Contents：
Woman’sWorkinaCountryParishTheScienceofHealthTheTwoBreathsThriftNausicaainLondon；or，theLowerEducationofWomenTheAir-MothersTheTreeofKnowledgeGreatCitiesandtheirInfluenceforGoodandEvilHeroismTheMassacreoftheInnocents\"Amadworld，mymasters。\"
WOMAN’SWORKINACOUNTRYPARISH{1}
Ihavebeenaskedtospeakafewwordstoyouonalady’sworkinacountryparish。Ishallconfinemyselfrathertoprinciplesthantodetails；andthefirstprinciplewhichIwouldimpressonyouis，thatwemustallbejustbeforewearegenerous。Imust，indeed，speakplainlyonthispoint。Awoman’sfirstdutiesaretoherownfamily，herownservants。Benotdeceived：ifanyonecannotruleherownhousehold，shecannotruletheChurchofGod。
Ifanyonecannotsympathisewiththeservantswithwhomsheisincontactalldaylong，shewillnotreallysympathisewiththepoorwhomsheseesonceaweek。Iknowthetemptationnottobelievethisisverygreat。Itseemssomucheasiertowomentodosomethingforthepoor，thanfortheirownladies’maids，andhouse-maids，andcooks。Andwhy？BecausetheycantreatthepoorasTHINGS：buttheyMUSTtreattheirservantsaspersons。Aladycangointoapoorcottage，laydownthelawtotheinhabitants，reprovethemforsinstowhichshehasneverbeentempted；tellthemhowtosetthingsright，which，ifshehadthedoingofthem，Ifearshewoulddoevenmoreconfusedlyandslovenlythanthey。
Shecangivethematract，asshemightapill；andthenashilling，assomethingsweetafterthemedicine；andshecangooutagainandseenomoreofthemtillherbenevolentmoodrecurs：
butwiththeservantsitisnotso。Sheknowstheircharacters；
and，whatismore，theyknowhers；theyknowherprivatehistory，herlittleweaknesses。Perhapssheisalittleintheirpower，andsheisshywiththem。Sheisafraidofbeginningagoodworkwiththem，because，ifshedoes，shewillbeforcedtocarryitout；anditcannotbecold，dry，perfunctory，official：itmustbehearty，living，loving，personal。Shemustmakethemherfriends；andperhapssheisafraidofdoingthat，forfeartheyshouldtakeliberties，asitiscalled——whichtheyveryprobablywilldo，unlessshekeepsupaveryhighstandardofself-
restraintandearnestnessinherownlife——andthatinvolvesagreatdealoftrouble，andsosheistempted，whenshewishestodogood，tofallbackonthepoorpeopleinthecottagesoutside，who，asshefancies，knownothingabouther，andwillneverfindoutwhetherornotsheactsuptotheruleswhichshelaysdownforthem。Benotdeceived，Isay，inthiscasealso。Fancynotthattheyknownothingaboutyou。Thereisnothingsecretwhichshallnotbemademanifest；andwhatyoudointheclosetissurelyproclaimed（andoftenwithexaggerationenoughandtospare）onthehouse-top。Thesepoorfolksatyourgateknowwellenough，throughservantsandtradesmen，whatyouare，howyoutreatyourservants，howyoupayyourbills，whatsortoftemperyouhave；andtheyformashrewd，hardestimateofyourcharacter，inthelightofwhichtheyviewallthatyoudoandsaytothem；
andbelieveme，thatifyouwishtodoanyrealgoodtothem，youmustbeginbydoinggoodtothosewholiestillnearertoyouthanthem。Andbelieveme，too，thatifyoushrinkfromaheartypatriarchalsympathywithyourownservants，becauseitwouldrequiretoomuchpersonalhumanintercoursewiththem，youarelikeamanwho，findingthathehadnotpowderenoughtofireoffapocket-pistol，shouldtrytobettermattersbyusingthesamequantityofammunitioninaneighty-fourpoundgun。Foritisthishumanfriendship，trust，affection，whichistheverythingyouhavetoemploytowardsthepoor，andtocallupinthem。
Clubs，societies，alms，lendinglibrariesarebutdeadmachinery，needful，perhaps，but，liketheirontubewithoutthepowder，unabletosendthebulletforthonesingleinch；deadanduselesslumber，withouthumanity；withoutthesmileofthelip，thelightoftheeye，thetendernessofthevoice，whichmakesthepoorwomanfeelthatasoulisspeakingtohersoul，aheartyearningafterherheart；thatsheisnotmerelyaTHINGtobeimproved，butasistertobemadeconsciousofthedivinebondofhersisterhood，andtaughtwhatshemeanswhensherepeatsinherCreed，\"Ibelieveinthecommunionofsaints。\"Thisismytext，andmykey-note——whateverelseImaysayto-dayisbutacarryingoutintodetailsoftheonequestion，Howmayyougotothesepoorcreaturesaswomantowoman？
Yournextdutiesaretoyourhusband’sorfather’sservantsandworkmen。Itissaidthataclergyman’swifeoughttoconsidertheparishasHERflockaswellasherhusband’s。Itmaybeso：I
believethedogmatobemuchoverstatedjustnow。Butofalandlord’s，oremployer’swife（Iaminclinedtosay，too，ofanofficer’swife），suchadoctrineisabsolutelytrue，andcannotbeoverstated。Alargeproportion，therefore，ofyourparishworkwillbetoinfluencethemenofyourfamilytodotheirdutybytheirdependants。Youwishtocuretheevilsunderwhichtheylabour。Thegreaterproportionoftheseareinthehandsofyourmenrelatives。Itisamockery，forinstance，inyoutovisitthefever-strickencottage，whileyourhusbandleavesitinastatewhichbreedsthatfever。Yourbusinessistogotohimandsay，\"HEREISAWRONG；RIGHTIT！\"This，asmanyabeautifulMiddleAgelegendtellsus，hasbeenwoman’sfunctioninalluncivilisedtimes；notmerelytomeltman’shearttopity，buttoawakenittoduty。Butthemanmustseethatthewomanisinearnest：thatifhewillnotrepairthewrongbyjustice，shewill，ifpossible（asinthoseoldlegends），byself-sacrifice。Besurethismethodwillconquer。Dobutsay：\"Ifyouwillnotnew-roofthatcottage，ifyouwillnotmakethatdrain，Iwill。Iwillnotbuyanewdresstillitisdone；Iwillsellthehorseyougaveme，pawnthebraceletyougaveme，butthethingshallbedone。\"Lethimsee，Isay，thatyouareinearnest，andhewillfeelthatyourmessageisadivineone，whichhemustobeyforveryshameandweariness，iffornothingelse。Thisisinmyeyesthesecondpartofawoman’sparishwork。Ientreatyoutobearitinmindwhenyouhear，asItrustyouwill，lecturesinthisplaceuponthatSANITARYREFORM，withoutwhichalleffortsforthebetteringofthemassesareinmyeyesnotonlyuseless，buthypocritical。
Iwillsuppose，then，thatyouarefulfillinghomedutiesinself-
restraint，andlove，andinthefearofGod。Iwillsupposethatyouareusingallyourwoman’sinfluenceonthemindofyourfamily，inbehalfoftenantsandworkmen；andItellyoufrankly，thatunlessthisbefirstdone，youarepayingatitheofmintandanise，andneglectingcommonrighteousnessandmercy。Butyouwishtodomore：youwishforpersonalcontactwiththepoorroundyou，forthepureenjoymentofdoinggoodtothemwithyourownhands。Howareyoutosetaboutit？First，thereareclubs——
clothing-clubs，shoe-clubs，maternal-clubs；allverygoodintheirway。Butdonotfancythattheyarethegreaterpartofyourparishwork。Ratherwatchandfearlesttheybecomesubstitutesforyourrealparishwork；lestthebustleandamusementofplayingatshopkeeper，orpenny-collector，onceaweek，shouldblindyoutoyourrealpower——yourrealtreasure，byspendingwhichyoubecomeallthericher。WhatyouhavetodoistoennobleandpurifytheWOMANHOODofthesepoorwomen；tomakethembetterdaughters，sisters，wives，mothers：andalltheclubsintheworldwillnotdothat；theyarebutpalliativesofagreatevil，whichtheydonottouch；cloaksforalmsgiving，clumsymeansofekingoutinsufficientwages；atbest，kindlycontrivancesfortrickingintotemporarythriftinessadegradedandrecklesspeasantry。Miserable，miserablestateofthings！outofwhichthelongerIliveIseelesshopeofescape，savingbyanemigration，whichshalldrainusofallthehealthy，strong，andbraveamongthelowerclasses，andleaveus，asajustpunishmentforoursins，onlythecripple，thedrunkard，andthebeggar。
YettheseclubsMUSTbecarriedon。Theymakelifealittlemorepossible；theylightenhearts，ifbutforamoment；theyinculcatehabitsoforderandself-restraint，whichmaybeusefulwhenthepoormanfindshimselfinCanadaorAustralia。Anditisacruelutilitarianismtorefusetopalliatethesymptomsbecauseyoucannotcurethediseaseitself。Youwillgiveopiatestothesuffering，whomustdienevertheless。Lethimslipintohisgraveatleastaspainlesslyasyoucan。Andsoyoumustusethesecharitablesocieties，rememberingallalongwhatafearfulandhumblingsignthenecessityforthemisofthediseasedstateofthisEngland，asthesportulaanduniversalalmsgivingwasofthedecadenceofRome。
However，theworkhastobedone；andsuchasitis，itisespeciallyfittedforyoungunmarriedladies。Itrequiresnodeepknowledgeofhumannature。Itmakesthemawareoftheamountofsufferingandstrugglingwhichliesaroundthem，withoutbringingtheminthatmostundesirablecontactwiththecoarserformsofevilwhichhouse-visitationmustdo；andthemerebusinesshabitsofaccuracyandpatiencetowhichitcompelsthem，areavaluablepracticalschoolingforthemthemselvesinafter-life。Itistiresomeandunsentimentaldrudgery，nodoubt；butperhapsallthebettertrainingonthataccount。And，afterall，themagicofsweetness，grace，andcourtesymayshedahallowingandhumanisinglightoverthemeanestwork，andthesmileofGodmayspreadfromliptolip，andthelightofGodfromeyetoeye，evenbetweenthegiverandreceiverofapenny，tillthepoorwomangoeshome，sayinginherheart，\"Ihavenotonlyfoundthelifeofmyhand——I
havefoundasisterfortimeandforeternity。\"
ButthereisanotherfieldofparishusefulnesswhichIcannotrecommendtooearnestly，andthatis，theschool。Thereyoumayworkashardasyouwill，andhowyouwill——providedyoudoitinaloving，hearty，cheerful，HUMANway，playfulandyetearnest；
twoqualitieswhich，whentheyexistintheirhighestpower，aresuretogotogether。Isay，howyouwill。Iamnopedantaboutschools；Icarelesswhatistaughtthanhowitistaught。ThemerestrudimentsofChristianity，themerestrudimentsofpopularinstruction，areenough，providedtheybegivenbylipswhichspeakasiftheybelievedwhattheysaid，andwithalookwhichshowsrealloveforthepupil。Manneriseverything——matterasecondaryconsideration；forinmatter，brainonlyspeakstobrain；inmanner，soulspeakstosoul。IfyouwantChrist’slost-
lambsreallytobelievethatHediedforthem，youwilldoitbetterbyonelittleactofinterestandaffection，thanbymakingthemlearnbyheartwholecommentaries——evenasMissNightingalehaspreachedChristcrucifiedtothosepoorsoldiersbyactsofplainoutwarddrudgery，morelivingly，andreally，andconvincinglythanshecouldhavedonebytenthousandsermons，andmademanyanoblelad，Idoubtnot，sayinhisheart，forthefirsttimeinhiswildlife，\"IcanbelievenowthatChristdiedforme，forhereisonewhomHehastaughttodieformeinlikewise。\"Andthisblessedeffectofschool-work，remember，isnotconfinedtothechildren。Itgoeshomewiththemtotheparents。
Thechildbecomesanobjectofinterestandrespectintheireyes，whentheyseeitanobjectofinterestandrespectinyours。Iftheyseethatyoulookonitasanawfulandgloriousbeing，thechildofGod，theco-heirofChrist，theylearngraduallytolookonitinthesamelight。Theybecomeafraidandashamed（anditisanoblefearandshame）todoandsaybeforeitwhattheyusedtodoandsay；afraidtoill-useit。Itbecomestothemamysteriousvisitor（sadthatitshouldbeso，buttrueassad）
fromahigherandpurersphere，whomustbetreatedwithsomethingofcourtesyandrespect，whomustevenbeaskedtoteachthemsomethingofitsnewknowledge；andtheschool，andtheladies’
interestintheschool，becometothedegradedparentsalivingsignthatthosechildren’sangelsdoindeedbeholdthefaceoftheirFatherwhichisinheaven。
Now，thereisonethinginschool-workwhichIwishtopressonyou；andthatis，thatyoushouldnotconfineyourworktothegirls；butbestowitasfreelyonthosewhoneeditmore，andwho（paradoxicalasitmayseem）willrespondtoitmoredeeplyandfreely——THEBOYS。IamnotgoingtoenterintothereasonsWHY。
Ionlyentreatyoutobelieveme，thatbyhelpingtoeducatetheboys，oreven（whenoldenough），bytakingaclass（asIhaveseendonewithadmirableeffect）ofgrown-uplads，youmayinfluenceforevernotonlythehappinessofyourpupils，butofthegirlswhomtheywillhereaftermarry。Itwillbeaboontoyourownsexaswellastoourstoteachthemcourtesy，self-restraint，reverenceforphysicalweakness，admirationoftendernessandgentleness；anditisonewhichonlyaladycanbestow。Onlybybeingaccustomedinyouthtoconversewithladies，willtheboylearntotreathereafterhissweetheartorhiswifelikeagentleman。Thereisalatentchivalry，doubtitnot，intheheartofeveryuntutoredclod；ifitdiesoutinhim（asittoooftendoes），itwerebetterforhim，Ioftenthink，ifhehadneverbeenborn：buttheonlytalismanwhichwillkeepitalive，muchmoredevelopitintoitsfulness，isfriendlyandreveringintercoursewithwomenofhigherrankthanhimself，betweenwhomandhimthereisagreatandyetablessedgulffixed。
Ihavelefttothelastthemostimportantsubjectofall；andthatis，whatiscalled\"visitingthepoor。\"Itisanendlesssubject；ifyougointodetails，youmightwritevolumesonit。
AllIcandothisafternoonistokeeptomyownkey-note，andsay，Visitwhom，when，andwhereyouwill；butletyourvisitsbethoseofwomantowoman。Considertowhomyougo——topoorsoulswhoselife，comparedwithyours，isonelongmalaiseofbody，andsoul，andspirit——anddoasyouwouldbedoneby；insteadofreprovingandfault-finding，encourage。InGod’sname，encourage。
Theyscramblethroughlife’srocks，bogs，andthornbrakes，clumsilyenough，andhavemanyafall，poorthings！Butwhy，inthenameofaGodofloveandjustice，isthelady，rollingalongthesmoothturnpike-roadinhercomfortablecarriage，tobecallingoutalldaylongtothepoorsoulwhodragsonbesideheroverhedgeandditch，mossandmoor，bare-footedandweary-
hearted，withhalf-a-dozenchildrenatherback：\"Yououghtnottohavefallenhere；anditwasverycowardlytoliedownthere；
anditwasyourduty，asamother，tohavehelpedthatchildthroughthepuddle；while，asforsleepingunderthatbush，itismostimprudentandinadmissible？\"Whynotencourageher，praiseher，cheerheronherwearywaybylovingwords，andkeepyourreproofsforyourself——evenyouradvice；forSHEdoesgetonherway，afterall，whereYOUcouldnottravelastepforward；andsheknowswhatsheisaboutperhapsbetterthanyoudo，andwhatshehastoendure，andwhatGodthinksofherlife-journey。Theheartknowethitsownbitterness，andastrangerintermeddlethnotwithitsjoy。Butdonotbeastrangertoher。Beasistertoher。I
donotaskyoutotakeherupinyourcarriage。Youcannot；
perhapsitisgoodforherthatyoucannot。ItisgoodsometimesforLazarusthatheisnotfittositatDives’sfeast——goodforhimthatheshouldreceivehisevilthingsinthislife，andbecomfortedinthelifetocome。AllIaskis，dotothepoorsoulasyouwouldhaveherdotoyouinherplace。Donotinterruptandvexher（forsheisbusyenoughalready）withremedieswhichshedoesnotunderstand，fortroubleswhichyoudonotunderstand。
Butspeakcomfortablytoher，andsay：\"IcannotfeelWITHyou，butIdofeelFORyou：Ishouldenjoyhelpingyou，butIdonotknowhow——tellme。Tellmewheretheyokegalls；tellmewhythatforeheadisgrownoldbeforeitstime：Imaybeabletoeasetheburden，toputfreshlightintotheeyes；andifnot，stilltellme，simplybecauseIamawoman，andknowthereliefofpouringoutmyownsoulintolovingears，eventhoughinthedepthsofdespair。\"Yes，paradoxicalasitmayseem，Iamconvincedthattheonlywaytohelpthesepoorwomenhumanlyandreally，istobeginbyconfessingtothemthatyoudonotknowhowtohelpthem；
tohumbleyourselftothem，andtoasktheircounselforthegoodofthemselvesandoftheirneighbours，insteadofcomingproudlytothem，withnostrumsreadycompounded，asifadoctorshouldbesoconfidentinhisownknowledgeofbooksandmedicineastogivephysicbeforeaskingthepatient’ssymptoms。
Therefore，Ientreatyoutobearinmind（forwithoutthisallvisitingofthepoorwillbeutterlyvoidanduseless），thatyoumustregulateyourconducttothem，andintheirhouses，eventothemostminuteparticulars，bytheverysameruleswhichapplytopersonsofyourownclass。Neverletanywomansayofyou（thoughtfataltoallconfidence，allinfluence！）：\"Yes，itisallverykind：butshedoesnotbehavetomeasshewouldtooneofherownquality。\"Piety，earnestness，affectionateness，eloquence——allmaybenullifiedandstultifiedbysimplykeepingapoorwomanstandinginherowncottagewhileyousit，orenteringherhouse，evenatherownrequest，whilesheisatmeals。Shemaydeclinetosit；shemaybegyoutocomein，allthemorereasonforrefusingutterlytoobeyher，becauseitshowsthatthatveryinwardgulfbetweenyouandherstillexistsinhermind，whichitistheobjectofyourvisittobridgeover。Ifyouknowhertobeintrouble，touchonthattroubleasyouwouldwithalady。Woman’sheartisalikeinallranks，andthedeepestsorrowistheoneofwhichshespeaksthelastandleast。Weshouldnotlikeanyone——no，notanangelfromheaven，tocomeintoourhouseswithoutknockingatthedoor，andsay：\"Ihearyouareveryilloff——Iwilllendyouahundredpounds。Ithinkyouareverycarelessofmoney，Iwilltakeyouraccountsintomyownhands；\"andstilllessagain：\"Yoursonisaverybad，profligate，disgracefulfellow，whoisnotfittobementioned；I
intendtotakehimoutofyourhandsandreformhimmyself。\"
Neitherdothepoorlikesuchunceremoniousmercy，suchuntendertenderness，benevolenceathorse-play，mistakingkicksforcaresses。Theydonotlikeit，theywillnotrespondtoit，saveinparisheswhichhavebeendemoralisedbyofficiousandindiscriminatebenevolence，andwherethelastremainingvirtuesofthepoor，savageself-helpandindependence，havebeenexchanged（asIhavetoooftenseenthemexchanged）fororganisedbeggingandhypocrisy。
Iwouldthatyouwouldallread，ladies，andconsiderwellthetraitsofanoppositecharacterwhichhavejustcometolight（tome，Iamashamedtosay，forthefirsttime）intheBiographyofSidneySmith。Theloveandadmirationwhichthattrulybraveandlovingmanwonfromeveryone，richorpoor，withwhomhecameincontact，seemstometohavearisenfromtheonefact，thatwithoutperhapshavinganysuchconsciousintention，hetreatedrichandpoor，hisownservantsandthenoblemenhisguests，alike，andALIKEcourteously，considerately，cheerfully，affectionately——soleavingablessingandreapingablessingwheresoeverhewent。
Approach，then，thesepoorwomenassisters，andyouwillbeablegraduallytoreversethehardsayingofwhichImadeusejustnow：
\"Donotapplyremedieswhichtheydonotunderstand，todiseaseswhichyoudonotunderstand。\"Learnlovinglyandpatiently（aye，andreverently，forthereisthatineveryhumanbeingwhichdeservesreverence，andmustbereverencedifwewishtounderstandit）——learn，Isay，tounderstandtheirtroubles，andbythattimetheywillhavelearnttounderstandyourremedies，andtheywillappreciatethem。ForyouHAVEremedies。Idonotundervalueyourposition。Nomanonearthislessinclinedtoundervaluetherealpowerofwealth，rank，accomplishments，manners——evenphysicalbeauty。AllaretalentsfromGod，andI
giveGodthankswhenIseethempossessedbyanyhumanbeing；forIknowthatthey，too，canbeusedinHisservice，andbroughttobearonthetrueemancipationofwoman——heremancipation，notfromman（assomefoolishpersonsfancy），butfromthedevil，\"theslandereranddivider\"whodividesherfromman，andmakesherlivealife-longtragedy，whichgoesoninmorecottagesthaninpalaces——avieepart，avieincomprise——alifemadeuphalfofill-usage，halfofunnecessary，self-willed，self-conceitedmartyrdom，insteadofbeing（asGodintended）halfofthehumanuniverse，ahelpmeetforman，andtheonebrightspotwhichmakesthisworldendurable。Towardsmakingherthat，andsorealisingtheprimevalmissionbyeverycottagehearth，eachofyoucandosomething；foreachofyouhavesometalent，power，knowledge，attractionbetweensoulandsoul，whichthecottager’swifehasnot，andbywhichyoumaydrawhertoyouwith（astheprophetsays）humanbondsandthecordsoflove：butshemustbedrawnbythemalone，oryourworkisnothing，andthoughyougivethetreasuresofInd，theyarevaluelessequallytoherandtoChrist；
fortheyarenotgiveninHisname，whichisthatboundlesstenderness，consideration，patience，self-sacrifice，bywhicheventhecupofcoldwaterisapreciousoffering——asGodgrantyourlabourmaybe！
THESCIENCEOFHEALTH{2}
WhethertheBritishraceisimprovingordegenerating？What，ifitseemprobablydegenerating，arethecausesofsogreatanevil？
Howtheycanbe，ifnotdestroyed，atleastarrested？Thesearequestionsworthyattention，notofstatesmenonlyandmedicalmen，butofeveryfatherandmotherintheseisles。IshallsaysomewhatabouttheminthisEssay；andsayitinaformwhichoughttobeintelligibletofathersandmothersofeveryclass，fromthehighesttothelowest，inhopesofconvincingsomeofthematleastthatthescienceofhealth，nowsoutterlyneglectedinourcurriculumofso-callededucation，oughttobetaught——therudimentsofitatleast——ineveryschool，college，anduniversity。
Wetalkofourhardyforefathers；andrightly。Buttheywerehardy，justasthesavageisusuallyhardy，becausenonebutthehardylived。Theymayhavebeenabletosayofthemselves——astheydoinaStatepaperof1515，nowwellknownthroughthepagesofMr。Froude：\"WhatcomynfolkofalltheworldmaycomparewiththecomynsofEngland，inriches，freedom，liberty，welfare，andallprosperity？Whatcomynfolkissomighty，andsostronginthefelde，asthecomynsofEngland？\"Theymayhavebeenfedon\"greatshinsofbeef，\"tilltheybecame，asBenvenutoCellinicallsthem，\"theEnglishwildbeasts。\"Buttheyincreasedinnumbersslowly，ifatall，forcenturies。Thoseterriblelawsofnaturalselection，whichissuein\"thesurvivalofthefittest，\"
clearedoffthelessfit，ineverygeneration，principallybyinfantiledisease，oftenbywholesalefamineandpestilence；andleft，onthewhole，onlythoseofthestrongestconstitutionstoperpetuateahardy，valiant，andenterprisingrace。
Atlastcameasuddenandunprecedentedchange。Inthefirstyearsofthiscentury，steamandcommerceproducedanenormousincreaseinthepopulation。Millionsoffreshhumanbeingsfoundemployment，married，broughtupchildrenwhofoundemploymentintheirturn，andlearnttolivemoreorlesscivilisedlives。Anevent，doubtless，forwhichGodistobethanked。Aquitenewphaseofhumanity，bringingwithitnewvicesandnewdangers：
butbringing，also，notmerelynewcomforts，butnewnoblenesses，newgenerosities，newconceptionsofduty，andofhowthatdutyshouldbedone。Itischildishtoregrettheoldtimes，whenoursoot-grimedmanufacturingdistrictsweregreenwithlonelyfarms。
Tomurmuratthetransformationwouldbe，Ibelieve，tomurmuratthewillofHimwithoutwhomnotasparrowfallstotheground。
Theoldorderchangeth，yieldingplacetothenew，AndGodfulfilshimselfinmanyways，Lestonegoodcustomshouldcorrupttheworld。
Ourdutyis，insteadoflongingforthegoodoldcustom，totakecareofthegoodnewcustom，lestitshouldcorrupttheworldinlikewise。Anditmaydosothus：
TherapidincreaseofpopulationduringthefirsthalfofthiscenturybeganatamomentwhentheBritishstockwasspeciallyexhausted；namely，abouttheendofthelongFrenchwar。Theremayhavebeenperiodsofexhaustion，atleastinEngland，beforethat。Theremayhavebeenonehere，asthereseemstohavebeenontheContinent，aftertheCrusades；andanotheraftertheWarsoftheRoses。TherewascertainlyaperiodofsevereexhaustionattheendofElizabeth’sreign，duebothtothelongSpanishandIrishwarsandtotheterribleendemicsintroducedfromabroad；anexhaustionwhichmayhavecaused，inpart，thenationalweaknesswhichhunguponusduringthereignoftheStuarts。Butafternoneofthesedidthesurvivalofthelessfitsuddenlybecomemoreeasy；orthediscoveryofsteampower，andtheacquisitionofacolonialempire，createatonceafreshdemandforhumanbeingsandafreshsupplyoffoodforthem。Britain，atthebeginningofthenineteenthcentury，wasinanaltogethernewsocialsituation，AtthebeginningofthegreatFrenchwar；and，indeed，eversincethebeginningofthewarwithSpainin1739——oftensnubbedasthe\"waraboutJenkins’sear\"——butwhichwas，asIhold，oneofthemostjust，asitwasoneofthemostpopular，ofallourwars；
after，too，theoncefamous\"fortyfineharvests\"oftheeighteenthcentury，theBritishpeople，fromthegentlemanwholedtothesoldierorsailorwhofollowed，wereoneofthemightiestandmostcapableraceswhichtheworldhaseverseen，comparablebesttotheoldRoman，athismightiestandmostcapableperiod。
That，atleast，theirworkstestify。Theycreated——asfarasmancanbesaidtocreateanything——theBritishEmpire。Theywonforusourcolonies，ourcommerce，themasteryoftheseasofalltheworld。Butatwhatacost！
Theirbonesarescatteredfarandwide，Bymount，andstream，andsea。
Yearafteryear，tillthefinaltriumphofWaterloo，notbattleonly，butworsedestroyersthanshotandshell——fatigueanddisease——hadbeencarryingoffourstoutest，ablest，healthiestyoungmen，eachofwhomrepresented，alas！amaidenleftunmarriedathome，ormarried，indefault，toalessableman。Thestrongestwenttothewar；eachwhofellleftaweakliermantocontinuetherace；whileofthosewhodidnotfall，toomanyreturnedwithtaintedandweakenedconstitutions，toinjure，itmaybe，generationsyetunborn。Themiddleclasses，beingmostlyengagedinpeacefulpursuits，sufferedlessofthisdecimationoftheirfinestyoungmen；andtothatfactIattributemuchoftheirincreasingpreponderance，social，political，andintellectual，tothisveryday。Onecannotwalkthestreetsofanyofourgreatcommercialcitieswithoutseeingplentyofmen，youngandmiddle-
aged，whosewholebearingandstatureshowsthatthemanlyvigourofourmiddleclassisanythingbutexhausted。InLiverpool，especially，Ihavebeenmuchstrucknotonlywiththevigorouscountenance，butwiththebodilysizeofthemercantilemenon’Change。Butitmustberememberedalways，first，thatthesemenaretheveryeliteoftheirclass；thecleverestmen；themencapableofdoingmostwork；andnext，thattheyare，almostallofthem，fromthegreatmerchantwhohashisvillaoutoftown，andperhapshismoorintheHighlands，downtothesturdyyoungvolunteerwhoservesinthehaberdasher’sshop，country-bredmen；
andthatthequestionis，notwhattheyarelikenow，butwhattheirchildrenandgrandchildren，especiallythefineyoungvolunteer’s，willbelike？AveryseriousquestionIholdthattobe，andforthisreason。
Waris，withoutdoubt，themosthideousphysicalcursewhichfallenmaninflictsuponhimself；andforthissimplereason，thatitreversestheverylawsofnature，andismorecrueleventhanpestilence。Forinsteadofissuinginthesurvivalofthefittest，itissuesinthesurvivalofthelessfit：andtherefore，ifprotracted，mustdeteriorategenerationsyetunborn。
Andyetapeacesuchaswenowenjoy，prosperous，civilised，humane，isfraught，thoughtoalessdegree，withtheverysameilleffect。
Inthefirstplace，tensofthousands——whoknowsitnot？——leadsedentaryandunwholesomelives，stooping，asphyxiated，employingassmallafractionoftheirbodiesasoftheirminds。Andallthisindwellings，workshops，whatnot？——theinfluences，theveryatmosphereofwhichtendnottohealth，buttounhealth，andtodrunkennessasasolaceunderthefeelingofunhealthanddepression。Andthatsuchalifemusttellupontheiroffspring，andiftheiroffspringgrowupundersimilarcircumstances，upontheiroffspring’soffspring，tillawholepopulationmaybecomepermanentlydegraded，whodoesnotknow？Forwhothatwalksthroughtheby-streetsofanygreatcitydoesnotsee？Moreover，andthisisoneofthemostfearfulproblemswithwhichmoderncivilisationhastodeal——weinterferewithnaturalselectionbyourconscientiouscareoflife，assurelyasdoeswaritself。Ifwarkillsthemostfittolive，wesavealivethosewho——lookingatthemfromamerelyphysicalpointofview——aremostfittodie。
Everythingwhichmakesitmoreeasytolive；everysanitaryreform，preventionofpestilence，medicaldiscovery，ameliorationofclimate，drainageofsoil，improvementindwelling-houses，workhouses，gaols；everyreformatoryschool，everyhospital，everycureofdrunkenness，everyinfluence，inshort，whichhas——soIamtold——increasedtheaveragelengthoflifeintheseislands，bynearlyone-third，sincethefirstestablishmentoflifeinsurances，onehundredandfiftyyearsago；everyinfluenceofthiskind，Isay，savespersonsalivewhowouldotherwisehavedied；andthegreatmajorityofthesewillbe，eveninsurgicalandzymoticcases，thoseofleastresistingpower，whoarethuspreservedtoproduceintimeastilllesspowerfulprogeny。
DoIsaythatweoughtnottosavethesepeopleifwecan？Godforbid。Theweakly，thediseasedwhetherinfantoradult，ishereonearth；aBritishcitizen；nomoreresponsibleforhisownweaknessthanforhisownexistence。Society，thatis，inplainEnglish，weandourancestors，areresponsibleforboth；andwemustfulfiltheduty，andkeephiminlife；and，ifwecan，heal，strengthen，develophimtotheutmost；andmakethebestofthatwhich\"fateandourowndeservings\"havegivenustodealwith。I
donotspeakofhighermotivesstill；motiveswhich，toeveryministerofreligion，mustbeparamountandawful。Ispeakmerelyofphysicalandsocialmotives，suchasappealtotheconscienceofeveryman——theinstinctwhichbidseveryhuman-heartedmanorwomantosavelife，alleviatepain，likeHimwhocausesHissuntoshineontheevilandonthegood，andHisraintofallonthejustandontheunjust。
Butitispalpablethatindoingsowemust，yearbyyear，preservealargepercentageofweaklypersonswho，marryingfreelyintheirownclass，mustproduceweaklierchildren，andtheyweaklierchildrenstill。Must，didIsay？Therearethosewhoareofopinion——andI，afterwatchingandcomparingthehistoriesofmanyfamilies，indeedofeveryonewithwhomIhavecomeincontactfornowfive-and-thirtyyears，intownandcountry，canonlyfearthattheiropinionisbuttoowellfoundedonfact——thatinthegreatmajorityofcases，inallclasseswhatsoever，thechildrenarenotequaltotheirparents，northey，again，totheirgrand-parentsofthebeginningofthecentury；andthatthisdegradingprocessgoesonmostsurelyandmostrapidlyinourlargetowns，andinproportiontotheantiquityofthosetowns，andthereforeinproportiontothenumberofgenerationsduringwhichthedegradinginfluenceshavebeenatwork。
Thisandcognatedangershavebeenfeltmoreandmoredeeply，astheyearshaverolledon，bystudentsofhumansociety。Towardthemoff，theoryaftertheoryhasbeenputonpaper，especiallyinFrance，whichdeservehighpraisefortheiringenuity，lessfortheirmorality，and，Ifear，stilllessfortheircommonsense。
Forthetheoristinhisclosetiscertaintoignore，asinconvenienttotheconstructionofhisUtopia，certainofthosebroadfactsofhumannaturewhicheveryactiveparishpriest，medicalman，orpoor-lawguardianhastofaceeverydayofhislife。
SocietyandBritishhumannaturearewhattheyhavebecomebytheindirectinfluencesoflongages，andwecannomorereconstructtheonethanwecanchangetheother。Wecannomoremendmenbytheoriesthanwecanbycoercion——towhich，by-the-bye，almostallthesetheoristslooklonginglyastheirfinalhopeandmainstay。
Wemustteachmentomendtheirownmatters，oftheirownreason，andtheirownfree-will。Wemustteachthemthattheyarethearbitersoftheirowndestinies；and，toafearfullylargedegree，oftheirchildren’sdestiniesafterthem。Wemustteachthemnotmerelythattheyoughttobefree，butthattheyarefree，whethertheyknowitornot，forgoodandforevil。Andwemustdothatinthiscase，byteachingthemsoundpracticalscience；thescienceofphysiologyasappliedtohealth。So，andsoonly，canwecheek——Idonotsaystopentirely——thoughIbelieveeventhattobeideallypossible；butatleastcheektheprocessofdegradationwhichIbelievetobesurelygoingon，notmerelyintheseislands，butineverycivilisedcountryintheworld，inproportiontoitscivilisation。
Itisstillaquestionwhethersciencehasfullydiscoveredthoselawsofhereditaryhealth，thedisregardofwhichcausessomanymarriagesdisastroustogenerationsyetunborn。Butmuchvaluablelighthasbeenthrownonthismostmysteriousandmostimportantsubjectduringthelastfewyears。Thatlight——andIthankGodforit——iswideninganddeepeningrapidly。AndIdoubtnotthatinagenerationortwomore，enoughwillbeknowntobethrownintotheshapeofpracticalandprovablerules；andthat，ifnotapublicopinion，yetatleast，whatismoreusefulfar，awidespreadprivateopinionwillgrowup，especiallyamongeducatedwomen，whichwillpreventmanyatragedyandsavemanyalife。
But，astothelawsofpersonalhealth：enough，andmorethanenough，isknownalready，tobeappliedsafelyandeasilybyanyadults，howeverunlearned，tothepreservationnotonlyoftheirownhealth，butofthatoftheirchildren。
Thevalueofhealthyhabitations，ofpersonalcleanliness，ofpureairandpurewater，ofvariouskindsoffood，accordingaseachtendstomakebone，fat，ormuscle，providedonly——providedonly——
thatthefoodbeunadulterated；thevalueofvariouskindsofclothing，andphysicalexercise，ofafreeandequaldevelopmentofthebrainpower，withoutundueoverstraininanyonedirection；
inoneword，themethodofproducing，asfaraspossible，thementemsanamincorporesano，andthewonderfulandblessedeffectsofsuchobediencetothoselawsofnature，whicharenothingbutthegoodwillofGodexpressedinfacts——theirwonderfulandblessedtendency，Isay，toeliminatethegermsofhereditarydisease，andtoactuallyregeneratethehumansystem——
allthisisknown；knownasfullyandclearlyasanyhumanknowledgeneedbeknown；itiswrittenindozensofpopularbooksandpamphlets。Andwhyshouldthisdivinevoice，whichcriestoman，tendingtosinkintoeffeminatebarbarismthroughhisownhastyandpartialcivilisation：\"Itisnottoolate。Foryourbodies，asforyourspirits，thereisanupward，aswellasadownwardpath。You，orifnotyou，atleastthechildrenwhomyouhavebroughtintotheworld，forwhomyoutoil，forwhomyouhoard，forwhomyoupray，forwhomyouwouldgiveyourlives，——
theystillmaybehealthy，strong，itmaybebeautiful，andhavealltheintellectualandsocial，aswellasthephysicaladvantages，whichhealth，strength，andbeautygive。\"——Ah，whyisthisdivinevoicenow，asofold，Wisdomcryinginthestreets，andnomanregardingher？Iappealtowomen，whoareinitiated，aswemencanneverbe，intothesternmysteriesofpain，andsorrow，andself-sacrifice；——theywhobringforthchildren，weepoverchildren，slaveforchildren，and，iftheyhavenoneoftheirown，thenslave，withtheholyinstinctofthesexlessbee，forthechildrenofothers——Letthemsay，shallthisthingbe？
LetmyreaderspardonmeifIseemtowritetooearnestly。ThatI
speakneithermorenorlessthanthetruth，everymedicalmanknowsfullwell。Notonlyasaveryhumblestudentofphysiology，butasaparishpriestofthirtyyears’standing，Ihaveseensomuchunnecessarymisery；andIhaveinothercasesseensimilarmiserysosimplyavoided；thatthesenseofthevastnessoftheevilisintensifiedbymysenseoftheeasinessofthecure。
Why，then——tocometopracticalsuggestions——shouldtherenotbeopenedineverygreattownintheserealmsapublicschoolofhealth？Itmightconnectitselfwith——Iholdthatitshouldformanintegralpartof——someexistingeducationalinstitute。Butitshouldatleastgivepracticallectures，forfeessmallenoughtoputthemwithinthereachofanyrespectablemanorwoman，howeverpoor，Icannotbuthopethatsuchschoolsofhealth，ifopenedinthegreatmanufacturingtownsofEnglandandScotland，and，indeed，insuchanIrishtownasBelfast，wouldobtainpupilsinplenty，andpupilswhowouldthoroughlyprofitbywhattheyhear。
Thepeopleofthesetownsare，mostofthem，speciallyaccustomedbytheirowntradestotheapplicationofscientificlaws。Tothem，therefore，theapplicationofanyfreshphysicallawstoafreshsetoffacts，wouldhavenothingstrangeinit。Theyhavealreadysomethingofthatinductivehabitofmindwhichisthegroundworkofallrationalunderstandingoraction。Theywouldnotturnthedeafandcontemptuousearwithwhichthesavageandthesuperstitiousreceivetherevelationofnature’smysteries。
Whyshouldnot，withsohopefulanaudience，theexperimentbetriedfarandwide，ofgivinglecturesonhealth，assupplementarytothoselecturesonanimalphysiologywhichare，Iamhappytosay，becomingmoreandmorecommon？Whyshouldnotpeoplebetaught——theyarealreadybeingtaughtatBirmingham——somethingaboutthetissuesofthebody，theirstructureanduses，thecirculationoftheblood，respiration，chemicalchangesintheairrespired，amountbreathed，digestion，natureoffood，absorption，secretion，structureofthenervoussystem——infact，betaughtsomethingofhowtheirownbodiesaremadeandhowtheywork？
Teachingofthiskindoughtto，andwill，insomemorecivilisedageandcountry，beheldanecessaryelementintheschoolcourseofeverychild，justasnecessaryasreading，writing，andarithmetic；foritisafterallthemostnecessarybranchofthat\"technicaleducation\"ofwhichwehearsomuchjustnow，namely，thetechnic，orart，ofkeepingoneselfaliveandwell。
Butwecanhardlystopthere。Afterwehavetaughttheconditionofhealth，wemustteachalsotheconditionofdisease；ofthosediseasesspeciallywhichtendtolessenwholesalethehealthoftownsfolk，exposedtoanartificialmodeoflife。Surelyyoungmenandwomenshouldbetaughtsomethingofthecausesofzymoticdisease，andofscrofula，consumption，rickets，dipsomania，cerebralderangement，andsuchlike。Theyshouldbeshownthepracticalvalueofpureair，purewater，unadulteratedfood，sweetanddrydwellings。Isthereoneofthem，manorwoman，whowouldnotbethesaferandhappier，andthemoreusefultohisorherneighbours，iftheyhadacquiredsomesoundnotionsaboutthosequestionsofdrainageonwhichtheirownlivesandthelivesoftheirchildrenmayeverydaydepend？Isay——womenaswellasmen。
Ishouldhavesaidwomenratherthanmen。Foritisthewomenwhohavetheorderingofthehousehold，thebringingupofthechildren；thewomenwhobideathome，whilethemenareaway，itmaybeattheotherendoftheearth。
Andifanysay，astheyhavearighttosay——\"Butthesearesubjectswhichcanhardlybetaughttoyoungwomeninpubliclectures；\"Irejoin——ofcoursenot，unlesstheyaretaughtbywomen——bywomen，ofcourse，dulyeducatedandlegallyqualified。
Letsuchteachtowomen，whateverywomanoughttoknow，andwhatherparentswillveryproperlyobjecttoherhearingfromalmostanyman。ThisisoneofthemainreasonswhyIhave，fortwentyyearspast，advocatedthetrainingofwomenforthemedicalprofession；andonewhichcountervails，inmymind，allpossibleobjectionstosuchamovement。Andnow，thankGod，weareseeingthecommonsenseofGreatBritain，andindeedofeverycivilisednation，graduallycomingroundtothatwhichseemedtome，whenI
firstconceivedofit，adreamtoochimericaltobecherishedsaveinsecret——therestoringwomantohernaturalshareinthatsacredofficeofhealer，whichsheheldintheMiddleAges，andfromwhichshewasthrustoutduringthesixteenthcentury。
Iammosthappytosee，forinstance，thattheNationalHealthSociety，{3}whichIearnestlyrecommendtotheattentionofmyreaders，announcesa\"CourseofLecturesforLadiesonElementaryPhysiologyandHygiene，\"byalady，towhichIamalsomosthappytosee，governessesareadmittedathalf-fees。Alas！howmuchmisery，disease，andevendeathmighthavebeenprevented，hadgovernessesbeentaughtsuchmattersthirtyyearsago，I，forone，knowtoowell。Maythedaysooncomewhentherewillbeeducatedwomenenoughtogivesuchlecturesthroughouttheserealms，torichaswellaspoor——fortherich，strangetosay，needthemoftenasmuchasthepoordo——andthatwemaylivetosee，ineverygreattown，healthclassesforwomenaswellasformen，sendingforthyearbyyearmoreyoungwomenandyoungmentaught，notonlytotakecareofthemselvesandoftheirfamilies，buttoexercisemoralinfluenceovertheirfellow-citizens，aschampionsinthebattleagainstdirtanddrunkenness，diseaseanddeath。
Theremaybethosewhowouldanswer——orrather，therewouldcertainlyhavebeenthosewhowouldhavesoansweredthirtyyearsago，beforetheso-calledmaterialismofadvancedsciencehadtaughtussomepracticalwisdomabouteducation，andremindedpeoplethattheyhavebodiesaswellasmindsandsouls——\"Yousay，wearelikelytogrowweaklier，unhealthier。Andifitwereso，whatmatter？Mindmakestheman，notbody。Wedonotwantourchildrentobestupidgiantsandbravos；butclever，able，highlyeducated，howeverweaklyProvidenceorthelawsofnaturemayhavechosentomakethem。Letthemoverstraintheirbrainsalittle；
letthemcontracttheirchests，andinjuretheirdigestionandtheireyesight，bysittingatdesks，poringoverbooks。Intellectiswhatwewant。Intellectmakesmoney。Intellectmakestheworld。Wewouldratherseeoursonageniusthanamereathlete。\"
Well：andsowouldI。Butwhatifintellectalonedoesnotevenmakemoney，saveasMessrs。DodsonandFogg，SampsonBrass，andMontaguTiggwerewonttomakeit，unlessbackedbyanable，enduring，healthyphysique，suchasIhaveseen，almostwithoutexception，inthosesuccessfulmenofbusinesswhomIhavehadthehonourandthepleasureofknowing？Whatifintellect，orwhatisnowcalledintellect，didnotmaketheworld，orthesmallestwheelorcogofit？Whatif，forwantofobeyingthelawsofnature，parentsbredupneitherageniusnoranathlete，butonlyanincapableunhappypersonage，withahugeuprightforehead，likethatofaByzantineGreek，filledwithsomesortofpapinsteadofbrains，andtemptedalternatelytofanaticismandstrongdrink？
Wemust，inthegreatmajorityofcases，havetheCORPUSSANEMifwewanttheMENTEMSANEM；andhealthybodiesaretheonlytrustworthyorgansforhealthyminds。Whichiscauseandwhichiseffect，Ishallnotstaytodebatehere。Butwhereverwefindapopulationgenerallyweakly，stunted，scrofulous，wefindinthemacorrespondingtypeofbrain，whichcannotbetrustedtodogoodwork；whichiscapablemoreorlessofmadness，whethersolitaryorepidemic。Itmaybeveryactive；itmaybeveryquickatcatchingatnewandgrandideas——allthemorequick，perhaps，onaccountofitsownsecretmalaiseandself-discontent；butitwillbeirritable，spasmodic，hysterical。Itwillbeapttomistakecapacityoftalkforcapacityofaction，excitementforearnestness，virulenceforforce，and，toooften；crueltyforjustice。Itwilllosemanfulindependence，individuality，originality；andwhenmenact，theywillactfromtheconsciousnessofpersonalweakness，likesheeprushingoverahedge，leaningagainsteachother，exhortingeachothertobebrave，andswayingaboutinmobsandmasses。Theseweretheintellectualweaknesseswhich，asIreadhistory，followedonphysicaldegradationinImperialRome，inAlexandria，inByzantium。Havewenotseenthemreappear，underfearfulforms，inParisbuttheotherday？
Idonotblame；Idonotjudge。Mytheory，whichIhold，andshallhold，tobefairlyfoundedonawideinduction，forbidsmetoblameandtojudge；becauseittellsmethatthesedefectsaremainlyphysical；thatthosewhoexhibitthemaremainlytobepitied，asvictimsofthesinsorignoranceoftheirforefathers。
Butittellsmetoo，thatthosewho，professingtobeeducatedmen，andthereforeboundtoknowbetter，treatthesephysicalphenomenaasspiritual，healthy，andpraiseworthy；whoevenexasperatethem，thattheymaymakecapitaloutoftheweaknessesoffallenman，arethemostcontemptibleandyetthemostdangerousofpublicenemies，letthemcloaktheirquackeryunderwhatsoeverpatriotic，orscientific，orevensacredwords。
Therearethoseagainhonest，kindly，sensible，practicalmen，manyofthem；menwhomIhavenowishtooffend；whomIhadratherasktoteachmesomeoftheirownexperienceandcommonsense，whichhaslearnedtodiscern，likegoodstatesmen，notonlywhatoughttobedone，butwhatcanbedone——therearethose，Isay，whowouldsoonerseethiswholequestionletalone。Theirfeeling，asfarasIcananalyseit，seemstobethattheevilsofwhichIhavebeencomplaining，areonthewholeinevitable；or，ifnot，thatwecanmendsoverylittleofthem，thatitiswisesttoleavethemalonealtogether，lest，likecertainsewers，\"themoreyoustirthem，themoretheysmell。\"Theyfearlestweshouldunsettlethemindsofthemanyforwhomtheseevilswillneverbemended；lestwemakethemdiscontented；discontentedwiththeirhouses，theiroccupations，theirfood，theirwholesocialarrangements；andallinvain。
Ishouldanswer，inallcourtesyandhumility——forIsympathisedeeplywithsuchmenandwomen，andrespectthemdeeplylikewise——
butarenotpeoplediscontentedalready，fromthelowesttothehighest？Andoughtaman，insuchapiecemeal，foolish，greedy，sinfulworldasthisis，andalwayshasbeen，tobeanythingbutdiscontented？Ifhethinksthatthingsaregoingallright，musthenothaveamostbeggarlyconceptionofwhatgoingrightmeans？
Andifthingsarenotgoingright，canitbeanythingbutgoodforhimtoseethattheyarenotgoingright？Cantruthandfactharmanyhumanbeing？Ishallnotbelieveso，aslongasIhaveaBiblewhereintobelieve。Formypart，Ishouldliketomakeeveryman，woman，andchildwhomImeetdiscontentedwiththemselves，evenasIamdiscontentedwithmyself。Ishouldliketoawakeninthem，abouttheirphysical，theirintellectual，theirmoralcondition，thatdivinediscontentwhichistheparent，firstofupwardaspirationandthenofself-control，thought，efforttofulfilthataspirationeveninpart。Fortobediscontentedwiththedivinediscontent，andtobeashamedwiththenobleshame，istheverygermandfirstupgrowthofallvirtue。Menbeginatfirst，asboysbeginwhentheygrumbleattheirschoolandtheirschoolmasters，tolaytheblameonothers；tobediscontentedwiththeircircumstances——thethingswhichstandaroundthem；andtocry，\"OhthatIhadthis！\"\"OhthatIhadthat！\"Butbythatwaynodeliverancelies。Thatdiscontentonlyendsinrevoltandrebellion，socialorpolitical；andthat，again，stillinthesameworshipofcircumstances——butthistimedesperate——whichends，letitdisguiseitselfunderwhatfinenamesitwill，inwhattheoldGreekscalledatyranny；inwhich——asintheSpanishrepublicsofAmerica，andinFrancemorethanonce——allhavebecomethevoluntaryslavesofoneman，becauseeachmanfanciesthattheonemancanimprovehiscircumstancesforhim。
Butthewisemanwilllearn，likeEpictetustheheroicslave，theslaveofEpaphroditus，Nero’sminion——andinwhatbaserandugliercircumstancescouldhumanbeingfindhimself？——tofindoutthesecretofbeingtrulyfree；namely，tobediscontentedwithnomanandnothingsavehimself。Tosaynot——\"OhthatIhadthisandthat！\"but\"OhthatIwerethisandthat！\"Then，byGod’shelp——
andthatheroicslave，heathenthoughhewas，believedandtrustedinGod’shelp——\"IwillmakemyselfthatwhichGodhasshownmethatIoughttobeandcanbe。\"
Tenthousandayear，ortenmillionayear，asEpictetussawfullwell，cannotmendthatvulgardiscontentwithcircumstanceswhichhehadfelt——andwhowithmoreright？——andconquered，anddespised。Forthatisthediscontentofchildren，wantingalwaysmoreholidaysandmoresweets。ButIwishmyreaderstohave，andtocherish，thediscontentofmenandwomen。