is so busy over (many of which I think are not very worthy of its
trouble), art will begin to grow again; as for those difficulties
above mentioned, some of them I know will in any case melt away
before the steady change of the relative conditions of men; the
rest, reason and resolute attention to the laws of nature, which are
also the laws of art, will dispose of little by little: once more,
the way will not be far to seek, if the will be with us.

Yet, granted the will, and though the way lies ready to us, we must
not be discouraged if the journey seem barren enough at first, nay,
not even if things seem to grow worse for a while: for it is
natural enough that the very evil which has forced on the beginning
of reform should look uglier, while on the one hand life and wisdom
are building up the new, and on the other folly and deadness are
hugging the old to them.

In this, as in all other matters, lapse of time will be needed
before things seem to straighten, and the courage and patience that
does not despise small things lying ready to be done; and care and
watchfulness, lest we begin to build the wall ere the footings are
well in; and always through all things much humility that is not
easily cast down by failure, that seeks to be taught, and is ready
to learn.

For your teachers, they must be Nature and History: as for the
first, that you must learn of it is so obvious that I need not dwell
upon that now: hereafter, when I have to speak more of matters of
detail, I may have to speak of the manner in which you must learn of
Nature. As to the second, I do not think that any man but one of
the highest genius, could do anything in these days without much