, that public life the conflict of it, the
accompanying attrition of mind, the searching for the things which will
solve the problems of national life, the multitudinous variations of
character with which one comes in contact, the big issues suddenly
sprung upon the congregation of responsible politicians, all are
stimulating to the imagination, invigorating to the mind, and
marvellously freshening to every literary instinct. No danger to the
writer lies in doing political work, if it does not sap his strength
and destroy his health. Apart from that, he should not suffer. The very
spirit of statesmanship is imagination, vision; and the same quality
which enables an author to realise humanity for a book is necessary for
him to realise humanity in the crowded chamber of a Parliament.

So far as I can remember, whatever was written of The Weavers, no critic
said that it lacked imagination. Some critics said it was too crowded
with incident; that there was enough incident in it for two novels; some
said that the sweep was too wide, but no critic of authority declared
that the book lacked vision or the vivacity of a living narrative. It
is not likely that I shall ever write again a novel of Egypt, but I have
made my contribution to Anglo-Egyptian literature, and I do not think I
failed completely in showing the greatness of soul which enabled one man
to keep the torch of civilisation, of truth, justice, and wholesome love
alight in surroundings as offensive to civilisation as was Egypt in the
last days of Ismail Pasha--a time which could be well typified by the
words put by Bulwer Lytton in the mouth of Cardinal Richelieu:

"I found France rent asunder,
Sloth in the mart and schism in the temple;
Broils festering to rebellion; and weak laws
Rotting away with rust in antique sheaths.
I have re-created France; and, from the ashes
Of the old feudal and decrepit carcase,
Civilisation on her luminous wings
Soars, phoenix-like, to Jove!"

Critics and readers have endeavoured to identify the main
characteristics of The Weavers with figures in Anglo-Egyptian and
official public life. David Claridge was, however, a creature of the
imagination. It has been said that he was drawn from General Gordon. I
am not conscious of having taken Gordon for David's prototype, though,
as I was saturated with all that had been written about Gordon, there
is no doubt that something of