CONDITIONS OF PROGRESS IN CIVILISATION 345 



local affairs may originate ideas ; there will be healthy rivalry, 

 experiments, and an effort everywhere to level up to the highest 

 standard yet attained. It is difficult to overestimate what the 

 United Kingdom has gained from the fact that Edinburgh has 

 still retained something of the grandeur and importance of a 

 national capital, and that the Scottish people, partly through the 

 liberality of the terms of the Union have, up till now, lost little 

 of their national character. The Irish people too, partly because 

 they differ from the people of Great Britain, have contributed 

 much to the common good, though unfortunate circumstances 

 have made their contribution far smaller than it might otherwise 

 have been. Whether the advantage of not being an entirely 

 homogeneous nation is generally recognised, I do not feel sure. 

 But I am certain the advantage of extending decentralisation 

 further is recognised by very few. As to elementary education 

 certain broad lines on which it should proceed should be laid 

 down by the central authority. But, within the limits set, a 

 county, or group of counties, ought to be allowed freedom to 

 follow out the course that may seem best in itself or best adapted 

 to its special needs. No doubt there would be much bungling, 

 no doubt many crude experiments. But there would be experi- 

 ments, and many of them ; in that would consist one of the great 

 merits of the system. And not only the experimenters them- 

 selves would learn wisdom, but other counties would profit by 

 the failures and successes. The rivalry between county and 

 county, so powerful already in other directions, puts this beyond 

 a doubt. It is no use talking of the ignorance of the average 

 county councillor of all such matters. The necessity of solving 

 difficult problems is the great cure for ignorance and stupidity. 

 On the other hand, nothing can be more deadening than the 

 present plan, the forcing upon the whole country of a system 

 elaborated by an overworked central authority. 



When we turn to the sphere of morals and religion, we find Morality 

 it still holds true that the great impelling motive towards pro- religion 

 gress is the necessity of opposing destructive forces. Among a 

 strong people, determined not to go under whatever difficulties 

 may confront them, new facilities for vice, sudden changes of 



