sm of Man and State
began with the decline of Graeco-Roman civilisation, and was
perpetuated by the teaching of Christianity. The philosophy of Epicurus
and of Zeno an utter detachment from the business of mankind--prepared
the way for the spirit of the Gospels. So, at length, we get our notion
of Church and State--a separation ruinous to religion and making
impossible anything like perfection in politics; it has thoroughly
rooted in people's minds that fatal distinction between Man as a
responsible soul and Man as a member of society. Our work is to restore
the old monism. Very, very slowly, mankind is working towards it. A
revolution greater than any of those commonly spoken of--so wide and
deep that it isn't easily taken in even by students of history--a
revolution which is the only hope of civilisation, has been going on
since the close of the thirteenth century. We are just beginning to be
dimly conscious of it. Perhaps in another century it will form the
principle of Liberalism."

The baronet heard all this with some surprise; he had not been prepared
for such solidity of doctrine from Lady Ogram's candidate, and at the
luncheon table. As for May Tomalin, she had listened delightedly. Her
lips savoured the words "dualism" and "monism" of which she resolved to
make brave use in her own argumentative displays. The first to speak
was Constance.

"We are getting on very quickly," she said, in her driest and most
practical tone, "towards one ideal of Socialism. Look at the way in
which municipalities are beginning to undertake, and sometimes
monopolise, work which used to be left to private enterprize. Before
long we shall have local authorities engaged in banking, pawnbroking,
coal-supplying, tailoring, estate agency, printing--all these, and
other undertakings, are already proposed."

May cast a glance of good-natured envy at the speaker. How she wished
she could display such acquaintance with public life. But the
information was stored for future use.

"Why, there you are!" exclaimed the baronet. "That's just what I'm
afraid of. It's the beginning of tyranny. It'll mean the bad work of a
monopoly, instead of the good to be had by free competition. You favour
this kind of thing, Mr. Lashmar?"

"In so far as it signifies growth of the ideas of citizenship, and of
association. But it interests me much less than purely educational
questions. Whatever influence I may gain will be used towards a
thorough reconstruc