WINTER ASPECTS 221 



Doing and saying comes to pretty much the same 

 thing ; at all events I have on this occasion kept 

 Ruskin's words in mind concerning the futility of 

 prodding and scratching at that thick insensible crust 

 which lies above the impressible part in men unless 

 we come through with a deep thrust somewhere. 



The majority may hate me for having followed this 

 counsel, but there will be one or two here and there 

 who will applaud my courage for having spoken in 

 this book of the ugly things as well as of the things 

 which flatter. And I will add in no boastful spirit, 

 Heaven knows that what I have written will not be 

 forgotten to-morrow, nor next year, nor the year after, 

 but will be read some day, with a sense of shame, I 

 trust, by the children of the very men who could do 

 something and that now, but who refuse to listen 

 to me and others, or listen coldly, when we plead for 

 the birds. I refer to the landlords, who are absent or 

 else shut up and inaccessible in their houses where 

 they see nothing and hear nothing ; the local editors ; 

 the ministers of religion (God save the mark !) ; and, 

 above all, the authorities, and county and borough 

 councillors and magistrates. They are all very careful 

 of their " position " and their " reputation" and cannot 

 afford to and dare not denounce or interfere with these 

 old pastimes or customs of the people, to which they 

 are attached and upon which they look as a right. 



