come to an end, that end, whether one strives against it or not, will come. Momentary checks and set backs are merely as infinitesimal curves in a line. Only it is a pity that we ourselves should have to be the spectators, rather than some other generation. For this reason no one can take it amiss in us that we should labour as far as possible to shape our times in accordance with what is in our heads. It always seems to me as if we inhabitants of this globe were serving some end whose attainment no conspiracy on the part of the whole human race could do anything to prevent.
Over-subtle men are seldom great men, and their investigations are as a rule as fruitless as they are minute. They are continually alienating themselves more and more from that practical life with which, surely, it should be their constant endeavour to become more and more identified. Just as the dancing-master and the fencing instructor find no need to begin their lessons by describing the anatomy of the hands or legs ; so a sound practical philosophy may be entered upon at a stage far above such peddling details. “The foot must be placed in this position, or else we should fall”, and “this axiom must be believed, because not to believe it would be absurd ”, are good first principles on which to begin.
Those who wish to carry the matter further still, may do so; but they must not imagine they are doing anything great ; for even if they are successful, all they attain is something which the reasonable man knew long before. The man who re-demonstrates
