The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-09-03
INTELLECTUAL FLUNKEYISM.

lous SIDE as well. Theories ana practices, which
in their highest development are capable of ex
citing admiration or awe, may, when looked at
in another light and from different point Of
view, be fair subjects tor a laugh or Tor q sneer
In actual life the real al ways falls deplorably
short of the ideal, that persons who are
moved by the best intentions possible owing
to the weakness of human nature in gene.
raj, and the ungenial atmosphere of
stern matter-of-fact world, end by making
display which is either ptiabe or absurd or
both. Grand enterprises and noble aims thus
meet with most terrible fails. The motive may
have been magnificent; but what is the result?
Abstractedly considered, no position or purpose
can be finer than those of the teacher who
regards it az his peculiar mission to denounce
every phase oil heresy or error, and to inculcate
at every opportunity the saving principles of
truth. But sublime principles demand no ordi-
nary exponent. What Socrates or st. Paul may
have done with great effect, is somewhat feebly
performed by a youthful though enthusiastic
curate. Judicious anathematizing goes, it is
true, long way; but unfortunately a sub
stratum OF argument is needed as well. Again,
what nobler iueal can there be than the self
denying hero who Systematically mortihes the
grosser parts OF his nature in orOer that his
highest and most spiritual organs may be free
from Carnal lets and hindrances in the
perform ance of their proper functions! And yet
the sight OF an emaclated ecclesiastic who, in
the recesses of some sump tuous saloon, delights
80 dwell upon the beauties of Gregorian cnants,
upon the charms OF vcstmentS aud stoles, and
upon Easter or Christmas decorations before a
select female audience, is not exactly calculated
to inspire emotions of the purest and most un-
mixed veneratlon. 1t Is doubtless very noble
Thing to win the applause OF gentle and appre-
ciative SEX to be considered Exceedingly NICE"
and to know that in Lent, at any rate, one has
the reputation o. being so conscientious to
carry ones creed too far tor ones physical
welfare, to be convinced that one is the spiritual
physician of countless feminine souls, and to
md rich reward in a bounteous supply of
beautifully worked slippers and languishing
smiles. But to the proane male observer there
is something bordering upon the iaUghable even
in the mission OF the 'petparson." In the same
way, an endeavor to realize the coutemplative
life which Aristotle has described as so godlike
and grand, to live purely for the beatitudes of
intellectual rapture, unruffied by ordinary emo
tions. and careless of worldly prosperity, is as
lofty as anything that could be wished. Unfor-
tunately the external evidences of such an eX
istence are apt to be strangely tinged with the
ludcroue. The old Story OF Sir Isaac Newton
sitting all night with one boot Off lost IN the
effort to solve some abtruse astronomical pro-
blem, or OF the lover who in a moment of phi
losophical abstraction so far forgot himself as
TO make u tobacco stopper OF the fair ones
finger, ought OF course to fill the hearers mind
with sentiments of profound veneraton. AS
matter of TACT, however, irreverent humanity
has tendency to smile at such anecdotes. IL
is the fault of humanity; but it is to be feared
that the error is irradicabe. We may mention
few instances of The weak side in cases i'll
which the consideration or the intrinsic merit
and nobleness is captivating enough. Among
the various methods that have been pro-
posed for the investigation of historical fact is
one waich endeavors to assign TO every i'm
portant event some distinct cause. Wars which
have changed the fate OF nations are thus
referred to apparently insignificant motives of
action-the caprice of a king, a courter, or a
mistress. Obviously there may be occasions in
which this method IS attended with extreme
\ utility; but at times it can become absurd. 81
le ez de CleOpdtre eut etc tS court tOlae la face
de Ia te1Ye G1rQH change AMI as the destiny of
the world is here made to depend upon the nose
of Cleopatra would the advocates of this
method of treatment represent certain curtain
lecture which King Darius received from his
vile as the real origin of the wars between Per-
sia and Greece, which form no unimportant
epoch in the history of the world. Further
following out THESE principles, we shall arrive
at the basest conceivable form of her )worship,
and with certain kind OF heroworship we
have to deal.
There has been great attraction to mankind
at all ages, in fixing upon some one person as
the representative and guider OF society; and in
speaking of opinions and principles, whose
growth has been slow and gradual, as the pro.
ducts of the lifetime OF an individual, and the
immediate fruits of his solitary influence. 1t
does not need much reflection to perceive
whittier such views are likely to tend. The
hero himself possessing such paramount weight
upon events In general, everything that he does,
or says, or thinks, win be suffused with Ger
ordinary human being, but a kind of god, who
can, by the nodding of his head or the
turning OF his little finger, affect the char
acter of whole centuries to come. What he
wears what he eats his sleeping and
his waking hours his walks, his wife, his
chidren-all these Will be legitimate subjects OF
interest and inquiry. Curious crowds will gaze
at him in the streets, photographers will suppli-
cate for a sitting. the Arabs of the town will
desire to touch even the hem of the garment OF
the great man. There are peculiar penalties
attached to the possession of greatness, and to
all these he must patiently submit. When
abroad he will occupy somewhat similar posi-
ton to that OF the newly imported and Gagged
wild beast, with this essential distinctlon-that
while we may fairly believe the dumb animal
TO be insensibe to these attentions, the human
hero is, like common mankind, sensible tC
discomforts and Inconvenience. His house will
be sort of curiosity shop. The appearance o.
step will be diligently studied. 1t is needless
TO say that an inundation OF letters requesting
autographs or perhaps advice Will be forever
streaming in upon him. His only solitude viii
be some chamber fastened with bolts and bars
and inaccessible to the human eye. The glare
of day he must If he wishes for peace, eschew,
and, like the present Laureate, and other
celebrities. take his walks abroad at night
Even after such life, death can hardly be said Il
end his earthly troubles; memoirs, biographies
and "reminiscences, hdeous distortions OF reality
willissue in rapid succession from the press Full
some adulauon will come from the pen OF the jour
nalis and the lips of the preacher. Speculation
will be entered upon as to the probable salvation
of the great mans soul; and the question of IN
eternal misery or bliss will form the title o
sensation sermons. deep and secret signif
canoe will be discovered In every trivial act o
or did must not be interpreted in the SAM
manner that would be permissible IN the case q