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such incompetent to investgate phenomena so radically
unlike those with which they are acquainted, in addition to being mostly
university professors, and so being prevented by the obligation to support their dignity from
admitting their real ignorance, the which is in all cases the first step toward any
knowledge radically novel to the student. It may be added that many of
those who carry the most authority with the general public owe this to their
having made the acquisition of such authority, regardless of its veracity, the
chief object of their lives^*.

^* Footnote: I have formerly know positively of one's devoting several hours
daily in practicing imposing deportment before a pier-glass, and the
result was a manner so irresistibly winning as well as imposing, that
though I heard others, who only guessed what I secretly knew, make him the
constant [butt?] of contemptuous ridicule, I myself was quite under his charm, and so were most people, more or less. I would not, for the world, divulge his name, even now that he has passed to a world where we imagine [next page] the secrets of all hearts to lie exposed to the view of all.]