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particulars of that faith in man； which the heart is preaching to us
in these days； and which engages the more regard； from the
consideration； that the speculations of one generation are the
history of the next following。 In alluding just now to our system of
education； I spoke of the deadness of its details。 But it is open to
graver criticism than the palsy of its members： it is a system of
despair。 The disease with which the human mind now labors； is want
of faith。 Men do not believe in a power of education。 We do not
think we can speak to divine sentiments in man； and we do not try。
We renounce all high aims。 We believe that the defects of so many
perverse and so many frivolous people； who make up society； are
organic； and society is a hospital of incurables。 A man of good
sense but of little faith； whose compassion seemed to lead him to
church as often as he went there； said to me； 〃that he liked to have
concerts； and fairs； and churches； and other public amusements go
on。〃 I am afraid the remark is too honest； and comes from the same
origin as the maxim of the tyrant； 〃If you would rule the world
quietly； you must keep it amused。〃 I notice too； that the ground on
which eminent public servants urge the claims of popular education is
fear： ‘This country is filling up with thousands and millions of
voters； and you must educate them to keep them from our throats。' We
do not believe that any education； any system of philosophy； any
influence of genius； will ever give depth of insight to a superficial
mind。 Having settled ourselves into this infidelity； our skill is
expended to procure alleviations； diversion； opiates。 We adorn the
victim with manual skill； his tongue with languages； his body with
inoffensive and comely manners。 So have we cunningly hid the tragedy
of limitation and inner death we cannot avert。 Is it strange that
society should be devoured by a secret melancholy； which breaks
through all its smiles； and all its gayety and games？ But even one
step farther our infidelity has gone。 It appears that some doubt is
felt by good and wise men； whether really the happiness and probity
of men is increased by the culture of the mind in those disciplines
to which we give the name of education。 Unhappily； too； the doubt
comes from scholars； from persons who have tried these methods。 In
their experience； the scholar was not raised by the sacred thoughts
amongst which he dwelt； but used them to selfish ends。 He was a
profane person； and became a showman； turning his gifts to a
marketable use； and not to his own sustenance and growth。 It was
found that the intellect could be independently developed； that is；
in separation from the man； as any single organ can be invigorated；
and the result was monstrous。 A canine appetite for knowledge was
generated； which must still be fed； but was never satisfied； and this
knowledge not being directed on action； never took the character of
substantial； humane truth； blessing those whom it entered。 It gave
the scholar certain powers of expression； the power of speech； the
power of poetry； of literary art； but it did not bring him to peace；
or to beneficence。 When the literary class betray a destitution of
faith； it is not strange that society should be disheartened and
sensualized by unbelief。 What remedy？ Life must be lived on a
higher plane。 We must go up to a higher platform； to which we are
always invited to ascend； there； the whole aspect of things changes。
I resist the skepticism of our education； and of our educated men。 I
do not believe that the differences of opinion and character in men
are organic。 I do not recognize； beside the class of the good and
the wise； a permanent class of skeptics； or a class of conservatives；
or of malignants； or of materialists。 I do not believe in two
classes。 You remember the story of the poor woman who importuned
King Philip of Macedon to grant her justice； which Philip refused：
the woman exclaimed； 〃I appeal〃： the king； astonished； asked to whom
she appealed： the woman replied； 〃from Philip drunk to Philip sober。〃
The text will suit me very well。 I believe not in two classes of
men； but in man in two moods； in Philip drunk and Philip sober。 I
think； according to the good…hearted word of Plato； 〃Unwillingly the
soul is deprived of truth。〃 Iron conservative； miser； or thief； no
man is； but by a supposed necessity； which he tolerates by shortness
or torpidity of sight。 The soul lets no man go without some
visitations and holy…days of a diviner presence。 It would be easy to
show； by a narrow scanning of any man's biography； that we are not so
wedded to our paltry performances of every kind； but that every man
has at intervals the grace to scorn his performances； in comparing
them with his belief of what he should do； that he puts himself on
the side of his enemies； listening gladly to what they say of him；
and accusing himself of the same things。 What is it men love in
Genius； but its infinite hope； which degrades all it has done？
Genius counts all its miracles poor and short。 Its own idea it never
executed。 The Iliad； the Hamlet； the Doric column； the Roman arch；
the Gothic minster； the German anthem； when they are ended； the
master casts behind him。 How sinks the song in the waves of melody
which the universe pours over his soul！ Before that gracious
Infinite； out of which he drew these few strokes； how mean they look；
though the praises of the world attend them。 From the triumphs of
his art； he turns with desire to this greater defeat。 Let those
admire who will。 With silent joy he sees himself to be capable of a
beauty that eclipses all which his hands have done； all which human
hands have ever done。 Well； we are all the children of genius； the
children of virtue； and feel their inspirations in our happier
hours。 Is not every man sometimes a radical in politics？ Men are
conservatives when they are least vigorous； or when they are most
luxurious。 They are conservatives after dinner； or before taking
their rest； when they are sick； or aged： in the morning； or when
their intellect or their conscience have been aroused； when they hear
music； or when they read poetry； they are radicals。 In the circle of
the rankest tories that could be collected in England； Old or New；
let a powerful and stimulating intellect； a man of great heart and
mind； act on them； and very quickly these frozen conservators will
yield to the friendly influence； these hopeless will begin to hope；
these haters will begin to love； these immovable statues will begin
to spin and revolve。 I cannot help recalling the fine anecdote which
Warton relates of Bishop Berkeley； when he was preparing to leave
England； with his plan of planting the gospel among the American
savages。 〃Lord Bathurst told me； that the members of the Scriblerus
club； being met at his house at dinner； they agreed to rally
Berkeley； who was also his guest； on his scheme at Berm