Alreadythereareinnuendoes，threats，hintsthrownout，andevenawfulinstancesfabricatedoutofinadequatematerials，butitishistoricallyunthinkablethatthePolandofthefuture，withitssacredtraditionoffreedomanditshereditarysenseofrespectfortherightsofindividualsandStates，shouldseekitsprosperityinaggressiveactionorinmoralviolenceagainstthatpartofitsoncefellow-citizenswhoareRutheniansorLithuanians。Theonlyinfluencethatcannotberestrainedissimplytheinfluenceoftime，whichdisengagestruthfromallfactswithamercilesslogicandprevailsoverthepassingopinions，thechangingimpulsesofmen。Therecanbenodoubtthatthemoralimpulsesandthematerialinterestsofthenewnationalities，whichseemtoplaynowthegameofdisintegrationforthebenefitoftheworld'senemies，willintheendbringthemnearertothePolandofthiswar'screation，willunitethemsoonerorlaterbyaspontaneousmovementtowardstheStatewhichhadadoptedandbroughtthemupinthedevelopmentofitsownhumaneculture——theoffspringoftheWest。
ANOTEONTHEPOLISHPROBLEM——1916
Wemuststartfromtheassumptionthatpromisesmadebyproclamationatthebeginningofthiswarmaybebindingontheindividualswhomadethemunderthestressofcomingevents，butcannotberegardedasbindingtheGovernmentsaftertheendofthewar。
Polandhasbeenpresentedwiththreeproclamations。TwoofthemwereinsuchcontrastwiththeavowedprinciplesandthehistoricactionforthelasthundredyearssincetheCongressofViennaofthePowersconcerned，thattheyweremorelikecynicalinsultstothenation'sdeepestfeelings，itsmemoryanditsintelligence，thanstatepapersofaconciliatorynature。
TheGermanpromisesawokenothingbutindignantcontempt；theRussianabitterincredulityofthemostcompletekind。TheAustrianproclamation，whichmadenopromisesandcontenteditselfwithpointingouttheAustro-Polishrelationsforthelastforty-
fiveyears，wasreceivedinsilence。ForitisafactthatinAustrianPolandalonePolishnationalitywasrecognisedasanelementoftheEmpire，andindividualscouldbreathetheairoffreedom，ofcivillife，ifnotofpoliticalindependence。
ButforPolestobeGermanophileisunthinkable。TobeRussophileorAustrophileisatbestacounselofdespairinviewofaEuropeansituationwhich，becauseofthegroupingofthepowers，seemstoshutfromthemeveryhope，expressedorunexpressed，ofanationalfuturenursedthroughmorethanahundredyearsofsufferingandoppression。
Throughmostoftheseyears，andespeciallysince1830，PolandI
usethisexpressionsincePolandexistsasaspiritualentitytodayasdefinitelyasiteverexistedinherpasthasputherfaithintheWesternPowers。Politicallyitmayhavebeennothingmorethanaconsolingillusion，andthenationhadahalf-consciousnessofthis。ButwhatPolandwaslookingforfromtheWesternPowerswithoutdiscouragementandwithunbrokenconfidencewasmoralsupport。
Thisisafactofthesentimentalorder。Butsuchfactshavetheirpositivevalue，fortheiridealismderivesfromperhapsthehighestkindofreality。Asentimentassertsitsclaimbyitsforce，persistenceanduniversality。InPolandthatsentimentalattitudetowardstheWesternPowersisuniversal。Itextendstoallclasses。Theverychildrenareaffectedbyitassoonastheybegintothink。
Thepoliticalvalueofsuchasentimentconsistsinthis，thatitisbasedonprofoundresemblances。Thereforeonecanbuildonitasifitwereamaterialfact。Forthesamereasonitwouldbeunsafetodisregarditifoneproposedtobuildsolidly。ThePoles，whomsuperficialorill-informedtheoristsaretryingtoforceintothesocialandpsychologicalformulaofSlavonism，areintruthnotSlavonicatall。Intemperament，infeeling，inmind，andeveninunreason，theyareWestern，withanabsolutecomprehensionofallWesternmodesofthought，evenofthosewhichareremotefromtheirhistoricalexperience。
ThatelementofracialunitywhichmaybecalledPolonism，remainedcompressedbetweenPrussianGermanismononesideandtheRussianSlavonismontheother。ForGermanismitfeelsnothingbuthatred。
ButbetweenPolonismandSlavonismthereisnotsomuchhatredasacompleteandineradicableincompatibility。
NopoliticalworkofreconstructingPolandeitherasamatterofjusticeorexpediencycouldbesoundwhichwouldleavethenewcreationindependencetoGermanismortoSlavonism。
Thefirstneednotbeconsidered。Thesecondmustbe——unlessthePowerselecttodropthePolishquestioneitherunderthecoverofvagueassurancesorwithoutanydisguisewhatever。
ButifitisconsidereditwillbeseenatoncethattheSlavonicsolutionofthePolishQuestioncanoffernoguaranteesofdurationorholdthepromiseofsecurityforthepeaceofEurope。
TheonlybasisforitwouldbetheGrandDuke'sManifesto。ButthatManifesto，signedbyapersonagenowremovedfromEuropetoAsia，andbyaman，moreover，whoiftruetohimself，tohisconceptionofpatriotismandtohisfamilytraditioncouldnothaveputhishandtoitwithanysincerityofpurpose，isnowdivestedofallauthority。Theforciblevaguenessofitspromises，itsstartlinginconsistencywiththehundredyearsofruthlesslydenationalisingoppressionpermitonetodoubtwhetheritwasevermeanttohaveanyauthority。
Butinanycaseitcouldhavehadnoeffect。Theverynatureofthingswouldhavebroughttonoughtitsprofessedintentions。
ItisimpossibletosupposethataStateofRussia'spowerandantecedentswouldtolerateaprivilegedcommunityof，toRussia，unnationalcomplexionwithinthebodyoftheEmpire。Allhistoryshowsthatsuchanarrangement，howeverhedgedinbythemostsolemntreatiesanddeclarations，cannotlast。Inthiscaseitwouldleadtoatragicissue。TheabsorptionofPolonismisunthinkable。ThelasthundredyearsofEuropeanHistoryprovesitundeniably。Thereremainsthenextirpation，aprocessofbloodandiron；andthelastactofthePolishdramawouldbeplayedthenbeforeaEuropetoowearytointerfere，andtotheapplauseofGermany。
ItwouldnotbejusttosaythatthedisappearanceofPolonismwouldaddanystrengthtotheSlavonicpowerofexpansion。Itwouldaddnostrength，butitwouldremoveapossiblyeffectivebarrieragainstthesurprisesthefutureofEuropemayholdinstorefortheWesternPowers。
ThusthequestionwhetherPolonismisworthsavingpresentsitselfasaproblemofpoliticswithapracticalbearingonthestabilityofEuropeanpeace——asabarrierorperhapsbetterinviewofitsdetachedpositionasanoutpostoftheWesternPowersplacedbetweenthegreatmightofSlavonismwhichhasnotyetmadeupitsmindtoanything，andtheorganisedGermanismwhichhasspokenitsmindwithnouncertainvoice，beforetheworld。
LookedatinthatlightalonePolonismseemsworthsaving。ThatithaslivedsolongonitstrustinthemoralsupportoftheWesternPowersmaygiveitanotherandevenstrongerclaim，basedonatruthofamoreprofoundkind。PolonismhadresistedtheutmosteffortsofGermanismandSlavonismformorethanahundredyears。
Why?BecauseofthestrengthofitsidealsconsciousoftheirkinshipwiththeWest。Suchapowerofresistancecreatesamoralobligationwhichitwouldbeunsafetoneglect。Thereisalwaysariskinthrowingawayatoolofprovedtemper。
InthisprofoundconvictionofthepracticalandidealworthofPolonismoneapproachestheproblemofitspreservationwithaveryvividsenseofthepracticaldifficultiesderivedfromthegroupingofthePowers。TheuncertaintyoftheextentandoftheactualformofvictoryfortheAllieswillincreasethedifficultyofformulatingaplanofPolishregenerationatthepresentmoment。
Poland，tostrikeitsrootsagainintothesoilofpoliticalEurope，willrequireaguaranteeofsecurityforthehealthydevelopmentandfortheuntrammelledplayofsuchinstitutionsasshemaybeenabledtogivetoherself。
ThoseinstitutionswillbeanimatedbythespiritofPolonism，which，havingbeenafactorinthehistoryofEuropeandhavingproveditsvitalityunderoppression，hasestablisheditsrighttolive。Thatspirit，despisedandhatedbyGermanyandincompatiblewithSlavonismbecauseofmoraldifferences，cannotavoidbeinginitsrenewedassertionanobjectofdislikeandmistrust。
AsanunavoidableconsequenceofthepastPolandwillhavetobeginitsexistenceinanatmosphereofenmitiesandsuspicions。ThatadvancedoutpostofWesterncivilisationwillhavetoholditsgroundinthemidstofhostilecamps:alwaysitshistoricalfate。
AgainstthemenaceofsuchaspeciallydangeroussituationthepaperandinkofpublicTreatiescannotbeaneffectivedefence。
Nothingbuttheactual，living，activeparticipationofthetwoWesternPowersintheestablishmentofthenewPolishcommonwealth，andinthefirsttwentyyearsofitsexistence，willgivethePolesasufficientguaranteeofsecurityintheworkofrestoringtheirnationallife。
AnAnglo-Frenchprotectoratewouldbetheidealformofmoralandmaterialsupport。ButRussia，asanally，musttakeherplaceinitonsuchafootingaswillallaytothefullestextentherpossibleapprehensionsandsatisfyhernationalsentiment。Thatnecessitywillhavetobeformallyrecognised。
InrealityRussiahasceasedtocaremuchforherPolishpossessions。PublicrecognitionofamistakeinpoliticalmoralityandavoluntarysurrenderofterritoryinthecauseofEuropeanconcord，cannotdamagetheprestigeofapowerfulState。Thenewspheresofexpansioninregionsmoreeasilyassimilable，willmorethancompensateRussiaforthelossofterritoryontheWesternfrontieroftheEmpire。
TheexperienceofDualControlsandsimilarcombinationshasbeensounfortunateinthepastthatthesuggestionofaTripleProtectoratemaywellappearatfirstsightmonstrouseventounprejudicedminds。Butitmustberememberedthatthisisauniquecaseandaproblemaltogetherexceptional，justifyingtheemploymentofexceptionalmeansforitssolution。Tothosewhowoulddoubtthepossibilityofevenbringingsuchaschemeintoexistencetheanswermaybemadethattherearepsychologicalmomentswhenanymeasuretendingtowardstheendsofconcordandjusticemaybebroughtintobeing。Anditseemsthattheendofthewarwouldbethemomentforbringingintobeingthepoliticalschemeadvocatedinthisnote。
ItssuccessmustdependonthesinglenessofpurposeinthecontractingPowers，andonthewisdom，thetact，theabilities，thegood-willofmenentrustedwithitsinitiationanditsfurthercontrol。Finallyitmaybepointedoutthatthisplanistheonlyoneofferingseriousguaranteestoallthepartiesoccupyingtheirrespectivepositionswithinthescheme。
Ifherexistenceasastateisadmittedasjust，expedientandnecessary，Polandhasthemoralrighttoreceiveherconstitutionnotfromthehandofanoldenemy，butfromtheWesternPowersalone，thoughofcoursewiththefullestconcurrenceofRussia。
Thisconstitution，elaboratedbyacommitteeofPolesnominatedbythethreeGovernments，willafterduediscussionandamendmentbytheHighCommissionersoftheProtectingPowersbepresentedtoPolandastheinitialdocument，thecharterofhernewlife，freelyofferedandunreservedlyaccepted。
Itshouldbeassimpleandshortasawrittenconstitutioncanbe——
establishingthePolishCommonwealth，settlingthelinesofrepresentativeinstitutions，theformofjudicature，andleavingthegreatestmeasurepossibleofself-governmenttotheprovincesformingpartofthere-createdPoland。
ThisconstitutionwillbepromulgatedimmediatelyafterthethreePowershadsettledthefrontiersofthenewState，includingthetownofDanzicfreeportandaproportionofseaboard。ThelegislaturewillthenbecalledtogetherandageneraltreatywillregulatePoland'sinternationalportionasaprotectedstate，thestatusoftheHighCommissionersandsuch-likematters。Thelegislaturewillratify，thusmakingPoland，asitwere，apartyintheestablishmentoftheprotectorate。Apointofimportance。
OthergeneraltreatieswilldefinePoland'spositionintheAnglo-
Franco-Russianalliance，fixthenumbersofthearmy，andsettletheparticipationofthePowersinitsorganisationandtraining。
POLANDREVISITED——1915
Ihaveneverbelievedinpoliticalassassinationasameanstoanend，andleastofallinassassinationofthedynasticorder。I
don'tknowhowfarmurdercaneverapproachtheperfectionofafineart，butlookeduponwiththecoldeyeofreasonitseemsbutacrudeexpedientofimpatienthopeorhurrieddespair。Therearefewmenwhoseprematuredeathcouldinfluencehumanaffairsmorethanonthesurface。Thedeeperstreamofcausesdependsnotonindividualswho，likethemassofmankind，arecarriedonbyadestinywhichnomurderhaseverbeenabletoplacate，divert，orarrest。
InJulyoflastyearIwasastrangerinastrangecityintheMidlandsandparticularlyoutoftouchwiththeworld'spolitics。
Neveraverydiligentreaderofnewspapers，therewereatthattimereasonsofaprivateorderwhichcausedmetobeevenlessinformedthanusualonpublicaffairsaspresentedfromdaytodayinthatnecessarilyatmosphereless，perspectivelessmannerofthedailypapers，whichsomehow，foramanpossessedofsomehistoricsense，robsthemofallrealinterest。Idon'tthinkIhadlookedatadailyforamonthpast。
ButthoughastrangerinastrangecityIwasnotlonely，thankstoafriendwhohadtravelledthereoutofpurekindnesstobearmecompanyinaconjuncturewhich，inamostprivatesense，wassomewhattrying。
Itwasthisfriendwho，onemorningatbreakfast，informedmeofthemurderoftheArchdukeFerdinand。
Theimpressionwasmediocre。Iwasbarelyawarethatsuchamanexisted。IrememberedonlythatnotlongbeforehehadvisitedLondon。Therecollectionwasratherofacloudofinsignificantprintedwordshispresenceinthiscountryprovoked。
Variousopinionshadbeenexpressedofhim，buthisimportancewasArchducal，dynastic，purelyaccidental。CantherebeintheworldofrealmenanythingmoreshadowythananArchduke?Andnowhewasnomore；removedwithanatrocityofcircumstanceswhichmadeonemoresensibleofhishumanitythanwhenhewasinlife。I
connectedthatcrimewithBalkanicplotsandaspirationssolittlethatIhadactuallytoaskwhereithadhappened。MyfriendtoldmeitwasinSerajevo，andwonderedwhatwouldbetheconsequencesofthatgraveevent。HeaskedmewhatIthoughtwouldhappennext。
ItwaswithperfectsinceritythatIanswered“Nothing，“andhavingagreatrepugnancetoconsidermurderasafactorofpolitics，I
dismissedthesubject。Itfittedwithmyethicalsensethatanactcruelandabsurdshouldbealsouseless。IhadalsothevisionofacrowdofshadowyArchdukesinthebackground，outofwhichonewouldstepforwardtotaketheplaceofthatdeadmaninthelightoftheEuropeanstage。Andthen，tospeakthewholetruth，therewasnomancapableofformingajudgmentwhoattendedsolittletothemarchofeventsasIdidatthattime。WhatforwantofamoredefinitetermImustcallmymindwasfixeduponmyownaffairs，notbecausetheywereinabadposture，butbecauseoftheirfascinatingholiday-promisingaspect。IhadbeenobtainingmyinformationastoEuropeatsecondhand，fromfriendsgoodenoughtocomedownnowandthentoseeus。Theyarrivedwiththeirpocketsfullofcrumplednewspapers，andansweredmyqueriescasually，withgentlesmilesofscepticismastotherealityofmyinterest。AndyetIwasnotindifferent；butthetensionintheBalkanshadbecomechronicaftertheacutecrisis，andonecouldnothelpbeinglessconsciousofit。Ithadweariedoutone'sattention。Whocouldhaveguessedthatonthatwildstagewehadjustbeenlookingataminiaturerehearsalofthegreatworld-
drama，thereducedmodeloftheverypassionsandviolencesofwhatthefutureheldinstoreforthePowersoftheOldWorld?Hereandthere，perhaps，raremindshadasuspicionofthatpossibility，whiletheywatchedOldEuropestage-managingfussilybymeansofnotesandconferences，thepropheticreproductionofitsawaitingfate。Itwaswonderfullyexactinthespirit；sameroarofguns，sameprotestationsofsuperiority，samewordsintheair；race，liberation，justice——andthesamemoodoftrivialdemonstrations。
Onecouldnottaketo-dayaticketforPetersburg。“YoumeanPetrograd，“wouldsaythebookingclerk。ShortlyafterthefallofAdrianopleafriendofminepassingthroughSophiaaskedforsomeCAFETURCattheendofhislunch。
“MonsieurveutdireCafebalkanique，“thepatrioticwaitercorrectedhimausterely。
IwillnotsaythatIhadnotobservedsomethingofthatinstructiveaspectofthewaroftheBalkansbothinitsfirstandinitssecondphase。ButthosewithwhomItoucheduponthatvisionwerepleasedtoseeinittheevidenceofmyalarmistcynicism。Astoalarm，Ipointedoutthatfearisnaturaltoman，andevensalutary。Ithasdoneasmuchascourageforthepreservationofracesandinstitutions。ButfromachargeofcynicismIhavealwaysshrunkinstinctively。Itislikeachargeofbeingblindinoneeye，amoraldisablement，asortofdisgracefulcalamitythatmusthecarriedoffwithajauntybearing——asortofthingIamnotcapableof。RatherthanbethoughtamerejauntycrippleIallowedmyselftobeblindedbythegrossobviousnessoftheusualarguments。ItwaspointedouttomethattheseEasternnationswerenotfarremovedfromasavagestate。Theireconomicswereyetatthestageofscratchingtheearthandfeedingthepigs。Thehighly-developedmaterialcivilisationofEuropecouldnotallowitselftobedisturbedbyawar。Theindustryandthefinancecouldnotallowthemselvestobedisorganisedbytheambitionsofanidleclass，oreventheaspirations，whatevertheymightbe，ofthemasses。
Veryplausibleallthissounded。Wardoesnotpay。Therehadbeenabookwrittenonthattheme——anattempttoputpacificismonamaterialbasis。Nothingmoresolidinthewayofargumentcouldhavebeenadvancedonthistradingandmanufacturingglobe。Warwas“badbusiness！“Thiswasfinal。
But，truthtosay，onthisJulydayIreflectedbutlittleontheconditionofthecivilisedworld。Whateversinisterpassionswereheavingunderitssplendidandcomplexsurface，Iwastooagitatedbyasimpleandinnocentdesireofmyown，tonoticethesignsorinterpretthemcorrectly。Themostinnocentofpassionswilltaketheedgeoffone'sjudgment。Thedesirewhichpossessedmewassimplythedesiretotravel。AndthatbeingsoitwouldhavetakensomethingveryplaininthewayofsymptomstoshakemysimpletrustinthestabilityofthingsontheContinent。Mysentimentandnotmyreasonwasengagedthere。Myeyeswereturnedtothepast，nottothefuture；thepastthatonecannotsuspectandmistrust，theshadowyandunquestionablemoralpossessionthedarkeststrugglesofwhichwearahaloofgloryandpeace。
IntheprecedingmonthofMaywehadreceivedaninvitationtospendsomeweeksinPolandinacountryhouseintheneighbourhoodofCracow，butwithintheRussianfrontier。Theenterpriseatfirstseemedtomeconsiderable。Sinceleavingthesea，towhichI
havebeenfaithfulforsomanyyears，Ihavediscoveredthatthereisinmycompositionverylittlestufffromwhichtravellersaremade。Iconfessthatmyfirstimpulseaboutaprojectedjourneyistoleaveitalone。Buttheinvitationreceivedatfirstwithasortofdismayendedbyrousingthedormantenergyofmyfeelings。
CracowisthetownwhereIspentwithmyfatherthelasteighteenmonthsofhislife。ItwasinthatoldroyalandacademicalcitythatIceasedtobeachild，becameaboy，hadknownthefriendships，theadmirations，thethoughtsandtheindignationsofthatage。ItwaswithinthosehistoricalwallsthatIbegantounderstandthings，formaffections，layupastoreofmemoriesandafundofsensationswithwhichIwastobreakviolentlybythrowingmyselfintoanunrelatedexistence。Itwasliketheexperienceofanotherworld。Thewingsoftimemadeagreatduskoverallthis，andIfearedatfirstthatifIventuredbodilyinthereIwoulddiscoverthatIwhohavehadtodowithagoodmanyimaginaryliveshavebeenembracingmereshadowsinmyyouth。I
feared。Butfearinitselfmaybecomeafascination。Menhavegone，aloneandtrembling，intograveyardsatmidnight——justtoseewhatwouldhappen。Andthisadventurewastobepursuedinsunshine。Neitherwoulditbepursuedalone。Theinvitationwasextendedtousall。Thisjourneywouldhavesomethingofamigratorycharacter，theinvasionofatribe。Mypresent，allthatgavesolidityandvaluetoit，atanyrate，wouldstandbymeinthistestoftherealityofmypast。IwaspleasedwiththeideaofshowingmycompanionswhatPolishcountrylifewaslike；tovisitthetownwhereIwasatschoolbeforetheboysbymysideshouldgrowtooold，andgaininganindividualpastoftheirown，shouldlosetheirunsophisticatedinterestinmine。Itisonlyintheshortinstantsofearlyyouththatwehavethefacultyofcomingoutofourselvestoseedimlythevisionsandsharetheemotionsofanothersoul。Foryouthallisrealityinthisworld，andwithjustice，sinceitapprehendssovividlyitsimagesbehindwhichalongerlifemakesonedoubtwhetherthereisanysubstance。
Itrustedtothefreshreceptivityoftheseyoungbeingsinwhom，unlessHeredityisanemptyword，thereshouldhavebeenafibrewhichwouldanswertothesight，totheatmosphere，tothememoriesofthatcorneroftheearthwheremyownboyhoodhadreceiveditsearliestindependentimpressions。
ThefirstdaysofthethirdweekinJuly，whilethetelegraphwireshummedwiththewordsofenormousimportwhichweretofillbluebooks，yellowbooks，whitebooks，andtoarousethewonderofmankind，passedforusinlight-heartedpreparationsforthejourney。WhatwasitbutjustarushthroughGermany，togetacrossasquicklyaspossible?
Germanyisthepartoftheearth'ssolidsurfaceofwhichIknowtheleast。InallmylifeIhadbeenacrossitonlytwice。ImaywellsayofitVIDITANTUM；andtheverylittleIsawwasthroughthewindowofarailwaycarriageatexpressspeed。Thosejourneysofminehadbeenmorelikepilgrimageswhenonehurriesontowardsthegoalforthesatisfactionofadeeperneedthancuriosity。Inthislastinstance，too，IwassoincuriousthatIwouldhavelikedtohavefallenasleepontheshoresofEnglandandopenedmyeyes，ifitwerepossible，onlyontheothersideoftheSilesianfrontier。Yet，intruth，asmanyothershavedone，Ihad“sensedit“——thatpromisedlandofsteel，ofchemicaldyes，ofmethod，ofefficiency；thatraceplantedinthemiddleofEurope，assumingingrotesquevanitytheattitudeofEuropeansamongsteffeteAsiaticsorbarbarousniggers；and，withaconsciousnessofsuperiorityfreeingtheirhandsfromallmoralbonds，anxioustotakeup，ifI
mayexpressmyselfso，the“perfectman'sburden。”Meantime，inaclearingoftheTeutonicforest，theirsageswererearingaTreeofCynicalWisdom，asortofUpastree，whoseshademaybeseennowlyingovertheprostratebodyofBelgium。Itmustbesaidthattheylabouredopenlyenough，wateringitwiththemostauthenticsourcesofallmadness，andwatchingwiththeirbe-spectacledeyestheslowripeningofthegloriousblood-redfruit。Thesincerestwordsofpeace，wordsofmenace，andIverilybelievewordsofabasement，eveniftherehadbeenavoicevileenoughtoutterthem，wouldhavebeenwastedontheirecstasy。Forwhenthefruitripensonabranchitmustfall。Thereisnothingonearththatcanpreventit。
II。
Forreasonswhichatfirstseemedtomesomewhatobscure，thatoneofmycompanionswhosewishesarelawdecidedthatourtravelsshouldbegininanunusualwaybythecrossingoftheNorthSea。
WeshouldproceedfromHarwichtoHamburg。Besidesbeingthirty-
sixtimeslongerthantheDover-CalaispassagethisratherunusualroutehadanairofadventureinbetterkeepingwiththeromanticfeelingofthisPolishjourneywhichforsomanyyearshadbeenbeforeusinastateofaprojectfullofcolourandpromise，butalwaysretreating，elusivelikeanenticingmirage。
And，afterall，ithadturnedouttobenomirage。Nowondertheywereexcited。It'snomeanexperiencetolayyourhandsonamirage。Thedayofdeparturehadcome，theveryhourhadstruck。
Theluggagewascomingdownstairs。Itwasmostconvincing。Polandthen，iferasedfromthemap，yetexistedinreality；itwasnotamerePAYSDUREVE，whereyoucantravelonlyinimagination。Fornoman，theyargued，notevenfather，anhabitualpursuerofdreams，wouldpushtheloveofthenovelist'sartofmake-believetothepointofburdeninghimselfwithrealtrunksforavoyageAU
PAYSDUREVE。
Asweleftthedoorofourhouse，nestlingin，perhaps，themostpeacefulnookinKent，thesky，afterweeksofperfectlybrazenserenity，veileditsbluedepthsandstartedtoweepfinetearsfortherefreshmentoftheparchedfields。Apearlyblursettledoverthem，andalightsiftedofallglare，ofeverythingunkindlyandsearchingthatdwellsinthesplendourofunveiledskies。Allunconsciousofgoingtowardstheveryscenesofwar，Icarriedoffinmyeye，thistinyfragmentofGreatBritain；afewfields，awoodedrise；aclumpoftreesortwo，withashortstretchofroad，andhereandthereagleamofredwallandtiledroofabovethedarkeninghedgeswrappedupinsoftmistandpeace。AndIfeltthatallthishadaverystrongholdonmeastheembodimentofabeneficentandgentlespirit；thatitwasdeartomenotasaninheritance，butasanacquisition，asaconquestinthesenseinwhichawomanisconquered——bylove，whichisasortofsurrender。
Thesewerestrange，asifdisproportionatethoughtstothematterinhand，whichwasthesimplestsortofaContinentalholiday。AndIamcertainthatmycompanions，nearastheyaretome，feltnoothertroublebutthesuppressedexcitementofpleasurableanticipation。Theformsandthespiritofthelandbeforetheireyesweretheirinheritance，nottheirconquest——whichisathingprecarious，and，therefore，themostprecious，possessingyouifonlybythefearofunworthinessratherthanpossessedbyyou。
Moreover，aswesattogetherinthesamerailwaycarriage，theywerelookingforwardtoavoyageinspace，whereasIfeltmoreandmoreplainly，thatwhatIhadstartedonwasajourneyintime，intothepast；afearfulenoughprospectforthemostconsistent，buttohimwhohadnotknownhowtopreserveagainsthisimpulsestheorderandcontinuityofhislife——sothatattimesitpresenteditselftohisconscienceasaseriesofbetrayals——stillmoredreadful。
Idownherethesethoughtssoexclusivelypersonal，toexplainwhytherewasnoroominmyconsciousnessfortheapprehensionofaEuropeanwar。Idon'tmeantosaythatIignoredthepossibility；
Isimplydidnotthinkofit。Anditmadenodifference；forifI
hadthoughtofit，itcouldonlyhavebeeninthelameandinconclusivewayofthecommonuninitiatedmortals；andIamsurethatnothingshortofintellectualcertitude——obviouslyunattainablebythemaninthestreet——couldhavestayedmeonthatjourneywhichnowthatIhadstartedonitseemedanirrevocablething，anecessityofmyself-respect。
London，theLondonbeforethewar，flauntingitsenormousglare，asofamonstrousconflagrationupintotheblacksky——withitsbestVenice-likeaspectofrainyevenings，thewetasphaltedstreetslyingwiththesheenofsleepingwaterinwindingcanals，andthegreathousesofthecitytoweringalldark，likeemptypalaces，abovethereflectedlightsoftheglisteningroadway。
Everythinginthesubduedincompletenight-lifearoundtheMansionHousewentonnormallywithitsfascinatingairofadeadcommercialcityofsombrewallsthroughwhichtheinextinguishableactivityofitsmillionsstreamedEastandWestinabrilliantflowoflightedvehicles。
InLiverpoolStreet，asusualtoo，throughthedoublegates，acontinuouslineoftaxi-cabsglideddowntheinclinedapproachandupagain，likeanendlesschainofdredger-buckets，pouringinthepassengers，anddippingthemoutofthegreatrailwaystationundertheinexorablepallidfaceoftheclocktellingoffthediminishingminutesofpeace。Itwasthehouroftheboat-trainstoHolland，toHamburg，andthereseemedtobenolackofpeople，fearless，reckless，orignorant，whowantedtogototheseplaces。Thestationwasnormallycrowded，andiftherewasagreatflutterofeveningpapersinthemultitudeofhandstherewerenosignsofextraordinaryemotiononthatmultitudeoffaces。TherewasnothinginthemtodistractmefromthethoughtthatitwassingularlyappropriatethatIshouldstartfromthisstationontheretracedwayofmyexistence。Forthiswasthestationatwhich，thirty-sevenyearsbefore，IarrivedonmyfirstvisittoLondon。
Notthesamebuilding，butthesamespot。Atnineteenyearsofage，afteraperiodofprobationandtrainingIhadimposeduponmyselfasordinaryseamanonboardaNorthSeacoaster，IhadcomeupfromLowestoft——myfirstlongrailwayjourneyinEngland——to“signon“foranAntipodeanvoyageinadeep-watership。StraightfromarailwaycarriageIhadwalkedintothegreatcitywithsomethingofthefeelingofatravellerpenetratingintoavastandunexploredwilderness。Noexplorercouldhavebeenmorelonely。I
didnotknowasinglesoulofallthesemillionsthatallaroundmepeopledthemysteriousdistancesofthestreets。IcannotsayI
wasfreefromalittleyouthfulawe，butatthatageone'sfeelingsaresimple。Iwaselated。Iwaspursuingaclearaim，Iwascarryingoutadeliberateplanofmakingoutofmyself，inthefirstplace，aseamanworthyoftheservice，goodenoughtoworkbythesideofthemenwithwhomIwastolive；andinthesecondplace，Ihadtojustifymyexistencetomyself，toredeematacitmoralpledge。Boththeseaimsweretobeattainedbythesameeffort。Howsimpleseemedtheproblemoflifethen，onthathazydayofearlySeptemberintheyear1878，whenIenteredLondonforthefirsttime。
Fromthatpointofview——Youthandastraight-forwardschemeofconduct——itwascertainlyayearofgrace。AllthehelpIhadtogetintouchwiththeworldIwasinvadingwasapieceofpapernotmuchbiggerthanthepalmofmyhand——inwhichIheldit——tornoutofalargerplanofLondonforthegreaterfacilityofreference。
Ithadbeentheobjectofcarefulstudyforsomedayspast。ThefactthatIcouldtakeaconveyanceatthestationneveroccurredtomymind，no，notevenwhenIgotoutintothestreet，andstood，takingmyanxiousbearings，inthemidst，sotospeak，oftwentythousandhansoms。Astrangeabsenceofmindorunconsciousconvictionthatonecannotapproachanimportantmomentofone'slifebymeansofahiredcarriage?Yes，itwouldhavebeenapreposterousproceeding。AndindeedIwastomakeanAustralianvoyageandencircletheglobebeforeeverenteringaLondonhansom。
Anotherdocument，acuttingfromanewspaper，containingtheaddressofanobscureshippingagent，wasinmypocket。AndI
needednottotakeitout。Thataddresswasasifgravendeepinmybrain。ImuttereditswordstomyselfasIwalkedon，navigatingtheseaofLondonbythechartconcealedinthepalmofmyhand；forIhadvowedtomyselfnottoinquiremywayfromanyone。Youthisthetimeofrashpledges。HadItakenawrongturningIwouldhavebeenlost；andiffaithfultomypledgeI
mighthaveremainedlostfordays，forweeks，haveleftperhapsmybonestobediscoveredbleachinginsomeblindalleyoftheWhitechapeldistrict，asithadhappenedtolonelytravellerslostinthebush。ButIwalkedontomydestinationwithouthesitationormistake，showingthere，forthefirsttime，someofthatfacultytoabsorbandmakemyowntheimagedtopographyofachart，whichinlateryearswastohelpmeinregionsofintricatenavigationtokeeptheshipsentrustedtomeofftheground。TheplaceIwasboundtowasnoteasytofind。Itwasoneofthosecourtshiddenawayfromthechartedandnavigablestreets，lostamongthethickgrowthofhouseslikeadarkpoolinthedepthsofaforest，approachedbyaninconspicuousarchwayasifbysecretpath；aDickensiannookofLondon，thatwondercity，thegrowthofwhichbearsnosignofintelligentdesign，butmanytracesoffreakishlysombrephantasytheGreatMasterknewsowellhowtobringoutbythemagicofhisunderstandinglove。AndtheofficeIenteredwasDickensiantoo。ThedustoftheWaterlooyearlayonthepanesandframesofitswindows；earlyGeorgiangrimeclungtoitssombrewainscoting。
Itwasoneo'clockintheafternoon，butthedaywasgloomy。Bythelightofasinglegas-jetdependingfromthesmokedceilingI
sawanelderlyman，inalongcoatofblackbroadcloth。Hehadagreybeard，abignose，thicklips，andheavyshoulders。HiscurlywhitehairandthegeneralcharacterofhisheadrecalledvaguelyaburlyapostleintheBAROCCOstyleofItalianart。Standingupatatall，shabby，slantingdesk，hissilver-rimmedspectaclespusheduphighonhisforehead，hewaseatingamutton-chop，whichhadbeenjustbroughttohimfromsomeDickensianeating-houseroundthecorner。
Withoutceasingtoeatheturnedtomehisflorid，BAROCCO
apostle'sfacewithanexpressionofinquiry。
IproducedelaboratelyaseriesofvocalsoundswhichmusthavebornesufficientresemblancetothephoneticsofEnglishspeech，forhisfacebrokeintoasmileofcomprehensionalmostatonce——
“Oh，it'syouwhowrotealettertometheotherdayfromLowestoftaboutgettingaship。”
IhadwrittentohimfromLowestoft。Ican'trememberasinglewordofthatletternow。ItwasmyveryfirstcompositionintheEnglishlanguage。Andhehadunderstoodit，evidently，forhespoketothepointatonce，explainingthathisbusiness，mainly，wastofindgoodshipsforyounggentlemenwhowantedtogotoseaaspremiumapprenticeswithaviewofbeingtrainedforofficers。
Buthegatheredthatthiswasnotmyobject。Ididnotdesiretobeapprenticed。Wasthatthecase?
Itwas。Hewasgoodenoughtosaythen，“OfcourseIseethatyouareagentleman。ButyourwishistogetaberthbeforethemastasanAbleSeamanifpossible。Isthatit?“
Itwascertainlymywish；buthestateddoubtfullythathefearedhecouldnothelpmemuchinthis。TherewasanActofParliamentwhichmadeitpenaltoprocureshipsforsailors。“AnAct-of-
Parliament。Alaw，“hetookpainstoimpressitagainandagainonmyforeignunderstanding，whileIlookedathiminconsternation。
IhadnotbeenhalfanhourinLondonbeforeIhadrunmyheadagainstanActofParliament！Whatahopelessadventure！However，theBAROCCOapostlewasaresourcefulpersoninhisway，andwemanagedtogetroundthehardletterofitwithoutdamagetoitsfinespirit。Yet，strictlyspeaking，itwasnottheconductofagoodcitizen；andinretrospectthereisanunfilialflavouraboutthatearlysinofmine。ForthisActofParliament，theMerchantShippingActoftheVictorianera，hadbeeninamannerofspeakingafatherandmothertome。Formanyyearsithadregulatedanddisciplinedmylife，prescribedmyfoodandtheamountofmybreathingspace，hadlookedaftermyhealthandtriedasmuchaspossibletosecuremypersonalsafetyinariskycalling。Itisn'tsuchabadthingtoleadalifeofhardtoilandplaindutywithinthefourcornersofanhonestActofParliament。AndIamgladtosaythatitsseventieshaveneverbeenappliedtome。
Intheyear1878，theyearof“PeacewithHonour，“IhadwalkedasloneasanyhumanbeinginthestreetsofLondon，outofLiverpoolStreetStation，tosurrendermyselftoitscare。Andnow，intheyearofthewarwagedforhonourandconsciencemorethanforanyothercause，Iwasthereagain，nolongeralone，butamanofinfinitelydearandclosetiesgrownsincethattime，ofworkdone，ofwordswritten，offriendshipssecured。Itwasliketheclosingofathirty-six-yearcycle。
AllunawareoftheWarAngelalreadyawaiting，withthetrumpetathislips，thestrokeofthefatalhour，Isatthere，thinkingthatthislifeofoursisneitherlongnorshort，butthatitcanappearverywonderful，entertaining，andpathetic，withsymbolicimagesandbizarreassociationscrowdedintoonehalf-hourofretrospectivemusing。
Ifelt，too，thatthisjourney，sosuddenlyenteredupon，wasboundtotakemeawayfromdailylife'sactualitiesateverystep。I
feltitmorethaneverwhenpresentlywesteamedoutintotheNorthSea，onadarknightfitfulwithgustsofwind，andIlingeredondeck，aloneofallthetaleoftheship'spassengers。Thatseawastomesomethingunforgettable，somethingmuchmorethananame。Ithadbeenforsometimetheschool-roomofmytrade。Onit，Imaysafelysay，Ihadlearned，too，myfirstwordsofEnglish。Awildandstormyabode，sometimes，wasthatconfined，shallow-wateracademyofseamanshipfromwhichIlaunchedmyselfonthewideoceans。MyteachershadbeenthesailorsoftheNorfolkshore；
coastmen，withsteadyeyes，mightylimbs，andgentlevoice；menofveryfewwords，whichatleastwereneverbareofmeaning。Honest，strong，steadymen，soberedbydomesticties，oneandall，asfarasIcanremember。
ThatiswhatyearsagotheNorthSeaIcouldheargrowlinginthedarkallroundtheshiphadbeenforme。AndIfanciedthatImusthavebeencarryingitsvoiceinmyeareversince，fornothingcouldbemorefamiliarthanthoseshort，angrysoundsIwaslisteningtowithasmileofaffectionaterecognition。
Icouldnotguessthatbeforemanydaysmyoldschoolroomwouldbedesecratedbyviolence，litteredwithwrecks，withdeathwalkingitswaves，hidingunderitswaters。PerhapswhileIamwritingthesewordsthechildren，ormaybethegrandchildren，ofmypacificteachersareoutintrawlers，undertheNavalflag，dredgingforGermansubmarinemines。
III。
IhavesaidthattheNorthSeawasmyfinishingschoolofseamanshipbeforeIlaunchedmyselfonthewideroceans。Confinedasitisincomparisonwiththevaststageofthiswater-girtglobe，Ididnotknowitinallitsparts。Myclass-roomwastheregionoftheEnglishEastCoastwhich，intheyearofPeacewithHonour，hadlongforgottenthewarepisodesbelongingtoitsmaritimehistory。Itwasapeacefulcoast，agricultural，industrial，thehomeoffishermen。Atnightthelightsofitsmanytownsplayedontheclouds，orinclearweatherlaystill，hereandthere，inbrilliantpoolsabovetheink-blackoutlineoftheland。
OnmanyanightIhavehauledatthebracesundertheshadowofthatcoast，envying，assailorswill，thepeopleonshoresleepingquietlyintheirbedswithinsoundofthesea。Iimaginethatnotoneheadonthoseenviedpillowswasmadeuneasybytheslightestpremonitionoftherealitiesofnavalwartheshortlifetimeofonegenerationwastobringsoclosetotheirhomes。
ThoughfarawayfromthatregionofkindlymemoriesandtraversingapartoftheNorthSeamuchlessknowntome，Iwasdeeplyconsciousofthefamiliarityofmysurroundings。Itwasacloudy，nastyday:andtheaspectsofNaturedon'tchange，unlessinthecourseofthousandsofyears——or，perhaps，centuries。ThePhoenicians，itsfirstdiscoverers，theRomans，thefirstimperialrulersofthatsea，hadexperienceddayslikethis，sodifferentinthewintryqualityofthelight，evenonaJulyafternoon，fromanythingtheyhadeverknownintheirnativeMediterranean。Formyself，averylatecomerintothatsea，anditsformerpupil，I
accordedamusedrecognitiontothecharacteristicaspectsowellrememberedfrommydaysoftraining。Thesameoldthing。Agrey-
greenexpanseofsmudgywatersgrinningangrilyatonewithwhitefoam-ridges，andoverallacheerless，unglowingcanopy，apparentlymadeofwetblotting-paper。Fromtimetotimeaflurryoffinerainblewalonglikeapuffofsmokeacrossthedotsofdistantfishingboats，veryfew，veryscattered，andtossingrestlesslyonaneverdissolving，everre-formingsky-line。
Thoseflurries，andthesteadyrollingoftheship，accountedfortheemptinessofthedecks，favouringmyreminiscentmood。Itmighthavebeenadayoffiveandthirtyyearsago，whentherewereonthisandeveryotherseamoresailsandlesssmoke-stackstobeseen。Yet，thankstotheunchangeableseaIcouldhavegivenmyselfuptotheillusionofarevisedpast，haditnotbeenfortheperiodicaltransitacrossmygazeofaGermanpassenger。Hewasmarchingroundandroundtheboatdeckwithcharacteristicdetermination。Twosturdyboysgambolledroundhiminhisprogressliketwodisorderlysatellitesroundtheirparentplanet。Hewasbringingthemhome，fromtheirschoolinEngland，fortheirholiday。WhatcouldhaveinducedsuchasoundTeutontoentrusthisoffspringtotheunhealthyinfluencesofthateffete，corrupt，rottenandcriminalcountryIcannotimagine。Itcouldhardlyhavebeenfrommotivesofeconomy。Ididnotspeaktohim。HetrodthedeckofthatdecadentBritishshipwithascornfulfootwhilehisbreastandtoalargeextenthisstomach，tooappearedexpandedbytheconsciousnessofasuperiordestiny。LaterIcouldobservethesametruculentbearing，touchedwiththeracialgrotesqueness，inthemenoftheLANDWEHRcorps，thatpassedthroughCracowtoreinforcetheAustrianarmyinEasternGalicia。Indeed，thehaughtypassengermightverywellhavebeen，mostprobablywas，anofficeroftheLANDWEHR；andperhapsthosetwofineactiveboysareorphansbynow。Thusthingsacquiresignificancebythelapseoftime。Acitizen，afather，awarrior，amoteinthedust-cloudofsixmillionfightingparticles，anunconsideredtrifleforthejawsofwar，hishumanitywasnotconsciouslyimpressedonmymindatthetime。Mainly，forme，hewasasharptappingofheelsroundthecornerofthedeck-house，awhiteyachtingcapandagreenovercoatgettingperiodicallybetweenmyeyesandtheshiftingcloud-horizonoftheashy-greyNorthSea。Hewasbutashadowyintrusionandadisregardedone，for，farawaytheretotheWest，inthedirectionoftheDoggerBank，wherefishermengoseekingtheirdailybreadandsometimesfindtheirgraves，Icouldbeholdanexperienceofmyowninthewinterof'81，notofwar，truly，butofafairlylivelycontestwiththeelementswhichwereveryangryindeed。
Therehadbeenatroublesomeweekofit，includingonehatefulnight——oranightofhateitisn'tfornothingthattheNorthSeaisalsocalledtheGermanOcean——whenallthefurystoredinitsheartseemedconcentratedononeshipwhichcoulddonobetterthanfloatonhersideinanunnatural，disagreeable，precarious，andaltogetherintolerablemanner。Therewereonboard，besidesmyself，seventeenmenallgoodandtrue，includingaroundenormousDutchmanwho，inthosehoursbetweensunsetandsunrise，managedtolosehisblown-outappearancesomehow，becameasitweredeflated，andthereafterforagoodlongtimemovedinourmidstwrinkledandslackalloverlikeahalf-collapsedballoon。Thewhimperingofourdeck-boy，askinny，impressionablelittlescarecrowoutofatraining-ship，forwhom，becauseofthetenderimmaturityofhisnerves，thisdisplayofGermanOceanfrightfulnesswastoomuchbeforetheyearwasouthedevelopedintoasufficientlycheekyyoungruffian，hisdesolatewhimpering，Isay，heardbetweenthegustsofthatblack，savagenight，wasmuchmorepresenttomymindandindeedtomysensesthanthegreenovercoatandthewhitecapoftheGermanpassengercirclingthedeckindefatigably，attendedbyhistwogyratingchildren。
“That'saverynicegentleman。”Thisinformation，togetherwiththefactthathewasawidowerandaregularpassengertwiceayearbytheship，wascommunicatedtomesuddenlybyourcaptain。Atintervalsthroughthedayhewouldpopoutofthechart-roomandoffermeshortsnatchesofconversation。Heownedasimplesoulandanotveryentertainingmind，andhewaswithoutmaliceand，I
believe，quiteunconsciously，awarmGermanophil。Andnowonder！
Ashetoldmehimself，hehadbeenfifteenyearsonthatrun，andspentalmostasmuchofhislifeinHamburgasinHarwich。
“Wonderfulpeopletheyare，“herepeatedfromtimetotime，withoutenteringintoparticulars，butwithmanynodsofsagaciousobstinacy。Whatheknewofthem，Isuppose，wereafewcommercialtravellersandsmallmerchants，mostlikely。ButIhadobservedlongbeforethatGermangeniushasahypnotisingpoweroverhalf-
bakedsoulsandhalf-lightedminds。Thereisanimmenseforceofsuggestioninhighlyorganisedmediocrity。HaditnothypnotisedhalfEurope?MymanwasverymuchunderthespellofGermanexcellence。Ontheotherhand，hiscontemptforFrancewasequallygeneralandunbounded。Itriedtoadvancesomeargumentsagainstthisposition，butIonlysucceededinmakinghimhostile。“I
believeyouareaFrenchmanyourself，“hesnarledatlast，givingmeanintenselysuspiciouslook；andforthwithbrokeoffcommunicationswithamanofsuchunsoundsympathies。
Hourbyhourtheblotting-paperskyandthegreatflatgreenishsmudgeoftheseahadbeentakingonadarkertone，withoutanychangeintheircolouringandtexture。EveningwascomingonovertheNorthSea。Blackuninterestinghummocksoflandappeared，dottingtheduskinessofwaterandcloudsintheEasternboard:
topsofislandsfringingtheGermanshore。WhileIwaslookingattheiranticsamongstthewaves——andforalltheirsoliditytheywereveryelusivethingsinthefailinglight——anotherpassengercameoutondeck。Thisoneworeadarkovercoatandagreycap。
Theyellowleatherstrapofhisbinocularcasecrossedhischest。
Hiselderlyredcheeksnourishedbutaverythincropofshortwhitehairs，andtheendofhisnosewassoperfectlyroundthatitdeterminedthewholecharacterofhisphysiognomy。Indeednothingelseinithadtheslightestchancetoassertitself。Hisdisposition，unlikethewidower's，appearedtobemildandhumane。
Heofferedmetheloanofhisglasses。Hehadawifeandsomesmallchildrenconcealedinthedepthsoftheship，andhethoughttheywereverywellwheretheywere。Hiseldestsonwasaboutthedeckssomewhere。
“WeareAmericans，“heremarkedweightily，butinaratherpeculiartone。HespokeEnglishwiththeaccentofourcaptain's“wonderfulpeople，“andproceededtogivemethehistoryofthefamily'scrossingtheAtlanticinaWhiteStarliner。TheyremainedinEnglandjustthetimenecessaryforarailwayjourneyfromLiverpooltoHarwich。Hispeoplethoseinthedepthsoftheship
werenaturallyalittletired。
Atthatmomentayoungmanofabouttwenty，hisson，rusheduptousfromthefore-deckinastateofintenseelation。“Hurrah，“hecriedunderhisbreath。“ThefirstGermanlight！Hurrah！“
AndthosetwoAmericancitizensshookhandsonitwiththegreatestfervour，whileIturnedawayandreceivedfullintheeyesthebrilliantwinkoftheBorkumlighthousesquattinglowdowninthedarkness。TheshadeofthenighthadsettledontheNorthSea。
IdonotthinkIhaveeverseenbeforeanightsofulloflights。
Thegreatchangeofsealifesincemytimewasbroughthometome。
Ihadbeenconsciousalldayofaninterminableprocessionofsteamers。Theywentonandonasifinchaseofeachother，theBaltictrade，thetradeofScandinavia，ofDenmark，ofGermany，pitchingheavilyintoaheadseaandboundforthegatewayofDoverStraits。Singly，andinsmallcompaniesoftwoandthree，theyemergedfromthedull，colourless，sunlessdistancesaheadasifthesupplyofratherroughlyfinishedmechanicaltoyswereinexhaustibleinsomemysteriouscheapstoreawaythere，belowthegreycurveoftheearth。Cargosteamvesselshavereachedbythistimeaheightofutilitarianuglinesswhich，whenonereflectsthatitistheproductofhumaningenuity，strikeshopelessaweintoone。Thesedismalcreationslookstilluglieratseathaninport，andwithanaddedtouchoftheridiculous。Theirrollingwaddlewhenseenatacertainangle，theirabruptclockworknoddinginasea-way，sounlikethesoaringliftandswingofacraftundersail，haveinthemsomethingcaricatural，asuggestionofalowparodydirectedatnoblepredecessorsbyanimprovedgenerationofdull，mechanicaltoilers，conceitedandwithoutgrace。
Whentheyswitchedoneachoftheseunlovelycargotankscarriedtamelightningwithinitsslab-sidedbody，whentheyswitchedontheirlampstheyspangledthenightwiththecheap，electric，shop-
glitter，here，there，andeverywhere，asofsomeHighStreet，brokenupandwashedouttosea。Later，Heligolandcutintotheoverheaddarknesswithitspowerfulbeam，infinitelyprolongedoutofunfathomablenightundertheclouds。
Iremainedondeckuntilwestoppedandasteampilot-boat，sooverlightedamidshipsthatonecouldnotmakeouthercompleteshape，glidedacrossourbowsandsentapilotonboard。Ifearthattheoar，asaworkingimplement，willbecomepresentlyasobsoleteasthesail。Thepilotboardedusinamotor-dinghy。
Moreandmoreismankindreducingitsphysicalactivitiestopullingleversandtwirlinglittlewheels。Progress！Yettheoldermethodsofmeetingnaturalforcesdemandedintelligencetoo；
anequallyfinereadinessofwits。Andreadinessofwitsworkingincombinationwiththestrengthofmusclesmadeamorecompleteman。
Itwasreallyasurprisinglysmalldinghyanditrantoandfrolikeawater-insectfussingnoisilydowntherewithimmenseself-
importance。WithinhailofusthehulloftheElbelightshipfloatedalldarkandsilentunderitsenormousround，servicelantern；afaithfulblackshadowwatchingthebroadestuaryfulloflights。
SuchwasmyfirstviewoftheElbeapproachedunderthewingsofpeacereadyforflightawayfromthelucklessshoresofEurope。
OurvisualimpressionsremainwithussopersistentlythatIfinditextremelydifficulttoholdfasttotherationalbeliefthatnoweverythingisdarkoverthere，thattheElbelightshiphasbeentowedawayfromitspostofduty，thetriumphantbeamofHeligolandextinguished，andthepilot-boatlaidup，orturnedtowarlikeusesforlackofitsproperworktodo。Andobviouslyitmustbeso。
Anytrickleofoverseatradethatpassesyetthatwaymustbecreepingalongcautiouslywiththeunlighted，war-blightedblackcoastcloseononehand，andsuddendeathontheother。ForallthespacewesteamedthroughthatSundayeveningmustnowbeonegreatminefield，sownthicklywiththeseedsofhate；whilesubmarinesstealouttosea，overtheveryspotperhapswheretheinsect-dinghyputapilotonboardofuswithsomuchfussyimportance。Mines；Submarines。Thelastwordinsea-warfare！
Progress——impressivelydisclosedbythiswar。
Therehavebeenotherwars！Warsnotinferiorinthegreatnessofthestakeandinthefierceanimosityoffeelings。DuringthatonewhichwasfinishedahundredyearsagoithappenedthatwhiletheEnglishFleetwaskeepingwatchonBrest，anAmerican，perhapsFultonhimself，offeredtotheMaritimePrefectoftheportandtotheFrenchAdmiral，aninventionwhichwouldsinkalltheunsuspectingEnglishshipsoneafteranother——or，atanyratemostofthem。Theofferwasnoteventakenintoconsideration；andthePrefectendshisreporttotheMinisterinPariswithafinephraseofindignation:“Itisnotthesortofdeathonewoulddealtobravemen。”
Andbehold，beforehistoryhadtimetohatchanotherwarofthelikeproportionsintheintensityofarousedpassionsandthegreatnessofissues，thedeadflavourofarchaismdescendedonthemanlysentimentofthoseself-denyingwords。Mankindhasbeendemoralisedsincebyitsownmasteryofmechanicalappliances。Itsspiritisapparentlysoweaknow，anditsfleshhasgrownsostrong，thatitwillfaceanydeadlyhorrorofdestructionandcannotresistthetemptationtouseanystealthy，murderouscontrivance。Ithasbecometheintoxicatedslaveofitsowndetestableingenuity。Itistrue，too，thatsincetheNapoleonictimeanothersortofwar-doctrinehasbeeninculcatedinanation，andheldouttotheworld。
IV
Onthisjourneyofours，whichformewasessentiallynotaprogress，butaretracingoffootstepsontheroadoflife，IhadnobeaconstolookforinGermany。Ihadneverlingeredinthatlandwhich，onthewhole，issosingularlybarrenofmemorablemanifestationsofgeneroussympathiesandmagnanimousimpulses。Anineradicable，invincible，provincialismofenvyandvanityclingstotheformsofitsthoughtlikeafrowsygarment。EvenwhileyetveryyoungIturnedmyeyesawayfromitinstinctivelyasfromathreateningphantom。Ibelievethatchildrenanddogshave，intheirinnocence，aspecialpowerofperceptionasfarasspectralapparitionsandcomingmisfortunesareconcerned。
IletmyselfbecarriedthroughGermanyasifitwerepurespace，withoutsights，withoutsounds。Nowhispersofthewarreachedmyvoluntaryabstraction。Andperhapsnotsoveryvoluntaryafterall！Eachofusisafascinatingspectacletohimself，andIhadtowatchmyownpersonalityreturningfromanotherworld，asitwere，torevisittheglimpsesofoldmoons。Consideringtheconditionofhumanity，Iam，perhaps，notsomuchtoblameforgivingmyselfuptothatoccupation。Weprizethesensationofourcontinuity，andwecanonlycaptureitinthatway。Bywatching。
WearrivedinCracowlateatnight。Afterascramblysupper，I
saidtomyeldestboy，“Ican'tgotobed。Iamgoingoutforalookround。Coming?“
Hewasreadyenough。Forhim，allthiswaspartoftheinterestingadventureofthewholejourney。Westeppedoutoftheportalofthehotelintoanemptystreet，verysilentandbrightwithmoonlight。Iwas，indeed，revisitingtheglimpsesofthemoon。I
feltsomuchlikeaghostthatthediscoverythatIcouldremembersuchmaterialthingsastherightturntotakeandthegeneraldirectionofthestreetgavemeamomentofwistfulsurprise。
Thestreet，straightandnarrow，ranintothegreatMarketSquareofthetown，thecentreofitsaffairsandofthelightersideofitslife。Wecouldseeatthefarendofthestreetapromisingwideningofspace。Atthecorneranunassumingbutarmed
policeman，wearingceremoniouslyatmidnightapairofwhitegloveswhichmadehisbighandsextremelynoticeable，turnedhisheadtolookatthegrizzledforeignerholdingforthinastrangetonguetoayouthonwhosearmheleaned。
TheSquare，immenseinitssolitude，wasfulltothebrimofmoonlight。Thegarlandoflightsatthefootofthehousesseemedtoburnatthebottomofabluishpool。InoticedwithinfinitesatisfactionthattheunnecessarytreestheMunicipalityinsisteduponstickingbetweenthestoneshadbeensteadilyrefusingtogrow。TheywerenotabitbiggerthanthepoorvictimsIcouldremember。Also，thepavingoperationsseemedtobeexactlyatthesamepointatwhichIleftthemfortyyearsbefore。Therewerethedull，torn-uppatchesonthatbrightexpanse，thepilesofpavingmateriallookingominouslyblack，likeheadsofrocksonasilverysea。WhowasitthatsaidthatTimeworkswonders?Whatanexplodedsuperstition！Asfarasthesetreesandthesepavingstoneswereconcerned，ithadworkednothing。Thesuspicionoftheunchangeablenessofthingsalreadyvaguelysuggestedtomysensesbyourrapiddrivefromtherailwaystationwasagreeablystrengthenedwithinme。
“WearenowonthelineA。B。，“Isaidtomycompanion，importantly。
ItwasthenamebestowedinmytimeononeofthesidesoftheSquarebytheseniorstudentsofthattownofclassicallearningandhistoricalrelics。Thecommoncitizensknewnothingofit，and，eveniftheyhad，wouldnothavedreamedoftakingitseriously。Hewhouseditwasoftheinitiated，belongedtotheSchools。Weyoungstersregardedthatnameasafinejest，theinventionofamostexcellentfancy。EvenasIutteredittomyboyIexperiencedagainthatsenseofmyprivilegedinitiation。
Andthen，happeningtolookupatthewall，Isawinthelightofthecornerlamp，awhite，cast-irontabletfixedthereon，bearinganinscriptioninraisedblackletters，thus:“LineA。B。”
Heavens！Thenamehadbeenadoptedofficially！Anytownurchin，anyguttersnipe，anyherb-sellingwomanofthemarket-place，anywanderingBoeotian，wasfreetotalkofthelineA。B。，towalkonthelineA。B。，toappointtomeethisfriendsonthelineA。B。Ithadbecomeamerenameinadirectory。Iwasstunnedbytheextrememutabilityofthings。Timecouldworkwonders，andnomistake。AMunicipalityhadstolenaninventionofexcellentfancy，andafinejesthadturnedintoahorridpieceofcast-iron。
Iproposedthatweshouldwalktotheotherendoftheline，usingtheprofanedname，notonlywithoutgusto，butwithpositivedistaste。Andthis，too，wasoneofthewondersofTime，forabareminutehadworkedthatchange。TherewasattheendofthelineacertainstreetIwantedtolookat，Iexplainedtomycompanion。
ToourrighttheunequalmassivetowersofSt。Mary'sChurchsoaredaloftintotheetherealradianceoftheair，veryblackontheirshadedsides，glowingwithasoftphosphorescentsheenontheothers。InthedistancetheFlorianGate，thickandsquatunderitspointedroof，barredthestreetwiththesquareshouldersoftheoldcitywall。Inthenarrow，brilliantlypalevistaofbluishflagstonesandsilveryfrontsofhouses，itsblackarchwaystoodoutsmallandverydistinct。
Therewasnotasoulinsight，andnoteventheechoofafootstepforourears。Intothiscoldlyilluminatedanddumbemptinessthereissuedoutofmyarousedmemory，asmallboyofeleven，wendinghisway，notveryfast，toapreparatoryschoolforday-
pupilsonthesecondfloorofthethirdhousedownfromtheFlorianGate。Itwasinthewintermonthsof1868。Ateighto'clockofeverymorningthatGodmade，sleetorshine，IwalkedupFlorianStreet。Butofthat，myfirstschool，Irememberverylittle。I
believethatoneofmyco-suffererstherehasbecomeamuchappreciatededitorofhistoricaldocuments。ButIdidn'tsuffermuchfromthevariousimperfectionsofmyfirstschool。Iwasratherindifferenttoschooltroubles。Ihadaprivategnawingwormofmyown。Thiswasthetimeofmyfather'slastillness。
Everyeveningatseven，turningmybackontheFlorianGate，I
walkedallthewaytoabigoldhouseinaquietnarrowstreetagooddistancebeyondtheGreatSquare。There，inalargedrawing-
room，panelledandbare，withheavycornicesandaloftyceiling，inalittleoasisoflightmadebytwocandlesinadesertofdusk，Isatatalittletabletoworryandinkmyselfallovertillthetaskofmypreparationwasdone。Thetableofmytoilfacedatallwhitedoor，whichwaskeptclosed；nowandthenitwouldcomeajarandanuninawhitecoifwouldsqueezeherselfthroughthecrack，glideacrosstheroom，anddisappear。Thereweretwoofthesenoiselessnursingnuns。Theirvoiceswereseldomheard。For，indeed，whatcouldtheyhavehadtosay?Whentheydidspeaktomeitwaswiththeirlipshardlymoving，inaclaustral，clearwhisper。Ourdomesticmatterswereorderedbytheelderlyhousekeeperofourneighbouronthesecondfloor，aCanonoftheCathedral，lentfortheemergency。She，too，spokebutseldom。
Sheworeablackdresswithacrosshangingbyachainonheramplebosom。Andthoughwhenshespokeshemovedherlipsmorethanthenuns，sheneverlethervoiceriseaboveapeacefullymurmuringnote。Theairaroundmewasallpiety，resignation，andsilence。
Idon'tknowwhatwouldhavebecomeofmeifIhadnotbeenareadingboy。Myprep。finishedIwouldhavehadnothingtodobutsitandwatchtheawfulstillnessofthesickroomflowoutthroughthecloseddoorandcoldlyenfoldmyscaredheart。IsupposethatinafutilechildishwayIwouldhavegonecrazy。ButIwasareadingboy。Thereweremanybooksabout，lyingonconsoles，ontables，andevenonthefloor，forwehadnothadtimetosettledown。Iread！WhatdidInotread！Sometimestheeldernun，glidingupandcastingamistrustfullookontheopenpages，wouldlayherhandlightlyonmyheadandsuggestinadoubtfulwhisper，“Perhapsitisnotverygoodforyoutoreadthesebooks。”Iwouldraisemyeyestoherfacemutely，andwithavaguegestureofgivingitupshewouldglideaway。
Laterintheevening，butnotalways，Iwouldbepermittedtotip-
toeintothesickroomtosaygood-nighttothefigureproneonthebed，whichoftencouldnotacknowledgemypresencebutbyaslowmovementoftheeyes，putmylipsdutifullytothenervelesshandlyingonthecoverlet，andtip-toeoutagain。ThenIwouldgotobed，inaroomattheendofthecorridor，andoften，notalways，crymyselfintoagoodsoundsleep。
Ilookedforwardtowhatwascomingwithanincredulousterror。I
turnedmyeyesfromitsometimeswithsuccess，andyetallthetimeIhadanawfulsensationoftheinevitable。Ihadalsomomentsofrevoltwhichstrippedoffmesomeofmysimpletrustinthegovernmentoftheuniverse。Butwhentheinevitableenteredthesickroomandthewhitedoorwasthrownwideopen，Idon'tthinkI
foundasingleteartoshed。IhaveasuspicionthattheCanon'shousekeeperlookedonmeasthemostcallouslittlewretchonearth。
Thedayofthefuneralcameinduecourseandallthegenerous“YouthoftheSchools，“thegraveSenateoftheUniversity，thedelegationsoftheTrade-guilds，mighthaveobtainediftheycaredDEVISUevidenceofthecallousnessofthelittlewretch。
Therewasnothinginmyachingheadbutafewwords，somesuchstupidsentencesas，“It'sdone，“or，“It'saccomplished“inPolishitismuchshorter，orsomethingofthesort，repeatingitselfendlessly。Thelongprocessionmovedoutofthenarrowstreet，downalongstreet，pasttheGothicfrontofSt。Mary'sunderitsunequaltowers，towardstheFlorianGate。
Inthemoonlight-floodedsilenceoftheoldtownofglorioustombsandtragicmemories，Icouldseeagainthesmallboyofthatdayfollowingahearse；aspacekeptclearinwhichIwalkedalone，consciousofanenormousfollowing，theclumsyswayingofthetallblackmachine，thechantingofthesurplicedclergyatthehead，theflamesoftaperspassingunderthelowarchwayofthegate，therowsofbaredheadsonthepavementswithfixed，seriouseyes。
HalfthepopulationhadturnedoutonthatfineMayafternoon。
Theyhadnotcometohonouragreatachievement，orevensomesplendidfailure。Thedeadandtheywerevictimsalikeofanunrelentingdestinywhichcutthemofffromeverypathofmeritandglory。Theyhadcomeonlytorenderhomagetotheardentfidelityofthemanwhoselifehadbeenafearlessconfessioninwordanddeedofacreedwhichthesimplestheartinthatcrowdcouldfeelandunderstand。
ItseemedtomethatifIremainedlongerthereinthatnarrowstreetIshouldbecomethehelplesspreyoftheShadowsIhadcalledup。Theywerecrowdinguponme，enigmaticandinsistentintheirclingingairofthegravethattastedofdustandofthebittervanityofoldhopes。
“Let'sgobacktothehotel，myboy，“Isaid。“It'sgettinglate。”
ItwillbeeasilyunderstoodthatIneitherthoughtnordreamtthatnightofapossiblewar。ForthenexttwodaysIwentaboutamongstmyfellowmen，whowelcomedmewiththeutmostconsiderationandfriendliness，butunanimouslyderidedmyfearsofawar。Theywouldnotbelieveinit。Itwasimpossible。OntheeveningoftheseconddayIwasinthehotel'ssmokingroom，anirrationallyprivateapartment，asanctuaryforafewchoicemindsofthetown，alwayspervadedbyadimreligiouslight，andmorehushedthananyclubreading-roomIhaveeverbeenin。Gatheredintoasmallknot，wewerediscussingthesituationinsubduedtonessuitabletothegeniusoftheplace。
Agentlemanwithafineheadofwhitehairsuddenlypointedanimpatientfingerinmydirectionandapostrophisedme。
“WhatIwanttoknowiswhether，shouldtherebewar，Englandwouldcomein。”
Thetimetodrawabreath，andIspokeoutfortheCabinetwithoutfaltering。
“Mostassuredly。IshouldthinkallEuropeknowsthatbythistime。”
Hetookholdofthelapelofmycoat，and，givingitaslightjerkforgreateremphasis，saidforcibly:
“Then，ifEnglandwill，asyousay，andalltheworldknowsit，therecanbenowar。Germanywon'tbesomadasthat。”
OnthemorrowbynoonwereadoftheGermanultimatum。Thedayaftercamethedeclarationofwar，andtheAustrianmobilisationorder。Wewerefairlycaught。Allthatremainedformetodowastogetmypartyoutofthewayofeventualshells。ThebestmovewhichoccurredtomewastosnatchthemupinstantlyintothemountainstoaPolishhealthresortofgreatrepute——whichIdidattherateofonehundredmilesinelevenhoursbythelastciviliantrainpermittedtoleaveCracowforthenextthreeweeks。
AndthereweremainedamongstthePolesfromallpartsofPoland，notofficiallyinterned，butsimplyunabletoobtainthepermissiontotravelbytrain，orroad。Itwasawonderful，apoignanttwomonths。Thisisnotthetime，and，perhaps，nottheplace，toenlargeuponthetragiccharacterofthesituation；awholepeopleseeingtheculminationofitsmisfortunesinafinalcatastrophe，unabletotrustanyone，toappealtoanyone，tolookforhelpfromanyquarter；deprivedofallhopeandevenofitslastillusions，andunable，inthetroubleofmindsandtheunrestofconsciences，totakerefugeinstoicalacceptance。Ihaveseenallthis。AndI
amgladIhavenotsomanyyearsleftmetorememberthatappallingfeelingofinexorablefate，tangible，palpable，comeaftersomanycruelyears，afigureofdread，murmuringwithironlipsthefinalwords:Ruin——andExtinction。
Butenoughofthis。ForourlittlebandtherewastheawfulanguishofincertitudeastotherealnatureofeventsintheWest。
Itisdifficulttogiveanideahowuglyanddangerousthingslookedtousoverthere。Belgiumknockeddownandtrampledoutofexistence，Francegivinginunderrepeatedblows，amilitarycollapselikethatof1870，andEnglandinvolvedinthatdisastrousalliance，herarmysacrificed，herpeopleinapanic！Polishpapers，ofcourse，hadnootherbutGermansourcesofinformation。
Naturally，wedidnotbelieveallweread，butitwassometimesexcessivelydifficulttoreactwithsufficientfirmness。
Weusedtoshutourdoor，andthere，awayfromeverybody，wesatweighingthenews，huntingupdiscrepancies，scentinglies，findingreasonsforhopefulness，andgenerallycheeringeachotherup。Butitwasabeastlytime。Peopleusedtocometomewithveryseriousnewsandask，“Whatdoyouthinkofit?“Andmyinvariableanswerwas:“Whateverhashappened，orisgoingtohappen，whoeverwantstomakepeace，youmaybecertainthatEnglandwillnotmakeit，notfortenyears，ifnecessary。”'
Butenoughofthis，too。ThroughtheunremittingeffortsofPolishfriendsweobtainedatlastthepermissiontotraveltoVienna。
Oncethere，thewingoftheAmericanEaglewasextendedoverouruneasyheads。WecannotbesufficientlygratefultotheAmericanAmbassadorwho，allalong，interestedhimselfinourfateforhisexertionsonourbehalf，hisinvaluableassistanceandtherealfriendlinessofhisreceptioninVienna。OwingtoMr。Penfield'sactionweobtainedthepermissiontoleaveAustria。Anditwasanearthing，forhisExcellencyhasinformedmyAmericanpublisherssincethataweeklaterorderswereissuedtohaveusdetainedtilltheendofthewar。However，weeffectedourhair's-breadthescapeintoItaly；and，reachingGenoa，tookpassageinaDutchmailsteamer，homeward-boundfromJavawithLondonasaportofcall。
Onthatsea-routeImighthavepickedupamemoryateverymileifthepasthadnotbeeneclipsedbythetremendousactuality。WesawthesignsofitintheemptinessoftheMediterranean，theaspectofGibraltar，themistyglimpseintheBayofBiscayofanoutward-
boundconvoyoftransports，inthepresenceofBritishsubmarinesintheChannel。InnumerabledriftersflyingtheNavalflagdottedthenarrowwaters，andtwoNavalofficerscomingonboardofftheSouthForeland，pilotedtheshipthroughtheDowns。
TheDowns！Theretheywere，thickwiththememoriesofmysea-
life。Butwhatweretomenowthefutilitiesofanindividualpast?Asourship'sheadswungintotheestuaryoftheThames，adeep，yetfaint，concussionpassedthroughtheair，ashockratherthanasound，whichmissingmyearfounditswaystraightintomyheart。Turninginstinctivelytolookatmyboys，Ihappenedtomeetmywife'seyes。Shealsohadfeltprofoundly，comingfromfarawayacrossthegreydistancesofthesea，thefaintboomofthebiggunsatworkonthecoastofFlanders——shapingthefuture。
FIRSTNEWS——1918