86 THOUGHTS ON NATURAL PHILOSOPHY. 



sense, and in the light of knowledge) on this subject 

 than the New Testament* (supplemented, as far as 

 possible, by wide reading in other religions and 

 directions), therein love is indeed an art, developed 

 in connection with one of the most beautiful poetic 

 tragedies that the world has ever read, and illustrated 

 by the most superb devotion on the part of many of 

 its disciples. Men are still in process of evolution, 

 some being much more backward than others; but 

 as their environment is improved, and they respond 

 more fully thereto, aided by its beneficent stimulants, 

 we may hope that the unbeautiful may fade and fall 

 away, to the manifestation of one of Nature's greatest 

 works, noble manhood. This is the ideal to which 

 Nature is working, and art is aiding ; and all that is 

 best and true is living to attain. Meanwhile tolerance, 

 patience, mutual sympathy and help are needful, while 

 we learn to live the life beautiful, and acquire know- 

 ledge and wisdom. 



* Ethics and Religion, published by Swan, Sonnenschein & Co., 

 is a useful book. 



