Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/209

 in my experience, I listened to real conversation. Each contributed his part, listened with intelligent interest, or said what he had to say, with a complete freedom from that light of rational intercourse, the self-consciousness that seems ever on its guard.

I was satisfied to play the part of listener till a turn in the conversation led the younger Siured to refer to the ancient notation, in which he had become highly interested. There were still some difficulties, of which he hoped to obtain an explanation from me.

"You are exactly the person to help me, also," said Hulmar, when, at his request, the elder Siured had recounted to him the incident of the formula, which seemed to excite in him a lively interest.

He then explained to me, that it was exactly the difficulties he met with in tracing the early history of his favorite science that still delayed the completion of his forthcoming work.

"The material," said he, "for the later history of the science is superabundant and easily accessible. But that for its earlier stages, though probably abundant enough, is difficult of access, both from its existing in languages the knowledge of which is confined to a very few, and from its being overlaid by the ruins of so many successive systems, that to reach it is like digging to seek the relics of some long-buried city. We know the treasures are there, but know not where to seek."

The accuracy of this remark I had subsequently good cause to appreciate, when endeavoring to avoid losing myself amid the bewildering accumulations of the hundred million volumes of the Central Depository.