We of the humbler race not unreasonably shelter ourselves under the authority of the masters, on whom the world's judgment is pronounced; and great names are cited, not with the arrogance of equals, but with the humility of inferiors.
The author of Zanoni gives, then, no key to mysteries, be they trivial or important, which may be found in the secret chambers by those who lift the tapestry from the wall; but out of the many solutions of the main enigma--if enigma, indeed, there be--which have been sent to him, he ventures to select the one which he subjoins, from the ingenuity and thought which it displays, and from respect for the distinguished writer (one of the most eminent our time has produced) who deemed him worthy of an honour he is proud to display.He leaves it to the reader to agree with, or dissent from the explanation."A hundred men," says the old Platonist, "may read the book by the help of the same lamp, yet all may differ on the text, for the lamp only lights the characters,--the mind must divine the meaning." The object of a parable is not that of a problem; it does not seek to convince, but to suggest.It takes the thought below the surface of the understanding to the deeper intelligence which the world rarely tasks.It is not sunlight on the water; it is a hymn chanted to the nymph who hearkens and awakes below.
...
"ZANONI EXPLAINED.
BY--."
MEJNOUR:--Contemplation of the Actual,--SCIENCE.Always old, and must last as long as the Actual.Less fallible than Idealism, but less practically potent, from its ignorance of the human heart.