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  Perhapsyoumaybesurprisedatmytalkingoflabourandtheworkman.Youhaveheardofme,Ifear,throughthemediumofyoursomewhatimaginativenewspapersas,ifnota’Japaneseyoungman,’

  atleastayoungmantowhomtherushandclamourandrealityofthemodernworldweredistasteful,andwhosegreatestdifficultyinlifewasthedifficultyoflivinguptothelevelofhisbluechina—aparadoxfromwhichEnglandhasnotyetrecovered.

  Well,letmetellyouhowitfirstcametomeatalltocreateanartisticmovementinEngland,amovementtoshowtherichwhatbeautifulthingstheymightenjoyandthepoorwhatbeautifulthingstheymightcreate.

  OnesummerafternooninOxford—’thatsweetcitywithherdreamingspires,’lovelyasVeniceinitssplendour,nobleinitslearningasRome,downthelongHighStreetthatwindsfromtowertotower,pastsilentcloisterandstatelygateway,tillitreachesthatlong,greyseven—archedbridgewhichSaintMaryusedtoguard(usedto,Isay,becausetheyarenowpullingitdowntobuildatramwayandalightcast—ironbridgeinitsplace,desecratingtheloveliestcityinEngland)—well,wewerecomingdownthestreet—

  atroopofyoungmen,someofthemlikemyselfonlynineteen,goingtoriverortennis—courtorcricket—field—whenRuskingoinguptolectureincapandgownmetus.Heseemedtroubledandprayedustogobackwithhimtohislecture,whichafewofusdid,andtherehespoketousnotonartthistimebutonlife,sayingthatitseemedtohimtobewrongthatallthebestphysiqueandstrengthoftheyoungmeninEnglandshouldbespentaimlesslyoncricketgroundorriver,withoutanyresultatallexceptthatifonerowedwellonegotapewter—pot,andifonemadeagoodscore,acane—handledbat.Hethought,hesaid,thatweshouldbeworkingatsomethingthatwoulddogoodtootherpeople,atsomethingbywhichwemightshowthatinalllabourtherewassomethingnoble.

  Well,wewereagooddealmoved,andsaidwewoulddoanythinghewished.SohewentoutroundOxfordandfoundtwovillages,UpperandLowerHinksey,andbetweenthemtherelayagreatswamp,sothatthevillagerscouldnotpassfromonetotheotherwithoutmanymilesofaround.Andwhenwecamebackinwinterheaskedustohelphimtomakearoadacrossthismorassforthesevillagepeopletouse.Sooutwewent,dayafterday,andlearnedhowtolaylevelsandtobreakstones,andtowheelbarrowsalongaplank—averydifficultthingtodo.AndRuskinworkedwithusinthemistandrainandmudofanOxfordwinter,andourfriendsandourenemiescameoutandmockedusfromthebank.Wedidnotminditmuchthen,andwedidnotminditafterwardsatall,butworkedawayfortwomonthsatourroad.Andwhatbecameoftheroad?

  Well,likeabadlectureitendedabruptly—inthemiddleoftheswamp.RuskingoingawaytoVenice,whenwecamebackforthenexttermtherewasnoleader,andthe’diggers,’astheycalledus,fellasunder.AndIfeltthatiftherewasenoughspiritamongsttheyoungmentogoouttosuchworkasroad—makingforthesakeofanobleidealoflife,Icouldfromthemcreateanartisticmovementthatmightchange,asithaschanged,thefaceofEngland.

  SoIsoughtthemout—leadertheywouldcallme—buttherewasnoleader:wewereallsearchersonlyandwewereboundtoeachotherbynoblefriendshipandbynobleart.Therewasnoneofusidle:

  poetsmostofus,soambitiouswerewe:painterssomeofus,orworkersinmetalormodellers,determinedthatwewouldtryandcreateforourselvesbeautifulwork:forthehandicraftsmanbeautifulwork,forthosewholoveuspoemsandpictures,forthosewholoveusnotepigramsandparadoxesandscorn.

  Well,wehavedonesomethinginEnglandandwewilldosomethingmore.Now,Idonotwantyou,believeme,toaskyourbrilliantyoungmen,yourbeautifulyounggirls,togooutandmakearoadonaswampforanyvillageinAmerica,butIthinkyoumighteachofyouhavesomearttopractise.

  Wemusthave,asEmersonsaid,amechanicalcraftforourculture,abasisforourhigheraccomplishmentsintheworkofourhands—

  theuselessnessofmostpeople’shandsseemstomeoneofthemostunpracticalthings.’Noseparationfromlabourcanbewithoutsomelossofpowerortruthtotheseer,’saysEmersonagain.TheheroismwhichwouldmakeonustheimpressionofEpaminondasmustbethatofadomesticconqueror.TheheroofthefutureishewhoshallbravelyandgracefullysubduethisGorgonoffashionandofconvention.

  Whenyouhavechosenyourownpart,abidebyit,anddonotweaklytryandreconcileyourselfwiththeworld.Theheroiccannotbethecommonnorthecommontheheroic.Congratulateyourselfifyouhavedonesomethingstrangeandextravagantandbrokenthemonotonyofadecorousage.

  Andlastly,letusrememberthatartistheonethingwhichDeathcannotharm.ThelittlehouseatConcordmaybedesolate,butthewisdomofNewEngland’sPlatoisnotsilencednorthebrilliancyofthatAtticgeniusdimmed:thelipsofLongfellowarestillmusicalforusthoughhisdustbeturningintotheflowerswhichheloved:

  andasitiswiththegreaterartists,poetandphilosopherandsong—bird,soletitbewithyou.

  LECTURETOARTSTUDENTS

  INthelecturewhichitismyprivilegetodeliverbeforeyouto—

  nightIdonotdesiretogiveyouanyabstractdefinitionofbeautyatall.Forwewhoareworkinginartcannotacceptanytheoryofbeautyinexchangeforbeautyitself,and,sofarfromdesiringtoisolateitinaformulaappealingtotheintellect,we,onthecontrary,seektomaterialiseitinaformthatgivesjoytothesoulthroughthesenses.Wewanttocreateit,nottodefineit.

  Thedefinitionshouldfollowthework:theworkshouldnotadaptitselftothedefinition.

  Nothing,indeed,ismoredangeroustotheyoungartistthananyconceptionofidealbeauty:heisconstantlyledbyiteitherintoweakprettinessorlifelessabstraction:whereastotouchtheidealatallyoumustnotstripitofvitality.Youmustfinditinlifeandre—createitinart.

  While,then,ontheonehandIdonotdesiretogiveyouanyphilosophyofbeauty—for,whatIwantto—nightistoinvestigatehowwecancreateart,nothowwecantalkofit—ontheotherhand,IdonotwishtodealwithanythinglikeahistoryofEnglishart.

  Tobeginwith,suchanexpressionasEnglishartisameaninglessexpression.OnemightjustaswelltalkofEnglishmathematics.

  Artisthescienceofbeauty,andMathematicsthescienceoftruth:

  thereisnonationalschoolofeither.Indeed,anationalschoolisaprovincialschool,merely.Noristhereanysuchthingasaschoolofarteven.Therearemerelyartists,thatisall.

  Andasregardshistoriesofart,theyarequitevaluelesstoyouunlessyouareseekingtheostentatiousoblivionofanartprofessorship.ItisofnousetoyoutoknowthedateofPeruginoorthebirthplaceofSalvatorRosa:allthatyoushouldlearnaboutartistoknowagoodpicturewhenyouseeit,andabadpicturewhenyouseeit.Asregardsthedateoftheartist,allgoodworklooksperfectlymodern:apieceofGreeksculpture,aportraitofVelasquez—theyarealwaysmodern,alwaysofourtime.Andasregardsthenationalityoftheartist,artisnotnationalbutuniversal.Asregardsarchaeology,then,avoiditaltogether:archaeologyismerelythescienceofmakingexcusesforbadart;itistherockonwhichmanyayoungartistfoundersandshipwrecks;itistheabyssfromwhichnoartist,oldoryoung,everreturns.Or,ifhedoesreturn,heissocoveredwiththedustofagesandthemildewoftime,thatheisquiteunrecognisableasanartist,andhastoconcealhimselffortherestofhisdaysunderthecapofaprofessor,orasamereillustratorofancienthistory.Howworthlessarchaeologyisinartyoucanestimatebythefactofitsbeingsopopular.

  Popularityisthecrownoflaurelwhichtheworldputsonbadart.

  Whateverispopulariswrong.

  AsIamnotgoingtotalktoyou,then,aboutthephilosophyofthebeautiful,orthehistoryofart,youwillaskmewhatIamgoingtotalkabout.Thesubjectofmylectureto—nightiswhatmakesanartistandwhatdoestheartistmake;whataretherelationsoftheartisttohissurroundings,whatistheeducationtheartistshouldget,andwhatisthequalityofagoodworkofart.

  Now,asregardstherelationsoftheartisttohissurroundings,bywhichImeantheageandcountryinwhichheisborn.Allgoodart,asIsaidbefore,hasnothingtodowithanyparticularcentury;butthisuniversalityisthequalityoftheworkofart;

  theconditionsthatproducethatqualityaredifferent.Andwhat,Ithink,youshoulddoistorealisecompletelyyourageinordercompletelytoabstractyourselffromit;rememberingthatifyouareanartistatall,youwillbenotthemouthpieceofacentury,butthemasterofeternity,thatallartrestsonaprinciple,andthatmeretemporalconsiderationsarenoprincipleatall;andthatthosewhoadviseyoutomakeyourartrepresentativeofthenineteenthcenturyareadvisingyoutoproduceanartwhichyourchildren,whenyouhavethem,willthinkold—fashioned.Butyouwilltellmethisisaninartisticage,andweareaninartisticpeople,andtheartistsuffersmuchinthisnineteenthcenturyofours.

  Ofcoursehedoes.I,ofallmen,amnotgoingtodenythat.Butrememberthatthereneverhasbeenanartisticage,oranartisticpeople,sincethebeginningoftheworld.Theartisthasalwaysbeen,andwillalwaysbe,anexquisiteexception.Thereisnogoldenageofart;onlyartistswhohaveproducedwhatismoregoldenthangold.

  WHAT,youwillsaytome,theGreeks?werenottheyanartisticpeople?

  Well,theGreekscertainlynot,but,perhaps,youmeantheAthenians,thecitizensofoneoutofathousandcities.

  Doyouthinkthattheywereanartisticpeople?Takethemevenatthetimeoftheirhighestartisticdevelopment,thelatterpartofthefifthcenturybeforeChrist,whentheyhadthegreatestpoetsandthegreatestartistsoftheantiqueworld,whentheParthenonroseinlovelinessatthebiddingofaPhidias,andthephilosopherspakeofwisdomintheshadowofthepaintedportico,andtragedysweptintheperfectionofpageantandpathosacrossthemarbleofthestage.Weretheyanartisticpeoplethen?Notabitofit.

  Whatisanartisticpeoplebutapeoplewholovetheirartistsandunderstandtheirart?TheAthenianscoulddoneither.

  HowdidtheytreatPhidias?ToPhidiasweowethegreatera,notmerelyinGreek,butinallart—Imeanoftheintroductionoftheuseofthelivingmodel.

  AndwhatwouldyousayifalltheEnglishbishops,backedbytheEnglishpeople,camedownfromExeterHalltotheRoyalAcademyonedayandtookoffSirFrederickLeightoninaprisonvantoNewgateonthechargeofhavingallowedyoutomakeuseofthelivingmodelinyourdesignsforsacredpictures?

  WouldyounotcryoutagainstthebarbarismandthePuritanismofsuchanidea?WouldyounotexplaintothemthattheworstwaytohonourGodistodishonourmanwhoismadeinHisimage,andistheworkofHishands;and,thatifonewantstopaintChristonemusttakethemostChristlikepersononecanfind,andifonewantstopainttheMadonna,thepurestgirloneknows?

  WouldyounotrushoffandburndownNewgate,ifnecessary,andsaythatsuchathingwaswithoutparallelinhistory?

  Withoutparallel?Well,thatisexactlywhattheAtheniansdid.

  IntheroomoftheParthenonmarbles,intheBritishMuseum,youwillseeamarbleshieldonthewall.Onittherearetwofigures;

  oneofamanwhosefaceishalfhidden,theotherofamanwiththegodlikelineamentsofPericles.Forhavingdonethis,forhavingintroducedintoabasrelief,takenfromGreeksacredhistory,theimageofthegreatstatesmanwhowasrulingAthensatthetime,Phidiaswasflungintoprisonandthere,inthecommongaolofAthens,died,thesupremeartistoftheoldworld.

  Anddoyouthinkthatthiswasanexceptionalcase?ThesignofaPhilistineageisthecryofimmoralityagainstart,andthiscrywasraisedbytheAthenianpeopleagainsteverygreatpoetandthinkeroftheirday—AEschylus,Euripides,Socrates.ItwasthesamewithFlorenceinthethirteenthcentury.Goodhandicraftsareduetoguilds,nottothepeople.Themomenttheguildslosttheirpowerandthepeoplerushedin,beautyandhonestyofworkdied.

  Andso,nevertalkofanartisticpeople;thereneverhasbeensuchathing.

  But,perhaps,youwilltellmethattheexternalbeautyoftheworldhasalmostentirelypassedawayfromus,thattheartistdwellsnolongerinthemidstofthelovelysurroundingswhich,inagespast,werethenaturalinheritanceofeveryone,andthatartisverydifficultinthisunlovelytownofours,where,asyougotoyourworkinthemorning,orreturnfromitateventide,youhavetopassthroughstreetafterstreetofthemostfoolishandstupidarchitecturethattheworldhaseverseen;architecture,whereeverylovelyGreekformisdesecratedanddefiled,andeverylovelyGothicformdefiledanddesecrated,reducingthree—fourthsoftheLondonhousestobeing,merely,likesquareboxesofthevilestproportions,asgauntastheyaregrimy,andaspoorastheyarepretentious—thehalldooralwaysofthewrongcolour,andthewindowsofthewrongsize,andwhere,evenwhenweariedofthehousesyouturntocontemplatethestreetitself,youhavenothingtolookatbutchimney—pothats,menwithsandwichboards,vermilionletter—boxes,anddothatevenattheriskofbeingrunoverbyanemerald—greenomnibus.

  Isnotartdifficult,youwillsaytome,insuchsurroundingsasthese?Ofcourseitisdifficult,butthenartwasnevereasy;youyourselveswouldnotwishittobeeasy;and,besides,nothingisworthdoingexceptwhattheworldsaysisimpossible.

  Still,youdonotcaretobeansweredmerelybyaparadox.Whataretherelationsoftheartisttotheexternalworld,andwhatistheresultofthelossofbeautifulsurroundingstoyou,isoneofthemostimportantquestionsofmodernart;andthereisnopointonwhichMr.Ruskinsoinsistsasthatthedecadenceofarthascomefromthedecadenceofbeautifulthings;andthatwhentheartistcannotfeedhiseyeonbeauty,beautygoesfromhiswork.

  Irememberinoneofhislectures,afterdescribingthesordidaspectofagreatEnglishcity,hedrawsforusapictureofwhatweretheartisticsurroundingslongago.

  Think,hesays,inwordsofperfectandpicturesqueimagery,whosebeautyIcanbutfeeblyecho,thinkofwhatwasthescenewhichpresenteditself,inhisafternoonwalk,toadesigneroftheGothicschoolofPisa—NinoPisanooranyofhismen(22):

  Oneachsideofabrightriverhesawrisealineofbrighterpalaces,archedandpillared,andinlaidwithdeepredporphyry,andwithserpentine;alongthequaysbeforetheirgateswereridingtroopsofknights,nobleinfaceandform,dazzlingincrestandshield;horseandmanonelabyrinthofquaintcolourandgleaminglight—thepurple,andsilver,andscarletfringesflowingoverthestronglimbsandclashingmall,likesea—wavesoverrocksatsunset.Openingoneachsidefromtheriverweregardens,courts,andcloisters;longsuccessionsofwhitepillarsamongwreathsofvine;leapingoffountainsthroughbudsofpomegranateandorange:

  andstillalongthegarden—paths,andunderandthroughthecrimsonofthepomegranateshadows,movingslowly,groupsofthefairestwomenthatItalyeversaw—fairest,becausepurestandthoughtfullest;trainedinallhighknowledge,asinallcourteousart—indance,insong,insweetwit,inloftylearning,inloftiercourage,inloftiestlove—ablealiketocheer,toenchant,orsave,thesoulsofmen.Aboveallthissceneryofperfecthumanlife,rosedomeandbell—tower,burningwithwhitealabasterandgold:beyonddomeandbell—towertheslopesofmightyhillshoarywitholive;farinthenorth,aboveapurpleseaofpeaksofsolemnApennine,theclear,sharp—clovenCarraramountainssentuptheirsteadfastflamesofmarblesummitintoambersky;thegreatseaitself,scorchingwithexpanseoflight,stretchingfromtheirfeettotheGorgonianisles;andoverallthese,everpresent,nearorfar—seenthroughtheleavesofvine,orimagedwithallitsmarchofcloudsintheArno’sstream,orsetwithitsdepthofbluecloseagainstthegoldenhairandburningcheekofladyandknight,—thatuntroubledandsacredsky,whichwastoallmen,inthosedaysofinnocentfaith,indeedtheunquestionedabodeofspirits,astheearthwasofmen;andwhichopenedstraightthroughitsgatesofcloudandveilsofdewintotheawfulnessoftheeternalworld;—aheaveninwhicheverycloudthatpassedwasliterallythechariotofanangel,andeveryrayofitsEveningandMorningstreamedfromthethroneofGod.

  Whatthinkyouofthatforaschoolofdesign?

  Andthenlookatthedepressing,monotonousappearanceofanymoderncity,thesombredressofmenandwomen,themeaninglessandbarrenarchitecture,thecolourlessanddreadfulsurroundings.

  Withoutabeautifulnationallife,notsculpturemerely,butalltheartswilldie.

  Well,asregardsthereligiousfeelingofthecloseofthepassage,IdonotthinkIneedspeakaboutthat.Religionspringsfromreligiousfeeling,artfromartisticfeeling:younevergetonefromtheother;unlessyouhavetherightrootyouwillnotgettherightflower;and,ifamanseesinacloudthechariotofanangel,hewillprobablypaintitveryunlikeacloud.

  But,asregardsthegeneralideaoftheearlypartofthatlovelybitofprose,isitreallytruethatbeautifulsurroundingsarenecessaryfortheartist?Ithinknot;Iamsurenot.Indeed,tomethemostinartisticthinginthisageofoursisnottheindifferenceofthepublictobeautifulthings,buttheindifferenceoftheartisttothethingsthatarecalledugly.

  For,totherealartist,nothingisbeautifuloruglyinitselfatall.Withthefactsoftheobjecthehasnothingtodo,butwithitsappearanceonly,andappearanceisamatteroflightandshade,ofmasses,ofposition,andofvalue.

  Appearanceis,infact,amatterofeffectmerely,anditiswiththeeffectsofnaturethatyouhavetodeal,notwiththerealconditionoftheobject.Whatyou,aspainters,havetopaintisnotthingsastheyarebutthingsastheyseemtobe,notthingsastheyarebutthingsastheyarenot.

  Noobjectissouglythat,undercertainconditionsoflightandshade,orproximitytootherthings,itwillnotlookbeautiful;noobjectissobeautifulthat,undercertainconditions,itwillnotlookugly.Ibelievethatineverytwenty—fourhourswhatisbeautifullooksugly,andwhatisuglylooksbeautiful,once.

  And,thecommonplacecharacterofsomuchofourEnglishpaintingseemstomeduetothefactthatsomanyofouryoungartistslookmerelyatwhatwemaycall’ready—madebeauty,’whereasyouexistasartistsnottocopybeautybuttocreateitinyourart,towaitandwatchforitinnature.

  Whatwouldyousayofadramatistwhowouldtakenobodybutvirtuouspeopleascharactersinhisplay?Wouldyounotsayhewasmissinghalfoflife?Well,oftheyoungartistwhopaintsnothingbutbeautifulthings,Isayhemissesonehalfoftheworld.

  Donotwaitforlifetobepicturesque,buttryandseelifeunderpicturesqueconditions.Theseconditionsyoucancreateforyourselfinyourstudio,fortheyaremerelyconditionsoflight.

  Innature,youmustwaitforthem,watchforthem,choosethem;

  and,ifyouwaitandwatch,cometheywill.

  InGowerStreetatnightyoumayseealetter—boxthatispicturesque:ontheThamesEmbankmentyoumayseepicturesquepolicemen.EvenVeniceisnotalwaysbeautiful,norFrance.

  Topaintwhatyouseeisagoodruleinart,buttoseewhatisworthpaintingisbetter.Seelifeunderpictorialconditions.Itisbettertoliveinacityofchangeableweatherthaninacityoflovelysurroundings.

  Now,havingseenwhatmakestheartist,andwhattheartistmakes,whoistheartist?Thereisamanlivingamongstuswhounitesinhimselfallthequalitiesofthenoblestart,whoseworkisajoyforalltime,whois,himself,amasterofalltime.ThatmanisMr.Whistler.

  ********

  But,youwillsay,moderndress,thatisbad.Ifyoucannotpaintblackclothyoucouldnothavepaintedsilkendoublet.Uglydressisbetterforart—factsofvision,notoftheobject.

  Whatisapicture?Primarily,apictureisabeautifullycolouredsurface,merely,withnomorespiritualmessageormeaningforyouthananexquisitefragmentofVenetianglassorabluetilefromthewallofDamascus.Itis,primarily,apurelydecorativething,adelighttolookat.

  Allarchaeologicalpicturesthatmakeyousay’Howcurious!’allsentimentalpicturesthatmakeyousay,’Howsad!’allhistoricalpicturesthatmakeyousay’Howinteresting!’allpicturesthatdonotimmediatelygiveyousuchartisticjoyastomakeyousay’Howbeautiful!’arebadpictures.

  ********

  Weneverknowwhatanartistisgoingtodo.Ofcoursenot.Theartistisnotaspecialist.Allsuchdivisionsasanimalpainters,landscapepainters,paintersofScotchcattleinanEnglishmist,paintersofEnglishcattleinaScotchmist,racehorsepainters,bull—terrierpainters,allareshallow.Ifamanisanartisthecanpainteverything.

  Theobjectofartistostirthemostdivineandremoteofthechordswhichmakemusicinoursoul;andcolourisindeed,ofitselfamysticalpresenceonthings,andtoneakindofsentinel.

  AmIpleading,then,formeretechnique?No.Aslongasthereareanysignsoftechniqueatall,thepictureisunfinished.Whatisfinish?Apictureisfinishedwhenalltracesofwork,andofthemeansemployedtobringabouttheresult,havedisappeared.

  Inthecaseofhandicraftsmen—theweaver,thepotter,thesmith—

  ontheirworkarethetracesoftheirhand.Butitisnotsowiththepainter;itisnotsowiththeartist.

  Artshouldhavenosentimentaboutitbutitsbeauty,notechniqueexceptwhatyoucannotobserve.Oneshouldbeabletosayofapicturenotthatitis’wellpainted,’butthatitis’notpainted.’

  Whatisthedifferencebetweenabsolutelydecorativeartandapainting?Decorativeartemphasisesitsmaterial:imaginativeartannihilatesit.Tapestryshowsitsthreadsaspartofitsbeauty:

  apictureannihilatesitscanvas:itshowsnothingofit.

  Porcelainemphasisesitsglaze:water—coloursrejectthepaper.

  Apicturehasnomeaningbutitsbeauty,nomessagebutitsjoy.

  Thatisthefirsttruthaboutartthatyoumustneverlosesightof.Apictureisapurelydecorativething.

  LONDONMODELS

  PROFESSIONALmodelsareapurelymoderninvention.TotheGreeks,forinstance,theywerequiteunknown.Mr.Mahaffy,itistrue,tellsusthatPericlesusedtopresentpeacockstothegreatladiesofAtheniansocietyinordertoinducethemtosittohisfriendPhidias,andweknowthatPolygnotusintroducedintohispictureoftheTrojanwomenthefaceofElpinice,thecelebratedsisterofthegreatConservativeleaderoftheday,buttheseGRANDESDAMES

  clearlydonotcomeunderourcategory.Asfortheoldmasters,theyundoubtedlymadeconstantstudiesfromtheirpupilsandapprentices,andeventheirreligiouspicturesarefulloftheportraitsoftheirfriendsandrelations,buttheydonotseemtohavehadtheinestimableadvantageoftheexistenceofaclassofpeoplewhosesoleprofessionistopose.Infactthemodel,inoursenseoftheword,isthedirectcreationofAcademicSchools.

  Everycountrynowhasitsownmodels,exceptAmerica.InNewYork,andeveninBoston,agoodmodelissogreatararitythatmostoftheartistsarereducedtopaintingNiagaraandmillionaires.InEurope,however,itisdifferent.Herewehaveplentyofmodels,andofeverynationality.TheItalianmodelsarethebest.Thenaturalgraceoftheirattitudes,aswellasthewonderfulpicturesquenessoftheircolouring,makesthemfacile—oftentoofacile—subjectsforthepainter’sbrush.TheFrenchmodels,thoughnotsobeautifulastheItalian,possessaquicknessofintellectualsympathy,acapacity,infact,ofunderstandingtheartist,whichisquiteremarkable.Theyhavealsoagreatcommandoverthevarietiesoffacialexpression,arepeculiarlydramatic,andcanchattertheARGOToftheATELIERascleverlyasthecriticoftheGILBLAS.TheEnglishmodelsformaclassentirelybythemselves.TheyarenotsopicturesqueastheItalian,norsocleverastheFrench,andtheyhaveabsolutelynotradition,sotospeak,oftheirorder.Nowandthensomeoldveteranknocksatthestudiodoor,andproposestositasAjaxdefyingthelightning,orasKingLearupontheblastedheath.Oneofthemsometimeagocalledonapopularpainterwho,happeningatthemomenttorequirehisservices,engagedhim,andtoldhimtobeginbykneelingdownintheattitudeofprayer.’ShallIbeBiblicalorShakespearean,sir?’askedtheveteran.’Well—Shakespearean,’answeredtheartist,wonderingbywhatsubtlenuanceofexpressionthemodelwouldconveythedifference.’Allright,sir,’saidtheprofessorofposing,andhesolemnlykneltdownandbegantowinkwithhislefteye!Thisclass,however,isdyingout.Asarulethemodel,nowadays,isaprettygirl,fromabouttwelvetotwenty—fiveyearsofage,whoknowsnothingaboutart,caresless,andismerelyanxioustoearnsevenoreightshillingsadaywithoutmuchtrouble.Englishmodelsrarelylookatapicture,andneverventureonanyaesthetictheories.Infact,theyrealiseverycompletelyMr.Whistler’sideaofthefunctionofanartcritic,fortheypassnocriticismsatall.Theyacceptallschoolsofartwiththegrandcatholicityoftheauctioneer,andsittoafantasticyoungimpressionistasreadilyastoalearnedandlaboriousacademician.TheyareneitherfortheWhistleritesnoragainstthem;thequarrelbetweentheschooloffactsandtheschoolofeffectstouchesthemnot;idealisticandnaturalisticarewordsthatconveynomeaningtotheirears;theymerelydesirethatthestudioshallbewarm,andthelunchhot,forallcharmingartistsgivetheirmodelslunch.

  Astowhattheyareaskedtodotheyareequallyindifferent.OnMondaytheywilldontheragsofabeggar—girlforMr.Pumper,whosepatheticpicturesofmodernlifedrawsuchtearsfromthepublic,andonTuesdaytheywillposeinapeplumforMr.Phoebus,whothinksthatallreallyartisticsubjectsarenecessarilyB.C.

  Theycareergailythroughallcenturiesandthroughallcostumes,and,likeactors,areinterestingonlywhentheyarenotthemselves.Theyareextremelygood—natured,andveryaccommodating.’Whatdoyousitfor?’saidayoungartisttoamodelwhohadsenthiminhercard(allmodels,bytheway,havecardsandasmallblackbag).’Oh,foranythingyoulike,sir,’

  saidthegirl,’landscapeifnecessary!’

  Intellectually,itmustbeacknowledged,theyarePhilistines,butphysicallytheyareperfect—atleastsomeare.ThoughnoneofthemcantalkGreek,manycanlookGreek,whichtoanineteenth—

  centurypainterisnaturallyofgreatimportance.Iftheyareallowed,theychatteragreatdeal,buttheyneversayanything.

  TheirobservationsaretheonlyBANALITESheardinBohemia.

  However,thoughtheycannotappreciatetheartistasartist,theyarequitereadytoappreciatetheartistasaman.Theyareverysensitivetokindness,respectandgenerosity.AbeautifulmodelwhohadsatfortwoyearstooneofourmostdistinguishedEnglishpainters,gotengagedtoastreetvendorofpennyices.

  Onhermarriagethepaintersentheraprettyweddingpresent,andreceivedinreturnaniceletterofthankswiththefollowingremarkablepostscript:’Nevereatthegreenices!’

  Whentheyaretiredawiseartistgivesthemarest.Thentheysitinachairandreadpennydreadfuls,tilltheyarerousedfromthetragedyofliteraturetotaketheirplaceagaininthetragedyofart.Afewofthemsmokecigarettes.This,however,isregardedbytheothermodelsasshowingawantofseriousness,andisnotgenerallyapprovedof.Theyareengagedbythedayandbythehalf—day.Thetariffisashillinganhour,towhichgreatartistsusuallyaddanomnibusfare.Thetwobestthingsaboutthemaretheirextraordinaryprettiness,andtheirextremerespectability.

  Asaclasstheyareverywellbehaved,particularlythosewhositforthefigure,afactwhichiscuriousornaturalaccordingtotheviewonetakesofhumannature.Theyusuallymarrywell,andsometimestheymarrytheartist.ForanartisttomarryhismodelisasfatalasforaGOURMETtomarryhiscook:theonegetsnosittings,andtheothergetsnodinners.

  OnthewholetheEnglishfemalemodelsareverynaive,verynatural,andverygood—humoured.Thevirtueswhichtheartistvaluesmostinthemareprettinessandpunctuality.Everysensiblemodelconsequentlykeepsadiaryofherengagements,anddressesneatly.Thebadseasonis,ofcourse,thesummer,whentheartistsareoutoftown.However,oflateyearssomeartistshaveengagedtheirmodelstofollowthem,andthewifeofoneofourmostcharmingpaintershasoftenhadthreeorfourmodelsunderherchargeinthecountry,sothattheworkofherhusbandandhisfriendsshouldnotbeinterrupted.InFrancethemodelsmigrateEN

  MASSEtothelittleseaportvillagesorforesthamletswherethepainterscongregate.TheEnglishmodels,however,waitpatientlyinLondon,asarule,tilltheartistscomeback.Nearlyallofthemlivewiththeirparents,andhelptosupportthehouse.Theyhaveeveryqualificationforbeingimmortalisedinartexceptthatofbeautifulhands.ThehandsoftheEnglishmodelarenearlyalwayscoarseandred.

  Asforthemalemodels,thereistheveteranwhomwehavementionedabove.Hehasallthetraditionsofthegrandstyle,andisrapidlydisappearingwiththeschoolherepresents.AnoldmanwhotalksaboutFuseliis,ofcourse,unendurable,and,besides,patriarchshaveceasedtobefashionablesubjects.ThenthereisthetrueAcademymodel.Heisusuallyamanofthirty,rarelygood—looking,butaperfectmiracleofmuscles.Infactheistheapotheosisofanatomy,andissoconsciousofhisownsplendourthathetellsyouofhistibiaandhisthorax,asifnooneelsehadanythingofthekind.ThencometheOrientalmodels.Thesupplyoftheseislimited,buttherearealwaysaboutadozeninLondon.Theyareverymuchsoughtafterastheycanremainimmobileforhours,andgenerallypossesslovelycostumes.

  However,theyhaveaverypooropinionofEnglishart,whichtheyregardassomethingbetweenavulgarpersonalityandacommonplacephotograph.NextwehavetheItalianyouthwhohascomeoverspeciallytobeamodel,ortakestoitwhenhisorganisoutofrepair.Heisoftenquitecharmingwithhislargemelancholyeyes,hiscrisphair,andhisslimbrownfigure.Itistrueheeatsgarlic,butthenhecanstandlikeafaunandcouchlikealeopard,soheisforgiven.Heisalwaysfullofprettycompliments,andhasbeenknowntohavekindwordsofencouragementforevenourgreatestartists.AsfortheEnglishladofthesameage,heneversitsatall.Apparentlyhedoesnotregardthecareerofamodelasaseriousprofession.Inanycaseheisrarely,ifever,tobegotholdof.Englishboys,too,aredifficulttofind.Sometimesanex—modelwhohasasonwillcurlhishair,andwashhisface,andbringhimtheroundofthestudios,allsoapandshininess.

  Theyoungschooldon’tlikehim,buttheolderschooldo,andwhenheappearsonthewallsoftheRoyalAcademyheiscalledTHE

  INFANTSAMUEL.OccasionallyalsoanartistcatchesacoupleofGAMINSinthegutterandasksthemtocometohisstudio.Thefirsttimetheyalwaysappear,butafterthattheydon’tkeeptheirappointments.Theydislikesittingstill,andhaveastrongandperhapsnaturalobjectiontolookingpathetic.Besides,theyarealwaysundertheimpressionthattheartistislaughingatthem.

  Itisasadfact,butthereisnodoubtthatthepoorarecompletelyunconsciousoftheirownpicturesqueness.Thoseofthemwhocanbeinducedtositdosowiththeideathattheartistismerelyabenevolentphilanthropistwhohaschosenaneccentricmethodofdistributingalmstotheundeserving.PerhapstheSchoolBoardwillteachtheLondonGAMINhisownartisticvalue,andthentheywillbebettermodelsthantheyarenow.OneremarkableprivilegebelongstotheAcademymodel,thatofextortingasovereignfromanynewlyelectedAssociateorR.A.TheywaitatBurlingtonHousetilltheannouncementismade,andthenracetothehaplessartist’shouse.Theonewhoarrivesfirstreceivesthemoney.Theyhaveoflatebeenmuchtroubledatthelongdistancestheyhavehadtorun,andtheylookwithdisfavourontheelectionofartistswholiveatHampsteadoratBedfordPark,foritisconsideredapointofhonournottoemploytheundergroundrailway,omnibuses,oranyartificialmeansoflocomotion.Theraceistotheswift.

  BesidestheprofessionalposersofthestudiothereareposersoftheRow,theposersatafternoonteas,theposersinpoliticsandthecircusposers.Allfourclassesaredelightful,butonlythelastclassiseverreallydecorative.Acrobatsandgymnastscangivetheyoungpainterinfinitesuggestions,fortheybringintotheirartanelementofswiftnessofmotionandofconstantchangethatthestudiomodelnecessarilylacks.Whatisinterestinginthese’slavesofthering’isthatwiththemBeautyisanunconsciousresultnotaconsciousaim,theresultinfactofthemathematicalcalculationofcurvesanddistances,ofabsoluteprecisionofeye,ofthescientificknowledgeoftheequilibriumofforces,andofperfectphysicaltraining.Agoodacrobatisalwaysgraceful,thoughgraceisneverhisobject;heisgracefulbecausehedoeswhathehastodointhebestwayinwhichitcanbedone—

  gracefulbecauseheisnatural.IfanancientGreekweretocometolifenow,whichconsideringtheprobableseverityofhiscriticismswouldberathertryingtoourconceit,hewouldbefoundfarofteneratthecircusthanatthetheatre.AgoodcircusisanoasisofHellenisminaworldthatreadstoomuchtobewise,andthinkstoomuchtobebeautiful.Ifitwerenotfortherunning—

  groundatEton,thetowing—pathatOxford,theThamesswimming—

  baths,andtheyearlycircuses,humanitywouldforgettheplasticperfectionofitsownform,anddegenerateintoaraceofshort—

  sightedprofessorsandspectacledPRECIEUSES.Notthatthecircusproprietorsare,asarule,consciousoftheirhighmission.DotheynotboreuswiththeHAUTEECOLE,andwearyuswithShakespeareanclowns?Still,atleast,theygiveusacrobats,andtheacrobatisanartist.Themerefactthatheneverspeakstotheaudienceshowshowwellheappreciatesthegreattruththattheaimofartisnottorevealpersonalitybuttoplease.Theclownmaybeblatant,buttheacrobatisalwaysbeautiful.HeisaninterestingcombinationofthespiritofGreeksculpturewiththespanglesofthemoderncostumier.Hehasevenhadhisnicheinthenovelsofourage,andifMANETTESALOMONbetheunmaskingofthemodel,LESFRERESZEMGANNOistheapotheosisoftheacrobat.

  AsregardstheinfluenceoftheordinarymodelonourEnglishschoolofpainting,itcannotbesaidthatitisaltogethergood.

  Itis,ofcourse,anadvantagefortheyoungartistsittinginhisstudiotobeabletoisolate’alittlecorneroflife,’astheFrenchsay,fromdisturbingsurroundings,andtostudyitundercertaineffectsoflightandshade.Butthisveryisolationleadsoftentomeremannerisminthepainter,androbshimofthatbroadacceptanceofthegeneralfactsoflifewhichistheveryessenceofart.Model—painting,inaword,whileitmaybetheconditionofart,isnotbyanymeansitsaim.

  Itissimplypractice,notperfection.Itsusetrainstheeyeandthehandofthepainter,itsabuseproducesinhisworkaneffectofmereposingandprettiness.Itisthesecretofmuchoftheartificialityofmodernart,thisconstantposingofprettypeople,andwhenartbecomesartificialitbecomesmonotonous.Outsidethelittleworldofthestudio,withitsdraperiesanditsBRIC—E—BRAC,liestheworldoflifewithitsinfinite,itsShakespeareanvariety.Wemust,however,distinguishbetweenthetwokindsofmodels,thosewhositforthefigureandthosewhositforthecostume.Thestudyofthefirstisalwaysexcellent,butthecostume—modelisbecomingratherwearisomeinmodernpictures.ItisreallyofverylittleusetodressupaLondongirlinGreekdraperiesandtopaintherasagoddess.TherobemaybetherobeofAthens,butthefaceisusuallythefaceofBrompton.Nowandthen,itistrue,onecomesacrossamodelwhosefaceisanexquisiteanachronism,andwholookslovelyandnaturalinthedressofanycenturybutherown.This,however,isratherrare.

  AsarulemodelsareabsolutelyDENOTRESIECLE,andshouldbepaintedassuch.Unfortunatelytheyarenot,and,asaconsequence,weareshowneveryyearaseriesofscenesfromfancydressballswhicharecalledhistoricalpictures,butarelittlemorethanmediocrerepresentationsofmodernpeoplemasquerading.

  InFrancetheyarewiser.TheFrenchpainterusesthemodelsimplyforstudy;forthefinishedpicturehegoesdirecttolife.

  However,wemustnotblamethesittersfortheshortcomingsoftheartists.TheEnglishmodelsareawell—behavedandhard—workingclass,andiftheyaremoreinterestedinartiststhaninart,alargesectionofthepublicisinthesamecondition,andmostofourmodernexhibitionsseemtojustifyitschoice.

  POEMSINPROSE

  THEARTIST

  ONEeveningtherecameintohissoulthedesiretofashionanimageofTHEPLEASURETHATABIDETHFORAMOMENT.Andhewentforthintotheworldtolookforbronze.Forhecouldthinkonlyinbronze.

  Butallthebronzeofthewholeworldhaddisappeared,noranywhereinthewholeworldwasthereanybronzetobefound,saveonlythebronzeoftheimageofTHESORROWTHATENDURETHFOREVER.

  Nowthisimagehehadhimself,andwithhisownhands,fashioned,andhadsetitonthetomboftheonethinghehadlovedinlife.

  Onthetombofthedeadthinghehadmostlovedhadhesetthisimageofhisownfashioning,thatitmightserveasasignoftheloveofmanthatdiethnot,andasymbolofthesorrowofmanthatendurethforever.Andinthewholeworldtherewasnootherbronzesavethebronzeofthisimage.

  Andhetooktheimagehehadfashioned,andsetitinagreatfurnace,andgaveittothefire.

  AndoutofthebronzeoftheimageofTHESORROWTHATENDURETHFOR

  EVERhefashionedanimageofTHEPLEASURETHATABIDETHFORA

  MOMENT.

  THEDOEROFGOOD

  Itwasnight—timeandHewasalone.

  AndHesawafar—offthewallsofaroundcityandwenttowardsthecity.

  AndwhenHecamenearHeheardwithinthecitythetreadofthefeetofjoy,andthelaughterofthemouthofgladnessandtheloudnoiseofmanylutes.AndHeknockedatthegateandcertainofthegate—keepersopenedtoHim.

  AndHebeheldahousethatwasofmarbleandhadfairpillarsofmarblebeforeit.Thepillarswerehungwithgarlands,andwithinandwithoutthereweretorchesofcedar.AndHeenteredthehouse.

  AndwhenHehadpassedthroughthehallofchalcedonyandthehallofjasper,andreachedthelonghalloffeasting,Hesawlyingonacouchofsea—purpleonewhosehairwascrownedwithredrosesandwhoselipswereredwithwine.

  AndHewentbehindhimandtouchedhimontheshoulderandsaidtohim,’Whydoyoulivelikethis?’

  AndtheyoungmanturnedroundandrecognisedHim,andmadeanswerandsaid,’ButIwasaleperonce,andyouhealedme.HowelseshouldIlive?’

  AndHepassedoutofthehouseandwentagainintothestreet.

  AndafteralittlewhileHesawonewhosefaceandraimentwerepaintedandwhosefeetwereshodwithpearls.Andbehindhercame,slowlyasahunter,ayoungmanwhoworeacloakoftwocolours.

  Nowthefaceofthewomanwasasthefairfaceofanidol,andtheeyesoftheyoungmanwerebrightwithlust.

  AndHefollowedswiftlyandtouchedthehandoftheyoungmanandsaidtohim,’Whydoyoulookatthiswomanandinsuchwise?’

  AndtheyoungmanturnedroundandrecognisedHimandsaid,’ButI

  wasblindonce,andyougavemesight.AtwhatelseshouldI

  look?’

  AndHeranforwardandtouchedthepaintedraimentofthewomanandsaidtoher,’Istherenootherwayinwhichtowalksavethewayofsin?’

  AndthewomanturnedroundandrecognisedHim,andlaughedandsaid,’Butyouforgavememysins,andthewayisapleasantway.’

  AndHepassedoutofthecity.

  AndwhenHehadpassedoutofthecityHesawseatedbytheroadsideayoungmanwhowasweeping.

  AndHewenttowardshimandtouchedthelonglocksofhishairandsaidtohim,’Whyareyouweeping?’

  AndtheyoungmanlookedupandrecognisedHimandmadeanswer,’ButIwasdeadonce,andyouraisedmefromthedead.WhatelseshouldIdobutweep?’

  THEDISCIPLE

  WhenNarcissusdiedthepoolofhispleasurechangedfromacupofsweetwatersintoacupofsalttears,andtheOreadscameweepingthroughthewoodlandthattheymightsingtothepoolandgiveitcomfort.

  Andwhentheysawthatthepoolhadchangedfromacupofsweetwatersintoacupofsalttears,theyloosenedthegreentressesoftheirhairandcriedtothepoolandsaid,’WedonotwonderthatyoushouldmourninthismannerforNarcissus,sobeautifulwashe.’

  ’ButwasNarcissusbeautiful?’saidthepool.

  ’Whoshouldknowthatbetterthanyou?’answeredtheOreads.’Usdidheeverpassby,butyouhesoughtfor,andwouldlieonyourbanksandlookdownatyou,andinthemirrorofyourwatershewouldmirrorhisownbeauty.’

  Andthepoolanswered,’ButIlovedNarcissusbecause,ashelayonmybanksandlookeddownatme,inthemirrorofhiseyesIsawevermyownbeautymirrored.’

  THEMASTER

  NowwhenthedarknesscameovertheearthJosephofArimathea,havinglightedatorchofpinewood,passeddownfromthehillintothevalley.Forhehadbusinessinhisownhome.

  AndkneelingontheflintstonesoftheValleyofDesolationhesawayoungmanwhowasnakedandweeping.Hishairwasthecolourofhoney,andhisbodywasasawhiteflower,buthehadwoundedhisbodywiththornsandonhishairhadhesetashesasacrown.

  Andhewhohadgreatpossessionssaidtotheyoungmanwhowasnakedandweeping,’Idonotwonderthatyoursorrowissogreat,forsurelyHewasajustman.’

  Andtheyoungmananswered,’ItisnotforHimthatIamweeping,butformyself.Itoohavechangedwaterintowine,andIhavehealedtheleperandgivensighttotheblind.Ihavewalkeduponthewaters,andfromthedwellersinthetombsIhavecastoutdevils.Ihavefedthehungryinthedesertwheretherewasnofood,andIhaveraisedthedeadfromtheirnarrowhouses,andatmybidding,andbeforeagreatmultitude,ofpeople,abarrenfig—

  treewitheredaway.AllthingsthatthismanhasdoneIhavedonealso.Andyettheyhavenotcrucifiedme.’

  THEHOUSEOFJUDGMENT

  AndtherewassilenceintheHouseofJudgment,andtheMancamenakedbeforeGod.

  AndGodopenedtheBookoftheLifeoftheMan.

  AndGodsaidtotheMan,’Thylifehathbeenevil,andthouhastshowncrueltytothosewhowereinneedofsuccour,andtothosewholackedhelpthouhastbeenbitterandhardofheart.Thepoorcalledtotheeandthoudidstnothearken,andthineearswereclosedtothecryofMyafflicted.Theinheritanceofthefatherlessthoudidsttakeuntothyself,andthoudidstsendthefoxesintothevineyardofthyneighbour’sfield.Thoudidsttakethebreadofthechildrenandgiveittothedogstoeat,andMyleperswholivedinthemarshes,andwereatpeaceandpraisedMe,thoudidstdriveforthontothehighways,andonMineearthoutofwhichImadetheethoudidstspillinnocentblood.’

  AndtheManmadeanswerandsaid,’EvensodidI.’

  AndagainGodopenedtheBookoftheLifeoftheMan.

  AndGodsaidtotheMan,’Thylifehathbeenevil,andtheBeautyI

  haveshownthouhastsoughtfor,andtheGoodIhavehiddenthoudidstpassby.Thewallsofthychamberwerepaintedwithimages,andfromthebedofthineabominationsthoudidstriseuptothesoundofflutes.ThoudidstbuildsevenaltarstothesinsIhavesuffered,anddidsteatofthethingthatmaynotbeeaten,andthepurpleofthyraimentwasbroideredwiththethreesignsofshame.

  Thineidolswereneitherofgoldnorofsilverthatendure,butoffleshthatdieth.Thoudidststaintheirhairwithperfumesandputpomegranatesintheirhands.Thoudidststaintheirfeetwithsaffronandspreadcarpetsbeforethem.Withantimonythoudidststaintheireyelidsandtheirbodiesthoudidstsmearwithmyrrh.

  Thoudidstbowthyselftothegroundbeforethem,andthethronesofthineidolsweresetinthesun.Thoudidstshowtothesunthyshameandtothemoonthymadness.’

  AndtheManmadeanswerandsaid,’EvensodidI.’

  AndathirdtimeGodopenedtheBookoftheLifeoftheMan.

  AndGodsaidtotheMan,’Evilhathbeenthylife,andwithevildidstthourequitegood,andwithwrongdoingkindness.Thehandsthatfedtheethoudidstwound,andthebreaststhatgavetheesuckthoudidstdespise.Hewhocametotheewithwaterwentawaythirsting,andtheoutlawedmenwhohidtheeintheirtentsatnightthoudidstbetraybeforedawn.Thineenemywhosparedtheethoudidstsnareinanambush,andthefriendwhowalkedwiththeethoudidstsellforaprice,andtothosewhobroughttheeLovethoudidstevergiveLustinthyturn.’

  AndtheManmadeanswerandsaid,’EvensodidI.’

  AndGodclosedtheBookoftheLifeoftheMan,andsaid,’SurelyI

  willsendtheeintoHell.EvenintoHellwillIsendthee.’

  AndtheMancriedout,’Thoucanstnot.’

  AndGodsaidtotheMan,’WhereforecanInotsendtheetoHell,andforwhatreason?’

  ’BecauseinHellhaveIalwayslived,’answeredtheMan.

  AndtherewassilenceintheHouseofJudgment.

  AndafteraspaceGodspake,andsaidtotheMan,’SeeingthatI

  maynotsendtheeintoHell,surelyIwillsendtheeuntoHeaven.

  EvenuntoHeavenwillIsendthee.’

  AndtheMancriedout,’Thoucanstnot.’

  AndGodsaidtotheMan,’WhereforecanInotsendtheeuntoHeaven,andforwhatreason?’

  ’Becausenever,andinnoplace,haveIbeenabletoimagineit,’

  answeredtheMan.

  AndtherewassilenceintheHouseofJudgment.

  THETEACHEROFWISDOM

  FromhischildhoodhehadbeenasonefilledwiththeperfectknowledgeofGod,andevenwhilehewasyetbutaladmanyofthesaints,aswellascertainholywomenwhodweltinthefreecityofhisbirth,hadbeenstirredtomuchwonderbythegravewisdomofhisanswers.

  Andwhenhisparentshadgivenhimtherobeandtheringofmanhoodhekissedthem,andleftthemandwentoutintotheworld,thathemightspeaktotheworldaboutGod.FortherewereatthattimemanyintheworldwhoeitherknewnotGodatall,orhadbutanincompleteknowledgeofHim,orworshippedthefalsegodswhodwellingrovesandhavenocareoftheirworshippers.

  Andhesethisfacetothesunandjourneyed,walkingwithoutsandals,ashehadseenthesaintswalk,andcarryingathisgirdlealeathernwalletandalittlewater—bottleofburntclay.

  AndashewalkedalongthehighwayhewasfullofthejoythatcomesfromtheperfectknowledgeofGod,andhesangpraisesuntoGodwithoutceasing;andafteratimehereachedastrangelandinwhichthereweremanycities.

  Andhepassedthroughelevencities.Andsomeofthesecitieswereinvalleys,andotherswerebythebanksofgreatrivers,andothersweresetonhills.Andineachcityhefoundadisciplewholovedhimandfollowedhim,andagreatmultitudealsoofpeoplefollowedhimfromeachcity,andtheknowledgeofGodspreadinthewholeland,andmanyoftherulerswereconverted,andthepriestsofthetemplesinwhichtherewereidolsfoundthathalfoftheirgainwasgone,andwhentheybeatupontheirdrumsatnoonnone,orbutafew,camewithpeacocksandwithofferingsoffleshashadbeenthecustomofthelandbeforehiscoming.

  Yetthemorethepeoplefollowedhim,andthegreaterthenumberofhisdisciples,thegreaterbecamehissorrow.Andheknewnotwhyhissorrowwassogreat.ForhespakeeveraboutGod,andoutofthefulnessofthatperfectknowledgeofGodwhichGodhadHimselfgiventohim.

  Andoneeveninghepassedoutoftheeleventhcity,whichwasacityofArmenia,andhisdisciplesandagreatcrowdofpeoplefollowedafterhim;andhewentupontoamountainandsatdownonarockthatwasonthemountain,andhisdisciplesstoodroundhim,andthemultitudekneltinthevalley.

  Andhebowedhisheadonhishandsandwept,andsaidtohisSoul,’WhyisitthatIamfullofsorrowandfear,andthateachofmydisciplesisanenemythatwalksinthenoonday?’AndhisSoulansweredhimandsaid,’GodfilledtheewiththeperfectknowledgeofHimself,andthouhastgiventhisknowledgeawaytoothers.Thepearlofgreatpricethouhastdivided,andthevesturewithoutseamthouhastpartedasunder.Hewhogivethawaywisdomrobbethhimself.Heisasonewhogivethhistreasuretoarobber.IsnotGodwiserthanthouart?WhoartthoutogiveawaythesecretthatGodhathtoldthee?Iwasrichonce,andthouhastmademepoor.

  OnceIsawGod,andnowthouhasthiddenHimfromme.’

  Andheweptagain,forheknewthathisSoulspaketruthtohim,andthathehadgiventootherstheperfectknowledgeofGod,andthathewasasoneclingingtotheskirtsofGod,andthathisfaithwasleavinghimbyreasonofthenumberofthosewhobelievedinhim.

  Andhesaidtohimself,’IwilltalknomoreaboutGod.Hewhogivethawaywisdomrobbethhimself.’

  Andafterthespaceofsomehourshisdisciplescamenearhimandbowedthemselvestothegroundandsaid,’Master,talktousaboutGod,forthouhasttheperfectknowledgeofGod,andnomansavetheehaththisknowledge.’

  Andheansweredthemandsaid,’Iwilltalktoyouaboutallotherthingsthatareinheavenandonearth,butaboutGodIwillnottalktoyou.Neithernow,noratanytime,willItalktoyouaboutGod.’

  Andtheywerewrothwithhimandsaidtohim,’Thouhastledusintothedesertthatwemighthearkentothee.Wiltthousendusawayhungry,andthegreatmultitudethatthouhastmadetofollowthee?’

  Andheansweredthemandsaid,’IwillnottalktoyouaboutGod.’

  Andthemultitudemurmuredagainsthimandsaidtohim,’Thouhastledusintothedesert,andhastgivenusnofoodtoeat.TalktousaboutGodanditwillsufficeus.’

  Butheansweredthemnotaword.ForheknewthatifhespaketothemaboutGodhewouldgiveawayhistreasure.

  Andhisdiscipleswentawaysadly,andthemultitudeofpeoplereturnedtotheirownhomes.Andmanydiedontheway.

  Andwhenhewasaloneheroseupandsethisfacetothemoon,andjourneyedforsevenmoons,speakingtonomannormakinganyanswer.AndwhentheseventhmoonhadwanedhereachedthatdesertwhichisthedesertoftheGreatRiver.AndhavingfoundacaverninwhichaCentaurhadoncedwelt,hetookitforhisplaceofdwelling,andmadehimselfamatofreedsonwhichtolie,andbecameahermit.AndeveryhourtheHermitpraisedGodthatHehadsufferedhimtokeepsomeknowledgeofHimandofHiswonderfulgreatness.

  Now,oneevening,astheHermitwasseatedbeforethecaverninwhichhehadmadehisplaceofdwelling,hebeheldayoungmanofevilandbeautifulfacewhopassedbyinmeanapparelandwithemptyhands.Everyeveningwithemptyhandstheyoungmanpassedby,andeverymorninghereturnedwithhishandsfullofpurpleandpearls.ForhewasaRobberandrobbedthecaravansofthemerchants.

  AndtheHermitlookedathimandpitiedhim.Buthespakenotaword.Forheknewthathewhospeaksawordloseshisfaith.

  Andonemorning,astheyoungmanreturnedwithhishandsfullofpurpleandpearls,hestoppedandfrownedandstampedhisfootuponthesand,andsaidtotheHermit:’WhydoyoulookatmeeverinthismannerasIpassby?WhatisitthatIseeinyoureyes?Fornomanhaslookedatmebeforeinthismanner.Andthethingisathornandatroubletome.’

  AndtheHermitansweredhimandsaid,’Whatyouseeinmyeyesispity.Pityiswhatlooksoutatyoufrommyeyes.’

  Andtheyoungmanlaughedwithscorn,andcriedtotheHermitinabittervoice,andsaidtohim,’Ihavepurpleandpearlsinmyhands,andyouhavebutamatofreedsonwhichtolie.Whatpityshouldyouhaveforme?Andforwhatreasonhaveyouthispity?’

  ’Ihavepityforyou,’saidtheHermit,’becauseyouhavenoknowledgeofGod.’

  ’IsthisknowledgeofGodapreciousthing?’askedtheyoungman,andhecameclosetothemouthofthecavern.

  ’Itismorepreciousthanallthepurpleandthepearlsoftheworld,’answeredtheHermit.

  ’Andhaveyougotit?’saidtheyoungRobber,andhecamecloserstill.

  ’Once,indeed,’answeredtheHermit,’IpossessedtheperfectknowledgeofGod.ButinmyfoolishnessIpartedwithit,anddivideditamongstothers.Yetevennowissuchknowledgeasremainstomemorepreciousthanpurpleorpearls.’

  AndwhentheyoungRobberheardthishethrewawaythepurpleandthepearlsthathewasbearinginhishands,anddrawingasharpswordofcurvedsteelhesaidtotheHermit,’Giveme,forthwiththisknowledgeofGodthatyoupossess,orIwillsurelyslayyou.

  WhereforeshouldInotslayhimwhohasatreasuregreaterthanmytreasure?’

  AndtheHermitspreadouthisarmsandsaid,’WereitnotbetterformetogountotheuttermostcourtsofGodandpraiseHim,thantoliveintheworldandhavenoknowledgeofHim?Slaymeifthatbeyourdesire.ButIwillnotgiveawaymyknowledgeofGod.’

  AndtheyoungRobberkneltdownandbesoughthim,buttheHermitwouldnottalktohimaboutGod,norgivehimhisTreasure,andtheyoungRobberroseupandsaidtotheHermit,’Beitasyouwill.

  Asformyself,IwillgototheCityoftheSevenSins,thatisbutthreedays’journeyfromthisplace,andformypurpletheywillgivemepleasure,andformypearlstheywillsellmejoy.’Andhetookupthepurpleandthepearlsandwentswiftlyaway.

  AndtheHermitcriedoutandfollowedhimandbesoughthim.ForthespaceofthreedayshefollowedtheyoungRobberontheroadandentreatedhimtoreturn,nortoenterintotheCityoftheSevenSins.

  AndeverandanontheyoungRobberlookedbackattheHermitandcalledtohim,andsaid,’WillyougivemethisknowledgeofGodwhichismorepreciousthanpurpleandpearls?Ifyouwillgivemethat,Iwillnotenterthecity.’

  AndeverdidtheHermitanswer,’AllthingsthatIhaveIwillgivethee,savethatonethingonly.Forthatthingitisnotlawfulformetogiveaway.’

  AndinthetwilightofthethirddaytheycamenightothegreatscarletgatesoftheCityoftheSevenSins.Andfromthecitytherecamethesoundofmuchlaughter.

  AndtheyoungRobberlaughedinanswer,andsoughttoknockatthegate.AndashedidsotheHermitranforwardandcaughthimbytheskirtsofhisraiment,andsaidtohim:’Stretchforthyourhands,andsetyourarmsaroundmyneck,andputyourearclosetomylips,andIwillgiveyouwhatremainstomeoftheknowledgeofGod.’AndtheyoungRobberstopped.

  AndwhentheHermithadgivenawayhisknowledgeofGod,hefelluponthegroundandwept,andagreatdarknesshidfromhimthecityandtheyoungRobber,sothathesawthemnomore.

  AndashelaythereweepinghewaswareofOnewhowasstandingbesidehim;andHewhowasstandingbesidehimhadfeetofbrassandhairlikefinewool.AndHeraisedtheHermitup,andsaidtohim:’BeforethistimethouhadsttheperfectknowledgeofGod.

  NowthoushalthavetheperfectloveofGod.Whereforeartthouweeping?’Andhekissedhim.

  Footnotes:

  (1)Plato’sLAWS;AEschylus’PROMETHEUSBOUND.

  (2)SomewhatinthesamespiritPlato,inhisLAWS,appealstothelocalpositionofIlionamongtheriversoftheplain,asaproofthatitwasnotbuilttilllongaftertheDeluge.

  (3)PlutarchremarksthattheONLYevidenceGreecepossessesofthetruththatthelegendarypowerofAthensisno’romanceoridlestory,’isthepublicandsacredbuildings.ThisisaninstanceoftheexaggeratedimportancegiventoruinsagainstwhichThucydidesiswarningus.

  (4)ThefictitioussaleintheRomanmarriagePERCOEMPTIONEMwasoriginally,ofcourse,arealsale.

  (5)Notably,ofcourse,inthecaseofheatanditslaws.

  (6)Cousinerrsagooddealinthisrespect.Tosay,ashedid,’Givemethelatitudeandthelongitudeofacountry,itsriversanditsmountains,andIwilldeducetherace,’issurelyaglaringexaggeration.

  (7)Themonarchical,aristocratical,anddemocraticelementsoftheRomanconstitutionarereferredto.

  (8)Polybius,vi.9.[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]

  (9)[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]

  (10)Thevariousstagesare[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced],[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced].

  (11)Polybius,xii.24.

  (12)Polybius,i.4,viii.4,specially;andreallyPASSIM.

  (13)Hemakesoneexception.

  (14)Polybius,viii.4.

  (15)Polybius,xvi.12.

  (16)Polybius,viii.4:[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]

  (17)PolybiusresembledGibboninmanyrespects.Likehimheheldthatallreligionsweretothephilosopherequallyfalse,tothevulgarequallytrue,tothestatesmanequallyuseful.

  (18)Cf.Polybius,xii.25,[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]

  (19)Polybius,xxii.8.

  (20)ImeanparticularlyasregardshissweepingdenunciationofthecompletemoraldecadenceofGreeksocietyduringthePeloponnesainWar,which,fromwhatremainstousofAthenianliterature,weknowmusthavebeencompletelyexaggerated.Or,rather,heislookingatmenmerelyintheirpoliticaldealings:

  andinpoliticsthemanwhoispersonallyhonourableandrefinedwillnotscrupletodoanythingforhisparty.

  (21)Polybius,xii.25.

  (22)THETWOPATHS,Lect.iii.p.123(1859ed.).

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