Symbolism, Its Meaning and Effect

SYMBOLISM

Its Meaning and Effect

BY ALFRED NORTH WHITEHEAD

F.R.S., SC.D. (CAMBRIDGE), HON. D.SC. (MANCHESTER). HON. LL.D. (ST. ANDREWS), HON. D.SC. (UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN), HON. SC.D. (HARVARD AND YALE). FELLOW OF TRINITY COLLEGE IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE AND PROFESSOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN HARVARD UNIVERSITY

BARBOUR-PAGE LECTURES UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 1927

New York THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 1927

Copyright, 1927, By THE MACMILLAN COMPANY.

Set up and electrotyped. Published November, 1927.

_Printed in the United States of America by_ J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK

DEDICATION

These chapters were written before I had seen the Washington monument which faces the Capitol in the City of Washington, and before I had enjoyed the experience of crossing the borders of the State of Virginia—a great experience for an Englishman.

Virginia, that symbol for romance throughout the world of English speech: Virginia, which was captured for that world in the romantic period of English history by Sir Walter Raleigh, its most romantic figure: Virginia, which has been true to its origin and has steeped its history in romance.

Romance does not yield unbroken happiness: Sir Walter Raleigh suffered for his romance. Romance does not creep along the ground; like the memorial to Washington, it reaches upward—a silver thread uniting earth to the blue of heaven above.

April 18, 1927.