The Solar Theory of Myths, 



73 



take in a mind unbiassed by education, and can illy judge 

 what would, or would not be, an inevitable course ot 

 thought. At present, therefore, a supporter of either con- 

 clusion need not fear that his arguments will be success- 

 fully attacked. But, however great the work which the 

 new science has still before her ; whatever vistas of the 

 past she has yet to open, one great office has already been 

 performed. We have found that all nations stand on a 

 common ground, and may learn as the first great lesson 

 of mythology, that, however widely their paths have 

 diverged ; however causes, long since forgotten, may have 

 raised one race and degraded another ; whatever distinc- 

 tions, pride and power have made, to which weakness and 

 humility have submitted, all men were born, if not free, 

 at l^ast equal. 



Trans, ix,"] 



10 



