338 
the path, and keep himself from straying when he has found 
it. This golden rule is, “ Give unqualified assent to no proposi- 
tion but those the truth of which is so clear and distinct that 
they cannot be doubted.” This the Professor is pleased to call 
“ the first commandment of science but if we apply it to the 
matter in hand, we shall find it break down altogether. The 
question whether the above propositions concerning the Undu- 
latory Theory and the Luminiferous Ether are clear and distinct 
so that they cannot be doubted, will be answered in different 
ways by different minds, according to their previous training 
and their present power to grasp the evidence adduced. Per- 
haps different nations, such as France and England, would, by 
a majority of their learned men, give a differing vote. One 
thing is clear to me, that Positivism has no locus standi as to 
scientific facts. Is it not quite as difficult to prove any of the 
propositions we have been considering as to demonstrate the 
existence of the spiritual world ? Do we not indeed begin to see 
that this latter is but the complement of the former? 
45. Science conducts us to the threshold of the real temple of 
the Universe, but over its awful portal is inscribed the prohi- 
bition to enter there. No mortal has ever lifted the veil which 
conceals the real form of things. (Note G.) 
46. Have we not arrived by fair deduction at the knowledge of 
the treasure-house and the sphere of development of the most 
tremendous forces of nature ? and not only so, but that which 
seems to stand in nearest relation to the spiritual world? (NoteH.) 
47. What more wonderful display of irresistible power than 
the sudden flash of lightning ? And this has on different occasions 
indicated, according to the Scriptures, the acceptance of sacrifice 
by the Almighty — a truth which seems to have spread inio all 
nations. Sacred to Jove, the thunderer (Taranis), amongst our 
ancestors was the oak on which his bolt was accustomed to fall. 
Sacred to Jupiter amongst the Romans the building which he 
struck. 
48. W~hat more lovely sight than the rainbow ! And this, 
according to Scripture, was made the covenant “ token ” with 
Noah and with the world. Amongst the Aryan nations the 
rainbow (Iris) (Note I) was the messenger between gods and 
“men, the goddess shielding the Britons;' 7 * and the fractured 
rainbow falling to earth indicates, according to the (Scandi- 
navian! Edda, the approaching final conflagration. 
49. In Genesis (Note J) we have the Spirit of God ( Ruach 
Elohim) brooding, dove-like, on the face of the mayim (what- 
ever is meant by the expression), and the fiat goes forth from 
* Mythology &c., of the British Druids , p. 268, &c. 
