The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1911. KNOWLEDGE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 52, 16 October 1911, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1911. KNOWLEDGE.

The present times are, without doubt, distinguished for the diffusion of knowledge amongst all ranks. Whatever may be the advantages which ive are already reaping from the progress of enlightenment, it is not to be expected that so great a change should be altogether free from the inconveniences and evils which seem necessarily to attend all changes. At least this is the very rational view expressed by a leading authority, who further asserts that the consistent upholder of things as they are, to tho exclusion of all alterations, is wont to enumerate evils arising from the increasing spread of knowledge, sufficient in his estimation far to all its advantages. It is the part of the prudent and judicious advocate of, improvement seriously to consider such inconveniences as may arise, and carefully to provide for their mitigation at least, if they do not admit of prevention. Of the numerous evils alleged as consequences of medern attempts to spread abroad these stores of information hitherto appropriated by the few, one of most serious and best worthy of consideration, appears to ho the supposed superficial character of modern, as contrasted with ancient, knowledge. Referring to this aspect the writer alluded to says :—Jn our desire to extend our acquaintance with science in all its departments wo are said to leave diem all complete, thoroughly mastering none; as the stream of knowledge is diffused it is maintained that it loses its depth. In considering this subject it is desirable to keep in iow the principle that there are two objects to lie pursued in relation to tho cultivation of knowledge—the diffusion, as widely as possible, of tho rtores of information already am assid, and the acquisition of still further stores, by the diligent working >f the veins already opened, and the irdent search after the yet hidden treasures of science. Each of these ibjects is good and great; the one ‘oncorus all men, of whatever station >r capacity, for general information • s now expected from all, tho other more directly interests the few whoso talents and leisure seem to paint them out for the hnnouied instruments of the advancement of science, though, as will ho shown, the many may lend an humble but effectual aid to the great work. Is there, then any

natural or necessary incompatibility between these two objects? In the case of the uninformed of riper years, the vanity arising from the sudden acquisition of the superacial knowledge, is perhaps a more serious evil, and far more difficult to counteract. Yet, in persons of all ages, there can be no doubt winch character to prefer—that of the inquirer with his mind awakened to the charms of knowledge, though his attainments he superficial, and his heart elated with vanity—or that of the hopelessly ignorant, walking

blindfold through creation, heedless of wonders by which he is surrounded. If in the attempt to substitute knowledge for ignorance throughout the mass of mankind we encounter such evils, creating here and there faults akin to virtues, this is no solid ground of discouragement, especially when wo remember that in their very nature such evils are but temporary.