IMAGINATION. 



457 



boundless ? No syllogism is competent here. Let imagination seek 

 its own conclusions, with strong white wings that melt not even 

 in the dazzling light and heat of its own glorious achievements. 

 What care I for the crutch of logic here, or any Ariadne's thread in 

 a labyrinth of verbal niceties ! Enthusiasm bears too hard upon the 

 check-rein of sober reflection ; fancy leaps lightly ; ecstasy beckons, 

 and the lotos is waving over the still, cool waters of my judgment. 

 But expression may lawfully seek even tlie pinnacle of rhapsody, for 

 naught but superlatives are fitting for that which is beyond com- 

 parison. 



We can but imagine the possibilities of this attribute of intellect ; 

 as its peculiarities deny comparison, and its processes scrutiny, so do 

 its powers defy comprehension. But what of its eflective operation 

 and manifest results ? What of its purposes and pleasures of its 

 pangs and penalties ? And what, alas ! of its perversions ? Of these 

 we know something, if not from our own experience, then from the 

 teachings of the consummate masters of expression whose thought- 

 laden voices strike home or, should they pass over our heads, leave 

 us, at least, in no doubt that something has gone over. 



To a practical point first : one excellent and most useful purpose 

 which the imagination subserves at the hands of the gifted few whom 

 the higher development of this faculty makes leaders of thought and 

 watchful guardians of human progress, is, to put men of science on 

 their proper level, and to teach them to know their place. 



As this may possibly be considered by some of my friends whose 

 generous appreciation of my efibrts in scientific lines of inquiry may 

 blind them to the slightness of my acquirements to be rather a 

 ticklish position for me to assume, let me fortify with authority as 

 well recognized in literature as is that of the sinewy, daring, and 

 brilliant gladiator of the scientific arena who stigmatized poetry as 

 " sensuous caterwauling." ' It has been perceived and said, in sub- 



Although, in the sphere of imagination, " facts " are apt to be regarded as trouble- 

 some and impertinent, and looseness of statement as only a very venial transgression, 

 yet, for the benefit of those readers who care for accuracy, it may be stated that the 

 author of this celebrated phrase, that has given so much offense to artistic and poetic 

 minds, did not use it in the manner here stated. Prof. Huxley has never, as we are 

 aware, " stigmatized poetry as sensuous caterwauling." It was not poetry itself, but 

 only some poetry, to which he applied this eminently felicitous epithet ; and if Words- 

 worth were living, he would no doubt cordially indorse it. We give the memorable 

 passage, as it will bear frequent repeating. (Ed.) 



" In these times the educational tree seems to have its roots in the air, its leaves and flowers 

 in the ground ; and I confess I should very much like to turn it upside down, so that its roots 

 might be solidly imbedded among the facts of Nature, and draw thence a sound nutriment for the 

 foliage and fruit of literature and of art. No educational system can have a claim to permanence 

 unless it recognizes the truth that education has two great ends to which everything else must be 

 subordinated. The one of these is, to increase knowledge ; the other is, to develop the love of 

 right and the hatred of wrong. 



" With wisdom and uprightness a nation can make its way worthily, and Beauty will follow in 

 the footsteps of the two, even if she be not specially invited ; while there is, perhaps, no sight in 



