clear that the silence of its recipient
meant a withdrawal from all friendly relations with the writer.
Elsmere's affectionate, sensitive nature took such things hardly,
especially as he knew that Newcome's life was becoming increasingly
difficult end embittered. And it gave him now a fresh pang to imagine
how Newcome would receive the news of his quondam friend's 'infidel
propaganda,' established on the very ground where he himself had all but
died for those beliefs Elsmere had thrown over.

But Robert was learning a certain hardness in this London life which was
not without its uses to character. Hitherto he had always swum with the
stream, cheered by the support of all the great and prevailing English
traditions. Here, he and his few friends were fighting a solitary
fight apart from the organized system of English religion and English
philanthropy. All the elements of culture and religion already existing
in the place were against them. The clergy of St. Wilfrid's passed there
with cold averted eyes; the old and _faineant_ rector of the parish
church very soon let it be known what he thought as to the taste of
Elsmere's intrusion on his parish, or as to the eternal chances of those
who might take either him or Edwardes as guides in matters religious.
His enmity did Elgood Street no harm, and the pretensions of the Church,
in this Babel of 20,000 souls, to cover the whole field, bore clearly
no relation at all to the facts. But every little incident in this new
struggle of his life cost Elsmere more perhaps than it would have cost
other men. No part of it came easily to him. Only a high Utopian vision
drove him on from day to day, bracing him to act and judge, if need be,
alone and for himself, approved only by conscience and the inward voice.

Tasks in Hours of insight willed
Can be in Hours of gloom fulfilled;

and it was that moment by the river which worked in him through all the
prosaic and perplexing details of this hew attempt to carry enthusiasm
into life.

It was soon plain to him that in this teeming section of London the
chance of the religious reformer lay entirely among the _upper working
class_. In London, at any rate, all that is most prosperous and
intelligent among the working class holds itself aloof--broadly
speaking--from all existing spiritual agencies, whether of Church or
Dissent.

Upon the genuine London artisan the Church has practically no hold
whatever; and Di