第7章

Itrustthatweshallneitheracceptit，northetemperwhichinspiresit。Itmaybeconvenientforthosewhoflattertheirnation，andespeciallythemilitarypartofit，intoaruinousself-conceit，toframesomesuchsyllogismasthis："Courageisheroism：everyFrenchmanisnaturallycourageous：thereforeeveryFrenchmanisahero。"Butwe，whohavebeentrainedatonceinasounderschoolofmorals，andinagreaterrespectforfacts，andforlanguageastheexpressionoffacts，shallbecareful，I

hope，nottotriflethuswiththatpotentandawfulengine——humanspeech。Weshalleschewlikewise，Ihope，alikeabuseoftheword"moral，"whichhascreptfromtheFrenchpressnowandthen，notonlyintoourownpress，butintothewritingsofsomeofourmilitarymen，who，asEnglishmen，shouldhaveknownbetter。Weweretoldagainandagain，duringthelatewar，thatthemoraleffectofsuchasuccesshadbeengreat；thattheMORALEofthetroopswasexcellent；oragain，thattheMORALEofthetroopshadsuffered，oreventhattheyweresomewhatdemoralised。Butwhenonecametotestwhatwasreallymeantbythesefinewords，onediscoveredthatmoralshadnothingtodowiththefactswhichtheyexpressed；thatthetroopswereintheonecaseactuatedsimplybytheanimalpassionofhope，intheothersimplybytheanimalpassionoffear。Thisabuseoftheword"moral"hascrossed，Iamsorrytosay，theAtlantic；andawittyAmerican，whomwemustexcuse，thoughwemustnotimitate，whensomeonehadbeenblazingawayathimwitharevolver，hebeingunarmed，issaidtohavedescribedhisverynaturalemotionsontheoccasion，bysayingthathefeltdreadfullydemoralised。We，Ihope，shallconfinetheword"demoralisation，"asourgeneralsofthelastcenturywouldhavedone，whenappliedtosoldiers，tocrime，including，ofcourse，theneglectofdutyorofdiscipline；andweshallmeanbytheword"heroism，"inlikemanner，whetherappliedtoasoldierortoanyhumanbeing，notmerecourage，notthemeredoingofduty，butthedoingofsomethingbeyondduty；somethingwhichisnotinthebond；somespontaneousandunexpectedactofself-

devotion。

Iamglad，butnotsurprised，toseethatMissYongehasheldtothissounddistinctioninhergoldenlittlebookof"GoldenDeeds，"andsaid，"Obedience，atallcostsandrisks，istheveryessenceofasoldier’slife。Ithasthesolidmaterial，butithashardlytheexceptionalbrightness，ofagoldendeed。"

Iknowthatitisverydifficulttodrawthelinebetweenmereobediencetodutyandexpressheroism。Iknowalsothatitwouldbebothinvidiousandimpertinentinanutterlyunheroicpersonagelikeme，totrytodrawthatline；andtositathomeatease，analysingandcriticisingdeedswhichIcouldnotdomyself；but——

togiveaninstanceortwoofwhatImean：

Todefendapostaslongasitistenableisnotheroic。Itissimpleduty。Todefenditafterithasbecomeuntenable，andeventodieinsodoing，isnotheroic，butanoblemadness，unlessanadvantageistobegainedtherebyforone’sownside。Then，indeed，itrisestowards，ifnotinto，theheroismofself-

sacrifice。

Who，forexample，willnotendorsetheverdictofallagesontheconductofthoseSpartansatThermopylae，whentheysat"combingtheiryellowhairfordeath"onthesea-shore？Theydevotedthemselvestohopelessdestruction；butwhy？Theyfelt——Imustbelievethat，fortheybehavedasiftheyfelt——thatonthemthedestiniesoftheWesternWorldmighthang；thattheywereintheforefrontofthebattlebetweencivilisationandbarbarism，betweenfreedomanddespotism；andthattheymustteachthatvastmobofPersianslaves，whomtheofficersoftheGreatKingweredrivingwithwhipsuptotheirlance-points，thatthespiritoftheoldheroeswasnotdead；andthattheGreek，evenindefeatanddeath，wasamightierandanoblermanthanthey。Andtheydidtheirwork。Theyproduced，ifyouwill，a"moral"effect，whichhaslastedeventothisveryday。Theystruckterrorintotheheart，notonlyofthePersianhost，butofthewholePersianempire。Theymadetheeventofthatwarcertain，andthevictoriesofSalamisandPlataeacomparativelyeasy。TheymadeAlexander’sconquestoftheEast，onehundredandfiftyyearsafterwards，notonlypossibleatall，butpermanentwhenitcame；

andthushelpedtodeterminethefuturecivilisationofthewholeworld。

Theydidnot，ofcourse，foreseeallthis。Nogreatorinspiredmancanforeseealltheconsequencesofhisdeeds；butthesemenwere，asIholdinspiredtoseesomewhatatleastofthemightystakeforwhichtheyplayed；andtocounttheirlivesworthless，ifSpartahadsentthemthithertohelpinthatgreatgame。

OrshallwerefusethenameofheroictothosethreeGermancavalryregimentswho，inthebattleofMars-la-Tour，werebiddentohurlthemselvesuponthechassepotsandmitrailleusesoftheunbrokenFrenchinfantry，andwenttoalmostcertaindeath，overthecorpsesoftheircomrades，onandinandthrough，reelingmanoverhorse，horseoverman，andclunglikebull-dogstotheirwork，andwouldhardlyleave，evenatthebugle-call，tillinoneregimentthirteenofficersoutofnineteenwerekilledorwounded？

Andwhy？

BecausetheFrencharmymustbestopped，ifitwerebutforaquarterofanhour。ArespitemustbegainedfortheexhaustedThirdCorps。Andhowmuchmightbedone，eveninaquarterofanhour，bymenwhoknewwhen，andwhere，andwhytodie！Whowillrefusethenameofheroestothesemen？Andyetthey，probably，wouldhaveutterlydeclinedthehonour。Theyhadbutdonethatwhichwasinthebond。Theywerebutobeyingordersafterall。

AsMissYongewellsaysofallheroicpersons："’Ihavebutdonethatwhichitwasmydutytodo，’isthenaturalanswerofthosecapableofsuchactions。Theyhavebeenconstrainedtothembydutyorpity；haveneverdeemeditpossibletoactotherwise；anddidnotoncethinkofthemselvesinthematteratall。"

Theselasttruewordsbringustoanotherelementinheroism：itssimplicity。Whatsoeverisnotsimple；whatsoeverisaffected，boastful，wilful，covetous，tarnishes，evendestroys，theheroiccharacterofadeed；becauseallthesefaultsspringoutofself。

Ontheotherhand，whereveryoufindaperfectlysimple，frank，unconsciouscharacter，thereyouhavethepossibility，atleast，ofheroicaction。Foritisnoblerfartodothemostcommonplacedutyinthehousehold，orbehindthecounter，withasingleeyetoduty，simplybecauseitmustbedone——noblerfar，Isay，thantogooutofyourwaytoattemptabrilliantdeed，withadoublemind，andsayingtoyourselfnotonly——"Thiswillbeabrilliantdeed，"butalso——"anditwillpayme，orraiseme，orsetmeoff，intothebargain。"Heroismknowsno"intothebargain。"Andtherefore，again，Imustprotestagainstapplyingtheword"heroic"toanydeeds，howevercharitable，howevertoilsome，howeverdangerous，performedforthesakeofwhatcertainFrenchladies，Iamtold，call"fairesonsalut"——savingone’ssoulintheworldtocome。Idonotmeantojudge。Otherandquiteunselfishmotivesmaybe，anddoubtlessoftenare，mixedupwiththatselfishone：womanlypityandtenderness；lovefor，anddesiretoimitate，acertainIncarnateidealofself-sacrifice，whoisatoncehumananddivine。Butthatmotiveofsavingthesoul，whichistoooftenopenlyproposedandproffered，isutterlyunheroic。Thedesiretoescapepainsandpenaltieshereafterbypainsandpenaltieshere；thebalanceofpresentlossagainstfuturegain——whatisthisbutselfishnessextendedoutofthisworldintoeternity？"Notworldliness，"indeed，asasatiristoncesaidwithbittertruth，"butother-worldliness。"

Moreover——andtheyoungandtheenthusiasticshouldalsobearthisinmind——thoughheroismmeansthegoingbeyondthelimitsofstrictduty，itnevermeansthegoingoutofthepathofstrictduty。IfitisyourdutytogotoLondon，gothither：youmaygoasmuchfartherasyouchooseafterthat。ButyoumustgotoLondonfirst。Doyourdutyfirst；itwillbetimeafterthattotalkofbeingheroic。

Andthereforeonemustseriouslywarntheyoung，lesttheymistakeforheroismandself-sacrificewhatismerelyprideandself-will，discontentwiththerelationsbywhichGodhasboundthem，andthecircumstanceswhichGodhasappointedforthem。Ihaveknowngirlsthinktheyweredoingafinethingbyleavinguncongenialparentsordisagreeablesisters，andcuttingoutforthemselves，astheyfancied，amoreusefulandelevatedlineoflifethanthatofmerehomeduties；while，afterall，poorthings，theywereonlysaying，withthePhariseesofold，"Corban，itisagift，bywhatsoeverthoumightestbeprofitedbyme；"andinthenameofGod，neglectingthecommandofGodtohonourtheirfatherandmother。

Therearemen，too，whowillneglecttheirhouseholdsandleavetheirchildrenunprovidedfor，andevenuneducated，whiletheyarespendingtheirmoneyonphilanthropicorreligioushobbiesoftheirown。Itisilltotakethechildren’sbreadandcastittothedogs；oreventotheangels。Itisill，Isay，tryingtomakepresentstoGod，beforewehavetriedtopayourdebtstoGod。

Thefirstdutyofeverymanistothewifewhomhehasmarried，andtothechildrenwhomshehasbroughtintotheworld；andtoneglectthemisnotheroism，butself-conceit；theconceitthatamanissonecessarytoAlmightyGod，thatGodwillactuallyallowhimtodowrong，ifHecanonlytherebysecuretheman’sinvaluableservices。Besurethateverymotivewhichcomesnotfromthesingleeye，everymotivewhichspringsfromself，isbyitsveryessenceunheroic，letitlookasgaudyorasbeneficentasitmay。

ButIcannotgosofarastosaythesameoftheloveofapprobation——thedesirefortheloveandrespectofourfellow-

men。Thatmustnotbeexcludedfromthelistofheroicmotives。

Iknowthatitis，ormaybeprovedtobe，byvictoriousanalysis，anemotioncommontousandtheloweranimals。Andyetnomanexcludesitlessthanthattruehero，St。Paul。

IfthosebraveSpartans，ifthosebraveGermans，ofwhomIspokejustnow，knewthattheirmemorieswouldbeweptoverandworshippedbybravemenandfairwomen，andthattheirnameswouldbecomewatchwordstochildrenintheirfatherland，whatisthattous，savethatitshouldmakeusrejoice，ifwebetrulyhuman，thattheyhadthatthoughtwiththemintheirlastmomentstomakeself-devotionmoreeasy，anddeathmoresweet？

Andyet——andyet——isnotthehighestheroismthatwhichisfreeevenfromtheapprobationofourfellowmen，evenfromtheapprobationofthebestandwisest？TheheroismwhichisknownonlytoourFatherwhoseethinsecret？TheGodlikedeedsaloneinthelonelychamber？TheGodlikeliveslivedinobscurity？——aheroismrareamongusmen，wholiveperforceintheglareandnoiseoftheouterworld：morecommonamongwomen；womenofwhomtheworldneverhears；who，iftheworlddiscoveredthem，wouldonlydrawtheveilmorecloselyovertheirfacesandtheirhearts，andentreattobeleftalonewithGod。True，theycannotalwayshide。Theymustnotalwayshide；ortheirfellow-creatureswouldlosethegoldenlesson。But，nevertheless，itisoftheessenceoftheperfectandwomanlyheroism，inwhich，asinallspiritualforcesthewomantranscendstheman，thatitwouldhideifitcould。

Anditwasapleasantthoughttome，whenIglancedlatelyatthegoldendeedsofwomeninMissYonge’sbook——itwasapleasantthoughttome，thatIcouldsaytomyself——Ah！yes。Theseheroinesareknown，andtheirfamefliesthroughthemouthsofmen。Butifso，howmanythousandsofheroinestheremusthavebeen，howmanythousandstheremaybenow，ofwhomweshallneverknow。Butstilltheyarethere。Theysowinsecrettheseedofwhichweplucktheflowerandeatthefruit，andknownotthatwepassthesowerdailyinthestreet；perhapssomehumble，ill-

dressedwoman，earningpainfullyherownsmallsustenance。Shewhonursesabedriddenmother，insteadofsendinghertotheworkhouse。Shewhospendsherheartandhermoneyonadrunkenfather，arecklessbrother，ontheorphansofakinsmanorafriend。Shewho——Butwhygoonwiththelonglistofgreatlittleheroisms，withwhichaclergymanatleastcomesincontactdaily——

anditisoneofthemostennoblingprivilegesofaclergyman’shighcallingthathedoescomeincontactwiththem——whygoon，I

say，savetocommemorateonemoreformofgreatlittleheroism——

thecommonest，andyettheleastrememberedofall——namely，theheroismofanaveragemother？Ah，whenIthinkofthatlastbroadfact，Igatherhopeagainforpoorhumanity；andthisdarkworldlooksbright，thisdiseasedworldlookswholesometomeoncemore——

because，whateverelseitisorisnotfullof，itisatleastfullofmothers。

Whilethesatiristonlysneers，asatastockbuttforhisridicule，atthemanagingmothertryingtogetherdaughtersmarriedoffherhandsbychicaneriesandmeannesses，whicheverynovelistknowstoowellhowtodraw——wouldtoheavenhe，orrather，alas！shewouldfindsomemorechivalrousemploymentforhisorherpen——forweretheynot，too，bornofwoman？——Ionlysaytomyself——havinghadalwaysasecretfondnessforpoorRebecca，thoughIloveEsaumorethanJacob——Letthepoorthingalone。

Withpainshebroughtthesegirlsintotheworld。Withpainsheeducatedthemaccordingtoherlight。Withpainsheistryingtoobtainforthemthehighestearthlyblessingofwhichshecanconceive，namely，tobewellmarried；andifindoingthatlast，shemanoeuvresalittle，commitsafewbasenesses，eventellsafewuntruths，whatdoesallthatcometo，savethis——thatintheconfusedintensityofhermotherlyself-sacrifice，shewillsacrificeforherdaughtersevenherownconscienceandherowncredit？Wemaysneer，ifwewill，atsuchapoorhard-drivensoulwhenwemeetherinsociety；ourduty，bothasChristiansandladiesandgentlemen，seemstometobe——todoforhersomethingverydifferentindeed。

Buttoreturn。Lookingattheamountofgreatlittleheroisms，whicharebeing，asIassert，enactedarounduseveryday，noonehasarighttosay，whatwearealltemptedtosayattimes："HowcanIbeheroic？Thisisnoheroicage，settingmeheroicexamples。Wearegrowingmoreandmorecomfortable，frivolous，pleasure-seeking，money-making；moreandmoreutilitarian；moreandmoremercenaryinourpolitics，inourmorals，inourreligion；thinkinglessandlessofhonourandduty，andmoreandmoreoflossandgain。Iambornintoanunheroictime。Youmustnotaskmetobecomeheroicinit。"

Idonotdenythatitismoredifficulttobeheroic，whilecircumstancesareunheroicroundus。Wearealltooapttobethepuppetsofcircumstances；alltooapttofollowthefashion；alltooapt，likesomanyminnows，totakeourcolourfromthegroundonwhichwelie，inhopes，likethem，ofcomfortableconcealment，lestthenewtyrantdeity，calledPublicOpinion，shouldspyusout，and，likeNebuchadnezzarofold，castusintoaburningfieryfurnace——whichpublicopinioncanmakeveryhot——fordaringtoworshipanygodormansavethewillofthetemporarymajority。

Yes，itisdifficulttobeanythingbutpoor，mean，insufficient，imperfectpeople，aslikeeachotherassomanysheep；and，likesomanysheep，havingnowillorcharacterofourown，butrushingaltogetherblindlyoverthesamegap，infoolishfearofthesamedog，who，afterall，darenotbiteus；andsoitalwayswasandalwayswillbe。

ForthethirdtimeIsay，UnlessabovehimselfhecanExalthimself，howpoorathingisman。

But，nevertheless，anymanorwomanwhoWILL，inanyageandunderanycircumstances，canlivetheheroiclifeandexerciseheroicinfluences。

Ifanyaskproofofthis，Ishallaskthem，inreturn，toreadtwonovels；novels，indeed，but，intheirmethodandtheirmoral，partakingofthatheroicandidealelement，whichwillmakethemlive，Itrust，longafterthousandsofmerenovelshavereturnedtotheirnativedust。ImeanMissMuloch’s"JohnHalifax，Gentleman，"andMr。Thackeray’s"Esmond，"twobookswhichnomanorwomanoughttoreadwithoutbeingthenoblerforthem。

"JohnHalifax，Gentleman，"issimplythehistoryofapooryoungclerk，whorisestobeawealthymill-ownerinthemanufacturingdistricts，intheearlypartofthiscentury。Buthecontrivestobeanheroicandidealclerk，andanheroicandidealmill-owner；

andthatwithoutdoinganythingwhichtheworldwouldcallheroicorideal，orinanywisesteppingoutofhissphere，mindingsimplyhisownbusiness，anddoingthedutywhichliesnearesthim。Andhow？Bygettingintohisheadfromyouththestrangestnotion，thatinwhateverstationorbusinesshemaybe，hecanalwaysbewhatheconsidersagentleman；andthatifheonlybehaveslikeagentleman，allmustgorightatlast。Abeautifulbook。AsI

saidbefore，somewhatofanheroicandidealbook。AbookwhichdidmegoodwhenfirstIreadit；whichoughttodoanyyoungmangoodwhowillreadit，andthentrytobe，likeJohnHalifax，agentleman，whetherintheshop，thecounting-house，thebank，orthemanufactory。

Theother——anevenmorestrikinginstanceofthepossibility，atleast，ofheroismanywhereandeverywhere——isMr。Thackeray’s"Esmond。"OnthemeaningofthatbookIcanspeakwithauthority。

Formydearandregrettedfriendtoldmehimselfthatmyinterpretationofitwasthetrueone；thatthiswasthelessonwhichhemeantmentolearntherefrom。

Esmondisamanofthefirsthalfoftheeighteenthcentury；

livinginacoarse，drunken，ignorant，profligate，andaltogetherunheroicage。Heis——andherethehighartandthehighmoralityofMr。Thackeray’sgeniusisshown——altogetheramanofhisownage。Heisnotasixteenth-centuryoranineteenth-centurymanbornoutoftime。Hisinformation，hispolitics，hisreligion，arenohigherthanofthoseroundhim。Hismanners，hisviewsofhumanlife，hisveryprejudicesandfaults，arethoseofhisage。

Thetemptationswhichheconquersarejustthoseunderwhichthemenaroundhimfall。Buthowdoesheconquerthem？Byholdingfastthroughouttohonour，duty，virtue。Thus，andthusalone，hebecomesanidealeighteenth-centurygentleman，aneighteenth-

centuryhero。ThiswaswhatMr。Thackeraymeant——forhetoldmesohimself，Isay——thatitwaspossible，eveninEngland’slowestandfoulesttimes，tobeagentlemanandahero，ifamanwouldbutbetruetothelightwithinhim。

ButIwillgofarther。Iwillgofromidealfictiontoactual，andyetideal，fact；andsaythat，asIreadhistory，themostunheroicagewhichthecivilisedworldeversawwasalsothemostheroic；thatthespiritofmantriumphedmostutterlyoverhiscircumstancesattheverymomentwhenthosecircumstancesweremostagainsthim。

Howandwhyhedidsoisaquestionforphilosophyinthehighestsenseofthatword。Thefactofhishavingdonesoismatterofhistory。ShallIsolvemyownriddle？

Then，havewenotheardoftheearlyChristianmartyrs？Isthereadoubtthatthey，unletteredmen，slaves，weakwomen，evenchildren，didexhibit，underaninfinitesenseofduty，issuingininfiniteself-sacrifice，aheroismsuchastheworldhadneverseenbefore；didraisetheidealofhumannoblenessawholestage——

rathersay，awholeheaven——higherthanbefore；andthatwhereverthetaleoftheirgreatdeedsspread，menaccepted，eveniftheydidnotcopy，thosemartyrsasidealspecimensofthehumanrace，tilltheywereactuallyworshippedbysucceedinggenerations，wrongly，itmaybe，butpardonably，asachoiroflesserdeities？

Butisthere，ontheotherhand，adoubtthattheageinwhichtheywereheroicwasthemostunheroicofallages；thattheywerebred，lived，anddied，underthemostdebasingofmaterialisttyrannies，withart，literature，philosophy，familyandnationallifedying，ordeadaroundthem，andincitiesthecorruptionofwhichcannotbetoldforveryshame——cities，comparedwithwhichParisistheabodeofArcadiansimplicityandinnocence？WhenI

readPetroniusandJuvenal，andrecollectthattheywerethecontemporariesoftheApostles；when——togiveaninstancewhichscholars，andperhaps，happily，onlyscholars，canappreciate——I

glanceoncemoreatTrimalchio’sfeast，andrememberthatwithinamileofthatfeastSt。PaulmayhavebeenpreachingtoaChristiancongregation，someofwhom——forSt。Paulmakesnosecretofthatstrangefact——mayhavebeen，eretheirconversion，partakersinjustsuchvulgarandbestialorgiesasthosewhichweregoingonintherichfreedman’shalls；afterthat，Isay，Icanputnolimittothepossibilityofman’sbecomingheroic，eventhoughhebesurroundedbyahellonearth；nolimittothecapacitiesofanyhumanbeingtoformforhimselforherselfahighandpureidealofhumancharacter；and，without"playingfantastictricksbeforehighheaven，"tocarryoutthatidealinevery-daylife；

andinthemostcommonplacecircumstances，andthemostmenialoccupations，toliveworthyof——asIconceive——ourheavenlybirthright，andtoimitatetheheroes，whowerethekinsmenofthegods。

THEMASSACREOFTHEINNOCENTS{11}

Letmebeginbyaskingtheladieswhoareinterestingthemselvesinthisgoodwork，whethertheyhavereallyconsideredwhattheyareabouttodoincarryingouttheirownplans？AretheyawarethatiftheirSocietyreallysucceeds，theywillproduceaveryserious，somewouldthinkaverydangerous，changeinthestateofthisnation？Aretheyawarethattheywouldprobablysavethelivesofsomethirtyorfortypercent。ofthechildrenwhoareborninEngland，andthatthereforetheywouldcausethesubjectsofQueenVictoriatoincreaseataveryfarmorerapidratethantheydonow？AndaretheyawarethatsomeverywisemeninformusthatEnglandisalreadyover-peopled，andthatitisanexceedinglypuzzlingquestionwhereweshallsoonbeabletofindworkorfoodforourmasses，sorapidlydotheyincreasealready，inspiteofthethirtyorfortypercent。whichkindNaturecarriesoffyearlybeforetheyarefiveyearsold？Havetheyconsideredwhattheyaretodowithallthosechildrenwhomtheyaregoingtosavealive？Thathastobethoughtof；andiftheyreallydobelieve，withsomepoliticaleconomists，thatover-

populationisapossibilitytoacountrywhichhasthegreatestcolonialempirethattheworldhaseverseen；thenIthinktheyhadbetterstopintheircourse，andletthechildrendie，astheyhavebeeninthehabitofdying。

Butif，ontheotherhand，itseemstothem，asIconfessitdoestome，thatthemostpreciousthingintheworldisahumanbeing；

thatthelowest，andpoorest，andthemostdegradedofhumanbeingsisbetterthanallthedumbanimalsintheworld；thatthereisaninfinite，pricelesscapabilityinthatcreature，fallenasitmaybe；acapabilityofvirtue，andofsocialandindustrialuse，which，ifitistakenintime，maybedevelopeduptoapitch，ofwhichatfirstsightthechildgivesnohintwhatsoever；iftheybelieveagain，thatofallracesuponearthnow，theEnglishraceisprobablythefinest，andthatitgivesnottheslightestsignwhateverofexhaustion；thatitseemstobeonthewholeayoungrace，andtohaveverygreatcapabilitiesinitwhichhavenotyetbeendeveloped，andaboveall，themostmarvellouscapabilityofadaptingitselftoeverysortofclimateandeveryformoflife，whichanyrace，excepttheoldRoman，everhashadintheworld；iftheyconsiderwithmethatitisworththewhileofpoliticaleconomistsandsocialphilosopherstolookatthemap，andseethataboutfour-fifthsoftheglobecannotbesaidasyettobeinanywiseinhabitedorcultivated，orinthestateintowhichmencouldputitbyafairsupplyofpopulation，andindustry，andhumanintellect：then，perhaps，theymaythinkwithmethatitisaduty，oneofthenoblestofduties，tohelptheincreaseoftheEnglishraceasmuchaspossible，andtoseethateverychildthatisbornintothisgreatnationofEnglandbedevelopedtothehighestpitchtowhichwecandevelophiminphysicalstrengthandinbeauty，aswellasinintellectandinvirtue。Andthen，inthatlight，itdoesseemtome，thatthisInstitution——smallnow，butIdohopesomedaytobecomegreatandtobecomethemotherinstitutionofmanyandvaluablechildren——isoneofthenoblest，mostright-minded，straightforward，andpracticalconceptionsthatIhavecomeacrossforsomeyears。

Weallknowthedifficultiesofsanitarylegislation。Onelooksatthemattimesalmostwithdespair。Ihavemyownreasons，withwhichIwillnottroublethismeeting，forlookingonthemwithmoredespairthanever：notonaccountofthegovernmentofthetime，oranypossiblegovernmentthatcouldcometoEngland，butonaccountofthepeculiarclassofpersonsinwhomtheownershipofthesmallhouseshasbecomemoreandmorevested，andwhoarebecomingmoreandmore，Ihadalmostsaid，thearbitersofthepopularopinion，andofeveryelectionofparliament。However，thatisnobusinessofourshere；thatmustbesettledsomewhereelse；andafearfullylongtime，itseemstome，itwillbebeforeitissettled。But，inthemeantime，whatlegislationcannotdo，Ibelieveprivatehelp，and，aboveall，woman’shelp，candoevenbetter。Itcandothis；itcanimprovetheconditionoftheworkingman：andnotonlyofhim；Imustspeakalsoofthemiddleclasses，ofthemenwhoownthehouseinwhichtheworkingmanlives。Imustspeak，too，ofthewealthytradesman；Imustspeak——

itisasadthingtohavetosayit——ofourownclassaswellasofothers。Sanitaryreform，asitiscalled，or，inplainEnglish，theartofhealth，issoveryrecentadiscovery，asalltruephysicalscienceis，thatweourselvesandourownclassknowverylittleaboutit，andpractiseitverylittle。Andthissociety，Idohope，willbearinmindthatitisnotsimplytoseektheworkingman，notonlytogointothefoulalley：butitistogotothedoorofthefarmer，tothedooroftheshopkeeper，aye，tothedoorofladiesandgentlemenofthesamerankasourselves。Womencandointhatworkwhatmencannotdo。Theprivatecorrespondence，privateconversation，privateexample，ofladies，aboveallofmarriedwomen，ofmothersoffamilies，maydowhatnolegislationcando。IamstruckmoreandmorewiththeamountofdiseaseanddeathIseearoundmeinallclasses，whichnosanitarylegislationwhatsoevercouldtouch，unlessyouhadacompletehouse-to-housevisitationbysomegovernmentofficer，withpowerstoentereverydwelling，todrainit，andventilateit；andnotonlythat，buttoregulatetheclothesandthedietofeveryinhabitant，andthatamongallranks。Icanconceiveofnothingshortofthat，whichwouldbeabsurdandimpossible，andwouldalsobemostharmfulmorally，whichwouldstopthepresentamountofdiseaseanddeathwhichIseearoundme，withoutsomesuchprivateexertiononthepartofwomen，aboveallofmothers，asIdohopewillspringfromthisinstitutionmoreandmore。

Iseethis，thatthreepersonsoutofeveryfourareutterlyunawareofthegeneralcausesoftheirownill-health，andoftheill-healthoftheirchildren。Theytalkoftheir"afflictions，"

andtheir"misfortunes；"and，iftheybepiouspeople，theytalkof"thewillofGod，"andof"thevisitationofGod。"Idonotliketotrenchuponthosemattershere；butwhenIreadinmybookandinyourbook，"thatitisnotthewillofourFatherinHeaventhatoneoftheselittleonesshouldperish，"ithascometomymindsometimeswithverygreatstrengththatthatmayhaveaphysicalapplicationaswellasaspiritualone；andthattheFatherinHeavenwhodoesnotwishthechild’ssoultodie，maypossiblyhavecreatedthatchild’sbodyforthepurposeofitsnotdyingexceptinagoodoldage。Fornotonlyinthelowerclass，butinthemiddleandupperclasses，whenoneseesanunhealthyfamily，theninthreecasesoutoffour，ifonewilltaketime，trouble，andcareenough，onecan，withthehelpofthedoctor，whohasbeenattendingthem，runtheevilhometoaverydifferentcausethanthewillofGod；andthatis，tostupidneglect，stupidignorance，orwhatisjustasbad，stupidindulgence。

Now，Idobelievethatifthosetractswhichyouarepublishing，whichIhavereadandofwhichIcannotspeaktoohighly，arespreadoverthelengthandbreadthoftheland，andifwomen——

clergymen’swives，thewivesofmanufacturersandofgreatemployers，districtvisitorsandschoolmistresses，havethesebooksputintotheirhands，andarepersuadedtospreadthem，andtoenforcethem，bytheirownexampleandbytheirowncounsel——

thatthen，inthecourseofafewyears，thissystembeingthoroughlycarriedout，youwouldseeasensibleandlargeincreaseintherateofpopulation。Whenyouhavesavedyourchildrenalive，thenyoumustsettlewhattodowiththem。Butalivingdogisbetterthanadeadlion；Iwouldratherhavethelivingchild，andletittakeitschance，thanletitreturntoGod——wasted。O！itisadistressingthingtoseechildrendie。

Godgivesthemostbeautifulandpreciousthingthatearthcanhave，andwejusttakeitandcastitaway；wetossourpearlsuponthedunghillandleavethem。Adyingchildistomeoneofthemostdreadfulsightsintheworld。Adyingman，amandyingonthefieldofbattle——thatisasmallsight；hehastakenhischance；heisdoinghisduty；hehashadhisexcitement；hehashadhisglory，ifthatwillbeanyconsolationtohim；ifheisawiseman，hehasthefeelingthatheisdyingforhiscountryandhisqueen：andthatis，andoughttobe，enoughforhim。Iamnothorrifiedorshockedatthesightofthemanwhodiesonthefieldofbattle；lethimdieso。Itdoesnothorrifyorshockme，again，toseeamandyinginagoodoldage，eventhoughthelaststrugglebepainful，asittoooftenis。Butitdoesshockme，itdoesmakemefeelthattheworldisindeedoutofjoint，toseeachilddie。Ibelieveittobeapricelessboontothechildtohavelivedforaweek，oraday：butoh，whathasGodgiventothisthanklessearth，andwhathastheearththrownaway；andinninecasesoutoften，fromitsownneglectandcarelessness！

Whatthatboymighthavebeen，whathemighthavedoneasanEnglishman，ifhecouldhavelivedandgrownuphealthyandstrong！AndIentreatyoutobearthisinmind，thatitisnotasifourlowerorourmiddleclasseswerenotworthsaving：bearinmindthatthephysicalbeauty，strength，intellectualpowerofthemiddleclasses——theshopkeepingclass，thefarmingclass，downtothelowestworkingclass——wheneveryougivethemafairchance，wheneveryougivethemfairfoodandair，andphysicaleducationofanykind，provethemtobethefinestraceinEurope。Notmerelythearistocracy，splendidraceastheyare，butdownanddownanddowntothelowestlabouringman，tothenavigator——why，thereisnotsuchabodyofmeninEuropeasournavigators；andnobodyofmenperhapshavehadaworsechanceofgrowingtobewhattheyare；andyetseewhattheyhavedone！Seethemagnificentmentheybecome，inspiteofallthatisagainstthem，draggingthemdown，tendingtogivethemricketsandconsumption，andallthemiserablediseaseswhichchildrencontract；seewhatmentheyare，andthenconceivewhattheymightbe！Ithasbeensaid，againandagain，thattherearenomorebeautifulraceofwomeninEuropethanthewivesanddaughtersofourLondonshopkeepers；andyettherearefewracesofpeoplewholeadalifemoreinoppositiontoallrulesofhygiene。But，inspiteofallthat，sowonderfulisthevitalityoftheEnglishrace，theyarewhattheyare；andthereforewehavethefinestmaterialtoworkuponthatpeopleeverhad。And，therefore，again，wehavethelessexcuseifwedoallowEnglishpeopletogrowuppuny，stunted，anddiseased。

LetmereferagaintothatwordthatIused；death——theamountofdeath。Ireallybelievetherearehundredsofgoodandkindpeoplewhowouldtakeupthissubjectwiththeirwholeheartandsouliftheywereawareofthemagnitudeoftheevil。LordShaftesburytoldyoujustnowthattherewereonehundredthousandpreventabledeathsinEnglandeveryyear。Soitis。Wetalkofthelossofhumanlifeinwar。Wearethefoolsofsmokeandnoise；becausetherearecannon-balls，forsooth，andswordsandredcoats；andbecauseitcostsagreatdealofmoney，andmakesagreatdealoftalkinthepapers，wethink：Whatsoterribleaswar？Iwilltellyouwhatistentimes，andtenthousandtimes，moreterriblethanwar，andthatisoutragedNature。War，wearediscoveringnow，istheclumsiestandmostexpensiveofallgames；

wearefindingthatifyouwishtocommitanactofcrueltyandfolly，themostcostlyonethatyoucancommitistocontrivetoshootyourfellow-meninwar。Soitis；andthankGodthatsoitis；butNature，insidious，inexpensive，silent，sendsnoroarofcannon，noglitterofarmstodoherwork；shegivesnowarningnoteofpreparation；shehasnoprotocols，noranydiplomaticadvances，wherebyshewarnsherenemythatwariscoming。

Silently，Isay，andinsidiouslyshegoesforth；no！shedoesnotevengoforth；shedoesnotstepoutofherpath；butquietly，bytheverysamemeansbywhichshemakesalive，sheputstodeath；

andsoavengesherselfofthosewhohaverebelledagainsther。Bytheverysamelawsbywhicheverybladeofgrassgrows，andeveryinsectspringstolifeinthesunbeam，shekills，andkills，andkills，andisnevertiredofkilling；tillshehastaughtmantheterriblelessonheissoslowtolearn，that，Natureisonlyconqueredbyobeyingher。

Andbearinmindonethingmore。Manhashiscourtesiesofwar，andhischivalriesofwar；hedoesnotstriketheunarmedman；hesparesthewomanandthechild。ButNatureisasfiercewhensheisoffended，assheisbounteousandkindwhensheisobeyed。Shesparesneitherwomannorchild。Shehasnopity；forsomeawful，butmostgoodreason，sheisnotallowedtohaveanypity。

Silentlyshestrikesthesleepingbabe，withaslittleremorseasshewouldstrikethestrongman，withthespadeorthemusketinhishand。Ah！wouldtoGodthatsomemanhadthepictorialeloquencetoputbeforethemothersofEnglandthemassofpreventablesuffering，themassofpreventableagonyofmindandbody，whichexistsinEnglandyearafteryear；andwouldthatsomemanhadthelogicaleloquencetomakethemunderstandthatitisintheirpower，inthepowerofthemothersandwivesofthehigherclass，Iwillnotsaytostopitall——Godonlyknowsthat——

buttostop，asIbelieve，three-fourthsofit。

Itisinthepower，Ibelieve，ofanywomaninthisroomtosavethreeorfourlives——humanlives——duringthenextsixmonths。Itisinyourpower，ladies；anditissoeasy。Youmightsaveseverallivesapiece，ifyouchoose，without，Ibelieve，interferingwithyourdailybusiness，orwithyourdailypleasure；

or，ifyouchoose，withyourdailyfrivolities，inanywaywhatsoever。Letmeask，then，thosewhoarehere，andwhohavenotyetlaidthesethingstoheart：Willyouletthismeetingto-

daybeamerepassingmatteroftwoorthreehours’interest，whichyoumaygoawayandforgetforthenextbookorthenextamusement？Orwillyoubeinearnest？Willyoulearn——Isayitopenly——fromthenoblechairman，howeasyitistobeinearnestinlife；howeveryoneofyou，amidalltheartificialcomplicationsofEnglishsocietyinthenineteenthcentury，canfindaworktodo，anobleworktodo，achivalrousworktodo——

justaschivalrousasifyoulivedinanyoldmagicland，suchasSpensertalkedofinhis"FaerieQueene；"howyoucanbeastrueaknight-errantorlady-errantinthepresentcentury，asifyouhadlivedfarawayinthedarkagesofviolenceandrapine？Willyou，Iask，learnthis？Willyoulearntobeinearnest；andtousetheposition，andthestation，andthetalentthatGodhasgivenyoutosavealivethosewhoshouldlive？AndwillyourememberthatitisnotthewillofyourFatherthatisinHeaventhatonelittleonethatplaysinthekenneloutsideshouldperish，eitherinbodyorinsoul？

"AMADWORLD，MYMASTERS。"{12}

Thecholera，aswastobeexpected，hasreappearedinEnglandagain；andEngland，aswastobeexpected，hastakennosufficientstepstowardsmeetingit；sothatif，asseemsbuttooprobable，theplagueshouldspreadnextsummer，wemaycountwithtolerablecertaintyuponalossofsometenthousandlives。

Thattenthousand，oronethousand，innocentpeopleshoulddie，ofwhommost，ifnotall，mightbesavedalive，wouldseematfirstsightamatterseriousenoughfortheattentionof"philanthropists。"Thosewhoabhorthepracticeofhangingonemanwould，onefancies，abhorequallythatofpoisoningmany；andwouldprotestasearnestlyagainstthepainfulcapitalpunishmentofdiarrhoeaasagainstthepainlessoneofhempenrope。ThosewhodemandmercyfortheSepoy，andimmunityfortheCooliewomenofDelhi，unsexedbytheirownbrutalandshamelesscruelty，would，onefancies，demandmercyalsofortheBritishworkman，andimmunityforhiswifeandfamily。OneisthereforesomewhatstartledatfindingthattheBritishnationreservestoitself，thoughitforbidstoitsarmies，therightofputtingtodeathunarmedandunoffendingmen，women，andchildren。

Afterfurtherconsideration，however，onefindsthatthereare，asusual，twosidestothequestion。Oneisbound，indeed，tobelieve，evenbeforeproof，thattherearetwosides。ItcannotbewithoutgoodandsufficientreasonthattheBritishpublicremainsallbutindifferenttosanitaryreform；thatthoughthescienceofepidemics，asascience，hasbeenbeforetheworldformorethantwentyyears，nobodybelievesinitenoughtoactuponit，savesomefewdozenoffanatics，someofwhomhave（itcannotbedenied）adirectpecuniaryinterestindisturbingwhattheychoosetotermthepoison-manufactoriesoffreeandindependentBritons。

Yes；weshouldsurelyrespecttheexpressedwillandconvictionofthemostpracticalofnations，arrivedataftertheexperienceofthreecholeras，stretchingoverawholegeneration。Publicopinionhasdeclaredagainstthenecessityofsanitaryreform：

andisnotpublicopinionknowntobe，intheselastdays，theIthuriel’sspearwhichistounmaskanddestroyallthefollies，superstitions，andcrueltiesoftheuniverse？TheimmensemajorityoftheBritishnationwillneithercleansethemselvesnorletotherscleansethem：andarewenotgovernedbymajorities？

Arenotmajorities，confessedly，alwaysintheright，evenwhensmallest，andashowofhandsasurertestoftruththananyamountofwisdom，learning，orvirtue？Howmuchmore，then，whenawholefreepeopleisarrayed，inthecalmmagnificenceofself-

confidentconservatism，againstafewinnovatingandperhapsscepticalphilosophasters？Thensurely，ifever，voxpopuliisvoxcoeli。

And，infact，whenwecometoexaminethefirstandcommonestobjectionagainstsanitaryreformers，wefinditperfectlycorrect。Theyaresaidtobetheorists，dreamersofthestudy，whoareignorantofhumannature；andwhointheirmaterialistoptimism，haveforgottentheexistenceofmoraleviltilltheyalmostfancyattimesthattheycansettheworldrightsimplybyrightingitslowestmaterialarrangements。Thecomplaintisperfectlytrue。Theyhavebeenignorantofhumannature；theyhaveforgottentheexistenceofmoralevil；andifanyreligiousperiodicalshouldcomplainoftheirdenyingoriginalsin，theycanonlyanswerthattheydidinpastyearsfallintothatfolly，butthatsubsequentexperiencehasutterlyconvincedthemofthetruthofthedoctrine。

For，misledbythisignoranceofhumannature，theyexpectedhelp，fromtimetotime，fromvariousclassesofthecommunity，fromwhomnohelp（astheyoughttohaveknownatfirst）istobegotten。Some，asafact，expectedtheassistanceoftheclergy，andespeciallyofthepreachersofthosedenominationswhobelievethateveryhumanbeing，bythemerefactofhisbirthintothisworld，isdestinedtoendlesstortureafterdeath，unlessthepreachercanfindanopportunitytodeliverhimtherefrombeforehedies。Theysupposedthattosuchpreachersthemortallivesofmenwouldbeinexpressiblyprecious；thatanysciencewhichheldoutaprospectofretardingdeathinthecaseof"lostmillions"

wouldbehailedasaheavenlyboon，andwouldbecarriedoutwiththefervourofmenwhofeltthatforthesoul’ssakenoexertionwastoogreatinbehalfofthebody。

Alittlemorereflectionwouldhavequashedtheirvainhope。Theywouldhaverecollectedthateachofthesepreacherswasalreadyconnectedwithacongregation；thathehadalreadyaholdonthem，andtheyonhim；thathewasboundtoprovidefortheirspiritualwantsbeforegoingforthtoseekforfreshobjectsofhisministry。Theywouldhaverecollectedthatontheoldprinciple（andaverysoundone）ofabirdinthehandbeingworthtwointhebush，theministerofacongregationwouldfeelithisduty，aswellashisinterest，nottodefraudhisflockofhislaboursbyspendingvaluabletimeonasecularsubjectlikesanitaryreform，inthehopeofpossiblypreservingafewhumanbeings，whosesoulshemighthereafter（andthatagainwouldbemerelyapossibility）benefit。

Theywouldhaverecollected，again，thatthesecongregationsarealmostexclusivelycomposedofthoseclasseswhohavelittleornothingtofearfromepidemics，and（whatisevenmoreimportant）

whowouldhavetobeartheexpensesofsanitaryimprovements。Butsosanguine，sorecklessofhumanconditionshadtheirtheoriesmadethem，thattheyactuallyexpectedthatparishrectors，alreadyburdenedwithover-workandvestryquarrels——nay，eventhatpreacherswhogottheirbreadbypew-rents，andwhoselife-

longstrugglewas，therefore，tokeepthosepewsfilled，andthoserentersingoodhumour——shouldastoundtherespectablehouse-

ownersandratepayerswhosatbeneaththembytheappallingwords：

"You，andnotthe’VisitationofGod，’arethecauseofepidemics；

andofyou，nowthatyouareoncefairlywarnedofyourresponsibility，willyourbrothers’bloodberequired。"ConceiveSanitaryReformersexpectingthisof"ministers，"lettheirdenominationbewhatitmight——manyofthepoormen，too，withawifeandsevenchildren！Trulyhasitbeensaid，thatnothingissocruelastheunreasonablenessofafanatic。

Theyforgot，too，thatsanitaryscience，likegeology，mustbeatfirstsight"suspect"intheeyesofthepriestsofalldenominations，atleasttilltheyshallhavearrivedatamuchhigherdegreeofculturethantheynowpossess。