barbaric force in man which the privileged races have so slowly and painfully brought into check。 Democracy is full of menace to all the finer hopes of civilization； and the revival； in not unnatural panionship with it； of monarchic power based on militarism； makes the prospect dubious enough。 There has but to arise some Lord of Slaughter； and the nations will be tearing at each other's throats。 Let England be imperilled； and Englishmen will fight； in such extremity there is no choice。 But what a dreary change must e upon our islanders if； without instant danger； they bend beneath the curse of universal soldiering！ I like to think that they will guard the liberty of their manhood even beyond the point of prudence。
A lettered German； speaking to me once of his year of military service； told me that； had it lasted but a month or two longer； he must have sought release in suicide。 I know very well that my own courage would not have borne me to the end of the twelvemonth； humiliation； resentment； loathing； would have goaded me to madness。 At school we used to be 〃drilled〃 in the playground once a week； I have but to think of it； even after forty years； and there es back upon me that tremor of passionate misery which； at the time； often made me ill。 The senseless routine of mechanic exercise was in itself all but unendurable to me； I hated the standing in line； the thrusting…out of arms and legs at a signal； the thud of feet stamping in constrained unison。 The loss of indiv