第7章

"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。