As I came into your city to-night I saw your great structure
[Brooklyn Bridge] across the river here, binding the two great
cities together and making them one, and I remember that as I
came the last time into your beautiful bay down yonder, I saw
what seemed to be a mere web of gossamer, a bare hand’s breadth
along the horizon. It seemed as if I might have swept it away
with my hand if I could have reached it, so airy and light it
was in the distance, but when I came close to it to-night I
found that it was one of the greatest structures that human
intellect has ever devised. I saw it thrilling and vibrating
with every energy of our pulsating, modern life. At a distance
it looked as if the vessels nearest would strike it, full head,
and carry it away. When I reached it I saw that it was so high,
so vast, that the traffic of your great stream passed easily
backward and forward under it. So it is with some problems. They
may appear very small to you, ladies and gentlemen, or to us,
when seen at a distance--as tho merely a handsweep would get rid
of them; but nearer at hand they appear too vast to be moved
easily.--THOMAS NELSON PAGE.
(801)
See POINT OF VIEW; RETROSPECT.
=Distance and Nearness=--See RETROSPECT.
=Distinctions, Vain=--See SELFISHNESS.
=Distinctions, Unfair=--See DISCRIMINATION, UNFAIR.
=Disturbance=--See BAPTISM.