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    ALESSANPRO MANZOITC

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    tions—lies the origin of division of labour . Tma may be . more widely expressed as the adaptability of each individual to perform some one task ; better than another ; and thus expressed , it prevails at all times , and continually extends division of labour in all ages and countries . # . Before knowledge can be imparted it must be acquired . A certain age must be reached before a man can be a teacher . The aged , therefore , are necessarily teachers— the young are _ learners . Another specimen of the adaptability of individuals to perform peculiar tasks is found in what is

    called genius , or strong liking to do a particular thing . Some men can pamt better than others ; some have uncontrollable attachment to machinery , and become Watts , Houdins , or Stephensons ; others like only the work of authorship ; they have a strong desire to express peculiar thoughts —to reason and instruct , or to amuse others ; and we have a great abundance of McCullochs , Mills , Dickenses , Albert Smiths . Distinctions such as as those noted pervade all society . Every man and woman haying peculiar talents , these are ever welling sources of further and continual labour . .

    All the sources of division of labour now mentioned axe in the s human being . They arise from individual peculiarities , of which the distinction of sex and age are amongst the most remarkable and important , but they all tend to the same end . Man , however , is part of the material world , and is adapted to it . He works with and in it ; and in its peculiarities , as they affect him , lie other sources of division of labour and of its continued extension .

    As he lives on a mountain , or on the side ^ of a river , or on the sea shore , he becomes a hunter or a fisher . In plains he rears cattle and grows corn . In mineral districts he becomes a miner . In countries were forests are more plentiful than minerals he uses wood for all purposes . In Switzerland , where bounding streams woo him to use water power and where wood is plentiful , he becomes a master in the art of wheel and wood work . In the Netherlands , where there are no rushing streams , he makes windmills . As theclimate is warm , he becomes a cultivator of delicious fruits or of herbs ^—grows coffee or tea , and

    provides the " drink which cheers but not inebriates . " As the climate is cold he becomes a great distiller , a breeder of sheep , and a woollen cloth manufacturer ; or , requiring a great deal of clothing for comfort , he learns to make it for himself , and others . Thus all the endless varieties ^ of climate and situation throughout the globe dictate different employments to different individuals . Territorial peculiarities are sources of territorial division of labour ; personal peculiarities are the sources of personal division of labour ; and , as the latter adapt all the members of each community to help and serve each other , thereby procuring more

    hire fighters and employ collectors , or support an established church— -it determines the income . : In the different physiology and functions of the sexes lie the germ , of different employments for them . Throughout the . whole history of mankind , accordingly , there is only one example , and that , probably a myth , of women , the amazons , being the regular and distinct fighters of the community . How can it be ?—how could it ever be ?^—that the mothers of all , who bear , and rear , and nurse mankind , whose great natural function is to preserve the human species , should at the same time be the soldier , the destroyer of the species ? Every where infanticide , though sometimes practised , as amongst the " Rohillas , from a mistaken

    theory , is condemned ; instinct in the males corresponding with the functions of the females , teaches them that the mothers are also the nurses and conservators of society . The affections as well as the functions of females mark out , independently of all law , broadly and minutely , occupations for them different from those of males . In like manner other peculiarities adapt other individuals to peculiar occupations . While we express our agreement with the Review , and our disagreement from Mr . Mill , on the subject of law determining the occupation of the sexes , we must however say that the Review seems , like Mr . Mill , not to believe in abstract rights and a law of nature for society , and not to know that society , like any other portion of natural history , should be described and cannot be regulated .

    It must be admitted that the knowledge of the natural laws of society does not so much contribute to increase as to restrain the activities . There is nothing in it like the knowledge of astronomy , which teaches us to navigate the ocean ; or of electricity , which enables us to talk to each other across the globe . Oh the eoritraryj all the knowledge of the natural order of society teaches us not to be politically active- —teaches ^ that all the activities of the thousand political meddlers who fill our streets and councils-r-r-who sit in Parliaments or

    Cabinets , and undertake to regulate mankind , are useful only to themselves . There is an activity well and instinctively employed to preserve life or health , but there is no corresponding natural activity destined to preserve or benefit society . Activity to mend society has no object . For its improvement , division of labour is essential . No separation of employments decreed by laws or intended to work out the purposes of men , can be compared for utility to the great division of labour , which is decreed and always carried into effect by nature . The subject is well worthy of being thought about , though it run counter to many prejudices . All that we care now to affirm of it is , that if our view be correct , the scientific politician is a natural philosopher of the noblest description , having for the object of his study the noblest part of creation beneath the heavens .

    wealth for all , so the former adapt communities , or portions of the human race who live apart , to help and promote the welfare of each other . If the naturalist would consider the world as a vivarium , ready-made to his hand , he would certainly find this wonderful adaptation of individuals to each other , and of communities to communities , forming one vast ant or bee-like community of the whole of human society , filling the earth its natural hive , as well worthy of being studied as the artificial vivarium lie prides himself on making . The individual ( homo ) finds a place in the naturalist ' s zoology , the relations and liabjts of the species he entirely neglects , and leaves them to be studied by the soientifio politician . To this theory there are many objections .

    We are told , for example , by a weekly contemporary , in a notice of Mr . T . S . Mill ' s essays , that this great writer is " no believer in abstract rights , the jaw of nature , the inherent equality of man , " but " is a Benthamite of the severest kind , " or a believer in the theory thot social order is the result of legislation . Accordingly , Mr . Mill refers , as the Saturday Review states , most of the distractions of employments whioh prevail In society between the sexes , to the operations of law . The Review ia of a different opinion , and accuses Mr . Mill of overrating the effect of law in producing the existing distinctions between the occupations of the Boxes . In this respect we agree with the Review , and believe that positive law has very little to do with , determining the diverse occupations of the sexes , or of any portion of society other than that of which by taxation or institutions ^ -direoted to

    Alessanpro Manzoitc

    in all the events of the recent war , and the most enthusiastic joy at the entrance of King Victor Emmanuel into Lombardy as its sovereign . " For ten years , " exclaimed he , " he has been the kino of our choice . How happy for us to have so good and brave a sovereign !" It is now many years since Manzoni , in sweet poetic accents , celebrated the day which had seen the fall of the barriers erected at the Ticino by foreign tyranny . His patriotic hopes have been often disappointed , but he accepts th e present happy change as a good onien for the future . That which still remains unaccomplished will , we trust .

    hereafter be effected by the united forces of Italy herself who at this moment , in spite of niany disappointed hopes , maintains an attitude of patriotic and energetic protest against tyranny and against the fresh / dismemberment which it is sought to impose upon the peninsula . All Italy unites in applauding the idea of Victor Emmanuel who designed to honour the country by conferring a decoration upon a man who is the greatest of her literary celebrities no less than the warmest of her patriots . By showing themselves thus united in sentiment , the Italians have given an additional proof that they are and will be one in every

    elevated and patriotic demonstration . Not only does all Italy rejoice but every individual in Europe and the civilised world who can appreciate Italian genius , and who values progress whether in art , literature , or social science . The honours awarded to the poet a * Milan is one of the first fruits of the change of government in Northern Italy . ' While the whole world of letters nourished sincere respect and veneration for the author of " I Proinessi Sp _ , " the Austrian Government all but ignored his existence , and proved itself in any degree aware of it only by making him the object of suspicion , by pointing him out to the police , and checking the spread of his writings ,

    which breathe the purest virtue and the most ardent patriotism . How could a foreign government tolerate the expansion and diffusion of liberal ideas and patriotic sentimentsin the territory itgoverned ? How , above all , could such tolerance be looked for from the Austrian Government which has oppressed genius and letters in its own country , exiled its own loftiest intellects , or rendered them the objects of contempt to their fellow countrymen by employing them as instruments of tyranny , and conferring upon them the post of censors and revisors of the press , and judges of public education , which is in Austria reduced to mere forms of examination and bare attendance at schools . and

    churches ? When the Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian came to Italy he feigned friendly sentiments towards the Italian provinces subject to Austria , in order to comply with the diplomatic requirements of his position . In accordance with this policy he paid an ostentatious visit to Alessandro Manzoni , who was then l'ecovering from sickness , and the hireling Austrian press loudly called attentothe condescension . Had the Archduke been actuated by sincere respect he would not have stopped short at so common place a civility ; but even this was a great step for Austria , who had

    previously taken no heed of any of the literary celebrities on whom Italy prided herself . Some twenty years ago the lamented Duke of Orleans , and his brother , the Duke of Nemo , paid a visit to Lombardy and , upon arriving at Milan , were honoured and feted by the Austrian governor , Count Hartig . One evening the princes were splendidly entertained at the governor ' s residence . Many Austrian employes and foreigners of other countries were present , but vory few members of the Milanese aristocracy . The Duke of Orleans appeared struck with the magnificence of the preparations and the number of the guests tnosc most

    ALESSANDRO MANZOOT . The literary and social honours conferred , during his visit to Milan , by King Victor Emmanuel upon the first of living Italian poets , represent the gratitude of the nation towards those illustrious men who remind the civilised world that Italian genius is still unexhausted , notwithstanding the humiliating servitude and long prostration of past times . To honour the men who honour their country has always been felt' a sacred duty by Italians , though one which Italy has too often been prevented from fulfilling by foreign oppression . The darkness which has so long enveloped the peninsula is now becoming partially dispelled , and though fuJU light is still far from being enjoyed yet the dawn of brighter destinies has certainly appeared , and to his countrymen it seemed but right that the name of Alessandro Manzoni , whioh shone so

    resplendently by its own light , should mingle its rays with those of his reviving country . The attention paid to the veteran poet by the King , Prince Carignan , Ratasszi , and other men of mark during the festivities- —his appointment to the presidentship of the Institute of Milan , with a salary of 12 , 000 lire , or about 500 / .. a-yoar—his investiture with the Grand Cordon of the Order of Mauriziano—and his nomination as senator of the kingdom—rhave given the greatest satisfaction possible . Throughout all classes and ranks the announcement of the complimentary and material marks of favour shown to Manzoni were received with the liveliest demonstrations of delight , In spite of his failing health he has felt and oxpressed the deepest interest

    present , and expressed , the desire tuat celebrated among the Milanese notabilities , particularly in the department of letters , should bo presented to him . Count Hartig summoned t » o Chevalier Maffei , " But where is Alessandro Manzoni P " asked the duke . " He does not frequent my conversazione ; " replied Count Hurtig . tf liis son-in-law , Massimo d'AzeglioP" " Nor he either . " " Tommaso GrossiP" "No ; but A have the honour to present to your Royal Hig" - ness the Chevalier Maffoi . " The prince , who read the works of Sohiller in the original , ana might well be exoused if he was . ignorant < rt tuo name of their excellent translator , bowed with an expression whioh Boomed to say , " And who i » tuo

    Untitled Article

    q THE LEADEE [ No . 492 . Aug . 27 , 1859 .

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Aug. 27, 1859, page 988, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2309/page/16/