'This Full-Peopled World'

I have been blessed with sons who seldom bore me. Since they were toddlers we have encouraged them to speak their minds, even to adults, and to be unafraid of being articulate. I seldom hear children speaking thoughtfully, in complete grammatical sentences in which the word “like” does not appear. Of course, such behavior is learned at home, encouraged by parents whose speech is a lazy patois of vulgarity and cliché. It’s always a pleasure to meet someone who speaks well. With my sons I can talk about books and music, history and mathematics, and expect to learn something from the exchange. This came to mind when I read a tweet by Terry Teachout that proves Twitter is not entirely a swamp of idiocy and self-righteousness: “Love, art, and work: these are the three great consolations.” Naturally, I was reminded of insights formulated two and a half centuries ago by Dr. Johnson. In The Rambler #69 he writes: 

“Nothing seems to have been more universally dreaded by the ancients than orbity, or want of children; and, indeed, to a man who has survived all the companions of his youth, all who have participated his pleasures and his cares, have been engaged in the same events, and filled their minds with the same conceptions, this full-peopled world is a dismal solitude.”

“Orbity” may be unfamiliar. It’s rooted in the Latin orbitās, meaning bereavement or childlessness. The OED, which cites Johnson’s usage, defines “orbity” as “a bereavement, esp. the loss of a child; the state or condition of being bereaved. Also (esp. in later use): childlessness.” It’s useful to remember that Johnson had no children. He would have made an interesting father or grandfather. Children usually are spoken of and to with condescension or sentimentality. And yet, they are the great consolation in an unhappy world. Johnson continues his thought:

“He stands forlorn and silent, neglected or insulted, in the midst of multitudes, animated with hopes which he cannot share, and employed in business which he is no longer able to forward or retard; nor can he find any to whom his life or death are of importance, unless he has secured some domestic gratifications, some tender employments, and endeared himself to some whose interest and gratitude may unite them to him.”