Паразит
I
Andyet,outsidethenarrowcirclewhofollowhisproceedings,hegetssolittlecreditforit.Physiologyisarecognizedscience.IfIaddevenabricktotheedifice,everyoneseesandapplaudsit.ButWilsonistryingtodigthefoundationsforascienceofthefuture.Hisworkisundergroundanddoesnotshow.Yethegoesonuncomplainingly,correspondingwithahundredsemi-maniacsinthehopeoffindingonereliablewitness,siftingahundredliesonthechanceofgainingonelittlespeckoftruth,collatingoldbooks,devouringnewones,experimenting,lecturing,tryingtolightupinothersthefieryinterestwhichisconsuminghim.IamfilledwithwonderandadmirationwhenIthinkofhim,andyet,whenheasksmetoassociatemyselfwithhisresearches,Iamcompelledtotellhimthat,intheirpresentstate,theyofferlittleattractiontoamanwhoisdevotedtoexactscience.Ifhecouldshowmesomethingpositiveandobjective,Imightthenbetemptedtoapproachthequestionfromitsphysiologicalside.Solongashalfhissubjectsaretaintedwithcharlatanerieandtheotherhalfwithhysteriawephysiologistsmustcontentourselveswiththebodyandleavethemindtoourdescendants.NodoubtIamamaterialist.AgathasaysthatIamarankone.Itellherthatisanexcellentreasonforshorteningourengagement,sinceIaminsuchurgentneedofherspirituality.AndyetImayclaimtobeacuriousexampleoftheeffectofeducationupontemperament,forbynatureIam,unlessIdeceivemyself,ahighlypsychicman.
