Studies in the Psychology of Woman (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1899. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... chapter vii seekers There is a popular belief that in our times it is exceedingly easy for hidden talent to win to light and play a leading part. This must be conceded in regard to those gifts which are not connected with an intense inner life. Whoever discovers a new incandescent lamp, suggests a new method of exploiting his fellow-men, visits and opens up to culture the North Pole, --so exceedingly useful and signifying so much to material and mental welfare of mankind, --or provides our standing armies with new tools of murder for the preservation of international peace, --for him, the requisite means and consequent honours and distinctions will not be wanting. If we look at the intellectual leaders of this century, we may divide them into four groups, parallel to the divisions of modern industrial life: those who have become insolvent, those who have liquidated their debts, those who after some losses have withdrawn creditably upon their reserve, and those who have fraudulently obtained importance and respect. But none, not one, has left his offspring wherewithal to build further. There is no inheritance from the fathers for the minds and hearts of the children, nor footing in our century for the growing generation. Each must to-day begin afresh, each enter life as a beggar; and it is pure accident with what kind of rags and tatters from all periods and civilisations he clothes his mind, or upon which of the margarines so stormily recommended in literature and the press he nourishes his soul. The broken curve is the mark of our century; it is an ending place, an offshoot, a margarine century, which cheats its hunger with warmedover, freshly-garnished scraps and crumbs, and stares out into the void, tired and ill. We have only to look at the "intellectual lights...