THE DANGER OF THE AGE.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2163, 9 December 1875, Page 2

THE DANGER OF THE AGE.

I suppose that if we could get at the full record of the Assyrian consciousness in the times of the greatest material splendour of the nation, wo should find that they were quite confident that they were the greatest people in the world by virtue of their riches, their luxury, their numbers ; yet how oasily were they destroyed by a people of higher intelligence! Now, when it is held that railroads, telegraphs, and weather reports constitute & beatific state, it seems to me that we are as much mistaken as the Assyrians were. What connection exists between railways and good conduct? or bstween telegraphs and national probity? I hope I do not seem to undervalue great inventions ; but I would suggest that honesty is in no sense superseded by inventions, nor intelligence by the weather reports. The inventors have not shown us yet how to elevate character by mean of a steam lift; noivare any of the virtues, I believe, fostered by the perforating telegraph. Yet people rely upon these things ; they put aside the remark that they are essentially a failure as yet, so far as the more valuable results are concerned, and call it discontent or dilettantism, or tho "anti-patriotic reaction." It is neither; it is a much more serious thing; it is a warning not to neglect the spirit of civilization during this era in which T^aresq taken up with its forms.—From T!&s»t>*and Student" in August Galaxy.