ousness that is the very essence of occurrences that glide,
undesigned, unexpected, unforeseen, into the domain of Fact, and become
material for History? So far as we feel capable of intelligently
meditating on questions of this inscrutable nature, we are forced to
conclude that since "natural development" could be so regular, so
continuous, and withal so efficient, in the production of the
marvellous results that we daily contemplate, there must be existent
and in operation--as, for instance, in the case of the uniformity
characterizing for ages successive generations of mankind, as above
adduced by our philosopher himself--some controlling LAW, according and
subject to which no check has marred the harmonious progression, or
prevented the consummations that have crowned the normal exercise of
human energy, intellectual as well as physical.

The sharp rule of the strong over the [133] weak, is the first clause
of the Carlylean-sounding phrase which embodies the requisite
conditions for satisfactory human development. The terms expressive of
these conditions, however, while certainly suggesting and embracing the
beneficent, elevating influence and discipline of European
civilization, such as we know and appreciate it, do not by any means
exclude the domination of Mr. Legree or any other typical man-monster,
whose power over his fellow-creatures is at once a calamity to the
victims and a disgrace to the community tolerating not only its
exercise, but the very possibility of its existence. The sharp rule of
"the wise over the unwise," is the closing section of the
recommendation to ensure man's effective development. Not even savages
hesitate to defer in all their important designs to the sought-for
guidance of superior judgments. But in the case of us West Indian
Blacks, to whom Mr. Froude's doctrine here has a special reference, is
it suggested by him that the bidders for predominance over us on the
purely epidermal, the white skin, ground, are ipso facto the
monopolists of directing wisdom? It surely cannot be so; for Mr.
Froude's own chapters regarding both the [134] nomination by Downing
Street of future Colonial office-holders and the disorganized mental
and moral condition of the indigenous representatives--as he calls
them!--of his country in these climes, preclude the possibility that
the reference regarding the wise can be to them. Now since this is so,
we really cannot see why the pains should have been t