\"Thrifty\"isahardwordtoapplytoherwhomSteelestyled，intheyearbeforeherdeath，his\"charminglittleinsolent。\"ShewasillinWales，andhe，athome，weptuponherpillow，and\"tookittobeasintogotosleep。\"Thriftytheymaycallher，andaccurateiftheywill；butsheliesinWestminsterAbbey，andSteelecalledher\"yourPrueship。\"
MRS。JOHNSON
Thispapershallnotbeheaded\"Tetty。\"WhatmaybeagracefulenoughfreedomwiththewivesofothermenshallbeprohibitedinthecaseofJohnson’s，shewithwhosenamenowriteruntilnowhasscrupledtotakefreedomswheretoallgraceswerelacking。\"Tetty\"
itshouldnotbe，iffornootherreason，forthis——thatthechanceofwriting\"Tetty\"asatitleisakindoffacileliteraryopportunity；itshallbedenied。TheEssayowesthusmuchamendsofdeliberatecaretoDr。Johnson’swife。But，indeed，thereasonisgraver。Whatwishwouldhehavehadbutthatthelanguageinthemakingwhereofhetooknoignoblepartshouldsomewhere，atsometime，treathisonlyfriendwithordinaryhonour？
MenwhowouldtrustDr。Johnsonwiththeirorthodoxy，withtheirvocabulary，andwiththemostintimatevanityoftheirhumanwishes，refuse，witheverymarkofinsolence，totrusthiminregardtohiswife。Onthatonepointnoreverenceispaidtohim，nodeference，norespect，notsomuchasthecreditduetoourcommonsanity。YetheisnotreviledonaccountofhisThrale——nor，indeed，ishisThralenowseriouslyreproachedforherPiozzi。ItistruethatMacaulay，preparinghimselfandhisreader\"inhiswell-knownway\"
（asarusticofMr。Hardy’smighthaveit）fortherecitalofhersecondmarriage，saysthatitwouldhavebeenwellifshehadbeenlaidbesidethekindandgenerousThralewhen，intheprimeofherlife，hedied。ButMacaulayhasnotleftusheirstohisindignation。Hiswell-knownwaywastoexhaustthosepossibilitiesofeffectinwhichthecommonplaceissorich。Andhewaspermittedtopointhisparagraphsashewould，notonlybycallingMrs。
Thrale’sattachmenttohersecondhusband\"adegradingpassion，\"butbysummoningachorusof\"allLondon\"tothesamepurpose。Shefled，hetellsus，fromthelaughterandhissesofhercountrymenandcountrywomentoalandwhereshewasunknown。ThuswhenMacaulaychastisesMrs。ElizabethPorterformarryingJohnson，heisnotinconsistent，forhepursuesMrs。ThralewithequalrigourforheraudacityinkeepinggaietyandgraceinhermindandmannerslongerthanMacaulaylikedtoseesuchornamentsaddedtothecharmoftwice\"marriedbrows。\"
Itisnotsowithsucceedingessayists。OneoftheseminorbiographersissogentleastocalltheattachmentofMrs。ThraleandPiozzi\"amutualaffection。\"Headds，\"NoonewhohashadsomeexperienceoflifewillbeinclinedtocondemnMrs。Thrale。\"Butthereisnosuchcourtesy，evenfromhim，forMrs。Johnson。NeithertohimnortoanyotherwriterhasityetoccurredthatifEnglandloveshergreatEnglishman’smemory，sheowesnotonlycourtesy，butgratitude，totheonlywomanwholovedhimwhiletherewasyettime。
NotathoughtofthatdebthasstayedthealacritywithwhichacaricaturehasbeenacclaimedastheonlypossibleportraitofMrs。
Johnson。Garrick’sschoolreminiscenceswouldprobablyhavemadeamuchmorecharmingwomangrotesque。Garrickiswelcometohisremembrances；wemayevenreserveforourselvesthelibertyofenvyingthosewhoheardhim。Buthonestlaughtershouldnotfallintothattoneofcommonantithesiswhichseemstosay，\"Seewhataretheabsurditiesofthegreat！Suchislife！Onthisonepointwe，evenwe，arewiserthanDr。Johnson——weknowhowgrotesquewashiswife。Weknowsomethingoftheprivaciesofhertoilet-table。
Weareabletocompareherfigurewiththefigureswe，unlikehiminhisyouth，havehadtheopportunityofadmiring——thefiguresofthewell-bredandwell-dressed。\"Itisasorrysuccesstobeabletosaysomuch。
Butinfactsuchatriumphbelongstonoman。WhenSamuelJohnson，attwenty-six，marriedhiswife，hegavethedullanadvantageoverhimselfwhichnonebutthedullestwilltake。Hechose，forlove，awomanwhohadthewittoadmirehimatfirstmeeting，andinspiteoffirstsight。\"That，\"shesaidtoherdaughter，\"isthemostsensiblemanIevermet。\"Hewaspenniless。Shehadwhatwasnomeanportionforthosetimesandthoseconditions；and，grantedthatshewasaffected，andprovincial，andshort，andalltherestwithwhichsheischarged，shewasprobablynotwithoutsuitors；nordoherdefectsorfaultsseemtohavebeenthoseofanunadmiredorneglectedwoman。Next，letusrememberwhatwastheaspectofJohnson’sformandface，eveninhistwenties，andhowlittlehecouldhavetouchedthesensesofawidowfondofexternals。Thisonelovedhim，acceptedhim，madehimhappy，gavetooneofthenoblestofallEnglishheartstheoneloveofitssombrelife。AndEnglishliteraturehashadnobetterphraseforherthanMacaulay’s——
\"Sheaccepted，withareadinesswhichdidherlittlehonour，theaddressesofasuitorwhomighthavebeenherson。\"
Herreadinessdidherincalculablehonour。ButitisatlastworthrememberingthatJohnsonhadfirstdoneherincalculablehonour。Noonehasgiventomanorwomantherighttojudgeastotheworthinessofherwhoreceivedit。Themeanestmanisgenerallyallowedhisowncounselastohisownwife；oneofthegreatestofmenhasbeendeniedit。\"Thelover，\"saysMacaulay，\"continuedtobeundertheillusionsoftheweddingdaytilltheladydied。\"Whatissograciouslysaidisnotenough。Hewasunderthose\"illusions\"
untilhetoodied，whenhehadlongpassedherlatestage，andwasthereforeabletosetrightthatbalanceofyearswhichhassomuchirritatedtheimpertinent。Johnsonpassedfromthislifetwelveyearsolderthanshe，andsofortwelveyearshisconstanteyeshadtoturnbackwardstodwelluponher。Timegavehimayoungerwife。
AndhereIwillputintoMrs。Johnson’smouth，thatmouthtowhichnooneelsehaseverattributedanybeautifulsayings，thewordsofMarcelineDesbordes-Valmoretotheyounghusbandsheloved：\"Olderthanthou！Letmeneverseethouknowestit。Forgetit！Iwillrememberit，todiebeforethydeath。\"
Macaulay，inhisunerringeffectiveness，usesJohnson’sshortsightforanaddedaffronttoMrs。Johnson。Thebridegroomwastooweakofeyesight\"todistinguishcerusefromnaturalbloom。\"
Nevertheless，hesawwellenough，whenhewasold，todistinguishMrs。Thrale’sdresses。Hereprovedherforwearingadarkdress；itwasunsuitable，hesaid，forhersize；alittlecreatureshouldshowgaycolours\"likeaninsect。\"Wearenotcalledupontoadmirehiswife；why，then，ourtastebeingthusuncompromised，dowenotsufferhimtoadmireher？Itisthemostgratuitouskindofintrusion。Moreover，thebiographersareeagertopermitthattouchofromanceandgraceinhisrelationstoMrs。Thrale，whichtheyofficiallydenyinthecaseofMrs。Johnson。Butthedifferenceisallontheotherside。Hewouldnothavebiddenhiswifedresslikeaninsect。Mrs。Thralewastohim\"thefirstofwomankind\"onlybecausehiswifewasdead。
Beauclerc，welearn，waswonttocapGarrick’smimicryofJohnson’slove-makingbyrepeatingthewordsofJohnsonhimselfinafter-
years——\"Itwasalove-matchonbothsides。\"Andobviouslyhewasasstrangealoverastheysaid。Whodoubtedit？WasthereanyotherwomaninEnglandtogivesuchasuitortheopportunityofaneternallove？\"Aliferadicallywretched，\"wasthelifeofthismasterofLetters；butshe，whohasreceivednothinginreturnexceptignominyfromtheseunthankfulLetters，hadbeenalonetomakeitotherwise。
WellforhimthathemarriedsoyoungastoearntheridiculeofallthebiographersinEngland；forbydoingsohe，mosthappily，possessedhiswifefornearlytwentyyears。Ihavecalledherhisonlyfriend。Soindeedshewas，thoughhehadfollowers，disciples，rivals，competitors，andcompanions，manydegreesofadmirers，abiographer，apatron，andapublic。Hehadalsothehousefulofsadoldwomenwhoquarrelledunderhisbeneficentprotection。Butwhatfriendhadhe？Hewas\"solitary\"fromthedayshedied。
Letusconsiderunderwhatsolemnconditionsandinwhatimmortalphrasetheword\"solitary\"stands。Hewroteit，allEnglishmenknowwhere。Hewroteitinthehourofthatmelancholytriumphwhenhehadbeenatlastsetfreefromthedependenceuponhope。Hehopednomore，andheneedednottohope。The\"notice\"ofLordChesterfieldhadbeentoolongdeferred；itwasgrantedatlast，whenitwasaflatterywhichJohnson’scourtoffriendswouldapplaud。Butnotfortheirsakewasitwelcome。Tonolivingearwouldhebringitandreportitwithdelight。
Hewasindifferent，hewasknown。Thesensitivenesstopleasurewasgone，andthesensitivenesstopain，slights，andneglectwouldthenceforthbesufferedtorest；nomaninEnglandwouldputthattoproofagain。NomaninEngland，didIsay？But，indeed，thatisnotso。Noslighttohim，tohisperson，ortohisfamecouldhavehadpowertocausehimpainmoresensiblythanthecustomary，habitual，ready-maderidiculethathasbeencastbyposterityuponherwhomhelovedfortwentyyears，prayedforduringthirty-twoyearsmore，whosatisfiedoneofthesaddesthumanhearts，buttowhomtheworld，assiduoustoadmirehim，hardlyaccordshumandignity。Hewrotepraisesofhermannersandofherpersonforhertomb。Butherepitaph，thatdoesnotnameher，isinthegreatestofEnglishprose。Whatwasfavourtohim？\"Iamindifferent……
Iamknown……Iamsolitary，andcannotimpartit。\"
MADAMEROLAND
Thearticulateheroinehasherrewardofappreciationandherduesofpraise；itisherappropriatefortunetohaveitdefinitelymeasured，andgenerallyonequalterms。Shetakespainstoexplainherself，andisunderstood，andpitied，whenneedis，ontherightoccasions。Forinstance，MadameRoland，awomanofmerit，whoknewher\"merit’snameandplace，\"addressedhermemoirs，herstudiesincontemporaryhistory，herautobiography，hermanyspeeches，andherlastphraseatthefootoftheundauntingscaffold，toagreataudienceofherequals（moreorless）thenlivingandtoliveintheagesthentocome——herequalsandthosesheraisestoherownlevel，astheheroicexamplehasauthoritytodo。
Anotherwoman——theQueen——sufferedatthattime，andsufferedwithoutthecommandoflanguage，theexactitudeofphrase，theprecisionofjudgement，theprofferofprophecy，theexplicitsenseofInnocenceandModerationoppressedinherperson。ThesewereMadameRoland’s；buttheotherwoman，withouteloquence，withoutliterature，andwithoutanyjudicialsenseofhistory，addressesnomerecongregationofreaders。MarieAntoinette’sunrecordedpangspassintothetreasuriesoftheexperienceofthewholehumanfamily。Allthatarehumanhavesomepartthere；geniusitselfmayleanincontemplationoverthatabyssofwoe；thegreatpoetsthemselvesmaylookintoitsdistancesandsolitudes。Compassionherehasnomeasureandnolanguage。MadameRolandspeaksneithertogeniusnortocompletesimplicity；MarieAntoinetteholdsherpeaceinthepresenceofeach，dumbinherpresence。
MadameRolandhadnodumbnessofthespirit，ashistory，promptedbyherownmusicalvoice，presentshertoaworldwellpreparedtodoherjustice。Ofthatjusticeshehadfullexpectation；justicehere，justiceintheworld——theworldthatevenwhenuniversalphilosophyshouldreignwouldbeinevitablytheworldofmediocrity；
justicethatwouldcomeofenlightenedviews；justicethatwouldbethelessonlearntbythenationswidelyeducateduptosomepointgenerallyaccessible；justicewellwithinearthlysightandcompetence。Thisconfidencewasalsoherreward。ForwhatjusticedidtheQueenlook？Hereitisthe\"abyssthatappealstotheabyss。\"
TwiceonlyinthelifeofMadameRolandistherealapseintosilence，andfortherecordofthesetwopoorfailuresofthatlong，indomitable，reasonable，temperate，explicitutterancewhichexpressedherlifeandmindwearedebtorstoherfriends。Sheherselfhasnotconfessedthem。Nowhereelse，whetherinhercandidhistoryofherself，orinherwisehistoryofhercountry，orinherjudicialhistoryofhercontemporaries，whosespiritshediscerned，whosepowerssheappraised，whoseerrorssheforesaw；hardlyinherthought，andneverinherword，isabreaktobeperceived；sheisnotsilentandshehardlystammers；andwhenshetellsusofhertears——thetearsofyouthonly——herrecordisvolubleandallcomplete。Forthedignityofherstyle，ofherforce，andofherbalancedcharacter，MadameRolandwoulddoubtlesshaveeffacedthetwoimperfectionswhich，touswhowouldbegladtoadmireinsilenceherheroicfigure，ifthatheroicfigurewouldbutceasetotalk，arefinerandmorenoblethanherwell-placedlanguageandthehighsuccessesofherdecisionandherendurance。Morethanthis，thetwofailuresofthisunfailingwomanaretwolittledoorsopenedsuddenlyintothosewiderspacesandintothatdominionofsolitudewhich，afterall，dodoubtlessexisteveninthemostgarruloussoul。BythesetwooutletsManonRolandalsoreachestheregionofMarieAntoinette。Buttheybefellheratthecloseofherlife，andtheyshallbenamedattheendofthisbriefstudy。
MadameRolandmayseemthemoreheroictothosewhosesuffragessheseeksinalltimesandnationsbecauseofthefactthatshemanifestlysuppressesinherself-descriptionsanysignsofanaturalgaiety。Hermemoirsgiveevidenceofnosuchthing；itisonlyinherletters，notintendedfortheworld，thatweareawareoftheinadvertenceofmoments。Wemayoverhearalaughattimes，butnotinthoseconsciouslysprightlyhoursthatshespentwithherconvent-schoolfriendgatheringfruitandcountingeggsatthefarm。
Shepursuedthesecountrytasksnotwithoutofferingherselfthecultivatedcongratulationofonewhomcitieshadfailedtoallure，andwhoboreinmindtheexamplesofAntiquity。ShedidnotforgetthedeathofSocrates。Or，rather，shefindsanoccasiontoreproachherselfwithhavingonceforgottenit，andwithhavingomittedwhatanothermighthaveconsideredthetediousrecollectionofthecondemnationofPhocion。Sheneverweariedoftheseexamples。Butitisherinexhaustiblefreshnessinthesethingsthathashelpedotherwritersofhertimetowearyus。
Inhermanneroftellingherstorythereisanabsenceofallexaggeration，whichgivesthereaderaconstantsenseofsecurity。
Thatvirtueofstyleandthoughtwasonesheproposedtoherselfandattainedwithexactconsciousnessofsuccess。Itwouldbealmostenough（intheperfectionofherpractice）tomakeagreatwriter；
evenameasureofitgoesfartomakeafairone。Hermoderationofstatementisnevershaken；andifshenowandthenglancesasidefromherdirectnarrativeroadtohazardaconjecture，theerrorshemaymakeisonthegeneroussideofhopeandfaith。Forinstance，sheistoosurethatherFriends（soshealwayscallstheGirondins，usingnonicknames）aresafe，whereastheywerethenalldoomed；ayoungmanwhohadcarriedaharmlessmessageforher——amerenotificationtoherfamilyofherarrest——receiveshercheerfulcommendationforhisgoodfeeling；fromanotewelearnthatforthisactionhesufferedonthescaffoldandthathisfathersoonthereafterdiedofgrief。ButMadameRolandnevermatchedsuchadeliriouseventasthisbyanydeliriumofherownimagination。Thedeliriumwasinthingsandintheactsofmen；hermindwasneverhurriedfromitssaneself-possession，whenthefactsraved。
Itwasonlywhensheusedtherhetoricreadytoherhandthatshestoopedtoverbalviolence；etencore！ReferencestothebanishmentofAristidesandthehemlockofSocrateshadbecometoydaggersandbendingswordsinthehandsofhercompatriots，andsheishardlytobeaccusedofviolenceinbrandishingthoseweapons。Sometimes，refuserhetoricbeingalltooready，shetakesitonherpen，inhonesthaste，asthoughitwerehonestspeech，andstandscommittedtosuchaphraseasthis：\"Thedregsofthenationplacedsuchaoneatthehelmofaffairs。\"
ButhermannerwasnotgenerallytowriteanythingbutaclearandefficientFrenchlanguage。Sheneverwrotefortheloveofart，butwithoutsomemeasureofartshedidnotwrite；andhersimplicityissomewhatalteredbythatimportunateloveoftheAntique。In\"BleakHouse\"thereisanoldladywhoinsistedthatthename\"Mr。
Turveydrop，\"asitappearedpolishedonthedoor-plateofthedancingmaster，wasthenameofthepretentiousfatherandnotoftheindustriousson——albeit，needlesstosay，onenamewascommontothem。WithequalseverityIaverthatwhenMadameRolandwrotetoherhusbandinthesecondpersonsingularshewasusingtheTUofRomeandnottheTUofParis。Frenchwasindeedthelanguage；buthaditbeenFrenchinspiritshewould（inspiteofthegrowingRepublicanfashion）havesaidVOUStothis\"hommeeclaire，demoeurspures，equil’onnepeutreprocherquesagrandeadmirationpourlesanciensauxdepensdesmodernesqu’ilmeprise，etlefaibledetropaimereparlerdelui。\"TherewasnoFrenchTUinherrelationswiththishusband，gravelyesteemedandappraised，discreetlyrebuked，thebestpassagesofwhoseMinisterialreportsshewrote，andwhomsheobservedasheslowlybegantothinkhehimselfhadcomposedthem。Shelovedhimwithaloyal，obedient，anddiscriminatingaffection，andwhenshehadbeenputtodeath，he，stillatliberty，felluponhissword。
Thislastletterwaswrittenatamomentwhen，inordertopreventtheexposureofapublicdeath，MadameRolandhadintendedtotakeopiumintheendofhercruelimprisonment。Alittlelatershechosethatthosewhooppressedhercountryshouldhavetheirwaywithhertothelast。But，whilestillintendingself-destruction，shehadwrittentoherhusband：\"Forgiveme，respectableman，fordisposingofalifethatIhadconsecratedtothee。\"InquotingthisImeantomakenotoo-easyeffectwiththeword\"respectable，\"
growngrotesquebythetediousgibeofourownpresentfashionofspeech。
MadameRoland，Ihavesaid，wastwiceinarticulate；shehadtwospacesofsilence，onewhenshe，pureandselflesspatriot，hadheardhercondemnationtodeath。Passingoutofthecourtshebeckonedtoherfriends，andsignifiedtothemhersentence\"byagesture。\"Andagaintherewasapause，inthecourseofherlastdays，duringwhichherspeecheshadnotbeenfew，andhadbeenspokenwithherbeautifulvoiceunmarred；\"sheleant，\"saysRiouffe，\"aloneagainstherwindow，andwepttherethreehours。\"
FELLOWTRAVELLERSWITHABIRD
Toattendtoalivingchildistobebaffledinyourhumour，disappointedofyourpathos，andsetfreshlyfreefromallthepreoccupations。Youcannotanticipatehim。Blackbirds，overheardyearbyyear，donotcomposethesamephrases；nevertwoleitmotifsalike。Notthetone，butthenotealters。Sowiththeuncovenantedwaysofachildyoukeepnotryst。Theymeetyouatanotherplace，afterfailingyouwhereyoutarried；yourformerexperiences，yourdocumentsareatfault。Youarethefellowtravellerofabird。
Thebirdalightsandescapesoutoftimetoyourfooting。
Noman’sfancycouldbebeforehand，forinstance，withagirloffouryearsoldwhodictatedalettertoadistantcousin，withthesweetandunimaginablemessage：\"Ihopeyouenjoyyourselfwithyourlovingdolls。\"Aboy，stillyounger，persuadinghismothertocomedownfromtheheightsandplaywithhimonthefloor，butsensible，perhaps，thattherewasadignitytobeobservednonetheless，entreatedher，\"Mother，dobealadyfrog。\"Noneeversaidtheirgoodthingsbeforetheseindeliberateauthors。Eventheirownkind——children——havenotprecededthem。Nochildinthepasteverfoundthesamerepliesasthegirloffivewhosefathermadethatappealtofeelingwhichisdoomedtoadifferent，perverse，andunforeseensuccess。Hewasrathertiredwithwriting，andhadamindtosnaresomeoftheyetuncapturedflockofhersympathies。
\"Doyouknow，Ihavebeenworkinghard，darling？Iworktobuythingsforyou。\"\"Doyouwork，\"sheasked，\"tobuythelovelypuddin’s？\"Yes，evenforthese。Thesubjectmusthaveseemedtohertobeworthpursuing。\"Anddoyouworktobuythefat？Idon’tlikefat。\"
Thesympathies，nevertheless，arethere。ThesamechildwastobesoothedatnightafteraweepingdreamthataskaterhadbeendrownedintheKensingtonRoundPond。Itwassuggestedtoherthatsheshouldforgetitbythinkingabouttheoneunfailingandgaysubject——herwishes。\"Doyouknow，\"shesaid，withoutlossoftime，\"whatIshouldlikebestinalltheworld？Athundreddollsandawhistle！\"Hermotherwassoovercomebythistremendousnumeral，thatshecouldmakenoofferastothedolls。Butthewhistleseemedpracticable。\"Itisformetowhistleforcabs，\"saidthechild，withasuddenmoderation，\"whenIgotoparties。\"Anothermorningshecamedownradiant。\"Didyouhearagreatnoiseinthemiggleofthenight？Thatwasmecrying。IcriedbecauseIdreamtthatCuckoo[abrother]hadswallowedabeadintohisnose。\"
Themereerrorsofchildrenareunforeseenasnothingis——no，nothingfeminine——inthisadultworld。\"I’vegotalotterthanyou，\"isthewordofaveryyoungegotist。Anolderchildsays，\"I’dbettergo，bettern’tI，mother？\"HecallsalittlespaceatthebackofaLondonhouse，\"thebacky-garden。\"Alittlecreatureproffersalmostdailythereminderatluncheon——attart-time：
\"Father，IhopeyouwillrememberthatIamthefavouriteofthecrust。\"Moreover，ifanauthorsethimselftoinventthenaifthingsthatchildrenmightdointheirChristmasplaysathome，hewouldhardlylightuponthedeviceofthelittletroupewho，havingnofootlights，arrangedupontheflooralongrowofcandle-shades。
\"It’sJOLLYdullwithoutyou，mother，\"saysalittlegirlwho——
gentlestofthegentle——hasadramaticsenseofslang，ofwhichshemakesnosecret。Butshedropshervoicesomewhattodisguiseherfeatsofmetathesis，aboutwhichshehasdoubtsandwhichareinvoluntary：the\"stand-wash，\"the\"sweeping-crosser，\"the\"sewingchamine。\"GenoesepeasantshavethesameprankwhentheytrytospeakItalian。
ChildrenforgetlastyearsowellthatiftheyareLondonerstheyshouldbyanymeanshaveanimpressionofthecountryortheseaannually。ALondonlittlegirlwatchesaflyuponthewing，followsitwithherpointingfinger，andnamesit\"bird。\"Herbrother，whowantstoplaywithabronzeJapaneselobster，asks\"Willyoupleaseletmehavethattiger？\"
Attimeschildrengivetoawordthatslightvarietywhichisthemosttouchingkindofnewness。Thus，achildofthreeasksyoutosavehim。Howmovingaword，andhowfreshlysaid！Hehadheardofthe\"saving\"ofotherthingsofinterest——especiallychocolatecreamstakenforsafe-keeping——andheasks，\"Whoisgoingtosavemeto-day？Nurseisgoingout，willyousaveme，mother？\"Thesamelittlevariantuponcommonuseisinanotherchild’scourteousreplytoasummonstohelpinthearrangementofsomeflowers，\"Iamquiteatyourease。\"
Achild，unconsciouslittleauthorofthingstoldinthisrecord，wastakenlatelytoseeafellowauthorofsomewhatdifferentstandingfromherown，inasmuchasheis，amongotherthings，aSaturdayReviewer。AshedweltinapartoftheSouth-westofthetownunknowntoher，shenotedwithinteresttheshopsoftheneighbourhoodasshewent，fortheymightbethoseofthefournisseursofherfriend。\"Thatishisbreadshop，andthatishisbookshop。Andthat，mother，\"shesaidfinally，withevenheightenedsympathy，pausingbeforeabloomingparterreofconfectioneryhardbytheabodeofhermanofletters，\"that，I
suppose，iswherehebuyshissugarpigs。\"
Inallherexcursionsintostreetsnewtoher，thissamechildisintentuponacertainquest——thequestofagenuinecollector。Wehaveallheardofcollectingbutterflies，ofcollectingchina-dogs，ofcollectingcockedhats，andsoforth；butherpursuitgivesherajoythatcostshernothingexceptasharplook-outuponthepropernamesoverallshop-windows。Nohoardwaseverlighterthanhers。
\"IbeganthreeweeksagonextMonday，mother，\"shesayswithprecision，\"andIhavegotthirty-nine。\"\"Thirty-ninewhat？\"
\"Smiths。\"
Themeregatheringofchildren’slanguagewouldbemuchlikecollectingtogetherahandfulofflowersthatshouldbeallunique，singleoftheirkind。Inonething，however，dochildrenagree，andthatistherejectionofmostoftheconventionsoftheauthorswhohavereportedthem。Theydonot，forexample，say\"meis\"；theirnaturalreplyto\"areyou？\"is\"Iare。\"Onechild，pronouncingsweetlyandneatly，willhavenothingbutthenominativepronoun。
\"LiftIupandletIseeitraining，\"shebids；andtoldthatitdoesnotrainresumes，\"LiftIupandletIseeitnotraining。\"
Anelderchildhadarooteddisliketoabrowncorduroysuitorderedforherbymaternalauthority。Sheworethegarmentsunderprotest，andwithsomeresentment。Atthesametimeitwasevidentthatshetooknopleasureinhearingherpraisessweetlysungbyapoet，herfriend。HehadimaginedthemakingofthischildinthecounselsofHeaven，andthedecreeingofhersoftskin，ofherbrillianteyes，andofherhair——\"abrowntress。\"Shehadgravelyheardthewordsas\"abrowndress，\"andshesilentlyborethepoetagrudgeforhavingbeentheaccessoryofProvidenceinthemandatethatsheshouldweartheloathedcorduroy。Theunpractisedearplayedanotherlittlegirlaliketurn。Shehadaphraseforsnubbinganyanecdotethatsoundedimprobable。\"That，\"shesaid，moreorlessafterSterne，\"isacotton-woolstory。\"
Thelearningofwordsis，needlesstosay，continuedlongaftertheyearsofmerelearningtospeak。Theyoungchildnowtakesacurrentwordintouse，alittleatrandom，andnowmakesanewone，soastosavetheinterruptionofapauseforsearch。Ihavecertainlydetected，inchildrenoldenoughtoshowtheirmotives，aconvictionthatawordoftheirownmakingisasgoodacommunicationasanother，andasintelligible。Thereisevenageneralimplicitconvictionamongthemthatthegrown-uppeople，too，makewordsbythewaysideasoccasionbefalls。Howotherwiseshouldwordsbesonumerousthateverydaybringsforwardsomehithertounheard？Thechildwouldbesurprisedtoknowhowirritablypoetsarerefusedthefacultyandauthoritywhichhethinkstobelongtothecommonworld。
Thereissomethingverycheerfulandcourageousinthesetting-outofachildonajourneyofspeechwithsosmallbaggageandwithsomuchconfidenceinthechancesofthehedge。Hegoesfree，asimpleadventurer。Nordoeshemakeanyofficiousefforttoinventanythingstrangeorparticularlyexpressiveordescriptive。Thechildtrustsgeniallytohishearer。Averyyoungboy，excitedbyhisfirstsightofsunflowers，waseagertodescribethem，andcalledthem，withoutallowinghimselftobecheckedforthetrifleofaname，\"summersets。\"Thiswassimpleandunexpected；sowasthecommentofasisteraverylittleolder。\"Whydoeshecallthoseflowerssummersets？\"theirmothersaid；andthegirl，withadarklybrilliantlookofhumourandpenetration，answered，\"becausetheyaresobig。\"Thereseemedtobenofurtherquestionpossibleafteranexplanationthatwaspresentedthuschargedwithmeaning。
Toalaterphaseoflife，whenalittlegirl’svocabularywas，somewhatatrandom，growinglarger，belongafewbravephraseshazardedtoexpressameaningwellrealized——apersonalmatter。
Questionedastotheeatingofanuncertainnumberofbunsjustbeforelunch，thechildaverred，\"Itookthemjusttoappetizemyhunger。\"Asshebetrayedafamiliarknowledgeofthetariffofanattractiveconfectioner，shewasaskedwhethersheandhersistershadbeenfrequentingthoselittletablesontheirwayfromschool。
\"Isometimesgointhere，mother，\"sheconfessed；\"butIgenerallyspeculateoutside。\"
Childrensometimesattempttocapsomethingperfectlyfunnywithsomethingsoflatthatyouareobligedtoturntheconversation。
Drydendoesthesamething，notwithjokes，butwithhissublimerpassages。Butsometimesachild’sdeliberatebanterisquiteintelligibletoelders。Taketheletterwrittenbyalittlegirltoamotherwhohad，itseems，allowedherfamilytoseethatshewasinclinedtobesatisfiedwithsomethingofherownwriting。Thechildhasafullandgaysenseofthesweetestkindsofirony。
Therewasnoneedforhertowrite，sheandhermotherbeingbothathome，butthewordsmusthaveseemedtoherworthyofapen：——\"Mydearmother，Ireallywonderhowyoucanbeproudofthatarticle，ifitisworthytobecalledaarticle，whichIdoubt。Suchaunletteraryarticle。Icannotcallitletterature。Ihopeyouwillnotwriteanymoresuchunconventionantrash。\"
Thisisthesayingofalittleboywhoadmiredhismuchyoungersister，andthoughtherforwardforherage：\"Iwishpeopleknewjusthowoldsheis，mother，thentheywouldknowsheisonward。
Theycanseesheispretty，buttheycan’tknowsheissuchaonwardbaby。\"
Thusspeakthenaturallyunreluclant；butthereareotherchildrenwhointimebetrayalittleconsciousnessandaslightmefianceastowheretheadultsenseofhumourmaybelurkinginwaitforthem，obscure。Thesechildrenmaynotbeshyenoughtosufferanyself-
checkingintheirtalk，buttheyarenowandthentobeheardslurringawordofwhichtheydonotfeeltoosure。Alittlegirlwhosesensitivenesswasbarelyenoughtocausehertostoptochoosebetweentwowords，waswonttobringacupofteatothewriting-
tableofhermother，whohadoftenfeignedindignationattheweaknessofwhatherIrishmaidalwayscalled\"theinfusion。\"\"I’mafraidit’sboshagain，mother，\"saidthechild；andthen，inahalf-whisper，\"Isboshright，orwash，mother？\"Shewasnottold，anddecidedforherself，withdoubts，forbosh。Theafternooncupleftthekitchenaninfusion，andreachedthelibrary\"bosh\"
thenceforward。
THECHILDOFTUMULT
Apoppybud，packedintotightbundlesbysohardandresoluteahandthatthepetalsoftheflowerneverafterwardslosethecreases，isatypeofthechild。Nothingbuttheunfolding，whichisasyetinthenon-existingfuture，canexplainthemanneroftheclosefoldingofcharacter。Inbothflowerandchilditlooksmuchasthoughtheprocesshadbeenthereverseofwhatitwas——asthoughafinishedandopenthinghadbeenfoldedupintothebud——soplainlyandcertainlyisthefutureimplied，andtheintentionofcompressingandfolding-closemademanifest。
Withtheotherincidentsofchildishcharacter，thecrowdofimpulsescalled\"naughtiness\"isperfectlyperceptible——itwouldseemheartlesstosayhowsoon。Thenaughtychild（whoisoftenanangeloftendernessandcharm，affectionatebeyondthecapacityofhisfellows，andaveryasceticofpenitencewhenthetimecomes）
opensearlyhisbriefcampaignsandraisesthestandardofrevoltassoonasheiscapableofthedesperatejoysofdisobedience。
Buteventhenaughtychildisanindividual，andmustnotbetreatedinthemass。Heisnumerousindeed，butnotgeneral，andtodescribehimyoumusttaketheunit，withallhisincidentsandhisorganicqualitiesastheyare。Takethen，forinstance，onenaughtychildintherealityofhislife。Heisbutsixyearsold，slenderandmasculine，andnotwrongedbylonghair，curls，oreffeminatedress。HisfaceisdelicateandtoooftenhaggardwithtearsofpenitencethatJusticeherselfwouldbegladtosparehim。Somebeautyhehas，andhismouthespeciallyissolovelyastoseemnotonlyangelicbutitselfanangel。Hehasabsolutelynoself-controlandhispassionsfindhimwithoutdefence。Theycomeuponhiminthemidstofhisusualbrilliantgaietyandcutshortthefroliccomedyofhisfinespirits。
Thenforawildhourheistheenemyofthelaws。Ifyouimprisonhim，youmayhearhisresoundingvoiceashetakesarunningkickatthedoor，shoutinghisjustificationinunconquerablerage。\"I’mgoodnow！\"ismadeasemphaticasashotbytheblowofhisheeluponthepanel。Butifthemomentofforgivenessisdeferred，inthehopeofamorepromisingrepentance，itisonlytoolikelythathewillbetakehimselftoahostilesilenceandusealltherevengeyetknowntohisimagination。\"Darlingmother，openthedoor！\"
crieshistouchingvoiceatlast；butiftheanswershouldbe\"I
mustleaveyouforashorttime，forpunishment，\"thestormsuddenlythundersagain。\"There（crash！）Ihavebrokenaplate，andI’mgladitisbrokenintosuchlittlepiecesthatyoucan’tmendit。I’mgoingtobreakthe’lectriclight。\"Whenthingsareatthispassthereisoneway，andonlyone，tobringthechildtoanoverwhelmingchangeofmind；butitisawaythatwouldbecruel，usedmorethantwiceorthriceinhiswholecareeroftempestanddefiance。Thisistolethimseethathismotheristroubled。\"Oh，don’tcry！Oh，don’tbesad！\"heroars，unablestilltodealwithhisownpassionateanger，whichisstilldealingwithhim。Withhiskicksofragehesuddenlyminglesadanceofapprehensionlesthismothershouldhavetearsinhereyes。Evenwhileheisstillexplicitlyimpenitentanddefianthetriestopullherroundtothelightthathemayseeherface。Itisbutamomentbeforetheotherpassionofremorsecomestomakehavocofthehelplesschild，andthefirstpassionofangerisquelledoutright。
Onlytoatrivialeyeistherenothingtragicinthesightofthesegreatpassionswithinthesmallframe，thesmallwill，and，inaword，thesmallnature。Whenalargeandsombrefatebefallsalittlenature，andthestageistoonarrowfortheactionofatragedy，thedisproportionhassometimesmadeamuteandunexpressedhistoryofactuallifeorsometimesafamousbook；itisthemanifestcoreofGeorgeEliot’sstoryofAdamBede，wherethesufferingofHettyis，asitwere，theeyeofthestorm。Allisexpressivearoundher，butsheishardlyarticulate；thebookisfullofwords——preachings，speeches，dailytalk，aphorisms，butaspaceofsilenceremainsaboutherinthemidstofthestory。Andthedisproportionofpassion——theinnerdisproportion——isatleastastragicasthatdisproportionoffateandaction；itislessintelligible，andleadsintotheintricaciesofnaturewhicharemoredifficultthantheturnofevents。
Itseems，then，thatthispassionateplayisactedwithinthenarrowlimitsofachild’snaturefaroftenerthaninthoseofanadultandfinallyformednature。Andthis，evidently，becausethereisunequalforceatworkwithinachild，unequalgrowthandajostlingofpowersandenergiesthatarehurryingtotheirdevelopmentandpressingforexerciseandlife。Itisthishelplessinequality——
thisuntimeliness——thatmakestheguilelesscomedyminglingwiththetragediesofapoorchild’sday。Heknowsthusmuch——thatlifeistroubledaroundhimandthatthefatesarestrong。Heimplicitlyconfesses\"thestronghours\"ofantiquesong。Thissameboy——thetempestuouschildofpassionandrevolt——wentoutwithquietcheerfulnessforawalklately，sayingashiscapwasputon，\"Now，mother，youaregoingtohavealittlepeace。\"Thiswayofacceptinghisownconditionsissharedbyasister，averylittleolder，who，beingofanequalandgentletemper，indisposedtoviolenceofeverykindandtendertoallwithoutdisquiet，observestheboy’sbrieffrenziesasacitizenobservestheclimate。Sheknowsthesignsquitewellandcanatanytimegivetheexplanationofsomeparticularoutburst，butwithoutanyattempttogoinsearchoffurtherormoreoriginalcauses。Stilllessisshemovedbythevirtuousindignationthatistheleastcharmingofthewaysofsomelittlegirls。Ellenefaitqueconstater。Herequanimityhasneverbeenoversetbythewildestofhismoments，andshehaswitnessedthemall。Itisneedlesstosaythatsheisnotfrightenedbyhisdrama，forNaturetakescarethatheryoungcreaturesshallnotbeinjuredbysympathies。Natureenclosesthemintheinnocentindifferencethatpreservestheirbrainsfromthemoreharassingkindsofdistress。
Eventheveryfrenzyofragedoesnotlongdimordepresstheboy。
Itishisrepentancethatmakeshimpale，andNatureherehasbeenratherforced，perhaps——withnoverygoodresult。Oftenmustamotherwishthatshemightforafewyearsgovernherchild（asfarasheisgovernable）bythelowestmotives——trivialpunishmentsandpaltryrewards——ratherthanbyanykindofappealtohissensibilities。Shewouldwishtokeepthewords\"right\"and\"wrong\"
awayfromhischildishears，butinthissheisnotsecondedbyherlieutenants。Thechildhimselfisquitewillingtoclosewithherplans，insofarasheisable，andisreasonablyinterestedintheresultsofherexperiments。Hewishesherattemptsinhisregardtohaveafairchance。\"Let’shopeI’llbegoodallto-morrow，\"hesayswiththepeculiarcheerfulnessofhisordinaryvoice。\"Idohopeso，oldman。\"\"ThenI’llgetmypenny。Mother，Iwasonlynaughtyonceyesterday；ifIhaveonlyonenaughtinessto-morrow，willyougivemeahalfpenny？\"\"Norewardexceptforrealgoodnessalldaylong。\"\"Allright。\"
Itisonlytooprobablethatthissystem（adoptedonlyafterthefailureofotherwaysofreform）willbegreatlydisapprovedasoneofbribery。Itmay，however，becuriouslyinquiredwhetherallkindsofrewardmightnotequallybeburlesquedbythatword，andwhetheranygovernment，spiritualorcivil，haseverevenprofessedtodenyrewards。Moreover，thosewhowouldnotgiveachildapennyforbeinggoodwillnothesitatetofinehimapennyforbeingnaughty，andrewardsandpunishmentsmuststandorfalltogether。
Themorelogicalobjectionwillbethatgoodnessisideallythenormalcondition，andthatitshouldhave，therefore，noexplicitextraordinaryresult，whereasnaughtiness，beingabnormal，shouldhaveavisibleandunusualsequel。Tothistherewardingmothermayreplythatitisnotreasonabletotake\"goodness\"inalittlechildofstrongpassionsasthenormalcondition。Thenaturalthingforhimistogivefullswaytoimpulsesthataresoviolentastooverbearhispowers。
But，afterall，thecontroversyreturnstothepointofpractice。
Whatisthethought，orthreat，orpromisethatwillstimulatetheweakwillofthechild，inthemomentofrageandanger，tomakeasufficientresistance？Ifthewillwerenaturallyaswelldevelopedasthepassions，thestandwouldbesoonmadeandsoonsuccessful；
butasitistheremustneedsbeabracingbythesuggestionofjoyorfear。Let，then，thestimulusbeofamildandstrongkindatonce，andmingledwiththethoughtofdistantpleasure。Tomeetthesufferingofrageandfrenzybythesufferingoffearisassuredlytomakeofthelittleunquietmindabattle-placeoffeelingstoohurtfullytragic。Thepennyismildandstrongatonce，withitsstilldistantbutcertainjoysofpurchase；thepromiseandhopebreakthemoodofmisery，andthewilltakeshearttoresistandconquer。
Itisonlyinthelessernaughtinessthatheismasterofhimself。
Thelessertheevilfitthemoredeliberate。Sothathismother，knowingherselftobenotgreatlyfeared，oncetriedtomimicthefather’svoicewithamenacing，\"What’sthatnoise？\"Thechildwaspersistentlycryingandroaringonanupperfloor，incontumacyagainsthisFrenchnurse，whenthebaritoneandthreateningquestionwassentpealingupthestairs。Thechildwasheardtopauseandlistenandthentosaytohisnurse，\"Cen’estpasMonsieur；c’estMadame，\"andthen，withoutfurtherlossoftime，toresumetheinterruptedclamours。
Obviously，withalittlecreatureofsixyears，therearetwothingsmainlytobedone——tokeepthedelicatebrainfromtheevilofthepresentexcitement，especiallytheexcitementofpainfulfeeling，andtobreakthehabitofpassion。Nowthatweknowhowcertainlythespecialcellsofthebrainwhicharelocallyaffectedbypainandangerbecomehypertrophiedbysomuchuse，andalltooreadyforuseinthefutureattheslighteststimulus，wecannolongerslighttheimportanceofhabit。Anymeans，then，thatcansucceedinseparatingalittlechildfromthehabitofangerdoesfruitfulworkforhiminthehelplesstimeofhischildhood。Theworkisnoteasy，butalittlethoughtshouldmakeiteasyfortheelderstoavoidtheprovocationwhichthey——whoshouldwardoffprovocations——
areapttobringaboutbysheercarelessness。Itisonlyinchildhoodthatourraceknowssuchphysicalabandonmenttosorrowandtears，asachild’sdespair；andthetheatrewithusmustneedscopychildhoodifitwouldcatchthenoteandactionofacreaturewithouthope。
THECHILDOFSUBSIDINGTUMULT
Thereisacertainyearthatiswinged，asitwere，againsttheflightoftime；itdoessomove，andyetwithstandstime’smovement。
Itisfullofpausesthatareduetotheenergyofchange，hasboundsandrebounds，andwhenitismostactivethenitislongest。
Itisnotlongwithlanguor。Ithasroomforremoteness，andleisureforoblivion。Ittakesgreatexcursionsagainsttime，andtravelssoastoenlargeitshours。Thiscertainyearisanyoneoftheearlyyearsoffullyconsciouslife，andthereforeitisofallthedates。ThechildofTumulthasbeenlivingamplyandchangefullythroughsuchayear——hiseighth。Itisdifficulttobelievethathisisayearoftheself-samedateasthatoftheadult，themenwhodonotbreasttheirdays。
Forthemistheinelastic，orbutslightlyelastic，movementofthings。Monthmatchedwithmonthshowsafairlyequallength。Menandwomennevertravelfarfromyesterday；noristheirmorrowinadistantlight。Thereisrecognitionandfamiliaritybetweentheirseasons。ButtheChildofTumulthasinfiniteprospectsinhisyear。Forgetfulnessandsurprisesethiseastandhiswestatimmeasurabledistance。HisLetherunsinthecheerfulsun。Youlookonyourownlittleadultyear，andinimaginationenlargeit，becauseyouknowittobethecontemporaryofhis。Evenshewhoisquiteold，ifshehaveavitalfancy，mayfaceastrangeandgreatextentofafewyearsofherlifestilltocome——hisyears，theyearssheistoliveathisside。
Reasonseemstobemakinggoodherruleinthislittleboy’slife，notsomuchbyslowdegreesasbysuddenandfitfulaccessions。Hisspeechisyetsochildishthathechooses，foratoy，withblushesofpleasure，\"alittleduckwhatcanwalk\"；butwithabeautifullyclearaccenthegreetshismotherwiththecolloquialquestion，\"Well，darling，doyouknowthelatest？\"\"TheWHAT？\"\"Thelatest：
doyouknowthelatest？\"Andthenhetellshisnews，generally，itmustbeowned，withsomereferencetohisownwrongs。Onanotheroccasiontheunexpectedlittlephrasewasvaried；thenewsofthewarthenragingdistressedhim；athousandofthesidehefavouredhadfallen。Thechildthencametohismother’sroomwiththequestion：\"Haveyouheardthesaddest？\"Moreoverthe\"saddest\"
causedhimseveralfitsofperfectlysilenttears，whichseizedhimduringtheday，onhiswalksoratothermomentsofrecollection。
Fromsuchgreatcausesarisesuchlittlethings！Someofhisgriefwasforthenationheadmired，andsomewasforthetriumphofhisbrother，whosesympathieswereontheotherside，andwhoperhapsdidnotsparehissensibilities。