But,besidethisthriftinclothing,Iamnotalone,Ibelieve,inwishingforsomethriftintheenergywhichproducesit。Labourmisapplied,youwillagree,islabourwasted;andasdress,I
presume,isintendedtoadornthepersonofthewearer,themakingadresswhichonlydisfigureshermaybeconsideredasaplaincaseofwaste。Itwouldbeimpertinentinmetogointoanydetails:butitisimpossibletowalkaboutthestreetsnowwithoutpassingyoungpeoplewhomustbeunderadeepdelusionastothesuccessoftheirowntoilette。Insteadofgracefulandnoblesimplicityofform,insteadofcombinationsofcolouratoncerichanddelicate,becauseinaccordancewiththechromaticlawsofnature,onemeetswithphenomenamoreandmorepainfultotheeye,andstartlingtocommonsense,tillonewouldbehardlymoreastonished,andcertainlyhardlymoreshocked,ifinayearortwo,oneshouldpasssomeonegoingaboutlikeaChineselady,withpinchedfeet,orlikeasavageoftheAmazons,withawoodenbungthroughherlowerlip。Itiseasytocomplainofthesemonstrosities:butimpossibletocurethem,itseemstome,withoutaneducationofthetaste,aneducationinthoselawsofnaturewhichproducebeautyinformandbeautyincolour。Forthatthecauseofthesefailuresliesinwantofeducationispatent。Theyaremostcommonin——Ihadalmostsaidtheyareconfinedto——thoseclassesofwell-to-dopersonswhoaretheleasteducated;whohavenostandardoftasteoftheirown;andwhodonotacquireanyfromcultivatedfriendsandrelations:who,inconsequence,dressthemselvesblindlyaccordingtowhattheyconceivetobetheParisfashions,conveyedatthird-handthroughanequallyuneducateddressmaker;ininnocentignoranceofthefact——forfactIbelieveittobe——thatParisfashionsareinventednownotintheleastforthesakeofbeauty,butforthesakeofproducing,throughvariety,increasedexpenditure,andtherebyincreasedemployment;accordingtothestrangesystemwhichnowprevailsinFranceofcompelling,ifnotprosperity,atleastthesignsofit;andlikeschoolboysbeforeaholiday,nailinguptheheadoftheweather-glasstoinsurefineweather。
LetBritishladieseducatethemselvesinthoselawsofbeautywhichareaseternalasanyotherofnature’slaws;whichmaybeseenfulfilled,asMr。Ruskintellsus,soeloquentlyineveryflowerandeveryleaf,ineverysweepingdownandripplingwave;
andtheywillbeabletoinventgracefulandeconomicaldressesforthemselves,withoutimportingtawdryandexpensiveuglinessfromFrance。
Letmenowgoastepfarther,andaskyoutoconsiderthis:ThereareinEnglandnowavastnumber,andanincreasingnumber,ofyoungwomenwho,fromvariouscircumstanceswhichweallknow,mustinafterlifebeeitherthemistressesoftheirownfortunes,ortheearnersoftheirownbread。And,todothatwiselyandwell,theymustbemoreorlesswomenofbusiness,andtobewomenofbusinesstheymustknowsomethingofthemeaningofthewordsCapital,Profit,Price,Value,Labour,Wages,andoftherelationbetweenthosetwolast。Inaword,theymustknowalittlepoliticaleconomy。Nay,Isometimesthinkthatthemistressofeveryhouseholdmightfind,notonlythriftofmoney,butthriftofbrain;freedomfrommistakes,anxieties,worriesofmanykinds,allofwhicheatoutthehealthaswellastheheart,byalittlesoundknowledgeoftheprinciplesofpoliticaleconomy。
Whenweconsiderthateverymistressofahouseholdiscontinuallybuying,ifnotselling;thatsheiscontinuallyhiringandemployinglabourintheformofservants;andveryoften,intothebargain,keepingherhusband’saccounts:Icannotbutthinkthatherhard-workedbrainmightbeclearer,andherhard-trieddesiretodoherdutybyeverysubjectinherlittlekingdom,mightbemoreeasilysatisfied,hadshereadsomethingofwhatMr。JohnStuartMillhaswritten,especiallyonthedutiesofemployerandemployed。Acapitalist,acommercialist,anemployeroflabour,andanaccountant——everymistressofahouseholdisallthese,whethershelikesitornot;anditwouldbesurelywellforher,insoverycomplicatedastateofsocietyasthis,nottotrustmerelytothatmother-wit,thatintuitivesagacityandinnatepowerofrulingherfellow-creatures,whichcarrieswomensonoblythroughtheirworkinsimplerandlesscivilisedsocieties。
AndhereIstoptoanswerthosewhomaysay——asIhavehearditsaid——Thatawoman’sintellectisnotfitforbusiness;thatwhenawomantakestobusiness,sheisapttodoitill,andunpleasantlylikewise,tobemoresuspicious,moreirritable,moregrasping,moreunreasonable,thanregularmenofbusinesswouldbe:that——asIhavehearditput——\"awomandoesnotfightfair。\"
Theanswerissimple。Thatawoman’sintellectiseminentlyfittedforbusinessisprovedbytheenormousamountofbusinessshegetsthroughwithoutanyspecialtrainingforit:butthosefaultsinawomanofwhichsomemencomplainaresimplytheresultsofhernothavinghadaspecialtraining。Shedoesnotknowthelawsofbusiness。Shedoesnotknowtherulesofthegamesheisplaying;andthereforesheisplayingitinthedark,infearandsuspicion,apttojudgeofquestionsonpersonalgrounds,oftenoffendingthosewithwhomshehastodo,andoftenerstillmakingherselfmiserableovermattersoflaworofbusiness,onwhichalittlesoundknowledgewouldsetherheadandherheartatrest。
WhenIhaveseenwidows,havingthecareofchildren,ofagreathousehold,ofagreatestate,ofagreatbusiness,strugglingheroically,andyetoftenmistakenly;blamedseverelyforselfishnessandambition,whiletheywerereallysacrificingthemselveswiththedivineinstinctofamotherfortheirchildren’sinterest:Ihavestoodbywithmingledadmirationandpity,andsaidtomyself:\"Hownoblysheisdoingtheworkwithoutteaching!Howmuchmorenoblywouldshehavedoneithadshebeentaught!Sheisnowdoingherworkatthemostenormouswasteofenergyandofvirtue:hadshehadknowledge,thriftwouldhavefollowedit;shewouldhavedonemoreworkwithfarlesstrouble。Shewillprobablykillherselfifshegoeson;
whilesoundknowledgewouldhavesavedherhealth,savedherheart,savedherfriends,andhelpedtheverylovedonesforwhomshelabours,notalwayswithsuccess。\"
Alittlepoliticaleconomy,therefore,willatleastdonoharmtoawoman;especiallyifshehavetotakecareofherselfinafterlife;neither,Ithink,willshebemuchharmedbysomesoundknowledgeofanothersubject,whichIseepromisedintheselectures:\"Naturalphilosophy,initsvariousbranches,suchasthechemistryofcommonlife,light,heat,electricity,etc。etc。\"
Alittleknowledgeofthelawsoflight,forinstance,wouldteachmanywomenthatbyshuttingthemselvesupdayafterday,weekafterweek,indarkenedrooms,theyareascertainlycommittingawasteofhealth,destroyingtheirvitalenergy,anddiseasingtheirbrains,asiftheyweretakingsomuchpoisonthewholetime。
Alittleknowledgeofthelawsofheatwouldteachwomennottoclothethemselvesandtheirchildrenafterfoolishandinsufficientfashions,whichinthisclimatesowtheseedsofadozendifferentdiseases,andhavetobeatonedforbyperpetualanxieties,andbyperpetualdoctors’bills;andasforalittleknowledgeofthelawsofelectricity,onethriftIamsureitwouldproduce——thrifttousmen,ofhavingtoanswercontinualinquiriesastowhattheweatherisgoingtobe,whenaslightknowledgeofthebarometer,oroftheformofthecloudsandthedirectionofthewind,wouldenablemanyaladytojudgeforherself,andnot,afterinquiryoninquiry,regardlessofallwarnings,gooutonthefirstappearanceofastripofbluesky,andcomehomewetthrough,withwhatshecalls\"onlyachill,\"butwhichreallymeansanaildrivenintohercoffin——aprobableshortening,thoughitmaybeaverysmallone,ofhermortallife;
becausethefoodofthenexttwenty-fourhours,whichshouldhavegonetokeepthevitalheatatitsnormalstandard,willhavetobewastedinraisingituptothatstandard,fromwhichithasfallenbyachill。
Ladies,thesearesubjectsonwhichImustbegtospeakalittlemoreatlength,premisingthembyonestatement,whichmayseemjest,butissolemnearnest——that,ifthemedicalmenofthisoranyothercitywerewhattheworldnowcalls\"alivetotheirowninterests\"——thatis,tothemeremakingofmoney;insteadofbeing,whatmedicalmenare,themostgenerous,disinterested,andhigh-mindedclassintheserealms,thentheywouldopposebyallmeansintheirpowerthedeliveryoflecturesonnaturalphilosophytowomen。Forifwomenactuponwhattheylearninthoselectures——andhavingwomen’shearts,theywillactuponit——
thereoughttofollowadecreaseofsicknessandanincreaseofhealth,especiallyamongchildren;athriftoflife,andathriftofexpensebesides,whichwouldveryseriouslyaffecttheincomeofmedicalmen。
Forletmeaskyou,ladies,withallcourtesy,butwithallearnestness——Areyouawareofcertainfacts,ofwhicheveryoneofthoseexcellentmedicalmenistoowellaware?AreyouawarethatmorehumanbeingsarekilledinEnglandeveryyearbyunnecessaryandpreventablediseasesthanwerekilledatWaterloooratSadowa?Areyouawarethatthegreatmajorityofthosevictimsarechildren?Areyouawarethatthediseaseswhichcarrythemoffareforthemostpartsuchasoughttobespeciallyunderthecontrolofthewomenwholovethem,petthem,educatethem,andwouldinmanycases,ifneedbe,laydowntheirlivesforthem?
Areyouaware,again,ofthevastamountofdiseasewhich,sobothwisemothersandwisedoctorsassureme,isengenderedinthesleeping-roomfromsimpleignoranceofthelawsofventilation,andintheschoolroomlikewise,fromsimpleignoranceofthelawsofphysiology?fromanignoranceofwhichIshallmentionnoothercaseheresaveone——thattoooftenfromignoranceofsignsofapproachingdisease,achildispunishedforwhatiscalledidleness,listlessness,wilfulness,sulkiness;andpunished,too,intheunwisestway——byanincreaseoftasksandconfinementtothehouse,thusovertaskingstillmoreabrainalreadyovertasked,anddepressingstillmore,byrobbingitofoxygenandofexercise,asystemalreadydepressed?Areyouaware,Iaskagain,ofallthis?Ispeakearnestuponthispoint,becauseIspeakwithexperience。Asasingleinstance:amedicalman,afriendofmine,passingbyhisownschoolroom,heardoneofhisownlittlegirlsscreamingandcrying,andwentin。Thegoverness,anexcellentwoman,butwhollyignorantofthelawsofphysiology,complainedthatthechildhadoflatebecomeobstinateandwouldnotlearn;andthatthereforeshemustpunishherbykeepingherindoorsovertheunlearntlessons。Thefather,whoknewthatthechildwasusuallyaverygoodone,lookedathercarefullyforalittlewhile;sentheroutoftheschoolroom;andthensaid,\"Thatchildmustnotopenabookforamonth。\"\"IfIhadnotactedso,\"
hesaidtome,\"Ishouldhavehadthatchilddeadofbrain-diseasewithintheyear。\"
Now,inthefaceofsuchfactsasthese,isittoomuchtoaskofmothers,sisters,aunts,nurses,governesses——allwhomaybeoccupiedinthecareofchildren,especiallyofgirls——thattheyshouldstudythriftofhumanhealthandhumanlife,bystudyingsomewhatthelawsoflifeandhealth?Therearebooks——Imaysayawholeliteratureofbooks——writtenbyscientificdoctorsonthesematters,whichareinmymindfarmoreimportanttotheschoolroomthanhalfthetrashyaccomplishments,so-called,whichareexpectedtobeknownbygovernesses。Butaretheybought?
Aretheyeventobebought,frommostcountrybooksellers?Ah,foralittleknowledgeofthelawstotheneglectofwhichisowingsomuchfearfuldisease,which,ifitdoesnotproduceimmediatedeath,toooftenleavestheconstitutionimpairedforyearstocome。Ahthewasteofhealthandstrengthintheyoung;
thewaste,too,ofanxietyandmiseryinthosewholoveandtendthem。HowmuchofitmightbesavedbyalittlerationaleducationinthoselawsofnaturewhicharethewillofGodaboutthewelfareofourbodies,andwhich,therefore,weareasmuchboundtoknowandtoobey,asweareboundtoknowandobeythespirituallawswhereondependsthewelfareofoursouls。
Pardonme,ladies,ifIhavegivenamoment’spaintoanyonehere:
butIappealtoeverymedicalmanintheroomwhetherIhavenotspokenthetruth;andhavingsuchanopportunityasthis,IfeltthatImustspeakforthesakeofchildren,andofwomenlikewise,orelseforeverhereafterholdmypeace。
Letmepassonfromthispainfulsubject——forpainfulithasbeentomeformanyyears——toaquestionofintellectualthrift——bywhichImeanjustnowthriftofwords;thriftoftruth;restraintofthetongue;accuracyandmodestyinstatement。
Motherscomplaintomethatgirlsareapttobe——notintentionallyuntruthful——butexaggerative,prejudiced,incorrect,inrepeatingaconversationordescribinganevent;andthatfromthisfaultarise,asistobeexpected,misunderstandings,quarrels,rumours,slanders,scandals,andwhatnot。
Now,forthiswasteofwordsthereisbutonecure:andifIbetoldthatitisanaturalfaultofwomen;thattheycannottakethecalmjudicialviewofmatterswhichmenboast,andoftenboastmostwrongly,thattheycantake;thatundertheinfluenceofhope,fear,delicateantipathy,honestmoralindignation,theywilllettheireyesandearsbegovernedbytheirfeelings;andseeandhearonlywhattheywishtoseeandhear——Ianswer,thatitisnotformeasamantostartsuchatheory;butthatifitbetrue,itisanadditionalargumentforsomeeducationwhichwillcorrectthissupposednaturaldefect。AndIsaydeliberatelythatthereisbutonesortofeducationwhichwillcorrectit;onewhichwillteachyoungwomentoobservefactsaccurately,judgethemcalmly,anddescribethemcarefully,withoutaddingordistorting:andthatis,sometraininginnaturalscience。
Ibegyounottobestartled:butifyouare,thentestthetruthofmytheorybyplayingto-nightatthegamecalled\"RussianScandal;\"inwhichastory,repeatedinsecretbyoneplayertotheother,comesoutattheendofthegame,owingtotheinaccurateand——forgivemeifIsayit——uneducatedbrainsthroughwhichithaspassed,utterlyunlikeitsoriginal;notonlyludicrouslymaimedanddistorted,butoftenwiththemostfantasticadditionsofevents,details,names,dates,places,whicheachplayerwillaverthathereceivedfromtheplayerbeforehim。Iamafraidthattoomuchoftheaveragegossipofeverycity,town,andvillageislittlemorethanagameof\"RussianScandal;\"withthisdifferencethatwhileoneisbutagame,theotherisbuttoomischievousearnest。
Butnow,ifamongyourpartythereshallbeanaveragelawyer,medicalman,ormanofscience,youwillfindthathe,andperhapshealone,willbeabletoretailaccuratelythestorywhichhasbeentoldhim。Andwhy?Simplybecausehismindhasbeentrainedtodealwithfacts;toascertainexactlywhathedoesseeorhear,andtoimprintitsleadingfeaturesstronglyandclearlyonhismemory。
Now,youcertainlycannotmakeyoungladiesbarristersorattorneys;noremploytheirbrainsingettingupcases,civilorcriminal;andasforchemistry,theyandtheirparentsmayhaveareasonableantipathytosmells,blackenedfingers,andoccasionalexplosionsandpoisonings。Butyoumaymakethemsomethingofbotanists,zoologists,geologists。
Icouldsaymuchonthispoint:allowmeatleasttosaythis:I
verifybelievethatanyyoungladywhowouldemploysomeofherleisuretimeincollectingwildflowers,carefullyexaminingthem,verifyingthem,andarrangingthem;orwhowouldinhersummertriptothesea-coastdothesamebythecommonobjectsoftheshore,insteadofwastingherholiday,asoneseeshundredsdoing,inloungingonbenchesontheesplanade,readingworthlessnovels,andcriticisingdresses——thatsuchayounglady,Isay,wouldnotonlyopenherownmindtoaworldofwonder,beauty,andwisdom,which,ifitdidnotmakeheramorereverentandpioussoul,shecannotbethewomanwhichItakeforgrantedsheis;butwouldsaveherselffromthehabit——Ihadalmostsaidthenecessity——ofgossip;becauseshewouldhavethingstothinkofandnotmerelypersons;factsinsteadoffancies;whileshewouldacquiresomethingofaccuracy,ofpatience,ofmethodicalobservationandjudgment,whichwouldstandheringoodsteadintheeventsofdailylife,andincreaseherpowerofbridlinghertongueandherimagination。\"Godisinheaven,andthouuponearth;thereforeletthywordsbefew;\"isthelessonwhichthosearelearningalldaylongwhostudytheworksofGodwithreverentaccuracy,lestbymisrepresentingthemtheyshouldbetemptedtosaythatGodhasdonethatwhichHehasnot;andinthatwholesomedisciplineI
longthatwomenaswellasmenshouldshare。
AndnowIcometoathriftofthehighestkind,ascontrastedwithawastethemostdeplorableandruinousofall;thriftofthosefacultieswhichconnectuswiththeunseenandspiritualworld;
withhumanity,withChrist,withGod;thriftoftheimmortalspirit。Iamnotgoingnowtogiveyouasermononduty。Youhearsuch,Idoubtnot,inchurcheverySunday,farbetterthanI
canpreachtoyou。Iamgoingtospeakratherofthriftoftheheart,thriftoftheemotions。Howtheyarewastedinthesedaysinreadingwhatarecalledsensationnovels,allknowbuttoowell;howBritishliterature——allthatthebestheartsandintellectsamongourforefathershavebequeathedtous——isneglectedforlightfiction,thereadingofwhichis,asaladywellsaid,\"theworstformofintemperance——dram-drinkingandopium-eating,intellectualandmoral。\"
Iknowthattheyoungwilldelight——theyhavedelightedinallages,andwilltotheendoftime——infictionswhichdealwiththat\"oldesttalewhichisforevernew。\"Novelswillberead:
butthatisallthemorereasonwhywomenshouldbetrained,bytheperusalofahigher,broader,deeperliterature,todistinguishthegoodnovelfromthebad,themoralfromtheimmoral,thenoblefromthebase,thetrueworkofartfromtheshamwhichhidesitsshallownessandvulgarityunderatangledplotandmelodramaticsituations。Sheshouldlearn——andthatshecanonlylearnbycultivation——todiscernwithjoy,anddrinkinwithreverence,thegood,thebeautiful,andthetrue;andtoturnwiththefinescornofapureandstrongwomanhoodfromthebad,theugly,andthefalse。
Andifanyparentshouldbeinclinedtoreply:\"WhylaysomuchstressuponeducatingagirlinBritishliterature?Isitnotfarmoreimportanttomakeourdaughtersreadreligiousbooks?\"I
answer——Ofcourseitis。ItakeforgrantedthatthatisdoneinaChristianland。ButIbegyoutorecollectthattherearebooksandbooks;andthatinthesedaysofafreepressitisimpossible,inthelongrun,topreventgirlsreadingbooksofverydifferentshadesofopinion,andverydifferentreligiousworth。Itmaybe,therefore,oftheveryhighestimportancetoagirltohaveherintellect,hertaste,heremotions,hermoralsense,inaword,herwholewomanhood,socultivatedandregulatedthatsheshallherselfbeabletodiscernthetruefromthefalse,theorthodoxfromtheunorthodox,thetrulydevoutfromthemerelysentimental,theGospelfromitscounterfeits。
IshouldhavethoughtthatthereneverhadbeeninBritain,sincetheReformation,acrisisatwhichyoungEnglishwomenrequiredmorecarefulcultivationonthesematters;ifatleasttheyaretobesavedfrommakingthemselvesandtheirfamiliesmiserable;andfromending——asIhaveknowntoomanyend——withbrokenhearts,brokenbrains,brokenhealth,andanearlygrave。
Takewarningbywhatyouseeabroad。Ineverycountrywherethewomenareuneducated,unoccupied;wheretheironlyliteratureisFrenchnovelsortranslationsofthem——ineveryoneofthosecountriesthewomen,eventothehighest,aretheslavesofsuperstition,andthepuppetsofpriests。Inproportionas,incertainothercountries——notably,Iwillsay,inScotland——thewomenarehighlyeducated,familylifeandfamilysecretsaresacred,andthewomanownsallegianceanddevotiontonoconfessorordirector,buttoherownhusbandortoherownfamily。
Isayplainly,thatifanyparentswishtheirdaughterstosuccumbatleasttosomequackeryorsuperstition,whethercallingitselfscientific,orcallingitselfreligious——andtherearetoomanyofbothjustnow——theycannotmorecertainlyeffecttheirpurposethanbyallowinghertogrowupignorant,frivolous,luxurious,vain;withheremotionsexcited,butnotsatisfied,bythereadingoffoolishandevenimmoralnovels。
Insuchacasethemoredelicateandgracefultheorganisation,themorenobleandearnestthenature,whichhasbeenneglected,themorecertainitis——IknowtoowellwhatIamsaying——togoastray。
Thetimeofdepression,disappointment,vacuity,allbutdespairmustcome。Theimmortalspirit,findingnohealthysatisfactionforitshighestaspirations,isbuttoolikelytobetakeitselftoanunhealthyandexcitingsuperstition。Ashamedofitsownlongself-indulgence,itisbuttoolikelytofleefromitselfintoamorbidasceticism。NothavingbeentaughtitsGod-givenandnaturaldutiesintheworld,itisbuttoolikelytobetakeitself,fromthemerecravingforaction,toself-inventedandunnaturaldutiesoutoftheworld。Ignorantoftruescience,yetcravingtounderstandthewondersofnatureandofspirit,itisbuttoolikelytobetakeitselftonon-science——nonsenseasitisusuallycalled——whetherofspirit-rappingandmesmerism,orofmiraculousrelicsandwinkingpictures。Longingforguidanceandteaching,andneverhavingbeentaughttoguideandteachitself,itisbuttoolikelytodeliveritselfupinself-despairtotheguidanceandteachingofthosewho,whethertheybequacksorfanatics,lookonuneducatedwomenastheirnaturalprey。
Youwillsee,Iamsure,fromwhatIhavesaid,thatitisnotmywishthatyoushouldbecomemerelearnedwomen;merefemalepedants,asuselessandunpleasingasmalepedantsarewonttobe。
TheeducationwhichIsetbeforeyouisnottobegotbymerehearinglecturesorreadingbooks:foritisaneducationofyourwholecharacter;aself-education;whichreallymeansacommittingofyourselftoGod,thatHemayeducateyou。Hearinglecturesisgood,foritwillteachyouhowmuchthereistobeknown,andhowlittleyouknow。Readingbooksisgood,foritwillgiveyouhabitsofregularanddiligentstudy。AndthereforeIurgeonyoustronglyprivatestudy,especiallyincasealibraryshouldbeformedhereofbooksonthosemostpracticalsubjectsofwhichI
havebeenspeaking。But,afterall,bothlecturesandbooksaregood,mainlyinasfarastheyfurnishmatterforreflection:
whilethedesiretoreflectandtheabilitytoreflectmustcome,asIbelieve,fromabove。Thehonestcravingafterlightandpower,afterknowledge,wisdom,activeusefulness,mustcome——andmayitcometoyou——bytheinspirationoftheSpiritofGod。
Onewordmore,andIhavedone。Letmeaskwomentoeducatethemselves,notfortheirownsakesmerely,butforthesakeofothers。For,whethertheywillornot,theymusteducateothers。
Idonotspeakmerelyofthosewhomaybeengagedintheworkofdirectteaching;thattheyoughttobewelltaughtthemselves,whocandoubt?Ispeakofthose——andinsodoingIspeakofeverywoman,youngandold——whoexerciseaswife,asmother,asaunt,assister,orasfriend,aninfluence,indirectitmaybe,andunconscious,butstillpotentandpractical,onthemindsandcharactersofthoseaboutthem,especiallyofmen。Howpotentandpracticalthatinfluenceis,thoseknowbestwhoknowmostoftheworldandmostofhumannature。Therearethosewhoconsider——andIagreewiththem——thattheeducationofboysundertheageoftwelveyearsoughttobeentrustedasmuchaspossibletowomen。
Letmeask——ofwhatperiodofyouthandmanhooddoesnotthesameholdtrue?Ipitytheignoranceandconceitofthemanwhofanciesthathehasnothinglefttolearnfromcultivatedwomen。
Ishouldhavethoughtthattheverymissionofwomanwastobe,inthehighestsense,theeducatorofmanfrominfancytooldage;
thatthatwastheworktowardswhichalltheGod-givencapacitiesofwomenpointed;forwhichtheyweretobeeducatedtothehighestpitch。Ishouldhavethoughtthatitwasthegloryofwomanthatshewassentintotheworldtoliveforothers,ratherthanforherself;andthereforeIshouldsay——Lethersmallestrightsberespected,hersmallestwrongsredressed:butletherneverbepersuadedtoforgetthatsheissentintotheworldtoteachman——what,Ibelieve,shehasbeenteachinghimallalong,eveninthesavagestate——namely,thatthereissomethingmorenecessarythantheclaimingofrights,andthatis,theperformingofduties;toteachhimspecially,intheseso-calledintellectualdays,thatthereissomethingmorethanintellect,andthatis——
purityandvirtue。Letherneverbepersuadedtoforgetthathercallingisnotthelowerandmoreearthlyoneofself-assertion,butthehigherandthedivinercallingofself-sacrifice;andletherneverdesertthathigherlife,whichlivesinothersandforothers,likeherRedeemerandherLord。
Andifanyshouldanswerthatthisdoctrinewouldkeepwomanadependentandaslave,Irejoin——Notso:itwouldkeepherwhatsheshouldbe——themistressofallaroundher,becausemistressofherself。Andmore,Ishouldexpressafearthatthosewhomadethatanswerhadnotyetseenintothemysteryoftruegreatnessandtruestrength;thattheydidnotyetunderstandthetruemagnanimity,thetrueroyaltyofthatspirit,bywhichtheSonofmancamenottobeministeredunto,buttominister,andtogiveHislifearansomformany。
Surelythatiswoman’scalling——toteachman:andtoteachhimwhat?Toteachhim,afterall,thathiscallingisthesameashers,ifhewillbutseethethingswhichbelongtohispeace。Totemperhisfiercer,coarser,moreself-assertivenature,bythecontactofhergentleness,purity,self-sacrifice。Tomakehimseethatnotbyblareoftrumpets,notbynoise,wrath,greed,ambition,intrigue,puffery,isgoodandlastingworktobedoneonearth:butbywiseself-distrust,bysilentlabour,byloftyself-control,bythatcharitywhichhopethallthings,believethallthings,endurethallthings;bysuchanexample,inshort,aswomennowintensofthousandssettothosearoundthem;suchastheywillshowmoreandmore,themoretheirwholewomanhoodiseducatedtoemployitspowerswithoutwasteandwithouthasteinharmoniousunity。Letthewomanbeginingirlhood,ifsuchbeherhappylot——toquotethewordsofagreatpoet,agreatphilosopher,andagreatChurchman,WilliamWordsworth——letherbegin,Isay-
WithallthingsroundaboutherdrawnFromMay-timeandthecheerfuldawn;
Adancingshape,animagegay,Tohaunt,tostartle,andwaylay。
Letherdeveloponwards-
Aspirit,yetawomantoo,Withhouseholdmotionslightandfree,Andstepsofvirginliberty。
AcountenanceinwhichshallmeetSweetrecords,promisesassweet;
AcreaturenottoobrightandgoodForhumannature’sdailyfood;
Fortransientsorrows,simplewiles,Praise,blame,love,kisses,tears,andsmiles。
Butletherhighestandherfinaldevelopmentbethatwhichnotnature,butself-educationalonecanbring——thatwhichmakesheronceandforever-
Abeingbreathingthoughtfulbreath;
Atravellerbetwixtlifeanddeath。
Withreasonfirm,withtemperatewillEndurance,foresight,strength,andskill。
Aperfectwoman,noblyplanned,Towarn,tocomfort,andcommand。
AndyetaspiritstillandbrightWithsomethingofanangellight。
NAUSICAAINLONDON;OR,THELOWEREDUCATIONOFWOMEN
FreshfromtheMarblesoftheBritishMuseum,IwentmywaythroughLondonstreets。Mybrainwasstillfulloffairandgrandforms;theformsofmenandwomenwhoseeverylimbandattitudebetokenedperfecthealth,andgrace,andpower,andself-
possessionandself-restraintsohabitualandcompletethatithadbecomeunconscious,andundistinguishablefromthenativefreedomofthesavage。ForIhadbeenupanddownthecorridorsofthoseGreeksculptures,whichremainasaperpetualsermontorichandpoor,amidourartificial,unwholesome,anditmaybedecayingpseudo-civilisation,sayingwithlooksmoreexpressivethanallwords——Suchmenandwomencanbe;forsuchtheyhavebeen;andsuchyoumaybeyet,ifyouwillusethatscienceofwhichyoutoooftenonlyboast。Aboveall,IhadbeenponderingovertheawfulandyettenderbeautyofthemaidenfiguresfromtheParthenonanditskindredtemples。Andthese,orsuchasthese,Ithoughttomyself,werethesistersofthemenwhofoughtatMarathonandSalamis;themothersofmanyamanamongthetenthousandwhomXenophonledbackfromBabylontotheBlackSeashore;theancestressesofmanyamanwhoconqueredtheEastinAlexander’shost,andfoughtwithPorusinthefarPunjab。Andwerethesewomenmeredolls?Thesemenmeregladiators?Weretheynottheparentsofphilosophy,science,poetry,theplasticarts?Wetalkofeducationnow。ArewemoreeducatedthanweretheancientGreeks?Doweknowanythingabouteducation,physical,intellectual,oraesthetic,andImaysaymorallikewise——
religiouseducation,ofcourse,inoursenseoftheworld,theyhadnone——butdoweknowanythingabouteducationofwhichtheyhavenottaughtusatleasttherudiments?Aretherenotsomebranchesofeducationwhichtheyperfected,onceandforever;
leavingusnorthernbarbarianstofollow,orelsenottofollow,theirexample?Toproducehealth,thatis,harmonyandsympathy,proportionandgrace,ineveryfacultyofmindandbody——thatwastheirnotionofeducation。Toproducethat,thetext-bookoftheirchildhoodwasthepoetryofHomer,andnotof——ButIamtreadingondangerousground。ItwasforthisthattheseafaringGreekladwastaughttofindhisidealinUlysses;whilehissisterathomefoundhers,itmaybe,inNausicaa。Itwasforthis,thatwhenperhapsthemostcompleteandexquisiteofalltheGreeks,Sophoclesthegood,belovedbygodsandmen,representedontheAthenianstagehisdramaofNausicaa,and,asusual,couldnot——forhehadnovoice——himselftakeaspeakingpart,hewascontenttodoonethinginwhichhespeciallyexcelled;anddressedandmaskedasagirl,toplayatballamidthechorusofNausicaa’smaidens。
ThatdramaofNausicaaislost;andifIdaresaysoofanyplayofSophocles’,Iscarceregretit。Itiswell,perhaps,thatwehavenosecondconceptionofthescene,tointerferewiththesimplicity,sogrand,andyetsotender,ofHomer’sidyllicepisode。
Nausicaa,itmustberemembered,isthedaughterofaking。ButnotofakingintheexclusivemodernEuropeanoroldEasternsense。Herfather,Alcinous,issimplyprimusinterparesamongacommunityofmerchants,whoarecalled\"kings\"likewise;andMayorforlife——sotospeak——ofanewtradingcity,anascentGenoaorVenice,ontheshoreoftheMediterranean。ButthegirlNausicaa,asshesleepsinher\"carvedchamber,\"is\"liketheimmortalsinformandface;\"andtwohandmaidenswhosleeponeachsideofthepolisheddoor\"havebeautyfromtheGraces。\"
Toherthereenters,intheshapeofsomemaidenfriend,nonelessthanPallasAtheneherself,intentonsavingworthilyherfavourite,theshipwreckedUlysses;andbidsherinadreamgoforth——andwashtheclothes。{6}
Nausicaa,whereforedoththymotherbearChildsoforgetful?Thislongtimedothrest,Likelumberinthehouse,muchraimentfair。
Soonmustthouwed,andbethyselfwell-drest,Andfindthybridegroomraimentofthebest。
Thesearethethingswhencegoodreputeisborn,Andpraisesthatmakegladaparent’sbreast。
Come,letusbothgowashingwiththemorn;
Soshaltthouhaveclothesbecomingtobeworn。
Knowthatthymaidenhoodisnotforlong,WhomthePhoeacianchiefsalreadywoo,Lordsofthelandwhencethouthyselfartsprung。
Soonastheshiningdawncomesforthanew,Forwainandmulesthynoblefathersue,WhichtotheplaceofwashingshallconveyGirdlesandshawlsandrugsofsplendidhue,ThisforthyselfwerebetterthanessayThithertowalk:theplaceisdistantalongway。
Startledbyherdream,Nausicaaawakes,andgoestofindherparents-
Onebythehearthsat,withthemaidsaround,Andontheskeinsofyarn,sea-purpled,spentHermorningtoil。Himtothecouncilbound,Calledbythehonouredkings,justgoingforthshefound。
Andcallinghim,asshemightnow,Pappaphile,DearPapa,asksforthemule-waggon:butitisherfather’sandherfivebrothers’clothesshefainwouldwash,-
Ashamedtonamehermarriagetoherfatherdear。
Butheunderstoodall——andshegoesforthinthemule-waggon,withtheclothes,afterhermotherhasputin\"achestofallkindsofdelicatefood,andmeat,andwineinagoatskin;\"andlastbutnotleast,theindispensablecruseofoilforanointingafterthebath,towhichbothJews,Greeks,andRomansowedsomuchhealthandbeauty。Andthenwereadinthesimpleverseofapoettoorefined,liketherestofhisrace,toseeanythingmeanorridiculousinthatwhichwasnotuglyandunnatural,howsheandhermaidsgotintothe\"polishedwaggon,\"\"withgoodwheels,\"andshe\"tookthewhipandthestuddedreins,\"and\"beatthemtilltheystarted;\"andhowthemules,\"rattled\"away,and\"pulledagainsteachother,\"tillWhentheycametothefairflowingriverWhichfeedsgoodlavatoriesalltheyear,Fittedtocleanseallsulliedrobessoever,Theyfromthewainthemulesunharnessedthere,Andchasedthemfree,tocroptheirjuicyfareBytheswiftriver,onthemargingreen;
ThentothewatersdashedtheclothestheybareAndinthestream-filledtrenchesstampedthemclean。
Which,havingwashedandcleansed,theyspreadbeforeThesunbeams,onthebeach,wheremostdidlieThickpebbles,bythesea-wavewashedashore。
So,havingleftthemintheheattodry,Theytothebathwentdown,andby-and-by,Rubbedwithrichoil,theirmiddaymealessay,Couchedingreenturf,theriverrollingnigh。
Then,throwingofftheirveils,atballtheyplay,Whilethewhite-armedNausicaaleadsthechorallay。
Themerebeautyofthissceneallwillfeel,whohavethesenseofbeautyinthem。YetitisnotonthataspectwhichIwishtodwell,butonitshealthfulness。Exerciseistaken,inmeasuredtime,tothesoundofsong,asadutyalmost,aswellasanamusement。Forthisgameofball,whichisherementionedforthefirsttimeinhumanliterature,nearlythreethousandyearsago,washeldbytheGreeksandbytheRomansafterthem,tobeanalmostnecessarypartofaliberaleducation;principally,doubtless,fromthedevelopmentwhichitproducedintheupperhalfofthebody,notmerelytothearms,buttothechest,byraisingandexpandingtheribs,andtoallthemusclesofthetorso,whetherperpendicularoroblique。Theelasticityandgracewhichitwasbelievedtogiveweresomuchprized,thataroomforball-play,andateacheroftheart,wereintegralpartsofeverygymnasium;andtheAthenianswentsofarastobestowononefamousball-player,AristonicusofCarystia,astatueandtherightsofcitizenship。TheroughandhardyyoungSpartans,whenpassingfromboyhoodintomanhood,receivedthetitleofball-
players,seeminglyfromthegamewhichitwasthentheirspecialdutytolearn。InthecaseofNausicaaandhermaidens,thegamewouldjustbringintotheirrightplacesallthatisliabletobecontractedandweakenedinwomen,somanyofwhoseoccupationsmustneedsbesedentaryandstooping;whilethesongwhichaccompaniedthegameatoncefilledthelungsregularlyandrhythmically,andpreventedviolentmotion,orunseemlyattitude。
We,thecivilised,needphysiologiststoremindusofthesesimplefacts,andeventhendonotactonthem。Thoseoldhalf-barbarousGreekshadfoundthemoutforthemselves,and,moreover,actedonthem。
ButfairNausicaamusthavebeen——somewillsay——surelyamerechildofnature,andanuncultivatedperson?
Sofarfromit,thatherwholedemeanourandspeechshowcultureoftheveryhighestsort,fullof\"sweetnessandlight。\"——
Intelligentandfearless,quicktoperceivethebearingsofherstrangeandsuddenadventure,quicktoperceivethecharacterofUlysses,quicktoanswerhisloftyandrefinedpleadingbywordsasloftyandrefined,andpiouswithal;——foritisshewhospeakstoherhandmaidstheoncesofamouswords:
StrangersandpoormenallaresentfromZeus;
Andalms,thoughsmall,aresweet。
Clearofintellect,promptofaction,modestofdemeanour,shrinkingfromtheslightestbreathofscandal;whilesheisnotashamed,whenUlysses,bathedanddressed,lookshimselfagain,towhispertohermaidensherwishthattheGodsmightsendhersuchaspouse。——ThisisNausicaaasHomerdrawsher;andasmanyascholarandpoetsinceHomerhasacceptedherfortheidealofnoblemaidenhood。IaskmyreaderstostudyforthemselvesherinterviewwithUlysses,inMr。Worsley’stranslation,orratherinthegrandsimplicityoftheoriginalGreek,{7}andjudgewhetherNausicaaisnotasperfectaladyasthepoetwhoimaginedher——
or,itmaybe,drewherfromlife——musthavebeenaperfectgentleman;bothcompleteinthose\"manners\"which,saystheoldproverb,\"maketheman:\"butwhicharethewomanherself;becausewithher——whoactsmorebyemotionthanbycalculation——mannersaretheoutwardandvisibletokensofherinwardandspiritualgrace,ordisgrace;andflowinstinctively,whethergoodorbad,fromtheinstinctsofherinnernature。
True,Nausicaacouldneitherreadnorwrite。Nomore,mostprobably,couldtheauthoroftheOdyssey。Nomore,forthatmatter,couldAbraham,Isaac,andJacob,thoughtheywereplainly,bothinmindandmanners,mosthighly-cultivatedmen。Readingandwriting,ofcourse,havenowbecomenecessariesofhumanity;andaretobegiventoeveryhumanbeing,thathemaystartfairintheraceoflife。ButIamnotawarethatGreekwomenimprovedmuch,eitherinmanners,morals,orhappiness,byacquiringtheminaftercenturies。AwisemanwouldsoonerseehisdaughteraNausicaathanaSappho,anAspasia,aCleopatra,orevenanHypatia。
Fullofsuchthoughts,IwentthroughLondonstreets,amongtheNausicaasofthepresentday;thegirlsoftheperiod;thedaughtersandhereaftermothersofourfuturerulers,thegreatDemosorcommercialmiddleclassofthegreatestmercantilecityintheworld:andnotedwhatIhadnotedwithfearandsorrow,manyaday,formanyayear;atype,andanincreasingtype,ofyoungwomenwhocertainlyhadnothadthe\"advantages,\"
\"educational\"andother,ofthatGreekNausicaaofold。
Ofcourse,insuchacityasLondon,towhichthebestofeverything,physicalandother,gravitates,Icouldnotbutpass,nowandthen,beautifulpersons,whomademeproudofthosegrandesAnglaisesauxjouesrouges,whomtheParisiennesridicule——
andenvy。ButIcouldnothelpsuspectingthattheirlooksshowedthemtobeeithercountry-bred,orbornofcountryparents;
andthissuspicionwasstrengthenedbythefactthat,whencomparedwiththeirmothers,themother’sphysiquewas,inthemajorityofcases,superiortothedaughters’。Painfulitwas,tooneaccustomedtotheruddywell-grownpeasantgirl,stalwart,evenwhen,asoften,squatandplain,toremarktheexceedinglysmallsizeoftheaverageyoungwoman;bywhichIdonotmeanmerewantofheight——thatisalittlematter——butwantofbreadthlikewise;ageneralwantofthoselargeframes,whichindicateusuallyapowerofkeepingstrongandhealthynotmerelythemuscles,butthebrainitself。
Poorlittlethings。Ipassedhundreds——Ipasshundredseveryday——
tryingtohidetheirlittlenessbythenastymassoffalsehair——
orwhatdoesdutyforit;andbytheuglyanduselesshatwhichisstuckuponit,makingtheheadtherebylookridiculouslylargeandheavy;andbythehighheelsonwhichtheytotteronward,havingforgotten,orneverlearnt,thesimpleartofwalking;theirbodiestiltedforwardinthatungracefulattitudewhichiscalled——
whythatnameofallothers?——a\"Grecianbend;\"seeminglykeptontheirfeet,andkepttogetheratall,inthatstrangeattitude,bytightstayswhichpreventedallgracefulandhealthymotionofthehipsorsides;theirraiment,meanwhile,beingpurposelymisshapeninthisdirectionandinthat,tohide——itmustbepresumed——
deficienciesofform。Ifthatchignonandthoseheelshadbeentakenoff,thefigurewhichwouldhaveremainedwouldhavebeenthattoooftenofapunygirlofsixteen。Andyettherewasnodoubtthatthesewomenwerenotonlyfullgrown,butsomeofthem,alas!wivesandmothers。
Poorlittlethings。——Andthistheyhavegainedbyso-calledcivilisation:thepowerofapingthe\"fashions\"bywhichtheworn-out\"Parisienne\"hidesherownpersonaldefects;andofmakingthemselves,byinnatewantofthattastewhichthe\"Parisienne\"possesses,onlythecauseofsomethinglikeasneerfrommanyacultivatedman;andofsomethinglikeasneer,too,fromyondergipsywomanwhopassesby,withboldbrightface,andswinginghip,andfootstepstatelyandelastic;farbetterdressed,accordingtoalltruecanonsoftaste,thanmosttown-
girls;andthankingherfatethatsheandher\"Rom\"arenohouse-
dwellersandgaslight-sightseers,butfattenonfreeairupontheopenmoor。
Butthefacewhichisbeneaththatchignonandthathat?Well——itissometimespretty:buthowseldomhandsome,whichisahigherqualitybyfar。Itisnot,strangetosay,awell-fedface。
Plentyofmoney,andperhapstoomuch,isspentonthosefineclothes。Ithadbeenbetter,tojudgefromthecomplexion,ifsomeofthatmoneyhadbeenspentinsolidwholesomefood。Shelooksasifshelived——asshetoooftendoes,Ihear——onteaandbread-and-butter,orratheronbreadwiththeminimumofbutter。
Forasthewantofboneindicatesadeficiencyofphosphaticfood,sodoesthewantoffleshaboutthecheeksindicateadeficiencyofhydrocarbon。PoorlittleNausicaa:-thatisnotherfault。
Ourboastedcivilisationhasnoteventaughtherwhattoeat,asitcertainlyhasnotincreasedherappetite;andsheknowsnot——
whateverycountryfellowknows——thatwithoutplentyofbutterandotherfattymatters,sheisnotlikelytokeepevenwarm。Bettertoeatnastyfatbaconnow,thantosupplythewantofitsomefewyearshencebynastiercod-liveroil。Butthereisnooneyettotellherthat,andadozenotherequallysimplefacts,forherownsake,andforthesakeofthatcomingDemoswhichsheistobringintotheworld;aDemoswhich,ifwecanonlykeepithealthyinbodyandbrain,hasbeforeitsosplendidafuture:butwhich,ifbodyandbraindegradebeneaththeinfluenceofmodernbarbarism,isbuttoolikelytofollowtheDemosofancientByzantium,orofmodernParis。
Ay,butherintellect。Sheissoclever,andshereadssomuch,andsheisgoingtobetaughttoreadsomuchmore。
Ahwell——therewasonceasciencecalledPhysiognomy。TheGreeks,fromwhatIcanlearn,knewmoreofitthananypeoplesince:
thoughtheItalianpaintersandsculptorsmusthaveknownmuch;
farmorethanwe。Inamorescientificcivilisationtherewillbesuchascienceoncemore:butitslaws,thoughstillintheempiricstage,arenotaltogetherforgottenbysome。Littlechildrenhaveoftenafineandclearinstinctofthem。Manycultivatedandexperiencedwomenhaveafineandclearinstinctofthemlikewise。AndsomesuchwouldtellusthatthereisintellectinplentyinthemodernNausicaa:butnotofthequalitywhichtheydesirefortheircountry’sfuturegood。Self-
consciousness,eagerness,volubility,petulanceincountenance,ingesture,andinvoice——whichlastistoooftenmostharshandartificial,thebreathbeingsentforththroughtheclosedteeth,andalmostentirelyatthecornersofthemouth——and,withallthis,awearinessoftenaboutthewrinklingforeheadandthedroopinglids;——allthese,whicharegrowingtoocommon,notamongtheDemosonly,noronlyinthetowns,aresigns,theythink,oftheunrestofunhealth,physical,intellectual,spiritual。Atleasttheyareasdifferentastwotypesofphysiognomyinthesameracecanbe,fromtheexpressionbothoffaceandgesture,inthoseoldGreeksculptures,andintheoldItalianpainters;and,itmustbesaid,intheportraitsofReynolds,andGainsborough,Copley,andRomney。Notsuch,onethinks,musthavebeenthemothersofBritainduringthelatterhalfofthelastcenturyandthebeginningofthepresent;whentheirsons,attimes,wereholdinghalftheworldatbay。
AndifNausicaahasbecomesuchintown:whatisshewhenshegoestotheseaside,nottowashtheclothesinfresh-water,butherselfinsalt——theverysalt-water,ladenwithdecayingorganisms,fromwhich,thoughnotpollutedfurtherbyadozensewers,Ulysseshadtocleansehimself,anointing,too,withoil,erehewasfittoappearinthecompanyofNausicaaofGreece?
Shedirtiesherselfwiththedirtysaltwater;andprobablychillsandtiresherselfbywalkingthitherandback,andstayingintoolong;andthenflauntsonthepier,bedizenedingarmentswhich,formonstrosityofformanddisharmonyofcolours,wouldhavesetthatGreekNausicaa’steethonedge,orthoseofanyaverageHindoowomannow。Or,evensadderstill,shesitsonchairsandbenchesallthewearyafternoon,herheaddroopedonherchest,oversomenovelfromthe\"Library;\"andthenreturnstoteaandshrimps,andlodgingsofwhichthefragranceisnotunsuggestive,sometimesnotunproductive,oftyphoidfever。Ah,poorNausicaaofEngland!Thatisasadsighttosomewhothinkaboutthepresent,andhavereadaboutthepast。Itisnotasadsighttoseeyouroldfather——tradesman,orclerk,orwhatnot——whohasdonegoodworkinhisday,andhopestodosomemore,sittingbyyouroldmother,whohasdonegoodworkinherday——amongtherest,thatheaviestworkofall,thebringingyouintotheworldandkeepingyouinittillnow——honest,kindly,cheerfulfolkenough,andnotinefficientintheirowncalling;thoughanaverageNorthumbrian,orHighlander,orIrishEasterling,besidecarryingabrainoffivetimestheintellectualforce,coulddrivefivesuchmenoverthecliffwithhisbarehands。Itisnotasadsight,Isay,toseethemsittingaboutuponthoseseasidebenches,lookingoutlistlesslyatthewater,andtheships,andthesunlight,andenjoying,likesomanyfliesuponawall,thenovelactofdoingnothing。Itisnottheoldforwhomwisemenaresad:butforyou。Whereisyourvitality?Whereisyour\"Lebens-gluckseligkeit,\"yourenjoymentofsuperfluouslifeandpower?Whyyoucannotevendanceandsing,tillnowandthen,atnight,perhaps,whenyououghttoliesafeinbed,butwhentheweakbrain,afterreceivingtheday’snourishment,hasrouseditselfasecondtimeintoafalseexcitementofgaslightpleasure。