“One ought only to write when one leaves a piece <strong>of</strong> one's own flesh in the inkpot, each time one dips one's pen.” -- Leo Tolstoy
- THE QUALITY OF LIFE - “The Quality <strong>of</strong> Life is more important than Life itself” he most significant meaning <strong>of</strong> the word “quality”, according to the Waverly Dictionary based on Dr. Samuel Johnson's work, is that it refers to the nature or characteristic <strong>of</strong> anything, as well as that it signifies a degree <strong>of</strong> excellence. It is the latter meaning that is under scrutiny as it pertains to human existence. Dr. Johnson remarks that quality is better than quantity, but a large segment <strong>of</strong> mankind has opted for the latter, thereby losing many <strong>of</strong> the joys <strong>of</strong> living. The larger segment <strong>of</strong> this discourse will highlight a few <strong>of</strong> the major conditions, events and changes that took place during the 19th century in Europe and how it affected the lives <strong>of</strong> citizens. It is unfortunate that the quality <strong>of</strong> life eludes many because <strong>of</strong> personal disaster, tragedy, sickness, poverty and war. It is equally unfortunate that too many do not attain to that level simply because they do not strive for it or are not given the opportunity to enjoy it. The pressure <strong>of</strong> taking care <strong>of</strong> the necessities <strong>of</strong> life is a plague that takes much <strong>of</strong> the pleasure away from many. For those who are able to look after the luxuries and let the necessities take care <strong>of</strong> themselves, have a good recipe for the pursuit <strong>of</strong> happiness. Economics and politics have been the major influences on individuals throughout history, but the changes that were needed for a higher standard <strong>of</strong> living came about slowly and with difficulty. The lifestyles and the opportunities <strong>of</strong>fered differ in various ages throughout history and differ in various cultures. It is a sad comment that in the early years <strong>of</strong> the 21st century there are huge disparities between the very rich and the very poor and that homelessness should be part <strong>of</strong> current society. There is a trite phrase that mentions "the good old days" which is an idealized vision <strong>of</strong> ages gone by and which is a romanticized nostalgia that sometimes clouds historical reality. But having said that, those who ignore history, may well make the mistakes that create unnecessary problems. Each age and each country can boast some contribution to the improvement <strong>of</strong> life for its citizens and historians can record the miseries <strong>of</strong> life in those good old days. It would take a good sized volume to give a complete picture <strong>of</strong> all the events that have brought mankind to the point where many can enjoy a certain quality <strong>of</strong> life. Certainly the lowliest <strong>of</strong> beings were mired in poverty while royalty, nobility and those in authority were ever fearful <strong>of</strong> losing their power to rivals. There is evidence that the lifespan in the first 1800 years after the beginning <strong>of</strong> the Christian era was short for most citizens. Even in the early years <strong>of</strong> the 19th century lifespan was averaged at 30. There is one medieval anecdote that has come down through the ages that may well illustrate that certain minor adjustments meant a great deal to those whose menial existence had some bright moments. Historians relate that St Bernard <strong>of</strong> Clairveau, who lived from 1091 to 1153, was approached by a priest from a small rural parish with a problem. He complained that his members were being plagued by an infestation <strong>of</strong> mosquitoes that made attendance at mass intolerable. St. Bernard, who had a reputation for miraculous deeds, thought for a moment, then assured the priest that on the coming Sunday the pesky mosquitoes would be gone. When the parish members assembled the following Sunday there were no insects to create discomfort for the congregation. The priest was thankful and inquired how St. Bernard had managed this miracle. Bernard replied that he had excommunicated the pesky insects. This wise churchman knew when the mosquito season would end in that district. It may well be that this small comfort added greatly to the quality <strong>of</strong> life for these peasant parishioners. The political events and the countless wars are well documented, but not much has been written about the tradesman, the shopkeeper, the artist, the musician, the writer and persons who did not create wars or dethrone those in power. A few social histories give an insight into life <strong>of</strong> an average citizen. It is evident that only in the last 200 years has the opportunity for bettering the lives <strong>of</strong> a large number <strong>of</strong> people been possible. Ingenuity and what contemporary society calls entrepreneurship have on many occasions created a better lifestyle but it is in the sphere <strong>of</strong> social action that improvement in living standards was achieved. What devastated some idealistic form <strong>of</strong> proper lifestyle was disease and the lack <strong>of</strong> proper hygiene and the discoveries <strong>of</strong> the 19th century in the field <strong>of</strong> germ isolation, prevention and cure came hand in hand with the Industrial Revolution and dramatic changes in the way mankind lived. The beginnings <strong>of</strong> the Industrial Revolution did not improve living conditions in the first decades. There were publications on economics that espoused certain doctrines but not until the idea <strong>of</strong> social legislation did these impact beneficially for the average man. Socialism became the first reaction <strong>of</strong> the Industrial Revolution. In France, Germany and Britain the new labor laws did little to alleviate the misery <strong>of</strong> the workers. In the early 19th century an English mill worker could expect eight shillings for a 15 hour day, six days a week. It would be 30 years before even the most elementary reforms would be suggested. For some the apologia from the more fortunate in life was the thought that “virtue breeds wealth” and “sin breeds poverty”. It was a convenient explanation from those who had no desire for reform. The major disruption to an old order in the 18th century came about when the storming <strong>of</strong> the Bastille in Paris was responsible for the French Revolution and the horrors that followed. It only ended with the battle <strong>of</strong> Waterloo in June 1815 and the exile <strong>of</strong> a tyrant. It is interesting to note that an uprising similar to the horrifying French Revolution could not have taken place in another major empire, because good common sense prevailed. The Imperial House <strong>of</strong> Habsburg was ruled by benevolent autocrats who understood how to keep order in their lands. In Vienna, there was no storming <strong>of</strong> the H<strong>of</strong>burg Palace, the fortress <strong>of</strong> the absolute. The Austrian Habsburgs were friendly, urbane, and simple, almost like the citizens they ruled. Herein lays the philosophy widespread throughout a hundred years <strong>of</strong> German history, that: “A happy people are a contented people”. It is amazing that something as simple as a dance should influence the political scene and create the theory <strong>of</strong> a
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