Contents：
IntroductionQuisDesiderio？
RamblingsinCheapsideTheAunt，TheNieces，andtheDogHowtomakethebestoflifeTheSanctuaryofMontrigoneAMedievalGirlSchoolArtintheValleyofSaasThoughtandLanguageTheDeadlockinDarwinismINTRODUCTION
Itishardlynecessarytoapologiseforthemiscellaneouscharacterofthefollowingcollectionofessays。SamuelButlerwasamanofsuchunusualversatility，andhisinterestsweresomanyandsovariousthathisliteraryremainswereboundtocoverawidefield。
Neverthelessitwillbefoundthatseveralofthesubjectstowhichhedevotedmuchtimeandlabourarenotrepresentedinthesepages。
IhavenotthoughtitnecessarytoreprintanyofthenumerouspamphletsandarticleswhichhewroteupontheIliadandOdyssey，sincethesewereallmergedin\"TheAuthoressoftheOdyssey，\"whichgiveshismaturedviewsuponeverythingrelatingtotheHomericpoems。ForasimilarreasonIhavenotincludedanessayontheevidencefortheResurrectionofJesusChrist，whichheprintedin1865forprivatecirculation，sincehesubsequentlymadeextensiveuseofitin\"TheFairHaven。\"
Twooftheessaysinthiscollectionwereoriginallydeliveredaslectures；theremainderwerepublishedinTheUniversalReviewduring1888，1889，and1890。
Ishouldperhapsexplainwhytwootheressaysofhis，whichalsoappearedinTheUniversalReview，havebeenomitted。
Thefirstofthese，entitled\"L’AffaireHolbein-Rippel，\"relatestoadrawingofHolbein’s\"DansedesPaysans，\"intheBasleMuseum，whichisusuallydescribedasacopy，butwhichButlerbelievedtobetheworkofHolbeinhimself。Thisessayrequirestobeillustratedinsoelaborateamannerthatitwasimpossibletoincludeitinabookofthissize。
Thesecondessay，whichisasketchofthecareerofthesculptorTabachetti，waspublishedasthefirstsectionofanarticleentitled\"ASculptorandaShrine，\"ofwhichthesecondsectionisheregivenunderthetitle，\"TheSanctuaryofMontrigone。\"ThesectiondevotedtothesculptorrepresentsallthatButlerthenknewaboutTabachetti，butsinceitwaswrittenvariousdocumentshavecometolight，principallyowingtotheinvestigationsofCavaliereFrancescoNegri，ofCasaleMonferrato，whichnegativesomeofButler’smostcherishedconclusions。HadButlerlivedhewouldeitherhaverewrittenhisessayinaccordancewithCavaliereNegri’sdiscoveries，ofwhichhefullyrecognisedthevalue，orincorporatedthemintotherevisededitionof\"ExVoto，\"whichheintendedtopublish。Asitstands，theessayrequiressomuchrevisionthatI
havedecidedtoomititaltogether，andtopostponegivingEnglishreadersafullaccountofTabachetti’scareeruntilasecondeditionof\"ExVoto\"isrequired。MeanwhileIhavegivenabriefsummaryofthemainfactsofTabachetti’slifeinanote（page154）totheessayon\"ArtintheValleyofSaas。\"AnyonewhowishesforfurtherdetailsofthesculptorandhisworkwillfindtheminCavaliereNegri’spamphlet，\"IlSantuariodiCrea\"（Alessandria，1902）。
Thethreeessaysgroupedtogetherunderthetitleof\"TheDeadlockinDarwinism\"mayberegardedasapostscripttoButler’sfourbooksonevolution，viz。，\"LifeandHabit，\"\"Evolution，OldandNew，\"
\"UnconsciousMemory\"and\"LuckorCunning。\"Anoccasionforthepublicationoftheseessaysseemedtobeaffordedbytheappearancein1889ofMr。AlfredRusselWallace’s\"Darwinism\"；andalthoughnearlyfourteenyearshaveelapsedsincetheywerepublishedintheUniversalReview，Ihavenofearthattheywillbefoundtobeoutofdate。Howfar，indeed，theproblemembodiedinthedeadlockofwhichButlerspeaksisfromsolutionwasconclusivelyshownbythecorrespondencewhichappearedintheTimesinMay1903，occasionedbysomeremarksmadeatUniversityCollegebyLordKelvininmovingavoteofthankstoProfessorHenslowafterhislectureon\"PresentDayRationalism。\"LordKelvin’sclaimforarecognitionofthefactthatinorganicnaturescientificthoughtiscompelledtoaccepttheideaofsomekindofdirectivepower，andhisstatementthatbiologistsarecomingoncemoretoafirmacceptanceofavitalprinciple，drewfromseveraldistinguishedmenofscienceretortsheatedenoughtoprovebeyondadoubtthatthegulfbetweenthetwomaindivisionsofevolutionistsisaswideto-dayasitwaswhenButlerwrote。Itwillbewell，perhaps，forthebenefitofreaderswhohavenotfollowedthehistoryofthetheoryofevolutionduringitslaterdevelopments，tostateinafewwordswhatthesetwomaindivisionsare。Allevolutionistsagreethatthedifferencesbetweenspeciesarecausedbytheaccumulationandtransmissionofvariations，buttheydonotagreeastothecausestowhichthevariationsaredue。Theviewheldbytheolderevolutionists，Buffon，ErasmusDarwinandLamarck，whohavebeenfollowedbymanymodernthinkers，includingHerbertSpencerandButler，isthatthevariationsoccurmainlyastheresultofeffortanddesign；theoppositeview，whichisthatadvocatedbyMr。Wallacein\"Darwinism，\"isthatthevariationsoccurmerelyastheresultofchance。Theformerissometimescalledthetheologicalview，becauseitrecognisesthepresenceinorganicnatureofdesign，whetheritbecalledcreativepower，directiveforce，directivity，orvitalprinciple；thelatterview，inwhichtheexistenceofdesignisabsolutelynegatived，isnowusuallydescribedasWeismannism，fromthenameofthewriterwhohasbeenitsprincipaladvocateinrecentyears。
Inconclusion，ImustthankmyfriendMr。HenryFestingJonesmostwarmlyfortheinvaluableassistancewhichhehasgivenmeinpreparingtheseessaysforpublication，incorrectingtheproofs，andincompilingtheintroductionandnotes。
R。A。STREATFEILD。
QUISDESIDERIO……？{1}
LikeMr。WilkieCollins，I，too，havebeenaskedtolaysomeofmyliteraryexperiencesbeforethereadersoftheUniversalReview。ItoccurredtomethattheReviewmustbeindeeduniversalbeforeitcouldopenitspagestoonesoobscureasmyself；but，nothingdauntedbythedistinguishedcompanyamongwhichIwasforthefirsttimeaskedtomove，IresolvedtodoasIwastold，andwenttotheBritishMuseumtoseewhatbooksIhadwritten。Havingrefreshedmymemorybyaglanceatthecatalogue，Iwasabouttotryanddiminishthelargeandever-increasingcircleofmynon-readerswhenIbecameawareofacalamitythatbroughtmetoastandstill，andindeedbidsfair，sofarasIcanseeatpresent，toputanendtomyliteraryexistencealtogether。
IshouldexplainthatIcannotwriteunlessIhaveaslopingdesk，andthereading-roomoftheBritishMuseum，wherealoneIcancomposefreely，isunprovidedwithslopingdesks。Likeeveryotherorganism，ifIcannotgetexactlywhatIwantImakeshiftwiththenextthingtoit；true，therearenodesksinthereading-room，but，asIonceheardavisitorfromthecountrysay，\"itcontainsalargenumberofveryinterestingworks。\"Iknowitwasnotright，andhopetheMuseumauthoritieswillnotbesevereuponmeifanyofthemreadsthisconfession；butIwantedadesk，andsetmyselftoconsiderwhichofthemanyveryinterestingworkswhichagratefulnationplacesatthedisposalofitswould-beauthorswasbestsuitedformypurpose。
FormerereadingIsupposeonebookisprettymuchasgoodasanother；butthechoiceofadesk-bookisamoreseriousmatter。Itmustbeneithertoothicknortoothin；itmustbelargeenoughtomakeasubstantialsupport；itmustbestronglyboundsoasnottoyieldorgive；itmustnotbetootroublesometocarrybackwardsandforwards；anditmustliveonshelfC，D，orE，sothatthereneedbenostoopingorreachingtoohigh。Thesearetheconditionswhichareallygoodbookmustfulfil；simple，however，astheyare，itissurprisinghowfewvolumescomplywiththemsatisfactorily；
moreover，beingperhapstoosensitivelyconscientious，Iallowedanotherconsiderationtoinfluenceme，andwassincerelyanxiousnottotakeabookwhichwouldbeinconstantuseforreferencebyreaders，moreespeciallyas，ifIdidthis，Imightfindmyselfdisturbedbytheofficials。
ForweeksImadeexperimentsuponsundrypoeticalandphilosophicalworks，whosenamesIhaveforgotten，butcouldnotsucceedinfindingmyidealdesk，untilatlength，morebyluckthancunning，I
happenedtolightuponFrost’s\"LivesofEminentChristians，\"whichIhadnosoonertriedthanIdiscoveredittobetheveryperfectionandneplusultraofeverythingthatabookshouldbe。ItlivedinCaseNo。2008，andIaccordinglytookatoncetosittinginRowB，whereforthelastdozenyearsorsoIhavesateversince。
ThefirstthingIhavedonewheneverIwenttotheMuseumhasbeentotakedownFrost’s\"LivesofEminentChristians\"andcarryittomyseat。Itisnotthecustomofmodernwriterstorefertotheworkstowhichtheyaremostdeeplyindebted，andIhavenever，thatIremember，mentioneditbynamebefore；butitistothisbookalonethatIhavelookedforsupportduringmanyyearsofliterarylabour，anditisroundthistomeinvaluablevolumethatallmyownhavepagebypagegrownup。ThereisnoneintheMuseumtowhichI
havebeenunderanythinglikesuchconstantobligation，nonewhichI
cansoillspare，andnonewhichIwouldchoosesoreadilyifIwereallowedtoselectonesinglevolumeandkeepitformyown。
OnfindingmyselfaskedforacontributiontotheUniversalReview，Iwent，asIhaveexplained，totheMuseum，andpresentlyrepairedtobookcaseNo。2008togetmyfavouritevolume。Alas！itwasintheroomnolonger。Itwasnotinuse，foritsplacewasfilledupalready；besides，nooneeveruseditbutmyself。WhethertheghostofthelateMr。Frosthasbeensoeminentlyunchristianastointerfere，orwhethertheauthoritieshaveremovedthebookinignoranceofthesteadydemandwhichtherehasbeenforitonthepartofatleastonereader，arepointsIcannotdetermine。AllI
knowisthatthebookisgone，andIfeelasWordsworthisgenerallysupposedtohavefeltwhenhebecameawarethatLucywasinhergrave，andexclaimedsoemphaticallythatthiswouldmakeaconsiderabledifferencetohim，orwordstothateffect。
NowIthinkofit，Frost’s\"LivesofEminentChristians\"wasverylikeLucy。TheoneresidedatDovedaleinDerbyshire，theotherinGreatRussellStreet，Bloomsbury。IadmitthatIdonotseetheresemblancehereatthismoment，butifItrytodevelopmyperceptionIshalldoubtlesserelongfindamarvellouslystrikingone。Inotherrespects，however，thanmerelocalhabitatthelikenessisobvious。Lucywasnotparticularlyattractiveeitherinsideorout——nomorewasFrost’s\"LivesofEminentChristians\"；
therewerefewtopraiseher，andofthosefewstillfewercouldbringthemselvestolikeher；indeed，Wordsworthhimselfseemstohavebeentheonlypersonwhothoughtmuchaboutheronewayortheother。Inlikemanner，IbelieveIwastheonlyreaderwhothoughtmuchonewayortheotheraboutFrost’s\"LivesofEminentChristians，\"butthisinitselfwasoneoftheattractionsofthebook；andasforthegriefwerespectivelyfeltandfeel，IbelievemyowntobeasdeepasWordsworth’s，ifnotmoreso。
Isaidabove，\"asWordsworthisgenerallysupposedtohavefelt\"；
foranyoneimbuedwiththespiritofmodernsciencewillreadWordsworth’spoemwithdifferenteyesfromthoseofamereliterarycritic。HewillnotethatWordsworthismostcarefulnottoexplainthenatureofthedifferencewhichthedeathofLucywilloccasiontohim。Hetellsusthattherewillbeadifference；buttherethematterends。Thesuperficialreadertakesitthathewasverysorryshewasdead；itis，ofcourse，possiblethathemayhaveactuallybeenso，buthehasnotsaidthis。Onthecontrary，hehashintedplainlythatshewasugly，andgenerallydisliked；shewasonlylikeavioletwhenshewashalf-hiddenfromtheview，andonlyfairasastarwhenthereweresofewstarsoutthatitwaspracticallyimpossibletomakeaninvidiouscomparison。Iftherewereasmanyaseventwostarsthelikenesswasfelttobeatanend。IfWordsworthhadimprudentlypromisedtomarrythisyoungpersonduringatimewhenhehadbeenunusuallylonginkeepingtogoodresolutions，andhadafterwardsseensomeonewhomhelikedbetter，thenLucy’sdeathwouldundoubtedlyhavemadeaconsiderabledifferencetohim，andthisisallthathehaseversaidthatitwoulddo。Whatrighthavewetoputglossesuponthemasterlyreticenceofapoet，andcredithimwithfeelingspossiblytheveryreverseofthoseheactuallyentertained？
Sometimes，indeed，Ihavebeeninclinedtothinkthatamysteryisbeinghintedatmoredarkthananycritichassuspected。Idonothappentopossessacopyofthepoem，butthewriter，ifIamnotmistaken，saysthat\"fewcouldknowwhenLucyceasedtobe。\"
\"Ceasedtobe\"isasuspiciouslyeuphemisticexpression，andthewords\"fewcouldknow\"arenotapplicabletotheordinarypeacefuldeathofadomesticservantsuchasLucyappearstohavebeen。Nomatterhowobscurethedeceased，anynumberofpeoplecommonlycanknowthedayandhourofhisorherdemise，whereasinthiscaseweareexpresslytolditwouldbeimpossibleforthemtodoso。
Wordsworthwasnothingifnotaccurate，andwouldnothavesaidthatfewcouldknow，butthatfewactuallydidknow，unlesshewasawareofcircumstancesthatprecludedallbutthoseimplicatedinthecrimeofherdeathfromknowingtheprecisemomentofitsoccurrence。IfLucywasthekindofpersonnotobscurelypourtrayedinthepoem；ifWordsworthhadmurderedher，eitherbycuttingherthroatorsmotheringher，inconcert，perhaps，withhisfriendsSoutheyandColeridge；andifhehadthusfoundhimselfreleasedfromanengagementwhichhadbecomeirksometohim，orpossiblyfromthethreatofanactionforbreachofpromise，thenthereisnotasyllableinthepoemwithwhichhecrownshiscrimethatisnotalivewithmeaning。Onanyothersuppositiontothegeneralreaderitisunintelligible。
Wecannotbetooguardedintheinterpretationsweputuponthewordsofgreatpoets。Taketheyoungladywhoneverlovedthedeargazelle——andIdon’tbelieveshedid；weareapttothinkthatMooreintendedustoseeinthiscreationofhisfancyasweet，amiable，butmostunfortunateyoungwoman，whereasallhehastoldusaboutherpointstoanexactlyoppositeconclusion。Inreality，hewishedustoseeayoungladywhohadbeenanhabitualcomplainerfromherearliestchildhood；whoseplantshadalwaysdiedassoonassheboughtthem，whilethosebelongingtoherneighbourshadflourished。
Theinferenceisobvious，norcanwereasonablydoubtthatMooreintendedustodrawit；ifherplantsweretheveryfirsttofadeaway，shewasevidentlytheveryfirsttoneglectorotherwisemaltreatthem。Shedidnotgivethemenoughwater，orleftthedoorofherfern-easeopenwhenshewascookingherdinneratthegasstove，orkeptthemtooneartheparaffinoil，orotherlikefolly；
andasforhertemper，seewhatthegazellesdid；aslongastheydidnotknowher\"well，\"theycouldjustmanagetoexist，butwhentheygottounderstandherrealcharacter，oneafteranotherfeltthatdeathwastheonlycourseopentoit，andaccordinglydiedratherthanlivewithsuchamistress。True，theyoungladyherselfsaidthegazelleslovedher；butdisagreeablepeopleareapttothinkthemselvesamiable，andinviewofthecourseinvariablytakenbythegazellesthemselvesanyoneaccustomedtoweighevidencewillholdthatshewasprobablymistaken。
Imust，however，returntoFrost’s\"LivesofEminentChristians。\"I
willleavenoneoftheambiguityaboutmywordsinwhichMooreandWordsworthseemtohavedelighted。Iamverysorrythebookisgone，andknownotwheretoturnforitssuccessor。TillIhavefoundasubstituteIcanwritenomore，andIdonotknowhowtofindevenatolerableone。IshouldtryavolumeofMigne’s\"CompleteCourseofPatrology，\"butIdonotlikebooksinmorethanonevolume，forthevolumesvaryinthickness，andonenevercanrememberwhichonetook；thefourvolumes，however，ofBedeinGiles’s\"AnglicanFathers\"arenotopentothisobjection，andI
havereservedthemforfavourableconsideration。Mather’s\"Magnalia\"mightdo，butthebindingdoesnotpleaseme；Cureton’s\"CorpusIgnatianum\"mightalsodoifitwerenottoothin。IdonotliketakingNorton’s\"GenuinenessoftheGospels，\"asitisjustpossiblesomeonemaybewantingtoknowwhethertheGospelsaregenuineornot，andbeunabletofindoutbecauseIhavegotMr。
Norton’sbook。Baxter’s\"ChurchHistoryofEngland，\"Lingard’s\"Anglo-SaxonChurch，\"andCardwell’s\"DocumentaryAnnals，\"thoughnoneofthemasgoodasFrost，areworksofconsiderablemerit；butonthewholeIthinkArvine’s\"CyclopediaofMoralandReligiousAnecdote\"isperhapstheonebookintheroomwhichcomeswithinmeasurabledistanceofFrost。Ishouldprobablytrythisbookfirst，butithasafatalobjectioninitstooseductivetitle。\"I
amnotcurious，\"asMissLottieVennesaysinoneofherparts，\"butIliketoknow，\"andImightbetemptedtopervertthebookfromitsnaturalusesandopenit，soastofindoutwhatkindofathingamoralandreligiousanecdoteis。Iknow，ofcourse，thatthereareagreatmanyanecdotesintheBible，butnoonethinksofcallingthemeithermoralorreligious，thoughsomeofthemcertainlyseemasiftheymightfairlyfindaplaceinMr。Arvine’swork。Therearesomethings，however，whichitisbetternottoknow，andtakeitallroundIdonotthinkIshouldbewiseinputtingmyselfinthewayoftemptation，andadoptingArvineasthesuccessortomybelovedandlamentedFrost。
SomesuccessorImustfind，orImustgiveupwritingaltogether，andthisIshouldbesorrytodo。Ihaveonlyasyetwrittenaboutathird，orfromthat——countingworkswrittenbutnotpublished——toahalf，ofthebookswhichIhavesetmyselftowrite。Itwouldnotsomuchmatterifoldagewasnotstaringmeintheface。Dr。Parrsaiditwas\"abeastlyshameforanoldmannottohavelaiddownagoodcellarofportinhisyouth\"；I，likethegreaternumber，I
suppose，ofthosewhowritebooksatall，writeinorderthatImayhavesomethingtoreadinmyoldagewhenIcanwritenolonger。I
knowwhatIshalllikebetterthananyonecantellme，andwriteaccordingly；ifmycareerisnippedinthebud，asseemsonlytoolikely，IreallydonotknowwhereelseIcanturnforpresentagreeableoccupation，noryethowtomakesuitableprovisionformylateryears。Otherwriterscan，ofcourse，makeexcellentprovisionfortheirownoldages，buttheycannotdosoformine，anymorethanIshouldsucceedifIweretotrytocaterfortheirs。Itisoneofthosecasesinwhichnomancanmakeagreementforhisbrother。
Ihavenoheartforcontinuingthisarticle，andifIhad，Ihavenothingofinteresttosay。Noone’sliterarycareercanhavebeensmootherormoreunchequeredthanmine。Ihavepublishedallmybooksatmyownexpense，andpaidfortheminduecourse。Whatcanbeconceivablymoreunromantic？ForsomeyearsIhadalittleliterarygrievanceagainsttheauthoritiesoftheBritishMuseumbecausetheywouldinsistonsayingintheircataloguethatIhadpublishedthreesermonsonInfidelityintheyear1820。IthoughtI
hadnot，andgotthemouttosee。Theywereratherfunny，buttheywerenotmine。Now，however，thisgrievancehasbeenremoved。I
hadanotherlittlequarrelwiththembecausetheywoulddescribemeas\"ofSt。John’sCollege，Cambridge，\"anestablishmentforwhichI
havethemostprofoundveneration，butwithwhichIhavenothadthehonourtobeconnectedforsomequarterofacentury。AtlasttheysaidtheywouldchangethisdescriptionifIwouldonlytellthemwhatIwas，for，thoughtheyhaddonetheirbesttofindout，theyhadthemselvesfailed。IrepliedwithmodestpridethatIwasaBachelorofArts。Ikeepallmyotherlettersinsidemyname，notoutside。TheymusedandsaiditwasunfortunatethatIwasnotaMasterofArts。CouldInotgetmyselfmadeaMaster？IsaidI
understoodthataMastershipwasanarticletheUniversitycouldnotdounderaboutfivepounds，andthatIwasnotdisposedtogosixpencehigherthanthreeten。Theyagainsaiditwasapity，foritwouldbeveryinconvenienttothemifIdidnotkeeptosomethingbetweenabishopandapoet。ImightbeanythingIlikedinreason，providedIshowedproperrespectforthealphabet；buttheyhadgotmebetween\"SamuelButler，bishop，\"and\"SamuelButler，poet。\"Itwouldbeverytroublesometoshiftme，andbachelorcamebeforebishop。Thiswasreasonable，soIrepliedthat，underthosecircumstances，iftheypleased，IthoughtIwouldliketobeaphilosophicalwriter。Theyembracedthesolution，and，nomatterwhatIwritenow，ImustremainaphilosophicalwriteraslongasI
live，forthealphabetwillhardlybealteredinmytime，andImustbesomethingbetween\"Bis\"and\"Poe。\"IfIcouldgetavolumeofmyexcellentnamesake’s\"Hudibras\"outofthelistofmyworks，I
shouldberobbedofmylastshredofliterarygrievance，soIsaynothingaboutthis，butkeepitsecret，lestsomeworsethingshouldhappentome。Besides，Ihaveagreatrespectformynamesake，andalwayssaythatif\"Erewhon\"hadbeenaracehorseitwouldhavebeengotby\"Hudibras\"outof\"Analogy。\"Someonesaidthistomemanyyearsago，andIfeltsomuchflatteredthatIhavebeenrepeatingtheremarkasmyowneversince。
Buthowsmallarethesegrievancesascomparedwiththoseenduredwithoutamurmurbyhundredsofwritersfarmoredeservingthanmyself。WhenIseethescoresandhundredsofworkersinthereading-roomwhohavedonesomuchmorethanIhave，butwhoseworkisabsolutelyfruitlesstothemselves，andwhenIthinkofthepromptrecognitionobtainedbymyownwork，IaskmyselfwhatIhavedonetobethusrewarded。Ontheotherhand，thefeelingthatI
havesucceededfarbeyondmydesertshitherto，makesitalltheharderformetoacquiescewithoutcomplaintintheextinctionofacareerwhichIhonestlybelievetobeapromisingone；andoncemoreIrepeatthat，unlesstheMuseumauthoritiesgivemebackmyFrost，orputalockedclasponArvine，mycareermustbeextinguished。
GivemebackFrost，and，iflifeandhealtharespared，IwillwriteanotherdozenofvolumesyetbeforeIhangupmyfiddle——ifsoseriousaconfusionofmetaphorsmaybepardoned。Iknowfromlongexperiencehowkindandconsiderateboththelateandpresentsuperintendentsofthereading-roomwereandare，butIdoubthowfareitherofthemwouldbedisposedtohelpmeonthisoccasion；
continue，however，torobmeofmyFrost，and，whateverelseImaydo，Iwillwritenomorebooks。
NotebyDr。Garnett，BritishMuseum。——Thefrosthasbrokenup。Mr。
Butlerisrestoredtoliterature。Mr。Mudiemaymakehimselfeasy。
Englandwillstillboastahumourist；andthelateMr。Darwin（towhoseposthumousmachinationstheremovalofthebookwasowing）
willcontinuetobeconfounded。——R。GANNETT。
RAMBLINGSINCHEAPSIDE{2}
WalkingtheotherdayinCheapsideIsawsometurtlesinMr。
Sweeting’swindow，andwastemptedtostayandlookatthem。AsI
didsoIwasstrucknotmorebythedefenceswithwhichtheywerehedgedabout，thanbythefatuousnessoftryingtohedgethatinatallwhich，ifhedgedthoroughly，mustdieofitsowndefencefulness。
Theholesfortheheadandfeetthroughwhichtheturtleleaksout，asitwere，ontotheexteriorworld，andthroughwhichitagainabsorbstheexteriorworldintoitself——\"catchingon\"throughthemtothingsthatarethusbothturtleandnotturtleatoneandthesametime——theseholesstultifythearmour，andshowittohavebeendesignedbyacreaturewithmoreoffaithfulnesstoafixedidea，andhenceone-sidedness，thanofthatquicksenseofrelativeimportancesandtheirchanges，whichisthemainfactorofgoodliving。
Theturtleobviouslyhadnosenseofproportion；itdifferedsowidelyfrommyselfthatIcouldnotcomprehendit；andasthiswordoccurredtome，itoccurredalsothatuntilmybodycomprehendeditsbodyinaphysicalmaterialsense，neitherwouldmymindbeabletocomprehenditsmindwithanythoroughness。Forunityofmindcanonlybeconsummatedbyunityofbody；everything，therefore，mustbeinsomerespectsbothknaveandfooltoallthatwhichhasnoteatenit，orbywhichithasnotbeeneaten。AslongastheturtlewasinthewindowandIinthestreetoutside，therewasnochanceofourcomprehendingoneanother。
NeverthelessIknewthatIcouldgetittoagreewithmeifIcouldsoeffectuallybutton-holeandfastenontoitastoeatit。Mostmenhaveaneasymethodwithturtlesoup，andIhadnomisgivingbutthatifIcouldbringmyfirstpremisetobearIshouldprovethebetterreasoner。Mydifficultylayinthisinitialprocess，forI
hadnotwithmetheargumentthatwouldalonecompelMr。SweetingthinkthatIoughttobeallowedtoconverttheturtles——ImeanI
hadnomoneyinmypocket。Nomissionaryenterprisecanbecarriedonwithoutanymoneyatall，butevensosmallasumashalf-a-crownwould，Isuppose，haveenabledmetobringtheturtlepartlyround，andwithmanyhalf-crownsIcouldintimenodoubtconvertthelot，fortheturtleneedsmustgowherethemoneydrives。If，asisalleged，theworldstandsonaturtle，theturtlestandsonmoney。
Nomoneynoturtle。Asformoney，thatstandsonopinion，credit，trust，faith——thingsthat，thoughhighlymaterialinconnectionwithmoney，arestillofimmaterialessence。
Thestepsareperfectlyplain。Themenwhocaughttheturtlesbroughtafairlystronganddefiniteopiniontobearuponthem，thatpassedintoaction，andlateronintomoney。Theythoughttheturtleswouldcomethatway，andverifiedtheiropinion；onthis，willandactionweregenerated，withtheresultthatthementurnedtheturtlesontheirbacksandcarriedthemoff。Mr。Sweetingtouchedthesemenwithmoney，whichistheoutwardandvisiblesignofverifiedopinion。ThecustomertouchesMr。Sweetingwithmoney，Mr。Sweetingtouchesthewaiterandthecookwithmoney。Theytouchtheturtlewithskillandverifiedopinion。Finally，thecustomerappliestheclinchingargumentthatbrushesallsophismsaside，andbidstheturtlestandprotoplasmtoprotoplasmwithhimself，toknowevenasitisknown。
Butitmustbealltouch，touch，touch；skill，opinion，power，andmoney，passinginandoutwithoneanotherinanyorderwelike，butstilllinktolinkandtouchtotouch。Ifthereisfailureanywhereinrespectofopinion，skill，power，ormoney，eitherasregardsquantityorquality，thechaincanbenostrongerthanitsweakestlink，andtheturtleandtheclinchingargumentwillflyasunder。
Ofcourse，ifthereisaninitialfailureinconnection，throughdefectinanymemberofthechain，orofconnectionbetweenthelinks，itwillnomorebeattemptedtobringtheturtleandtheclinchingargumenttogether，thanitwilltochainupadogwithtwopiecesofbrokenchainthataredisconnected。Thecontactthroughoutmustbeconceivedasabsolute；andyetperfectcontactisinconceivablebyus，foronbecomingperfectitceasestobecontact，andbecomesessential，onceforallinseverable，identity。
Themostabsolutecontactshortofthisisstillcontactbycourtesyonly。Sohere，aseverywhereelse，Eurydiceglidesoffasweareabouttograspher。Wecanseenothingfacetoface；ourutmostseeingisbutafumblingofblindfinger-endsinanovercrowdedpocket。
Presentlymyownblindfinger-endsfisheduptheconclusion，thatasIhadneithertimenormoneytospendonperfectingthechainthatwouldputmeinfullspiritualcontactwithMr。Sweeting’sturtles，Ihadbetterleavethemtocompletetheireducationatsomeoneelse’sexpenseratherthanmine，soIwalkedontowardstheBank。
AsIdidsoitstruckmehowcontinuallywearemetbythismeltingofoneexistenceintoanother。Thelimitsofthebodyseemwelldefinedenoughasdefinitionsgo，butdefinitionsseldomgofar。
What，forexample，canseemmoredistinctfromamanthanhisbankerorhissolicitor？Yetthesearecommonlysomuchpartsofhimthathecannomorecutthemoffandgrownewones，thanhecangrownewlegsorarms；neithermusthewoundhissolicitor；awoundinthesolicitorisaveryseriousthing。Asforhisbank——failureofhisbank’sactionmaybeasfataltoamanasfailureofhisheart。I
havesaidnothingaboutthemedicalorspiritualadviser，butmostmengrowintothesocietythatsurroundsthembythehelpofthesefourmaintap-roots，andnotonlyintotheworldofhumanity，butintotheuniverseatlarge。Wecan，indeed，growbutchers，bakers，andgreengrocers，almostadlibitum，butthesearelowdevelopments，andcorrespondtoskin，hair，orfinger-nails。Thoseofusagainwhoarenothighlyenoughorganisedtohavegrownasolicitororbankercangenerallyrepairthelossofwhateversocialorganisationtheymaypossessasfreelyaslizardsaresaidtogrownewtails；
butthiswiththehighersocial，aswellasorganic，developmentsisonlypossibletoaverylimitedextent。
Thedoctrineofmetempsychosis，ortransmigrationofsouls——adoctrinetowhichtheforegoingconsiderationsareforthemostparteasycorollaries——cropsupnomatterinwhatdirectionweallowourthoughtstowander。Andwemeetinstancesoftransmigrationofbodyaswellasofsoul。Idonotmeanthatbothbodyandsoulhavetransmigratedtogether，farfromit；butthat，aswecanoftenrecogniseatransmigratedmindinanalienbody，sowenotlessoftenseeabodythatisclearlyonlyatransmigration，linkedontosomeoneelse’snewandaliensoul。Wemeetpeopleeverydaywhosebodiesareevidentlythoseofmenandwomenlongdead，butwhoseappearanceweknowthroughtheirportraits。Weseethemgoingaboutinomnibuses，railwaycarriages，andinallpublicplaces。Thecardshavebeenshuffled，andtheyhavedrawnfreshlotsinlifeandnationalities，butanyonefairlywellupinmediaevalandlastcenturyportraitureknowsthemataglance。
GoingdownoncetowardsItalyIsawayoungmaninthetrainwhomI
recognised，onlyheseemedtohavegotyounger。Hewaswithafriend，andhisfacewasincontinualplay，butforsomelittletimeIpuzzledinvaintorecollectwhereitwasthatIhadseenhimbefore。AllofasuddenIrememberedhewasKingFrancisI。ofFrance。Ihadhithertothoughtthefaceofthiskingimpossible，butwhenIsawitinplayIunderstoodit。HisgreatcontemporaryHenryVIII。keepsarestaurantinOxfordStreet。FalstaffdroveoneoftheSt。Gotharddiligencesformanyyears，andonlyretiredwhentherailwaywasopened。TitianoncemademeapairofbootsatVicenza，andnotverygoodones。AtModenaIhadmyhaircutbyayoungmanwhomIperceivedtobeRaffaelle。ThemodelwhosattohimforhiscelebratedMadonnasisfirstladyinaconfectioneryestablishmentatMontreal。Shehasalittlemotherlypimpleontheleftsideofhernosethatismisleadingatfirst，butonexaminationsheisreadilyrecognised；probablyRaffaelle’smodelhadthepimpletoo，butRaffaelleleftitout——ashewould。
Handel，ofcourse，isMadamePatey。GiveMadamePateyHandel’swigandclothes，andtherewouldbenotellingherfromHandel。Itisnotonlythatthefeaturesandtheshapeoftheheadarethesame，butthereisacertainimperiousnessofexpressionandattitudeaboutHandelwhichhehardlyattemptstoconcealinMadamePatey。
Itisacuriouscoincidencethatheshouldcontinuetobesuchanincomparablerendererofhisownmusic。PopeJuliusII。wasthelateMr。Darwin。RamesesII。isablindwomannow，andstandsinHolborn，holdingatinmug。InevercouldunderstandwhyIalwaysfoundmyselfhumming\"Theyoppressedthemwithburthens\"whenI
passedher，tillonedayIwaslookinginMr。Spooner’swindowintheStrand，andsawaphotographofRamesesII。MaryQueenofScotswearssurgicalbootsandissubjecttofits，neartheHorseShoeinTottenhamCourtRoad。
MichaelAngeloisacommissionaire；IsawhimonboardtheGlenRosa，whichusedtoruneverydayfromLondontoClacton-on-Seaandback。ItgavemequiteaturnwhenIsawhimcomingdownthestairsfromtheupperdeck，withhisbronzedface，flattenednose，andwiththefamiliarbaruponhisforehead。IneverlikedMichaelAngelo，andnevershall，butIamafraidofhim，andwasneartryingtohidewhenIsawhimcomingtowardsme。Hehadnotgothiscommissionaire’suniformon，andIdidnotknowhewasonetillI
methimamonthorsolaterintheStrand。WhenwegottoBlackwallthemusicstruckupandpeoplebegantodance。Ineversawamandancesomuchinmylife。HedidnotmissadanceallthewaytoClacton，norallthewaybackagain，andwhennotdancinghewasflirtingandcrackingjokes。IcouldhardlybelievemyeyeswhenI
reflectedthatthismanhadpaintedthefamous\"LastJudgment，\"andhadmadeallthosestatues。
Danteis，orwasayearortwoago，awaiteratBrissagoontheLagoMaggiore，onlyheisbetter-tempered-looking，andhasamoreintellectualexpression。Hegavemehisideasuponbeauty：\"Tuttoch’everoebello，\"heexclaimed，withallhisoldself-confidence。
IamnotafraidofDante。Iknowpeoplebytheirfriends，andhewentaboutwithVirgil，soIsaidwithsomeseverity，\"No，Dante，ilnasodellaSignoraRobinsonevero，manonebello\"；andheadmittedIwasright。Beatrice’snameisTowler；sheiswaitressatasmallinninGermanSwitzerland。Iusedtositatmywindowandhearpeoplecall\"Towler，Towler，Towler，\"fiftytimesinaforenoon。
ShewastheexactantithesistoAbra；Abra，ifIremember，usedtocomebeforetheycalledhername，butnomatterhowoftentheycalledTowler，everyonecamebeforeshedid。IsupposetheyspelthernameTaula，buttomeitsoundedTowler；Inever，however，metanyoneelsewiththisname。Shewasasweet，artlesslittlehussy，whomademeplaythepianotoher，andshesaiditwaslovely。OfcourseIonlyplayedmyowncompositions；soIbelievedher，anditallwentoffverynicely。IthoughtitmightsavetroubleifIdidnottellherwhoshereallywas，soIsaidnothingaboutit。
ImetSocratesonce。HewasmymuleteeronanexcursionwhichI
willnotname，forfearitshouldidentifytheman。ThemomentI
sawmyguideIknewhewassomebody，butforthelifeofmeIcouldnotrememberwho。AllofasuddenitflashedacrossmethathewasSocrates。Hetalkedenoughforsix，butitwasallindialetto，soIcouldnotunderstandhim，nor，whenIhaddiscoveredwhohewas，didImuchtrytodoso。Hewasagoodcreature，atriflegiventostealingfruitandvegetables，butanamiablemanenough。Hehadhadalongdaywithhismuleandme，andheonlyaskedmefivefrancs。Igavehimten，forIpitiedhispooroldpatchedboots，andtherewasameeknessabouthimthattouchedme。\"Andnow，Socrates，\"saidIatparting，\"wegoonourseveralways，youtostealtomatoes，Itofilchideasfromotherpeople；fortherest——
whichofthesetworoadswillbethebettergoing，ourfatherwhichisinheavenknows，butweknownot。\"
IhaveneverseenMendelssohn，butthereisafrescoofhimontheterrace，oropen-airdining-room，ofaninnatChiavenna。HeisnotcalledMendelssohn，butIknewhimbyhislegs。Heisinthecostumeofadandyofsomefive-and-fortyyearsago，issmokingacigar，andappearstobemakinganofferofmarriagetohiscook。
BeethovenbothmyfriendMr。H。FestingJonesandIhavehadthegoodfortunetomeet；heisanengineernow，anddoesnotknowonenotefromanother；hehasquitelosthisdeafness，ismarried，andis，ofcourse，alittlesquatmanwiththesamerefractoryhairthathealwayshad。Itwasveryinterestingtowatchhim，andJonesremarkedthatbeforetheendofdinnerhehadbecomepositivelyposthumous。OnemorningIwastoldtheBeethovensweregoingaway，andbeforelongImettheirtwoheavyboxesbeingcarrieddownthestairs。Theboxesweresosquabandliketheirowners，thatIhalfthoughtforamomentthattheywereinside，andshouldhardlyhavebeensurprisedtoseethemspringuplikeacoupleofJacks-in-the-
box。\"Sonoindentro？\"saidI，withafrownofwonder，pointingtotheboxes。TheportersknewwhatImeant，andlaughed。ButthereisnoendtothelistofpeoplewhomIhavebeenabletorecognise，andbeforeIhadgotthroughitmyself，IfoundIhadwalkedsomedistance，andhadinvoluntarilypausedinfrontofasecond-handbookstall。
Idonotlikebooks。IbelieveIhavethesmallestlibraryofanyliterarymaninLondon，andIhavenowishtoincreaseit。IkeepmybooksattheBritishMuseumandatMudie’s，anditmakesmeveryangryifanyonegivesmeoneformyprivatelibrary。Ionceheardtwoladiesdisputinginarailwaycarriageastowhetheroneofthemhadorhadnotbeenwastingmoney。\"Ispentitinbooks，\"saidtheaccused，\"andit’snotwastingmoneytobuybooks。\"\"Indeed，mydear，Ithinkitis，\"wastherejoinder，andinpracticeIagreewithit。Webster’sDictionary，Whitaker’sAlmanack，andBradshaw’sRailwayGuideshouldbesufficientforanyordinarylibrary；itwillbetimeenoughtogobeyondthesewhenthemassofusefulandentertainingmatterwhichtheyprovidehasbeenmastered。
Nevertheless，Iadmitthatsometimes，ifnotparticularlybusy，I
stopatasecond-handbookstallandturnoverabookortwofrommereforceofhabit。
IknownotwhatmademepickupacopyofAEschylus——ofcourseinanEnglishversion——orratherIknownotwhatmadeAEschylustakeupwithme，forhetookmeratherthanIhim；butnosoonerhadhegotmethanhebeganpuzzlingme，ashehasdoneanytimethisfortyyears，toknowwhereinhistranscendentmeritcanbesupposedtolie。Tomeheis，likethegreaternumberofclassicsinallagesandcountries，aliteraryStruldbrug，ratherthanatrueambrosia-
fedimmortal。Therearetrueimmortals，buttheyarefewandfarbetween；mostclassicsareasgreatimpostorsdeadastheywerewhenliving，andwhileposingasgodsare，five-seventhsofthem，onlyStruldbrugs。ItcomfortsmetorememberthatAristophaneslikedAEschylusnobetterthanIdo。True，hepraiseshimbycomparisonwithSophoclesandEuripides，butheonlydoessothathemayrundowntheselastmoreeffectively。Aristophanesisasafemantofollow，nordoIseewhyitshouldnotbeascorrecttolaughwithhimastopullalongfacewiththeGreekProfessors；butthisisneitherherenorthere，fornoonereallycaresaboutAEschylus；themoreinterestingquestionishowhecontrivedtomakesomanypeopleforsomanyyearspretendtocareabouthim。
Perhapshemarriedsomebody’sdaughter。Ifamanwouldgetholdofthepublicear，hemustpay，marry，orfight。IhaveneverunderstoodthatAEschyluswasamanofmeans，andthefightersdonotwritepoetry，soIsupposehemusthavemarriedatheatricalmanager’sdaughter，andgothisplaysbroughtoutthatway。Theearofanyageorcountryislikeitsland，air，andwater；itseemslimitlessbutisreallylimited，andisalreadyinthekeepingofthosewhonaturallyenoughwillhavenosquattingonsuchvaluableproperty。Itiswrittenandtalkeduptoascloselyasthemeansofsubsistencearebreduptobyateemingpopulation。Thereisnotasquareinchofitbutisinprivatehands，andhewhowouldfreeholdanypartofitmustdosobypurchase，marriage，orfighting，intheusualway——andfightinggivesthelongest，safesttenure。Thepublicitselfhashardlymorevoiceinthequestionwhoshallhaveitsear，thanthelandhasinchoosingitsowners。Itisfarmedasthosewhoownitthinkmostprofitabletothemselves，andsmallblametothem；nevertheless，ithasaresiduumofmulishnesswhichthelandhasnot，anddoessometimesdispossessitstenants。Itisinthisresiduumthatthosewhofightplacetheirhopeandtrust。
OrperhapsAEschylussquaredtheleadingcriticsofhistime。Whenonecomestothinkofit，hemusthavedoneso，forhowisitconceivablethatsuchplaysshouldhavehadsuchrunsifhehadnot？
ImetaladyoneyearinSwitzerlandwhohadsomeparrotsthatalwaystravelledwithherandweretheidolsofherlife。Theseparrotswouldnotletanyonereadaloudintheirpresence，unlesstheyheardtheirownnamesintroducedfromtimetotime。Ifthesewerefreelyinterpolatedintothetexttheywouldremainasstillasstones，fortheythoughtthereadingwasaboutthemselves。Ifitwasnotaboutthemitcouldnotbeallowed。Theleadersofliteratureareliketheseparrots；theydonotlookatwhatamanwrites，noriftheydidwouldtheyunderstanditmuchbetterthantheparrotsdo；buttheylikethesoundoftheirownnames，andifthesearefreelyinterpolatedinatonetheytakeasfriendly，theymayevengiveeartoanoutsider。Otherwisetheywillscreamhimoffiftheycan。
Ishouldnotadviseanyonewithordinaryindependenceofmindtoattemptthepublicearunlessheisconfidentthathecanout-lungandout-lasthisowngeneration；forifhehasanyforce，peoplewillandoughttobeontheirguardagainsthim，inasmuchasthereisnoknowingwherehemaynottakethem。Besides，theyhavestakedtheirmoneyonthewrongmensooftenwithoutsuspectingit，thatwhentherecomesonewhomtheydosuspectitwouldbemadnessnottobetagainsthim。True，hemaydiebeforehehasout-screamedhisopponents，butthathasnothingtodowithit。Ifhisscreamwaswellpitcheditwillsoundclearerwhenheisdead。Wedonotknowwhatdeathis。Ifweknowsolittleaboutlifewhichwehaveexperienced，howshallweknowaboutdeathwhichwehavenot——andinthenatureofthingsnevercan？Everyone，asIsaidyearsagoin\"AlpsandSanctuaries，\"isanimmortaltohimself，forhecannotknowthatheisdeaduntilheisdead，andwhendeadhowcanheknowanythingaboutanything？Allweknowis，thateventhehumblestdeadmaylivelongafteralltraceofthebodyhasdisappeared；weseethemdoingitinthebodiesandmemoriesofthosethatcomeafterthem；andnotafewlivesomuchlongerandmoreeffectuallythanisdesirable，thatithasbeennecessarytogetridofthembyActofParliament。Itislovethatalonegiveslife，andthetruestlifeisthatwhichwelivenotinourselvesbutvicariouslyinothers，andwithwhichwehavenoconcern。Ourconcernissotoorderourselvesthatwemaybeofthenumberofthemthatenterintolife——althoughweknowitnot。
AEschylusdidsoorderhimself；buthislifeisnotofthatinspiritingkindthatcanbewonthroughfightingthegoodfightonly——orbeingbelievedtohavefoughtit。Hisvoiceistheechoofadrone，drone-begottenanddrone-sustained。Itisnotatonethatamanmustutterordie——nay，eventhoughhedie；andlikelyenoughhalftheallusionsandhardpassagesinAEschylusofwhichwecanmakeneitherheadnortailareinrealityonlypuffsofsomeoftheliteraryleadersofhistime。
Theladyabovereferredtotoldmemoreaboutherparrots。ShewaslikeaNasmyth’shammergoingslow——verygentle，butirresistible。
Shealwaysreadthenewspapertothem。Whatwastheuseofhavinganewspaperifonedidnotreadittoone’sparrots？
\"Andhaveyoudivined，\"Iasked，\"towhichsidetheyinclineinpolitics？\"
\"TheydonotlikeMr。Gladstone，\"wasthesomewhatfreezinganswer；
\"thisistheonlypointonwhichwedisagree，forIadorehim。
Don’taskmoreaboutthis，itisagreatgrieftome。Itellthemeverything，\"shecontinued，\"andhidenosecretfromthem。\"
\"Butcananyparrotbetrustedtokeepasecret？\"
\"Minecan。\"
\"AndonSundaysdoyougivethemthesamecourseofreadingasonaweek-day，ordoyoumakeadifference？\"
\"OnSundaysIalwaysreadthemagenealogicalchapterfromtheOldorNewTestament，forIcanthusintroducetheirnameswithoutprofanity。Ialwayskeepteabymeincasetheyshouldaskforitinthenight，andIhaveanEtnatowarmitforthem；theytakemilkandsugar。Theoldwhite-headedclergymancametoseethemlastnight；itwasverypainful，forJockoremindedhimsostronglyofhislate……\"
Ithoughtshewasgoingtosay\"wife，\"butitprovedtohavebeenonlyofaparrotthathehadonceknownandloved。
Oneeveningshewasindifficultiesaboutthequarantine，whichwasenforcedthatyearontheItalianfrontier。ThelocaldoctorhadgonedownthatmorningtoseetheItaliandoctorandarrangesomedetails。\"Then，perhaps，mydear，\"shesaidtoherhusband，\"heisthequarantine。\"\"No，mylove，\"repliedherhusband。\"Thequarantineisnotaperson，itisaplacewheretheyputpeople\"；
butshewouldnotbecomforted，andsuspectedthequarantineasanenemythatmightatanymomentpounceoutuponherandherparrots。