MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 



animal and he runs away. The impulse of anger and 

 revenge often masters him. In all these things the 

 animal lets himself go; there is no restraining influ- 

 ence of mind or judgment. 



§ 

 Was Epictetus logical when he compared logic 

 to a measure in which we measure corn or other 

 grain? A bushel measure is an arbitrary standard 

 agreed upon by the community using it; any other 

 standard agreed upon would be as fair and just. 

 But logic is not an arbitrary standard, that we 

 could change at will; it is based upon the laws of 

 the human mind. You cannot standardize vital 

 things, only mechanical things. He is more logical 

 when he says that to be blind in the reason, which 

 distinguishes good from evil, is like being blind in 

 the vision, that distinguishes white from black. 



§ 

 What a sneaking admiration? many Americans 

 have for a monarchical form of government ! It is a 

 nice thing to look at; it is picturesque, — a perma- 

 nent head to the State, grading, down through vari- 

 ous ranks to the masses. It appeals to a feeling we all 

 have. Royalty! What a magic word! Magic because 

 the race has been so long under its sway. I love to see 

 the bees in the hive surround the queen and make 

 obeisance to her. They never turn their backs to her, 

 they seem loath to touch her except to feed her. 

 She will not feed herself; and she will fight only 

 321 



