ManylaboriousstatesmenbesidesLordBroughamhaveoccupiedtheirleisure,orconsoledthemselvesinretirementfromoffice,bythecompositionofworkswhichhavebecomepartofthestandardliteratureoftheworld。Thus’Caesar’sCommentaries’stillsurviveasaclassic;theperspicuousandforciblestyleinwhichtheyarewrittenplacinghiminthesamerankwithXenophon,whoalsosuccessfullycombinedthepursuitofletterswiththebusinessofactivelife。
WhenthegreatSullywasdisgracedasaminister,anddrivenintoretirement,heoccupiedhisleisureinwritingouthis’Memoirs,’
inanticipationofthejudgmentofposterityuponhiscareerasastatesman。Besidesthese,healsocomposedpartofaromanceafterthemanneroftheScuderischool,themanuscriptofwhichwasfoundamongsthispapersathisdeath。
Turgotfoundasolaceforthelossofoffice,fromwhichhehadbeendrivenbytheintriguesofhisenemies,inthestudyofphysicalscience。Healsorevertedtohisearlytasteforclassicalliterature。Duringhislongjourneys,andatnightswhentorturedbythegout,heamusedhimselfbymakingLatinverses;thoughtheonlylineofhisthathasbeenpreservedwasthatintendedtodesignatetheportraitofBenjaminFranklin:”Eripuitcaelofulmen,sceptrumquetyrannis。”
AmongmorerecentFrenchstatesmen——withwhom,however,literaturehasbeentheirprofessionasmuchaspolitics——maybementionedDeTocqueville,Thiers,Guizot,andLamartine,whileNapoleonIII。challengedaplaceintheAcademybyhis’LifeofCaesar。’
LiteraturehasalsobeenthechiefsolaceofourgreatestEnglishstatesmen。WhenPittretiredfromoffice,likehisgreatcontemporaryFox,herevertedwithdelighttothestudyoftheGreekandRomanclassics。Indeed,GrenvilleconsideredPittthebestGreekscholarhehadeverknown。CanningandWellesley,wheninretirement,occupiedthemselvesintranslatingtheodesandsatiresofHorace。Canning’spassionforliteratureenteredintoallhispursuits,andgaveacolourtohiswholelife。Hisbiographersaysofhim,thatafteradinneratPitt’s,whiletherestofthecompanyweredispersedinconversation,heandPittwouldbeobservedporingoversomeoldGrecianinacornerofthedrawing-room。FoxalsowasadiligentstudentoftheGreekauthors,and,likePitt,readLycophron。HewasalsotheauthorofaHistoryofJamesII。,thoughthebookisonlyafragment,and,itmustbeconfessed,isratheradisappointingwork。
Oneofthemostableandlaboriousofourrecentstatesmen——withwhomliteraturewasahobbyaswellasapursuit——wasthelateSirGeorgeCornewallLewis。Hewasanexcellentmanofbusiness——
diligent,exact,andpainstaking。HefilledbyturnstheofficesofPresidentofthePoorLawBoard——themachineryofwhichhecreated,——ChancelloroftheExchequer,HomeSecretary,andSecretaryatWar;andineachheachievedthereputationofathoroughlysuccessfuladministrator。Intheintervalsofhisofficiallabours,heoccupiedhimselfwithinquiriesintoawiderangeofsubjects——history,politics,philology,anthropology,andantiquarianism。Hisworkson’TheAstronomyoftheAncients,’
and’EssaysontheFormationoftheRomanicLanguages,’mighthavebeenwrittenbytheprofoundestofGermanSAVANS。Hetookespecialdelightinpursuingtheabstruserbranchesoflearning,andfoundinthemhischiefpleasureandrecreation。LordPalmerstonsometimesremonstratedwithhim,tellinghimhewas”takingtoomuchoutofhimself”bylayingasideofficialpapersafteroffice-hoursinordertostudybooks;Palmerstonhimselfdeclaringthathehadnotimetoreadbooks——thatthereadingofmanuscriptwasquiteenoughforhim。
DoubtlessSirGeorgeLewisrodehishobbytoohard,andbutforhisdevotiontostudy,hisusefullifewouldprobablyhavebeenprolonged。Whetherinoroutofoffice,heread,wrote,andstudied。Herelinquishedtheeditorshipofthe’EdinburghReview’
tobecomeChancelloroftheExchequer;andwhennolongeroccupiedinpreparingbudgets,heproceededtocopyoutamassofGreekmanuscriptsattheBritishMuseum。Hetookparticulardelightinpursuinganydifficultinquiryinclassicalantiquity。Oneoftheoddsubjectswithwhichheoccupiedhimselfwasanexaminationintothetruthofreportedcasesoflongevity,which,accordingtohiscustom,hedoubtedordisbelieved。ThissubjectwasuppermostinhismindwhilepursuinghiscanvassofHerefordshirein1852。
Onapplyingtoavoteronedayforhissupport,hewasmetbyadecidedrefusal。”Iamsorry,”wasthecandidate’sreply,”thatyoucan’tgivemeyourvote;butperhapsyoucantellmewhetheranybodyinyourparishhasdiedatanextraordinaryage!”
ThecontemporariesofSirGeorgeLewisalsofurnishmanystrikinginstancesoftheconsolationsaffordedbyliteraturetostatesmenweariedwiththetoilsofpubliclife。Thoughthedoorofofficemaybeclosed,thatofliteraturestandsalwaysopen,andmenwhoareatdaggers-drawninpolitics,joinhandsoverthepoetryofHomerandHorace。ThelateEarlofDerby,onretiringfrompower,producedhisnobleversionof’TheIliad,’whichwillprobablycontinuetobereadwhenhisspeecheshavebeenforgotten。Mr。
Gladstonesimilarlyoccupiedhisleisureinpreparingforthepresshis’StudiesonHomer,’24andineditingatranslationof’Farini’sRomanState;’whileMr。Disraelisignalisedhisretirementfromofficebytheproductionofhis’Lothair。’Amongstatesmenwhohavefiguredasnovelists,besidesMr。Disraeli,areLordRussell,whohasalsocontributedlargelytohistoryandbiography;theMarquisofNormanby,andtheveterannovelist,LordLytton,withwhom,indeed,politicsmaybesaidtohavebeenhisrecreation,andliteraturethechiefemploymentofhislife。
Toconclude:afairmeasureofworkisgoodformindaswellasbody。Manisanintelligencesustainedandpreservedbybodilyorgans,andtheiractiveexerciseisnecessarytotheenjoymentofhealth。Itisnotwork,butoverwork,thatishurtful;anditisnothardworkthatisinjurioussomuchasmonotonouswork,faggingwork,hopelesswork。Allhopefulworkishealthful;andtobeusefullyandhopefullyemployedisoneofthegreatsecretsofhappiness。Brain-work,inmoderation,isnomorewearingthananyotherkindofwork。Dulyregulated,itisaspromotiveofhealthasbodilyexercise;and,wheredueattentionispaidtothephysicalsystem,itseemsdifficulttoputmoreuponamanthanhecanbear。Merelytoeatanddrinkandsleepone’swayidlythroughlifeisvastlymoreinjurious。Thewear-and-tearofrustisevenfasterthanthetear-and-wearofwork。
Butoverworkisalwaysbadeconomy。Itis,infact,greatwaste,especiallyifconjoinedwithworry。Indeed,worrykillsfarmorethanworkdoes。Itfrets,itexcites,itconsumesthebody——assandandgrit,whichoccasionexcessivefriction,wearoutthewheelsofamachine。Overworkandworryhavebothtobeguardedagainst。Forover-brain-workisstrain-work;anditisexhaustinganddestructiveaccordingasitisinexcessofnature。Andthebrain-workermayexhaustandoverbalancehismindbyexcess,justastheathletemayoverstrainhismusclesandbreakhisbackbyattemptingfeatsbeyondthestrengthofhisphysicalsystem。
NOTES
1InthethirdchapterofhisNaturalHistory,PlinyrelatesinwhathighhonouragriculturewasheldintheearlierdaysofRome;howthedivisionsoflandweremeasuredbythequantitywhichcouldbeploughedbyayokeofoxeninacertaintimeJUGERUM,inoneday;
ACTUS,atonespell;howthegreatestrecompencetoageneralorvaliantcitizenwasaJUGERUM;howtheearliestsurnameswerederivedfromagriculturePilumnus,fromPILUM,thepestleforpoundingcorn;Piso,fromPISO,togrindcoin;Fabius,fromFABA,abean;Lentulus,fromLENS,alentil;Cicero,fromCICER,achickpea;Babulcus,fromBOS,&c。;howthehighestcomplimentwastocallamanagoodagriculturist,oragoodhusbandmanLOCUPLES,rich,LOCIPLENUS,PECUNIA,fromPECUS,&c。;howthepasturingofcattlesecretlybynightuponunripecropswasacapitaloffence,punishablebyhanging;howtheruraltribesheldtheforemostrank,whilethoseofthecityhaddiscreditthrownuponthemasbeinganindolentrace;andhow”GLORIAMDENIQUE
IPSAM,AFARRISHONORE,’ADOREAM’APPELLABANT;”ADOREA,orGlory,therewardofvalour,beingderivedfromAdor,orspelt,akindofgrain。
2’EssayonGovernment,’in’EncyclopaediaBritannica。’
3Burton’s’AnatomyofMelancholy,’Parti。,Mem。2,Sub。6。
4Ibid。Endofconcludingchapter。
5ItischaracteristicoftheHindoostoregardentireinactionasthemostperfectstate,andtodescribetheSupremeBeingas”TheUnmoveable。”
6Lessingwassoimpressedwiththeconvictionthatstagnantsatisfactionwasfataltoman,thathewentsofarastosay:”IftheAll-powerfulBeing,holdinginonehandTruth,andintheotherthesearchforTruth,saidtome,’Choose,’IwouldanswerHim,’OAll-powerful,keepforThyselftheTruth;butleavetomethesearchforit,whichisthebetterforme。’”Ontheotherhand,Bossuetsaid:”Sijeconcevaisunenaturepurementintelligente,ilmesemblequejen’ymettraisqu’entendreetaimerlaverite,etquecelaseullarendraitheureux。”
7ThelateSirJohnPatteson,wheninhisseventiethyear,attendedanannualploughing-matchdinneratFeniton,Devon,atwhichhethoughtitworthhiswhiletocombatthenotion,stilltooprevalent,thatbecauseamandoesnotworkmerelywithhisbonesandmuscles,heisthereforenotentitledtotheappellationofaworkingman。”Inrecollectingsimilarmeetingstothepresent,”hesaid,”Iremembermyfriend,JohnPyle,ratherthrowingitinmyteeththatIhadnotworkedfornothing;butItoldhim,’Mr。
Pyle,youdonotknowwhatyouaretalkingabout。Weareallworkers。Themanwhoploughsthefieldandwhodigsthehedgeisaworker;butthereareotherworkersinotherstationsoflifeaswell。Formyself,IcansaythatIhavebeenaworkereversinceIhavebeenaboy。’……ThenItoldhimthattheofficeofjudgewasbynomeansasinecure,forthatajudgeworkedashardasanymaninthecountry。Hehastoworkatverydifficultquestionsoflaw,whicharebroughtbeforehimcontinually,givinghimgreatanxiety;andsometimesthelivesofhisfellow-creaturesareplacedinhishands,andaredependentverymuchuponthemannerinwhichheplacesthefactsbeforethejury。Thatisamatterofnolittleanxiety,Icanassureyou。Letanymanthinkashewill,thereisnomanwhohasbeenthroughtheordealforthelengthoftimethatIhave,butmustfeelconsciousoftheimportanceandgravityofthedutywhichiscastuponajudge。”
8LordStanley’sAddresstotheStudentsofGlasgowUniversity,onhisinstallationasLordRector,1869。
9WritingtoanabbotatNuremberg,whohadsenthimastoreofturning-tools,Luthersaid:”Ihavemadeconsiderableprogressinclockmaking,andIamverymuchdelightedatit,forthesedrunkenSaxonsneedtobeconstantlyremindedofwhattherealtimeis;
notthattheythemselvescaremuchaboutit,foraslongastheirglassesarekeptfilled,theytroublethemselvesverylittleastowhetherclocks,orclockmakers,orthetimeitself,goright。”——
Michelet’sLUTHERBogueEd。,p。200。
10’LifeofPerthes,”ii。20。
11Lockhart’s’LifeofScott’8vo。Ed。,p。442。
12Southeyexpressestheopinionin’TheDoctor’,thatthecharacterofapersonmaybebetterknownbytheletterswhichotherpersonswritetohimthanbywhathehimselfwrites。
13’DissertationontheScienceofMethod。’
14Thefollowingpassage,fromarecentarticleinthePALLMALL
GAZETTE,willcommenditselftogeneralaproval:-”Therecanbenoquestionnowadays,thatapplicationtowork,absorptioninaffairs,contactwithmen,andallthestresswhichbusinessimposesonus,givesanobletrainingtotheintellect,andsplendidopportunityfordisciplineofcharacter。Itisanutterlylowviewofbusinesswhichregardsitasonlyameansofgettingaliving。Aman’sbusinessishispartoftheworld’swork,hisshareofthegreatactivitieswhichrendersocietypossible。Hemaylikeitordislikeit,butitiswork,andassuchrequiresapplication,self-denial,discipline。Itishisdrill,andhecannotbethoroughinhisoccupationwithoutputtinghimselfintoit,checkinghisfancies,restraininghisimpulses,andholdinghimselftotheperpetualroundofsmalldetails——
without,infact,submittingtohisdrill。Buttheperpetualcallonaman’sreadiness,sell-control,andvigourwhichbusinessmakes,theconstantappealtotheintellect,thestressuponthewill,thenecessityforrapidandresponsibleexerciseofjudgment——allthesethingsconstituteahighculture,thoughnotthehighest。Itisaculturewhichstrengthensandinvigoratesifitdoesnotrefine,whichgivesforceifnotpolish——theFORTITERIN
RE,ifnottheSUAVITERINMODO。Itmakesstrongmenandreadymen,andmenofvastcapacityforaffairs,thoughitdoesnotnecessarilymakerefinedmenorgentlemen。”
15Onthefirstpublicationofhis’Despatches,’oneofhisfriendssaidtohim,onreadingtherecordsofhisIndiancampaigns:”Itseemstome,Duke,thatyourchiefbusinessinIndiawastoprocurericeandbullocks。””Andsoitwas,”repliedWellington:”forifIhadriceandbullocks,Ihadmen;andifIhadmen,I
knewIcouldbeattheenemy。”
16MariaEdgeworth,’MemoirsofR。L。Edgeworth,’ii。94。
17AfriendofLordPalmerstonhascommunicatedtousthefollowinganecdote。Askinghimonedaywhenheconsideredamantobeintheprimeoflife,hisimmediatereplywas,”Seventy-nine!””But,”headded,withatwinkleinhiseye,”asIhavejustenteredmyeightiethyear,perhapsIammyselfalittlepastit。”
18’ReasonsofChurchGovernment,’BookII。
19Coleridge’sadvicetohisyoungfriendswasmuchtothesameeffect。”Withtheexceptionofoneextraordinaryman,”hesays,”Ihaveneverknownanindividual,leastofallanindividualofgenius,healthyorhappywithoutaprofession:i。e。,someregularemploymentwhichdoesnotdependonthewillofthemoment,andwhichcanbecarriedonsofarmechanically,thatanaveragequantumonlyofhealth,spirits,andintellectualexertionarerequisitetoitsfaithfuldischarge。Threehoursofleisure,unalloyedbyanyalienanxiety,andlookedforwardtowithdelightasachangeandrecreation,willsufficetorealiseinliteraturealargerproductofwhatistrulygenial,thanweeksofcompulsion……Iffactsarerequiredtoprovethepossibilityofcombiningweightyperformancesinliteraturewithfullandindependentemployment,theworksofCiceroandXenophon,amongtheancients——ofSirThomasMore,Bacon,Baxter,ortoreferatoncetolaterandcontemporaryinstancesDarwinandRoscoe,areatoncedecisiveofthequestion。”——
BIOGRAPHIALITERARIA,Chap。xi。
20Mr。Ricardopublishedhiscelebrated’TheoryofRent,’attheurgentrecommendationofJamesMilllikehisson,achiefclerkintheIndiaHouse,authorofthe’HistoryofBritishIndia。’
Whenthe’TheoryofRent’waswritten,Ricardowassodissatisfiedwithitthathewishedtoburnit;butMr。Millurgedhimtopublishit,andthebookwasagreatsuccess。
21ThelateSirJohnLubbock,hisfather,wasalsoeminentasamathematicianandastronomer。
22Thales,onceinveighingindiscourseagainstthepainsandcaremenputthemselvesto,tobecomerich,wasansweredbyoneinthecompanythathedidlikethefox,whofoundfaultwithwhathecouldnotobtain。ThereuponThaleshadamind,forthejest’ssake,toshowthemthecontrary;andhavinguponthisoccasionforoncemadeamusterofallhiswits,whollytoemploythemintheserviceofprofit,hesetatrafficonfoot,whichinoneyearbroughthiminsogreatriches,thatthemostexperiencedinthattradecouldhardlyintheirwholelives,withalltheirindustry,haverakedsomuchtogether——
MontaignesESSAYS,BookI。,chap。24。
23”Theunderstanding,”saysMr。Bailey,”thatisaccustomedtopursuearegularandconnectedtrainofideas,becomesinsomemeasureincapacitatedforthosequickandversatilemovementswhicharelearntinthecommerceoftheworld,andareindispensabletothosewhoactapartinit。Deepthinkingandpracticaltalentsrequireindeedhabitsofmindsoessentiallydissimilar,thatwhileamanisstrivingaftertheone,hewillbeunavoidablyindangeroflosingtheother。””Thence,”headds,”dowesooftenfindmen,whoare’giantsinthecloset,’provebut’childrenintheworld。’”——’EssaysontheFormationandPublicationofOpinions,’pp。251-3。
24Mr。GladstoneisasgreatanenthusiastinliteratureasCanningwas。Itisrelatedofhimthat,whilehewaswaitinginhiscommittee-roomatLiverpoolforthereturnscominginonthedayoftheSouthLancashirepolling,heoccupiedhimselfinproceedingwiththetranslationofaworkwhichhewasthenpreparingforthepress。
CHAPTERV——COURAGE。”ItisnotbutthetempestthatdothshowTheseaman’scunning;butthefieldthattriesThecaptain’scourage;andwecometoknowBestwhatmenare,intheirworstjeopardies。”——DANIEL。”Ifthoucanstplananobledeed,Andneverflagtillitsucceed,Thoughinthestrifethyheartshouldbleed,Whateverobstaclescontrol,Thinehourwillcome——goon,truesoul!
Thou’ltwintheprize,thou’ltreachthegoal。”——C。MACKAY。”Theheroicexampleofotherdaysisingreatpartthesourceofthecourageofeachgeneration;andmenwalkupcomposedlytothemostperilousenterprises,beckonedonwardsbytheshadesofthebravethatwere。”——HELPS。”Thatwhichweare,weare,Oneequaltemperofheroichearts,Madeweakbytimeandfate,butstronginwillTostrive,toseek,tofind,andnottoyield。”——TENNYSON。
THEworldowesmuchtoitsmenandwomenofcourage。Wedonotmeanphysicalcourage,inwhichmanisatleastequalledbythebulldog;noristhebulldogconsideredthewisestofhisspecies。
Thecouragethatdisplaysitselfinsilenteffortandendeavour——
thatdarestoendureallandsufferallfortruthandduty——ismoretrulyheroicthantheachievementsofphysicalvalour,whicharerewardedbyhonoursandtitles,orbylaurelssometimessteepedinblood。
Itismoralcouragethatcharacterisesthehighestorderofmanhoodandwomanhood——thecouragetoseekandtospeakthetruth;thecouragetobejust;thecouragetobehonest;thecouragetoresisttemptation;thecouragetodoone’sduty。Ifmenandwomendonotpossessthisvirtue,theyhavenosecuritywhateverforthepreservationofanyother。
Everystepofprogressinthehistoryofourracehasbeenmadeinthefaceofoppositionanddifficulty,andbeenachievedandsecuredbymenofintrepidityandvalour——byleadersinthevanofthought——bygreatdiscoverers,greatpatriots,andgreatworkersinallwalksoflife。Thereisscarcelyagreattruthordoctrinebuthashadtofightitswaytopublicrecognitioninthefaceofdetraction,calumny,andpersecution。”Everywhere,”saysHeine,”thatagreatsoulgivesutterancetoitsthoughts,therealsoisaGolgotha。””ManylovedTruthandlavishedlife’sbestoil,Amidthedustofbookstofindher,Contentatlast,forguerdonoftheirtoil,Withthecastmantleshehadleftbehindher。
Manyinsadfaithsoughtforher,Manywithcrossedhandssighedforher,Butthese,ourbrothers,foughtforher,Atlife’sdearperilwroughtforher,Solovedherthattheydiedforher,TastingtherapturedfleetnessOfherdivinecompleteness。”1
SocrateswascondemnedtodrinkthehemlockatAthensinhisseventy-secondyear,becausehisloftyteachingrancountertotheprejudicesandparty-spiritofhisage。HewaschargedbyhisaccuserswithcorruptingtheyouthofAthensbyincitingthemtodespisethetutelarydeitiesofthestate。Hehadthemoralcouragetobravenotonlythetyrannyofthejudgeswhocondemnedhim,butofthemobwhocouldnotunderstandhim。Hedieddiscoursingofthedoctrineoftheimmortalityofthesoul;hislastwordstohisjudgesbeing,”Itisnowtimethatwedepart——I
todie,youtolive;butwhichhasthebetterdestinyisunknowntoall,excepttotheGod。”
Howmanygreatmenandthinkershavebeenpersecutedinthenameofreligion!BrunowasburntaliveatRome,becauseofhisexposureofthefashionablebutfalsephilosophyofhistime。
WhenthejudgesoftheInquisitioncondemnedhim,todie,Brunosaidproudly:”YouaremoreafraidtopronouncemysentencethanI
amtoreceiveit。”
TohimsucceededGalileo,whosecharacterasamanofscienceisalmosteclipsedbythatofthemartyr。Denouncedbythepriestsfromthepulpit,becauseoftheviewshetaughtastothemotionoftheearth,hewassummonedtoRome,inhisseventiethyear,toanswerforhisheterodoxy。AndhewasimprisonedintheInquisition,ifhewasnotactuallyputtothetorturethere。Hewaspursuedbypersecutionevenwhendead,thePoperefusingatombforhisbody。
RogerBacon,theFranciscanmonk,waspersecutedonaccountofhisstudiesinnaturalphilosophy,andhewaschargedwith,dealinginmagic,becauseofhisinvestigationsinchemistry。Hiswritingswerecondemned,andhewasthrownintoprison,wherehelayfortenyears,duringthelivesoffoursuccessivePopes。Itisevenaverredthathediedinprison。
Ockham,theearlyEnglishspeculativephilosopher,wasexcommunicatedbythePope,anddiedinexileatMunich,wherehewasprotectedbythefriendshipofthethenEmperorofGermany。
TheInquisitionbrandedVesaliusasahereticforrevealingmantoman,asithadbeforebrandedBrunoandGalileoforrevealingtheheavenstoman。Vesaliushadtheboldnesstostudythestructureofthehumanbodybyactualdissection,apracticeuntilthenalmostentirelyforbidden。Helaidthefoundationsofascience,buthepaidforitwithhislife。CondemnedbytheInquisition,hispenaltywascommuted,bytheintercessionoftheSpanishking,intoapilgrimagetotheHolyLand;andwhenonhiswayback,whilestillintheprimeoflife,hediedmiserablyatZante,offeverandwant——amartyrtohisloveofscience。
Whenthe’NovumOrganon’appeared,ahue-and-crywasraisedagainstit,becauseofitsallegedtendencytoproduce”dangerousrevolutions,”to”subvertgovernments,”andto”overturntheauthorityofreligion;”2andoneDr。HenryStubbewhosenamewouldotherwisehavebeenforgottenwroteabookagainstthenewphilosophy,denouncingthewholetribeofexperimentalistsas”aBacon-facedgeneration。”EventheestablishmentoftheRoyalSocietywasopposed,onthegroundthat”experimentalphilosophyissubversiveoftheChristianfaith。”
WhilethefollowersofCopernicuswerepersecutedasinfidels,Keplerwasbrandedwiththestigmaofheresy,”because,”saidhe,”ItakethatsidewhichseemstometobeconsonantwiththeWordofGod。”EventhepureandsimplemindedNewton,ofwhomBishopBurnetsaidthathehadtheWHITESTSOULheeverknew——whowasaveryinfantinthepurityofhismind——evenNewtonwasaccusedof”dethroningtheDeity”byhissublimediscoveryofthelawofgravitation;andasimilarchargewasmadeagainstFranklinforexplainingthenatureofthethunderbolt。
SpinozawasexcommunicatedbytheJews,towhomhebelonged,becauseofhisviewsofphilosophy,whichweresupposedtobeadversetoreligion;andhislifewasafterwardsattemptedbyanassassinforthesamereason。Spinozaremainedcourageousandself-relianttothelast,dyinginobscurityandpoverty。
ThephilosophyofDescarteswasdenouncedasleadingtoirreligion;thedoctrinesofLockeweresaidtoproducematerialism;andinourownday,Dr。Buckland,Mr。Sedgwick,andotherleadinggeologists,havebeenaccusedofoverturningrevelationwithregardtotheconstitutionandhistoryoftheearth。Indeed,therehasscarcelybeenadiscoveryinastronomy,innaturalhistory,orinphysicalscience,thathasnotbeenattackedbythebigotedandnarrow-mindedasleadingtoinfidelity。
Othergreatdiscoverers,thoughtheymaynothavebeenchargedwithirreligion,havehadnotlessobloquyofaprofessionalandpublicnaturetoencounter。WhenDr。Harveypublishedhistheoryofthecirculationoftheblood,hispracticefelloff,3andthemedicalprofessionstigmatisedhimasafool。”ThefewgoodthingsIhavebeenabletodo,”saidJohnHunter,”havebeenaccomplishedwiththegreatestdifficulty,andencounteredthegreatestopposition。”SirCharlesBell,whileemployedinhisimportantinvestigationsastothenervoussystem,whichissuedinoneofthegreatestofphysiologicaldiscoveries,wrotetoafriend:”IfIwerenotsopoor,andhadnotsomanyvexationstoencounter,howhappywouldIbe!”Buthehimselfobservedthathispracticesensiblyfelloffafterthepublicationofeachsuccessivestageofhisdiscovery。
Thus,nearlyeveryenlargementofthedomainofknowledge,whichhasmadeusbetteracquaintedwiththeheavens,withtheearth,andwithourselves,hasbeenestablishedbytheenergy,thedevotion,theself-sacrifice,andthecourageofthegreatspiritsofpasttimes,who,howevermuchtheyhavebeenopposedorreviledbytheircontemporaries,nowrankamongstthosewhomtheenlightenedofthehumanracemostdelighttohonour。
Noristheunjustintolerancedisplayedtowardsmenofscienceinthepast,withoutitslessonforthepresent。Itteachesustobeforbearanttowardsthosewhodifferfromus,providedtheyobservepatiently,thinkhonestly,anduttertheirconvictionsfreelyandtruthfully。ItwasaremarkofPlato,that”theworldisGod’sepistletomankind;”andtoreadandstudythatepistle,soastoelicititstruemeaning,canhavenoothereffectonawell-
orderedmindthantoleadtoadeeperimpressionofHispower,aclearerperceptionofHiswisdom,andamoregratefulsenseofHisgoodness。
Whilesuchhasbeenthecourageofthemartyrsofscience,notlessglorioushasbeenthecourageofthemartyrsoffaith。Thepassiveenduranceofthemanorwomanwho,forconsciencesake,isfoundreadytosufferandtoendureinsolitude,withoutsomuchastheencouragementofevenasinglesympathisingvoice,isanexhibitionofcourageofafarhigherkindthanthatdisplayedintheroarofbattle,whereeventheweakestfeelsencouragedandinspiredbytheenthusiasmofsympathyandthepowerofnumbers。
Timewouldfailtotellofthedeathlessnamesofthosewhothroughfaithinprinciples,andinthefaceofdifficulty,danger,andsuffering,”havewroughtrighteousnessandwaxedvaliant”inthemoralwarfareoftheworld,andbeencontenttolaydowntheirlivesratherthanprovefalsetotheirconscientiousconvictionsofthetruth。
Menofthisstamp,inspiredbyahighsenseofduty,haveinpasttimesexhibitedcharacterinitsmostheroicaspects,andcontinuetopresenttoussomeofthenoblestspectaclestobeseeninhistory。Evenwomen,fulloftendernessandgentleness,notlessthanmen,haveinthiscausebeenfoundcapableofexhibitingthemostunflinchingcourage。Such,forinstance,asthatofAnneAskew,who,whenrackeduntilherbonesweredislocated,utterednocry,movednomuscle,butlookedhertormentorscalmlyintheface,andrefusedeithertoconfessortorecant;orsuchasthatofLatimerandRidley,who,insteadofbewailingtheirhardfateandbeatingtheirbreasts,wentascheerfullytotheirdeathasabridegroomtothealtar——theonebiddingtheotherto”beofgoodcomfort,”forthat”weshallthisdaylightsuchacandleinEngland,byGod’sgrace,asshallneverbeputout;”orsuch,again,asthatofMaryDyer,theQuakeress,hangedbythePuritansofNewEnglandforpreachingtothepeople,whoascendedthescaffoldwithawillingstep,and,aftercalmlyaddressingthosewhostoodabout,resignedherselfintothehandsofherpersecutors,anddiedinpeaceandjoy。
NotlesscourageouswasthebehaviourofthegoodSirThomasMore,whomarchedwillinglytothescaffold,anddiedcheerfullythere,ratherthanprovefalsetohisconscience。WhenMorehadmadehisfinaldecisiontostanduponhisprinciples,hefeltasifhehadwonavictory,andsaidtohisson-in-lawRoper:”SonRoper,I
thankOurLord,thefieldiswon!”TheDukeofNorfolktoldhimofhisdanger,saying:”Bythemass,MasterMore,itisperilousstrivingwithprinces;theangerofaprincebringsdeath!”。”Isthatall,mylord?”saidMore;”thenthedifferencebetweenyouandmeisthis——thatIshalldieto-day,andyouto-morrow。”
Whileithasbeenthelotofmanygreatmen,intimesofdifficultyanddanger,tobecheeredandsupportedbytheirwives,Morehadnosuchconsolation。HishelpmatedidanythingbutconsolehimduringhisimprisonmentintheTower。4Shecouldnotconceivethattherewasanysufficientreasonforhiscontinuingtoliethere,whenbymerelydoingwhattheKingrequiredofhim,hemightatonceenjoyhisliberty,togetherwithhisfinehouseatChelsea,hislibrary,hisorchard,hisgallery,andthesocietyofhiswifeandchildren。”Imarvel,”saidshetohimoneday,”thatyou,whohavebeenalwayhithertotakenforwise,shouldnowsoplaythefoolastoliehereinthisclosefilthyprison,andbecontenttobeshutupamongstmiceandrats,whenyoumightbeabroadatyourliberty,ifyouwouldbutdoasthebishopshavedone?”ButMoresawhisdutyfromadifferentpointofview:itwasnotamerematterofpersonalcomfortwithhim;andtheexpostulationsofhiswifewereofnoavail。Hegentlyputheraside,sayingcheerfully,”Isnotthishouseasnighheavenasmyown?”——towhichshecontemptuouslyrejoined:”Tillyvally——tillyvally!”
More’sdaughter,MargaretRoper,onthecontrary,encouragedherfathertostandfirminhisprinciples,anddutifullyconsoledandcheeredhimduringhislongconfinement。Deprivedofpen-and-ink,hewrotehisletterstoherwithapieceofcoal,sayinginoneofthem:”IfIweretodeclareinwritinghowmuchpleasureyourdaughterlylovinglettersgaveme,aPECKOFCOALSwouldnotsufficetomakethepens。”Morewasamartyrtoveracity:hewouldnotswearafalseoath;andheperishedbecausehewassincere。Whenhisheadhadbeenstruckoff,itwasplacedonLondonBridge,inaccordancewiththebarbarouspracticeofthetimes。MargaretRoperhadthecouragetoaskfortheheadtobetakendownandgiventoher,and,carryingheraffectionforherfatherbeyondthegrave,shedesiredthatitmightbeburiedwithherwhenshedied;andlongafter,whenMargaretRoper’stombwasopened,thepreciousrelicwasobservedlyingonthedustofwhathadbeenherbosom。
MartinLutherwasnotcalledupontolaydownhislifeforhisfaith;but,fromthedaythathedeclaredhimselfagainstthePope,hedailyrantheriskoflosingit。Atthebeginningofhisgreatstruggle,hestoodalmostentirelyalone。Theoddsagainsthimweretremendous。”Ononeside,”saidhehimself,”arelearning,genius,numbers,grandeur,rank,power,sanctity,miracles;ontheotherWycliffe,LorenzoValla,Augustine,andLuther——apoorcreature,amanofyesterday,standingwellnighalonewithafewfriends。”SummonedbytheEmperortoappearatWorms;toanswerthechargemadeagainsthimofheresy,hedeterminedtoanswerinperson。Thoseabouthimtoldhimthathewouldlosehislifeifhewent,andtheyurgedhimtofly。”No,”saidhe,”Iwillrepairthither,thoughIshouldfindtherethriceasmanydevilsastherearetilesuponthehousetops!”
WarnedagainstthebitterenmityofacertainDukeGeorge,hesaid——”Iwillgothere,thoughforninewholedaysrunningitrainedDukeGeorges。”
Lutherwasasgoodashisword;andhesetforthuponhisperilousjourney。Whenhecameinsightoftheoldbell-towersofWorms,hestoodupinhischariotandsang,”EINFESTEBURGISTUNSER
GOTT。”——the’Marseillaise’oftheReformation——thewordsandmusicofwhichheissaidtohaveimprovisedonlytwodaysbefore。
ShortlybeforethemeetingoftheDiet,anoldsoldier,GeorgeFreundesberg,puthishanduponLuther’sshoulder,andsaidtohim:”Goodmonk,goodmonk,takeheedwhatthoudoest;thouartgoingintoaharderfightthananyofushaveeveryetbeenin。
ButLuther’sonlyanswertotheveteranwas,thathehad”determinedtostandupontheBibleandhisconscience。”
Luther’scourageousdefencebeforetheDietisonrecord,andformsoneofthemostgloriouspagesinhistory。WhenfinallyurgedbytheEmperortoretract,hesaidfirmly:”Sire,unlessI
amconvincedofmyerrorbythetestimonyofScripture,orbymanifestevidence,Icannotandwillnotretract,forwemustneveractcontrarytoourconscience。Suchismyprofessionoffaith,andyoumustexpectnoneotherfromme。HIERSTEHEICH:
ICHKANNNICHTANDERS:GOTTHELFEMIR!”HerestandI:Icannotdootherwise:Godhelpme!。Hehadtodohisduty——toobeytheordersofaPowerhigherthanthatofkings;andhediditatallhazards。
Afterwards,whenhardpressedbyhisenemiesatAugsburg,Luthersaidthat”ifhehadfivehundredheads,hewouldlosethemallratherthanrecanthisarticleconcerningfaith。”Likeallcourageousmen,hisstrengthonlyseemedtogrowinproportiontothedifficultieshehadtoencounterandovercome。”ThereisnomaninGermany,”saidHutten,”whomoreutterlydespisesdeaththandoesLuther。”Andtohismoralcourage,perhapsmorethantothatofanyothersingleman,doweowetheliberationofmodernthought,andthevindicationofthegreatrightsofthehumanunderstanding。
Thehonourableandbravemandoesnotfeardeathcomparedwithignominy。ItissaidoftheRoyalistEarlofStraffordthat,ashewalkedtothescaffoldonTowerHill,hisstepandmannerwerethoseofageneralmarchingattheheadofanarmytosecurevictory,ratherthanofacondemnedmantoundergosentenceofdeath。SotheCommonwealth’sman,SirJohnEliot,wentalikebravelytohisdeathonthesamespot,saying:”Tenthousanddeathsratherthandefilemyconscience,thechastityandpurityofwhichIvaluebeyondallthisworld。”Eliot’sgreatesttribulationwasonaccountofhiswife,whomhehadtoleavebehind。WhenhesawherlookingdownuponhimfromtheTowerwindow,hestoodupinthecart,wavedhishat,andcried:”Toheaven,mylove!——toheaven!——andleaveyouinthestorm!”Ashewentonhisway,oneinthecrowdcalledout,”Thatisthemostgloriousseatyoueversaton;”towhichhereplied:”Itisso,indeed!”andrejoicedexceedingly。5
Althoughsuccessistheguerdonforwhichallmentoil,theyhaveneverthelessoftentolabouronperseveringly,withoutanyglimmerofsuccessinsight。Theyhavetolive,meanwhile,upontheircourage——sowingtheirseed,itmaybe,inthedark,inthehopethatitwillyettakerootandspringupinachievedresult。Thebestofcauseshavehadtofighttheirwaytotriumphthroughalongsuccessionoffailures,andmanyoftheassailantshavediedinthebreachbeforethefortresshasbeenwon。Theheroismtheyhavedisplayedistobemeasured,notsomuchbytheirimmediatesuccess,asbytheoppositiontheyhaveencountered,andthecouragewithwhichtheyhavemaintainedthestruggle。
Thepatriotwhofightsanalways-losingbattle——themartyrwhogoestodeathamidstthetriumphantshoutsofhisenemies——thediscoverer,likeColumbus,whoseheartremainsundauntedthroughthebitteryearsofhis”longwanderingwoe”——areexamplesofthemoralsublimewhichexciteaprofounderinterestintheheartsofmenthaneventhemostcompleteandconspicuoussuccess。Bythesideofsuchinstancesasthese,howsmallbycomparisonseemthegreatestdeedsofvalour,incitingmentorushupondeathanddieamidstthefrenziedexcitementofphysicalwarfare!
Butthegreaterpartofthecouragethatisneededintheworldisnotofaheroickind。Couragemaybedisplayedineverydaylifeaswellasinhistoricfieldsofaction。Thereneeds,forexample,thecommoncouragetobehonest——thecouragetoresisttemptation——thecouragetospeakthetruth——thecouragetobewhatwereallyare,andnottopretendtobewhatwearenot——thecouragetolivehonestlywithinourownmeans,andnotdishonestlyuponthemeansofothers。
Agreatdealoftheunhappiness,andmuchofthevice,oftheworldisowingtoweaknessandindecisionofpurpose——inotherwords,tolackofcourage。Menmayknowwhatisright,andyetfailtoexercisethecouragetodoit;theymayunderstandthedutytheyhavetodo,butwillnotsummonuptherequisiteresolutiontoperformit。Theweakandundisciplinedmanisatthemercyofeverytemptation;hecannotsay”No,”butfallsbeforeit。Andifhiscompanionshipbebad,hewillbealltheeasierledawaybybadexampleintowrongdoing。
Nothingcanbemorecertainthanthatthecharactercanonlybesustainedandstrengthenedbyitsownenergeticaction。Thewill,whichisthecentralforceofcharacter,mustbetrainedtohabitsofdecision——otherwiseitwillneitherbeabletoresistevilnortofollowgood。Decisiongivesthepowerofstandingfirmly,whentoyield,howeverslightly,mightbeonlythefirststepinadownhillcoursetoruin。
Callinguponothersforhelpinformingadecisionisworsethanuseless。Amanmustsotrainhishabitsastorelyuponhisownpowersanddependuponhisowncourageinmomentsofemergency。
PlutarchtellsofaKingofMacedonwho,inthemidstofanaction,withdrewintotheadjoiningtownunderpretenceofsacrificingtoHercules;whilsthisopponentEmilius,atthesametimethatheimploredtheDivineaid,soughtforvictoryswordinhand,andwonthebattle。Andsoiteverisintheactionsofdailylife。
Manyarethevaliantpurposesformed,thatendmerelyinwords;
deedsintended,thatareneverdone;designsprojected,thatareneverbegun;andallforwantofalittlecourageousdecision。
Betterfarthesilenttonguebuttheeloquentdeed。Forinlifeandinbusiness,despatchisbetterthandiscourse;andtheshortestanswerofallis,DOING。”Inmattersofgreatconcern,andwhichmustbedone,”saysTillotson,”thereisnosurerargumentofaweakmindthanirresolution——tobeundeterminedwhenthecaseissoplainandthenecessitysourgent。Tobealwaysintendingtoliveanewlife,butnevertofindtimetosetaboutit,——thisisasifamanshouldputoffeatinganddrinkingandsleepingfromonedaytoanother,untilheisstarvedanddestroyed。”
Thereneedsalsotheexerciseofnosmalldegreeofmoralcouragetoresistthecorruptinginfluencesofwhatiscalled”Society。”
Although”Mrs。Grundy”maybeaveryvulgarandcommonplacepersonage,herinfluenceisneverthelessprodigious。Mostmen,butespeciallywomen,arethemoralslavesoftheclassorcastetowhichtheybelong。Thereisasortofunconsciousconspiracyexistingamongstthemagainsteachother’sindividuality。Eachcircleandsection,eachrankandclass,hasitsrespectivecustomsandobservances,towhichconformityisrequiredattheriskofbeingtabooed。Someareimmuredwithinabastileoffashion,othersofcustom,othersofopinion;andfewtherearewhohavethecouragetothinkoutsidetheirsect,toactoutsidetheirparty,andtostepoutintothefreeairofindividualthoughtandaction。Wedress,andeat,andfollowfashion,thoughitmaybeattheriskofdebt,ruin,andmisery;livingnotsomuchaccordingtoourmeans,asaccordingtothesuperstitiousobservancesofourclass。ThoughwemayspeakcontemptuouslyoftheIndianswhoflattentheirheads,andoftheChinesewhocramptheirtoes,wehaveonlytolookatthedeformitiesoffashionamongstourselves,toseethatthereignof”Mrs。Grundy”isuniversal。
Butmoralcowardiceisexhibitedquiteasmuchinpublicasinprivatelife。Snobbismisnotconfinedtothetoadyingoftherich,butisquiteasoftendisplayedinthetoadyingofthepoor。
Formerly,sycophancyshoweditselfinnotdaringtospeakthetruthtothoseinhighplaces;butinthesedaysitrathershowsitselfinnotdaringtospeakthetruthtothoseinlowplaces。
Nowthat”themasses”6exercisepoliticalpower,thereisagrowingtendencytofawnuponthem,toflatterthem,andtospeaknothingbutsmoothwordstothem。Theyarecreditedwithvirtueswhichtheythemselvesknowtheydonotpossess。Thepublicenunciationofwholesomebecausedisagreeabletruthsisavoided;
and,towintheirfavour,sympathyisoftenpretendedforviews,thecarryingoutofwhichinpracticeisknowntobehopeless。
Itisnotthemanofthenoblestcharacter——thehighest-culturedandbest-conditionedman——whosefavourisnowsought,somuchasthatofthelowestman,theleast-culturedandworst-conditionedman,becausehisvoteisusuallythatofthemajority。Evenmenofrank,wealth,andeducation,areseenprostratingthemselvesbeforetheignorant,whosevotesarethustobegot。Theyarereadytobeunprincipledandunjustratherthanunpopular。Itissomucheasierforsomementostoop,tobow,andtoflatter,thantobemanly,resolute,andmagnanimous;andtoyieldtoprejudicesthanruncountertothem。Itrequiresstrengthandcouragetoswimagainstthestream,whileanydeadfishcanfloatwithit。
Thisservilepanderingtopopularityhasbeenrapidlyontheincreaseoflateyears,anditstendencyhasbeentoloweranddegradethecharacterofpublicmen。Conscienceshavebecomemoreelastic。Thereisnowoneopinionforthechamber,andanotherfortheplatform。Prejudicesarepanderedtoinpublic,whichinprivatearedespised。Pretendedconversions——whichinvariablyjumpwithpartyinterestsaremoresudden;andevenhypocrisynowappearstobescarcelythoughtdiscreditable。
Thesamemoralcowardiceextendsdownwardsaswellasupwards。
Theactionandreactionareequal。Hypocrisyandtimeservingaboveareaccompaniedbyhypocrisyandtimeservingbelow。Wheremenofhighstandinghavenotthecourageoftheiropinions,whatistobeexpectedfrommenoflowstanding?Theywillonlyfollowsuchexamplesasaresetbeforethem。Theytoowillskulk,anddodge,andprevaricate——bereadytospeakonewayandactanother——justliketheirbetters。Givethembutasealedbox,orsomehole-and-cornertohidetheiractin,andtheywillthenenjoytheir”liberty!”
Popularity,aswoninthesedays,isbynomeansapresumptioninaman’sfavour,butisquiteasoftenapresumptionagainsthim。”Noman,”saystheRussianproverb,”canrisetohonourwhoiscursedwithastiffbackbone。”Butthebackboneofthepopularity-hunterisofgristle;andhehasnodifficultyinstoopingandbendinghimselfinanydirectiontocatchthebreathofpopularapplause。
Wherepopularityiswonbyfawninguponthepeople,bywithholdingthetruthfromthem,bywritingandspeakingdowntothelowesttastes,andstillworsebyappealstoclass-hatred,7suchapopularitymustbesimplycontemptibleinthesightofallhonestmen。JeremyBentham,speakingofawell-knownpubliccharacter,said:”Hiscreedofpoliticsresultslessfromloveofthemanythanfromhatredofthefew;itistoomuchundertheinfluenceofselfishanddissocialaffection。”Tohowmanymeninourowndaymightnotthesamedescriptionapply?
Menofsterlingcharacterhavethecouragetospeakthetruth,evenwhenitisunpopular。ItwassaidofColonelHutchinsonbyhiswife,thatheneversoughtafterpopularapplause,orpridedhimselfonit:”Hemoredelightedtodowellthantobepraised,andneversetvulgarcommendationsatsucharateastoactcontrarytohisownconscienceorreasonfortheobtainingthem;
norwouldheforbearagoodactionwhichhewasboundto,thoughalltheworlddislikedit;forheeverlookedonthingsastheywereinthemselves,notthroughthedimspectaclesofvulgarestimation。”8”Popularity,inthelowestandmostcommonsense,”saidSirJohnPakington,onarecentoccasion,9”isnotworththehaving。Doyourdutytothebestofyourpower,wintheapprobationofyourownconscience,andpopularity,initsbestandhighestsense,issuretofollow。”
WhenRichardLovellEdgeworth,towardsthecloseofhislife,becameverypopularinhisneighbourhood,hesaidonedaytohisdaughter:”Maria,Iamgrowingdreadfullypopular;Ishallbegoodfornothingsoon;amancannotbegoodforanythingwhoisverypopular。”ProbablyhehadinhismindatthetimetheGospelcurseofthepopularman,”Woeuntoyou,whenallmenshallspeakwellofyou!forsodidtheirfatherstothefalseprophets。”
Intellectualintrepidityisoneofthevitalconditionsofindependenceandself-relianceofcharacter。Amanmusthavethecouragetobehimself,andnottheshadowortheechoofanother。
Hemustexercisehisownpowers,thinkhisownthoughts,andspeakhisownsentiments。Hemustelaboratehisownopinions,andformhisownconvictions。Ithasbeensaidthathewhodarenotformanopinion,mustbeacoward;hewhowillnot,mustbeanidler;
hewhocannot,mustbeafool。
Butitispreciselyinthiselementofintrepiditythatsomanypersonsofpromisefallshort,anddisappointtheexpectationsoftheirfriends。Theymarchuptothesceneofaction,butateverysteptheircourageoozesout。Theywanttherequisitedecision,courage,andperseverance。Theycalculatetherisks,andweighthechances,untiltheopportunityforeffectiveefforthaspassed,itmaybenevertoreturn。
Menareboundtospeakthetruthintheloveofit。”Ihadrathersuffer,”saidJohnPym,theCommonwealthman,”forspeakingthetruth,thanthatthetruthshouldsufferforwantofmyspeaking。”
Whenaman’sconvictionsarehonestlyformed,afterfairandfullconsideration,heisjustifiedinstrivingbyallfairmeanstobringthemintoaction。Therearecertainstatesofsocietyandconditionsofaffairsinwhichamanisboundtospeakout,andbeantagonistic——whenconformityisnotonlyaweakness,butasin。
Greatevilsareinsomecasesonlytobemetbyresistance;theycannotbeweptdown,butmustbebattleddown。
Thehonestmanisnaturallyantagonistictofraud,thetruthfulmantolying,thejustice-lovingmantooppression,thepuremindedmantoviceandiniquity。Theyhavetodobattlewiththeseconditions,andifpossibleovercomethem。Suchmenhaveinallagesrepresentedthemoralforceoftheworld。Inspiredbybenevolenceandsustainedbycourage,theyhavebeenthemainstaysofallsocialrenovationandprogress。Butfortheircontinuousantagonismtoevilconditions,theworldwereforthemostpartgivenovertothedominionofselfishnessandvice。Allthegreatreformersandmartyrswereantagonisticmen——enemiestofalsehoodandevildoing。TheApostlesthemselveswereanorganisedbandofsocialantagonists,whocontendedwithpride,selfishness,superstition,andirreligion。AndinourowntimethelivesofsuchmenasClarksonandGranvilleSharpe,FatherMathewandRichardCobden,inspiredbysinglenessofpurpose,haveshownwhathighmindedsocialantagonismcaneffect。
Itisthestrongandcourageousmenwholeadandguideandruletheworld。Theweakandtimidleavenotracebehindthem;whilstthelifeofasingleuprightandenergeticmanislikeatrackoflight。Hisexampleisrememberedandappealedto;andhisthoughts,hisspirit,andhiscouragecontinuetobetheinspirationofsucceedinggenerations。
Itisenergy——thecentralelementofwhichiswill——thatproducesthemiraclesofenthusiasminallages。Everywhereitisthemainspringofwhatiscalledforceofcharacter,andthesustainingpowerofallgreataction。Inarighteouscausethedeterminedmanstandsuponhiscourageasuponagraniteblock;
and,likeDavid,hewillgoforthtomeetGoliath,stronginheartthoughanhostbeencampedagainsthim。
Menoftenconquerdifficultiesbecausetheyfeeltheycan。Theirconfidenceinthemselvesinspirestheconfidenceofothers。WhenCaesarwasatsea,andastormbegantorage,thecaptainoftheshipwhichcarriedhimbecameunmannedbyfear。”Whatartthouafraidof?”criedthegreatcaptain;”thyvesselcarriesCaesar!”
Thecourageofthebravemaniscontagious,andcarriesothersalongwithit。Hisstrongernatureawesweakernaturesintosilence,orinspiresthemwithhisownwillandpurpose。
Thepersistentmanwillnotbebaffledorrepulsedbyopposition。
Diogenes,desirousofbecomingthediscipleofAntisthenes,wentandofferedhimselftothecynic。Hewasrefused。Diogenesstillpersisting,thecynicraisedhisknottystaff,andthreatenedtostrikehimifhedidnotdepart。”Strike!”saidDiogenes;”youwillnotfindastickhardenoughtoconquermyperseverance。”
Antisthenes,overcome,hadnotanotherwordtosay,butforthwithacceptedhimashispupil。
Energyoftemperament,withamoderatedegreeofwisdom,willcarryamanfurtherthananyamountofintellectwithoutit。
Energymakesthemanofpracticalability。ItgiveshimVIS,force,MOMENTUM。Itistheactivemotivepowerofcharacter;
andifcombinedwithsagacityandself-possession,willenableamantoemployhispowerstothebestadvantageinalltheaffairsoflife。
Henceitisthat,inspiredbyenergyofpurpose,menofcomparativelymediocrepowershaveoftenbeenenabledtoaccomplishsuchextraordinaryresults。Forthemenwhohavemostpowerfullyinfluencedtheworldhavenotbeensomuchmenofgeniusasmenofstrongconvictionsandenduringcapacityforwork,impelledbyirresistibleenergyandinvincibledetermination:suchmen,forexample,aswereMahomet,Luther,Knox,Calvin,Loyola,andWesley。
Courage,combinedwithenergyandperseverance,willovercomedifficultiesapparentlyinsurmountable。Itgivesforceandimpulsetoeffort,anddoesnotpermitittoretreat。TyndallsaidofFaraday,that”inhiswarmmomentsheformedaresolution,andinhiscooloneshemadethatresolutiongood。”Perseverance,workingintherightdirection,growswithtime,andwhensteadilypractised,evenbythemosthumble,willrarelyfailofitsreward。Trustinginthehelpofothersisofcomparativelylittleuse。WhenoneofMichaelAngelo’sprincipalpatronsdied,hesaid:”Ibegintounderstandthatthepromisesoftheworldareforthemostpartvainphantoms,andthattoconfideinone’sself,andbecomesomethingofworthandvalue,isthebestandsafestcourse。”
Courageisbynomeansincompatiblewithtenderness。Onthecontrary,gentlenessandtendernesshavebeenfoundtocharacterisethemen,notlessthanthewomen,whohavedonethemostcourageousdeeds。SirCharlesNapiergaveupsporting,becausehecouldnotbeartohurtdumbcreatures。Thesamegentlenessandtendernesscharacterisedhisbrother,SirWilliam,thehistorianofthePeninsularWar。10SuchalsowasthecharacterofSirJamesOutram,pronouncedbySirCharlesNapiertobe”theBayardofIndia,SANSPEURETSANSREPROCHE”——oneofthebravestandyetgentlestofmen;respectfulandreverenttowomen,tendertochildren,helpfuloftheweak,sterntothecorrupt,butkindlyassummertothehonestanddeserving。Moreover,hewashimselfashonestasday,andaspureasvirtue。Ofhimitmightbesaidwithtruth,whatFulkeGrevillesaidofSidney:”Hewasatruemodelofworth——amanfitforconquest,reformation,plantation,orwhatactionsoeveristhegreatestandhardestamongmen;hischiefendswithalbeingaboveallthingsthegoodofhisfellows,andtheserviceofhissovereignandcountry。”
WhenEdwardtheBlackPrincewontheBattleofPoictiers,inwhichhetookprisonertheFrenchkingandhisson,heentertainedthemintheeveningatabanquet,whenheinsistedonwaitinguponandservingthemattable。Thegallantprince’sknightlycourtesyanddemeanourwontheheartsofhiscaptivesascompletelyashisvalourhadwontheirpersons;for,notwithstandinghisyouth,Edwardwasatrueknight,thefirstandbravestofhistime——anoblepatternandexampleofchivalry;histwomottoes,’Hochmuth’
and’Ichdien’highspiritandreverentservicenotinaptlyexpressinghisprominentandpervadingqualities。
Itisthecourageousmanwhocanbestaffordtobegenerous;orrather,itishisnaturetobeso。WhenFairfax,attheBattleofNaseby,seizedthecoloursfromanensignwhomhehadstruckdowninthefight,hehandedthemtoacommonsoldiertotakecareof。
Thesoldier,unabletoresistthetemptation,boastedtohiscomradesthathehadhimselfseizedthecolours,andtheboastwasrepeatedtoFairfax。”Lethimretainthehonour,”saidthecommander;”Ihaveenoughbeside。”
SowhenDouglas,attheBattleofBannockburn,sawRandolph,hisrival,outnumberedandapparentlyoverpoweredbytheenemy,hepreparedtohastentohisassistance;but,seeingthatRandolphwasalreadydrivingthemback,hecriedout,”Holdandhalt!Wearecometoolatetoaidthem;letusnotlessenthevictorytheyhavewonbyaffectingtoclaimashareinit。”
Quiteaschivalrous,thoughinaverydifferentfieldofaction,wastheconductofLaplacetotheyoungphilosopherBiot,whenthelatterhadreadtotheFrenchAcademyhispaper,”SURLES
EQUATIONSAUXDIFFERENCEMELEES。”TheassembledSAVANS,atitsclose,felicitatedthereaderofthepaperonhisoriginality。
Mongewasdelightedathissuccess。Laplacealsopraisedhimfortheclearnessofhisdemonstrations,andinvitedBiottoaccompanyhimhome。Arrivedthere,Laplacetookfromaclosetinhisstudyapaper,yellowwithage,andhandedittotheyoungphilosopher。
ToBiot’ssurprise,hefoundthatitcontainedthesolutions,allworkedout,forwhichhehadjustgainedsomuchapplause。Withraremagnanimity,LaplacewithheldallknowledgeofthecircumstancefromBiotuntilthelatterhadinitiatedhisreputationbeforetheAcademy;moreover,heenjoinedhimtosilence;andtheincidentwouldhaveremainedasecrethadnotBiothimselfpublishedit,somefiftyyearsafterwards。
AnincidentisrelatedofaFrenchartisan,exhibitingthesamecharacteristicofself-sacrificeinanotherform。InfrontofaloftyhouseincourseoferectionatPariswastheusualscaffold,loadedwithmenandmaterials。Thescaffold,beingtooweak,suddenlybrokedown,andthemenuponitwereprecipitatedtotheground——allexcepttwo,ayoungmanandamiddle-agedone,whohungontoanarrowledge,whichtrembledundertheirweight,andwasevidentlyonthepointofgivingway。”Pierre,”criedtheelderofthetwo,”letgo;Iamthefatherofafamily。””C’EST
JUSTE!”saidPierre;and,instantlylettinggohishold,hefellandwaskilledonthespot。Thefatherofthefamilywassaved。
Thebravemanismagnanimousaswellasgentle。Hedoesnottakeevenanenemyatadisadvantage,norstrikeamanwhenheisdownandunabletodefendhimself。Eveninthemidstofdeadlystrifesuchinstancesofgenerosityhavenotbeenuncommon。Thus,attheBattleofDettingen,duringtheheatoftheaction,asquadronofFrenchcavalrychargedanEnglishregiment;butwhentheyoungFrenchofficerwholedthem,andwasabouttoattacktheEnglishleader,observedthathehadonlyonearm,withwhichheheldhisbridle,theFrenchmansalutedhimcourteouslywithhissword,andpassedon。11
ItisrelatedofCharlesV。,thatafterthesiegeandcaptureofWittenburgbytheImperialistarmy,themonarchwenttoseethetombofLuther。Whilereadingtheinscriptiononit,oneoftheservilecourtierswhoaccompaniedhimproposedtoopenthegrave,andgivetheashesofthe”heretic”tothewinds。Themonarch’scheekflushedwithhonestindignation:”Iwarnotwiththedead,”
saidhe;”letthisplaceberespected。”
Theportraitwhichthegreatheathen,Aristotle,drewoftheMagnanimousMan,inotherwordstheTrueGentleman,morethantwothousandyearsago,isasfaithfulnowasitwasthen。”Themagnanimousman,”hesaid,”willbehavewithmoderationunderbothgoodfortuneandbad。Hewillknowhowtobeexaltedandhowtobeabased。Hewillneitherbedelightedwithsuccessnorgrievedbyfailure。Hewillneithershundangernorseekit,fortherearefewthingswhichhecaresfor。Heisreticent,andsomewhatslowofspeech,butspeakshismindopenlyandboldlywhenoccasioncallsforit。Heisapttoadmire,fornothingisgreattohim。Heoverlooksinjuries。Heisnotgiventotalkabouthimselforaboutothers;forhedoesnotcarethathehimselfshouldbepraised,orthatotherpeopleshouldbeblamed。Hedoesnotcryoutabouttrifles,andcraveshelpfromnone。”
Ontheotherhand,meanmenadmiremeanly。Theyhaveneithermodesty,generosity,normagnanimity。Theyarereadytotakeadvantageoftheweaknessordefencelessnessofothers,especiallywheretheyhavethemselvessucceeded,byunscrupulousmethods,inclimbingtopositionsofauthority。Snobsinhighplacesarealwaysmuchlesstolerablethansnobsoflowdegree,becausetheyhavemorefrequentopportunitiesofmakingtheirwantofmanlinessfelt。Theyassumegreaterairs,andarepretentiousinallthattheydo;andthehighertheirelevation,themoreconspicuousistheincongruityoftheirposition。”Thehigherthemonkeyclimbs,”saystheproverb,”themoreheshowshistail。”
Muchdependsonthewayinwhichathingisdone。Anactwhichmightbetakenasakindnessifdoneinagenerousspirit,whendoneinagrudgingspirit,maybefeltasstingy,ifnotharshandevencruel。WhenBenJonsonlaysickandinpoverty,thekingsenthimapaltrymessage,accompaniedbyagratuity。Thesturdyplainspokenpoet’sreplywas:”IsupposehesendsmethisbecauseIliveinanalley;tellhimhissoullivesinanalley。”
Fromwhatwehavesaid,itwillbeobviousthattobeofanenduringandcourageousspirit,isofgreatimportanceintheformationofcharacter。Itisasourcenotonlyofusefulnessinlife,butofhappiness。Ontheotherhand,tobeofatimidand,stillmore,ofacowardlynatureisoneofthegreatestmisfortunes。A。wisemanwasaccustomedtosaythatoneoftheprincipalobjectsheaimedatintheeducationofhissonsanddaughterswastotraintheminthehabitoffearingnothingsomuchasfear。Andthehabitofavoidingfearis,doubtless,capableofbeingtrainedlikeanyotherhabit,suchasthehabitofattention,ofdiligence,ofstudy,orofcheerfulness。
Muchofthefearthatexistsistheoffspringofimagination,whichcreatestheimagesofevilswhichMAYhappen,butperhapsrarelydo;andthusmanypersonswhoarecapableofsummoningupcouragetograpplewithandovercomerealdangers,areparalysedorthrownintoconsternationbythosewhichareimaginary。Hence,unlesstheimaginationbeheldunderstrictdiscipline,wearepronetomeetevilsmorethanhalfway——tosufferthembyforestalment,andtoassumetheburdenswhichweourselvescreate。
Educationincourageisnotusuallyincludedamongstthebranchesoffemaletraining,andyetitisreallyofgreaterimportancethaneithermusic,French,ortheuseoftheglobes。ContrarytotheviewofSirRichardSteele,thatwomenshouldbecharacterisedbya”tenderfear,”and”aninferioritywhichmakesherlovely,”
wewouldhavewomeneducatedinresolutionandcourage,asameansofrenderingthemmorehelpful,moreself-reliant,andvastlymoreusefulandhappy。
Thereis,indeed,nothingattractiveintimidity,nothingloveableinfear。Allweakness,whetherofmindorbody,isequivalenttodeformity,andthereverseofinteresting。Courageisgracefulanddignified,whilstfear,inanyform,ismeanandrepulsive。
Yettheutmosttendernessandgentlenessareconsistentwithcourage。AryScheffer,theartist,oncewrotetohisdaughter:-”Deardaughter,strivetobeofgoodcourage,tobegentle-
hearted;thesearethetruequalitiesforwoman。’Troubles’
everybodymustexpect。Thereisbutonewayoflookingatfate——
whateverthatbe,whetherblessingsorafflictions——tobehavewithdignityunderboth。Wemustnotloseheart,oritwillbetheworsebothforourselvesandforthosewhomwelove。
Tostruggle,andagainandagaintorenewtheconflict——THISislife’sinheritance。”12
Insicknessandsorrow,nonearebraverandlesscomplainingsufferersthanwomen。Theircourage,wheretheirheartsareconcerned,isindeedproverbial:”Oh!femmesc’estatortqu’onvousnommestimides,Alavoixdevoscoeursvousetesintrepides。”
Experiencehasprovedthatwomencanbeasenduringasmen,undertheheaviesttrialsandcalamities;buttoolittlepainsaretakentoteachthemtoendurepettyterrorsandfrivolousvexationswithfortitude。Suchlittlemiseries,ifpettedandindulged,quicklyrunintosicklysensibility,andbecomethebaneoftheirlife,keepingthemselvesandthoseabouttheminastateofchronicdiscomfort。
Thebestcorrectiveofthisconditionofmindiswholesomemoralandmentaldiscipline。Mentalstrengthisasnecessaryforthedevelopmentofwoman’scharacterasofman’s。Itgiveshercapacitytodealwiththeaffairsoflife,andpresenceofmind,whichenablehertoactwithvigourandeffectinmomentsofemergency。Character,inawoman,asinaman,willalwaysbefoundthebestsafeguardofvirtue,thebestnurseofreligion,thebestcorrectiveofTime。Personalbeautysoonpasses;butbeautyofmindandcharacterincreasesinattractivenesstheolderitgrows。
BenJonsongivesastrikingportraitureofanoblewomanintheselines:-”Imeantsheshouldbecourteous,facile,sweet,Freefromthatsolemnviceofgreatness,pride;
Imeanteachsoftedvirtuethereshouldmeet,Fitinthatsofterbosomtoabide。
Onlyalearnedandamanlysoul,Ipurposedher,thatshouldwithevenpowers,Therock,thespindle,andtheshearscontrolOfdestiny,andspinherownfreehours。’
Thecourageofwomanisnotthelesstruebecauseitisforthemostpartpassive。Itisnotencouragedbythecheersoftheworld,foritismostlyexhibitedintherecessesofprivatelife。
Yettherearecasesofheroicpatienceandenduranceonthepartofwomenwhichoccasionallycometothelightofday。OneofthemostcelebratedinstancesinhistoryisthatofGertrudeVonderWart。Herhusband,falselyaccusedofbeinganaccompliceinthemurderoftheEmperorAlbert,wascondemnedtothemostfrightfulofallpunishments——tobebrokenaliveonthewheel。Withmostprofoundconvictionofherhusband’sinnocencethefaithfulwomanstoodbyhissidetothelast,watchingoverhimduringtwodaysandnights,bravingtheempress’sangerandtheinclemencyoftheweather,inthehopeofcontributingtosoothehisdyingagonies。13
Butwomenhavenotonlydistinguishedthemselvesfortheirpassivecourage:impelledbyaffection,orthesenseofduty,theyhaveoccasionallybecomeheroic。Whenthebandofconspirators,whosoughtthelifeofJamesII。ofScotland,burstintohislodgingsatPerth,thekingcalledtotheladies,whowereinthechamberoutsidehisroom,tokeepthedooraswellastheycould,andgivehimtimetoescape。Theconspiratorshadpreviouslydestroyedthelocksofthedoors,sothatthekeyscouldnotbeturned;andwhentheyreachedtheladies’apartment,itwasfoundthatthebaralsohadbeenremoved。But,onhearingthemapproach,thebraveCatherineDouglas,withthehereditarycourageofherfamily,boldlythrustherarmacrossthedoorinsteadofthebar;andhelditthereuntil,herarmbeingbroken,theconspiratorsburstintotheroomwithdrawnswordsanddaggers,overthrowingtheladies,who,thoughunarmed,stillendeavouredtoresistthem。
ThedefenceofLathomHousebyCharlottedelaTremouille,theworthydescendantofWilliamofNassauandAdmiralColigny,wasanotherstrikinginstanceofheroicbraveryonthepartofanoblewoman。WhensummonedbytheParliamentaryforcestosurrender,shedeclaredthatshehadbeenentrustedbyherhusbandwiththedefenceofthehouse,andthatshecouldnotgiveitupwithoutherdearlord’sorders,buttrustedinGodforprotectionanddeliverance。Inherarrangementsforthedefence,sheisdescribedashaving”leftnothingwithhereyetobeexcusedafterwardsbyfortuneornegligence,andaddedtoherformerpatienceamostresolvedfortitude。”Thebraveladyheldherhouseandhomegoodagainsttheenemyforawholeyear——duringthreemonthsofwhichtheplacewasstrictlybesiegedandbombarded——untilatlengththesiegewasraised,afteramostgallantdefence,bytheadvanceoftheRoyalistarmy。
NorcanweforgetthecourageofLadyFranklin,whoperseveredtothelast,whenthehopesofallothershaddiedout,inprosecutingthesearchaftertheFranklinExpedition。OntheoccasionoftheRoyalGeographicalSocietydeterminingtoawardtheFounder’sMedaltoLadyFranklin,SirRoderickMurchisonobserved,thatinthecourseofalongfriendshipwithher,hehadabundantopportunitiesofobservingandtestingthesterlingqualitiesofawomanwhohadprovedherselfworthyoftheadmirationofmankind。”Nothingdauntedbyfailureafterfailure,throughtwelvelongyearsofhopedeferred,shehadpersevered,withasinglenessofpurposeandasinceredevotionwhichweretrulyunparalleled。AndnowthatheronelastexpeditionoftheFOX,underthegallantM’Clintock,hadrealisedthetwogreatfacts——thatherhusbandhadtraversedwideseasunknowntoformernavigators,anddiedindiscoveringanorth-westpassage——then,surely,theadjudicationofthemedalwouldbehailedbythenationasoneofthemanyrecompencestowhichthewidowoftheillustriousFranklinwassoeminentlyentitled。”
Butthatdevotiontodutywhichmarkstheheroiccharacterhasmoreoftenbeenexhibitedbywomenindeedsofcharityandmercy。
Thegreaterpartoftheseareneverknown,fortheyaredoneinprivate,outofthepublicsight,andforthemereloveofdoinggood。Wherefamehascometothem,becauseofthesuccesswhichhasattendedtheirlaboursinamoregeneralsphere,ithascomeunsoughtandunexpected,andisoftenfeltasaburden。WhohasnotheardofMrs。FryandMissCarpenterasprisonvisitorsandreformers;ofMrs。ChisholmandMissRyeaspromotersofemigration;andofMissNightingaleandMissGarrettasapostlesofhospitalnursing?
Thatthesewomenshouldhaveemergedfromthesphereofprivateanddomesticlifetobecomeleadersinphilanthropy,indicatesnosmall,degreeofmoralcourageontheirpart;fortowomen,aboveallothers,quietandeaseandretirementaremostnaturalandwelcome。Veryfewwomenstepbeyondtheboundariesofhomeinsearchofalargerfieldofusefulness。Butwhentheyhavedesiredone,theyhavehadnodifficultyinfindingit。Thewaysinwhichmenandwomencanhelptheirneighboursareinnumerable。
Itneedsbutthewillingheartandreadyhand。Mostofthephilanthropicworkerswehavenamed,however,havescarcelybeeninfluencedbychoice。Thedutylayintheirway——itseemedtobethenearesttothem——andtheysetaboutdoingitwithoutdesireforfame,oranyotherrewardbuttheapprovaloftheirownconscience。
Amongprison-visitors,thenameofSarahMartinismuchlessknownthanthatofMrs。Fry,althoughsheprecededherinthework。Howshewasledtoundertakeit,furnishesatthesametimeanillustrationofwomanlytrueheartednessandearnestwomanlycourage。
SarahMartinwasthedaughterofpoorparents,andwasleftanorphanatanearlyage。Shewasbroughtupbyhergrandmother,atCaistor,nearYarmouth,andearnedherlivingbygoingouttofamiliesasassistant-dressmaker,atashillingaday。In1819,awomanwastriedandsentencedtoimprisonmentinYarmouthGaol,forcruellybeatingandillusingherchild,andhercrimebecamethetalkofthetown。Theyoungdressmakerwasmuchimpressedbythereportofthetrial,andthedesireenteredhermindofvisitingthewomaningaol,andtryingtoreclaimher。Shehadoftenbefore,onpassingthewallsoftheboroughgaol,feltimpelledtoseekadmission,withtheobjectofvisitingtheinmates,readingtheScripturestothem,andendeavouringtoleadthembacktothesocietywhoselawstheyhadviolated。
Atlengthshecouldnotresistherimpulsetovisitthemother。