to it only, and loyally make it ruler over them,--yes, he were
the living epitome of all Editors, Teachers, Prophets, that
now teach and prophesy; he were an _Apollo_-Morrison, a
Trismegistus! and _effective_ Cassandra! Let no Able Editor hope
such things. It is to be expected the present laws of copyright,
rate of reward per sheet, and other considerations, will save him
from that peril. Let no Editor hope such things: no;--and yet
let all Editors aim towards such things, and even towards such
alone! One knows not what the meaning of editing and writing is,
if even this be not it.

Enough, to the present Editor it has seemed possible some
glimmering of light, for here and there a human soul, might lie
in these confused Paper-Masses now intrusted to him; wherefore
he determines to edit the same. Out of old Books, new Writings,
and much Meditation not of yesterday, he will endeavour to select
a thing or two; and from the Past, in a circuitous way,
illustrate the Present and the Future. The Past is a dim
indubitable fact: the Future too is one, only dimmer; nay
properly it is the same fact in new dress and development. For
the Present holds in it both the whole Past and the whole
Future;--as the LIFE-TREE IGDRASIL, wide-waving, many-toned, has
its roots down deep in the Death-kingdoms, among the oldest dead
dust of men, and with its boughs reaches always beyond the stars;
and in all times and places is one and the same Life-tree!




Book II--The Ancient Monk