I will now show why it is so pressing, and why, in the present crisis of thought, it is so needful that it should be dealt with.

The first impression it produces, as I have said, is that it is superfluous.

Our belief in life seems to rest on too wide an experience for us to entertain any genuine doubt of the truth of it.

But this first impression does not go for much.

It is a mere superficial thing, and will wear off immediately.