ThereforeIwouldmakemenandwomendiscontented,withthedivineandwholesomediscontent,attheirownphysicalframe,andatthatoftheirchildren。Iwouldaccustomtheireyestothosepreciousheirloomsofthehumanrace,thestatuesoftheoldGreeks;totheirtendergrandeur,theirchastehealthfulness,theirunconscious,becauseperfectmight:andsay——There;thesearetokenstoyou,andtoallgenerationsyetunborn,ofwhatmancouldbeonce;ofwhathecanbeagainifhewillobeythoselawsofnaturewhicharethevoiceofGod。Iwouldmakethemdiscontentedwiththeuglinessandclosenessoftheirdwellings;I
wouldmakethemdiscontentedwiththefashionoftheirgarments,andstillmorejustnowthewomen,ofallranks,withthefashionoftheirs;andwitheverythingaroundthemwhichtheyhavethepowerofimproving,ifitbeatallungraceful,superfluous,tawdry,ridiculous,unwholesome。Iwouldmakethemdiscontentedwithwhattheycalltheireducation,andsaytothem——YoucallthethreeRoyalR’seducation?Theyarenoteducation:nomoreistheknowledgewhichwouldenableyoutotakethehighestprizesgivenbytheSocietyofArts,oranyotherbody。Theyarenoteducation:theyareonlyinstruction;anecessarygroundwork,inanagelikethis,formakingpracticaluseofyoureducation:butnottheeducationitself。
Andiftheyaskedme,Whattheneducationmeant?Ishouldpointthem,first,Ithink,tonobleoldLilly’snobleold\"Euphues,\"ofthreehundredyearsago,andaskthemtoconsiderwhatitsaysabouteducation,andespeciallythispassageconcerningthatmereknowledgewhichisnowadaysstrangelymiscallededucation。\"Therearetwoprincipalandpeculiargiftsinthenatureofman,knowledgeandreason。Theone\"——thatisreason——\"commandeth,andtheother\"——thatisknowledge——\"obeyeth。Thesethingsneitherthewhirlingwheeloffortunecanchange,northedeceitfulcavillingsofworldlingsseparate,neithersicknessabate,norageabolish。\"
AndnextIshouldpointthemtothosepagesinMr。Gladstone’s\"JuventusMundi,\"wherehedescribestheidealtrainingofaGreekyouthinHomer’sdays;andsay——There:thatisaneducationfitforareallycivilisedman,eventhoughheneversawabookinhislife;thefull,proportionate,harmoniouseducing-thatis,bringingoutanddeveloping——ofallthefacultiesofhisbody,mind,andheart,tillhebecomesatonceareverentyetself-
assured,agracefulandyetavaliant,anableandyetaneloquentpersonage。
Andifanyshouldsaytome——\"Butwhathasthistodowithscience?Homer’sGreeksknewnoscience;\"Ishouldrejoin——Buttheyhad,pre-eminentlyaboveallancientraceswhichweknow,thescientificinstinct;theteachablenessandmodesty;thecleareyeandquickear;theheartyreverenceforfactandnature,andforthehumanbody,andmind,andspirit;forhumannatureinaword,initscompleteness,asthehighestfactuponthisearth。
Thereforetheybecameinafteryears,notonlythegreatcolonisersandthegreatcivilisersoftheoldworld——themostpracticalpeople,Ihold,whichtheworldeversaw;buttheparentsofallsoundphysicsaswellasofallsoundmetaphysics。
Theirveryreligion,inspiteofitsimperfections,helpedforwardtheireducation,notinspiteof,butbymeansofthatanthropomorphismwhichwesometimestoohastilydecry。AsMr。
Gladstonesays:\"Asregardedallotherfunctionsofournature,outsidethedomainofthelifetoGodward——allthosefunctionswhicharesummedupinwhatSt。Paulcallsthefleshandthemind,thepsychicandbodilylife,thetendencyofthesystemwastoexaltthehumanelement,byproposingamodelofbeauty,strength,andwisdom,inalltheircombinations,soelevatedthattheefforttoattainthemrequiredacontinualupwardstrain。Itmadedivinityattainable;andthusiteffectuallydirectedthethoughtandaimofmanAlongthelineoflimitlessdesires。
Suchaschemeofreligion,thoughfailinggrosslyinthegovernmentofthepassions,andinupholdingthestandardofmoralduties,tendedpowerfullytoproducealoftyself-respect,andalarge,free,andvariedconceptionofhumanity。Itincorporateditselfinschemesofnotabledisciplineformindandbody,indeedofalifelongeducation;andthesehabitsofmindandactionhadtheirmarkedresults(toomitmanyothergreatnesses)inaphilosophy,literature,andart,whichremaintothisdayunrivalledorunsurpassed。\"
SomuchthoseoldGreeksdidfortheirowneducation,withoutscienceandwithoutChristianity。Wewhohaveboth:whatmightwenotdo,ifwewouldbetruetoouradvantages,andtoourselves?
THETWOBREATHS{4}
Ladies,——Ihavebeenhonouredbyasecondinvitationtoaddressyou,andIdarenotrefuseit;becauseitgivesmeanopportunityofspeakingonamatter,knowledgeandignoranceaboutwhichmayseriouslyaffectyourhealthandhappiness,andthatofthechildrenwithwhomyoumayhavetodo。ImustapologiseifIsaymanythingswhicharewellknowntomanypersonsinthisroom:
theyoughttobewellknowntoall:butitisgenerallybesttoassumetotalignoranceinone’shearers,andtobeginfromthebeginning。
Ishalltrytobeassimpleaspossible;totroubleyouaslittleaspossiblewithscientificterms;tobepractical;andatthesametime,ifpossible,interesting。
Ishouldwishtocallthislecture\"TheTwoBreaths:\"notmerely\"TheBreath;\"andforthisreason:everytimeyoubreatheyoubreathetwodifferentbreaths;youtakeinone,yougiveoutanother。Thecompositionofthosetwobreathsisdifferent。
Theireffectsaredifferent。Thebreathwhichhasbeenbreathedoutmustnotbebreathedinagain。Totellyouwhyitmustnotwouldleadmeintoanatomicaldetails,notquiteinplacehereasyet;thoughthedaywillcome,Itrust,wheneverywomanentrustedwiththecareofchildrenwillbeexpectedtoknowsomethingaboutthem。ButthisImaysay:Thosewhohabituallytakeinfreshbreathwillprobablygrowuplarge,strong,ruddy,cheerful,active,clear-headed,fitfortheirwork。Thosewhohabituallytakeinthebreathwhichhasbeenbreathedoutbythemselves,oranyotherlivingcreature,willcertainlygrowup,iftheygrowupatall,small,weak,pale,nervous,depressed,unfitforwork,andtemptedcontinuallytoresorttostimulants,andbecomedrunkards。
Ifyouwanttoseehowdifferentthebreathbreathedoutisfromthebreathtakenin,youhaveonlytotryasomewhatcruelexperiment,butonewhichpeopletoooftentryuponthemselves,theirchildren,andtheirworkpeople。Ifyoutakeanysmallanimalwithlungslikeyourown——amouse,forinstance——andforceittobreathenoairbutwhatyouhavebreathedalready;ifyouputitinaclosebox,andwhileyoutakeinbreathfromtheouterair,sendoutyourbreaththroughatube,intothatbox,theanimalwillsoonfaint:ifyougoonlongwiththisprocess,itwilldie。
Takeasecondinstance,whichIbegtopressmostseriouslyonthenoticeofmothers,governesses,andnurses。Ifyouallowachildtogetintothehabitofsleepingwithitsheadunderthebed-
clothes,andtherebybreathingitsownbreathoverandoveragain,thatchildwillassuredlygrowpale,weak,andill。Medicalmenhavecasesonrecordofscrofulaappearinginchildrenpreviouslyhealthy,whichcouldonlybeaccountedforfromthishabit,andwhichceasedwhenthehabitstopped。Letmeagainentreatyourattentiontothisundoubtedfact。
Takeanotherinstance,whichisonlytoocommon:Ifyouareinacrowdedroom,withplentyoffireandlightsandcompany,doorsandwindowsallshuttight,howoftenyoufeelfaint——sofaintthatyoumayrequiresmelling-saltsorsomeotherstimulant。Thecauseofyourfaintnessisjustthesameasthatofthemouse’sfaintinginthebox;youandyourfriends,and,asIshallshowyoupresently,thefireandthecandleslikewise,havingbeenallbreathingeachother’sbreaths,overandoveragain,tilltheairhasbecomeunfittosupportlife。YouaredoingyourbesttoenactoveragaintheHighlandtragedy,ofwhichSirJamesSimpsontellsinhislecturestotheworking-classesofEdinburgh,whenataChristmasmeetingthirty-sixpersonsdancedallnightinasmallroomwithalowceiling,keepingthedoorsandwindowsshut。Theatmosphereoftheroomwasnoxiousbeyonddescription;andtheeffectwas,thatsevenofthepartyweresoonafterseizedwithtyphusfever,ofwhichtwodied。Youareinflictingonyourselvesthetormentsofthepoordog,whoiskeptattheGrottodelCane,nearNaples,tobestupefied,fortheamusementofvisitors,bythecarbonicacidgasoftheGrotto,andbroughttolifeagainbybeingdraggedintothefreshair;nay,youareinflictinguponyourselvesthetormentsofthefamousBlackHoleofCalcutta:
and,iftherewasnochimneyintheroom,bywhichsomefreshaircouldenter,thecandleswouldsoonburnblue,astheydo,youknow,whenghostsappear;yourbrainsbecomedisturbed;andyouyourselvesrantheriskofbecomingghosts,andthecandlesofactuallygoingout。
Ofthislastfactthereisnodoubt;forif,insteadofputtingamouseintothebox,youwillputalightedcandle,andbreatheintothetubeasbefore,howevergently,youwillinashorttimeputthecandleout。
Now,howisthis?First,whatisthedifferencebetweenthebreathyoutakeinandthebreathyougiveout?Andnext,whyhasitasimilareffectonanimallifeandalightedcandle?
Thedifferenceisthis。Thebreathwhichyoutakeinis,oroughttobe,pureair,composed,onthewhole,ofoxygenandnitrogen,withaminuteportionofcarbonicacid。
Thebreathwhichyougiveoutisanimpureair,towhichhasbeenadded,amongothermatterswhichwillnotsupportlife,anexcessofcarbonicacid。
Thatthisisthefactyoucanproveforyourselvesbyasimpleexperiment。Getalittlelime-wateratthechemist’s,andbreatheintoitthroughaglasstube;yourbreathwillatoncemakethelime-watermilky。Thecarbonicacidofyourbreathhaslaidholdofthelime,andmadeitvisibleaswhitecarbonateoflime——inplainEnglish,ascommonchalk。
NowIdonotwish,asIsaid,toloadyourmemorieswithscientificterms:butIbeseechyoutorememberatleastthesetwo,oxygengasandcarbonicacidgas;andtorememberthat,assurelyasoxygenfeedsthefireoflife,sosurelydoescarbonicacidputitout。
Isay,\"thefireoflife。\"Inthatexpressionliestheanswertooursecondquestion:Whydoesourbreathproduceasimilareffectuponthemouseandthelightedcandle?Everyoneofusis,asitwere,alivingfire。Werewenot,howcouldwebealwayswarmerthantheairoutsideus?Thereisaprocess;goingonperpetuallyineachofus,similartothatbywhichcoalsareburntinthefire,oilinalamp,waxinacandle,andtheearthitselfinavolcano。Tokeepeachofthosefiresalight,oxygenisneeded;
andtheproductsofcombustion,astheyarecalled,aremoreorlessthesameineachcase——carbonicacidandsteam。
ThesefactsjustifytheexpressionIjustmadeuseof——whichmayhaveseemedtosomeofyoufantastical——thatthefireandthecandlesinthecrowdedroomwerebreathingthesamebreathasyouwere。Itisbuttootrue。Anaveragefireinthegraterequires,tokeepitburning,asmuchoxygenasseveralhumanbeingsdo;
eachcandleorlampmusthaveitsshareofoxygenlikewise,andthataveryconsiderableone,andanaveragegas-burner——prayattendtothis,youwholiveinroomslightedwithgas——consumesasmuchoxygenasseveralcandles。Allalikearemakingcarbonicacid。Thecarbonicacidofthefirehappilyescapesupthechimneyinthesmoke:butthecarbonicacidfromthehumanbeingsandthecandlesremainstopoisontheroom,unlessitbeventilated。
Now,Ithinkyoumayunderstandoneofthesimplest,andyetmostterrible,casesofwantofventilation——deathbythefumesofcharcoal。Ahumanbeingshutupinaroom,ofwhicheverycrackisclosed,withapanofburningcharcoal,fallsasleep,nevertowakeagain。Hisinwardfireiscompetingwiththefireofcharcoalfortheoxygenoftheroom;botharemakingcarbonicacidoutofit:butthecharcoal,beingthestrongerofthetwo,getsalltheoxygentoitself,andleavesthehumanbeingnothingtoinhalebutthecarbonicacidwhichithasmade。Thehumanbeing,beingtheweaker,diesfirst:butthecharcoaldiesalso。Whenithasexhaustedalltheoxygenoftheroom,itcools,goesout,andisfoundinthemorninghalf-consumedbesideitsvictim。Ifyouputagiantoranelephant,Ishouldconceive,intothatroom,insteadofahumanbeing,thecasewouldbereversedforatime:
theelephantwouldputouttheburningcharcoalbythecarbonicacidfromhismightylungs;andthen,whenhehadexhaustedalltheairintheroom,dielikewiseofhisowncarbonicacid。
Now,Ithink,wemayseewhatventilationmeans,andwhyitisneeded。
Ventilationmeanssimplylettingoutthefoulair,andlettinginthefreshair;lettingouttheairwhichhasbeenbreathedbymenorbycandles,andlettingintheairwhichhasnot。Tounderstandhowtodothat,wemustrememberamostsimplechemicallaw,thatagasasitiswarmedexpands,andthereforebecomeslighter;asitcools,itcontracts,andbecomesheavier。
Nowthecarbonicacidinthebreathwhichcomesoutofourmouthiswarm,lighterthantheair,andrisestotheceiling;andthereforeinanyunventilatedroomfullofpeople,thereisalayeroffoulairalongtheceiling。Youmightsoontestthatforyourselves,ifyoucouldmountaladderandputyourheadstherealoft。Youdotestitforyourselveswhenyousitinthegalleriesofchurchesandtheatres,wheretheairispalpablymorefoul,andthereforemoreinjurious,thandownbelow。
Where,again,work-peopleareemployedinacrowdedhouseofmanystoreys,thehealthofthosewhoworkontheupperfloorsalwayssuffersmost。
Intheoldmonkey-houseoftheZoologicalGardens,whenthecageswereontheoldplan,tierupontier,thepoorlittlefellowsintheuppermosttier——soIhavebeentold——alwaysdiedfirstofthemonkey’sconstitutionalcomplaint,consumption,simplyfrombreathingthewarmbreathoftheirfriendsbelow。Butsincethecageshavebeenaltered,andmadetorangesidebysidefromtoptobottom,consumption——Iunderstand——hasvastlydiminishedamongthem。
Thefirstquestioninventilation,therefore,istogetthiscarbonicacidsafeoutoftheroom,whileitiswarmandlightandclosetotheceiling;forifyoudonot,thishappens:Thecarbonicacidgascoolsandbecomesheavier;forcarbonicacid,atthesametemperatureascommonair,issomuchheavierthancommonair,thatyoumayactually——ifyouarehandyenough——turnitfromonevesseltoanother,andpouroutforyourenemyaglassofinvisiblepoison。Sodowntothefloorthisheavycarbonicacidcomes,andliesalongit,justasitliesofteninthebottomofoldwells,oroldbrewers’vats,asastratumofpoison,killingoccasionallythemenwhodescendintoit。Hence,asfoolishapracticeasIknowisthatofsleepingonthefloor;fortowardsthesmallhours,whentheroomgetscold,thesleeperonthefloorisbreathingcarbonicacid。
Andhereonewordtothoseladieswhointerestthemselveswiththepoor。Thepooraretooaptintimesofdistresstopawntheirbedsteadsandkeeptheirbeds。Never,ifyouhaveinfluence,letthathappen。Keepthebedstead,whateverelsemaygo,tosavethesleeperfromthecarbonicacidonthefloor。
How,then,shallwegetridofthefoulairatthetopoftheroom?Afterallthathasbeenwrittenandtriedonventilation,I
knownosimplermethodthanputtingintothechimneyoneofArnott’sventilators,whichmaybeboughtandfixedforafewshillings;alwaysrememberingthatitmustbe。fixedintothechimneyasneartheceilingaspossible。Icanspeakoftheseventilatorsfromtwenty-fiveyears’experience。Livinginahousewithlowceilings,liabletobecomeoverchargedwithcarbonicacid,whichproducessleepinessintheevening,Ihavefoundthattheseventilatorskeeptheairfreshandpure;andIconsiderthepresenceofoneoftheseventilatorsinaroommorevaluablethanthreeorfourfeetadditionalheightofceiling。Ihavefound,too,thattheirworkingproveshownecessarytheyare,fromthissimplefact:Youwouldsupposethat,astheventilatoropensfreelyintothechimney,thesmokewouldbeblowndownthroughitinhighwinds,andblackentheceiling:butthisisjustwhatdoesnothappen。Iftheventilatorbeatallproperlypoised,soastoshutwithaviolentgustofwind,itwillatallothermomentskeepitselfpermanentlyopen;provingtherebythatthereisanup-draughtofheatedaircontinuallyescapingfromtheceilingupthechimney。AnotherverysimplemethodofventilationisemployedinthoseexcellentcottageswhichHerMajestyhasbuiltforherlabourersroundWindsor。Overeachdoorasheetofperforatedzinc,someeighteeninchessquare,isfixed;allowingthefoulairtoescapeintothepassage;andintheceilingofthepassageasimilarsheetofzinc,allowingittoescapeintotheroof。Freshair,meanwhile,shouldbeobtainedfromoutside,bypiercingthewindows,orotherwise。Andhereletmegiveonehinttoallbuildersofhouses:Ifpossible,letbedroomwindowsopenatthetopaswellasatthebottom。
Letmeimpressthenecessityofusingsomesuchcontrivances,notonlyonparentsandeducators,butonthosewhoemployworkpeople,andaboveallonthosewhoemployyoungwomeninshopsorinwork-
rooms。WhattheirconditionmaybeinthiscityIknownot;butmostpainfulithasbeentomeinotherplaces,whenpassingthroughwarehousesorworkrooms,toseethepale,sodden,and,astheFrenchwouldsay,\"etiolated\"countenancesofthegirlswhowerepassingthegreaterpartofthedayinthem;andpainful,also,tobreatheanatmosphereofwhichhabithad,alas!madethemunconscious,butwhichtoonecomingoutoftheopenairwasaltogethernoxious,andshockingalso;foritwasfosteringtheseedsofdeath,notonlyinthepresentbutfuturegenerations。
Whyshouldthisbe?Everyonewillagreethatgoodventilationisnecessaryinahospital,becausepeoplecannotgetwellwithoutfreshair。Dotheynotseethatbythesamereasoninggoodventilationisnecessaryeverywhere,becausepeoplecannotremainwellwithoutfreshair?Letmeentreatthosewhoemploywomeninworkrooms,iftheyhavenotimetoreadthroughsuchbooksasDr。
AndrewCombe’s\"PhysiologyappliedtoHealthandEducation,\"andMadamedeWahl’s\"PracticalHintsontheMoral,Mental,andPhysicalTrainingofGirls,\"toprocurecertaintractspublishedbyMessrs。Jarrold,PaternosterRow,fortheLadies’SanitaryAssociation;especiallyonewhichbearsonthissubject:\"TheBlack-holeinourownBedrooms;\"Dr。Lankester’s\"SchoolManualofHealth;\"oramanualonventilation,publishedbytheMetropolitanWorkingClassesAssociationfortheImprovementofPublicHealth。
Ilookforward——Isayitopenly——tosomeperiodofhighercivilisation,whentheActsofParliamentfortheventilationoffactoriesandworkshopsshallbelargelyextended,andmadefarmorestringent;whenofficersofpublichealthshallbeempoweredtoenforcetheventilationofeveryroominwhichpersonsareemployedforhire:andempoweredalsotodemandapropersystemofventilationforeverynewhouse,whetherincountryorintown。
Tothat,Ibelieve,wemustcome:butIhadsoonerfarseetheseimprovementscarriedout,asbefitsthecitizensofafreecountry,inthespiritoftheGospelratherthaninthatoftheLaw;carriedout,notcompulsorilyandfromfearoffines,butvoluntarily,fromasenseofduty,honour,andhumanity。I
appeal,therefore,tothegoodfeelingofallwhomitmayconcern,whetherthehealthofthosewhomtheyemploy,andthereforethesupplyoffreshairwhichtheyabsolutelyneed,arenotmattersforwhichtheyarenot,moreorless,responsibletotheircountryandtheirGod。
Andifanyexcellentpersonoftheoldschoolshouldanswerme:
\"Whymakeallthisfussaboutventilation?Ourforefathersgotonverywellwithoutit\"——Imustanswerthat,beggingtheirpardons,ourancestorsdidnothingofthekind。Ourancestorsgotonusuallyveryillinthesematters:andwhentheygotonwell,itwasbecausetheyhadgoodventilationinspiteofthemselves。
First。Theygotonveryill。Toquoteafewremarkableinstancesoflongevity,ortotellmethatmenwerelargerandstrongerontheaverageinoldtimes,istoyieldtotheoldfallacyoffancyingthatsavageswerepeculiarlyhealthy,becausethosewhowereseenwereactiveandstrong。Thesimpleansweris,thatthestrongalonesurvived,whilethemajoritydiedfromtheseverityofthetraining。Savagesdonotincreaseinnumber;andourancestorsincreasedbutveryslowlyformanycenturies。Iamnotgoingtodisgustmyaudiencewithstatisticsofdisease:butknowingsomething,asIhappentodo,ofthesocialstateandofthehealthoftheMiddleandElizabethanAges,Ihavenohesitationinsayingthattheaverageofdiseaseanddeathwasfargreaterthenthanitisnow。Epidemicsofmanykinds,typhus,ague,plague——alldiseaseswhichwerecausedmoreorlessbybadair——devastatedthislandandEuropeinthosedayswithahorribleintensity,towhicheventhecholerasofourtimesaremild。Thebackstreets,thehospitals,thegaols,thebarracks,thecamps——
everyplaceinwhichanylargenumberofpersonscongregated,weresomanynestsofpestilence,engenderedbyuncleanliness,whichdefiledalikethewaterwhichwasdrunkandtheairwhichwasbreathed;andasasinglefact,ofwhichthetablesofinsurancecompaniesassureus,theaverageofhumanlifeinEnglandhasincreasedtwenty-fivepercent。sincethereignofGeorgeI。,owingsimplytoourmorerationalandcleanlyhabitsoflife。
Butsecondly,Isaidthatwhenourancestorsgotonwell,theydidsobecausetheygotventilationinspiteofthemselves。Luckilyforthem,theirhouseswereill-built;theirdoorsandwindowswouldnotshut。Theyhadlattice-windowedhouses,too;toliveinoneofwhich,asIcantestifyfromlongexperience,isasthoroughlyventilatingaslivinginalanternwiththehornbrokenout。Itwasbecausetheirhouseswerefullofdraughts,andstillmore,intheearlyMiddleAge,becausetheyhadnoglass,andstoppedouttheaironlybyashutteratnight,thattheysoughtforshelterratherthanforfreshair,ofwhichtheysometimeshadtoomuch;and,toescapethewind,builttheirhousesinholes,suchasthatinwhichtheoldcityofWinchesterstands。Shelter,Ibelieve,asmuchasthedesiretobenearfishinLent,andtooccupytherichalluviumofthevalleys,madethemonksofOldEnglandchoosetheriver-banksforthesitesoftheirabbeys。
Theymadeamistaketherein,which,likemostmistakes,didnotgounpunished。Theselowsituations,especiallywhiletheforestswereyetthickonthehillsaround,weretheperennialhauntsoffeverandague,producedbysubtlevegetablepoisons,carriedinthecarbonicacidgivenoffbyrottenvegetation。Sothere,again,theyfellinwithman’soldenemy——badair。Still,aslongasthedoorsandwindowsdidnotshut,somefreecirculationofairremained。Butnow,ourdoorsandwindowsshutonlytootight。
Wehaveplate-glassinsteadoflattices;andwehavereplacedthedraughtyandsmoky,butreallywholesomeopenchimney,withitswidecornersandsettles,bynarrowregisters,andevenbystoves。
Wehavedoneallwecan,infact,tosealourselvesuphermeticallyfromtheouterair,andtobreathourownbreathsoverandoveragain;andwepaythepenaltyofitinathousandwaysunknowntoourancestors,throughwhoseroomsallthewindsofheavenwhistled,andwhoweregladenoughtoshelterthemselvesfromdraughtsinthesitting-roombythehighscreenroundthefire,andinthesleeping-roombythethickcurtainsofthefour-
postbedstead,whichisnowrapidlydisappearingbeforeahighercivilisation。Wethereforeabsolutelyrequiretomakeforourselvestheveryventilationfromwhichourancestorstriedtoescape。
But,ladies,thereisanoldandtrueproverb,thatyoumaybringahorsetothewater,butyoucannotmakehimdrink。Andinlikewiseitistootrue,thatyoumaybringpeopletothefreshair,butyoucannotmakethembreathit。Theirownfolly,orthefollyoftheirparentsandeducators,preventstheirlungsbeingdulyfilledanddulyemptied。Thereforethebloodisnotdulyoxygenated,andthewholesystemgoeswrong。Paleness,weakness,consumption,scrofula,andtoomanyotherailments,aretheconsequencesofill-filledlungs。Forwithoutwell-filledlungs,robusthealthisimpossible。
Andifanyoneshallanswer:\"Wedonotwantrobusthealthsomuchasintellectualattainment;themortalbody,beingthelowerorgan,musttakeitschance,andbeevensacrificed,ifneedbetothehigherorgan——theimmortalmind\"——TosuchIreply,Youcannotdoit。Thelawsofnature,whicharetheexpresswillofGod,laughsuchattemptstoscorn。Everyorganofthebodyisformedoutoftheblood;andifthebloodbevitiated,everyorgansuffersinproportiontoitsdelicacy;andthebrain,beingthemostdelicateandhighlyspecialisedofallorgans,suffersmostofall,andsoonestofall,aseveryoneknowswhohastriedtoworkhisbrainwhenhisdigestionwastheleastoutoforder。
Nay,theverymoralswillsuffer。Fromill-filledlungs,whichsignifyill-repairedblood,ariseyearbyyearanamountnotmerelyofdisease,butoffolly,temper,laziness,intemperance,madness,and,letmetellyoufairly,crime——thesumofwhichwillneverbeknowntillthatgreatdaywhenmenshallbecalledtoaccountforalldeedsdoneinthebody,whethertheybegoodorevil。
ImustreferyouonthissubjectagaintoAndrewCombe’s\"Physiology,\"especiallychaptersiv。andvii。;andalsotochapterx。ofMadamedeWahl’sexcellentbook。Iwillonlysaythisshortly,thatthethreemostcommoncausesofill-filledlungs,inchildrenandinyoungladies,arestillness,silence,andstays。
First,stillness;asedentarylife,andwantofexercise。Agirliskeptforhourssittingonaformwritingorreading,todowhichshemustleanforward;andifherschoolmistresscruellyattemptstomakehersitupright,andtherebykeepthespineinanattitudeforwhichNaturedidnotintendit,sheistherebydoingherbesttobringonthatdisease,sofearfullycommoningirls’
schools,lateralcurvatureofthespine。Butpracticallythegirlwillstoopforward。Andwhathappens?Thelowerribsarepressedintothebody,therebydisplacingmoreorlesssomethinginside。
Thediaphragminthemeantime,whichistheverybellowsofthelungs,remainsloose;thelungsareneverproperlyfilledoremptied;andanexcessofcarbonicacidaccumulatesatthebottomofthem。Whatfollows?Frequentsighingtogetridofit;
heavinessofhead;depressionofthewholenervoussystemundertheinfluenceofthepoisonofthelungs;andwhenthepoorchildgetsupfromherwearywork,whatisthefirstthingsheprobablydoes?Sheliftsupherchest,stretches,yawns,andbreathesdeeply——Nature’svoice,Nature’sinstinctivecure,whichisprobablyregardedasungraceful,aswhatiscalled\"lolling\"is。
Asifsittinguprightwasnotanattitudeinitselfessentiallyungraceful,andsuchasnoartistwouldcaretodraw。Asif\"lolling,\"whichmeansputtingthebodyintheattitudeofthemostperfecteasecompatiblewithafully-expandedchest,wasnotinitselfessentiallygraceful,andtobeseenineveryreposingfigureinGreekbas-reliefsandvases;graceful,andlikeallgracefulactions,healthfulatthesametime。Theonlytolerablywholesomeattitudeofrepose,whichIseeallowedinaverageschool-rooms,islyingonthebackonthefloor,oronaslopingboard,inwhichcasethelungsmustbefullyexpanded。Butevenso,apillow,orsomeequivalent,oughttobeplacedunderthesmalloftheback:orthespinewillbestrainedatitsveryweakestpoint。
Inowgoontothesecondmistake——enforcedsilence。Moderatereadingaloudisgood:butwherethereisanytendencytoirritabilityofthroatorlungs,toomuchmoderationcannotbeused。Youmayaswelltrytocureadiseasedlungbyworkingit,astocurealamehorsebygallopinghim。Butwherethebreathingorgansareofaveragehealthletitbesaidonceandforall,thatchildrenandyoungpeoplecannotmaketoomuchnoise。Theparentswhocannotbearthenoiseoftheirchildrenhavenorighttohavebroughtthemintotheworld。Theschoolmistresswhoenforcessilenceonherpupilsiscommitting——unintentionallynodoubt,butstillcommitting——anoffenceagainstreason,worthyonlyofaconvent。Everyshout,everyburstoflaughter,everysong——nay,inthecaseofinfants,asphysiologistswellknow,everymoderatefitofcrying——conducestohealth,byrapidlyfillingandemptyingthelung,andchangingthebloodmorerapidlyfromblacktored,thatis,fromdeathtolife。AndrewCombetellsastoryofalargecharityschool,inwhichtheyounggirlswere,forthesakeoftheirhealth,shutupinthehallandschool-roomduringplayhours,fromNovembertillMarch,andnorompingornoiseallowed。
Thenaturalconsequenceswere,thegreatmajorityofthemfellill;andIamafraidthatagreatdealofillnesshasbeenfromtimetotimecontractedincertainschool-rooms,simplythroughthisonecauseofenforcedsilence。Somecauseorothertheremustbefortheamountofill-healthandweaklinesswhichprevailsespeciallyamonggirlsofthemiddleclassesintowns,whohavenot,poorthings,theopportunitieswhichrichergirlshave,ofkeepingthemselvesinstronghealthbyriding,skating,archery,——
thatlastquiteanadmirableexerciseforthechestandlungs,andfarpreferabletocroquet,whichinvolvestoomuchunwholesomestooping。——Evenagameofball,ifmillinersandshop-girlshadroomtoindulgeinoneaftertheirsedentarywork,mightbringfreshspiritstomanyaheart,andfreshcolourtomanyacheek。
IspokejustnowoftheGreeks。IsupposeyouwillallallowthattheGreekswere,asfarasweknow,themostbeautifulracewhichtheworldeversaw。Everyeducatedmanknowsthattheywerealsothecleverestofallraces;and,nexttohisBible,thanks,GodforGreekliterature。
Now,thesepeoplehadmadephysicalaswellasintellectualeducationascienceaswellasastudy。Theirwomenpractisedgraceful,andinsomecasesevenathletic,exercises。Theydeveloped,byafreeandhealthylife,thosefigureswhichremaineverlastingandunapproachablemodelsofhumanbeauty:but——tocometomythirdpoint——theyworenostays。ThefirstmentionofstaysthatIhaveeverfoundisinthelettersofdearoldSynesius,BishopofCyrene,ontheGreekcoastofAfrica,aboutfourhundredyearsaftertheChristianera。Hetellsushow,whenhewasshipwreckedonaremotepartofthecoast,andheandtherestofthepassengerswerestarvingoncocklesandlimpets,therewasamongthemaslavegirloutofthefarEast,whohadapinchedwasp-waist,suchasyoumayseeontheoldHindoosculptures,andsuchasyoumayseeinanystreetinaBritishtown。AndwhentheGreekladiesoftheneighbourhoodfoundherout,theysentforherfromhousetohouse,tobehold,withastonishmentandlaughter,thisnewandprodigious,waist,withwhichitseemedtothemitwasimpossibleforahumanbeingtobreatheorlive;andtheypettedthepoorgirl,andfedher,astheymightadwarforagiantess,tillshegotquitefatandcomfortable,whileherownershadnotenoughtoeat。Sostrangeandridiculousseemedourpresentfashiontothedescendantsofthosewho,centuriesbefore,hadimagined,becausetheyhadseenlivingandmoving,thosegloriousstatueswhichwepretendtoadmire,butrefusetoimitate。
Itseemstomethatafewcenturieshence,whenmankindhaslearnttofearGodmore,andthereforetoobeymorestrictlythoselawsofnatureandofsciencewhicharethewillofGod——itseemstome,Isay,thatinthosedaysthepresentfashionoftightlacingwillbelookedbackuponasacontemptibleandbarbaroussuperstition,denotingaverylowlevelofcivilisationinthepeopleswhichhavepractisedit。Thatforgenerationspastwomenshouldhavebeeninthehabit——nottopleasemen,whodonotcareaboutthematterasapointofbeauty——butsimplytoviewitheachotherinobediencetosomethingcalledfashion——thattheyshould,Isay,havebeeninthehabitofdeliberatelycrushingthatpartofthebodywhichshouldbespeciallyleftfree,contractinganddisplacingtheirlungs,theirheart,andallthemostvitalandimportantorgans,andentailingtherebydisease,notonlyonthemselvesbutontheirchildrenafterthem;thatforfortyyearspastphysiciansshouldhavebeentellingthemofthefollyofwhattheyhavebeendoing;andthattheyshouldasyet,inthegreatmajorityofcases,notonlyturnadeafeartoallwarnings,butactuallydenytheoffence,ofwhichoneglanceofthephysicianorthesculptor,whoknowwhatshapethehumanbodyoughttobe,bringstheminguilty——this,Isay,isaninstanceof——whatshallIcallit?——whichdeservesatoncethelash,notmerelyofthesatirist,butofanytheologianwhoreallybelievesthatGodmadethephysicaluniverse。Letme,Iprayyou,appealtoyourcommonsenseforamoment。Whenanyonechoosesahorseoradog,whetherforstrength,forspeed,orforanyotherusefulpurpose,thefirstthingalmosttobelookedatisthegirthroundtheribs;theroomforheartandlungs。Exactlyinproportiontothatwillbetheanimal’sgeneralhealthiness,powerofendurance,andvalueinmanyotherways。Ifyouwilllookateminentlawyersandfamousorators,whohaveattainedahealthyoldage,youwillseethatineverycasetheyaremen,likethelateLordPalmerston,andotherswhomIcouldmention,ofremarkablesize,notmerelyintheupper,butinthelowerpartofthechest;menwhohad,therefore,apeculiarpowerofusingthediaphragmtofillandtoclearthelungs,andthereforetooxygenatethebloodofthewholebody。Now,itisjusttheselowerribs,acrosswhichthediaphragmisstretchedliketheheadofadrum,whichstayscontracttoaminimum。Ifyouadvisedownersofhorsesandhoundstoputtheirhorsesortheirhoundsintostays,andlacethemuptight,inordertoincreasetheirbeauty,youwouldreceive,I
doubtnot,averycourteous,butcertainlyaverydecided,refusaltodothatwhichwouldspoilnotmerelytheanimalsthemselves,butthewholestudorthewholekennelforyearstocome。Andifyouadvisedanoratortoputhimselfintotightstays,he,nodoubt,againwouldgiveacourteousanswer;buthewouldreply——ifhewasareallyeducatedman——thattocomplywithyourrequestwouldinvolvehisgivinguppublicwork,undertheprobablepenaltyofbeingdeadwithinthetwelve-month。
Andhowmuchworkofeverykind,intellectualaswellasphysical,isspoiledorhindered;howmanydeathsoccurfromconsumptionandothercomplaintswhicharetheresultofthishabitoftightlacing,isknownpartlytothemedicalmen,wholiftuptheirvoicesinvain,andknownfullytoHimwhowillnotinterferewiththeleastofHisownphysicallawstosavehumanbeingsfromtheconsequencesoftheirownwilfulfolly。
Andnow——toendthislecturewithmorepleasingthoughts——Whatbecomesofthisbreathwhichpassesfromyourlips?Isitmerelyharmful;merelywaste?Godforbid!Godhasforbiddenthatanythingshouldbemerelyharmfulormerelywasteinthissowiseandwell-madeworld。Thecarbonicacidwhichpassesfromyourlipsateverybreath——ay,eventhatwhichoozesfromthevolcanocraterwhentheeruptionispast——isapreciousboontothousandsofthingsofwhichyouhavedailyneed。Indeedthereisasortofhintatphysicaltruthintheoldfairytaleofthegirl,fromwhoselips,asshespoke,fellpearlsanddiamonds;forthecarbonicacidofyourbreathmayhelphereaftertomakethepurecarbonateoflimeofapearl,orthestillpurercarbonofadiamond。Nay,itmaygo——insuchaworldoftransformationsdowelive——tomakeatomsofcoalstrata,whichafterbeingburiedforagesbeneathdeepseas,shallbeupheavedincontinentswhichareyetunborn,andtherebeburntfortheuseofafutureraceofmen,andresolvedintotheiroriginalelements。Coal,wisementellus,isonthewholebreathandsunlight;thebreathoflivingcreatureswhohavelivedinthevastswampsandforestsofsomeprimevalworld,andthesunlightwhichtransmutedthatbreathintotheleavesandstemsoftrees,magicallylockedupforagesinthatblackstone,tobecome,whenitisburntatlast,lightandcarbonicacidasitwasatfirst。Forthoughyoumustnotbreatheyourbreathagain,youmayatleasteatyourbreath,ifyouwillallowthesuntotransmuteitforyouintovegetables;oryoumayenjoyitsfragranceanditscolourintheshapeofalilyorarose。Whenyouwalkinasunlitgarden,everywordyouspeak,everybreathyoubreathe,isfeedingtheplantsandflowersaround。Thedelicatesurfaceofthegreenleavesabsorbsthecarbonicacid,andpartsitintoitselements,retainingthecarbontomakewoodyfibre,andcourteouslyreturningyoutheoxygentominglewiththefreshair,andbeinhaledbyyourlungsoncemore。Thusdoyoufeedtheplants;justastheplantsfeedyou:whilethegreatlife-givingsunfeedsboth;andthegeraniumstandinginthesickchild’swindowdoesnotmerelyrejoicehiseyeandmindbyitsbeautyandfreshness,butrepayshonestlythetroublespentonit;absorbingthebreathwhichthechildneedsnot,andgivingtohimthebreathwhichheneeds。
SoaretheservicesofallthingsconstitutedaccordingtoaDivineandwonderfulorder,andknittogetherinmutualdependenceandmutualhelpfulness——afacttoberememberedwithhopeandcomfort:butalsowithaweandfear。Forasinthatwhichisabovenature,soinnatureitself;hethatbreaksonephysicallawisguiltyofall。Thewholeuniverse,asitwere,takesuparmsagainsthim;andallnature,withhernumberlessandunseenpowers,isreadytoavengeherselfonhim,andonhischildrenafterhim,heknowsnotwhennorwhere。He,ontheotherhand,whoobeysthelawsofnaturewithhiswholeheartandmind,willfindallthingsworkingtogethertohimforgood。Heisatpeacewiththephysicaluniverse。Heishelpedandbefriendedalikebythesunabovehisheadandthedustbeneathhisfeet;becauseheisobeyingthewillandmindofHimwhomadesun,anddust,andallthings;andwhohasgiventhemalawwhichcannotbebroken。
THRIFT{5}
Ladies,——Ihavechosenforthetitleofthislectureapracticalandprosaicword,becauseIintendthelectureitselftobeaspracticalandprosaicasIcanmakeit,withoutbecomingaltogetherdull。
Thequestionofthebetterorworseeducationofwomenisonefartooimportantforvaguesentiment,wildaspirations,orUtopiandreams。
Itisapracticalquestion,onwhichdependsnotmerelymoneyorcomfort,buttoooftenhealthandlife,astheconsequencesofagoodeducation,ordiseaseanddeath——IknowtoowellofwhatI
speak——astheconsequencesofabadone。
Ibegyou,therefore,toputoutofyourmindsattheoutsetanyfancythatIwishforasocialrevolutioninthepositionofwomen;orthatIwishtoseethemeducatedbyexactlythesamemethods,andinexactlythesamesubjects,asmen。Britishlads,onanaverage,arefartooill-taughtstill,inspiteofallrecentimprovements,formetowishthatBritishgirlsshouldbetaughtinthesameway。
Moreover,whateverdefectstheremayhavebeen——anddefectstheremustbeinallthingshuman——inthepasteducationofBritishwomen,ithasbeenmostcertainlyasplendidmoralsuccess。Ithasmade,bythegraceofGod,Britishwomenthebestwives,mothers,daughters,sisters,aunts,thattheworld,asfarasI
candiscover,hasyetseen。
Letthosewhowill,sneeratthewomenofEngland。Wewhohavetodotheworkandtofightthebattleoflifeknowtheinspirationwhichwederivefromtheirvirtue,theircounsel,theirtenderness,and——buttoooften——fromtheircompassionandtheirforgiveness。Thereis,Idoubtnot,stillleftinEnglandmanyamanwithchivalryandpatriotismenoughtochallengetheworldtoshowsoperfectaspecimenofhumanityasacultivatedBritishwoman。
ButjustbecauseacultivatedBritishwomanissoperfectapersonage;thereforeIwishtoseeallBritishwomencultivated。
BecausethewomanhoodofEnglandissopreciousatreasure;Iwishtoseenoneofitwasted。Itisaninvaluablecapital,ormaterial,outofwhichthegreatestpossibleprofittothenationmustbemade。AndthatcanonlybedonebyThrift;andthat,again,canonlybeattainedbyknowledge。
ConsiderthatwordThrift。Ifyouwilllookat\"Dr。Johnson’sDictionary,\"orifyouknowyour\"Shakespeare,\"youwillseethatThriftsignifiedoriginallyprofits,gain,richesgotten——inaword,themarksofaman’sthriving。
How,then,didthewordThriftgettomeanparsimony,frugality,theoppositeofwaste?Justinthesamewayaseconomy——whichfirst,ofcourse,meantthemanagementofahousehold——gottomeanalsotheoppositeofwaste。
Itwasfoundthatincommerce,inhusbandry,inanyprocess,infact,menthroveinproportionastheysavedtheircapital,theirmaterial,theirforce。
Nowthisisagreatlawwhichrunsthroughlife;oneofthoselawsofnature——callthem,rather,lawsofGod——whichapplynotmerelytopoliticaleconomy,tocommerce,andtomechanics;buttophysiology,tosociety;totheintellect,totheheart,ofeverypersoninthisroom。
Thesecretofthrivingisthrift;savingofforce;togetasmuchworkaspossibledonewiththeleastexpenditureofpower,theleastjarandobstruction,leastwearandtear。
Andthesecretofthriftisknowledge。Inproportionasyouknowthelawsandnatureofasubject,youwillbeabletoworkatiteasily,surely,rapidly,successfully;insteadofwastingyourmoneyoryourenergiesinmistakenschemes,irregularefforts,whichendindisappointmentandexhaustion。
Thesecretofthrift,Isay,isknowledge。Themoreyouknow,themoreyoucansaveyourselfandthatwhichbelongstoyou;andcandomoreworkwithlesseffort。
Aknowledgeofthelawsofcommercialcredit,weallknow,savescapital,enablingalesscapitaltodotheworkofagreater。
Knowledgeoftheelectrictelegraphsavestime;knowledgeofwritingsaveshumanspeechandlocomotion;knowledgeofdomesticeconomysavesincome;knowledgeofsanitarylawssaveshealthandlife;knowledgeofthelawsoftheintellectsaveswearandtearofbrain;andknowledgeofthelawsofthespirit——whatdoesitnotsave?
Awell-educatedmoralsense,awell-regulatedcharacter,savesfromidlenessandennui,alternatingwithsentimentalityandexcitement,thosetendereremotions,thosedeeperpassions,thosenobleraspirationsofhumanity,whicharetheheritageofthewomanfarmorethanoftheman;andwhicharepotentinher,forevilorforgood,inproportionastheyarelefttorunwildandundisciplined;oraretrainedanddevelopedintograceful,harmonious,self-restrainingstrength,beautifulinthemselves,andablessingtoallwhocomeundertheirinfluence。
What,therefore,Irecommendtoladiesinthislectureisthrift:
thriftofthemselvesandoftheirownpowers:andknowledgeastheparentofthrift。
Andbecauseitiswelltobeginwiththelowerapplicationsofthrift,andtoworkuptothehigher,Iammuchpleasedtohearthatthefirstcourseoftheproposedlecturestowomeninthisplacewillbeoneondomesticeconomy。
Ipresumethatthelearnedgentlemanwhowilldelivertheselectureswillbethelasttomeanbythattermthemeresavingofmoney;thathewilltellyou,as——beingaGerman——hewillhavegoodreasontoknow,thattheyoungladywholearnsthriftindomesticeconomyisalsolearningthriftoftheveryhighestfacultiesofherimmortalspirit。Hewilltellyou,Idoubtnot——
forhemustknow——howyoumayseeinGermanyyoungladieslivinginwhatwemoreluxuriousBritishwouldconsidersomethinglikepoverty;cooking,waitingattable,andperformingmanyahouseholdofficewhichwouldbehereconsideredmenial;andyetfindingtimeforacultivationoftheintellect,whichis,unfortunately,toorareinGreatBritain。
Thetruthis,thatweBritisharetoowealthy。Wemakemoney,ifnottoorapidlyforthegoodofthenationatlarge,yettoorapidly,Ifear,forthegoodofthedaughtersofthosewhomakeit。Theirtemptation——Idonot,ofcourse,saytheyallyieldtoit——buttheirtemptationis,towasteoftheverysimplest——Ihadalmostsaid,ifImaybepardonedtheexpression,ofthemostbarbaric——kind;toanorientalwasteofmoney,andwasteoftime;
toafondnessformerefinery,pardonableenough,butstillawaste;andtothemistakenfancythatitisthemarkofaladytositidleandletservantsdoeverythingforher。
ButitisnotofthissortofwasteofwhichIwishtospeakto-
day。Ionlymentionthematterinpassing,toshowthathighintellectualcultureisnotincompatiblewiththeperformanceofhomelyhouseholdduties,andthatthemoralsuccessofwhichI
spokejustnowneednotbeinjured,anymorethanitisinGermany,byintellectualsuccesslikewise。Itrustthatthesewordsmayreassurethoseparents,ifanysuchtherebehere,whomayfearthattheselectureswillwithdrawwomenfromtheirexistingsphereofinterestandactivity。Thattheyshouldentertainsuchafearisnotsurprising,aftertheextravagantopinionsandschemeswhichhavebeenlatelybroachedinvariousquarters。
Theprogrammetotheselecturesexpresslydisclaimsanysuchintentions;andI,asahusbandandafather,expresslydisclaimanysuchintentionlikewise。
\"Tofitwomenforthemoreenlightenedperformanceoftheirspecialduties;\"tohelpthemtowardslearninghowtodobetterwhatwedoubtnotmanyofthemarealreadydoingwell;is,I
honestlybelieve,theonlyobjectofthepromotersofthisscheme。
Letusseenowhowsomeofthesespecialdutiescanbebetterperformedbyhelpofalittleenlightenmentastothelawswhichregulatethem。
Now,nomanwilldeny——certainlynomanwhoispastforty-five,andwhosedigestionisbeginningtoquailbeforethelumpsofbeefandmuttonwhicharetheboastofaBritishkitchen,andtoprefer,withJusticeShallow,and,Ipresume,SirJohnFalstaffalso,\"anyprettylittletinykickshaws\"——noman,Isay,whohasreachedthatage,butwillfeelitapracticalcomforttohimtoknowthattheyoungladiesofhisfamilyareatalleventsgoodcooks;andunderstand,astheFrenchdo,thriftinthematteroffood。
Neitherwillanyparentwhowishes,naturallyenough,thathisdaughtersshouldcosthimaslittleaspossible;andwishes,naturallyenoughalso,thattheyshouldbeaswelldressedaspossible,denythatitwouldbeagoodthingforthemtobepracticalmillinersandmantua-makers;and,bymakingtheirownclothesgracefullyandwell,exercisethriftinclothing。