第5章

Sheenteredthegaol-porch，liftedtheknocker，andaskedthegaolerforadmission。Forsomereasonorothershewasrefused；

butshereturned，repeatedherrequest，andthistimeshewasadmitted。Theculpritmothershortlystoodbeforeher。WhenSarahMartintoldthemotiveofhervisit，thecriminalburstintotears，andthankedher。ThosetearsandthanksshapedthewholecourseofSarahMartin’safter-life；andthepoorseamstress，whilemaintainingherselfbyherneedle，continuedtospendherleisurehoursinvisitingtheprisoners，andendeavouringtoalleviatetheircondition。Sheconstitutedherselftheirchaplainandschoolmistress，foratthattimetheyhadneither；shereadtothemfromtheScriptures，andtaughtthemtoreadandwrite。Shegaveupanentiredayintheweekforthispurpose，besidesSundays，aswellasotherintervalsofsparetime，”feeling，”shesays，”thattheblessingofGodwasuponher。”Shetaughtthewomentoknit，tosew，andtocutout；thesaleofthearticlesenablinghertobuyothermaterials，andtocontinuetheindustrialeducationthusbegun。Shealsotaughtthementomakestrawhats，men’sandboys’caps，graycottonshirts，andevenpatchwork——anythingtokeepthemoutofidleness，andfrompreyingontheirownthoughts。Outoftheearningsoftheprisonersinthisway，sheformedafund，whichsheappliedtofurnishingthemwithworkontheirdischarge；

thusenablingthemagaintobegintheworldhonestly，andatthesametimeaffordingher，assheherselfsays，”theadvantageofobservingtheirconduct。”

Byattendingtooexclusivelytothisprison-work，however，SarahMartin’sdressmakingbusinessfelloff；andthequestionarosewithher，whetherinordertorecoverherbusinessshewastosuspendherprison-work。Butherdecisionhadalreadybeenmade。”Ihadcountedthecost，”shesaid，”andmymind，wasmadeup。

If，whilstimpartingtruthtoothers，Ibecameexposedtotemporalwant，theprivationssomomentarytoanindividualwouldnotadmitofcomparisonwithfollowingtheLord，inthusadministeringtoothers。”Shenowdevotedsixorsevenhourseverydaytotheprisoners，convertingwhatwouldotherwisehavebeenasceneofdissoluteidlenessintoahiveoforderlyindustry。Newly-

admittedprisonersweresometimesrefractory，butherpersistentgentlenesseventuallywontheirrespectandco-operation。Menoldinyearsandcrime，pertLondonpickpockets，depravedboysanddissolutesailors，profligatewomen，smugglers，poachers，andthepromiscuoushordeofcriminalswhichusuallyfillthegaolofaseaportandcountytown，allsubmittedtothebenigninfluenceofthisgoodwoman；andunderhereyestheymightbeseen，forthefirsttimeintheirlives，strivingtoholdapen，ortomasterthecharactersinapennyprimer。Sheenteredintotheirconfidences——watched，wept，prayed，andfeltforallbyturns。

Shestrengthenedtheirgoodresolutions，cheeredthehopelessanddespairing，andendeavouredtoputall，andholdall，intherightroadofamendment。

Formorethantwentyyearsthisgoodandtrueheartedwomanpursuedhernoblecourse，withlittleencouragement，andnotmuchhelp；

almostheronlymeansofsubsistenceconsistinginanannualincomeoftenortwelvepoundsleftbyhergrandmother，ekedoutbyherlittleearningsatdressmaking。Duringthelasttwoyearsofherministrations，theboroughmagistratesofYarmouth，knowingthatherself-imposedlabourssavedthemtheexpenseofaschoolmasterandchaplain(whichtheyhadbecomeboundbylawtoappoint)，madeaproposaltoherofanannualsalaryof？12ayear；buttheydiditinsoindelicateamannerasgreatlytowoundhersensitivefeelings。Sheshrankfrombecomingthesalariedofficialofthecorporation，andbarteringformoneythoseservicedwhichhadthroughoutbeenlaboursoflove。ButtheGaolCommitteecoarselyinformedher，”thatiftheypermittedhertovisittheprisonshemustsubmittotheirterms，orbeexcluded。”Fortwoyears，therefore，shereceivedthesalaryof？12ayear——theacknowledgmentoftheYarmouthcorporationforherservicesasgaolchaplainandschoolmistress！Shewasnow，however，becomingoldandinfirm，andtheunhealthyatmosphereofthegaoldidmuchtowardsfinallydisablingher。Whileshelayonherdeathbed，sheresumedtheexerciseofatalentshehadoccasionallypractisedbeforeinhermomentsofleisure——thecompositionofsacredpoetry。Asworksofart，theymaynotexciteadmiration；yetneverwereverseswrittentruerinspirit，orfullerofChristianlove。Butherownlifewasanoblerpoemthananysheeverwrote——fulloftruecourage，perseverance，charity，andwisdom。Itwasindeedacommentaryuponherownwords:”ThehighdesirethatothersmaybeblestSavoursofheaven。”

NOTES

(1)JamesRussellLowell。

(2)YetBaconhimselfhadwritten，”IwouldratherbelieveallthefaithsintheLegend，andtheTalmud，andtheAlcoran，thanthatthisuniversalframeiswithoutamind。”

(3)Aubrey，inhis’NaturalHistoryofWiltshire，’alludingtoHarvey，says:”Hetoldmehimselfthatuponpublishingthatbookhefellinhispracticeextremely。”

(4)SirThomasMore’sfirstwife，JaneColt，wasoriginallyayoungcountrygirl，whomhehimselfinstructedinletters，andmouldedtohisowntastesandmanners。Shediedyoung，leavingasonandthreedaughters，ofwhomthenobleMargaretRopermostresembledMorehimself。HissecondwifewasAliceMiddleton，awidow，somesevenyearsolderthanMore，notbeautiful——forhecharacterizedheras”NECBELLA，NECPUELLA”——butashrewdworldlywoman，notbyanymeansdisposedtosacrificecomfortandgoodcheerforconsiderationssuchasthosewhichsopowerfullyinfluencedthemindofherhusband。

(5)Beforebeingbeheaded，Eliotsaid，”Deathisbutalittleword；

but’’tisagreatworktodie。’”Inhis’PrisonThoughts’beforehisexecution，hewrote:”Hethatfearsnottodie，fearsnothing……Thereisatimetolive，andatimetodie。Agooddeathisfarbetterandmoreeligiblethananilllife。Awisemanlivesbutsolongashislifeisworthmorethanhisdeath。

Thelongerlifeisnotalwaysthebetter。”

(6)Mr。J。S。Mill，inhisbook’OnLiberty，’describes”themasses，”

as”collectivemediocrity。””Theinitiationofallwiseornoblethings，”hesays，”comes，andmustcome，fromindividuals——

generallyatfirstfromsomeoneindividual。Thehonourandgloryoftheaveragemanisthatheiscapableoffollowingthatimitation；thathecanrespondinternallytowiseandnoblethings，andbeledtothemwithhiseyesopen……Inthisage，themereexampleofnonconformity，themererefusaltobendthekneetocustom，isitselfaservice。Preciselybecausethetyrannyofopinionissuchastomakeeccentricityareproach，itisdesirable，inordertobreakthroughthattyranny，thatpeopleshouldbeeccentric。Eccentricityhasalwaysaboundedwhenandwherestrengthofcharacterhasabounded；andtheamountofeccentricityinasocietyhasgenerallybeenproportionaltotheamountofgenius，mentalvigour，andmoralcouragewhichitcontained。Thatsofewnowdaretobeeccentric，marksthechiefdangerofthetime。”——Pp。120-1。

(7)Mr。ArthurHelps，inoneofhisthoughtfulbooks，publishedin1845，madesomeobservationsonthispoint，whicharenotlessapplicablenow。Hetheresaid:”itisagrievousthingtoseeliteraturemadeavehicleforencouragingtheenmityofclasstoclass。Yetthis，unhappily，isnotunfrequentnow。SomegreatmansummedupthenatureofFrenchnovelsbycallingthemtheLiteratureofDespair；thekindofwritingthatIdeprecatemaybecalledtheLiteratureofEnvy……Suchwritersliketothrowtheirinfluence，astheymightsay，intotheweakerscale。Butthatisnottheproperwayoflookingatthematter。Ithink，iftheysawtheungenerousnatureoftheirproceedings，thatalonewouldstopthem。Theyshouldrecollectthatliteraturemayfawnuponthemassesaswellasthearistocracy；andinthesedaysthetemptationisintheformerdirection。Butwhatismostgrievousinthiskindofwritingisthemischiefitmaydototheworking-

peoplethemselves。Ifyouhavetheirtruewelfareatheart，youwillnotonlycarefortheirbeingfedandclothed，butyouwillbeanxiousnottoencourageunreasonableexpectationsinthem——

nottomakethemungratefulorgreedy-minded。Aboveall，youwillbesolicitoustopreservesomeself-relianceinthem。Youwillbecarefulnottoletthemthinkthattheirconditioncanbewhollychangedwithoutexertionoftheirown。Youwouldnotdesiretohaveitsochanged。Onceelevateyouridealofwhatyouwishtohappenamongstthelabouringpopulation，andyouwillnoteasilyadmitanythinginyourwritingsthatmayinjuretheirmoralortheirmentalcharacter，evenifyouthoughtitmighthastensomephysicalbenefitforthem。Thatisthewaytomakeyourgeniusmostserviceabletomankind。Dependuponit，honestandboldthingsrequiretobesaidtotheloweraswellasthehigherclasses；andtheformerareinthesetimesmuchlesslikelytohave，suchthingsaddressedtothem。”-ClaimsofLabour，pp。253-4。

(8)’MemoirsofColonelHutchinson’(Bohn’sEd。)，p。32。

(9)AtapublicmeetingheldatWorcester，in1867，inrecognitionofSirJ。Pakington’sservicesasChairmanofQuarterSessionsforaperiodoftwenty-fouryears，thefollowingremarks，madebySirJohnontheoccasion，arejustandvaluableastheyaremodest:-”IamindebtedforwhatevermeasureofsuccessIhaveattainedinmypubliclife，toacombinationofmoderateabilities，withhonestyofintention，firmnessofpurpose，andsteadinessofconduct。IfIweretoofferadvicetoanyyoungmananxioustomakehimselfusefulinpubliclife，Iwouldsumuptheresultsofmyexperienceinthreeshortrules——rulessosimplethatanymanmayunderstandthem，andsoeasythatanymanmayactuponthem。

Myfirstrulewouldbe——leaveittootherstojudgeofwhatdutiesyouarecapable，andforwhatpositionyouarefitted；butneverrefusetogiveyourservicesinwhatevercapacityitmaybetheopinionofotherswhoarecompetenttojudgethatyoumaybenefityourneighboursoryourcountry。Mysecondruleis——whenyouagreetoundertakepublicduties，concentrateeveryenergyandfacultyinyourpossessionwiththedeterminationtodischargethosedutiestothebestofyourability。Lastly，Iwouldcounselyouthat，indecidingonthelinewhichyouwilltakeinpublicaffairs，youshouldbeguidedinyourdecisionbythatwhich，aftermaturedeliberation，youbelievetoberight，andnotbythatwhich，inthepassinghour，mayhappentobefashionableorpopular。”

(10)Thefollowingillustrationofoneofhisminuteactsofkindnessisgiveninhisbiography:-”HewasonedaytakingalongcountrywalknearFreshford，whenhemetalittlegirl，aboutfiveyearsold，sobbingoverabrokenbowl；shehaddroppedandbrokenitinbringingitbackfromthefieldtowhichshehadtakenherfather’sdinnerinit，andshesaidshewouldbebeatenonherreturnhomeforhavingbrokenit；when，withasuddengleamofhope，sheinnocentlylookedupintohisface，andsaid，’Butyeecanmendit，can’tee？’”Myfatherexplainedthathecouldnotmendthebowl，butthetroublehecould，bythegiftofasixpencetobuyanother。

However，onopeninghispurseitwasemptyofsilver，andhehadtomakeamendsbypromisingtomeethislittlefriendinthesamespotatthesamehournextday，andtobringthesixpencewithhim，biddingher，meanwhile，tellhermothershehadseenagentlemanwhowouldbringherthemoneyforthebowlnextday。

Thechild，entirelytrustinghim，wentonherwaycomforted。OnhisreturnhomehefoundaninvitationawaitinghimtodineinBaththefollowingevening，tomeetsomeonewhomhespeciallywishedtosee。Hehesitatedforsomelittletime，tryingtocalculatethepossibilityofgivingthemeetingtohislittlefriendofthebrokenbowlandofstillbeingintimeforthedinner-partyinBath；butfindingthiscouldnotbe，hewrotetodeclineacceptingtheinvitationonthepleaof’apre-

engagement，’sayingtous，’Icannotdisappointher，shetrustedmesoimplicitly。’”

(11)MissFlorenceNightingalehasrelatedthefollowingincidentashavingoccurredbeforeSebastopol:-”Irememberasergeantwho，onpicket，therestofthepicketkilledandhimselfbatteredaboutthehead，stumbledbacktocamp，andonhiswaypickedupawoundedmanandbroughthiminonhisshoulderstothelines，wherehefelldowninsensible。When，aftermanyhours，herecoveredhissenses，Ibelieveaftertrepanning，hisfirstwordsweretoaskafterhiscomrade，’Ishealive？’’Comrade，indeed；

yes，he’salive——itisthegeneral。’Atthatmomentthegeneral，thoughbadlywounded，appearedatthebedside。’Oh，general，it’syou，isit，Ibroughtin？I’msoglad；Ididn’tknowyourhonour。

But，——，ifI’dknownitwasyou，I’dhavesavedyouallthesame。’Thisisthetruesoldier’sspirit。”

Inthesameletter，MissNightingalesays:”England，fromhergrandmercantileandcommercialsuccesses，hasbeencalledsordid；

Godknowssheisnot。Thesimplecourage，theenduringpatience，thegoodsense，thestrengthtosufferinsilence——whatnationshowsmoreofthisinwarthanisshownbyhercommonestsoldier？

Ihaveseenmendyingofdysentery，butscorningtoreportthemselvessicklesttheyshouldtherebythrowmorelabourontheircomrades，godowntothetrenchesandmakethetrenchestheirdeathbed。Thereisnothinginhistorytocomparewithit……

Saywhatmenwill，thereissomethingmoretrulyChristianinthemanwhogiveshistime，hisstrength，hislife，ifneedbe，forsomethingnothimself——whetherhecallithisQueen，hiscountry，orhiscolours——thaninalltheasceticism，thefasts，thehumiliations，andconfessionswhichhaveeverbeenmade:andthisspiritofgivingone’slife，withoutcallingitasacrifice，isfoundnowheresotrulyasinEngland。”

(12)Mrs。Grote’s’LifeofAryScheffer，’pp。154-5。

(13)Thesufferingsofthisnoblewoman，togetherwiththoseofherunfortunatehusband，weretouchinglydescribedinaletterafterwardsaddressedbyhertoafemalefriend，whichwaspublishedsomeyearsagoatHaarlem，entitled，’GertrudevonderWart；or，FidelityuntoDeath。’Mrs。Hemanswroteapoemofgreatpathosandbeauty，commemoratingthesadstoryinher’RecordsofWoman。’

CHAPTERVI——SELF-CONTROL。”Honourandprofitdonotalwayslieinthesamesack。”——GEORGE

HERBERT。”Thegovernmentofone’sselfistheonlytruefreedomfortheIndividual。”——FREDERICKPERTHES。”Itisinlengthofpatience，andendurance，andforbearance，thatsomuchofwhatisgoodinmankindandwomankindisshown。”——

ARTHURHELPS。”Temperance，proofAgainstalltrials；industrysevereAndconstantasthemotionoftheday；

Sternself-denialroundhimspread，withshadeThatmightbedeemedforbidding，didnotthereAllgenerousfeelingsflourishandrejoice；

Forbearance，charityindeedandthought，AndresolutioncompetenttotakeOutofthebosomofsimplicityAllthatherholycustomsrecommend。”——WORDSWORTH。

Self-controlisonlycourageunderanotherform。Itmayalmostberegardedastheprimaryessenceofcharacter。ItisinvirtueofthisqualitythatShakspearedefinesmanasabeing”lookingbeforeandafter。”Itformsthechiefdistinctionbetweenmanandthemereanimal；and，indeed，therecanbenotruemanhoodwithoutit。

Self-controlisattherootofallthevirtues。Letamangivethereinstohisimpulsesandpassions，andfromthatmomentheyieldsuphismoralfreedom。Heiscarriedalongthecurrentoflife，andbecomestheslaveofhisstrongestdesireforthetimebeing。

Tobemorallyfree——tobemorethanananimal——manmustbeabletoresistinstinctiveimpulse，andthiscanonlybedonebytheexerciseofself-control。Thusitisthispowerwhichconstitutestherealdistinctionbetweenaphysicalandamorallife，andthatformstheprimarybasisofindividualcharacter。

IntheBiblepraiseisgiven，nottothestrongmanwho”takethacity，”buttothestrongermanwho”rulethhisownspirit。”Thisstrongermanishewho，bydiscipline，exercisesaconstantcontroloverhisthoughts，hisspeech，andhisacts。Nine-tenthsoftheviciousdesiresthatdegradesociety，andwhich，whenindulged，swellintothecrimesthatdisgraceit，wouldshrinkintoinsignificancebeforetheadvanceofvaliantself-discipline，self-respect，andself-control。Bythewatchfulexerciseofthesevirtues，purityofheartandmindbecomehabitual，andthecharacterisbuiltupinchastity，virtue，andtemperance。

Thebestsupportofcharacterwillalwaysbefoundinhabit，which，accordingasthewillisdirectedrightlyorwrongly，asthecasemaybe，willproveeitherabenignantruleroracrueldespot。Wemaybeitswillingsubjectontheonehand，oritsservileslaveontheother。Itmayhelpusontheroadtogood，oritmayhurryusontheroadtoruin。

Habitisformedbycarefultraining。Anditisastonishinghowmuchcanbeaccomplishedbysystematicdisciplineanddrill。Seehow，forinstance，outofthemostunpromisingmaterials——suchasroughspickedupinthestreets，orrawunkemptcountryladstakenfromtheplough——steadydisciplineanddrillwillbringouttheunsuspectedqualitiesofcourage，endurance，andself-sacrifice；

andhow，inthefieldofbattle，orevenonthemoretryingoccasionsofperilsbysea——suchastheburningoftheSARAH

SANDSorthewreckoftheBIRKENHEAD——suchmen，carefullydisciplined，willexhibittheunmistakablecharacteristicsoftruebraveryandheroism！

Norismoraldisciplineanddrilllessinfluentialintheformationofcharacter。Withoutit，therewillbenopropersystemandorderintheregulationofthelife。Uponitdependsthecultivationofthesenseofself-respect，theeducationofthehabitofobedience，thedevelopmentoftheideaofduty。Themostself-reliant，self-governingmanisalwaysunderdiscipline:andthemoreperfectthediscipline，thehigherwillbehismoralcondition。Hehastodrillhisdesires，andkeeptheminsubjectiontothehigherpowersofhisnature。Theymustobeythewordofcommandoftheinternalmonitor，theconscience——

otherwisetheywillbebutthemereslavesoftheirinclinations，thesportoffeelingandimpulse。”Inthesupremacyofself-control，”saysHerbertSpencer，”consistsoneoftheperfectionsoftheidealman。Nottobeimpulsive——nottobespurredhitherandthitherbyeachdesirethatinturncomesuppermost——buttobeself-restrained，self-

balanced，governedbythejointdecisionofthefeelingsincouncilassembled，beforewhomeveryactionshallhavebeenfullydebatedandcalmlydetermined——thatitiswhicheducation，moraleducationatleast，strivestoproduce。”(1)

Thefirstseminaryofmoraldiscipline，andthebest，aswehavealreadyshown，isthehome；nextcomestheschool，andafterthattheworld，thegreatschoolofpracticallife。Eachispreparatorytotheother，andwhatthemanorwomanbecomes，dependsforthemostpartuponwhathasgonebefore。Iftheyhaveenjoyedtheadvantageofneitherthehomenortheschool，buthavebeenallowedtogrowupuntrained，untaught，andundisciplined，thenwoetothemselves——woetothesocietyofwhichtheyformpart！

Thebest-regulatedhomeisalwaysthatinwhichthedisciplineisthemostperfect，andyetwhereitistheleastfelt。Moraldisciplineactswiththeforceofalawofnature。Thosesubjecttoityieldthemselvestoitunconsciously；andthoughitshapesandformsthewholecharacter，untilthelifebecomescrystallizedinhabit，theinfluencethusexercisedisforthemostpartunseenandalmostunfelt。

TheimportanceofstrictdomesticdisciplineiscuriouslyillustratedbyafactmentionedinMrs。Schimmelpenninck’sMemoirs，tothefollowingeffect:thataladywho，withherhusband，hadinspectedmostofthelunaticasylumsofEnglandandtheContinent，foundthemostnumerousclassofpatientswasalmostalwayscomposedofthosewhohadbeenonlychildren，andwhosewillshadthereforerarelybeenthwartedordisciplinedinearlylife；whilstthosewhoweremembersoflargefamilies，andwhohadbeentrainedinself-discipline，werefarlessfrequentvictimstothemalady。

Althoughthemoralcharacterdependsinagreatdegreeontemperamentandonphysicalhealth，aswellasondomesticandearlytrainingandtheexampleofcompanions，itisalsointhepowerofeachindividualtoregulate，torestrain，andtodisciplineitbywatchfulandperseveringself-control。A

competentteacherhassaidofthepropensitiesandhabits，thattheyareasteachableasLatinandGreek，whiletheyaremuchmoreessentialtohappiness。

Dr。Johnson，thoughhimselfconstitutionallypronetomelancholy，andafflictedbyitasfewhavebeenfromhisearliestyears，saidthat”aman’sbeinginagoodorbadhumourverymuchdependsuponhiswill。”Wemaytrainourselvesinahabitofpatienceandcontentmentontheonehand，orofgrumblinganddiscontentontheother。Wemayaccustomourselvestoexaggeratesmallevils，andtounderestimategreatblessings。Wemayevenbecomethevictimofpettymiseriesbygivingwaytothem。Thus，wemayeducateourselvesinahappydisposition，aswellasinamorbidone。

Indeed，thehabitofviewingthingscheerfully，andofthinkingaboutlifehopefully，maybemadetogrowupinuslikeanyotherhabit。(2)ItwasnotanexaggeratedestimateofDr。Johnsontosay，thatthehabitoflookingatthebestsideofanyeventisworthfarmorethanathousandpoundsayear。

Threligiousman’slifeispervadedbyrigidself-disciplineandself-restraint。Heistobesoberandvigilant，toeschewevilanddogood，towalkinthespirit，tobeobedientuntodeath，towithstandintheevilday，andhavingdoneall，tostand；towrestleagainstspiritualwickedness，andagainsttherulersofthedarknessofthisworld；toberootedandbuiltupinfaith，andnottobewearyofwell-doing；forindueseasonheshallreap，ifhefaintnot。

Themanofbusinessalsomustneedsbesubjecttostrictruleandsystem。Business，likelife，ismanagedbymoralleverage；

successinbothdependinginnosmalldegreeuponthatregulationoftemperandcarefulself-discipline，whichgiveawisemannotonlyacommandoverhimself，butoverothers。Forbearanceandself-controlsmooththeroadoflife，andopenmanywayswhichwouldotherwiseremainclosed。Andsodoesself-respect:forasmenrespectthemselves，sowilltheyusuallyrespectthepersonalityofothers。

Itisthesameinpoliticsasinbusiness。Successinthatsphereoflifeisachievedlessbytalentthanbytemper，lessbygeniusthanbycharacter。Ifamanhavenotself-control，hewilllackpatience，bewantingintact，andhaveneitherthepowerofgoverninghimselfnorofmanagingothers。WhenthequalitymostneededinaPrimeMinisterwasthesubjectofconversationinthepresenceofMr。Pitt，oneofthespeakerssaiditwas”Eloquence；”

anothersaiditwas”Knowledge；”andathirdsaiditwas”Toil，””No，”saidPitt，”itisPatience！”Andpatiencemeansself-

control，aqualityinwhichhehimselfwassuperb。HisfriendGeorgeRosehassaidofhimthatheneveroncesawPittoutoftemper。(3)Yet，althoughpatienceisusuallyregardedasa”slow”virtue，Pittcombinedwithitthemostextraordinaryreadiness，vigour，andrapidityofthoughtaswellasaction。

Itisbypatienceandself-controlthatthetrulyheroiccharacterisperfected。ThesewereamongthemostprominentcharacteristicsofthegreatHampden，whosenoblequalitiesweregenerouslyacknowledgedevenbyhispoliticalenemies。ThusClarendondescribedhimasamanofraretemperandmodesty，naturallycheerfulandvivacious，andaboveall，ofaflowingcourtesy。Hewaskindandintrepid，yetgentle，ofunblameableconversation，andhisheartglowedwithlovetoallmen。Hewasnotamanofmanywords，but，beingofunimpeachablecharacter，everywordheutteredcarriedweight。”Nomanhadeveragreaterpoweroverhimself……Hewasverytemperateindiet，andasupremegovernoroverallhispassionsandaffections；andhehadtherebygreatpoweroverothermen’s。”SirPhilipWarwick，anotherofhispoliticalopponents，incidentallydescribeshisgreatinfluenceinacertaindebate:”Wehadcatchedateachother’slocks，andsheathedourswordsineachother’sbowels，hadnotthesagacityandgreatcalmnessofMr。Hampden，byashortspeech，preventedit，andledustodeferourangrydebateuntilthenextmorning。”

Astrongtemperisnotnecessarilyabadtemper。Butthestrongerthetemper，thegreateristheneedofself-disciplineandself-

control。Dr。Johnsonsaysmengrowbetterastheygrowolder，andimprovewithexperience；butthisdependsuponthewidth，anddepth，andgenerousnessoftheirnature。Itisnotmen’sfaultsthatruinthemsomuchasthemannerinwhichtheyconductthemselvesafterthefaultshavebeencommitted。Thewisewillprofitbythesufferingtheycause，andeschewthemforthefuture；buttherearethoseonwhomexperienceexertsnoripeninginfluence，andwhoonlygrownarrowerandbittererandmoreviciouswithtime。

Whatiscalledstrongtemperinayoungman，oftenindicatesalargeamountofunripeenergy，whichwillexpenditselfinusefulworkiftheroadbefairlyopenedtoit。ItissaidofStephenGerard，aFrenchman，whopursuedaremarkablysuccessfulcareerintheUnitedStates，thatwhenheheardofaclerkwithastrongtemper，hewouldreadilytakehimintohisemployment，andsethimtoworkinaroombyhimself；Gerardbeingofopinionthatsuchpersonswerethebestworkers，andthattheirenergywouldexpenditselfinworkifremovedfromthetemptationtoquarrel。

Strongtempermayonlymeanastrongandexcitablewill。

Uncontrolled，itdisplaysitselfinfitfuloutbreaksofpassion；

butcontrolledandheldinsubjection——likesteampent-upwithintheorganisedmechanismofasteam-engine，theuseofwhichisregulatedandcontrolledbyslide-valvesandgovernorsandlevers——itmaybecomeasourceofenergeticpowerandusefulness。

Hence，someofthegreatestcharactersinhistoryhavebeenmenofstrongtemper，butofequallystrongdeterminationtoholdtheirmotivepowerunderstrictregulationandcontrol。

ThefamousEarlofStraffordwasofanextremelycholericandpassionatenature，andhadgreatstruggleswithhimselfinhisendeavourstocontrolhistemper。Referringtotheadviceofoneofhisfriends，oldSecretaryCooke，whowashonestenoughtotellhimofhisweakness，andtocautionhimagainstindulgingit，hewrote:”Yougavemeagoodlessontobepatient；and，indeed，myyearsandnaturalinclinationsgivemeheatmorethanenough，which，however，Itrustmoreexperienceshallcool，andawatchovermyselfintimealtogetherovercome；inthemeantime，inthisatleastitwillsetforthitselfmorepardonable，becausemyearnestnessshalleverbeforthehonour，justice，andprofitofmymaster；anditisnotalwaysanger，butthemisapplyingofit，thatisthevicesoblameable，andofdisadvantagetothosethatletthemselvesloosethere-unto。”(4)

Cromwell，also，isdescribedashavingbeenofawaywardandviolenttemperinhisyouth——cross，untractable，andmasterless——

withavastquantityofyouthfulenergy，whichexplodedinavarietyofyouthfulmischiefs。Heevenobtainedthereputationofaroystererinhisnativetown，andseemedtoberapidlygoingtothebad，whenreligion，inoneofitsmostrigidforms，laidholduponhisstrongnature，andsubjectedittotheirondisciplineofCalvinism。Anentirelynewdirectionwasthusgiventohisenergyoftemperament，whichforcedanoutletforitselfintopubliclife，andeventuallybecamethedominatinginfluenceinEnglandforaperiodofnearlytwentyyears。

TheheroicprincesoftheHouseofNassauwerealldistinguishedforthesamequalitiesofself-control，self-denial，anddeterminationofpurpose。WilliamtheSilentwassocalled，notbecausehewasataciturnman——forhewasaneloquentandpowerfulspeakerwhereeloquencewasnecessary——butbecausehewasamanwhocouldholdhistonguewhenitwaswisdomnottospeak，andbecausehecarefullykepthisowncounselwhentohaverevealeditmighthavebeendangeroustothelibertiesofhiscountry。Hewassogentleandconciliatoryinhismannerthathisenemiesevendescribedhimastimidandpusillanimous。Yet，whenthetimeforactioncame，hiscouragewasheroic，hisdeterminationunconquerable。”Therockintheocean，”saysMr。Motley，thehistorianoftheNetherlands，”tranquilamidragingbillows，wasthefavouriteemblembywhichhisfriendsexpressedtheirsenseofhisfirmness。”

Mr。MotleycomparesWilliamtheSilenttoWashington，whomheinmanyrespectsresembled。TheAmerican，liketheDutchpatriot，standsoutinhistoryastheveryimpersonationofdignity，bravery，purity，andpersonalexcellence。Hiscommandoverhisfeelings，eveninmomentsofgreatdifficultyanddanger，wassuchastoconveytheimpression，tothosewhodidnotknowhimintimately，thathewasamanofinborncalmnessandalmostimpassivenessofdisposition。YetWashingtonwasbynatureardentandimpetuous；hismildness，gentleness，politeness，andconsiderationforothers，weretheresultofrigidself-controlandunweariedself-discipline，whichhediligentlypractisedevenfromhisboyhood。Hisbiographersaysofhim，that”histemperamentwasardent，hispassionsstrong，andamidstthemultipliedscenesoftemptationandexcitementthroughwhichhepassed，itwashisconstanteffort，andultimatetriumph，tochecktheoneandsubduetheother。”Andagain:”Hispassionswerestrong，andsometimestheybrokeoutwithvehemence，buthehadthepowerofcheckingtheminaninstant。Perhapsself-controlwasthemostremarkabletraitofhischaracter。Itwasinparttheeffectofdiscipline；yetheseemsbynaturetohavepossessedthispowerinadegreewhichhasbeendeniedtoothermen。(*5)

TheDukeofWellington’snaturaltemper，likethatofNapoleon，wasirritableintheextreme；anditwasonlybywatchfulself-

controlthathewasenabledtorestrainit。Hestudiedcalmnessandcoolnessinthemidstofdanger，likeanyIndianchief。AtWaterloo，andelsewhere，hegavehisordersinthemostcriticalmoments，withouttheslightestexcitement，andinatoneofvoicealmostmorethanusuallysubdued。(6)

Wordsworththepoetwas，inhischildhood，”ofastiff，moody，andviolenttemper，”and”perverseandobstinateindefyingchastisement。”Whenexperienceoflifehaddisciplinedhistemper，helearnttoexercisegreaterself-control；but，atthesametime，thequalitieswhichdistinguishedhimasachildwereafterwardsusefulinenablinghimtodefythecriticismofhisenemies。NothingwasmoremarkedthanWordsworth’sself-respectandself-determination，aswellashisself-consciousnessofpower，atallperiodsofhishistory。

HenryMartyn，themissionary，wasanotherinstanceofamaninwhomstrengthoftemperwasonlysomuchpent-up，unripeenergy。

Asaboyhewasimpatient，petulant，andperverse；butbyconstantwrestlingagainsthistendencytowrongheadedness，hegraduallygainedtherequisitestrength，soastoentirelyovercomeit，andtoacquirewhathesogreatlycoveted——thegiftofpatience。

Amanmaybefeebleinorganization，but，blessedwithahappytemperament，hissoulmaybegreat，active，noble，andsovereign。

ProfessorTyndallhasgivenusafinepictureofthecharacterofFaraday，andofhisself-denyinglaboursinthecauseofscience——

exhibitinghimasamanofstrong，original，andevenfierynature，andyetofextremetendernessandsensibility。”Underneathhissweetnessandgentleness，”hesays，”wastheheatofavolcano。Hewasamanofexcitableandfierynature；but，throughhighself-discipline，hehadconvertedthefireintoacentralglowandmotivepoweroflife，insteadofpermittingittowasteitselfinuselesspassion。”

TherewasonefinefeatureinFaraday’scharacterwhichisworthyofnotice——onecloselyakintoself-control:itwashisself-

denial。Bydevotinghimselftoanalyticalchemistry，hemighthavespeedilyrealisedalargefortune；buthenoblyresistedthetemptation，andpreferredtofollowthepathofpurescience。”Takingthedurationofhislifeintoaccount，”saysMr。Tyndall，”thissonofablacksmithandapprenticetoabookbinderhadtodecidebetweenafortuneof？150，000ontheoneside，andhisundoweredscienceontheother。Hechosethelatter，anddiedapoorman。ButhiswasthegloryofholdingaloftamongthenationsthescientificnameofEnglandforaperiodoffortyyears。”(7)

Takealikeinstanceoftheself-denialofaFrenchman。ThehistorianAnquetilwasoneofthesmallnumberofliterarymeninFrancewhorefusedtobowtotheNapoleonicyoke。Hesankintogreatpoverty，livingonbread-and-milk，andlimitinghisexpendituretoonlythreesousaday。”Ihavestilltwosousadayleft，”saidhe，”fortheconquerorofMarengoandAusterlitz。””Butifyoufallsick，”saidafriendtohim，”youwillneedthehelpofapension。Whynotdoasothersdo？PaycourttotheEmperor——youhaveneedofhimtolive。””Idonotneedhimtodie，”wasthehistorian’sreply。ButAnquetildidnotdieofpoverty；helivedtotheageofninety-four，sayingtoafriend，ontheeveofhisdeath，”Come，seeamanwhodiesstillfulloflife！”

SirJamesOutramexhibitedthesamecharacteristicofnobleself-

denial，thoughinanaltogetherdifferentsphereoflife。LikethegreatKingArthur，hewasemphaticallyamanwho”forborehisownadvantage。”Hewascharacterisedthroughouthiswholecareerbyhisnobleunselfishness。Thoughhemightpersonallydisapproveofthepolicyhewasoccasionallyorderedtocarryout，heneveroncefalteredinthepathofduty。ThushedidnotapproveofthepolicyofinvadingScinde；yethisservicesthroughoutthecampaignwereacknowledgedbyGeneralSirC。Napiertohavebeenofthemostbrilliantcharacter。Butwhenthewarwasover，andtherichspoilsofScindelayattheconqueror’sfeet，Outramsaid:”Idisapproveofthepolicyofthiswar——Iwillacceptnoshareoftheprize-money！”

Notlessmarkedwashisgenerousself-denialwhendespatchedwithastrongforcetoaidHavelockinfightinghiswaytoLucknow。Assuperiorofficer，hewasentitledtotakeuponhimselfthechiefcommand；but，recognisingwhatHavelockhadalreadydone，withraredisinterestedness，helefttohisjuniorofficerthegloryofcompletingthecampaign，offeringtoserveunderhimasavolunteer。”Withsuchreputation，”saidLordClyde，”asMajor-

GeneralOutramhaswonforhimself，hecanaffordtosharegloryandhonourwithothers。Butthatdoesnotlessenthevalueofthesacrificehehasmadewithsuchdisinterestedgenerosity。”

Ifamanwouldgetthroughlifehonourablyandpeaceably，hemustnecessarilylearntopractiseself-denialinsmallthingsaswellasgreat。Menhavetobearaswellasforbear。Thetemperhastobeheldinsubjectiontothejudgment；andthelittledemonsofill-humour，petulance，andsarcasm，keptresolutelyatadistance。

Ifoncetheyfindanentrancetothemind，theyareveryapttoreturn，andtoestablishforthemselvesapermanentoccupationthere。

Itisnecessarytoone’spersonalhappiness，toexercisecontroloverone’swordsaswellasacts:fortherearewordsthatstrikeevenharderthanblows；andmenmay”speakdaggers，”thoughtheyusenone。”UNCOUPDELANGUE，”saystheFrenchproverb，”ESTPIRE

QU’UNCOUPDELANCE。”Thestingingreparteethatrisestothelips，andwhich，ifuttered，mightcoveranadversarywithconfusion，howdifficultitsometimesistoresistsayingit！”Heavenkeepus，”saysMissBremerinher’Home，’”fromthedestroyingpowerofwords！Therearewordswhichseverheartsmorethansharpswordsdo；therearewordsthepointofwhichstingtheheartthroughthecourseofawholelife。”

Thuscharacterexhibitsitselfinself-controlofspeechasmuchasinanythingelse。Thewiseandforbearantmanwillrestrainhisdesiretosayasmartorseverethingattheexpenseofanother’sfeelings；whilethefoolblurtsoutwhathethinks，andwillsacrificehisfriendratherthanhisjoke。”Themouthofawiseman，”saidSolomon，”isinhisheart；theheartofafoolisinhismouth。”

Thereare，however，menwhoarenofools，thatareheadlongintheirlanguageasintheiracts，becauseoftheirwantofforbearanceandself-restrainingpatience。Theimpulsivegenius，giftedwithquickthoughtandincisivespeech——perhapscarriedawaybythecheersofthemoment——letsflyasarcasticsentencewhichmayreturnuponhimtohisowninfinitedamage。Evenstatesmenmightbenamed，whohavefailedthroughtheirinabilitytoresistthetemptationofsayingcleverandspitefulthingsattheiradversary’sexpense。”Theturnofasentence，”saysBentham，”hasdecidedthefateofmanyafriendship，and，foraughtthatweknow，thefateofmanyakingdom。”So，whenoneistemptedtowriteacleverbutharshthing，thoughitmaybedifficulttorestrainit，itisalwaysbettertoleaveitintheinkstand。”Agoose’squill，”saystheSpanishproverb，”oftenhurtsmorethanalion’sclaw。”

Carlylesays，whenspeakingofOliverCromwell，”Hethatcannotwithalkeephismindtohimself，cannotpractiseanyconsiderablethingwhatsoever。”ItwassaidofWilliamtheSilent，byoneofhisgreatestenemies，thatanarrogantorindiscreetwordwasneverknowntofallfromhislips。Likehim，Washingtonwasdiscretionitselfintheuseofspeech，nevertakingadvantageofanopponent，orseekingashortlivedtriumphinadebate。Anditissaidthatinthelongrun，theworldcomesroundtoandsupportsthewisemanwhoknowswhenandhowtobesilent。

Wehaveheardmenofgreatexperiencesaythattheyhaveoftenregrettedhavingspoken，butneveronceregrettedholdingtheirtongue。”Besilent，”saysPythagoras，”orsaysomethingbetterthansilence。””Speakfitly，”saysGeorgeHerbert，”orbesilentwisely。”St。FrancisdeSales，whomLeighHuntstyled”theGentlemanSaint，”hassaid:”Itisbettertoremainsilentthantospeakthetruthill-humouredly，andsospoilanexcellentdishbycoveringitwithbadsauce。”AnotherFrenchman，Lacordaire，characteristicallyputsspeechfirst，andsilencenext。”Afterspeech，”hesays，”silenceisthegreatestpowerintheworld。”

Yetawordspokeninseason，howpowerfulitmaybe！AstheoldWelshproverbhasit，”Agoldentongueisinthemouthoftheblessed。”

Itisrelated，asaremarkableinstanceofself-controlonthepartofDeLeon，adistinguishedSpanishpoetofthesixteenthcentury，wholayforyearsinthedungeonsoftheInquisitionwithoutlightorsociety，becauseofhishavingtranslatedapartoftheScripturesintohisnativetongue，thatonbeingliberatedandrestoredtohisprofessorship，animmensecrowdattendedhisfirstlecture，expectingsomeaccountofhislongimprisonment；

butDoLeonwastoowiseandtoogentletoindulgeinrecrimination。Hemerelyresumedthelecturewhich，fiveyearsbefore，hadbeensosadlyinterrupted，withtheaccustomedformula”HERIDICEBAMUS，”andwentdirectlyintohissubject。

Thereare，ofcourse，timesandoccasionswhentheexpressionofindignationisnotonlyjustifiablebutnecessary。Weareboundtobeindignantatfalsehood，selfishness，andcruelty。Amanoftruefeelingfiresupnaturallyatbasenessormeannessofanysort，evenincaseswherehemaybeundernoobligationtospeakout。”Iwouldhavenothingtodo，”saidPerthes，”withthemanwhocannotbemovedtoindignation。Therearemoregoodpeoplethanbadintheworld，andthebadgettheupperhandmerelybecausetheyarebolder。Wecannothelpbeingpleasedwithamanwhouseshispowerswithdecision；andweoftentakehissidefornootherreasonthanbecausehedoessousethem。Nodoubt，I

haveoftenrepentedspeaking；butnotlessoftenhaveIrepentedkeepingsilence。”(8)

Onewholovesrightcannotbeindifferenttowrong，orwrongdoing。

Ifhefeelswarmly，hewillspeakwarmly，outofthefulnessofhisheart。Asanoblelady(9)haswritten:”Anobleheartdothteachavirtuousscorn——

Toscorntooweadutyoverlong，Toscorntobeforbenefitsforborne，Toscorntolie，toscorntodoawrong，Toscorntobearaninjuryinmind，Toscornafreebornheartslave-liketobind。”

Wehave，however，tobeonourguardagainstimpatientscorn。Thebestpeopleareapttohavetheirimpatientside；andoften，theverytemperwhichmakesmenearnest，makesthemalsointolerant。

(10)”Ofallmentalgifts，”saysMissJuliaWedgwood，”therarestisintellectualpatience；andthelastlessonofcultureistobelieveindifficultieswhichareinvisibletoourselves。”

Thebestcorrectiveofintoleranceindisposition，isincreaseofwisdomandenlargedexperienceoflife。Cultivatedgoodsensewillusuallysavemenfromtheentanglementsinwhichmoralimpatienceisapttoinvolvethem；goodsenseconsistingchieflyinthattemperofmindwhichenablesitspossessortodealwiththepracticalaffairsoflifewithjustice，judgment，discretion，andcharity。Hencemenofcultureandexperienceareinvariably，foundthemostforbearantandtolerant，asignorantandnarrowmindedpersonsarefoundthemostunforgivingandintolerant。Menoflargeandgenerousnatures，inproportiontotheirpracticalwisdom，aredisposedtomakeallowanceforthedefectsanddisadvantagesofothers——allowanceforthecontrollingpowerofcircumstancesintheformationofcharacter，andthelimitedpowerofresistanceofweakandfalliblenaturestotemptationanderror。”Iseenofaultcommitted，”saidGoethe，”whichIalsomightnothavecommitted。”Soawiseandgoodmanexclaimed，whenhesawacriminaldrawnonhishurdletoTyburn:”TheregoesJonathanBradford——butforthegraceofGod！”

Lifewillalwaysbe，toagreatextent，whatweourselvesmakeit。

Thecheerfulmanmakesacheerfulworld，thegloomymanagloomyone。Weusuallyfindbutourowntemperamentreflectedinthedispositionsofthoseaboutus。Ifweareourselvesquerulous，wewillfindthemso；ifweareunforgivinganduncharitabletothem，theywillbethesametous。Apersonreturningfromaneveningpartynotlongago，complainedtoapolicemanonhisbeatthatanill-lookingfellowwasfollowinghim:itturnedouttobeonlyhisownshadow！Andsuchusuallyishumanlifetoeachofus；itis，forthemostpart，butthereflectionofourselves。

Ifwewouldbeatpeacewithothers，andensuretheirrespect，wemusthaveregardfortheirpersonality。Everymanhashispeculiaritiesofmannerandcharacter，ashehaspeculiaritiesofformandfeature；andwemusthaveforbearanceindealingwiththem，asweexpectthemtohaveforbearanceindealingwithus。

Wemaynotbeconsciousofourownpeculiarities，yettheyexistnevertheless。ThereisavillageinSouthAmericawheregotosorgoitresaresocommonthattobewithoutoneisregardedasadeformity。OnedayapartyofEnglishmenpassedthroughtheplace，whenquiteacrowdcollectedtojeerthem，shouting:”See，seethesepeople——theyhavegotNOGOTOS！”

Manypersonsgivethemselvesagreatdealoffidgetconcerningwhatotherpeoplethinkofthemandtheirpeculiarities。Somearetoomuchdisposedtotaketheillnaturedside，and，judgingbythemselves，infertheworst。Butitisveryoftenthecasethattheuncharitablenessofothers，whereitreallyexists，isbutthereflectionofourownwantofcharityandwantoftemper。Itstilloftenerhappens，thattheworrywesubjectourselvesto，hasitssourceinourownimagination。Andeventhoughthoseaboutusmaythinkofusuncharitably，weshallnotmendmattersbyexasperatingourselvesagainstthem。Wemaytherebyonlyexposeourselvesunnecessarilytotheirillnatureorcaprice。”Theillthatcomesoutofourmouth，”saysHerbert，”ofttimesfallsintoourbosom。”

ThegreatandgoodphilosopherFaradaycommunicatedthefollowingpieceofadmirableadvice，fullofpracticalwisdom，theresultofarichexperienceoflife，inalettertohisfriendProfessorTyndall:-”Letme，asanoldman，whooughtbythistimetohaveprofitedbyexperience，saythatwhenIwasyoungerIfoundI

oftenmisrepresentedtheintentionsofpeople，andthattheydidnotmeanwhatatthetimeIsupposedtheymeant；andfurther，that，asageneralrule，itwasbettertobealittledullofapprehensionwherephrasesseemedtoimplypique，andquickinperceptionwhen，onthecontrary，theyseemedtoimplykindlyfeeling。Therealtruthneverfailsultimatelytoappear；andopposingparties，ifwrong，aresoonerconvincedwhenrepliedtoforbearingly，thanwhenoverwhelmed。AllImeantosayis，thatitisbettertobeblindtotheresultsofpartisanship，andquicktoseegoodwill。Onehasmorehappinessinone’sselfinendeavouringtofollowthethingsthatmakeforpeace。YoucanhardlyimaginehowoftenIhavebeenheatedinprivatewhenopposed，asIhavethoughtunjustlyandsuperciliously，andyetI

havestriven，andsucceeded，Ihope，inkeepingdownrepliesofthelikekind。AndIknowIhaveneverlostbyit。”(11)

WhilethepainterBarrywasatRome，heinvolvedhimself，aswashiswont，infuriousquarrelswiththeartistsanddilettanti，aboutpicture-paintingandpicture-dealing，uponwhichhisfriendandcountryman，EdmundBurke——alwaysthegenerousfriendofstrugglingmerit——wrotetohimkindlyandsensibly:”Believeme，dearBarry，thatthearmswithwhichtheill-dispositionsoftheworldaretobecombated，andthequalitiesbywhichitistobereconciledtous，andwereconciledtoit，aremoderation，gentleness，alittleindulgencetoothers，andagreatdealofdistrustofourselves；whicharenotqualitiesofameanspirit，assomemaypossiblythinkthem，butvirtuesofagreatandnoblekind，andsuchasdignifyournatureasmuchastheycontributetoourreposeandfortune；fornothingcanbesounworthyofawell-

composedsoulastopassawaylifeinbickeringsandlitigations——

insnarlingandscufflingwitheveryoneaboutus。Wemustbeatpeacewithourspecies，ifnotfortheirsakes，atleastverymuchforourown。”(12)

Nooneknewthevalueofself-controlbetterthanthepoetBurns，andnoonecouldteachitmoreeloquentlytoothers；butwhenitcametopractice，Burnswasasweakastheweakest。Hecouldnotdenyhimselfthepleasureofutteringaharshandcleversarcasmatanother’sexpense。Oneofhisbiographersobservesofhim，thatitwasnoextravagantarithmetictosaythatforeverytenjokeshemadehimselfahundredenemies。Butthiswasnotall。

PoorBurnsexercisednocontroloverhisappetites，butfreelygavethemrein:”ThusthoughtlessfollieslaidhimlowAndstainedhisname。”

Norhadhetheself-denialtoresistgivingpublicitytocompositionsoriginallyintendedforthedelightofthetap-room，butwhichcontinuesecretlytosowpollutionbroadcastinthemindsofyouth。Indeed，notwithstandingthemanyexquisitepoemsofthiswriter，itisnotsayingtoomuchtoaverthathisimmoralwritingshavedonefarmoreharmthanhispurerwritingshavedonegood；andthatitwouldbebetterthatallhiswritingsshouldbedestroyedandforgottenprovidedhisindecentsongscouldbedestroyedwiththem。

TheremarkappliesaliketoBeranger，whohasbeenstyled”TheBurnsofFrance。”Berangerwasofthesamebrightincisivegenius；hehadthesameloveofpleasure，thesameloveofpopularity；andwhileheflatteredFrenchvanitytothetopofitsbent，healsopaintedthevicesmostlovedbyhiscountrymenwiththepenofamaster。Beranger’ssongsandThiers’HistoryprobablydidmorethananythingelsetoreestablishtheNapoleonicdynastyinFrance。ButthatwasasmallevilcomparedwiththemoralmischiefwhichmanyofBeranger’ssongsarecalculatedtoproduce；for，circulatingfreelyastheydoinFrenchhouseholds，theyexhibitpicturesofnastinessandvice，whichareenoughtopolluteanddestroyanation。

OneofBurns’sfinestpoems，written，inhistwenty-eighthyear，isentitled’ABard’sEpitaph。’Itisadescription，byanticipation，ofhisownlife。Wordsworthhassaidofit:”Hereisasincereandsolemnavowal；apublicdeclarationfromhisownwill；aconfessionatoncedevout，poeticalandhuman；ahistoryintheshapeofaprophecy。”Itconcludeswiththeselines:-”Reader，attend——whetherthysoulSoarsfancy’sflightsbeyondthepole，OrdarklinggrubsthisearthlyholeInlowpursuit；

Know——prudent，cautiousself-control，IsWisdom’sroot。”

OneofthevicesbeforewhichBurnsfell——anditmaybesaidtobeamaster-vice，becauseitisproductiveofsomanyothervices——wasdrinking。Notthathewasadrunkard，butbecauseheyieldedtothetemptationsofdrink，withitsdegradingassociations，andtherebyloweredanddepravedhiswholenature。

(13)ButpoorBurnsdidnotstandalone；for，alas！ofallvices，theunrestrainedappetitefordrinkwasinhistime，asitcontinuestobenow，themostprevalent，popular，degrading，anddestructive。

Wereitpossibletoconceivetheexistenceofatyrantwhoshouldcompelhispeopletogiveuptohimone-thirdormoreoftheirearnings，andrequirethematthesametimetoconsumeacommoditythatshouldbrutaliseanddegradethem，destroythepeaceandcomfortoftheirfamilies，andsowinthemselvestheseedsofdiseaseandprematuredeath——whatindignationmeetings，whatmonsterprocessionstherewouldbe！’Whateloquentspeechesandapostrophestothespiritofliberty！——whatappealsagainstadespotismsomonstrousandsounnatural！Andyetsuchatyrantreallyexistsamongstus——thetyrantofunrestrainedappetite，whomnoforceofarms，orvoices，orvotescanresist，whilemenarewillingtobehisslaves。

Thepowerofthistyrantcanonlybeovercomebymoralmeans——byself-discipline，self-respect，andself-control。Thereisnootherwayofwithstandingthedespotismofappetiteinanyofitsforms。Noreformofinstitutions，noextendedpowerofvoting，noimprovedformofgovernment，noamountofscholasticinstruction，canpossiblyelevatethecharacterofapeoplewhovoluntarilyabandonthemselvestosensualindulgence。Thepursuitofignoblepleasureisthedegradationoftruehappiness；itsapsthemorals，destroystheenergies，anddegradesthemanlinessandrobustnessofindividualsasofnations。

Thecourageofself-controlexhibitsitselfinmanyways，butinnonemoreclearlythaninhonestliving。Menwithoutthevirtueofself-denialarenotonlysubjecttotheirownselfishdesires，buttheyareusuallyinbondagetootherswhoarelikemindedwiththemselves。Whatothersdo，theydo。Theymustliveaccordingtotheartificialstandardoftheirclass，spendingliketheirneighbours，regardlessoftheconsequences，atthesametimethatallare，perhaps，aspiringafterastyleoflivinghigherthantheirmeans。Eachcarriestheothersalongwithhim，andtheyhavenotthemoralcouragetostop。Theycannotresistthetemptationoflivinghigh，thoughitmaybeattheexpenseofothers；andtheygraduallybecomerecklessofdebt，untilitenthralsthem。Inallthisthereisgreatmoralcowardice，pusillanimity，andwantofmanlyindependenceofcharacter。

Arightmindedmanwillshrinkfromseemingtobewhatheisnot，orpretendingtobericherthanhereallyis，orassumingastyleoflivingthathiscircumstanceswillnotjustify。Hewillhavethecouragetolivehonestlywithinhisownmeans，ratherthandishonestlyuponthemeansofotherpeople；forhewhoincursdebtsinstrivingtomaintainastyleoflivingbeyondhisincome，isinspiritasdishonestasthemanwhoopenlypicksyourpocket。

Tomany，thismayseemanextremeview，butitwillbearthestrictesttest。Livingatthecostofothersisnotonlydishonesty，butitisuntruthfulnessindeed，aslyingisinword。

TheproverbofGeorgeHerbert，that”debtorsareliars，”isjustifiedbyexperience。Shaftesburysomewheresaysthatarestlessnesstohavesomethingwhichwehavenot，andtobesomethingwhichwearenot，istherootofallimmorality。(14)Norelianceistobeplacedonthesaying——averydangerousone——ofMirabeau，that”LAPETITEMORALEETAITL’ENNEMIEDELAGRANDE。”

Onthecontrary，strictadherencetoeventhesmallestdetailsofmoralityisthefoundationofallmanlyandnoblecharacter。

Thehonourablemanisfrugalofhismeans，andpayshiswayhonestly。Hedoesnotseektopasshimselfoffasricherthanheis，or，byrunningintodebt，openanaccountwithruin。Asthatmanisnotpoorwhosemeansaresmall，butwhosedesiresareuncontrolled，sothatmanisrichwhosemeansaremorethansufficientforhiswants。WhenSocratessawagreatquantityofriches，jewels，andfurnitureofgreatvalue，carriedinpompthroughAthens，hesaid，”NowdoIseehowmanythingsIdoNOT

desire。””Icanforgiveeverythingbutselfishness，”saidPerthes。”Eventhenarrowestcircumstancesadmitofgreatnesswithreferenceto’mineandthine’；andnonebuttheverypoorestneedfilltheirdailylifewiththoughtsofmoney，iftheyhavebutprudencetoarrangetheirhousekeepingwithinthelimitsoftheirincome。”

Amanmaybeindifferenttomoneybecauseofhigherconsiderations，asFaradaywas，whosacrificedwealthtopursuescience；butifhewouldhavetheenjoymentsthatmoneycanpurchase，hemusthonestlyearnit，andnotliveupontheearningsofothers，asthosedowhohabituallyincurdebtswhichtheyhavenomeansofpaying。WhenMaginn，alwaysdrownedindebt，wasaskedwhathepaidforhiswine，herepliedthathedidnotknow，buthebelievedthey”putsomethingdowninabook。”(15)

This”putting-downinabook”hasprovedtheruinofagreatmanyweakmindedpeople，whocannotresistthetemptationoftakingthingsuponcreditwhichtheyhavenotthepresentmeansofpayingfor；anditwouldprobablyproveofgreatsocialbenefitifthelawwhichenablescreditorstorecoverdebtscontractedundercertaincircumstanceswerealtogetherabolished。But，inthecompetitionfortrade，everyencouragementisgiventotheincurringofdebt，thecreditorrelyinguponthelawtoaidhiminthelastextremity。WhenSydneySmithoncewentintoanewneighbourhood，itwasgivenoutinthelocalpapersthathewasamanofhighconnections，andhewasbesoughtonallsidesforhis”custom。”Buthespeedilyundeceivedhisnewneighbours。”Wearenotgreatpeopleatall，”hesaid:”weareonlycommonhonestpeople——peoplethatpayourdebts。”

Hazlitt，whowasathoroughlyhonestthoughratherthriftlessman，speaksoftwoclassesofpersons，notunlikeeachother——thosewhocannotkeeptheirownmoneyintheirhands，andthosewhocannotkeeptheirhandsfromotherpeople’s。Theformerarealwaysinwantofmoney，fortheythrowitawayonanyobjectthatfirstpresentsitself，asiftogetridofit；thelattermakeawaywithwhattheyhaveoftheirown，andareperpetualborrowersfromallwhowilllendtothem；andtheirgeniusforborrowing，inthelongrun，usuallyprovestheirruin。

Sheridanwasoneofsucheminentunfortunates。Hewasimpulsiveandcarelessinhisexpenditure，borrowingmoney，andrunningintodebtwitheverybodywhowouldtrusthim。WhenhestoodforWestminster，hisunpopularityarosechieflyfromhisgeneralindebtedness。”Numbersofpoorpeople，”saysLordPalmerstoninoneofhisletters，”crowdedroundthehustings，demandingpaymentforthebillsheowedthem。”Inthemidstofallhisdifficulties，Sheridanwasaslightheartedasever，andcrackedmanyagoodjokeathiscreditors’expense。LordPalmerstonwasactuallypresentatthedinnergivenbyhim，atwhichthesheriff’sinpossessionweredressedupandofficiatedaswaitersYethoweverlooseSheridan’smoralitymayhavebeenasregardedhisprivatecreditors，hewashonest(sofarasthepublicmoneywasconcerned。Once，atdinner，atwhichLordByronhappenedtobepresent，anobservationhappenedtobemadeastothesturdinessoftheWhigsinresistingoffice，andkeepingtotheirprinciples——onwhichSheridanturnedsharplyandsaid:”Sir，itiseasyformyLordthis，orEarlthat，ortheMarquisoft’other，withthousandsuponthousandsayear，someofiteitherpresentlyderivedorinheritedinsinecureoracquisitionsfromthepublicmoney，toboastoftheirpatriotism，andkeepalooffromtemptation；buttheydonotknowfromwhattemptationthosehavekeptaloofwhohadequalpride，atleastequaltalents，andnotunequalpassions，andneverthelessknewnot，inthecourseoftheirlives，whatitwastohaveashillingoftheirown。”AndLordByronadds，that，insayingthis，Sheridanwept。(16)

Thetoneofpublicmoralityinmoney-matterswasverylowinthosedays。Politicalpeculationwasnotthoughtdiscreditable；andheadsofpartiesdidnothesitatetosecuretheadhesionoftheirfollowersbyafreeuseofthepublicmoney。Theyweregenerous，butattheexpenseofothers——likethatgreatlocalmagnate，who，”Outofhisgreatbounty，Builtabridgeattheexpenseofthecounty。”

WhenLordCornwalliswasappointedLord-LieutenantofIreland，hepresseduponColonelNapier，thefatherofTHENapiers，thecomptrollershipofarmyaccounts。”Iwant，”saidhisLordship，”ANHONESTMAN，andthisistheonlythingIhavebeenabletowrestfromtheharpiesaroundme。”

ItissaidthatLordChathamwasthefirsttosettheexampleofdisdainingtogovernbypettylarceny；andhisgreatsonwasalikehonestinhisadministration。WhilemillionsofmoneywerepassingthroughPitt’shands，hehimselfwasneverotherwisethanpoor；andhediedpoor。Ofallhisrancorouslibellers，notoneeverventuredtocallinquestionhishonesty。

Informertimes，theprofitsofofficeweresometimesenormous。

WhenAudley，thefamousannuity-mongerofthesixteenthcentury，wasaskedthevalueofanofficewhichhehadpurchasedintheCourtofWards，hereplied:-”Somethousandstoanyonewhowishestogettoheavenimmediately；twiceasmuchtohimwhodoesnotmindbeinginpurgatory；andnobodyknowswhattohimwhoisnotafraidofthedevil。”

SirWalterScottwasamanwhowashonesttothecoreofhisnatureandhisstrenuousanddeterminedeffortstopayhisdebts，orratherthedebtsofthefirmwithwhichhehadbecomeinvolved，hasalwaysappearedtousoneofthegrandestthingsinbiography。

Whenhispublisherandprinterbrokedown，ruinseemedtostarehimintheface。Therewasnowantofsympathyforhiminhisgreatmisfortune，andfriendscameforwardwhoofferedtoraisemoneyenoughtoenablehimtoarrangewithhiscreditors。”No！”saidhe，proudly；”thisrighthandshallworkitalloff！””Ifweloseeverythingelse，”hewrotetoafriend，”wewillatleastkeepourhonourunblemished。”(17)Whilehishealthwasalreadybecomingunderminedbyoverwork，hewenton”writinglikeatiger，”ashehimselfexpressedit，untilnolongerabletowieldapen；andthoughhepaidthepenaltyofhissupremeeffortswithhislife，heneverthelesssavedhishonourandhisself-respect。

EverybodyknowsbowScottthrewoff’Woodstock，’the’LifeofNapoleon’(whichhethoughtwouldbehisdeath(18))，articlesforthe’Quarterly，’’ChroniclesoftheCanongate，’’ProseMiscellanies，’and’TalesofaGrandfather’——allwritteninthemidstofpain，sorrow，andruin。Theproceedsofthosevariousworkswenttohiscreditors。”Icouldnothavesleptsound，”hewrote，”asInowcan，underthecomfortableimpressionofreceivingthethanksofmycreditors，andtheconsciousfeelingofdischargingmydutyasamanofhonourandhonesty。Iseebeforemealong，tedious，anddarkpath，butitleadstostainlessreputation。IfIdieintheharrows，asisverylikely，Ishalldiewithhonour。IfIachievemytask，Ishallhavethethanksofallconcerned，andtheapprobationofmyownconscience。”(19)

Andthenfollowedmorearticles，memoirs，andevensermons——’TheFairMaidofPerth，’acompletelyrevisededitionofhisnovels，’AnneofGeierstein，’andmore’TalesofaGrandfather’——untilhewassuddenlystruckdownbyparalysis。Buthehadnosoonerrecoveredsufficientstrengthtobeabletoholdapen，thanwefindhimagainathisdeskwritingthe’LettersonDemonologyandWitchcraft，’avolumeofScottishHistoryfor’Lardner’sCyclopaedia，’andafourthseriesof’TalesofaGrandfather’inhisFrenchHistory。Invainhisdoctorstoldhimtogiveupwork；

hewouldnotbedissuaded。”Asforbiddingmenotwork，”hesaidtoDr。Abercrombie，”Mollymightjustaswellputthekettleonthefireandsay，’Now，kettle，don’tboil；’”towhichheadded，”IfIweretobeidleIshouldgomad！”

Bymeansoftheprofitsrealisedbythesetremendousefforts，Scottsawhisdebtsincourseofrapiddiminution，andhetrustedthat，afterafewmoreyears’work，hewouldagainbeafreeman。

Butitwasnottobe。Hewentonturningoutsuchworksashis’CountRobertofParis’withgreatlyimpairedskill，untilhewasprostratedbyanotherandsevererattackofpalsy。Henowfeltthattheploughwasnearingtheendofthefurrow；hisphysicalstrengthwasgone；hewas”notquitehimselfinallthings，”andyethiscourageandperseveranceneverfailed。”Ihavesufferedterribly，”hewroteinhisDiary，”thoughratherinbodythaninmind，andIoftenwishIcouldliedownandsleepwithoutwaking。

ButIWILLFIGHTITOUTIFICAN。”Heagainrecoveredsufficientlytobeabletowrite’CastleDangerous，’thoughthecunningoftheworkman’shandhaddeparted。AndthentherewashislasttourtoItalyinsearchofrestandhealth，duringwhich，whileatNaples，inspiteofallremonstrances，hegaveseveralhourseverymorningtothecompositionofanewnovel，which，however，hasnotseenthelight。

ScottreturnedtoAbbotsfordtodie。”Ihaveseenmuch，”hesaidonhisreturn，”butnothinglikemyownhouse——givemeoneturnmore。”Oneofthelastthingsheuttered，inoneofhislucidintervals，wasworthyofhim。”Ihavebeen，”hesaid，”perhapsthemostvoluminousauthorofmyday，anditISacomforttometothinkthatIhavetriedtounsettlenoman’sfaith，tocorruptnoman’sprinciples，andthatIhavewrittennothingwhichonmydeathbedIshouldwishblottedout。”Hislastinjunctiontohisson-in-lawwas:”Lockhart，Imayhavebutaminutetospeaktoyou。Mydear，bevirtuous——bereligious——beagoodman。

Nothingelsewillgiveyouanycomfortwhenyoucometoliehere。”

ThedevotedconductofLockharthimselfwasworthyofhisgreatrelative。The’LifeofScott，’whichheafterwardswrote，occupiedhimseveralyears，andwasaremarkablysuccessfulwork。

Yethehimselfderivednopecuniaryadvantagefromit；handingovertheprofitsofthewholeundertakingtoSirWalter’screditorsinpaymentofdebtswhichhewasinnowayresponsible，butinfluencedentirelybyaspiritofhonour，ofregardforthememoryoftheillustriousdead。

NOTES

(1)’SocialStatics，’p。185。

(2)”Inallcases，”saysJeremyBentham，”whenthepowerofthewillcanbeexercisedoverthethoughts，letthosethoughtsbedirectedtowardshappiness。Lookoutforthebright，forthebrightestsideofthings，andkeepyourfaceconstantlyturnedtoit……A

largepartofexistenceisnecessarilypassedininaction。Byday(totakeaninstancefromthethousandinconstantrecurrence)，wheninattendanceonothers，andtimeislostbybeingkeptwaiting；bynightwhensleepisunwillingtoclosetheeyelids，theeconomyofhappinessrecommendstheoccupationofpleasurablethought。Inwalkingabroad，orinrestingathome，themindcannotbevacant；itsthoughtsmaybeuseful，useless，orpernicioustohappiness。Directthemaright；thehabitofhappythoughtwillspringuplikeanyotherhabit。”

DEONTOLOGY，ii。105-6。

(3)ThefollowingextractfromaletterofM。Boyd，Esq。，isgivenbyEarlStanhopeinhis’Miscellanies’:-”TherewasacircumstancetoldmebythelateMr。Christmas，whoformanyyearsheldanimportantofficialsituationintheBankofEngland。Hewas，I

believe，inearlylifeaclerkintheTreasury，oroneofthegovernmentoffices，andforsometimeactedforMr。Pittashisconfidentialclerk，ortemporaryprivatesecretary。ChristmaswasoneofthemostobligingmenIeverknew；and，fromthe，positionheoccupied，wasconstantlyexposedtointerruptions，yetIneversawhistemperintheleastruffled。OnedayIfoundhimmorethanusuallyengaged，havingamassofaccountstoprepareforoneofthelaw-courts——stillthesameequanimity，andIcouldnotresisttheopportunityofaskingtheoldgentlemanthesecret。

’Well，Mr。Boyd，youshallknowit。Mr。Pittgaveittome:——

NOTTOLOSEMYTEMPER，IFPOSSIBLE，ATANYTIME，ANDNEVER

DURINGTHEHOURSOFBUSINESS。Mylabourshere(BankofEngland)

commenceatnineandendatthree；and，actingontheadviceoftheillustriousstatesman，INEVERLOSEMYTEMPERDURING

THOSEHOURS。’”

(4)’StraffordPapers，’i。87。

(5)JaredSparks’’LifeofWashington，’pp。7，534。

(6)Brialmont’s’LifeofWellington。’

(7)ProfessorTyndall，on’FaradayasaDiscoverer，’p。156。

(8)’LifeofPerthes，’ii。216。

(9)LadyElizabethCarew。

(10)FrancisHorner，inoneofhisletters，says:”Itisamongtheverysincereandzealousfriendsoflibertythatyouwillfindthemostperfectspecimensofwrongheadedness；menofadissenting，provincialcastofvirtue——who(accordingtooneofSharpe’sfavouritephrases)WILLdriveawedgethebroadendforemost——utterstrangerstoallmoderationinpoliticalbusiness。”——

FrancisHorner’sLIFEANDCORRESPONDENCE(1843)，ii。133。

(11)ProfessorTyndallon’FaradayasaDiscoverer，’pp。40-1。

(12)YetBurkehimself；thoughcapableofgivingBarrysuchexcellentadvice，wasbynomeansimmaculateasregardedhisowntemper。

WhenhelayillatBeaconsfield，Fox，fromwhomhehadbecomeseparatedbypoliticaldifferencesarisingoutoftheFrenchRevolution，wentdowntoseehisoldfriend。ButBurkewouldnotgranthimaninterview；hepositivelyrefusedtoseehim。Onhisreturntotown，FoxtoldhisfriendCoketheresultofhisjourney；andwhenCokelamentedBurke’sobstinacy，Foxonlyreplied，goodnaturedly:”Ah！nevermind，Tom；IalwaysfindeveryIrishmanhasgotapieceofpotatoinhishead。”YetFox，withhisusualgenerosity，whenheheardofBurke’simpendingdeath，wroteamostkindandcordiallettertoMrs。Burke，expressiveofhisgriefandsympathy；andwhenBurkewasnomore，FoxwasthefirsttoproposethatheshouldbeinterredwithpublichonoursinWestminsterAbbey——whichonlyBurke’sownexpresswish，thatheshouldbeburiedatBeaconsfield，preventedbeingcarriedout。

(13)WhenCurran，theIrishbarrister，visitedBurns’scabinin1810，hefounditconvertedintoapublichouse，andthelandlordwhoshoweditwasdrunk。”There，”saidhe，pointingtoacornerononesideofthefire，withamostMALAPROPOSlaugh-”thereistheveryspotwhereRobertBurnswasborn。””Thegeniusandthefateoftheman，”saysCurran，”werealreadyheavyonmyheart；butthedrunkenlaughofthelandlordgavemesuchaviewoftherockonwhichhehadfoundered，thatIcouldnotstandit，butburstintotears。”

(14)ThechaplainofHorsemongerlaneGaol，inhisannualreporttotheSurreyjustices，thusstatestheresultofhiscarefulstudyofthecausesofdishonesty:”Frommyexperienceofpredatorycrime，foundeduponcarefulstudyofthecharacterofagreatvarietyofprisoners，Iconcludethathabitualdishonestyistobereferredneithertoignorance，nortodrunkenness，nortopoverty，nortoovercrowdingintowns，nortotemptationfromsurroundingwealth——

nor，indeed，toanyoneofthemanyindirectcausestowhichitissometimesreferred——butmainlyTOADISPOSITIONTOACQUIRE

PROPERTYWITHALESSDEGREEOFLABOURTHANORDINARYINDUSTRY。”

Theitalicsaretheauthor’s。

(15)S。C。Hall’s’Memories。’

(16)Moore’s’LifeofByron，’8vo。Ed。，p。182。

(17)CaptainBasilHallrecordsthefollowingconversationwithScott:-”Itoccurstome，”Iobserved，”thatpeopleareapttomaketoomuchfussaboutthelossoffortune，whichisoneofthesmallestofthegreatevilsoflife，andoughttobeamongthemosttolerable。”——”Doyoucallitasmallmisfortunetoberuinedinmoney-matters？”heasked。”Itisnotsopainful，atallevents，asthelossoffriends。”——”Igrantthat，”hesaid。”Asthelossofcharacter？”——”Trueagain。””Asthelossofhealth？”——”Ay，thereyouhaveme，”hemutteredtohimself，inatonesomelancholythatIwishedIhadnotspoken。”Whatisthelossoffortunetothelossofpeaceofmind？”Icontinued。”Inshort，”

saidhe，playfully，”youwillmakeitoutthatthereisnoharminaman’sbeingplungedover-head-and-earsinadebthecannotremove。””Muchdepends，Ithink，onhowitwasincurred，andwhateffortsaremadetoredeemit——atleast，ifthesuffererbearightmindedman。””Ihopeitdoes，”hesaid，cheerfullyandfirmly——FRAGMENTSOFVOYAGESANDTRAVELS，3rdseries，pp。308-9。

(18)”Thesebattles，”hewroteinhisDiary，”havebeenthedeathofmanyaman，Ithinktheywillbemine。”

(19)Scott’sDiary，December17th，1827。

CHAPTERVII——DUTY——TRUTHFULNESS。”Islept，anddreamtthatlifewasBeauty；

Iwoke，andfoundthatlifewasDuty。””Duty！wondrousthought，thatworkestneitherbyfondinsinuation，flattery，norbyanythreat，butmerelybyholdingupthynakedlawinthesoul，andsoextortingforthyselfalwaysreverence，ifnotalwaysobedience；beforewhomallappetitesaredumb，howeversecretlytheyrebel”——KANT。”Howhappyishebornandtaught，Thatservethnotanother’swill！

Whosearmourishishonestthought，Andsimpletruthhisutmostskill！”Whosepassionsnothismastersare，Whosesoulisstillpreparedfordeath；

Unti’duntotheworldbycareOfpublicfame，orprivatebreath。”Thismanisfreedfromservilebands，Ofhopetorise，orfeartofall:

Lordofhimself，thoughnotofland；

Andhavingnothing，yethathall。”——WOTTON。”Hisnaywasnaywithoutrecall；

Hisyeawasyea，andpowerfulall；

Hegavehisyeawithcarefulheed，Histhoughtsandwordswerewellagreed；

Hisword，hisbondandseal。”