第3章

类别:其他 作者:John Ruskin字数:21541更新时间:19/01/05 13:40:55
shoulditevenbethecommandincaprice——ofhislady。Itassumesthis,becauseitsmastersknewthatthefirstandnecessaryimpulseofeverytrulytaughtandknightlyheartisthisofblindservicetoitslady:thatwherethattruefaithandcaptivityarenot,allwaywardandwickedpassionmustbe;andthatinthisrapturousobediencetothesingleloveofhisyouth,isthesanctificationofallman’sstrength,andthecontinuanceofallhispurposes。Andthis,notbecausesuchobediencewouldbesafe,orhonourable,wereiteverrenderedtotheunworthy;butbecauseitoughttobeimpossibleforeverynobleyouth——itISimpossibleforeveryonerightlytrained——toloveanyonewhosegentlecounselhecannottrust,orwhoseprayerfulcommandhecanhesitatetoobey。 Idonotinsistbyanyfartherargumentonthis,forIthinkitshouldcommenditselfatoncetoyourknowledgeofwhathasbeenandtoyourfeelingofwhatshouldbe。Youcannotthinkthatthebucklingonoftheknight’sarmourbyhislady’shandwasamerecapriceofromanticfashion。Itisthetypeofaneternaltruth—— thatthesoul’sarmourisneverwellsettotheheartunlessawoman’shandhasbracedit;anditisonlywhenshebracesitlooselythatthehonourofmanhoodfails。Knowyounotthoselovelylines——IwouldtheywerelearnedbyallyouthfulladiesofEngland:— \"Ah,wastefulwoman!——shewhomayOnhersweetselfsetherownprice,Knowinghecannotchoosebutpay— Howhasshecheapen’dParadise! Howgivenfornoughtherpricelessgift,Howspoiledthebreadandspill’dthewine,Which,spentwithduerespectivethrift,Hadmadebrutesmen,andmendivine!\"{24} Thusmuch,then,respectingtherelationsofloversIbelieveyouwillaccept。Butwhatwetoooftendoubtisthefitnessofthecontinuanceofsucharelationthroughoutthewholeofhumanlife。 Wethinkitrightintheloverandmistress,notinthehusbandandwife。Thatistosay,wethinkthatareverentandtenderdutyisduetoonewhoseaffectionwestilldoubt,andwhosecharacterweasyetdobutpartiallyanddistantlydiscern;andthatthisreverenceanddutyaretobewithdrawnwhentheaffectionhasbecomewhollyandlimitlesslyourown,andthecharacterhasbeensosiftedandtriedthatwefearnottoentrustitwiththehappinessofourlives。Doyounotseehowignoblethisis,aswellashowunreasonable?Doyounotfeelthatmarriage,——whenitismarriageatall,——isonlythesealwhichmarksthevowedtransitionoftemporaryintountiringservice,andoffitfulintoeternallove? Buthow,youwillask,istheideaofthisguidingfunctionofthewomanreconcilablewithatruewifelysubjection?SimplyinthatitisaGUIDING,notadetermining,function。Letmetrytoshowyoubrieflyhowthesepowersseemtoberightlydistinguishable。 Wearefoolish,andwithoutexcusefoolish,inspeakingofthe\"superiority\"ofonesextotheother,asiftheycouldbecomparedinsimilarthings。Eachhaswhattheotherhasnot:eachcompletestheother,andiscompletedbytheother:theyareinnothingalike,andthehappinessandperfectionofbothdependsoneachaskingandreceivingfromtheotherwhattheotheronlycangive。 Nowtheirseparatecharactersarebrieflythese。Theman’spowerisactive,progressive,defensive。Heiseminentlythedoer,thecreator,thediscoverer,thedefender。Hisintellectisforspeculationandinvention;hisenergyforadventure,forwar,andforconquest,whereverwarisjust,whereverconquestnecessary。 Butthewoman’spowerisforrule,notforbattle,——andherintellectisnotforinventionorcreation,butforsweetordering,arrangement,anddecision。Sheseesthequalitiesofthings,theirclaims,andtheirplaces。HergreatfunctionisPraise;sheentersintonocontest,butinfalliblyadjudgesthecrownofcontest。Byheroffice,andplace,sheisprotectedfromalldangerandtemptation。Theman,inhisroughworkinopenworld,mustencounterallperilandtrial;——tohim,therefore,mustbethefailure,theoffence,theinevitableerror:oftenhemustbewounded,orsubdued;oftenmisled;andALWAYShardened。Butheguardsthewomanfromallthis;withinhishouse,asruledbyher,unlesssheherselfhassoughtit,needenternodanger,notemptation,nocauseoferrororoffence。Thisisthetruenatureofhome——itistheplaceofPeace;theshelter,notonlyfromallinjury,butfromallterror,doubt,anddivision。Insofarasitisnotthis,itisnothome;sofarastheanxietiesoftheouterlifepenetrateintoit,andtheinconsistently—minded,unknown,unloved,orhostilesocietyoftheouterworldisallowedbyeitherhusbandorwifetocrossthethreshold,itceasestobehome;itisthenonlyapartofthatouterworldwhichyouhaveroofedover,andlightedfirein。Butsofarasitisasacredplace,avestaltemple,atempleofthehearthwatchedoverbyHouseholdGods,beforewhosefacesnonemaycomebutthosewhomtheycanreceivewithlove,——sofarasitisthis,androofandfirearetypesonlyofanoblershadeandlight,——shadeasoftherockinawearyland,andlightasofthePharosinthestormysea;——sofaritvindicatesthename,andfulfilsthepraise,ofHome。 Andwhereveratruewifecomes,thishomeisalwaysroundher。Thestarsonlymaybeoverherhead;theglowworminthenight—coldgrassmaybetheonlyfireatherfoot;buthomeisyetwhereversheis;andforanoblewomanitstretchesfarroundher,betterthanceiledwithcedar,orpaintedwithvermilion,sheddingitsquietlightfar,forthosewhoelsewerehomeless。 This,then,Ibelievetobe,——willyounotadmitittobe,——thewoman’strueplaceandpower?Butdonotyouseethat,tofulfilthis,shemust——asfarasonecanusesuchtermsofahumancreature——beincapableoferror?Sofarassherules,allmustberight,ornothingis。Shemustbeenduringly,incorruptiblygood; instinctively,infalliblywise——wise,notforself—development,butforself—renunciation:wise,notthatshemaysetherselfaboveherhusband,butthatshemayneverfailfromhisside:wise,notwiththenarrownessofinsolentandlovelesspride,butwiththepassionategentlenessofaninfinitelyvariable,becauseinfinitelyapplicable,modestyofservice——thetruechangefulnessofwoman。Inthatgreatsense——\"Ladonnaemobile,\"not\"Qualpium’alvento\"; no,noryet\"Variableastheshade,bythelightquiveringaspenmade\";butvariableastheLIGHT,manifoldinfairandserenedivision,thatitmaytakethecolourofallthatitfallsupon,andexaltit。 (II。)Ihavebeentrying,thusfar,toshowyouwhatshouldbetheplace,andwhatthepowerofwoman。Now,secondly,weask,Whatkindofeducationistofitherforthese? Andifyouindeedthinkthisatrueconceptionofherofficeanddignity,itwillnotbedifficulttotracethecourseofeducationwhichwouldfitherfortheone,andraisehertotheother。 Thefirstofourdutiestoher——nothoughtfulpersonsnowdoubtthis,——istosecureforhersuchphysicaltrainingandexerciseasmayconfirmherhealth,andperfectherbeauty;thehighestrefinementofthatbeautybeingunattainablewithoutsplendourofactivityandofdelicatestrength。Toperfectherbeauty,Isay,andincreaseitspower;itcannotbetoopowerful,norsheditssacredlighttoofar:onlyrememberthatallphysicalfreedomisvaintoproducebeautywithoutacorrespondingfreedomofheart。 Therearetwopassagesofthatpoetwhoisdistinguished,itseemstome,fromallothers——notbypower,butbyexquisiteRIGHTNESS—— whichpointyoutothesource,anddescribetoyou,inafewsyllables,thecompletionofwomanlybeauty。Iwillreadtheintroductorystanzas,butthelastistheoneIwishyouspeciallytonotice:— \"Threeyearsshegrewinsunandshower,ThenNaturesaid,’AlovelierflowerOnearthwasneversown; ThischildItomyselfwilltake; Sheshallbemine,andIwillmakeAladyofmyown。’ ’MyselfwilltomydarlingbeBothlawandimpulse;andwithmeThegirl,inrockandplain,Inearthandheaven,ingladeandbower,ShallfeelanoverseeingpowerTokindle,orrestrain。’ ’ThefloatingcloudstheirstateshalllendToher,forherthewillowbend; Norshallshefailtosee,Eveninthemotionsofthestorm,Gracethatshallmouldthemaiden’sformBysilentsympathy。’ ’AndVITALFEELINGSOFDELIGHT Shallrearherformtostatelyheight,— Hervirginbosomswell。 SuchthoughtstoLucyIwillgive,WhilesheandItogetherlive,Hereinthishappydell。’\"{25} \"VITALfeelingsofdelight,\"observe。Therearedeadlyfeelingsofdelight;butthenaturalonesarevital,necessarytoverylife。 Andtheymustbefeelingsofdelight,iftheyaretobevital。Donotthinkyoucanmakeagirllovely,ifyoudonotmakeherhappy。 Thereisnotonerestraintyouputonagoodgirl’snature——thereisnotonecheckyougivetoherinstinctsofaffectionorofeffort—— whichwillnotbeindeliblywrittenonherfeatures,withahardnesswhichisallthemorepainfulbecauseittakesawaythebrightnessfromtheeyesofinnocence,andthecharmfromthebrowofvirtue。 Thisforthemeans:nownotetheend。 Takefromthesamepoet,intwolines,aperfectdescriptionofwomanlybeauty— \"AcountenanceinwhichdidmeetSweetrecords,promisesassweet。\" Theperfectlovelinessofawoman’scountenancecanonlyconsistinthatmajesticpeace,whichisfoundedinthememoryofhappyandusefulyears,——fullofsweetrecords;andfromthejoiningofthiswiththatyetmoremajesticchildishness,whichisstillfullofchangeandpromise;——openingalways——modestatonce,andbright,withhopeofbetterthingstobewon,andtobebestowed。Thereisnooldagewherethereisstillthatpromise。 Thus,then,youhavefirsttomouldherphysicalframe,andthen,asthestrengthshegainswillpermityou,tofillandtemperhermindwithallknowledgeandthoughtswhichtendtoconfirmitsnaturalinstinctsofjustice,andrefineitsnaturaltactoflove。 Allsuchknowledgeshouldbegivenherasmayenablehertounderstand,andeventoaid,theworkofmen:andyetitshouldbegiven,notasknowledge,——notasifitwere,orcouldbe,forheranobjecttoknow;butonlytofeel,andtojudge。Itisofnomoment,asamatterofprideorperfectnessinherself,whethersheknowsmanylanguagesorone;butitisoftheutmost,thatsheshouldbeabletoshowkindnesstoastranger,andtounderstandthesweetnessofastranger’stongue。Itisofnomomenttoherownworthordignitythatsheshouldbeacquaintedwiththisscienceorthat;butitisofthehighestthatsheshouldbetrainedinhabitsofaccuratethought;thatsheshouldunderstandthemeaning,theinevitableness,andthelovelinessofnaturallaws;andfollowatleastsomeonepathofscientificattainment,asfarastothethresholdofthatbitterValleyofHumiliation,intowhichonlythewisestandbravestofmencandescend,owningthemselvesforeverchildren,gatheringpebblesonaboundlessshore。Itisoflittleconsequencehowmanypositionsofcitiessheknows,orhowmanydatesofevents,ornamesofcelebratedpersons——itisnottheobjectofeducationtoturnthewomanintoadictionary;butitisdeeplynecessarythatsheshouldbetaughttoenterwithherwholepersonalityintothehistoryshereads;topicturethepassagesofitvitallyinherownbrightimagination;toapprehend,withherfineinstincts,thepatheticcircumstancesanddramaticrelations,whichthehistoriantoooftenonlyeclipsesbyhisreasoning,anddisconnectsbyhisarrangement:itisforhertotracethehiddenequitiesofdivinereward,andcatchsight,throughthedarkness,ofthefatefulthreadsofwovenfirethatconnecterrorwithretribution。But,chieflyofall,sheistobetaughttoextendthelimitsofhersympathywithrespecttothathistorywhichisbeingforeverdeterminedasthemomentspassinwhichshedrawsherpeacefulbreath;andtothecontemporarycalamity,which,wereitbutrightlymournedbyher,wouldrecurnomorehereafter。Sheistoexerciseherselfinimaginingwhatwouldbetheeffectsuponhermindandconduct,ifsheweredailybroughtintothepresenceofthesufferingwhichisnotthelessrealbecauseshutfromhersight。 Sheistobetaughtsomewhattounderstandthenothingnessoftheproportionwhichthatlittleworldinwhichshelivesandloves,bearstotheworldinwhichGodlivesandloves;——andsolemnlysheistobetaughttostrivethatherthoughtsofpietymaynotbefeebleinproportiontothenumbertheyembrace,norherprayermorelanguidthanitisforthemomentaryrelieffrompainofherhusbandorherchild,whenitisutteredforthemultitudesofthosewhohavenonetolovethem,——andis\"forallwhoaredesolateandoppressed。\" Thusfar,Ithink,Ihavehadyourconcurrence;perhapsyouwillnotbewithmeinwhatIbelieveismostneedfulformetosay。ThereISonedangerousscienceforwomen——onewhichtheymustindeedbewarehowtheyprofanelytouch——thatoftheology。Strange,andmiserablystrange,thatwhiletheyaremodestenoughtodoubttheirpowers,andpauseatthethresholdofscienceswhereeverystepisdemonstrableandsure,theywillplungeheadlong,andwithoutonethoughtofincompetency,intothatscienceinwhichthegreatestmenhavetrembled,andthewisesterred。Strange,thattheywillcomplacentlyandpridefullybindupwhateverviceorfollythereisinthem,whateverarrogance,petulance,orblindincomprehensiveness,intoonebitterbundleofconsecratedmyrrh。 Strange,increaturesborntobeLovevisible,thatwheretheycanknowleast,theywillcondemn,first,andthinktorecommendthemselvestotheirMaster,bycrawlingupthestepsofHisjudgment—thronetodivideitwithHim。StrangestofallthattheyshouldthinktheywereledbytheSpiritoftheComforterintohabitsofmindwhichhavebecomeinthemtheunmixedelementsofhomediscomfort;andthattheydaretoturntheHouseholdGodsofChristianityintouglyidolsoftheirown;——spiritualdolls,forthemtodressaccordingtotheircaprice;andfromwhichtheirhusbandsmustturnawayingrievedcontempt,lesttheyshouldbeshriekedatforbreakingthem。 Ibelieve,then,withthisexception,thatagirl’seducationshouldbenearly,initscourseandmaterialofstudy,thesameasaboy’s; butquitedifferentlydirected。Awoman,inanyrankoflife,oughttoknowwhateverherhusbandislikelytoknow,buttoknowitinadifferentway。Hiscommandofitshouldbefoundationalandprogressive;hers,generalandaccomplishedfordailyandhelpfuluse。Notbutthatitwouldoftenbewiserinmentolearnthingsinawomanlysortofway,forpresentuse,andtoseekforthedisciplineandtrainingoftheirmentalpowersinsuchbranchesofstudyaswillbeafterwardsfittestforsocialservice;but,speakingbroadly,amanoughttoknowanylanguageorsciencehelearns,thoroughly——whileawomanoughttoknowthesamelanguage,orscience,onlysofarasmayenablehertosympathiseinherhusband’spleasures,andinthoseofhisbestfriends。 Yet,observe,withexquisiteaccuracyasfarasshereaches。Thereisawidedifferencebetweenelementaryknowledgeandsuperficialknowledge——betweenafirmbeginning,andaninfirmattemptatcompassing。Awomanmayalwayshelpherhusbandbywhatsheknows,howeverlittle;bywhatshehalf—knows,ormis—knows,shewillonlyteasehim。 Andindeed,ifthereweretobeanydifferencebetweenagirl’seducationandaboy’s,Ishouldsaythatofthetwothegirlshouldbeearlierled,asherintellectripensfaster,intodeepandserioussubjects:andthatherrangeofliteratureshouldbe,notmore,butlessfrivolous;calculatedtoaddthequalitiesofpatienceandseriousnesstohernaturalpoignancyofthoughtandquicknessofwit;andalsotokeepherinaloftyandpureelementofthought。Ienternotnowintoanyquestionofchoiceofbooks; onlyletusbesurethatherbooksarenotheapedupinherlapastheyfalloutofthepackageofthecirculatinglibrary,wetwiththelastandlightestsprayofthefountainoffolly。 Orevenofthefountainofwit;forwithrespecttothesoretemptationofnovelreading,itisnotthebadnessofanovelthatweshoulddread,somuchasitsover—wroughtinterest。Theweakestromanceisnotsostupefyingasthelowerformsofreligiousexcitingliterature,andtheworstromanceisnotsocorruptingasfalsehistory,falsephilosophy,orfalsepoliticalessays。Butthebestromancebecomesdangerous,if,byitsexcitement,itrenderstheordinarycourseoflifeuninteresting,andincreasesthemorbidthirstforuselessacquaintancewithscenesinwhichweshallneverbecalledupontoact。 Ispeakthereforeofgoodnovelsonly;andourmodernliteratureisparticularlyrichintypesofsuch。Wellread,indeed,thesebookshaveserioususe,beingnothinglessthantreatisesonmoralanatomyandchemistry;studiesofhumannatureintheelementsofit。ButI attachlittleweighttothisfunction:theyarehardlyeverreadwithearnestnessenoughtopermitthemtofulfilit。Theutmosttheyusuallydoistoenlargesomewhatthecharityofakindreader,orthebitternessofamaliciousone;foreachwillgather,fromthenovel,foodforherowndisposition。ThosewhoarenaturallyproudandenviouswilllearnfromThackeraytodespisehumanity;thosewhoarenaturallygentle,topityit;thosewhoarenaturallyshallow,tolaughatit。So,also,theremightbeaserviceablepowerinnovelstobringbeforeus,invividness,ahumantruthwhichwehadbeforedimlyconceived;butthetemptationtopicturesquenessofstatementissogreat,thatoftenthebestwritersoffictioncannotresistit;andourviewsarerenderedsoviolentandone—sided,thattheirvitalityisratheraharmthangood。 Without,however,venturinghereonanyattemptatdecisionhowmuchnovelreadingshouldbeallowed,letmeatleastclearlyassertthis,——thatwhethernovels,orpoetry,orhistoryberead,theyshouldbechosen,notfortheirfreedomfromevil,butfortheirpossessionofgood。Thechanceandscatteredevilthatmayhereandtherehaunt,orhideitselfin,apowerfulbook,neverdoesanyharmtoanoblegirl;buttheemptinessofanauthoroppressesher,andhisamiablefollydegradesher。Andifshecanhaveaccesstoagoodlibraryofoldandclassicalbooks,thereneedbenochoosingatall。Keepthemodernmagazineandnoveloutofyourgirl’sway: turnherlooseintotheoldlibraryeverywetday,andletheralone。Shewillfindwhatisgoodforher;youcannot:forthereisjustthisdifferencebetweenthemakingofagirl’scharacterandaboy’s——youmaychiselaboyintoshape,asyouwouldarock,orhammerhimintoit,ifhebeofabetterkind,asyouwouldapieceofbronze。Butyoucannothammeragirlintoanything。Shegrowsasaflowerdoes,——shewillwitherwithoutsun;shewilldecayinhersheath,asanarcissuswill,ifyoudonotgiveherairenough; shemayfall,anddefileherheadindust,ifyouleaveherwithouthelpatsomemomentsofherlife;butyoucannotfetterher;shemusttakeherownfairformandway,ifshetakeany,andinmindasinbody,musthavealways\"HerhouseholdmotionslightandfreeAndstepsofvirginliberty。\" Letherlooseinthelibrary,Isay,asyoudoafawninafield。 Itknowsthebadweedstwentytimesbetterthanyou;andthegoodonestoo,andwilleatsomebitterandpricklyones,goodforit,whichyouhadnottheslightestthoughtwouldhavebeenso。 Then,inart,keepthefinestmodelsbeforeher,andletherpracticeinallaccomplishmentsbeaccurateandthorough,soastoenablehertounderstandmorethansheaccomplishes。Isaythefinestmodels——thatistosay,thetruest,simplest,usefullest。 Notethoseepithets:theywillrangethroughallthearts。Trytheminmusic,whereyoumightthinkthemtheleastapplicable。I saythetruest,thatinwhichthenotesmostcloselyandfaithfullyexpressthemeaningofthewords,orthecharacterofintendedemotion;again,thesimplest,thatinwhichthemeaningandmelodyareattainedwiththefewestandmostsignificantnotespossible; and,finally,theusefullest,thatmusicwhichmakesthebestwordsmostbeautiful,whichenchantstheminourmemorieseachwithitsowngloryofsound,andwhichappliesthemclosesttotheheartatthemomentweneedthem。 Andnotonlyinthematerialandinthecourse,butyetmoreearnestlyinthespiritofit,letagirl’seducationbeasseriousasaboy’s。Youbringupyourgirlsasiftheyweremeantforsideboardornaments,andthencomplainoftheirfrivolity。Givethemthesameadvantagesthatyougivetheirbrothers——appealtothesamegrandinstinctsofvirtueinthem;teachTHEM,also,thatcourageandtrutharethepillarsoftheirbeing:—doyouthinkthattheywouldnotanswerthatappeal,braveandtrueastheyareevennow,whenyouknowthatthereishardlyagirls’schoolinthisChristiankingdomwherethechildren’scourageorsinceritywouldbethoughtofhalfsomuchimportanceastheirwayofcominginatadoor;andwhenthewholesystemofsociety,asrespectsthemodeofestablishingtheminlife,isonerottenplagueofcowardiceandimposture——cowardice,innotdaringtoletthemlive,orlove,exceptastheirneighbourschoose;andimposture,inbringing,forthepurposesofourownpride,thefullglowoftheworld’sworstvanityuponagirl’seyes,attheveryperiodwhenthewholehappinessofherfutureexistencedependsuponherremainingundazzled? Andgivethem,lastly,notonlynobleteachings,butnobleteachers。 Youconsidersomewhatbeforeyousendyourboytoschool,whatkindofamanthemasteris;——whatsoeverkindofamanheis,youatleastgivehimfullauthorityoveryourson,andshowsomerespecttohimyourself;——ifhecomestodinewithyou,youdonotputhimatasidetable:youknowalsothat,atcollege,yourchild’simmediatetutorwillbeunderthedirectionofsomestillhighertutor,——forwhomyouhaveabsolutereverence。YoudonottreattheDeanofChristChurchortheMasterofTrinityasyourinferiors。 Butwhatteachersdoyougiveyourgirls,andwhatreverencedoyoushowtotheteachersyouhavechosen?Isagirllikelytothinkherownconduct,orherownintellect,ofmuchimportance,whenyoutrusttheentireformationofhercharacter,moralandintellectual,toapersonwhomyouletyourservantstreatwithlessrespectthantheydoyourhousekeeper(asifthesoulofyourchildwerealesschargethanjamsandgroceries),andwhomyouyourselfthinkyouconferanhonouruponbylettinghersometimessitinthedrawing— roomintheevening? Thus,then,ofliteratureasherhelp,andthusofart。Thereisonemorehelpwhichshecannotdowithout——onewhich,alone,hassometimesdonemorethanallotherinfluencesbesides,——thehelpofwildandfairnature。HearthisoftheeducationofJoanofArc:— \"Theeducationofthispoorgirlwasmean,accordingtothepresentstandard;wasineffablygrand,accordingtoapurerphilosophicstandard;andonlynotgoodforourage,becauseforusitwouldbeunattainable。 \"Nextafterherspiritualadvantages,sheowedmosttotheadvantagesofhersituation。ThefountainofDomremywasonthebrinkofaboundlessforest;anditwashauntedtothatdegreebyfairies,thattheparishpriest(cure)wasobligedtoreadmassthereonceayear,inordertokeepthemindecentbounds。 \"ButtheforestsofDomremy——thosewerethegloriesoftheland;forinthemabodemysteriouspowersandancientsecretsthattoweredintotragicstrength。Abbeystherewere,andabbeywindows,——’likeMoorishtemplesoftheHindoos,’thatexercisedevenprincelypowerbothinTouraineandintheGermanDiets。Thesehadtheirsweetbellsthatpiercedtheforestsformanyaleagueatmatinsorvespers,andeachitsowndreamylegend。Fewenough,andscatteredenough,weretheseabbeys,soasinnodegreetodisturbthedeepsolitudeoftheregion;yetmanyenoughtospreadanetworkorawningofChristiansanctityoverwhatelsemighthaveseemedaheathenwilderness。\"{26} Now,youcannot,indeed,havehereinEngland,woodseighteenmilesdeeptothecentre;butyoucan,perhaps,keepafairyortwoforyourchildrenyet,ifyouwishtokeepthem。ButDOyouwishit? Supposeyouhadeach,atthebackofyourhouses,agarden,largeenoughforyourchildrentoplayin,withjustasmuchlawnaswouldgivethemroomtorun,——nomore——andthatyoucouldnotchangeyourabode;butthat,ifyouchose,youcoulddoubleyourincome,orquadrupleit,bydiggingacoalshaftinthemiddleofthelawn,andturningtheflower—bedsintoheapsofcoke。Wouldyoudoit?I hopenot。Icantellyou,youwouldbewrongifyoudid,thoughitgaveyouincomesixty—foldinsteadoffour—fold。 YetthisiswhatyouaredoingwithallEngland。Thewholecountryisbutalittlegarden,notmorethanenoughforyourchildrentorunonthelawnsof,ifyouwouldletthemallrunthere。Andthislittlegardenyouwillturnintofurnaceground,andfillwithheapsofcinders,ifyoucan;andthosechildrenofyours,notyou,willsufferforit。Forthefairieswillnotbeallbanished;therearefairiesofthefurnaceasofthewood,andtheirfirstgiftsseemtobe\"sharparrowsofthemighty;\"buttheirlastgiftsare\"coalsofjuniper。\" AndyetIcannot——thoughthereisnopartofmysubjectthatIfeelmore——pressthisuponyou;forwemadesolittleuseofthepowerofnaturewhilewehaditthatweshallhardlyfeelwhatwehavelost。 JustontheothersideoftheMerseyyouhaveyourSnowdon,andyourMenaiStraits,andthatmightygraniterockbeyondthemoorsofAnglesea,splendidinitsheatherycrest,andfootplantedinthedeepsea,oncethoughtofassacred——adivinepromontory,lookingwestward;theHolyHeadorHeadland,stillnotwithoutawewhenitsredlightglaresfirstthroughstorm。Thesearethehills,andthesethebaysandblueinlets,which,amongtheGreeks,wouldhavebeenalwaysloved,alwaysfatefulininfluenceonthenationalmind。 ThatSnowdonisyourParnassus;butwhereareitsMuses?ThatHolyheadmountainisyourIslandofAEgina;butwhereisitsTempletoMinerva? ShallIreadyouwhattheChristianMinervahadachievedundertheshadowofourParnassusuptotheyear1848?——HereisalittleaccountofaWelshschool,frompage261oftheReportonWales,publishedbytheCommitteeofCouncilonEducation。Thisisaschoolclosetoatowncontaining5,000persons:— \"Ithencalledupalargerclass,mostofwhomhadrecentlycometotheschool。ThreegirlsrepeatedlydeclaredtheyhadneverheardofChrist,andtwothattheyhadneverheardofGod。TwooutofsixthoughtChristwasonearthnow\"(theymighthavehadaworsethoughtperhaps),\"threeknewnothingabouttheCrucifixion。Fouroutofsevendidnotknowthenamesofthemonthsnorthenumberofdaysinayear。Theyhadnonotionofadditionbeyondtwoandtwo,orthreeandthree;theirmindswereperfectblanks。\" Oh,yewomenofEngland!fromthePrincessofthatWalestothesimplestofyou,donotthinkyourownchildrencanbebroughtintotheirtruefoldofrest,whilethesearescatteredonthehills,assheephavingnoshepherd。Anddonotthinkyourdaughterscanbetrainedtothetruthoftheirownhumanbeauty,whilethepleasantplaces,whichGodmadeatoncefortheirschoolroomandtheirplayground,liedesolateanddefiled。Youcannotbaptizethemrightlyinthoseinch—deepfontsofyours,unlessyoubaptizethemalsointhesweetwaterswhichthegreatLawgiverstrikesforthforeverfromtherocksofyournativeland——waterswhichaPaganwouldhaveworshippedintheirpurity,andyouworshiponlywithpollution。Youcannotleadyourchildrenfaithfullytothosenarrowaxe—hewnchurchaltarsofyours,whilethedarkazurealtarsinheaven——themountainsthatsustainyourislandthrone,——mountainsonwhichaPaganwouldhaveseenthepowersofheavenrestineverywreathedcloud——remainforyouwithoutinscription;altarsbuilt,notto,butbyanUnknownGod。 (III。)Thusfar,then,ofthenature,thusfaroftheteaching,ofwoman,andthusofherhouseholdoffice,andqueenliness。Wenowcometoourlast,ourwidestquestion。——Whatisherqueenlyofficewithrespecttothestate? Generally,weareunderanimpressionthataman’sdutiesarepublic,andawoman’sprivate。Butthisisnotaltogetherso。A manhasapersonalworkorduty,relatingtohisownhome,andapublicworkorduty,whichistheexpansionoftheother,relatingtothestate。Soawomanhasapersonalworkorduty,relatingtoherownhome,andapublicworkorduty,whichisalsotheexpansionofthat。 Nowtheman’sworkforhisownhomeis,ashasbeensaid,tosecureitsmaintenance,progress,anddefence;thewoman’stosecureitsorder,comfort,andloveliness。 Expandboththesefunctions。Theman’sdutyasamemberofacommonwealth,istoassistinthemaintenance,intheadvance,inthedefenceofthestate。Thewoman’sduty,asamemberofthecommonwealth,istoassistintheordering,inthecomforting,andinthebeautifuladornmentofthestate。 Whatthemanisathisowngate,defendingit,ifneedbe,againstinsultandspoil,thatalso,notinaless,butinamoredevotedmeasure,heistobeatthegateofhiscountry,leavinghishome,ifneedbe,eventothespoiler,todohismoreincumbentworkthere。 And,inlikemanner,whatthewomanistobewithinhergates,asthecentreoforder,thebalmofdistress,andthemirrorofbeauty: thatsheisalsotobewithouthergates,whereorderismoredifficult,distressmoreimminent,lovelinessmorerare。 Andaswithinthehumanheartthereisalwayssetaninstinctforallitsrealduties,——aninstinctwhichyoucannotquench,butonlywarpandcorruptifyouwithdrawitfromitstruepurpose:—asthereistheintenseinstinctoflove,which,rightlydisciplined,maintainsallthesanctitiesoflife,and,misdirected,underminesthem;andMUSTdoeithertheoneortheother;——sothereisinthehumanheartaninextinguishableinstinct,theloveofpower,which,rightlydirected,maintainsallthemajestyoflawandlife,and,misdirected,wrecksthem。 Deeprootedintheinnermostlifeoftheheartofman,andoftheheartofwoman,Godsetitthere,andGodkeepsitthere。——Vainly,asfalsely,youblameorrebukethedesireofpower!——ForHeaven’ssake,andforMan’ssake,desireitallyoucan。ButWHATpower? Thatisallthequestion。Powertodestroy?thelion’slimb,andthedragon’sbreath?Notso。Powertoheal,toredeem,toguide,andtoguard。Powerofthesceptreandshield;thepoweroftheroyalhandthathealsintouching,——thatbindsthefiend,andloosesthecaptive;thethronethatisfoundedontherockofJustice,anddescendedfromonlybystepsofMercy。Willyounotcovetsuchpowerasthis,andseeksuchthroneasthis,andbenomorehousewives,butqueens? ItisnowlongsincethewomenofEnglandarrogated,universally,atitlewhichoncebelongedtonobilityonly;and,havingoncebeeninthehabitofacceptingthesimpletitleofgentlewomanascorrespondenttothatofgentleman,insistedontheprivilegeofassumingthetitleof\"Lady,\"{27}whichproperlycorrespondsonlytothetitleof\"Lord。\" Idonotblamethemforthis;butonlyfortheirnarrowmotiveinthis。IwouldhavethemdesireandclaimthetitleofLady,providedtheyclaim,notmerelythetitle,buttheofficeanddutysignifiedbyit。Ladymeans\"bread—giver\"or\"loaf—giver,\"andLordmeans\"maintaineroflaws,\"andbothtitleshavereference,nottothelawwhichismaintainedinthehouse,nortothebreadwhichisgiventothehousehold;buttolawmaintainedforthemultitude,andtobreadbrokenamongthemultitude。SothataLordhaslegalclaimonlytohistitleinsofarasheisthemaintainerofthejusticeoftheLordoflords;andaLadyhaslegalclaimtohertitleonlysofarasshecommunicatesthathelptothepoorrepresentativesofherMaster,whichwomenonce,ministeringtoHimoftheirsubstance,werepermittedtoextendtothatMasterHimself;andwhensheisknown,asHeHimselfoncewas,inbreakingofbread。 Andthisbeneficentandlegaldominion,thispoweroftheDominus,orHouse—Lord,andoftheDomina,orHouse—Lady,isgreatandvenerable,notinthenumberofthosethroughwhomithaslineallydescended,butinthenumberofthosewhomitgraspswithinitssway;itisalwaysregardedwithreverentworshipwhereveritsdynastyisfoundedonitsduty,anditsambitioncorrelativewithitsbeneficence。Yourfancyispleasedwiththethoughtofbeingnobleladies,withatrainofvassals。Beitso;youcannotbetoonoble,andyourtraincannotbetoogreat;butseetoitthatyourtrainisofvassalswhomyouserveandfeed,notmerelyofslaveswhoserveandfeedyou;andthatthemultitudewhichobeysyouisofthosewhomyouhavecomforted,notoppressed,——whomyouhaveredeemed,notledintocaptivity。 Andthis,whichistrueofthelowerorhouseholddominion,isequallytrueofthequeenlydominion;thathighestdignityisopentoyou,ifyouwillalsoacceptthathighestduty。RexetRegina—— RoietReine——\"RIGHT—doers;\"theydifferbutfromtheLadyandLord,inthattheirpowerissupremeoverthemindasovertheperson—— thattheynotonlyfeedandclothe,butdirectandteach。Andwhetherconsciouslyornot,youmustbe,inmanyaheart,enthroned: thereisnoputtingbythatcrown;queensyoumustalwaysbe: queenstoyourlovers;queenstoyourhusbandsandyoursons;queensofhighermysterytotheworldbeyond,whichbowsitself,andwillforeverbow,beforethemyrtlecrownandthestainlesssceptreofwomanhood。But,alas!youaretoooftenidleandcarelessqueens,graspingatmajestyintheleastthings,whileyouabdicateitinthegreatest;andleavingmisruleandviolencetoworktheirwillamongmen,indefianceofthepowerwhich,holdingstraightingiftfromthePrinceofallPeace,thewickedamongyoubetray,andthegoodforget。 \"PrinceofPeace。\"Notethatname。Whenkingsruleinthatname,andnobles,andthejudgesoftheearth,theyalso,intheirnarrowplace,andmortalmeasure,receivethepowerofit。Therearenootherrulersthanthey;otherrulethantheirsisbutMISrule;theywhogovernverily\"DeiGratia\"areallprinces,yes,orprincessesofPeace。Thereisnotawarintheworld,no,noraninjustice,butyouwomenareanswerableforit;notinthatyouhaveprovoked,butinthatyouhavenothindered。Men,bytheirnature,arepronetofight;theywillfightforanycause,orfornone。Itisforyoutochoosetheircauseforthem,andtoforbidthemwhenthereisnocause。Thereisnosuffering,noinjustice,nomisery,intheearth,buttheguiltofitlieswithyou。Mencanbearthesightofit,butyoushouldnotbeabletobearit。Menmaytreaditdownwithoutsympathyintheirownstruggle;butmenarefeebleinsympathy,andcontractedinhope;itisyouonlywhocanfeelthedepthsofpain,andconceivethewayofitshealing。Insteadoftryingtodothis,youturnawayfromit;youshutyourselveswithinyourparkwallsandgardengates;andyouarecontenttoknowthatthereisbeyondthemawholeworldinwilderness——aworldofsecretswhichyoudarenotpenetrate;andofsufferingwhichyoudarenotconceive。 Itellyouthatthisistomequitethemostamazingamongthephenomenaofhumanity。Iamsurprisedatnodepthstowhich,whenoncewarpedfromitshonour,thathumanitycanbedegraded。Idonotwonderatthemiser’sdeath,withhishands,astheyrelax,droppinggold。Idonotwonderatthesensualist’slife,withtheshroudwrappedabouthisfeet。Idonotwonderatthesingle—handedmurderofasinglevictim,donebytheassassininthedarknessoftherailway,orreedshadowofthemarsh。Idonotevenwonderatthemyriad—handedmurderofmultitudes,doneboastfullyinthedaylight,bythefrenzyofnations,andtheimmeasurable,unimaginableguiltheapedupfromhelltoheaven,oftheirpriests,andkings。Butthisiswonderfultome——oh,howwonderful!——toseethetenderanddelicatewomanamongyou,withherchildatherbreast,andapower,ifshewouldwieldit,overit,andoveritsfather,purerthantheairofheaven,andstrongerthantheseasofearth——nay,amagnitudeofblessingwhichherhusbandwouldnotpartwithforallthatearthitself,thoughitweremadeofoneentireandperfectchrysolite:—toseeherabdicatethismajestytoplayatprecedencewithhernext—doorneighbour!Thisiswonderful——oh,wonderful!——toseeher,witheveryinnocentfeelingfreshwithinher,gooutinthemorningintohergardentoplaywiththefringesofitsguardedflowers,andlifttheirheadswhentheyaredrooping,withherhappysmileuponherface,andnoclouduponherbrow,becausethereisalittlewallaroundherplaceofpeace:andyetsheknows,inherheart,ifshewouldonlylookforitsknowledge,that,outsideofthatlittlerose—coveredwall,thewildgrass,tothehorizon,istornupbytheagonyofmen,andbeatlevelbythedriftoftheirlife—blood。 Haveyoueverconsideredwhatadeepundermeaningtherelies,oratleastmayberead,ifwechoose,inourcustomofstrewingflowersbeforethosewhomwethinkmosthappy?Doyousupposeitismerelytodeceivethemintothehopethathappinessisalwaystofallthusinshowersattheirfeet?——thatwherevertheypasstheywilltreadonherbsofsweetscent,andthattheroughgroundwillbemadesmoothforthembydepthsofroses?Sosurelyastheybelievethat,theywillhave,instead,towalkonbitterherbsandthorns;andtheonlysoftnesstotheirfeetwillbeofsnow。Butitisnotthusintendedtheyshouldbelieve;thereisabettermeaninginthatoldcustom。Thepathofagoodwomanisindeedstrewnwithflowers;buttheyrisebehindhersteps,notbeforethem。\"Herfeethavetouchedthemeadows,andleftthedaisiesrosy。\" Youthinkthatonlyalover’sfancy;——falseandvain!Howifitcouldbetrue?Youthinkthisalso,perhaps,onlyapoet’sfancy— \"EventhelightharebellraiseditsheadElasticfromherairytread。\" Butitislittletosayofawoman,thatsheonlydoesnotdestroywhereshepasses。Sheshouldrevive;theharebellsshouldbloom,notstoop,asshepasses。YouthinkIamrushingintowildhyperbole!Pardonme,notawhit——ImeanwhatIsayincalmEnglish,spokeninresolutetruth。Youhavehearditsaid——(andI believethereismorethanfancyeveninthatsaying,butletitpassforafancifulone)——thatflowersonlyflourishrightlyinthegardenofsomeonewholovesthem。Iknowyouwouldlikethattobetrue;youwouldthinkitapleasantmagicifyoucouldflushyourflowersintobrighterbloombyakindlookuponthem:nay,more,ifyourlookhadthepower,notonlytocheer,buttoguard;——ifyoucouldbidtheblackblightturnaway,andtheknottedcaterpillarspare——ifyoucouldbidthedewfallupontheminthedrought,andsaytothesouthwind,infrost——\"Come,thousouth,andbreatheuponmygarden,thatthespicesofitmayflowout。\"Thisyouwouldthinkagreatthing?Anddoyouthinkitnotagreaterthing,thatallthis,(andhowmuchmorethanthis!)youCANdo,forfairerflowersthanthese——flowersthatcouldblessyouforhavingblessedthem,andwillloveyouforhavinglovedthem;flowersthathavethoughtslikeyours,andliveslikeyours;andwhich,oncesaved,yousaveforever?Isthisonlyalittlepower?Faramongthemoorlandsandtherocks,——farinthedarknessoftheterriblestreets,——thesefeeblefloretsarelying,withalltheirfreshleavestorn,andtheirstemsbroken:willyounevergodowntothem,norsettheminorderintheirlittlefragrantbeds,norfencethemintheirtrembling,fromthefiercewind?Shallmorningfollowmorning,foryou,butnotforthem;andthedawnrisetowatch,faraway,thosefranticDancesofDeath;{28}butnodawnrisetobreatheupontheselivingbanksofwildviolet,andwoodbine,androse;norcalltoyou,throughyourcasement——call(notgivingyouthenameoftheEnglishpoet’slady,butthenameofDante’sgreatMatilda,who,ontheedgeofhappyLethe,stood,wreathingflowerswithflowers),saying:— \"Comeintothegarden,Maud,Fortheblackbat,night,hasflown,Andthewoodbinespicesarewaftedabroad,Andthemuskoftherosesblown\"? Willyounotgodownamongthem?——amongthosesweetlivingthings,whosenewcourage,sprungfromtheearthwiththedeepcolourofheavenuponit,isstartingupinstrengthofgoodlyspire;andwhosepurity,washedfromthedust,isopening,budbybud,intotheflowerofpromise;——andstilltheyturntoyou,andforyou,\"TheLarkspurlistens——Ihear,Ihear!AndtheLilywhispers——Iwait。\" DidyounoticethatImissedtwolineswhenIreadyouthatfirststanza;andthinkthatIhadforgottenthem?Hearthemnow:— \"Comeintothegarden,Maud,Fortheblackbat,night,hasflown,Comeintothegarden,Maud,Iamhereatthegate,alone。\" Whoisit,thinkyou,whostandsatthegateofthissweetergardenalone,waitingforyou?Didyoueverhear,notofaMaud,butaMadeleine,whowentdowntohergardeninthedawn,andfoundOnewaitingatthegate,whomshesupposedtobethegardener?HaveyounotsoughtHimoften;——soughtHiminvain,allthroughthenight;—— soughtHiminvainatthegateofthatoldgardenwherethefieryswordisset?Heisneverthere;butatthegateofTHISgardenHeiswaitingalways——waitingtotakeyourhand——readytogodowntoseethefruitsofthevalley,toseewhetherthevinehasflourished,andthepomegranatebudded。ThereyoushallseewithHimthelittletendrilsofthevinesthatHishandisguiding——thereyoushallseethepomegranatespringingwhereHishandcastthesanguineseed;——more:youshallseethetroopsoftheangelkeepersthat,withtheirwings,waveawaythehungrybirdsfromthepath— sideswhereHehassown,andcalltoeachotherbetweenthevineyardrows,\"Takeusthefoxes,thelittlefoxes,thatspoilthevines,forourvineshavetendergrapes。\"Oh——youqueens——youqueens! amongthehillsandhappygreenwoodofthislandofyours,shallthefoxeshaveholes,andthebirdsoftheairhavenests;andinyourcities,shallthestonescryoutagainstyou,thattheyaretheonlypillowswheretheSonofMancanlayHishead? PREFACETOTHELATEREDITIONS Beingnowfifty—oneyearsold,andlittlelikelytochangemymindhereafteronanyimportantsubjectofthought(unlessthroughweaknessofage),Iwishtopublishaconnectedseriesofsuchpartsofmyworksasnowseemtomeright,andlikelytobeofpermanentuse。IndoingsoIshallomitmuch,butnotattempttomendwhatI thinkworthreprinting。Ayoungmannecessarilywritesotherwisethananoldone,anditwouldbeworsethanwastedtimetotrytorecastthejuvenilelanguage:norisittobethoughtthatIamashamedevenofwhatIcancel;forgreatpartofmyearlierworkwasrapidlywrittenfortemporarypurposes,andisnowunnecessary,thoughtrue,eventotruism。WhatIwroteaboutreligion,was,onthecontrary,painstaking,and,Ithink,forcible,ascomparedwithmostreligiouswriting;especiallyinitsfranknessandfearlessness:butitwaswhollymistaken:forIhadbeeneducatedinthedoctrinesofanarrowsect,andhadreadhistoryasobliquelyassectariansnecessarilymust。 Mingledamongtheseeitherunnecessaryorerroneousstatements,I find,indeed,somethatmightbestillofvalue;butthese,inmyearlierbooks,disfiguredbyaffectedlanguage,partlythroughthedesiretobethoughtafinewriter,andpartly,asinthesecondvolumeof’ModernPainters,’inthenotionofreturningasfarasI couldtowhatIthoughtthebetterstyleofoldEnglishliterature,especiallytothatofmythenfavourite,inprose,RichardHooker。 Forthesereasons,——though,asrespectseitherart,policy,ormorality,asdistinctfromreligion,Inotonlystillhold,butwouldevenwishstronglytore—affirmthesubstanceofwhatIsaidinmyearliestbooks,——Ishallreprintscarcelyanythinginthisseriesoutofthefirstandsecondvolumesof’ModernPainters’;andshallomitmuchofthe’SevenLamps’and’StonesofVenice’;butallmybookswrittenwithinthelastfifteenyearswillberepublishedwithoutchange,asneweditionsofthemarecalledfor,withhereandthereperhapsanadditionalnote,andhavingtheirtextdivided,forconvenientreference,intoparagraphs,consecutivethrougheachvolume。Ishallalsothrowtogethertheshorterfragmentsthatbearoneachother,andfillinwithsuchunprintedlecturesorstudiesasseemtomeworthpreserving,soastokeepthevolumes,onanaverage,composedofaboutahundredleaveseach。 Thefirstbookofwhichaneweditionisrequiredchancestobe’SesameandLilies,’fromwhichInowdetachthewholepreface,abouttheAlps,foruseelsewhere;andtoIwhichIaddalecturegiveninIrelandonasubjectcloselyconnectedwiththatofthebookitself。Iamgladthatitshouldbethefirstofthecompleteseries,formanyreasons;thoughinnowlookingoverthesetwolectures,Iampainfullystruckbythewasteofgoodworkinthem。 Theycostmemuchthought,andmuchstrongemotion;butitwasfoolishtosupposethatIcouldrousemyaudiencesinalittlewhiletoanysympathywiththetemperintowhichIhadbroughtmyselfbyyearsofthinkingoversubjectsfullofpain;while,ifImissedmypurposeatthetime,itwaslittletobehopedIcouldattainitafterwards;sincephraseswrittenfororaldeliverybecomeineffectivewhenquietlyread。YetIshouldonlytakeawaywhatgoodisinthemifItriedtotranslatethemintothelanguageofbooks;nor,indeed,couldIatallhavedonesoatthetimeoftheirdelivery,mythoughtsthenhabituallyandimpatientlyputtingthemselvesintoformsfitonlyforemphaticspeech;andthusIamstartled,inmyreviewofthem,tofindthat,thoughthereismuch,(forgivemetheimpertinence)whichseemstomeaccuratelyandenergeticallysaid,thereisscarcelyanythingputinaformtobegenerallyconvincing,oreveneasilyintelligible:andIcanwellimagineareaderlayingdownthebookwithoutbeingatallmovedbyit,stilllessguided,toanydefinitecourseofaction。 Ithink,however,ifInowsaybrieflyandclearlywhatImeantmyhearerstounderstand,andwhatIwanted,andstillwouldfainhave,themtodo,theremayafterwardsbefoundsomebetterserviceinthepassionatelywrittentext。 Thefirstlecturesays,ortriestosay,that,lifebeingveryshort,andthequiethoursofitfew,weoughttowastenoneoftheminreadingvaluelessbooks;andthatvaluablebooksshould,inacivilizedcountry,bewithinthereachofeveryone,printedinexcellentform,forajustprice;butnotinanyvile,vulgar,or,byreasonofsmallnessoftype,physicallyinjuriousform,atavileprice。Forwenoneofusneedmanybooks,andthosewhichweneedoughttobeclearlyprinted,onthebestpaper,andstronglybound。 Andthoughweare,indeed,now,awretchedandpoverty—strucknation,andhardlyabletokeepsoulandbodytogether,still,asnopersonindecentcircumstanceswouldputonhistableconfessedlybadwine,orbadmeat,withoutbeingashamed,soheneednothaveonhisshelvesill—printedorlooselyandwretchedly—stitchedbooks; forthoughfewcanberich,yeteverymanwhohonestlyexertshimselfmay,Ithink,stillprovide,forhimselfandhisfamily,goodshoes,goodgloves,strongharnessforhiscartorcarriagehorses,andstoutleatherbindingforhisbooks。AndIwouldurgeuponeveryyoungman,asthebeginningofhisdueandwiseprovisionforhishousehold,toobtainassoonashecan,bytheseveresteconomy,arestricted,serviceable,andsteadily——howeverslowly—— increasing,seriesofbooksforusethroughlife;makinghislittlelibrary,ofallthefurnitureinhisroom,themoststudiedanddecorativepiece;everyvolumehavingitsassignedplace,likealittlestatueinitsniche,andoneoftheearliestandstrictestlessonstothechildrenofthehousebeinghowtoturnthepagesoftheirownliterarypossessionslightlyanddeliberately,withnochanceoftearingordog’sears。 ThatismynotionofthefoundingofKings’Treasuries;andthefirstlectureisintendedtoshowsomewhattheuseandpreciousnessoftheirtreasures:butthetwofollowingoneshavewiderscope,beingwritteninthehopeofawakeningtheyouthofEngland,sofarasmypoorwordsmighthaveanypowerwiththem,totakesomethoughtofthepurposesofthelifeintowhichtheyareentering,andthenatureoftheworldtheyhavetoconquer。 Thesetwolecturesarefragmentaryandill—arranged,butnot,I think,diffuseormuchcompressible。Theentiregistandconclusionofthem,however,isinthelastsixparagraphsofthethirdlecture,whichIwouldbegthereadertolookovernotoncenortwice,(ratherthananyotherpartofthebook,)fortheycontainthebestexpressionIhaveyetbeenabletoputinwordsofwhat,sofarasiswithinmypower,Imeanhenceforwardbothtodomyself,andtopleadwithalloverwhomIhaveanyinfluence,todoalsoaccordingtotheirmeans:thelettersbegunonthefirstdayofthisyear,totheworkmenofEngland,havingtheobjectoforiginating,ifpossible,thismovementamongthem,intruealliancewithwhatevertrustworthyelementofhelptheycanfindinthehigherclasses。Aftertheseparagraphs,letmeaskyoutoread,bythefierylightofrecentevents,thefableatp。170{1},andthenparagraphs129—131{2};andobserve,mystatementrespectingthefamineatOrissaisnotrhetorical,butcertifiedbyofficialdocumentsaswithinthetruth。Fivehundredthousandpersons,AT LEAST,diedbystarvationinourBritishdominions,whollyinconsequenceofcarelessnessandwantofforethought。Keepthatwellinyourmemory;andnoteitasthebestpossibleillustrationofmodernpoliticaleconomyintruepractice,andoftherelationsithasaccomplishedbetweenSupplyandDemand。Thenbeginthesecondlecture,andallwillreadclearenough,Ithink,totheend;only,sincethatsecondlecturewaswritten,questionshavearisenrespectingtheeducationandclaimsofwomenwhichhavegreatlytroubledsimplemindsandexcitedrestlessones。Iamsometimesaskedmythoughtsonthismatter,andIsupposethatsomegirlreadersofthesecondlecturemayattheendofitdesiretobetoldsummarilywhatIwouldhavethemdoanddesireinthepresentstateofthings。This,then,iswhatIwouldsaytoanygirlwhohadconfidenceenoughinmetobelievewhatItoldher,ortodowhatI askedher。