anfc Life 



owing as much to the sway of convention as to 

 the personal reserve, many opportunities of pleas- 

 ant intercourse. Even where at first sight there 

 may be a sufficient germ of mutual sympathy to 

 engender intercommunication, an impassable bar- 

 rier of convention often springs up, defying as- 

 sault and effectually barring the desired coales- 

 cence; and thus we go through our short spell 

 of life dull and alone, where we might be cheer- 

 fully and sociably entertained. 



Although life itself is no doubt eternal, its ac- 

 companiments, phases, or manifestations are 

 ephemeral, and even the best-established popular- 

 ity fades like other tender blossoms. Absence 

 of variety alone seems sufficient to account for 

 this; for the human mind must move onward, 

 steadfast only on the constant change necessary 

 toward progression. Remarkable testimony to 

 the truth of this view is presented by the fact that 

 the public always endeavors to perpetuate for as 

 long a period as possible their appreciation of ex- 

 emplary deeds and conduct by the erection of 

 memorials in stone and metal, which, perishable 

 as they are, are still felt to be more enduring than 

 173 



