Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/301

 assisting her to mount into or alight from the curricle,—I felt that my suit was progressing favorably; that, unconsciously to herself, the dear girl was beginning to find a pleasure in my society such as she had not found, even in that of the brother she loved so well. I was well content to let matters run their course, knowing that nothing was to be gained by precipitancy.

I have dwelt too long and too fondly, perhaps, on this chapter of my experiences. In the estimation of many, my time would have been better spent in giving some account of the legislative and judicial system of that period, than in entering into so many details regarding a single individual, no matter how charming and accomplished. If I have erred in this respect, I can plead illustrious example. I am not the first, as I shall not be the last, for whom the splendor of a pair of bright eyes has outdazzled all a universe besides.

A more serious reason for this abstinence is founded on the following considerations. No system of government works well beyond the extent to which it represents the average moral and intellectual status of the governed. Laws not originating in the wants, and corresponding to the intelligent conviction, of those legislated for, are generally worse than useless. Enforced not at all, or only in show, they serve only to grant a monopoly of certain acts to the unscrupulous. Now. the system of government prevailing among the contemporaries of Utis and Hulmar presupposed a general moral and intellectual status surpassing that now prevailing, to an even greater degree than their knowledge and control of the forces of nature surpassed ours. The great fault with many of our present