It is to the state “that sovereign intellect naturally betakes, and here that it unfolds itself: not only does it give scope and space to the highest energies of the human understanding, it is also directly the parent, and the object of some of the noblest feelings which belong to our nature, and, these too, such as operate on the most comprehensive scale.”[1] It was long ago said that “the main thing which social changes can do for the improvement of the higher classes is gradually to put an end to all unearned distinction, that the only road open to honour and ascendancy be that of personal qualities.”[2] Bank and wealth set out with the most favourable auspices, and stand on the vantage-ground of competition. They will more certainly retain their position in the race, as they themselves eschew, and endeavour to purge political life of all that is vile and base; put forward their highest order of minds for public duties and public honours, and do their utmost to prevent seats in Parliament, or great offices or functions, from being made the appanage of triflers or weak men. It is not wise to stand contentedly by, as some would seem to advise, and wait the behest of public opinion to be communicated by the newspapers. Such apathy is perilous. It is true, as Lord Grey has said, that “to be in constant conflict with evil in some shape or other is obviously the condition appointed by Providence for men and nations, and the moment that struggles for improvement cease, corruption and decay commence.”[3] Society, notwithstanding the wider diffusion of material prosperity, has yet a vast accumulation of political, moral, and physical evils to vanquish and sweep away. “Civilization is yet very young; the world is very far from having measured the extent of the career which is before it.” The great embodiment of the national life, the State itself, should be, in its popular action, like the awful seat of justice, as far: as possible free from
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PREFACE.
