Abomination of Modern Society_W_Talmage

7/30/2019 Abomination of Modern Society_W_Talmage

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TheProjectGutenbergEBookofTheAbominationsofModernSocietybyRev.T.DeWittTalmage

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Title:TheAbominationsofModernSociety

Author:Rev.T.DeWittTalmage

ReleaseDate:August3,2004[EBook#13104]

Language:English

***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKTHEABOMINATIONSOFMODERNSOCIETY***

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THEABOMINATIONSOFMODERNSOCIETY.

BYREV.T.DEWITTTALMAGE,

AUTHOROF"CRUMBSSWEPTUP"

1872.

PREFACE.

Thisisabuoyswungovertherocks.Ifitshallkeepship,bark,fore-and-aftschooner,orhermaphroditebrigfromdrivingonalee

shore,"all'swell."

Thebookisnotmoreforyoungmenthanold.TheCalabriawaswrecked"thelastdayout."

Noristhebookmoreformenthanwomen.ThebestbeingthatGodevermadeisagoodwoman,andtheworstthatthedevilevermadeisabadone.Ifanythinghereinshallbeawarningeithertomanorwoman,Iwillbegladthatthemanuscriptwascaughtupbetweenthesharpteethofthetype.


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T.D.W.T.

BROOKLYN,January1st,1872.

CONTENTS.

TheCurtainLifted

WinterNights

ThePowerofClothes

AfterMidnight

TheIndiscriminateDance

TheMassacrebyNeedleandSewing-Machine

PicturesintheStockGallery

LeprousNewspapers

TheFatalTen-Strike

SomeoftheClub-Houses

Flask,Bottle,andDemijohn

HouseofBlacknessofDarkness

TheGunthatKicksovertheManwhoShootsitoff

Lies:WhiteandBlack

TheGoodTimeComing

THEABOMINATIONS.

*****

THECURTAINLIFTED.

Prideofcityisnaturaltomen,inalltimes,iftheyliveorhavelivedinametropolisnotedfordignityorprowess.CsarboastedofhisnativeRome;LycurgusofSparta;VirgilofAndes;DemosthenesofAthens;ArchimedesofSyracuse;andPaulofTarsus.Ishouldsuspectamanofbase-heartednesswhocarriedaboutwithhimnofeelingof


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complacencyinregardtotheplaceofhisresidence;whogloriednotinitsarts,orarms,orbehavior;wholookedwithnoexultationuponitsevidencesofprosperity,itsartisticembellishments,anditsscientificattainments.

Ihavenoticedthatmenneverlikeaplacewheretheyhavenotbehavedwell.SwarthoutdidnotlikeNewYork;norDr.Webster,Boston.Menwhohavefreeridesinprison-vansneverlikethecitythatfurnishesthevehicle.

WhenIseeinhistoryArgos,Rhodes,Smyrna,Chios,Colophon,andseveralothercitiesclaimingHomer,IconcludethatHomerbehavedwell.

Letusnotwaragainstthisprideofcity,norexpecttobuildupourselvesbypullingothersdown.LetBostonhaveits_Common_,its_FaneuilHall_,its_Coliseum_,andits_AtlanticMonthly_.LetPhiladelphiatalkaboutits_Mint_,and_IndependenceHall_,and_GirardCollege_.WhenIfindamanlivingineitherofthoseplaces,whohasnothingtosayinfavorofthem,Ifeellikeaskinghim,"Whatmeanthingdidyoudo,thatyoudonotlikeyournativecity?"

NewYorkisagoodlycity.Itisonecityonbothsidesoftheriver.TheEastRiverisonlythemainarteryofitsgreatthrobbinglife.

Afterawhilefourorfivebridgeswillspanthewater,andweshallbestillmoreemphaticallyonethannow.When,therefore,Isay"NewYorkcity,"Imeanmorethanamillionofpeople,includingeverythingbetweenSpuytenDuyvilCreekandGowanus.Thatwhichtendstoelevateapart,elevatesall.Thatwhichblastspart,blastsall.Sinisagiant;andhecomestotheHudsonorConnecticutRiver,andpassesit,aseasilyaswestepacrossafigureinthecarpet.TheblessingofGodisanangel;andwhenitstretchesoutitstwowings,oneofthemhoversoverthat,andtheotheroverthis.

Ininfancy,thegreatmetropoliswaslaiddownbythebanksoftheHudson.ItsinfancywasasfeebleasthatofMoses,sleepinginthebulrushesbytheNile;andlikeMiriam,thereourfathersstoodand

watchedit.TheroyalspiritofAmericancommercecamedowntothewatertobathe;andthereshefoundit.Shetookitinherarms,andthechildgrewandwaxedstrong;andtheshipsofforeignlandsbroughtgoldandspicestoitsfeet;and,stretchingitselfupintotheproportionsofametropolis,ithaslookeduptothemountains,andoffuponthesea,--oneofthemightiestoftheenergiesofAmericancivilization.

Thecharacterofthefounderofacitywillbeseenformanyyearsinitsinhabitants.RomulusimpressedhislifeuponRome.ThePilgrimsrelaxnottheirholduponthecitiesofNewEngland.WilliamPennhasleftPhiladelphiaaninheritanceofintegrityandfairdealing;andonanydayinthatcityyoumayseeinthemanners,customs,and

principlesofitspeople,histastes,hiscoat,hishat,hiswife'sbonnet,andhisplainmeeting-house.TheHollandersstillwieldaninfluenceoverNewYork.

GrandOldNewYork!Whatsouthernthoroughfarewaseversmittenbypestilence,whenourphysiciansdidnotthrowthemselvesuponthesacrifice!Whatdistantlandhascriedoutintheagonyoffamine,andourshipshavenotputoutwithbread-stuffs!WhatstreetofDamascus,orBeyrout,orMadrasthathasnotheardthestepofourmissionaries!Whatstrugglefornationallife,inwhichourcitizenshavenotpoured


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theirbloodintothetrenches!Whatgalleryofexquisiteart,inwhichourpaintershavenothungtheirpictures!Whatdepartmentofliteratureorsciencetowhichourscholarshavenotcontributed!Ineednotspeakofourpublicschools,wherethechildrenofthecordwainer,andmilkman,andglass-blowerstandbythesideoftheflatteredsonsofmillionnairesandmerchantprinces;oroftheinsaneasylumsonalltheseislands,wheretheywhocameoutcuttingthemselves,amongthetombs,nowsit,clothedandintheirrightmind;oroftheMagdalenasylums,wherethelostoneofthestreetcomestobathetheSaviour'sfeetwithhertears,andwipethemwiththehairsofherhead,--confidinginthepardonofHimwhosaid--"Lethimwhoiswithoutsincastthefirststoneather."Ineednotspeakoftheinstitutionsfortheblind,thelame,thedeafandthedumb,fortheincurables,forthewidow,theorphan,andtheoutcast;orofthethousand-armedmachinerythatsendsstreamingdownfromthereservoirtheclear,bright,sparkling,God-givenwaterthatrushesthroughouraqueducts,anddashesoutofthehydrants,andtossesupinourfountains,andhissesinoursteam-engines,andshowersouttheconflagration,andsprinklesfromthebaptismalfontofourchurches;andwithsilvernote,andgoldensparkle,andcrystallinechime,saystohundredsofthousandsofourpopulation,intheauthenticwordsofHimwhomadeit--"IWILL:BETHOUCLEAN!"

TheywholiveinanyoftheAmericancitieshaveagoodlyheritage;

anditisinnodepreciationofouradvantagesthatIspeak,butbecause,intheverycontrastwithouropportunitiesandmission,THEABOMINATIONSaretenfoldmoreabominable.

ThesourcesfromwhichIwillbringthearrayoffactswillbepolice,detective,andalms-housereports;citymissionaries'explorations,andthetestimonyoftheabandonedandsin-blasted,who,abouttotakethefinalplunge,havestaggeredbackjustforamoment,toutterthewildshriekoftheirwarning,andtheagonizingwailoftheirdespair.

Ishallcalluponyoutoconsiderthedrunkenness,thestock-gambling,therampantdishonesties,theclub-housessofarastheyarenefarious,theexcessoffashion,thehorrorsofunchastity,the

badbooksanduncleannewspapers,andthewholerangeofsinfulamusements;andwiththeplough-shareoftruthturnupthewholefield.

Ifwecouldcallupthevictimsthemselves,theywouldgivethemostimpressivestory.PeopleknewnothowTurner,thepainter,gotsuchvividconceptionsofastormatsea,untiltheyheardthestorythatoftentimeshehadbeenlashedtothedeckinthemidstofthetempest,inorderthathemightstudythewrathofthesea.

Thosewhohavethemselvesbeentossedonthewaveofinfamoustransgressionscouldgiveusthemostvividpictureofwhatitistosinandtodie.Withhandtremulouswithexhaustingdisease,and

hardlyabletogettheaccursedbowltohislips--putintosuchahandthepencil,anditcansketch,ascannooneelse,thedarkness,thefire,thewildterror,theheadlongpitch,andthehellofthosewhohavesurrenderedthemselvestoiniquity.Whilewedareonlycomeneartheedge,and,balancingourselvesawhile,lookoff,andourheadswims,andourbreathcatches,--thosecantellthestorybestwhohavefallentothedepthswithwilderdashthanglacierfromthetopofaSwisscliff,andstand,intheiragony,lookingupforareliefthatcomesnot,andstrainingtheireyesforahopethatneverdawns--crying,"OGod!""OGod!"


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Itisterribletoseealiondashingforescapeagainstthesidesofhiscage;butamoreawfulthingitistobeholdaman,cagedinbadhabit,tryingtobreakout,--bloodonthesoul,bloodonthecage.

OthersmaythrowgarlandsuponSin,picturingtheoverhangingfruitswhichdropinherpathway,andmakeeverystepgracefulasthedance;butwecannotbehonestwithoutpresentingitasagiant,blackwiththesootoftheforgeswhereeternalchainsaremade,andfeetrottingwithdisease,andbreathfoulwithplagues,andeyesglaringwithwoe,andlocksflowinginserpentfangs,andvoicefromwhichshallrumbleforththeblasphemiesofthedamned.

Iopentoyouadoor,throughwhichyousee--what?Picturesandfountains,andmirrorsandflowers?No:itisalazar-houseofdisease.Thewallsdrip,drip,dripwiththedampsofsepulchres.Thevictims,strewnoverthefloor,writheandtwistamongeachotherincontortionsindescribable,holdinguptheirulcerouswounds,tearingtheirmattedhair,weepingtearsofblood:somehootingwithrevengefulcry;somehowlingwithamaniac'sfear;somechatteringwithidiot'sstare;somecallinguponGod;somecallinguponfiends;wastingaway;thrustingeachotherback;mockingeachother'spains;tearingopeneachother'sulcers;droppingwiththeichorofdeath!ThewiderIopenthedoor,theghastlierthescene.--Worsethe

horrors.Moredesperaterecoils.Deepercurses.Moreblood.Icannolongerendurethevision,andIshutthedoor,andcovermyeyes,andturnmyback,andcry,"Godpitythem!"

Someonemaysay,"Whatistheuseofsuchanexposureasyouproposetomake?Ourfamiliesareallrespectable."Ianswer,thatnofamily,howeverelevatedandexclusive,canbeindependentofthestateofpublicmorals.

Howeverpleasanttheblockofhousesinwhichyoudwell,thewretchedness,thetemptation,andtheoutrageofmunicipalcrimewillputitshandonyourdoor-knob,anddashitsawfulsurgeagainstthemarbleofyourdoor-steps,asthestormyseadrivesonarockybeach.

Thatconditionofmoralsisnowbeingformed,amidwhichourchildrenmustwalk.Doyoutellmeitisnoneofmybusinesswhatstreetprofanityshallcursemyboy'sear,onhiswaytoschool?Thinkyouitisnoconcernofyourswhatinfamousadvertisements,placardedonthewalls,orinthepublicnewspaper,shallsmitethevisionofyourinnocentlittleones?ShallIbenervousaboutastagnantpoolofwater,lestitbreedmalaria,andbecarelesswhenthereareintheveryheartofourcitythousandsofhouses,devotedtovariousformsofdissipation,whichdayandnightsteamwithmiasma,andpouroutthefierylavaofpollution,anddarkentheairwiththeirhorrors,andfilltheskieswiththesmokeoftheirtorment,thatascendethupforeverandever?Ifaslaughter-housebeopenedinthemidstofthe

town,wehastendowntotheMayortohavethenuisanceabated.ButnowImakecomplaint,nottotheMayororCommonCouncil,buttothemassesofthepeople,whohavethepowertoliftmenuptooffice,andtocastthemdown,againstahundredthousandslaughter-housesinourAmericancities.Inthenameofourhappyhomes,ofourrefinedcircles,ofourschools,ofourchurches,--inthenameofallthatisdearandbeautifulandvaluableandholy,--Ienterthecomplaint.Ifyounowsitunconcerned,andleavetoprofessedphilanthropiststhework,andcarenotwhoareinauthorityorwhatlawsremainunexecuted,youmaylivetoseethetimewhenyouwillcursetheday


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inwhichyourchildrenwereborn.

Mybeliefisthatsuchanexpositionofpublicimmoralitieswilldogood,byexcitingpityforthevictimsandwholesaleindignationagainsttheabettorsandperpetrators.

Whoisthatmanfallenagainstthecurbstone,coveredwithbruisesandbeastliness?Hewasasbright-facedaladaseverlookedupfromyournursery.Hismotherrockedhim,prayedforhim,fondledhim,wouldnotletthenightairtouchhischeek,andheldhimupandlookeddownintohislovingeyes,andwonderedforwhathighpositionhewasbeingfitted.Heenteredlifewithbrighthopes.Theworldbeckonedhim,friendscheeredhim,butthearchersshotathim;vilemensettrapsforhim,badhabitshookedfasttohimwiththeirirongrapples;hisfeetslippedontheway;andtherehelies.Whowouldthinkthatthatuncombedhairwasoncetoyedwithbyafather'sfingers?Whowouldthinkthatthosebloatedcheekswereeverkissedbyamother'slips?Wouldyouguessthatthatthicktongueoncemadeahouseholdgladwithitsinnocentprattle?Utternoharshwordsinhisear.Helphimup.Putthehatoverthatoncemanlybrow.Brushthedustfromthatcoatthatoncecoveredagenerousheart.Showhimthewaytothehomethatoncerejoicedatthesoundofhisfootstep,andwithgentlewordstellhischildrentostandbackasyouhelphimthroughthehall.

Thatwasakindhusbandonceandanindulgentfather.Hewillkneelwiththemnomoreasoncehedidatfamilyprayers--thelittleoneswithclaspedhandslookingupintotheheavenswiththanksgivingfortheirhappyhome.Butnowatmidnighthewilldrivethemfromtheirpillowsandcursethemdownthesteps,andhowlafterthemas,unclad,theyflydownthestreet,innight-garments,underthecalmstarlight.

Whoslewthatman?Whoblastedthathome?Whoplungedthosechildrenintoworsethanorphanage--untilthehandsarebluewithcold,andthecheeksareblanchedwithfear,andthebrowisscarredwithbruises,andtheeyesarehollowwithgrief?Whomadethatlifeawreck,andfilledeternitywiththeuproarofadoomedspirit?

Therearethosewhoseregularbusinessitistoworkthisdeath.Theymixacupthatglowsandflashesandfoamswithenchantment.TheycallitCognac,orHock,orHeidsick,orSchnapps,orOldBourbon,orBrandy,orChampagne;buttheytellnotthatintheruddyglowthereisthebloodofsacrifice,andinitsflashtheeyeofuncoiledadders,andinthefoamthemouth-frothofeternaldeath.Notknowingwhatahorriblemixtureitis,mentakeitupanddrinkitdown--thesacrificialblood,theadder'svenom,thedeath-froth--andsmacktheirlipsandcallitadelightfulbeverage.

Oh!ifIhadsomeartbywhichIcouldbreakthecharmofthetempter'sbowl,andwithmailedhandliftoutthelongserpentofeternaldespair,andshakeoutitscoils,andcastitdown,andcrush

ittodeath!

Buttheenchantmentcannotthusbebroken.Ithidesinthebottomofthebowl;andnotuntilamanisentirelyfallendoesthemonsterliftitselfup,andstrikewithitsterrificfangs,andanswerallhisimplorationsformercywithfiendishhiss.Wemustarousepublicopinion,untilcity,State,andnationalofficialsshallnolongerdaretoneglecttheexecutionofthelaw.Wehaveenoughenactmentsnowtorevolutionizeourcitiesandstriketerrorthroughthedrinking-housesandgambling-densandhousesofsin.Tracts


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distributedwillnotdoit;Biblesprintedwillnotaccomplishit;citymissionarieshavenotpowerforthework.

_Will_tractsdoit?Aswelltrywiththreeorfoursnow-flakestoputoutCotapaxi!

Wewantpoliceofficers,commoncouncilmen,aldermen,sheriffs,mayors,whowillexecutethelaw.Giveusfortwoweeksinourcitiesanhonestcityhall,andpublicpollutionwouldfalllikelightningfromheaven!

Ifyourepublicans,andyoudemocrats,donotdoyourdutyinthisregard,wewill,afterawhile,formapartyofourown,andputmeninpositionpledgedtoanti-rum,anti-dirt,anti-nuisances,anti-monopolies,anti-abominations,andwillgivetothoseofyouwhohavebeensolongfeedingonpublicspoils,carelessofpublicmorals,notsomuchasthewagesofastreetsweeper.

Wearenotdiscouraged.Itmayseemtomanythatallofourbattlingagainsttheseevilswillcometonaught.Butifthecoralinsectscanliftanisland,ourfeebleefforts,underGod,mayraiseabreak-waterthatwilldashbackthesurgesofmunicipalabomination.Beside,wetoilnotinourownstrength.

ItseemedinsignificantforMosestostretchhishandovertheRedSea.Whatpowercouldthathaveoverthewaters?Buttheeastwindblewallnight;thewatersgatheredintotwoglitteringpalisadesoneitherside.ThebillowsrearedasGod'shandpulledbackupontheircrystalbits.Wheelintoline,OIsrael!March!March!Pearlscrashunderthefeet.Theflyingsprayspringsarainbowarchoverthevictors.Theshoutofhostsmountingthebeachanswerstheshoutofhostsmid-sea;until,asthelastlineoftheIsraeliteshavegainedthebeach,theshieldsclang,andthecymbalsclap;andasthewaterswhelmthepursuingfoe,theswift-fingeredwindsonthewhitekeysofthefoamplaythegrandmarchofIsraeldelivered,andtheawfuldirgeofEgyptianoverthrow.

Sowegoforth;andstretchoutthehandofprayerandChristianeffortoverthesedark,boilingwatersofcrimeandsuffering."Aha!Aha!"saythederidingworld.Butwait.Thewindsofdivinehelpwillbegintoblow;thewaywillclearforthegreatarmyofChristianphilanthropists;theglitteringtreasuresoftheworld'sbeneficencewilllinethepathofourfeet;andtotheothershorewewillbegreetedwiththeclashofallheaven'scymbals;whilethosewhoresistandderideandpursueuswillfallunderthesea,andtherewillbenothingleftofthembuthereandthere,casthighanddryuponthebeach,thesplinteredwheelofachariot,and,thrustoutfromthesurf,thebreathlessnostrilofariderlesscharger.

WINTERNIGHTS.

Theinhabitantsofoneoftheoldcitiesweretoldthattheywouldhavetoflyfortheirlives.Suchflightwouldbepainful,evenintheflushofspring-time,butsuperlativelyaggravatingifincoldweather;andthereforetheyweretoldtopraythattheirflightbenotinthewinter.


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Thereissomethinginthewinterseasonthatnotonlytestsourphysicalendurance,but,especiallyinthecity,triesourmoralcharacter.Itisthewintermonthsthatruin,morally,andforever,manyofouryoungmen.Wesitinthehouseonawinter'snight,andhearthestormragingontheoutside,andimaginethehelplesscraftsdrivenonthecoast;butifourearswereonlygoodenough,wecould,onanywinternight,hearthecrashofahundredmoralshipwrecks.

ManywhocamelastSeptembertotown,bythefirstofMarchwillhavebeenblasted.Itonlytakesonewintertoruinayoungman.Whenthelongwintereveningshavecome,manyofouryoungmenwillimprovetheminformingamoreintimateacquaintancewithbooks,contractinghighersocialfriendships,andstrengtheningandennoblingtheircharacters.Butnotsowithall.IwillshowyoubeforeIgetthroughthat,atthisseasonoftheyear,temptationsareespeciallyrampant:andmycounselis,_Lookouthowyouspendyourwinternights!_

Iremark,first,thatthereisnoseasonoftheyearinwhichviciousallurementsaresoactive.

Inwarmweather,placesofdissipationwintheirtamesttriumphs.Peopledonotfeellikegoing,inthehotnightsofsummer,amongtheblazinggas-lights,orbreathingthefetidairofassemblages.The

receiptsofthegrog-shopsinaDecembernightarethreetimeswhattheyareinanynightinJulyorAugust.Idoubtnottherearelargeraudiencesinthecasinosinwinterthaninthesummerweather.Iniquitypliesamoreprofitabletrade.December,January,andFebruaryareharvest-monthsforthedevil.Theplay-billsofthelowentertainmentsthenaremorecharming,theactingismoreexquisite,theenthusiasmofthespectatorsmorebewitching.Manyayoungmanwhomakesouttokeeprighttherestoftheyear,capsizesnow.Whenhecametotownintheautumn,hiseyewasbright,hischeekrosy,hisstepelastic;but,beforespring,asyoupasshimyouwillsaytoyourfriend,"Whatisthematterwiththatyoungman?"Thefactisthatonewinterofdissipationhasdonetheworkofruin.

Thisistheseasonforparties;and,iftheyareoftherightkind,oursocialnatureisimproved,andourspiritscheeredup.Butmanyofthemarenotoftherightkind;andouryoungpeople,nightafternight,arekeptinthewhirlofunhealthyexcitementuntiltheirstrengthfails,andtheirspiritsarebrokendown,andtheirtasteforordinarylifecorrupted;and,bythetimethespringweathercomes,theyareinthedoctor'shands,orsleepinginthecemetery.Thecertificateoftheirdeathismadeout,andthephysician,outofregardforthefamily,callsthediseasebysomeLatinname,whenthetruthisthattheydiedoftoomanyparties.

Awaywiththesewine-drinkingconvivialities!Howdareyou,thefatherofahousehold,triflewiththeappetitesofouryoungpeople?

Perhaps,outofregardfortheminister,orsomeotherweaktemperanceman,youhavethedecanterinaside-room,where,afterrefreshments,onlyaselectfewareinvited;andyoucomebackwithaglareinyoureye,andastenchinyourbreath,thatshowsthatyouhavebeenoutservingthedevil.

Someoneasks,"Forwhatpurposearethesepeoplegoneintothatside-room?"

"O,"repliesonewhohasjustcomeout,smackinghislips,"theyhave


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goneintoseethewhitedog!"

TheexcusewhichChristianmenoftengiveforthisis,thatitisnecessary,aftersuchlateeating,bysomesortofstimulanttohelpdigestion.Myplainopinionis,thatifamanhavenomorecontroloverhisappetitethantostuffhimselfuntilhisdigestiveorgansrefusetodotheiroffice,heoughtnottocallhimselfaman,butrathertoclasshimselfamongthebeaststhatperish.ItakethewordsoftheLordAlmighty,andcry,"Woetohimthatputteththebottletohisneighbor'slips!"

Youngman,takeitasthecounselofafriend,whenIbidyou_becautiouswhereyouspendyourwinterevenings_.ThankGodthatyouhavelivedtoseethegladwinterdaysinwhichyourchildhoodwasmadecheerfulbythefacesoffathersandmothers,brothersandsisters,someofwhom,alas!willneveragainwishyoua"happyNewYear,"ora"MerryChristmas."

Letnoonetemptyououtofyoursobriety.IhaveseenrespectableyoungmenofthebestfamiliesdrunkonNewYear'sday.Theexcusetheygavefortheinebriationwasthatthe_ladies_insistedontheirtakingit.Therehavebeeninstanceswherethedelicatehandofwomanhathkindledayoungman'stasteforstrongdrink,whoaftermanyyears,whentheattractionsofthatholidayscenewereallforgotten,

crouchedinherrags,andherdesolation,andherwoeundertheupliftedhandofthedrunkenmonsterwho,onthatChristmasmorningsolongago,tooktheglassfromherhand.Andso,thewomanstandsontheabutmentofthebridge,onthemoon-litnight,wonderingif,downunderthewater,thereisnotsomequietplaceforabrokenheart.Shetakesonewildleap,--andallisover!

Ah!minglenotwiththeharmlessbeverageofyourfestivescenethispoisonofadders!Mixnotwiththewhitesugarofthecupthesnowofthisawfulleprosy!Marnottheclatterofcutleryattheholidayfeastwiththeclankofamadman'schain!

Stopandlookintothewindowofthatpawnbroker'sshop.Elegantfurs.

Elegantwatches.Elegantscarfs.Elegantflutes.Peoplestandwithapleasedlookgazingatthesethings;butIlookinwithashudder,asthoughIhadseenintoawindowofhell.

Whoseelegantwatchwasthat?Itwasadrunkard'swatch!

Whosefurs?Theybelongedtoadrunkard'swife!

Whoseflute?Whoseshoes?Whosescarf?Theybelongedtoadrunkard'schild!

IfIcould,Iwouldtakethethreebrazenballshangingatthedoor-way,andclangthemtogetheruntiltheytolledtheawfulknell

ofthedrunkard'ssoul.Thepawnbroker'sshopisonlyoneeddyofthegreatstreamofmunicipaldrunkenness.

Standback,youngman!Takenotthefirststepinthepaththatleadshere.Letnottheflameofstrongdrinkeverscorchyourtongue.Youmaytamperwiththesethingsandescape,butyourinfluencewillbewrong.Canyounotmakeasacrificeforthegoodofothers?

Whenthegoodship_London_wentdown,thecaptainwastoldthattherewasawayofescapeinoneofthelife-boats.Hesaid--"No;Iwillgo


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downwiththerestofthepassengers!"Alltheworldacknowledgedthatheroism.

Canyounotdenyyourselfinsignificantindulgencesforthegoodofothers?Benotalluredbythefactthatyoudrinkonlythemoderatebeverages.Youtakeonlyale;andamanhastodrinkalargeamountofittobecomeintoxicated.Yes;butthereisnotinallthecityto-dayaninebriatethatdidnot_begin_withale.

"XXX:"Whatdoesthatmarkmean?XXXonthebeer-barrel:XXXonthebrewer'sdray:XXXonthedoorofthegin-shop:XXXonthesideofthebottle.Notbeingabletofindanyonewhocouldtellmewhatthismarkmeans,Ihavehadtoguessthatthewholethingwasanallegory:XXX--thatis,thirtyheartbreaks.Thirtyagonies.Thirtydesolatedhomes.Thirtychancesforadrunkard'sgrave.Thirtywaystoperdition.

"XXX."IfIweregoingtowriteastory,thefirstchapterwouldbeXXX.;thelast--"Apawnbroker'sshop."

Bewatchful!Atthisseasonalltheallurementstodissipationwillbeespeciallybusy.Letnotyourflighttohellbeinthewinter.

Ialsoremarkthatthewinterevenings,throughtheirverylength,

allowgreatswingforindulgences.Fewyoungmenwouldhavethetastetogototheirroomatseveno'clock,andsituntileleven,reading_Motley'sDutchRepublic_or_JohnFoster'sEssays_.Theyoungmenwhohavebeenconfinedtothestorealldaywantfreshairandsight-seeing;andtheymustgosomewhere.Themostofthemhave,ofawinter'sevening,threeorfourhoursofleisure.Aftertheeveningrepast,theyoungmanputsonhishatandcoatandgoesout.

"Comeinhere,"criesoneformofallurement.

"Comeinhere,"criesanother.

"Go;"saysSatan."Yououghttoseeforyourself."

"Whydon'tyougo?"saysacomrade."Itisashameforayoungmantobeas_green_asyouare.Bythistimeyououghttohaveseeneverything."

Especiallyistemptationstronginsuchtimesasthis,whenbusinessisdull.Ihavenoticedthatmenspendmoremoneywhentheyhavelittletospend.

Thetremendousquestiontobesettledbyourgreatpopulace,daybyday,ishowtogetalivelihood.Manyofouryoungmen,juststartingforthemselves,areverymuchdiscouraged.Theyhadhopedbeforethistohavesetupahouseholdoftheirown.Buttheirgainshavebeen

slow,andtheirdiscouragementsmany.Theyoungmancanhardlytakecareofhimself.Howcanhetakecareofanother?And,tothecurseofmodernsociety,beforeayoungmanisabletosetupahomeofhisown,heisexpectedtohaveenoughtosupportinidlenesssomebodyelse;whenGodintendedthattheyshouldbegintogether,andjointlyearnalivelihood.So,manyofouryoungmenareutterlydiscouraged,andutterlyunfittoresisttemptation.

Thetimethepiratebearsdownupontheshipiswhenitssailsaredownanditismakingnoheadway.


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Peoplewishtheyhadmoretimetothink.Thetroubleisnow,thatpeoplehavetoomuchtimetothink.Givetomanyofourcommercialmenthefourhoursofthesewinternights,withnothingtodivertthem,andbeforespringtheywillhavelodgingsinaninsaneasylum.

Iremarkfurther,thatthewinterisespeciallytryingtothemoralcharacterofouryoungmen,becausesomeoftheirhomesinwinterareespeciallyunattractive.Insummertheycansitonthesteps,orhaveabouquetinthevaseonthemantel;andtheeveningsaresoshortthatsoonaftergas-lighttheyfeellikeretiring.Parentsdonottakeenoughpainstomaketheselongwinternightsattractive.

Itisstrangethatoldpeopleknowsolittleaboutyoungpeople.Onewouldthinkthattheyhadneverbeenyoungthemselves,buthadbeenbornwiththeirspectacleson.Itisdolorousforyoungpeopletospendthethreeorfourhoursofawinter'seveningwithparentswhosittalkingovertheirownailmentsandmisfortunes,andthenothingnessofthisworld.Howdareyoutalksuchblasphemy?Godwasbusysixdaysinmakingtheworld,andhasallowedittohangsixthousandyearsonhisholyheart;andthatworldhathfedyou,andclothedyou,andshoneonyouforfiftyyears:andyetyoutalkaboutthenothingnessofthisworld!Doyouexpecttheyoungpeopleinyourfamilytositawholeeveningandhearyougroanaboutthis

magnificent,star-lighted,sun-warmed,shower-baptized,flower-strewn,angel-watched,God-inhabitedplanet?Fromsuchhomesyoungmenmakeawildplungeintodissipation.Manyofyouhavethemeans:whydoyounotbuythemaviolinorapicture?orhaveyourdaughterculturedinmusicuntilshecanhelptomakehomeattractive?

Therearetenthousandwaysoflightingupthedomesticcircle.Itrequiresnolargeincome,nobighouse,norichwardrobe,nochasedsilver,nogorgeousupholstery,butaparentalheartawaketoitsduty.

Haveadolefulhomeandyourchildrenwillnotstayinit,thoughyoublockupthedoorwithBibles,andtiefasttothemamillion

Heidelbergcatechisms.

Isaidtoaman,"Thisisabeautifultreeinfrontofyourhouse."

Heanswered,withawhine,"Yes;butitwillfade."

Isaidtohim,"Youhaveabeautifulgarden."

Hereplied,"Yes;butitwillperish."

Ifoundoutafterwardthathissonwasavagabond,andIwasnotsurprisedatit.

Youcannotgroanmenintodecency,butyoucangroanthemout.

Prayyethatyourflightbenotinthewinter!DevotetheseDecember,JanuaryandFebruaryeveningstohighpursuits,innocentamusements,intelligentsocialities,andChristianattainments.Donotwastethiswinter.Weshallsoonhaveseenthelastsnow-shower,andhavepassedupintothecompanionshipofHimwhoseraimentisexceedingwhiteassnow--asnofulleronearthcanwhitenit.

Totheright-hearted,thewinternightsofearthwillsoonendinthe


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Junemorningofheaven.

TheRiverofGod,fromundertheThrone,neverfreezesover.ThefoliageofLife'sfairtreeisneverfrost-bitten.Thefestivals,andhilarities,andfamilygatheringsofChristmastimesonearth,willgivewaytothelargerreunions,andthebrighterlights,andthegladderscenes,andthesweetergarlands,andthericherfeastingsofthegreatholidayofHeaven.

THEPOWEROFCLOTHES.

Onecannotalwaystellbyaman'scoatwhatkindofahearthehasunderit;still,hisdressisapttobetheout-blossomingofhischaracter,andisnottobedisregarded.

Wemakenoindiscriminateonslaughtuponcustomsofdress.WhydidGodputspotsonthepansy,oretchthefernleaf?Andwhatarechina-astersgoodforifstyleandcolorareofnoimportance?

Therealmisaswideastheworld,andasfar-reachingasallthe

generations,overwhichfashionhathextendedhersceptre.Forthousandsofyearsshehathsatqueenoveralltheearth,andtherevolutionsthatrockdownallotherthroneshavenotintheslighestaffectedherdomination.Otherconstitutionshavebeentorn,andotherlawstrampled;buttoherdecreesconquerorshavebowedtheirplumes,andkingshaveuncovered.VictoriaisnotQueenofEngland;NapoleonwasnotEmperorofFrance;IsabellawasnotQueenofSpain._Fashion_hasbeenregnantoveralltheearth;andlordsanddukes,kingsandqueens,havebeenthesubjectsofherrealm.

Shearrangedthemantleofthepatriarch,andthetogaoftheRoman;thesmallshoeoftheChinesewomen,andtheturbanoftheTurk;thefursoftheLaplander,andthecalumetoftheIndianchieftain.

HottentotandSiberianobeythemandate,aswellasEnglishmanandAmerican.Herlawsarewrittenonparchmentandpalm-leaf,onbrokenarchandcathedraltracery.ShearrangedhowtheEgyptianmummyshouldbewound,andhowCsarshouldride,andhowtheAtheniansshouldspeak,andhowthroughtheVenetiancanalsthegondoliersshouldrowtheirpleasure-boat.Herhandhathhungthepillarswithembroidery,andstrewnthefloorwithplush.Herloomhathwovenfabricsgracefulasthesnowandpureasthelight.Hervoiceisheardinthegoldmart,intheroarofthestreet,intheshuffleofthecrowdedbazaars,intherattleofthesteam-presses,andinthesongsofthechurches.

Youhavelimitedyourobservationoftheswayoffashionifyouhave

considereditonlyasitdecidesindividualandnationalcostumes.Itmakestherulesofbehavior.Itwieldsaninfluenceinartisticspheres--oftendecidingwhatpicturesshallhanginthehouse,whatmusicshallbeplayed,whatornamentsshallstanduponthemantle.Thepoormanwillnothaveonhiswallthecheapwood-cutthathecanafford,becausehecannothaveagreatdaublikethatwhichhangsontherichman'swall,andcostingthreehundreddollars.

Fashionhelpstomakeupreligiousbelief.Itoftendecidestowhatchurchweshallgo,andwhatreligioustenetsweshalladopt.Itgoes


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intothepulpit,anddecidesthegown,andthesurplice,andthestyleofrhetoric.

Itgoesintoliteratureandarrangesthebinding,thetype,theillustrationsofthebook,andoftentimesthesentimentsexpressedandthetheoriesevolved.

Menthemostindependentinfeelingarebyitcompelledtosubmittosocialcustoms.AndbeforeIstopIwanttoshowyouthatfashionhasbeenoneofthemostpotentofreformers,andoneofthevilestofusurpers.Sometimesithasbeenanangelfromheaven,andatothersithasbeenthemotherofharlots.

Astheworldgrowsbettertherewillbeasmuchfashionasnow,butitwillbeadifferentfashion.Inthefuturelifewhiterobesalwayshavebeenandalwayswillbeinthefashion.

Thereisagreatoutcryagainstthissubmissiontosocialcustom,asthoughanyconsultationofthetastesandfeelingsofothersweredeplorable;butwithoutittheworldwouldhaveneitherlaw,order,civilization,norcommondecency.

Therehasbeenacanonizationofbluntness.Therearemenandwomenwhoboastthattheycantellyoualltheyknowandhearaboutyou,

especiallyifitbeunpleasant.Somehavemistakenroughbehaviorforfrankness,whenthetwoqualitiesdonotbelongtothesamefamily.Youhavenoright,withyoureccentricities,tocrashinuponthesensitivenessofothers.Thereisnovirtueinwalkingwithhoofsoverfinecarpets.Themostjaggedrockiscoveredwithblossomingmoss.Thestormthatcomesjarringdowninthunderstrewsrainbowcolorsuponthesky,andsilverydropsonorchardandmeadow.

Therearemenwhopridethemselvesontheircapacityto"stick"others.Theysay"Ihavebroughthimdown:Didn'tImakehimsquirm!"

Otherspridethemselvesontheiroutlandishapparel.Theyboastofbeingoutofthefashion.Theywearaqueerhat.Theyrideinanodd

carriage.Bydintofperpetualapplicationtheywouldpersuadetheworldthattheyareperfectlyindifferenttopublicopinion.Theyaremoreproudofbeing"outoffashion"thanothersareofbeingin.Theyareutterlyanduniversallydisagreeable.Theirroughcornershaveneverbeenwornoff.Theypreferahedge-hogtoalamb.

Theaccomplishmentsoflifeareinnowiseproductiveofeffeminacyorenervation.Goodmannersandarespectforthetastesofothersisindispensable.TheGoodBookspeaksfavorablyofthosewhoarea"_peculiar_"people;butthatdoesnotsanctionthebehaviorof_queer_people.Thereisnoexcuse,underanycircumstances,fornotbeingandactingtheladyorgentleman.Rudenessissin.Wehavenowordstooardenttoexpressouradmirationfortherefinementsof

society.Thereisnolaw,moralordivine,toforbideleganceofdemeanor,ornamentsofgoldorgemsfortheperson,artisticdisplayinthedwelling,gracefulnessofgaitandbearing,politesalutation,orhonestcompliments;andhewhoisshockedoroffendedbythesehadbetter,liketheoldScythians,weartiger-skins,andtakeonewildleapbackintomidnightbarbarism.

AsChristianityadvancestherewillbebetterapparel,higherstylesofarchitecture,moreexquisiteadornments,sweetermusic,granderpictures,morecorrectbehavior,andmorethoroughladiesand


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gentlemen.

Butthereisanotherstorytobetold.Excessivefashionistobechargedwithmanyoftheworstevilsofsociety,anditspathhasoftenbeenstrewnwiththebodiesoftheslain.

Ithasoftensetupafalsestandardbywhichpeoplearetobejudged.Ourcommonsense,aswellasallthedivineintimationsonthesubject,teachusthatpeopleoughttobeesteemedaccordingtotheirindividualandmoralattainments.Themanwhohasthemostnobilityofsoulshouldbefirst,andhewhohastheleastofsuchqualitiesshouldstandlast.Nocrest,orshield,orescutcheon,canindicateone'smoralpeerage.Titlesofduke,lord,esquire,earl,viscount,orpatrician,oughtnottoraiseoneintothefirstrank.SomeofthemeanestmenIhaveeverknownhadattheendoftheirnameD.D.,LL.D.,andF.R.S.Truth,honor,charity,heroism,self-sacrifice,shouldwinhighestfavor;butinordinatefashionsays--"Countnotawoman'svirtues;countherrings;""Looknotatthecontourofthehead,butseethewayshecombsherhair;""Asknotwhatnobledeedshavebeenaccomplishedbythatman'shand;butisitwhiteandsoft?"Asknotwhatgoodsensewasinherconversation,but"inwhatwasshedressed."Asknotwhethertherewashospitalityandcheerfulnessinthehouse,but"inwhatstyledotheylive."

Asaconsequence,someofthemostignorantandviciousmenareatthetop,andsomeofthemostvirtuousandintelligentatthebottom.Duringthelatewarwesuddenlysawmenhurledupintothehighestsocialpositions.Hadtheysuddenlyreformedfromevilhabits?orgraduatedinascience?orachievedsomegoodworkforsociety?No!Theysimplyhadobtainedagovernmentcontract!

Thisaccountsfortheutterchagrinwhichmenfeelatthetreatmenttheyreceivewhentheylosetheirproperty.Holdupyourheadamidfinancialdisaster,likeaChristian!Fiftythousandsubtractedfromagoodmanleaveshowmuch?Honor;Truth;FaithinGod;TriumphantHope;andakingdomofineffableglory,overwhichheistoreignforeverandever.

Ifamillionnaireshouldloseapennyoutofhispocket,wouldhesitdownonacurb-stoneandcry?Andshallamanpossessedofeverlastingfortuneswearhimselfoutwithgriefbecausehehaslostworldlytreasure?Youhaveonlylostthatinwhichhundredsofwretchedmiserssurpassyou;andyouhavesavedthatwhichtheCsars,andthePharaohs,andtheAlexanderscouldneverafford.

Andyetsocietythinksdifferently;andyouseethemostintimatefriendshipsbrokenupastheconsequenceoffinancialembarrassments.Yousaytosomeone--"Howisyourfriend----?"Themanlooksbewildered,andsays,"Idonotknow."Youreply,"Why;youusedtobeintimate.""Well,"saystheman,"ourfriendshiphasbeendropped:themanhas

failed."

Proclamationhasgoneforth:"Velvetsmustgoup,andhomespunmustcomedown;"andthequestionis"Howdoesthecoatfit?"--not,"Whowearsit?"Thepowerthatbearsthetidesofexcitedpopulationupanddownourstreets,androckstheworldofcommerce,andthrillsallnations,TransatlanticandCisatlantic,is--_clothes_.Itdecidesthelastofficesofrespect;andhowlongthedressshallbetotallyblack;andwhenitmaysubsideintospotsofgriefonsilk,calico,orgingham.Mendieingoodcircumstances,butbyreasonofextravagant


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funeralexpensesarewellnighinsolventbeforetheygetburied.Manymenwouldnotdieatall,iftheyhadtowaituntiltheycouldaffordit.

Excessivefashionisproductiveofamostruinousstrife.Theexpenditureofmanyhouseholdsisadjustedbywhattheirneighborshave,notbywhattheythemselvescanaffordtohave;andthegreatanxietyisastowhoshallhavethefinesthouseandthemostcostlyequipage.TheweaponsusedinthewarfareofsociallifearenotMinirifles,andDahlgrenguns,andHotchkissshells,butchairsandmirrors,andvases,andGobelins,andAxminsters.Manyhouseholdestablishmentsarelikeracingsteamboats,propelledattheutmoststrainandrisk,andjustcomingtoaterrificexplosion."Whocares,"saythey,"ifweonlycomeoutahead?"

Thereisnoonecauseto-dayofmorefinancialembarrassment,andofmoredishonesties,thanthisdetermination,atallhazards,toliveaswellasorbetterthanotherpeople.Therearepersonswhowillrisktheireternityupononefinelooking-glass,orwhowilldashoutthesplendorsofheaventogetanothertrinket.

"Myhouseistoosmall.""But,"sayssomeone,"youcannotpayforalarger.""Nevermindthat;myfriendshaveabetterresidence,andsowillI.""AdressofthatpatternImusthave.Icannotafforditby

agreatdeal;butwhocaresforthat?Myneighborhadonefromthatpattern,andImusthaveone."Therearescoresofmeninthedungeonsofthepenitentiary,whoriskedhonor,business,--everything,intheefforttoshinelikeothers.Thoughtheheavensfall,theymustbe"inthefashion."

Themostfamousfraudsofthedayhaveresultedfromthisfeeling.Itkeepshundredsofmenstrugglingfortheircommercialexistence.Thetroubleisthatsomearecaughtandincarcerated,iftheirlarcenybesmall.Ifitbegreat,theyescape,andbuildtheircastleontheRhine.Mengointojail,notbecausetheysteal,butbecausetheydidnotstealenough.

Again:excessivefashionmakespeopleunnaturalanduntrue.Itisafactoryfromwhichhascomeforthmorehollowpretences,andunmeaningflatteries,andhypocrisies,thantheLowellMillseverturnedoutshawlsandgarments.

Fashionisthegreatestofallliars.Ithasmadesocietyinsincere.Youknownotwhattobelieve.Whenpeopleaskyoutocome,youdonotknowwhetherornottheywantyoutocome.Whentheysendtheirregards,youdonotknowwhetheritisanexpressionoftheirheart,oranexternalcivility.Wehavelearnedtotakealmosteverythingatadiscount.Wordissent,"Notathome,"whentheyareonlytoolazytodressthemselves.Theysay,"Thefurnacehasjustgoneout,"whenintruththeyhavehadnofireinitallwinter.Theyapologize

fortheunusualbarrennessoftheirtable,whentheyneverliveanybetter.Theydecrytheirmostluxuriousentertainments,towinashowerofapproval.Theyapologizefortheirappearance,asthoughitwereunusual,whenalwaysathometheylookjustso.Theywouldmakeyoubelievethatsomenicesketchonthewallwastheworkofamasterpainter."Itwasanheir-loom,andoncehungonthewallsofacastle;andadukegaveittotheirgrandfather."Peoplewhowilllieaboutnothingelse,willlieaboutapicture.Onasmallincomewemustmaketheworldbelievethatweareaffluent,andourlifebecomesacheat,acounterfeit,andasham.


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Fewpersonsarereallynatural.WhenIsaythis,Idonotmeantoslurculturedmanners.Itisrightthatweshouldhavemoreadmirationforthesculpturedmarblethanfortheunhewnblockofthequarry.Frommanycirclesinlifefashionhasdrivenoutvivacityandenthusiasm.Afrozendignityinsteadfloatsabouttheroom,andiceberggrindsagainsticeberg.Youmustnotlaughoutright:itisvulgar.Youmust_smile_.Youmustnotdashrapidlyacrosstheroom:youmust_glide_.Thereisaroundofbows,andgrins,andflatteries,andoh's!andah's!andsimperings,andnamby-pambyism--aworldofwhichisnotworthonegood,round,honestpealoflaughter.Fromsuchahollowroundthetorturedguestretiresatthecloseoftheevening,andassureshishostthathehasenjoyedhimself.

Thussociallifehasbeencontorted,anddeformed,until,insomemountaincabin,whererusticsgathertothequiltingortheapple-paring,thereismoregoodcheerthaninallthefrescoedice-housesofthemetropolis.

Wewant,inallthehighercirclesofsociety,morewarmthofheartandnaturalnessofbehavior,andnotsomanyrefrigerators.

Again:inordinatefashionisincompatiblewithhappiness.Thosewhodependfortheircomfortupontheadmirationofothersaresubjectto

frequentdisappointment.Somebodywillcriticisetheirappearance,orsurpasstheminbrilliancy,orwillreceivemoreattention.Oh!thejealousy,anddetraction,andheart-burningsofthosewhomoveinthisbewilderedmaze!

Theclockstrikes_one_,andthecompanybeginstodisperse.Thehosthasdoneeverythingtomakeallhisguestshappy;butnowthattheyareonthestreet,heartheircriticismsofeverybodyandeverything."Didyouseeherinsuchandsuchapparel?""Wasn'tsheaperfectfright!""Whatapitythatsuchanoneissoawkwardanduncouth!""Well,really,--Iwouldratherneverbespokentothanbeseenwithsuchamanasthat!"

Poorbutterflies!Brightwingsdonotalwaysbringhappiness."Shethatlivethinpleasureisdeadwhilesheliveth."Therevelationsofhighlifethatcometothechallengeandthefightareonlytheoccasionalcroppingsoutofdisquietudesthatare,underneath,likethestarsofheavenformultitude,butlikethedemonsofthepitforhate.Themiserythatto-nightinthecellarcuddlesupinthestrawisnotsoutterastheprincelydisquietudewhichstalksthroughsplendiddrawing-rooms,broodingovertheslightsandoffencesofhighlife.Thebitternessoftroubleseemsnotsounfitting,whendrunkoutofapewtermug,aswhenitpoursfromthechasedlipsofagoldenchalice.Inthesharpcrackofthevoluptuary'spistol,puttinganendtohisearthlymisery,Iheartheconfirmationthatinahollow,fastidiouslifethereisnopeace.

Again:Excessivedevotiontofashionisproductiveofphysicaldisease,mentalimbecility,andspiritualwithering.

Apparelinsufficienttokeepoutthecoldandtherain,orsofitteduponthepersonthatthefunctionsoflifearerestrained;latehours,filledwithexcitementandfeasting;freedraughtsofwine,thatmakeonenotbeastlyintoxicated,butonlyfashionablydrunk;andluxuriousindolence--aretheinstrumentsbywhichthisunreallifepushesitsdisciplesintovaletudinarianismandthegrave.Alongthewalks


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ofhighlifeDeathgoesamowing--andsuchharvestsasarereaped!_Materiamedica_hasbeenexhaustedtofindcurativesforthesephysiologicaldevastations.Dropsies,cancers,consumptions,gout,andalmosteveryinfirmityinalltherealmofpathology,havebeenthepenaltypaid.Tocounteractthedamage,pharmacyhasgoneforthwithmedicament,panacea,elixir,embrocation,salve,andcataplasm.

To-night,withswollenfeet,uponcushionedottoman,andgroaningwithachesinnumerable,isthevotaryofluxuriousliving,nothalfsohappyashisgroomorcoal-heaver.

Fashionistheworld'sundertaker,anddrivesthousandsofhearsestoLaurelHillandGreenwood.

But,worsethanthat,thisfollyisanintellectualdepletion.Thisendlessstudyofproprietiesandetiquette,patternsandstyles,isbedwarfingtotheintellect.Ineverknewamanorawomanofextremefashionthatknewmuch.Howbelittlingthestudyofthecutofacoat,orthetieofacravat,orthewrinkleinashoe,orthecolorofaribbon!Howtheyareworriedifsomethinggetsuntied,orhangsawry,orisnotnicelyadjusted!Withamindcapableofmeasuringtheheightanddepthofgreatsubjects;abletounravelmysteries;towalkthroughtheuniverse;tosoarupintotheinfinityofGod'sattributes,--hoveringperpetuallyoveranewstyleofmantilla!Ihave

knownmen,recklessastotheircharacter,andregardlessofinterestsmomentousandeternal,exasperatedbytheshapeofavest-button!

Whatisthematterwiththatwoman--wroughtupintotheagonyofdespair?O,hermuffisoutoffashion!

Worsethanall--thisfollyisnotsatisfieduntilithasextirpatedeverymoralsentiment,andblastedthesoul.Awardrobeistherockuponwhichmanyasoulhasbeenriven.TheexcitementofaluxuriouslifehasbeenthevortexthathasswallowedupmoresoulsthantheMaelstromoffNorwayeverdevouredships.Whatroomforelevatingthemesinaheartfilledwiththetrivialandunreal?Whocanwonderthatinthishasteforsun-gildedbawblesandwingedthistle-down,

menshouldtumbleintoruin?Thetravellerstodestructionarenotallclothedinrags.Onthatroadchariotjostlesagainstchariot;andbehindsteedsinharnessgolden-platedandglittering,theygodown,coachandfour,heraldandpostilion,racketingonthehotpavementsofhell.Clearthetrack!Bazaarshangouttheircolorsovertheroad;andtreesoftropicalfruitfulnessoverbranchtheway.Nosoundofwoedisturbstheair;butallislightandsong,andwineandgorgeousness.TheworldcomesouttogreetthedazzlingprocessionwithHurrah!andHurrah!But,suddenly,thereisahaltandanoutcryofdismay,andanoverthrowworsethantheRedSeatumblingupontheEgyptians.Shadowofgrave-stonesuponfinestsilk!Wormwoodsqueezedintoimpearledgoblets!Death,withonecoldbreath,witheringtheleavesandfreezingthefountains.

Inthewildtumultofthelastday--themountainsfalling,theheavensflying,thethronesuprising,theuniverseassembling;amidtheboomofthelastgreatthunder-peal,andunderthecracklingofaburningworld--whatwillbecomeofthefopandthedandy?

Hewhoisgenuinelyrefinedwillbeusefulandhappy.Thereisnogatethatagentleman'shandcannotopen.Duringhislastsicknesstherewillbeatimidknockatthebasementdoorbythosewhohavecometoseehowheis.


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Butwatchthecareerofonethoroughlyartificial.Throughinheritance,orperhapshisownskill,havingobtainedenoughforpurposesofdisplay,hefeelshimselfthoroughlyestablished.Hesitsalooffromthecommonherd,andlooksoutofhiswindowuponthepoorman,andsays--"Putthatdirtywretchoffmystepsimmediately!"OnSabbathdayshefindsthechurch,butmournsthefactthathemustworshipwithsomanyoftheinelegant,andsays,"Theyareperfectlyawful!""Thatmanthatyouputinmypewhadacoatonhisbackthatdidnotcostfivedollars."Hestrutsthroughlifeunsympatheticwithtrouble,andsays,"Icannotbebothered."IsdelightedwithsomedoubtfulstoryofParisianlife,butthinksthattherearesomeveryindecentthingsintheBible.Walksarminarmwithamillionnaire,butdoesnotknowhisownbrother.Lovestobepraisedforhissplendidhouse;andwhentoldthathelooksyoungerthantenyearsago,says--"Well,really;doyouthinkso!"

Butthebriefstrutofhislifeisaboutover.Up-stairs--hedies.Noangelwingshoveringabouthim.Nogospelpromiseskindlingupthedarkness;--butexquisiteembroidery,elegantpictures,andabustofShakespeareonthemantel.Thepulsesstop.TheministercomesintoreadoftheResurrection,thatdaywhenthedeadshallcomeup--bothhethatdiedonthefloor,andhethatexpiredunderprincelyupholstery.Heiscarriedouttoburial.Onlyafewmourners,but

agreatarrayofcarriages.Notonecommonmanatthefuneral.Nobefriendedorphantoweepatearuponhisgrave.Nochildofwantpressingthroughtheranksoftheweeping,saying--"HeisthelastfriendIhave;andImustseehim."

Whatnow?Hewasagreatman:ShallnotchariotsofsalvationcomedowntotheothersideoftheJordan,andescorthimuptothepalace?Shallnottheangelsexclaim--"Turnout!aprinceiscoming."Willthebellschime?Willtherebeharperswiththeirharps,andtrumpeterswiththeirtrumpets?

No!No!No!Therewillbeashudder,asthoughacalamityhadhappened.Standingonheaven'sbattlement,awatchmanwillsee

somethingshootpast,withfierydownfall,andshriek:"Wanderingstar--forwhomisreservedtheblacknessofdarknessforever!"

Withthefuneralpageantthebrilliantcareerterminated.Therewasagreatarrayofcarriages.

AFTERMIDNIGHT.

WhennightcamedownonBabylon,Nineveh,andJerusalem,theyneeded

carefulwatching,otherwisetheincendiary'storchmighthavebeenthrustintotheveryheartofthemetropolitansplendor;orenemies,marchingfromthehills,mighthaveforcedthegates.Allnightlong,ontopofthewallandinfrontofthegates,mightbeheardthemeasuredstepofthewatchmanonhissolitarybeat;silencehunginair,saveassomepasser-byraisedthequestion:"Watchman,whatofthenight?"

Itistomeadeeplysuggestiveandsolemnthingtoseeamanstandingguardbynight.Itthrilledthroughme,asatthegateofanarsenal


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inCharleston,thequestiononcesmoteme,"Whocomesthere?"followedbythesharpcommand:"Advanceandgivethecountersign."Everymoralteacherstandsonpicket,orpatrolsthewallaswatchman.Hisworkistosoundthealarm;andwhetheritbeinthefirstwatch,inthesecondwatch,inthethirdwatch,orinthefourthwatch,tobevigilantuntilthedaybreakflingsits"morningglories"ofbloomingcloudacrossthearchingtrellisofthesky.

Theancientsdividedtheirnightintofourparts--thefirstwatch,fromsixtonine;thesecond,fromninetotwelve;thethird,fromtwelvetothree;andthefourth,fromthreetosix.

Ispeaknowofthecityinthethirdwatch,orfromtwelvetothreeo'clock.

Ineverwearyoflookinguponthelifeandbrilliancyofthecityinthe_first_watch.Thatisthehourwhenthestoresareclosing.Thelaboringmen,havingquittedthescaffoldingandtheshop,areontheirwayhome.Itrejoicesmetogivethemmyseatinthecitycar.Theyhavestoodandhammeredawayallday.Theirfeetareweary.Theyareexhaustedwiththetugofwork.Theyaremostlycheerful.Withappetitessharpenedontheswiftturner'swheelandthecarpenter'swhetstone,theyseektheeveningmeal.Theclerks,too,havebrokenawayfromthecounter,andwithbrainwearyofthelonglineof

figures,andthewhimsofthosewhogoa-shopping,seekthefaceofmother,orwifeandchild.Themerchantsareunharnessingthemselvesfromtheiranxieties,ontheirwayupthestreet.Theboysthatlockupareheavingawayattheshutters,shovingtheheavybolts,andtakingalastlookatthefiretoseethatallissafe.Thestreetsarethrongedwithyoungmen,settingoutfromthegreatcentresofbargain-making.

Letidlersclearthestreet,andgiverightofwaytothebesweatedartisansandmerchants!Theyhave_earned_theirbread,andarenowontheirwayhometogetit.

Thelightsinfulljethangovertenthousandeveningrepasts--the

parentsateitherendofthetable,thechildrenbetween.ThankGod!"whosetteththesolitaryinfamilies!"

Afewhourslater,andalltheplacesofamusement,goodandbad,areinfulltide.Loversofart,catalogueinhand,strollthroughthegalleriesanddiscussthepictures.Theball-roomisresplendentwiththerichapparelofthosewho,oneithersideofthewhite,glisteningboards,awaitthesignalfromtheorchestra.Thefootlightsofthetheatreflashup;thebellrings,andthecurtainrises;andoutfromthegorgeoussceneryglidetheactors,greetedwiththevociferationoftheexpectantmultitudes.Concert-hallsareliftedintoenchantmentwiththewarbleofonesongstress,orsweptoutonaseaoftumultuousfeelingbytheblastofbrazeninstruments.Drawing-roomsarefilled

withallgracefulnessofapparel,withallsweetnessofsound,withallsplendorofmanner;mirrorsarecatchingupandmultiplyingthescene,untilitseemsasifininfinitecorridorsthereweregarlandedgroupsadvancingandretreating.

Theout-doorairringswithlaughter,andwiththemovingtoandfroofthousandsonthegreatpromenades.Thedashingspan,adripwiththefoamofthelongcountryride,rushespastasyouhaltatthecurb-stone.


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Mirth,revelry,beauty,fashion,magnificencemingleinthegreatmetropolitanpicture,untilthethinkingmangoeshometothinkmoreseriously,andtheprayingmantopraymoreearnestly.

Abeautifulandoverwhelmingthingisthecityinthefirstandsecondwatchesofthenight.

Buttheclockstrikestwelve,andthethirdwatchbegins.Thethunderofthecityhasrolledfromtheair.Slightsoundsnowcutthenightwithadistinctnessthatexcitesyourattention.Youhearthetinklingofthebellofthestreet-carinthefardistance;thebayingofthedog;thestampofthehorseintheadjoiningstreet;theslammingofasaloondoor;thehiccoughingoftheinebriate;andtheshriekofthesteam-whistlefivemilesaway.Solemnandstupendousisthisthirdwatch.Therearerespectablemenabroad.Thecitymissionaryisgoingupthatcourt,totakeascuttleofcoaltoapoorfamily.Theundertakergoesupthestepsofthathouse,fromwhichtherecomesabittercry,asthoughthedestroyingangelhadsmittenthefirst-born.TheministerofJesuspassesalong;hehasbeengivingthesacramenttoadyingChristian.Thephysicianhastenspast,theexcitedmessengerafewstepsahead,impatienttoreachthethreshold.Menwhoareforcedtotoilintothemidnightarehasteningtotheirpillow.Butthegreatmultitudesareasleep.Thelightsareoutinthedwellings,savehereandthereone.Thatisthelightofthewatcher,

fortheremediesmustbeadministered,andthefeverguarded,andtherestlesstossingofthecoverletresisted,andtheicekeptuponthetemples,andtheperpetualprayerofferedbyheartssoontobebroken.Thestreet-lamps,standinginlongline,revealthesilenceandtheslumberofthetown.

Stupendousthought:agreatcityasleep!Wearyarmgatheringstrengthforto-morrow'stoil.Hotbraingettingcooledoff.Rigidmusclesrelaxing.Excitednervesbeingsoothed.Whitelocksoftheoctogenarianinthindriftsacrossthewhitepillow--freshfallofflakesonsnowalreadyfallen.Childrenwithdimpledhandsthrownputoverthepillow,witheverybreathinhalinganewstoreoffunandfrolic.

Letthegreathostssleep!AslumberlessEyewillwatchthem.Silentbethealarm-bellsandmercifultheelements!Letonegreatwaveofrefreshingslumberrollacrosstheheartofthegreattown,submergingtroubleandwearinessandpain.Itisthethirdwatchofthenight,andtimeforthecitytosleep.

Butbenotdeceived.Therearethousandsofpeopleinthegreattownwhowillnotsleepamomentto-night.Goupthatdarkcourt.Becareful,oryouwillfallovertheprostrateformofadrunkardlyingonhisownwornstep.Lookaboutyou,oryouwillfeelthegarroter'shug.Trytolookinthroughthatbrokenpane!Whatdoyousee?Nothing.Butlisten.Whatisit?"Godhelpus!"Nofootlights,but

tragedy--mightier,ghastlierthanRistoriorEdwinBootheveracted.Nobread.Nolight.Nofire.Nocover.Theyliestrewnuponthefloor--twowholefamiliesinoneroom.Theyshiverinthedarkness.Theyhavehadnofoodto-day.Yousay:"Whydon'ttheybeg?"Theydidbeg,butgotnothing.Yousay:"Handthemovertothealmshouse."

Ah!theyhadratherdiethangotothealmshouse.Haveyouneverheardthebittercryofthemanorofthechildwhentoldthathemustgotothealmshouse?


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Yousaythattheseareviciouspoor,andhavebroughttheirownmisfortuneonthemselves.

Somuchthemoretobepitied.TheChristianpoor--Godhelpsthem!Throughtheirnighttheretwinklestheround,merrystarofhope,andthroughthecrackedwindow-paneoftheirhoveltheyseethecrystalsofheaven.Buttheviciousarethemoretobepitied.Theyhavenohope.Theyareinhellnow.Theyhaveputouttheirlastlight.Peopleexcusethemselvesfromcharitybysayingtheydonotdeservetobehelped.IfIhavetenprayersfortheinnocent,Ishallhavetwentyfortheguilty.Ifashipbedashedupontherocks,thefisherman,inhishutonthebeach,willwrapthewarmestflannelsaroundthosewhoarethemostchilledandbattered.Theviciouspoorhavesufferedtwoawfulwrecks,thewreckofthebody,andthewreckofthesoul;awreckfortimeandawreckforeternity.

Goupthatalley!Openthedoor.Itisnotlocked.Theyhavenothingtolose.Noburglarwouldwantanythingthatisthere.Thereisonlyabrokenchairsetagainstthedoor.Strikeamatchandlookaroundyou.Beastlinessandrags!Ashockofhairhangingoverthescarredvisage.Eyesglaringuponyou.Offernoinsult.Becarefulwhatyousay.Yourlifeisnotworthmuchinsuchaplace.Seethatredmarkonthewall.Thatisthemarkofamurderer'shand.Fromthecornerawildfacestartsoutofthestrawandmovestowardyou,justasyourlightgoes

out.Strikeanothermatch.Hereisalittlebabe.Itdoesnotlaugh.Itneverwilllaugh.Asea-flowerflungonanawfullybarrenbeach:OthattheShepherdwouldfoldthatlamb!Wrapyourshawlaboutyou,fortheJanuarywindsweepsin.Strikeanothermatch.Thefaceofthatyoungwomanisbruisedandgashednow,butamotheroncegazeduponitinecstasyoffondness.Awfulstareoftwoeyesthatseemlookingupfromthebottomofwoe.Standback.Nohopehasdawnedonthatsoulforyears.Hopeneverwilldawnuponit.Utternoscorn.Thematchhasgoneout.Lightitnotagain,foritwouldseemtobeamockery.

Passout!Passon!Knowthattherearethousandsofsuchabodesinour

cities.Anawful,gloomy,andoverwhelmingpictureisthecityinthethirdwatch.

Aftermidnightthecrimeofthecitydoesitschiefwork.Ateightandahalfo'clockintheeveningthecriminalsofthecityareatleisure.Theyaremostlyinthedrinkingsaloons.Itneedscouragetodowhattheyproposetodo.Rummakesmenreckless.Theyaregettingtheirbrainandhandjustright.Towardmidnighttheygototheirgarrets.Theygathertheirtools.Soonafterthethirdwatchtheystalkforth,silently,lookingoutforthepolice,throughthealleystotheirappointedwork.Thisisaburglar;andthedoor-lockwillflyopenatthetouchofthefalsekeys.Thatisanincendiary;andbeforemorningtherewillbealightonthesky,andacryof"Fire!Fire!"

Thatisanassassin;andalifelessbodywillbefoundto-morrowinsomeofthevacantlots.

Duringallthedaytherearehundredsofvillainstobefoundloungingabout,apartofthetimeasleep,apartofthetimeawake;butattwelveto-nighttheywillrouseup,andtheireyeswillbekeen,andtheirmindsacute,andtheirarmsstrong,andtheirfootfleettoflyorpursue.Manyofthemhavebeenbroughtuptothework.Theywereborninathief'sgarret.Theirchildishplaythingwasaburglar'sdarklantern.Aslongagoastheycanremember,theysaw,toward


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morning,themotherbindingupthefather'shead,woundedbyawatchman'sbillet.Theybeganbypickingboys'pockets,andnowtheycandiganundergroundpassagetothecellarofthebank,orwillblastopenthedoorofthegoldvault.Solongasthechildrenofthestreetareneglectedtherewillbenolackofdesperadoes.

Inthethirdwatchofthenightthegambling-housesareinfullblast.Whatthoughthehoursofthenightareslippingaway,andthewifesitswaitinginthecheerlesshome!Stirupthefires!Bringonthedrinks!Putupthestakes!Awholefortunemaybemadebeforemorning!Someofthefirmsthattwoyearsagofirstputouttheirsignofcopartnershiphavealreadyfounderedonthegambler'stable.Themoney-drawerinmanyamercantilehousewillthisyearmysteriouslyspringaleak.Gamingisaportentousvice,andismakinggreateffortstobecomerespectable.RecentlyamemberofCongressplayedwithamemberelect,carryingoffatrophyofonehundredandtwentythousanddollars.Theold-fashionedwayofgettingafortuneistooslow!Letustossupandseewhoshallhaveit!

Andsoitgoes,fromthewheezingwretcheswhopitchpenniesinarumgrocery,tothemillionnairegamblersinthegold-market.

AftermidnighttheeyeofGodwilllookdownandseeuncountedgambling-saloonsplyingtheirdestruction.Passingdownthestreet

to-night,youmayhearthewranglingofthegamblersminglingwiththerattleofthedice,andtheclear,sharpcrackoftheballsonthebilliard-table.

Thefinestroomsinthecityaregamblingdens.Ingildedparlor,amidcostlytapestry,youmaybeholdthesedensofdeath.Thesehouseshavewallsattractivewithelaboratefrescoandgemsofpainting--noshamartist'sdaub,butamasterpiece.Mantelandtableglitterwithvasesandstatuettes.Divansandloungeswithdeepcushions,theperfectionofupholstery,invitetorestandrepose.Aquariaalivewithfinsandstrewnwithtingedshellsandzoophytes.Tuftsofgeranium,frombeadbaskets,suspendedmid-room,droptheirwitchingperfume.Fountainsgushingup,sprinklingtheairwithsparkles,orgushingthroughthe

mouthofthemarblelion.Longmirrors,mountedwithscrollsandwingsandexquisitecarvings,catchingandreflectingbackthemagnificence.Attheirdoorsmerchant-princesdismountfromtheircarriages;officialdignitariesenter;legislators,tiredofmakinglaws,heretakearespiteinbreakingthem.

Fromallclassesthiscrimeisgatheringitsvictims:theimporterofforeignsilks,andtheChathamstreetdealerinpocket-handkerchiefs;clerkstakingagameinthestoreaftertheshuttersareputup;andofficersofthecourtwhilingawaythetimewhilethejuryareout.InthewoodsaroundBadenBaden,inthemorning,itisnorarethingtofindthesuspendedbodiesofsuicides.Nosplendorofsurroundingscanhidethedreadfulnatureofthissin.Inthethirdwatchofthisvery

night,thetearsofthousandsoforphansandwidowswilldashupinthosefountains.Thethundersofeternaldestructionrollinthedeeprumbleofthatten-pinalley.Andasfromrespectablecirclesyoungmenandoldarefallinginlineofprocession,allthedrumsofwoebegintobeatthedeadmarchoftenthousandsouls.

SevenmillionsofdollarsareannuallylostinNewYorkcityatthegaming-table.Someofyourownfriendsmaybeatit.Theagentsofthesegaming-housesaroundourhotelsarewelldressed.Theymeetastrangerinthecity;theyaskhimifhewouldliketoseethecity;


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hesays,"Yes;"theyaskhimifhehasseenthatsplendidbuildinguptown,andhesays"No.""Then,"saysthevillaintothegreenhorn,"Iwillshowyouthelionsandtheelephants."Afterseeingthelionsandtheelephants,Iwouldnotgivemuchforayoungman'schancefordecencyorheaven.Helooksin,andseesnothingobjectionable;butlethimbeware,forheisonenchantedground.Lookoutforthemenwhohavesuchsleekhats--alwayssleekhats--andsuchapatronizingair,andwhoaresounaccountablyinterestedinyourwelfareandentertainment.Allthattheywantofyouisyourmoney.AyoungmanonChestnutstreet,Philadelphia,lostinanightallhismoneyatthegaming-table,and,beforeheleftthetable,blewhisbrainsout;butbeforethemaidhadcleanedupthebloodtheplayerswereagainatthetable,shufflingaway.Awolfhasmorecompassionforthelambwhoseblooditlicksup;ahighwaymanmoreloveforthebelatedtravelleruponwhosecarcasshepilesthestone;thefrostmorefeelingforthefloweritkills;thefiremoretendernessforthetree-branchitconsumes;thestormmorepityfortheshipthatitshiversonLongIslandcoast,thanagambler'shearthasmercyforhisvictim.

Deedofdarknessunfitforsunlight,orearlyeveninghour!Letitcomeforthonlywhenmostofthecitylightsareout,inthethirdwatchofthenight!

Again,itisaftertwelveo'clockthatdrunkennessshowsitsworst

deformity!Ateightornineo'clockthelowsaloonsarenotsoghastly.Atnineo'clockthevictimsareonlytalkative.Atteno'clocktheyaremuchflushed.Ateleveno'clocktheirtongueisthick,andtheirhatoccasionallyfallsfromthehead.Attwelvetheyarenauseatedandblasphemous,andnotabletorise.Atonetheyfalltothefloor,askingformoredrink.Attwoo'clock,unconsciousandbreathinghard.Theywouldnotflythoughthehousetookfire.Soaked,imbruted,deaddrunk!Theyarestrewnalloverthecity,inthedrinkingsaloons,--fathers,brothers,andsons;menasgoodasyou,naturally--perhapsbetter.

Notsowiththehighercirclesofintoxication.The"gentlemen"coaxtheirfellow-revellertobed,orstartwithhimforhome,oneateach

arm,holdinghimup;thenightairisfilledwithhishootingandcursing.Hewillbehelpedintohisowndoor.Hewillfallintotheentry.Hushitup!Letnotthechildrenofthehousebeawakenedtoheartheshame.Heisoneofthemerchantprinces.

Butyoucannotalwayshushitup.

Drinkmakesmenmad.Oneofitsvictimscamehomeandfoundthathiswifehaddiedduringhisabsence;andhewentintotheroomwhereshehadbeenpreparedforthegrave,andshookherfromtheshroud,andtossedherbodyoutofthewindow.Wheresinisloudandloathsomeandfrenzied,itishardtokeepitstill.Thiswholelandissoakedwiththeabomination.ItbecamesobadinMassachusetts,thattheState

aroseinindignation;andhavingappointedagentsforthesaleofalcoholformechanicalandmedicinalpurposes,prohibitedthegeneraltrafficunderapenaltyoffivehundreddollars.ThepopularproprietorsoftheRevere,Tremont,andParkerHouseswerearrested.Thegrog-shopsdiminishedinnumberfromsixthousandtosixhundred.GodgrantthatthetimemayspeedonwhenallthecitiesandStatesshallrouseup,andputtheirfootuponthisabomination.

Asyoupassalongthestreets,nightbynight,youwillseetheawfulneedthatsomethingradicalbedone.Butyoudonotseetheworst.


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Thatwillcometopasslongafteryouaresleeping--inthethirdwatchofthenight.

Oh!yewhohavebeenlongingforfieldsofwork,heretheyarebeforeyou.AttheLondonmidnightmeetings,thirteenthousandofthedaughtersofsinwerereformed;anduncountednumbersofmen,whoweredrunkenanddebauched,havebeenredeemed.Iffromourhighestcirclesafewscoreofmenandwomenwouldgoforthamongthewanderingandthedestitute,theymightyetmakethedarkestalleyofthetownkindlewiththegladnessofheaven.Donotgoinyourwarmfurs,andfromyourwell-ladentables,thinkingthatpiouscounselwillstopthegnawingofemptystomachsorwarmtheirstockinglessfeet.Takefoodandmedicine,andraiment,aswellasaprayer.WhenthecitymissionarytoldthedestitutewomansheoughttoloveGod,shesaid:"Ah!ifyouwereascoldandhungryasIam,youcouldthinkofnothingelse."

Iamgladtoknowthatnotoneearnestprayer,notoneheartfeltalms-giving,notonekindword,evergoesunblessed.AmongthemountainsofSwitzerlandthereisaplacewhere,ifyourvoicebeuttered,therewillcomebackascoreofechoes.Bututterakind,sympathetic,andsavingwordinthedarkplacesofthetown,andtherewillcomebacktenthousandechoesfromallthethronesofheaven.

Theremaybesomeonereadingthiswhoknowsbyexperienceofthetragediesenactedinthethirdwatchofthenight.Iamnotthemantothrustyoubackwithoneharshword.Takeoffthebandagefromyoursoul,andputonitthesalveoftheSaviour'scompassion.ThereisrestinGodforyourtiredsoul.Manyhavecomebackfromtheirwanderings.Iseethemcomingnow.Cryupthenewstoheaven!Setallthebellsa-ringing!Underthehigharchspreadthebanquetofrejoicing.Letallthecrownedheadsofheavencomeinandkeepthejubilee.Itellyouthereismorejoyinheavenoveronemanwhoreformsthanoverninety-and-ninewhonevergotoffthetrack.

Butthereisamanwhowillneverreturnfromhisevilways.Howmanyactsarethereinatragedy?Five,Ibelieve:

ACTI.--_Youngmanstartingfromhome.Parentsandsistersweepingtohavehimgo.Wagonpassingoverthehills.Farewellkissthrownback.Ringthebellandletthecurtaindrop_.

ACTII.--_Marriagealtar.Brightlights.Fullorgan.Whiteveiltrailingthroughtheaisle.Prayerandcongratulation,andexclamationsof"Howwellshelooks!"Ringthebell,andletthecurtaindrop_.

ACTIII.--_Midnight.Womanwaitingforstaggeringsteps.Oldgarmentsstuckintothebrokenwindow-pane.Manymarksofhardshipontheface.Bitingofthenailsofbloodlessfingers.Neglect,cruelty,disgrace.

Ringthebell,andletthecurtaindrop_.

ACTIV.--_Threegravesinaverydarkplace.Graveofchildwhodiedfromlackofmedicine.Graveofwifewhodiedofabrokenheart.Graveofhusbandandfatherwhodiedofdissipation.Plentyofweeds,butnoflowers.Owhatablastedheathwiththreegraves!Ringthebell,andletthecurtaindrop_.

ACTV.--_Adestroyedsoul'seternity.Nolight;nomusic;nohope!Despaircoilingaroundtheheartwithunutterableanguish.Blackness


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ofdarknessforever_.

Woe!Woe!Woe!Icannotbearlongertolook.Iclosemyeyesatthislastactofthetragedy.Quick!Quick!Ringthebellandletthecurtaindrop.

THEINDISCRIMINATEDANCE.

ItistheanniversaryofHerod'sbirthday.Thepalaceislighted.Thehighwaysleadingtheretoareablazewiththepompofinvitedguests.Lords,captains,merchantprinces,andthemightiestmenoftherealmareonthewaytomingleinthefestivities.Thetablesarefilledwithalltheluxuriesthattheroyalpurveyorscangather,--spicedwines,andfruits,andraremeats.Theguests,white-robed,anointedandperfumed,taketheirplaces.Music!Thejestsevokeroarsoflaughter.Riddlesarepropounded.Reparteesindulged.Toastsdrunk.Thebrainbefogged.Witgivesplacetouproarandblasphemy.Andyettheyarenotsatisfied.Turnonmorelight.Giveusmoremusic.Soundthetrumpet.Clearthefloorforthedance.BringinSalome,thegracefulandaccomplishedprincess.

Thedoorsareopenedandinboundsthedancer.Standbackandgiveplentyofroomforthegyrations.Thelordsareenchanted.Theyneversawsuchpoetryofmotion.Theirsoulswhirlinthereel,andboundwiththeboundingfeet.Herodforgetscrownandthrone,--everythingbutthefascinationsofSalome.Themagnificenceofhisrealmisasnothingcomparedwiththatwhichnowwhirlsbeforehimontiptoe.HisheartisintransportwithSalomeasherarmsarenowtossedintheair,andnowplacedakimbo.Heswayswitheverymotionoftheenchantress.Hethrillswiththequickpulsationsofherfeet,andisbewitchedwiththeposturingandattitudesthatheneversawbefore,inamomentexchangedforothersjustasamazing.Hesitsinsilencebeforethewhirling,bounding,leaping,flashingwonder.Andwhen

thedancestops,andthetinklingcymbalspause,andthelong,loudplauditsthatshookthepalacewiththeirthundershadabated,theentrancedmonarchswearsuntotheprincelyperformer:"WhatsoeverthoushaltaskofmeIwillgiveittothee,tothehalfofmykingdom."

NowtherewasinprisonaministerbythenameofJohntheBaptist,whohadmademuchtroublebyhishonestpreaching.Hehaddenouncedthesinsoftheking,andbroughtdownuponhimselfthewrathofthefemalesintheroyalfamily.Attheinstigationofhermother,Salometakesadvantageoftheking'sextravagantpromiseanddemandstheheadofJohntheBaptistonadinner-plate.

Thereisasoundofheavyfeet,andtheclatterofswordsoutsideof

thepalace.Swingbackthedoor.Theexecutionersarereturning,fromtheirawfulerrand.TheyhandaplattertoSalome.Whatisthatontheplatter?Anewtankardofwinetorekindlethemirthofthelords?No!Itisredderthanwine,andcostlier.Itistheghastly,bleedingheadofJohntheBaptist!Itslocksdabbledingore.Itseyessetinthedeath-stare.Thedistressofthelastagonyinthefeatures.Thatfascinatingform,thatjustnowswayedsogracefullyinthedance,bendsoverthehorridburdenwithoutashudder.Shegloatsovertheblood;andjustasthemaidofyourhouseholdgoes,bearingoutonatraytheemptyglassesoftheevening'sentertainment,soshecarried


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outonaplatterthedisseveredheadofthatgoodman,whileallthebanquetersshouted,andthoughtitagrandjoke,that,insuchabriefandeasyway,theyhadfreedthemselvesfromsuchaplain-spoken,troublesomeminister.

Whatcouldbemoreinnocentthanabirthdayfestival?AllthekingsfromthetimeofPharaohhadcelebratedsuchdays;andwhynotHerod?Itwasrightthatthepalaceshouldbelighted,andthatthecymbalsshouldclap,andthattheroyalguestsshouldgotoabanquet;but,beforetheriotingandwassailthatclosedthesceneofthatday,everypurenaturerevolts.

Beholdthework,theinfluence,andtheendofaninfamousdancer!

Iam,bynaturaltemperamentandreligioustheory,utterlyopposedtothepositionofthosewhoarehorrifiedateverydemonstrationofmirthandplayfulnessinsociallife,andwhoseemtothinkthateverything,decentandimmortal,dependsuponthestyleinwhichpeoplecarrytheirfeet.Ontheotherhand,Icanseenothingbutruin,moralandphysical,inthedissipationsoftheball-room,whichhavedespoiledthousandsofyoungmenandwomenofallthatgivesdignitytocharacter,orusefulnesstolife.

Dancinghasbeenstyled"thegracefulmovementofthebodyadjusted

byart,tothemeasuresortuneofinstruments,orofthevoice."Allnationshavedanced.TheancientsthoughtthatPolluxandCastoratfirsttaughtthepracticetotheLacedmonians;but,whateverbeitsorigin,allclimeshaveadoptedit.

Inotherdaystherewerefestaldances,andfuneraldances,andmilitarydances,and"mediatorial"dances,andbacchanaliandances.Queensandlordshaveswayedtoandfrointheirgardens;andtheroughmenofthebackwoodsinthiswayhaverouseduptheechooftheforest.Thereseemstobesomethinginlivelyandcoherentsoundstoevokethemovementofhandandfoot,whetherculturedoruncultured.Menpassingthestreetunconsciouslykeepsteptothemusicoftheband;andChristiansinchurchunconsciouslyfindthemselveskeeping

timewiththeirfeet,whiletheirsoulisupliftedbysomegreatharmony.Notonlyisthistrueinculturedlife,buttheredmenofOregonhavetheirscalpdances,andgreen-corndances,andwardances.Itis,therefore,noabstractquestionthatyouaskme--Isitrighttodance?

Theancientfathers,arousedbytheindecentdancesofthosedays,gaveemphaticevidenceagainstanyparticipationinthedance.St.Chrysostomsays:--"Thefeetwerenotgivenfordancing,buttowalkmodestly;nottoleapimpudentlylikecamels."

Oneofthedogmasoftheancientchurchreads:"Adanceisthedevil'spossession;andhethatenterethintoadance,enterethintohis

possession.Thedevilisthegatetothemiddleandtotheendofthedance.Asmanypassesasamanmakesindancing,somanypassesdothhemaketohell."Elsewhere,theseolddogmasdeclare--"Thewomanthatsingethinthedanceistheprincessofthedevil;andthosethatanswerarehisclerks;andthebeholdersarehisfriends,andthemusicarehisbellows,andthefiddlersaretheministersofthedevil;for,aswhenhogsarestrayed,ifthehogs'-herdcallone,allassembletogether,sothedevilcallethonewomantosinginthedance,ortoplayonsomeinstrument,andpresentlyallthedancersgathertogether."


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Thiswholesaleandindiscriminatedenunciationgrewoutoftheutterdissolutenessofthoseancientplays.Sogreatatonetimewastheoffencetoalldecency,thattheRomanSenatedecreedtheexpulsionofalldancersanddancing-mastersfromRome.

Yetwearenottodiscussthecustomsofthatday,butthecustomsofthepresent.Wecannotletthefathersdecidethequestionforus.Ourreason,enlightenedbytheBible,shallbethestandard.Iamnotreadytoexcommunicateallthosewholifttheirfeetbeyondacertainheight.Iwouldnotvisitouryouthwitharigorofcriticismthatwouldputoutalltheirardorofsoul.IdonotbelievethatalltheinhabitantsofWales,whousedtosteptothesoundoftherusticpibcorn,wentdowntoruin.Iwouldgivetoallofouryouththerighttorompandplay.Godmeantit,orhewouldnothavesurchargedournatureswithsuchexuberance.Ifamotherjoinhandswithherchildren,andwhiletheeldeststrikesthekeys,fillallthehousewiththesoundofagilefeet,Iseenoharm.Ifafewfriends,gatheredinhappycircle,concludetocrossandrecrosstheroomtothesoundofthepianowellplayed,Iseenoharm.Iforalongwhiletriedtoseeinitaharm,butInevercould,andIprobablyneverwill.IwouldtoGodmenkeptyoungforagreaterlengthoftime.Neversincemyschool-boydayshaveIlovedsowellasnowthehilaritiesoflife.Whatifwehavefeltheavyburdens,andsuffereda

multitudeofhardknocks,isitanyreasonwhyweshouldstandinthepathofthosewho,unstungbylife'smisfortunes,areexhilaratedandfullofglee?

Godblesstheyoung!Theywillhavetolivemanyadayiftheywanttohearmesayonewordtodampentheirardororcliptheirwings,ortothrowacloudupontheirlifebytellingthemthatitishard,anddark,anddoleful.Itisnosuchthing.Youwillmeetwithmanyatrial;but,speakingfrommyownexperience,letmetellyouthatyouwillbetreatedagreatdealbetterthanyoudeserve.

Letusnotgrudgetotheyoungtheirjoy.Aswegofurtheroninlife,letusgowiththeremembrancethatwehavehadourgleefuldays.When

oldagefrostsourlocks,andstiffensourlimbs,letusnotblockuptheway,butsay,"Wehadourgoodtimes:nowletothershavetheirs."Asourchildrencomeon,letuscheerfullygivethemourplaces.HowgladwillIbetoletthemhaveeverything,--myhouse,mybooks,myplaceinsociety,myheritage!Bythetimewegetoldwewillhavehadourwaylongenough.Thenletourchildrencomeonandwe'llhaveittheirway.Forthirty,forty,orfiftyyears,wehavebeendrinkingfromthecupoflife;andweoughtnottocomplainifcalledtopassthecupalongandletotherstakeadrink.

But,whilewehavearighttotheenjoymentsoflife,weneverwillcountenancesinfulindulgences.Iheresetforthagroupofwhatmightbecalledthedissipationsoftheball-room.Theyswinganawful

scytheofdeath.Arewetostandidlyby,andlettheworkgoon,lestintherebukewetreaduponthelongtrailofsomepopularvanity?Thewhirlpooloftheball-roomdragsdownthelife,thebeauty,andthemoralworthofthecity.Inthiswhirlwindofimportedsilksgoesoutthelifeofmanyofourbestfamilies.Bodiesandsoulsinnumerableareannuallyconsumedinthisconflagrationofribbons.

Thisstyleofdissipationistheabettorofpride,theinstigatorofjealousy,thesacrificialaltarofhealth,thedefilerofthesoul,theavenueoflust,andthecurseofthetown.Thetreadofthiswild,


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intoxicating,heatedmidnightdancejarsallthemoralhearthstonesofthecity.Thephysicalruinisevident.Whatwillbecomeofthosewhoworkalldayanddanceallnight?Afewyearswillturnthemoutnervous,exhaustedimbeciles.Thosewhohavegivenuptheirmidnightstospicedwines,andhotsuppers,andridehomethroughwinter'scold,unwrappedfromtheelements,willatlastberecordedsuicides.

Thereisbutashortstepfromtheball-roomtothegrave-yard.Thereareconsumptionsandfierceneuralgiascloseonthetrack.Amidthatglitteringmazeofball-roomsplendors,diseasesstandrightandleft,andbalanceandchain.Asepulchralbreathfloatsupamidtheperfume,andthefrothofdeath'slipbubblesupinthechampagne.

Manyofourbrightesthomesarebeingsacrificed.Therearefamiliesthathaveactuallyquitkeepinghouse,andgonetoboarding,thattheymaygivethemselvesmoreexclusivelytothehigherdutiesoftheball-room.Mothersanddaughters,fathersandsons,findingtheirhighestenjoymentinthedance,bidfarewelltobooks,toquietculture,toalltheamenitiesofhome.Thefatherwill,afterawhile,godownintolowerdissipations.Thesonwillbetossedaboutinsociety,anonentity.ThedaughterwillelopewithaFrenchdancing-master.Themother,stilltryingtostayintheglitter,andbyeveryartattemptingtokeepthecolorinhercheek,andthewrinklesoffherbrow,attempting,withoutanysuccess,allthearts

ofthebelle,--anoldflirt,apoor,miserablebutterflywithoutanywings.

Ifanythingontheearthisbeautifultomyeye,itisanagedwoman;herhairfloatingbackoverthewrinkledbrow,notfrosted,butwhitewiththeblossomsofthetreeoflife;hervoicetenderwithpastmemories,andherfaceabenediction.Thechildrenpullatgrandmother'sdressasshepassesthroughtheroom,andalmostpullherdowninherweakness;yetshehasnothingbutacake,oracandy,orakindwordforthelittledarlings.Whenshegoesawayfromusthereisashadowonthetable,ashadowonthehearth,andashadowinthedwelling.

Butifanythingonearthisdistressfultolookat,itisanoldwomanashamedofbeingold.Whatwithpaintandfalsehair,sheistoomuchformygravity.Ilaugh,eveninchurch,whenIseehercoming.OneoftheworstlookingbirdsIknowofisapeacockafterithaslostitsfeathers.Iwouldnotgiveonelockofmymother'sgrayhairforfiftythousandsuchcaricaturesofoldage.Thefirsttimeyoufindthesefaithfuldisciplesoftheball-roomdiligentlyengagedandhappyinthedutiesofthehomecircle,sendmeword,forIwouldgoagreatwaytoseesuchaphenomenon.Thesecreatureshavenohome.Theirchildrenunwashed.Theirfurnitureundusted.Theirchinaclosetsdisordered.Thehouseasceneofconfusion,misrule,cheerlessness,anddirt.Onewouldthinkyoumightdiscoverevenamidthewitcheriesoftheball-roomthesickeningodorsoftheunswept,unventilated,and

uncleandomesticapartments.

Thesedissipationsextinguishallloveofusefulness.Howcouldyouexpectonetobeinterestedinthealleviationsoftheworld'smisery,whilethereisaquestiontobedecidedaboutthesizeofagloveortheshadeofapongee?Howmanyofthesemenandwomenoftheball-roomvisitthepoor,orhelpdressthewoundsofareturnedsoldierinthehospital?Whendidtheworldeverseeaperpetualdancerdistributingtracts?Suchpersonsareturnedinuponthemselves.Anditisverypoorpasture!


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Thisgildedsphereisutterlybedwarfingtointellectandsoul.Thisconstantstudyoflittlethings;thisharassinganxietyaboutdress;thistalkoffashionableinfinitesimals;thisshoe-pinched,hair-frizzled,fringe-spatteredgroup--thatsimperandlookaskanceatthemirrorsandwonder,withinfinityofinterest,"howthatonegeraniumleafdoeslook;"thisshrivellingupofman'smoraldignity,untilitisnomoreobservablewiththenakedeye;thistakingofawoman'sheart,thatGodmeantshouldbefilledwithallamenities,andcompressingituntilallthefragrance,andsimplicity,andartlessnessaresqueezedoutofit;thisinquisitionofasmallshoe;thisagonyoftightlacing;thiswrappingupofmindandheartinaruffle;thistumblingdownofasoulthatGodmeantforgreatupliftings!

Iprophesythespiritualruinofallparticipatorsinthisrivalry.Havethewhite,polished,glisteningboardseverbeentheroadtoheaven?Whoattheflashofthosechandeliershathkindledatorchforeternity?Fromthetablespreadatthecloseofthatexcitedandbesweatedscene,whowenthometosayhisprayers?

Tomany,alas!thislifeisamasqueradeball.As,atsuchentertainments,gentlemenandladiesappearinthedressofkingsorqueens,mountainbanditsorclowns,andatthecloseofthedance

throwofftheirdisguises,so,inthisdissipatedlife,alluncleanpassionsmoveinmask.Acrossthefloortheytripmerrily.Thelightssparklealongthewall,ordropfromtheceiling--averycohortoffire!Themusiccharms.Thediamondsglitter.Thefeetbound.Gemmedhands,stretchedout,claspgemmedhands.Dancingfeetrespondtodancingfeet.Gleamingbrowbendslowtogleamingbrow.Onwiththedance!Flash,andrustle,andlaughter,andimmeasurablemerry-making!Butthelanguorofdeathcomesoverthelimbs,andblursthesight._Lightslower!_Floorhollowwithsepulchralecho.Musicsaddensintoawail._Lightslower!_Themaskerscanhardlynowbeseen.Flowersexchangetheirfragranceforasickeningodor,suchascomesfromgarlandsthathavelaininvaultsofcemeteries._Lightslower!_Mistsfilltheroom.Glassesrattleasthoughshakenbysullenthunder.

Sighsseemcaughtamongthecurtains.Scarffallsfromtheshoulderofbeauty,--ashroud!_Lightslower!_Overtheslipperyboards,indanceofdeath,glidejealousies,disappointments,lust,despair.Tornleavesandwitheredgarlandsonlyhalfhidetheulceredfeet.Thestenchofsmokinglamp-wicksalmostquenched.Chokingdamps.Chilliness.Feetstill.Handsfolded.Eyesshut.Voiceshushed.

LIGHTSOUT!

THEMASSACREBYNEEDLEANDSEWING-MACHINE.

Verylongagotheneedlewasbusy.Itwasconsideredhonorableforwomentotoilinoldentime.AlexandertheGreatstoodinhispalaceshowinggarmentsmadebyhisownmother.ThefinesttapestriesatBayeuxweremadebytheQueenofWilliamtheConqueror.AugustustheEmperorwouldnotwearanygarmentsexceptthosethatwerefashionedbysomememberofhisroyalfamily.Soletthetoilereverywhereberespected!


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ThegreatestblessingthatcouldhavehappenedtoourfirstparentswasbeingturnedoutofEdenaftertheyhaddonewrong.AdamandEve,intheirperfectstate,mighthavegotalongwithoutwork,oronlysuchslightemploymentasaperfectgarden,withnoweedsinit,demanded.But,assoonastheyhadsinned,thebestthingforthemwastobeturnedoutwheretheywouldhavetowork.Weknowwhatawitheringthingitisforamantohavenothingtodo.OldAshbelGreen,atfourscoreyears,whenaskedwhyhekeptonworking,said,"Idosotokeepoutofmischief."Weseethatamanwhohasalargeamountofmoneytostartwithhasnochance.Ofthethousandprosperousandhonorablementhatyouknow,ninehundredandninety-ninehadtoworkvigorouslyatthebeginning.

ButIamnowtotellyouthatindustryisjustasimportantforawoman'ssafetyandhappiness.Themostunhappywomeninourcommunitiesto-dayarethosewhohavenoengagementstocallthemupinthemorning;who,oncehavingrisenandbreakfasted,loungethroughthedullforenooninslippersdownattheheelandwithdishevelledhair,readingGeorgeSand'slastnovel;andwho,havingdraggedthroughawretchedforenoonandtakentheirafternoonsleep,andhavingspentanhourandahalfattheirtoilet,pickuptheircard-caseandgoouttomakecalls;andwhopasstheireveningswaitingforsomebodytocomeinandbreakupthemonotony.ArabellaStuartneverwasimprisonedinsodarkadungeonasthat.

Thereisnohappinessinanidlewoman.Itmaybewithhand,itmaybewithbrain,itmaybewithfoot;butworkshemust,orbewretchedforever.Thelittlegirlsofourfamiliesmustbestartedwiththatidea.ThecurseofourAmericansocietyisthatouryoungwomenaretaughtthatthefirst,second,third,fourth,fifth,sixth,seventh,tenth,fiftieth,thousandththingintheirlifeistogetsomebodytotakecareofthem.Insteadofthat,thefirstlessonshouldbe,how,underGod,theymaytakecareofthemselves.Thesimplefactisthatamajorityofthemdohavetotakecareofthemselves,andthat,too,afterhaving,throughthefalsenotionsoftheirparents,wastedtheyearsinwhichtheyoughttohavelearnedhowsuccessfullytomaintainthemselves.Wenowandheredeclaretheinhumanity,cruelty,and

outrageofthatfatherandmother,whopasstheirdaughtersintowomanhood,havinggiventhemnofacilityforearningtheirlivelihood.MadamedeStalsaid:"ItisnotthesewritingsthatIamproudof,butthefactthatIhavefacilityintenoccupations,inanyoneofwhichIcouldmakealivelihood."

Yousayyouhaveafortunetoleavethem.Omanandwoman!haveyounotlearnedthat,likevultures,likehawks,likeeagles,richeshavewingsandflyaway?Thoughyoushouldbesuccessfulinleavingacompetencybehindyou,thetrickeryofexecutorsmayswampitinanight;orsomeeldersordeaconsofourchurchesmaygetupanoilcompany,orsomesortofreligiousenterprisesanctionedbythechurch,andinduceyourorphanstoputtheirmoneyintoaholein

VenangoCounty;andif,bythemostskilfulderricks,thesunkenmoneycannotbepumpedupagain,provetothemthatitwaseternallydecreedthatthatwasthewaytheyweretoloseit,andthatitwentinthemostorthodoxandheavenlystyle.

OthedamnableschemesthatprofessedChristianswillengagein--untilGodputshisfingersintothecollarofthehypocrite'srobeandripsitcleardowntothebottom!

Youhavenoright,becauseyouarewelloff,toconcludethatyour


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childrenaregoingtobeaswelloff.Amandied,leavingalargefortune.Hisson,afewmonthsago,felldeadinaPhiladelphiagrog-shop.Hisoldcomradescameinandsaid,astheybentoverhiscorpse:"Whatisthematterwithyou,Boggsey?"Thesurgeonstandingoverhimsaid:"Hushup!heisdead!"--"Ah,heisdead!"theysaid."Come,boys,letusgoandtakeadrinkinmemoryofpoorBoggsey!"

Haveyounothingbetterthanmoneytoleaveyourchildren?Ifyouhavenot,butsendyourdaughtersintotheworldwithemptybrainandunskilledhand,youareguiltyofassassination,homicide,regicide,infanticide--comparedwithwhichthatofpoorHesterVaughanwasinnocence.Therearewomentoilinginourcitiesforthreeandfourdollarsperweek,whowerethedaughtersofmerchantprinces.Thesesufferingonesnowwouldbegladtohavethecrumbsthatoncefellfromtheirfather'stable.Thatworn-out,brokenshoethatshewearsisthelinealdescendantofthetwelve-dollargaitersinwhichhermotherwalked;andthattornandfadedcalicohadancestryofmagnificentbrocade,thatsweptBroadwaycleanwithoutanyexpensetothestreetcommissioners.Thoughyouliveinanelegantresidence,andfaresumptuouslyeveryday,letyourdaughtersfeelitisadisgracetothemnottoknowhowtowork.Idenouncetheidea,prevalentinsociety,thatthoughouryoungwomenmayembroiderslippers,andcrochet,andmakematsforlampstostandon,withoutdisgrace,theideaofdoinganythingforalivelihoodisdishonorable.Itisashame

forayoungwoman,belongingtoalargefamily,tobeinefficientwhenthefathertoilshislifeawayforhersupport.Itisashameforadaughtertobeidlewhilehermothertoilsatthewash-tub.Itisashonorabletosweephouse,makebeds,ortrimhats,asitistotwistawatch-chain.

AsfarasIcanunderstand,thelineofrespectabilityliesbetweenthatwhichisusefulandthatwhichisuseless.Ifwomendothatwhichisofnovalue,theirworkishonorable.Iftheydopracticalwork,itisdishonorable.Thatouryoungwomenmayescapethecensureofdoingdishonorablework,Ishallparticularize.Youmayknitatidyforthebackofanarmchair,butbynomeansmakethemoneywherewithtobuythechair.Youmay,withdelicatebrush,beautifyamantel-ornament,

butdieratherthanearnenoughtobuyamarblemantel.YoumaylearnartisticmusicuntilyoucansquallItalian,butneversing"Ortonville"or"OldHundred."Donothingpractical,ifyouwould,intheeyesofrefinedsociety,preserveyourrespectability.

Iscoutthesefinicalnotions.Itellyouawoman,nomorethanaman,hasarighttooccupyaplaceinthisworldunlessshepaysarentforit.

Inthecourseofalifetimeyouconsumewholeharvests,anddrovesofcattle,andeverydayyoulivebreathefortyhogsheadsofgoodpureair.Youmust,bysomekindofusefulness,_pay_forallthis.Ourracewasthelastthingcreated,--thebirdsandfishesonthefourth

day,thecattleandlizardsonthefifthday,andmanonthesixthday.Ifgeologistsareright,theearthwasamillionofyearsinthepossessionoftheinsects,beasts,andbirds,beforeourracecameuponit.Inonesense,wewereinnovators.Thecattle,thelizards,andthehawkshadpre-emptionright.Thequestionisnotwhatwearetodowiththelizardsandsummerinsects,butwhatthelizardsandsummerinsectsaretodowithus.

Ifwewantaplaceinthisworldwemust_earn_it.Thepartridgemakesitsownnestbeforeitoccupiesit.Thelark,byitsmorning


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song,earnsitsbreakfastbeforeiteatsit;andtheBiblegivesanintimationthatthefirstdutyofanidleristostarve,whenitsaysifhe"willnotwork,neithershallheeat."Idlenessruinsthehealth;andverysoonNaturesays,"Thismanhasrefusedtopayhisrent;outwithhim!"

Societyistobereconstructedonthesubjectofwoman'stoil.Avastmajorityofthosewhowouldhavewomanindustriousshutheruptoafewkindsofwork.Myjudgmentinthismatteris,thatawomanhasarighttodoanythingshecandowell.Thereshouldbenodepartmentofmerchandise,mechanism,art,orsciencebarredagainsther.IfMissHosmerhasgeniusforsculpture,giveherachisel.IfRosaBonheurhasafondnessfordelineatinganimals,lethermake"TheHorseFair."IfMissMitchellwillstudyastronomy,lethermountthestarryladder.IfLydiawillbeamerchant,lethersellpurple.IfLucretiaMottwillpreachtheGospel,letherthrillwithherwomanlyeloquencetheQuakermeeting-house.

Itissaid,ifwomanisgivensuchopportunities,shewilloccupyplacesthatmightbetakenbymen.Isay,ifshehavemoreskillandadaptednessforanypositionthanamanhas,letherhaveit!Shehasasmuchrighttoherbread,toherapparel,andtoherhome,asmenhave.

Butitissaidthathernatureissodelicatethatsheisunfittedforexhaustingtoil.Iask,inthenameofallpasthistory,whattoilonearthismoresevere,exhausting,andtremendousthanthattoiloftheneedletowhichforagesshehasbeensubjected?Thebattering-ram,thesword,thecarbine,thebattle-axehavemadenosuchhavocastheneedle.Iwouldthattheselivingsepulchresinwhichwomenhaveforagesbeenburiedmightbeopened,andthatsomeresurrectiontrumpetmightbringuptheselivingcorpsestothefreshairandsunlight.

Gowithme,andIwillshowyouawomanwho,byhardesttoil,supportsherchildren,herdrunkenhusband,heroldfatherandmother,paysherhouse-rent,alwayshaswholesomefoodonhertable,and,whenshecangetsomeneighborontheSabbathtocomeinandtakecareof

herfamily,appearsinchurch,withhatandcloakthatarefarfromindicatingthetoiltowhichsheissubjected.

Suchawomanasthathasbodyandsoulenoughtofitherfor_any_position.Shecouldstandbesidethemajorityofyoursalesmenanddisposeofmoregoods.Shecouldgointoyourwheelwrightshopsandbeatone-halfofyourworkmenatmakingcarriages.Wetalkaboutwomanasthoughwehadresignedtoherallthelightwork,andourselveshadshoulderedtheheavier.Butthedayofjudgment,whichwillrevealthesufferingsofthestakeandinquisition,willmarshalbeforethethroneofGodandthehierarchsofheaventhemartyrsofwash-tubandneedle.

Now,Isay,iftherebeanypreferenceinoccupation,letwomanhaveit.Godknowshertrialsaretheseverest.Byheracutersensitivenesstomisfortune,byherhourofanguish,Idemandthatnoonehedgeupherpathwaytoalivelihood.Othemeanness,thedespicabilityofmenwhobegrudgeawomantherighttoworkanywhere,inanyhonorablecalling!

Igostillfurther,andsaythatwomenshouldhaveequalcompensationwithmen.Bywhatprincipleofjusticeisitthatwomeninmanyofourcitiesgetonlytwo-thirdsasmuchpayasmen,andinmanycasesonly


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half?Hereisthegiganticinjustice--thatforworkequallywell,ifnotbetterdone,womanreceivesfarlesscompensationthanman.StartwiththeNationalGovernment:womenclerksinWashingtongetninehundreddollarsfordoingthatforwhichmenreceiveeighteenhundred.

TothousandsofyoungwomenofNewYorkto-daythereisonlythisalternative:starvationordishonor.Manyofthelargestmercantileestablishmentsofourcitiesareaccessorytotheseabominations;andfromtheirlargeestablishmentstherearescoresofsoulsbeingpitchedoffintodeath;_andtheiremployersknowit!_

IsthereaGod?Willtherebeajudgment?Itellyou,ifGodrisesuptoredresswoman'swrongs,manyofourlargeestablishmentswillbeswallowedupquickerthanaSouth-Americanearthquakeevertookdownacity.Godwillcatchtheseoppressorsbetweenthetwomill-stonesofhiswrath,andgrindthemtopowder!

Whyisitthatafemaleprincipalinaschoolgetsonlyeighthundredandtwenty-fivedollarsfordoingworkforwhichamaleprincipalgetssixteenhundredandfifty?

Ihearfromallthislandthewailofwoman-hood.Manhasnothingtoanswertothatwailbutflatteries.Hesayssheisanangel.Sheisnot.Sheknowssheisnot.Sheisahumanbeing,whogetshungry

whenshehasnofood,andcoldwhenshehasnofire.Givehernomoreflatteries:giveher_justice!_

Therearethirty-fivethousandsewing-girlsinNewYorkandBrooklyn.AcrossthedarknessofthisnightIheartheirdeath-groan.Itisnotsuchacryascomesfromthosewhoaresuddenlyhurledoutoflife,butaslow,grinding,horriblewastingaway.Gatherthembeforeyouandlookintotheirfaces,pinched,ghastly,hunger-struck!Lookattheirfingers,needle-pickedandblood-tipped!Seethatprematurestoopintheshoulders!Hearthatdry,hacking,mercilesscough!

Atalargemeetingofthesewomen,heldinahallinPhiladelphia,grandspeechesweredelivered,butaneedle-womantookthestand,

threwasideherfadedshawl,a

Documents

Abomination of Modern Society_W_Talmage