ToMrs。Gaskell，hewouldoftenbringhisnewideas，aprocessthatmanyofhislaterfriendswillunderstandand，intheirowncases，remember。Withthegirls，hehad’constantfiercewrangles，’
forcingthemtoreasonouttheirthoughtsandtoexplaintheirprepossessions;andIhearfromMissGaskellthattheyusedtowonderhowhecouldthrowalltheardourofhischaracterintothesmallestmatters，andtoadmirehisunselfishdevotiontohisparents。Ofoneofthesewrangles，Ihavefoundarecordmostcharacteristicoftheman。Fleeminghadbeenlayingdownhisdoctrinethattheendjustifiesthemeans，andthatitisquiteright’toboastofyoursixmen—servantstoaburglarortostealaknifetopreventamurder’;andtheMissGaskells，withgirlishloyaltytowhatiscurrent，hadrejectedtheheresywithindignation。Fromsuchpassages—at—arms，manyretiremortifiedandruffled;butFleeminghadnosoonerleftthehousethanhefellintodelightedadmirationofthespiritofhisadversaries。Fromthatitwasbutasteptoaskhimself’whattruthwasstickingintheirheads’;foreventhefalsestformofwords（inFleeming’slife—longopinion）reposeduponsometruth，justashecould’notevenallowthatpeopleadmireuglythings，theyadmirewhatisprettyintheuglything。’Andbeforehesatdowntowritehisletter，hethoughthehadhitupontheexplanation。’Ifancythetrueidea，’hewrote，’isthatyoumustneverdoyourselforanyoneelseamoralinjury—makeanymanathieforaliar—foranyend’;quiteadifferentthing，ashewouldhavelovedtopointout，fromneverstealingorlying。Butthisperferviddisputantwasnotalwaysoutofkeywithhisaudience。Onewhomhemetinthesamehouseannouncedthatshewouldneveragainbehappy。’Whatdoesthatsignify？’criedFleeming。’Wearenotheretobehappy，buttobegood。’Andthewords（ashishearerwritestome）becametoherasortofmottoduringlife。
FromFairbairn’sandManchester，FleemingpassedtoarailwaysurveyinSwitzerland，andthenceagaintoMr。Penn’satGreenwich，wherehewasengagedasdraughtsman。Therein1856，wefindhimin’aterriblybusystate，finishingupenginesforinnumerablegun—
boatsandsteamfrigatesfortheensuingcampaign。’Fromhalf—pasteightinthemorningtillnineortenatnight，heworkedinacrowdedofficeamonguncongenialcomrades，’salutedbychaff，generallylowpersonalandnotwitty，’peltedwithorangesandapples，regaledwithdirtystories，andseekingtosuithimselfwithhissurroundingsor（ashewritesit）tryingtobeaslittlelikehimselfaspossible。Hislodgingswerehardby，’acrossadirtygreenandthroughsomehalf—builtstreetsoftwo—storiedhouses’;hehadCarlyleandthepoets，engineeringandmathematics，tostudybyhimselfinsuchsparetimeasremainedtohim;andtherewereseveralladies，youngandnotsoyoung，withwhomhelikedtocorrespond。Butnotallofthesecouldcompensatefortheabsenceofthatmother，whohadmadeherselfsolargeafigureinhislife，forsorrysurroundings，unsuitablesociety，andworkthatleanedtothemechanical。’Sunday，’sayshe，’Igenerallyvisitsomefriendsintownandseemtoswiminclearerwater，butthedirtygreenseemsallthedirtierwhenIgetback。LuckilyIamfondofmyprofession，orIcouldnotstandthislife。’Itisaquestioninmymind，ifhecouldhavelongcontinuedtostanditwithoutloss。’Wearenotheretobehappy，buttobegood，’quoththeyoungphilosopher;butnomanhadakeenerappetiteforhappinessthanFleemingJenkin。Thereisatimeoflifebesideswhenapartfromcircumstances，fewmenareagreeabletotheirneighboursandstillfewertothemselves;anditwasatthisstagethatFleeminghadarrived，laterthancommonandevenworseprovided。TheletterfromwhichIhavequotedisthelastofhiscorrespondencewithFrankScott，andhislastconfidentiallettertooneofhisownsex。’Ifyouconsideritrightly，’hewrotelongafter，’youwillfindthewantofcorrespondencenosuchstrangewantinmen’sfriendships。Thereis，believeme，somethingnobleinthemetalwhichdoesnotrustthoughnotburnishedbydailyuse。’Itiswellsaid;butthelastlettertoFrankScottisscarcelyofanoblemetal。Itisplainthewriterhasoutgrownhisoldself，yetnotmadeacquaintancewiththenew。Thisletterfromabusyyouthofthreeandtwenty，breathesofseventeen：thesickeningalternationsofconceitandshame，theexpenseofhopeIN
VACUO，thelackoffriends，thelongingafterlove;thewholeworldofegoismunderwhichyouthstandsgroaning，avoluntaryAtlas。
WithFleemingthisdiseasewasneverseeminglysevere。Theverydaybeforethis（tome）distastefulletter，hehadwrittentoMissBellofManchesterinasweeterstrain;Idonotquotetheone，I
quotetheother;fairthingsarethebest。’Ikeepmyownlittlelodgings，’hewrites，’butcomeupeverynighttoseemamma’（whowasthenonavisittoLondon）’ifnotkepttoolateattheworks;
andhavesinginglessonsoncemore，andsing\"DONNEL’AMOREE
SCALTROPARGO—LETTO\";andthinkandtalkaboutyou;andlistentomamma’sprojectsDEStowting。Everythingturnstogoldathertouch，she’safairyandnomistake。WegoontalkingtillIhaveapictureinmyhead，andcanhardlybelieveattheendthattheoriginalisStowting。Evenyoudon’tknowhalfhowgoodmammais;
inotherthingstoo，whichImustnotmention。Sheteachesmehowitisnotnecessarytobeveryrichtodomuchgood。Ibegintounderstandthatmammawouldfindusefuloccupationandcreatebeautyatthebottomofavolcano。Shehaslittleweaknesses，butisarealgenerous—heartedwoman，whichIsupposeisthefinestthingintheworld。’Thoughneithermothernorsoncouldbecalledbeautiful，theymakeaprettypicture;theugly，generous，ardentwomanweavingrainbowillusions;theugly，clear—sighted，lovingsonsittingathersideinoneofhisrarehoursofpleasure，half—
beguiled，half—amused，whollyadmiring，ashelistens。Butashegoeshome，andthefancypicturesfade，andStowtingisoncemoreburthenedwithdebt，andthenoisycompanionsandthelonghoursofdrudgeryoncemoreapproach，nowonderifthedirtygreenseemsallthedirtierorifAtlasmustresumehisload。
Butinhealthynatures，thistimeofmoralteethingpassesquicklyofitself，andiseasilyalleviatedbyfreshinterests;andalready，inthelettertoFrankScott，therearetwowordsofhope：
hisfriendsinLondon，hisloveforhisprofession。Thelastmighthavesavedhim;forhewaserelongtopassintoanewsphere，whereallhisfacultiesweretobetriedandexercised，andhislifetobefilledwithinterestandeffort。Butitwasnotlefttoengineering：anotherandmoreinfluentialaimwastobesetbeforehim。Hemust，inanycase，havefalleninlove;inanycase，hislovewouldhaveruledhislife;andthequestionofchoicewas，forthedescendantoftwosuchfamilies，athingofparamountimportance。Innocentoftheworld，fiery，generous，devotedashewas，thesonofthewildJacksonsandthefacileJenkinsmighthavebeenledfarastray。Byoneofthosepartialitiesthatfillmenatoncewithgratitudeandwonder，hischoosingwasdirectedwell。Orarewetosaythatbyaman’schoiceinmarriage，asbyacrucialmerit，hedeserveshisfortune？Onethingatleastreasonmaydiscern：thatamanbutpartlychooses，healsopartlyforms，hishelp—mate;andhemustinpartdeserveher，orthetreasureisbutwonforamomenttobelost。Fleemingchancedifyouwill（andindeedalltheseopportunitiesareas’randomasblindman’sbuff’）
uponawifewhowasworthyofhim;buthehadthewittoknowit，thecouragetowaitandlabourforhisprize，andthetendernessandchivalrythatarerequiredtokeepsuchprizesprecious。Uponthispointhehashimselfwrittenwell，asusualwithferventoptimism，butasusual（inhisownphrase）withatruthstickinginhishead。
’Love，’hewrote，’isnotanintuitionofthepersonmostsuitabletous，mostrequiredbyus;ofthepersonwithwhomlifeflowersandbearsfruit。Ifthiswereso，thechancesofourmeetingthatpersonwouldbesmallindeed;ourintuitionwouldoftenfail;theblindnessoflovewouldthenbefatalasitisproverbial。No，loveworksdifferently，andinitsblindnessliesitsstrength。
Manandwoman，eachstronglydesirestobeloved，eachopenstotheotherthatheartofidealaspirationswhichtheyhaveoftenhidtillthen;each，thusknowingtheidealoftheother，triestofulfilthatideal，eachpartiallysucceeds。Thegreaterthelove，thegreaterthesuccess;thenoblertheideaofeach，themoredurable，themorebeautifultheeffect。Meanwhiletheblindnessofeachtotheother’sdefectsenablesthetransformationtoproceed[unobserved，]sothatwhentheveiliswithdrawn（ifiteveris，andthisIdonotknow）neitherknowsthatanychangehasoccurredinthepersonwhomtheyloved。Donotfear，therefore。Idonottellyouthatyourfriendwillnotchange，butasIamsurethatherchoicecannotbethatofamanwithabaseideal，soIamsurethechangewillbeasafeandagoodone。Donotfearthatanythingyoulovewillvanish，hemustloveittoo。’
AmongotherintroductionsinLondon，FleeminghadpresentedaletterfromMrs。GaskelltotheAlfredAustins。Thiswasafamilycertaintointerestathoughtfulyoungman。Alfred，theyoungestandleastknownoftheAustins，hadbeenabeautifulgolden—hairedchild，pettedandkeptoutofthewayofbothsportandstudybyapartialmother。Bredanattorney，hehad（likebothhisbrothers）
changedhiswayoflife，andwascalledtothebarwhenpastthirty。ACommissionofEnquiryintothestateofthepoorinDorsetshiregavehimanopportunityofprovinghistruetalents;
andhewasappointedaPoorLawInspector，firstatWorcester，nextatManchester，wherehehadtodealwiththepotatofamineandtheIrishimmigrationofthe’forties，andfinallyinLondon，whereheagaindistinguishedhimselfduringanepidemicofcholera。HewasthenadvancedtothePermanentSecretaryshipofHerMajesty’sOfficeofWorksandPublicBuildings;apositionwhichhefilledwithperfectcompetence，butwithanextremeofmodesty;andonhisretirement，in1868，hewasmadeaCompanionoftheBath。WhileapprenticetoaNorwichattorney，AlfredAustinwasafrequentvisitorinthehouseofMr。Barron，arallyingplaceinthosedaysofintellectualsociety。EdwardBarron，thesonofarichsaddlerorleathermerchantintheBorough，wasamantypicalofthetime。
Whenhewasachild，hehadoncebeenpattedontheheadinhisfather’sshopbynolessamanthanSamuelJohnson，astheDoctorwentroundtheBoroughcanvassingforMr。Thrale;andthechildwastruetothisearlyconsecration。’Alifeofletteredeasespentinprovincialretirement，’itisthusthatthebiographerofthatremarkableman，WilliamTaylor，announceshissubject;andthephraseisequallydescriptiveofthelifeofEdwardBarron。Thepairwereclosefriends，’W。T。andapiperendereverythingagreeable，’writesBarroninhisdiaryin1823;andin1833，afterBarronhadmovedtoLondonandTaylorhadtastedthefirstpublicfailureofhispowers，thelatterwrote：’TomyeverdearestMr。
Barronsay，ifyouplease，thatImisshimmorethanIregrethim—
thatIacquiesceinhisretirementfromNorwich，becauseIcouldillbrookhisobservationofmyincreasingdebilityofmind。’ThischosencompanionofWilliamTaylormusthimselfhavebeennoordinaryman;andhewasthefriendbesidesofBorrow，whomIfindhimhelpinginhisLatin。Buthehadnodesireforpopulardistinction，livedprivately，marriedadaughterofDr。EnfieldofEnfield’sSPEAKER，anddevotedhistimetotheeducationofhisfamily，inadeliberateandscholarlyfashion，andwithcertaintraitsofstoicism，thatwouldsurpriseamodern。Fromthesechildrenwemustsingleouthisyoungestdaughter，Eliza，wholearnedunderhiscaretobeasoundLatin，anelegantGrecian，andtosuppressemotionwithoutoutwardsignafterthemanneroftheGodwinschool。Thiswasthemorenotable，asthegirlreallyderivedfromtheEnfields;whosehigh—flownromantictemper，IwishIcouldfindspacetoillustrate。Shewasbutsevenyearsold，whenAlfredAustinremarkedandfellinlovewithher;andtheunionthusearlypreparedwassingularlyfull。Wherethehusbandandwifediffered，andtheydidsoonmomentoussubjects，theydifferedwithperfecttemperandcontent;andintheconductoflife，andindepthanddurabilityoflove，theywereatone。Eachfullofhighspirits，eachpractisedsomethingofthesamerepression：nosharpwordwasutteredintheirhouse。Thesamepointofhonourruledthem，aguestwassacredandstoodwithinthepalefromcriticism。Itwasahouse，besides，ofunusualintellectualtension。Mrs。Austinremembered，intheearlydaysofthemarriage，thethreebrothers，John，Charles，andAlfred，marchingtoandfro，eachwithhishandsbehindhisback，and’reasoninghigh’tillmorning;andhow，likeDr。Johnson，theywouldcheertheirspeculationswithasmanyasfifteencupsoftea。
Andthough，beforethedateofFleeming’svisit，thebrotherswereseparated，CharleslongagoretiredfromtheworldatBrandeston，andJohnalreadynearhisendinthe’ramblingoldhouse’atWeybridge，AlfredAustinandhiswifewerestillacentreofmuchintellectualsociety，andstill，asindeedtheyremaineduntilthelast，youthfullyalertinmind。Therewasbutonechildofthemarriage，Anne，andshewasherselfsomethingnewfortheeyesoftheyoungvisitor;broughtup，asshehadbeen，likehermotherbeforeher，tothestandardofaman’sacquirements。Onlyonearthadshebeendenied，shemustnotlearntheviolin—thethoughtwastoomonstrousevenfortheAustins;andindeeditwouldseemasifthattideofreformwhichwemaydatefromthedaysofMaryWollstonecrafthadinsomedegreeevenreceded;forthoughMissAustinwassufferedtolearnGreek，theaccomplishmentwaskeptsecretlikeapieceofguilt。ButwhetherthisstealthwascausedbyabackwardmovementinpublicthoughtsincethetimeofEdwardBarron，orbythechangefromenlightenedNorwichtobarbarianLondon，Ihavenomeansofjudging。
WhenFleemingpresentedhisletter，hefellinloveatfirstsightwithMrs。Austinandthelife，andatmosphereofthehouse。TherewasinthesocietyoftheAustins，outward，stoicalconformerstotheworld，somethinggravelysuggestiveofessentialeccentricity，somethingunpretentiouslybreathingofintellectualeffort，thatcouldnotfailtohitthefancyofthishot—brainedboy。Theunbrokenenamelofcourtesy，theself—restraint，thedignifiedkindnessofthesemarriedfolk，hadbesidesaparticularattractionfortheirvisitor。Hecouldnotbutcomparewhathesaw，withwhatheknewofhismotherandhimself。WhatevervirtuesFleemingpossessed，hecouldnevercountonbeingcivil;whateverbrave，true—heartedqualitieshewasabletoadmireinMrs。Jenkin，mildnessofdemeanourwasnotoneofthem。Andherehefoundpersonswhoweretheequalsofhismotherandhimselfinintellectandwidthofinterest，andtheequalsofhisfatherinmildurbanityofdisposition。ShowFleeminganactivevirtue，andhealwayslovedit。Hewentawayfromthathousestruckthroughwithadmiration，andvowingtohimselfthathisownmarriedlifeshouldbeuponthatpattern，hiswife（whoevershemightbe）likeElizaBarron，himselfsuchanotherhusbandasAlfredAustin。Whatismorestrange，henotonlybroughtaway，butleftbehindhim，goldenopinions。Hemusthavebeen—hewas，Iamtold—atryinglad;butthereshoneoutofhimsuchalightofinnocentcandour，enthusiasm，intelligence，andappreciation，thattopersonsalreadysomewayforwardinyears，andthusabletoenjoyindulgentlytheperennialcomedyofyouth，thesightofhimwasdelightful。Byapleasantcoincidence，therewasonepersoninthehousewhomhedidnotappreciateandwhodidnotappreciatehim：AnneAustin，hisfuturewife。Hisboyishvanityruffledher;hisappearance，neverimpressive，wasthen，byreasonofobtrusiveboyishness，stilllessso;shefoundoccasiontoputhiminthewrongbycorrectingafalsequantity;andwhenMr。Austin，afterdoinghisvisitorthealmostunheard—ofhonourofaccompanyinghimtothedoor，announced’Thatwaswhatyoungmenwerelikeinmytime’—shecouldonlyreply，lookingonherhandsomefather，’Ithoughttheyhadbeenbetterlooking。’
ThisfirstvisittotheAustinstookplacein1855;anditseemsitwassometimebeforeFleemingbegantoknowhismind;andyetlongerereheventuredtoshowit。Thecorrectedquantity，tothosewhoknewhimwell，willseemtohaveplayeditspart;hewasthemanalwaystoreflectoveracorrectionandtoadmirethecastigator。Andfallinlovehedid;nothurriedlybutstepbystep，notblindlybutwithcriticaldiscrimination;notinthefashionofRomeo，butbeforehewasdone，withallRomeo’sardourandmorethanRomeo’sfaith。ThehighfavourtowhichhepresentlyroseintheesteemofAlfredAustinandhiswife，mightwellgivehimambitiousnotions;butthepovertyofthepresentandtheobscurityofthefutureweretheretogivehimpause;andwhenhisaspirationsbegantosettleroundMissAustin，hetasted，perhapsfortheonlytimeinhislife，thepangsofdiffidence。Therewasindeedopeningbeforehimawidedoorofhope。HehadchangedintotheserviceofMessrs。Liddell&Gordon;thesegentlemenhadbeguntodabbleinthenewfieldofmarinetelegraphy;andFleemingwasalreadyfacetofacewithhislife’swork。Thatimpotentsenseofhisownvalue，asofashipaground，whichmakesoneoftheagoniesofyouth，begantofallfromhim。Newproblemswhichhewasendowedtosolve，vistasofnewenquirywhichhewasfittedtoexplore，openedbeforehimcontinually。Hisgiftshadfoundtheiravenueandgoal。Andwiththispleasureofeffectiveexercise，theremusthavesprungupatoncethehopeofwhatiscalledbytheworldsuccess。Butfromtheselowbeginnings，itwasafarlookupwardtoMissAustin：thefavourofthelovedoneseemsalwaysmorethanproblematicaltoanylover;theconsentofparentsmustbealwaysmorethandoubtfultoayoungmanwithasmallsalaryandnocapitalexceptcapacityandhope。ButFleemingwasnottheladtoloseanygoodthingforthelackoftrial;andatlength，intheautumnof1857，thisboyish—sized，boyish—mannered，andsuperlativelyill—dressedyoungengineer，enteredthehouseoftheAustins，withsuchsinkingsaswemayfancy，andaskedleavetopayhisaddressestothedaughter。Mrs。Austinalreadylovedhimlikeason，shewasbuttoogladtogivehimherconsent;Mr。Austinreservedtherighttoinquireintohischaracter;fromneitherwasthereawordabouthisprospects，byneitherwashisincomementioned。’Arethesepeople，’hewrote，struckwithwonderatthisdignifieddisinterestedness，’arethesepeoplethesameasotherpeople？’Itwasnottillhewasarmedwiththispermission，thatMissAustinevensuspectedthenatureofhishopes：sostrong，inthisunmannerlyboy，wastheprincipleoftruecourtesy;
sopowerful，inthisimpetuousnature，thespringsofself—
repression。Andyetaboyhewas;aboyinheartandmind;anditwaswithaboy’schivalryandfranknessthathewonhiswife。Hisconductwasamodelofhonour，hardlyoftact;toconceallovefromthelovedone，tocourtherparents，tobesilentanddiscreettillthesearewon，andthenwithoutpreparationtoapproachthelady—
thesearenotartsthatIwouldrecommendforimitation。Theyleadtofinalrefusal。NothingsavedFleemingfromthatfate，butonecircumstancethatcannotbecountedupon—theheartyfavourofthemother，andonegiftthatisinimitableandthatneverfailedhimthroughoutlife，thegiftofanatureessentiallynobleandoutspoken。Ahappyandhigh—mindedangerflashedthroughhisdespair：itwonforhimhiswife。
Nearlytwoyearspassedbeforeitwaspossibletomarry：twoyearsofactivity，nowinLondon;nowatBirkenhead，fittingoutships，inventingnewmachineryfornewpurposes，anddippingintoelectricalexperiment;nowintheELBAonhisfirsttelegraphcruisebetweenSardiniaandAlgiers：abusyanddelightfulperiodofboundingardour，incessanttoil，growinghopeandfreshinterests，withbehindandthroughall，theimageofhisbeloved。
Afewextractsfromhiscorrespondencewithhisbetrothedwillgivethenoteofthesetrulyjoyousyears。’MyprofessiongivesmealltheexcitementandinterestIeverhopefor，butthesorryjadeisobviouslyjealousofyou。’—’\"PoorFleeming，\"inspiteofwet，coldandwind，clamberingovermoist，tarryslips，wanderingamongpoolsofslushinwasteplacesinhabitedbywanderinglocomotives，growsvisiblystronger，hasdismissedhisofficecoughandcuredhistoothache。’—’Thewholeofthepayingoutandliftingmachinerymustbedesignedandorderedintwoorthreedays，andI
amhalfcrazywithwork。Ilikeitthough：it’slikeagoodball，theexcitementcarriesyouthrough。’—’Iwasrunningtoandfromtheshipsandwarehousethroughfiercegustsofrainandwindtillneareleven，andyoucannotthinkwhatapleasureitwastobeblownaboutandthinkofyouinyourprettydress。’—’Iamattheworkstilltenandsometimestilleleven。ButIhaveaniceofficetositin，withafiretomyself，andbrightbrassscientificinstrumentsallroundme，andbookstoread，andexperimentstomake，andenjoymyselfamazingly。IfindthestudyofelectricitysoentertainingthatIamapttoneglectmyotherwork。’Andforalasttaste，’YesterdayIhadsomecharmingelectricalexperiments。
WhatshallIcomparethemto—anewsong？aGreekplay？’
ItwasatthistimebesidesthathemadetheacquaintanceofProfessor，nowSirWilliam，Thomson。Todescribethepartplayedbythesetwoineachother’sliveswouldlieoutofmyway。TheyworkedtogetherontheCommitteeonElectricalStandards;theyservedtogetheratthelayingdownortherepairofmanydeep—seacables;andSirWilliamwasregardedbyFleeming，notonlywiththe’worship’（thewordishisown）duetogreatscientificgifts，butwithanardourofpersonalfriendshipnotfrequentlyexcelled。Totheirassociation，Fleemingbroughtthevaluableelementofapracticalunderstanding;butheneverthoughtorspokeofhimselfwhereSirWilliamwasinquestion;andIrecallquiteinhislastdays，asingularinstanceofthismodestloyaltytoonewhomheadmiredandloved。Hedrewupapaper，inaquitepersonalinterest，ofhisownservices;yetevenherehemuststepoutofhisway，hemustadd，whereithadnoclaimtobeadded，hisopinionthat，intheirjointwork，thecontributionsofSirWilliamhadbeenalwaysgreatlythemostvaluable。Again，Ishallnotreadilyforgetwithwhatemotionheoncetoldmeanincidentoftheirassociatedtravels。OnoneofthemountainledgesofMadeira，Fleeming’sponyboltedbetweenSirWilliam。andtheprecipiceabove;bystrangegoodfortuneandthankstothesteadinessofSirWilliam’shorse，noharmwasdone;butforthemoment，Fleemingsawhisfriendhurledintothesea，andalmostbyhisownact：itwasamemorythathauntedhim。
CHAPTERIV。1859—1868。
Fleeming’sMarriage—HisMarriedLife—ProfessionalDifficulties—LifeatClaygate—IllnessofMrs。F。Jenkin;andofFleeming—
AppointmenttotheChairatEdinburgh。
ONSaturday，Feb。26，1859，profitingbyaholidayoffourdays，FleemingwasmarriedtoMissAustinatNorthiam：aplaceconnectednotonlywithhisownfamilybutwiththatofhisbrideaswell。
ByTuesdaymorning，hewasatworkagain，fittingoutcableshipsatBirkenhead。Ofthewalkfromhislodgingstotheworks，Ifindagraphicsketchinoneofhisletters：’Outovertherailwaybridge，alongawideroadraisedtothelevelofagroundfloorabovetheland，which，notbeingbuiltupon，harbourspuddles，ponds，pigs，andIrishhovels;—sotothedockwarehouses，fourhugepilesofbuildingwithnowindows，surroundedbyawallabouttwelvefeethigh—inthroughthelargegates，roundwhichhangtwentyorthirtyrustyIrish，playingpitchandtossandwaitingforemployment;—onalongtherailway，whichcameinatthesamegatesandwhichbranchesdownbetweeneachvastblock—pastapilot—enginebuttingrefractorytrucksintotheirplaces—ontothelastblock，[and]downthebranch，sniffingtheguano—scentedairanddetectingtheoldbones。Thehartshornflavouroftheguanobecomesverystrong，asInearthedockswhere，acrosstheELBA’Sdecks，ahugevesselisdischarginghercargoofthebrowndust，andwherehugevesselshavebeendischargingthatsamecargoforthelastfivemonths。’Thiswasthewalkhetookhisyoungwifeonthemorrowofhisreturn。Shehadbeenusedtothesocietyoflawyersandcivilservants，movinginthatcirclewhichseemstoitselfthepivotofthenationandisintruthonlyacliquelikeanother;andFleemingwastoherthenamelessassistantofanamelessfirmofengineers，doinghisingloriousbusiness，asshenowsawforherself，amongunsavourysurroundings。Butwhentheirwalkbroughtthemwithinviewoftheriver，shebeheldasighttoherofthemostnovelbeauty：fourgreat，sea—goingshipsdressedoutwithflags。’Howlovely！’shecried。’Whatisitfor？’—’Foryou，’saidFleeming。Hersurprisewasonlyequalledbyherpleasure。Butperhaps，forwhatwemaycallprivatefame，thereisnolifelikethatoftheengineer;whoisagreatmaninout—of—
the—wayplaces，bythedocksideoronthedesertislandorinpopulousships，andremainsquiteunheardofinthecoteriesofLondon。AndFleeminghadalreadymadehismarkamongthefewwhohadanopportunityofknowinghim。
Hismarriagewastheonedecisiveincidentofhiscareer;fromthatmomentuntilthedayofhisdeath，hehadonethoughttowhichalltherestweretributary，thethoughtofhiswife。Noonecouldknowhimevenslightly，andnotremarktheabsorbinggreatnessofthatsentiment;norcananypictureofthemanbedrawnthatdoesnotinproportiondwelluponit。Thisisadelicatetask;butifwearetoleavebehindus（aswewish）somepresentmentofthefriendwehavelost，itisataskthatmustbeundertaken。
Forallhisplayofmindandfancy，forallhisindulgence—and，astimewenton，hegrewindulgent—Fleeminghadviewsofdutythatwereevenstern。Hewastooshrewdastudentofhisfellow—
mentoremainlongcontentwithrigidformulaeofconduct。Iron—
bound，impersonalethics，theprocrusteanbedofrules，hesoonsawattheirtruevalueasthedeificationofaverages。’AstoMiss（I
declareIforgethername）beingbad，’Ifindhimwriting，’peopleonlymeanthatshehasbrokentheDecalogue—whichisnotatallthesamething。Peoplewhohavekeptinthehigh—roadofLifereallyhavelessopportunityfortakingacomprehensiveviewofitthanthosewhohaveleapedoverthehedgesandstrayedupthehills;notbutwhatthehedgesareverynecessary，andourstraytravellersoftenhaveawearytimeofit。So，youmaysay，havethoseinthedustyroads。’Yethewashimselfaverysternrespecterofthehedgerows;soughtsafetyandfounddignityintheobviouspathofconduct;andwouldpalterwithnosimpleandrecogniseddutyofhisepoch。Ofmarriageinparticular，ofthebondsoformed，oftheobligationsincurred，ofthedebtmenowetotheirchildren，heconceivedinatrulyantiquespirit：nottoblameothers，buttoconstrainhimself。Itwasnottoblame，I
repeat，thatheheldtheseviews;forothers，hecouldmakealargeallowance;andyethetacitlyexpectedofhisfriendsandhiswifeahighstandardofbehaviour。Norwasitalwayseasytowearthearmourofthatideal。
Actinguponthesebeliefs;conceivingthathehadindeed’givenhimself’（inthefullmeaningofthesewords）forbetter，forworse;painfullyalivetohisdefectsoftemperanddeficiencyincharm;resolutetomakeupforthese;thinkinglastofhimself：
Fleemingwasinsomewaystheverymantohavemadeanoble，uphillfightofanunfortunatemarriage。Inotherways，itistruehewasoneofthemostunfitforsuchatrial。Anditwashisbeautifuldestinytoremaintothelasthourthesameabsoluteandromanticlover，whohadshowntohisnewbridetheflag—drapedvesselsintheMersey。Nofateisaltogethereasy;buttrialsareourtouchstone，trialsovercomeourreward;anditwasgiventoFleemingtoconquer。Itwasgiventohimtoliveforanother，notasatask，buttilltheendasanenchantingpleasure。’Peoplemaywritenovels，’hewrotein1869，’andotherpeoplemaywritepoems，butnotamanorwomanamongthemcanwritetosayhowhappyamanmaybe，whoisdesperatelyinlovewithhiswifeaftertenyearsofmarriage。’Andagainin1885，aftermorethantwenty—sixyearsofmarriage，andwithinbutfiveweeksofhisdeath：’YourfirstletterfromBournemouth，’hewrote，’givesmeheavenlypleasure—
forwhichIthankHeavenandyoutoo—whoaremyheavenonearth。’
Themindhesitateswhethertosaythatsuchamanhasbeenmoregoodormorefortunate。
Anywoman（itisthedefectofhersex）comessoonertothestablemindofmaturitythananyman;andJenkinwastotheendofamostdeliberategrowth。Inthenextchapter，whenIcometodealwithhistelegraphicvoyagesandgivesometasteofhiscorrespondence，thereaderwillstillfindhimattwenty—fiveanarrantschool—boy。
Hiswifebesideswasmorethoroughlyeducatedthanhe。Inmanywaysshewasabletoteachhim，andheproudtobetaught;inmanywayssheoutshonehim，andhedelightedtobeoutshone。Allthesesuperiorities，andothersthat，afterthemanneroflovers，henodoubtforgedforhimself，addedastimewentontothehumilityofhisoriginallove。Onlyonce，inallIknowofhiscareer，didheshowatouchofsmallness。Hecouldnotlearntosingcorrectly;
hiswifetoldhimsoanddesistedfromherlessons;andthemortificationwassosharplyfeltthatforyearshecouldnotbeinducedtogotoaconcert，instancedhimselfasatypicalmanwithoutanear，andneversangagain。Itellit;forthefactthatthisstoodsingularinhisbehaviour，andreallyamazedallwhoknewhim，isthehappiestwayIcanimaginetocommendthetenorofhissimplicity;andbecauseitillustrateshisfeelingforhiswife。Otherswerealwayswelcometolaughathim;ifitamusedthem，orifitamusedhim，hewouldproceedundisturbedwithhisoccupation，hisvanityinvulnerable。Withhiswifeitwasdifferent：hiswifehadlaughedathissinging;andfortwentyyearsthefibreached。Nothing，again，wasmorenotablethantheformalchivalryofthisunmanneredmantothepersononearthwithwhomhewasthemostfamiliar。HewasconsciousofhisowninnateandoftenraspingvivacityandroughnessandhewasneverforgetfulofhisfirstvisittotheAustinsandthevowhehadregisteredonhisreturn。Therewasthusanartificialelementinhispunctiliothatattimesmightalmostraiseasmile。Butitstoodonnoblegrounds;forthiswashowhesoughttoshelterfromhisownpetulancethewomanwhowastohimthesymbolofthehouseholdandtotheendthebelovedofhisyouth。
Iwishinthischaptertochroniclesmallbeer;takingahastyglanceatsometenyearsofmarriedlifeandofprofessionalstruggle;andreservingtillthenextallthemoreinterestingmatterofhiscruises。Ofhisachievementsandtheirworth，itisnotformetospeak：hisfriendandpartner，SirWilliamThomson，hascontributedanoteonthesubject，whichwillbefoundintheAppendix，andtowhichImustreferthereader。HeistoconceiveinthemeanwhileforhimselfFleeming’smanifoldengagements：hisserviceontheCommitteeonElectricalStandards，hislecturesonelectricityatChatham，hischairattheLondonUniversity，hispartnershipwithSirWilliamThomsonandMr。Varleyinmanyingeniouspatents，hisgrowingcreditwithengineersandmenofscience;andheistobearinmindthatofallthisactivityandacquistofreputation，theimmediateprofitwasscanty。Soonafterhismarriage，FleeminghadlefttheserviceofMessrs。Liddell&
Gordon，andenteredintoageneralengineeringpartnershipwithMr。Forde，agentlemaninagoodwayofbusiness。Itwasafortunatepartnershipinthis，thatthepartiesretainedtheirmutualrespectunlessenedandseparatedwithregret;butmen’saffairs，likemen，havetheirtimesofsickness，andbyoneoftheseunaccountablevariations，forhardupontenyearsthebusinesswasdisappointingandtheprofitsmeagre。’InditingdraftsofGermanrailwayswhichwillnevergetmade’：itisthusI
findFleeming，notwithoutatouchofbitterness，describehisoccupation。Eventhepatentshungfireatfirst。Therewasnosalarytorelyon;childrenwerecomingandgrowingup;theprospectwasoftenanxious。Inthedaysofhiscourtship，FleeminghadwrittentoMissAustinadissuasivepictureofthetrialsofpoverty，assuringherthesewerenofigmentsbuttrulybittertosupport;hetoldherthis，hewrote，beforehand，sothatwhenthepinchcameandshesuffered，sheshouldnotbedisappointedinherselfnortemptedtodoubtherownmagnanimity：aletterofadmirablewisdomandsolicitude。Butnowthatthetroublecame，heboreitverylightly。Itwashisprinciple，asheonceprettilyexpressedit，’toenjoyeachday’shappiness，asitarises，likebirdsorchildren。’Hisoptimism，ifdrivenoutatthedoor，wouldcomeinagainbythewindow;ifitfoundnothingbutblacknessinthepresent，wouldhituponsomegroundofconsolationinthefutureorthepast。Andhiscourageandenergywereindefatigable。
Intheyear1863，soonafterthebirthoftheirfirstson，theymovedintoacottageatClaygatenearEsher;andaboutthistime，undermanifoldtroublesbothofmoneyandhealth，Ifindhimwritingfromabroad：’Thecountrywillgiveus，pleaseGod，healthandstrength。Iwillloveandcherishyoumorethanever，youshallgowhereyouwish，youshallreceivewhomyouwish—andasformoneyyoushallhavethattoo。Icannotbemistaken。Ihavenowmeasuredmyselfwithmanymen。Idonotfeelweak，IdonotfeelthatIshallfail。InmanythingsIhavesucceeded，andI
willinthis。Andmeanwhilethetimeofwaiting，which，pleaseHeaven，shallnotbelong，shallalsonotbesobitter。Well，well，Ipromisemuch，anddonotknowatthismomenthowyouandthedearchildare。Ifheisbutbetter，courage，mygirl，forI
seelight。’
ThiscottageatClaygatestoodjustwithoutthevillage，wellsurroundedwithtreesandcommandingapleasantview。Apieceofthegardenwasturfedovertoformacroquetgreen，andFleemingbecame（Ineedscarcesay）averyardentplayer。Hegrewardent，too，ingardening。Thishetookupatfirsttopleasehiswife，havingnonaturalinclination;buthehadnosoonersethishandtoit，than，likeeverythingelsehetouched，itbecamewithhimapassion。Hebuddedroses，hepottedcuttingsinthecoach—house;
iftherecameachangeofweatheratnight，hewouldriseoutofbedtoprotecthisfavourites;whenhewasthrownwithadullcompanion，itwasenoughforhimtodiscoverinthemanafellowgardener;onhistravels，hewouldgooutofhiswaytovisitnurseriesandgatherhints;andtotheendofhislife，afterotheroccupationspreventedhimputtinghisownhandtothespade，hedrewupayearlyprogrammeforhisgardener，inwhichalldetailswereregulated。Hehadbegunbythistimetowrite。HispaperonDarwin，whichhadthemeritofconvincingononepointthephilosopherhimself，hadindeedbeenwrittenbeforethisinLondonlodgings;buthispenwasnotidleatClaygate;anditwasherehewrote（amongotherthings）thatreviewof’FECUNDITY，FERTILITY，STERILITY，ANDALLIEDTOPICS，’whichDr。MatthewsDuncanprefixedbywayofintroductiontothesecondeditionofthework。Themereactofwritingseemstocheerthevanityofthemostincompetent;
butacorrectionacceptedbyDarwin，andawholereviewborrowedandreprintedbyMatthewsDuncanarecomplimentsofararestrain，andtoamanstillunsuccessfulmusthavebeenpreciousindeed。
Therewasyetathirdofthesamekindinstoreforhim;andwhenMunrohimselfownedthathehadfoundinstructioninthepaperonLucretius，wemaysaythatFleeminghadbeencrownedinthecapitolofreviewing。
Croquet，charades，Christmasmagiclanternsforthevillagechildren，anamateurconcertorareviewarticleintheevening;
plentyofhardworkbyday;regularvisitstomeetingsoftheBritishAssociation，fromoneofwhichIfindhimcharacteristicallywriting：’IcannotsaythatIhavehadanyamusementyet，butIamenjoyingthedulnessanddrybustleofthewholething’;occasionalvisitsabroadonbusiness，whenhewouldfindthetimetoglean（asIhavesaid）gardeninghintsforhimself，andoldfolk—songsornewfashionsofdressforhiswife;
andthecontinualstudyandcareofhischildren：thesewerethechiefelementsofhislife。Norwerefriendswanting。CaptainandMrs。Jenkin，Mr。andMrs。Austin，ClerkMaxwell，MissBellofManchester，andotherscametothemonvisits。Mr。HertsletoftheForeignOffice，hiswifeandhisdaughter，wereneighboursandprovedkindfriends;in1867theHowittscametoClaygateandsoughtthesocietyof’thetwobright，cleveryoungpeople’;andinahousecloseby，Mr。FrederickRickettscametolivewithhisfamily。Mr。Rickettswasavaluedfriendduringhisshortlife;
andwhenhewaslostwitheverycircumstanceofheroismintheLA
PLATA，Fleemingmournedhimsincerely。
IthinkIshallgivethebestideaofFleeminginthistimeofhisearlymarriedlife，byafewsustainedextractsfromhisletterstohiswife，whileshewasabsentonavisitin1864。
’NOV。11。—SundaywastoowettowalktoIsleworth，forwhichI
wassorry，soIstaidandwenttoChurchandthoughtofyouatArdwickallthroughtheCommandments，andheardDr。—expoundinaremarkablewayaprophecyofSt。Paul’saboutRomanCatholics，whichMUTATISMUTANDISwoulddoverywellforProtestantsinsomeparts。ThenImadealittlenurseryofBorecoleandEnfieldmarketcabbage，grubbinginwetearthwithleggingsandgraycoaton。
ThenItidiedupthecoach—housetomyownandChristine’sadmiration。ThenencouragedbyBOUTS—RIMESIwroteyouacopyofverses;hightimeIthink;Ishalljustsavemytenthyearofknowingmylady—lovewithoutinditingpoetryorrhymestoher。
’ThenIrummagedovertheboxwithmyfather’slettersandfoundinterestingnotesfrommyself。OneIshouldsaymyfirstletter，whichlittleAustinIshouldsaywouldrejoicetoseeandshallsee—withadrawingofacottageandaspirited\"cob。\"Whatwasmoretothepurpose，Ifoundwithitapaste—cutterwhichMarybeggedhumblyforChristineandIgenerouslygavethismorning。
’ThenIreadsomeofCongreve。ThereareadmirablescenesinthemannerofSheridan;allwitandnocharacter，orratheronecharacterinagreatvarietyofsituationsandscenes。Icouldshowyousomescenes，butothersaretoocoarseevenformystomachhardenedbyacourseofFrenchnovels。
’Allthingslooksohappyfortherain。
’NOV。16。—Verbenaslookingwell……Iambutapoorcreaturewithoutyou;Ihavenaturallynospiritorfunorenterpriseinme。
Onlyakindofmechanicalcapacityforascertainingwhethertworeallyishalffour，etc。;butwhenyouarenearmeIcanfancythatItooshine，andvainlysupposeittobemyproperlight;
whereasbymyextremedarknesswhenyouarenotby，itclearlycanonlybebyareflectedbrilliancethatIseemaughtbutdull。Thenforthemoralpartofme：ifitwerenotforyouandlittleOdden，IshouldfeelbynomeanssurethatIhadanyaffectionpowerinme……Eventhemuscularmesuffersasaddeteriorationinyourabsence。Idon’tgetupwhenIoughtto，Ihavesnoozedinmychairafterdinner;Idonotgoinatthegardenwithmywontedvigour，andfeeltentimesastiredasusualwithawalkinyourabsence;soyousee，whenyouarenotby，Iamapersonwithoutability，affectionsorvigour，butdroopdull，selfish，andspiritless;canyouwonderthatIloveyou？
’NOV。17。—……Iamverygladwemarriedyoung。Iwouldnothavemissedthesefiveyears，no，notforanyhopes;theyaremyown。
’NOV。30。—IgotthroughmyChathamlectureveryfairlythoughalmostallmyapparatuswentastray。Idinedatthemess，andgothometoIsleworththesameevening;yourfatherverykindlysittingupforme。
’DEC。1。—BackatdearClaygate。Manycuttingsflourish，especiallythosewhichdohonourtoyourhand。YourCalifornianannualsareupandabout。Badgerisfat，thegrassgreen……
’DEC。3。—Oddenwillnottalkofyou，whileyouareaway，havinginherited，asIsuspect，hisfather’swayofdecliningtoconsiderasubjectwhichispainful，asyourabsenceis……IcertainlyshouldliketolearnGreekandIthinkitwouldbeacapitalpastimeforthelongwinterevenings……Howthingsaremisrated！Ideclarecroquetisanobleoccupationcomparedtothepursuitsofbusinessmen。Asforso—calledidleness—thatis，oneformofit—Ivowitisthenoblestaimofman。Whenidle，onecanlove，onecanbegood，feelkindlytoall，devoteoneselftoothers，bethankfulforexistence，educateone’smind，one’sheart，one’sbody。Whenbusy，asIambusynoworhavebeenbusyto—day，onefeelsjustasyousometimesfeltwhenyouweretoobusy，owingtowantofservants。
’DEC。5。—OnSundayIwasatIsleworth，chieflyengagedinplayingwithOdden。Wehadthemostenchantingwalktogetherthroughthebrickfields。Itwasverymuddy，and，asheremarked，notfitforNanna，butfitforusMEN。Thedrearywasteofbaredearth，thatchedshedsandstandingwater，wasaparadisetohim;andwhenwewalkedupplankstodesertedmixingandcrushingmills，andactuallysawwheretheclaywasstirredwithlongironprongs，andchalkorlimegroundwith\"atindofamill，\"hisexpressionofcontentmentandtriumphantheroismknewnolimittoitsbeauty。OfcourseonreturningIfoundMrs。Austinlookingoutatthedoorinananxiousmanner，andthinkingwehadbeenoutquitelongenough……IamreadingDonQuixotechieflyandamhisferventadmirer，butIamsosorryhedidnotplacehisaffectionsonaDulcineaofsomewhatworthierstamp。InfactIthinktheremustbeamistakeaboutit。DonQuixotemightandwouldservehisladyinmostpreposterousfashion，butIamsurehewouldhavechosenaladyofmerit。Heimaginedhertobesuchnodoubt，anddrewacharmingpictureofheroccupationsbythebanksoftheriver;butinhisotherimaginations，therewassomekindofpegonwhichtohangthefalsecostumeshecreated;windmillsarebig，andwavetheirarmslikegiants;sheepinthedistancearesomewhatlikeanarmy;alittleboatontheriver—sidemustlookmuchthesamewhetherenchantedorbelongingtomillers;butexceptthatDulcineaisawoman，shebearsnoresemblanceatalltothedamselofhisimagination。’
Atthetimeoftheseletters，theoldestsononlywasborntothem。
InSeptemberofthenextyear，withthebirthofthesecond，CharlesFrewen，therebefellFleemingaterriblealarmandwhatprovedtobealifelongmisfortune。Mrs。Jenkinwastakensuddenlyandalarminglyill;Fleemingranamatteroftwomilestofetchthedoctor，and，drenchedwithsweatashewas，returnedwithhimatonceinanopengig。Ontheirarrivalatthehouse，Mrs。Jenkinhalfunconsciouslytookandkeptholdofherhusband’shand。Bythedoctor’sorders，windowsanddoorsweresetopentocreateathoroughdraught，andthepatientwasonnoaccounttobedisturbed。Thus，then，didFleemingpassthewholeofthatnight，crouchingonthefloorinthedraught，andnotdaringtomovelestheshouldwakethesleeper。Hehadneverbeenstrong;energyhadstoodhiminsteadofvigour;andtheresultofthatnight’sexposurewasflyingrheumatismvariedbysettledsciatica。
Sometimesitquitedisabledhim，sometimesitwaslessacute;buthewasrarelyfreefromituntilhisdeath。Iknewhimformanyyears;formorethantenwewerecloselyintimate;Ihavelivedwithhimforweeks;andduringallthistime，heonlyoncereferredtohisinfirmityandthenperforceasanexcuseforsometroubleheputmeto，andsoslightlywordedthatIpaidnoheed。Thisisagoodmeasureofhiscourageundersufferingsofwhichnonebuttheuntriedwillthinklightly。AndIthinkitworthnotinghowthisoptimistwasacquaintedwithpain。Itwillseemstrangeonlytothesuperficial。Thediseaseofpessimismspringsneverfromrealtroubles，whichitbracesmentobear，whichitdelightsmentobearwell。Nordoesitreadilyspringatall，inmindsthathaveconceivedoflifeasafieldoforderedduties，notasachaseinwhichtohuntforgratifications。’Wearenotheretobehappy，buttobegood’;Iwishhehadmendedthephrase：’Wearenotheretobehappy，buttotrytobegood，’comesnearerthemodestyoftruth。Withsuchold—fashionedmorality，itispossibletogetthroughlife，andseetheworstofit，andfeelsomeoftheworstofit，andstillacquiescepiouslyandevengladlyinman’sfate。