New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-10
READING THE FUTURE.
Omr Inability To DO So Erasperatcs
Some People.

1t is in certain respects quite incomprehensibIe
that should not know the future, says Maurice
Maeterinck in 'The Fortnightly Review PROD
ably mere nothing. the displacement of a cere-
bral lobe the resettirg of Broca's convolution in
different manner. the addition OF slender network
of nerves to those which form our consciousness
any of these would be enough to make the
future unfold itself before with the same clear
ness the same jestic amplitude. that with
which the past is displayed the horizon. not
only OF individual life, but also of the life OF
the species which belong A singular IN
trinity. curious limitation of our intellect. causes
not to know what is going TO happen to us.
when are fully aware of what has befallen u.s.
From the absolute point of view to which our
ina gnation succeeds in rising, although 1t cannot
live there there is no reason why we should not
that which does not yet exist, considering that
that which does not yet exist in it's relation TO US
must necessarily have it's being already and mani
fest itself somewhere If not. il would have to De
said that, where Time is concerned. We form the
centre of the world that are the only witnesses
for whom events wait so that they may have the
right appear and to count in the eternal history
of causes aud effects. Il would be absurd to
this for time it would be for space, that
other not quite incomprehensible form of the
twofold infinite mystery in which our whole life
floats.
SPACE is more familiar to US because the acct
dents of organism place more directly in re-
iation with it, and make it more concrete. We
can move in it pretty freely, in certain number
OF directions before ana DeHinu US mat - why
no traveller would take it into his head to main
tain that the towns which he has not yet visited
Will become real only at the moment when he sets
his foot within their walls Yet this is very
nearly what do when We persuade ourselves
that an event which has not yet happened does not
yet exist.
can conceive that not qualified to know
beforehand the disturbances of the elements. the
destiny of the planets. of the EARTH of empires.
peoples and races. All this does not touch us d.
rectly, and we know 1t in the past thanks only TO
the articles of history But that which regards
u.s. that which is within reach. that which is
to unfold itself within the little sphere OF years.
secretion Of spiritual organism, that envelops
us in time, even the shell or the cocoon en-
velops the mousk the insect in space; that, TO-
sether with all the external events relating 70 H. Is
probably recorded in that sphere. In any case, II
would be much natural that it were so record
ed than comprehensive that it be not Tnere
we have realities struggling with an Illusion; and
there is nothing TO prevent us from believing that
here as elsewhere. realities will end by overcoming
illusion. Realities what will happen TO US.
having already happened N the history that over
hangs own, the motionless and superhuman
history of the universe. Illusion is the Opaque
veil woven with the ephemeral threads called yes
terday. to-day and tomorrow, which we EN-
broider on those realities. But it is not indis-
Densable that our existence should continue the
eternal dupe of that Illusion. We may even ask
ourselves whether extraordinary unftness Tor
knowing 4 thing so simple, 50 iHcOhtcSldOle' 81
perfect and necessary as the future would not
form one of the greatest subjects for establishment
to an inhabitant of another star who should
visit
To-day all this appears to profoundly i'm
possible that find it difficult to imagine how
the certain reality the future world would re-
flute the objections which make to it in the
name of the organic illusion of minds We
say TO it, for instance: If. at the moment Of I'M
dertaking an affair, we could know that its out
come would be unfortunate. should not under
take it; and since it must be written somewhere,
in time, before question has been put. that
the affair will not take place seeing that aban
don it, could not, therefore, foresee the out
come of that which will have no beginning.
So as not to lose ourselves in this road which
would lead whittier nothing calls u.s. it will be
enough for to say that the future. like all that
exists is probably more coherent and more logical
hesitations and uncertainties are included in its
Moreover we must not believe that the march OF
events would be completely upset il we knew il be-
forehand. First. only they would know the future.
to learn Ii; even as only they know the past or a
pa1t of their own present. who have the courage
quickly accommodate ourselves to the lessons OF
this new science, even as we have aeeommodat,
make allowance for the evils which We
could not escape and for inevitable evils. The
the total of the latter: and the others would
meet them half way. even as now they to
told The amount of our vexations would be
somewhat decreased. but less than hope; for
of our future il not with the material evidence
that dream of. at least with moral certainty
aiortv Of men derive hardy any prot from this
easy foreknowledge Such men would neglect the
out following IL. the advice of the past
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