The World I Live In (Classic Reprint)

PREFACE THE essays and the poem in this book appeared originally in the "Century lfagazine," the essays under the titles "A Chat About the Hand," "Sense and Sensibility," and "lly Dreams." llr. Gilder suggested the articles, and I thank him for his kind interest and encouragement. But he must also accept the responsibility ,vhich goes with my gratitude. For it is owing to his wish and that of other editors that I talk so much about lnyself. Every book is in a sense autobiographical. But ,vhile other self-recording creatures are permitted at least to seem to change the subject, apparently nobody cares what I think of the tariff, the conservation of our natural resources, or the conflicts ,vhich revolve PREFACE about the name of Dreyfus. If I offer to reform the educational system of the world, my editorial friends say, "That is interesting. But ·will you please tell us what idea you had of goodness and beauty when you ·were six years old 1" Fi~Table of Contents CONTENTS; CHAPTER; I THE SEEING HAND; II THE HANDS OF OTHERS; III THE HAND OF THE RACE •; IV THE POWER OF TOUCH; •; • •; •; PAGE; 3; 17; ~8; 38; V THE FINER VIBRATIONS 5~; VI S)IELL, THE FALLEN ANGI