How to Observe Morals and Manners   By: Harriet Martineau (1802-1876)

BY HARRIET MARTINEAU.

"Hélas! où donc chercher, où trouver le bonheur? Nulle part tout entier, partout avec mesure." VOLTAIRE.

"Opening my journal book, and dipping my pen in my ink horn, I determined, as far as I could, to justify myself and my countrymen in wandering over the face of the earth." ROGERS.

LONDON: CHARLES KNIGHT AND CO. 22, LUDGATE STREET. 1838.

LONDON: PRINTED BY SAMUEL BENTLEY, Dorset Street, Fleet Street.

ADVERTISEMENT.

"The best mode of exciting the love of observation is by teaching 'How to Observe.' With this end it was originally intended to produce, in one or two volumes, a series of hints for travellers and students, calling their attention to the points necessary for inquiry or observation in the different branches of Geology, Natural History, Agriculture, the Fine Arts, General Statistics, and Social Manners. On consideration, however, it was determined somewhat to extend the plan, and to separate the great divisions of the field of observation, so that those whose tastes led them to one particular branch of inquiry might not be encumbered with other parts in which they do not feel an equal interest."

The preceding passage is contained in the notice accompanying the first work in this series Geology, by Mr. De la Bèche, published in 1835. Thus, the second work in the series is in continuation of the plan above announced.

CONTENTS.

PART I. REQUISITES FOR OBSERVATION. Page

INTRODUCTION 1

CHAP. I. Philosophical Requisites. Section I. 11 Section II. 14 Section III. 21 Section IV. 27

CHAP. II. Moral Requisites 40

CHAP. III. Mechanical Requisites 51

PART II. WHAT TO OBSERVE 61

CHAP. I. Religion 68 Churches 80 Clergy 84 Superstitions 90 Suicide 94

CHAP. II. General Moral Notions 101 Epitaphs 108 Love of Kindred and Birth place 111 Talk of Aged and Children 113 Character of prevalent Pride 114 Character of popular Idols 118 Epochs of Society 122 Treatment of the Guilty 124 Testimony of Criminals 129 Popular Songs 132 Literature and Philosophy 137

CHAP. III. Domestic State 144 Soil and Aspect of the Country 153 Markets 154 Agricultural Class 155 Manufacturing Class 157 Commercial Class 158 Health 161 Marriage and Woman 167 Children 181

CHAP. IV. Idea of Liberty 183 Police 184 Legislation 188 Classes in Society 190 Servants 192 Imitation of the Metropolis 196 Newspapers 197 Schools 198 Objects and Form of Persecution 203