VI.] Chauncey Wright. 79 



which in the nature of things we can place no just 

 estfmate. Of course it is right, as it is inevitable, 

 that this should be so. There is, however, a point 

 of view from which it may be fairly urged that 

 the work which rare and original minds fall short 

 of doing because of straitened circumstances or 

 brevity of hfe does never really get done at all. 

 Something like it gets performed, no doubt, but it 

 gets performed in a different order of causation ; and 

 though there may be an appearance of equivalence, 

 the fact remains that, from the sum of human 

 striving, an indefinite amount of rich and fruitful 

 life has been lost. True as this is in the case of 

 exact science, it is still more obviously true in specu- 

 lative science or philosophy. For the work of a 

 philosopher, like the work of an artist, is the peculiar 

 product of endless complexities of individual cha- 

 racter. His mental tone, his shades of prejudice, 

 his method of thought, — are often of as much interest 

 and value to mankind as any of the theories which 

 he may devise ; and thus it not seldom happens that 

 personal familiarity with the philosopher is itself a 

 •most instructive lesson in philosophy. 



In the case of Chauncey Wright, none save the 

 friends who knew the rich treasures of his mind as 

 shown in familiar conversation are likely to realise 



