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“What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise…” Oscar Wilde, ― The Importance of Being Earnest Crypto and NFTs present a unique opportunity to reassess how and what we value while simultaneously creating new value propositions and innovative infrastructure to build on and sustain these new sources of value. In a space hyper-focused on immediate returns and yield generation for individual investors and market participants, the scope of utility made possible by the progressive tools available through cryptocurrency and blockchain technology is being massively underappreciated. At Project Ark, we mean to stand out from the crypto crowd and bring something a little different to the table. Producing a different result than has been achieved before requires a different or altered process, perspective, and focus, and we’re focused squarely on the climate crisis. So far, this has proven to be a difficult path as protecting and preserving life on Earth is not “profitable” in the traditional sense, where profit typically requires extraction and exploitation of resources and benefits very few people. Legacy incentive structures encourage (require, really) growth at all costs and have pushed our climate situation to the brink. Unless this perspective changes, the effects will be devastating and predictable, and the Earth and its ecosystems will be irreversibly ravaged. Many ecosystems are already broken beyond repair. So, why and how are we fighting climate change? And how can we reimagine how profit is made? The Climate Crisis Affects All of Us From the : “Climate change has caused substantial damages, and increasingly irreversible losses, in terrestrial, freshwater and coastal and open ocean marine ecosystems (high confidence). The extent and magnitude of climate change impacts are larger than estimated in previous assessments (high confidence).” latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report Summary for Policymakers Each and every team member at Project Ark has internalized this reality and sees it as the danger that it truly is. We recognize that many have not come to terms with this scenario, dismiss it, or believe that there’s either nothing they can do or that it’s unrelated to their life and work at this juncture. Unfortunately, none of those things will stop this not-yet-inevitable catastrophe. Indeed, denial, dismissal, and discounting will only serve to secure its inevitability. Our commitment to impact is borne out in part through investing part of our revenue into conservation projects ( and ) with a mission to clean up our oceans. We see this as an important and necessary start, but a healthy future for us and our planet requires innovation that leverages the technology available to revolutionize what generating profit can mean for both people and the environment. Ultramarine Ocean Action Summit Lonely Whale Impact Validators Project Ark is creating a natural capital endowment fund that will help conservation efforts and climate change solutions to benefit from funding on a continuous basis. In the Web3 space, many projects have emerged using NFT proceeds — ranging from 5% to 10% or more for dedicated projects — to donate to impact projects or charities. This results in money only being given once a sale occurs, requiring substantial marketing and sales efforts and making the final impact effort unsustainable. We want to formulate a novel solution to impact financing, creating the concept of “impact validators”. A natural capital endowment will be generated by the sales of NFTs as well as people staking their Solana tokens, where fees are lowered to a bare minimum and the staked SOL is split between the SOL owner and the organization that is supported through the fund. The results will be two-fold: this model grants funds continuously to conservation efforts that protect life underwater and life on land. It also provides the necessary tools to help decentralize the Solana network (network of choice for Project Ark’s flagship NFT project, the Arkanauts). Leveraging Blockchain to Avoid the Sixth Mass Extinction by Building the World’s First Wildlife and Biodiversity Credit Registry Project Ark is poised to become the first project to build a conservation registry on the blockchain, utilizing the Solana network due to its minuscule emissions, low gas fees, and easy interface. The Wildlife and Biodiversity Credit Registry will issue conservation bonds, allowing developers to register initiatives that are meant to protect and increase the populations of our planet’s endangered species. Using satellite imaging, impact validators, and NFTs to engage projects, the registry has the potential to become the biggest contributor to mitigating the sixth mass extinction event by rewarding project backers for their environmentally-friendly efforts while creating the incentives necessary for more wildlife conservation. The registry will be created in collaboration with Gainforest, a project backed by Coinbase and Filecoin, as well as with members from World Bank who participated in the creation of the first successful Rhino Bond. All Arkanauts holders will be eligible to get involved and be rewarded for contributing to the creation of the most promising tools to help turn the tide on climate change and save our planet. Greenverse Greenverse is an innovative green metaverse being developed with a “preserve-to-earn” model of tokenizing natural capital to prevent the extraction and combustion of fossil fuels and mitigate carbon emissions while generating value for participants. Holding an Arkanaut NFT will grant a “shuttle pass” (special admission) to this digital world upon its rollout. The Greenverse team has been fleshing out the tokenomics and fundraising to bring this project to fruition. Greenverse will be constructed on a robust framework to ensure maximum value and conservation of natural capital. From Greenverse.World: “[b]y associating blockchain tokenization to geological data, government policy support, and corporate/user involvement, we will create a digital register of subsurface natural resources which are kept in the ground, permanently through a preserve-to-earn (PTE) model. Preserving the resources underground, instead of developing them, will earn the holders of the tokens additional value, changing the game for man’s relationship with nature.” The rapid innovation occurring in Web3 has energized our team and expanded both our imaginative and practical sides to develop new sources of value in the digital space while protecting the natural value offered by our planet’s environment, organic life, and resources. Project Ark is always thinking ahead and will bring further disruptive products to the crypto space as we continue to grow. ** Check our website for more info and be part of the change: and ** www.project-ark.co www.arkanauts.io

The Importance of Being Earnest (About Web3 and Climate Solutions)

Ping Ping Ping That is the sound of my phone alerting me to overnight snowfall at the various Hokkaido ski resorts I monitor. While this sound brings me immense joy in January and February, in March, it brings only FOMO. I decamped from Hokkaido in early March for the past few ski seasons. My recent experience taught me that Mother Nature turns on the heat circa March 1st. I’m a primadonna skier who only likes the driest and deepest pow. However, this season, Gaia changed up big time. There was a brutal warm spell in February that rekt the snow back. The cold weather only returned towards the end of the month. But frigid temperatures came back in March, accompanied by 10 to 30cm dumps of freshie pow pow every night. Hence, the reason why my phone was blowing up. Sitting in various South East Asian hot and humid countries throughout March, I kept foolishly checking the app and ruing my decision to leave the slopes. The April thaw finally occurred in earnest, and with it, the end to my FOMO. As readers know, my ski experiences act as metaphors for my macro and crypto trading book. I previously wrote that the cessation of the US Bank Term Funding Program (BTFP) on March 12th would cause a global market rout. The BTFP was cancelled, but a vicious sell-off in crypto specifically did not occur. Bitcoin broke $70,000 decisively and topped out around $74,000. Solana kept pumping alongside various doggie and kitty meme coins. My timing was wrong, but like the ski season, the unexpected favorable March conditions will not be repeated in April. While I love winter, summer brings joy as well. The onset of northern hemispheric summer brings sporting bliss as I reorient time towards playing tennis, surfing, and kiteboarding. Summer will usher in a renewed gusher of fiat liquidity due to the policies of the US Federal Reserve (Fed) and Treasury. I will briefly outline my mental map on how and why April will experience extreme weakness in risky asset markets. For those intrepid enough to short crypto, the macro setup is favorable. While I will not outright short the market, I have closed in profit several shitcoin and memecoin trading positions. From now until May 1st, I will be in a no-trade zone. I hope to return in May with dry powder ready to deploy to position myself for the bull market to begin in earnest. Tricksters The Bank Term Funding Program (BTFP) ended a few weeks ago, but no US, non-Too-Big-to-Fail (TBTF) banks have subsequently faced any real stress. That is because high priests of fugazi finance have a bag of tricks they will use to surreptitiously print money in order to bail out the financial system. I will peek behind the curtain and explain how they are expanding the USD fiat money supply, which will underpin the general rise of crypto and stonks until the end of the year. While the end result is always money printing, the journey is not without periods where liquidity growth slows, providing a negative catalyst for risk markets. By going through the bag of tricks and estimating when the rabbit will be pulled from the hat, we can guestimate when there will be periods where the free market is allowed to operate. The Discount Window The Fed and most other central banks operate a facility known as the discount window. Banks and other covered financial institutions who are in need of funds can pledge eligible securities to the Fed in exchange for cash. By and large, the discount window, for now, only accepts US Treasuries (UST) and mortgage-backed securities (MBS). Assume that a bank is fucked because a bunch of Pierce & Pierce boomer muppets runs it. The bank holds a UST that was worth $100 when purchased but is currently worth $80. The bank is in need of cash to satisfy deposit outflows. Rather than declaring bankruptcy, the dogshit insolvent bank can tap the discount window. The bank swaps the $80 UST for $80 of dolla dolla bills because under the current rules the bank receives the market value of pledged securities. To deprecate the BTFP and remove the associated negative stigma without increasing the risk of bank failures, the Fed and US Treasury now encourage troubled banks to tap the discount window instead. However, under the current collateral terms, the discount window is not as attractive as the recently expired BTFP. Let’s go back to our example above to understand why. Remember that the UST’s value declined from $100 to $80, which means the bank has an unrealized loss of $20. Initially the $100 of UST was funded with $100 of deposits. But now the UST is worth $80; therefore, the bank would be short $20 if all the depositors fled. Under the BTFP rules, the bank receives par for underwater USTs. That means a UST worth $80, when delivered to the Fed, is swapped for $100 of cash. This restores the solvency of the bank. But the discount window only gives $80 for a UST worth $80. The $20 loss is still there, and the bank remains insolvent. Given that the Fed can unilaterally change the collateral rules to equalize the treatment of assets by the BTFP and discount window, by greenlighting the use of the discount window by the insolvent banking system, the Fed continued the stealth banking bailout. Therefore, the Fed has essentially solved the BTFP problem; the entire UST and MBS balance sheet of the insolvent US banking system (I estimate at $4 trillion) will be supported when needed by money printed to finance loans through the discount window. This is why I believe the markets haven’t forced any non-TBTF banks into bankruptcy post-March 12th, when the BTFP ended. Bank Capital Requirements Banks are often called upon to finance governments who offer bonds at yields less than nominal GDP. But why would private for-profit entities buy something that features a negative real yield? They do it because the banking regulators allow banks to purchase government bonds with little to no money down. When the banks, who hold an insufficient capital cushion against their government bond portfolio, inevitably blow up because inflation appears and bond prices fall as yields rise, the Fed allows them to use the discount window in the manner described above. As a result, banks would rather buy and hold government bonds than lend to businesses and individuals in need of capital. When you or I buy anything using borrowed money, we must pledge collateral or equity against potential losses. That is prudent risk management. But the rules are different if you are a vampire squid zombie bank. After the 2008 Global Financial Crisis (GFC), the world’s banking regulators attempted to force banks globally to hold more capital, thus creating a more robust and resilient global banking system. The system of rules that codified these changes are called Basel III. The problem with Basel III is that government bonds are not treated as riskless. Banks must put a small amount of capital behind their gargantuan portfolio of sovereign bonds. These capital requirements have proven problematic during times of stress. During the COVID March 2020 market crash, the Fed decreed that banks could hold USTs with no collateral backing. This allowed banks to step in and warehouse trillions of dollars worth of USTs in a riskless fashion … at least in terms of their accounting treatment. When the crisis abated, the supplemental leverage ratio (SLR) exemption for USTs was reinstated. Predictably, as UST prices fell due to inflation, banks went bust due to an insufficient capital cushion. The Fed rode to the rescue with the BTFP and now the discount window, but that only covers losses from the last crisis. How can banks step up and slurp down more bonds at the current unattractively high prices? The US banking system loudly proclaimed in November 2023 that due to Basel III forcing them to hold more capital against their government bond portfolios, Bad Gurl Yellen could not stuff them with more bonds. Therefore, something had to give because the US government has no other natural buyers of its debt at these negative real yields. Below is the polite way the banks phrased their precarious situation. Demand for US Treasuries may have softened among several traditional buyers. Bank security portfolio assets have been declining since last year, with bank holdings of Treasuries down $154 billion compared to one year ago. Source: Report to the Secretary of the Treasury from the Treasury Borrowing Advisory Committee Again, the Fed – led by Powell – saved the day. Out of nowhere, at a recent , Powell proclaimed that banks would not be subject to higher capital requirements. Remember that many politicians called for banks to hold more capital so that the regional banking crisis of 2023 would not repeat itself. Obviously, the banks lobbied hard to nullify these higher capital requirements. They had a good argument –  if you, Bad Gurl Yellen, want us to buy dogshit government bonds, then we can only do it profitably with infinite leverage. Banks around the world run every flavour of government; the US is no different. US Senate Banking hearing The icing on the cake was a recent letter from the International Swaps Dealer Association (ISDA) advocating for an exemption of USTs from the SLR I spoke about earlier. In essence, banks can only hold USTs in the trillions of dollars needed to finance the US government deficit on a go-forward basis if they are required to put no money down. I expect as the US Treasury ramps up debt issuance, the ISDA proposal will be accepted. This excellent chart from clearly shows how wasteful the US Government is, as evidenced by the record-high deficit. The two recent periods where deficit spending was higher were due to the 2008 GFC and the boomer-led COVID lockdowns. The US economy is growing, but the government is spending money like it's an economic depression. Bianco Research Taken together, the relaxation of capital requirements and a likely future exemption of USTs from the SLR are a covert way of money printing. The Fed doesn’t print the money, rather the banking system creates the credit money out of thin air and purchases the bonds which then appear on their balance sheet. As always, the goal is to ensure that government bond yields do not rise to a level above the nominal GDP growth rate. As long as real rates remain negative, stonks, crypto, gold, etc., will continue advancing in fiat currency terms. Bad Gurl Yellen My essay “ ” spoke in depth about how the US Treasury, led by Bad Gurl Yellen, increased the issuance of short-term Treasury bills (T-bills) in an effort to drain the trillions of dollars locked in the Fed’s Reverse Repo Program (RRP). As expected, the RRP decline coincided with a rip higher in stonks, bonds, and crypto. But now that the RRP is down to $400 billion, the market is wondering what the next source of fiat liquidity will be that bolsters asset prices. Don’t you worry, Yellen ain’t done yet, shout ‘bout to booty drop. Bad Gurl RRP Balance (white) vs. Bitcoin (yellow) The flow of fiat funds I will discuss focuses on US tax payments, the Fed’s Quantitative Tightening (QT) program, and the Treasury General Account (TGA). The timeline in question is from April 15th (the day tax payments are due for the 2023 tax year) to May 1st. Let me provide a quick guide on their positive or negative impact on liquidity to help you understand the implications of these three things. remove liquidity from the system. That is because payers must remove cash from the financial system by selling securities for example, in order to pay their taxes. Analysts expect tax payments for the 2023 tax year to be on the high side because of the large amounts of interest income received and a solid performance in the stock market. Tax Payments removes liquidity from the system. As of March 2022, the Fed allows roughly $95 billion worth of UST and MBS to mature without reinvesting the proceeds. This causes the Fed’s balance sheet to fall, which we all know reduces dollar liquidity. However, we are not concerned about the absolute level of the Fed’s balance sheet but the pace at which it declines. Analysts, like Joe Kalish of Ned Davis Research, expect the Fed to reduce the pace of QT by $30 billion per month at its May 1st meeting. The reduction in the pace of QT is positive for dollar liquidity as the Fed’s balance sheet rate of decline slows. QT When the balance rises, it removes liquidity from the system, but when it falls, it adds liquidity to the system. When the Treasury receives tax payments, the TGA balance rises. I expect the TGA balance to swell well above the current ~$750 billion level as tax payments are processed on April 15th. This is dollar liquidity negative. Don’t forget it's an election year. Yellen’s job is to get her boss, US President , reelected. That means she must do all she can to juice the stock market to make voters feel rich and ascribe this great outcome to the slow “genius” of Bidenomics. When the RRP balances finally go to zero, Yellen will spend down the TGA, releasing, most likely, an additional $1 trillion of liquidity into the system, which will pump markets. TGA Jeo Boden The precarious period for risky assets is April 15th to May 1st. This is when tax payments remove liquidity from the system, QT rumbles on at the current elevated pace, and Yellen has yet to start running down the TGA. After May 1st, the pace of QT declines, and Yellen gets busy cashing checks to jack up asset prices. If you are a trader looking for an opportune time to put on a cheeky short position, the month of April is the perfect time to do so. After May 1st, it’s back to regular programming … asset inflation sponsored by Fed and US Treasury financial shenanigans. Bitcoin Halving The Bitcoin block reward is forecast to halve on April 20th. This is seen as a bullish catalyst for crypto markets. I agree that it will pump prices in the medium term; however, the price action directly before and after could be negative. The narrative of the halving being positive for crypto prices is well entrenched. When most market participants agree on a certain outcome, the opposite usually occurs. That is why I believe Bitcoin and crypto prices in general will slump around the halving. Given that the halving occurs at a time when dollar liquidity is tighter than usual, it will add propellant to a raging firesale of crypto assets. The timing of the halving adds further weight to my decision to abstain from trading until May. To date I took full profit on these positions, MEW, SOL, and NMT. The proceeds were placed into and staked to earn that phat yield. Before Ethena, I would have held USDT or USDC and earned nothing while Tether and Circle captured the entire T-bill yield. Ethena’s USDe Could the market defy my bearish inclinations and continue higher? Fuck yeah. I’m perennially long as fuck crypto, so I welcome being wrong. Do I really want to babysit my most speculative shitcoin positions while I’m two-stepping at Token2049 Dubai? Hell no. Therefore, I dump. There is no need to be upset. If the dollar liquidity scenarios I discussed above come true, I will have that much more confidence to ape into all manner of dogshit. If I miss a few percentage points of gains but definitely avoid losses for my portfolio and lifestyle, that is an acceptable outcome. With that, I bid you adieu. Please remember to put your dancing shoes on, and I will see you in Dubai for a celebration of the crypto bull market.

Heatwave

তাপপ্রবাহ

Hitzewelle

Ola de calor

Vague De Chaleur

हीटवेव

熱波

폭염

Onda de calor

Волна тепла

Sıcak hava dalgası

Đợt nắng nóng

热浪

by Jeff Garzik and Ralph Benko We agree with the recently published Techno-Optimist Manifesto We agree with the recently published , hailing, among other things, the importance to civilization of energy and, thus, of good, practical energy policy. Abundant, reliable, readily affordable power is what unlocks a nation's dynamism, builds factories, creates jobs, enhances national security, and reduces poverty and famine. Techno-Optimist Manifesto A specter is now haunting those of us (including us) who believe that equitable prosperity is a great thing for people and the planet both. This specter is the shade of those who are anti-technology and anti-prosperity. Pro-prosperity goes under the rubric of e/acc, shorthand for “ .” As an aside, that might be a coinage derived from “ .” The latter had its day, although now is tarnished by the spectacular fall of its most enthusiastic and flamboyant promoter, . effective accelerationism effective altruism Sam Bankman-Fried The opponents of tech, and of its attendant general prosperity, have been dubbed the “decels.” Possibly a sly allusion to “incels.” e/acc also goes by the term “techno-optimism.” Many prominent center-leftists are at least as enthusiastic about the promise of technology to improve the lives of people and the planet as are the card-carrying members of the vast right-wing conspiracy. Techno-optimists tend to lean libertarian, whether left or right. Prominent among the leading proponents are masters of the universe , , , (with stated reservations about AI), and . Also notable are economist, blogger, and journalist ( ), public intellectual Peter Zeihan, who refers to the process of deindustrialization now underway as “decivilization,” and , who presents at a16z with exceptional clarity on matters such as . Marc Andreessen Ben Horowitz Bill Gates Vitalik Buterin Peter Thiel Noah Smith an incisive self-professed political southpaw Ryan McEntush how to scale nuclear power The villains in this drama are those who committed to “degrowth,” or shrinking the economy, perhaps by the “spectre of degrowth communism” of “Kohei Saito, the rising star of contemporary Marxist thought….” best exemplified Marxists Never Cease To Delight in Spectral Haunting Marxists just never cease to delight in spectral haunting. Some people just have to learn the hard way. We’ve written about the tussle between us techno-optimists and the luddites at ; ; at ; and at . Let’s up the ante. Toward a Pragmatic American Energy Policy To Build or Not to Build Washington? Just Face Facts Yankee Ingenuity The sweet spot of Washington Power and Light, our policy institute, is good energy policy, the foundation of equitable prosperity. In that, we are not alone. Marc Andreessen recently, in his . wrote: The Techno-Optimist Manifesto “Energy is life. We take it for granted, but without it, we have darkness, starvation, and pain. With it, we have light, safety, and warmth. We believe energy in an upward spiral. Energy is the foundational engine of our civilization. … We believe we should place intelligence and energy in a positive feedback loop, and drive them both to infinity. We believe we should use the feedback loop of intelligence and energy to make everything we want and need abundant.” should be And as Noah Smith observes in : Don’t be a Decel “Energy technology is arguably the most important kind of technology that humans create, since everything else we do is downstream of our ability to harness energy.” It isn’t very romantic of us, but … our mission is to encourage policy based on real-world data to produce great results, rather than relying on faith-based dreams we call “hopium.” We consider ourselves proud pragmatists. Pretty much everyone, including the innumerate, has heard of Einstein’s E = mc2, energy equals mass times the speed of light squared. the world’s most famous equation. PBS calls it While it is profound to prove that energy and matter are interchangeable, in day-to-day terms it’s not the most important equation around. We nominate, instead, e2/acc: effective energy accelerationism. Capitalism’s monster Those advocating economic “shrinkage” (to steal ) are an odd lot. Consider the frailty of the romantics, like Saito. He was critiqued by Thomas Fazi at , as “capitalism’s monster.” a phrase from Seinfeld Unherd To wit: “It is no coincidence that Saito comes from Japan, which enjoys one of the highest standards of living in the world. But for most people on the planet, especially those living in poorer countries, climate change among the lowest policy priorities — well below more pressing material concerns such as hunger and poverty, access to water and sanitation, and education. systematically ranks “To the billions of people who still live in extreme poverty, and the millions who don’t even have access to electricity, Saito’s vision of degrowth communism, and his plea to scale back production and consumption, is unlikely to be very appealing. In fact, Saito’s insistence that countries in the Global South should refrain from pursuing growth — even ‘green growth’ — might very well be seen as a form of Western eco-imperialism. … “In this sense, degrowth communism suffers from the same drawback of old-school communism: it’s an intrinsically universalist worldview, one that purports to offer a one-size-fits-all solution for all human societies, regardless of local cultural and civilisational specificities. This globalist outlook is typical of post-Nineties leftism, which Saito harks back to in several respects. This is also evident in his rejection of the nation-state, viewed as a reactionary, quasi-fascist construct, rather than the framework through which virtually all the major social, economic and political advancements of the past centuries were achieved. “It’s a view that is completely at odds with global realities. Capitalism’s monster? At odds with reality? Yeah, that’s our poster child villain, all right! Curtis Yarvin: the greatest living Hobbesian philosopher, formidable poet, and classic antihero, declares Trotsky at Burning Man Among others in the techno-pessimistic camp is the always interesting contrarian Curtis Yarvin – the greatest living Hobbesian philosopher and poet, a classic antihero rather than villain, and possibly simply being arch – recently published “ .” Therein, he wrote: a techno-pessimist manifesto “Where did this ideology come from? While the connection is obviously a coincidence, techno-optimism is a curious historical match for another deeply American ideology from the 20th century: Trotskyism. “In (1924), Trotsky wrote: Literature and Revolution “Through the machine, man in Socialist society will command nature in its entirety, with its grouse and its sturgeons. He will change the course of the rivers, and he will lay down rules for the oceans. This does not mean that the entire globe will be marked off into boxes, that the forests will be turned into parks and gardens. Thickets and forests and grouse and tigers will remain, but only where man commands them to remain. And man will do it so well that the tiger won’t even notice the machine, or feel the change, but will live as he lived in primeval times. The machine is not in opposition to the earth. The machine is the instrument of modern man in every field of life… “Man, who will learn how to move rivers and mountains, how to build people’s palaces on the peaks of the Mont Blanc and at the bottom of the Atlantic, will not only be able to add to his own life richness, brilliancy and intensity, but also a dynamic quality of the highest degree. The shell of life will hardly have time to form before it will burst open again under the pressure of new technical and cultural inventions and achievements. Life in the future will not be monotonous! “Narrator: nor was it. “More than that. Man at last will begin to harmonize himself in earnest. He will make it his business to achieve beauty by giving the movement of his own limbs the utmost precision, purposefulness and economy in his work, his walk and his play. He will try to master first the semiconscious and then the subconscious processes in his own organism, such as breathing, the circulation of the blood, digestion, reproduction, and, within necessary limits, he will try to subordinate them to the control of reason and will. Even purely physiologic life will become subject to collective experiments. The human species, the coagulated Homo sapiens, will once more enter into a state of radical transformation, and, in his own hands, will become an object of the most complicated methods of artificial selection and psycho-physical training. “One can easily see Trotsky at Burning Man…. “Here again the ‘scientists, technologists, artists, and visionaries beyond our wildest dreams.’ Was Trotsky the first ‘effective accelerationist?’ Life takes you funny places.” “Life takes you funny places.” True! Washington Power and Light Last year, we constituted a new, tech-savvy think tank in Metro DC, Washington Power and Light, to advocate for, to quote Bastiat (see below), a “real, serious and pragmatic” energy policy, a policy rooted in technological reality rather than “pretty to think so” romantic dreams. Thus, we heartily welcome a recent big reveal at Ben Horowitz’s blog, “ ,” that a16z has desired to engage politically, seriously, to conduct a savvy “revenge of the nerds” political crusade to make the pro-techno worldview stick: Politics and the Future “We believe that advancing technology is critical for humanity’s future, so we will, for the first time, get involved with politics by supporting candidates who align with our vision and values specifically for technology. “While “Big Tech” is well represented in Washington D.C., their interests are often at odds with a positive technological future as they are more interested in regulatory capture and preserving their monopolies. As a result, technology startups need a voice. “We are non-partisan, one issue voters: If a candidate supports an optimistic technology-enabled future, we are for them. If they want to choke off important technologies, we are against them.” Badly needed! Politicians have mostly taken their eye off the ball and turned Congress mostly into a slapstick pie-fight over mostly trivial matters. Consider the daily political news. Much of it covers the struggle between the Democrats (the Donks) and the GOP (Pachyderms, thank you, Thomas Nast!). And, implicit therein, the forever war between the left and right. And much of the news now is devoted to the internecine intraparty struggles, such as within the administration, between the privileged progressives and the rank-and-file workers of the labor-and-ethnic left. And the marquee battles between the MAGAs (“the Chaos Caucus”) and the Regular Republicans in the House. “A full phase-out of fossil fuels would take the world back into caves.” Meanwhile, note the recently convened and concluded CAP28, whose presiding officer rocked the world by observing candidly, as reported by : Reason “ Al Jaber also that a full phase-out of fossil fuels would ‘take the world back into caves.’ Into the caves we go: said Some scientists and activists have not welcomed Al Jaber's blunt realism, but have said his are ‘verging on climate denial.’ comments “To be sure, Al Jaber has been properly criticized for a possible conflict of interest, as he is also the CEO of the Emirati state-owned oil and gas company, ADNOC. But he's correct to weigh tradeoffs and to point to the fact that world leaders need a more concrete plan, since toothless U.N. agreements don't really cut it.” “What Is Seen and What is Not Seen” We confidently submit that, in the spirit of Bastiat’s final work, – “What Is Seen and What Is Not Seen” – that which is invisible is often more consequential than what is visible. CE QUON VOIT ET CE QUON NE VOIT PAS And the previously almost invisible war between the techno-optimists (“the squares”) and the techno-pessimists (“the hippies”) is, we believe, the truly important political, social, and cultural battle now going on. As the fox confided to the , “And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” Thus, let us look with our hearts. Little Prince Why is the war between the techno-optimists and the techno-pessimists of existential importance? Bastiat, courtesy of : Mises.org In the department of economy, an act, a habit, an institution, a law, gives birth not only to an effect, but to a series of effects. Of these effects, the first only is immediate; it manifests itself simultaneously with its cause — . The others unfold in succession — : it is well for us if they are . Between a good and a bad economist this constitutes the whole difference — the one takes account of the effect; the other takes account both of the effects which are and also of those which it is necessary to . Now this difference is enormous, for it almost always happens that when the immediate consequence is favorable, the ultimate consequences are fatal, . Hence it follows that the bad economist pursues a small present good, which will be followed by a great evil to come, while the true economist pursues a great good to come, at the risk of a small present evil. it is seen they are not seen foreseen visible seen foresee and the converse “In fact, it is the same in the science of health, arts, and in that of morals. If often happens, that the sweeter the first fruit of a habit is, the more bitter are the consequences. Take, for example, debauchery, idleness, prodigality. When, therefore, a man, absorbed in the effect which , has not yet learned to discern those which are not seen, he gives way to fatal habits, not only by inclination, but by calculation. is seen “This explains the fatally grievous condition of mankind. Ignorance surrounds its cradle: then its actions are determined by their first consequences, the only ones which, in its first stage, it can see. It is only in the long run that it learns to take account of the others. It has to learn this lesson from two very different masters — experience and foresight. Experience teaches effectually, but brutally. It makes us acquainted with all the effects of an action, by causing us to feel them; and we cannot fail to finish by knowing that fire burns, if we have burned ourselves. For this rough teacher, I should like, if possible, to substitute a more gentle one. I mean Foresight. For this purpose I shall examine the consequences of certain economical phenomena, by placing in opposition to each other those , and those .” which are seen which are not seen The struggle over tech is crucial because it is, at base, a struggle between prosperity and austerity. Prosperity affords us agency. Poverty is a vice, not a virtue. The Soviet bloc, exponentially poorer than the capitalist running dogs of the West, experienced far worse environmental degradation than did the capitalist world. It is better that we fight over what to do with our discretionary income than scrap for subsistence. Shall we use our surplus wealth to clean up our rivers and air? Plant forests? Invent new tech? Buy more aircraft carriers? Pay down the national debt? These are much worthier fights to have than those available while struggling for survival in a condition of great scarcity. Sorry, Luddites. Few indeed wish to return to the caves. Bad policy.  Bad politics. As Churchill, on the floor of the House of Commons, , ‘The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings. The inherent virtue of Socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.’ observed Misery loves company. That said, misery makes for bad policy. So, let’s accelerate our technology and, with it, our prosperity. Then… watch the Congress. Those fights will be merry indeed but much more productive than what we are now witnessing. Bravo to the : “We believe we should place intelligence and energy in a positive feedback loop and drive them both to infinity. We believe we should use the feedback loop of intelligence and energy to make everything we want and need abundant.” Techno-Optimist Manifesto To remain great or regain greatness, America can and must have abundant, reliable, readily affordable energy from practical, reality-driven sources. Abundant, reliable, affordable power unlocks a nation's dynamism, builds factories, creates jobs, enhances national security, and reduces poverty and famine. Accept no substitutes. Jeff Garzik serves as the founder and chairman of the policy institute Washington Power and Light.  Before co-founding Bloq, he spent five years as a Bitcoin core developer and ten years at Red Hat. His work with the Linux kernel is now found in every Android phone and data center running Linux today. Ralph Benko serves as co-founder and general counsel to Washington Power and Light. He is also the co-founder and general counsel for F1R3FLY.io and has worked in or with 3 White Houses, two executive branch agencies, and the Congress, as well as many political and policy institutes. He is an award-winning columnist.

“What is Essential is Invisible;” Enter Energy/Acceleration

102 Stories To Learn About Scrum

268 Stories To Learn About Project Management

It has been 48 days since the ZKFair Mainnet was launched. Reflecting on our journey, we've reached several milestones: These achievements remain vivid in our memory, still sparking immense excitement. Each milestone embodies the collective endeavor of the entire ZKFair community, establishing a new industry standard with unanimous support. TVL exceeded $123 million within 6 days, over $100 million was refunded to users, 97% of airdrops were claimed by users manually within 3 days, the on-chain active addresses neared 600,000, more than 200,000 addresses are holding assets, connected with over 10 renowned CEX like Bybit, Kucoin, Gate within a single day, on-chain staking surpassed 3 Billion ZKF, over 40 project parties completed deployment and integration within weeks, TVL soared beyond $324 million, securing the 9th rank among all L2s, and many more. Simultaneously, the vitality unleashed by the ZKFair community profoundly demonstrates that ZKFair's potential is far from being fully realized. If we can reach these milestones, we are equally capable of conquering future challenges. Since the day of our launch, no member of the ZKFair team has taken a day off, and the rapid progress within 48 days stands as the best testament to our dedication. We are conscious that much remains to be done for ZKFair, and thus, we are fully committed, to steadily advancing. To offer the community a clearer insight into ZKFair's future roadmap, we are excited to share some of our strategic plans for Q1, Q2, and Q3 of 2024. Q1 2024: Actively enhance ecosystem development, aiming to collaborate with over 200 projects, with an initial target of welcoming 100+ projects, especially focusing on DeFi, gaming, and AI. Launch the ZKFair Launchpool, featuring 3-6 meticulously selected high-quality projects. Initiate the .ZKF DID in partnership with SPACE ID. Introduce interactive and upgradeable ZKFair PFP NFTs. Host large-scale ecosystem events to appreciate the community and project parties. Achieve integration with additional wallets and commence collaborations. Debut on more CEXs and establish partnerships. Delve into the Restaking Domain, collaborating with industry-leading projects. Expand our team, attracting top talents from the industry. Q2 2024: Collaborate with Lumoz RaaS's new ETH L2 to further empower ZKFair and $ZKF. Enable cross-chain transfers and transactions for BTC ecosystem assets. Continue ecosystem construction, reaching over 150 completed projects, with a focus on DeFi, gaming, and AI. Increase presence on more CEXs. Enhance cooperation with Polygon Labs, refining ZKP generation and improving the on-chain interaction experience. Q3 2024: Integrate with the Lumoz Distributed Prover Network, inviting global miners to contribute computing power to ZKFair. Co-organize hackathons with HackerEarth, ETHGlobal, and other institutions to broaden ecosystem development. Arrange global offline meetups to foster connections among community members. Concerning the aforementioned plans, ZKFair has deliberated thoroughly ( ). In a dynamic market, buoyed by the successful launch of the BTC ETF, the forthcoming BTC halving, and the trend towards Fed rate cuts, we anticipate a vibrant future market. Against this backdrop, as a top 10 L2 project by TVL, ZKFair will adhere to its plan, step by step, to foster ecosystem prosperity, provide more $ZKF use cases, and enhance the on-chain transaction experience, aligning with community expectations. note that this is only a portion of our planning, with some aspects still under discussion. Meanwhile, we have earnestly considered community feedback, and these plans will be shared with the community when the time is right Layer 2 solutions will continue to attract significant attention. We acknowledge that ecosystem development is an arduous task. On one hand, high-quality project parties are scarce; on the other, project parties also face dilemmas, with choosing which L2 network to allocate their limited resources to becoming a common challenge. Ecosystem deployment is a mutual selection process, and we commit to offering maximum support to quality project parties. The latest phase 2 projects have shown remarkable performance, with FairStake being oversubscribed by 3 times, and HyperionX breaking the $200 million mark in on-chain trading volume in less than 4 days, its derivative Dex ranking among the top 10 of the entire chain. We rejoice in the success of ecosystem projects and hope more high-quality projects will get to know ZKFair and deepen their cooperation with us. Recently, we engaged in discussions with nearly 150 project parties. Launchpool Faced with intense competition among numerous L2 solutions, we admit ZKFair is still emerging, with a short operational history, modest valuation, no VC backing, tokens fully distributed through airdrops, and just beginning ecosystem construction. Frankly, ZKFair is under significant pressure, but fortunately, we have the support of all community members. Your support is our greatest motivation. Fully distributed projects may face early challenges, but we will also witness the most explosive growth phase. We believe every contributor to the ZKFair community would answer without hesitation, despite the daunting road ahead, the $10B goal stands unwavering. We have already achieved many "impossibilities" in the eyes of others, and we are eager to accomplish even more. Some may question if the $10B goal remains viable. Community members closely following ZKFair's progress can deeply appreciate the achievements made in such a short period. We are also grateful for the numerous community members who have stood by us during challenging times and extend our thanks to all partners for their unwavering support! Here, we reaffirm our commitment to continuously build the ZKFair Community and vigorously pursue the $10B goal and dream! Currently, through the concerted efforts of the entire community, a foundational base of ecosystem projects has been established (40+), with plans to complete the initial phase of ecosystem construction (60+) by the end of February. We aim to bring high-quality projects to every track through Launchpool, offering community members a plethora of choices. Building on this foundation, in Q2, we will further expand ecosystem development and seek large-scale ecological partnerships (150+). On the premise of steady ecosystem growth, we will launch a series of large-scale events to invigorate the ecosystem, stimulate incremental growth, and provide more engagement and wealth opportunities for ecosystem users. In conclusion, ZKFair is in the nascent stages of ecosystem construction. In this journey, we are not only ecosystem builders but also dream chasers. The future possibilities depend on every loyal user reading this message. The power of the community can overcome any hurdle, and we hope everyone will continue to support ZKFair and join us in building the L2 ecosystem! We are not just pursuing the $10B goal but also aiming to surpass the "impossibilities" recognized by our predecessors.

A Letter to Everyone in the ZKFair Community

ZKFair সম্প্রদায়ের প্রত্যেকের কাছে একটি চিঠি

Ein Brief an alle in der ZKFair-Community

Una carta para todos los miembros de la comunidad ZKFair

Une lettre à tous les membres de la communauté ZKFair

ZKFair समुदाय में सभी के लिए एक पत्र

ZKFair コミュニティの皆様への手紙

ZKFair 커뮤니티의 모든 사람에게 보내는 편지

Uma carta para todos na comunidade ZKFair

Письмо всем членам сообщества ZKFair

ZKFair Topluluğundaki Herkese Mektup

Thư gửi mọi người trong cộng đồng ZKFair

致 ZKFair 社区所有人的一封信

Let's learn about via these 65 free stories. They are ordered by most time reading created on HackerNoon. Visit the to find the most read stories about any technology. David Copperfield /Learn Repo 1. David Copperfield: PREFACE TO THE CHARLES DICKENS EDITION David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens is part of HackerNoon’s Book Blog Post series. You can jump to any chapter in this book here: [LINK TO TABLE OF LINK]. PREFACE TO THE CHARLES DICKENS EDITION 2. David Copperfield: Chapter 31 -  A Greater Loss For years and years, Mr. Barkis had carried this box, on all his journeys, every day. 3. David Copperfield: Chapter 40 - The Wanderer The wind had gone down with the light, and so the snow had come on. It was a heavy, settled fall, I recollect, in great flakes; and it lay thick. 4. David Copperfield: Chapter 37 - A Little Cold Water My new life had lasted for more than a week, and I was stronger than ever in those tremendous practical resolutions that I felt the crisis required. 5. David Copperfield: Chapter 24 - My First Dissipation It was fine in the morning, particularly in the fine mornings. It looked a very fresh, free life, by daylight: still fresher, and more free, by sunlight. 6. David Copperfield: Chapter 30 - A Loss ‘Why, bless my life and soul!’ said Mr. Omer, ‘how do you find yourself? Take a seat.—-Smoke not disagreeable, I hope?’ 7. David Copperfield: Chapter 64 - A Last  Retrospect And now my written story ends. I look back, once more—for the last time—before I close these leaves. 8. David Copperfield: Chapter 20 - Steerforth's Home It was no matter of wonder to me to find Mrs. Steerforth devoted to her son. 9. David Copperfield: Chapter 6 - I Enlarge My Circle of Acquaintance One day I was informed by Mr. Mell that Mr. Creakle would be home that evening. 10. David Copperfield: Chapter 15 - I Make Another Beginning Mr. Dick and I soon became the best of friends, and very often, when his day’s work was done, went out together to fly the great kite. 11. David Copperfield: Chapter 29 - I Visit Steerforth At His Home, Again I mentioned to Mr. Spenlow in the morning, that I wanted leave of absence for a short time 12. David Copperfield: Chapter 12 - Liking Life On My Own Account No Better, I Form A Great Resolution In due time, Mr. Micawber’s petition was ripe for hearing; and that gentleman was ordered to be discharged under the Act, to my great joy. 13. David Copperfield: Chapter 50 - Mr. Peggotty's Dream Comes True A fearful cry followed the word. I paused a moment, and looking in, saw him supporting her insensible figure in his arms. 14. David Copperfield: Chapter 18 - A Retrospect But who is this that breaks upon me? This is Miss Shepherd, whom I love. 15. David Copperfield: Chapter 2 - I Observe There comes out of the cloud, our house—not new to me, but quite familiar, in its earliest remembrance. 16. David Copperfield: Chapter 47 - Martha A glimpse of the river through a dull gateway, where some waggons were housed for the night, seemed to arrest my feet. 17. David Copperfield: Chapter 60 - Agnes ‘You will find her,’ pursued my aunt, ‘as good, as beautiful, as earnest, as disinterested, as she has always been. 18. David Copperfield: Chapter 58 - Absence I left all who were dear to me, and went away; and believed that I had borne it, and it was past. 19. David Copperfield: Chapter 1 Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show. 20. David Copperfield: Chapter 56 - The New Wound , And The Old From the first moment of her dark eyes resting on me, I saw she knew I was the bearer of evil tidings. 21. David Copperfield: Chapter 57 - The Emigrants It was, to conceal what had occurred, from those who were going away; and to dismiss them on their voyage in happy ignorance. In this, no time was to be lost. 22. David Copperfield: Chapter 38 - A Dissolution Of Partnership I forgot them; while I was picking them up, I dropped the other fragments of the system; in short, it was almost heart-breaking. 23. David Copperfield: Chapter 34 - My Aunt Astonishes Me As if, in love, joy, sorrow, hope, or disappointment; in all emotions; my heart turned naturally there, and found its refuge and best friend. 24. David Copperfield: Chapter 63 - A Visitor I had advanced in fame and fortune, my domestic joy was perfect, I had been married ten happy years. 25. David Copperfield: Chapter 26 - I Fall Into Captivity I could not get over this farewell glimpse of them for a long time. 26. David Copperfield: Chapter 9 - I Have A Memorable Birthday I PASS over all that happened at school, until the anniversary of my birthday came round in March. 27. David Copperfield - TABLE OF LINKS David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens is part of the HackerNoon Books series. Read this book online for free on HackerNoon! 28. David Copperfield: Chapter 55 - Tempest ‘Good-bye for ever. Now, my dear, my friend, good-bye for ever in this world. 29. David Copperfield: Chapter 43 - Another Retrospect Once again, let me pause upon a memorable period of my life. Let me stand aside, to see the phantoms of those days go by me, accompanying the shadow of myself. 30. David Copperfield: Chapter 46 - Intelligence The vaunting cruelty with which she met my glance, I never saw expressed in any other face that ever I have seen. 31. David Copperfield: Chapter 44 - Our Housekeeping —all the romance of our engagement put away upon a shelf, to rust—no one to please but one another—one another to please, for life. 32. David Copperfield: Chapter 45 - Mr. Dick Fulfils My Aunt's Predictions She was exactly the same as ever, and the same immortal butterflies hovered over her cap. 33. David Copperfield: Chapter 14 - My Aunt Makes Up Her Mind About Me My spirits sank under these words, and I became very downcast and heavy of heart. 34. David Copperfield: Chapter 61 - I am Shown Two Interesting Penitents This sentiment gave unbounded satisfaction—greater satisfaction, I think, than anything that had passed yet. 35. David Copperfield: Chapter 62 - A Light Shines On My Way She did not once show me any change in herself. What she always had been to me, she still was; wholly unaltered. 36. David Copperfield: Chapter 11 - I Begin Life On My Own Account, And Don't Like It I know enough of the world now, to have almost lost the capacity of being much surprised by anything 37. David Copperfield: Chapter 53 - Another Retrospect I try to stay my tears, and to reply, ‘Oh, Dora, love, as fit as I to be a husband!’ 38. David Copperfield: Chapter 4 - I Fall Into Disgrace He drew her to him, whispered in her ear, and kissed her. 39. David Copperfield: Chapter 33 -  Blissful Her idea was my refuge in disappointment and distress, and made some amends to me, even for the loss of my friend. 40. David Copperfield: Chapter 27 - Tommy Traddles The general air of the place reminded me forcibly of the days when I lived with Mr. and Mrs. Micawber. 41. David Copperfield: Chapter 19 - I Look About Me, And Make A Discovery I am doubtful whether I was at heart glad or sorry, when my school-days drew to an end, and the time came for my leaving Doctor Strong’s. 42. David Copperfield: Chapter 48 -Domestic It is not my purpose, in this record, though in all other essentials it is my written memory, to pursue the history of my own fictions. 43. David Copperfield: Chapter 59 - Return I have often remarked—I suppose everybody has—that one’s going away from a familiar place, would seem to be the signal for change in it. 44. David Copperfield: Chapter 51 - The Beginning Of A Longer Journey And Mrs. Gummidge took his hand, and kissed it with a homely pathos and affection, in a homely rapture of devotion and gratitude, that he well deserved. 45. David Copperfield: Chapter 36 - Enthusiasm With the new life, came new purpose, new intention. Great was the labour; priceless the reward. Dora was the reward, and Dora must be won. 46. David Copperfield: Chapter  7 - My 'First Half' at Salem House Not that I mean to say these were special marks of distinction, which only I received. 47. David Copperfield: Chapter 32 - The Beginning Of A Long Journey What is natural in me, is natural in many other men, I infer, and so I am not afraid to write that I never had loved Steerforth 48. David Copperfield: Chapter 54 - Mr. Micawber's Transactions ‘Now’s the day, and now’s the hour,
See the front of battle lower,
See approach proud EDWARD’S power—
Chains and slavery! 49. David Copperfield: Chapter 23 - I Corroborate Mr. Dick, And Choose A Propession When I awoke in the morning I thought very much of little Em’ly, and her emotion last night, after Martha had left. 50. David Copperfield: Chapter 16 - I am A New Boy in More Senses Than One Next morning, after breakfast, I entered on school life again. I went, accompanied by Mr. Wickfield, to the scene of my future studies 51. David Copperfield: Chapter 42 -Mischief My meaning simply is, that whatever I have tried to do in life, I have tried with all my heart to do well; 52. David Copperfield: Chapter 28 - Mr. Micawber's Gauntlet Until the day arrived on which I was to entertain my newly-found old friends, I lived principally on Dora and coffee. 53. David Copperfield: Chapter 17 - Somebody Turns Up ‘I suppose history never lies, does it?’ said Mr. Dick, with a gleam of hope. 54. David Copperfield: Chapter 49 - I am Involved In My Mystery I never saw a man so hot in my life. I tried to calm him, that we might come to something rational; but he got hotter and hotter, and wouldn’t hear a word. 55. David Copperfield: Chapter 3 - I Have A Change If it had been Aladdin’s palace, roc’s egg and all, I suppose I could not have been more charmed with the romantic idea of living in it. 56. David Copperfield: Chapter 8 - My Holidays. Especially One Happy Afternoon ‘The message was right enough, perhaps,’ said Mr. Barkis; ‘but it come to an end there.’ 57. David Copperfield: Chapter 41 - Dora's Aunts His honest face, as he looked at me with a serio-comic shake of his head, impresses me more in the remembrance than it did in the reality. 58. David Copperfield: Chapter 35 - Depression ‘My dear,’ said my aunt, after taking a spoonful of it; ‘it’s a great deal better than wine. Not half so bilious.’ 59. David Copperfield: Chapter 21 - Little Em'ly Such a self-contained man I never saw. 60. David Copperfield: Chapter 5 - I am Sent Away From Home We might have gone about half a mile, and my pocket-handkerchief was quite wet through, when the carrier stopped short. 61. David Copperfield: Chapter 22 - Some Old Scenes, And Some New People Steerforth and I stayed for more than a fortnight in that part of the country. 62. David Copperfield: Chapter 13 -  The Sequel Of My Resolution A plan had occurred to me for passing the night, which I was going to carry into execution. 63. David Copperfield: Chapter 52 - I Assist At An Explosion I saw, in my aunt’s face, that she began to give way now, and Dora brightened again, as she saw it too. 64. David Copperfield: Chapter 25 - Good And Bad Angles I could scarcely lay claim to the name: I was so disturbed by the conviction that the letter came from Agnes. 65. David Copperfield: Chapter 39 - Wickfield And Heep ‘My dear Copperfield, a man who labours under the pressure of pecuniary embarrassments, is, with the generality of people, at a disadvantage. Thank you for checking out the 65 most read stories about David Copperfield on HackerNoon. to find the most read stories about any technology. Visit the /Learn Repo

65 Stories To Learn About David Copperfield

128 Stories To Learn About Charles Dickens

*** The History of Science Funding The scientist has always been a risky employee in terms of ROI.  They are trying to uncover truths about the universe, and oftentimes, the universe gives them the bird. Because experimenting means risking a lot of money and time on a possibly worthless idea, a scientist is a forever intern, until they make a breakthrough, then they become senior associates. That said, the scientist has been trying to make his own money. With the Alchemists, this was literal. While they invented Chemistry and catalyzed the birth of worldwide gold rushes, turning lead into gold was, alas, a wrong idea believed for centuries. The search consumed the lifetime of one person after another, with only dreams of wealth to get them through. But their tenacity was a testament to their resilience and patience. Patience meant, for the time being, remaining in the employ of someone who could afford the risk of backing science in the past. And that meant a King because they had gold/money collected from taxes. Wizards and fortune tellers didn’t make much sense, and they were comedians come to give the King a jolly time before he went to war. Though, while throwing guts on a wall may be stupid, it was mysterious and if they were right, doubly impressive. And here was this (broke) scientist, insisting that they knew a REAL strategy to help the King win. What was their credibility? Circa 200BC, the scientist is Archimedes and the King is the political head of Syracuse. Being a leader in those times largely meant you needed to win wars and as history had taught Kings the utter uselessness of charlatans, the scientist was given a chance to make his case. Archimedes made his case alright. It that he sunk the ships of the Romans with ingenious cranes and catapults that threw heavy stones. has been recounted Since his time, patronage from Kings, Princes, Bankers and Presidents to scientists has been immense. The scientist is respected, and all great scientists, even Leonardo da Vinci who was mostly fawned over for his impressive artwork, took off some time to design weapons. For weapons help the King win and hence, keep the scientist with a job. Scientists soon became ever more pivotal in war efforts. Especially Physicists and Chemists, who have designed countless forms of military hardware to date. However, the emergence of scientific methods in Economics, Sociology, Psychology, Biology, all riding on the power of statistical analysis and logical inference, quickly made the scientist important in every field of human endeavour. The problem however remained. To get a loan, the scientist usually had to, and still has to, rely on government funding because the government remains the biggest fish able to take on sufficient risk in the financial markets. Hate it all you want, but without credit from the government, be it debt or real money, a lot of scientific work would have stalled. Best example - SpaceX. However, governments and their ability to debase money and finance things on debt, made the world wars last longer to destroy the world much harder. It also led to economic depressions and after the 2008 financial crisis, Satoshi Nakamoto, a genius computer scientist, decided to create Bitcoin – a monetary tool outside the purview of government currency debasement. Birth of a financial model divorced from the King Bitcoin has been controversial from its inception. Of course, Kings and governments hate it. It is cutting into their business. A big part of the private sector also loathes its nature of priding in technological exclusivity, so that six years later, a hard fork was implemented to create Ethereum, a cryptocurrency built to provide extra blockchain services such as smart contracts. Many other hard forks quickly followed from the faithless. However, Bitcoin is still mainstream and has recently become interesting to Big Finance. The Bitcoin ETF proves as much. After 15 years of laughing at a thing that keeps building bigger and better, even the harshest critic will shut up and start listening more intimately. Because they now know they are missing something. Energy scientists are also starting to pay attention, with some claiming that Bitcoin mining may be our . are doing well selling cheaper electricity packages that have been subsidized by Bitcoin mining on the side. fast track to an energy transition Energy engineers But these are late to the party. Computer scientists have been earning well in Bitcoin, Ethereum, Doge for decades. And if any scientist has been comfortably living outside the need to get big budget funding from governments, that has been the computer scientist, from way back in the 20th century. While the field of Computer Science is much younger than Physics, Astronomy, Biology, many computer scientists quickly learned to earn big from private enterprise and individualized work, without begging the Kings and their Big Bankers for a loan. Futuristic Science Funding itself through Bitcoin Bitcoin is money for the people, and science has evolved to also be something done as a public good, on an open source plan, by dedicated people who put in their own time and money to make something good happen. As I mentioned, Computer Scientists now exist on the internet who are eagerly improving the Bitcoin ecosystem using the power of collaboration and their earnest efforts. These mostly come from the land of software development and after getting orange-pilled, decide to stay at Bitcoiner-land and build the Bitcoin ecosystem. However, there has not been much of an on-ramp for other types of scientists and this is the opportunity existing, wide open, for anybody to take. Currently, many a scientist in the Bitcoin world is a computer scientist of the type who builds zero-knowledge proofs, rollups, and more layers of the Bitcoin blockchain. But many more scientific people are needed. To re-iterate, I feel more electrical and power engineering scientists should be at the forefront of how Bitcoin mining equipment can provide electricity access to those without, making investments in clean, stranded energy sources much easier to manage. What better job than to be the electric engineer who designs their own job by bringing electricity to your people? Every university student of electrical engineering, whatever the developing country, should learn about this. Because developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America are struggling with scaling electricity usage from otherwise cheap energy sources, because of the high premiums that locals just cannot pay. The knowledge of using Bitcoin to subsidize electricity access from stranded energy sources should be spread as far and as widely as possible. Now, as an aspiring quantum information scientist, I feel there is also a place for me in the Bitcoin ecosystem. While the public might know how quantum information science threatens to undo the good that Bitcoin has done by potentially hacking it, I find that building quantum-resistant algorithms is far from scratching the surface of quantum capabilities. For example, quantum technologies could provide for Bitcoin nodes, allowing even weak signals to be successfully transmitted and ensure blocks are mined. better signal sensors Quantum computing could help guide better on how Bitcoin infrastructure could be better set up across nations and continents for optimum usage. solutions in logistics Quantum networks could provide better ways to securely. transmit Bitcoin information Some problems in the Bitcoin ecosystem could be (Bounded-error Quantum Polynomial) problems, which are the purview of quantum information science and these should be discovered and worked on using quantum computers. BQP Most importantly, quantum computers will be orders of magnitude better at mining proof-of-work cryptocurrencies than classical computers. When Bitcoin befriends Quantum Mechanics Moore’s law is coming to an end. IBM has already built transistors with only 5 atoms. To get smaller, it becomes harder to manage thermal noise and other nanoscale problems. To manage thermal noise, even more cooling will be done, the way it is done for qubits. Also, a 1-atom transistor is effectively a qubit. This is the quantum realm, and like it or not, more people will study quantum mechanics in the not-too-distant future, and by extension, quantum computing. The classical computing world can only scale by a multiplicity of the same technology, which will consume even more energy. The efficiency gains of quantum technologies like quantum computers will be needed. While , the science of building qubits is ramping upwards and systems are getting more powerful. There might not be an exponential growth in qubits with their own Moore’s law, but a linear growth in qubits leads to exponential computational power. Which kind of is a Moore’s law! I have said quantum computing is very expensive You remember this graph; If approximately 14 billion dollars in 2023 can bring in (logical qubits are the real qubits as manipulated in mathematical theory), by linear extrapolation, $125 billion by 2030 as seen above will bring in 428 logical qubits. 48 logical qubits But 7 years from now, Bitcoin itself might have ballooned to $200,000 per bitcoin which is a $4.2 trillion market cap. By linear extrapolation, $3 trillion is needed in global investments to take us to 10,000 logical qubits. As we can see, Bitcoin alone can pay for it over a 7-year span. Why 10,000 qubits? My Research Project Over the past three months, I have been studying QCourse551-1 which was offered in a collaboration between QWorld and Classiq Technologies. My research project was Project 11 - Bitcoin Mining using Grover’s Search Algorithm. The motivation for my project came from that shows that 10,000 logical qubits alone can do Bitcoin mining faster than any classical system using the same energy consumption. a research paper This is because 10,000 qubits can encode the full double SHA256 hashing process that goes into mining Bitcoin, but since they use Grover’s search algorithm, they effectively achieve quadratic speed-up by square_root(N) where N is the number of elements to check in an unstructured database. ASICs mining for bitcoins also check an unstructured database of random hashes for the nonce value. The question is, which one is faster? Most ASIC miners today are checking terahashes or For example checks 120TH/s. That is 120 million hashes every second. 1 million hashes every second. this miner Can a quantum computer beat that? Of course. square_root( 120 million) = only 10954 checks per second. A 1,095,400 % efficiency increase. And the more the competition, the more the quantum computer tears ahead in the race. The is rocketing upwards of 600 million million hashes per second. This is outputting enough heat to make climate scientists worried sick. But what if we replaced all those clunky ASICs with state-of-the-art QPUs from the year 2032, how many comparative hashes per second would they clock? square_root( 600 million million) = 24 million checks per second. A . current hash rate 2.4 billion % increase in efficiency If the above is not an attractive proposition, I don’t know what is. Bitcoin should fund quantum computing research. It will take a while, but when it happens, it will be glorious. It will be a more canonical event than the Moon landing. In our research, we were checking a much-simplified system with only 8-bit inputs and outputs, modeled on a Grover’s operator working with under 25 qubits. Given our really low hashing power, the advantages of Grover’s search could not be gleamed first hand, and could only be inferred with a relevant complexity analysis of the runs/depth of the Classical computer (my laptop) vs the depth of our Grover’s circuit executed on the Classiq Aer simulator. While it would have been good to model the energetics and the complexity graph of what this means, unfortunately, we ran out of time. However, we had some deliverables to show for our work. Below is what we had including the depth of each circuit. a) The simplified MD5 classical algorithm We modeled a simplified version of the MD5 (a most primitive cousin of SHA256) hashing 95 printable ASCII characters to find the nonce for hex values with difficulty = 1. Note: Our hex values were only 2-digit because we are working with 8-bit values. So our possible difficulty 1 values are only in 16 possibilities i.e. 00, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 0a, 0b, 0c, 0d, 0e, 0f. 00 is also a difficulty 2 element. Hence the searching/hashing function is called simplified_MD5_8bit_difficulty_1or2. def simplified_MD5_8bit_difficulty_1or2():
    printables_list = '0123456789abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ!"#$%&\'()*+,-./:;<=>?@[\\]^_`{|}~'
    for i in printables_list:
        x2 = ord(i)

        x3 = bin(x2)[2:]

        if len(str(x3))==7:
            x4 = x3+'0'
        if len(str(x3))==6:
            x4 = x3+'00'

        x5 = list(x4)

        a0 = 2*int((x5[0]))
        a1 = int(x5[1])

        b0 = 2*int((x5[2]))
        b1 = int(x5[3])

        c0 = 2*int((x5[4]))
        c1 = int(x5[5])

        d0 = 2*int((x5[6]))
        d1 = int(x5[7])

        a = a0 + a1

        b = b0 + b1

        c = c0 + c1

        d = d0 + d1
    
        a = ((d ^ (b & (c ^ d))) + (c ^ (d & (b ^ c))) + (b ^ c ^ d) + (c ^ (b | ~(d))) + b)
        
        print()

        d1 = d//2
        d0 = d%2
        d = d1*(2**7) + d0*(2**6)

        a1 = a//2
        a0 = a%2
        a = a1*(2**5) + a0*(2**4)

        b1 = b//2
        b0 = b%2
        b = b1*(2**3) + b0*(2**2)

        c1 = c//2
        c0 = c%2
        c = c1*(2**1) + c0*(2**0)

        decimal_result = d + a + b + c
        binary_result = bin(decimal_result)[2:]
        print(binary_result)
        hex_result = hex(decimal_result)
        print(hex_result)

        if hex_result == '0x0':
            difficulty_2.append(hex_result)
            collisions_difficulty_2.append(i)
        if hex_result == ('0x1' or '0x2' or '0x3' or '0x4' or '0x5' or '0x6' or '0x7' or '0x8' or '0x9' or '0xa' or '0xb' or '0xc' or '0xd' or '0xe' or '0xf'):
            difficulty_1.append(hex_result)
            collisions_difficulty_1.append(i)

    print('Difficulty_1 list = ',difficulty_1)
    print('Difficulty_2 list = ',difficulty_2)
    print('Colliding inputs for difficulty 1 = ',collisions_difficulty_1)
    print('Colliding inputs for difficulty 2 = ',collisions_difficulty_2)
    
difficulty_2 = []
difficulty_1 = []     
collisions_difficulty_1 = []
collisions_difficulty_2 = []

import numpy as np
simplified_MD5_8bit_difficulty_1or2() As can be seen, to find the difficulty 1 (and by extension the difficulty 2) elements, we have to reiterate through 40 lines of code (ignoring spaces and printing in the for loop). There are 96 printable ASCII characters to hash and check hence 96 * 40 which gives us a circuit depth of 3840. However, this is run through fast by my laptop. Less than a few seconds. b) The simplified MD5 quantum algorithm We modeled a quantum version of our simplified MD5 algorithm to simulate finding the difficulty 1 nonce values no matter what the input ASCII character to the circuit was. This is possible because all we need is a zero at the beginning of our hex value. Since our hash set was small (only 96 ASCII characters), we tuned the system to ignore the input ASCII value so it is redundant, and to aim to capture all possible zeros given the Arithmetic expression; a == ((d ^ (b & (c ^ d))) + (c ^ (d & (b ^ c))) + (b ^ c ^ d) + (c ^ (b | ~(d))) + b) which is also in the classical Python algorithm. Notice that the 4 functions being added together are derived from the . original MD5 algorithm Since we want difficulty 1 values, we add and to the above function and then synthesize it in the Classiq platform. d = 0 a = 0 (Note: This is a shortcut thanks to the tireless work of the Classiq team. The Python code was also built in the Classiq Python SDK but it had a last-minute glitch. Hence we only have working Python SDK code for the Grover’s operator, but not for the Grover’s operator with a difficulty-1 hash/search, which is what you had to see here ) Hence our input Arithmetic expression is; a == ((d ^ (b & (c ^ d))) + (c ^ (d & (b ^ c))) + (b ^ c ^ d) + (c ^ (b | ~(d))) + b) and d == 0 and    a == 0 The resulting circuit has a depth of only 913 The quantum circuit wins! Endnote While the project time ended, our work is still a work in progress, to continue until we build a functional 10,000 qubit quantum bitcoin miner. Voluntary efforts to support us technically are most welcome. Some of our code is still glitchy and we have only scratched the surface of the Classiq platform’s capabilities. An ingenious software tool that takes away the cumbersome tinkering with gates, as would have been needed for anybody building the same project using Qiskit. Special thanks to Classiq and QWorld for the opportunity. And our mentor - Dr. Eyal Cornfeld, for the guidance. ***

Hash Rate Analysis Projections: Why Bitcoin Should Embrace Quantum Information Science

হ্যাশ রেট বিশ্লেষণ অনুমান: কেন বিটকয়েন কোয়ান্টাম তথ্য বিজ্ঞানকে আলিঙ্গন করা উচিত

Prognosen zur Hash-Rate-Analyse: Warum Bitcoin die Quanteninformationswissenschaft nutzen sollte

Proyecciones del análisis de la tasa de hash: por qué Bitcoin debería adoptar la ciencia de la información cuántica

Projections d'analyse du taux de hachage : pourquoi Bitcoin devrait adopter la science de l'information quantique

हैश दर विश्लेषण अनुमान: बिटकॉइन को क्वांटम सूचना विज्ञान को क्यों अपनाना चाहिए

ハッシュレート分析の予測: ビットコインが量子情報科学を採用すべき理由

해시레이트 분석 예측: 비트코인이 양자 정보 과학을 수용해야 하는 이유

Projeções de análise de taxa de hash: por que o Bitcoin deveria adotar a ciência da informação quântica

Прогнозы анализа скорости хэширования: почему Биткойн должен использовать квантовую информатику

Hash Rate Analizi Projeksiyonları: Bitcoin Neden Kuantum Bilgi Bilimini Kucaklamalı?

Dự đoán phân tích tỷ lệ băm: Tại sao Bitcoin nên áp dụng khoa học thông tin lượng tử

哈希率分析预测：为什么比特币应该拥抱量子信息科学

The Parker Solar Probe is the and is currently bathing in enough solar energy to train ChatGPT for free. fastest object ever built Today, I’ll share how parking technologies at (a few million kilometers from) the sun and not just solar probes might be a good business idea. The Nerds There are a lot of nerds out there who would totally get on board with this. Be they gamers, sci-fi world builders, or even climate change scientists who prefer to tackle the source of ballooning temperatures itself – sunlight. For example, Beff Jezos and his team of thermodynamic hackers at hope to use their insights into the thermodynamics of quantum computers to improve the GPUs that train Artificial Intelligence like ChatGPT. Extropic.ai Would a solar probe that is also a quantum computer be a good idea for research investment? Yes. It would be able to cool a warehouse-sized quantum computer with ten thousand plus logical qubits to near absolute zero and quite easily. All quantum-computing scientists would line up to get some jobs done on that monster. Another set of nerds are Bitcoin maximalists. These earnestly believe in the power of 21 million immutable pieces of code called bitcoins to change the world economy for the better, for all. Nothing has yet proven this claim, not even . We are still stuck with mathematical theories of how scarcity and halvings will eventually drive toward more global cooperation. Though, these have a more solid footing in real-world applications than the quantum nerds. the ETF Would a solar probe turned bitcoin miner be a good idea to invest in? No. It would be terrible for mining, no thanks to a hash horizon spanning upwards of 16 minutes to and fro Earth. However, as a Bitcoin node, it would still be a good redundancy for Bitcoin experimentalists to play with. All that energy could count for something. A better use case would be to mine a new cryptocurrency like . Call it Solcoin (do not confuse it with an inflationary altcoin called “Solarcoin”). This would take at least 1 hour to mine a block that confirms the transaction. With such a long time frame, I would not call it a currency. But an asset, yes. Bitcoin Techno-utopians who believe in the Kardashev scale would be intrigued by this Solcoin. Would people in real estate, which takes days to officiate deals, be okay with a Solcoin as their value peg? Maybe. How about nerds in High Energy Physics, such as the chaps at the Large Hadron Collider? Do you think they would want to have more energy to smash particles and lasers with? - Yes. AIs, quantum computers, high-energy colliders, and proof-of-work cryptocurrencies all have one thing in common. They are energy-guzzling beasts. Parking them at the sun could be big business. Why we might need this idea As a civilization, our data needs are ballooning. But as data needs balloon, so do the energy needs. It is like with a child. They grow bigger brains during their teenage years, and their appetite shoots through the roof. Data consumes energy to turn into information. Hence, Information is energy. If you have been following my posts, you have heard of Landauer.  We need information on how to build better AI, to build a better Bitcoin economy, to build a greener world, to build better skyscrapers, to build skyhooks, and to go to Mars. Training AI consumes a lot of energy, consumes a lot of energy, carbon capture consumes gargantuan amounts of energy, all building works consume a lot of energy, and rockets? You know the answer. mining Bitcoins A solar parked business is an idea to take some of this data processing, raw material first stage processing work, away from us humans. And away from our planet. If we engineer it right, up goes raw materials, and down comes finished products. This is the (far) future of big business for big energy infrastructure. Like Superman drenches up in sunlight to come make the world a better place, a solar-parked business is our Superman. A Solar-Parked business So, the idea is not to probe the sun. That is all good if you just want to build solar probes that move fast and measure the temperature of the sun’s surface, et cetera. You want to park at the sun, like in the name – Parker Solar Probe. The business, whatever it is, makes profits while your system is as close to the sun as possible. But before that, some tens to hundreds of billions of dollars are needed to launch all the parts toward the sun, and then more money via rocket fuel is needed to steer everything into place. By all means, this is not the kind of venture a fractured world economy with low time preference, such as ours, can handle. This is not like launching a start-up in your garage to profit from quick user aggregation in the next ten months. This needs big planning by big multinational corporations supported by multiple governments. The level of dedication would be as big as with the ITER nuclear fusion project. And the risk would be just as big. With ITER, we risk ending up with running costs of billions of dollars that only return millions of dollars worth of energy profit. With a solar parking business, the energy is worth trillions of dollars, alright, but it may fry your investment to Kingdom come if you do not navigate well the treachery that is being in outer space while so close to the sun. Forget building a Dyson Sphere; this is it. I am certain that a solar-parked business is how we hack our way up the ladder of the Kardashev scale. The idea that we have to first consume all the solar energy falling on earth before we move to the energy output by the sun, is a big step idea that will not happen. More viable is a mix: Some small-time but profitable solar parked business, coupled with better management of our planetary solar energy, coupled with some investments on the moon and on other planets like Mars, Venus, and Mercury. What can I say? I am speculating here. Take my ideas with a grain of salt, and enjoy them as a form of hard science fiction. Sorry, I didn’t put characters and a good chase scene. Till the next one. Adios.

Turning a Solar Probe into a Big Energy business

Dr. Sabine Hossenfelder’s is titled ‘ ’. latest YouTube video It looks like AI will kill Quantum Computing I would like to share why this shall not happen before this jab at quantum computers turns cold. Quantum Computers Are of Great Research Interest If you went away from the video with an earnest belief that AI shall indeed kill quantum computers by drying up its research funding, then you might as well believe that AI will kill particle physics, cosmology, and quantum gravity. And where the hell is the Higgs Boson hiding if it holds more mass-energy than a hydrogen atom? Just saying. Continuous progress in the theoretical and experimental realization of better quantum computers is of great interest to human beings because it is a real way to uncover computational truths about the universe. We are curious about building big, powerful quantum computers like we are curious about what happens inside a black hole. Shall a big powerful quantum computer hack RSA and uncover all those hashed-up secrets (about aliens)? I want to find out. Does a black hole teleport us into another Universe? Dr. Sabine is interested in this one. As AI makes big tech founders billions and soon to be trillions of dollars once we start putting servers on the moon, a lot of that newfound funding will go towards, take a guess, research in quantum computing. Computing Is Not Always About Speed The Graph We are always comparing the computational speed of quantum computers with that of classical computers in the graph below. The graph above starts with the line for quantum computing above that of classical computing. This means that classical computers are more efficient and take less time to do operations. Later on, there is a cross-over point, and classical computers take way more time to do the operations compared to a quantum computer. That cross-over point is when a quantum computer of modest size and complexity hacks classical encryption algorithms, simulation problems, and that no classical computers can hack. traveling problems Dr. Sabine argues that AI is shifting the lines and the cross-over point into the very far future, making Meta senior fellow and former tech chief Mike Schroepfer exactly right when he says “quantum computing being irrelevant to Meta right now”, quite prescient. …”(quantum machines) may come at some point, but it’s got such a long time horizon that it’s irrelevant to what we’re doing.” source But computing is not always about solving problems quickly. Modelling Computing is also about modeling problems. While the latest QC - the - is not gargantuan enough for the computational problems that most people are paying for, the fact that you would need a supercomputing complex to model what it can model should be impressive enough. 433 qubit IBM Osprey Know what, we should do it. Let us model something impressive in Osprey and also try to model it on See which one uses less electricity. This modeling contest can be appreciated as high art and designed to get people entertained. Where there is entertainment, people are willing to pay for it. Frontier. On a more practical note, quantum sensors built at the measurement side of quantum computers are a peak into the universe that classical computational sensors have no hope of seeing. Of note are LIGO and Atomic clocks. The latter can see and count atomic zeptoseconds using minimum energy periodically cycled by continuously exciting an atom. Telling time very accurately helps us keep an accurate, albeit . clunky calendar The former can see gravitational waves using a variation of the Mach-Zehnder interferometer. In the quantum computing world, this is just a singular CNOT gate. So, if one CNOT gate can see gravitational waves, wonder what our elaborate algorithms can see. We need to find out. The measurement-computing use cases for quantum computing shall only get more impressive. I hope to one day measure the Hamiltonian of the . smallest Bitcoin miner possible AI Might Love Quantum Computing We need to realize that AI might love quantum computing, because AI loves learning. AI might be pushing the boundaries of classical computers to make them develop heuristic powers that people who train AI models also marvel over. But no matter how hard you push a car, it will never be a boat. While AI is still poor at explaining quantum mechanics compared to most human physicists, that might change once we keep pumping AI with quantum computing data. Machine Learning of Quantum (MLQ, not which is ) technology should be of interest to Meta because the road to developing better quantum computers will also develop better nanomaterials relevant to the classical computing world. QML Quantum Machine Learning The quantum computing world, like the classical computing world, is now parked at the nanoscale. Being neighbors, they could benefit from each other. They will. P.S. >> Quantum Computers also have their finger on improving battery technology because an entanglement of atoms packs more energy than if you did not have an entanglement. Admit it; these quantum computers are interesting.

AI Will Not Kill Quantum Computing

এআই কোয়ান্টাম কম্পিউটিংকে হত্যা করবে না

KI wird Quantencomputing nicht töten

La IA no acabará con la computación cuántica

L’IA ne tuera pas l’informatique quantique

एआई क्वांटम कंप्यूटिंग को खत्म नहीं करेगा

AI は量子コンピューティングを破壊しない

AI는 양자 컴퓨팅을 죽이지 않을 것이다

A IA não acabará com a computação quântica

ИИ не убьет квантовые вычисления

Yapay Zeka Kuantum Bilişimi Öldürmeyecek

AI sẽ không giết chết máy tính lượng tử

人工智能不会杀死量子计算

The world of web development has been in a constant state of evolution, with new tools and approaches. It makes it easier for developers to create interactive and user-friendly applications. Among these tools, , a JavaScript library developed by , has emerged as a key player in the field. An intrinsic part of React’s growing popularity is the introduction of . Before Hooks, managing state and lifecycle events in functional components was a challenge. React Facebook Hooks Hooks revolutionized this by making it possible to use state and other React features without writing a class. This essay delves into the nuances of React Hooks, providing insights on different types of hooks including useState and useEffect, the concept of Custom Hooks and how they aid in reusing stateful logic between various components, and how testing paradigms change with the inclusion of Hooks. Understanding React Hooks Unpacking React Hooks: A Transition in State Management for Developers Introduced with the release of React 16.8, React Hooks has swiftly transformed the landscape of React development. Seemingly abstract and complex at first, React Hooks is truly an ingenious addition to a developer’s toolbox, pushing the envelope of functional components and elevating the state management game immeasurably. React Hooks, in essence, are functions that allow developers to ‘hook into’ React state and other lifecycle features straight from functional components. They abrogate the mandate of writing in classes, to access features like state or lifecycle methods. This gateway to clean and readable code is exceptional, hence the buzz that surrounds React Hooks. Before React Hooks, transitioning between functional and class components was a daunting task, eclipsing the read flow of the code and making the process cumbersome. The mounting complexity was a typical outcome during rewrites on the incorporation of lifecycle methods or states. React Hooks turns this around, making the journey from functional to class-based components smooth and efficient. Furthermore, React Hooks take a stride forward in demystifying the React component lifecycle. React Hook ‘useState’ transforms the way of defining a state variable. Gone are the days of ‘setState’ bound with the limitations of class components. It cleans up and simplifies the codebase by bundling up multiple state updates into one, facilitating better management. However, the praise doesn’t stop with ‘useState’. The ‘useEffect’ Hook is another prized possession of this library. It essentially amalgamates componentDidMount, componentDidUpdate, and componentWillUnmount, allowing side effects in the functional component. It navigates each peril in the lifecycle of a React component with rolled-up sleeves. The application of React Hooks goes beyond just state management. It encourages code reusability without prop drilling and complexity of render props or higher-order components (HOC). The ability to divide the component logic into smaller reusable functions is freeing for a developer. So, why should developers care? The answer lies in the sheer ability of React Hooks to simplify and streamline. They usher in cleaner code, smoother navigation, and an enhanced developer experience. Dealing with ‘this’ keyword or binding event handlers, typical of class components, are tasks of the past. Improved testing via breaking down of complex components into smaller, single-purpose functions is an undeniable advantage. To put it bluntly, React Hooks are not just another feature; they represent a paradigm shift in the React development journey. By embracing React Hooks, developers can allocate more focus on building the application logic rather than grappling with React’s complexities. The shift orchestrates efficient code organization, eases testing, and improves the overall application’s performance. While getting accustomed to React Hooks may entail a learning curve, the payoff in terms of cleaner, more efficient code is worth the time investment. For developers committed to staying on the cutting edge of technology, adopting React Hooks is not just a trend but a significant step in enhancing their coding prowess. This plunge into the world of React Hooks is the embodiment of technological advancement in programming – a resolution for better, not just an evolution. For developers eyeballing a sleek and efficient coding experience and top-of-the-line React applications, React Hooks are more than a game-changer – they’re a whole new ballgame. State Hook (useState) Diving deeper into the utilization of the Hook, developers across the globe continue to find innovative ways to manage their application’s state in an uncomplicated manner. While functional components initially lacked the state management abilities of their class component counterparts, the inception of with the introduction of Hooks has successfully leveled the playing field. useState useState The Hook allows developers to add state to functional components, granting them the power to react to user actions, network responses, and other events in a resource-efficient manner. The Hook returns a pair: the current state and a function capable of updating it. The initial state can be set similar to any providing ample flexibility for dynamic applications. This enhances the developer’s capability to manipulate application responses based on varied user inputs. useState JavaScript variable, If we dig deeper, a deeper understanding of why plays an integral part in React applications is necessary. To put it simply, without , any changes made to a component’s state wouldn’t render a re-update to the user interface. Thus, is integral to maintaining an interactive, application that accurately reflects state changes. useState useState useState responsive One particularly notable advantage of using is its heightened code readability compared to class components. Let’s face it; writing was never fun or straightforward. By employing , different states are defined with individual names, eliminating the need for complex objects and allowing for direct, unambiguous reference to each state variable. This simplification is not only easier on the beginner’s eyes but also aids seasoned developers in maintaining neat and organized code – a win-win for all. useState setState useState setState Another selling point of lies in its ability to set the state directly instead of merging new and old states like in class components, reducing the chances of bugs slipping through the cracks when your application gets complicated. This feature also parallels JavaScript’s standard behavior, providing a smoother learning curve for developers new to React. useState A useful trick employed by developers using is passing a function into the setter, bootstrapping lengthy computations. This avoids executing the initial state computation on every render but instead only when mounting, providing an edge in optimization and speed. useState A noteworthy detail while employing is understanding different state variables can trigger multiple re-renders. In complex applications, this can impact performance. Therefore, a judicious and precise use of is strongly recommended to retain the application’s performance efficiency. useState useState In conclusion, the Hook, part of the game-changing React Hooks, ups the ante for state management in functional components. It simplifies writing, understanding, testing, and debugging code, while also providing efficient optimization possibilities. With a clear approach and robust understanding of the hook, developers can enhance their React applications and step up their programming game. useState useState Despite React Hooks requiring a paradigm shift, the payoff is rewarding. This shift is not only changing the way developers approach their code but also shaping the future of programming at large. As an alluring technology, mastering React Hooks is a worthwhile venture for every earnest developer. Effect Hook (useEffect) Without a doubt, the rise of the Hook in React has been a significant boon in managing side effects within functional components. Unlike other methods, offers a more seamless way to control side effects, often perceived as one of the most challenging tasks in programming. This makes your components much cleaner and more efficient, leading to an overall improvement in your React applications. useEffect useEffect Cementing its position as a revolutionary tool, eliminates the need to separate same logic based on different lifecycle methods such as , , and . It allows for a comprehensive management of similar tasks in one place. Imagine the simplicity — no more jumping around the code to find related logic. All side-effects managed within a single . useEffect componentDidMount componentDidUpdate componentWillUnmount useEffect Interestingly, the Hook also offers conditional execution. This feature allows a developer to dictate when the effect should run, providing a higher degree of control. It may sound minor, but this flexibility saves computational power when deriving or manipulating data, ultimately enhancing app performance. useEffect The clean up function, an under-recognized feature of the Hook, is designed to clean up after an effect. It’s inbuilt, anticipating the necessity for unsubscriptions, clearing intervals or timeouts, removing event listeners, and other such actions that are paramount to preventing memory leaks. This forward-thinking functionality is another testament to how has revolutionized side-effect management. useEffect useEffect Supercharging functionality, the custom Hooks offer full leverage of and . Derived from these primitive Hooks, custom Hooks allow encapsulation of complex logic or side effects that can later be easily used or reused in different components. Styling your programming approach with the unique features of creates a springboard for efficient code execution and codebase organization. useState useEffect useEffect In a nutshell, the adoption of and React Hooks in general, marks a defining moment in a programmer’s journey. They offer an organized, efficient, and performant method of managing side effects in functional components. The clean, concise, and intuitive interface of these tools can dramatically accelerate the development efficiency of applications. The shift towards these Hooks symbolizes not only the ongoing advances in programming techniques, but the relentless pursuit of simplicity in complexity– truly a revolution in the making. useEffect Remember, technology evolves at a breathtaking pace, and keeping abreast of new trends like React Hooks is crucial for software developers. The Hook is more than just a new tool to add to your developer toolkit – it’s an innovation that is helping to redefine effective coding. The future of software development is here, and it hinges, in part, on mastery of tools like the Hook. This isn’t just another tech hype, but a significant stride in the world of programming that demands attention. useEffect useEffect Custom Hooks In the whirlwind of innovation that is React, Hooks have without a doubt made a splash. Now, let’s dive into the deep end – the world of Custom Hooks. There’s more to this wonder than meets the eye, so fasten your seatbelts, tech enthusiasts, because we’ll creatively demonstrate how to write reusable stateful logic with Custom Hooks. Exploring Custom Hooks After studying the useState and useEffect hooks, it’s only logical to introduce Custom Hooks. They are, contrary to popular belief, not a feature of React. Instead, they are born from the core React minds by combining useState, useEffect, and other built-in hooks. Think of them as JavaScript functions with a twist—they can utilize React Hooks. Custom Hooks tying together several different hooks allows developers to abstract component logic. This makes for highly reusable pieces of stateful logic, transforming how React apps are crafted. Writing Custom Hooks Writing a Custom Hook is zero complexity. Name-wise, Custom Hooks must start with ‘use’ so they’re not confused with regular JavaScript functions. Our journey unravels as we create a Custom Hook that fetches data from an API—something that could be reused across applications. The ‘useApiData’ hook handles the fetching and returns the response, error, and a ‘isLoading’ flag. Custom Hooks Iterate the Game React’s introduction of Hooks is a leap forward that has reset the immersion bar. Custom Hooks take this to a further dimension, allowing developers to craft their toolset—tools that best fit the problem at hand. This idea of reusability in programming may not be new, but Custom Hooks’ way of handling it gives it a fresh spin. Widely performing functions can now be abstracted into a Single Custom Hook, thereby decreasing duplication. Furthermore, they bring better abstraction, easier testing, and increased readability and maintainability. They are truly a profound step forward in not only the React world but also the broader realm of technology. In Conclusion Custom Hooks, without an iota of doubt, are a game changer in writing reusable stateful logic. Their tangible benefits have reverberated through the developer community—clean code, improved reusability, better abstraction, and above all, the ability to create a personal toolbox that aids in handling repetitive tasks more efficiently. In this ever-evolving tech era, staying updated and grasping new trends are vital. Mastering Custom Hooks provides developers a stint to be ahead of the curve. Moreover, they stand as the testament of advancement, simplification, and efficiency in programming. Recipe for the future? It seems like it’s ‘Hooked’ on someone! Testing with Hooks Harnessing the Power of Testing Components Using Hooks in React For React developers keen on elevating their programming skills to higher levels, diving into a thorough testing process using Hooks is indispensable. But it necessitates understanding more than just the basic use of useState, useEffect, and even custom Hooks — we’re looking into a meticulously planned out process to guarantee valid, reliable results. Implementing Testing Strategy with Hooks React Hook’s implementation in a testing strategy revolutionizes the testing process. This powerful feature offers a fresh perspective to lessen the burden of testing React components. Given the inherent complexity of testing, using Hooks often results in a streamlined and effective testing process. No process is complete without proper planning. A planned testing strategy involves breaking down the components into individual units. Once accomplished, developers can focus on testing each Hook on an individual component level, ensuring all functionalities perform as expected without unforeseen side effects. The use of comprehensive tools like Jest and React Testing Library can expedite the testing of components with Hooks. Jest, a JavaScript testing framework, is widely preferred because of its powerful mocking capabilities, whereas the React Testing Library is specifically designed to test React components. Testing of useState Hooks Testing useState Hooks can be tricky, especially when there are asynchronous state updates. React’s act() function ensures that all updates related to these events have been processed and applied to the DOM before making any assertions about the result. This effectively enables developers to test components with useState Hooks with high reliability. Testing of useEffect Hooks For testing components with useEffect Hooks, developers should keep in mind that it may run after every render, which could potentially damage test isolation. To mitigate these potential issues, asynchronous behavior is recommended when testing this Hook. Mocking is also an effective method to isolate and test certain behaviors of useEffect Hooks, ensuring that side effects do not interfere with the overall testing process. Testing of Custom Hooks Testing custom Hooks, on the one hand, may require a different approach. Due to the complexity they can introduce, they need to be tested meticulously. The React Testing Library again plays a significant role here, providing the custom renderHook function. It allows developers to isolate and test custom Hook functionality separately from the component. Benefits of Testing with Hooks Testing with Hooks not only improves code coverage, but it also streamlines the overall testing process by simplifying the handling of state and lifecycle methods within functional components. It aids developers in creating more maintainable and readable code, greatly improving their control over component behavior. Beyond testing, the idiomatic patterns embodied within Hooks elevate code quality to maximize performance and user experience while fostering code reusability. Ultimately, developers can enjoy enhanced testability of their applications with confidence about their application’s reliability and maintainability. Embrace the Future, Master Hooks In the rapidly changing world of technology, mastering Hooks have become crucial for every developer keen on riding the wave. Joining the Hooks bandwagon might have seemed just a trend at first, but given its widespread use and constant evolution, it’s now more of a necessity. In conclusion, using Hooks for testing provides compelling advantages that positively impact the development and testing processes, taking them to the next level. By mastering the art of testing with Hooks, developers can confidently create high-quality, reliable React applications. Photo by on thomastastet Unsplash The functionality and power offered by React Hooks truly mark a significant advancement in web development. They provide a much sought-after flexibility that React developers had been seeking in managing state and side-effects in functional components. Furthermore, the concept of Custom Hooks opens the door for improved code organization, promoting logic reuse, and ultimately enhancing code maintainability. To cap it all, although testing components using Hooks introduces some unique challenges, adept knowledge of these Hooks and effective strategies can empower developers to accurately test their applications. React Hooks, with their profound impacts, have undoubtedly made the functional programming in React more efficient and nuanced. Also published here.

How React Hooks Revolutionize Functional Components

BRIDAL VISITS AND ADIEUX.

Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book . "OFF WITH THE OLD LOVE, AND ON WITH THE NEW." here CHAPTER LVI. "OFF WITH THE OLD LOVE, AND ON WITH THE NEW." The next morning saw Mrs. Gibson in a much more contented frame of mind. She had written and posted her letter, and the next thing was to keep Cynthia in what she called a reasonable state, or, in other words, to try and cajole her into docility. But it was so much labour lost. Cynthia had already received a letter from Mr. Henderson before she came down to breakfast,—a declaration of love, a proposal of marriage as clear as words could make it; together with an intimation that, unable to wait for the slow delays of the post, he was going to follow her down to Hollingford, and would arrive at the same time that she had done herself on the previous day. Cynthia said nothing about this letter to any one. She came late into the breakfast-room, after Mr. and Mrs. Gibson had finished the actual business of the meal; but her unpunctuality was quite accounted for by the fact that she had been travelling all the night before. Molly was not as yet strong enough to get up so early. Cynthia hardly spoke, and did not touch her food. Mr. Gibson went about his daily business, and Cynthia and her mother were left alone. "My dear," said Mrs. Gibson, "you are not eating your breakfast as you should do. I am afraid our meals seem very plain and homely to you after those in Hyde Park Street?" "No," said Cynthia; "I'm not hungry, that's all." "If we were as rich as your uncle, I should feel it to be both a duty and a pleasure to keep an elegant table; but limited means are a sad clog to one's wishes. I don't suppose that, work as he will, Mr. Gibson can earn more than he does at present; while the capabilities of the law are boundless. Lord Chancellor! Titles as well as fortune!" Cynthia was almost too much absorbed in her own reflections to reply, but she did say,—"Hundreds of briefless barristers. Take the other side, mamma." "Well; but I have noticed that many of these have private fortunes." "Perhaps. Mamma, I expect Mr. Henderson will come and call this morning." "Oh, my precious child! But how do you know? My darling Cynthia, am I to congratulate you?" "No! I suppose I must tell you. I have had a letter this morning from him, and he's coming down by the 'Umpire' to-day." "But he has offered? He surely must mean to offer, at any rate?" Cynthia played with her teaspoon before she replied; then she looked up, like one startled from a dream, and caught the echo of her mother's question. "Offered! yes, I suppose he has." "And you accept him? Say 'yes,' Cynthia, and make me happy!" "I shan't say 'yes' to make any one happy except myself, and the Russian scheme has great charms for me." She said this to plague her mother, and lessen Mrs. Gibson's exuberance of joy, it must be confessed; for her mind was pretty well made up. But it did not affect Mrs. Gibson, who affixed even less truth to it than there really was. The idea of a residence in a new, strange country, among new, strange people, was not without allurement to Cynthia. "You always look nice, dear; but don't you think you had better put on that pretty lilac silk?" "I shall not vary a thread or a shred from what I have got on now." "You dear, wilful creature! you know you always look lovely in whatever you put on." So, kissing her daughter, Mrs. Gibson left the room, intent on the lunch which should impress Mr. Henderson at once with an idea of family refinement. Cynthia went upstairs to Molly; she was inclined to tell her about Mr. Henderson, but she found it impossible to introduce the subject naturally, so she left it to time to reveal the future as gradually as it might. Molly was tired with a bad night; and her father, in his flying visit to his darling before going out, had advised her to stay upstairs for the greater part of the morning, and to keep quiet in her own room till after her early dinner, so Time had not a fair chance of telling her what he had in store in his budget. Mrs. Gibson sent an apology to Molly for not paying her her usual morning visit, and told Cynthia to give Mr. Henderson's probable coming as a reason for her occupation downstairs. But Cynthia did no such thing. She kissed Molly, and sate silently by her, holding her hand; till at length she jumped up, and said, "You shall be left alone now, little one. I want you to be very well and very bright this afternoon: so rest now." And Cynthia left her, and went to her own room, locked the door, and began to think. Some one was thinking about her at the same time, and it was not Mr. Henderson. Roger had heard from Mr. Gibson that Cynthia had come home, and he was resolving to go to her at once, and have one strong, manly attempt to overcome the obstacles whatever they might be—and of their nature he was not fully aware—that she had conjured up against the continuance of their relation to each other. He left his father—he left them all—and went off into the woods, to be alone until the time came when he might mount his horse and ride over to put his fate to the touch. He was as careful as ever not to interfere with the morning hours that were tabooed to him of old; but waiting was very hard work when he knew that she was so near, and the time so near at hand. Yet he rode slowly, compelling himself to quietness and patience when he was once really on the way to her. "Mrs. Gibson at home? Miss Kirkpatrick?" he asked of the servant, Maria, who opened the door. She was confused, but he did not notice it. "I think so—I'm not sure! Will you walk up into the drawing-room, sir? Miss Gibson is there, I know." So he went upstairs, all his nerves on the strain for the coming interview with Cynthia. It was either a relief or a disappointment, he was not sure which, to find only Molly in the room:—Molly, half lying on the couch in the bow-window which commanded the garden; draped in soft white drapery, very white herself, and a laced half-handkerchief tied over her head to save her from any ill effects of the air that blew in through the open window. He was so ready to speak to Cynthia that he hardly knew what to say to any one else. "I am afraid you are not so well," he said to Molly, who sat up to receive him, and who suddenly began to tremble with emotion. "I'm a little tired, that's all," said she; and then she was quite silent, hoping that he might go, and yet somehow wishing him to stay. But he took a chair and placed it near her, opposite to the window. He thought that surely Maria would tell Miss Kirkpatrick that she was wanted, and that at any moment he might hear her light quick footstep on the stairs. He felt he ought to talk, but he could not think of anything to say. The pink flush came out on Molly's cheeks; once or twice she was on the point of speaking, but again she thought better of it; and the pauses between their faint disjointed remarks became longer and longer. Suddenly, in one of these pauses, the merry murmur of distant happy voices in the garden came nearer and nearer; Molly looked more and more uneasy and flushed, and in spite of herself kept watching Roger's face. He could see over her into the garden. A sudden deep colour overspread him, as if his heart had sent its blood out coursing at full gallop. Cynthia and Mr. Henderson had come in sight; he eagerly talking to her as he bent forward to look into her face; she, her looks half averted in pretty shyness, was evidently coquetting about some flowers, which she either would not give, or would not take. Just then, for the lovers had emerged from the shrubbery into comparatively public life, Maria was seen approaching; apparently she had feminine tact enough to induce Cynthia to leave her present admirer, and to go a few steps to meet her to receive the whispered message that Mr. Roger Hamley was there, and wished to speak to her. Roger could see her startled gesture; she turned back to say something to Mr. Henderson before coming towards the house. Now Roger spoke to Molly—spoke hurriedly, spoke hoarsely. "Molly, tell me! Is it too late for me to speak to Cynthia? I came on purpose. Who is that man?" "Mr. Henderson. He only came to-day—but now he is her accepted lover. Oh, Roger, forgive me the pain!" "Tell her I have been, and am gone. Send out word to her. Don't let her be interrupted." And Roger ran downstairs at full speed, and Molly heard the passionate clang of the outer door. He had hardly left the house before Cynthia entered the room, pale and resolute. "Where is he?" she said, looking around, as if he might yet be hidden. "Gone!" said Molly, very faint. "Gone. Oh, what a relief! It seems to be my fate never to be off with the old lover before I am on with the new, and yet I did write as decidedly as I could. Why, Molly, what's the matter?" for now Molly had fainted away utterly. Cynthia flew to the bell, summoned Maria, water, salts, wine, anything; and as soon as Molly, gasping and miserable, became conscious again, she wrote a little pencil-note to Mr. Henderson, bidding him return to the "George," whence he had come in the morning, and saying that if he obeyed her at once, he might be allowed to call again in the evening, otherwise she would not see him till the next day. This she sent down by Maria, and the unlucky man never believed but that it was Miss Gibson's sudden indisposition in the first instance that had deprived him of his charmer's company. He comforted himself for the long solitary afternoon by writing to tell all his friends of his happiness, and amongst them uncle and aunt Kirkpatrick, who received his letter by the same post as that discreet epistle of Mrs. Gibson's, which she had carefully arranged to reveal as much as she wished, and no more. "Was he very terrible?" asked Cynthia, as she sate with Molly in the stillness of Mrs. Gibson's dressing-room. "Oh, Cynthia, it was such pain to see him, he suffered so!" "I don't like people of deep feelings," said Cynthia, pouting. "They don't suit me. Why couldn't he let me go without this fuss? I'm not worth his caring for!" "You have the happy gift of making people love you. Remember Mr. Preston,—he too wouldn't give up hope." "Now I won't have you classing Roger Hamley and Mr. Preston together in the same sentence. One was as much too bad for me as the other is too good. Now I hope that man in the garden is the ,—I'm that myself, for I don't think I'm vicious, and I know I'm not virtuous." juste milieu "Do you really like him enough to marry him?" asked Molly earnestly. "Do think, Cynthia. It won't do to go on throwing your lovers off; you give pain that I'm sure you do not mean to do,—that you cannot understand." "Perhaps I can't. I'm not offended. I never set up for what I am not, and I know I'm not constant. I've told Mr. Henderson so—" She stopped, blushing and smiling at the recollection. "You have! and what did he say?" "That he liked me just as I was; so you see he's fairly warned. Only he's a little afraid, I suppose,—for he wants me to be married very soon, almost directly, in fact. But I don't know if I shall give way,—you hardly saw him, Molly,—but he's coming again to-night, and mind, I'll never forgive you if you don't think him very charming. I believe I cared for him when he offered all those months ago, but I tried to think I didn't; only sometimes I really was so unhappy, I thought I must put an iron band round my heart to keep it from breaking, like the Faithful John of the German story,—do you remember, Molly?—how when his master came to his crown and his fortune and his lady-love, after innumerable trials and disgraces, and was driving away from the church where he'd been married in a coach and six, with Faithful John behind, the happy couple heard three great cracks in succession, and on inquiring, they were the iron-bands round his heart, that Faithful John had worn all during the time of his master's tribulation, to keep it from breaking." In the evening Mr. Henderson came. Molly had been very curious to see him; and when she saw him she was not sure whether she liked him or not. He was handsome, without being conceited; gentlemanly, without being foolishly fine. He talked easily, and never said a silly thing. He was perfectly well-appointed, yet never seemed to have given a thought to his dress. He was good-tempered and kind; not without some of the cheerful flippancy of repartee which belonged to his age and profession, and which his age and profession are apt to take for wit. But he wanted something in Molly's eyes—at any rate, in this first interview, and in her heart of hearts she thought him rather commonplace. But of course she said nothing of this to Cynthia, who was evidently as happy as she could be. Mrs. Gibson, too, was in the seventh heaven of ecstasy, and spoke but little; but what she did say, expressed the highest sentiments in the finest language. Mr. Gibson was not with them for long, but while he was there he was evidently studying the unconscious Mr. Henderson with his dark penetrating eyes. Mr. Henderson behaved exactly as he ought to have done to everybody: respectful to Mr. Gibson, deferential to Mrs. Gibson, friendly to Molly, devoted to Cynthia. The next time Mr. Gibson found Molly alone, he began,—"Well! and how do you like the new relation that is to be?" "It's difficult to say. I think he's very nice in all his bits, but—rather dull on the whole." "I think him perfection," said Mr. Gibson, to Molly's surprise; but in an instant afterwards she saw that he had been speaking ironically. He went on. "I don't wonder she preferred him to Roger Hamley. Such scents! such gloves! And then his hair and his cravat!" "Now, papa, you're not fair. He is a great deal more than that. One could see that he had very good feeling; and he is very handsome, and very much attached to her." "So was Roger. However, I must confess I shall be only too glad to have her married. She's a girl who'll always have some love-affair on hand, and will always be apt to slip through a man's fingers if he doesn't look sharp; as I was saying to Roger—" "You have seen him, then, since he was here?" "Met him in the street." "How was he?" "I don't suppose he'd been going through the pleasantest thing in the world; but he'll get over it before long. He spoke with sense and resignation, and didn't say much about it; but one could see that he was feeling it pretty sharply. He's had three months to think it over, remember. The Squire, I should guess, is showing more indignation. He is boiling over, that any one should reject his son! The enormity of the sin never seems to have been apparent to him till now, when he sees how Roger is affected by it. Indeed, with the exception of myself, I don't know one reasonable father; eh, Molly?" Whatever else Mr. Henderson might be, he was an impatient lover; he wanted to marry Cynthia directly—next week—the week after; at any rate before the long vacation, so that they could go abroad at once. Trousseaux, and preliminary ceremonies, he gave to the winds. Mr. Gibson, generous as usual, called Cynthia aside a morning or two after her engagement, and put a hundred-pound note into her hands. "There! that's to pay your expenses to Russia and back. I hope you'll find your pupils obedient." To his surprise, and rather to his discomfiture, Cynthia threw her arms round his neck and kissed him. "You are the kindest person I know," said she; "and I don't know how to thank you in words." "If you tumble my shirt-collars again in that way, I'll charge you for the washing. Just now, too, when I'm trying so hard to be trim and elegant, like your Mr. Henderson." "But you do like him, don't you?" said Cynthia, pleadingly. "He does so like you." "Of course. We're all angels just now, and you're an arch-angel. I hope he'll wear as well as Roger." Cynthia looked grave. "That was a very silly affair," she said. "We were two as unsuitable people—" "It has ended, and that's enough. Besides, I've no more time to waste; and there's your smart young man coming here in all haste." Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick sent all manner of congratulations; and Mrs. Gibson, in a private letter, assured Mrs. Kirkpatrick that her ill-timed confidence about Roger should be considered as quite private. For as soon as Mr. Henderson had made his appearance in Hollingford, she had written a second letter, entreating them not to allude to anything she might have said in her first; which she said was written in such excitement on discovering the real state of her daughter's affections, that she had hardly known what she had said, and had exaggerated some things, and misunderstood others: all that she did know now was, that Mr. Henderson had just proposed to Cynthia, and was accepted, and that they were as happy as the day was long, and ("excuse the vanity of a mother,") made a most lovely couple. So Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick wrote back an equally agreeable letter, praising Mr. Henderson, admiring Cynthia, and generally congratulatory; insisting into the bargain that the marriage should take place from their house in Hyde Park Street, and that Mr. and Mrs. Gibson and Molly should all come up and pay them a visit. There was a little postscript at the end. "Surely you do not mean the famous traveller, Hamley, about whose discoveries all our scientific men are so much excited. You speak of him as a young Hamley, who went to Africa. Answer this question, pray, for Helen is most anxious to know." This P.S. being in Helen's handwriting. In her exultation at the general success of everything, and desire for sympathy, Mrs. Gibson read parts of this letter to Molly; the postscript among the rest. It made a deeper impression on Molly than even the proposed kindness of the visit to London. There were some family consultations; but the end of them all was that the Kirkpatrick invitation was accepted. There were many small reasons for this, which were openly acknowledged; but there was one general and unspoken wish to have the ceremony performed out of the immediate neighbourhood of the two men whom Cynthia had previously—rejected; that was the word now to be applied to her treatment of them. So Molly was ordered and enjoined and entreated to become strong as soon as possible, in order that her health might not prevent her attending the marriage; Mr. Gibson himself, though he thought it his duty to damp the exultant anticipations of his wife and her daughter, being not at all averse to the prospect of going to London, and seeing half-a-dozen old friends, and many scientific exhibitions, independently of the very fair amount of liking which he had for his host, Mr. Kirkpatrick himself. About HackerNoon Book Series: We bring you the most important technical, scientific, and insightful public domain books. This book is part of the public domain. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell (2003). Wives and Daughters. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/4274/pg4274-images.html This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at , located at . www.gutenberg.org https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html

"OFF WITH THE OLD LOVE, AND ON WITH THE NEW."

The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book . LADY CARBURY AND MR. BROUNE here LADY CARBURY AND MR. BROUNE. When Sir Felix Carbury declared to his friends at the Beargarden that he intended to devote the next few months of his life to foreign travel, and that it was his purpose to take with him a Protestant divine,—as was much the habit with young men of rank and fortune some years since,—he was not altogether lying. There was indeed a sounder basis of truth than was usually to be found attached to his statements. That he should have intended to produce a false impression was a matter of course,—and nearly equally so that he should have made his attempt by asserting things which he must have known that no one would believe. He was going to Germany, and he was going in company with a clergyman, and it had been decided that he should remain there for the next twelve months. A representation had lately been made to the Bishop of London that the English Protestants settled in a certain commercial town in the north-eastern district of Prussia were without pastoral aid, and the bishop had stirred himself in the matter. A clergyman was found willing to expatriate himself, but the income suggested was very small. The Protestant English population of the commercial town in question, though pious, was not liberal. It had come to pass that the "Morning Breakfast Table" had interested itself in the matter, having appealed for subscriptions after a manner not unusual with that paper. The bishop and all those concerned in the matter had fully understood that if the "Morning Breakfast Table" could be got to take the matter up heartily, the thing would be done. The heartiness had been so complete that it had at last devolved upon Mr. Broune to appoint the clergyman; and, as with all the aid that could be found, the income was still small, the Rev. Septimus Blake,—a brand snatched from the burning of Rome,—had been induced to undertake the maintenance and total charge of Sir Felix Carbury for a consideration. Mr. Broune imparted to Mr. Blake all that there was to know about the baronet, giving much counsel as to the management of the young man, and specially enjoining on the clergyman that he should on no account give Sir Felix the means of returning home. It was evidently Mr. Broune's anxious wish that Sir Felix should see as much as possible of German life, at a comparatively moderate expenditure, and under circumstances that should be externally respectable if not absolutely those which a young gentleman might choose for his own comfort or profit;—but especially that those circumstances should not admit of the speedy return to England of the young gentleman himself. Lady Carbury had at first opposed the scheme. Terribly difficult as was to her the burden of maintaining her son, she could not endure the idea of driving him into exile. But Mr. Broune was very obstinate, very reasonable, and, as she thought, somewhat hard of heart. "What is to be the end of it then?" he said to her, almost in anger. For in those days the great editor, when in presence of Lady Carbury, differed very much from that Mr. Broune who used to squeeze her hand and look into her eyes. His manner with her had become so different that she regarded him as quite another person. She hardly dared to contradict him, and found herself almost compelled to tell him what she really felt and thought. "Do you mean to let him eat up everything you have to your last shilling, and then go to the workhouse with him?" "Oh, my friend, you know how I am struggling! Do not say such horrid things." "It is because I know how you are struggling that I find myself compelled to say anything on the subject. What hardship will there be in his living for twelve months with a clergyman in Prussia? What can he do better? What better chance can he have of being weaned from the life he is leading?" "If he could only be married!" "Married! Who is to marry him? Why should any girl with money throw herself away upon him?" "He is so handsome." "What has his beauty brought him to? Lady Carbury, you must let me tell you that all that is not only foolish but wrong. If you keep him here you will help to ruin him, and will certainly ruin yourself. He has agreed to go;—let him go." She was forced to yield. Indeed, as Sir Felix had himself assented, it was almost impossible that she should not do so. Perhaps Mr. Broune's greatest triumph was due to the talent and firmness with which he persuaded Sir Felix to start upon his travels. "Your mother," said Mr. Broune, "has made up her mind that she will not absolutely beggar your sister and herself in order that your indulgence may be prolonged for a few months. She cannot make you go to Germany of course. But she can turn you out of her house, and, unless you go, she will do so." "I don't think she ever said that, Mr. Broune." "No;—she has not said so. But I have said it for her in her presence; and she has acknowledged that it must necessarily be so. You may take my word as a gentleman that it will be so. If you take her advice £175 a year will be paid for your maintenance;—but if you remain in England not a shilling further will be paid." He had no money. His last sovereign was all but gone. Not a tradesman would give him credit for a coat or a pair of boots. The key of the door had been taken away from him. The very page treated him with contumely. His clothes were becoming rusty. There was no prospect of amusement for him during the coming autumn or winter. He did not anticipate much excitement in Eastern Prussia, but he thought that any change must be a change for the better. He assented, therefore, to the proposition made by Mr. Broune, was duly introduced to the Rev. Septimus Blake, and, as he spent his last sovereign on a last dinner at the Beargarden, explained his intentions for the immediate future to those friends at his club who would no doubt mourn his departure. Mr. Blake and Mr. Broune between them did not allow the grass to grow under their feet. Before the end of August Sir Felix, with Mr. and Mrs. Blake and the young Blakes, had embarked from Hull for Hamburgh,—having extracted at the very hour of parting a last five-pound note from his foolish mother. "It will be just enough to bring him home," said Mr. Broune with angry energy when he was told of this. But Lady Carbury, who knew her son well, assured him that Felix would be restrained in his expenditure by no such prudence as such a purpose would indicate. "It will be gone," she said, "long before they reach their destination." "Then why the deuce should you give it him?" said Mr. Broune. Mr. Broune's anxiety had been so intense that he had paid half a year's allowance in advance to Mr. Blake out of his own pocket. Indeed, he had paid various sums for Lady Carbury,—so that that unfortunate woman would often tell herself that she was becoming subject to the great editor, almost like a slave. He came to her, three or four times a week, at about nine o'clock in the evening, and gave her instructions as to all that she should do. "I wouldn't write another novel if I were you," he said. This was hard, as the writing of novels was her great ambition, and she had flattered herself that the one novel which she had written was good. Mr. Broune's own critic had declared it to be very good in glowing language. The "Evening Pulpit" had of course abused it,—because it is the nature of the "Evening Pulpit" to abuse. So she had argued with herself, telling herself that the praise was all true, whereas the censure had come from malice. After that article in the "Breakfast Table," it did seem hard that Mr. Broune should tell her to write no more novels. She looked up at him piteously but said nothing. "I don't think you'd find it answer. Of course you can do it as well as a great many others. But then that is saying so little!" "I thought I could make some money." "I don't think Mr. Leadham would hold out to you very high hopes;—I don't, indeed. I think I would turn to something else." "It is so very hard to get paid for what one does." To this Mr. Broune made no immediate answer; but, after sitting for a while, almost in silence, he took his leave. On that very morning Lady Carbury had parted from her son. She was soon about to part from her daughter, and she was very sad. She felt that she could hardly keep up that house in Welbeck Street for herself, even if her means permitted it. What should she do with herself? Whither should she take herself? Perhaps the bitterest drop in her cup had come from those words of Mr. Broune forbidding her to write more novels. After all, then, she was not a clever woman,—not more clever than other women around her! That very morning she had prided herself on her coming success as a novelist, basing all her hopes on that review in the "Breakfast Table." Now, with that reaction of spirits which is so common to all of us, she was more than equally despondent. He would not thus have crushed her without a reason. Though he was hard to her now,—he who used to be so soft,—he was very good. It did not occur to her to rebel against him. After what he had said, of course there would be no more praise in the "Breakfast Table,"—and, equally of course, no novel of hers could succeed without that. The more she thought of him, the more omnipotent he seemed to be. The more she thought of herself, the more absolutely prostrate she seemed to have fallen from those high hopes with which she had begun her literary career not much more than twelve months ago. On the next day he did not come to her at all, and she sat idle, wretched, and alone. She could not interest herself in Hetta's coming marriage, as that marriage was in direct opposition to one of her broken schemes. She had not ventured to confess so much to Mr. Broune, but she had in truth written the first pages of the first chapter of a second novel. It was impossible now that she should even look at what she had written. All this made her very sad. She spent the evening quite alone; for Hetta was staying down in Suffolk, with her cousin's friend, Mrs. Yeld, the bishop's wife; and as she thought of her life past and her life to come, she did, perhaps, with a broken light, see something of the error of her ways, and did, after a fashion, repent. It was all "leather or prunello," as she said to herself;—it was all vanity,—and vanity,—and vanity! What real enjoyment had she found in anything? She had only taught herself to believe that some day something would come which she would like;—but she had never as yet in truth found anything to like. It had all been in anticipation,—but now even her anticipations were at an end. Mr. Broune had sent her son away, had forbidden her to write any more novels,—and had been refused when he had asked her to marry him! The next day he came to her as usual, and found her still very wretched. "I shall give up this house," she said. "I can't afford to keep it; and in truth I shall not want it. I don't in the least know where to go, but I don't think that it much signifies. Any place will be the same to me now." "I don't see why you should say that." "What does it matter?" "You wouldn't think of going out of London." "Why not? I suppose I had better go wherever I can live cheapest." "I should be sorry that you should be settled where I could not see you," said Mr. Broune plaintively. "So shall I,—very. You have been more kind to me than anybody. But what am I to do? If I stay in London I can live only in some miserable lodgings. I know you will laugh at me, and tell me that I am wrong; but my idea is that I shall follow Felix wherever he goes, so that I may be near him and help him when he needs help. Hetta doesn't want me. There is nobody else that I can do any good to." "I want you," said Mr. Broune, very quietly. "Ah,—that is so kind of you. There is nothing makes one so good as goodness;—nothing binds your friend to you so firmly as the acceptance from him of friendly actions. You say you want me, because I have so sadly wanted you. When I go you will simply miss an almost daily trouble, but where shall I find a friend?" "When I said I wanted you, I meant more than that, Lady Carbury. Two or three months ago I asked you to be my wife. You declined, chiefly, if I understood you rightly, because of your son's position. That has been altered, and therefore I ask you again. I have quite convinced myself,—not without some doubts, for you shall know all; but, still, I have quite convinced myself,—that such a marriage will best contribute to my own happiness. I do not think, dearest, that it would mar yours." This was said with so quiet a voice and so placid a demeanour, that the words, though they were too plain to be misunderstood, hardly at first brought themselves home to her. Of course he had renewed his offer of marriage, but he had done so in a tone which almost made her feel that the proposition could not be an earnest one. It was not that she believed that he was joking with her or paying her a poor insipid compliment. When she thought about it at all, she knew that it could not be so. But the thing was so improbable! Her opinion of herself was so poor, she had become so sick of her own vanities and littlenesses and pretences, that she could not understand that such a man as this should in truth want to make her his wife. At this moment she thought less of herself and more of Mr. Broune than either perhaps deserved. She sat silent, quite unable to look him in the face, while he kept his place in his arm-chair, lounging back, with his eyes intent on her countenance. "Well," he said; "what do you think of it? I never loved you better than I did for refusing me before, because I thought that you did so because it was not right that I should be embarrassed by your son." "That was the reason," she said, almost in a whisper. "But I shall love you better still for accepting me now,—if you will accept me." The long vista of her past life appeared before her eyes. The ambition of her youth which had been taught to look only to a handsome maintenance, the cruelty of her husband which had driven her to run from him, the further cruelty of his forgiveness when she returned to him; the calumny which had made her miserable, though she had never confessed her misery; then her attempts at life in London, her literary successes and failures, and the wretchedness of her son's career;—there had never been happiness, or even comfort, in any of it. Even when her smiles had been sweetest her heart had been heaviest. Could it be that now at last real peace should be within her reach, and that tranquillity which comes from an anchor holding to a firm bottom? Then she remembered that first kiss,—or attempted kiss,—when, with a sort of pride in her own superiority, she had told herself that the man was a susceptible old goose. She certainly had not thought then that his susceptibility was of this nature. Nor could she quite understand now whether she had been right then, and that the man's feelings, and almost his nature, had since changed,—or whether he had really loved her from first to last. As he remained silent it was necessary that she should answer him. "You can hardly have thought of it enough," she said. "I have thought of it a good deal too. I have been thinking of it for six months at least." "There is so much against me." "What is there against you?" "They say bad things of me in India." "I know all about that," replied Mr. Broune. "And Felix!" "I think I may say that I know all about that also." "And then I have become so poor!" "I am not proposing to myself to marry you for your money. Luckily for me,—I hope luckily for both of us,—it is not necessary that I should do so." "And then I seem so to have fallen through in everything. I don't know what I've got to give to a man in return for all that you offer to give to me." "Yourself," he said, stretching out his right hand to her. And there he sat with it stretched out,—so that she found herself compelled to put her own into it, or to refuse to do so with very absolute words. Very slowly she put out her own, and gave it to him without looking at him. Then he drew her towards him, and in a moment she was kneeling at his feet, with her face buried on his knees. Considering their ages perhaps we must say that their attitude was awkward. They would certainly have thought so themselves had they imagined that any one could have seen them. But how many absurdities of the kind are not only held to be pleasant, but almost holy,—as long as they remain mysteries inspected by no profane eyes! It is not that Age is ashamed of feeling passion and acknowledging it,—but that the display of it is, without the graces of which Youth is proud, and which Age regrets. On that occasion there was very little more said between them. He had certainly been in earnest, and she had now accepted him. As he went down to his office he told himself now that he had done the best, not only for her but for himself also. And yet I think that she had won him more thoroughly by her former refusal than by any other virtue. She, as she sat alone, late into the night, became subject to a thorough reaction of spirit. That morning the world had been a perfect blank to her. There was no single object of interest before her. Now everything was rose-coloured. This man who had thus bound her to him, who had given her such assured proofs of his affection and truth, was one of the considerable ones of the world; a man than whom few,—so she now told herself,—were greater or more powerful. Was it not a career enough for any woman to be the wife of such a man, to receive his friends, and to shine with his reflected glory? Whether her hopes were realised, or,—as human hopes never are realised,—how far her content was assured, these pages cannot tell; but they must tell that, before the coming winter was over, Lady Carbury became the wife of Mr. Broune, and, in furtherance of her own resolve, took her husband's name. The house in Welbeck Street was kept, and Mrs. Broune's Tuesday evenings were much more regarded by the literary world than had been those of Lady Carbury. About HackerNoon Book Series: We bring you the most important technical, scientific, and insightful public domain books. This book is part of the public domain. Anthony Trollope (2004). The Way We Live Now. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved October 2022 https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/5231/pg5231-images.html This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at , located at . www.gutenberg.org https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html

LADY CARBURY AND MR. BROUNE

Phineas Redux by Anthony Trollope, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book . THE LAST VISIT TO SAULSBY. here THE LAST VISIT TO SAULSBY. Phineas, as he journeyed down to Saulsby, knew that he had in truth made up his mind. He was going thither nominally that he might listen to the advice of almost his oldest political friend before he resolved on a matter of vital importance to himself; but in truth he was making the visit because he felt that he could not excuse himself from it without unkindness and ingratitude. She had implored him to come, and he was bound to go, and there were tidings to be told which he must tell. It was not only that he might give her his reasons for not becoming an Under-Secretary of State that he went to Saulsby. He felt himself bound to inform her that he intended to ask Marie Goesler to be his wife. He might omit to do so till he had asked the question,—and then say nothing of what he had done should his petition be refused; but it seemed to him that there would be cowardice in this. He was bound to treat Lady Laura as his friend in a special degree, as something more than his sister,—and he was bound above all things to make her understand in some plainest manner that she could be nothing more to him than such a friend. In his dealings with her he had endeavoured always to be honest,—gentle as well as honest; but now it was specially his duty to be honest to her. When he was young he had loved her, and had told her so,—and she had refused him. As a friend he had been true to her ever since, but that offer could never be repeated. And the other offer,—to the woman whom she was now accustomed to abuse,—must be made. Should Lady Laura choose to quarrel with him it must be so; but the quarrel should not be of his seeking. He was quite sure that he would refuse Mr. Gresham's offer, although by doing so he would himself throw away the very thing which he had devoted his life to acquire. In a foolish, soft moment,—as he now confessed to himself,—he had endeavoured to obtain for his own position the sympathy of the Minister. He had spoken of the calumnies which had hurt him, and of his sufferings when he found himself excluded from place in consequence of the evil stories which had been told of him. Mr. Gresham had, in fact, declined to listen to him;—had said Yes or No was all that he required, and had gone on to explain that he would be unable to understand the reasons proposed to be given even were he to hear them. Phineas had felt himself to be repulsed, and would at once have shown his anger, had not the Prime Minister silenced him for the moment by a civilly-worded repetition of the offer made. But the offer should certainly be declined. As he told himself that it must be so, he endeavoured to analyse the causes of this decision, but was hardly successful. He had thought that he could explain the reasons to the Minister, but found himself incapable of explaining them to himself. In regard to means of subsistence he was no better off now than when he began the world. He was, indeed, without incumbrance, but was also without any means of procuring an income. For the last twelve months he had been living on his little capital, and two years more of such life would bring him to the end of all that he had. There was, no doubt, one view of his prospects which was bright enough. If Marie Goesler accepted him, he need not, at any rate, look about for the means of earning a living. But he assured himself with perfect confidence that no hope in that direction would have any influence upon the answer he would give to Mr. Gresham. Had not Marie Goesler herself been most urgent with him in begging him to accept the offer; and was he not therefore justified in concluding that she at least had thought it necessary that he should earn his bread? Would her heart be softened towards him,—would any further softening be necessary,—by his obstinate refusal to comply with her advice? The two things had no reference to each other,—and should be regarded by him as perfectly distinct. He would refuse Mr. Gresham's offer,—not because he hoped that he might live in idleness on the wealth of the woman he loved,—but because the chicaneries and intrigues of office had become distasteful to him. "I don't know which are the falser," he said to himself, "the mock courtesies or the mock indignations of statesmen." He found the Earl's carriage waiting for him at the station, and thought of many former days, as he was carried through the little town for which he had sat in Parliament, up to the house which he had once visited in the hope of wooing Violet Effingham. The women whom he had loved had all, at any rate, become his friends, and his thorough friendships were almost all with women. He and Lord Chiltern regarded each other with warm affection; but there was hardly ground for real sympathy between them. It was the same with Mr. Low and Barrington Erle. Were he to die there would be no gap in their lives;—were they to die there would be none in his. But with Violet Effingham,—as he still loved to call her to himself,—he thought it would be different. When the carriage stopped at the hall door he was thinking of her rather than of Lady Laura Kennedy. He was shown at once to his bedroom,—the very room in which he had written the letter to Lord Chiltern which had brought about the duel at Blankenberg. He was told that he would find Lady Laura in the drawing-room waiting for dinner for him. The Earl had already dined. "I am so glad you are come," said Lady Laura, welcoming him. "Papa is not very well and dined early, but I have waited for you, of course. Of course I have. You did not suppose I would let you sit down alone? I would not see you before you dressed because I knew that you must be tired and hungry, and that the sooner you got down the better. Has it not been hot?" "And so dusty! I only left Matching yesterday, and seem to have been on the railway ever since." "Government officials have to take frequent journeys, Mr. Finn. How long will it be before you have to go down to Scotland twice in one week, and back as often to form a Ministry? Your next journey must be into the dining-room;—in making which will you give me your arm?" She was, he thought, lighter in heart and pleasanter in manner than she had been since her return from Dresden. When she had made her little joke about his future ministerial duties the servant had been in the room, and he had not, therefore, stopped her by a serious answer. And now she was solicitous about his dinner,—anxious that he should enjoy the good things set before him, as is the manner of loving women, pressing him to take wine, and playing the good hostess in all things. He smiled, and ate, and drank, and was gracious under her petting; but he had a weight on his bosom, knowing, as he did, that he must say that before long which would turn all her playfulness either to anger or to grief. "And who had you at Matching?" she asked. "Just the usual set." "Minus the poor old Duke?" "Yes; minus the old Duke certainly. The greatest change is in the name. Lady Glencora was so specially Lady Glencora that she ought to have been Lady Glencora to the end. Everybody calls her Duchess, but it does not sound half so nice." "And is he altered?" "Not in the least. You can trace the lines of lingering regret upon his countenance when people be-Grace him; but that is all. There was always about him a simple dignity which made it impossible that any one should slap him on the back; and that of course remains. He is the same Planty Pall; but I doubt whether any man ever ventured to call him Planty Pall to his face since he left Eton." "The house was full, I suppose?" "There were a great many there; among others Sir Gregory Grogram, who apologised to me for having tried to—put an end to my career." "Oh, Phineas!" "And Sir Harry Coldfoot, who seemed to take some credit to himself for having allowed the jury to acquit me. And Chiltern and his wife were there for a day or two." "What could take Oswald there?" "An embassy of State about the foxes. The Duke's property runs into his country. She is one of the best women that ever lived." "Violet?" "And one of the best wives." "She ought to be, for she is one of the happiest. What can she wish for that she has not got? Was your great friend there?" He knew well what great friend she meant. "Madame Max Goesler was there." "I suppose so. I can never quite forgive Lady Glencora for her intimacy with that woman." "Do not abuse her, Lady Laura." "I do not intend,—not to you at any rate. But I can better understand that she should receive the admiration of a gentleman than the affectionate friendship of a lady. That the old Duke should have been infatuated was intelligible." "She was very good to the old Duke." "But it was a kind of goodness which was hardly likely to recommend itself to his nephew's wife. Never mind; we won't talk about her now. Barrington was there?" "For a day or two." "He seems to be wasting his life." "Subordinates in office generally do, I think." "Do not say that, Phineas." "Some few push through, and one can almost always foretell who the few will be. There are men who are destined always to occupy second-rate places, and who seem also to know their fate. I never heard Erle speak even of an ambition to sit in the Cabinet." "He likes to be useful." "All that part of the business which distresses me is pleasant to him. He is fond of arrangements, and delights in little party successes. Either to effect or to avoid a count-out is a job of work to his taste, and he loves to get the better of the Opposition by keeping it in the dark. A successful plot is as dear to him as to a writer of plays. And yet he is never bitter as is Ratler, or unscrupulous as was poor Mr. Bonteen, or full of wrath as is Lord Fawn. Nor is he idle like Fitzgibbon. Erle always earns his salary." "When I said he was wasting his life, I meant that he did not marry. But perhaps a man in his position had better remain unmarried." Phineas tried to laugh, but hardly succeeded well. "That, however, is a delicate subject, and we will not touch it now. If you won't drink any wine we might as well go into the other room." Nothing had as yet been said on either of the subjects which had brought him to Saulsby, but there had been words which made the introduction of them peculiarly unpleasant. His tidings, however, must be told. "I shall not see Lord Brentford to-night?" he asked, when they were together in the drawing-room. "If you wish it you can go up to him. He will not come down." "Oh, no. It is only because I must return to-morrow." "To-morrow, Phineas!" "I must do so. I have pledged myself to see Mr. Monk,—and others also." "It is a short visit to make to us on my first return home! I hardly expected you at Loughlinter, but I thought that you might have remained a few nights under my father's roof." He could only reassert his assurance that he was bound to be back in London, and explain as best he might that he had come to Saulsby for a single night, only because he would not refuse her request to him. "I will not trouble you, Phineas, by complaints," she said. "I would give you no cause for complaint if I could avoid it." "And now tell me what has passed between you and Mr. Gresham," she said as soon as the servant had given them coffee. They were sitting by a window which opened down to the ground, and led on to the terrace and to the lawns below. The night was soft, and the air was heavy with the scent of many flowers. It was now past nine, and the sun had set; but there was a bright harvest moon, and the light, though pale, was clear as that of day. "Will you come and take a turn round the garden? We shall be better there than sitting here. I will get my hat; can I find yours for you?" So they both strolled out, down the terrace steps, and went forth, beyond the gardens, into the park, as though they had both intended from the first that it should be so. "I know you have not accepted Mr. Gresham's offer, or you would have told me so." "I have not accepted." "Nor have you refused?" "No; it is still open. I must send my answer by telegram to-morrow—Yes or No,—Mr. Gresham's time is too precious to admit of more." "Phineas, for Heaven's sake do not allow little feelings to injure you at such a time as this. It is of your own career, not of Mr. Gresham's manners, that you should think." "I have nothing to object to in Mr. Gresham. Yes or No will be quite sufficient." "It must be Yes." "It cannot be Yes, Lady Laura. That which I desired so ardently six months ago has now become so distasteful to me that I cannot accept it. There is an amount of hustling on the Treasury Bench which makes a seat there almost ignominious." "Do they hustle more than they did three years ago?" "I think they do, or if not it is more conspicuous to my eyes. I do not say that it need be ignominious. To such a one as was Mr. Palliser it certainly is not so. But it becomes so when a man goes there to get his bread, and has to fight his way as though for bare life. When office first comes, unasked for, almost unexpected, full of the charms which distance lends, it is pleasant enough. The new-comer begins to feel that he too is entitled to rub his shoulders among those who rule the world of Great Britain. But when it has been expected, longed for as I longed for it, asked for by my friends and refused, when all the world comes to know that you are a suitor for that which should come without any suit,—then the pleasantness vanishes." "I thought it was to be your career." "And I hoped so." "What will you do, Phineas? You cannot live without an income." "I must try," he said, laughing. "You will not share with your friend, as a friend should?" "No, Lady Laura. That cannot be done." "I do not see why it cannot. Then you might be independent." "Then I should indeed be dependent." "You are too proud to owe me anything." He wanted to tell her that he was too proud to owe such obligation as she had suggested to any man or any woman; but he hardly knew how to do so, intending as he did to inform her before they returned to the house of his intention to ask Madame Goesler to be his wife. He could discern the difference between enjoying his wife's fortune and taking gifts of money from one who was bound to him by no tie;—but to her in her present mood he could explain no such distinction. On a sudden he rushed at the matter in his mind. It had to be done, and must be done before he brought her back to the house. He was conscious that he had in no degree ill-used her. He had in nothing deceived her. He had kept back from her nothing which the truest friendship had called upon him to reveal to her. And yet he knew that her indignation would rise hot within her at his first word. "Laura," he said, forgetting in his confusion to remember her rank, "I had better tell you at once that I have determined to ask Madame Goesler to be my wife." "Oh, then;—of course your income is certain." "If you choose to regard my conduct in that light I cannot help it. I do not think that I deserve such reproach." "Why not tell it all? You are engaged to her?" "Not so. I have not asked her yet." "And why do you come to me with the story of your intentions,—to me of all persons in the world? I sometimes think that of all the hearts that ever dwelt within a man's bosom yours is the hardest." "For God's sake do not say that of me." "Do you remember when you came to me about Violet,—to me,—to me? I could bear it then because she was good and earnest, and a woman that I could love even though she robbed me. And I strove for you even against my own heart,—against my own brother. I did; I did. But how am I to bear it now? What shall I do now? She is a woman I loathe." "Because you do not know her." "Not know her! And are your eyes so clear at seeing that you must know her better than others? She was the Duke's mistress." "That is untrue, Lady Laura." "But what difference does it make to me? I shall be sure that you will have bread to eat, and horses to ride, and a seat in Parliament without being forced to earn it by your labour. We shall meet no more, of course." "I do not think that you can mean that." "I will never receive that woman, nor will I cross the sill of her door. Why should I?" "Should she become my wife,—that I would have thought might have been the reason why." "Surely, Phineas, no man ever understood a woman so ill as you do." "Because I would fain hope that I need not quarrel with my oldest friend?" "Yes, sir; because you think you can do this without quarrelling. How should I speak to her of you; how listen to what she would tell me? Phineas, you have killed me at last." Why could he not tell her that it was she who had done the wrong when she gave her hand to Robert Kennedy? But he could not tell her, and he was dumb. "And so it's settled!" "No; not settled." "Psha! I hate your mock modesty! It is settled. You have become far too cautious to risk fortune in such an adventure. Practice has taught you to be perfect. It was to tell me this that you came down here." "Partly so." "It would have been more generous of you, sir, to have remained away." "I did not mean to be ungenerous." Then she suddenly turned upon him, throwing her arms round his neck, and burying her face upon his bosom. They were at the moment in the centre of the park, on the grass beneath the trees, and the moon was bright over their heads. He held her to his breast while she sobbed, and then relaxed his hold as she raised herself to look into his face. After a moment she took his hat from his head with one hand, and with the other swept the hair back from his brow. "Oh, Phineas," she said, "Oh, my darling! My idol that I have worshipped when I should have worshipped my God!" After that they roamed for nearly an hour backwards and forwards beneath the trees, till at last she became calm and almost reasonable. She acknowledged that she had long expected such a marriage, looking forward to it as a great sorrow. She repeated over and over again her assertion that she could not "know" Madame Goesler as the wife of Phineas, but abstained from further evil words respecting the lady. "It is better that we should be apart," she said at last. "I feel that it is better. When we are both old, if I should live, we may meet again. I knew that it was coming, and we had better part." And yet they remained out there, wandering about the park for a long portion of the summer night. She did not reproach him again, nor did she speak much of the future; but she alluded to all the incidents of their past life, showing him that nothing which he had done, no words which he had spoken, had been forgotten by her. "Of course it has been my fault," she said, as at last she parted with him in the drawing-room. "When I was younger I did not understand how strong the heart can be. I should have known it, and I pay for my ignorance with the penalty of my whole life." Then he left her, kissing her on both cheeks and on her brow, and went to his bedroom with the understanding that he would start for London on the following morning before she was up. About HackerNoon Book Series: We bring you the most important technical, scientific, and insightful public domain books. This book is part of the public domain. Anthony Trollope (2006). Phineas Redux. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/18640/pg18640-images.html This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at , located at . www.gutenberg.org https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html

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