ThereforeIwouldmakemenandwomendiscontented，withthedivineandwholesomediscontent，attheirownphysicalframe，andatthatoftheirchildren。Iwouldaccustomtheireyestothosepreciousheirloomsofthehumanrace，thestatuesoftheoldGreeks；totheirtendergrandeur，theirchastehealthfulness，theirunconscious，becauseperfectmight：andsay——There；thesearetokenstoyou，andtoallgenerationsyetunborn，ofwhatmancouldbeonce；ofwhathecanbeagainifhewillobeythoselawsofnaturewhicharethevoiceofGod。Iwouldmakethemdiscontentedwiththeuglinessandclosenessoftheirdwellings；I

wouldmakethemdiscontentedwiththefashionoftheirgarments，andstillmorejustnowthewomen，ofallranks，withthefashionoftheirs；andwitheverythingaroundthemwhichtheyhavethepowerofimproving，ifitbeatallungraceful，superfluous，tawdry，ridiculous，unwholesome。Iwouldmakethemdiscontentedwithwhattheycalltheireducation，andsaytothem——YoucallthethreeRoyalR’seducation？Theyarenoteducation：nomoreistheknowledgewhichwouldenableyoutotakethehighestprizesgivenbytheSocietyofArts，oranyotherbody。Theyarenoteducation：theyareonlyinstruction；anecessarygroundwork，inanagelikethis，formakingpracticaluseofyoureducation：butnottheeducationitself。

Andiftheyaskedme，Whattheneducationmeant？Ishouldpointthem，first，Ithink，tonobleoldLilly’snobleold"Euphues，"ofthreehundredyearsago，andaskthemtoconsiderwhatitsaysabouteducation，andespeciallythispassageconcerningthatmereknowledgewhichisnowadaysstrangelymiscallededucation。"Therearetwoprincipalandpeculiargiftsinthenatureofman，knowledgeandreason。Theone"——thatisreason——"commandeth，andtheother"——thatisknowledge——"obeyeth。Thesethingsneitherthewhirlingwheeloffortunecanchange，northedeceitfulcavillingsofworldlingsseparate，neithersicknessabate，norageabolish。"

AndnextIshouldpointthemtothosepagesinMr。Gladstone’s"JuventusMundi，"wherehedescribestheidealtrainingofaGreekyouthinHomer’sdays；andsay——There：thatisaneducationfitforareallycivilisedman，eventhoughheneversawabookinhislife；thefull，proportionate，harmoniouseducing-thatis，bringingoutanddeveloping——ofallthefacultiesofhisbody，mind，andheart，tillhebecomesatonceareverentyetself-

assured，agracefulandyetavaliant，anableandyetaneloquentpersonage。

Andifanyshouldsaytome——"Butwhathasthistodowithscience？Homer’sGreeksknewnoscience；"Ishouldrejoin——Buttheyhad，pre-eminentlyaboveallancientraceswhichweknow，thescientificinstinct；theteachablenessandmodesty；thecleareyeandquickear；theheartyreverenceforfactandnature，andforthehumanbody，andmind，andspirit；forhumannatureinaword，initscompleteness，asthehighestfactuponthisearth。

Thereforetheybecameinafteryears，notonlythegreatcolonisersandthegreatcivilisersoftheoldworld——themostpracticalpeople，Ihold，whichtheworldeversaw；buttheparentsofallsoundphysicsaswellasofallsoundmetaphysics。

Theirveryreligion，inspiteofitsimperfections，helpedforwardtheireducation，notinspiteof，butbymeansofthatanthropomorphismwhichwesometimestoohastilydecry。AsMr。

Gladstonesays："Asregardedallotherfunctionsofournature，outsidethedomainofthelifetoGodward——allthosefunctionswhicharesummedupinwhatSt。Paulcallsthefleshandthemind，thepsychicandbodilylife，thetendencyofthesystemwastoexaltthehumanelement，byproposingamodelofbeauty，strength，andwisdom，inalltheircombinations，soelevatedthattheefforttoattainthemrequiredacontinualupwardstrain。Itmadedivinityattainable；andthusiteffectuallydirectedthethoughtandaimofmanAlongthelineoflimitlessdesires。

Suchaschemeofreligion，thoughfailinggrosslyinthegovernmentofthepassions，andinupholdingthestandardofmoralduties，tendedpowerfullytoproducealoftyself-respect，andalarge，free，andvariedconceptionofhumanity。Itincorporateditselfinschemesofnotabledisciplineformindandbody，indeedofalifelongeducation；andthesehabitsofmindandactionhadtheirmarkedresults（toomitmanyothergreatnesses）inaphilosophy，literature，andart，whichremaintothisdayunrivalledorunsurpassed。"

SomuchthoseoldGreeksdidfortheirowneducation，withoutscienceandwithoutChristianity。Wewhohaveboth：whatmightwenotdo，ifwewouldbetruetoouradvantages，andtoourselves？

THETWOBREATHS{4}

Ladies，——Ihavebeenhonouredbyasecondinvitationtoaddressyou，andIdarenotrefuseit；becauseitgivesmeanopportunityofspeakingonamatter，knowledgeandignoranceaboutwhichmayseriouslyaffectyourhealthandhappiness，andthatofthechildrenwithwhomyoumayhavetodo。ImustapologiseifIsaymanythingswhicharewellknowntomanypersonsinthisroom：

theyoughttobewellknowntoall：butitisgenerallybesttoassumetotalignoranceinone’shearers，andtobeginfromthebeginning。

Ishalltrytobeassimpleaspossible；totroubleyouaslittleaspossiblewithscientificterms；tobepractical；andatthesametime，ifpossible，interesting。

Ishouldwishtocallthislecture"TheTwoBreaths："notmerely"TheBreath；"andforthisreason：everytimeyoubreatheyoubreathetwodifferentbreaths；youtakeinone，yougiveoutanother。Thecompositionofthosetwobreathsisdifferent。

Theireffectsaredifferent。Thebreathwhichhasbeenbreathedoutmustnotbebreathedinagain。Totellyouwhyitmustnotwouldleadmeintoanatomicaldetails，notquiteinplacehereasyet；thoughthedaywillcome，Itrust，wheneverywomanentrustedwiththecareofchildrenwillbeexpectedtoknowsomethingaboutthem。ButthisImaysay：Thosewhohabituallytakeinfreshbreathwillprobablygrowuplarge，strong，ruddy，cheerful，active，clear-headed，fitfortheirwork。Thosewhohabituallytakeinthebreathwhichhasbeenbreathedoutbythemselves，oranyotherlivingcreature，willcertainlygrowup，iftheygrowupatall，small，weak，pale，nervous，depressed，unfitforwork，andtemptedcontinuallytoresorttostimulants，andbecomedrunkards。

Ifyouwanttoseehowdifferentthebreathbreathedoutisfromthebreathtakenin，youhaveonlytotryasomewhatcruelexperiment，butonewhichpeopletoooftentryuponthemselves，theirchildren，andtheirworkpeople。Ifyoutakeanysmallanimalwithlungslikeyourown——amouse，forinstance——andforceittobreathenoairbutwhatyouhavebreathedalready；ifyouputitinaclosebox，andwhileyoutakeinbreathfromtheouterair，sendoutyourbreaththroughatube，intothatbox，theanimalwillsoonfaint：ifyougoonlongwiththisprocess，itwilldie。

Takeasecondinstance，whichIbegtopressmostseriouslyonthenoticeofmothers，governesses，andnurses。Ifyouallowachildtogetintothehabitofsleepingwithitsheadunderthebed-

clothes，andtherebybreathingitsownbreathoverandoveragain，thatchildwillassuredlygrowpale，weak，andill。Medicalmenhavecasesonrecordofscrofulaappearinginchildrenpreviouslyhealthy，whichcouldonlybeaccountedforfromthishabit，andwhichceasedwhenthehabitstopped。Letmeagainentreatyourattentiontothisundoubtedfact。

Takeanotherinstance，whichisonlytoocommon：Ifyouareinacrowdedroom，withplentyoffireandlightsandcompany，doorsandwindowsallshuttight，howoftenyoufeelfaint——sofaintthatyoumayrequiresmelling-saltsorsomeotherstimulant。Thecauseofyourfaintnessisjustthesameasthatofthemouse’sfaintinginthebox；youandyourfriends，and，asIshallshowyoupresently，thefireandthecandleslikewise，havingbeenallbreathingeachother’sbreaths，overandoveragain，tilltheairhasbecomeunfittosupportlife。YouaredoingyourbesttoenactoveragaintheHighlandtragedy，ofwhichSirJamesSimpsontellsinhislecturestotheworking-classesofEdinburgh，whenataChristmasmeetingthirty-sixpersonsdancedallnightinasmallroomwithalowceiling，keepingthedoorsandwindowsshut。Theatmosphereoftheroomwasnoxiousbeyonddescription；andtheeffectwas，thatsevenofthepartyweresoonafterseizedwithtyphusfever，ofwhichtwodied。Youareinflictingonyourselvesthetormentsofthepoordog，whoiskeptattheGrottodelCane，nearNaples，tobestupefied，fortheamusementofvisitors，bythecarbonicacidgasoftheGrotto，andbroughttolifeagainbybeingdraggedintothefreshair；nay，youareinflictinguponyourselvesthetormentsofthefamousBlackHoleofCalcutta：

and，iftherewasnochimneyintheroom，bywhichsomefreshaircouldenter，thecandleswouldsoonburnblue，astheydo，youknow，whenghostsappear；yourbrainsbecomedisturbed；andyouyourselvesrantheriskofbecomingghosts，andthecandlesofactuallygoingout。

Ofthislastfactthereisnodoubt；forif，insteadofputtingamouseintothebox，youwillputalightedcandle，andbreatheintothetubeasbefore，howevergently，youwillinashorttimeputthecandleout。

Now，howisthis？First，whatisthedifferencebetweenthebreathyoutakeinandthebreathyougiveout？Andnext，whyhasitasimilareffectonanimallifeandalightedcandle？

Thedifferenceisthis。Thebreathwhichyoutakeinis，oroughttobe，pureair，composed，onthewhole，ofoxygenandnitrogen，withaminuteportionofcarbonicacid。

Thebreathwhichyougiveoutisanimpureair，towhichhasbeenadded，amongothermatterswhichwillnotsupportlife，anexcessofcarbonicacid。

Thatthisisthefactyoucanproveforyourselvesbyasimpleexperiment。Getalittlelime-wateratthechemist’s，andbreatheintoitthroughaglasstube；yourbreathwillatoncemakethelime-watermilky。Thecarbonicacidofyourbreathhaslaidholdofthelime，andmadeitvisibleaswhitecarbonateoflime——inplainEnglish，ascommonchalk。

NowIdonotwish，asIsaid，toloadyourmemorieswithscientificterms：butIbeseechyoutorememberatleastthesetwo，oxygengasandcarbonicacidgas；andtorememberthat，assurelyasoxygenfeedsthefireoflife，sosurelydoescarbonicacidputitout。

Isay，"thefireoflife。"Inthatexpressionliestheanswertooursecondquestion：Whydoesourbreathproduceasimilareffectuponthemouseandthelightedcandle？Everyoneofusis，asitwere，alivingfire。Werewenot，howcouldwebealwayswarmerthantheairoutsideus？Thereisaprocess；goingonperpetuallyineachofus，similartothatbywhichcoalsareburntinthefire，oilinalamp，waxinacandle，andtheearthitselfinavolcano。Tokeepeachofthosefiresalight，oxygenisneeded；

andtheproductsofcombustion，astheyarecalled，aremoreorlessthesameineachcase——carbonicacidandsteam。

ThesefactsjustifytheexpressionIjustmadeuseof——whichmayhaveseemedtosomeofyoufantastical——thatthefireandthecandlesinthecrowdedroomwerebreathingthesamebreathasyouwere。Itisbuttootrue。Anaveragefireinthegraterequires，tokeepitburning，asmuchoxygenasseveralhumanbeingsdo；

eachcandleorlampmusthaveitsshareofoxygenlikewise，andthataveryconsiderableone，andanaveragegas-burner——prayattendtothis，youwholiveinroomslightedwithgas——consumesasmuchoxygenasseveralcandles。Allalikearemakingcarbonicacid。Thecarbonicacidofthefirehappilyescapesupthechimneyinthesmoke：butthecarbonicacidfromthehumanbeingsandthecandlesremainstopoisontheroom，unlessitbeventilated。

Now，Ithinkyoumayunderstandoneofthesimplest，andyetmostterrible，casesofwantofventilation——deathbythefumesofcharcoal。Ahumanbeingshutupinaroom，ofwhicheverycrackisclosed，withapanofburningcharcoal，fallsasleep，nevertowakeagain。Hisinwardfireiscompetingwiththefireofcharcoalfortheoxygenoftheroom；botharemakingcarbonicacidoutofit：butthecharcoal，beingthestrongerofthetwo，getsalltheoxygentoitself，andleavesthehumanbeingnothingtoinhalebutthecarbonicacidwhichithasmade。Thehumanbeing，beingtheweaker，diesfirst：butthecharcoaldiesalso。Whenithasexhaustedalltheoxygenoftheroom，itcools，goesout，andisfoundinthemorninghalf-consumedbesideitsvictim。Ifyouputagiantoranelephant，Ishouldconceive，intothatroom，insteadofahumanbeing，thecasewouldbereversedforatime：

theelephantwouldputouttheburningcharcoalbythecarbonicacidfromhismightylungs；andthen，whenhehadexhaustedalltheairintheroom，dielikewiseofhisowncarbonicacid。

Now，Ithink，wemayseewhatventilationmeans，andwhyitisneeded。

Ventilationmeanssimplylettingoutthefoulair，andlettinginthefreshair；lettingouttheairwhichhasbeenbreathedbymenorbycandles，andlettingintheairwhichhasnot。Tounderstandhowtodothat，wemustrememberamostsimplechemicallaw，thatagasasitiswarmedexpands，andthereforebecomeslighter；asitcools，itcontracts，andbecomesheavier。

Nowthecarbonicacidinthebreathwhichcomesoutofourmouthiswarm，lighterthantheair，andrisestotheceiling；andthereforeinanyunventilatedroomfullofpeople，thereisalayeroffoulairalongtheceiling。Youmightsoontestthatforyourselves，ifyoucouldmountaladderandputyourheadstherealoft。Youdotestitforyourselveswhenyousitinthegalleriesofchurchesandtheatres，wheretheairispalpablymorefoul，andthereforemoreinjurious，thandownbelow。

Where，again，work-peopleareemployedinacrowdedhouseofmanystoreys，thehealthofthosewhoworkontheupperfloorsalwayssuffersmost。

Intheoldmonkey-houseoftheZoologicalGardens，whenthecageswereontheoldplan，tierupontier，thepoorlittlefellowsintheuppermosttier——soIhavebeentold——alwaysdiedfirstofthemonkey’sconstitutionalcomplaint，consumption，simplyfrombreathingthewarmbreathoftheirfriendsbelow。Butsincethecageshavebeenaltered，andmadetorangesidebysidefromtoptobottom，consumption——Iunderstand——hasvastlydiminishedamongthem。

Thefirstquestioninventilation，therefore，istogetthiscarbonicacidsafeoutoftheroom，whileitiswarmandlightandclosetotheceiling；forifyoudonot，thishappens：Thecarbonicacidgascoolsandbecomesheavier；forcarbonicacid，atthesametemperatureascommonair，issomuchheavierthancommonair，thatyoumayactually——ifyouarehandyenough——turnitfromonevesseltoanother，andpouroutforyourenemyaglassofinvisiblepoison。Sodowntothefloorthisheavycarbonicacidcomes，andliesalongit，justasitliesofteninthebottomofoldwells，oroldbrewers’vats，asastratumofpoison，killingoccasionallythemenwhodescendintoit。Hence，asfoolishapracticeasIknowisthatofsleepingonthefloor；fortowardsthesmallhours，whentheroomgetscold，thesleeperonthefloorisbreathingcarbonicacid。

Andhereonewordtothoseladieswhointerestthemselveswiththepoor。Thepooraretooaptintimesofdistresstopawntheirbedsteadsandkeeptheirbeds。Never，ifyouhaveinfluence，letthathappen。Keepthebedstead，whateverelsemaygo，tosavethesleeperfromthecarbonicacidonthefloor。

How，then，shallwegetridofthefoulairatthetopoftheroom？Afterallthathasbeenwrittenandtriedonventilation，I

knownosimplermethodthanputtingintothechimneyoneofArnott’sventilators，whichmaybeboughtandfixedforafewshillings；alwaysrememberingthatitmustbe。fixedintothechimneyasneartheceilingaspossible。Icanspeakoftheseventilatorsfromtwenty-fiveyears’experience。Livinginahousewithlowceilings，liabletobecomeoverchargedwithcarbonicacid，whichproducessleepinessintheevening，Ihavefoundthattheseventilatorskeeptheairfreshandpure；andIconsiderthepresenceofoneoftheseventilatorsinaroommorevaluablethanthreeorfourfeetadditionalheightofceiling。Ihavefound，too，thattheirworkingproveshownecessarytheyare，fromthissimplefact：Youwouldsupposethat，astheventilatoropensfreelyintothechimney，thesmokewouldbeblowndownthroughitinhighwinds，andblackentheceiling：butthisisjustwhatdoesnothappen。Iftheventilatorbeatallproperlypoised，soastoshutwithaviolentgustofwind，itwillatallothermomentskeepitselfpermanentlyopen；provingtherebythatthereisanup-draughtofheatedaircontinuallyescapingfromtheceilingupthechimney。AnotherverysimplemethodofventilationisemployedinthoseexcellentcottageswhichHerMajestyhasbuiltforherlabourersroundWindsor。Overeachdoorasheetofperforatedzinc，someeighteeninchessquare，isfixed；allowingthefoulairtoescapeintothepassage；andintheceilingofthepassageasimilarsheetofzinc，allowingittoescapeintotheroof。Freshair，meanwhile，shouldbeobtainedfromoutside，bypiercingthewindows，orotherwise。Andhereletmegiveonehinttoallbuildersofhouses：Ifpossible，letbedroomwindowsopenatthetopaswellasatthebottom。

Letmeimpressthenecessityofusingsomesuchcontrivances，notonlyonparentsandeducators，butonthosewhoemployworkpeople，andaboveallonthosewhoemployyoungwomeninshopsorinwork-

rooms。WhattheirconditionmaybeinthiscityIknownot；butmostpainfulithasbeentomeinotherplaces，whenpassingthroughwarehousesorworkrooms，toseethepale，sodden，and，astheFrenchwouldsay，"etiolated"countenancesofthegirlswhowerepassingthegreaterpartofthedayinthem；andpainful，also，tobreatheanatmosphereofwhichhabithad，alas！madethemunconscious，butwhichtoonecomingoutoftheopenairwasaltogethernoxious，andshockingalso；foritwasfosteringtheseedsofdeath，notonlyinthepresentbutfuturegenerations。

Whyshouldthisbe？Everyonewillagreethatgoodventilationisnecessaryinahospital，becausepeoplecannotgetwellwithoutfreshair。Dotheynotseethatbythesamereasoninggoodventilationisnecessaryeverywhere，becausepeoplecannotremainwellwithoutfreshair？Letmeentreatthosewhoemploywomeninworkrooms，iftheyhavenotimetoreadthroughsuchbooksasDr。

AndrewCombe’s"PhysiologyappliedtoHealthandEducation，"andMadamedeWahl’s"PracticalHintsontheMoral，Mental，andPhysicalTrainingofGirls，"toprocurecertaintractspublishedbyMessrs。Jarrold，PaternosterRow，fortheLadies’SanitaryAssociation；especiallyonewhichbearsonthissubject："TheBlack-holeinourownBedrooms；"Dr。Lankester’s"SchoolManualofHealth；"oramanualonventilation，publishedbytheMetropolitanWorkingClassesAssociationfortheImprovementofPublicHealth。

Ilookforward——Isayitopenly——tosomeperiodofhighercivilisation，whentheActsofParliamentfortheventilationoffactoriesandworkshopsshallbelargelyextended，andmadefarmorestringent；whenofficersofpublichealthshallbeempoweredtoenforcetheventilationofeveryroominwhichpersonsareemployedforhire：andempoweredalsotodemandapropersystemofventilationforeverynewhouse，whetherincountryorintown。

Tothat，Ibelieve，wemustcome：butIhadsoonerfarseetheseimprovementscarriedout，asbefitsthecitizensofafreecountry，inthespiritoftheGospelratherthaninthatoftheLaw；carriedout，notcompulsorilyandfromfearoffines，butvoluntarily，fromasenseofduty，honour，andhumanity。I

appeal，therefore，tothegoodfeelingofallwhomitmayconcern，whetherthehealthofthosewhomtheyemploy，andthereforethesupplyoffreshairwhichtheyabsolutelyneed，arenotmattersforwhichtheyarenot，moreorless，responsibletotheircountryandtheirGod。

Andifanyexcellentpersonoftheoldschoolshouldanswerme：

"Whymakeallthisfussaboutventilation？Ourforefathersgotonverywellwithoutit"——Imustanswerthat，beggingtheirpardons，ourancestorsdidnothingofthekind。Ourancestorsgotonusuallyveryillinthesematters：andwhentheygotonwell，itwasbecausetheyhadgoodventilationinspiteofthemselves。

First。Theygotonveryill。Toquoteafewremarkableinstancesoflongevity，ortotellmethatmenwerelargerandstrongerontheaverageinoldtimes，istoyieldtotheoldfallacyoffancyingthatsavageswerepeculiarlyhealthy，becausethosewhowereseenwereactiveandstrong。Thesimpleansweris，thatthestrongalonesurvived，whilethemajoritydiedfromtheseverityofthetraining。Savagesdonotincreaseinnumber；andourancestorsincreasedbutveryslowlyformanycenturies。Iamnotgoingtodisgustmyaudiencewithstatisticsofdisease：butknowingsomething，asIhappentodo，ofthesocialstateandofthehealthoftheMiddleandElizabethanAges，Ihavenohesitationinsayingthattheaverageofdiseaseanddeathwasfargreaterthenthanitisnow。Epidemicsofmanykinds，typhus，ague，plague——alldiseaseswhichwerecausedmoreorlessbybadair——devastatedthislandandEuropeinthosedayswithahorribleintensity，towhicheventhecholerasofourtimesaremild。Thebackstreets，thehospitals，thegaols，thebarracks，thecamps——

everyplaceinwhichanylargenumberofpersonscongregated，weresomanynestsofpestilence，engenderedbyuncleanliness，whichdefiledalikethewaterwhichwasdrunkandtheairwhichwasbreathed；andasasinglefact，ofwhichthetablesofinsurancecompaniesassureus，theaverageofhumanlifeinEnglandhasincreasedtwenty-fivepercent。sincethereignofGeorgeI。，owingsimplytoourmorerationalandcleanlyhabitsoflife。

Butsecondly，Isaidthatwhenourancestorsgotonwell，theydidsobecausetheygotventilationinspiteofthemselves。Luckilyforthem，theirhouseswereill-built；theirdoorsandwindowswouldnotshut。Theyhadlattice-windowedhouses，too；toliveinoneofwhich，asIcantestifyfromlongexperience，isasthoroughlyventilatingaslivinginalanternwiththehornbrokenout。Itwasbecausetheirhouseswerefullofdraughts，andstillmore，intheearlyMiddleAge，becausetheyhadnoglass，andstoppedouttheaironlybyashutteratnight，thattheysoughtforshelterratherthanforfreshair，ofwhichtheysometimeshadtoomuch；and，toescapethewind，builttheirhousesinholes，suchasthatinwhichtheoldcityofWinchesterstands。Shelter，Ibelieve，asmuchasthedesiretobenearfishinLent，andtooccupytherichalluviumofthevalleys，madethemonksofOldEnglandchoosetheriver-banksforthesitesoftheirabbeys。

Theymadeamistaketherein，which，likemostmistakes，didnotgounpunished。Theselowsituations，especiallywhiletheforestswereyetthickonthehillsaround，weretheperennialhauntsoffeverandague，producedbysubtlevegetablepoisons，carriedinthecarbonicacidgivenoffbyrottenvegetation。Sothere，again，theyfellinwithman’soldenemy——badair。Still，aslongasthedoorsandwindowsdidnotshut，somefreecirculationofairremained。Butnow，ourdoorsandwindowsshutonlytootight。

Wehaveplate-glassinsteadoflattices；andwehavereplacedthedraughtyandsmoky，butreallywholesomeopenchimney，withitswidecornersandsettles，bynarrowregisters，andevenbystoves。

Wehavedoneallwecan，infact，tosealourselvesuphermeticallyfromtheouterair，andtobreathourownbreathsoverandoveragain；andwepaythepenaltyofitinathousandwaysunknowntoourancestors，throughwhoseroomsallthewindsofheavenwhistled，andwhoweregladenoughtoshelterthemselvesfromdraughtsinthesitting-roombythehighscreenroundthefire，andinthesleeping-roombythethickcurtainsofthefour-

postbedstead，whichisnowrapidlydisappearingbeforeahighercivilisation。Wethereforeabsolutelyrequiretomakeforourselvestheveryventilationfromwhichourancestorstriedtoescape。

But，ladies，thereisanoldandtrueproverb，thatyoumaybringahorsetothewater，butyoucannotmakehimdrink。Andinlikewiseitistootrue，thatyoumaybringpeopletothefreshair，butyoucannotmakethembreathit。Theirownfolly，orthefollyoftheirparentsandeducators，preventstheirlungsbeingdulyfilledanddulyemptied。Thereforethebloodisnotdulyoxygenated，andthewholesystemgoeswrong。Paleness，weakness，consumption，scrofula，andtoomanyotherailments，aretheconsequencesofill-filledlungs。Forwithoutwell-filledlungs，robusthealthisimpossible。

Andifanyoneshallanswer："Wedonotwantrobusthealthsomuchasintellectualattainment；themortalbody，beingthelowerorgan，musttakeitschance，andbeevensacrificed，ifneedbetothehigherorgan——theimmortalmind"——TosuchIreply，Youcannotdoit。Thelawsofnature，whicharetheexpresswillofGod，laughsuchattemptstoscorn。Everyorganofthebodyisformedoutoftheblood；andifthebloodbevitiated，everyorgansuffersinproportiontoitsdelicacy；andthebrain，beingthemostdelicateandhighlyspecialisedofallorgans，suffersmostofall，andsoonestofall，aseveryoneknowswhohastriedtoworkhisbrainwhenhisdigestionwastheleastoutoforder。

Nay，theverymoralswillsuffer。Fromill-filledlungs，whichsignifyill-repairedblood，ariseyearbyyearanamountnotmerelyofdisease，butoffolly，temper，laziness，intemperance，madness，and，letmetellyoufairly，crime——thesumofwhichwillneverbeknowntillthatgreatdaywhenmenshallbecalledtoaccountforalldeedsdoneinthebody，whethertheybegoodorevil。

ImustreferyouonthissubjectagaintoAndrewCombe’s"Physiology，"especiallychaptersiv。andvii。；andalsotochapterx。ofMadamedeWahl’sexcellentbook。Iwillonlysaythisshortly，thatthethreemostcommoncausesofill-filledlungs，inchildrenandinyoungladies，arestillness，silence，andstays。

First，stillness；asedentarylife，andwantofexercise。Agirliskeptforhourssittingonaformwritingorreading，todowhichshemustleanforward；andifherschoolmistresscruellyattemptstomakehersitupright，andtherebykeepthespineinanattitudeforwhichNaturedidnotintendit，sheistherebydoingherbesttobringonthatdisease，sofearfullycommoningirls’

schools，lateralcurvatureofthespine。Butpracticallythegirlwillstoopforward。Andwhathappens？Thelowerribsarepressedintothebody，therebydisplacingmoreorlesssomethinginside。

Thediaphragminthemeantime，whichistheverybellowsofthelungs，remainsloose；thelungsareneverproperlyfilledoremptied；andanexcessofcarbonicacidaccumulatesatthebottomofthem。Whatfollows？Frequentsighingtogetridofit；

heavinessofhead；depressionofthewholenervoussystemundertheinfluenceofthepoisonofthelungs；andwhenthepoorchildgetsupfromherwearywork，whatisthefirstthingsheprobablydoes？Sheliftsupherchest，stretches，yawns，andbreathesdeeply——Nature’svoice，Nature’sinstinctivecure，whichisprobablyregardedasungraceful，aswhatiscalled"lolling"is。

Asifsittinguprightwasnotanattitudeinitselfessentiallyungraceful，andsuchasnoartistwouldcaretodraw。Asif"lolling，"whichmeansputtingthebodyintheattitudeofthemostperfecteasecompatiblewithafully-expandedchest，wasnotinitselfessentiallygraceful，andtobeseenineveryreposingfigureinGreekbas-reliefsandvases；graceful，andlikeallgracefulactions，healthfulatthesametime。Theonlytolerablywholesomeattitudeofrepose，whichIseeallowedinaverageschool-rooms，islyingonthebackonthefloor，oronaslopingboard，inwhichcasethelungsmustbefullyexpanded。Butevenso，apillow，orsomeequivalent，oughttobeplacedunderthesmalloftheback：orthespinewillbestrainedatitsveryweakestpoint。

Inowgoontothesecondmistake——enforcedsilence。Moderatereadingaloudisgood：butwherethereisanytendencytoirritabilityofthroatorlungs，toomuchmoderationcannotbeused。Youmayaswelltrytocureadiseasedlungbyworkingit，astocurealamehorsebygallopinghim。Butwherethebreathingorgansareofaveragehealthletitbesaidonceandforall，thatchildrenandyoungpeoplecannotmaketoomuchnoise。Theparentswhocannotbearthenoiseoftheirchildrenhavenorighttohavebroughtthemintotheworld。Theschoolmistresswhoenforcessilenceonherpupilsiscommitting——unintentionallynodoubt，butstillcommitting——anoffenceagainstreason，worthyonlyofaconvent。Everyshout，everyburstoflaughter，everysong——nay，inthecaseofinfants，asphysiologistswellknow，everymoderatefitofcrying——conducestohealth，byrapidlyfillingandemptyingthelung，andchangingthebloodmorerapidlyfromblacktored，thatis，fromdeathtolife。AndrewCombetellsastoryofalargecharityschool，inwhichtheyounggirlswere，forthesakeoftheirhealth，shutupinthehallandschool-roomduringplayhours，fromNovembertillMarch，andnorompingornoiseallowed。

Thenaturalconsequenceswere，thegreatmajorityofthemfellill；andIamafraidthatagreatdealofillnesshasbeenfromtimetotimecontractedincertainschool-rooms，simplythroughthisonecauseofenforcedsilence。Somecauseorothertheremustbefortheamountofill-healthandweaklinesswhichprevailsespeciallyamonggirlsofthemiddleclassesintowns，whohavenot，poorthings，theopportunitieswhichrichergirlshave，ofkeepingthemselvesinstronghealthbyriding，skating，archery，——

thatlastquiteanadmirableexerciseforthechestandlungs，andfarpreferabletocroquet，whichinvolvestoomuchunwholesomestooping。——Evenagameofball，ifmillinersandshop-girlshadroomtoindulgeinoneaftertheirsedentarywork，mightbringfreshspiritstomanyaheart，andfreshcolourtomanyacheek。

IspokejustnowoftheGreeks。IsupposeyouwillallallowthattheGreekswere，asfarasweknow，themostbeautifulracewhichtheworldeversaw。Everyeducatedmanknowsthattheywerealsothecleverestofallraces；and，nexttohisBible，thanks，GodforGreekliterature。

Now，thesepeoplehadmadephysicalaswellasintellectualeducationascienceaswellasastudy。Theirwomenpractisedgraceful，andinsomecasesevenathletic，exercises。Theydeveloped，byafreeandhealthylife，thosefigureswhichremaineverlastingandunapproachablemodelsofhumanbeauty：but——tocometomythirdpoint——theyworenostays。ThefirstmentionofstaysthatIhaveeverfoundisinthelettersofdearoldSynesius，BishopofCyrene，ontheGreekcoastofAfrica，aboutfourhundredyearsaftertheChristianera。Hetellsushow，whenhewasshipwreckedonaremotepartofthecoast，andheandtherestofthepassengerswerestarvingoncocklesandlimpets，therewasamongthemaslavegirloutofthefarEast，whohadapinchedwasp-waist，suchasyoumayseeontheoldHindoosculptures，andsuchasyoumayseeinanystreetinaBritishtown。AndwhentheGreekladiesoftheneighbourhoodfoundherout，theysentforherfromhousetohouse，tobehold，withastonishmentandlaughter，thisnewandprodigious，waist，withwhichitseemedtothemitwasimpossibleforahumanbeingtobreatheorlive；andtheypettedthepoorgirl，andfedher，astheymightadwarforagiantess，tillshegotquitefatandcomfortable，whileherownershadnotenoughtoeat。Sostrangeandridiculousseemedourpresentfashiontothedescendantsofthosewho，centuriesbefore，hadimagined，becausetheyhadseenlivingandmoving，thosegloriousstatueswhichwepretendtoadmire，butrefusetoimitate。

Itseemstomethatafewcenturieshence，whenmankindhaslearnttofearGodmore，andthereforetoobeymorestrictlythoselawsofnatureandofsciencewhicharethewillofGod——itseemstome，Isay，thatinthosedaysthepresentfashionoftightlacingwillbelookedbackuponasacontemptibleandbarbaroussuperstition，denotingaverylowlevelofcivilisationinthepeopleswhichhavepractisedit。Thatforgenerationspastwomenshouldhavebeeninthehabit——nottopleasemen，whodonotcareaboutthematterasapointofbeauty——butsimplytoviewitheachotherinobediencetosomethingcalledfashion——thattheyshould，Isay，havebeeninthehabitofdeliberatelycrushingthatpartofthebodywhichshouldbespeciallyleftfree，contractinganddisplacingtheirlungs，theirheart，andallthemostvitalandimportantorgans，andentailingtherebydisease，notonlyonthemselvesbutontheirchildrenafterthem；thatforfortyyearspastphysiciansshouldhavebeentellingthemofthefollyofwhattheyhavebeendoing；andthattheyshouldasyet，inthegreatmajorityofcases，notonlyturnadeafeartoallwarnings，butactuallydenytheoffence，ofwhichoneglanceofthephysicianorthesculptor，whoknowwhatshapethehumanbodyoughttobe，bringstheminguilty——this，Isay，isaninstanceof——whatshallIcallit？——whichdeservesatoncethelash，notmerelyofthesatirist，butofanytheologianwhoreallybelievesthatGodmadethephysicaluniverse。Letme，Iprayyou，appealtoyourcommonsenseforamoment。Whenanyonechoosesahorseoradog，whetherforstrength，forspeed，orforanyotherusefulpurpose，thefirstthingalmosttobelookedatisthegirthroundtheribs；theroomforheartandlungs。Exactlyinproportiontothatwillbetheanimal’sgeneralhealthiness，powerofendurance，andvalueinmanyotherways。Ifyouwilllookateminentlawyersandfamousorators，whohaveattainedahealthyoldage，youwillseethatineverycasetheyaremen，likethelateLordPalmerston，andotherswhomIcouldmention，ofremarkablesize，notmerelyintheupper，butinthelowerpartofthechest；menwhohad，therefore，apeculiarpowerofusingthediaphragmtofillandtoclearthelungs，andthereforetooxygenatethebloodofthewholebody。Now，itisjusttheselowerribs，acrosswhichthediaphragmisstretchedliketheheadofadrum，whichstayscontracttoaminimum。Ifyouadvisedownersofhorsesandhoundstoputtheirhorsesortheirhoundsintostays，andlacethemuptight，inordertoincreasetheirbeauty，youwouldreceive，I

doubtnot，averycourteous，butcertainlyaverydecided，refusaltodothatwhichwouldspoilnotmerelytheanimalsthemselves，butthewholestudorthewholekennelforyearstocome。Andifyouadvisedanoratortoputhimselfintotightstays，he，nodoubt，againwouldgiveacourteousanswer；buthewouldreply——ifhewasareallyeducatedman——thattocomplywithyourrequestwouldinvolvehisgivinguppublicwork，undertheprobablepenaltyofbeingdeadwithinthetwelve-month。

Andhowmuchworkofeverykind，intellectualaswellasphysical，isspoiledorhindered；howmanydeathsoccurfromconsumptionandothercomplaintswhicharetheresultofthishabitoftightlacing，isknownpartlytothemedicalmen，wholiftuptheirvoicesinvain，andknownfullytoHimwhowillnotinterferewiththeleastofHisownphysicallawstosavehumanbeingsfromtheconsequencesoftheirownwilfulfolly。

Andnow——toendthislecturewithmorepleasingthoughts——Whatbecomesofthisbreathwhichpassesfromyourlips？Isitmerelyharmful；merelywaste？Godforbid！Godhasforbiddenthatanythingshouldbemerelyharmfulormerelywasteinthissowiseandwell-madeworld。Thecarbonicacidwhichpassesfromyourlipsateverybreath——ay，eventhatwhichoozesfromthevolcanocraterwhentheeruptionispast——isapreciousboontothousandsofthingsofwhichyouhavedailyneed。Indeedthereisasortofhintatphysicaltruthintheoldfairytaleofthegirl，fromwhoselips，asshespoke，fellpearlsanddiamonds；forthecarbonicacidofyourbreathmayhelphereaftertomakethepurecarbonateoflimeofapearl，orthestillpurercarbonofadiamond。Nay，itmaygo——insuchaworldoftransformationsdowelive——tomakeatomsofcoalstrata，whichafterbeingburiedforagesbeneathdeepseas，shallbeupheavedincontinentswhichareyetunborn，andtherebeburntfortheuseofafutureraceofmen，andresolvedintotheiroriginalelements。Coal，wisementellus，isonthewholebreathandsunlight；thebreathoflivingcreatureswhohavelivedinthevastswampsandforestsofsomeprimevalworld，andthesunlightwhichtransmutedthatbreathintotheleavesandstemsoftrees，magicallylockedupforagesinthatblackstone，tobecome，whenitisburntatlast，lightandcarbonicacidasitwasatfirst。Forthoughyoumustnotbreatheyourbreathagain，youmayatleasteatyourbreath，ifyouwillallowthesuntotransmuteitforyouintovegetables；oryoumayenjoyitsfragranceanditscolourintheshapeofalilyorarose。Whenyouwalkinasunlitgarden，everywordyouspeak，everybreathyoubreathe，isfeedingtheplantsandflowersaround。Thedelicatesurfaceofthegreenleavesabsorbsthecarbonicacid，andpartsitintoitselements，retainingthecarbontomakewoodyfibre，andcourteouslyreturningyoutheoxygentominglewiththefreshair，andbeinhaledbyyourlungsoncemore。Thusdoyoufeedtheplants；justastheplantsfeedyou：whilethegreatlife-givingsunfeedsboth；andthegeraniumstandinginthesickchild’swindowdoesnotmerelyrejoicehiseyeandmindbyitsbeautyandfreshness，butrepayshonestlythetroublespentonit；absorbingthebreathwhichthechildneedsnot，andgivingtohimthebreathwhichheneeds。

SoaretheservicesofallthingsconstitutedaccordingtoaDivineandwonderfulorder，andknittogetherinmutualdependenceandmutualhelpfulness——afacttoberememberedwithhopeandcomfort：butalsowithaweandfear。Forasinthatwhichisabovenature，soinnatureitself；hethatbreaksonephysicallawisguiltyofall。Thewholeuniverse，asitwere，takesuparmsagainsthim；andallnature，withhernumberlessandunseenpowers，isreadytoavengeherselfonhim，andonhischildrenafterhim，heknowsnotwhennorwhere。He，ontheotherhand，whoobeysthelawsofnaturewithhiswholeheartandmind，willfindallthingsworkingtogethertohimforgood。Heisatpeacewiththephysicaluniverse。Heishelpedandbefriendedalikebythesunabovehisheadandthedustbeneathhisfeet；becauseheisobeyingthewillandmindofHimwhomadesun，anddust，andallthings；andwhohasgiventhemalawwhichcannotbebroken。

THRIFT{5}

Ladies，——Ihavechosenforthetitleofthislectureapracticalandprosaicword，becauseIintendthelectureitselftobeaspracticalandprosaicasIcanmakeit，withoutbecomingaltogetherdull。

Thequestionofthebetterorworseeducationofwomenisonefartooimportantforvaguesentiment，wildaspirations，orUtopiandreams。

Itisapracticalquestion，onwhichdependsnotmerelymoneyorcomfort，buttoooftenhealthandlife，astheconsequencesofagoodeducation，ordiseaseanddeath——IknowtoowellofwhatI

speak——astheconsequencesofabadone。

Ibegyou，therefore，toputoutofyourmindsattheoutsetanyfancythatIwishforasocialrevolutioninthepositionofwomen；orthatIwishtoseethemeducatedbyexactlythesamemethods，andinexactlythesamesubjects，asmen。Britishlads，onanaverage，arefartooill-taughtstill，inspiteofallrecentimprovements，formetowishthatBritishgirlsshouldbetaughtinthesameway。

Moreover，whateverdefectstheremayhavebeen——anddefectstheremustbeinallthingshuman——inthepasteducationofBritishwomen，ithasbeenmostcertainlyasplendidmoralsuccess。Ithasmade，bythegraceofGod，Britishwomenthebestwives，mothers，daughters，sisters，aunts，thattheworld，asfarasI

candiscover，hasyetseen。

Letthosewhowill，sneeratthewomenofEngland。Wewhohavetodotheworkandtofightthebattleoflifeknowtheinspirationwhichwederivefromtheirvirtue，theircounsel，theirtenderness，and——buttoooften——fromtheircompassionandtheirforgiveness。Thereis，Idoubtnot，stillleftinEnglandmanyamanwithchivalryandpatriotismenoughtochallengetheworldtoshowsoperfectaspecimenofhumanityasacultivatedBritishwoman。

ButjustbecauseacultivatedBritishwomanissoperfectapersonage；thereforeIwishtoseeallBritishwomencultivated。

BecausethewomanhoodofEnglandissopreciousatreasure；Iwishtoseenoneofitwasted。Itisaninvaluablecapital，ormaterial，outofwhichthegreatestpossibleprofittothenationmustbemade。AndthatcanonlybedonebyThrift；andthat，again，canonlybeattainedbyknowledge。

ConsiderthatwordThrift。Ifyouwilllookat"Dr。Johnson’sDictionary，"orifyouknowyour"Shakespeare，"youwillseethatThriftsignifiedoriginallyprofits，gain，richesgotten——inaword，themarksofaman’sthriving。

How，then，didthewordThriftgettomeanparsimony，frugality，theoppositeofwaste？Justinthesamewayaseconomy——whichfirst，ofcourse，meantthemanagementofahousehold——gottomeanalsotheoppositeofwaste。

Itwasfoundthatincommerce，inhusbandry，inanyprocess，infact，menthroveinproportionastheysavedtheircapital，theirmaterial，theirforce。

Nowthisisagreatlawwhichrunsthroughlife；oneofthoselawsofnature——callthem，rather，lawsofGod——whichapplynotmerelytopoliticaleconomy，tocommerce，andtomechanics；buttophysiology，tosociety；totheintellect，totheheart，ofeverypersoninthisroom。

Thesecretofthrivingisthrift；savingofforce；togetasmuchworkaspossibledonewiththeleastexpenditureofpower，theleastjarandobstruction，leastwearandtear。

Andthesecretofthriftisknowledge。Inproportionasyouknowthelawsandnatureofasubject，youwillbeabletoworkatiteasily，surely，rapidly，successfully；insteadofwastingyourmoneyoryourenergiesinmistakenschemes，irregularefforts，whichendindisappointmentandexhaustion。

Thesecretofthrift，Isay，isknowledge。Themoreyouknow，themoreyoucansaveyourselfandthatwhichbelongstoyou；andcandomoreworkwithlesseffort。

Aknowledgeofthelawsofcommercialcredit，weallknow，savescapital，enablingalesscapitaltodotheworkofagreater。

Knowledgeoftheelectrictelegraphsavestime；knowledgeofwritingsaveshumanspeechandlocomotion；knowledgeofdomesticeconomysavesincome；knowledgeofsanitarylawssaveshealthandlife；knowledgeofthelawsoftheintellectsaveswearandtearofbrain；andknowledgeofthelawsofthespirit——whatdoesitnotsave？

Awell-educatedmoralsense，awell-regulatedcharacter，savesfromidlenessandennui，alternatingwithsentimentalityandexcitement，thosetendereremotions，thosedeeperpassions，thosenobleraspirationsofhumanity，whicharetheheritageofthewomanfarmorethanoftheman；andwhicharepotentinher，forevilorforgood，inproportionastheyarelefttorunwildandundisciplined；oraretrainedanddevelopedintograceful，harmonious，self-restrainingstrength，beautifulinthemselves，andablessingtoallwhocomeundertheirinfluence。

What，therefore，Irecommendtoladiesinthislectureisthrift：

thriftofthemselvesandoftheirownpowers：andknowledgeastheparentofthrift。

Andbecauseitiswelltobeginwiththelowerapplicationsofthrift，andtoworkuptothehigher，Iammuchpleasedtohearthatthefirstcourseoftheproposedlecturestowomeninthisplacewillbeoneondomesticeconomy。

Ipresumethatthelearnedgentlemanwhowilldelivertheselectureswillbethelasttomeanbythattermthemeresavingofmoney；thathewilltellyou，as——beingaGerman——hewillhavegoodreasontoknow，thattheyoungladywholearnsthriftindomesticeconomyisalsolearningthriftoftheveryhighestfacultiesofherimmortalspirit。Hewilltellyou，Idoubtnot——

forhemustknow——howyoumayseeinGermanyyoungladieslivinginwhatwemoreluxuriousBritishwouldconsidersomethinglikepoverty；cooking，waitingattable，andperformingmanyahouseholdofficewhichwouldbehereconsideredmenial；andyetfindingtimeforacultivationoftheintellect，whichis，unfortunately，toorareinGreatBritain。

Thetruthis，thatweBritisharetoowealthy。Wemakemoney，ifnottoorapidlyforthegoodofthenationatlarge，yettoorapidly，Ifear，forthegoodofthedaughtersofthosewhomakeit。Theirtemptation——Idonot，ofcourse，saytheyallyieldtoit——buttheirtemptationis，towasteoftheverysimplest——Ihadalmostsaid，ifImaybepardonedtheexpression，ofthemostbarbaric——kind；toanorientalwasteofmoney，andwasteoftime；

toafondnessformerefinery，pardonableenough，butstillawaste；andtothemistakenfancythatitisthemarkofaladytositidleandletservantsdoeverythingforher。

ButitisnotofthissortofwasteofwhichIwishtospeakto-

day。Ionlymentionthematterinpassing，toshowthathighintellectualcultureisnotincompatiblewiththeperformanceofhomelyhouseholdduties，andthatthemoralsuccessofwhichI

spokejustnowneednotbeinjured，anymorethanitisinGermany，byintellectualsuccesslikewise。Itrustthatthesewordsmayreassurethoseparents，ifanysuchtherebehere，whomayfearthattheselectureswillwithdrawwomenfromtheirexistingsphereofinterestandactivity。Thattheyshouldentertainsuchafearisnotsurprising，aftertheextravagantopinionsandschemeswhichhavebeenlatelybroachedinvariousquarters。

Theprogrammetotheselecturesexpresslydisclaimsanysuchintentions；andI，asahusbandandafather，expresslydisclaimanysuchintentionlikewise。

"Tofitwomenforthemoreenlightenedperformanceoftheirspecialduties；"tohelpthemtowardslearninghowtodobetterwhatwedoubtnotmanyofthemarealreadydoingwell；is，I

honestlybelieve，theonlyobjectofthepromotersofthisscheme。

Letusseenowhowsomeofthesespecialdutiescanbebetterperformedbyhelpofalittleenlightenmentastothelawswhichregulatethem。

Now，nomanwilldeny——certainlynomanwhoispastforty-five，andwhosedigestionisbeginningtoquailbeforethelumpsofbeefandmuttonwhicharetheboastofaBritishkitchen，andtoprefer，withJusticeShallow，and，Ipresume，SirJohnFalstaffalso，"anyprettylittletinykickshaws"——noman，Isay，whohasreachedthatage，butwillfeelitapracticalcomforttohimtoknowthattheyoungladiesofhisfamilyareatalleventsgoodcooks；andunderstand，astheFrenchdo，thriftinthematteroffood。

Neitherwillanyparentwhowishes，naturallyenough，thathisdaughtersshouldcosthimaslittleaspossible；andwishes，naturallyenoughalso，thattheyshouldbeaswelldressedaspossible，denythatitwouldbeagoodthingforthemtobepracticalmillinersandmantua-makers；and，bymakingtheirownclothesgracefullyandwell，exercisethriftinclothing。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读