Bygones Worth Remembering, Vol. 1 (of 2)Holyoake, George Jacob
Philosophy
Bygones Worth Remembering, Vol. 1 (of 2)
Holyoake, George Jacob
Holyoake, George Jacob, 1817-1906; Social reformers -- Great Britain -- Biography; Working class -- Great Britain -- Biography
When anything had to be done, in my power to do, I was at his command.
I had numerous letters from him. His errorless manuscript had the
appearance of Greek writing. Two letters "t" and "s," such as no other
man formed, were the signs of his hand and interpreters of his words. Of
all the communications I ever received from him or saw, none had date or
address, save one letter which had both. Many sought for conversation,
if by chance they were near him, or by letter, or interview--for ends
of their own. But no one elicited any information he did not intend to
give. His mind was a fortress into which no man could enter, unless he
opened the door.
Kossuth astonished us by his knowledge of English, but he knew little
of the English people. Louis Blanc knew much; but Mazzini knew more than
any foreigner I have conversed with. Mazzini made no mistake about us.
He understood the English better than they understood themselves--their
frankness, truth, courage, impulse, pride, passions, prejudice,
inconsistency, and limitation of view. Mazzini knew them all.
His address to the Republicans of the United States (November, 1855) is
an example of his knowledge of nations, whose characteristics were as
familiar to him as those of individuals are to their associates, or as
parties are known to politicians in their own country. There may be seen
his wise way of looking all round an argument in stating it. No man of a
nature so intense had so vigilant an outside mind.
He knew theories as he knew men, and he saw the theories as they
would be in action. There was no analysis so masterly of the popular
schools--political and socialist--as that which Mazzini contributed
to the _People's Journal_, His criticisms of the writings of Carlyle,
published in the _Westminster Review_, explained the excellencies and
the pernicious tendencies--political and moral--of Carlyle's writing,
which no other critic ever did. But Mazzini wrote upon art, music,
literature, poetry, and the drama. To this day the public think of him
merely as a political writer--a sort of Italian Cobbett with a genius
for conspiracy.
The list of his works fills nearly ten pages of the catalogue of the
British Museum.
Under other circumstances his pen would have brought him ample
subsistence, if not affluence. Much was written without payment, as
a means of obtaining attention to Italy. It was thus he won his first
friends in England.
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