miscellaneous papers(各种各样的文件)-第14章
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Macaulay in the House of Commons last Tuesday night； in which that
accomplished gentleman hardly seemed to recognise the possibility of
anybody entertaining an honest conviction of the inutility and bad effects
of Capital Punishment in the abstract； founded on inquiry and reflection；
without being the victim of 〃a kind of effeminate feeling〃。 Without
staying to inquire what there may be that is especially manly and heroic in
the advocacy of the gallows； or to express my admiration of Mr。 Calcraft；
the hangman； as doubtless one of the most manly specimens now in
existence； I would simply hint a doubt； in all good humour； whether this
be the true Macaulay way of meeting a great question？ One of the
instances of effeminacy of feeling quoted by Mr。 Macaulay； I have reason
to think was not quite fairly stated。 I allude to the petition in Tawell's
case。 I had neither hand nor part in it myself； but； unless I am greatly
mistaken； it did pretty clearly set forth that Tawell was a most abhorred
villain； and that the House might conclude how strongly the petitioners
were opposed to the Punishment of Death； when they prayed for its non…
infliction even in such a case。
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MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS
THE SPIRIT OF CHIVALRY IN
WESTMINSTER HALL
〃Of all the cants that are canted in this canting world；〃 wrote Sterne；
〃kind Heaven defend me from the cant of Art！〃 We have no intention of
tapping our little cask of cant； soured by the thunder of great men's fame；
for the refreshment of our readers： its freest draught would be
unreasonably dear at a shilling； when the same small liquor may be had for
nothing； at innumerable ready pipes and conduits。
But it is a main part of the design of this Magazine to sympathise with
what is truly great and good； to scout the miserable discouragements that
beset； especially in England； the upward path of men of high desert； and
gladly to give honour where it is due； in right of Something achieved；
tending to elevate the tastes and thoughts of all who contemplate it； and
prove a lasting credit to the country of its birth。
Upon the walls of Westminster Hall； there hangs； at this time； such a
Something。 A composition of such marvellous beauty； of such infinite
variety； of such masterly design； of such vigorous and skilful drawing； of
such thought and fancy； of such surprising and delicate accuracy of detail；
subserving one grand harmony； and one plain purpose； that it may be
questioned whether the Fine Arts in any period of their history have
known a more remarkable performance。
It is the cartoon of Daniel Maclise； 〃executed by order of the
Commissioners〃； and called The Spirit of Chivalry。 It may be left an
open question； whether or no this allegorical order on the part of the
Commissioners； displays any uncommon felicity of idea。 We rather think
not； and are free to confess that we should like to have seen the
Commissioners' notion of the Spirit of Chivalry stated by themselves； in
the first instance； on a sheet of foolscap； as the ground…plan of a model
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MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS
cartoon； with all the commissioned proportions of height and breadth。
That the treatment of such an abstraction； for the purposes of Art； involves
great and peculiar difficulties； no one who considers the subject for a
moment can doubt。 That nothing is easier to render it absurd and
monstrous； is a position as little capable of dispute by anybody who has
beheld another cartoon on the same subject in the same Hall； representing
a Ghoule in a state of raving madness； dancing on a Body in a very high
wind； to the great astonishment of John the Baptist's head； which is
looking on from a corner。
Mr。 Maclise's handling of the subject has by this time sunk into the
hearts of thousands upon thousands of people。 It is familiar knowledge
among all classes and conditions of men。 It is the great feature within the
Hall； and the constant topic of discourse elsewhere。 It has awakened in
the great body of society a new interest in； and a new perception and a
new love of； Art。 Students of Art have sat before it； hour by hour；
perusing in its many forms of Beauty； lessons to delight the world； and
raise themselves； its future teachers； in its better estimation。 Eyes well
accustomed to the glories of the Vatican； the galleries of Florence； all the
mightiest works of art in Europe； have grown dim before it with the strong
emotions it inspires； ignorant； unlettered； drudging men； mere hewers and
drawers； have gathered in a knot about it （as at our back a week ago）； and
read it； in their homely language； as it were a Book。 In minds； the
roughest and the most refined； it has alike found quick response； and will；
and must； so long as it shall hold together。
For how can it be otherwise？ Look up； upon the pressing throng who
strive to win distinction from the Guardian Genius of all noble deeds and
honourable renown；a gentle Spirit； holding her fair state for their reward
and recognition （do not be alarmed； my Lord Chamberlain； this is only in
a picture）； and say what young and ardent heart may not find one to beat
in unison with itbeat high with generous aspiration like its ownin
following their onward course； as it is traced by this great pencil！ Is it
the Love of Woman； in its truth and deep devotion； that inspires you？
See it here！ Is it Glory； as the world has learned to call the pomp and
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MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS
circumstance of arms？ Behold it at the summit of its exaltation； with its
mailed hand resting on the altar where the Spirit ministers。 The Poet's
laurel…crown； which they who sit on thrones can neither twine or witheris
that the aim of thy ambition？ It is there； upon his brow； it wreathes his
stately forehead； as he walks apart and holds communion with himself。
The Palmer and the Bard are there； no solitary wayfarers； now； but two of
a great company of pilgrims； climbing up to honour by the different paths
that lead to the great end。 And sure； amidst the gravity and beauty of
them all… …unseen in his own form； but shining in his spirit； out of every
gallant shape and earnest thoughtthe Painter goes triumphant！
Or say that you who look upon this work； be old； and bring to it grey
hairs； a head bowed down； a mind on which the day of life has spent itself；
and the calm evening closes gently in。 Is its appeal to you confined to its
presentment of the Past？ Have you no share in this； but while the grace
of youth and the strong resolve of maturity are yours to aid you？ Look
up again。 Look up where the spirit is enthroned； and see about her；
reverend men； whose task is done； whose struggle is no more； who cluster
round her as her train and council； who have lost no share
