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？