natural re-action doubly irksome. It was not the grasping passion of the

preceding year, which gave life and individuality to each moment--it was

not the aching pangs induced by the distresses of the times. The utter

inutility that had attended all my exertions took from them their usual

effects of exhilaration, and despair rendered abortive the balm of self

applause--I longed to return to my old occupations, but of what use were

they? To read were futile--to write, vanity indeed. The earth, late wide

circus for the display of dignified exploits, vast theatre for a

magnificent drama, now presented a vacant space, an empty stage--for

actor or spectator there was no longer aught to say or hear.

Our little town of Windsor, in which the survivors from the neighbouring

counties were chiefly assembled, wore a melancholy aspect. Its streets were

blocked up with snow--the few passengers seemed palsied, and frozen by

the ungenial visitation of winter. To escape these evils was the aim and

scope of all our exertions. Families late devoted to exalting and refined

pursuits, rich, blooming, and young, with diminished numbers and

care-fraught hearts, huddled over a fire, grown selfish and grovelling

through suffering. Without the aid of servants, it was necessary to

discharge all household duties; hands unused to such labour must knead the

bread, or in the absence of flour, the statesmen or perfumed courtier must

undertake the butcher's office. Poor and rich were now equal, or rather the

poor were the superior, since they entered on such tasks with alacrity and

experience; while ignorance, inaptitude, and habits of repose, rendered

them fatiguing to the luxurious, galling to the proud, disgustful to all

whose minds, bent on intellectual improvement, held it their dearest

405

The Last Man