AMERICAN SOUNDINGS
[To the Editor of the SeceTieroa.] Sin,—With submission, I think Mr. Strachey in attempting to explain a certain English peculiarity is trying to explain the inexplicable, a cosa de inglaterra, one would say. The English will only entertain one idea at a time—the idea that happens to seem most immediately important ; all others are pushed off the map of his consciousness. For ten years before the War we endured the thunders from Press and pulpit and platform of the anti-war zealots. Our foreign friends were gravely dis- turbed and our foes delighted. The English as a people " lay low and said nuffin." Then came August 4th, 1914, and it was seen that the English brought to bear on the matter an entirely free mind, luckily decided it was the chief question at the moment, and jumped in with both feet as if they had never heard the anti-war cries, as indeed they never consciously had. " Want of imagination," you say ; but it relieved us of the American Colonies and, so far, has preserved us India.—I am, Sir, &c., REG. MERIVALE. Devon and Exeter Club, Exeter.
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