no mere distant prospect of spires and pinnacles, but populous with

fine-trained, bold-thinking, bold-doing people. It was as if I had

forgotten for a long time and nowremembered with amazement.

At first, I told her, I had been altogether at a loss how I could do

anything to battle against the aimless muddle of our world; I had

wanted a clue-until she had come into my life questioning,

suggesting, unconsciously illuminating. "But I have done nothing,"

she protested. I declared she had done everything ingrowing to

education under my eyes, in reflecting again upon all the processes

that had mademyself, so that instead of abstractions and blue-books

and bills and devices, I had realised the world of mankind as a

crowd needing before all things fine women and men. We'd spoilt

ourselves in learning that, but anyhow we had our lesson. Before

her I was in a nineteenth-century darkness, dealing with the nation

as if it were a crowd ofselfish men, forgetful of women and

children and that shy wild thing in the hearts of men, love, which

must be drawn upon as it has never been drawn upon before, if the

State is to live. Isaw now how it is possible to bring the loose

factors of a great realm together, to create amind of literature

andthought in it, and the expression of a purpose to make it self-

conscious and fine. I had it all clear before me, so that at a

score of points I could presently begin. The BLUE WEEKLY was a

centre of force. Already we had given Imperialism a criticism, and

leavened half the press from our columns. Our movement consolidated

and spread. We should presently come into power. Everything moved

towards our hands. We should be able to get at the schools, the

<<BackPagesTo menuForward>>