WCP2712

[1]

Rome (dated by the post-mark).

Sir,

With the dawn of the New Century, some imperious problems are re-asserting themselves, problems which the triumph (transitory as it appears) of a certain, philosophic scientific and literary school of thought had made us believe to be for ever laid aside.

For example in that school which is by its followers called positive (a school which in science has led to the theory of the creation out of nothing, and to the negation of any kind of force superior to matter, and which in literature has also led to naturalism, and in daily life — moreover — legitimatises the sad maxim of the "struggle for life") it now appears quite "positive" that there is an absolute and acknowledged impossibility to substitute anything in the place of the shattered ideals.

As a quiet and independent spectator I do not intend by these words to appear inappreciative, of the importance and efficiacy, of that school which the human mind founded upon a basis of most-rigorous investigation. I wish only to point out and to emphasize in the latest results of this phase of thought the obvious insufficiency (over and above the solving of great problems) for the ordinary necessities of the human mind, which is ever seeking some disinterested and elevated principle above all distinctions whether literary, philosophic or religious.[2]

This inward knowledge (that answers indeed to a supreme necessity of the mind and of the heart) which was once, and will ever be (in spite of the condemnation and derision of certain more, or less, scientific synedrions) called Ideal, now reappears more urgently than ever on those altars — where every man of pure aspiration can be priest — to offer the peac[e]ful calm of its worship to all unquiet and wearied souls.

It is in the realization of the near return of this ever redeeming worship, (a return of which thousands of signs indicate the proximity signs too pure and too elevated to assist any limited or self-interested cause) that a lover of all those noble forces, which are converging to form the imperishable ideal of humanity, permits himself to apply for your kindly aid, asking for your hearty co-operation.

This aid is asked to augment, (in all those that are asking for for a revival of the worship of the ideal, doubting as many are whether they see but a mirage of their own construction, or a real "sign of the times") that faith in its near approach in which the noble mission of life, leading to the triumph of the will, can at last be better understood, and when every aspiration of the mind, all pure speculation that have now almost ceased to justify themselves (and to be almost ashamed of their existence) can be freely expressed in all their exceeding beauty.

The most noble forces of our day demand the co-operation of all understanding and liberal minded people, in the triumphant-work of restoring confidence and calm in our consciences; and to give and diffuse a feeling above to all kinds of divisions, proclaiming indeed the possibility and joy of altruistic elevation, for which evil is but an instrument of perfection.

The writer, who has the honour of addressing himself to you, Sir, in his capacity of student and journalist, has accepted it as a duty to share in the hastening of the coming of the ideal by endeavouring to gather to-gether all the opinions of well-known persons, of one mind on this all important point — that no longer shall there be shed on humanity the livid shadow of an eclipsed ideal.[3]

Well-known men in every branch of sciences and arts have already by private means responded to this enquiry, thus making known to me their degree of hope as to the near return to the recognition of an ideal worship; and thus enabling me to guage[sic] the probability that that Ideal has of human assistance in every country, in every branch of science, of art, in philosophy, as well as in public and private life.

True and earnest are such expressions of faith and opinion, rendering me glad and proud to have had the honour of initiating such an enquiry.

The results will be published within the year in a leading Review, and later will be published in book-form.

In the hope that this research may spread as widely as possible; I would earnestly ask for the favour of a reply, and in the assured conviction that this Ideal may be recognised by all honest thinker[sic]. I have the honour to be

Yours faithfully | Dr Arnaldo Cervesato

Publicist

Ad[d]ress: Rome, Associazione Stampa.¹