Page:Free Opinions, Freely Expressed on Certain Phases of Modern Social Life and Conduct.djvu/304

 *appearing. Hospitality is another "good grace" which is on the wane. The art of conversation is almost a lost one. People talk as they ride bicycles—at a rush—without pausing to consider their surroundings. Elegant manners are also at a discount. The "scorching," steaming, spasmodic motor man-animal does not inspire reverence. The smoking, slangy horsey, betting, woman-animal is not a graceful object. In the days of classic Greece and Rome, men and women "imagined" themselves to be descended from the gods;—and however extravagant the idea, it was likely to breed more dignity and beauty of conduct than if they had "imagined" themselves descended from apes. A nation rounds itself to an Ideal, as the clay forms into shape on a potter's wheel. It is well, therefore, to see that the Ideal be pure and lofty, and not a mere Golden Image like that set up by King Nebuchadnezzar, who ended his days by eating grass,—possibly thistles. Some of our public men might perhaps be better for a little more Imagination, and a little less red tape. It might take them healthfully out of themselves. For most of them seem burdened with an absurd self-consciousness, which is apt to limit the extent of their view out on public affairs. Others again are afflicted by the hedge-hog quality of "stand-offishness" which they unfortunately mistake for dignity. And others affect to despise public opinion, and have a curious habit of over-*looking the fact that it is the much-abused public which sets them in office and pays to keep them there. Their Ideal of public life and service partakes too much of Self to be nobly National.

What, after all, is Imagination? It is a great