tremendous new social problem； which must affect the future of the whole
civilised world。
For if the agonising old nations fail to regenerate themselves； what can
befall？ What； when even Imperialism has been tried and failed； as fail it
must？ What but that lower depth within the lowest deep？
That last dread mood Of sated lust； and dull decrepitude。 No law； no
art； no faith； no hope； no God。 When round the freezing founts of life in
peevish ring； Crouched on the bare…worn sod； Babbling about the
unreturning spring； And whining for dead creeds； which cannot save； The
toothless nations shiver to their grave。
And we； who think we stand； let us take heed lest we fall。 Let us
accept； in modesty and in awe； the responsibility of our freedom； and
remember that that freedom can be preserved only in one old… fashioned
way。 Let us remember that the one condition of a true democracy is the
same as the one condition of a true aristocracy； namely； virtue。 Let us
teach our children； as grand old Lilly taught our forefathers 300 years ago…
…〃It is virtue； gentlemen； yea； virtue that maketh gentlemen； that maketh
the poor rich； the subject a king； the lowborn noble； the deformed
beautiful。 These things neither the whirling wheel of fortune can
overturn； nor the deceitful cavillings of worldlings separate； neither
sickness abate； nor age abolish。〃
Yes。 Let us teach our children thus on both sides of the Atlantic。 For
if theywhich God forbidshould grow corrupt and weak by their own
sins； there is no hardier race now left on earth to conquer our descendants
and bring them back to reason； as those old Jews were brought by bitter
shame and woe。 And all that is before them and the whole civilised
world； would be long centuries of anarchy such as the world has not seen
for agesa true Ragnarok； a twilight of the very gods； an age such as the
wise woman foretold in the old Voluspe。
When brethren shall be Each other's bane； And sisters' sons rend The
ties of kin。 Hard will be that age； An age of bad women； An axe…age； a
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sword…age； Shields oft cleft in twain； A storm…age； a wolf…age； Ere earth
meet its doom。
So sang； 2000 years ago； perhaps； the great unnamed prophetess； of
our own race； of what might be； if we should fail mankind and our own
calling and election。
God grant that day may never e。 But God grant； also； that if that
day does e； then may e true also what that wise Vala sang； of the
day when gods； and men； and earth should be burnt up with fire。
When slaked Surtur's flame is； Still the man and the maiden； Hight
Valour and Life； Shall keep themselves hid In the wood of remembrance。
The dew of the dawning For food it shall serve them： From them spring
new peoples。
New peoples。 For after all is said； the ideal form of human society
is democracy。
A nationand； were it even possible； a whole worldof free men；
lifting free foreheads to God and Nature； calling no man masterfor one is
their master； even God； knowing and obeying their duties towards the
Maker of the Universe； and therefore to each other； and that not from fear；
nor calculation of profit or loss； but because they loved and liked it； and
had seen the beauty of righteousness and trust and peace； because the law
of God was in their hearts； and needing at last； it may be； neither king nor
priest； for each man and each woman； in their place； were kings and
priests to God。 Such a nationsuch a societywhat nobler conception of
mortal existence can we form？ Would not that be； indeed； the kingdom
of God e on earth？
And tell me not that that is impossibletoo fair a dream to be ever
realised。 All that makes it impossible is the selfishness； passions；
weaknesses； of those who would be blest were they masters of themselves；
and therefore of circumstances； who are miserable because； not being
masters of themselves； they try to master circumstance； to pull down iron
walls with weak and clumsy hands； and forget that he who would be free
from tyrants must first be free from his worst tyrant； self。
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But tell me not that the dream is impossible。 It is so beautiful that it
must be true。 If not now； nor centuries hence； yet still hereafter。 God
would never； as I hold； have inspired man with that rich imagination had
He not meant to translate； some day； that imagination into fact。
The very greatness of the idea； beyond what a single mind or
generation can grasp； will ensure failure on failurefollies； fanaticisms；
disappointments； even crimes； bloodshed； hasty furies； as of children
baulked of their holiday。
But it will be at last fulfilled； filled full； and perfected； not perhaps
here； or among our peoples； or any people which now exist on earth：
but in some future civilisationit may be in far lands beyond the sea
when all that you and we have made and done shall be as the forest…grown
mounds of the old nameless civilisers of the Mississippi valley。
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RONDELET； ｛7｝ THE
HUGUENOT NATURALIST ｛8｝
〃Apollo； god of medicine； exiled from the rest of the earth； was
straying once across the Narbonnaise in Gaul； seeking to fix his abode
there。 Driven from Asia； from Africa； and from the rest of Europe； he
wandered through all the towns of the province in search of a place
propitious for him and for his disciples。 At last he perceived a new city；
constructed from the ruins of Maguelonne； of Lattes； and of Substantion。
He contemplated long its site； its aspect； its neighbourhood； and resolved
to establish on this hill of Montpellier a temple for himself and his priests。
All smiled on his desires。 By the genius of the soil； by the character of
the inhabitants； no town is more fit for the culture of letters； and above all
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