g, as he stands there, his heart filled with
happiness, eyeing a magnificent cornfield, a stranger asks him who the
owner may be of these wonderful ears of wheat that, as they sway to and
fro beneath the dew, seem twice as heavy and twice as high as the ears
in the adjoining field. He forgets himself, and answers, "They are
mine." At that very instant fire breaks out in the opposite end of the
field, and commences its ravages. Then he remembers the advice that he
has neglected to follow: he runs after the stranger shouting, "Stop,
come back: I made a mistake: what I told you was not true! This field
is not mine: it belongs to my niece Militza!" And the flames have no
sooner heard than they suddenly fall away, and the corn shoots up
afresh.

2

This naive and very ancient image, which might almost serve to-day as
an illustration of our actual ignorance, proves that the mysterious
problem of chance has not changed, from the time of man's first
questioning glance. We have our thoughts, which build up our intimate
happiness or sorrow; and upon this events from without have more or
less influence. In some men these thoughts will have acquired such
strength, such vigilance, that without their consent nothing can enter
the structure of crystal and brass, they have been able to raise on the
hill that commands the wonted road of adventures. And we have our
will, which our thoughts feed and sustain; and many useless or harmful
events can be held in check by our will. But around these islets,
within which is a certain degree of safety, of immunity from attack,
extends a region as vast and uncontrollable as the ocean, a region
swayed by chance as the waves are swayed by the wind. Neither will nor
thought can keep one of these waves from suddenly breaking upon us; and
we shall be caught unawares, and perhaps be wounded and stunned. Only
when the wave has retreated can thought and will begin their beneficent
action. Then they will raise us, and bind up our wounds; restore
animation, and take careful heed that the mischief the shock has
wrought shall not reach the profound sources of life. Their mission
extends no further, and may, on the surface, appear very humble. In
reality, however, unless chance assume the irresistible form of cruel
disease or death, the workings of will and thought are sufficient to
neutralise all its efforts, and to preserve what is best and most
essential to man in human happiness.

3