That we will not be at the trouble of
looking at things for ourselves if we can get anyone to tell us what
we ought to see goes without saying, and it is the business of
schools and universities to assist us in this respect. The theory
of evolution teaches that any power not worked at pretty high
pressure will deteriorate: originality and freedom from affectation
are all very well in their way, but we can easily have too much of
them, and it is better that none should be either original or free
from cant but those who insist on being so, no matter what
hindrances obstruct, nor what incentives are offered them to see
things through the regulation medium. To insist on seeing things
for oneself is to be an [Greek], or in plain English, an idiot; nor
do I see any safer check against general vigour and clearness of
thought, with consequent terseness of expression, than that provided
by the curricula of our universities and schools of public
instruction. If a young man, in spite of every effort to fit him
with blinkers, will insist on getting rid of them, he must do so at
his own risk.
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