i8 4 PHYSICAL BASIS OF CIVILIZATION 



ordinary life play so large a part in the vital problems 

 with which this book is occupied, for the sake of ac- 

 curacy have been rigorously excluded from its pages. 



Since the discussion has come to an end and since 

 the conclusions and inferences reached can not pos- 

 sibly be affected by these closing words, therefore is 

 it surely excusable, if just before the reader and the 

 writer finally part company, one last thought is 

 indulged between them, which ramifies into the 

 region of emotion and sentiment: 



While the devotees of the physical sciences 

 patiently labor through the centuries to unravel 

 from the dense tangle of experiences a truth or a 

 fundamental principle here and there, the poets of 

 the true race character, who were formerly called 

 inspired prophets, discover them by the aid of their 

 deep and tender sympathy, through intuition: as 

 in the following four stanzas from Longfellow's 

 1 ' Arsenal at Springfield . ' ' 



Were half the power that fills the world with terror, 

 Were half the wealth bestowed on camps and courts, 



Given to redeem the human mind from error, 

 There were no need of arsenals or forts : 



The warrior's name would be a name abhorred ! 



And every nation that would lift again 

 Its hand against a brother, on its forehead 



Would wear forevermore the curse of Cain ! 



Down the dark future, through long generations, 

 The echoing sounds grow fainter and then cease; 



And like a bell, with solemn, sweet vibrations, 



I hear once more the voice of Christ say, "'Peace! " 



Peace! and no longer from its brazen portals 

 The blast of war's great organ shakes the skies! 



But beautiful as songs of the immortals, 

 The holy melodies of love arise. 





