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life. Let the coming generations not be obliged to excavate buried cities that they may learn what was tbe social and domestic life of our own times.
But let us not think that all the noble deeds unknown to fame are useless. The great multitude of men and women, who, although hidden away in paths obscure and plain, have faithfully performed their part in life, have not lived in vain. There is a certain reward in noble living. The genius of the scholar or writer brings a greater satisfaction than the praises of his admirers. The talented artist finds in his art a delight far superior to the pleasure furnished by admiring critics. But aside from the pleasure and profit which comes to those who, unknown, perform their part and make the history of ages, their influence is great. The circumstances which have most influence on the happiness of mankind are for the most part noiseless revolutions. Their progress is rarely indicated by what
historians would call important events. The influence of a noble deed is never lost. Just as the acts and spirit of a person's former years are not lost but are represented in the face and habits, so the past genius, heroism and patriotic devotedness are woven into the structure of a people, giving it character. Emerson has said, "Every ship that comes to America got its chart from Columbus; every novel is a debtor to Homer; every carpenter who shaves with a fore-plane borrows the genius of a forgotten inventor. Life is girt all round with a zodiac of science, the contributions of men who have perished to add their point of light to our sky."
"And nothing is lost, though hidden,
That springs from heroic seed;
In the larger course and the higher force That are adopted from a single deed The environment of a mass of men, May brighten and spread apace, 'Till the deeds shall throng all paths along To the glory of all the race."
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The lives and fortunes of men are as different as their faces, no two destinies being exactly the same. In most parts of the world men are now born free but not equal. To each as his birthright comes that individuality or lack of individuality which largely determines his future career. No communistic theory can alter the fact that some men will rule their fellows by superiority, mental, moral, or physical, for good or evil. This inequality has puzzled and troubled many philosophers and philanthropists, but the subject has a brighter side. Upon slow investigation it is evident that the advantages and disadvantages of different individuals are very evenly balanced and, generally speaking, apparent disadvantages are not without their compensation. The inequality
is not as great as we imagine. We depreciate our own opportunities; through green spectacles of envy we look out upon the lives of those around us; we are misled by appearances and often see only the glitter and tinsel of another's existence.
Very few, had they the opportunity, would exchange lots with those whom they are perhaps inclined to envy. Almost every one has some part of his life which he would not consent to lose, only a memory worthless to all but himself; an unfulfilled, never to be fulfilled ambition, which he does not wish to give up; some duty irksome at first but now grown pleasant. The happy possessor of youth and health desires wealth, fame, or power, but he would not exchange his own life for the life of any one of those