eye notes with some depression the absence from both spheres of a fine manliness, a generous conception of things, a large outlook, that prevents a squabble with a smile, and because of a consciousness of the need for determination in a great fight for a principle, holds in true contempt the trivialities of an hour.  For in all the mean little bickerings of life there is involved not a principle, but a petty pride.  One has to note these things and decide a line of action.  In the abstract the right course seems quite natural and easy, but in fact it is not so.  A man finds another act towards him with unconscious impudence or arrogance, and at once flies into a rage; there is a fierce wrangle, and at the end he finds no purpose served, for nothing was at stake.  He has lost his temper for nothing.  In his heat he may tell you “he wouldn’t let so-and-so do so-and-so,” but on the same principle he should hold a street-argument with every fish-wife who might call him a name.  He may tell you “he will make so-and-so respect him,” but he offends his own self-respect if he cannot consider some things beneath him.  One must have a sense of proportion and not elevate every little act of impudence into a challenge of life to be fought over as for life and death.  It may be corrected with a little humour or a little disdain, but always with sympathy for the narrow mind whose view of life cannot reach beyond these petty things.  Yet, to repeat, it is not easy.  An irritable temper will be on fire before reason can check it; the process of correction will prove uncomfortable—­the reasons will be there, but the feelings in revolt.  Still, little by little, it is brought under, and in the end the nasty little irritability is killed just like a troublesome nerve; and, by and by, what once provoked a fierce rage becomes a subject for humorous reflection.  Let no one fear we kill the nerve for the great Battle of Life; this we but strengthen and make constant.  Every act of personal discipline is contributing to a subconscious reservoir whence our nobler energies are supplied for ever.  And so, little things lead to great; and in an office wrangle or a social squabble there is need for developing those very qualities of judgment, courage, and patience which equip a man for the trials of the battlefield or the ruling of the state.

IV

We have considered the individual in business and social life.  Let us now follow him into a political assembly.  We find the same conditions prevail.  Again, men fight bitterly but most frequently for nothing worth a fight; and again those rightly judging the situation must resolve not to be tempted into a wrangle even if their restraint be called by another name.  What in a political assembly is often the first thing to note?  We begin by the assumption, “this is a practical body of men,” the words invariably used to cover the putting by of some great principle that we ought all endorse and uphold.  But, first,