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ar。 We shall be more easily satisfied； and thus enjoy more leisure。 It may be that there will ultimately exist； over the civilized world； conditions as favourable to the complete fruition of life as those which formerly existed within the narrow circuit of Attika； save that the part once played by enslaved human brain and muscle will finally be played by the enslaved forces of insentient nature。 Society will at last bear the test of providing for the complete development of its individual members。
So； at least； we may hope； such is the probability which the progress of events； when carefully questioned； sketches out for us。 〃Need we fear；〃 asks Mr。 Greg； 〃that the world would stagnate under such a change？ Need we guard ourselves against the misconstruction of being held to recommend a life of complacent and inglorious inaction？ We think not。 We would only substitute a nobler for a meaner strife；a rational for an excessive toil；an enjoyment that springs from serenity； for one that springs from excitement only。 。 。 。 。 To each time its own preacher； to each excess its own counteraction。 In an age of dissipation； languor； and stagnation； we should join with Mr。 Carlyle in preaching the 'Evangel of Work；' and say with him； 'Blessed is the man who has found his work；let him ask no other blessedness。' In an age of strenuous； frenzied； 。。。。 and often utterly irrational and objectless exertion； we join Mr。 Mill in preaching the milder and more needed 'Evangel of Leisure。' 〃
Bearing all these things in mind； we may understand the remark of the supremely cultivated Goethe； when asked who were his masters： Die Griechen； die Griechen； und immer die Griechen。 We may appreciate the significance of Mr。 Mill's argument in favour of the study of antiquity； that it preserves the tradition of an era of individual completeness。 There is a disposition growing among us to remodel our methods of education in conformity with the temporary requirements of the age in which we live。 In this endeavour there is much that is wise and practical； but in so far as it tends to the neglect of antiquity； I cannot think it well…timed。 Our education should not only enhance the value of what we possess； is should also supply the consciousness of what we lack。 And while； for generations to come； we pass toilfully through an era of exorbitant industrialism； some fragment of our time will not be misspent in keeping alive the tradition of a state of things which was once briefly enjoyed by a little community； but which； in the distant future； will； as it is hoped； become the permanent possession of all mankind。
January； 1873。
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