“The Official Interpreter.”
Thus relieved, the witness swore that the synthesis of an agglomeration, real or imaginary—in plain words, of all thinkable congeries—was informed by an appreciation of its organic or inorganic character. He was far from saying that the organic and inorganic were separated by any hard and fast line, but he did maintain⸺
Mr. Chamberlain: I think that point is clear.
Mr. Benjamin Kidd, continuing, deposed that a political entity was emphatically of the former kind as to its consciousness. And without consciousness where were they? He then maintained it demonstrable beyond argument that all truisms, including altruism, lead to one central principle, namely, that in all inequalities differences appeared, for if they did not, then where were they? Applying this primordial and cosmic truth to the particular region of international exchange, he could but conclude that all material increment of res mercatoriæ must and did connote diminution of eorundem facilitas and vice versâ.
The witness here sat down, and the interpreter, who had been taking notes, declared in a loud voice that Mr. Kidd’s speech meant, in English, that the excess of imports was paid for in gold. (Murmurs of applause.)
The Lord Chancellor (emphatically): I always said it!
Mr. Chamberlain (triumphantly to Mr. Balfour): What about Seddon now?
Mr. Balfour (in some confusion): I never said anything against Seddon, besides which, who knows but what Kidd—
Here Mr. Kidd was observed to break down and sob bitterly; willing hands supported him to the Carlton, where first aid to the wounded was skilfully rendered by Doctor Sir Conan Doyle, V.C.... On recovering consciousness he attributed his agony to severance from the Great Liberal Party, of which he had so long been the most brilliant ornament. The distinguished physician, who had himself suffered such pangs, soothed him as best he could, and conveyed the news to the Committee, who were profoundly moved.