lt as an insult。 Seeing him in the distance； I have turned and fled； to escape the necessity of saluting； and； still more； a quiver of the nerves which affected me so painfully。 If ever a man did me harm； it was he； harm physical and moral。 In all seriousness I believe that something of the nervous instability from which I have suffered since boyhood is traceable to those accursed hours of drill； and I am very sure that I can date from the same wretched moments a fierceness of personal pride which has been one of my most troublesome characteristics。 The disposition； of course； was there； it should have been modified； not exacerbated。
In younger manhood it would have flattered me to think that I alone on the school drill…ground had sensibility enough to suffer acutely。 Now I had much rather feel assured that many of my schoolfellows were in the same mind of subdued revolt。 Even of those who； boylike； enjoyed their drill； scarce one or two； I trust； would have weled in their prime of life the imposition of military servitude upon them and their countrymen。 From a certain point of view； it would be better far that England should bleed under conquest than that she should be saved by eager； or careless； acceptance of Conscription。 That view will not be held by the English people； but it would be a sorry thing for England if the day came when no one of those who love her harboured such a thought。
XX
It has occurred to me that one might define Art as： an expression； satisfying and abiding； of the zest of life。 This is applicable to every form of Art devised by man； for； in his creative moment； whether he produce a great drama or carve a piece of foliage in wood； the artist is moved and inspired by supreme enjoyment of some aspect of the world about him； an