106 FRAGMENTS OF SCIENCE 



applied the proper word to be spoken to remove a de- 

 tent, and to render you conscious of light and warmth 

 within yourselves and sources of both to others. 



The circle of human nature, then, is not complete with- 

 out the arc of the emotions. The lilies of the field have 

 a value for us beyond their botanical ones a certain 

 lightening of the heart accompanies the declaration that 

 " Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of 

 these." The sound of the village bell has a value beyond 

 its acoustical one. The setting sun has a value beyond its 

 optical one. The starry heavens, as you know, had for 

 Immanuel Kant a value beyond their astronomical one. 

 I think it very desirable to keep this horizon of the emo- 

 tions open, and not to permit either priest or philosopher 

 to draw down his shutters between you and it. Here the 

 dead languages, which are sure to be beaten by science in 

 the purely intellectual fight, have an irresistible claim. 

 They supplement the work of science by exalting and 

 refining the aesthetic faculty, and must on this account be 

 cherished by all who desire to see human culture complete. 

 There must be a reason for the fascination which these 

 languages have so long exercised upon powerful and ele- 

 vated minds a fascination which will probably continue 

 for men of Greek and Eoman mold to the end of time. 



In connection with this question one very obvious 

 danger besets many of the more earnest spirits of our day 

 the danger of haste in endeavoring to give the feelings 

 repose. We are distracted by systems of theology and 

 philosophy which were taught to us when young, and 

 which now excite in us a hunger and a thirst for knowl- 

 edge not proved to be attainable. There are periods when 

 the judgment ought to remain in suspense, the data on 



