Bohemian Society

In Short

This book is a contemplative mosaic of moral essays, allegorical tales, and character sketches presented by a group of intellectuals in a country house. Through the voices of a dreamer, a cynic, a philosopher, and others, the text examines the loss of communal harmony, the hypocrisy of social elites, and the quiet endurance of the marginalized. It remains a notable example of late-nineteenth-century Canadian reflective prose, capturing a period of transition where traditional faith struggled to reconcile itself with scientific inquiry and the encroaching complexities of an industrializing world.

The Story

The narrative structure functions as a series of intellectual tableaux. A hostess with a "cultivated mind" gathers a disparate group—artists, spiritualists, and philanthropists—to share their views on life. The dreamer begins by detailing a utopian vision of a secluded valley where money is unknown and communal support is the only law. This peace is shattered when a stranger arrives, introducing the inhabitants to science and the competitive urge to excel. A college is built, and with it, doubt and discord replace faith, as the younger generation loses its capacity for simple wonder.

The conversation then shifts to the nature of charity and the "religion of humanity." The enthusiast argues that true morality lies in Christ-like compassion for the poor and the erring, contrasting this with the cold Phariseeism of modern Christians who turn away from those who have fallen. To illustrate this, the group discusses the legend of a sin-stained woman in Andernach who, rejected by the town, finds comfort at the foot of a crucifix from a figure who mirrors the suffering Savior.

As the discussion moves toward the city, the dreamer offers a sweeping view of urban life. We see the banker and the beggar side by side, and the tragic figure of a woman on a bridge, hardened by shame. Her misery is briefly lightened when a pure-faced bride tosses her a flower, a moment of fleeting connection that bridges the gap between the "pure" and the "sinful." This leads to a darker consideration of the human condition: the persistent sense that life is a succession of disappointments and that the rich and poor are separated by an impassible gulf.

The focus narrows to the story of Little Ned, a waif who lives in poverty and suffers in the cold. After hearing a minister speak of a "brighter world" free from hunger, the child sets out to find it. His journey is one of innocence and spiritual delusion, as he wanders the country, eventually returning to the city, his quest unfulfilled by geography but perhaps resolved in his own quiet passing. The final movements of the book turn to the St. Lawrence River, which serves as a backdrop for both the beauty of nature and the encroaching "desecration" of human industry. The book concludes with the lady of the house reflecting on the "hand of Fate," arguing that humans are merely clay in the hands of a potter, moved by forces beyond our control, whether we are driven to prosperity or to the breakers of misfortune.

How It Unfolds

The Utopian dream The dreamer describes an isolated valley where harmony prevails because no resident desires more than their neighbor. This simplicity is disrupted when an outsider introduces the pursuit of competitive education.

The shift in values The introduction of a college brings foreign teachers and new anxieties, replacing the natural wonder of the valley with the strife of academic achievement. The original communal faith dissolves into doubt as the inhabitants begin to judge their own traditions.

The call for compassion The enthusiast critiques the cold nature of modern "Phariseeism" and urges a return to the simple, merciful religion of humanity. Through the legend of the woman at the crucifix, the group affirms the necessity of showing kindness to those society deems unworthy.

The urban landscape The narrative lens widens to capture the chaotic, mixed reality of a bustling city. The encounter between the wealthy bride and the destitute woman on the bridge highlights the arbitrary nature of social divisions.

The journey of the waif Little Ned, a child of the slums, literalizes the search for a better world after hearing a sermon. His futile trek through the countryside illustrates the gap between spiritual hope and the harsh physical reality of his existence.

The inevitability of fate The final act returns to the salon, where the hostess reflects on the helplessness of the individual. She presents life as a voyage on a ship that is ultimately guided by the inscrutable hand of destiny.

The People

The characters serve less as traditional protagonists and more as vessels for specific worldviews. The Hostess acts as the anchor, a woman of "cultivated mind" who curates these diverse perspectives. She is the proponent of the idea that we are shaped by an external, inescapable Fate, a belief that colors the group's final conclusions.

Little Ned represents the tragic, innocent core of the book. He is a "wee specimen of humanity" who possesses a sensitive nature inherited from his mother. His desire for a better world, sparked by a minister’s words, leads him on a wandering journey that highlights the cruelty of a world that has no place for him.

The Enthusiast is the moral conscience of the group, arguing against the cold, judgmental attitudes of those who hide behind religious creeds. This character seeks a more authentic, sympathetic form of Christianity.

The Cynic provides a sharp, biting counterpoint, particularly when discussing the "age of shoddyism." This individual views friendship as a myth that vanishes during adversity and mocks the social climbers, whom he labels as "Madam Shoddy" or "Madam Snob."

Finally, the Philosopher seeks to elevate the discussion by linking human reason to the broader mysteries of nature. By observing the "venomous insect" and the "boisterous ocean," this figure suggests that all of creation is guided by a singular, invisible hand, providing a cosmic framework for the tragedies discussed by the others.

In Its Own Voice

The dreamer reflects on the simple, contented existence of the valley dwellers before the arrival of outside influence:

"Time dealt kindly with these simple people, for they dealt kindly with time, and life flowed on smoothly and pleasantly."

The enthusiast highlights the hypocrisy of those who profess faith but reject the broken:

"The drawing of the skirts aside for fear of contamination, the cold looks and averted gaze, prove that at least, one noble lesson has been disregarded."

The philosopher finds evidence of an ordering power in even the smallest details of the natural world:

"That very law which moulds a tear And bids it trickle from its source, That law preserves the earth a sphere And guides the planets in their course."

What It's Really About

The book is an exploration of the "impassible gulfs" that define human existence—gulfs between the rich and poor, the pious and the compassionate, and the ideal and the real. It argues that modern society has lost its way by prioritizing social status and intellectual vanity over the "religion of humanity." The central question is whether the individual can find purpose in a world ruled by "Fate" and haunted by "Dead Hopes." Through its allegories, the text suggests that while we are often victims of circumstances beyond our control, we possess a moral imperative to remain charitable. It is a work that values the "noble woman" who embraces her duties over the "useless nonentity" who fears the judgment of society.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate the nineteenth-century tradition of the moral essay will find this a fascinating, if sometimes melancholy, experience. It reads much like a transcript of a thoughtful, late-night conversation held in a drawing room where the stakes are existential. You will find the prose earnest and occasionally poetic, though modern readers may find the didactic tone—where the author pauses to lecture the reader on the virtues of charity—to be a product of its time.

The book is not without its difficulties. The transition between the allegorical stories and the social commentary is sometimes abrupt, and the period-specific obsession with "shoddyism" and social climbing can feel repetitive. However, there is a genuine, lingering warmth in its treatment of the marginalized. The descriptions of the St. Lawrence River and the fleeting, sympathetic moments between strangers are hauntingly beautiful. If you enjoy literature that attempts to wrestle with the "great problem of life" while remaining firmly rooted in the local landscape and the social conventions of the past, this work offers a quiet, meditative space. It is a reminder that even in an age of "shoddyism," the human heart remains a "strange compound" that defies simple judgment.