按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Had he companioned Columbus； he would not have been one of those who murmured and besought the great Admiral to turn back； but would have counseled； 〃On！ On！ It is of little matter whether any one man fails or succeeds； but the cause shall not fail； for it is the cause of mankind。〃 I can see him with the voyageurs of New France； exploring the Canadian Wilderness； and the rivers and forests of the North west。 I can see him with Lasalle； beaming with exultation as they looked on the waters of the Mississippi； and I can think of no battle for man's welfare in which he would not have felt at home。 But he would have taken equal； perhaps greater； delight in meeting the authors； sages； and statesmen； whose words were his daily joy； and whose deeds were his study and incentive。 I can hear him question Thucydides for further details as to the collapse of the Athenians at Syracuse； or cross…examine Herodotus for information of some of his incredible but fascinating stories。 What hours he would have spent in confabulation with Gibbon！ What secrets he would have learned； without asking questions； from Napoleon and Cavour！
His interest embraced them all； some of them he could have taught； many of them would have welcomed him as their peer。 As he mixed with high and low in his lifetime； so would it have been in the past； and so will it be in the future； if he has gone into a world where personal identity continues； and the spiritual standards and ideals of this world persist。 But yesterday； he seemed one who embodied Life to the utmost。 With the assured step of one whom nothing can frighten or surprise； he walked our earth； as on granite。 Suddenly； the granite grew more unsubstantial than a bubble； and he dropped beyond sight into the Eternal Silence。 Happy we who had such a friend！ Happy the American Republic which bore such a son！
THE END