And hear the roaring of the Jingoes!
Johnson defined Patriotism you know, as the last refuge of a
scoundrel; it looks as if it might presently be the last refuge of a
fool."
"Meanwhile," said Piers, "the real interests of England, real
progress in national life, seem to be as good as lost sight of."
"Yes, more and more. They think that material prosperity is
progress. So it is--up to a certain point, and who ever stops
there? Look at Germany."
"Once the peaceful home of pure intellect, the land of Goethe."
"Once, yes. And my fear is that our brute, blustering Bismarck may
be coming. But," he suddenly brightened, "croakers be hanged! The
civilisers are at work too, and they have their way in the end.
Think of a man like your father, who seemed to pass and be
forgotten. Was it really so? I'll warrant that at this hour Jerome
Otway's spirit is working in many of our best minds. There's no
calculating the power of the man who speaks from his very heart. His
words don't perish, though he himself may lose courage."
Listening, Piers felt a glow pass into all the currents of his life.
"If only," he exclaimed, in a voice that trembled, "I had as much
strength as desire to carry on his work!"
"Why, who knows?" replied John Jacks, looking with encouragement
wherein mingled something of affection.
"You have the power of sincerity, I see that. Speak always as you
believe, and who knows what opportunity you may find for making
yourself heard!"
John Jacks reflected deeply for a few moments.
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