New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-25

OUR ETERNITY. BY Maurice MS TefY
linck Translated by Alexanaeer r ieIAS
EZRA de Mattos l2mo, PIP. ZoS. Douu'
Mead & CO.
Since the abyss beyond death is for
us moderns, void Of all the dreams
with which our fathers peopled IL, our
concern, says Nj. Maeterlinck, is only
TO learn whether the unknown lot
which we are bound is dreadful or not
On the way TO the welcome conclusion
that we need not fear what another lie
lay reveal we are invited by our au-
thor TO the review of four imaginable
solutions of the riddle of futurity The
number would be larger If religious eN-
plantations were included. They are ig-
nored because they occupy citadel
into which human reason does not
penetrate. With this simplifying limi-
tation we proceed to assess the con-
ceivable notions Of the hereafter under
the following heads: Total annihilation'
survival with our consciousness OF to-
day. survival without any sort OF con-
seriousness: lastly. survival in the uni
versal consciousness, or with con-
seriousness different from that which
I'VE possess in this world. 1t is with the
kourth solution that NJ. Maeterlinck
seems most in sympathy. 1t should be
pointed out that, while the five chap
tiers given to theosophical and neospir-
itualistic theories are new material, the
remaining chapters Of the book are
substantially revised translation and
an extension of the essay on Death,
published as a separate work in 1911.
The idea of total humiliation is 10
our author the least satisfying of So
lutions Neither a body nor a thought
can drop out of the universe, and 1t is
contrary to our reason to conceive
nothingness. Survival without any
consciousness would be tantamount to
humiliation, though il would be pref
cradle. The ego would still be there
though unconscious. Without belit-
ting the beauty of NJ. Maeterlincks
sentiment it might be open to the
simple student to insist that an uncon-
might not be lost as object, yet it
would be totally annihilated as sub
ject. And would not the delicate dis
tinction between humiliation and sur
vival without consciousness be negli-
gible in the case Of the sleeper that
neither dreamed nor awaked?
Although furnishing no key to unlock
the mystery of existence after death,
both theosophy and spiritualism have
offered testimony worthy OF respectful
attention. On the spiritualistic side it
has been possible particularly since the
rise Of the Society for Psychical Re-
search, 10 make methodical and strict
study of numerous cases of superior
NAL psychology and sensibility. The
investigation. originally conducted by
Edmund Quincy, f. w. II. Myers and
Frank Podmore, and continued by their
successors. must be looked upon, says
NJ. Maeterlinck, as a masterpiece OF
scientific patience and Conscientious
ness. Turning TO the published pro-
ceedings and TO the journal of the So
ciety for Psychical Research, our author
cites instances of apparitiOns of de-
ceased persons and Of communications
with the dead. cases that profoundly
impressed and almost convinced" such
men as Sir Oliver Lodge and the late
William James. If, after going through
the evidence in some hundreds Of
manifestations" NJ. Maeterlinck pre-
fers TO ascribe to telepathy what others
might ascribe TO discarnate spirits.
that is because he is for staying in our
own world as long as il gives us a
foothold, as long as we are not pitt
lessly expelled from it by series Of
irresistible and irrefutable facts issuing
from the adjoining abyss. Moreover
he is affronted by the quality Of the
communications so far vouchsafed as
from the other side. Why. he asks
90 the spirits come back with empty
hands and empty words? He continues:
OF what use is il to die, IL all lifes trivi-
alities continue? is il really worth while
TO have passed through the terrifying
gorges which open on the eternal fields,
IN OrQeT 10 remember tndl We ndu Il
great-uncle called Peter, and that our
Cousin Paul was afflicted with varicose
veins and a gastric complaint? At that
rate. / should choose for those whom l
love the august and frozen solitudes of
the everlasting nothing.
The world-old doctrine Of the trans
migration Of souls is itself finding re-
incarnation in our day. and NJ. Maeter-
linck regrets that the arguments of the
theosophists are not compelling; for
juster. a Iurer, more moral, fruitful