Attempt > Volume 1 and Select writings

284
THE ATTEMPT
still a problem, but surely it is not taking the bull by the horns to end the difficulty
by killing them off, without first spending care, time, and every available resource
upon them. Distress of this kind tells of course upon everything else, and the year
we shall so soon commence will probably prove a hard one ; prices are rapidly rising,
and meat will be an impossibility to thousands, even excluding the lowest class of the
population. Benevolence has ample opportunity for shining brightly, and we trust
many will follow the noble examples that have been set in the institution of soup
kitchens, dinners for the invalid and convalescent poor, for children, etc. A severe
winter is predicted, coming after so exceedingly fine and warm a summer. It is many
years since we had as beautiful a season, so warm up to October and even later, that
we might have followed the continental plan, and taken our coffee and ices out of doors.
Imagine our grave Scotchmen throwing off their cares, and lounging in front of our
restaurants, puffing their cigars, and airily discussing the topics of the day, careless of
the fleeting hours, intent only on enjoyment. It would take two or three more similar
seasons to reconcile them to such proceedings, if indeed the imputed natural gravity
of the Scotch ever could permit such latitude. We have all no doubt rejoiced in the
brilliancy of our summer, and now we turn to our old friend winter with a kindly
gaze, for his icy hand brings us many pleasures ; our social gatherings, bright hearths,
gifts of love, and that best time of all, Christmas, when our hearts are softened by the
memory of the “ sweet story of old,” when the sternest brows unbend, and the
laughter of children is the most melodious music, and all is “ peace on earth, good
will to men.” Peace on earth !—could we imagine such a Paradise as that would
create 1 The sound of war to be heard no more and the hand of fellowship extended
to all our brethren on earth !
America seems willing to cleanse her blood-red hands, and to turn her swords into
ploughshares, after as fierce and implacable a struggle as ever marred the annals of the
world’s history. But if in one quarter matters look fairer, in another they are more
gloomy than heretofore ; our colonists in Hew Zealand have cause to fear for their
future, for the new war cry of the natives, Pai Marire, or new religion as they fancy
it, puts an end to any bright visions cherished by our missionaries there of a
permanent conversion. The meaning of the words is “ it is good to be quiet,” but as
an army chaplain in “ Good Words ” says, “ wait,” or “ bide your time ” better conveys
the Maori’s feeling. Having been long working in their minds, it has now burst
forth, and will completely subvert all the changes that have been going on for so long,
cannibalism will regain its horrid power, and all the savage will break out again.
Superstition and its attendant evils will resume their sway, and the pall of mental and