The true history of Nihilism: its words and deeds

Front matter

ITS WORDS AND DEEDS. BV JOHN BAKER HOPKINS. London : DIPROSE and BATEMAN, Sheffield Street, Lincoln's Inn. PpvEFACE. [EITHER the Nihilist leaders, nor those who are beAA'ildered and horrified by Nihilism, Avill aver that in this book the licence of the noA'elist has been used to magnify the Terror ; though each side AA'ill protest that AA'hat it does is done in needful self defence. If either side Avould heed the counsel of Ivan OstroA'itch, as recorded in " The Bride of Chaos," the unspeakably aAvful plague AA'ould be forthAvith stayed. ®<S>?FlWM'MWM.

Part I

Page a socialist wedding 3 Chapter I. — The Invitation ----- 3 II. — The Wedding Party - - - - 10 „ III. — The Ceremony - - - - -21 „ IV.— Dame Nature ------ 34

Part III. The Bride Of Chaos

------- 60 Chapter I. — Mother Gossip and Miriam - - - 60 II. — The Orphan's Curse 68 „ III. — Miriam's Gift 78 IV. — The Fattened Wolf SS V. — Toosen's Tongue is Loosened - - 98 VI. — The Dumb Nurse ----- 10S VII. — The Horrible Outrage - - - 115 VIII. — Pervichik in Prison - - - - 121 IX. — The Key was Missing - - - - 12S >

Chapter I. The Invitation

FEARLESS, reckless, mad hobby-rider is Mr. Benjamin BoAVser. Inheriting a fair fortune, and not taking unto himself a wife, he has been able to mount in turn more hobbies than there (^■VN^ are days in the longest month. He has been the \5$^sirknight-errant of almost every " ism" and "ist" of his <g#5^' time. He has been a mesmerist, a phrenologist, a 3& spiritualist, a Shaker, a Universalist, and but for his implacable aversion to matrimony, would probably have tried Mormonism. He has Avritten essays, pamphlets, poems and books that no one would read, and patented inventions that no one could use. He has been a teetotaller and a vegetarian, an ultra-Eldon Tory and a Jones-Frost Chartist. When he was a believer in homœopathy he distributed similia similibus curantur tracts, and gave away pecks of globules, which the children swallowed, under the impression that they were treating their palates to the sweets called " hundreds-and-thousands."

He Avas a nuisance during his phrenological fit, for he could not see a head without a desire to study its owner's character, and A Avas ignominiously expelled from a shop for an attempt to induct one of the assistauts into the secrets of craniology. When a mesmerist he Avas assaulted by a cabman for trying the effect of a feAv passes, the cabman saying he thought the gent Avas off his head, and it Avas safest to knock him doAvn. Hs Avas such a strict teetotaller that he Avould not eat grapes for fear of consuming latent alcohol, and as a vegetarian he abjured milk as being an animal product, and regretted that when an infant he had been nourished in the usual maternal manner, instead of being brought up on a strictly vegetable diet. When a Tory, his statuette of Charles I. stood on a pedestal, on Avhich Avas engraved, in gilt letters, " The noblest of English martyrs ; " and when he became a Chartist, the inscription was altered to " The vilest of English criminals."

When tAvitted anent his change of opinions and principles, he says: "If you want consistency, go to the mopstick. Benjamin Bowser does not blush to confess that he is Aviser to-day than he Avas yesterday." Why should a man be credited with Avisdom to-day, because he confesses he AA'as a fool }es7erday ? I had not seen or heard of Bowser for upAvards of tAvo years, Avhen I met him on an early Spring afternoon, in Hyde Park. He had formerly taken a prominent part in the great shaving controversy. At first he held that it Avas wrong to despoil the face of its natural decoration and protection, but aitenvards he became President of the Anti-Hirsute Society, and contended that the insensitiveness of hair Avas a proof that Nature intended it to be cut, and that the effect of shaving was sanitary and civilising.

As he noAv Avore beard and moustache, it Avas manifest that he had given up Anti hirsutism. I Avell remember his Avork on " Clothing," in Avhich he denounced the body being protected from feeling the changes of temperature by artificial covering. Why should the animal man, more than other animals, require any other covering than that provided by Nature ? Admitting that fallen man could not return to the nudity of perfect innocence, and that even figleafism was not practicable, he was content to submit to wearing the same clothing winter and summer. As, however, Avhen I met him he Avore two coats, he must have ceased to be an Anti-Ch'ercoatist. He had been one of the noisiest babblers of the Anti-Tobacco Society, but he Avas, Avhen I met him, smoking a conspicuous cigar. " Yes, it is a long time since Ave encountered.

I have been in Paris and Berlin, rubbing the rust off my German and French, and " A Socialist Wedding. 5 Bowser took my arm, drew me from the path, and after waiting until a nursemaid with her perambulator and cousin in the Guards had passed, grasped my hand and said : " You Avill not betray my confidence. I knoAv I can trust my life to the honour of an old friend Avho has knoAvn and loved me since the youthful hour when Everton toffee was my joy and a tall hat my ambition ; but let us beAvare, for the ear of the mouchard is long. My old friend, I am an actor in the most aAvful drama ever played on earth. This right hand has been helping to pile up the fuel for the earthquake that will destroy society with molten fire." " What do you mean, Bowser ? " " What do I mean ? The knife is at the throat of the sheep, and the animated mutton asks the butcher what he means !

Hoav wonderful is the blindness and the deafness of the doomed ! Those delicate daughters of wealth and fashion, Avrapped in the skins of their slaughtered four-footed fellow creatures, driven and attended by liveried slaves, do not see the glittering sword of Damocles that is hung by a frayed and fretted hair over their heads, nor do they hear the muttered thunder of the coming convulsion. The aristocracy and the plutocracy are marked for destruction, and behold they are unconscious of danger." " BoAvser,Avhat an enthusiast you are! I remember that Avh en you were a mesmerist you talked of shutting up the hospitals, curing all disease, and uniting the Avorlds of matter and spirit." " Yes, I AA'as enthasiastic when I played Avith toys. My old friend, it is not pastime to take a part in the sublime drama of the Annihilation of Society !

" " How long have you been a revolutionist, BoAVser ? " " Revolutionist ! Alas, you too are one of the blind. The people have had enough of revolution. They are Aveary of revolving round and round. They are heartsick of see-saw and no progress. They are noAv determined to annihilate society, for only chaos can beget regeneration." "I suppose, Bowser, you are a Socialist? " " Yes, I am a Nihilist-Socialist. If the quaking tyrants of the Continent could lay hold of me, Benjamin BoAVser Avould never again be on the free side of a prison." " Therefore, BoAvser, I congratulate you on being in this good old country Avhere there is no Socialism." Bowser raised his upper lip, elevated his eyebroAvs, shrugged his shoulders, and his countenance expressed Avonder modified by contempt, and scorn softened by pity.

" The crust of the earth is covered with verdure, and the pent-up fire is not seen ; but in the day of irruption it will be seen and felt. Socialism is not national or continental, but cosmopolitan. The forces of Socialism are not paraded in the light of day, or you would not say there is no Socialism in this country. Citizen Kippax, the Chief of the British Council, tells us that when the black flag streaked with red is unfurled, a million of British Socialists will appear shoulder to shoulder, ready to die rather than yield, and will shout ' Death to tyrants, destruction to property; liberty, equality, and fraternity for all ! ' " " I hope Citizen Kippax has put at least five too many noughts after his unit." " May the tyrants blindly despise the strength of the people ! By the Avay, the daughter of Citizen Kippax is to be married to-night.

Would you like to see a Socialist wedding ? " " Yes. But would a stranger be admitted ? " " Socialists do not conceal themselves. It is only their strength and their operations that they keep secret. A friend of Citizen BoAvser will be Avelcome." " Agreed. Let us dine together. By the way, are you still a vegetarian ? " " I am now only a Socialist. I am neither a vegetarian nor a teetotaller. Men Avho haA'e to trample on Empires, to destroy the Society of Tyranny, and to found the Society of Liberty, must eat strong meat and not refuse strong drink. Listen to the Avords of a Socialist song : — ' Free to eat, Free to drink, Free to live, Free to die, Free to love, Free to hate, Free to give, Free to take, Hurrah for Socialist liberty ! ' " That is my translation from the German. Here is another verse : — 1 Laugh at laAv, LaAv of State, Moral LaAv, LaAv Divine ; What Ave like, A Socialist Wedding. 7 When Ave can, That we do, That we take, Hurrah for Socialist liberty ! ' " My translation is rough, but it goes well in the German.

The men and Avomen sing alternate lines and join in the chorus. The last verse runs thus : — ' Nature's LaAv Frees the slaA'e, Slave of priest, Slave of State, What Ave like, That is good, What Ave can, That we may, Hurrah for Socialist liberty ! ' " Bowser shouted the last line Avith such vigour that a passing policeman looked round, and evidently for a moment thought he smelt excisable spirits that ought to be taken into custody. " You have alarmed the Knight of the Truncheon." " I rather like the numbered blue-bottles, for they are not spies, but only the hardAvorked dupes, the ill paid cat's-paAvs of the rich, the half-fed dogs Avho guard the stolen property protected by tyrant law. But look at that man on the kerb stone by Apsley House." The person pointed to by Bowser Avas a young man got up in the latest fashion, chewing a toothpick, and apparently trying to admire the Wellington equestrian statue.

" He may be a mouchard, for it is their dodge to turn aAvay their eyes when they listen. I could not have recited that song in the streets of Berlin or St. Petersburg without risk of liberty and perhaps of life. It will be the same here Avhen the Avork has been begun. To be sure, the work has begun, and is going on rapidly, but at present it is unseen, or rather, unheeded. Bully for the foe Avho shuts his eyes." We dined in a private room at the Sea King's Daughter's Hotel. The dinner Avas excellent, and the chef Avould have rejoiced if he could have seen BoAvser's practical appreciation of the several courses. " When Socialism is the order of the day, BoAvser, there will be no professed cooks and no such delicate fare as this with which we are now tickling our palates." "You are Avrong. When all men are equal there will be better cooking, for the man Avho has a genius for cooking will cook.

No man Avill then be ashamed of doing that Avhich he can do best. All occupations Avill be equally honorable and equally profitable." " What will you be, BoAvser ? " " Probably a shoeblack, if blacked boots are worn." " Then I hope blacking will go out of fashion. By the Avay, is Nihilism another name for Socialism ?" " Yes, of true Socialism, but many Nihilists do not knoAv it ; just as there are many Socialists who do not knoAvthe aim and end of Socialism. There are, for example, Christian Socialists, who think that in the neAV Society there Avill be religion — a Christianity free from selfishness. Well, Ave Socialists may think Avhat Ave like as to what will be. At present, we have only to destroy Avhat is." " BoAvser, there have been Secret Societies before, but they haA^e all been crushed or died out."

BoAvser smiled and emptied his glass before he replied. " It is AA'onderful that no one is able to see that Socialism is not like any other conspiracy. It is a conspiracy of the many to destroy the property and the monopolies of the feAv. It is a conspiracy of Avhich any man and any Avoman who has an ungratified desire is practically a member. But you will hear more about Socialism at the Avedding, for there is to be what is called a Play of Instruction, Avhich is supposed to be written by the Invisible Hand." " Who is the Invisible Hand ? " "I do not knoAv. Perhaps there are not tAA'O persons living Avho knoAV Avho is the Invisible Hand. It is the supreme authority of Socialism, Avhich directs Avithout being seen." " Does the Invisible Hand direct Nihilism ?" " Yes, and all Socialist movements.

Hoav splendidly Nihil ism is Avorked ! Nihilists in the palace, Nihilists in the public offices ; and so arranged that outside the Council of the In visible Hand there is not a Nihilist in Russia Avho could betray a score of Nihilists. On every Nihilist there is a close Avatch, and the Nihilist Avho Avavers dies." " A rough discipline, BoAvser." " The only effective discipline for a secret society. I spoke of the Council of the Invisible Hand, but there is no man living Avho knoAvs who are the members. It is said that every one of the Council is knoAvn to some Executioners, Avho do not knoAv the others, and Avho are watched by Avatchers, appointed A Socialist Wedding. 9 by the Council. Betrayal, Avhich is sure to be punished with death, is almost impossible, and no betrayal could, as I have told you, affect more than a score of Nihilists."

" But, BoAvser, if Ave may believe the reports, the arrests are numerous." Another of BoAvser's scornful smiles. " You may believe the reports. Most of the arrests are made on false information given by the Nihilists, and there are convictions on false evidence, got up by the Nihilists. In that Avay the authorities are made the tool of Nihilism. It is nearly nine o'clock, and Ave must set off for the Avedding party." We lighted cigars, left the hotel, and got into a cab. " Is Citizen Kippax a Avorking man ?" "No. The Citizen Chief has been a doctor, a preacher and a soldier. He fought in the Confederate army." ■' Surely the Avrong side for a Socialist." " He Avas not then a Socialist. Besides, to a Socialist, one side Avould have been as good as the other. The .Socialists in America — and there are myriads of them in the Western States — hate the Republican Government as bitterly as the Socialists in Europe hate European Governments.

Socialism means the perfect liberty of the individual man and the individual Avoman. The chain of laAv, of State laAv, or moral law, or priest laAv, is not less galling because its links are stamped Avith the Avord Republic." "Has Citizen Kippax a fortune?" "I think not." " Hoav then does he live ? " " Is he not the Chief of the British Council ? He takes Avhat he needs from the levy fund." " So the Socialist officers are paid ?" " Not exactly paid. They take Avhat they Avant. Devotion to the cause lightens the pocket. I tell you in confidence that Socialism has greatly reduced my savings. Here is the house." BoAvser paid the cabman, and, as he rang the gate bell said : " You must be incog, to-night, or this visit might be aAvkAvard for you hereafter. You shall be my cousin Tom Redmayne. He is a staunch Tory parson, about the last of that line, so it won't hurt him.

Also, you must refuse to play." "Play at Avhat?" " Red Jack. Don't forget you are my cousin Tom Red mayne. Dear old boy ! he Avould rather face death than hear Avhat Ave shall hear, or see Avhat Ave shall see."

Chapter II. The Wedding Paety

H E gate was opened, and the light from the house, the garden being several yards long, was barely sufficient to shoAV us that the bell was ansAvered W|Ælvy| by a woman. aSSy^A " Who is the party ? Why, it is Mr. Bowser, j|||) or, to speak as I ought, Citizen BoAvser ; but you see, gljS*' Avhat the tongue has, in a manner of speaking, been H? born to and brought up to will out noAv and then, Avhether the party who OAtns the tongue likes it or not. Glad I am to see you, for if liking one party better than another is having the feelings of black blood tyranny, I can't help it, but otherAvise I am Socialist from the combings of my hair to the \"ery parings of my toenails. There is so much doing inside, and so much not being done that ought to be done, that I have turned turnkey ; but, as Ziegelbauer says, I can turn myself into anything, except a man all six feet in his socks.

And Avho is the Citizen with you ? " "Not exactly a citizen, Mrs. Ziegelbauer, but my cousin, Mr. Tom Redmayne. I want him to see a Socialist wedding, and I knew that Citizen Kippax will welcome my old friend and relation." " No friend of Citizen BoAvser's will be black-loafed by Kippax nor by this party, Avho, as the Avelcomer of guests, as aforesaid, stands as a sort of sub for the late Mrs. K. I will be the M.C. to Mr. Redmayne, for, as Ziegelbauer says, nothing comes amiss to my name, and, as mother used to say, I am all eyes and hands, leave alone legs, as getting up and doAvn stairs fifty times an hour is proof positive. AAvful name is Ziegelbauer till you get used to it, but you see, Mr. Redmayne, my husband's father was a German, and German names are rasping to the English throat. It's hard on our five children, Avho get called bores for short.

Of course five are quite enough AA'hen there is only one pair of hands to feed, clothe, and house ; though fifty would not be too many if the State had to keep the young, as it will do Avhen we Socialists have topsy-turvied creation, and sit it on the top of it, as Yank Otis says. For talk, play, smoke, and nipping, Yank Otis will never meet his match." The fastest patter-song singer might well envy Mrs. Ziegelbauer's quickness of speech. When we entered the house I saw that she is much below the middle height, Avith a conspicuously sharp-pointed nose, and the thinnest of lips. Her dress of blue silk was loaded Avith trimming, and especially long, and the lappets of her head-gear reached far beloAv her waist. The object of her dress seemed to be to show her acquaintance that she, though very short, could wear as much material as a giantess.

" This is a pretty cage of birds, Mr. Redmayne, though for my taste I do not care for your foreign birds, Avhich are all flaming feather and no song. Some persons are over head and ears Avith these white rats;' but white or brown, tame or savage, rats are not my fancy. This house is running over with all sorts of animals, for you see Socialists hold that one animal is equal to the other, and that man has been a tyrant to the others. But, for my part, Mr. Redmayne, I like my own specie the best, for that is what I was in a manner born to and brought up to, and until come next June it will not be two years since Ziegelbauer was a Socialist, though of course, with a Avise and five, and no capital, he had ahvays been against everything that is, which is pretty well Avhat Socialism comes to. I daresay you will like the bride.

She is only nineteen odd, arid anything under twenty in new clothes charms men who don't know that blossom isn't fruit, and may turn out a windfall that a hungry sparrow would turn up its beak at the thought of pecking at." By this time we had arrived at the first floor, and entered a large room in which there Avere about twenty men and Avomen. Some were talking and others were playing at cards. At one end of the room Avas a long table laden with food and bottles of wine and spirits. 0\'er the table a banner was suspended, on which was inscribed, " Eat and drink. All food belongs to the hungry, and all drink to the thirsty." " Citizen Bowser and his cousin, Mr. Redmayne," called out Mrs. Ziegelbauer as we entered. " Come, Bowser," called out one of the card players, " take a hand. There is time for a heavy pool before the Avedding.

We have been at it under half an hour, and I have paid for seven black Jacks, and two out of the lot doubles." " Right you are, Rosenberg. Red Jack for ever ! Hoav stands the pool ? " " Five sovs. will put you in the SAvim," replied Rosenberg, as BoAvser took a seat at the table. Mrs. Ziegelbauer beckoned to a tall man who Avas standing by the refreshment table, talking and eating. The tall man said, as distinctly as the fullness of his mouth Avould alloAV, " Directly, my dear." " Ziegelbauer is the dreadfullest aggravator that ever fell to the lot of mortal Avoman. There he is, gorging as he ahvays does when he comes out, as if I starved him at home, instead of fuming myself into the grave, as I do, about his four full meals a day and snacks betAveen. The doll in velvet next to him is Mrs. Rosenberg.

She will never see forty again, though she reds and whites, and false hairs, and false teeths, and screws in till she breathes like a goods-train engine. But she don't pass for a girl. You can't tell how old a chicken is, or hoAv old a fowl is, at least not till it is cooked ; but a foAvl that tries to pass for a chicken is laughed at for her pains. Fred, are you coming ; or, if not, perhaps you Avill let Mrs. Ziegelbauer knoAv the reason Avhy her Avoid is no more account than a cat's meAV ? '' The tall man instantly left the refreshment table and came to Avhere Ave stood. " If you are not quite starving after three full meals since nine o'clock this morning, leave alone snacks, and if you can just for a feAv minutes leave off dying-ducking after an old painted doll in fine feathers, Avhich I knoAv Avere bought second-hand at a Avardrobe shop, I Avant you just for five minutes to be of some use to somebody.

Give me a dress on my back that is not a left-off from some other back, even if it don't run to velvet." " My dear, what do you mean ?" " Mean ! Oh, can't you put on the sleek, you aggravator. Mean ! Keeping me standing here, though my poor legs have not knoAvn what it is to sit since I got up, Avhilst you are munching and dying-ducking after a thing in second-hand velvet. Never mind Avhat I mean. I can tell you that another time. Here is Mr. Redmayne, a cousin of Citizen BoAvser, and as I am wanted below, perhaps you Avill just see he refreshes, and also introduce him to one or tAvo. Mr. Redmayne, this is my husband. You shall be my partner at the ceremony." Ziegelbauer was not talkative, and to the feAv questions I asked he answered yes or no, like a smart Avitness under cross examination Avho does not wish to tell the truth.

He led the Avay to the refreshment table, and SAvalloAved cream tarts Avith a voracity that discredited the statement about four full meals and snacks. Presently the husband of the thing in velvet left the card table for a drink. Ziegelbauer introduced me to him, and walked away. " Any luck, Rosey ?" asked the thing in velvet. " I have landed one pool. The pool noAv on is all a ' pony,' and I am only tAvo off the deal." Rosenberg poured out and drank some claret. " Good tipple. If Kippax comes in before the pool falls, it Avill go to first red Jack dealt, and that may be a sell. Con found the ceremony. I prefer Red Jack Avith my eyes open." Mrs. Rosenberg spoke to her husband in a Avhisper. " Precisely, Stella. Mr. Redmayne, as Mrs. Rosenberg says, this must be dull Avork for you. After the ceremony there Avill be a dance.

Our people are fond of dancing. Join us at Red Jack. We have time for a deal before the Avedding." "I don't know the game." " Never mind about that. It is so fair and simple that a child can play it. The pool is started Avith a croAvn a head. Each player deals out the pack in turn. He Avho gets a black Jack has to put a croAvn into the pool. For a second black in the same deal, tAvo croAvns ; for three black Jacks in a deal, six croAvns ; and for four black Jacks in a deal, tAvelve croAvns. A black three does not happen once in a month's play, and I have only seen a black four but once in my life. The player Avho gets two red Jacks dealt to him off the same pack pockets the pool, for three red Jacks he gets six crowns from each player, besides landing the pool, and for four red Jacks tAvelve croAvns from each player added to the pool.

I have never seen a four red. It is the best game out. Join us." I remembered BoAvser's caution, and declined the invitation to join in the game of Red Jack. A call from the table that it Avas Rosenberg's deal saved me from further solicitation. " So you are not one of the people ? Don't drink, eh ? Don't play, eh ? Just come to look on, eh ? Just a spy, eh? I don't care for spies, except as the terrier does for rats." The person who addressed me was a man Avho had been drinking Avhilst Rosenberg was explaining the game of Red Jack. Mrs. Rosenberg touched my arm, and said in my ear, " It is Clegg the Destroyer. He is a little flighty. Don't care for Avhat he says." The man looked very flighty indeed. His eyes Avere glittering and restless. His lips and his fingers Avere tAvitching. He Avore a loose garment of rough grey serge, fastened round the throat Avith a red cloth collar, and round the Avaist by a red leather belt.

In the belt Avas stuck a sheathed knife, which seemed to me a very unfit ornament for a person manifestly flighty. " I say I don't care for all the spies in the pay of Alexander and William. I have settled a feAv of them." " I am not a spy. I am a friend of Citizen BoAvser, and a guest of Citizen Kippax." " A friend ! A masked foe ! But I see you are not a spy. I knoAv the reptiles. Reptiles ! Bah ! Vermin ! You are not one of them. There is my hand." He took my hand and held it for a moment. " You are not a spy. Do you knoAv me ? " " No." "The mouchards know me. lam the destroyer of Empires. I am the emancipator of the people. My air poison is nearly ready. A drop spilt in any place, in Parliament, in the Church, or in the Palace, anyAvhere, anywhere, anyAvhere, loads the air with poison, and all Avho breathe it die.

Ah ! ah ! it is nearly ready. The Avorld, as Avell as the vermin mouchards, will knoAv Citizen Clegg — Clegg the Destroyer." He dreAV the knife from the sheath and held it before my face. I dreAV back, and Avished that I had not come to a Socialist party. " Ah ! you don't like cold steel ; but I am not going to scratch you. Not much of a weapon, is it ? Six inches of steel, but it is dipped, and a scratch is as good as a stab to the heart. The dipped dagger is the Aveapon for the avengers of humanity — a scratch kills. I have invented poisoned shots. The bullet may miss. One out of a hundred shots is sure to hit, and it's death. I am Clegg the Destroyer. Dipped-dagger Clegg. Kill-shot Clegg. Air-poison Clegg. Clegg the De stroyer." He sheathed the knife and took up a tumbler of spirits and water.