VENVOI IENTERTAIN small doubts that the pages of my Early Reminiscences will rouse reprobation in many; but it must be considered that it is a frank record, inter alia, of the formation of my mind and character. As Tranto says in Mostellaria : " Simul flare sorbereque haud facile." In childhood and early youth prejudices are strong and are vigorously expressed. It is only after they have been exhaled that ensues the period of inhalation of truths and the formation of convictions. As we grow older prejudices get softened down, emousses as the French would say. Be it remembered that in these chapters is given the record of no more than the first thirty years of my life, the period of ^halation of antipathies, and the beginning of mhalation of that which settled into convictions. These chapters contain a jumble of unconnected incidents, reflections, and observations that occurred or which were made in a transition period. I make no pretence to be a metaphysician, a philosopher, a scholar, a scientist, to be regarded in any way as a teacher. The nurse in the Medcea of Euripides remarks on the advantage that an individual possesses in the occupation of a mediocre position in society ; the same advantage pertains to the man of mediocre acquirements. He cannot impose upon any of his fellows, but on a level with them he may observe and learn from them. The mediocre man may be Jack of all trades and master of none, and yet be of use to his generation. In the Landes of South-Western France all the inhabitants walk upon stilts. Happily with us it is only the few who stalk on intellectual stilts, and tower above the heads of their fellows, and can with conscious superiority pat the crowns of their inferiors. Some of my readers, if I have any, may complain of my egoism, but one who writes his reminiscences must talk of himself; 342
