Contents：

IntroductionQuisDesiderio？

RamblingsinCheapsideTheAunt，TheNieces，andtheDogHowtomakethebestoflifeTheSanctuaryofMontrigoneAMedievalGirlSchoolArtintheValleyofSaasThoughtandLanguageTheDeadlockinDarwinismINTRODUCTION

Itishardlynecessarytoapologiseforthemiscellaneouscharacterofthefollowingcollectionofessays。SamuelButlerwasamanofsuchunusualversatility，andhisinterestsweresomanyandsovariousthathisliteraryremainswereboundtocoverawidefield。

Neverthelessitwillbefoundthatseveralofthesubjectstowhichhedevotedmuchtimeandlabourarenotrepresentedinthesepages。

IhavenotthoughtitnecessarytoreprintanyofthenumerouspamphletsandarticleswhichhewroteupontheIliadandOdyssey，sincethesewereallmergedin"TheAuthoressoftheOdyssey，"whichgiveshismaturedviewsuponeverythingrelatingtotheHomericpoems。ForasimilarreasonIhavenotincludedanessayontheevidencefortheResurrectionofJesusChrist，whichheprintedin1865forprivatecirculation，sincehesubsequentlymadeextensiveuseofitin"TheFairHaven。"

Twooftheessaysinthiscollectionwereoriginallydeliveredaslectures；theremainderwerepublishedinTheUniversalReviewduring1888，1889，and1890。

Ishouldperhapsexplainwhytwootheressaysofhis，whichalsoappearedinTheUniversalReview，havebeenomitted。

Thefirstofthese，entitled"L’AffaireHolbein-Rippel，"relatestoadrawingofHolbein’s"DansedesPaysans，"intheBasleMuseum，whichisusuallydescribedasacopy，butwhichButlerbelievedtobetheworkofHolbeinhimself。Thisessayrequirestobeillustratedinsoelaborateamannerthatitwasimpossibletoincludeitinabookofthissize。

Thesecondessay，whichisasketchofthecareerofthesculptorTabachetti，waspublishedasthefirstsectionofanarticleentitled"ASculptorandaShrine，"ofwhichthesecondsectionisheregivenunderthetitle，"TheSanctuaryofMontrigone。"ThesectiondevotedtothesculptorrepresentsallthatButlerthenknewaboutTabachetti，butsinceitwaswrittenvariousdocumentshavecometolight，principallyowingtotheinvestigationsofCavaliereFrancescoNegri，ofCasaleMonferrato，whichnegativesomeofButler’smostcherishedconclusions。HadButlerlivedhewouldeitherhaverewrittenhisessayinaccordancewithCavaliereNegri’sdiscoveries，ofwhichhefullyrecognisedthevalue，orincorporatedthemintotherevisededitionof"ExVoto，"whichheintendedtopublish。Asitstands，theessayrequiressomuchrevisionthatI

havedecidedtoomititaltogether，andtopostponegivingEnglishreadersafullaccountofTabachetti’scareeruntilasecondeditionof"ExVoto"isrequired。MeanwhileIhavegivenabriefsummaryofthemainfactsofTabachetti’slifeinanote（page154）totheessayon"ArtintheValleyofSaas。"AnyonewhowishesforfurtherdetailsofthesculptorandhisworkwillfindtheminCavaliereNegri’spamphlet，"IlSantuariodiCrea"（Alessandria，1902）。

Thethreeessaysgroupedtogetherunderthetitleof"TheDeadlockinDarwinism"mayberegardedasapostscripttoButler’sfourbooksonevolution，viz。，"LifeandHabit，""Evolution，OldandNew，"

"UnconsciousMemory"and"LuckorCunning。"Anoccasionforthepublicationoftheseessaysseemedtobeaffordedbytheappearancein1889ofMr。AlfredRusselWallace’s"Darwinism"；andalthoughnearlyfourteenyearshaveelapsedsincetheywerepublishedintheUniversalReview，Ihavenofearthattheywillbefoundtobeoutofdate。Howfar，indeed，theproblemembodiedinthedeadlockofwhichButlerspeaksisfromsolutionwasconclusivelyshownbythecorrespondencewhichappearedintheTimesinMay1903，occasionedbysomeremarksmadeatUniversityCollegebyLordKelvininmovingavoteofthankstoProfessorHenslowafterhislectureon"PresentDayRationalism。"LordKelvin’sclaimforarecognitionofthefactthatinorganicnaturescientificthoughtiscompelledtoaccepttheideaofsomekindofdirectivepower，andhisstatementthatbiologistsarecomingoncemoretoafirmacceptanceofavitalprinciple，drewfromseveraldistinguishedmenofscienceretortsheatedenoughtoprovebeyondadoubtthatthegulfbetweenthetwomaindivisionsofevolutionistsisaswideto-dayasitwaswhenButlerwrote。Itwillbewell，perhaps，forthebenefitofreaderswhohavenotfollowedthehistoryofthetheoryofevolutionduringitslaterdevelopments，tostateinafewwordswhatthesetwomaindivisionsare。Allevolutionistsagreethatthedifferencesbetweenspeciesarecausedbytheaccumulationandtransmissionofvariations，buttheydonotagreeastothecausestowhichthevariationsaredue。Theviewheldbytheolderevolutionists，Buffon，ErasmusDarwinandLamarck，whohavebeenfollowedbymanymodernthinkers，includingHerbertSpencerandButler，isthatthevariationsoccurmainlyastheresultofeffortanddesign；theoppositeview，whichisthatadvocatedbyMr。Wallacein"Darwinism，"isthatthevariationsoccurmerelyastheresultofchance。Theformerissometimescalledthetheologicalview，becauseitrecognisesthepresenceinorganicnatureofdesign，whetheritbecalledcreativepower，directiveforce，directivity，orvitalprinciple；thelatterview，inwhichtheexistenceofdesignisabsolutelynegatived，isnowusuallydescribedasWeismannism，fromthenameofthewriterwhohasbeenitsprincipaladvocateinrecentyears。

Inconclusion，ImustthankmyfriendMr。HenryFestingJonesmostwarmlyfortheinvaluableassistancewhichhehasgivenmeinpreparingtheseessaysforpublication，incorrectingtheproofs，andincompilingtheintroductionandnotes。

R。A。STREATFEILD。

QUISDESIDERIO……？{1}

LikeMr。WilkieCollins，I，too，havebeenaskedtolaysomeofmyliteraryexperiencesbeforethereadersoftheUniversalReview。ItoccurredtomethattheReviewmustbeindeeduniversalbeforeitcouldopenitspagestoonesoobscureasmyself；but，nothingdauntedbythedistinguishedcompanyamongwhichIwasforthefirsttimeaskedtomove，IresolvedtodoasIwastold，andwenttotheBritishMuseumtoseewhatbooksIhadwritten。Havingrefreshedmymemorybyaglanceatthecatalogue，Iwasabouttotryanddiminishthelargeandever-increasingcircleofmynon-readerswhenIbecameawareofacalamitythatbroughtmetoastandstill，andindeedbidsfair，sofarasIcanseeatpresent，toputanendtomyliteraryexistencealtogether。

IshouldexplainthatIcannotwriteunlessIhaveaslopingdesk，andthereading-roomoftheBritishMuseum，wherealoneIcancomposefreely，isunprovidedwithslopingdesks。Likeeveryotherorganism，ifIcannotgetexactlywhatIwantImakeshiftwiththenextthingtoit；true，therearenodesksinthereading-room，but，asIonceheardavisitorfromthecountrysay，"itcontainsalargenumberofveryinterestingworks。"Iknowitwasnotright，andhopetheMuseumauthoritieswillnotbesevereuponmeifanyofthemreadsthisconfession；butIwantedadesk，andsetmyselftoconsiderwhichofthemanyveryinterestingworkswhichagratefulnationplacesatthedisposalofitswould-beauthorswasbestsuitedformypurpose。

FormerereadingIsupposeonebookisprettymuchasgoodasanother；butthechoiceofadesk-bookisamoreseriousmatter。Itmustbeneithertoothicknortoothin；itmustbelargeenoughtomakeasubstantialsupport；itmustbestronglyboundsoasnottoyieldorgive；itmustnotbetootroublesometocarrybackwardsandforwards；anditmustliveonshelfC，D，orE，sothatthereneedbenostoopingorreachingtoohigh。Thesearetheconditionswhichareallygoodbookmustfulfil；simple，however，astheyare，itissurprisinghowfewvolumescomplywiththemsatisfactorily；

moreover，beingperhapstoosensitivelyconscientious，Iallowedanotherconsiderationtoinfluenceme，andwassincerelyanxiousnottotakeabookwhichwouldbeinconstantuseforreferencebyreaders，moreespeciallyas，ifIdidthis，Imightfindmyselfdisturbedbytheofficials。

ForweeksImadeexperimentsuponsundrypoeticalandphilosophicalworks，whosenamesIhaveforgotten，butcouldnotsucceedinfindingmyidealdesk，untilatlength，morebyluckthancunning，I

happenedtolightuponFrost’s"LivesofEminentChristians，"whichIhadnosoonertriedthanIdiscoveredittobetheveryperfectionandneplusultraofeverythingthatabookshouldbe。ItlivedinCaseNo。2008，andIaccordinglytookatoncetosittinginRowB，whereforthelastdozenyearsorsoIhavesateversince。

ThefirstthingIhavedonewheneverIwenttotheMuseumhasbeentotakedownFrost’s"LivesofEminentChristians"andcarryittomyseat。Itisnotthecustomofmodernwriterstorefertotheworkstowhichtheyaremostdeeplyindebted，andIhavenever，thatIremember，mentioneditbynamebefore；butitistothisbookalonethatIhavelookedforsupportduringmanyyearsofliterarylabour，anditisroundthistomeinvaluablevolumethatallmyownhavepagebypagegrownup。ThereisnoneintheMuseumtowhichI

havebeenunderanythinglikesuchconstantobligation，nonewhichI

cansoillspare，andnonewhichIwouldchoosesoreadilyifIwereallowedtoselectonesinglevolumeandkeepitformyown。

OnfindingmyselfaskedforacontributiontotheUniversalReview，Iwent，asIhaveexplained，totheMuseum，andpresentlyrepairedtobookcaseNo。2008togetmyfavouritevolume。Alas！itwasintheroomnolonger。Itwasnotinuse，foritsplacewasfilledupalready；besides，nooneeveruseditbutmyself。WhethertheghostofthelateMr。Frosthasbeensoeminentlyunchristianastointerfere，orwhethertheauthoritieshaveremovedthebookinignoranceofthesteadydemandwhichtherehasbeenforitonthepartofatleastonereader，arepointsIcannotdetermine。AllI

knowisthatthebookisgone，andIfeelasWordsworthisgenerallysupposedtohavefeltwhenhebecameawarethatLucywasinhergrave，andexclaimedsoemphaticallythatthiswouldmakeaconsiderabledifferencetohim，orwordstothateffect。

NowIthinkofit，Frost’s"LivesofEminentChristians"wasverylikeLucy。TheoneresidedatDovedaleinDerbyshire，theotherinGreatRussellStreet，Bloomsbury。IadmitthatIdonotseetheresemblancehereatthismoment，butifItrytodevelopmyperceptionIshalldoubtlesserelongfindamarvellouslystrikingone。Inotherrespects，however，thanmerelocalhabitatthelikenessisobvious。Lucywasnotparticularlyattractiveeitherinsideorout——nomorewasFrost’s"LivesofEminentChristians"；

therewerefewtopraiseher，andofthosefewstillfewercouldbringthemselvestolikeher；indeed，Wordsworthhimselfseemstohavebeentheonlypersonwhothoughtmuchaboutheronewayortheother。Inlikemanner，IbelieveIwastheonlyreaderwhothoughtmuchonewayortheotheraboutFrost’s"LivesofEminentChristians，"butthisinitselfwasoneoftheattractionsofthebook；andasforthegriefwerespectivelyfeltandfeel，IbelievemyowntobeasdeepasWordsworth’s，ifnotmoreso。

Isaidabove，"asWordsworthisgenerallysupposedtohavefelt"；

foranyoneimbuedwiththespiritofmodernsciencewillreadWordsworth’spoemwithdifferenteyesfromthoseofamereliterarycritic。HewillnotethatWordsworthismostcarefulnottoexplainthenatureofthedifferencewhichthedeathofLucywilloccasiontohim。Hetellsusthattherewillbeadifference；buttherethematterends。Thesuperficialreadertakesitthathewasverysorryshewasdead；itis，ofcourse，possiblethathemayhaveactuallybeenso，buthehasnotsaidthis。Onthecontrary，hehashintedplainlythatshewasugly，andgenerallydisliked；shewasonlylikeavioletwhenshewashalf-hiddenfromtheview，andonlyfairasastarwhenthereweresofewstarsoutthatitwaspracticallyimpossibletomakeaninvidiouscomparison。Iftherewereasmanyaseventwostarsthelikenesswasfelttobeatanend。IfWordsworthhadimprudentlypromisedtomarrythisyoungpersonduringatimewhenhehadbeenunusuallylonginkeepingtogoodresolutions，andhadafterwardsseensomeonewhomhelikedbetter，thenLucy’sdeathwouldundoubtedlyhavemadeaconsiderabledifferencetohim，andthisisallthathehaseversaidthatitwoulddo。Whatrighthavewetoputglossesuponthemasterlyreticenceofapoet，andcredithimwithfeelingspossiblytheveryreverseofthoseheactuallyentertained？

Sometimes，indeed，Ihavebeeninclinedtothinkthatamysteryisbeinghintedatmoredarkthananycritichassuspected。Idonothappentopossessacopyofthepoem，butthewriter，ifIamnotmistaken，saysthat"fewcouldknowwhenLucyceasedtobe。"

"Ceasedtobe"isasuspiciouslyeuphemisticexpression，andthewords"fewcouldknow"arenotapplicabletotheordinarypeacefuldeathofadomesticservantsuchasLucyappearstohavebeen。Nomatterhowobscurethedeceased，anynumberofpeoplecommonlycanknowthedayandhourofhisorherdemise，whereasinthiscaseweareexpresslytolditwouldbeimpossibleforthemtodoso。

Wordsworthwasnothingifnotaccurate，andwouldnothavesaidthatfewcouldknow，butthatfewactuallydidknow，unlesshewasawareofcircumstancesthatprecludedallbutthoseimplicatedinthecrimeofherdeathfromknowingtheprecisemomentofitsoccurrence。IfLucywasthekindofpersonnotobscurelypourtrayedinthepoem；ifWordsworthhadmurderedher，eitherbycuttingherthroatorsmotheringher，inconcert，perhaps，withhisfriendsSoutheyandColeridge；andifhehadthusfoundhimselfreleasedfromanengagementwhichhadbecomeirksometohim，orpossiblyfromthethreatofanactionforbreachofpromise，thenthereisnotasyllableinthepoemwithwhichhecrownshiscrimethatisnotalivewithmeaning。Onanyothersuppositiontothegeneralreaderitisunintelligible。

Wecannotbetooguardedintheinterpretationsweputuponthewordsofgreatpoets。Taketheyoungladywhoneverlovedthedeargazelle——andIdon’tbelieveshedid；weareapttothinkthatMooreintendedustoseeinthiscreationofhisfancyasweet，amiable，butmostunfortunateyoungwoman，whereasallhehastoldusaboutherpointstoanexactlyoppositeconclusion。Inreality，hewishedustoseeayoungladywhohadbeenanhabitualcomplainerfromherearliestchildhood；whoseplantshadalwaysdiedassoonassheboughtthem，whilethosebelongingtoherneighbourshadflourished。

Theinferenceisobvious，norcanwereasonablydoubtthatMooreintendedustodrawit；ifherplantsweretheveryfirsttofadeaway，shewasevidentlytheveryfirsttoneglectorotherwisemaltreatthem。Shedidnotgivethemenoughwater，orleftthedoorofherfern-easeopenwhenshewascookingherdinneratthegasstove，orkeptthemtooneartheparaffinoil，orotherlikefolly；

andasforhertemper，seewhatthegazellesdid；aslongastheydidnotknowher"well，"theycouldjustmanagetoexist，butwhentheygottounderstandherrealcharacter，oneafteranotherfeltthatdeathwastheonlycourseopentoit，andaccordinglydiedratherthanlivewithsuchamistress。True，theyoungladyherselfsaidthegazelleslovedher；butdisagreeablepeopleareapttothinkthemselvesamiable，andinviewofthecourseinvariablytakenbythegazellesthemselvesanyoneaccustomedtoweighevidencewillholdthatshewasprobablymistaken。

Imust，however，returntoFrost’s"LivesofEminentChristians。"I

willleavenoneoftheambiguityaboutmywordsinwhichMooreandWordsworthseemtohavedelighted。Iamverysorrythebookisgone，andknownotwheretoturnforitssuccessor。TillIhavefoundasubstituteIcanwritenomore，andIdonotknowhowtofindevenatolerableone。IshouldtryavolumeofMigne’s"CompleteCourseofPatrology，"butIdonotlikebooksinmorethanonevolume，forthevolumesvaryinthickness，andonenevercanrememberwhichonetook；thefourvolumes，however，ofBedeinGiles’s"AnglicanFathers"arenotopentothisobjection，andI

havereservedthemforfavourableconsideration。Mather’s"Magnalia"mightdo，butthebindingdoesnotpleaseme；Cureton’s"CorpusIgnatianum"mightalsodoifitwerenottoothin。IdonotliketakingNorton’s"GenuinenessoftheGospels，"asitisjustpossiblesomeonemaybewantingtoknowwhethertheGospelsaregenuineornot，andbeunabletofindoutbecauseIhavegotMr。

Norton’sbook。Baxter’s"ChurchHistoryofEngland，"Lingard’s"Anglo-SaxonChurch，"andCardwell’s"DocumentaryAnnals，"thoughnoneofthemasgoodasFrost，areworksofconsiderablemerit；butonthewholeIthinkArvine’s"CyclopediaofMoralandReligiousAnecdote"isperhapstheonebookintheroomwhichcomeswithinmeasurabledistanceofFrost。Ishouldprobablytrythisbookfirst，butithasafatalobjectioninitstooseductivetitle。"I

amnotcurious，"asMissLottieVennesaysinoneofherparts，"butIliketoknow，"andImightbetemptedtopervertthebookfromitsnaturalusesandopenit，soastofindoutwhatkindofathingamoralandreligiousanecdoteis。Iknow，ofcourse，thatthereareagreatmanyanecdotesintheBible，butnoonethinksofcallingthemeithermoralorreligious，thoughsomeofthemcertainlyseemasiftheymightfairlyfindaplaceinMr。Arvine’swork。Therearesomethings，however，whichitisbetternottoknow，andtakeitallroundIdonotthinkIshouldbewiseinputtingmyselfinthewayoftemptation，andadoptingArvineasthesuccessortomybelovedandlamentedFrost。

SomesuccessorImustfind，orImustgiveupwritingaltogether，andthisIshouldbesorrytodo。Ihaveonlyasyetwrittenaboutathird，orfromthat——countingworkswrittenbutnotpublished——toahalf，ofthebookswhichIhavesetmyselftowrite。Itwouldnotsomuchmatterifoldagewasnotstaringmeintheface。Dr。Parrsaiditwas"abeastlyshameforanoldmannottohavelaiddownagoodcellarofportinhisyouth"；I，likethegreaternumber，I

suppose，ofthosewhowritebooksatall，writeinorderthatImayhavesomethingtoreadinmyoldagewhenIcanwritenolonger。I

knowwhatIshalllikebetterthananyonecantellme，andwriteaccordingly；ifmycareerisnippedinthebud，asseemsonlytoolikely，IreallydonotknowwhereelseIcanturnforpresentagreeableoccupation，noryethowtomakesuitableprovisionformylateryears。Otherwriterscan，ofcourse，makeexcellentprovisionfortheirownoldages，buttheycannotdosoformine，anymorethanIshouldsucceedifIweretotrytocaterfortheirs。Itisoneofthosecasesinwhichnomancanmakeagreementforhisbrother。

Ihavenoheartforcontinuingthisarticle，andifIhad，Ihavenothingofinteresttosay。Noone’sliterarycareercanhavebeensmootherormoreunchequeredthanmine。Ihavepublishedallmybooksatmyownexpense，andpaidfortheminduecourse。Whatcanbeconceivablymoreunromantic？ForsomeyearsIhadalittleliterarygrievanceagainsttheauthoritiesoftheBritishMuseumbecausetheywouldinsistonsayingintheircataloguethatIhadpublishedthreesermonsonInfidelityintheyear1820。IthoughtI

hadnot，andgotthemouttosee。Theywereratherfunny，buttheywerenotmine。Now，however，thisgrievancehasbeenremoved。I

hadanotherlittlequarrelwiththembecausetheywoulddescribemeas"ofSt。John’sCollege，Cambridge，"anestablishmentforwhichI

havethemostprofoundveneration，butwithwhichIhavenothadthehonourtobeconnectedforsomequarterofacentury。AtlasttheysaidtheywouldchangethisdescriptionifIwouldonlytellthemwhatIwas，for，thoughtheyhaddonetheirbesttofindout，theyhadthemselvesfailed。IrepliedwithmodestpridethatIwasaBachelorofArts。Ikeepallmyotherlettersinsidemyname，notoutside。TheymusedandsaiditwasunfortunatethatIwasnotaMasterofArts。CouldInotgetmyselfmadeaMaster？IsaidI

understoodthataMastershipwasanarticletheUniversitycouldnotdounderaboutfivepounds，andthatIwasnotdisposedtogosixpencehigherthanthreeten。Theyagainsaiditwasapity，foritwouldbeveryinconvenienttothemifIdidnotkeeptosomethingbetweenabishopandapoet。ImightbeanythingIlikedinreason，providedIshowedproperrespectforthealphabet；buttheyhadgotmebetween"SamuelButler，bishop，"and"SamuelButler，poet。"Itwouldbeverytroublesometoshiftme，andbachelorcamebeforebishop。Thiswasreasonable，soIrepliedthat，underthosecircumstances，iftheypleased，IthoughtIwouldliketobeaphilosophicalwriter。Theyembracedthesolution，and，nomatterwhatIwritenow，ImustremainaphilosophicalwriteraslongasI

live，forthealphabetwillhardlybealteredinmytime，andImustbesomethingbetween"Bis"and"Poe。"IfIcouldgetavolumeofmyexcellentnamesake’s"Hudibras"outofthelistofmyworks，I

shouldberobbedofmylastshredofliterarygrievance，soIsaynothingaboutthis，butkeepitsecret，lestsomeworsethingshouldhappentome。Besides，Ihaveagreatrespectformynamesake，andalwayssaythatif"Erewhon"hadbeenaracehorseitwouldhavebeengotby"Hudibras"outof"Analogy。"Someonesaidthistomemanyyearsago，andIfeltsomuchflatteredthatIhavebeenrepeatingtheremarkasmyowneversince。

Buthowsmallarethesegrievancesascomparedwiththoseenduredwithoutamurmurbyhundredsofwritersfarmoredeservingthanmyself。WhenIseethescoresandhundredsofworkersinthereading-roomwhohavedonesomuchmorethanIhave，butwhoseworkisabsolutelyfruitlesstothemselves，andwhenIthinkofthepromptrecognitionobtainedbymyownwork，IaskmyselfwhatIhavedonetobethusrewarded。Ontheotherhand，thefeelingthatI

havesucceededfarbeyondmydesertshitherto，makesitalltheharderformetoacquiescewithoutcomplaintintheextinctionofacareerwhichIhonestlybelievetobeapromisingone；andoncemoreIrepeatthat，unlesstheMuseumauthoritiesgivemebackmyFrost，orputalockedclasponArvine，mycareermustbeextinguished。

GivemebackFrost，and，iflifeandhealtharespared，IwillwriteanotherdozenofvolumesyetbeforeIhangupmyfiddle——ifsoseriousaconfusionofmetaphorsmaybepardoned。Iknowfromlongexperiencehowkindandconsiderateboththelateandpresentsuperintendentsofthereading-roomwereandare，butIdoubthowfareitherofthemwouldbedisposedtohelpmeonthisoccasion；

continue，however，torobmeofmyFrost，and，whateverelseImaydo，Iwillwritenomorebooks。

NotebyDr。Garnett，BritishMuseum。——Thefrosthasbrokenup。Mr。

Butlerisrestoredtoliterature。Mr。Mudiemaymakehimselfeasy。

Englandwillstillboastahumourist；andthelateMr。Darwin（towhoseposthumousmachinationstheremovalofthebookwasowing）

willcontinuetobeconfounded。——R。GANNETT。

RAMBLINGSINCHEAPSIDE{2}

WalkingtheotherdayinCheapsideIsawsometurtlesinMr。

Sweeting’swindow，andwastemptedtostayandlookatthem。AsI

didsoIwasstrucknotmorebythedefenceswithwhichtheywerehedgedabout，thanbythefatuousnessoftryingtohedgethatinatallwhich，ifhedgedthoroughly，mustdieofitsowndefencefulness。

Theholesfortheheadandfeetthroughwhichtheturtleleaksout，asitwere，ontotheexteriorworld，andthroughwhichitagainabsorbstheexteriorworldintoitself——"catchingon"throughthemtothingsthatarethusbothturtleandnotturtleatoneandthesametime——theseholesstultifythearmour，andshowittohavebeendesignedbyacreaturewithmoreoffaithfulnesstoafixedidea，andhenceone-sidedness，thanofthatquicksenseofrelativeimportancesandtheirchanges，whichisthemainfactorofgoodliving。

Theturtleobviouslyhadnosenseofproportion；itdifferedsowidelyfrommyselfthatIcouldnotcomprehendit；andasthiswordoccurredtome，itoccurredalsothatuntilmybodycomprehendeditsbodyinaphysicalmaterialsense，neitherwouldmymindbeabletocomprehenditsmindwithanythoroughness。Forunityofmindcanonlybeconsummatedbyunityofbody；everything，therefore，mustbeinsomerespectsbothknaveandfooltoallthatwhichhasnoteatenit，orbywhichithasnotbeeneaten。AslongastheturtlewasinthewindowandIinthestreetoutside，therewasnochanceofourcomprehendingoneanother。

NeverthelessIknewthatIcouldgetittoagreewithmeifIcouldsoeffectuallybutton-holeandfastenontoitastoeatit。Mostmenhaveaneasymethodwithturtlesoup，andIhadnomisgivingbutthatifIcouldbringmyfirstpremisetobearIshouldprovethebetterreasoner。Mydifficultylayinthisinitialprocess，forI

hadnotwithmetheargumentthatwouldalonecompelMr。SweetingthinkthatIoughttobeallowedtoconverttheturtles——ImeanI

hadnomoneyinmypocket。Nomissionaryenterprisecanbecarriedonwithoutanymoneyatall，butevensosmallasumashalf-a-crownwould，Isuppose，haveenabledmetobringtheturtlepartlyround，andwithmanyhalf-crownsIcouldintimenodoubtconvertthelot，fortheturtleneedsmustgowherethemoneydrives。If，asisalleged，theworldstandsonaturtle，theturtlestandsonmoney。

Nomoneynoturtle。Asformoney，thatstandsonopinion，credit，trust，faith——thingsthat，thoughhighlymaterialinconnectionwithmoney，arestillofimmaterialessence。

Thestepsareperfectlyplain。Themenwhocaughttheturtlesbroughtafairlystronganddefiniteopiniontobearuponthem，thatpassedintoaction，andlateronintomoney。Theythoughttheturtleswouldcomethatway，andverifiedtheiropinion；onthis，willandactionweregenerated，withtheresultthatthementurnedtheturtlesontheirbacksandcarriedthemoff。Mr。Sweetingtouchedthesemenwithmoney，whichistheoutwardandvisiblesignofverifiedopinion。ThecustomertouchesMr。Sweetingwithmoney，Mr。Sweetingtouchesthewaiterandthecookwithmoney。Theytouchtheturtlewithskillandverifiedopinion。Finally，thecustomerappliestheclinchingargumentthatbrushesallsophismsaside，andbidstheturtlestandprotoplasmtoprotoplasmwithhimself，toknowevenasitisknown。

Butitmustbealltouch，touch，touch；skill，opinion，power，andmoney，passinginandoutwithoneanotherinanyorderwelike，butstilllinktolinkandtouchtotouch。Ifthereisfailureanywhereinrespectofopinion，skill，power，ormoney，eitherasregardsquantityorquality，thechaincanbenostrongerthanitsweakestlink，andtheturtleandtheclinchingargumentwillflyasunder。

Ofcourse，ifthereisaninitialfailureinconnection，throughdefectinanymemberofthechain，orofconnectionbetweenthelinks，itwillnomorebeattemptedtobringtheturtleandtheclinchingargumenttogether，thanitwilltochainupadogwithtwopiecesofbrokenchainthataredisconnected。Thecontactthroughoutmustbeconceivedasabsolute；andyetperfectcontactisinconceivablebyus，foronbecomingperfectitceasestobecontact，andbecomesessential，onceforallinseverable，identity。

Themostabsolutecontactshortofthisisstillcontactbycourtesyonly。Sohere，aseverywhereelse，Eurydiceglidesoffasweareabouttograspher。Wecanseenothingfacetoface；ourutmostseeingisbutafumblingofblindfinger-endsinanovercrowdedpocket。

Presentlymyownblindfinger-endsfisheduptheconclusion，thatasIhadneithertimenormoneytospendonperfectingthechainthatwouldputmeinfullspiritualcontactwithMr。Sweeting’sturtles，Ihadbetterleavethemtocompletetheireducationatsomeoneelse’sexpenseratherthanmine，soIwalkedontowardstheBank。

AsIdidsoitstruckmehowcontinuallywearemetbythismeltingofoneexistenceintoanother。Thelimitsofthebodyseemwelldefinedenoughasdefinitionsgo，butdefinitionsseldomgofar。

What，forexample，canseemmoredistinctfromamanthanhisbankerorhissolicitor？Yetthesearecommonlysomuchpartsofhimthathecannomorecutthemoffandgrownewones，thanhecangrownewlegsorarms；neithermusthewoundhissolicitor；awoundinthesolicitorisaveryseriousthing。Asforhisbank——failureofhisbank’sactionmaybeasfataltoamanasfailureofhisheart。I

havesaidnothingaboutthemedicalorspiritualadviser，butmostmengrowintothesocietythatsurroundsthembythehelpofthesefourmaintap-roots，andnotonlyintotheworldofhumanity，butintotheuniverseatlarge。Wecan，indeed，growbutchers，bakers，andgreengrocers，almostadlibitum，butthesearelowdevelopments，andcorrespondtoskin，hair，orfinger-nails。Thoseofusagainwhoarenothighlyenoughorganisedtohavegrownasolicitororbankercangenerallyrepairthelossofwhateversocialorganisationtheymaypossessasfreelyaslizardsaresaidtogrownewtails；

butthiswiththehighersocial，aswellasorganic，developmentsisonlypossibletoaverylimitedextent。

Thedoctrineofmetempsychosis，ortransmigrationofsouls——adoctrinetowhichtheforegoingconsiderationsareforthemostparteasycorollaries——cropsupnomatterinwhatdirectionweallowourthoughtstowander。Andwemeetinstancesoftransmigrationofbodyaswellasofsoul。Idonotmeanthatbothbodyandsoulhavetransmigratedtogether，farfromit；butthat，aswecanoftenrecogniseatransmigratedmindinanalienbody，sowenotlessoftenseeabodythatisclearlyonlyatransmigration，linkedontosomeoneelse’snewandaliensoul。Wemeetpeopleeverydaywhosebodiesareevidentlythoseofmenandwomenlongdead，butwhoseappearanceweknowthroughtheirportraits。Weseethemgoingaboutinomnibuses，railwaycarriages，andinallpublicplaces。Thecardshavebeenshuffled，andtheyhavedrawnfreshlotsinlifeandnationalities，butanyonefairlywellupinmediaevalandlastcenturyportraitureknowsthemataglance。

GoingdownoncetowardsItalyIsawayoungmaninthetrainwhomI

recognised，onlyheseemedtohavegotyounger。Hewaswithafriend，andhisfacewasincontinualplay，butforsomelittletimeIpuzzledinvaintorecollectwhereitwasthatIhadseenhimbefore。AllofasuddenIrememberedhewasKingFrancisI。ofFrance。Ihadhithertothoughtthefaceofthiskingimpossible，butwhenIsawitinplayIunderstoodit。HisgreatcontemporaryHenryVIII。keepsarestaurantinOxfordStreet。FalstaffdroveoneoftheSt。Gotharddiligencesformanyyears，andonlyretiredwhentherailwaywasopened。TitianoncemademeapairofbootsatVicenza，andnotverygoodones。AtModenaIhadmyhaircutbyayoungmanwhomIperceivedtobeRaffaelle。ThemodelwhosattohimforhiscelebratedMadonnasisfirstladyinaconfectioneryestablishmentatMontreal。Shehasalittlemotherlypimpleontheleftsideofhernosethatismisleadingatfirst，butonexaminationsheisreadilyrecognised；probablyRaffaelle’smodelhadthepimpletoo，butRaffaelleleftitout——ashewould。

Handel，ofcourse，isMadamePatey。GiveMadamePateyHandel’swigandclothes，andtherewouldbenotellingherfromHandel。Itisnotonlythatthefeaturesandtheshapeoftheheadarethesame，butthereisacertainimperiousnessofexpressionandattitudeaboutHandelwhichhehardlyattemptstoconcealinMadamePatey。

Itisacuriouscoincidencethatheshouldcontinuetobesuchanincomparablerendererofhisownmusic。PopeJuliusII。wasthelateMr。Darwin。RamesesII。isablindwomannow，andstandsinHolborn，holdingatinmug。InevercouldunderstandwhyIalwaysfoundmyselfhumming"Theyoppressedthemwithburthens"whenI

passedher，tillonedayIwaslookinginMr。Spooner’swindowintheStrand，andsawaphotographofRamesesII。MaryQueenofScotswearssurgicalbootsandissubjecttofits，neartheHorseShoeinTottenhamCourtRoad。

MichaelAngeloisacommissionaire；IsawhimonboardtheGlenRosa，whichusedtoruneverydayfromLondontoClacton-on-Seaandback。ItgavemequiteaturnwhenIsawhimcomingdownthestairsfromtheupperdeck，withhisbronzedface，flattenednose，andwiththefamiliarbaruponhisforehead。IneverlikedMichaelAngelo，andnevershall，butIamafraidofhim，andwasneartryingtohidewhenIsawhimcomingtowardsme。Hehadnotgothiscommissionaire’suniformon，andIdidnotknowhewasonetillI

methimamonthorsolaterintheStrand。WhenwegottoBlackwallthemusicstruckupandpeoplebegantodance。Ineversawamandancesomuchinmylife。HedidnotmissadanceallthewaytoClacton，norallthewaybackagain，andwhennotdancinghewasflirtingandcrackingjokes。IcouldhardlybelievemyeyeswhenI

reflectedthatthismanhadpaintedthefamous"LastJudgment，"andhadmadeallthosestatues。

Danteis，orwasayearortwoago，awaiteratBrissagoontheLagoMaggiore，onlyheisbetter-tempered-looking，andhasamoreintellectualexpression。Hegavemehisideasuponbeauty："Tuttoch’everoebello，"heexclaimed，withallhisoldself-confidence。

IamnotafraidofDante。Iknowpeoplebytheirfriends，andhewentaboutwithVirgil，soIsaidwithsomeseverity，"No，Dante，ilnasodellaSignoraRobinsonevero，manonebello"；andheadmittedIwasright。Beatrice’snameisTowler；sheiswaitressatasmallinninGermanSwitzerland。Iusedtositatmywindowandhearpeoplecall"Towler，Towler，Towler，"fiftytimesinaforenoon。

ShewastheexactantithesistoAbra；Abra，ifIremember，usedtocomebeforetheycalledhername，butnomatterhowoftentheycalledTowler，everyonecamebeforeshedid。IsupposetheyspelthernameTaula，buttomeitsoundedTowler；Inever，however，metanyoneelsewiththisname。Shewasasweet，artlesslittlehussy，whomademeplaythepianotoher，andshesaiditwaslovely。OfcourseIonlyplayedmyowncompositions；soIbelievedher，anditallwentoffverynicely。IthoughtitmightsavetroubleifIdidnottellherwhoshereallywas，soIsaidnothingaboutit。

ImetSocratesonce。HewasmymuleteeronanexcursionwhichI

willnotname，forfearitshouldidentifytheman。ThemomentI

sawmyguideIknewhewassomebody，butforthelifeofmeIcouldnotrememberwho。AllofasuddenitflashedacrossmethathewasSocrates。Hetalkedenoughforsix，butitwasallindialetto，soIcouldnotunderstandhim，nor，whenIhaddiscoveredwhohewas，didImuchtrytodoso。Hewasagoodcreature，atriflegiventostealingfruitandvegetables，butanamiablemanenough。Hehadhadalongdaywithhismuleandme，andheonlyaskedmefivefrancs。Igavehimten，forIpitiedhispooroldpatchedboots，andtherewasameeknessabouthimthattouchedme。"Andnow，Socrates，"saidIatparting，"wegoonourseveralways，youtostealtomatoes，Itofilchideasfromotherpeople；fortherest——

whichofthesetworoadswillbethebettergoing，ourfatherwhichisinheavenknows，butweknownot。"

IhaveneverseenMendelssohn，butthereisafrescoofhimontheterrace，oropen-airdining-room，ofaninnatChiavenna。HeisnotcalledMendelssohn，butIknewhimbyhislegs。Heisinthecostumeofadandyofsomefive-and-fortyyearsago，issmokingacigar，andappearstobemakinganofferofmarriagetohiscook。

BeethovenbothmyfriendMr。H。FestingJonesandIhavehadthegoodfortunetomeet；heisanengineernow，anddoesnotknowonenotefromanother；hehasquitelosthisdeafness，ismarried，andis，ofcourse，alittlesquatmanwiththesamerefractoryhairthathealwayshad。Itwasveryinterestingtowatchhim，andJonesremarkedthatbeforetheendofdinnerhehadbecomepositivelyposthumous。OnemorningIwastoldtheBeethovensweregoingaway，andbeforelongImettheirtwoheavyboxesbeingcarrieddownthestairs。Theboxesweresosquabandliketheirowners，thatIhalfthoughtforamomentthattheywereinside，andshouldhardlyhavebeensurprisedtoseethemspringuplikeacoupleofJacks-in-the-

box。"Sonoindentro？"saidI，withafrownofwonder，pointingtotheboxes。TheportersknewwhatImeant，andlaughed。ButthereisnoendtothelistofpeoplewhomIhavebeenabletorecognise，andbeforeIhadgotthroughitmyself，IfoundIhadwalkedsomedistance，andhadinvoluntarilypausedinfrontofasecond-handbookstall。

Idonotlikebooks。IbelieveIhavethesmallestlibraryofanyliterarymaninLondon，andIhavenowishtoincreaseit。IkeepmybooksattheBritishMuseumandatMudie’s，anditmakesmeveryangryifanyonegivesmeoneformyprivatelibrary。Ionceheardtwoladiesdisputinginarailwaycarriageastowhetheroneofthemhadorhadnotbeenwastingmoney。"Ispentitinbooks，"saidtheaccused，"andit’snotwastingmoneytobuybooks。""Indeed，mydear，Ithinkitis，"wastherejoinder，andinpracticeIagreewithit。Webster’sDictionary，Whitaker’sAlmanack，andBradshaw’sRailwayGuideshouldbesufficientforanyordinarylibrary；itwillbetimeenoughtogobeyondthesewhenthemassofusefulandentertainingmatterwhichtheyprovidehasbeenmastered。

Nevertheless，Iadmitthatsometimes，ifnotparticularlybusy，I

stopatasecond-handbookstallandturnoverabookortwofrommereforceofhabit。

IknownotwhatmademepickupacopyofAEschylus——ofcourseinanEnglishversion——orratherIknownotwhatmadeAEschylustakeupwithme，forhetookmeratherthanIhim；butnosoonerhadhegotmethanhebeganpuzzlingme，ashehasdoneanytimethisfortyyears，toknowwhereinhistranscendentmeritcanbesupposedtolie。Tomeheis，likethegreaternumberofclassicsinallagesandcountries，aliteraryStruldbrug，ratherthanatrueambrosia-

fedimmortal。Therearetrueimmortals，buttheyarefewandfarbetween；mostclassicsareasgreatimpostorsdeadastheywerewhenliving，andwhileposingasgodsare，five-seventhsofthem，onlyStruldbrugs。ItcomfortsmetorememberthatAristophaneslikedAEschylusnobetterthanIdo。True，hepraiseshimbycomparisonwithSophoclesandEuripides，butheonlydoessothathemayrundowntheselastmoreeffectively。Aristophanesisasafemantofollow，nordoIseewhyitshouldnotbeascorrecttolaughwithhimastopullalongfacewiththeGreekProfessors；butthisisneitherherenorthere，fornoonereallycaresaboutAEschylus；themoreinterestingquestionishowhecontrivedtomakesomanypeopleforsomanyyearspretendtocareabouthim。

Perhapshemarriedsomebody’sdaughter。Ifamanwouldgetholdofthepublicear，hemustpay，marry，orfight。IhaveneverunderstoodthatAEschyluswasamanofmeans，andthefightersdonotwritepoetry，soIsupposehemusthavemarriedatheatricalmanager’sdaughter，andgothisplaysbroughtoutthatway。Theearofanyageorcountryislikeitsland，air，andwater；itseemslimitlessbutisreallylimited，andisalreadyinthekeepingofthosewhonaturallyenoughwillhavenosquattingonsuchvaluableproperty。Itiswrittenandtalkeduptoascloselyasthemeansofsubsistencearebreduptobyateemingpopulation。Thereisnotasquareinchofitbutisinprivatehands，andhewhowouldfreeholdanypartofitmustdosobypurchase，marriage，orfighting，intheusualway——andfightinggivesthelongest，safesttenure。Thepublicitselfhashardlymorevoiceinthequestionwhoshallhaveitsear，thanthelandhasinchoosingitsowners。Itisfarmedasthosewhoownitthinkmostprofitabletothemselves，andsmallblametothem；nevertheless，ithasaresiduumofmulishnesswhichthelandhasnot，anddoessometimesdispossessitstenants。Itisinthisresiduumthatthosewhofightplacetheirhopeandtrust。

OrperhapsAEschylussquaredtheleadingcriticsofhistime。Whenonecomestothinkofit，hemusthavedoneso，forhowisitconceivablethatsuchplaysshouldhavehadsuchrunsifhehadnot？

ImetaladyoneyearinSwitzerlandwhohadsomeparrotsthatalwaystravelledwithherandweretheidolsofherlife。Theseparrotswouldnotletanyonereadaloudintheirpresence，unlesstheyheardtheirownnamesintroducedfromtimetotime。Ifthesewerefreelyinterpolatedintothetexttheywouldremainasstillasstones，fortheythoughtthereadingwasaboutthemselves。Ifitwasnotaboutthemitcouldnotbeallowed。Theleadersofliteratureareliketheseparrots；theydonotlookatwhatamanwrites，noriftheydidwouldtheyunderstanditmuchbetterthantheparrotsdo；buttheylikethesoundoftheirownnames，andifthesearefreelyinterpolatedinatonetheytakeasfriendly，theymayevengiveeartoanoutsider。Otherwisetheywillscreamhimoffiftheycan。

Ishouldnotadviseanyonewithordinaryindependenceofmindtoattemptthepublicearunlessheisconfidentthathecanout-lungandout-lasthisowngeneration；forifhehasanyforce，peoplewillandoughttobeontheirguardagainsthim，inasmuchasthereisnoknowingwherehemaynottakethem。Besides，theyhavestakedtheirmoneyonthewrongmensooftenwithoutsuspectingit，thatwhentherecomesonewhomtheydosuspectitwouldbemadnessnottobetagainsthim。True，hemaydiebeforehehasout-screamedhisopponents，butthathasnothingtodowithit。Ifhisscreamwaswellpitcheditwillsoundclearerwhenheisdead。Wedonotknowwhatdeathis。Ifweknowsolittleaboutlifewhichwehaveexperienced，howshallweknowaboutdeathwhichwehavenot——andinthenatureofthingsnevercan？Everyone，asIsaidyearsagoin"AlpsandSanctuaries，"isanimmortaltohimself，forhecannotknowthatheisdeaduntilheisdead，andwhendeadhowcanheknowanythingaboutanything？Allweknowis，thateventhehumblestdeadmaylivelongafteralltraceofthebodyhasdisappeared；weseethemdoingitinthebodiesandmemoriesofthosethatcomeafterthem；andnotafewlivesomuchlongerandmoreeffectuallythanisdesirable，thatithasbeennecessarytogetridofthembyActofParliament。Itislovethatalonegiveslife，andthetruestlifeisthatwhichwelivenotinourselvesbutvicariouslyinothers，andwithwhichwehavenoconcern。Ourconcernissotoorderourselvesthatwemaybeofthenumberofthemthatenterintolife——althoughweknowitnot。

AEschylusdidsoorderhimself；buthislifeisnotofthatinspiritingkindthatcanbewonthroughfightingthegoodfightonly——orbeingbelievedtohavefoughtit。Hisvoiceistheechoofadrone，drone-begottenanddrone-sustained。Itisnotatonethatamanmustutterordie——nay，eventhoughhedie；andlikelyenoughhalftheallusionsandhardpassagesinAEschylusofwhichwecanmakeneitherheadnortailareinrealityonlypuffsofsomeoftheliteraryleadersofhistime。

Theladyabovereferredtotoldmemoreaboutherparrots。ShewaslikeaNasmyth’shammergoingslow——verygentle，butirresistible。

Shealwaysreadthenewspapertothem。Whatwastheuseofhavinganewspaperifonedidnotreadittoone’sparrots？

"Andhaveyoudivined，"Iasked，"towhichsidetheyinclineinpolitics？"

"TheydonotlikeMr。Gladstone，"wasthesomewhatfreezinganswer；

"thisistheonlypointonwhichwedisagree，forIadorehim。

Don’taskmoreaboutthis，itisagreatgrieftome。Itellthemeverything，"shecontinued，"andhidenosecretfromthem。"

"Butcananyparrotbetrustedtokeepasecret？"

"Minecan。"

"AndonSundaysdoyougivethemthesamecourseofreadingasonaweek-day，ordoyoumakeadifference？"

"OnSundaysIalwaysreadthemagenealogicalchapterfromtheOldorNewTestament，forIcanthusintroducetheirnameswithoutprofanity。Ialwayskeepteabymeincasetheyshouldaskforitinthenight，andIhaveanEtnatowarmitforthem；theytakemilkandsugar。Theoldwhite-headedclergymancametoseethemlastnight；itwasverypainful，forJockoremindedhimsostronglyofhislate……"

Ithoughtshewasgoingtosay"wife，"butitprovedtohavebeenonlyofaparrotthathehadonceknownandloved。

Oneeveningshewasindifficultiesaboutthequarantine，whichwasenforcedthatyearontheItalianfrontier。ThelocaldoctorhadgonedownthatmorningtoseetheItaliandoctorandarrangesomedetails。"Then，perhaps，mydear，"shesaidtoherhusband，"heisthequarantine。""No，mylove，"repliedherhusband。"Thequarantineisnotaperson，itisaplacewheretheyputpeople"；

butshewouldnotbecomforted，andsuspectedthequarantineasanenemythatmightatanymomentpounceoutuponherandherparrots。

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