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that in accordance with the laws of human progress, the 
higher life of the individual finds its best and most congenial 
atmosphere in comparatively small communities, cities, or 
nations, attached to their civic inheritance, permeated and 
inspired with a patriotic ambition to add some lustre to 
their name. 
The possession of territory will change hands, “ a great 
name is rather to be preferred than great riches.” The 
Athenian Empire fell, but its intellectualism will remain for 
ever. Mineral wealth can be exhausted, but the mine of 
influence of great works is a compound interest in perpetuity. 
These states sought after ideals in poetry and art, and though 
they did not absolutely attain them any more than the 
asymptote can actually reach the curve which it is ever 
approaching, yet they have left a monumental influence 
which will remain even when 
“ The cloud capped towers, the gorgeous palaces, 
The solemn temples shall dissolve, 
And like the baseless fabric of a vision, 
Leave not a wrack behind.” 
