THE ADVANTAGES OF TREADING THE BORDERLAND OF VICE.
Among the diversions indulged in at Heidelberg, during the accidental
reunion of the Claghorns, there had been one particularly affected by
Professor and philosopher. The early education of these two had been
identical; their later training had progressed on widely diverging
lines. The Reverend Jared had continued in the path in which his
footsteps had been placed in childhood, while Beverley had wandered far.
Yet, being by inheritance as nearly alike as may be two who, descended
from a common ancestor, partake of marked ancestral traits, agreement
between them in reference to a matter wherein their views clashed was
impossible; which fact had sufficed to lend a charm to disputation.
A favorite theme of discussion had been discovered in the serious
problems connected with the training of youth. The clergyman had a son
who embodied his theories; the philosopher was the father of a daughter
educated upon a plan of his own. Each was paternally satisfied with
results so far, and each hoped for further development equally
gratifying.
The philosopher preached from a text which may be briefly stated in the
words of the proverb, which informs us that "Familiarity breeds
contempt." He would apply this maxim to evil and use knowledge as the
shield of youth. Whereas the Professor, relying upon the truth contained
in the adage, "Ignorance is bliss," and maintaining that modified bliss
in this world and perfect bliss in the world to come are the proper
objects of man's endeavor, logically contended that ignorance of evil, a
thing in its nature sure to breed sorrow, was to be encouraged.
"The true way to appreciate the dangers which must inevitably beset
youth is to become familiar with them. Distance lends enchantment. That
closer inspection of vice which may be derived from acquaintance with
its borderland, wherein the feet of the novice may be taught to tread
warily, will result in indifference, if not disgust. As long as there is
ignorance there will be curiosity, which is more dangerous than
knowledge." Thus had spoken the philosopher. To which the Professor had
replied: "Yet I will not assume that you wish your daughter to tread the
borderland of vice?"
"Certainly I do; limiting her steps to the borderland of the vices to
which she is to be exposed. I admit that a man cannot, as readily as a
woman, take cognizance of such vices. It is my misfortune and my
daughter's that her mother died at her birth; but I have endeavored to
make her superior to the glaring defects of her sex. She is not petty.
She yearns neither for bonnets nor beatitudes. Without attempting, in
the ignorance inseparable from my sex, to instruct her in detail, I have
always had in view the enlargement of her mind."
"By educating her as a Frenchwoman!"
"Pardon me, no. Much as I admire the French, I do not approve their
system of female education, which, by the way, resembles the course you
have pursued with your son. I do not question its frequent excellent
results, nor can I question its failures. My daughter's schooling has
been only partially French. Travel and indiscriminate reading--I have
largely relied on these."
"I am willing to admit, Cousin, that the apparent results in those
matters which you deem of most importance ought to be gratifying. It is
no exaggeration to say that my young cousin is a charming girl. But her
life has not been lived."
"No. Therefore, we cannot fairly speculate as to the outcome. Meanwhile,
as far as my system has reached, it is gratifying, as you confess."
"The same can be said of mine."
"Doubtless. But has your son's life been lived? Thus far, you have as
much reason for satisfaction as I have. I hope that you will never be
compelled to admit that innocence, based on ignorance, is a weak barrier
to oppose to the inevitable temptations which beset young men."
"Innocence fortified by religious principle, early instilled," had been
the solemn reply.
M. Claghorn understood the solemnity and braved the possible results of
a confession which he was willing to make rather than be further exposed
to the occasional somewhat annoying admonitory tone of his companion.
"I am a living example of the futility of that contention," he answered.
"I do not wish to be understood as admitting that I have been unduly
addicted to vice, which would not be true; but I have tasted of
forbidden fruit. I found it unsatisfactory. I base my theory on careful
observation and some personal experience."
Cousin Jared groaned inwardly, but made no answer. Exhortation was on
his tongue's end, but, as the philosopher had desired, he recognized its
futility.
Indulgence in wine was one of those vices which the Reverend Jared had
found reprehensible, a practice which it grieved him to observe was
permitted by the lax views of all those Claghorns, except himself and
Leonard, who were sojourning together. It is not to be assumed that
these people indulged in unseemly intoxication. Of so untoward a result
the Professor had no fear. He objected to wine-drinking as offering an
evil example. The fact that in so doing he discredited the first miracle
of his Saviour was a difficulty easily surmounted by a nimble
theologian.
"You are so fierce about wine that one would think you had a personal
hatred toward liquor," Beverley had said to him laughingly.
"I have, 'Liph. Jeremiah Morley----" He said no more, remembering who
Jeremiah Morley had been.
"It is fanaticism, Jared; absolutely incomprehensible. Your son, even
though a clergyman, must live in the world. I don't say make him
worldly, but don't let him remain in complete ignorance. He is a
handsome fellow, amiable, intelligent--really too good for a parson."
"Which you intended to be; which your father, grandfather and
great-grandfather were."
"Don't think I depreciate them. But your boy is hardly formed on the
Claghorn pattern. He has probably more of the Morleys. His mother must
have been a very beautiful woman, if he resembles her."
"As good as she was beautiful," sighed the widower. "Yes, Leonard
resembles the Morleys--the best of them."
And so the discussion had terminated. It has been recorded here to
indicate paternal views as to the education of youth. In the practice of
the views he held, Professor Claghorn had been ably seconded by an
excellent and pious wife, and had he been alive to see the result in the
young man who had just left Paula Lynford, he must assuredly have
observed the proved soundness of his theories and practice.