ell as from much other
testimony, I have been led to infer that the doses of mystification
which appear to be necessary to the happiness of the human race require
to be mixed with an experienced and a delicate hand. Our organs, both
physically and morally, are so fearfully constituted that they require
to be protected from realities. As the physical eye has need of clouded
glass to look steadily at the sun so it would seem the mind's eye has
also need of something smoky to look steadily at truth. But, while I
avoided laying open the secret of my heart to Anna, I sought various
opportunities to converse with Dr. Etherington and my father on
those points which gave me the most concern. From the first, I heard
principles which went to show that society was of necessity divided into
orders; that it was not only impolitic but wicked to weaken the barriers
by which they were separated; that Heaven had its seraphs and cherubs,
its archangels and angels, its saints and its merely happy, and that,
by obvious induction, this world ought to have its kings, lords,
and commons. The usual winding-up of all the Doctor's essays was a
lamentation on the confusion in classes that was visiting England as
a judgment. My ancestor, on the other hand, cared little for social
classification, or for any other conservatory expedient but force. On
this topic he would talk all day, regiments and bayonets glittering in
every sentence. When most eloquent on this theme he would cry (like Mr.
Manners Sutton), "ORDER--order!" nor can I recall a single disquisition
that did not end with, "Alas, Jack, property is in danger!"

I shall not say that my mind entirely escaped confusion among these
conflicting opinions, although I luckily got a glimpse of one important
truth, for both the commentators cordially agreed in fearing and, of
necessity, in hating the mass of their fellow-creatures. My own natural
disposition was inclining to philanthropy, and as I was unwilling to
admit the truth of theories that arrayed me in open hostility against so
large a portion of mankind, I soon determined to set up one of my own,
which, while it avoided the faults, should include the excellences of
both the others. It was, of course, no great affair merely to form such
a resolution; but I shall have occasion to say a word hereafter on the
manner in which I attempted to carry it out in practice.

Time moved on, and Anna became each day more beautiful. I thought that
she had