surroundings, the age, the whole world which they move in. Paroxysm is like real life to them, their very " ego ": in everything else they see the opponents and preventers of paroxysm; be it of an intellectual, moral, religious, or artistic nature. Mankind owes to these eccentric maniacs much that is evil, for they are the insatiable sowers of the weed of discontent with one's self and one's neighbours, of the contempt of the age and the world, and especially of the world-weariness. Perhaps a wholeinferno of criminals could not at the remotest distance even bring about this depressing, dismal after-effect so noxious to land and air, as that small, noble community of unruly, fantastic, half-mad people, geniuses, that can neither control themselves nor experience any possible enjoyment in themselves until they have lost themselves: whereas the criminal very often gives proof of extraordinary self-control, devotion and prudence, and keeps these qualities alive in those who fear him. Owing to him heaven beyond life may perhaps become dangerous and gloomy, but the air is ever strong and vigorous.In addition to this those enthusiasts, to the full bent of their powers, establish the belief in paroxysm as that in a life within life; an awful belief. Like the savages, who are now speedily being corrupted and destroyed by “fire-water," so mankind, on the whole, has been slowly and thoroughly corrupted by the intellectual "fire-waters” of intoxicating feelings, and by those who kept alive the desire for them: it may perhaps one day be totallywrecked by them.
