298 THE OCEAN RIVER 



assume the necessary intelligent disciplines to conform to 

 them. 



Lord Acton, in describing what he calls ''Universal His- 

 tory/' has set the sights for the modern student: 'The recent 

 past contains the key to the pr'esent time. All forms of thought 

 that influence it come before us in their turn; we have to 

 describe the ruling currents, to interpret the sovereign forces 

 that still govern and divide the world. By Universal History 

 I understand that which is distinct from the combined history 

 of all countries, which is not a rope of sand but a continuous 

 development, not a burden on the memory but an illumina- 

 tion of the soul. It moves in a succession to which the nations 

 are subsidiary . . . according to the time and degree in which 

 they contribute to the common fortunes of mankind/' He 

 further points out that modern history begins with the six- 

 teenth century a new phase of human development, both in 

 scientific research and in the realm of ideas. His presentation 

 can scarcely be improved on: "The modern age did not 

 proceed from the medieval by normal succession, with out- 

 ward tokens of legitimate descent. Unheralded, it founded a 

 new order of things, under a law of innovation, sapping the 

 ancient reign of continuity. In those days Columbus sub- 

 verted the notions of the world and reversed the conditions 

 of production, wealth and power; in those days Machiavelli 

 released governments from the restraint of law; Erasmus 

 diverted the current of ancient learning from profane into 

 Christian channels; Luther broke the chain of authority and 

 tradition at the strongest link; and Copernicus erected an 

 invincible power that set forever the mark of progress upon 

 the time that was to come. ... It was an awakening of new 

 life; the world revolved in a different orbit determined by 

 influences unknown before. After many ages persuaded of 

 the headlong decline and impending dissolution of society, 

 and governed by usage and the will of masters who were in 



