The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-10-30
Split Milk.

ITO patch grief with proverbs is
never easy. although it may be the part
of true philosophy to make the attempt,
while we recognize the fact that others
have suffered, and that they have con-
densed their experiences into brief and
pregnant forms of words for the benefit
of those who should be called on to en-
dure similar trials. Luckless. indeed,
but wondrous wise, was the individual
who first proclaimed the uselessness of
crying over split milk. Split milk, that
equivalent Of an utterly hopeless situa-
ton, an irreparable bunder, an irrevo-
cable mistake. Nothing more futile can
possibly be imagined than an attempt to
do anything with the spilled fluid. 1t
goes so entirely; there are none of the
odds and ends which are left by other
classes of accidents, out OF which
brave heart or ingenious talent can
fashion substitute or make temper
airy expedient. 1t is not only lost, but
in it's spiling stains and spoils gown or
carpet, and should it fall upon the bare
ground. can add nothing TO the produc-
ing powers of the earth; it is always just
split milk, and not worth crying over.
That for which it stands in the adege
is varied in its manifestations, painfully
monotonous in it's consequences. We
may not shed tears. perhaps. but our
hearts are very heavy, and there are
many hours spent, against our better
judgment in going over the causes of
the accident; there are why's and where
fores, ifs and butts, which reiterate them
selves with painful persistency, and it is
long before we can make our own the
homely wisdom of the proverb, or, with
literary relish. appropriate its poetic
application in the words of the Duke
of Venice to Desdemonas father, in
very notable instance of split milk
When remedies are past, the griefs are
ended,
BY seeing the worst, which late on hopes
depended.
He robs himself, that spends bootless
grief.''
If, like the Needless milkmaid, we are
ourselves responsible for loss and waste
it requires strong determined will to
keep from frettiug, even il we succeed
in conquering the mood which expresses
itself in tears-"idle tears" most truly,
if the milk is spilled by those who had
no right to touch our pals, the griev
ance becomes intolerable. The inter-
ference may have had the kindest mo-
tive, or have been prompted by malice
aforethought, or. quite as probable, by
indifference to our claims and privileges;
it's results are the same, and these are
just as incurable.
Like all proverbs, this adage demands
certain intelligence on the part of
those who would profit by its wisdom.
1t stops short with its pitiless mo use,"
trusting to the wit of humanity to learn
the hard lesson properly and bring it to
logical conclusion.
One who does not spend time and en-
ergy in crying finds it easier to "try, try
again." and there are valiant souls upon
whom misfortune acts as stimulus to
prompt and vigorous action. And for a
case in point what better can be cited
than that of Carlyle rewriting his French
Revolution after his friends housemaid
had burned the original precious manu-
script?-persevering courageously, al
though, poor man. almost frantic. not
having kept single note or rough copy
or reference OF any kind"
Not infrequently. alas the milk spilled
is that of human kindness. Loving ef-
forts are made for others. little or great
sacrifices freely offered, but all in vain.
The kind intentions are ignored or re-
sented as impertinence, the tender cares
ungraciously received or carelessly taken
as matter of course, and that which
was intended to nourish and sustain is
lost or rendered useless. This is per.
haps the most hopeless of Losses. and one
over which we dare shed no tears.
split milk always implies human
agency in its most direct form; our own
carelessness or that of others has
plunged us into trouble. We know that
the Providence which marks the spar
rows fall is concerned in everything
which effects US; yet we intuitively
make a distinction between that which
God sends and that which he permits
and know that our deep griefs are be-
You'd the scope of the proverb. Cold,
and hard indeed must be the nature
which could apply the words to the
mighty sorrows OF this mortal life
Hdrper's Bdzar.