It had no place in our work-a-day world. It interests us now chiefly from the superb literary skill with which it was constructed ; a prodigy of intellect and art. But it was not the Democratic Ideal. Aristotle -- fhat other imperial Greek genius, whom Dante called " the master of those that know ;" who had less imaginative mysticism than Plato, but a stronger hold on realities ; whose fertile genius touched almost every subject that came within ancient

I40 NEW YORK STATE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

thought -- tried his hand also in poHtical science. As a forerunner of modern science, as a profound thinker, he has been a tremendous factor in Vhe intellectual life of the world. But the Time-Spirit held him in its grasp even more firmly than it did Plato. His theory of the state avoided, indeed, the absurdity of communism, but recognized slavery and the subjection of women. Like many of the modern Socialists, he denounced the taking of interest for the use of money. Such political theories must needs be ineffective. They ignore the equitable basis of society and indicate a s'hortsightedness that is amazing, in any era when thrift, industry and property rights are elements in the life of a state -- as they were then and are now. Among the school-men of the middle ages. Aristotle was regnant. His hand has not yet been lifted from our university life. Vast literatures had their birth in his philosophic system. His political theories have become only academic. The world had no use for them. He was far from the Democratic Ideal. No one will deny that Plato and Aristotle are among those Dead but sceptered sovereigns who still rule Our spirits from their urns. Their sovereignty does not come, however, from their contributions to political science I wish we might dwell longer on these dreams of philosophers.