Page:The Royal Family of France (Henry).djvu/48

 domains of either Religion, Politics, or Morals, forsooth causing one to doubt whether Europe be a civilized world in truth.

Professor James Bryce, M. P., presiding at the fifth Annual Meeting of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (June 9th, 1882), wisely maintained that we ought to cling with the utmost tenacity to what reminds us of the past and enables us to realize the historical continuity of our nation. A more true and seasonable hint could not be given. Amidst the conflicting attempts at social and economical Reforms to-day, the reasonable counsel from the learned Professor should prove useful to younger men, provided that we continue to see unshaken that disciplined loyalty which to citizens of a free State is a perfectly secure defence against the sinister designs, if such exist, of both social and foreign foes. Young men should not remain indifferent alike to the principles in which they profess to believe and the interests which they are taught to value; they should show themselves utterly able to understand the meaning which the warnings of History convey. Political wisdom, industry and determination are what our young men want; and they are not called upon to be supremely intelligent and able, so much as active and obedient. Most of us belong to the great army of strugglers. For all that, let us not drag on an aimless, helpless life, infinitely worse than death. Let us not rust out in the purlieus of a dull existence, leading—in the main deservedly so—to insensibility and decrepitude. In this era of fierce activity, young men generally do not make a bad show, but they want more power. We live in an age which requires of us that we should speak with absolute frankness, and younger men should not misapprehend the difficulties under which their elders labour when, whilst devoting themselves to the public good, they serve as a butt for the shafts of envy and ridicule from a despicable multitude actuated by ignorance or bribes.

The present situation in Europe, and indeed in the whole civilized world, requires that every good citizen should stand resolutely forth, and not shelter himself in ambiguity: for half truths are often whole errors and lies. Those who do not place their trust in hypocrisy and injustice must say so distinctly. Let us put aside ambiguity as to our own practice; let us not admit