CONCLUSION 185 



And, finally, in the second half of the nineteenth century, when 

 natural science had come more fully into her own and "humane 

 letters" were on the defensive, Matthew Arnold said in reply to 

 Huxley, — "But how, finally, are poetry and eloquence to exercise 

 the power of relating the modern results of natural science to 

 man's instinct for conduct, his instinct for beauty? And here 

 again I answer that I do not know how they will exercise it, but 

 that they can and will exercise it, I am sure."^^ 



It seems reasonable to believe that human thought will continue 

 to progress by this same process of discovery, opposition, and re- 

 conciliation. If the literary mind cherishes the old idols, clings 

 to the ancient faith after they are diso\\Tied by the philosophers, 

 it will certainly at last "lend its divine spirit to aid in the trans- 

 figuration and will welcome the new truths into the household of 

 man". 



^Discourses in America, Lit. and Science. 



