er
employed comes into play in the harmony desired, and none be quenched
nor killed, purity results. And so in all cases I suppose that pureness
is made to us desirable, because expressive of the constant presence and
energizing of the Deity in matter, through which all things live and
move, and have their being, and that foulness is painful as the
accompaniment of disorder and decay, and always indicative of the
withdrawal of Divine support. And the practical analogies of life, the
invariable connection of outward foulness with mental sloth and
degradation, as well as with bodily lethargy and disease, together with
the contrary indications of freshness and purity belonging to every
healthy and active organic frame, (singularly seen in the effort of the
young leaves when first their inward energy prevails over the earth,
pierces its corruption, and shakes its dust away from their own white
purity of life,) all these circumstances strengthen the instinct by
associations countless and irresistible. And then, finally, with the
idea of purity comes that of spirituality, for the essential
characteristic of matter is its inertia, whence, by adding to it purity
or energy, we may in some measure spiritualize even matter itself. Thus
in the descriptions of the Apocalypse it is its purity that fits it for
its place in heaven; the river of the water of life, that proceeds out
of the throne of the Lamb, is clear as crystal, and the pavement of the
city is pure gold, like unto clear glass.[28]

FOOTNOTES

[26] The reader will observe that I am speaking at present of mere
material qualities. If he would obtain perfect ideas respecting
loveliness of luminous surface, let him closely observe a swan with
its wings expanded in full light five minutes before sunset. The
human cheek or the rose leaf are perhaps hardly so pure, and the
forms of snow, though individually as beautiful, are less
exquisitely combined.

[27] [Greek: hos d' ote tis t' elephanta gyne phoiniki miene
Meonis.]

So Spenser of Shamefacedness, an exquisite piece of glowing
color--and sweetly of Belphoebe--(so the roses and lilies of all
poets.) Compare the making of the image of Florimell.

"The substance whereof she the body made
Was purest snow, in massy mould congealed,
Which she had gathered in a shady glade
Of the Riphoean h