”UnlessabovehimselfhecanErecthimself，howpoorathingisman”——DANIEL。”Characterismoralorderseenthroughthemedium，ofanindividualnature……Menofcharacteraretheconscienceofthesocietytowhichtheybelong。”——EMERSON。”Theprosperityofacountrydepends，notontheabundanceofitsrevenues，noronthestrengthofitsfortifications，noronthebeautyofitspublicbuildings；butitconsistsinthenumberofitscultivatedcitizens，initsmenofeducation，enlightenment，andcharacter；herearetobefounditstrueinterest，itschiefstrength，itsrealpower。”——MARTINLUTHER。Characterisoneofthegreatestmotivepowersintheworld。Initsnoblestembodiments，itexemplifieshumannatureinitshighestforms，foritexhibitsmanathisbest。
Menofgenuineexcellence，ineverystationoflife——menofindustry，ofintegrity，ofhighprinciple，ofsterlinghonestyofpurpose——commandthespontaneoushomageofmankind。Itisnaturaltobelieveinsuchmen，tohaveconfidenceinthem，andtoimitatethem。Allthatisgoodintheworldisupheldbythem，andwithouttheirpresenceinittheworldwouldnotbeworthlivingin。
Althoughgeniusalwayscommandsadmiration，charactermostsecuresrespect。Theformerismoretheproductofbrain-power，thelatterofheart-power；andinthelongrunitistheheartthatrulesinlife。Menofgeniusstandtosocietyintherelationofitsintellect，asmenofcharacterofitsconscience；andwhiletheformerareadmired，thelatterarefollowed。
Greatmenarealwaysexceptionalmen；andgreatnessitselfisbutcomparative。Indeed，therangeofmostmeninlifeissolimited，thatveryfewhavetheopportunityofbeinggreat。Buteachmancanacthisparthonestlyandhonourably，andtothebestofhisability。Hecanusehisgifts，andnotabusethem。Hecanstrivetomakethebestoflife。Hecanbetrue，just，honest，andfaithful，eveninsmallthings。Inaword，hecandohisDutyinthatsphereinwhichProvidencehasplacedhim。
Commonplacethoughitmayappear，thisdoingofone’sDutyembodiesthehighestidealoflifeandcharacter。Theremaybenothingheroicaboutit；butthecommonlotofmenisnotheroic。
AndthoughtheabidingsenseofDutyupholdsmaninhishighestattitudes，italsoequallysustainshiminthetransactionoftheordinaryaffairsofeverydayexistence。Man’slifeis”centredinthesphereofcommonduties。”Themostinfluentialofallthevirtuesarethosewhicharethemostinrequestfordailyuse。
Theywearthebest，andlastthelongest。Superfinevirtues，whichareabovethestandardofcommonmen，mayonlybesourcesoftemptationanddanger。Burkehastrulysaidthat”thehumansystemwhichrestsforitsbasisontheheroicvirtuesissuretohaveasuperstructureofweaknessorofprofligacy。”
WhenDr。Abbot，afterwardsArchbishopofCanterbury，drewthecharacterofhisdeceasedfriendThomasSackville，1hedidnotdwelluponhismeritsasastatesman，orhisgeniusasapoet，butuponhisvirtuesasamaninrelationtotheordinarydutiesoflife。”Howmanyrarethingswereinhim！”saidhe。”Whomorelovinguntohiswife？Whomorekinduntohischildren？——Whomorefastuntohisfriend？——Whomoremoderateuntohisenemy？——Whomoretruetohisword？”Indeed，wecanalwaysbetterunderstandandappreciateaman’srealcharacterbythemannerinwhichheconductshimselftowardsthosewhoarethemostnearlyrelatedtohim，andbyhistransactionoftheseeminglycommonplacedetailsofdailyduty，thanbyhispublicexhibitionofhimselfasanauthor，anorator，orastatesman。
Atthesametime，whileDuty，forthemostpart，appliestotheconductofaffairsincommonlifebytheaverageofcommonmen，itisalsoasustainingpowertomenoftheveryhigheststandardofcharacter。Theymaynothaveeithermoney，orproperty，orlearning，orpower；andyettheymaybestronginheartandrichinspirit——honest，truthful，dutiful。Andwhoeverstrivestodohisdutyfaithfullyisfulfillingthepurposeforwhichhewascreated，andbuildingupinhimselftheprinciplesofamanlycharacter。Therearemanypersonsofwhomitmaybesaidthattheyhavenootherpossessionintheworldbuttheircharacter，andyettheystandasfirmlyuponitasanycrownedking。
Intellectualculturehasnonecessaryrelationtopurityorexcellenceofcharacter。IntheNewTestament，appealsareconstantlymadetotheheartofmanandto”thespiritweareof，”
whilstallusionstotheintellectareofveryrareoccurrence。”A
handfulofgoodlife，”saysGeorgeHerbert，”isworthabusheloflearning。”Notthatlearningistobedespised，butthatitmustbealliedtogoodness。Intellectualcapacityissometimesfoundassociatedwiththemeanestmoralcharacterwithabjectservilitytothoseinhighplaces，andarrogancetothoseoflowestate。A
manmaybeaccomplishedinart，literature，andscience，andyet，inhonesty，virtue，truthfulness，andthespiritofduty，beentitledtotakerankaftermanyapoorandilliteratepeasant。”Youinsist，”wrotePerthestoafriend，”onrespectforlearnedmen。Isay，Amen！But，atthesametime，don’tforgetthatlargenessofmind，depthofthought，appreciationofthelofty，experienceoftheworld，delicacyofmanner，tactandenergyinaction，loveoftruth，honesty，andamiability——thatallthesemaybewantinginamanwhomayyetbeverylearned。”2
Whensomeone，inSirWalterScott’shearing，madearemarkastothevalueofliterarytalentsandaccomplishments，asiftheywereaboveallthingstobeesteemedandhonoured，heobserved，”Godhelpus！whatapoorworldthiswouldbeifthatwerethetruedoctrine！Ihavereadbooksenough，andobservedandconversedwithenoughofeminentandsplendidly-culturedminds，too，inmytime；butIassureyou，IhaveheardhighersentimentsfromthelipsofpoorUNEDUCATEDmenandwomen，whenexertingthespiritofsevereyetgentleheroismunderdifficultiesandafflictions，orspeakingtheirsimplethoughtsastocircumstancesinthelotoffriendsandneighbours，thanIeveryetmetwithoutoftheBible。
Weshallneverlearntofeelandrespectourrealcallinganddestiny，unlesswehavetaughtourselvestoconsidereverythingasmoonshine，comparedwiththeeducationoftheheart。”3
Stilllesshaswealthanynecessaryconnectionwithelevationofcharacter。Onthecontrary，itismuchmorefrequentlythecauseofitscorruptionanddegradation。Wealthandcorruption，luxuryandvice，haveverycloseaffinitiestoeachother。Wealth，inthehandsofmenofweakpurpose，ofdeficientself-control，orofill-regulatedpassions，isonlyatemptationandasnare——thesource，itmaybe，ofinfinitemischieftothemselves，andoftentoothers。
Onthecontrary，aconditionofcomparativepovertyiscompatiblewithcharacterinitshighestform。Amanmaypossessonlyhisindustry，hisfrugality，hisintegrity，andyetstandhighintherankoftruemanhood。TheadvicewhichBurns’sfathergavehimwasthebest:”Hebademeactamanlypart，thoughIhadne’erafarthing，Forwithoutanhonestmanlyheartnomanwasworthregarding。”
Oneofthepurestandnoblestcharactersthewritereverknewwasalabouringmaninanortherncounty，whobroughtuphisfamilyrespectablyonanincomeneveramountingtomorethantenshillingsaweek。Thoughpossessedofonlytherudimentsofcommoneducation，obtainedatanordinaryparishschool，hewasamanfullofwisdomandthoughtfulness。HislibraryconsistedoftheBible，’Flavel，’and’Boston’——bookswhich，exceptingthefirst，probablyfewreadershaveeverheardof。ThisgoodmanmighthavesatfortheportraitofWordsworth’swell-known’Wanderer。’Whenhehadlivedhismodestlifeofworkandworship，andfinallywenttohisrest，heleftbehindhimareputationforpracticalwisdom，forgenuinegoodness，andforhelpfulnessineverygoodwork，whichgreaterandrichermenmighthaveenvied。
WhenLutherdied，heleftbehindhim，assetforthinhiswill，”noreadymoney，notreasureofcoinofanydescription。”Hewassopooratonepartofhislife，thathewasunderthenecessityofearninghisbreadbyturning，gardening，andclockmaking。Yet，attheverytimewhenhewasthusworkingwithhishands，hewasmouldingthecharacterofhiscountry；andhewasmorallystronger，andvastlymorehonouredandfollowed，thanalltheprincesofGermany。
Characterisproperty。Itisthenoblestofpossessions。Itisanestateinthegeneralgoodwillandrespectofmen；andtheywhoinvestinit——thoughtheymaynotbecomerichinthisworld’sgoods——willfindtheirrewardinesteemandreputationfairlyandhonourablywon。Anditisrightthatinlifegoodqualitiesshouldtell——thatindustry，virtue，andgoodnessshouldrankthehighest——andthatthereallybestmenshouldbeforemost。
Simplehonestyofpurposeinamangoesalongwayinlife，iffoundedonajustestimateofhimselfandasteadyobediencetotheruleheknowsandfeelstoberight。Itholdsamanstraight，giveshimstrengthandsustenance，andformsamainspringofvigorousaction。’Noman，”oncesaidSirBenjaminRudyard，”isboundtoberichorgreat，——no，nortobewise；buteverymanisboundtobehonest。”4
Butthepurpose，besidesbeinghonest，mustbeinspiredbysoundprinciples，andpursuedwithundeviatingadherencetotruth，integrity，anduprightness。Withoutprinciples，amanislikeashipwithoutrudderorcompass，lefttodrifthitherandthitherwitheverywindthatblows。Heisasonewithoutlaw，orrule，ororder，orgovernment。”Moralprinciples，”saysHume，”aresocialanduniversal。Theyform，inamanner，thePARTYofhumankindagainstviceanddisorder，itscommonenemy。”
EpictetusoncereceivedavisitfromacertainmagnificentoratorgoingtoRomeonalawsuit，whowishedtolearnfromthestoicsomethingofhisphilosophy。Epictetusreceivedhisvisitorcoolly，notbelievinginhissincerity。”Youwillonlycriticisemystyle，”saidhe；”notreallywishingtolearnprinciples。”——”Well，but，”saidtheorator，”ifIattendtothatsortofthing；
Ishallbeamerepauper，likeyou，withnoplate，norequipage，norland。”——”Idon’tWANTsuchthings，”repliedEpictetus；”andbesides，youarepoorerthanIam，afterall。Patronornopatron，whatcareI？YouDOcare。Iamricherthanyou。Idon’tcarewhatCaesarthinksofme。Iflatternoone。ThisiswhatI
have，insteadofyourgoldandsilverplate。Youhavesilvervessels，butearthenwarereasons，principles，appetites。Mymindtomeakingdomis，anditfurnishesmewithabundantandhappyoccupationinlieuofyourrestlessidleness。Allyourpossessionsseemsmalltoyou；mineseemgreattome。Yourdesireisinsatiate——mineissatisfied。”5
Talentisbynomeansrareintheworld；norisevengenius。Butcanthetalentbetrusted？——canthegenius？Notunlessbasedontruthfulness——onveracity。Itisthisqualitymorethananyotherthatcommandstheesteemandrespect，andsecurestheconfidenceofothers。Truthfulnessisatthefoundationofallpersonalexcellence。Itexhibitsitselfinconduct。Itisrectitude——truthinaction，andshinesthrougheverywordanddeed。Itmeansreliableness，andconvincesothermenthatitcanbetrusted。Andamanisalreadyofconsequenceintheworldwhenitisknownthathecanbereliedon，——thatwhenhesaysheknowsathing，hedoesknowit，——thatwhenbesayshewilldoathing，hecando，anddoesit。Thusreliablenessbecomesapassporttothegeneralesteemandconfidenceofmankind。
Intheaffairsoflifeorofbusiness，itisnotintellectthattellssomuchascharacter，——notbrainssomuchasheart，——notgeniussomuchasself-control，patience，anddiscipline，regulatedbyjudgment。Hencethereisnobetterprovisionfortheusesofeitherprivateorpubliclife，thanafairshareofordinarygoodsenseguidedbyrectitude。Goodsense，disciplinedbyexperienceandinspiredbygoodness，issuesinpracticalwisdom。Indeed，goodnessinameasureimplieswisdom——thehighestwisdom——theunionoftheworldlywiththespiritual。”Thecorrespondencesofwisdomandgoodness，”saysSirHenryTaylor，”aremanifold；andthattheywillaccompanyeachotheristobeinferred，notonlybecausemen’swisdommakesthemgood，butbecausetheirgoodnessmakesthemwise。”6
Itisbecauseofthiscontrollingpowerofcharacterinlifethatweoftenseemenexerciseanamountofinfluenceapparentlyoutofallproportiontotheirintellectualendowments。Theyappeartoactbymeansofsomelatentpower，somereservedforce，whichactssecretly，bymerepresence。AsBurkesaidofapowerfulnoblemanofthelastcentury，”hisvirtueswerehismeans。”Thesecretis，thattheaimsofsuchmenarefelttobepureandnoble，andtheyactuponotherswithaconstrainingpower。
Thoughthereputationofmenofgenuinecharactermaybeofslowgrowth，theirtruequalitiescannotbewhollyconcealed。Theymaybemisrepresentedbysome，andmisunderstoodbyothers；misfortuneandadversitymay，foratime，overtakethembut，withpatienceandendurance，theywilleventuallyinspiretherespectandcommandtheconfidencewhichtheyreallydeserve。
IthasbeensaidofSheridanthat，hadhepossessedreliablenessofcharacter，hemighthaveruledtheworld；whereas，forwantofit，hissplendidgiftswerecomparativelyuseless。Hedazzledandamused，butwaswithoutweightorinfluenceinlifeorpolitics。
EventhepoorpantomimistofDruryLanefelthimselfhissuperior。
Thus，whenDelpinionedaypressedthemanagerforarrearsofsalary，Sheridansharplyreprovedhim，tellinghimhehadforgottenhisstation。”No，indeed，MonsieurSheridan，Ihavenot，”retortedDelpini；”Iknowthedifferencebetweenusperfectlywell。Inbirth，parentage，andeducation，youaresuperiortome；butinlife，character，andbehaviour，Iamsuperiortoyou。”
UnlikeSheridan，Burke，hiscountryman，wasagreatmanofcharacter。Hewasthirty-fivebeforebegainedaseatinParliament，yethefoundtimetocarvehisnamedeepinthepoliticalhistoryofEngland。Hewasamanofgreatgifts，andoftranscendentforceofcharacter。Yethehadaweakness，whichprovedaseriousdefect——itwashiswantoftemper；hisgeniuswassacrificedtohisirritability。Andwithoutthisapparentlyminorgiftoftemper，themostsplendidendowmentsmaybecomparativelyvaluelesstotheirpossessor。
Characterisformedbyavarietyofminutecircumstances，moreorlessundertheregulationandcontroloftheindividual。Notadaypasseswithoutitsdiscipline，whetherforgoodorforevil。
Thereisnoact，howevertrivial，buthasitstrainofconsequences，asthereisnohairsosmallbutcastsitsshadow。
ItwasawisesayingofMrs。Schimmelpenninck’smother，nevertogivewaytowhatislittle；orbythatlittle，howeveryoumaydespiseit，youwillbepracticallygoverned。
Everyaction，everythought，everyfeeling，contributestotheeducationofthetemper，thehabits，andunderstanding；andexercisesaninevitableinfluenceuponalltheactsofourfuturelife。Thuscharacterisundergoingconstantchange，forbetterorforworse——eitherbeingelevatedontheonehand，ordegradedontheother。”Thereisnofaultnorfollyofmylife，”saysMr。
Ruskin，”thatdoesnotriseupagainstme，andtakeawaymyjoy，andshortenmypowerofpossession，ofsight，ofunderstanding。
Andeverypasteffortofmylife，everygleamofrightnessorgoodinit，iswithmenow，tohelpmeinmygraspofthisartanditsvision。”7
Themechanicallaw，thatactionandreactionareequal，holdstruealsoinmorals。Gooddeedsactandreactonthedoersofthem；
andsodoevil。Notonlyso:theyproducelikeeffects，bytheinfluenceofexample，onthosewhoarethesubjectsofthem。Butmanisnotthecreature，somuchasheisthecreator，ofcircumstances:8and，bytheexerciseofhisfreewill，hecandirecthisactionssothattheyshallbeproductiveofgoodratherthanevil。”Nothingcanworkmedamagebutmyself，”saidSt。
Bernard；”theharmthatIsustainIcarryaboutwithme；andIamneverarealsuffererbutbymyownfault。”
Thebestsortofcharacter，however，cannotbeformedwithouteffort。Thereneedstheexerciseofconstantself-watchfulness，self-discipline，andself-control。Theremaybemuchfaltering，stumbling，andtemporarydefeat；difficultiesandtemptationsmanifoldtobebattledwithandovercome；butifthespiritbestrongandtheheartbeupright，nooneneeddespairofultimatesuccess。Theveryefforttoadvance——toarriveatahigherstandardofcharacterthanwehavereached——isinspiringandinvigorating；andeventhoughwemayfallshortofit，wecannotfailtobeimprovedbyevery，honesteffortmadeinanupwarddirection。
Andwiththelightofgreatexamplestoguideus——representativesofhumanityinitsbestforms——everyoneisnotonlyjustified，butboundinduty，toaimatreachingthehigheststandardofcharacter:nottobecometherichestinmeans，butinspirit；notthegreatestinworldlyposition，butintruehonour；notthemostintellectual，butthemostvirtuous；notthemostpowerfulandinfluential，butthemosttruthful，upright，andhonest。
ItwasverycharacteristicofthelatePrinceConsort——amanhimselfofthepurestmind，whopowerfullyimpressedandinfluencedothersbythesheerforceofhisownbenevolentnature——whendrawinguptheconditionsoftheannualprizetobegivenbyHerMajestyatWellingtonCollege，todeterminethatitshouldbeawarded，nottothecleverestboy，nortothemostbookishboy，nortothemostprecise，diligent，andprudentboy，——buttothenoblestboy，totheboywhoshouldshowthemostpromiseofbecomingalarge-hearted，high-motivedman。9
Characterexhibitsitselfinconduct，guidedandinspiredbyprinciple，integrity，andpracticalwisdom。Initshighestform，itistheindividualwillactingenergeticallyundertheinfluenceofreligion，morality，andreason。Itchoosesitswayconsiderately，andpursuesitsteadfastly；esteemingdutyabovereputation，andtheapprovalofconsciencemorethantheworld’spraise。Whilerespectingthepersonalityofothers，itpreservesitsownindividualityandindependence；andhasthecouragetobemorallyhonest，thoughitmaybeunpopular，trustingtranquillytotimeandexperienceforrecognition。
Althoughtheforceofexamplewillalwaysexercisegreatinfluenceupontheformationofcharacter，theself-originatingandsustainingforceofone’sownspiritmustbethemainstay。Thisalonecanholdupthelife，andgiveindividualindependenceandenergy。”Unlessmancanerecthimselfabovehimself，”saidDaniel，apoetoftheElizabethanera，”howpoorathingisman！”
Withoutacertaindegreeofpracticalefficientforce——compoundedofwill，whichistheroot，andwisdom，whichisthestemofcharacter——lifewillbeindefiniteandpurposeless——likeabodyofstagnantwater，insteadofarunningstreamdoingusefulworkandkeepingthemachineryofadistrictinmotion。
Whentheelementsofcharacterarebroughtintoactionbydeterminatewill，and，influencedbyhighpurpose，manentersuponandcourageouslyperseveresinthepathofduty，atwhatevercostofworldlyinterest，hemaybesaidtoapproachthesummitofhisbeing。Hethenexhibitscharacterinitsmostintrepidform，andembodiesthehighestideaofmanliness。Theactsofsuchamanbecomerepeatedinthelifeandactionofothers。Hisverywordsliveandbecomeactions。ThuseverywordofLuther’srangthroughGermanylikeatrumpet。AsRichtersaidofhim，”Hiswordswerehalf-battles。”AndthusLuther’slifebecametransfusedintothelifeofhiscountry，andstilllivesinthecharacterofmodernGermany。
Ontheotherhand，energy，withoutintegrityandasoulofgoodness，mayonlyrepresenttheembodiedprincipleofevil。ItisobservedbyNovalis，inhis’ThoughtsonMorals，’thattheidealofmoralperfectionhasnomoredangerousrivaltocontendwiththantheidealofthehigheststrengthandthemostenergeticlife，themaximumofthebarbarian——whichneedsonlyadueadmixtureofpride，ambition，andselfishness，tobeaperfectidealofthedevil。Amongstmenofsuchstamparefoundthegreatestscourgesanddevastatorsoftheworld——thoseelectscoundrelswhomProvidence，initsinscrutabledesigns，permitstofulfiltheirmissionofdestructionuponearth。10
Verydifferentisthemanofenergeticcharacterinspiredbyanoblespirit，whoseactionsaregovernedbyrectitude，andthelawofwhoselifeisduty。Heisjustandupright，——inhisbusinessdealings，inhispublicaction，andinhisfamilylife——justicebeingasessentialinthegovernmentofahomeasofanation。Hewillbehonestinallthings——inhiswordsandinhiswork。Hewillbegenerousandmercifultohisopponents，aswellastothosewhoareweakerthanhimself。ItwastrulysaidofSheridan——who，withallhisimprovidence，wasgenerous，andnevergavepain——that”Hiswitinthecombat，asgentleasbright，Nevercarriedaheart-stainawayonitsblade。”
SuchalsowasthecharacterofFox，whocommandedtheaffectionandserviceofothersbyhisuniformheartinessandsympathy。Hewasamanwhocouldalwaysbemosteasilytouchedonthesideofhishonour。Thus，thestoryistoldofatradesmancallinguponhimonedayforthepaymentofapromissorynotewhichhepresented。Foxwasengagedatthetimeincountingoutgold。Thetradesmanaskedtobepaidfromthemoneybeforehim。”No，”saidFox，”IowethismoneytoSheridan；itisadebtofhonour；ifanyaccidenthappenedtome，hewouldhavenothingtoshow。””Then，”
saidthetradesman，”IchangeMYdebtintooneofhonour；”andhetoreupthenote。Foxwasconqueredbytheact:hethankedthemanforhisconfidence，andpaidhim，saying，”ThenSheridanmustwait；yoursisthedebtofolderstanding。”
Themanofcharacterisconscientious。Heputshisconscienceintohiswork，intohiswords，intohiseveryaction。WhenCromwellaskedtheParliamentforsoldiersinlieuofthedecayedserving-menandtapsterswhofilledtheCommonwealth’sarmy，herequiredthattheyshouldbemen”whomadesomeconscienceofwhattheydid；”andsuchwerethemenofwhichhiscelebratedregimentof”Ironsides”wascomposed。
Themanofcharacterisalsoreverential。Thepossessionofthisqualitymarksthenoblest，andhighesttypeofmanhoodandwomanhood:reverenceforthingsconsecratedbythehomageofgenerations——forhighobjects，purethoughts，andnobleaims——
forthegreatmenofformertimes，andthehighmindedworkersamongstourcontemporaries。Reverenceisalikeindispensabletothehappinessofindividuals，offamilies，andofnations。
Withoutittherecanbenotrust，nofaith，noconfidence，eitherinmanorGod——neithersocialpeacenorsocialprogress。Forreverenceisbutanotherwordforreligion，whichbindsmentoeachother，andalltoGod。”Themanofnoblespirit，”saysSirThomasOverbury，”convertsalloccurrencesintoexperience，betweenwhichexperienceandhisreasonthereismarriage，andtheissuearehisactions。Hemovesbyaffection，notforaffection；helovesglory，scornsshame，andgovernethandobeyethwithonecountenance，foritcomesfromoneconsideration。Knowingreasontobenoidlegiftofnature，heisthesteersmanofhisowndestiny。Truthishisgoddess，andhetakespainstogether，nottolooklikeher。Untothesocietyofmenheisasun，whoseclearnessdirectstheirstepsinaregularmotion。Heisthewiseman’sfriend，theexampleoftheindifferent，themedicineofthevicious。Thustimegoethnotfromhim，butwithhim，andhefeelsagemorebythestrengthofhissoulthanbytheweaknessofhisbody。Thusfeelshenopain，butesteemsallsuchthingsasfriends，thatdesiretofileoffhisfetters，andhelphimoutofprison。”11
Energyofwill——self-originatingforce——isthesoulofeverygreatcharacter。Whereitis，thereislife；whereitisnot，thereisfaintness，helplessness，anddespondency。”Thestrongmanandthewaterfall，”saystheproverb，”channeltheirownpath。”Theenergeticleaderofnoblespiritnotonlywinsawayforhimself，butcarriesotherswithhim。Hiseveryacthasapersonalsignificance，indicatingvigour，independence，andself-
reliance，andunconsciouslycommandsrespect，admiration，andhomage。SuchintrepidityofcharactercharacterisedLuther，Cromwell，Washington，Pitt，Wellington，andallgreatleadersofmen。”Iamconvinced，”saidMr。Gladstone，indescribingthequalitiesofthelateLordPalmerstonintheHouseofCommons，shortlyafterhisdeath——”Iamconvincedthatitwastheforceofwill，asenseofduty，andadeterminationnottogivein，thatenabledhimtomakehimselfamodelforallofuswhoyetremainandfollowhim，withfeebleandunequalsteps，inthedischargeofourduties；itwasthatforceofwillthatinpointoffactdidnotsomuchstruggleagainsttheinfirmitiesofoldage，butactuallyrepelledthemandkeptthematadistance。Andoneotherqualitythereis，atleast，thatmaybenoticedwithoutthesmallestriskofstirringinanybreastapainfulemotion。Itisthis，thatLordPalmerstonhadanatureincapableofenduringangeroranysentimentofwrath。Thisfreedomfromwrathfulsentimentwasnottheresultofpainfuleffort，butthespontaneousfruitofthemind。Itwasanoblegiftofhisoriginalnature——agiftwhichbeyondallothersitwasdelightfultoobserve，delightfulalsotorememberinconnectionwithhimwhohasleftus，andwithwhomwehavenolongertodo，exceptinendeavouringtoprofitbyhisexamplewhereveritcanleadusinthepathofdutyandofright，andofbestowingonhimthosetributesofadmirationandaffectionwhichhedeservesatourhands。”
Thegreatleaderattractstohimselfmenofkindredcharacter，drawingthemtowardshimastheloadstonedrawsiron。Thus，SirJohnMooreearlydistinguishedthethreebrothersNapierfromthecrowdofofficersbywhomhewassurrounded，andthey，ontheirpart，repaidhimbytheirpassionateadmiration。Theywerecaptivatedbyhiscourtesy，hisbravery，andhisloftydisinterestedness；andhebecamethemodelwhomtheyresolvedtoimitate，and，ifpossible，toemulate。”Moore’sinfluence，”saysthebiographerofSirWilliamNapier，”hadasignaleffectinformingandmaturingtheircharacters；anditisnosmallglorytohavebeentheheroofthosethreemen，whilehisearlydiscoveryoftheirmentalandmoralqualitiesisaproofofMoore’sownpenetrationandjudgmentofcharacter。”
Thereisacontagiousnessineveryexampleofenergeticconduct。
Thebravemanisaninspirationtotheweak，andcompelsthem，asitwere，tofollowhim。ThusNapierrelatesthatatthecombatofVera，whentheSpanishcentrewasbrokenandinflight，ayoungofficer，namedHavelock，sprangforward，and，wavinghishat，calledupontheSpaniardswithinsighttofollowhim。Puttingspurstohishorse，heleapttheabbatiswhichprotectedtheFrenchfront，andwentheadlongagainstthem。TheSpaniardswereelectrified；inamomenttheydashedafterhim，cheeringfor”EL
CHICOBLANCO！”thefairboy，andwithoneshocktheybrokethroughtheFrenchandsentthemflyingdownhill。12
Andsoitisinordinarylife。Thegoodandthegreatdrawothersafterthem；theylightenandliftupallwhoarewithinreachoftheirinfluence。Theyareassomanylivingcentresofbeneficentactivity。Letamanofenergeticanduprightcharacterbeappointedtoapositionoftrustandauthority，andallwhoserveunderhimbecome，asitwere，consciousofanincreaseofpower。
WhenChathamwasappointedminister，hispersonalinfluencewasatoncefeltthroughalltheramificationsofoffice。EverysailorwhoservedunderNelson，andknewhewasincommand，sharedtheinspirationofthehero。
WhenWashingtonconsentedtoactascommander-in-chief，itwasfeltasifthestrengthoftheAmericanforceshadbeenmorethandoubled。Manyyearslate；in1798，whenWashington，grownold，hadwithdrawnfrompubliclifeandwaslivinginretirementatMountVernon，andwhenitseemedprobablethatFrancewoulddeclarewaragainsttheUnitedStates，PresidentAdamswrotetohim，saying，”Wemusthaveyourname，ifyouwillpermitustouseit；therewillbemoreefficacyinitthaninmanyanarmy。”SuchwastheesteeminwhichthegreatPresident’snoblecharacterandeminentabilitieswereheldbyhiscountrymen！13
AnincidentisrelatedbythehistorianofthePeninsularWar，illustrativeofthepersonalinfluenceexercisedbyagreatcommanderoverhisfollowers。TheBritisharmylayatSauroren，beforewhichSoultwasadvancing，preparedtoattack，inforce。
Wellingtonwasabsent，andhisarrivalwasanxiouslylookedfor。
Suddenlyasinglehorsemanwasseenridingupthemountainalone。
ItwastheDuke，abouttojoinhistroops。OneofCampbell’sPortuguesebattalionsfirstdescriedhim，andraisedajoyfulcry；
thentheshrillclamour，caughtupbythenextregiment，soonswelledasitranalongthelineintothatappallingshoutwhichtheBritishsoldieriswonttogiveupontheedgeofbattle，andwhichnoenemyeverheardunmoved。Suddenlyhestoppedataconspicuouspoint，forhedesiredbotharmiesshouldknowhewasthere，andadoublespywhowaspresentpointedoutSoult，whowassonearthathisfeaturescouldbedistinguished。AttentivelyWellingtonfixedhiseyesonthatformidableman，and，asifspeakingtohimself，hesaid:”Yonderisagreatcommander；butheiscautious，andwilldelayhisattacktoascertainthecauseofthosecheers；thatwillgivetimefortheSixthDivisiontoarrive，andIshallbeathim”——whichhedid。14
Insomecases，personalcharacteractsbyakindoftalismanicinfluence，asifcertainmenweretheorgansofasortofsupernaturalforce。”IfIbutstamponthegroundinItaly，”saidPompey，”anarmywillappear。”AtthevoiceofPetertheHermit，asdescribedbythehistorian，”Europearose，andprecipitateditselfuponAsia。”ItwassaidoftheCaliphOmarthathiswalking-stickstruckmoreterrorintothosewhosawitthananotherman’ssword。Theverynamesofsomemenarelikethesoundofatrumpet。WhentheDouglaslaymortallywoundedonthefieldofOtterburn，heorderedhisnametobeshoutedstilllouderthanbefore，sayingtherewasatraditioninhisfamilythatadeadDouglasshouldwinabattle。Hisfollowers，inspiredbythesound，gatheredfreshcourage，rallied，andconquered；andthus，inthewordsoftheScottishpoet:-”TheDouglasdead，hisnamehathwonthefield。”15
Therehavebeensomemenwhosegreatestconquestshavebeenachievedaftertheythemselvesweredead。”Never，”saysMichelet，”wasCaesarmorealive，morepowerful，moreterrible，thanwhenhisoldandworn-outbody，hiswitheredcorpse，laypiercedwithblows；heappearedthenpurified，redeemed，——thatwhichhehadbeen，despitehismanystains——themanofhumanity。”16NeverdidthegreatcharacterofWilliamofOrange，surnamedtheSilent，exercisegreaterpoweroverhiscountrymenthanafterhisassassinationatDelftbytheemissaryoftheJesuits。OntheverydayofhismurdertheEstatesofHollandresolved”tomaintainthegoodcause，withGod’shelp，totheuttermost，withoutsparinggoldorblood；”andtheykepttheirword。
Thesameillustrationappliestoallhistoryandmorals。Thecareerofagreatmanremainsanenduringmonumentofhuman。
energy。Themandiesanddisappears；buthisthoughtsandactssurvive，andleaveanindeliblestampuponhisrace。Andthusthespiritofhislifeisprolongedandperpetuated，mouldingthethoughtandwill，andtherebycontributingtoformthecharacterofthefuture。Itisthementhatadvanceinthehighestandbestdirections，whoarethetruebeaconsofhumanprogress。Theyareaslightssetuponahill，illuminingthemoralatmospherearoundthem；andthelightoftheirspiritcontinuestoshineuponallsucceedinggenerations。
Itisnaturaltoadmireandreverereallygreatmen。Theyhallowthenationtowhichtheybelong，andliftupnotonlyallwholiveintheirtime，butthosewholiveafterthem。Theirgreatexamplebecomesthecommonheritageoftheirrace；andtheirgreatdeedsandgreatthoughtsarethemostgloriousoflegaciestomankind。
Theyconnectthepresentwiththepast，andhelpontheincreasingpurposeofthefuture；holdingaloftthestandardofprinciple，maintainingthedignityofhumancharacter，andfillingthemindwithtraditionsandinstinctsofallthatismostworthyandnobleinlife。
Character，embodiedinthoughtanddeed，isofthenatureofimmortality。Thesolitarythoughtofagreatthinkerwilldwellinthemindsofmenforcenturiesuntilatlengthitworksitselfintotheirdailylifeandpractice。Itlivesonthroughtheages，speakingasavoicefromthedead，andinfluencingmindslivingthousandsofyearsapart。Thus，MosesandDavidandSolomon，PlatoandSocratesandXenophon，SenecaandCiceroandEpictetus，stillspeaktousasfromtheirtombs。Theystillarresttheattention，andexerciseaninfluenceuponcharacter，thoughtheirthoughtsbeconveyedinlanguagesunspokenbythemandintheirtimeunknown。TheodoreParkerhassaidthatasinglemanlikeSocrateswasworthmoretoacountrythanmanysuchstatesasSouthCarolina；thatifthatstatewentoutoftheworldto-day，shewouldnothavedonesomuchfortheworldasSocrates。17
Greatworkersandgreatthinkersarethetruemakersofhistory，whichisbutcontinuoushumanityinfluencedbymenofcharacter——
bygreatleaders，kings，priests，philosophers，statesmen，andpatriots——thetruearistocracyofman。Indeed，Mr。CarlylehasbroadlystatedthatUniversalHistoryis，atbottom，butthehistoryofGreatMen。Theycertainlymarkanddesignatetheepochsofnationallife。Theirinfluenceisactive，aswellasreactive。Thoughtheirmindis，inameasure；theproductoftheirage，thepublicmindisalso，toagreatextent，theircreation。Theirindividualactionidentifiesthecause——theinstitution。Theythinkgreatthoughts，castthemabroad，andthethoughtsmakeevents。ThustheearlyReformersinitiatedtheReformation，andwithittheliberationofmodernthought。
Emersonhassaidthateveryinstitutionistoberegardedasbutthelengthenedshadowofsomegreatman:asIslamismofMahomet，PuritanismofCalvin，JesuitismofLoyola，QuakerismofFox，MethodismofWesley，AbolitionismofClarkson。
Greatmenstamptheirmindupontheirageandnation——asLutherdiduponmodernGermany，andKnoxuponScotland。18AndiftherebeonemanmorethananotherthatstampedhismindonmodernItaly，itwasDante。DuringthelongcenturiesofItaliandegradationhisburningwordswereasawatchfireandabeacontoalltruemen。Hewastheheraldofhisnation’sliberty——bravingpersecution，exile，anddeath，fortheloveofit。HewasalwaysthemostnationaloftheItalianpoets，themostloved，themostread。FromthetimeofhisdeathalleducatedItalianshadhisbestpassagesbyheart；andthesentimentstheyenshrinedinspiredtheirlives，andeventuallyinfluencedthehistoryoftheirnation。”TheItalians，”wroteByronin1821，”talkDante，writeDante，andthinkanddreamDante，atthismoment，toanexcesswhichwouldberidiculous，butthathedeservestheiradmiration。”19
Asuccessionofvariouslygiftedmenindifferentages——extendingfromAlfredtoAlbert——hasinlikemannercontributed，bytheirlifeandexample，toshapethemultiformcharacterofEngland。Ofthese，probablythemostinfluentialwerethemenoftheElizabethanandCromwellian，andtheintermediateperiods——
amongstwhichwefindthegreatnamesofShakspeare，Raleigh，Burleigh，Sidney，Bacon，Milton，Herbert，Hampden，Pym，Eliot，Vane，Cromwell，andmanymore——someofthemmenofgreatforce，andothersofgreatdignityandpurityofcharacter。ThelivesofsuchmenhavebecomepartofthepubliclifeofEngland，andtheirdeedsandthoughtsareregardedasamongthemostcherishedbequeathmentsfromthepast。
SoWashingtonleftbehindhim，asoneofthegreatesttreasuresofhiscountry，theexampleofastainlesslife——ofagreat，honest，pure，andnoblecharacter——amodelforhisnationtoformthemselvesbyinalltimetocome。AndinthecaseofWashington，asinsomanyothergreatleadersofmen，hisgreatnessdidnotsomuchconsistinhisintellect，hisskill，andhisgenius，asinhishonour，hisintegrity，histruthfulness，hishighandcontrollingsenseofduty——inaword，inhisgenuinenobilityofcharacter。
Mensuchasthesearethetruelifebloodofthecountrytowhichtheybelong。Theyelevateandupholdit，fortifyandennobleit，andshedagloryoveritbytheexampleoflifeandcharacterwhichtheyhavebequeathed。”Thenamesandmemoriesofgreatmen，”saysanablewriter，”arethedowryofanation。Widowhood，overthrow，desertion，evenslavery，cannottakeawayfromherthissacredinheritance……Whenevernationallifebeginstoquicken……thedeadheroesriseinthememoriesofmen，andappeartothelivingtostandbyinsolemnspectatorshipandapproval。Nocountrycanbelostwhichfeelsherselfoverlookedbysuchgloriouswitnesses。Theyarethesaltoftheearth，indeathaswellasinlife。Whattheydidonce，theirdescendantshavestillandalwaysarighttodoafterthem；andtheirexamplelivesintheircountry，acontinualstimulantandencouragementforhimwhohasthesoultoadoptit。”20
Butitisnotgreatmenonlythathavetobetakenintoaccountinestimatingthequalitiesofanation，butthecharacterthatpervadesthegreatbodyofthepeople。WhenWashingtonIrvingvisitedAbbotsford，SirWalterScottintroducedhimtomanyofhisfriendsandfavourites，notonlyamongsttheneighbouringfarmers，butthelabouringpeasantry。”Iwishtoshowyou，”saidScott，”someofourreallyexcellentplainScotchpeople。Thecharacterofanationisnottobelearntfromitsfinefolks，itsfinegentlemenandladies；suchyoumeeteverywhere，andtheyareeverywherethesame。”Whilestatesmen，philosophers，anddivinesrepresentthethinkingpowerofsociety，themenwhofoundindustriesandcarveoutnewcareers，aswellasthecommonbodyofworking-people，fromwhomthenationalstrengthandspiritarefromtimetotimerecruited，mustnecessarilyfurnishthevitalforceandconstitutetherealbackboneofeverynation。
Nationshavetheircharactertomaintainaswellasindividuals；
andunderconstitutionalgovernments——whereallclassesmoreorlessparticipateintheexerciseofpoliticalpower——thenationalcharacterwillnecessarilydependmoreuponthemoralqualitiesofthemanythanofthefew。Andthesamequalitieswhichdeterminethecharacterofindividuals，alsodeterminethecharacterofnations。Unlesstheyarehighminded，truthful，honest，virtuous，andcourageous，theywillbeheldinlightesteembyothernations，andbewithoutweightintheworld。Tohavecharacter，theymustneedsalsobereverential，disciplined，self-
controlling，anddevotedtoduty。Thenationthathasnohighergodthanpleasure，orevendollarsorcalico，mustneedsbeinapoorway。ItwerebettertoreverttoHomer’sgodsthanbedevotedtothese；fortheheathendeitiesatleastimagedhumanvirtues，andweresomethingtolookupto。
Asforinstitutions，howevergoodinthemselves，theywillavailbutlittleinmaintainingthestandardofnationalcharacter。Itistheindividualmen，andthespiritwhichactuatesthem，thatdeterminethemoralstandingandstabilityofnations。
Government，inthelongrun，isusuallynobetterthanthepeoplegoverned。Wherethemassissoundinconscience，morals，andhabit，thenationwillberuledhonestlyandnobly。Butwheretheyarecorrupt，self-seeking，anddishonestinheart，boundneitherbytruthnorbylaw，theruleofroguesandwirepullersbecomesinevitable。
Theonlytruebarrieragainstthedespotismofpublicopinion，whetheritbeofthemanyorofthefew，isenlightenedindividualfreedomandpurityofpersonalcharacter。Withoutthesetherecanbenovigorousmanhood，notruelibertyinanation。Politicalrights，howeverbroadlyframed，willnotelevateapeopleindividuallydepraved。Indeed，themorecompleteasystemofpopularsuffrage，andthemoreperfectitsprotection，themorecompletelywilltherealcharacterofapeoplebereflected，asbyamirror，intheirlawsandgovernment。Politicalmoralitycanneverhaveanysolidexistenceonabasisofindividualimmorality。Evenfreedom，exercisedbyadebasedpeople，wouldcometoberegardedasanuisance，andlibertyofthepressbutaventforlicentiousnessandmoralabomination。
Nations，likeindividuals，derivesupportandstrengthfromthefeelingthattheybelongtoanillustriousrace，thattheyaretheheirsoftheirgreatness，andoughttobetheperpetuatorsoftheirglory。Itisofmomentousimportancethatanationshouldhaveagreatpast21tolookbackupon。Itsteadiesthelifeofthepresent，elevatesandupholdsit，andlightensandliftsitup，bythememoryofthegreatdeeds，thenoblesufferings，andthevalorousachievementsofthemenofold。Thelifeofnations，asofmen，isagreattreasuryofexperience，which，wiselyused，issuesinsocialprogressandimprovement；or，misused，issuesindreams，delusions，andfailure。Likemen，nationsarepurifiedandstrengthenedbytrials。Someofthemostgloriouschaptersintheirhistoryarethosecontainingtherecordofthesufferingsbymeansofwhichtheircharacterhasbeendeveloped。Loveoflibertyandpatrioticfeelingmayhavedonemuch，buttrialandsufferingnoblybornemorethanall。
Agreatdealofwhatpassesbythenameofpatriotisminthesedaysconsistsofthemerestbigotryandnarrow-mindedness；
exhibitingitselfinnationalprejudice，nationalconceit，amidnationalhatred。Itdoesnotshowitselfindeeds，butinboastings——inhowlings，gesticulations，andshriekinghelplesslyforhelp——inflyingflagsandsingingsongs——andinperpetualgrindingatthehurdy-gurdyoflong-deadgrievancesandlong-
remediedwrongs。TobeinfestedbySUCHapatriotismasthisis，perhaps，amongstthegreatestcursesthatcanbefallanycountry。
Butasthereisanignoble，soisthereanoblepatriotism——thepatriotismthatinvigoratesandelevatesacountrybynoblework——
thatdoesitsdutytruthfullyandmanfully——thatlivesanhonest，sober，anduprightlife，andstrivestomakethebestuseoftheopportunitiesforimprovementthatpresentthemselvesoneveryside；andatthesametimeapatriotismthatcherishesthememoryandexampleofthegreatmenofold，who，bytheirsufferingsinthecauseofreligionoroffreedom，havewonforthemselvesadeathlessglory，andfortheirnationthoseprivilegesoffreelifeandfreeinstitutionsofwhichtheyaretheinheritorsandpossessors。
Nationsarenottobejudgedbytheirsizeanymorethanindividuals:”itisnotgrowinglikeatreeInbulk，dothmakeManbetterbe。”
Foranationtobegreat，itneednotnecessarilybebig，thoughbignessisoftenconfoundedwithgreatness。Anationmaybeverybiginpointofterritoryandpopulationandyetbedevoidoftruegreatness。ThepeopleofIsraelwereasmallpeople，yetwhatagreatlifetheydeveloped，andhowpowerfultheinfluencetheyhaveexercisedonthedestiniesofmankind！Greecewasnotbig:
theentirepopulationofAtticawaslessthanthatofSouthLancashire。AthenswaslesspopulousthanNewYork；andyethowgreatitwasinart，inliterature，inphilosophy，andinpatriotism！22
ButitwasthefatalweaknessofAthensthatitscitizenshadnotruefamilyorhomelife，whileitsfreemenweregreatlyoutnumberedbyitsslaves。Itspublicmenwereloose，ifnotcorrupt，inmorals。Itswomen，eventhemostaccomplished，wereunchaste。Henceitsfallbecameinevitable，andwasevenmoresuddenthanitsrise。
InlikemannerthedeclineandfallofRomewasattributabletothegeneralcorruptionofitspeople，andtotheirengrossingloveofpleasureandidleness——work，inthelaterdaysofRome，beingregardedonlyasfitforslaves。Itscitizensceasedtopridethemselvesonthevirtuesofcharacteroftheirgreatforefathers；
andtheempirefellbecauseitdidnotdeservetolive。Andsothenationsthatareidleandluxurious——that”willratherloseapoundofblood，”asoldBurtonsays，”inasinglecombat，thanadropofsweatinanyhonestlabour”——mustinevitablydieout，andlaboriousenergeticnationstaketheirplace。
WhenLouisXIV。askedColberthowitwasthat，rulingsogreatandpopulousacountryasFrance，hehadbeenunabletoconquersosmallacountryasHolland，theministerreplied:”Because，Sire，thegreatnessofacountrydoesnotdependupontheextentofitsterritory，butonthecharacterofitspeople。Itisbecauseoftheindustry，thefrugality，andtheenergyoftheDutchthatyourMajestyhasfoundthemsodifficulttoovercome。”
ItisalsorelatedofSpinolaandRichardet，theambassadorssentbytheKingofSpaintonegotiateatreatyattheHaguein1608，thatonedaytheysawsomeeightortenpersonslandfromalittleboat，and，sittingdownuponthegrass，proceedtomakeamealofbread-and-cheeseandbeer。”Whoarethosetravellersaskedtheambassadorsofapeasant。”Theseareworshipfulmasters，thedeputiesfromtheStates，”washisreply。Spinolaatoncewhisperedtohiscompanion，”Wemustmakepeace:thesearenotmentobeconquered。”
Infine，stabilityofinstitutionsmustdependuponstabilityofcharacter。Anynumberofdepravedunitscannotformagreatnation。Thepeoplemayseemtobehighlycivilised，andyetbereadytofalltopiecesatfirsttouchofadversity。Withoutintegrityofindividualcharacter，theycanhavenorealstrength，cohesion，soundness。Theymayberich，polite，andartistic；andyethoveringonthebrinkofruin。Iflivingforthemselvesonly，andwithnoendbutpleasure——eachlittleselfhisownlittlegod——suchanationisdoomed，anditsdecayisinevitable。
Wherenationalcharacterceasestobeupheld，anationmayberegardedasnexttolost。Whereitceasestoesteemandtopractisethevirtuesoftruthfulness，honesty，integrity，andjustice，itdoesnotdeservetolive。Andwhenthetimearrivesinanycountrywhenwealthhassocorrupted，orpleasuresodepraved，orfactionsoinfatuatedthepeople，thathonour，order，obedience，virtue，andloyaltyhaveseeminglybecomethingsofthepast；then，amidstthedarkness，whenhonestmen——if，haply，therebesuchleft——aregropingaboutandfeelingforeachother’shands，theironlyremaininghopewillbeintherestorationandelevationofIndividualCharacter；forbythatalonecananationbesaved；andifcharacterbeirrecoverablylost，thenindeedtherewillbenothingleftworthsaving。
NOTES
1Sackville，LordBuckhurst，LordHighTreasurerunderElizabethandJamesI。
2’LifeofPerthes，’ii。217。
3Lockhart’s’LifeofScott。’
4DebateonthePetitionofRight，A。D。1628。
5TheRev。F。W。Farrer’s’SeekersafterGod，’p。241。
6’TheStatesman，’p。30。
7’QueenoftheAir，’p。127
8InsteadofsayingthatmanisthecreatureofCircumstance，itwouldbenearerthemarktosaythatmanisthearchitectofCircumstance。ItisCharacterwhichbuildsanexistenceoutofCircumstance。Ourstrengthismeasuredbyourplasticpower。
Fromthesamematerialsonemanbuildspalaces，anotherhovels:
onewarehouses，anothervillas。Bricksandmortararemortarandbricks，untilthearchitectcanmakethemsomethingelse。Thusitisthatinthesamefamily，inthesamecircumstances，onemanrearsastatelyedifice，whilehisbrother，vacillatingandincompetent，livesforeveramidruins:theblockofgranite，whichwasanobstacleonthepathwayoftheweak，becomesastepping-stoneonthepathwayofthestrong。”——G。H。Lewes，LIFE
OFGOETHE。
9Introductionto’ThePrincipalSpeechesandAddressesofH。R。H。thePrinceConsort’1862，pp。39-40。
10AmongthelatestofthesewasNapoleon”theGreat，”amanofaboundingenergy，butdestituteofprinciple。Hehadthelowestopinionofhisfellowmen。”Menarehogs，whofeedongold，”heoncesaid:”Well，Ithrowthemgold，andleadthemwhithersoeverI
will。”WhentheAbbedePradt，ArchbishopofMalines，wassettingoutonhisembassytoPolandin1812，Napoleon’spartinginstructiontohimwas，”Tenezbonnetableetsoignezlesfemmes，”——
ofwhichBenjaminConstantsaidthatsuchanobservation，addressedtoafeeblepriestofsixty，showsBuonaparte’sprofoundcontemptforthehumanrace，withoutdistinctionofnationorsex。
11CondensedfromSirThomasOverbury’s’Characters’1614。
12’HistoryofthePeninsularWar，’v。319——NapiermentionsanotherstrikingillustrationoftheinfluenceofpersonalqualitiesinyoungEdwardFreer，ofthesameregimentthe43rd，who，whenhefellattheageofnineteen，attheBattleoftheNivelle，hadalreadyseenmorecombatsandsiegesthanhecouldcountyears。”Soslightinperson，andofsuchsurpassingbeauty，thattheSpaniardsoftenthoughthimagirldisguisedinman’sclothing，hewasyetsovigorous，soactive，sobrave，thatthemostdaringandexperiencedveteranswatchedhislooksonthefieldofbattle，and，implicitlyfollowingwhereheled，would，likechildren，obeyhisslightestsigninthemostdifficultsituations。”
13WhenthedissolutionoftheUnionatonetimeseemedimminent，andWashingtonwishedtoretireintoprivatelife，Jeffersonwrotetohim，urginghiscontinuanceinoffice。”TheconfidenceofthewholeUnion，”hesaid，”centresinyou。Yourbeingatthehelmwillbemorethanananswertoeveryargumentwhichcanbeusedtoalarmandleadthepeopleinanyquarterintoviolenceandsecession……Thereissometimesaneminenceofcharacteronwhichsocietyhassuchpeculiarclaimsastocontrolthepredilectionoftheindividualforaparticularwalkofhappiness，andrestrainhimtothatalonearisingfromthepresentandfuturebenedictionsofmankind。Thisseemstobeyourcondition，andthelawimposedonyoubyProvidenceinformingyourcharacterandfashioningtheeventsonwhichitwastooperate；anditistomotiveslikethese，andnottopersonalanxietiesofmineorothers，whohavenorighttocallonyouforsacrifices，thatIappealfromyourformerdetermination，andurgearevisalofit，onthegroundofchangeintheaspectofthings。”——Sparks’LifeofWashington，i。480。
14Napier’s’HistoryofthePeninsularWar，’v。226。
15SirW。Scott’s’HistoryofScotland，’vol。i。chap。xvi。
16Michelet’s’HistoryofRome，’p。374。
17ErasmussoreverencedthecharacterofSocratesthathesaid，whenheconsideredhislifeanddoctrines，hewasinclinedtoputhiminthecalendarofsaints，andtoexclaim，”SANCTESOCRATES，ORAPRONOBIS。’”HolySocrates，prayforus！
18”Honourtoallthebraveandtrue；everlastinghonourtoJohnKnoxoneofthetruestofthetrue！That，inthemomentwhileheandhiscause，amidcivilbroils，inconvulsionandconfusion，werestillbutstrugglingforlife，hesenttheschoolmasterforthtoallcorners，andsaid，’Letthepeoplebetaught:’thisisbutone，and，andindeed，aninevitableandcomparativelyinconsiderableiteminhisgreatmessagetomen。Thismessage，initstruecompass，was，’LetmenknowthattheyaremencreatedbyGod，responsibletoGodwhoworkinanymeanestmomentoftimewhatwilllastthrougheternity……’ThisgreatmessageKnoxdiddeliver，withaman’svoiceandstrength；andfoundapeopletobelievehim。Ofsuchanachievement，wereittobemadeonceonly，theresultsareimmense。Thought，insuchacountry，maychangeitsform，butcannotgoout；thecountryhasattainedMAJORITYthought，andacertainmanhood，readyforallworkthatmancando，enduresthere……TheScotchnationalcharacteroriginatedinmanycircumstances:firstofall，intheSaxonstufftherewastoworkon；butnext，andbeyondallelseexceptthat，isthePresbyterianGospelofJohnKnox。”——Carlyle’sMISCELLANIES，iv。118。
19Moore’s’LifeofByron，’8vo。ed。p。484——Dantewasareligiousaswellasapoliticalreformer。HewasareformerthreehundredyearsbeforetheReformation，advocatingtheseparationofthespiritualfromthecivilpower，anddeclaringthetemporalgovernmentofthePopetobeausurpation。Thefollowingmemorablewordswerewrittenoverfivehundredandsixtyyearsago，whileDantewasstillamemberoftheRomanCatholicChurch:-”EveryDivinelawisfoundinoneorotherofthetwoTestaments；butinneithercanIfindthatthecareoftemporalmatterswasgiventothepriesthood。Onthecontrary，Ifindthatthefirstpriestswereremovedfromthembylaw，andthelaterpriests，bycommandofChrist，toHisdisciples。”——DEMONARCHIA，lib。iii。cap。xi。
Dantealso，stillclingingto’theChurchhewishedtoreform，’
thusanticipatedthefundamentaldoctrineoftheReformation:-”BeforetheChurcharetheOldandNewTestament；aftertheChurcharetraditions。Itfollows，then，thattheauthorityoftheChurchdepends，notontraditions，buttraditionsontheChurch。”
20’Blackwood’sMagazine，’June，1863，art。’GirolamoSavonarola。’
21OneofthelastpassagesintheDiaryofDr。Arnold，writtentheyearbeforehisdeath，wasasfollows:-”ItisthemisfortuneofFrancethather’past’cannotbelovedorrespected——herfutureandherpresentcannotbeweddedtoit；yethowcanthepresentyieldfruit，orthefuturehavepromise，excepttheirrootsbefixedinthepast？Theevilisinfinite，buttheblamerestswiththosewhomadethepastadeadthing，outofwhichnohealthfullifecouldbeproduced。”——LIFE，ii。387-8，Ed。1858。
22ApublicoratorlatelyspokewithcontemptoftheBattleofMarathon，becauseonly192perishedonthesideoftheAthenians，whereasbyimprovedmechanismanddestructivechemicals，some50，000menormoremaynowbedestroyedwithinafewhours。YettheBattleofMarathon，andtheheroismdisplayedinit，willprobablycontinuetoberememberedwhenthegiganticbutcheriesofmoderntimeshavebeenforgotten。
CHAPTERII——HOMEPOWER。”Sobuildweupthebeingthatweare，Thusdeeplydrinkinginthesoulofthings，Weshallbewiseperforce。”WORDSWORTH。”Themillstreamsthatturntheclappersoftheworldariseinsolitaryplaces。”——HELPS。”InthecourseofaconversationwithMadameCampan，NapoleonBuonaparteremarked:’Theoldsystemsofinstructionseemtobeworthnothing；whatisyetwantinginorderthatthepeopleshouldbeproperlyeducated？’’MOTHERS，’repliedMadameCampan。ThereplystrucktheEmperor。’Yes！’saidhe’hereisasystemofeducationinoneword。Beityourcare，then，totrainupmotherswhoshallknowhowtoeducatetheirchildren。’”——AIMEMARTIN。”Lord！withwhatcarehastThoubegirtusround！
Parentsfirstseasonus。ThenschoolmastersDeliverustolaws。TheysendusboundTorulesofreason。”——GEORGEHERBERT。
HOMEisthefirstandmostimportantschoolofcharacter。Itistherethateveryhumanbeingreceiveshisbestmoraltraining，orhisworst；foritistherethatheimbibesthoseprinciplesofconductwhichendurethroughmanhood，andceaseonlywithlife。
Itisacommonsayingthat”Mannersmaketheman；”andthereisasecond，that”Mindmakestheman；”buttruerthaneitherisathird，that”Homemakestheman。”Forthehome-trainingincludesnotonlymannersandmind，butcharacter。Itismainlyinthehomethattheheartisopened，thehabitsareformed，theintellectisawakened，andcharactermouldedforgoodorforevil。
Fromthatsource，beitpureorimpure，issuetheprinciplesandmaximsthatgovernsociety。Lawitselfisbutthereflexofhomes。Thetiniestbitsofopinionsowninthemindsofchildreninprivatelifeafterwardsissueforthtotheworld，andbecomeitspublicopinion；fornationsaregatheredoutofnurseries，andtheywhoholdtheleading-stringsofchildrenmayevenexerciseagreaterpowerthanthosewhowieldthereinsofgovernment。1
Itisintheorderofnaturethatdomesticlifeshouldbepreparatorytosocial，andthatthemindandcharactershouldfirstbeformedinthehome。Theretheindividualswhoafterwardsformsocietyaredealtwithindetail，andfashionedonebyone。
Fromthefamilytheyenterlife，andadvancefromboyhoodtocitizenship。Thusthehomemayberegardedasthemostinfluentialschoolofcivilisation。For，afterall，civilisationmainlyresolvesitselfintoaquestionofindividualtraining；andaccordingastherespectivemembersofsocietyarewellorill-
trainedinyouth，sowillthecommunitywhichtheyconstitutebemoreorlesshumanisedandcivilised。
Thetrainingofanyman，eventhewisest，cannotfailtobepowerfullyinfluencedbythemoralsurroundingsofhisearlyyears。Hecomesintotheworldhelpless，andabsolutelydependentuponthoseabouthimfornurtureandculture。Fromtheveryfirstbreaththathedraws，hiseducationbegins。Whenamotheronceaskedaclergymanwhensheshouldbegintheeducationofherchild，thenfouryearsold，hereplied:”Madam，ifyouhavenotbegunalready，youhavelostthosefouryears。Fromthefirstsmilethatgleamsuponaninfant’scheek，youropportunitybegins。”
Buteveninthiscasetheeducationhadalreadybegun；forthechildlearnsbysimpleimitation，withouteffort，almostthroughtheporesoftheskin。”Afigtreelookingonafigtreebecomethfruitful，”saystheArabianproverb。Andsoitiswithchildren；
theirfirstgreatinstructorisexample。
Howeverapparentlytrivialtheinfluenceswhichcontributetoformthecharacterofthechild，theyendurethroughlife。Thechild’scharacteristhenucleusoftheman’s；allafter-educationisbutsuperposition；theformofthecrystalremainsthesame。Thusthesayingofthepoetholdstrueinalargedegree，”Thechildisfatheroftheman；”or，asMiltonputsit，”Thechildhoodshowstheman，asmorningshowstheday。”Thoseimpulsestoconductwhichlastthelongestandarerootedthedeepest，alwayshavetheiroriginnearourbirth。Itisthenthatthegermsofvirtuesorvices，offeelingsorsentiments，arefirstimplantedwhichdeterminethecharacterforlife。
Thechildis，asitwere，laidatthegateofanewworld，andopenshiseyesuponthingsallofwhicharefullofnoveltyandwonderment。Atfirstitisenoughforhimtogaze；butby-and-byhebeginstosee，toobserve，tocompare，tolearn，tostoreupimpressionsandideas；andunderwiseguidancetheprogresswhichhemakesisreallywonderful。LordBroughamhasobservedthatbetweentheagesofeighteenandthirtymonths，achildlearnsmoreofthematerialworld，ofhisownpowers，ofthenatureofotherbodies，andevenofhisownmindandotherminds，thanheacquiresinalltherestofhislife。Theknowledgewhichachildaccumulates，andtheideasgeneratedinhismind，duringthisperiod，aresoimportant，thatifwecouldimaginethemtobeafterwardsobliterated，allthelearningofaseniorwrangleratCambridge，orafirst-classmanatOxford，wouldbeasnothingtoit，andwouldliterallynotenableitsobjecttoprolonghisexistenceforaweek。
Itisinchildhoodthatthemindismostopentoimpressions，andreadytobekindledbythefirstsparkthatfallsintoit。Ideasarethencaughtquicklyandlivelastingly。ThusScottissaidtohavereceived，hisfirstbenttowardsballadliteraturefromhismother’sandgrandmother’srecitationsinhishearinglongbeforehehimselfhadlearnedtoread。Childhoodislikeamirror，whichreflectsinafter-lifetheimagesfirstpresentedtoit。Thefirstthingcontinuesforeverwiththechild。Thefirstjoy，thefirstsorrow，thefirstsuccess，thefirstfailure，thefirstachievement，thefirstmisadventure，painttheforegroundofhislife。
Allthiswhile，too，thetrainingofthecharacterisinprogress——ofthetemper，thewill，andthehabits——onwhichsomuchofthehappinessofhumanbeingsinafter-lifedepends。Althoughmanisendowedwithacertainself-acting，self-helpingpowerofcontributingtohisowndevelopment，independentofsurroundingcircumstances，andofreactinguponthelifearoundhim，thebiasgiventohismoralcharacterinearlylifeisofimmenseimportance。Placeeventhehighest-mindedphilosopherinthemidstofdailydiscomfort，immorality，andvileness，andhewillinsensiblygravitatetowardsbrutality。Howmuchmoresusceptibleistheimpressionableandhelplesschildamidstsuchsurroundings！
Itisnotpossibletorearakindlynature，sensitivetoevil，pureinmindandheart，amidstcoarseness，discomfort，andimpurity。
Thushomes，whicharethenurseriesofchildrenwhogrowupintomenandwomen，willbegoodorbadaccordingtothepowerthatgovernsthem。Wherethespiritofloveanddutypervadesthehome——whereheadandheartbearrulewiselythere——wherethedailylifeishonestandvirtuous——wherethegovernmentissensible，kind，andloving，thenmayweexpectfromsuchahomeanissueofhealthy，useful，andhappybeings，capable，astheygaintherequisitestrength，offollowingthefootstepsoftheirparents，ofwalkinguprightly，governingthemselveswisely，andcontributingtothewelfareofthoseaboutthem。
Ontheotherhand，ifsurroundedbyignorance，coarseness，andselfishness，theywillunconsciouslyassumethesamecharacter，andgrowuptoadultyearsrude，uncultivated，andallthemoredangeroustosocietyifplacedamidstthemanifoldtemptationsofwhatiscalledcivilisedlife。”Giveyourchildtobeeducatedbyaslave，”saidanancientGreek，”andinsteadofoneslave，youwillthenhavetwo。”
Thechildcannothelpimitatingwhathesees。Everythingistohimamodel——ofmanner，ofgesture，ofspeech，ofhabit，ofcharacter。”Forthechild，”saysRichter，”themostimportanteraoflifeisthatofchildhood，whenhebeginstocolourandmouldhimselfbycompanionshipwithothers。Everyneweducatoreffectslessthanhispredecessor；untilatlast，ifweregardalllifeasaneducationalinstitution，acircumnavigatoroftheworldislessinfluencedbyallthenationshehasseenthanbyhisnurse。”2
Modelsarethereforeofeveryimportanceinmouldingthenatureofthechild；andifwewouldhavefinecharacters，wemustnecessarilypresentbeforethemfinemodels。Now，themodelmostconstantlybeforeeverychild’seyeistheMother。
Onegoodmother，saidGeorgeHerbert，isworthahundredschoolmasters。Inthehomesheis”loadstonetoallhearts，andloadstartoalleyes。”Imitationofherisconstant——imitation，whichBaconlikensto”aglobeofprecepts。”Butexampleisfarmorethanprecept。Itisinstructioninaction。Itisteachingwithoutwords，oftenexemplifyingmorethantonguecanteach。Inthefaceofbadexample，thebestofpreceptsareofbutlittleavail。Theexampleisfollowed，nottheprecepts。Indeed，preceptatvariancewithpracticeisworsethanuseless，inasmuchasitonlyservestoteachthemostcowardlyofvices——hypocrisy。
Evenchildrenarejudgesofconsistency，andthelessonsoftheparentwhosaysonethinganddoestheopposite，arequicklyseenthrough。Theteachingofthefriarwasnotworthmuch，whopreachedthevirtueofhonestywithastolengooseinhissleeve。
Byimitationofacts，thecharacterbecomesslowlyandimperceptibly，butatlengthdecidedlyformed。Theseveralactsmayseeminthemselvestrivial；butsoarethecontinuousactsofdailylife。Likesnowflakes，they。fallunperceived；eachflakeaddedtothepileproducesnosensiblechange，andyettheaccumulationofsnowflakesmakestheavalanche。Sodorepeatedacts，onefollowinganother，atlengthbecomeconsolidatedinhabit，determinetheactionofthehumanbeingforgoodorforevil，and，inaword，formthecharacter。
Itisbecausethemother，farmorethanthefather，influencestheactionandconductofthechild，thathergoodexampleisofsomuchgreaterimportanceinthehome。Itiseasytounderstandhowthisshouldbeso。Thehomeisthewoman’sdomain——herkingdom，wheresheexercisesentirecontrol。Herpoweroverthelittlesubjectssherulesthereisabsolute。Theylookuptoherforeverything。Sheistheexampleandmodelconstantlybeforetheireyes，whomtheyunconsciouslyobserveandimitate。
Cowley，speakingoftheinfluenceofearlyexample，andideasearlyimplantedinthemind，comparesthemtoletterscutinthebarkofayoungtree，whichgrowandwidenwithage。Theimpressionsthenmade，howsoeverslighttheymayseem，arenevereffaced。Theideasthenimplantedinthemindarelikeseedsdroppedintotheground，whichliethereandgerminateforatime，afterwardsspringingupinactsandthoughtsandhabits。Thusthemotherlivesagaininherchildren。Theyunconsciouslymouldthemselvesafterhermanner，herspeech，herconduct，andhermethodoflife。Herhabitsbecometheirs；andhercharacterisvisiblyrepeatedinthem。
Thismaternalloveisthevisibleprovidenceofourrace。Itsinfluenceisconstantanduniversal。Itbeginswiththeeducationofthehumanbeingattheout-startoflife，andisprolongedbyvirtueofthepowerfulinfluencewhicheverygoodmotherexercisesoverherchildrenthroughlife。Whenlaunchedintotheworld，eachtotakepartinitslabours，anxieties，andtrials，theystillturntotheirmotherforconsolation，ifnotforcounsel，intheirtimeoftroubleanddifficulty。Thepureandgoodthoughtsshehasimplantedintheirmindswhenchildren，continuetogrowupintogoodacts，longaftersheisdead；andwhenthereisnothingbutamemoryofherleft，herchildrenriseupandcallherblessed。
Itisnotsayingtoomuchtoaverthatthehappinessormisery，theenlightenmentorignorance，thecivilisationorbarbarismoftheworld，dependsinaveryhighdegreeupontheexerciseofwoman’spowerwithinherspecialkingdomofhome。Indeed，Emersonsays，broadlyandtruly，that”asufficientmeasureofcivilisationistheinfluenceofgoodwomen。”Posteritymaybesaidtoliebeforeusinthepersonofthechildinthemother’slap。Whatthatchildwilleventuallybecome，mainlydependsuponthetrainingandexamplewhichhehasreceivedfromhisfirstandmostinfluentialeducator。
Woman，aboveallothereducators，educateshumanly。Manisthebrain，butwomanistheheartofhumanity；heitsjudgment，sheitsfeeling；heitsstrength，sheitsgrace，ornament，andsolace。