THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 
15 
system, nor burdened the heart of man with so 
dark a despair, as will result if the ends of some 
of the most distinguished scientists are attained. 
Putting aside the more outspoken and daring 
French and German materialists, for what con¬ 
clusion do some of the English scientists rea¬ 
son ? Nor do their weak echoes on this side of 
the water invite to a more promising consum¬ 
mation. Their success will break up all the 
foundations of human faith and hope. Life will 
be but a horrid dream, and death an eternal 
sleep. Alas! for man’s destiny if these are 
the verities which Science is commissioned to 
establish. Brightly as her robes shine, she must 
excuse me if I refuse to follow if such be her 
leading. 
“ If I had the gifts which would warrant an 
effort in the more general fields of literature, I 
am too great a coward to endure the rasping 
criticism through which I must pass before I 
could hope to reach any prominence or useful¬ 
ness as an author. 
“ So, you see, my sage adviser, that I am cut 
off from all hope and ambition in these direc¬ 
tions, and, I might add, in all others, as matters 
now stand. Indeed, I have about concluded 
