The Young Queens 
charged to repair this error. Turn where 
we may, it towers high over our heads. 
It is the circular ocean, the tideless water, 
whereon our boldest and most independ- 
ent thoughts will never be more than 
mere abject bubbles. We call it Nature 
to-day ; to-morrow, perhaps, we shall give 
it another name, softer or more alarming. 
In the meanwhile it holds simultaneous, 
impartial sway over life and death; fur- 
nishing the two irreconcilable sisters with 
the magnificent and familiar weapons that 
adorn and distract its bosom. 
[ 81 ] 
Does this force take measures to main- 
tain what may be struggling on its sur- 
face, or must we say, arguing in the 
strangest of circles, that what floats on 
its surface must guard itself against the 
genius that has given it life? That ques- 
tion must be left open. We have no 
291 
