The most strange fact, though the most certain in nature, is the unequal development of the human race. If we look back to the early ages of mankind, such as we seem in the faint distance to see them⁠—if we call up the image of those dismal tribes in lake villages, or on wretched beaches⁠—scarcely equal to the commonest material needs, cutting down trees slowly and painfully with stone tools, hardly resisting the attacks of huge, fierce animals⁠—without culture, without leisure, without poetry, almost without thought⁠—destitute of morality, with only a sort of magic for religion; and if we compare that imagined life with the actual life of Europe now, we are overwhelmed at the wide contrast⁠—we can scarcely conceive ourselves to be of the same race as those in the far distance. There used to be a notion⁠—not so much widely asserted as deeply implanted, rather pervadingly latent than commonly apparent in political philosophy⁠—that in a little while, perhaps ten years or so, all human beings might, without extraordinary appliances, be brought to the same level.