Matthew Arnold, Civilization in the United States: First and Last Impressions of America.

[170] or equality, or by reason of its numerous churches, schools, libraries, and newspapers. But there is something in human nature, some instinct of growth, some law of perfection, which rebels against this narrow account of the matter. And perhaps what human nature demands in civilization, over and above all those obvious things which first occur to our thoughts,--what human nature, I say, demands in civilization, if it is to stand as a high and satisfying civilization, is best described by the word interesting. Here is the extraordinary charm of the old Greek civilization: that it is so interesting. Do not tell me only, says human nature, of the magnitude of your industry and commerce; of the beneficence of your institutions, your freedom, your equality; of the great and growing number of your churches and schools, libraries and newpapers ; tell me also if your civilization — which is the grand name you give to all this development — tell me if your civilization is interesting.

An American friend of mine, Professor Norton, has lately published the early letters of Carlyle. If any one wants a good antidote to the unpleasant effect left by Mr. Froude's “Life of Carlyle,” let him read those letters. Not only of Carlyle will those letters make him