CHAPTER V

THINKING OUT THE SYNTHETIC PHILOSOPHY

Thinking by Stratagem—The System Grows—Difficulties—
Italy — Habits of Work — Sociology — Ill-kealth —
Citizenship—"Visit to America-—Closing Tears

HAVING theoretically secured the requisite number
of subscribers to the projected series of volumes,
Spencer tried to settle down to " something like
unity of occupation." In the Spring of 1860 he
began the First J?riwip/ej—oii[y to break down before
he had finished the first chapter; and the same depres-
sing experience was continually repeated. Fortunately
for Spencer's peace of mind, his uncle William left
him some money 5 one may well say fortunately, since
the number of defaulters in the subscription list
was so large that in the absence of other resources
even the first volume could not have been published.
Thinking ly Stratagem*-*-Spencer's devices for keeping
off the cerebral congestion which work induced were
many and various—some almost laughable, if the
whole business had not been so tragic. He would
ramble into the country, find a sheltered nook or
sunny bank, do a little work, and move on like a
" Scholar Gipsy " § he would take his amanuensis on
the Regent's Park water, row vigorously for five
minutes, dictate for fifteen, and so on da capo j he

37pencer was in no wise lacking.ing out Ms System,