All countries at all times require, and England perhaps at present not less than others, men having a faith at once distinct and large, the expression of what is best in their time, and having also the courage to proclaim it, and take their stand upon it. Many a one there is among us, prompted by the blind fire of feeling and the blast of conscience, who adopts fervently, even fiercely, some mode or fragment of an old creed, pushes it to all extremes, presses it on all hearers, and exhibits all the vehemence and self-reliance of a prophet, but one to whom clear vision is wanting. For where the general insight and elevation necessary in our day for an adequate view of man, exist, there must the difficulties be most keenly

felt which lie in the way of any recognized tradition, or render it at least insufficient. Knowledge, without belief, and belief without knowledge, divide in the main the English world between them. The apparent exceptions are generally cases of compromise, when men are content to half-believe one thing and half say another; for a whole belief would demand its own complete expression. And in the repeating by rote, for the sake of quiet, of popular creeds and formulas, the sense of discontent and doubt which lurks in the heart asserts itself by stammering and reluctant sighs or sneers. Semi-sincere persuasions, and semicandid declarations, make up our limbo of public opinion. There is often, perhaps most often, heart in the words; but often too-how often who dare ask? within the heart a lie.