Character_第3章_无广告免费看-丁香书院

查看目录

　　ThecareerofthelateDr。MarshallHallwasalifelongillustrationoftheinfluenceofcharacterinformingcharacter。
　　Manyeminentmenstilllivingtracetheirsuccessinlifetohissuggestionsandassistance，withoutwhichseveralvaluablelinesofstudyandinvestigationmightnothavebeenenteredon，atleastatsoearlyaperiod。Hewouldsaytoyoungmenabouthim，”Takeupasubjectandpursueitwell，andyoucannotfailtosucceed。”Andoftenhewouldthrowoutanewideatoayoungfriend，saying，”Imakeyouapresentofit；thereisfortuneinit，ifyoupursueitwithenergy。”
　　Energyofcharacterhasalwaysapowertoevokeenergyinothers。
　　Itactsthroughsympathy，oneofthemostinfluentialofhumanagencies。Thezealousenergeticmanunconsciouslycarriesothersalongwithhim。Hisexampleiscontagious，andcompelsimitation。
　　Heexercisesasortofelectricpower，whichsendsathrillthrougheveryfibre——flowsintothenatureofthoseabouthim，andmakesthemgiveoutsparksoffire。
　　Dr。Arnold’sbiographer，speakingofthepowerofthiskindexercisedbyhimoveryoungmen，says:”Itwasnotsomuchanenthusiasticadmirationfortruegenius，orlearning，oreloquence，whichstirredwithinthem；itwasasympatheticthrill，caughtfromaspiritthatwasearnestlyatworkintheworld——
　　whoseworkwashealthy，sustained，andconstantlycarriedforwardinthefearofGod——aworkthatwasfoundedonadeepsenseofitsdutyanditsvalue。”7
　　Suchapower，exercisedbymenofgenius，evokescourage，enthusiasm，anddevotion。Itisthisintenseadmirationforindividuals——suchasonecannotconceiveentertainedforamultitude——whichhasinalltimesproducedheroesandmartyrs。
　　Itisthusthatthemasteryofcharactermakesitselffelt。Itactsbyinspiration，quickeningandvivifyingthenaturessubjecttoitsinfluence。
　　Greatmindsarerichinradiatingforce，notonlyexertingpower，butcommunicatingandevencreatingit。ThusDanteraisedanddrewafterhimahostofgreatspirits——Petrarch，Boccacio，Tasso，andmanymore。FromhimMiltonlearnttobearthestingsofeviltonguesandthecontumelyofevildays；andlongyearsafter，Byron，thinkingofDanteunderthepine-treesofRavenna，wasincitedtoattunehisharptoloftierstrainsthanhehadeverattemptedbefore。DanteinspiredthegreatestpaintersofItaly——
　　Giotto，Orcagna，MichaelAngelo，andRaphael。SoAriostoandTitianmutuallyinspiredoneanother，andlightedupeachother’sglory。
　　Greatandgoodmendrawothersafterthem，excitingthespontaneousadmirationofmankind。Thisadmirationofnoblecharacterelevatesthemind，andtendstoredeemitfromthebondageofself，oneofthegreateststumblingblockstomoralimprovement。Therecollectionofmenwhohavesignalisedthemselvesbygreatthoughtsorgreatdeeds，seemsasiftocreateforthetimeapureratmospherearoundus:andwefeelasifouraimsandpurposeswereunconsciouslyelevated。”Tellmewhomyouadmire，”saidSainte-Beuve，”andIwilltellyouwhatyouare，atleastasregardsyourtalents，tastes，andcharacter。”Doyouadmiremeanmen？——yourownnatureismean。
　　Doyouadmirerichmen？——youareoftheearth，earthy。Doyouadmiremenoftitle？——youareatoad-eater，oratuft-hunter。8
　　Doyouadmirehonest，brave，andmanlymen？——youareyourselfofanhonest，brave，andmanlyspirit。
　　Itisintheseasonofyouth，whilethecharacterisforming，thattheimpulsetoadmireisthegreatest。Asweadvanceinlife，wecrystallizeintohabit；and”NILADMIRARI”toooftenbecomesourmotto。Itiswelltoencouragetheadmirationofgreatcharacterswhilethenatureisplasticandopentoimpressions；forifthegoodarenotadmired——asyoungmenwillhavetheirheroesofsomesort——mostprobablythegreatbadmaybetakenbythemformodels。HenceitalwaysrejoicedDr。Arnoldtohearhispupilsexpressingadmirationofgreatdeeds，orfullofenthusiasmforpersonsorevenscenery。”Ibelieve，”saidhe，”that”NIL
　　ADMIRARI”isthedevil’sfavouritetext；andhecouldnotchooseabettertointroducehispupilsintothemoreesotericpartsofhisdoctrine。And，therefore，Ihavealwayslookeduponamaninfectedwiththedisorderofanti-romanceasonewhohaslostthefinestpartofhisnature，andhisbestprotectionagainsteverythinglowandfoolish。”9
　　ItwasafinetraitinthecharacterofPrinceAlbertthathewasalwayssoreadytoexpressgenerousadmirationofthegooddeedsofothers。”Hehadthegreatestdelight，”saystheablestdelineatorofhischaracter，”inanybodyelsesayingafinesaying，ordoingagreatdeed。Hewouldrejoiceoverit，andtalkaboutitfordays；andwhetheritwasathingnoblysaidordonebyalittlechild，orbyaveteranstatesman，itgavehimequalpleasure。Hedelightedinhumanitydoingwellonanyoccasionandinanymanner。”10”Noquality，”saidDr。Johnson，”willgetamanmorefriendsthanasincereadmirationofthequalitiesofothers。Itindicatesgenerosityofnature，frankness，cordiality，andcheerfulrecognitionofmerit。”Itwastothesincere——itmightalmostbesaidthereverential——admirationofJohnsonbyBoswell，thatweoweoneofthebestbiographieseverwritten。OneisdisposedtothinkthattheremusthavebeensomegenuinegoodqualitiesinBoswelltohavebeenattractedbysuchamanasJohnson，andtohavekeptfaithfultohisworshipinspiteofrebuffsandsnubbingsinnumerable。MacaulayspeaksofBoswellasanaltogethercontemptibleperson——asacoxcombandabore——weak，vain，pushing，curious，garrulous；andwithoutwit，humour，oreloquence。ButCarlyleisdoubtlessmorejustinhischaracterisationofthebiographer，inwhom——vainandfoolishthoughhewasinmanyrespects——heseesamanpenetratedbytheoldreverentfeelingofdiscipleship，fullofloveandadmirationfortruewisdomandexcellence。Withoutsuchqualities，Carlyleinsists，the’LifeofJohnson’nevercouldhavebeenwritten。”Boswellwroteagoodbook，”hesays，”becausehehadaheartandaneyetodiscernwisdom，andanutterancetorenderitforth；
　　becauseofhisfreeinsight，hislivelytalent，and，aboveall，ofhisloveandchildlikeopenmindedness。”
　　Mostyoungmenofgenerousmindhavetheirheroes，especiallyiftheybebook-readers。ThusAllanCunningham，whenamason’sapprenticeinNithsdale，walkedallthewaytoEdinburghforthesolepurposeofseeingSirWalterScottashepassedalongthestreet。Weunconsciouslyadmiretheenthusiasmofthelad，andrespecttheimpulsewhichimpelledhimtomakethejourney。ItisrelatedofSirJoshuaReynolds，thatwhenaboyoften，hethrusthishandthroughinterveningrowsofpeopletotouchPope，asiftherewereasortofvirtueinthecontact。Atamuchlaterperiod，thepainterHaydonwasproudtoseeandtotouchReynoldswhenonavisittohisnativeplace。Rogersthepoetusedtotellofhisardentdesire，whenaboy，toseeDr。Johnson；butwhenhishandwasontheknockerofthehouseinBoltCourt，hiscouragefailedhim，andheturnedaway。SothelateIsaacDisraeli，whenayouth，calledatBoltCourtforthesamepurpose；andthoughbeHADthecouragetoknock，tohisdismayhewasinformedbytheservantthatthegreatlexicographerhadbreathedhislastonlyafewhoursbefore。
　　Onthecontrary，smallandungenerousmindscannotadmireheartily。Totheirowngreatmisfortune，theycannotrecognise，muchlessreverence，greatmenandgreatthings。Themeannatureadmiresmeanly。Thetoad’shighestideaofbeautyishistoadess。
　　Thesmallsnob’shighestideaofmanhoodisthegreatsnob。Theslave-dealervaluesamanaccordingtohismuscles。WhenaGuineatraderwastoldbySirGodfreyKneller，inthepresenceofPope，thathesawbeforehimtwoofthegreatestmenintheworld，hereplied:”Idon’tknowhowgreatyoumaybe，butIdon’tlikeyourlooks。Ihaveoftenboughtamanmuchbetterthanbothofyoutogether，allbonesandmuscles，fortenguineas！”
　　AlthoughRochefoucauld，inoneofhismaxims，saysthatthereissomethingthatisnotaltogetherdisagreeabletousinthemisfortunesofevenourbestfriends，itisonlythesmallandessentiallymeannaturethatfindspleasureinthedisappointment，andannoyanceatthesuccessofothers。Thereare，unhappily，forthemselves，personssoconstitutedthattheyhavenotthehearttobegenerous。Themostdisagreeableofallpeoplearethosewho”sitintheseatofthescorner。”Personsofthissortoftencometoregardthesuccessofothers，eveninagoodwork，asakindofpersonaloffence。Theycannotbeartohearanotherpraised，especiallyifhebelongtotheirownart，orcalling，orprofession。Theywillpardonaman’sfailures，butcannotforgivehisdoingathingbetterthantheycando。Andwheretheyhavethemselvesfailed，theyarefoundtobethemostmercilessofdetractors。Thesourcriticthinksofhisrival:”WhenHeavenwithsuchpartshasblesthim，HaveInotreasontodetesthim？”
　　Themeanmindoccupiesitselfwithsneering，carping，andfault-
　　finding；andisreadytoscoffateverythingbutimpudenteffronteryorsuccessfulvice。Thegreatestconsolationofsuchpersonsarethedefectsofmenofcharacter。”Ifthewiseerrednot，”saysGeorgeHerbert，”itwouldgohardwithfools。”Yet，thoughwisemenmaylearnoffoolsbyavoidingtheirerrors，foolsrarelyprofitbytheexamplewhich，wisemensetthem。AGermanwriterhassaidthatitisamiserabletemperthatcaresonlytodiscovertheblemishesinthecharacterofgreatmenorgreatperiods。LetusratherjudgethemwiththecharityofBolingbroke，who，whenremindedofoneoftheallegedweaknessesofMarlborough，observed，——”HewassogreatamanthatIforgothehadthatdefect。”
　　Admirationofgreatmen，livingordead，naturallyevokesimitationoftheminagreaterorlessdegree。Whileamereyouth，themindofThemistocleswasfiredbythegreatdeedsofhiscontemporaries，andhelongedtodistinguishhimselfintheserviceofhiscountry。WhentheBattleofMarathonhadbeenfought，hefellintoastateofmelancholy；andwhenaskedbyhisfriendsastothecause，hereplied”thatthetrophiesofMiltiadeswouldnotsufferhimtosleep。”Afewyearslater，wefindhimattheheadoftheAthenianarmy，defeatingthePersianfleetofXerxesinthebattlesofArtemisiumandSalamis，——hiscountrygratefullyacknowledgingthatithadbeensavedthroughhiswisdomandvalour。
　　ItisrelatedofThucydidesthat，whenaboy，heburstintotearsonhearingHerodotusreadhisHistory，andtheimpressionmadeuponhismindwassuchastodeterminethebentofhisowngenius。
　　AndDemostheneswassofiredononeoccasionbytheeloquenceofCallistratus，thattheambitionwasrousedwithinhimofbecominganoratorhimself。YetDemostheneswasphysicallyweak，hadafeeblevoice，indistinctarticulation，andshortnessofbreath——
　　defectswhichhewasonlyenabledtoovercomebydiligentstudyandinvincibledetermination。But，withallhispractice，heneverbecameareadyspeaker；allhisorations，especiallythemostfamousofthem，exhibitingindicationsofcarefulelaboration，——theartandindustryoftheoratorbeingvisibleinalmosteverysentence。
　　Similarillustrationsofcharacterimitatingcharacter，andmouldingitselfbythestyleandmannerandgeniusofgreatmen，aretobefoundpervadingallhistory。Warriors，statesmen，orators，patriots，poets，andartists——allhavebeen，moreorlessunconsciously，nurturedbythelivesandactionsofotherslivingbeforethemorpresentedfortheirimitation。
　　Greatmenhaveevokedtheadmirationofkings，popes，andemperors。FrancisdeMedicisneverspoketoMichaelAngelowithoutuncovering，andJuliusIII。madehimsitbyhissidewhileadozencardinalswerestanding。CharlesV。madewayforTitian；
　　andoneday，whenthebrushdroppedfromthepainter’shand，Charlesstoopedandpickeditup，saying，”Youdeservetobeservedbyanemperor。”LeoX。threatenedwithexcommunicationwhoevershouldprintandsellthepoemsofAriostowithouttheauthor’sconsent。ThesamepopeattendedthedeathbedofRaphael，asFrancisI。didthatofLeonardodaVinci。
　　ThoughHaydnoncearchlyobservedthathewaslovedandesteemedbyeverybodyexceptprofessorsofmusic，yetallthegreatestmusicianswereunusuallyreadytorecogniseeachother’sgreatness。Haydnhimselfseemstohavebeenentirelyfreefrompettyjealousy。HisadmirationofthefamousPorporawassuch，thatheresolvedtogainadmissiontohishouse，andservehimasavalet。HavingmadetheacquaintanceofthefamilywithwhomPorporalived，hewasallowedtoofficiateinthatcapacity。
　　Earlyeachmorninghetookcaretobrushtheveteran’scoat，polishhisshoes，andputhisrustywiginorder。AtfirstPorporagrowledattheintruder，buthisasperitysoonsoftened，andeventuallymeltedintoaffection。Hequicklydiscoveredhisvalet’sgenius，and，byhisinstructions，directeditintothelineinwhichHaydneventuallyacquiredsomuchdistinction。
　　HaydnhimselfwasenthusiasticinhisadmirationofHandel。”Heisthefatherofusall，”hesaidononeoccasion。ScarlattifollowedHandelinadmirationalloverItaly，and，whenhisnamewasmentioned，becrossedhimselfintokenofveneration。
　　Mozart’srecognitionofthegreatcomposerwasnotlesshearty。”Whenhechooses，”saidhe，”Handelstrikeslikethethunderbolt。”
　　Beethovenhailedhimas”Themonarchofthemusicalkingdom。”
　　WhenBeethovenwasdying，oneofhisfriendssenthimapresentofHandel’sworks，infortyvolumes。Theywerebroughtintohischamber，and，gazingonthemwithreanimatedeye，beexclaimed，pointingatthemwithhisfinger，”There——thereisthetruth！”
　　Haydnnotonlyrecognisedthegeniusofthegreatmenwhohadpassedaway，butofhisyoungcontemporaries，MozartandBeethoven。Smallmenmaybeenviousoftheirfellows，butreallygreatmenseekoutandloveeachother。OfMozart，Haydnwrote”I
　　onlywishIcouldimpressoneveryfriendofmusic，andongreatmeninparticular，thesamedepthofmusicalsympathy，andprofoundappreciationofMozart’sinimitablemusic，thatImyselffeelandenjoy；thennationswouldviewitheachothertopossesssuchajewelwithintheirfrontiers。Pragueoughtnotonlytostrivetoretainthispreciousman，butalsotoremuneratehim；
　　forwithoutthisthehistoryofagreatgeniusissadindeed……
　　ItenragesmetothinkthattheunparalleledMozartisnotyetengagedbysomeimperialorroyalcourt。Forgivemyexcitement；
　　butIlovethemansodearly！”
　　MozartwasequallygenerousinhisrecognitionofthemeritsofHaydn。”Sir，”saidhetoacritic，speakingofthelatter，”ifyouandIwerebothmelteddowntogether，weshouldnotfurnishmaterialsforoneHaydn。”AndwhenMozartfirstheardBeethoven，heobserved:”Listentothatyoungman；beassuredthathewillyetmakeagreatnameintheworld。”
　　BuffonsetNewtonaboveallotherphilosophers，andadmiredhimsohighlythathehadalwayshisportraitbeforehimwhilehesatatwork。SoSchillerlookeduptoShakspeare，whomhestudiedreverentlyandzealouslyforyears，untilhebecamecapableofcomprehendingnatureatfirst-hand，andthenhisadmirationbecameevenmoreardentthanbefore。
　　PittwasCanning’smasterandhero，whomhefollowedandadmiredwithattachmentanddevotion。”Tooneman，whilehelived，”saidCanning，”Iwasdevotedwithallmyheartandallmysoul。SincethedeathofMr。PittIacknowledgenoleader；mypoliticalallegianceliesburiedinhisgrave。”11
　　AFrenchphysiologist，M。Roux，wasoccupiedonedayinlecturingtohispupils，whenSirCharlesBell，whosediscoverieswereevenbetterknownandmorehighlyappreciatedabroadthanathome，strolledintohisclass-room。Theprofessor，recognisinghisvisitor，atoncestoppedhisexposition，saying:”MESSIEURS，C’EST
　　ASSEZPOURAUJOURD’HUI，VOUSAVEZVUSIRCHARLESBELL！”
　　Thefirstacquaintancewithagreatworkofarthasusuallyprovedanimportanteventineveryyoungartist’slife。WhenCorreggiofirstgazedonRaphael’s’SaintCecilia，’hefeltwithinhimselfanawakenedpower，andexclaimed，”AndItooamapainter”SoConstableusedtolookbackonhisfirstsightofClaude’spictureof’Hagar，’asforminganepochinhiscareer。SirGeorgeBeaumont’sadmirationofthesamepicturewassuchthathealwaystookitwithhiminhiscarriagewhenhetravelledfromhome。
　　Theexamplessetbythegreatandgooddonotdie；theycontinuetoliveandspeaktoallthegenerationsthatsucceedthem。ItwasveryimpressivelyobservedbyMr。Disraeli，intheHouseofCommons，shortlyafterthedeathofMr。Cobden:——”Thereisthisconsolationremainingtous，whenwerememberourunequalledandirreparablelosses，thatthosegreatmenarenotaltogetherlosttous——thattheirwordswilloftenbequotedinthisHouse——thattheirexampleswilloftenbereferredtoandappealedto，andthateventheirexpressionswillformpartofourdiscussionsanddebates。Therearenow，Imaysay，somemembersofParliamentwho，thoughtheymaynotbepresent，arestillmembersofthisHouse——whoareindependentofdissolutions，ofthecapricesofconstituencies，andevenofthecourseoftime。IthinkthatMr。
　　Cobdenwasoneofthosemen。”
　　Itisthegreatlessonofbiographytoteachwhatmancanbeandcandoathisbest。Itmaythusgiveeachmanrenewedstrengthandconfidence。Thehumblest，insightofeventhegreatest，mayadmire，andhope，andtakecourage。Thesegreatbrothersofoursinbloodandlineage，wholiveauniversallife，stillspeaktousfromtheirgraves，andbeckonusoninthepathswhichtheyhavetrod。Theirexampleisstillwithus，toguide，toinfluence，andtodirectus。Fornobilityofcharacterisaperpetualbequest；livingfromagetoage，andconstantlytendingtoreproduceitslike。”Thesage，”saytheChinese，”istheinstructorofahundredages。
　　WhenthemannersofLooareheardof，thestupidbecomeintelligent，andthewaveringdetermined。”Thustheactedlifeofagoodmancontinuestobeagospeloffreedomandemancipationtoallwhosucceedhim:”Toliveinheartsweleavebehind，isnottodie。”
　　Thegoldenwordsthatgoodmenhaveuttered，theexamplestheyhaveset，livethroughalltime:theypassintothethoughtsandheartsoftheirsuccessors，helpthemontheroadoflife，andoftenconsoletheminthehourofdeath。”Andthemostmiserableormostpainfulofdeaths，”saidHenryMarten，theCommonwealthman，whodiedinprison，”isasnothingcomparedwiththememoryofawell-spentlife；andgreataloneishewhohasearnedthegloriousprivilegeofbequeathingsuchalessonandexampletohissuccessors！
　　NOTES。
　　1’LettersofSirCharlesBell，’p。10。
　　2’AutobiographyofMaryAnneSchimmelpenninck，’p。179。
　　3DeanStanley’s’LifeofDr。Arnold，’i。151Ed。1858。
　　4LordCockburn’s’Memorials，’pp。25-6。
　　5FromaletterofCanonMoseley，readataMemorialMeetingheldshortlyafterthedeathofthelateLordHerbertofLea。
　　6IzaakWalton’s’LifeofGeorgeHerbert。’
　　7Stanley’s’LifeandLettersofDr。Arnold，’i。33。
　　8PhilipdeCominesgivesacuriousillustrationofthesubservient，thoughenforced，imitationofPhilip，DukeofBurgundy，byhiscourtiers。Whenthatprincefellill，andhadhisheadshaved，heorderedthatallhisnobles，fivehundredinnumber，shouldinlikemannershavetheirheads；andoneofthem，PierredeHagenbach，toprovehisdevotion，nosoonercaughtsightofanunshavennobleman，thanheforthwithhadhimseizedandcarriedofftothebarber！——PhilipdeCominesBohn’sEd。，p。243。
　　9’Life，’i。344。
　　10Introductionto’ThePrincipalSpeechesandAddressesofH。R。H。
　　thePrinceConsort，’p。33。
　　11SpeechatLiverpool，1812。
　　CHAPTERIV——WORK。”Arisetherefore，andbedoing，andtheLordbewiththee。”——
　　lCHRONICLESxxii。16。”Workasifthouhadsttoliveforaye；
　　Worshipasifthouwerttodieto-day。”——TUSCANPROVERB。”C’estparletravailqu’onregne。”——LOUISXIV”Blestwork！ifeverthouwertcurseofGod，WhatmustHisblessingbe！”——J。B。SELKIRK。”LeteverymanbeOCCUPIED，andoccupiedinthehighestemploymentofwhichhisnatureiscapable，anddiewiththeconsciousnessthathehasdonehisbest”——SydneySmith。
　　WORKisoneofthebesteducatorsofpracticalcharacter。Itevokesanddisciplinesobedience，self-control，attention，application，andperseverance；givingamandeftnessandskillinhisspecialcalling，andaptitudeanddexterityindealingwiththeaffairsofordinarylife。
　　Workisthelawofourbeing——thelivingprinciplethatcarriesmenandnationsonward。Thegreaternumberofmenhavetoworkwiththeirhands，asamatterofnecessity，inordertolive；butallmustworkinonewayoranother，iftheywouldenjoylifeasitoughttobeenjoyed。
　　Labourmaybeaburdenandachastisement，butitisalsoanhonourandaglory。Withoutit，nothingcanbeaccomplished。Allthatisgreatinmancomesthroughwork；andcivilisationisitsproduct。Werelabourabolished，theraceofAdamwereatoncestrickenbymoraldeath。
　　Itisidlenessthatisthecurseofman——notlabour。Idlenesseatstheheartoutofmenasofnations，andconsumesthemasrustdoesiron。WhenAlexanderconqueredthePersians，andhadanopportunityofobservingtheirmanners，heremarkedthattheydidnotseemconsciousthattherecouldbeanythingmoreservilethanalifeofpleasure，ormoreprincelythanalifeoftoil。
　　WhentheEmperorSeveruslayonhisdeathbedatYork，whitherhehadbeenborneonalitterfromthefootoftheGrampians，hisfinalwatchwordtohissoldierswas，”LABOREMUS”wemustwork；
　　andnothingbutconstanttoilmaintainedthepowerandextendedtheauthorityoftheRomangenerals。
　　IndescribingtheearliersocialconditionofItaly，whentheordinaryoccupationsofrurallifewereconsideredcompatiblewiththehighestcivicdignity，Plinyspeaksofthetriumphantgeneralsandtheirmen，returningcontentedlytotheplough。Inthosedaysthelandsweretilledbythehandsevenofgenerals，thesoilexultingbeneathaploughsharecrownedwithlaurels，andguidedbyahusbandmangracedwithtriumphs:”IPSORUMTUNCMANIBUS
　　IMPERATORUMCOLEBANTURAGRI:UTFASESTCREDERE，GAUDENTETERRA
　　VOMERELAUREATOETTRIUMPHALIARATORE。”1Itwasonlyafterslavesbecameextensivelyemployedinalldepartmentsofindustrythatlabourcametoberegardedasdishonourableandservile。AndsosoonasindolenceandluxurybecamethecharacteristicsoftherulingclassesofRome，thedownfalloftheempire，soonerorlater，wasinevitable。
　　Thereis，perhaps，notendencyofournaturethathastobemorecarefullyguardedagainstthanindolence。WhenMr。Gurneyaskedanintelligentforeignerwhohadtravelledoverthegreaterpartoftheworld，whetherhehadobservedanyonequalitywhich，morethananother，couldberegardedasauniversalcharacteristicofourspecies，hisanswerwas，inbrokenEnglish，”MetinkdatallmenLOVELAZY。”Itischaracteristicofthesavageasofthedespot。Itisnaturaltomentoendeavourtoenjoytheproductsoflabourwithoutitstoils。Indeed，souniversalisthisdesire，thatJamesMillhasarguedthatitwastopreventitsindulgenceattheexpenseofsocietyatlarge，thattheexpedientofGovernmentwasoriginallyinvented。2
　　Indolenceisequallydegradingtoindividualsastonations。
　　Slothnevermadeitsmarkintheworld，andneverwill。Slothneverclimbedahill，norovercameadifficultythatitcouldavoid。Indolencealwaysfailedinlife，andalwayswill。Itisinthenatureofthingsthatitshouldnotsucceedinanything。
　　Itisaburden，anincumbrance，andanuisance——alwaysuseless，complaining，melancholy，andmiserable。
　　Burton，inhisquaintandcurious，book——theonlyone，Johnsonsays，thatevertookhimoutofbedtwohourssoonerthanhewishedtorise——describesthecausesofMelancholyashingeingmainlyonIdleness。”Idleness，”hesays，”isthebaneofbodyandmind，thenurseofnaughtiness，thechiefmotherofallmischief，oneofthesevendeadlysins，thedevil’scushion，hispillowandchiefreposal……Anidledogwillbemangy；andhowshallanidlepersonescape？Idlenessofthemindismuchworsethanthatofthebody:wit，withoutemployment，isadisease——therustofthesoul，aplague，ahellitself。Asinastandingpool，wormsandfilthycreepersincrease，sodoevilandcorruptthoughtsinanidleperson；thesouliscontaminated……ThusmuchIdareboldlysay:heorshethatisidle，betheyofwhatconditiontheywill，neversorich，sowellallied，fortunate，happy——letthemhaveallthingsinabundanceandfelicitythatheartcanwishanddesire，allcontentment——solongashe，orshe，orthey，areidle，theyshallneverbepleased，neverwellinbodyormind，butwearystill，sicklystill，vexedstill，loathingstill，weeping，sighing，grieving，suspecting，offendedwiththeworld，witheveryobject，wishingthemselvesgoneordead，orelsecarriedawaywithsomefoolishphantasieorother。”3
　　Burtonsaysagreatdealmoretothesameeffect；theburdenandlessonofhisbookbeingembodiedinthepregnantsentencewithwhichitwindsup:-”Onlytakethisforacorollaryandconclusion，asthoutenderestthineownwelfareinthis，andallothermelancholy，thygoodhealthofbodyandmind，observethisshortprecept，Givenotwaytosolitarinessandidleness。BENOT
　　SOLITARY——BENOTIDLE。”4
　　Theindolent，however，arenotwhollyindolent。Thoughthebodymayshirklabour，thebrainisnotidle。Ifitdonotgrowcorn，itwillgrowthistles，whichwillbefoundspringingupallalongtheidleman’scourseinlife。Theghostsofindolenceriseupinthedark，everstaringtherecreantintheface，andtormentinghim:”Thegodsarejust，andofourpleasantvices，Makeinstrumenttoscourgeus。”
　　Truehappinessisneverfoundintorporofthefaculties，5butintheiractionandusefulemployment。Itisindolencethatexhausts，notaction，inwhichthereislife，health，andpleasure。Thespiritsmaybeexhaustedandweariedbyemployment，buttheyareutterlywastedbyidleness。Henseawisephysicianwasaccustomedtoregardoccupationasoneofhismostvaluableremedialmeasures。”Nothingissoinjurious，”saidDr。MarshallHall，”asunoccupiedtime。”AnarchbishopofMayenceusedtosaythat”thehumanheartislikeamillstone:ifyouputwheatunderit，itgrindsthewheatintoflour；ifyouputnowheat，itgrindson，butthen’tisitselfitwearsaway。”
　　Indolenceisusuallyfullofexcuses；andthesluggard，thoughunwillingtowork，isoftenanactivesophist。”Thereisalioninthepath；”or”Thehillishardtoclimb；”or”Thereisnousetrying——Ihavetried，andfailed，andcannotdoit。”Tothesophistriesofsuchanexcuser，SirSamuelRomillyoncewrotetoayoungman:-”Myattackuponyourindolence，lossoftime，&c。，wasmostserious，andIreallythinkthatitcanbetonothingbutyourhabitualwantofexertionthatcanbeascribedyourusingsuchcuriousargumentsasyoudoinyourdefence。Yourtheoryisthis:Everymandoesallthegoodthathecan。Ifaparticularindividualdoesnogood，itisaproofthatheisincapableofdoingit。Thatyoudon’twriteprovesthatyoucan’t；andyourwantofinclinationdemonstratesyourwantoftalents。Whatanadmirablesystem！——andwhatbeneficialeffectswoulditbeattendedwith，ifitwerebutuniversallyreceived！”
　　Ithasbeentrulysaid，thattodesiretopossess，withoutbeingburdenedwiththetroubleofacquiring，isasmuchasignofweakness，astorecognisethateverythingworthhavingisonlytobegotbypayingitsprice，istheprimesecretofpracticalstrength。Evenleisurecannotbeenjoyedunlessitiswonbyeffort。Ifithavenotbeenearnedbywork，thepricehasnotbeenpaidforit。6
　　Theremustbeworkbeforeandworkbehind，withleisuretofallbackupon；buttheleisure，withoutthework，cannomorebeenjoyedthanasurfeit。Lifemustneedsbedisgustingaliketotheidlerichmanastotheidlepoorman，whohasnoworktodo，or，havingwork，willnotdoit。Thewordsfoundtattooedontherightarmofasentimentalbeggarofforty，undergoinghiseighthimprisonmentinthegaolofBourgesinFrance，mightbeadoptedasthemottoofallidlers:”LEPASSEM’ATROMPE；LEPRESENTME
　　TOURMENTE；L’AVENIRM’EPOUVANTE；”——Thepasthasdeceivedme；thepresenttormentsme；thefutureterrifiesme
　　Thedutyofindustryappliestoallclassesandconditionsofsociety。Allhavetheirworktodointheirrespectiveconditionsoflife——therichaswellasthepoor。7Thegentlemanbybirthandeducation，howeverrichlyhemaybeendowedwithworldlypossessions，cannotbutfeelthatheisindutyboundtocontributehisquotaofendeavourtowardsthegeneralwellbeinginwhichheshares。Hecannotbesatisfiedwithbeingfed，clad，andmaintainedbythelabourofothers，withoutmakingsomesuitablereturntothesocietythatupholdshim。Anhonesthighmindedmanwouldrevoltattheideaofsittingdowntoandenjoyingafeast，andthengoingawaywithoutpayinghisshareofthereckoning。Tobeidleanduselessisneitheranhonournoraprivilege；andthoughpersonsofsmallnaturesmaybecontentmerelytoconsume——
　　FRUGESCONSUMERENATI——menofaverageendowment，ofmanlyaspirations，andofhonestpurpose，willfeelsuchaconditiontobeincompatiblewithrealhonourandtruedignity。”Idon’tbelieve，”saidLordStanleynowEarlofDerbyatGlasgow，”thatanunemployedman，howeveramiableandotherwiserespectable，everwas，orevercanbe，reallyhappy。Asworkisourlife，showmewhatyoucando，andIwillshowyouwhatyouare。Ihavespokenofloveofone’sworkasthebestpreventiveofmerelylowandvicioustastes。Iwillgofurther，andsaythatitisthebestpreservativeagainstpettyanxieties，andtheannoyancesthatariseoutofindulgedself-love。Menhavethoughtbeforenowthattheycouldtakerefugefromtroubleandvexationbyshelteringthemselvesasitwereinaworldoftheirown。Theexperimenthas，oftenbeentried，andalwayswithoneresult。Youcannotescapefromanxietyandlabour——itisthedestinyofhumanity……Thosewhoshirkfromfacingtrouble，findthattroublecomestothem。Theindolentmaycontrivethatheshallhavelessthanhisshareoftheworld’sworktodo，butNatureproportioningtheinstincttothework，contrivesthatthelittleshallbemuchandhardtohim。Themanwhohasonlyhimselftopleasefinds，soonerorlater，andprobablysoonerthanlater，thathehasgotaveryhardmaster；andtheexcessiveweaknesswhichshrinksfromresponsibilityhasitsownpunishmenttoo，forwheregreatinterestsareexcludedlittlemattersbecomegreat，andthesamewearandtearofmindthatmighthavebeenatleastusefullyandhealthfullyexpendedontherealbusinessoflifeisoftenwastedinpettyandimaginaryvexations，suchasbreedandmultiplyintheunoccupiedbrain。”8
　　Evenonthelowestground——thatofpersonalenjoyment——constantusefuloccupationisnecessary。Hewholaboursnot，cannotenjoytherewardoflabour。”Wesleepsound，”saidSirWalterScott，”andourwakinghoursarehappy，whentheyareemployed；
　　andalittlesenseoftoilisnecessarytotheenjoymentofleisure，evenwhenearnedbystudyandsanctionedbythedischargeofduty。”
　　Itistrue，therearemenwhodieofoverwork；butmanymoredieofselfishness，indulgence，andidleness。Wheremenbreakdownbyoverwork，itismostcommonlyfromwantofdulyorderingtheirlives，andneglectoftheordinaryconditionsofphysicalhealth。
　　LordStanleywasprobablyrightwhenhesaid，inhisaddresstotheGlasgowstudentsabovementioned，thathedoubtedwhether”hardwork，steadilyandregularlycarriedon，everyethurtanybody。”
　　Then，again，lengthofYEARSisnopropertestoflengthofLIFE。
　　Aman’slifeistobemeasuredbywhathedoesinit，andwhathefeelsinit。Themoreusefulworkthemandoes，andthemorehethinksandfeels，themorehereallylives。Theidleuselessman，nomattertowhatextenthislifemaybeprolonged，merelyvegetates。
　　TheearlyteachersofChristianityennobledthelotoftoilbytheirexample。”Hethatwillnotwork，”saidSaintPaul，”neithershallheeat；”andheglorifiedhimselfinthathehadlabouredwithhishands，andhadnotbeenchargeabletoanyman。WhenSt。
　　BonifacelandedinBritain，hecamewithagospelinonehandandacarpenter’sruleintheother；andfromEnglandheafterwardspassedoverintoGermany，carryingthithertheartofbuilding。
　　Lutheralso，inthemidstofamultitudeofotheremployments，workeddiligentlyforaliving，earninghisbreadbygardening，building，turning，andevenclockmaking。9
　　ItwascharacteristicofNapoleon，whenvisitingaworkofmechanicalexcellence，topaygreatrespecttotheinventor，andontakinghisleave，tosalutehimwithalowbow。OnceatSt。
　　Helena，whenwalkingwithMrs。Balcombe，someservantscamealongcarryingaload。Thelady，inanangrytone，orderedthemoutoftheway，onwhichNapoleoninterposed，saying，”Respecttheburden，madam。”Eventhedrudgeryofthehumblestlabourercontributestowardsthegeneralwellbeingofsociety；anditwasawisesayingofaChineseEmperor，that”iftherewasamanwhodidnotwork，orawomanthatwasidle，somebodymustsuffercoldorhungerintheempire。”
　　Thehabitofconstantusefuloccupationisasessentialforthehappinessandwellbeingofwomanasofman。Withoutit，womenareapttosinkintoastateoflistlessENNUIanduselessness，accompaniedbysickheadacheandattacksof”nerves。”CarolinePerthescarefullywarnedhermarrieddaughterLouisatobewareofgivingwaytosuchlistlessness。”Imyself，”shesaid，”whenthechildrenaregoneoutforahalf-holiday，sometimesfeelasstupidanddullasanowlbydaylight；butonemustnotyieldtothis，whichhappensmoreorlesstoallyoungwives。ThebestreliefisWORK，engagedinwithinterestanddiligence。Work，then，constantlyanddiligently，atsomethingorother；foridlenessisthedevil’ssnareforsmallandgreat，asyourgrandfathersays，andhesaystrue。”10
　　Constantusefuloccupationisthuswholesome，notonlyforthebody，butforthemind。Whiletheslothfulmandragshimselfindolentlythroughlife，andthebetterpartofhisnaturesleepsadeepsleep，ifnotmorallyandspirituallydead，theenergeticmanisasourceofactivityandenjoymenttoallwhocomewithinreachofhisinfluence。Evenanyordinarydrudgeryisbetterthanidleness。FullersaysofSirFrancisDrake，whowasearlysenttosea，andkeptclosetohisworkbyhismaster，thatsuch”painsandpatienceinhisyouthknitthejointsofhissoul，andmadethemmoresolidandcompact。”Schillerusedtosaythatheconsidereditagreatadvantagetobeemployedinthedischargeofsomedailymechanicalduty——someregularroutineofwork，thatrenderedsteadyapplicationnecessary。
　　ThousandscanbeartestimonytothetruthofthesayingofGreuze，theFrenchpainter，thatwork——employment，usefuloccupation——isoneofthegreatsecretsofhappiness。Casaubonwasonceinducedbytheentreatiesofhisfriendstotakeafewdaysentirerest，buthereturnedtohisworkwiththeremark，thatitwaseasiertobearillnessdoingsomething，thandoingnothing。
　　WhenCharlesLambwasreleasedforlifefromhisdailydrudgeryofdesk-workattheIndiaOffice，hefelthimselfthehappiestofmen。”Iwouldnotgobacktomyprison，”hesaidtoafriend，”tenyearslonger，fortenthousandpounds。”HealsowroteinthesameecstaticmoodtoBernardBarton:”Ihavescarcesteadinessofheadtocomposealetter，”hesaid；”Iamfree！freeasair！I
　　willliveanotherfiftyyears……WouldIcouldsellyousomeofmyleisure！Positivelythebestthingamancandois——Nothing；
　　andnexttothat，perhaps，GoodWorks。”Twoyears——twolongandtediousyearspassed；andCharlesLamb’sfeelingshadundergoneanentirechange。Henowdiscoveredthatofficial，evenhumdrumwork——”theappointedround，thedailytask”——hadbeengoodforhim，thoughheknewitnot。Timehadformerlybeenhisfriend；ithadnowbecomehisenemy。ToBernardBartonheagainwrote:”Iassureyou，NOworkisworsethanoverwork；themindpreysonitself——
　　themostunwholesomeoffood。Ihaveceasedtocareforalmostanything……Neverdidthewatersofheavenpourdownuponaforlornerhead。WhatIcando，andoverdo，istowalk。Iamasanguinarymurdereroftime。Buttheoracleissilent。”
　　NomancouldbemoresensibleofthepracticalimportanceofindustrythanSirWalterScott，whowashimselfoneofthemostlaboriousandindefatigableofmen。Indeed，Lockhartsaysofhimthat，takingallagesandcountriestogether，therareexampleofindefatigableenergy，inunionwithsereneself-possessionofmindandmanner，suchasScott’s，mustbesoughtforintherollofgreatsovereignsorgreatcaptains，ratherthaninthatofliterarygenius。Scotthimselfwasmostanxioustoimpressuponthemindsofhisownchildrentheimportanceofindustryasameansofusefulnessandhappinessintheworld。TohissonCharles，whenatschool，hewrote:-”IcannottoomuchimpressuponyourmindthatLABOURistheconditionwhichGodhasimposedonusineverystationoflife；thereisnothingworthhavingthatcanbehadwithoutit，fromthebreadwhichthepeasantwinswiththesweatofhisbrow，tothesportsbywhichtherichmanmustgetridofhisENNUI……Asforknowledge，itcannomorebeplantedinthehumanmindwithoutlabourthanafieldofwheatcanbeproducedwithouttheprevioususeoftheplough。Thereis，indeed，thisgreatdifference，thatchanceorcircumstancesmaysocauseitthatanothershallreapwhatthefarmersows；butnomancanbedeprived，whetherbyaccidentormisfortune，ofthefruitsofhisownstudies；andtheliberalandextendedacquisitionsofknowledgewhichhemakesareallforhisownuse。Labour，therefore，mydearboy，andimprovethetime。Inyouthourstepsarelight，andourmindsareductile，andknowledgeiseasilylaidup；butifweneglectourspring，oursummerswillbeuselessandcontemptible，ourharvestwillbechaff，andthewinterofouroldageunrespectedanddesolate。”11
　　SoutheywasaslaboriousaworkerasScott。Indeed，workmightalmostbesaidtoformpartofhisreligion。Hewasonlynineteenwhenhewrotethesewords:-”Nineteenyears！certainlyafourthpartofmylife；perhapshowgreatapart！andyetIhavebeenofnoservicetosociety。Theclownwhoscarescrowsfortwopenceadayisamoreusefulman；hepreservesthebreadwhichIeatinidleness。”AndyetSoutheyhadnotbeenidleasaboy——onthecontrary，hehadbeenamostdiligentstudent。HehadnotonlyreadlargelyinEnglishliterature，butwaswellacquainted，throughtranslations，withTasso，Ariosto，Homer，andOvid。Hefelt，however，asifhislifehadbeenpurposeless，andhedeterminedtodosomething。Hebegan，andfromthattimeforwardhepursuedanunremittingcareerofliterarylabourdowntothecloseofhislife——”dailyprogressinginlearning，”tousehisownwords——”notsolearnedasheispoor，notsopoorasproud，notsoproudashappy。”
　　Themaximsofmenoftenrevealtheircharacter。12ThatofSirWalterScottwas，”Nevertobedoingnothing。”Robertsonthehistorian，asearlyashisfifteenthyear，adoptedthemaximof”VITASINELITERISMORSEST”Lifewithoutlearningisdeath。
　　Voltaire’smottowas，”TOUJOURSAUTRAVAIL”Alwaysatwork。ThefavouritemaximofLacepede，thenaturalist，was，”VIVREC’EST
　　VEILLER”Toliveistoobserve:itwasalsothemaximofPliny。
　　WhenBossuetwasatcollege，hewassodistinguishedbyhisardourinstudy，thathisfellowstudents，playinguponhisname，designatedhimas”BOS-SUETUSARATRO”Theoxusedtotheplough。
　　ThenameofVITA-LISLifeastruggle，whichtheSwedishpoetSjobergassumed，asFrederikvonHardenbergassumedthatofNOVA-
　　LIS，describedtheaspirationsandthelaboursofboththesemenofgenius。
　　Wehavespokenofworkasadiscipline:itisalsoaneducatorofcharacter。Evenworkthatproducesnoresults，becauseitIS
　　work，isbetterthantorpor，——inasmuchasiteducatesfaculty，andisthuspreparatorytosuccessfulwork。Thehabitofworkingteachesmethod。Itcompelseconomyoftime，andthedispositionofitwithjudiciousforethought。Andwhentheartofpackinglifewithusefuloccupationsisonceacquiredbypractice，everyminutewillbeturnedtoaccount；andleisure，whenitcomes，willbeenjoyedwithallthegreaterzest。
　　Coleridgehastrulyobserved，that”iftheidlearedescribedaskillingtime，themethodicalmanmaybejustlysaidtocallitintolifeandmoralbeing，whilehemakesitthedistinctobjectnotonlyoftheconsciousness，butoftheconscience。Heorganizesthehoursandgivesthemasoul；andbythat，theveryessenceofwhichistofleetandtohavebeen，hecommunicatesanimperishableandspiritualnature。Ofthegoodandfaithfulservant，whoseenergiesthusdirectedarethusmethodized，itislesstrulyaffirmedthathelivesintimethanthattimelivesinhim。Hisdaysandmonthsandyears，asthestopsandpunctualmarksintherecordofdutiesperformed，willsurvivethewreckofworlds，andremainextantwhentimeitselfshallbenomore。”13
　　Itisbecauseapplicationtobusinessteachesmethodmosteffectually，thatitissousefulasaneducatorofcharacter。
　　Thehighestworkingqualitiesarebesttrainedbyactiveandsympatheticcontactwithothersintheaffairsofdailylife。Itdoesnotmatterwhetherthebusinessrelatetothemanagementofahouseholdorofanation。Indeed，aswehaveendeavouredtoshowinaprecedingchapter，theablehousewifemustnecessarilybeanefficientwomanofbusiness。Shemustregulateandcontrolthedetailsofherhome，keepherexpenditurewithinhermeans，arrangeeverythingaccordingtoplanandsystem，andwiselymanageandgovernthosesubjecttoherrule。Efficientdomesticmanagementimpliesindustry，application，method，moraldiscipline，forethought，prudence，practicalability，insightintocharacter，andpoweroforganization——allofwhicharerequiredintheefficientmanagementofbusinessofwhateversort。
　　Businessqualitieshave，indeed，averylargefieldofaction。
　　Theymeanaptitudeforaffairs，competencytodealsuccessfullywiththepracticalworkoflife——whetherthespurofactionlieindomesticmanagement，intheconductofaprofession，intradeorcommerce，insocialorganization，orinpoliticalgovernment。
　　Andthetrainingwhichgivesefficiencyindealingwiththesevariousaffairsisofallothersthemostusefulinpracticallife。14Moreover，itisthebestdisciplineofcharacter；foritinvolvestheexerciseofdiligence，attention，self-denial，judgment，tact，knowledgeofandsympathywithothers。
　　Suchadisciplineisfarmoreproductiveofhappiness5aswellasusefulefficiencyinlife，thananyamountofliterarycultureormeditativeseclusion；forinthelongrunitwillusuallybefoundthatpracticalabilitycarriesitoverintellect，andtemperandhabitsovertalent。Itmust，however，headdedthatthisisakindofculturethatcanonlybeacquiredbydiligentobservationandcarefullyimprovedexperience。”Tobeagoodblacksmith，”
　　saidGeneralTrochuinarecentpublication，”onemusthaveforgedallhislife:tobeagoodadministratoroneshouldhavepassedhiswholelifeinthestudyandpracticeofbusiness。”
　　ItwascharacteristicofSirWalterScotttoentertainthehighestrespectforablemenofbusiness；andheprofessedthathedidnotconsideranyamountofliterarydistinctionasentitledtobespokenofinthesamebreathwithamasteryinthehigherdepartmentsofpracticallife——leastofallwithafirst-ratecaptain。
　　Thegreatcommanderleavesnothingtochance，butprovidesforeverycontingency。Hecondescendstoapparentlytrivialdetails。
　　Thus，whenWellingtonwasattheheadofhisarmyinSpain，hedirectedtheprecisemannerinwhichthesoldiersweretocooktheirprovisions。WheninIndia，hespecifiedtheexactspeedatwhichthebullocksweretobedriven；everydetailinequipmentwascarefullyarrangedbeforehand。Andthusnotonlywasefficiencysecured，butthedevotionofhismen，andtheirboundlessconfidenceinhiscommand。15
　　Likeothergreatcaptains，Wellingtonhadanalmostboundlesscapacityforwork。HedrewuptheheadsofaDublinPoliceBillbeingstilltheSecretaryforIreland，whentossingoffthemouthoftheMondego，withJunotandtheFrencharmywaitingforhimontheshore。SoCaesar，anotherofthegreatestcommanders，issaidtohavewrittenanessayonLatinRhetoricwhilecrossingtheAlpsattheheadofhisarmy。AndWallensteinwhenattheheadof60，000men，andinthemidstofacampaignwiththeenemybeforehim，dictatedfromheadquartersthemedicaltreatmentofhispoultry-yard。
　　Washington，also，wasanindefatigablemanofbusiness。Fromhisboyhoodhediligentlytrainedhimselfinhabitsofapplication，ofstudy，andofmethodicalwork。Hismanuscriptschool-books，whicharestillpreserved，showthat，asearlyastheageofthirteen，heoccupiedhimselfvoluntarilyincopyingoutsuchthingsasformsofreceipts，notesofhand，billsofexchange，bonds，indentures，leases，land-warrants，andotherdrydocuments，allwrittenoutwithgreatcare。Andthehabitswhichhethusearlyacquiredwere，inagreatmeasure，thefoundationofthoseadmirablebusinessqualitieswhichheafterwardssosuccessfullybroughttobearintheaffairsofgovernment。
　　Themanorwomanwhoachievessuccessinthemanagementofanygreataffairofbusinessisentitledtohonour，——itmaybe，toasmuchastheartistwhopaintsapicture，ortheauthorwhowritesabook，orthesoldierwhowinsabattle。Theirsuccessmayhavebeengainedinthefaceofasgreatdifficulties，andafterasgreatstruggles；andwheretheyhavewontheirbattle，itisatleastapeacefulone，andthereisnobloodontheirhands。
　　Theideahasbeenentertainedbysome，thatbusinesshabitsareincompatiblewithgenius。IntheLifeofRichardLovellEdgeworth，16itisobservedofaMr。Bicknell——arespectablebutordinaryman，ofwhomlittleisknownbutthathemarriedSabrinaSidney，theELEVEofThomasDay，authorof’SandfordandMerton’——that”hehadsomeofthetoousualfaultsofamanofgenius:hedetestedthedrudgeryofbusiness。”Buttherecannotbeagreatermistake。Thegreatestgeniuseshave，withoutexception，beenthegreatestworkers，eventotheextentofdrudgery。Theyhavenotonlyworkedharderthanordinarymen，butbroughttotheirworkhigherfacultiesandamoreardentspirit。
　　Nothinggreatanddurablewaseverimprovised。Itisonlybynoblepatienceandnoblelabourthatthemasterpiecesofgeniushavebeenachieved。
　　Powerbelongsonlytotheworkers；theidlersarealwayspowerless。Itisthelaboriousandpainstakingmenwhoaretherulersoftheworld。Therehasnotbeenastatesmanofeminencebutwasamanofindustry。”Itisbytoil，”saidevenLouisXIV。，”thatkingsgovern。”WhenClarendondescribedHampden，hespokeofhimas”ofanindustryandvigilancenottobetiredoutorweariedbythemostlaborious，andofpartsnottobeimposedonbythemostsubtleandsharp，andofapersonalcourageequaltohisbestparts。”Whileinthemidstofhislaboriousthoughself-
　　imposedduties，Hampden，ononeoccasion，wrotetohismother:”Mylyfeisnothingbuttoyle，andhathbeenformanyyeares，nowetotheCommonwealth，nowetotheKinge……Notsomuchtymeleftastodoemydutyetomydeareparents，nortosendetothem。”
　　Indeed，allthestatesmenoftheCommonwealthweregreattoilers；
　　andClarendonhimself，whetherinofficeoroutofit，wasamanofindefatigableapplicationandindustry。
　　Thesameenergeticvitality，asdisplayedinthepowerofworking，hasdistinguishedalltheeminentmeninourownaswellasinpasttimes。DuringtheAnti-CornLawmovement，Cobden，writingtoafriend，describedhimselfas”workinglikeahorse，withnotamomenttospare。”LordBroughamwasaremarkableinstanceoftheindefatigablyactiveandlaboriousman；anditmightbesaidofLordPalmerston，thatheworkedharderforsuccessinhisextremeoldagethanhehadeverdoneintheprimeofhismanhood——
　　preservinghisworkingfaculty，hisgood-humourandBONHOMMIE，unimpairedtotheend。17Hehimselfwasaccustomedtosay，thatbeinginoffice，andconsequentlyfullofwork，wasgoodforhishealth。ItrescuedhimfromENNUI。Helvetiusevenheld，thatitisman’ssenseofENNUIthatisthechiefcauseofhissuperiorityoverthebrute，——thatitisthenecessitywhichhefeelsforescapingfromitsintolerablesufferingthatforceshimtoemployhimselfactively，andishencethegreatstimulustohumanprogress。
　　Indeed，thislivingprincipleofconstantwork，ofabundantoccupation，ofpracticalcontactwithmenintheaffairsoflife，hasinalltimesbeenthebestripeneroftheenergeticvitalityofstrongnatures。Businesshabits，cultivatedanddisciplined，arefoundalikeusefulineverypursuit——whetherinpolitics，literature，science，orart。Thus，agreatdealofthebestliteraryworkhasbeendonebymensystematicallytrainedinbusinesspursuits。Thesameindustry，application，economyoftimeandlabour，whichhaverenderedthemusefulintheonesphereofemployment，havebeenfoundequallyavailableintheother。
　　MostoftheearlyEnglishwritersweremenofaffairs，trainedtobusiness；fornoliteraryclassasyetexisted，exceptingitmightbethepriesthood。Chaucer，thefatherofEnglishpoetry，wasfirstasoldier，andafterwardsacomptrollerofpettycustoms。
　　Theofficewasnosinecureeither，forhehadtowriteupalltherecordswithhisownhand；andwhenhehaddonehis”reckonings”
　　atthecustom-house，hereturnedwithdelighttohisfavouritestudiesathome——poringoverhisbooksuntilhiseyeswere”dazed”anddull。
　　ThegreatwritersinthereignofElizabeth，duringwhichtherewassuchadevelopmentofrobustlifeinEngland，werenotliterarymenaccordingtothemodernacceptationoftheword，butmenofactiontrainedinbusiness。SpenseractedassecretarytotheLordDeputyofIreland；Raleighwas，byturns，acourtier，soldier，sailor，anddiscoverer；Sydneywasapolitician，diplomatist，andsoldier；BaconwasalaboriouslawyerbeforehebecameLordKeeperandLordChancellor；SirThomasBrownewasaphysicianincountrypracticeatNorwich；Hookerwasthehardworkingpastorofacountryparish；Shakspearewasthemanagerofatheatre，inwhichhewashimselfbutanindifferentactor，andheseemstohavebeenevenmorecarefulofhismoneyinvestmentsthanhewasofhisintellectualoffspring。Yetthese，allmenofactivebusinesshabits，areamongthegreatestwritersofanyage:theperiodofElizabethandJamesI。standingoutinthehistoryofEnglandastheeraofitsgreatestliteraryactivityandsplendour。
　　InthereignofCharlesI。，Cowleyheldvariousofficesoftrustandconfidence。Heactedasprivatesecretarytoseveraloftheroyalistleaders，andwasafterwardsengagedasprivatesecretarytotheQueen，incipheringanddecipheringthecorrespondencewhichpassedbetweenherandCharlesI。；theworkoccupyingallhisdays，andoftenhisnights，duringseveralyears。AndwhileCowleywasthusemployedintheroyalcause，MiltonwasemployedbytheCommonwealth，ofwhichhewastheLatinsecretary，andafterwardssecretarytotheLordProtector。Yet，intheearlierpartofhislife，Miltonwasoccupiedinthehumblevocationofateacher。Dr。Johnsonsays，”thatinhisschool，asineverythingelsewhichheundertook，helabouredwithgreatdiligence，thereisnoreasonfordoubting”ItwasaftertheRestoration，whenhisofficialemploymentceased，thatMiltonenteredupontheprincipalliteraryworkofhislife；butbeforeheundertookthewritingofhisgreatepic，hedeemeditindispensablethatto”industriousandselectreading”heshouldadd”steadyobservation”and”insightintoallseemlyandgenerousartsandaffairs。”18
　　Lockeheldofficeindifferentreigns:firstunderCharlesII。asSecretarytotheBoardofTradeandafterwardsunderWilliamIII。
　　asCommissionerofAppealsandofTradeandPlantations。ManyliterarymenofeminenceheldofficeinQueenAnne’sreign。ThusAddisonwasSecretaryofState；Steele，CommissionerofStamps；
　　Prior，Under-SecretaryofState，andafterwardsAmbassadortoFrance；Tickell，Under-SecretaryofState，andSecretarytotheLordsJusticesofIreland；Congreve，SecretaryofJamaica；，andGay，SecretaryofLegationatHanover。
　　Indeed，habitsofbusiness，insteadofunfittingacultivatedmindforscientificorliterarypursuits，areoftenthebesttrainingforthem。Voltaireinsistedwithtruththattherealspiritofbusinessandliteraturearethesame；theperfectionofeachbeingtheunionofenergyandthoughtfulness，ofcultivatedintelligenceandpracticalwisdom，oftheactiveandcontemplativeessence——aunioncommendedbyLordBaconastheconcentratedexcellenceofman’snature。Ithasbeensaidthateventhemanofgeniuscanwritenothingworthreadinginrelationtohumanaffairs，unlesshehasbeeninsomewayorotherconnectedwiththeseriouseverydaybusinessoflife。
　　Henceithashappenedthatmanyofthebestbooks，extanthavebeenwrittenbymenofbusiness，withwhomliteraturewasapastimeratherthanaprofession。Gifford，theeditorofthe’Quarterly，’whoknewthedrudgeryofwritingforaliving，onceobservedthat”asinglehourofcomposition，wonfromthebusinessoftheday，isworthmorethanthewholeday’stoilofhimwhoworksatthetradeofliterature:intheonecase，thespiritcomesjoyfullytorefreshitself，likeaharttothewaterbrooks；
　　intheother，itpursuesitsmiserableway，pantingandjaded，withthedogsandhungerofnecessitybehind。”19
　　ThefirstgreatmenoflettersinItalywerenotmeremenofletters；theyweremenofbusiness——merchants，statesmen，diplomatists，judges，andsoldiers。Villani，theauthorofthebestHistoryofFlorence，wasamerchant；Dante，Petrarch，andBoccacio，wereallengagedinmoreorlessimportantembassies；
　　andDante，beforebecomingadiplomatist，wasforsometimeoccupiedasachemistanddruggist。Galileo，Galvani，andFariniwerephysicians，andGoldonialawyer。Ariosto’stalentforaffairswasasgreatashisgeniusforpoetry。Atthedeathofhisfather，hewascalledupontomanagethefamilyestateforthebenefitofhisyoungerbrothersandsisters，whichhedidwithabilityandintegrity。Hisgeniusforbusinesshavingbeenrecognised，hewasemployedbytheDukeofFerraraonimportantmissionstoRomeandelsewhere。Havingafterwardsbeenappointedgovernorofaturbulentmountaindistrict，hesucceeded，byfirmandjustgovernmentsinreducingittoaconditionofcomparativegoodorderandsecurity。Eventhebanditsofthecountryrespectedhim。Beingarrestedonedayinthemountainsbyabodyofoutlaws，hementionedhisname，whentheyatonceofferedtoescorthiminsafetywhereverhechose。
　　Ithasbeenthesameinothercountries。Vattel，theauthorofthe’RightsofNations，’wasapracticaldiplomatist，andafirst-
　　ratemanofbusiness。Rabelaiswasaphysician，andasuccessfulpractitioner；Schillerwasasurgeon；Cervantes，LopedeVega，Calderon，Camoens，Descartes，Maupertius，LaRochefoucauld，Lacepede，Lamark，weresoldiersintheearlypartoftheirrespectivelives。
　　Inourowncountry，manymennowknownbytheirwritings，earnedtheirlivingbytheirtrade。LillospentthegreaterpartofhislifeasaworkingjewellerinthePoultry；occupyingtheintervalsofhisleisureintheproductionofdramaticworks，someofthemofacknowledgedpowerandmerit。IzaakWaltonwasalinendraperinFleetStreet，readingmuchinhisleisurehours，andstoringhismindwithfactsforfutureuseinhiscapacityofbiographer。
　　DeFoewasbyturnshorse-factor，brickandtilemaker，shopkeeper，author，andpoliticalagent。
　　SamuelRichardsonsuccessfullycombinedliterature，withbusiness；
　　writinghisnovelsinhisback-shopinSalisburyCourt，FleetStreet，andsellingthemoverthecounterinhisfront-shop。
　　WilliamHutton，ofBirmingham，alsosuccessfullycombinedtheoccupationsofbooksellingandauthorship。Hesays，inhisAutobiography，thatamanmaylivehalfacenturyandnotbeacquaintedwithhisowncharacter。Hedidnotknowthathewasanantiquaryuntiltheworldinformedhimofit，fromhavingreadhis’HistoryofBirmingham，’andthen，hesaid，hecouldseeithimself。BenjaminFranklinwasalikeeminentasaprinterandbookseller——anauthor，aphilosopherandastatesman。
　　Comingdowntoourowntime，wefindEbenezerElliottsuccessfullycarryingonthebusinessofabar-ironmerchantinSheffield，duringwhichtimehewroteandpublishedthegreaternumberofhispoems；andhissuccessinbusinesswassuchastoenablehimtoretireintothecountryandbuildahouseofhisown，inwhichhespenttheremainderofhisdays。IsaacTaylor，theauthorofthe’NaturalHistoryofEnthusiasm，’wasanengraverofpatternsforManchestercalico-printers；andothermembersofthisgiftedfamilywerefollowersofthesamebranchofart。
　　TheprincipalearlyworksofJohnStuartMillwerewrittenintheintervalsofofficialwork，whileheheldtheofficeofprincipalexaminerintheEastIndiaHouse，——inwhichCharlesLamb，Peacocktheauthorof’HeadlongHall，’andEdwinNorristhephilologist，werealsoclerks。Macaulaywrotehis’LaysofAncientRome’intheWarOffice，whileholdingthepostofSecretaryofWar。ItiswellknownthatthethoughtfulwritingsofMr。Helpsareliterally”EssayswrittenintheIntervalsofBusiness。”Manyofourbestlivingauthorsaremenholdingimportantpublicoffices——suchasSirHenryTaylor，SirJohnKaye，AnthonyTrollope，TomTaylor，MatthewArnold，andSamuelWarren。
　　Mr。Proctorthepoet，betterknownas”BarryCornwall，”wasabarristerandcommissionerinlunacy。MostprobablyheassumedthepseudonymforthesamereasonthatDr。Parispublishedhis’PhilosophyinSportmadeScienceinEarnest’anonymously——
　　becauseheapprehendedthat，ifknown，itmightcompromisehisprofessionalposition。Foritisbynomeansanuncommonprejudice，stillprevalentamongstCitymen，thatapersonwhohaswrittenabook，andstillmoreonewhohaswrittenapoem，isgoodfornothinginthewayofbusiness。YetSharonTurner，thoughanexcellenthistorian，wasnoworseasolicitoronthataccount；
　　whilethebrothersHoraceandJamesSmith，authorsof’TheRejectedAddresses，’weremenofsucheminenceintheirprofession，thattheywereselectedtofilltheimportantandlucrativepostofsolicitorstotheAdmiralty，andtheyfilleditadmirably。
　　ItwaswhilethelateMr。Broderip，thebarrister，wasactingasaLondonpolicemagistrate，thathewasattractedtothestudyofnaturalhistory，inwhichheoccupiedthegreaterpartofhisleisure。Hewrotetheprincipalarticlesonthesubjectforthe’PennyCyclopaedia，’besidesseveralseparateworksofgreatmerit，moreparticularlythe’ZoologicalRecreations，’and’LeavesfromtheNotebookofaNaturalist。’Itisrecordedofhimthat，thoughhedevotedsomuchofhistimetotheproductionofhisworks，aswellastotheZoologicalSocietyandtheiradmirableestablishmentinRegent’sPark，ofwhichhewasoneofthefounders，hisstudiesneverinterferedwiththerealbusinessofhislife，norisitknownthatasinglequestionwaseverraiseduponhisconductorhisdecisions。AndwhileMr。Broderipdevotedhimselftonaturalhistory，thelateLordChiefBaronPollockdevotedhisleisuretonaturalscience，recreatinghimselfinthepracticeofphotographyandthestudyofmathematics，inbothofwhichhewasthoroughlyproficient。
　　AmongliterarybankerswefindthenamesofRogers，thepoet；
　　Roscoe，ofLiverpool，thebiographerofLorenzodeMedici；
　　Ricardo，theauthorof’PoliticalEconomyandTaxation；20
　　Grote，theauthorofthe’HistoryofGreece；’SirJohnLubbock，thescientificantiquarian；21andSamuelBailey，ofSheffield，theauthorof’EssaysontheFormationandPublicationofOpinions，’besidesvariousimportantworksonethics，politicaleconomy，andphilosophy。
　　Nor，ontheotherhand，havethoroughly-trainedmenofscienceandlearningprovedthemselvesinefficientasfirst-ratemenofbusiness。Cultureofthebestsorttrainsthehabitofapplicationandindustry，disciplinesthemind，suppliesitwithresources，andgivesitfreedomandvigourofaction——allofwhichareequallyrequisiteinthesuccessfulconductofbusiness。
　　Thus，inyoungmen，educationandscholarshipusuallyindicatesteadinessofcharacter，fortheyimplycontinuousattention，diligence，andtheabilityandenergynecessarytomasterknowledge；andsuchpersonswillalsousuallybefoundpossessedofmorethanaveragepromptitude，address，resource，anddexterity。
　　Montaignehassaidoftruephilosophers，that”iftheyweregreatinscience，theywereyetmuchgreaterinaction；……andwhenevertheyhavebeenputupontheproof，theyhavebeenseentoflytosohighapitch，asmadeitverywellappeartheirsoulswerestrangelyelevatedandenrichedwiththeknowledgeofthings。”22
　　Atthesametime，itmustbeacknowledgedthattooexclusiveadevotiontoimaginativeandphilosophicalliterature，especiallyifprolongedinlifeuntilthehabitsbecomeformed，doestoagreatextentincapacitateamanforthebusinessofpracticallife。Speculativeabilityisonething，andpracticalabilityanother；andthemanwho，inhisstudy，orwithhispeninhand，showshimselfcapableofforminglargeviewsoflifeandpolicy，may，intheouterworld，befoundaltogetherunfittedforcarryingthemintopracticaleffect。
　　Speculativeabilitydependsonvigorousthinking——practicalabilityonvigorousacting；andthetwoqualitiesareusuallyfoundcombinedinveryunequalproportions。Thespeculativemanispronetoindecision:heseesallthesidesofaquestion，andhisactionbecomessuspendedinnicelyweighingtheprosandcons，whichareoftenfoundprettynearlytobalanceeachother；whereasthepracticalmanoverleapslogicalpreliminaries，arrivesatcertaindefiniteconvictions，andproceedsforthwithtocarryhispolicyintoaction。23
　　Yettherehavebeenmanygreatmenofsciencewhohaveprovedefficientmenofbusiness。WedonotlearnthatSirIsaacNewtonmadeaworseMasteroftheMintbecausehewasthegreatestofphilosophers。NorwerethereanycomplaintsastotheefficiencyofSirJohnHerschel，whoheldthesameoffice。ThebrothersHumboldtwerealikecapablemeninallthattheyundertook——
　　whetheritwasliterature，philosophy，mining，philology，diplomacy，orstatesmanship。
　　Niebuhr，thehistorian，wasdistinguishedforhisenergyandsuccessasamanofbusiness。HeprovedsoefficientassecretaryandaccountanttotheAfricanconsulate，towhichhehadbeenappointedbytheDanishGovernment，thathewasafterwardsselectedasoneofthecommissionerstomanagethenationalfinances；andhequittedthatofficetoundertakethejointdirectorshipofabankatBerlin。ItwasinthemidstofhisbusinessoccupationsthathefoundtimetostudyRomanhistory，tomastertheArabic，Russian，andotherSclavoniclanguages，andtobuildupthegreatreputationasanauthorbywhichheisnowchieflyremembered。
　　HavingregardtotheviewsprofessedbytheFirstNapoleonastomenofscience，itwastohavebeenexpectedthathewouldendeavourtostrengthenhisadministrationbycallingthemtohisaid。Someofhisappointmentsprovedfailures，whileotherswerecompletelysuccessful。ThusLaplacewasmadeMinisteroftheInterior；buthehadnosoonerbeenappointedthanitwasseenthatamistakehadbeenmade。Napoleonafterwardssaidofhim，that”Laplacelookedatnoquestioninitstruepointofview。Hewasalwayssearchingaftersubtleties；allhisideaswereproblems，andhecarriedthespiritoftheinfinitesimalcalculusintothemanagementofbusiness。”ButLaplace’shabitshadbeenformedinthestudy，andhewastoooldtoadaptthemtothepurposesofpracticallife。
　　WithDarnitwasdifferent。ButDarnhadtheadvantageofsomepracticaltraininginbusiness，havingservedasanintendantofthearmyinSwitzerlandunderMassena，duringwhichhealsodistinguishedhimselfasanauthor。WhenNapoleonproposedtoappointhimacouncillorofstateandintendantoftheImperialHousehold，Darnhesitatedtoaccepttheoffice。”Ihavepassedthegreaterpartofmylife，”hesaid，”amongbooks，andhavenothadtimetolearnthefunctionsofacourtier。””Ofcourtiers，”
　　repliedNapoleon，”Ihaveplentyaboutme；theywillneverfail。
　　ButIwantaminister，atonceenlightened，firm，andvigilant；
　　anditisforthesequalitiesthatIhaveselectedyou。”DarncompliedwiththeEmperor’swishes，andeventuallybecamehisPrimeMinister，provingthoroughlyefficientinthatcapacity，andremainingthesamemodest，honourable，anddisinterestedmanthathehadeverbeenthroughlife。
　　Menoftrainedworkingfacultysocontractthehabitoflabourthatidlenessbecomesintolerabletothem；andwhendrivenbycircumstancesfromtheirownspeciallineofoccupation，theyfindrefugeinotherpursuits。Thediligentmanisquicktofindemploymentforhisleisure；andheisabletomakeleisurewhentheidlemanfindsnone。”Hehathnoleisure，”saysGeorgeHerbert，”whousethitnot。””Themostactiveorbusymanthathathbeenorcanbe，”saysBacon，”hath，noquestion，manyvacanttimesofleisure，whileheexpecteththetidesandreturnsofbusiness，excepthebeeithertediousandofnodespatch，orlightlyandunworthilyambitioustomeddlewiththingsthatmaybebetterdonebyothers。”Thusmanygreatthingshavebeendoneduringsuch”vacanttimesofleisure，”bymentowhomindustryhadbecomeasecondnature，andwhofounditeasiertoworkthantobeidle。
　　Evenhobbiesareusefulaseducatorsoftheworkingfaculty。
　　Hobbiesevokeindustryofacertainkind，andatleastprovideagreeableoccupation。NotsuchhobbiesasthatofDomitian，whooccupiedhimselfincatchingflies。ThehobbiesoftheKingofMacedonwhomadelanthorns，andoftheKingofFrancewhomadelocks，wereofamorerespectableorder。Evenaroutinemechanicalemploymentisfelttobeareliefbymindsactingunderhigh-pressure:itisanintermissionoflabour——arest——arelaxation，thepleasureconsistingintheworkitselfratherthanintheresult。
　　Butthebestofhobbiesareintellectualones。Thusmenofactivemindretirefromtheirdailybusinesstofindrecreationinotherpursuits——someinscience，someinart，andthegreaternumberinliterature。Suchrecreationsareamongthebestpreservativesagainstselfishnessandvulgarworldliness。WebelieveitwasLordBroughamwhosaid，”Blessedisthemanthathathahobby！”
　　andintheabundantversatilityofhisnature，hehimselfhadmany，rangingfromliteraturetooptics，fromhistoryandbiographytosocialscience。LordBroughamisevensaidtohavewrittenanovel；andtheremarkablestoryofthe’ManintheBell，’whichappearedmanyyearsagoin’Blackwood，’isreputedtohavebeenfromhispen。Intellectualhobbies，however，mustnotberiddentoohard——else，insteadofrecreating，refreshing，andinvigoratingaman’snature，theymayonlyhavetheeffectofsendinghimbacktohisbusinessexhausted，enervated，anddepressed。

查看目录