misc writings and speeches(米斯克说与写)-第50章
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pleasures and amusements which they enjoyed were to be considered as so
much clear gain。 The infantry of Athens was certainly not equal to that
of Lacedaemon； but this seems to have been caused merely by want of
practice： the attention of the Athenians was diverted from the discipline
of the phalanx to that of the trireme。 The Lacedaemonians； in spite of all
their boasted valour； were； from the same cause； timid and disorderly in
naval action。
But we are told that crimes of great enormity were perpetrated by the
Athenian government； and the democracies under its protection。 It is true
that Athens too often acted up to the full extent of the laws of war in an
age when those laws had not been mitigated by causes which have
operated in later times。 This accusation is； in fact； common to Athens； to
Lacedaemon； to all the states of Greece； and to all states similarly situated。
Where communities are very large； the heavier evils of war are felt but by
few。 The ploughboy sings； the spinning…wheel turns round； the wedding…
day is fixed； whether the last battle were lost or won。 In little states it
cannot be thus； every man feels in his own property and person the effect
of a war。 Every man is a soldier； and a soldier fighting for his nearest
interests。 His own trees have been cut downhis own corn has been
burnthis own house has been pillagedhis own relations have been killed。
How can he entertain towards the enemies of his country the same feelings
with one who has suffered nothing from them； except perhaps the addition
of a small sum to the taxes which he pays？ Men in such circumstances
cannot be generous。 They have too much at stake。 It is when they are；
if I may so express myself； playing for love； it is when war is a mere game
at chess； it is when they are contending for a remote colony； a frontier
town； the honours of a flag； a salute； or a title； that they can make fine
speeches； and do good offices to their enemies。 The Black Prince waited
behind the chair of his captive； Villars interchanged repartees with Eugene；
George II。 sent congratulations to Louis XV。； during a war； upon occasion
of his escape from the attempt of Damien： and these things are fine and
generous； and very gratifying to the author of the Broad Stone of Honour；
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THE MISCELLANEOUS WRITINGS AND SPEECHES OF LORD MACAULAY
and all the other wise men who think； like him； that God made the world
only for the use of gentlemen。 But they spring in general from utter
heartlessness。 No war ought ever to be undertaken but under
circumstances which render all interchange of courtesy between the
combatants impossible。 It is a bad thing that men should hate each other；
but it is far worse that they should contract the habit of cutting one
another's throats without hatred。 War is never lenient； but where it is
wanton； when men are compelled to fight in selfdefence； they must hate
and avenge： this may be bad； but it is human nature； it is the clay as it
came from the hand of the potter。
It is true that among the dependencies of Athens seditions assumed a
character more ferocious than even in France； during the reign of terror
the accursed Saturnalia of an accursed bondage。 It is true that in Athens
itself； where such convulsions were scarcely known； the condition of the
higher orders was disagreeable； that they were compelled to contribute
large sums for the service or the amusement of the public； and that they
were sometimes harassed by vexatious informers。 Whenever such cases
occur； Mr Mitford's scepticism vanishes。 The 〃if；〃 the 〃but；〃 the 〃it is
said；〃 the 〃if we may believe；〃 with which he qualifies every charge
against a tyrant or an aristocracy； are at once abandoned。 The blacker the
story； the firmer is his belief； and he never fails to inveigh with hearty
bitterness against democracy as the source of every species of crime。
The Athenians； I believe； possessed more liberty than was good for
them。 Yet I will venture to assert that； while the splendour； the
intelligence； and the energy of that great people were peculiar to
themselves； the crimes with which they are charged arose from causes
which were common to them with every other state which then existed。
The violence of faction in that age sprung from a cause which has always
been fertile in every political and moral evil； domestic slavery。
The effect of slavery is completely to dissolve the connection which
naturally exists between the higher and lower classes of free citizens。
The rich spend their wealth in purchasing and maintaining slaves。 There
is no demand for the labour of the poor； the fable of Menenius ceases to be
applicable； the belly communicates no nutriment to the members； there is
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THE MISCELLANEOUS WRITINGS AND SPEECHES OF LORD MACAULAY
an atrophy in the body politic。 The two parties； therefore； proceed to
extremities utterly unknown in countries where they have mutually need
of each other。 In Rome the oligarchy was too powerful to be subverted
by force； and neither the tribunes nor the popular assemblies； though
constitutionally omnipotent； could maintain a successful contest against
men who possessed the whole property of the state。 Hence the necessity
for measures tending to unsettle the whole frame of society； and to take
away every motive of industry； the abolition of debts； and the agrarian
lawspropositions absurdly condemned by men who do not consider the
circumstances from which they sprung。 They were the desperate
remedies of a desperate disease。 In Greece the oligarchical interest was
not in general so deeply rooted as at Rome。 The multitude； therefore；
often redressed by force grievances which； at Rome； were commonly
attacked under the forms of the constitution。 They drove out or
massacred the rich； and divided their property。 If the superior union or
military skill of the rich rendered them victorious； they took measures
equally violent； disarmed all in whom they could not confide； often
slaughtered great numbers； and occasionally expelled the whole
commonalty from the city； and remained； with their slaves； the sole
inhabitants。
From such calamities Athens and Lacedaemon alone were almost
completely free。 At Athens the purses of the rich were laid under regular
contribution for the support of the poor； and this； rightly considered； was
as much a favour to the givers as to the receivers； since no other measure
could possibly have saved their houses from pillage and their persons from
violence。 It is singular that Mr Mitford should perpetually reprobate a
