ETHICAL BASIS OF METAPHYSICS 17 



lonely uplands, inter apices philosophies, where the cloud- 

 capped crags and slowly grinding glaciers of metaphysics 

 soar into an air too chill and rare for our abiding habita 

 tion, but keenly bracing to the strength of an audacious 

 climber. Here lie our watersheds ; hither lead the passes 

 to the realms unknown ; hence part our ways, and here 

 it is that we must draw the frontier lines of Right and 

 Wrong. And, moreover, I believe that in the depths of 

 every soul there lurks a metaphysic aspiration to these 

 heights, a craving to behold the varied patterns that com 

 pose life s whole spread out in their connexion. With 

 the right guides such ascents are safe, and even though 

 at first twinges of mountain-sickness may befall us, yet in 

 the end we shall return refreshed from our excursion and 

 strengthened to endure the drudgery and commonplace 

 that are our daily portion. 



