The troubling and persistent alarum of rebellion calls from many sides, and as instances of its call I have introduced mention of various rebels, whether against authority or custom. I have once or twice ventured also into those twilit regions where the spirit itself stands rebellious against its limits, and questions even the ultimate insane triumph of flesh and circumstance, closing its short-lived interlude. The rebellion may appear to be vain, but when we consider the primitive elements of life from which our paragon of animals has ascended, the mere attempt at rebellion is more astonishing than the greatest recorded miracle, and since man has grown to think that he possesses a soul, there is no knowing what he may come to.
I have added a few other scenes from old times and new, just for variety, or just to remind ourselves that, in the midst of all chaos and perturbation and rage, it is possible for the world to go upon its way, preserving, in spite of all, its most excellent gift of sanity.
H.W.N.
LONDON, Easter, 1913.
CONTENTS
[PREFACE] [CONTENTS] [I. THE CATFISH] [II. REBELLION] [III. "EITHER COWARDS OR UNHAPPY"] [IV. DEEDS NOT WORDS.] [V. THE BURNING BOOK.] [VI. "WHERE CRUEL RAGE"] [VII. THE CHIEF OF REBELS] [VIII. THE IRON CROWN] [IX. "THE IMPERIAL RACE"] [X. THE GREAT UNKNOWN] [XI. THE WORTH OF A PENNY] [XII. "FIX BAYONETS!"] [XIII. "OUR FATHERS HAVE TOLD US"] [XIV. THE GRAND JURY] [XV. A NEW CONSCRIPTION] [XVI. THE LAST OF THE RUNNYMEDES] [XVII. CHILDREN OF THE STATE.] [XVIII. THE JUDGMENT OF PARIS.] [XIX. ABDUL'S RETREAT] [XX. "NATIVES"] [XXI. UNDER THE YOKE.] [XXII. BLACK AND WHITE] [XXIII. PEACE AND WAR IN THE BALANCE] [XXIV. THE MAID] [XXV. THE HEROINE] [XXVI. THE PENALTY OF VIRTUE] [XXVII. "THE DAILY ROUND"] [XXVIII. THE CHARM OF COMMONPLACE] [XXIX. THE PRIEST OF NEMI.] [XXX. THE UNDERWORLD OF TIME.] [XXXI. MENTAL EUGENICS] [XXXII. THE MEDICINE OF THE MIND] [XXXIII. THE LAST FENCE] [XXXIV. THE ELEMENT OF CALM] [XXXV. "THE KING OF TERRORS"] [XXXVI. STRULDBRUGS] [XXXVII. "LIBERTÉ, LIBERTÉ, CHÉRIE!"] [XXXVIII. A FAREWELL TO FLEET STREET.] [INDEX]
ESSAYS IN REBELLION