CHAPTER XV. 



THE GOSPEL OF RELAXATION. 



[BY HERBERT SPENCER.] 



TTERBERT SPENCER, at the reception which 

 JL1 was tendered to him, in New York, on the 

 evening preceding his departure for England, made 

 some most timely remarks to the gentlemen who were 

 his entertainers. They were some of the most widely 

 known men of our country, representing the learned 

 professions, merchants, and financial interests ; hut 

 not a member of the great body of the people was 

 present. Therefore it is possible that no part of what 

 he said was intended to pass over the heads of his im- 

 mediate listeners, and to reach the great audience of 

 the masses. But his criticisms and suggestions were 

 so perfectly in line with the objects sought in this 

 volume, that I can not forbear the pleasure of trans- 

 ferring them to these pages. He said : - 



" Already in some remarks drawn from me, respect- 

 ing American affairs and American character, I have 

 passed criticisms which have been accepted far more 

 good naturedly than I could reasonably have ex- 

 pected ; and it seems strange that I should now again 



276 



