IN WHICH JACK TAKES UP THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ARGUMENT, AND PROVES THAT
HE CAN ARGUE AS WELL ON ONE SIDE AS THE OTHER.
This scene may give some idea of the state of Mr Easy's household upon
our hero's arrival. The poor lunatic, for such we must call him, was at
the mercy of his servants, who robbed, laughed at, and neglected him.
The waste and expense were enormous. Our hero, who found how matters
stood, went to bed, and lay the best part of the night revolving what to
do. He determined to send for Dr Middleton, and consult him.
The next morning Jack rose early; Mesty was in the room, with warm
water, as soon as he rang.
"By de power, Massa Easy, your fader very silly old man."
"I'm afraid so," replied Jack.
"He not right here," observed Mesty, putting his fingers to his head.
Jack sighed, and desired Mesty to send one of the grooms up to the door.
When the man knocked he desired him to mount a horse and ride over to
Dr Middleton, and request his immediate attendance.
The man, who was really a good servant, replied, "Yes, sir," very
respectfully, and hastened away.
Jack went down to breakfast, and found it all ready, but his father was
not in the room: he went to his study, and found him occupied with a
carpenter who was making a sort of a frame as the model of the platform
or dais to be raised under the wonderful invention. Mr Easy was so
busy that he could not come to breakfast, so Jack took his atone. An
hour after this Dr Middleton's carriage drove up to the door. The
doctor heartily greeted our hero.
"My dear sir--for so I suppose I must now call you--I am heartily glad
that you have returned. I can assure you that it is not a moment too
soon."
"I have found that out already, doctor," replied Jack: "sit down. Have
you breakfasted?"
"No, I have not; for I was so anxious to see you, that I ordered my
carriage at once."
"Then sit down, doctor, and we will talk over matters quietly."
"You, of course, perceive the state of your father. He has been some
time quite unfit to manage his own affairs."
"So I am afraid."
"What do you intend to do then--put them in the hands of trustees?"
"I will be trustee for myself, Dr Middleton. I could not do the other
without submitting my poor father to a process and confinement which I
cannot think of."
"I can assure you that there are not many in Bedlam worse than he is;
but I perfectly agree with you; that is, if he will consent to your
taking charge of the property."
"A power of attorney will be all that is requisite," replied Jack; "that
is, as soon as I have rid the house of the set of miscreants who are in
it, and who are now in open mutiny."
"I think," replied the doctor, "that you will have some trouble. You
know the character of the butler."
"Yes, I have it from my father's own mouth. I really should take it as
a great favour, Dr Middleton, if you could stay here a day or two. I
know that you have retired from practice."
"I would have made the same offer, my young friend. I will come here
with two of my servants; for you must discharge these."
"I have one of my own who is worth his weight in gold--that will be
sufficient. I will dismiss every man you think I ought, and as for the
women, we can give them warning, and replace them at leisure."
"That is exactly what I should propose," replied the doctor. "I will
now go, if you please, procure the assistance of a couple of constables,
and also of your father's former, legal adviser, who shall prepare a
power of attorney."
"Yes," replied Jack, "and we must then find out the tenants who refuse
to pay upon the principles of equality, and he shall serve them with
notice immediately."
"I am rejoiced, my dear young friend, to perceive that your father's
absurd notions have not taken root."
"They lasted some time nevertheless, doctor," replied Jack, laughing.
"Well then, I will only quit you for an hour or two, and then, as you
wish it, will take up my quarters here as long as you find me useful."
In the forenoon, Dr Middleton again made his appearance, accompanied by
Mr Hanson, the solicitor, bringing with him his portmanteau and his
servants. Mr Easy had come into the parlour, and was at breakfast when
they entered. He received them very coolly; but a little judicious
praise of the wonderful invention had its due effect; and after Jack had
reminded him of his promise that in future he was to control the
household, he was easily persuaded to sign the order for his so doing--
that is, the power of attorney.
Mr Easy also gave up to Jack the key of his secretary, and Mr Hanson
possessed himself of the books, papers, and receipts necessary to
ascertain the state of his affairs, and the rents which had not yet been
paid up. In the meantime the constables arrived. The servants were all
summoned; Mr Hanson showed them the power of attorney empowering Jack
to act for his father, and in less than half an hour afterwards all the
men-servants, but two grooms, were dismissed: the presence of the
constables and Mesty prevented any resistance, but not without various
threats on the part of the butler, whose name was O'Rourke. Thus, in
twenty-four hours, Jack had made a reformation in the household.
Mr Easy took no notice of anything; he returned to his study and his
wonderful invention. Mesty had received the keys of the cellar, and had
now complete control over those who remained. Dr Middleton, Mr
Hanson, Mr Easy, and Jack, sat down to dinner, and everything wore the
appearance of order and comfort. Mr Easy ate very heartily, but said
nothing till after dinner, when, as was his usual custom, he commenced
arguing upon the truth and soundness of his philosophy.
"By-the-bye, my dear son, if I recollect right, you told me last night
that you were no longer of my opinion. Now, if you please, we will
argue this point."
"I'll argue the point with all my heart, sir," replied Jack; "will you
begin?"
"Let's fill our glasses," cried Mr Easy triumphantly; "let's fill our
glasses, and then I will bring Jack back to the proper way of thinking.
Now then, my son, I trust you will not deny that we were all born
equal."
"I do deny it, sir," replied Jack; "I deny it _in toto_--I deny it from
the evidence of our own senses, and from the authority of Scripture. To
suppose all men were born equal is to suppose that they are equally
endowed with the same strength and with the same capacity of mind, which
we know is not the case. I deny it from Scripture, from which I could
quote many passages; but I will restrict myself to one--the parable of
the Talents: `To one he gave five talents, to another but one,' holding
them responsible for the trust reposed in them. We are all intended to
fill various situations in society, and are provided by Heaven
accordingly."
"That may be," replied Mr Easy; "but that does not prove that the earth
was not intended to be equally distributed among all alike."
"I beg your pardon; the proof that that was not the intention of
Providence is that that equality, allowing it to be put in practice,
could never be maintained."
"Not maintained!--no, because the strong oppress the weak, tyrants rise
up and conquer--men combine to do wrong."
"Not so, my dear father; I say it could not be maintained without the
organisation of each individual had been equalised and several other
points established. For instance, allowing that every man had, _ab
origine_, a certain portion of ground, he who was the strongest or the
cleverest would soon cause his to yield more than others would, and thus
the equality be destroyed. Again, if one couple had ten children, and
another had none, then again would equality be broken in upon, as the
land that supports two in the one instance, would have to feed twelve in
the other. You perceive, therefore, that without rapine or injustice
your equality could not be preserved."
"But, Jack, allowing that there might be some diversity from such
causes, that would be a very different thing from the present monstrous
state of society, in which we have kings, and lords, and people, rolling
in wealth, while others are in a state of pauperism, and obliged to
steal for their daily bread."
"My dear father, I consider that it is to this inequality that society
owes its firmest cementation, that we are enabled to live in peace and
happiness, protected by just laws, each doing his duty in that state of
life to which he is called, rising above or sinking in the scale of
society according as he has been entrusted with the five talents or the
one. Equality can and does exist nowhere. We are told that it does not
exist in heaven itself--how can it exist upon earth?"
"But that is only asserted, Jack, and it is not proof that it ought not
to exist."
"Let us argue the point, father, coolly. Let us examine a little what
would be the effect if all was equality. Were all equal in beauty,
there would be no beauty, for beauty is only by comparison--were all
equal in strength, conflicts would be interminable--were all equal in
rank, and power, and possessions, the greatest charms of existence would
be destroyed--generosity, gratitude, and half the finer virtues would be
unknown. The first principle of our religion, charity, could not be
practised--pity would never be called forth--benevolence, your great
organ, would be useless, and self-denial a blank letter. Were all equal
in ability, there would be no instruction, no talent--no genius--nothing
to admire, nothing to copy, to respect--nothing to rouse emulation or
stimulate to praiseworthy ambition. Why, my dear father, what an idle,
unprofitable, weary world would this be, if it were based on equality!"
"But, allowing all that, Jack," replied Mr Easy, "and I will say you
argue well in a bad cause, why should the inequality be carried so far?
king and lords, for instance."
"The most lasting and imperishable form of building is that of the
pyramid, which defies ages, and to that may the most perfect form of
society be compared. It is based upon the many, and rising by degrees,
it becomes less as wealth, talent, and rank increase in the individual,
until it ends at the apex, or monarch, above all. Yet each several
stone from the apex to the base is necessary for the preservation of the
structure, and fulfils its duty in its allotted place. Could you prove
that those at the summit possess the greatest share of happiness in this
world, then, indeed, you have a position to argue on; but it is well
known that such is not the case; and, provided he is of a contented
mind, the peasant is more happy than the king, surrounded as the latter
is by cares and anxiety."
"Very well argued indeed, my dear sir," observed Dr Middleton.
"But, my dear boy, there are other states of society than monarchy; we
have republics and despotisms."
"We have, but how long do they last, compared to the first? There is a
cycle in the changes which never varies. A monarchy may be overthrown
by a revolution, and republicanism succeed, but that is shortly followed
by despotism, till, after a time, monarchy succeeds again by unanimous
consent, as the most legitimate and equitable form of government; but in
none of these do you find a single advance to equality. In a republic
those who govern are more powerful than the rulers in a restricted
monarchy--a president is greater than a king, and next to a despot,
whose will is law. Even in small societies you find that some will
naturally take the lead and assume domination. We commence the system
at school, when we are first thrown into society, and there we are
taught systems of petty tyranny. There are some few points in which we
can obtain equality in this world, and that equality can only be
obtained under a well-regulated form of society, and consists in an
equal administration of justice and of laws to which we have agreed to
submit for the benefit of the whole--the equal right to live and not be
permitted to starve, which has been obtained in this country. And when
we are all called to account, we shall have equal justice. Now, my dear
father, you have my opinion."
"Yes, my dear, this is all very well in the abstract; but how does it
work?"
"It works well. The luxury, the pampered state, the idleness--if you
please, the wickedness of the rich, all contribute to the support, the
comfort, and employment of the poor. You may behold extravagance--it is
a vice; but that very extravagance circulates money, and the vice of one
contributes to the happiness of many. The only vice which is not
redeemed by producing commensurate good, is avarice. If all were equal
there would be no arts, no manufactures, no industry, no employment. As
it is, the inequality of the distribution of wealth may be compared to
the heart, pouring forth the blood like a steam-engine through the human
frame, the same blood returning from the extremities by the veins, to be
again propelled, and keep up a healthy and vigorous circulation."
"Bravo, Jack!" said Dr Middleton. "Have you anything to reply, sir?"
continued he, addressing Mr Easy.
"To reply, sir?" replied Mr Easy with scorn, "why, he has not given me
half an argument yet--why, that black servant even laughs at him--look
at him there, showing his teeth. Can he forget the horrors of slavery?
can he forget the base unfeeling lash?--no, sir, he has suffered, and he
can estimate the divine right of equality. Ask him now, ask him if you
dare, Jack, whether he will admit the truth of your argument."
"Well, I'll ask him," replied Jack, "and I tell you candidly that he was
once one of your disciples. Mesty, what's your opinion of equality?"
"Equality, Massa Easy?" replied Mesty, pulling up his cravat; "I say
damn equality, now I major domo."
"The rascal deserves to be a slave all his life."
"True, I ab been slave--but I a prince in my own country--Massa Easy
tell how many skulls I have."
"Skulls--skulls--do you know anything of the sublime science; are you a
phrenologist?"
"I know man's skull very well in Ashantee country, anyhow."
"Then if you know that, you must be one. I had no idea that the science
had extended so far--maybe it was brought from thence. I will have some
talk with you to-morrow. This is very curious, Dr Middleton, is it
not?"
"Very, indeed, Mr Easy."
"I shall feel his head to-morrow after breakfast, and if there is
anything wrong I shall correct it with my machine. By-the-bye, I have
quite forgot, gentlemen; you will excuse me, but I wish to see what the
carpenter has done for me, and after that I shall attend the meeting of
the society. Jack, my boy, won't you come and hear my speech."
"Thank you, sir, but I cannot well leave your friends."
Mr Easy quitted the room.
"Are you aware, my dear sir, that your father has opened his preserves
to all the poachers?" said Mr Hanson.
"The devil he has!"
"Yes, he has allowed several gangs of gipsies to locate themselves in
his woods, much to the annoyance of the neighbourhood, who suffer from
their depredations," continued Dr Middleton.
"I find, by the receipts and books, that there is nearly two years'
rental of the estate due; some tenants have paid up in full, others not
for four years. I reckon fourteen thousand pounds still in arrear."
"You will oblige me by taking immediate steps, Mr Hanson, for the
recovery of the sums due."
"Most certainly, Mr John. I trust your father will not commit himself
to-night as he has done lately."
When they rose to retire Dr Middleton took our hero by the hand. "You
do not know, my dear fellow, what pleasure it gives me to find that, in
spite of the doting of your mother and the madness of your father, you
have turned out so well. It is very fortunate that you have come home;
I trust you will now give up the profession."
"I have given it up, sir; which, by-the-bye, reminds me that I have not
applied for either my discharge or that of my servant; but I cannot
spare time yet, so I shall not report myself."