PREFACE
Mydearboys，——WhenIwasyourage，therewerenosuchchildren’sbooksastherearenow。Thosewhichwehadwerefewanddull，andthepicturesinthemuglyandmean：whileyouhaveyourchoiceofbookswithoutnumber，clear，amusing，andpretty，aswellasreallyinstructive，onsubjectswhichwereonlytalkedoffiftyyearsagobyafewlearnedmen，andverylittleunderstoodevenbythem。Soifmerereadingofbookswouldmakewisemen，yououghttogrowupmuchwiserthanusoldfellows。Butmerereadingofwisebookswillnotmakeyouwisemen：youmustuseforyourselvesthetoolswithwhichbooksaremadewise；andthatis——
youreyes，andears，andcommonsense。
Now，amongthoseverystupidold—fashionedboys’bookswasonewhichtaughtmethat；andthereforeIammoregratefultoitthanifithadbeenasfullofwonderfulpicturesasallthenaturalhistorybooksyoueversaw。ItsnamewasEveningsatHome；andinitwasastorycalled"EyesandnoEyes；"aregularold—fashioned，prim，sententiousstory；anditbeganthus：—
"Well，Robert，wherehaveyoubeenwalkingthisafternoon？"saidMr。Andrewstooneofhispupilsatthecloseofaholiday。
Oh——RoberthadbeentoBroomHeath，androundbyCampMount，andhomethroughthemeadows。Butitwasverydull。Hehardlysawasingleperson。Hehadmuchratherhavegonebytheturnpike—road。
PresentlyincomesMasterWilliam，theotherpupil，dressed，I
suppose，aswretchedboysusedtobedressedfortyyearsago，inafrillcollar，andskeletonmonkey—jacket，andtighttrousersbuttonedoverit，andhardlycomingdowntohisancles；andlowshoes，whichalwayscameoffinstickyground；andterriblydirtyandwetheis：buthenever（hesays）hadsuchapleasantwalkinhislife；andhehasbroughthomehishandkerchief（forboyshadnopocketsinthosedaysmuchbiggerthankey—holes）fullofcuriosities。
Hehasgotapieceofmistletoe，wantstoknowwhatitis；andhehasseenawoodpecker，andawheat—ear，andgatheredstrangeflowersontheheath；andhuntedapeewitbecausehethoughtitswingwasbroken，tillofcourseitledhimintoabog，andverywethegot。Buthedidnotmindit，becausehefellinwithanoldmancuttingturf，whotoldhimallaboutturf—cutting，andgavehimadeadadder。Andthenhewentupahill，andsawagrandprospect；andwantedtogoagain，andmakeoutthegeographyofthecountryfromCary’soldcountymaps，whichweretheonlymapsinthosedays。Andthen，becausethehillwascalledCampMount，helookedforaRomancamp，andfoundone；andthenhewentdowntotheriver，sawtwentythingsmore；andsoon，andsoon，tillhehadbroughthomecuriositiesenough，andthoughtsenough，tolasthimaweek。
WhereonMr。Andrews，whoseemstohavebeenaverysensibleoldgentleman，tellshimallabouthiscuriosities：andthenitcomesout——ifyouwillbelieveit——thatMasterWilliamhasbeenovertheverysamegroundasMasterRobert，whosawnothingatall。
WhereonMr。Andrewssays，wiselyenough，inhissolemnold—
fashionedway，—
"Soitis。Onemanwalksthroughtheworldwithhiseyesopen，anotherwithhiseyesshut；anduponthisdifferencedependsallthesuperiorityofknowledgewhichonemanacquiresoveranother。
Ihaveknownsailorswhohadbeeninallthequartersoftheworld，andcouldtellyounothingbutthesignsofthetippling—
houses，andthepriceandqualityoftheliquor。Ontheotherhand，FranklincouldnotcrosstheChannelwithoutmakingobservationsusefultomankind。WhilemanyavacantthoughtlessyouthiswhirledthroughEuropewithoutgainingasingleideaworthcrossingthestreetfor，theobservingeyeandinquiringmindfindmatterofimprovementanddelightineveryramble。You，then，William，continuetouseyoureyes。Andyou，Robert，learnthateyesweregiventoyoutouse。"
SosaidMr。Andrews：andsoIsay，dearboys——andsosayshewhohasthechargeofyou——toyou。ThereforeIbegallgoodboysamongyoutothinkoverthisstory，andsettleintheirownmindswhethertheywillbeeyesornoeyes；whethertheywill，astheygrowup，lookandseeforthemselveswhathappens：orwhethertheywillletotherpeoplelookforthem，orpretendtolook；anddupethem，andleadthemabout——theblindleadingtheblind，tillbothfallintotheditch。
Isay"goodboys；"notmerelycleverboys，orprudentboys：
becauseusingyoureyes，ornotusingthem，isaquestionofdoingRightordoingWrong。Godhasgivenyoueyes；itisyourdutytoGodtousethem。Ifyourparentstriedtoteachyouyourlessonsinthemostagreeableway，bybeautifulpicture—books，woulditnotbeungracious，ungrateful，andaltogethernaughtyandwrong，toshutyoureyestothosepictures，andrefusetolearn？AndisitnotaltogethernaughtyandwrongtorefusetolearnfromyourFatherinHeaven，theGreatGodwhomadeallthings，whenheofferstoteachyoualldaylongbythemostbeautifulandmostwonderfulofallpicture—books，whichissimplyallthingswhichyoucansee，hear，andtouch，fromthesunandstarsaboveyourheadtothemossesandinsectsatyourfeet？ItisyourdutytolearnHislessons：anditisyourinterest。God’sBook，whichistheUniverse，andthereadingofGod’sBook，whichisScience，candoyounothingbutgood，andteachyounothingbuttruthandwisdom。Goddidnotputthiswondrousworldaboutyouryoungsoulstotemptortomisleadthem。IfyouaskHimforafish，hewillnotgiveyouaserpent。IfyouaskHimforbread，Hewillnotgiveyouastone。
Souseyoureyesandyourintellect，yoursensesandyourbrains，andlearnwhatGodistryingtoteachyoucontinuallybythem。I
donotmeanthatyoumuststopthere，andlearnnothingmore。
Anythingbutthat。Therearethingswhichneitheryoursensesnoryourbrainscantellyou；andtheyarenotonlymoreglorious，butactuallymoretrueandmorerealthananythingswhichyoucanseeortouch。Butyoumustbeginatthebeginninginordertoendattheend，andsowtheseedifyouwishtogatherthefruit。Godhasordainedthatyou，andeverychildwhichcomesintotheworld，shouldbeginbylearningsomethingoftheworldabouthimbyhissensesandhisbrain；andthebetteryoulearnwhattheycanteachyou，themorefityouwillbetolearnwhattheycannotteachyou。
ThemoreyoutrynowtounderstandTHINGS，themoreyouwillbeablehereaftertounderstandmen，andThatwhichisabovemen。
YoubegantofindoutthattrulyDivinemystery，thatyouhadamotheronearth，simplybylyingsoftandwarmuponherbosom；andso（asOurLordtoldtheJewsofold）itisbywatchingthecommonnaturalthingsaroundyou，andconsideringtheliliesofthefield，howtheygrow，thatyouwillbeginatleasttolearnthatfarDivinermystery，thatyouhaveaFatherinHeaven。Andsoyouwillbedelivered（ifyouwill）outofthetyrannyofdarkness，anddistrust，andfear，intoGod’sfreekingdomoflight，andfaith，andlove；andwillbesafefromthevenomofthattreewhichismoredeadlythanthefabledupasoftheEast。WhoplantedthattreeIknownot，itwasplantedsolongago：butsurelyitisnoneofGod’splanting，neitheroftheSonofGod：
yetitgrowsinalllandsandinallclimes，andsendsitshiddensuckersfarandwide，even（unlesswebewatchful）intoyourheartsandmine。AnditsnameistheTreeofUnreason，whoserootsareconceitandignorance，anditsjuicesfollyanddeath。
Itdropsitsvenomintothefinestbrains；andmakesthemcallsense，nonsense；andnonsense，sense；fact，fiction；andfiction，fact。Itdropsitsvenomintothetenderesthearts，alas！andmakesthemcallwrong，right；andright，wrong；love，cruelty；andcruelty，love。Somesaythattheaxeislaidtotherootofitjustnow，andthatitisalreadytotteringtoitsfall：whileotherssaythatitisgrowingstrongerthanever，andreadytospreaditsupas—shadeoverthewholeearth。Formypart，Iknownot，savethatallshallbeasGodwills。Thetreehasbeencutdownalreadyagainandagain；andyethasalwaysthrownoutfreshshootsanddroppedfreshpoisonfromitsboughs。ButthisatleastIknow：thatanylittlechild，whowillusethefacultiesGodhasgivenhim，mayfindanantidotetoallitspoisoninthemeanestherbbeneathhisfeet。
There，youdonotunderstandme，myboys；andthebestprayerI
canofferforyouis，perhaps，thatyoushouldneverneedtounderstandme：butifthatsoreneedshouldcome，andthatpoisonshouldbegintospreaditsmistoveryourbrainsandhearts，thenyouwillbeproofagainstit；justinproportionasyouhaveusedtheeyesandthecommonsensewhichGodhasgivenyou，andhaveconsideredtheliliesofthefield，howtheygrow。
C。KINGSLEY。
CHAPTERI——THEGLEN
YoufinditdullwalkinguphereuponHartfordBridgeFlatthissadNovemberday？Well，Idonotdenythatthemoorlookssomewhatdreary，thoughdullitneedneverbe。Thoughthefogisclingingtothefir—trees，andcreepingamongtheheather，tillyoucannotseeasfarasMinleyCorner，hardlyasfarasBramshillwoods——andalltheBerkshirehillsareasinvisibleasifitwasadarkmidnight——yetthereisplentytobeseenhereatourveryfeet。Thoughthereisnothingleftforyoutopick，andalltheflowersaredeadandbrown，excepthereandthereapoorhalf—
witheredscrapofbottle—heath，andnothingleftforyoutocatcheither，forthebutterfliesandinsectsarealldeadtoo，exceptonepooroldDaddy—long—legs，whositsuponthatpieceofturf，boringaholewithhertailtolayhereggsin，beforethefrostcatchesherandendsherliketherest：thoughallthings，Isay，seemdead，yetthereisplentyoflifearoundyou，atyourfeet，I
mayalmostsayintheverystonesonwhichyoutread。Andthoughtheplaceitselfbedrearyenough，asheetofflatheatherandalittlegleninit，withbanksofdeadfern，andabrownbogbetweenthem，andafewfir—treesstrugglingup——yet，ifyouonlyhaveeyestoseeit，thatlittlebitofglenisbeautifulandwonderful，——sobeautifulandsowonderfulandsocunninglydevised，thatittookthousandsofyearstomakeit；anditisnot，Ibelieve，halffinishedyet。
HowdoIknowallthat？Becauseafairytolditme；afairywholivesuphereuponthemoor，andindeedinmostplaceselse，ifpeoplehavebuteyestoseeher。Whatishername？Icannottell。ThebestnamethatIcangiveher（andIthinkitmustbesomethinglikeherrealname，becauseshewillalwaysanswerifyoucallherbyitpatientlyandreverently）isMadamHow。Shewillcomeingoodtime，ifsheiscalled，evenbyalittlechild。
Andshewillletusseeheratherwork，and，whatismore，teachustocopyher。Butthereisanotherfairyherelikewise，whomwecanhardlyhopetosee。Verythankfulshouldwebeifsheliftedeventhesmallestcornerofherveil，andshowedusbutforamomentifitwerebutherfingertip——sobeautifulisshe，andyetsoawfultoo。Butthatsight，Ibelieve，wouldnotmakeusproud，asifwehadhadsomegreatprivilege。No，mydearchild：itwouldmakeusfeelsmaller，andmeaner，andmorestupidandmoreignorantthanwehadeverfeltinourlivesbefore；atthesametimeitwouldmakeuswiserthaneverwewereinourlivesbefore—
—thatoneglimpseofthegreatgloryofherwhomwecallLadyWhy。
ButIwillsaymoreofherpresently。WemusttalkfirstwithMadamHow，andperhapsshemayhelpushereaftertoseeLadyWhy。
Forsheistheservant，andLadyWhyisthemistress；thoughshehasaMasteroverheragain——whosenameIleaveforyoutoguess。
Youhavehearditoftenalready，andyouwillhearitagain，foreverandever。
ButofonethingImustwarnyou，thatyoumustnotconfoundMadamHowandLadyWhy。Manypeopledoit，andfallintogreatmistakesthereby，——mistakesthatevenalittlechild，ifitwouldthink，neednotcommit。ButreallygreatphilosopherssometimesmakethismistakeaboutWhyandHow；andthereforeitisnowonderifotherpeoplemakeittoo，whentheywritechildren’sbooksaboutthewondersofnature，andcallthem"WhyandBecause，"or"TheReasonWhy。"Thebooksareverygoodbooks，andyoushouldreadandstudythem：buttheydonottellyoureally"WhyandBecause，"butonly"HowandSo。"Theydonottellyouthe"ReasonWhy"thingshappen，butonly"TheWayinwhichtheyhappen。"
However，Imustnotblamethesegoodfolks，forIhavemadethesamemistakemyselfoften，andmaydoitagain：butallthemoreshametome。Forsee——youknowperfectlythedifferencebetweenHowandWhy，whenyouaretalkingaboutyourself。IfIaskyou，"Whydidwegooutto—day？"Youwouldnotanswer，"Becauseweopenedthedoor。"Thatistheanswerto"Howdidwegoout？"TheanswertoWhydidwegooutis，"Becausewechosetotakeawalk。"
Nowwhenwetalkaboutotherthingsbesideourselves，wemustrememberthissamedifferencebetweenHowandWhy。IfIaskyou，"Whydoesfireburnyou？"youwouldanswer，Isuppose，beingalittleboy，"Becauseitishot；"whichisallyouknowaboutit。
Butifyouwereagreatchemist，insteadofalittleboy，youwouldbeapttoanswerme，Iamafraid，"Fireburnsbecausethevibratorymotionofthemoleculesoftheheatedsubstancecommunicatesitselftothemoleculesofmyskin，andsodestroystheirtissue；"whichis，Idaresay，quitetrue：butitonlytellsushowfireburns，thewayormeansbywhichitburns；itdoesnottellusthereasonwhyitburns。
Butyouwillask，"Ifthatisnotthereasonwhyfireburns，whatis？"Mydearchild，Idonotknow。ThatisLadyWhy’sbusiness，whoismistressofMrs。How，andofyouandofme；and，asI
think，ofallthingsthatyoueversaw，orcansee，orevendream。
AndwhatherreasonformakingfireburnmaybeIcannottell。
ButIbelieveonexcellentgroundsthatherreasonisaverygoodone。IfIdaretoguess，Ishouldsaythatonereason，atleast，whyfireburns，isthatyoumaytakecarenottoplaywithit，andsonotonlyscorchyourfinger，butsetyourwholebedonfire，andperhapsthehouseintothebargain，asyoumightbetemptedtodoifputtingyourfingerinthefirewereaspleasantasputtingsugarinyourmouth。
Mydearchild，ifIcouldoncegetclearlyintoyourheadthisdifferencebetweenWhyandHow，sothatyoushouldrememberthemsteadilyinafterlife，IshouldhavedoneyoumoregoodthanifI
hadgivenyouathousandpounds。
ButnowthatweknowthatHowandWhyaretwoverydifferentmatters，andmustnotbeconfoundedwitheachother，letuslookforMadamHow，andseeheratworkmakingthislittleglen；for，asItoldyou，itisnothalfmadeyet。Onethingweshallseeatonce，andseeitmoreandmoreclearlytheolderwegrow；Imeanherwonderfulpatienceanddiligence。MadamHowisneveridleforaninstant。Nothingistoogreatortoosmallforher；andshekeepsherworkbeforehereyeinthesamemoment，andmakeseveryseparatebitofithelpeveryotherbit。Shewillkeepthesunandstarsinorder，whileshelooksafterpooroldMrs。Daddy—
long—legsthereandhereggs。Shewillspendthousandsofyearsinbuildingupamountain，andthousandsofyearsingrindingitdownagain；andthencarefullypolisheverygrainofsandwhichfallsfromthatmountain，andputitinitsrightplace，whereitwillbewantedthousandsofyearshence；andshewilltakejustasmuchtroubleaboutthatonegrainofsandasshedidaboutthewholemountain。ShewillsettletheexactplacewhereMrs。Daddy—
long—legsshalllayhereggs，attheverysametimethatsheissettlingwhatshallhappenhundredsofyearshenceinastairmillionsofmilesaway。AndIreallybelievethatMadamHowknowsherworksothoroughly，thatthegrainofsandwhichsticksnowtoyourshoe，andtheweightofMrs。Daddy—long—legs’eggsatthebottomofherhole，willhaveaneffectuponsunsandstarsagesafteryouandIaredeadandgone。MostpatientindeedisMadamHow。Shedoesnotmindtheleastseeingherownworkdestroyed；
sheknowsthatitmustbedestroyed。Thereisaspelluponher，andafate，thateverythingshemakesshemustunmakeagain：andyet，goodandwisewomanassheis，sheneverfrets，nortires，norfudgesherwork，aswesayatschool。Shetakesjustasmuchpainstomakeanacornastomakeapeach。Shetakesjustasmuchpainsabouttheacornwhichthepigeats，asabouttheacornwhichwillgrowintoatalloak，andhelptobuildagreatship。Shetookjustasmuchpains，again，abouttheacornwhichyoucrushedunderyourfootjustnow，andwhichyoufancywillnevercometoanything。MadamHowiswiserthanthat。Sheknowsthatitwillcometosomething。Shewillfindsomeuseforit，asshefindsauseforeverything。Thatacornwhichyoucrushedwillturnintomould，andthatmouldwillgotofeedtherootsofsomeplant，perhapsnextyear，ifitlieswhereitis；orperhapsitwillbewashedintothebrook，andthenintotheriver，andgodowntothesea，andwillfeedtherootsofsomeplantinsomenewcontinentagesandageshence：andsoMadamHowwillhaveherownagain。
Youdroppedyourstickintotheriveryesterday，anditfloatedaway。Youweresorry，becauseithadcostyouagreatdealoftroubletocutit，andpeelit，andcarveaheadandyournameonit。MadamHowwasnotsorry，thoughshehadtakenagreatdealmoretroublewiththatstickthaneveryouhadtaken。Shehadbeenthreeyearsmakingthatstick，outofmanythings，sunbeamsamongtherest。Butwhenitfellintotheriver，MadamHowknewthatsheshouldnotlosehersunbeamsnoranythingelse：thestickwouldfloatdowntheriver，andonintothesea；andthere，whenitgotheavywiththesaltwater，itwouldsink，andlodge，andbeburied，andperhapsageshenceturnintocoal；andagesafterthatsomeonewoulddigitupandburnit，andthenoutwouldcome，asbrightwarmflame，allthesunbeamsthatwerestoredawayinthatstick：andsoMadamHowwouldhaveherownagain。Andifthatshouldnotbethefateofyourstick，stillsomethingelsewillhappentoitjustasusefulinthelongrun；
forMadamHowneverlosesanything，butusesupallherscrapsandoddsandendssomehow，somewhere，somewhen，asisfitandproperfortheHousekeeperofthewholeUniverse。Indeed，MadamHowissopatientthatsomepeoplefancyherstupid，andthinkthat，becauseshedoesnotfallintoapassioneverytimeyoustealhersweets，orbreakhercrockery，ordisarrangeherfurniture，thereforeshedoesnotcare。ButIadviseyouasalittleboy，andstillmorewhenyougrowuptobeaman，nottogetthatfancyintoyourhead；foryouwillfindthat，howevergood—naturedandpatientMadamHowisinmostmatters，herkeepingsilenceandnotseemingtoseeyouisnosignthatshehasforgotten。Onthecontrary，shebearsagrudge（ifonemaysosay，withallrespecttoher）longerthananyoneelsedoes；becauseshewillalwayshaveherownagain。Indeed，IsometimesthinkthatifitwerenotforLadyWhy，hermistress，shemightbearsomeofhergrudgesforeverandever。IhaveseenmenerenowdamagesomeofMadamHow’spropertywhentheywerelittleboys，andbepunishedbyheralltheirliveslong，eventhoughshehadmendedthebrokenpieces，orturnedthemtosomeotheruse。ThereforeIsaytoyou，bewareofMadamHow。Shewillteachyoumorekindly，patiently，andtenderlythananymother，ifyouwanttolearnhertrade。Butif，insteadoflearninghertrade，youdamagehermaterialsandplaywithhertools，bewarelestshehasherownagainoutofyou。
Somepeoplethink，again，thatMadamHowisnotonlystupid，butill—temperedandcruel；thatshemakesearthquakesandstorms，andfamineandpestilences，inasortofblindpassion，notcaringwheretheygoorwhomtheyhurt；quiteheedlessofwhoisintheway，ifshewantstodoanythingorgoanywhere。Now，thatMadamHowcanbeveryterribletherecanbenodoubt：butthereisnodoubtalsothat，ifpeoplechoosetolearn，shewillteachthemtogetoutofherwaywhenevershehasbusinesstodowhichisdangeroustothem。Butasforherbeingcruelandunjust，thosemaybelieveitwholike。You，mydearboysandgirls，neednotbelieveit，ifyouwillonlytrusttoLadyWhy；andbesurethatWhyisthemistressandHowtheservant，nowandforever。ThatLadyWhyisutterlygoodandkindIknowfullwell；andIbelievethat，inhercasetoo，theoldproverbholds，"Likemistress，likeservant；"andthatthemoreweknowofMadamHow，themoreweshallbecontentwithher，andreadytosubmittowhatevershedoes：butnotwiththatstupidresignationwhichsomefolkspreachwhodonotbelieveinladyWhy——thatisnoresignationatall。Thatismerelysaying—
"Whatcan’tbecuredMustbeendured，"
likeadonkeywhenheturnshistailtoahail—storm，——butthetrueresignation，theresignationwhichisfitforgrownpeopleandchildrenalike，theresignationwhichisthebeginningandtheendofallwisdomandallreligion，istobelievethatLadyWhyknowsbest，becausesheherselfisperfectlygood；andthatassheismistressoverMadamHow，soshehasaMasteroverher，whosename——Isayagain——Ileaveyoutoguess。
SonowthatIhavetaughtyounottobeafraidofMadamHow，wewillgoandwatchheratherwork；andifwedonotunderstandanythingwesee，wewillaskherquestions。Shewillalwaysshowusoneofherlessonbooksifwegivehertime。Andifwehavetowaitsometimeforheranswer，youneednotfearcatchingcold，thoughitisNovember；forshekeepsherlessonbooksscatteredaboutinstrangeplaces，andwemayhavetowalkupanddownthathillmorethanoncebeforewecanmakeouthowshemakestheglen。
Well——howwastheglenmade？Youshallguessitifyoulike，andIwillguesstoo。Youthink，perhaps，thatanearthquakeopenedit？
Mydearchild，wemustlookbeforeweguess。Then，afterwehavelookedalittle，andgotsomegroundsforguessing，thenwemayguess。Andyouhavenogroundforsupposingthereeverwasanearthquakeherestrongenoughtoopenthatglen。Theremayhavebeenone：butwemustguessfromwhatwedoknow，andnotfromwhatwedonot。
Guessagain。Perhapsitwastherealways，fromthebeginningoftheworld？Mydearchild，youhavenoproofofthateither。
Everythingroundyouischanginginshapedailyandhourly，asyouwillfindoutthelongeryoulive；andthereforeitismostreasonabletosupposethatthisglenhaschangeditsshape，aseverythingelseonearthhasdone。Besides，ItoldyounotthatMadamHowhadmadetheglen，butthatshewasmakingit，andasyethasonlyhalffinished。Thatismyfirstguess；andmynextguessisthatwaterismakingtheglen——water，andnothingelse。
Youopenyouryoungeyes。AndIdonotblameyou。IlookedatthisveryglenforfifteenyearsbeforeImadethatguess；andI
havelookedatitsometenyearssince，tomakesurethatmyguessheldgood。Formanafterallisveryblind，mydearboy，andverystupid，andcannotseewhatliesunderhisownfeetalldaylong；
andifLadyWhy，andHewhomLadyWhyobeys，werenotverypatientandgentlewithmankind，theywouldhaveperishedoffthefaceoftheearthlongago，simplyfromtheirownstupidity。I，atleast，wasverystupidinthiscase，forIhadmyheadfullofearthquakes，andconvulsionsofnature，andallsortsofprodigieswhichneverhappenedtothisglen；andso，whileIwastryingtofindwhatwasnotthere，Iofcoursefoundnothing。ButwhenI
putthemalloutofmyhead，andbegantolookforwhatwasthere，Ifounditatonce；andloandbehold！Ihadseenitathousandtimesbefore，andyetneverlearntanythingfromit，likeastupidmanasIwas；thoughwhatIlearntyoumaylearnaseasilyasI
did。
AndwhatdidIfind？
Thepondatthebottomoftheglen。
Youknowthatpond，ofcourse？Youdon’tneedtogothere？Verywell。Thenifyoudo，donotyouknowalsothatthepondisalwaysfillingupwithsandandmud；andthatthoughwecleanitouteverythreeorfouryears，italwaysfillsagain？Nowwheredoesthatsandandmudcomefrom？
Downthatstream，ofcourse，whichrunsoutofthisbog。Youseeitcomingdowneverytimethereisaflood，andthestreamfouls。
Verywell。Then，saidMadamHowtome，assoonasIrecollectedthat，"Don’tyousee，youstupidman，thatthestreamhasmadetheglen，andtheearthwhichrunsdownthestreamwasalloncepartofthehillonwhichyoustand。"IconfessIwasverymuchashamedofmyselfwhenshesaidthat。Forthatisthehistoryofthewholemystery。MadamHowisdiggingawaywithhersoftspade，water。Shehasaharderspade，orratherplough，thestrongestandmostterribleofallploughs；butthat，Iamgladtosay，shehaslaidbyinEnglandhere。
Water？Butwateristoosimpleathingtohavedugoutallthisgreatglen。
Mydearchild，themostwonderfulpartofMadamHow’sworkis，thatshedoessuchgreatthingsandsomanydifferentthings，withoneandthesametool，whichlookstoyousosimple，thoughitreallyisnotso。Water，forinstance，isnotasimplething，butmostcomplicated；andwemightspendhoursintalkingaboutwater，withouthavingcometotheendofitswonders。StillMadamHowisagreateconomist，andneverwasteshermaterials。Sheislikethesailorwhoboasted（onlysheneverboasts）that，ifhehadbutalonglifeandastrongknife，hewouldbuildSt。Paul’sCathedralbeforehewasdone。AndMadamHowhasaverylonglife，andplentyoftime；andoneofthestrongestofallhertoolsiswater。Nowifyouwillstoopdownandlookintotheheather，I
willshowyouhowsheisdiggingouttheglenwiththisverymistwhichishangingaboutourfeet。Atleast，soIguess。
Forseehowthemistclingstothepointsoftheheatherleaves，andmakesdrops。Ifthehotsuncameoutthedropswoulddry，andtheywouldvanishintotheairinlightwarmsteam。Butnowthatitisdarkandcoldtheydrip，orrundowntheheather—stems，totheground。Andwhitherdotheygothen？Whitherwillthewatergo，——hundredsofgallonsofitperhaps，——whichhasdrippedandrunthroughtheheatherinthissingleday？Itwillsinkintotheground，youknow。Andthenwhatwillbecomeofit？MadamHowwilluseitasanundergroundspade，justassheusestherain（atleast，whenitrainstoohard，andthereforetherainrunsoffthemoorinsteadofsinkingintoit）asaspadeaboveground。
Nowcometotheedgeoftheglen，andIwillshowyouthemistthatfellyesterday，perhaps，comingoutofthegroundagain，andhardatwork。
Youknowofwhatanodd，andindeedofwhataprettyformalltheseglensare。Howtheflatmoorendssuddenlyinasteeproundedbank，almostlikethecrestofawave——readylikeawave—
cresttofallover，andasyouknow，fallingoversometimes，bitbybit，wherethesoilisbare。
Oh，yes；youareveryfondofthosebanks。Itis"awfullyjolly，"
asyousay，scramblingupanddownthem，inthedeepheathandfern；besides，thereareplentyofrabbit—holesthere，becausetheyareallsand；whiletherearenorabbit—holesontheflatabove，becauseitisallgravel。
Yes；youknowallaboutit：butyouknow，too，thatyoumustnotgotoofardownthesebanks，muchlessrolldownthem，becausethereisalmostcertaintobeabogatthebottom，lyinguponagentleslope；andthereyougetwetthrough。
Allroundthesehills，fromheretoAldershotinonedirection，andfromheretoWindsorinanother，youseethesameshapedglens；thewave—crestalongtheirtop，andatthefootofthecrestalineofspringswhichrunoutovertheslopes，orwellupthroughthemindeepsand—galls，asyoucallthem——shakingquagmireswhicharesometimesdeepenoughtoswallowupahorse，andwhichyoulovetodanceuponinsummertime。Nowthewaterofallthesespringsisnothingbuttherain，andmist，anddew，whichhassunkdownfirstthroughthepeatysoil，andthenthroughthegravelandsand，andtherehasstopped。Andwhy？Becauseunderthegravel（aboutwhichIwilltellyouastrangestoryoneday）andunderthesand，whichiswhatthegeologistscalltheUpperBagshotsand，thereisanentirelydifferentsetofbeds，whichgeologistscalltheBrackleshambeds，fromaplaceneartheNewForest；andinthosebedsthereisaveinofclay，andthroughthatclaythewatercannotget，asyouhaveseenyourselfwhenwedugitoutinthefieldbelowtopuddlethepond—head；andverygoodfunyouthoughtit，andaveryprettymessyoumadeofyourself。Well：becausethewatercannotgetthoughthisclay，andmustgosomewhere，itrunsoutcontinuallyalongthetopoftheclay，andasitrunsunderminesthebank，andbringsdownsandandgravelcontinuallyforthenextshowertowashintothestreambelow。
Nowthinkforonemomenthowwonderfulitisthattheshapeoftheseglens，ofwhichyouaresofond，wassettledbytheparticularorderinwhichMadamHowlaiddownthegravelandsandandmudatthebottomofthesea，agesandagesago。ThisiswhatItoldyou，thattheleastthingthatMadamHowdoesto—daymaytakeeffecthundredsandthousandsofyearshence。
ButImusttellyouIthinktherewasatimewhenthisglenwasofaverydifferentshapefromwhatitisnow；andIdaresay，accordingtoyournotions，ofamuchprettiershape。ItwasoncejustlikeoneofthoseChineswhichweusedtoseeatBournemouth。
Yourecollectthem？Howtherewasanarrowgapinthecliffofstripedsandsandgravels；andoutofthemouthofthatgap，onlyafewfeetacross，therepoureddownagreatslopeofmudandsandtheshapeofhalfabun，somewetandsomedry，upwhichweusedtoscrambleandgetintotheChine，andcalltheChinewhatitwasinthetruestsense，Fairyland。Yourecollecthowitwasalleatenoutintomountainranges，pinnacles，steepcliffsofwhite，andyellow，andpink，standingupagainsttheclearbluesky；tillweagreedthat，puttingasidethedifferenceofsize，theywereasbeautifulandgrandasanyAlpswehadeverseeninpictures。Andhowwesaw（fortherecouldbenomistakeaboutitthere）thattheChinewasbeinghollowedoutbythespringswhichbrokeouthighupthecliff，andbytherainwhichworethesandintofurrowedpinnaclesandpeaks。Yourecollectthebeautifulplace，andhow，whenwelookedbackdownitwesawbetweentheminiaturemountainwallsthebrightbluesea，andhearditmurmuronthesandsoutside。SoIverilybelievewemighthavedone，ifwehadstoodsomewhereatthebottomofthisglenthousandsofyearsago。Weshouldhaveseentheseainfrontofus；orrather，anarmofthesea；forFinchampsteadridgesopposite，insteadofbeingcoveredwithfarms，andwoodlands，andpurpleheathabove，wouldhavebeensteepcliffsofsandandclay，justlikethoseyouseeatBournemouthnow；and——whatwouldhavespoiltsomewhatthebeautyofthesight——alongtheshorestherewouldhavefloated，atleastinwinter，greatblocksandfloesofice，suchasyoumighthaveseeninthetidewayatKing’sLynnthewinterbeforelast，growlingandcrashing，grubbingandploughingthesand，andthegravel，andthemud，andsweepingthemawayintoseastowardstheNorth，whicharenowallfruitfulland。Thatmayseemtoyoulikeadream：yetitistrue；andsomeday，whenwehaveanothertalkwithMadamHow，Iwillshowevenachildlikeyouthatitwastrue。
ButwhatcouldchangeabeautifulChinelikethatatBournemouthintoawideslopingglenlikethisofBracknell’sBottom，withawoodlikeCoombs’，manyacreslarge，inthemiddleofit？Wellnow，think。ItisacapitalplanforfindingoutMadamHow’ssecrets，toseewhatshemightdoinoneplace，andexplainbyitwhatshehasdoneinanother。Supposenow，MadamHowhadorderstoliftupthewholecoastofBournemouthonlytwentyoreventenfeethigheroutoftheseathanitisnow。Shecoulddothateasilyenough，forshehasbeendoingsoonthecoastofSouthAmericaforages；shehasbeendoingsothisverysummerinwhathastypeoplewouldcallahasty，andviolent，andruthlessway；
thoughIshallnotsayso，forIbelievethatLadyWhyknowsbest。
SheisdoingsonowsteadilyonthewestcoastofNorway，whichisrisingquietly——allthatvastrangeofmountainwallandiron—
boundcliff——attherateofsomefourfeetinahundredyears，withoutmakingtheleastnoiseorconfusion，orevencausinganextrarippleonthesea；solightandgentle，whenshewill，canMadamHow’sstrongfingerbe。
Now，ifthemouthofthatChineatBournemouthwasliftedtwentyfeetoutofthesea，onethingwouldhappen，——thatthehightidewouldnotcomeupanylonger，andwashawaythecakeofdirtattheentrance，aswesawitdosooften。Butifthemudstoppedthere，themudbehinditwouldcomedownmoreslowly，andlodgeinsidemoreandmore，tilltheChinewashalffilled—up，andonlytheupperpartofthecliffscontinuetobeeatenaway，abovethelevelwherethespringsranout。SograduallytheChine，insteadofbeingdeepandnarrow，wouldbecomebroadandshallow；andinsteadofhollowingitselfrapidlyaftereveryshowerofrain，asyousawtheChineatBournemouthdoing，wouldhollowitselfoutslowly，asthisglenisdoingnow。Andonethingmorewouldhappen，——whentheseaceasedtognawatthefootofthecliffsoutside，andtocarryawayeverystoneandgrainofsandwhichfellfromthem，thecliffswouldverysoonceasetobecliffs；therainandthefrostwouldstillcrumblethemdown，butthedirtthatfellwouldlieattheirfeet，andgraduallymakeaslopeofdryland，faroutwheretheshallowseahadbeen；andtheirtops，insteadofbeingsteepasnow，wouldbecomesmoothandrounded；
andsoatlast，insteadoftwosharpwallsofcliffattheChine’smouth，youmighthave——justwhatyouhavehereatthemouthofthisglen，——ourMountandtheWarrenHill，——longslopeswithsheetsofdriftedgravelandsandattheirfeet，stretchingdownintowhatwasonceanicysea，andisnowtheValeofBlackwater。
AndthisIreallybelieveMadamHowhasdonesimplybyliftingHartfordBridgeFlatafewmorefeetoutofthesea，andleavingtheresttohertrustytool，thewaterinthesky。
Thatismyguess：andIthinkitisagoodguess，becauseIhaveaskedMadamHowahundreddifferentquestionsaboutitinthelasttenyears，andshealwaysansweredtheminthesameway，saying，"Water，water，youstupidman。"ButIdonotwantyoumerelytodependonwhatIsay。IfyouwanttounderstandMadamHow，youmustaskherquestionsyourself，andmakeupyourmindyourselflikeaman，insteadoftakingthingsathearsayorsecond—hand，likethevulgar。Mind，by"thevulgar"Idonotmeanpoorpeople：
Imeanignorantanduneducatedpeople，whodonotusetheirbrainsrightly，thoughtheymaybefineladies，kings，orpopes。TheBiblesays，"Proveallthings：holdfastthatwhichisgood。"Sodoyouprovemyguess，andifitprovesgood，holditfast。
AndhowcanIdothat？
First，bydirectexperiment，asitiscalled。InplainEnglish——
gohomeandmakealittleHartfordBridgeFlatinthestable—yard；
andthenaskMrs。Howifshewillnotmakeagleninitlikethisglenhere。Wewillgohomeandtrythat。Wewillmakeagreatflatcakeofclay，andputuponitacapofsand；andthenwewillrainuponitoutofawatering—pot；andseeifMrs。Howdoesnotbeginsoontomakeagleninthesideoftheheap，justlikethoseonHartfordBridgeFlat。Ibelieveshewill；andcertainly，ifshedoes，itwillbeafreshproofthatmyguessisright。Andthenwewillseewhetherwaterwillnotmakeglensofadifferentshapethanthese，ifitrunoversoilsofadifferentkind。WewillmakeaHartfordBridgeFlatturnedupsidedown——acakeofsandwithacapofclayonthetop；andwewillrainonthatoutofourwatering—pot，andseewhatsortofglenswemakethen。I
canguesswhattheywillbelike，becauseIhaveseenthem——steepoverhangingcliffs，withverynarrowgulliesdownthem：butyoushalltryforyourself，andmakeupyourmindwhetheryouthinkmerightorwrong。Meanwhile，rememberthatthosegulliestoowillhavebeenmadebywater。
Andthereisanotherwayof"verifyingmytheory，"asitiscalled；inplainEnglish，seeingifmyguessholdsgood；thatis，tolookatothervalleys——notmerelythevalleysroundhere，butvalleysinclay，inchalk，inlimestone，inthehardslaterocksuchasyousawinDevonshire——andseewhethermyguessdoesnotholdgoodaboutthemtoo；whetherallofthem，deeporshallow，broadornarrow，rockorearth，maynothavebeenallhollowedoutbyrunningwater。Iamsureifyouwoulddothisyouwouldfindsomethingtoamuseyou，andsomethingtoinstructyou，wheneveryouwish。IknowthatIdo。Tomethelongestrailroadjourney，insteadofbeingstupid，islikecontinuallyturningovertheleavesofawonderfulbook，orlookingatwonderfulpicturesofoldworldswhichweremadeandunmadethousandsofyearsago。ForIkeeplooking，notonlyattherailwaycuttings，wherethebonesoftheoldworldsarelaidbare，butatthesurfaceoftheground；
attheplainsanddowns，banksandknolls，hillsandmountains；
andcontinuallyaskingMrs。Howwhatgavethemeachitsshape：
andIwillsoonteachyoutodothesame。Whenyoudo，Itellyoufairlyheranswerwillbeinalmosteverycase，"Runningwater。"
Eitherwaterrunningwhensoft，asitusuallyis；orwaterrunningwhenitishard——inplainwords，movingice。
Aboutthatmovingice，whichisMrs。How’sstrongerspade，Iwilltellyousomeothertime；andshowyou，too，themarksofitineverygravelpitabouthere。Butnow，Isee，youwanttoaskaquestion；andwhatisit？
DoImeantosaythatwaterhasmadegreatvalleys，suchasyouhaveseenpaintingsandphotographsof，——valleysthousandsoffeetdeep，amongmountainsthousandsoffeethigh？
Yes，Ido。But，asIsaidbefore，Idonotlikeyoutotakemywordupontrust。Whenyouareolderyoushallgotothemountains，andyoushalljudgeforyourself。Still，ImustsaythatIneversawavalley，howeverdeep，oracliff，howeverhigh，whichhadnotbeenscoopedoutbywater；andthateventhemountain—topswhichstandupmilesaloftinjaggedpeaksandpinnaclesagainsttheskywerecutoutatfirst，andarebeingcutandsharpenedstill，bylittleelsesavewater，softandhard；
thatis，byrain，frost，andice。
Water，andnothingelse，hassawnoutsuchachasmasthatthroughwhichtheshipsrunuptoBristol，betweenLeighWoodandSt。
Vincent’sRocks。Water，andnothingelse，hasshapedthosepeaksoftheMatterhorn，ortheWeisshorn，orthePicduMidiofthePyrenees，ofwhichyouhaveseensketchesandphotographs。JustsowatermightsawoutHartfordBridgeFlat，ifithadtimeenough，intoalabyrinthofvalleys，andhills，andpeaksstandingalone；asithasdonealreadybyAmbarrow，andEdgbarrow，andtheFollyHillontheothersideofthevale。
IseeyouareastonishedatthenotionthatwatercanmakeAlps。
ButitwasjustbecauseIknewyouwouldbeastonishedatMadamHow’sdoingsogreatathingwithsosimpleatool，thatIbeganbyshowingyouhowshewasdoingthesamethinginasmallwayhereupontheseflats。ForthesafestwaytolearnMadamHow’smethodsistowatchheratworkinlittlecornersatcommonplacebusiness，whichwillnotastonishorfrightenus，norputhugehastyguessesanddreamsintoourheads。SirIsaacNewton，somewilltellyou，foundoutthegreatlawofgravitation，whichholdstrueofallthesunsandstarsinheaven，bywatchinganapplefall：andevenifhedidnotfinditoutso，hefounditout，weknow，bycarefulthinkingovertheplainandcommonplacefact，thatthingshaveweight。Sodoyoubehumbleandpatient，andwatchMadamHowatworkonlittlethings。Forthatisthewaytoseeheratworkuponallspaceandtime。
What？youhaveaquestionmoretoask？
Oh！ItalkedaboutMadamHowliftingupHartfordBridgeFlat。
Howcouldshedothat？Mydearchild，thatisalongstory，andI
musttellityousomeothertime。Meanwhile，didyoueverseethelidofakettleriseupandshakewhenthewaterinsideboiled？
Ofcourse；andofcourse，too，rememberthatMadamHowmusthavedoneit。Thenthinkoverbetweenthisandournexttalk，whatthatcanpossiblyhavetodowithherliftingupHartfordBridgeFlat。Butyouhavebeenlonging，perhaps，allthistimetohearmoreaboutLadyWhy，andwhyshesetMadamHowtomakeBracknell’sBottom。
Mydearchild，theonlyanswerIdaregivetothatis：Whateverotherpurposesshemayhavemadeitfor，shemadeitatleastforthis——thatyouandIshouldcometoitthisday，andlookat，andtalkoverit，andbecometherebywiserandmoreearnest，andwewillhopemorehumbleandbetterpeople。WhateverelseLadyWhymaywishornotwish，thisshewishesalways，tomakeallmenwiseandallmengood。Forwhatiswrittenofherwhom，asinaparable，IhavecalledLadyWhy？
"TheLordpossessedmeinthebeginningofHisway，beforeHisworksofold。
"Iwassetupfromeverlasting，fromthebeginning，orevertheearthwas。
"Whentherewerenodepths，Iwasbroughtforth；whentherewerenofountainsaboundingwithwater。
"Beforethemountainsweresettled，beforethehillswasIbroughtforth：
"WhileasyetHehadnotmadetheearth，northefields，northehighestpartofthedustoftheworld。
"WhenHepreparedtheheavens，Iwasthere：whenHesetacompassuponthefaceofthedepth：
"WhenHeestablishedthecloudsabove：whenHestrengthenedthefountainsofthedeep：
"WhenHegavetotheseaHisdecree，thatthewatersshouldnotpassHiscommandment：whenHeappointedthefoundationsoftheearth：
"ThenIwasbyHim，asonebroughtupwithHim：andIwasdailyHisdelight，rejoicingalwaysbeforeHim：
"RejoicinginthehabitablepartofHisearth；andmydelightswerewiththesonsofmen。
"Nowthereforehearkenuntome，Oyechildren：forblessedaretheythatkeepmyways。"
Thatwecansay，forithasbeensaidforusalready。Butbeyondthatwecansay，andneedsay，verylittle。Wewerenotthere，aswereadintheBookofJob，whenGodlaidthefoundationsoftheearth。"Wesee，"saysSt。Paul，"asinaglassdarkly，andonlyknowinpart。""Forwho，"heasksagain，"hasknownthemindoftheLord，orwhohathbeenHiscounsellor？……ForofHim，andthroughHim，andtoHim，areallthings：towhombegloryforeverandever。Amen。"Thereforewemustnotrashlysay，thisorthatisWhyathinghashappened；norinventwhatarecalled"finalcauses，"whicharenotLadyWhyherself，butonlyourlittlenotionsofwhatLadyWhyhasdone，orratherwhatweshouldhavedoneifwehadbeeninherplace。Itisnot，indeed，bythinkingthatweshallfindoutanythingaboutLadyWhy。Shespeaksnottooureyesortoourbrains，likeMadamHow，buttothatinnerpartofuswhichwecallourheartsandspirits，andwhichwillendurewheneyesandbrainareturnedagaintodust。
Ifyourheartbepureandsober，gentleandtruthful，thenLadyWhyspeakstoyouwithoutwords，andtellsyouthingswhichMadamHowandallherpupils，themenofscience，cannevertell。Whenyoulie，itmaybe，onapainfulsick—bed，butwithyourmother’shandinyours；whenyousitbyher，lookingupintoherlovingeyes；whenyougazeouttowardsthesettingsun，andfancygoldencapesandislandsintheclouds，andseasandlakesinthebluesky，andtheinfiniterestandpeaceofthefarwestsendsrestandpeaceintoyouryoungheart，tillyousitsilentandhappy，youknownotwhy；whensweetmusicfillsyourheartwithnobleandtenderinstinctswhichneednothoughtsorwords；ay，evenwhenyouwatchtheragingthunderstorm，andfeelittobe，inspiteofitsgreatawfulness，sobeautifulthatyoucannotturnyoureyesaway：atsuchtimesastheseLadyWhyisspeakingtoyoursoulofsouls，andsaying，"Mychild，thisworldisanewplace，andstrange，andoftenterrible：butbenotafraid。Allwillcomerightatlast。RestwillconquerRestlessness；FaithwillconquerFear；OrderwillconquerDisorder；HealthwillconquerSickness；
JoywillconquerSorrow；PleasurewillconquerPain；LifewillconquerDeath；RightwillconquerWrong。Allwillbewellatlast。Keepyoursoulandbodypure，humble，busy，pious——inoneword，begood：andereyoudie，orafteryoudie，youmayhavesomeglimpseofMe，theEverlastingWhy：andhearwiththeears，notofyourbodybutofyourspirit，menandallrationalbeings，plantsandanimals，ay，theverystonesbeneathyourfeet，thecloudsaboveyourhead，theplanetsandthesunsawayinfarthestspace，singingeternally，"’Thouartworthy，OLord，toreceivegloryandhonourandpower，forThouhastcreatedallthings，andforThypleasuretheyareandwerecreated。"’
CHAPTERII——EARTHQUAKES
So？YouhavebeenlookingatthatbeautifuldrawingoftheruinofAricaintheIllustratedLondonNews：andithaspuzzledyouandmadeyousad。YouwanttoknowwhyGodkilledallthosepeople——mothersamongthem，too，andlittlechildren？
Alas，mydearchild！whoamIthatIshouldansweryouthat？
Haveyoudonewronginaskingme？No，mydearchild；no。YouhaveaskedmebecauseyouareahumanbeingandachildofGod，andnotmerelyacleverersortofanimal，anapewhocanreadandwriteandcastaccounts。Thereforeitisthatyoucannotbecontent，andoughtnottobecontent，withaskinghowthingshappen，butmustgoontoaskwhy。Youcannotbecontentwithknowingthecausesofthings；andifyouknewallthenaturalsciencethateverwasoreverwillbeknowntomen，thatwouldnotsatisfyyou；foritwouldonlytellyoutheCAUSESofthings，whileyoursoulswanttoknowtheREASONSofthingsbesides；andthoughImaynotbeabletotellyouthereasonsofthings，orshowyouaughtbutatinyglimpsehereandthereofthatwhichI
calledtheotherdaythegloryofLadyWhy，yetIbelievethatsomehow，somewhen，somewhere，youwilllearnsomethingofthereasonofthings。ForthatthirsttoknowWHYwasputintotheheartsoflittlechildrenbyGodHimself；andIbelievethatGodwouldneverhavegiventhemthatthirstifHehadnotmeanttosatisfyit。
There——youdonotunderstandme。Itrustthatyouwillunderstandmesomeday。Meanwhile，Ithink——IonlysayITHINK——youknowI
toldyouhowhumblewemustbewheneverwespeakofLadyWhy——thatwemayguessatsomethinglikeagoodreasonfortheterribleearthquakesinSouthAmerica。Idonotwishtobeharduponpoorpeopleingreataffliction：butIcannothelpthinkingthattheyhavebeendoingforhundredsofyearspastsomethingverylikewhattheBiblecalls"temptingGod"——stakingtheirpropertyandtheirlivesuponthechancesofnoearthquakescoming，whiletheyoughttohaveknownthatanearthquakemightcomeanyday。Theyhavefulfilled（andlittlethoughtIthatitwouldbefulfilledsosoon）theparablethatItoldyouonce，ofthenationoftheDo—
as—you—likes，wholivedcarelessandhappyatthefootoftheburningmountain，andwouldnotbewarnedbythesmokethatcameoutofthetop，orbytheslagandcinderswhichlayallaboutthem；tillthemountainblewup，anddestroyedthemmiserably。
ThenIthinkthattheyoughttohaveexpectedanearthquake。
Well——itisnotforustojudgeanyone，especiallyiftheyliveinapartoftheworldinwhichwehavenotbeenourselves。ButI
thinkthatweknow，andthattheyoughttohaveknown，enoughaboutearthquakestohavebeenmoreprudentthantheyhavebeenformanyayear。Atleastwewillhopethat，thoughtheywouldnotlearntheirlessontillthisyear，theywilllearnitnow，andwilllistentothemessagewhichIthinkMadamHowhasbroughtthem，spokeninavoiceofthunder，andwritteninlettersofflame。
Andwhatisthat？
Mydearchild，ifthelandlordofourhousewasinthehabitofpullingtheroofdownuponourheads，andputtinggunpowderunderthefoundationstoblowusup，doyounotthinkweshouldknowwhathemeant，eventhoughheneverspokeaword？Hewouldbeverywronginbehavingso，ofcourse：butonethingwouldbecertain，——thathedidnotintendustoliveinhishouseanylongerifhecouldhelpit；andwasgivingus，inaveryroughfashion，noticetoquit。AndsoitseemstomethatthesepoorSpanishAmericanshavereceivedfromtheLandlordofalllandlords，whocandonowrong，suchanoticetoquitasperhapsnopeopleeverhadbefore；whichsaystotheminunmistakablewords，"Youmustleavethiscountry：orperish。"AndIbelievethatthatmessage，likeallLadyWhy’smessages，isatheartamercifulandlovingone；thatiftheseSpaniardswouldleavethewesterncoastofPeru，andcrosstheAndesintothegreenforestsoftheeasternsideoftheirownland，theymightnotonlylivefreefromearthquakes，but（iftheywouldonlybegoodandindustrious）becomeagreat，rich，andhappynation，insteadoftheidle，anduseless，andIamafraidnotovergood，peoplewhichtheyhavebeen。ForinthateasternpartoftheirownlandGod’sgiftsarewaitingforthem，inaparadisesuchasIcanneitherdescribenoryouconceive；——preciouswoods，fruits，drugs，andwhatnot——boundlesswealth，inoneword——waitingforthemtosenditalldownthewatersofthemightyriverAmazon，enrichingushereintheOldWorld，andenrichingthemselvesthereintheNew。
IftheywouldonlygoandusethesegiftsofGod，insteadofneglectingthemastheyhavebeendoingfornowthreehundredyears，theywouldbeablessingtotheearth，insteadofbeing——
thatwhichtheyhavebeen。
Godgrant，mydearchild，thatthesepoorpeoplemaytakethewarningthathasbeensenttothem；"ThevoiceofGodrevealedinfacts，"asthegreatLordBaconwouldhavecalledit，andseenotonlythatGodhasbiddenthemleavetheplacewheretheyarenow，buthaspreparedforthem，intheirownland，ahomeathousandtimesbetterthanthatinwhichtheynowlive。
Butyouask，Howoughttheytohaveknownthatanearthquakewouldcome？
Well，tomakeyouunderstandthat，wemusttalkalittleaboutearthquakes，andwhatmakesthem；andinordertofindoutthat，letustrytheverysimplestcauseofwhichwecanthink。Thatisthewiseandscientificplan。
Now，whatevermakestheseearthquakesmustbeenormouslystrong；
thatiscertain。Andwhatisthestrongestthingyouknowofintheworld？Think……
Gunpowder？
Well，gunpowderisstrongsometimes：butnotalways。Youmaycarryitinaflask，orinyourhand，andthenitisweakenough。
Itonlybecomesstrongbybeingturnedintogasandsteam。Butsteamisalwaysstrong。Andifyoulookatarailwayengine，stillmoreifyouhadeverseen——whichGodforbidyoushould——aboilerexplosion，youwouldagreewithme，thatthestrongestthingweknowofintheworldissteam。
NowIthinkthatwecanexplainalmost，ifnotquite，allthatweknowaboutearthquakes，ifwebelievethatonthewholetheyarecausedbysteamandothergasesexpanding，thatis，spreadingout，withwonderfulquicknessandstrength。Ofcoursetheremustbesomethingtomakethemexpand，andthatisHEAT。Butwewillnottalkofthatyet。
NowdoyourememberthatriddlewhichIputtoyoutheotherday？—
—"WhathadtherattlingofthelidofthekettletodowithHartfordBridgeFlatbeingliftedoutoftheancientsea？"
Theanswertotheriddle，Ibelieve，is——Steamhasdoneboth。Thelidofthekettlerattles，becausetheexpandingsteamescapesinlittlejets，andsocausesaLID—QUAKE。Nowsupposethattherewassteamundertheearthtryingtoescape，andtheearthinoneplacewaslooseandyethard，asthelidofthekettleislooseandyethard，withcracksinit，itmaybe，likethecrackbetweentheedgeofthelidandtheedgeofthekettleitself：mightnotthesteamtrytoescapethroughthecracks，andrattlethesurfaceoftheearth，andsocauseanEARTHQUAKE？
Sothesteamwouldescapegenerallyeasily，andwouldonlymakeapassingrattle，liketheearthquakeofwhichthefamousjesterCharlesSelwynsaidthatitwasquiteayoungone，sotamethatyoumighthavestrokedit；likethatwhichImyselfoncefeltinthePyrenees，whichgavemeverysolemnthoughtsafterawhile，thoughatfirstIdidnothingbutlaughatit；andIwilltellyouwhy。
IwastravellinginthePyrenees；andIcameoneeveningtotheloveliestspot——aglen，orratheravastcrackinthemountains，sonarrowthattherewasnoroomforanythingatthebottomofit，saveatorrentroaringbetweenwallsofpolishedrock。Highabovethetorrenttheroadwascutoutamongthecliffs，andabovetheroadrosemorecliffs，withgreatblackcavernmouths，hundredsoffeetaboveourheads，outofeachofwhichpouredinfoamingwaterfallsstreamslargeenoughtoturnamill，andabovethemmountainspiledonmountains，allcoveredwithwoodsofbox，whichsmeltrichandhotandmuskyinthewarmspringair。Amongthebox—treesandfallenbouldersgrewhepaticas，blueandwhiteandred，suchasyouseeinthegarden；andlittlestarsofgentian，moreazurethantheazuresky。Butoutofthebox—woodsaboverosegiantsilverfirs，clothingthecliffsandglenswithtallblackspires，tilltheystoodoutatlastinajaggedsaw—edgeagainstthepurpleeveningsky，alongthemountainranges，thousandsoffeetaloft；andbeyondthemagain，attheheadofthevalley，rosevastconesofvirginsnow，milesawayinreality，butlookingsobrilliantandsonearthatonefanciedatthefirstmomentthatonecouldhavetouchedthemwithone’shand。Snow—
whitetheystood，thegloriousthings，seventhousandfeetintotheair；andIwatchedtheirbeautifulwhitesidesturnrose—
colourintheeveningsun，andwhenheset，fadeintodullcoldgray，tillthebrightmooncameouttolightthemuponcemore。
WhenIwastiredofwonderingandadmiring，Iwentintobed；andthereIhadadream——suchadreamasAlicehadwhenshewentintoWonderland——suchadreamasIdaresayyoumayhavehaderenow。
Somenoiseorstirputsintoyourfancyasyousleepawholelongdreamtoaccountforit；andyetthatdream，whichseemstoyoutobehourslong，hasnottakenupasecondoftime；fortheverysamenoisewhichbeginsthedream，wakesyouattheendofit：
andsoitwaswithme。IdreamedthatsomeEnglishpeoplehadcomeintothehotelwhereIwas，andweresleepingintheroomunderneathme；andthattheyhadquarrelledandfought，andbroketheirbeddownwithatremendouscrash，andthatImustgetup，andstopthefight；andatthatmomentIwokeandheardcomingupthevalleyfromthenorthsucharoarasIneverheardbeforeorsince；asifahundredrailwaytrainswererollingunderground；
andjustasitpassedundermybedtherewasatremendousthump，andIjumpedoutofbedquickerthanIeverdidinmylife，andheardtheroaringsounddieawayasitrolledupthevalleytowardsthepeaksofsnow。StillIhadinmyheadthisnotionoftheEnglishmenfightingintheroombelow。ButthenIrecollectedthatnoEnglishmenhadcomeinthenightbefore，andthatIhadbeenintheroombelow，andthattherewasnobedinit。ThenI
openedmywindow——awomanscreamed，adogbarked，somecocksandhenscackledinaverydisturbedhumour，andthenIcouldhearnothingbuttheroaringofthetorrentahundredfeetbelow。Andthenitflashedacrossmewhatallthenoisewasabout；andI
burstoutlaughingandsaid"Itisonlyanearthquake，"andwenttobedNextmorningIinquiredwhetheranyonehadheardanoise。No，nobodyhadheardanything。Andthedriverwhohadbroughtmeupthevalleyonlywinked，butdidnotchoosetospeak。AtlastatbreakfastIaskedtheprettylittlemaidwhowaitedwhatwasthemeaningofthenoiseIheardinthenight，andsheanswered，tomyintenseamusement，"Ah！bah！cen’etaitqu’untremblementdeterre；ilyenaicitouteslessixsemaines。"Nowthesecretwasout。Thelittlemaid，Ifound，camefromthelowlandfaraway，anddidnotmindtellingthetruth：butthegoodpeopleoftheplacewereafraidtoletoutthattheyhadearthquakeseverysixweeks，forfearoffrighteningvisitorsaway：andbecausetheywerereallyverygoodpeople，andverykindtome，Ishallnottellyouwhatthenameoftheplaceis。
OfcourseafterthatIcoulddonolessthanaskMadamHow，verycivilly，howshemadeearthquakesinthatparticularplace，hundredsofmilesawayfromanyburningmountain？AndthiswastheanswerITHOUGHTshegave，thoughIamnotsoconceitedastosayIamsure。
AsIhadcomeupthevalleyIhadseenthatthecliffswereallbeautifulgraylimestonemarble；butjustatthisplacetheywerereplacedbygranite，suchasyoumayseeinLondonBridgeoratAberdeen。Idonotmeanthatthelimestonechangedtogranite，butthatthegranitehadrisenupoutofthebottomofthevalley，andhadcarriedthelimestone（Isuppose）uponitsbackhundredsoffeetintotheair。Thosecaveswiththewaterfallspouringfromtheirmouthswereallononelevel，atthetopofthegranite，andthebottomofthelimestone。Thatwastobeexpected；for，asIwillexplaintoyousomeday，watercanmakecaveseasilyinlimestone：butnever，Ithink，ingranite。ButI
knewthatbesidesthesecoldspringswhichcameoutofthecaves，therewerehotspringsalso，fullofcuriouschemicalsalts，justbelowtheveryhousewhereIwasin。AndwhenIwenttolookatthem，Ifoundthattheycameoutoftherockjustwherethelimestoneandthegranitejoined。"Ah，"Isaid，"nowIthinkI
haveMadamHow’sanswer。Thelidofoneofhergreatsteamboilersisrathershakyandcrackedjusthere，becausethegranitehasbrokenandtornthelimestoneasitlifteditup；andhereisthehotwateroutoftheboileractuallyoozingoutofthecrack；
andtheearthquakeIheardlastnightwassimplythesteamrumblingandthumpinginside，andtryingtogetout。"
Andthen，mydearchild，Ifellintoamoreseriousmood。Isaidtomyself，"Ifthatstreamhadbeenalittle，onlyalittlestronger，oriftherockaboveithadbeenonlyalittleweaker，itwouldhavebeennolaughingmatterthen；thevillagemighthavebeenshakentotheground；therockshurledintothetorrent；jetsofsteamandofhotwater，mixed，itmaybe，withdeadlygases，haveroaredoutoftherivenground；thatmighthavehappenedhere，inshort，whichhashappenedandhappensstillinahundredplacesintheworld，whenevertherocksaretooweaktostandthepressureofthesteambelow，andthesolidearthburstsasanengineboilerburstswhenthesteamwithinitistoostrong。"Andwhenthosethoughtscameintomymind，Iwasinnohumourtojestanymoreabout"youngearthquakes，"or"MadamHow’sboilers；"butrathertosaywiththewisemanofold，"ItisoftheLord’smerciesthatwearenotconsumed。"
Moststrange，mostterriblealso，arethetrickswhichthisundergroundsteamplays。Itwillmaketheground，whichseemstoussohardandfirm，rollandrockinwaves，tillpeoplearesea—
sick，asonboardaship；andthatrockingmotion（whichisthemostcommon）willoften，whenitisbutslight，setthebellsringinginthesteeples，ormakethefurniture，andthingsonshelves，jumpaboutquaintlyenough。Itwillmaketreesbendtoandfro，asifawindwasblowingthroughthem；opendoorssuddenly，andshutthemagainwithaslam；makethetimbersofthefloorsandroofscreak，astheydoinashipatsea；orgivemensuchfrightsasoneofthedock—keepersatLiverpoolgotintheearthquakein1863，whenhiswatchboxrockedso，thathethoughtsomeonewasgoingtopitchhimoverintothedock。Buttheseareonlylittlehintsandwarningsofwhatitcando。Whenitisstrongenough，itwillrockdownhousesandchurchesintoheapsofruins，or，ifitleavesthemstanding，crackthemfromtoptobottom，sothattheymustbepulleddownandrebuilt。
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