NSTER ABBEY 1
II. THE STAGE AS IT WAS ONCE 32
III. THE FIRST DISCOVERY OF AMERICA 65
IV. THE SERVANT OF THE LORD 98
V. ANCIENT CIVILISATION 125

LECTURE I.
WESTMINSTER ABBEY.

Reverence for age, at least so it has long seemed to me, reverence for
age, I say, is a fair test of the vigour of youth; and, conversely,
insolence toward the old and the past, whether in individuals or in
nations, is a sign rather of weakness than of strength. And the cause, I
think, is this. The rich and strong young natures, which feel themselves
capable of original thought and work, have a corresponding respect for
those who, in the generations gone by, have thought and worked as they
hope to do hereafter. And this temper, understand me, so far from being
servile, or even merely conservative, usually accompanies true
independence of spirit. The young athlete, like the young race-horse,
does not despise, but emulate, his sire; even though the old victor be
long past his prime. The young soldier admires the old general; the
young midshipman the old admiral, just in proportion as he himself is
likely to be a daring and able officer hereafter. The son, when grown to
man's estate, may say to his father, I look on you still with all respect
and admiration. I have learnt, and desire always, to learn from you.
But you must be to me now, not a dictator, but an example. You became
what you are by following your own line; and you must let me rival you,
and do you honour, by following mine.

This, I believe, is true of nations as well as of individuals. I do not
hesitate to say that, paradoxical as it may seem, the most original
races--those who have succeeded best and left their stamp most broadly
and permanently on the human race--have also been the most teachable,
provided they were allowed to learn in their own way and to adapt to
their own purposes any higher ancient civilisation with which they came
in contact. What more striking instances of this truth--for truth it
is--than the reverence of the free Republican Greek for the old despotic
civilisation of Egypt? and of the free Norseman, our own ancestor, for
the old and equally despotic civilisation of Rome?

These--the two most originative and most progressive races of Europe--had
a faith in, an awe of, the supposed or real wisdom of the men of old
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