第6章

leavingfreshdepressionbehindit，andrequiringfreshdosesofstimulant，tillitbecomesahabit，aslavery，amadness。Again，thereisanintellectualsidetothequestion。Thedepressednervousenergy，theimpaireddigestion，depressthespirits。Themanfeelslowinmindaswellasinbody。Whenceshallheseekexhilaration？Notinthatstiflinghomewhichhascausedthedepressionitself。Heknowsnoneotherthanthetavern，andthecompanywhichthetavernbrings；Godhelphim！

Yes，ladiesandgentlemen，itiseasytosay，Godhelphim；butitisnotdifficultformantohelphimalso。Drunkennessisaverycurablemalady。Thelastfiftyyearshasseenitallbutdieoutamongtheupperclassesofthiscountry。Andwhathascausedtheimprovement？

Certainly，inthefirstplace，thespreadofeducation。Everymanhasnowahundredmeansofrationaloccupationandamusementwhichwereclosedtohisgrandfather；andamongthedeadliestenemiesofdrunkenness，wemayclasstheprinting-press，therailroad，andtheimportationofforeignartandforeignscience，whichweowetothelatefortyyears’peace。Wecanfindplentyofamusementnow，besidetheoldoneofsittingroundthetableandtalkingoverwine。Whyshouldnotthepoormanshareinourgain？Butoverandabove，therearecausessimplyphysical。Ourhousesarebetterventilated。Thestiflingoldfour-postbedhasgivenplacetotheairycurtainlessone；andwhatismorethanall——wewash。

ThatmorningcoldbathwhichforeignersconsiderasYoungEngland’sstrangestsuperstition，hasdoneasmuch，believeme，toabolishdrunkenness，asanyothercausewhatsoever。Withacleanskininhealthyaction，andnervesandmusclesbracedbyasuddenshock，mendonotcraveforartificialstimulants。Ihavefoundthat，coeterisparibus，aman’ssobrietyisindirectproportiontohiscleanliness。Ibelieveitwouldbesoinallclasseshadtheythemeans。

Andtheyoughttohavethemeans。Whateverotherrightsamanhas，oroughttohave，thisatleasthehas，ifsocietydemandsofhimthatheshouldearnhisownlivelihood，andnotbeatormentandaburdentohisneighbours。Hehasarighttowater，toair，tolight。Indemandingthat，hedemandsnomorethannaturehasgiventothewildbeastoftheforest。Heisbetterthanthey。

Treathim，then，aswellasGodhastreatedthem。Ifwerequireofhimtobeaman，wemustatleastputhimonalevelwiththebrutes。

Wehavethen，firstofall，tofacetheexistenceofadangerousclassofthiskind，intowhichtheweakeraswellastheworstmembersofsocietyhaveacontinualtendencytosink。Aclasswhich，notrespectingitself，doesnotrespectothers；whichhasnothingtoloseandalltogainbyanarchy；inwhichthelowestpassions，seldomgratified，arereadytoburstoutandavengethemselvesbyfrightfulmethods。

Forthereformationofthatclass，thousandsofgoodmenarenowworking；hundredsofbenevolentplansarebeingsetonfoot。

Honourtothemall；whethertheysucceedorfail，eachofthemdoessomegood；eachofthemrescuesatleastafewfellow-men，deartoGodasyouandIare，outofthenetherpit。Honourtothemall，Isay；butIshouldnotbehonestwithyouthisnight，ifIdidnotassertmostsolemnlymyconviction，thatreformatories，raggedschools，evenhospitalsandasylums，treatonlythesymptoms，nottheactualcauses，ofthedisease；andthatthecausesareonlytobetouchedbyimprovingthesimplephysicalconditionsoftheclass；byabolishingfoulair，foulwater，foullodging，overcrowdeddwellings，inwhichmoralityisdifficultandcommondecencyimpossible。Youmaybreedapiginasty，ladiesandgentlemen，andmakealearnedpigofhimafterall；butyoucannotbreedamaninasty，andmakealearnedmanofhim；orindeed，inthetruesenseofthatgreatword，amanatall。

Andremember，thatthesephysicalinfluencesofgreatcities，physicallydepressingandmorallydegrading，influence，thoughtoalessextent，theclassesabovetheloweststratum。

Thehonestandskilledworkmanfeelstheireffects。Compelledtoooftentolivewherehecan，inordertobenearhiswork，hefindshimselfperpetuallyincontactwithaclassutterlyinferiortohimself，andhischildrenexposedtocontaminatinginfluencesfromwhichhewouldgladlyremovethem；buthowcanhe？Nextdoortohim，eveninthesamehousewithhim，maybeenactedscenesofbrutalityorvillainywhichIwillnotspeakofhere。Hemayshuthisowneyesandearstothem；buthecannotshuthischildren’s。

Hemayvexhisrighteoussouldaily，likeLotofold，withthefoulconversationofthewicked；but，likeLotofold，hecannotkeephischildrenfrommixingwiththeinhabitantsofthewickedcity，learningtheirworks，andatlastbeinginvolvedintheirdoom。Oh，ladiesandgentlemen，iftherebeoneclassforwhomaboveallothersIwillplead，inseasonandoutofseason；iftherebeonesocialevilwhichIwilldinintotheearsofmycountrymenwheneverGodgivesmeachance，itisthis：Thehonestandthevirtuousworkman，andhisunnaturalcontactwiththedishonestandthefoul。Iknowwellthenoblenesswhichexistsintheaverageofthatclass，inmenandinwives——theirsternuncomplaining，valorousself-denial；andnothingmorestirsmypitythantoseethemstrugglingtobringupafamilyinamoralandphysicalatmospherewhererighteducationisimpossible。Welavishsympathyenoughuponthecriminal；forGod’ssakeletuskeepalittleofitforthehonestman。Wespendthousandsincarryingouttheseparationofclassesinprison；forGod’ssakeletustrytoseparatethemalittlebeforetheygotoprison。Weareafraidofthedangerousclasses；forGod’ssakeletusbestirourselvestostopthatrecklessconfusionandneglectwhichreigninthealleysandcourtsofourgreattowns，andwhichrecruitthoseverydangerousclassesfromtheclasswhichoughttobe，andisstill，inspiteofourfolly，England’sstrengthandEngland’sglory。Letusnolongerstandbyidle，andseemoralpurity，instreetafterstreet，pentinthesamenoisomedenwithmoralcorruption，tobeinvolvedinonecommondoom，astheLatintyrantofoldusedtobindtogetherthedeadcorpseandthelivingvictim。Butletthemanwhowoulddeservewellofhiscity，wellofhiscountry，sethisheartandbraintothegreatpurposeofgivingtheworkmendwellingsfitforavirtuousandacivilisedbeing，andlikethepriestofold，standbetweenthelivingandthedead，thattheplaguemaybestayed。

Hardlylessisthepresentphysicalstateofourgreatcitiesfeltbythatnumerousclasswhichis，nexttotheemployer，themostimportantinacity。Imeantheshopmen，clerks，andallthemen，principallyyoungones，whoareemployedexclusivelyintheworkofdistribution。Ihaveagreatrespect，Imaysayaffection，forthisclass。InBristolIknownothingofthem；savethat，fromwhatIhear，theclerksoughtingeneraltohaveabetterstatusherethaninmostcities。Iamtoldthatitisthepracticehereformerchantstotakeintotheirhousesveryyoungboys，andtrainthemtotheirbusiness；thatthisconnectionbetweenemployerandemployedishereditary，andthatclerkshipspassfromfathertosoninthesamefamily。Irejoicetohearit。Itispleasanttofindanywherearelicoftheoldpatriarchalbond，thepermanentnexusbetweenmasterandman，whichformedsoimportantandsohealthfulanelementoftheancientmercantilesystem。Onewouldgladlyoverlookalittlefavouritismandnepotism，alittlestickingsquaremenintoroundholes，andofroundmenintosquareholes，forthesakeofhavingaclassofyoungclerksandemployeswhofeltthattheirmaster’sbusinesswastheirbusiness，hishonourtheirs，hisprosperitytheirs。

Butoverandabovethis，wheneverIhavecomeincontactwiththisclerkandshopmanclass，theyhaveimpressedmewithconsiderablerespect，notmerelyastowhattheymaybehereafter，butwhattheyarenow。

Theyaretheclassfromwhichtheranksofourcommercialmen，ouremigrants，arecontinuallyrecruited；thereforetheirrighteducationisamatterofnationalimportance。

TheladwhostandsbehindaBristolcountermaybe，five-and-

twentyyearshence，alargeemployer——anownerofhousesandlandinfarcountriesacrosstheseas——amemberofsomecolonialparliament——thefounderofawealthyfamily。HownecessaryforthehonourofBritain，forthewelfareofgenerationsyetunborn，thatthatyoungmanshouldhave，inbody，soul，andspirit，theloftiest，andyetthemostpracticalofeducations。

Hiseducation，too，suchasitis，isonewhichmakesmerespecthimasoneofaclass。Ofcourse，heissometimesoneofthose"gents"whomPunchsoruthlesslyholdsuptojustridicule。Heissometimesavulgarfop，sometimesfondoflowprofligacy——ofbetting-housesandcasinos。Well——Iknownoclassinanyageorcountryamongwhichafoolmaynotbefoundhereandthere。Butthatthe"gent"istheaveragetypeofthisclass，IshouldutterlydenyfromsuchexperienceasIhavehad。Thepeculiarnoteandmarkoftheaverageclerkandshopman，is，Ithink，inthesedays，intellectualactivity，akeendesireforself-

improvementandforindependence，honourable，becauseself-

acquired。Butasheisdistinctlyacreatureofthecity；asallcityinfluencesbearatonceonhimmorethanonanyotherclass，soweseeinhim，Ithink，morethaninanyclass，thebestandtheworsteffectsofmoderncitylife。Theworst，ofcourse，islowprofligacy；butofthatIdonotspeakhere。Imeanthatinthesamemanthegoodandevilofacitylifemeet。Andinthisway。

Inacountrymanlikeme，comingupoutofwildandsilentmoorlandsintoagreatcity，thefirsteffectofthechangeisincreasedintellectualactivity。Theperpetualstreamofhumanfaces，theinnumerableobjectsofinterestineveryshop-window，areenoughtoexcitethemindtoaction，whichisincreasedbythesimplefactofspeakingtofiftydifferenthumanbeingsinthedayinsteadoffive。Nowinthecity-bredyouththisexcitedstateofmindischronic，permanent。Itisdenotedplainlyenoughbythedifferencebetweenthecountryman’sfaceandthatofthetownsman。

Theformerinitsbesttype（anditisoftenverynoble）composed，silent，self-contained，oftenstately，oftenlistless；thelattermobile，eager，observant，oftenbrilliant，oftenself-conscious。

Nowifyoukeepthisrapidandtensemindinapowerfulandhealthybody，itwoulddorightgoodwork。Rightgoodworkitdoes，indeed，asitis；butstillitmightdobetter。

Forwhatarethefaultsofthisclass？Whatdotheobscurantists（now，thankGod，fewereveryday）allegeastheobjectiontoallowingyoungmentoeducatethemselvesoutofworkinghours？

Theybecome，itissaid，discontented，conceited，dogmatical。

Theytakeuphastynotions，theycondemnfiercelywhattheyhavenomeansofunderstanding；theyaretoofondoffinewords，oftheexcitementofspoutingthemselves，andhearingothersspout。

Well。Isupposetheremustbealittletruthintheaccusation，oritwouldnothavebeeninvented。Thereisnosmokewithoutfire；andthesecertainlyarethefaultsofwhichthecleverestmiddle-classyoungmenwhomIknowaremostindanger。

But——onefairlookatthesemen’sfacesoughttotellcommonsensethatthecauseisratherphysicalthanmoral。Confinedtosedentaryoccupations，stoopingoverdesksandcountersincloserooms，unabletoobtainthatfairshareofbodilyexercisewhichnaturedemands，andincontinualmentaleffort，theirnervesandbrainhavebeenexcitedattheexpenseoftheirlungs，theirdigestion，andtheirwholenutritivesystem。Theircomplexionsshowageneralill-health。Theirmouths，toooften，hintatlatentdisease。Whatwonderiftherebeanirritabilityofbrainandnerve？IblamethemnomoreforitthanIblameamanforbeingsomewhattouchywhileheiswrithinginthegout。Indeedless；forgoutisveryoftenaman’sownfault；butthesemen’sill-healthisnot。And，therefore，everythingwhichcanrestoretothemhealthofbody，willpreserveinthemhealthofmind。

EverythingwhichministerstotheCORPUSSANUM，willministeralsototheMENTEMSANAM；andawalkonDurhamDowns，agameofcricket，asteamerexcursiontoChepstow，shallsendthemhomeagainhappierandwisermenthanporingovermanywisevolumesorhearingmanywiselectures。Howoftenisaworthyfellowspendinghisleisurehonourablyinhardreading，whenhehadmuchbetterhavebeenscramblingoverhedgeandditch，withoutathoughtinhisheadsavewhatwasputtherebythegrassandthebutterflies，andthegreentreesandthebluesky？AndthereforeIdopressearnestly，bothonemployersandemployed，theincalculablevalueofathleticsportsandcountrywalksforthosewhosebusinesscompelsthemtopassthedayintheheartofthecity；Ipressonyou，withmywholesoul，theexcellencyoftheearly-closingmovement；notsomuchbecauseitenablesyoungmentoattendmechanics’institutes，asbecauseitenablesthem，iftheychoose，togetagoodgameofleap-frog。Youmaysmile；buttrytheexperiment，andseehow，asthechestexpands，themusclesharden，andthecheekgrowsruddyandthelipsfirm，andsoundsleeprefreshestheladforhisnextday’swork，thetemperwillbecomemorepatient，thespiritsmoregenial；therewillbelesstendencytobroodangrilyovertheinequalitiesoffortune，andtoaccusesocietyforevilswhichasyetsheknowsnothowtocure。

Thereisaclass，again，aboveallthese，whichisdoubtlessthemostimportantofall；andyetofwhichIcansaylittlehere——thecapitalist，smallandgreat，fromtheshopkeepertothemerchantprince。

HeavenforbidthatIshouldspeakofthemwithaughtbutrespect。

Therearefewfigures，indeed，intheworldonwhichIlookwithhighersatisfactionthanontheBritishmerchant；themanwhoseshipsareonahundredseas；whosendscomfortandprosperitytotribeswhomheneversaw，andhonourablyenricheshimselfbyenrichingothers。Thereissomethingtomechivalrous，evenkingly，inthemerchantlife；andthereweremeninBristolofold——asIdoubtnottherearenow——whonoblyfulfilledthatideal。

IcannotforgetthatBristolwasthenurseofAmerica；thatmorethantwohundredyearsago，thedaringandgeniusofBristolconvertedyondernarrowstreamintoamightyartery，downwhichflowedtheyounglife-bloodofthatgreatTransatlanticnationdestinedtobehereafter，Ibelieve，thegreatestwhichtheworldeversaw。Yes——wereIaskedtosumupinonesentencethegoodofgreatcities，IwouldpointfirsttoBristol，andthentotheUnitedStates，andsay，Thatiswhatgreatcitiescando。Byconcentratinginoneplace，andupononeobject，men，genius，information，andwealth，theycanconquernew-foundlandsbyartsinsteadofarms；theycanbegetnewnations；andreplenishandsubduetheearthfrompoletopole。

Meanwhile，thereisonefactaboutemployers，inallcitieswhichIknow，whichmayseemcommonplacetoyou，butwhichtomeisverysignificant。Whatsoeverbusinesstheymaydointhecity，theytakegoodcare，ifpossible，nottoliveinit。Assoonasamangetswealthynowadays，hisfirstactistotaketohimselfavillainthecountry。DoIblamehim？Certainlynot。Itisanactofcommonsense。Hefindsthattheharderheworks，themoreheneedsoffreshair，freecountrylife，innocentrecreation；andhetakesit，anddoeshiscitybusinessallthebetterforit，livesallthelongerforit，isthecheerfuller，moregenialmanforit。

Onegreatsocialblessing，Ithink，whichrailroadshavebrought，isthethrowingopencountrylifetomenofbusiness。Isayblessing；bothtothementhemselvesandtothecountrywheretheysettle。Thecitizentakesanhonestprideinrivallingtheoldcountrygentleman，inbeatinghiminhisownsphere，asgardener，agriculturist，sportsman，headofthevillage；andbyhissuperiorbusinesshabitsandhiscommandofreadymoney，heveryoftendoesso。ForfiftymilesroundLondon，whereverIseeprogress——

improvedfarms，modelcottages，newchurches，newschools——Ifind，inthreecasesoutoffour，thattheauthorissomecitizenwhofiftyyearsagowouldhaveknownnothingbutthenarrowcitylife，andhavehadprobablynohigherpleasuresthanthoseofthetable；

whosedreamswouldhavebeen，notasnow，ofmodelfarmsandschools，butofturtleandport-wine。

MyonlyregretwhenIseesopleasantasightis：Ohthatthegoodmancouldhavetakenhisworkmenwithhim！

Takenhisworkmenwithhim？

Iassureyouthat，afteryearsofthought，Iseenootherremedyfortheworstevilsofcitylife。"If，"saystheoldproverb，"themountainwillnotcometoMuhammed，thenMuhammedmustgotothemountain。"Andifyoucannotbringthecountryintothecity，thecitymustgointothecountry。

Donotfancymeadreamerdealingwithimpossibleideals。Iknowwellwhatcannotbedone；fairandgrandasitwouldbe，ifitweredone，amodelcityisimpossibleinEngland。WehaveherenoEasterndespotism（anditiswellwehavenot）todestroyanoldBabylon，asthatmightygeniusNabuchonosordid，andbuildafewmilesoffanewBabylon，one-halftheareaofwhichwasparkandgarden，fountainandwater-course——adivinerworkofart，tomymind，thanthefinestpictureorstatuewhichtheworldeversaw。

Wehavenoteither（anditiswellforusthatwehavenot）amodelrepublicoccupyinganewunclearedland。Wecannot，astheydoinAmerica，planoutavastcityonsomedeliciousandhealthysiteamidthevirginforest，withstreetsonehundredfeetinbreadth，squaresandboulevardsalreadyplantedbyGod’shandwithmajestictrees；andthenleavethegreatdesigntobehewnoutofthewilderness，streetafterstreet，squareaftersquare，bygenerationsyetunborn。Thattooisamagnificentideal；butitcannotbeours。Anditiswellforus，Ibelieve，thatitcannot。

Thegreatvalueofland，theenormousamountofvestedinterests，thenecessityofkeepingtoancientsitesaroundwhichlabour，asinManchester，orcommerce，asinBristol，hasclustereditselfonaccountofnaturaladvantages，allthesethingsmakeanyattemptstorebuildincitiesimpossible。Buttheywillcauseusatlast，Ibelieve，tobuildbetterthingsthancities。Theywillissueinacompleteinterpenetrationofcityandofcountry，acompletefusionoftheirdifferentmodesoflife，andacombinationoftheadvantagesofboth，suchasnocountryintheworldhaseverseen。

Weshallhave，Ibelieveandtrust，ereanothergenerationhaspast，modellodging-housesspringingup，notintheheartofthetown，butonthehillsaroundit；andthosewillbe——economy，aswellasscienceandgoodgovernment，willcompelthemtobe——notill-builtrowsofundrainedcottages，eachrentedforawhile，andthenlefttorunintosqualidityanddisrepair，buthugeblocksofbuilding，eachwithitscommoneating-house，bar，baths，washhouses，reading-room，commonconveniencesofeverykind，where，infreeandpurecountryair，theworkmanwillenjoycomfortswhichourowngrandfatherscouldnotcommand，andatalowerpricethanthatwhichhenowpaysforsuchaccommodationasIshouldbeashamedtogivetomyownhorses；whilefromthesegreatblocksofbuilding，branchlineswillconveythementoorfromtheirworkbyrailroad，withoutlossoftime，labour，orhealth。

Thenthecitywillbecomewhatitoughttobe；theworkshop，andnotthedwelling-house，ofamightyandhealthypeople。Theoldfoulalleys，astheybecomegraduallydepopulated，willbereplacedbyfreshwarehouses，freshpublicbuildings；andthecity，inspiteofallitssmokeanddirt，willbecomeaplaceonwhichtheworkmanwilllookdownwithprideandjoy，becauseitwillbetohimnolongeraprisonandapoison-trap，butmerelyaplaceforhonestlabour。

This，gentlemenandladies，ismyideal；andIcannotbuthopeandbelievethatIshalllivetoseeitrealisedhereandthere，graduallyandcautiously（asisourgoodandsafeEnglishhabit），butstillearnestlyandwell。DidIseebutthemovementcommencedinearnest，Ishouldbeinclinedtocrya"NuncDominedimittis"——Ihavelivedlongenoughtoseeanobleworkbegun，whichcannotbutgoonandprosper，sobeneficialwoulditbefound。Itellyou，thatbutthisafternoon，astheBathtraindashedthroughthelastcutting，andyournoblevaleandnoblecityopenedbeforeme，Ilookedroundupontheoverhangingcrags，thewoodedglens，andsaidtomyself：There，upontherockinthefreeairandsunlight，andnothere，beneathyonpallofsmokebythelazypoolsandfesteringtidalmuds，oughttheBristolworkmantolive。OhthatImayseethetimewhenontheblessedSabbathevethesehillsshallswarmasthickwithlivingmenasbean-

fieldswiththesummerbees；whentheglensshallringwiththelaughteroftenthousandchildren，withlimbsassteady，andcheeksasruddy，asthoseofmyownladsandlassesathome；andtheartisanshallfindhisSabbathadayofrestindeed，inwhichnotonlysoulbutbodymaygatherhealthandnervefortheweek’swork，underthesoothingandpurifyinginfluencesofthosecommonnaturalsightsandsoundswhichGodhasgivenasaheritageeventothegipsyonthemoor；andofwhichnomancanbedeprivedwithoutmakinghislifeaburdentohimself，perhapsaburdentothosearoundhim。

Butitwillbeasked：Willsuchimprovementspay？Irespectthatquestion。Idonotsneeratit，andregardit，assomearetooapttodo，asasignofthemercenaryandmoney-lovingspiritofthepresentage。IlookonitasahealthysignoftheEnglishmind；asignthatwebelieve，astheoldJewsdid，thatpoliticalandsocialrighteousnessisinseparablyconnectedwithwealthandprosperity。TheoldPsalmsandprophetshavetaughtusthatlesson；andGodforbidthatweshouldforgetit。Theworldisrightwellmade；andthelawsoftradeandofsocialeconomy，justasmuchasthelawsofnature，aredivinefacts，andonlybyobeyingthemcanwethrive。AndIhadfarsoonerhearapeopleaskingofeveryschemeofgood，Willitpay？thanthrowingthemselvesheadlongintothatmerelysentimentalcharitytowhichsuperstitiousnationshavealwaysbeenprone——charitywhicheffectsnopermanentgood，which，whetherinHindostanorinItaly，debases，insteadofraising，thesufferingclasses，becauseitbreaksthelawsofsocialeconomy。

No，letusstillbelievethatifathingisright，itwillsoonerorlaterpay；andinsocialquestions，maketheprofitablenessofanyschemeatestofitsrightness。Itisaroughtest；notaninfallibleoneatall，butitisafaironeenoughtoworkby。

AndasfortheimprovementsatwhichIhavehinted，Iwillboldlyanswerthattheywillpay。

Theywillpaydirectlyandatonce，inthesavingofpoor-rates。

Theywillpaybyexterminatingepidemics，andnumberlesschronicformsofdiseasewhichnowrenderthousandsburdensonthepublicpurse；consumers，insteadofproducersofwealth。Theywillpaybygraduallyabsorbingthedangerousclasses；andremovingfromtemptationanddegradationagenerationyetunborn。Theywillpayintheincreasedcontent，cheerfulness，whichcomeswithhealthinincreasedgoodwillofemployedtowardsemployers。Theywillpaybyputtingthemassesintoastatefitforeducation。Theywillpay，too，insuchfearfultimesasthese，bytheincreasedphysicalstrengthandhardihoodofthetownpopulations。Foritisfromthecity，ratherthanfromthecountry，thatourarmiesmustmainlyberecruited。Notonlyisthetownsmanmorereadytoenlistthanthecountryman，becauseinthetownthelabourmarketismostlikelytobeoverstocked；butthetownsmanactuallymakesabettersoldierthanthecountryman。Heisashrewder，moreactive，moreself-helpingman；givehimbutthechancesofmaintainingthesamephysicalstrengthandhealthasthecountryman，andhewillsupportthehonouroftheBritisharmsasgallantlyastheHighlanderortheConnaughtman，andrestorethedayswhentheinvincibleprentice-boysofLondoncarriedterrorintotheheartofforeignlands。Inallages，inalltimes，whetherforwarorforpeace，itwillpay。Thetruewealthofanationisthehealthofhermasses。

ItmayseemtosomeherethatIhavedealttoomuchthroughoutthislecturewithmerelymaterialquestions；thatIoughttohavespokenmoreofintellectualprogress；perhaps，asaclergyman，morealsoofspiritualandmoralregeneration。

Icanonlyanswer，thatifthisbeafaultonmypart，itisadeliberateone。Ihavespoken，whetherrightlyorwrongly，concerningwhatIknow——concerningmatterswhicharetomearticlesoffaithaltogetherindubitable，irreversible，Divine。

Beitthatthesearemerelyquestionsofphysicalimprovement。I

seenoreasoninthatwhytheyshouldbelefttolaymen，orurgedonlyonworldlygroundsandself-interest。Idonotfindthatwhenurgedonthosegrounds，theadviceislistenedto。Ibelievethatitwillnotbelistenedtountiltheconsciencesofmen，aswellastheirbrains，areengagedinthesequestions；untiltheyareputonmoralgrounds，showntohaveconnectionwithmorallaws；andsomadequestionsnotmerelyofinterest，butofduty，honour，chivalry。

Icannotbutsee，moreover，howmanyphenomena，whicharesupposedtobespiritual，aresimplyphysical；howmanycaseswhicharereferredtomyprofession，areproperlytheobjectofthemedicalman。Icannotbutsee，thatunlesstherebehealthybodies，itisimpossibleinthelongruntohaveagenerationofhealthysouls；

IcannotbutseethatmankindareaspronenowasevertodenythesacrednessandperfectionofGod’sphysicaluniverse，asanexcusefortheirownignoranceandneglectthereof；tosearchthehighestheavenforcauseswhichliepatentattheirfeet，andliketheheathenofoldtime，toimputetosomecapriciousangerofthegodscalamitieswhichspringfromtheirowngreed，haste，andignorance。

And，therefore，becauseIamapriest，andgloryinthenameofapriest，Ihavetriedtofulfilsomewhatofthatwhichseemstomethetrueofficeofapriest——namely，toproclaimtomantheDivineelementwhichexistsinall，eventhesmallestthing，becauseeachthingisathoughtofGodhimself；tomakemenunderstandthatGodisindeedabouttheirpathandabouttheirbed，spyingoutalltheirways；thattheyareindeedfearfullyandwonderfullymade，andthatGod’shandliesforeveronthem，intheformofphysicallaws，sacred，irreversible，universal，reachingfromoneendoftheuniversetotheother；thatwhosoeverpersistsinbreakingthoselaws，reapshissurepunishmentofweaknessandsickness，sadnessandself-reproach；thatwhosoevercausesthemtobebrokenbyothers，reapshissurepunishmentinfindingthathehastransformedhisfellow-menintoburdensandcurses，insteadofhelpmatesandblessings。Tosaythis，isapriest’sduty；andthentopreachthegoodnewsthattheremedyispatent，easy，closeathand；thatmanyoftheworstevilswhichafflicthumanitymaybeexterminatedbysimplecommonsense，andthejusticeandmercywhichdoestoothersasitwouldbedoneby；toawakenmentotheimportanceofthevisibleworld，thattheymayjudgefromthencethehigherimportanceofthatinvisibleworldwhereofthisisbutthegarmentandthetype；andinalltimesandplaces，insteadofkeepingthekeyofknowledgetopamperone’sownpowerorpride，tolaythatkeyfranklyandtrustfullyinthehandofeveryhumanbeingwhohungersaftertruth，andtosay：ChildofGod，thiskeyisthineaswellasmine。EnterboldlyintothyFather’shouse，andbeholdthewonder，thewisdom，thebeautyofitslawsanditsorganisms，fromthemightiestplanetoverthyhead，tothetiniestinsectbeneaththyfeet。Lookatit，trustfully，joyfully，earnestly；foritisthyheritage。Beholditsperfectfitnessforthylifehere；andjudgefromthenceitsfitnessforthynoblerlifehereafter。

HEROISM

Itisanopenquestionwhetherthepolicemanisnotdemoralisingus；andthatinproportionashedoeshisdutywell；whethertheperfectionofjusticeandsafety，thecomplete"preservationofbodyandgoods，"maynotreducetheeducatedandcomfortableclassesintothatlap-dogconditioninwhichnotconscience，butcomfort，dothmakecowardsofusall。Ourforefathershad，onthewhole，totakecareofthemselves；wefinditmoreconvenienttohirepeopletotakecareofus。Somuchthebetterforus，insomerespects；but，itmaybe，somuchtheworseinothers。Somuchthebetter；because，asusuallyresultsfromthedivisionoflabour，thesepeople，havinglittleornothingtodosavetotakecareofus，dosofarbetterthanwecould；andsopreventavastamountofviolenceandwrong，andthereforeofmisery，especiallytotheweak；forwhichlastreasonwewillacquiesceintheexistenceofpolicemenandlawyers，aswedointheresultsofarbitration，asthelesseroftwoevils。Theoddsinwarareinfavourofthebiggerbully，inarbitrationinfavourofthebiggerrogue；anditisaquestionwhetherthelionorthefoxbethesaferguardianofhumaninterests。Butarbitrationpreventswar；

andthat，inthreecasesoutoffour，isfullreasonforemployingit。

Ontheotherhand，thelap-dogcondition，whetherindogsorinmen，iscertainlyunfavourabletothegrowthofthehighervirtues。Safetyandcomfortaregood，indeed，forthegood；forthebrave，theself-originating，theearnest。Theygivetosuchaclearstageandnofavour，whereintoworkunhinderedfortheirfellow-men。Butforthemajority，whoareneitherbrave，self-

originating，norearnest，butthemerepuppetsofcircumstance，safetyandcomfortmay，andactuallydo，merelymaketheirlivesmeanandpetty，effeminateanddull。Thereforetheirheartsmustbeawakened，asoftenaspossible，totakeexerciseenoughforhealth；andtheymustbereminded，perpetuallyandimportunately，ofwhatacertaingreatphilosophercalled，"whatsoeverthingsaretrue，honourable，just，pure，lovely，andofgoodreport；""iftherebeanymanhood，andanyjustpraise，tothinkofsuchthings。"

Thispettinessanddulnessofourmodernlifeisjustwhatkeepsaliveourstage，towhichpeoplegotoseesomethingalittlelesspetty，alittlelessdull，thanwhattheyseeathome。Itis，too，thecauseof——Ihadalmostsaidtheexcusefor——themodernrageforsensationalnovels。Thosewhoreadthemsogreedilyareconscious，poorsouls，ofcapacitiesinthemselvesofpassionandactionforgoodandevil，forwhichtheirfrivoloushumdrumdailylifegivesnoroom，novent。Theyknowtoowellthathumannaturecanbemorefertile，whetherinweedsandpoisons，orinflowersandfruits，thanitisusuallyinthestreetsandhousesofawell-orderedandtolerablysobercity。Andbecausethestudyofhumannatureis，afterall，thatwhichisnearesttoeveryoneandmostinterestingtoeveryone，thereforetheygotofiction，sincetheycannotgotofact，toseewhattheythemselvesmightbehadtheythechance；toseewhatfantastictricksbeforehighheavenmenandwomenlikethemselvescanplay，andhowtheyplaythem。

Well，itisnotformetojudge，formetoblame。Iwillonlysaythattherearethosewhocannotreadsensationalnovels，or，indeed，anynovelsatall，justbecausetheyseesomanysensationalnovelsbeingenactedroundtheminpainfulfactsofsinfulfleshandblood。Therearethose，too，whohavelookedinthemirrortoooftentowishtoseetheirowndisfiguredvisageinitanymore；whoaretootiredofthemselvesandashamedofthemselvestowanttohearofpeoplelikethemselves；whowanttohearofpeopleutterlyunlikethemselves，morenoble，andable，andjust，andsweet，andpure；wholongtohearofheroismandtoconversewithheroes；andwho，ifbychancetheymeetwithanheroicact，bathetheirspiritsinthat，asinMay-dew，andfeelthemselvesthereby，ifbutforanhour，morefair。

Ifanysuchshallchancetoseethesewords，letmeaskthemtoconsiderwithmethatonewordHero，andwhatitmeans。

Hero；Heroic；Heroism。Thesewordspointtoaphaseofhumannature，thecapacityforwhichweallhaveinourselves，whichisasstartlingandasinterestinginitsmanifestationsasany，andwhichisalwaysbeautiful，alwaysennobling，andthereforealwaysattractivetothosewhoseheartsarenotyetsearedbytheworldorbrutalisedbyself-indulgence。

Butletusfirstbesurewhatthewordsmean。Thereisnousetalkingaboutawordtillwehavegotatitsmeaning。Wemayuseitasacantphrase，asapartycryonplatforms；wemayevenhateandpersecuteourfellow-menforthesakeofit：buttillwehaveclearlysettledinourownmindswhatawordmeans，itwilldoforfightingwith，butnotforworkingwith。SocratesofoldusedtotelltheyoungAtheniansthatthegroundofallsoundknowledgewas——tounderstandthetruemeaningofthewordswhichwereintheirmouthsalldaylong；andSocrateswasawisermanthanweshalleversee。So，insteadofbeginninganorationinpraiseofheroism，Ishallaskmyreaderstothinkwithmewhatheroismis。

Now，weshallalwaysgetmostsurelyatthemeaningofawordbygettingatitsetymology——thatis，atwhatitmeantatfirst。Andifheroismmeansbehavinglikeahero，wemustfindout，itseemstome，notmerelywhataheromayhappentomeanjustnow，butwhatitmeantintheearliesthumanspeechinwhichwefindit。

Aherooraheroine，then，amongtheoldHomericGreeks，meantamanorwomanwhowaslikethegods；andwho，fromthatlikeness，stoodsuperiortohisorherfellow-creatures。Gods，heroes，andmen，isathreefolddivisionofrationalbeings，withwhichwemeetmorethanonceortwice。ThosegrandoldGreeksfeltdeeplythetruthofthepoet’ssaying-

UnlessabovehimselfhecanExalthimself，howpoorathingisman。

Butmore：theGreekssupposedtheseheroestobe，insomewayorother，partakersofadivinenature；akintothegods；usually，eitherthey，orsomeancestoroftheirs，descendedfromagodorgoddess。ThosewhohavereadMr。Gladstone’s"JuventusMundi"

willrememberthesection（cap。ix。6）onthemodesoftheapproximationbetweenthedivineandthehumannatures；andwhetherornottheyagreewiththeauthoraltogether，allwillagree，Ithink，thatthefirstideaofaherooraheroinewasagodlikemanorgodlikewoman。

Agodlikeman。Whatvaried，whatinfiniteformsofnoblenessthatwordmightinclude，everincreasing，asmen’snotionsofthegodsbecamepurerandloftier，or，alas！decreasing，astheirnotionsbecamedegraded。TheoldGreeks，withthatintenseadmirationofbeautywhichmadethem，inafterages，themaster-sculptorsanddraughtsmenoftheirown，and，indeed，ofanyage，would，ofcourse，requireintheirhero，theirgod-likeman，beautyandstrength，mannerstoo，andeloquence，andalloutwardperfectionsofhumanity，andneglecthismoralqualities。Neglect，Isay，butnotignore。Thehero，byvirtueofhiskindredwiththegods，wasalwaysexpectedtobeabettermanthancommonmen，asvirtuewasthenunderstood。Andhowbetter？Letussee。

Theherowasatleastexpectedtobemorereverentthanothermentothosedivinebeingsofwhosenaturehepartook，whosesocietyhemightenjoyevenhereonearth。Hemightbeunfaithfultohisownhighlineage；hemightmisusehisgiftsbyselfishnessandself-will；hemight，likeAjax，ragewithmerejealousyandwoundedpridetillhisrageendedinshamefulmadnessandsuicide。

Hemightrebelagainsttheverygods，andalllawsofrightandwrong，tillheperishedhis[Greektext]-

Smittendown，blindinhispride，forasignandaterrortomortals。

Butheoughttohave，hemusthave，tobetruetohisnameofHero，justice，self-restraint，and[Greektext]——thathighestformofmodesty，forwhichwehave，alas！nonameintheEnglishtongue；thatperfectrespectforthefeelingsofotherswhichspringsoutofperfectself-respect。Andhemusthavetoo——ifheweretobeaheroofthehighesttype——theinstinctofhelpfulness；theinstinctthat，ifhewereakinsmanofthegods，hemustfightontheirside，throughtoilanddanger，againstallthatwasunlikethem，andthereforehatefultothem。Wholovesnottheoldlegends，unsurpassedforbeautyintheliteratureofanyrace，inwhichtheherostandsoutasthedeliverer，thedestroyerofevil？Theseusriddingthelandofrobbers，anddeliveringitfromtheyearlytributeofboysandmaidenstobedevouredbytheMinotaur；PerseusslayingtheGorgon，andrescuingAndromedafromthesea-beast；Heracleswithhistwelvefamouslaboursagainstgiantsandmonsters；andalltherest-

Whodared，inthegod-givenmightoftheirmanhood，Greatlytodoandtosuffer，andfarinthefensandtheforestsSmitethedevourersofmen，heaven-hatedbroodofthegiants；

Transformed，strange，withoutlike，whoobeynotthegolden-hairedrulers。

Thesearefigureswhosedivinemoralbeautyhassunkintothehearts，notmerelyofpoetsorofartists，butofmenandwomenwhosufferedandwhofeared；thememoryofthem，fablesthoughtheymayhavebeen，ennobledtheoldGreekheart；theyennobledtheheartofEuropeinthefifteenthcentury，atthere-discoveryofGreekliterature。SofarfromcontradictingtheChristianideal，theyharmonisedwith——Ihadalmostsaidtheysupplemented——

thatmoretenderandsaintlyidealofheroismwhichhadsprungupduringtheearlierMiddleAges。Theyjustified，andactuallygaveanewlifeto，theoldnoblenessesofchivalry，whichhadgrownupinthelaterMiddleAgesasanecessarysupplementofactiveandmanlyvirtuetothepassiveandfemininevirtueofthecloister。

Theyinspired，minglingwiththesetwootherelements，aliteraturebothinEngland，France，andItaly，inwhichthethreeelements，thesaintly，thechivalrous，andtheGreekheroic，havebecomeoneandundistinguishable，becauseallthreearehuman，andallthreedivine；aliteraturewhichdevelopeditselfinAriosto，inTasso，intheHypnerotomachia，theArcadia，theEuphues，andotherforms，sometimesfantastic，sometimesquestionable，butwhichreacheditsperfectioninourownSpenser’s"FairyQueen"——

perhapsthemostadmirablepoemwhichhaseverbeenpennedbymortalman。

Andwhy？WhathasmadetheseoldGreekmythslive，mythsthoughtheybe，andfables，andfairdreams？What——thoughtheyhavenobody，and，perhaps，neverhad——hasgiventhemanimmortalsoul，whichcanspeaktotheimmortalsoulsofallgenerationstocome？

Whatbutthis，thatinthem——dimitmaybeandundeveloped，butstillthere——liesthedivineideaofself-sacrificeastheperfectionofheroism，ofself-sacrifice，asthehighestdutyandthehighestjoyofhimwhoclaimsakindredwiththegods？

Letussay，then，thattrueheroismmustinvolveself-sacrifice。

Thosestoriescertainlyinvolveit，whetherancientormodern，whichthehearts，notofphilosophersmerely，orpoets，butofthepoorestandthemostignorant，haveacceptedinstinctivelyasthehighestformofmoralbeauty——thehighestform，andyetonepossibletoall。

GraceDarlingrowingoutintothestormtowardsthewreck。The"drunkenprivateoftheBuffs，"who，prisoneramongtheChinese，andcommandedtoprostratehimselfandkotoo，refusedinthenameofhiscountry’shonour："HewouldnotbowtoanyChina-manonearth："andsowasknockedonthehead，anddiedsurelyahero’sdeath。ThosesoldiersoftheBirkenhead，keepingtheirrankstoletthewomenandchildrenescape，whiletheywatchedthesharkswhoinafewminuteswouldbetearingthemlimbfromlimb。Or，togoacrosstheAtlantic——forthereareheroesintheFarWest——Mr。

BretHarte’s"FlynnofVirginia，"ontheCentralPacificRailway——

theplaceisshowntotravellers——whosacrificedhislifeforhismarriedcomrade：

There，inthedrift，Backtothewall，HeheldthetimbersReadytofall。

TheninthedarknessIheardhimcall：

"Runforyourlife，Jake！

Runforyourwife’ssake！

Don’twaitforme。"

AndthatwasallHeardinthedin-

HeardofTomFlynn-

FlynnofVirginia。

Ortheengineer，again，ontheMississippi，who，whenthesteamercaughtfire，held，ashehadswornhewould，herbowagainstthebank，tilleverysoulsavehegotsafeonshore：

ThroughthehotblackbreathoftheburningboatJimBludso’svoicewasheard；

Andtheyallhadtrustinhiscussedness，Andknewhewouldkeephisword。

Andsure’syou’reborn，theyallgotoffAforethesmokestacksfell；

AndBludso’sghostwentupaloneInthesmokeofthePrairieBelle。

Heweren’tnosaint——butatthejudgmentI’drunmychancewithJim’LongsideofsomepiousgentlemenThatwouldn’tshakehandswithhim。

He’dseenhisduty——adeadsurething-

Andwentforitthereandthen；

AndChristisnotgoingtobetoohardOnamanthatdiedformen。

TowhichgallantpoemofColonelJohnHay’s——andhehaswrittenmanygallantandbeautifulpoems——Ihavebutonedemurrer：JimBludsodidnotmerelydohisdutybutmorethanhisduty。Hedidavoluntarydeed，towhichhewasboundbynocodeorcontract，civilormoral；justashewhointroducedmetothatpoemwonhisVictoriaCross——asmanyacross，Victoriaandother，hasbeenwon——

byvolunteeringforadeedtowhichhe，too，wasboundbynocodeorcontract，militaryormoral。Anditisoftheessenceofself-

sacrifice，andthereforeofheroism，thatitshouldbevoluntary；

aworkofsupererogation，atleasttowardssocietyandman；anacttowhichtheheroorheroineisnotboundbyduty，butwhichisabovethoughnotagainstduty。

Nay，onthestrengthofthatsameelementofself-sacrifice，I

willnotgrudgetheepithet"heroic，"whichmyreveredfriendMr。

Darwinjustlyappliestothepoorlittlemonkey，whoonceinhislifedidthatwhichwasabovehisduty；wholivedincontinualterrorofthegreatbaboon，andyet，whenthebrutehadsprunguponhisfriendthekeeper，andwastearingouthisthroat，conqueredhisfearbylove，and，attheriskofinstantdeath，spranginturnuponhisdreadedenemy，andbitandshriekedtillhelparrived。

Somewouldnowadaysusethatstorymerelytoprovethatthemonkey’snatureandtheman’snatureare，afterall，oneandthesame。Well：I，atleast，haveneverdeniedthatthereisamonkey-natureinman，asthereisapeacock-nature，andaswine-

nature，andawolf-nature——ofallwhichfourIseeeverydaytoomuch。Thesharpandsterndistinctionbetweenmenandanimals，asfarastheirnaturesareconcerned，isofamoremodernoriginthanpeoplefancy。OfoldtheAssyriantooktheeagle，theox，andthelion——andnotunwisely——asthethreehighesttypesofhumancapacity。ThehorsesofHomermightbeimmortal，andweepfortheirmaster’sdeath。TheanimalsandmonstersofGreekmyth——

liketheAnanzispiderofNegrofable——glideinsensiblyintospeechandreason。Birds——themostwonderfulofallanimalsintheeyesofamanofscienceorapoet——aresometimeslookedonaswiser，andnearertothegods，thanman。TheNorseman——thenoblestandablesthumanbeing，savetheGreek，ofwhomhistorycantellus——wasnotashamedtosayofthebearofhisnativeforeststhathehad"tenmen’sstrengthandelevenmen’swisdom。"

HowcouldReineckeFuchshavegainedimmortality，intheMiddleAgesandsince，savebythetruthofitstoosolidandhumiliatingtheorem——thattheactionsoftheworldofmenwere，onthewhole，guidedbypassionsbuttooexactlylikethoseoftheloweranimals？Ihavesaid，andsayagain，withgoodoldVaughan：

UnlessabovehimselfhecanExalthimself，howmeanathingisman。

ButIcannotforgetthatmanyanoldGreekpoetorsage，andmanyasixteenthandseventeenthcenturyone，wouldhaveinterpretedthemonkey’sheroismfromquiteadifferentpointofview；andwouldhavesaidthatthepoorlittlecreaturehadbeenvisitedsuddenlybysome"divineafflatus"——anexpressionquiteasphilosophicalandquiteasintelligibleasmostphilosophicformulaswhichIreadnowadays——andhadbeenthusraisedforthemomentabovehisabjectselfishmonkey-nature，justasmanrequirestoberaisedabovehis。Butthattheorybelongstoaphilosophywhichisoutofdateandoutoffashion，andwhichwillhavetowaitacenturyortwobeforeitcomesintofashionagain。

Andnow，ifself-sacrificeandheroismbe，asIbelieve，identical，Imustprotestagainsttheuseoftheword"sacrifice"

whichisgrowingtoocommoninnewspaper-columns，inwhichwearetoldofan"enormoussacrificeoflife；"anexpressionwhichmeansmerelythatagreatmanypoorwretcheshavebeenkilled，quiteagainsttheirownwill，andfornopurposewhatsoever；nosacrificeatall，unlessitbeonetothedemonsofignorance，cupidity，ormismanagement。

ThestoutWhigundergraduateunderstoodbetterthemeaningofsuchwords，who，whenasked，"InwhatsensemightCharlestheFirstbesaidtobeamartyr？"answered，"Inthesamesensethatamanmightbesaidtobeamartyrtothegout。"

AndImustprotest，inlikewise，againstamisuseofthewords"hero。""heroism，""heroic，"whichisbecomingtoocommon，namely，applyingthemtomerecourage。Wehaveborrowedthemisuse，I

believe，aswehavemorethanonebeside，fromtheFrenchpress。