l!x DESCARTES' DISCOURSE ox METHOD i\- 



of centuries hence, will be remembered as Des- 

 cartes is now, because they have produced great 

 thoughts which will live and grow as long as 

 mankind lasts. 



If the twenty-first century studies their history, 

 it will find that the Christianity of the middle of 

 the nineteenth century recognised them only as 

 objects of vilification. It is for you and such as 

 you, Christian young men, to say whether this 

 shall be as true of the Christianity of the future 

 as it is of that of the present. I appeal to you to 

 say " No," in your own interest, and in that of the 

 Christianity you profess. 



In the interest of Science, no appeal is needful ; 

 as Dante sings of Fortune 



' e colei, ch'e tanto posta iu croce. 

 Pur da color, che le dovrian dar lode 

 Dandole biasmo a torto e mala voce. 



Ma ella s' e beata, e cio non ode : 

 Con 1' altre prime creature lieta 



Volve sua spera, e beata si ^ f o le : " ' 



so, whatever evil voices may rage, Science, secure 

 among the powers that arc eternal, will do her 

 work and be blessed. 



1 " And this is she who's put on cross so much 

 Kvru by tin-in who ou^ht to ^'ivi- her ]>r.ii-e. 

 (Jiving her wrongly ill repute and blame. 

 Hut she is Mrssrd, and sin- hears not this : 

 Sin-, with the other primal creatures, "Jad 



Revolves lief Sphere, and blessed joys herself." 



Inferno, vii. 9095 (W. M. Ko>setti'.s Translation). 



