nal doctrines often are distorted by ignorant interpreters. Great
ideas are degraded by dogmatic priestcraft."

There is no danger of Oswald becoming a partisan of this creed. He is
impressed with its defects, though appreciating the sublimity of general
tenets. Oswald does not like the doctrine of "Merger." This assertive
Briton has no desire to lose identity in "Brahm." Oswald Langdon as
dissolved dewdrop in shoreless sea were too vague.

From listening to these German, Russian, and Hindu philosophers, Oswald
enjoys talking with Claude Leslie. This rich American has none of that
reputed affectation of some western aristocrats. His manners are frank,
without any suggestion of pretense. Having the entree of Gotham select
circles, Claude sailed on an extended tour of the world. He had visited
at leisure nearly every port and important city of earth. With a quick
sense of the remarkable in ordinary commonplace, he had seen much of
interest. His descriptions greatly entertained Oswald, who never tired
of listening to Claude's narratives. Indeed it may be well surmised
that from some of the broad-gauge ideas and epigrammatic sayings of
Claude Leslie came much of Oswald's changed views and disposition to
justify or excuse in others that which he formerly considered as utterly
without warrant.

How little does the awakened alert sense reckon of the initial processes
of its quickening!

The most fascinating parts of Claude's talks are about persons, places,
events, anecdotes, and incidents familiar to this Yankee aristocrat
before starting on his prolonged tour of the world.

Oswald becomes greatly interested in the affairs of this land beyond the
seas. Much had been written about "impressions" of America and
Americans. He had read some of these erudite, mildly drawn caricatures,
and is not predisposed toward the homes or characters of those "cousins"
across the Atlantic. A few that he had met in England strengthened this
prejudice. Shallow attempts to ape everything English had disgusted this
frank, open-hearted, perceptive Briton, with his innate abhorrence of
sham pretensions.

Americanism as typified by Claude Leslie is a new revelation. Such
incarnation of a great national character evokes his English pride of
kinship. He feels a most complacent sense of British responsibility for
American progress. In response to some of Claude's comments, Oswald
inquires:

"With such pedigree, why should not this bounding thorou