ABSTRACT

THE nineteenth century, shortly characterized, can be seen as a time of shattered structures, of centrifugal forces, of sharp contrasts in immediate juxtaposition. The various parts of mental and spiritual life that had, until the nineteenth century, been united in one, even if weakening tradition, now began to diverge, to become independent of one another; and each in its own field faced so glorious and yet so formidable an expansion that it was no longer possible for workers in one field to follow developments in others. This expansion was peculiarly glorious in that its possibilities seemed infinite, surpassing all hitherto known forms of adventure; and peculiarly formidable because bridges had to be burnt, the human personality in its ancient harmonious conception to be discarded, and a complete surrender made to the immense richness of the fields of knowledge that were being explored.