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