Cydni’s Reviews > North and South > Status Update

“Both must find it hard to realize a future of any kind; the one because the present is so living and hurrying and close around him; the other because his life tempts him to revel in the mere sense of animal existence, not knowing of, and consequently not caring for any pungency of pleasure for the attainment of which he can plan, and deny himself and look forward.'

“I suppose each mode of life produces its own trials and its own temptations. The dweller in towns must find it as difficult to be patient and calm, as the country-bred man must find it to be active, and equal to unwonted emergencies.”

“It is the town life, said she. 'Their nerves are quickened by the haste and bustle and speed of everything around them, to say nothing of the confinement in these pent-up houses, which of itself is enough to induce depression and worry of spirits. Now in the coun-try, people live so much more out of doors, even children, and even in the winter.’

“He did not know good from evil. His father had made the blunder of bringing him up in ignorance and taking it for innocence; and after fourteen months of riotous living, the city authorities had to take charge of him, in order to save him from starvation. He could not even use words effectively enough to be a successful beggar.'

“Now, the error which many parents commit in the treatment of the individual at this time is, insisting on the same unreasoning obedience as when all he had to do in the way of duty was, to obey the simple laws of "Come when you're called," and "Do as you're bid!" But a wise parent humours the desire for independent action, so as to become the friend and adviser when his absolute rule shall cease.”

“But, surely, if the mind is too long directed to one object only, it will get stiff and rigid, and unable to take in many interests, said
Margaret.

‘Having many interests does not suit the life of a Milton manufacturer. It is, or ought to be, enough for him to have one great desire, and to bring all the purposes of his life to bear on the fulfillment of that’ (Mrs Thornton)

“I believe that this suffering, which Miss Hale says is impressed on the countenances of the people of Milton, is but the natural punishment of dishonestly-enjoyed pleasure, at some former period of their lives. I do not look on self-indulgent, sensual people as worthy of my ha-tred; I simply look upon them with contempt for their poorness of character.'”

“Now when I feel that in my own case it is no good luck, nor merit, nor talent,— but simply the habits of life which taught me to despise indulgences not thoroughly earned,—indeed, never to think twice about them,”

“he almost longed to ask her to do for him what he saw her compelled to do for her father, who took her little finger and thumb in his masculine hand, and made them serve as sugar-tongs. Mr Thornton saw her beautiful eyes lifted to her father, full of light, half-laughter and half-love, as this bit of pantomime went on between the two, unobserved, as they fancied, by any.

“'Papa!' said Margaret, it is this suspense that is bad for you both Of course, mamma must feel your change of opinions: we can't hel that,' she continued, softly; 'but now the course is clear, at least to certain point. And I think, papa, that I could get mamma to help m in planning, if you could tell me what to plan for. She has never expressed any wish in any way, and only thinks of what can't be helped.”