Some Observations Upon the Civilization of the Western Barbarians, Particularly of the English / made during the residence of some years in those parts.

by John B. Swazey

SOME GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

It is the business of a wise man (as our illustrious Confutzi and Menzi say) to seek the conditions of the visible forms of things—whether the things be those which we see, or only those which take form in the mind. The conditions are what the Barbarians call laws. We see that the use of a certain earth will enrich some soils, and impoverish others; we examine into the cause; we try to discover the conditions which make this difference. We know that, generally and broadly, the elements are the same, but they are differently combined. The Western Barbarians are of the same race with ourselves—inherently the general nature is the same. What difference of combination of similar elements has produced results so dissimilar?

In the mighty East, where civilization goes back into the most distant and dim antiquity, the laws which underlie organized governments and customs, and which give form and life to communities, are very different, and sometimes antagonistic. It is certain, therefore, that man, really the same everywhere, has, in the course of ages, evolved from his own and surrounding nature very different forms of social life in the East and in the West. Man and nature radically the same, have, in different conditions, grown and put forth very dissimilar shapes of growth. The tree and the fruit are rooted in similar soil, have grown in similar air, sun, and rain. Even the trees are not wholly unlike, nor the fruit; yet, most unlike, when duly considered; and, when regarded with a view to usefulness and to perpetuation, one may demand the axe, and the other only the nice pruning-knife [quin-tse]. But a difference so great implies a different seed-germ—not necessarily; for, from the same germ, one may have a bitter, even a poisonous fruit, which finer culture can make sweet and healthful.

If we assume, then, the same germ, whence so great diversity? In my poor mind, when, among the Barbarians, sad and bewildered by the disorder, confusion, and complexity, this question tediously presented itself—"Is man a creature of chance—is there no perfect rule?" I would say, "Is his growth fortuitous like plants, beginning with similar germs and yet dissimilar—so, growing according to the hidden differences and the differing circumstances? Is there no common standard—no fixed measure—no absolute truth?" But, in my poor thought, I also said, "The Sovereign Lord lives in his children, and moral truth (divine illumination) must be. It is simply true, and can be no other. Human forms of social being must be measured by it; and, however complexed and confused, are so measured, and will not long exist if radically inconsistent. Yet these forms may be bad without being wholly rootless, and grow deformed, strange, and noxious."

In looking upon the disorderly and complex features of Barbarian life, two things prominently strike my poor mind. One is, a restless activity, accompanied with love of personal distinction and admiration of strength. The other, is the singular position of women. To the former, may be charged the selfish greed, the callous indifference, the delight in forays and plunder.

To the latter, that aspect of dissolute disorder, that curious complexity of ideas and principles, which render the whole Barbarian Society a marvel—I liked to have said a disgust—to one unaccustomed to it.

The position of women, as it affects the family, no doubt has an all-pervading influence—if that position be wrong, we have, at once, a grand source of evil.

How far the great Superstition, super-imposed upon the olden Idolatry (dark and cruel) may have deepened the shades of Barbaric nature, and strengthened its old admiration of force and rapine, may be only surmised. Certain it is that the Jewish Jah is not unlike the Odin of these tribes; and (as I have said) the gentle Christ-god, himself a Jew worshipper of Jah, has been received only as subordinate; in fact, a Sacrifice by Jah made to himself to appease himself! A character, in fine, not strong enough for these fierce tribes.

We have the government and the family resting upon a different basis in the West from what they rest upon in the East. In the West, it is difficult to say if there be any rule upon which either securely reposes. In the East, the rule is as clear, and as clearly recognized, and as undoubtedly obeyed, as any rule can be. The existence of the Sovereign Lord is not more certainly admitted, and his authority not more implicitly submitted to. This is the rule of Obedience.