Soaladytoldmeoncethatshehadbeeninliketroubleabouttheanthem。Shereadinherprayer-bookthatinchoirsandplaceswheretheysing\"herefolloweththeanthem,\"yetthepersonwiththismostmysteriouslysoundingnameneverdidfollow。Theyhadachoir,andnoonecouldsaythechurchwasnotaplacewheretheysang,fortheydidsing——bothchantsandhymns。Why,then,thispersistentslacknessonthepartoftheanthem,whoatthisjunctureshouldfollowherpapa,therector,intothereading-desk?Nodoubthewouldcomesomeday,andthenwhatwouldhebelike?Fairordark?
Tallorshort?Wouldhebebaldandwearspectacleslikepapa,orwouldhebeyoungandgood-looking?Anyhow,therewassomethingwrong,foritwasannouncedthathewouldfollow,andheneverdidfollow;thereforetherewasnoknowingwhathemightnotdonext。
IheardoftheparrotsayearortwolaterasgivinglessonsinItaliantoanEnglishmaid。Idonotknowwhattheirtermswere。
Alas!sincethenboththeyandtheirmistresshavejoinedthemajority。Whenthepoorladyfeltherendwasnearshedesired(andtheresponsibilityforthismustrestwithher,notme)thatthebirdsmightbedestroyed,asfearingthattheymightcometobeneglected,andknowingthattheycouldneverbelovedagainasshehadlovedthem。Onbeingtoldthatallwasover,shesaid,\"Thankyou,\"andimmediatelyexpired。
Reflectinginsuchrandomfashion,andstrollingwithnogreatermethod,IworkedmywaybackthroughCheapsideandfoundmyselfoncemoreinfrontofSweeting’swindow。Againtheturtlesattractedme。
Theywerealive,andsofaratanyratetheyagreedwithme。Nay,theyhadeyes,mouths,legs,ifnotarms,andfeet,sotherewasmuchinwhichwewerebothofamind,butsurelytheymustbemistakeninarmingthemselvessoveryheavily。Anycreatureongettingwhattheturtleaimedatwouldoverreachitselfandbelandednotinsafetybutannihilation。Itshouldhavenocommunionwiththeoutsideworldatall,fordeathcouldcreepinwhereverthecreaturecouldcreepout;anditmustcreepoutsomewhereifitwastohookontooutsidethings。Whatdeathcanbemoreabsolutethansuchabsoluteisolation?Perfectdeath,indeed,ifitwereattainable(whichitisnot),isasnearperfectsecurityaswecanreach,butitisnotthekindofsecurityaimedatbyanyanimalthatisatthepainsofdefendingitself。Forsuchwanttohavethingsbothways,desiringthelivingnessoflifewithoutitsperils,andthesafetyofdeathwithoutitsdeadness,andsomeofusdoactuallygetthisforaconsiderabletime,butwedonotgetitbyplatingourselveswitharmourastheturtledoes。WetriedthisintheMiddleAges,andnolongermockourselveswiththeweightofarmourthatourforefatherscarriedinbattle。Indeedthemoredeadlytheweaponsofattackbecomethemorewegointothefightslug-wise。
Slugshaveriddentheircontemptfordefensivearmourasmuchtodeathastheturtlestheirpursuitofit。Theyhavehardlymorethanskinenoughtoholdthemselvestogether;theycourtdeatheverytimetheycrosstheroad。Yetdeathcomesnottothemmorethantotheturtle,whosedefencesaresogreatthatthereislittleleftinsidetobedefended。Moreover,theslugsfarebestinthelongrun,forturtlesaredyingout,whileslugsarenot,andtheremustbemillionsofslugsalltheworldoverforeverysingleturtle。Ofthetwovanities,therefore,thatoftheslugseemsmostsubstantial。
Ineithercasethecreaturethinksitselfsafe,butissuretobefoundoutsoonerorlater;norisiteasytoexplainthismockerysavebyreflectingthateverythingmusthaveitsmeatindueseason,andthatmeatcanonlybefoundforsuchamultitudeofmouthsbygivingeverythingasmeatindueseasontosomethingelse。ThisisliketheKilkennycats,orrobbingPetertopayPaul;butitisthewayoftheworld,andaseveryanimalmustcontributeinkindtothepicnicoftheuniverse,onedoesnotseewhatbetterarrangementcouldbemadethantheprovidingeachracewithahereditaryfallacy,whichshallintheendgetitintoascrape,butwhichshallgenerallystandthewearandtearoflifeforsometime。\"Doutdes\"isthewritingonallfleshtohimthateatsit;andnocreatureisdearertoitselfthanitistosomeotherthatwoulddevourit。
Noristhereanystatementorpropositionmoreinvulnerablethanlivingformsare。Propositionspreyuponandaregroundedupononeanotherjustlikelivingforms。Theysupportoneanotherasplantsandanimalsdo;theyarebasedultimatelyoncredit,orfaith,ratherthanthecashofirrefragableconviction。Thewholeuniverseiscarriedononthecreditsystem,andifthemutualconfidenceonwhichitisbasedweretocollapse,itmustitselfcollapseimmediately。Justorunjust,itlivesbyfaith;itisbasedonvagueandimpalpableopinionthatbysomeinscrutableprocesspassesintowillandaction,andismademanifestinmatterandinflesh:
itismeteoric——suspendedinmidair;itisthebaselessfabricofavisionsovast,sovivid,andsogorgeousthatnobasecanseemmorebroadthansuchstupendousbaselessness,andyetanymancanbringitabouthisearsbybeingover-curious;whenfaithfailsasystembasedonfaithfailsalso。
Whethertheuniverseisreallyapayingconcern,orwhetheritisaninflatedbubblethatmustburstsoonerorlater,thisisanothermatter。Ifpeopleweretodemandcashpaymentinirrefragablecertaintyforeverythingthattheyhavetakenhithertoaspapermoneyonthecreditofthebankofpublicopinion,istheremoneyenoughbehinditalltostandsogreatadrainevenonsogreatareserve?Probablythereisnot,buthappilytherecanbenosuchpanic,foreventhoughtheculturedclassesmaydoso,theunculturedaretoodulltohavebrainsenoughtocommitsuchstupendousfolly。Ittakesalongcourseofacademictrainingtoeducateamanuptothestandardwhichhemustreachbeforehecanentertainsuchquestionsseriously,andbyamercifuldispensationofProvidence,universitytrainingisalmostascostlyasitisunprofitable。Themajoritywillthusbealwaysunabletoaffordit,andwillbasetheiropinionsonmotherwitandcurrentopinionratherthanondemonstration。
SoIturnedmystepshomewards;Isawagoodmanymorethingsonmywayhome,butIwastoldthatIwasnottoseemorethistimethanI
couldgetintotwelvepagesoftheUniversalReview;ImustthereforereserveanyremarkwhichIthinkmightperhapsentertainthereaderforanotheroccasion。
THEAUNT,THENIECES,ANDTHEDOG{3}
Whenathingisold,broken,anduselesswethrowitonthedust-
heap,butwhenitissufficientlyold,sufficientlybroken,andsufficientlyuselesswegivemoneyforit,putitintoamuseum,andreadpapersoveritwhichpeoplecomelongdistancestohear。By-
and-by,whenthewhirligigoftimehasbroughtonanotherrevenge,themuseumitselfbecomesadust-heap,andremainssotillafterlongagesitisre-discovered,andvaluedasbelongingtoaneo-
rubbishage——containing,perhaps,tracesofastillolderpaleo-
rubbishcivilisation。Sowhenpeopleareold,indigent,andinallrespectsincapable,weholdthemingreaterandgreatercontemptastheirpovertyandimpotenceincrease,tilltheyreachthepitchwhentheyareactuallyatthepointtodie,whereontheybecomesublime。
Thenweplaceeveryresourceourhospitalscancommandattheirdisposal,andshownostintinourconsiderationforthem。
Itisthesamewithallourinterests。Wecaremostaboutextremesofimportanceandofunimportance;butextremesofimportancearetaintedwithfear,andaveryimperfectfearcastethoutlove。
Extremesofunimportancecannothurtus,thereforewearewelldisposedtowardsthem;themeansmaycometodoso,thereforewedonotlovethem。Hencewepickaflyoutofamilk-jugandwatchwithpleasureoveritsrecovery,forweareconfidentthatundernoconceivablecircumstanceswillitwanttoborrowmoneyfromus;butwefeellesssureaboutamouse,soweshowitnoquarter。Thecompilersofouralmanacswellknowthistendencyofournatures,sotheytellus,notwhenNoahwentintotheark,norwhenthetempleofJerusalemwasdedicated,butthatLindleyMurray,grammarian,diedJanuary16,1826。Thisisnotbecausetheycouldnotfindsomanyasthreehundredandsixty-fiveeventsofconsiderableinterestsincethecreationoftheworld,butbecausetheywellknowwewouldratherhearofsomethinglessinteresting。Wecaremostaboutwhatconcernsuseitherveryclosely,orsolittlethatpracticallywehavenothingwhatevertodowithit。
IonceaskedayoungItalian,whoprofessedtohaveaconsiderableknowledgeofEnglishliterature,whichofallourpoemspleasedhimbest。Herepliedwithoutamoment’shesitation:-
\"Heydiddlediddle,thecatandthefiddle,Thecowjumpedoverthemoon;
Thelittledoglaughedtoseesuchsport,Andthedishranawaywiththespoon。\"
HesaidthiswasbetterthananythinginItalian。TheyhadDanteandTasso,andeversomanymoregreatpoets,buttheyhadnothingcomparableto\"Heydiddlediddle,\"norhadhebeenabletoconceivehowanyonecouldhavewrittenit。DidIknowtheauthor’sname,andhadwegivenhimastatue?OnthisItoldhimoftheyoungladyofHarrowwhowouldgotochurchinabarrow,andpliedhimwithwhateverrhymingnonsenseIcouldcalltomind,butitwasnouse;
allofthesethingshadanelementofrealitythatrobbedthemofhalftheircharm,whereas\"Heydiddlediddle\"hadnothinginitthatcouldconceivablyconcernhim。
Soagainitiswiththethingsthatgallusmost。Whatisitthatrisesupagainstusatoddtimesandsmitesusinthefaceagainandagainforyearsafterithashappened?Thatwespentallthebestyearsofourlifeinlearningwhatwehavefoundtobeaswindle,andtohavebeenknowntobeaswindlebythosewhotookmoneyformisleadingus?Thatthoseonwhomwemostleanedmostbetrayedus?
Thatwehaveonlycometofeelourstrengthwhenthereislittlestrengthleftofanykindtofeel?Thesethingswillhardlymuchdisturbamanofordinarygoodtemper。Butthatheshouldhavesaidthisorthatlittleunkindandwantonsaying;thatheshouldhavegoneawayfromthisorthathotelandgivenashillingtoolittletothewaiter;thathisclotheswereshabbyatsuchorsuchagarden-
party——thesethingsgallusasacornwillsometimesdo,thoughthelossofalimbwaynotbeseriouslyfelt。
Ihavebeenremindedlatelyoftheseconsiderationswithmorethancommonforcebyreadingtheveryvoluminouscorrespondenceleftbymygrandfather,Dr。Butler,ofShrewsbury,whosememoirsIamengagedinwriting。Ihavefoundalargenumberofinterestinglettersonsubjectsofseriousimport,butmustconfessthatitistothehardlylessnumerouslighterlettersthatIhavebeenmostattracted,nordoIfeelsurethatmyeminentnamesakedidnotsharemypredilection。AmongotherlettersinmypossessionIhaveonebundlethathasbeenkeptapart,andhasevidentlynoconnectionwithDr。Butler’sownlife。Icannotusetheseletters,therefore,formybook,butoverandabovethecharmoftheirinspiredspelling,IfindthemofsuchanextremelytrivialnaturethatI
inclinetohopethereadermayderiveasmuchamusementfromthemasIhavedonemyself,andventuretogivethemthepublicityherewhichImustrefusetheminmybook。Thedatesandsignatureshave,withtheexceptionofMrs。Newton’s,beencarefullyerased,butI
havecollectedthattheywerewrittenbythetwoservantsofasingleladywhoresidedatnogreatdistancefromLondon,totwoniecesofthesaidladywholivedinLondonitself。Theauntneverwrites,butalwaysgetsoneoftheservantstodosoforher。Sheappearseitheras\"youraunt\"oras\"She\";hernameisnotgiven,butsheisevidentlylookeduponwithagooddealofawebyallwhohadtodowithher。
ThelettersalmostallofthemrelatetovisitseitheroftheaunttoLondon,oroftheniecestotheaunt’shome,which,fromoccasionalallusionstohopping,IgathertohavebeeninKent,Sussex,orSurrey。Ihavearrangedthemtothebestofmypower,andtakethefollowingtobetheearliest。Ithasnosignature,butisnotinthehandwritingoftheservantwhostylesherselfElizabeth,orMrs。Newton。Itruns:-
\"MADAM,——YourAuntWishesmetoinformyoushewillbegladifyouwilllethirknowifyouthinkofcomingTohirHousethissmonthorNextasshecannothaveyouinSeptemberonakountoftheHopingIfyouarcomingshethinkesshehadbatterGotoLondonontheDayyoucomtohirHousethesaysyoushallhaveeverryThingraddyforyouathirHouseandMrs。NewtontomeetyouandstaywithyoutillShereturnesagann。
\"ifyouarnotComingthissSummerShewillbeinLondonbeforethissMonthisoutandwillSleepontheSofyAsShewillnotbeinLondonmorethanntwonits。andSheSaysshewillnottrubleyouonannyakountasSheWillreturnetheSameDaybeforeShewillplageyouannymore。butShethanksyouforaskinghirtoLondon。butShesaysShecannotlevethehouseatprassantShesayhirSurvantsartodoforyouasshecannotlodgeyoursnorshewillnothavethiminatthehouseannymoretobrakeanddestroyhirthinksandbeslivehirandmakeupLiesbyhirandSkandelasyourtoodidShesaysshemenstopayfore2Nitsandoneday,ShesaysthePepelwilllethirhaveitifyouaskthimtolethir:youWillbesogoodastolethirknowsun:wishSheistodo,asShesaysShedosnotcareannythingaboutit。whichwaytisssheisbatterthanShewasanddesirshirLovetobouthbouth。
\"YourauntwisestoknowhowthesilkClocksarmadup[howthesilkcloaksaremadeup]withaCapeorawoodassheisagointohaveonemadeuptorideoutininhirlittelshas[chaise]。
\"Charlesisabuttyandsogood。
\"Mr&MrsNewtonarquitewall&desirestoberememberedtoyou。\"
Icanthrownolightonthemeaningoftheverbto\"beslive。\"EachletterintheMS。issoadmirablyformedthattherecanbenoquestionaboutthewordbeingasIhavegivenit。NorhaveIbeenabletodiscoverwhatisreferredtobythewords\"Charlesisabuttyandsogood。\"WeshallpresentlymeetwithaCharleswho\"fliesintheFier,\"butthatCharlesappearstohavebeeninLondon,whereasthisoneisevidentlyinKent,orwherevertheauntlived。
ThenextletterisfromMrs。Newton\"DERMiss——,IReceveyourLetteryourAuntisvaryIllandLowspiretedIDontethinkyourAuntwoodGitupallDayifMySisterWasnottoPersageherWeallThinkhirlifistwomonopolous。youWishtoknowWhoWasLiveingWithyourAunt。thatisMySisterandWillian——andCariline——asCockandOldPollPepperisCometoStayWithheraLittelWileandIhoped[hopped]forYourAunt,andHarryhasWorkedforyourAuntalltheSummer。YourAuntandHarryWhenttotheWellsRacesandSpentaveryPleasantDayyourAunthasLostOldFanneySowSheDiedaboutaWeekaGoHarryheWantedyourAunttohaveherkilledandsendhertoLondonandSheeWoldFechher11
poundstheFarmershaveLostaGreetDealofCattelsuchasHogsandCowsWhattheaycallthePlageIWhenttoyourAuntasyouWishMeetoDoButSheToldMeeSheDidnotwontaneyBoddySheToldMeeSheShouldLiketoComeuptoseeyouButSheCantComeknowforsheisBoddyleyillandHarryDonteWorkthereknowButheGoupthereOnceinTwoorThreeDayHarryOfferedisselftoGouptoLiveWithyourAuntButSheMadehimknowAncer。IhayBeenuptoyourAuntatWorkfor5WeeksHoppingandRaglutingYourAuntDonteEatnorDrinkButvaryLittelindeed。
\"IamHappytoSayWeareBothQuiteWellandIamGladnohearyouareBothQuiteWell\"MRSNEWTON。\"
Thisseemstohavemadetheniecesproposetopayavisittotheiraunt,perhapstotryandrelievethemonopolyofherexistenceandcheerherupalittle。Intheirletter,doubtless,thedogmotiveisintroducedthatissofinelydevelopedpresentlybyMrs。Newton。
Ishouldliketohavebeenabletogivethethemeasenouncedbytheniecesthemselves,buttheirlettersarenotbeforeme。Mrs。Newtonwrites:-
\"MYDEARGIRLS,——YourAuntreceivyourLetteryourAuntwillBevarygladtoseeyouasitquiteagreeableifittistoyouandSheeisQuiteWillingtoEairthebedsandtheRoomsifyouLiketoTrusttohirandtheServantes;ifnotImayGoupthereasyouWish。MySisterSleepsintheBestRoomassheallwaysDidandtheCoockinthegarretandyouCanhavetheRoomsthesameasyouallwaysDidasyourAuntDontesetintheParlourSheContinlerySetsintheCiching。yourAuntsayssheCannotPartfromthedogknowhowsandSheSayshewillnothurtyouforheisLikeaChildandIcansafeleysayMySelfhewontehurtyouasSheCannotSleepintheRoomWithouthimasheallWaySleepintheSameRoomasSheDose。
yourAuntisagreeabletoGitinWhatColesandWoodyouWishforI
amknowhappytosayyourAuntisinasGoodhealthaseverSheWasandSheishappytohearyouareBothWellyourAuntWishesforAncerByReturnofPost。\"
Theniecesrepliedthattheirauntmustchoosebetweenthedogandthem,andMrs。Newtonsendsasecondletterwhichbringsherdevelopmenttoaclimax。Itruns:-
\"DEARMISS——,IhaveReceveyourLetterandiWhentuptoyourAuntasyouWishmeandiTrytoPervealWithherabouttheDogButsheWoldnotPuttheDogawaynoritalowhimtoBeTiedupButSheStillWishesyoutoComeasSheesaystheDogShallnotinterrupyouforSheDontealowtheDognorittheCatstoGointheParlourneversenceShehashaditDonupferfereofSpoilingthePaintyourAuntthinkitvaryStrangeyouShouldBesovaryMuchafraidofaDogandShesaysyouCantGooutinLondonButWhatyouareupaganceoneandShesaysSheWonteTrusttheDoginknowonehandsButherOwneforSheisafraidtheayWillnotfillisBelleyasheLivesuponRostBeeffandRostandBoilMouttenWichheEatsMorethentheServantesintheHousethereisnotaneyOneWoldBeabletoGiveSattefacktionuponthataccountHarryofferdtoTaketheDogButSheWoodnotTrusthiminourhandssoIColdnotDoaneythingWithheryourAuntyousetoTellMeWhenwewasatyourHouseinLondonSheDidnotknowhowtomakeyouamensandiToldherknowitwastheTimetoDoitButiConsidderShesetstheDogBeforeyouyourAuntkeepknowBeerknowSpritsknowWinesintheHouseofaneySortOneleyaLittleBarlofWineImadeherintheSummertheWorkmenandservantesareaBligetoDrinkwauterMorningNoonandNightyourAunttheSameSheDonteLowherSelfaneyTeenorCoffeeButisLoockingWonderfulWell\"IStillRemaneyourHumbleServantMrsNewton\"IamvarysorrytothinktheDogPerventesyourComeing\"IamGladtohearyouareBothWellandwearethesame。\"
Theniecesremainedfirm,andfromthefollowingletteritisplaintheauntgaveway。Thedogmotiveisrepeatedpianissimo,andisnotreturnedto——notatleastbyMrs。Newton。
\"DEARMiss——,IReceveyourLetteronThursdayiWhenttoyourAuntandiseeherandSheisaGreabletoeverrythingiaskedherandsemesovaryMuchPleasetoseeyouBothNextTusedayandshehassentfortheFaggotstoDayandsheWillSendfortheColestoMorrowandiwillGouptheretoMorrowMorningandMaketheFiersandTendtotheBedsandsleepinitTillyouComeDownyourAuntsendsherLovetoyouBothandsheisQuitewellyourAuntWishesyouwoldWriteagaineBeforeyouComeasshemaExpeckyeandtheDogisnottoGointotheParloraTall\"yourAuntkindLovetoyouBoth&hopesyouWonteFailinComingaccordingtoPrommisMRSNEWTON。\"
Fromalaterletteritappearsthattheniecesdidnotpaytheirvisitafterall,andwhatisworsealetterhadmiscarried,andtheauntsatupexpectingthemfromseventilltwelveatnight,andHarryhadpaidfor\"FaggotsandColesquarterofHund。FaggotsHalftunofColes1l。1s。3d。\"Shortlyafterwards,however,\"She\"againtalksofcominguptoLondonherselfandwritesthroughherservant-
\"MyDeargirlsiReceveyourkindletter&IamhappytohearyouarbothWellandIWasinhopesofseeingofyouBothDownatMyHousethisspringtostayaWileIamQuitewellmyselfinHelthButvaryLowSpiretedIamvarysorrytoheartheMisfortingofPoorcharles&howhecumtoflieintheFierIcannotthink。IshouldliketoknowifheisdeadoraLive,andIshallcometoLondoninAugust&
staythreeorfourdaiesifitisagreabletoyou。Mrs。NewtonhaslosthermotherinLaw4dayMarch&IhopeyousendmewordWathercharlesisDeadoraLiveassoonaspossible,andwillyousendmewordwhatLittleBettyisforIcannotmakeherout。\"
Thenextletterisanewhandwriting,andtellstheniecesoftheiraunt’sdeathinthethefollowingterms:-
\"DEARMiss——,ItismymostpainfuldutytoinformyouthatyourdearauntexpiredthismorningcomparativelyeasyasHannahinformsmeandinsodoingrestoredhersoultothecustodyofhimwhomsheconsideredtobealoneworthyofitscare。
\"Thedoctorhadvisitedheraboutfiveminutespreviouslyandhadappliedablister。
\"YouandyoursisterwillIamsureexcusefurtherdetailsatpresentandbelievemewithkindestremembrancestoremain\"Yourstruly,&c。\"
Afterafewdaysalawyer’sletterinformstheniecesthattheiraunthadleftthemthebulkofhernotveryconsiderableproperty,buthadchargedthemwithanannuityof1poundaweektobepaidtoHarryandMrs。Newtonsolongasthedoglived。
TheonlyotherlettersbyMrs。Newtonarewrittenonpaperofadifferentandmoremodernsize;theyleaveanimpressionofhavingbeenwrittenagoodmanyyearslater。Itakethemastheycome。
Thefirstisveryshort:-
\"DEARMiss——,iwritetosayicannotpossiblelycomeonWednesdayaswehavekilledapig。your’struely,\"ELIZABETHNEWTON。\"
Thesecondruns:-
\"DEARMiss——,ihopeyouarebothquitewellinhealth&yourLegmuchbetteriamhappytosayiamgettingquitewellagainihopeAmandyhasreachedyousafebythistimeisentasmallparclebyAmandy,therewashalfadozenPatsofbutter&theCakeswasveryhomelyandnotsolightasicouldwishihopebythistimeSarahAnnhaspromisedshewillstayuntillnextmondayasithinkafewdaieslongerwillnotmakemuchdiferanceandasheryoungmanhasbeenveryconsideratetowaitsolongashehasithinkhewouldforafewdaysLongerdearMiss——IwashforWilliamandihavenotgothisclothesyetasithasbeendelayedbythecarrier&icannotpossiblelygetitdonebeforeSundayandidonotLiketravilingonaSundaybuttoobligeyouiwouldcomebuttocomesoonericannotpossiblelybutihopeSarahAnnwillbeprevailedononcemoreasShehassomanytimesifeelsureifshetellsheryoungmanhewillhavepatientforheisaverykindyoungman\"iremainyoursincerely\"ELIZABETHNEWTON。\"
ThelastletterinmycollectionseemswrittenalmostwithinmeasurabledistanceoftheChristmas-cardera。Thesheetisheadedbyabeautifullyembosseddeviceofsomehollyinredandgreen,wishingtherecipientoftheletteramerryXmasandahappynewyear,whiletheborderiscrimpedandedgedwithblue。Iknownotwhatitis,butthereissomethinginthewriter’shighlyfinishedstylethatremindsmeofMendelssohn。Itwouldalmostdoforthewordsofoneofhiscelebrated\"LiederohneWorte\":
\"DEARMISSMARIA,——IhastentoacknowledgethereceiptofyourkindnotewiththeinclosureforwhichIreturnmybestthanks。IneedscarcelysayhowgladIwastoknowthatthevolumessecuredyourapproval,andthattheannouncementoftheimprovementintheconditionofyourSister’slegsaffordedmeinfinitepleasure。Thegratifyingnewsencouragedmeinthehopethatnowthenatureofthedisorderiscomprehendedherlegswill——notwithstandingtheprocessmaybegradual——ultimatelygetquitewell。TheprettyRobinRedbreastwhichlayensconcedinyourepistle,conveyedtome,intermsmoreeloquentthanwords,howmuchyoudesiredmethoseComplimentswhichthelittlemissiveheboreinhisbillexpressed;
theemblemissweetlypretty,andnowthatweareagainallowedtofelicitateeachotheronanotherrecurrenceoftheseasonoftheChristian’srejoicing,permitmetotendertoyourself,andbyyoutoyourSister,mineandmyWife’sheartfeltcongratulationsandwarmestwisheswithrespecttothecomingyear。Itisacommonbeliefthatifwetakearetrospectiveviewofeachdepartingyear,asitbehovesusannuallytodo,weshallfindtheblessingswhichwehavereceivedtoimmeasurablyoutnumberourcausesofsorrow。
SpeakingformyselfIcanfullysubscribetothatsentiment,anddoubtlessneitherMiss——noryourselfareexceptions。Miss——’sillnessandconsequentconfinementtothehousehasbeenaseveretrial,butinthattroubleanopportunitywasaffordedyoutoproveaSister’sdevotionandshehasbeenenabledtorealisealarger(ifpossible)displayofsisterlyaffection。
\"AhappyChristmastoyouboth,andmaythenewyearproveaCornucopiafromwhichstillgreaterblessingsthaneventhosewehavehithertoreceived,shallissue,tobenefitusallbycontributingtoourtemporalhappinessand,whatisofhigherimportance,conducingtoourfelicityhereafter。
\"Iwassorrytohearthatyouweresoannoyedwithmiceandrats,andifIshouldhaveanopportunitytoobtainanicecatIwilldosoandsendmyboytoyourhousewithit。
\"Iremain,\"Yourstruly。\"
Howlittlewhatiscommonlycallededucationcandoafteralltowardstheformationofagoodstyle,andwhatadelightfulvolumemightnotbeentitled\"HalfHourswiththeWorstAuthors。\"Why,thefinestwordIknowofintheEnglishlanguagewascoined,notbymypooroldgrandfather,whoseeducationhadleftlittletodesire,norbyanyoftheadmirablescholarswhomheinhisturneducated,butbyanoldmatronwhopresidedoveroneofthehalls,orhousesofhisschool。
Thisgoodlady,whosenamebythewaywasBromfield,hadafinehightemperofherown,orthoughtitpolitictoaffectone。Onenightwhentheboyswereparticularlynoisysheburstlikeahurricaneintothehall,collaredayoungster,andtoldhimhewas\"theramp-
ingest-scampingest-rackety-tackety-tow-row-roaringestboyinthewholeschool。\"WouldMrs。Newtonhavebeenabletosettheauntandthedogbeforeussovividlyifshehadbeenmorehighlyeducated?
WouldMrs。Bromfieldhavebeenabletoforgeandhurlherthunderboltofawordifshehadbeentaughthowtodoso,orindeedbeenatmuchpainstocreateitatall?Itcame。Itwasher[Greektext]。Shedidnotprobablyknowthatshehaddonewhatthegreatestscholarwouldhavehadtorackhisbrainsoverformanyanhourbeforehecouldevenapproach。Traditionsaysthathavingbroughtdownherboyshelookedroundthehallintriumph,andthenafteramoment’slullsaid,\"Younggentlemen,prayersareexcused,\"
andleftthem。
Ihavesometimesthoughtthat,afterall,themainuseofaclassicaleducationconsistsinthecheckitgivestooriginality,andthewayinwhichitpreventsaninconvenientnumberofpeoplefromusingtheirowneyes。Thatwewillnotbeatthetroubleoflookingatthingsforourselvesifwecangetanyonetotelluswhatweoughttoseegoeswithoutsaying,anditisthebusinessofschoolsanduniversitiestoassistusinthisrespect。Thetheoryofevolutionteachesthatanypowernotworkedatprettyhighpressurewilldeteriorate:originalityandfreedomfromaffectationareallverywellintheirway,butwecaneasilyhavetoomuchofthem,anditisbetterthatnoneshouldbeeitheroriginalorfreefromcantbutthosewhoinsistonbeingso,nomatterwhathindrancesobstruct,norwhatincentivesareofferedthemtoseethingsthroughtheregulationmedium。
Toinsistonseeingthingsforoneselfistobein[Greektext],orinplainEnglish,anidiot;nordoIseeanysafercheckagainstgeneralvigourandclearnessofthought,withconsequenttersenessofexpression,thanthatprovidedbythecurriculaofouruniversitiesandschoolsofpublicinstruction。Ifayoungman,inspiteofeveryefforttofithimwithblinkers,willinsistongettingridofthem,hemustdosoathisownrisk。Hewillnotbelonginfindingouthismistake。Ourpublicschoolsanduniversitiesplaythebeneficentpartinoursocialschemethatcattledoinforests:theybrowsetheseedlingsdownandpreventthegrowthofallbuttheluckiestandsturdiest。Ofcourse,iftherearetoomanyeithercattleorschools,theybrowsesoeffectuallythattheyfindnomorefood,andstarvetillequilibriumisrestored;butitseemstobeaprovisionofnaturethatthereshouldalwaysbethesealternateperiods,duringwhicheitherthecattleorthetreesaregettingthebestofit;and,indeed,withoutsuchprovisionweshouldhaveneithertheonenortheother。Atthismomentthecattle,doubtless,areintheascendant,andifuniversityextensionproceedsmuchfarther,weshallassuredlyhavenomoreMrs。NewtonsandMrs。Bromfields;butwhateverisisbest,and,onthewhole,Ishouldproposetoletthingsfindprettymuchtheirownlevel。
Howeverthismaybe,whocanquestionthatthetreasureshiddeninmanyacountryhousecontainsleepingbeautiesevenfairerthanthosethatIhaveendeavouredtowakenfromlongsleepintheforegoingarticle?HowmanyMrs。QuicklysaretherenotlivinginLondonatthispresentmoment?ForthatMrs。QuicklywasaninventionofShakespeare’sIwillnotbelieve。TheoldwomanfromwhomhedrewsaideverywordthatheputintoMrs。Quickly’smouth,andagreatdealmorewhichhedidnotandperhapscouldnotmakeuseof。Thisquestion,however,wouldagainleadmefarfrommysubject,whichIshouldmarwereItodwelluponitlonger,andthereforeleavewiththehopethatitmaygivemyreadersabsolutelynofoodwhateverforreflection。
HOWTOMAKETHEBESTOFLIFE{4}
Ihavebeenaskedtospeakonthequestionhowtomakethebestoflife,butmayaswellconfessatoncethatIknownothingaboutit。
IcannotthinkthatIhavemadethebestofmyownlife,norisitlikelythatIshallmakemuchbetterofwhatmayormaynotremaintome。Idonotevenknowhowtomakethebestofthetwentyminutesthatyourcommitteehasplacedatmydisposal,andasforlifeasawhole,whoeveryetmadethebestofsuchacolossalopportunitybyconsciouseffortanddeliberation?Inlittlethingsnodoubtdeliberateandconsciouseffortwillhelpus,butwearespeakingoflargeissues,andsuchkingdomsofheavenasthemakingthebestofthesecomenotbyobservation。
Thequestion,therefore,onwhichIhaveundertakentoaddressyouis,asyoumustallknow,fatuous,ifitbefacedseriously。Lifeislikeplayingaviolinsoloinpublicandlearningtheinstrumentasonegoeson。Onecannotmakethebestofsuchimpossibilities,andthequestionisdoublyfatuousuntilwearetoldwhichofourtwolives——theconsciousortheunconscious——isheldbytheaskertobethetruerlife。Whichdoesthequestioncontemplate——thelifeweknow,orthelifewhichothersmayknow,butwhichweknownot?
Deathgivesalifetosomemenandwomencomparedwithwhichtheirso-calledexistencehereisasnothing。WhichisthetruerlifeofShakespeare,Handel,thatdivinewomanwhowrotethe\"Odyssey,\"andofJaneAusten——thelifewhichpalpitatedwithsensiblewarmmotionwithintheirownbodies,orthatinvirtueofwhichtheyarestillpalpitatinginours?Inwhoseconsciousnessdoestheirtruestlifeconsist——theirown,orours?CanShakespearebesaidtohavebegunhistruelifetillahundredyearsorsoafterhewasdeadandburied?Hisphysicallifewasbutasanembryonicstage,acomingupoutofdarkness,atwilightanddawnbeforethesunriseofthatlifeoftheworldtocomewhichhewastoenjoyhereafter。Weallliveforawhileafterwearegonehence,butweareforthemostpartstillborn,oratanyratedieininfancy,asregardsthatlifewhicheveryageandcountryhasrecognisedashigherandtruerthantheoneofwhichwearenowsentient。Asthelifeoftheraceislarger,longer,andinallrespectsmoretobeconsideredthanthatoftheindividual,soisthelifeweliveinotherslargerandmoreimportantthantheoneweliveinourselves。Thisappearsnowhereperhapsmoreplainlythaninthecaseofgreatteachers,whoofteninthelivesoftheirpupilsproduceaneffectthatreachesfarbeyondanythingproducedwhiletheirsingleliveswereyetunsupplementedbythoseotherlivesintowhichtheyinfusedtheirown。
Deathtosuchpeopleistheendingofashortlife,butitdoesnottouchthelifetheyarealreadylivinginthosewhomtheyhavetaught;andhappily,asnonecanknowwhenheshalldie,sononecanmakesurethathetooshallnotlivelongbeyondthegrave;forthelifeafterdeathislikemoneybeforeit——noonecanbesurethatitmaynotfalltohimorherevenattheeleventhhour。Moneyandimmortalitycomeinsuchoddunaccountablewaysthatnooneiscutofffromhope。Wemaynothavemadeeitherofthemforourselves,butyetanothermaygivethemtousinvirtueofhisorherlove,whichshallillumineusforever,andestablishusinsomeheavenlymansionwhereofweneitherdreamednorshalleverdream。LookattheDogeLoredanoLoredani,theoldman’ssmileuponwhosefacehasbeenreproducedsofaithfullyinsomanylandsthatitcanneverhenceforthbeforgotten——wouldhehavehadonehundredthpartofthelifehenowliveshadhenotbeenlinkedawhilewithoneofthoseheaven-sentmenwhoknowchecosaeamor?LookatRembrandt’soldwomaninourNationalGallery;hadshediedbeforeshewaseighty-
threeyearsoldshewouldnothavebeenlivingnow。Then,whenshewaseighty-three,immortalitypercheduponherasabirdonawitheredbough。
Iseemtohearsomeonesaythatthisisamockery,apieceofspecialpleading,agivingofstonestothosethataskforbread。
Lifeisnotlifeunlesswecanfeelit,andalifelimitedtoaknowledgeofsuchfractionofourworkasmayhappentosurviveusisnotruelifeinotherpeople;salveitaswemay,deathisnotlifeanymorethanblackiswhite。
Theobjectionisnotsotrueasitsounds。Idonotdenythatwehadrathernotdie,nordoIpretendthatmucheveninthecaseofthemostfavouredfewcansurvivethembeyondthegrave。Itisonlybecausethisissothatourownlifeispossible;othershavemaderoomforus,andweshouldmakeroomforothersinourturnwithoutunduerepining。WhatImaintainisthatanotinconsiderablenumberofpeopledoactuallyattaintoalifebeyondthegravewhichwecanallfeelforciblyenough,whethertheycandosoornot——thatthislifetendswithincreasingcivilisationtobecomemoreandmorepotent,andthatitisbetterworthconsidering,inspiteofitsbeingunfeltbyourselves,thananywhichwehavefeltorcaneverfeelinourownpersons。
Takeanextremecase。AgroupofpeoplearephotographedbyEdison’snewprocess——sayTitiens,Trebelli,andJennyLind,withanytwoofthefinestmensingerstheagehasknown——letthembephotographedincessantlyforhalfanhourwhiletheyperformascenein\"Lohengrin\";letallbedonestereoscopically。Letthembephonographedatthesametimesothattheirminutestshadesofintonationarepreserved,lettheslidesbecolouredbyacompetentartist,andthenletthescenebecalledsuddenlyintosightandsound,sayahundredyearshence。Arethosepeopledeadoralive?
Deadtothemselvestheyare,butwhiletheylivesopowerfullyandsolivinglyinus,whichisthegreaterparadox——tosaythattheyarealiveorthattheyaredead?Tomyselfitseemsthattheirlifeinotherswouldbemoretrulylifethantheirdeathtothemselvesisdeath。Grantedthattheydonotpresentallthephenomenaoflife——
whoeverdoessoevenwhenheisheldtobealive?Weareheldtobealivebecausewepresentasufficientnumberoflivingphenomenatolettheothersgowithoutsaying;thosewhoseeustakethepartforthewholehereasineverythingelse,andsurely,inthecasesupposedabove,thephenomenaoflifepredominatesopowerfullyoverthoseofdeath,thatthepeoplethemselvesmustbeheldtobemorealivethandead。Ourlivingpersonalityis,asthewordimplies,onlyourmask,andthosewhostillownsuchamaskasIhavesupposedhavealivingpersonality。Grantedagainthatthecasejustputisanextremeone;stillmanyamanandmanyawomanhassostampedhimorherselfonhisworkthat,thoughwewouldgladlyhavetheaidofsuchaccessoriesaswedoubtlesspresentlyshallhavetothelivingnessofourgreatdead,wecanseethemverysufficientlythroughthemasterpiecestheyhaveleftus。
AsfortheirownunconsciousnessIdonotdenyit。Thelifeoftheembryowasunconsciousbeforebirth,andsoisthelife——Iamspeakingonlyoftheliferevealedtousbynaturalreligion——afterdeath。Butastheembryonicandinfantlifeofwhichwewereunconsciouswasthemostpotentfactorinourafterlifeofconsciousness,sotheeffectwhichwemayunconsciouslyproduceinothersafterdeath,anditmaybeevenbeforeitonthosewhohaveneverseenus,isinallsoberseriousnessourtruerandmoreabidinglife,andtheonewhichthosewhowouldmakethebestoftheirsojournherewilltakemostintotheirconsideration。
Unconsciousnessisnobartolivingness。Ourconsciousactionsareadropintheseaascomparedwithourunconsciousones。Couldweknowallthelifethatisinusbywayofcirculation,nutrition,breathing,wasteandrepair,weshouldlearnwhataninfinitesimallysmallpartconsciousnessplaysinourpresentexistence;yetourunconsciouslifeisastrulylifeasourconsciouslife,andthoughitisunconscioustoitselfitemergesintoanindirectandvicariousconsciousnessinourotherandconsciousself,whichexistsbutinvirtueofourunconsciousself。Sowehavealsoavicariousconsciousnessinothers。Theunconsciouslifeofthosethathavegonebeforeushasingreatpartmouldedusintosuchmenandwomenasweare,andourownunconsciousliveswillinlikemannerhaveavicariousconsciousnessinothers,thoughwebedeadenoughtoitinourselves。
Ifitisagainurgedthatitmattersnottoushowmuchwemaybealiveinothers,ifwearetoknownothingaboutit,Ireplythatthecommoninstinctofallwhoareworthconsideringgivesthelietosuchcynicism。Iseeherepresentsomewhohaveachieved,andotherswhonodoubtwillachieve,successinliterature。Willoneofthemhesitatetoadmitthatitisalivelypleasuretohertofeelthatontheothersideoftheworldsomeonemaybesmilinghappilyoverherwork,andthatsheisthuslivinginthatpersonthoughsheknowsnothingaboutit?Hereitseemstomethattruefaithcomesin。Faithdoesnotconsist,astheSundaySchoolpupilsaid,\"inthepowerofbelievingthatwhichweknowtobeuntrue。\"
Itconsistsinholdingfastthatwhichthehealthiestandmostkindlyinstinctsofthebestandmostsensiblemenandwomenareintuitivelypossessedof,withoutcaringtorequiremuchevidencefurtherthanthefactthatsuchpeoplearesoconvinced;andformyownpartIfindthebestmenandwomenIknowunanimousinfeelingthatlifeinothers,eventhoughweknownothingaboutit,isneverthelessathingtobedesiredandgratefullyacceptedifwecangetiteitherbeforedeathorafter。Iobservealsothatalargenumberofmenandwomendoactuallyattaintosuchlife,andinsomecasescontinuesotolive,ifnotforever,yettowhatispracticallymuchthesamething。Ourlifetheninthisworldis,tonaturalreligionasmuchastorevealed,aperiodofprobation。Theusewemakeofitistosettlehowfarwearetoenterintoanother,andwhetherthatotheristobeaheavenofjustaffectionorahellofrighteouscondemnation。
Who,then,arethemostlikelysotorunthattheymayobtainthisveritableprizeofourhighcalling?Settingasidesuchluckynumbersdrawnasitwereinthelotteryofimmortality,whichIhavereferredtocasuallyabove,andsettingasidealsothechancesandchangesfromwhichevenimmortalityisnotexempt,whoonthewholearemostlikelytoliveanewintheaffectionatethoughtsofthosewhoneversomuchassawthemintheflesh,andknownoteventheirnames?Thereisanisus,astraininginthedulldumbeconomyofthings,invirtueofwhichsome,whethertheywillitandknowitorno,aremorelikelytoliveafterdeaththanothers,andwhoarethese?Thosewhoaimedatitasbysomegreatthingthattheywoulddotomakethemfamous?Thosewhohavelivedmostinthemselvesandforthemselves,orthosewhohavebeenmostensouledconsciously,butperhapsbetterunconsciously,directlybutmoreoftenindirectly,bythemostlivingsoulspastandpresentthathaveflittednearthem?Canwethinkofamanorwomanwhogripsusfirmly,atthethoughtofwhomwekindlewhenwearealoneinourhonestdaw’splumes,withnonetoadmireorshrughisshoulders,canwethinkofonesuch,thesecretofwhosepowerdoesnotlieinthecharmofhisorherpersonality——thatistosay,inthewidenessofhisorhersympathywith,andthereforelifeinandcommunionwithotherpeople?Inthewreckagethatcomesashorefromtheseaoftimethereismuchtinselstuffthatwemustpreserveandstudyifwewouldknowourowntimesandpeople;grantedthatmanyadeadcharlatanliveslongandenterslargelyandnecessarilyintoourownlives;weusethemandthrowthemawaywhenwehavedonewiththem。
Idonotspeakofthese,IdonotspeakoftheVirgilsandAlexanderPopes,andwhocansayhowmanymorewhosenamesIdarenotmentionforfearofoffending。TheyareasstuffedbirdsorbeastsinaMuseum,serviceablenodoubtfromascientificstandpoint,butwithnovividorvivifyingholduponus。Theyseemtobealive,butarenot。Iamspeakingofthosewhodoactuallyliveinus,andmoveustohigherachievementsthoughtheybelongdead,whoselifethrustsoutourownandoverridesit。Ispeakofthosewhodrawusevermoretowardsthemfromyouthtoage,andtothinkofwhomistofeelatoncethatweareinthehandsofthosewelove,andwhomwewouldmostwishtoresemble。Whatisthesecretoftheholdthatthesepeoplehaveuponus?Isitnotthatwhile,conventionallyspeaking,alive,theymostmergedtheirlivesin,andwereinfullestcommunionwiththoseamongwhomtheylived?Theyfoundtheirlivesinlosingthem。Weneverlovethememoryofanyoneunlesswefeelthatheorshewashimselforherselfalover。
Ihaveseeniturged,again,inquerulousaccents,thattheso-
calledimmortalityevenofthemostimmortalisnotforever。IseeapassagetothiseffectinabookthatismakingastirasIwrite。
Iwillquoteit。Thewritersays:-
\"So,itseemstome,istheimmortalitywesogliblypredicateofdepartedartists。Iftheysurviveatall,itisbutashadowylifetheylive,movingonthroughthegradationsofslowdecaytodistantbutinevitabledeath。Theycannolonger,asheretofore,speakdirectlytotheheartsoftheirfellow-men,evokingtheirtearsorlaughter,andallthepleasures,betheysadormerry,ofwhichimaginationholdsthesecret。Drivenfromthemarketplacetheybecomefirstthecompanionsofthestudent,thenthevictimsofthespecialist。Hewhowouldstillholdfamiliarintercoursewiththemmusttrainhimselftopenetratetheveilwhichinever-thickeningfoldsconcealsthemfromtheordinarygaze;hemustcatchthetoneofavanishedsociety,hemustmoveinacircleofalienassociations,hemustthinkinalanguagenothisown。\"{5}
Thisiscryingforthemoon,orratherpretendingtocryforit,forthewriterisobviouslyinsincere。IseetheSaturdayReviewsaysthepassageIhavejustquoted\"reachesalmosttopoetry,\"andindeedIfindmanyblankversesinit,someofthemveryaggressive。
Noproseisfreefromanoccasionalblankverse,andagoodwriterwillnotgohuntingoverhisworktoroutthemout,butnineorteninlittlemorethanasmanylinesisindeedreachingtooneartopoetryforgoodprose。This,however,isatrifle,andmightpassifthetoneofthewriterwasnotsoobviouslythatofcheappessimism。Iknownotwhichischeapest,pessimismoroptimism。
Oneforceslights,theotherdarks;bothareequallyuntruetogoodart,andequallysureoftheireffectwiththegroundlings。Theoneextenuates,theothersetsdowninmalice。Thefirstisthemoreamiablelie,butbotharelies,andareknowntobesobythosewhoutterthem。TalkaboutcatchingthetoneofavanishedsocietytounderstandRembrandtorGiovanniBellini!It’snonsense——thefoldsdonotthickeninfrontofthesemen;weunderstandthemaswellasthoseamongwhomtheywentaboutintheflesh,andperhapsbetter。
HomerandShakespearespeaktousprobablyfarmoreeffectuallythantheydidtothemenoftheirowntime,andmostlikelywehavethemattheirbest。IcannotthinkthatShakespearetalkedbetterthanwehearhimnowin\"Hamlet\"or\"HenrytheFourth\";likeenoughhewouldhavebeenfoundaverydisappointingpersoninadrawing-room。
Peoplestampthemselvesontheirwork;iftheyhavenotdonesotheyarenaught;iftheyhavewehavethem;andforthemostparttheystampthemselvesdeeperintheirworkthanontheirtalk。NodoubtShakespeareandHandelwillbeonedaycleanforgotten,asthoughtheyhadneverbeenborn。Theworldwillintheenddie;mortalitythereforeitselfisnotimmortal,andwhendeathdiesthelifeofthesemenwilldiewithit——butnotsooner。Itisenoughthattheyshouldlivewithinusandmoveusformanyagesastheyhaveandwill。Suchimmortality,therefore,assomemenandwomenarebornto,achieve,orhavethrustuponthem,isapracticalifnotatechnicalimmortality,andhewhowouldhavemorelethimhavenothing。
IseeIhavedriftedintospeakingratherofhowtomakethebestofdeaththanoflife,butwhocanspeakoflifewithouthisthoughtsturninginstantlytothatwhichisbeyondit?Heorshewhohasmadethebestofthelifeafterdeathhasmadethebestofthelifebeforeit;whocaresonestrawforanysuchchancesandchangesaswillcommonlybefallhimhereifheisupheldbythefullandcertainhopeofeverlastinglifeintheaffectionsofthosethatshallcomeafter?Ifthelifeafterdeathishappyintheheartsofothers,itmatterslittlehowunhappywasthelifebeforeit。