Wewantsomesharperdisciplinethanthatofreading;but，atallevents，beassured，wecannotread。Noreadingispossibleforapeoplewithitsmindinthisstate。Nosentenceofanygreatwriterisintelligibletothem。ItissimplyandsternlyimpossiblefortheEnglishpublic，atthismoment，tounderstandanythoughtfulwriting，——soincapableofthoughthasitbecomeinitsinsanityofavarice。Happily，ourdiseaseis，asyet，littleworsethanthisincapacityofthought;itisnotcorruptionoftheinnernature;weringtruestill，whenanythingstrikeshometous;andthoughtheideathateverythingshould\"pay\"hasinfectedoureverypurposesodeeply，thatevenwhenwewouldplaythegoodSamaritan，wenevertakeoutourtwopenceandgivethemtothehost，withoutsaying，\"WhenIcomeagain，thoushaltgivemefourpence，\"thereisacapacityofnoblepassionleftinourhearts’core。Weshowitinourwork——inourwar，——eveninthoseunjustdomesticaffectionswhichmakeusfuriousatasmallprivatewrong，whilewearepolitetoaboundlesspublicone：wearestillindustrioustothelasthouroftheday，thoughweaddthegambler’sfurytothelabourer’spatience;wearestillbravetothedeath，thoughincapableofdiscerningtruecauseforbattle;andarestilltrueinaffectiontoourownflesh，tothedeath，asthesea—monstersare，andtherock—
eagles。Andthereishopeforanationwhilethiscanbestillsaidofit。Aslongasitholdsitslifeinitshand，readytogiveitforitshonour（thoughafoolishhonour），foritslove（thoughaselfishlove），andforitsbusiness（thoughabasebusiness），thereishopeforit。Buthopeonly;forthisinstinctive，recklessvirtuecannotlast。Nonationcanlast，whichhasmadeamobofitself，howevergenerousatheart。Itmustdisciplineitspassions，anddirectthem，ortheywilldisciplineit，oneday，withscorpionwhips。Aboveall，anationcannotlastasamoney—makingmob：itcannotwithimpunity，——itcannotwithexistence，——goondespisingliterature，despisingscience，despisingart，despisingnature，despisingcompassion，andconcentratingitssoulonPence。Doyouthinktheseareharshorwildwords？Havepatiencewithmebutalittlelonger。Iwillprovetheirtruthtoyou，clausebyclause。
（I。）Isayfirstwehavedespisedliterature。Whatdowe，asanation，careaboutbooks？Howmuchdoyouthinkwespendaltogetheronourlibraries，publicorprivate，ascomparedwithwhatwespendonourhorses？Ifamanspendslavishlyonhislibrary，youcallhimmad——abibliomaniac。Butyounevercallanyoneahorsemaniac，thoughmenruinthemselveseverydaybytheirhorses，andyoudonothearofpeopleruiningthemselvesbytheirbooks。Or，togolowerstill，howmuchdoyouthinkthecontentsofthebook—shelvesoftheUnitedKingdom，publicandprivate，wouldfetch，ascomparedwiththecontentsofitswine—cellars？Whatpositionwoulditsexpenditureonliteraturetake，ascomparedwithitsexpenditureonluxuriouseating？Wetalkoffoodforthemind，asoffoodforthebody：nowagoodbookcontainssuchfoodinexhaustibly;itisaprovisionforlife，andforthebestpartofus;yethowlongmostpeoplewouldlookatthebestbookbeforetheywouldgivethepriceofalargeturbotforit？Thoughtherehavebeenmenwhohavepinchedtheirstomachsandbaredtheirbackstobuyabook，whoselibrarieswerecheapertothem，Ithink，intheend，thanmostmen’sdinnersare。Wearefewofusputtosuchtrial，andmorethepity;
for，indeed，apreciousthingisallthemoreprecioustousifithasbeenwonbyworkoreconomy;andifpubliclibrarieswerehalfsocostlyaspublicdinners，orbookscostthetenthpartofwhatbraceletsdo，evenfoolishmenandwomenmightsometimessuspecttherewasgoodinreading，aswellasinmunchingandsparkling：
whereastheverycheapnessofliteratureismakingevenwisepeopleforgetthatifabookisworthreading，itisworthbuying。NobookisworthanythingwhichisnotworthMUCH;norisitserviceable，untilithasbeenread，andre—read，andloved，andlovedagain;andmarked，sothatyoucanrefertothepassagesyouwantinit，asasoldiercanseizetheweaponheneedsinanarmoury，orahousewifebringthespicesheneedsfromherstore。Breadofflourisgood;
butthereisbread，sweetashoney，ifwewouldeatit，inagoodbook;andthefamilymustbepoorindeed，which，onceintheirlives，cannot，for，suchmultipliablebarley—loaves，paytheirbaker’sbill。Wecallourselvesarichnation，andwearefilthyandfoolishenoughtothumbeachother’sbooksoutofcirculatinglibraries！
（II。）Isaywehavedespisedscience。\"What！\"youexclaim，\"arewenotforemostinalldiscovery，{13}andisnotthewholeworldgiddybyreason，orunreason，ofourinventions？\"Yes;butdoyousupposethatisnationalwork？ThatworkisalldoneINSPITEOFthenation;byprivatepeople’szealandmoney。Wearegladenough，indeed，tomakeourprofitofscience;wesnapupanythinginthewayofascientificbonethathasmeatonit，eagerlyenough;butifthescientificmancomesforaboneoracrusttoUS，thatisanotherstory。Whathavewepubliclydoneforscience？Weareobligedtoknowwhato’clockitis，forthesafetyofourships，andthereforewepayforanobservatory;andweallowourselves，inthepersonofourParliament，tobeannuallytormentedintodoingsomething，inaslovenlyway，fortheBritishMuseum;sullenlyapprehendingthattobeaplaceforkeepingstuffedbirdsin，toamuseourchildren。Ifanybodywillpayfortheirowntelescope，andresolveanothernebula，wecackleoverthediscernmentasifitwereourown;ifoneintenthousandofourhuntingsquiressuddenlyperceivesthattheearthwasindeedmadetobesomethingelsethanaportionforfoxes，andburrowsinithimself，andtellsuswherethegoldis，andwherethecoals，weunderstandthatthereissomeuseinthat;andveryproperlyknighthim：butistheaccidentofhishavingfoundouthowtoemployhimselfusefullyanycredittoUS？
（Thenegationofsuchdiscoveryamonghisbrothersquiresmayperhapsbesomediscredittous，ifwewouldconsiderofit。）Butifyoudoubtthesegeneralities，hereisonefactforusalltomeditateupon，illustrativeofourloveofscience。TwoyearsagotherewasacollectionofthefossilsofSolenhofentobesoldinBavaria;thebestinexistence，containingmanyspecimensuniqueforperfectness，andoneuniqueasanexampleofaspecies（awholekingdomofunknownlivingcreaturesbeingannouncedbythatfossil）。
Thiscollection，ofwhichthemeremarketworth，amongprivatebuyers，wouldprobablyhavebeensomethousandortwelvehundredpounds，wasofferedtotheEnglishnationforsevenhundred：butwewouldnotgivesevenhundred，andthewholeserieswouldhavebeenintheMunichMuseumatthismoment，ifProfessorOwen{14}hadnot，withlossofhisowntime，andpatienttormentingoftheBritishpublicinpersonofitsrepresentatives，gotleavetogivefourhundredpoundsatonce，andhimselfbecomeanswerablefortheotherthree！whichthesaidpublicwilldoubtlesspayhimeventually，butsulkily，andcaringnothingaboutthematterallthewhile;onlyalwaysreadytocackleifanycreditcomesofit。Consider，Ibegofyou，arithmetically，whatthisfactmeans。Yourannualexpenditureforpublicpurposes，（athirdofitformilitaryapparatus，）isatleast50millions。Now700L。isto50，000，000L。
roughly，assevenpencetotwothousandpounds。Suppose，then，agentlemanofunknownincome，butwhosewealthwastobeconjecturedfromthefactthathespenttwothousandayearonhispark—wallsandfootmenonly，professeshimselffondofscience;andthatoneofhisservantscomeseagerlytotellhimthatanuniquecollectionoffossils，givingcluetoaneweraofcreation，istobehadforthesumofsevenpencesterling;andthatthegentlemanwhoisfondofscience，andspendstwothousandayearonhispark，answers，afterkeepinghisservantwaitingseveralmonths，\"Well！I’llgiveyoufourpenceforthem，ifyouwillbeanswerablefortheextrathreepenceyourself，tillnextyear！\"
（III。）IsayyouhavedespisedArt！\"What！\"youagainanswer，\"havewenotArtexhibitions，mileslong？anddowenotpaythousandsofpoundsforsinglepictures？andhavewenotArtschoolsandinstitutions，——morethanevernationhadbefore？\"Yes，truly，butallthatisforthesakeoftheshop。Youwouldfainsellcanvasaswellascoals，andcrockeryaswellasiron;youwouldtakeeveryothernation’sbreadoutofitsmouthifyoucould;{15}
notbeingabletodothat，youridealoflifeistostandinthethoroughfaresoftheworld，likeLudgateapprentices，screamingtoeverypasser—by，\"Whatd’yelack？\"Youknownothingofyourownfacultiesorcircumstances;youfancythat，amongyourdamp，flat，fatfieldsofclay，youcanhaveasquickart—fancyastheFrenchmanamonghisbronzedvines，ortheItalianunderhisvolcaniccliffs;——
thatArtmaybelearned，asbook—keepingis，andwhenlearned，willgiveyoumorebookstokeep。Youcareforpictures，absolutely，nomorethanyoudoforthebillspastedonyourdeadwalls。Thereisalwaysroomonthewallsforthebillstoberead，——neverforthepicturestobeseen。Youdonotknowwhatpicturesyouhave（byrepute）inthecountry，norwhethertheyarefalseortrue，norwhethertheyaretakencareofornot;inforeigncountries，youcalmlyseethenoblestexistingpicturesintheworldrottinginabandonedwreck——（inVeniceyousawtheAustriangunsdeliberatelypointedatthepalacescontainingthem），andifyouheardthatallthefinepicturesinEuropeweremadeintosand—bagsto—morrowontheAustrianforts，itwouldnottroubleyousomuchasthechanceofabraceortwoofgamelessinyourownbags，inaday’sshooting。ThatisyournationalloveofArt。
（IV。）YouhavedespisedNature;thatistosay，allthedeepandsacredsensationsofnaturalscenery。TheFrenchrevolutionistsmadestablesofthecathedralsofFrance;youhavemaderace—coursesofthecathedralsoftheearth。YourONEconceptionofpleasureistodriveinrailroadcarriagesroundtheiraisles，andeatofftheiraltars。{16}Youhaveputarailroad—bridgeoverthefallsofSchaffhausen。YouhavetunnelledthecliffsofLucernebyTell’schapel;youhavedestroyedtheClarensshoreoftheLakeofGeneva;
thereisnotaquietvalleyinEnglandthatyouhavenotfilledwithbellowingfire;thereisnoparticleleftofEnglishlandwhichyouhavenottrampledcoalashesinto{17}——noranyforeigncityinwhichthespreadofyourpresenceisnotmarkedamongitsfairoldstreetsandhappygardensbyaconsumingwhiteleprosyofnewhotelsandperfumers’shops：theAlpsthemselves，whichyourownpoetsusedtolovesoreverently，youlookuponassoapedpolesinabear—
garden，whichyousetyourselvestoclimbandslidedownagain，with\"shrieksofdelight。\"Whenyouarepastshrieking，havingnohumanarticulatevoicetosayyouaregladwith，youfillthequietudeoftheirvalleyswithgunpowderblasts，andrushhome，redwithcutaneouseruptionofconceit，andvolublewithconvulsivehiccoughofself—satisfaction。IthinknearlythetwosorrowfullestspectaclesIhaveeverseeninhumanity，takingthedeepinnersignificanceofthem，aretheEnglishmobsinthevalleyofChamouni，amusingthemselveswithfiringrustyhowitzers;andtheSwissvintagersofZurichexpressingtheirChristianthanksforthegiftofthevine，byassemblinginknotsinthe\"towersofthevineyards，\"andslowlyloadingandfiringhorse—pistolsfrommorningtillevening。Itispitiful，tohavedimconceptionsofduty;morepitiful，itseemstome，tohaveconceptionslikethese，ofmirth。
Lastly。Youdespisecompassion。Thereisnoneedofwordsofmineforproofofthis。IwillmerelyprintoneofthenewspaperparagraphswhichIaminthehabitofcuttingoutandthrowingintomystore—drawer;hereisonefroma’DailyTelegraph’ofanearlydatethisyear（1867）;（datewhich，thoughbymecarelesslyleftunmarked，iseasilydiscoverable;foronthebackoftheslipthereistheannouncementthat\"yesterdaytheseventhofthespecialservicesofthisyearwasperformedbytheBishopofRiponinSt。
Paul’s\";）itrelatesonlyoneofsuchfactsashappennowdaily;
thisbychancehavingtakenaforminwhichitcamebeforethecoroner。Iwillprinttheparagraphinred。Besure，thefactsthemselvesarewritteninthatcolour，inabookwhichweshallallOFus，literateorilliterate，havetoreadourpageof，someday。
AninquirywasheldonFridaybyMr。Richards，deputycoroner，attheWhiteHorseTavern，ChristChurch，Spitalfields，respectingthedeathofMichaelCollins，aged58years。MaryCollins，amiserable—
lookingwoman，saidthatshelivedwiththedeceasedandhissoninaroomat2，Cobb’sCourt，ChristChurch。Deceasedwasa\"translator\"ofboots。Witnesswentoutandboughtoldboots;
deceasedandhissonmadethemintogoodones，andthenwitnesssoldthemforwhatshecouldgetattheshops，whichwasverylittleindeed。Deceasedandhissonusedtoworknightanddaytotryandgetalittlebreadandtea，andpayfortheroom（2S。aweek），soastokeepthehometogether。OnFriday—night—weekdeceasedgotupfromhisbenchandbegantoshiver。Hethrewdowntheboots，saying，\"SomebodyelsemustfinishthemwhenIamgone，forIcandonomore。\"Therewasnofire，andhesaid，\"IwouldbebetterifI
waswarm。\"Witnessthereforetooktwopairsoftranslatedboots{18}tosellattheshop，butshecouldonlyget14D。forthetwopairs，forthepeopleattheshopsaid，\"Wemusthaveourprofit。\"
Witnessgot14lb。ofcoal，andalittleteaandbread。Hersonsatupthewholenighttomakethe\"translations，\"togetmoney，butdeceaseddiedonSaturdaymorning。Thefamilyneverhadenoughtoeat。——Coroner：\"Itseemstomedeplorablethatyoudidnotgointotheworkhouse。\"Witness：\"Wewantedthecomfortsofourlittlehome。\"Ajuroraskedwhatthecomfortswere，forheonlysawalittlestrawinthecorneroftheroom，thewindowsofwhichwerebroken。Thewitnessbegantocry，andsaidthattheyhadaquiltandotherlittlethings。Thedeceasedsaidheneverwouldgointotheworkhouse。Insummer，whentheseasonwasgood，theysometimesmadeasmuchas10S。profitintheweek。Theythenalwayssavedtowardsthenextweek，whichwasgenerallyabadone。Inwintertheymadenothalfsomuch。Forthreeyearstheyhadbeengettingfrombadtoworse。——CorneliusCollinssaidthathehadassistedhisfathersince1847。Theyusedtoworksofarintothenightthatbothnearlylosttheireyesight。Witnessnowhadafilmoverhiseyes。Fiveyearsagodeceasedappliedtotheparishforaid。Therelievingofficergavehima4lb。loaf，andtoldhimifhecameagainheshould\"getthestones。\"{19}Thatdisgusteddeceased，andhewouldhavenothingtodowiththemsince。TheygotworseandworseuntillastFridayweek，whentheyhadnotevenahalf—pennytobuyacandle。Deceasedthenlaydownonthestraw，andsaidhecouldnotlivetillmorning。——Ajuror：\"Youaredyingofstarvationyourself，andyououghttogointothehouseuntilthesummer。\"——
Witness：\"Ifwewentinweshoulddie。Whenwecomeoutinthesummerweshouldbelikepeopledroppedfromthesky。Noonewouldknowus，andwewouldnothaveevenaroom。IcouldworknowifI
hadfood，formysightwouldgetbetter。\"Dr。G。P。Walkersaiddeceaseddiedfromsyncope，fromexhaustionfromwantoffood。Thedeceasedhadhadnobedclothes。Forfourmonthshehadhadnothingbutbreadtoeat。Therewasnotaparticleoffatinthebody。
Therewasnodisease，but，iftherehadbeenmedicalattendance，hemighthavesurvivedthesyncopeorfainting。TheCoronerhavingremarkeduponthepainfulnatureofthecase，thejuryreturnedthefollowingverdict：\"Thatdeceaseddiedfromexhaustionfromwantoffoodandthecommonnecessariesoflife;alsothroughwantofmedicalaid。\"
\"Whywouldwitnessnotgointotheworkhouse？\"youask。Well，thepoorseemtohaveaprejudiceagainsttheworkhousewhichtherichhavenot;forofcourseeveryonewhotakesapensionfromGovernmentgoesintotheworkhouseonagrandscale：{20}onlytheworkhousesfortherichdonotinvolvetheideaofwork，andshouldbecalledplay—houses。Butthepoorliketodieindependently，itappears;
perhapsifwemadetheplay—housesforthemprettyandpleasantenough，orgavethemtheirpensionsathome，andallowedthemalittleintroductorypeculationwiththepublicmoney，theirmindsmightbereconciledtotheconditions。Meantime，herearethefacts：wemakeourreliefeithersoinsultingtothem，orsopainful，thattheyratherdiethantakeitatourhands;or，forthirdalternative，weleavethemsountaughtandfoolishthattheystarvelikebrutecreatures，wildanddumb，notknowingwhattodo，orwhattoask。Isay，youdespisecompassion;ifyoudidnot，suchanewspaperparagraphwouldbeasimpossibleinaChristiancountryasadeliberateassassinationpermittedinitspublicstreets。{21}
\"Christian，\"didIsay？Alas！ifwewerebutwholesomelyUN—
Christian，itwouldbeimpossible：itisourimaginaryChristianitythathelpsustocommitthesecrimes，forwerevelandluxuriateinourfaith，forthelewdsensationofit;dressingITup，likeeverythingelse，infiction。ThedramaticChristianityoftheorganandaisle，ofdawn—serviceandtwilight—revival——theChristianity，whichwedonotfeartomixthemockeryof，pictorially，withourplayaboutthedevil，inourSatanellas，——Roberts，——Fausts;chantinghymnsthroughtraceriedwindowsforbackgroundeffect，andartisticallymodulatingthe\"Dio\"throughvariationonvariationofmimickedprayer：（whilewedistributetracts，nextday，forthebenefitofuncultivatedswearers，uponwhatwesupposetobethesignificationoftheThirdCommandment;—）thisgas—lighted，andgas—
inspiredChristianity，wearetriumphantin，anddrawbackthehemofourrobesfromthetouchofthehereticswhodisputeit。ButtodoapieceofcommonChristianrighteousnessinaplainEnglishwordordeed;tomakeChristianlawanyruleoflife，andfoundoneNationalactorhopethereon，——weknowtoowellwhatourfaithcomestoforthat！YoumightsoonergetlightningoutofincensesmokethantrueactionorpassionoutofyourmodernEnglishreligion。
Youhadbettergetridofthesmoke，andtheorganpipes，both：
leavethem，andtheGothicwindows，andthepaintedglass，tothepropertyman;giveupyourcarburettedhydrogenghostinonehealthyexpiration，andlookafterLazarusatthedoorstep。ForthereisatrueChurchwhereveronehandmeetsanotherhelpfully，andthatistheonlyholyorMotherChurchwhicheverwas，orevershallbe。
Allthesepleasuresthen，andallthesevirtues，Irepeat，younationallydespise。Youhave，indeed，menamongyouwhodonot;bywhosework，bywhosestrength，bywhoselife，bywhosedeath，youlive，andneverthankthem。Yourwealth，youramusement，yourpride，wouldallbealikeimpossible，butforthosewhomyouscornorforget。Thepoliceman，whoiswalkingupanddowntheblacklaneallnighttowatchtheguiltyouhavecreatedthere;andmayhavehisbrainsbeatenout，andbemaimedforlife，atanymoment，andneverbethanked;thesailorwrestlingwiththesea’srage;thequietstudentporingoverhisbookorhisvial;thecommonworker，withoutpraise，andnearlywithoutbread，fulfillinghistaskasyourhorsesdragyourcarts，hopeless，andspurnedofall：thesearethemenbywhomEnglandlives;buttheyarenotthenation;theyareonlythebodyandnervousforceofit，actingstillfromoldhabitinaconvulsiveperseverance，whilethemindisgone。OurNationalwishandpurposeareonlytobeamused;ourNationalreligionistheperformanceofchurchceremonies，andpreachingofsoporifictruth（oruntruths）tokeepthemobquietlyatwork，whileweamuseourselves;andthenecessityforthisamusementisfasteningonus，asafeverousdiseaseofparchedthroatandwanderingeyes——senseless，dissolute，merciless。HowliterallythatwordDIS—Ease，theNegationandimpossibilityofEase，expressestheentiremoralstateofourEnglishIndustryanditsAmusements！
Whenmenarerightlyoccupied，theiramusementgrowsoutoftheirwork，asthecolour—petalsoutofafruitfulflower;——whentheyarefaithfullyhelpfulandcompassionate，alltheiremotionsbecomesteady，deep，perpetual，andvivifyingtothesoulasthenaturalpulsetothebody。Butnow，havingnotruebusiness，wepourourwholemasculineenergyintothefalsebusinessofmoney—making;andhavingnotrueemotion，wemusthavefalseemotionsdressedupforustoplaywith，notinnocently，aschildrenwithdolls，butguiltilyanddarkly，astheidolatrousJewswiththeirpicturesoncavernwalls，whichmenhadtodigtodetect。Thejusticewedonotexecute，wemimicinthenovelandonthestage;forthebeautywedestroyinnature，wesubstitutethemetamorphosisofthepantomime，and（thehumannatureofusimperativelyrequiringaweandsorrowofSOMEkind）forthenoblegriefweshouldhavebornewithourfellows，andthepuretearsweshouldhaveweptwiththem，wegloatoverthepathosofthepolicecourt，andgatherthenight—dewofthegrave。
Itisdifficulttoestimatethetruesignificanceofthesethings;
thefactsarefrightfulenough;——themeasureofnationalfaultinvolvedinthemisperhapsnotasgreatasitwouldatfirstseem。
Wepermit，orcause，thousandsofdeathsdaily，butwemeannoharm;
wesetfiretohouses，andravagepeasants’fields，yetweshouldbesorrytofindwehadinjuredanybody。Wearestillkindatheart;
stillcapableofvirtue，butonlyaschildrenare。Chalmers，attheendofhislonglife，havinghadmuchpowerwiththepublic，beingplaguedinsomeseriousmatterbyareferenceto\"publicopinion，\"
utteredtheimpatientexclamation，\"Thepublicisjustagreatbaby！\"AndthereasonthatIhaveallowedallthesegraversubjectsofthoughttomixthemselvesupwithaninquiryintomethodsofreading，isthat，themoreIseeofournationalfaultsormiseries，themoretheyresolvethemselvesintoconditionsofchildishilliteratenessandwantofeducationinthemostordinaryhabitsofthought。Itis，Irepeat，notvice，notselfishness，notdulnessofbrain，whichwehavetolament;butanunreachableschoolboy’srecklessness，onlydifferingfromthetrueschoolboy’sinitsincapacityofbeinghelped，becauseitacknowledgesnomaster。
Thereisacurioustypeofusgiveninoneofthelovely，neglectedworksofthelastofourgreatpainters。ItisadrawingofKirkbyLonsdalechurchyard，andofitsbrook，andvalley，andhills，andfoldedmorningskybeyond。Andunmindfulalikeofthese，andofthedeadwhohavelefttheseforothervalleysandforotherskies，agroupofschoolboyshavepiledtheirlittlebooksuponagrave，tostrikethemoffwithstones。So，also，weplaywiththewordsofthedeadthatwouldteachus，andstrikethemfarfromuswithourbitter，recklesswill;littlethinkingthatthoseleaveswhichthewindscattershadbeenpiled，notonlyuponagravestone，butuponthesealofanenchantedvault——nay，thegateofagreatcityofsleepingkings，whowouldawakeforusandwalkwithus，ifweknewbuthowtocallthembytheirnames。Howoften，evenifweliftthemarbleentrancegate，dowebutwanderamongthoseoldkingsintheirrepose，andfingertherobestheyliein，andstirthecrownsontheirforeheads;andstilltheyaresilenttous，andseembutadustyimagery;becauseweknownottheincantationoftheheartthatwouldwakethem;——which，iftheyonceheard，theywouldstartuptomeetusintheirpoweroflongago，narrowlytolookuponus，andconsiderus;and，asthefallenkingsofHadesmeetthenewlyfallen，saying，\"Artthoualsobecomeweakaswe——artthoualsobecomeoneofus？\"sowouldthesekings，withtheirundimmed，unshakendiadems，meetus，saying，\"Artthoualsobecomepureandmightyofheartaswe——artthoualsobecomeoneofus？\"
Mightyofheart，mightyofmind——\"magnanimous\"——tobethis，isindeedtobegreatinlife;tobecomethisincreasingly，is，indeed，to\"advanceinlife，\"——inlifeitself——notinthetrappingsofit。
Myfriends，doyourememberthatoldScythiancustom，whentheheadofahousedied？Howhewasdressedinhisfinestdress，andsetinhischariot，andcarriedabouttohisfriends’houses;andeachofthemplacedhimathistable’shead，andallfeastedinhispresence？Supposeitwereofferedtoyouinplainwords，asitIS
offeredtoyouindirefacts，thatyoushouldgainthisScythianhonour，gradually，whileyouyetthoughtyourselfalive。Supposetheofferwerethis：Youshalldieslowly;yourbloodshalldailygrowcold，yourfleshpetrify，yourheartbeatatlastonlyasarustedgroupofironvalves。Yourlifeshallfadefromyou，andsinkthroughtheearthintotheiceofCaina;but，daybyday，yourbodyshallbedressedmoregaily，andsetinhigherchariots，andhavemoreordersonitsbreast——crownsonitshead，ifyouwill。
Menshallbowbeforeit，stareandshoutroundit，crowdafteritupanddownthestreets;buildpalacesforit，feastwithitattheirtables’headsallthenightlong;yoursoulshallstayenoughwithinittoknowwhattheydo，andfeeltheweightofthegoldendressonitsshoulders，andthefurrowofthecrown—edgeontheskull;——nomore。Wouldyoutaketheoffer，verballymadebythedeath—angel？
Wouldthemeanestamongustakeit，thinkyou？Yetpracticallyandverilywegraspatit，everyoneofus，inameasure;manyofusgraspatitinitsfulnessofhorror。Everymanacceptsit，whodesirestoadvanceinlifewithoutknowingwhatlifeis;whomeansonlythatheistogetmorehorses，andmorefootmen，andmorefortune，andmorepublichonour，and——NOTmorepersonalsoul。Heonlyisadvancinginlife，whoseheartisgettingsofter，whosebloodwarmer，whosebrainquicker，whosespiritisenteringintoLiving{22}peace。Andthemenwhohavethislifeinthemarethetruelordsorkingsoftheearth——they，andtheyonly。Allotherkingships，sofarastheyaretrue，areonlythepracticalissueandexpressionoftheirs;iflessthanthis，theyareeitherdramaticroyalties，——costlyshows，setoff，indeed，withrealjewels，insteadoftinsel——butstillonlythetoysofnations;orelsetheyarenoroyaltiesatall，buttyrannies，orthemereactiveandpracticalissueofnationalfolly;forwhichreasonIhavesaidofthemelsewhere，\"Visiblegovernmentsarethetoysofsomenations，thediseasesofothers，theharnessofsome，theburdensofmore。\"
ButIhavenowordsforthewonderwithwhichIhearKinghoodstillspokenof，evenamongthoughtfulmen，asifgovernednationswereapersonalproperty，andmightbeboughtandsold，orotherwiseacquired，assheep，ofwhosefleshtheirkingwastofeed，andwhosefleecehewastogather;asifAchilles’indignantepithetofbasekings，\"people—eating，\"weretheconstantandpropertitleofallmonarchs;andtheenlargementofaking’sdominionmeantthesamethingastheincreaseofaprivateman’sestate！Kingswhothinkso，howeverpowerful，cannomorebethetruekingsofthenationthangadfliesarethekingsofahorse;theysuckit，andmaydriveitwild，butdonotguideit。They，andtheircourts，andtheirarmiesare，ifonecouldseeclearly，onlyalargespeciesofmarshmosquito，withbayonetproboscisandmelodious，band—masteredtrumpeting，inthesummerair;thetwilightbeing，perhaps，sometimesfairer，buthardlymorewholesome，foritsglitteringmistsofmidgecompanies。Thetruekings，meanwhile，rulequietly，ifatall，andhateruling;toomanyofthemmake\"ilgranrifiuto;\"
andiftheydonot，themob，assoonastheyarelikelytobecomeusefultoit，isprettysuretomakeITS\"granrifiuto\"ofTHEM。
Yetthevisiblekingmayalsobeatrueone，someday，ifeverdaycomeswhenhewillestimatehisdominionbytheFORCEofit，——notthegeographicalboundaries。ItmattersverylittlewhetherTrentcutsyouacantelouthere，orRhineroundsyouacastlelessthere。
Butitdoesmattertoyou，kingofmen，whetheryoucanverilysaytothisman，\"Go，\"andhegoeth;andtoanother，\"Come，\"andhecometh。Whetheryoucanturnyourpeople，asyoucanTrent——andwhereitisthatyoubidthemcome，andwherego。Itmatterstoyou，kingofmen，whetheryourpeoplehateyou，anddiebyyou，orloveyou，andlivebyyou。Youmaymeasureyourdominionbymultitudes，betterthanbymiles;andcountdegreesoflove—
latitude，notfrom，butto，awonderfullywarmandinfiniteequator。
Measure！——nay，youcannotmeasure。Whoshallmeasurethedifferencebetweenthepowerofthosewho\"doandteach，\"andwhoaregreatestinthekingdomsofearth，asofheaven——andthepowerofthosewhoundo，andconsume——whosepower，atthefullest，isonlythepowerofthemothandtherust？Strange！tothinkhowtheMoth—kingslayuptreasuresforthemoth;andtheRust—kings，whoaretotheirpeoples’strengthasrusttoarmour，layuptreasuresfortherust;
andtheRobber—kings，treasuresfortherobber;buthowfewkingshaveeverlaiduptreasuresthatneedednoguarding——treasuresofwhich，themorethievestherewere，thebetter！Broideredrobe，onlytoberent;helmandsword，onlytobedimmed;jewelandgold，onlytobescattered;——therehavebeenthreekindsofkingswhohavegatheredthese。SupposethereevershouldariseaFourthorderofkings，whohadread，insomeobscurewritingoflongago，thattherewasaFourthkindoftreasure，whichthejewelandgoldcouldnotequal，neithershoulditbevaluedwithpuregold。Awebmadefairintheweaving，byAthena’sshuttle;anarmour，forgedindivinefirebyVulcanianforce;agoldtobeminedintheverysun’sredheart，wherehesetsovertheDelphiancliffs;——deep—picturedtissue;——impenetrablearmour;——potablegold！——thethreegreatAngelsofConduct，Toil，andThought，stillcallingtous，andwaitingatthepostsofourdoors，toleadus，withtheirwingedpower，andguideus，withtheirunerringeyes，bythepathwhichnofowlknoweth，andwhichthevulture’seyehasnotseen！Supposekingsshouldeverarise，whoheardandbelievedthisword，andatlastgatheredandbroughtforthtreasuresof——Wisdom——fortheirpeople？
ThinkwhatanamazingbusinessTHATwouldbe！Howinconceivable，inthestateofourpresentnationalwisdom！Thatweshouldbringupourpeasantstoabookexerciseinsteadofabayonetexercise！——
organise，drill，maintainwithpay，andgoodgeneralship，armiesofthinkers，insteadofarmiesofstabbers！——findnationalamusementinreading—roomsaswellasrifle—grounds;giveprizesforafairshotatafact，aswellasforaleadensplashonatarget。Whatanabsurdideaitseems，putfairlyinwords，thatthewealthofthecapitalistsofcivilisednationsshouldevercometosupportliteratureinsteadofwar！
Haveyetpatiencewithme，whileIreadyouasinglesentenceoutoftheonlybook，properlytobecalledabook，thatIhaveyetwrittenmyself，theonethatwillstand（ifanythingstand），surestandlongestofallworkofmine。
\"ItisoneveryawfulformoftheoperationofwealthinEuropethatitisentirelycapitalists’wealthwhichsupportsunjustwars。Justwarsdonotneedsomuchmoneytosupportthem;formostofthemenwhowagesuch，wagethemgratis;butforanunjustwar，men’sbodiesandsoulshavebothtobebought;andthebesttoolsofwarforthembesides，whichmakesuchwarcostlytothemaximum;nottospeakofthecostofbasefear，andangrysuspicion，betweennationswhichhavenotgracenorhonestyenoughinalltheirmultitudestobuyanhour’speaceofmindwith;as，atpresent，FranceandEngland，purchasingofeachothertenmillionssterlingworthofconsternation，annually（aremarkablylightcrop，halfthornsandhalfaspenleaves，sown，reaped，andgranariedbythe’science’ofthemodernpoliticaleconomist，teachingcovetousnessinsteadoftruth）。And，allunjustwarbeingsupportable，ifnotbypillageoftheenemy，onlybyloansfromcapitalists，theseloansarerepaidbysubsequenttaxationofthepeople，whoappeartohavenowillinthematter，thecapitalists’willbeingtheprimaryrootofthewar;butitsrealrootisthecovetousnessofthewholenation，renderingitincapableoffaith，frankness，orjustice，andbringingabout，therefore，induetime，hisownseparatelossandpunishmenttoeachperson。\"
FranceandEnglandliterally，observe，buyPANICofeachother;theypay，eachofthem，fortenthousand—thousand—pounds’—worthofterror，ayear。Nowsuppose，insteadofbuyingthesetenmillions’
worthofpanicannually，theymadeuptheirmindstobeatpeacewitheachother，andbuytenmillions’worthofknowledgeannually;
andthateachnationspentitstenthousandthousandpoundsayearinfoundingroyallibraries，royalartgalleries，royalmuseums，royalgardens，andplacesofrest。MightitnotbebettersomewhatforbothFrenchandEnglish？
Itwillbelong，yet，beforethatcomestopass。Nevertheless，I
hopeitwillnotbelongbeforeroyalornationallibrarieswillbefoundedineveryconsiderablecity，witharoyalseriesofbooksinthem;thesameseriesineveryoneofthem，chosenbooks，thebestineverykind，preparedforthatnationalseriesinthemostperfectwaypossible;theirtextprintedallonleavesofequalsize，broadofmargin，anddividedintopleasantvolumes，lightinthehand，beautiful，andstrong，andthoroughasexamplesofbinders’work;
andthatthesegreatlibrarieswillbeaccessibletoallcleanandorderlypersonsatalltimesofthedayandevening;strictlawbeingenforcedforthiscleanlinessandquietness。
Icouldshapeforyouotherplans，forart—galleries，andfornaturalhistorygalleries，andformanyprecious——many，itseemstome，needful——things;butthisbookplanistheeasiestandneedfullest，andwouldproveaconsiderabletonictowhatwecallourBritishconstitution，whichhasfallendropsicaloflate，andhasanevilthirst，andevilhunger，andwantshealthierfeeding。
Youhavegotitscornlawsrepealedforit;tryifyoucannotgetcornlawsestablishedforit，dealinginabetterbread;——breadmadeofthatoldenchantedArabiangrain，theSesame，whichopensdoors;—
—doorsnotofrobbers’，butofKings’Treasuries。
LECTUREII。——LILIESOFQUEENS’GARDENS
\"Bethouglad，ohthirstingDesert;letthedesertbemadecheerful，andbloomasthelily;andthebarrenplacesofJordanshallrunwildwithwood。\"——ISAIAHXXXV。I。（Septuagint。）
Itwill，perhaps，bewell，asthisLectureisthesequelofonepreviouslygiven，thatIshouldshortlystatetoyoumygeneralintentioninboth。Thequestionsspeciallyproposedtoyouinthefirst，namely，HowandWhattoRead，roseoutofafardeeperone，whichitwasmyendeavourtomakeyouproposeearnestlytoyourselves，namely，WHYtoRead。Iwantyoutofeel，withme，thatwhateveradvantageswepossessinthepresentdayinthediffusionofeducationandofliterature，canonlyberightlyusedbyanyofuswhenwehaveapprehendedclearlywhateducationistoleadto，andliteraturetoteach。Iwishyoutoseethatbothwell—directedmoraltrainingandwell—chosenreadingleadtothepossessionofapowerovertheill—guidedandilliterate，whichis，accordingtothemeasureofit，inthetruestsense，KINGLY;conferringindeedthepurestkingshipthatcanexistamongmen：toomanyotherkingships（howeverdistinguishedbyvisibleinsigniaormaterialpower）beingeitherspectral，ortyrannous;——spectral——thatistosay，aspectsandshadowsonlyofroyalty，hollowasdeath，andwhichonlythe\"likenessofakinglycrownhaveon：\"orelse——tyrannous——thatistosay，substitutingtheirownwillforthelawofjusticeandlovebywhichalltruekingsrule。
Thereis，then，Irepeat——andasIwanttoleavethisideawithyou，Ibeginwithit，andshallendwithit——onlyonepurekindofkingship;aninevitableandeternalkind，crownedornot;thekingship，namely，whichconsistsinastrongermoralstate，andatruerthoughtfulstate，thanthatofothers;enablingyou，therefore，toguide，ortoraisethem。Observethatword\"State;\"
wehavegotintoaloosewayofusingit。Itmeansliterallythestandingandstabilityofathing;andyouhavethefullforceofitinthederivedword\"statue\"——\"theimmovablething。\"Aking’smajestyor\"state，\"then，andtherightofhiskingdomtobecalledastate，dependsonthemovelessnessofboth：—withouttremor，withoutquiverofbalance;establishedandenthroneduponafoundationofeternallawwhichnothingcanalter，noroverthrow。
Believingthatallliteratureandalleducationareonlyusefulsofarastheytendtoconfirmthiscalm，beneficent，andTHEREFORE
kingly，power——first，overourselves，and，throughourselves，overallaroundus，——Iamnowgoingtoaskyoutoconsiderwithmefarther，whatspecialportionorkindofthisroyalauthority，arisingoutofnobleeducation，mayrightlybepossessedbywomen;
andhowfartheyalsoarecalledtoatruequeenlypower，——notintheirhouseholdsmerely，butoverallwithintheirsphere。Andinwhatsense，iftheyrightlyunderstoodandexercisedthisroyalorgraciousinfluence，theorderandbeautyinducedbysuchbenignantpowerwouldjustifyusinspeakingoftheterritoriesoverwhicheachofthemreigned，as\"Queens’Gardens。\"
Andhere，intheveryoutset，wearemetbyafardeeperquestion，which——strangethoughthismayseem——remainsamongmanyofusyetquiteundecidedinspiteofitsinfiniteimportance。
Wecannotdeterminewhatthequeenlypowerofwomenshouldbe，untilweareagreedwhattheirordinarypowershouldbe。Wecannotconsiderhoweducationmayfitthemforanywidelyextendingduty，untilweareagreedwhatistheirtrueconstantduty。Andthereneverwasatimewhenwilderwordswerespoken，ormorevainimaginationpermitted，respectingthisquestion——quitevitaltoallsocialhappiness。Therelationsofthewomanlytothemanlynature，theirdifferentcapacitiesofintellectorofvirtue，seemnevertohavebeenyetestimatedwithentireconsent。Wehearofthe\"mission\"andofthe\"rights\"ofWoman，asifthesecouldeverbeseparatefromthemissionandtherightsofMan——asifsheandherlordwerecreaturesofindependentkind，andofirreconcilableclaim。This，atleast，iswrong。Andnotlesswrong——perhapsevenmorefoolishlywrong（forIwillanticipatethusfarwhatIhopetoprove）——istheideathatwomanisonlytheshadowandattendantimageofherlord，owinghimathoughtlessandservileobedience，andsupportedaltogetherinherweaknessbythepre—eminenceofhisfortitude。
This，Isay，isthemostfoolishofallerrorsrespectingherwhowasmadetobethehelpmateofman。Asifhecouldbehelpedeffectivelybyashadow，orworthilybyaslave！
Letustry，then，whetherwecannotgetatsomeclearandharmoniousidea（itmustbeharmoniousifitistrue）ofwhatwomanlymindandvirtueareinpowerandoffice，withrespecttoman’s;andhowtheirrelations，rightlyaccepted，aidandincreasethevigourandhonourandauthorityofboth。
AndnowImustrepeatonethingIsaidinthelastlecture：namely，thatthefirstuseofeducationwastoenableustoconsultwiththewisestandthegreatestmenonallpointsofearnestdifficulty。
Thattousebooksrightly，wastogotothemforhelp：toappealtothem，whenourownknowledgeandpowerofthoughtfailed：tobeledbythemintowidersight，——purerconception，——thanourown，andreceivefromthemtheunitedsentenceofthejudgesandcouncilsofalltime，againstoursolitaryandunstableopinion。
Letusdothisnow。Letusseewhetherthegreatest，thewisest，thepurest—heartedofallagesareagreedinanywiseonthispoint：
letushearthetestimonytheyhaveleftrespectingwhattheyheldtobethetruedignityofwoman，andhermodeofhelptoman。
AndfirstletustakeShakespeare。
Notebroadlyintheoutset，Shakespearehasnoheroes;——hehasonlyheroines。Thereisnotoneentirelyheroicfigureinallhisplays，excepttheslightsketchofHenrytheFifth，exaggeratedforthepurposesofthestage;andthestillslighterValentineinTheTwoGentlemenofVerona。Inhislabouredandperfectplaysyouhavenohero。Othellowouldhavebeenone，ifhissimplicityhadnotbeensogreatastoleavehimthepreyofeverybasepracticeroundhim;
butheistheonlyexampleevenapproximatingtotheheroictype。
Coriolanus——Caesar——Antonystandinflawedstrength，andfallbytheirvanities;——Hamletisindolent，anddrowsilyspeculative;Romeoanimpatientboy;theMerchantofVenicelanguidlysubmissivetoadversefortune;Kent，inKingLear，isentirelynobleatheart，buttooroughandunpolishedtobeoftrueuseatthecriticaltime，andhesinksintotheofficeofaservantonly。Orlando，nolessnoble，isyetthedespairingtoyofchance，followed，comforted，savedbyRosalind。Whereasthereishardlyaplaythathasnotaperfectwomaninit，steadfastingravehope，anderrorlesspurpose：
Cordelia，Desdemona，Isabella，Hermione，Imogen，QueenCatherine，Perdita，Sylvia，Viola，Rosalind，Helena，andlast，andperhapsloveliest，Virgilia，areallfaultless;conceivedinthehighestheroictypeofhumanity。
Thenobserve，secondly，Thecatastropheofeveryplayiscausedalwaysbythefollyorfaultofaman;theredemption，iftherebeany，isbythewisdomandvirtueofawoman，and，failingthat，thereisnone。ThecatastropheofKingLearisowingtohisownwantofjudgment，hisimpatientvanity，hismisunderstandingofhischildren;thevirtueofhisonetruedaughterwouldhavesavedhimfromalltheinjuriesoftheothers，unlesshehadcastherawayfromhim;asitis，sheallbutsaveshim。
OfOthelloIneednottracethetale;——northeoneweaknessofhissomightylove;northeinferiorityofhisperceptiveintellecttothatevenofthesecondwomancharacterintheplay，theEmiliawhodiesinwildtestimonyagainsthiserror：—
\"Oh，murderouscoxcomb！whatshouldsuchafoolDowithsogoodawife？\"
InRomeoandJuliet，thewiseandbravestratagemofthewifeisbroughttoruinousissuebytherecklessimpatienceofherhusband。
InWinter’sTale，andinCymbeline，thehappinessandexistenceoftwoprincelyhouseholds，lostthroughlongyears，andimperilledtothedeathbythefollyandobstinacyofthehusbands，areredeemedatlastbythequeenlypatienceandwisdomofthewives。InMeasureforMeasure，thefoulinjusticeofthejudge，andthefoulcowardiceofthebrother，areopposedtothevictorioustruthandadamantinepurityofawoman。InCoriolanus，themother’scounsel，acteduponintime，wouldhavesavedhersonfromallevil;hismomentaryforgetfulnessofitishisruin;herprayer，atlastgranted，saveshim——not，indeed，fromdeath，butfromthecurseoflivingasthedestroyerofhiscountry。
AndwhatshallIsayofJulia，constantagainsttheficklenessofaloverwhoisamerewickedchild？——ofHelena，againstthepetulanceandinsultofacarelessyouth？——ofthepatienceofHero，thepassionofBeatrice，andthecalmlydevotedwisdomofthe\"unlessonedgirl，\"whoappearsamongthehelplessness，theblindness，andthevindictivepassionsofmen，asagentleangel，bringingcourageandsafetybyherpresence，anddefeatingtheworstmalignitiesofcrimebywhatwomenarefanciedmosttofailin，——
precisionandaccuracyofthought。
Observe，further，amongalltheprincipalfiguresinShakespeare’splays，thereisonlyoneweakwoman——Ophelia;anditisbecauseshefailsHamletatthecriticalmoment，andisnot，andcannotinhernaturebe，aguidetohimwhenheneedshermost，thatallthebittercatastrophefollows。Finally，thoughtherearethreewickedwomenamongtheprincipalfigures——LadyMacbeth，Regan，andGoneril—
—theyarefeltatoncetobefrightfulexceptionstotheordinarylawsoflife;fatalintheirinfluencealso，inproportiontothepowerforgoodwhichtheyhaveabandoned。
Such，inbroadlight，isShakespeare’stestimonytothepositionandcharacterofwomeninhumanlife。Herepresentsthemasinfalliblyfaithfulandwisecounsellors，——incorruptiblyjustandpureexamples——strongalwaystosanctify，evenwhentheycannotsave。
Notasinanywisecomparableinknowledgeofthenatureofman，——
stilllessinhisunderstandingofthecausesandcoursesoffate，——
butonlyasthewriterwhohasgivenusthebroadestviewoftheconditionsandmodesofordinarythoughtinmodernsociety，IaskyounexttoreceivethewitnessofWalterScott。
Iputasidehismerelyromanticprosewritingsasofnovalue，andthoughtheearlyromanticpoetryisverybeautiful，itstestimonyisofnoweight，otherthanthatofaboy’sideal。Buthistrueworks，studiedfromScottishlife，bearatruewitness;andinthewholerangeofthese，therearebutthreemenwhoreachtheheroictype{23}——DandieDinmont，RobRoy，andClaverhouse;ofthese，oneisaborderfarmer;anotherafreebooter;thethirdasoldierinabadcause。Andthesetouchtheidealofheroismonlyintheircourageandfaith，togetherwithastrong，butuncultivated，ormistakenlyapplied，intellectualpower;whilehisyoungermenarethegentlemanlyplay—thingsoffantasticfortune，andonlybyaid（oraccident）ofthatfortune，survive，notvanquish，thetrialstheyinvoluntarilysustain。Ofanydisciplined，orconsistentcharacter，earnestinapurposewiselyconceived，ordealingwithformsofhostileevil，definitelychallengedandresolutelysubdued，thereisnotraceinhisconceptionsofyoungmen。Whereasinhisimaginationsofwomen，——inthecharactersofEllenDouglas，ofFloraMacIvor，RoseBradwardine，CatherineSeyton，DianaVernon，LiliasRedgauntlet，AliceBridgenorth，AliceLee，andJeanieDeans，——withendlessvarietiesofgrace，tenderness，andintellectualpower，wefindinallaquiteinfalliblesenseofdignityandjustice;afearless，instant，anduntiringself—sacrifice，toeventheappearanceofduty，muchmoretoitsrealclaims;and，finally，apatientwisdomofdeeply—restrainedaffection，whichdoesinfinitelymorethanprotectitsobjectsfromamomentaryerror;itgraduallyforms，animates，andexaltsthecharactersoftheunworthylovers，until，atthecloseofthetale，wearejustable，andnomore，totakepatienceinhearingoftheirunmeritedsuccess。
Sothat，inallcases，withScottaswithShakespeare，itisthewomanwhowatchesover，teaches，andguidestheyouth;itisnever，byanychance，theyouthwhowatchesover，oreducates，hismistress。
Nexttake，thoughmorebriefly，gravertestimony——thatofthegreatItaliansandGreeks。YouknowwelltheplanofDante’sgreatpoem——
thatitisalove—poemtohisdeadlady;asongofpraiseforherwatchoverhissoul。Stoopingonlytopity，nevertolove，sheyetsaveshimfromdestruction——saveshimfromhell。Heisgoingeternallyastrayindespair;shecomesdownfromheaventohishelp，andthroughouttheascentsofParadiseishisteacher，interpretingforhimthemostdifficulttruths，divineandhuman;andleadinghim，withrebukeuponrebuke，fromstartostar。
IdonotinsistuponDante’sconception;ifIbeganIcouldnotcease：besides，youmightthinkthisawildimaginationofonepoet’sheart。SoIwillratherreadtoyouafewversesofthedeliberatewritingofaknightofPisatohislivinglady，whollycharacteristicofthefeelingofallthenoblestmenofthethirteenth，orearlyfourteenth，century，preservedamongmanyothersuchrecordsofknightlyhonourandlove，whichDanteRossettihasgatheredforusfromamongtheearlyItalianpoets。
\"Forlo！thylawispassedThatthismyloveshouldmanifestlybeToserveandhonourthee：
AndsoIdo;andmydelightisfull，Acceptedfortheservantofthyrule。
\"Withoutalmost，Iamallrapturous，SincethusmywillwassetToserve，thouflowerofjoy，thineexcellence：
NoreverseemsitanythingcouldrouseApainoraregret。
Butontheedwellsmyeverythoughtandsense;
ConsideringthatfromtheeallvirtuesspreadAsfromafountainhead，——
THATINTHYGIFTISWISDOM’SBESTAVAIL，ANDHONOURWITHOUTFAIL，Withwhomeachsovereigngooddwellsseparate，Fulfillingtheperfectionofthystate。
\"Lady，sinceIconceivedThypleasurableaspectinmyheart，MYLIFEHASBEENAPART
INSHININGBRIGHTNESSANDTHEPLACEOFTRUTH;
Whichtillthattime，goodsooth，Gropedamongshadowsinadarken’dplace，WheremanyhoursanddaysIthardlyeverhadremember’dgood。
ButnowmyservitudeIsthine，andIamfullofjoyandrest。
AmanfromawildbeastThoumadestme，sinceforthyloveIlived。\"
YoumaythinkperhapsaGreekknightwouldhavehadalowerestimateofwomenthanthisChristianlover。Hisspiritualsubjectiontothemwasindeednotsoabsolute;butasregardstheirownpersonalcharacter，itwasonlybecauseyoucouldnothavefollowedmesoeasily，thatIdidnottaketheGreekwomeninsteadofShakespeare’s;andinstance，forchiefidealtypesofhumanbeautyandfaith，thesimplemother’sandwife’sheartofAndromache;thedivine，yetrejectedwisdomofCassandra;theplayfulkindnessandsimpleprincess—lifeofhappyNausicaa;thehousewifelycalmofthatofPenelope，withitswatchuponthesea;theeverpatient，fearless，hopelesslydevotedpietyofthesister，anddaughter，inAntigone;thebowingdownofIphigenia，lamb—likeandsilent;andfinally，theexpectationoftheresurrection，madecleartothesouloftheGreeksinthereturnfromhergraveofthatAlcestis，who，tosaveherhusband，hadpassedcalmlythroughthebitternessofdeath。
NowIcouldmultiplywitnessuponwitnessofthiskinduponyouifI
hadtime。IwouldtakeChaucer，andshowyouwhyhewroteaLegendofGoodWomen;butnoLegendofGoodMen。IwouldtakeSpenser，andshowyouhowallhisfairyknightsaresometimesdeceivedandsometimesvanquished;butthesoulofUnaisneverdarkened，andthespearofBritomartisneverbroken。Nay，Icouldgobackintothemythicalteachingofthemostancienttimes，andshowyouhowthegreatpeople，——byoneofwhoseprincessesitwasappointedthattheLawgiverofalltheearthshouldbeeducated，ratherthanbyhisownkindred;——howthatgreatEgyptianpeople，wisestthenofnations，gavetotheirSpiritofWisdomtheformofaWoman;andintoherhand，forasymbol，theweaver’sshuttle;andhowthenameandtheformofthatspirit，adopted，believed，andobeyedbytheGreeks，becamethatAthenaoftheolive—helm，andcloudyshield，tofaithinwhomyouowe，downtothisdate，whateveryouholdmostpreciousinart，inliterature，orintypesofnationalvirtue。
ButIwillnotwanderintothisdistantandmythicalelement;Iwillonlyaskyoutogiveitslegitimatevaluetothetestimonyofthesegreatpoetsandmenoftheworld，——consistent，asyouseeitis，onthishead。Iwillaskyouwhetheritcanbesupposedthatthesemen，inthemainworkoftheirlives，areamusingthemselveswithafictitiousandidleviewoftherelationsbetweenmanandwoman;——
nay，worsethanfictitiousoridle;forathingmaybeimaginary，yetdesirable，ifitwerepossible：butthis，theiridealofwoman，is，accordingtoourcommonideaofthemarriagerelation，whollyundesirable。Thewoman，wesay，isnottoguide，noreventothinkforherself。Themanisalwaystobethewiser;heistobethethinker，theruler，thesuperiorinknowledgeanddiscretion，asinpower。
Isitnotsomewhatimportanttomakeupourmindsonthismatter？
Areallthesegreatmenmistaken，orarewe？AreShakespeareandAEschylus，DanteandHomer，merelydressingdollsforus;or，worsethandolls，unnaturalvisions，therealizationofwhich，wereitpossible，wouldbringanarchyintoallhouseholdsandruinintoallaffections？Nay，ifyoucansupposethis，takelastlytheevidenceoffacts，givenbythehumanheartitself。InallChristianageswhichhavebeenremarkablefortheirpurityorprogress，therehasbeenabsoluteyieldingofobedientdevotion，bythelover，tohismistress。IsayOBEDIENT;——notmerelyenthusiasticandworshippinginimagination，butentirelysubject，receivingfromthebelovedwoman，howeveryoung，notonlytheencouragement，thepraise，andtherewardofalltoil，but，sofarasanychoiceisopen，oranyquestiondifficultofdecision，theDIRECTIONofalltoil。Thatchivalry，totheabuseanddishonourofwhichareattributableprimarilywhateveriscruelinwar，unjustinpeace，orcorruptandignobleindomesticrelations;andtotheoriginalpurityandpowerofwhichweowethedefencealikeoffaith，oflaw，andoflove;
thatchivalry，Isay，initsveryfirstconceptionofhonourablelife，assumesthesubjectionoftheyoungknighttothecommand——