V
THEUNFINISHEDTEMPLE
Thetaskofmodernidealistsindeedismademuchtooeasyforthembythefactthattheyarealwaystaughtthatifathinghasbeendefeatedithasbeendisproved。Logically，thecaseisquiteclearlytheotherway。Thelostcausesareexactlythosewhichmighthavesavedtheworld。IfamansaysthattheYoungPretenderwouldhavemadeEnglandhappy，itishardtoanswerhim。
IfanyonesaysthattheGeorgesmadeEnglandhappy，Ihopeweallknowwhattoanswer。Thatwhichwaspreventedisalwaysimpregnable；
andtheonlyperfectKingofEnglandwashewhowassmothered。
ExactlybecauseJacobitismfailedwecannotcallitafailure。
PreciselybecausetheCommunecollapsedasarebellionwecannotsaythatitcollapsedasasystem。Butsuchoutburstswerebrieforincidental。Fewpeoplerealizehowmanyofthelargestefforts，thefactsthatwillfillhistory，werefrustratedintheirfulldesignandcomedowntousasgiganticcripples。Ihaveonlyspacetoalludetothetwolargestfactsofmodernhistory：
theCatholicChurchandthatmoderngrowthrootedintheFrenchRevolution。
WhenfourknightsscatteredthebloodandbrainsofSt。ThomasofCanterbury，itwasnotonlyasignofangerbutofasortofblackadmiration。Theywishedforhisblood，buttheywishedevenmoreforhisbrains。SuchablowwillremainforeverunintelligibleunlesswerealisewhatthebrainsofSt。Thomaswerethinkingaboutjustbeforetheyweredistributedoverthefloor。
Theywerethinkingaboutthegreatmediaevalconceptionthatthechurchisthejudgeoftheworld。BecketobjectedtoapriestbeingtriedevenbytheLordChiefJustice。Andhisreasonwassimple：
becausetheLordChiefJusticewasbeingtriedbythepriest。
Thejudiciarywasitselfsubjudice。Thekingswerethemselvesinthedock。Theideawastocreateaninvisiblekingdom，withoutarmiesorprisons，butwithcompletefreedomtocondemnpubliclyallthekingdomsoftheearth。Whethersuchasupremechurchwouldhavecuredsocietywecannotaffirmdefinitely；
becausethechurchneverwasasupremechurch。WeonlyknowthatinEnglandatanyratetheprincesconqueredthesaints。
Whattheworldwantedweseebeforeus；andsomeofuscallitafailure。Butwecannotcallwhatthechurchwantedafailure，simplybecausethechurchfailed。Tracystruckalittletoosoon。
EnglandhadnotyetmadethegreatProtestantdiscoverythatthekingcandonowrong。Thekingwaswhippedinthecathedral；
aperformancewhichIrecommendtothosewhoregrettheunpopularityofchurch-going。Butthediscoverywasmade；andHenryVIIIscatteredBecket\'sbonesaseasilyasTracyhadscatteredhisbrains。
Ofcourse，ImeanthatCatholicismwasnottried；
plentyofCatholicsweretried，andfoundguilty。
Mypointisthattheworlddidnottireofthechurch\'sideal，butofitsreality。Monasterieswereimpugnednotforthechastityofmonks，butfortheunchastityofmonks。
Christianitywasunpopularnotbecauseofthehumility，butofthearroganceofChristians。Certainly，ifthechurchfaileditwaslargelythroughthechurchmen。
Butatthesametimehostileelementshadcertainlybeguntoenditlongbeforeitcouldhavedoneitswork。
InthenatureofthingsitneededacommonschemeoflifeandthoughtinEurope。Yetthemediaevalsystembegantobebrokentopiecesintellectually，longbeforeitshowedtheslightesthintoffallingtopiecesmorally。Thehugeearlyheresies，liketheAlbigenses，hadnotthefaintestexcuseinmoralsuperiority。
AnditisactuallytruethattheReformationbegantotearEuropeapartbeforetheCatholicChurchhadhadtimetopullittogether。
ThePrussians，forinstance，werenotconvertedtoChristianityatalluntilquiteclosetotheReformation。ThepoorcreatureshardlyhadtimetobecomeCatholicsbeforetheyweretoldtobecomeProtestants。Thisexplainsagreatdealoftheirsubsequentconduct。ButIhaveonlytakenthisasthefirstandmostevidentcaseofthegeneraltruth：
thatthegreatidealsofthepastfailednotbybeingoutlived（whichmustmeanover-lived），butbynotbeinglivedenough。
MankindhasnotpassedthroughtheMiddleAges。RathermankindhasretreatedfromtheMiddleAgesinreactionandrout。
TheChristianidealhasnotbeentriedandfoundwanting。
Ithasbeenfounddifficult；andleftuntried。
Itis，ofcourse，thesameinthecaseoftheFrenchRevolution。
AgreatpartofourpresentperplexityarisesfromthefactthattheFrenchRevolutionhashalfsucceededandhalffailed。
Inonesense，ValmywasthedecisivebattleoftheWest，andinanotherTrafalgar。Wehave，indeed，destroyedthelargestterritorialtyrannies，andcreatedafreepeasantryinalmostallChristiancountriesexceptEngland；ofwhichweshallsaymoreanon。
Butrepresentativegovernment，theoneuniversalrelic，isaverypoorfragmentofthefullrepublicanidea。
ThetheoryoftheFrenchRevolutionpresupposedtwothingsingovernment，thingswhichitachievedatthetime，butwhichithascertainlynotbequeathedtoitsimitatorsinEngland，Germany，andAmerica。Thefirstofthesewastheideaofhonorablepoverty；
thatastatesmanmustbesomethingofastoic；thesecondwastheideaofextremepublicity。ManyimaginativeEnglishwriters，includingCarlyle，seemquiteunabletoimaginehowitwasthatmenlikeRobespierreandMaratwereardentlyadmired。
Thebestansweristhattheywereadmiredforbeingpoor——
poorwhentheymighthavebeenrich。
Noonewillpretendthatthisidealexistsatallinthehautepolitiqueofthiscountry。Ournationalclaimtopoliticalincorruptibilityisactuallybasedonexactlytheoppositeargument；
itisbasedonthetheorythatwealthymeninassuredpositionswillhavenotemptationtofinancialtrickery。
WhetherthehistoryoftheEnglisharistocracy，fromthespoliationofthemonasteriestotheannexationofthemines，entirelysupportsthistheoryIamnotnowinquiring；butcertainlyitisourtheory，thatwealthwillbeaprotectionagainstpoliticalcorruption。
TheEnglishstatesmanisbribednottobebribed。
Heisbornwithasilverspooninhismouth，sothathemayneverafterwardsbefoundwiththesilverspoonsinhispocket。
Sostrongisourfaithinthisprotectionbyplutocracy，thatwearemoreandmoretrustingourempireinthehandsoffamilieswhichinheritwealthwithouteitherbloodormanners。
Someofourpoliticalhousesareparvenuebypedigree；
theyhandonvulgaritylikeacoatof-arms。Inthecaseofmanyamodernstatesmantosaythatheisbornwithasilverspooninhismouth，isatonceinadequateandexcessive。
Heisbornwithasilverknifeinhismouth。ButallthisonlyillustratestheEnglishtheorythatpovertyisperilousforapolitician。
ItwillbethesameifwecomparetheconditionsthathavecomeaboutwiththeRevolutionlegendtouchingpublicity。
TheolddemocraticdoctrinewasthatthemorelightthatwasletintoalldepartmentsofState，theeasieritwasforarighteousindignationtomovepromptlyagainstwrong。Inotherwords，monarchsweretoliveinglasshouses，thatmobsmightthrowstones。
Again，noadmirerofexistingEnglishpolitics（ifthereisanyadmirerofexistingEnglishpolitics）willreallypretendthatthisidealofpublicityisexhausted，orevenattempted。
Obviouslypubliclifegrowsmoreprivateeveryday。
TheFrenchhave，indeed，continuedthetraditionofrevealingsecretsandmakingscandals；hencetheyaremoreflagrantandpalpablethanwe，notinsinbutintheconfessionofsin。
ThefirsttrialofDreyfusmighthavehappenedinEngland；
itisexactlythesecondtrialthatwouldhavebeenlegallyimpossible。But，indeed，ifwewishtorealisehowfarwefallshortoftheoriginalrepublicanoutline，thesharpestwaytotestitistonotehowfarwefallshortevenoftherepublicanelementintheolderregime。
NotonlyarewelessdemocraticthanDantonandCondorcet，butweareinmanywayslessdemocraticthanChoiseulandMarieAntoinette。Therichestnoblesbeforetherevoltwereneedymiddle-classpeoplecomparedwithourRothschildsandRoseberys。AndinthematterofpublicitytheoldFrenchmonarchywasinfinitelymoredemocraticthananyofthemonarchiesoftoday。
Practicallyanybodywhochosecouldwalkintothepalaceandseethekingplayingwithhischildren，orparinghisnails。
Thepeoplepossessedthemonarch，，asthepeoplepossessPrimroseHill；
thatis，theycannotmoveit，buttheycansprawlalloverit。
TheoldFrenchmonarchywasfoundedontheexcellentprinciplethatacatmaylookataking。Butnowadaysacatmaynotlookataking；unlessitisaverytamecat。Evenwherethepressisfreeforcriticismitisonlyusedforadulation。
Thesubstantialdifferencecomestosomethinguncommonlylikethis：
Eighteenthcenturytyrannymeantthatyoucouldsay\"TheK__
ofBr__rdisaprofligate。\"Twentiethcenturylibertyreallymeansthatyouareallowedtosay\"TheKingofBrentfordisamodelfamilyman。\"
Butwehavedelayedthemainargumenttoolongfortheparentheticalpurposeofshowingthatthegreatdemocraticdream，likethegreatmediaevaldream，hasinastrictandpracticalsensebeenadreamunfulfilled。WhateveristhematterwithmodernEnglanditisnotthatwehavecarriedouttooliterally，orachievedwithdisappointingcompleteness，eithertheCatholicismofBecketortheequalityofMarat。NowIhavetakenthesetwocasesmerelybecausetheyaretypicaloftenthousandothercases；theworldisfulloftheseunfulfilledideas，theseuncompletedtemples。
Historydoesnotconsistofcompletedandcrumblingruins；ratheritconsistsofhalf-builtvillasabandonedbyabankrupt-builder。Thisworldismorelikeanunfinishedsuburbthanadesertedcemetery。
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VI
THEENEMIESOFPROPERTY
Butitisforthisespecialreasonthatsuchanexplanationisnecessaryontheverythresholdofthedefinitionofideals。
ForowingtothathistoricfallacywithwhichIhavejustdealt，numbersofreaderswillexpectme，whenIpropoundanideal，topropoundanewideal。NowIhavenonotionatallofpropoundinganewideal。
Thereisnonewidealimaginablebythemadnessofmodernsophists，whichwillbeanythinglikesostartlingasfulfillinganyoneoftheoldones。Onthedaythatanycopybookmaximiscarriedouttherewillbesomethinglikeanearthquakeontheearth。
Thereisonlyonethingnewthatcanbedoneunderthesun；
andthatistolookatthesun。IfyouattemptitonabluedayinJune，youwillknowwhymendonotlookstraightattheirideals。
Thereisonlyonereallystartlingthingtobedonewiththeideal，andthatistodoit。Itistofacetheflaminglogicalfact，anditsfrightfulconsequences。Christknewthatitwouldbeamorestunningthunderbolttofulfilthelawthantodestroyit。
ItistrueofboththecasesIhavequoted，andofeverycase。
Thepaganshadalwaysadoredpurity：Athena，Artemis，Vesta。Itwaswhenthevirginmartyrsbegandefiantlytopracticepuritythattheyrentthemwithwildbeasts，androlledthemonred-hotcoals。
Theworldhadalwayslovedthenotionofthepoormanuppermost；
itcanbeprovedbyeverylegendfromCinderellatoWhittington，byeverypoemfromtheMagnificattotheMarseillaise。ThekingswentmadagainstFrancenotbecausesheidealizedthisideal，butbecausesherealizedit。JosephofAustriaandCatherineofRussiaquiteagreedthatthepeopleshouldrule；whathorrifiedthemwasthatthepeopledid。TheFrenchRevolution，therefore，isthetypeofalltruerevolutions，becauseitsidealisasoldastheOldAdam，butitsfulfilmentalmostasfresh，asmiraculous，andasnewastheNewJerusalem。
Butinthemodernworldweareprimarilyconfrontedwiththeextraordinaryspectacleofpeopleturningtonewidealsbecausetheyhavenottriedtheold。MenhavenotgottiredofChristianity；
theyhaveneverfoundenoughChristianitytogettiredof。
Menhaveneverweariedofpoliticaljustice；theyhaveweariedofwaitingforit。
Now，forthepurposeofthisbook，Iproposetotakeonlyoneoftheseoldideals；butonethatisperhapstheoldest。
Itaketheprincipleofdomesticity：theidealhouse；
thehappyfamily，theholyfamilyofhistory。Forthemomentitisonlynecessarytoremarkthatitislikethechurchandliketherepublic，nowchieflyassailedbythosewhohaveneverknownit，orbythosewhohavefailedtofulfilit。
Numberlessmodernwomenhaverebelledagainstdomesticityintheorybecausetheyhaveneverknownitinpractice。Hostsofthepooraredriventotheworkhousewithouteverhavingknownthehouse。
Generallyspeaking，theculturedclassisshriekingtobeletoutofthedecenthome，justastheworkingclassisshoutingtobeletintoit。
Nowifwetakethishouseorhomeasatest，wemayverygenerallylaythesimplespiritualfoundationsortheidea。
Godisthatwhichcanmakesomethingoutofnothing。Man（itmaytrulybesaid）isthatwhichcanmakesomethingoutofanything。
Inotherwords，whilethejoyofGodbeunlimitedcreation，thespecialjoyofmanislimitedcreation，thecombinationofcreationwithlimits。Man\'spleasure，therefore，istopossessconditions，butalsotobepartlypossessedbythem；
tobehalf-controlledbythefluteheplaysorbythefieldhedigs。
Theexcitementistogettheutmostoutofgivenconditions；
theconditionswillstretch，butnotindefinitely。Amancanwriteanimmortalsonnetonanoldenvelope，orhackaherooutofalumpofrock。
Buthackingasonnetoutofarockwouldbealaboriousbusiness，andmakingaherooutofanenvelopeisalmostoutofthesphereofpracticalpolitics。Thisfruitfulstrifewithlimitations，whenitconcernssomeairyentertainmentofaneducatedclass，goesbythenameofArt。Butthemassofmenhaveneithertimenoraptitudefortheinventionofinvisibleorabstractbeauty。
Forthemassofmentheideaofartisticcreationcanonlybeexpressedbyanideaunpopularinpresentdiscussions——theideaofproperty。
Theaveragemancannotcutclayintotheshapeofaman；
buthecancutearthintotheshapeofagarden；andthoughhearrangesitwithredgeraniumsandbluepotatoesinalternatestraightlines，heisstillanartist；becausehehaschosen。
Theaveragemancannotpaintthesunsetwhosecolorsbeadmires；
buthecanpainthisownhousewithwhatcolorhechooses，andthoughhepaintsitpeagreenwithpinkspots，heisstillanartist；
becausethatishischoice。Propertyismerelytheartofthedemocracy。
Itmeansthateverymanshouldhavesomethingthathecanshapeinhisownimage，asheisshapedintheimageofheaven。
ButbecauseheisnotGod，butonlyagravenimageofGod，hisself-expressionmustdealwithlimits；properlywithlimitsthatarestrictandevensmall。
Iamwellawarethattheword\"property\"hasbeendefiedinourtimebythecorruptionofthegreatcapitalists。Onewouldthink，tohearpeopletalk，thattheRothchildsandtheRockefellerswereonthesideofproperty。Butobviouslytheyaretheenemiesofproperty；becausetheyareenemiesoftheirownlimitations。
Theydonotwanttheirownland；butotherpeople\'s。Whentheyremovetheirneighbor\'slandmark，theyalsoremovetheirown。
Amanwholovesalittletriangularfieldoughttoloveitbecauseitistriangular；anyonewhodestroystheshape，bygivinghimmoreland，isathiefwhohasstolenatriangle。
AmanwiththetruepoetryofpossessionwishestoseethewallwherehisgardenmeetsSmith\'sgarden；thehedgewherehisfarmtouchesBrown\'s。Hecannotseetheshapeofhisownlandunlessheseestheedgesofhisneighbor\'s。ItisthenegationofpropertythattheDukeofSutherlandshouldhaveallthefarmsinoneestate；
justasitwouldbethenegationofmarriageifhehadallourwivesinoneharem。
***
VII
THEFREEFAMILY
AsIhavesaid，Iproposetotakeonlyonecentralinstance；
Iwilltaketheinstitutioncalledtheprivatehouseorhome；
theshellandorganofthefamily。Wewillconsidercosmicandpoliticaltendenciessimplyastheystrikethatancientanduniqueroof。VeryfewwordswillsufficeforallIhavetosayaboutthefamilyitself。Ileavealonethespeculationsaboutitsanimaloriginandthedetailsofitssocialreconstruction；
Iamconcernedonlywithitspalpableomnipresence。
Itisanecessityfarmankind；itis（ifyouliketoputitso）
atrapformankind。Onlybythehypocriticalignoringofahugefactcananyonecontrivetotalkof\"freelove\"；asiflovewereanepisodelikelightingacigarette，orwhistlingatune。
Supposewheneveramanlitacigarette，atoweringgeniearosefromtheringsofsmokeandfollowedhimeverywhereasahugeslave。
Supposewheneveramanwhistledatunehe\"drewanangeldown\"
andhadtowalkaboutforeverwithaseraphonastring。
ThesecatastrophicimagesarebutfaintparallelstotheearthquakeconsequencesthatNaturehasattachedtosex；anditisperfectlyplainatthebeginningthatamancannotbeafreelover；
heiseitheratraitororatiedman。Thesecondelementthatcreatesthefamilyisthatitsconsequences，thoughcolossal，aregradual；
thecigaretteproducesababygiant，thesongonlyaninfantseraph。
Thencearisesthenecessityforsomeprolongedsystemofco-operation；
andthencearisesthefamilyinitsfulleducationalsense。
Itmaybesaidthatthisinstitutionofthehomeistheoneanarchistinstitution。Thatistosay，itisolderthanlaw，andstandsoutsidetheState。Byitsnatureitisrefreshedorcorruptedbyindefinableforcesofcustomorkinship。
ThisisnottobeunderstoodasmeaningthattheStatehasnoauthorityoverfamilies；thatStateauthorityisinvokedandoughttobeinvokedinmanyabnormalcases。Butinmostnormalcasesoffamilyjoysandsorrows，theStatehasnomodeofentry。
Itisnotsomuchthatthelawshouldnotinterfere，asthatthelawcannot。Justastherearefieldstoofaroffforlaw，sotherearefieldstoonear；asamanmayseetheNorthPolebeforeheseeshisownbackbone。Smallandnearmattersescapecontrolatleastasmuchasvastandremoteones；
andtherealpainsandpleasuresofthefamilyformastronginstanceofthis。Ifababycriesforthemoon，thepolicemancannotprocurethemoon——butneithercanhestopthebaby。
Creaturessoclosetoeachotherashusbandandwife，oramotherandchildren，havepowersofmakingeachotherhappyormiserablewithwhichnopubliccoercioncandeal。
Ifamarriagecouldbedissolvedeverymorningitwouldnotgivebackhisnight\'sresttoamankeptawakebyacurtainlecture；
andwhatisthegoodofgivingamanalotofpowerwhereheonlywantsalittlepeace？Thechildmustdependonthemostimperfectmother；themothermaybedevotedtothemostunworthychildren；insuchrelationslegalrevengesarevain。
Evenintheabnormalcaseswherethelawmayoperate，thisdifficultyisconstantlyfound；asmanyabewilderedmagistrateknows。
Hehastosavechildrenfromstarvationbytakingawaytheirbreadwinner。Andheoftenhastobreakawife\'sheartbecauseherhusbandhasalreadybrokenherhead。
TheStatehasnotooldelicateenoughtoderacinatetherootedhabitsandtangledaffectionsofthefamily；thetwosexes，whetherhappyorunhappy，aregluedtogethertootightlyforustogetthebladeofalegalpenknifeinbetweenthem。
Themanandthewomanareoneflesh——yes，evenwhentheyarenotonespirit。Manisaquadruped。Uponthisancientandanarchicintimacy，typesofgovernmenthavelittleornoeffect；
itishappyorunhappy，byitsownsexualwholesomenessandgenialhabit，undertherepublicofSwitzerlandorthedespotismofSiam。EvenarepublicinSiamwouldnothavedonemuchtowardsfreeingtheSiameseTwins。
Theproblemisnotinmarriage，butinsex；andwouldbefeltunderthefreestconcubinage。Nevertheless，theoverwhelmingmassofmankindhasnotbelievedinfreedominthismatter，butratherinamoreorlesslastingtie。Tribesandcivilizationsdifferabouttheoccasionsonwhichwemayloosenthebond，buttheyallagreethatthereisabondtobeloosened，notamereuniversaldetachment。
ForthepurposesofthisbookIamnotconcernedtodiscussthatmysticalviewofmarriageinwhichImyselfbelieve：
thegreatEuropeantraditionwhichhasmademarriageasacrament。
ItisenoughtosayherethatheathenandChristianalikehaveregardedmarriageasatie；athingnotnormallytobesundered。
Briefly，thishumanbeliefinasexualbondrestsonaprincipleofwhichthemodernmindhasmadeaveryinadequatestudy。
Itis，perhaps，mostnearlyparalleledbytheprincipleofthesecondwindinwalking。
Theprincipleisthis：thatineverythingworthhaving，evenineverypleasure，thereisapointofpainortediumthatmustbesurvived，sothatthepleasuremayreviveandendure。
Thejoyofbattlecomesafterthefirstfearofdeath；
thejoyofreadingVirgilcomesaftertheboreoflearninghim；
theglowofthesea-bathercomesaftertheicyshockoftheseabath；
andthesuccessofthemarriagecomesafterthefailureofthehoneymoon。Allhumanvows，laws，andcontractsaresomanywaysofsurvivingwithsuccessthisbreakingpoint，thisinstantofpotentialsurrender。
Ineverythingonthisearththatisworthdoing，thereisastagewhennoonewoulddoit，exceptfornecessityorhonor。
ItisthenthattheInstitutionupholdsamanandhelpshimontothefirmergroundahead。WhetherthissolidfactofhumannatureissufficienttojustifythesublimededicationofChristianmarriageisquiteanothermatter，itisamplysufficienttojustifythegeneralhumanfeelingofmarriageasafixedthing，dissolutionofwhichisafaultor，atleast，anignominy。
Theessentialelementisnotsomuchdurationassecurity。
Twopeoplemustbetiedtogetherinordertodothemselvesjustice；
fortwentyminutesatadance，orfortwentyyearsinamarriageInbothcasesthepointis，thatifamanisboredinthefirstfiveminuteshemustgoonandforcehimselftobehappy。
Coercionisakindofencouragement；andanarchy（orwhatsomecallliberty）isessentiallyoppressive，becauseitisessentiallydiscouraging。Ifweallfloatedintheairlikebubbles，freetodriftanywhereatanyinstant，thepracticalresultwouldbethatnoonewouldhavethecouragetobeginaconversation。
Itwouldbesoembarrassingtostartasentenceinafriendlywhisper，andthenhavetoshoutthelasthalfofitbecausetheotherpartywasfloatingawayintothefreeandformlessetherThetwomustholdeachothertodojusticetoeachother。
IfAmericanscanbedivorcedfor\"incompatibilityoftemper\"
Icannotconceivewhytheyarenotalldivorced。
Ihaveknownmanyhappymarriages，butneveracompatibleone。
Thewholeaimofmarriageistofightthroughandsurvivetheinstantwhenincompatibilitybecomesunquestionable。
Foramanandawoman，assuch，areincompatible。
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VIII
THEWILDNESSOFDOMESTICITY
Inthecourseofthiscrudestudyweshallhavetotouchonwhatiscalledtheproblemofpoverty，especiallythedehumanizedpovertyofmodernindustrialism。Butinthisprimarymatteroftheidealthedifficultyisnottheproblemofpoverty，buttheproblemofwealth。
Itisthespecialpsychologyofleisureandluxurythatfalsifieslife。
Someexperienceofmodernmovementsofthesortcalled\"advanced\"hasledmetotheconvictionthattheygenerallyreposeuponsomeexperiencepeculiartotherich。ItissowiththatfallacyoffreeloveofwhichI
havealreadyspoken；theideaofsexualityasastringofepisodes。
Thatimpliesalongholidayinwhichtogettiredofonewoman，andamotorcarinwhichtowanderlookingforothers；italsoimpliesmoneyformaintenances。Anomnibusconductorhashardlytimetolovehisownwife，letaloneotherpeople\'s。Andthesuccesswithwhichnuptialestrangementsaredepictedinmodern\"problemplays\"
isduetothefactthatthereisonlyonethingthatadramacannotdepict——thatisahardday\'swork。Icouldgivemanyotherinstancesofthisplutocraticassumptionbehindprogressivefads。
Forinstance，thereisaplutocraticassumptionbehindthephrase\"Whyshouldwomanbeeconomicallydependentuponman？\"
Theansweristhatamongpoorandpracticalpeoplesheisn\'t；
exceptinthesenseinwhichheisdependentuponher。
Ahunterhastotearhisclothes；theremustbesomebodytomendthem。
Afisherhastocatchfish；theremustbesomebodytocookthem。
Itissurelyquiteclearthatthismodernnotionthatwomanisamere\"prettyclingingparasite，\"\"aplaything，\"etc。，arosethroughthesombercontemplationofsomerichbankingfamily，inwhichthebanker，atleast，wenttothecityandpretendedtodosomething，whilethebanker\'swifewenttotheParkanddidnotpretendtodoanythingatall。
Apoormanandhiswifeareabusinesspartnership。Ifonepartnerinafirmofpublishersinterviewstheauthorswhiletheotherinterviewstheclerks，isoneofthemeconomicallydependent？
WasHodderaprettyparasiteclingingtoStoughton？WasMarshallamereplaythingforSnelgrove？
Butofallthemodernnotionsgeneratedbymerewealththeworstisthis：
thenotionthatdomesticityisdullandtame。Insidethehome（theysay）
isdeaddecorumandroutine；outsideisadventureandvariety。
Thisisindeedarichman\'sopinion。Therichmanknowsthathisownhousemovesonvastandsoundlesswheelsofwealth，isrunbyregimentsofservants，byaswiftandsilentritual。Ontheotherhand，everysortofvagabondageofromanceisopentohiminthestreetsoutside。
Hehasplentyofmoneyandcanaffordtobeatramp。
Hiswildestadventurewillendinarestaurant，whiletheyokel\'stamestadventuremayendinapolice-court。Ifhesmashesawindowhecanpayforit；ifhesmashesamanhecanpensionhim。Hecan（likethemillionaireinthestory）buyanhoteltogetaglassofgin。
Andbecausehe，theluxuriousman，dictatesthetoneofnearlyall\"advanced\"and\"progressive\"thought，wehavealmostforgottenwhatahomereallymeanstotheoverwhelmingmillionsofmankind。
Forthetruthis，thattothemoderatelypoorthehomeistheonlyplaceofliberty。Nay，itistheonlyplaceofanarchy。
Itistheonlyspotontheearthwhereamancanalterarrangementssuddenly，makeanexperimentorindulgeinawhim。
Everywhereelsehegoeshemustacceptthestrictrulesoftheshop，inn，club，ormuseumthathehappenstoenter。
Hecaneathismealsonthefloorinhisownhouseifhelikes。
Ioftendoitmyself；itgivesacurious，childish，poetic，picnicfeeling。TherewouldbeconsiderabletroubleifItriedtodoitinanA。B。C。tea-shop。Amancanwearadressinggownandslippersinhishouse；whileIamsurethatthiswouldnotbepermittedattheSavoy，thoughIneveractuallytestedthepoint。
Ifyougotoarestaurantyoumustdrinksomeofthewinesonthewinelist，allofthemifyouinsist，butcertainlysomeofthem。
Butifyouhaveahouseandgardenyoucantrytomakehollyhockteaorconvolvuluswineifyoulike。Foraplain，hard-workingmanthehomeisnottheonetameplaceintheworldofadventure。
Itistheonewildplaceintheworldofrulesandsettasks。
Thehomeistheoneplacewherehecanputthecarpetontheceilingortheslatesonthefloorifhewantsto。
Whenamanspendseverynightstaggeringfrombartobarorfrommusic-halltomusic-hall，wesaythatheislivinganirregularlife。
Butheisnot；heislivingahighlyregularlife，underthedull，andoftenoppressive，lawsofsuchplaces。
Sometimesheisnotallowedeventositdowninthebars；
andfrequentlyheisnotallowedtosinginthemusic-halls。
Hotelsmaybedefinedasplaceswhereyouareforcedtodress；
andtheatersmaybedefinedasplaceswhereyouareforbiddentosmoke。Amancanonlypicnicathome。
NowItake，asIhavesaid，thissmallhumanomnipotence，thispossessionofadefinitecellorchamberofliberty，astheworkingmodelforthepresentinquiry。
WhetherwecangiveeveryEnglishmanafreehomeofhisownornot，atleastweshoulddesireit；andhedesiresit。
Forthemomentwespeakofwhathewants，notofwhatheexpectstoget。Hewants，farinstance，aseparatehouse；
hedoesnotwantasemi-detachedhouse。Hemaybeforcedinthecommercialracetoshareonewallwithanotherman。
Similarlyhemightbeforcedinathree-leggedracetoshareonelegwithanotherman；butitisnotsothathepictureshimselfinhisdreamsofeleganceandliberty。Again，hedoesnotdesireaflat。HecaneatandsleepandpraiseGodinaflat；
hecaneatandsleepandpraiseGodinarailwaytrain。
Butarailwaytrainisnotahouse，becauseitisahouseonwheels。
Andaflatisnotahouse，becauseitisahouseonstilts。
Anideaofearthycontactandfoundation，aswellasanideaofseparationandindependence，isapartofthisinstructivehumanpicture。
Itake，then，thisoneinstitutionasatest。Aseverynormalmandesiresawoman，andchildrenbornofawoman，everynormalmandesiresahouseofhisowntoputtheminto。
Hedoesnotmerelywantaroofabovehimandachairbelowhim；hewantsanobjectiveandvisiblekingdom；
afireatwhichhecancookwhatfoodhelikes，adoorhecanopentowhatfriendshechooses。Thisisthenormalappetiteofmen；Idonotsaytherearenotexceptions。
Theremaybesaintsabovetheneedandphilanthropistsbelowit。
Opalstein，nowheisaduke，mayhavegotusedtomorethanthis；
andwhenhewasaconvictmayhavegotusedtoless。
Butthenormalityofthethingisenormous。Togivenearlyeverybodyordinaryhouseswouldpleasenearlyeverybody；
thatiswhatIassertwithoutapology。NowinmodernEngland（asyoueagerlypointout）itisverydifficulttogivenearlyeverybodyhouses。Quiteso；Imerelysetupthedesideratum；
andaskthereadertoleaveitstandingtherewhileheturnswithmetoaconsiderationofwhatreallyhappensinthesocialwarsofourtime。
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IX
HISTORYOFHUDGEANDGUDGE
Thereis，letussay，acertainfilthyrookeryinHoxton，drippingwithdiseaseandhoneycombedwithcrimeandpromiscuity。
Thereare，letussay，twonobleandcourageousyoungmen，ofpureintentionsand（ifyoupreferit）noblebirth；letuscallthemHudgeandGudge。Hudge，letussay，isofabustlingsort；
hepointsoutthatthepeoplemustatallcostsbegotoutofthisden；hesubscribesandcollectsmoney，buthefinds（despitethelargefinancialinterestsoftheHudges）thatthethingwillhavetobedoneonthecheapifitistobedoneonthespot。
Hertherefore，runsuparowoftallbaretenementslikebeehives；
andsoonhasallthepoorpeoplebundledintotheirlittlebrickcells，whicharecertainlybetterthantheiroldquarters，insofarastheyareweatherproof，wellventilatedandsuppliedwithcleanwater。ButGudgehasamoredelicatenature。
Hefeelsanamelesssomethinglackinginthelittlebrickboxes；
heraisesnumberlessobjections；heevenassailsthecelebratedHudgeReport，withtheGudgeMinorityReport；andbytheendofayearorsohascometotellingHudgeheatedlythatthepeopleweremuchhappierwheretheywerebefore。Asthepeoplepreserveinbothplacespreciselythesameairofdazedamiability，itisverydifficulttofindoutwhichisright。Butatleastonemightsafelysaythatnopeopleeverlikedstenchorstarvationassuch，butonlysomepeculiarpleasuresentangledwiththem。
NotsofeelsthesensitiveGudge。Longbeforethefinalquarrel（Hudgev。GudgeandAnother），Gudgehassucceededinpersuadinghimselfthatslumsandstinksarereallyverynicethings；
thatthehabitofsleepingfourteeninaroomiswhathasmadeourEnglandgreat；andthatthesmellofopendrainsisabsolutelyessentialtotherearingofavikingbreed。
But，meanwhile，hastherebeennodegenerationinHudge？Alas，Ifeartherehas。Thosemaniacallyuglybuildingswhichheoriginallyputupasunpretentiousshedsbarelytoshelterhumanlife，groweverydaymoreandmorelovelytohisdeludedeye。
Thingshewouldneverhavedreamedofdefending，exceptascrudenecessities，thingslikecommonkitchensorinfamousasbestosstoves，begintoshinequitesacredlybeforehim，merelybecausetheyreflectthewrathofGudge。Hemaintains，withtheaidofeagerlittlebooksbySocialists，thatmanisreallyhappierinahivethaninahouse。
ThepracticaldifficultyofkeepingtotalstrangersoutofyourbedroomhedescribesasBrotherhood；andthenecessityforclimbingtwenty-threeflightsofcoldstonestairs，IdaresayhecallsEffort。Thenetresultoftheirphilanthropicadventureisthis：
thatonehascometodefendingindefensibleslumsandstillmoreindefensibleslum-landlords，whiletheotherhascometotreatingasdivinetheshedsandpipeswhichheonlymeantasdesperate。
GudgeisnowacorruptandapoplecticoldToryintheCarltonClub；
ifyoumentionpovertytohimheroarsatyouinathick，hoarsevoicesomethingthatisconjecturedtobe\"Do\'emgood！\"
NorisHudgemorehappy；forheisaleanvegetarianwithagray，pointedbeardandanunnaturallyeasysmile，whogoesabouttellingeverybodythatatlastweshallallsleepinoneuniversalbedroom；
andhelivesinaGardenCity，likeoneforgottenofGod。
SuchisthelamentablehistoryofHudgeandGudge；whichImerelyintroduceasatypeofanendlessandexasperatingmisunderstandingwhichisalwaysoccurringinmodernEngland。Togetmenoutofarookerymenareputintoatenement；andatthebeginningthehealthyhumansoulloathesthemboth。Aman\'sfirstdesireistogetawayasfaraspossiblefromtherookery，evenshouldhismadcourseleadhimtoamodeldwelling。Theseconddesireis，naturally，togetawayfromthemodeldwelling，evenifitshouldleadamanbacktotherookery。
ButIamneitheraHudgiannoraGudgian；andIthinkthemistakesofthesetwofamousandfascinatingpersonsarosefromonesimplefact。
TheyarosefromthefactthatneitherHudgenorGudgehadeverthoughtforaninstantwhatsortofhouseamanmightprobablylikeforhimself。
Inshort，theydidnotbeginwiththeideal；and，therefore，werenotpracticalpoliticians。
Wemaynowreturntothepurposeofourawkwardparenthesisaboutthepraiseofthefutureandthefailuresofthepast。
Ahouseofhisownbeingtheobviousidealforeveryman，wemaynowask（takingthisneedastypicalofallsuchneeds）whyhehasn\'tgotit；
andwhetheritisinanyphilosophicalsensehisownfault。
Now，Ithinkthatinsomephilosophicalsenseitishisownfault，Ithinkinayetmorephilosophicalsenseitisthefaultofhisphilosophy。
AndthisiswhatIhavenowtoattempttoexplain。
Burke，afinerhetorician，whorarelyfacedrealities，said，Ithink，thatanEnglishman\'shouseishiscastle。
Thisishonestlyentertaining；forasithappenstheEnglishmanisalmosttheonlymaninEuropewhosehouseisnothiscastle。
Nearlyeverywhereelseexiststheassumptionofpeasantproprietorship；
thatapoormanmaybealandlord，thoughheisonlylordofhisownland。Makingthelandlordandthetenantthesamepersonhascertaintrivialadvantages，asthatthetenantpaysnorent，whilethelandlorddoesalittlework。
ButIamnotconcernedwiththedefenseofsmallproprietorship，butmerelywiththefactthatitexistsalmosteverywhereexceptinEngland。Itisalsotrue，however，thatthisestateofsmallpossessionisattackedeverywheretoday；ithasneverexistedamongourselves，anditmaybedestroyedamongourneighbors。
Wehave，therefore，toaskourselveswhatitisinhumanaffairsgenerally，andinthisdomesticidealinparticular，thathasreallyruinedthenaturalhumancreation，especiallyinthiscountry。
Manhasalwayslosthisway。HehasbeenatrampeversinceEden；
buthealwaysknew，orthoughtheknew，whathewaslookingfor。
Everymanhasahousesomewhereintheelaboratecosmos；
hishousewaitsforhimwaistdeepinslowNorfolkriversorsunningitselfuponSussexdowns。Manhasalwaysbeenlookingforthathomewhichisthesubjectmatterofthisbook。
Butinthebleakandblindinghailofskepticismtowhichhehasbeennowsolongsubjected，hehasbegunforthefirsttimetobechilled，notmerelyinhishopes，butinhisdesires。
Forthefirsttimeinhistoryhebeginsreallytodoubttheobjectofhiswanderingsontheearth。Hehasalwayslosthisway；
butnowhehaslosthisaddress。
Underthepressureofcertainupper-classphilosophies（orinotherwords，underthepressureofHudgeandGudge）
theaveragemanhasreallybecomebewilderedaboutthegoalofhisefforts；andhisefforts，therefore，growfeeblerandfeebler。
Hissimplenotionofhavingahomeofhisownisderidedasbourgeois，assentimental，orasdespicablyChristian。Undervariousverbalformsheisrecommendedtogoontothestreets——
whichiscalledIndividualism；ortothework-house——whichiscalledCollectivism。Weshallconsiderthisprocesssomewhatmorecarefullyinamoment。ButitmaybesaidherethatHudgeandGudge，orthegoverningclassgenerally，willneverfailforlackofsomemodernphrasetocovertheirancientpredominance。
ThegreatlordswillrefusetheEnglishpeasanthisthreeacresandacowonadvancedgrounds，iftheycannotrefuseitlongeronreactionarygrounds。TheywilldenyhimthethreeacresongroundsofStateOwnership。Theywillforbidhimthecowongroundsofhumanitarianism。
AndthisbringsustotheultimateanalysisofthissingularinfluencethathaspreventeddoctrinaldemandsbytheEnglishpeople。Thereare，Ibelieve，somewhostilldenythatEnglandisgovernedbyanoligarchy。
Itisquiteenoughformetoknowthatamanmighthavegonetosleepsomethirtyyearsagoovertheday\'snewspaperandwokeuplastweekoverthelaternewspaper，andfanciedhewasreadingaboutthesamepeople。
InonepaperhewouldhavefoundaLordRobertCecil，aMr。Gladstone，aMr。Lyttleton，aChurchill，aChamberlain，aTrevelyan，anAcland。
IntheotherpaperhewouldfindaLordRobertCecil，aMr。Gladstone，aMr。Lyttleton，aChurchill，aChamberlain，aTrevelyan，anAcland。
IfthisisnotbeinggovernedbyfamiliesIcannotimaginewhatitis。
Isupposeitisbeinggovernedbyextraordinarydemocraticcoincidences。
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X
OPPRESSIONBYOPTIMISM
Butwearenothereconcernedwiththenatureandexistenceofthearistocracy，butwiththeoriginofitspeculiarpower，whyisitthelastofthetrueoligarchiesofEurope；andwhydoesthereseemnoveryimmediateprospectofourseeingtheendofit？
Theexplanationissimplethoughitremainsstrangelyunnoticed。
Thefriendsofaristocracyoftenpraiseitforpreservingancientandgracioustraditions。Theenemiesofaristocracyoftenblameitforclingingtocruelorantiquatedcustoms。
Bothitsenemiesanditsfriendsarewrong。Generallyspeakingthearistocracydoesnotpreserveeithergoodorbadtraditions；
itdoesnotpreserveanythingexceptgame。Whowoulddreamoflookingamongaristocratsanywhereforanoldcustom？
Onemightaswelllookforanoldcostume！Thegodofthearistocratsisnottradition，butfashion，whichistheoppositeoftradition。
Ifyouwantedtofindanold-worldNorwegianhead-dress，wouldyoulookforitintheScandinavianSmartSet？No；thearistocratsneverhavecustoms；atthebesttheyhavehabits，liketheanimals。
Onlythemobhascustoms。
TherealpoweroftheEnglisharistocratshaslaininexactlytheoppositeoftradition。Thesimplekeytothepowerofourupperclassesisthis：thattheyhavealwayskeptcarefullyonthesideofwhatiscalledProgress。Theyhavealwaysbeenuptodate，andthiscomesquiteeasytoanaristocracy。Forthearistocracyarethesupremeinstancesofthatframeofmindofwhichwespokejustnow。
Noveltyistothemaluxuryvergingonanecessity。They，aboveall，aresoboredwiththepastandwiththepresent，thattheygape，withahorriblehunger，forthefuture。
Butwhateverelsethegreatlordsforgottheyneverforgotthatitwastheirbusinesstostandforthenewthings，forwhateverwasbeingmosttalkedaboutamonguniversitydonsorfussyfinanciers。
ThustheywereonthesideoftheReformationagainsttheChurch，oftheWhigsagainsttheStuarts，oftheBaconianscienceagainsttheoldphilosophy，ofthemanufacturingsystemagainsttheoperatives，and（to-day）oftheincreasedpoweroftheStateagainsttheold-fashionedindividualists。
Inshort，thericharealwaysmodern；itistheirbusiness。
Buttheimmediateeffectofthisfactuponthequestionwearestudyingissomewhatsingular。
IneachoftheseparateholesorquandariesinwhichtheordinaryEnglishmanhasbeenplaced，hehasbeentoldthathissituationis，forsomeparticularreason，allforthebest。
Hewokeuponefinemorninganddiscoveredthatthepublicthings，whichforeighthundredyearshehadusedatonceasinnsandsanctuaries，hadallbeensuddenlyandsavagelyabolished，toincreasetheprivatewealthofaboutsixorsevenmen。
Onewouldthinkhemighthavebeenannoyedatthat；
inmanyplaceshewas，andwasputdownbythesoldiery。
Butitwasnotmerelythearmythatkelphimquiet。
Hewaskeptquietbythesagesaswellasthesoldiers；
thesixorsevenmenwhotookawaytheinnsofthepoortoldhimthattheywerenotdoingitforthemselves，butforthereligionofthefuture，thegreatdawnofProtestantismandtruth。
Sowheneveraseventeenthcenturynoblewascaughtpullingdownapeasant\'sfenceandstealinghisfield，thenoblepointedexcitedlyatthefaceofCharlesIorJamesII
（whichatthatmoment，perhaps，woreacrossexpression）
andthusdivertedthesimplepeasant\'sattention。ThegreatPuritanlordscreatedtheCommonwealth，anddestroyedthecommonland。
TheysavedtheirpoorercountrymenfromthedisgraceofpayingShipMoney，bytakingfromthemtheplowmoneyandspademoneywhichtheyweredoubtlesstooweaktoguard。AfineoldEnglishrhymehasimmortalizedthiseasyaristocratichabit——
YouprosecutethemanorwomanWhostealsthegoosefromoffthecommon，ButleavethelargerfelonlooseWhostealsthecommonfromthegoose。
Buthere，asinthecaseofthemonasteries，weconfrontthestrangeproblemofsubmission。Iftheystolethecommonfromthegoose，onecanonlysaythathewasagreatgoosetostandit。
Thetruthisthattheyreasonedwiththegoose；theyexplainedtohimthatallthiswasneededtogettheStuartfoxoverseas。
Sointhenineteenthcenturythegreatnobleswhobecamemine-ownersandrailwaydirectorsearnestlyassuredeverybodythattheydidnotdothisfrompreference，butowingtoanewlydiscoveredEconomicLaw。Sotheprosperouspoliticiansofourowngenerationintroducebillstopreventpoormothersfromgoingaboutwiththeirownbabies；ortheycalmlyforbidtheirtenantstodrinkbeerinpublicinns。Butthisinsolenceisnot（asyouwouldsuppose）howledatbyeverybodyasoutrageousfeudalism。
ItisgentlyrebukedasSocialism。Foranaristocracyisalwaysprogressive；itisaformofgoingthepace。
Theirpartiesgrowlaterandlateratnight；fortheyaretryingtoliveto-morrow。