1. The incipient stage: A new doctrine arises, the 

 older representatives of the science oppose it partly be- 

 cause of keener insight and greater experience, partly also 

 from indolence, not wishing to allow themselves to be 

 drawn out of their accustomed equilibrium; among the 

 younger generation there arises a growing sentiment in 

 favor of the new doctrine. 



2. The stage of growth: the new doctrine continually 

 gains greater favor among the young generation, finding 

 vent in bursts of enthusiasm; some of the cautious seniors 

 have passed away, others are carried along by the stream 

 of youthful enthusiasm in spite of better knowledge, and 

 the voices of the thoughtful are no longer heard in the 

 general uproar, exultingly proclaiming that to live is bliss. 



3. The period of decay: the joyous enthusiasm has 

 vanished; depression succeeds intoxication. Now that 

 the young men have themselves grown older and become 

 more sober, many things appear in a different light. 

 The doubts already expressed by the old and prudent dur- 

 ing the stage of growth are now better appreciated and 

 gradually increase in weight. Many become indifferent, 

 the present younger generation becomes perplexed and 

 discards the theory entirely. 



4. The final stage: the last adherents of the "new 

 doctrine" are dead or at least old and have ceased to be 

 influential, they sit upon the ruins of a grandeur that even 

 now belongs to the "good old time." The influential and 

 directing spirits have abandoned this doctrine, once so im- 

 portant and seemingly invincible, for the consideration of 



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