The life which is bounded in knowledge, interest, and activity by the invisible but real and limiting walls of a small community is often definite in aim, effective in action, and upright in intention; but it cannot be rich, varied, generous, and stimulating.

The life, on the other hand, which is entirely detached from local associations and tasks is often interesting, liberalising, and catholic in spirit; but it cannot be original or productive.

A sound life--balanced, poised, and intelligently directed--must stand strongly in both local and universal relations; it must have the vitality and warmth of the first, and the breadth and range of the second.
This liberation from provincialism is not only one of the signs of culture, but it is also one of its finest results; it registers a high degree of advancement.

For the man who has passed beyond the prejudices, misconceptions, and narrowness of provincialism has gone far on the road to self-education.

He has made as marked an advance on the position of the great mass of his contemporaries as that position is an advance on the earlier stages of barbarism.