i OUTLOOK AND ENDEAVOUR 21 



which would unify them all. He knew that when the 

 key to the riddle of the relation between ether and matter 

 is discovered, mankind will be able to enter the treasure- 

 house in which Nature's secrets are stored. 



Such men as Lord Kelvin are learners always, because 

 they realise that for one problem solved, one principle 

 discovered, one structure completely described, there 

 are a thousand of which they understand nothing. 



All Nature is but art, unknown to thee 



All chance, direction which thou canst not see ; 



All discord, harmony not understood ; 



All partial evil, universal good. Pope. 



Man as a physical being is but a microscopic part of 

 the universe, yet his mind carries him ever upward, and 

 with spirit bold and unconquerable he seeks to reach 

 the summit of Mount Olympus. Infinite space remains 

 to humble his pride in spite of the knowledge he has 

 obtained of the starry heavens ; yet he pursues his 

 inquiries into the unknown, and his children's children 

 will continue the search. 



As we conquer peak after peak we see in front of us regions full 

 of interest and beauty, but we do not see our goal, we do not see 

 the horizon ; in the distance tower still higher peaks, which will 

 yield to those who ascend them still wider prospects, and deepen 

 the feeling, the truth of which is emphasised by every advance in 

 science, that " Great are the Works of the Lord." Sir J. J. 

 Thomson. 



It is said that Thales of Miletus, who was the first of 

 the Greeks to devote himself to the study of the stars, 

 was on one occasion so intent upon observing the heavens 

 that he fell into a well, whereupon a maidservant laughed 

 and remarked, " In his zeal for things in the sky he does 

 not see what is at his feet." Many men have been 

 laughed at since then for gazing heavenward when their 



