SinceIcametothisplaceIhavebeenveryrestless，wastingmyenergiesinthefutilebeginningofill-conceivedbooks。Onedoesnotsettledownveryreadilyattwoandfortytoanewwayofliving，andIhavefoundmyselfwiththeteeminginterestsofthelifeIhaveabandonedstillbuzzinglikeaswarmofhomelessbeesinmyhead。Mymindhasbeenfullofconfusedprotestsandjustifications。InanycaseIshouldhavefounddifficultiesenoughinexpressingthecomplexthingIhavetotell，butithasaddedgreatlytomytroublethatIhaveagreatanalogue，thatacertainNiccoloMachiavellichancedtofalloutofpoliticsatverymuchtheageIhavereached，andwroteabooktoengagetherestlessnessofhismind，verymuchasIhavewantedtodo。Hewroteabouttherelationofthegreatconstructivespiritinpoliticstoindividualcharacterandweaknesses，andsofarhisachievementlieslikeadeeprutintheroadofmyintention。Ithastakenmefarastray。
Itisamatterofmanyweeksnow——diversifiedindeedbysomelongdrivesintothemountainsbehindusandamemorablesailtoGenoaacrosstheblueandpurplewatersthatdrownedShelley——sinceI
beganalabouredandfutileimitationof"ThePrince。"Isatuplatelastnightwiththejumbledaccumulation；andatlastmadealittlefireofolivetwigsandburntitall，sheetbysheet——tobeginagainclearthismorning。
ButincidentallyIhavere-readmostofMachiavelli，notexceptingthosescandalouslettersofhistoVettori，anditseemstome，nowthatIhavereleasedmyselfaltogetherfromhisliteraryprecedent，thathestillhashisuseforme。InspiteofhisvastprestigeI
claimkindredwithhimandsethisnameuponmytitle-page，inpartialintimationofthematterofmystory。Hetakesmewithsympathynotonlybyreasonofthedreamhepursuedandthehumanityofhispolitics，butbythemixtureofhisnature。Hisvicescomein，essentialtomyissue。Heisdeadandgone，allhisimmediatecorrelationstopartyandfactionhavefadedtoinsignificance，leavingonlyontheonehandhisbroadmethodandconceptions，andupontheotherhisintimatelivingpersonality，exposeddowntoitssalaciouscornersasthesoulofnocontemporarycaneverbeexposed。OfthosedoublestrandsitisIhavetowrite，ofthesubtleprotestingperplexingplayofinstinctivepassionanddesireagainsttooabstractadreamofstatesmanship。ButthingsthatseemedtolieveryfarapartinMachiavelli'stimehavecomeneartooneanother；itisnosimplestoryofwhitepassionsstrugglingagainsttheredthatIhavetotell。
Thestate-makingdreamisaveryolddreamindeedintheworld'shistory。Itplaystoosmallapartinnovels。PlatoandConfuciusarebutthehighestofagreathostofmindsthathavehadakindredaspiration，havedreamtofaworldofmenbetterordered，happier，finer，securer。Theyimaginedcitiesgrownmorepowerfulandpeoplesmaderichandmultitudinousbytheirefforts，theythoughtintermsofharboursandshiningnavies，greatroadsengineeredmarvellously，junglesclearedanddesertsconquered，theendingofmuddleanddiseasesanddirtandmisery；theendingofconfusionsthatwastehumanpossibilities；theythoughtofthesethingswithpassionanddesireasothermenthinkofthesoftlinesandtenderbeautyofwomen。Thousandsofmenthereareto-dayalmostmasteredbythiswhitepassionofstatecraft，andinnearlyeveryonewhoreadsandthinksyoucouldfind，Isuspect，somesortofansweringresponse。Butineveryoneitpresentsitselfextraordinarilyentangledandmixedupwithother，moreintimatethings。
ItwassowithMachiavelli。IpicturehimatSanCascianoashelivedinretirementuponhispropertyafterthefalloftheRepublic，perhapswithatwingeofthetorturethatpunishedhisconspiracystilllurkinginhislimbs。Suchtwingescouldnotstophisdreaming。Thenitwas"ThePrince"waswritten。Alldayhewentabouthispersonalaffairs，sawhomelyneighbours，dealtwithhisfamily，gaveventtoeverydaypassions。HewouldsitintheshopofDonatodelCornogossipingcuriouslyamongviciouscompany，orpacethelonelywoodsofhisestate，bookinhand，fullofbittermeditations。Intheeveninghereturnedhomeandwenttohisstudy。
Attheentrance，hesays，hepulledoffhispeasantclothescoveredwiththedustanddirtofthatimmediatelife，washedhimself，putonhis"noblecourtdress，"closedthedoorontheworldoftoilingandgetting，privateloving，privatehatingandpersonalregrets，satdownwithasighofcontentmenttothosewiderdreams。
Iliketothinkofhimso，withbrownbooksbeforehimlitbythelightofcandlesinsilvercandlesticks，orheadingsomenewchapterof"ThePrince，"withagreyquillinhiscleanfinehand。
Sowriting，hebecomesasymbolforme，andthelessnonebecauseofhisanimalhumour，hisqueerindecentside，andbecauseofsuchlapsesintouttermeannessasthatwhichmadehimsoundthenoteofthebegging-letterwritereveninhis"Dedication，"remindingHisMagnificenceveryurgently，asifitwerethegistofhismatter，ofthecontinuedmalignityoffortuneinhisaffairs。Theseflawscompletehim。TheyaremyreasonforpreferringhimasasymboltoPlato，ofwhoseindelicatesideweknownothing，andwhosecorrespondencewithDionysiusofSyracusehasperished；ortoConfuciuswhotravelledChinainsearchofaPrincehemightinstruct，withlapsesandindignitiesnowlostinthemistsofages。
Theyhaveachievedtheapotheosisofindividualforgetfulness，andPlatohastheaddedgloryofthatacquiredbeauty，thatbustoftheIndianBacchuswhichisnowindissolublymingledwithhistradition。
Theyhavepassedintotheworldoftheideal，andeveryhumbugtakeshisfreedomswiththeirnames。ButMachiavelli，morerecentandlesspopular，isstillallhumanandearthly，afallenbrother——andatthesametimethatnoblydressedandnoblydreamingwriteratthedesk。
Thatvisionofthestrengthenedandperfectedstateisprotagonistinmystory。ButasIre-read"ThePrince"andthoughtoutthemannerofmynowabandonedproject，IcametoperceivehowthatstirandwhirlofhumanthoughtonecallsbywayofembodimenttheFrenchRevolution，hasalteredabsolutelytheapproachtosuchaquestion。
Machiavelli，likePlatoandPythagorasandConfuciustwohundredodddecadesbeforehim，sawonlyonemethodbywhichathinkingman，himselfnotpowerful，mightdotheworkofstatebuilding，andthatwasbyseizingtheimaginationofaPrince。Directlythesementurnedtheirthoughtstowardsrealisation，theirattitudesbecame——
whatshallIcallit？——secretarial。Machiavelli，itistrue，hadsomelittledoubtsabouttheparticularPrincehewanted，whetheritwasCaesarBorgiaofGiulianoorLorenzo，butaPrinceithadtobe。
BeforeIsawclearlythedifferencesofourowntimeIsearchedmymindforthemodernequivalentofaPrince。AtvarioustimesI
redraftedaparalleldedicationtothePrinceofWales，totheEmperorWilliam，toMr。Evesham，toacertainnewspaperproprietorwhowasoncemyschoolfellowatCityMerchants'，toMr。J。D。
Rockefeller——allofthemmenintheirseveralwaysandcircumstancesandpossibilities，princely。Yetineverycasemypenbentofitsownaccordtowardsironybecause——because，althoughatfirstIdidnotrealiseit，Imyselfamjustasfreetobeaprince。Theappealwasunfair。TheoldsortofPrince，theoldlittleprincipalityhasvanishedfromtheworld。Thecommonwealisoneman'sabsoluteestateandresponsibilitynomore。InMachiavelli'stimeitwasindeedtoanextremedegreeoneman'saffair。ButthedaysofthePrincewhoplannedanddirectedandwasthesourceandcentreofallpowerareended。Weareinaconditionofaffairsinfinitelymorecomplex，inwhicheveryprinceandstatesmanissomethingofaservantandeveryintelligenthumanbeingsomethingofaPrince。NomagnificentpensiveLorenzosremainanymoreinthisworldforsecretarialhopes。
Inasenseitiswonderfulhowpowerhasvanished，inasensewonderfulhowithasincreased。Isithere，anunarmeddiscreditedman，atasmallwriting-tableinalittledefencelessdwellingamongthevines，andnohumanbeingcanstopmypenexceptbythedeliberateself-immolationofmurderingme，nordestroyitsfruitsexceptbytheftandcrime。NoKing，nocouncil，canseizeandtortureme；noChurch，nonationsilenceme。Suchpowersofruthlessandcompletesuppressionhavevanished。Butthatisnotbecausepowerhasdiminished，butbecauseithasincreasedandbecomemultitudinous，becauseithasdisperseditselfandspecialised。Itisnolongeranegativepowerwehave，butpositive；wecannotprevent，butwecando。Thisage，farbeyondallpreviousages，isfullofpowerfulmen，menwhomight，iftheyhadthewillforit，achievestupendousthings。
Thethingsthatmightbedoneto-day！Thethingsindeedthatarebeingdone！Itisthelatterthatgiveonesovastasenseoftheformer。WhenIthinkoftheprogressofphysicalandmechanicalscience，ofmedicineandsanitationduringthelastcentury，whenI
measuretheincreaseingeneraleducationandaverageefficiency，thepowernowavailableforhumanservice，themerelyphysicalincrement，andcompareitwithanythingthathaseverbeenatman'sdisposalbefore，andwhenIthinkofwhatalittlestraggling，incidental，undisciplinedanduncoordinatedminorityofinventors，experimenters，educators，writersandorganisershasachievedthisdevelopmentofhumanpossibilities，achieveditinspiteofthedisregardandaimlessnessofthehugemajority，andthepassionateresistanceoftheactivedull，myimaginationgrowsgiddywithdazzlingintimationsofthehumansplendoursthejustlyorganisedstatemayyetattain。Iglimpseforabewilderinginstanttheheightsthatmaybescaled，thesplendidenterprisesmadepossible。
Buttheappealgoesoutnowinotherforms，inabookthatcatchesatthousandsofreadersfortheeyeofaPrincediffused。Itistheoldappealindeedfortheunificationofhumaneffort，theendingofconfusions，butinsteadoftheMachiavelliandeferencetoaflatteredlord，amancriesoutofhishearttotheunseenfellowshipabouthim。ThelastwrittendedicationofallthoseI
burntlastnight，wastonosingleman，buttothesociallyconstructivepassion——inanyman……
Thereis，moreover，asecondgreatdifferenceinkindbetweenmyworldandMachiavelli's。Wearediscoveringwomen。Itisasiftheyhadcomeacrossavastintervalsincehistime，intotheverychamberofthestatesman。
2
InMachiavelli'soutlooktheinterestofwomanhoodwasinaregionoflifealmostinfinitelyremotefromhisstatecraft。Theywerethevehicleofchildren，butonlyImperialRomeandthenewworldofto-
dayhaveeverhadaninklingofthesignificancethatmightgivetheminthestate。Theydidtheirwork，hethought，astheploughedearthbearsitscrops。Apartfromtheirfunctionoffertilitytheygaveahumoroustwisttolife，stimulatedworthymentotoil，andwastedthehoursofPrinces。Heleftthethoughtofwomenoutsidewithhisotherdustythingswhenhewentintohisstudytowrite，dismissedthemfromhismind。Butourmodernworldisburthenedwithitssenseoftheimmense，nowhalfarticulate，significanceofwomen。Theystandnow，asitwere，closebesidethesilvercandlesticks，speakingasMachiavelliwrites，untilhestayshispenandturnstodiscusshiswritingwiththem。
ItisthisgradualdiscoveryofsexasathingcollectivelyportentousthatIhavetominglewithmystatecraftifmypictureistobetruewhichhasturnedmeatlengthfromatreatisetothetellingofmyownstory。InmylifeIhaveparalleledverycloselytheslowrealisationsthataregoingonintheworldaboutme。I
beganlifeignoringwomen，theycametomeatfirstperplexinganddishonouring；onlyveryslowlyandverylateinmylifeandaftermisadventure，didIgaugethepowerandbeautyoftheloveofmanandwomanandlearnthowitmustneedsframeajustifiablevisionoftheorderedworld。Lovehasbroughtmetodisaster，becausemycareerhadbeenplannedregardlessofitspossibilityandvalue。
ButMachiavelli，itseemstome，whenhewentintohisstudy，leftnotonlytheearthoflifeoutsidebutitsunsuspectedsoul。
3
LikeMachiavelliatSanCasciano，ifImaytakethisanalogyonestepfurther，Itooamanexile。Officeandleadingareclosedtome。Thepoliticalcareerthatpromisedsomuchformeisshatteredandendedforever。
Ilookoutfromthisvine-wreathedverandaunderthebranchesofastonepine；Iseewideandfaracrossapurplevalleywhosesidesareterracedandsetwithhousesofpineandivory，theGulfofLiguriagleamingsapphireblue，andcloud-likebaselessmountainshanginginthesky，andIthinkoflankandcoalysteamshipsheavingonthegreyrollersoftheEnglishChannelanddarklingstreetswetwithrain，IrecallasifIwerebacktherethebusyexitfromCharingCross，thecrossandthemoney-changers'offices，thesplendidgrimeofgiantLondonandthecrowdsgoingperpetuallytoandfro，thelightsbynightandtheurgencyandeventfulnessofthatgreatrain-sweptheartofthemodernworld。
Itisdifficulttothinkwehaveleftthat——formanyyearsifnotforever。InthoughtIwalkoncemoreinPalaceYardandheartheclinkandclatterofhansomsandthequickquietwhirrofmotors；I
goinvividrecentmemoriesthroughthestirinthelobbies，Isitagainateventfuldinnersinthoseolddining-roomslikecellarsbelowtheHouse——dinnersthatendedwithshrilldivisionbells，I
thinkofhugeclubsswarmingandexcitedbythebulletinsofthatelectoralbattlethatwasformetheopeningopportunity。Iseethestencillednamesandnumbersgouponthegreenbaize，constituencyafterconstituency，amidstmurmursorloudshouting……
Itisoverformenowandvanished。Thatopportunitywillcomenomore。VeryprobablyyouhaveheardalreadysomecrudeinaccurateversionofourstoryandwhyIdidnottakeoffice，andhaveformedyourpartialjudgementonme。AndsoitisIsitnowatmystonetable，halfoutoflifealready，inawarm，large，shadowyleisure，splashedwithsunlightandhungwithvinetendrils，withpaperbeforemetodistilsuchwisdomasIcan，asMachiavelliinhisexilesoughttodo，fromthethingsIhavelearntandfeltduringthecareerthathasendednowinmydivorce。
Iclimbedhighandfastfromsmallbeginnings。Ihadthemindofmyparty。IdonotknowwhereImightnothaveended，butforthisredblazethatcameoutofmyunguardednatureandclosedmycareerforever。
CHAPTERTHESECOND
BROMSTEADANDMYFATHER
1
IdreamtfirstofstatesandcitiesandpoliticalthingswhenIwasalittleboyinknickerbockers。
WhenIthinkofhowsuchthingsbeganinmymind，therecomesbacktomethememoryofanenormousbleakroomwithitsceilinggoinguptoheavenanditsfloorcoveredirregularlywithpatchedanddefectiveoilclothandadingymatorsoanda"surround"astheycallit，ofdarkstainedwood。Hereandthereagainstthewallaretrunksandboxes。Therearecupboardsoneithersideofthefireplaceandbookshelveswithbooksabovethem，andonthewallandrathertatteredisalargeyellow-varnishedgeologicalmapoftheSouthofEngland。Overthemantelisahugelumpofwhitecoralrockandseveralbigfossilbones，andabovethathangstheportraitofabrainygentleman，slicedinhalfanddisplayinganinteriorofintricatedetailandmuchvigourofcoloring。ItisthefloorI
thinkofchiefly；overtheoilclothofwhich，assumedtobeland，spreadtownsandvillagesandfortsofwoodenbricks；therearesteepsquarehillsgeologically，volumesofOrr'sCYCLOPAEDIAOF
THESCIENCESandthecracksandspacesofthefloorandthebarebrownsurroundwerethewaterchannelsandopenseaofthatcontinentofmine。
Istillrememberwithinfinitegratitudethegreat-uncletowhomI
owemybricks。Hemusthavebeenoneofthoserareadultswhohavenotforgottenthechagrinsanddreamsofchildhood。HewasaprosperouswestofEnglandbuilder；includingmyfatherhehadthreenephews，andforeachofthemhecausedaboxofbrickstobemadebyanout-of-workcarpenter，nottheinsufficientsupplyofthetoyshop，youunderstand，butareallyadequatequantityofbricksmadeoutofoakandshapedandsmoothed，bricksaboutfiveinchesbytwoandahalfbyone，andhalf-bricksandquarter-brickstocorrespond。Therewerehundredsofthem，manyhundreds。Icouldbuildsixtowersashighasmyselfwiththem，andthereseemedquiteenoughforeveryengineeringprojectIcouldundertake。Icouldbuildwholetownswithstreetsandhousesandchurchesandcitadels；
IcouldbridgeeverygapintheoilclothandmakecausewaysovercrumpledspaceswhichIfeignedtobemorasses，andonakeelofwholebricksitwaspossibletoconstructshipstopushoverthehighseastotheremotestportintheroom。Andadisciplinedpopulation，thatroseatlastbysedulousbeggingonbirthdaysandallconvenientoccasionstowellovertwohundred，ofleadsailorsandsoldiers，horse，footandartillery，inhabitedthisworld。
Justicehasneverbeendonetobricksandsoldiersbythosewhowriteabouttoys。Thepraisesofthetoytheatrehavebeenacommonthemeforessayists，theplanningofthescenes，thepaintingandcuttingoutofthecaste，pennyplaintwopencecoloured，thestinkandgloryoftheperformanceandthefinalconflagration。Ihadsuchatheatreonce，butIneverloveditnorhopedformuchfromit；mybricksandsoldiersweremyperpetualdrama。Irecallanincessantvarietyofinterests。Therewasthemysteryandcharmofthecomplicatedbuildingsonecouldmake，withlongpassagesandstepsandwindowsthroughwhichonepeepedintotheirintricacies，andbymeansofslipsofcardonecouldmakeslantingwaysinthem，andsendmarblesrollingfromtoptobaseandthenceoutintotheholdofawaitingship。Thentherewerethefortressesandgunemplacementsandcoveredwaysinwhichone'ssoldierswent。Andtherewascommerce；theshopsandmarketsandstore-roomsfullofnasturtiumseed，thriftseed，lupinbeansandsuchlikeprovenderfromthegarden；suchstuffonestoredinmatch-boxesandpill-
boxes，orpackedinsacksofoldglovefingerstiedupwiththreadandsentoffbywaggonsalongthegreatmilitaryroadtothebeleagueredfortressontheIndianfrontierbeyondthewornplacesthatweredismalswamps。Andtherewerebattlesontheway。
Thatgreatroadisstillclearinmymemory。Iwasgiven，Iforgetbywhatbenefactor，certainparticularlyfierceredIndiansoflead——
Ihaveneverseensuchsoldierssince——andforthesemyfatherhelpedmetomaketepeesofbrownpaper，andIsettledtheminahithertodesolatecountryunderthefrowningnail-studdedcliffsofanancienttrunk。ThenIconqueredthemandgarrisonedtheirland。
Alas！theydied，nodoubtthroughcontactwithcivilisation——onemymothertrodon——andtheirlandbecameawildernessagainandwasravagedforatimebyaclockworkcrocodileofvastproportions。
Andouttowardsthecoal-scuttlewasaregionneartheimpassablethicketsoftheraggedhearthrugwherelivedcertainchinaZulusbrandishingspears，andamountaincountryofrudelypiledbricksconcealingthemostdeviousandenchantingcavesandseveralminesofgoldandsilverpaper。AmongtheserocksanumberofsurvivorsfromaNoah'sArkmadeavarious，dangerous，albeitfrequentlyinvalidandcrippledfauna，andIwaswonttoincreasetheuncultivatedwildnessofthisregionfurtherbytreesofprivet-
twigsfromthegardenhedgeandboxfromthegardenborders。BytheseterritorieswentmyImperialRoadcarryingproducetoandfro，bridginggapsintheoilcloth，tunnellingthroughEncyclopaedichills——onetunnelwasthreevolumeslong——defendedasoccasionrequiredbycampsofpapertentsorbrickblockhouses，andendingatlastinamagnificentlyengineeredascenttoafortressonthecliffscommandingtheIndianreservation。
Mygamesuponthefloormusthavespreadoverseveralyearsanddevelopedfromsmallbeginnings，incorporatingnowthissuggestionandnowthat。Theystretch，Isuppose，fromseventoelevenortwelve。Iplayedthemintermittently，andtheybulknowintheretrospectfarmoresignificantlythantheydidatthetime。I
playedtheminbursts，andthenforgotthemforlongperiods；
throughthespringandsummerIwasmostlyoutofdoors，andschoolandclassescaughtmeearly。AndintheretrospectIseethemallnotonlymagnifiedandtransfigured，butfore-shortenedandconfusedtogether。Aclockworkrailway，Iseemtoremember，cameandwent；
oneortwoclockworkboats，toysailingshipsthat，beingkeeled，woulddonothingbutlieontheirbeamendsonthefloor；adetestablelotofcavalrymen，undersizedandgiltallover，givenmebyamaidenaunt，andverymuchwhatonemightexpectfromanaunt，thatIusedasNerousedhisChristianstoornamentmypublicbuildings；andIfinallymeltedsomeintofratricidalbullets，andtherewithblewtheresttoflatsplashesofleadbymeansofabrasscannoninthegarden。
Ifindthisempireofthefloormuchmorevividanddetailedinmymemorynowthanmanyoftheownersoftheskirtsandlegsandbootsthatwentgingerlyacrossitsterritories。Occasionally，alas！theystoopedtoscrub，abolishinginoneuniversaldestructiontheslowgrowthofwholedaysofciviliseddevelopment。Istillrememberthehatredanddisgustofthesecatastrophes。LikeNoahIwasgivenwarnings。DidIdisregardthem，coarseredhandswoulddescend，pluckinggarrisonsfromfortressesandsailorsfromships，jumblingthemupintheirwrongboxes，clumsilysothattheirriflesandswordswerebroken，sweepingthesplendidcurvesoftheImperialRoadintoheapsofruins，castingthejunglegrowthofZululandintothefire。
Well，MasterDick，"thevoiceofthiscosmiccalamitywouldsay，"yououghttohaveputthemawaylastnight。No！Ican'twaituntilyou'vesailedthemallawayinships。Igotmyworktodo，anddoitIwill。"
Andinnotimeallmycontinentsandlandswereswirlingwaterandswipingstrokesofhouse-flannel。
Thatwastheworstofmygiantvisitants，butmymothertoo，dearlady，wassomethingofaterrortothismicrocosm。Sheworespring-
sidedboots，akindofbootnowvanished，Ibelieve，fromtheworld，withdullbodiesandshinytoes，andasilkdresswithflouncesthatwereverydestructivetothemorehazardousviaductsoftheImperialRoad。Shewasalways，Iseemtoremember，fetchingme；fetchingmeforameal，fetchingmeforawalkor，detestableabsurdity！
fetchingmeforawashandbrushup，andsheneverseemedtounderstandanythingwhateverofthepoliticalSystemsacrosswhichshecametome。AlsosheforbadealltoysonSundaysexceptthebricksforchurch-buildingandthesoldiersforchurchparade，oraScripturaluseoftheremainsoftheNoah'sArkmixedupwithawoodenSwissdairyfarm。Butshereallydidnotknowwhetherathingwasachurchornotunlessitpositivelybristledwithcannon，andmanyaSundayafternoonhaveIplayedChicagowiththefearofGodinmyheartunderaninfidelpretencethatitwasanewsortofarkratherelaboratelydone。
Chicago，Imustexplain，wasbaseduponmyfather'sdescriptionofthepigslaughteringsinthatcityandcertainpicturesIhadseen。
Youmadeyourbeasts——whichwereallthearklotreally，provisionallyconceivedaspigs——goupelaborateapproachestoacentralpen，fromwhichtheywentdownacardboardslidefouratatime，anddroppedmostsatisfyinglydownabrickshaft，andpitter-
litteroversomesteepstepstowhereaheadslaughtermanneNoah
strungacottonlooproundtheirlegsandsentthembypinhooksalongawiretoasecondslaughtermanwithachippedfootformerlyMrs。Noahwho，ifIrememberrightly，convertedthemintoArmysausagebymeansofaportionoftheinsideofanoldalarumclock。
Mymotherdidnotunderstandmygames，butmyfatherdid。Heworebright-colouredsocksandcarpetslipperswhenhewasindoors——mymotherdislikedbootsinthehouse——andhewouldsitdownonmylittlechairandsurveythemicrocosmonthefloorwithadmirableunderstandingandsympathy。
Itwashegavememostofmytoysand，Imorethansuspect，mostofmyideas。"Here'ssomecorrugatediron，"hewouldsay，"suitableforroofsandfencing，"andhandmealumpofthatstiffcrinkledpaperthatisusedforpackingmedicinebottles。Or，"Dick，doyouseethetigerlooseneartheImperialRoad？——won'tdoforyourcattleranch。"AndIwouldfindabrightnewleadtigerlikeaspecialcreationatlargeintheworld，anddemandingahuntingexpeditionandmuchelaborateefforttogethimsafelyhousedinthecitymenageriebesidethecaptureddragoncrocodile，tamednow，andhiskeylostandtheheartandspringgoneoutofhim。
AndtothevariousirregularreadingofmyfatherIowetheinestimableblessingofneverhavingaboy'sbookinmyboyhoodexceptthoseofJulesVerne。ButmyfatherusedtogetbooksforhimselfandmefromtheBromsteadInstitute，FenimoreCooperandMayneReidandillustratedhistories；oneoftheRusso-TurkishwarandoneofNapier'sexpeditiontoAbyssiniaIreadfromendtoend；
StanleyandLivingstone，livesofWellington，NapoleonandGaribaldi，andbackvolumesofPUNCH，fromwhichIderivedconceptionsofforeignanddomesticpoliticsithastakenyearsofadultreflectiontocorrect。AndathomepermanentlywehadWood'sNATURALHISTORY，abrand-newillustratedGreen'sHISTORYOFTHE
ENGLISHPEOPLE，Irving'sCOMPANIONSOFCOLUMBUS，agreatnumberofunboundpartsofsomegeographicalwork，aVOYAGEROUNDTHEWORLDI
thinkitwascalled，withpicturesofforeignplaces，andClarke'sNEWTESTAMENTwithamapofPalestine，andavarietyofotherinformingbooksboughtatsales。TherewasaSowerby'sBOTANYalso，withthousandsofcarefullytintedpicturesofBritishplants，andoneortwootherimportantworksinthesitting-room。IwasallowedtoturntheseoverandevenlieonthefloorwiththemonSundaysandotheroccasionsofexceptionalcleanliness。
AndintheatticIfoundonedayaveryoldforgottenmapafterthefashionofabird's-eyeview，representingtheCrimea，thatfascinatedmeandkeptmeforhoursnavigatingitswaterswithapin。
2
Myfatherwasalank-limbedmanineasyshabbytweedclothesandwithhishandsinhistrouserpockets。Hewasascienceteacher，takinganumberofclassesattheBromsteadInstituteinKentundertheoldScienceandArtDepartment，and"visiting"variousschools；
andourresourceswereekedoutbymymother'sincomeofnearlyahundredpoundsayear，andbyhisinheritanceofaterraceofthreepalatialbutstructurallyunsoundstuccohousesnearBromsteadStation。
TheywerebigclumsyresidencesintheearliestVictorianstyle，interminablyhighandwithdeepdampbasementsanddownstairscoal-cellarsandkitchensthatsuggestedanarchitectvindictivelydevotedtothediscomfortoftheservantclass。Ifso，hehadoverreachedhimselfanddefeatedhisend，fornoservantwouldstayinthemunlessforexceptionalwagesorexceptionaltoleranceofinefficiencyorexceptionalfreedominrepartee。Everystoreyinthehousewasfromtwelvetofifteenfeethighwhichwouldhavebeencoolandpleasantinahotclimate，andthestairswentsteeplyup，toendatlastinatticstooinaccessibleforoccupation。Theceilingshadvastplastercornicesofclassicaldesign，fragmentsofwhichwouldsometimesfallunexpectedly，andthewall-paperswereboldandgiganticinpatternandmuchvariegatedbydampandill-mendedrents。
Asmyfatherwasquiteunabletoletmorethanoneofthesehousesatatime，andthatforthemostparttoeccentricandundesirabletenants，hethoughtitpolitictoliveinoneofthetwoothers，anddevotetherenthereceivedfromtheletone，whenitwaslet，totheincessantnecessaryrepairingofallthree。Healsodidsomeoftherepairinghimselfand，smokingabull-dogpipethewhile，whichmymotherwouldnotallowhimtodointhehouse，hecultivatedvegetablesinasketchy，unpunctualandnotalwayssuccessfulmannerintheunoccupiedgardens。Thethreehousesfacednorth，andthebackoftheoneweoccupiedwascoveredbyagrape-vinethatyielded，Iremember，smallgreengrapesforpiesinthespring，andimperfectlyripeblackgrapesinfavourableautumnsforthepurposesofdessert。Thegrape-vineplayedanimportantpartinmylife，formyfatherbrokehisneckwhilehewaspruningit，whenIwasthirteen。
Myfatherwaswhatiscalledamanofideas，buttheywerenotalwaysgoodideas。MygrandfatherhadbeenaprivateschoolmasterandoneofthefoundersoftheCollegeofPreceptors，andmyfatherhadassistedhiminhisschooluntilincreasingcompetitionanddiminishingattendancehadmadeitevidentthatthedaysofsmallprivateschoolskeptbyunqualifiedpersonswerenumbered。
ThereuponmyfatherhadrousedhimselfandhadqualifiedasascienceteacherundertheScienceandArtDepartment，whichinthesedayshadchargeofthescientificandartisticeducationofthemassoftheEnglishpopulation，andhadthrownhimselfintoscienceteachingandtheearningofgovernmentgrantsthereforwithgreatiftransitoryzealandsuccess。
Idonotrememberanythingofmyfather'searlierandmoreenergetictime。Iwasthechildofmyparents'middleyears；theymarriedwhenmyfatherwasthirty-fiveandmymotherpastforty，andIsawonlythelastdecadentphaseofhiseducationalcareer。
TheScienceandArtDepartmenthasvanishedaltogetherfromtheworld，andpeopleareforgettingitnowwiththeutmostreadinessandgenerosity。Partofitssubstanceandstaffandspiritsurvive，moreorlesscompletelydigestedintotheBoardofEducation。
Theworlddoesmoveon，eveninitsgovernment。Itiswonderfulhowmanyoftheclumsyandlimitedgoverningbodiesofmyyouthandearlymanhoodhavegivenplacenowtomorescientificandefficientmachinery。WhenIwasaboy，Bromstead，whichisnowaborough，wasruledbyastrangebodycalledaLocalBoard——itwastheAgeofBoards——andIstillrememberindistinctlymyfatherrejoicingatthebreakfast-tableovertheliberationofLondonfromthecorruptanddevastatingcontrolofaMetropolitanBoardofWorks。ThentherewerealsoSchoolBoards；IwasalreadypracticallyinpoliticsbeforetheLondonSchoolBoardwasabsorbedbythespreadingtentaclesoftheLondonCountyCouncil。
ItgivesameasureofthenewnessofourmodernideasoftheStatetorememberthattheverybeginningsofpubliceducationliewithinmyfather'slifetime，andthatmanymostintelligentandpatrioticpeoplewereshockedbeyondmeasureattheStatedoinganythingofthesort。Whenhewasborn，totallyilliteratepeoplewhocouldneitherreadabooknorwritemorethanperhapsaclumsysignature，weretobefoundeverywhereinEngland；andgreatmassesofthepopulationweregettingnoinstructionatall。Onlyafewschoolsflourisheduponthepatronageofexceptionalparents；alloverthecountrytheoldendowedgrammarschoolsweretobefoundsinkinganddwindling；manyofthemhadclosedaltogether。Inthenewgreatcentresofpopulationmultitudesofchildrenweresweatedinthefactories，darklyignorantandwretchedandtheunder-equippedandunder-staffedNationalandBritishschools，supportedbyvoluntarycontributionsandsectarianrivalries，madeanineffectualfightagainstthisfesteringdarkness。Itwasaconditionofaffairsclamouringforremedies，buttherewasanimmenseamountofindifferenceandprejudicetobeovercomebeforeanyremedieswerepossible。Perhapssomedaysomeindustriousandlucidhistorianwilldisentangleallthemuddleofimpulsesandantagonisms，thecommercialism，utilitarianism，obstinateconservatism，humanitarianenthusiasm，outofwhichourpresenteducationalorganisationarose。
Ihavelongsincecometobelieveitnecessarythatallnewsocialinstitutionsshouldbeborninconfusion，andthatatfirsttheyshouldpresentchieflycrudeandridiculousaspects。ThedistrustofgovernmentintheVictoriandayswasfartoogreat，andthegeneralintelligencefartoolow，topermittheStatetogoaboutthenewbusinessitwastakingupinabusinesslikeway，totrainteachers，buildandequipschools，endowpedagogicresearch，andprovideproperlywrittenschool-books。ThesethingsitwasfeltMUSTbeprovidedbyindividualandlocaleffort，andsinceitwasmanifestthatitwasindividualandlocaleffortthatwereindefault，itwasreluctantlyagreedtostimulatethembymoneypayments。TheStatesetupamachineryofexaminationbothinScienceandArtandfortheelementaryschools；andpayments，knowntechnicallyasgrants，weremadeinaccordancewiththeexaminationresultsattained，tosuchschoolsasProvidencemightseefittosendintotheworld。InthiswayitwasfelttheDemandwouldbeestablishedthatwould，accordingtothebeliefsofthattime，inevitablyensuretheSupply。Anindustryof"Grantearning"wascreated，andthiswouldgiveeducationasanecessaryby-product。
Intheendthisbeliefwasfoundtoneedqualification，butGrant-
earningwasstillinfullactivitywhenIwasasmallboy。SofarastheScienceandArtDepartmentandmyfatherareconcerned，thetaskofexaminationwasentrustedtoeminentscientificmen，forthemostpartquiteunaccustomedtoteaching。Yousee，iftheyalsowereteachingsimilarclassestothosetheyexamined，itwasfearedthatinjusticemightbedone。Yearafteryeartheseeminentpersonssetquestionsandemployedsubordinatestoreadandmarktheincreasingthousandsofanswersthatensued，andhavingnodoubtthenationalidealoffairnesswelldevelopedintheirminds，theywerecarefuleachyeartore-readtheprecedingpapersbeforecomposingthecurrentone，inordertoseewhatitwasusualtoask。Asaresultofthis，inthecourseofafewyearstherecurrenceandpermutationofquestionsbecamealmostcalculable，andsincethepracticalobjectoftheteachingwastoteachpeoplenotscience，buthowtowriteanswerstothesequestions，theindustryofGrant-
earningassumedaformeasilydistinguishedfromanykindofgenuineeducationwhatever。
Otherremarkablecompromiseshadalsotobemadewiththespiritoftheage。TheunfortunateconflictbetweenReligionandScienceprevalentatthistimewasmitigated，ifIrememberrightly，bymakinggraduatesinartsandpriestsintheestablishedchurchScienceTeachersEXOFFICIO，andleavinglocalandprivateenterprisetoprovideschools，diagrams，books，material，accordingtotheconceptionsofefficiencyprevalentinthedistrict。Privateenterprisemadeaparticularlygoodthingofthebooks。AnumberofcompetingfirmsofpublisherssprangintoexistencespecialisinginScienceandArtDepartmentwork；theysetthemselvestoproducetext-booksthatshouldsupplyexactlythequantityandqualityofknowledgenecessaryforeverystageofeachoffiveandtwentysubjectsintowhichdesirablesciencewasdivided，andcopiesandmodelsandinstructionsthatshouldgivepreciselythemethodandgesturesesteemedasproficiencyinart。Everysectionofeachbookwaswrittenintheidiomfoundtobemostsatisfactorytotheexaminers，andtestquestionsextractedfrompaperssetinformeryearswereappendedtoeverychapter。Bymeansoftheselasttheteacherwasabletotrainhisclasstotheveryhighestlevelofgrant-earningefficiency，andverynaturallyhecastallothermethodsofexpositionaside。Firstheposedhispupilswithquestionsandthendictatedmodelreplies。
Thatwasmyfather'smethodofinstruction。Iattendedhisclassesasanelementarygrant-earnerfromtheageoftenuntilhisdeath，anditissoIrememberhim，sittingontheedgeofatable，smotheringayawnoccasionallyandgivingouttheinfallibleformulaetotheindustriouslyscribblingclasssittinginrowsofdesksbeforehim。Occasionallybewouldslidetohisfeetandgotoablackboardonaneaselanddrawonthatveryslowlyanddeliberatelyincolouredchalksadiagramfortheclasstocopyincolouredpencils，andsometimeshewoulddisplayaspecimenorarrangeanexperimentforthemtosee。TheroomintheInstituteinwhichhetaughtwasequippedwithacertainamountofapparatusprescribedasnecessaryforsubjectthisandsubjectthatbytheScienceandArtDepartment，andthismyfatherwouldsupplementwithmapsanddiagramsanddrawingsofhisown。
Butheneverreallydidexperiments，exceptthatintheclassinsystematicbotanyhesometimesmadeusteasecommonflowerstopieces。Hedidnotdoexperimentsifhecouldpossiblyhelpit，becauseinthefirstplacetheyuseduptimeandgasfortheBunsenburnerandgoodmaterialinaruinousfashion，andinthesecondtheywere，inhisrathercarelessandsketchyhands，apttoendangertheapparatusoftheInstituteandeventhelivesofhisstudents。
Thenthirdly，realexperimentsinvolvedwashingup。Andmoreovertheyalwaysturnedoutwrong，andsometimesmisledthetooobservantlearnerveryseriouslyandopeneddemoralisingcontroversies。QuiteearlyinlifeIacquiredanalmostineradicablesenseoftheunscientificperversityofNatureandtheimpassablegulfthatisfixedbetweensystematicscienceandelusivefact。Iknew，forexample，thatinscience，whetheritbesubjectXII。，OrganicChemistry，orsubjectXVII。，AnimalPhysiology，whenyoublowintoaglassoflimewateritinstantlybecomescloudy，andifyoucontinuetoblowitclearsagain，whereasintruthyoumayblowintothestufffromthelime-waterbottleuntilyouarecrimsoninthefaceandpainfulundertheears，anditneverbecomescloudyatall。AndIknew，too，thatinscienceifyouputpotassiumchlorateintoaretortandheatitoveraBunsenburner，oxygenisdisengagedandmaybecollectedoverwater，whereasinreallifeifyoudoanythingofthesortthevesselcrackswithaloudreport，thepotassiumchloratedescendssizzlingupontheflame，theexperimentersays"Oh！Damn！"withastonishingheartinessanddistinctness，andaladystudentinthebackseatsgetsupandleavestheroom。
ScienceistheorganisedconquestofNature，andIcanquiteunderstandthatancientlibertinerefusingtocooperateinherownundoing。AndIcanquiteunderstand，too，myfather'spreferenceforwhathecalledanillustrativeexperiment，whichwassimplyanarrangementoftheapparatusinfrontoftheclasswithnothingwhateverbywayofmaterial，andtheBunsenburnercleanandcool，andthenaslowluminousdescriptionofjustwhatyoudidputinitwhenyouweresoill-advisedastocarrytheaffairbeyondillustration，andjustexactlywhatoughtanyhowtohappenwhenyoudid。Hehadconsiderablepowersofvividexpression，sothatinthiswayhecouldmakeusseeallhedescribed。Theclass，freedfromanyunpleasantnervoustension，coulddrawthisstilllifewithoutflinching，andifanypartwastoodifficulttodraw，thenmyfatherwouldproduceasimplifiedversionontheblackboardtobecopiedinstead。Andhewouldalsowriteontheblackboardanyexceptionallydifficultbutgrant-earningwords，suchas"empyreumatic"or"botryoidal。"
Somewordsinconstantuseherarelyexplained。Irememberoncestickingupmyhandandaskinghiminthefullflowofdescription，"Please，sir，whatisflocculent？"
"Theprecipitateis。"
"Yes，sir，butwhatdoesitmean？"
"Oh！flocculent！"saidmyfather，"flocculent！Why——"heextendedhishandandarmandtwiddledhisfingersforasecondintheair。
"Likethat，"hesaid。
Ithoughttheexplanationsufficient，buthepausedforamomentaftergivingit。"Asinaflockbed，youknow，"headdedandresumedhisdiscourse。
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Myfather，Iamafraid，carriedanaturalincompetenceinpracticalaffairstoanexceptionallyhighlevel。Hecombinedpracticalincompetence，practicalenterpriseandathoroughlysanguinetemperament，inamannerthatIhaveneverseenparalleledinanyhumanbeing。Hewasalwaystryingtodonewthingsinthebriskestmanner，underthesuggestionofbooksorpapersorhisownspontaneousimagination，andashehadneverbeentrainedtodoanythingwhateverinhislifeproperly，hisfutilitieswereextensiveandthorough。Atonetimehenearlygaveuphisclassesforintensiveculture，soenamouredwasheofitspossibilities；thepeculiarpungencyofthemanurehegot，inpursuitofachemicaltheoryofhisown，hasscarredmyolfactorymemoriesforalifetime。
Theintensiveculturephaseisveryclearinmymemory；itcameneartheendofhiscareerandwhenIwasbetweenelevenandtwelve。I
wasmobilisedtogathercaterpillarsonseveraloccasions，andassistedinnocturnalraidsupontheslugsbylantern-lightthatwreckedmypreparationworkforschoolnextday。Myfatherdugupbothlawns，andtrenchedandmanuredinspasmsofimmensevigouralternatingwithperiodsofparalysingdistasteforthegarden。Andforweekshetalkedabouteighthundredpoundsanacreateverymeal。
Agarden，evenwhenitisnotexasperatedbyintensivemethods，isathingasexactingasababy，itsmoodshavetohewatched；itdoesnotwaituponthecultivator'sconvenience，buthastimesofitsown。Intensiveculturegreatlyincreasesthisdispositiontotroublemankind；itmakesagardentouchyandhysterical，adruggedanddemoralisedandover-irritatedgarden。Myfathergotatcrosspurposeswithourtwopatchesatanearlystage。Everythinggrewwrongfromthefirsttolast，andifmyfather'smanuresintensifiednothingelse，theycertainlyintensifiedthePrimordialCurse。Thepeaswereeateninthenightbeforetheywerethreeincheshigh，thebeansborenothingbutblight，theonlyapparentresultofasprayingofthepotatoeswastodevelopaPENCHANTinthecatforbeingillindoors，thecucumberframesweredamagedbythecatapultingofboysgoingdownthelaneattheback，andallyourcucumbersweremysteriouslyembittered。Thatlanewithitsoccasionalpassers-bydidmuchtowrecktheintensivescheme，becausemyfatheralwaysstoppedworkandwentindoorsifanyonewatchedhim。Hisspecialmanurewasapttoarouseatroublesomespiritofinquiryinhardynatures。
Indigginghisrowsandshapinghispatchesheneglectedtheguidingstringandtrustedtohiseyealtogethertoomuch，andtheconsequentobliquityandthevariouswind-breaksandscare-crowsheerected，andparticularlyanirrigationcontrivancehebeganandneverfinishedbywhicheverythingwastobewateredatoncebymeansofpiecesofgutterfromtheroofandouthousesofNumber2，andalargeandparticularlyobstinateclumpofelder-bushesintheabolishedhedgethathehadfailedtodestroyentirelyeitherbyaxeorbyfire，combinedtogivethegardensunderintensivecultureasingularlydesolateanddisorderlyappearance。HetookstepstowardsthediversionofourhousedrainundertheinfluenceoftheSewageUtilisationSociety；buthappilyhestoppedintime。Hehardlycompletedanyoftheoperationshebegan；somethingelsebecamemoreurgentorsimplyhetired；aconsiderableareaoftheNumber2territorywasneverevendugup。
Intheendtheaffairirritatedhimbeyondendurance。Neverwasamanlesshorticulturally-minded。Theclamourofthesevegetableshehadlaunchedintotheworldforhisserviceandassistance，woreouthispatience。Hewouldwalkintothegardenthehappiestofmenafteradayorsoofdisregard，talkingtomeofhistoryperhapsorsocialorganisation，orsummarisingsomebookhehadread。Hetalkedtomeofanythingthatinterestedhim，regardlessofmylimitations。Thenhewouldbegintonotethegrowthoftheweeds。
"Thiswon'tdo，"hewouldsayandpullupahandful。
Moreweedingwouldfollowandthetalkwouldbecomefragmentary。
Hishandswouldbecomeearthy，hisnailsblack，weedswouldsnapoffinhiscarelessgrip，leavingtherootsbehind。Theworldwoulddarken。Hewouldlookathisfingerswithdisgustedastonishment。
"CURSEtheseweeds！"hewouldsayfromhisheart。Hisdiscoursewasatanend。
Ihavememories，too，ofhissuddenunexpectedchargesintothetranquillityofthehouse，hishandsandclothesintensivelyenriched。Hewouldcomeinlikeawhirlwind。"ThisdamnedstuffallovermeandtheAgriculturalChemistryClassatsix！Bah！
AAAAAAH！"
Mymotherwouldneverlearnnottoattempttobreakhimofswearingonsuchoccasions。Shewouldremainstandingalittlestifflyinthesculleryrefusingtoassisthimtotheadjectivaltowelhesought。
"Ifyousaysuchthings——"
Hewoulddancewithrageandhurlthesoapabout。"Thetowel！"hewouldcry，flickingsudsfrombigfingersineverydirection；"thetowel！I'lllettheblitheringclassslideifyoudon'tgivemethetowel！I'llgiveupeverything，Itellyou——everything！"……
Atlastwiththefailureofthelettucescamethebreakingpoint。I
wasinthelittlearbourlearningLatinirregularverbswhenithappened。Icanseehimstill，hispeculiartenorvoicestillechoesinmybrain，shoutinghisopinionofintensivecultureforalltheworldtohear，andslashingawayatthatabominablemockeryofacropwithahoe。Wehadtiedthemupwithbastonlyaweekorsobefore，andnowhalfwererottenandhalfhadshotupintotallslendergrowths。Hehadthehoeinbothhandsandslogged。Greatwipeshemade，andateachstrokehesaid，"Takethat！"
Theairwasthickwithflyingfragmentsofabortivesalad。Itwasafantasticmassacre。ItwastheFrenchRevolutionofthatcoldtyranny，thevindictiveoverthrowofthepamperedvegetablearistocrats。Afterhehadassuagedhispassionuponthem，heturnedforotherprey；hekickedholesintwoofournoblestmarrows，flickedofftheheadsofhalfarowofartichokes，andshiedthehoewithasplendidsmashintothecucumberframe。SomethingoftheaweofthatmomentreturnstomeasIwriteofit。
Well，myboy，"hesaid，approachingwithanexpressionofbeneficenthappiness，"I'vedonewithgardening。Let'sgoforawalklikereasonablebeings。I'vehadenoughofthis"——hisfacewasconvulsedforaninstantwithbitterresentment——"Panderingtocabbages。"
4
Thatafternoon'swalksticksinmymemoryformanyreasons。OneisthatwewentfurtherthanIhadeverbeenbefore；farbeyondKestonandnearlytoSeven-oaks，comingbackbytrainfromDuntonGreen，andtheotheristhatmyfatherashewentalongtalkedabouthimself，notsomuchtomeastohimself，andaboutlifeandwhathehaddonewithit。Hemonologuedsothatattimesheproducedaneffectofweirdworld-forgetfulness。Ilistenedpuzzled，andatthattimenotupderstandingmanythingsthatafterwardsbecameplaintome。ItisonlyinrecentyearsthatIhavediscoveredthepathosofthatmonologue；howfriendlessmyfatherwasanduncompanionedinhisthoughtsandfeelings，andwhatahungerhemayhavefeltforthesympathyoftheundevelopedyoungsterwhotrottedbyhisside。
"I'mnogardener，"hesaid，"I'mnoanything。WhythedevildidI
startgardening？
"Isupposemanwascreatedtomindagarden……ButtheFallletusoutofthat！WhatwasIcreatedfor？God！whatwasIcreatedfor？……
"Slavestomatter！Mindinginanimatethings！Itdoesn'tsuitme，youknow。I'vegotnohandsandnopatience。I'vemuckedaboutwithlife。Muckedaboutwithlife。"Hesuddenlyaddressedhimselftome，andforaninstantIstartedlikeaneavesdropperdiscovered。
"Whateveryoudo，boy，whateveryoudo，makeaPlan。MakeagoodPlanandsticktoit。Findoutwhatlifeisabout——Ineverhave——
andsetyourselftodowhateveryououghttodo。Iadmitit'sapuzzle……
"Thosedamnedhouseshavebeenthecurseofmylife。Stuccowhiteelephants！Beastlycrackedstuccowithstainsofgreen——blackandgreen。Confervaandsoot……Property，theyare！……BewareofThings，Dick，bewareofThings！Beforeyouknowwhereyouareyouarewaitingonthemandmindingthem。They'lleatyourlifeup。
Eatupyourhoursandyourbloodandenergy！Whenthosehousescametome，Ioughttohavesoldthem——orfledthecountry。Ioughttohaveclearedout。Sarcophagi——eatersofmen！Oh！thehoursanddaysofwork，thenightsofanxietythosevilehouseshavecostme！
Thepainting！Itworkedupmyarms；itgotalloverme。Istankofit。Itmademeill。Itisn'tliving——it'sminding……
"Property'sthecurseoflife。Property！Ugh！Lookatthiscountryallcutupintosillylittleparallelograms，lookatallthosevillaswepassedjustnowandthosepotatopatchesandthattarredshantyandthehedge！Somebody'smindingeverybitofitlikeadogtiedtoacart'stail。Patchingitandbotheringaboutit。Bothering！Yappingateverypasser-by。Lookatthatnotice-
board！OnerottenworriedlittlebeastwantstokeepusotherrottenlittlebeastsoffHISpatch，——Godknowswhy！Lookattheweedsinit。Lookatthemendedfence！……There'snopropertyworthhaving，Dick，butmoney。That'sonlygoodtospend。Allthesethings。Humansoulsburiedunderacartloadofblitheringrubbish……
"I'mnotafool，Dick。Ihavequalities，imagination，asortofgo。
Ioughttohavemadeabetterthingoflife。
"I'msureIcouldhavedonethings。Onlytheoldpeoplepulledmyleg。Theystartedmewrong。Theyneverstartedmeatall。IonlybegantofindoutwhatlifewaslikewhenIwasnearlyforty。
"IfI'dgonetoauniversity；ifI'dhadanysortofsoundtraining，ifIhadn'tslippedintothehaphazardplacesthatcameeasiest……
"Nobodywarnedme。Nobody。Itisn'taworldwelivein，Dick；it'sacascadeofaccidents；it'sachaosexasperatedbypolicemen！YOU
bewarnedintime，Dick。Yousticktoaplan。Don'twaitforanyonetoshowyoutheway。Nobodywill。Thereisn'tawaytillyoumakeone。Geteducation，getagoodeducation。Fightyourwaytothetop。It'syouronlychance。I'vewatchedyou。You'lldonogoodatdiggingandpropertyminding。Thereisn'taneighbourinBromsteadwon'tbeabletoskinyouatsuchlikegames。YouandI
arethebrainyunstablekind，topsideornothing。Andifeverthoseblitheringhousescometoyou——don'thave'em。Givethemaway！
Dynamite'em——andoff！LIVE，Dick！I'llgetridofthemforyouifIcan，Dick，butrememberwhatIsay。"……
Soitwasmyfatherdiscoursed，ifnotinthoseparticularwords，yetexactlyinthatmanner，asheslouchedalongthesouthwardroad，withresentfuleyesbecominglessresentfulashetalked，andflingingoutclumsyillustrativemotionsattheoutskirtsofBromsteadaswepassedalongthem。ThatafternoonhehatedBromstead，fromitsfoot-tiringpebblesup。HehadnoillusionsaboutBromsteadorhimself。Ihavetheclearestimpressionofhiminhisgarden-stainedtweedswithadeer-stalkerhatonthebackofhisheadandpresentlyapipesometimesbetweenhisteethandsometimesinhisgesticulatinghand，ashebecamedivertedbyhistalkfromhisoriginalexasperation……
Thisparticularafternoonisnodoubtmixedupinmymemorywithmanyotherafternoons；allsortsofthingsmyfathersaidanddidatdifferenttimeshavegotthemselvesreferredtoit；itfilledmeatthetimewithagreatunprecedentedsenseoffellowshipandithasbecomethesymbolnowforallourintercoursetogether。IfIdidn'tunderstandthethingshesaid，Ididthemoodhewasin。HegavemetwoverybroadideasinthattalkandthetalksIhavemingledwithit；hegavethemtomeveryclearlyandtheyhaveremainedfundamentalinmymind；oneasenseoftheextraordinaryconfusionandwasteandplanlessnessofthehumanlifethatwentonallaboutus；andtheotherofagreatidealoforderandeconomywhichhecalledvariouslyScienceandCivilisation，andwhich，thoughIdonotrememberthatheeverusedthatword，IsupposemanypeoplenowadayswouldidentifywithSocialism，——astheFabiansexpoundit。
HewasnotverydefiniteaboutthisScience，youmustunderstand，butheseemedalwaystobewavinghishandtowardsit，——justashiscontemporaryTennysonseemsalwaystobedoing——hebelongedtohisageandmostlyhistalkwasdestructiveofthelimitedbeliefsofhistime，heledmetoinferratherthanactuallytoldmethatthisSciencewascoming，aspiritoflightandorder，totherescueofaworldgroaningandtravailinginmuddleforthewantofit……
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WhenIthinkofBromsteadnowadaysIfinditinseparablyboundupwiththedisordersofmyfather'sgardening，andtheoddpatchingsandpaintingsthatdisfiguredhishouses。Itwasallofapiecewiththat。
LetmetryandgivesomethingofthequalityofBromsteadandsomethingofitshistory。ItisthequalityandhistoryofathousandplacesroundandaboutLondon，androundandabouttheothergreatcentresofpopulationintheworld。Indeeditisinameasurethequalityofthewholeofthismodernworldfromwhichwewhohavethestatesman'spassionstruggletoevolve，anddreamstillofevolvingorder。
First，then，youmustthinkofBromsteadahundredandfiftyyearsago，asanarrowirregularlittlestreetofthatchedhousesstrungoutontheLondonandDoverRoad，alittlemellowsampleunitofasocialorderthathadakindofcompleteness，atitslevel，ofitsown。Atthattimeitspopulationnumberedalittleundertwothousandpeople，mostlyengagedinagriculturalworkorintradesservingagriculture。Therewasablacksmith，asaddler，achemist，adoctor，abarber，alinen-draperwhobrewedhisownbeer；aveterinarysurgeon，ahardwareshop，andtwocapaciousinns。Roundandaboutitwereanumberofpleasantgentlemen'sseats，whoseownerswentfrequentlytoLondontownintheircoachesalongtheverytolerablehigh-road。Thechurchwasbigenoughtoholdthewholepopulation，werepeoplemindedtogotochurch，andindeedalargeproportiondidgo，andallwhomarriedweremarriedinit，andeverybody，tobeginwith，waschristenedatitsfontandburiedatlastinitsyew-shadedgraveyard。Everybodykneweverybodyintheplace。Itwas，infact，adefiniteplaceandarealhumancommunityinthosedays。Therewasapleasantoldmarket-houseinthemiddleofthetownwithaweeklymarket，andanannualfairatwhichmuchcheerfulmerrymakingandhomelyintoxicationoccurred；therewasapackofhoundswhichhuntedwithinfivemilesofLondonBridge，andthelocalgentrywouldoccasionallyenliventheplacewithvaliantcricketmatchesforahundredguineasaside，tothevastexcitementoftheentirepopulation。Itwasverymuchthesamesortofplacethatithadbeenforthreeorfourcenturies。ABromsteadRipvanWinklefrom1550returningin1750wouldhavefoundmostoftheoldhousesstillashehadknownthem，thesametradesalittleimprovedanddifferentiatedonefromtheother，thesameroadsrathermorecarefullytended，theInnsnotverymuchaltered，theancientfamiliarmarket-house。Theoccasionalwheeledtrafficwouldhavestruckhimasthemostremarkabledifference，nextperhapstotheswaggeringpaintedstonemonumentsinsteadofbrassesandtheprotestantseverityofthecommunion-tableintheparishchurch，——
bothfromthematerialpointofviewverylittlethings。ARipvanWinklefrom1350，again，wouldhavenoticedscarcelygreaterchanges；fewerclergy，morepeople，andparticularlymorepeopleofthemiddlingsort；theglassinthewindowsofmanyofthehouses，thestylishchimneysspringingupeverywherewouldhaveimpressedhim，andsuchlikedetails。Theplacewouldhavehadthesameboundaries，thesamebroadessentialfeatures，wouldhavebeenstillitselfinthewaythatamanisstillhimselfafterhehas"filledout"alittleandgrownalongerbeardandchangedhisclothes。
Butafter1750somethinggotholdoftheworld，somethingthatwasdestinedtoalterthescaleofeveryhumanaffair。
Thatsomethingwasmachineryandavagueenergeticdispositiontoimprovematerialthings。InanotherpartofEnglandingeniouspeoplewerebeginningtousecoalinsmeltingiron，andwereproducingmetalinabundanceandmetalcastingsinsizesthathadhithertobeenunattainable。Withoutwarningorpreparation，incrementinvolvingcountlesspossibilitiesoffurtherincrementwascomingtothestrengthofhorsesandmen。"Power，"allunsuspected，wasflowinglikeadrugintotheveinsofthesocialbody。
Nobodyseemstohaveperceivedthiscomingofpower，andnobodyhadcalculateditsprobableconsequences。Suddenly，almostinadvertently，peoplefoundthemselvesdoingthingsthatwouldhaveamazedtheirancestors。Theybegantoconstructwheeledvehiclesmuchmoreeasilyandcheaplythantheyhadeverdonebefore，tomakeuproadsandmovethingsaboutthathadformerlybeenesteemedtooheavyforlocomotion，tojoinwoodworkwithironnailsinsteadofwoodenpegs，toachieveallsortsofmechanicalpossibilities，totrademorefreelyandmanufactureonalargerscale，tosendgoodsabroadinawholesaleandsystematicway，tobringbackcommoditiesfromoverseas，notsimplyspicesandfinecommodities，butgoodsinbulk。Thenewinfluencespreadtoagriculture，ironappliancesreplacedwooden，breedingofstockbecamesystematic，paper-makingandprintingincreasedandcheapened。RoofsofslateandtileappearedamidstandpresentlyprevailedovertheoriginalBromsteadthatch，thehugespaceofCommontothesouthwasextensivelyenclosed，andwhathadbeenanill-definedhorse-tracktoDover，onlypassablebyadventurouscoachesindryweather，becametheDoverRoad，andwaspresentlytheroutefirstofoneandthenofseveraldailycoaches。TheHighStreetwasdiscoveredtobetootortuousfortheseawakeningenergies，andanewroadcutoffitsworstcontortions。Residentialvillasappearedoccupiedbyretiredtradesmenandwidows，whoesteemedtheplacehealthy，andbyothersofastrangenewunoccupiedclassofpeoplewhohadmoneyinvestedinjoint-stockenterprises。Firstoneandthenseveralboys'
boarding-schoolscame，drawingtheirpupilsfromLondon，——mygrandfather'swasoneofthese。London，twelvemilestothenorth-
west，wasmakingitselffeltmoreandmore。
Butthiswasonlythebeginningofthegrowthperiod，thefirsttrickleofthecomingfloodofmechanicalpower。Awayinthenorththeywerecastingironinbiggerandbiggerforms，workingtheirwaytotheproductionofsteelonalargescale，applyingpowerinfactories。Bromsteadhadalmostdoubtedinsizeagainlongbeforetherailwaycame；therewashardlyanythatchleftintheHighStreet，butinsteadwerehouseswithhandsomebrass-knockeredfrontdoorsandseveralwindows，andshopswithshop-frontsallofsquareglasspanes，andtheplacewaslightedpubliclynowbyoillamps——
previouslyonlyoneflickeringlampoutsideeachofthecoachinginnshadbrokenthenocturnaldarkness。Andtherewastalk，itlongremainedtalk，——ofgas。Thegasworkscamein1834，andaboutthatdatemyfather'sthreehousesmusthavebeenbuiltconvenientfortheLondonRoad。Theymarknearlythebeginningoftherealsuburbanquality；theywereletatfirsttoCitypeoplestillengagedinbusiness。
Andthenhardonthegasworkshadcometherailwayandcheapcoal；
therewasawildoutbreakofbrickfieldsupontheclaylandstotheeast，andtheGreatGrowthhadbeguninearnest。TheagriculturalplaciditiesthathadformerlycometotheverybordersoftheHighStreetwerebrokenupnorth，westandsouth，bynewroads。Thisenterprisingpersonandthenthatbeganto"runup"houses，irrespectiveofeveryotherenterprisingpersonwhowasdoingthesamething。ALocalBoardcameintoexistence，andwithmuchhesitationandpenny-wiseeconomyinaugurateddrainageworks。Ratesbecameacommontopic，afactofaccumulatingimportance。Severalchapelsofzincandironappeared，andalsoawhitenewchurchincommercialGothicuponthecommon，andanotherofredbrickintheresidentialdistrictoutbeyondthebrickfieldstowardsChessington。
Thepopulationdoubledagainanddoubledagain，andbecameparticularlyteemingintheprolific"working-class"districtaboutthedeep-rutted，muddy，coal-blackenedroadsbetweenthegasworks，Blodgett'slaundries，andtherailwaygoods-yard。Weeklyproperties，thatistosaysmallhousesbuiltbysmallpropertyownersandletbytheweek，sprangupalsointheCageFields，andpresentlyextendedrightuptheLondonRoad。Asinglenationalschoolinaninconvenientsituationsetitselfinadequatelytocollectsubscriptionsandteachtheswarming，sniffing，grimyoffspringofthisdingynewpopulationtoread。ThevillagesofBeckington，whichusedtobethreemilestothewest，andBlamelyfourmilestotheeastofBromstead，wereexperiencingsimilardistensionsandproliferations，andgrewouttomeetus。AlleffectoflocalityorcommunityhadgonefromtheseplaceslongbeforeI
wasborn；hardlyanyoneknewanyone；therewasnogeneralmeetingplaceanymore，theoldfairswerejustcommonnuisanceshauntedbygypsies，vanshowmen，CheapJacksandLondonroughs，thechurcheswereincapableofaquarterofthepopulation。OneortwolocalpapersofshamelessvenialityreportedtheproceedingsofthelocalBenchandthelocalBoard，compelledtradesmenwhowereinterestedintheseaffairstoadvertise，usedtheepithet"Bromstedian"asoneexpressingpeculiarvirtues，andsomaintainedinthegeneralmindaweaktraditionofsomelocalqualitythatembracedusall。Thentheparishgraveyardfilledupandbecameascandal，andanambitiousareawithanairofappetitewaswalledinbyaBromsteadCemeteryCompany，andplantedwithsuitablyhigh-mindedandsorrowfulvarietiesofconifer。AstonemasontookoneoftheearliervillaswithafrontgardenattheendoftheHighStreet，anddisplayedasupplyofurnsonpillarsandheadstonesandcrossesinstone，marble，andgranite，thatwouldhavesufficedtocommemorateinelaboratedetailtheentirepopulationofBromsteadasonefounditin1750。
ThecemeterywasmadewhenIwasalittleboyoffiveorsix；Iwasinthefulltideofbuildingandgrowthfromthefirst；thesecondrailwaywithitsstationatBromsteadNorthandthedrainagefollowedwhenIwastenoreleven，andallmychildishmemoriesareofdiggingandwheeling，ofwoodsinvadedbybuilding，roadsgashedopenandlitteredwithironpipesamidstafearfulsmellofgas，ofmenpeepedatandseentoilingawaydeepdowninexcavations，ofhedgesbrokendownandreplacedbyplanks，ofwheelbarrowsandbuilders'sheds，ofrivuletsovertakenandswallowedupbydrain-
pipes。Bigtrees，andespeciallyelms，clearedofundergrowthandleftstandingamidsuchthings，acquiredapeculiartattereddinginessratherinthequalityofneedywidowwomenwhohaveseenhappierdays。
TheRavensbrookofmyearliermemorieswasabeautifulstream。ItcameintomyworldoutofamysteriousBeyond，outofagarden，splashingbrightlydownaweirwhichhadoncebeentheweirofamill。Abovetheweirandinaccessibletherewerebulrushesgrowinginsplendidclumps，andbeyondthat，pampasgrass，yellowandcrimsonspikesofhollyhock，andbluesuggestionsofwonderland。
Fromthepoolatthefootofthisinitialcascadeitflowedinaleisurelyfashionbesideafootpath，——thereweretwoprettythatchcdcottagesontheleft，andherewereducks，andtherewerewillowsontheright，——andsocametowheregreattreesgrewonhighbanksoneitherhandandbowedcloser，andatlastmetoverhead。Thispartwasdifficulttoreachbecauseofanoldfence，butalittleboymightglimpsethatlongcavernofgreenerybywading。EitherIhaveactuallyseenkingfishersthere，ormyfatherhasdescribedthemsoaccuratelytomethatheinsertedthemintomymemory。Irememberthemthereanyhow。MostofthatoverhungpartIneverpenetratedatall，butfollowedthefieldpathwithmymotherandmetthestreamagain，wherebeyondtherewereflatmeadows，Roper'smeadows。TheRavensbrookwentmeanderingacrossthemiddleofthese，nowbetweensteepbanks，andnowwithwideshallowsatthebendswherethecattlewadedanddrank。Yellowandpurpleloose-strifeandordinaryrushesgrewinclumpsalongthebank，andnowandthenawillow。Onrareoccasionsofraptureonemightseearatcleaninghiswhiskersatthewater'sedge。Thedeepplaceswererichwithtangledweeds，andinthemfisheslurked——tometheywerebigfishes——water-boatmenandwater-beetlestraversedthecalmsurfaceofthesestilldeeps；
inonepoolwereyellowliliesandwater-soldiers，andintheshoalyplaceshoveringfleetsofsmallfrybaskedinthesunshine——tovanishinaflashatone'sshadow。Inoneplace，too，wereRapids，wherethestreamwokewithastartfromadreamlessbroodingintofoamingpanicandbabbledandhastened。WelldoIrememberthathalf-mileofrivulet；allotherriversandcascadeshavetheirreferencetoitforme。AndafterIwaseleven，andbeforeweleftBromstead，allthedelightandbeautyofitwasdestroyed。
Thevolumeofitswaterdecreasedabruptly——IsupposethenewdrainageworksthatlinkedusupwithBeckington，andmademefirstacquaintedwiththegeologicalqualityoftheLondonclay，hadtodowiththat——untilonlyaweakuncleansingtrickleremained。Thatatfirstdidnotstrikemeasamisfortune。Anadventuroussmallboymightwalkdryshodinplaceshithertoinaccessible。Butharduponthatcamethepegs，theplanksandcartsanddevastation。Roper'smeadows，beingnolongerinfearoffloods，werenowtobeslashedoutintoparallelogramsofuntidyroad，andbuiltuponwithrowsofworking-classcottages。Theroadscame，——horribly；thehousesfollowed。Theyseemedtoriseinthenight。Peoplemovedintothemassoonastheroofswereon，mostlyworkmenandtheiryoungwives，andalreadyinayearsomeoftheserawhousesstoodemptyagainfromdefaultingtenants，withwindowsbrokenandwood-workwarpingandrotting。TheRavensbrookbecameadumpforoldiron，rustycans，abandonedbootsandthelike，andwasariveronlywhenunusualrainsfilleditforadayorsowithaninkyfloodofsurfacewater