TWO THEORIES OF KNOWLEDGE 77 



desire to discuss on its merits the general question 

 of Spelling Reform, which of course is quite apart 

 from the attempt to establish a scheme of spelling 

 on a purely phonetic basis. A more rational 

 system of spelling is nevertheless an object worthy 

 of all consideration. 



Intellectualism and sensationalism have both 

 broken down. The world of speculation is anxiously 

 looking for a new clue. Witness the pathetic 

 eagerness with which it clutches at every floating 

 straw. The innumerable " isms " by which it 

 seeks ever and anon to keep itself afloat are most 

 of them but the sometimes unrecognisable wreckage 

 of the old systems drifting about under very in- 

 appropriate names. Such terms as Realism and 

 ^Idealism are freely used (generally prefixing the 

 adjective "new ") by writers in philosophic periodi- 

 cals in a sense which might make Plato, Aquinas, or 

 Kant turn in their graves. 



We see their votaries encumbered with the 

 trappings of a futile erudition of the insignificant or 

 clinging pathetically to the insecure relics of teleo- 

 logical doctrine, or, still less virile, seeking support 

 in a return to the unscientific tales of supernatural 

 spiritualism. Such efforts are vain. 



Only by facing the facts with all their conse- 



