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，fromCranbertoCossingtonwhowasnowLordPaddockhurst。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