NO. 12 CHARLES DOOLITTLE WALCOTT 9 



see it in the history of a great character, seems to the purposeless 

 individual an accident which provides a way not possible to others. 

 But frequently the thing which seems so easily, and yet so oddly to 

 open the door, merely represents one of many avenues which might 

 have led to the same goal. The fact that a particular individual has 

 used it to advantage is likely to be dependent in larger measure upon 

 interests or attitude of mind, than it is upon the particular oppor- 

 tunity. Had he perhaps waited, with the stimulus of his pressing 

 interest he might have found another way much easier. 



Perhaps it is merely in support of a desire to feel that the universe 

 is dependable, and that directed human effort may be fruitful, that 

 we take the view that life can be guided and determined, rather than 

 be the result of fortuitous influences. 



The achievement of Doctor Walcott's researches in the unbelievably 

 difficult field which he chose indicates that luck comes to the man with 

 penetrating vision and unceasing industry. The major contributions 

 which Doctor Walcott made to the story of earth history, bring a 

 deepening of our faith that in the sea of time, behind the froth and 

 broken waves that may deceive us, there is a moving tide — controlled 

 by law — that we begin to understand. 



