第4章

Alreadythereareinnuendoes，threats，hintsthrownout，andevenawfulinstancesfabricatedoutofinadequatematerials，butitishistoricallyunthinkablethatthePolandofthefuture，withitssacredtraditionoffreedomanditshereditarysenseofrespectfortherightsofindividualsandStates，shouldseekitsprosperityinaggressiveactionorinmoralviolenceagainstthatpartofitsoncefellow-citizenswhoareRutheniansorLithuanians。Theonlyinfluencethatcannotberestrainedissimplytheinfluenceoftime，whichdisengagestruthfromallfactswithamercilesslogicandprevailsoverthepassingopinions，thechangingimpulsesofmen。Therecanbenodoubtthatthemoralimpulsesandthematerialinterestsofthenewnationalities，whichseemtoplaynowthegameofdisintegrationforthebenefitoftheworld\'senemies，willintheendbringthemnearertothePolandofthiswar\'screation，willunitethemsoonerorlaterbyaspontaneousmovementtowardstheStatewhichhadadoptedandbroughtthemupinthedevelopmentofitsownhumaneculture——theoffspringoftheWest。

ANOTEONTHEPOLISHPROBLEM——1916

Wemuststartfromtheassumptionthatpromisesmadebyproclamationatthebeginningofthiswarmaybebindingontheindividualswhomadethemunderthestressofcomingevents，butcannotberegardedasbindingtheGovernmentsaftertheendofthewar。

Polandhasbeenpresentedwiththreeproclamations。Twoofthemwereinsuchcontrastwiththeavowedprinciplesandthehistoricactionforthelasthundredyears(sincetheCongressofVienna)ofthePowersconcerned，thattheyweremorelikecynicalinsultstothenation\'sdeepestfeelings，itsmemoryanditsintelligence，thanstatepapersofaconciliatorynature。

TheGermanpromisesawokenothingbutindignantcontempt；theRussianabitterincredulityofthemostcompletekind。TheAustrianproclamation，whichmadenopromisesandcontenteditselfwithpointingouttheAustro-Polishrelationsforthelastforty-

fiveyears，wasreceivedinsilence。ForitisafactthatinAustrianPolandalonePolishnationalitywasrecognisedasanelementoftheEmpire，andindividualscouldbreathetheairoffreedom，ofcivillife，ifnotofpoliticalindependence。

ButforPolestobeGermanophileisunthinkable。TobeRussophileorAustrophileisatbestacounselofdespairinviewofaEuropeansituationwhich，becauseofthegroupingofthepowers，seemstoshutfromthemeveryhope，expressedorunexpressed，ofanationalfuturenursedthroughmorethanahundredyearsofsufferingandoppression。

Throughmostoftheseyears，andespeciallysince1830，Poland(I

usethisexpressionsincePolandexistsasaspiritualentitytodayasdefinitelyasiteverexistedinherpast)hasputherfaithintheWesternPowers。Politicallyitmayhavebeennothingmorethanaconsolingillusion，andthenationhadahalf-consciousnessofthis。ButwhatPolandwaslookingforfromtheWesternPowerswithoutdiscouragementandwithunbrokenconfidencewasmoralsupport。

Thisisafactofthesentimentalorder。Butsuchfactshavetheirpositivevalue，fortheiridealismderivesfromperhapsthehighestkindofreality。Asentimentassertsitsclaimbyitsforce，persistenceanduniversality。InPolandthatsentimentalattitudetowardstheWesternPowersisuniversal。Itextendstoallclasses。Theverychildrenareaffectedbyitassoonastheybegintothink。

Thepoliticalvalueofsuchasentimentconsistsinthis，thatitisbasedonprofoundresemblances。Thereforeonecanbuildonitasifitwereamaterialfact。Forthesamereasonitwouldbeunsafetodisregarditifoneproposedtobuildsolidly。ThePoles，whomsuperficialorill-informedtheoristsaretryingtoforceintothesocialandpsychologicalformulaofSlavonism，areintruthnotSlavonicatall。Intemperament，infeeling，inmind，andeveninunreason，theyareWestern，withanabsolutecomprehensionofallWesternmodesofthought，evenofthosewhichareremotefromtheirhistoricalexperience。

ThatelementofracialunitywhichmaybecalledPolonism，remainedcompressedbetweenPrussianGermanismononesideandtheRussianSlavonismontheother。ForGermanismitfeelsnothingbuthatred。

ButbetweenPolonismandSlavonismthereisnotsomuchhatredasacompleteandineradicableincompatibility。

NopoliticalworkofreconstructingPolandeitherasamatterofjusticeorexpediencycouldbesoundwhichwouldleavethenewcreationindependencetoGermanismortoSlavonism。

Thefirstneednotbeconsidered。Thesecondmustbe——unlessthePowerselecttodropthePolishquestioneitherunderthecoverofvagueassurancesorwithoutanydisguisewhatever。

ButifitisconsidereditwillbeseenatoncethattheSlavonicsolutionofthePolishQuestioncanoffernoguaranteesofdurationorholdthepromiseofsecurityforthepeaceofEurope。

TheonlybasisforitwouldbetheGrandDuke\'sManifesto。ButthatManifesto，signedbyapersonagenowremovedfromEuropetoAsia，andbyaman，moreover，whoiftruetohimself，tohisconceptionofpatriotismandtohisfamilytraditioncouldnothaveputhishandtoitwithanysincerityofpurpose，isnowdivestedofallauthority。Theforciblevaguenessofitspromises，itsstartlinginconsistencywiththehundredyearsofruthlesslydenationalisingoppressionpermitonetodoubtwhetheritwasevermeanttohaveanyauthority。

Butinanycaseitcouldhavehadnoeffect。Theverynatureofthingswouldhavebroughttonoughtitsprofessedintentions。

ItisimpossibletosupposethataStateofRussia\'spowerandantecedentswouldtolerateaprivilegedcommunity(of，toRussia，unnationalcomplexion)withinthebodyoftheEmpire。Allhistoryshowsthatsuchanarrangement，howeverhedgedinbythemostsolemntreatiesanddeclarations，cannotlast。Inthiscaseitwouldleadtoatragicissue。TheabsorptionofPolonismisunthinkable。ThelasthundredyearsofEuropeanHistoryprovesitundeniably。Thereremainsthenextirpation，aprocessofbloodandiron；andthelastactofthePolishdramawouldbeplayedthenbeforeaEuropetoowearytointerfere，andtotheapplauseofGermany。

ItwouldnotbejusttosaythatthedisappearanceofPolonismwouldaddanystrengthtotheSlavonicpowerofexpansion。Itwouldaddnostrength，butitwouldremoveapossiblyeffectivebarrieragainstthesurprisesthefutureofEuropemayholdinstorefortheWesternPowers。

ThusthequestionwhetherPolonismisworthsavingpresentsitselfasaproblemofpoliticswithapracticalbearingonthestabilityofEuropeanpeace——asabarrierorperhapsbetter(inviewofitsdetachedposition)asanoutpostoftheWesternPowersplacedbetweenthegreatmightofSlavonismwhichhasnotyetmadeupitsmindtoanything，andtheorganisedGermanismwhichhasspokenitsmindwithnouncertainvoice，beforetheworld。

LookedatinthatlightalonePolonismseemsworthsaving。ThatithaslivedsolongonitstrustinthemoralsupportoftheWesternPowersmaygiveitanotherandevenstrongerclaim，basedonatruthofamoreprofoundkind。PolonismhadresistedtheutmosteffortsofGermanismandSlavonismformorethanahundredyears。

Why?BecauseofthestrengthofitsidealsconsciousoftheirkinshipwiththeWest。Suchapowerofresistancecreatesamoralobligationwhichitwouldbeunsafetoneglect。Thereisalwaysariskinthrowingawayatoolofprovedtemper。

InthisprofoundconvictionofthepracticalandidealworthofPolonismoneapproachestheproblemofitspreservationwithaveryvividsenseofthepracticaldifficultiesderivedfromthegroupingofthePowers。TheuncertaintyoftheextentandoftheactualformofvictoryfortheAllieswillincreasethedifficultyofformulatingaplanofPolishregenerationatthepresentmoment。

Poland，tostrikeitsrootsagainintothesoilofpoliticalEurope，willrequireaguaranteeofsecurityforthehealthydevelopmentandfortheuntrammelledplayofsuchinstitutionsasshemaybeenabledtogivetoherself。

ThoseinstitutionswillbeanimatedbythespiritofPolonism，which，havingbeenafactorinthehistoryofEuropeandhavingproveditsvitalityunderoppression，hasestablisheditsrighttolive。Thatspirit，despisedandhatedbyGermanyandincompatiblewithSlavonismbecauseofmoraldifferences，cannotavoidbeing(initsrenewedassertion)anobjectofdislikeandmistrust。

AsanunavoidableconsequenceofthepastPolandwillhavetobeginitsexistenceinanatmosphereofenmitiesandsuspicions。ThatadvancedoutpostofWesterncivilisationwillhavetoholditsgroundinthemidstofhostilecamps:alwaysitshistoricalfate。

AgainstthemenaceofsuchaspeciallydangeroussituationthepaperandinkofpublicTreatiescannotbeaneffectivedefence。

Nothingbuttheactual，living，activeparticipationofthetwoWesternPowersintheestablishmentofthenewPolishcommonwealth，andinthefirsttwentyyearsofitsexistence，willgivethePolesasufficientguaranteeofsecurityintheworkofrestoringtheirnationallife。

AnAnglo-Frenchprotectoratewouldbetheidealformofmoralandmaterialsupport。ButRussia，asanally，musttakeherplaceinitonsuchafootingaswillallaytothefullestextentherpossibleapprehensionsandsatisfyhernationalsentiment。Thatnecessitywillhavetobeformallyrecognised。

InrealityRussiahasceasedtocaremuchforherPolishpossessions。PublicrecognitionofamistakeinpoliticalmoralityandavoluntarysurrenderofterritoryinthecauseofEuropeanconcord，cannotdamagetheprestigeofapowerfulState。Thenewspheresofexpansioninregionsmoreeasilyassimilable，willmorethancompensateRussiaforthelossofterritoryontheWesternfrontieroftheEmpire。

TheexperienceofDualControlsandsimilarcombinationshasbeensounfortunateinthepastthatthesuggestionofaTripleProtectoratemaywellappearatfirstsightmonstrouseventounprejudicedminds。Butitmustberememberedthatthisisauniquecaseandaproblemaltogetherexceptional，justifyingtheemploymentofexceptionalmeansforitssolution。Tothosewhowoulddoubtthepossibilityofevenbringingsuchaschemeintoexistencetheanswermaybemadethattherearepsychologicalmomentswhenanymeasuretendingtowardstheendsofconcordandjusticemaybebroughtintobeing。Anditseemsthattheendofthewarwouldbethemomentforbringingintobeingthepoliticalschemeadvocatedinthisnote。

ItssuccessmustdependonthesinglenessofpurposeinthecontractingPowers，andonthewisdom，thetact，theabilities，thegood-willofmenentrustedwithitsinitiationanditsfurthercontrol。Finallyitmaybepointedoutthatthisplanistheonlyoneofferingseriousguaranteestoallthepartiesoccupyingtheirrespectivepositionswithinthescheme。

Ifherexistenceasastateisadmittedasjust，expedientandnecessary，Polandhasthemoralrighttoreceiveherconstitutionnotfromthehandofanoldenemy，butfromtheWesternPowersalone，thoughofcoursewiththefullestconcurrenceofRussia。

Thisconstitution，elaboratedbyacommitteeofPolesnominatedbythethreeGovernments，will(afterduediscussionandamendmentbytheHighCommissionersoftheProtectingPowers)bepresentedtoPolandastheinitialdocument，thecharterofhernewlife，freelyofferedandunreservedlyaccepted。

Itshouldbeassimpleandshortasawrittenconstitutioncanbe——

establishingthePolishCommonwealth，settlingthelinesofrepresentativeinstitutions，theformofjudicature，andleavingthegreatestmeasurepossibleofself-governmenttotheprovincesformingpartofthere-createdPoland。

ThisconstitutionwillbepromulgatedimmediatelyafterthethreePowershadsettledthefrontiersofthenewState，includingthetownofDanzic(freeport)andaproportionofseaboard。ThelegislaturewillthenbecalledtogetherandageneraltreatywillregulatePoland\'sinternationalportionasaprotectedstate，thestatusoftheHighCommissionersandsuch-likematters。Thelegislaturewillratify，thusmakingPoland，asitwere，apartyintheestablishmentoftheprotectorate。Apointofimportance。

OthergeneraltreatieswilldefinePoland\'spositionintheAnglo-

Franco-Russianalliance，fixthenumbersofthearmy，andsettletheparticipationofthePowersinitsorganisationandtraining。

POLANDREVISITED——1915

Ihaveneverbelievedinpoliticalassassinationasameanstoanend，andleastofallinassassinationofthedynasticorder。I

don\'tknowhowfarmurdercaneverapproachtheperfectionofafineart，butlookeduponwiththecoldeyeofreasonitseemsbutacrudeexpedientofimpatienthopeorhurrieddespair。Therearefewmenwhoseprematuredeathcouldinfluencehumanaffairsmorethanonthesurface。Thedeeperstreamofcausesdependsnotonindividualswho，likethemassofmankind，arecarriedonbyadestinywhichnomurderhaseverbeenabletoplacate，divert，orarrest。

InJulyoflastyearIwasastrangerinastrangecityintheMidlandsandparticularlyoutoftouchwiththeworld\'spolitics。

Neveraverydiligentreaderofnewspapers，therewereatthattimereasonsofaprivateorderwhichcausedmetobeevenlessinformedthanusualonpublicaffairsaspresentedfromdaytodayinthatnecessarilyatmosphereless，perspectivelessmannerofthedailypapers，whichsomehow，foramanpossessedofsomehistoricsense，robsthemofallrealinterest。Idon\'tthinkIhadlookedatadailyforamonthpast。

ButthoughastrangerinastrangecityIwasnotlonely，thankstoafriendwhohadtravelledthereoutofpurekindnesstobearmecompanyinaconjuncturewhich，inamostprivatesense，wassomewhattrying。

Itwasthisfriendwho，onemorningatbreakfast，informedmeofthemurderoftheArchdukeFerdinand。

Theimpressionwasmediocre。Iwasbarelyawarethatsuchamanexisted。IrememberedonlythatnotlongbeforehehadvisitedLondon。Therecollectionwasratherofacloudofinsignificantprintedwordshispresenceinthiscountryprovoked。

Variousopinionshadbeenexpressedofhim，buthisimportancewasArchducal，dynastic，purelyaccidental。CantherebeintheworldofrealmenanythingmoreshadowythananArchduke?Andnowhewasnomore；removedwithanatrocityofcircumstanceswhichmadeonemoresensibleofhishumanitythanwhenhewasinlife。I

connectedthatcrimewithBalkanicplotsandaspirationssolittlethatIhadactuallytoaskwhereithadhappened。MyfriendtoldmeitwasinSerajevo，andwonderedwhatwouldbetheconsequencesofthatgraveevent。HeaskedmewhatIthoughtwouldhappennext。

ItwaswithperfectsinceritythatIanswered“Nothing，“andhavingagreatrepugnancetoconsidermurderasafactorofpolitics，I

dismissedthesubject。Itfittedwithmyethicalsensethatanactcruelandabsurdshouldbealsouseless。IhadalsothevisionofacrowdofshadowyArchdukesinthebackground，outofwhichonewouldstepforwardtotaketheplaceofthatdeadmaninthelightoftheEuropeanstage。Andthen，tospeakthewholetruth，therewasnomancapableofformingajudgmentwhoattendedsolittletothemarchofeventsasIdidatthattime。WhatforwantofamoredefinitetermImustcallmymindwasfixeduponmyownaffairs，notbecausetheywereinabadposture，butbecauseoftheirfascinatingholiday-promisingaspect。IhadbeenobtainingmyinformationastoEuropeatsecondhand，fromfriendsgoodenoughtocomedownnowandthentoseeus。Theyarrivedwiththeirpocketsfullofcrumplednewspapers，andansweredmyqueriescasually，withgentlesmilesofscepticismastotherealityofmyinterest。AndyetIwasnotindifferent；butthetensionintheBalkanshadbecomechronicaftertheacutecrisis，andonecouldnothelpbeinglessconsciousofit。Ithadweariedoutone\'sattention。Whocouldhaveguessedthatonthatwildstagewehadjustbeenlookingataminiaturerehearsalofthegreatworld-

drama，thereducedmodeloftheverypassionsandviolencesofwhatthefutureheldinstoreforthePowersoftheOldWorld?Hereandthere，perhaps，raremindshadasuspicionofthatpossibility，whiletheywatchedOldEuropestage-managingfussilybymeansofnotesandconferences，thepropheticreproductionofitsawaitingfate。Itwaswonderfullyexactinthespirit；sameroarofguns，sameprotestationsofsuperiority，samewordsintheair；race，liberation，justice——andthesamemoodoftrivialdemonstrations。

Onecouldnottaketo-dayaticketforPetersburg。“YoumeanPetrograd，“wouldsaythebookingclerk。ShortlyafterthefallofAdrianopleafriendofminepassingthroughSophiaaskedforsomeCAFETURCattheendofhislunch。

“MonsieurveutdireCafebalkanique，“thepatrioticwaitercorrectedhimausterely。

IwillnotsaythatIhadnotobservedsomethingofthatinstructiveaspectofthewaroftheBalkansbothinitsfirstandinitssecondphase。ButthosewithwhomItoucheduponthatvisionwerepleasedtoseeinittheevidenceofmyalarmistcynicism。Astoalarm，Ipointedoutthatfearisnaturaltoman，andevensalutary。Ithasdoneasmuchascourageforthepreservationofracesandinstitutions。ButfromachargeofcynicismIhavealwaysshrunkinstinctively。Itislikeachargeofbeingblindinoneeye，amoraldisablement，asortofdisgracefulcalamitythatmusthecarriedoffwithajauntybearing——asortofthingIamnotcapableof。RatherthanbethoughtamerejauntycrippleIallowedmyselftobeblindedbythegrossobviousnessoftheusualarguments。ItwaspointedouttomethattheseEasternnationswerenotfarremovedfromasavagestate。Theireconomicswereyetatthestageofscratchingtheearthandfeedingthepigs。Thehighly-developedmaterialcivilisationofEuropecouldnotallowitselftobedisturbedbyawar。Theindustryandthefinancecouldnotallowthemselvestobedisorganisedbytheambitionsofanidleclass，oreventheaspirations，whatevertheymightbe，ofthemasses。

Veryplausibleallthissounded。Wardoesnotpay。Therehadbeenabookwrittenonthattheme——anattempttoputpacificismonamaterialbasis。Nothingmoresolidinthewayofargumentcouldhavebeenadvancedonthistradingandmanufacturingglobe。Warwas“badbusiness！“Thiswasfinal。

But，truthtosay，onthisJulydayIreflectedbutlittleontheconditionofthecivilisedworld。Whateversinisterpassionswereheavingunderitssplendidandcomplexsurface，Iwastooagitatedbyasimpleandinnocentdesireofmyown，tonoticethesignsorinterpretthemcorrectly。Themostinnocentofpassionswilltaketheedgeoffone\'sjudgment。Thedesirewhichpossessedmewassimplythedesiretotravel。AndthatbeingsoitwouldhavetakensomethingveryplaininthewayofsymptomstoshakemysimpletrustinthestabilityofthingsontheContinent。Mysentimentandnotmyreasonwasengagedthere。Myeyeswereturnedtothepast，nottothefuture；thepastthatonecannotsuspectandmistrust，theshadowyandunquestionablemoralpossessionthedarkeststrugglesofwhichwearahaloofgloryandpeace。

IntheprecedingmonthofMaywehadreceivedaninvitationtospendsomeweeksinPolandinacountryhouseintheneighbourhoodofCracow，butwithintheRussianfrontier。Theenterpriseatfirstseemedtomeconsiderable。Sinceleavingthesea，towhichI

havebeenfaithfulforsomanyyears，Ihavediscoveredthatthereisinmycompositionverylittlestufffromwhichtravellersaremade。Iconfessthatmyfirstimpulseaboutaprojectedjourneyistoleaveitalone。Buttheinvitationreceivedatfirstwithasortofdismayendedbyrousingthedormantenergyofmyfeelings。

CracowisthetownwhereIspentwithmyfatherthelasteighteenmonthsofhislife。ItwasinthatoldroyalandacademicalcitythatIceasedtobeachild，becameaboy，hadknownthefriendships，theadmirations，thethoughtsandtheindignationsofthatage。ItwaswithinthosehistoricalwallsthatIbegantounderstandthings，formaffections，layupastoreofmemoriesandafundofsensationswithwhichIwastobreakviolentlybythrowingmyselfintoanunrelatedexistence。Itwasliketheexperienceofanotherworld。Thewingsoftimemadeagreatduskoverallthis，andIfearedatfirstthatifIventuredbodilyinthereIwoulddiscoverthatIwhohavehadtodowithagoodmanyimaginaryliveshavebeenembracingmereshadowsinmyyouth。I

feared。Butfearinitselfmaybecomeafascination。Menhavegone，aloneandtrembling，intograveyardsatmidnight——justtoseewhatwouldhappen。Andthisadventurewastobepursuedinsunshine。Neitherwoulditbepursuedalone。Theinvitationwasextendedtousall。Thisjourneywouldhavesomethingofamigratorycharacter，theinvasionofatribe。Mypresent，allthatgavesolidityandvaluetoit，atanyrate，wouldstandbymeinthistestoftherealityofmypast。IwaspleasedwiththeideaofshowingmycompanionswhatPolishcountrylifewaslike；tovisitthetownwhereIwasatschoolbeforetheboysbymysideshouldgrowtooold，andgaininganindividualpastoftheirown，shouldlosetheirunsophisticatedinterestinmine。Itisonlyintheshortinstantsofearlyyouththatwehavethefacultyofcomingoutofourselvestoseedimlythevisionsandsharetheemotionsofanothersoul。Foryouthallisrealityinthisworld，andwithjustice，sinceitapprehendssovividlyitsimagesbehindwhichalongerlifemakesonedoubtwhetherthereisanysubstance。

Itrustedtothefreshreceptivityoftheseyoungbeingsinwhom，unlessHeredityisanemptyword，thereshouldhavebeenafibrewhichwouldanswertothesight，totheatmosphere，tothememoriesofthatcorneroftheearthwheremyownboyhoodhadreceiveditsearliestindependentimpressions。

ThefirstdaysofthethirdweekinJuly，whilethetelegraphwireshummedwiththewordsofenormousimportwhichweretofillbluebooks，yellowbooks，whitebooks，andtoarousethewonderofmankind，passedforusinlight-heartedpreparationsforthejourney。WhatwasitbutjustarushthroughGermany，togetacrossasquicklyaspossible?

Germanyisthepartoftheearth\'ssolidsurfaceofwhichIknowtheleast。InallmylifeIhadbeenacrossitonlytwice。ImaywellsayofitVIDITANTUM；andtheverylittleIsawwasthroughthewindowofarailwaycarriageatexpressspeed。Thosejourneysofminehadbeenmorelikepilgrimageswhenonehurriesontowardsthegoalforthesatisfactionofadeeperneedthancuriosity。Inthislastinstance，too，IwassoincuriousthatIwouldhavelikedtohavefallenasleepontheshoresofEnglandandopenedmyeyes，ifitwerepossible，onlyontheothersideoftheSilesianfrontier。Yet，intruth，asmanyothershavedone，Ihad“sensedit“——thatpromisedlandofsteel，ofchemicaldyes，ofmethod，ofefficiency；thatraceplantedinthemiddleofEurope，assumingingrotesquevanitytheattitudeofEuropeansamongsteffeteAsiaticsorbarbarousniggers；and，withaconsciousnessofsuperiorityfreeingtheirhandsfromallmoralbonds，anxioustotakeup，ifI

mayexpressmyselfso，the“perfectman\'sburden。”Meantime，inaclearingoftheTeutonicforest，theirsageswererearingaTreeofCynicalWisdom，asortofUpastree，whoseshademaybeseennowlyingovertheprostratebodyofBelgium。Itmustbesaidthattheylabouredopenlyenough，wateringitwiththemostauthenticsourcesofallmadness，andwatchingwiththeirbe-spectacledeyestheslowripeningofthegloriousblood-redfruit。Thesincerestwordsofpeace，wordsofmenace，andIverilybelievewordsofabasement，eveniftherehadbeenavoicevileenoughtoutterthem，wouldhavebeenwastedontheirecstasy。Forwhenthefruitripensonabranchitmustfall。Thereisnothingonearththatcanpreventit。

II。

Forreasonswhichatfirstseemedtomesomewhatobscure，thatoneofmycompanionswhosewishesarelawdecidedthatourtravelsshouldbegininanunusualwaybythecrossingoftheNorthSea。

WeshouldproceedfromHarwichtoHamburg。Besidesbeingthirty-

sixtimeslongerthantheDover-CalaispassagethisratherunusualroutehadanairofadventureinbetterkeepingwiththeromanticfeelingofthisPolishjourneywhichforsomanyyearshadbeenbeforeusinastateofaprojectfullofcolourandpromise，butalwaysretreating，elusivelikeanenticingmirage。

And，afterall，ithadturnedouttobenomirage。Nowondertheywereexcited。It\'snomeanexperiencetolayyourhandsonamirage。Thedayofdeparturehadcome，theveryhourhadstruck。

Theluggagewascomingdownstairs。Itwasmostconvincing。Polandthen，iferasedfromthemap，yetexistedinreality；itwasnotamerePAYSDUREVE，whereyoucantravelonlyinimagination。Fornoman，theyargued，notevenfather，anhabitualpursuerofdreams，wouldpushtheloveofthenovelist\'sartofmake-believetothepointofburdeninghimselfwithrealtrunksforavoyageAU

PAYSDUREVE。

Asweleftthedoorofourhouse，nestlingin，perhaps，themostpeacefulnookinKent，thesky，afterweeksofperfectlybrazenserenity，veileditsbluedepthsandstartedtoweepfinetearsfortherefreshmentoftheparchedfields。Apearlyblursettledoverthem，andalightsiftedofallglare，ofeverythingunkindlyandsearchingthatdwellsinthesplendourofunveiledskies。Allunconsciousofgoingtowardstheveryscenesofwar，Icarriedoffinmyeye，thistinyfragmentofGreatBritain；afewfields，awoodedrise；aclumpoftreesortwo，withashortstretchofroad，andhereandthereagleamofredwallandtiledroofabovethedarkeninghedgeswrappedupinsoftmistandpeace。AndIfeltthatallthishadaverystrongholdonmeastheembodimentofabeneficentandgentlespirit；thatitwasdeartomenotasaninheritance，butasanacquisition，asaconquestinthesenseinwhichawomanisconquered——bylove，whichisasortofsurrender。

Thesewerestrange，asifdisproportionatethoughtstothematterinhand，whichwasthesimplestsortofaContinentalholiday。AndIamcertainthatmycompanions，nearastheyaretome，feltnoothertroublebutthesuppressedexcitementofpleasurableanticipation。Theformsandthespiritofthelandbeforetheireyesweretheirinheritance，nottheirconquest——whichisathingprecarious，and，therefore，themostprecious，possessingyouifonlybythefearofunworthinessratherthanpossessedbyyou。

Moreover，aswesattogetherinthesamerailwaycarriage，theywerelookingforwardtoavoyageinspace，whereasIfeltmoreandmoreplainly，thatwhatIhadstartedonwasajourneyintime，intothepast；afearfulenoughprospectforthemostconsistent，buttohimwhohadnotknownhowtopreserveagainsthisimpulsestheorderandcontinuityofhislife——sothatattimesitpresenteditselftohisconscienceasaseriesofbetrayals——stillmoredreadful。

Idownherethesethoughtssoexclusivelypersonal，toexplainwhytherewasnoroominmyconsciousnessfortheapprehensionofaEuropeanwar。Idon\'tmeantosaythatIignoredthepossibility；

Isimplydidnotthinkofit。Anditmadenodifference；forifI

hadthoughtofit，itcouldonlyhavebeeninthelameandinconclusivewayofthecommonuninitiatedmortals；andIamsurethatnothingshortofintellectualcertitude——obviouslyunattainablebythemaninthestreet——couldhavestayedmeonthatjourneywhichnowthatIhadstartedonitseemedanirrevocablething，anecessityofmyself-respect。

London，theLondonbeforethewar，flauntingitsenormousglare，asofamonstrousconflagrationupintotheblacksky——withitsbestVenice-likeaspectofrainyevenings，thewetasphaltedstreetslyingwiththesheenofsleepingwaterinwindingcanals，andthegreathousesofthecitytoweringalldark，likeemptypalaces，abovethereflectedlightsoftheglisteningroadway。

Everythinginthesubduedincompletenight-lifearoundtheMansionHousewentonnormallywithitsfascinatingairofadeadcommercialcityofsombrewallsthroughwhichtheinextinguishableactivityofitsmillionsstreamedEastandWestinabrilliantflowoflightedvehicles。

InLiverpoolStreet，asusualtoo，throughthedoublegates，acontinuouslineoftaxi-cabsglideddowntheinclinedapproachandupagain，likeanendlesschainofdredger-buckets，pouringinthepassengers，anddippingthemoutofthegreatrailwaystationundertheinexorablepallidfaceoftheclocktellingoffthediminishingminutesofpeace。Itwasthehouroftheboat-trainstoHolland，toHamburg，andthereseemedtobenolackofpeople，fearless，reckless，orignorant，whowantedtogototheseplaces。Thestationwasnormallycrowded，andiftherewasagreatflutterofeveningpapersinthemultitudeofhandstherewerenosignsofextraordinaryemotiononthatmultitudeoffaces。TherewasnothinginthemtodistractmefromthethoughtthatitwassingularlyappropriatethatIshouldstartfromthisstationontheretracedwayofmyexistence。Forthiswasthestationatwhich，thirty-sevenyearsbefore，IarrivedonmyfirstvisittoLondon。

Notthesamebuilding，butthesamespot。Atnineteenyearsofage，afteraperiodofprobationandtrainingIhadimposeduponmyselfasordinaryseamanonboardaNorthSeacoaster，IhadcomeupfromLowestoft——myfirstlongrailwayjourneyinEngland——to“signon“foranAntipodeanvoyageinadeep-watership。StraightfromarailwaycarriageIhadwalkedintothegreatcitywithsomethingofthefeelingofatravellerpenetratingintoavastandunexploredwilderness。Noexplorercouldhavebeenmorelonely。I

didnotknowasinglesoulofallthesemillionsthatallaroundmepeopledthemysteriousdistancesofthestreets。IcannotsayI

wasfreefromalittleyouthfulawe，butatthatageone\'sfeelingsaresimple。Iwaselated。Iwaspursuingaclearaim，Iwascarryingoutadeliberateplanofmakingoutofmyself，inthefirstplace，aseamanworthyoftheservice，goodenoughtoworkbythesideofthemenwithwhomIwastolive；andinthesecondplace，Ihadtojustifymyexistencetomyself，toredeematacitmoralpledge。Boththeseaimsweretobeattainedbythesameeffort。Howsimpleseemedtheproblemoflifethen，onthathazydayofearlySeptemberintheyear1878，whenIenteredLondonforthefirsttime。

Fromthatpointofview——Youthandastraight-forwardschemeofconduct——itwascertainlyayearofgrace。AllthehelpIhadtogetintouchwiththeworldIwasinvadingwasapieceofpapernotmuchbiggerthanthepalmofmyhand——inwhichIheldit——tornoutofalargerplanofLondonforthegreaterfacilityofreference。

Ithadbeentheobjectofcarefulstudyforsomedayspast。ThefactthatIcouldtakeaconveyanceatthestationneveroccurredtomymind，no，notevenwhenIgotoutintothestreet，andstood，takingmyanxiousbearings，inthemidst，sotospeak，oftwentythousandhansoms。Astrangeabsenceofmindorunconsciousconvictionthatonecannotapproachanimportantmomentofone\'slifebymeansofahiredcarriage?Yes，itwouldhavebeenapreposterousproceeding。AndindeedIwastomakeanAustralianvoyageandencircletheglobebeforeeverenteringaLondonhansom。

Anotherdocument，acuttingfromanewspaper，containingtheaddressofanobscureshippingagent，wasinmypocket。AndI

needednottotakeitout。Thataddresswasasifgravendeepinmybrain。ImuttereditswordstomyselfasIwalkedon，navigatingtheseaofLondonbythechartconcealedinthepalmofmyhand；forIhadvowedtomyselfnottoinquiremywayfromanyone。Youthisthetimeofrashpledges。HadItakenawrongturningIwouldhavebeenlost；andiffaithfultomypledgeI

mighthaveremainedlostfordays，forweeks，haveleftperhapsmybonestobediscoveredbleachinginsomeblindalleyoftheWhitechapeldistrict，asithadhappenedtolonelytravellerslostinthebush。ButIwalkedontomydestinationwithouthesitationormistake，showingthere，forthefirsttime，someofthatfacultytoabsorbandmakemyowntheimagedtopographyofachart，whichinlateryearswastohelpmeinregionsofintricatenavigationtokeeptheshipsentrustedtomeofftheground。TheplaceIwasboundtowasnoteasytofind。Itwasoneofthosecourtshiddenawayfromthechartedandnavigablestreets，lostamongthethickgrowthofhouseslikeadarkpoolinthedepthsofaforest，approachedbyaninconspicuousarchwayasifbysecretpath；aDickensiannookofLondon，thatwondercity，thegrowthofwhichbearsnosignofintelligentdesign，butmanytracesoffreakishlysombrephantasytheGreatMasterknewsowellhowtobringoutbythemagicofhisunderstandinglove。AndtheofficeIenteredwasDickensiantoo。ThedustoftheWaterlooyearlayonthepanesandframesofitswindows；earlyGeorgiangrimeclungtoitssombrewainscoting。

Itwasoneo\'clockintheafternoon，butthedaywasgloomy。Bythelightofasinglegas-jetdependingfromthesmokedceilingI

sawanelderlyman，inalongcoatofblackbroadcloth。Hehadagreybeard，abignose，thicklips，andheavyshoulders。HiscurlywhitehairandthegeneralcharacterofhisheadrecalledvaguelyaburlyapostleintheBAROCCOstyleofItalianart。Standingupatatall，shabby，slantingdesk，hissilver-rimmedspectaclespusheduphighonhisforehead，hewaseatingamutton-chop，whichhadbeenjustbroughttohimfromsomeDickensianeating-houseroundthecorner。

Withoutceasingtoeatheturnedtomehisflorid，BAROCCO

apostle\'sfacewithanexpressionofinquiry。

IproducedelaboratelyaseriesofvocalsoundswhichmusthavebornesufficientresemblancetothephoneticsofEnglishspeech，forhisfacebrokeintoasmileofcomprehensionalmostatonce——

“Oh，it\'syouwhowrotealettertometheotherdayfromLowestoftaboutgettingaship。”

IhadwrittentohimfromLowestoft。Ican\'trememberasinglewordofthatletternow。ItwasmyveryfirstcompositionintheEnglishlanguage。Andhehadunderstoodit，evidently，forhespoketothepointatonce，explainingthathisbusiness，mainly，wastofindgoodshipsforyounggentlemenwhowantedtogotoseaaspremiumapprenticeswithaviewofbeingtrainedforofficers。

Buthegatheredthatthiswasnotmyobject。Ididnotdesiretobeapprenticed。Wasthatthecase?

Itwas。Hewasgoodenoughtosaythen，“OfcourseIseethatyouareagentleman。ButyourwishistogetaberthbeforethemastasanAbleSeamanifpossible。Isthatit?“

Itwascertainlymywish；buthestateddoubtfullythathefearedhecouldnothelpmemuchinthis。TherewasanActofParliamentwhichmadeitpenaltoprocureshipsforsailors。“AnAct-of-

Parliament。Alaw，“hetookpainstoimpressitagainandagainonmyforeignunderstanding，whileIlookedathiminconsternation。

IhadnotbeenhalfanhourinLondonbeforeIhadrunmyheadagainstanActofParliament！Whatahopelessadventure！However，theBAROCCOapostlewasaresourcefulpersoninhisway，andwemanagedtogetroundthehardletterofitwithoutdamagetoitsfinespirit。Yet，strictlyspeaking，itwasnottheconductofagoodcitizen；andinretrospectthereisanunfilialflavouraboutthatearlysinofmine。ForthisActofParliament，theMerchantShippingActoftheVictorianera，hadbeeninamannerofspeakingafatherandmothertome。Formanyyearsithadregulatedanddisciplinedmylife，prescribedmyfoodandtheamountofmybreathingspace，hadlookedaftermyhealthandtriedasmuchaspossibletosecuremypersonalsafetyinariskycalling。Itisn\'tsuchabadthingtoleadalifeofhardtoilandplaindutywithinthefourcornersofanhonestActofParliament。AndIamgladtosaythatitsseventieshaveneverbeenappliedtome。

Intheyear1878，theyearof“PeacewithHonour，“IhadwalkedasloneasanyhumanbeinginthestreetsofLondon，outofLiverpoolStreetStation，tosurrendermyselftoitscare。Andnow，intheyearofthewarwagedforhonourandconsciencemorethanforanyothercause，Iwasthereagain，nolongeralone，butamanofinfinitelydearandclosetiesgrownsincethattime，ofworkdone，ofwordswritten，offriendshipssecured。Itwasliketheclosingofathirty-six-yearcycle。

AllunawareoftheWarAngelalreadyawaiting，withthetrumpetathislips，thestrokeofthefatalhour，Isatthere，thinkingthatthislifeofoursisneitherlongnorshort，butthatitcanappearverywonderful，entertaining，andpathetic，withsymbolicimagesandbizarreassociationscrowdedintoonehalf-hourofretrospectivemusing。

Ifelt，too，thatthisjourney，sosuddenlyenteredupon，wasboundtotakemeawayfromdailylife\'sactualitiesateverystep。I

feltitmorethaneverwhenpresentlywesteamedoutintotheNorthSea，onadarknightfitfulwithgustsofwind，andIlingeredondeck，aloneofallthetaleoftheship\'spassengers。Thatseawastomesomethingunforgettable，somethingmuchmorethananame。Ithadbeenforsometimetheschool-roomofmytrade。Onit，Imaysafelysay，Ihadlearned，too，myfirstwordsofEnglish。Awildandstormyabode，sometimes，wasthatconfined，shallow-wateracademyofseamanshipfromwhichIlaunchedmyselfonthewideoceans。MyteachershadbeenthesailorsoftheNorfolkshore；

coastmen，withsteadyeyes，mightylimbs，andgentlevoice；menofveryfewwords，whichatleastwereneverbareofmeaning。Honest，strong，steadymen，soberedbydomesticties，oneandall，asfarasIcanremember。

ThatiswhatyearsagotheNorthSeaIcouldheargrowlinginthedarkallroundtheshiphadbeenforme。AndIfanciedthatImusthavebeencarryingitsvoiceinmyeareversince，fornothingcouldbemorefamiliarthanthoseshort，angrysoundsIwaslisteningtowithasmileofaffectionaterecognition。

Icouldnotguessthatbeforemanydaysmyoldschoolroomwouldbedesecratedbyviolence，litteredwithwrecks，withdeathwalkingitswaves，hidingunderitswaters。PerhapswhileIamwritingthesewordsthechildren，ormaybethegrandchildren，ofmypacificteachersareoutintrawlers，undertheNavalflag，dredgingforGermansubmarinemines。

III。

IhavesaidthattheNorthSeawasmyfinishingschoolofseamanshipbeforeIlaunchedmyselfonthewideroceans。Confinedasitisincomparisonwiththevaststageofthiswater-girtglobe，Ididnotknowitinallitsparts。Myclass-roomwastheregionoftheEnglishEastCoastwhich，intheyearofPeacewithHonour，hadlongforgottenthewarepisodesbelongingtoitsmaritimehistory。Itwasapeacefulcoast，agricultural，industrial，thehomeoffishermen。Atnightthelightsofitsmanytownsplayedontheclouds，orinclearweatherlaystill，hereandthere，inbrilliantpoolsabovetheink-blackoutlineoftheland。

OnmanyanightIhavehauledatthebracesundertheshadowofthatcoast，envying，assailorswill，thepeopleonshoresleepingquietlyintheirbedswithinsoundofthesea。Iimaginethatnotoneheadonthoseenviedpillowswasmadeuneasybytheslightestpremonitionoftherealitiesofnavalwartheshortlifetimeofonegenerationwastobringsoclosetotheirhomes。

ThoughfarawayfromthatregionofkindlymemoriesandtraversingapartoftheNorthSeamuchlessknowntome，Iwasdeeplyconsciousofthefamiliarityofmysurroundings。Itwasacloudy，nastyday:andtheaspectsofNaturedon\'tchange，unlessinthecourseofthousandsofyears——or，perhaps，centuries。ThePhoenicians，itsfirstdiscoverers，theRomans，thefirstimperialrulersofthatsea，hadexperienceddayslikethis，sodifferentinthewintryqualityofthelight，evenonaJulyafternoon，fromanythingtheyhadeverknownintheirnativeMediterranean。Formyself，averylatecomerintothatsea，anditsformerpupil，I

accordedamusedrecognitiontothecharacteristicaspectsowellrememberedfrommydaysoftraining。Thesameoldthing。Agrey-

greenexpanseofsmudgywatersgrinningangrilyatonewithwhitefoam-ridges，andoverallacheerless，unglowingcanopy，apparentlymadeofwetblotting-paper。Fromtimetotimeaflurryoffinerainblewalonglikeapuffofsmokeacrossthedotsofdistantfishingboats，veryfew，veryscattered，andtossingrestlesslyonaneverdissolving，everre-formingsky-line。

Thoseflurries，andthesteadyrollingoftheship，accountedfortheemptinessofthedecks，favouringmyreminiscentmood。Itmighthavebeenadayoffiveandthirtyyearsago，whentherewereonthisandeveryotherseamoresailsandlesssmoke-stackstobeseen。Yet，thankstotheunchangeableseaIcouldhavegivenmyselfuptotheillusionofarevisedpast，haditnotbeenfortheperiodicaltransitacrossmygazeofaGermanpassenger。Hewasmarchingroundandroundtheboatdeckwithcharacteristicdetermination。Twosturdyboysgambolledroundhiminhisprogressliketwodisorderlysatellitesroundtheirparentplanet。Hewasbringingthemhome，fromtheirschoolinEngland，fortheirholiday。WhatcouldhaveinducedsuchasoundTeutontoentrusthisoffspringtotheunhealthyinfluencesofthateffete，corrupt，rottenandcriminalcountryIcannotimagine。Itcouldhardlyhavebeenfrommotivesofeconomy。Ididnotspeaktohim。HetrodthedeckofthatdecadentBritishshipwithascornfulfootwhilehisbreast(andtoalargeextenthisstomach，too)appearedexpandedbytheconsciousnessofasuperiordestiny。LaterIcouldobservethesametruculentbearing，touchedwiththeracialgrotesqueness，inthemenoftheLANDWEHRcorps，thatpassedthroughCracowtoreinforcetheAustrianarmyinEasternGalicia。Indeed，thehaughtypassengermightverywellhavebeen，mostprobablywas，anofficeroftheLANDWEHR；andperhapsthosetwofineactiveboysareorphansbynow。Thusthingsacquiresignificancebythelapseoftime。Acitizen，afather，awarrior，amoteinthedust-cloudofsixmillionfightingparticles，anunconsideredtrifleforthejawsofwar，hishumanitywasnotconsciouslyimpressedonmymindatthetime。Mainly，forme，hewasasharptappingofheelsroundthecornerofthedeck-house，awhiteyachtingcapandagreenovercoatgettingperiodicallybetweenmyeyesandtheshiftingcloud-horizonoftheashy-greyNorthSea。Hewasbutashadowyintrusionandadisregardedone，for，farawaytheretotheWest，inthedirectionoftheDoggerBank，wherefishermengoseekingtheirdailybreadandsometimesfindtheirgraves，Icouldbeholdanexperienceofmyowninthewinterof\'81，notofwar，truly，butofafairlylivelycontestwiththeelementswhichwereveryangryindeed。

Therehadbeenatroublesomeweekofit，includingonehatefulnight——oranightofhate(itisn\'tfornothingthattheNorthSeaisalsocalledtheGermanOcean)——whenallthefurystoredinitsheartseemedconcentratedononeshipwhichcoulddonobetterthanfloatonhersideinanunnatural，disagreeable，precarious，andaltogetherintolerablemanner。Therewereonboard，besidesmyself，seventeenmenallgoodandtrue，includingaroundenormousDutchmanwho，inthosehoursbetweensunsetandsunrise，managedtolosehisblown-outappearancesomehow，becameasitweredeflated，andthereafterforagoodlongtimemovedinourmidstwrinkledandslackalloverlikeahalf-collapsedballoon。Thewhimperingofourdeck-boy，askinny，impressionablelittlescarecrowoutofatraining-ship，forwhom，becauseofthetenderimmaturityofhisnerves，thisdisplayofGermanOceanfrightfulnesswastoomuch(beforetheyearwasouthedevelopedintoasufficientlycheekyyoungruffian)，hisdesolatewhimpering，Isay，heardbetweenthegustsofthatblack，savagenight，wasmuchmorepresenttomymindandindeedtomysensesthanthegreenovercoatandthewhitecapoftheGermanpassengercirclingthedeckindefatigably，attendedbyhistwogyratingchildren。

“That\'saverynicegentleman。”Thisinformation，togetherwiththefactthathewasawidowerandaregularpassengertwiceayearbytheship，wascommunicatedtomesuddenlybyourcaptain。Atintervalsthroughthedayhewouldpopoutofthechart-roomandoffermeshortsnatchesofconversation。Heownedasimplesoulandanotveryentertainingmind，andhewaswithoutmaliceand，I

believe，quiteunconsciously，awarmGermanophil。Andnowonder！

Ashetoldmehimself，hehadbeenfifteenyearsonthatrun，andspentalmostasmuchofhislifeinHamburgasinHarwich。

“Wonderfulpeopletheyare，“herepeatedfromtimetotime，withoutenteringintoparticulars，butwithmanynodsofsagaciousobstinacy。Whatheknewofthem，Isuppose，wereafewcommercialtravellersandsmallmerchants，mostlikely。ButIhadobservedlongbeforethatGermangeniushasahypnotisingpoweroverhalf-

bakedsoulsandhalf-lightedminds。Thereisanimmenseforceofsuggestioninhighlyorganisedmediocrity。HaditnothypnotisedhalfEurope?MymanwasverymuchunderthespellofGermanexcellence。Ontheotherhand，hiscontemptforFrancewasequallygeneralandunbounded。Itriedtoadvancesomeargumentsagainstthisposition，butIonlysucceededinmakinghimhostile。“I

believeyouareaFrenchmanyourself，“hesnarledatlast，givingmeanintenselysuspiciouslook；andforthwithbrokeoffcommunicationswithamanofsuchunsoundsympathies。

Hourbyhourtheblotting-paperskyandthegreatflatgreenishsmudgeoftheseahadbeentakingonadarkertone，withoutanychangeintheircolouringandtexture。EveningwascomingonovertheNorthSea。Blackuninterestinghummocksoflandappeared，dottingtheduskinessofwaterandcloudsintheEasternboard:

topsofislandsfringingtheGermanshore。WhileIwaslookingattheiranticsamongstthewaves——andforalltheirsoliditytheywereveryelusivethingsinthefailinglight——anotherpassengercameoutondeck。Thisoneworeadarkovercoatandagreycap。

Theyellowleatherstrapofhisbinocularcasecrossedhischest。

Hiselderlyredcheeksnourishedbutaverythincropofshortwhitehairs，andtheendofhisnosewassoperfectlyroundthatitdeterminedthewholecharacterofhisphysiognomy。Indeednothingelseinithadtheslightestchancetoassertitself。Hisdisposition，unlikethewidower\'s，appearedtobemildandhumane。

Heofferedmetheloanofhisglasses。Hehadawifeandsomesmallchildrenconcealedinthedepthsoftheship，andhethoughttheywereverywellwheretheywere。Hiseldestsonwasaboutthedeckssomewhere。

“WeareAmericans，“heremarkedweightily，butinaratherpeculiartone。HespokeEnglishwiththeaccentofourcaptain\'s“wonderfulpeople，“andproceededtogivemethehistoryofthefamily\'scrossingtheAtlanticinaWhiteStarliner。TheyremainedinEnglandjustthetimenecessaryforarailwayjourneyfromLiverpooltoHarwich。Hispeople(thoseinthedepthsoftheship)

werenaturallyalittletired。

Atthatmomentayoungmanofabouttwenty，hisson，rusheduptousfromthefore-deckinastateofintenseelation。“Hurrah，“hecriedunderhisbreath。“ThefirstGermanlight！Hurrah！“

AndthosetwoAmericancitizensshookhandsonitwiththegreatestfervour，whileIturnedawayandreceivedfullintheeyesthebrilliantwinkoftheBorkumlighthousesquattinglowdowninthedarkness。TheshadeofthenighthadsettledontheNorthSea。

IdonotthinkIhaveeverseenbeforeanightsofulloflights。

Thegreatchangeofsealifesincemytimewasbroughthometome。

Ihadbeenconsciousalldayofaninterminableprocessionofsteamers。Theywentonandonasifinchaseofeachother，theBaltictrade，thetradeofScandinavia，ofDenmark，ofGermany，pitchingheavilyintoaheadseaandboundforthegatewayofDoverStraits。Singly，andinsmallcompaniesoftwoandthree，theyemergedfromthedull，colourless，sunlessdistancesaheadasifthesupplyofratherroughlyfinishedmechanicaltoyswereinexhaustibleinsomemysteriouscheapstoreawaythere，belowthegreycurveoftheearth。Cargosteamvesselshavereachedbythistimeaheightofutilitarianuglinesswhich，whenonereflectsthatitistheproductofhumaningenuity，strikeshopelessaweintoone。Thesedismalcreationslookstilluglieratseathaninport，andwithanaddedtouchoftheridiculous。Theirrollingwaddlewhenseenatacertainangle，theirabruptclockworknoddinginasea-way，sounlikethesoaringliftandswingofacraftundersail，haveinthemsomethingcaricatural，asuggestionofalowparodydirectedatnoblepredecessorsbyanimprovedgenerationofdull，mechanicaltoilers，conceitedandwithoutgrace。

Whentheyswitchedon(eachoftheseunlovelycargotankscarriedtamelightningwithinitsslab-sidedbody)，whentheyswitchedontheirlampstheyspangledthenightwiththecheap，electric，shop-

glitter，here，there，andeverywhere，asofsomeHighStreet，brokenupandwashedouttosea。Later，Heligolandcutintotheoverheaddarknesswithitspowerfulbeam，infinitelyprolongedoutofunfathomablenightundertheclouds。

Iremainedondeckuntilwestoppedandasteampilot-boat，sooverlightedamidshipsthatonecouldnotmakeouthercompleteshape，glidedacrossourbowsandsentapilotonboard。Ifearthattheoar，asaworkingimplement，willbecomepresentlyasobsoleteasthesail。Thepilotboardedusinamotor-dinghy。

Moreandmoreismankindreducingitsphysicalactivitiestopullingleversandtwirlinglittlewheels。Progress！Yettheoldermethodsofmeetingnaturalforcesdemandedintelligencetoo；

anequallyfinereadinessofwits。Andreadinessofwitsworkingincombinationwiththestrengthofmusclesmadeamorecompleteman。

Itwasreallyasurprisinglysmalldinghyanditrantoandfrolikeawater-insectfussingnoisilydowntherewithimmenseself-

importance。WithinhailofusthehulloftheElbelightshipfloatedalldarkandsilentunderitsenormousround，servicelantern；afaithfulblackshadowwatchingthebroadestuaryfulloflights。

SuchwasmyfirstviewoftheElbeapproachedunderthewingsofpeacereadyforflightawayfromthelucklessshoresofEurope。

OurvisualimpressionsremainwithussopersistentlythatIfinditextremelydifficulttoholdfasttotherationalbeliefthatnoweverythingisdarkoverthere，thattheElbelightshiphasbeentowedawayfromitspostofduty，thetriumphantbeamofHeligolandextinguished，andthepilot-boatlaidup，orturnedtowarlikeusesforlackofitsproperworktodo。Andobviouslyitmustbeso。

Anytrickleofoverseatradethatpassesyetthatwaymustbecreepingalongcautiouslywiththeunlighted，war-blightedblackcoastcloseononehand，andsuddendeathontheother。ForallthespacewesteamedthroughthatSundayeveningmustnowbeonegreatminefield，sownthicklywiththeseedsofhate；whilesubmarinesstealouttosea，overtheveryspotperhapswheretheinsect-dinghyputapilotonboardofuswithsomuchfussyimportance。Mines；Submarines。Thelastwordinsea-warfare！

Progress——impressivelydisclosedbythiswar。

Therehavebeenotherwars！Warsnotinferiorinthegreatnessofthestakeandinthefierceanimosityoffeelings。DuringthatonewhichwasfinishedahundredyearsagoithappenedthatwhiletheEnglishFleetwaskeepingwatchonBrest，anAmerican，perhapsFultonhimself，offeredtotheMaritimePrefectoftheportandtotheFrenchAdmiral，aninventionwhichwouldsinkalltheunsuspectingEnglishshipsoneafteranother——or，atanyratemostofthem。Theofferwasnoteventakenintoconsideration；andthePrefectendshisreporttotheMinisterinPariswithafinephraseofindignation:“Itisnotthesortofdeathonewoulddealtobravemen。”

Andbehold，beforehistoryhadtimetohatchanotherwarofthelikeproportionsintheintensityofarousedpassionsandthegreatnessofissues，thedeadflavourofarchaismdescendedonthemanlysentimentofthoseself-denyingwords。Mankindhasbeendemoralisedsincebyitsownmasteryofmechanicalappliances。Itsspiritisapparentlysoweaknow，anditsfleshhasgrownsostrong，thatitwillfaceanydeadlyhorrorofdestructionandcannotresistthetemptationtouseanystealthy，murderouscontrivance。Ithasbecometheintoxicatedslaveofitsowndetestableingenuity。Itistrue，too，thatsincetheNapoleonictimeanothersortofwar-doctrinehasbeeninculcatedinanation，andheldouttotheworld。

IV

Onthisjourneyofours，whichformewasessentiallynotaprogress，butaretracingoffootstepsontheroadoflife，IhadnobeaconstolookforinGermany。Ihadneverlingeredinthatlandwhich，onthewhole，issosingularlybarrenofmemorablemanifestationsofgeneroussympathiesandmagnanimousimpulses。Anineradicable，invincible，provincialismofenvyandvanityclingstotheformsofitsthoughtlikeafrowsygarment。EvenwhileyetveryyoungIturnedmyeyesawayfromitinstinctivelyasfromathreateningphantom。Ibelievethatchildrenanddogshave，intheirinnocence，aspecialpowerofperceptionasfarasspectralapparitionsandcomingmisfortunesareconcerned。

IletmyselfbecarriedthroughGermanyasifitwerepurespace，withoutsights，withoutsounds。Nowhispersofthewarreachedmyvoluntaryabstraction。Andperhapsnotsoveryvoluntaryafterall！Eachofusisafascinatingspectacletohimself，andIhadtowatchmyownpersonalityreturningfromanotherworld，asitwere，torevisittheglimpsesofoldmoons。Consideringtheconditionofhumanity，Iam，perhaps，notsomuchtoblameforgivingmyselfuptothatoccupation。Weprizethesensationofourcontinuity，andwecanonlycaptureitinthatway。Bywatching。

WearrivedinCracowlateatnight。Afterascramblysupper，I

saidtomyeldestboy，“Ican\'tgotobed。Iamgoingoutforalookround。Coming?“

Hewasreadyenough。Forhim，allthiswaspartoftheinterestingadventureofthewholejourney。Westeppedoutoftheportalofthehotelintoanemptystreet，verysilentandbrightwithmoonlight。Iwas，indeed，revisitingtheglimpsesofthemoon。I

feltsomuchlikeaghostthatthediscoverythatIcouldremembersuchmaterialthingsastherightturntotakeandthegeneraldirectionofthestreetgavemeamomentofwistfulsurprise。

Thestreet，straightandnarrow，ranintothegreatMarketSquareofthetown，thecentreofitsaffairsandofthelightersideofitslife。Wecouldseeatthefarendofthestreetapromisingwideningofspace。Atthecorneranunassuming(butarmed)

policeman，wearingceremoniouslyatmidnightapairofwhitegloveswhichmadehisbighandsextremelynoticeable，turnedhisheadtolookatthegrizzledforeignerholdingforthinastrangetonguetoayouthonwhosearmheleaned。

TheSquare，immenseinitssolitude，wasfulltothebrimofmoonlight。Thegarlandoflightsatthefootofthehousesseemedtoburnatthebottomofabluishpool。InoticedwithinfinitesatisfactionthattheunnecessarytreestheMunicipalityinsisteduponstickingbetweenthestoneshadbeensteadilyrefusingtogrow。TheywerenotabitbiggerthanthepoorvictimsIcouldremember。Also，thepavingoperationsseemedtobeexactlyatthesamepointatwhichIleftthemfortyyearsbefore。Therewerethedull，torn-uppatchesonthatbrightexpanse，thepilesofpavingmateriallookingominouslyblack，likeheadsofrocksonasilverysea。WhowasitthatsaidthatTimeworkswonders?Whatanexplodedsuperstition！Asfarasthesetreesandthesepavingstoneswereconcerned，ithadworkednothing。Thesuspicionoftheunchangeablenessofthingsalreadyvaguelysuggestedtomysensesbyourrapiddrivefromtherailwaystationwasagreeablystrengthenedwithinme。

“WearenowonthelineA。B。，“Isaidtomycompanion，importantly。

ItwasthenamebestowedinmytimeononeofthesidesoftheSquarebytheseniorstudentsofthattownofclassicallearningandhistoricalrelics。Thecommoncitizensknewnothingofit，and，eveniftheyhad，wouldnothavedreamedoftakingitseriously。Hewhouseditwasoftheinitiated，belongedtotheSchools。Weyoungstersregardedthatnameasafinejest，theinventionofamostexcellentfancy。EvenasIutteredittomyboyIexperiencedagainthatsenseofmyprivilegedinitiation。

Andthen，happeningtolookupatthewall，Isawinthelightofthecornerlamp，awhite，cast-irontabletfixedthereon，bearinganinscriptioninraisedblackletters，thus:“LineA。B。”

Heavens！Thenamehadbeenadoptedofficially！Anytownurchin，anyguttersnipe，anyherb-sellingwomanofthemarket-place，anywanderingBoeotian，wasfreetotalkofthelineA。B。，towalkonthelineA。B。，toappointtomeethisfriendsonthelineA。B。Ithadbecomeamerenameinadirectory。Iwasstunnedbytheextrememutabilityofthings。Timecouldworkwonders，andnomistake。AMunicipalityhadstolenaninventionofexcellentfancy，andafinejesthadturnedintoahorridpieceofcast-iron。

Iproposedthatweshouldwalktotheotherendoftheline，usingtheprofanedname，notonlywithoutgusto，butwithpositivedistaste。Andthis，too，wasoneofthewondersofTime，forabareminutehadworkedthatchange。TherewasattheendofthelineacertainstreetIwantedtolookat，Iexplainedtomycompanion。

ToourrighttheunequalmassivetowersofSt。Mary\'sChurchsoaredaloftintotheetherealradianceoftheair，veryblackontheirshadedsides，glowingwithasoftphosphorescentsheenontheothers。InthedistancetheFlorianGate，thickandsquatunderitspointedroof，barredthestreetwiththesquareshouldersoftheoldcitywall。Inthenarrow，brilliantlypalevistaofbluishflagstonesandsilveryfrontsofhouses，itsblackarchwaystoodoutsmallandverydistinct。

Therewasnotasoulinsight，andnoteventheechoofafootstepforourears。Intothiscoldlyilluminatedanddumbemptinessthereissuedoutofmyarousedmemory，asmallboyofeleven，wendinghisway，notveryfast，toapreparatoryschoolforday-

pupilsonthesecondfloorofthethirdhousedownfromtheFlorianGate。Itwasinthewintermonthsof1868。Ateighto\'clockofeverymorningthatGodmade，sleetorshine，IwalkedupFlorianStreet。Butofthat，myfirstschool，Irememberverylittle。I

believethatoneofmyco-suffererstherehasbecomeamuchappreciatededitorofhistoricaldocuments。ButIdidn\'tsuffermuchfromthevariousimperfectionsofmyfirstschool。Iwasratherindifferenttoschooltroubles。Ihadaprivategnawingwormofmyown。Thiswasthetimeofmyfather\'slastillness。

Everyeveningatseven，turningmybackontheFlorianGate，I

walkedallthewaytoabigoldhouseinaquietnarrowstreetagooddistancebeyondtheGreatSquare。There，inalargedrawing-

room，panelledandbare，withheavycornicesandaloftyceiling，inalittleoasisoflightmadebytwocandlesinadesertofdusk，Isatatalittletabletoworryandinkmyselfallovertillthetaskofmypreparationwasdone。Thetableofmytoilfacedatallwhitedoor，whichwaskeptclosed；nowandthenitwouldcomeajarandanuninawhitecoifwouldsqueezeherselfthroughthecrack，glideacrosstheroom，anddisappear。Thereweretwoofthesenoiselessnursingnuns。Theirvoiceswereseldomheard。For，indeed，whatcouldtheyhavehadtosay?Whentheydidspeaktomeitwaswiththeirlipshardlymoving，inaclaustral，clearwhisper。Ourdomesticmatterswereorderedbytheelderlyhousekeeperofourneighbouronthesecondfloor，aCanonoftheCathedral，lentfortheemergency。She，too，spokebutseldom。

Sheworeablackdresswithacrosshangingbyachainonheramplebosom。Andthoughwhenshespokeshemovedherlipsmorethanthenuns，sheneverlethervoiceriseaboveapeacefullymurmuringnote。Theairaroundmewasallpiety，resignation，andsilence。

Idon\'tknowwhatwouldhavebecomeofmeifIhadnotbeenareadingboy。Myprep。finishedIwouldhavehadnothingtodobutsitandwatchtheawfulstillnessofthesickroomflowoutthroughthecloseddoorandcoldlyenfoldmyscaredheart。IsupposethatinafutilechildishwayIwouldhavegonecrazy。ButIwasareadingboy。Thereweremanybooksabout，lyingonconsoles，ontables，andevenonthefloor，forwehadnothadtimetosettledown。Iread！WhatdidInotread！Sometimestheeldernun，glidingupandcastingamistrustfullookontheopenpages，wouldlayherhandlightlyonmyheadandsuggestinadoubtfulwhisper，“Perhapsitisnotverygoodforyoutoreadthesebooks。”Iwouldraisemyeyestoherfacemutely，andwithavaguegestureofgivingitupshewouldglideaway。

Laterintheevening，butnotalways，Iwouldbepermittedtotip-

toeintothesickroomtosaygood-nighttothefigureproneonthebed，whichoftencouldnotacknowledgemypresencebutbyaslowmovementoftheeyes，putmylipsdutifullytothenervelesshandlyingonthecoverlet，andtip-toeoutagain。ThenIwouldgotobed，inaroomattheendofthecorridor，andoften，notalways，crymyselfintoagoodsoundsleep。

Ilookedforwardtowhatwascomingwithanincredulousterror。I

turnedmyeyesfromitsometimeswithsuccess，andyetallthetimeIhadanawfulsensationoftheinevitable。Ihadalsomomentsofrevoltwhichstrippedoffmesomeofmysimpletrustinthegovernmentoftheuniverse。Butwhentheinevitableenteredthesickroomandthewhitedoorwasthrownwideopen，Idon\'tthinkI

foundasingleteartoshed。IhaveasuspicionthattheCanon\'shousekeeperlookedonmeasthemostcallouslittlewretchonearth。

Thedayofthefuneralcameinduecourseandallthegenerous“YouthoftheSchools，“thegraveSenateoftheUniversity，thedelegationsoftheTrade-guilds，mighthaveobtained(iftheycared)DEVISUevidenceofthecallousnessofthelittlewretch。

Therewasnothinginmyachingheadbutafewwords，somesuchstupidsentencesas，“It\'sdone，“or，“It\'saccomplished“(inPolishitismuchshorter)，orsomethingofthesort，repeatingitselfendlessly。Thelongprocessionmovedoutofthenarrowstreet，downalongstreet，pasttheGothicfrontofSt。Mary\'sunderitsunequaltowers，towardstheFlorianGate。

Inthemoonlight-floodedsilenceoftheoldtownofglorioustombsandtragicmemories，Icouldseeagainthesmallboyofthatdayfollowingahearse；aspacekeptclearinwhichIwalkedalone，consciousofanenormousfollowing，theclumsyswayingofthetallblackmachine，thechantingofthesurplicedclergyatthehead，theflamesoftaperspassingunderthelowarchwayofthegate，therowsofbaredheadsonthepavementswithfixed，seriouseyes。

HalfthepopulationhadturnedoutonthatfineMayafternoon。

Theyhadnotcometohonouragreatachievement，orevensomesplendidfailure。Thedeadandtheywerevictimsalikeofanunrelentingdestinywhichcutthemofffromeverypathofmeritandglory。Theyhadcomeonlytorenderhomagetotheardentfidelityofthemanwhoselifehadbeenafearlessconfessioninwordanddeedofacreedwhichthesimplestheartinthatcrowdcouldfeelandunderstand。

ItseemedtomethatifIremainedlongerthereinthatnarrowstreetIshouldbecomethehelplesspreyoftheShadowsIhadcalledup。Theywerecrowdinguponme，enigmaticandinsistentintheirclingingairofthegravethattastedofdustandofthebittervanityofoldhopes。

“Let\'sgobacktothehotel，myboy，“Isaid。“It\'sgettinglate。”

ItwillbeeasilyunderstoodthatIneitherthoughtnordreamtthatnightofapossiblewar。ForthenexttwodaysIwentaboutamongstmyfellowmen，whowelcomedmewiththeutmostconsiderationandfriendliness，butunanimouslyderidedmyfearsofawar。Theywouldnotbelieveinit。Itwasimpossible。OntheeveningoftheseconddayIwasinthehotel\'ssmokingroom，anirrationallyprivateapartment，asanctuaryforafewchoicemindsofthetown，alwayspervadedbyadimreligiouslight，andmorehushedthananyclubreading-roomIhaveeverbeenin。Gatheredintoasmallknot，wewerediscussingthesituationinsubduedtonessuitabletothegeniusoftheplace。

Agentlemanwithafineheadofwhitehairsuddenlypointedanimpatientfingerinmydirectionandapostrophisedme。

“WhatIwanttoknowiswhether，shouldtherebewar，Englandwouldcomein。”

Thetimetodrawabreath，andIspokeoutfortheCabinetwithoutfaltering。

“Mostassuredly。IshouldthinkallEuropeknowsthatbythistime。”

Hetookholdofthelapelofmycoat，and，givingitaslightjerkforgreateremphasis，saidforcibly:

“Then，ifEnglandwill，asyousay，andalltheworldknowsit，therecanbenowar。Germanywon\'tbesomadasthat。”

OnthemorrowbynoonwereadoftheGermanultimatum。Thedayaftercamethedeclarationofwar，andtheAustrianmobilisationorder。Wewerefairlycaught。Allthatremainedformetodowastogetmypartyoutofthewayofeventualshells。ThebestmovewhichoccurredtomewastosnatchthemupinstantlyintothemountainstoaPolishhealthresortofgreatrepute——whichIdid(attherateofonehundredmilesinelevenhours)bythelastciviliantrainpermittedtoleaveCracowforthenextthreeweeks。

AndthereweremainedamongstthePolesfromallpartsofPoland，notofficiallyinterned，butsimplyunabletoobtainthepermissiontotravelbytrain，orroad。Itwasawonderful，apoignanttwomonths。Thisisnotthetime，and，perhaps，nottheplace，toenlargeuponthetragiccharacterofthesituation；awholepeopleseeingtheculminationofitsmisfortunesinafinalcatastrophe，unabletotrustanyone，toappealtoanyone，tolookforhelpfromanyquarter；deprivedofallhopeandevenofitslastillusions，andunable，inthetroubleofmindsandtheunrestofconsciences，totakerefugeinstoicalacceptance。Ihaveseenallthis。AndI

amgladIhavenotsomanyyearsleftmetorememberthatappallingfeelingofinexorablefate，tangible，palpable，comeaftersomanycruelyears，afigureofdread，murmuringwithironlipsthefinalwords:Ruin——andExtinction。

Butenoughofthis。ForourlittlebandtherewastheawfulanguishofincertitudeastotherealnatureofeventsintheWest。

Itisdifficulttogiveanideahowuglyanddangerousthingslookedtousoverthere。Belgiumknockeddownandtrampledoutofexistence，Francegivinginunderrepeatedblows，amilitarycollapselikethatof1870，andEnglandinvolvedinthatdisastrousalliance，herarmysacrificed，herpeopleinapanic！Polishpapers，ofcourse，hadnootherbutGermansourcesofinformation。

Naturally，wedidnotbelieveallweread，butitwassometimesexcessivelydifficulttoreactwithsufficientfirmness。

Weusedtoshutourdoor，andthere，awayfromeverybody，wesatweighingthenews，huntingupdiscrepancies，scentinglies，findingreasonsforhopefulness，andgenerallycheeringeachotherup。Butitwasabeastlytime。Peopleusedtocometomewithveryseriousnewsandask，“Whatdoyouthinkofit?“Andmyinvariableanswerwas:“Whateverhashappened，orisgoingtohappen，whoeverwantstomakepeace，youmaybecertainthatEnglandwillnotmakeit，notfortenyears，ifnecessary。”\'

Butenoughofthis，too。ThroughtheunremittingeffortsofPolishfriendsweobtainedatlastthepermissiontotraveltoVienna。

Oncethere，thewingoftheAmericanEaglewasextendedoverouruneasyheads。WecannotbesufficientlygratefultotheAmericanAmbassador(who，allalong，interestedhimselfinourfate)forhisexertionsonourbehalf，hisinvaluableassistanceandtherealfriendlinessofhisreceptioninVienna。OwingtoMr。Penfield\'sactionweobtainedthepermissiontoleaveAustria。Anditwasanearthing，forhisExcellencyhasinformedmyAmericanpublisherssincethataweeklaterorderswereissuedtohaveusdetainedtilltheendofthewar。However，weeffectedourhair\'s-breadthescapeintoItaly；and，reachingGenoa，tookpassageinaDutchmailsteamer，homeward-boundfromJavawithLondonasaportofcall。

Onthatsea-routeImighthavepickedupamemoryateverymileifthepasthadnotbeeneclipsedbythetremendousactuality。WesawthesignsofitintheemptinessoftheMediterranean，theaspectofGibraltar，themistyglimpseintheBayofBiscayofanoutward-

boundconvoyoftransports，inthepresenceofBritishsubmarinesintheChannel。InnumerabledriftersflyingtheNavalflagdottedthenarrowwaters，andtwoNavalofficerscomingonboardofftheSouthForeland，pilotedtheshipthroughtheDowns。

TheDowns！Theretheywere，thickwiththememoriesofmysea-

life。Butwhatweretomenowthefutilitiesofanindividualpast?Asourship\'sheadswungintotheestuaryoftheThames，adeep，yetfaint，concussionpassedthroughtheair，ashockratherthanasound，whichmissingmyearfounditswaystraightintomyheart。Turninginstinctivelytolookatmyboys，Ihappenedtomeetmywife\'seyes。Shealsohadfeltprofoundly，comingfromfarawayacrossthegreydistancesofthesea，thefaintboomofthebiggunsatworkonthecoastofFlanders——shapingthefuture。

FIRSTNEWS——1918