And that unspeakably atrocious pettiness forms the only relaxation of a
very considerable number of Englishmen. If any member of a corporation
were to propose that a great hall should be opened free, and that good
music should be provided at the expense of the community, I suppose
there would be a deal of grumbling; but I am ready to prove that
expenses indirectly caused by our mad "sporting" would more than cover
the cost of a rational spell of pleasure.
Honourable gentlemen and worthy aldermen are allowing a great mass of
people to remain in a brutalised condition; those people only derive
pleasure from the suffering of dumb creatures.
How will it be if the callous crew take it into their heads at some or
other to show restiveness? Will they deal gently or thoughtfully with
those against whom their enmity is turned? Certainly their education by
no means tends to foster gentleness and thoughtfulness. If I were a
statesman instead of a Loafer, I reckon I should try might and main to
humanise those neglected folk--and they _are_ neglected--before they
teach some of us a terrific lesson.
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