George MacDonald Biography and Imagination

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George MacDonald Biography/Commentary

George MacDonald, 1824-1905

ortrait

Biographical note

oet and no!eli"t, "on o# a #armer, $a" %orn at &'ntly, (%erdeen"hire, and ed'cated at the

)ni!er"ity o# (%erdeen, and at the *ndependent College, &igh%'ry+ &e %ecame mini"ter o# acongregation at (r'ndel, %'t a#ter a #e$ year" retired, on acco'nt partly o# theological

con"ideration", partly o# a threatened, %reado$n o# health+ &e then too to literat're, and

p'%li"hed hi" #ir"t %oo, ithin and itho't .185, a dramatic poem, oem" #ollo$ed in 185,

and hanta"te", a aerie 3omance, in 1858+ &e then t'rned to #iction, and prod'ced n'mero'"no!el", o# $hich Da!id lgin%rod .182, (lec or%e" .185, 3o%ert alconer .188, he

Mar6'i" o# 7o""ie .18, and ir Gi%%ie .189, are perhap" the %e"t+ &e al"o $rote "torie" #orchildren o# great charm and originality, incl'ding he rince"" and the Go%lin, (t the Bac o#

the orth ind, and 3anald Bannerman:" Boyhood+ (" a no!eli"t he had con"idera%le narrati!e

and dramatic po$er, h'mo'r, tenderne"", a genial !ie$ o# li#e and character, tinged $ithmy"tici"m, and $ithin hi" limit" $a" a tr'e poet+ ;n retiring #rom the mini"try he attached

him"el# to the Ch'rch o# ngland, %'t #re6'ently preached a" a layman, ne!er accepting any

rem'neration #or hi" "ermon"+

.rom ( hort Biographical Dictionary o# ngli"h 7iterat're %y <ohn + Co'"in, 1910

ho'gh no longer $ell no$n, the $or" o# George MacDonald =partic'larly hi" #airy tale" and#anta"y no!el"> ha!e in"pired admiration in "'ch nota%le" a" + &+ ('den, <+ 3+ 3+ olien, and

Madeleine 7?ngle+ C+ + 7e$i" $rote that he regarded MacDonald a" hi" @ma"ter@+ icing 'p a

copy o# hanta"te" one day at a train-"tation %oo"tall, he %egan to readA @( #e$ ho'r" later,@ "aid7e$i", @* ne$ that * had cro""ed a great #rontier+@ G+ + Che"terton cited he rince"" and the

Go%lin a" a %oo that had @made a di##erence to my $hole ei"tence+@ lia%eth Eate" $rote o#

ir Gi%%ie, @*t mo!ed me the $ay %oo" did $hen, a" a child, the great gate" o# literat're %egan

to open and #ir"t enco'nter" $ith no%le tho'ght" and 'tterance" $ere 'n"peaa%ly thrilling+@

Bi%liography

hi" i" my %oo on the li#e and ad'lt #anta"y $or" o# George MacDonald+ *t can %e #o'nd at

mo"t online retailer"+ raditional %ric F mortar "tore" carry it a" $ell, %'t "ince thi" i" not the

type o# %oo that "ell" in %ig n'm%er" it $ill mo"t liely ha!e to %e ordered no matter $here yo'



go+ *# yo' "imply $ant a re!ie$ copy, drop me an email =li"ted at the top o# thi" page> and *?ll

mae "'re yo' get one+ &ere are a #e$ direct lin" to the %oo at online "tore"A

(maon, Border", Barne" F o%le, arget, Direct et%oo", ord o$er Boo"

3e!ie$ ecerpt #rom he B'lletin o# he e$ Eor C++ 7e$i" ocietyA @*n addition to %eing a"hort introd'ction to the"e t$o maor $or" o# MacDonald and a good %rie# %iographical "etch

o# MacDonald, eper:" %oo i" e"pecially help#'l =and 'ni6'e> in pre"enting a clear di"tinction

%et$een MacDonald:" my"tici"m and one that i" not centered in o%edience to God+ &o$ thato%edience i" re#lected in MacDonald:" t$o maor ad'lt romance" i" demon"trated $ith a '"e#'l

"ynop"i" o# the "torie"+ eper i" a%le to "ill#'lly incorporate many o# the e""ential point" o#

MacDonald:" philo"ophy in %iographical a"ide"+ eper ha" clearly a%"or%ed MacDonald:"

tho'ght and he highlight" "ome o# the mo"t e""ential idea"+@ %y 3o%ert reler

3e!ie$ ecerpt #rom the Mid$e"t Boo 3e!ie$A @+++a tho'ght#'l eploration o# the li#e and

$or" o# the #anta"y a'thor that C++ 7e$i" hailed a" @my ma"ter@, and that G++ Che"terton

tho'ght o# a" one o# the three or #o'r greate"t men o# the nineteenth cent'ry+ +++ nth'"ia"ticallyrecommended a" a %iography and "t'dy aid #or "t'dent" and "cholar" o# George MacDonald?"

literary creation"+@ %y <ame" (+ Co, ditor-in-Chie#+

pecial han" toA

HDe% &an"en $ho enco'raged me to loo #or a p'%li"her and #or %elie!ing in the %oo+

HChri" Manning #or enco'raging me to $rite in the #ir"t place+

HDale (hl6'i"t #or gi!ing me a lot o# in#o a%o't G++ Che"terton+ lea"e !i"it hi" $e%"ite at he(merican Che"terton ociety+

Hriend" in high place" at the )ni!er"ity o# *llinoi", o'th$e"tern *llinoi" College, and

Mcendree )ni!er"ity+

De"cription =taen #rom the %ac co!er>A

Many reader" come to George MacDonald?" #anta"y literat're %y $ay o# C++ 7e$i" $ho la'dedhim a", @my ma"ter,@ or G++ Che"terton $ho re#erred to him a" one o# the three or #o'r greate"t

men o# the 19th cent'ry+ &o$e!er, MacDonald?" "torie" are "o comple, "o #'ll o# t$o#old

meaning", "ym%olical, metaphorical, and para%olic that many, i# not mo"t, reader" #indthem"el!e" perpleed a#ter #ir"t coming 'pon him+ @C++ 7e$i" Called &im Ma"ter@ attempt" to

eplain the o%"c'rity %ehind many o# the pa""age" in MacDonald?" only t$o #anta"ie" $ritten #or

ad'lt", @7ilith,@ and @hanta"te",@ $hile al"o pro!iding the reader $ith a %rie#, %'t ade6'ate,

eamination o# George MacDonald?" li#e and $or+ (l"o contained therein are "e!eral rare



photo" o# the MacDonald #amily, many o# them taen %y #ello$ a'thor and #amily #riend 7e$i"

Carroll+ @C++ 7e$i" Called &im Ma"ter@ i" an e""ential %iography and "t'dy aid #or "t'dent" o#

George MacDonald?" mo"t inten"e $or"+

(%o't the corny titleA * $o'ld ha!e lied nothing %etter than to call the %oo "omething el"eI

ho$e!er, !ery #e$ people e!er heard o# George MacDonald $hile "core" o# people no$ o# C++7e$i"+ * tho'ght that $oring 7e$i"? name into the title $o'ld ca'"e #ol" to pic 'p the %oo

$ho other$i"e $o'ld ha!e pa""ed it %y+ *t $a" "imply a mareting ploy+ ot that * care a%o't

maing money on the %oo+ 7ord no$" there?" !ery little money to %e made in that regardany$ay+ * '"t $ant more people to no$ a%o't MacDonald+

airytale"

Many people %elie!e that George MacDonald?" #airytale" $ere 6'ite po""i%ly the %e"t e!er

prod'ced, and thi" hold" tr'e $hether they $ere $ritten $ith children or ad'lt" in mind+ &i"#airytale" generally appeal to %oth+

&e only $rote three children?" no!el", all three o# $hich can pro%a%ly %e cla""ed a" #airytale" or

at lea"t a" ha!ing "trong #airytale leaning"+ he #ir"t $a" (t the Bac o# the orth ind in 181+

*t #ollo$ed the "tory o# a little %oy named Diamond $ho $a" %e#riended %y the orth ind $hocame in the g'i"e o# a %ea'ti#'l $oman $ith long #lo$ing %lac hair in $hich "he $o'ld carry

little Diamond to place" o# ad!ent're, incl'ding one !ery "trange place indeed that $o'ld appear

to %e a paradi"e not o# thi" $orld and $hich lay at the %ac o# the north $ind+ Diamond i"

tho'ght %y mo"t o# hi" #amily and #riend" to %e addle%rained and i" "ometime" re#erred to a"@God?" %a%y@ %eca'"e o# thi"+ &o$e!er, it?" pointed o't %y the narrator that the %oy pro%a%ly ha"

a to'ch o# geni'" in him and i" "o %right that other" don?t 'nder"tand him, and th'", tae him #or

%eing "ome$hat incoherent+ Diamond i" a %orn metaphy"ician+ &i" tho'ght" are "o lo#ty theytran"cend ordinary li#e a" mo"t people no$ it+ &e?" aided in hi" metaphy"ical m'"ing" %y orth

ind $ho o#ten gi!e" him dream" o# deep meaning+ he "tory i" in many $ay" the mo"t

pro#o'nd thing e!er $ritten %y MacDonald concerning dream" and etraordinary "tate" o#con"cio'"ne""+ Mar $ain?" children lo!ed thi" %oo and $ore o't "e!eral copie"+ Both he and

C+ 7e$i" %orro$ed many idea" here #or their o$n "torie"+ he lady orth ind may !ery $ell

ha!e %een the cataly"t #or $ain?" character--he 'perintendent o# Dream"--in hi" 'n#ini"hed

tale--he Great Dar+

he rince"" and the Go%lin came o't the #ollo$ing year+ *t $a" an immediate "'cce""I ho$e!er,

MacDonald didn?t choo"e to #ollo$ 'p on that "'cce"" $ith the "ame immediacy+ &e $aitedele!en year" to come o't $ith a "e6'el called he rince"" and the C'rdie+ he latter $a" the

#a!orite o# C++ 7e$i"+ he"e "torie" #ollo$ the yo'ng li!e" o# rince"" *rene and a %oy named

C'rdie $ho $or" in the mine" %eneath a mo'ntain $hich i" #'ll o# Go%lin"+ *rene?" great, greatgrandmother, $ho i" m'ch more lie a #airy grandmother, al"o #ig're" hea!ily in the mi o#

thing" a" "omeone $ho i" more or le"" a repre"entati!e o# God+ hi" "ame grandmotherly #ig're

$o'ld appear in many o# MacDonald?" %e"t #airytale", partic'larly he i"e oman+ C'rdie?"

"tr'ggle $ith %elie# play" a %ig role in the #ir"t "tory %eca'"e *rene i" the only per"on $ho can "ee



thi" #airy grandmother at #ir"t+ B't in time C'rdie $ill come to %elie!e *rene, and once he ha"

#aith, he then $ill meet thi" etraordinary $oman too+ *n the "e6'el, hi" #aith i" p't into action

$hen the #airy grandmother "end" him on an errand to "a!e the ingdom+

hile George MacDonald didn?t $rite a lot o# #anta"y no!el", he did $rite "e!eral other "hort

"torie" in the #anta"y/#airytale genre #or children and ad'lt" %oth+ (mong the %e"t are he i"eoman, he Golden ey, he &i"tory o# hotogen and ycteri", and he Ca"tle+

he *maginationA *t" 'nction" (nd *t" C'lt're

.ootnoteA 18+

here are in $ho"e notion ed'cation $o'ld "eem to con"i"t in the prod'ction o# a certain repo"e

thro'gh the de!elopment o# thi" and that #ac'lty, and the depre""ion, i# not eradication, o# thi"and that other #ac'lty+ B't i# mere repo"e $ere the end in !ie$, an 'n"paring depre""ion o# all the

#ac'ltie" $o'ld %e the "'re"t mean" o# approaching it, pro!ided al$ay" the animal in"tinct" co'ld %e depre""ed lie$i"e, or, %etter "till, ept in a "tate o# con"tant repletion+ &appily, ho$e!er, #or

the h'man race, it po""e""e" in the pa""ion o# h'nger e!en, a more immediate "a!io'r than in the

$i"e"t "election and treatment o# it" #ac'ltie"+ or repo"e i" not the end o# ed'cationI it" end i" ano%le 'nre"t, an e!er rene$ed a$aing #rom the dead, a cea"ele"" 6'e"tioning o# the pa"t #or the

interpretation o# the #'t're, an 'rging on o# the motion" o# li#e, $hich had %etter #ar %e

accelerated into #e!er, than retarded into lethargy+

By tho"e $ho con"ider a %alanced repo"e the end o# c'lt're, the imagination m'"t nece""arily %e

regarded a" the one #ac'lty %e#ore all other" to %e "'ppre""ed+ @(re there not #act"J@ "ay they+

@hy #or"ae them #or #ancie"J *" there not that $hich, may %e Kno$nKJ hy #or"ae it #orin!ention"J hat God hath made, into that let man in6'ire+@

e an"$erA o in6'ire into $hat God ha" made i" the main #'nction o# the imagination+ *t i"aro'"ed %y #act", i" no'ri"hed %y #act"I "ee" #or higher and yet higher la$" in tho"e #act"I %'t

re#'"e" to regard "cience a" the "ole interpreter o# nat're, or the la$" o# "cience a" the only

region o# di"co!ery+

e m'"t %egin $ith a de#inition o# the $ord KimaginationK, or rather "ome de"cription o# the

#ac'lty to $hich $e gi!e the name+

he $ord it"el# mean" an KimagingK or a maing o# liene""e"+ he imagination i" that #ac'lty

$hich gi!e" #orm to tho'ght--not nece""arily 'ttered #orm, %'t #orm capa%le o# %eing 'ttered in

"hape or in "o'nd, or in any mode 'pon $hich the "en"e" can lay hold+ *t i", there#ore, that#ac'lty in man $hich i" lie"t to the prime operation o# the po$er o# God, and ha", there#ore,

%een called the Kcreati!eK #ac'lty, and it" eerci"e KcreationK+ KoetK mean" KmaerK+ e m'"t

not #orget, ho$e!er, that %et$een creator and poet lie" the one 'npa""a%le g'l# $hich

di"ting'i"he"--#ar %e it #rom '" to "ay Kdi!ide"K--all that i" God?" #rom all that i" man?"I a g'l#



teeming $ith in#inite re!elation", %'t a g'l# o!er $hich no man can pa"" to #ind o't God,

altho'gh God need" not to pa"" o!er it to #ind manI the g'l# %et$een that $hich call", and that

$hich i" th'" called into %eingI %et$een that $hich mae" in it" o$n image and that $hich i"made in that image+ *t i" %etter to eep the $ord KcreationK #or that calling o't o# nothing $hich

i" the imagination o# GodI ecept it %e a" an occa"ional "ym%olic epre""ion, $ho"e daring i"

#'lly recognied, o# the liene"" o# man?" $or to the $or o# hi" maer+ he nece""ary'nliene"" %et$een the creator and the created hold" $ithin it the e6'ally nece""ary liene"" o#

the thing made to him $ho mae" it, and "o o# the $or o# the made to the $or o# the maer+

hen there#ore, re#'"ing to employ the $ord KcreationK o# the $or o# man, $e yet '"e the $ord KimaginationK o# the $or o# God, $e cannot %e "aid to dare at all+ *t i" only to gi!e the name o#

man?" #ac'lty to that po$er a#ter $hich and %y $hich it $a" #a"hioned+ he imagination o# man

i" made in the image o# the imagination o# God+ !erything o# man m'"t ha!e %een o# God #ir"tI

and it $ill help m'ch to$ard" o'r 'nder"tanding o# the imagination and it" #'nction" in man i#$e #ir"t "'cceed in regarding aright the imagination o# God, in $hich the imagination o# man

li!e" and mo!e" and ha" it" %eing+

(" to K$hatK tho'ght i" in the mind o# God ere it tae" #orm, or $hat the #orm i" to him ere he'tter" itI in a $ord, $hat the con"cio'"ne"" o# God i" in either ca"e, all $e can "ay i", that o'r

con"cio'"ne"" in the re"em%ling condition" m'"t, a#ar o##, re"em%le hi"+ B't $hen $e come tocon"ider the act" em%odying the Di!ine tho'ght =i# indeed tho'ght and act %e not $ith him one

and the "ame>, then $e enter a region o# large di##erence+ e di"co!er at once, #or in"tance, that

$here a man $o'ld mae a machine, or a pict're, or a %oo, God mae" the man that mae" the %oo, or the pict're, or the machine+ o'ld God gi!e '" a dramaJ &e mae" a hae"pere+ ;r

$o'ld he con"tr'ct a drama more immediately hi" o$nJ &e %egin" $ith the %'ilding o# the "tage

it"el#, and that "tage i" a $orld--a 'ni!er"e o# $orld"+ &e mae" the actor", and they do not act,--

they KareK their part+ &e 'tter" them into the !i"i%le to $or o't their li#e--hi" drama+ hen he$o'ld ha!e an epic, he "end" a thining hero into hi" drama, and the epic i" the "olilo6'y o# hi"

&amlet+ *n"tead o# $riting hi" lyric", he "et" hi" %ird" and hi" maiden" a-"inging+ (ll the

proce""e" o# the age" are God?" "cienceI all the #lo$ o# hi"tory i" hi" poetry+ &i" "c'lpt're i" notin mar%le, %'t in li!ing and "peech-gi!ing #orm", $hich pa"" a$ay, not to yield place to tho"e

that come a#ter, %'t to %e per#ected in a no%ler "t'dio+ hat he ha" done remain", altho'gh it

!ani"he"I and he ne!er either #orget" $hat he ha" once done, or doe" it e!en once again+ (" thetho'ght" mo!e in the mind o# a man, "o mo!e the $orld" o# men and $omen in the mind o# God,

and mae no con#'"ion there, #or there they had their %irth, the o##"pring o# hi" imagination+ Man

i" %'t a tho'ght o# God+

*# $e no$ con"ider the "o-called creati!e #ac'lty in man, $e "hall #ind that in no KprimaryK "en"e

i" thi" #ac'lty creati!e+ *ndeed, a man i" rather K%eing tho'ghtK than KthiningK, $hen a ne$

tho'ght ari"e" in hi" mind+ &e ne$ it not till he #o'nd it there, there#ore he co'ld not e!en ha!e"ent #or it+ &e did not create it, el"e ho$ co'ld it %e the "'rpri"e that it $a" $hen it aro"eJ &e

may, indeed, in rare in"tance" #ore"ee that "omething i" coming, and mae ready the place #or it"

%irthI %'t that i" the 'tmo"t relation o# con"cio'"ne"" and $ill he can %ear to the da$ning idea+7ea!ing thi" a"ide, ho$e!er, and t'rning to the Kem%odimentK or re!elation o# tho'ght, $e "hall

#ind that a man no more Kcreate"K the #orm" %y $hich he $o'ld re!eal hi" tho'ght", than he

create" tho"e tho'ght" them"el!e"+





ha" had nearly a" m'ch to do $ith the maing o# o'r lang'age a" $ith @Mac%eth@ or the

@aradi"e 7o"t+@ he hal# o# o'r lang'age i" the $or o# the imagination+

or ho$ "hall t$o agree together $hat name they "hall gi!e to a tho'ght or a #eeling+ &o$ "hall

the one "ho$ the other that $hich i" in!i"i%leJ r'e, he can 'n!eil the mind?" con"tr'ction in the

#ace--that li!ing eternally change#'l "ym%ol $hich God ha" h'ng in #ront o# the 'n"een "pirit-- %'t that $itho't $ord" reache" only to the epre""ion o# pre"ent #eeling+ o attempt to employ it

alone #or the con!eyance o# the intellect'al or the hi"torical $o'ld con"tantly mi"leadI $hile the

epre""ion o# #eeling it"el# $o'ld %e mi"interpreted, e"pecially $ith regard to ca'"e and o%ectAthe d'm% "ho$ $o'ld %e $or"e than d'm%+

B't let a man %ecome a$are o# "ome ne$ mo!ement $ithin him+ 7oneline"" come" $ith it, #or

he $o'ld "hare hi" mind $ith hi" #riend, and he cannotI he i" "h't 'p in "peechle""ne""+ h'"

&e KmayK li!e a man #or%id

eary "e!en night" nine time" nine,

or the #ir"t moment o# hi" perpleity may %e that o# hi" relea"e+ Gaing a%o't him in pain, he

"'ddenly %ehold" the material #orm o# hi" immaterial condition+ here "tand" hi" tho'ghtL God

tho'ght it %e#ore him, and p't it" pict're there ready #or him $hen he $anted it+ ;r, to epre""the thing more pro"aically, the man cannot loo aro'nd him long $itho't percei!ing "ome #orm,

a"pect, or mo!ement o# nat're, "ome relation %et$een it" #orm", or %et$een "'ch and him"el#

$hich re"em%le" the "tate or motion $ithin him+ hi" he "eie" a" the "ym%ol, a" the garment or

%ody o# hi" in!i"i%le tho'ght, pre"ent" it to hi" #riend, and hi" #riend 'nder"tand" him+ !ery$ord "o employed $ith a ne$ meaning i" hence#orth, in it" ne$ character, %orn o# the "pirit and

not o# the #le"h, %orn o# the imagination and not o# the 'nder"tanding, and i" hence#orth

"'%mitted to ne$ la$" o# gro$th and modi#ication+

@hine"t tho',@ "ay" Carlyle in @a"t and re"ent,@ @there $ere no poet" till Dan Cha'cerJ o

heart %'rning $ith a tho'ght $hich it co'ld not hold, and had no $ord #orI and needed to "hapeand coin a $ord #or--$hat tho' calle"t a metaphor, trope, or the lieJ or e!ery $ord $e ha!e

there $a" "'ch a man and poet+ he colde"t $ord $a" once a glo$ing ne$ metaphor and %old

6'e"tiona%le originality+ hy !ery (*;, doe" it not mean an KattentioK, a

3C&*G-;J ancy that act o# the mind, $hich all $ere con"cio'" o#, $hich none had yetnamed,--$hen thi" ne$ poet #ir"t #elt %o'nd and dri!en to name it+ &i" 6'e"tiona%le originality

and ne$ glo$ing metaphor $a" #o'nd adopta%le, intelligi%le, and remain" o'r name #or it to thi"

day+@

(ll $ord", then, %elonging to the inner $orld o# the mind, are o# the imagination, are originally

poetic $ord"+ he %etter, ho$e!er, any "'ch $ord i" #itted #or the need" o# h'manity, the "oonerit lo"e" it" poetic a"pect %y commonne"" o# '"e+ *t cea"e" to %e heard a" a "ym%ol, and appear"

only a" a "ign+ h'" tho'"and" o# $ord" $hich $ere originally poetic $ord" o$ing their

ei"tence to the imagination, lo"e their !itality, and harden into m'mmie" o# pro"e+ ot merely in

literat're doe" poetry come #ir"t, and pro"e a#ter$ard", %'t poetry i" the "o'rce o# all the



lang'age that %elong" to the inner $orld, $hether it %e o# pa""ion or o# metaphy"ic", o#

p"ychology or o# a"piration+ o poetry come" %y the ele!ation o# pro"eI %'t the hal# o# pro"e

come" %y the @ma""ing into the common clay@ o# tho'"and" o# $inged $ord", $hence, lie thelo!ely "hell" o# %y-gone age", one i" occa"ionally di"interred %y "ome lo!er o# "peech, and held

'p to the light to "ho$ the play o# colo'r in it" mani#old lamination"+

or the $orld i"--allo$ '" the homely #ig're--the h'man %eing t'rned in"ide o't+ (ll that mo!e"

in the mind i" "ym%olied in at're+ ;r, to '"e another more philo"ophical, and certainly not le""

poetic #ig're, the $orld i" a "en"'o'" analy"i" o# h'manity, and hence an ineha'"ti%le $ardro%e#or the clothing o# h'man tho'ght+ ae any $ord epre""i!e o# emotion--tae the $ord

KemotionK it"el#--and yo' $ill #ind that it" primary meaning i" o# the o'ter $orld+ *n the "$aying

o# the $ood", in the 'nre"t o# the @$a!y plain,@ the imagination "a$ the pict're o# a $ell-no$n

condition o# the h'man mindI and hence the $ord KemotionK+ .ootnoteA hi" pa""age contain"only a repetition o# $hat i" #ar %etter "aid in the preceding etract #rom Carlyle, %'t it $a"

$ritten %e#ore $e had read =i# re!ie$er" may %e allo$ed to con#e"" "'ch ignorance> the %oo

#rom $hich that etract i" taen+

B't $hile the imagination o# man ha" th'" the di!ine #'nction o# p'tting tho'ght into #orm, it ha"

a d'ty altogether h'man, $hich i" paramo'nt to that #'nction--the d'ty, namely, $hich "pring"#rom hi" immediate relation to the ather, that o# #ollo$ing and #inding o't the di!ine

imagination in $ho"e image it $a" made+ o do thi", the man m'"t $atch it" "ign", it"

mani#e"tation"+ &e m'"t contemplate $hat the &e%re$ poet" call the $or" o# &i" hand"+

@B't to #ollo$ tho"e i" the pro!ince o# the intellect, not o# the imagination+@--e $ill lea!e o't

o# the 6'e"tion at pre"ent that poetic interpretation o# the $or" o# at're $ith $hich the

intellect ha" almo"t nothing, and the imagination almo"t e!erything, to do+ *t i" 'nnece""ary toin"i"t that the higher %eing o# a #lo$er e!en i" dependent #or it" reception 'pon the h'man

imaginationI that "cience may p'll the "no$drop to "hred", %'t cannot #ind o't the idea o#

"'##ering hope and pale con#ident "'%mi""ion, #or the "ae o# $hich that darling o# the "pringloo" o't o# hea!en, namely, God?" heart, 'pon '" hi" $i"er and more "in#'l childrenI #or i# there

%e any tr'th in thi" region o# thing" acno$ledged at all, it $ill %e at the "ame time

acno$ledged that that region %elong" to the imagination+ e con#ine o'r"el!e" to that6'e"tioning o# the $or" o# God $hich i" called the pro!ince o# "cience+

@hall, then, the h'man intellect,@ $e a", @come into readier contact $ith the di!ine imagination

than that h'man imaginationJ@ he $or o# the &igher m'"t he di"co!ered %y the "earch o# the7o$er in degree $hich i" yet "imilar in ind+ 7et '" not %e "'ppo"ed to ecl'de the intellect #rom

a "hare in e!ery highe"t o##ice+ Man i" not di!ided $hen the mani#e"tation" o# hi" li#e are

di"ting'i"hed+ he intellect @i" all in e!ery part+@ here $ere no imagination $itho't intellect,ho$e!er m'ch it may appear that intellect can ei"t $itho't imagination+ hat $e mean to in"i"t

'pon i", that in #inding o't the $or" o# God, the *ntellect m'"t la%o'r, $orman-lie, 'nder the

direction o# the architect, *magination+ &erein, too, $e proceed in the hope to "ho$ ho$ m'chmore than i" commonly "'ppo"ed the imagination ha" to do $ith h'man endea!o'rI ho$ large a

"hare it ha" in the $or that i" done 'nder the "'n+





o# the pro%lem" pec'liar to hi" calling i" $ell no$n to him, $e co'ld add'ce many proo#"+ &e

recognie" it" #'nction in the con"tr'ction o# the theory $hich "hall 'nite thi" and that hint into

an organic $hole, and he epre""ly "et" #orth the need o# a theory %e#ore #act" can %e"er!icea%leA--

@* $o'ld $ait #or my ?idea?++++ * ne!er did any good $itho't mine++++ Chance ne!er "miled on me'nle"" * poed her "ome $ayI "o that my ?notion,? a#ter all, ha" %een in the getting o# it my o$n

$or only per#ected %y a higher hand+@

@;n lea!ing the "hop * $ent direct to rince?" treet,--o# co'r"e $ith an idea in my mindI and

"omeho$ * ha!e al$ay" %een contented $ith one idea $hen * co'ld not get anotherI and the

ad!antage o# "ticing %y one i", that the other don?t o"tle it and t'rn yo' a%o't in a circle $hen

yo' "ho'ld go in a "traight line+@ =ootnoteA ince 6'oting the a%o!e * ha!e learned that the %oore#erred to i" 'n$orthy o# con#idence+ B't let it "tand a" ill'"tration $here it cannot %e proo#+>

he region %elonging to the p're intellect i" "traitenedA the imagination la%o'r" to etend it"

territorie", to gi!e it room+ he "$eep" acro"" the %order", "earching o't ne$ land" into $hich"he may g'ide her plodding %rother+ he imagination i" the light $hich redeem" #rom the

darne"" #or the eye" o# the 'nder"tanding+ o!ali" "ay", @he imagination i" the "t'## o# theintellect@--a##ord", that i", the material 'pon $hich the intellect $or"+ (nd Bacon, in hi"

@(d!ancement o# 7earning,@ #'lly recognie" thi" it" o##ice, corre"ponding to the #ore"ight o#

God in thi", that it %ehold" a#ar o##+ (nd he "ay"A @*magination i" m'ch ain to miracle-$oring#aith+@ .ootnoteA e are "orry $e cannot !eri#y thi" 6'otation, #or $hich $e are inde%ted to Mr+

;ld%'c the (nti6'ary, in the no!el o# that il+ here i", ho$e!er, little room #or do'%t that it i"

"'##iciently correct+

*n the "cienti#ic region o# her d'ty o# $hich $e "pea, the *magination cannot ha!e her per#ect

$orI thi" %elong" to another and higher "phere than that o# intellect'al tr'th--that, namely, o#

#'ll-glo%ed h'manity, operating in $hich "he gi!e" %irth to poetry--tr'th in %ea'ty+ B't her#'nction in the complete "phere o# o'r nat're, $ill, at the "ame time, in#l'ence her more limited

operation in the "ection" that %elong to "cience+ Coleridge "ay" that no one %'t a poet $ill mae

any #'rther KgreatK di"co!erie" in mathematic"I and Bacon "ay" that @$onder,@ that #ac'lty o# themind e"pecially attendant on the child-lie imagination, @i" the "eed o# no$ledge+@ he

in#l'ence o# the poetic 'pon the "cienti#ic imagination i", #or in"tance, e"pecially pre"ent in the

con"tr'ction o# an in!i"i%le $hole #rom the hint" a##orded %y a !i"i%le partI $here the need" o#

the part, it" '"ele""ne"", it" %roen relation", are the only g'ide" to a m'ltiple harmony,completene"", and end, $hich i" the $hole+ rom a little %one, $orn $ith age" o# death, older

than the man can thin, hi" "cienti#ic imagination da"hed $ith the poetic, call" 'p the #orm, "ie,

ha%it", period", %elonging to an animal ne!er %eheld %y h'man eye", e!en to the minglingcontra"t" o# "cale" and $ing", o# #eather" and hair+ hro'gh the com%ined len"e" o# "cience and

imagination, $e loo %ac into ancient time", "o dread#'l in their incompletene"", that it may

$ell ha!e %een the ta" o# "eraphic #aith, a" $ell a" o# cher'%ic imagination, to %ehold in the$allo$ing mon"tro"itie" o# the terror-teeming earth, the pro"pecti!e, 6'iet, age-long la%o'r o#

God preparing the $orld $ith all it" h'm%le, grace#'l "er!ice #or hi" 'n%orn Man+ he

imagination o# the poet, on the other hand, da"hed $ith the imagination o# the man o# "cience,

re!ealed to Goethe the prophecy o# the #lo$er in the lea#+ o other than an arti"tic imagination,



ho$e!er, #'l#illed o# "cience, co'ld ha!e attained to the di"co!ery o# the #act that the lea# i" the

imper#ect #lo$er+

hen $e t'rn to hi"tory, ho$e!er, $e #ind pro%a%ly the greate"t operati!e "phere o# the

intellect'o-con"tr'cti!e imagination+ o di"co!er it" la$"I the cycle" in $hich e!ent" ret'rn, $ith

the rea"on" o# their ret'rn, recogniing them not$ith"tanding metamorpho"i"I to percei!e the!ital motion" o# thi" "pirit'al %ody o# manindI to learn #rom it" #act" the r'le o# GodI to

con"tr'ct #rom a "'cce""ion o# %roen indication" a $hole accordant $ith h'man nat'reI to

approach a "cheme o# the #orce" at $or, the pa""ion" o!er$helming or 'phea!ing, thea"piration" "ec'rely 'prai"ing, the "el#i"hne""e" de%a"ing and cr'm%ling, $ith the !ital

inter$oring o# the $holeI to ill'minate all #rom the analogy $ith indi!id'al li#e, and #rom the

predominant pha"e" o# indi!id'al character $hich are taen a" the mind o# the people--thi" i" the

pro!ince o# the imagination+ itho't her in#l'ence no proce"" o# recording e!ent" can de!elopinto a hi"tory+ (" tr'ly might that %e called the de"cription o# a !olcano $hich occ'pied it"el#

$ith a delineation o# the "hape" a""'med %y the "moe epelled #rom the mo'ntain?" %'rning

%o"om+ hat hi"tory %ecome" 'nder the #'ll "$ay o# the imagination may %e "een in the @&i"tory

o# the rench 3e!ol'tion,@ %y homa" Carlyle, at once a tr'e pict're, a philo"ophical re!elation,a no%le poem+

here i" a $onder#'l pa""age a%o't KimeK in hae"pere?" @3ape o# 7'crece,@ $hich "ho$"

ho$ he 'nder"tood hi"tory+ he pa""age i" really a%o't hi"tory, and not a%o't timeI #or time it"el#

doe" nothing--not e!en @%lot old %oo" and alter their content"+@ *t i" the #orce" at $or in timethat prod'ce all the change"I and they are hi"tory+ e 6'ote #or the "ae o# one line chie#ly, %'t

the $hole "tana i" pertinent+

@ime?" glory i" to calm contending ing",

o 'nma" #al"ehood, and %ring tr'th to light,

o "tamp the "eal o# time in aged thing", o $ae the morn and "entinel the night,

Ko $rong the $ronger till he render rightIK

o r'inate pro'd %'ilding" $ith thy ho'r", (nd "mear $ith d'"t their glittering golden to$er"+@

Ko $rong the $ronger till he render right+K &ere i" a hi"torical cycle $orthy o# the imaginationo# hae"pere, yea, $orthy o# the creati!e imagination o# o'r God--the God $ho made the

hae"pere $ith the imagination, a" $ell a" e!ol!ed the hi"tory #rom the la$" $hich that

imagination #ollo$ed and #o'nd o't+

*n #'ll in"tance $e $o'ld re#er o'r reader" to hae"pere?" hi"torical play"I and, a" a "ide-

ill'"tration, to the #act that he repeatedly repre"ent" hi" greate"t character", $hen at the point o#death, a" relie!ing their o!ercharged mind" %y prophecy+ 'ch prophecy i" the re"'lt o# the light

o# imagination, cleared o# all di"torting dimne"" %y the !ani"hing o# earthly hope" and de"ire",

ca"t 'pon the #act" o# eperience+ 'ch prophecy i" the per#ect $oring o# the hi"torical

imagination+



*n the interpretation o# indi!id'al li#e, the "ame principle" holdI and no$here can the imagination

%e more healthily and re$ardingly occ'pied than in endea!o'ring to con"tr'ct the li#e o# anindi!id'al o't o# the #ragment" $hich are all that can reach '" o# the hi"tory o# e!en the no%le"t

o# o'r race+ &o$ thi" $ill apply to the reading o# the go"pel "tory $e lea!e to the earne"t tho'ght

o# o'r reader"+

e no$ pa"" to one more "phere in $hich the "t'dent imagination $or" in glad #reedom--the

"phere $hich i" 'nder"tood to %elong more immediately to the poet+

e ha!e already "aid that the #orm" o# at're =%y $hich $ord K#orm"K $e mean any o# tho"e

condition" o# at're $hich a##ect the "en"e" o# man> are "o many approimate repre"entation" o#

the mental condition" o# h'manity+ he o't$ard, commonly called the material, i" Kin#ormedK %y, or ha" #orm in !irt'e o#, the in$ard or immaterial--in a $ord, the tho'ght+ he #orm" o#

at're are the repre"entation" o# h'man tho'ght in !irt'e o# their %eing the em%odiment o# God?"

tho'ght+ (" "'ch, there#ore, they can %e read and '"ed to any depth, "hallo$ or pro#o'nd+ Men o#

all age" and all de!elopment" ha!e di"co!ered in them the mean" o# epre""ionI and the men o#age" to come, %e#ore '" in e!ery path along $hich $e are no$ "tri!ing, m'"t lie$i"e #ind "'ch

mean" in tho"e #orm", 'n#olding $ith their 'n#olding nece""itie"+ he man, then, $ho, inharmony $ith nat're, attempt" the di"co!ery o# more o# her meaning", i" '"t "earching o't the

thing" o# God+ he deepe"t o# the"e are #ar too "imple #or '" to 'nder"tand a" yet+ B't let o'r

imagination interpreti!e re!eal to '" one "e!ered "igni#icance o# one o# her part", and "'ch i" theharmony o# the $hole, that all the realm o# at're i" open to '" hence#orth--not $itho't la%o'r--

and in time+ )pon the man $ho can 'nder"tand the h'man meaning o# the "no$drop, o# the

primro"e, or o# the dai"y, the li#e o# the earth %lo""oming into the co"mical #lo$er o# a per#ect

moment $ill one day "eie, po""e""ing him $ith it" prophetic hope, aro'"ing hi" con"cience $iththe !i"ion o# the @re"t that remaineth,@ and "tirring 'p the a"piration to enter into that re"tA

@hine i" the tran6'il ho'r, p'rp'real !eL

B't long a" godlie $i"h, or hope di!ine,

*n#orm" my "pirit, ne?er can * %elie!e hat thi" magni#icence i" $holly thineL

--rom $orld" not 6'icened %y the "'n

( portion o# the gi#t i" $onI

(n intermingling o# &ea!en?" pomp i" "pread ;n gro'nd $hich Briti"h "hepherd" treadL@

!en the carele"" c'r!e o# a #roen clo'd acro"" the %l'e $ill calm "ome tro'%led tho'ght", may

"lay "ome "el#i"h tho'ght"+ (nd $hat "hall %e "aid o# "'ch gorgeo'" "ho$" a" the "carlet poppie"

in the green corn, the lie"t $e ha!e to tho"e lilie" o# the #ield $hich "poe to the a!io'rhim"el# o# the care o# God, and reoiced &i" eye" $ith the glory o# their God-de!i"ed arrayJ

rom "'ch !i"ion" a" the"e the imagination reap" the %e"t #r'it" o# the earth, #or the "ae o#

$hich all the "cience in!ol!ed in it" con"tr'ction, i" the in#erior, yet $illing and %ea'ti#'l

"'pport+





ith poet" the K#a"hionK ha" %een to contra"t the "ta%ility and re'!ene"cence o# nat're $ith the

e!ane"cence and 'nret'rning decay o# h'manityA--

@Eet "oon re!i!ing plant" and #lo$er", ane$ "hall dec the plainI he $ood" "hall hear the !oice o# pring, and #lo'ri"h green again+

B't man #or"ae" thi" earthly "cene, ahL ne!er to ret'rnA

hall any #ollo$ing pring re!i!e the a"he" o# the 'rnJ@

B't o'r poet !indicate" the eternal in h'manityA--

@; 7o!e, they die in yon rich "y, hey #aint on hill or #ield or ri!erA

;'r echoe" roll #rom "o'l to "o'l,

(nd gro$ #or e!er and #or e!er+

Blo$, %'gle, %lo$, "et the $ild echoe" #lyingI (nd an"$er, echoe", an"$er, Dying, dying, dying+@

*" not thi" a ne$ #orm to the tho'ght--a #orm $hich mae" '" #eel the tr'th o# it a#re"hJ (nd

e!ery ne$ em%odiment o# a no$n tr'th m'"t %e a ne$ and $ider re!elation+ o man i" capa%leo# "eeing #or him"el# the $hole o# any tr'thA he need" it echoed %ac to him #rom e!ery "o'l in

the 'ni!er"eI and "till it" centre i" hid in the ather o# 7ight"+ *n "o #ar, then, a" either #orm or

tho'ght i" ne$, $e may grant the '"e o# the $ord Creation, modi#ied according to o'r pre!io'"

de#inition"+

hi" operation o# the imagination in choo"ing, gathering, and !itally com%ining the material o# a

ne$ re!elation, may %e $ell ill'"trated #rom a certain employment o# the poetic #ac'lty in $hicho'r greate"t poet" ha!e delighted+ ercei!ing tr'th hal# hidden and hal# re!ealed in the "lo$

"peech and "tammering tong'e o# men $ho ha!e gone %e#ore them, they ha!e taen 'p the

'n#ini"hed #orm and completed itI they ha!e, a" it $ere, re"c'ed the "o'l o# meaning #rom it" pri"on o# 'nin#ormed cr'dity, $here it "at lie the rince in the @(ra%ian ight",@ hal# man, hal#

mar%leI they ha!e "et it #ree in it" o$n #orm, in a "hape, namely, $hich it co'ld @thro'gh e!ery

part impre""+@ hae"pere?" een eye "'gge"ted many "'ch a re"c'e #rom the tom%--o# a tale

drearily told--a tale $hich no one no$ $o'ld read "a!e #or the glori#ied #orm in $hich he ha" re-em%odied it" tr'e content"+ (nd #rom enny"on $e can prod'ce one "pecimen "mall eno'gh #or

o'r '"e, $hich, a mere chip #rom the great mar%le re-em%odying the old legend o# (rth'r?" death,

may, lie the hand o# (chille" holding hi" "pear in the cro$ded pict're,

@tand #or the $hole to %e imagined+@

*n the @&i"tory o# rince (rth'r,@ $hen ir Bedi!ere ret'rn" a#ter hiding cali%'r the #ir"t time,

the ing a"" him $hat he ha" "een, and he an"$er"--

@ir, * "a$ nothing %'t $a!e" and $ind+@



he "econd time, to the "ame 6'e"tion, he an"$er"--

@ir, * "a$ nothing %'t the $ater.1 $ap, and the $a!e" $an+@

.ootnote 1A he $ord K$apK i" plain eno'ghI the $ord K$anK $e cannot "ati"#y o'r"el!e"a%o't+ &ad it %een '"ed $ith regard to the $ater, it might ha!e %een $orth remaring that K$anK,

meaning dar, gloomy, t'r%id, i" a common adecti!e to a ri!er in the old cotch %allad+ (nd it

might %e an adecti!e hereI %'t that i" not liely, "eeing it i" conoined $ith the !er% K$apK+ he(nglo-aon K$anianK, to decrea"e, might %e the root-$ord, perhap", =in the "en"e o# Kto e%%K,>

i# thi" $ater had %een the "ea and not a lae+ B't po""i%ly the meaning i", @* heard the $ater

K$hoopK or K$ail alo'dK@ =#rom KopanK>I and @the $a!e" K$hineK or K%e$ailK@ =#rom

KanianK to lament>+ B't e!en then the t$o !er%" $o'ld "eem to predicate o# tran"po"ed"'%ect"+

hi" an"$er enny"on ha" epanded into the $ell-no$n line"--

@* heard the ripple $a"hing in the reed", (nd the $ild $ater lapping on the cragI@

"lightly !aried, #or the other occa"ion, into--

@* heard the $ater lapping on the crag,

(nd the long ripple $a"hing in the reed"+@

B't, a" to thi" matter o# KcreationK, i" there, a#ter all, * a" yet, any gen'ine "en"e in $hich a man

may %e "aid to create hi" o$n tho'ght-#orm"J (llo$ing that a ne$ com%ination o# #orm" alreadyei"ting might %e called creation, i" the man, a#ter all, the a'thor o# thi" ne$ com%inationJ Did

he, $ith hi" $ill and hi" no$ledge, proceed $ittingly, con"cio'"ly, to con"tr'ct a #orm $hich

"ho'ld em%ody hi" tho'ghtJ ;r did thi" #orm ari"e $ithin him $itho't $ill or e##ort o# hi"--!i!idi# not clear--certain i# not o'tlinedJ 3'"in =and %etter a'thority $e do not no$> $ill a""ert the

latter, and $e thin he i" rightA tho'gh perhap" he $o'ld in"i"t more 'pon the a%"ol'te per#ection

o# the !i"ion than $e are 6'ite prepared to do+ 'ch em%odiment" are not the re"'lt o# the man?"

intention, or o# the operation o# hi" con"cio'" nat're+ &i" #eeling i" that they are gi!en to himIthat #rom the !a"t 'nno$n, $here time and "pace are not, they "'ddenly appear in l'mino'"

$riting 'pon the $all o# hi" con"cio'"ne""+ Can it %e correct, then, to "ay that he created themJ

othing le"" "o, a" it "eem" to '"+ B't can $e not "ay that they are the creation o# the'ncon"cio'" portion o# hi" nat'reJ Ee", pro!ided $e can 'nder"tand that that $hich i" the

indi!id'al, the man, can no$, and not no$ that it no$", can create and yet %e ignorant that

!irt'e ha" gone o't o# it+ rom that 'nno$n region $e grant they come, %'t not %y it" o$n %lind$oring+ or, e!en $ere it "o, co'ld any amo'nt o# "'ch prod'ction, $here no $ill $a"

concerned, %e digni#ied $ith the name o# creation+ B't God "it" in that cham%er o# o'r %eing in

$hich the candle o# o'r con"cio'"ne"" goe" o't in darne"", and "end" #orth #rom thence

$onder#'l gi#t" into the light o# that 'nder"tanding $hich i" &i" candle+ ;'r hope lie" in no mo"t



per#ect mechani"m e!en o# the "pirit, %'t in the $i"dom $herein $e li!e and mo!e and ha!e o'r

%eing+ hence $e hope #or endle"" #orm" o# %ea'ty in#ormed o# tr'th+ *# the dar portion o# o'r

o$n %eing $ere the origin o# o'r imagination", $e might $ell #ear the apparition o# "'chmon"ter" a" $o'ld %e generated in the "icne"" o# a decay $hich co'ld ne!er #eel--only declare--

a "lo$ ret'rn to$ard" prime!al chao"+ B't the Maer i" o'r 7ight+

;ne $ord more, ere $e t'rn to con"ider the c'lt're o# thi" no%le"t #ac'lty, $hich $e might $ell

call the creati!e, did $e not "ee a "omething in God #or $hich $e $o'ld h'm%ly eep o'r

mighty $ordA--the #act that there i" al$ay" more in a $or o# art--$hich i" the highe"t h'manre"'lt o# the em%odying imagination--than the prod'cer him"el# percei!ed $hile he prod'ced it,

"eem" to '" a "trong rea"on #or attri%'ting to it a larger origin than the man alone--#or "aying at

the la"t, that the in"piration o# the (lmighty "haped it" end"+

e ret'rn no$ to the cla"" $hich, #rom the #ir"t, $e "'ppo"ed ho"tile to the imagination and it"

#'nction" generally+ ho"e %elonging to it $ill no$ "ayA @*t $a" to no imagination "'ch a" yo'

ha!e %een "etting #orth that $e $ere oppo"ed, %'t to tho"e $ild #ancie" and !ag'e re!erie" in

$hich yo'ng people ind'lge, to the damage and lo"" o# the real in the $orld aro'nd them+@

@(nd,@ $e in"i"t, @yo' $o'ld recti#y the matter %y "mothering the yo'ng mon"ter at once-- %eca'"e he ha" $ing", and, yo'ng to their '"e, #l'tter" them a%o't in a $ay di"compo"ing to yo'r

ner!e", and de"tr'cti!e to tho"e notion" o# propriety o# $hich thi" creat're--yo' "top not to

in6'ire $hether angel or pterodactyle--ha" not yet learned e!en the ei"tence+ ;r, i# it i" only thecreat're?" !agarie" o# $hich yo' di"appro!e, $hy "pea o# them a" KtheK eerci"e o# the

imaginationJ (" $ell "pea o# religion a" the mother o# cr'elty %eca'"e religion ha" gi!en more

occa"ion o# cr'elty, a" o# all di"hone"ty and de!ilry, than any other o%ect o# h'man intere"t+ (re

$e not to $or"hip, %eca'"e o'r #ore#ather" %'rned and "ta%%ed #or religionJ *t i" more religion$e $ant+ *t i" more imagination $e need+ Be a""'red that the"e are %'t the #ir"t !ital motion" o#

that $ho"e re"'lt", at lea"t in the region o# "cience, yo' are more than $illing to accept+@ hat

e!il may "pring #rom the imagination, a" #rom e!erything ecept the per#ect lo!e o# God, cannot %e denied+ B't in#initely $or"e e!il" $o'ld %e the re"'lt o# it" a%"ence+ el#i"hne"", a!arice,

"en"'ality, cr'elty, $o'ld #lo'ri"h ten#oldI and the po$er o# atan $o'ld %e $ell e"ta%li"hed ere

"ome children had %eg'n to choo"e+ ho"e $ho $o'ld 6'ell the apparently la$le"" to""ing o# the"pirit, called the yo'th#'l imagination, $o'ld "'ppre"" all that i" to gro$ o't o# it+ hey #ear the

enth'"ia"m they ne!er #eltI and in"tead o# cheri"hing thi" di!ine thing, in"tead o# gi!ing it room

and air #or health#'l gro$th, they $o'ld cr'"h and con#ine it--$ith %'t one re"'lt o# their

!ictorio'" endea!o'r"-- impo"th'me, #e!er, and corr'ption+ (nd the di"a"tro'" con"e6'ence"$o'ld "oon appear in the intellect lie$i"e $hich they $or"hip+ ill that $hence "pring the

cr'de #ancie" and $ild day-dream" o# the yo'ng, and yo' $ill ne!er lead them %eyond d'll

#act"--d'll %eca'"e their relation" to each other, and the one li#e that $or" in them all, m'"tremain 'ndi"co!ered+ hoe!er $o'ld ha!e hi" children a!oid thi" arid region $ill do $ell to

allo$ no teacher to approach them--not e!en o# mathematic"--$ho ha" no imagination+

@B't altho'gh good re"'lt" may appear in a #e$ #rom the ind'lgence o# the imagination, ho$ $ill

it %e $ith the manyJ@



e an"$er that the antidote to ind'lgence i" de!elopment, not re"traint, and that "'ch i" the d'ty

o# the $i"e "er!ant o# &im $ho made the imagination+

@B't $ill mo"t girl", #or in"tance, ri"e to tho"e '"e#'l '"e" o# the imaginationJ (re they not more

liely to eerci"e it in %'ilding ca"tle" in the air to the neglect o# ho'"e" on the earthJ (nd a" the

$orld a##ord" "'ch poor "cope #or the ideal, $ill not thi" ha%it %reed !ain de"ire" and !ainregret"J *" it not %etter, there#ore, to eep to that $hich i" no$n, and lea!e the re"tJ@

@*" the $orld "o poorJ@ $e a" in ret'rn+ he le"" rea"on, then, to %e "ati"#ied $ith itI the morerea"on to ri"e a%o!e it, into the region o# the tr'e, o# the eternal, o# thing" a" God thin" them+

hi" o't$ard $orld i" %'t a pa""ing !i"ion o# the per"i"tent tr'e+ e "hall not li!e in it al$ay"+

e are d$eller" in a di!ine 'ni!er"e $here no de"ire" are in !ain, i# only they %e large eno'gh+

ot e!en in thi" $orld do all di"appointment" %reed only !ain regret"+

.ootnoteA

@e $ill grie!e not, rather #ind trength in $hat remain" %ehindI

*n the primal "ympathy hich, ha!ing %een, m'"t e!er %eI

*n the "oothing tho'ght" that "pring

;'t o# h'man "'##eringI *n the #aith that loo" thro'gh death,

*n year" that %ring the philo"ophic mind+@

(nd a" to eeping to that $hich i" no$n and lea!ing the re"t--ho$ many a##air" o# thi" $orld

are "o $ell-de#ined, "o capa%le o# %eing clearly 'nder"tood, a" not to lea!e large "pace" o#

'ncertainty, $ho"e !ery correlate #ac'lty i" the imaginationJ *ndeed it m'"t, in mo"t thing", $or a#ter "ome #a"hion, #illing the gap" a#ter "ome po""i%le plan, %e#ore action can e!en %egin+ *n

!ery tr'th, a $i"e imagination, $hich i" the pre"ence o# the "pirit o# God, i" the %e"t g'ide that

man or $oman can ha!eI #or it i" not the thing" $e "ee the mo"t clearly that in#l'ence '" the mo"t po$er#'llyI 'nde#ined, yet !i!id !i"ion" o# "omething %eyond, "omething $hich eye ha" not "een

nor ear heard, ha!e #ar more in#l'ence than any logical "e6'ence" $here%y the "ame thing" may

%e demon"trated to the intellect+ *t i" the nat're o# the thing, not the clearne"" o# it" o'tline, that

determine" it" operation+ e li!e %y #aith, and not %y "ight+ 't the 6'e"tion to o'rmathematician"--only %e "'re the 6'e"tion reache" them--$hether they $o'ld part $ith the $ell-

de#ined per#ection o# their diagram", or the dim, "trange, po""i%ly hal#-o%literated character"

$o!en in the $e% o# their %eingI their "cience, in "hort, or their poetryI their certaintie", or theirhope"I their con"cio'"ne"" o# no$ledge, or their !ag'e "en"e o# that $hich cannot %e no$n

a%"ol'telyA $ill they hold %y their cra#t or %y their in"piration", %y their intellect" or their

imagination"J *# they "ay the #ormer in each alternati!e, * "hall yet do'%t $hether the o%ect" o#the choice are act'ally %e#ore them, and $ith e6'al pre"entation+

hat can %e no$n m'"t %e no$n "e!erelyI %'t i" there, there#ore, no #ac'lty #or tho"e in#inite

land" o# 'ncertainty lying all a%o't the "phere hollo$ed o't o# the dar %y the glimmering lamp



o# o'r no$ledgeJ (re they not the nat'ral property o# the imaginationJ there, K#orK it, that it

may ha!e room to gro$J there, that the man may learn to imagine greatly lie God $ho made

him, him"el# di"co!ering their my"terie", in !irt'e o# hi" #ollo$ing and $or"hippingimaginationJ

(ll that ha" %een "aid, then, tend" to en#orce the c'lt're o# the imagination+ B't the "tronge"targ'ment o# all remain" %ehind+ or, i# the $hole po$er o# pedantry "ho'ld ri"e again"t her, the

imagination $ill yet $orI and i# not #or good, then #or e!ilI i# not #or tr'th, then #or #al"ehoodI i#

not #or li#e, then #or deathI the e!il alternati!e %ecoming the more liely #rom the 'nnat'raltreatment "he ha" eperienced #rom tho"e $ho o'ght to ha!e #o"tered her+ he po$er that might

ha!e gone #orth in concei!ing the no%le"t #orm" o# action, in realiing the li!e" o# the tr'e-

hearted, the "el#-#orgetting, $ill go #orth in %'ilding airy ca"tle" o# !ain am%ition, o# %o'ndle""

riche", o# 'nearned admiration+ he imagination that might %e de!i"ing ho$ to mae home %le""ed or to help the poor neigh%o'r, $ill %e a%"or%ed in the in!ention o# the ne$ dre"", or

$or"e, in de!i"ing the mean" o# proc'ring it+ or, i# "he %e not occ'pied $ith the %ea'ti#'l, "he

$ill %e occ'pied %y the plea"antI that $hich goe" not o't to $or"hip, $ill remain at home to %e

"en"'al+ C'lti!ate the mere intellect a" yo' may, it $ill ne!er red'ce the pa""ion"A theimagination, "eeing the ideal in e!erything, $ill ele!ate them to their tr'e and no%le "er!ice+

ee not that yo'r "on" and yo'r da'ghter" "ho'ld not "ee !i"ion", "ho'ld not dream dream"I"ee that they "ho'ld "ee tr'e !i"ion", that they "ho'ld dream no%le dream"+ 'ch o't-going o#

the imagination i" one $ith a"piration, and $ill do more to ele!ate a%o!e $hat i" lo$ and !ile

than all po""i%le inc'lcation" o# morality+ or can religion her"el# e!er ri"e 'p into her o$n calmhome, her cry"tal "hrine, $hen one o# her $ing", one o# the t$ain $ith $hich "he #lie", i" th'"

%roen or paralyed+

@he 'ni!er"e i" in#initely $ide,

(nd con6'ering 3ea"on, i# "el#-glori#ied,

Can no$here mo!e 'ncro""ed %y "ome ne$ $all ;r g'l# o# my"tery, $hich tho' alone,

*maginati!e aithL can"t o!erleap,

*n progre"" to$ard" the #o'nt o# lo!e+@

he danger that lie" in the repre""ion o# the imagination may %e $ell ill'"trated #rom the play o#

@Mac%eth+@ he imagination o# the hero =in him a po$er#'l #ac'lty>, repre"enting ho$ the deed$o'ld appear to other", and "o repre"enting it" tr'e nat're to him"el#, $a" hi" great impediment

on the path to crime+ or $o'ld he ha!e "'cceeded in reaching it, had he not gone to hi" $i#e #or

help--"o'ght re#'ge #rom hi" tro'%le"ome imagination $ith her+ he, po""e""ing #ar le"" o# the#ac'lty, and ha!ing dealt more de"tr'cti!ely $ith $hat "he had, too hi" hand, and led him to the

deed+ rom her imagination, again, "he #or her part tae" re#'ge in 'n%elie# and denial, declaring

to her"el# and her h'"%and that there i" no reality in it" repre"entation"I that there i" no reality inanything %eyond the pre"ent e##ect it prod'ce" on the mind 'pon $hich it operate"I that intellect

and co'rage are e6'al to any, e!en an e!il emergencyI and that no harm $ill come to tho"e $ho

can r'le them"el!e" according to their o$n $ill+ till, ho$e!er, #inding her imagination, and yet

more that o# her h'"%and, tro'%le"ome, "he e##ect" a mar!ello'" com%ination o# materiali"m and



ideali"m, and a""ert" that thing" are not, cannot %e, and "hall not %e more or other than people

choo"e to thin them+ he "ay",--

@he"e deed" m'"t not %e tho'ght

(#ter the"e $ay"I "o, it $ill mae '" mad+@

@he "leeping and the dead

(re %'t a" pict're"+@

B't "he had o!er-e"timated the po$er o# her $ill, and 'nder-e"timated that o# her imagination+

&er $ill $a" the one thing in her that $a" %ad, $itho't root or "'pport in the 'ni!er"e, $hile herimagination $a" the !oice o# God him"el# o't o# her o$n 'nno$n %eing+ he choice o# no man

or $oman can long determine ho$ or $hat he or "he "hall thin o# thing"+ 7ady Mac%eth?"

imagination $o'ld not %e repre""ed %eyond it" appointed period--a time determined %y la$" o#

her %eing o!er $hich "he had no control+ *t aro"e, at length, a" #rom the dead, o!er"hado$ing her $ith all the %lacne"" o# her crime+ he $oman $ho dran "trong drin that "he might m'rder,

dared not "leep $itho't a light %y her %edI ro"e and $aled in the night, a "leeple"" "pirit in a"leeping %ody, r'%%ing the "potted hand o# her dream", $hich, o#ten a" $ater had cleared it o# the

deed, yet "melt "o in her "leeping no"tril", that all the per#'me" o# (ra%ia $o'ld not "$eeten it+

h'" her long do$n-trodden imagination ro"e and too !engeance, e!en thro'gh tho"e "en"e"$hich "he had tho'ght to "'%ordinate to her $iced $ill+

B't all thi" i" o# the imagination it"el#, and #itter, there#ore, #or ill'"tration than #or arg'ment+ 7et

'" come to #act"+--Dr+ ritchard, lately eec'ted #or m'rder, had no lac o# that in!ention, $hichi", a" it $ere, the intellect o# the imagination--it" lo$e"t #orm+ ;ne o# the clergymen $ho, at hi"

o$n re6'e"t, attended the pri"oner, $ent thro'gh inde"cri%a%le horror" in the !ain endea!o'r to

ind'ce the man "imply to cea"e #rom lyingA one in!ention a#ter another #ollo$ed the mo"t earne"ta""e!eration" o# tr'th+ he e##ect prod'ced 'pon '" %y thi" clergyman?" report o# hi" eperience

$a" a moral di"may, "'ch a" $e had ne!er #elt $ith regard to h'man %eing, and dre$ #rom '" the

eclamation, @he man co'ld ha!e had no imagination+@ he reply $a", @one $hate!er+@ e!er"eeing tr'e or high thing", caring only #or appearance", and, there#ore, #or in!ention", he had

le#t hi" imagination all 'nde!eloped, and $hen it repre"ented hi" o$n inner condition to him, had

repre""ed it 'ntil it $a" nearly de"troyed, and $hat remained o# it $a" "et on #ire o# hell+

.ootnoteA ;ne o# the %e"t $eely paper" in 7ondon, e!idently a" m'ch in ignorance o# the mana" o# the #act" o# the ca"e, "poe o# Dr+ Mac7eod a" ha!ing %een engaged in @$hite-$a"hing the

m'rderer #or hea!en+@ o #ar i" thi" #rom a tr'e repre"entation, that Dr+ Mac7eod act'ally re#'"ed

to pray $ith him, telling him that i# there $a" a hell to go to, he m'"t go to it+

Man i" @the roo# and cro$n o# thing"+@ &e i" the $orld, and more+ here#ore the chie# "cope o#

hi" imagination, net to God $ho made him, $ill he the $orld in relation to hi" o$n li#e therein+ill he do %etter or $or"e in it i# thi" imagination, to'ched to #ine i""'e" and ha!ing #ree "cope,

pre"ent him $ith no%le pict're" o# relation"hip and d'ty, o# po""i%le ele!ation o# character and

attaina%le '"tice o# %eha!io'r, o# #riend"hip and o# lo!eI and, a%o!e all, o# all the"e in that li#e to

'nder"tand $hich a" a $hole, m'"t e!er %e the lo#tie"t a"piration o# thi" no%le"t po$er o#



h'manityJ ill a $oman lead a more or a le"" tro'%led li#e that the "ight" and "o'nd" o# nat're

%rea thro'gh the cr'"t o# gathering aniety, and remind her o# the peace o# the lilie" and the

$ell-%eing o# the %ird" o# the airJ ;r $ill li#e %e le"" intere"ting to her, that the li!e" o# herneigh%o'r", in"tead o# pa""ing lie "hado$" 'pon a $all, a""'me a con"i"tent $holene"", #orming

them"el!e" into "torie" and pha"e" o# li#eJ ill "he not here%y lo!e more and tal le""J ;r $ill

"he %e more 'nliely to mae a good match----J B't here $e arre"t o'r"el!e" in %e$ildermento!er the $ord KgoodK, and "ee to re-arrange o'r tho'ght"+ *# $hat mother" mean %y a KgoodK

match, i" the alliance o# a man o# po"ition and mean"--or let them thro$ intellect, manner", and

per"onal ad!antage" into the "ame "cale--i# thi" %e all, then $e grant the da'ghter o# c'lti!atedimagination may not %e managea%le, $ill pro%a%ly %e o%"tinate+ @e hope "he $ill %e o%"tinate

eno'gh+ .ootnoteA 7et $omen $ho #eel the $rong" o# their ind teach $omen to %e high-

minded in their relation to men, and they $ill do more #or the "ocial ele!ation o# $omen, and the

e"ta%li"hment o# their right", $hate!er tho"e right" may %e, than %y any amo'nt o# intellect'alde!elopment or a""ertion o# e6'ality+ or, i# they are other than mere parti"an", $ill they re#'"e

the attempt %eca'"e in it" "'cce"" men $ill, a#ter all, %e e6'al, i# not greater gainer", i# only

there%y they "ho'ld %e @#eelingly per"'aded@ $hat they are+ B't $ill the girl %e le"" liely to

marry a KgentlemanK, in the grand old meaning o# the "iteenth cent'ryJ $hen it $a" noirre!erence to call o'r 7ord

@he #ir"t tr'e gentleman that e!er %reathedI@

or in that o# the #o'rteenthJ--$hen Cha'cer teaching @$hom i" $orthy to %e called gentill,@$rite" th'"A--

@he #ir"t "toce $a" #'ll o# right$i"ne", re$e o# hi" $orde, "o%er, pito'" and #ree,

Clene o# hi" go"te, and lo!ed %e"ine""e,

(gain"t the !ice o# "lo'th in hone"teI (nd %'t hi" heire lo!e !ert'e a" did he,

&e i" not gentill tho'gh he rich "eme,

(ll $eare he miter, cro$ne, or diademe+@

ill "he %e le"" liely to marry one $ho hono'r" $omen, and #or their "ae", a" $ell a" hi" o$n,

hono'r" him"el#J ;r to "pea #rom $hat many $o'ld regard a" the mother?" "ide o# the6'e"tion--$ill the girl %e more liely, %eca'"e o# "'ch a c'lt're o# her imagination, to re#'"e the

$i"e, tr'e-hearted, genero'" rich man, and #all in lo!e $ith the taling, !er"e-maing #ool,

K%eca'"eK he i" poor, a" i# that $ere a !irt'e #or $hich he had "tri!enJ he highe"t imaginationand the lo$lie"t common "en"e are al$ay" on one "ide+

or the end o# imagination i" KharmonyK+ ( right imagination, %eing the re#le o# the creation,$ill #all in $ith the di!ine order o# thing" a" the highe"t #orm o# it" o$n operationI @$ill t'ne it"

in"tr'ment here at the door@ to the di!ine harmonie" $ithinI $ill %e content alone $ith gro$th

to$ard" the di!ine idea, $hich incl'de" all that i" %ea'ti#'l in the imper#ect imagination" o# menI

$ill no$ that e!ery de!iation #rom that gro$th i" do$n$ardI and $ill there#ore "end the man



#orth #rom it" lo#tie"t repre"entation" to do the commone"t d'ty o# the mo"t $eari"ome calling in

a hearty and hope#'l "pirit+ hi" i" the $or o# the right imaginationI and to$ard" thi" $or

e!ery imagination, in proportion to the rightne"" that i" in it, $ill tend+ he re!erie" e!en o# the$i"e man $ill mae him "tronger #or hi" $orI hi" dreaming a" $ell a" hi" thining $ill render

him "orry #or pa"t #ail're, and hope#'l o# #'t're "'cce""+

o come no$ to the c'lt're o# the imagination+ *t" de!elopment i" one o# the main end" o# the

di!ine ed'cation o# li#e $ith all it" e##ort" and eperience"+ here#ore the #ir"t and e""ential

mean" #or it" c'lt're m'"t %e an ordering o# o'r li#e to$ard" harmony $ith it" ideal in the mindo# God+ (" he that i" $illing to do the $ill o# the ather, "hall no$ o# the doctrine, "o, $e do'%t

not, he that $ill do the $ill o# & ;, "hall %ehold the Bea'ti#'l+ or all i" God?"I and the

man $ho i" gro$ing into harmony $ith &i" $ill, i" gro$ing into harmony $ith him"el#I all the

hidden glorie" o# hi" %eing are coming o't into the light o# h'm%le con"cio'"ne""I "o that at thela"t he "hall %e a p're microco"m, #aith#'lly re#lecting, a#ter hi" manner, the mighty macroco"m+

e %elie!e, there#ore, that nothing $ill do "o m'ch #or the intellect or the imagination a" K%eing

goodK--$e do not mean a#ter any #orm'la or any creed, %'t "imply a#ter the #aith o# &im $ho did

the $ill o# hi" ather in hea!en+

B't i# $e "pea o# direct mean" #or the c'lt're o# the imagination, the $hole i" compri"ed in t$o$ord"--#ood and eerci"e+ *# yo' $ant "trong arm", tae animal #ood, and ro$+ eed yo'r

imagination $ith #ood con!enient #or it, and eerci"e it, not in the contortion" o# the acro%at, %'t

in the mo!ement" o# the gymna"t+ (nd #ir"t #or the #ood+

Goethe ha" told '" that the $ay to de!elop the ae"thetic #ac'lty i" to ha!e con"tantly %e#ore o'r

eye", that i", in the room $e mo"t #re6'ent, "ome $or o# the %e"t attaina%le art+ hi" $ill teach

'" to re#'"e the e!il and choo"e the good+ *t $ill plant it"el# in o'r mind" and %ecome o'rco'n"ellor+ *n!ol'ntarily, 'ncon"cio'"ly, $e "hall compare $ith it" per#ection e!erything that

come" %e#ore '" #or 'dgment+ o$, altho'gh no %etter ad!ice co'ld he gi!en, it in!ol!e" one

danger, that o# narro$ne""+ (nd not ea"ily, in dread o# thi" danger, $o'ld one change hi" t'tor,and "o proc're !ariety o# in"tr'ction+ B't in the c'lt're o# the imagination, %oo", altho'gh not

the only, are the readie"t mean" o# "'pplying the #ood con!enient #or it, and a h'ndred %oo"

may he had $here e!en one $or o# art o# the right "ort i" 'nattaina%le, "eeing "'ch m'"t he o#"ome "ie a" $ell a" o# thoro'gh ecellence+ (nd in !ariety alone i" "a#ety #rom the danger o# the

con!enient #ood %ecoming the incon!enient model+

7et '" "'ppo"e, then, that one $ho him"el# '"tly e"timate" the imagination i" anio'" to de!elopit" operation in hi" child+ o do'%t the %e"t %eginning, e"pecially i# the child %e yo'ng, i" an

ac6'aintance $ith nat're, in $hich let him he enco'raged to o%"er!e !ital phenomena, to p't

thing" together, to "pec'late #rom $hat he "ee" to $hat he doe" not "ee+ B't let earne"t care %etaen that 'pon no matter "hall he go on taling #ooli"hly+ 7et him %e a" #anci#'l a" he may, %'t

let him not, e!en in hi" #ancy, "in again"t #ancy?" "en"eI #or #ancy ha" it" la$" a" certainly a" the

mo"t ordinary %'"ine"" o# li#e+ hen he i" "illy, let him no$ it and %e a"hamed+

B't $here thi" a""ociation $ith nat're i" %'t occa"ionally po""i%le, reco'r"e m'"t %e had to

literat're+ *n %oo", $e not only ha!e "tore o# all re"'lt" o# the imagination, %'t in them, a" in her

$or"hop, $e may %ehold her em%odying %e#ore o'r !ery eye", in m'"ic o# "peech, in $onder o#



$ord", till her $or, lie a golden di"h "et $ith "hining e$el", and adorned %y the hand" o# the

c'nning $ormen, "tand" #ini"hed %e#ore '"+ *n thi" ind, then, the %e"t m'"t %e "et %e#ore the

learner, that he may eat and not %e "ati"#iedI #or the #ine"t prod'ct" o# the imagination are o# the %e"t no'ri"hment #or the %eginning" o# that imagination+ (nd the mind o# the teacher m'"t

mediate %et$een the $or o# art and the mind o# the p'pil, %ringing them together in the !ital

contact o# intelligenceI directing the o%"er!ation to the line" o# epre""ion, the point" o# #orceIand helping the mind to repo"e 'pon the $hole, "o that no "epara%le %ea'tie" "hall lead to a

neglect o# the "cope--that i" the "hape or #orm complete+ (nd e!er he m'"t "ee to K"ho$K

ecellence rather than tal a%o't it, gi!ing the thing it"el#, that it may gro$ into the mind, andnot a e'logy o# hi" o$n 'pon the thingI i"olating the point $orthy o# remar rather than maing

many remar" 'pon the point+

"pecially m'"t he endea!o'r to "ho$ the "pirit'al "ca##olding or "eleton o# any $or o# artItho"e main idea" 'pon $hich the "hape i" con"tr'cted, and aro'nd $hich the re"t gro'p a"

mini"tering dependencie"+

B't he $ill not, there#ore, pa"" o!er that intellect'al "tr'ct're $itho't $hich the other co'ld not %e mani#e"ted+ &e $ill not #orget the %'ilder $hile he admire" the architect+ hile he d$ell"

$ith delight on the relation o# the pec'liar arch to the meaning o# the $hole cathedral, he $ill notthin it needle"" to eplain the principle" on $hich it i" con"tr'cted, or e!en ho$ tho"e principle"

are carried o't in act'al proce""+ either yet $ill the tracery o# it" $indo$", the #oliage o# it"

crocet", or the #retting o# it" mo'lding" %e #orgotten+ !ery %ea'ty $ill ha!e it" $ord, only all %ea'tie" $ill %e "'%ordinated to the #inal %ea'ty--that i", the 'nity o# the $hole+

h'" doing, he "hall per#orm the tr'e o##ice o# #riend"hip+ &e $ill introd'ce hi" p'pil into the

"ociety $hich he him"el# prie" mo"t, "'rro'nding him $ith the genial pre"ence o# the high-minded, that thi" good company may $or it" o$n ind in him $ho #re6'ent" it+

B't he $ill lie$i"e "ee to t'rn him a"ide #rom "'ch company, $hether o# %oo" or o# men, a"might tend to lo$er hi" re!erence, hi" choice, or hi" "tandard+ &e $ill, there#ore, di"co'rage

indi"criminate reading, and that $or"e than $a"te $hich con"i"t" in "imming the %oo" o# a

circ'lating li%rary+ &e no$" that i# a %oo i" $orth reading at all, it i" $orth reading $ellI andthat, i# it i" not $orth reading, it i" only to the mo"t accompli"hed reader that it KcanK %e $orth

"imming+ &e $ill "ee to mae him di"cern, not merely %et$een the good and the e!il, %'t

%et$een the good and the not "o good+ (nd thi" not #or the "ae o# "harpening the intellect, "till

le"" o# generating that "el#-"ati"#action $hich i" the clo"e"t attendant 'pon critici"m, %'t #or the"ae o# choo"ing the %e"t path and the %e"t companion" 'pon it+ ( "pirit o# critici"m #or the "ae

o# di"ting'i"hing only, or, #ar $or"e, #or the "ae o# ha!ing one?" opinion ready 'pon demand, i"

not merely rep'l"i!e to all tr'e thiner", %'t i", in it"el#, de"tr'cti!e o# all thining+ ( "pirit o#critici"m #or the "ae o# the tr'th--a "pirit that doe" not "tart #rom it" cham%er at e!ery noi"e, %'t

$ait" till it" pre"ence i" de"ired--cannot, indeed, garni"h the ho'"e, %'t can "$eep it clean+ ere

there eno'gh o# "'ch $i"e critici"m, there $o'ld %e ten time" the "t'dy o# the %e"t $riter" o# the pa"t, and perhap" one-tenth o# the admiration #or the ephemeral prod'ction" o# the day+ (

gathered mo'ntain o# mi"placed $or"hip" $o'ld %e "$ept into the "ea %y the "t'dy o# one good

%ooI and $hile $hat $a" good in an in#erior %oo $o'ld "till %e admired, the relati!e po"ition

o# the %oo $o'ld %e altered and it" in#l'ence le""ened+



peaing o# tr'e learning, 7ord Bacon "ay"A @*t taeth a$ay !ain admiration o# anything, K$hich

i" the root o# all $eane""K+@

he right teacher $o'ld ha!e hi" p'pil ea"y to plea"e, %'t ill to "ati"#yI ready to enoy, 'nready to

em%raceI een to di"co!er %ea'ty, "lo$ to "ay, @&ere * $ill d$ell+@

B't he $ill not con#ine hi" in"tr'ction" to the region o# art+ &e $ill enco'rage him to read hi"tory

$ith an eye eager #or the da$ning #ig're o# the pa"t+ &e $ill e"pecially "ho$ him that a great part o# the Bi%le i" only th'" to %e 'nder"toodI and that the con"tant and con"i"tent $ay o# God,

to %e di"co!ered in it, i" in #act the ey to all hi"tory+

*n the hi"tory o# indi!id'al", a" $ell, he $ill try to "ho$ him ho$ to p't "ign and toen together,con"tr'cting not indeed a $hole, %'t a pro%a%le "'gge"tion o# the $hole+

(nd, again, $hile "ho$ing him the re#le o# nat're in the poet", he $ill not %e "ati"#ied $itho't

"ending him to at're her"el#I 'rging him in co'ntry ram%le" to eep open eye" #or the "$eet#a"hioning" and %lending" o# her operation aro'nd himI and in city $al" to $atch the @h'man

#ace di!ine+@

;nce moreA he $ill point o't to him the e""ential di##erence %et$een re!erie and tho'ghtI

%et$een dreaming and imagining+ &e $ill teach him not to mi"tae #ancy, either in him"el# or inother" #or imagination, and to %e$are o# h'nting a#ter re"em%lance" that carry $ith them no

interpretation+

'ch training i" not "olely #itted #or the po""i%le de!elopment o# arti"tic #ac'lty+ e$, in thi"$orld, $ill e!er %e a%le to 'tter $hat they #eel+ e$er "till $ill %e a%le to 'tter it in #orm" o# their

o$n+ or i" it nece""ary that there "ho'ld %e many "'ch+ B't it i" nece""ary that all "ho'ld #eel+ *t

i" nece""ary that all "ho'ld 'nder"tand and imagine the goodI that all "ho'ld %egin, at lea"t, to#ollo$ and #ind o't God+

@he glory o# God i" to conceal a thing, %'t the glory o# the ing i" to #ind it o't,@ "ay" olomon+@(" i#,@ remar" Bacon on the pa""age, @according to the innocent play o# children, the Di!ine

Mae"ty too delight to hide hi" $or", to the end to ha!e them #o'nd o'tI and a" i# ing" co'ld

not o%tain a greater hono'r than to %e God?" play#ello$" in that game+@

;ne more 6'otation #rom the %oo o# ccle"ia"te", "etting #orth %oth the nece""ity $e are 'nder

to imagine, and the com#ort that o'r imagining cannot o't"trip God?" maing+

@* ha!e "een the tra!ail $hich God hath gi!en to the "on" o# men to %e eerci"ed in it+ &e hath

made e!erything %ea'ti#'l in hi" timeI al"o he hath "et the $orld in their heart, "o that no man

can #ind o't the $or that God maeth #rom the %eginning to the end+@

h'" to %e play#ello$" $ith God in thi" game, the little one" may gather their dai"ie" and #ollo$

their painted moth"I the child o# the ingdom may pore 'pon the lilie" o# the #ield, and gather



Documents

George MacDonald Biography and Imagination