第4章
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  Tomakeamentalimageofallthingsthatarenamedtotheear,orconceivedinthemind,beinganindustriouscustomofchildrenandchildishpeoplewhichlapsesintheageofmuchidlereading,themakingofamaterialimageisthestillmorediligentandmoresedulousact,wherebytheprimitivemancontrolsandcaresseshisownfancy。Hemaytakearmsanon,disappointed,againsthisownwork;butdidheeverdothatworkinmalicefromtheoutset?

  Fromthestatuetothedoll,imagesarealloutragedinthepersonoftheguy。Ifitwerebutanantithesistothecitizen’sideaofsomethingadmirablewhichhemightcarryinprocessiononsomeotherday,thecarryingoftheguywouldbelessgloomy;buthewouldhootatasuspicionthathemightadmireanythingsomuchastomakeagood-lookingdollinitspraise。Thereisabsolutelynoimage-

  makingartinthepracticeofourpeople,exceptonlythisartofragsandcontumely。Or,again,iftherevengetakenuponaguywerethatofangerforacertaincause,thedestructionwouldnotbetheworkofsothinanannualmaliceandofsoheartlessarancour。

  Butthesinglemotiveisthatpopularironywhichbecomesdaily——orsoitseems——moreandmoretheholidaytemperofthemajority。

  Mockeryistheonlyanimatingimpulse,andaloudincredulityistheonlyintelligence。Theymakeanimageofsomeoneinwhomtheydonotbelieve,toderideit。Saythattheguyistheeffigyofanagitatorinthecauseofsomethingtobedesired;thestreetmanandboyhavethentwomotivesofmocking:theythinkthereformtobenotworthdoing,andtheyarewillingtosuspectthereformerofsomekindofhypocrisy。PerhapstheguyofthisoccasionismostcharacteristicofallguysinLondon。Thepeople,havinghimorhertoderide,donotevenwaitfortheopportunityoftheirannualprocession。Theyanticipatetime,andmakeanimagewhenitisnotNovember,andsellitatthemarketofthekerb。

  Hear,moreover,thesongswhichsomenamelessonemakesforthecitizens,perhapsinthoughtfulrenunciationofthemakingoftheirlaws。These,too,seemtohavefortheirinspirationtheuniversaltaunt。Theyare,indeed,mostinvoguewhentheyhavenomeaningatall——thisitisthatmakesthesuccesfou(andhereParisisofonemindwithLondon)ofthestreet;butshortofsuchatriumph,andwhenameaningisdiscernible,itisanirony。

  BankHolidaycourtship(iftheinappropriatewordcanbepardoned)

  seemstobedone,inreallife,entirelybybanter。Anditisthestrangestthingtofindthatthebanterofwomenbymenisthemostmockingintheexchange。Iftheburlesqueofthemaid’stongueisprovocative,thatoftheman’sisderisive。Somewhatoftheorderofthingsastheystoodbeforetheywereinvertedseemstoremain,nevertheless,asamemory;nay,togivetheinversionakindoflagginginterest。Ironyismademorecompletebytheremembrance,andbyanimplicitallusiontothestateofcourtshipinotherclasses,countries,ortimes。Suchanallusionnodoubtgivesallitspeculiartwangtotheburlesqueoflove。

  WiththemoststrangesubmissiontheseEnglishwomenintheirmillionsundergoalldegreesofderisionfromthetonguesofmenwhoaretheirmates,equals,contemporaries,perhapsinsomeobscuresensetheirsuitors,andinastrollingmanner,withoneknowsnotwhatungainlymotiveofreserve,eventheiradmirers。Norfromtheirtonguesonly;for,topassthetime,theholidayswainannoysthegirl;andifhewearsherhat,itistentoonethathehaspluckeditoffwithahumorousdisregardofherdreadfulpins。

  Wehavetobelievethatunmockedlovehasexistenceinthestreets,becauseoftheproofthatispublishedwhenamanshootsawomanwhohasrejectedhim;andfromthisalsodowelearntobelievethatawomanoftheburlesqueclassesisabletoreject。Butforthatsignweshouldfindlittleornothingintelligibleinwhatweseeoroverhearofthedramaofloveinpopularlife。

  Initseasymoments,initsleisure,atholidaytime,itbafflesalltradition,andshowsusthespiritofcomedyclowningafterafashionthatisinsularandnotmerelycivic。Youhearthesametwangincountryplaces;andwhethertheEnglishmaid,having,liketheantique,thrownherappleathershepherd,runintothethicketsofHampsteadHeathoramongsylvantrees,itseemsthatthemosthumorousthingtobedonebytheswainwouldbe,intheopinioninvogue,tostrollanotherway。InsularIhavesaid,becauseIhavenotseenthelikeofthisfashionwhetherinAmericaorelsewhereinEurope。

  Butthechiefinversionofall,provedsummarilybytheannualinversionoftheworshipofimagesonthefifthofNovember,isthatofasentenceofWordsworth’s——\"Welivebyadmiration。\"

  HAVEPATIENCE,LITTLESAINT

  Someconsiderabletimemusthavegonebysinceanykindofcourtesyceased,inEngland,tobeheldnecessaryinthecourseofcommunicationwithabeggar。Feelingmaybehumane,andtheinterioractmostgentle;theremaybeatacitapology,andaprofoundmisgivingunexpressed;areluctancenotonlytorefusebuttobearbiter;adislikeoftheoffice;aregret,whetherfortheunequaldistributionofsocialluckorforapurseleftathome,equallysincere;howbeitcustomexactsnowordorsign,nothingwhateverofintercourse。Ifadogoracataccostsyou,oracalfinafieldcomesclosetoyouwithacandidinfantfaceandbreathingnostrilsofinvestigation,orifanykindofanimalcomestoyouonsomeobscureimpulseoffriendlyapproach,youacknowledgeit。Butthebeggartowhomyougivenothingexpectsnoanswertoaquestion,norecognitionofhispresence,notsomuchastheturnofyoureyelidinhisdirection,andneverawordtoexcuseyou。

  Nordoesthisblankbehaviourseemsavagetothosewhoareusedtonothingelse。Yetitissomewhatmoreinhumantorefuseananswertothebeggar’sremarkthantoleaveashopwithout\"Goodmorning。\"

  Whencomplaintismadeofthemodernsocialmanner——thatithasnomeritbutwhatisnegative,andthatitisapteventoabstainfromcourtesywithmorelackofgracethantheabstinenceabsolutelyrequires——thehabitofmannertowardsbeggarsisprobablynotsomuchasthoughtof。Tothesimplyhumaneye,however,theprevalentmannertowardsbeggarsisastrikingthing;itissignificantofsomuch。

  Obviouslyitisnoteasytoreplytobeggingexceptbytheintelligibleactofgiving。WehavenottheingenuoussimplicitythatmarksthecasteansweringmoreorlesstothatofVeredeVere,inItaly,forexample。AnelderlyItalianladyonherslowwayfromherownancientancestralpalazzotothevillage,andaccustomedtomeet,empty-handed,acertainnumberofbeggars,answersthembyaretortwhichwouldbe,literallytranslated,\"Excuseme,dear;I,too,amapoordevil,\"andthelastwordshenaturallyputsintothefeminine。

  Moreover,thesentenceisspokeninallthefamiliarityofthelocaldialect——adialectthatputsanytwopeopleatonceuponequaltermsasnothingelsecandoit。WoulditwerepossibletopresentthephrasetoEnglishreadersinallitsownhelplessgood-humour。Theexcellentwomanwhousesitispractisingnoeccentricitythereby,andraisesnosmile。Itisonlyinanotherclimate,andamidothermanners,thatonecannotrecallitwithoutasmile。ToamindhavingalivelysenseofcontrastitisnotalittlepleasanttoimagineanelderlyladyofcorrespondingstationinEnglandreplyingsotoimportunitiesforalms;albeitwehavenothingansweringtothegoodfellowshipofabroadpatoisusedcurrentlybyrichandpoor,andyetslightlygrotesqueinthecaseofallspeakers——adialectinwhich,forexample,nosermoniseverpreached,andinwhichnobookiseverprinted,exceptforfun;adialect\"familiar,butbynomeansvulgar。\"Besides,evenifourEnglishwomancouldbyanypossibilitybringherselftosaytoamendicant,\"Excuseme,dear;I,too,amapoordevil,\"shewouldstillnothavetheopportunityofputtingthelastwordpunctuallyintothefeminine,whichdoessocompletethecharacterofthesentence。

  ThephraseattheheadofthispaperisthefarmoregracefulphraseofexcusecustomaryinthecourteousmannersofPortugal。AndeverywhereintheSouth,whereanalmostwell-dressedoldwoman,whosuddenlybeginstobegfromyouwhenyouleastexpectedit,callsyou\"mydaughter,\"youcanhardlyreplywithoutkindness。Wherethetourististhoroughlywellknown,doubtlessthecompanyofbeggarsareusedtosavagemannersintherich;butaboutthebywaysandremoterplacestheremuststillbesomedismayattheanger,thesilence,theindignation,andtheinexpensivehaughtinesswherewiththeopportunityofalms-givingisreceivedbytravellers。

  InnothingdoweshowhowfartheWestisfromtheEastsoemphaticallyasweshowitbyourloftywaystowardsthosewhosomanifestlyputthemselvesatourfeet。Itiscertainlynotpleasanttoseethemthere;butsilenceorastormofimpersonalprotest——aprotestthatappealsvaguelylesstothebeggarsthantosomenotimpossiblepolice——doesnotseemthemostappropriatemannerofrebukingthem。Wehave,itmaybe,ascrupleonthepointofhumandignity,compromisedbytheentreatyandthethanksofthemendicant;butwehaveastrangewayofvindicatingthatdignitywhenwerefusetoman,woman,orchildtherecognitionofasimplyhumanword。Nay,ouroffenceismuchthegreaterofthetwo。Itisnotmerelyaroughandcontemptuousintercourse,itistherefusalofintercourse——thelastoutrage。Howdoweproposetoredressthoseconditionsoflifethatannoyuswhenabrotherwhines,ifwedenythepresence,thevoice,andthebeingofthisbrother,andif,becausefortunehasrefusedhimmoney,werefusehimexistence?

  Wetakethemattertooseriously,ornotseriouslyenough,toholditintheindifferenceofthewise。\"Havepatience,littlesaint,\"

  isaphrasethatmightteachusthecheerfulwaytoendureourownunintelligiblefortunesinthemidst,say,ofthepopulationofahill-villageamongthemostbarrenoftheMaritimeAlps,wherehutsofstonestandamongthestonesofanunclothedearth,andthereisnosignofdailybread。Thepeople,albeitunusedtotravellers,yetknowbyinstinctwhattodo,andbegwithoutthedelayofamomentassoonastheyseeyourunwontedfigure。Letitbetakenforgrantedthatyougiveallyoucan;someformofrefusalbecomesnecessaryatlast,andthegentlest——itisworthwhiletoremember——

  isthemosteffectual。Anindignanttourist,onewhototheportentofapuggareewhich,perhaps,hewearsonagreyday,addsthatofungovernablerage,issowildavisitorthatnoattemptatallismadetounderstandhim;andthebeggarsbegdismayedbutunalarmed,uninterruptedly,withoutapauseoraconjecture。Theybegbyrote,thinkingofsomethingelse,asoccasionarises,andallindifferenttotheviolenceoftherich。

  Itisthemerrybeggarwhohassolamentablydisappeared。Ifabeggarisstillmerryanywhere,hehidesawaywhatitwouldsocheerandcomfortustosee;hepractisesnotmerelytheconventionalseeming,whichishardlyintendedtoconvince,butamoresubtleanddramatickindofsemblance,ofnogoodinfluenceuponthemoralsoftheroad。Henolongertruststheworldwithasightofhisgaiety。

  Heisnotawholeheartedmendicant,andnolongerkeepsthatlibertyofunstablebalancewherebyanunattachedcreaturecangoinanewdirectionwithanewwind。Themerrybeggarwastheonlyadventurerfreetoyieldtothelightertouchesofchance,thetouchesthatahabitofresistancehasmadeimperceptibletotheseatedandstablesocialworld。

  Thevisibleflittingfigureoftheunfetteredmadmansprinkledourliteraturewithmadsongs,andevenoneortwopoetsofto-dayhave,bytradition,writtenthem;butthatwildsourceofinspirationhasbeenstopped;ithasbeenbuiltover,lappedandlocked,imprisoned,ledunderground。Thelightmelancholyandthewind-blownjoysofthesongofthedistraught,whichthepoetswereonceingenioustocapture,haveceasedtosoundonenoteoflibertyintheworld’sears。ButitseemsthatthegrosserandsanerfreedomofthehappybeggarisstillthesubjectofaSpanishsong。

  Thatsongisgay,notdefiantitisnotanoutlaw’sorarobber’s,itisnotasongofviolenceorfear。Itistherandomtrollingnoteofamanwhooweshislibertytonodisorder,failure,orill-

  fortune,buttakesitbychoicefromthevoluntaryworld,enjoysitatthehandofunreluctantcharity;whotwitstheworldwithitsownchoiceofbonds,buthasnotbrokenhisownbyforce。Itseems,therefore,thesongofanindomitablelibertyofmovement,lightenoughforthepuffsofazephyrchance。

  ATMONASTERYGATES

  Nowomanhasevercrossedtheinnerthreshold,orshallevercrossit,unlessaqueen,Englishorforeign,shouldclaimherprivilege。

  Therefore,ifawomanrecordsheretheslighterthingsvisibleofthemonasticlife,itisonlybecauseshewasnotadmittedtoseemorethanbeautifulcourtesyandfriendlinesswereabletoshowheringuest-houseandgarden。

  TheMonasteryisoffresh-lookingGothic,byPugin——thefirstofthedynasty:itisreachedbythewhiteroadsofalimestonecountry,andbackedbyayoungplantation,anditgathersitsgroupofbuildingsinaclefthighupamongthehillsofWales。Thebrownhabitisthis,andthesearethesandals,thatcomeandgobyhillsoffiner,sharper,andloftierline,edgingtheduskanddawnofanUmbriansky。JustsuchaViaCrucisclimbstheheightaboveOrta,andfromthefootofitsfinalcrucifixyoucanseethesunrisetouchthetopofMonteRosa,whiletheencircledlakebelowiscoolwiththelastofthenight。Thesameorderoffriarskeepthatsub-

  AlpineMonteSacro,andthesamehavesettheKreuzbergbeyondBonnwiththesamesteeppathbythesamefourteenchapels,facingtheSevenMountainsandtheRhine。

  Here,inNorthWales,remoteasthecountryis,withthewheatgreenovertheblunthill-tops,andtheskyvibratingwithlarks,alongwingofsmokeliesroundthehorizon。Thecountry,ratherthinlyandlanguidlycultivatedabove,hasavaluablesub-soil,andisburrowedwithmines;thebreathofpitandfactory,outofsight,thickensthelowersky,andliesheavilyoverthesandsofDee。ItleavestheupperblueclearandtheheadofOrion,butdimstheflickerofSiriusandshortensthesteadyrayoftheeveningstar。

  Thepeoplescatteredaboutarenotminingpeople,buthalf-heartedagriculturists,andverypoor。Theircottagesarerathercabins;

  notatiledroofisinthecountry,buttheslateshavetakensomebeautywithtime,havingdipsanddimples,andgrassupontheiredges。Thewallsareallthicklywhitewashed,whichisapleasuretosee。Howwillinglywouldoneswishtheharmlesswhitewashovermorethanhalfthecolour——overallthechocolateandalltheblue——

  withwhichthebuildingsoftheworldarestained!Youcouldnotwishforabetter,simpler,orfresherharmonythanwhitewashmakeswiththeslightsunshineandthebrightgreyofanEnglishsky。

  Thegrey-stone,grey-roofedmonasterylooksyounginonesense——itismodern;andthefriarslookyounginanother——theyareliketheirbrothersofanearliertime。Noone,exceptthejournalistsofyesterday,wouldspenduponthemthosetediouswords,\"quaint,\"or\"oldworld。\"Nosuchwearyadjectivesarespokenhere,unlessitbebytheexcursionists。

  Withlargeapronstiedovertheirbrownhabits,theLayBrothersworkupontheirland,plantingparsnipsinrows,ortendingaprosperousbee-farm。Ayoungfriar,whosangtheHighMassyesterday,isgailyhangingthewashedlineninthesun。Aprintingpress,andamachinewhichslicesturnips,areatworkinanouthouse,andtheyardtherebyisguardedbyaStBernard,whosesingleevildeedwasthatunderoneoftheobscureimpulsesofadog’sheart-atonedforbylongandself-consciousremorse——hebitthepoet;andtried,saysoneofthefriars,tomakedoggerelofhim。Thepoet,too,livesatthemonasterygates,andonmonasteryground,inaseclusionwhichthetidingsofthesequenceofhiseditionshardlyreaches。ThereisnodisturbingrenowntobegotamongthecabinsoftheFlintshirehills。Homeward,overtheverge,fromothervalleys,hislightfigureflitsatnightfall,likeamoth。

  Tothecomingandgoingofthefriars,too,thevillagepeoplehavebecomewellused,andtheinfrequentexcursionists,forlackofintelligenceandofanyknowledgethatwouldrefertohistory,lookatthemwithoutobtrusivecuriosity。ItwasonlyfromaSalvationArmygirlthatyouheardthebrutalwordofcontempt。Shehadcometotheplacewithsomecompanions,andwiththemwastrespassing,asshewaswelcometodo,withinthemonasterygrounds。Shestood,afigureforBournemouthpier,inhergrotesquebonnet,andwatchedthesonoftheUmbriansaint——thefriarwhowalksamongtheGiottofrescoesatAssisiandbetweenthecypressesofBelloSguardo,andhaspacedthecenturiescontinuallysincethecomingofthefriars。

  Onemighthaveaskedofherthekindnessofafellow-feeling。Sheandhealikeweresohabitedastoshowtheworldthattheirlifewasalooffromits\"idlebusiness。\"Bysomesuchphrase,atleast,thefriarwouldassuredlyhaveattemptedtoincludeherinanyspiritualhonoursascribedtohim。Oronemighthaveaskedofherthecondescensionofforbearance。\"Onlyfancy,\"saidtheSalvationArmygirl,watchingthefriaroutofsight,\"onlyfancymakingsuchafoolofone’sself!\"

  Thegreathoodofthefriars,whichisdrawnovertheheadinZurbaran’secstaticpicture,isturnedtousewhenthefriarsarebusy。Asapocketitrelievestheover-burdenedhands。AbottleofthelocalwhitewinemadebythebrotherhoodatGenoa,andsenttothishousebytheWest,iscarriedinthecowlasapresenttothestrangeratthegates。Thefriarstellhowabrotherresolved,atShrovetide,tomakepancakes,andnotonlytomake,butalsototossthem。Thosewhochancedtobeintheroomstoodprudentlyaside,andthebrothertossedboldly。Butthatwasthelastthatwasseenofhishandiwork。VictorHugosingsinLaLegendedesSieclesofdisappearanceasthethingwhichnocreatureisabletoachieve:

  heretheimpossibilityseemedtobeaccomplishedbyquiteanordinaryandasimplepancake。Itwascleangone,andtherewasanendofit。Norcouldanyexplanationofthisceasingofapancakefromthemidstofthevisibleworldbesomuchasdivinedbythespectators。Itwasonlywhenthebrother,inchurch,kneltdowntomeditateanddrewhiscowlabouthisheadthattheaccidentwasexplained。

  Everymidnightthesweetcontraltobellscallthecommunity,whogetupgailytothisdifficultservice。Ofalldutiesthisonenevergrowseasyorfamiliar,andthereforeneverhabitual。Itissomethingtohavefoundbutoneactalooffromhabit。Itisnotmerelythatthefriarsovercomethehabitofsleep。Thesubtlerpointisthattheycanneveracquirethehabitofsacrificingsleep。

  Whatart,whatliterature,orwhatlifebutwouldgainasecretsecuritybysuchapointofperpetualfreshnessandperpetualinitiative?Itisnotpossibletogetupatmidnightwithoutawillthatisnewnightbynight。Soshouldthewriter’sworkbedone,and,withanintentionperpetuallyunique,thepoet’s。

  ThecontraltobellshavetaughttheseWesternhillsthe\"Angelus\"oftheFrenchfields,andthehourofnight——l’oradinotte——whichringswithsomelancholyanotefromthevillagebelfriesontheAdriaticlittoral,whenthelatestlightispassing。Itistheprayerforthedead:\"OutofthedepthshaveIcrieduntoThee,O

  Lord。\"

  Thelittleflocksofnovices,onpaschalevenings,arefoldedtothesoundofthateveningprayer。Thecareofthemisthecentralworkofthemonastery,whichisplacedinsoremoteacountrybecauseitisprincipallyaplaceofstudies。Somuchelectintellectandstrengthofheartwithdrawnfromthetrafficoftheworld!True,thefriarsarenotdoingthetaskwhichCarlylesetmankindasarefugefromdespair。These\"beardedcounsellorsofGod\"keeptheircells,read,study,suffer,sing,holdsilence;whereastheymightbe\"operating\"——beautifulword!——upontheStockExchange,orpaintingAcademypictures,ormakingspeeches,orreluctantlyjostlingothermenforplaces。Theymightbeamongtheinvoluntarybusybodieswhoarelivingbyfutiletaskstheneedwhereofisadiscouragedfiction。Thereisabsolutelynolimittothesuperfluousactivities,totheart,totheliterature,implicitlyrenouncedbythedwellerswithinsuchwallsasthese。Theoutput——

  againabeautifulword——oftheageislessenedbythisabstention。

  Nonethelesshopesthestrangerandpilgrimtopauseandknockonceagainuponthosemonasterygates。

  THESEAWALL

  Asingularloveofwallsismine。Perhapsbecauseofchildishassociationwithmountain-climbingroadsnarrowinthebrightshadowsofgreystone,hidingolivetreeswhereofthetopmostleavesprickaboveintotheblue;orperhapsbecauseofsubsequentlivinginLondon,withitstoomanywindowsandtoofewwalls,thecitywhichofallcapitalstakesleastvisibleholdupontheground;orforthesakeofsomeotherattractionoraversion,walls,blankandstrong,reachingoutwardatthebase,areasatisfactiontotheeyesteasedbytheinexpressivepeeringofwindows,bythatweaklapseandshufflingwhichistheLondon\"area,\"andbythehelplesshollowsofshop-fronts。

  Iwouldratherhaveawallthananyrailbutaverygoodoneofwrought-iron。Awallisthesafeguardofsimplicity。Itlaysalonglevellineamongtheindefinitechancesofthelandscape。Butnevermoremajesticthaninfaceofthewildsea,thewall,steadyingitsslantingfootupontherock,buildsintheserriedilex-woodandbuildsoutthewave。Thesea-wallisthewallatitsbest。Andfineasitisonthestrongcoast,itisbeautifulontheweaklittoralandtheimperilledlevelsofanorthernbeach。

  Thatseawallislowandlong;sea-pinksgrowonthesaltgrassthatpassesawayintoshingleatitsfoot。Itisatclosequarterswiththewintersea,when,fromthelowcoastwithitslowhorizon,thesky-lineofseaisjagged。Neverfromanyheightdoestheocean-

  horizonshowthusbrokenandbatteredatitsveryverge,butfromtheflatcoastandthenarrowworldyoucanseethewaveasfarasyoucanseethewater;andthestormylightofaclearhorizonisseentobemobileandshiftingwiththebuoyanthillocksandtheirrestlessline。

  NowhereinHollanddoesthereseemtobesuchalowsea-wallassecuresmanyamileofgentleEnglishcoasttotheeast。TheDutchdykehasnotthataspectofalowlyparapetagainstatide;itspringswithalookofhasteandofheight;andwhenyoufirstrunupstairsfromtheencumberedDutchfieldstolookatthesea,thereisnothingintheleastlikeEngland;andeventheEnglishmanofto-

  dayisapttosharesomethingoftheoldperversitythatwasmindedtocastderisionupontheDutchintheirencounterswiththetides。

  TherehasbeensomefaultintheDutch,makingthemsubjecttotheslightderisionofthenationswhoholdthemselvestobemoreromantic,and,asitwere,moreslender。WeEnglish,onceuponatime,didespeciallyfloutthelittlenationthenactingahistorythatprovedworththewriting。ItmaybenomorethanabriefperversitythathassetanumberofourwriterstocheerthememoryofCharlesII。Perhaps,even,itisnomorethananotherrehearsalofthatuntiringsuccessattheexpenseofthebourgeois。Thebourgeoiswouldbemoresimplethan,infact,heiswerehetostandupeverytimetobeshocked;but,perhaps,theimageofhisdismayisenoughtorewardthefancyofthosewhopractisethewantonart。

  And,whenallisdone,whoperformsforanybutanimaginaryaudience?Surelythosecompaniesofspectatorsandofauditorsarenottheleastofthemakingsofanauthor。Afewmenandwomenheachieveswithinhisbooks;butothersdoeshecreatewithout,andtothosefiguresofallillusionmakestheappealofhisart。Morecandidistheauthorwhohasnoworld,butturnsthatappealinwardstohisownheart。Hehasatleastalivinghearer。

  Thisisbytheway。CharlesIIhasbeencheered;thefeatisdone,thedismayisimaginedwithjoy。AndyettheMerryMonarch’swasadismaltime。Plague,fire,thearrearsofpensionfromtheFrenchKingrememberedandclaimedbytherestoredthroneofEngland,andtheDutchintheMedway——allthiswasdisaster。Nonetheless,havingthevanityofnewclothesandaprettyfigure,didwe——

  especiallybythemouthofAndrewMarvell——derideourvictors,makingsportofthePhilistineswithapropernationalsenseofenjoymentofsuchphysicaldisabilities,orsuchnaturaldifficulties,orsuchmisfavouroffortune,asmaybesetthealien。

  Especiallywerethedenialsoffortunematterformerriment。Theyaresostill;ortheyweresocertainlyinthedaywhenagreatnovelistfoundthesmallnessofsomeSouthGermanStatestobethesubjectofunsatingbanter。TheGermanscenesattheendof\"VanityFair,\"forexample,mayprovehowmuchtheridiculeofmeresmallness,fewness,poverty(andnotevenrealpoverty,privation,butthepovertythatshowsincomparisonwiththegoldofgreatStates,andisproperlyinproportion)rejoicedthesenseofhumourinawriterandmoralistwhointendedtoteachmankindtobelessworldly。InAndrewMarvell’sdaytheywereevenmorecandid。Thepovertyofprivationitselfwasprovocativeofthesincerelaughteroftheinmostman,thetrue,infrequentlaughteroftheheart。

  Marvell,thePuritan,laughedthatverylaughter——atleanness,athunger,cold,andsolitude——inthefaceoftheworld,andinthenameofliterature,inonememorablesatire。Ispeakof\"Flecno,anEnglishPriestinRome,\"whereinnothingisspared——notthesmallnessofthelodging,northelackofabed,northescantinessofclothing,northefast。

  \"Thisbasso-rilievoofaman——\"

  personalmeagrenessisthefirstjokeandthelast。

  ItisnottobewonderedatthatheshouldfindinthesmallnessofthecountryofHollandmatterforacordialjest。But,besidesthesmallness,therewasthataccidentalandnaturaldisadvantageinregardtothesea。IntheVenetians,commercewiththesea,conflictwiththesea,avictoryoverthesea,andtheensuingpeace——albeitalessinstantbattleandamorelanguidvictory——wereconfessedtobenoble;intheDutchtheyweregrotesque。\"Withmadlabour,\"saysAndrewMarvell,withthespiritedconsciousnessofthecitizenofacountrywellabovegroundandfreetowatchthelabouratleisure,\"withmadlabour\"didtheDutch\"fishthelandtoshore。\"

  Howdidtheyrivetwithgiganticpiles,Thoroughthecentre,theirnew-catchedmiles,Andtothestakeastrugglingcountrybound,Wherebarkingwavesstillbaittheforcedground;

  BuildingtheirwateryBabelfarmorehighToreachtheseathanthosetoscalethesky!

  Itisdonewithajollywit,andinwhatadmirablecouplets!

  Thefishoft-timestheburgherdispossessed,Andsat,notasameat,butasaguest。

  Anditisevenbettersportthattheastonishedtritonsandsea-

  nymphsshouldfindthemselvesprovidedwithacapitalcabillauofshoalsofpickledDutchmen(heerenforherring,saysMarvell);anditmustbeallowedthatherhymeswiththeenjoymentofirony。

  Thereisnotasmileforusin\"Flecno,\"butitismorethanpossibletosmileoverthis\"CharacterofHolland\";attheexcludedoceanreturningtoplayatleap-frogoverthesteeples;attheriseofgovernmentandauthorityinHolland,whichbelongedofrighttothemanwhocouldbestinventashovelorapump,thecountrybeingsoleaky:-

  Notwhofirstseestherisingsuncommands,Butwhocouldfirstdiscerntherisinglands。

  WehavelostsomethingmorethanthedelightedlaughterofMarvell,morethanhispracticaljoke,andmorethantheheartthatwaslightinsoburlyaframe——wehavelostwiththesethewildhumourthatworesowellthebondsoftwoequallines,andwaswildwithsomuchorder,invention,malice,gaiety,polish,equilibrium,andvitality——

  inaword,theCouplet,thecoupletofthepast。Wewhocannotstandfirmwithintwolines,butmustslipbeyondandbetweentheboundaries,whotoleratethecoupletsofKeatsandimitatethem,shouldpraisethedayofCharlesIIbecauseofMarvell’sart,andnotforloveofthesorryreign。Wehadplague,fire,andtheDutchintheMedway,butwehadthecouplet;andtherewerealsothemeasuresofthosemorepoeticpoets,hithertocalledsomewhatslightinglytheCavalierpoets,whomatchedthewitofthePuritanwithaspiritsimplerandlessmocking。

  ItwasagainstanEnglishfortress,profoundlywalled,thatsomerememberedwinterstormslatelyturnedtheirgreatartillery。Itwasatimeofresoundingnights;theskywassoclamorousandsoclose,upinthetowersoftheseasidestronghold,thatoneseemedtobeindeedadmittedtotheperturbedcounselsofthewinds。Thegalecamewithanindescribablehaste,hootingasitflew;itseemedtobreakitselfupontheheights,yetpassedunbrokenouttosea;inthevoiceoftheseatherewerepauses,butnoneinthatoftheurgentgalewithitshoo-hoo-hooallnight,thatclamoureddownthecallingofthewaves。Thatlackofpauseswasthestrangestthinginthetempest,becausetheincreaseofsoundseemedtoimplyalullbefore。Thelullwasneverperceptible,buttheliftwasalwaysanalarm。Theonslaughtwasinstant,wherewoulditstop?Whatwasthesecretextremetowhichthishurryandforceweretending?Youaskedlesswhatthingwasdrivingtheflocksofthestormthanwhatwasdrawingthem。Theattractionseemedthegreaterviolence,themoreirresistible,andthemoreunknown。Andthereweremomentswhentheendseemedabouttobeattained。

  Thewindstruckushastyblows,andunawaresweborrowed,todescribeit,wordsfitforthesharpstrokesofmaterialthings;butthefiercegaleissoft。Alongtheshortgrass,tremblingandcoweringflatonthescarpedhill-side,againstthestaggeringhorse,againsttheflintwalls,onewiththerocktheygrasp,thebatteryofthetempestisaquickandenormoussoftness。Whatdown,whatsand,whatdeepmoss,whatelasticwavecouldmatchthebedandcushionofthegale?

  Thisstormtossedthewaveandthestonesofthesea-walluptogether。Thenextdayitleftthewaterswhitewiththethrillingwhitenessoffoaminsunshine。ItwasonlytheChannel;andinsuchnarrowwatersyoudonotseethedistances,thewidelevelsoffleetingandfloatingfoam,thatlielightbetweenlongwaveandlongwaveonaMediterraneancoast,regionsofdelicateandtransitorybrightnesssofaroutthatallthewaves,nearandfar,seemtobebreakingatthesamemoment,onebeyondtheother,andleaguebeyondleague,intofoam。ButtheChannelhasitsownstrong,shortcurlthatcatchestherushingshingleupwiththefreshestofallnoisesandrunsupwithsuddencurves,whiteuponthewhitesea-wall,undertherandomshadowofsea-gullsandthelightofashiningcloud。

  TITHONUS

  \"Itwasresolved,\"saidthemorningpaper,\"tocolourthebordersofthepanelsandotherspacesofPortlandstonewitharabesquesandotherpatterns,butthatnopaintshouldbeused,aspaintwouldneedrenewingfromtimetotime。Thecolours,therefore,\"——andhereisthepassagetobenoted——\"areallmixedwithwaxliquefiedwithpetroleum;andthewaxsurfacesetsashardasmarble……Thewaxislefttimetoformanimperishablesurfaceofornament,whichwouldhavetobecutoutofthestonewithachiselifitwasdesiredtoremoveit。\"Not,apparently,thatanewsurfaceisformedwhich,bymuchviolenceandperseverance,could,yearshence,bechippedoffagain;butthatthe\"ornament\"isdriveninandincorporate,burntinandabsorbed,sothatthereisnothingpossibletocutawaybyanyindustry。InthishumorousformofornamentwearebeforehandwithPosterity。Posterityisbaffled。

  Willthisvictoryoveroursons’sonsbethelastresolutetyrannypreparedbyoneageforthecoercion,constraint,anddefeatofthefuture?Toimposethatcompulsionhasbeenhithertooneofthestrongestofhumandesires。Itisone,doubtless,tobeoutgrownbythehumanrace;buthowslowlythatgrowthcreepsonwards,letthissuccessinthestencillingofStPaul’steachus,toourconfusion。

  Thereisevidentlyaman——agroupofmen——happyatthismomentbecauseithasbeenpossible,bygreatingenuity,toforceourposteritytohavetheircupolaofStPaul’swiththestonemouldingsstencilledand\"pickedout\"withnigglingcolours,whetherthatundefendedposteritylikeitornot。Andthisisasurvivalofoneoftheobscurepleasuresofman,attestedbyhistory。

  ItisimpossibletoreadtheThirty-nineArticles,forexample,andnottorecognizeinthoseactsoffinal,all-resolute,eager,eternallegislationoneofthestrongestofallrecordedproofsofthisformerhumanwish。IfGalileo’sInquisitorsputacheckupontheearth,whichyetmoved,afarbolderenterprisewastheReformers’whoarrestedthemovingman,andinhibitedthemovingGod。Thesixteenthcenturyandacertainpartoftheageimmediatelyfollowingseemtobetimeswhenthedesirehadconspicuouslybecomeapassion。SaythemiddleofthesixteenthcenturyinItalyandthebeginningoftheseventeenthinEngland——

  forinthosedaysweweresomewhatintherear。THEREistheobstinate,confident,unreluctant,undoubting,andresolvedseizureuponpower。THENwasRomerebuilt,re-faced,markedwithasinglesignandstyle。Thenwasmanyahumanhandstretchedforthtograspthefateoftheunborn。Thefortunesandthethoughtsofthedaytocomeweretobeasthedaythenpresentwouldhavethem,ifthedeadhand——thelivinghandthatwasthentodie,andwastokeepitsholdindeath——couldbyanymeansmakethemfast。

  Obviously,tobuildatallistoimposesomethinguponanagethatmaybemorethanwillingtobuildforitself。Thedaymaysooncomewhennomanwilldoevensomuchwithoutsomeimpulseofapology。

  Posterityisnotcompelledtokeepourpicturesorourbooksinexistence,nortoreadnortolookatthem;butitismoreorlessobligedtohaveastonebuildinginviewforanageortwo。Wecanhardlyavoidsomeoftheformsoftyrannyoverthefuture,butfew,fewarethelivingmenwhowouldconsenttoshareinthishorribleingenuityatStPaul’s——thispetroleumandthiswax。

  In1842theywerediscussingthedecorationoftheHousesofParliament,andtheeffortsofallincouncilweredirecteduponthefuture。Howthefrescoesthentobeachievedbytheartistsofthedayshouldbemadesecureagainstallmischances——smoke,damp,\"theriskofbulging,\"evenaccidentsattendingthewashingofupperfloors——allwasdiscussedinconfidencewiththepublic。Itwasimpossibleforanyonewhoreadthepapersthentoescapefromsomeatleastoftheresponsibilitiesoftechnicalknowledge。FromGenoa,fromRome,fromMunichespecially,allkindsofexpertandmostdeliberateschemesweregatheredinordertodefeatthenaturalandnotsuperfluousoperationofefficientandeffacingtime。

  TheacademiclittlecapitalofBavariahad,ataboutthesamedate,decoratedavastquantityofwallspaceofmorethanoneorderofarchitecture。Artrevivedandwasencouragedatthattimeandplacewithunparalleledobstinacy。TheyhadnotthemaliceofthepetroleumthatdoesviolencetoStPaul’s;buttheyhadinsteadanindomitablepatience。UnderthecommandsofthemasterCornelius,theybaffledtimeandallhiswork——refusedhispardons,hisabsolutions,hiscancellingindulgences——byaperseverancethatnothingcoulddiscourage。Whohasnotknownsomewhatindifferentpaintersmightybusyabouttheircoloursandvarnishes?Corneliuscausedapittobedugforthepreparationofthelime,andinthecaseoftheLudwigKirchethislimeremainedthereforeightyears,withfrequentstirrings。Thiswasinorderthatthewholefresco,whenatlastitwasentrustedtoitsbed,shouldbesetthereforimmortality。Nordidthemasterfailtothwarttimebythosemechanicalmeansthatshouldaverttheriskofbulgingalreadymentioned。Heneglectednodetail。Hewasprovident,andhelayinwaitformorethanoneofthelawsofnature,tofrustratethem。

  Gravitationfoundhimprepared,andsodidthelessmajesticbutnotvaindispensationofaccidents。Againstbulginghehadanunderplotoftilessetonend;againstpossibletricklingfromanupperfloorhehadasphalt;itwasallpartofthehumanconspiracy。Ineffect,thedullpicturesatMunichseemtostandwell。Itwouldhavebeenmorejust——sothepresentagethinksofthesepreservedwalls——ifthedaythatadmiredthemhadhadthemexclusively,andourdayhadbeenexempt。ThepaintedcathedralsoftheMiddleAgeshaveundergonethenaturalcorrection;whynottheLudwigKirche?

  In1842,then,thenationswerestanding,asitwere,shouldertoshoulderagainstthewalkoftimeandagainsthisgentleactandart。Theyhadjustcalledironintotheircabal。CorneliuscamefromMunichtoLondon,lookedatthewallsatWestminster,andputaheartofconfidenceintothebreastoftheCommission。Thesituation,heaverred,neednotbetoodampforimmortality,withduecare。WhathehaddoneintheGlyptothekandinthePinacothekmightbedonewiththebestresultsinEngland,indefianceoftheweather,oftheriver,ofthemeredays,ofthedivineorderofalteration,and,inaword,ofheavenandearth。

  Meanwhile,therewasthatgoodservantofthelawofchange,limethathadnotbeenkeptquitelongenough,readytofulfilitsmission;theywouldhavenoneofit。Theyevadedit,studieditsways,andputittotherout。\"Manyfailuresthatmighthavebeenhastilyattributedtodampwerereallyowingtotheuseoflimeintoofreshastate。OftheexperimentalworkspaintedatMunich,thoseonlyhavefadedwhichareknowntohavebeendonewithoutdueattentiontothematerials。THUS,AFIGUREOFBAVARIA,PAINTEDBY

  KAULBACH,WHICHHASFADEDCONSIDERABLY,ISKNOWNTOHAVEBEEN

  EXECUTEDWITHLIMETHATWASTOOFRESH。\"Onecannotrefrainfromitalics:thewaywassoeasy;itwasonlytotakealittlelessofthisimportantcareaboutthelime,tohaveabetterconfidence,tobemoreimpatientandeager,andallhadbeenwell:NOTtodo——avirtueofomission。

  Thisisnotamatterofart-criticism。Itisanethicalquestionhithertounstudied。Themakersoflawshavenotalwaysbeenobligedtofaceit,inasmuchastheirlawsaremadeinpartforthepresent,andinpartforthatfuturewhereofthepresentneedstobeassured——

  thatis,thefutureisboundasaguarantyforpresentsecurityofpersonorproperty。Somesuchholduponthetimetocomeweareobligedtoclaim,andtoclaimitforourownsakes——becauseofthereflexeffectuponourownaffairs,andnotforthepleasureoffetteringthetimetocome。Everymakerofawilldoesatleastthis。

  Werethemenofthesixteenthcenturysomoderate?Notthey。Theyfoundthepresentalltoonarrowfortheimpositionoftheirwill。

  Itdidnotsatisfythemtodisinterandscatterthebonesofthedead,nortoeffacetherecordsofapastthatoffendedthem。Itdidnotsatisfythemtobindthepresenttoobediencebyimperativemenaceandinstantcompulsion。Whentheyhadburntlibrariesandthrowndownmonumentsandpursuedtherebelsofthepastintotheotherworld,andhadseentoitthatnonelivingshouldevadethem,thentheyoutragedthefuture。

  Whatevermisgivingsmayhavevisitedthosedominantmindsastotheeffectualandfinalsuccessoftheirmeasures——wouldtheirwritrunintimeaswellasplace,andwerethenamelesspopulationsindeedtheirsubjects?——whateverquestionsmayhavepeeredinuponthoserigidcounselsanduponthosebusyvigilsofthekeepersoftheworld,theysilencedbylegislationandyetmorelegislation。Theywroteinstatutebooks;theywouldhavewrittentheirwillacrosstheskies。Theirheartswouldhaveburntforlackofrecordsmoreinveterate,andoftestimonialsthatmankindshouldlackcouragetoquestion,ifintruththeydideverdoubtlestposteritymighttrytheirlock。Perhapstheydidneversomuchasforeseetheraceoftheunnumberedandemancipatedforwhomtheirprohibitionsandpenaltiesarenomorethandocumentsofhistory。

  Ifthetyrannousdayofourfathershadbutpossessedthemeansoftheseourmorediffidenttimes!They,whowouldhavewrittentheirpresentandactualwillupontheskies,mightcertainlyhavewrittenitinpetroleumandwaxuponthestone。Fatedidthemwronginwithholdingfromtheirhandsthismeansoffinalityandviolence。

  Intoourhandsithasbeengivenatatimewhenthestudentoftheracethought,perhaps,thatwehadbeenprovedintheschoolofforbearance。Something,indeed,wemayhavelearnttherein,butnotenough,aswenowfind。

  Wehavenotyetthenaturalrespectforthecertainknowledgeandtheprobablewisdomofoursuccessors。Acertainreverendofficialdocument,notguiltlessofsomeconfusionofthought,latelyrecommendedtothevenerationofthepresenttimes\"thosepastageswiththeirstoreofexperience。\"Doubtless,astheposterityoftheirpredecessorsourpredecessorshadexperience,but,asourancestors,none——none。Therefore,iftheywerealittlereverendourownposterityisrightreverend。Itisaflippantandnovelty-

  lovinghumourthatsoflatterstheunprovedpastandrefusesthedeferenceduetotheburdenofyearswhichisours,which——grownstillgraver——willbeourchildren’s。

  SYMMETRYANDINCIDENT

  TheartofJapanhasnonebutanexteriorpartinthehistoryoftheartofnations。Beinginitsownmethodsandattitudetheartofaccident,ithas,appropriately,anaccidentalvalue。Itisofaccidentalvalue,andnotofintegralnecessity。ThevirtualdiscoveryofJapaneseart,duringthelateryearsofthesecondFrenchEmpire,causedEuropetorelearnhowexpedient,howdelicate,andhowlovelyIncidentmaylookwhenSymmetryhasgrownvulgar。

  Thelessonwasmostwelcome。Japanhashadherfullinfluence。

  Europeanarthaslearntthevalueofpositionandthetactoftheunique。ButJapanisunlessoned,and(inallhercharacteristicart)contentwithherownconventions;sheislocal,provincial,alien,remote,incapableofequalcompanionshipwithaworldthathasGreekartinitsownhistory——Pericles\"toitsfather。\"

  Norisitpictorialart,ordecorativeartonly,thathasbeentouchedbyJapaneseexampleofIncidentandtheUnique。Musichadattainedthenoblestformofsymmetryintheeighteenthcentury,butinmusic,too,symmetryhadsincegrowndull;andmomentarymusic,themusicofphaseandoffragment,succeeded。Thesenseofsymmetryisstronginacompletemelody——ofsymmetryinitsmostdelicateandlivelyandleaststationaryform——balance;whereastheleit-motifisisolated。IndomesticarchitectureSymmetryandIncidentmakeafamiliarantithesis——theverycommonplaceofrivalmethodsofart。Butthesameantithesisexistsinlessobviousforms。Thepoetshavesought\"irregular\"metres。Incidenthovers,intheveryactofchoosingitsrightplace,inthemostmodernofmodernportraits。Inthesewehave,ifnottheJapanesesuppressionofminoremphasis,certainlytheJapaneseexaggerationofmajoremphasis;andwiththisaquicknessandbuoyancy。Thesmile,thefigure,thedrapery——notyetsettledfromthearrangingtouchofahand,andshowingitsmark——therestlessandunstationaryfoot,andtheunityofimpulsethathaspassedeverywherelikeasinglebreeze,allthesehavealifethatgreatlytranscendsthelifeofJapaneseart,yethasthenimbletouchofJapaneseincident。Inpassing,acharmingcomparisonmaybemadebetweensuchportraitureandtheaspectofanaspenorothertreeoflightandliberalleaf;

  whetherstillorinmotiontheaspenandthefree-leafedpoplarhavethealertnessandexpectancyofflightinalltheirflocksofleaves,whiletheoaksandelmsaregatheredintheirstation。AllthisisnotJapanese,butfromsuchaccidentisJapaneseartinspired,withitsgoodluckofperceptiveness。

  Whatsymmetryistoform,thatisrepetitionintheartofornament。

  GreekartandGothicalikehaveseries,withrepetitionorcounter-

  changefortheirrulingmotive。ItishardlynecessarytodrawthedistinctionbetweenthismotiveandthatoftheJapanese。TheJapanesemotivesmaybedefinedasuniquenessandposition。AndthesewerenotknownasmotivesofdecorationbeforethestudyofJapanesedecoration。Repetitionandcounter-change,ofcourse,havetheirplaceinJapaneseornament,asinthediaperpatternsforwhichthesepeoplehavesosingularaninvention,buthere,too,uniquenessandpositionaretheprincipalinspiration。Anditisquiteworthwhile,andmuchtothepresentpurpose,tocallattentiontothechiefpeculiarityoftheJapanesediaperpatterns,whichisINTERRUPTION。Repetitiontheremustnecessarilybeinthese,butsymmetryisavoidedbyaninterruptionwhichis,totheWesterneye,atleast,perpetuallyandfreshlyunexpected。Theplaceoftheinterruptionsoflines,thevariationoftheplace,andtheavoidanceofcorrespondence,arepreciselywhatmakesJapanesedesignofthisclassinimitable。Thus,eveninarepeatingpattern,youhaveacuriouslysuccessfuleffectofimpulse。Itisasthoughaseparateintentionhadbeenformedbythedesignerateveryangle。

  Suchrenewedconsciousnessdoesnotmakeforgreatness。GreatnessindesignhasmorepeacethanisfoundinthegentleabruptnessofJapaneselines,intheircuriousbrevity。Itisscarcelynecessarytosaythataline,inallotherschoolsofart,islongorshortaccordingtoitsplaceandpurpose;butonlytheJapanesedesignersocontriveshispatternsthatthelineisalwaysshort;andmanyrepeatingdesignsareentirelycomposedofthisvariousandvariously-occurringbrevity,thisprankishavoidanceofthegoal。

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