First，bequitesureofonething，that，howevermuchyoumayknow，andwhateveradvantagesyoumaypossess，andhowevergoodyoumaybe，youhavenotbeensingledout，bytheGodwhomadeyou，fromalltheothergirlsintheworld，tobeespeciallyinformedrespectingHisownnatureandcharacter。Youhavenotbeenborninaluminouspointuponthesurfaceoftheglobe，whereaperfecttheologymightbeexpoundedtoyoufromyouryouthup，andwhereeverythingyouweretaughtwouldbetrue，andeverythingthatwasenforceduponyou，right。Ofalltheinsolent，allthefoolishpersuasionsthatbyanychancecouldenterandholdyouremptylittleheart，thisistheproudestandfoolishest，——thatyouhavebeensomuchthedarlingoftheHeavens，andfavouriteoftheFates，astobebornintheverynickoftime，andinthepunctualplace，whenandwherepureDivinetruthhadbeensiftedfromtheerrorsoftheNations;andthatyourpapahadbeenprovidentiallydisposedtobuyahouseintheconvenientneighbourhoodofthesteepleunderwhichthatImmaculateandfinalveritywouldbebeautifullyproclaimed。Donotthinkit，child;itisnotso。This，onthecontrary，isthefact，—
—unpleasantyoumaythinkit;pleasant，itseemstoME，——thatyou，withallyourprettydresses，anddaintylooks，andkindlythoughts，andsaintlyaspirations，arenotonewhitmorethoughtoforlovedbythegreatMakerandMasterthananypoorlittlered，black，orbluesavage，runningwildinthepestilentwoods，ornakedonthehotsandsoftheearth：andthat，ofthetwo，youprobablyknowlessaboutGodthanshedoes;theonlydifferencebeingthatshethinkslittleofHimthatisright，andyoumuchthatiswrong。
That，then，isthefirstthingtomakesureof;——thatyouarenotyetperfectlywellinformedonthemostabstruseofallpossiblesubjects，andthatifyoucaretobehavewithmodestyorpropriety，youhadbetterbesilentaboutit。
Thesecondthingwhichyoumaymakesureofis，thathowevergoodyoumaybe，youhavefaults;thathoweverdullyoumaybe，youcanfindoutwhatsomeofthemare;andthathoweverslighttheymaybe，youhadbettermakesome——nottoopainful，butpatient——efforttogetquitofthem。Andsofarasyouhaveconfidenceinmeatall，trustmeforthis，thathowmanysoeveryoumayfindorfancyyourfaultstobe，thereareonlytwothatareofrealconsequence，——
IdlenessandCruelty。Perhapsyoumaybeproud。Well，wecangetmuchgoodoutofpride，ifonlyitbenotreligious。Perhapsyoumaybevain;itishighlyprobable;andverypleasantforthepeoplewholiketopraiseyou。Perhapsyouarealittleenvious：thatisreallyveryshocking;butthen——soiseverybodyelse。Perhaps，also，youarealittlemalicious，whichIamtrulyconcernedtohear，butshouldprobablyonlythemore，ifIknewyou，enjoyyourconversation。Butwhateverelseyoumaybe，youmustnotbeuseless，andyoumustnotbecruel。Ifthereisanyonepointwhich，insixthousandyearsofthinkingaboutrightandwrong，wiseandgoodmenhaveagreedupon，orsuccessivelybyexperiencediscovered，itisthatGoddislikesidleandcruelpeoplemorethananyothers：—thatHisfirstorderis，\"Workwhileyouhavelight;\"
andHissecond，\"Bemercifulwhileyouhavemercy。\"
\"Workwhileyouhavelight，\"especiallywhileyouhavethelightofmorning。Therearefewthingsmorewonderfultomethanthatoldpeoplenevertellyoungoneshowprecioustheiryouthis。Theysometimessentimentallyregrettheirownearlierdays;sometimesprudentlyforgetthem;oftenfoolishlyrebuketheyoung，oftenmorefoolishlyindulge，oftenmostfoolishlythwartandrestrain;butscarcelyeverwarnorwatchthem。Remember，then，thatI，atleast，havewarnedYOU，thatthehappinessofyourlife，anditspower，anditspartandrankinearthorinheaven，dependonthewayyoupassyourdaysnow。Theyarenottobesaddays：farfromthat，thefirstdutyofyoungpeopleistobedelightedanddelightful;buttheyaretobeinthedeepestsensesolemndays。Thereisnosolemnitysodeep，toarightly—thinkingcreature，asthatofdawn。
Butnotonlyinthatbeautifulsense，butinalltheircharacterandmethod，theyaretobesolemndays。TakeyourLatindictionary，andlookout\"solennis，\"andfixthesenseofthewordwellinyourmind，andrememberthateverydayofyourearlylifeisordainingirrevocably，forgoodorevil，thecustomandpracticeofyoursoul;
ordainingeithersacredcustomsofdearandlovelyrecurrence，ortrenchingdeeperanddeeperthefurrowsforseedofsorrow。Now，therefore，seethatnodaypassesinwhichyoudonotmakeyourselfasomewhatbettercreature：andinordertodothat，findout，first，whatyouarenow。Donotthinkvaguelyaboutit;takepenandpaper，andwritedownasaccurateadescriptionofyourselfasyoucan，withthedatetoit。Ifyoudarenotdoso，findoutwhyyoudarenot，andtrytogetstrengthofheartenoughtolookyourselffairlyinthefaceinmindaswellasbody。Idonotdoubtbutthatthemindisalesspleasantthingtolookatthantheface，andforthatveryreasonitneedsmorelookingat;soalwayshavetwomirrorsonyourtoilettable，andseethatwithpropercareyoudressbodyandmindbeforethemdaily。Afterthedressingisonceoverfortheday，thinknomoreaboutit：asyourhairwillblowaboutyourears，soyourtemperandthoughtswillgetruffledwiththeday’swork，andmayneed，sometimes，twicedressing;butIdon’twantyoutocarryaboutamentalpocket—comb;onlytobesmoothbraidedalwaysinthemorning。
Writedownthen，frankly，whatyouare，or，atleast，whatyouthinkyourself，notdwellinguponthoseinevitablefaultswhichIhavejusttoldyouareoflittleconsequence，andwhichtheactionofarightlifewillshakeorsmoothaway;butthatyoumaydeterminetothebestofyourintelligencewhatyouaregoodforandcanbemadeinto。Youwillfindthatthemereresolvenottobeuseless，andthehonestdesiretohelpotherpeople，will，inthequickestanddelicatestways，improveyourself。Thus，fromthebeginning，considerallyouraccomplishmentsasmeansofassistancetoothers;
readattentively，inthisvolume，paragraphs74，75，19，and79，{3}
andyouwillunderstandwhatImean，withrespecttolanguagesandmusic。Inmusicespeciallyyouwillsoonfindwhatpersonalbenefitthereisinbeingserviceable：itisprobablethat，howeverlimitedyourpowers，youhavevoiceandearenoughtosustainanoteofmoderatecompassinaconcertedpiece;——that，then，isthefirstthingtomakesureyoucando。Getyourvoicedisciplinedandclear，andthinkonlyofaccuracy;neverofeffectorexpression：
ifyouhaveanysoulworthexpressing，itwillshowitselfinyoursinging;butmostlikelythereareveryfewfeelingsinyou，atpresent，needinganyparticularexpression;andtheonethingyouhavetodoistomakeaclear—voicedlittleinstrumentofyourself，whichotherpeoplecanentirelydependuponforthenotewanted。
So，indrawing，assoonasyoucansetdowntherightshapeofanything，andtherebyexplainitscharactertoanotherperson，ormakethelookofitclearandinterestingtoachild，youwillbegintoenjoytheartvividlyforitsownsake，andallyourhabitsofmindandpowersofmemorywillgainprecision：butifyouonlytrytomakeshowydrawingsforpraise，orprettyonesforamusement，yourdrawingwillhavelittleofrealinterestforyou，andnoeducationalpowerwhatever。
Then，besidesthismoredelicatework，resolvetodoeverydaysomethatisusefulinthevulgarsense。Learnfirstthoroughlytheeconomyofthekitchen;thegoodandbadqualitiesofeverycommonarticleoffood，andthesimplestandbestmodesoftheirpreparation：whenyouhavetime，goandhelpinthecookingofpoorerfamilies，andshowthemhowtomakeasmuchofeverythingaspossible，andhowtomakelittle，nice;coaxingandtemptingthemintotidyandprettyways，andpleadingforwell—foldedtable—
cloths，howevercoarse，andforaflowerortwooutofthegardentostrewonthem。Ifyoumanagetogetacleantable—cloth，brightplatesonit，andagooddishinthemiddle，ofyourowncooking，youmayaskleavetosayashortgrace;andletyourreligiousministriesbeconfinedtothatmuchforthepresent。
Again，letacertainpartofyourday（aslittleasyouchoose，butnottobebrokeninupon）besetapartformakingstrongandprettydressesforthepoor。Learnthesoundqualitiesofallusefulstuffs，andmakeeverythingofthebestyoucanget，whateveritsprice。Ihavemanyreasonsfordesiringyoutodothis，——toomanytobetoldjustnow，——trustme，andbesureyougeteverythingasgoodascanbe：andif，inthevillainousstateofmoderntrade，youcannotgetitgoodatanyprice，buyitsrawmaterial，andsetsomeofthepoorwomenaboutyoutospinandweave，tillyouhavegotstuffthatcanbetrusted：andthen，everyday，makesomelittlepieceofusefulclothing，sewnwithyourownfingersasstronglyasitcanbestitched;andembroideritorotherwisebeautifyitmoderatelywithfineneedlework，suchasagirlmaybeproudofhavingdone。Andaccumulatethesethingsbyyouuntilyouhearofsomehonestpersonsinneedofclothing，whichmayoftentoosorrowfullybe;and，eventhoughyoushouldbedeceived，andgivethemtothedishonest，andhearoftheirbeingatoncetakentothepawnbroker’s，nevermindthat，forthepawnbrokermustsellthemtosomeonewhohasneedofthem。Thatisnobusinessofyours;whatconcernsyouisonlythatwhenyouseeahalf—nakedchild，youshouldhavegoodandfreshclothestogiveit，ifitsparentswillletitbetaughttowearthem。Iftheywillnot，considerhowtheycametobeofsuchamind，whichitwillbewholesomeforyoubeyondmostsubjectsofinquirytoascertain。Andafteryouhavegoneondoingthisalittlewhile，youwillbegintounderstandthemeaningofatleastonechapterofyourBible，Proverbsxxxi。，withoutneedofanylabouredcomment，sermon，ormeditation。
Inthese，then（andofcourseinallminorwaysbesides，thatyoucandiscoverinyourownhousehold），youmustbetothebestofyourstrengthusefullyemployedduringthegreaterpartoftheday，sothatyoumaybeableattheendofittosay，asproudlyasanypeasant，thatyouhavenoteatenthebreadofidleness。
Then，secondly，Isaid，youarenottobecruel。Perhapsyouthinkthereisnochanceofyourbeingso;andindeedIhopeitisnotlikelythatyoushouldbedeliberatelyunkindtoanycreature;butunlessyouaredeliberatelykindtoeverycreature，youwilloftenbecrueltomany。Cruel，partlythroughwantofimagination，（afarrarerandweakerfacultyinwomenthanmen，）andyetmore，atthepresentday，throughthesubtleencouragementofyourselfishnessbythereligiousdoctrinethatallwhichwenowsupposetobeevilwillbebroughttoagoodend;doctrinepracticallyissuing，notinlessearnesteffortsthattheimmediateunpleasantnessmaybeavertedfromourselves，butinourremainingsatisfiedinthecontemplationofitsultimateobjects，whenitisinflictedonothers。
Itisnotlikelythatthemoreaccuratemethodsofrecentmentaleducationwillnowlongpermityoungpeopletogrowupinthepersuasionthat，inanydangerordistress，theymayexpecttobethemselvessavedbytheProvidenceofGod，whilethosearoundthemarelostbyHisimprovidence：buttheymaybeyetlongrestrainedfromrightlykindaction，andlongaccustomedtoendureboththeirownpainoccasionally，andthepainofothersalways，withanunwisepatience，bymisconceptionoftheeternalandincurablenatureofrealevil。Observe，therefore，carefullyinthismatter;therearedegreesofpain，asdegreesoffaultfulness，whicharealtogetherconquerable，andwhichseemtobemerelyformsofwholesometrialordiscipline。Yourfingerstinglewhenyougooutonafrostymorning，andareallthewarmerafterwards;yourlimbsarewearywithwholesomework，andliedowninthepleasanterrest;youaretriedforalittlewhilebyhavingtowaitforsomepromisedgood，anditisallthesweeterwhenitcomes。Butyoucannotcarrythetrialpastacertainpoint。Letthecoldfastenonyourhandinanextremedegree，andyourfingerswillmoulderfromtheirsockets。
Fatigueyourself，butonce，toutterexhaustion，andtotheendoflifeyoushallnotrecovertheformervigourofyourframe。Letheart—sicknesspassbeyondacertainbitterpoint，andtheheartlosesitslifeforever。
Now，theverydefinitionofevilisinthisirremediableness。Itmeanssorrow，orsin，whichendsindeath;andassuredly，asfarasweknow，orcanconceive，therearemanyconditionsbothofpainandsinwhichcannotbutsoend。Ofcourseweareignorantandblindcreatures，andwecannotknowwhatseedsofgoodmaybeinpresentsuffering，orpresentcrime;butwithwhatwecannotknowwearenotconcerned。Itisconceivablethatmurderersandliarsmayinsomedistantworldbeexaltedintoahigherhumanitythantheycouldhavereachedwithouthomicideorfalsehood;butthecontingencyisnotonebywhichouractionsshouldbeguided。Thereis，indeed，abetterhopethatthebeggar，wholiesatourgatesinmisery，may，withingatesofpearl，becomforted;buttheMaster，whosewordsareouronlyauthorityforthinkingso，neverHimselfinflicteddiseaseasablessing，norsentawaythehungryunfed，orthewoundedunhealed。
Believemethen，theonlyrightprincipleofactionhere，istoconsidergoodandevilasdefinedbyournaturalsenseofboth;andtostrivetopromotetheone，andtoconquertheother，withasheartyendeavourasiftherewere，indeed，nootherworldthanthis。
Aboveall，getquitoftheabsurdideathatHeavenwillinterferetocorrectgreaterrors，whileallowingitslawstotaketheircourseinpunishingsmallones。Ifyouprepareadishoffoodcarelessly，youdonotexpectProvidencetomakeitpalatable;neitherif，throughyearsoffolly，youmisguideyourownlife，needyouexpectDivineinterferencetobringroundeverythingatlastforthebest。
Itellyou，positively，theworldisnotsoconstituted：theconsequencesofgreatmistakesarejustassureasthoseofsmallones，andthehappinessofyourwholelife，andofallthelivesoverwhichyouhavepower，dependasliterallyonyourowncommonsenseanddiscretionastheexcellenceandorderofthefeastofaday。
Thinkcarefullyandbravelyoverthesethings，andyouwillfindthemtrue：havingfoundthemso，thinkalsocarefullyoveryourownpositioninlife。Iassumethatyoubelongtothemiddleorupperclasses，andthatyouwouldshrinkfromdescendingintoalowersphere。Youmayfancyyouwouldnot：nay，ifyouareverygood，strong—hearted，andromantic，perhapsyoureallywouldnot;butitisnotwrongthatyoushould。Youhave，then，Isuppose，goodfood，prettyroomstolivein，prettydressestowear，powerofobtainingeveryrationalandwholesomepleasure;youare，moreover，probablygentleandgrateful，andinthehabitofeverydaythankingGodforthesethings。ButwhydoyouthankHim？Isitbecause，inthesematters，aswellasinyourreligiousknowledge，youthinkHehasmadeafavouriteofyou？Istheessentialmeaningofyourthanksgiving，\"Lord，IthankTheethatIamnotasothergirlsare，notinthatIfasttwiceintheweekwhiletheyfeast，butinthatI
feastseventimesaweekwhiletheyfast，\"andareyouquitesurethisisapleasingformofthanksgivingtoyourHeavenlyFather？
Supposeyousawoneofyourowntrueearthlysisters，LucyorEmily，castoutofyourmortalfather’shouse，starving，helpless，heartbroken;andthateverymorningwhenyouwentintoyourfather’sroom，yousaidtohim，\"Howgoodyouare，father，togivemewhatyoudon’tgiveLucy，\"areyousurethat，whateverangeryourparentmighthavejustcausefor，againstyoursister，hewouldbepleasedbythatthanksgiving，orflatteredbythatpraise？Nay，areyouevensurethatyouAREsomuchthefavourite？——supposethat，allthiswhile，helovespoorLucyjustaswellasyou，andisonlytryingyouthroughherpain，andperhapsnotangrywithherinanywise，butdeeplyangrywithyou，andallthemoreforyourthanksgivings？Woulditnotbewellthatyoushouldthink，andearnestlytoo，overthisstandingofyours;andallthemoreifyouwishtobelievethattext，whichclergymensomuchdislikepreachingon，\"HowhardlyshalltheythathaverichesenterintotheKingdomofGod\"？Youdonotbelieveitnow，oryouwouldbelesscomplacentinyourstate;andyoucannotbelieveitatall，untilyouknowthattheKingdomofGodmeans，——\"notmeatanddrink，butjustice，peace，andjoyintheHolyGhost，\"noruntilyouknowalsothatsuchjoyisnotbyanymeans，necessarily，ingoingtochurch，orinsinginghymns;butmaybejoyinadance，orjoyinajest，orjoyinanythingyouhavedeservedtopossess，orthatyouarewillingtogive;butjoyinnothingthatseparatesyou，asbyanystrangefavour，fromyourfellow—creatures，thatexaltsyouthroughtheirdegradation——exemptsyoufromtheirtoil——orindulgesyouintimeoftheirdistress。
Think，then，andsomeday，Ibelieve，youwillfeelalso，——nomorbidpassionofpitysuchaswouldturnyouintoablackSisterofCharity，butthesteadyfireofperpetualkindnesswhichwillmakeyouabrightone。Ispeakinnodisparagementofthem;IknowwellhowgoodtheSistersofCharityare，andhowmuchweowetothem;
butalltheseprofessionalpieties（exceptsofarasdistinctionorassociationmaybenecessaryforeffectivenessofwork）areintheirspiritwrong，andinpracticemerelyplasterthesoresofdiseasethatoughtnevertohavebeenpermittedtoexist;encouragingatthesametimetheherdoflessexcellentwomeninfrivolity，byleadingthemtothinkthattheymusteitherbegooduptotheblackstandard，orcannotbegoodforanything。Wearacostume，byallmeans，ifyoulike;butletitbeacheerfulandbecomingone;andbeinyourheartaSisterofCharityalways，withouteitherveiledorvolubledeclarationofit。
AsIpause，beforeendingmypreface——thinkingofoneortwomorepointsthataredifficulttowriteof——Ifindaletterin’TheTimes，’fromaFrenchlady，whichsaysallIwantsobeautifully，thatIwillprintitjustasitstands：—
SIR，——Itisoftensaidthatoneexampleisworthmanysermons。
ShallIbejudgedpresumptuousifIpointoutone，whichseemstomesostrikingjustnow，that，howeverpainful，Icannothelpdwellinguponit？
Itistheshare，thesadandlargeshare，thatFrenchsocietyanditsrecenthabitsofluxury，ofexpenses，ofdress，ofindulgenceineverykindofextravagantdissipation，hastolaytoitsowndoorinitsactualcrisisofruin，misery，andhumiliation。IfourMENAGEREScanbecitedasanexampletoEnglishhousewives，so，alas！canotherclassesofoursocietybesetupasanexample——NOT
tobefollowed。
BittermustbethefeelingsofmanyaFrenchwomanwhosedaysofluxuryandexpensivehabitsareatanend，andwhosebillsofbygonesplendourliewithaheavyweightonherconscience，ifnotonherpurse！
Withustheevilhasspreadhighandlow。Everywherehavetheexamplesgivenbythehighestladiesinthelandbeenfollowedbuttoosuccessfully。
Everyyeardiddressbecomemoreextravagant，entertainmentsmorecostly，expensesofeverykindmoreconsiderable。Lowerandlowerbecamethetoneofsociety，itsgoodbreeding，itsdelicacy。MoreandmorewereMONDEandDEMI—MONDEassociatedinnewspaperaccountsoffashionabledoings，inscandalousgossip，onracecourses，inPREMIERESREPRESENTATIONS，inimitationofeachother’scostumes，MOBILIERSandslang。
Livingbeyondone’smeansbecamehabitual——almostnecessary——foreveryonetokeepupwith，ifnottogobeyond，everyoneelse。
Whattheresultofallthishasbeenwenowseeinthewreckofourprosperity，inthedownfallofallthatseemedbrightestandhighest。
Deeplyandfearfullyimpressedbywhatmyowncountryhasincurredandissuffering，IcannothelpfeelingsorrowfulwhenIseeinEnglandsignsofourbesettingsinsappearingalso。Paintandchignons，slangandvaudevilles，knowing\"Anonymas\"byname，andreadingdoubtfullymoralnovels，areinthemselvessmalloffences，althoughnotmanyyearsagotheywouldhaveappearedveryheinousones，yettheyarequickandtemptingconveyancesonaverydangeroushigh—road。
IwouldthatallEnglishwomenknewhowtheyarelookeduptofromabroad——whatahighopinion，whathonourandreverenceweforeignershavefortheirprinciples，theirtruthfulness，thefreshandpureinnocenceoftheirdaughters，thehealthyyouthfulnessoftheirlovelychildren。
MayIillustratethisbyashortexamplewhichhappenedverynearme？DuringthedaysoftheEMEUTESof1848，allthehousesinPariswerebeingsearchedforfirearmsbythemob。TheoneIwaslivingincontainednone，asthemasterofthehouserepeatedlyassuredthefuriousandincredulousRepublicans。Theyweregoingtolayviolenthandsonhimwhenhiswife，anEnglishlady，hearingthelouddiscussion，camebravelyforwardandassuredthemthatnoarmswereconcealed。\"Vousetesanglaise，nousvouscroyons;lesanglaisesdisenttoujourslaverite，\"wastheimmediateanswer，andtheriotersquietlyleft。
Now，Sir，shallIbeaccusedofunjustifiedcriticismif，lovingandadmiringyourcountry，astheselineswillprove，certainnewfeaturesstrikemeaspainfuldiscrepanciesinEnglishlife？
Farbeitfrommetopreachthecontemptofallthatcanmakelifelovableandwholesomelypleasant。Ilovenothingbetterthantoseeawomannice，neat，elegant，lookingherbestintheprettiestdressthathertasteandpursecanafford，oryourbright，freshyounggirlsfearlesslyandperfectlysittingtheirhorses，oradorningtheirhousesaspretty[sic;itisnotquitegrammar，butitisbetterthanifitwere;]ascare，trouble，andrefinementcanmakethem。
ItisthedegreeBEYONDthatwhichtoushasprovedsofatal，andthatIwouldourexamplecouldwarnyoufromasasmallrepaymentforyourhospitalityandfriendlinesstousinourdaysoftrouble。
MayEnglishwomenacceptthisinakindlyspiritasaNew—year’swishfromAFRENCHLADY。Dec。29。
That，then，isthesubstanceofwhatIwouldfainsayconvincingly，ifitmightbe，tomygirlfriends;atalleventswithcertaintyinmyownmindthatIwasthusfarasafeguidetothem。
ForotherandolderreadersitisneedfulIshouldwriteafewwordsmore，respectingwhatopportunityIhavehadtojudge，orrightI
havetospeak，ofsuchthings;for，indeed，toomuchofwhatIhavesaidaboutwomenhasbeensaidinfaithonly。AwiseandlovelyEnglishladytoldme，when’SesameandLilies’firstappeared，thatshewassurethe’Sesame’wouldbeuseful，butthatinthe’Lilies’
IhadbeenwritingofwhatIknewnothingabout。Whichwasinameasuretootrue，andalsothatitismorepartialthanmywritingsareusually：forasEllesmerespokehisspeechonthe——
intervention，not，indeed，otherwisethanhefelt，butyetaltogetherforthesakeofGretchen，soIwrotethe’Lilies’topleaseonegirl;andwereitnotforwhatIrememberofher，andoffewbesides，shouldnowperhapsrecastsomeofthesentencesinthe’Lilies’inaverydifferenttone：forasyearshavegoneby，ithaschancedtome，untowardlyinsomerespects，fortunatelyinothers（becauseitenablesmetoreadhistorymoreclearly），toseetheutmostevilthatisinwomen，whileIhavehadbuttobelievetheutmostgood。Thebestwomenareindeednecessarilythemostdifficulttoknow;theyarerecognizedchieflyinthehappinessoftheirhusbandsandthenoblenessoftheirchildren;theyareonlytobedivined，notdiscerned，bythestranger;and，sometimes，seemalmosthelplessexceptintheirhomes;yetwithoutthehelpofoneofthem，{4}towhomthisbookisdedicated，thedaywouldprobablyhavecomebeforenow，whenIshouldhavewrittenandthoughtnomore。
Ontheotherhand，thefashionofthetimerenderswhateverisforward，coarse，orsenseless，infemininenature，toopalpabletoallmen：—theweakpicturesquenessofmyearlierwritingsbroughtmeacquaintedwithmuchoftheiremptiestenthusiasm;andthechancesoflaterlifegavemeopportunitiesofwatchingwomeninstatesofdegradationandvindictivenesswhichopenedtomethegloomiestsecretsofGreekandSyriantragedy。Ihaveseenthembetraytheirhouseholdcharitiestolust，theirpledgedlovetodevotion;Ihaveseenmothersdutifultotheirchildren，asMedea;andchildrendutifultotheirparents，asthedaughterofHerodias：butmytrustisstillunmovedinthepreciousnessofthenaturesthataresofatalintheirerror，andIleavethewordsofthe’Lilies’
unchanged;believing，yet，thatnomaneverlivedarightlifewhohadnotbeenchastenedbyawoman’slove，strengthenedbyhercourage，andguidedbyherdiscretion。
WhatImightmyselfhavebeen，sohelped，Irarelyindulgeintheidlenessofthinking;butwhatIam，sinceItakeonmethefunctionofateacher，itiswellthatthereadershouldknow，asfarasI
cantellhim。
Notanunjustperson;notanunkindone;notafalseone;aloveroforder，labour，andpeace。That，itseemstome，isenoughtogivemerighttosayallIcaretosayonethicalsubjects;more，Icouldonlytelldefinitelythroughdetailsofautobiographysuchasnonebutprosperousand（inthesimplesenseoftheword）faultlesslivescouldjustify;——andminehasbeenneither。Yet，ifanyone，skilledinreadingthetornmanuscriptsofthehumansoul，caresformoreintimateknowledgeofme，hemayhaveitbyknowingwithwhatpersonsinpasthistoryIhavemostsympathy。
Iwillnamethree。
Inallthatisstrongestanddeepestinme，——thatfitsmeformywork，andgiveslightorshadowtomybeing，IhavesympathywithGuidoGuinicelli。
Inmyconstantnaturaltemper，andthoughtsofthingsandofpeople，withMarmontel。
Inmyenforcedandaccidentaltemper，andthoughtsofthingsandofpeople，withDeanSwift。
Anyonewhocanunderstandthenaturesofthosethreemen，canunderstandmine;andhavingsaidsomuch，Iamcontenttoleavebothlifeandworktoberememberedorforgotten，astheirusesmaydeserve。
DENMARKHILL，1stJanuary，1871。
LECTUREIII——THEMYSTERYOFLIFEANDITSARTS
LecturedeliveredinthetheatreoftheRoyalCollegeofScience，Dublin，1868。
WhenIacceptedtheprivilegeofaddressingyouto—day，IwasnotawareofarestrictionwithrespecttothetopicsofdiscussionwhichmaybebroughtbeforethisSociety{29}——arestrictionwhich，thoughentirelywiseandrightunderthecircumstancescontemplatedinitsintroduction，wouldnecessarilyhavedisabledme，thinkingasIthink，frompreparinganylectureforyouonthesubjectofartinaformwhichmightbepermanentlyuseful。Pardonme，therefore，insofarasImusttransgresssuchlimitation;forindeedmyinfringementwillbeoftheletter——notofthespirit——ofyourcommands。InwhateverImaysaytouchingthereligionwhichhasbeenthefoundationofart，orthepolicywhichhascontributedtoitspower，ifIoffendone，Ishalloffendall;forIshalltakenonoteofanyseparationsincreeds，orantagonismsinparties：
neitherdoIfearthatultimatelyIshalloffendany，byproving——oratleaststatingascapableofpositiveproof——theconnectionofallthatisbestinthecraftsandartsofman，withthesimplicityofhisfaith，andthesincerityofhispatriotism。
ButIspeaktoyouunderanotherdisadvantage，bywhichIamcheckedinfranknessofutterance，nothereonly，buteverywhere：namely，thatIamneverfullyawarehowfarmyaudiencesaredisposedtogivemecreditforrealknowledgeofmysubject，orhowfartheygrantmeattentiononlybecauseIhavebeensometimesthoughtaningeniousorpleasantessayistuponit。ForIhavehadwhat，inmanyrespects，Iboldlycallthemisfortune，tosetmywordssometimesprettilytogether;notwithoutafoolishvanityinthepoorknackthatIhadofdoingso：untilIwasheavilypunishedforthispride，byfindingthatmanypeoplethoughtofthewordsonly，andcarednothingfortheirmeaning。Happily，therefore，thepowerofusingsuchpleasantlanguage——ifindeediteverweremine——ispassingawayfromme;andwhateverIamnowabletosayatall，I
findmyselfforcedtosaywithgreatplainness。Formythoughtshavechangedalso，asmywordshave;andwhereasinearlierlife，whatlittleinfluenceIobtainedwasdueperhapschieflytotheenthusiasmwithwhichIwasabletodwellonthebeautyofthephysicalclouds，andoftheircoloursinthesky;soalltheinfluenceInowdesiretoretainmustbeduetotheearnestnesswithwhichIamendeavouringtotracetheformandbeautyofanotherkindofcloudthanthose;thebrightcloudofwhichitiswritten——\"Whatisyourlife？Itisevenasavapourthatappearethforalittletime，andthenvanishethaway。\"
Isupposefewpeoplereachthemiddleorlatterperiodoftheirage，withouthaving，atsomemomentofchangeordisappointment，feltthetruthofthosebitterwords;andbeenstartledbythefadingofthesunshinefromthecloudoftheirlifeintothesuddenagonyoftheknowledgethatthefabricofitwasasfragileasadream，andtheenduranceofitastransientasthedew。Butitisnotalwaysthat，evenatsuchtimesofmelancholysurprise，wecanenterintoanytrueperceptionthatthishumanlifesharesinthenatureofit，notonlytheevanescence，butthemysteryofthecloud;thatitsavenuesarewreathedindarkness，anditsformsandcoursesnolessfantastic，thanspectralandobscure;sothatnotonlyinthevanitywhichwecannotgrasp，butintheshadowwhichwecannotpierce，itistrueofthiscloudylifeofours，that\"manwalkethinavainshadow，anddisquietethhimselfinvain。\"
Andleastofall，whatevermayhavebeentheeagernessofourpassions，ortheheightofourpride，areweabletounderstandinitsdepththethirdandmostsolemncharacterinwhichourlifeislikethosecloudsofheaven;thattoitbelongsnotonlytheirtranscience，notonlytheirmystery，butalsotheirpower;thatinthecloudofthehumansoulthereisafirestrongerthanthelightning，andagracemorepreciousthantherain;andthatthoughofthegoodandevilitshallonedaybesaidalike，thattheplacethatknewthemknowsthemnomore，thereisaninfiniteseparationbetweenthosewhosebriefpresencehadtherebeenablessing，likethemistofEdenthatwentupfromtheearthtowaterthegarden，andthosewhoseplaceknewthemonlyasadriftingandchangefulshade，ofwhomtheheavenlysentenceis，thattheyare\"wellswithoutwater;cloudsthatarecarriedwithatempest，towhomthemistofdarknessisreservedforever。\"
Tothoseamongus，however，whohavelivedlongenoughtoformsomejustestimateoftherateofthechangeswhichare，hourbyhourinacceleratingcatastrophe，manifestingthemselvesinthelaws，thearts，andthecreedsofmen，itseemstome，thatnowatleast，ifneveratanyformertime，thethoughtsofthetruenatureofourlife，andofitspowersandresponsibilities，shouldpresentthemselveswithabsolutesadnessandsternness。AndalthoughIknowthatthisfeelingismuchdeepenedinmyownmindbydisappointment，which，bychance，hasattendedthegreaternumberofmycherishedpurposes，Idonotforthatreasondistrustthefeelingitself，thoughIamonmyguardagainstanexaggerateddegreeofit：nay，I
ratherbelievethatinperiodsofneweffortandviolentchange，disappointmentisawholesomemedicine;andthatinthesecretofit，asinthetwilightsobelovedbyTitian，wemayseethecoloursofthingswithdeepertruththaninthemostdazzlingsunshine。Andbecausethesetruthsabouttheworksofmen，whichIwanttobringto—daybeforeyou，aremostofthemsadones，thoughatthesametimehelpful;andbecausealsoIbelievethatyourkindIrishheartswillanswermoregladlytothetruthfulexpressionofapersonalfeeling，thantotheexpositionofanabstractprinciple，Iwillpermitmyselfsomuchunreservedspeakingofmyowncausesofregret，asmayenableyoutomakejustallowanceforwhat，accordingtoyoursympathies，youwillcalleitherthebitterness，ortheinsight，ofamindwhichhassurrendereditsbesthopes，andbeenfoiledinitsfavouriteaims。
Ispentthetenstrongestyearsofmylife，（fromtwentytothirty，）
inendeavouringtoshowtheexcellenceoftheworkofthemanwhomI
believed，andrightlybelieved，tobethegreatestpainteroftheschoolsofEnglandsinceReynolds。Ihadthenperfectfaithinthepowerofeverygreattruthofbeautytoprevailultimately，andtakeitsrightplaceinusefulnessandhonour;andIstrovetobringthepainter’sworkintothisdueplace，whilethepainterwasyetalive。
Butheknew，betterthanI，theuselessnessoftalkingaboutwhatpeoplecouldnotseeforthemselves。Healwaysdiscouragedmescornfully，evenwhenhethankedme——andhediedbeforeeventhesuperficialeffectofmyworkwasvisible。Iwenton，however，thinkingIcouldatleastbeofusetothepublic，ifnottohim，inprovinghispower。Mybooksgottalkedaboutalittle。Thepricesofmodernpictures，generally，rose，andIwasbeginningtotakesomepleasureinasenseofgradualvictory，when，fortunatelyorunfortunately，anopportunityofperfecttrialundeceivedmeatonce，andforever。TheTrusteesoftheNationalGallerycommissionedmetoarrangetheTurnerdrawingsthere，andpermittedmetopreparethreehundredexamplesofhisstudiesfromnature，forexhibitionatKensington。AtKensingtontheywere，andare，placedforexhibition;buttheyarenotexhibited，fortheroominwhichtheyhangisalwaysempty。
Well——thisshowedmeatonce，thatthosetenyearsofmylifehadbeen，intheirchiefpurpose，lost。Forthat，Ididnotsomuchcare;Ihad，atleast，learnedmyownbusinessthoroughly，andshouldbeable，asIfondlysupposed，aftersuchalesson，nowtousemyknowledgewithbettereffect。ButwhatIdidcareforwasthe——tomefrightful——discovery，thatthemostsplendidgeniusintheartsmightbepermittedbyProvidencetolabourandperishuselessly;thatintheveryfinenessofittheremightbesomethingrenderingitinvisibletoordinaryeyes;butthat，withthisstrangeexcellence，faultsmightbemingledwhichwouldbeasdeadlyasitsvirtueswerevain;thatthegloryofitwasperishable，aswellasinvisible，andthegiftandgraceofitmightbetousassnowinsummerandasraininharvest。
Thatwasthefirstmysteryoflifetome。But，whilemybestenergywasgiventothestudyofpainting，Ihadputcollateraleffort，moreprudentiflessenthusiastic，intothatofarchitecture;andinthisIcouldnotcomplainofmeetingwithnosympathy。AmongseveralpersonalreasonswhichcausedmetodesirethatImightgivethis，myclosinglectureonthesubjectofarthere，inIreland，oneofthechiefwas，thatinreadingit，Ishouldstandnearthebeautifulbuilding，——theengineer’sschoolofyourcollege，——whichwasthefirstrealizationIhadthejoytosee，oftheprinciplesI
had，untilthen，beenendeavouringtoteach！butwhich，alas，isnow，tome，nomorethantherichlycanopiedmonumentofoneofthemostearnestsoulsthatevergaveitselftothearts，andoneofmytruestandmostlovingfriends，BenjaminWoodward。NorwasithereinIrelandonlythatIreceivedthehelpofIrishsympathyandgenius。Whentoanotherfriend，SirThomasDeane，withMr。
Woodward，wasentrustedthebuildingofthemuseumatOxford，thebestdetailsoftheworkwereexecutedbysculptorswhohadbeenbornandtrainedhere;andthefirstwindowofthefacadeofthebuilding，inwhichwasinauguratedthestudyofnaturalscienceinEngland，intruefellowshipwithliterature，wascarvedfrommydesignbyanIrishsculptor。
Youmayperhapsthinkthatnomanoughttospeakofdisappointment，towhom，eveninonebranchoflabour，somuchsuccesswasgranted。
HadMr。Woodwardnowbeenbesideme，Ihadnotsospoken;buthisgentleandpassionatespiritwascutofffromthefulfilmentofitspurposes，andtheworkwedidtogetherisnowbecomevain。Itmaynotbesoinfuture;butthearchitectureweendeavouredtointroduceisinconsistentalikewiththerecklessluxury，thedeformingmechanism，andthesqualidmiseryofmoderncities;amongtheformativefashionsoftheday，aided，especiallyinEngland，byecclesiasticalsentiment，itindeedobtainednotoriety;andsometimesbehindanenginefurnace，orarailroadbank，youmaydetectthepatheticdiscordofitsmomentarygrace，and，withtoil，decipheritsfloralcarvingschokedwithsoot。IfeltanswerabletotheschoolsIloved，onlyfortheirinjury。Iperceivedthatthisnewportionofmystrengthhadalsobeenspentinvain;andfromamidststreetsofiron，andpalacesofcrystal，shrankbackatlasttothecarvingofthemountainandcolouroftheflower。
AndstillIcouldtelloffailure，andfailurerepeated，asyearswenton;butIhavetrespassedenoughonyourpatiencetoshowyou，inpart，thecausesofmydiscouragement。Nowletmemoredeliberatelytellyouitsresults。Youknowthereisatendencyinthemindsofmanymen，whentheyareheavilydisappointedinthemainpurposesoftheirlife，tofeel，andperhapsinwarning，perhapsinmockery，todeclare，thatlifeitselfisavanity。
Becauseithasdisappointedthem，theythinkitsnatureisofdisappointmentalways，oratbest，ofpleasurethatcanbegraspedbyimaginationonly;thatthecloudofithasnostrengthnorfirewithin;butisapaintedcloudonly，tobedelightedin，yetdespised。YouknowhowbeautifullyPopehasexpressedthisparticularphaseofthought：—
\"Meanwhileopiniongilds，withvaryingrays，Thesepaintedcloudsthatbeautifyourdays;
Eachwantofhappinessbyhopesupplied，Andeachvacuityofsense，bypride。
HopebuildsasfastasKnowledgecandestroy;
InFolly’scup，stilllaughsthebubblejoy。
Onepleasurepast，anotherstillwegain，Andnotavanityisgiveninvain。\"
Buttheeffectoffailureuponmyownmindhasbeenjustthereverseofthis。Themorethatmylifedisappointedme，themoresolemnandwonderfulitbecametome。Itseemed，contrarilytoPope’ssaying，thatthevanityofitWASindeedgiveninvain;butthattherewassomethingbehindtheveilofit，whichwasnotvanity。Itbecametomenotapaintedcloud，butaterribleandimpenetrableone：notamirage，whichvanishedasIdrewnear，butapillarofdarkness，towhichIwasforbiddentodrawnear。ForIsawthatbothmyownfailure，andsuchsuccessinpettythingsasinitspoortriumphseemedtomeworsethanfailure，camefromthewantofsufficientlyearnestefforttounderstandthewholelawandmeaningofexistence，andtobringittonobleanddueend;as，ontheotherhand，Isawmoreandmoreclearlythatallenduringsuccessinthearts，orinanyotheroccupation，hadcomefromtherulingoflowerpurposes，notbyaconvictionoftheirnothingness，butbyasolemnfaithintheadvancingpowerofhumannature，orinthepromise，howeverdimlyapprehended，thatthemortalpartofitwouldonedaybeswallowedupinimmortality;andthat，indeed，theartsthemselvesneverhadreachedanyvitalstrengthorhonour，butintheefforttoproclaimthisimmortality，andintheserviceeitherofgreatandjustreligion，orofsomeunselfishpatriotism，andlawofsuchnationallifeasmustbethefoundationofreligion。
NothingthatIhaveeversaidismoretrueornecessary——nothinghasbeenmoremisunderstoodormisapplied——thanmystrongassertionthattheartscanneverberightthemselves，unlesstheirmotiveisright。Itismisunderstoodthisway：weakpainters，whohaveneverlearnedtheirbusiness，andcannotlayatrueline，continuallycometome，cryingout——\"Lookatthispictureofmine;itMUSTbegood，I
hadsuchalovelymotive。Ihaveputmywholeheartintoit，andtakenyearstothinkoveritstreatment。\"Well，theonlyanswerforthesepeopleis——ifonehadthecrueltytomakeit——\"Sir，youcannotthinkoverANYthinginanynumberofyears，——youhaven’ttheheadtodoit;andthoughyouhadfinemotives，strongenoughtomakeyouburnyourselfinaslowfire，ifonlyfirstyoucouldpaintapicture，youcan’tpaintone，norhalfaninchofone;youhaven’tthehandtodoit。\"
But，farmoredecisivelywehavetosaytothemenwhoDOknowtheirbusiness，ormayknowitiftheychoose——\"Sir，youhavethisgift，andamightyone;seethatyouserveyournationfaithfullywithit。
Itisagreatertrustthanshipsandarmies：youmightcastTHEM
away，ifyouweretheircaptain，withlesstreasontoyourpeoplethanincastingyourowngloriouspoweraway，andservingthedevilwithitinsteadofmen。Shipsandarmiesyoumayreplaceiftheyarelost，butagreatintellect，onceabused，isacursetotheearthforever。\"
This，then，Imeantbysayingthattheartsmusthavenoblemotive。
ThisalsoIsaidrespectingthem，thattheyneverhadprospered，norcouldprosper，butwhentheyhadsuchtruepurpose，andweredevotedtotheproclamationofdivinetruthorlaw。AndyetIsawalsothattheyhadalwaysfailedinthisproclamation——thatpoetry，andsculpture，andpainting，thoughonlygreatwhentheystrovetoteachussomethingaboutthegods，neverhadtaughtusanythingtrustworthyaboutthegods，buthadalwaysbetrayedtheirtrustinthecrisisofit，and，withtheirpowersatthefullreach，becameministerstoprideandtolust。AndIfeltalso，withincreasingamazement，theunconquerableapathyinourselvesandhearers，nolessthaninthesetheteachers;andthatwhilethewisdomandrightnessofeveryactandartoflifecouldonlybeconsistentwitharightunderstandingoftheendsoflife，wewereallplungedasinalanguiddream——ourheartsfat，andoureyesheavy，andourearsclosed，lesttheinspirationofhandorvoiceshouldreachus——lestweshouldseewithoureyes，andunderstandwithourhearts，andbehealed。
Thisintenseapathyinallofusisthefirstgreatmysteryoflife;
itstandsinthewayofeveryperception，everyvirtue。Thereisnomakingourselvesfeelenoughastonishmentatit。Thattheoccupationsorpastimesoflifeshouldhavenomotive，isunderstandable;but——Thatlifeitselfshouldhavenomotive——thatweneithercaretofindoutwhatitmayleadto，nortoguardagainstitsbeingforevertakenawayfromus——hereisamysteryindeed。
ForjustsupposeIwereabletocallatthismomenttoanyoneinthisaudiencebyname，andtotellhimpositivelythatIknewalargeestatehadbeenlatelylefttohimonsomecuriousconditions;
butthatthoughIknewitwaslarge，Ididnotknowhowlarge，norevenwhereitwas——whetherintheEastIndiesortheWest，orinEngland，orattheAntipodes。Ionlyknewitwasavastestate，andthattherewasachanceofhislosingitaltogetherifhedidnotsoonfindoutonwhattermsithadbeenlefttohim。SupposeIwereabletosaythispositivelytoanysinglemaninthisaudience，andheknewthatIdidnotspeakwithoutwarrant，doyouthinkthathewouldrestcontentwiththatvagueknowledge，ifitwereanywisepossibletoobtainmore？Wouldhenotgiveeveryenergytofindsometraceofthefacts，andneverresttillhehadascertainedwherethisplacewas，andwhatitwaslike？Andsupposehewereayoungman，andallhecoulddiscoverbyhisbestendeavourwasthattheestatewasnevertobehisatall，unlesshepersevered，duringcertainyearsofprobation，inanorderlyandindustriouslife;butthat，accordingtotherightnessofhisconduct，theportionoftheestateassignedtohimwouldbegreaterorless，sothatitliterallydependedonhisbehaviourfromdaytodaywhetherhegottenthousandayear，orthirtythousandayear，ornothingwhatever—
—wouldyounotthinkitstrangeiftheyouthnevertroubledhimselftosatisfytheconditionsinanyway，noreventoknowwhatwasrequiredofhim，butlivedexactlyashechose，andneverinquiredwhetherhischancesoftheestatewereincreasingorpassingaway？
Well，youknowthatthisisactuallyandliterallysowiththegreaternumberoftheeducatedpersonsnowlivinginChristiancountries。Nearlyeverymanandwomaninanycompanysuchasthis，outwardlyprofessestobelieve——andalargenumberunquestionablythinktheybelieve——muchmorethanthis;notonlythataquiteunlimitedestateisinprospectforthemiftheypleasetheHolderofit，butthattheinfinitecontraryofsuchapossession——anestateofperpetualmisery——isinstoreforthemiftheydispleasethisgreatLand—Holder，thisgreatHeaven—Holder。Andyetthereisnotoneinathousandofthesehumansoulsthatcarestothink，fortenminutesoftheday，wherethisestateisorhowbeautifulitis，orwhatkindoflifetheyaretoleadinit，orwhatkindoflifetheymustleadtoobtainit。
Youfancythatyoucaretoknowthis：solittledoyoucarethat，probably，atthismomentmanyofyouaredispleasedwithmefortalkingofthematter！YoucametohearabouttheArtofthisworld，notabouttheLifeofthenext，andyouareprovokedwithmefortalkingofwhatyoucanhearanySundayinchurch。Butdonotbeafraid。Iwilltellyousomethingbeforeyougoaboutpictures，andcarvings，andpottery，andwhatelseyouwouldlikebettertohearofthantheotherworld。Nay，perhapsyousay，\"Wewantyoutotalkofpicturesandpottery，becausewearesurethatyouknowsomethingofthem，andyouknownothingoftheotherworld。\"Well——
Idon’t。Thatisquitetrue。ButtheverystrangenessandmysteryofwhichIurgeyoutotakenotice，isinthis——thatIdonot;——noryoueither。Canyouanswerasingleboldquestionunflinchinglyaboutthatotherworld？——Areyousurethereisaheaven？Surethereisahell？Surethatmenaredroppingbeforeyourfacesthroughthepavementsofthesestreetsintoeternalfire，orsurethattheyarenot？Surethatatyourowndeathyouaregoingtobedeliveredfromallsorrow，tobeendowedwithallvirtue，tobegiftedwithallfelicity，andraisedintoperpetualcompanionshipwithaKing，comparedtowhomthekingsoftheearthareasgrass—hoppers，andthenationsasthedustofHisfeet？Areyousureofthis？or，ifnotsure，doanyofussomuchascaretomakeitsure？and，ifnot，howcananythingthatwedoberight——howcananythingwethinkbewise？whathonourcantherebeintheartsthatamuseus，orwhatprofitinthepossessionsthatplease？
Isnotthisamysteryoflife？
Butfarther，youmay，perhaps，thinkitabeneficentordinanceforthegeneralityofmenthattheydonot，withearnestnessoranxiety，dwellonsuchquestionsofthefuturebecausethebusinessofthedaycouldnotbedoneifthiskindofthoughtweretakenbyallofusforthemorrow。Beitso：butatleastwemightanticipatethatthegreatestandwisestofus，whowereevidentlytheappointedteachersoftherest，wouldsetthemselvesaparttoseekoutwhatevercouldbesurelyknownofthefuturedestiniesoftheirrace;andtoteachthisinnorhetoricalorambiguousmanner，butintheplainestandmostseverelyearnestwords。
Now，thehighestrepresentativesofmenwhohavethusendeavoured，duringtheChristianera，tosearchoutthesedeepthings，andrelatethem，areDanteandMilton。Therearenonewhoforearnestnessofthought，formasteryofword，canbeclassedwiththese。Iamnotatpresent，mindyou，speakingofpersonssetapartinanypriestlyorpastoraloffice，todelivercreedstous，ordoctrines;butofmenwhotrytodiscoverandsetforth，asfarasbyhumanintellectispossible，thefactsoftheotherworld。
Divinesmayperhapsteachushowtoarrivethere，butonlythesetwopoetshaveinanypowerfulmannerstriventodiscover，orinanydefinitewordsprofessedtotell，whatweshallseeandbecomethere;orhowthoseupperandnetherworldsare，andhavebeen，inhabited。
Andwhathavetheytoldus？Milton’saccountofthemostimportanteventinhiswholesystemoftheuniverse，thefalloftheangels，isevidentlyunbelievabletohimself;andthemoreso，thatitiswhollyfoundedon，andinagreatpartspoiledanddegradedfrom，Hesiod’saccountofthedecisivewaroftheyoungergodswiththeTitans。Therestofhispoemisapicturesquedrama，inwhicheveryartificeofinventionisvisiblyandconsciouslyemployed;notasinglefactbeing，foraninstant，conceivedastenablebyanylivingfaith。Dante’sconceptionisfarmoreintense，and，byhimself，forthetime，nottobeescapedfrom;itisindeedavision，butavisiononly，andthatoneofthewildestthateverentrancedasoul——adreaminwhicheverygrotesquetypeorphantasyofheathentraditionisrenewed，andadorned;andthedestiniesoftheChristianChurch，undertheirmostsacredsymbols，becomeliterallysubordinatetothepraise，andareonlytobeunderstoodbytheaid，ofonedearFlorentinemaiden。
Itellyoutrulythat，asIstrivemorewiththisstrangelethargyandtranceinmyself，andawaketothemeaningandpoweroflife，itseemsdailymoreamazingtomethatmensuchastheseshoulddaretoplaywiththemostprecioustruths，（orthemostdeadlyuntruths，）
bywhichthewholehumanracelisteningtothemcouldbeinformed，ordeceived;——alltheworldtheiraudiencesforever，withpleasedear，andpassionateheart;——andyet，tothissubmissiveinfinitudeofsouls，andevermoresucceedingandsucceedingmultitude，hungryforbreadoflife，theydobutplayuponsweetlymodulatedpipes;
withpompousnomenclatureadornthecouncilsofhell;touchatroubadour’sguitartothecoursesofthesuns;andfilltheopeningsofeternity，beforewhichprophetshaveveiledtheirfaces，andwhichangelsdesiretolookinto，withidlepuppetsoftheirscholasticimagination，andmelancholylightsoffranticfaithintheirlostmortallove。
Isnotthisamysteryoflife？
Butmore。Wehavetorememberthatthesetwogreatteacherswerebothofthemwarpedintheirtemper，andthwartedintheirsearchfortruth。Theyweremenofintellectualwar，unable，throughdarknessofcontroversy，orstressofpersonalgrief，todiscernwheretheirownambitionmodifiedtheirutterancesofthemorallaw;
ortheirownagonymingledwiththeirangeratitsviolation。Butgreatermenthanthesehavebeen——innocent—hearted——toogreatforcontest。Men，likeHomerandShakespeare，ofsounrecognisedpersonality，thatitdisappearsinfutureages，andbecomesghostly，likethetraditionofalostheathengod。Men，therefore，towhoseunoffended，uncondemningsight，thewholeofhumannaturerevealsitselfinapatheticweakness，withwhichtheywillnotstrive;orinmournfulandtransitorystrength，whichtheydarenotpraise。
