9 APRIL 1942, Page 10

It is profitable at moments to step back to 1790,

and to r that there was a time when quite sensible and sober men oe rise in their places after dinner, and solemnly kiss a bound vol of Paine's Rights of Man, as if it were a final dispensation ; men in England really believed that "the wise and venera National Assembly of France" would, indeed, bring peace prosperity to all the world. I often hear it said that the tent of the country lacks enthusiasm, and that our youth have little that sense of mission which inspires the youth of Germany Russia. Hitler has definitely laid it down that one of the merb of revivalism is to create mass-hysteria. But assuredly that, alrb° an energetic, is but a momentary impulse. I doubt whether Orel or Staraya Russa today there is much sense of mission ; is an acute sense of discipline, and the desire common to all b young men to do the job courageously and well. Enthusiasm, as 1790, leads to much confusion of thought ; I prefer the stolid s endurance which is ours today.