第9章

Thereare，however，otherestablishments，conductedonthesameprincipleasthoseatLowell，whichhavehadthesameamount，orratherthesamesortofsuccess。Lawrenceisnowatownofabout15，000inhabitants，andManchesterofabout24，000，ifIrememberrightly；andatthoseplacesthemillsarealsoownedbycorporationsandconductedasarethoseatLowell。ButitseemstomethatasNewEnglandtakesherplaceintheworldasagreatmannfacturingcountry——whichplacesheundoubtedlywilltakesoonerorlater——shemustabandonthehot-housemethodofprovidingforheroperativeswithwhichshehascommencedherwork。Inthefirstplace，LowellisnotopenasamanufacturingtowntothecapitalistsevenofNewEnglandatlarge。Stockmay，Ipresume，beboughtinthecorporations，butnointerlopercanestablishamillthere。Itisaclosemanufacturingcommunity，bolstereduponallsides，andhasnoneofthatcapacityforprovidingemploymentforathicklygrowingpopulationwhichbelongstosuchplacesasManchesterandLeeds。Thatitshouldunderitspresentsystemhavebeenmadeinanydegreeprofitablereflectsgreatcreditonthemanagers；buttheprofitdoesreachanamountwhichinAmericacanbeconsideredasremunerative。Thetotalcapitalinvestedbythetwelvecorporationsisthirteenmillionandahalfofdollars，orabouttwomillionsevenhundredthousandpounds。Inonlyoneofthecorporations，thatoftheMerrimackCompany，doestheprofitamounttotwelvepercent。Inone，thatoftheBoothCompany，itfallsbelowsevenpercent。Theaverageprofitofthevariousestablishmentsissomethingbelowninepercent。IamofcoursespeakingofLowellasitwasprevioustothewar。Americancapitalistsarenot，asarule，contentedwithsolowarateofinterestasthis。

TheStatesinthesemattershavehadagreatadvantageoverEngland。Theyhavebeenabletobeginatthebeginning。

Manufactorieshavegrownupamongusasourcitiesgrew——fromthenecessitiesandchancesofthetimes。Whenlaborwaswanteditwasobtainedintheordinaryway；andsowhenhouseswerebuilttheywerebuiltintheordinaryway。Wehadnottheexperience，andtheresultseitherforgoodorbad，ofothernationstoguideus。TheAmericans，inseeingandresolvingtoadoptourcommercialsuccesses，haveresolvedalso，ifpossible，toavoidtheevilswhichhaveattendedthosesuccesses。Itwouldbeverydesirablethatallourfactorygirlsshouldreadandwrite，wearcleanclothes，havedecentbeds，andeathotmeateveryday。Butthatisnowimpossible。Gradually，withveryup-hillwork，butstillI

trustwithsurework，muchwillbedonetoimprovetheirpositionandrendertheirliferespectable；butinEnglandwecanhavenoLowells。InourthicklypopulatedislandanycommercialUtopiaisoutofthequestion。Norcan，asIthink，LowellbetakenasatypeofthefuturemanufacturingtownsofNewEngland。WhenNewEnglandemploysmillionsinherfactoriesinsteadofthousands——thehandsemployedatLowell，whenthemillsareatfullwork，areabout11，000——shemustceasetoprovideforthemtheirbedsandmeals，theirchurch-goingproprietiesandorderlymodesoflife。

Insuchanattemptshehasalltheexperienceoftheworldagainsther。ButneverthelessIthinkshewillhavedonemuchgood。Thetonewhichshewillhavegivenwillnotaltogetherloseitsinfluence。Employmentinafactoryisnowconsideredreputablebyafarmerandhischildren，andthisideawillremain。Factoryworkisregardedasmorerespectablethandomesticservice，andthisprestigewillnotwearitselfaltogetherout。Thosenowemployedhaveastrongconceptionofthedignityoftheirownsocialposition，andtheirsuccessorswillinheritmuchofthis，eventhoughtheymayfindthemselvesexcludedfromtheadvantagesofthepresentUtopia。Thethinghasbegunwell，butitcanonlyberegardedasabeginning。Steam，itmaybepresumed，willbecomethemotivepowerofcottonmillsinNewEnglandasitiswithus；

andwhenitisso，theamountofworktobedoneatanyoneplacewillnotbecheckedbyanysuchlimitasthatwhichnowprevailsatLowell。Water-powerisverycheap，butitcannotbeextended；anditwouldseemthatnoplacecanbecomelargeasamanufacturingtownwhichhastodependchieflyuponwater。ItisnotimprobablethatsteammaybebroughtintogeneraluseatLowell，andthatLowellmayspreaditself。Ifitshouldspreaditselfwidely，itwillloseitsUtopiancharacteristics。

OnecannotbutbegreatlystruckbythespiritofphilanthropyinwhichthesystemofLowellwasatfirstinstituted。Itmaybepresumedthatmenwhoputtheirmoneyintosuchanundertakingdidsowiththeobjectofcommercialprofittothemselves；butinthiscasethatwasnottheirfirstobject。IthinkitmaybetakenforgrantedthatwhenMessrs。JacksonandLowellwentabouttheirtask，theirgrandideawastoplacefactoryworkuponarespectablefooting——togiveemploymentinmillswhichshouldnotbeunhealthy，degrading，demoralizing，orhardinitscircumstances。ThroughouttheNorthernStatesofAmericathesamefeelingistobeseen。

Goodandthoughtfulmenhavebeenactivetospreadeducation，tomaintainhealth，tomakeworkcompatiblewithcomfortandpersonaldignity，andtodivesttheordinarylotofmanofthestingofthatcursewhichwassupposedtobeutteredwhenourfirstfatherwasorderedtoeathisbreadinthesweatofhisbrow。Oneisdriventocontrastthisfeeling，ofwhichonallsidesoneseessuchampletestimony，withthatsharpdesireforprofit，thatanxietytodoastrokeoftradeateveryturn，thatacknowledgednecessityofbeingsmart，whichwemustownisquiteasgeneralasthenoblerpropensity。Ibelievethatbothphasesofcommercialactivitymaybeattributedtothesamecharacteristic。MenintradeinAmericaarenotmorecovetousthantradesmeninEngland，norprobablyaretheymoregenerousorphilanthropical。Butthatwhichtheydo，theyaremoreanxioustodothoroughlyandquickly。Theydesirethateveryturntakenshallbeagreatturn——oratanyratethatitshallbeasgreataspossible。Theygoaheadeitherforbadorgoodwithalltheenergytheyhave。IntheinstitutionsatLowellIthinkwemayallowthatthegoodhasverymuchprevailed。

Iwentovertwoofthemills，thoseoftheMerrimackcorporationandoftheMassachusetts。Attheformertheprintingestablishmentonlywasatwork；thecottonmillswereclosed。Ihardlyknowwhetheritwillinterestanyonetolearnthatsomethingunderhalfamillionyardsofcalicoarehereprintedannually。AttheLowellBleacheryfifteenmillionyardsaredyedannually。TheMerrimackCottonMillswerestopped，andsohadtheothermillsatLowellbeenstopped，tillsomeshorttimebeforemyvisit。Tradehadbeenbad，andtherehadofcoursebeenalackofcotton。Iwasassuredthatnoseveresufferinghadbeencreatedbythisstoppage。Thegreaternumberofhandshadreturnedintothecountry——tothefarmsfromwhencetheyhadcome；andthoughadiscontinuanceofworkandwageshadofcourseproducedhardship，therehadbeennoactualprivation——nohungerandwant。Thoseofthework-peoplewhohadnohomesoutofLowelltowhichtobetakethemselves，andnomeansatLowellofliving，hadreceivedreliefbeforerealsufferinghadbegun。Iwasassured，withsomethingofasmileofcontemptatthequestion，thattherehadbeennothinglikehunger。But，asIsaidbefore，visitorsalwaysseeagreatdealofrosecolor，andshouldendeavortoallaythebrilliancyofthetintwiththeproperamountofhumanshading。Butdonotletanyvisitormixinthebrownswithtooheavyahand！

AttheMassachusettsCottonMillstheywereworkingwithabouttwo-

thirdsoftheirfullnumberofhands，andthis，Iwastold，wasabouttheaverageofthenumbernowemployedthroughoutLowell。

Workingatthisratetheyhadnowonhandasupplyofcottontolastthemforsixmonths。Theirstockshadbeenincreasedlately，andonaskingfromwhence，IwasinformedthatthatlastreceivedhadcometothemfromLiverpool。Thereis，Ibelieve，nodoubtbutthataconsiderablequantityofcottonhasbeenshippedbackfromEnglandtotheStatessincethecivilwarbegan。Iaskedthegentleman，towhosecareatLowellIwasconsigned，whetherheexpectedtogetcottonfromtheSouth——foratthattimeBeaufort，inSouthCarolina，hadjustbeentakenbythenavalexpedition。Hehad，hesaid，apoliticalexpectationofasupplyofcotton，butnotacommercialexpectation。Thatatleastwasthegistofhisreply，andIfoundittobebothintelligentandintelligible。TheMassachusettsMills，whenatfullwork，employ1300femalesand400

males，andturnout540，000yardsofcalicoperweek。

OnmyreturnfromLowellinthesmokingcar，anoldmancameandsqueezedinnexttome。Theplacewasterriblycrowded，andastheoldmanwasthinandcleanandquiet，Iwillinglymaderoomforhim，soastoavoidthecontiguityofaneighborwhomightbeneitherthin，norclean，norquiet。Hebegantalkingtomeinwhispersaboutthewar，andIwassuspiciousthathewasaSouthernerandasecessionist。Undersuchcircumstanceshiscompanymightnotbeagreeable，unlesshecouldbeinducedtoholdhistongue。Atlasthesaid，“IcomefromCanada，youknow，andyou——you\'reanEnglishman，andthereforeIcanspeaktoyouopenly；“andhegavemeanaffectionategriponthekneewithhisoldskinnyhand。IsupposeIdolookmorelikeanEnglishmanthananAmerican，butIwassurprisedathisknowingmewithsuchcertainty。“Thereisnomistakingyou，“hesaid，“withyourroundfaceandyourredcheeks。Theydon\'tlooklikethathere，“andhegavemeanothergrip。Ifeltquitefondoftheoldman，andofferedhimacigar。

CHAPTERXVIII。

THERIGHTSOFWOMEN。

WeallknowthatthesubjectwhichappearsaboveasthetitleofthischapterisaveryfavoritesubjectinAmerica。Itis，Ihope，averyfavoritesubjectherealso，andIaminclinedtothinkhasbeensoformanyyearspast。Therightsofwomen，ascontradistinguishedfromthewrongsofwomen，hasperhapsbeenthemostpreciousofthelegacieslefttousbythefeudalages。How，amidtheroughdarknessofoldTeutonrule，womenbegantoreceivethatrespectwhichisnowtheirdearestright，isoneofthemostinterestingstudiesofhistory。Itcame，Itakeit，chieflyfromtheirownconduct。Thewomenoftheoldclassicracesseemtohaveenjoyedbutasmallamountofrespectorofrights，andtohavedeservedaslittle。ItmayhavebeenverywellforoneCaesartohavesaidthathiswifeshouldbeabovesuspicion；buthiswifewasputaway，andthereforeeitherdidnothaveherrights，orelsehadjustlyforfeitedthem。ThedaughterofthenextCaesarlivedinRomethelifeofaMessalina，anddidnotonthataccountseemtohavelosther“positioninsociety，“tillsheabsolutelydeclinedtothrowanyvailwhateveroverherpropensities。ButastheRomanempirefell，chivalrybegan。Foratimeevenchivalryaffordedbutadulltimetothewomen。DuringthemusicalperiodoftheTroubadours，ladies，Ifancy，hadbutlittletoamusethemsavethemusic。Butthatwasthebeginning，andfromthattimedownwardtherightsofwomenhaveprogressedveryfavorably。Itmaybethattheyhavenotyetallthatshouldbelongtothem。Ifthatbethecase，letthemenlosenotimeinmakingupthedifference。Butitseemstomethatthewomenwhoarenowmakingtheirclaimsmayperhapshardlyknowwhentheyarewelloff。Itwillbeanillmovementiftheyinsistonthrowingawayanyoftheadvantagestheyhavewon。AsforthewomeninAmericaespecially，ImustconfessthatIthinktheyhavea“goodtime。“Imakethemmycomplimentsontheirsagacity，intelligence，andattractions，butIutterlyrefusetothemanysympathyforsupposedwrongs。Ofortunatas，suasibonanorint！Whetherorno，wereIanAmericanmarriedmanandfatherofafamily，Ishouldnotgoinfortherightsofman——thatisaltogetheranotherquestion。

Thisquestionoftherightsofwomendividesitselfintotwoheads——

oneofwhichisveryimportant，worthyofmuchconsideration，capableperhapsofmuchphilanthropicaction，andatanyrateaffordingmatterforgravediscussion。Thisisthequestionofwomen\'swork:Howfartheworkoftheworld，whichisnowbornechieflybymen，shouldbethrownopentowomenfurtherthanisnowdone？Theotherseemstometobeworthyofnoconsideration，tobecapableofnoaction，toadmitofnogravediscussion。Thisreferstothepoliticalrightsofwomen:Howfarthepoliticalworkingoftheworld，whichisnowentirelyinthehandsofmen，shouldbedividedbetweenthemandwomen？ThefirstquestionisbeingdebatedonoursideoftheAtlanticaskeenlyperhapsasontheAmericanside。Astothatotherquestion，IdonotknowthatmuchhaseverbeensaidaboutitinEurope。

“YouaredoingnothinginEnglandtowardtheemploymentoffemales，“aladysaidtomeinoneoftheStatessoonaftermyarrivalinAmerica。“Pardonme，“Ianswered，“Ithinkwearedoingmuch，perhapstoomuch。Atanyratewearedoingsomething。“I

thenexplainedtoherhowMissFaithfulhadinstitutedaprintingestablishmentinLondon；howalltheworkinthatconcernwasdonebyfemales，exceptsuchheavytasksasthoseforwhichwomencouldnotbefitted，andIhandedtoheroneofMissFaithful\'scards。

“Ah，“saidmyAmericanfriend，“poorcreatures！Ihavenodoubttheirveryfleshwillbeworkedofftheirbones。“Ithoughtthisalittleunjustonherpart；butneverthelessitoccurredtomeasananswernotunfittobemadebysomeotherlady——bysomewomanwhohadnotalreadyadvocatedtheincreasedemploymentofwomen。LetMissFaithfullooktothat。Notthatshewillworkthefleshoffheryoungwomen\'sbones，orallowsuchterribleconsequencestotakeplaceinCoramStreet；notthatsheorthatthoseconnectedwithherinthatenterprisewilldoaughtbutgoodtothoseemployedtherein。Itwillnotevenbesaidofherindividually，orofherpartners，thattheyhaveworkedthefleshoffwomen\'sbones；

butmayitnotcometothis，thatwhenthetasksnowdonebymenhavebeenshiftedtotheshouldersofwomen，womenthemselveswillsocomplain？Mayitnotgofurther，andcomeeventothis，thatwomenwillhavecauseforsuchcomplaint？Idonotthinkthatsucharesultwillcome，becauseIdonotthinkthattheobjectdesiredbythosewhoareactiveinthematterwillbeattained。Men，asageneralruleamongcivilizednations，haveelectedtoearntheirownbreadandthebreadofthewomenalso，andfromthisresolveontheirpartIdonotthinkthattheywillbebeatenoff。

WeknowthatMrs。Dall，anAmericanlady，hastakenupthissubject，andhaswrittenabookonit，inwhichgreatgoodsenseandhonestyofpurposeisshown。Mrs。Dallisastrongadvocatefortheincreasedemploymentofwomen，andI，withgreatdeference，disagreewithher。Ialludetoherbooknowbecauseshehaspointedout，Ithinkverystrongly，thegreatreasonwhywomendonotengagethemselvesadvantageouslyintradepursuits。Shebynomeansoverpraisesherownsex，andopenlydeclaresthatyoungwomenwillnotconsenttoplacethemselvesinfaircompetitionwithmen。

Theywillnotundergothelaborandservitudeoflongstudyattheirtrades。Theywillnotgivethemselvesuptoanapprenticeship。Theywillnotenterupontheirtasksasthoughtheyweretobethetasksoftheirlives。Theymayhavethesamephysicalandmentalaptitudesforlearningatradeasmen，buttheyhavenotthesamedevotiontothepursuit，andwillnotbindthemselvestoitthoroughlyasmendo。InallwhichIquiteagreewithMrs。Dall；andtheEnglishofitis——thattheyoungwomenwanttogetmarried。

Godforbidthattheyshouldnotsowant。Indeed，Godhasforbiddeninaveryexpresswaythatthereshouldbeanylackofsuchadesireonthepartofwomen。TherehasoflateyearsarisenafeelingamongmassesofthebestofourEnglishladiesthatthisfemininepropensityshouldbechecked。Wearetoldthatunmarriedwomenmayberespectable，whichwealwaysknew；thattheymaybeuseful，whichwealsoacknowledge——thinkingstillthat，ifmarried，theywouldbemoreuseful；andthattheymaybehappy，whichwetrust——feelingconfident，however，thattheymightinanotherpositionbemorehappy。Butthequestionisnotonlyastotherespectability，usefulness，andhappinessofwomankind，butastothatofmenalso。Ifwomencandowithoutmarriage，canmendoso？

Andifnot，howarethementogetwives，ifthewomenelecttoremainsingle？

ItwillbethoughtthatIamtreatingthesubjectasthoughitweresimplyjocose，butIbegtoassuremyreaderthatsuchisnotmyintention。Itcertainlyisthefactthatthatdisinclinationtoanapprenticeshipandunwillingnesstobearthelongtrainingforatrade，ofwhichMrs。Dallcomplainsonthepartofyoungwomen，arisefromthefactthattheyhaveotherhopeswithwhichsuchapprenticeshipswouldjar；anditisalsocertainthatifsuchdisinclinationbeovercomeonthepartofanygreatnumber，itmustbeovercomebythedestructionorbanishmentofsuchhopes。Thequestioniswhethergoodorevilwouldresultfromsuchachange。

Itisoftensaidthatwhateverdifficultyawomanmayhaveingettingahusband，nomanneedencounterdifficultyinfindingawife。But，inspiteofthisseemingfact，Ithinkitmustbeallowedthatifwomenarewithdrawnfromthemarriagemarket，menmustbewithdrawnfromitalsotothesameextent。

Inanybroadviewofthismatter，weareboundtolooknotonanyindividualcase，andthepossibleremediesforsuchcases，butonthepositionintheworldoccupiedbywomeningeneral——onthegeneralhappinessandwelfareoftheaggregatefeminineworld，andperhapsalsoalittleonthegeneralhappinessandwelfareoftheaggregatemaleworld。Whenladiesandgentlemenadvocatetherightofwomentoemployment，theyaretakingverydifferentgroundfromthatonwhichstandthoselessextensivephilanthropistswhoexertthemselvesforthebenefitofdistressedneedlewomen，forinstance，orforthealleviationofthemorebittermiseryofgovernesses。

Thetwoquestionsareinfactabsolutelyantagonistictoeachother。Therights-of-womenadvocateisdoinghisbesttocreatethatpositionforwomenfromthepossiblemisfortunesofwhichthefriendoftheneedlewomenisstrugglingtorelievethem。Theoneisendeavoringtothrowworkfromofftheshouldersofmenontotheshouldersofwomen，andtheotherisstrivingtolessentheburdenwhichwomenarealreadybearing。Ofcourseitisgoodtorelievedistressinindividualcases。ThatSongoftheShirt，whichIregardaspoetryoftheimmortalkind，hasdoneanamountofgoodinfinitelywiderthanpoorHoodeverventuredtohope。OfallsucheffortsIwouldspeaknotonlywithrespect，butwithlovingadmiration。Butofthosewhoseeffortsaremadetospreadworkmorewidelyamongwomen——tocalluponthemtomakeforusourwatches，toprintourbooks，tositatourdesksasclerksandtoaddupouraccounts——muchasImayrespecttheindividualoperatorsinsuchamovement，Icanexpressnoadmirationfortheirjudgment。

Ihaveseenwomenwithropesroundtheirnecksdrawingaharrowoverplowedground。Noonewill，Isuppose，saythattheyapproveofthat。Butitwouldnothaveshockedmetoseemendrawingaharrow。Ishouldhavethoughtitslow，unprofitablework；butmyfeelingswouldnothavebeenhurt。Theremust，therefore，besomelimit；butifwementeachourselvestobelievethatworkisgoodforwomen，whereisthelimittobedrawn，andwhoshalldrawit？

Itistruethatthereisnownoactuallydefinedlimit。Thereismuchworkthatiscommonlyopentobothsexes。Personaldomesticattendanceisso，andtheattendanceinshops。Theuseoftheneedleissharedbetweenmenandwomen；andfew，Itakeit，knowwheretheseamstressendsandwherethetailorbegins。Inmanytradesawomancanbe，andveryoftenis，theownerandmanagerofthebusiness。Paintingisasmuchopentowomenastomen，asalsoisliterature。Therecanbenodefinedlimit；butneverthelessthereisatpresentaquasilimit，whichtherights-of-womenadvocateswishtomove，andsotomovethatwomenshalldomoreworkandnotless。Awomannowcouldnotwellbeacab-driverinLondon；butaretheseadvocatessurethatnowomanwillbeacab-

driverwhensuccesshasattendedtheirefforts？Andwouldtheyliketoseeawomandrivingacab？Formypart，IconfessIdonotliketoseeawomanactingasroad-keeperonaFrenchrailway。I

haveseenawomanactingashostleratapublicstageinIreland。

Iknewthecircumstances——howherhusbandhadbecomeillandincapable，andhowshehadbeenallowedtoearnthewages；butneverthelessthesightwastomedisagreeable，andseemed，asfarasitwent，todegradethesex。Chivalryhasbeenveryactiveinraisingwomenfromthehardandhardeningtasksoftheworld；andthroughthisactiontheyhavebecomesoft，tender，andvirtuous。

ItseemstomethattheyofwhomIamnowspeakingaredesirousofundoingwhatchivalryhasdone。

Theargumentusedisofcourseplainenough。Itissaidthatwomenareleftdestituteintheworld——destituteunlesstheycanbeself-

dependent，andthattowomenshouldbegiventhesameopenaccesstowagesthatmenpossess，inorderthattheymaybeasself-

dependentasmen。Whyshouldayoungwoman，forwhomnofatherisabletoprovide，notenjoythosemeansofprovisionwhichareopentoayoungmansocircumstanced？ButIthinktheanswerisverysimple。Theyoungman，underthehappiestcircumstanceswhichmaybefallhim，isboundtoearnhisbread。Theyoungwomanisonlysoboundwhenhappycircumstancesdonotbefallher。Shouldweendeavortomaketherecurrenceofunhappycircumstancesmoregeneralorlessso？Whatdoesanytradesman，anyprofessionalman，anymechanicwishforhischildren？Isitnotthis，thathissonsshallgoforthandearntheirbread，andthathisdaughtersshallremainwithhimtilltheyaremarried？Isnotthatthemother\'swish？Isitnotnotoriousthatsuchisthewishofusallastoourdaughters？Inadvocatingtherightsofwomenitisofothermen\'sgirlsthatwethink，neverofourown。

But，nevertheless，whatshallwedoforthosewomenwhomustearntheirbreadbytheirownwork？Whateverwedo，donotletuswillfullyincreasetheirnumber。Byopeningtradestowomen，bymakingthemprinters，watchmakers，accountants，orwhatnot，weshallnotsimplyrelievethosewhomustnowearntheirbreadbysomesuchworkorelsestarve。Itwillnotbewithinourpowertostopourselvesexactlyatacertainpoint；toarrangethatthosewomenwhounderexistingcircumstancesmaynowbeinwantshallbethusplacedbeyondwant，butthatnoothersshallbeaffected。

Men，Ifear，willbetoowillingtorelievethemselvesofsomeportionoftheirpresentburden，shouldtheworld\'salteredwaysenablethemtodoso。Atpresentalawyer\'sclerkmayearnperhapshistwoguineasaweek，andhewithhiswifeliveonthatinfaircomfort。Butifhiswife，aswellashe，hasbeenbroughtupasalawyer\'sclerk，hewilllooktoheralsoforsomeamountofwages。

Idoubtwhetherthetwoguineaswouldbemuchincreased，butIdonotdoubtatallthatthewoman\'spositionwouldbeinjured。

Itseemstomethatindiscussingthissubjectphilanthropistsfailtotakeholdoftherightendoftheargument。Moneyreturnsfromworkareverygood，andworkitselfisgood，asbringingsuchreturnsandoccupyingbothbodyandmind；buttheworld\'sworkisveryhard，andworkmenaretoooftenoverdriven。Thequestionseemstometobethis——ofallthisworkhavethemengotontheirownbackstooheavyashareforthemtobear，andshouldtheyseekreliefbythrowingmoreofituponwomen？Itistherightsofmanthatweareinfactdebating。Thesewatchesarewearytomake，andthistypeistroublesometoset，Wehavebattlestofightandspeechestomake，andourhandsaltogetheraretoofull。Thewomenareidle——manyofthem。Theyshallmakethewatchesforusandsetthetype；andwhentheyhavedonethat，whyshouldtheynotmakenailsastheydosometimesinWorcestershire，orcleanhorses，ordrivethecabs？Theyhavehadaneasytimeofitfortheseyearspast，butwe\'llchangethat。Andthenitwouldcometopassthatwithropesroundtheirnecksthewomenwouldbedrawingharrowsacrossthefields。

Idon\'tthinkthiswillcometopass。Thewomengenerallydoknowwhentheyarewelloff，andarenotparticularlyanxioustoacceptthephilanthropyprofferedtothem——asMrs。Dallsays，theydonotwishtobindthemselvesasapprenticestoindependentmoney-making。

ThiscryhasbeenlouderinAmericathanwithus，buteveninAmericaithasnotbeenefficaciousformuch。ThereisintheStates，nodoubt，asortofhankeringafterincreasedinfluence，adesireforthatprominenceofpositionwhichmenattainbyloudvoicesandbrazenforeheads，adesireinthefemalehearttobeupanddoingsomething，ifthefemaleheartonlyknewwhat；butevenintheStatesithashardlyadvancedbeyondafewfemininelectures。InmanybranchesofworkwomenarelessemployedthaninEngland。Theyarenotsofrequentbehindcountersintheshops，andarerarelyseenasservantsinhotels。Thefiresinsuchhousesarelightedandtheroomssweptbymen。ButtheAmericangirlsmaysaytheydonotdesiretolightfiresandsweeprooms。

Theyareambitiousofthehigherclassesofwork。Butthosehigherbranchesofworkrequirestudy，apprenticeship，adevotionofyouth；andthattheywillnotgive。Itisverywellforayoungmantobindhimselfforfouryears，andtothinkofmarryingfouryearsafterthatapprenticeshipbeover。Butsuchaprospectuswillnotdoforagirl。Whilethesunshinesthehaymustbemade，andhersunshinesearlierinthedaythanthatofhimwhoistobeherhusband。Lethimgothroughtheapprenticeshipandthework，andshewillhavesufficientonherhandsifshelookswellafterhishousehold。Undernature\'steachingsheisawareofthis，andwillnotbindherselftoanyotherapprenticeship，letMrs。Dallpreachasshemay。

Irememberseeing，eitheratNewYorkorBoston，awoodenfigureofaneatyoungwoman，aslargeaslife，standingatadeskwithaledgerbeforeher，andlookingasthoughthebeauidealofhumanblisswererealizedinheremployment。Underthefiguretherewassomenoticerespectingfemaleaccountants。Nothingcouldbenicerthanthelady\'sfigure，moreflowingthanthebroadlinesofherdrapery，ormoreattractivethanherauburnringlets。Thereshestoodatwork，earningherbreadwithoutanyimpedimenttothenaturaloperationofherfemalecharms，andadjustingtheaccountsofsomegreatfirmwithasmuchfacilityasgrace。Iwonderwhetherhewhodesignedthatfigurehadeversatorstoodatadeskforsixhours；whetherheknewthedullhumofthebrainwhichcomesfromlongattentiontoanotherman\'sfigures；whetherhehadeversoiledhisownfingerswiththeeverlastingworkofofficehours，orwornhissleevesthreadbareasheleaned，wearyinbodyandmind，uponhisdesk？Workisagrandthing——thegrandestthingwehave；butworkisnotpicturesque，graceful，andinitselfalluring。Itsucksthesapoutofmen\'sbones，andbendstheirbacks，andsometimesbreakstheirhearts；butthoughitbeso，I

foronewouldnotwishtothrowanyheaviershareofitontoawoman\'sshoulders。ItwasprettytoseethoseyoungwomenwithspectaclesattheBostonlibrary；butwhenIheardthattheyweretherefromeightinthemorningtillnineatnight，Ipitiedthemtheirlossofallthesoftnessofhome，andfeltthattheywouldnotwillinglybethere，ifnecessitywerelessstern。

Saythatbyadvocatingtherightsofwomen，philanthropistssucceedinapportioningmoreworktotheirshare，willtheyeatmore，wearbetterclothes，liesofter，andhavealtogethermoreofthefruitsofworkthantheydonow？Thatsomewoulddosotherecanbenodoubt；butaslittlethatsomewouldhaveless。Ifonthewholetheywouldnothavemore，forwhatgoodresultisthemovementmade？Thefirstquestionis，whetheratthepresenttimetheyhavelessthantheirpropershare。Thereare，unquestionably，terriblecasesoffemalewant；andsotherearealsoofwantamongmen。

Alas！dowenotallfeelthatitmustbeso，letthephilanthropistsbeeversoenergetic？Andifawomanbeleftdestitute，withouttheassistanceoffather，brother，orhusband，itwouldbehardifnomeansofearningsubsistencewereopentoher。Buttheobjectnowsoughtisnotthatofrelievingsuchdistress。Ithasamuchwidertendency，oratanyrateawiderdesire。Theideaisthatwomenwillennoblethemselvesbymakingthemselvesindependent，byworkingfortheirownbreadinsteadofeatingbreadearnedbymen。Itisinthatthatthesenewphilosophersseemtometoerrsogreatly。Humanityandchivalryhavesucceeded，afteralongstruggle，inteachingthemantoworkforthewoman；andnowthewomanrebelsagainstsuchteaching——notbecauseshelikesthework，butbecauseshedesirestheinfluencewhichattendsit。ButinthisIwrongthewoman——eventheAmericanwoman。Itisnotshewhodesiresit，butherphilanthropicalphilosophicalfriendswhodesireitforher。

Ifworkweremoreequallydividedbetweenthesexes，somewomenwould，ofcourse，receivemoreofthegoodthingsoftheworld。

Butwomengenerallywouldnotdoso。Thetendency，then，wouldbetoforceyoungwomenoutupontheirownexertions。Fatherswouldsoonlearntothinkthattheirdaughtersshouldbenomoredependentonthemthantheirsons；menwouldexpecttheirwivestoworkattheirowntrades；brotherswouldbetaughttothinkithardthattheirsistersshouldleanonthem，andthuswomen，drivenupontheirownresources，wouldhardlyfarebetterthantheydoatpresent。

Afterallitisaquestionofmoney，andacontestforthatpowerandinfluencewhichmoneygives。Atpresent，menhavethepositionoftheLowerHouseofParliament——theyhavetodotheharderwork，buttheyholdthepurse。EveninEnglandtherehasgrownupafeelingthattheoldlawofthelandgivesamarriedmantoomuchpoweroverthejointpecuniaryresourcesofhimandhiswife，andinAmericathisfeelingismuchstronger，andtheoldlawhasbeenmodified。Whyshouldamarriedwomanbeabletopossessnothing？

Andifsuchbethelawoftheland，isitworthawoman\'swhiletomarryandputherselfinsuchaposition？Thosearethequestionsaskedbythefriendsoftherightsofwomen。Buttheyoungwomendomarry，andthemenpourtheirearningsintotheirwives\'laps。

Iflittlehasasyetbeendoneinextendingtherightsofwomenbygivingthemagreatershareoftheworkoftheworld，stilllesshasbeendonetowardgivingthemtheirportionofpoliticalinfluence。IntheStatestherearemanymenofmark，andwomenofmarkalso，whothinkthatwomenshouldhavevotesforpublicelections。Mr。WendellPhillips，theBostonlecturerwhoadvocatesabolition，isanapostleinthiscausealso；andwhileIwasatBostonIreadtheprovisionsofawilllatelyleftbyamillionaire，inwhichhebequeathedsomeverylargesumsofmoneytobeexpendedinagitationonthissubject。Awomanissubjecttothelaw；whythenshouldshenothelptomakethelaw？Achildissubjecttothelaw，anddoesnothelptomakeit；butthechildlacksthatdiscretionwhichthewomanenjoysequallywiththeman。

ThatItakeitistheamountoftheargumentinfavorofthepoliticalrightsofwomen。ThelogicofthisissoconclusivethatIampreparedtoacknowledgethatitadmitsofnoanswer。Iwillonlysaythatthemutualgoodrelationsbetweenmenandwomen，whicharesoindispensabletoourhappiness，requirethatmenandwomenshouldnottaketovotingatthesametimeandonthesameresult。Ifitbedecidedthatwomenshallhavepoliticalpower，letthemhaveitalltothemselvesforaseason。Ifthatbesoresolved，Ithinkwemaysafelyleaveittothemtonamethetimeatwhichtheywillbegin。

IconfessthatintheStatesIhavesometimesbeendriventothinkthatchivalryhasbeencarriedtoofar——thatthereisanattempttomakewomenthinkmoreoftherightsoftheirwomanhoodthanisneedful。Thereareladies\'doorsathotels，andladies\'drawing-

rooms，ladies\'sidesontheferry-boats，ladies\'windowsatthepost-officeforthedeliveryofletters——which，by-the-by，isanatrociousinstitution，asanybodymaylearnwhowilllookattheadvertisementscalledpersonalinsomeoftheNewYorkpapers。Whyshouldnotyoungladieshavetheirletterssenttotheirhouses，insteadofgettingthemataprivatewindow？Thepost-officeclerkscantellstoriesaboutthoseladies\'windows。Butateveryturnitisnecessarytomakeseparateprovisionforladies。Fromallthisitcomestopassthatthebaker\'sdaughterlooksdownfromagreatheightonherpapa，andbynomeansthinksherbrothergoodenoughforherassociate。Nature，thegreatrestorer，comesinandteacheshertofallinlovewiththebutcher\'sson。Thustheevilismitigated；butIcannotbutwishthattheyoungwomanshouldnotseeherselfdenominatedaladysooften，andshouldreceivefewerlessonsastotheextentofherprivileges。Iwouldsaveher，ifI

could，fromworkingattheoven；Iwouldgivetoherbreadandmeatearnedbyherfather\'scareandherbrother\'ssweat；butwhenshehasreceivedthesegoodthings，Iwouldhaveherproudoftheoneandbynomeansashamedoftheother。

Letwomensaywhattheywilloftheirrights，ormenwhothinkthemselvesgeneroussaywhattheywillforthem，thequestionhasallbeensettledbothforthemandforusmenbyahigherpower。

Theyarethenursingmothersofmankind，andinthatlawtheirfateiswrittenwithallitsjoysandallitsprivileges。Itisformentomakethosejoysaslastingandthoseprivilegesasperfectasmaybe。Thatwomenshouldhavetheirrightsnomanwilldeny。Tomythinking，neitherincreaseofworknorincreaseofpoliticalinfluenceareamongthem。Thebestrightawomanhasistherighttoahusband，andthatistherighttowhichIwouldrecommendeveryyoungwomanhereandintheStatestoturnherbestattention。Onthewhole，IthinkthatmydoctrinewillbemoreacceptablethanthatofMrs。DallorMr。WendellPhillips。

CHAPTERXIX。

EDUCATION。

Theonematterinwhich，asfarasmyjudgmentgoes，thepeopleoftheUnitedStateshaveexcelledusEnglishmen，soastojustifythemintakingtothemselvespraisewhichwecannottaketoourselvesorrefusetothem，isthematterofEducation。Insayingthis，IdonotthinkthatIamproclaiminganythingdisgracefultoEngland，thoughIamproclaimingmuchthatiscreditabletoAmerica。TotheAmericansoftheStateswasgiventhegoodfortuneofbeginningatthebeginning。TheFrenchatthetimeoftheirrevolutionendeavoredtoreorganizeeverything，andtobegintheworldagainwithnewhabitsandgrandtheories；buttheFrenchasapeopleweretoooldforsuchachange，andthetheoriesfelltotheground。ButintheStates，aftertheirrevolution，anAnglo-SaxonpeoplehadanopportunityofmakinganewState，withalltheexperienceoftheworldbeforethem；andtothismatterofeducationtheywerefromthefirstawarethattheymustlookfortheirsuccess。Theydidso；andunrivaledpopulation，wealth，andintelligencehasbeentheresult；andwiththese，lookingatthewholemassesofthepeople——IthinkIamjustifiedinsaying——

unrivaledcomfortandhappiness。Itisnotthatyou，myreader，towhominthismatterofeducationfortuneandyourparentshaveprobablybeenbountiful，wouldhavebeenmorehappyinNewYorkthaninLondon。ItisnotthatI，who，atanyrate，canreadandwrite，havecausetowishthatIhadbeenanAmerican。Butitisthis:ifyouandIcancountupinadayallthoseonwhomoureyesmayrestandlearnthecircumstancesoftheirlives，weshallbedriventoconcludethatnine-tenthsofthatnumberwouldhavehadabetterlifeasAmericansthantheycanhaveintheirspheresasEnglishmen。TheStatesareatadiscountwithusnow，inthebeginningofthisyearofgrace1862；andEnglishmenwerenotverywillingtoadmittheabovestatement，evenwhentheStateswerenotatadiscount。ButIdonotthinkthatamancantravelthroughtheStateswithhiseyesopenandnotadmitthefact。ManythingswillconspiretoinducehimtoshuthiseyesandadmitnoconclusionfavorabletotheAmericans。Menandwomenwillsometimesbeimpudenttohim；thebetterhiscoat，thegreatertheimpudence。Hewillbepeltedwiththebraggadocioofequality。

ThecornsofhisOldWorldconservatismwillbetrampledonhourlybythepurposelyviciousherdofuncouthdemocracy。Thefactthatheispaymasterwillgofornothing，andwillfailtoinsurecivility。IshallneverforgetmyagonyasIsawandheardmydeskfallfromaporter\'shandonarailwaystation，ashetosseditfromhimsevenyardsoffontothehardpavement。Ihearditspoor，weakintestinesrattleintheirdeathstruggle，andknowingthatitwassmashed，IforgotmypositiononAmericansoilandremonstrated。“It\'smydesk，andyouhaveutterlydestroyedit，“I

said。“Ha！ha！ha！“laughedtheporter。“You\'vedestroyedmyproperty，“Irejoined，“andit\'snolaughingmatter。“Andthenallthecrowdlaughed。“Guessyou\'dbettergetitglued，“saidone。

SoIgatheredupthebrokenarticleandretiredmournfullyandcrestfallenintoacoach。Thiswasverysad，andforthemomentI

deploredtheillluckwhichhadbroughtmetososavageacountry。

SuchandsuchlikearetheincidentswhichmakeanEnglishmanintheStatesunhappy，androusehisgallagainsttheinstitutionsofthecountry；thesethingsandthecontinuedapplianceoftheirritatingointmentofAmericanbraggadociowithwhichhissoresarekeptopen。ButthoughIwasbadlyoffonthatrailwayplatform，worseoffthanIshouldhavebeeninEngland，allthatcrowdofportersroundmewerebetteroffthanourEnglishporters。

Theyhada“goodtime“ofit。Andthis，OmyEnglishbrotherwhohastraveledthroughtheStatesandreturneddisgusted，isthefactthroughout。Thosemenwhosefamiliaritywassodisgustingtoyouarehavingagoodtimeofit。“Theymightbealittlemorecivil，“

yousay，“andyetreadandwritejustaswell。“True；buttheyarearguingintheirmindsthatcivilitytoyouwillbetakenbyyouforsubservience，orforanacknowledgmentofsuperiority；andlookingatyourhabitsoflife——yoursandminetogether——Iamnotquitesurethattheyarealtogetherwrong。Haveyoueverrealizedtoyourselfasafactthattheporterwhocarriesyourboxhasnotmadehimselfinferiortoyoubytheveryactofcarryingthatbox？

Ifnot，thatistheverylessonwhichthemanwishestoteachyou。

Ifamancanforgethisownmiseriesinhisjourneyings，andthinkofthepeoplehecomestoseeratherthanofhimself，IthinkhewillfindhimselfdriventoadmitthateducationhasmadelifeforthemillionintheNorthernStatesbetterthanlifeforthemillioniswithus。Theyhavebegunatthebeginning，andhavesomanagedthateveryonemaylearntoreadandwrite——havesomanagedthatalmosteveryonedoeslearntoreadandwrite。Withusthiscannotnowbedone。Populationhadcomeuponusinmassestoothickformanagement，beforewehadasyetacknowledgedthatitwouldbeagoodthingthatthesemassesshouldbeeducated。Prejudices，too，hadsprungup，andhabits，andstrongsectionalfeelings，allantagonistictoagreatnationalsystemofeducation。Weare，I

suppose，nowdoingallthatwecando；butcomparativelyitislittle。IthinkIsawsometimesincethatthecostforgratuitouseducation，oreducationinpartgratuitous，whichhadfallenuponthenationhadalreadyamountedtothesumof800，000l。；andI

thinkalsothatIreadinthedocumentwhichrevealedtomethisfactaverystrongopinionthatgovernmentcouldnotatpresentgomuchfurther。ButifthismatterwereregardedinEnglandasitisregardedinMassachusetts，orrather，haditfromsomeprosperousbeginningbeenputuponasimilarfooting，800，000l。wouldnothavebeenesteemedagreatexpenditureforfreeeducationsimplyintheCityofLondon。In1857thepublicschoolsofBostoncost70，000l。，andtheseschoolsweredevotedtoapopulationofabout180，000souls。TakingthepopulationofLondonattwoandahalfmillions，thewholesumnowdevotedtoEnglandwould，ifexpendedinthemetropolis，makeeducationthereevencheaperthanitisinBoston。InBoston，during1857，therewereabove24，000pupilsatthesepublicschools，givingmorethanone-eighthofthewholepopulation。ButIfearitwouldnotbepracticableforustospend800，000l。onthegratuitouseducationofLondon。Richasweare，weshouldnotknowwheretoraisethemoney。InBostonitisraisedbyaseparatetax。Itisathingunderstood，acknowledged，andmadeeasybybeinghabitual——asisournationaldebt。IdonotknowthatBostonispeculiarlyblessed，butIquotetheinstance，asIhavearecordofitsschoolsbeforeme。AtthethreehighschoolsinBoston，atwhichtheaverageofpupilsis526，about13l。perheadispaidforfreeeducation。Theaveragepriceperannumofachild\'sschoolingthroughouttheseschoolsinBostonisabout3l。foreach。Tothehigherschoolsanyboyorgirlmayattainwithoutanyexpense，andtheeducationisprobablyasgoodascanbegiven，andasfaradvanced。Theonlyquestionis，whetheritisnotadvancedfurtherthanmaybenecessary。Here，asatNewYork，Iwasalmoststartledbytheamountofknowledgearoundme，andlistened，asImighthavedonetoanexaminationintheologyamongyoungBrahmins。Whenayoungladexplainedinmyhearingallthepropertiesofthedifferentleversasexemplifiedbythebonesofthehumanbody，Ibowedmyheadbeforehiminunaffectedhumility。We，atourEnglishschools，nevergotbeyondtheuseofthoseboneswhichhedescribedwithsuchaccuratescientificknowledge。Inoneofthegirls\'schoolstheywerereadingMilton，andwhenweenteredwerediscussingthenatureofthepoolinwhichthedevilisdescribedaswallowing。Thequestionhadbeenraisedbyoneofthegirls。Apool，socalled，wassupposedtocontainbutasmallamountofwater，andhowcouldthedevil，beingsolarge，getintoit？Thencametheoriginofthewordpool——from“palus，“amarsh，asweweretold，somedictionaryattestingtothefact，andsuchamarshmightcoveralargeexpanse。The“PalusMaeotis“wasthenquoted。AndsowewentontillSatan\'stheoryofpoliticalliberty，“Bettertoreigninhellthanserveinheaven，“

wasthoroughlydiscussedandunderstood。Thesegirlsofsixteenandseventeengotuponeafteranotherandgavetheiropinionsonthesubject——howfarthedevilwasright，andhowfarhewasmanifestlywrong。Iwasattendedbyoneofthedirectorsorguardiansoftheschools；andtheteacher，Ithought，wasalittleembarrassedbyherposition。Butthegirlsthemselveswereaseasyintheirdemeanorasthoughtheywerestitchinghandkerchiefsathome。

Itisimpossibletorefrainfromtellingallthis，andfrommakingalittleinnocentfunoutofthesuperexcellenciesoftheseschools；butthetotalresultonmymindwasverygreatlyintheirfavor。Andindeedthetestimonycameinbothways。NotonlywasI

calledontoformanopinionofwhatthemenandwomenwouldbecomefromtheeducationwhichwasgiventotheboysandgirls，butalsotosaywhatmusthavebeentheeducationoftheboysandgirlsfromwhatIsawofthemenandwomen。OfcourseitwillbeunderstoodthatIamnotherespeakingofthoseImetinsocietyoroftheirchildren，butoftheworkingpeople——ofthatclasswhofindthatagratuitouseducationfortheirchildrenisneedful，ifanyconsiderableamountofeducationistobegiven。Theresultistobeseendailyinthewholeintercourseoflife。Thecoachmanwhodrivesyou，themanwhomendsyourwindow，theboywhobringshomeyourpurchases，thegirlwhostitchesyourwife\'sdress，——theyallcarrywiththemsuresignsofeducation，andshowitineverywordtheyutter。

Itwillofcoursebeunderstoodthatthisis，intheseparateStates，amatterofStatelaw；indeed，Imaygofurther，andsaythatitis，inmostoftheStates，amatterofStateconstitution。

ItisbynomeansamatterofFederalconstitution。TheUnitedStatesasanationtakesnoheedoftheeducationofitspeople。

AllthatislefttothejudgmentoftheseparateStates。InmostofthethirteenoriginalStatesprovisionismadeinthewrittenconstitutionforthegeneraleducationofthepeople；butthisisnotdoneinall。IfindthatitwasmorefrequentlydoneintheNorthernorfree-soilStatesthaninthosewhichadmittedslavery，asmighthavebeenexpected。IntheconstitutionsofSouthCarolinaandVirginiaIfindnoallusiontothepublicprovisionforeducation；butinthoseofNorthCarolinaandGeorgiaitisenjoined。Theforty-firstsectionoftheconstitutionforNorthCarolinaenjoinsthat“schoolsshallbeestablishedbythelegislaturefortheconvenientinstructionofyouth，withsuchsalariestothemasters，paidbythepublic，asmayenablethemtoinstructatLOWPRICES“——showingthattheintentionherewastoassisteducation，andnotprovideitaltogethergratuitously。I

thinkthatprovisionforpubliceducationisenjoinedintheconstitutionsofalltheStatesadmittedintotheUnionsincethefirstFederalknotwastiedexceptinthatofIllinois。Vermontwasthefirstsoadmitted，in1791；andVermontdeclaresthat“acompetentnumberofschoolsoughttobemaintainedineachtownfortheconvenientinstructionofyouth。“Ohiowasthesecond，in1802；andOhioenjoinsthat“theGeneralAssemblyshallmakesuchprovisionsbytaxationorotherwiseas，withtheincomearisingfromtheschooltrustfund，willsecureathoroughandefficientsystemofcommonschoolsthroughouttheState；butnoreligionsorothersectorsectsshalleverhaveanyexclusiverightorcontrolofanypartoftheschoolfundsofthisState。“InIndiana，admittedin1816，itisrequiredthat“theGeneralAssemblyshallprovidebylawforageneralanduniformsystemofcommonschools。“

Illinoiswasadmittednext，in1818；buttheconstitutionofIllinoisissilentonthesubjectofeducation。Itenjoins，however，inlieuofthis，thatnopersonshallfightaduelorsendachallenge！Ifhedo，heisnotonlytobepunished，buttobedeprivedforeverofthepowerofholdinganyofficeofhonororprofitintheState。Ihavenoreason，however，forsupposingthateducationisneglectedinIllinois，orthatduelinghasbeenabolished。InMaineitisdemandedthatthetowns——thewholecountryisdividedintowhatarecalledtowns——shallmakesuitableprovisionattheirownexpenseforthesupportandmaintenanceofpublicschools。

Someoftheseconstitutionalenactmentsaremostmagniloquentlyworded，butnotalwayswithprecisegrammaticalcorrectness。ThatforthefamousBayStateofMassachusettsrunsasfollows:“Wisdomandknowledge，aswellasvirtue，diffusedgenerallyamongthebodyofthepeople，beingnecessaryforthepreservationoftheirrightsandliberties，andasthesedependonspreadingtheopportunitiesandadvantagesofeducationinthevariouspartsofthecountryandamongthedifferentordersofthepeople，itshallbethedutyofthelegislaturesandmagistrates，inallfutureperiodsofthiscommonwealth，tocherishtheinterestofliteratureandthesciences，andofallseminariesofthem，especiallytheUniversityatCambridge，publicschoolsandgrammarschools，inthetowns；toencourageprivatesocietiesandpublicinstitutionsbyrewardsandimmunitiesforthepromotionofagriculture，arts，sciences，commerce，trades，manufactures，andanaturalhistoryofthecountry；tocountenanceandinculcatetheprinciplesofhumanityandgeneralbenevolence，publicandprivatecharity，industryandfrugality，honestyandpunctualityinalltheirdealings；

sincerity，goodhumor，andallsocialaffectionsandgeneroussentimentsamongthepeople。“Imustconfessthat，hadthewordsofthatlittleconstitutionalenactmentbeenmadeknowntomebeforeIhadseenitspracticalresults，Ishouldnothaveputmuchfaithinit。OfallthepublicschoolsIhaveeverseen——bypublicschoolsImeanschoolsforthepeopleatlargemaintainedatpubliccost——thoseofMassachusettsare，Ithink，thebest。ButofalltheeducationalenactmentswhichIeverread，thatofthesameStateis，Ishouldsay，theworst。InTexasnow，ofwhichasaStatethepeopleofMassachusettsdonotthinkmuch，theyhavedoneitbetter:“Ageneraldiffusionofknowledgebeingessentialtothepreservationoftherightsandlibertiesofthepeople，itshallbethedutyofthelegislatureofthisStatetomakesuitableprovisionforthesupportandmaintenanceofpublicschools。“SosaytheTexans；butthentheTexanshadtheadvantageofalaterexperiencethananywhichfellinthewayoftheconstitution-

makersofMassachusetts。

ThereissomethingofthemagniloquenceoftheFrenchstyle——oftheliberty，equality，andfraternitymodeofeloquence——inthepreamblesofmostoftheseconstitutions，which，butfortheirsuccess，wouldhaveseemedtohaveprophesiedloudlyoffailure。

ThoseofNewYorkandPennsylvaniaaretheleastso，andthatofMassachusettsbyfarthemostviolentlymagniloquent。TheygenerallycommencebythankingGodforthepresentcivilandreligiouslibertyofthepeople，andbydeclaringthatallmenarebornfreeandequal。NewYorkandPennsylvania，however，refrainfromanysuchverygeneralremarks。

IamwellawarethatalltheseconstitutionalenactmentsarenotlikelytoobtainmuchcreditinEngland。Itisnotonlythatgrandphrasesfailtoconvinceus，butthattheycarrytooursensesalmostanassuranceoftheirowninefficiency。Whenwehearthatapeoplehavedeclaredtheirintentionofbeinghenceforwardbetterthantheirneighbors，andgoinguponanewtheorythatshallleadthemdirecttoaterrestrialparadise，webuttonupourpocketsandlockupourspoons。AndthatiswhatwehavedoneverymuchasregardstheAmericans。Wehavewalkedwiththemandtalkedwiththem，andboughtwiththemandsoldwiththem；butwehavemistrustedthemastotheirinternalhabitsandmodesoflife，thinkingthattheirphilanthropywaspretentiousandthattheirtheorieswerevague。ManycitiesintheStatesarebutskeletonsoftowns，thestreetsbeingthere，andthehousesnumbered——butnotonehousebuiltoutoftenthathavebeensocountedup。Wehaveregardedtheirinstitutionsasweregardthosecities，andhavebeenspeciallywillingsotoconsiderthembecauseofthefinelanguageinwhichtheyhavebeenparadedbeforeus。Theyhavebeenregardedastheskeletonsofphilanthropicalsystems，towhichbloodandfleshandmuscle，andevenskin，arewanting。Butitisatleastbutfairtoinquirehowfarthepromisemadehasbeencarriedout。TheelaboratewordingsoftheconstitutionsmadebytheFrenchpoliticiansinthedaysoftheirgreatrevolutionhavealwaysbeentousnomorethansomanywrittengrimaces；butweshouldnothavecontinuedsotoregardthemhadthepoliticallibertywhichtheypromisedfolloweduponthepromisessomagniloquentlymade。AsregardseducationintheStates——atanyrateintheNorthernandWesternStates——Ithinkthattheassurancesputforthinthevariouswrittenconstitutionshavebeenkept。Ifthisbeso，anAmericancitizen，lethimbeeversoarrogant，eversoimpudentifyouwill，isatanyrateacivilizedbeing，andontheroadtothatcultivationwhichwillsoonerorlaterdivesthimofhisarrogance。Emollitmores。Wequotehereouroldfriendthecolonelagain。Ifagentlemanbecompelledtoconfinehisclassicalallusionstoonequotation，hecannotdobetterthanhangbythat。

Buthaseducationbeensogeneral，andhasithadthedesiredresult？IntheCityofBoston，asIhavesaid，Ifoundthatin1857aboutone-eighthofthewholepopulationwerethenonthebooksofthefreepublicschoolsaspupils，andthataboutone-

ninthofthepopulationformedtheaveragedailyattendance。Tothesenumbersofcoursemustbeaddedallpupilsofthericherclasses——thoseforwhoseeducationtheirparentschosetopay。AsnearlyasIcanlearn，theaveragedurationofeachpupil\'sschoolingissixyears，andifthisbefiguredoutstatistically，I

thinkitwillshowthateducationinBostonreachesaverylargemajority——Imightalmostsaythewhole——ofthepopulation。ThattheeducationgiveninothertownsofMassachusettsisnotsogoodasthatgiveninBostonIdonotdoubt，butIhavereasontobelievethatitisquiteasgeneral。

IhavespokenofoneoftheschoolsofNewYork。Inthatcitythepublicschoolsareapportionedtothewards，andaresoarrangedthatineachwardofthecitytherearepublicschoolsofdifferentstandingforthegratuitoususeofthechildren。ThepopulationoftheCityofNewYorkin1857wasabout650，000，andinthatyearitisstatedthattherewere135，000pupilsintheschools。Bythisitwouldappearthatonepersoninfivethroughoutthecitywasthenunderprocessofeducation——whichstatement，however，Icannotreceivewithimplicitcredence。Itis，however，alsostatedthatthedailyattendancesaveragedsomethinglessthan50，000aday，andthislatterstatementprobablyimpliessomemistakeintheformerone。Takingthetwotogetherforwhattheyareworth，theyshow，Ithink，thatschoolteachingisnotonlybroughtwithinthereachofthepopulationgenerally，butisusedbyalmostallclasses。AtNewYorkthereareseparatefreeschoolsforcoloredchildren。AtPhiladelphiaIdidnotseetheschools，butIwasassuredthatthearrangementstherewereequaltothoseatNewYorkandBoston。IndeedIwastoldthattheywereinfinitelybetter；

butthenIwassotoldbyaPhiladelphian。IntheStateofConnecticutthepublicschoolsarecertainlyequaltothoseinanypartoftheunion。AsfarasIcouldlearneducation——whatweshouldcalladvancededucation——isbroughtwithinthereachofallclassesintheNorthernandWesternStatesofAmerica——and，Iwouldwishtoaddhere，tothoseoftheCanadasalso。

Somuchfortheschools，andnowfortheresults。IdonotknowthatanythingimpressesavisitormorestronglywiththeamountofbookssoldintheStates，thanthepracticeofsellingthemasithasbeenadoptedintherailwaycars。Personallythetravelerwillfindthesystemverydisagreeable——asiseverythingconnectedwiththesecars。Ayoungmanentersduringthejourney——forthetradeiscarriedoutwhilethecarsaretraveling，asisalsoaverybrisktradeinlollipops，sugar-candy，apples，andhamsandwiches——

theyoungtradesmanentersthecarfirstlywithapileofmagazines，orofnovelsboundlikemagazines。Thesearechieflythe“Atlantic，“publishedatBoston，“Harper\'sMagazine，“publishedatNewYork，andacheapseriesofnovelspublishedatPhiladelphia。Ashewalksalongheflingsoneateverypassenger。

AnEnglishman，whenheisfirstintroducedtothismanneroftrade，becomesmuchastonished。Heisprobablyreading，andonasuddenhefindsafat，fluffymagazine，veryunattractiveinitsexterior，droppedontothepageheisperusing。Ithoughtatfirstthatitwasapresentfromsomecrazedphilanthropist，whowasthusendeavoringtodisseminateliterature。ButIwassoonundeceived。

Thebookseller，havinggonedownthewholecarandthenext，returned，andbeginningagainwherehehadbegunbefore，pickedupeitherhismagazineorelsethepriceofit。Then，insomehalfhour，hecameagain，withanarmfulorbasketofbooks，anddistributedtheminthesameway。Theyweregenerallynovels，butnotalways。Idonotthinkthatanyendeavorismadetoassimilatethebooktotheexpectedcustomer。Theobjectistobringthebookandthemantogether，andinthiswayaverylargesaleiseffected。Thesamethingisdonewithillustratednewspapers。Thesaleofpoliticalnewspapersgoesonsoquicklyinthesecarsthatnosuchenforceddistributionisnecessary。IshouldsaythattheaverageconsumptionofnewspapersbyanAmericanmustamounttoaboutthreeaday。AtWashingtonIbeggedthekeeperofmylodgingstoletmehaveapaperregularly——oneAmericannewspaperbeingmuchthesametomeasanother——andmyhostsuppliedmedailywithfour。

Butthenumbersofthepopularbooksoftheday，printedandsold，affordthemostconclusiveproofoftheextenttowhicheducationiscarriedintheStates。ThereadersofTennyson，Mackay，Dickens，Bulwer，Collins，Hughes，andMartinTupperaretobecountedbytensofthousandsintheStates，tothethousandsbywhichtheymaybecountedinourownislands。IdonotdoubtthatIhadfullyfifteencopiesofthe“SilverCord“thrownatmyheadindifferentrailwaycarsonthecontinentofAmerica。NoristhetastebyanymeansconfinedtotheliteratureofEngland。

Longfellow，Curtis，Holmes，Hawthorne，Lowell，Emerson，andMrs。

StowearealmostaspopularastheirEnglishrivals。Idonotsaywhetherornotheliteratureiswellchosen，butthereitis。Itisprinted，sold，andread。ThedisposaloftenthousandcopiesofaworkisnolargesaleinAmericaofabookpublishedatadollar；

butinEnglanditisaverylargesaleofabookbroughtoutatfiveshillings。

IdonotrememberthatIeverexaminedtheroomsofanAmericanwithoutfindingbooksormagazinesinthem。Idonotspeakhereofthehousesofmyfriends，asofcoursethesameremarkwouldapplyasstronglyinEngland；butofthehousesofpersonspresumedtoearntheirbreadbythelaboroftheirhands。Theopportunityforsuchexaminationdoesnotcomedaily；butwhenithasbeeninmypowerIhavemadeit，andhavealwaysfoundsignsofeducation。

MenandwomenoftheclassestowhichIalludetalkofreadingandwritingasofartsbelongingtothemasamatterofcourse，quiteasmuchasaretheartsofeatinganddrinking。Aporterorafarmer\'sservantintheStatesisnotproudofreadingandwriting。

Itistohimquiteamatterofcourse。Thecoachmenontheirboxesandthebootsastheysetinthehallsofthehotelshavenewspapersconstantlyintheirhands。Theyoungwomenhavethemalso，andthechildren。Thefactcomeshometooneateveryturn，andateveryhour，thatthepeopleareaneducatedpeople。ThewholeofthisquestionbetweenNorthandSouthisaswellunderstoodbytheservantsasbytheirmasters，isdiscussedasvehementlybytheprivatesoldiersasbytheofficers。ThepoliticsofthecountryandthenatureofitsConstitutionarefamiliartoeverylaborer。TheverywordingoftheDeclarationofIndependenceisinthememoryofeveryladofsixteen。BoysandgirlsofayoungeragethanthatknowwhySlidellandMasonwerearrested，andwilltellyouwhytheyshouldhavebeengivenup，orwhytheyshouldhavebeenheldindurance。ThequestionofthewarwithEnglandisdebatedbyeverynativepaviorandhodmanofNewYork。

IknowwhatEnglishmenwillsayinanswertothis。Theywilldeclarethattheydonotwanttheirpaviorsandhodmentotalkpolitics；thattheyareaswellpleasedthattheircoachmenandcooksshouldnotalwayshaveanewspaperintheirhands；thatprivatesoldierswillfightaswell，andobeybetter，iftheyarenottrainedtodiscussthecauseswhichhavebroughtthemintothefield。AnEnglishgentlemanwillthinkthathisgardenerwillbeabettergardenerwithoutthanwithanyexcessivepoliticalardor，andtheEnglishladywillpreferthatherhousemaidshallnothaveaverypronouncedopinionofherownastothecapabilitiesofthecabinetministers。ButIwouldsubmittoallEnglishmenandEnglishwomenwhomaylookatthesepageswhethersuchanopinionorfeelingontheirpartbearsmuch，orevenatall，uponthesubject。Iamnotsayingthatthemanwhoisdriveninthecoachisbetteroffbecausehiscoachmanreadsthepaper，butthatthecoachmanhimselfwhoreadsthepaperisbetteroffthanthecoachmanwhodoesnotandcannot。Ithinkthatwearetooapt，inconsideringthewaysandhabitsofanypeople，tojudgeofthembytheeffectofthosewaysandhabitsonus，ratherthanbytheireffectsontheownersofthem。Whenwegoamonggarliceaters，wecondemnthembecausetheyareoffensivetous；buttojudgeofthemproperlyweshouldascertainwhetherornothegarlicbeoffensivetothem。Ifwecouldimagineanationofvegetarianshearingforthefirsttimeofourhabitsasflesheaters，weshouldfeelsurethattheywouldbestruckwithhorroratourblood-stainedbanquets；butwhentheycametoarguewithus，weshouldbidtheminquirewhetherweflesheatersdidnotlivelongeranddomorethanthevegetarians。Whenweexpressadisliketotheshoeboyreadinghisnewspaper，Iapprehendwedosobecausewefearthattheshoeboyiscomingnearourownheels。Iknowthereisamongusastrongfeelingthatthelowerclassesarebetterwithoutpolitics，asthereisalsothattheyarebetterwithoutcrinolineandartificialflowers；butifpolitics，andcrinoline，andartificialflowersaregoodatall，theyaregoodforallwhocanhonestlycomebythemandhonestlyusethem。Thepoliticalcoachmanisperhapslessvaluabletohismasterasacoachmanthanhewouldbewithouthispolitics，buthewithhispoliticsismorevaluabletohimself。Formyself，IdonotliketheAmericansofthelowerorders。Iamnotcomfortableamongthem。Theytreadonmycornsandoffendme。Theymakemydailylifeunpleasant。ButI

dorespectthem。Iacknowledgetheirintelligenceandpersonaldignity。Iknowthattheyaremenandwomenworthytobesocalled；Iseethattheyarelivingashumanbeingsinpossessionofreasoningfaculties；andIperceivethattheyowethistotheprogressthateducationhasmadeamongthem。

Afterall，whatiswantedinthisworld？Isitnotthatmenshouldeatanddrink，andreadandwrite，andsaytheirprayers？Doesnotthatincludeeverything，providingthattheyeatanddrinkenough，readandwritewithoutrestraint，andsaytheirprayerswithouthypocrisy？Whenwetalkoftheadvancesofcivilization，dowemeananythingbutthis，thatmenwhonoweatanddrinkbadlyshalleatanddrinkwell，andthatthosewhocannotreadandwritenowshalllearntodoso——theprayersfollowing，asprayerswillfollowuponsuchlearning？Civilizationdoesnotconsistintheeschewingofgarlicorthekeepingcleanofaman\'sfinger-nails。Itmayleadtosuchdelicacies，andprobablywilldoso。Butthemanwhothinksthatcivilizationcannotexistwithoutthemimaginesthatthechurchcannotstandwithoutthespire。IntheStatesofAmericamendoeatanddrink，anddoreadandwrite。

Butastosayingtheirprayers？That，asfarasIcansee，hascomealso，thoughperhapsnotinamanneraltogethersatisfactory，ortoadegreewhichshouldbeheldtobesufficient。EnglishmenofstrongreligiousfeelingwilloftenbestartledinAmericabythefreedomwithwhichreligioussubjectsarediscussed，andtheeasewithwhichthematteristreated；buthewillveryrarelybeshockedbythatutterabsenceofallknowledgeonthesubject——thattotaldarknesswhichisstillsocommonamongthelowerordersinourowncountry。ItisnotacommonthingtomeetanAmericanwhobelongstonodenominationofChristianworship，andwhocannottellyouwhyhebelongstothatwhichhehaschosen。

“But，“itwillbesaid，“alltheintelligenceandeducationofthispeoplehavenotsavedthemfromfallingoutamongthemselvesandtheirfriends，andrunningintotroublesbywhichtheywillberuined。Theirpoliticalarrangementshavebeensobadthat，inspiteofalltheirreadingandwriting，theymustgotothewall。“

Iventuretoexpressanopinionthattheywillbynomeansgotothewall，andthattheywillbesavedfromsuchadestiny，ifinnootherway，thenbytheireducation。Oftheirpoliticalarrangements，asImeanbeforelongtorushintothatperiloussubject，Iwillsaynothinghere。Butnopoliticalconvulsions，shouldsucharise——norevolutionintheConstitution，shouldsuchbenecessary——willhaveanywideeffectonthesocialpositionofthepeopletotheirseriousdetriment。TheyhavethegreatqualitiesoftheAnglo-Saxonrace——industry，intelligence，andself-confidence；andifthesequalitieswillnolongersufficetokeepsuchapeopleontheirlegs，theworldmustbecomingtoanend。

IhavesaidthatitisnotacommonthingtomeetanAmericanwhobelongstonodenominationofChristianworship。ThisIthinkissobutIwouldnotwishtobetakenassayingthatreligion，onthataccount，standsonasatisfactoryfootingintheStates。Ofallsubjectsofdiscussion，thisisthemostdifficult。Itisoneastowhichmostofusfeelthattosomeextentwemusttrusttoourprejudicesratherthanourjudgments。Itisamatteronwhichwedonotdaretorelyimplicitlyonourownreasoningfaculties，andthereforethrowourselvesontheopinionsofthosewhomwebelievetohavebeenbettermenanddeeperthinkersthanourselves。

Formyself，IlovethenameofStateandChurch，andbelievethatmuchofourEnglishwell-beinghasdependedonit。Ihavemadeupmymindtothinkthatuniongood，andamnottobeturnedawayfromthatconviction。NeverthelessIamnotpreparedtoarguethematter。Onedoesnotalwayscarryone\'sproofatone\'sfingerends。

ButIfeelverystronglythatmuchofthatwhichisevilinthestructureofAmericanpoliticsisowingtotheabsenceofanynationalreligion，andthatsomethingalsoofsocialevilhassprungfromthesamecause。Itisnotthatmendonotsaytheirprayers。ForaughtIknow，theymaydosoasfrequentlyandasfervently，ormorefrequentlyandmorefervently，thanwedo；butthereisarowdiness，ifImaybeallowedtousesuchaword，intheirmannerofdoingsowhichrobsreligionofthatreverencewhichis，ifnotitsessence，atanyrateitschiefprotection。Itisapartoftheirsystemthatreligionshallbeperfectlyfree，andthatnomanshallbeinanywayconstrainedinthatmatter。

Consequently，thequestionofaman\'sreligionisregardedinafree-and-easyway。Itiswell，forinstance，thatayoungladshouldgosomewhereonaSunday；butasermonisasermon，anditdoesnotmuchconcernthelad\'sfatherwhetherhissonhearthediscourseofafreethinkerinthemusic-hall，ortheeloquentbutlengthyoutpouringofapreacherinaMethodistchapel。Everybodyisboundtohaveareligion，butitdoesnotmuchmatterwhatitis。

ThedifficultyinwhichthefirstfathersoftheRevolutionfoundthemselvesonthisquestionisshownbytheconstitutionsofthedifferentStates。TherecanbenodoubtthattheinhabitantsoftheNewEnglandStateswere，asthingswent，astrictlyreligiouscommunity。TheyhadnoideaofthrowingovertheworshipofGod，astheFrenchhadattemptedtodoattheirrevolution。Theyintendedthatthenewnationshouldbepre-eminentlycomposedofaGod-fearingpeople；buttheyintendedalsothattheyshouldbeapeoplefreeineverything——freetochoosetheirownformsofworship。TheyintendedthatthenationshouldbeaProtestantpeople；buttheyintendedalsothatnoman\'sconscienceshouldbecoercedinthematterofhisownreligion。Itwashardtoreconcilethesetwothings，andtoexplaintothecitizensthatitbehoovedthemtoworshipGod——evenunderpenaltiesforomission；

butthatitwasatthesametimeopentothemtoselectanyformofworshipthattheypleased，howeverthatformmightdifferfromthepracticesofthemajority。InConnecticutitisdeclaredthatitisthedutyofallmentoworshiptheSupremeBeing，theCreatorandPreserveroftheuniverse，butthatitistheirrighttorenderthatworshipinthemodemostconsistentwiththedictatesoftheirconsciences。Andthen，afewlinesfurtherdown，thearticleskipsthegreatdifficultyinamannersomewhatdisingenuous，anddeclaresthateachandeverysocietyofChristiansintheStateshallhaveandenjoythesameandequalprivileges。ButitdoesnotsaywhetheraJewshallbedivestedofthoseprivileges，or，ifhebedivested，howthattreatmentofhimistobereconciledwiththeassurancethatitiseveryman\'srighttoworshiptheSupremeBeinginthemodemostconsistentwiththedictatesofhisownconscience。

InRhodeIslandtheyweremorehonest。ItistheredeclaredthateverymanshallbefreetoworshipGodaccordingtothedictatesofhisownconscience，andtoprofessandbyargumenttomaintainhisopinioninmattersofreligion；andthatthesameshallinnowisediminish，enlarge，oraffecthiscivilcapacity。HereitissimplypresumedthateverymanwillworshipaGod，andnoallusionismadeeventoChristianity。

InMassachusettstheyareagainhardlyhonest。“Itistheright，“

saystheconstitution，“aswellasthedutyofallmeninsocietypubliclyandatstatedseasonstoworshipthesupremeBeing，theGreatCreatorandPreserveroftheuniverse。“Andthenitgoesontosaythateverymanmaydosoinwhatformhepleases；butfurtherdownitdeclaresthat“everydenominationofChristians，demeaningthemselvespeaceablyandasgoodsubjectsofthecommonwealth，shallbeequallyundertheprotectionofthelaw。“

ButwhataboutthosewhoarenotChristians？InNewHampshireitisexactlythesame。Itisenactedthat“everyindividualhasanaturalandunalienablerighttoworshipGodaccordingtothedictatesofhisownconscienceandreason。“Andthat“everydenominationofChristians，demeaningthemselvesquietlyandasgoodcitizensoftheState，shallbeequallyundertheprotectionofthelaw。“Fromallwhichitis，Ithink，manifestthatthemenwhoframedthesedocuments，desirousaboveallthingsofcuttingthemselvesandtheirpeopleloosefromeverykindoftrammel，stillfeltthenecessityofenforcingreligion——ofmakingit，toacertainextent，amatterofStateduty。InthefirstconstitutionofNorthCarolinaitisenjoined“thatnopersonwhoshalldenythebeingofGod，orthetruthoftheProtestantreligion，shallbecapableofholdinganyofficeorplaceoftrustorprofit。“Butthiswasalteredintheyear1836，andthewords“Christianreligion“weresubstitutedfor“Protestantreligion。“

InNewEnglandtheCongregationalistsare，Ithink，thedominantsect。InMassachusetts，andIbelieveintheotherNewEnglandStates，amanispresumedtobeaCongregationalistifhedonotdeclarehimselftobeanythingelse；aswithustheChurchofEnglandcountsallwhodonotspeciallyhavethemselvescountedelsewhere。TheCongregationalist，asfarasIcanlearn，isveryneartoaPresbyterian。InNewEnglandIthinktheUnitarianswouldranknextinnumber；butaUnitarianinAmericaisnotthesameasaUnitarianwithus。Here，ifIunderstandthenatureofhiscreed，aUnitariandoesnotrecognizethedivinityofourSaviour。InAmericahedoesdoso，butthrowsoverthedoctrineoftheTrinity。TheProtestantEpiscopaliansmusterstronginallthegreatcities，andIfancythattheywouldberegardedastakingtheleadoftheotherreligiousdenominationsinNewYork。Theirtendencyistohigh-churchdoctrines。Iwishtheyhadnotfounditnecessarytoaltertheformsofourprayer-bookinsomanylittlematters，astowhichtherewasnonationalexpediencyforsuchchanges。Butitwasprobablythoughtnecessarythatanewpeopleshouldshowtheirindependenceinallthings。TheRomanCatholicshaveaverystrongparty——asamatterofcourse——seeinghowgreathasbeentheemigrationfromIreland；buthere，asinIreland——andasindeedisthecasealltheworldover——theRomanCatholicsarethehewersofwoodanddrawersofwater。TheGermans，whohavelatterlyflockedintotheStatesinsuchswarmsthattheyhavealmostGermanizedcertainStates，have，ofcourse，theirownchurches。IneverytownthereareplacesofworshipforBaptists，Presbyterians，Methodists，Anabaptists，andeverydenominationofChristianity；andthemeeting-housespreparedforthesesectsarenot，aswithus，hideousbuildings，contrivedtoinspiredisgustbytheenormityoftheirugliness，noraretheycalledSalem，Ebenezer，andSion，nordotheministerswithinthemlookinanywayliketheDeputy-Shepherd。Thechurchesbelongingtothosesectsareoftenhandsome。ThisisespeciallythecaseinNewYork，andthepastorsarenotunfrequentlyamongthebesteducatedandmostagreeablemenwhomthetravelerwillmeet。Theyareforthemostpartwellpaid，andareenabledbytheiroutwardpositiontoholdthatplaceintheworld\'srankswhichshouldalwaysbelongtoaclergyman。IhavenotbeenabletoobtaininformationfromwhichIcanstatewithanythinglikecorrectnesswhatmaybetheaverageincomeofministersoftheGospelintheNorthernStates；butthatitismuchhigherthantheaverageincomeofourparishclergymen，admits，Ithink，ofnodoubt。ThestipendsofclergymenintheAmericantownsarehigherthanthosepaidinthecountry。Theoppositetothis，Ithink，asarule，isthecasewithus。

IhavesaidthatreligionintheStatesisrowdy。BythatImeantoimplythatitseemstometobedivestedofthatreverentialorderandstrictnessofrulewhich，accordingtoourideas，shouldbeattachedtomattersofreligion。Onehardlyknowswheretheaffairsofthisworldend，orwherethoseofthenextbegin。Whentheholymenwerehadinatthelecture，weretheydoingstage-workorchurch-work？Onhearingsermons，oneisoftendriventoaskone\'sselfwhetherthediscoursefromthepulpitbeinitsnaturepoliticalorreligious。IheardanEpiscopalianProtestantclergymantalkofthescoffingnationsofEurope，becauseatthatmomenthewasangrywithEnglandandFranceaboutSlidellandMason。IhaveheardachapteroftheBiblereadinCongressatthedesireofamember，andverybadlyread。Afterwhichthechapteritselfandthereadingofitbecameasubjectofdebate，partlyjocoseandpartlyacrimonious。Itisacommonthingforaclergymantochangehisprofessionandfollowanyotherpursuit。I

knowtwoorthreegentlemenwhowereonceinthatlineoflife，buthavesincegoneintoothertrades。Thereis，Ithink，anunexpresseddeterminationonthepartofthepeopletoabandonallreverence，andtoregardreligionfromanaltogetherworldlypointofview。Theyarewillingtohavereligion，astheyarewillingtohavelaws；buttheychoosetomakeitforthemselves。Theydonotobjecttopayforit，buttheyliketohavethehandlingofthearticleforwhichtheypay。AsthedescendantsofPuritansandothergodlyProtestants，theywillsubmittoreligiousteaching，butasrepublicanstheywillhavenopriestcraft。TheFrenchattheirrevolutionhadthelatterfeelingwithouttheformer，andwerethereforeconsistentwiththemselvesinabolishingallworship。TheAmericansdesiretodothesamethingpolitically，butinfidelityhashadnocharmsforthem。Theysaytheirprayers，andthenseemtoapologizefordoingso，asthoughitwerehardlytheactofafreeandenlightenedcitizen，justifiedinrulinghimselfashepleases。Allthistomeisrowdy。IknownootherwordbywhichIcansowelldescribeit。

Neverthelessthenationisreligiousinitstendencies，andpronetoacknowledgethegoodnessofGodinallthings。Amanthereisexpectedtobelongtosomechurch，andisnot，Ithink，welllookedonifheprofessthathebelongstonone。HemaybeaSwedenborgian，aQuaker，aMuggletonian，——anythingwilldo，Butitisexpectedofhimthatheshallplacehimselfundersomeflag，anddohisshareinsupportingtheflagtowhichhebelongs。Thisdutyis，Ithink，generallyfulfilled。

CHAPTERXX。

FROMBOSTONTOWASHINGTON。

FromBoston，onthe27thofNovember，mywifereturnedtoEngland，leavingmetoprosecutemyjourneysouthwardtoWashingtonbymyself。IshallneverforgetthepoliticalfeelingwhichprevailedinBostonatthattime，orthediscussionsonthesubjectofSlidellandMason，inwhichIfeltmyselfboundtotakeapart。UptothatperiodIconfessthatmysympathieshadbeenstronglywiththeNorthernsideinthegeneralquestion；andsotheywerestill，asfarasIcoulddivestthematterofitsEnglishbearings。I

havealwaysthought，anddothink，thatawarforthesuppressionoftheSouthernrebellioncouldnothavebeenavoidedbytheNorthwithoutanabsolutelossofitspoliticalprestige。Mr。LincolnwaselectedPresidentoftheUnitedStatesintheautumnof1860，andanystepstakenbyhimorhispartytowardapeaceablesolutionofthedifficultieswhichbrokeoutimmediatelyonhiselectionmusthavebeentakenbeforeheentereduponhisoffice。SouthCarolinathreatenedsecessionassoonasMr。Lincoln\'selectionwasknown，whileyettherewerefourmonthsleftofMr。Buchanan\'sgovernment。ThatMr。Buchananmight，duringthosefourmonths，havepreventedsecession，fewmen，Ithink，willdoubtwhenthehistoryofthetimeshallbewritten。Butinsteadofdoingsoheconsummatedsecession。Mr。BuchananisaNorthernman，aPennsylvanian；buthewasopposedtothepartywhichhadbroughtinMr。Lincoln，havingthrivenasapoliticianbyhisadherencetoSouthernprinciples。Now，whenthestrugglecame，hecouldnotforgethispartyinhisdutyasPresident。GeneralJackson\'spositionwasmuchthesamewhenMr。Calhoun，onthequestionofthetariff，endeavoredtoproducesecessioninSouthCarolinathirtyyearsago，in1832——exceptinginthis，thatJacksonwashimselfaSouthernman。ButJacksonhadastrongconceptionofthepositionwhichheheldasPresidentoftheUnitedStates。Heputhisfootonsecessionandcrushedit，forcingMr。Calhoun，asSenatorfromSouthCarolina，tovoteforthatcompromiseastothetariffwhichthegovernmentofthedayproposed。SouthCarolinawasaseagerin1832forsecessionasshewasin1859-60；butthegovernmentwasinthehandsofastrongmanandanhonestone。Mr。Calhounwouldhavebeenhunghadhecarriedouthisthreats。ButMr。BuchananhadneitherthepowernorthehonestyofGeneralJackson，andthussecessionwasinfactconsummatedduringhisPresidency。

ButMr。Lincoln\'sparty，itissaid——andIbelievetrulysaid——

mighthavepreventedsecessionbymakingoverturestotheSouth，oracceptingoverturesfromtheSouth，beforeMr。Lincolnhimselfhadbeeninaugurated。Thatistosay，ifMr。Lincolnandthebandofpoliticianswhowithhimhadpushedtheirwaytothetopoftheirparty，andwereabouttofilltheofficesofState，chosetothrowoverboardthepoliticalconvictionswhichhadboundthemtogetherandinsuredtheirsuccess——iftheycouldbringthemselvestoadoptonthesubjectofslaverytheideasoftheiropponents——thenthewarmighthavebeenavoided，andsecessionalsoavoided。IdobelievethathadMr。LincolnatthattimesubmittedhimselftoacompromiseinfavoroftheDemocrats，promisingthesupportofthegovernmenttocertainactswhichwouldinfacthavebeeninfavorofslavery，SouthCarolinawouldagainhavebeenfoiledforthetime。Foritmustbeunderstood，thatthoughSouthCarolinaandtheGulfStatesmighthaveacceptedcertaincompromises，theywouldnothavebeensatisfiedinsoacceptingthem。Thedesiredsecession，andnothingshortofsecession，wouldintruthhavebeenacceptabletothem。ButindoingsoMr。LincolnwouldhavebeenthemostdishonestpoliticianeveninAmerica。TheNorthwouldhavebeeninarmsagainsthim；andanytruespiritofagreementbetweenthecotton-growingslaveStatesandthemanufacturingStatesoftheNorth，ortheagriculturalStatesoftheWest，wouldhavebeenasfaroffandasimprobableasitisnow。Mr。

Crittenden，whoprofferedhiscompromisetotheSenateinDecember，1860，wasatthattimeoneofthetwoSenatorsfromKentucky，aslaveState。HenowsitsintheLowerHouseofCongressasamemberfromthesameState。KentuckyisoneofthoseborderStateswhichhasfounditimpossibletosecede，andalmostequallyimpossibletoremainintheUnion。ItisoneoftheStatesintowhichitwasmostprobablethatthewarwouldbecarried——Virginia，Kentucky，andMissouribeingthethreeStateswhichhavesufferedthemostinthisway。OfMr。Crittenden\'sownfamily，somehavegonewithsecessionandsomewiththeUnion。HisnamehadbeenhonorablyconnectedwithAmericanpoliticsfornearlyfortyyears，anditisnotsurprisingthatheshouldhavedesiredacompromise。

Histermswereinfactthese——areturntotheMissouricompromise，underwhichtheUnionpledgeditselfthatnoslaveryshouldexistnorthof36。30degreesN。lat。，unlesswhereithadsoexistedpriortothedateofthatcompromise；apledgethatCongresswouldnotinterferewithslaveryintheindividualStates——whichundertheConstitutionitcannotdo；andapledgethattheFugitiveSlaveLawshouldbecarriedoutbytheNorthernStates。SuchacompromisemightseemtomakeverysmalldemandontheforbearanceoftheRepublicanparty，whichwasnowdominant。TherepealoftheMissouricompromisehadbeentothemaloss，anditmightbesaidthatitsre-enactmentwouldbeagain。Butsincethatcompromisehadbeenrepealed，vastterritoriessouthofthelineinquestionhadbeenaddedtotheunion，andthere-enactmentofthatcompromisewouldhandthosevastregionsovertoabsoluteslavery，ashadbeendonewithTexas。ThismightbeallverywellforMr。

CrittendenintheslaveStateofKentucky——forMr。Crittenden，althoughaslaveowner，desiredtoperpetuatetheUnion；butitwouldnothavebeenwellforNewEnglandorfortheWest。Asforthesecondproposition，itiswellunderstoodthatundertheConstitutionCongresscannotinterfereinanywayinthequestionofslaveryintheindividualStates。CongresshasnomoreconstitutionalpowertoabolishslaveryinMarylandthanshehastointroduceitintoMassachusetts。Nosuchpledge，therefore，wasnecessaryoneitherside。ButsuchapledgegivenbytheNorthandWestwouldhaveactedasanadditionaltieuponthem，bindingthemtothefinalityofaconstitutionalenactmenttowhich，aswasofcoursewellknown，theystronglyobject。TherewasnoquestionofCongressinterferingwithslavery，withthepurportofextendingitsareabyspecialenactment，andthereforebysuchapledgetheNorthandWestcouldgainnothing；buttheSouthwouldinprestigehavegainedmuch。

ButthatthirdpropositionastotheFugitiveSlaveLawandthefaithfulexecutionofthatlawbytheNorthernandWesternStateswould，ifaccededtobyMr。Lincoln\'sparty，haveamountedtoanunconditionalsurrenderofeverything。What！MassachusettsandConnecticutcarryouttheFugitiveSlaveLaw？OhiocarryouttheFugitiveSlaveLawafterthe“DredScott“decisionandallitsconsequences？Mr。CrittendenmightaswellhaveaskedConnecticut，Massachusetts，andOhiotointroduceslaverywithintheirownlands。TheFugitiveSlaveLawwasthen，asitisnow，thelawoftheland；itwasthelawoftheUnitedStatesasvotedbyCongress，andpassedbythePresident，andactedonbythesupremejudgeoftheUnitedStatesCourt。ButitwasalawtowhichnofreeStatehadsubmitteditself，orwouldsubmititself。“What！“theEnglishreaderwillsay，“sundryStatesintheUnionrefusetoobeythelawsoftheUnion——refusetosubmittotheconstitutionalactionoftheirownCongress？“Yes。Suchhasbeenthepositionofthiscountry！TosuchadeadlockhasitbeenbroughtbytheattemptedbutimpossibleamalgamationofNorthandSouth。Mr。Crittenden\'scompromisewasmoonshine。ItwasutterlyoutofthequestionthatthefreeStatesshouldbindthemselvestotherenditionofescapedslaves，orthatMr。Lincoln，whohadjustbeenbroughtinbytheirvoices，shouldagreetoanycompromisewhichshouldattemptsotobindthem。LordPalmerstonmightaswellattempttoreenacttheCornLaws。