nything of
_Ardath_, which is not probable, since you forget the writer, you may
recall that in his wanderings through the city, Al-Kyris, Theos meets
Mira-Khabur, the Professor of Positivism. The description of this
meeting, and the conversation between the men is admirable, as a
satire upon the claims of the scientists. Let me read to you one of
the Professor's speeches. Theos has said:

"Then the upshot of all your learning sir, is that one can
never be quite certain of anything?"

"Exactly so!" replied the pensive sage, with a grave shake of
the head. "Judged by the very finest lines of metaphysical
argument you cannot really be sure whether you behold in me a
Person, or a Phantasm! You _think_ you see me,--I _think_ I
see you,--but after all it is only an _impression_ mutually
shared--an impression which, like many another less distinct,
may be entirely erroneous! Ah, my dear young sir! education
is advancing at a very rapid rate, and the art of close
analysis is reaching such a pitch of perfection, that I
believe we shall soon be able logically to prove, not only
that we do not actually exist, but, moreover, that we never
have existed."

"What have you to say to that?" asked Agnes closing the book, but
keeping one finger between the leaves, to mark the place.

"Why," said Leon, smiling, "that it is a very clever paragraph, and
recalls to my mind the whole scene. I think that, later, this same
Professor of Positivism declares that the only thing he is positive
of, is the 'un-positiveness of Positivism!'"

"Ah! Then you do remember some of the novel. That is a hopeful sign
for novelists, I am sure. But, jesting aside, you have not defended
your pet hobby, science, from the charge brought against her!"

"If you wish me to take you seriously, then of course I must do so.
What you have read, is clever, but not necessarily true. It is good in
its place, and as used by the author. It typifies the character of the
man, from whose mouth the words escape. But, in doing this, it shows
us that he is merely the disciple of a school which depends for its
existence upon bombast rather than true knowledge; upon sophistical
cloudiness of expression rather than upon logical arguments, based
upon reason and fact."

"Ah! Now I have you back to your first statement, that science deals
with facts. But is it not true, that by your logical arguments various
a