Perhapsyoumaybesurprisedatmytalkingoflabourandtheworkman.Youhaveheardofme,Ifear,throughthemediumofyoursomewhatimaginativenewspapersas,ifnota’Japaneseyoungman,’
  atleastayoungmantowhomtherushandclamourandrealityofthemodernworldweredistasteful,andwhosegreatestdifficultyinlifewasthedifficultyoflivinguptothelevelofhisbluechina—aparadoxfromwhichEnglandhasnotyetrecovered.
  Well,letmetellyouhowitfirstcametomeatalltocreateanartisticmovementinEngland,amovementtoshowtherichwhatbeautifulthingstheymightenjoyandthepoorwhatbeautifulthingstheymightcreate.
  OnesummerafternooninOxford—’thatsweetcitywithherdreamingspires,’lovelyasVeniceinitssplendour,nobleinitslearningasRome,downthelongHighStreetthatwindsfromtowertotower,pastsilentcloisterandstatelygateway,tillitreachesthatlong,greyseven—archedbridgewhichSaintMaryusedtoguard(usedto,Isay,becausetheyarenowpullingitdowntobuildatramwayandalightcast—ironbridgeinitsplace,desecratingtheloveliestcityinEngland)—well,wewerecomingdownthestreet—
  atroopofyoungmen,someofthemlikemyselfonlynineteen,goingtoriverortennis—courtorcricket—field—whenRuskingoinguptolectureincapandgownmetus.Heseemedtroubledandprayedustogobackwithhimtohislecture,whichafewofusdid,andtherehespoketousnotonartthistimebutonlife,sayingthatitseemedtohimtobewrongthatallthebestphysiqueandstrengthoftheyoungmeninEnglandshouldbespentaimlesslyoncricketgroundorriver,withoutanyresultatallexceptthatifonerowedwellonegotapewter—pot,andifonemadeagoodscore,acane—handledbat.Hethought,hesaid,thatweshouldbeworkingatsomethingthatwoulddogoodtootherpeople,atsomethingbywhichwemightshowthatinalllabourtherewassomethingnoble.
  Well,wewereagooddealmoved,andsaidwewoulddoanythinghewished.SohewentoutroundOxfordandfoundtwovillages,UpperandLowerHinksey,andbetweenthemtherelayagreatswamp,sothatthevillagerscouldnotpassfromonetotheotherwithoutmanymilesofaround.Andwhenwecamebackinwinterheaskedustohelphimtomakearoadacrossthismorassforthesevillagepeopletouse.Sooutwewent,dayafterday,andlearnedhowtolaylevelsandtobreakstones,andtowheelbarrowsalongaplank—averydifficultthingtodo.AndRuskinworkedwithusinthemistandrainandmudofanOxfordwinter,andourfriendsandourenemiescameoutandmockedusfromthebank.Wedidnotminditmuchthen,andwedidnotminditafterwardsatall,butworkedawayfortwomonthsatourroad.Andwhatbecameoftheroad?
  Well,likeabadlectureitendedabruptly—inthemiddleoftheswamp.RuskingoingawaytoVenice,whenwecamebackforthenexttermtherewasnoleader,andthe’diggers,’astheycalledus,fellasunder.AndIfeltthatiftherewasenoughspiritamongsttheyoungmentogoouttosuchworkasroad—makingforthesakeofanobleidealoflife,Icouldfromthemcreateanartisticmovementthatmightchange,asithaschanged,thefaceofEngland.
  SoIsoughtthemout—leadertheywouldcallme—buttherewasnoleader:wewereallsearchersonlyandwewereboundtoeachotherbynoblefriendshipandbynobleart.Therewasnoneofusidle:
  poetsmostofus,soambitiouswerewe:painterssomeofus,orworkersinmetalormodellers,determinedthatwewouldtryandcreateforourselvesbeautifulwork:forthehandicraftsmanbeautifulwork,forthosewholoveuspoemsandpictures,forthosewholoveusnotepigramsandparadoxesandscorn.
  Well,wehavedonesomethinginEnglandandwewilldosomethingmore.Now,Idonotwantyou,believeme,toaskyourbrilliantyoungmen,yourbeautifulyounggirls,togooutandmakearoadonaswampforanyvillageinAmerica,butIthinkyoumighteachofyouhavesomearttopractise.
  Wemusthave,asEmersonsaid,amechanicalcraftforourculture,abasisforourhigheraccomplishmentsintheworkofourhands—
  theuselessnessofmostpeople’shandsseemstomeoneofthemostunpracticalthings.’Noseparationfromlabourcanbewithoutsomelossofpowerortruthtotheseer,’saysEmersonagain.TheheroismwhichwouldmakeonustheimpressionofEpaminondasmustbethatofadomesticconqueror.TheheroofthefutureishewhoshallbravelyandgracefullysubduethisGorgonoffashionandofconvention.
  Whenyouhavechosenyourownpart,abidebyit,anddonotweaklytryandreconcileyourselfwiththeworld.Theheroiccannotbethecommonnorthecommontheheroic.Congratulateyourselfifyouhavedonesomethingstrangeandextravagantandbrokenthemonotonyofadecorousage.
  Andlastly,letusrememberthatartistheonethingwhichDeathcannotharm.ThelittlehouseatConcordmaybedesolate,butthewisdomofNewEngland’sPlatoisnotsilencednorthebrilliancyofthatAtticgeniusdimmed:thelipsofLongfellowarestillmusicalforusthoughhisdustbeturningintotheflowerswhichheloved:
  andasitiswiththegreaterartists,poetandphilosopherandsong—bird,soletitbewithyou.
  LECTURETOARTSTUDENTS
  INthelecturewhichitismyprivilegetodeliverbeforeyouto—
  nightIdonotdesiretogiveyouanyabstractdefinitionofbeautyatall.Forwewhoareworkinginartcannotacceptanytheoryofbeautyinexchangeforbeautyitself,and,sofarfromdesiringtoisolateitinaformulaappealingtotheintellect,we,onthecontrary,seektomaterialiseitinaformthatgivesjoytothesoulthroughthesenses.Wewanttocreateit,nottodefineit.
  Thedefinitionshouldfollowthework:theworkshouldnotadaptitselftothedefinition.
  Nothing,indeed,ismoredangeroustotheyoungartistthananyconceptionofidealbeauty:heisconstantlyledbyiteitherintoweakprettinessorlifelessabstraction:whereastotouchtheidealatallyoumustnotstripitofvitality.Youmustfinditinlifeandre—createitinart.
  While,then,ontheonehandIdonotdesiretogiveyouanyphilosophyofbeauty—for,whatIwantto—nightistoinvestigatehowwecancreateart,nothowwecantalkofit—ontheotherhand,IdonotwishtodealwithanythinglikeahistoryofEnglishart.
  Tobeginwith,suchanexpressionasEnglishartisameaninglessexpression.OnemightjustaswelltalkofEnglishmathematics.
  Artisthescienceofbeauty,andMathematicsthescienceoftruth:
  thereisnonationalschoolofeither.Indeed,anationalschoolisaprovincialschool,merely.Noristhereanysuchthingasaschoolofarteven.Therearemerelyartists,thatisall.
  Andasregardshistoriesofart,theyarequitevaluelesstoyouunlessyouareseekingtheostentatiousoblivionofanartprofessorship.ItisofnousetoyoutoknowthedateofPeruginoorthebirthplaceofSalvatorRosa:allthatyoushouldlearnaboutartistoknowagoodpicturewhenyouseeit,andabadpicturewhenyouseeit.Asregardsthedateoftheartist,allgoodworklooksperfectlymodern:apieceofGreeksculpture,aportraitofVelasquez—theyarealwaysmodern,alwaysofourtime.Andasregardsthenationalityoftheartist,artisnotnationalbutuniversal.Asregardsarchaeology,then,avoiditaltogether:archaeologyismerelythescienceofmakingexcusesforbadart;itistherockonwhichmanyayoungartistfoundersandshipwrecks;itistheabyssfromwhichnoartist,oldoryoung,everreturns.Or,ifhedoesreturn,heissocoveredwiththedustofagesandthemildewoftime,thatheisquiteunrecognisableasanartist,andhastoconcealhimselffortherestofhisdaysunderthecapofaprofessor,orasamereillustratorofancienthistory.Howworthlessarchaeologyisinartyoucanestimatebythefactofitsbeingsopopular.
  Popularityisthecrownoflaurelwhichtheworldputsonbadart.
  Whateverispopulariswrong.
  AsIamnotgoingtotalktoyou,then,aboutthephilosophyofthebeautiful,orthehistoryofart,youwillaskmewhatIamgoingtotalkabout.Thesubjectofmylectureto—nightiswhatmakesanartistandwhatdoestheartistmake;whataretherelationsoftheartisttohissurroundings,whatistheeducationtheartistshouldget,andwhatisthequalityofagoodworkofart.
  Now,asregardstherelationsoftheartisttohissurroundings,bywhichImeantheageandcountryinwhichheisborn.Allgoodart,asIsaidbefore,hasnothingtodowithanyparticularcentury;butthisuniversalityisthequalityoftheworkofart;
  theconditionsthatproducethatqualityaredifferent.Andwhat,Ithink,youshoulddoistorealisecompletelyyourageinordercompletelytoabstractyourselffromit;rememberingthatifyouareanartistatall,youwillbenotthemouthpieceofacentury,butthemasterofeternity,thatallartrestsonaprinciple,andthatmeretemporalconsiderationsarenoprincipleatall;andthatthosewhoadviseyoutomakeyourartrepresentativeofthenineteenthcenturyareadvisingyoutoproduceanartwhichyourchildren,whenyouhavethem,willthinkold—fashioned.Butyouwilltellmethisisaninartisticage,andweareaninartisticpeople,andtheartistsuffersmuchinthisnineteenthcenturyofours.
  Ofcoursehedoes.I,ofallmen,amnotgoingtodenythat.Butrememberthatthereneverhasbeenanartisticage,oranartisticpeople,sincethebeginningoftheworld.Theartisthasalwaysbeen,andwillalwaysbe,anexquisiteexception.Thereisnogoldenageofart;onlyartistswhohaveproducedwhatismoregoldenthangold.
  WHAT,youwillsaytome,theGreeks?werenottheyanartisticpeople?
  Well,theGreekscertainlynot,but,perhaps,youmeantheAthenians,thecitizensofoneoutofathousandcities.
  Doyouthinkthattheywereanartisticpeople?Takethemevenatthetimeoftheirhighestartisticdevelopment,thelatterpartofthefifthcenturybeforeChrist,whentheyhadthegreatestpoetsandthegreatestartistsoftheantiqueworld,whentheParthenonroseinlovelinessatthebiddingofaPhidias,andthephilosopherspakeofwisdomintheshadowofthepaintedportico,andtragedysweptintheperfectionofpageantandpathosacrossthemarbleofthestage.Weretheyanartisticpeoplethen?Notabitofit.
  Whatisanartisticpeoplebutapeoplewholovetheirartistsandunderstandtheirart?TheAthenianscoulddoneither.
  HowdidtheytreatPhidias?ToPhidiasweowethegreatera,notmerelyinGreek,butinallart—Imeanoftheintroductionoftheuseofthelivingmodel.
  AndwhatwouldyousayifalltheEnglishbishops,backedbytheEnglishpeople,camedownfromExeterHalltotheRoyalAcademyonedayandtookoffSirFrederickLeightoninaprisonvantoNewgateonthechargeofhavingallowedyoutomakeuseofthelivingmodelinyourdesignsforsacredpictures?
  WouldyounotcryoutagainstthebarbarismandthePuritanismofsuchanidea?WouldyounotexplaintothemthattheworstwaytohonourGodistodishonourmanwhoismadeinHisimage,andistheworkofHishands;and,thatifonewantstopaintChristonemusttakethemostChristlikepersononecanfind,andifonewantstopainttheMadonna,thepurestgirloneknows?
  WouldyounotrushoffandburndownNewgate,ifnecessary,andsaythatsuchathingwaswithoutparallelinhistory?
  Withoutparallel?Well,thatisexactlywhattheAtheniansdid.
  IntheroomoftheParthenonmarbles,intheBritishMuseum,youwillseeamarbleshieldonthewall.Onittherearetwofigures;
  oneofamanwhosefaceishalfhidden,theotherofamanwiththegodlikelineamentsofPericles.Forhavingdonethis,forhavingintroducedintoabasrelief,takenfromGreeksacredhistory,theimageofthegreatstatesmanwhowasrulingAthensatthetime,Phidiaswasflungintoprisonandthere,inthecommongaolofAthens,died,thesupremeartistoftheoldworld.
  Anddoyouthinkthatthiswasanexceptionalcase?ThesignofaPhilistineageisthecryofimmoralityagainstart,andthiscrywasraisedbytheAthenianpeopleagainsteverygreatpoetandthinkeroftheirday—AEschylus,Euripides,Socrates.ItwasthesamewithFlorenceinthethirteenthcentury.Goodhandicraftsareduetoguilds,nottothepeople.Themomenttheguildslosttheirpowerandthepeoplerushedin,beautyandhonestyofworkdied.
  Andso,nevertalkofanartisticpeople;thereneverhasbeensuchathing.
  But,perhaps,youwilltellmethattheexternalbeautyoftheworldhasalmostentirelypassedawayfromus,thattheartistdwellsnolongerinthemidstofthelovelysurroundingswhich,inagespast,werethenaturalinheritanceofeveryone,andthatartisverydifficultinthisunlovelytownofours,where,asyougotoyourworkinthemorning,orreturnfromitateventide,youhavetopassthroughstreetafterstreetofthemostfoolishandstupidarchitecturethattheworldhaseverseen;architecture,whereeverylovelyGreekformisdesecratedanddefiled,andeverylovelyGothicformdefiledanddesecrated,reducingthree—fourthsoftheLondonhousestobeing,merely,likesquareboxesofthevilestproportions,asgauntastheyaregrimy,andaspoorastheyarepretentious—thehalldooralwaysofthewrongcolour,andthewindowsofthewrongsize,andwhere,evenwhenweariedofthehousesyouturntocontemplatethestreetitself,youhavenothingtolookatbutchimney—pothats,menwithsandwichboards,vermilionletter—boxes,anddothatevenattheriskofbeingrunoverbyanemerald—greenomnibus.
  Isnotartdifficult,youwillsaytome,insuchsurroundingsasthese?Ofcourseitisdifficult,butthenartwasnevereasy;youyourselveswouldnotwishittobeeasy;and,besides,nothingisworthdoingexceptwhattheworldsaysisimpossible.
  Still,youdonotcaretobeansweredmerelybyaparadox.Whataretherelationsoftheartisttotheexternalworld,andwhatistheresultofthelossofbeautifulsurroundingstoyou,isoneofthemostimportantquestionsofmodernart;andthereisnopointonwhichMr.Ruskinsoinsistsasthatthedecadenceofarthascomefromthedecadenceofbeautifulthings;andthatwhentheartistcannotfeedhiseyeonbeauty,beautygoesfromhiswork.
  Irememberinoneofhislectures,afterdescribingthesordidaspectofagreatEnglishcity,hedrawsforusapictureofwhatweretheartisticsurroundingslongago.
  Think,hesays,inwordsofperfectandpicturesqueimagery,whosebeautyIcanbutfeeblyecho,thinkofwhatwasthescenewhichpresenteditself,inhisafternoonwalk,toadesigneroftheGothicschoolofPisa—NinoPisanooranyofhismen(22):
  Oneachsideofabrightriverhesawrisealineofbrighterpalaces,archedandpillared,andinlaidwithdeepredporphyry,andwithserpentine;alongthequaysbeforetheirgateswereridingtroopsofknights,nobleinfaceandform,dazzlingincrestandshield;horseandmanonelabyrinthofquaintcolourandgleaminglight—thepurple,andsilver,andscarletfringesflowingoverthestronglimbsandclashingmall,likesea—wavesoverrocksatsunset.Openingoneachsidefromtheriverweregardens,courts,andcloisters;longsuccessionsofwhitepillarsamongwreathsofvine;leapingoffountainsthroughbudsofpomegranateandorange:
  andstillalongthegarden—paths,andunderandthroughthecrimsonofthepomegranateshadows,movingslowly,groupsofthefairestwomenthatItalyeversaw—fairest,becausepurestandthoughtfullest;trainedinallhighknowledge,asinallcourteousart—indance,insong,insweetwit,inloftylearning,inloftiercourage,inloftiestlove—ablealiketocheer,toenchant,orsave,thesoulsofmen.Aboveallthissceneryofperfecthumanlife,rosedomeandbell—tower,burningwithwhitealabasterandgold:beyonddomeandbell—towertheslopesofmightyhillshoarywitholive;farinthenorth,aboveapurpleseaofpeaksofsolemnApennine,theclear,sharp—clovenCarraramountainssentuptheirsteadfastflamesofmarblesummitintoambersky;thegreatseaitself,scorchingwithexpanseoflight,stretchingfromtheirfeettotheGorgonianisles;andoverallthese,everpresent,nearorfar—seenthroughtheleavesofvine,orimagedwithallitsmarchofcloudsintheArno’sstream,orsetwithitsdepthofbluecloseagainstthegoldenhairandburningcheekofladyandknight,—thatuntroubledandsacredsky,whichwastoallmen,inthosedaysofinnocentfaith,indeedtheunquestionedabodeofspirits,astheearthwasofmen;andwhichopenedstraightthroughitsgatesofcloudandveilsofdewintotheawfulnessoftheeternalworld;—aheaveninwhicheverycloudthatpassedwasliterallythechariotofanangel,andeveryrayofitsEveningandMorningstreamedfromthethroneofGod.
  Whatthinkyouofthatforaschoolofdesign?
  Andthenlookatthedepressing,monotonousappearanceofanymoderncity,thesombredressofmenandwomen,themeaninglessandbarrenarchitecture,thecolourlessanddreadfulsurroundings.
  Withoutabeautifulnationallife,notsculpturemerely,butalltheartswilldie.
  Well,asregardsthereligiousfeelingofthecloseofthepassage,IdonotthinkIneedspeakaboutthat.Religionspringsfromreligiousfeeling,artfromartisticfeeling:younevergetonefromtheother;unlessyouhavetherightrootyouwillnotgettherightflower;and,ifamanseesinacloudthechariotofanangel,hewillprobablypaintitveryunlikeacloud.
  But,asregardsthegeneralideaoftheearlypartofthatlovelybitofprose,isitreallytruethatbeautifulsurroundingsarenecessaryfortheartist?Ithinknot;Iamsurenot.Indeed,tomethemostinartisticthinginthisageofoursisnottheindifferenceofthepublictobeautifulthings,buttheindifferenceoftheartisttothethingsthatarecalledugly.
  For,totherealartist,nothingisbeautifuloruglyinitselfatall.Withthefactsoftheobjecthehasnothingtodo,butwithitsappearanceonly,andappearanceisamatteroflightandshade,ofmasses,ofposition,andofvalue.
  Appearanceis,infact,amatterofeffectmerely,anditiswiththeeffectsofnaturethatyouhavetodeal,notwiththerealconditionoftheobject.Whatyou,aspainters,havetopaintisnotthingsastheyarebutthingsastheyseemtobe,notthingsastheyarebutthingsastheyarenot.
  Noobjectissouglythat,undercertainconditionsoflightandshade,orproximitytootherthings,itwillnotlookbeautiful;noobjectissobeautifulthat,undercertainconditions,itwillnotlookugly.Ibelievethatineverytwenty—fourhourswhatisbeautifullooksugly,andwhatisuglylooksbeautiful,once.
  And,thecommonplacecharacterofsomuchofourEnglishpaintingseemstomeduetothefactthatsomanyofouryoungartistslookmerelyatwhatwemaycall’ready—madebeauty,’whereasyouexistasartistsnottocopybeautybuttocreateitinyourart,towaitandwatchforitinnature.
  Whatwouldyousayofadramatistwhowouldtakenobodybutvirtuouspeopleascharactersinhisplay?Wouldyounotsayhewasmissinghalfoflife?Well,oftheyoungartistwhopaintsnothingbutbeautifulthings,Isayhemissesonehalfoftheworld.
  Donotwaitforlifetobepicturesque,buttryandseelifeunderpicturesqueconditions.Theseconditionsyoucancreateforyourselfinyourstudio,fortheyaremerelyconditionsoflight.
  Innature,youmustwaitforthem,watchforthem,choosethem;
  and,ifyouwaitandwatch,cometheywill.
  InGowerStreetatnightyoumayseealetter—boxthatispicturesque:ontheThamesEmbankmentyoumayseepicturesquepolicemen.EvenVeniceisnotalwaysbeautiful,norFrance.
  Topaintwhatyouseeisagoodruleinart,buttoseewhatisworthpaintingisbetter.Seelifeunderpictorialconditions.Itisbettertoliveinacityofchangeableweatherthaninacityoflovelysurroundings.
  Now,havingseenwhatmakestheartist,andwhattheartistmakes,whoistheartist?Thereisamanlivingamongstuswhounitesinhimselfallthequalitiesofthenoblestart,whoseworkisajoyforalltime,whois,himself,amasterofalltime.ThatmanisMr.Whistler.
  ********
  But,youwillsay,moderndress,thatisbad.Ifyoucannotpaintblackclothyoucouldnothavepaintedsilkendoublet.Uglydressisbetterforart—factsofvision,notoftheobject.
  Whatisapicture?Primarily,apictureisabeautifullycolouredsurface,merely,withnomorespiritualmessageormeaningforyouthananexquisitefragmentofVenetianglassorabluetilefromthewallofDamascus.Itis,primarily,apurelydecorativething,adelighttolookat.
  Allarchaeologicalpicturesthatmakeyousay’Howcurious!’allsentimentalpicturesthatmakeyousay,’Howsad!’allhistoricalpicturesthatmakeyousay’Howinteresting!’allpicturesthatdonotimmediatelygiveyousuchartisticjoyastomakeyousay’Howbeautiful!’arebadpictures.
  ********
  Weneverknowwhatanartistisgoingtodo.Ofcoursenot.Theartistisnotaspecialist.Allsuchdivisionsasanimalpainters,landscapepainters,paintersofScotchcattleinanEnglishmist,paintersofEnglishcattleinaScotchmist,racehorsepainters,bull—terrierpainters,allareshallow.Ifamanisanartisthecanpainteverything.
  Theobjectofartistostirthemostdivineandremoteofthechordswhichmakemusicinoursoul;andcolourisindeed,ofitselfamysticalpresenceonthings,andtoneakindofsentinel.
  AmIpleading,then,formeretechnique?No.Aslongasthereareanysignsoftechniqueatall,thepictureisunfinished.Whatisfinish?Apictureisfinishedwhenalltracesofwork,andofthemeansemployedtobringabouttheresult,havedisappeared.
  Inthecaseofhandicraftsmen—theweaver,thepotter,thesmith—
  ontheirworkarethetracesoftheirhand.Butitisnotsowiththepainter;itisnotsowiththeartist.
  Artshouldhavenosentimentaboutitbutitsbeauty,notechniqueexceptwhatyoucannotobserve.Oneshouldbeabletosayofapicturenotthatitis’wellpainted,’butthatitis’notpainted.’
  Whatisthedifferencebetweenabsolutelydecorativeartandapainting?Decorativeartemphasisesitsmaterial:imaginativeartannihilatesit.Tapestryshowsitsthreadsaspartofitsbeauty:
  apictureannihilatesitscanvas:itshowsnothingofit.
  Porcelainemphasisesitsglaze:water—coloursrejectthepaper.
  Apicturehasnomeaningbutitsbeauty,nomessagebutitsjoy.
  Thatisthefirsttruthaboutartthatyoumustneverlosesightof.Apictureisapurelydecorativething.
  LONDONMODELS
  PROFESSIONALmodelsareapurelymoderninvention.TotheGreeks,forinstance,theywerequiteunknown.Mr.Mahaffy,itistrue,tellsusthatPericlesusedtopresentpeacockstothegreatladiesofAtheniansocietyinordertoinducethemtosittohisfriendPhidias,andweknowthatPolygnotusintroducedintohispictureoftheTrojanwomenthefaceofElpinice,thecelebratedsisterofthegreatConservativeleaderoftheday,buttheseGRANDESDAMES
  clearlydonotcomeunderourcategory.Asfortheoldmasters,theyundoubtedlymadeconstantstudiesfromtheirpupilsandapprentices,andeventheirreligiouspicturesarefulloftheportraitsoftheirfriendsandrelations,buttheydonotseemtohavehadtheinestimableadvantageoftheexistenceofaclassofpeoplewhosesoleprofessionistopose.Infactthemodel,inoursenseoftheword,isthedirectcreationofAcademicSchools.
  Everycountrynowhasitsownmodels,exceptAmerica.InNewYork,andeveninBoston,agoodmodelissogreatararitythatmostoftheartistsarereducedtopaintingNiagaraandmillionaires.InEurope,however,itisdifferent.Herewehaveplentyofmodels,andofeverynationality.TheItalianmodelsarethebest.Thenaturalgraceoftheirattitudes,aswellasthewonderfulpicturesquenessoftheircolouring,makesthemfacile—oftentoofacile—subjectsforthepainter’sbrush.TheFrenchmodels,thoughnotsobeautifulastheItalian,possessaquicknessofintellectualsympathy,acapacity,infact,ofunderstandingtheartist,whichisquiteremarkable.Theyhavealsoagreatcommandoverthevarietiesoffacialexpression,arepeculiarlydramatic,andcanchattertheARGOToftheATELIERascleverlyasthecriticoftheGILBLAS.TheEnglishmodelsformaclassentirelybythemselves.TheyarenotsopicturesqueastheItalian,norsocleverastheFrench,andtheyhaveabsolutelynotradition,sotospeak,oftheirorder.Nowandthensomeoldveteranknocksatthestudiodoor,andproposestositasAjaxdefyingthelightning,orasKingLearupontheblastedheath.Oneofthemsometimeagocalledonapopularpainterwho,happeningatthemomenttorequirehisservices,engagedhim,andtoldhimtobeginbykneelingdownintheattitudeofprayer.’ShallIbeBiblicalorShakespearean,sir?’askedtheveteran.’Well—Shakespearean,’answeredtheartist,wonderingbywhatsubtlenuanceofexpressionthemodelwouldconveythedifference.’Allright,sir,’saidtheprofessorofposing,andhesolemnlykneltdownandbegantowinkwithhislefteye!Thisclass,however,isdyingout.Asarulethemodel,nowadays,isaprettygirl,fromabouttwelvetotwenty—fiveyearsofage,whoknowsnothingaboutart,caresless,andismerelyanxioustoearnsevenoreightshillingsadaywithoutmuchtrouble.Englishmodelsrarelylookatapicture,andneverventureonanyaesthetictheories.Infact,theyrealiseverycompletelyMr.Whistler’sideaofthefunctionofanartcritic,fortheypassnocriticismsatall.Theyacceptallschoolsofartwiththegrandcatholicityoftheauctioneer,andsittoafantasticyoungimpressionistasreadilyastoalearnedandlaboriousacademician.TheyareneitherfortheWhistleritesnoragainstthem;thequarrelbetweentheschooloffactsandtheschoolofeffectstouchesthemnot;idealisticandnaturalisticarewordsthatconveynomeaningtotheirears;theymerelydesirethatthestudioshallbewarm,andthelunchhot,forallcharmingartistsgivetheirmodelslunch.
  Astowhattheyareaskedtodotheyareequallyindifferent.OnMondaytheywilldontheragsofabeggar—girlforMr.Pumper,whosepatheticpicturesofmodernlifedrawsuchtearsfromthepublic,andonTuesdaytheywillposeinapeplumforMr.Phoebus,whothinksthatallreallyartisticsubjectsarenecessarilyB.C.
  Theycareergailythroughallcenturiesandthroughallcostumes,and,likeactors,areinterestingonlywhentheyarenotthemselves.Theyareextremelygood—natured,andveryaccommodating.’Whatdoyousitfor?’saidayoungartisttoamodelwhohadsenthiminhercard(allmodels,bytheway,havecardsandasmallblackbag).’Oh,foranythingyoulike,sir,’
  saidthegirl,’landscapeifnecessary!’
  Intellectually,itmustbeacknowledged,theyarePhilistines,butphysicallytheyareperfect—atleastsomeare.ThoughnoneofthemcantalkGreek,manycanlookGreek,whichtoanineteenth—
  centurypainterisnaturallyofgreatimportance.Iftheyareallowed,theychatteragreatdeal,buttheyneversayanything.
  TheirobservationsaretheonlyBANALITESheardinBohemia.
  However,thoughtheycannotappreciatetheartistasartist,theyarequitereadytoappreciatetheartistasaman.Theyareverysensitivetokindness,respectandgenerosity.AbeautifulmodelwhohadsatfortwoyearstooneofourmostdistinguishedEnglishpainters,gotengagedtoastreetvendorofpennyices.
  Onhermarriagethepaintersentheraprettyweddingpresent,andreceivedinreturnaniceletterofthankswiththefollowingremarkablepostscript:’Nevereatthegreenices!’
  Whentheyaretiredawiseartistgivesthemarest.Thentheysitinachairandreadpennydreadfuls,tilltheyarerousedfromthetragedyofliteraturetotaketheirplaceagaininthetragedyofart.Afewofthemsmokecigarettes.This,however,isregardedbytheothermodelsasshowingawantofseriousness,andisnotgenerallyapprovedof.Theyareengagedbythedayandbythehalf—day.Thetariffisashillinganhour,towhichgreatartistsusuallyaddanomnibusfare.Thetwobestthingsaboutthemaretheirextraordinaryprettiness,andtheirextremerespectability.
  Asaclasstheyareverywellbehaved,particularlythosewhositforthefigure,afactwhichiscuriousornaturalaccordingtotheviewonetakesofhumannature.Theyusuallymarrywell,andsometimestheymarrytheartist.ForanartisttomarryhismodelisasfatalasforaGOURMETtomarryhiscook:theonegetsnosittings,andtheothergetsnodinners.
  OnthewholetheEnglishfemalemodelsareverynaive,verynatural,andverygood—humoured.Thevirtueswhichtheartistvaluesmostinthemareprettinessandpunctuality.Everysensiblemodelconsequentlykeepsadiaryofherengagements,anddressesneatly.Thebadseasonis,ofcourse,thesummer,whentheartistsareoutoftown.However,oflateyearssomeartistshaveengagedtheirmodelstofollowthem,andthewifeofoneofourmostcharmingpaintershasoftenhadthreeorfourmodelsunderherchargeinthecountry,sothattheworkofherhusbandandhisfriendsshouldnotbeinterrupted.InFrancethemodelsmigrateEN
  MASSEtothelittleseaportvillagesorforesthamletswherethepainterscongregate.TheEnglishmodels,however,waitpatientlyinLondon,asarule,tilltheartistscomeback.Nearlyallofthemlivewiththeirparents,andhelptosupportthehouse.Theyhaveeveryqualificationforbeingimmortalisedinartexceptthatofbeautifulhands.ThehandsoftheEnglishmodelarenearlyalwayscoarseandred.
  Asforthemalemodels,thereistheveteranwhomwehavementionedabove.Hehasallthetraditionsofthegrandstyle,andisrapidlydisappearingwiththeschoolherepresents.AnoldmanwhotalksaboutFuseliis,ofcourse,unendurable,and,besides,patriarchshaveceasedtobefashionablesubjects.ThenthereisthetrueAcademymodel.Heisusuallyamanofthirty,rarelygood—looking,butaperfectmiracleofmuscles.Infactheistheapotheosisofanatomy,andissoconsciousofhisownsplendourthathetellsyouofhistibiaandhisthorax,asifnooneelsehadanythingofthekind.ThencometheOrientalmodels.Thesupplyoftheseislimited,buttherearealwaysaboutadozeninLondon.Theyareverymuchsoughtafterastheycanremainimmobileforhours,andgenerallypossesslovelycostumes.
  However,theyhaveaverypooropinionofEnglishart,whichtheyregardassomethingbetweenavulgarpersonalityandacommonplacephotograph.NextwehavetheItalianyouthwhohascomeoverspeciallytobeamodel,ortakestoitwhenhisorganisoutofrepair.Heisoftenquitecharmingwithhislargemelancholyeyes,hiscrisphair,andhisslimbrownfigure.Itistrueheeatsgarlic,butthenhecanstandlikeafaunandcouchlikealeopard,soheisforgiven.Heisalwaysfullofprettycompliments,andhasbeenknowntohavekindwordsofencouragementforevenourgreatestartists.AsfortheEnglishladofthesameage,heneversitsatall.Apparentlyhedoesnotregardthecareerofamodelasaseriousprofession.Inanycaseheisrarely,ifever,tobegotholdof.Englishboys,too,aredifficulttofind.Sometimesanex—modelwhohasasonwillcurlhishair,andwashhisface,andbringhimtheroundofthestudios,allsoapandshininess.
  Theyoungschooldon’tlikehim,buttheolderschooldo,andwhenheappearsonthewallsoftheRoyalAcademyheiscalledTHE
  INFANTSAMUEL.OccasionallyalsoanartistcatchesacoupleofGAMINSinthegutterandasksthemtocometohisstudio.Thefirsttimetheyalwaysappear,butafterthattheydon’tkeeptheirappointments.Theydislikesittingstill,andhaveastrongandperhapsnaturalobjectiontolookingpathetic.Besides,theyarealwaysundertheimpressionthattheartistislaughingatthem.
  Itisasadfact,butthereisnodoubtthatthepoorarecompletelyunconsciousoftheirownpicturesqueness.Thoseofthemwhocanbeinducedtositdosowiththeideathattheartistismerelyabenevolentphilanthropistwhohaschosenaneccentricmethodofdistributingalmstotheundeserving.PerhapstheSchoolBoardwillteachtheLondonGAMINhisownartisticvalue,andthentheywillbebettermodelsthantheyarenow.OneremarkableprivilegebelongstotheAcademymodel,thatofextortingasovereignfromanynewlyelectedAssociateorR.A.TheywaitatBurlingtonHousetilltheannouncementismade,andthenracetothehaplessartist’shouse.Theonewhoarrivesfirstreceivesthemoney.Theyhaveoflatebeenmuchtroubledatthelongdistancestheyhavehadtorun,andtheylookwithdisfavourontheelectionofartistswholiveatHampsteadoratBedfordPark,foritisconsideredapointofhonournottoemploytheundergroundrailway,omnibuses,oranyartificialmeansoflocomotion.Theraceistotheswift.
  BesidestheprofessionalposersofthestudiothereareposersoftheRow,theposersatafternoonteas,theposersinpoliticsandthecircusposers.Allfourclassesaredelightful,butonlythelastclassiseverreallydecorative.Acrobatsandgymnastscangivetheyoungpainterinfinitesuggestions,fortheybringintotheirartanelementofswiftnessofmotionandofconstantchangethatthestudiomodelnecessarilylacks.Whatisinterestinginthese’slavesofthering’isthatwiththemBeautyisanunconsciousresultnotaconsciousaim,theresultinfactofthemathematicalcalculationofcurvesanddistances,ofabsoluteprecisionofeye,ofthescientificknowledgeoftheequilibriumofforces,andofperfectphysicaltraining.Agoodacrobatisalwaysgraceful,thoughgraceisneverhisobject;heisgracefulbecausehedoeswhathehastodointhebestwayinwhichitcanbedone—
  gracefulbecauseheisnatural.IfanancientGreekweretocometolifenow,whichconsideringtheprobableseverityofhiscriticismswouldberathertryingtoourconceit,hewouldbefoundfarofteneratthecircusthanatthetheatre.AgoodcircusisanoasisofHellenisminaworldthatreadstoomuchtobewise,andthinkstoomuchtobebeautiful.Ifitwerenotfortherunning—
  groundatEton,thetowing—pathatOxford,theThamesswimming—
  baths,andtheyearlycircuses,humanitywouldforgettheplasticperfectionofitsownform,anddegenerateintoaraceofshort—
  sightedprofessorsandspectacledPRECIEUSES.Notthatthecircusproprietorsare,asarule,consciousoftheirhighmission.DotheynotboreuswiththeHAUTEECOLE,andwearyuswithShakespeareanclowns?Still,atleast,theygiveusacrobats,andtheacrobatisanartist.Themerefactthatheneverspeakstotheaudienceshowshowwellheappreciatesthegreattruththattheaimofartisnottorevealpersonalitybuttoplease.Theclownmaybeblatant,buttheacrobatisalwaysbeautiful.HeisaninterestingcombinationofthespiritofGreeksculpturewiththespanglesofthemoderncostumier.Hehasevenhadhisnicheinthenovelsofourage,andifMANETTESALOMONbetheunmaskingofthemodel,LESFRERESZEMGANNOistheapotheosisoftheacrobat.
  AsregardstheinfluenceoftheordinarymodelonourEnglishschoolofpainting,itcannotbesaidthatitisaltogethergood.
  Itis,ofcourse,anadvantagefortheyoungartistsittinginhisstudiotobeabletoisolate’alittlecorneroflife,’astheFrenchsay,fromdisturbingsurroundings,andtostudyitundercertaineffectsoflightandshade.Butthisveryisolationleadsoftentomeremannerisminthepainter,androbshimofthatbroadacceptanceofthegeneralfactsoflifewhichistheveryessenceofart.Model—painting,inaword,whileitmaybetheconditionofart,isnotbyanymeansitsaim.
  Itissimplypractice,notperfection.Itsusetrainstheeyeandthehandofthepainter,itsabuseproducesinhisworkaneffectofmereposingandprettiness.Itisthesecretofmuchoftheartificialityofmodernart,thisconstantposingofprettypeople,andwhenartbecomesartificialitbecomesmonotonous.Outsidethelittleworldofthestudio,withitsdraperiesanditsBRIC—E—BRAC,liestheworldoflifewithitsinfinite,itsShakespeareanvariety.Wemust,however,distinguishbetweenthetwokindsofmodels,thosewhositforthefigureandthosewhositforthecostume.Thestudyofthefirstisalwaysexcellent,butthecostume—modelisbecomingratherwearisomeinmodernpictures.ItisreallyofverylittleusetodressupaLondongirlinGreekdraperiesandtopaintherasagoddess.TherobemaybetherobeofAthens,butthefaceisusuallythefaceofBrompton.Nowandthen,itistrue,onecomesacrossamodelwhosefaceisanexquisiteanachronism,andwholookslovelyandnaturalinthedressofanycenturybutherown.This,however,isratherrare.
  AsarulemodelsareabsolutelyDENOTRESIECLE,andshouldbepaintedassuch.Unfortunatelytheyarenot,and,asaconsequence,weareshowneveryyearaseriesofscenesfromfancydressballswhicharecalledhistoricalpictures,butarelittlemorethanmediocrerepresentationsofmodernpeoplemasquerading.
  InFrancetheyarewiser.TheFrenchpainterusesthemodelsimplyforstudy;forthefinishedpicturehegoesdirecttolife.
  However,wemustnotblamethesittersfortheshortcomingsoftheartists.TheEnglishmodelsareawell—behavedandhard—workingclass,andiftheyaremoreinterestedinartiststhaninart,alargesectionofthepublicisinthesamecondition,andmostofourmodernexhibitionsseemtojustifyitschoice.
  POEMSINPROSE
  THEARTIST
  ONEeveningtherecameintohissoulthedesiretofashionanimageofTHEPLEASURETHATABIDETHFORAMOMENT.Andhewentforthintotheworldtolookforbronze.Forhecouldthinkonlyinbronze.
  Butallthebronzeofthewholeworldhaddisappeared,noranywhereinthewholeworldwasthereanybronzetobefound,saveonlythebronzeoftheimageofTHESORROWTHATENDURETHFOREVER.
  Nowthisimagehehadhimself,andwithhisownhands,fashioned,andhadsetitonthetomboftheonethinghehadlovedinlife.
  Onthetombofthedeadthinghehadmostlovedhadhesetthisimageofhisownfashioning,thatitmightserveasasignoftheloveofmanthatdiethnot,andasymbolofthesorrowofmanthatendurethforever.Andinthewholeworldtherewasnootherbronzesavethebronzeofthisimage.
  Andhetooktheimagehehadfashioned,andsetitinagreatfurnace,andgaveittothefire.
  AndoutofthebronzeoftheimageofTHESORROWTHATENDURETHFOR
  EVERhefashionedanimageofTHEPLEASURETHATABIDETHFORA
  MOMENT.
  THEDOEROFGOOD
  Itwasnight—timeandHewasalone.
  AndHesawafar—offthewallsofaroundcityandwenttowardsthecity.
  AndwhenHecamenearHeheardwithinthecitythetreadofthefeetofjoy,andthelaughterofthemouthofgladnessandtheloudnoiseofmanylutes.AndHeknockedatthegateandcertainofthegate—keepersopenedtoHim.
  AndHebeheldahousethatwasofmarbleandhadfairpillarsofmarblebeforeit.Thepillarswerehungwithgarlands,andwithinandwithoutthereweretorchesofcedar.AndHeenteredthehouse.
  AndwhenHehadpassedthroughthehallofchalcedonyandthehallofjasper,andreachedthelonghalloffeasting,Hesawlyingonacouchofsea—purpleonewhosehairwascrownedwithredrosesandwhoselipswereredwithwine.
  AndHewentbehindhimandtouchedhimontheshoulderandsaidtohim,’Whydoyoulivelikethis?’
  AndtheyoungmanturnedroundandrecognisedHim,andmadeanswerandsaid,’ButIwasaleperonce,andyouhealedme.HowelseshouldIlive?’
  AndHepassedoutofthehouseandwentagainintothestreet.
  AndafteralittlewhileHesawonewhosefaceandraimentwerepaintedandwhosefeetwereshodwithpearls.Andbehindhercame,slowlyasahunter,ayoungmanwhoworeacloakoftwocolours.
  Nowthefaceofthewomanwasasthefairfaceofanidol,andtheeyesoftheyoungmanwerebrightwithlust.
  AndHefollowedswiftlyandtouchedthehandoftheyoungmanandsaidtohim,’Whydoyoulookatthiswomanandinsuchwise?’
  AndtheyoungmanturnedroundandrecognisedHimandsaid,’ButI
  wasblindonce,andyougavemesight.AtwhatelseshouldI
  look?’
  AndHeranforwardandtouchedthepaintedraimentofthewomanandsaidtoher,’Istherenootherwayinwhichtowalksavethewayofsin?’
  AndthewomanturnedroundandrecognisedHim,andlaughedandsaid,’Butyouforgavememysins,andthewayisapleasantway.’
  AndHepassedoutofthecity.
  AndwhenHehadpassedoutofthecityHesawseatedbytheroadsideayoungmanwhowasweeping.
  AndHewenttowardshimandtouchedthelonglocksofhishairandsaidtohim,’Whyareyouweeping?’
  AndtheyoungmanlookedupandrecognisedHimandmadeanswer,’ButIwasdeadonce,andyouraisedmefromthedead.WhatelseshouldIdobutweep?’
  THEDISCIPLE
  WhenNarcissusdiedthepoolofhispleasurechangedfromacupofsweetwatersintoacupofsalttears,andtheOreadscameweepingthroughthewoodlandthattheymightsingtothepoolandgiveitcomfort.
  Andwhentheysawthatthepoolhadchangedfromacupofsweetwatersintoacupofsalttears,theyloosenedthegreentressesoftheirhairandcriedtothepoolandsaid,’WedonotwonderthatyoushouldmourninthismannerforNarcissus,sobeautifulwashe.’
  ’ButwasNarcissusbeautiful?’saidthepool.
  ’Whoshouldknowthatbetterthanyou?’answeredtheOreads.’Usdidheeverpassby,butyouhesoughtfor,andwouldlieonyourbanksandlookdownatyou,andinthemirrorofyourwatershewouldmirrorhisownbeauty.’
  Andthepoolanswered,’ButIlovedNarcissusbecause,ashelayonmybanksandlookeddownatme,inthemirrorofhiseyesIsawevermyownbeautymirrored.’
  THEMASTER
  NowwhenthedarknesscameovertheearthJosephofArimathea,havinglightedatorchofpinewood,passeddownfromthehillintothevalley.Forhehadbusinessinhisownhome.
  AndkneelingontheflintstonesoftheValleyofDesolationhesawayoungmanwhowasnakedandweeping.Hishairwasthecolourofhoney,andhisbodywasasawhiteflower,buthehadwoundedhisbodywiththornsandonhishairhadhesetashesasacrown.
  Andhewhohadgreatpossessionssaidtotheyoungmanwhowasnakedandweeping,’Idonotwonderthatyoursorrowissogreat,forsurelyHewasajustman.’
  Andtheyoungmananswered,’ItisnotforHimthatIamweeping,butformyself.Itoohavechangedwaterintowine,andIhavehealedtheleperandgivensighttotheblind.Ihavewalkeduponthewaters,andfromthedwellersinthetombsIhavecastoutdevils.Ihavefedthehungryinthedesertwheretherewasnofood,andIhaveraisedthedeadfromtheirnarrowhouses,andatmybidding,andbeforeagreatmultitude,ofpeople,abarrenfig—
  treewitheredaway.AllthingsthatthismanhasdoneIhavedonealso.Andyettheyhavenotcrucifiedme.’
  THEHOUSEOFJUDGMENT
  AndtherewassilenceintheHouseofJudgment,andtheMancamenakedbeforeGod.
  AndGodopenedtheBookoftheLifeoftheMan.
  AndGodsaidtotheMan,’Thylifehathbeenevil,andthouhastshowncrueltytothosewhowereinneedofsuccour,andtothosewholackedhelpthouhastbeenbitterandhardofheart.Thepoorcalledtotheeandthoudidstnothearken,andthineearswereclosedtothecryofMyafflicted.Theinheritanceofthefatherlessthoudidsttakeuntothyself,andthoudidstsendthefoxesintothevineyardofthyneighbour’sfield.Thoudidsttakethebreadofthechildrenandgiveittothedogstoeat,andMyleperswholivedinthemarshes,andwereatpeaceandpraisedMe,thoudidstdriveforthontothehighways,andonMineearthoutofwhichImadetheethoudidstspillinnocentblood.’
  AndtheManmadeanswerandsaid,’EvensodidI.’
  AndagainGodopenedtheBookoftheLifeoftheMan.
  AndGodsaidtotheMan,’Thylifehathbeenevil,andtheBeautyI
  haveshownthouhastsoughtfor,andtheGoodIhavehiddenthoudidstpassby.Thewallsofthychamberwerepaintedwithimages,andfromthebedofthineabominationsthoudidstriseuptothesoundofflutes.ThoudidstbuildsevenaltarstothesinsIhavesuffered,anddidsteatofthethingthatmaynotbeeaten,andthepurpleofthyraimentwasbroideredwiththethreesignsofshame.
  Thineidolswereneitherofgoldnorofsilverthatendure,butoffleshthatdieth.Thoudidststaintheirhairwithperfumesandputpomegranatesintheirhands.Thoudidststaintheirfeetwithsaffronandspreadcarpetsbeforethem.Withantimonythoudidststaintheireyelidsandtheirbodiesthoudidstsmearwithmyrrh.
  Thoudidstbowthyselftothegroundbeforethem,andthethronesofthineidolsweresetinthesun.Thoudidstshowtothesunthyshameandtothemoonthymadness.’
  AndtheManmadeanswerandsaid,’EvensodidI.’
  AndathirdtimeGodopenedtheBookoftheLifeoftheMan.
  AndGodsaidtotheMan,’Evilhathbeenthylife,andwithevildidstthourequitegood,andwithwrongdoingkindness.Thehandsthatfedtheethoudidstwound,andthebreaststhatgavetheesuckthoudidstdespise.Hewhocametotheewithwaterwentawaythirsting,andtheoutlawedmenwhohidtheeintheirtentsatnightthoudidstbetraybeforedawn.Thineenemywhosparedtheethoudidstsnareinanambush,andthefriendwhowalkedwiththeethoudidstsellforaprice,andtothosewhobroughttheeLovethoudidstevergiveLustinthyturn.’
  AndtheManmadeanswerandsaid,’EvensodidI.’
  AndGodclosedtheBookoftheLifeoftheMan,andsaid,’SurelyI
  willsendtheeintoHell.EvenintoHellwillIsendthee.’
  AndtheMancriedout,’Thoucanstnot.’
  AndGodsaidtotheMan,’WhereforecanInotsendtheetoHell,andforwhatreason?’
  ’BecauseinHellhaveIalwayslived,’answeredtheMan.
  AndtherewassilenceintheHouseofJudgment.
  AndafteraspaceGodspake,andsaidtotheMan,’SeeingthatI
  maynotsendtheeintoHell,surelyIwillsendtheeuntoHeaven.
  EvenuntoHeavenwillIsendthee.’
  AndtheMancriedout,’Thoucanstnot.’
  AndGodsaidtotheMan,’WhereforecanInotsendtheeuntoHeaven,andforwhatreason?’
  ’Becausenever,andinnoplace,haveIbeenabletoimagineit,’
  answeredtheMan.
  AndtherewassilenceintheHouseofJudgment.
  THETEACHEROFWISDOM
  FromhischildhoodhehadbeenasonefilledwiththeperfectknowledgeofGod,andevenwhilehewasyetbutaladmanyofthesaints,aswellascertainholywomenwhodweltinthefreecityofhisbirth,hadbeenstirredtomuchwonderbythegravewisdomofhisanswers.
  Andwhenhisparentshadgivenhimtherobeandtheringofmanhoodhekissedthem,andleftthemandwentoutintotheworld,thathemightspeaktotheworldaboutGod.FortherewereatthattimemanyintheworldwhoeitherknewnotGodatall,orhadbutanincompleteknowledgeofHim,orworshippedthefalsegodswhodwellingrovesandhavenocareoftheirworshippers.
  Andhesethisfacetothesunandjourneyed,walkingwithoutsandals,ashehadseenthesaintswalk,andcarryingathisgirdlealeathernwalletandalittlewater—bottleofburntclay.
  AndashewalkedalongthehighwayhewasfullofthejoythatcomesfromtheperfectknowledgeofGod,andhesangpraisesuntoGodwithoutceasing;andafteratimehereachedastrangelandinwhichthereweremanycities.
  Andhepassedthroughelevencities.Andsomeofthesecitieswereinvalleys,andotherswerebythebanksofgreatrivers,andothersweresetonhills.Andineachcityhefoundadisciplewholovedhimandfollowedhim,andagreatmultitudealsoofpeoplefollowedhimfromeachcity,andtheknowledgeofGodspreadinthewholeland,andmanyoftherulerswereconverted,andthepriestsofthetemplesinwhichtherewereidolsfoundthathalfoftheirgainwasgone,andwhentheybeatupontheirdrumsatnoonnone,orbutafew,camewithpeacocksandwithofferingsoffleshashadbeenthecustomofthelandbeforehiscoming.
  Yetthemorethepeoplefollowedhim,andthegreaterthenumberofhisdisciples,thegreaterbecamehissorrow.Andheknewnotwhyhissorrowwassogreat.ForhespakeeveraboutGod,andoutofthefulnessofthatperfectknowledgeofGodwhichGodhadHimselfgiventohim.
  Andoneeveninghepassedoutoftheeleventhcity,whichwasacityofArmenia,andhisdisciplesandagreatcrowdofpeoplefollowedafterhim;andhewentupontoamountainandsatdownonarockthatwasonthemountain,andhisdisciplesstoodroundhim,andthemultitudekneltinthevalley.
  Andhebowedhisheadonhishandsandwept,andsaidtohisSoul,’WhyisitthatIamfullofsorrowandfear,andthateachofmydisciplesisanenemythatwalksinthenoonday?’AndhisSoulansweredhimandsaid,’GodfilledtheewiththeperfectknowledgeofHimself,andthouhastgiventhisknowledgeawaytoothers.Thepearlofgreatpricethouhastdivided,andthevesturewithoutseamthouhastpartedasunder.Hewhogivethawaywisdomrobbethhimself.Heisasonewhogivethhistreasuretoarobber.IsnotGodwiserthanthouart?WhoartthoutogiveawaythesecretthatGodhathtoldthee?Iwasrichonce,andthouhastmademepoor.
  OnceIsawGod,andnowthouhasthiddenHimfromme.’
  Andheweptagain,forheknewthathisSoulspaketruthtohim,andthathehadgiventootherstheperfectknowledgeofGod,andthathewasasoneclingingtotheskirtsofGod,andthathisfaithwasleavinghimbyreasonofthenumberofthosewhobelievedinhim.
  Andhesaidtohimself,’IwilltalknomoreaboutGod.Hewhogivethawaywisdomrobbethhimself.’
  Andafterthespaceofsomehourshisdisciplescamenearhimandbowedthemselvestothegroundandsaid,’Master,talktousaboutGod,forthouhasttheperfectknowledgeofGod,andnomansavetheehaththisknowledge.’
  Andheansweredthemandsaid,’Iwilltalktoyouaboutallotherthingsthatareinheavenandonearth,butaboutGodIwillnottalktoyou.Neithernow,noratanytime,willItalktoyouaboutGod.’
  Andtheywerewrothwithhimandsaidtohim,’Thouhastledusintothedesertthatwemighthearkentothee.Wiltthousendusawayhungry,andthegreatmultitudethatthouhastmadetofollowthee?’
  Andheansweredthemandsaid,’IwillnottalktoyouaboutGod.’
  Andthemultitudemurmuredagainsthimandsaidtohim,’Thouhastledusintothedesert,andhastgivenusnofoodtoeat.TalktousaboutGodanditwillsufficeus.’
  Butheansweredthemnotaword.ForheknewthatifhespaketothemaboutGodhewouldgiveawayhistreasure.
  Andhisdiscipleswentawaysadly,andthemultitudeofpeoplereturnedtotheirownhomes.Andmanydiedontheway.
  Andwhenhewasaloneheroseupandsethisfacetothemoon,andjourneyedforsevenmoons,speakingtonomannormakinganyanswer.AndwhentheseventhmoonhadwanedhereachedthatdesertwhichisthedesertoftheGreatRiver.AndhavingfoundacaverninwhichaCentaurhadoncedwelt,hetookitforhisplaceofdwelling,andmadehimselfamatofreedsonwhichtolie,andbecameahermit.AndeveryhourtheHermitpraisedGodthatHehadsufferedhimtokeepsomeknowledgeofHimandofHiswonderfulgreatness.
  Now,oneevening,astheHermitwasseatedbeforethecaverninwhichhehadmadehisplaceofdwelling,hebeheldayoungmanofevilandbeautifulfacewhopassedbyinmeanapparelandwithemptyhands.Everyeveningwithemptyhandstheyoungmanpassedby,andeverymorninghereturnedwithhishandsfullofpurpleandpearls.ForhewasaRobberandrobbedthecaravansofthemerchants.
  AndtheHermitlookedathimandpitiedhim.Buthespakenotaword.Forheknewthathewhospeaksawordloseshisfaith.
  Andonemorning,astheyoungmanreturnedwithhishandsfullofpurpleandpearls,hestoppedandfrownedandstampedhisfootuponthesand,andsaidtotheHermit:’WhydoyoulookatmeeverinthismannerasIpassby?WhatisitthatIseeinyoureyes?Fornomanhaslookedatmebeforeinthismanner.Andthethingisathornandatroubletome.’
  AndtheHermitansweredhimandsaid,’Whatyouseeinmyeyesispity.Pityiswhatlooksoutatyoufrommyeyes.’
  Andtheyoungmanlaughedwithscorn,andcriedtotheHermitinabittervoice,andsaidtohim,’Ihavepurpleandpearlsinmyhands,andyouhavebutamatofreedsonwhichtolie.Whatpityshouldyouhaveforme?Andforwhatreasonhaveyouthispity?’
  ’Ihavepityforyou,’saidtheHermit,’becauseyouhavenoknowledgeofGod.’
  ’IsthisknowledgeofGodapreciousthing?’askedtheyoungman,andhecameclosetothemouthofthecavern.
  ’Itismorepreciousthanallthepurpleandthepearlsoftheworld,’answeredtheHermit.
  ’Andhaveyougotit?’saidtheyoungRobber,andhecamecloserstill.
  ’Once,indeed,’answeredtheHermit,’IpossessedtheperfectknowledgeofGod.ButinmyfoolishnessIpartedwithit,anddivideditamongstothers.Yetevennowissuchknowledgeasremainstomemorepreciousthanpurpleorpearls.’
  AndwhentheyoungRobberheardthishethrewawaythepurpleandthepearlsthathewasbearinginhishands,anddrawingasharpswordofcurvedsteelhesaidtotheHermit,’Giveme,forthwiththisknowledgeofGodthatyoupossess,orIwillsurelyslayyou.
  WhereforeshouldInotslayhimwhohasatreasuregreaterthanmytreasure?’
  AndtheHermitspreadouthisarmsandsaid,’WereitnotbetterformetogountotheuttermostcourtsofGodandpraiseHim,thantoliveintheworldandhavenoknowledgeofHim?Slaymeifthatbeyourdesire.ButIwillnotgiveawaymyknowledgeofGod.’
  AndtheyoungRobberkneltdownandbesoughthim,buttheHermitwouldnottalktohimaboutGod,norgivehimhisTreasure,andtheyoungRobberroseupandsaidtotheHermit,’Beitasyouwill.
  Asformyself,IwillgototheCityoftheSevenSins,thatisbutthreedays’journeyfromthisplace,andformypurpletheywillgivemepleasure,andformypearlstheywillsellmejoy.’Andhetookupthepurpleandthepearlsandwentswiftlyaway.
  AndtheHermitcriedoutandfollowedhimandbesoughthim.ForthespaceofthreedayshefollowedtheyoungRobberontheroadandentreatedhimtoreturn,nortoenterintotheCityoftheSevenSins.
  AndeverandanontheyoungRobberlookedbackattheHermitandcalledtohim,andsaid,’WillyougivemethisknowledgeofGodwhichismorepreciousthanpurpleandpearls?Ifyouwillgivemethat,Iwillnotenterthecity.’
  AndeverdidtheHermitanswer,’AllthingsthatIhaveIwillgivethee,savethatonethingonly.Forthatthingitisnotlawfulformetogiveaway.’
  AndinthetwilightofthethirddaytheycamenightothegreatscarletgatesoftheCityoftheSevenSins.Andfromthecitytherecamethesoundofmuchlaughter.
  AndtheyoungRobberlaughedinanswer,andsoughttoknockatthegate.AndashedidsotheHermitranforwardandcaughthimbytheskirtsofhisraiment,andsaidtohim:’Stretchforthyourhands,andsetyourarmsaroundmyneck,andputyourearclosetomylips,andIwillgiveyouwhatremainstomeoftheknowledgeofGod.’AndtheyoungRobberstopped.
  AndwhentheHermithadgivenawayhisknowledgeofGod,hefelluponthegroundandwept,andagreatdarknesshidfromhimthecityandtheyoungRobber,sothathesawthemnomore.
  AndashelaythereweepinghewaswareofOnewhowasstandingbesidehim;andHewhowasstandingbesidehimhadfeetofbrassandhairlikefinewool.AndHeraisedtheHermitup,andsaidtohim:’BeforethistimethouhadsttheperfectknowledgeofGod.
  NowthoushalthavetheperfectloveofGod.Whereforeartthouweeping?’Andhekissedhim.
  Footnotes:
  (1)Plato’sLAWS;AEschylus’PROMETHEUSBOUND.
  (2)SomewhatinthesamespiritPlato,inhisLAWS,appealstothelocalpositionofIlionamongtheriversoftheplain,asaproofthatitwasnotbuilttilllongaftertheDeluge.
  (3)PlutarchremarksthattheONLYevidenceGreecepossessesofthetruththatthelegendarypowerofAthensisno’romanceoridlestory,’isthepublicandsacredbuildings.ThisisaninstanceoftheexaggeratedimportancegiventoruinsagainstwhichThucydidesiswarningus.
  (4)ThefictitioussaleintheRomanmarriagePERCOEMPTIONEMwasoriginally,ofcourse,arealsale.
  (5)Notably,ofcourse,inthecaseofheatanditslaws.
  (6)Cousinerrsagooddealinthisrespect.Tosay,ashedid,’Givemethelatitudeandthelongitudeofacountry,itsriversanditsmountains,andIwilldeducetherace,’issurelyaglaringexaggeration.
  (7)Themonarchical,aristocratical,anddemocraticelementsoftheRomanconstitutionarereferredto.
  (8)Polybius,vi.9.[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]
  (9)[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]
  (10)Thevariousstagesare[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced],[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced].
  (11)Polybius,xii.24.
  (12)Polybius,i.4,viii.4,specially;andreallyPASSIM.
  (13)Hemakesoneexception.
  (14)Polybius,viii.4.
  (15)Polybius,xvi.12.
  (16)Polybius,viii.4:[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]
  (17)PolybiusresembledGibboninmanyrespects.Likehimheheldthatallreligionsweretothephilosopherequallyfalse,tothevulgarequallytrue,tothestatesmanequallyuseful.
  (18)Cf.Polybius,xii.25,[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]
  (19)Polybius,xxii.8.
  (20)ImeanparticularlyasregardshissweepingdenunciationofthecompletemoraldecadenceofGreeksocietyduringthePeloponnesainWar,which,fromwhatremainstousofAthenianliterature,weknowmusthavebeencompletelyexaggerated.Or,rather,heislookingatmenmerelyintheirpoliticaldealings:
  andinpoliticsthemanwhoispersonallyhonourableandrefinedwillnotscrupletodoanythingforhisparty.
  (21)Polybius,xii.25.
  (22)THETWOPATHS,Lect.iii.p.123(1859ed.).