CHAPTEE XII. 



EVOLUTION OF THE PROFESSIONS. 



721. The saying that we cannot put old heads on young 

 shoulders, figuratively expresses, among other truths, the 

 truth that the beliefs which in youth result from small in 

 formation joined with undisciplined thought and feeling, 

 cannot, until after long years, be replaced by the beliefs 

 which wider knowledge and better balanced mental powers 

 produce. And while it is usually impracticable to ante-date 

 the results of mental development and culture, it is also 

 usually impracticable to arouse, during early stages, any 

 such distrust of convictions then formed, as should be caused 

 by the perception that there is much more to be learnt. 



This general remark, trite in substance though it is, I am 

 prompted to make d propos of the profound change which 

 study of many peoples in many places and times, causes in 

 those ideas of social organization which are current ideas 

 entertained not only by the young but also by the majority 

 of the old, who, relatively to the subject-matter to be in 

 vestigated, are also young. For patient inquiry and calm 

 thought make it manifest that sundry institutions regarded 

 with strong prejudices have been essential institutions; and 

 that the development of society has everywhere been de 

 termined by agencies especially political and ecclesiasti 

 cal of characters condemned by the higher sentiments and 

 incongruous with an advanced social ideal. 



One in whom aversion to autocratic rule is strong, does 



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