CHAPTER XXX. 



THE MISUNDERSTANDINGS UNDER WHICH JOHN LIVED. 



NOTHING is to be had for nothing in this world. One 

 of the highest-priced commodities here has always been 

 liberty, and not less costly the liberty of differing from 

 one's neighbours, of dissenting, however slightly, from the 

 established form of the personal, social, religious or scientific 

 creed. For severer degrees of deflection, the penalty has 

 been suffering and death. In lighter matters of manner, 

 habit and pursuit, the price must be paid as certainly and 

 as fully as in heavier, in misunderstanding, misrepresenta- 

 tion, contempt and other forms of petty social persecution. 



This our eccentric enthusiast found to his cost all his 

 days, of which proofs have already been given. Having 

 had the temerity to leave the ancient paths trodden by his 

 ancestors and neighbours in certain directions, he had, of 

 course, to walk alone or with the few that were as brave 

 or as foolish as himself, and to bear the gibes of the crowd 

 who frequented the beaten track. And John Duncan had 

 to pay his full share of these social penalties, which he did 

 with meekness and dignity. 



Nothing more impresses an observer of mankind, in 

 this connection, than the urgent need that exists of having 



