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Parish of Saint George the Martyr, Southwark.
Whatever cause that may be which shall injure the bodily system, let it come in what
shape or form it may, will injure alike the moral and intellectual systems, and will often be
followed by the most important and unforeseen results. Greville, in his memoirs, writing
upon the passing of the Reform Bill in 1832, thus comments upon the consequence of a
headache that Lord Harrow by happened to be suffering from. "The Capture of Vandamme
was the consequence of a belly ache, and the Metropolitan representation depended
on a headache. If the truth could be ascertained, perhaps many of the great events in
history turn upon aches of one sort or other."
It is utterly impossible that the class under consideration can take just and truthful
views of life and its responsibilities. If we would calmly and impartially think about these
victims of crime and violence, we should be more induced to give them our pity than fling
at them our condemnation. But what makes the reflection more sad and disheartening is,
that these physical and mental tendencies are increased and perpetuated. They do not die
out with the generation in which they are developed. A bad man will bequeath with
increased power and tenacity to his childrens' children, the inheritance of his crimes and
vices, as he has probably inherited them from those who preceded him, and who may have
ended their days in the hulks, or penal settlements, or who may have passed out of the
world by the pathway of the gallows. "The hapless sons of hapless sires."
Under the most favourable circumstances, before this class can change their character
and become honest, orderly, helpful fellow citizens, time will be required. It cannot take
place "within the hour glass of one man's life time," but will require many generations.
The late Rev. C. Kingsley affirmed, that the process of degeneration was surely going on in
every civilized country in the world, and in proportion to its civilization. I should be loath
to take such a dreary view of the prospect of our race as this. If civilization has developed
the vices of man, it surely has developed his virtues also. But, indeed, as yet we have
scarcely entered on the path of civilization.
"In the scheme of Providence it may not be meant that man shall be healthy. Disease
of mind and body may be the cross he has to bear, or disease may be the evil against
which he has to struggle, and whose shackles he has finally to unlose. The last disease
will disappear we may well believe when man is perfect. Whether the world is ever to
see such a consummation, no man can say; but as ages roll on hope does in some measure
grow. In the midst of all our weaknesses, and all our many errors, we are certainly gaining
knowledge, and that knowledge tells us in no doubtful terms that the fate of man is in his
own hands. It is undoubtedly true that we can, even now, literally choose between health
or disease ; not, perhaps, always individually, for the sins of our fathers may be visited on
us, or the customs of our life and the claims of our civilization and social customs may gall
us, or even our fellow men may deny us health, or the knowledge which leads to health.
But, as a rule, man holds his own destiny, and can choose between good and evil; and as
time unrolls the scheme of the world, it is not too much to hope that the choice will be for
good."
HENRY BATESON, M.D., Lond.
June 15th, 1875.