Then,iftheministershouldmakereply:\"Ohyes,weknowallthis。Evensincetherevivaloflettersintheendofthefifteenthcenturyawholeliteraturehasbeenwritten——agreatdealofit,Ifear,bypedantswhoseldomwashedeventheirhandsandfaces——aboutyourGreekandRomanbaths。WevisittheircolossalruinsinItalyandelsewherewithaweandadmiration;andthediscoveryofanewRomanbathinanyoldcityofourislessetsallourantiquariesbuzzingwithinterest。\"
\"Thenwhy,\"theshademightask,\"doyounotcopyanexamplewhichyousomuchadmire?SurelyEnglandmustbemuchinwant,eitherofwater,oroffueltoheatitwith?\"
\"Onthecontrary,ourrainfallisalmosttoogreat;oursoilsodampthatwehavehadtoinventawholeartofsubsoildrainageunknowntoyou;while,asforfuel,ourcoal-minesmakeusthegreatfuel-exportingpeopleoftheworld。\"
WhataquietsneermightcurlthelipofaConstantineashereplied:\"Notinvain,asIsaid,didwecallyou,somefifteenhundredyearsago,thebarbariansofthenorth。Buttellme,goodbarbarian,whomIknowtobebothbraveandwise——forthefameofyouryoungBritishempirehasreachedusevenintherealmsbelow,andwerecogniseinyou,withallrespect,apeoplemorelikeusRomansthananywhichhasappearedonearthformanycenturies——
howisityouhaveforgottenthatsacreddutyofkeepingthepeopleclean,whichyousurelyatonetimelearntfromus?Whenyourancestorsenteredourarmies,androse,someofthem,tobegreatgenerals,andevenemperors,likethosetwoTeutonpeasants,JustinandJustinian,who,longaftermydays,reignedinmyownConstantinople:then,atleast,yousawbaths,andusedthem;andfelt,afterthebath,thatyouwerecivilisedmen,andnot’sordidiacfoetentes,’asweusedtocallyouwhenfreshoutofyourbullock-waggonsandcattle-pens。Howisitthatyouhaveforgottenthatlesson?\"
Theminister,Ifear,wouldhavetoanswerthatourancestorswerebarbarousenough,notonlytodestroytheRomancities,andtemples,andbasilicas,andstatues,buttheRomanbathslikewise;
andthenretired,eachmantohisownfreeholdinthecountry,tolivealifenotmuchmorecleanlyormoregracefulthanthatoftheswinewhichwerehisfavouritefood。Buthewouldhavearighttoplead,asanexcuse,thatnotonlyinEngland,butthroughoutthewholeoftheconqueredLatinempire,theLatinpriesthood,who,insomerespects,were——totheirhonour——therepresentativesofRomancivilisationandtheprotectorsofitsremnants,werethedeterminedenemiesofitscleanliness;thattheylookedonpersonaldirt——liketheoldhermitsoftheThebaid——
asasignofsanctity;anddiscouraged——astheyaresaidtodostillinsomeoftheRomancecountriesofEurope——theuseofthebath,asnotonlyluxurious,butalsoindecent。
Atwhichanswer,itseemstome,anothersneermightcurlthelipoftheaugustshade,ashesaidtohimself:\"This,atleast,I
didnotexpect,whenImadeChristianitythestatereligionofmyempire。Butyou,goodbarbarian,lookcleanenough。Youdonotlookondirtasasignofsanctity?\"
\"Onthecontrary,sire,theupperclassesofourempireboastofbeingthecleanliest——perhapstheonlyperfectlycleanly——peopleintheworld:except,ofcourse,thesavagesoftheSouthSeas。
Anddirtissofarfrombeingathingwhichweadmire,thatourscientificmen——thanwhomtheworldhasneverseenwiser——haveprovedtous,forawholegenerationpast,thatdirtisthefertilecauseofdiseaseanddrunkenness,misery,andrecklessness。\"
\"And,therefore,\"repliestheshade,erehedisappears,\"ofdiscontentandrevolution:followedbyatyrannyendured,asinRomeandmanyanotherplace,bymenoncefree;becausetyrannywillatleastdoforthemwhattheyaretoolazy,andcowardly,andgreedy,todoforthemselves。Farewell,andprosper;asyouseemlikelytoprosper,onthewhole。Butifyouwishmetoconsideryouacivilisednation:letmehearthatyouhavebroughtagreatriverfromthedepthsoftheearth,betheyathousandfathomsdeep,orfromyournearestmountains,betheyfivehundredmilesaway;andhavewashedoutLondon’sdirt——andyourownshame。Tillthen,abstainfromjudgingtooharshlyaConstantine,orevenaCaracalla;forthey,whateverweretheirsins,builtbaths,andkepttheirpeopleclean。Butdoyourgymnasia——yourschoolsanduniversities,teachyouryouthnaughtaboutallthis?\"
THETREEOFKNOWLEDGE
ThemoreIhavecontemplatedthatancientstoryoftheFall,themoreithasseemedtomewithintherangeofprobability,andevenofexperience。Itmusthavehappenedsomewhereforthefirsttime;forithashappenedonlytoomanytimessince。Ithashappened,asfarasIcanascertain,ineveryrace,andeveryage,andeverygradeofcivilisation。Itishappeningroundusnowineveryregionoftheglobe。Alwaysandeverywhere,itseemstome,havepoorhumanbeingsbeentemptedtoeatofsome\"treeofknowledge,\"thattheymaybe,evenforanhour,asgods;wise,butwithafalsewisdom;careless,butwithafranticcarelessness;
andhappy,butwithahappinesswhich,whentheexcitementispast,leavestoooften——aswiththathaplesspairinEden——
depression,shame,andfear。Everywhere,andinallages,asfarasIcanascertain,hasmanbeeninventingstimulantsandnarcoticstosupplythatwantofvitalityofwhichheissopainfullyaware;andhasaskednature,andnotGod,toclearthedullbrain,andcomfortthewearyspirit。
Thishasbeen,andwillbeperhapsformanyacenturytocome,almostthemostfearfulfailingofthispoor,exceptional,over-
organised,diseased,andtrulyfallenbeingcalledMan,whoisindoubtdailywhetherhebeagodoranape;andintryingwildlytobecometheformer,endsbuttooofteninbecomingthelatter。
Forman,whethersavageorcivilised,feels,andhasfeltineveryage,thatthereissomethingwrongwithhim。Heusuallyconfessesthisfact——asistobeexpected——ofhisfellow-men,ratherthanofhimself;andshowshissensethatthereissomethingwrongwiththembycomplainingof,hating,andkillingthem。Buthecannotalwaysconcealfromhimselfthefactthathe,too,iswrong,aswellasthey;andashewillnotusuallykillhimself,hetrieswildwaystomakehimselfatleastfeel——ifnottobe——somewhat\"better。\"Philosophersmaybidhimbecontent;andtellhimthatheiswhatheoughttobe,andwhatnaturehasmadehim。Buthecaresnothingforthephilosophers。Heknows,usually,thatheisnotwhatheoughttobe;thathecarriesaboutwithhim,inmostcases,abodymoreorlessdiseasedanddecrepit,incapableofdoingalltheworkwhichhefeelsthathehimselfcoulddo,orexpressingalltheemotionswhichhehimselflongstoexpress;adullbrainanddullsenses,whichcramptheeagerinfinitywithinhim;as——soGoetheoncesaidwithpity——thehorse’ssinglehoofcrampsthefineintelligenceandgenerosityofhisnature,andforbidshimeventograspanobject,likethemorestupidcat,andbasermonkey。Andmanhasaself,too,within,fromwhichhelongstoooftentoescape,asfromahouseholdghost;whopullsout,atunfortunatelyrudeandunwelcomehours,theledgerofmemory。Andsowhenthetempter——behewhohemay——saystohim,\"Takethis,andyouwill’feelbetter。’Takethis,andyoushallbeasgods,knowinggoodandevil:\"then,ifthetemptationwas,astheoldstorysays,toomuchformanwhilehealthyandunfallen,whatmustitbeforhisunhealthyandfallenchildren?
Invainwesaytoman:
’Tislife,notdeath,forwhichyoupant;
’Tislife,whereofyournervesarescant;
Morelife,andfuller,thatyouwant。
Andyourtreeofknowledgeisnotthetreeoflife:itisineverycase,thetreeofdeath;ofdecrepitude,madness,misery。
Heprefersthevoiceofthetempter:\"Thoushaltnotsurelydie。\"
Nay,hewillsayatlast:\"Betterbeasgodsawhile,anddie:
thanbethecrawling,insufficientthingIam;andlive。\"
He——didIsay?Alas!Imustsayshelikewise。Thesacredstoryisonlytootruetofact,whenitrepresentsthewomanasfalling,notmerelyatthesametimeastheman,butbeforetheman。Onlyletusrememberthatitrepresentsthewomanastempted;tempted,seemingly,byarationalbeing,oflowerrace,andyetofsuperiorcunning;whomust,therefore,havefallenbeforethewoman。Whoorwhatthebeingwas,whoiscalledtheSerpentinourtranslationofGenesis,itisnotformetosay。Wehaveabsolutely,Ithink,nofactsfromwhichtojudge;andRabbinicaltraditionsneedtroublenomanmuch。ButIfancythatamissionary,preachingonthisstorytoNegroes;tellingthemplainlythatthe\"Serpent\"meantthefirstObeahman;andthencomparingtheexperiencesofthathaplesspairinEden,withtheirownaftercertainorgiesnotyetextinctinAfricaandelsewhere,wouldbeonlytoowellunderstood:sowell,indeed,thathemightrunsomeriskofeatinghimself,notofthetreeoflife,butofthatofdeath。Thesorcererorsorceresstemptingthewoman;andthenthewomantemptingtheman;thisseemstobe,certainlyamongsavagepeoples,and,alas!toooftenamongcivilisedpeoplesalso,theusualcourseoftheworld-widetragedy。
But——paradoxicalasitmayseem——thewoman’syieldingbeforethemanisnotaltogethertoherdishonour,asthoseoldmonksusedtoallegewhohated,andtoooftentortured,thesexwhomtheycouldnotenjoy。Itisnottothewoman’sdishonour,ifshefelt,beforeherhusband,higheraspirationsthanthoseaftermereanimalpleasure。Tobeasgods,knowinggoodandevil,isavainandfoolish,butnotabaseandbrutal,wish。Sheprovedherselfthereby——thoughatanawfulcost——awoman,andnotananimal。Andindeedthewoman’smoredelicateorganisation,hermorevividemotions,hermorevolublefancy,aswellashermerephysicalweaknessandweariness,havebeentoher,inallages,aspecialsourceoftemptation;whichitistoherhonourthatshehasresistedsomuchbetterthanthephysicallystronger,andthereforemoreculpable,man。
Asforwhatthetreeofknowledgewas,therereallyisnoneedforustowasteourtimeinguessing。Ifitwasnotoneplant,thenitwasanother。Itmayhavebeensomethingwhichhaslongsinceperishedofftheearth。Itmayhavebeen——assomelearnedmenhaveguessed——thesacredSoma,orHoma,oftheearlyBrahminrace;
andthatmayhavebeenastillexistingnarcoticspeciesofAsclepias。Itcertainlywasnotthevine。ThelanguageoftheHebrewScriptureconcerningit,andthesacredusetowhichitisconsecratedintheGospels,forbidthatnotionutterly;atleasttothosewhoknowenoughofantiquitytopassby,withasmile,thetheorythatthewinesmentionedinScripturewerenotintoxicating。Andyet——asafreshcorroborationofwhatIamtryingtosay——howfearfullyhasthatnoblegifttomanbeenabusedforthesameendasahundredothervegetableproducts,eversincethosemythicdayswhenDionusosbroughtthevinefromthefarEast,amidtroopsofhumanMaenadsandhalf-humanSatyrs;
andtheBacchaetorePentheusinpiecesonCithaeron,fordaringtointrudeupontheirsacredrites;andsincethosehistoricdays,too,when,lessthantwohundredyearsbeforetheChristianera,theBacchicritesspreadfromSouthernItalyintoEtruria,andthencetothematronsofRome;andundertheguidanceofPoeniaAnnia,aCampanianlady,tookatlastshapesofwhichnomanmustspeak,butwhichhadtobeputdownwithterriblebutjustseverity,bytheConsulsandtheSenate。
Butitmatterslittle,Isay,whatthissametreeofknowledgewas。Waseveryvineonearthdestroyedto-morrow,andeveryvegetablealsofromwhichalcoholisnowdistilled,manwouldsoondiscoversomethingelsewherewithtosatisfytheinsatiatecraving。Hashenotdonesoalready?Hasnotalmosteverypeoplehaditstreeofknowledge,oftenmoredeadlythananydistilledliquor,fromtheabsintheofthecultivatedFrenchman,andtheopiumofthecultivatedChinese,downtothebush-poisonswherewiththetropicsorcererinitiateshisdupesintotheknowledgeofgoodandevil,andthefungusfromwhichtheSamoiedeextractsinautumnafewdaysofbrutalhappiness,beforethesettinginofthelongsixmonths’night?Godgrantthatmodernsciencemaynotbringtolightfreshsubstitutesforalcohol,opium,andtherest;andgivethewhiteraces,inthatstateofeffeminateandgodlessquasi-civilisationwhichIsometimesfeariscreepinguponthem,freshmeansofdestroyingthemselvesdelicatelyandpleasantlyoffthefaceoftheearth。
Itissaidbysomethatdrunkennessisontheincreaseinthisisland。Ihavenotrustyproofofit:butIcanbelieveitpossible;foreverycauseofdrunkennessseemsontheincrease。
Overworkofbodyandmind;circumstanceswhichdepresshealth;
temptationtodrink,anddrinkagain,ateverycornerofthestreets;andfinally,money,andevermoremoney,inthehandsofuneducatedpeople,whohavenotthedesire,andtoooftennotthemeans,ofspendingitinanysavethelowestpleasures。These,itseemstome,arethetruecausesofdrunkenness,increasingornot。Andifwewishtobecomeamoretemperatenation,wemustlessenthem,ifwecannoteradicatethem。
First,overwork。Wealllivetoofast,andworktoohard。\"Allthingsarefulloflabour,mancannotutterit。\"Intheheavystruggleforexistencewhichgoesonallaroundus,eachmanistaskedmoreandmore——ifhebereallyworthbuyingandusing——totheutmostofhispowersalldaylong。Theweakhavetocompeteonequaltermswiththestrong;andcrave,inconsequence,forartificialstrength。HowweshallstopthatIknownot,whileeverymanis\"makinghastetoberich,andpiercinghimselfthroughwithmanysorrows,andfallingintofoolishandhurtfullusts,whichdrownmenindestructionandperdition。\"Howweshallstopthat,Isay,Iknownot。Theoldprophetmayhavebeenrightwhenhesaid:\"SurelyitisnotoftheLordthatthepeopleshalllabourintheveryfire,andwearythemselvesforveryvanity;\"andinsomejuster,wiser,moresobersystemofsociety——
somewhatmoreliketheKingdomofTheFathercomeonearth——itmaybethatpoorhumanbeingswillnotneedtotoilsohard,andtokeepthemselvesuptotheirworkbystimulants,butwillhavetimetositdown,andlookaroundthem,andthinkofGod,andGod’squietuniverse,withsomethingofquietinthemselves;somethingofrationalleisure,andmanfulsobrietyofmind,aswellasofbody。
Butitseemstomealso,thatinsuchastateofsociety,when——asitwasoncewellput——\"everyonehasstoppedrunningaboutlikerats:\"——thatthosewhoworkhard,whetherwithmuscleorwithbrain,wouldnotbesurrounded,asnow,witheverycircumstancewhichtemptstowarddrink;byeverycircumstancewhichdepressesthevitalenergies,andleavesthemaneasypreytopestilenceitself;bybadlight,badair,badfood,badwater,badsmells,badoccupations,whichweakenthemuscles,crampthechest,disorderthedigestion。Letanyrationalman,freshfromthecountry——inwhichIpresumeGod,havingmadeit,meantallmen,moreorless,tolive——gothroughthebackstreetsofanycity,orthroughwholedistrictsofthe\"blackcountries\"ofEngland;andthenaskhimself:IsitthewillofGodthatHishumanchildrenshouldliveandtoilinsuchdens,suchdeserts,suchdarkplacesoftheearth?Lothimaskhimself:Cantheyliveandtoiltherewithoutcontractingaprobablydiseasedhabitofbody;withoutcontractingacertainlydull,weary,sordidhabitofmind,whichcravesforanypleasure,howeverbrutal,toescapefromitsownstupidityandemptiness?WhenIrunthrough,byrail,certainpartsoftheiron-producingcountry——streetsoffurnaces,collieries,slagheaps,mud,slop,brickhouse-rows,smoke,dirt——
andthatisall;andwhenIamtold,whethertrulyorfalsely,thatthemainthingwhichthewell-paidandwell-fedmenofthoseabominablewastescareforis——goodfighting-dogs:Icanonlyanswer,thatIamnotsurprised。
Isay——asIhavesaidelsewhere,andshalldomybesttosayitagain——thatthecravingfordrinkandnarcotics,especiallythatengenderedinourgreatcities,isnotadisease,butasymptomofdisease;ofafardeeperdiseasethananywhichdrunkennesscanproduce;namely,ofthegrowingdegeneracyofapopulationstrivinginvainbystimulantsandnarcoticstofightagainstthoseslowpoisonswithwhichourgreedybarbarism,miscalledcivilisation,hassurroundedthemfromthecradletothegrave。I
maybeansweredthattheoldGerman,Angle,Dane,drankheavily。
Iknowit:butwhydidtheydrink,saveforthesamereasonthatthefenmandrank,andhiswifetookopium,atleasttillthefensweredrained?whybuttokeepoffthedepressingeffectsofthemalariaofswampsandnewclearings,whichtoldonthem——whoalwayssettledinthelowestgrounds——intheshapeoffeverandague?Hereitmaybeansweredagainthatstimulantshavebeen,duringthememoryofman,thedestructionoftheRedIndianraceinAmerica。IreplyboldlythatIdonotbelieveit。ThereisevidenceenoughinJacquesCartier’s\"VoyagestotheRiversofCanada;\"andevidencemorethanenoughinStrachey’s\"TravaileinVirginia\"——toquoteonlytwoauthoritiesoutofmany——toprovethattheRedIndians,whenthewhitemanfirstmetwiththem,were,inNorthandSouthalike,adiseased,decaying,and,asalltheirtraditionsconfess,decreasingrace。Sucharacewouldnaturallycravefor\"thewateroflife,\"the\"usquebagh,\"orwhisky,aswehavecontractedtheoldnamenow。ButIshouldhavethoughtthatthewhiteman,byintroducingamongthesepoorcreaturesiron,fire-arms,blankets,andaboveall,horseswherewithtofollowthebuffalo-herds,whichtheycouldneverfollowonfoot,musthavedonetentimesmoretowardskeepingthemalive,thanhehasdonetowardsdestroyingthembygivingthemthechanceofaweek’sdrunkennesstwiceayear,whentheycameintohisfortstoselltheskinswhich,withouthisgifts,theywouldneverhavegot。
Sucharacewould,ofcourse,ifwantingvitality,craveforstimulants。Butifthestimulants,andnottheoriginalwantofvitality,combinedwithmoralsutterlydetestable,andworthyonlyofthegallows——andhereIknowwhatIsay,anddarenottellwhatIknow,fromeye-witnesses——havebeenthecauseoftheRedIndians’extinction,thenhowisit,letmeask,thattheIrishmanandtheScotsmanhave,oftentotheirgreatharm,beendrinkingasmuchwhisky——andusuallyverybadwhisky——notmerelytwiceayear,butasoftenastheycouldgetit,duringthewholeIronAge,and,foraughtanyonecantell,duringtheBronzeAge,andtheStoneAgebeforethat,andyetarestillthemosthealthy,able,valiant,andprolificracesinEurope?Hadtheydrunklesswhiskytheywould,doubtless,havebeenmorehealthy,able,valiant,andperhapsevenMOREprolific,thantheyarenow。Theyshownosign,however,asyet,ofgoingthewayoftheRedIndian。
Butifthecravingforstimulantsandnarcoticsisatokenofdeficientvitality,thenthedeadliestfoeofthatcraving,andallitsmiserableresults,issurelytheSanatoryReformer;themanwhopreaches,and——asfarasignoranceandvestedinterestswillallowhim,procures——forthemasses,pureair,puresunlight,purewater,puredwelling-houses,purefood。Notmerelyeveryfreshdrinking-fountain,buteveryfreshpublicbathandwash-
house,everyfreshopenspace,everyfreshgrowingtree,everyfreshopenwindow,everyfreshflowerinthatwindow——eachoftheseissomuch,astheoldPersianswouldhavesaid,conqueredforOrmuzd,thegodoflightandlife,outofthedominionofAhriman,thekingofdarknessandofdeath;somuchtakenfromthecausesofdrunkennessanddisease,andaddedtothecausesofsobrietyandhealth。
Meanwhileonethingisclear:thatifthispresentbarbarismandanarchyofcovetousness,miscalledmoderncivilisation,weretamedanddrilledintosomethingmorelikeaKingdomofGodonearth,thenweshouldnotseetherecklessandneedlessmultiplicationofliquorshops,whichdisgracesthiscountrynow。
Asasingleinstance:inonecountryparishofninehundredinhabitants,inwhichthepopulationhasincreasedonlyone-ninthinthelastfiftyyears,therearenowpracticallyeightpublic-
houses,wherefiftyyearsagotherewerebuttwo。One,thatis,foreveryhundredandten——orrather,omittingchildren,farmers,shop-keepers,gentlemen,andtheirhouseholds,oneforeveryfiftyoftheinhabitants。Inthefaceoftheallurements,oftenofthebasestkind,whichthesedensoffer,theclergymanandtheschoolmasterstruggleinvaintokeepupnightschoolsandyoungmen’sclubs,andtoinculcatehabitsofprovidence。
Theyounglabourersoveragreatpartofthesouthandeast,atleastofEngland——thoughneversowelloff,forseveralgenerations,astheyarenow——aregrowingupthriftless,shiftless;inferior,itseemstome,totheirgrandfathersineverything,savethattheycanusuallyreadandwrite,andtheirgrandfatherscouldnot;andthattheywearsmartcheapclothclothes,insteadoftheirgrandfathers’smock-frocks。
Andifitbesointhecountry,howmustitbeintowns?Theremustcomeathoroughchangeinthepresentlicensingsystem,inspiteofallthe\"pressure\"whichcertainpowerfulvestedinterestsmaybringtobearongovernments。Anditisthedutyofeverygoodcitizen,whocaresforhiscountrymen,andfortheirchildrenafterthem,tohelpinbringingaboutthatchangeasspeedilyaspossible。
Again:Isaidjustnowthataprobablecauseofincreasingdrunkennesswastheincreasingmaterialprosperityofthousandswhoknewnorecreationbeyondlowanimalpleasure。IfIamright——
andIbelievethatIamright——Imusturgeonthosewhowishdrunkennesstodecrease,thenecessityofprovidingmore,andmorerefined,recreationforthepeople。
Mendrink,andwomentoo,remember,notmerelytosupplyexhaustion,notmerelytodriveawaycare;butoftensimplytodriveawaydulness。Theyhavenothingtodosavetothinkoverwhattheyhavedoneintheday,orwhattheyexpecttodoto-
morrow;andtheyescapefromthatdrearyroundofbusinessthoughtinliquorornarcotics。Therearestillthose,bynomeansofthehand-workingclass,butabsorbedalldaybybusiness,whodrinkheavilyatnightintheirowncomfortablehomes,simplytorecreatetheirover-burdenedminds。Suchcases,doubtless,arefarlesscommonthantheywerefiftyyearsago:butwhy?Isnotthedecreaseofdrinkingamongthericherclassescertainlyduetotheincreasedrefinementandvarietyoftheirtastesandoccupations?Incultivatingtheaestheticsideofman’snature;
inengaginghimwiththebeautiful,thepure,thewonderful,thetrulynatural;withpainting,poetry,music,horticulture,physicalscience——inallthisliesrecreation,inthetrueandliteralsenseofthatword,namely,there-creatingandmendingoftheexhaustedmindandfeelings,suchasnorationalmanwillnowneglect,eitherforhimself,hischildren,orhisworkpeople。
Buthowlittleofallthisisopentothemasses,allshouldknowbuttoowell。Howlittleopportunitytheaveragehand-worker,orhiswife,hasofeatingofanytreeofknowledge,saveoftheverybasestkind,isbuttoopalpable。Wearemending,thankGod,inthisrespect。FreelibrariesandmuseumshavesprungupoflateinothercitiesbesideLondon。God’sblessingrestuponthemall。
AndtheCrystalPalace,andstilllater,theBethnalGreenMuseum,havebeen,Ibelieve,offarmoreusethanmanyaveragesermonsandlecturesfrommanyaverageorators。
ButarewenotstillfarbehindtheoldGreeks,andtheRomansoftheEmpirelikewise,intheamountofamusementandinstruction,andevenofshelter,whichweprovideforthepeople?Recollectthe——tome——disgracefulfact,thatthereisnot,asfarasIamaware,throughoutthewholeofLondon,asingleporticoorothercoveredplace,inwhichthepeoplecantakerefugeduringashower:andthisintheclimateofEngland!Wheretheydotakerefugeonawetdaythepublicanknowsbuttoowell;asheknowsalsowherethousandsofthelowerclasses,simplyforwantofanyotherplacetobein,savetheirownsordiddwellings,spendasmuchastheyarepermittedoftheSabbathday。Letusputdown\"Sundaydrinking\"byallmeans,ifwecan。Butletusrememberthatbyclosingthepublic-housesonSunday,wepreventnomanorwomanfromcarryinghomeasmuchpoisonastheychooseonSaturdaynight,tobrutalisethemselvestherewith,perhapsforeight-and-
fortyhours。Andletussee——inthenameofHimwhosaidthatHehadmadetheSabbathforman,andnotmanfortheSabbath——letussee,Isay,ifwecannotdosomethingtopreventthetownsman’sSabbathbeing,notadayofrest,butadayofmereidleness;thedayofmosttemptation,becauseofmostdulness,ofthewholeseven。
Andhere,perhapssomesweetsoulmaylookupreprovinglyandsay:
\"Hetalksofrest。Doesheforget,andwouldhehavetheworkingmanforget,thatalltheseoutwardpalliativeswillnevertouchtheseatofthedisease,theunrestofthesoulwithin?Doesheforget,andwouldhehavetheworkingmanforget,whoitwaswhosaid——whoonlyhastherighttosay:\"ComeuntoMe,allyewhoarewearyandheavyladen,andIwillgiveyourest\"?Ahno,sweetsoul。Iknowyourwordsaretrue。Iknowthatwhatweallwantisinwardrest;restofheartandbrain;thecalm,strong,self-contained,self-denyingcharacter;whichneedsnostimulants,forithasnofitsofdepression;whichneedsnonarcotics,forithasnofitsofexcitement;whichneedsnoasceticrestraints,foritisstrongenoughtouseGod’sgiftswithoutabusingthem;thecharacter,inaword,whichistrulytemperate,notindrinkorfoodmerely,butinalldesires,thoughts,andactions;freedfromthewildlustsandambitionstowhichthatoldAdamyielded,and,seekingforlightandlifebymeansforbidden,foundtherebydiseaseanddeath。Yes,Iknowthat;andknow,too,thatthatrestisfoundonlywhereyouhavealreadyfoundit。
Andyet,insuchaworldasthis,governedbyaBeingwhohasmadesunshine,andflowers,andgreengrass,andthesongofbirds,andhappyhumansmiles,andwhowouldeducatebythem——ifwewouldletHim——Hishumanchildrenfromthecradletothegrave;insuchaworldasthis,willyougrudgeanyparticleofthateducation,evenanyharmlesssubstituteforit,tothosespiritsinprisonwhosesurroundingstoooftentemptthem,fromthecradletothegrave,tofancythattheworldiscomposedofbricksandiron,andgovernedbyinspectorsandpolicemen?Preachtothosespiritsinprison,asyouknowfarbetterthanweparsonshowtopreach;butletthemhavebesidessomeglimpsesofthesplendidfact,thatoutsidetheirprison-houseisaworldwhichGod,notman,hasmade;whereingrowseverywherethattreeofknowledge,whichislikewisethetreeoflife;andthattheyhavearighttosomesmallshareofitsbeauty,anditswonder,anditsrest,fortheirownhealthofsoulandbody,andforthehealthoftheirchildrenafterthem。
GREATCITIESANDTHEIRINFLUENCEFORGOODANDEVIL{9}
Thepleasure,gentlemenandladies,ofaddressingyouhereismixedinmymindwithverysolemnfeelings;thehonourwhichyouhavedonemeistemperedbyhumiliatingthoughts。
ForitwasinthisverycityofBristol,twenty-sevenyearsago,thatIreceivedmyfirstlessoninwhatisnowcalledSocialScience;andyet,alas!morethantenyearselapsedereIcouldevenspelloutthatlesson,thoughithadbeenwrittenforme(aswellasforallEngland)inlettersofflame,fromtheoneendofheaventotheother。
Iwasaschool-boyinCliftonupabove。Ihadbeenhearingofpoliticaldisturbances,evenofriots,ofwhichIunderstoodnothing,andforwhichIcarednothing。ButononememorableSundayafternoonIsawanobjectwhichwasdistinctlynotpolitical。OtherwiseIshouldhavenorighttospeakofithere。
Itwasanafternoonofsullenautumnrain。Thefoghungthickoverthedocksandlowlands。GlaringthroughthatfogIsawabrightmassofflame——almostlikeahalf-risensun。
That,Iwastold,wasthegateofthenewgaolonfire。Thattheprisonersinithadbeensetfree;that——Butwhyspeakofwhattoomanyhererecollectbuttoowell?Thefogrolledslowlyupward。Darkfigures,evenatthatgreatdistance,wereflittingtoandfroacrosswhatseemedthemouthofthepit。Theflameincreased——multiplied——atonepointafteranother;tillbyteno’clockthatnightIseemedtobelookingdownuponDante’sInferno,andtohearthemultitudinousmoanandwailofthelostspiritssurgingtoandfroamidthatseaoffire。
RightbehindBrandonHill——howcanIeverforgetit?——rosethegreatcentralmassoffire;tillthelittlemoundseemedconvertedintoavolcano,fromthepeakofwhichtheflamestreamedup,notredalone,but,delicatelygreenandblue,paleroseandpearlywhite,whilecrimsonsparksleaptandfellagaininthemidstofthatrainbow,notofhope,butofdespair;anddullexplosionsdownbelowmingledwiththeroarofthemob,andtheinfernalhissandcrackleoftheflame。
Higherandhigherthefogwasscorchedandshrivelledupwardbythefierceheatbelow,glowingthroughandthroughwithredreflectedglare,tillitarcheditselfintoonevastdomeofred-
hotiron,fitroofforallthemadnessdownbelow——andbeneathit,milesaway,IcouldseethelonelytowerofDundieshiningred;——
thesymboloftheoldfaith,lookingdowninstatelywonderandsorrowuponthefearfulbirth-throesofanewage。Yes。——WhydidIsayjustnowdespair?Iwaswrong。Birth-throes,andnotdeathpangs,thosehorrorswere。Elsetheywouldhavenoplaceinmydiscourse;noplace,indeed,inmymind。Whytalkoverthesignsofdisease,decay,death?Letthedeadburytheirdead,andletusfollowHimwhodiethnot;bywhosecommandTheoldorderchangeth,givingplacetothenew,AndGodfulfilshimselfinmanyways。
Ifwewillbelievethis,——ifwewilllookoneachconvulsionofsociety,howeverterribleforthetimebeing,asatoken,notofdecrepitude,butofyouth;notastheexpiringconvulsionsofsinkinghumanity,butasupwardstruggles,upwardtowardfullerlight,freerair,ajuster,simpler,andmoreactivelife;——thenweshallbeabletolookcalmly,howeversadly,onthemostappallingtragediesofhumanity——evenontheselateIndianones——
andtakeourshare,faithfulandhopeful,insupplyingthenewanddeeperwantsofanewandnoblertime。
Buttoreturn。ItwasontheTuesdayorWednesdayafter,ifI
recollectright,thatIsawanother,andastillmoreawfulsight。
AlongthenorthsideofQueenSquare,infrontofruinswhichhadbeenthreedaysbeforenoblebuildings,layaghastlyrow,notofcorpses,butofcorpse-fragments。Ihavenomorewishthanyoutodilateuponthatsight。Buttherewasonecharredfragment——withascrapofoldredpetticoatadheringtoit,whichIneverforgot——
whichItrustinGodthatInevershallforget。Itisgoodforamantobebroughtonceatleastinhislifefacetofacewithfact,ultimatefact,howeverhorribleitmaybe;andhavetoconfesstohimself,shuddering,whatthingsarepossibleuponGod’searth,whenmanhasforgottenthathisonlywelfareliesinlivingafterthelikenessofGod。
NotthatIlearntthelessonthen。Whenthefirstexcitementofhorrorandwonderwerepast,whatIhadseenmademeforyearstheveriestaristocrat,fullofhatredandcontemptofthesedangerousclasses,whoseexistenceIhadforthefirsttimediscovered。Itrequiredmanyyears——years,too,ofpersonalintercoursewiththepoor——toexplaintomethetruemeaningofwhatIsawhereinOctobertwenty-sevenyearsago,andtolearnapartofthatlessonwhichGodtaughttoothersthereby。Andonepartatleastofthatlessonwasthis:Thatthesocialstateofacitydependsdirectlyonitsmoralstate,and——Ifeardissentingvoices,butImustsaywhatIbelievetobetruth——thatthemoralstateofacitydepends——howfarIknownot,butfrightfully,toanextentasyetuncalculated,andperhapsincalculable——onthephysicalstateofthatcity;onthefood,water,air,andlodgingofitsinhabitants。
Butthatlesson,andothersconnectedwithit,waslearnt,andlearntwell,byhundreds。FromthesadcatastropheIdatetheriseofthatinterestinSocialScience;thatdesireforsomenobler,moremethodic,morepermanentbenevolencethanthatwhichstopsatmerealmsgivingandcharity-schools。Thedangerousclassesbegantoberecognisedasanawfulfactwhichmustbefaced;andfaced,notbyrepression,butbyimprovement。The\"PerilsoftheNation\"begantooccupytheattentionnotmerelyofpoliticians,butofphilosophers,physicians,priests;andtheadmirablebookwhichassumedthattitledidbutre-echothefeelingofthousandsofearnesthearts。
Eversincethattime,schemeonschemeofimprovementhasbeennotonlyproposedbutcarriedout。Ageneralinterestoftheupperclassesinthelower,ageneraldesiretodogood,andtolearnhowgoodcanbedone,hasbeenawakenedthroughoutEngland,suchas,Iboldlysay,neverbeforeexistedinanycountryuponearth;
andEngland,hereyesopenedtoherneglectoftheseclasses,withoutwhosestrongarmsherwealthandgeniuswouldbeuseless,hasputherselfintoapermanentstateofconfessionofsin,repentance,andamendment,whichIverilytrustwillbeacceptedbyAlmightyGod;andwill,inspiteofourpresentshameandsorrow,{10}inspiteofshameandsorrowwhichmaybeyetinstoreforus,savealiveboththesoulandthebodyofthisancientpeople。
Letusthen,thatwemaylearnhowtobearourpartinthisgreatworkofSocialReform,considerawhilegreatcities,theirgoodandevil;andletusstartfromthefactsaboutyourowncityofwhichIhavejustputyouinremembrance。Theuniversallawwillbebestunderstoodfromtheparticularinstance;andbestofall,fromtheinstancewithwhichyouaremostintimatelyacquainted。
Anddonot,Ientreatyou,fearthatIshallberudeenoughtosayanythingwhichmaygivepaintoyou,mygeneroushosts;orpresumptuousenoughtoimputeblametoanyoneforeventswhichhappenedlongago,andoftheexcitingcausesofwhichIknowlittleornothing。BristolwasthenmerelyinthesamestateinwhichothercitiesofEnglandwere,andinwhicheverycityontheContinentisnow;andthelocalexcitingcausesofthatoutbreak,thepersonalconductofAorBinit,isjustwhatweoughtmostcarefullytoforget,ifwewishtolookattherealrootofthematter。Ifconsumption,latentintheconstitution,havebrokenoutinactivemischief,thewisephysicianwilltroublehisheadlittlewiththeparticularaccidentwhichwokeupthesleepingdisease。Thediseasewasthere,andifonethinghadnotawakeneditsomeotherwould。Andso,ifthepopulationofagreatcityhavegotintoasociallydiseasedstate,itmatterslittlewhatshockmayhavecausedittoexplode。Politicsmayinonecase,fanaticisminanother,nationalhatredinathird,hungerinafourth——perhapseven,asinByzantiumofold,nomoreimportantmatterthanthejealousybetweentheblueandthegreencharioteersinthetheatre,mayinflameawholepopulationtomadnessandcivilwar。Ourbusinessisnotwiththenatureoftheignitingspark,butofthepowderwhichisignited。
Iwillnot,then,tobegin,goasfarassomewhosaythat\"A
greatcityisagreatevil。\"WecannotsaythatBristolwasin1830orisnow,agreatevil。Itrepresentssomuchrealisedwealth;andthat,again,somuchemploymentforthousands。Itrepresentssomuchcommerce;somuchknowledgeofforeignlands;
somuchdistributionoftheirproducts;somuchscience,employedaboutthatdistribution。
Anditisundeniable,thatasyetwehavehadnomeansofrapidandcheapdistributionofgoods,whetherimportsormanufactures,savebythiscrowdingofhumanbeingsintogreatcities,forthemoreeasydespatchofbusiness。WhetherweshalldeviseothermeanshereafterisaquestionofwhichIshallspeakpresently。
Meanwhile,nomanistobeblamedfortheexistence,hardlyevenfortheevils,ofgreatcities。Theprocessoftheirgrowthhasbeenverysimple。Theyhavegatheredthemselvesroundabbeysandcastles,forthesakeofprotection;roundcourts,forthesakeoflaw;roundports,forthesakeofcommerce;roundcoalmines,forthesakeofmanufacture。Beforetheexistenceofrailroads,penny-posts,electrictelegraphs,menwerecompelledtobeascloseaspossibletoeachother,inordertoworktogether。
Whenthepopulationwassmall,andcommercefeeble,thecitiesgrewtonoverygreatsize,andthebadeffectsofthiscrowdingwerenotfelt。ThecitiesofEnglandintheMiddleAgeweretoosmalltokeeptheirinhabitantsweekafterweek,monthaftermonth,inonedeadlyvapour-bathoffoulgas;andthoughthemortalityamonginfantswasprobablyexcessive,yetweshouldhaveseenamongtheadultsurvivorsfewornoneofthosestuntedandetiolatedfiguressocommonnowinEngland,aswellasontheContinent。Thegreenfieldswerecloseoutsidethewalls,whereladsandlasseswenta-maying,andchildrengatheredflowers,andsoberburgherswiththeirwivestooktheeveningwalk;therewerethebutts,too,closeoutside,wherestalwartprentice-ladsranandwrestled,andpitchedthebar,andplayedbacksword,andpractisedwiththelong-bow;andsometimes,instormytimes,turnedoutforafewmonthsasready-trainedsoldiers,and,likeUlyssesofold,Drankdelightofbattlewiththeirpeers,andthenreturnedagaintotheworkshopandtheloom。Theverymayorandaldermanwentforth,atfiveo’clockonthesummer’smorning,withhawkandleaping-pole,afteraduckandheron;orhuntedthehareinstate,probablyinthefullgloryoffurredgownandgoldchain;andthenreturnedtobreakfast,anddoubtlesstransactedtheirday’sbusinessallthebetterfortheirmorning’sgalloponthebreezydowns。
Buttherewasanothersidetothisgenialandhealthypicture。A
hintthatthiswasastateofsocietywhichhaditsconditions,itslimit;andifthosewereinfringed,woealiketoburgherandtoprentice。Everynowandthenepidemicdiseaseenteredthejollycity——andthendownwentstrongandweak,richandpoor,beforetheinvisibleandseeminglysupernaturalarrowsofthatangelofdeathwhomtheyhadbeenpamperingunwittinglyineverybedroom。
Theyfasted,theyprayed;butinvain。TheycalledthepestilenceajudgmentofGod;andtheycalleditbyatruename。Buttheyknownot(andwhoarewetoblamethemfornotknowing?)whatitwasthatGodwasjudgingthereby——foulair,foulwater,uncleanbackyards,stiflingattics,houseshangingoverthenarrowstreettilllightandairwerealikeshutout——thattherelaythesin;
andthattoamendthatwastherepentancewhichGoddemanded。
Yetwecannotblamethem。Theyshowedthatthecrowdedcitylifecanbringouthumannoblenessaswellashumanbaseness;thattobecrushedintocontactwiththeirfellow-men,forcedatleasttheloftierandtendersoulstoknowtheirfellow-men,andthereforetocareforthem,tolovethem,todieforthem。Yes——fromonetemptationthecitylifeisfree,towhichthecountrylifeissadlyexposed——thatisolationwhich,self-contentedandself-
helping,forgetsinitssurlyindependencethatmanishisbrother’skeeper。Incities,onthecontrary,wefindthatthestoriesoftheseoldpestilences,whenthefirstpanicterrorhaspast,become,howevertragical,stillbeautifulandheroic;andwereadofnoble-heartedmenandwomenpalliatingruinwhichtheycouldnotcure,bravingdangerswhichseemedtothemmiraculous,fromwhichtheywereutterlydefenceless,spendingmoney,time,and,afterall,lifeitselfuponsufferersfromwhomtheymightwithoutshamehavefled。
Theyareverycheering,thestoriesoftheoldcitypestilences;
andthenoblenesswhichtheybroughtoutintheheartofmanyatownsmanwhohadseemedabsorbedinthelustofgain——whoperhapshadbeenreallyabsorbedinit——tillthatfearfulhourawakenedinhimhisbetterself,andtaughthim,notself-aggrandisement,butself-sacrifice;begettinginhim,outoftheverydepthofdarkness,newanddivinelight。Thatnobleness,doubtitnot,existsaseverintheheartsofcitizens。MayGodgrantustoseethedaywhenitshallawakentoexertitself,notforthepalliation,notevenforthecure,butfortheprevention,yea,theutterextermination,ofpestilence。
Aboutthemiddleofthesixteenthcentury,asfarasIcanascertain,anotherandevenmorepainfulphenomenonappearsinourgreatcities——adangerousclass。Howitaroseisnotyetclear。
ThattheReformationhadsomethingtodowiththematter,wecanhardlydoubt。Atthedissolutionofthemonasteries,themoreidle,ignorant,andprofligatemembersofthemendicantorders,unabletoliveanylongeronthealmsofthepublic,sunk,probably,intoviciouspenury。ThefrightfulmisgovernmentofthiscountryduringtheminorityofEdwardtheSixth,especiallytheconversionoftilledlandsintopasture,hadprobablytheeffectofdrivingthesurplusagriculturalpopulationintothegreattowns。Butthesocialhistoryofthiswholeperiodisasyetobscure,andIhavenorighttogiveanopiniononit。
Anotherelement,andamorepotentone,istobefoundinthedischargedsoldierswhocamehomefromforeignwar,andthesailorswhoreturnedfromourvoyagesofdiscovery,andfromourraidsagainsttheSpaniards,toooftencrippledbyscurvy,orbyTropicfevers,withperhapsalittleprizemoney,whichwasashastilyspentasithadbeenhastilygained。ThelateryearsofElizabeth,andthewholeofJamestheFirst’sreign,disclosetousanuglystateofsocietyinthelowstreetsofalloursea-porttowns;andBristol,asoneofthegreatstarting-pointsofWestIndianadventure,wasprobably,duringtheseventeenthcentury,asbadasanycityinEngland。AccordingtoBenJonson,andtheplaywritersofhistime,thebeggarsbecomearegularfourth-
estate,withtheirownlaws,andeventheirownlanguage——ofwhichwemayremark,thatthethieves’LatinofthosedaysisfullofGermanwords,indicatingthatitsinventorshadbeenemployedintheContinentalwarsofthetime。Howthatclasssprungup,wemaysee,Isuppose,prettyplainly,fromShakespeare’s\"HenrytheFifth。\"WhetherNym,Pistol,andBardolph,DollandMrs。Quickly,existedinthereignofHenrytheFifth,theycertainlyexistedinthereignofElizabeth。TheyareprobablysketchesfromlifeofpeoplewhomShakespearehadseeninAlsatiaandtheMint。
Tothesemerelyrascalelements,maleandfemale,wemustadd,I
fear,thosewhommerepenury,fromsickness,failure,wantofemploymentdroveintodwellingsofthelowestorder。Suchpeople,thoughnotcriminalthemselves,arebuttoolikelytobecometheparentsofcriminals。Iamnotblamingthem,poorsouls;Godforbid!Iammerelystatingafact。Whenweexamineintotheultimatecauseofadangerousclass;intotheonepropertycommontoallitsmembers,whetherthieves,beggars,profligates,orthemerelypauperised——wefindittobethislossofself-respect。Aslongasthatremains,poorsoulsmaystruggleonheroically,pureamidpenury,filth,degradationunspeakable。Butwhenself-
respectislost,theyarelostwithit。Andwhatevermaybethefateofvirtuousparents,childrenbroughtupindensofphysicalandmoralfilthcannotretrieveself-respect。Theysink,theymustsink,intoalifeonalevelwiththesights,sounds,aye,theverysmells,whichsurroundthem。Itisnotmerelythatthechild’smindiscontaminated,byseeingandhearing,inovercrowdedhouses,whatheshouldnothearandsee:butthewholephysicalcircumstancesofhislifearedestructiveofself-
respect。Hehasnomeansforwashinghimselfproperly:buthehasenoughoftheinnatesenseofbeautyandfitnesstofeelthatheoughtnottobedirty;hethinksthatothersdespisehimforbeingdirty,andhehalfdespiseshimselfforbeingso。Inallragedschoolsandreformatories,sotheytellme,thefirststeptowardrestoringself-respectistomakethepoorfellowsclean。
Fromthatmomenttheybegintolookonthemselvesasnewmen——withanewstart,newhopes,newduties。Fornotwithoutthedeepestphysicalaswellasmoralmeaning,wasbaptismchosenbytheoldEasterns,andadoptedbyourLordJesusChrist,asthesignofanewlife;andoutwardpuritymadethetokenandsymbolofthatinwardpuritywhichistheparentofself-respect,andmanliness,andaclearconscience;ofthefreeforehead,andtheeyewhichmeetsboldlyandhonestlytheeyeofitsfellow-man。
Butwouldthatmerephysicaldirtwereallthattheladhastocontendwith。Thereisthedesireofenjoyment。Moralandintellectualenjoymenthehasnone,andcanhavenone:butnottoenjoysomethingistobedeadinlife;andtothelowestphysicalpleasureshewillbetakehimself,andallthemorefiercelybecausehisopportunitiesofenjoymentaresolimited。Itisahideoussubject;Iwillpassitbyveryshortly;onlyaskingofyou,asIhavetoaskdailyofmyself——thissolemnquestion:We,whohavesomanycomforts,somanypleasuresofbody,soul,andspirit,fromthelowestappetitetothehighestaspiration,thatwecangratifyeachinturnwithdueandwholesomemoderation,innocentlyandinnocuously——whoarewethatweshouldjudgethepooruntaughtandovertemptedinhabitantofTempleStreetandLewin’sMead,if,havingbutoneortwopleasurespossibletohim,hesnatchesgreedily,evenfoully,atthelittlewhichhehas?
Andthisbringsmetoanother,andamostfearfulevilofgreatcities,namely,drunkenness。Iamoneofthosewhocannot,onscientificgrounds,considerdrunkennessasacauseofevil,butasaneffect。Ofcourseitisacause——acauseofendlesscrimeandmisery;butIamconvincedthattocure,youmustinquire,notwhatitcauses,butwhatcausesit?Andforthatweshallnothavetoseekfar。
Themainexcitingcauseofdrunkennessis,Ibelieve,firmly,badairandbadlodging。
Amanshallspendhisdaysbetweenafoulalleywherehebreathessulphurettedhydrogen,acloseworkshopwherehebreathescarbonicacid,andacloseandfoulbedroomwherehebreathesboth。Inneitherofthethreeplaces,meanwhile,hashehisfairshareofthatmysteriouschemicalagentwithoutwhichhealthisimpossible,thewantofwhichbetraysitselfatonceinthedulleye,thesallowcheek——namely,light。Believeme,itisnomerepoeticmetaphorwhichconnectsinScripture,LightwithLife。Itistheexpressionofadeeplaw,onewhichholdsastrueinthephysicalasinthespiritualworld;acaseinwhich(asperhapsinallcases)thelawsofthevisibleworldarethecounterpartsofthoseoftheinvisibleworld,andEarthisthesymbolofHeaven。
Deprive,then,themanofhisfairshareoffreshairandpurelight,andwhatfollows?Hisbloodisnotproperlyoxygenated:
hisnervousenergyisdepressed,hisdigestionimpaired,especiallyifhisoccupationbesedentary,orrequiresmuchstooping,andthecavityofthechesttherebybecomescontracted;
andforthatmiserablefeelingoflanguorandcravingheknowsbutoneremedy——thepassingstimulusofalcohol;——apassingstimulus;