, and of all Human Things, appears
possible, is seen to be inevitable?

Along this most insufficient, unheard-of Bridge, which the Editor, by
Heaven's blessing, has now seen himself enabled to conclude if not
complete, it cannot be his sober calculation, but only his fond hope,
that many have travelled without accident. No firm arch, overspanning
the Impassable with paved highway, could the Editor construct; only,
as was said, some zigzag series of rafts floating tumultuously
thereon. Alas, and the leaps from raft to raft were too often of a
breakneck character; the darkness, the nature of the element, all was
against us!

Nevertheless, may not here and there one of a thousand, provided with
a discursiveness of intellect rare in our day, have cleared the
passage, in spite of all? Happy few! little band of Friends! be
welcome, be of courage. By degrees, the eye grows accustomed to its
new Whereabout; the hand can stretch itself forth to work there: it is
in this grand and indeed highest work of Palingenesia that ye shall
labour, each according to ability. New labourers will arrive; new
Bridges will be built; nay, may not our own poor rope-and-raft Bridge,
in your passings and repassings, be mended in many a point, till it
grow quite firm, passable even for the halt?

Meanwhile, of the innumerable multitude that started with us, joyous
and full of hope, where now is the innumerable remainder, whom we see
no longer by our side? The most have recoiled, and stand gazing afar
off, in unsympathetic astonishment, at our career: not a few, pressing
forward with more courage, have missed footing, or leaped short; and
now swim weltering in the Chaos-flood, some towards this shore, some
towards that. To these also a helping hand should be held out; at
least some word of encouragement be said.

Or, to speak without metaphor, with which mode of utterance
Teufelsdroeckh unhappily has somewhat infected us,--can it be hidden
from the Editor that many a British Reader sits reading quite
bewildered in head, and afflicted rather than instructed by the
present Work? Yes, long ago has many a British Reader been, as now,
demanding with something like a snarl: Whereto does all this lead; or
what use is in it?

In the way of replenishing thy purse, or otherwise aiding thy
digestive faculty, O British Reader, it leads to nothing, and there is
no use in it; but rather the reverse, for it costs thee somewhat.
Nevertheless, if through this u