Weweredrifting，Icouldsee，towardsDoctorHaig\'ssystemofdietary，andwhethertheexclusionorinclusionoffishandchickenweremostconducivetohighefficiency，whenBritten，whohadrefusedlemonadeandclaretanddemandedBurgundy，brokeout，andwasdiscoveredtobedemandinginhisthroatjustwhatweYoungLiberalsthoughtwewereupto？
\"Iwant，\"saidBritten，repeatinghischallengealittlelouder，\"tohearjustexactlywhatyouthinkyouaredoinginParliament？\"
Lewislaughednervously，andthoughtwewere\"SeekingtheGoodoftheCommunity。\"
\"HOW？\"
\"BeneficientLegislation，\"saidLewis。
\"Beneficientinwhatdirection？\"insistedBritten。\"Iwanttoknowwhereyouthinkyouaregoing。\"
\"AmeliorationofSocialConditions，\"saidLewis。
\"That\'sonlyaphrase！\"
\"Youwouldn\'thavemesketchbillsatdinner？\"
\"I\'dlikeyoutoindicatedirections，\"saidBritten，andwaited。
\"UpwardandOn，\"saidLewiswithconsciousneatness，andturnedtoaskMrs。BuntingHarblowaboutherlittleboy\'sFrench。
ForatimetalkfrothedoverBritten\'shead，butthenaturalmischiefinMrs。Millinghamhadbeenstirred，andshewaspresentlyechoinghisdemandinlisping，quasi-confidentialundertones。\"WhatAREweLiberalsdoing？\"ThenEsmeerfellinwiththerevolutionaries。
Tobeginwith，Iwasalittleshockedbythisclamourforfundamentals——andalittledisconcerted。IhadtheexperiencethatIsupposecomestoeveryoneattimesofdiscoveringoneselftogetherwithtwodifferentsetsofpeoplewithwhomonehasmaintainedtwodifferentsetsofattitudes。Ithadalwaysbeen，I
perceived，aninstinctivesuppressioninourcirclethatweshouldn\'tbemorethanvagueaboutourpoliticalideals。Ithadalmostbecomepartofmymoralitytorespectthisconvention。Itwasunderstoodwewereallworkinghard，andkeepingourselvesfit，tremendouslyfit，underAltiora\'sinspiration，ProBonoPublico。
BuntingHarblowhadhisunder-secretaryship，andLewiswasonthevergeoftheCabinet，andthesethingsweconsideredtobeinthenatureofconfirmations……Itaddedtotbediscomfortofthesituationthattheseplungingenquirieswerebeingmadeinthepresenceofourwives。
Therebelsectionofourpartyforcedthetalk。
EdwardCramptonwaspresentlydeclaring——Iforgetinwhatrelation：
\"Thecountryiswithus。\"
Mylong-controlledhatredoftheCramptons\'stereotypedphrasesabouttheCountryandtheHousegotthebetterofme。Ishowedmyclovenhooftomyfriendsforthefirsttime。
\"Wedon\'trespecttheCountryasweusedtodo，\"Isaid。\"Wehaven\'tthesamebeliefweusedtohaveinthewillofthepeople。
It\'snogood，Crampton，tryingtokeepthatup。WeLiberalsknowasamatteroffact——nowadayseveryoneknows——thatthemonsterthatbroughtusintopowerhas，amongotherdeficiencies，nohead。We\'vegottogiveitone——ifpossiblewithbrainsandawill。Thatliesinthefuture。Forthepresentifthecountryiswithus，itmeansmerelythatwehappentohaveholdofitstether。\"
Lewiswasshocked。A\"mandate\"fromtheCountrywassacredtohissystemofpretences。
Brittenwasn\'tsubduedbyhisfirstrebuff；presentlyhewasatusagain。Therewereseveralattemptstocheckhisoutbreakofinterrogation；IremembertheCramptonsaskedquestionsaboutthewelfareofvariouscousinsofLewiswhowereunknowntotherestofus，andMargarettriedtoengageBritteninasympatheticdiscussionoftheArtsandCraftsexhibition。ButBrittenandEsmeerwerepersistent，Mrs。Millinghamwasmischievous，andintheendourrisinghopesofYoungLiberalismtooktotheirthicketsforgood，whilewetalkedalloverthemoftheprevalentvacuityofpoliticalintentions。Margaretwasperplexedbyme。ItisonlynowI
perceivejusthowperplexingImusthavebeen。\"Ofcourse，shesaidwiththatfaintstressofapprehensioninhereyes，onemusthaveaims。\"And，\"itisn\'talwayseasytoputeverythingintophrases。\"
\"Don\'tbelong，\"saidMrs。EdwardCramptontoherhsubandasthewivestroopedout。AndafterwardswhenwewentupstairsIhadanindefinablepersuasionthattheladieshadbeencriticisingBritten\'sshareinourtalkinanaltogetherunfavourablespirit。
Mrs。Edwardevidentlythoughthimaggressiveandimpertinent，andMargaretwithaquietfirmnessthatbrookednoresistance，tookhimatonceintoacornerandshowedhimItalianphotographsbyCoburn。
Wedispersedearly。
IwalkedwithBrittenalongtheChelseabackstreetstowardsBatterseaBridge——helodgedonthesouthside。
\"Mrs。Millingham\'sadear，\"hebegan。
\"She\'sadear。\"
\"Ilikedherdemandforahansombecauseafour-wheelerwastoosafe。\"
\"Shewasworkedup，\"Isaid。\"She\'sawomanoffaultlesscharacter，butherinstincts，asAltiorawouldsay，areanarchistic——whenshegivesthemachance。\"
\"Soshetakesitoutinhansomcabs。\"
\"Hansomcabs。\"
\"She\'swise，\"saidBritten……
\"Ihope，Remington，\"hewentonafterapause，\"Ididn\'tragyourothergueststoomuch。I\'veasortoffeelingatmoments——
Remington，thosechapsaresoinfernallynot——notbloody。It\'spartofaman\'sdutysometimesatleasttoeatredbeefandgetdrunk。
Howishetounderstandgovernmentifhedoesn\'t？Itscaresmetothinkofyourlot——byasortofmisapprehension——beinginpower。A
kindofneuralgiainthehead，bywayofgovernment。Idon\'tunderstandwhereYOUcomein。Thoseothers——they\'venolusts。
Theiridealisanaemia。YouandI，wehadatleastalusttotakeholdoflifeandmakesomethingofit。They——theywanttotakeholdoflifeandmakenothingofit。Theywanttocutoutallthestimulants。Justasthoughlifewasanythingelsebutareactiontostimulation！\"……
Hebegantotalkofhisownlife。Hehadhadill-fortunethroughmostofit。Hewaspoorandunsuccessful，andagirlhehadbeenveryfondofhadbeenattackedandkilledbyahorseinafieldinaveryhorriblemanner。Thesethingshadwoundedandtorturedhim，buttheyhadn\'tbrokenhim。Theyhad，itseemedtome，madeakindofcrippledanduglydemigodofhim。Hewas，Ibegantoperceive，somuchbetterthanIhadanyrighttoexpect。AtfirstIhadbeenratherstruckbyhisunkemptlook，anditmademyreactionallthestronger。Therewasabouthimsomething，akindofrawandbleedingfaithinthedeepthingsoflife，thatstirredmeprofoundlyasheshowedit。Mysetofpeoplehadirritatedhimanddisappointedhim。
Idiscoveredathistouchhowtheyirritatedhim。Hereproachedmeboldly。HemademefeelashamedofmyeasyacquiescencesasI
walkedinmysleektallneatnessbesidehisratheroldcoat，hisratherbatteredhat，hissturdiershortershape，andlistenedtohisdenunciationsofourself-satisfiedNewLiberalismandProgressivism。
\"Ithasthesamerelationtoprogress——therealityofprogress——thatthethingstheypaintondoorpanelsinthesuburbshavetoartandbeauty。There\'sasortoffiliation……YourAltiora\'sjustthepoliticalequivalentoftheladieswhoselltracedclothforembroidery；she\'sadealerinRefinedSocialReformfortheParlour。
Therealprogress，Remington，isagraverthingandapainfullerthingandaslowerthingaltogether。Look！THAT\"——andhepointedtowhereunderaboardinginthelightofagaslampadingyprostitutestoodlurking——\"wasinBabylonandNineveh。Yourlittlelotmakebelievetherewon\'tbeanythingofthesortafterthisParliament！They\'regoingtovanishatafewtopnotesfromAltioraBailey！Remington！——it\'sfoolery。It\'sprigsatplay。It\'smake-
believe，make-believe！Yourpeopletherehaven\'tgotholdofthings，aren\'tbeginningtogetholdofthings，don\'tknowanythingoflifeatall，shirklife，avoidlife，getinlittlebrightcleanroomsandtalkbigoveryourbumpersoflemonadewhiletheNightgoesbyoutside——untouched。ThoseCramptonfoolsslinkbyallthis，\"——hewavedatthewomanagain——\"pretenditdoesn\'texist，orisgoingtobebanishedrootandbranchbyanActtokeepchildreninthewetoutsidepublic-houses。Doyouthinktheyreallycare，Remington？Idon\'t。It\'smake-believe。Whattheywanttodo，whatLewiswantstodo，whatMrs。BuntingHarblowwantsherhusbandtodo，istositandfeelverygraveandnecessaryandrespectedontheGovernmentbenches。Theythinkofputtingtheirfeetoutlikestatesmen，andtiltingshinyhatswithbecomingbrimsdownovertheirsuccessfulnoses。Presentationportraittoaclubatfifty。
That\'stheirReality。That\'stheirscope。Theydon\'t，it\'smanifest，WANTtothinkbeyondthat。ThethingsthereARE，Remington，they\'llneverface！thewonderandthedepthoflife，——
lust，andthenight-sky，——pain。\"
\"Butthegoodintention，\"Ipleaded，\"theGoodWill！\"
\"Sentimentality，\"saidBritten。\"NoGoodWillisanythingbutdishonestyunlessitfretsandburnsandhurtsanddestroysaman。
Thatlotofyourshavenothingbutagoodwilltothinktheyhavegoodwill。Doyouthinktheylieawakeofnightssearchingtheirheartsaswedo？Lewis？Crampton？Orthoseneat，admiring，satisfiedlittlewives？Seehowtheyshrankfromtheprobe！\"
\"Weall，\"Isaid，\"shrinkfromtheprobe。\"
\"Godhelpus！\"saidBritten……
\"Wearebutverminatthebest，Remington，\"hebrokeout，\"andthegreatestsaintonlyawormthathaslifteditsheadforamomentfromthedust。Wearedamned，wearemeanttobedamned，coralanimalculaebuildingupward，upwardinaseaofdamnation。Butofallthedamnedthingsthateverweredamned，yourdamnedshirking，temperate，sham-efficient，self-satisfied，respectable，make-
believe，Fabian-spiritedYoungLiberalistbeutterlydamnedest。\"
Hepausedforamoment，andresumedinanentirelydifferentnote：
\"WhichiswhyIwassosurprised，Remington，tofindYOUinthisset！\"
\"You\'rejusttheoldplungeryouusedtobe，Britten，\"Isaid。\"
You\'regoingtoofarwithallyourmightforthesakeofthedamns。
Likeadonkeythatdragsitscartupabanktogetthistles。
There\'sdepthsinLiberalism——\"
\"WeweretalkingaboutLiberals。\"
\"Liberty！\"
\"Liberty！WhatdoYOORlittlelotknowofliberty？\"
\"Whatdoesanylittlelotknowofliberty？\"
\"Itwaitsoutside，toobigforourunderstanding。Likethenightandthestars。Andlust，Remington！lustandbitterness！Don\'tI
knowthem？withallthesweetnessandhopeoflifebittenandtrampled，thedeareyesandthebrainthatlovedandunderstood——andmypoormumbleofalifegoingon！I\'mwithinsightofbeingadrunkard，Remington！I\'mafailurebymoststandards！Lifehascutmetothebone。ButI\'mnotafraidofitanymore。I\'vepaidsomethingoftheprice，I\'veseensomethingofthemeaning。\"
Heflewoffatatangent。\"I\'dratherdieinDeliriumTremens，\"hecried，\"thanbeaCramptonoraLewis……\"
\"Make-believe。Make-believe。\"ThephraseandBritten\'ssquatgestureshauntedmeasIwalkedhomewardalone。IwenttomyroomandstoodbeforemydeskandsurveyedpapersandfilesandMargaret\'sadmirableequipmentofme。
IperceivedintheluridlightofBritten\'ssuggestionsthatsoitwasMr。GeorgeAlexanderwouldhavemountedastatesman\'sprivateroom……
3
Iwasneveratanystagealoyalpartyman。Idoubtifpartywilleveragainbetheforceitwasduringtheeighteenthandnineteenthcenturies。Menarebecomingincreasinglyconstructiveandselective，lesspatientundertraditionandthebondageofinitialcircumstances。Aseducationbecomesmoreuniversalandliberating，menwillsortthemselvesmoreandmorebytheirintellectualtemperamentsandlessandlessbytheiraccidentalassociations。
Thepastwillrulethemless；thefuturemore。Itisnotsimplypartybutschoolandcollegeandcountyandcountrythatlosetheirglamour。Onedoesnothearnearlyasmuchasourforefathersdidofthe\"oldHarrovian，\"\"oldArvonian，\"\"oldEtonian\"claimtothisorthatunfairadvantageorunearntsympathy。EventheScotchandtheDevoniansweakenalittleintheirclannishness。Awideningsenseoffairplaydestroyssuchthings。Theyfollowfreemasonrydown——
freemasonryofwhichoneischieflyremindednowadaysinEnglandbypropitiatorysymbolsoutsideshadypublic-houses……
Thereis，ofcourse，atypeofmanwhichclingsveryobstinatelytopartyties。Thesearethemenwithstrongreproductiveimaginationsandnoimaginativeinitiative，suchmenasCladingbowl，forexample，orDayton。Theyarethescholars-at-largeinlife。ForthemthefactthatthepartysystemhasbeenessentialinthehistoryofEnglandfortwohundredyearsgivesitanoverwhelmingglamour。
Theyhavereadhistoriesandmemoirs，theyseethegreatgreypileofWestminsternotsomuchforwhatitisasforwhatitwas，richwithdramaticmemories，populouswithgloriousghosts，phrasingitselfinevitablyinanecdotesandquotations。Itseemsalmostscandalousthatnewthingsshouldcontinuetohappen，swampingwithstrangequalitiesthesavouroftheseoldassociations。
ThatMr。RamsayMacdonaldshouldwalkthroughWestminsterHall，thrusthimself，itmaybe，throughtheverypieceofspacethatonceheldCharlestheMartyrpleadingforhislife，seemshorribleprofanationtoDayton，alastposthumousoutrage；andhewould，I
think，liketohavethefrontbenchesleftemptynowforever，oratmostadornedwithlaureatedivorytablets：\"HereDizzysat，\"and\"OnthisSpotWilliamEwartGladstonemadehisFirstBudgetSpeech。\"
Failingthis，hedemands，ifonlyassignsofmodestyandrespectonthepartofthesurvivors，meticulousimitation。\"Mr。G。，\"hemurmurs，\"wouldnothavedonethat，\"andlamentsavanishedsubtletyevenwhileMr。Eveshamisspeaking。Heisalwaysgloomilydisposedtolapseintowonderingsaboutwhatthingsarecomingto，wonderingsthathavenograinofcuriosity。Hisconceptionofperfectconductisindustriouspersistencealongtheworn-down，well-markedgroovesofthegreatrecordeddays。Soinfinitelymoreimportanttohimisthedocumented，respectedthingthantheelusivepresent。
CladingbowlandDaytondonotshineintheHouse，thoughCladingbowlisasoundmanonacommittee，andDaytonkeepstheOLDCOUNTRY
GAZETTE，themostgentlemanlypaperinLondon。Theyprevail，however，intheirclubsatlunchtime。There，withthepleasantconsciousnessofamorning\'sworkfreefromeitherzealorshirking，theyminglewithpermanentofficials，prominentlawyers，evenafewofthesoberertypeofbusinessmen，andrelaxtheirmindsinthediscussionofthemorningpaper，ofthearchitectureoftheWestEnd，andofthelatestpublicappointments，ofgolf，ofholidayresorts，ofthelastjudicialwitticismsandforensic\"crushers。\"
TheNewYearandBirthdayhonourslistsarealwaysverysagelyandexhaustivelyconsidered，andanecdotesarepopularandkeenlyjudged。Theydonottalkofthethingsthatarereallyactiveintheirminds，butintheformalandhabitualmannertheysupposetobepropertointelligentbutstillhonourablemen。Socialism，individualmoneymatters，andreligionareforbiddentopics，andsexandwomenonlyinsofarastheyappearinthelawcourts。Itistomethestrangestofconventions，thisassumptionofunrealloyaltiesandtraditionalrespects，thisrepudiationandconcealmentofpassionateinterests。Itislikewearingglovesinsummerfields，orbathinginagown，orfallinginlovewiththeheroineofanovel，orwritingunderapseudonym，orbecomingamaskedTuareg……
Itisnot，Ithink，thatmenofmyspeciesareinsensitivetothegreatpastthatisembodiedinWestminsteranditstraditions；wearenotsomuchwantinginthehistoricalsenseasalivetothegreatnessofourpresentopportunitiesandthestillvasterfuturethatispossibletous。Londonisthemostinteresting，beautiful，andwonderfulcityintheworldtome，delicateinherincidentalandmultitudinouslittleness，andstupendousinherpregnanttotality；Icannotbringmyselftouseherasamuseumoranoldbookshop。WhenIthinkofWhitehallthatlittleaffaironthescaffoldoutsidetheBanquetingHallseemstrivialandremoteincomparisonwiththepossibilitiesthatofferthemselvestomyimaginationwithinthegreatgreyGovernmentbuildingscloseathand。
Itgivesmeaqualmofnostalgiaeventonamethoseplacesnow。I
thinkofSt。Stephen\'stowerstreamingupwardsintothemistyLondonnightandthegreatwetquadrangleofNewPalaceYard，fromwhichthehansomcabsofmyfirstexperienceswereoustedmoreandmorebytaxicabsasthesecondParliamentofKingEdwardtheSeventhaged；I
thinkoftheAdmiraltyandWarofficewiththeirtallMarconimastssendingoutinvisiblethreadsofdirectiontothearmiesinthecamps，togreatfleetsabouttheworld。Thecrowded，darklyshiningrivergoesfloodingthroughmymemoryonceagain，ontothosenarrowseasthatpartusfromourrivalnations；Iseequadranglesandcorridorsofspaciousgrey-tonedofficesinwhichundistinguishedlittlemenandlittlefilesofpaperslinkustoislandsinthetropics，tofrozenwildernessesgashedforgold，tovasttemple-
studdedplains，toforestworldsandmountainworlds，toportsandfortressesandlighthousesandwatch-towersandgrazinglandsandcornlandsallabouttheglobe。OncemoreItraverseVictoriaStreet，grimyanddark，wheretheAgentsoftheEmpirejostleoneanother，passthebigembassiesintheWestEndwiththeirflagsandscutcheons，followthebroadavenuethatleadstoBuckinghamPalace，witnessthecomingandgoingoftroopsandofficialsandguestsalongitfromeverylandonearth……Interwoveninthetextureofitall，mocking，perplexing，stimulatingbeyondmeasure，isthegleamingconsciousness，thechallengingknowledge：\"Youandyourkindmightstill，ifyoucouldbutgraspithere，mouldallthedestinyofMan！\"
4
MyfirstthreeyearsinParliamentwereyearsofactivediscontent。
ThelittlegroupofyoungerLiberalstowhichIbelongedwasveryignorantofthetraditionsandqualitiesofourolderleaders，andquiteoutoftouchwiththemassoftheparty。ForatimeParliamentwasenormouslytakenupwithmoribundissuesandoldquarrels。TheearlyEducationallegislationwassectarianandunenterprising，andtheLicensingBillwentlittlefurtherthantheattemptedrectificationofaConservativemistake。Iwasaltogetherforthenationalisationofthepublic-houses，andofthisendtheBillgavenointimations。Itwasjustbeer-baiting。Iwasrecalcitrantalmostfromthebeginning，andspokeagainsttheGovernmentsoearlyasthesecondreadingofthefirstEducationBill，theonetheLordsrejectedin1906。Iwentalittlebeyondmyintentionintheheatofspeaking，——itisawaywithinexperiencedman。IcalledtheBilltimid，narrow，ameresoptothejealousiesofsectsandlittle-mindedpeople。Icontrasteditsaimandmethodswiththemanifestneedsofthetime。
Iamnotaparticularlygoodspeaker；afterthemannerofawriterI
worrytofindmymeaningtoomuch；butthiswasoneofmysuccesses。
IspokeafterdinnerandtoafairlyfullHouse，forpeoplewerealreadyalittlecuriousaboutmebecauseofmywritings。SeveraloftheConservativeleaderswerepresentandstayed，andMr。
Evesham，Iremember，cameostentatiouslytohearme，withthatengagingfriendlinessofhis，andgavemeatthefirstchanceanapproving\"Hear，Hear！\"IcanstillrecallquitedistinctlymytwofutileattemptstocatchtheSpeaker\'seyebeforeIwasabletobegin，thenervousquiverofmyrathertoopreparedopening，theeffectofhearingmyownvoiceandmysubconsciouswonderastowhatIcouldpossiblybetalkingabout，therealisationthatIwasgettingonfairlywell，theimmensesatisfactionafterwardsofhavingonthewholebroughtitoff，andtheabsurdgratitudeIfeltforthatencouragingcheer。
AddressingtheHouseofCommonsislikenootherpublicspeakingintheworld。Itssemi-colloquialmethodsgiveitanairofbeingeasy，butitsshiftingaudience，thecomingsandgoingsandhesitationsofmembersbehindthechair——notmereaudienceunits，butmenwhomatter——thedesolatingemptinessthatspreadsitselfroundthemanwhofailstointerest，thelittlecompact，disciplinedcrowdinthestrangers\'gallery，thelight，elusive，flickeringmovementshighupbehindthegrill，thewigged，attentive，wearySpeaker，thetableandthemaceandthechapel-likeGothicbackgroundwithitssombreshadows，conspiretogether，produceaconfused，uncertainfeelinginme，asthoughIwaswalkinguponapavementfulloftrap-doorsandpatchesofuncoveredmorass。A
misplaced，well-meant\"Hear，Hear！\"isapttobeextraordinarilydisconcerting，andundernoothercircumstanceshaveIhadtospeakwithquitethesamesidewaystwistthatthearrangementoftheHouseimposes。Onedoesnotrecogniseone\'sownvoicethreadingoutintothestirringbrown。UnlessIwasexcitedorspeakingtothemindofsomeparticularpersoninthehouse，Iwasapttolosemyfeelingofanauditor。Ihadnosenseofwhithermysentencesweregoing，suchasonehaswithapublicmeetingwellunderone\'seye。Andtoloseone\'ssenseofanauditorisforamanofmytemperamenttoloseone\'ssenseoftheimmediate，andtobecomeprolixandvaguewithqualifications。
5
MydiscontentswiththeLiberalpartyandmymentalexplorationofthequalityofpartygenerallyiscuriouslymixedupwithcertainimpressionsofthingsandpeopleintheNationalLiberalClub。TheNationalLiberalClubisLiberalismmadevisibleintheflesh——andDoultonware。Itisanextraordinarybigclubdoneinabold，wholesale，shiny，marbledstyle，richlyfurnishedwithnumerouspaintings，steelengravings，busts，andfull-lengthstatuesofthelateMr。Gladstone；anditsspaciousdining-rooms，itslong，hazy，crowdedsmoking-roomwithinnumerablelittletablesandgroupsofmeninarmchairs，itsmagazineroomandlibraryupstairs，havejustthatundistinguishedandunconcentrateddiversitywhichisformetheLiberalnote。Thepensivemembersitsandhearsperplexingdialectsandevenfragmentsofforeignspeech，andamongtheclusteringmassesoflessinsistentwhiteshisrovingeyecatchesprofilesandcomplexionsthatsendhismindafieldtoCalcuttaorRangoonortheWestIndiesorSierraLeoneortheCape……
Iwasnotinfrequentlythatpensivemember。IusedtogototheClubtodoubtaboutLiberalism。
Abouttwoo\'clockinthedaythegreatsmoking-roomiscrowdedwithcountlesslittlegroups。Theysitaboutsmallroundtables，orincirclesofchairs，andthehazeoftobaccoseemstoprolongthegreatnarrowplace，withitspillarsandbays，toinfinity。Someofthegroupsarebig，asmanyasadozenmentalkinloudtones；someareduologues，andthereisalwaysasprinklingoflonely，dissociatedmen。Atfirstonegetsanimpressionofmengoingfromgrouptogroupandasitwerelinkingthem，butasonewatchescloselyonefindsthatthesemenjustvisitthreeorfourgroupsattheoutside，andknownothingoftheothers。Onebeginstoperceivemoreandmoredistinctlythatoneisdealingwithasortofhumanmosaic；thateachpatchinthatgreatplaceisofadifferentqualityandcolourfromthenextandnevertobemixedwithit。
Mostclubshaveacommonlink，alowestcommondenominatorintheClubBore，whosparesnoone，buteventheNationalLiberalboresarespecialisedandsectional。AsonelooksroundoneseeshereaclumpofmenfromtheNorthCountryorthePotteries，hereanislandofSouthLondonpoliticians，hereacoupleofyoungJewsascendantfromWhitechapel，hereacircleofjournalistsandwriters，hereagroupofIrishpoliticians，heretwoEastIndians，hereapriestorso，hereaclumpofold-fashionedProtestants，herealittleknotofeminentRationalistsindulginginablasphemousstorySOTTOVOCE。
NextthemareagroupofanglicisedGermansandhighlyspecialisedchess-players，andthentwooftheoddest-lookingpersons——bulgingwithdocumentsandintentuponextraordinarybusinesstransactionsoverlongcigars……
Iwouldlistentoastormyseaofbabblement，andtrytoextractsomeconstructiveintimations。EverynowandthenIgotawhiffofpolitics。ItwascleartheywereagainsttheLords——againstplutocrats——againstCossington\'snewspapers——againstthebrewers……
Itwastremendouslyclearwhattheywereagainst。Thetroublewastofindoutwhatonearththeywerefor！……
AsIsatandthought，thestreakedandmottledpillarsandwall，thevariousviews，aspects，andportraitsofMr。andMrs。Gladstone，thepartitionsofpolishedmahogany，theyellow-vestedwaiters，woulddissolveandvanish，andIwouldhaveavisionofthissampleofmiscellaneousmenoflimited，diverseinterestsandauniversallittlenessofimaginationenlarged，unlimited，nolongerasamplebutacommunity，spreading，stretchingouttoinfinity——allinlittlegroupsandduologuesandcircles，allwiththeirspecialandnarrowconcerns，allwiththeirbackstomostoftheothers。
Whatbutacommonantagonismwouldeverkeepthesemultitudestogether？Iunderstoodwhymodernelectioneeringismorethanhalfofitdenunciation。Letuscondemn，ifpossible，letusobstructanddeprive，butnotletusdo。Thereisnorealappealtothecommonplacemindin\"Letusdo。\"Thatcallsforthecreativeimagination，andfewhavebeenaccustomedtorespondtothatcall。
Theothermerelyneedsjealousyandbate，ofwhichtherearegreatandeasilyaccessiblereservoirsineveryhumanheart……
Irememberthatvisionofendless，narrow，jealousindividualityveryvividly。Aseethinglimitlessnessitbecameatlast，likeawasteplacecoveredbycrawlinglocuststhatmensweepupbythesackloadanddrownbythemillioninditches……
Grotesquelyagainstitcametheleanfeatures，thesidelongshymovementsofEdwardCrampton，seatedinacircleoftalkerscloseathand。Ihadawhiffofhisstrained，unmusicalvoice，andbehold！
hewassayingsomethingaboutthe\"WillofthePeople……\"
Theimmenseandwonderfuldisconnectednessesofhumanlife！I
forgotthesmokeandjabberoftheclubaltogether；Ibecamealonelyspiritflungaloftbysomequeeraccident，astoneuponaledgeinsomehighandrockywilderness，andbelowasfarastheeyecouldreachstretchedtheswarminginfinitesimalsofhumanity，likegrassuponthefield，likepebblesuponunboundedbeaches。Wasthereevertobeinhumanlifemorethanthatendlessstrugglingindividualism？Wasthereindeedsomegiantry，someimmensevaliantsynthesis，stilltocome——orpresentitmightbeandstillunseenbyme，orwasthisthebeginningandwithalthelastphaseofmankind？……
Iglimpsedforawhilethestupendousimpudenceofourambitions，thetremendousenterprisetowhichthemodernstatesmanisimplicitlyaddressed。Iwasasitwereoneofalittleswarmofwould-bereefbuilderslookingbackattheteemingslimeupontheoceanfloor。Allthehistoryofmankind，allthehistoryoflife，hasbeenandwillbethestoryofsomethingstrugglingoutoftheindiscriminatedabyss，strugglingtoexistandprevailoverandcomprehendindividuallives——aneffortofinsidiousattraction，anideaofinvincibleappeal。Thatsomethinggreaterthanourselves，whichdoesnotsomuchexistasseekexistence，palpitatingbetweenbeingandnot-being，howmarvellousitis！Ithasworntheformandvisageoftenthousanddifferentgods，soughtashapeforitselfinstoneandivoryandmusicandwonderfulwords，spokenmoreandmoreclearlyofamysteryoflove，amysteryofunity，dabblingmeanwhileinbloodandcrueltybeyondthecommonimpulsesofmen。Itissomethingthatcomesandgoes，likealightthatshinesandiswithdrawn，withdrawnsocompletelythatonedoubtsifithaseverbeen……
6
Iwouldmarkwithacuriousinterestthestraycountrymemberoftheclubupintownforanightorso。Mymindwouldbebusywithspeculationsabouthim，abouthishome，hisfamily，hisreading，hishorizons，hisinnumerablefellowswhodidn\'tbelongandnevercameup。IwouldfillintheoutlineofhimwithmemoriesofmyuncleandhisStaffordshireneighbours。HewasperhapsAldermanThisorCouncillorThatdownthere，agreatmaninhisward，J。P。withinsevenmilesoftheboundaryoftheborough，andaGodinhishome。
Herehewasnobody，andveryshy，andeitheralittletooarrogantoralittletoomeektowardsourverydemocraticmanneredbutstilllivenedwaiters。WasheperhapsthebackboneofEngland？Heover-
atehimselflestheshouldappearmean，wentthroughourSpecialDinnerconscientiously，drank，unlesshewasteetotal，ofunfamiliarwines，anddidhisbest，inspiteoftherules，totip。Afterwards，inastateofflushedrepletion，hewouldhaveoldbrandy，blackcoffee，andabandedcigar，orinthenameoftemperanceomitthebrandyandhaverathermorecoffee，inthesmoking-room。Iwouldsitandwatchthatstiffdignityofself-indulgence，andwonder，wonder……
Aninfernalclairvoyancewouldcometome。Iwouldhavevisionsofhiminrelationtohiswife，checkingalways，sometimesbullying，sometimesbeingostentatiously\"kind\"；Iwouldseehimglancefurtivelyathisdomesticservantsuponhisstaircase，orstiffenhisupperlipagainstthereluctant，protestingbusinessemployee。
Weimaginativepeoplearebaseenough，heavenknows，butitisonlyinraremoodsofbitterpenetrationthatwepiercedowntothebaserlusts，thevilershames，theeverlastinglyingandmuddle-headedself-justificationofthedull。
Iwouldturnmyeyesdownthecrowdedroomandseeothersofhimandothers。Whatdidhethinkhewasupto？Didheforamomentrealisethathispresenceunderthatceramicgloryofaceilingwithmemeant，ifithadanyrationalmeaningatall，thatwewerejointlydoingsomethingwiththenationandtheempireandmankind？……Howonearthcouldanyonegetholdofhim，makeanynobleuseofhim？Hedidn\'treadbeyondhisnewspaper。Heneverthought，butonlyfollowedimaginingsinhisheart。Heneverdiscussed。Atthefirsthintofdiscussionhistempergaveway。
Hewas，Iknew，adeep，thinly-coveredtankofresentmentsandquiteirrationalmoralrages。YetwithalIwouldhavetoresistanimpulsetogoovertohimandnudgehimandsaytohim，\"Lookhere！Whatindeeddoyouthinkwearedoingwiththenationandtheempireandmankind？Youknow——MANKIND！\"
IwonderwhatreplyIshouldhavegot。
Sofarasanyaveragecouldbestruckandsofarasanybackbonecouldbelocated，itseemedtomethatthissilent，shy，replete，sub-angry，middle-classsentimentalistwasinhisendlessspeciesandvarietiesanddialectsthebackboneofourparty。SofarasI
couldbeconsideredasrepresentinganythingintheHouse，I
pretendedtositfortheelementsofHIM……
7
ForatimeIturnedtowardstheSocialists。Theyatleasthadanairofcoherentintentions。AtthattimeSocialismhadcomeintopoliticsagainafteraperiodofdepressionandobscurity，withatremendousECLAT。TherewasvisiblyafollowingofSocialistmemberstoChrisRobinson；mysteriouslyuncommunicativegentlemeninsoftfelthatsandshortcoatsandsquare-toedbootswhorepliedtocasualadvancesalittlesurprisinglyinrichNorthCountrydialects。Membersbecameawareofa\"seagreenincorruptible，\"asColonelMarlowputittome，speakingontheAddress，aslendertwistedfiguresupportingitselfonastickandspeakingwithafirethatwasaltogetherrevolutionary。ThiswasPhilipSnowden，thememberforBlackburn。Theyhadcomeinnearlyfortystrongaltogether，andwithanairofpresentlymeaningtocomeinmuchstronger。Theywereonlyoneaspectofwhatseemedatthattimeabignationalmovement。Socialistsocieties，wegathered，werespringingupalloverthecountry，andeveryonewasinquiringaboutSocialismanddiscussingSocialism。IthadtakentheUniversitieswithparticularforce，andanyyoungsterwiththeslightestintellectualpretensionwaseitheractivelyfororbrilliantlyagainst。ForatimeourYoungLiberalgroupwasostentatiouslysympathetic……
WhenIthinkoftheSocialiststherecomesavividmemoryofcertaineveninggatheringsatourhouse……
ThesegatheringshadbeenorganisedbyMargaretastheoutcomeofadiscussionattheBaileys\'。AltiorahadbeenveryemphaticanduncharitableuponthefutilityoftheSocialistmovement。Itseemedthateventheleadersfoughtshyofdinner-parties。
\"Theynevermeeteachother，\"saidAltiora，\"muchlesspeopleontheotherside。Howcantheybegintounderstandpoliticsuntiltheydothat？\"
\"Mostofthemhavetotallyunpresentablewives，\"saidAltiora，\"totally！\"andquotedinstances，\"andtheyWILLbringthem。Ortheywon\'tcome！Someofthepoorcreatureshavescarcelylearnttheirtablemanners。Theyjustmakeholesinthetalk……\"
IthoughttherewasagreatdealoftruthbeneathAltiora\'soutburst。ThepresentationoftheSocialistcaseseemedverygreatlycrippledbythewantofacommonintimacyinitsleaders；
thewantofintimacydidn\'tatfirstappeartobemorethananaccident，andourtalkledtoMargaret\'sattempttogetacquaintanceandeasyintercourseafootamongthemandbetweenthemandtheYoungLiberalsofourgroup。Shegaveaseriesofweeklydinners，planned，Ithink，alittletooaccuratelyuponAltiora\'smodel，andaftereachwehadascatholicareceptionaswecouldcontrive。
Ourreceptionswereindeed，Ishouldthink，aboutascatholicasreceptionscouldbe。Margaretfoundherselfwithaweeklyhousefulofinsolubleproblemsinintercourse。Onedidone\'sbest，butonegotanightmarefeelingastheeveningworeon。
Itwasoneofthefewunanimitiesofthesepartiesthateveryoneshouldbealittleoddinappearance，funnyaboutthehairorthetieortheshoesormoregenerally，andthatburstsofviolentaggressionshouldalternatewithanattitudeentirelydefensive。A
numberofourguestshadanairofwaitingforacluethatnevercame，andstoodandsataboutsilently，mildlyamusedbutnotabitsurprisedthatwedidnotdiscovertheirdistinctiveOpen-Sesames。
Therewasasprinklingofmanifestseersandprophetessesinshapelessgarments，fartoomany，Ithought，forreallyeasysocialintercourse，andanyconversationatanymomentwasliabletobecomeoracular。Onewasinastateoftensionfromfirsttolast；themostinnocentremarkseemedcapableofexplodingresentment，andrepliescameoutatthemostunexpectedangles。WeYoungLiberalswentaboutpuzzledbutpolitetothegatheringwehadevoked。TheYoungLiberals\'traditionisonthewholewonderfullydiscreet，superfluoussteamisletoutfarawayfromhomeintheBalkansorAfrica，andtheneat，stifffiguresoftheCramptons，BuntingHarblow，andLewis，eitherinextremelywell-cutmorningcoatsindicativeoftheHouse，orinwhatissometimeswrittenofas\"faultlesseveningdress，\"stoodaboutonthoseevenings，theyandtheirveryquietlyandsimplyandexpensivelydressedlittlewives，likeadatumlineamidstlakesandmountains。
Ididn\'tatfirstseetheconnectionbetweensystematicsocialreorganisationandarbitrarynoveltiesindietaryandcostume，justasIdidn\'trealisewhythemostcomprehensiveconstructiveprojectsshouldappeartobesupportedsolelybyoddandexceptionalpersonalities。Ononeoftheseeveningsalittlegroupofratherjolly-lookingprettyyoungpeopleseatedthemselvesfornoparticularreasoninalargecircleonthefloorofmystudy，andengaged，sofarasIcouldjudge，inthegameofHunttheMeaning，theintellectualequivalentofHunttheSlipper。ItmusthavebeenthatsameeveningIcameuponanunbleachedyounggentlemanbeforetheovalmirroronthelandingengagedinremovingtheremainsofananchovysandwichfromhisprotrudedtongue——visibleendsofcresshavingmisledhimintothebeliefthathewasdealingwithdoctrinallypermissiblefood。Itwasnotunusualtobegivenhand-
billsandprintedmatterbyourguests，butthereIhadtheadvantageoverLewis，whowastootactfultorefusethestuff，tooneatlydressedtopocketit，andhadnowriting-deskavailableuponwhichhecouldrelievehimselfinamannerflatteringtothegiver。
Sothathishandsgotfullerandfuller。Arelentless，compactlittlewomaninwhatMargaretdeclaredtobeanextremelyexpensiveblackdresshasalsoprintedherselfonmymemory；shehadsetherheartuponmycontributingtoaweeklyperiodicalinthelentilinterestwithwhichshewasassociated，andIspentmuchtimeandcareinevadingher。
MinglingwiththemorehygienictypeswereanumberofAnti-PuritanSocialists，bulgingwithbiasagainsttemperance，andbreakingoutagainstausteremethodsoflivingallovertheirfaces。Theirmannerwaspackedwithheartiness。TheywereapttochoketheapproachestothelittlebuffetMargarethadsetupdownstairs，andthereengageindiscussionsofDeterminism——italwaysseemedtobeDeterminism——whichbecameheartierandnoisier，butneveracrimoniouseveninthesmallhours。ItseemedimpossibletosettleaboutthisDeterminismoftheirs——ever。AndtherewereworldlySocialistsalso。Iparticularlyrecallalarge，active，buoyant，lady-killingindividualwithaneyeglassborneuponabroadblackribbon，whoswamaboutusoneevening。Hemighthavebeenaslightlyfrayedactor，inhislargefrock-coat，hiswhitewaistcoat，andthesortofblackandwhitechecktrousersthattwinkle。Hehadahigh-pitchedvoicewitharistocraticintonations，andheseemedtobeinaperpetualstateofinterrogation。\"Whatareweallhe-afor？\"hewouldaskonlytooaudibly。\"Whatarewedoinghe-a？
What\'stheconnection？\"
WhatWAStheconnection？
WemadeaspecialeffortwithourlastassemblyinJune，1907。WetriedtogetsomethinglikearepresentativecollectionoftheparliamentaryleadersofSocialism，thevariousexponentsofSocialistthoughtandanumberofYoungLiberalthinkersintooneroom。Dorvilcame，andHoratioBulch；FeatherstonehaughappearedfortenminutesandtalkedcharminglytoMargaretandthenvanishedagain；therewasWilkinsthenovelistandToomerandDr。Tumpany。
ChrisRobinsonstoodaboutforatimeinanewcomforter，andMagdebergandWillPipesandfiveorsixLabourmembers。Andonoursidewehadourparticularlittlegroup，BuntingHarblow，Crampton，Lewis，alllookingasbroad-mindedandopentoconvictionastheypossiblycould，andevenoccasionallytalkingoutfromtheirbushesalmostboldly。Butthegatheringasawholerefusedeithertomingleordispute，andasanexperimentinintercoursetheeveningwasafailure。UnexpecteddissociationsappearedbetweenSocialistsonehadsupposedfriendly。Icouldnothaveimagineditwaspossibleforhalfsomanypeopletoturntheirbacksoneverybodyelseinsuchsmallroomsasours。Buttheunsaidthingsthosebacksexpressedbrokeout，Iremarked，withrefreshedvirulenceinthevariousorgansofthevarioussectionsofthepartynextweek。
Italked，Irememher，withDr。Tumpany，alargeyoungmaninastilllargerprofessionalfrock-coat，andwithagreatshockofveryfairhair，whowascandidateforsomeNorthCountryconstituency。Wediscussedthepoliticaloutlook，and，likesomanySocialistsatthattime，hewasfullofvaguethreateningsagainsttheLiberalparty。IwasstruckbyathinginhimthatIhadalreadyobservedlessvividlyinmanyothersoftheseSocialistleaders，andwhichgavemeatlastacluetothewholebusiness。Hebehavedexactlylikeamaninpossessionofvaluablepatentrights，whowantstobedealtwith。Hehadanairofhavingacornerinideas。ThenitflashedintomyheadthatthewholeSocialistmovementwasanattemptedcornerinideas……
8
LatethatnightIfoundmyselfalonewithMargaretamidthedebrisofthegathering。
Isatbeforethefire，handsinpockets，andMargaret，lookingwhiteandweary，cameandleantuponthemantel。
\"Oh，Lord！\"saidMargaret。
Iagreed。ThenIresumedmymeditation。
\"Ideas，\"Isaid，\"countformorethanIthoughtintheworld。\"
Margaretregardedmewiththatneutralexpressionbehindwhichshewasaccustomedtowaitforclues。
\"WhenyouthinkoftheheightanddepthandimportanceandwisdomoftheSocialistideas，andseethemenwhoarerunningthem，\"I
explained……\"AbigsystemofideaslikeSocialismgrowsupoutoftheobviouscommonsenseofourpresentconditions。It\'sasimpersonalasscience。Allthesemen——They\'vegivennothingtoit。
They\'rejustpeoplewhohavepeggedoutclaimsuponabigintellectualNo-Man\'s-Land——anddon\'tfeelquitesureofthelaw。
There\'sasortofquarrelsomeuneasiness……IfweprofessedSocialismdoyouthinkthey\'dwelcomeus？Notamanofthem！
They\'dfeelitwasburglary……\"
\"Yes，\"saidMargaret，lookingintothefire。\"ThatisjustwhatI
feltaboutthemalltheevening……ParticularlyDr。Tumpany。\"
\"Wemustn\'tconfuseSocialismwiththeSocialists，Isaid；\"that\'sthemoralofit。IsupposeifGodweretofindHehadmadeamistakeindatesorsomething，andwentbackandannihilatedeverybodyfromOwenonwardswhowasinanywayknownasaSocialistleaderorteacher，Socialismwouldbeexactlywhereitisandwhatitisto-day——agrowingrealisationofconstructiveneedsineveryman\'smind，andalittlecornerinpartypolitics。So，Isuppose，itwillalwaysbe……ButtheyWEREadamnedlot，Margaret！\"
Ilookedupatthelittlenoiseshemade。\"TWICE！\"shesaid，smilingindulgently，\"to-day！\"EventhesmilewasAltiora\'s。
Ireturnedtomythoughts。TheyWEREadamnedhumanlot。Itwasanexcellentwordinthatconnection……
Buttheideasmarchedon，theideasmarchedon，justasthoughmen\'sbrainswerenomorethanstepping-stones，justasthoughsomegreatbraininwhichwearealllittlecellsandcorpuscleswasthinkingthem！……
\"Idon\'tthinkthereisamanamongthemwhomakesmefeelheistrustworthy，\"saidMargaret；\"unlessitisFeatherstonehaugh。\"
Isattakinginthisproposition。
\"They\'llneverhelpus，Ifeel，\"saidMargaret。
\"Us？\"
\"TheLiberals。\"
\"Oh，damntheLiberals！\"Isaid。\"They\'llneverevenhelpthemselves。\"
\"Idon\'tthinkIcouldpossiblygetonwithanyofthosepeople，\"
saidMargaret，afterapause。
Sheremainedforatimelookingdownatmeand，Icouldfeel，perplexedbyme，butIwantedtogoonwithmythinking，andsoI
didnotlookup，andpresentlyshestoopedtomyforeheadandkissedmeandwentrustlingsoftlytoherroom。
Iremainedinmystudyforalongtimewithmythoughtscrystallisingout……
Itwasthen，Ithink，thatIfirstapprehendedclearlyhowthatoppositiontowhichIhavealreadyalludedoftheimmediatelifeandthementalhinterlandofaman，canbeappliedtopublicandsocialaffairs。Theideasgoon——andnopersonorpartysucceedsinembodyingthem。Therealityofhumanprogressnevercomestothesurface，itisapowerinthedeeps，anundertow。Itgoesoninsilencewhilementhink，instudieswheretheywriteself-
forgetfully，inlaboratoriesundertheurgencyofanimpersonalcuriosity，intherareilluminationofhonesttalk，inmomentsofemotionalinsight，inthoughtfulreading，butnotineverydayaffairs。Everydayaffairsandwhateverismadeaneverydayaffair，aretransactionsoftheostensibleself，thebeingofhabits，interests，usage。Temper，vanity，hastyreactiontoimitation，personalfeeling，aretheirsubstance。Nomancanabolishhisimmediateselfandspecialiseinthedepths；ifheattemptthat，hesimplyturnshimselfintosomethingalittlelessthanthecommonman。Hemayhaveanimmensehinterland，butthatdoesnotabsolvehimfromafrontage。Thatistheessentialerrorofthespecialistphilosopher，thespecialistteacher，thespecialistpublicist。Theyrepudiatefrontage；claimtobepurehinterland。ThatiswhatbotheredmeaboutCodger，aboutthosevariousschoolmasterswhohadpreparedmeforlife，abouttheBaileysandtheirdreamofanofficialrulingclass。Ahumanbeingwhoisaphilosopherinthefirstplace，ateacherinthefirstplace，orastatesmaninthefirstplace，istherebyandinevitably，thoughhebringGod-likegiftstothepretence——aquack。Theseareattemptstolivedeep-
sideshallow，insideout。Theyproducemerelyanewpettiness。TounderstandSocialism，again，istogainanewbreadthofoutlook；tojoinaSocialistorganisationistojoinanarrowcultwhichisnoteventolerablyserviceableinpresentingorspreadingtheideasforwhichitstands……
IperceivedIhadgotsomethingquitefundamentalhere。Ithadtakenmesomeyearstorealisethetruerelationofthegreatconstructiveideasthatswayedmenotonlytopoliticalparties，buttomyself。Ihadbeendisposedtoidentifytheformulaeofsomeonepartywithsocialconstruction，andtoregardtheotherasnecessarilyanti-constructive，justasIhadbeeninclinedtofollowtheBaileysintheself-righteousnessofsupposingmyselftobewhollyconstructive。ButIsawnowthateverymanofintellectualfreedomandvigourisnecessarilyconstructive-mindednowadays，andthatnomanisdisinterestedlyso。Eachoneofusrepeatsinhimselftheconflictoftheracebetweenthesplendourofitspossibilitiesanditsimmediateassociations。Wemaybeshapingimmortalthings，butwemustsleepandanswerthedinnergong，andhaveoursaltofflatteryandself-approval。Inpoliticsamancountsnotforwhatheisinmomentsofimaginativeexpansion，butforhiscommonworkaday，selfishself；andpoliticalpartiesareheldtogethernotbyacommunityofultimateaims，butbythestablerbondofanaccustomedlife。Everybodyalmostisforprogressingeneral，andnearlyeverybodyisopposedtoanychange，exceptinsofarasgrossincrementsarechange，inhisparticularmethodoflivingandbehaviour。Everypartystandsessentiallyfortheinterestsandmentalusagesofsomedefiniteclassorgroupofclassesintheexcitingcommunity，andeverypartyhasitsscientific-mindedandconstructiveleadingsection，withwell-
definedhinterlandsformulatingitssocialfunctionsinapublic-
spiritedform，anditssuperficial-mindedfollowingconfessingitsmeannessesandvanitiesandprejudices。Noclasswillabolishitself，materiallyalteritswayoflife，ordrasticallyreconstructitself，albeitnoclassisindisposedtoco-operateintheunlimitedsocialisationofanyotherclass。Inthatcapacityforaggressionuponotherclassesliestheessentialdrivingforceofmodernaffairs。Theinstincts，thepersons，theparties，andvanitiesswayandstruggle。Theideasandunderstandingsmarchonandachievethemselvesforall——inspiteofeveryone……
ThemethodsandtraditionsofBritishpoliticsmaintaintheformoftwogreatparties，withridergroupsseekingtogainspecificendsintheeventofasmallGovernmentmajority。Thesetwomainpartiesaremoreorlessheterogeneousincomposition。Each，however，hascertainnecessarycharacteristics。TheConservativePartyhasalwaysstoodquitedefinitelyfortheestablishedpropertiedinterests。Theland-owner，thebiglawyer，theEstablishedChurch，andlatterlythehugeprivatemonopolyoftheliquortradewhichhasbeencreatedbytemperancelegislation，aretheessentialConservatives。Interwovennowwiththenativewealthyarethefamiliesofthegreatinternationalusurers，andavastmiscellaneousmassoffinancialenterprise。Outsidetherangeofresistanceimpliedbytheseinterests，theConservativePartyhasalwaysshownitselfjustasconstructiveandcollectivistasanyotherparty。Thegreatlandownershavebeenaswell-disposedtowardstheendowmentofhighereducation，andaswillingtoco-
operatewiththeChurchinprotectiveandmildlyeducationallegislationforchildrenandtheworkingclass，asanypoliticalsection。Thefinanciers，too，areadventurous-spiritedandeagerformechanicalprogressandtechnicalefficiency。Theyarepreparedtospendpublicmoneyuponresearch，uponportsandharboursandpubliccommunications，uponsanitationandhygienicorganisation。A
certainrudebenevolenceofpublicintentionisequallycharacteristicoftheliquortrade。Providedhiscomfortleadstonoexcessesoftemperance，theliquortradeisquiteeagertoseethecommonmanprosperous，happy，andwithmoneytospendinabar。
Allsectionsofthepartyareaggressivelypatrioticandfavourablyinclinedtotheideaofanupstanding，well-fed，andwell-exercisedpopulationinuniform。Ofcoursetherearereactionarylandownersandold-fashionedcountryclergy，fulloflocalisedself-importance，jealousevenofthecottagerwhocanread，buttheyhaveneitherthepowernortheabilitytoretardtheconstructiveforcesinthepartyasawhole。Ontheotherhand，whenmatterspointtoanydefinitelyconfiscatoryproposal，tothepublicownershipandcollectivecontrolofland，forexample，orstateminingandmanufactures，orthenationalisationoftheso-calledpublic-houseorextendedmunicipalenterprise，oreventoanincreaseofthetaxationofproperty，thentheConservativePartypresentsanearlyadamantinebar。Itdoesnotstandfor，itIS，theexistingarrangementintheseaffairs。
EvenmoredefinitelyaclasspartyistheLabourParty，whoseimmediateinterestistoraisewages，shortenhoursoflabor，increaseemployment，andmakebettertermsfortheworking-mantenantandworking-manpurchaser。Itsleadersarenodoubtconstructiveminded，butthemassofthefollowingisnaturallysuspiciousofeducationanddiscipline，hostiletothehighereducation，and——exceptforanobviousantagonismtoemployersandpropertyowners——almostdestituteofideas。Whatelsecanitbe？
Itstandsfortheexpropriatedmultitude，whosewholesituationanddifficultyarisefromitsindividuallackofinitiativeandorganisingpower。Itfavoursthenationalisationoflandandcapitalwithnosenseofthedifficultiesinvolvedintheprocess；
but，ontheotherhand，theequallyreasonablesocialisationofindividualswhichisimpliedbymilitaryserviceissteadilyandquitenaturallyandquiteillogicallyopposedbyit。ItisonlyinrecentyearsthatLabourhasemergedasaseparatepartyfromthehugehospitablecaravanseraiofLiberalism，andthereisstillaverymarkedtendencytostepbackagainintothatmultitudinousassemblage。
FormultitudinousnesshasalwaysbeentheLiberalcharacteristic。
Liberalismneverhasbeennorevercanbeanythingbutadiversifiedcrowd。Liberalismhastovoiceeverythingthatisleftoutbytheseotherparties。Itisthepartyagainstthepredominatinginterests。
Itisatoncethepartyofthefailingandoftheuntried；itisthepartyofdecadenceandhope。Fromitsnatureitmustbeavagueandplanlessassociationincomparisonwithitsantagonist，neithersoconstructiveontheonehand，norontheothersocompetenttohindertheinevitableconstructionsofthecivilisedstate。
Essentiallyitisthepartyofcriticism，the\"Anti\"party。Itisasystemofhostilitiesandobjectionsthatsomehowachievesattimesanelusivecommonsoul。Itisagatheringtogetherofallthesmallerinterestswhichfindthemselvesatadisadvantageagainstthebigestablishedclasses，theleaseholdtenantasagainstthelandowner，theretailtradesmanasagainstthemerchantandthemoneylender，theNonconformistasagainsttheChurchman，thesmallemployerasagainstthedemoralisinghospitablepublican，themanwithoutintroductionsandbroadconnectionsagainstthemanwhohasthesethings。Itisthepartyofthemanysmallmenagainstthefewerprevailingmen。IthasnomoreessentialreasonforlovingtheCollectiviststatethantheConservatives；thesmalldealerisdoomedtoabsorptioninthatjustasmuchasthelargeowner；butitresortstothestateagainstitsantagonistsasinthemiddleagescommonmenpittedthemselvesagainstthebaronsbysidingwiththeking。TheLiberalPartyisthepartyagainst\"classprivilege\"
becauseitrepresentsnoclassadvantages，butitisalsothepartythatisonthewholemostsetagainstCollectivecontrolbecauseitrepresentsnoestablishedresponsilibity。Itisconstructiveonlysofarasitsantagonismtothegreatownerismorepowerfulthanitsjealousyofthestate。Itorganisesonlybecauseorganisationisforceduponitbytheorganisationofitsadversaries。ItlapsesinandoutofalliancewithLabourasitswaysbetweenhostilitytowealthandhostilitytopublicexpenditure……
EverymodernEuropeanstatewillhaveinsomeformorotherthesethreeparties：theresistent，militant，authoritative，dull，andunsympatheticpartyofestablishmentandsuccess，therichparty；
theconfused，sentimental，spasmodic，numerouspartyofthesmall，struggling，various，undisciplinedmen，thepoorman\'sparty；andathirdpartysometimesdetachingitselffromthesecondandsometimesreunitingwithit，thepartyofthealtogetherexpropriatedmasses，theproletarians，Labour。ChangeConservativeandLiberaltoRepublicanandDemocrat，forexample，andyouhavetheconditionsintheUnitedStates。TheCrownoradethroneddynasty，theEstablishedChurchoradispossessedchurch，nationalistsecessions，thepersonalitiesofpartyleaders，maybreakup，complicate，andconfusetheself-expressionofthesethreenecessarydivisionsinthemodernsocialdrama，theanalystwillmakethemoutnonethelessforthat……
AndthenIcamebackasifIcamebacktoarefrain；——theideasgoon——asthoughweareallnomorethanlittlecellsandcorpusclesinsomegreatbrainbeyondourunderstanding……
SoitwasIsatandthoughtmyproblemout……Istillremembermysatisfactionatseeingthingsplainlyatlast。Itwaslikecloudsdispersingtoshowthesky。Constructiveideas，ofcourse，couldn\'tholdapartytogetheralone，\"interestsandhabits，notideas，\"Ihadthatnow，andsothegreatconstructiveschemeofSocialism，invadingandinspiringallparties，wasnecessarilyclaimedonlybythiscollectionofoddsandends，thisresiduumofdisconnectedandexceptionalpeople。ThiswastruenotonlyoftheSocialistidea，butofthescientificidea，theideaofveracity——ofhumanconfidenceinhumanity——ofallthatmatteredinhumanlifeoutsidethelifeofindividuals……TheonlyrealpartythatwouldeverprofessSocialismwastheLabourParty，andthatintheentirelyone-sidedformofanirresponsibleandnon-constructiveattackonproperty。Socialisminthatmutilatedform，theteethandclawswithouttheeyesandbrain，IwantedaslittleasIwantedanythingintheworld。
Perfectlyclearitwas，perfectlyclear，andwhyhadn\'tIseenitbefore？……Ilookedatmywatch，anditwashalf-pasttwo。
Iyawned，stretched，gotupandwenttobed。
9
Myideasaboutstatecrafthavepassedthroughthreemainphasestothefinalconvictionsthatremain。Therewasthefirstimmediacyofmydreamofportsandharboursandcities，railways，roads，andadministeredterritories——thevisionIhadseeninthehazefromthatlittlechurchaboveLocarno。Slowlythathadpassedintoamoreelaboratelegislativeconstructiveness，whichhadledtomyuneasyassociationwiththeBaileysandtheprofessedlyconstructiveYoungLiberals。TogetthatorderedlifeIhadrealisedtheneedoforganisation，knowledge，expertness，awidemovementofco-ordinatedmethods。OntheindividualsideIthoughtthatalifeofurgentindustry，temperance，andcloseattentionwasindicatedbymyperceptionoftheseends。ImarriedMargaretandsettowork。Butsomethinginmymindrefusedfromtheoutsettoacceptthesedeterminationsasfinal。Therewasalwaysadoubtlurkingbelow，alwaysafaintresentment，aprotestingcriticism，afeelingofvitallyimportantomissions。
Iarrivedatlastattheclearrealisationthatmypoliticalassociates，andIinmyassociationwiththem，wereoddlynarrow，priggish，andunreal，thattheSocialistswithwhomwewereattemptingco-operationwerepreposterouslyirrelevanttotheirowntheories，thatmypoliticallifedidn\'tinsomewaycomprehendmorethanitself，thatratherperplexinglyIwasmissingthethingIwasseeking。Britten\'sfootnotestoAltiora\'sself-assertions，herfitsofenergeticplanning，herquarrelsandralliesandvanities，hisilluminatingattacksonCramptonismandtheheavy-spiritedtrivialityofsuchLiberalismastheChildren\'sCharter，servedtopointmywaytomypresentconclusions。Ihadbeentryingtodealallalongwithhumanprogressassomethingimmediateinlife，somethingtobeimmediatelyattackedbypoliticalpartiesandgroupspointingprimarilytothatend。Inowbegantoseethatjustasinmyownbeingtherewastherathershallow，rathervulgar，self-
seekingcareerist，whoworeanadmirablesilkhatandbustledself-
consciouslythroughthelobby，andamuchgreaterandindefinitelygrowingunpublishedpersonalitybehindhim——myhinterland，Ihavecalledit——soinhumanaffairsgenerallythepermanentrealityisalsoahinterland，whichisneverreallyimmediate，whichdrawscontinuallyuponhumanexperienceandinfluenceshumanactionmoreandmore，butwhichisitselfnevertheactualplayeruponthestage。Itistheunseendramatistwhonevertakesacall。NowitwasjustthroughthefactthatourgroupabouttheBaileysdidn\'tunderstandthis，thatwithasortoffranticenergytheyweretryingtodevelopthatshamexpertofficialdomoftheirstoplan，regulate，anddirecttheaffairsofhumanity，thattheperplexingnoteofsillinessandshallownessthatIhadalwaysfeltandfeltnowmostacutelyunderBritten\'sgibes，camein。Theywereneglectinghumanlifealtogetherinsocialorganisation。
Inthedevelopmentofintellectualmodestyliesthegrowthofstatesmanship。Ithasbeenthechronicmistakeofstatecraftandallorganisingspiritstoattemptimmediatelytoschemeandarrangeandachieve。Priests，schoolsofthought，politicalschemers，leadersofmen，havealwaysslippedintotheerrorofassumingthattheycanthinkoutthewhole——oratanyratecompletelythinkoutdefiniteparts——ofthepurposeandfutureofman，clearlyandfinally；theyhavesetthemselvestolegislateandconstructonthatassumption，and，experiencingtheperplexingobduracyandevasionsofreality，theyhavetakentodogma，persecution，training，pruning，secretiveeducation；andallthestupiditiesofself-
sufficientenergy。Inthepassionoftheirgoodintentionstheyhavenothesitatedtoconcealfact，suppressthought，crushdisturbinginitiativesandapparentlydetrimentaldesires。Andsoitisblunderinglyandwastefully，destroyingwiththemaking，thatanyextensionofsocialorganisationisatpresentachieved。
Directly，however，thisideaofanemancipationfromimmediacyisgrasped，directlythedominatingimportanceofthiscritical，lesspersonal，mentalhinterlandintheindividualandofthecollectivemindintheraceisunderstood，thewholeproblemofthestatesmanandhisattitudetowardspoliticsgainanewsignificance，andbecomesaccessibletoanewseriesofsolutions。Hewantsnolongerto\"fixup，\"aspeoplesay，humanaffairs，buttodevotehisforcestothedevelopmentofthatneededintellectuallifewithoutwhichallhisshallowattemptsatfixinguparefutile。Heceasestobuildonthesands，andsetshimselftogatherfoundations。
Yousee，Ibeganinmyteensbywantingtoplanandbuildcitiesandharboursformankind；Iendedinthemiddlethirtiesbydesiringonlytoserveandincreaseageneralprocessofthought，aprocessfearless，critical，real-spirited，thatwouldinitsowntimegivecities，harbours，air，happiness，everythingatascaleandqualityandinalightaltogetherbeyondthematch-strikingimaginationsofacontemporarymind。Iwantedfreedomofspeechandsuggestion，vigourofthought，andthecultivationofthatimpulseofveracitythatlurksmoreorlessdiscouragedineveryman。WiththatIfelttheremustgoanemotion。Ihituponaphrasethatbecameatlastsomethingofarefraininmyspeechandwritings，toconveythespiritthatIfeltwasattheveryheartofrealhumanprogress——
loveandfinethinking。
IsupposethatnowadaysnonewspaperinEnglandgetsthroughaweekwithouttherepetitionofthatphrase。
Myconvictionscrystallisedmoreandmoredefinitelyuponthis。Themoreofloveandfinethinkingthebetterformen，Isaid；theless，theworse。AnduponthisfreshbasisIsetmyselftoexaminewhatI
asapoliticianmightdo。IperceivedIwasatlastfindinganadequateexpressionforallthatwasinme，forthoseforcesthathadrebelledatthecrudepresentationsofBromstead，atthesecreciesandsuppressionsofmyyouth，atthedullunrealitiesofCityMerchants，attheconventionsandtimiditiesofthePinkyDinkys，atthephilosophicalrecluseofTrinityandthephrasesandtradition-worshipofmypoliticalassociates。Noneofthesethingswerehalfalive，andIwantedlifetobeintenselyaliveandawake。
Iwantedthoughtlikeanedgeofsteelanddesirelikeaflame。Therealworkbeforemankindnow，Irealisedonceandforall，istheenlargementofhumanexpression，thereleaseandintensificationofhumanthought，thevividerutilisationofexperienceandtheinvigorationofresearch——andwhateveronedoesinhumanaffairshasorlacksvalueasithelpsorhindersthat。
WiththatIhadgotmyproblemclear，andthesolution，sofarasI
wasconcerned，layinfindingoutthepointintheostensiblelifeofpoliticsatwhichIcouldmostsubservetheseends。IwasstillagainstthemuddlesofBromstead，butIhadhuntedthemdownnowtotheiressentialform。Thejerry-builtslums，theroadsthatwentnowhere，thetarredfences，litigiousnotice-boardsandbarbedwirefencing，thelitterandtheheapsofdump，wereonlytheoutwardappearanceswhoseultimaterealitieswerejerry-builtconclusions，hastypurposes，aimlesshabitsofthought，andimbecilebarsandprohibitionsinthethoughtsandsoulsofmen。Howarewethroughpoliticstogetatthatconfusion？
Wewanttoinvigorateandreinvigorateeducation。Wewanttocreateasustainedcounterefforttotheperpetualtendencyofalleducationalorganisationstowardsclassicalism，secondaryissues，andtheevasionoflife。
Wewanttostimulatetheexpressionoflifethroughartandliterature，anditsexplorationthroughresearch。
Wewanttomakethebestandfinestthoughtaccessibletoeveryone，andmoreparticularlytocreateandsustainanenormousfreecriticism，withoutwhichart，literature，andresearchalikedegenerateintotraditionorimposture。
Thenalltheotherproblemswhicharenowsoinsoluble，destitution，disease，thedifficultyofmaintaininginternationalpeace，thescarcelyfacedpossibilityofmakinglifegenerallyandcontinuallybeautiful，become——EASY……
ItwascleartomethatthemostvitalactivitiesinwhichIcouldengagewouldbethosewhichmostdirectlyaffectedtheChurch，publichabitsofthought，education，organisedresearch，literature，andthechannelsofgeneraldiscussion。IhadtoaskmyselfhowmypositionasLiberalmemberforKinghamsteadsquaredwithandconducedtothisessentialwork。
CHAPTERTHESECOND
SEEKINGASSOCIATES
1
IhavetoldofmygradualabandonmentofthepretensionsandhabitsofpartyLiberalism。InasenseIwasmovingtowardsaristocracy。
Regardingthedevelopmentofthesocialandindividualmentalhinterlandastheessentialthinginhumanprogress，IpassedonverynaturallytothepracticalassumptionthatwewantedwhatImaycall\"hinterlanders。\"OfcourseIdonotmeanbyaristocracythechangingunorganisedmedleyofrichpeopleandprivilegedpeoplewhodominatethecivilisedworldofto-day，butasopposedtothis，apossibilityofco-ordinatingthewillofthefinerindividuals，byhabitandliterature，intoabroadcommonaim。Wemusthaveanaristocracy——notofprivilege，butofunderstandingandpurpose——ormankindwillfail。IfindthisdawningmoreandmoreclearlywhenI
lookthroughmyvariouswritingsoftheyearsbetween1903and1910。
Iwasalreadyemergingtoplainstatementsin1908。
Ireasonedafterthisfashion。Thelineofhumanimprovementandtheexpansionofhumanlifeliesinthedirectionofeducationandfinerinitiatives。Ifhumanitycannotdevelopaneducationfarbeyondanythingthatisnowprovided，ifitcannotcollectivelyinventdevicesandsolveproblemsonamuchricher，broaderscalethanitdoesatthepresenttime，itcannothopetoachieveanyverymuchfinerorderoranymoregeneralhappinessthanitnowenjoys。
Wemustbelieve，therefore，thatitCANdevelopsuchatrainingandeducation，orwemustabandonsecularconstructivehope。Andheremypeculiardifficultyasagainstcrudedemocracycomesin。Ifhumanityatlargeiscapableofthathigheducationandthosecreativefreedomsourhopedemands，muchmoremustitsbetterandmorevigoroustypesbesocapable。Andifthosewhohavepowerandleisurenow，andfreedomtorespondtoimaginativeappeals，cannotbewontotheideaofcollectiveself-development，thenthewholeofhumanitycannotbewontothat。Fromthatonepassestowhathasbecomemygeneralconceptioninpolitics，theconceptionoftheconstructiveimaginationworkinguponthevastcomplexofpowerfulpeople，cleverpeople，enterprisingpeople，influentialpeople，amidstwhompowerisdiffusedto-day，toproducethatself-
conscious，highlyselective，open-minded，devotedaristocraticculture，whichseemstometobethenecessarynextphaseinthedevelopmentofhumanaffairs。Iseehumanprogress，notasthespontaneousproductofcrowdsofrawmindsswayedbyelementaryneeds，butasanaturalbutelaborateresultofintricatehumaninterdependencies，ofhumanenergyandcuriosityliberatedandactingatleisure，ofhumanpassionsandmotives，modifiedandredirectedbyliteratureandart……
Butnowthereaderwillunderstandhowitcameaboutthat，disappointedbytheessentiallittlenessofLiberalism，anddisillusionedabouttherepresentativequalityoftheprofessedSocialists，Iturnedmymindmoreandmoretoascrutinyofthebigpeople，thewealthyandinfluentialpeople，againstwhomLiberalismpitsitsforces。Iwasaskingmyselfdefinitelywhether，afterall，itwasnotmyparticularjobtoworkthroughthemandnotagainstthem。WasInotaltogetheroutofmyelementasanAnti-？Weren\'ttherebigboldqualitiesaboutthesepeoplethatcommonmenlack，andthepossibilityoffarmoresplendiddreams？Weretheyreallytheobstacles，mighttheynotberatherthevehiclesofthepossiblenewbraveriesoflife？