We would have it
ever present consciously or unconsciously in the minds of all as the
central faith in which they should live and move and have their being,
as the touchstone of all things whereby they may be known as good or
evil according as they make for good breeding or against.
That a man should have been bred well and breed others well; that
his figure, head, hands, feet, voice, manner, and clothes should carry
conviction upon this point, so that no one can look at him without
seeing that he has come of good stock and is likely to throw good
stock himself, this is the desiderandum. And the same with a woman.
The greatest number of these well-bred men and women, and the greatest
happiness of these well-bred men and women, this is the highest
good; towards this all government, all social conventions, all art,
literature, and science should directly or indirectly tend. Holy men
and holy women are those who keep this unconsciously in view at all
times whether of work or pastime."
If Ernest had published this work in his own name I should think
it would have fallen still-born from the press, but the form he had
chosen was calculated at that time to arouse curiosity, and as I
have said he had wickedly dropped a few hints which the reviewers
did not think anyone would have been impudent enough to do if he
were not a bishop, or at any rate someone in authority.
Pages:
649
650
651
652
653
654
655
656
657
658
659
660
661
662
663
664
665
666
667
668
669
670
671
672
673