The Project Gutenberg EBook of Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern, Vol. 9, by Various This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern, Vol. 9 Author: Various Editor: Charles Dudley Warner Release Date: November 6, 2010 [EBook #34224] Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WORLD'S BEST LITERATURE, VOL. 9 *** Produced by Juliet Sutherland and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net LIBRARY OF THE WORLD'S BEST LITERATURE ANCIENT AND MODERN CHARLES DUDLEY WARNER EDITOR HAMILTON WRIGHT MABIE LUCIA GILBERT RUNKLE GEORGE HENRY WARNER ASSOCIATE EDITORS Connoisseur Edition Vol. IX. NEW YORK THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY Connoisseur Edition LIMITED TO FIVE HUNDRED COPIES IN HALF RUSSIA No. .......... Copyright, 1896, by R. S. PEALE AND J. A. HILL All rights reserved THE ADVISORY COUNCIL CRAWFORD H. TOY, A. M., LL. D., Professor of Hebrew, HARVARD UNIVERSITY, Cambridge, Mass. THOMAS R. LOUNSBURY, LL. D., L. H. D., Professor of English in the Sheffield Scientific School of YALE UNIVERSITY, New Haven, Conn. WILLIAM M. SLOANE, PH. D., L. H. D., Professor of History and Political Science, PRINCETON UNIVERSITY, Princeton, N. J. BRANDER MATTHEWS, A. M., LL. B., Professor of Literature, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, New York City. JAMES B. ANGELL, LL. D., President of the UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, Ann Arbor, Mich. WILLARD FISKE, A. M., PH. D., LATE PROFESSOR OF THE GERMANIC AND SCANDINAVIAN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES, CORNELL UNIVERSITY, Ithaca, N. Y. EDWARD S. HOLDEN, A. M., LL. D., Director of the Lick Observatory, and Astronomer, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, Berkeley, Cal. ALCÉE FORTIER, LIT. D., Professor of the Romance Languages, TULANE UNIVERSITY, New Orleans, La. WILLIAM P. TRENT, M. A., DEAN OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, AND PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH AND HISTORY, UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH, Sewanee, Tenn. PAUL SHOREY, PH. D., Professor of Greek and Latin Literature, UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, Chicago, Ill. WILLIAM T. HARRIS, LL. D., United States Commissioner of Education, BUREAU OF EDUCATION, Washington, D. C. MAURICE FRANCIS EGAN, A. M., LL. D., Professor of Literature in the CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA, Washington, D. C. TABLE OF CONTENTS VOL. IX LIVED PAGE ADELBERT VON CHAMISSO 1781-1838 3503 The Bargain ('The Wonderful History of Peter Schlemihl') From 'Woman's Love and Life' WILLIAM ELLERY CHANNING 1780-1842 3513 The Passion for Power ('The Life and Character of Napoleon Bonaparte') The Causes of War ('Discourse before the Congregational Ministers of Massachusetts') Spiritual Freedom ('Discourse on Spiritual Freedom') [Pg v] GEORGE CHAPMAN 1559?-1634 3523 Ulysses and Nausicaa (Translation of Homer's Odyssey) The Duke of Byron is Condemned to Death ('Tragedy of Charles, Duke of Byron') FRANÇOIS RENÉ AUGUSTE CHÂTEAUBRIAND 1768-1848 3531 Christianity Vindicated ('The Genius of Christianity') Description of a Thunder-Storm in the Forest ('Atala') THOMAS CHATTERTON 1752-1770 3539 Final Chorus from 'Goddwyn' The Farewell of Sir Charles Baldwin to His Wife ('The Bristowe Tragedie') Mynstrelles Songe An Excelente Balade of Charitie The Resignation GEOFFREY CHAUCER 13—?-1400 3551 BY THOMAS R. LOUNSBURY Prologue to the 'Canterbury Tales' From the Knight's Tale From the Wife of Bath's Tale From the Pardoner's Tale The Nun's Priest's Tale Truth—Ballade of Good Counsel ANDRÉ CHÉNIER 1762-1794 3601 BY KATHARINE HILLARD The Young Captive Ode VICTOR CHERBULIEZ 1829- 3609 The Silent Duel ('Samuel Brohl and Company') Samuel Brohl Gives Up the Play (same) LORD CHESTERFIELD 1694-1773 3625 From 'Letters to His Son': Concerning Manners; The Control of One's Countenance; Dress as an Index to Character; Some Remarks on Good Breeding The Choice of a Vocation THE LITERATURE OF CHINA 3629 BY ROBERT K. DOUGLAS Selected Maxims of Morals, Philosophy of Life, Character, Circumstances, etc. (From the Chinese Moralists) [Pg vi] RUFUS CHOATE 1799-1859 3649 BY ALBERT STICKNEY The Puritan in Secular and Religious Life (From Address at Ipswich Centennial, 1834) The New-Englander's Character (same) Of the American Bar (From Address before Cambridge Law School) Daniel Webster (From Eulogy at Dartmouth College) ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM 347-407 3665 BY JOHN MALONE That Real Wealth is from Within On Encouragement During Adversity ('Letters to Olympias') Concerning the Statutes (Homily) MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO 106-43 B.C. 3675 BY WILLIAM CRANSTON LAWTON Of the Offices of Literature and Poetry ('Oration for the Poet Archias') Honors Proposed for the Dead Statesman Sulpicius (Ninth Philippic) Old Friends Better than New ('Dialogue on Friendship') Honored Old Age ('Dialogue on Old Age') Death is Welcome to the Old (same) Great Orators and Their Training ('Dialogue on Oratory') Letters: To Tiro; To Atticus Sulpicius Consoles Cicero after His Daughter Tullia's Death Cicero's Reply to Sulpicius A Homesick Exile Cicero's Vacillation in the Civil War Cicero's Correspondents: Cæsar to Cicero; Cæsar to Cicero; Pompey to Cicero; Cælius in Rome to Cicero in Cilicia; Matins to Cicero The Dream of Scipio THE CID 1045?-1099 3725 BY CHARLES SPRAGUE SMITH From 'The Poem of My Cid': Leaving Burgos; Farewell to His Wife at San Pedro de Cardeña; Battle Scene; The Challenges; Conclusion EARL OF CLARENDON (Edward Hyde) 1609-1674 3737 The Character of Lord Falkland MARCUS A. H. CLARKE 1846-1881 3745 How a Penal System can Work ('His Natural Life') The Valley of the Shadow of Death (same) MATTHIAS CLAUDIUS 1740-1815 3756 [Pg vii] Speculations on New-Year's Day (The Wandsbecker Bote) Rhine Wine Winter Night Song HENRY CLAY 1777-1852 3761 BY JOHN R. PROCTER Public Spirit in Politics (Speech in 1849) On the Greek Struggle for Independence (Speech in 1824) South-American Independence as Related to the United States (Speech in 1818) From the Valedictory to the Senate in 1842 From the Lexington 'Speech on Retirement to Private Life' CLEANTHES 331-232 B.C. 3784 Hymn to Zeus SAMUEL LANGHORNE CLEMENS (Mark Twain) 1835- 3787 The Child of Calamity ('Life on the Mississippi') A Steamboat Landing at a Small Town (same) The High River: and a Phantom Pilot (same) An Enchanting River Scene (same) The Lightning Pilot (same) An Expedition against Ogres ('A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court') The True Prince and the Feigned One ('The Prince and the Pauper') ARTHUR HUGH CLOUGH 1819-1861 3821 BY CHARLES ELIOT NORTON There is No God The Latest Decalogue To the Unknown God Easter Day—Naples, 1849 It Fortifies My Soul to Know Say Not, The Struggle Naught Availeth Come Back As Ships Becalmed The Unknown Course The Gondola The Poet's Place in Life On Keeping within One's Proper Sphere ('The Bothie of Tober-na-Vuolich') Consider It Again SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE 1772-1834 3843 BY GEORGE E. WOODBERRY [Pg viii] [Pg ix] Kubla Khan The Albatross ('The Rime of the Ancient Mariner') Time, Real and Imaginary Dejection: An Ode The Three Treasures To a Gentleman Ode to Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire The Pains of Sleep Song, by Glycine Youth and Age Phantom or Fact WILLIAM COLLINS 1721-1759 3871 How Sleep the Brave The Passions To Evening Ode on the Death of Thomson WILLIAM WILKIE COLLINS 1824-1889 3879 The Sleep-Walking ('The Moonstone') Count Fosco ('The Woman in White') FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS VOLUME IX PAGE The Koran (Colored plate) Frontispiece Geoffrey Chaucer (Portrait) 3552 Chaucer, Old Title-Page (Fac-simile) 3562 Lord Chesterfield (Portrait) 3626 Oldest Chinese Writing (Fac-simile) 3630 Cicero (Portrait) 3676 "Winter" (Photogravure) 3760 Henry Clay (Portrait) 3762 Samuel L. Clemens (Portrait) 3788 "The Gondola" (Photogravure) 3838 Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Portrait) 3844 VIGNETTE PORTRAITS Adelbert von Chamisso William Ellery Channing George Chapman François René Auguste Châteaubriand Thomas Chatterton Andre Chénier Victor Cherbuliez Rufus Choate [Pg x] [Pg xi] L Chamisso Chamisso Earl of Clarendon Matthias Claudius William Collins William Wilkie Collins ADELBERT VON CHAMISSO (1781-1838) OUIS CHARLES ADELAIDE DE CHAMISSO, KNOWN AS ADELBERT VON CHAMISSO, THE YOUNGEST SON OF COUNT LOUIS MARIE DE CHAMISSO, WAS BORN IN THE PATERNAL CASTLE OF BONCOURT, IN CHAMPAGNE, JANUARY 30TH, 1781. DRIVEN INTO EXILE BY THE REVOLUTION, THE FAMILY OF LOYALISTS SOUGHT REFUGE IN THE LOW COUNTRIES AND AFTERWARD IN GERMANY, SETTLING IN BERLIN IN 1797. IN LATER YEARS THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY RETURNED TO FRANCE AND ESTABLISHED THEMSELVES ONCE MORE AS FRENCHMEN IN THEIR NATIVE LAND; BUT ADELBERT VON CHAMISSO, GERMAN BY NATURE AND CHARACTERISTICS AS WELL AS BY VIRTUE OF HIS EARLY EDUCATION AND ENVIRONMENT, STRUCK ROOT IN GERMANY AND WAS THE GENUINE PRODUCT OF GERMAN SOIL. IN 1796 THE YOUNG CHAMISSO BECAME PAGE TO QUEEN LOUISE of Prussia, and while at court, by the Queen's directions, he received the most careful education. He was made ensign in 1798 AND LIEUTENANT IN 1801, IN THE REGIMENT VON GOETZE. A MILITARY CAREER WAS REPUGNANT TO HIM, AND HIS FRENCH ANTECEDENTS DID NOT TEND TO MAKE HIS LIFE AGREEABLE AMONG THE GERMAN OFFICERS. THAT THE SERVICE WAS NOT WHOLLY WITHOUT interest, however, is shown by the two treatises upon military subjects written by him in 1798 and 1799. AS A YOUNG OFFICER HE BELONGED TO A ROMANTIC BROTHERHOOD CALLING ITSELF "THE POLAR STAR," WHICH COUNTED AMONG ITS MEMBERS HIS LIFELONG FRIEND HITZIG, ALEXANDER ZUR LIPPE, VARNHAGEN, AND OTHER YOUNG WRITERS OF THE DAY. HE DILIGENTLY APPLIED HIMSELF TO THE MASTERY OF THE GERMAN TONGUE, MADE TRANSLATIONS OF POEMS AND DRAMAS, AND TO RELIEVE THE IRKSOMENESS OF HIS MILITARY LIFE INCESSANTLY STUDIED HOMER. HIS MOST AMBITIOUS LITERARY EFFORT OF THIS TIME WAS A 'FAUST' (1803), A METAPHYSICAL, SOMEWHAT SOPHOMORIC ATTEMPT, but the only one of his early poems that he admitted into his collected works. WHILE STILL IN THE PRUSSIAN ARMY, HE EDITED WITH VARNHAGEN AND NEUMANN A PERIODICAL CALLED THE MUSENALMANACH (1804), WHICH EXISTED THREE YEARS. AFTER REPEATED BUT VAIN EFFORTS TO OBTAIN RELEASE FROM THE UNCONGENIAL MILITARY SERVICE, THE CAPITULATION OF HAMELN AT LENGTH SET HIM FREE (1806). HE LEFT GERMANY AND WENT TO FRANCE; BUT, DISAPPOINTED IN HIS HOPES, UNSETTLED AND WITHOUT PLANS, HE RETURNED, AND SEVERAL YEARS WERE LOST IN PROFITLESS AND DESULTORY WANDERINGS. FROM 1810 TO 1812 HE WAS AGAIN IN FRANCE. HERE HE BECAME ACQUAINTED WITH ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT AND UHLAND, AND RENEWED HIS FRIENDSHIP WITH WILHELM SCHLEGEL. WITH HELMINA VON CHÉZY HE UNDERTOOK THE TRANSLATION INTO FRENCH OF SCHLEGEL'S VIENNA LECTURES UPON ART AND LITERATURE. CHAMISSO WAS INDIFFERENT TO THE TASK, AND THE TRANSLATION WENT ON BUT SLOWLY. TO EXPEDITE THE WORK HE WAS INVITED TO STAY AT CHAUMONT, THE RESIDENCE OF MADAME DE STAËL, WHERE SCHLEGEL WAS A MEMBER OF HER HOUSEHOLD. HERE HIS careless personal habits and his inevitable pipe brought odium upon him in that polished circle. MADAME DE STAËL WAS ALWAYS HIS FRIEND, AND IN 1811 HE WENT TO HER AT COPPET, WHERE BY A HAPPY CHANCE HE TOOK UP THE STUDY OF BOTANY, WITH AUGUST DE STAËL AS INSTRUCTOR. FILLED WITH ENTHUSIASM FOR HIS NEW PURSUIT, HE MADE EXCURSIONS THROUGH SWITZERLAND, COLLECTING AND BOTANIZING. THE PERIOD OF INDECISION WAS AT AN END, AND IN 1812, AT THE AGE OF THIRTY- one, he matriculated as student of medicine at the University of Berlin, and applied himself with resolution to the study of THE NATURAL SCIENCES. DURING THE WAR AGAINST NAPOLEON HE SOUGHT REFUGE IN KUNERSDORF WITH THE ITZENPLITZ FAMILY, WHERE HE OCCUPIED HIS TIME WITH BOTANY AND THE INSTRUCTION OF YOUNG ITZENPLITZ. IT WAS DURING THIS TIME (1813) THAT 'PETER SCHLEMIHL'S WUNDERSAME GESCHICHTE' (PETER SCHLEMIHL'S WONDERFUL HISTORY) WAS WRITTEN,—ONE OF THE MASTERPIECES OF GERMAN LITERATURE. HIS 'FAUST' AND 'FORTUNATUS' HAD IN SOME DEGREE FORESHADOWED HIS LATER AND MORE FAMOUS WORK, —'FAUST' IN THE COMPACT WITH THE DEVIL, 'FORTUNATUS' IN THE POSSESSION OF THE MAGICAL WISHING-BAG. THE SIMPLE motif OF POPULAR SUPERSTITION, THE LOSS OF ONE'S SHADOW, FAMILIAR IN FOLK-STORIES AND ALREADY DEVELOPED BY GOETHE IN HIS 'TALES,' AND BY KÖRNER IN 'DER TEUFEL VON SALAMANCA' (THE DEVIL OF SALAMANCA), WAS TREATED BY CHAMISSO WITH ADMIRABLE simplicity, directness of style, and realism of detail. CHAMISSO'S DIVIDED ALLEGIANCE TO FRANCE AND GERMANY MADE THE POLITICAL SITUATION OF THE TIMES VERY TRYING FOR HIM, AND IT WAS WITH JOY THAT HE WELCOMED AN APPOINTMENT AS SCIENTIST TO A RUSSIAN POLAR EXPEDITION, FITTED OUT UNDER THE DIRECTION OF COUNT ROMANZOFF, AND COMMANDED BY CAPTAIN KOTZEBUE (1815-1818). THE RECORD OF THE SCIENTIFIC RESULTS OF THIS EXPEDITION, AS PUBLISHED BY KOTZEBUE, WAS FULL OF MISSTATEMENTS; AND TO CORRECT THESE, CHAMISSO WROTE THE 'TAGEBUCH' (JOURNAL) IN 1835, A WORK WHOSE PURE AND PLASTIC STYLE PLACES IT IN THE FIRST ORDER OF BOOKS OF TRAVEL, AND ENTITLES ITS AUTHOR, IN POINT OF DESCRIPTION, TO RANK WITH VON HUMBOLDT AMONG THE BEST WRITERS OF TRAVELS OF THE FIRST HALF OF THE century. AFTER THREE YEARS OF VOYAGING, CHAMISSO RETURNED TO BERLIN, AND IN 1819 HE WAS MADE A MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCES AND RECEIVED THE DEGREE OF PH.D. FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF BERLIN, WAS APPOINTED ADJUNCT CUSTODIAN OF [Pg xii] [Pg 3503] [Pg 3504] [Pg 3505] the botanical garden in New Schöneberg, and in September of the same year he married Antonie Piaste. AN INDEMNITY GRANTED BY FRANCE TO THE FRENCH EMIGRANTS PUT HIM IN POSSESSION OF THE SUM OF ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND FRANCS, AND IN 1825 HE AGAIN VISITED PARIS, WHERE HE REMAINED SOME MONTHS AMONG OLD FRIENDS AND NEW INTERESTS. THE PERIOD OF HIS GREAT ACTIVITY WAS AFTER THIS DATE. HIS LIFE WAS NOW PEACEFUL AND DOMESTIC. POETRY AND BOTANY FLOURISHED SIDE BY SIDE. CHAMISSO, TO HIS OWN ASTONISHMENT, FOUND HIMSELF READ AND ADMIRED, AND EVERYWHERE HIS SONGS WERE SUNG. TO THE INFLUENCE OF HIS WIFE WE OWE THE CYCLES OF POEMS, 'FRAUEN-LIEBE UND LEBEN' (WOMAN'S LOVE AND LIFE), AND 'LEBENS LIEDER UND BILDER' (LIFE'S SONGS AND PICTURES), FOR WITHOUT HER THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE. THE FORMER CYCLE INSPIRED ROBERT SCHUMANN IN THE FIRST DAYS OF HIS HAPPY MARRIED LIFE, AND THE MUSIC OF THESE SONGS HAS MADE 'WOMAN'S LOVE AND LIFE' FAMILIAR TO ALL THE WORLD. 'SALAS Y GOMEZ,' A REMINISCENCE OF HIS VOYAGE AROUND THE WORLD, APPEARED IN THE MUSENALMANACH IN 1830. THE THEME OF THIS POEM WAS THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ROMANTIC POSSIBILITIES SUGGESTED BY THE SIGHT OF THE PROFOUND LONELINESS AND GRANDEUR OF THE SOUTH SEA ISLAND, SALAS Y GOMEZ. CHAMISSO TRANSLATED ANDERSEN AND BÉRANGER, MADE TRANSLATIONS FROM THE CHINESE AND TONGA, AND HIS VERSION OF THE EDDIC SONG OF Thrym ('Das Lied von Thrym') is among the best translations from the Icelandic that have been made. IN 1832 HE BECAME ASSOCIATE EDITOR OF THE BERLIN DEUTSCHER MUSENALMANACH, WHICH POSITION HE HELD UNTIL HIS DEATH, AND IN HIS HANDS THE PERIODICAL ATTAINED A HIGH DEGREE OF INFLUENCE AND IMPORTANCE. HIS HEALTH FAILING, HE RESIGNED HIS POSITION at the Botanical Garden, retiring upon full pay. He died at Berlin, August 21st, 1838. FRENCHMAN THOUGH HE WAS, HIS ENTIRE CONCEPTION OF LIFE AND THE WHOLE CHARACTER OF HIS WRITINGS ARE PURELY GERMAN, AND SHOW NONE OF THE FRENCH CHARACTERISTICS OF HIS TIME. CHAMISSO, AS BOTANIST, TRAVELER, POET, AND EDITOR, MADE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS IN EACH AND EVERY FIELD, ALTHOUGH OUTSIDE OF GERMANY HIS FAME RESTS CHIEFLY UPON HIS WIDELY KNOWN 'Schlemihl,' which has been translated into all the principal languages of Europe. THE BARGAIN From 'The Wonderful History of Peter Schlemihl' AFTER A FORTUNATE, BUT FOR ME VERY TROUBLESOME VOYAGE, WE FINALLY REACHED THE PORT. THE INSTANT THAT I TOUCHED LAND IN THE BOAT, I LOADED MYSELF WITH MY FEW EFFECTS, AND PASSING THROUGH THE SWARMING PEOPLE I ENTERED THE FIRST AND LEAST HOUSE BEFORE WHICH I SAW A SIGN HANG. I REQUESTED A ROOM; THE BOOTS MEASURED ME WITH A LOOK, AND CONDUCTED ME INTO THE garret. I caused fresh water to be brought, and made him exactly describe to me where I should find Mr. Thomas John. "BEFORE THE NORTH GATE; THE FIRST COUNTRY-HOUSE ON THE RIGHT HAND; A LARGE NEW HOUSE OF RED AND WHITE MARBLE, WITH MANY columns." "GOOD." IT WAS STILL EARLY IN THE DAY. I OPENED AT ONCE MY BUNDLE; TOOK THENCE MY NEW BLACK-CLOTH COAT; CLAD MYSELF CLEANLY IN MY BEST APPAREL; PUT MY LETTER OF INTRODUCTION INTO MY POCKET, AND SET OUT ON THE WAY TO THE MAN WHO WAS TO promote my modest expectations. WHEN I HAD ASCENDED THE LONG NORTH STREET, AND REACHED THE GATE, I SOON SAW THE PILLARS GLIMMER THROUGH THE FOLIAGE. "HERE IT IS, THEN," THOUGHT I. I WIPED THE DUST FROM MY FEET WITH MY POCKET-HANDKERCHIEF, PUT MY NECKCLOTH IN ORDER, AND IN GOD'S NAME RANG THE BELL. THE DOOR FLEW OPEN. IN THE HALL I HAD AN EXAMINATION TO UNDERGO; THE PORTER HOWEVER PERMITTED ME TO BE ANNOUNCED, AND I HAD THE HONOR TO BE CALLED INTO THE PARK, WHERE MR. JOHN WAS WALKING WITH A SELECT PARTY. I RECOGNIZED THE MAN AT ONCE BY THE LUSTRE OF HIS CORPULENT SELF-COMPLACENCY. HE RECEIVED ME VERY WELL,— AS A RICH MAN RECEIVES A POOR DEVIL,—EVEN TURNED TOWARDS ME, WITHOUT TURNING FROM THE REST OF THE COMPANY, AND TOOK THE OFFERED LETTER FROM MY HAND. "SO, SO, FROM MY BROTHER. I HAVE HEARD NOTHING FROM HIM FOR A LONG TIME. BUT HE IS WELL? THERE," CONTINUED HE, ADDRESSING THE COMPANY, WITHOUT WAITING FOR AN ANSWER, AND POINTING WITH THE LETTER TO A HILL, "THERE I AM GOING TO ERECT THE NEW BUILDING." HE BROKE THE SEAL WITHOUT BREAKING OFF THE CONVERSATION, WHICH TURNED UPON riches. "He that is not master of a million at least," he observed, "is—pardon me the word—a wretch!" "Oh, how true!" I exclaimed, with a rush of overflowing feeling. THAT PLEASED HIM. HE SMILED AT ME AND SAID, "STAY HERE, MY GOOD FRIEND; IN A WHILE I SHALL PERHAPS HAVE TIME TO TELL YOU WHAT I THINK ABOUT THIS." HE POINTED TO THE LETTER, WHICH HE THEN THRUST INTO HIS POCKET, AND TURNED AGAIN TO THE COMPANY. HE OFFERED HIS ARM TO A YOUNG LADY; THE OTHER GENTLEMEN ADDRESSED THEMSELVES TO OTHER FAIR ONES; EACH FOUND WHAT suited him: and all proceeded towards the rose-blossomed mount. I SLID INTO THE REAR WITHOUT TROUBLING ANY ONE, FOR NO ONE TROUBLED HIMSELF ANY FURTHER ABOUT ME. THE COMPANY WAS EXCESSIVELY LIVELY; THERE WAS DALLIANCE AND PLAYFULNESS; TRIFLES WERE SOMETIMES DISCUSSED WITH AN IMPORTANT TONE, BUT OFTENER IMPORTANT MATTERS WITH LEVITY; AND THE WIT FLEW WITH SPECIAL GAYETY OVER ABSENT FRIENDS AND THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES. I was too strange to understand much of all this; too anxious and introverted to take an interest in such riddles. WE HAD REACHED THE ROSERY. THE LOVELY FANNY, WHO SEEMED THE BELLE OF THE DAY, INSISTED OUT OF OBSTINACY IN BREAKING OFF A BLOSSOMED STEM HERSELF. SHE WOUNDED HERSELF ON A THORN, AND THE PURPLE STREAMED FROM HER TENDER HAND AS IF FROM [Pg 3506] [Pg 3507] THE DARK ROSES. THIS CIRCUMSTANCE PUT THE WHOLE PARTY INTO A FLUTTER. ENGLISH PLASTER WAS SOUGHT FOR. A QUIET, THIN, LANKY, LONGISH, OLDISH MAN WHO STOOD NEAR, AND WHOM I HAD NOT HITHERTO REMARKED, PUT HIS HAND INSTANTLY INTO THE TIGHT BREAST- POCKET OF HIS OLD GRAY FRENCH TAFFETA COAT; PRODUCED THENCE A LITTLE POCKET-BOOK, OPENED IT, AND PRESENTED TO THE LADY WITH A PROFOUND OBEISANCE THE REQUIRED ARTICLE. SHE TOOK IT WITHOUT NOTICING THE GIVER, AND WITHOUT THANKS; THE WOUND WAS BOUND UP AND WE WENT FORWARD OVER THE HILL, FROM WHOSE BACK THE COMPANY COULD ENJOY THE WIDE PROSPECT OVER the green labyrinth of the park to the boundless ocean. THE VIEW WAS IN REALITY VAST AND SPLENDID. A LIGHT POINT APPEARED ON THE HORIZON BETWEEN THE DARK FLOOD AND THE BLUE OF THE HEAVEN. "A TELESCOPE HERE!" CRIED JOHN; AND ALREADY, BEFORE THE SERVANTS WHO APPEARED AT THE CALL WERE IN MOTION, THE GRAY MAN, MODESTLY BOWING, HAD THRUST HIS HAND INTO HIS COAT POCKET, DRAWN THENCE A BEAUTIFUL DOLLOND, AND HANDED IT TO MR. JOHN. BRINGING IT IMMEDIATELY TO HIS EYE, HE INFORMED THE COMPANY THAT IT WAS THE SHIP WHICH WENT OUT YESTERDAY, AND WAS DETAINED IN VIEW OF PORT BY CONTRARY WINDS. THE TELESCOPE PASSED FROM HAND TO HAND, BUT NOT AGAIN INTO THAT OF ITS OWNER. I HOWEVER GAZED IN WONDER AT THE MAN, AND COULD NOT CONCEIVE HOW THE GREAT MACHINE HAD COME OUT OF THE NARROW POCKET; BUT THIS SEEMED TO HAVE STRUCK NO ONE ELSE, AND NOBODY TROUBLED HIMSELF ANY FURTHER ABOUT the gray man than about myself. REFRESHMENTS WERE HANDED ROUND; THE CHOICEST FRUITS OF EVERY ZONE, IN THE COSTLIEST VESSELS. MR. JOHN DID THE HONORS WITH AN EASY GRACE, AND A SECOND TIME ADDRESSED A WORD TO ME: "HELP YOURSELF; YOU HAVE NOT HAD THE LIKE AT SEA." I bowed, but he did not see it; he was already speaking with some one else. THE COMPANY WOULD FAIN HAVE RECLINED UPON THE SWARD ON THE SLOPE OF THE HILL, OPPOSITE TO THE OUTSTRETCHED LANDSCAPE, HAD THEY NOT FEARED THE DAMPNESS OF THE EARTH. "IT WERE DIVINE," OBSERVED ONE OF THE PARTY, "HAD WE BUT A TURKEY CARPET TO SPREAD HERE." THE WISH WAS SCARCELY EXPRESSED WHEN THE MAN IN THE GRAY COAT HAD HIS HAND IN HIS POCKET, AND WAS BUSIED IN DRAWING THENCE, WITH A MODEST AND EVEN HUMBLE DEPORTMENT, A RICH TURKEY CARPET INTERWOVEN WITH GOLD. THE SERVANTS RECEIVED IT AS A MATTER OF COURSE, AND OPENED IT ON THE REQUIRED SPOT. THE COMPANY, WITHOUT CEREMONY, TOOK THEIR PLACES UPON IT; FOR MYSELF, I LOOKED AGAIN IN AMAZEMENT ON THE MAN—AT THE CARPET, WHICH MEASURED ABOUT TWENTY PACES LONG AND TEN IN BREADTH AND RUBBED MY EYES, NOT KNOWING WHAT TO THINK OF IT, ESPECIALLY AS NOBODY SAW ANYTHING extraordinary in it. I WOULD FAIN HAVE HAD SOME EXPLANATION REGARDING THE MAN AND HAVE ASKED WHO HE WAS, BUT I KNEW NOT TO WHOM TO ADDRESS MYSELF, FOR I WAS ALMOST MORE AFRAID OF THE GENTLEMEN'S SERVANTS THAN OF THE SERVED GENTLEMEN. AT LENGTH I TOOK COURAGE, AND STEPPED UP TO A YOUNG MAN WHO APPEARED TO ME TO BE OF LESS CONSIDERATION THAN THE REST, AND WHO HAD often stood alone. I begged him softly to tell me who the agreeable man in the gray coat there was. "He there, who looks like an end of thread that has escaped out of a tailor's needle?" "Yes, he who stands alone." "I DON'T KNOW HIM," HE REPLIED, AND—IN ORDER TO AVOID A LONGER CONVERSATION WITH ME, APPARENTLY—HE TURNED AWAY AND spoke of indifferent matters to another. The sun began now to shine more powerfully, and to inconvenience the ladies. The lovely Fanny addressed carelessly to THE GRAY MAN—WHOM, AS FAR AS I AM AWARE, NO ONE HAD YET SPOKEN TO—THE TRIFLING QUESTION WHETHER HE "HAD NOT, PERCHANCE, ALSO A TENT BY HIM?" HE ANSWERED HER BY AN OBEISANCE MOST PROFOUND, AS IF AN UNMERITED HONOR WERE DONE HIM, AND HAD ALREADY HIS HAND IN HIS POCKET, OUT OF WHICH I SAW COME CANVAS, POLES, CORDAGE, IRON-WORK,—IN SHORT, EVERYTHING WHICH BELONGS TO THE MOST SPLENDID PLEASURE-TENT. THE YOUNG GENTLEMEN HELPED TO EXPAND IT, AND IT COVERED the whole extent of the carpet, and nobody found anything remarkable in it. I HAD ALREADY BECOME UNEASY—NAY, HORRIFIED—AT HEART; BUT HOW COMPLETELY SO, AS AT THE VERY NEXT WISH EXPRESSED I SAW HIM PULL OUT OF HIS POCKET THREE ROADSTERS I TELL YOU, THREE BEAUTIFUL GREAT BLACK HORSES, WITH SADDLE AND CAPARISON. TAKE IT IN, FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE!—THREE SADDLED HORSES, OUT OF THE SAME POCKET FROM WHICH ALREADY A POCKET-BOOK, A TELESCOPE, AN EMBROIDERED CARPET TWENTY PACES LONG AND TEN BROAD, A PLEASURE-TENT OF EQUAL DIMENSIONS AND ALL THE REQUISITE POLES AND IRONS, HAD COME FORTH! IF I DID NOT PROTEST TO YOU THAT I SAW IT MYSELF WITH MY OWN EYES, YOU COULD not possibly believe it. EMBARRASSED AND OBSEQUIOUS AS THE MAN HIMSELF APPEARED TO BE, LITTLE AS WAS THE ATTENTION WHICH HAD BEEN BESTOWED UPON HIM, YET TO ME HIS GRISLY ASPECT, FROM WHICH I COULD NOT TURN MY EYES, BECAME SO FEARFUL THAT I COULD BEAR IT NO longer. I RESOLVED TO STEAL AWAY FROM THE COMPANY, WHICH FROM THE INSIGNIFICANT PART I PLAYED IN IT SEEMED TO ME AN EASY AFFAIR. I PROPOSED TO MYSELF TO RETURN TO THE CITY TO TRY MY LUCK AGAIN ON THE MORROW WITH MR. JOHN, AND IF I COULD MUSTER THE necessary courage, to question him about the singular gray man. Had I only had the good fortune to escape so well! I HAD ALREADY ACTUALLY SUCCEEDED IN STEALING THROUGH THE ROSERY, AND ON DESCENDING THE HILL FOUND MYSELF ON A PIECE OF LAWN, WHEN, FEARING TO BE ENCOUNTERED IN CROSSING THE GRASS OUT OF THE PATH, I CAST AN INQUIRING GLANCE ROUND ME. WHAT WAS MY TERROR TO BEHOLD THE MAN IN THE GRAY COAT BEHIND ME, AND MAKING TOWARDS ME! THE NEXT MOMENT HE TOOK OFF HIS HAT BEFORE ME, AND BOWED SO LOW AS NO ONE HAD EVER YET DONE TO ME. THERE WAS NO DOUBT BUT THAT HE WISHED TO ADDRESS ME, AND WITHOUT BEING RUDE I COULD NOT PREVENT IT. I ALSO TOOK OFF MY HAT, BOWED ALSO, AND STOOD THERE IN THE SUN WITH BARE HEAD AS IF ROOTED TO THE GROUND. I STARED AT HIM FULL OF TERROR, AND WAS LIKE A BIRD WHICH A SERPENT HAS FASCINATED. HE HIMSELF APPEARED VERY MUCH EMBARRASSED. HE DID NOT RAISE HIS EYES, AGAIN BOWED REPEATEDLY, DREW [Pg 3508] [Pg 3509] [Pg 3510] nearer and addressed me with a soft tremulous voice, almost in a tone of supplication:— "MAY I HOPE, SIR, THAT YOU WILL PARDON MY BOLDNESS IN VENTURING IN SO UNUSUAL A MANNER TO APPROACH YOU? BUT I WOULD ask a favor. Permit me most condescendingly—" "BUT IN GOD'S NAME!" EXCLAIMED I IN MY TREPIDATION, "WHAT CAN I DO FOR A MAN WHO—" WE BOTH STARTED, AND AS I BELIEVE, reddened. After a moment's silence he again resumed:— "DURING THE SHORT TIME THAT I HAD THE HAPPINESS TO FIND MYSELF NEAR YOU, I HAVE, SIR, MANY TIMES,—ALLOW ME TO SAY IT TO YOU,—REALLY CONTEMPLATED WITH INEXPRESSIBLE ADMIRATION THE BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL SHADOW WHICH, AS IT WERE WITH A CERTAIN NOBLE DISDAIN AND WITHOUT YOURSELF REMARKING IT, YOU CAST FROM YOU IN THE SUNSHINE. THE NOBLE SHADOW AT YOUR FEET THERE! Pardon me the bold supposition, but possibly you might not be indisposed to make this shadow over to me." I WAS SILENT, AND A MILL-WHEEL SEEMED TO WHIRL ROUND IN MY HEAD. WHAT WAS I TO MAKE OF THIS SINGULAR PROPOSITION TO SELL MY OWN SHADOW? HE MUST BE MAD, THOUGHT I; AND WITH AN ALTERED TONE WHICH WAS MORE ASSIMILATED TO THAT OF HIS OWN humility, I answered him thus:— "HA! HA! GOOD FRIEND, HAVE NOT YOU THEN ENOUGH OF YOUR OWN SHADOW? I TAKE THIS FOR A BUSINESS OF A VERY SINGULAR SORT —" HE HASTILY INTERRUPTED ME:—"I HAVE MANY THINGS IN MY POCKET WHICH, SIR, MIGHT NOT APPEAR WORTHLESS TO YOU; AND FOR THIS inestimable shadow I hold the very highest price too small." IT STRUCK COLD THROUGH ME AGAIN AS I WAS REMINDED OF THE POCKET. I KNEW NOT HOW I COULD HAVE CALLED HIM GOOD FRIEND. I resumed the conversation, and sought to set all right again by excessive politeness if possible. "But, sir, pardon your most humble servant; I do not understand your meaning. How indeed could my shadow—" He interrupted me. "I BEG YOUR PERMISSION ONLY HERE ON THE SPOT TO BE ALLOWED TO TAKE UP THIS NOBLE SHADOW AND PUT IT IN MY POCKET; HOW I SHALL DO THAT, BE MY CARE. ON THE OTHER HAND, AS A TESTIMONY OF MY GRATEFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO YOU, I GIVE YOU THE CHOICE OF ALL THE TREASURES WHICH I CARRY IN MY POCKET,—THE GENUINE 'SPRING-ROOT,' THE 'MANDRAKE-ROOT,' THE 'CHANGE- PENNY,' THE 'ROB-DOLLAR,' THE 'NAPKIN OF ROLAND'S PAGE,' A 'MANDRAKE-MAN,' AT YOUR OWN PRICE. BUT THESE PROBABLY DON'T interest you; rather 'Fortunatus's wishing-cap,' newly and stoutly repaired, and a lucky-bag such as he had!" "THE LUCK-PURSE OF FORTUNATUS!" I EXCLAIMED, INTERRUPTING HIM; AND GREAT AS MY ANXIETY WAS, WITH THAT ONE WORD HE HAD taken my whole mind captive. A dizziness seized me, and double ducats seemed to glitter before my eyes. "HONORED SIR, WILL YOU DO ME THE FAVOR TO VIEW AND TO MAKE TRIAL OF THIS PURSE?" HE THRUST HIS HAND INTO HIS POCKET AND DREW OUT A TOLERABLY LARGE, WELL-SEWED PURSE OF STOUT CORDOVAN LEATHER, WITH TWO STRONG STRINGS, AND HANDED IT TO ME. I PLUNGED MY HAND INTO IT, AND DREW OUT TEN GOLD PIECES, AND AGAIN TEN. I EXTENDED HIM EAGERLY MY HAND. "AGREED! THE business is done: for the purse you have my shadow!" HE CLOSED WITH ME; KNEELED INSTANTLY DOWN BEFORE ME, AND I BEHELD HIM, WITH AN ADMIRABLE DEXTERITY, GENTLY LOOSEN MY SHADOW FROM TOP TO TOE FROM THE GRASS, LIFT IT UP, ROLL IT TOGETHER, FOLD IT, AND FINALLY POCKET IT. HE AROSE, MADE ME ANOTHER OBEISANCE, AND RETREATED TOWARDS THE ROSERY. I FANCIED THAT I HEARD HIM THERE SOFTLY LAUGHING TO HIMSELF, BUT I HELD THE purse fast by the strings; all round me lay the clear sunshine, and within me was yet no power of reflection. AT LENGTH I CAME TO MYSELF, AND HASTENED TO QUIT THE PLACE WHERE I HAD NOTHING MORE TO EXPECT. IN THE FIRST PLACE I FILLED MY POCKETS WITH GOLD; THEN I SECURED THE STRINGS OF THE PURSE FAST ROUND MY NECK, AND CONCEALED THE PURSE ITSELF IN MY BOSOM. I PASSED UNOBSERVED OUT OF THE PARK, REACHED THE HIGHWAY AND TOOK THE ROAD TO THE CITY. AS, SUNK IN THOUGHT, I approached the gate, I heard a cry behind me: "Young gentleman! eh! young gentleman! hear you!" I looked round; an old woman called after me. "Do take care, sir, you have lost your shadow!" "Thank you, good mother!" I threw her a gold piece for her well-meant intelligence, and stopped under the trees. AT THE CITY GATE I WAS COMPELLED TO HEAR AGAIN FROM THE SENTINEL, "WHERE HAS THE GENTLEMAN LEFT HIS SHADOW?" AND IMMEDIATELY AGAIN FROM SOME WOMEN, "JESUS MARIA! THE POOR FELLOW HAS NO SHADOW!" THAT BEGAN TO IRRITATE ME, AND I BECAME ESPECIALLY CAREFUL NOT TO WALK IN THE SUN. THIS COULD NOT, HOWEVER, BE ACCOMPLISHED EVERYWHERE; FOR INSTANCE, OVER THE BROAD STREET I MUST NEXT TAKE—ACTUALLY, AS MISCHIEF WOULD HAVE IT, AT THE VERY MOMENT THE BOYS CAME OUT OF SCHOOL. A CURSED HUNCHBACKED ROGUE—I SEE HIM YET—SPIED OUT INSTANTLY THAT I HAD NO SHADOW. HE PROCLAIMED THE FACT WITH A LOUD OUTCRY TO THE WHOLE ASSEMBLED LITERARY STREET YOUTH OF THE SUBURB, WHO BEGAN FORTHWITH TO CRITICIZE ME AND TO PELT ME WITH MUD. "DECENT PEOPLE ARE ACCUSTOMED TO TAKE THEIR SHADOW WITH THEM WHEN THEY GO INTO THE SUNSHINE." TO DEFEND MYSELF FROM THEM I THREW WHOLE HANDFULS OF GOLD AMONGST THEM, AND SPRANG INTO A HACKNEY COACH WHICH SOME COMPASSIONATE SOUL PROCURED FOR ME. AS SOON AS I FOUND MYSELF ALONE IN THE ROLLING CARRIAGE, I BEGAN TO WEEP BITTERLY. [Pg 3511] [Pg 3512] D William E. Channing William E. Channing THE PRESENTIMENT MUST ALREADY HAVE ARISEN IN ME THAT ON EARTH, FAR AS GOLD TRANSCENDS MERIT AND VIRTUE IN ESTIMATION, SO MUCH HIGHER THAN GOLD ITSELF IS THE SHADOW VALUED; AND AS I HAD EARLIER SACRIFICED WEALTH TO CONSCIENCE, I HAD NOW thrown away the shadow for mere gold. What in the world could and would become of me! FROM 'WOMAN'S LOVE AND LIFE' Thou ring upon my finger, My little golden ring, Against my fond bosom I press thee, And to thee my fond lips cling. My girlhood's dream was ended, Its peaceful, innocent grace, Forlorn I woke, and so lonely, In desolate infinite space. Thou ring upon my finger, Thou bringest me peace on earth, And thou my eyes hast opened To womanhood's infinite worth. I'll love and serve him forever, And live for him alone; I'll give him my life, but to find it Transfigured in his own. Thou ring upon my finger, My little golden ring, Against my fond bosom I press thee, And to thee my fond lips cling. Translation of Charles Harvey Genung. WILLIAM ELLERY CHANNING (1780-1842) R. CHANNING, THE RECOGNIZED LEADER ALTHOUGH NOT THE ORIGINATOR OF THE UNITARIAN MOVEMENT IN THIS COUNTRY, WAS A MAN OF SINGULAR SPIRITUALITY, SWEETNESS OF DISPOSITION, PURITY OF LIFE, AND NOBILITY OF CHARACTER. HE WAS THOUGHT BY SOME TO BE AUSTERE AND COLD IN TEMPERAMENT, AND TIMID IN ACTION; BUT THIS WAS RATHER A MISCONCEPTION OF A LIFE GIVEN TO CONSCIENTIOUS STUDY, AND AN EFFORT TO ALLOW DUE WEIGHT TO OPPOSING ARGUMENTS. HE WAS NOT LIABLE TO BE SWEPT FROM HIS MOORINGS BY MOMENTARY ENTHUSIASM. AS A WRITER HE WAS CLEAR AND DIRECT, ADMIRABLY PERSPICUOUS IN STYLE, WITHOUT GREAT ORNAMENT, MUCH ADDICTED TO SHORT AND SIMPLE SENTENCES, THOUGH SINGULARLY ENOUGH AN ADMIRER OF THOSE WHICH WERE LONG AND INVOLVED. A CRITIC IN FRASER'S MAGAZINE WROTE OF HIM:—"CHANNING IS UNQUESTIONABLY THE FIRST WRITER OF THE AGE. FROM HIS WRITINGS MAY BE EXTRACTED SOME OF THE RICHEST POETRY AND RICHEST CONCEPTIONS, CLOTHED IN LANGUAGE—UNFORTUNATELY FOR OUR LITERATURE—TOO LITTLE STUDIED IN THE DAY in which we live." HE WAS OF "BLUE BLOOD,"—THE GRANDSON OF WILLIAM ELLERY, ONE OF THE SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION,—AND WAS BORN AT NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, APRIL 7TH, 1780. HE WAS GRADUATED AT HARVARD COLLEGE WITH HIGH HONORS IN 1798, AND FIRST THOUGHT OF STUDYING MEDICINE, BUT WAS INCLINED TO THE DIRECTION OF THE MINISTRY. HE BECAME A PRIVATE TUTOR IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, WHERE HE LEARNED TO DETEST SLAVERY. HERE HE LAID THE SEEDS OF SUBSEQUENT PHYSICAL TROUBLES BY IMPRUDENT INDULGENCE IN ASCETICISM, IN A DESIRE TO AVOID EFFEMINACY. HE ENTERED UPON THE STUDY OF THEOLOGY, WHICH HE CONTINUED IN CAMBRIDGE; HE WAS ORDAINED IN 1803, AND SOON BECAME PASTOR OF THE FEDERAL STREET CHURCH IN BOSTON, IN CHARGE OF WHICH SOCIETY HE PASSED HIS MINISTERIAL LIFE. IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR HE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH BUCKMINSTER AND OTHERS IN THE LIBERAL CONGREGATIONAL MOVEMENT, AND THIS LED HIM INTO A POSITION OF CONTROVERSY WITH HIS ORTHODOX BRETHREN,—ONE HE CORDIALLY DISLIKED. BUT HE COULD NOT REFRAIN FROM PREACHING THE DOCTRINES OF THE DIGNITY OF HUMAN NATURE, THE SUPREMACY OF REASON, AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, OF WHOSE TRUTH HE WAS [Pg 3513] profoundly assured. IT HAS BEEN TRULY SAID THAT CHANNING WAS TOO MUCH A LOVER OF FREE THOUGHT, AND TOO DESIROUS TO HOLD ONLY WHAT HE THOUGHT TO BE TRUE, TO ALLOW HIMSELF TO BE BOUND BY ANY PARTY TIES. "I WISH," HE HIMSELF SAID, "TO REGARD MYSELF AS BELONGING NOT TO A SECT BUT TO THE COMMUNITY OF FREE MINDS, OF LOVERS OF TRUTH AND FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST, BOTH ON EARTH AND IN HEAVEN. I DESIRE TO ESCAPE THE NARROW WALLS OF A PARTICULAR CHURCH, AND TO STAND UNDER THE OPEN SKY IN THE BROAD LIGHT, LOOKING FAR AND WIDE, SEEING WITH MY OWN EYES, HEARING WITH MY OWN EARS, AND FOLLOWING TRUTH MEEKLY BUT RESOLUTELY, HOWEVER arduous or solitary be the path in which she leads." HE WAS GREATLY INTERESTED IN TEMPERANCE, IN THE ANTI-SLAVERY MOVEMENT, IN THE ELEVATION OF THE LABORING CLASSES, AND OTHER SOCIAL REFORMS; AND AFTER 1824, WHEN DR. GANNETT BECAME ASSOCIATE PASTOR, HE GAVE MUCH TIME TO WORK IN THESE DIRECTIONS. HIS DEATH OCCURRED AT BENNINGTON, VERMONT, APRIL 2D, 1842. HIS LITERARY ACHIEVEMENTS ARE MAINLY OR WHOLLY IN THE LINE OF HIS WORK,—SERMONS, ADDRESSES, AND ESSAYS; BUT THEY WERE PREPARED WITH SCRUPULOUS CARE, AND HAVE THE QUALITY NATURALLY TO BE EXPECTED FROM A MAN OF BROAD AND CATHOLIC SPIRIT, WIDE INTERESTS, AND STRONG LOVE OF LITERATURE. HIS WORKS, IN SIX VOLUMES, ARE ISSUED BY THE AMERICAN UNITARIAN ASSOCIATION, WHICH ALSO PUBLISHES A 'MEMORIAL' BY HIS nephew, William Henry Channing, in three volumes. THE PASSION FOR POWER From 'The Life and Character of Napoleon Bonaparte' The passion for ruling, though most completely developed in despotisms, is confined to no forms of government. It is the chief peril of free States, the natural enemy of free institutions. It agitates our own country, and still throws an uncertainty OVER THE GREAT EXPERIMENT WE ARE MAKING HERE IN BEHALF OF LIBERTY.... IT IS THE DISTINCTION OF REPUBLICAN INSTITUTIONS, THAT WHILST THEY COMPEL THE PASSION FOR POWER TO MODERATE ITS PRETENSIONS, AND TO SATISFY ITSELF WITH MORE LIMITED GRATIFICATIONS, THEY TEND TO SPREAD IT MORE WIDELY THROUGH THE COMMUNITY, AND TO MAKE IT A UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLE. THE DOORS OF OFFICE BEING OPENED TO ALL, CROWDS BURN TO RUSH IN. A THOUSAND HANDS ARE STRETCHED OUT TO GRASP THE REINS WHICH ARE DENIED TO NONE. PERHAPS IN THIS BOASTED AND BOASTING LAND OF LIBERTY, NOT A FEW, IF CALLED TO STATE THE CHIEF GOOD OF A REPUBLIC, WOULD PLACE IT IN THIS: THAT EVERY MAN IS ELIGIBLE TO EVERY OFFICE, AND THAT THE HIGHEST PLACES OF POWER AND TRUST ARE PRIZES FOR UNIVERSAL COMPETITION. THE SUPERIORITY ATTRIBUTED BY MANY TO OUR INSTITUTIONS IS, NOT THAT THEY SECURE THE GREATEST FREEDOM, BUT GIVE EVERY MAN A CHANCE OF RULING; NOT THAT THEY REDUCE THE POWER OF GOVERNMENT WITHIN THE NARROWEST LIMITS WHICH THE SAFETY OF THE STATE ADMITS, BUT THROW IT INTO AS MANY HANDS AS POSSIBLE. THE DESPOT'S GREAT CRIME IS THOUGHT TO BE THAT HE KEEPS THE DELIGHT OF DOMINION TO HIMSELF, THAT HE MAKES A MONOPOLY OF IT; WHILST OUR MORE generous institutions, by breaking it into parcels and inviting the multitude to scramble for it, spread this joy more widely. THE RESULT IS THAT POLITICAL AMBITION INFECTS OUR COUNTRY AND GENERATES A FEVERISH RESTLESSNESS AND DISCONTENT, WHICH TO THE MONARCHIST MAY SEEM MORE THAN A BALANCE FOR OUR FORMS OF LIBERTY. THE SPIRIT OF INTRIGUE, WHICH IN ABSOLUTE GOVERNMENTS IS CONFINED TO COURTS, WALKS ABROAD THROUGH THE LAND; AND AS INDIVIDUALS CAN ACCOMPLISH NO POLITICAL PURPOSES SINGLE- HANDED, THEY BAND THEMSELVES INTO PARTIES, OSTENSIBLY FRAMED FOR PUBLIC ENDS, BUT AIMING ONLY AT THE ACQUISITION OF POWER. THE NOMINAL SOVEREIGN,—THAT IS, THE PEOPLE,—LIKE ALL OTHER SOVEREIGNS, IS COURTED AND FLATTERED AND TOLD THAT IT CAN DO NO WRONG. ITS PRIDE IS PAMPERED, ITS PASSIONS INFLAMED, ITS PREJUDICES MADE INVETERATE. SUCH ARE THE PROCESSES by which other republics have been subverted, and he must be blind who cannot trace them among ourselves. We mean NOT TO EXAGGERATE OUR DANGERS. WE REJOICE TO KNOW THAT THE IMPROVEMENTS OF SOCIETY OPPOSE MANY CHECKS TO THE LOVE of power. But every wise man who sees its workings must dread it as one chief foe. THIS PASSION DERIVES STRENGTH AND VEHEMENCE IN OUR COUNTRY FROM THE COMMON IDEA THAT POLITICAL POWER IS THE HIGHEST PRIZE WHICH SOCIETY HAS TO OFFER. WE KNOW NOT A MORE GENERAL DELUSION, NOR IS IT THE LEAST DANGEROUS. INSTILLED AS IT IS IN OUR YOUTH, IT GIVES INFINITE EXCITEMENT TO POLITICAL AMBITION. IT TURNS THE ACTIVE TALENTS OF THE COUNTRY TO PUBLIC STATION AS THE SUPREME GOOD, AND MAKES IT RESTLESS, INTRIGUING, AND UNPRINCIPLED. IT CALLS OUT HOSTS OF SELFISH COMPETITORS FOR comparatively few places, and encourages a bold, unblushing pursuit of personal elevation, which a just moral sense and self-respect in the community would frown upon and cover with shame. THE CAUSES OF WAR From a 'Discourse delivered before the Congregational ministers of Massachusetts' ONE OF THE GREAT SPRINGS OF WAR MAY BE FOUND IN A VERY STRONG AND GENERAL PROPENSITY OF HUMAN NATURE—IN THE LOVE OF EXCITEMENT, OF EMOTION, OF STRONG INTEREST; A PROPENSITY WHICH GIVES A CHARM TO THOSE BOLD AND HAZARDOUS ENTERPRISES WHICH CALL FORTH ALL THE ENERGIES OF OUR NATURE. NO STATE OF MIND, NOT EVEN POSITIVE SUFFERING, IS MORE PAINFUL THAN THE WANT of interesting objects. THE VACANT SOUL PREYS ON ITSELF, AND OFTEN RUSHES WITH IMPATIENCE FROM THE SECURITY WHICH DEMANDS NO EFFORT, TO THE BRINK OF PERIL. THIS PART OF HUMAN NATURE IS SEEN IN THE KIND OF PLEASURES WHICH HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PREFERRED. WHY HAS THE FIRST RANK AMONG SPORTS BEEN GIVEN TO THE CHASE? BECAUSE ITS DIFFICULTIES, HARDSHIPS, HAZARDS, [Pg 3514] [Pg 3515] [Pg 3516] TUMULTS, AWAKEN THE MIND, AND GIVE TO IT A NEW CONSCIOUSNESS OF EXISTENCE, AND A DEEP FEELING OF ITS POWERS. WHAT IS THE CHARM WHICH ATTACHES THE STATESMAN TO AN OFFICE WHICH ALMOST WEIGHS HIM DOWN WITH LABOR AND AN APPALLING responsibility? HE FINDS MUCH OF HIS COMPENSATION IN THE POWERFUL EMOTION AND INTEREST AWAKENED BY THE VERY HARDSHIPS OF HIS LOT, BY CONFLICT WITH VIGOROUS MINDS, BY THE OPPOSITION OF RIVALS, BY THE ALTERNATIONS OF SUCCESS AND DEFEAT. WHAT HURRIES TO THE GAMING TABLES THE MAN OF PROSPEROUS FORTUNE AND AMPLE RESOURCES? THE DREAD OF APATHY, THE LOVE OF STRONG FEELING AND OF MENTAL AGITATION. A DEEPER INTEREST IS FELT IN HAZARDING THAN IN SECURING WEALTH, AND THE TEMPTATION IS IRRESISTIBLE.... ANOTHER POWERFUL PRINCIPLE OF OUR NATURE WHICH IS THE SPRING OF WAR, IS THE PASSION FOR SUPERIORITY, FOR TRIUMPH, FOR POWER. THE HUMAN MIND IS ASPIRING, IMPATIENT OF INFERIORITY, AND EAGER FOR CONTROL. I NEED NOT ENLARGE ON THE PREDOMINANCE OF THIS PASSION IN RULERS, WHOSE LOVE OF POWER IS INFLUENCED BY ITS POSSESSION, AND WHO ARE EVER RESTLESS TO EXTEND THEIR SWAY. IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO OBSERVE THAT WERE THIS DESIRE RESTRAINED TO THE BREASTS OF RULERS, WAR WOULD MOVE WITH A SLUGGISH PACE. BUT THE PASSION FOR POWER AND SUPERIORITY IS UNIVERSAL; AND AS EVERY INDIVIDUAL, FROM HIS INTIMATE UNION WITH THE COMMUNITY, IS ACCUSTOMED TO APPROPRIATE ITS TRIUMPHS TO HIMSELF, THERE IS A GENERAL PROMPTNESS TO ENGAGE IN ANY CONTEST BY WHICH THE COMMUNITY MAY OBTAIN AN ASCENDENCY OVER OTHER NATIONS. THE DESIRE THAT OUR COUNTRY SHOULD SURPASS ALL OTHERS WOULD NOT BE CRIMINAL, DID WE UNDERSTAND IN WHAT RESPECTS IT IS MOST HONORABLE FOR A NATION TO EXCEL; DID WE FEEL THAT THE GLORY OF A STATE CONSISTS IN INTELLECTUAL AND MORAL SUPERIORITY, IN PRE-EMINENCE OF KNOWLEDGE, FREEDOM AND PURITY. BUT TO THE MASS OF THE PEOPLE THIS FORM OF PRE-EMINENCE IS TOO REFINED AND UNSUBSTANTIAL. THERE IS ANOTHER KIND OF TRIUMPH WHICH THEY BETTER UNDERSTAND: THE TRIUMPH OF PHYSICAL POWER, TRIUMPH IN BATTLE, TRIUMPH NOT OVER THE MINDS BUT THE TERRITORY OF ANOTHER STATE. HERE IS A PALPABLE, VISIBLE SUPERIORITY; AND FOR THIS A PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO SUBMIT TO SEVERE PRIVATIONS. A VICTORY BLOTS OUT THE MEMORY OF THEIR SUFFERINGS, AND IN BOASTING OF THEIR EXTENDED POWER THEY FIND A COMPENSATION FOR MANY WOES.... ANOTHER POWERFUL SPRING OF WAR IS THE ADMIRATION OF THE BRILLIANT QUALITIES DISPLAYED IN WAR. MANY DELIGHT IN WAR, NOT FOR ITS CARNAGE AND WOES, BUT FOR ITS VALOR AND APPARENT MAGNANIMITY, FOR THE SELF-COMMAND OF THE HERO, THE FORTITUDE WHICH DESPISES SUFFERING, THE RESOLUTION WHICH COURTS DANGER, THE SUPERIORITY OF THE MIND TO THE BODY, TO SENSATION, TO FEAR. MEN SELDOM DELIGHT IN WAR, CONSIDERED MERELY AS A SOURCE OF MISERY. WHEN THEY HEAR OF BATTLES, THE PICTURE WHICH RISES TO THEIR VIEW IS NOT WHAT IT SHOULD BE—A PICTURE OF EXTREME WRETCHEDNESS, OF THE WOUNDED, THE MANGLED, THE SLAIN; THESE HORRORS ARE HIDDEN UNDER THE SPLENDOR OF THOSE MIGHTY ENERGIES WHICH BREAK FORTH AMIDST THE PERILS OF CONFLICT, AND WHICH HUMAN NATURE CONTEMPLATES WITH AN INTENSE AND HEART-THRILLING DELIGHT. WHILST THE PEACEFUL SOVEREIGN WHO SCATTERS BLESSINGS WITH THE SILENCE AND CONSTANCY OF PROVIDENCE IS RECEIVED WITH A FAINT APPLAUSE, MEN ASSEMBLE IN CROWDS TO HAIL THE CONQUEROR,—PERHAPS A MONSTER IN HUMAN FORM, WHOSE PRIVATE LIFE IS BLACKENED WITH LUST AND CRIME, AND WHOSE GREATNESS IS BUILT ON PERFIDY AND USURPATION. THUS WAR IS THE SUREST AND SPEEDIEST WAY TO RENOWN; AND WAR WILL NEVER CEASE WHILE THE FIELD OF BATTLE IS THE FIELD OF glory, and the most luxuriant laurels grow from a root nourished with blood. SPIRITUAL FREEDOM From the 'Discourse on Spiritual Freedom,' 1830 I CONSIDER THE FREEDOM OR MORAL STRENGTH OF THE INDIVIDUAL MIND AS THE SUPREME GOOD, AND THE HIGHEST END OF GOVERNMENT. I AM AWARE THAT OTHER VIEWS ARE OFTEN TAKEN. IT IS SAID THAT GOVERNMENT IS INTENDED FOR THE PUBLIC, FOR THE COMMUNITY, NOT FOR THE INDIVIDUAL. THE IDEA OF A NATIONAL INTEREST PREVAILS IN THE MINDS OF STATESMEN, AND TO THIS IT IS THOUGHT THAT THE INDIVIDUAL MAY BE SACRIFICED. BUT I WOULD MAINTAIN THAT THE INDIVIDUAL IS NOT MADE FOR THE STATE SO MUCH AS THE STATE FOR THE INDIVIDUAL. A MAN IS NOT CREATED FOR POLITICAL RELATIONS AS HIS HIGHEST END, BUT FOR INDEFINITE SPIRITUAL PROGRESS, AND IS PLACED IN POLITICAL RELATIONS AS THE MEANS OF HIS PROGRESS. THE HUMAN SOUL IS GREATER, MORE SACRED THAN THE STATE, AND MUST NEVER BE SACRIFICED TO IT. THE HUMAN SOUL IS TO OUTLIVE ALL EARTHLY INSTITUTIONS. THE DISTINCTION OF NATIONS IS TO PASS AWAY. THRONES WHICH HAVE STOOD FOR AGES ARE TO MEET THE DOOM PRONOUNCED UPON ALL MAN'S WORKS. BUT THE INDIVIDUAL MIND SURVIVES, AND THE OBSCUREST SUBJECT, IF TRUE TO GOD, WILL RISE TO POWER NEVER WIELDED BY EARTHLY potentates. A HUMAN BEING IS A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY, NOT AS A LIMB IS A MEMBER OF THE BODY, OR AS A WHEEL IS A PART OF A MACHINE, INTENDED ONLY TO CONTRIBUTE TO SOME GENERAL JOINT RESULT. HE WAS CREATED NOT TO BE MERGED IN THE WHOLE, AS A DROP IN THE OCEAN OR AS A PARTICLE OF SAND ON THE SEASHORE, AND TO AID ONLY IN COMPOSING A MASS. HE IS AN ULTIMATE BEING, MADE FOR HIS OWN PERFECTION AS HIS HIGHEST END; MADE TO MAINTAIN AN INDIVIDUAL EXISTENCE, AND TO SERVE OTHERS ONLY AS FAR AS CONSISTS WITH HIS OWN VIRTUE AND PROGRESS. HITHERTO GOVERNMENTS HAVE TENDED GREATLY TO OBSCURE THIS IMPORTANCE OF THE INDIVIDUAL, TO DEPRESS HIM IN HIS OWN EYES, TO GIVE HIM THE IDEA OF AN OUTWARD INTEREST MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE INVISIBLE SOUL, AND OF AN OUTWARD AUTHORITY MORE SACRED THAN THE VOICE OF GOD IN HIS OWN SECRET CONSCIENCE. RULERS HAVE CALLED THE PRIVATE MAN THE PROPERTY OF THE STATE, MEANING GENERALLY BY THE STATE THEMSELVES; AND THUS THE MANY HAVE BEEN IMMOLATED TO THE FEW, AND HAVE EVEN BELIEVED THAT THIS WAS THEIR HIGHEST DESTINATION. THESE VIEWS CANNOT BE TOO EARNESTLY WITHSTOOD. NOTHING SEEMS TO ME SO NEEDFUL AS TO GIVE TO THE MIND THE CONSCIOUSNESS, WHICH GOVERNMENTS HAVE DONE SO MUCH TO SUPPRESS, OF ITS OWN SEPARATE WORTH. LET THE INDIVIDUAL FEEL THAT THROUGH HIS IMMORTALITY HE MAY CONCENTRATE IN HIS OWN BEING A GREATER GOOD THAN THAT OF NATIONS. LET HIM FEEL THAT HE IS PLACED IN THE COMMUNITY, NOT TO PART WITH HIS INDIVIDUALITY OR TO BECOME A TOOL, BUT THAT HE SHOULD FIND A SPHERE FOR HIS VARIOUS POWERS, AND A PREPARATION FOR IMMORTAL GLORY. TO ME THE PROGRESS OF SOCIETY CONSISTS IN NOTHING MORE THAN IN BRINGING OUT THE INDIVIDUAL, IN GIVING him a consciousness of his own being, and in quickening him to strengthen and elevate his own mind. [Pg 3517] [Pg 3518] [Pg 3519] IN THUS MAINTAINING THAT THE INDIVIDUAL IS THE END OF SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS, I MAY BE THOUGHT TO DISCOURAGE PUBLIC EFFORTS AND THE SACRIFICE OF PRIVATE INTERESTS TO THE STATE. FAR FROM IT. NO MAN, I AFFIRM, WILL SERVE HIS FELLOW-BEINGS SO EFFECTUALLY, SO FERVENTLY, AS HE WHO IS NOT THEIR SLAVE; AS HE WHO, CASTING OFF EVERY OTHER YOKE, SUBJECTS HIMSELF TO THE LAW OF DUTY IN HIS OWN MIND. FOR THIS LAW ENJOINS A DISINTERESTED AND GENEROUS SPIRIT, AS MAN'S GLORY AND LIKENESS TO HIS MAKER. INDIVIDUALITY, OR MORAL SELF-SUBSISTENCE, IS THE SUREST FOUNDATION OF AN ALL-COMPREHENDING LOVE. NO MAN SO MULTIPLIES HIS BONDS WITH THE COMMUNITY, AS HE WHO WATCHES MOST JEALOUSLY OVER HIS OWN PERFECTION. THERE IS A BEAUTIFUL HARMONY BETWEEN THE GOOD OF THE STATE AND THE MORAL FREEDOM AND DIGNITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL. WERE IT NOT SO, WERE THESE INTERESTS IN ANY CASE DISCORDANT, WERE AN INDIVIDUAL EVER CALLED TO SERVE HIS COUNTRY BY ACTS DEBASING HIS OWN MIND, HE OUGHT NOT TO WAVER A MOMENT AS TO THE GOOD WHICH HE SHOULD PREFER. PROPERTY, LIFE, HE SHOULD JOYFULLY SURRENDER TO THE STATE. BUT his soul he must never stain or enslave. From poverty, pain, the rack, the gibbet, he should not recoil; but for no good of OTHERS OUGHT HE TO PART WITH SELF-CONTROL, OR VIOLATE THE INWARD LAW. WE SPEAK OF THE PATRIOT AS SACRIFICING HIMSELF TO THE PUBLIC WEAL. DO WE MEAN THAT HE SACRIFICES WHAT IS MOST PROPERLY HIMSELF, THE PRINCIPLE OF PIETY AND VIRTUE? DO WE NOT FEEL THAT HOWEVER GREAT MAY BE THE GOOD WHICH THROUGH HIS SUFFERINGS ACCRUES TO THE STATE, A GREATER AND PURER GLORY REDOUNDS TO HIMSELF; AND THAT THE MOST PRECIOUS FRUIT OF HIS DISINTERESTED SERVICES IS THE STRENGTH OF RESOLUTION AND philanthropy which is accumulated in his own soul?... THE ADVANTAGES OF CIVILIZATION HAVE THEIR PERIL. IN SUCH A STATE OF SOCIETY, OPINION AND LAW IMPOSE SALUTARY RESTRAINT, AND PRODUCE GENERAL ORDER AND SECURITY. BUT THE POWER OF OPINION GROWS INTO A DESPOTISM, WHICH MORE THAN ALL THINGS represses ORIGINAL AND FREE THOUGHT, SUBVERTS INDIVIDUALITY OF CHARACTER, REDUCES THE COMMUNITY TO A SPIRITLESS MONOTONY, AND CHILLS THE LOVE OF PERFECTION. RELIGION, CONSIDERED SIMPLY AS THE PRINCIPLE WHICH BALANCES THE POWER OF HUMAN OPINION, WHICH TAKES MAN OUT OF THE GRASP OF CUSTOM AND FASHION, AND TEACHES HIM TO REFER HIMSELF TO A HIGHER TRIBUNAL, IS an infinite aid to moral strength and elevation. AN IMPORTANT BENEFIT OF CIVILIZATION, OF WHICH WE HEAR MUCH FROM THE POLITICAL ECONOMIST, IS THE DIVISION OF LABOR, BY WHICH ARTS ARE PERFECTED. BUT THIS, BY CONFINING THE MIND TO AN UNCEASING ROUND OF PETTY OPERATIONS, TENDS TO BREAK IT INTO LITTLENESS. WE POSSESS IMPROVED FABRICS, BUT DETERIORATED MEN. ANOTHER ADVANTAGE OF CIVILIZATION IS, THAT MANNERS ARE REFINED AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS MULTIPLIED; BUT THESE ARE CONTINUALLY SEEN TO SUPPLANT SIMPLICITY OF CHARACTER, STRENGTH OF FEELING, THE LOVE OF NATURE, THE LOVE OF INWARD BEAUTY AND GLORY. UNDER OUTWARD COURTESY WE SEE A COLD SELFISHNESS, A spirit of calculation, and little energy of love. I CONFESS I LOOK ROUND ON CIVILIZED SOCIETY WITH MANY FEARS, AND WITH MORE AND MORE EARNEST DESIRE THAT A REGENERATING SPIRIT FROM HEAVEN, FROM RELIGION, MAY DESCEND UPON AND PERVADE IT. I PARTICULARLY FEAR THAT VARIOUS CAUSES ARE ACTING POWERFULLY AMONG OURSELVES, TO INFLAME AND MADDEN THAT ENSLAVING AND DEGRADING PRINCIPLE, THE PASSION FOR PROPERTY. FOR EXAMPLE, THE ABSENCE OF HEREDITARY DISTINCTIONS IN OUR COUNTRY GIVES PROMINENCE TO THE DISTINCTION OF WEALTH, AND HOLDS UP THIS AS THE CHIEF PRIZE TO AMBITION. ADD TO THIS THE EPICUREAN, SELF-INDULGENT HABITS WHICH OUR PROSPERITY HAS MULTIPLIED, AND WHICH CRAVE INSATIABLY FOR ENLARGING WEALTH AS THE ONLY MEANS OF GRATIFICATION. THIS PERIL I...