"An instance? Well, look at England. By taxing the upper classes, enough money is raised to miseducate the masses. The result is that those professions which depend more or less upon education are lowered, vulgarised, by the demand of vulgar minds.
"Literature, which should be one of the great uplifting influences, is becoming every day more and more adapted to the commoner mind, under the name of progress. Progress it is, but in the wrong direction, for it serves to bring all to a dead level of mediocrity; and I maintain that a few lofty minds, leaders in the world of thought, are infinitely more prolific of true progress than smart mediocrity."
I had paused in my writing to listen to my companion, for I had never heard him in this vein before; but his arguments needed thought, and I told him so.
"Thought! why, of course they do. Think over them whenever you can; and, in thinking, apply the principle to all different cases."
"I will; but just now I could not think clearly, for I fancy I hear sounds that indicate more cheering crowds outside."
"A sound that Ivan never heard," said Mr. Smith.
"And which reminds me, that I wish to see Prince Alexis before he leaves for the frontier."
"You will not, I hope, delay his departure," said my companion slyly.
"On the contrary, I shall expedite it."
"You wish to see him alone?"