34 



PHILOSOPHICAL THOUGHT. 



26. 



Differences 

 as well as 

 uniting 

 ideas not 

 to be 

 neglected. 



27. 



New point 

 of view 

 required. 



Contrast to 

 be dealt 

 with. 



by preference on the uniting ideas which underlie the 

 Thought of the nineteenth century, I feel that it would 

 be a mistake were I to undervalue the many differences 

 and contrasts which have existed within the great realm 

 of thought during that whole period. 



I think it will be more helpful to my readers if, 

 when entering on a new portion of my subject, I im- 

 press upon them the necessity of adopting an entirely 

 different point of view from that to which they may 

 have become accustomed by the perusal of the former 

 volumes. So strongly do I feel the necessity of this, 

 that I am inclined to say, that except they are prepared 

 to familiarise themselves with an entirely altered set 

 of interests, problems, and methods, I shall fail to gain, 

 or to retain, their attention in that which follows. 



Unity or harmony of thought may be the desired 

 end, it may even be a growing tendency which has 

 become more and more evident ; it certainly has not 

 been the prominent external feature of nineteenth cen- 

 tury Thought. The historian must first take note of 

 the differences, the contrasts, and controversies before 

 he can hope to trace the secret and underlying agree- 

 ment. The former present themselves wherever we 

 look, the latter is hidden a subject rather of specu- 

 lation and conjecture. 



Similarly in the line of political history, of biography, 

 of the histories of literature, or of practical life, a fuller 

 and correcter insight is frequently gained by emphasis- 

 ing differences, be they national, personal, or local, than 

 by dwelling on those features which belong to all forms 

 of human life and progress alike. I desire, then, first 



