the fabulists； to tell truth； they monly hold the place of honour in these varied lists。 Who shall count them？ Who shall calculate their readers？ Builders of verse are many； yet the observer will note that contemporary poets have but an inconspicuous standing in this index of the public taste。 Travel； on the other hand； is largely represented； the general appetite for information about lands remote would appear to be only less keen than for the adventures of romance。
With these pages before one's eyes； must one not needs believe that things of the mind are a prime concern of our day？ Who are the purchasers of these volumes ever pouring from the press？ How is it possible for so great a merce to flourish save as a consequence of national eagerness in this intellectual domain？ Surely one must take for granted that throughout the land； in town and country； private libraries are growing apace； that by the people at large a great deal of time is devoted to reading； that literary ambition is one of the monest spurs to effort？
It is the truth。 All this may be said of contemporary England。 But is it enough to set one's mind at ease regarding the outlook of our civilization？
Two things must be remembered。 However considerable this literary traffic； regarded by itself； it is relatively of small extent。 And； in the second place； literary activity is by no means an invariable proof of that mental attitude which marks the truly civilized man。
Lay aside the 〃literary organ；〃 which appears once a week； and take up the newspaper； which es forth every day； morning and evening。 Here you get the true proportion of things。 Read your daily news… sheet……that which costs threepence or that which costs a halfpenny…… and muse upon the impression it leaves。 It may be