第9章

2

ThefaultsoftheImperialistmovementwereobviousenough。TheconceptionoftheBoerWarhadbeenclumsyandpuerile，thecostlyerrorsofthatstruggleappalling，andthesubsequentcampaignofMr。ChamberlainforTariffReformseemedcalculatedtocombinethefinancialadventurersoftheEmpireinonevastconspiracyagainsttheconsumer。ThecantofImperialismwaseasytolearnanduse；itwasspeedilyadoptedbyallsortsofbaseenterprisesandturnedtoallsortsofbaseends。Butabigchildispermittedbigmischief，andmymindwasnowcontinuallyreturningtothepersuasionthatafterallinsomedevelopmentoftheideaofImperialpatriotismmightbefoundthatwide，rough，politicallyacceptableexpressionofaconstructivedreamcapableofsustainingagreateducationalandphilosophicalmovementsuchasnoformulaofLiberalismsupplied。Thefactthatitreadilytookvulgarformsonlywitnessedtoitsstrongpopularappeal。Mixedinwiththenoisinessandhumbugofthemovementthereappearedarealregardforsocialefficiency，arealspiritofanimationandenterprise。Theresuddenlyappearedinmyworld——Isawthemfirst，Ithink，in1908——anewsortoflittleboy，amostagreeabledevelopmentoftheslouching，cunning，cigarette-smoking，town-bredyoungster，asmallboyinakhakihat，andwithbarekneesandathleticbearing，earnestlyengagedinwholesomeandinvigoratinggamesuptoandoccasionallyalittlebeyondhisstrength——theBoyScout。IlikedtheBoyScout，andIfinditdifficulttoexpresshowmuchitmatteredtome，withmygrowingbiasinfavourofdeliberatenationaltraining，thatLiberalismhadn\'tbeenabletoproduce，andhadindeedneverattemptedtoproduce，anythingofthiskind。

3

Inthosedaysthereexistedadiningclubcalled——therewassomelostallusiontotheexorcismofpartyfeelinginitstitle——thePentagramCircle。ItincludedBaileyandDaytonandmyself，SirHerbertThorns，LordCharlesKindling，Minnsthepoet，Gerbaultthebigrailwayman，LordGane，freshfromthesettlementofFramboya，andRumbold，wholaterbecameHomeSecretaryandleftus。Weweremenofallpartiesandveryvariousexperiences，andourobjectwastodiscussthewelfareoftheEmpireinadisinterestedspirit。WedinedmonthlyattheMermaidinWestminster，andforacoupleofyearswekeptupanaverageattendanceoftenoutoffourteen。Thedinner-timewasgivenuptodesultoryconversation，anditisoddhowwarmandgoodthesocialatmosphereofthatlittlegatheringbecameastimewenton；thenoverthedessert，sosoonasthewaitershadsweptawaythecrumbsandceasedtofretus，oneofuswouldopenwithperhapsfifteenortwentyminutes\'expositionofsomespeciallypreparedquestion，andafterhimwewoulddeliverourselvesinturn，eachforthreeorfourminutes。Wheneveryonepresenthadspokenoncetalkbecamegeneralagain，anditwasrareweemergeduponHendonStreetbeforemidnight。Sometimes，asmyhousewasconvenientlynear，aknotofmenwouldcomehomewithmeandgoontalkingandsmokinginmydining-roomuntiltwoorthree。

WehadFredNeal，thatwildIrishjournalist，amongustowardstheend，andhisstupendousflowofwordsmateriallyprolongedourclosingdiscussionsandmadeourcontinuanceimpossible。

Ilearnedverymuchandverymanythingsatthosedinners，butmoreparticularlydidIbecomefamiliarisedwiththehabitsofmindofsuchmenasNeal，Crupp，Gane，andtheoneortwootherNewImperialistswhobelongedtous。TheywerenearlyalllikeBaileyOxfordmen，thoughmostlyofayoungergeneration，andtheywereallmysteriouslyandinexplicablyadvocatesofTariffReform，asifitweretheprincipalinsteadofatbestasecondaryaspectofconstructivepolicy。TheyseemedobsessedbytheideathatstreamsoftradecouldbedivertedviolentlysoastolinkthepartsoftheEmpirebycommoninterests，andtheywerepersuaded，Istillthinkmistakenly，thatTariffReformwouldhaveanimmensepopularappeal。

Theywerealsoverykeenonmilitaryorganisation，andwithacuriouslittlemartinettwistintheirmindsthatbodedillforthatsideofpublicliberty。Somuchagainstthem。ButtheyweredisposedtospendmoneymuchmoregenerouslyoneducationandresearchofallsortsthanourformlesshostofLiberalsseemedlikelytodo；andtheywerealtogethermoreaccessiblethantheYoungLiberalstobold，constructiveideasaffectingtheuniversitiesandupperclasses。TheLiberalsareabjectlyafraidoftheuniversities。Ifoundmyselfconstantlyfallingintolinewiththesemeninourdiscussions，andmoreandmorehostiletoDayton\'ssentimentalisingevasionsofdefiniteschemesandMinns\'trustinsuchthingsasthe"SpiritofourPeople"andthe"GeneralTrendofProgress。"Itwasn\'tthatIthoughtthemverymuchrighterthantheiropponents；Ibelievealldefiniteparty"sides"atanytimeareboundtobeaboutequallyrightandequallylop-sided；butthatIthoughtIcouldgetmoreoutofthemandwhatwasmoreimportanttome，moreoutofmyselfifIco-operatedwiththem。By1908IhadalreadyarrivedatapointwhereIcouldbedefinitelyconsideringatransferofmypoliticalallegiance。

Theseabstractquestionsareinseparablyinterwovenwithmymemoryofashininglongwhitetable，andourhockbottlesandburgundybottles，andbottlesofPerrierandSt。Galmierandthedisturbedcentraltrophyofdessert，andscatteredglassesandnut-shellsandcigarette-endsandmenu-cardsusedformemoranda。IseeoldDaytonsittingbackandcockinghiseyetotheceilinginawayhehadwhilehethrewwarmthintotheancientplatitudesofLiberalism，andMinnsleaningforward，andalittlelikeacockatoowithatasteforconfidences，tellingusinahushedvoiceofhisfaithintheDestinyofMankind。Thornslounges，rollinghisroundfaceandroundeyesfromspeakertospeakerandsoundingthevisibledepthsofmiserywheneverNealbegins。GerbaultandGaneweregiventoconversationinundertones，andBaileypursuedmysteriouspurposesinlispingwhispers。ItwasCruppattractedmemost。Hehad，aspeoplesay，hiseyeonmefromthebeginning。Heusedtospeakatme，anddriftedintoacustomofcominghomewithmeveryregularlyforanafter-talk。

Heopenedhishearttome。

"Neitherofus，"hesaid，"aredukes，andneitherofusarehorny-

handedsonsoftoil。Wewanttogetholdofthehandles，andtodothat，onemustgowherethepoweris，andgiveitjustasconstructiveatwistaswecan。That\'sMYToryism。"

"IsitKindling\'s——orGerbault\'s？"

"No。Buttheirsissoft，andmine\'shard。Minewillweartheirsout。YouandIandBaileyareallafterthesamething，andwhyaren\'tweworkingtogether？"

"AreyouaConfederate？"Iaskedsuddenly。

"That\'sasecretnobodytells，"hesaid。

"WhataretheConfederatesafter？"

"Makingaristocracywork，Isuppose。Justas，Igather，youwanttodo。"……

TheConfederateswerebeingheardofatthattime。Theywereatonceattractiveandrepellenttome，anoddsecretsocietywhosemembershipnobodyknew，pledged，itwassaid，toimposeTariffReformandanampleconstructivepolicyupontheConservatives。Inthepress，atanyrate，theyhadanairofdeliberatelyorganisedpower。Ihavenodoubttherumourofthemgreatlyinfluencedmyideas……

IntheendImadesomeveryrapiddecisions，butfornearlytwoyearsIwashesitating。Hesitationswereinevitableinsuchamatter。Iwasnotdealingwithanysimplequestionofprinciple，butwithelusiveandfluctuatingestimatesofthetrendofdiverseforcesandofthenatureofmyownpowers。AllthroughthatperiodIwasaskingoverandoveragain：howfararetheseConfederatesmeredreamers？Howfar——andthiswasmorevital——aretheyrenderinglip-servicetosocialorganisations？Isittruetheydesirewarbecauseitconfirmstheascendencyoftheirclass？HowfarcanConservatismbeinducedtoplanandconstructbeforeitresiststhethrusttowardschange。Isitreallyinbulkanythingmorethanamassofprejudiceandconceit，cynicalindulgence，andahardsuspicionofandhostilitytotheexpropriatedclassesinthecommunity？

Thatisaresearchwhichyieldsnostatistics，anenquirylikeaskingwhatistherulingcolourofachameleon。Theshadowyanswervariedwithmyhealth，variedwithmymoodandtheconductofthepeopleIwaswatching。Howfinecanpeoplebe？Howgenerous？——notincidentally，butallround？Howfarcanyoueducatesonsbeyondtheoutlookoftheirfathers，andhowfarliftarich，proud，self-

indulgentclassabovetheprotestsofitsbusinessagentsandsolicitorsanditsownhabitsandvanity？Ischivalryinaclasspossible？——wasitever，indeed，orwilliteverindeedbepossible？

Istheprogressthatseemsattainableincertaindirectionsworththeretrogressionthatmaybeitsprice？

4

ItwastothePentagramCirclethatIfirstbroachedthenewconceptionsthatweredevelopinginmymind。IcounttheeveningofmypaperthebeginningofthemovementthatcreatedtheBLUEWEEKLY

andourwingofthepresentNewToryparty。Idothatwithoutanyexcessiveegotism，becausemyessaywasnosolitaryman\'sproduction；itwasmyreactiontoforcesthathadcometomeverylargethroughmyfellow-members；itsquickreceptionbythemshowedthatIwas，sotospeak，merelythefirstofthechestnutstopop。

Theatmosphericqualityoftheeveningstandsoutveryvividlyinmymemory。Thenight，Iremember，waswarmlyfoggywhenaftermidnightwewenttofinishourtalkatmyhouse。

Wehadrecentlychangedtherulesoftheclubtoadmitvisitors，andsoithappenedthatIhadbroughtBritten，andCruppintroducedArnoldShoesmith，myformerschoolfellowatCityMerchants，andnowthewealthysuccessorofhisfatherandelderbrother。Irememberhisheavy，inexpressivelyhandsomefacelightingtohisraresmileatthesightofme，andhowlittleIdreamtofthetragicentanglementthatwasdestinedtoinvolveusboth。Ganewaspresent，andEsmeer，anewly-addedmember，butIthinkBaileywasabsent。Eitherhewasabsent，orhesaidsomethingsoentirelycharacteristicandundistinguishedthatithasleftnoimpressiononmymind。

Ihadbrokenalittlefromthetraditionsoftheclubeveninmytitle，whichwasdeliberatelyachallengetotheliberalidea：itwas，"TheWorldExistsforExceptionalPeople。"ItisnotthetitleIshouldchoosenow——forsincethattimeIhavegotmyphraseof"mentalhinterlander"intojournalisticuse。Ishouldsaynow，"TheWorldExistsforMentalHinterland。"

ThenotesImadeofthatopeninghavelongsincevanishedwithathousandotherpapers，butsomeoddchancehaspreservedandbroughtwithmetoItalythemenufortheevening；itsbackblackwiththescrawlednotesImadeofthediscussionformyreply。IfoundittheotherdayamongsomelettersfromMargaretandacopyofthe1909ReportofthePoorLawCommission，alsorichwithpencilledmarginalia。

Myopeningwasacriticismofthedemocraticideaandmethod，uponlinessuchasIhavealreadysufficientlyindicatedintheprecedingsections。IrememberhowoldDaytonfrettedinhischair，andtushedandpishedatthat，evenasIgaveit，andafterwardsweweretreatedtooneofhisplatitudinousharangues，hesittingbackinhischairwiththatsmallobstinateeyeofhisfixedontheceiling，andasortofcadaverousglowuponhisface，repeating——quiteregardlessofallmyreasoningandallthathadbeensaidbyothersinthedebate——thesacredemptyphrasesthatwerehissoul\'srefugefromreality。"Youmaythinkitveryclever，"hesaidwithanodofhisheadtomarkhissenseofhispoint，"nottoTrustinthePeople。Ido。"Andsoon。Nothinginhislifeorworkhadevershownthathedidtrustinthepeople，butthatwasbesidethemark。

HewasthepartyLiberal，andthesewerethepartyincantations。

AftermypreliminaryattackonvaguedemocracyIwentontoshowthatallhumanlifewasvirtuallyaristocratic；peoplemusteitherrecognisearistocracyingeneralorelsefollowleaders，whichisaristocracyinparticular，andsoIcametomypointthattherealityofhumanprogresslaynecessarilythroughtheestablishmentoffreedomsforthehumanbestandacollectivereceptivityandunderstanding。TherewasadisgustedgruntfromDayton，"Supermanrubbish——Nietzsche。Shaw！Ugh！"Isailedonoverhimtomynextpropositions。Theprimeessentialinaprogressivecivilisationwastheestablishmentofamoreeffectiveselectiveprocessfortheprivilegeofhighereducation，andtheveryhighesteducationalopportunityfortheeducable。Weweretooapttopatronisescholarshipwinners，asthoughascholarshipwastoffeegivenasarewardforvirtue。Itwasn\'tanyrewardatall；itwasaninvitationtocapacity。Wehadnomorerighttodraginvirtue，oranymeritbutquality，thanwehadtoinvolveitinasearchforthetallestman。Wedidn\'twantamereprocessfortheselectionofgoodasdistinguishedfromgiftedandableboys——"No，youDON\'T，"

fromDayton——wewantedallthebrilliantstuffintheworldconcentrateduponthedevelopmentoftheworld。JusttoexasperateDaytonfurtherIputinapleaforgiftsasagainstcharacterineducational，artistic，andlegislativework。"Goodteaching，"I

said，"isbetterthangoodconduct。Wearebecomingidioticaboutcharacter。"

Daytonwastoomovedtospeak。Heslewedrounduponmeaneyeofagonisedaversion。

Iexpatiatedonthesmallproportionoftheavailableabilitythatisreallyservinghumanityto-day。"Isupposeto-dayallthethought，alltheart，alltheincrementsofknowledgethatmatter，aresuppliedsofarastheEnglish-speakingcommunityisconcernedby——howmany？——bythreeorfourthousandindividuals。(\'Less，\'saidThorns。)Tobemoreprecise，bythementalhinterlandsofthreeorfourthousandindividuals。Wewhoknowsomeofthebandentertainnoillusionsastotheirinnaterarity。Weknowthattheyarejustthefewoutofmany，thefewwhogotinourworldofchanceandconfusion，thetimelystimulus，theaptsuggestionatthefortunatemoment，theneededtraining，theleisure。Therestarelostinthecrowd，failthroughthedefectsoftheirqualities，becomecommonplaceworkmenandsecond-rateprofessionalmen，marrycommonplacewives，areasmuchwasteasthedriftageofsuperfluouspolleninapineforestiswaste。"

"Decenthonestlives！"saidDaytontohisbread-crumbs，withhischininhisnecktie。"WASTE！"

"Andthepeoplewhodogetwhatwecallopportunitygetitusuallyinextremelylimitedandcrampingforms。Nomanlivesalifeofintellectualproductivityalone；heneedsnotonlymaterialandopportunity，buthelpers，resonators。RoundandaboutwhatImightcalltheREALmen，youwantthesympatheticcooperators，whohelpbyunderstanding。Itisn\'tthatour——SALTofthreeorfourthousandisneedlesslyrare；itissustainedbyfartoosmallandundifferentiatedapublic。Mostofthegoodmenweknowarenotreallydoingtheverybestworkoftheirgifts；nearlyallarealittleadapted，mostareshockinglyadaptedtosomesecond-bestuse。

Now，Itakeit，thisistheverycentreandoriginofthemuddle，futility，andunhappinessthatdistressesus；it\'sthecardinalproblemofthestate——todiscover，develop，andusetheexceptionalgiftsofmen。AndIseethatbestdone——Idriftmoreandmoreawayfromthecommonstuffoflegislativeandadministrativeactivity——byaquiterevolutionarydevelopmentoftheeducationalmachinery，butbyastillmoreunprecedentedattempttokeepsciencegoing，tokeepliteraturegoing，andtokeepwhatisthenecessaryspurofallscienceandliterature，anintelligentandappreciativecriticismgoing。Youknownoneofthesethingshaveeverbeenkeptgoinghitherto；they\'vecomeunexpectedlyandinexplicably。"

"Hear，hear！"fromDayton，cough，noddingofthehead，andanexpressionofmysticalprofundity。

"They\'velitupacivilisationandvanished，togiveplacetodarknessagain。Nowthemodernstatedoesn\'tmeantogobacktodarknessagain——andsoit\'sgottokeepitslightburning。"Iwentontoattackthepresentorganisationofourschoolsanduniversities，whichseemedelaboratelydesignedtoturnthewell-

behaved，uncritical，anduncreativemenofeachgenerationintotheauthoritativeleadersofthenext，andIsuggestedremediesuponlinesthatIhavealreadyindicatedintheearlierchaptersofthisstory……

SofarIhadthesubstanceoftheclubwithme，butIopenednewgroundandsetCruppagogbyconfessingmydoubtfromwhichpartyorcombinationofgroupsthesedevelopmentsofscienceandliteratureandeducationalorganisationcouldmostreasonablybeexpected。I

lookeduptofindCrupp\'sdarklittleeyeintentuponme。

ThereIleftittothem。

Wehadanastonishinglygooddiscussion；Nealburstonce，butweemergedfromhisfloodafteratime，andDaytonhadhisinterlude。

Therestwasallclose，keenexaminationofmyproblem。

IseeCruppnowwithhisarmbentbeforehimonthetableinawaywehad，asthoughitwasjointedthroughoutitslengthlikealobster\'santenna，hisplump，short-fingeredhandcrushingupawalnutshellintosmallerandsmallerfragments。"Remington，"hesaid，"hasgivenusthedataforamovement，areallypossiblemovement。It\'snotonlypossible，butnecessary——urgentlynecessary，Ithink，iftheEmpireistogoon。"

"We\'reworkingaltogethertoomuchatthesocialbasementineducationandtraining，"saidGane。"Remingtonisrightaboutourneglectofthehigherlevels。"

Brittenmadeagoodcontributionwithananalysisofwhathecalledthespiritofacountryandwhatmadeit。"Themoderncommunityneedsitsseriousmentobeartisticanditsartiststobetakenseriously，"Irememberhissaying。"Thedayhasgonebyforeitherdullresponsibilityormerelywittyart。"

IrememberveryvividlyhowShoesmithharpedonanideaIhadthrownoutofusingsomesortofrevieworweeklytoexpressandelaboratetheseconceptionsofanew，severer，aristocraticculture。

"Itwouldhavetobedoneamazinglywell，"saidBritten，andmymindwentbacktomyschooldaysandthatanciententerpriseofours，andhowCossingtonhadrushedit。Well，Cossingtonhadtoomanypapersnowadaystointerferewithus，andweperhapshadlearntsomedefensivedevices。

"Butthisthinghastobelinkedtosomepoliticalparty，"saidCrupp，withhiseyeonme。"Youcan\'tgetawayfromthat。TheLiberals，"headded，"haveneverdoneanythingforresearchorliterature。"

"TheyhadaRoyalCommissionontheDramaticCensorship，"saidThorns，withanoteofminutefairness。"Itshowswhattheyweremadeof，"headded。

"It\'swhatI\'vetoldRemingtonagainandagain，"saidCrupp，"we\'vegottopickupthetraditionofaristocracy，reorganiseit，andmakeitwork。Buthe\'scertainlysuggestedamethod。"

"Therewon\'tbemucharistocracytopickup，"saidDayton，darklytotheceiling，"iftheHouseofLordsthrowsouttheBudget。"

"Allthemorereasonforpickingitup，"saidNeal。"Forwecan\'tdowithoutit。"

"Willtheygotothebad，orwilltheyrisefromtheashes，aristocratsindeed——iftheLiberalscomeinoverwhelmingly？"saidBritten。

"It\'swewhomightdecidethat，"saidCrupp，insidiously。

"Iagree，"saidGane。

"Noonecantell，"saidThorns。"Idoubtiftheywillgetbeaten。"

Itwasanodd，fragmentarydiscussionthatnight。Wewereallwithideasinourmindsatoncefineandimperfect。Wethrewoutsuggestionsthatshowedthemselvesatoncefarinadequate，andwetriedtoqualifythembyminorself-contradictions。Britten，I

think，gotmoresaidthananyone。"Youallseemtothinkyouwanttoorganisepeople，particulargroupsandclassesofindividuals，"

heinsisted。"Itisn\'tthat。That\'sthestandingerrorofpoliticians。Youwanttoorganiseaculture。Civilisationisn\'tamatterofconcretegroupings；it\'samatterofprevailingideas。

Theproblemishowtomakebold，clearideasprevail。ThequestionforRemingtonandusisjustwhatgroupsofpeoplewillmosthelpthiscultureforward。"

"Yes，buthowaretheLordsgoingtobehave？"saidCrupp。"Youyourselfwereaskingthatalittlewhileago。"

"Iftheywinoriftheylose，"Ganemaintained，"therewillbeamovementtoreorganisearistocracy——ReformoftheHouseofLords，they\'llcallthepoliticalformofit。"

"Baileythinksthat，"saidsomeone。

"Thelabourpeoplewantabolition，"saidsomeone。"Let\'em，"saidThorns。

Hebecameaudible，sketchingapossibilityofaction。

"Supposeallofuswereabletoworktogether。It\'sjustoneofthoseindeterminate，confused，eventfultimesaheadwhenasteadyjetofideasmightproduceenormousresults。"

"Leavemeoutofit，"saidDayton，"IFyouplease。"

"Weshould，"saidThornsunderhisbreath。

ItookupCrupp\'sinitiative，Iremember，andexpandedit。

"Ibelievewecoulddo——extensivethings，"Iinsisted。

"RevivalsandrevisionsofToryismhavebeentriedsooften，"saidThorns，"fromtheYoungEnglandmovementonward。"

"Notonebuthasproduceditsenduringeffects，"Isaid。"It\'sthepeculiarityofEnglishconservatismthatit\'spersistentlyprogressiveandrejuvenescent。"

IthinkitmusthavebeenaboutthatpointthatDaytonfledourpresence，aftersomeclumsysentencethatIdecideduponreflectionwasintendedtoremindmeofmydutytomyparty。

ThenIrememberThornsfiringdoubtsatmeobliquelyacrossthetable。"Youcan\'trunacountrythroughitsspoiltchildren，"hesaid。"Whatyoucallaristocratsarereallyspoiltchildren。

They\'vehadtoomuchofeverything，exceptbracingexperience。"

"Childrencanalwaysbeeducated，"saidCrupp。

"IsaidSPOILTchildren，"saidThorns。

"Lookhere，Thorns！"saidI。"IfthisBudgetrowleadstoastorm，andthesebigpeoplegettheirpowerclipped，what\'sgoingtohappen？Haveyouthoughtofthat？Whentheygooutlock，stock，andbarrel，whocomesin？"

"NatureabhorsaVacuum，"saidCrupp，supportingme。

"Bailey\'strainedofficials，"suggestedGane。

"QuackswithacertificateofapprovalfromAltiora，"saidThorns。

"Iadmitthehorrorsofthealternative。There\'dbeamassacreinthreeyears。"

"Onemaygoontryingpossibilitiesforever，"Isaid。"Onethingemerges。Whateveraccidentshappen，ourcivilisationneeds，andalmostconsciouslyneeds，acultureoffinecreativeminds，andallthenecessarytolerances，opennesses，considerations，thatmarchwiththat。Formyownpart，IthinkthatistheMostVitalThing。

Buildyourshipofstateasyouwill；getyourmenasyouwill；I

concentrateonwhatisclearlytheaffairofmysortofman，——Iwanttoensurethequalityofthequarterdeck。"

"Hear，hear！"saidShoesmith，suddenly——hisfirstremarkforalongtime。"Afirst-ratefigure，"saidShoesmith，grippingit。

"Ourdangerisinmissingthat，"Iwenton。"Muddleisn\'tendedbytransferringpowerfromthemuddle-headedfewtothemuddle-headedmany，andthencheatingthemanyoutofitagainintheinterestsofabureaucracyofshamexperts。Butthatseemsthelimitoftheliberalimagination。Thereisnorealprogressinacountry，exceptariseinthelevelofitsfreeintellectualactivity。Allotherprogressissecondaryanddependant。IfyoutakeonBailey\'sdreamsofefficientmachineryandasortoffanaticaldisciplinewithnofree-movingbrainsbehindit，confuseduglinessbecomesrigidugliness，——that\'sall。Nodoubtthingsaremovingfromloosenesstodiscipline，andfromirresponsiblecontrolstoorganisedcontrols——

andalsoandrathercontrariwiseeverythingisbecomingaspeoplesay，democratised；butallthemoreneedinthat，foranarkinwhichthelivingelementmaybesaved。"

"Hear，hear！"saidShoesmith，faintbutpursuing。

ItmusthavebeeninmyhouseafterwardsthatShoesmithbecamenoticeable。Heseemedtryingtosaysomethingvagueanddifficultthathedidn\'tgetsaidatallonthatoccasion。"Wecoulddoimmensethingswithaweekly，"herepeated，echoingNeal，Ithink。

Andthereheleftoffandbecameamuteexpressiveness，anditwasonlyafterwards，whenIwasinbed，thatIsawwehadourcapitalistinourhands……

Wepartedthatnightonmydoorstepinatremendousglow——butinthatsortofglowonedoesn\'tactuponwithoutmuchreconsideration，anditwassomemonthsbeforeImademydecisiontofollowuptheindicationsofthatopeningtalk。

5

IfindmythoughtslingeringaboutthePentagramCircle。Inmydevelopmentsitplayedalargepart，notsomuchbystartingnewtrainsofthoughtasbyconfirmingthepracticabilityofthingsI

hadalreadyhesitatinglyentertained。DiscussionwiththeseothermensoprominentlyinvolvedincurrentaffairsendorsedviewsthatotherwisewouldhaveseemedonlyalittlelessremotefromactualitythantheguardiansofPlatoorthelabourlawsofMore。Amongotherquestionsthatwereneververydistantfromourdiscussions，thatcameapttoeverytopic，wasthetruesignificanceofdemocracy，TariffReformasamethodofinternationalhostility，andtheimminenceofwar。OnthefirstissueIcanstillrecalllittleBailey，glibandwinking，explainingthatdemocracywasreallyjustadodgeforgettingassenttotheordinancesoftheexpertofficialbymeansofthepollingbooth。"Iftheydon\'tlikethings，"saidhe，"theycanvotefortheoppositioncandidateandseewhathappensthen——andthat，yousee，iswhywedon\'twantproportionalrepresentationtoletinthewildmen。"Iopenedmyeyes——thelidshaddroppedforamomentunderthecaressofthosesmoothsounds——toseeifBailey\'sartfulforefingerwasn\'tatthesideofhispredominantnose。

Theinternationalsituationexercisedusgreatly。OurmeetingswerepervadedbythefeelingthatallthingsmovedtowardsadayofreckoningwithGermany，andIwaslargelyinstrumentalinkeepingupthesuggestionthatIndiawasinastateofunstableequilibrium，thatsoonerorlatersomethingmusthappenthere——somethingveryserioustoourEmpire。Daytonfranklydetestedthesetopics。HewasfullofthatoldMiddleVictorianpersuasionthatwhateverisinconvenientordisagreeabletotheEnglishmindcouldbeannihilatedbynotthinkingaboutit。Heusedtositlowinhischairandlookmulish。"Militarism，"hewoulddeclareinatoneoftheutmostmoralfervour，isacurse。It\'sanunmitigatedcurse。"

Thenhewouldcoughshortlyandtwitchhisheadbackandfrown，andseemastonishedbeyondmeasurethatafterthisconclusivestatementwecouldstillgoontalkingofwar。

AllourImperialistswereobsessedbythethoughtofinternationalconflict，andtheirinfluencerevivedforatimethoseuneasinessesthathadbeenarousedinmeforthefirsttimebymycontinentaljourneywithWillersleyandbyMeredith\'s"OneofOurConquerors。"

Thatquitejustifiabledreadofapunishmentforalltheslackness，mentaldishonesty，presumption，mercenaryrespectabilityandsentimentalisedcommercialismoftheVictorianperiod，atthehandsofthebetterorganised，morevigorous，andnowfarmorehighlycivilisedpeoplesofCentralEurope，seemedtometohavebothagoodandbadseriesofconsequences。ItseemedtheonlythingcapableofbracingEnglishmindstoeducation，sustainedconstructiveeffortandresearch；butontheotherhanditproducedthequalityofapanic，hastypreparation，impatienceofthought，awastefulandsometimesquitefutileimmediacy。In1909，forexample，therewasavastclamourforeightadditionalDreadnoughts——

"WewanteightAndwewon\'twait，"

butnoclamouratallaboutournationalwasteofinventivetalent，ourmeanstandardofintellectualattainment，ourdisingenuouscriticism，andtheconsequentfailuretodistinguishmenofthequalityneededtocarryonthemoderntypeofwar。Almostuniversallywehavethewrongmeninourplacesofresponsibilityandtherightmeninnoplaceatall，almostuniversallywehavepoorlyqualified，hesitating，andresentfulsubordinates，becauseourcriticismisworthlessand，sohabituallyastobenowalmostunconsciously，dishonest。GermanyisbeatingEnglandineverymatteruponwhichcompetitionispossible，becausesheattendedsedulouslytohercollectivemindforsixtypregnantyears，becauseinspiteoftremendousdefectssheisstillfarmoreanxiousforqualityinachievementthanweare。Iremembersayingthatinmypaper。Fromthat，Iremember，Iwentontoanimagethathadflashedintomymind。"TheBritishEmpire，"Isaid，"islikesomeofthoseearlyvertebratedmonsters，theBrontosaurusandtheAtlantosaurusandsuch-like；itsacrificesintellecttocharacter；

itsbackbone，thatistosay，——especiallyinthevisceralregion——isbiggerthanitscranium。It\'snoaccidentthatthingsareso。

We\'veworkedforbackbone。Webragaboutbackbone，andifthejointsareanchylosedsomuchthebetter。We\'restillbutonlyhalfawaketoourerror。Youcan\'tchangethatsuddenly。"

"Turnitroundandmakeitgobackwards，"interjectedThorns。

"It\'stryingtodothat，"Isaid，"inplaces。"

AndafterwardsCruppdeclaredIhadbegottenanightmarewhichhauntedhimofnights；hewastryingdesperatelyandbelatedlytoblowabrainasoneblowssoap-bubblesonsuchamezoroicsaurianasIhadconjuredup，whiletheclumsymonster\'sfate，allteethandbrains，creptnearerandnearer……

I\'vegrown，Ithink，sincethosedaysoutoftheurgencyofthatapprehension。IstillthinkaEuropeanwar，andconceivablyaveryhumiliatingwarforEngland，mayoccuratnoverydistantdate，butIdonotthinkthereisanysuchheroicqualityinourgoverningclassaswillmakethatwarcatastrophic。TheprevailingspiritinEnglishlife——itisoneoftheessentialsecretsofourimperialendurance——isoneofunderbredaggressioninprosperityanddiplomaticcompromiseinmomentsofdanger；webullyhaughtilywherewecanandassimilatewherewemust。Itisnotfornothingthatourupperandmiddle-classyouthiseducatedbyteachersofthehighestcharacter，scholarsandgentlemen，menwhocanpretendquitehonestlythatDarwinismhasn\'tupsetthehistoricalfallofman，thatcricketismoraltraining，andthatSocialismisanoutrageupontheteachingsofChrist。Asortofdignifieddexterityofevasionisthenationalreward。Germany，withalargerpopulation，avigorousandirreconcilableproletariat，abolderintellectualtraining，aharsherspirit，canscarcelyfailtodriveusatlasttoarealisationofintolerablestrain。Sowemayneverfightatall。

Thewarofpreparationsthathasbeengoingonforthirtyyearsmayendlikeasham-fightatlastinanumpire\'sdecision。Weshallproudlybutveryfirmlytakethesecondplace。Formyownpart，sinceIloveEnglandasmuchasIdetestherpresentlethargyofsoul，Iprayforachasteningwar——Iwouldn\'tmindherflaginthedirtifonlyherspiritwouldcomeoutofit。SoIwasabletoshakeoffthatearlierfearofsomefinalandirrevocabledestructiontruncatingallmyschemes。Atthemost，aEuropeanwarwouldbeadramaticepisodeinthereconstructionIhadinview。

InIndia，too，Inolongerforesee，asonceIwasinclinedtosee，disaster。TheEnglishruleinIndiaissurelyoneofthemostextraordinaryaccidentsthathaseverhappenedinhistory。Wearetherelikeamanwhohasfallenoffaladderontotheneckofanelephant，anddoesn\'tknowwhattodoorhowtogetdown。Untilsomethinghappensheremains。OurfunctionsinIndiaareabsurd。

WeEnglishdonotownthatcountry，donotevenruleit。Wemakenothinghappen；atthemostwepreventthingshappening。Wesuppressourownliteraturethere。MostEnglishpeoplecannotevengotothislandtheypossess；theauthoritieswouldpreventit。IfMessrs。PerowneorCookorganisedacheaptourofManchesteroperatives，itwouldbestopped。NoonedarebringtheaverageEnglishvoterfacetofacewiththerealityofIndia，orlettheIndiannativehaveaglimpseoftheEnglishvoter。InmytimeI

havetalkedtoEnglishstatesmen，Indianofficialsandex-officials，viceroys，soldiers，everyonewhomightbesupposedtoknowwhatIndiasignifies，andIhaveprayedthemtotellmewhattheythoughtwewereuptothere。Iamnotwritingwithoutmybookinthesematters。Andbeyondaphraseorsoabout"even-handedjustice"——andlookatourseditiontrials！——theytoldmenothing。TimeaftertimeIhaveheardofthatapocryphalnativerulerinthenorth-west，who，whenaskedwhatwouldhappenifweleftIndia，repliedthatinaweekhismenwouldbeinthesaddle，andinsixmonthsnotarupeenoravirginwouldheleftinLowerBengal。Thatisalwaysgivenasourconclusivejustification。ButisitourbusinesstopreservetherupeesandvirginsofLowerBengalinasortofmagicinconclusiveness？Betterplunderthanparalysis，betterfireandswordthanfutility。Ourflagisspreadoverthepeninsula，withoutplans，withoutintentions——avastpreventive。Thesumtotalofourpolicyistoarrestanydiscussion，anyconferencesthatwouldenabletheIndianstoworkoutatolerableschemeofthefutureforthemselves。Butthatdoesnotarresttheresentmentofmenheldbackfromlife。ConsiderwhatitmustbefortheeducatedIndiansittingatthefeastofcontemporarypossibilitieswithhismouthgaggedandhishandsboundbehindhim！Thespiritofinsurrectionbreaksoutinspiteofespionageandseizures。Ourconflictforinactiondevelopsstupendousabsurdities。TheotherdaytheBritishEmpirewastakingoffandexaminingprintedcottonstomachwrapsforseditiousemblemsandinscriptions……

InsomemannerweshallhavetocomeoutofIndia。Wehavehadourchance，andwehavedemonstratednothingbuttheappallingdulnessofournationalimagination。WearenotgoodenoughtodoanythingwithIndia。CodgerandFlack，andGatesandDayton，Cladingbowlintheclub，andtheHOMECHURCHMANinthehome，cantabout"character，"worshipofstrenuousforceandcontemptoftruth；forthesakeofsuchmenandthingsasthese，wemustabandoninfact，ifnotinappearance，thatemptydomination。Hadwegreatschoolsandapowerfulteaching，couldweboastgreatmen，hadwethespiritoftruthandcreationinourlives，thenindeeditmightbedifferent。Butaracethatbearsasceptremustcarrygiftstojustifyit。

ItdoesnotfollowthatweshallbedrivencatastrophicallyfromIndia。Thatwasmyearliermistake。WearenotproudenoughinourbonestoberuinedbyIndiaasSpainwasbyherempire。WemaybeabletoabandonIndiawithanairofstillremainingthere。Itisournewmethod。Wetrainourfuturerulersinthepublicschoolstohaveaverywholesomerespectforstrength，andassoonasapowerarisesinIndiainspiteofus，beitamanoraculture，oranativestate，weshallhewillingtodealwithit。Wemayormaynothaveawar，butourgoverningclasswillbequicktolearnwhenwearebeaten。ThentheywillrepeatourSouthAfricandiplomacy，andarrangeforsomesettlementthatwillabandonthereality，suchasitis，andpreservethesemblanceofpower。TheconquerorDE

FACTOwillbecomethenew"loyalBriton，"andthedemocracyathomewillbeinvitedtocelebrateourrecession——triumphantly。IamnobelieverintheimminentdissolutionofourEmpire；IamlessandlessinclinedtoseeineitherIndiaorGermanytheprobabilityofanabrupttruncationofthoseslowintellectualandmoralconstructionswhicharetheessentialsofstatecraft。

6

Isitwritinginthislittleloggiatothesoundofdrippingwater——

thismorningwehadrain，andtheroofofourlittlecasaisstillnotdry，therearepoolsintherocksunderthesweetchestnuts，andthetorrentthatcrossesthesalitaisfullandboastful，——andItrytorecalltheorderofmyimpressionsduringthatwatching，dubioustime，beforeIwentovertotheConservativeParty。Iwastrying——

chaotictask——togaugethepossibilitiesinherentinthequalityoftheBritisharistocracy。Therecomesabroadspectaculareffectofwideparks，diversifiedbywoodsandbrackenvalleys，anddappledwithdeer；ofgreatsmoothlawnsshadedbyancienttrees；ofbigfacadesofsunlitbuildingsdominatingthecountryside；oflargefineroomsfullofhandsome，easy-manneredpeople。AsasortofrepresentativepicturetosetoffagainstthoseotherpicturesofLiberalsandofSocialistsIhavegiven，IrecalloneofthosehugeassembliestheDuchessofClynesinauguratedatStamfordHouse。TheplaceitselfisoneofthevastestprivatehousesinLondon，ahugeclusteringmassofwhiteandgoldsaloonswithpolishedfloorsandwonderfulpictures，andstaircasesandgalleriesonaGargantuanscale。AndthereshesoughttogatherallthatwasmostrepresentativeofEnglishactivities，anddid，infact，inthosebrilliantnocturnalcrowds，getsamplesofnearlyeverysectionofoursocialandintellectuallife，withamarkedpredominanceuponthepoliticalandsocialside。

IremembersittinginoneoftherecessesattheendofthebigsaloonwithMrs。Redmondson，oneofthosesharp-minded，beautifulrichwomenonemeetssoofteninLondon，whoseemtohavedonenothingandtobecapableofeverything，andwewatchedthecrowd——

uniformsandsplendourswerestreaminginfromaStateball——andexchangedinformation。Itoldheraboutthepoliticiansandintellectuals，andshetoldmeaboutthearistocrats，andwesharpenedourwitonthemandcountedthepercentageofbeautifulpeopleamongthelatter，andwonderedifthegeneraleffectoftallnesswasorwasnotanillusion。

Theywere，weagreed，forthemostpartbiggerthantheaverageofpeopleinLondon，andahandsomelot，evenwhentheywerenotsubtlyindividualised。"Theylooksowellnurtured，"Isaid，"wellcaredfor。Iliketheirquiet，well-trainedmovements，theirpleasantconsiderationforeachother。"

"Kindly，goodtempered，andatbottomutterlyselfish，"shesaid，"likebig，rathercarefullytrained，ratherpamperedchildren。Whatelsecanyouexpectfromthem？"

"Theyaregoodtempered，anyhow，"Iwitnessed，"andthat\'sanachievement。Idon\'tthinkIcouldeverbecontentunderabad-

tempered，sentimentalism，strenuousGovernment。That\'swhyI

couldn\'tstandtheRooseveltREGIMEinAmerica。One\'schiefsurprisewhenonecomesacrossthesebigpeopleforthefirsttimeistheiradmirableeasinessandarealpersonalmodesty。IconfessIadmirethem。Oh！Ilikethem。Iwouldn\'tatallmind，Ibelieve，givingoverthecountrytothisaristocracy——givenSOMETHING——"

"Whichtheyhaven\'tgot。"

"Whichtheyhaven\'tgot——orthey\'dbethefinestsortofpeopleintheworld。"

"Thatsomething？"sheinquired。

"Idon\'tknow。I\'vebeenpuzzlingmywitstoknow。They\'vedoneallsortsofthings——"

"That\'sLordWrassleton，"sheinterrupted，"whoselegwasbroken——

youremember？——atSpionKop。"

"It\'shealedverywell。Ilikethegoldlaceandthewhitegloveresting，withquiteaniceawkwardness，onthesword。WhenIwasalittleboyIwantedtowearclotheslikethat。Andthestars！He\'sgottheV。C。Mostofthesepeopleherehaveatanyrateshownpluck，youknow——broughtsomethingoff。"

"Notquiteenough，"shesuggested。

"Ithinkthat\'sit，"Isaid。"Notquiteenough——notquitehardenough，"Iadded。

Shelaughedandlookedatme。"You\'dliketomakeus，"shesaid。

"What？"

"Hard。"

"Idon\'tthinkyou\'llgoonifyoudon\'tgethard。"

"Weshan\'tbesopleasantifwedo。"

"Well，theremypuzzledwitscomeinagain。Idon\'tseewhyanaristocracyshouldn\'tberatherhardtrained，andyetkindly。I\'mnotconvincedthattheresourcesofeducationareexhausted。Iwanttobetterthis，becauseitalreadylookssogood。"

"Howarewetodoit？"askedMrs。Redmondson。

"Oh，thereyouhaveme！I\'vebeenspendingmytimelatelyintryingtoanswerthat！Itmakesmequarrelwith"——Iheldupmyfingersandtickedtheitemsoff——"thepublicschools，theprivatetutors，thearmyexams，theUniversities，theChurch，thegeneralattitudeofthecountrytowardsscienceandliterature——"

"Wealldo，"saidMrs。Redmondson。"Wecan\'tbeginagainatthebeginning，"sheadded。

"Couldn\'tone，"Inoddedattheassemblyingeneral，startamovement？

"There\'stheConfederates，"shesaid，withafaintsmilethatmaskedagleamofcuriosity……"Youwant，"shesaid，"tosaytothearistocracy，\'Bearistocrats。NOBLESSEOBLIGE。\'Doyourememberwhathappenedtothemonarchwhowastoldto\'BeaKing\'？"

"Well，"Isaid，"Iwantanaristocracy。"

"This，"shesaid，smiling，"isthepickofthem。Thebackwoodsmenareoffthestage。Thesearethebrilliantones——thesmartandtheblues……Theycostalotofmoney，youknow。"

SofarMrs。Redmondson，butthepictureremainedfullofthingsnotstatedinourspeech。Theywereonthewholehandsomepeople，charitableminded，happy，andeasy。Theyledspaciouslives，andtherewassomethingfreeandfearlessabouttheirbearingthatI

likedextremely。Thewomenparticularlywerewide-reading，fine-

thinking。Mrs。Redmondsontalkedasfullyandwidelyandboldlyasaman，andwiththoseflashesofintuition，thosestartling，suddendelicaciesofperceptionfewmendisplay。Iliked，too，therelationsthatheldbetweenwomenandmen，theirgeneraltolerance，theirantagonismtotheharshjealousiesthataretheessenceofthemiddle-classorder……

Afterall，ifone\'saimresolveditselfintothedevelopmentofatypeandcultureofmen，whyshouldn\'tonebeginatthisend？

Itisveryeasyindeedtogeneraliseaboutaclassorhumanbeings，butmuchhardertoproduceasample。WasoldLadyForthundred，forinstance，fairlyasample？Irememberherasasmiling，magnificentpresence，atoweringaccumulationoffigureandwonderfulshimmeringbluesilkandblacklaceandblackhair，andsmallfinefeaturesandchinsandchinsandchins，disposedinabigcanechairwithwrapsandcushionsuponthegreatterraceofChampneys。Hereyewasblueandhard，andheraccentandintonationwereexactlywhatyouwouldexpectfromarathercommonplacedressmakerpretendingtobearistocratic。Iwas，Iamafraid，posingalittleastheintelligentbutrespectfulinquirerfrombelowinvestigatingthegreatworld，andshewascertainlyposingasmyinformant。Sheaffectedacynicalcoarseness。ShedevelopedatheoryonthegovernanceofEngland，beautifullyfrankandsimple。"Give\'umallapeeragewhentheygettwentythousandayear，"shemaintained。

"That\'smyremedy。"

InmynewroleoftheoreticalaristocratIfeltalittleabashed。

"Twentythousand，"sherepeatedwithconviction。

ItoccurredtomethatIwasinthepresenceofthearistocratictheorycurrentlyworkingasdistinguishedfrommyasyetunformulatedintentions。

"You\'llgetalotofloafersandscampsamong\'um，"saidLadyForthundred。"Yougetloafersandscampseverywhere，butyou\'llgetalotofmenwho\'llworkhardtokeepthingstogether，andthat\'swhatwe\'reallafter，isn\'tut？

"It\'snotanidealarrangement。"

"Tellmeanythingbetter，"saidLadyForthundred。

Onthewhole，andbecausesherefusedemphaticallytobelieveineducation，LadyForthundredscored。

WehadbeendiscussingCossington\'srecentpeerage，forCossington，myoldschoolfellowatCityMerchants\'，andmyvictorintheaffairofthemagazine，hadclamberedtoanamazingwealthupapiledheapofenergeticallypushedpennyandhalfpennymagazines，andagroupofdailynewspapers。Ihadexpectedtofindthegreatladyhostiletothenew-comer，butsheacceptedhim，shegloriedinhim。

"We\'reapeerage，"shesaid，"butnoneofushaveeverhadanynonsenseaboutnobility。"

Sheturnedandsmileddownonme。"WeEnglish，"shesaid，"areapracticalpeople。Weassimilate\'um。"

"Then，Isuppose，theydon\'tgivetrouble？"

"Thentheydon\'tgivetrouble。"

"Theylearntoshoot？"

"Andallthat，"saidLadyForthundred。"Yes。Andthingsgoon。

Sometimesbetterthanothers，buttheygoon——somehow。Itdependsverymuchonthesortofbutlerwhopokes\'umabout。"

Isuggestedthatitmightbepossibletogetasecuretwentythousandayearbyatleastdetrimentalmethods——sociallyspeaking。

"Wemusttakethebadandthegoodof\'um，"saidLadyForthundred，courageously……

Now，wassheasample？Ithappenedshetalked。Whatwasthereinthebrainsofthemultitudeofherfirst，second，third，fourth，andfifthcousins，whodidn\'ttalk，whoshonetall，andbearingthemselvesfinely，againstabackgroundofdeft，attentivemaidsandvalets，oneveryspacioussocialscene？Howdidthingslooktothem？

7

SidebysidewithLadyForthundred，itiscurioustoputEveshamwithhistall，bentbody，hislittle-featuredalmostelvishface，hisunequalmildbrowneyes，hisgentlemanner，hissweet，amazingoratory。Heledallthesepeoplewonderfully。Hewasalwayscuriousandinterestedaboutlife，warybeneathapleasingfrankness——andItormentedmybraintogettothebottomofhim。

ForalongtimehewasthemostpowerfulmaninEnglandunderthethrone；hehadtheLordsinhishand，andagreatmajorityintheCommons，andthediscontentsandintriguesthataretheconcomitantsofanoverwhelmingpartyadvantagebrokeagainsthimaswavesbreakagainstacliff。Heforesawsofarinthesemattersthatitseemedhescarcelytroubledtoforesee。Hebroughtpoliticalarttothelasttriumphofnaturalness。Alwaysformehehasbeenthetypicalaristocrat，sotypicalandabovethemereformsofaristocracy，thatheremainedacommonertotheendofhisdays。

Ihadmethimatthebeginningofmycareer；hereadsomeearlypapersofmine，andaskedtoseeme，andIconceivedaflatteredlikingforhimthatstrengthenedtoaverystrongfeelingindeed。

Heseemedtometostandalonewithoutanequal，thegreatestmaninBritishpoliticallife。Somemenoneseesthroughandunderstands，someonecannotseeintoorroundbecausetheyareofopaqueclay，butaboutEveshamIhadasenseofthingshiddenasitwerebydepthandmists，becausehewassobigandatmosphericapersonality。Noothercontemporaryhashadthateffectuponme。I\'vesatbesidehimatdinners，stayedinhouseswithhim——hewasinthebighousepartyatChampneys——talkedtohim，soundedhim，watchinghimasIsatbesidehim。Icouldtalktohimwithextraordinaryfreedomandararesenseofbeingunderstood。Othermenhavetobetreatedinaspecialmanner；approachedthroughtheirownmentaldialect，flatteredbyaminuteregardforwhattheyhavesaidanddone。

EveshamwasaswidelyandcharitablyreceptiveasanymanIhaveevermet。Thecommonpoliticiansbesidehimseemedlikerowsofstuffylittleroomslookingoutuponthesea。

Andwhatwasheupto？WhatdidHEthinkweweredoingwithMankind？ThatIthoughtworthknowing。

IrememberhistalkingononeoccasionattheHartsteins\'，atadinnersotremendouslyfloriferousandequippedthatwewerealmostforcedintoduologues，aboutthepossiblecommonconstructivepurposeinpolitics。

"Ifeelsomuch，"hesaid，"thatthebestpeopleineverypartyconverge。Wedon\'tdifferatWestminsterastheydointhecountrytowns。There\'sasortofextendingcommonpolicythatgoesonundereverygovernment，becauseonthewholeit\'stherightthingtodo，andpeopleknowit。Thingsthatusedtobemattersofopinionbecomemattersofscience——andceasetobepartyquestions。"

Heinstancededucation。

"Apart，"saidI，"fromthereligiousquestion。"

"Apartfromthereligiousquestion。"

Hedroppedthataspectwithaneasygrace，andwentonwithhisgeneralthemethatpoliticalconflictwastheoutcomeofuncertainty。"Directlyyougetathingestablished，sothatpeoplecansay，\'NowthisisRight，\'withthesameconvictionthatpeoplecansaywaterisacombinationofoxygenandhydrogen，there\'snomoretobesaid。Thethinghastobedone……"

AndtoputagainstthiseffectofEvesham，broadandhumanelytolerant，posingastheministerofasteadilydevelopingconstructiveconviction，thereareothermemories。

HaveInotseenhimintheHouse，persistent，persuasive，indefatigable，andbyallmystandardswickedlyperverse，leaningoverthetablewiththoseinsistentmovementsofhishanduponit，orswayingforwardwithagripuponhiscoatlapel，fightingwithadiabolicalskilltopreservewhatareineffectreligioustests，testshemusthaveknownwouldoutrageandhumiliateandinjuretheconsciencesofaquarter——andthatperhapsthebestquarter——oftheyoungsterswhocometotheworkofelementaryeducation？

InplayingforpointsinthegameofpartyadvantageEveshamdisplayedattimesaquitewickedunscrupulousnessintheuseofhissubtlemind。IwouldsitontheLiberalbenchesandwatchhim，andlistentohisurbanevoice，fascinatedbyhim。Didhereallycare？

Didanythingmattertohim？Andifitreallymatterednothing，whydidhetroubletoservethenarrownessandpassionofhisside？Ordidheseefarbeyondmyscope，sothatthispettyiniquitywasjustifiedbygreater，remoterendsofwhichIhadnointimation？

Theyaccusedhimofnepotism。Hisfriendsandfamilywerecertainlywellcaredfor。Inprivatelifehewasfullofanaffectionateintimacy；hepleasedbybeingcharmedandpleased。Onemightthinkattimestherewasnomoreofhimthanaclevermanhappilycircumstanced，andfindinganinterestandoccupationinpolitics。

Andthencameaglimpseofthought，ofimagination，likethesightofasoaringeaglethroughastaircaseskylight。Oh，beyondquestionhewasgreat！Noothercontemporarypoliticianhadhisquality。InnomanhaveIperceivedsosympatheticallythegreatcontrastbetweenwarm，personalthingsandthewhitedreamofstatecraft。Exceptthathehaditseemednohotpassions，butonlyinterestsandfineaffectionsandindolences，heparalleledtheconflictofmylife。Hesawandthoughtwidelyanddeeply；butattimesitseemedtomehisgreatnessstoodoverandbehindtherealityofhislife，likesomesplendidservant，thinkinghisownthoughts，whowaitsbehindalessermaster\'schair……

8

Ofcourse，whenEveshamtalkedofthisidealoftheorganisedstatebecomingsofinelytruetopracticabilityandsoclearlystatedastohavethecompellingconvictionofphysicalscience，hespokequiteaftermyheart。Hadhereallyembodiedtheattempttorealisethat，Icouldhavedonenomorethanfollowhimblindly。ButneitherhenorIembodiedthat，andthereliesthegistofmystory。

AndwhenitcametoastudyofothersamongtheleadingToriesandImperialiststhedoubtincreased，untilwithsomeatlastitwaspossibletoquestionwhethertheyhadanyimaginativeconceptionofconstructivestatecraftatall；whethertheydidn\'topaquelyaccepttheworldforwhatitwas，andsetthemselvessingle-mindedlytomakeaplaceforthemselvesandcutafigureinit。

Thereweresomeveryfinepersonalitiesamongthem：therewerethegreatpeerswhohadadministeredEgypt，India，SouthAfrica，Framboya——Cromer，Kitchener，Curzon，Milner，Gane，forexample。Sofarasthateasiertaskofholdingswordandscaleshadgone，theyhadshownthefinestqualities，buttheyhadreturnedtotheperplexingandexactingproblemofthehomecountry，alittleglorious，alittletoosimplybold。Theywantedtoarmandtheywantedtoeducate，butthehabitofimmediatenecessitymadethemfarmoreeagertoarmthantoeducate，andtheirexperienceofheterogeneouscontrolsmadethemoverratetheneedforobedienceinahomogeneouscountry。Theydidn\'tunderstandrawmen，ill-trainedmen，uncertainminds，andintelligentwomen；andthesearethethingsthatmatterinEngland……Therewerealsothegreatbusinessadventurers，fromCranbertoCossington(whowasnowLordPaddockhurst)。Mymindremainedunsettled，andwentupanddownthescalebetweenabeliefintheirfar-sightedpurposeandtheperceptionofcrudevanities，coarseambitions，vulgarcompetitiveness，andamerehabitualpersistenceinthepursuitofgain。ForatimeIsawagooddealofCossington——IwishIhadkeptadiaryofhistalkandgestures，tomarkhowhecouldvaryfromdaytodaybetweenaPOSEUR，asmarttradesman，andaveryboldandwide-thinkingpoliticalschemer。Hehadavanityofsweepingactions，motorcarpounces，Napoleonicrushes，thatledtoviolentineffectualchangesinthepolicyofhispapers，andahauntingpursuitbyparallelcolumnsintheliberalpressthatneverabashedhimintheslightestdegree。ByanaccidentIplumbedthefollyinhim——butIfeelIneverplumbedhiswisdom。IrememberhimonedayafteralunchattheBarhams\'sayingsuddenly，outofprofoundmeditationovertheendofacigar，oneofthosesentencesthatseemtolightthewholeinteriorbeingofaman。"Someday，"hesaidsoftly，rathertohimselfthantome，andAPROPOSofnothing——"somedayIwillraisethecountry。"

"Whynot？"Isaid，afterapause，andleantacrosshimforthelittlesilverspirit-lamp，tolightmycigarette……

ThentheTorieshadforanothersectiontheancientcreations，andagaintherewerethefinancialpeers，menaccustomedtoreserve，andtheirbiglawyers，accustomedto——well，qualifiedstatement。Andbelowthegiantpersonalitiesofthepartyweretheyoungbloods，young，adventurousmenofthetypeofLordTarvrille，whohadseenserviceinSouthAfrica，whohadtravelledandhunted；explorers，keenmotorists，interestedinaviation，activeinarmyorganisation。

Good，brown-facedstufftheywere，butimpervioustoideasoutsidetherangeoftheiractivities，moreignorantofsciencethantheirchaffeurs，andofthequalityofEnglishpeoplethanwelt-

politicians；contemptuousofschoolanduniversitybyreasonoftheGatesesandFlacksandCodgerswhohadcometheirway，witty，light-

hearted，patrioticattheKiplinglevel，withacertainaptitudeforbullying。Theyvariedininsensiblegradationsbetweenthenoblesportsmenontheonehand，andmenlikeGaneandtheToriesofourPentagramclubontheother。Youperceivehowamanmightexercisehismindintheattempttostrikeanaverageofpublicserviceabilityinthismiscellany！Andmixedupwiththese，mixedupsometimesinthesameman，wasthepurereactionary，whosepredominantideawasthatthevillageschoolsshouldconfinethemselvestoteachingthecatechism，hat-touchingandcourtesying，andbegivenaholidaywheneverbeaterswereinrequest……

IfindnowinmymindasasortofcounterpoisetoEveshamthefigureofoldLordWardingham，asleepinthelargestarmchairinthelibraryofStamfordCourtafterlunch。Onefootrestedononeofthosethings——Ithinktheyarecalledgoutstools。Hehadbeenplayinggolfallthemorningandweariedaweakinstep；atlunchhehadsatatmytableandtalkedintheoverbearingmannerpermittedtoirascibleimportantmenwhoseinstepsarepainful。Amongotherthingshehadfloutedtheideathatwomenwouldeverunderstandstatecraftorbemorethananuisanceinpolitics，deniedflatlythatHindooswerecapableofanythingwhateverexceptexcessesinpopulation，regrettedhecouldnotcensorpicturegalleriesandcirculatinglibraries，anddeclaredthatdissenterswerepeoplewhopretendedtotaketheologyseriouslywiththeexpresspurposeofupsettingtheentirelysatisfactorycompromiseoftheEstablishedChurch。"Nosensiblepeople，withanythingtogainorlose，argueaboutreligion，"hesaid。"Theymeanmischief。"Havingdeliveredhissouluponthesepoints，andsilencedthelittleconversationtotheleftofhimfromwhichtheyhadarisen，hebecame，afteranappreciativeencounterwithasanguinarywoodcock，moreamiable，respondedtosomerespectfulinitiativesofCrupp\'s，andrelatedanumberofclassicalanecdotesofthoseblightingsnubs，vindictiveretortsandscandalousmiscarriagesofjusticethataresodeartotheforensicmind。Nowhereposed。Hewasbreathingheavilywithhismouthalittleopenandhisheadononeside。Onewhiskerwasturnedbackagainstthecomfortablepadding。Hisplumpstronghandsgrippedthearmsofhischair，andhisfrownwasalittleassuaged。

Howtremendouslyfeduphelooked！Honours，wealth，influence，respect，hehadthemall。Howscornfulandhardithadmadehisunguardedexpression！

Inotewithoutcommentthatitdidn\'tevenoccurtomethentowakehimupandaskhimwhatHEwasuptowithmankind。

9

OnecountervailinginfluencetomydrifttoToryisminthosedayswasMargaret\'squitereligiousfaithintheLiberals。Irealisedthatslowlyandwithamildastonishment。Itsetme，indeed，eventhenquestioningmyownchangeofopinion。Wecameatlastincidentally，asourwaywas，toanexchangeofviews。ItwasasnearlyaquarrelaswehadbeforeIcameovertotheConservativeside。ItwasatChampneys，andIthinkduringthesamevisitthatwitnessedmyexplorationofLadyForthundred。Itaroseindirectly，Ithink，outofsomecommentsofmineuponourfellow-guests，butitisoneofthosememoriesofwhichthesceneandqualityremainmorevividthanthethingssaid，amemorywithoutanyverydefinitebeginningorend。Itwasafternoon，inthepausebetweenteaandthedressingbell，andwewereinMargaret\'sbigsilver-adorned，chintz-brightroom，lookingoutonthetrimItaliangarden……

Yes，thebeginningofithasescapedmealtogether，butIrememberitasanoddexceptionallittlewrangle。

Atfirstweseemtohavesplituponthemoralqualityofthearistocracy，andIhadanoddsensethatinsomewaytoofeminineformetounderstandourhostesshadaggrievedher。Shesaid，I

know，thatChampneysdistressedher；madeher"eagerforworkandrealityagain。"

"Butaren\'tthesepeoplereal？"

"They\'resosuperficial，soextravagant！"

IsaidIwasnotshockedbytheirunreality。TheyseemedtheleastaffectedpeopleIhadevermet。"Andaretheyreallysoextravagant？"Iasked，andputittoherthatherdressescostquiteasmuchasanyotherwoman\'sinthehouse。

"It\'snotonlytheirdresses，"Margaretparried。"It\'sthescaleandspiritofthings。"

Iquestionedthat。"They\'recynical，"saidMargaret，staringbeforeheroutofthewindow。

Ichallengedher，andshequotedtheBrabants，aboutwhomtherehadbeenanancientscandal。She\'dheardofitfromAltiora，anditwasalsoAltiorawho\'dgivenherahorrorofLordCarnaby，whowasalsowithus。"Youknowhisreputation，"saidMargaret。"ThatNormandygirl。Everyoneknowsaboutit。IshiverwhenIlookathim。Heseems——oh！likesomethingnotofOURcivilisation。HeWILLcomeandsaylittlethingstome。"

"Offensivethings？"

"No，politenessesandthings。Ofcoursehismannersare——quiteright。Thatonlymakesitworse，Ithink。Itshowshemighthavehelped——allthathappened。IdoallIcantomakehimseeIdon\'tlikehim。Butnoneoftheothersmaketheslightestobjectiontohim。"

"Perhapsthesepeopleimaginesomethingmightbesaidforhim。"

"That\'sjustit，"saidMargaret。

"Charity，"Isuggested。

"Idon\'tlikethatsortoftoleration。"

Iwasoddlyannoyed。"Likeeatingwithpublicansandsinners，"I

said。"No！……

Butscandals，andthecontemptforrigidstandardstheircondonationdisplayed，weren\'tmorethanthesharpedgeofthetrouble。"It\'stheirwholeposition，theirselfishpredominance，theirclassconspiracyagainstthemassofpeople，"saidMargaret。"WhenIsitatdinnerinthatsplendidroom，withitsglitterandwhitereflectionsandcandlelight，anditsflowersanditswonderfulserviceanditscandelabraofsolidgold，Iseemtofeeltheslumsandtheminesandtheover-crowdedcottagesstuffedawayunderthetable。"

IremindedMargaretthatshewasnotaltogetherinnocentofunearnedincrement。

"Butaren\'twedoingourbesttogiveitback？"shesaid。

Iwasmovedtoquestionher。"Doyoureallythink，"Iasked，"thattheToriesandpeersandrichpeoplearetoblameforsocialinjusticeaswehaveitto-day？DoyoureallyseepoliticsasastruggleoflightontheLiberalsideagainstdarknessontheTory？"

"TheyMUSTknow，"saidMargaret。

Ifoundmyselfquestioningthat。IseenowthattoMargaretitmusthaveseemedtheperversestcarpingagainstmanifestthings，butatthetimeIwasconcentratedsimplyupontheelucidationofherviewandmyown；Iwantedtogetatherconceptioninthesharpest，hardestlinesthatwerepossible。ItwasperfectlyclearthatshesawToryismasthediabolicalelementinaffairs。Thethingshowedinitshopelessuntruthalltheclearerforthefine，cleanemotionwithwhichshegaveitouttome。MysleepingpeerinthelibraryatStamfordCourtandEveshamtalkingluminouslybehindtheHartsteinflowersembodiedthedevil，andmyrepletecitizensuckingathiscigarintheNationalLiberalClub，WillieCramptondiscussingthecareandmanagementofthestomachoveraspeciallyhygieniclemonade，andDr。Tumpanyinhisaggressivefrock-coatpeggingoutasortofcopyrightinSocialism，werethecentreandwingsoftheangelicside。Itwasnonsense。ButhowwasItoputthetruthtoher？

"Idon\'tseethingsatallasyoudo，"Isaid。"Idon\'tseethingsinthesameway。"

"Thinkofthepoor，"saidMargaret，goingoffatatangent。

"Thinkofeveryone，"Isaid。"WeLiberalshavedonemoremischiefthroughwell-intentionedbenevolencethanalltheselfishnessintheworldcouldhavedone。Webuiltuptheliquorinterest。"

"WE！"criedMargaret。"Howcanyousaythat？It\'sagainstus。"

"Naturally。Butwemadeitamonopolyinourclumsyeffortstopreventpeopledrinkingwhattheyliked，becauseitinterferedwithindustrialregularity——"

"Oh！"criedMargaret，stung；andIcouldseeshethoughtIwastalkingmerewickedness。

"That\'sit，"Isaid。

"Butwouldyouhavepeopledrinkwhatevertheypleased？"

"Certainly。WhatrighthaveItodictatetoothermenandwomen？"

"Butthinkofthechildren！"

"Ah！thereyouhavethefollyofmodernLiberalism，itshalf-

cunning，half-sillywayofgettingateverythinginaroundaboutfashion。Ifneglectingchildrenisanoffence，anditISanoffence，thendealwithitassuch，butdon\'tgobadgeringandrestrictingpeoplewhosellsomethingthatmaypossiblyinsomecasesleadtoaneglectofchildren。Ifdrunkennessisanoffence，punishit，butdon\'tpunishamanforsellinghonestdrinkthatperhapsafterallwon\'tmakeanyonedrunkatall。Don\'tintensifytheviciousnessofthepublic-housebyassumingtheplaceisn\'tfitforwomenandchildren。That\'seitherspiteorfolly。Makethepublic-houseFITforwomenandchildren。Makeitarealpublic-

house。IfweLiberalsgoonaswearegoing，weshallpresentlywanttostopthesaleofinkandpaperbecausethosethingstemptmentoforgery。Wedoalreadythreatentheprivacyofthepostbecauseofbettingtout\'sletters。Thedriftofallthatkindofthingisnarrow，unimaginative，mischievous，stupid……"

Istoppedshortandwalkedtothewindowandsurveyedaprettyfountain，facsimileofoneinVerona，amidsttrim-cutborderingsofyew。Beyond，andseenbetweenthestemsofilextrees，wasagreatblazeofyellowflowers