GILES & CO.,
OR
VIEWS and INTERVIEWS
CONCERNING
CIVILIZATION.
_______________________
BY
ORPHEUS EVERTS, M. D.
_______________________
INDIANAPOLIS :
BOWEN, STEWART & CO.
____
1878.
_______________________
WM. B. BURFORD, PRINTER,
INDIANAPOLIS, IND.
INTRODUCTORY.
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CIVILIZATION, whether it be contemplated as an operating force, or as an end, or manifestation of force, having ultimated in general results, is too broad and too deep a subject for other than the most philosophical and comprehensively informed mind to discuss in all of its relations, intelligently or profitably.
As a force, it has its origin, like all other forces of nature—if indeed there be more than one—in the mysterious realm of the unknowable—but coming within the range of human observation, it is recognized as a phase of that all-pervading spirit of unrest, which is manifested through all changes, and may be characterized as the aspiration of the finite toward the infinite.
As a result, civilization may be regarded as embracing almost everything pertaining to the page: 4[View Page 4] material surroundings, and general development of mankind so far as the race has been affected thereby.
It is not the purpose, therefore, of the author of the chapters to which this is introductory, to attempt an extensive, profound, or learned discussion of the subject of civilization—nor to sketch the history thereof, however briefly—proposing to himself only, the presentation of an intellectual olla-podrida for an evening's entertainment, the meats for which have been selected without especial discrimination—trusting and believing (otherwise he could not justify himself,) that his invited guests, whether few or many shall participate, will find therein, each one, somewhat that is agreeable to taste, and not altogether wanting in nutritious qualities.
If this introduction were to be read as introductions often are, after the last chapter of the book instead of before the first, it would be needless to ask the indulgence of a "suspension of opinion" respecting the merits of any one chapter, until all have been read—or to say that the opinions expressed by the various characters introduced are not necessarily, all of them, the opinions of the author.
