856 MAN. 



for that freedom which in ruder conditions of society belongs 

 to individuals only, but, where states are formed, and poli- 

 tical institutions enjoyed, belongs of right to the whole 

 community. " If," in the words of Wilhelm von Hum- 

 boldt, " we would point to an idea which all history 

 throughout its course discloses as ever establishing more 

 firmly and extending more widely its salutary empire if 

 there is one idea which contributes more than any other 

 to the often contested, but still more often misunderstood, 

 perfectibility of the whole human species it is the idea of 

 our common humanity ; tending to remove the hostile bar- 

 riers which prejudices and partial views of every kind have 

 raised between men; and to cause all mankind, without 

 distinction of religion, nation, or colour, to be regarded as 

 one great fraternity, aspiring towards one common aim, 

 the free development of their moral faculties. This is 

 the ultimate and highest object of society; it is also the 

 direction implanted in man's nature, leading towards the 

 indefinite expansion of his inner being. He regards the 

 earth and the starry heavens as inwardly his own, given to 

 him for the exercise of his intellectual and physical activity. 

 The child longs to pass the hills or the waters which sur- 

 round his native dwelling; and his wish indulged, as the 

 bent tree springs back to its first form of growth, he longs 

 to return to the home which he had left ; for by a double 

 aspiration after the unknown future and the unforgotten 

 past after that which he desires, and that which he has 

 lost man is preserved, by a beautiful and toucliing instinct, 

 from exclusive attachment to that which is present. Deeply 

 rooted in man's inmost nature, as well as commanded by 



