On Liberty Annotated PDF Download

This is an annotated and illustrated version of the book1.contains an updated biography of the author at the end of the book for a better understanding of the text.2.It also contains new and unique illustrations to give a better documentation and realism to the book_To the beloved and deplored memory of her who was the inspirer, and inpart the author, of all that is best in my writings--the friend and wifewhose exalted sense of truth and right was my strongest incitement, andwhose approbation was my chief reward--I dedicate this volume. Like allthat I have written for many years, it belongs as much to her as to me;but the work as it stands has had, in a very insufficient degree, theinestimable advantage of her revision; some of the most importantportions having been reserved for a more careful re-examination, whichthey are now never destined to receive. Were I but capable ofinterpreting to the world one-half the great thoughts and noble feelingswhich are buried in her grave, I should be the medium of a greaterbenefit to it than is ever likely to arise from anything that I canwrite, unprompted and unassisted by her all but unrivalled wisdom._INTRODUCTION.I.John Stuart Mill was born on 20th May 1806. He was a delicate child, andthe extraordinary education designed by his father was not calculated todevelop and improve his physical powers. "I never was a boy," he says;"never played cricket." His exercise was taken in the form of walks withhis father, during which the elder Mill lectured his son and examinedhim on his work. It is idle to speculate on the possible results of adifferent treatment. Mill remained delicate throughout his life, but wasendowed with that intense mental energy which is so often combined withphysical weakness. His youth was sacrificed to an idea; he was designedby his father to carry on his work; the individuality of the boy wasunimportant. A visit to the south of France at the age of fourteen, incompany with the family of General Sir Samuel Bentham, was not withoutits influence. It was a glimpse of another atmosphere, though thestudious habits of his home life were maintained. Moreover, he derivedfrom it his interest in foreign politics, which remained one of hischaracteristics to the end of his life. In 1823 he was appointed juniorclerk in the Examiners' Office at the India House.