Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Volume 17, No. 097, January, 1876

The Project Gutenberg eBook, Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Vol. 17, No. 97, January, 1876, by Various, Edited by John Foster Kirk
Transcriber's Note: The Table of Contents and the list of illustrations were added by the transcriber.
THE CENTURY: ITS FRUITS AND ITS FESTIVAL.
UP THE THAMES
SKETCHES OF INDIA.
THE ATONEMENT OF LEAM DUNDAS. by MRS. E. LYNN LINTON.
AT THE OLD PLANTATION. by ROBERT WILSON.
OUR MONTHLY GOSSIP.
OBER-AMMERGAU, Bavaria, Oct. 4, 1875.


This of ours is a conceited century. In intense self-consciousness it exceeds any of its late predecessors. Its activity in externally directed thought is accompanied by an almost corresponding use of introverted reflection. Its inheritance, and the additions it has made, can make or will make thereto, supply an ever-present theme. It delights to stand back from its work, like the painter from his easel, to scan the effect of each new touch—to note what has been done and to measure what remains. It is a great living and breathing entity, informed with the concrete life of three generations of mankind the most alert and the most restless of all that have existed. This sensation of exceptional endowments is self-nourishing and ever-growing; and our little nook of time is coming to view all the paths of the past, broad or narrow, direct or interlacing, straight or obscure, as so many roads laid out and graded for the one purpose of leading straight to its gate. It sounds its own praises and celebrates itself at all opportunities. But with all this there is a wholesome recognition of responsibility. Nobility obliges, it is prompt to confess, and to act accordingly. It sees flaws in its regal diamonds, spots that still sully on its ermine; and is not slow to address itself to the duty of their removal.