142 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



pressing, by policies carried out in pursuance of erroneous conceptions. 

 And thus, notwithstanding first appearances to the contrary, there is 

 a very important part to be played by a true theory of social phe- 

 nomena. 



A few words to those who think these general conclusions discour- 

 aging, may be added. Probably the more enthusiastic, hopeful of 

 great ameliorations in the state of mankind, to be brought about rap- 

 idly by propagating this belief or initiating that reform, will feel that 

 a doctrine negativing their sanguine anticipations takes away much of 

 the stimulus to exertion. If large advances in human welfare can come 

 only in the slow process of things, which will inevitably bring them, 

 why should we trouble ourselves ? 



Doubtless it is true that, on visionary hopes, rational criticisms have 

 a depressing influence. It is better to recognize the truth, however. 

 As, between infancy and maturity, there is no short cut by which there 

 may be avoided the tedious process of growth and development through 

 insensible increments, so there is no way from the lower forms of so- 

 cial life to the higher, but one passing through small successive modi- 

 fications. If we contemplate the order of Nature, we see that every- 

 where vast results are brought about by accumulations of minute ac- 

 tions. The surface of the earth has been sculptured by forces which 

 in the course of a year produce alterations scarcely anywhere visible. 

 Its multitudes of different organic forms have arisen by processes so 

 slow, that, during the periods our observations extend over, the results 

 are in most cases inappreciable. We must be content to recognize 

 these truths and conform our hopes to them. Light falling upon a 

 crystal is capable of altering its molecular arrangements, but it can 

 do this only by a repetition of impulses almost innumerable : before a 

 unit of ponderable matter can have its rhythmical movements so in- 

 creased by successive ethereal waves as to be detached from its com- 

 bination and in another way arranged, millions of such ethereal waves 

 must successively make infinitesimal additions to its motion. Simi- 

 larly, before there arise, in human nature and human institutions, 

 changes having that permanence which makes them an acquired in- 

 heritance for the human race, there must go innumerable recurrences 

 of the thoughts, and feelings, and actions, conducive to such changes. 

 The process cannot be abridged, and must be gone through with due 

 patience. 



Thus, admitting that for the fanatic some wild anticipation is need- 

 ful as a stimulus, and recognizing the usefulness of his delusion as 

 adapted to his particular nature and his particular function, yet the 

 man of higher type must be content with greatly-moderated expecta- 

 tions, while he perseveres with undiminished efforts. He has to see 

 how comparatively little can be done, and yet to find it worth while to 

 do that little : so uniting philanthropic energy with philosophic calm. 



