My aim has been, therefore, to put these arguments out of court altogether, and safely shut the doors on them.

Hitherto they have played just the part of an idle populace, often turned out of doors, but as often breaking in again, and confusing with their noisy cheers a judgment that has not yet been given.

Let us have done, then, with the conditions of happiness till we know what happiness is.

Let us have done with enthusiasm till we know if there is anything to be enthusiastic about.
I have quoted George Eliot's cheers already, as expressing what this enthusiasm is.

I will now quote her again, as showing how fully she recognises that its value depends upon its object, and that its only possible object must be of a definite, and in the first place, of a personal nature.