I have since heard that he died; it may be said, I think, that he committed suicide; though he did it with tools of pleasure, not with tools of pain. God help him, I know the road he went; but I have never known or even dared to think what was that place at which he stopped and refrained.*
[* Quoted in G. K. Chesterton: A Criticism. Alston Rivers Ltd. 1908, pp. 20-22.]
Revulsion from the atmosphere of evil took Gilbert to no new thing but to a strengthening of old ties and a mystic renewal of them. The J.D.C. was idealised into a mystical city of friends:
A LIST
I know a friend, very strong and good. He is the best friend in the
world,
I know another friend, subtle and sensitive. He is certainly the best
friend on earth.
I know another friend: very quiet and shrewd, there is no friend so
good as he.
I know another friend, who is enigmatical and reluctant, he is the
best of all.
I know yet another: who is polished and eager, he is far better
than the rest.
I know another, who is young and very quick, he is the most beloved
of all friends,