A Yankee in Canada, with Anti-slavery and reform papers.Thoreau, Henry David
History
A Yankee in Canada, with Anti-slavery and reform papers.
Thoreau, Henry David
Brown, John, 1800-1859; Québec (Province) -- Description and travel; Slavery -- United States
It would seem from this and various indications beside, that there is a
transcendentalism in mechanics as well as in ethics. While the whole
field of the one reformer lies beyond the boundaries of space, the other
is pushing his schemes for the elevation of the race to its utmost
limits. While one scours the heavens, the other sweeps the earth. One
says he will reform himself, and then nature and circumstances will be
right. Let us not obstruct ourselves, for that is the greatest friction.
It is of little importance though a cloud obstruct the view of the
astronomer compared with his own blindness. The other will reform nature
and circumstances, and then man will be right. Talk no more vaguely,
says he, of reforming the world,—I will reform the globe itself. What
matters it whether I remove this humor out of my flesh, or this
pestilent humor from the fleshy part of the globe? Nay, is not the
latter the more generous course? At present the globe goes with a
shattered constitution in its orbit. Has it not asthma, and ague, and
fever, and dropsy, and flatulence, and pleurisy, and is it not afflicted
with vermin? Has it not its healthful laws counteracted, and its vital
energy which will yet redeem it? No doubt the simple powers of nature,
properly directed by man, would make it healthy and a paradise; as the
laws of man’s own constitution but wait to be obeyed, to restore him to
health and happiness. Our panaceas cure but few ails, our general
hospitals are private and exclusive. We must set up another Hygeia than
is now worshipped. Do not the quacks even direct small doses for
children, larger for adults, and larger still for oxen and horses? Let
us remember that we are to prescribe for the globe itself.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account