Page:Henry Northcote (IA henrynorthcote00snairich).pdf/93

 times in the first five minutes. You pushed them all over the place."

"Yes, we pushed them all over the place. You saw me at the summit of my fame. And I am now coming to the point of my parable. From those days of my inordinate success, which conferred not only lustre upon myself, but upon my school and all who were associated with me, I became not only a hero, but a figure of legend. The opprobrious title 'Cad' Northcote was dropped as completely as though it had never been. My lightest opinion was treasured, and heaven only can tell us how many they were on every point under the sun. I became a dictator where formerly I had suffered infinite misery and persecution. By a display of personal force criticism was laid low; yet, sir, according to this theory of yours, it must have been inimical to all who came within its sphere of influence."

"I would say so certainly; demoralizing alike to its possessor, and to those who despised it in its growth and abased themselves before it in its flower."

"Yet was it not with bated breath that you inquired whether I was the 'great' Northcote?"

"Pray do not overlook the fact, my dear fellow, that however much the average sensual mind may deplore the false gods before which it kneels, it has not the power to deliver itself from their thrall. This passion to 'excel' is a flaw inherent in the race."

"It is at least pleasant to discover," said Northcote, "that the average sensual mind is unable