The lantern appliances had been removed, and it was evident that the conclusions of these unique proceedings were very near. The notes say:--
"Oseba arose, and when he stepped to the footlights, and indicated his readiness to proceed, he was greeted with an applause well becoming a Boston audience on the appearance of a Webster."
Here the poetess Vauline, apologising for the interruption at so late a stage in the proceedings, ventured to inquire by what course of reasoning the sage Oseba had reached his conclusions that the Anglo-Saxon was destined to a universal supremacy, and why the Zelanians should now be regarded as the torch-bearers of the future ages?
With a smile of approval Mr. Oseba answered:--
"The question is timely and important. Following the laws of natural progress up to a certain point, survival depends largely on the thickness of the skin and the length of the claws, but, above that point, it is a question of grey matter, and the Anglo-Saxon has brains in his head. Well, the Zelanians are a picked squad on the skirmish line of the Anglo-Saxon legions."
Here again I "boil down," and note my own conclusions from Mr. Oseba's argument:--
The Anglo-Saxon intellect is the product of more than 1,400 years of unparalleled vicissitudes, and by its inherent virtue it has resistless force. Progress is a question of intellectual development, of susceptibility, adaptability, and adjustability of a people, and in the constitution of this racial brain are found all these traits in full measure. Besides, in the Anglo-Saxon character there are found a solid sincerity and love of justice, that inspire a respect and confidence that are irresistible. It is a matter of brain--of ideal.
The ideals of Assyria, Persia, and Babylonia were Empire--military conquest, and we see passing over the stage but kingly splendor, and, as a background, the gods that lashed the people--if there were any--into loyal obedience.
The ideal of Egypt was durability--to eternise the works of kings--based upon a religious idea, and she erected the Pyramids, still the wonder of the world's wonders.
The ideal of Phoenicia was commerce, and the ship was the type of her realised dream. Here the city was greater than the empire, and the merchant was greater than the king.