“It would never occur to any sane man to refute effusions of this kind, for they cannot be taken seriously.  Still I cannot but wish that an angry English journalist with his clever and fiery pen, would fall upon Sombart’s book and give its author a sample of English spirit.  The work teems with unjust, incorrect opinions; is full of crass ignorance and grotesque exaggerations, which lead the unlearned astray, injure Germany’s cause, and annoy those who know better—­so far as they do not excite ridicule.

“What is one to think when Sombart asks his readers:  ’What single cultural work has emerged from the great shop, England, since Shakespeare—­except that political abortion the English State?’

“If I had to answer Sombart I should say, the great shop has given the English State practically everything which makes for internal peace, solidarity and national health.  It has enabled the nation to exercise tolerance within, and develop splendour and power without, which in their turn have made Britannia the mistress of the world’s waterways, and the British the first colonial nation in the world.

“England’s cultural development has brought all these since Shakespeare’s time; energy, willpower, united with high endeavour to realize great aims and overcome mighty resistance.  And the basis of this splendid progress which compels the admiration of all other States, was what Sombart presumes to call an ‘abortion.’”

The other is taken from “Der englische Gedanke in Deutschland” ("The English Idea in Germany,”) by Ernst Mueller-Holm, p. 72.  “It is not true that all Englishmen are scoundrels.  It is not true that there is nothing but pedlar’s spirit in England, and because it is not true it should not be said, not even in these times when war passions run high.

“The fatherland of Shakespeare, Byron and Thackeray; the home of Newton, Adam Smith, Darwin and Lyell will ever remain a land of honour to educated Germans.  Where would it end if I were to count up the heroes of English intellect whose names are written in letters of gold in humanity’s great book?”

It is well to conclude this chapter of hate with two quotations which breathe respect.  The author does not believe that German hate will be so long-enduring as the hate-mongers would have us think.  Rather, he is convinced that mutual interest will force the two nations together within one or two decades.  Preparatory for that day, it is Britain’s duty to compel Germany’s respect.

There are good, even magnificent forces in the German nation; there are still noble-minded, high-thinking Germans who yearn to work in the great civilizing world enterprises.  But—­and therein lies the tragedy—­“the good, the true, the pure, the just” are not to-day the predominating powers.  They must work out their own salvation; but if the time ever comes when the finest and best German thought directs Germany’s destinies, then there will be no lack of sympathizers in this country, who will hail the day as the advent of a new world era.  For the present, all mutual jealousies, all the burning ambitions, all quarrels and hate, are submitted to the arbitrament of the sword.  If Britain only wields her sword so well and honourably, as to gain unstinted victory, that will prove to be the firmest basis for future respect and enduring peace.