274 THE HISTORY OF SCIENCE 



State, as well as the Greek philosopher's censure 

 that democracy shows disregard of ethical principles. 

 In fact, Arnold considered the people of the United 

 States singularly homogeneous, singularly free from 

 the distinctions of class ; " we [the English] are so 

 little homogeneous, we are living with a system of 

 classes so intense, that the whole action of our minds 

 is hampered and falsened by it; we are in conse- 

 quence wanting in lucidity, we do not see clear or 

 think straight, and the Americans have here much 

 the advantage of us." As for the second point of 

 difference between Arnold and Plato, the English 

 critic recognized that the American people belonged 

 to the great class in society in which the sense of 

 conduct and regard for ethical principles are par- 

 ticularly developed. 



Nearly all the old charges against American democ- 

 racy can be summarized in one general censure, 

 the lack of calm and reasoned self-criticism, and 

 this general defect is rapidly being made good. It is 

 partly owing to charity and good- will, and it includes 

 the toleration of the mediocre or inferior, as, for ex- 

 ample, in the theater ; the failure to recognize dis- 

 tinction, and to pay deference to things deserving it ; 

 the glorification of the average man, and the hustler, 

 and the lack of special educational opportunities for 

 the exceptionally gifted child. That criticism as an 

 art is still somewhat behindhand in America seems 

 to be confirmed by comparing French and American 

 literary criticism. In France it is a profession prac- 

 ticed by a corps of experts ; in America only a very 

 few of the best periodicals can be relied on to give 

 reviews based on critical principles, of works in verse 



