306 PHYSICAL SCIENCE BK. vn 



the ages still to be, when our memory shall have 

 perished. The world is a poor affair if it do not 

 contain matter for investigation for the whole world 

 in every age. Some of the sacred rites are not 

 revealed to worshippers all at once. Eleusis retains 

 some of its mysteries to show to votaries on their 

 second visit. Nature does not reveal all her secrets 

 at once. We imagine we are initiated in her 

 mysteries : we are, as yet, but hanging around her 



3 outer courts. Those secrets of hers are not opened 

 to all indiscriminately. They are withdrawn and 

 shut up in the inner shrine. Of one of them this age 

 will catch a glimpse, of another, the age that will 

 come after. 



When, then, it may be asked, will all these 

 things come to our full knowledge ? Great schemes 

 mature slowly, especially if effort is relaxed. There 

 is one object we are bent on, heart and soul, 

 to be as wicked as possible and we have not 



4 yet attained perfection. Vice is still making pro- 

 gress. Luxury is constantly discovering some new 

 outlet for its madness, indecency some new form of 

 insult on itself. Dissolute effeminacy and corruption 

 are constantly discovering some more refined and 

 delicate means of self-destruction. We have not yet 

 wholly cast off our vigour. We are still doing our best 

 to extinguish any spark of virtue that is left. By the 

 smoothness and polish of our bodies we men have out- 

 done the refinements of women ; we have adopted the 

 colours of harlots, that even an honest woman would 



5 not put on. With delicate mincing step we check 

 our gait ; we do not walk, with measured pace we go. 

 We adorn our fingers with rings. A precious stone 

 sparkles on every joint. Day by day we devise 

 means of wronging and degrading our manhood, 



