diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 22708-0.txt | 860 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 22708-0.zip | bin | 0 -> 18674 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 22708-8.txt | 859 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 22708-8.zip | bin | 0 -> 18591 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 22708-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 19920 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 22708-h/22708-h.htm | 939 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 22708.txt | 859 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 22708.zip | bin | 0 -> 18570 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/22708-h.htm.2021-01-25 | 938 |
12 files changed, 4471 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/22708-0.txt b/22708-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ebe68d9 --- /dev/null +++ b/22708-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,860 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Positive Romance, by Edward Bellamy + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Positive Romance + 1898 + +Author: Edward Bellamy + +Release Date: September 21, 2007 [EBook #22708] +Last Updated: December 18, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A POSITIVE ROMANCE *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +A POSITIVE ROMANCE + +By Edward Bellamy + +1898 + + +My friend Hammond is a bachelor, and lives in chambers in New York. +Whenever we meet on my occasional visits to the city, he insists on my +spending the night with him. On one of these occasions we had been +at the opera during the evening, and had witnessed an ovation to a +beautiful and famous singer. We had been stirred by the enthusiasm of +the audience, and on our walk home fell to discussing a theme suggested +by the scene; namely, the tendency of man to assume a worshipful +attitude towards woman, and the reason for it. Was it merely a phase of +the passional relation between the sexes, or had it some deeper and more +mysterious significance? + +When I mentioned the former idea, Hammond demanded why this tendency +was not reciprocal between the sexes. As a matter of fact, while women +showed endless devotion and fondness for men, their feeling was without +the strain of adoration. Particular men’s qualities of mind or heart +might excite the enthusiastic admiration of women, but such admiration +was for cause, and in no way confounded with the worshipful reverence +which it was man’s instinct to extend to woman as woman, with secondary +reference to her qualities as a particular person. No fact in the +relations of men and women, he declared, was more striking than this +contrast in their mutual attitudes. It was the feminine, not the +masculine, ideal which supplied the inspiration of art and the aroma of +literature, which was found enshrined in the customs and common speech +of mankind. To this I replied that man, being the dominant sex, had +imposed his worship on the race as a conquering nation, its gods on +the conquered. He, not woman, had been the creator of the art, the +literature, and the language which were dedicated to her. Had woman been +the dominant sex, the reverse might have happened, and man been obliged +to stand upon a pedestal and be worshiped. + +Hammond laughed, but declared that I was all wrong. Man’s tendency to +worship woman, while naturally blending with his passional attraction +towards her, did not spring from the instinct of sex, but from the +instinct of race,--a far deeper and generally unrecognized impulse. +Even though woman should become some day the dominant sex, man need +suffer no apprehension of being worshiped. His modesty would be +respected. + +Some time later, when we had cozily established ourselves before a +sea-coal fire in Hammond’s quarters, with divers creature comforts at +hand for one of our usual symposiums, the subject came up again; and +under conditions so favorable to discursiveness our talk took a wide +range. + +“By the way,” said I, apropos of some remark he had made, “talking about +the adoration of woman, did not that crack-brained Frenchman, Auguste +Comte, propose something of the sort as a feature of his ‘Religion of +Humanity’?” + +Hammond nodded. + +“I wonder,” I said, “whether that feature of his scheme was ever +actually practiced by his followers. I should like to get a chance to +ask a Positivist about that, if indeed there are any in America.” + +Hammond smoked in silence for some time, and finally said, quietly, +“Possibly I might tell you something about it myself.” + +“Hello!” I exclaimed. “How long since you have been a Positivist?” + +“About twenty-five years,” was the matter-of-fact reply. + +“A Positivist of twenty-five years’ standing,” I ejaculated, “and never +told of it! Why have you hid your light under a bushel all this while?” + +“I said that it was twenty-five years since I had been a Positivist,” + replied Hammond; “as long, in fact, as it is since I have been a +sophomore. Both experiences belonged to the same year of my college +course, and, perhaps you may infer, to the same stage of intellectual +development. For about six months at that time I was as ardent a +convert, I fancy, as the Religion of Humanity ever had.” + +“I thought you had told me all about yourself long ago,” I said. “How +is it that you have kept so mum about this experience? I should fancy it +must have been a decidedly odd one.” + +“It was a very odd one,” replied Hammond,--“the strangest passage, on +the whole, I think, in my life. I have never spoken of it, because it is +one of those emotional experiences which no man likes to relate unless +he is sure of being understood. To tell it to most men would be casting +pearls before swine. I have always meant to tell you when a suitable +opportunity came up.” + +“You know,” he said, when I had signified my eagerness to hear, “that I +graduated at Leroy College. It was a little one-horse institution, but +blue as a whetstone in its orthodoxy; and with my father, who was a +clergyman of a very strait sect and staid views, that fact covered +a multitude of shortcomings. I was nineteen when I entered, and +consequently twenty when, at the beginning of sophomore year, I came +under the charge of Professor Régnier. He was a Frenchman, but spoke +English with perfect ease and precision and a very slight accent. At the +time I knew him, he was probably sixty. His hair was quite gray, but his +mustache and imperial were still dark. It was rumored among the students +that he had left his native land for political reasons, having played +for too high stakes at the national game of revolution. True or not, the +report naturally heightened the interest which his personality had for +us. + +“He made it his business to know personally all the students in his +classes; and as it is not easy for a man of sixty, especially if he is +also their teacher, to become really acquainted with students of twenty, +the fact may be taken as evidence of his unusual tact. He was, I think, +the most fascinating man I ever saw. His insight into character was like +magic, his manners were charming, and his Gallic vivacity made him seem +like a boy. Gradually, while still remaining to the rest of the students +a genial and friendly instructor, he singled out a smaller circle +of particular intimates. Of these I was one, and I believe the most +trusted. + +“Of course we boys were immensely flattered by the partiality of such +a man; but equally of course the pursuit of his own pleasure +could scarcely have been the motive which impelled him to seek our +companionship. It was, in fact, a motive as unselfish as that of the +missionary who leaves the comforts and refinements of civilization and +exiles himself among savages that he may win them to his faith. He had +been a personal friend and disciple of Auguste Comte, then but lately +dead, and on coming to America had sought his present employment, not +merely as a means of livelihood, but equally for the opportunity it +offered for propagating the new gospel among young men. Do you know much +about what Positivism is?” + +I confessed that I knew next to nothing,--scarcely more than that there +was such a thing. + +“I shall not bore you with an account of it,” resumed Hammond, “further +than to say that it is a scheme for the perfection of the human race. It +rejects as idle all theories of superhuman intelligences, and declares +the supreme object of the individual love and devotion should be +humanity. The rational demonstration of the truth of this system is +sought in the course of history, which is claimed to prove Positivism +the finality of social evolution. You will find anything else you want +to know about it in the books. I dare say you will not be converted; but +if you were nineteen instead of twice that, with Hippolyte Régnier to +indoctrinate you, I fancy the result would be about what it was in my +case. + +“His personal influence over us, and the intoxicating flattery implied +in being seriously reasoned with on themes so lofty by a man whom we +so greatly admired, would have gone far, no doubt, to commend to us any +form of opinions he might have taught; but there were not lacking other +reasons to account for his success in converting us. As for Comte’s +dogmatic denial of superhuman existence, and his fanciful schemes of new +society, we were too young and crude to realize how unphilosophic +was the former, how impossible and undesirable was the latter. While +accepting them as facts of a new creed, they meant little to us, nor +did Régnier much insist upon them. What most he did insist on was the +ethical side of Positivism,--the idea of the essential unity of the +individual with the immortal race of man, and his obvious duty to forget +self in its service. What could be better adapted to affect generous and +impassioned boys than an appeal like this? The magnificent audacity +of it, the assumption of man’s essential nobleness, the contemptuous +refusal to make any terms with selfishness, captivated our imaginations. +I know now, indeed, that this enthusiasm of humanity, this passion of +self-abnegation, which I thought a new religion, was the heart of the +old religions. In its new-fangled disguise the truth and virtue of the +doctrine were still operative, and the emotional crisis through which +I passed I found was as essentially religious as it was in form +unorthodox. + +“At the end of sophomore year there were a half-dozen very positive +young Positivists in our class. The pride of intellect which we felt in +our new enlightenment was intoxicating. To be able to look down from a +serene height, with compassion frequently tempered by contempt, upon the +rest of the world still groping in the mists of childish superstition, +was prodigiously to the taste of youths of eighteen and twenty. How, to +be sure, we did turn up our noses at the homely teachings in the college +chapel on Sundays! Well do I remember attending my father’s church when +at home on vacation, and endeavoring to assume the mental attitude of +a curious traveler in a Buddhist temple. Together with the intellectual +vanity which it fostered, our new faith was commended to us by its +flavor of the secret, the hazardous, and the forbidden. We were +delightfully conscious of being concerned in a species of conspiracy, +which if it came to light would convulse the college and the community, +have us expelled, and cause no end of scandal to the public. + +“But the more I took my new faith in earnest and tried to make of it the +religion it claimed to be, I was troubled by a lack that seemed to be +inherent. Humanity, the object of our devotion, was but an abstraction, +a rhetorical expression for a mass of individuals. To these individuals +I might indeed render affection, service, compassion, tenderness, +self-sacrifice; but their number and pettiness forbade me the glow of +adoration with which service was touched in religions which offered +a personified object of adoration. When, finally, I confided these +troubles to Régnier, I expected to be rebuked; but on the contrary, and +to my great discomfiture, he embraced me effusively after the Gallic +manner. He said that he had been waiting for the time when in the course +of my development I should become conscious of the need I had confessed +before explaining to me the provision made for it by Positivism. + +“To start with, he put in, as a sort of special plea for Positivism, +that it was not singular among religions in recognizing as the object +of devotion an abstraction, the mode of the existence of which was a +mystery. As a solace to their votaries and an aid to their faith, nearly +all religions recognized sacred emblems; not indeed to be confounded +in clear minds with the original object of devotion, but worthy of +reverence in its place, as its special representative and reminder. In +precisely this sense the sacred emblem of humanity was woman. + +“Of course, Positivism claiming to be a creed of demonstration, not of +faith, Régnier did not ask me to receive this proposition as his mere +statement, but proceeded to establish its reasonableness by logic. I +am going to give you what I remember of his argument, because I believe +still, as I did when I heard it, that it is the only philosophical +explanation of the instinctive reverence of man for woman which we +have been talking about to-night. It was given to me, of course, as +a doctrine peculiar to Positivism; but I don’t know of any form of +religious belief, inconsistent with the recognition of the sacred +quality of womanhood on the grounds given by Régnier. Indeed, I am by no +means sure whether the doctrine as I received it is orthodox Positivism +at all. I have reason to think that Régnier was quite too original a +character for a very good interpreter, and should be interested to know +how far his ideas were his own and how far his master’s. + +“First he pointed out to me as matter of fact that there was no more +striking feature of the modern and humane as compared with the ancient +and barbaric world than the constantly growing tendency of the most +civilized races to apotheosize womanhood. The virgin ideal had been set +up by the larger part of Christendom as the object of divine honors. The +age of chivalry had translated for all time the language of love into +that of worship. Art had personified under the feminine form every noble +and affecting ideal of the race, till now it was in the name of woman +that man’s better part adjured his baser in every sort of strife towards +the divine. Is it alleged that it is man’s passion for woman that has +moved him thus in a sort to deify the sex? Passion is no teacher of +reverence. Moreover, it is as the race outgrows the dominion of passion +that it recognizes the worshipfulness of woman. The gross and sensual +recognize in her no element of sacredness. It is the clear soul of the +boy, the poet, and the seer which is most surely aware of it. Equally +vain is it to seek the explanation in any general superiority of woman +to man, either moral or mental. Her qualities are indeed in engaging +contrast with his, but on the whole no such superiority has ever been +maintained. How, then, were we to account for a phenomenon so great in +its proportions that either it indicates a world-wide madness infecting +the noblest nations while sparing the basest, or else must be the +outcome of some profound monition of nature, which, in proportion as +man’s upward evolution progresses, he becomes capable of apprehending? +Why this impassioned exaltation by him of his tender companion? What +is the secret spring that makes her the ceaseless fountain of lofty +inspiration she is to him? What is the hint of divinity in her gentle +mien that brings him to his knees? Who is this goddess veiled in woman +whom men instinctively reverence yet cannot name? + +“The adoration of woman, which may almost be called the natural religion +of the modern man, springs from his recognition, instinctive when not +conscious, that she is in an express sense, as he is not, the type, the +representative, and the symbol of the race from which he springs, of +that immortal and mystical life in which the secret of his own is +hid. She is this by virtue, not of her personal qualities, but of the +mother-sex, which, overbearing in part her individuality, consecrates +her to the interests of the race, and makes her the channel of those +irresistible attractions by which humanity exists and men are made to +serve it. As compared with woman’s peculiar identification with the +race, man’s relation to it is an exterior one. By his constitution he +is above all an individual, and that is the natural line of his +development. The love of woman is the centripetal attraction which in +due time brings him back from the individual tangent to blend him again +with mankind. In returning to woman he returns to humanity. All that +there is in man’s sentiment for woman which is higher than passion and +larger than personal tenderness--all, that is to say, which makes his +love for her the grand passion which in noble hearts it is--is the +fact that under this form his passion for the race finds expression. +Mysterious ties, subtending consciousness, bind him, though seemingly +separate, to the mighty life of humanity, his greater self, and these +are the chords which, when ‘Love took up the harp of life,’... ‘passed +in music out of sight.’ In woman humanity is enshrined and made concrete +for the homage of man. This is the mighty indwelling which causes her +to suggest something more august than herself, and invests her with an +impersonal majesty commanding reverence. + +“You may imagine with what power such a doctrine as this, set forth by +an enthusiast like Régnier, appealed to the mind of an impassioned boy +of twenty, as yet pure as a girl, but long vaguely stirred by the master +passion of our nature. The other tenets of the Religion of Humanity had +been impressed upon me by argument, but at the mere statement of this my +heart responded, _O Dea Certe!_ + +“Subsequently, in response to my questioning, Régnier explained to me +how the master had recommended his disciples to give practical effect +to the cult of womanhood. I must remember that it was nothing new and +nothing peculiar to Positivism for men to adore women to the point even +of idolatry. Lovers constantly were doing it. But in these cases the +worshipers did not look beyond the personality of the idol. Possibly, +no doubt, some dim apprehension of the true grounds of woman’s +worshipfulness might mingle with the lover’s sentiment, but it was very +far from being the clear and distinct sense necessary to redeem his +homage from the charge of extravagance. On the other hand, the spirit +in which women received the homage men rendered them was usually as +mistaken as that in which it was offered. Either, on the one hand, from +an impulse of personal modesty they deprecated it, or, on the other +hand, they accepted it as a gratification to their personal vanity. In +either case, they equally misapprehended their true and valid title +to worship, which, while personal qualities might enhance or partially +obscure it, was itself in root more than personal, and consisted in the +martyr and mother sex which so peculiarly sacrificed and consecrated +them to the interests of humanity as to draw to them the homage and +loyalty of all men who loved their race. It had been the counsel of his +master, Régnier said, that, while his disciples should hold all women in +exalted reverence, they should peculiarly address this general sentiment +to some particular woman, who, being of the same faith, should be able +to accept it worthily and without self-exaltation, in the spirit in +which it was offered. + +“Of course the reflection was obvious that in the existing conditions +of the Positivist propaganda in America it would be impossible to find a +woman capable of understanding, much less of accepting, such a relation, +and, therefore, that to me the cult which I had been taught must remain +entirely theoretical. Homage from men which did not insure to the +titillation of the vanity would seem to women, as usually educated, +equally incomprehensible and unprofitable. + +“It was in recognition of this situation that Régnier ended by making a +proposition which testified, more strongly than anything else could have +done, both to the enthusiasm and sincerity with which he himself held +the faith he preached, and to his confidence in my own equal singleness +of heart. He had never before spoken of his personal history or home +life. Several times I had spent the evening at his house, but on these +occasions I had seen only himself. Certain womanly belongings, however, +which I had noticed, and the sound of a piano once or twice, had +suggested that the house might not be without a feminine presence. The +professor now told me that long ago in France, for a few short, blissful +years, he had been the husband of the sweetest of women. She had left +behind a daughter, the sole companion of his life and the apple of his +eye. She lived in complete seclusion, rarely even leaving the house. He +did not desire her to make acquaintances in this country, nor indeed +was she able to speak a word of any language but her own. There was no +question of my making her acquaintance in the ordinary sense, or even +of meeting her a second time, but if I desired to testify my new +appreciation of the sacred quality of womanhood, it was possible that +she might consent to receive my homage in the name of her sex. He could +not be sure what she would say, but he would speak with her about it. + +“The following day, a note from him requesting that I should call at +his house that evening intimated that he had succeeded in carrying his +point. When I called at the time set, he told me that he had found it +more difficult than he had anticipated to gain his daughter’s consent to +see me. She had been very reluctant to assume the attitude required of +her, and only her respect for his wishes and the good of the cause, and +the assurance he had given her of the entire ingenuousness of my own +motive, had induced her finally to yield. After some talk as to the +significance of the interview before me, which I was too much agitated +to comprehend, he bade me follow him. + +“As may readily be supposed, my fancy, from the moment Régnier had +suggested this interview, had been exceedingly busy with conjectures +as to the sort of scene it would prove, and especially as to the +personality of her who was to be the central figure. Except his +intimation that the interview would be necessarily without interchange +of speech and presumably brief, scarcely more, probably, than a +confrontation, he had told me nothing. + +“Of course, however, my fancies had not failed to take some form. I +think I had a general expectation of finding myself in the presence of a +beautiful woman, statuesquely shaped and posed. I imagine that I rather +expected her to be enthroned or standing upon some sort of dais, and +I am sure that I should not have been surprised had there been some +artificial arrangement of lights as in a theatre to add effectiveness to +the figure. + +“I followed Régnier through several rooms without raising my eyes. +Presently he paused and said, ‘My daughter.’ + +“Thrilling with the premonition of a vision of imperious or melting +loveliness which should compel my homage by its mere aspect, I raised +my eyes to find myself facing a plain-featured, plainly dressed young +woman, not ill-looking certainly, but destitute of a single trait +striking enough to have won a second glance from me had I met her on the +street. + +“Her father need not have told me of her reluctance to assume the part +his wishes had imposed upon her. For the fraction of an instant only, a +pair of black eyes had met mine, and then she had bent her face as low +as she could. The downcast head, the burning cheeks, the quick heaving +of the breast, the pendent arms, with tensely interlacing fingers and +palms turned downward, all told the story of a shy and sensitive girl +submitting from a sense of duty to a painful ordeal. + +“The sudden and complete wreck of all my preconceptions as to her +appearance, as well as the accessories of the scene, left me for a few +moments fairly dazed. Not only were my highly wrought expectations as +to the present interview brought to humiliating discomfiture, but the +influence of the disillusionment instantly retroacted with the effect +of making the entire noble and romantic cult which had led up to this +unlucky confrontation seem a mere farrago of extravagant and baseless +sentiment. What on earth had Régnier been thinking of, to plan +deliberately a situation calculated to turn a cherished sentiment into +ridicule? If he had seriously thought his daughter capable of supporting +the rôle he had assigned her, had there ever been a like case of +parental fatuity? + +“But even as I indignantly asked myself this question, I saw a great +light, and recognized that the trouble was neither with Régnier’s +fatuity nor with his daughter’s lack of charms, but with myself, and +a most unworthy misconception into which I had fallen as to the whole +object and purport of this interview. What had the beauty or the lack of +beauty of this girl to do with the present occasion? I was not here to +render homage to her for the beauty of her sex, but for its perpetual +consecration and everlasting martyrdom to my race. The revulsion of +feeling which followed the recognition of the grossness of the mistake I +had made had no doubt the effect of greatly intensifying my emotions. I +was overcome with contrition for the unworthiness with which I had stood +before this girl who had so trusted to my magnanimity, appraising her +like a sensualist when I should have been on my knees before her. A +reaction of compunctious loyalty made my very heartstrings ache. I saw +now how well it had been for a weak-minded fool like myself that she +had not chanced to be beautiful or even pretty, for then I should have +cheated myself of all that distinguished this solemn meeting from +the merest lover’s antics. I won in that moment an impression of the +tawdriness of mere beauty which I have never gotten over. It seemed to +me then, and more or less has ever since, that the beauty of women is a +sort of veil which hides from superficial eyes the true adorableness of +womanhood. + +“Unable longer to resist the magnetism of my gaze, her eyes rose slowly +to mine. At their first meeting, her face became crimson; but as she +did not avert her eyes, and continued to look into mine, the flush +paled swiftly from her face, and with it all the other evidences of +her embarrassment passed as quickly away, leaving her bearing wholly +changed. It was plain that through my eyes, which in that moment must +have been truly windows of my soul, she had read my inmost thoughts, +and had perceived how altogether impertinent to their quality +self-consciousness on her part would be. As with a gaze growing ever +more serene and steadfast she continued to read my thoughts, her face +changed, and from the look of a shy and timid maiden it gradually took +on that of a conscious goddess. Then, as still she read on, there came +another change. The soft black eyes grew softer and yet softer, and then +slowly filled with tears till they were like brimming vases. She did +not smile, but her brows and lips assumed a look of benignant sweetness +indescribable. + +“In that moment no supernatural aureole would have added sacredness to +that head, or myth of heavenly origin have made that figure seem more +adorable. With right good-will I sank upon my knees. She reached forth +her hand to me and I pressed my lips to it. I lifted up the hem of her +dress and kissed it. There was a rustle of garments. I looked up and she +was gone. + +“I suppose immediately after that I must have left the house. I only +know that the dawn found me miles out of town, walking aimlessly about +and talking to myself.” + +Hammond poured himself a glass of wine, drunk it slowly, and then fell +into a profound reverie, apparently forgetful of my presence. + +“Is that all?” I asked at last. “Did you not see her again?” + +“No,” he answered, “I never saw her again. Probably, as her father +had intimated, he did not intend that I should. But circumstances also +prevented. The very next day there was an explosion in college. There +had been a Judas among my fellow-disciples, and the faculty had been +informed of the Positivist propaganda going on under their noses. I +was suspended for six months. When I returned to college, Régnier +had disappeared. He had of course been promptly dismissed, and it was +rumored that he had gone back to France. He had left no trace, and I +never heard of him again or of his daughter. I don’t even know the name +of the woman I worshiped.” + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Positive Romance, by Edward Bellamy + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A POSITIVE ROMANCE *** + +***** This file should be named 22708-0.txt or 22708-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/2/7/0/22708/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project +Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation” + or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase “Project +Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +“Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, “Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.” + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +“Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right +of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’ WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm’s +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws. + +The Foundation’s principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation’s web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/22708-0.zip b/22708-0.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c537d50 --- /dev/null +++ b/22708-0.zip diff --git a/22708-8.txt b/22708-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..43724d1 --- /dev/null +++ b/22708-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,859 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Positive Romance, by Edward Bellamy + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Positive Romance + 1898 + +Author: Edward Bellamy + +Release Date: September 21, 2007 [EBook #22708] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A POSITIVE ROMANCE *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +A POSITIVE ROMANCE + +By Edward Bellamy + +1898 + + +My friend Hammond is a bachelor, and lives in chambers in New York. +Whenever we meet on my occasional visits to the city, he insists on my +spending the night with him. On one of these occasions we had been +at the opera during the evening, and had witnessed an ovation to a +beautiful and famous singer. We had been stirred by the enthusiasm of +the audience, and on our walk home fell to discussing a theme suggested +by the scene; namely, the tendency of man to assume a worshipful +attitude towards woman, and the reason for it. Was it merely a phase of +the passional relation between the sexes, or had it some deeper and more +mysterious significance? + +When I mentioned the former idea, Hammond demanded why this tendency +was not reciprocal between the sexes. As a matter of fact, while women +showed endless devotion and fondness for men, their feeling was without +the strain of adoration. Particular men's qualities of mind or heart +might excite the enthusiastic admiration of women, but such admiration +was for cause, and in no way confounded with the worshipful reverence +which it was man's instinct to extend to woman as woman, with secondary +reference to her qualities as a particular person. No fact in the +relations of men and women, he declared, was more striking than this +contrast in their mutual attitudes. It was the feminine, not the +masculine, ideal which supplied the inspiration of art and the aroma of +literature, which was found enshrined in the customs and common speech +of mankind. To this I replied that man, being the dominant sex, had +imposed his worship on the race as a conquering nation, its gods on +the conquered. He, not woman, had been the creator of the art, the +literature, and the language which were dedicated to her. Had woman been +the dominant sex, the reverse might have happened, and man been obliged +to stand upon a pedestal and be worshiped. + +Hammond laughed, but declared that I was all wrong. Man's tendency to +worship woman, while naturally blending with his passional attraction +towards her, did not spring from the instinct of sex, but from the +instinct of race,--a far deeper and generally unrecognized impulse. +Even though woman should become some day the dominant sex, man need +suffer no apprehension of being worshiped. His modesty would be +respected. + +Some time later, when we had cozily established ourselves before a +sea-coal fire in Hammond's quarters, with divers creature comforts at +hand for one of our usual symposiums, the subject came up again; and +under conditions so favorable to discursiveness our talk took a wide +range. + +"By the way," said I, apropos of some remark he had made, "talking about +the adoration of woman, did not that crack-brained Frenchman, Auguste +Comte, propose something of the sort as a feature of his 'Religion of +Humanity'?" + +Hammond nodded. + +"I wonder," I said, "whether that feature of his scheme was ever +actually practiced by his followers. I should like to get a chance to +ask a Positivist about that, if indeed there are any in America." + +Hammond smoked in silence for some time, and finally said, quietly, +"Possibly I might tell you something about it myself." + +"Hello!" I exclaimed. "How long since you have been a Positivist?" + +"About twenty-five years," was the matter-of-fact reply. + +"A Positivist of twenty-five years' standing," I ejaculated, "and never +told of it! Why have you hid your light under a bushel all this while?" + +"I said that it was twenty-five years since I had been a Positivist," +replied Hammond; "as long, in fact, as it is since I have been a +sophomore. Both experiences belonged to the same year of my college +course, and, perhaps you may infer, to the same stage of intellectual +development. For about six months at that time I was as ardent a +convert, I fancy, as the Religion of Humanity ever had." + +"I thought you had told me all about yourself long ago," I said. "How +is it that you have kept so mum about this experience? I should fancy it +must have been a decidedly odd one." + +"It was a very odd one," replied Hammond,--"the strangest passage, on +the whole, I think, in my life. I have never spoken of it, because it is +one of those emotional experiences which no man likes to relate unless +he is sure of being understood. To tell it to most men would be casting +pearls before swine. I have always meant to tell you when a suitable +opportunity came up." + +"You know," he said, when I had signified my eagerness to hear, "that I +graduated at Leroy College. It was a little one-horse institution, but +blue as a whetstone in its orthodoxy; and with my father, who was a +clergyman of a very strait sect and staid views, that fact covered +a multitude of shortcomings. I was nineteen when I entered, and +consequently twenty when, at the beginning of sophomore year, I came +under the charge of Professor Rgnier. He was a Frenchman, but spoke +English with perfect ease and precision and a very slight accent. At the +time I knew him, he was probably sixty. His hair was quite gray, but his +mustache and imperial were still dark. It was rumored among the students +that he had left his native land for political reasons, having played +for too high stakes at the national game of revolution. True or not, the +report naturally heightened the interest which his personality had for +us. + +"He made it his business to know personally all the students in his +classes; and as it is not easy for a man of sixty, especially if he is +also their teacher, to become really acquainted with students of twenty, +the fact may be taken as evidence of his unusual tact. He was, I think, +the most fascinating man I ever saw. His insight into character was like +magic, his manners were charming, and his Gallic vivacity made him seem +like a boy. Gradually, while still remaining to the rest of the students +a genial and friendly instructor, he singled out a smaller circle +of particular intimates. Of these I was one, and I believe the most +trusted. + +"Of course we boys were immensely flattered by the partiality of such +a man; but equally of course the pursuit of his own pleasure +could scarcely have been the motive which impelled him to seek our +companionship. It was, in fact, a motive as unselfish as that of the +missionary who leaves the comforts and refinements of civilization and +exiles himself among savages that he may win them to his faith. He had +been a personal friend and disciple of Auguste Comte, then but lately +dead, and on coming to America had sought his present employment, not +merely as a means of livelihood, but equally for the opportunity it +offered for propagating the new gospel among young men. Do you know much +about what Positivism is?" + +I confessed that I knew next to nothing,--scarcely more than that there +was such a thing. + +"I shall not bore you with an account of it," resumed Hammond, "further +than to say that it is a scheme for the perfection of the human race. It +rejects as idle all theories of superhuman intelligences, and declares +the supreme object of the individual love and devotion should be +humanity. The rational demonstration of the truth of this system is +sought in the course of history, which is claimed to prove Positivism +the finality of social evolution. You will find anything else you want +to know about it in the books. I dare say you will not be converted; but +if you were nineteen instead of twice that, with Hippolyte Rgnier to +indoctrinate you, I fancy the result would be about what it was in my +case. + +"His personal influence over us, and the intoxicating flattery implied +in being seriously reasoned with on themes so lofty by a man whom we +so greatly admired, would have gone far, no doubt, to commend to us any +form of opinions he might have taught; but there were not lacking other +reasons to account for his success in converting us. As for Comte's +dogmatic denial of superhuman existence, and his fanciful schemes of new +society, we were too young and crude to realize how unphilosophic +was the former, how impossible and undesirable was the latter. While +accepting them as facts of a new creed, they meant little to us, nor +did Rgnier much insist upon them. What most he did insist on was the +ethical side of Positivism,--the idea of the essential unity of the +individual with the immortal race of man, and his obvious duty to forget +self in its service. What could be better adapted to affect generous and +impassioned boys than an appeal like this? The magnificent audacity +of it, the assumption of man's essential nobleness, the contemptuous +refusal to make any terms with selfishness, captivated our imaginations. +I know now, indeed, that this enthusiasm of humanity, this passion of +self-abnegation, which I thought a new religion, was the heart of the +old religions. In its new-fangled disguise the truth and virtue of the +doctrine were still operative, and the emotional crisis through which +I passed I found was as essentially religious as it was in form +unorthodox. + +"At the end of sophomore year there were a half-dozen very positive +young Positivists in our class. The pride of intellect which we felt in +our new enlightenment was intoxicating. To be able to look down from a +serene height, with compassion frequently tempered by contempt, upon the +rest of the world still groping in the mists of childish superstition, +was prodigiously to the taste of youths of eighteen and twenty. How, to +be sure, we did turn up our noses at the homely teachings in the college +chapel on Sundays! Well do I remember attending my father's church when +at home on vacation, and endeavoring to assume the mental attitude of +a curious traveler in a Buddhist temple. Together with the intellectual +vanity which it fostered, our new faith was commended to us by its +flavor of the secret, the hazardous, and the forbidden. We were +delightfully conscious of being concerned in a species of conspiracy, +which if it came to light would convulse the college and the community, +have us expelled, and cause no end of scandal to the public. + +"But the more I took my new faith in earnest and tried to make of it the +religion it claimed to be, I was troubled by a lack that seemed to be +inherent. Humanity, the object of our devotion, was but an abstraction, +a rhetorical expression for a mass of individuals. To these individuals +I might indeed render affection, service, compassion, tenderness, +self-sacrifice; but their number and pettiness forbade me the glow of +adoration with which service was touched in religions which offered +a personified object of adoration. When, finally, I confided these +troubles to Rgnier, I expected to be rebuked; but on the contrary, and +to my great discomfiture, he embraced me effusively after the Gallic +manner. He said that he had been waiting for the time when in the course +of my development I should become conscious of the need I had confessed +before explaining to me the provision made for it by Positivism. + +"To start with, he put in, as a sort of special plea for Positivism, +that it was not singular among religions in recognizing as the object +of devotion an abstraction, the mode of the existence of which was a +mystery. As a solace to their votaries and an aid to their faith, nearly +all religions recognized sacred emblems; not indeed to be confounded +in clear minds with the original object of devotion, but worthy of +reverence in its place, as its special representative and reminder. In +precisely this sense the sacred emblem of humanity was woman. + +"Of course, Positivism claiming to be a creed of demonstration, not of +faith, Rgnier did not ask me to receive this proposition as his mere +statement, but proceeded to establish its reasonableness by logic. I +am going to give you what I remember of his argument, because I believe +still, as I did when I heard it, that it is the only philosophical +explanation of the instinctive reverence of man for woman which we +have been talking about to-night. It was given to me, of course, as +a doctrine peculiar to Positivism; but I don't know of any form of +religious belief, inconsistent with the recognition of the sacred +quality of womanhood on the grounds given by Rgnier. Indeed, I am by no +means sure whether the doctrine as I received it is orthodox Positivism +at all. I have reason to think that Rgnier was quite too original a +character for a very good interpreter, and should be interested to know +how far his ideas were his own and how far his master's. + +"First he pointed out to me as matter of fact that there was no more +striking feature of the modern and humane as compared with the ancient +and barbaric world than the constantly growing tendency of the most +civilized races to apotheosize womanhood. The virgin ideal had been set +up by the larger part of Christendom as the object of divine honors. The +age of chivalry had translated for all time the language of love into +that of worship. Art had personified under the feminine form every noble +and affecting ideal of the race, till now it was in the name of woman +that man's better part adjured his baser in every sort of strife towards +the divine. Is it alleged that it is man's passion for woman that has +moved him thus in a sort to deify the sex? Passion is no teacher of +reverence. Moreover, it is as the race outgrows the dominion of passion +that it recognizes the worshipfulness of woman. The gross and sensual +recognize in her no element of sacredness. It is the clear soul of the +boy, the poet, and the seer which is most surely aware of it. Equally +vain is it to seek the explanation in any general superiority of woman +to man, either moral or mental. Her qualities are indeed in engaging +contrast with his, but on the whole no such superiority has ever been +maintained. How, then, were we to account for a phenomenon so great in +its proportions that either it indicates a world-wide madness infecting +the noblest nations while sparing the basest, or else must be the +outcome of some profound monition of nature, which, in proportion as +man's upward evolution progresses, he becomes capable of apprehending? +Why this impassioned exaltation by him of his tender companion? What +is the secret spring that makes her the ceaseless fountain of lofty +inspiration she is to him? What is the hint of divinity in her gentle +mien that brings him to his knees? Who is this goddess veiled in woman +whom men instinctively reverence yet cannot name? + +"The adoration of woman, which may almost be called the natural religion +of the modern man, springs from his recognition, instinctive when not +conscious, that she is in an express sense, as he is not, the type, the +representative, and the symbol of the race from which he springs, of +that immortal and mystical life in which the secret of his own is +hid. She is this by virtue, not of her personal qualities, but of the +mother-sex, which, overbearing in part her individuality, consecrates +her to the interests of the race, and makes her the channel of those +irresistible attractions by which humanity exists and men are made to +serve it. As compared with woman's peculiar identification with the +race, man's relation to it is an exterior one. By his constitution he +is above all an individual, and that is the natural line of his +development. The love of woman is the centripetal attraction which in +due time brings him back from the individual tangent to blend him again +with mankind. In returning to woman he returns to humanity. All that +there is in man's sentiment for woman which is higher than passion and +larger than personal tenderness--all, that is to say, which makes his +love for her the grand passion which in noble hearts it is--is the +fact that under this form his passion for the race finds expression. +Mysterious ties, subtending consciousness, bind him, though seemingly +separate, to the mighty life of humanity, his greater self, and these +are the chords which, when 'Love took up the harp of life,'... 'passed +in music out of sight.' In woman humanity is enshrined and made concrete +for the homage of man. This is the mighty indwelling which causes her +to suggest something more august than herself, and invests her with an +impersonal majesty commanding reverence. + +"You may imagine with what power such a doctrine as this, set forth by +an enthusiast like Rgnier, appealed to the mind of an impassioned boy +of twenty, as yet pure as a girl, but long vaguely stirred by the master +passion of our nature. The other tenets of the Religion of Humanity had +been impressed upon me by argument, but at the mere statement of this my +heart responded, _O Dea Certe!_ + +"Subsequently, in response to my questioning, Rgnier explained to me +how the master had recommended his disciples to give practical effect +to the cult of womanhood. I must remember that it was nothing new and +nothing peculiar to Positivism for men to adore women to the point even +of idolatry. Lovers constantly were doing it. But in these cases the +worshipers did not look beyond the personality of the idol. Possibly, +no doubt, some dim apprehension of the true grounds of woman's +worshipfulness might mingle with the lover's sentiment, but it was very +far from being the clear and distinct sense necessary to redeem his +homage from the charge of extravagance. On the other hand, the spirit +in which women received the homage men rendered them was usually as +mistaken as that in which it was offered. Either, on the one hand, from +an impulse of personal modesty they deprecated it, or, on the other +hand, they accepted it as a gratification to their personal vanity. In +either case, they equally misapprehended their true and valid title +to worship, which, while personal qualities might enhance or partially +obscure it, was itself in root more than personal, and consisted in the +martyr and mother sex which so peculiarly sacrificed and consecrated +them to the interests of humanity as to draw to them the homage and +loyalty of all men who loved their race. It had been the counsel of his +master, Rgnier said, that, while his disciples should hold all women in +exalted reverence, they should peculiarly address this general sentiment +to some particular woman, who, being of the same faith, should be able +to accept it worthily and without self-exaltation, in the spirit in +which it was offered. + +"Of course the reflection was obvious that in the existing conditions +of the Positivist propaganda in America it would be impossible to find a +woman capable of understanding, much less of accepting, such a relation, +and, therefore, that to me the cult which I had been taught must remain +entirely theoretical. Homage from men which did not insure to the +titillation of the vanity would seem to women, as usually educated, +equally incomprehensible and unprofitable. + +"It was in recognition of this situation that Rgnier ended by making a +proposition which testified, more strongly than anything else could have +done, both to the enthusiasm and sincerity with which he himself held +the faith he preached, and to his confidence in my own equal singleness +of heart. He had never before spoken of his personal history or home +life. Several times I had spent the evening at his house, but on these +occasions I had seen only himself. Certain womanly belongings, however, +which I had noticed, and the sound of a piano once or twice, had +suggested that the house might not be without a feminine presence. The +professor now told me that long ago in France, for a few short, blissful +years, he had been the husband of the sweetest of women. She had left +behind a daughter, the sole companion of his life and the apple of his +eye. She lived in complete seclusion, rarely even leaving the house. He +did not desire her to make acquaintances in this country, nor indeed +was she able to speak a word of any language but her own. There was no +question of my making her acquaintance in the ordinary sense, or even +of meeting her a second time, but if I desired to testify my new +appreciation of the sacred quality of womanhood, it was possible that +she might consent to receive my homage in the name of her sex. He could +not be sure what she would say, but he would speak with her about it. + +"The following day, a note from him requesting that I should call at +his house that evening intimated that he had succeeded in carrying his +point. When I called at the time set, he told me that he had found it +more difficult than he had anticipated to gain his daughter's consent to +see me. She had been very reluctant to assume the attitude required of +her, and only her respect for his wishes and the good of the cause, and +the assurance he had given her of the entire ingenuousness of my own +motive, had induced her finally to yield. After some talk as to the +significance of the interview before me, which I was too much agitated +to comprehend, he bade me follow him. + +"As may readily be supposed, my fancy, from the moment Rgnier had +suggested this interview, had been exceedingly busy with conjectures +as to the sort of scene it would prove, and especially as to the +personality of her who was to be the central figure. Except his +intimation that the interview would be necessarily without interchange +of speech and presumably brief, scarcely more, probably, than a +confrontation, he had told me nothing. + +"Of course, however, my fancies had not failed to take some form. I +think I had a general expectation of finding myself in the presence of a +beautiful woman, statuesquely shaped and posed. I imagine that I rather +expected her to be enthroned or standing upon some sort of dais, and +I am sure that I should not have been surprised had there been some +artificial arrangement of lights as in a theatre to add effectiveness to +the figure. + +"I followed Rgnier through several rooms without raising my eyes. +Presently he paused and said, 'My daughter.' + +"Thrilling with the premonition of a vision of imperious or melting +loveliness which should compel my homage by its mere aspect, I raised +my eyes to find myself facing a plain-featured, plainly dressed young +woman, not ill-looking certainly, but destitute of a single trait +striking enough to have won a second glance from me had I met her on the +street. + +"Her father need not have told me of her reluctance to assume the part +his wishes had imposed upon her. For the fraction of an instant only, a +pair of black eyes had met mine, and then she had bent her face as low +as she could. The downcast head, the burning cheeks, the quick heaving +of the breast, the pendent arms, with tensely interlacing fingers and +palms turned downward, all told the story of a shy and sensitive girl +submitting from a sense of duty to a painful ordeal. + +"The sudden and complete wreck of all my preconceptions as to her +appearance, as well as the accessories of the scene, left me for a few +moments fairly dazed. Not only were my highly wrought expectations as +to the present interview brought to humiliating discomfiture, but the +influence of the disillusionment instantly retroacted with the effect +of making the entire noble and romantic cult which had led up to this +unlucky confrontation seem a mere farrago of extravagant and baseless +sentiment. What on earth had Rgnier been thinking of, to plan +deliberately a situation calculated to turn a cherished sentiment into +ridicule? If he had seriously thought his daughter capable of supporting +the rle he had assigned her, had there ever been a like case of +parental fatuity? + +"But even as I indignantly asked myself this question, I saw a great +light, and recognized that the trouble was neither with Rgnier's +fatuity nor with his daughter's lack of charms, but with myself, and +a most unworthy misconception into which I had fallen as to the whole +object and purport of this interview. What had the beauty or the lack of +beauty of this girl to do with the present occasion? I was not here to +render homage to her for the beauty of her sex, but for its perpetual +consecration and everlasting martyrdom to my race. The revulsion of +feeling which followed the recognition of the grossness of the mistake I +had made had no doubt the effect of greatly intensifying my emotions. I +was overcome with contrition for the unworthiness with which I had stood +before this girl who had so trusted to my magnanimity, appraising her +like a sensualist when I should have been on my knees before her. A +reaction of compunctious loyalty made my very heartstrings ache. I saw +now how well it had been for a weak-minded fool like myself that she +had not chanced to be beautiful or even pretty, for then I should have +cheated myself of all that distinguished this solemn meeting from +the merest lover's antics. I won in that moment an impression of the +tawdriness of mere beauty which I have never gotten over. It seemed to +me then, and more or less has ever since, that the beauty of women is a +sort of veil which hides from superficial eyes the true adorableness of +womanhood. + +"Unable longer to resist the magnetism of my gaze, her eyes rose slowly +to mine. At their first meeting, her face became crimson; but as she +did not avert her eyes, and continued to look into mine, the flush +paled swiftly from her face, and with it all the other evidences of +her embarrassment passed as quickly away, leaving her bearing wholly +changed. It was plain that through my eyes, which in that moment must +have been truly windows of my soul, she had read my inmost thoughts, +and had perceived how altogether impertinent to their quality +self-consciousness on her part would be. As with a gaze growing ever +more serene and steadfast she continued to read my thoughts, her face +changed, and from the look of a shy and timid maiden it gradually took +on that of a conscious goddess. Then, as still she read on, there came +another change. The soft black eyes grew softer and yet softer, and then +slowly filled with tears till they were like brimming vases. She did +not smile, but her brows and lips assumed a look of benignant sweetness +indescribable. + +"In that moment no supernatural aureole would have added sacredness to +that head, or myth of heavenly origin have made that figure seem more +adorable. With right good-will I sank upon my knees. She reached forth +her hand to me and I pressed my lips to it. I lifted up the hem of her +dress and kissed it. There was a rustle of garments. I looked up and she +was gone. + +"I suppose immediately after that I must have left the house. I only +know that the dawn found me miles out of town, walking aimlessly about +and talking to myself." + +Hammond poured himself a glass of wine, drunk it slowly, and then fell +into a profound reverie, apparently forgetful of my presence. + +"Is that all?" I asked at last. "Did you not see her again?" + +"No," he answered, "I never saw her again. Probably, as her father +had intimated, he did not intend that I should. But circumstances also +prevented. The very next day there was an explosion in college. There +had been a Judas among my fellow-disciples, and the faculty had been +informed of the Positivist propaganda going on under their noses. I +was suspended for six months. When I returned to college, Rgnier +had disappeared. He had of course been promptly dismissed, and it was +rumored that he had gone back to France. He had left no trace, and I +never heard of him again or of his daughter. I don't even know the name +of the woman I worshiped." + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Positive Romance, by Edward Bellamy + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A POSITIVE ROMANCE *** + +***** This file should be named 22708-8.txt or 22708-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/2/7/0/22708/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/22708-8.zip b/22708-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d44740c --- /dev/null +++ b/22708-8.zip diff --git a/22708-h.zip b/22708-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..40268dc --- /dev/null +++ b/22708-h.zip diff --git a/22708-h/22708-h.htm b/22708-h/22708-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..85e7788 --- /dev/null +++ b/22708-h/22708-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,939 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> + <title> + A Positive Romance, by Edward Bellamy + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Positive Romance, by Edward Bellamy + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Positive Romance + 1898 + +Author: Edward Bellamy + +Release Date: September 21, 2007 [EBook #22708] +Last Updated: December 18, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A POSITIVE ROMANCE *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + A POSITIVE ROMANCE + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Edward Bellamy <br /> <br /> 1898 + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + My friend Hammond is a bachelor, and lives in chambers in New York. + Whenever we meet on my occasional visits to the city, he insists on my + spending the night with him. On one of these occasions we had been at the + opera during the evening, and had witnessed an ovation to a beautiful and + famous singer. We had been stirred by the enthusiasm of the audience, and + on our walk home fell to discussing a theme suggested by the scene; + namely, the tendency of man to assume a worshipful attitude towards woman, + and the reason for it. Was it merely a phase of the passional relation + between the sexes, or had it some deeper and more mysterious significance? + </p> + <p> + When I mentioned the former idea, Hammond demanded why this tendency was + not reciprocal between the sexes. As a matter of fact, while women showed + endless devotion and fondness for men, their feeling was without the + strain of adoration. Particular men’s qualities of mind or heart might + excite the enthusiastic admiration of women, but such admiration was for + cause, and in no way confounded with the worshipful reverence which it was + man’s instinct to extend to woman as woman, with secondary reference to + her qualities as a particular person. No fact in the relations of men and + women, he declared, was more striking than this contrast in their mutual + attitudes. It was the feminine, not the masculine, ideal which supplied + the inspiration of art and the aroma of literature, which was found + enshrined in the customs and common speech of mankind. To this I replied + that man, being the dominant sex, had imposed his worship on the race as a + conquering nation, its gods on the conquered. He, not woman, had been the + creator of the art, the literature, and the language which were dedicated + to her. Had woman been the dominant sex, the reverse might have happened, + and man been obliged to stand upon a pedestal and be worshiped. + </p> + <p> + Hammond laughed, but declared that I was all wrong. Man’s tendency to + worship woman, while naturally blending with his passional attraction + towards her, did not spring from the instinct of sex, but from the + instinct of race,—a far deeper and generally unrecognized impulse. + Even though woman should become some day the dominant sex, man need suffer + no apprehension of being worshiped. His modesty would be respected. + </p> + <p> + Some time later, when we had cozily established ourselves before a + sea-coal fire in Hammond’s quarters, with divers creature comforts at hand + for one of our usual symposiums, the subject came up again; and under + conditions so favorable to discursiveness our talk took a wide range. + </p> + <p> + “By the way,” said I, apropos of some remark he had made, “talking about + the adoration of woman, did not that crack-brained Frenchman, Auguste + Comte, propose something of the sort as a feature of his ‘Religion of + Humanity’?” + </p> + <p> + Hammond nodded. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder,” I said, “whether that feature of his scheme was ever actually + practiced by his followers. I should like to get a chance to ask a + Positivist about that, if indeed there are any in America.” + </p> + <p> + Hammond smoked in silence for some time, and finally said, quietly, + “Possibly I might tell you something about it myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Hello!” I exclaimed. “How long since you have been a Positivist?” + </p> + <p> + “About twenty-five years,” was the matter-of-fact reply. + </p> + <p> + “A Positivist of twenty-five years’ standing,” I ejaculated, “and never + told of it! Why have you hid your light under a bushel all this while?” + </p> + <p> + “I said that it was twenty-five years since I had been a Positivist,” + replied Hammond; “as long, in fact, as it is since I have been a + sophomore. Both experiences belonged to the same year of my college + course, and, perhaps you may infer, to the same stage of intellectual + development. For about six months at that time I was as ardent a convert, + I fancy, as the Religion of Humanity ever had.” + </p> + <p> + “I thought you had told me all about yourself long ago,” I said. “How is + it that you have kept so mum about this experience? I should fancy it must + have been a decidedly odd one.” + </p> + <p> + “It was a very odd one,” replied Hammond,—“the strangest passage, on + the whole, I think, in my life. I have never spoken of it, because it is + one of those emotional experiences which no man likes to relate unless he + is sure of being understood. To tell it to most men would be casting + pearls before swine. I have always meant to tell you when a suitable + opportunity came up.” + </p> + <p> + “You know,” he said, when I had signified my eagerness to hear, “that I + graduated at Leroy College. It was a little one-horse institution, but + blue as a whetstone in its orthodoxy; and with my father, who was a + clergyman of a very strait sect and staid views, that fact covered a + multitude of shortcomings. I was nineteen when I entered, and consequently + twenty when, at the beginning of sophomore year, I came under the charge + of Professor Régnier. He was a Frenchman, but spoke English with perfect + ease and precision and a very slight accent. At the time I knew him, he + was probably sixty. His hair was quite gray, but his mustache and imperial + were still dark. It was rumored among the students that he had left his + native land for political reasons, having played for too high stakes at + the national game of revolution. True or not, the report naturally + heightened the interest which his personality had for us. + </p> + <p> + “He made it his business to know personally all the students in his + classes; and as it is not easy for a man of sixty, especially if he is + also their teacher, to become really acquainted with students of twenty, + the fact may be taken as evidence of his unusual tact. He was, I think, + the most fascinating man I ever saw. His insight into character was like + magic, his manners were charming, and his Gallic vivacity made him seem + like a boy. Gradually, while still remaining to the rest of the students a + genial and friendly instructor, he singled out a smaller circle of + particular intimates. Of these I was one, and I believe the most trusted. + </p> + <p> + “Of course we boys were immensely flattered by the partiality of such a + man; but equally of course the pursuit of his own pleasure could scarcely + have been the motive which impelled him to seek our companionship. It was, + in fact, a motive as unselfish as that of the missionary who leaves the + comforts and refinements of civilization and exiles himself among savages + that he may win them to his faith. He had been a personal friend and + disciple of Auguste Comte, then but lately dead, and on coming to America + had sought his present employment, not merely as a means of livelihood, + but equally for the opportunity it offered for propagating the new gospel + among young men. Do you know much about what Positivism is?” + </p> + <p> + I confessed that I knew next to nothing,—scarcely more than that + there was such a thing. + </p> + <p> + “I shall not bore you with an account of it,” resumed Hammond, “further + than to say that it is a scheme for the perfection of the human race. It + rejects as idle all theories of superhuman intelligences, and declares the + supreme object of the individual love and devotion should be humanity. The + rational demonstration of the truth of this system is sought in the course + of history, which is claimed to prove Positivism the finality of social + evolution. You will find anything else you want to know about it in the + books. I dare say you will not be converted; but if you were nineteen + instead of twice that, with Hippolyte Régnier to indoctrinate you, I fancy + the result would be about what it was in my case. + </p> + <p> + “His personal influence over us, and the intoxicating flattery implied in + being seriously reasoned with on themes so lofty by a man whom we so + greatly admired, would have gone far, no doubt, to commend to us any form + of opinions he might have taught; but there were not lacking other reasons + to account for his success in converting us. As for Comte’s dogmatic + denial of superhuman existence, and his fanciful schemes of new society, + we were too young and crude to realize how unphilosophic was the former, + how impossible and undesirable was the latter. While accepting them as + facts of a new creed, they meant little to us, nor did Régnier much insist + upon them. What most he did insist on was the ethical side of Positivism,—the + idea of the essential unity of the individual with the immortal race of + man, and his obvious duty to forget self in its service. What could be + better adapted to affect generous and impassioned boys than an appeal like + this? The magnificent audacity of it, the assumption of man’s essential + nobleness, the contemptuous refusal to make any terms with selfishness, + captivated our imaginations. I know now, indeed, that this enthusiasm of + humanity, this passion of self-abnegation, which I thought a new religion, + was the heart of the old religions. In its new-fangled disguise the truth + and virtue of the doctrine were still operative, and the emotional crisis + through which I passed I found was as essentially religious as it was in + form unorthodox. + </p> + <p> + “At the end of sophomore year there were a half-dozen very positive young + Positivists in our class. The pride of intellect which we felt in our new + enlightenment was intoxicating. To be able to look down from a serene + height, with compassion frequently tempered by contempt, upon the rest of + the world still groping in the mists of childish superstition, was + prodigiously to the taste of youths of eighteen and twenty. How, to be + sure, we did turn up our noses at the homely teachings in the college + chapel on Sundays! Well do I remember attending my father’s church when at + home on vacation, and endeavoring to assume the mental attitude of a + curious traveler in a Buddhist temple. Together with the intellectual + vanity which it fostered, our new faith was commended to us by its flavor + of the secret, the hazardous, and the forbidden. We were delightfully + conscious of being concerned in a species of conspiracy, which if it came + to light would convulse the college and the community, have us expelled, + and cause no end of scandal to the public. + </p> + <p> + “But the more I took my new faith in earnest and tried to make of it the + religion it claimed to be, I was troubled by a lack that seemed to be + inherent. Humanity, the object of our devotion, was but an abstraction, a + rhetorical expression for a mass of individuals. To these individuals I + might indeed render affection, service, compassion, tenderness, + self-sacrifice; but their number and pettiness forbade me the glow of + adoration with which service was touched in religions which offered a + personified object of adoration. When, finally, I confided these troubles + to Régnier, I expected to be rebuked; but on the contrary, and to my great + discomfiture, he embraced me effusively after the Gallic manner. He said + that he had been waiting for the time when in the course of my development + I should become conscious of the need I had confessed before explaining to + me the provision made for it by Positivism. + </p> + <p> + “To start with, he put in, as a sort of special plea for Positivism, that + it was not singular among religions in recognizing as the object of + devotion an abstraction, the mode of the existence of which was a mystery. + As a solace to their votaries and an aid to their faith, nearly all + religions recognized sacred emblems; not indeed to be confounded in clear + minds with the original object of devotion, but worthy of reverence in its + place, as its special representative and reminder. In precisely this sense + the sacred emblem of humanity was woman. + </p> + <p> + “Of course, Positivism claiming to be a creed of demonstration, not of + faith, Régnier did not ask me to receive this proposition as his mere + statement, but proceeded to establish its reasonableness by logic. I am + going to give you what I remember of his argument, because I believe + still, as I did when I heard it, that it is the only philosophical + explanation of the instinctive reverence of man for woman which we have + been talking about to-night. It was given to me, of course, as a doctrine + peculiar to Positivism; but I don’t know of any form of religious belief, + inconsistent with the recognition of the sacred quality of womanhood on + the grounds given by Régnier. Indeed, I am by no means sure whether the + doctrine as I received it is orthodox Positivism at all. I have reason to + think that Régnier was quite too original a character for a very good + interpreter, and should be interested to know how far his ideas were his + own and how far his master’s. + </p> + <p> + “First he pointed out to me as matter of fact that there was no more + striking feature of the modern and humane as compared with the ancient and + barbaric world than the constantly growing tendency of the most civilized + races to apotheosize womanhood. The virgin ideal had been set up by the + larger part of Christendom as the object of divine honors. The age of + chivalry had translated for all time the language of love into that of + worship. Art had personified under the feminine form every noble and + affecting ideal of the race, till now it was in the name of woman that + man’s better part adjured his baser in every sort of strife towards the + divine. Is it alleged that it is man’s passion for woman that has moved + him thus in a sort to deify the sex? Passion is no teacher of reverence. + Moreover, it is as the race outgrows the dominion of passion that it + recognizes the worshipfulness of woman. The gross and sensual recognize in + her no element of sacredness. It is the clear soul of the boy, the poet, + and the seer which is most surely aware of it. Equally vain is it to seek + the explanation in any general superiority of woman to man, either moral + or mental. Her qualities are indeed in engaging contrast with his, but on + the whole no such superiority has ever been maintained. How, then, were we + to account for a phenomenon so great in its proportions that either it + indicates a world-wide madness infecting the noblest nations while sparing + the basest, or else must be the outcome of some profound monition of + nature, which, in proportion as man’s upward evolution progresses, he + becomes capable of apprehending? Why this impassioned exaltation by him of + his tender companion? What is the secret spring that makes her the + ceaseless fountain of lofty inspiration she is to him? What is the hint of + divinity in her gentle mien that brings him to his knees? Who is this + goddess veiled in woman whom men instinctively reverence yet cannot name? + </p> + <p> + “The adoration of woman, which may almost be called the natural religion + of the modern man, springs from his recognition, instinctive when not + conscious, that she is in an express sense, as he is not, the type, the + representative, and the symbol of the race from which he springs, of that + immortal and mystical life in which the secret of his own is hid. She is + this by virtue, not of her personal qualities, but of the mother-sex, + which, overbearing in part her individuality, consecrates her to the + interests of the race, and makes her the channel of those irresistible + attractions by which humanity exists and men are made to serve it. As + compared with woman’s peculiar identification with the race, man’s + relation to it is an exterior one. By his constitution he is above all an + individual, and that is the natural line of his development. The love of + woman is the centripetal attraction which in due time brings him back from + the individual tangent to blend him again with mankind. In returning to + woman he returns to humanity. All that there is in man’s sentiment for + woman which is higher than passion and larger than personal tenderness—all, + that is to say, which makes his love for her the grand passion which in + noble hearts it is—is the fact that under this form his passion for + the race finds expression. Mysterious ties, subtending consciousness, bind + him, though seemingly separate, to the mighty life of humanity, his + greater self, and these are the chords which, when ‘Love took up the harp + of life,’... ‘passed in music out of sight.’ In woman humanity is + enshrined and made concrete for the homage of man. This is the mighty + indwelling which causes her to suggest something more august than herself, + and invests her with an impersonal majesty commanding reverence. + </p> + <p> + “You may imagine with what power such a doctrine as this, set forth by an + enthusiast like Régnier, appealed to the mind of an impassioned boy of + twenty, as yet pure as a girl, but long vaguely stirred by the master + passion of our nature. The other tenets of the Religion of Humanity had + been impressed upon me by argument, but at the mere statement of this my + heart responded, <i>O Dea Certe!</i> + </p> + <p> + “Subsequently, in response to my questioning, Régnier explained to me how + the master had recommended his disciples to give practical effect to the + cult of womanhood. I must remember that it was nothing new and nothing + peculiar to Positivism for men to adore women to the point even of + idolatry. Lovers constantly were doing it. But in these cases the + worshipers did not look beyond the personality of the idol. Possibly, no + doubt, some dim apprehension of the true grounds of woman’s worshipfulness + might mingle with the lover’s sentiment, but it was very far from being + the clear and distinct sense necessary to redeem his homage from the + charge of extravagance. On the other hand, the spirit in which women + received the homage men rendered them was usually as mistaken as that in + which it was offered. Either, on the one hand, from an impulse of personal + modesty they deprecated it, or, on the other hand, they accepted it as a + gratification to their personal vanity. In either case, they equally + misapprehended their true and valid title to worship, which, while + personal qualities might enhance or partially obscure it, was itself in + root more than personal, and consisted in the martyr and mother sex which + so peculiarly sacrificed and consecrated them to the interests of humanity + as to draw to them the homage and loyalty of all men who loved their race. + It had been the counsel of his master, Régnier said, that, while his + disciples should hold all women in exalted reverence, they should + peculiarly address this general sentiment to some particular woman, who, + being of the same faith, should be able to accept it worthily and without + self-exaltation, in the spirit in which it was offered. + </p> + <p> + “Of course the reflection was obvious that in the existing conditions of + the Positivist propaganda in America it would be impossible to find a + woman capable of understanding, much less of accepting, such a relation, + and, therefore, that to me the cult which I had been taught must remain + entirely theoretical. Homage from men which did not insure to the + titillation of the vanity would seem to women, as usually educated, + equally incomprehensible and unprofitable. + </p> + <p> + “It was in recognition of this situation that Régnier ended by making a + proposition which testified, more strongly than anything else could have + done, both to the enthusiasm and sincerity with which he himself held the + faith he preached, and to his confidence in my own equal singleness of + heart. He had never before spoken of his personal history or home life. + Several times I had spent the evening at his house, but on these occasions + I had seen only himself. Certain womanly belongings, however, which I had + noticed, and the sound of a piano once or twice, had suggested that the + house might not be without a feminine presence. The professor now told me + that long ago in France, for a few short, blissful years, he had been the + husband of the sweetest of women. She had left behind a daughter, the sole + companion of his life and the apple of his eye. She lived in complete + seclusion, rarely even leaving the house. He did not desire her to make + acquaintances in this country, nor indeed was she able to speak a word of + any language but her own. There was no question of my making her + acquaintance in the ordinary sense, or even of meeting her a second time, + but if I desired to testify my new appreciation of the sacred quality of + womanhood, it was possible that she might consent to receive my homage in + the name of her sex. He could not be sure what she would say, but he would + speak with her about it. + </p> + <p> + “The following day, a note from him requesting that I should call at his + house that evening intimated that he had succeeded in carrying his point. + When I called at the time set, he told me that he had found it more + difficult than he had anticipated to gain his daughter’s consent to see + me. She had been very reluctant to assume the attitude required of her, + and only her respect for his wishes and the good of the cause, and the + assurance he had given her of the entire ingenuousness of my own motive, + had induced her finally to yield. After some talk as to the significance + of the interview before me, which I was too much agitated to comprehend, + he bade me follow him. + </p> + <p> + “As may readily be supposed, my fancy, from the moment Régnier had + suggested this interview, had been exceedingly busy with conjectures as to + the sort of scene it would prove, and especially as to the personality of + her who was to be the central figure. Except his intimation that the + interview would be necessarily without interchange of speech and + presumably brief, scarcely more, probably, than a confrontation, he had + told me nothing. + </p> + <p> + “Of course, however, my fancies had not failed to take some form. I think + I had a general expectation of finding myself in the presence of a + beautiful woman, statuesquely shaped and posed. I imagine that I rather + expected her to be enthroned or standing upon some sort of dais, and I am + sure that I should not have been surprised had there been some artificial + arrangement of lights as in a theatre to add effectiveness to the figure. + </p> + <p> + “I followed Régnier through several rooms without raising my eyes. + Presently he paused and said, ‘My daughter.’ + </p> + <p> + “Thrilling with the premonition of a vision of imperious or melting + loveliness which should compel my homage by its mere aspect, I raised my + eyes to find myself facing a plain-featured, plainly dressed young woman, + not ill-looking certainly, but destitute of a single trait striking enough + to have won a second glance from me had I met her on the street. + </p> + <p> + “Her father need not have told me of her reluctance to assume the part his + wishes had imposed upon her. For the fraction of an instant only, a pair + of black eyes had met mine, and then she had bent her face as low as she + could. The downcast head, the burning cheeks, the quick heaving of the + breast, the pendent arms, with tensely interlacing fingers and palms + turned downward, all told the story of a shy and sensitive girl submitting + from a sense of duty to a painful ordeal. + </p> + <p> + “The sudden and complete wreck of all my preconceptions as to her + appearance, as well as the accessories of the scene, left me for a few + moments fairly dazed. Not only were my highly wrought expectations as to + the present interview brought to humiliating discomfiture, but the + influence of the disillusionment instantly retroacted with the effect of + making the entire noble and romantic cult which had led up to this unlucky + confrontation seem a mere farrago of extravagant and baseless sentiment. + What on earth had Régnier been thinking of, to plan deliberately a + situation calculated to turn a cherished sentiment into ridicule? If he + had seriously thought his daughter capable of supporting the rôle he had + assigned her, had there ever been a like case of parental fatuity? + </p> + <p> + “But even as I indignantly asked myself this question, I saw a great + light, and recognized that the trouble was neither with Régnier’s fatuity + nor with his daughter’s lack of charms, but with myself, and a most + unworthy misconception into which I had fallen as to the whole object and + purport of this interview. What had the beauty or the lack of beauty of + this girl to do with the present occasion? I was not here to render homage + to her for the beauty of her sex, but for its perpetual consecration and + everlasting martyrdom to my race. The revulsion of feeling which followed + the recognition of the grossness of the mistake I had made had no doubt + the effect of greatly intensifying my emotions. I was overcome with + contrition for the unworthiness with which I had stood before this girl + who had so trusted to my magnanimity, appraising her like a sensualist + when I should have been on my knees before her. A reaction of compunctious + loyalty made my very heartstrings ache. I saw now how well it had been for + a weak-minded fool like myself that she had not chanced to be beautiful or + even pretty, for then I should have cheated myself of all that + distinguished this solemn meeting from the merest lover’s antics. I won in + that moment an impression of the tawdriness of mere beauty which I have + never gotten over. It seemed to me then, and more or less has ever since, + that the beauty of women is a sort of veil which hides from superficial + eyes the true adorableness of womanhood. + </p> + <p> + “Unable longer to resist the magnetism of my gaze, her eyes rose slowly to + mine. At their first meeting, her face became crimson; but as she did not + avert her eyes, and continued to look into mine, the flush paled swiftly + from her face, and with it all the other evidences of her embarrassment + passed as quickly away, leaving her bearing wholly changed. It was plain + that through my eyes, which in that moment must have been truly windows of + my soul, she had read my inmost thoughts, and had perceived how altogether + impertinent to their quality self-consciousness on her part would be. As + with a gaze growing ever more serene and steadfast she continued to read + my thoughts, her face changed, and from the look of a shy and timid maiden + it gradually took on that of a conscious goddess. Then, as still she read + on, there came another change. The soft black eyes grew softer and yet + softer, and then slowly filled with tears till they were like brimming + vases. She did not smile, but her brows and lips assumed a look of + benignant sweetness indescribable. + </p> + <p> + “In that moment no supernatural aureole would have added sacredness to + that head, or myth of heavenly origin have made that figure seem more + adorable. With right good-will I sank upon my knees. She reached forth her + hand to me and I pressed my lips to it. I lifted up the hem of her dress + and kissed it. There was a rustle of garments. I looked up and she was + gone. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose immediately after that I must have left the house. I only know + that the dawn found me miles out of town, walking aimlessly about and + talking to myself.” + </p> + <p> + Hammond poured himself a glass of wine, drunk it slowly, and then fell + into a profound reverie, apparently forgetful of my presence. + </p> + <p> + “Is that all?” I asked at last. “Did you not see her again?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” he answered, “I never saw her again. Probably, as her father had + intimated, he did not intend that I should. But circumstances also + prevented. The very next day there was an explosion in college. There had + been a Judas among my fellow-disciples, and the faculty had been informed + of the Positivist propaganda going on under their noses. I was suspended + for six months. When I returned to college, Régnier had disappeared. He + had of course been promptly dismissed, and it was rumored that he had gone + back to France. He had left no trace, and I never heard of him again or of + his daughter. I don’t even know the name of the woman I worshiped.” of the + woman I worshiped.” <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Positive Romance, by Edward Bellamy + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A POSITIVE ROMANCE *** + +***** This file should be named 22708-h.htm or 22708-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/2/7/0/22708/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project +Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation” + or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase “Project +Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +“Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, “Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.” + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +“Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right +of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’ WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm’s +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws. + +The Foundation’s principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation’s web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + </body> +</html> diff --git a/22708.txt b/22708.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3e9195b --- /dev/null +++ b/22708.txt @@ -0,0 +1,859 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Positive Romance, by Edward Bellamy + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Positive Romance + 1898 + +Author: Edward Bellamy + +Release Date: September 21, 2007 [EBook #22708] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A POSITIVE ROMANCE *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +A POSITIVE ROMANCE + +By Edward Bellamy + +1898 + + +My friend Hammond is a bachelor, and lives in chambers in New York. +Whenever we meet on my occasional visits to the city, he insists on my +spending the night with him. On one of these occasions we had been +at the opera during the evening, and had witnessed an ovation to a +beautiful and famous singer. We had been stirred by the enthusiasm of +the audience, and on our walk home fell to discussing a theme suggested +by the scene; namely, the tendency of man to assume a worshipful +attitude towards woman, and the reason for it. Was it merely a phase of +the passional relation between the sexes, or had it some deeper and more +mysterious significance? + +When I mentioned the former idea, Hammond demanded why this tendency +was not reciprocal between the sexes. As a matter of fact, while women +showed endless devotion and fondness for men, their feeling was without +the strain of adoration. Particular men's qualities of mind or heart +might excite the enthusiastic admiration of women, but such admiration +was for cause, and in no way confounded with the worshipful reverence +which it was man's instinct to extend to woman as woman, with secondary +reference to her qualities as a particular person. No fact in the +relations of men and women, he declared, was more striking than this +contrast in their mutual attitudes. It was the feminine, not the +masculine, ideal which supplied the inspiration of art and the aroma of +literature, which was found enshrined in the customs and common speech +of mankind. To this I replied that man, being the dominant sex, had +imposed his worship on the race as a conquering nation, its gods on +the conquered. He, not woman, had been the creator of the art, the +literature, and the language which were dedicated to her. Had woman been +the dominant sex, the reverse might have happened, and man been obliged +to stand upon a pedestal and be worshiped. + +Hammond laughed, but declared that I was all wrong. Man's tendency to +worship woman, while naturally blending with his passional attraction +towards her, did not spring from the instinct of sex, but from the +instinct of race,--a far deeper and generally unrecognized impulse. +Even though woman should become some day the dominant sex, man need +suffer no apprehension of being worshiped. His modesty would be +respected. + +Some time later, when we had cozily established ourselves before a +sea-coal fire in Hammond's quarters, with divers creature comforts at +hand for one of our usual symposiums, the subject came up again; and +under conditions so favorable to discursiveness our talk took a wide +range. + +"By the way," said I, apropos of some remark he had made, "talking about +the adoration of woman, did not that crack-brained Frenchman, Auguste +Comte, propose something of the sort as a feature of his 'Religion of +Humanity'?" + +Hammond nodded. + +"I wonder," I said, "whether that feature of his scheme was ever +actually practiced by his followers. I should like to get a chance to +ask a Positivist about that, if indeed there are any in America." + +Hammond smoked in silence for some time, and finally said, quietly, +"Possibly I might tell you something about it myself." + +"Hello!" I exclaimed. "How long since you have been a Positivist?" + +"About twenty-five years," was the matter-of-fact reply. + +"A Positivist of twenty-five years' standing," I ejaculated, "and never +told of it! Why have you hid your light under a bushel all this while?" + +"I said that it was twenty-five years since I had been a Positivist," +replied Hammond; "as long, in fact, as it is since I have been a +sophomore. Both experiences belonged to the same year of my college +course, and, perhaps you may infer, to the same stage of intellectual +development. For about six months at that time I was as ardent a +convert, I fancy, as the Religion of Humanity ever had." + +"I thought you had told me all about yourself long ago," I said. "How +is it that you have kept so mum about this experience? I should fancy it +must have been a decidedly odd one." + +"It was a very odd one," replied Hammond,--"the strangest passage, on +the whole, I think, in my life. I have never spoken of it, because it is +one of those emotional experiences which no man likes to relate unless +he is sure of being understood. To tell it to most men would be casting +pearls before swine. I have always meant to tell you when a suitable +opportunity came up." + +"You know," he said, when I had signified my eagerness to hear, "that I +graduated at Leroy College. It was a little one-horse institution, but +blue as a whetstone in its orthodoxy; and with my father, who was a +clergyman of a very strait sect and staid views, that fact covered +a multitude of shortcomings. I was nineteen when I entered, and +consequently twenty when, at the beginning of sophomore year, I came +under the charge of Professor Regnier. He was a Frenchman, but spoke +English with perfect ease and precision and a very slight accent. At the +time I knew him, he was probably sixty. His hair was quite gray, but his +mustache and imperial were still dark. It was rumored among the students +that he had left his native land for political reasons, having played +for too high stakes at the national game of revolution. True or not, the +report naturally heightened the interest which his personality had for +us. + +"He made it his business to know personally all the students in his +classes; and as it is not easy for a man of sixty, especially if he is +also their teacher, to become really acquainted with students of twenty, +the fact may be taken as evidence of his unusual tact. He was, I think, +the most fascinating man I ever saw. His insight into character was like +magic, his manners were charming, and his Gallic vivacity made him seem +like a boy. Gradually, while still remaining to the rest of the students +a genial and friendly instructor, he singled out a smaller circle +of particular intimates. Of these I was one, and I believe the most +trusted. + +"Of course we boys were immensely flattered by the partiality of such +a man; but equally of course the pursuit of his own pleasure +could scarcely have been the motive which impelled him to seek our +companionship. It was, in fact, a motive as unselfish as that of the +missionary who leaves the comforts and refinements of civilization and +exiles himself among savages that he may win them to his faith. He had +been a personal friend and disciple of Auguste Comte, then but lately +dead, and on coming to America had sought his present employment, not +merely as a means of livelihood, but equally for the opportunity it +offered for propagating the new gospel among young men. Do you know much +about what Positivism is?" + +I confessed that I knew next to nothing,--scarcely more than that there +was such a thing. + +"I shall not bore you with an account of it," resumed Hammond, "further +than to say that it is a scheme for the perfection of the human race. It +rejects as idle all theories of superhuman intelligences, and declares +the supreme object of the individual love and devotion should be +humanity. The rational demonstration of the truth of this system is +sought in the course of history, which is claimed to prove Positivism +the finality of social evolution. You will find anything else you want +to know about it in the books. I dare say you will not be converted; but +if you were nineteen instead of twice that, with Hippolyte Regnier to +indoctrinate you, I fancy the result would be about what it was in my +case. + +"His personal influence over us, and the intoxicating flattery implied +in being seriously reasoned with on themes so lofty by a man whom we +so greatly admired, would have gone far, no doubt, to commend to us any +form of opinions he might have taught; but there were not lacking other +reasons to account for his success in converting us. As for Comte's +dogmatic denial of superhuman existence, and his fanciful schemes of new +society, we were too young and crude to realize how unphilosophic +was the former, how impossible and undesirable was the latter. While +accepting them as facts of a new creed, they meant little to us, nor +did Regnier much insist upon them. What most he did insist on was the +ethical side of Positivism,--the idea of the essential unity of the +individual with the immortal race of man, and his obvious duty to forget +self in its service. What could be better adapted to affect generous and +impassioned boys than an appeal like this? The magnificent audacity +of it, the assumption of man's essential nobleness, the contemptuous +refusal to make any terms with selfishness, captivated our imaginations. +I know now, indeed, that this enthusiasm of humanity, this passion of +self-abnegation, which I thought a new religion, was the heart of the +old religions. In its new-fangled disguise the truth and virtue of the +doctrine were still operative, and the emotional crisis through which +I passed I found was as essentially religious as it was in form +unorthodox. + +"At the end of sophomore year there were a half-dozen very positive +young Positivists in our class. The pride of intellect which we felt in +our new enlightenment was intoxicating. To be able to look down from a +serene height, with compassion frequently tempered by contempt, upon the +rest of the world still groping in the mists of childish superstition, +was prodigiously to the taste of youths of eighteen and twenty. How, to +be sure, we did turn up our noses at the homely teachings in the college +chapel on Sundays! Well do I remember attending my father's church when +at home on vacation, and endeavoring to assume the mental attitude of +a curious traveler in a Buddhist temple. Together with the intellectual +vanity which it fostered, our new faith was commended to us by its +flavor of the secret, the hazardous, and the forbidden. We were +delightfully conscious of being concerned in a species of conspiracy, +which if it came to light would convulse the college and the community, +have us expelled, and cause no end of scandal to the public. + +"But the more I took my new faith in earnest and tried to make of it the +religion it claimed to be, I was troubled by a lack that seemed to be +inherent. Humanity, the object of our devotion, was but an abstraction, +a rhetorical expression for a mass of individuals. To these individuals +I might indeed render affection, service, compassion, tenderness, +self-sacrifice; but their number and pettiness forbade me the glow of +adoration with which service was touched in religions which offered +a personified object of adoration. When, finally, I confided these +troubles to Regnier, I expected to be rebuked; but on the contrary, and +to my great discomfiture, he embraced me effusively after the Gallic +manner. He said that he had been waiting for the time when in the course +of my development I should become conscious of the need I had confessed +before explaining to me the provision made for it by Positivism. + +"To start with, he put in, as a sort of special plea for Positivism, +that it was not singular among religions in recognizing as the object +of devotion an abstraction, the mode of the existence of which was a +mystery. As a solace to their votaries and an aid to their faith, nearly +all religions recognized sacred emblems; not indeed to be confounded +in clear minds with the original object of devotion, but worthy of +reverence in its place, as its special representative and reminder. In +precisely this sense the sacred emblem of humanity was woman. + +"Of course, Positivism claiming to be a creed of demonstration, not of +faith, Regnier did not ask me to receive this proposition as his mere +statement, but proceeded to establish its reasonableness by logic. I +am going to give you what I remember of his argument, because I believe +still, as I did when I heard it, that it is the only philosophical +explanation of the instinctive reverence of man for woman which we +have been talking about to-night. It was given to me, of course, as +a doctrine peculiar to Positivism; but I don't know of any form of +religious belief, inconsistent with the recognition of the sacred +quality of womanhood on the grounds given by Regnier. Indeed, I am by no +means sure whether the doctrine as I received it is orthodox Positivism +at all. I have reason to think that Regnier was quite too original a +character for a very good interpreter, and should be interested to know +how far his ideas were his own and how far his master's. + +"First he pointed out to me as matter of fact that there was no more +striking feature of the modern and humane as compared with the ancient +and barbaric world than the constantly growing tendency of the most +civilized races to apotheosize womanhood. The virgin ideal had been set +up by the larger part of Christendom as the object of divine honors. The +age of chivalry had translated for all time the language of love into +that of worship. Art had personified under the feminine form every noble +and affecting ideal of the race, till now it was in the name of woman +that man's better part adjured his baser in every sort of strife towards +the divine. Is it alleged that it is man's passion for woman that has +moved him thus in a sort to deify the sex? Passion is no teacher of +reverence. Moreover, it is as the race outgrows the dominion of passion +that it recognizes the worshipfulness of woman. The gross and sensual +recognize in her no element of sacredness. It is the clear soul of the +boy, the poet, and the seer which is most surely aware of it. Equally +vain is it to seek the explanation in any general superiority of woman +to man, either moral or mental. Her qualities are indeed in engaging +contrast with his, but on the whole no such superiority has ever been +maintained. How, then, were we to account for a phenomenon so great in +its proportions that either it indicates a world-wide madness infecting +the noblest nations while sparing the basest, or else must be the +outcome of some profound monition of nature, which, in proportion as +man's upward evolution progresses, he becomes capable of apprehending? +Why this impassioned exaltation by him of his tender companion? What +is the secret spring that makes her the ceaseless fountain of lofty +inspiration she is to him? What is the hint of divinity in her gentle +mien that brings him to his knees? Who is this goddess veiled in woman +whom men instinctively reverence yet cannot name? + +"The adoration of woman, which may almost be called the natural religion +of the modern man, springs from his recognition, instinctive when not +conscious, that she is in an express sense, as he is not, the type, the +representative, and the symbol of the race from which he springs, of +that immortal and mystical life in which the secret of his own is +hid. She is this by virtue, not of her personal qualities, but of the +mother-sex, which, overbearing in part her individuality, consecrates +her to the interests of the race, and makes her the channel of those +irresistible attractions by which humanity exists and men are made to +serve it. As compared with woman's peculiar identification with the +race, man's relation to it is an exterior one. By his constitution he +is above all an individual, and that is the natural line of his +development. The love of woman is the centripetal attraction which in +due time brings him back from the individual tangent to blend him again +with mankind. In returning to woman he returns to humanity. All that +there is in man's sentiment for woman which is higher than passion and +larger than personal tenderness--all, that is to say, which makes his +love for her the grand passion which in noble hearts it is--is the +fact that under this form his passion for the race finds expression. +Mysterious ties, subtending consciousness, bind him, though seemingly +separate, to the mighty life of humanity, his greater self, and these +are the chords which, when 'Love took up the harp of life,'... 'passed +in music out of sight.' In woman humanity is enshrined and made concrete +for the homage of man. This is the mighty indwelling which causes her +to suggest something more august than herself, and invests her with an +impersonal majesty commanding reverence. + +"You may imagine with what power such a doctrine as this, set forth by +an enthusiast like Regnier, appealed to the mind of an impassioned boy +of twenty, as yet pure as a girl, but long vaguely stirred by the master +passion of our nature. The other tenets of the Religion of Humanity had +been impressed upon me by argument, but at the mere statement of this my +heart responded, _O Dea Certe!_ + +"Subsequently, in response to my questioning, Regnier explained to me +how the master had recommended his disciples to give practical effect +to the cult of womanhood. I must remember that it was nothing new and +nothing peculiar to Positivism for men to adore women to the point even +of idolatry. Lovers constantly were doing it. But in these cases the +worshipers did not look beyond the personality of the idol. Possibly, +no doubt, some dim apprehension of the true grounds of woman's +worshipfulness might mingle with the lover's sentiment, but it was very +far from being the clear and distinct sense necessary to redeem his +homage from the charge of extravagance. On the other hand, the spirit +in which women received the homage men rendered them was usually as +mistaken as that in which it was offered. Either, on the one hand, from +an impulse of personal modesty they deprecated it, or, on the other +hand, they accepted it as a gratification to their personal vanity. In +either case, they equally misapprehended their true and valid title +to worship, which, while personal qualities might enhance or partially +obscure it, was itself in root more than personal, and consisted in the +martyr and mother sex which so peculiarly sacrificed and consecrated +them to the interests of humanity as to draw to them the homage and +loyalty of all men who loved their race. It had been the counsel of his +master, Regnier said, that, while his disciples should hold all women in +exalted reverence, they should peculiarly address this general sentiment +to some particular woman, who, being of the same faith, should be able +to accept it worthily and without self-exaltation, in the spirit in +which it was offered. + +"Of course the reflection was obvious that in the existing conditions +of the Positivist propaganda in America it would be impossible to find a +woman capable of understanding, much less of accepting, such a relation, +and, therefore, that to me the cult which I had been taught must remain +entirely theoretical. Homage from men which did not insure to the +titillation of the vanity would seem to women, as usually educated, +equally incomprehensible and unprofitable. + +"It was in recognition of this situation that Regnier ended by making a +proposition which testified, more strongly than anything else could have +done, both to the enthusiasm and sincerity with which he himself held +the faith he preached, and to his confidence in my own equal singleness +of heart. He had never before spoken of his personal history or home +life. Several times I had spent the evening at his house, but on these +occasions I had seen only himself. Certain womanly belongings, however, +which I had noticed, and the sound of a piano once or twice, had +suggested that the house might not be without a feminine presence. The +professor now told me that long ago in France, for a few short, blissful +years, he had been the husband of the sweetest of women. She had left +behind a daughter, the sole companion of his life and the apple of his +eye. She lived in complete seclusion, rarely even leaving the house. He +did not desire her to make acquaintances in this country, nor indeed +was she able to speak a word of any language but her own. There was no +question of my making her acquaintance in the ordinary sense, or even +of meeting her a second time, but if I desired to testify my new +appreciation of the sacred quality of womanhood, it was possible that +she might consent to receive my homage in the name of her sex. He could +not be sure what she would say, but he would speak with her about it. + +"The following day, a note from him requesting that I should call at +his house that evening intimated that he had succeeded in carrying his +point. When I called at the time set, he told me that he had found it +more difficult than he had anticipated to gain his daughter's consent to +see me. She had been very reluctant to assume the attitude required of +her, and only her respect for his wishes and the good of the cause, and +the assurance he had given her of the entire ingenuousness of my own +motive, had induced her finally to yield. After some talk as to the +significance of the interview before me, which I was too much agitated +to comprehend, he bade me follow him. + +"As may readily be supposed, my fancy, from the moment Regnier had +suggested this interview, had been exceedingly busy with conjectures +as to the sort of scene it would prove, and especially as to the +personality of her who was to be the central figure. Except his +intimation that the interview would be necessarily without interchange +of speech and presumably brief, scarcely more, probably, than a +confrontation, he had told me nothing. + +"Of course, however, my fancies had not failed to take some form. I +think I had a general expectation of finding myself in the presence of a +beautiful woman, statuesquely shaped and posed. I imagine that I rather +expected her to be enthroned or standing upon some sort of dais, and +I am sure that I should not have been surprised had there been some +artificial arrangement of lights as in a theatre to add effectiveness to +the figure. + +"I followed Regnier through several rooms without raising my eyes. +Presently he paused and said, 'My daughter.' + +"Thrilling with the premonition of a vision of imperious or melting +loveliness which should compel my homage by its mere aspect, I raised +my eyes to find myself facing a plain-featured, plainly dressed young +woman, not ill-looking certainly, but destitute of a single trait +striking enough to have won a second glance from me had I met her on the +street. + +"Her father need not have told me of her reluctance to assume the part +his wishes had imposed upon her. For the fraction of an instant only, a +pair of black eyes had met mine, and then she had bent her face as low +as she could. The downcast head, the burning cheeks, the quick heaving +of the breast, the pendent arms, with tensely interlacing fingers and +palms turned downward, all told the story of a shy and sensitive girl +submitting from a sense of duty to a painful ordeal. + +"The sudden and complete wreck of all my preconceptions as to her +appearance, as well as the accessories of the scene, left me for a few +moments fairly dazed. Not only were my highly wrought expectations as +to the present interview brought to humiliating discomfiture, but the +influence of the disillusionment instantly retroacted with the effect +of making the entire noble and romantic cult which had led up to this +unlucky confrontation seem a mere farrago of extravagant and baseless +sentiment. What on earth had Regnier been thinking of, to plan +deliberately a situation calculated to turn a cherished sentiment into +ridicule? If he had seriously thought his daughter capable of supporting +the role he had assigned her, had there ever been a like case of +parental fatuity? + +"But even as I indignantly asked myself this question, I saw a great +light, and recognized that the trouble was neither with Regnier's +fatuity nor with his daughter's lack of charms, but with myself, and +a most unworthy misconception into which I had fallen as to the whole +object and purport of this interview. What had the beauty or the lack of +beauty of this girl to do with the present occasion? I was not here to +render homage to her for the beauty of her sex, but for its perpetual +consecration and everlasting martyrdom to my race. The revulsion of +feeling which followed the recognition of the grossness of the mistake I +had made had no doubt the effect of greatly intensifying my emotions. I +was overcome with contrition for the unworthiness with which I had stood +before this girl who had so trusted to my magnanimity, appraising her +like a sensualist when I should have been on my knees before her. A +reaction of compunctious loyalty made my very heartstrings ache. I saw +now how well it had been for a weak-minded fool like myself that she +had not chanced to be beautiful or even pretty, for then I should have +cheated myself of all that distinguished this solemn meeting from +the merest lover's antics. I won in that moment an impression of the +tawdriness of mere beauty which I have never gotten over. It seemed to +me then, and more or less has ever since, that the beauty of women is a +sort of veil which hides from superficial eyes the true adorableness of +womanhood. + +"Unable longer to resist the magnetism of my gaze, her eyes rose slowly +to mine. At their first meeting, her face became crimson; but as she +did not avert her eyes, and continued to look into mine, the flush +paled swiftly from her face, and with it all the other evidences of +her embarrassment passed as quickly away, leaving her bearing wholly +changed. It was plain that through my eyes, which in that moment must +have been truly windows of my soul, she had read my inmost thoughts, +and had perceived how altogether impertinent to their quality +self-consciousness on her part would be. As with a gaze growing ever +more serene and steadfast she continued to read my thoughts, her face +changed, and from the look of a shy and timid maiden it gradually took +on that of a conscious goddess. Then, as still she read on, there came +another change. The soft black eyes grew softer and yet softer, and then +slowly filled with tears till they were like brimming vases. She did +not smile, but her brows and lips assumed a look of benignant sweetness +indescribable. + +"In that moment no supernatural aureole would have added sacredness to +that head, or myth of heavenly origin have made that figure seem more +adorable. With right good-will I sank upon my knees. She reached forth +her hand to me and I pressed my lips to it. I lifted up the hem of her +dress and kissed it. There was a rustle of garments. I looked up and she +was gone. + +"I suppose immediately after that I must have left the house. I only +know that the dawn found me miles out of town, walking aimlessly about +and talking to myself." + +Hammond poured himself a glass of wine, drunk it slowly, and then fell +into a profound reverie, apparently forgetful of my presence. + +"Is that all?" I asked at last. "Did you not see her again?" + +"No," he answered, "I never saw her again. Probably, as her father +had intimated, he did not intend that I should. But circumstances also +prevented. The very next day there was an explosion in college. There +had been a Judas among my fellow-disciples, and the faculty had been +informed of the Positivist propaganda going on under their noses. I +was suspended for six months. When I returned to college, Regnier +had disappeared. He had of course been promptly dismissed, and it was +rumored that he had gone back to France. He had left no trace, and I +never heard of him again or of his daughter. I don't even know the name +of the woman I worshiped." + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Positive Romance, by Edward Bellamy + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A POSITIVE ROMANCE *** + +***** This file should be named 22708.txt or 22708.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/2/7/0/22708/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/22708.zip b/22708.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..719ec93 --- /dev/null +++ b/22708.zip diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7aabb6c --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #22708 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/22708) diff --git a/old/22708-h.htm.2021-01-25 b/old/22708-h.htm.2021-01-25 new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8a22b50 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/22708-h.htm.2021-01-25 @@ -0,0 +1,938 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + A Positive Romance, by Edward Bellamy + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Positive Romance, by Edward Bellamy + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Positive Romance + 1898 + +Author: Edward Bellamy + +Release Date: September 21, 2007 [EBook #22708] +Last Updated: December 18, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A POSITIVE ROMANCE *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + A POSITIVE ROMANCE + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Edward Bellamy <br /> <br /> 1898 + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + My friend Hammond is a bachelor, and lives in chambers in New York. + Whenever we meet on my occasional visits to the city, he insists on my + spending the night with him. On one of these occasions we had been at the + opera during the evening, and had witnessed an ovation to a beautiful and + famous singer. We had been stirred by the enthusiasm of the audience, and + on our walk home fell to discussing a theme suggested by the scene; + namely, the tendency of man to assume a worshipful attitude towards woman, + and the reason for it. Was it merely a phase of the passional relation + between the sexes, or had it some deeper and more mysterious significance? + </p> + <p> + When I mentioned the former idea, Hammond demanded why this tendency was + not reciprocal between the sexes. As a matter of fact, while women showed + endless devotion and fondness for men, their feeling was without the + strain of adoration. Particular men’s qualities of mind or heart might + excite the enthusiastic admiration of women, but such admiration was for + cause, and in no way confounded with the worshipful reverence which it was + man’s instinct to extend to woman as woman, with secondary reference to + her qualities as a particular person. No fact in the relations of men and + women, he declared, was more striking than this contrast in their mutual + attitudes. It was the feminine, not the masculine, ideal which supplied + the inspiration of art and the aroma of literature, which was found + enshrined in the customs and common speech of mankind. To this I replied + that man, being the dominant sex, had imposed his worship on the race as a + conquering nation, its gods on the conquered. He, not woman, had been the + creator of the art, the literature, and the language which were dedicated + to her. Had woman been the dominant sex, the reverse might have happened, + and man been obliged to stand upon a pedestal and be worshiped. + </p> + <p> + Hammond laughed, but declared that I was all wrong. Man’s tendency to + worship woman, while naturally blending with his passional attraction + towards her, did not spring from the instinct of sex, but from the + instinct of race,—a far deeper and generally unrecognized impulse. + Even though woman should become some day the dominant sex, man need suffer + no apprehension of being worshiped. His modesty would be respected. + </p> + <p> + Some time later, when we had cozily established ourselves before a + sea-coal fire in Hammond’s quarters, with divers creature comforts at hand + for one of our usual symposiums, the subject came up again; and under + conditions so favorable to discursiveness our talk took a wide range. + </p> + <p> + “By the way,” said I, apropos of some remark he had made, “talking about + the adoration of woman, did not that crack-brained Frenchman, Auguste + Comte, propose something of the sort as a feature of his ‘Religion of + Humanity’?” + </p> + <p> + Hammond nodded. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder,” I said, “whether that feature of his scheme was ever actually + practiced by his followers. I should like to get a chance to ask a + Positivist about that, if indeed there are any in America.” + </p> + <p> + Hammond smoked in silence for some time, and finally said, quietly, + “Possibly I might tell you something about it myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Hello!” I exclaimed. “How long since you have been a Positivist?” + </p> + <p> + “About twenty-five years,” was the matter-of-fact reply. + </p> + <p> + “A Positivist of twenty-five years’ standing,” I ejaculated, “and never + told of it! Why have you hid your light under a bushel all this while?” + </p> + <p> + “I said that it was twenty-five years since I had been a Positivist,” + replied Hammond; “as long, in fact, as it is since I have been a + sophomore. Both experiences belonged to the same year of my college + course, and, perhaps you may infer, to the same stage of intellectual + development. For about six months at that time I was as ardent a convert, + I fancy, as the Religion of Humanity ever had.” + </p> + <p> + “I thought you had told me all about yourself long ago,” I said. “How is + it that you have kept so mum about this experience? I should fancy it must + have been a decidedly odd one.” + </p> + <p> + “It was a very odd one,” replied Hammond,—“the strangest passage, on + the whole, I think, in my life. I have never spoken of it, because it is + one of those emotional experiences which no man likes to relate unless he + is sure of being understood. To tell it to most men would be casting + pearls before swine. I have always meant to tell you when a suitable + opportunity came up.” + </p> + <p> + “You know,” he said, when I had signified my eagerness to hear, “that I + graduated at Leroy College. It was a little one-horse institution, but + blue as a whetstone in its orthodoxy; and with my father, who was a + clergyman of a very strait sect and staid views, that fact covered a + multitude of shortcomings. I was nineteen when I entered, and consequently + twenty when, at the beginning of sophomore year, I came under the charge + of Professor Régnier. He was a Frenchman, but spoke English with perfect + ease and precision and a very slight accent. At the time I knew him, he + was probably sixty. His hair was quite gray, but his mustache and imperial + were still dark. It was rumored among the students that he had left his + native land for political reasons, having played for too high stakes at + the national game of revolution. True or not, the report naturally + heightened the interest which his personality had for us. + </p> + <p> + “He made it his business to know personally all the students in his + classes; and as it is not easy for a man of sixty, especially if he is + also their teacher, to become really acquainted with students of twenty, + the fact may be taken as evidence of his unusual tact. He was, I think, + the most fascinating man I ever saw. His insight into character was like + magic, his manners were charming, and his Gallic vivacity made him seem + like a boy. Gradually, while still remaining to the rest of the students a + genial and friendly instructor, he singled out a smaller circle of + particular intimates. Of these I was one, and I believe the most trusted. + </p> + <p> + “Of course we boys were immensely flattered by the partiality of such a + man; but equally of course the pursuit of his own pleasure could scarcely + have been the motive which impelled him to seek our companionship. It was, + in fact, a motive as unselfish as that of the missionary who leaves the + comforts and refinements of civilization and exiles himself among savages + that he may win them to his faith. He had been a personal friend and + disciple of Auguste Comte, then but lately dead, and on coming to America + had sought his present employment, not merely as a means of livelihood, + but equally for the opportunity it offered for propagating the new gospel + among young men. Do you know much about what Positivism is?” + </p> + <p> + I confessed that I knew next to nothing,—scarcely more than that + there was such a thing. + </p> + <p> + “I shall not bore you with an account of it,” resumed Hammond, “further + than to say that it is a scheme for the perfection of the human race. It + rejects as idle all theories of superhuman intelligences, and declares the + supreme object of the individual love and devotion should be humanity. The + rational demonstration of the truth of this system is sought in the course + of history, which is claimed to prove Positivism the finality of social + evolution. You will find anything else you want to know about it in the + books. I dare say you will not be converted; but if you were nineteen + instead of twice that, with Hippolyte Régnier to indoctrinate you, I fancy + the result would be about what it was in my case. + </p> + <p> + “His personal influence over us, and the intoxicating flattery implied in + being seriously reasoned with on themes so lofty by a man whom we so + greatly admired, would have gone far, no doubt, to commend to us any form + of opinions he might have taught; but there were not lacking other reasons + to account for his success in converting us. As for Comte’s dogmatic + denial of superhuman existence, and his fanciful schemes of new society, + we were too young and crude to realize how unphilosophic was the former, + how impossible and undesirable was the latter. While accepting them as + facts of a new creed, they meant little to us, nor did Régnier much insist + upon them. What most he did insist on was the ethical side of Positivism,—the + idea of the essential unity of the individual with the immortal race of + man, and his obvious duty to forget self in its service. What could be + better adapted to affect generous and impassioned boys than an appeal like + this? The magnificent audacity of it, the assumption of man’s essential + nobleness, the contemptuous refusal to make any terms with selfishness, + captivated our imaginations. I know now, indeed, that this enthusiasm of + humanity, this passion of self-abnegation, which I thought a new religion, + was the heart of the old religions. In its new-fangled disguise the truth + and virtue of the doctrine were still operative, and the emotional crisis + through which I passed I found was as essentially religious as it was in + form unorthodox. + </p> + <p> + “At the end of sophomore year there were a half-dozen very positive young + Positivists in our class. The pride of intellect which we felt in our new + enlightenment was intoxicating. To be able to look down from a serene + height, with compassion frequently tempered by contempt, upon the rest of + the world still groping in the mists of childish superstition, was + prodigiously to the taste of youths of eighteen and twenty. How, to be + sure, we did turn up our noses at the homely teachings in the college + chapel on Sundays! Well do I remember attending my father’s church when at + home on vacation, and endeavoring to assume the mental attitude of a + curious traveler in a Buddhist temple. Together with the intellectual + vanity which it fostered, our new faith was commended to us by its flavor + of the secret, the hazardous, and the forbidden. We were delightfully + conscious of being concerned in a species of conspiracy, which if it came + to light would convulse the college and the community, have us expelled, + and cause no end of scandal to the public. + </p> + <p> + “But the more I took my new faith in earnest and tried to make of it the + religion it claimed to be, I was troubled by a lack that seemed to be + inherent. Humanity, the object of our devotion, was but an abstraction, a + rhetorical expression for a mass of individuals. To these individuals I + might indeed render affection, service, compassion, tenderness, + self-sacrifice; but their number and pettiness forbade me the glow of + adoration with which service was touched in religions which offered a + personified object of adoration. When, finally, I confided these troubles + to Régnier, I expected to be rebuked; but on the contrary, and to my great + discomfiture, he embraced me effusively after the Gallic manner. He said + that he had been waiting for the time when in the course of my development + I should become conscious of the need I had confessed before explaining to + me the provision made for it by Positivism. + </p> + <p> + “To start with, he put in, as a sort of special plea for Positivism, that + it was not singular among religions in recognizing as the object of + devotion an abstraction, the mode of the existence of which was a mystery. + As a solace to their votaries and an aid to their faith, nearly all + religions recognized sacred emblems; not indeed to be confounded in clear + minds with the original object of devotion, but worthy of reverence in its + place, as its special representative and reminder. In precisely this sense + the sacred emblem of humanity was woman. + </p> + <p> + “Of course, Positivism claiming to be a creed of demonstration, not of + faith, Régnier did not ask me to receive this proposition as his mere + statement, but proceeded to establish its reasonableness by logic. I am + going to give you what I remember of his argument, because I believe + still, as I did when I heard it, that it is the only philosophical + explanation of the instinctive reverence of man for woman which we have + been talking about to-night. It was given to me, of course, as a doctrine + peculiar to Positivism; but I don’t know of any form of religious belief, + inconsistent with the recognition of the sacred quality of womanhood on + the grounds given by Régnier. Indeed, I am by no means sure whether the + doctrine as I received it is orthodox Positivism at all. I have reason to + think that Régnier was quite too original a character for a very good + interpreter, and should be interested to know how far his ideas were his + own and how far his master’s. + </p> + <p> + “First he pointed out to me as matter of fact that there was no more + striking feature of the modern and humane as compared with the ancient and + barbaric world than the constantly growing tendency of the most civilized + races to apotheosize womanhood. The virgin ideal had been set up by the + larger part of Christendom as the object of divine honors. The age of + chivalry had translated for all time the language of love into that of + worship. Art had personified under the feminine form every noble and + affecting ideal of the race, till now it was in the name of woman that + man’s better part adjured his baser in every sort of strife towards the + divine. Is it alleged that it is man’s passion for woman that has moved + him thus in a sort to deify the sex? Passion is no teacher of reverence. + Moreover, it is as the race outgrows the dominion of passion that it + recognizes the worshipfulness of woman. The gross and sensual recognize in + her no element of sacredness. It is the clear soul of the boy, the poet, + and the seer which is most surely aware of it. Equally vain is it to seek + the explanation in any general superiority of woman to man, either moral + or mental. Her qualities are indeed in engaging contrast with his, but on + the whole no such superiority has ever been maintained. How, then, were we + to account for a phenomenon so great in its proportions that either it + indicates a world-wide madness infecting the noblest nations while sparing + the basest, or else must be the outcome of some profound monition of + nature, which, in proportion as man’s upward evolution progresses, he + becomes capable of apprehending? Why this impassioned exaltation by him of + his tender companion? What is the secret spring that makes her the + ceaseless fountain of lofty inspiration she is to him? What is the hint of + divinity in her gentle mien that brings him to his knees? Who is this + goddess veiled in woman whom men instinctively reverence yet cannot name? + </p> + <p> + “The adoration of woman, which may almost be called the natural religion + of the modern man, springs from his recognition, instinctive when not + conscious, that she is in an express sense, as he is not, the type, the + representative, and the symbol of the race from which he springs, of that + immortal and mystical life in which the secret of his own is hid. She is + this by virtue, not of her personal qualities, but of the mother-sex, + which, overbearing in part her individuality, consecrates her to the + interests of the race, and makes her the channel of those irresistible + attractions by which humanity exists and men are made to serve it. As + compared with woman’s peculiar identification with the race, man’s + relation to it is an exterior one. By his constitution he is above all an + individual, and that is the natural line of his development. The love of + woman is the centripetal attraction which in due time brings him back from + the individual tangent to blend him again with mankind. In returning to + woman he returns to humanity. All that there is in man’s sentiment for + woman which is higher than passion and larger than personal tenderness—all, + that is to say, which makes his love for her the grand passion which in + noble hearts it is—is the fact that under this form his passion for + the race finds expression. Mysterious ties, subtending consciousness, bind + him, though seemingly separate, to the mighty life of humanity, his + greater self, and these are the chords which, when ‘Love took up the harp + of life,’... ‘passed in music out of sight.’ In woman humanity is + enshrined and made concrete for the homage of man. This is the mighty + indwelling which causes her to suggest something more august than herself, + and invests her with an impersonal majesty commanding reverence. + </p> + <p> + “You may imagine with what power such a doctrine as this, set forth by an + enthusiast like Régnier, appealed to the mind of an impassioned boy of + twenty, as yet pure as a girl, but long vaguely stirred by the master + passion of our nature. The other tenets of the Religion of Humanity had + been impressed upon me by argument, but at the mere statement of this my + heart responded, <i>O Dea Certe!</i> + </p> + <p> + “Subsequently, in response to my questioning, Régnier explained to me how + the master had recommended his disciples to give practical effect to the + cult of womanhood. I must remember that it was nothing new and nothing + peculiar to Positivism for men to adore women to the point even of + idolatry. Lovers constantly were doing it. But in these cases the + worshipers did not look beyond the personality of the idol. Possibly, no + doubt, some dim apprehension of the true grounds of woman’s worshipfulness + might mingle with the lover’s sentiment, but it was very far from being + the clear and distinct sense necessary to redeem his homage from the + charge of extravagance. On the other hand, the spirit in which women + received the homage men rendered them was usually as mistaken as that in + which it was offered. Either, on the one hand, from an impulse of personal + modesty they deprecated it, or, on the other hand, they accepted it as a + gratification to their personal vanity. In either case, they equally + misapprehended their true and valid title to worship, which, while + personal qualities might enhance or partially obscure it, was itself in + root more than personal, and consisted in the martyr and mother sex which + so peculiarly sacrificed and consecrated them to the interests of humanity + as to draw to them the homage and loyalty of all men who loved their race. + It had been the counsel of his master, Régnier said, that, while his + disciples should hold all women in exalted reverence, they should + peculiarly address this general sentiment to some particular woman, who, + being of the same faith, should be able to accept it worthily and without + self-exaltation, in the spirit in which it was offered. + </p> + <p> + “Of course the reflection was obvious that in the existing conditions of + the Positivist propaganda in America it would be impossible to find a + woman capable of understanding, much less of accepting, such a relation, + and, therefore, that to me the cult which I had been taught must remain + entirely theoretical. Homage from men which did not insure to the + titillation of the vanity would seem to women, as usually educated, + equally incomprehensible and unprofitable. + </p> + <p> + “It was in recognition of this situation that Régnier ended by making a + proposition which testified, more strongly than anything else could have + done, both to the enthusiasm and sincerity with which he himself held the + faith he preached, and to his confidence in my own equal singleness of + heart. He had never before spoken of his personal history or home life. + Several times I had spent the evening at his house, but on these occasions + I had seen only himself. Certain womanly belongings, however, which I had + noticed, and the sound of a piano once or twice, had suggested that the + house might not be without a feminine presence. The professor now told me + that long ago in France, for a few short, blissful years, he had been the + husband of the sweetest of women. She had left behind a daughter, the sole + companion of his life and the apple of his eye. She lived in complete + seclusion, rarely even leaving the house. He did not desire her to make + acquaintances in this country, nor indeed was she able to speak a word of + any language but her own. There was no question of my making her + acquaintance in the ordinary sense, or even of meeting her a second time, + but if I desired to testify my new appreciation of the sacred quality of + womanhood, it was possible that she might consent to receive my homage in + the name of her sex. He could not be sure what she would say, but he would + speak with her about it. + </p> + <p> + “The following day, a note from him requesting that I should call at his + house that evening intimated that he had succeeded in carrying his point. + When I called at the time set, he told me that he had found it more + difficult than he had anticipated to gain his daughter’s consent to see + me. She had been very reluctant to assume the attitude required of her, + and only her respect for his wishes and the good of the cause, and the + assurance he had given her of the entire ingenuousness of my own motive, + had induced her finally to yield. After some talk as to the significance + of the interview before me, which I was too much agitated to comprehend, + he bade me follow him. + </p> + <p> + “As may readily be supposed, my fancy, from the moment Régnier had + suggested this interview, had been exceedingly busy with conjectures as to + the sort of scene it would prove, and especially as to the personality of + her who was to be the central figure. Except his intimation that the + interview would be necessarily without interchange of speech and + presumably brief, scarcely more, probably, than a confrontation, he had + told me nothing. + </p> + <p> + “Of course, however, my fancies had not failed to take some form. I think + I had a general expectation of finding myself in the presence of a + beautiful woman, statuesquely shaped and posed. I imagine that I rather + expected her to be enthroned or standing upon some sort of dais, and I am + sure that I should not have been surprised had there been some artificial + arrangement of lights as in a theatre to add effectiveness to the figure. + </p> + <p> + “I followed Régnier through several rooms without raising my eyes. + Presently he paused and said, ‘My daughter.’ + </p> + <p> + “Thrilling with the premonition of a vision of imperious or melting + loveliness which should compel my homage by its mere aspect, I raised my + eyes to find myself facing a plain-featured, plainly dressed young woman, + not ill-looking certainly, but destitute of a single trait striking enough + to have won a second glance from me had I met her on the street. + </p> + <p> + “Her father need not have told me of her reluctance to assume the part his + wishes had imposed upon her. For the fraction of an instant only, a pair + of black eyes had met mine, and then she had bent her face as low as she + could. The downcast head, the burning cheeks, the quick heaving of the + breast, the pendent arms, with tensely interlacing fingers and palms + turned downward, all told the story of a shy and sensitive girl submitting + from a sense of duty to a painful ordeal. + </p> + <p> + “The sudden and complete wreck of all my preconceptions as to her + appearance, as well as the accessories of the scene, left me for a few + moments fairly dazed. Not only were my highly wrought expectations as to + the present interview brought to humiliating discomfiture, but the + influence of the disillusionment instantly retroacted with the effect of + making the entire noble and romantic cult which had led up to this unlucky + confrontation seem a mere farrago of extravagant and baseless sentiment. + What on earth had Régnier been thinking of, to plan deliberately a + situation calculated to turn a cherished sentiment into ridicule? If he + had seriously thought his daughter capable of supporting the rôle he had + assigned her, had there ever been a like case of parental fatuity? + </p> + <p> + “But even as I indignantly asked myself this question, I saw a great + light, and recognized that the trouble was neither with Régnier’s fatuity + nor with his daughter’s lack of charms, but with myself, and a most + unworthy misconception into which I had fallen as to the whole object and + purport of this interview. What had the beauty or the lack of beauty of + this girl to do with the present occasion? I was not here to render homage + to her for the beauty of her sex, but for its perpetual consecration and + everlasting martyrdom to my race. The revulsion of feeling which followed + the recognition of the grossness of the mistake I had made had no doubt + the effect of greatly intensifying my emotions. I was overcome with + contrition for the unworthiness with which I had stood before this girl + who had so trusted to my magnanimity, appraising her like a sensualist + when I should have been on my knees before her. A reaction of compunctious + loyalty made my very heartstrings ache. I saw now how well it had been for + a weak-minded fool like myself that she had not chanced to be beautiful or + even pretty, for then I should have cheated myself of all that + distinguished this solemn meeting from the merest lover’s antics. I won in + that moment an impression of the tawdriness of mere beauty which I have + never gotten over. It seemed to me then, and more or less has ever since, + that the beauty of women is a sort of veil which hides from superficial + eyes the true adorableness of womanhood. + </p> + <p> + “Unable longer to resist the magnetism of my gaze, her eyes rose slowly to + mine. At their first meeting, her face became crimson; but as she did not + avert her eyes, and continued to look into mine, the flush paled swiftly + from her face, and with it all the other evidences of her embarrassment + passed as quickly away, leaving her bearing wholly changed. It was plain + that through my eyes, which in that moment must have been truly windows of + my soul, she had read my inmost thoughts, and had perceived how altogether + impertinent to their quality self-consciousness on her part would be. As + with a gaze growing ever more serene and steadfast she continued to read + my thoughts, her face changed, and from the look of a shy and timid maiden + it gradually took on that of a conscious goddess. Then, as still she read + on, there came another change. The soft black eyes grew softer and yet + softer, and then slowly filled with tears till they were like brimming + vases. She did not smile, but her brows and lips assumed a look of + benignant sweetness indescribable. + </p> + <p> + “In that moment no supernatural aureole would have added sacredness to + that head, or myth of heavenly origin have made that figure seem more + adorable. With right good-will I sank upon my knees. She reached forth her + hand to me and I pressed my lips to it. I lifted up the hem of her dress + and kissed it. There was a rustle of garments. I looked up and she was + gone. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose immediately after that I must have left the house. I only know + that the dawn found me miles out of town, walking aimlessly about and + talking to myself.” + </p> + <p> + Hammond poured himself a glass of wine, drunk it slowly, and then fell + into a profound reverie, apparently forgetful of my presence. + </p> + <p> + “Is that all?” I asked at last. “Did you not see her again?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” he answered, “I never saw her again. Probably, as her father had + intimated, he did not intend that I should. But circumstances also + prevented. The very next day there was an explosion in college. There had + been a Judas among my fellow-disciples, and the faculty had been informed + of the Positivist propaganda going on under their noses. I was suspended + for six months. When I returned to college, Régnier had disappeared. He + had of course been promptly dismissed, and it was rumored that he had gone + back to France. He had left no trace, and I never heard of him again or of + his daughter. I don’t even know the name of the woman I worshiped.” of the + woman I worshiped.” <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Positive Romance, by Edward Bellamy + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A POSITIVE ROMANCE *** + +***** This file should be named 22708-h.htm or 22708-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/2/7/0/22708/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project +Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation” + or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase “Project +Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +“Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, “Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.” + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +“Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right +of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’ WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm’s +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws. + +The Foundation’s principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation’s web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + </body> +</html> |