Speculum : The Journal of the Melbourne Medical Students' Society ...

THE SPECULUM. 57sand. Those who were near him do say how that he used strange words like'equilibrium' and 'semi-circular canals.' Teutopia, too, became wearied and didsit upon his rock. No longer did he wax loud in his disputing, but did onlymurmur one time after another, 'Environment counteth for most' ; and men dotell how Knivem would turn each time, and in his exceeding weakness mutter,`Heredity doth predominate.'"Now, it chanced that there cometh at this time a man of gray beard andvenerable mien, bearing the weight of many years upon his shoulders. He didspeak with those that stood by, and then, approaching the two youths, he addressedthem thus : 'Observe,' said he, 'that barque which you fisherman rowstowards us. He propelleth it by two oars and it goeth ahead. You have disputed'twixt yourselves concerning Heredity and Environment. I tell you thateach is an oar. Together they propel the boat of Personality onward. Strivenot 'twixt yourselves concerning which doeth most. But the rather, go ye andhelp to make both the better, that all Personalities may go ahead the farther.'"At these words Knivem and Teutopia did fall silent. Then they did botharise and, shaking each the other's hand, did together thank the ancient man.'Tis said that Teutopia's last words to him were concerning his 'writing a hook';and that, as they parted from him, Knivem was heard to murmur some wordsof halting sequence about `. . . doing one for the Museum.'"Not many days thereafter Knivem and Teutopia journeyed back to theirseat, of learning; and Knivem once more became lost in the worship of hisneurones, and Teutopia delved even deeper into the works of the scribes, Macdowialland Stout. But Teutopia did not inquire concerning neurones, nordid b Knivem bethink himself to seek the scrolls of Macdougall and Stout. Thenext year, at a like time, once more each journeyed to the hamlet by the sea.And once more, meeting by the sea-shore, they did fall to disputation. Sad is itto tell that once more Teutopia did say, 'Environment counteth for most,' thatonce more Knivem did answer, 'Heredity doth predominate.' No ancient mancame to make straight their differences. They bade farewell still in disputation."Many, many years after, Knivem and Teutopia came once again to thehamlet by the sea. Long white beards had they, and the tops of their heads weremarvellous bright to look upon ; and each did bring with him many flocks andherds, which he had gotten unto himself. By the fire, smoking their old blackpipes, they did talk far into the night. But, alas ! even once again did Teutopiasay, 'Environment counteth for most,' and Knivem, 'Heredity doth predominate. "I had heard him out, and so I said to my friend, the sage, "Simon-Who-Seeth-A far-Off" : "What is the meaning of your parable?""Art thou a medical man?" said he."Assuredly," I answered him.He took a deep breath. "Hast read Macdougall's Outlines of Psychology,Wells' Outline of History, Walter de la Mare's Poems?" he flung at me."Of course not," I laughed. "I've got no time to read such things, andbesides, a doctor doesn't need them.""In thy answer is the meaning of my parable," said he."MONO."An optimist is a man who persists in believing he's got eczema.