第4章

Whatthereisleftofitisallgoingintothatfoolishbook，whichthewomanlyelementinyou，stillhealthyandalive，delightsin；becauseitplacesyouinfancyinsituationsinwhichyouwillneverstand，andinspiresyouwithemotions，someofwhich，itmaybe，youhadbetterneverfeel。PoorNausicaa——old，somementhink，beforeyouhavebeeneveryoung。

Andnowtheyaregoingto"develop"you；andletyouhaveyoursharein"thehighereducationofwomen，"bymakingyoureadmorebooks，anddomoresums，andpassexaminations，andstoopoverdesksatnightafterstoopingoversomeotheremploymentallday；

andtoteachyouLatin，andevenGreek！

Well，wewillgladlyteachyouGreek，ifyoulearntherebytoreadthehistoryofNausicaaofold，andwhatmannerofmaidenshewas，andwhatwashereducation。Youwilladmireher，doubtless。Butdonotletyouradmirationlimititselftodrawingameagrehalf-

mediaevaliseddesignofher——assheneverlooked。Copyinyourownperson；andevenifyoudonotdescendaslow——orriseashigh——aswashingthehouseholdclothes，atleastlearntoplayatball；andsing，intheopenairandsunshine，notintheatresandconcert-roomsbygaslight；andtakedecentcareofyourownhealth；anddressnotlikea"Parisienne"——nor，ofcourse，likeNausicaaofold，forthatistoasktoomuch：——butsomewhatmorelikeanaverageHighlandlassie；andtrytolooklikeher，andbelikeher，ofwhomWordsworthsang：

AmienandfaceInwhichfullplainlyIcantraceBenignity，andhome-bredsense，Ripeninginperfectinnocence。

Herescattered，likearandomseed，Remotefrommen，thoudostnotneedTheembarrassedlookofshydistressAndmaidenlyshamefacedness。

Thouwear’stuponthyforeheadclearThefreedomofamountaineer。

Afacewithgladnessoverspread，Softsmiles，byhumankindnessbred，Andseemlinesscomplete，thatswaysThycourtesies，abouttheeplays。

Withnorestraint，savesuchasspringsFromquickandeagervisitingsOfthoughtsthatliebeyondthereachOfthyfewwordsofEnglishspeech。

Abondagesweetlybrooked，astrifeThatgivesthygesturesgraceandlife。

Ah，yetunspoiltNausicaaoftheNorth；descendantofthedarktender-heartedCelticgirl，andthefairdeep-heartedScandinavianViking，thankGodforthyheatherandfreshair，andthekinethoutendest，andthewoolthouspinnest；andcomenottoseekthyfortune，child，inwickedLondontown；norimport，astheytellmethouartdoingfast，theuglyfashionsofthatLondontown，clumsycopiesofParisiancockneydom，intothyHighlandhome；norgiveupthehealthfulandgraceful，freeandmodestdressofthymotherandthymother’smother，todisfigurethelittlekirkonSabbathdayswithcrinolineandcorset，high-heeledboots，andotherwomen’shair。

Itisproposed，justnow，toassimilatetheeducationofgirlsmoreandmoretothatofboys。Ifthatmeansthatgirlsaremerelytolearnmorelessons，andtostudywhattheirbrothersaretaught，inadditiontowhattheirmothersweretaught；thenitistobehoped，atleastbyphysiologistsandpatriots，thattheschemewillsinkintothatlimbowhither，inafreeandtolerablyrationalcountry，allimperfectandill-consideredschemesaresuretogravitate。Butiftheproposalbeabona-fideone：thenitmustbeborneinmindthatinthePublicschoolsofEngland，andinallprivateschools，Ipresume，whichtaketheirtonefromthem，cricketandfootballaremoreorlesscompulsory，beingconsideredintegralpartsofanEnglishman’seducation；andthattheyarelikelytoremainso，inspiteofallreclamations：

becausemastersandboysalikeknowthatgamesdonot，inthelongrun，interferewithaboy’swork；thatthesameboywillveryoftenexcelinboth；thatthegameskeephiminhealthforhiswork；andthespiritwithwhichhetakestohisgameswheninthelowerschool，isafairtestofthespiritwithwhichhewilltaketohisworkwhenherisesintothehigherschool；andthatnothingisworseforaboythantofallintothatloafing，tuck-shop-

hauntingset，whoneitherplayhardnorworkhard，andareusuallyextravagant，andoftenvicious。Moreover，theyknowwellthatgamesconduce，notmerelytophysical，buttomoralhealth；thatintheplaying-fieldboysacquirevirtueswhichnobookscangivethem；notmerelydaringandendurance，but，betterstill，temper，self-restraint，fairness，honour，unenviousapprobationofanother’ssuccess，andallthat"giveandtake"oflifewhichstandamaninsuchgoodsteadwhenhegoesforthintotheworld，andwithoutwhich，indeed，hissuccessisalwaysmaimedandpartial。

Now：ifthepromotersofhighereducationforwomenwillcompelgirlstoanytraininganalogoustoourpublic-schoolgames；if，forinstance，theywillinsistonthatmostnaturalandwholesomeofallexercises，dancing，inordertodevelopthelowerhalfofthebody；onsinging，toexpandthelungsandregulatethebreath；

andonsomegames——ballorwhatnot——whichwillensurethatraisedchest，anduprightcarriage，andgeneralstrengthoftheuppertorso，withoutwhichfulloxygenationoftheblood，andthereforegeneralhealth，isimpossible；iftheywillsternlyforbidtightstays，highheels，andallwhichinterfereswithfreegrowthandfreemotion；iftheywillconsidercarefullyallwhichhasbeenwrittenonthe"half-timesystem"byMr。Chadwickandothers；andacceptthecertainphysicallawthat，inordertorenovatethebraindaybyday，thegrowingcreaturemusthaveplentyoffreshairandplay，andthatthechildwholearnsforfourhoursandplaysforfourhours，willlearnmore，andlearnitmoreeasily，thanthechildwholearnsforthewholeeighthours；if，inshort，theywillteachgirlsnotmerelytounderstandtheGreektongue，buttocopysomewhatoftheGreekphysicaltraining，ofthat"musicandgymnastic"whichhelpedtomakethecleverestraceoftheoldworldtheablestracelikewise；thentheywillearnthegratitudeofthepatriotandthephysiologists，bydoingtheirbesttostaythedownwardtendenciesofthephysique，andthereforeultimatelyofthemorale，inthecominggenerationofEnglishwomen。

Iamsorrytosaythat，asyet，Ihearofbutonemovementinthisdirectionamongthepromotersofthe"highereducationofwomen。"

{8}Itrustthatthesubjectwillbetakenupmethodicallybythosegiftedladies，whohaveacquaintedthemselves，andarelabouringtoacquaintotherwomen，withthefirstprinciplesofhealth；andthattheymayavailtopreventthecominggenerations，undertheunwholesomestimulantofcompetitiveexaminations，andsoforth，from"developing"intosomanyChinese——dwarfs——oridiots。

October，1873。

THEAIR-MOTHERS——1869——DieNaturistdieBewegungWhoarethesewhofollowussoftlyoverthemoorintheautumneve？Theirwingsbrushandrustleinthefir-boughs，andtheywhisperbeforeusandbehind，asiftheycalledgentlytoeachother，likebirdsflockinghomewardtotheirnests。

Thewoodpeckeronthepine-stemsknowsthem，andlaughsaloudforjoyastheypass。Therooksabovethepastureknowthem，andwheelroundandtumbleintheirplay。Thebrownleavesontheoaktreesknowthem，andflutterfaintly，andbeckonastheypass。

Andinthechatteringofthedryleavesthereisameaning，andacryofwearythingswhichlongforrest。

"Takeushome，takeushome，yousoftair-mothers，nowourfathersthesunbeamsaregrowndull。Ourgreensummerbeautyisalldraggled，andourfacesaregrownwanandwan；andthebuds，thechildrenwhomwenourished，thrustusoff，ungrateful，fromourseats。Waftusdown，yousoftair-mothers，uponyourwingstothequietearth，thatwemaygotoourhome，asallthingsgo，andbecomeairandsunlightonceagain。"

Andtheboldyoungfir-seedsknowthem，andrattleimpatientintheircones。"Blowstronger，blowfiercer，slowair-mothers，andshakeusfromourprisonsofdeadwood，thatwemayflyandspinawaynorth-eastward，eachonhishornywing。Helpusbuttotouchthemoorlandyonder，andwewilltakegoodcareofourselveshenceforth；wewilldivelikearrowsthroughtheheather，anddriveoursharpbeaksintothesoil，andriseagainasgreentreestowardthesunlight，andspreadoutlustyboughs。"

Theyneverthink，boldfools，ofwhatiscomingtobringthemlowinthemidstoftheirpride；oftherecklessaxewhichwillfellthem，andthesawwhichwillshapethemintologs；andthetrainswhichwillroarandrattleoverthem，astheylieburiedinthegraveloftheway，tilltheyaregroundandrottedintopowder，anddugupandflunguponthefire，thattheytoomayreturnhome，likeallthings，andbecomeairandsunlightonceagain。

Andtheair-mothersheartheirprayers，anddotheirbidding：butfaintly；fortheythemselvesaretiredandsad。

Tiredandsadaretheair-mothers，andtheirgardensrentandwan。

Lookatthemastheystreamovertheblackforest，beforethedimsouth-westernsun；longlinesandwreathsofmelancholygrey，stainedwithdullyellowordeaddun。Theyhavecomefaracrosstheseas，anddonemanyawilddeedupontheirway；andnowthattheyhavereachedtheland，likeshipwreckedsailors，theywillliedownandweeptilltheycanweepnomore。

Ah，howdifferentwerethosesoftair-motherswhen，invisibletomortaleyes，theystartedontheirlongsky-journey，fivethousandmilesacrossthesea！OutoftheblazingcaldronwhichliesbetweenthetwoNewWorlds，theyleaptupwhenthegreatsuncalledthem，inwhirlsandspoutsofclearhotsteam；andrushedoftheirownpassiontothenorthward，whilethewhirlingearth-

ballwhirledthemeast。Sonorth-eastwardtheyrushedaloft，acrossthegayWestIndianisles，leavingbelowtheglitteroftheflying-fish，andthesidelongeyesofcruelsharks；abovethecane-fieldsandtheplantain-gardens，andthecocoa-groveswhichfringetheshores；abovetherockswhichthrobbedwithearthquakes，andthepeaksofoldvolcanoes，cinder-strewn；while，farbeneath，theghostsoftheirdeadsistershurriedhomeuponthenorth-eastbreeze。

Wilddeedstheydidastheyrushedonward，andstruggledandfoughtamongthemselves，upanddown，androundandbackward，inthefuryoftheirblindhotyouth。Theyheedednotthetreeastheysnappedit，northeshipastheywhelmeditinthewaves；northecryofthesinkingsailor，northeneedofhislittleonesonshore；hastyandselfishevenaschildren，and，likechildren，tamedbytheirownrage。Fortheytiredthemselvesbystrugglingwitheachother，andbytearingtheheavywaterintowaves；andtheirwingsgrewcloggedwithsea-spray，andsoakedmoreandmorewithsteam。Butatlasttheseagrewcoldbeneaththem，andtheirclearsteamshranktomist；andtheysawthemselvesandeachotherwrappedindullrain-ladenclouds。Thentheydrewtheirwhitecloud-garmentsroundthem，andveiledthemselvesforveryshame；

andsaid："Wehavebeenwildandwayward；and，alas！ourpurebrightyouthisgone。Butwewilldoonegooddeedyeterewedie，andsoweshallnothavelivedinvain。Wewillglideonwardtotheland，andweepthere；andrefreshallthingswithsoftwarmrain；andmakethegrassgrow，thebudsburst；quenchthethirstofmanandbeast，andwashthesoiledworldclean。"

Sotheyarewanderingpastus，theair-mothers，toweeptheleavesintotheirgraves；toweeptheseedsintotheirseed-beds，andweepthesoilintotheplains；togettherichearthreadyforthewinter，andthencreepnorthwardtotheice-world，andtheredie。

Weary，andstillmoreweary，slowlyandmoreslowlystill，theywilljourneyonfarnorthward，acrossfast-chillingseas。Foradoomislaiduponthem，nevertobestillagain，tilltheyrestattheNorthPoleitself，thestillaxleofthespinningworld；andsinkindeatharoundit，andbecomewhitesnow-cladghosts。

Butwilltheyliveagain，thosechilledair-mothers？Yes，theymustliveagain。Forallthingsmoveforever；andnotevenghostscanrest。Sothecorpsesoftheirsisters，pilingonthemfromabove，pressthemoutward，pressthemsouthwardtowardthesunoncemore；acrossthefloesandroundtheicebergs，weepingtearsofsnowandsleet，whilemenhatetheirwildharshvoices，andshrinkbeforetheirbitterbreath。Theyknownotthatthecoldbleaksnow-storms，astheyhurtlefromtheblacknorth-east，bearbacktheghostsofthesoftair-mothers，aspenitents，totheirfather，thegreatsun。

Butastheyflysouthwards，warmlifethrillsthem，andtheydroptheirloadsofsleetandsnow；andmeettheiryounglivesistersfromthesouth，andgreetthemwithflashandthunder-peal。And，pleaseGod，beforemanyweeksareover，aswerunWestward-Ho，weshallovertaketheghostsoftheseair-mothers，hurryingbacktowardtheirfather，thegreatsun。Freshandbrightunderthefreshbrightheaven，theywillracewithustowardourhome，togainnewheat，newlife，newpower，andsetforthabouttheirworkoncemore。Mencallthemthesouth-westwind，thoseair-mothers；

andtheirghoststhenorth-easttrade；andvaluethem，andrightly，becausetheybearthetradersoutandhomeacrossthesea。Butwisemen，andlittlechildren，shouldlookonthemwithmoreseeingeyes；andsay，"Maynotthesewindsbelivingcreatures？They，too，arethoughtsofGod，towhomalllive。"

Forisnotourlifeliketheirlife？Dowenotcomeandgoasthey？OutofGod’sboundlessbosom，thefountoflife，wecame；

throughselfish，stormyyouthandcontritetears——justnottoolate；throughmanhoodnotaltogetheruseless；throughslowandchilloldage，wereturnfromWhencewecame；totheBosomofGodoncemore——togoforthagain，itmaybe，withfreshknowledge，andfreshpowers，tonoblerwork。Amen。

SuchwastheprophecywhichIlearnt，orseemedtolearn，fromthesouth-westernwindofftheAtlantic，onacertaindelectableevening。Anditwasfulfilledatnight，asfarasthegentleair-

motherscouldfulfilit，forfoolishman。

Therewasaroaringinthewoodsallnight；

Theraincameheavilyandfellinfloods；

Butnowthesunisrisingcalmandbright，Thebirdsaresinginginthedistantwoods；

Overhisownsweetvoicethestock-dovebroods，Thejaymakesanswerasthemagpiechatters，Andalltheairisfilledwithpleasantnoiseofwaters。

ButwasIagloomyanddistemperedman，if，uponsuchamornasthat，Istoodonthelittlebridgeacrossacertainbrook，andwatchedthewaterrun，withsomethingofasigh？Orif，whentheschoolboybesidemelamentedthatthefloodswouldsurelybeout，andhisday’sfishingspoiled，Isaidtohim——"Ah，myboy，thatisalittlematter。Lookatwhatyouareseeingnow，andunderstandwhatbarbarismandwastemean。LookatallthatbeautifulwaterwhichGodhassentushitherofftheAtlantic，withouttroubleorexpensetous。Thousands，andtensofthousands，ofgallonswillrununderthisbridgeto-day；andwhatshallwedowithit？

Nothing。Andyet：thinkonlyofthemillswhichthatwaterwouldhaveturned。Thinkhowitmighthavekeptuphealthandcleanlinessinpoorcreaturespackedawayinthebackstreetsofthenearesttown，oreveninLondonitself。Thinkevenhowcountryfolks，inmanypartsofEngland，inthreemonths’time，maybecryingoutforrain，andafraidofshortcrops，andfever，andscarlatina，andcattle-plague，forwantoftheverywaterwhichwearenowlettingrunback，wasted，intotheseafromwhenceitcame。Andyetwecallourselvesacivilisedpeople。"

Itisnotwise，Iknow，topreachtoboys。Andyet，sometimes，amanmustspeakhisheart；even，likeMidas’sslave，tothereedsbytheriverside。AndIhadsooften，fishingupanddownfullmanyastream，whisperedmystorytothosesameriver-reeds；andtoldthemthatmyLordtheSovereignDemoshad，likeoldMidas，asses’earsinspiteofallhisgold，thatIthoughtImightforoncetellittheboylikewise，inhopethathemighthelphisgenerationtomendthatwhichmyowngenerationdoesnotseemliketomend。

Imighthavesaidmoretohim：butdidnot。Foritisnotwelltodestroytooearlythechild’sillusion，thatpeoplemustbewisebecausetheyaregrownup，andhavevotes，andrule——orthinktheyrule——theworld。Thechildwillfindouthowtruethatissoonenoughforhimself。Ifthetruthbeforcedonhimbythehotwordsofthosewithwhomhelives，itisapttobreedinhimthatcontempt，stormfulandthereforebarren，whichmakesrevolutions；

andnotthatpity，calmandthereforehelpful，whichmakesreforms。

SoImighthavesaidtohim，butdidnot-

Andthenmenprayforrain：

Myboy，didyoueverheartheoldEasternlegendabouttheGipsies？Howtheyweresuchgoodmusicians，thatsomegreatIndianSultansentforthewholetribe，andplantedthemnearhispalace，andgavethemland，andploughstobreakitup，andseedtosowit，thattheymightdwellthere，andplayandsingtohim。

Butwhenthewinterarrived，theGipsiesallcametotheSultan，andcriedthattheywerestarving。"Butwhathaveyoudonewiththeseed-cornwhichIgaveyou？""OLightoftheAge，weateitinthesummer。""AndwhathaveyoudonewiththeploughswhichI

gaveyou？""OGloryoftheUniverse，weburntthemtobakethecornwithal。"

ThensaidthatgreatSultan——"Likethebutterfliesyouhavelived；

andlikethebutterfliesyoushallwander。"Sohedrovethemout。

AndthatishowtheGipsiescamehitherfromtheEast。

NowsupposethattheSultanofallSultans，whosendstherain，shouldmakealikeanswertousfoolishhumanbeings，whenweprayedforrain："ButwhathaveyoudonewiththerainwhichI

gaveyousixmonthssince？""Wehaveletitrunintothesea。"

"Then，ereyouaskformorerain，makeplaceswhereinyoucankeepitwhenyouhaveit。""Butthatwouldbe，inmostcases，tooexpensive。Wecanemployourcapitalmoreprofitablyinotherdirections。"

Itisnotformetosaywhatanswermightbemadetosuchanexcuse。Ithinkachild’sstillunsophisticatedsenseofrightandwrongwouldsoonsupplyone；andprobablyone——consideringthecomplexity，anddifficulty，andnovelty，ofthewholequestion——

somewhattooharsh；aschildren’sjudgmentsarewonttobe。

Butwoulditnotbewellifourchildren，withoutbeingtaughttoblameanyoneforwhatispast，weretaughtsomethingaboutwhatoughttobedonenow，whatmustbedonesoon，withtherainfalloftheseislands；andaboutotherandkindredhealth-questions，onthesolutionofwhichdepends，andwilldependmoreandmore，thelifeofmillions？Onewouldhavethoughtthatthosepublicschoolsandcollegeswhichdesiretomonopolisetheeducationoftheownersofthesoil；ofthegreatemployersoflabour；oftheclergy；andofall，indeed，whooughttobeacquaintedwiththedutiesofproperty，theconditionsofpublichealth，and，inaword，withthegenerallawsofwhatisnowcalledSocialScience——

onewouldhavethought，Isay，thatthesepublicschoolsandcollegeswouldhavetaughttheirscholarssomewhatatleastaboutsuchmatters，thattheymightgoforthintolifewithatleastsomeroughnotionsofthecauseswhichmakepeoplehealthyorunhealthy，richorpoor，comfortableorwretched，usefulordangeroustotheState。Butaslongasourgreateducationalinstitutions，safe，orfancyingthemselvessafe，insomeenchantedcastle，shutoutbyancientmagicfromthelivingworld，putapremiumonLatinandGreekverses：awisefatherwill，duringtheholidays，talknowandthen，Ihope，somewhatafterthisfashion：

"Youmustunderstand，myboy，thatallthewaterinthecountrycomesoutofthesky，andfromnowhereelse；andthat，therefore，tosaveandstorethewaterwhenitfallsisaquestionoflifeanddeathtocrops，andman，andbeast；forwithorwithoutwaterislifeordeath。IfItook，forinstance，thewaterfromthemoorsaboveandturneditoveryonderfield，Icoulddouble，andmorethandouble，thecropsinthatfield，henceforth。"

"ThenwhydoInotdoit？"

"Onlybecausethefieldlieshigherthanthehouse；andif——nowhereisonethingwhichyouandeverycivilisedmanshouldknow——

ifyouhavewater-meadows，orany’irrigated’land，asitiscalled，aboveahouse，or，evenonalevelwithit，itiscertaintobreednotmerelycoldanddamp，butfeverorague。Ourforefathersdidnotunderstandthis；andtheybuilttheirhouses，asthisisbuilt，inthelowestplacestheycouldfind：sometimesbecausetheywantedtobenearponds，fromwhencetheycouldgetfishinLent；butmoreoften，Ithink，becausetheywantedtobeshelteredfromthewind。Theyhadnoglass，aswehave，intheirwindows，or，atleast，onlylatticedcasements，whichletinthewindandcold；andtheyshrankfromhighandexposed，andthereforereallyhealthy，spots。Butnowthatwehavegoodglass，andsashwindows，anddoorsthatwillshuttight，wecanbuildwarmhouseswherewelike。Andifyoueverhavetodowiththebuildingofcottages，rememberthatitisyourdutytothepeoplewhowillliveinthem，andthereforetotheState，toseethattheystandhighanddry，wherenowatercandraindownintotheirfoundations，andwherefog，andthepoisonousgaseswhicharegivenoutbyrottingvegetables，cannotdraindowneither。Youwilllearnmoreaboutallthatwhenyoulearn，aseverycivilisedladshouldinthesedays，somethingaboutchemistry，andthelawsoffluidsandgases。Butyouknowalreadythatflowersarecutoffbyfrostinthelowgroundssoonerthaninthehigh；andthatthefogatnightalwaysliesalongthebrooks；andthatthesourmoor-smellwhichwarnsustoshutourwindowsatsunset，comesdownfromthehill，andnotupfromthevalley。Nowallthesethingsarecausedbyoneandthesamelaw；thatcoldairisheavierthanwarm；and，therefore，likesomuchwater，mustrundown-hill。"

"Butwhatabouttherainfall？"

"Well，Ihavewanderedalittlefromtherainfall：thoughnotasfarasyoufancy；forfeverandagueandrheumatismusuallymean——

raininthewrongplace。Butifyouknewhowmuchillness，andtorturingpain，anddeath，andsorrowarise，eventothisveryday，fromignoranceofthesesimplelaws，thenyouwouldbearthemcarefullyinmind，andwishtoknowmoreaboutthem。Butnowforwaterbeinglifetothebeasts。Doyouremember——thoughyouarehardlyoldenough——thecattle-plague？Howthebeastsdied，orhadtobekilledandburied，bytensofthousands；andhowmiseryandruinfellonhundredsofhonestmenandwomenovermanyoftherichestcountiesofEngland：buthowweinthisvalehadnocattle-plague；andhowtherewasnone——asfarasIrecollect——intheuplandsofDevonandCornwall，norofWales，noroftheScotchHighlands？Now，doyouknowwhythatwas？Simplybecausewehere，likethoseotherup-landers，areinsuchacountryasPalestinewasbeforethefoolishJewscutdownalltheirtimber，andsodestroyedtheirownrainfall——a’landofbrooksofwater，offountainsanddepthsthatspringoutofvalleysandhills。’

Thereishardlyafieldherethathasnot，thankGod，itsrunningbrook，oritssweetspring，fromwhichourcattleweredrinkingtheirhealthandlife，whileintheclay-landsofCheshire，andintheCambridgeshirefens——whichweredrainedutterlydry——thepoorthingsdranknowater，toooften，savethatoftheverysameputridpondsinwhichtheyhadbeenstandingalldaylong，tocoolthemselves，andtokeepofftheflies。Idonotsay，ofcourse，thatbadwatercausedthecattle-plague。ItcamebyinfectionfromtheEastofEurope。ButIsaythatbadwatermadethecattlereadytotakeit，andmadeitspreadoverthecountry；andwhenyouareoldenoughIwillgiveyouplentyofproof——somefromtheherdsofyourownkinsmen——thatwhatIsayistrue。"

"Andasforpurewaterbeinglifetohumanbeings：whyhaveweneverfeverhere，andscarcelyeverdiseaseslikefever——zymotics，asthedoctorscallthem？Or，ifacasecomesintoourparishfromoutside，whydoesthefeverneverspread？Fortheverysamereasonthatwehadnocattle-plague。Becausewehavemorepurewaterclosetoeverycottagethanweneed。AndthisItellyou：

thattheonlytwooutbreaksofdeadlydiseasewhichwehavehadhereforthirtyyears，werebothofthem，asfarasIcouldsee，tobetracedtofilthywaterhavinggotintothepoorfolks’

wells。Water，youmustremember，justasitislifewhenpure，isdeathwhenfoul。Foritcancarry，unseentotheeve，andevenwhenitlooksclearandsparkling，andtastessoftandsweet，poisonswhichhaveperhapskilledmorehumanbeingsthaneverwerekilledinbattle。Youhaveread，perhaps，howtheAthenians，whentheyweredyingoftheplague，accusedtheLacedaemoniansoutsidethewallsofpoisoningtheirwells；orhow，insomeofthepestilencesoftheMiddleAges，thecommonpeopleusedtoaccusethepoorharmlessJewsofpoisoningthewells，andsetuponthemandmurderedthemhorribly。Theywereright，Idonotdoubt，intheirnotionthatthewell-waterwasgivingthemthepestilence：

buttheyhadnotsensetoseethattheywerepoisoningthewellsthemselvesbytheirdirtandcarelessness；or，inthecaseofpoorbesiegedAthens，probablybymereovercrowding，whichhascostmanyalifeerenow，andwillcostmore。AndIamsorrytotellyou，mylittleman，thatevennowtoomanypeoplehavenomoresensethantheyhad，anddieinconsequence。Ifyoucouldseeabattle-field，andmenshotdown，writhinganddyinginhundredsbyshellandbullet，wouldnotthatseemtoyouahorridsight？

Then——Idonotwishtomakeyousadtooearly，butthisisafactthateveryoneshouldknow——thatmorepeople，andnotstrongmenonly，butwomenandlittlechildrentoo，arekilledandwoundedinGreatBritaineveryyearbybadwaterandwantofwatertogether，thanwerekilledandwoundedinanybattlewhichhasbeenfoughtsinceyouwereborn。Medicalmenknowthiswell。Andwhenyouareolder，youmayseeitforyourselfintheRegistrar-General’sreports，blue-books，pamphlets，andsoon，withoutend。"

"Butwhydonotpeoplestopsuchahorriblelossoflife？"

"Well，mydearboy，thetruecausesofithaveonlybeenknownforthelastthirtyorfortyyears；andweEnglishare，asgoodKingAlfredfoundustohissorrowathousandyearsago，veryslowtomove，evenwhenweseeathingoughttobedone。Letushopethatinthismatter——wehavebeensoinmostmattersasyet——weshallbelikethetortoiseinthefable，andnotthehare；andbymovingslowly，butsurely，wintheraceatlast。"

"Butnowthinkforyourself：andseewhatyouwoulddotosavethesepeoplefrombeingpoisonedbybadwater。Rememberthattheplainquestionisthis：Therain-watercomesdownfromheavenaswater，andnothingbutwater。Rain-wateristheonlypurewater，afterall。Howwouldyousavethatforthepoorpeoplewhohavenone？There；runawayandhuntrabbitsonthemoor：butlook，meanwhile，howyouwouldsavesomeofthisbeautifulandpreciouswaterwhichisroaringawayintothesea。"

***

"Well？Whatwouldyoudo？Makeponds，yousay，liketheoldmonks’ponds，nowallbrokendown。Damalltheglensacrosstheirmouths，andturnthemintoreservoirs。"

"’Outofthemouthsofbabesandsucklings’——Well，thatwillhavetobedone。Thatisbeingdonemoreandmore，moreorlesswell。

ThegoodpeopleofGlasgowdiditfirst，Ithink；andnowthegoodpeopleofManchester，andofothernortherntowns，havedoneit，andhavesavedmanyahumanlifetherebyalready。Butitmustbedone，someday，alloverEnglandandWales，andgreatpartofScotland。Forthemountaintopsandmoors，myboy，byabeautifullawofnature，compensatefortheirownpovertybyyieldingawealthwhichtherichlowlandscannotyield。Youdonotunderstand？Thensee。Yonmoorabovecangrowneithercornnorgrass。Butonethingitcangrow，anddoesgrow，withoutwhichweshouldhavenocornnorgrass，andthatis——water。Notonlydoesfarmorerainfalluptherethanfallsheredownbelow，butevenindroughtthehighmoorscondensethemoistureintodew，andsoyieldsomewater，evenwhenthelowlandsareburntupwithdrought。Thereasonofthatyoumustlearnhereafter。Thatitisso，youshouldknowyourself。Foronthehighchalkdowns，youknow，wherefarmersmakeasheep-pond，theynever，iftheyarewise，makeitinavalleyoronahillside，butonthebleakesttopoftheveryhighestdown；andthere，iftheycanoncegetitfilledwithsnowandraininwinter，theblesseddewsofnightwillkeepsomewaterinitallthesummerthrough，whilethepondsbelowareutterlydriedup。Andevensoitis，asIknow，withthisverymoor。Cornandgrassitwillnotgrow，becausethereistoolittle’staple，’thatis，solubleminerals，inthesandysoil。

Buthowmuchwateritmightgrow，youmayjudgeroughlyforyourself，byrememberinghowmanybrookslikethisarerunningoffitnowtocarrymeredirtintotheriver，andthenintothesea。"

"Butwhyshouldwenotmakedamsatonce；andsavethewater？"

"Becausewecannotaffordit。Noonewouldbuythewaterwhenwehadstoredit。Therichintownandcountrywillalwaystakecare——andquiterighttheyare——tohavewaterenoughforthemselves，andfortheirservantstoo，whateveritmaycostthem。

Butthepoorerpeopleare——andthereforeusually，alas！themoreignorant——thelesswatertheyget；andthelesstheycaretohavewater；andthelesstheyareinclinedtopayforit；andthemore，Iamsorrytosay，theywastewhatlittletheydoget；andIamstillmoresorrytosay，spoil，andevenstealandsell——inLondonatleast——thestop-cocksandlead-pipeswhichbringthewaterintotheirhouses。Sothatkeepingawater-shopisaverytroublesomeanduncertainbusiness；andonewhichisnotlikelytopayusoranyoneroundhere。"

"Butwhynotletsomecompanymanageit，astheymanagerailways，andgas，andotherthings？"

"Ah——youhavebeenoverhearingagooddealaboutcompaniesoflate，Isee。ButthisIwilltellyou；thatwhenyougrowup，andhaveavoteandinfluence，itwillbeyourduty，ifyouintendtobeagoodcitizen，notonlynottoputthewater-supplyofEnglandintothehandsoffreshcompanies，buttohelptotakeoutoftheirhandswhatwater-supplytheymanagealready，especiallyinLondon；andlikewisethegas-supply；andtherailroads；andeverythingelse，inaword，whicheverybodyuses，andmustuse。

Foryoumustunderstand——atleastassoonasyoucan——thatthoughthemenwhomakeupcompaniesarenoworsethanothermen，andsomeofthem，asyououghttoknow，verygoodmen；yetwhattheyhavetolooktoistheirprofits；andthelesswatertheysupply，andtheworseitis，themoreprofittheymake。Formostwater，I

amsorrytosay，isfouledbeforethewatercompaniescangettoit，asthiswaterwhichrunspastuswillbe，andastheThameswateraboveLondonis。Thereforeithastobecleansed，orpartlycleansed，ataverygreatexpense。Sowatercompanieshavetobeinspected——inplainEnglish，watched——ataveryheavyexpensetothenationbyGovernmentofficers；andcompelledtodotheirbest，andtaketheirutmostcare。AndsoithascometopassthattheLondonwaterisnotnownearlyasbadassomeofitwasthirtyyearsago，whenitwasnomorefittodrinkthanthatinthecattle-yardtank。Butstillwemusthavemorewater，andbetter，inLondon；foritisgrowingyearbyyear。TherearemorethanthreemillionsofpeoplealreadyinwhatwecallLondon；andereyouareanoldmantheremaybebetweenfourandfivemillions。

Nowtosupplyallthesepeoplewithwaterisadutywhichwemustnotleavetoanyprivatecompanies。Itmustbedonebyapublicauthority，asisfitandproperinafreeself-governingcountry。

Inthismatter，asinallothers，wewilltrytodowhattheRoyalCommissiontoldusfouryearsagoweoughttodo。Ihopethatyouwillsee，thoughImaynot，thedaywhenwhatwecallLondon，butwhichisreallynine-tenthsofit，onlyagreatnestofseparatevillageshuddledtogether，willbedividedintothreegreatself-

governingcities，London，Westminster，andSouthwark；eachwithitsowncorporation，likethatofthevenerableandwell-governedcityofLondon；eachmanagingitsownwater-supply，gas-supply，andsewage，andothermattersbesides；andmanagingthem，likeDublin，Glasgow，Manchester，Liverpool，andothergreatnortherntowns，farmorecheaplyandfarbetterthananycompaniescandoitforthem。"

"Butwhereshallwegetwaterenoughforallthesemillionsofpeople？TherearenomountainsnearLondon。Butwemightgivethemthewateroffourmoors。"

"No，no，myboy，"Hethatwillnotwhenhemay，Whenhewill，heshallhavenay。

SomefifteenyearsagotheLondonersmighthavehadwaterfromus；

andIwasoneofthosewhodidmybesttogetitforthem：butthewatercompaniesdidnotchoosetotakeit；andnowthispartofEnglandisgrowingsopopulousandsovaluablethatitwantsallitslittlerainfallforitself。SothereisanotherleaftornoutoftheSibyllinebooksforthepooroldwatercompanies。Youdonotunderstand：youwillsomeday。ButyoumaycomfortyourselfaboutLondon。Forithappenstobe，Ithink，theluckiestcityintheworld；andifithadnotbeen，weshouldhavehadpestilenceonpestilenceinit，asterribleasthegreatplagueofCharlesII。’stime。TheoldBritons，withoutknowingintheleastwhattheyweredoing，settledoldLondoncityintheverycentreofthemostwonderfulnaturalreservoirinthisisland，orperhapsinallEurope；whichreachesfromKentintoWiltshire，androundagainintoSuffolk；andthatis，thedearoldchalkdowns。"

"Why，theyarealwaysdry。"

"Yes。Buttheturfonthemneverburnsup，andthestreamswhichflowthroughthemneverrundry，andseldomorneverfloodeither。

Doyounotknow，fromWinchester，thatthatistrue？Thenwhereisalltherainandsnowgone，whichfallsonthemyearbyyear，butintothechalkitself，andintothegreen-sands，too，belowthechalk？Thereitis，soakedupasbyasponge，inquantityincalculable；enough，somethink，tosupplyLondon，letitgrowashugeasitmay。IwishItooweresureofthat。ButtheCommissionhasshownitselfsowiseandfair，andbravelikewise——

toobrave，Iamsorrytosay，forsomewhomighthavesupportedthem——thatitisnotformetogainsaytheiropinion。"

"Butiftherewasnotwaterenoughinthechalk，arenottheLondonersrichenoughtobringitfromanydistance？"

"Myboy，inthisalsowewillagreewiththeCommission——thatweoughtnottorobPetertopayPaul，andtakewatertoadistancewhichotherpeoplecloseathandmaywant。LookatthemapofEnglandandsouthernScotland；andseeforyourselfwhatisjust，accordingtogeographyandnature。Therearefourmountain-

ranges；fourgreatwater-fields。First，thehillsoftheBorder。

TheirrainfalloughttobestoredfortheLothiansandtheextremenorthofEngland。ThentheYorkshireandDerbyshireHills——thecentralchineofEngland。Theirrainfallisbeingstoredalready，tothehonouroftheshrewdnorthernmen，forthemanufacturingcountieseastandwestofthehills。ThencometheLakemountains——thefinestwater-fieldofall，becausemorerainbyfarfallstherethaninanyplaceinEngland。ButtheywillbewantedtosupplyLancashire，andsomedayLiverpoolitself；forLiverpoolisnowusingrainwhichbelongsmorejustlytoothertowns；andbesides，thereareplentyofcountiesandtowns，downintoCheshire，whichwouldbegladofwhatwaterLancashiredoesnotwant。AtlastcometheSnowdonmountains，anoblewater-field，whichIknowwell；foranolddreamofminehasbeen，thatereI

diedIshouldseealltherainoftheCarnedds，andtheGlyders，andSiabod，andSnowdonitself，carriedacrosstheConwayrivertofeedtheminingdistrictsofNorthWales，wherethestreamsarenowallfoulwithoilandlead；andthenonintothewesterncoalandironfields，toWolverhamptonandBirminghamitself：andifI

weretheengineerwhogotthatdone，Ishouldbehappier——prouderIdarenotsay——thanifIhadpaintednoblerpicturesthanRaffaelle，orwrittennoblerplaysthanShakespeare。Isaythat，boy，inmostdeliberateearnest。Butmeanwhile，doyounotseethatindistrictswherecoalandironmaybefound，andfreshmanufacturesmayspringupanydayinanyplace，eachdistricthasarighttoclaimthenearestrainfallforitself？Andnow，whenwehavegotthewaterintoitsproperplace，letusseewhatweshalldowithit。"

"Butwhydoyousay’we’？CanyouandIdoallthis？"

"Myboy，arenotyouandIfreecitizens；partofthepeople，theCommons——asthegoodoldwordruns——ofthiscountry？Andarewenot——oroughtwenottobeintime——besidethat，educatedmen？Bythepeople，remember，Imean，notonlythehand-workingmanwhohasjustgotavote；Imeantheclergyofalldenominations；andthegentlemenofthepress；andlast，butnotleast，thescientificmen。Ifthosefourclassestogetherweretotelleverygovernment——’Freewaterwewillhave，andasmuchaswereasonablychoose；’andtelleverycandidatefortheHouseofCommons：

’Unlessyoupromisetogetusasmuchfreewateraswereasonablychoose，wewillnotreturnyoutoParliament：’then，Ithink，wefourshouldputsucha’pressure’onGovernmentasnowatercompanies，orothervestedinterests，couldlongresist。Andifanyofthosefourclassesshouldhangback，andwastetheirtimeandinfluenceovermattersfarlessimportantandlesspressing，theotherthreemustlaughatthem，andmorethanlaughatthem；

andaskthem：’Whyhaveyoueducation，whyhaveyouinfluence，whyhaveyouvotes，whyareyoufreemenandnotslaves，ifnottopreservethecomfort，thedecency，thehealth，thelivesofmen，women，andchildren——mostofthoselatteryourownwivesandyourownchildren？’"

"Butwhatshallwedowiththewater？"

"Well，afterall，thatisamorepracticalmatterthanspeculationsgroundedonthesuppositionthatallclasseswilldotheirduty。Butthefirstthingwewilldowillbetogivetotheverypooresthousesaconstantsupply，athighpressure；sothateverybodymaytakeasmuchwaterashelikes，insteadofhavingtokeepthewaterinlittlecisterns，whereitgetsfoulandputridonlytoooften。"

"Butwilltheynotwasteitthen？"

"Sofarfromit，whereverthewaterhasbeenlaidonathighpressure，thewaste，whichisterriblenow——somesaythatinLondonone-thirdofthewateriswasted——beginstolessen；andbothwaterandexpensearesaved。Ifyouwillonlythink，youwillseeonereasonwhy。Ifawomanleavesahigh-pressuretaprunning，shewillfloodherplaceandherneighbour’stoo。Shewillbelikethemagician’sservant，whocalledupthedemontodrawwaterforhim；andsohedid：butwhenhehadbegunhewouldnotstop，andifthemagicianhadnotcomehome，manandhousewouldhavebeenwashedaway。"

"Butifitsavesmoney，whydonotthewatercompaniesdoit？"

"Because——andreallyheretherearemanyexcusesforthepooroldwatercompanies，whensomanyofthemswerveandgibattheverymentionofconstantwater-supply，likeapoorhorsesettodrawaloadwhichhefeelsistooheavyforhim——because，tokeepeverythinginorderamongdirty，careless，andoftendrunkenpeople，theremustbeofficerswithlawfulauthority——water-

policemenwewillcallthem——whocanenterpeople’shouseswhentheywill，andiftheyfindanythingwrongwiththewater，setittorightswithahighhand，andevensummonthepeoplewhohavesetitwrong。Andthatisapowerwhich，inafreecountry，mustneverbegiventotheservantsofanyprivatecompany，butonlytotheofficersofacorporationoroftheGovernment。"

"Andwhatshallwedowiththerestofthewater？"

"Well，weshallhave，Ibelieve，somuchtosparethatwemayatleastdothis：Ineachdistrictofeachcity，andthecentreofeachtown，wemaybuildpublicbathsandlavatories，wherepoormenandwomenmaygettheirwarmbathswhentheywill；fornowtheyusuallyneverbatheatall，becausetheywillnot——andoughtnot，iftheybehard-workedfolk——batheincoldwaterduringninemonthsoftheyear。Andtheretheyshallwashtheirclothes，anddrythembysteam；insteadofwashingthemasnow，athome，eitherunderbacksheds，wheretheycatchcoldandrheumatism，ortoooften，alas！intheirownlivingrooms，inanatmosphereoffoulvapour，whichdrivesthefathertothepublic-houseandthechildrenintothestreets；andwhichnotonlypreventstheclothesfrombeingthoroughlydriedagain，butis，mydearboy，asyouwillknowwhenyouareolder，averyhot-bedofdisease。Andtheyshallhaveothercomforts，andevenluxuries，thesepubliclavatories；andbemade，intime，gracefulandrefining，aswellasmerelyuseful。Nay，wewilleven，Ithink，haveinfrontofeachofthemarealfountain；notlikethedrinking-fountains——

thoughtheyaregreatandneedfulboons——whichyouseehereandthereaboutthestreets，withatinydribbleofwatertoagreatdealofexpensivestone：butrealfountains，whichshallleap，andsparkle，andplash，andgurgle；andfilltheplacewithlife，andlight，andcoolness；andsinginthepeople’searsthesweetestofallearthlysongs——savethesongofamotheroverherchild——thesongof’TheLaughingWater。’"

"Butwillnotthatbeawaste？"

"Yes，myboy。Andforthatveryreason，Ithinkwe，thepeople，willhaveourfountains；ifitbebuttomakeourgovernments，andcorporations，andallpublicbodiesandofficers，rememberthattheyall——saveHerMajestytheQueen——areourservants，andnotwetheirs；andthatwechoosetohavewater，notonlytowashwith，buttoplaywith，ifwelike。AndIbelieve——fortheworld，asyouwillfind，isfullnotonlyofjustbutofgeneroussouls——

thatifthewater-supplyweresetreallyright，therewouldbefound，inmanyacity，manyagenerousmanwho，overandabovehiscompulsorywater-rate，wouldgivehispoorfellow-townsmensucharealfountainasthosewhichennoblethegreatsquareatCarcasonneandthegreatsquareatNismes；tobe’athingofbeautyandajoyforever。’"

"Andnow，ifyouwanttogobacktoyourLatinandGreek，youshalltranslateformeintoLatin——IdonotexpectyoutodoitintoGreek，thoughitwouldturnverywellintoGreek，fortheGreeksknowallaboutthematterlongbeforetheRomans——whatfollowshere；andyoushallverifythefactsandthenames，etc。，initfromyourdictionariesofantiquityandbiography，thatyoumayrememberallthebetterwhatitsays。Andbythattime，I

think，youwillhavelearntsomethingmoreusefultoyourself，and，Ihope，toyourcountryhereafter，thanifyouhadlearnttopatchtogethertheneatestGreekandLatinverseswhichhaveappearedsincethedaysofMr。Canning。"

***

Ihaveoftenamusedmyself，byfancyingonequestionwhichanoldRomanemperorwouldask，werehetorisefromhisgraveandvisitthesightsofLondonundertheguidanceofsomeministerofstate。

Theaugustshadewould，doubtless，admireourrailroadsandbridges，ourcathedralsandourpublicparks，andmuchmoreofwhichweneednotbeashamed。Butafterawhile，Ithink，hewouldlookround，whetherinLondonorinmostofourgreatcities，inquiringlyandinvain，foroneclassofbuildings，whichinhisempirewerewonttobealmostasconspicuousandassplendid，because，inpublicopinion，almostasnecessary，asthebasilicasandtemples："Andwhere，"hewouldask，"areyourpublicbaths？"

Andiftheministerofstatewhowashisguideshouldanswer："OhgreatCaesar，Ireallydonotknow。IbelievetherearesomesomewhereatthebackofthatuglybuildingwhichwecalltheNationalGallery；andIthinktherehavebeensomemeetingslatelyintheEastEnd，andanamateurconcertattheAlbertHall，forrestoring，byprivatesubscriptions，somebathsandwash-housesinBethnalGreen，whichhadfallentodecay。Andtheremaybetwoorthreemoreaboutthemetropolis；forparishvestrieshavepowersbyActofParliamenttoestablishsuchplaces，iftheythinkfit，andchoosetopayforthemoutoftherates。"Then，Ithink，theaugustshademightwellmakeanswer："Weusedtocallyou，inoldRome，northernbarbarians。Itseemsthatyouhavenotlostallyourbarbarianhabits。Areyouawarethat，ineverycityintheRomanempire，therewere，asamatterofcourse，publicbathsopen，notonlytothepoorestfreeman，buttotheslave，usuallyforthepaymentofthesmallestcurrentcoin，andoftengratuitously？AreyouawarethatinRomeitself，millionaireaftermillionaire，emperorafteremperor，fromMeneniusAgrippaandNerodowntoDiocletianandConstantine，builtbaths，andyetmorebaths；andconnectedwiththemgymnasiaforexercise，lecture-rooms，libraries，andporticoes，whereinthepeoplemighthaveshade，andshelter，andrest？Iremark，by-the-bye，thatI

havenotseeninallyourLondonasinglecoveredplaceinwhichthepeoplemaytakeshelterduringashower。Areyouawarethatthesebathswereofthemostmagnificentarchitecture，decoratedwithmarbles，paintings，sculptures，fountains，whatnot？AndyetIhadheard，inHadesdownbelow，thatyoupridedyourselveshereonthestudyofthelearnedlanguages；and，indeed，taughtlittlebutGreekandLatinatyourpublicschools？"