Whatthereisleftofitisallgoingintothatfoolishbook,whichthewomanlyelementinyou,stillhealthyandalive,delightsin;becauseitplacesyouinfancyinsituationsinwhichyouwillneverstand,andinspiresyouwithemotions,someofwhich,itmaybe,youhadbetterneverfeel。PoorNausicaa——old,somementhink,beforeyouhavebeeneveryoung。
Andnowtheyaregoingto\"develop\"you;andletyouhaveyoursharein\"thehighereducationofwomen,\"bymakingyoureadmorebooks,anddomoresums,andpassexaminations,andstoopoverdesksatnightafterstoopingoversomeotheremploymentallday;
andtoteachyouLatin,andevenGreek!
Well,wewillgladlyteachyouGreek,ifyoulearntherebytoreadthehistoryofNausicaaofold,andwhatmannerofmaidenshewas,andwhatwashereducation。Youwilladmireher,doubtless。Butdonotletyouradmirationlimititselftodrawingameagrehalf-
mediaevaliseddesignofher——assheneverlooked。Copyinyourownperson;andevenifyoudonotdescendaslow——orriseashigh——aswashingthehouseholdclothes,atleastlearntoplayatball;andsing,intheopenairandsunshine,notintheatresandconcert-roomsbygaslight;andtakedecentcareofyourownhealth;anddressnotlikea\"Parisienne\"——nor,ofcourse,likeNausicaaofold,forthatistoasktoomuch:——butsomewhatmorelikeanaverageHighlandlassie;andtrytolooklikeher,andbelikeher,ofwhomWordsworthsang:
AmienandfaceInwhichfullplainlyIcantraceBenignity,andhome-bredsense,Ripeninginperfectinnocence。
Herescattered,likearandomseed,Remotefrommen,thoudostnotneedTheembarrassedlookofshydistressAndmaidenlyshamefacedness。
Thouwear’stuponthyforeheadclearThefreedomofamountaineer。
Afacewithgladnessoverspread,Softsmiles,byhumankindnessbred,Andseemlinesscomplete,thatswaysThycourtesies,abouttheeplays。
Withnorestraint,savesuchasspringsFromquickandeagervisitingsOfthoughtsthatliebeyondthereachOfthyfewwordsofEnglishspeech。
Abondagesweetlybrooked,astrifeThatgivesthygesturesgraceandlife。
Ah,yetunspoiltNausicaaoftheNorth;descendantofthedarktender-heartedCelticgirl,andthefairdeep-heartedScandinavianViking,thankGodforthyheatherandfreshair,andthekinethoutendest,andthewoolthouspinnest;andcomenottoseekthyfortune,child,inwickedLondontown;norimport,astheytellmethouartdoingfast,theuglyfashionsofthatLondontown,clumsycopiesofParisiancockneydom,intothyHighlandhome;norgiveupthehealthfulandgraceful,freeandmodestdressofthymotherandthymother’smother,todisfigurethelittlekirkonSabbathdayswithcrinolineandcorset,high-heeledboots,andotherwomen’shair。
Itisproposed,justnow,toassimilatetheeducationofgirlsmoreandmoretothatofboys。Ifthatmeansthatgirlsaremerelytolearnmorelessons,andtostudywhattheirbrothersaretaught,inadditiontowhattheirmothersweretaught;thenitistobehoped,atleastbyphysiologistsandpatriots,thattheschemewillsinkintothatlimbowhither,inafreeandtolerablyrationalcountry,allimperfectandill-consideredschemesaresuretogravitate。Butiftheproposalbeabona-fideone:thenitmustbeborneinmindthatinthePublicschoolsofEngland,andinallprivateschools,Ipresume,whichtaketheirtonefromthem,cricketandfootballaremoreorlesscompulsory,beingconsideredintegralpartsofanEnglishman’seducation;andthattheyarelikelytoremainso,inspiteofallreclamations:
becausemastersandboysalikeknowthatgamesdonot,inthelongrun,interferewithaboy’swork;thatthesameboywillveryoftenexcelinboth;thatthegameskeephiminhealthforhiswork;andthespiritwithwhichhetakestohisgameswheninthelowerschool,isafairtestofthespiritwithwhichhewilltaketohisworkwhenherisesintothehigherschool;andthatnothingisworseforaboythantofallintothatloafing,tuck-shop-
hauntingset,whoneitherplayhardnorworkhard,andareusuallyextravagant,andoftenvicious。Moreover,theyknowwellthatgamesconduce,notmerelytophysical,buttomoralhealth;thatintheplaying-fieldboysacquirevirtueswhichnobookscangivethem;notmerelydaringandendurance,but,betterstill,temper,self-restraint,fairness,honour,unenviousapprobationofanother’ssuccess,andallthat\"giveandtake\"oflifewhichstandamaninsuchgoodsteadwhenhegoesforthintotheworld,andwithoutwhich,indeed,hissuccessisalwaysmaimedandpartial。
Now:ifthepromotersofhighereducationforwomenwillcompelgirlstoanytraininganalogoustoourpublic-schoolgames;if,forinstance,theywillinsistonthatmostnaturalandwholesomeofallexercises,dancing,inordertodevelopthelowerhalfofthebody;onsinging,toexpandthelungsandregulatethebreath;
andonsomegames——ballorwhatnot——whichwillensurethatraisedchest,anduprightcarriage,andgeneralstrengthoftheuppertorso,withoutwhichfulloxygenationoftheblood,andthereforegeneralhealth,isimpossible;iftheywillsternlyforbidtightstays,highheels,andallwhichinterfereswithfreegrowthandfreemotion;iftheywillconsidercarefullyallwhichhasbeenwrittenonthe\"half-timesystem\"byMr。Chadwickandothers;andacceptthecertainphysicallawthat,inordertorenovatethebraindaybyday,thegrowingcreaturemusthaveplentyoffreshairandplay,andthatthechildwholearnsforfourhoursandplaysforfourhours,willlearnmore,andlearnitmoreeasily,thanthechildwholearnsforthewholeeighthours;if,inshort,theywillteachgirlsnotmerelytounderstandtheGreektongue,buttocopysomewhatoftheGreekphysicaltraining,ofthat\"musicandgymnastic\"whichhelpedtomakethecleverestraceoftheoldworldtheablestracelikewise;thentheywillearnthegratitudeofthepatriotandthephysiologists,bydoingtheirbesttostaythedownwardtendenciesofthephysique,andthereforeultimatelyofthemorale,inthecominggenerationofEnglishwomen。
Iamsorrytosaythat,asyet,Ihearofbutonemovementinthisdirectionamongthepromotersofthe\"highereducationofwomen。\"
{8}Itrustthatthesubjectwillbetakenupmethodicallybythosegiftedladies,whohaveacquaintedthemselves,andarelabouringtoacquaintotherwomen,withthefirstprinciplesofhealth;andthattheymayavailtopreventthecominggenerations,undertheunwholesomestimulantofcompetitiveexaminations,andsoforth,from\"developing\"intosomanyChinese——dwarfs——oridiots。
October,1873。
THEAIR-MOTHERS——1869——DieNaturistdieBewegungWhoarethesewhofollowussoftlyoverthemoorintheautumneve?Theirwingsbrushandrustleinthefir-boughs,andtheywhisperbeforeusandbehind,asiftheycalledgentlytoeachother,likebirdsflockinghomewardtotheirnests。
Thewoodpeckeronthepine-stemsknowsthem,andlaughsaloudforjoyastheypass。Therooksabovethepastureknowthem,andwheelroundandtumbleintheirplay。Thebrownleavesontheoaktreesknowthem,andflutterfaintly,andbeckonastheypass。
Andinthechatteringofthedryleavesthereisameaning,andacryofwearythingswhichlongforrest。
\"Takeushome,takeushome,yousoftair-mothers,nowourfathersthesunbeamsaregrowndull。Ourgreensummerbeautyisalldraggled,andourfacesaregrownwanandwan;andthebuds,thechildrenwhomwenourished,thrustusoff,ungrateful,fromourseats。Waftusdown,yousoftair-mothers,uponyourwingstothequietearth,thatwemaygotoourhome,asallthingsgo,andbecomeairandsunlightonceagain。\"
Andtheboldyoungfir-seedsknowthem,andrattleimpatientintheircones。\"Blowstronger,blowfiercer,slowair-mothers,andshakeusfromourprisonsofdeadwood,thatwemayflyandspinawaynorth-eastward,eachonhishornywing。Helpusbuttotouchthemoorlandyonder,andwewilltakegoodcareofourselveshenceforth;wewilldivelikearrowsthroughtheheather,anddriveoursharpbeaksintothesoil,andriseagainasgreentreestowardthesunlight,andspreadoutlustyboughs。\"
Theyneverthink,boldfools,ofwhatiscomingtobringthemlowinthemidstoftheirpride;oftherecklessaxewhichwillfellthem,andthesawwhichwillshapethemintologs;andthetrainswhichwillroarandrattleoverthem,astheylieburiedinthegraveloftheway,tilltheyaregroundandrottedintopowder,anddugupandflunguponthefire,thattheytoomayreturnhome,likeallthings,andbecomeairandsunlightonceagain。
Andtheair-mothersheartheirprayers,anddotheirbidding:butfaintly;fortheythemselvesaretiredandsad。
Tiredandsadaretheair-mothers,andtheirgardensrentandwan。
Lookatthemastheystreamovertheblackforest,beforethedimsouth-westernsun;longlinesandwreathsofmelancholygrey,stainedwithdullyellowordeaddun。Theyhavecomefaracrosstheseas,anddonemanyawilddeedupontheirway;andnowthattheyhavereachedtheland,likeshipwreckedsailors,theywillliedownandweeptilltheycanweepnomore。
Ah,howdifferentwerethosesoftair-motherswhen,invisibletomortaleyes,theystartedontheirlongsky-journey,fivethousandmilesacrossthesea!OutoftheblazingcaldronwhichliesbetweenthetwoNewWorlds,theyleaptupwhenthegreatsuncalledthem,inwhirlsandspoutsofclearhotsteam;andrushedoftheirownpassiontothenorthward,whilethewhirlingearth-
ballwhirledthemeast。Sonorth-eastwardtheyrushedaloft,acrossthegayWestIndianisles,leavingbelowtheglitteroftheflying-fish,andthesidelongeyesofcruelsharks;abovethecane-fieldsandtheplantain-gardens,andthecocoa-groveswhichfringetheshores;abovetherockswhichthrobbedwithearthquakes,andthepeaksofoldvolcanoes,cinder-strewn;while,farbeneath,theghostsoftheirdeadsistershurriedhomeuponthenorth-eastbreeze。
Wilddeedstheydidastheyrushedonward,andstruggledandfoughtamongthemselves,upanddown,androundandbackward,inthefuryoftheirblindhotyouth。Theyheedednotthetreeastheysnappedit,northeshipastheywhelmeditinthewaves;northecryofthesinkingsailor,northeneedofhislittleonesonshore;hastyandselfishevenaschildren,and,likechildren,tamedbytheirownrage。Fortheytiredthemselvesbystrugglingwitheachother,andbytearingtheheavywaterintowaves;andtheirwingsgrewcloggedwithsea-spray,andsoakedmoreandmorewithsteam。Butatlasttheseagrewcoldbeneaththem,andtheirclearsteamshranktomist;andtheysawthemselvesandeachotherwrappedindullrain-ladenclouds。Thentheydrewtheirwhitecloud-garmentsroundthem,andveiledthemselvesforveryshame;
andsaid:\"Wehavebeenwildandwayward;and,alas!ourpurebrightyouthisgone。Butwewilldoonegooddeedyeterewedie,andsoweshallnothavelivedinvain。Wewillglideonwardtotheland,andweepthere;andrefreshallthingswithsoftwarmrain;andmakethegrassgrow,thebudsburst;quenchthethirstofmanandbeast,andwashthesoiledworldclean。\"
Sotheyarewanderingpastus,theair-mothers,toweeptheleavesintotheirgraves;toweeptheseedsintotheirseed-beds,andweepthesoilintotheplains;togettherichearthreadyforthewinter,andthencreepnorthwardtotheice-world,andtheredie。
Weary,andstillmoreweary,slowlyandmoreslowlystill,theywilljourneyonfarnorthward,acrossfast-chillingseas。Foradoomislaiduponthem,nevertobestillagain,tilltheyrestattheNorthPoleitself,thestillaxleofthespinningworld;andsinkindeatharoundit,andbecomewhitesnow-cladghosts。
Butwilltheyliveagain,thosechilledair-mothers?Yes,theymustliveagain。Forallthingsmoveforever;andnotevenghostscanrest。Sothecorpsesoftheirsisters,pilingonthemfromabove,pressthemoutward,pressthemsouthwardtowardthesunoncemore;acrossthefloesandroundtheicebergs,weepingtearsofsnowandsleet,whilemenhatetheirwildharshvoices,andshrinkbeforetheirbitterbreath。Theyknownotthatthecoldbleaksnow-storms,astheyhurtlefromtheblacknorth-east,bearbacktheghostsofthesoftair-mothers,aspenitents,totheirfather,thegreatsun。
Butastheyflysouthwards,warmlifethrillsthem,andtheydroptheirloadsofsleetandsnow;andmeettheiryounglivesistersfromthesouth,andgreetthemwithflashandthunder-peal。And,pleaseGod,beforemanyweeksareover,aswerunWestward-Ho,weshallovertaketheghostsoftheseair-mothers,hurryingbacktowardtheirfather,thegreatsun。Freshandbrightunderthefreshbrightheaven,theywillracewithustowardourhome,togainnewheat,newlife,newpower,andsetforthabouttheirworkoncemore。Mencallthemthesouth-westwind,thoseair-mothers;
andtheirghoststhenorth-easttrade;andvaluethem,andrightly,becausetheybearthetradersoutandhomeacrossthesea。Butwisemen,andlittlechildren,shouldlookonthemwithmoreseeingeyes;andsay,\"Maynotthesewindsbelivingcreatures?They,too,arethoughtsofGod,towhomalllive。\"
Forisnotourlifeliketheirlife?Dowenotcomeandgoasthey?OutofGod’sboundlessbosom,thefountoflife,wecame;
throughselfish,stormyyouthandcontritetears——justnottoolate;throughmanhoodnotaltogetheruseless;throughslowandchilloldage,wereturnfromWhencewecame;totheBosomofGodoncemore——togoforthagain,itmaybe,withfreshknowledge,andfreshpowers,tonoblerwork。Amen。
SuchwastheprophecywhichIlearnt,orseemedtolearn,fromthesouth-westernwindofftheAtlantic,onacertaindelectableevening。Anditwasfulfilledatnight,asfarasthegentleair-
motherscouldfulfilit,forfoolishman。
Therewasaroaringinthewoodsallnight;
Theraincameheavilyandfellinfloods;
Butnowthesunisrisingcalmandbright,Thebirdsaresinginginthedistantwoods;
Overhisownsweetvoicethestock-dovebroods,Thejaymakesanswerasthemagpiechatters,Andalltheairisfilledwithpleasantnoiseofwaters。
ButwasIagloomyanddistemperedman,if,uponsuchamornasthat,Istoodonthelittlebridgeacrossacertainbrook,andwatchedthewaterrun,withsomethingofasigh?Orif,whentheschoolboybesidemelamentedthatthefloodswouldsurelybeout,andhisday’sfishingspoiled,Isaidtohim——\"Ah,myboy,thatisalittlematter。Lookatwhatyouareseeingnow,andunderstandwhatbarbarismandwastemean。LookatallthatbeautifulwaterwhichGodhassentushitherofftheAtlantic,withouttroubleorexpensetous。Thousands,andtensofthousands,ofgallonswillrununderthisbridgeto-day;andwhatshallwedowithit?
Nothing。Andyet:thinkonlyofthemillswhichthatwaterwouldhaveturned。Thinkhowitmighthavekeptuphealthandcleanlinessinpoorcreaturespackedawayinthebackstreetsofthenearesttown,oreveninLondonitself。Thinkevenhowcountryfolks,inmanypartsofEngland,inthreemonths’time,maybecryingoutforrain,andafraidofshortcrops,andfever,andscarlatina,andcattle-plague,forwantoftheverywaterwhichwearenowlettingrunback,wasted,intotheseafromwhenceitcame。Andyetwecallourselvesacivilisedpeople。\"
Itisnotwise,Iknow,topreachtoboys。Andyet,sometimes,amanmustspeakhisheart;even,likeMidas’sslave,tothereedsbytheriverside。AndIhadsooften,fishingupanddownfullmanyastream,whisperedmystorytothosesameriver-reeds;andtoldthemthatmyLordtheSovereignDemoshad,likeoldMidas,asses’earsinspiteofallhisgold,thatIthoughtImightforoncetellittheboylikewise,inhopethathemighthelphisgenerationtomendthatwhichmyowngenerationdoesnotseemliketomend。
Imighthavesaidmoretohim:butdidnot。Foritisnotwelltodestroytooearlythechild’sillusion,thatpeoplemustbewisebecausetheyaregrownup,andhavevotes,andrule——orthinktheyrule——theworld。Thechildwillfindouthowtruethatissoonenoughforhimself。Ifthetruthbeforcedonhimbythehotwordsofthosewithwhomhelives,itisapttobreedinhimthatcontempt,stormfulandthereforebarren,whichmakesrevolutions;
andnotthatpity,calmandthereforehelpful,whichmakesreforms。
SoImighthavesaidtohim,butdidnot-
Andthenmenprayforrain:
Myboy,didyoueverheartheoldEasternlegendabouttheGipsies?Howtheyweresuchgoodmusicians,thatsomegreatIndianSultansentforthewholetribe,andplantedthemnearhispalace,andgavethemland,andploughstobreakitup,andseedtosowit,thattheymightdwellthere,andplayandsingtohim。
Butwhenthewinterarrived,theGipsiesallcametotheSultan,andcriedthattheywerestarving。\"Butwhathaveyoudonewiththeseed-cornwhichIgaveyou?\"\"OLightoftheAge,weateitinthesummer。\"\"AndwhathaveyoudonewiththeploughswhichI
gaveyou?\"\"OGloryoftheUniverse,weburntthemtobakethecornwithal。\"
ThensaidthatgreatSultan——\"Likethebutterfliesyouhavelived;
andlikethebutterfliesyoushallwander。\"Sohedrovethemout。
AndthatishowtheGipsiescamehitherfromtheEast。
NowsupposethattheSultanofallSultans,whosendstherain,shouldmakealikeanswertousfoolishhumanbeings,whenweprayedforrain:\"ButwhathaveyoudonewiththerainwhichI
gaveyousixmonthssince?\"\"Wehaveletitrunintothesea。\"
\"Then,ereyouaskformorerain,makeplaceswhereinyoucankeepitwhenyouhaveit。\"\"Butthatwouldbe,inmostcases,tooexpensive。Wecanemployourcapitalmoreprofitablyinotherdirections。\"
Itisnotformetosaywhatanswermightbemadetosuchanexcuse。Ithinkachild’sstillunsophisticatedsenseofrightandwrongwouldsoonsupplyone;andprobablyone——consideringthecomplexity,anddifficulty,andnovelty,ofthewholequestion——
somewhattooharsh;aschildren’sjudgmentsarewonttobe。
Butwoulditnotbewellifourchildren,withoutbeingtaughttoblameanyoneforwhatispast,weretaughtsomethingaboutwhatoughttobedonenow,whatmustbedonesoon,withtherainfalloftheseislands;andaboutotherandkindredhealth-questions,onthesolutionofwhichdepends,andwilldependmoreandmore,thelifeofmillions?Onewouldhavethoughtthatthosepublicschoolsandcollegeswhichdesiretomonopolisetheeducationoftheownersofthesoil;ofthegreatemployersoflabour;oftheclergy;andofall,indeed,whooughttobeacquaintedwiththedutiesofproperty,theconditionsofpublichealth,and,inaword,withthegenerallawsofwhatisnowcalledSocialScience——
onewouldhavethought,Isay,thatthesepublicschoolsandcollegeswouldhavetaughttheirscholarssomewhatatleastaboutsuchmatters,thattheymightgoforthintolifewithatleastsomeroughnotionsofthecauseswhichmakepeoplehealthyorunhealthy,richorpoor,comfortableorwretched,usefulordangeroustotheState。Butaslongasourgreateducationalinstitutions,safe,orfancyingthemselvessafe,insomeenchantedcastle,shutoutbyancientmagicfromthelivingworld,putapremiumonLatinandGreekverses:awisefatherwill,duringtheholidays,talknowandthen,Ihope,somewhatafterthisfashion:
\"Youmustunderstand,myboy,thatallthewaterinthecountrycomesoutofthesky,andfromnowhereelse;andthat,therefore,tosaveandstorethewaterwhenitfallsisaquestionoflifeanddeathtocrops,andman,andbeast;forwithorwithoutwaterislifeordeath。IfItook,forinstance,thewaterfromthemoorsaboveandturneditoveryonderfield,Icoulddouble,andmorethandouble,thecropsinthatfield,henceforth。\"
\"ThenwhydoInotdoit?\"
\"Onlybecausethefieldlieshigherthanthehouse;andif——nowhereisonethingwhichyouandeverycivilisedmanshouldknow——
ifyouhavewater-meadows,orany’irrigated’land,asitiscalled,aboveahouse,or,evenonalevelwithit,itiscertaintobreednotmerelycoldanddamp,butfeverorague。Ourforefathersdidnotunderstandthis;andtheybuilttheirhouses,asthisisbuilt,inthelowestplacestheycouldfind:sometimesbecausetheywantedtobenearponds,fromwhencetheycouldgetfishinLent;butmoreoften,Ithink,becausetheywantedtobeshelteredfromthewind。Theyhadnoglass,aswehave,intheirwindows,or,atleast,onlylatticedcasements,whichletinthewindandcold;andtheyshrankfromhighandexposed,andthereforereallyhealthy,spots。Butnowthatwehavegoodglass,andsashwindows,anddoorsthatwillshuttight,wecanbuildwarmhouseswherewelike。Andifyoueverhavetodowiththebuildingofcottages,rememberthatitisyourdutytothepeoplewhowillliveinthem,andthereforetotheState,toseethattheystandhighanddry,wherenowatercandraindownintotheirfoundations,andwherefog,andthepoisonousgaseswhicharegivenoutbyrottingvegetables,cannotdraindowneither。Youwilllearnmoreaboutallthatwhenyoulearn,aseverycivilisedladshouldinthesedays,somethingaboutchemistry,andthelawsoffluidsandgases。Butyouknowalreadythatflowersarecutoffbyfrostinthelowgroundssoonerthaninthehigh;andthatthefogatnightalwaysliesalongthebrooks;andthatthesourmoor-smellwhichwarnsustoshutourwindowsatsunset,comesdownfromthehill,andnotupfromthevalley。Nowallthesethingsarecausedbyoneandthesamelaw;thatcoldairisheavierthanwarm;and,therefore,likesomuchwater,mustrundown-hill。\"
\"Butwhatabouttherainfall?\"
\"Well,Ihavewanderedalittlefromtherainfall:thoughnotasfarasyoufancy;forfeverandagueandrheumatismusuallymean——
raininthewrongplace。Butifyouknewhowmuchillness,andtorturingpain,anddeath,andsorrowarise,eventothisveryday,fromignoranceofthesesimplelaws,thenyouwouldbearthemcarefullyinmind,andwishtoknowmoreaboutthem。Butnowforwaterbeinglifetothebeasts。Doyouremember——thoughyouarehardlyoldenough——thecattle-plague?Howthebeastsdied,orhadtobekilledandburied,bytensofthousands;andhowmiseryandruinfellonhundredsofhonestmenandwomenovermanyoftherichestcountiesofEngland:buthowweinthisvalehadnocattle-plague;andhowtherewasnone——asfarasIrecollect——intheuplandsofDevonandCornwall,norofWales,noroftheScotchHighlands?Now,doyouknowwhythatwas?Simplybecausewehere,likethoseotherup-landers,areinsuchacountryasPalestinewasbeforethefoolishJewscutdownalltheirtimber,andsodestroyedtheirownrainfall——a’landofbrooksofwater,offountainsanddepthsthatspringoutofvalleysandhills。’
Thereishardlyafieldherethathasnot,thankGod,itsrunningbrook,oritssweetspring,fromwhichourcattleweredrinkingtheirhealthandlife,whileintheclay-landsofCheshire,andintheCambridgeshirefens——whichweredrainedutterlydry——thepoorthingsdranknowater,toooften,savethatoftheverysameputridpondsinwhichtheyhadbeenstandingalldaylong,tocoolthemselves,andtokeepofftheflies。Idonotsay,ofcourse,thatbadwatercausedthecattle-plague。ItcamebyinfectionfromtheEastofEurope。ButIsaythatbadwatermadethecattlereadytotakeit,andmadeitspreadoverthecountry;andwhenyouareoldenoughIwillgiveyouplentyofproof——somefromtheherdsofyourownkinsmen——thatwhatIsayistrue。\"
\"Andasforpurewaterbeinglifetohumanbeings:whyhaveweneverfeverhere,andscarcelyeverdiseaseslikefever——zymotics,asthedoctorscallthem?Or,ifacasecomesintoourparishfromoutside,whydoesthefeverneverspread?Fortheverysamereasonthatwehadnocattle-plague。Becausewehavemorepurewaterclosetoeverycottagethanweneed。AndthisItellyou:
thattheonlytwooutbreaksofdeadlydiseasewhichwehavehadhereforthirtyyears,werebothofthem,asfarasIcouldsee,tobetracedtofilthywaterhavinggotintothepoorfolks’
wells。Water,youmustremember,justasitislifewhenpure,isdeathwhenfoul。Foritcancarry,unseentotheeve,andevenwhenitlooksclearandsparkling,andtastessoftandsweet,poisonswhichhaveperhapskilledmorehumanbeingsthaneverwerekilledinbattle。Youhaveread,perhaps,howtheAthenians,whentheyweredyingoftheplague,accusedtheLacedaemoniansoutsidethewallsofpoisoningtheirwells;orhow,insomeofthepestilencesoftheMiddleAges,thecommonpeopleusedtoaccusethepoorharmlessJewsofpoisoningthewells,andsetuponthemandmurderedthemhorribly。Theywereright,Idonotdoubt,intheirnotionthatthewell-waterwasgivingthemthepestilence:
buttheyhadnotsensetoseethattheywerepoisoningthewellsthemselvesbytheirdirtandcarelessness;or,inthecaseofpoorbesiegedAthens,probablybymereovercrowding,whichhascostmanyalifeerenow,andwillcostmore。AndIamsorrytotellyou,mylittleman,thatevennowtoomanypeoplehavenomoresensethantheyhad,anddieinconsequence。Ifyoucouldseeabattle-field,andmenshotdown,writhinganddyinginhundredsbyshellandbullet,wouldnotthatseemtoyouahorridsight?
Then——Idonotwishtomakeyousadtooearly,butthisisafactthateveryoneshouldknow——thatmorepeople,andnotstrongmenonly,butwomenandlittlechildrentoo,arekilledandwoundedinGreatBritaineveryyearbybadwaterandwantofwatertogether,thanwerekilledandwoundedinanybattlewhichhasbeenfoughtsinceyouwereborn。Medicalmenknowthiswell。Andwhenyouareolder,youmayseeitforyourselfintheRegistrar-General’sreports,blue-books,pamphlets,andsoon,withoutend。\"
\"Butwhydonotpeoplestopsuchahorriblelossoflife?\"
\"Well,mydearboy,thetruecausesofithaveonlybeenknownforthelastthirtyorfortyyears;andweEnglishare,asgoodKingAlfredfoundustohissorrowathousandyearsago,veryslowtomove,evenwhenweseeathingoughttobedone。Letushopethatinthismatter——wehavebeensoinmostmattersasyet——weshallbelikethetortoiseinthefable,andnotthehare;andbymovingslowly,butsurely,wintheraceatlast。\"
\"Butnowthinkforyourself:andseewhatyouwoulddotosavethesepeoplefrombeingpoisonedbybadwater。Rememberthattheplainquestionisthis:Therain-watercomesdownfromheavenaswater,andnothingbutwater。Rain-wateristheonlypurewater,afterall。Howwouldyousavethatforthepoorpeoplewhohavenone?There;runawayandhuntrabbitsonthemoor:butlook,meanwhile,howyouwouldsavesomeofthisbeautifulandpreciouswaterwhichisroaringawayintothesea。\"
***
\"Well?Whatwouldyoudo?Makeponds,yousay,liketheoldmonks’ponds,nowallbrokendown。Damalltheglensacrosstheirmouths,andturnthemintoreservoirs。\"
\"’Outofthemouthsofbabesandsucklings’——Well,thatwillhavetobedone。Thatisbeingdonemoreandmore,moreorlesswell。
ThegoodpeopleofGlasgowdiditfirst,Ithink;andnowthegoodpeopleofManchester,andofothernortherntowns,havedoneit,andhavesavedmanyahumanlifetherebyalready。Butitmustbedone,someday,alloverEnglandandWales,andgreatpartofScotland。Forthemountaintopsandmoors,myboy,byabeautifullawofnature,compensatefortheirownpovertybyyieldingawealthwhichtherichlowlandscannotyield。Youdonotunderstand?Thensee。Yonmoorabovecangrowneithercornnorgrass。Butonethingitcangrow,anddoesgrow,withoutwhichweshouldhavenocornnorgrass,andthatis——water。Notonlydoesfarmorerainfalluptherethanfallsheredownbelow,butevenindroughtthehighmoorscondensethemoistureintodew,andsoyieldsomewater,evenwhenthelowlandsareburntupwithdrought。Thereasonofthatyoumustlearnhereafter。Thatitisso,youshouldknowyourself。Foronthehighchalkdowns,youknow,wherefarmersmakeasheep-pond,theynever,iftheyarewise,makeitinavalleyoronahillside,butonthebleakesttopoftheveryhighestdown;andthere,iftheycanoncegetitfilledwithsnowandraininwinter,theblesseddewsofnightwillkeepsomewaterinitallthesummerthrough,whilethepondsbelowareutterlydriedup。Andevensoitis,asIknow,withthisverymoor。Cornandgrassitwillnotgrow,becausethereistoolittle’staple,’thatis,solubleminerals,inthesandysoil。
Buthowmuchwateritmightgrow,youmayjudgeroughlyforyourself,byrememberinghowmanybrookslikethisarerunningoffitnowtocarrymeredirtintotheriver,andthenintothesea。\"
\"Butwhyshouldwenotmakedamsatonce;andsavethewater?\"
\"Becausewecannotaffordit。Noonewouldbuythewaterwhenwehadstoredit。Therichintownandcountrywillalwaystakecare——andquiterighttheyare——tohavewaterenoughforthemselves,andfortheirservantstoo,whateveritmaycostthem。
Butthepoorerpeopleare——andthereforeusually,alas!themoreignorant——thelesswatertheyget;andthelesstheycaretohavewater;andthelesstheyareinclinedtopayforit;andthemore,Iamsorrytosay,theywastewhatlittletheydoget;andIamstillmoresorrytosay,spoil,andevenstealandsell——inLondonatleast——thestop-cocksandlead-pipeswhichbringthewaterintotheirhouses。Sothatkeepingawater-shopisaverytroublesomeanduncertainbusiness;andonewhichisnotlikelytopayusoranyoneroundhere。\"
\"Butwhynotletsomecompanymanageit,astheymanagerailways,andgas,andotherthings?\"
\"Ah——youhavebeenoverhearingagooddealaboutcompaniesoflate,Isee。ButthisIwilltellyou;thatwhenyougrowup,andhaveavoteandinfluence,itwillbeyourduty,ifyouintendtobeagoodcitizen,notonlynottoputthewater-supplyofEnglandintothehandsoffreshcompanies,buttohelptotakeoutoftheirhandswhatwater-supplytheymanagealready,especiallyinLondon;andlikewisethegas-supply;andtherailroads;andeverythingelse,inaword,whicheverybodyuses,andmustuse。
Foryoumustunderstand——atleastassoonasyoucan——thatthoughthemenwhomakeupcompaniesarenoworsethanothermen,andsomeofthem,asyououghttoknow,verygoodmen;yetwhattheyhavetolooktoistheirprofits;andthelesswatertheysupply,andtheworseitis,themoreprofittheymake。Formostwater,I
amsorrytosay,isfouledbeforethewatercompaniescangettoit,asthiswaterwhichrunspastuswillbe,andastheThameswateraboveLondonis。Thereforeithastobecleansed,orpartlycleansed,ataverygreatexpense。Sowatercompanieshavetobeinspected——inplainEnglish,watched——ataveryheavyexpensetothenationbyGovernmentofficers;andcompelledtodotheirbest,andtaketheirutmostcare。AndsoithascometopassthattheLondonwaterisnotnownearlyasbadassomeofitwasthirtyyearsago,whenitwasnomorefittodrinkthanthatinthecattle-yardtank。Butstillwemusthavemorewater,andbetter,inLondon;foritisgrowingyearbyyear。TherearemorethanthreemillionsofpeoplealreadyinwhatwecallLondon;andereyouareanoldmantheremaybebetweenfourandfivemillions。
Nowtosupplyallthesepeoplewithwaterisadutywhichwemustnotleavetoanyprivatecompanies。Itmustbedonebyapublicauthority,asisfitandproperinafreeself-governingcountry。
Inthismatter,asinallothers,wewilltrytodowhattheRoyalCommissiontoldusfouryearsagoweoughttodo。Ihopethatyouwillsee,thoughImaynot,thedaywhenwhatwecallLondon,butwhichisreallynine-tenthsofit,onlyagreatnestofseparatevillageshuddledtogether,willbedividedintothreegreatself-
governingcities,London,Westminster,andSouthwark;eachwithitsowncorporation,likethatofthevenerableandwell-governedcityofLondon;eachmanagingitsownwater-supply,gas-supply,andsewage,andothermattersbesides;andmanagingthem,likeDublin,Glasgow,Manchester,Liverpool,andothergreatnortherntowns,farmorecheaplyandfarbetterthananycompaniescandoitforthem。\"
\"Butwhereshallwegetwaterenoughforallthesemillionsofpeople?TherearenomountainsnearLondon。Butwemightgivethemthewateroffourmoors。\"
\"No,no,myboy,\"Hethatwillnotwhenhemay,Whenhewill,heshallhavenay。
SomefifteenyearsagotheLondonersmighthavehadwaterfromus;
andIwasoneofthosewhodidmybesttogetitforthem:butthewatercompaniesdidnotchoosetotakeit;andnowthispartofEnglandisgrowingsopopulousandsovaluablethatitwantsallitslittlerainfallforitself。SothereisanotherleaftornoutoftheSibyllinebooksforthepooroldwatercompanies。Youdonotunderstand:youwillsomeday。ButyoumaycomfortyourselfaboutLondon。Forithappenstobe,Ithink,theluckiestcityintheworld;andifithadnotbeen,weshouldhavehadpestilenceonpestilenceinit,asterribleasthegreatplagueofCharlesII。’stime。TheoldBritons,withoutknowingintheleastwhattheyweredoing,settledoldLondoncityintheverycentreofthemostwonderfulnaturalreservoirinthisisland,orperhapsinallEurope;whichreachesfromKentintoWiltshire,androundagainintoSuffolk;andthatis,thedearoldchalkdowns。\"
\"Why,theyarealwaysdry。\"
\"Yes。Buttheturfonthemneverburnsup,andthestreamswhichflowthroughthemneverrundry,andseldomorneverfloodeither。
Doyounotknow,fromWinchester,thatthatistrue?Thenwhereisalltherainandsnowgone,whichfallsonthemyearbyyear,butintothechalkitself,andintothegreen-sands,too,belowthechalk?Thereitis,soakedupasbyasponge,inquantityincalculable;enough,somethink,tosupplyLondon,letitgrowashugeasitmay。IwishItooweresureofthat。ButtheCommissionhasshownitselfsowiseandfair,andbravelikewise——
toobrave,Iamsorrytosay,forsomewhomighthavesupportedthem——thatitisnotformetogainsaytheiropinion。\"
\"Butiftherewasnotwaterenoughinthechalk,arenottheLondonersrichenoughtobringitfromanydistance?\"
\"Myboy,inthisalsowewillagreewiththeCommission——thatweoughtnottorobPetertopayPaul,andtakewatertoadistancewhichotherpeoplecloseathandmaywant。LookatthemapofEnglandandsouthernScotland;andseeforyourselfwhatisjust,accordingtogeographyandnature。Therearefourmountain-
ranges;fourgreatwater-fields。First,thehillsoftheBorder。
TheirrainfalloughttobestoredfortheLothiansandtheextremenorthofEngland。ThentheYorkshireandDerbyshireHills——thecentralchineofEngland。Theirrainfallisbeingstoredalready,tothehonouroftheshrewdnorthernmen,forthemanufacturingcountieseastandwestofthehills。ThencometheLakemountains——thefinestwater-fieldofall,becausemorerainbyfarfallstherethaninanyplaceinEngland。ButtheywillbewantedtosupplyLancashire,andsomedayLiverpoolitself;forLiverpoolisnowusingrainwhichbelongsmorejustlytoothertowns;andbesides,thereareplentyofcountiesandtowns,downintoCheshire,whichwouldbegladofwhatwaterLancashiredoesnotwant。AtlastcometheSnowdonmountains,anoblewater-field,whichIknowwell;foranolddreamofminehasbeen,thatereI
diedIshouldseealltherainoftheCarnedds,andtheGlyders,andSiabod,andSnowdonitself,carriedacrosstheConwayrivertofeedtheminingdistrictsofNorthWales,wherethestreamsarenowallfoulwithoilandlead;andthenonintothewesterncoalandironfields,toWolverhamptonandBirminghamitself:andifI
weretheengineerwhogotthatdone,Ishouldbehappier——prouderIdarenotsay——thanifIhadpaintednoblerpicturesthanRaffaelle,orwrittennoblerplaysthanShakespeare。Isaythat,boy,inmostdeliberateearnest。Butmeanwhile,doyounotseethatindistrictswherecoalandironmaybefound,andfreshmanufacturesmayspringupanydayinanyplace,eachdistricthasarighttoclaimthenearestrainfallforitself?Andnow,whenwehavegotthewaterintoitsproperplace,letusseewhatweshalldowithit。\"
\"Butwhydoyousay’we’?CanyouandIdoallthis?\"
\"Myboy,arenotyouandIfreecitizens;partofthepeople,theCommons——asthegoodoldwordruns——ofthiscountry?Andarewenot——oroughtwenottobeintime——besidethat,educatedmen?Bythepeople,remember,Imean,notonlythehand-workingmanwhohasjustgotavote;Imeantheclergyofalldenominations;andthegentlemenofthepress;andlast,butnotleast,thescientificmen。Ifthosefourclassestogetherweretotelleverygovernment——’Freewaterwewillhave,andasmuchaswereasonablychoose;’andtelleverycandidatefortheHouseofCommons:
’Unlessyoupromisetogetusasmuchfreewateraswereasonablychoose,wewillnotreturnyoutoParliament:’then,Ithink,wefourshouldputsucha’pressure’onGovernmentasnowatercompanies,orothervestedinterests,couldlongresist。Andifanyofthosefourclassesshouldhangback,andwastetheirtimeandinfluenceovermattersfarlessimportantandlesspressing,theotherthreemustlaughatthem,andmorethanlaughatthem;
andaskthem:’Whyhaveyoueducation,whyhaveyouinfluence,whyhaveyouvotes,whyareyoufreemenandnotslaves,ifnottopreservethecomfort,thedecency,thehealth,thelivesofmen,women,andchildren——mostofthoselatteryourownwivesandyourownchildren?’\"
\"Butwhatshallwedowiththewater?\"
\"Well,afterall,thatisamorepracticalmatterthanspeculationsgroundedonthesuppositionthatallclasseswilldotheirduty。Butthefirstthingwewilldowillbetogivetotheverypooresthousesaconstantsupply,athighpressure;sothateverybodymaytakeasmuchwaterashelikes,insteadofhavingtokeepthewaterinlittlecisterns,whereitgetsfoulandputridonlytoooften。\"
\"Butwilltheynotwasteitthen?\"
\"Sofarfromit,whereverthewaterhasbeenlaidonathighpressure,thewaste,whichisterriblenow——somesaythatinLondonone-thirdofthewateriswasted——beginstolessen;andbothwaterandexpensearesaved。Ifyouwillonlythink,youwillseeonereasonwhy。Ifawomanleavesahigh-pressuretaprunning,shewillfloodherplaceandherneighbour’stoo。Shewillbelikethemagician’sservant,whocalledupthedemontodrawwaterforhim;andsohedid:butwhenhehadbegunhewouldnotstop,andifthemagicianhadnotcomehome,manandhousewouldhavebeenwashedaway。\"
\"Butifitsavesmoney,whydonotthewatercompaniesdoit?\"
\"Because——andreallyheretherearemanyexcusesforthepooroldwatercompanies,whensomanyofthemswerveandgibattheverymentionofconstantwater-supply,likeapoorhorsesettodrawaloadwhichhefeelsistooheavyforhim——because,tokeepeverythinginorderamongdirty,careless,andoftendrunkenpeople,theremustbeofficerswithlawfulauthority——water-
policemenwewillcallthem——whocanenterpeople’shouseswhentheywill,andiftheyfindanythingwrongwiththewater,setittorightswithahighhand,andevensummonthepeoplewhohavesetitwrong。Andthatisapowerwhich,inafreecountry,mustneverbegiventotheservantsofanyprivatecompany,butonlytotheofficersofacorporationoroftheGovernment。\"
\"Andwhatshallwedowiththerestofthewater?\"
\"Well,weshallhave,Ibelieve,somuchtosparethatwemayatleastdothis:Ineachdistrictofeachcity,andthecentreofeachtown,wemaybuildpublicbathsandlavatories,wherepoormenandwomenmaygettheirwarmbathswhentheywill;fornowtheyusuallyneverbatheatall,becausetheywillnot——andoughtnot,iftheybehard-workedfolk——batheincoldwaterduringninemonthsoftheyear。Andtheretheyshallwashtheirclothes,anddrythembysteam;insteadofwashingthemasnow,athome,eitherunderbacksheds,wheretheycatchcoldandrheumatism,ortoooften,alas!intheirownlivingrooms,inanatmosphereoffoulvapour,whichdrivesthefathertothepublic-houseandthechildrenintothestreets;andwhichnotonlypreventstheclothesfrombeingthoroughlydriedagain,butis,mydearboy,asyouwillknowwhenyouareolder,averyhot-bedofdisease。Andtheyshallhaveothercomforts,andevenluxuries,thesepubliclavatories;andbemade,intime,gracefulandrefining,aswellasmerelyuseful。Nay,wewilleven,Ithink,haveinfrontofeachofthemarealfountain;notlikethedrinking-fountains——
thoughtheyaregreatandneedfulboons——whichyouseehereandthereaboutthestreets,withatinydribbleofwatertoagreatdealofexpensivestone:butrealfountains,whichshallleap,andsparkle,andplash,andgurgle;andfilltheplacewithlife,andlight,andcoolness;andsinginthepeople’searsthesweetestofallearthlysongs——savethesongofamotheroverherchild——thesongof’TheLaughingWater。’\"
\"Butwillnotthatbeawaste?\"
\"Yes,myboy。Andforthatveryreason,Ithinkwe,thepeople,willhaveourfountains;ifitbebuttomakeourgovernments,andcorporations,andallpublicbodiesandofficers,rememberthattheyall——saveHerMajestytheQueen——areourservants,andnotwetheirs;andthatwechoosetohavewater,notonlytowashwith,buttoplaywith,ifwelike。AndIbelieve——fortheworld,asyouwillfind,isfullnotonlyofjustbutofgeneroussouls——
thatifthewater-supplyweresetreallyright,therewouldbefound,inmanyacity,manyagenerousmanwho,overandabovehiscompulsorywater-rate,wouldgivehispoorfellow-townsmensucharealfountainasthosewhichennoblethegreatsquareatCarcasonneandthegreatsquareatNismes;tobe’athingofbeautyandajoyforever。’\"
\"Andnow,ifyouwanttogobacktoyourLatinandGreek,youshalltranslateformeintoLatin——IdonotexpectyoutodoitintoGreek,thoughitwouldturnverywellintoGreek,fortheGreeksknowallaboutthematterlongbeforetheRomans——whatfollowshere;andyoushallverifythefactsandthenames,etc。,initfromyourdictionariesofantiquityandbiography,thatyoumayrememberallthebetterwhatitsays。Andbythattime,I
think,youwillhavelearntsomethingmoreusefultoyourself,and,Ihope,toyourcountryhereafter,thanifyouhadlearnttopatchtogethertheneatestGreekandLatinverseswhichhaveappearedsincethedaysofMr。Canning。\"
***
Ihaveoftenamusedmyself,byfancyingonequestionwhichanoldRomanemperorwouldask,werehetorisefromhisgraveandvisitthesightsofLondonundertheguidanceofsomeministerofstate。
Theaugustshadewould,doubtless,admireourrailroadsandbridges,ourcathedralsandourpublicparks,andmuchmoreofwhichweneednotbeashamed。Butafterawhile,Ithink,hewouldlookround,whetherinLondonorinmostofourgreatcities,inquiringlyandinvain,foroneclassofbuildings,whichinhisempirewerewonttobealmostasconspicuousandassplendid,because,inpublicopinion,almostasnecessary,asthebasilicasandtemples:\"Andwhere,\"hewouldask,\"areyourpublicbaths?\"
Andiftheministerofstatewhowashisguideshouldanswer:\"OhgreatCaesar,Ireallydonotknow。IbelievetherearesomesomewhereatthebackofthatuglybuildingwhichwecalltheNationalGallery;andIthinktherehavebeensomemeetingslatelyintheEastEnd,andanamateurconcertattheAlbertHall,forrestoring,byprivatesubscriptions,somebathsandwash-housesinBethnalGreen,whichhadfallentodecay。Andtheremaybetwoorthreemoreaboutthemetropolis;forparishvestrieshavepowersbyActofParliamenttoestablishsuchplaces,iftheythinkfit,andchoosetopayforthemoutoftherates。\"Then,Ithink,theaugustshademightwellmakeanswer:\"Weusedtocallyou,inoldRome,northernbarbarians。Itseemsthatyouhavenotlostallyourbarbarianhabits。Areyouawarethat,ineverycityintheRomanempire,therewere,asamatterofcourse,publicbathsopen,notonlytothepoorestfreeman,buttotheslave,usuallyforthepaymentofthesmallestcurrentcoin,andoftengratuitously?AreyouawarethatinRomeitself,millionaireaftermillionaire,emperorafteremperor,fromMeneniusAgrippaandNerodowntoDiocletianandConstantine,builtbaths,andyetmorebaths;andconnectedwiththemgymnasiaforexercise,lecture-rooms,libraries,andporticoes,whereinthepeoplemighthaveshade,andshelter,andrest?Iremark,by-the-bye,thatI
havenotseeninallyourLondonasinglecoveredplaceinwhichthepeoplemaytakeshelterduringashower。Areyouawarethatthesebathswereofthemostmagnificentarchitecture,decoratedwithmarbles,paintings,sculptures,fountains,whatnot?AndyetIhadheard,inHadesdownbelow,thatyoupridedyourselveshereonthestudyofthelearnedlanguages;and,indeed,taughtlittlebutGreekandLatinatyourpublicschools?\"