, 1875-06-23
I M P O G E.
Translated from the Danish /" 0ieblikksts rotografer")
(dy o. ~

If we men were all Of us frank and straight.
forward if we were to give our opinion right
out and honestly to acknowledge when we
have or can have no opinion; if with genuine
l~iberality we were willing and ready TO allow
opinions that are opposed to our own, and to
discuss matters quietly and dispassionately
with our opponents, knowing that even if we
chance to be paschas of any given number of
horseta}s, we are therefore not the more
identified with truth ;-if we were to act in
that way, the world would be far more tire.
some than it is now with all its gigantic and
microscopic humbug. In all stages of society
a perpetual struggle is going on to get up in
the world, and to obtain those things which
in the worlds eyes are the only ones worth
possessing, viz: riches, honour and power.
We even see persons, who otherwise seem to
us to be of limited abilities, manifesting an
admirably sure tact and exquisitely fine instinct
in i~nventing new weapons, and in applying
peculiar tactics suited to the existing circum-
stances, TO get up and to come into notice.
Stratagem and force, intrigue and tyranny,
are some Of the formidable and dangerous
weapons employed in the struggle; among
the more innocent IS Self importance.
SelfImportance is a gift from Natures hand.
There are men who never can become impor-
tant, either because their modesty makes them
~Tetioent and reserved, or because their innate
regard for truth makes them too frank and
open, or because they lack that versatility Of
mind which Importance requires, or, finally,
because the whole thing is SO transparent to
them, that they have no mind to play a part
in the farce.
There is one excellent, and in fact it is the
most excellent feature connected with Impor-
lance, namely that it charms and incites {:
it is impossible to turn our eyes from it; it
tempts us to pour oil on the Aames,' so that
they may flare up the higher; we &afs< round,
as it were, to view it from all sides oftentimes
we feel inclined TO have a sort of war-danca
around it.
The Importance displayed by The Learned is
without a doubt as ancient as Learning. itself;
at all events traces Of it may be noticed in
very venerable ages back. For those whose
life and occupation are rot connected with
Science, it is Of course Impossible to distinguish
true science from that which is merely a sort
of scientific humbug but we need NOT, from
that reason, whenever We hear used a term,
or q lame, or an idea, that is new to rs, or
that appears to belong somewhere in the re-
gions of "Adracada6yatSm, P" at once to allow
ourselves TO be imposed upon, and to ascribe
scientific requirements to the party introducing
it very likely, the person knows nothing more
about the thing in question than We ourselves ;
perhaps he had just all hour ago read a few lines
on the subject in some Encyclopaedia or other
Every person possessing the least knowledge
of science, is aware that the great problem
consists in rendering the intricate clear and
comprehensive to all in bringing whatever is
difficult within easy access of all in~tellects !;
technical terms are to a great extent just
as many acknowledgements that the subject
in hands is as yet not sufficiently prepared. It
is indeed laughable to se9 man putting up
quite another face when engaged in the consid-
GRAFTON of a scientific problem, from that which
he puts up when occupied at the breakfast
table; for, every subject that can be compre-
hended by human intellect, may be explained
in an easy comprehensive manner, without
making a bubbub and without sounding the
trumpet. If this were more generally felt and
acknowledged, a twofold benefit would be Sc
cured: the learned Importance would disap-
pear, and the unfortunate difference observed
between scientific and popular teaching would
gradually be removed. The present system Of
popular teaching breaks off the points Of the pen
and writes with the stump; but this is mall
treating science. Whoever wishes to study
the sciences, that is, TO learn some of the many
hidden truths, must make up his mind to have
a little Inconvenience this is not expecting
too much. The person who will have no
trouble for that purpose, but wants ~eternally
to be served with b%onbons, sweetmeats, spiced
chocolates etc., deserves to remain outside the
pale of science. No, science should always be
impaired clearly and intslligibly, but stringent