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them。〃
But； the Bigwig family broke out into violent family quarrels
concerning what it was lawful to teach to this man's children。 Some of
the family insisted on such a thing being primary and indispensable above
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all other things； and others of the family insisted on such another thing
being primary and indispensable above all other things； and the Bigwig
family； rent into factions； wrote pamphlets； held convocations； delivered
charges； orations； and all varieties of discourses； impounded one another
in courts Lay and courts Ecclesiastical； threw dirt； exchanged pummelings；
and fell together by the ears in unintelligible animosity。 Meanwhile； this
man； in his short evening snatches at his fireside； saw the demon
Ignorance arise there； and take his children to itself。 He saw his daughter
perverted into a heavy； slatternly drudge； he saw his son go moping down
the ways of low sensuality； to brutality and crime； he saw the dawning
light of intelligence in the eyes of his babies so changing into cunning and
suspicion； that he could have rather wished them idiots。
〃I don't understand this any the better；〃 said he； 〃but I think it cannot
be right。 Nay； by the clouded Heaven above me； I protest against this as
my wrong！〃
Becoming peaceable again （for his passion was usually short…lived；
and his nature kind）； he looked about him on his Sundays and holidays；
and he saw how much monotony and weariness there was； and thence how
drunkenness arose with all its train of ruin。 Then he appealed to the
Bigwig family； and said； 〃We are a labouring people； and I have a
glimmering suspicion in me that labouring people of whatever condition
were madeby a higher intelligence than yours； as I poorly understand it
to be in need of mental refreshment and recreation。 See what we fall into；
when we rest without it。 Come！ Amuse me harmlessly； show me
something； give me an escape！〃
But； here the Bigwig family fell into a state of uproar absolutely
deafening。 When some few voices were faintly heard； proposing to show
him the wonders of the world； the greatness of creation； the mighty
changes of time； the workings of nature and the beauties of artto show
him these things； that is to say； at any period of his life when he could look
upon themthere arose among the Bigwigs such roaring and raving； such
pulpiting and petitioning； such maundering and memorialising； such
name…calling and dirt…throwing； such a shrill wind of parliamentary
questioning and feeble replying… …where 〃I dare not〃 waited on 〃I would〃
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that the poor fellow stood aghast； staring wildly around。
〃Have I provoked all this；〃 said he； with his hands to his affrighted
ears； 〃by what was meant to be an innocent request； plainly arising out of
my familiar experience； and the common knowledge of all men who
choose to open their eyes？ I don't understand； and I am not understood。
What is to come of such a state of things！〃
He was bending over his work； often asking himself the question；
when the news began to spread that a pestilence had appeared among the
labourers； and was slaying them by thousands。 Going forth to look about
him； he soon found this to be true。 The dying and the dead were mingled
in the close and tainted houses among which his life was passed。 New
poison was distilled into the always murky； always sickening air。 The
robust and the weak； old age and infancy； the father and the mother； all
were stricken down alike。
What means of flight had he？ He remained there； where he was； and
saw those who were dearest to him die。 A kind preacher came to him；
and would have said some prayers to soften his heart in his gloom； but he
replied：
〃O what avails it； missionary； to come to me； a man condemned to
residence in this foetid place； where every sense bestowed upon me for my
delight becomes a torment； and where every minute of my numbered days
is new mire added to the heap under which I lie oppressed！ But； give me
my first glimpse of Heaven； through a little of its light and air； give me
pure water； help me to be clean； lighten this heavy atmosphere and heavy
life； in which our spirits sink； and we become the indifferent and callous
creatures you too often see us； gently and kindly take the bodies of those
who die among us； out of the small room where we grow to be so familiar
with the awful change that even its sanctity is lost to us； and； Teacher； then
I will hearnone know better than you； how willingly… …of Him whose
thoughts were so much with the poor； and who had compassion for all
human sorrow！〃
He was at work again； solitary and sad； when his Master came and
stood near to him dressed in black。 He； also； had suffered heavily。 His
young wife； his beautiful and good young wife； was dead； so； too； his only
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child。
〃Master； 'tis hard to bearI know itbut be comforted。 I would give
you comfort； if I could。〃
The Master thanked him from his heart； but； said he； 〃O you labouring
men！ The calamity began among you。 If you had but lived more
healthily and decently； I should not be the widowed and bereft mourner
that I am this day。〃
〃Master；〃 returned the other； shaking his head； 〃I have begun to
understand a little that most calamities will come from us； as this one did；
and that none will stop at our poor doors； until we are united with that
great squabbling family yonder； to do the things that are right。 We cannot
live healthily and decently； unless they who undertook to manage us
provide the means。 We cannot be instructed unless they will teach us； we
cannot be rationally amused； unless the