English Prose Part 27

"And grace?" cried Markheim.

"Have you not tried it?" returned the other. "Two or three years ago, did I not see you on the platform of revival meetings, and was not your voice the loudest in the hymn?"

"It is true," said Markheim; "and I see clearly what remains for me by way of duty. I thank you for these lessons from my soul; my eyes are opened, and I behold myself at last for what I am."

At this moment, the sharp note of the door-bell rang through the house; and the visitant, as though this were some concerted signal for which he had been waiting, changed at once in his demeanour.

"The maid!" he cried. "She has returned, as I forewarned you, and there is now before you one more difficult pa.s.sage. Her master, you must say, is ill; you must let her in, with an a.s.sured but rather serious countenance--no smiles, no overacting, and I promise you success! Once the girl within, and the door closed, the same dexterity that has already rid you of the dealer will relieve you of this last danger in your path. Thenceforward you have the whole evening--the whole night, if needful--to ransack the treasures of the house and to make good your safety. This is help that comes to you with the mask of danger. Up!" he cried; "up, friend; your life hangs trembling in the scales; up, and act!"

Markheim steadily regarded his counsellor. "If I be condemned to evil acts," he said, "there is still one door of freedom open--I can cease from action. If my life be an ill thing, I can lay it down. Though I be, as you say truly, at the beck of every small temptation, I can yet, by one decisive gesture, place myself beyond the reach of all. My love of good is d.a.m.ned to barrenness; it may, and let it be! But I have still my hatred of evil; and from that, to your galling disappointment, you shall see that I can draw both energy and courage."

The features of the visitor began to undergo a wonderful and lovely change: they brightened and softened with a tender triumph; and, even as they brightened, faded and dislimned. But Markheim did not pause to watch or understand the transformation. He opened the door and went downstairs very slowly, thinking to himself. His past went soberly before him; he beheld it as it was, ugly and strenuous like a dream, random as chance-medley--a scene of defeat. Life, as he thus reviewed it, tempted him no longer; but on the further side he perceived a quiet haven for his bark. He paused in the pa.s.sage, and looked into the shop, where the candle still burned by the dead body. It was strangely silent.

Thoughts of the dealer swarmed into his mind, as he stood gazing. And then the bell once more broke out into impatient clamour.

He confronted the maid upon the threshold with something like a smile.

"You had better go for the police," said he; "I have killed your master."

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 90: First published in 1885.]

SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS

WITH SOME TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION AND FOR COMPOSITION

(Note.--The selections named below are as a rule short; and, since they are contained in standard works of modern prose, they are accessible in the average library. Page numbers in parentheses refer to the present volume.)

I. THE PERSONAL LIFE

(_a_) William Hazlitt, _On Personal Character_, in "The Plain Speaker": How the main thesis differs from that in Emerson's _Self-Reliance_ (page 1). (_b_) Walter Pater, _Diaphaneite_, in "Miscellaneous Studies": The substance of the ideal personality here delineated, and how it differs from the type suggested by Emerson. (_c_) Matthew Arnold, _Doing as One Likes_, or _Hebraism and h.e.l.lenism_, in "Culture and Anarchy": The main principles of personal endeavor suggested in either of these essays.

(_d_) Plutarch, _Marcus Cato,_ in "Lives," Vol. II of Clough's translation: 1. Cato's Self-Reliance. 2. Cato's type of character in American public life. (_e_) Walter Scott, fragment of _Autobiography_, in Lockhart's "Life of Scott:" A comparison of Scott's early training with Ruskin's. See also the early chapters of (_f_) Trevelyan's "Life of Macaulay" and (_g_) Froude's "Life of Carlyle." (_h_) Charles Darwin, _Autobiography_, in "Life and Letters:" 1. The change which came over Darwin's att.i.tude toward literature. 2. The contrast between Darwin's type of mind and Lamb's as revealed in _Old China_ (page 40) and Pater's essay (page 437).

II. EDUCATION

(_a_) R.W. Emerson, _The American Scholar_, in "Nature, Addresses, Lectures:" The main points in the view here given of education. 2.

Certain considerations, somewhat neglected by Emerson, but developed by Newman (page 52). (_b_) Woodrow Wilson, _The Training of Intellect_ (an address to the Phi Beta Kappa Society of Yale University): How far your own course of study is fulfilling the requirements here set forth, (_c_) William Hazlitt, _On Application to Study_, in "The Plain Speaker:" 1.

Hazlitt's view of the study of composition. 2. How the principles of application which he advocates may be applied to some other study in which you are interested. (_d_) T.H. Huxley, _Science and Culture_, in "Science and Education:" 1. How far the principles here set forth bear out Huxley's definition of education (page 47). 2. The main point at issue between Huxley and Arnold (Arnold's essay, page 75, is a reply to Huxley), and your own view of the matter drawn from your own experience.

(_e_) J.S. Mill, _Inaugural Address at St. Andrew's,_ in "Dissertations," Vol. IV: Mill's main contentions as to the exact purpose and value of the study of language and literature in universities. (_f_) H.D. Th.o.r.eau, _Reading_, in "Walden:" The author's views in regard to reading not done in connection with school work.

(_g_) A.G. Balfour, _Pleasures of Reading_, in "Essays and Addresses"

(written as a reply to Harrison's claims, page 97): The main points at issue between Harrison and Balfour, and your own view of the matter.

(_h_) John Lubbock, _The Choice of Books_, in "The Pleasures of Life:"

Whether this essay goes to support Harrison's or Balfour's view, and how. (_i_) Woodrow Wilson, essays in "Mere Literature." (_j_) John Ruskin, _Sesame and Lilies_. (_k_) Consult several biographies of great men--for example, Morley's _Gladstone_, Froude's _Carlyle_, Darwin's _Life_, Huxley's _Life_--and make a comparative study of their early reading.

III. RECREATION AND TRAVELS

(_a_) George Santayana, on _Work and Play_, sections 3 and following, in "The Sense of Beauty," Part I: 1. The distinction between working and playing. 2. The relation between the sense of beauty and the sense of pleasure. (_b_) William Hazlitt, _On Living to One's Self_, in "Table Talk:" 1. The general method of enjoying life, which is developed here and ill.u.s.trated further in _On Going a Journey_ (page 116). (_c_) R.L.

Stevenson, _Walking Tours_, in "Virginibus Puerisque;" and _Roads_, in "Essays of Travel:" 1. The several ways in which these essays reflect Hazlitt's views; the points which are peculiar to Stevenson. 2. How far your own methods of securing outdoor enjoyment are in accord with Hazlitt's and Stevenson's. (_d_) W.H. Hudson, _Idle Days_, in "Idle Days in Patagonia:" What the author's so-called idleness consisted in. (_e_) Francis Parkman, _Hunting Indians_, in "The Oregon Trail:" The mental experiences of the writer himself in the course of the exploit he describes.

IV. SOCIAL LIFE AND MANNERS

(_a_) R.W. Emerson, _Culture_, in "The Conduct of Life:" The relation which the central thought bears to that of Behavior (page 154). (_b_) Matthew Arnold, _Sweetness and Light_, in "Culture and Anarchy:" 1. The chief motives and characteristics of culture. 2. The relation between culture and bodily vigor. 3. The "Social Idea." 4. A comparison of Emerson's and Arnold's att.i.tude toward culture. (_c_) R.W. Emerson, _Manners_, in "Essays, Second Series." How Emerson's view of the relation between manners and fas.h.i.+on supplements Spencer's contention (page 172). (_d_) Henri Bergson, _the first part of Chapter I_ in "Laughter:" The function of laughter in social life. (_g_) William Hazlitt, _On the Spirit of Obligations_, in "The Plain Dealer:" The relation between good sense and good nature. (_f_) R.L. Stevenson, _The Truth of Intercourse_, in "Virginibus Puerisque:" The complex meaning of truthfulness in social life. (_g_) W.M. Thackeray, _George II_, in "The Four Georges:" The chief characteristics of Georgian society.

V. PUBLIC AFFAIRS

(_a_) Plato, _The Apology_, in the "Dialogues," translated by Jowett, and by others: 1. The part played by Socrates in the public life of Athens. 2. What function Socrates could fulfil in American public life.

(_b_) J.S. Mill, _Civilization_, in "Dissertations and Discussions,"

Vol. I: The ill effects of civilization, and how they may be overcome.

(_c_) Henry George, _The Persistence of Poverty amid Advancing Wealth_, in Book V of "Progress and Poverty:" George's exposition of the problem tested by your own experience. (_d_) J.S. Mill, _Of the Dangers to which Representative Government is Liable,_ in "Considerations on Representative Government:" The extent to which Mill's contentions apply to the United States. (_e_) Josiah Royce, _Some American Problems_, in "The Philosophy of Loyalty:" 1. The general solution proposed. 2. How this solution might be applied to some public or college problem you know of.

VI. SCIENCE

(_a_) Herbert Spencer, _The Genesis of Science_, in "Ill.u.s.trations of Universal Progress:" The essential nature of science. (_b_) T.H. Huxley, _The Method of Scientific Investigation_, in "Man's Place in Nature:"

The relation between scientific and everyday modes of thinking. (_c_) John Tyndall, _On the nature and function of the sun_, in Chapter XIV of "Heat as a Mode of Motion:" The general relation between the facts presented by Tyndall and those presented in _The Physical Basis of Life_ (page 240). (_d_) A.R. Wallace, _Darwinism as Applied to Man_, in "Darwinism": A comparison of this piece, in respect to aim and method, with Darwin's _Mental Powers of Men and Animals_ (page 263). (_e_) Charles Darwin, _On the flower of the ladies' slipper_, in Chapter VIII of "Fertilization of Orchids by Insects." (_f_) T.H. Huxley, _On the Formation of Coal_, in "Discourses Biological."

VII. NATURE

(_a_) R.W. Emerson, _Nature_, in "Essays, Second Series:" The effect of nature on the human mind. (_b_) H.D. Th.o.r.eau, _Spring_, in "Walden:" 1.

The formative principle in nature. 2. A comparison of Th.o.r.eau's att.i.tude toward nature, as revealed here and in "Walden Pond" (page 306), with that of Emerson. (_c_) John Burroughs, _The Pastoral Bees_ in "Locusts and Wild Honey:" The communal life of the bees. (_d_) W.H. Hudson, _The Perfume of an Evening Primrose_, in "Idle Days in Patagonia:" The a.s.sociation of phenomena of nature with events in one's life. (_e_) Leslie Stephen, _Sunset on Mont Blanc_, in "The Playground of Europe:"

An a.n.a.lysis of the circ.u.mstances which combined to give this sunset its peculiar interest. (_f_) John Ruskin, descriptions of _water, sky, clouds, and foliage_ in "Modern Painters," Vol. I (look up pa.s.sages other than those selected for the present volume, page 325): in each case, distinguish the _chief_ beautiful effect which the author wishes to bring out.

VIII. CONDUCT AND INNER LIFE

(_a_) William James, _The Will to Believe_, in "The Will to Believe, and other Essays:" The bearing of religious conviction on volition and conduct. (_b_) Josiah Royce, _Loyalty to Loyalty_, in "The Philosophy of Loyalty:" 1. The exact meaning of the t.i.tle. 2. How the main thesis is fundamental for _Loyalty and Insight_ (page 365). (_c_) R.W. Emerson, _The Over-Soul_, in "Essays, First Series:" 1. How the conception here developed appears again in other essays of Emerson which you have read.

2. How Emerson's att.i.tude toward spiritual truth differs from that of James; see (_a_), above. (_d_) Josiah Royce, _What is Vital_ in Christianity? in "William James and Other Essays:" The central thought as compared with Seeley's (page 351). (_e_) George Santayana, _The Poetry of Christian Dogma_, in "Poetry and Religion:" The full significance of the t.i.tle. (_f_) J.R. Seeley, _Christ's Royalty_, in "Ecce h.o.m.o:" The significance of the term "King" as applied to Christ.

(_g_) G.L. d.i.c.kinson, _The Greek View of Religion_, in "The Greek View of Life:" 1. How the Greek differs from the Christian view. 2. The most admirable features of the Greek view. (_h_) Walter Pater, _A Study of Dionysus_, in "Greek Studies:" What Dionysus was symbolic of. (_i_) William James, _Habit_, in "Psychology," Vol. I: The significance of habits, tested by your own experience. (_j_) W.E.H. Lecky, _The Management of Character_, in "The Map of Life:" Specific methods by which one may mold one's own character.

IX. LITERATURE AND ART

(_a_) George Santayana, _Art and Happiness_, in "The Life of Reason,"

Vol. IV: 1. What is Art? 2. The position of literature among the arts.

3. What art needs at the present day. (_b_) Walter Bagehot, On _Wordsworth_, in "Essay on Wordsworth, Tennyson, and Browning:" The nature of pure art. (_c_) Matthew Arnold, _Wordsworth_, in "Essays in Criticism:" A comparison of Arnold's main thesis in regard to Wordsworth with Bagehot's; see (_b_) above. (_d_) G.H. Lewes, _The Principle of Sincerity_, in "The Principles of Success in Literature:" The relation between sincerity and success in literature. (_e_) Thomas Carlyle, _Dante_, in "On Heroes and Hero-Wors.h.i.+p:" 1. The chief differences between Dante and Shakespeare (see page 423). 2. How the principle of sincerity (see (_d_) above) is ill.u.s.trated in the case of Dante. (_f_) P.B. Sh.e.l.ley, _Defence of Poetry_: A comparison of Sh.e.l.ley's att.i.tude toward poetry with Bradley's (page 389). (_g_) G.L. d.i.c.kinson, _Chapter IV_ in the "Greek View of Life" (the part preceding the section reprinted in the present volume): How the principles determining the nature of Greek tragedy appear also in the other Greek arts. (_h_) S.H.

Butcher, _What we Owe to Greece_, in "Some Aspects of Greek Genius:"

Ideals we have inherited from the Greeks. (_i_) A.C. Bradley, _The Substance of Shakespearean Tragedy_, in "Shakespearean Tragedy:" The conception of the relations between good and evil which appears in Shakespeare's tragedies. (_j_) Sophocles, _Oedipus Rex_ (translated by Gilbert Murray): A comparison of the theme of this tragedy with the theme of Shakespeare's _Richard III, Macbeth, or Lear_.