334 MODERN POLITICS 



moral decline as was suffered by England during 

 the eighteenth century, and by Europe when it 

 was shifting its allegiance from the Church of 

 Rome to national sovereigns. In this fact we 

 may find some explanation of the rising and falling 

 tides which history discloses in the fortunes of 

 nations. 







The history of politics is an epitome of the 

 history of man. He is launched upon the sea of 

 life along with all other living creatures. Their 

 barks are fitted with sails and equipped with 

 rudders, so set as to carry them undeviatingly 

 across to the opposite coast. But man is cast 

 adrift in a rudderless boat, without mast or sails. 

 He painfully collects pieces of drift wood, awk- 

 wardly fashions oars for himself, and slowly 

 progresses with uncertain course, aware that he 

 can obtain guidance from the stars, but ignorant 

 of the stars which can properly direct him. He 

 learns through the perils of storms and shipwrecks 

 some points of the heavens which should draw his 

 attention, and boldly directs his prow towards the 

 open sea. The hope of the Promised Land is 

 before him. He may never arrive ; but in his 

 wanderings he passes amongst such isles of en- 

 chantment as other living creatures may not 

 behold. He may be tempted by the Sirens, and 

 linger with Calypso : he may fall a prisoner in the 

 hands of the Cyclops : he may be blown past 

 Scylla in the terror of death : he may even draw 

 near that mysterious shore to which the spirits of 

 his dead have been transported. But each new 

 adventure teaches him fresh lessons in what to 

 avoid, and strengthens his heart against future 

 perils. 



