Farther，asSirJoshuaisinclinedtomergethedetailsofindividualobjectsingeneraleffect，soheisresolvedtoreduceallbeautyorgrandeurinnaturalobjectstoacentralformorabstractideaofacertainclass，soastoexcludeallpeculiaritiesordeviationsfromthisidealstandardasunfitsubjectsfortheartist”spencil，andaspollutinghiscanvaswithdeformity。Astheformerprinciplewenttodestroyallexactnessandsolidityinparticularthings，thisgoestoconfoundallvariety，distinctness，andcharacteristicforceinthebroaderscaleofnature。Thereisaprincipleofconformityinnatureorofsomethingincommonbetweenanumberofindividualsofthesameclass，butthereisalsoaprincipleofcontrast，ofdiscriminationandidentity，whichisequallyessentialinthesystemoftheuniverseandinthestructureofourideasbothofartandnature。SirJoshuawouldhardlyneutralisethetintsoftherainbowtoproduceadingygrey，asamediumorcentralcolour；why，then，shouldheneutraliseallfeatures，forms，etc。，toproduceaninsipidmonotony？Hedoesnotindeedconsiderhistheoryofbeautyasapplicabletocolour，whichhewellunderstood，butinsistsuponandliterallyenforcesitastoformandidealconceptions，ofwhichheknewcomparativelylittle，andwherehisauthorityismorequestionable。Iwillnotinthisplaceundertaketoshowthathistheoryofamiddleform(asthestandardoftasteandbeauty)isnottrueoftheoutlineofthehumanfaceandfigureorotherorganicbodies，thoughIthinkthateventhereitisonlyoneprincipleorconditionofbeauty；butIdosaythatithaslittleornothingtodowiththoseothercapitalpartsofpainting，colour，character，expression，andgrandeurofconception。SirJoshuahimselfcontendsthat”beautyincreaturesofthesamespeciesisthemediumorcentreofallitsvariousforms”；andhemaintainsthatgrandeuristhesameabstractionofthespeciesintheindividual。Thereforebeautyandgrandeurmustbethesamething，whichtheyarenot；sothatthisdefinitionmustbefaulty。GrandeurIshouldsupposetoimplysomethingthatelevatesandexpandsthemind，whichischieflypowerormagnitude。
Beautyisthatwhichsoothesandmeltsit；anditssource，Iapprehend，isacertainharmony，softness，andgradationofform，withinthelimitsofourcustomaryassociations，nodoubt，orofwhatweexpectofcertainspecies，butnotindependentofeveryotherconsideration。OurcritichimselfconfessesofMichaelAngelo，whomheregardsasthepatternofthegreatorsublimestyle，that”hispeopleareasuperiororderofbeings：thereisnothingaboutthem，nothingintheairoftheiractionsortheirattitudes，orthestyleorcastoftheirlimbsorfeatures，thatremindsusoftheirbelongingtoourownspecies。Raffaelle”simaginationisnotsoelevated；hisfiguresarenotsomuchdisjoinedfromourowndiminutiveraceofbeings，thoughhisideasarechaste，noble，andofgreatconformitytotheirsubjects。MichaelAngelo”sworkshaveastrong，peculiar，andmarkedcharacter：theyseemtoproceedfromhisownmindentirely，andthatmindsorichandabundantthatheneverneeded，orseemedtodisdaintolookabroadforforeignhelp。Raffaelle”smaterialsaregenerallyborrowed，thoughthenoblestructureishisown。”[1]Howdoesallthisaccordwiththesamewriter”sfavouritetheorythatallbeauty，allgrandeur，andallexcellenceconsistinanapproximationtothatcentralformorhabitualideaofmediocrity，fromwhicheverydeviationissomuchdeformityandlittleness？MichaelAngelo”sfiguresareraisedaboveourdiminutiveraceofbeings，yettheyareconfessedlythestandardofsublimityinwhatregardsthehumanform。Grandeur，then，admitsofanexaggerationofourhabitualimpressions；and”thestrong，marked，andpeculiarcharacterwhichMichaelAngelohasatthesametimegiventohisworks”
doesnottakeawayfromit。Thisisfactagainstargument。IwouldtakeSirJoshua”swordforthegoodnessofapicture，andforitsdistinguishingproperties，soonerthanIwouldforanabstractmetaphysicaltheory。Ourartistalsospeakscontinuallyofhighandlowsubjects。Therecanbenodistinctionofthiskinduponhisprinciple，thatthestandardoftasteistheadheringtothecentralformofeachspecies，andthateveryspeciesisinitselfequallybeautiful。Thepainterofflowers，ofshells，orofanythingelse，isequallyelevatedwithRaphaelorMichael，ifheadherestothegenericorestablishedformofwhathepaints：therest，accordingtothisdefinition，isamatterofindifference。Theremustthereforebesomethingbesidesthecentralorcustomaryformtoaccountforthedifferenceofdignity，forthehighandlowstyleinnatureorinart。MichaelAngelo”sfigures，wearetold，aremorethanordinarilygrand；why，bythesamerule，maynotRaphael”sbemorethanordinarilybeautiful，havemorethanordinarysoftness，symmetry，andgrace？——Characterandexpressionarestilllessincludedinthepresenttheory。Allcharacterisadeparturefromthecommon-placeform；andSirJoshuamakesnoscrupletodeclarethatexpressiondestroysbeauty。Thushesays：”Ifyoumeantopreservethemostperfectbeauty_initsmostperfectstate，_youcannotexpressthepassions，allofwhichproducedistortionanddeformity，moreorless，inthemostbeautifulfaces。”
Hegoeson：”Guido，fromwantofchoiceinadaptinghissubjecttohisideasandhispowers，orfromattemptingtopreservebeautywhereitcouldnotbepreserved，hasinthisrespectsucceededveryill。Hisfiguresareoftenengagedinsubjectsthatrequiredgreatexpression；
yethisJudithandHolofernes，thedaughterofHerodiaswiththeBaptist”shead，theAndromeda，andsomeevenoftheMothersoftheInnocents，havelittlemoreexpressionthanhisVenusattiredbytheGraces。”
WhatacensureisthispasseduponGuido，andwhatacondemnationofhisowntheory，whichwouldreduceandlevelallthatistrulygreatandpraiseworthyinarttothisinsipid，tastelessstandard，bysettingasideasillegitimateallthatdoesriotcomewithinthemiddle，centralform！YetSirJoshuajudgesofHogarthashedeviatesfromthisstandard，notasheexcelsinindividualcharacter，whichhesaysisonlygoodortolerableasitpartakesofgeneralnature；andhemightaccuseMichaelAngeloandRaphael，theoneforhisgrandeurofstyle，theotherforhisexpression；forneitherarewhathesetsupasthegoalofperfection——IwilljuststoptoremarkherethatSirJoshuahascommittedhimselfverystrangelyinspeakingofthecharacterandexpressiontobefoundintheGreekstatues。Hesaysinoneplace：”IcannotquittheApollowithoutmakingoneobservationonthecharacterofthisfigure。HeissupposedtohavejustdischargedhisarrowatthePython；andbytheheadretreatingalittletowardstherightshoulder，heappearsattentivetoitseffect。WhatIwouldremarkisthedifferenceofthisattentionfromthatoftheDiscobolus，whoisengagedinthesamepurpose，watchingtheeffectofhisDiscus。
Thegraceful，negligent，thoughanimatedairoftheone，andthevulgareagernessoftheother，furnishaninstanceofthejudgmentoftheancientSculptors_intheirnicediscriminationofcharacter。_Theyarebothequallytruetonature，andequallyadmirable。”Afterafewobservationsonthelimitedmeansoftheartofsculpture，andtheinattentionoftheancientstoalmosteverythingbutform，wemeetwiththefollowingpassage：——”ThosewhothinkSculpturecanexpressmorethanwehaveallowedmayask，bywhatmeanswediscover，atthefirstglance，thecharacterthatisrepresentedinaBust，aCameo，orIntaglio？Isuspectitwillbefound，oncloseexamination，byhimwhoisresolvednottoseemorethanhereallydoessee，thatthefiguresaredistinguishedbytheir_insignia_morethanbyanyvarietyofformorbeauty。TakefromApollohisLyre，fromBacchushisThyrsusandVine-leaves，andMeleagertheBoar”sHead，andtherewillremainlittleornodifferenceintheircharacters。InaJuno，Minerva，orFlora，theideaoftheartistseemstohavegonenofurtherthanrepresentingperfectbeauty，andafterwardsaddingtheproperattributes，withatotalindifferencetowhichtheygavethem。”
[What，then，becomesofthat”nicediscriminationofcharacter”forwhichourauthorhasjustbeforecelebratedthem？]”ThusJohnDeBologna，afterhehadfinishedagroupofayoungmanholdingupayoungwomaninhisarms，withanoldmanathisfeet，calledhisfriendstogether，totellhimwhatnameheshouldgiveit，anditwasagreedtocallitTheRapeoftheSabines；andthisisthecelebratedgroupwhichnowstandsbeforetheoldPalaceatFlorence。
ThefigureshavethesamegeneralexpressionwhichistobefoundinmostoftheantiqueSculpture；andyetitwouldbenowonderiffuturecriticsshouldfindoutdelicacyofexpressionwhichwasneverintended，andgosofarastosee，intheoldman”scountenance，theexactrelationwhichheboretothewomanwhoappearstobetakenfromhim。”
SoitisthatSirJoshua”stheoryseemstorestonaninclinedplane，andisalwaysgladofanexcusetoslide，fromtheseverityoftruthandnature，intothemilderandmoreequableregionsofinsipidityandinanity；Iamsorrytosayso，butsoitappearstome。
Iconfess，itstrikesmeasaself-evidenttruththatvarietyorcontrastisasessentialaprincipleinartandnatureasuniformity，andasnecessarytomakeuptheharmonyoftheuniverseandthecontentmentofthemind。Whowoulddestroytheshiftingeffectsoflightandshade，thesharp，livelyoppositionofcoloursinthesameorindifferentobjects，thestreaksinaflower，thestainsinapieceofmarble，toreducealltothesameneutral，deadcolouring，thesamemiddletint？YetitisonthisprinciplethatSirJoshuawouldgetridofallvariety，character，expression，andpicturesqueeffectinforms，oratleastmeasuretheworthorthespuriousnessofalltheseaccordingtotheirreferencetoordeparturefromagivenoraveragestandard。
Surely，natureismoreliberal，artiswiderthanSirJoshua”stheory。
Allow(forthesakeofargument)thatallformsareinthemselvesindifferent，andthatbeautyorthesenseofpleasureinformscanthereforeonlyarisefromcustomaryassociation，orfromthatmiddleimpressiontowhichtheyalltend：yetthiscannotbythesameruleapplytootherthings。Supposethereisnocapacityinformtoaffectthemindexceptfromitscorrespondingtopreviousexpectation，thesamethingcannotbesaidoftheideaofpowerorgrandeur。Noonecansaythattheideaofpowerdoesnotaffectthemindwiththesenseofaweandsublimity。Thatis，powerandweakness，grandeurandlittleness，arenotindifferentthings，theperfectionofwhichconsistsinamediumbetweenboth。Again，expressionisnotathingindifferentinitself，whichderivesitsvalueoritsinterestsolelyfromitsconformitytoaneutralstandard。Whowouldneutralisetheexpressionofpleasureandpain？orsaythatthepassionsofthehumanmind——pity，love，joy，sorrow，etc——areonlyinterestingtotheimaginationandworththeattentionoftheartist，ashecanreducethemtoanequivocalstatewhichisneitherpleasantnorpainful，neitheronethingnortheother？
Orwhowouldstopshortoftheutmostrefinement，precision，andforceinthedelineationofeach？Idealexpressionisnotneutralexpression，butextremeexpression。Again，characterisathingofpeculiarity，ofstrikingcontrast，ofdistinction，andnotofuniformity。ItisnecessarilyopposedtoSirJoshua”sexclusivetheory，andyetitissurelyacuriousandinterestingfieldofspeculationforthehumanmind。Lively，spiriteddiscriminationofcharacterisonesourceofgratificationtotheloverofnatureandart，whichitcouldnotbeifalltruthandexcellenceconsistedinrejectingindividualtraits。
Idealcharacterisnotcommon-place，butconsistentcharactermarkedthroughout，whichmaytakeplaceinhistoryorportrait。Historicaltruthinapictureistheputtingthedifferentfeaturesofthefaceormusclesofthebodyintoconsistentaction。Thepicturesquealtogetherdependsonparticularpointsorqualitiesofanobject，projectingasitwerebeyondthemiddlelineofbeauty，andcatchingtheeyeofthespectator。Itwasless，however，myintentiontohazardanyspeculationsofmyownthantoconfirmthecommon-sensefeelingsonthesubjectbySirJoshua”sownadmissionsindifferentplaces。IntheTenthDiscourse，speakingofsomeobjectionstotheApollo，hehastheseremarkablewords：——”Inregardtothelastobjection(viz。thatthelowerhalfofthefigureislongerthanjustproportionallows)itmustberememberedthatApolloishereintheexertionof_oneofhispeculiarpowers，_whichisswiftness；hehasthereforethatproportionwhichisbestadaptedtothatcharacter。ThisisnomoreincorrectnessthanwhenthereisgiventoaHerculesanextraordinaryswellingandstrengthofmuscles。”
Strengthandactivitythendonotdependonthemiddleform；andthemiddleformistobesacrificedtotherepresentationofthesepositivequalities。Characteristhusallowednotonlytobeanintegrantpartoftheantiqueandclassicalstyleofart，buteventotakeprecedenceofandsetasidetheabstractideaofbeauty。LittlemorewouldberequiredtojustifyHogarthinhisGothicresolution，thatifheweretomakeafigureofCharon，hewouldgivehimbandylegs，becausewatermenaregenerallybandy-legged。ItisverywelltotalkoftheabstractideaofamanorofaGod，butifyoucometoanythinglikeanintelligibleproposition，youmusteitherindividualiseanddefine，ordestroytheveryideayoucontemplate。SirJoshuagoesintothisquestionatconsiderablelengthintheThirdDiscourse：”TotheprincipleIhavelaiddown，thattheideaofbeautyineachspeciesofbeingsisaninvariableone，itmayheobjected”hesays，”thatineveryparticularspeciestherearevariouscentralforms，whichareseparateanddistinctfromeachother，andyetareundeniablybeautiful；thatinthehumanfigure，forinstance。thebeautyofHerculesisone，oftheGladiatoranother，oftheApolloanother，whichmakessomanydifferentideasofbeauty。Itistrue，indeed，thatthesefiguresareeachperfectintheirkind，thoughofdifferentcharactersandproportions；butstillnoneofthemistherepresentationofanindividual，butofaclass。Andasthereisonegeneralform，which，asIhavesaid，belongstothehumankindatlarge，soineachoftheseclassesthereisonecommonideawhichistheabstractofthevariousindividualformsbelongingtothatclass。Thus，thoughtheformsofchildhoodandagedifferexceedingly，thereisacommonforminchildhood，andacommonforminage，whichisthemoreperfectasitisremotefromallpeculiarities。ButImustaddfurther，thatthoughthemostperfectformsofeachofthegeneraldivisionsofthehumanfigureareideal，andsuperiortoanyindividualformofthatclass，yetthehighestperfectionofthehumanfigureisnottobefoundinanyofthem。ItisnotintheHercules，norintheGladiator，norintheApollo；butinthatformwhichistakenfromall，andwhichpartakesequallyoftheactivityoftheGladiator，ofthedelicacyoftheApollo，andofthemuscularstrengthoftheHercules。Forperfectbeautyinanyspeciesmustcombineallthecharacterswhicharebeautifulinthatspecies。Itcannotconsistinanyonetotheexclusionoftherest：noone，therefore，mustbepredominant，thatnoonemaybedeficient。”
SirJoshuaheresupposesthedistinctionsofclassesandcharactertobenecessarilycombinedwiththegeneralleadingideaofamiddleform。
Thismiddleformisnottoconfoundage，sex，circumstance，underonesweepingabstraction；butwemustlimitthegeneralideasbycertainspecificdifferencesandcharacteristicmarks，belongingtotheseveralsubordinatedivisionsandramificationsofeachclass。Thisisenoughtoshowthatthereisaprincipleofindividualityaswellasofabstractioninseparablefromworksofartaswellasnature。Wearetokeepthehumanformdistinctfromthatofotherlivingbeings，thatofmenfromthatofwomen；wearetodistinguishbetweenageandinfancy，betweenthoughtfulnessandgaiety，betweenstrengthandsoftness。Whereisthistostop？ButSirJoshuaturnsrounduponhimselfinthisverypassage，andsays：”No：wearetounitethestrengthoftheHerculeswiththedelicacyoftheApollo；forperfectbeautyinanyspeciesmustcombineallthecharacterswhicharebeautifulinthatspecies。”Nowifthesedifferentcharactersarebeautifulinthemselves，whynotgivethemfortheirownsakesandintheirmoststrikingappearances，insteadofqualifyingandsofteningthemdowninaneutralform；whichmustproduceacompromise，notaunionofdifferentexcellences。Ifallexcessofbeauty，ifallcharacterisdeformity，thenwemusttrytoloseitasfastaspossibleinotherqualities。Butifstrengthisanexcellence，ifactivityisanexcellence，ifdelicacyisanexcellence，thentheperfection，i。e。thehighestdegreeofeachofthesequalities，cannotbeattainedbutbyremainingsatisfiedwithalessdegreeoftherest。ButletushearwhatSirJoshuahimselfadvancesonthissubjectinanotherpartofthe_Discourses：_”Someexcellencesbeartobeunited，andareimprovedbyunion：othersareofadiscordantnature，andtheattempttounitethemonlyproducesaharshjarringofincongruentprinciples。Theattempttounitecontraryexcellences(ofform，forinstance[2])inasinglefigurecanneverescapedegeneratingintothemonstrousbutbysinkingintotheinsipid；bytakingawayitsmarkedcharacter，andweakeningitsexpression。”Obviousastheseremarksappear，therearemanywritersonourartwho，notbeingoftheprofessionandconsequentlynotknowingwhatcanorcannotbedone，havebeenveryliberalofabsurdpraisesintheirdescriptionoffavouriteworks。Theyalwaysfindinthemwhattheyareresolvedtofind。Theypraiseexcellencesthatcanhardlyexisttogether；and，aboveallthings，arefondofdescribingwithgreatexactnesstheexpressionofamixedpassion，whichmoreparticularlyappearstomeoutofthereachofourart。[3]”SucharemanydisquisitionswhichIhavereadonsomeoftheCartoonsandotherpicturesofRaffaelle，wherethecriticshavedescribedtheirownimaginations；orindeedwheretheexcellentmasterhimselfmayhaveattemptedthisexpressionofpassionsabovethepowersoftheart，andhas，therefore，byanindistinctandimperfectmarking，leftroomforeveryimaginationwithequalprobabilitytofindapassionofhisown。
Whathasbeen，andwhatcanbedoneintheart，issufficientlydifficult：weneednotbemortifiedordiscouragedatnotbeingabletoexecutetheconceptionsofaromanticimagination。Arthasitsboundaries，thoughimaginationhasnone。Wecaneasily，liketheancients，supposeaJupitertobepossessedofallthosepowersandperfectionswhichthesubordinateDeitieswereendowedwithseparately。
Yetwhentheyemployedtheirarttorepresenthim，theyconfinedhischaractertomajestyalone。Pliny，therefore，thoughweareundergreatobligationstohimfortheinformationhehasgivenusinrelationtotheworksoftheancientartists，isveryfrequentlywrongwhenhespeaksofthem，whichhedoesveryoften，inthestyleofmanyofourmodernconnoisseurs。HeobservesthatinastatueofParis，byEuphranor，youmightdiscoveratthesametimethreedifferentcharacters：thedignityofaJudgeoftheGoddesses，theLoverofHelen，andtheConquerorofAchilles。Astatueinwhichyouendeavourtounitestatelydignity，youthfulelegance，andsternvalour，mustsurelypossessnoneofthesetoanyeminentdegree。”Fromhenceitappearsthatthereismuchdifficultyaswellasdangerinanendeavourtoconcentrateinasinglesubjectthosevariouspowerswhich，risingfromvariouspoints，naturallymoveindifferentdirections。”
Whatrealcluetotheartorsoundprinciplesofjudgingthestudentcanderivefromthesecontradictorystatements，orinwhatmanneritispossibletoreconcilethemonetotheother，IconfessIamatalosstodiscover。Asitappearstome，allthevarietiesofnatureintheinfinitenumberofitsqualities，combinations，characters，expressions，incidents，etc。，risefromdistinctpointsorcentresandmustmoveindistinctdirections，astheformsofdifferentspeciesaretobereferredtoaseparatestandard。Itistheobjectofarttobringthemoutinalltheirforce，clearness，andprecision，andnottoblendthemintoavague，vapid，nondescript_ideal_conception，whichpretendstounite，butinrealitydestroys。SirJoshua”stheorylimitsnatureandparalysesart。Accordingtohim，themiddleformortheaverageofourvariousimpressionsisthesourcefromwhichallbeauty，pleasure，interest，imaginationsprings。Icontend，onthecontrary，thatthisveryvarietyisgoodinitself，nordoIagreewithhimthatthewholeofnatureasitexistsinfactisstarknaught，andthatthereisnothingworthyofthecontemplationofawisemanbutthat_idealperfection_whichneverexistedintheworldnorevenoncanvas。ThereissomethingfastidiousandsicklyinSirJoshua”ssystem。Hiscodeoftasteconsiststoomuchofnegations，andnotenoughofpositive，prominentqualities。ItaccountsfornothingbutthebeautyofthecommonAntique，andhardlyforthat。ThemeritofHogarth，Igrant，isdifferentfromthatoftheGreekstatues；butIdenythatHogarthistobemeasuredbythisstandardorbySirJoshua”smiddleforms：hehaspowersofinstructionandamusementthat，”risingfromadifferentpoint，naturallymoveinadifferentdirection”andcompletelyattaintheirend。Itwouldbejustasreasonabletocondemnacomedyfornothavingthepathosofatragedyorthestatelinessofanepicpoem。IfSirJoshuaReynolds”stheoryweretrue，Dr。Johnson”s_Irene_wouldbeabettertragedythananyofShakespear”s。
Thereasoningofthe_Discourses_is，Ithink，then，deficientinthefollowingparticulars：
1。Itseemstoimplythatgeneraleffectinapictureisproducedbyleavingoutthedetails，whereasthelargestmassesandthegrandestoutlineareconsistentwiththeutmostdelicacyoffinishingintheparts。
2。Itmakesnodistinctionbetweenbeautyandgrandeur，butrefersbothtoan_ideal_ormiddleform，asthecentreofthevariousformsofthespecies，andyetinconsistentlyattributesthegrandeurofMichaelAngelo”sstyletothesuperhumanappearanceofhisprophetsandapostles。
3。Itdoesnotatanytimemakementionofpowerormagnitudeinanobjectasadistinctsourceofthesublime(thoughthisisacknowledgedunintentionallyinthecaseofMichaelAngelo，etc。)，norofsoftnessorsymmetryofformasadistinctsourceofbeauty，independentlyof，thoughstillinconnectionwithanothersourcearisingfromwhatweareaccustomedtoexpectfromeachindividualspecies。
4。SirJoshua”stheorydoesnotleaveroomforcharacter，butrejectsitasananomaly。
5。Itdoesnotpointoutthesourceofexpression，butconsidersitashostiletobeauty；andyet，lastly，heallowsthatthemiddleform，carriedtotheutmosttheoreticalextent，neitherdefinedbycharacter，norimpregnatedbypassion，wouldproducenothingbutvague，insipid，unmeaninggenerality。
Inaword，Icannotthinkthatthetheoryherelaiddownisclearandsatisfactory，thatitisconsistentwithitself，thatitaccountsforthevariousexcellencesofartfromafewsimpleprinciples，orthatthemethodwhichSirJoshuahaspursuedintreatingthesubjectis，ashehimselfexpressesit，”aplainandhonestmethod。”Itis，Ifear，morecalculatedtobaffleandperplexthestudentinhisprogressthantogivehimclearlightsastotheobjectheshouldhaveinview，ortofurnishhimwithstrongmotivesofemulationtoattainit。
NOTEStoESSAYXIV
[1]TheFifthDiscourse。
[2]TheseareSirJoshua”swords。
[3]Idonotknowthat；butIdonotthinkthetwopassionscouldbeexpressedbyexpressingneitherorsomethingbetweenboth。
ESSAYXV
ONPARADOXANDCOMMON-PLACE
Ihavebeensometimesaccusedofafondnessforparadoxes，butIcannotinmyownmindpleadguiltytothecharge。Idonotindeedswearbyanopinionbecauseitisold；butneitherdoIfallinlovewitheveryextravaganceatfirstsightbecauseitisnew。Iconceivethatathingmayhavebeenrepeatedathousandtimeswithoutbeingabitmorereasonablethanitwasthefirsttime：andIalsoconceivethatanargumentoranobservationmaybeveryjust，thoughitmaysohappenthatitwasneverstatedbefore：butIdonottakeitforgrantedthateveryprejudiceisill-founded；northateveryparadoxisself-evident，merelybecauseitcontradictsthevulgaropinion。Sheridanoncesaidofsomespeechinhisacute，sarcasticway，that”itcontainedagreatdealbothofwhatwasnewandwhatwastrue：butthatunfortunatelywhatwasnewwasnottrue，andwhatwastruewasnotnew。”Thisappearstometoexpressthewholesenseofthequestion。Idonotseemuchuseindwellingonacommon-place，howeverfashionableorwellestablished：noramIveryambitiousofstartingthemostspeciousnovelty，unlessI
imagineIhavereasononmyside。Originalityimpliesindependenceofopinion；butdiffersaswidelyfrommeresingularityasfromthetritesttruism。Itconsistsinseeingandthinkingforone”s-self：whereassingularityisonlytheaffectationofsayingsomethingtocontradictotherpeople，withouthavinganyrealopinionofone”sownuponthematter。Mr。Burkewasanoriginal，thoughanextravagantwriter：Mr。
Windhamwasaregularmanufacturerofparadoxes。
Thegreatestnumberofmindsseemutterlyincapableoffixingonanyconclusion，exceptfromthepressureofcustomandauthority：opposedtothesethereisanotherclasslessnumerousbutprettyformidable，whoinalltheiropinionsareequallyundertheinfluenceofnoveltyandrestlessvanity。Theprejudicesoftheonearecounterbalancedbytheparadoxesoftheother；andfolly，”puttinginonescaleaweightofignorance，inthatofpride”mightbesaidto”smiledelightedwiththeeternalpoise。”Asincereandmanlyspiritofinquiryisneitherblindedbyexamplenordazzledbysuddenflashesoflight。Natureisalwaysthesame，thestorehouseoflastingtruth，andteemingwithinexhaustiblevariety；andhewholooksatherwithsteadyandwell-practisedeyeswillfindenoughtoemployallhissagacity，whetherithasorhasnotbeenseenbyothersbeforehim。Strangeasitmayseem，tolearnwhatanobjectis，thetruephilosopherlooksattheobjectitself，insteadofturningtootherstoknowwhattheythinkorsayorhaveheardofit，orinsteadofconsultingthedictatesofhisvanity，petulance，andingenuitytoseewhatcanbesaidagainsttheiropinion，andtoprovehimselfwiserthanalltherestoftheworld。Forwantofthistherealpowersandresourcesofthemindarelostanddissipatedinaconflictofopinionsandpassions，ofobstinacyagainstlevity，ofbigotryagainstself-conceit，ofnotoriousabusesagainstrashinnovations，ofdull，plodding，old-fashionedstupidityagainstnew-fangledfolly，ofworldlyinterestagainstheadstrongegotism，oftheincorrigibleprejudicesoftheoldandtheunmanageablehumoursoftheyoung；whiletruthliesinthemiddle，andisoverlookedbybothparties。OrasLuthercomplainedlongago，”humanreasonislikeadrunkenmanonhorseback：setitupononeside，andittumblesoverontheother。”——Withonesort，example，authority，fashion，ease，interest，ruleall：withtheother，singularity，theloveofdistinction，merewhim，thethrowingoffallrestraintandshowinganheroicdisregardofconsequences，animpatientandunsettledturnofmind，thewantofsuddenandstrongexcitement，ofsomenewplay-thingfortheimagination，areequally”lordsoftheascendant”andareateverystepgettingthestartofreason，truth，nature，commonsense，andfeeling。
Withoneparty，whateveris，isright：withtheirantagonists，whateveris，iswrong。Theseswalloweveryantiquatedabsurdity：thosecatchateverynew，unfledgedproject——andarealikeenchantedwiththevelocipedesortheFrenchRevolution。Oneset，wrappedupinimpenetrableformsandtechnicaltraditions，aredeaftoeverythingthathasnotbeendinnedintheirears，andinthoseoftheirforefathers，fromtimeimmemorial：theirhearingis_thick_withthesameoldsaws，thesameunmeaningformofwords，everlastinglyrepeated：theotherspiquethemselvesonajargonoftheirown，aBabylonishdialect，crude，unconcocted，harsh，discordant，towhichitisimpossibleforanyoneelsetoattacheithermeaningorrespect。Theselastturnawayatthementionofallusages，creeds，institutionsofmorethanaday”sstandingasamassofbigotry，superstition，andbarbarousignorance，whoseleadentouchwouldpetrifyandbenumbtheirquick，mercurial，”apprehensive，forgetive”faculties。Theopinionofto-daysupersedesthatofyesterday：thatofto-morrowsupersedes，byanticipation，thatofto-day。Thewisdomoftheancients，thedoctrinesofthelearned，thelawsofnations，thecommonsentimentsofmorality，aretothemlikeabundleofoldalmanacs。Asthemodernpoliticianalwaysasksforthisday”spaper，themodernsciolistalwaysinquiresafterthelatestparadox。Withhiminstinctisadotard，natureachangeling，andcommonsenseadiscardedby-word。Aswiththemanoftheworld，whateverybodysaysmustbetrue，thecitizenoftheworldhasquiteadifferentnotionofthematter。Withtheone，themajority；”thepowersthatbe”havealwaysbeenintherightinallagesandplaces，thoughtheyhavebeencuttingoneanother”sthroatsandturningtheworldupsidedownwiththeirquarrelsanddisputesfromthebeginningoftime：withtheother，whatanytwopeoplehaveeveragreedinisanerroronthefaceofit。
Thecredulousbigotshuddersattheideaofalteringanythingin”time-hallowed”institutions；andunderthiscantphrasecanbringhimselftotolerateanyknaveryoranyfolly，theInquisition，HolyOil，theRightDivine，etc。；——themorerefinedscepticwilllaughinyourfaceattheideaofretaininganythingwhichhasthedamningstampofcustomuponit，andisforabatingallformerprecedents，”alltrivial，fondrecords”thewholeframeandfabricofsocietyasanuisanceinthelump。Isnotthisapairofwiseacreswellmatched？Theonesticklesthroughthickandthinforhisownreligionandgovernment：theotherscoutsallreligionsandallgovernmentswithasmileofineffabledisdain。Theonewillnotmoveforanyconsiderationoutofthebroadandbeatenpath：theotheriscontinuallyturningoffatrightangles，andlosinghimselfinthelabyrinthsofhisownignoranceandpresumption。Theonewillnotgoalongwithanyparty：theotheralwaysjoinsthestrongestside。Theonewillnotconformtoanycommonpractice：theotherwillsubscribetoanythrivingsystem。Theoneistheslaveofhabit：theotheristhesportofcaprice。Thefirstislikeamanobstinatelybed-rid：thelastistroubledwithSt。Vitus”sdance。Hecannotstandstill，hecannotrestuponanyconclusion。”Heneveris——butalwaystobe_right。”_
TheauthorofthePrometheusUnbound(totakeanindividualinstanceofthelastcharacter)hasafireinhiseye，afeverinhisblood，amaggotinhisbrain，ahecticflutterinhisspeech，whichmarkoutthephilosophicfanatic。Heissanguine-complexionedandshrill-voiced。Asisoftenobservableinthecaseofreligiousenthusiasts，thereisaslendernessofconstitutionalstamina，whichrendersthefleshnomatchforthespirit。Hisbending，flexibleformappearstotakenostrongholdofthings，doesnotgrapplewiththeworldabouthim，butslidesfromitlikeariver——
AndinitsliquidtexturemortalwoundReceivesnomorethancanthefluidair。
Theshockofaccident，theweightofauthoritymakenoimpressiononhisopinions，whichretirelikeafeather，orrisefromtheencounterunhurtthroughtheirownbuoyancy。Heiscloggedbynodullsystemofrealities，noearth-boundfeelings，norootedprejudices，bynothingthatbelongstothemightytrunkandhardhuskofnatureandhabit，butisdrawnupbyirresistiblelevitytotheregionsofmerespeculationandfancy，tothesphereofairandfire，wherehisdelightedspiritfloatsin”seasofpearlandcloudsofamber。”Thereisno_caputmortuum_ofworn-out，threadbareexperiencetoserveasballasttohismind；itisallvolatileintellectualsaltoftartar，thatrefusestocombineitsevanescent，inflammableessencewithanythingsolidoranythinglasting。Bubblesaretohimtheonlyrealities：——touchthem，andtheyvanish。Curiosityistheonlypropercategoryofhismind，andthoughamaninknowledge，heisachildinfeeling。Henceheputseverythingintoametaphysicalcrucibletojudgeofithimselfandexhibitittoothersasasubjectofinterestingexperiment，withoutfirstmakingitovertotheordealofhiscommonsenseortryingitonhisheart。Thisfacultyofspeculatingatrandomonallquestionsmayinitsovergrownanduninformedstatedomuchmischiefwithoutintendingit，likeanovergrownchildwiththepowerofaman。Mr。Shelleyhasbeenaccusedofvanity——Ithinkheischargeablewithextremelevity；
butthislevityissogreatthatIdonotbelieveheissensibleofitsconsequences。Hestrivestooverturnallestablishedcreedsandsystems；butthisisinhimaneffectofconstitution。Herunsbeforethemostextravagantopinions；butthisisbecauseheisheldbackbynoneofthemerelymechanicalchecksofsympathyandhabit。Hetamperswithallsortsofobnoxioussubjects；butitislessbecauseheisgratifiedwiththeranknessofthetaintthancaptivatedwiththeintellectualphosphoriclighttheyemit。Itwouldseemthathewishednotsomuchtoconvinceorinformastoshockthepublicbythetenorofhisproductions；butIsuspectheismoreintentuponstartlinghimselfwithhiselectricalexperimentsinmoralsandphilosophy；andthoughtheymayscorchotherpeople，theyaretohimharmlessamusements，thecoruscationsofanAuroraBorealis，that”playroundthehead，butdonotreachtheheart。”StillIcouldwishthathewouldputastoptotheincessant，alarmingwhirlofhisvoltaicbattery。Withhiszeal，histalent，andhisfancy，hewoulddomoregoodandlessharmifheweretogive，uphiswildertheories，andifhetooklesspleasureinfeelinghisheartflutterinunisonwiththepanic-struckapprehensionsofhisreaders。Personsofthisclass，insteadofconsolidatingusefulandacknowledgedtruths，andthusadvancingthecauseofscienceandvirtue，arenevereasybutinraisingdoubtfulanddisagreeablequestions，whichbringtheformerintodisgraceanddiscredit。Theyarenotcontentedtoleadthemindsofmentoaneminenceoverlookingtheprospectofsocialamelioration，unless，byforcingthemupslipperypathsandtotheutmostvergeofpossibility，theycandashthemdowntheprecipicetheinstanttheyreachthepromisedPisgah。Theythinkitnothingtohangupabeacontoguideorwarn，iftheydonotatthesametimefrightenthecommunitylikeacomet。Theydonotmindmakingtheirprinciplesodious，providedtheycanmakethemselvesnotorious。Towinoverthepublicopinionbyfairmeansistothemaninsipid，common-placemodeofpopularity：theywouldeitherforceitbyharshmethods，orseduceitbyintoxicatingpotions。Egotism，petulance，licentiousness，levityofprinciple(whateverbethesource)isabadthinginanyone，andmostofallinaphilosophicalreformer。Theirhumanity，theirwisdom，isalways”atthehorizon。”Anythingnew，anythingremote，anythingquestionable，comestotheminashapethatissureofacordialwelcome——awelcomecordialinproportionastheobjectisnew，asitisapparentlyimpracticable，asitisadoubtwhetheritisatalldesirable。Justafterthefinalfailure，thecompletionofthelastactoftheFrenchRevolution，whenthelegitimatewitswerecryingout，”Thefarceisover，nowletusgotosupper”theseprovokingreasonersgotupalivelyhypothesisaboutintroducingthedomesticgovernmentoftheNayrsintothiscountryasafeasibleset-offagainstthesuccessoftheBorough-mongers。Thepracticaliswiththemalwaystheantipodesoftheideal；andlikeothervisionariesofadifferentstamp，theydatetheMillenniumorNewOrderofThingsfromtheRestorationoftheBourbons。”Finewordsbutternoparsnips”saystheproverb。”Whileyouaretalkingofmarrying，Iamthinkingofhanging”saysCaptainMacheath。Ofallpeoplethemosttormentingarethosewhobidyouhopeinthemidstofdespair，who，bynevercaringaboutanythingbuttheirownsanguine，hair-brainedUtopianschemes，haveatnotimeanyparticularcauseforembarrassmentanddespondencybecausetheyhavenevertheleastchanceofsuccess，andwhobyincludingwhateverdoesnothittheiridlefancy，kings，priests，religion，government，publicabusesorprivatemorals，inthesamesweepingclauseofbanandanathema，doalltheycantocombineallpartiesinacommoncauseagainstthem，andtopreventeveryoneelsefromadvancingonestepfartherinthecareerofpracticalimprovementthantheydointhatofimaginaryandunattainableperfection。
Besides，allthisuntowardheatandprecocityoftenarguesrottennessandafalling-off。ImyselfrememberseveralinstancesofthissortofunrestrainedlicenseofopinionandviolenteffervescenceofsentimentinthefirstperiodoftheFrenchRevolution。Extremesmeet：andthemostfuriousanarchistshavesincebecomethemostbarefacedapostates。
AmongtheforemostoftheseImightmentionthepresentpoet-laureateandsomeofhisfriends。Theprose-writersonthatsideofthequestion——Mr。Godwin，Mr。Bentham，etc——havenotturnedroundinthisextraordinarymanner：theyseemtohavefelttheirground(howevermistakeninsomepoints)，andhaveingeneraladheredtotheirfirstprinciples。But”poets(asithasbeensaid)have_suchseethingbrains，_thattheyaredisposedtomeddlewitheverything，andmarall。
Theymakebadphilosophersandworsepoliticians。[1]Theylive，forthemostpart，inanidealworldoftheirown；anditwouldperhapsbeaswelliftheywereconfinedtoit。Theirflightsandfanciesaredelightfultothemselvesandtoeverybodyelse：buttheymakestrangeworkwithmatteroffact；andiftheywereallowedtoactinpublicaffairs，wouldsoonturntheworldthewrongsideout。Theyindulgeonlytheirownflatteringdreamsorsuperstitiousprejudices，andmakeidolsorbugbearsofwhatevertheyplease，caringaslittleforhistoryorparticularfactsasforgeneralreasoning。Theyaredangerousleadersandtreacherousfollowers。Theirinordinatevanityrunsthemintoallsortsofextravagances；andtheirhabitualeffeminacygetsthemoutofthematanyprice。Alwayspamperingtheirownappetiteforexcitement，andwishingtoastonishothers，theirwholeaimistoproduceadramaticeffect，onewayorother——toshockordelighttheobservers；andtheyareapparentlyasindifferenttotheconsequencesofwhattheywriteasiftheworldweremerelyastageforthemtoplaytheirfantastictrickson，andtomaketheiradmirersweep。Notlessromanticintheirservilitythantheirindependence，andequallyimportunatecandidatesforfameorinfamy，theyrequireonlytobedistinguished，andarenotscrupulousastothemeansofdistinction。
JacobinsorAnti-Jacobins——outrageousadvocatesforanarchyandlicentiousness，orflamingapostlesofpoliticalpersecution——alwaysviolentandvulgarintheiropinions，theyoscillate，withagiddyandsickeningmotion，fromoneabsurditytoanother，andexpiatethefolliesofyouthbytheheartlessvicesofadvancingage。Nonesoreadyastheytocarryeveryparadoxtoitsmostrevoltingandridiculousexcess——nonesosuretocaricature，intheirownpersons，everyfeatureoftheprevailingphilosophy！Intheirdaysofblissfulinnovation，indeed，thephilosopherscreptattheirheelslikehounds，whiletheydartedontheirdistantquarrylikehawks；stoopingalwaystothelowestgame；
eagerlysnuffingupthemosttaintedandrankestscents；feedingtheirvanitywithanotionofthestrengthoftheirdigestionofpoisons，andmostostentatiouslyavowingwhateverwouldmosteffectuallystartletheprejudicesofothers。[2]Preposterouslyseekingforthestimulusofnoveltyinabstracttruth，andtheeclatoftheatricalexhibitioninpurereason，itisnowonderthatthesepersonsatlastbecamedisgustedwiththeirownpursuits，andthat，inconsequenceoftheviolenceofthechange，themostinveterateprejudicesanduncharitablesentimentshaverushedintofillupthevoidproducedbythepreviousannihilationofcommonsense，wisdom，andhumanity！”
Ihavesofarbeenalittlehardonpoetsandreformers。LestIshouldbethoughttohavetakenaparticularspitetothem，Iwilltrytomakethemthe_amendehonorable_byturningtoapassageinthewritingsofonewhoneitherisnoreverpretendedtobeapoetorareformer，buttheantithesisofboth，anaccomplishedmanoftheworld，acourtier，andawit，andwhohasendeavouredtomovethepreviousquestiononallschemesoffancifulimprovement，andallplansofpracticalreform，bythefollowingdeclaration。Itisinitselfafinished_common-place；_
andmayserveasatestwhetherthatsortofsmooth，verbalreasoningwhichpassescurrentbecauseitexcitesnooneideainthemind，ismuchfreerfrominherentabsurditythanthewildestparadox。”Mylot”saysMr。CanningintheconclusionofhisLiverpoolspeech，”iscastundertheBritishMonarchy。UnderthatIhavelived；underthatIhaveseenmycountryflourish；[3]underthatIhaveseenitenjoyasgreatashareofprosperity，ofhappiness，andofgloryasIbelieveanymodificationofhumansocietytobecapableofbestowing；andIamnotpreparedtosacrificeortohazardthefruitofcenturiesofexperience，ofcenturiesofstruggles，andofmorethanonecenturyofliberty，asperfectaseverblessedanycountryupontheearth，forvisionaryschemesofidealperfectibility，fordoubtfulexperimentsevenofpossibleimprovement。”[4]
SuchisMr。Canning”scommon-place；andingivingthefollowinganswertoit，IdonotthinkIcanbeaccusedoffallingintothatextravagantandunmitigatedstrainofparadoxicalreasoningwithwhichIhavealreadyfoundsomuchfault。
Thepassage，then，whichthegentlemanherethrowsdownasaneffectualbartoallchange，toallinnovation，toallimprovement，containsateverysteparefutationofhisfavouritecreed。Heisnot”preparedtosacrificeortohazardthefruitofcenturiesofexperience，ofcenturiesofstruggles，andofonecenturyofliberty，forvisionaryschemesofidealperfectibility。”Soherearecenturiesofexperienceandcenturiesofstrugglestoarriveatonecenturyofliberty；andyet，accordingtoMr。Canning”sgeneraladvice，wearenevertomakeanyexperimentsortoengageinanystruggleseitherwithaviewtofutureimprovement，ortorecoverbenefitswhichwehavelost。Man(theyrepeatinourcars，lineuponline，preceptuponprecept)isalwaystoturnhisbackuponthefuture，andhisfacetothepast。Heistobelievethatnothingispossibleordesirablebutwhathefindsalreadyestablishedtohishandsintime-worninstitutionsorinveterateabuses。
Hisunderstandingistobeburiedinimplicitcreeds，andhehimselfistobemadeintoapoliticalautomaton，ago-cartofsuperstitionandprejudice，neverstirringhandorfootbutasheispulledbythewiresandstringsofthestate-conjurers，thelegitimatemanagersandproprietorsoftheshow。Hispowersofwill，ofthought，andactionaretobeparalysedinhim，andheistobetoldandtobelievethatwhateveris，mustbe。PerhapsMr。Canningwillsaythatmenweretomakeexperimentsandtoresolveuponstrugglesformerly，butthatnowtheyaretosurrendertheirunderstandingsandtheirrightsintohiskeeping。Butatwhatperiodoftheworldwasthesystemofpoliticalwisdom_stereotyped，_likeMr。Cobbett”s_GoldagainstPaper，_soastoadmitofnofartheralterationsorimprovements，orcorrectionoferrorsofthepress？Whendidtheexperienceofmankindbecomestationaryorretrograde，sothatwemustactfromtheobsoleteinferencesofpastperiods，notfromthelivingimpulseofexistingcircumstances，andtheconsolidatedforceoftheknowledgeandreflectionofagesuptothepresentinstant，naturallyprojectingusforwardintothefuture，andnotdrivingusbackuponthepast？DidMr。Canningneverhear，didheneverthink，ofLordBacon”saxiom，”Thatthosetimesaretheancienttimesinwhichwelive，andnotthosewhich，countingbackwardsfromourselves，_ordineretrogrado，_wecallancient”？Thelatestperiodsmustnecessarilyhavetheadvantageofthesum-totaloftheexperiencethathasgonebeforethem，andofthesum-totalofhumanreasonexerteduponthatexperience，oruponthesolidfoundationofnatureandhistory，movingoninitsmajesticcourse，notflutteringintheemptyairoffancifulspeculation，norleavingagapofcenturiesbetweenusandthelong-moulderedgroundsonwhichwearetothinkandact。Mr。
CanningcannotpleadwithMr。Burkethatnodiscoveries，noimprovementshavebeenmadeinpoliticalscienceandinstitutions；forhesayswehavearrivedthroughcenturiesofexperienceandofstrugglesatonecenturyofliberty。Istheworld，then，atastand？Mr。Canningknowswellenoughthatitisinceaselessprogressandeverlastingchange，buthewouldhaveittobethechangefromlibertytoslavery，theprogressofcorruption，notofregenerationandreform。Why，nolongeragothanthepresentyear，thetwoepochsofNovemberandJanuarylastpresented(hetellsusinthisveryspeech)asgreatacontrastinthestateofthecountryasanytwoperiodsofitshistorythemostoppositeormostremote。Wellthen，areourexperienceandourstrugglesatanend？No，hesays，”thecrisisisathandforeverymantotakepartfororagainsttheinstitutionsoftheBritishMonarchy。”Hispartistaken：”butofthisbesure，todoaughtgoodwillneverbehistask！”Hewillguardcarefullyagainstallpossibleimprovements，andmaintainallpossibleabusessacred，impassive，immortal。Hewillnotgiveupthefruitofcenturiesofexperience，ofstruggles，andofonecenturyatleastofliberty，sincetheRevolutionofI688，foranydoubtfulexperimentswhatever。Wearearrivedattheendofourexperience，ourstruggles，andourliberty——andaretoanchorthroughtimeandeternityintheharbourofpassiveobedienceandnon-resistance。We(thepeopleofEngland)willtellMr。Canningfranklywhatwethinkofhismagnanimousandulteriorresolution。Itisourown；andithasbeentheresolutionofmankindinallagesoftheworld。Nopeople，noage，everthrewawaythefruitsofpastwisdom，ortheenjoymentofpresentblessings，forvisionaryschemesofidealperfection。Itistheknowledgeofthepast，theactualinflictionofthepresent，thathasproducedallchanges，allinnovations，andallimprovements——not(asispretended)thechimericalanticipationofpossibleadvantages，buttheintolerablepressureoflong-established，notorious，aggravated，andgrowingabuses。ItwastheexperienceoftheenormousanddisgustingabusesandcorruptionsofthePapalpowerthatproducedtheReformation。
Itwastheexperienceofthevexationsandoppressionsofthefeudalsystemthatproduceditsabolitionaftercenturiesofsufferingsandofstruggles。ItwastheexperienceofthecapriceandtyrannyoftheMonarchthatextorted_MagnaCharta_atRunnymede。ItwastheexperienceofthearbitraryandinsolentabuseoftheprerogativeinthereignsoftheTudorsandthefirstStuartsthatproducedtheresistancetoitinthereignofCharlesI。andtheGrandRebellion。ItwastheexperienceoftheincorrigibleattachmentofthesameStuartstoPoperyandSlavery，withtheirmanyactsofcruelty，treachery，andbigotry，thatproducedtheRevolution，andsettheHouseofBrunswickontheThrone。Itwastheconvictionoftheincurablenatureoftheabuse，increasingwithtimeandpatience，andovercomingtheobstinateattachmenttooldhabitsandprejudices，——anattachmentnottoberootedoutbyfancyortheory，butonlybyrepeated，lasting，andincontrovertibleproofs，——thathasabatedeverynuisancethateverwasabated，andintroducedeveryinnovationandeveryexampleofrevolutionandreform。Itwastheexperienceoftheabuses，licentiousness，andinnumerableoppressionsoftheoldGovernmentinFrancethatproducedtheFrenchRevolution。ItwastheexperienceofthedeterminationoftheBritishMinistrytoharass，insult，andplunderthem，thatproducedtheRevolutionoftheUnitedStates。Awaythenwiththismiserablecantagainstfancifultheories，andappealtoacknowledgedexperience！Menneveractagainsttheirprejudicesbutfromthespuroftheirfeelings，thenecessityoftheirsituations——theirtheoriesareadaptedtotheirpracticalconvictionsandtheirvaryingcircumstances。Naturehasordereditso，andMr。Canning，byshowingoffhisrhetoricalpaces，byhis”amblingandlispingandnicknamingGod”screatures”cannotinvertthatorder，effacethehistoryofthepast，orarresttheprogressofthefuture——Publicopinionistheresultofpubliceventsandpublicfeelings；andgovernmentmustbemouldedbythatopinion，ormaintainitselfinoppositiontoitbythesword。Mr。Canningindeedwillnotconsentthatthesocialmachineshouldinanycasereceiveadifferentdirectionfromwhatithashad，”lestitshouldbehurriedovertheprecipiceanddashedtopieces。”ThesewarningsofnationalruinandterrificaccountsofpoliticalprecipicesputoneinmindofEdgar”sexaggerationstoGloster；theymakeone”shairstandonendintheperusalbutthepooroldman，likepooroldEngland，couldfallnolowerthanhewas。Mr。Montgomery，theingeniousandamiablepoet，afterhehadbeenshutupinsolitaryconfinementforayearandahalfforprintingtheDukeofRichmond”sLetteronReform，whenhefirstwalkedoutintothenarrowpathoftheadjoiningfield，wasseizedwithanapprehensionthatheshouldfalloverit，asifhehadtrodonthebrinkofanabruptdeclivity。TheauthoroftheloyalSpeechattheLiverpoolDinnerhasbeensolongkeptinthesolitaryconfinementofhisprejudices，andthedarkcellsofhisinterestandvanity，thatheisafraidofbeingdashedtopiecesifhemakesasinglefalsestep，totherightortheleft，fromhisdangerousandcrookedpolicy。Astohimself，hisearsarenodoubtclosedtoanyadvicethatmightherebeofferedhim；andastohiscountry，heseemsbentonitsdestruction。
If，however，anexampleofthefutilityofallhisprojectsandallhisreasoningsonabroaderscale，”towarnandscare，bewanting”lethimlookatSpain，andtakeleisuretorecoverfromhisincredulityandhissurprise。Spain，asFerdinand，astheMonarchy，hasfallenfromitsperniciousheight，nevertoriseagain：Spain，asSpain，astheSpanishpeople，hasrisenfromthetombofliberty，never(itistobehoped)tosinkagainundertheyokeofthebigotandtheoppressor！
NOTEStoESSAYXV
[1]Asforpolitics，Ithinkpoetsare_tories_bynature，supposingthemtobebynaturepoets。Theloveofanindividualpersonorfamily，thathaswornacrownformanysuccessions，isaninclinationgreatlyadaptedtothefancifultribe。Ontheotherhand，mathematicians，abstractreasonersofnomannerofattachmenttopersons，atleasttothevisiblepartofthem，butprodigiouslydevotedtotheideasofvirtue，liberty，andsoforth，aregenerally_whigs。_Ithappensagreeablyenoughtothismaxim，thatthewhigsarefriendstothatwise，plodding，unpoeticalpeople，theDutch。”——_Shenstone”sLetters，_p。105。
[2]Togivethemodernreader_unpetitapercu_ofthetoneofliteraryconversationaboutfiveorsixandtwentyyearsago，Irememberbeingpresentinalargepartycomposedofmen，women，andchildren，inwhichtwopersonsofremarkablecandourandingenuitywerelabouring(ashardasiftheyhadbeenpaidforit)toprovethatallprayerwasamodeofdictatingtotheAlmighty，andanarrogantassumptionofsuperiority。A
gentlemanpresentsaid，withgreatsimplicityand_naivete，_thattherewasoneprayerwhichdidnotstrikehimascomingexactlyunderthisdescription，andbeingaskedwhatthatwasmadeanswer，”TheSamaritan”s”Lord，bemercifultome，asinner！“”Thisappealbynomeanssettledthescepticaldogmatismofthetwodisputants，andsoonaftertheproposeroftheobjectionwentaway；onwhichoneofthemobservedwithgreatmarksofsatisfactionandtriumph——”Iamafraidwehaveshockedthatgentleman”sprejudices。”ThisdidnotappeartomeatthattimequitethethingandthishappenedintheyearI794——Twicehastheironenteredmysoul。Twicehavethedastard，vaunting，venalCrewgoneoverit：onceastheywentforth，conqueringandtoconquer，withreasonbytheirside，glitteringlikeafalchion，tramplingonprejudicesandmarchingfearlesslyonintheworkofregeneration；onceagainwhentheyreturnedwithretrogradesteps，likeCacus”soxendraggedbackwardbytheheels，tothedenofLegitimacy，”routonrout，confusionworseconfounded”withplacesandpensionsandthe_QuarterlyReview_danglingfromtheirpockets，andshouting，”Deliveranceformankind”for”theworst，thesecondfallofman。”YetIhaveenduredallthismarchingandcountermarchingofpoets，philosophers，andpoliticiansovermyheadaswellasIcould，like”thecamomilethatthrives，themore”tistrodupon。”ByHeavens，Ithink，I”llendureitnolonger！
[3]_Trojafuit。_
[4]_Mr。Canning”sSpeechattheLiverpoolDinner，givenincelebrationofhisRe-election，_MarchI8，I820。Fourthedition，revisedandcorrected。
ESSAYXVI
ONVULGARITYANDAFFECTATION
Fewsubjectsaremorenearlyalliedthanthesetwo——vulgarityandaffectation。Itmaybesaidofthemtrulythat”thinpartitionsdotheirboundsdivide。”Therecannotbeasurerproofofaloworiginorofaninnatemeannessofdispositionthantobealwaystalkingandthinkingofbeinggenteel。Onemustfeelastrongtendencytothatwhichoneisalwaystryingtoavoid：wheneverwepretend，onalloccasions，amightycontemptforanything，itisaprettyclearsignthatwefeelourselvesverynearlyonalevelwithit。Ofthetwoclassesofpeople，Ihardlyknowwhichistoberegardedwithmostdistaste，thevulgarapingthegenteel，orthegenteelconstantlysneeringatandendeavouringtodistinguishthemselvesfromthevulgar。
Thesetwosetsofpersonsarealwaysthinkingofoneanother；thelowerofthehigherwithenvy，themorefortunateoftheirlesshappyneighbourswithcontempt。Theyarehabituallyplacedinoppositiontoeachother；jostleintheirpretensionsateveryturn；andthesameobjectsandtrainofthought(onlyreversedbytherelativesituationofeitherparty)occupytheirwholetimeandattention。Theonearestrainingeverynerve，andoutragingcommonsense，tobethoughtgenteel；theothershavenootherobjectorideaintheirheadsthannottobethoughtvulgar。Thisisbutpoorspite；averypitifulstyleofambition。Tobemerelynotthatwhichoneheartilydespisesisaveryhumbleclaimtosuperiority：todespisewhatonereallyis，isstillworse。MostofthecharactersinMissBurney”snovels——theBranghtons，theSmiths，theDubsters，theCecilias，theDelvilles，etc——arewellmetinthisrespect，andmuchofapiece：theonehalfaretryingnottobetakenforthemselves，andtheotherhalfnottobetakenforthefirst。Theyneitherofthemhaveanypretensionsoftheirown，orrealstandardofworth。”Afeatherwillturnthescaleoftheiravoirdupois”；thoughthefairauthoresswasnotawareofthemetaphysicalidentityofherprincipalandsubordinatecharacters。
Affectationisthemaster-keytoboth。
Gentilityisonlyamoreselectandartificialkindofvulgarity。Itcannotexistbutbyasortofborroweddistinction。Itplumesitselfupandrevelsinthehomelypretensionsofthemassofmankind。Itjudgesoftheworthofeverythingbyname，fashion，andopinion；andhence，fromtheconsciousabsenceofrealqualitiesorsinceresatisfactioninitself，itbuildsitssuperciliousandfantasticconceitonthewretchednessandwantsofothers。Violentantipathiesarealwayssuspicious，andbetrayasecretaffinity。Thedifferencebetweenthe”GreatVulgarandtheSmall”ismostlyinoutwardcircumstances。Thecoxcombcriticisesthedressoftheclown，asthepedantcavilsatthebadgrammaroftheilliterate，ortheprudeisshockedatthebackslidingsofherfrailacquaintance。Thosewhohavethefewestresourcesinthemselvesnaturallyseekthefoodoftheirself-loveelsewhere。Themostignorantpeoplefindmosttolaughatinstrangers：
scandalandsatireprevailmostincountry-places；andapropensitytoridiculeeverytheslightestormostpalpabledeviationfromwhatwehappentoapprove，ceaseswiththeprogressofcommonsenseanddecency。[1]Trueworthdoesnotexultinthefaultsanddeficienciesofothers；astruerefinementturnsawayfromgrossnessanddeformity，insteadofbeingtemptedtoindulgeinanunmanlytriumphoverit。
Raphaelwouldnotfaintawayatthedaubingofasignpost，norHomerholdhisheadthehigherforbeinginthecompanyofaGrubStreetbard。
Realpower，realexcellence，doesnotseekforafoilininferiority；
norfearcontaminationfromcomingincontactwiththatwhichiscoarseandhomely。Itreposesonitself，andisequallyfreefromspleenandaffectation。Butthespiritofgentilityisthemereessenceofspleenandaffectation；ofaffecteddelightinitsownwould-bequalifications，andofineffabledisdainpouredoutupontheinvoluntaryblundersoraccidentaldisadvantagesofthosewhomitchoosestotreatasitsinferiors。ThusafashionableMisstitterstillsheisreadytobursthersidesattheuncouthshapeofabonnetortheabruptdropofacurtsey(suchasJeanieDeanswouldmake)inacountry-girlwhocomestobehiredbyherMammaasaservant；yettoshowhowlittlefoundationthereisforthishystericalexpressionofherextremegoodopinionofherselfandcontemptfortheuntutoredrustic，shewouldherselfthenextdaybedelightedwiththeverysameshapedbonnetifbroughtherbyaFrenchmillinerandtolditwasallthefashion，andinaweek”stimewillbecomequitefamiliarwiththemaid，andchatterwithher(uponequalterms)aboutcapsandribbonsandlacebythehourtogether。
Thereisnodifferencebetweenthembutthatofsituationinthekitchenorintheparlour：letcircumstancesbringthemtogether，andtheyfitlikehandandglove。Itislikemistress，likemaid。Theirtalk，theirthoughts，theirdreams，theirlikingsanddislikesarethesame。Themistress”sheadrunscontinuallyondressandfinery，sodoesthemaid”s：theyoungladylongstorideinacoachandsix，sodoesthemaid，ifshecould；Missformsa_beau-ideal_ofaloverwithblackeyesandrosycheeks，whichdoesnotdifferfromthatofherattendant；bothlikeasmartman，theonethefootmanandtheotherhismaster，forthesamereason；bothlikehandsomefurnitureandfinehouses；bothapplythetermsshockinganddisagreeabletothesamethingsandpersons；bothhaveagreatnotionofballs，plays，treats，song-books，andlove-tales；
bothlikeaweddingorachristening，andbothwouldgivetheirlittlefingerstoseeacoronation——withthisdifference，thattheonehasachanceofgettingaseatatit，andtheotherisdyingwithenvythatshehasnot。Indeed，thislastisaceremonythatdelightsequallythegreatestmonarchandthemeanestofhissubjects——thevilestoftherabble。Yetthiswhichistheheightofgentilityandconsummationofexternaldistinctionandsplendour，is，Ishouldsay，avulgarceremony。
Forwhatdegreeofrefinement，ofcapacity，ofvirtueisrequiredintheindividualwhoissodistinguished，orisnecessarytohisenjoyingthisidleandimposingparadeofhisperson？Ishedelightedwiththestage-coachandgildedpanels？Soisthepoorestwretchthatgazesatit。Ishestruckwiththespirit，thebeauty，andsymmetryoftheeightcream-colouredhorses？Thereisnotoneoftheimmensemultitudewhoflocktoseethesightfromtownorcountry，St。Giles”sorWhitechapel，youngorold，richorpoor，gentleorsimple，whodoesnotagreetoadmirethesameobject。Ishedelightedwiththeyeomenoftheguard，themilitaryescort，thegroupsofladies，thebadgesofsovereignpower，thekinglycrown，themarshal”struncheonandthejudge”srobe，thearraythatprecedesandfollowshim，thecrowdedstreets，thewindowshungwitheagerlooks？Soarethemob，forthey”haveeyesandseethem！”Thereisnoonefacultyofmindorbody，naturaloracquired，essentialtotheprincipalfigureinthisprocessionmorethaniscommontothemeanestandmostdespisedattendantonit。Awaxworkfigurewouldanswerthesamepurpose：aLordMayorofLondonhasasmuchtinseltobeproudof。Iwouldratherhaveakingdosomethingthatnooneelsehasthepowerormagnanimitytodo，orsaysomethingthatnooneelsehasthewisdomtosay，orlookmorehandsome，morethoughtful，orbenignthananyoneelseinhisdominions。ButIseenothingtoraiseone”sideaofhiminhisbeingmadeashowof：ifthepageantwoulddoaswellwithouttheman，themanwoulddoaswellwithoutthepageant！Kingshavebeendeclaredtobe”loversoflowcompany”；andthismaxim，besidesthereasonsometimesassignedforit，viz。thattheymeetwithlessoppositiontotheirwillsfromsuchpersons，willI
suspectbefoundtoturnatlastontheconsiderationIamherestating，thattheyalsomeetwithmoresympathyintheirtastes。Themostignorantandthoughtlesshavethegreatestadmirationofthebaubles，theoutwardsymbolsofpompandpower，thesoundandshow，whicharethehabitualdelightandmightyprerogativeofkings。Thestupidestslaveworshipsthegaudiesttyrant。Thesamegrossmotivesappealtothesamegrosscapacities，flattertheprideofthesuperiorandexcitetheservilityofthedependant；whereasahigherreachofmoralandintellectualrefinementmightseekinvainforhigherproofsofinternalworthandinherentmajestyintheobjectofitsidolatry，andnotfindingthedivinitylodgedwithin，theunreasonableexpectationraisedwouldprobablyendinmortificationonbothsides！——Thereislittletodistinguishakingfromhissubjectsbuttherabble”sshout——ifhelosesthatandisreducedtotheforlornhopeofgainingthesuffragesofthewiseandgood，heisofallmenthemostmiserable——Butenoughofthis。”Ilikeit”saysMissBranghton[2]in_Evelina_(meaningtheopera)，”becauseitisnotvulgar。”Thatis，shelikesit，notbecausethereisanythingtolikeinit，butbecauseotherpeoplearepreventedfromlikingorknowinganythingaboutit。JanusWeathercock，Esq。，laughethtoscornandspitefullyentreatethandhugelycondemnethmydramaticcriticismsinthe_London，_foralikeexquisitereason。Imustthereforemakeanexampleofhim_interrorem_toallsuchhypercritics。
Hefindsfaultwithmeandcallsmytastevulgar，becauseIgotoSadler”sWells(”aplacehehasheardof”——0Lord，sir！)——becauseI
noticetheMissDennetts，”greatfavouriteswiththeWhitechapelorders”——praiseMissValancy，”abouncingColumbineatAshley”sandthemthereplaces，ashisbarberinformshim”(hashenowayofestablishinghimselfinhisowngoodopinionbutbytriumphingoverhisbarber”sbadEnglish？)——andfinally，becauseIrecognisedtheexistenceoftheCoburgandtheSurreytheatres，atthenamesofwhichhecries”Faugh”withgreatsignificance，asifhehadsomepersonaldisgustatthem，andyethewouldbesupposednevertohaveenteredthem。Itisnothiscueasawell-bredcritic。_C”estbeauca。_Nowthisappearstomeaverycrude，unmeaning，indiscriminate，wholesale，andvulgarwayofthinking。
Itisprejudicingthingsinthelump，bynamesandplacesandclasses，insteadofjudgingofthembywhattheyareinthemselves，bytheirrealqualitiesandshadesofdistinction。Thereisnoselection，truth，ordelicacyinsuchamodeofproceeding。Itisaffectingignorance，andmakingitatitletowisdom。Itisavapidassumptionofsuperiority。
Itisexceedingimpertinence。Itisrankcoxcombry。Itisnothingintheworldelse。Tocondemnbecausethemultitudeadmireisasessentiallyvulgarastoadmirebecausetheyadmire。Thereisnoexerciseoftasteorjudgmentineithercase：bothareequallyrepugnanttogoodsense，andofthetwoIshouldpreferthegood-naturedside。I
wouldassoonagreewithmybarberasdifferfromhim；andwhyshouldI
makeapointofreversingthesentenceoftheWhitechapelorders？OrhowcanitaffectmyopinionofthemeritsofanactorattheCoburgortheSurreytheatres，thatthesetheatresareinoroutoftheBillsofMortality？Thisisaneasy，short-handwayofjudging，asgrossasitismechanical。ItisnotadifficultmattertosettlequestionsoftastebyconsultingthemapofLondon，ortoproveyourliberalitybygeographicaldistinctions。Janusjumblesthingstogetherstrangely。IfhehadseenMr。Keaninaprovincialtheatre，atExeterorTaunton，hewouldhavethoughtitvulgartoadmirehim；butwhenhehadbeenstampedinLondon，Januswouldnodoubtshowhisdiscernmentandthesubtletyofhistactforthedisplayofcharacterandpassionbynotbeingbehindthefashion。TheMissDennettsare”littleunformedgirls”fornootherreasonthanbecausetheydancedatoneoftheminortheatres：letthembutcomeoutontheoperaboards，andletthebeautyandfashionoftheseasongreetthemwithafairyshowerofdelightedapplause，andtheywouldoutshineMilanie”withthefootoffire。”Hisgorgerisesatthementionofacertainquarterofthetown：whateverpassescurrentinanother，he”swallowstotalgristunsifted，husksandall。”Thisisnottaste，butfolly。Atthisrate，thehackney-coachmanwhodriveshim，orhishorseContributorwhomhehasintroducedasaselectpersonagetothevulgarreader，knowsasmuchofthematterashedoes——Inaword，theanswertoallthisinthefirstinstanceistosaywhatvulgarityis。Nowitsessence，Iimagine，consistsintakingmanners，actions，words，opinionsontrustfromothers，withoutexaminingone”sownfeelingsorweighingthemeritsofthecase。Itiscoarsenessorshallownessoftastearisingfromwantofindividualrefinement，togetherwiththeconfidenceandpresumptioninspiredbyexampleandnumbers。Itmaybedefinedtobeaprostitutionofthemindorbodytoapethemoreorlessobviousdefectsofothers，becausebysodoingweshallsecurethesuffragesofthoseweassociatewith。Toaffectagesture，anopinion，aphrase，becauseitistheragewithalargenumberofpersons，ortoholditinabhorrencebecauseanothersetofpersonsverylittle，ifatall，betterinformedcryitdowntodistinguishthemselvesfromtheformer，isineithercaseequalvulgarityandabsurdity。Athingisnotvulgarmerelybecauseitiscommon。”Tiscommontobreathe，tosee，tofeel，tolive。Nothingisvulgarthatisnatural，spontaneous，unavoidable。Grossnessisnotvulgarity，ignoranceisnotvulgarity，awkwardnessisnotvulgarity；butallthesebecomevulgarwhentheyareaffectedandshownoffontheauthorityofothers，ortofallinwith_thefashion_orthecompanywekeep。Calibaniscoarseenough，butsurelyheisnotvulgar。Wemightaswellspurntheclodunderourfeetandcallitvulgar。Cobbettiscoarseenough，butheisnotvulgar。Hedoesnotbelongtotheherd。
Nothingreal，nothingoriginal，canbevulgar；butIshouldthinkanimitatorofCobbettavulgarman。Emery”sYorkshiremanisvulgar，becauseheisaYorkshireman。Itisthecantandgibberish，thecunningandlowlifeofaparticulardistrict；ithas”astampexclusiveandprovincial。”Hemight”gabblemostbrutishly”andyetnotfallundertheletterofthedefinition；but”hisspeechbewrayethhim”hisdialect(likethejargonofaBondStreetlounger)isthedamningcircumstance。Ifhewereamereblockhead，itwouldnotsignify；buthethinkshimselfa_knowinghand，_accordingtothenotionsandpracticesofthosewithwhomhewasbroughtup，andwhichhethinks_thego_
everywhere。Inaword，thischaracterisnottheoffspringofuntutorednaturebutofbadhabits；itismadeupofignoranceandconceit。Ithasamixtureof_slang_init。Allslangphrasesareforthesamereasonvulgar；butthereisnothingvulgarinthecommonEnglishidiom。
Simplicityisnotvulgarity；butthelookingtoaffectationofanysortfordistinctionis。Acockneyisavulgarcharacter，whoseimaginationcannotwanderbeyondthesuburbsofthemetropolis；soisafellowwhoisalwaysthinkingoftheHighStreet，Edinburgh。Wewantanameforthislastcharacter。Anopinionisvulgarthatisstewedintherankbreathoftherabble；norisitabitpurerormorerefinedforhavingpassedthroughthewell-cleansedteethofawholecourt。Theinherentvulgarityisinhavingnootherfeelingonanysubjectthanthecrude，blind，headling，gregariousnotionacquiredbysympathywiththemixedmultitudeorwithafastidiousminority，whoarejustasinsensibletotherealtruth，andasindifferenttoeverythingbuttheirownfrivolousandvexatiouspretensions。Theupperarenotwiserthanthelowerordersbecausetheyresolvetodifferfromthem。Thefashionablehavetheadvantageoftheunfashionableinnothingbutthefashion。Thetruevulgararethe_servumpecusimitatorum_——theherdofpretenderstowhattheydonotfeelandtowhatisnotnaturaltothem，whetherinhighorlowlife。Tobelongtoanyclass，tomoveinanyrankorsphereoflife，isnotaveryexclusivedistinctionortestofrefinement。
Refinementwillinallclassesbetheexception，nottherule；andtheexceptionmayfalloutinoneclassaswellasanother。Akingisbutanhereditarytitle。AnoblemanisonlyoneoftheHouseofPeers。Tobeaknightoraldermanisconfessedlyavulgarthing。ThekingtheotherdaymadeSirWalterScottabaronet，butnotallthepoweroftheThreeEstatescouldmakeanotherAuthorof_Waverley_。Princes，heroes，areoftencommonplacepeople：Hamletwasnotavulgarcharacter，neitherwasDonQuixote。Tobeanauthor，tobeapainter，isnothing。Itisatrick，itisatrade。
Anauthor！”tisavenerablename：
Howfewdeserveit，yetwhatnumbersclaim！
Nay，tobeaMemberoftheRoyalAcademyoraFellowoftheRoyalSocietyisbutavulgardistinction；buttobeaVirgil，aMilton，aRaphael，aClaude，iswhatfelltothelotofhumanitybutonce！Idonotthinktheywerevulgarpeople；though，foranythingIknowtothecontrary，thefirstLordoftheBedchambermaybeaveryvulgarman；foranythingIknowtothecontrary，hemaynotbeso——Suchareprettymuchmynotionsofgentilityandvulgarity。
Thereisawell-dressedandanill-dressedmob，bothwhichIhate。_Odiprofanumvulgus，etarceo。_Thevapidaffectationoftheonetomeisevenmoreintolerablethanthegrossinsolenceandbrutalityoftheother。Ifasetoflow-livedfellowsarenoisy，rude，andboisteroustoshowtheirdisregardofthecompany，asetoffashionablecoxcombsare，toanauseousdegree，finicalandeffeminatetoshowtheirthoroughbreeding。Theonearegovernedbytheirfeelings，howevercoarseandmisguided，whichissomething；theothersconsultonlyappearances，whicharenothing，eitherasatestofhappinessorvirtue。Hogarthinhisprintshastrimmedthebalanceofpretensionbetweenthedownrightblackguardandthe_soi-disant_finegentlemanunanswerably。Itdoesnotappearinhismoraldemonstrations(whateveritmaydointhegenteelletter-writingofLordChesterfieldorthechivalrousrhapsodiesofBurke)thatvicebylosingallitsgrossnessloseshalfitsevil。Itbecomesmorecontemptible，notlessdisgusting。Whatisthereincommon，forinstance，betweenhisbeauxandbelles，hisrakesandhiscoquettes，andthemenandwomen，thetrueheroicandidealcharactersinRaphael？Buthispeopleoffashionandqualityarejustuponaparwiththelow，theselfish，the_unideal_charactersinthecontrastedviewofhumanlife，andareoftentheverysamecharacters，onlychangingplaces。Ifthelowerranksareactuatedbyenvyanduncharitablenesstowardstheupper，thelatterhavescarcelyanyfeelingsbutofpride，contempt，andaversiontothelower。Ifthepoorwouldpulldowntherichtogetattheirgoodthings，therichwouldtreaddownthepoorasinawine-press，andsqueezethelastshillingoutoftheirpocketsandthelastdropofbloodoutoftheirveins。Iftheheadstrongself-willandunrulyturbulenceofacommonalehouseareshocking，whatshallwesaytothestudiedinsincerity，theinsipidwantofcommonsense，thecallousinsensibilityofthedrawing-roomandboudoir？Iwouldratherseethefeelingsofourcommonnature(fortheyarethesameatbottom)expressedinthemostnakedandunqualifiedway，thanseeeveryfeelingofournaturesuppressed，stifled，hermeticallysealedunderthesmooth，cold，glitteringvarnishofpretendedrefinementandconventionalpoliteness。Theonemaybecorrectedbybeingbetterinformed；theotherisincorrigible，wilful，heartlessdepravity。IcannotdescribethecontemptanddisgustIhavefeltatthetoneofwhatwouldbethoughtgoodcompany，whenIhavewitnessedthesleek，smiling，glossy，gratuitousassumptionofsuperioritytoeveryfeelingofhumanity，honesty，orprinciple，asapartoftheetiquette，thementalandmoral_costume_ofthetable，andeveryprofessionoftolerationorfavourforthelowerorders，thatis，forthegreatmassofourfellow-creatures，treatedasanindecorumandbreachoftheharmonyofwell-regulatedsociety。Inshort，Ipreferabear-gardentotheadder”sden；or，toputthiscaseinitsextremestpointofview，IhavemorepatiencewithmeninarudestateofnatureoutragingthehumanformthanIhavewithapes”makingmopsandmows”attheextravagancestheyhavefirstprovoked。Icanendurethebrutality(asitistermed)ofmobsbetterthantheinhumanityofcourts。Theviolenceoftheonerageslikeafire；theinsidiouspolicyoftheotherstrikeslikeapestilence，andismorefatalandinevitable。Theslowpoisonofdespotismisworsethantheconvulsivestrugglesofanarchy。”Ofallevils”saysHume，”anarchyistheshortestlived。”Theonemay”breakoutlikeawildoverthrow”；buttheotherfromitssecret，sacredstand，operatesunseen，andunderminesthehappinessofkingdomsforages，lurksinthehollowcheek，andstaresyouinthefaceintheghastlyeyeofwantandagonyandwoe。Itisdreadfultohearthenoiseanduproarofaninfuriatedmultitudestungbythesenseofwrongandmaddenedbysympathy；itismoreappallingtothinkofthesmileansweredbyothergracioussmiles，ofthewhisperechoedbyotherassentingwhispers，whichdoomthemfirsttodespairandthentodestruction。Popularfuryfindsitscounterpartincourtlyservility。
Ifeveryoutrageistobeapprehendedfromtheone，everyiniquityisdeliberatelysanctionedbytheother，withoutregardtojusticeordecency。Thewordofaking，”Gothouanddolikewise”makesthestoutestheartdumb：truthandhonestyshrinkbeforeit。[3]Iftherearewatchwordsfortherabble，havenotthepoliteandfashionabletheirhackneyedphrases，theirfulsome，unmeaningjargonaswell？Botharetomeanathema！
Toreturntothefirstquestion，asitregardsindividualandprivatemanners。ThereisafineillustrationoftheeffectsofpreposterousandaffectedgentilityinthecharacterofGertrude，intheoldcomedyof_EastwardHoe，_writtenbyBenJonson，Marston，andChapmaninconjunction。ThisplayissupposedtohavegivenrisetoHogarth”sseriesofprintsoftheIdleandIndustriousApprentice；andthereissomethingexceedinglyHogarthianintheviewbothofvulgarandofgenteellifeheredisplayed。ThecharacterofGertrude，inparticular，theheroineofthepiece，isinimitablydrawn。Themixtureofvanityandmeanness，theinternalworthlessnessandexternalpretence，therusticignoranceandfinelady-likeairs，theintoxicationofnoveltyandinfatuationofpride，appearlikeadreamorromance，ratherthananythinginreallife。Cinderellaandherglassslipperarecommon-placetoit。Sheisnot，likeMillamant(acenturyafterwards)，theaccomplishedfinelady，butapretendertoallthefopperyandfineryofthecharacter。Itisthehoneymoonwithherladyship，andherfollyisatthefull。Tobeawife，andthewifeofaknight，aretoherpleasures”wornintheirnewestgloss”andnothingcanexceedherrapturesinthecontemplationofbothpartsofthedilemma。Itisnotfamiliarity，butnovelty，thatwedshertothecourt。Sherisesintotheairofgentilityfromthegroundofacitylife，andfluttersabouttherewithallthefantasticdelightofabutterflythathasjustchangeditscaterpillarstate。ThesoundofMyLadyintoxicatesherwithdelight，makeshergiddy，andalmostturnsherbrain。Onthebarestrengthofitsheisreadytoturnherfatherandmotheroutofdoors，andtreatsherbrotherandsisterwithinfinitedisdainandjudicialhardnessofheart。Withsomespeculatorsthemodernphilosophyhasdeadenedanddistortedallthenaturalaffections；andbeforeabstractideasandthemischievousrefinementsofliteraturewereintroduced，nothingwastobemetwithintheprimevalstateofsocietybutsimplicityandpastoralinnocenceofmanners——
AndallwasconscienceandtenderheartThishistoricalplaygivesthelietotheabovetheoryprettybroadly，yetdelicately。Ourheroineisasvainassheisignorant，andasunprincipledassheisboth，andwithoutanideaorwishofanykindbutthatofadorningherpersonintheglass，andbeingcalledandthoughtalady，somethingsuperiortoacitizen”swife。[4]Sheissobentonfinerythatshebelievesinmiraclestoobtainit，andexpectsthefairiestobringither。[5]Sheisquiteabovethinkingofasettlement，jointure，orpin-money。Shetakesthewillforthedeedallthroughthepiece，andissobesottedwiththisignorant，vulgarnotionofrankandtitleasarealthingthatcannotbecounterfeitedthatsheisthedupeofherownfinestratagems，andmarriesagull，adolt，abrokenadventurerforanaccomplishedandbravegentleman。Hermeannessisequaltoherfollyandherpride(andnothingcanbegreater)，yetsheholdsoutonthestrengthofheroriginalpretensionsforalongtime，andplaystheupstartwithdecencyandimposingconsistency。
Indeed，herinfatuationandcapricesareakintotheflightyperversityofadisorderedimagination；andanotherturnofthewheelofgoodorevilfortunewouldhavesenthertokeepcompanywithHogarth”s_Merveilleuses_inBedlam，orwithDecker”sgroupofcoquettesinthesameplace——Theotherpartsoftheplayareadrearylee-shore，likeCuckold”sPointonthecoastofEssex，wherethepreconcertedshipwrecktakesplacethatwindsupthecatastropheofthepiece。Butthisisalsocharacteristicoftheage，andservesasacontrasttotheairyandfactitiouscharacterwhichistheprincipalfigureintheplot。WehadmadebutlittleprogressfromthatpointtillHogarth”stime，ifHogarthistobebelievedinhisdescriptionofcitymanners。Howwonderfullywehavedistanceditsince！
Withoutgoingintothisatlength，thereisonecircumstance1wouldmentioninwhichIthinktherehasbeenastrikingimprovementinthefamilyeconomyofmoderntimes——andthatisintherelationofmistressesandservants。Aftervisitsandfinery，amarriedwomanoftheoldschoolhadnothingtodobuttoattendtoherhousewifery。Shehadnootherresource，noothersenseofpower，buttoharangueandlorditoverherdomestics。Modernbook-educationsuppliestheplaceoftheold-fashionedsystemofkitchenpersecutionandeloquence。Awell-bredwomannowseldomgoesintothekitchentolookaftertheservants：——formerlywhatwascalledagoodmanager，anexemplarymistressofafamily，didnothingbuthuntthemfrommorningtonight，fromoneyear”sendtoanother，withoutleavingthemamoment”srest，peace，orcomfort。Nowaservantislefttodoherworkwithoutthissuspiciousandtormentinginterferenceandfault-findingateverystep，andshedoesitallthebetter。Theproverbsaboutthemistress”seye，etc。，arenolongerheldforcurrent。Awomanfromthishabit，whichatlastbecameanuncontrollablepassion，wouldscoldhermaidsforfiftyyearstogether，andnothingcouldstopher：nowthetemptationtoreadthelastnewpoemornovel，andthenecessityoftalkingofitinthenextcompanyshegoesinto，preventher——andthebenefittoallpartiesisincalculable。
NOTEStoESSAYXVI
[1]IfaEuropean，whenhehascutoffhisbeardandputfalsehaironhishead，orbounduphisownnaturalhairinregularhardknots，asunlikenatureashecouldpossiblymakeit；andafterhavingrenderedthemimmovablebythehelpofthefatofhogs，hascoveredthewholewithflour，laidonbyamachinewiththeutmostregularity；ifwhenthusattiredheissuesforth，andmeetswithaCherokeeIndian，whohasbestowedasmuchtimeathistoilet，andlaidonwithequalcareandattentionhisyellowandredokeronparticularpartsofhisforeheadorcheeks，ashejudgesmostbecoming；whoeverofthesetwodespisestheotherforthisattentiontothefashionofhiscountry，whicheverfirstfeelshimselfprovokedtolaugh，isthebarbarian。”——SirJoshuaReynolds”s_Discourses，_vol。i。pp。231，232。
[2]ThisnamewasoriginallyspeltBraughtoninthemanuscript，andwasalteredtoBranghtonbyamistakeoftheprinter。Branghton，however，wasthoughtagoodnamefortheoccasionandwassufferedtostand。”Dipitintheocean”asSterne”sbarbersaysofthebuckle，”anditwillstand！”
[3]Aladyofquality，inallusiontothegallantriesofareigningprince，beingtold，”Isupposeitwillbeyourturnnext？”said，”No，I
hopenot；foryouknowitisimpossibletorefuse！”
[4]”_Gertrude。_Forthepassionofpatience，lookifSirPetronelapproach。Thatsweet，thatfine，thatdelicate，that——forlove”ssake，tellmeifhecome。Oh，sisterMill，thoughmyfatherbealow-capttradesman，yetImustbealady，andIpraiseGodmymothermustcallmemadam。Doeshecome？Offwiththisgownforshame”ssake，offwiththisgown！Letnotmyknighttakemeinthecitycut，inanyhand！
Tear”t！Poxon”t(doeshecome？)，tear”toff！_Thuswhileshesleeps，Isorrowforhersake。_(Sings。)
_Mildred。_Lord，sister，withwhatanimmodestimpatiencyanddisgracefulscorndoyouputoffyourcity-tire！Iamsorrytothinkyouimaginetorightyourselfinwrongingthatwhichhathmadebothyouandus。
_Ger。_Itellyou，Icannotendureit：Imustbealady：doyouwearyourquoiffwithaLondonlicket！yourstamelpetticoatwithtwoguards！
thebuffingownwiththetuftafittycapandthevelvetlace！Imustbealady，andIwillbealady。Ilikesomehumoursofthecitydameswell；toeatcherriesonlyatanangelapound；good：todyerichscarletblack；pretty：tolineagrogramgowncleanthroughwithvelvet；
tolerable：theirpurelinen，theirsmocksofthreepoundasmock，aretobebornewithal：butyourmincingniceries，taffitypipkins，durancepetticoats，andsilverbodkins——God”smylife！asIshallbealady，I
cannotendureit。
_Mil。_Well，sister，thosethatscorntheirnestoftflywithasickwing。
_Ger。_Bow-bell！Alas！poorMill，whenIamalady，I”llprayfortheeyeti”faith；nay，andI”llvouchsafetocalltheesisterMillstill；forthouartnotliketobealadyasIam，yetsurelythouartacreatureofGod”smaking，andmay”stperadventurebesavedassoonasI(doeshecome？)。_Andeverandanonshedoubledinhersong。_
_Mil。_Now(lady”smycomfort)，whataprofaneape”shere！
EnterSIRPETRONELFLASH，MR。TOUCHSTONE，andMRS。TOUCHSTONE。
_Ger。_Ismyknightcome？0thelord，myband！Sister，domycheekslookwell？Givemealittleboxo”theear，thatImayseemtoblush。
Now，now！so，there，there！hereheis！0mydearestdelight！Lord，lord！andhowdoesmyknight？
_Touchstone。_Fie，withmoremodesty。
_Ger。_Modesty！why，Iamnocitizennow。Modesty！amInottobemarried？You”rebesttokeepmemodest，nowIamtobealady。
_SirPetronel。_Boldnessisagoodfashionandcourt-like。
_Ger。_Aye，in，acountryladyIhopeitis，asIshallbe。Andhowchanceyecamenosooner，knight？
_SirPet。_Faith，IwassoentertainedintheprogresswithoneCountEpernoun，aWelchknight：wehadamatchatbaloontoowithmyLordWhackumforfourcrowns。
_Ger。_Andwhenshall”sbemarried，myknight？
_SirPet。_Iamcomenowtoconsummate：andyourfathermaycallapoorknightson-in-law。
_Mrs。Touchstone。_Yes，thatheisaknight：Iknowwherehehadmoneytopaythegentlemenushersandheraldstheirfees。Aye，thatheisaknight：andsomightyouhavebeentoo，ifyouhadbeenaughtelsebutanass，aswellassomeofyourneighbours。AnIthoughtyouwouldnotha”beenknighted，asIamanhonestwoman，Iwouldha”dubbedyoumyself。IpraiseGod，Ihavewherewithal。Butasforyou，daughter——
_Ger。_Aye，mother，Imustbealadyto-morrow；andbyyourleave，mother(Ispeakitnotwithoutmyduty，butonlyintherightofmyhusband)，Imusttakeplaceofyou，mother。
_Mrs。Touch。_Thatyoushall，lady-daughter；andhaveacoachaswellasI。
_Ger。_Yes，mother；butmycoach-horsesmusttakethewallofyourcoach-horses。
_Touch。_Come，come，thedaygrowslow；”tissuppertime：and，sir，respectmydaughter；shehasrefusedforyouwealthyandhonestmatches，knowngoodmen。
_Ger。_Bodyo”truth，citizen，citizens！Sweetknight，assoonaseverwearemarried，takemetothymercy，outofthismiserablecity。
Presently：carrymeoutofthescentofNewcastlecoalandthehearingofBow-bell，Ibeseechthee；downwithme，forGod”ssake。”-ActI。Scenei。
Thisdotageonsoundandshowseemedcharacteristicofthatage(see_NewWaytoPayOldDebts，_etc。)——asifinthegrossnessofsense，andtheabsenceofallintellectualandabstracttopicsofthoughtanddiscourse(thethin，circulatingmediumofthepresentday)themindwasattractedwithoutthepowerofresistancetothetinklingsoundofitsownnamewithatitleaddedtoit，andtheimageofitsownpersontrickedoutinold-fashionedfinery。Theeffect，nodoubt，wasalsomoremarkedandstrikingfromthecontrastbetweentheordinarypenuryandpovertyoftheageandthefirstandmoreextravagantdemonstrationsofluxuryandartificialrefinement。
[5]_”Gertrude。_Goodlord，thattherearenofairiesnowadays，Syn。
_Syndefy。_Why，Madam？
_Ger。_Todomiracles，andbringladiesmoney。Sure，ifwelayinacleanlyhouse，theywouldhauntit，Synne？I”llsweepthechambersoonatnight，andsetadishofwatero”thehearth。Afairymaycomeandbringapearloradiamond。Wedonotknow，Synne：ortheremaybeapotofgoldhidintheyard，ifwehadtoolstodigfor”t。Whymaynotwetworiseearlyi”themorning，Synne，aforeanybodyisup，andfindajeweli”thestreetsworthahundredpounds？Maynotsomegreatcourt-lady，asshecomesfromrevelsatmidnight，lookoutofhercoach，as”tisrunning，andlosesuchajewel，andwefindit？ha！
_Syn。_Theyareprettywakingdreams，these。
_Ger。_Ormaynotsomeoldusurerbedrunkovernightwithabagofmoney，andleaveitbehindhimonastall？ForGod”ssake，Syn，let”sriseto-morrowbybreakofday，andsee。Iprotest，la，ifIhadasmuchmoneyasanalderman，Iwouldscattersomeon”ti”thestreetsforpoorladiestofindwhentheirknightswerelaidup。AndnowIremembermysongoftheGoldenShower，whymaynotIhavesuchafortune？I”llsingit，andtrywhatluckIshallhaveafterit。”——ActV。Scenei。”
