[36] I have ventured to enumerate, twice within a few pages, the chief causes of despondency at the end of 1916: the same thought-wave, given off from the same psychological effervescence, convinced President Wilson and Mr. Lloyd George that the allies were beaten to their knees; the one was inspired to throw the resources of America into the struggle, the other to take personal charge of the war.
[37] 1920.
[38] Sir Ian Malcolm was inspired by this memorandum to write his "rhymed endeavour to convey the contents of a grave 'pronunciamento' on deportment: compiled (it is believed) by Lord Eustace Percy and issued to the Members of the Mission before landing in the New World." The poem appears among the "Mission Hymns" in Stuff—And Nonsense.
"Circular Notes"
To the Mission
In your hours of ease, I beg you
Missionaries, one and all,
Read, mark, learn, digest and pass on
This concise Encyclical.
You will find its interest chaining
—Sometimes even entertaining.
First of all you must remember
That you go to U.S.A.,
To a land of candid critics;
So be careful what you say.