International Archaeology

Extract

A Reflective mind can hardly look upon the present world without feeling considerable apprehension. The tumult and turmoil of the last decade still have their reactions, and progress towards stability and sanity is painfully slow. Nor is this all. The aims and ideals that seem to possess or obsess the minds of nearly all classes in these disturbing days are pitifully low and entirely wanting in dignity. All the countries of the world would seem to be infected with the same want of idealism, and the peoples to possess no ambition outside of sheer materialism. Our own country is in this respect not markedly different from others, though our racial temperament has considerable effect on its external manifestations. At no time in our past history have material conditions been so favourable as they now are, and this in spite of the deep reaching disturbances of recent years. And yet the cry, as much in England as elsewhere, is on all sides for yet further advantages on the material side, and hardly a voice is raised to point out that contentment of soul lies in another direction, and that in wealth alone no real satisfaction can be found. There is nothing of novelty in this statement, but I speak of it because never in my time has there been a demand so entirely unashamed and ignoring so completely the needs of man's spiritual and intellectual sides. The newspapers, the majority of them pitifully partisan, preach this same gospel of materialism, pointing this way or that in deference to their political colour, but sedulously ignoring all human demands except for food, clothing, and amusement. much from politicians, and truly one gets little.