ical delusion. We must be
grateful if the philosopher uses exquisite language and writes in a
style which abounds in living images. These are rare qualities. But
let us avoid being duped by a show of printed matter: these unannotated
pages are supported by positive science submitted to the most minute
inspection. One day, in 1901, at the French Philosophical Society, Mr
Bergson related the genesis of "Matter and Memory".

"Twelve years or so before its appearance, I had set myself the
following problem: 'What would be the teaching of the physiology and
pathology of today upon the ancient question of the connection between
physical and moral to an unprejudiced mind, determined to forget all
speculation in which it has indulged on this point, determined also to
neglect, in the enunciations of philosophers, all that is not pure and
simple statement of fact?' I set myself to solve the problem, and I
very soon perceived that the question was susceptible of a provisional
solution, and even of precise formulation, only if restricted to the
problem of memory. In memory itself I was forced to determine bounds
which I had afterwards to narrow considerably. After confining myself to
the recollection of words I saw that the problem, as stated, was
still too broad, and that, to put the question in its most precise and
interesting form, I should have to substitute the recollection of the
sound of words. The literature on aphasia is enormous. I took five
years to sift it. And I arrived at this conclusion, that between the
psychological fact and its corresponding basis in the brain there must
be a relation which answers to none of the ready-made concepts furnished
us by philosophy."

Certain characteristics of Mr Bergson's manner will be remarked
throughout: his provisional effort of forgetfulness to recreate a
new and untrammelled mind; his mixture of positive inquiry and bold
invention; his stupendous reading; his vast pioneer work carried on with
indefatigable patience; his constant correction by criticism, informed
of the minutest details and swift to follow up each of them at every
turn. With a problem which would at first have seemed secondary and
incomplete, but which reappears as the subject deepens and is thereby
metamorphosed, he connects his entire philosophy; and so well does he
blend the whole and breathe upon it the breath of life that the final
statement leaves the reader with an impression of sovereign ease.

Example