Introductory. 5 



many deem to be as critical as, even if not more so than, 

 either of the two periods last referred to ; and this for two 

 reasons. 



First, because it may prove to be the occasion for the 

 open and complete manifestation of latent tendencies 

 which those two periods but imperfectly revealed. 



Secondly, because present changes are distinguished 

 from all that have gone before by their intense self-con- 

 sciousness. As was well remarked by Mr. Tylor in the 

 Contemporary Review*'. "Our social science has a new 

 character and power, inasmuch as we live near a turning- 

 point in the history of mankind. The unconscious evolution 

 of society is giving place to its conscious development." 



To perceive that we are living in a critical epoch is 

 one thing, to appraise that epoch and estimate its ten- 

 dencies correctly is another and a much more difficult one. 

 No one of course can withdraw himself completely from 

 the special influence of his age and country, however 

 vigorous may be his will or extensive his culture ; yet to 

 estimate such phenomena correctly, and with as little bias 

 as possible, is about the most important task to which a 

 thinker can in these days apply his intellect. 



It is so supremely important, because we are all called 

 upon to contribute to social evolution, and more or less 

 distinctly to take sides, and of course only by rare ac- 



* For June, 1873, P- 7 2 - 



