mustbeyielded;——another,andhecannotspeak,andthebonesofhisbodyseemtolosetheircartilages;theentranceofafriendaddsgrace,boldness,andeloquencetohim;andtherearepersons,hecannotchoosebutremember,whogaveatranscendantexpansiontohisthought,andkindledanotherlifeinhisbosom。
Whatissoexcellentasstrictrelationsofamity,whentheyspringfromthisdeeproot?Thesufficientreplytotheskeptic,whodoubtsthepowerandthefurnitureofman,isinthatpossibilityofjoyfulintercoursewithpersons,whichmakesthefaithandpracticeofallreasonablemen。Iknownothingwhichlifehastooffersosatisfyingastheprofoundgoodunderstanding,whichcansubsist,aftermuchexchangeofgoodoffices,betweentwovirtuousmen,eachofwhomissureofhimself,andsureofhisfriend。Itisahappinesswhichpostponesallothergratifications,andmakespolitics,andcommerce,andchurches,cheap。For,whenmenshallmeetastheyought,eachabenefactor,ashowerofstars,clothedwiththoughts,withdeeds,withaccomplishments,itshouldbethefestivalofnaturewhichallthingsannounce。Ofsuchfriendship,loveinthesexesisthefirstsymbol,asallotherthingsaresymbolsoflove。Thoserelationstothebestmen,which,atonetime,wereckonedtheromancesofyouth,become,intheprogressofthecharacter,themostsolidenjoyment。
Ifitwerepossibletoliveinrightrelationswithmen!——ifwecouldabstainfromaskinganythingofthem,fromaskingtheirpraise,orhelp,orpity,andcontentuswithcompellingthemthroughthevirtueoftheeldestlaws!Couldwenotdealwithafewpersons,——withoneperson,——aftertheunwrittenstatutes,andmakeanexperimentoftheirefficacy?Couldwenotpayourfriendthecomplimentoftruth,ofsilence,offorbearing?Needwebesoeagertoseekhim?Ifwearerelated,weshallmeet。Itwasatraditionoftheancientworld,thatnometamorphosiscouldhideagodfromagod;andthereisaGreekversewhichruns,“TheGodsaretoeachothernotunknown。“
Friendsalsofollowthelawsofdivinenecessity;theygravitatetoeachother,andcannototherwise:——
Wheneachtheothershallavoid,Shalleachbyeachbemostenjoyed。
Theirrelationisnotmade,butallowed。ThegodsmustseatthemselveswithoutseneschalinourOlympus,andastheycaninstalthemselvesbysenioritydivine。Societyisspoiled,ifpainsaretaken,iftheassociatesarebroughtamiletomeet。Andifitbenotsociety,itisamischievous,low,degradingjangle,thoughmadeupofthebest。Allthegreatnessofeachiskeptback,andeveryfoibleinpainfulactivity,asiftheOlympiansshouldmeettoexchangesnuff-boxes。
Lifegoesheadlong。Wechasesomeflyingscheme,orwearehuntedbysomefearorcommandbehindus。Butifsuddenlyweencounterafriend,wepause;ourheatandhurrylookfoolishenough;
nowpause,nowpossession,isrequired,andthepowertoswellthemomentfromtheresourcesoftheheart。Themomentisall,inallnoblerelations。
Adivinepersonistheprophecyofthemind;afriendisthehopeoftheheart。Ourbeatitudewaitsforthefulfilmentofthesetwoinone。Theagesareopeningthismoralforce。Allforceistheshadoworsymbolofthat。Poetryisjoyfulandstrong,asitdrawsitsinspirationthence。Menwritetheirnamesontheworld,astheyarefilledwiththis。Historyhasbeenmean;ournationshavebeenmobs;wehaveneverseenaman:thatdivineformwedonotyetknow,butonlythedreamandprophecyofsuch:wedonotknowthemajesticmannerswhichbelongtohim,whichappeaseandexaltthebeholder。
Weshallonedayseethatthemostprivateisthemostpublicenergy,thatqualityatonesforquantity,andgrandeurofcharacteractsinthedark,andsuccorsthemwhoneversawit。Whatgreatnesshasyetappeared,isbeginningsandencouragementstousinthisdirection。
Thehistoryofthosegodsandsaintswhichtheworldhaswritten,andthenworshipped,aredocumentsofcharacter。Theageshaveexultedinthemannersofayouthwhoowednothingtofortune,andwhowashangedattheTyburnofhisnation,who,bythepurequalityofhisnature,shedanepicsplendoraroundthefactsofhisdeath,whichhastransfiguredeveryparticularintoanuniversalsymbolfortheeyesofmankind。Thisgreatdefeatishithertoourhighestfact。
Butthemindrequiresavictorytothesenses,aforceofcharacterwhichwillconvertjudge,jury,soldier,andking;whichwillruleanimalandmineralvirtues,andblendwiththecoursesofsap,ofrivers,ofwinds,ofstars,andofmoralagents。
Ifwecannotattainataboundtothesegrandeurs,atleast,letusdothemhomage。Insociety,highadvantagesaresetdowntothepossessor,asdisadvantages。Itrequiresthemorewarinessinourprivateestimates。Idonotforgiveinmyfriendsthefailuretoknowafinecharacter,andtoentertainitwiththankfulhospitality。
When,atlast,thatwhichwehavealwayslongedfor,isarrived,andshinesonuswithgladraysoutofthatfarcelestialland,thentobecoarse,thentobecritical,andtreatsuchavisitantwiththejabberandsuspicionofthestreets,arguesavulgaritythatseemstoshutthedoorsofheaven。Thisisconfusion,thistherightinsanity,whenthesoulnolongerknowsitsown,norwhereitsallegiance,itsreligion,aredue。Isthereanyreligionbutthis,toknow,that,whereverinthewidedesertofbeing,theholysentimentwecherishhasopenedintoaflower,itbloomsforme?ifnoneseesit,Iseeit;Iamaware,ifIalone,ofthegreatnessofthefact。Whilstitblooms,Iwillkeepsabbathorholytime,andsuspendmygloom,andmyfollyandjokes。Natureisindulgedbythepresenceofthisguest。Therearemanyeyesthatcandetectandhonortheprudentandhouseholdvirtues;therearemanythatcandiscernGeniusonhisstarrytrack,thoughthemobisincapable;butwhenthatlovewhichisall-suffering,all-abstaining,all-aspiring,whichhasvowedtoitself,thatitwillbeawretchandalsoafoolinthisworld,soonerthansoilitswhitehandsbyanycompliances,comesintoourstreetsandhouses,——onlythepureandaspiringcanknowitsface,andtheonlycomplimenttheycanpayit,istoownit。
MANNERS
“Howneartogoodiswhatisfair!
Whichwenosoonersee,ButwiththelinesandoutwardairOursensestakenbe。
Againyourselvescompose,AndnowputalltheaptnessonOfFigure,thatProportionOrColorcandisclose;
Thatifthosesilentartswerelost,DesignandPicture,theymightboastFromyouanewerground,InstructedbytheheighteningsenseOfdignityandreverenceIntheirtruemotionsfound。“
BenJonsonESSAYIV_Manners_
Halftheworld,itissaid,knowsnothowtheotherhalflive。
OurExploringExpeditionsawtheFeejeeislandersgettingtheirdinneroffhumanbones;andtheyaresaidtoeattheirownwivesandchildren。ThehusbandryofthemoderninhabitantsofGournouwestofoldThebesisphilosophicaltoafault。Tosetuptheirhousekeeping,nothingisrequisitebuttwoorthreeearthernpots,astonetogrindmeal,andamatwhichisthebed。Thehouse,namely,atomb,isreadywithoutrentortaxes。Noraincanpassthroughtheroof,andthereisnodoor,forthereisnowantofone,asthereisnothingtolose。Ifthehousedonotpleasethem,theywalkoutandenteranother,asthereareseveralhundredsattheircommand。“Itissomewhatsingular,“addsBelzoni,towhomweowethisaccount,“totalkofhappinessamongpeoplewholiveinsepulchres,amongthecorpsesandragsofanancientnationwhichtheyknownothingof。“InthedesertsofBorgoo,therock-Tibboosstilldwellincaves,likecliff-swallows,andthelanguageofthesenegroesiscomparedbytheirneighborstotheshriekingofbats,andtothewhistlingofbirds。Again,theBornooshavenopropernames;individualsarecalledaftertheirheight,thickness,orotheraccidentalquality,andhavenicknamesmerely。Butthesalt,thedates,theivory,andthegold,forwhichthesehorribleregionsarevisited,findtheirwayintocountries,wherethepurchaserandconsumercanhardlyberankedinoneracewiththesecannibalsandman-stealers;countrieswheremanserveshimselfwithmetals,wood,stone,glass,gum,cotton,silk,andwool;honorshimselfwitharchitecture;writeslaws,andcontrivestoexecutehiswillthroughthehandsofmanynations;and,especially,establishesaselectsociety,runningthroughallthecountriesofintelligentmen,aself-constitutedaristocracy,orfraternityofthebest,which,withoutwrittenlaworexactusageofanykind,perpetuatesitself,colonizeseverynew-plantedisland,andadoptsandmakesitsownwhateverpersonalbeautyorextraordinarynativeendowmentanywhereappears。
Whatfactmoreconspicuousinmodernhistory,thanthecreationofthegentleman?Chivalryisthat,andloyaltyisthat,and,inEnglishliterature,halfthedrama,andallthenovels,fromSirPhilipSidneytoSirWalterScott,paintthisfigure。Theword_gentleman_,which,likethewordChristian,musthereaftercharacterizethepresentandthefewprecedingcenturies,bytheimportanceattachedtoit,isahomagetopersonalandincommunicableproperties。Frivolousandfantasticadditionshavegotassociatedwiththename,butthesteadyinterestofmankindinitmustbeattributedtothevaluablepropertieswhichitdesignates。Anelementwhichunitesallthemostforciblepersonsofeverycountry;
makesthemintelligibleandagreeabletoeachother,andissomewhatsoprecise,thatitisatoncefeltifanindividuallackthemasonicsign,cannotbeanycasualproduct,butmustbeanaverageresultofthecharacterandfacultiesuniversallyfoundinmen。Itseemsacertainpermanentaverage;astheatmosphereisapermanentcomposition,whilstsomanygasesarecombinedonlytobedecompounded。_Commeilfaut_,istheFrenchman\'sdescriptionofgoodsociety,_aswemustbe_。Itisaspontaneousfruitoftalentsandfeelingsofpreciselythatclasswhohavemostvigor,whotaketheleadintheworldofthishour,and,thoughfarfrompure,farfromconstitutingthegladdestandhighesttoneofhumanfeeling,isasgoodasthewholesocietypermitsittobe。Itismadeofthespirit,morethanofthetalentofmen,andisacompoundresult,intowhicheverygreatforceentersasaningredient,namely,virtue,wit,beauty,wealth,andpower。
Thereissomethingequivocalinallthewordsinusetoexpresstheexcellenceofmannersandsocialcultivation,becausethequantitiesarefluxional,andthelasteffectisassumedbythesensesasthecause。Theword_gentleman_hasnotanycorrelativeabstracttoexpressthequality。_Gentility_ismean,and_gentilesse_isobsolete。Butwemustkeepaliveinthevernacular,thedistinctionbetween_fashion_,awordofnarrowandoftensinistermeaning,andtheheroiccharacterwhichthegentlemanimports。Theusualwords,however,mustberespected:theywillbefoundtocontaintherootofthematter。Thepointofdistinctioninallthisclassofnames,ascourtesy,chivalry,fashion,andthelike,is,thattheflowerandfruit,notthegrainofthetree,arecontemplated。Itisbeautywhichistheaimthistime,andnotworth。Theresultisnowinquestion,althoughourwordsintimatewellenoughthepopularfeeling,thattheappearancesupposesasubstance。Thegentlemanisamanoftruth,lordofhisownactions,andexpressingthatlordshipinhisbehavior,notinanymannerdependentandservileeitheronpersons,oropinions,orpossessions。
Beyondthisfactoftruthandrealforce,theworddenotesgood-natureorbenevolence:manhoodfirst,andthengentleness。Thepopularnotioncertainlyaddsaconditionofeaseandfortune;butthatisanaturalresultofpersonalforceandlove,thattheyshouldpossessanddispensethegoodsoftheworld。Intimesofviolence,everyeminentpersonmustfallinwithmanyopportunitiestoapprovehisstoutnessandworth;thereforeeveryman\'snamethatemergedatallfromthemassinthefeudalages,rattlesinourearlikeaflourishoftrumpets。Butpersonalforcenevergoesoutoffashion。
Thatisstillparamounttoday,and,inthemovingcrowdofgoodsociety,themenofvalorandrealityareknown,andrisetotheirnaturalplace。Thecompetitionistransferredfromwartopoliticsandtrade,butthepersonalforceappearsreadilyenoughinthesenewarenas。
Powerfirst,ornoleadingclass。Inpoliticsandintrade,bruisersandpiratesareofbetterpromisethantalkersandclerks。
Godknowsthatallsortsofgentlemenknockatthedoor;butwheneverusedinstrictness,andwithanyemphasis,thenamewillbefoundtopointatoriginalenergy。Itdescribesamanstandinginhisownright,andworkingafteruntaughtmethods。Inagoodlord,theremustfirstbeagoodanimal,atleasttotheextentofyieldingtheincomparableadvantageofanimalspirits。Therulingclassmusthavemore,buttheymusthavethese,givingineverycompanythesenseofpower,whichmakesthingseasytobedonewhichdauntthewise。Thesocietyoftheenergeticclass,intheirfriendlyandfestivemeetings,isfullofcourage,andofattempts,whichintimidatethepalescholar。ThecouragewhichgirlsexhibitislikeabattleofLundy\'sLane,orasea-fight。Theintellectreliesonmemorytomakesomesuppliestofacetheseextemporaneoussquadrons。Butmemoryisabasemendicantwithbasketandbadge,inthepresenceofthesesuddenmasters。Therulersofsocietymustbeuptotheworkoftheworld,andequaltotheirversatileoffice:menoftherightCaesarianpattern,whohavegreatrangeofaffinity。IamfarfrombelievingthetimidmaximofLordFalkland,“thatforceremonytheremustgotwotoit;sinceaboldfellowwillgothroughthecunningestforms,“andamofopinionthatthegentlemanistheboldfellowwhoseformsarenottobebrokenthrough;andonlythatplenteousnatureisrightfulmaster,whichisthecomplementofwhateverpersonitconverseswith。Mygentlemangivesthelawwhereheis;hewilloutpraysaintsinchapel,outgeneralveteransinthefield,andoutshineallcourtesyinthehall。Heisgoodcompanyforpirates,andgoodwithacademicians;sothatitisuselesstofortifyyourselfagainsthim;hehastheprivateentrancetoallminds,andIcouldaseasilyexcludemyself,ashim。ThefamousgentlemenofAsiaandEuropehavebeenofthisstrongtype:Saladin,Sapor,theCid,JuliusCaesar,Scipio,Alexander,Pericles,andthelordliestpersonages。
Theysatverycarelesslyintheirchairs,andweretooexcellentthemselves,tovalueanyconditionatahighrate。
Aplentifulfortuneisreckonednecessary,inthepopularjudgment,tothecompletionofthismanoftheworld:anditisamaterialdeputywhichwalksthroughthedancewhichthefirsthasled。Moneyisnotessential,butthiswideaffinityis,whichtranscendsthehabitsofcliqueandcaste,andmakesitselffeltbymenofallclasses。Ifthearistocratisonlyvalidinfashionablecircles,andnotwithtruckmen,hewillneverbealeaderinfashion;
andifthemanofthepeoplecannotspeakonequaltermswiththegentleman,sothatthegentlemanshallperceivethatheisalreadyreallyofhisownorder,heisnottobefeared。Diogenes,Socrates,andEpaminondas,aregentlemenofthebestblood,whohavechosentheconditionofpoverty,whenthatofwealthwasequallyopentothem。
Iusetheseoldnames,butthemenIspeakofaremycontemporaries。
Fortunewillnotsupplytoeverygenerationoneofthesewell-appointedknights,buteverycollectionofmenfurnishessomeexampleoftheclass:andthepoliticsofthiscountry,andthetradeofeverytown,arecontrolledbythesehardyandirresponsibledoers,whohaveinventiontotakethelead,andabroadsympathywhichputstheminfellowshipwithcrowds,andmakestheiractionpopular。
Themannersofthisclassareobservedandcaughtwithdevotionbymenoftaste。Theassociationofthesemasterswitheachother,andwithmenintelligentoftheirmerits,ismutuallyagreeableandstimulating。Thegoodforms,thehappiestexpressionsofeach,arerepeatedandadopted。Byswiftconsent,everythingsuperfluousisdropped,everythinggracefulisrenewed。Finemannersshowthemselvesformidabletotheuncultivatedman。Theyareasubtlerscienceofdefencetoparryandintimidate;butoncematchedbytheskilloftheotherparty,theydropthepointofthesword,——pointsandfencesdisappear,andtheyouthfindshimselfinamoretransparentatmosphere,whereinlifeisalesstroublesomegame,andnotamisunderstandingrisesbetweentheplayers。Mannersaimtofacilitatelife,togetridofimpediments,andbringthemanpuretoenergize。Theyaidourdealingandconversation,asarailwayaidstravelling,bygettingridofallavoidableobstructionsoftheroad,andleavingnothingtobeconqueredbutpurespace。Theseformsverysoonbecomefixed,andafinesenseofproprietyiscultivatedwiththemoreheed,thatitbecomesabadgeofsocialandcivildistinctions。ThusgrowsupFashion,anequivocalsemblance,themostpuissant,themostfantasticandfrivolous,themostfearedandfollowed,andwhichmoralsandviolenceassaultinvain。
Thereexistsastrictrelationbetweentheclassofpower,andtheexclusiveandpolishedcircles。Thelastarealwaysfilledorfillingfromthefirst。Thestrongmenusuallygivesomeallowanceeventothepetulancesoffashion,forthataffinitytheyfindinit。
Napoleon,childoftherevolution,destroyeroftheoldnoblesse,neverceasedtocourttheFaubourgSt。Germain:doubtlesswiththefeeling,thatfashionisahomagetomenofhisstamp。Fashion,thoughinastrangeway,representsallmanlyvirtue。Itisvirtuegonetoseed:itisakindofposthumoushonor。Itdoesnotoftencaressthegreat,butthechildrenofthegreat:itisahallofthePast。Itusuallysetsitsfaceagainstthegreatofthishour。
Greatmenarenotcommonlyinitshalls:theyareabsentinthefield:theyareworking,nottriumphing。Fashionismadeupoftheirchildren;ofthose,who,throughthevalueandvirtueofsomebody,haveacquiredlustretotheirname,marksofdistinction,meansofcultivationandgenerosity,and,intheirphysicalorganization,acertainhealthandexcellence,whichsecurestothem,ifnotthehighestpowertowork,yethighpowertoenjoy。Theclassofpower,theworkingheroes,theCortez,theNelson,theNapoleon,seethatthisisthefestivityandpermanentcelebrationofsuchasthey;thatfashionisfundedtalent;isMexico,Marengo,andTrafalgarbeatenoutthin;thatthebrilliantnamesoffashionrunbacktojustsuchbusynamesastheirown,fiftyorsixtyyearsago。Theyarethesowers,theirsonsshallbethereapers,and_their_sons,intheordinarycourseofthings,mustyieldthepossessionoftheharvesttonewcompetitorswithkeenereyesandstrongerframes。Thecityisrecruitedfromthecountry。Intheyear1805,itissaid,everylegitimatemonarchinEuropewasimbecile。Thecitywouldhavediedout,rotted,andexploded,longago,butthatitwasreinforcedfromthefields。Itisonlycountrywhichcametotowndaybeforeyesterday,thatiscityandcourttoday。
Aristocracyandfashionarecertaininevitableresults。Thesemutualselectionsareindestructible。Iftheyprovokeangerintheleastfavoredclass,andtheexcludedmajorityrevengethemselvesontheexcludingminority,bythestronghand,andkillthem,atonceanewclassfindsitselfatthetop,ascertainlyascreamrisesinabowlofmilk:andifthepeopleshoulddestroyclassafterclass,untiltwomenonlywereleft,oneofthesewouldbetheleader,andwouldbeinvoluntarilyservedandcopiedbytheother。Youmaykeepthisminorityoutofsightandoutofmind,butitistenaciousoflife,andisoneoftheestatesoftherealm。Iamthemorestruckwiththistenacity,whenIseeitswork。Itrespectstheadministrationofsuchunimportantmatters,thatweshouldnotlookforanydurabilityinitsrule。Wesometimesmeetmenundersomestrongmoralinfluence,as,apatriotic,aliterary,areligiousmovement,andfeelthatthemoralsentimentrulesmanandnature。Wethinkallotherdistinctionsandtieswillbeslightandfugitive,thisofcasteorfashion,forexample;yetcomefromyeartoyear,andseehowpermanentthatis,inthisBostonorNewYorklifeofman,where,too,ithasnottheleastcountenancefromthelawoftheland。NotinEgyptorinIndiaafirmerormoreimpassableline。
Hereareassociationswhosetiesgoover,andunder,andthroughit,ameetingofmerchants,amilitarycorps,acollege-class,afire-club,aprofessionalassociation,apolitical,areligiousconvention;——thepersonsseemtodrawinseparablynear;yet,thatassemblyoncedispersed,itsmemberswillnotintheyearmeetagain。
Eachreturnstohisdegreeinthescaleofgoodsociety,porcelainremainsporcelain,andearthenearthen。Theobjectsoffashionmaybefrivolous,orfashionmaybeobjectless,butthenatureofthisunionandselectioncanbeneitherfrivolousnoraccidental。Eachman\'srankinthatperfectgraduationdependsonsomesymmetryinhisstructure,orsomeagreementinhisstructuretothesymmetryofsociety。Itsdoorsunbarinstantaneouslytoanaturalclaimoftheirownkind。Anaturalgentlemanfindshiswayin,andwillkeeptheoldestpatricianout,whohaslosthisintrinsicrank。Fashionunderstandsitself;good-breedingandpersonalsuperiorityofwhatevercountryreadilyfraternizewiththoseofeveryother。ThechiefsofsavagetribeshavedistinguishedthemselvesinLondonandParis,bythepurityoftheirtournure。
Tosaywhatgoodoffashionwecan,——itrestsonreality,andhatesnothingsomuchaspretenders;——toexcludeandmystifypretenders,andsendthemintoeverlasting`Coventry,\'isitsdelight。Wecontemn,inturn,everyothergiftofmenoftheworld;
butthehabiteveninlittleandtheleastmatters,ofnotappealingtoanybutourownsenseofpropriety,constitutesthefoundationofallchivalry。Thereisalmostnokindofself-reliance,soitbesaneandproportioned,whichfashiondoesnotoccasionallyadopt,andgiveitthefreedomofitssaloons。Asaintedsoulisalwayselegant,and,ifitwill,passesunchallengedintothemostguardedring。ButsowillJocktheteamsterpass,insomecrisisthatbringshimthither,andfindfavor,aslongashisheadisnotgiddywiththenewcircumstance,andtheironshoesdonotwishtodanceinwaltzesandcotillons。Forthereisnothingsettledinmanners,butthelawsofbehavioryieldtotheenergyoftheindividual。Themaidenatherfirstball,thecountry-manatacitydinner,believesthatthereisaritualaccordingtowhicheveryactandcomplimentmustbeperformed,orthefailingpartymustbecastoutofthispresence。Later,theylearnthatgoodsenseandcharactermaketheirownformseverymoment,andspeakorabstain,takewineorrefuseit,stayorgo,sitinachairorsprawlwithchildrenonthefloor,orstandontheirhead,orwhatelsesoever,inanewandaboriginalway:andthatstrongwillisalwaysinfashion,letwhowillbeunfashionable。Allthatfashiondemandsiscomposure,andself-content。Acircleofmenperfectlywell-bredwouldbeacompanyofsensiblepersons,inwhicheveryman\'snativemannersandcharacterappeared。Ifthefashionisthavenotthisquality,heisnothing。Wearesuchloversofself-reliance,thatweexcuseinamanmanysins,ifhewillshowusacompletesatisfactioninhisposition,whichasksnoleavetobe,ofmine,oranyman\'sgoodopinion。Butanydeferencetosomeeminentmanorwomanoftheworld,forfeitsallprivilegeofnobility。Heisanunderling:I
havenothingtodowithhim;Iwillspeakwithhismaster。Amanshouldnotgowherehecannotcarryhiswholesphereorsocietywithhim,——notbodily,thewholecircleofhisfriends,butatmospherically。Heshouldpreserveinanewcompanythesameattitudeofmindandrealityofrelation,whichhisdailyassociatesdrawhimto,elseheisshornofhisbestbeams,andwillbeanorphaninthemerriestclub。“IfyoucouldseeVichIanVohrwithhistailon!——“ButVichIanVohrmustalwayscarryhisbelongingsinsomefashion,ifnotaddedashonor,thenseveredasdisgrace。
Therewillalwaysbeinsocietycertainpersonswhoaremercuriesofitsapprobation,andwhoseglancewillatanytimedetermineforthecurioustheirstandingintheworld。Thesearethechamberlainsofthelessergods。Accepttheircoldnessasanomenofgracewiththeloftierdeities,andallowthemalltheirprivilege。
Theyareclearintheiroffice,norcouldtheybethusformidable,withouttheirownmerits。Butdonotmeasuretheimportanceofthisclassbytheirpretension,orimaginethatafopcanbethedispenserofhonorandshame。Theypassalsoattheirjustrate;forhowcantheyotherwise,incircleswhichexistasasortofherald\'sofficeforthesiftingofcharacter?
Asthefirstthingmanrequiresofman,isreality,so,thatappearsinalltheformsofsociety。Wepointedly,andbyname,introducethepartiestoeachother。Knowyoubeforeallheavenandearth,thatthisisAndrew,andthisisGregory;——theylookeachotherintheeye;theygraspeachother\'shand,toidentifyandsignalizeeachother。Itisagreatsatisfaction。Agentlemanneverdodges:hiseyeslookstraightforward,andheassurestheotherparty,firstofall,thathehasbeenmet。Forwhatisitthatweseek,insomanyvisitsandhospitalities?Isityourdraperies,pictures,anddecorations?Or,dowenotinsatiablyask,Wasamaninthehouse?Imayeasilygointoagreathouseholdwherethereismuchsubstance,excellentprovisionforcomfort,luxury,andtaste,andyetnotencounterthereanyAmphitryon,whoshallsubordinatetheseappendages。Imaygointoacottage,andfindafarmerwhofeelsthatheisthemanIhavecometosee,andfrontsmeaccordingly。Itwasthereforeaverynaturalpointofoldfeudaletiquette,thatagentlemanwhoreceivedavisit,thoughitwereofhissovereign,shouldnotleavehisroof,butshouldwaithisarrivalatthedoorofhishouse。Nohouse,thoughitweretheThuilleries,ortheEscurial,isgoodforanythingwithoutamaster。Andyetwearenotoftengratifiedbythishospitality。Everybodyweknowsurroundshimselfwithafinehouse,finebooks,conservatory,gardens,equipage,andallmanneroftoys,asscreenstointerposebetweenhimselfandhisguest。Doesitnotseemasifmanwasofaverysly,elusivenature,anddreadednothingsomuchasafullrencontrefronttofrontwithhisfellow?Itwereunmerciful,I
know,quitetoabolishtheuseofthesescreens,whichareofeminentconvenience,whethertheguestistoogreat,ortoolittle。Wecalltogethermanyfriendswhokeepeachotherinplay,or,byluxuriesandornamentsweamusetheyoungpeople,andguardourretirement。
Orif,perchance,asearchingrealistcomestoourgate,beforewhoseeyewehavenocaretostand,thenagainweruntoourcurtain,andhideourselvesasAdamatthevoiceoftheLordGodinthegarden。
CardinalCaprara,thePope\'slegateatParis,defendedhimselffromtheglancesofNapoleon,byanimmensepairofgreenspectacles。
Napoleonremarkedthem,andspeedilymanagedtorallythemoff:andyetNapoleon,inhisturn,wasnotgreatenoughwitheighthundredthousandtroopsathisback,tofaceapairoffreeborneyes,butfencedhimselfwithetiquette,andwithintriplebarriersofreserve:
and,asalltheworldknowsfromMadamedeStael,waswont,whenhefoundhimselfobserved,todischargehisfaceofallexpression。Butemperorsandrichmenarebynomeansthemostskilfulmastersofgoodmanners。Norentrollnorarmy-listcandignifyskulkinganddissimulation:andthefirstpointofcourtesymustalwaysbetruth,asreallyalltheformsofgood-breedingpointthatway。
Ihavejustbeenreading,inMr。Hazlitt\'stranslation,Montaigne\'saccountofhisjourneyintoItaly,andamstruckwithnothingmoreagreeablythantheself-respectingfashionsofthetime。
Hisarrivalineachplace,thearrivalofagentlemanofFrance,isaneventofsomeconsequence。Whereverhegoes,hepaysavisittowhateverprinceorgentlemanofnoteresidesuponhisroad,asadutytohimselfandtocivilization。Whenheleavesanyhouseinwhichhehaslodgedforafewweeks,hecauseshisarmstobepaintedandhungupasaperpetualsigntothehouse,aswasthecustomofgentlemen。
Thecomplementofthisgracefulself-respect,andthatofallthepointsofgoodbreedingImostrequireandinsistupon,isdeference。Ilikethateverychairshouldbeathrone,andholdaking。Ipreferatendencytostateliness,toanexcessoffellowship。Lettheincommunicableobjectsofnatureandthemetaphysicalisolationofmanteachusindependence。Letusnotbetoomuchacquainted。Iwouldhaveamanenterhishousethroughahallfilledwithheroicandsacredsculptures,thathemightnotwantthehintoftranquillityandself-poise。Weshouldmeeteachmorning,asfromforeigncountries,andspendingthedaytogether,shoulddepartatnight,asintoforeigncountries。InallthingsI
wouldhavetheislandofamaninviolate。Letussitapartasthegods,talkingfrompeaktopeakallroundOlympus。Nodegreeofaffectionneedinvadethisreligion。Thisismyrrhandrosemarytokeeptheothersweet。Loversshouldguardtheirstrangeness。Iftheyforgivetoomuch,allslidesintoconfusionandmeanness。ItiseasytopushthisdeferencetoaChineseetiquette;butcoolnessandabsenceofheatandhasteindicatefinequalities。Agentlemanmakesnonoise:aladyisserene。Proportionateisourdisgustatthoseinvaderswhofillastudioushousewithblastandrunning,tosecuresomepaltryconvenience。NotlessIdislikealowsympathyofeachwithhisneighbor\'sneeds。Mustwehaveagoodunderstandingwithoneanother\'spalates?asfoolishpeoplewhohavelivedlongtogether,knowwheneachwantssaltorsugar。Ipraymycompanion,ifhewishesforbread,toaskmeforbread,andifhewishesforsassafrasorarsenic,toaskmeforthem,andnottoholdouthisplate,asifIknewalready。Everynaturalfunctioncanbedignifiedbydeliberationandprivacy。Letusleavehurrytoslaves。Thecomplimentsandceremoniesofourbreedingshouldsignify,howeverremotely,therecollectionofthegrandeurofourdestiny。