Non-Fiction > Books > London, 1887 - Virginibus Puerisque, and other papers

^s Triplex i55
are spoken of with more fearful whisperings
than this prospect of death, few have less
influence on conduct under healthy circum-
stances. We have all heard of cities in
South America built upon the side of fiery
mountains, and how, even in this tremendous
neighbourhood, the inhabitants are not a jot
more impressed by the solemnity of mortal
conditions than if they were delving gardens
in the greenest corner of England. There
are serenades and suppers and much gallantry
among the myrtles overhead ; and mean-
while the foundation shudders underfoot, the
bowels of the mountain growl, and at any
moment living ruin may leap sky-high into
the moonlight, and tumble man and his
merr}^-making in the dust. In the eyes of
very young people, and very dull old ones,
there is something indescribably reckless
and desperate in such a picture. It seems
not credible that respectable married people,
with umbrellas, should find appetite for a
bit of supper within quite a long distance of
a fiery mountain ; ordinary life begins to