Non-Fiction > Books > London, 1881 - Virginibus Puerisque, and other papers

1 66 yEs Triplex.
time to think, have not left them time enough
to go dangerously wrong in practice.
As a matter of fact, although few things are
spoken of with more fearful whisperings than
this prospect of death, few have less influence
on conduct under healthy circumstances. We
have all heard of cities in South America built
upon the side of fiery mountains, and how, even
in this tremendous neighbourhood, the inhabi-
tants 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 over-
head ; and meanwhile 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 merry-making in- the dust. In the eyes of
very young people, and very dull old ones, there
is something indescribably reckless and des-