RETROSPECT AND FORECAST 201 



goal is attained. It is impelled by forces material 

 and moral that are naturally active and averse from 

 quiescence. The civilised world cannot repeat in 

 its experience the downfall and disappearance of the 

 civilisation of the Eoman Empire. 



It is not subject to internal decadence, but is in- 

 formed throughout with vital principles of progressive 

 change. The possibility of the submergence of an 

 existing civilisation by a deluge of barbarism has 

 for ever vanished from human experience. But all 

 anticipations having reference to the ultimate goal 

 of progress must be large and general, overleaping 

 and disregarding existing theories and speculations as 

 to the particular modes and means by which it will 

 be attained. We do not know enough of the precise 

 action and the final possibilities of the forces of 

 mutation that are stirring around us, and that are 

 abroad in the world, to be enabled to say what will 

 happen to influence the trend of events to-morrow 

 or next day. It is easier to forecast with a feeling 

 of assurance that far future to which the trend of 

 events is bearing the race. 



It is indubitable, however, that mankind is entering 

 into a larger consciousness of its solidarity. As we 

 sweep our glance from San Francisco to the Ural 

 Mountains, and beyond the Cape of Good Hope to 

 Australasia and Japan, we perceive that all the 

 strong and powerful nations of the earth are being 

 knit more closely together in indissoluble bonds by 

 such agencies as the locomotive power of steam, 



