It is safe to say that for the majority of
mankind the superiority of geography over geometry lies in
the appeal of its figures. It may be an effect of the incorrigible
frivolity inherent in human nature, but most of us will agree
that a map is more fascinating to look at than a figure in a
treatise on conic sections at any rate for the simple minds
which are all the equipment of the majority of the dwellers
on this earth.
No doubt a trigonometrical survey may be a romantic
undertaking, striding over deserts and leaping over valleys
never before trodden by the foot of civilized man; but its
accurate operations can never have for us the fascination of
the first hazardous steps of a venturesome, often lonely, ex
plorer jotting down by the light of his camp fire the thoughts,
the impressions, and the toil of his day.
For a long time yet a few suggestive words grappling
with things seen will have the advantage over a long array
of precise, no doubt interesting, and even profitable figures.
The earth is a stage, and though it may be an advantage, even
to the right comprehension of the play, to know its exact
configuration, it is the drama of human endeavour that will
be the thing, with a ruling passion expressed by outward
action marching perhaps blindly to succes or failure, which
themselves are often undistinguishable from each other at
first.
Begin van een artikel Geography and Some Explorers, dat Joseph Con
rad schreef in opdracht van The National Geographic Magazine.
