The Lost Empires of the Modern World - Essays in Imperial History #252471

Neither the 'retort courteous' nor the 'lie direct' affords comfort to a troubled con science; it must have facts. It is not a matter of very great difficulty to get at the facts; the requisite research, if wide, is not profound. And can be-compassed by any man with a year's leisure at his disposal. But the number of men so fortunately placed is small, and most men with a year's leisure at their disposal prefer to spend it otherwise than in confuting, with so much labour, a trouble some political antagonist. Such men, we reflect, can always be voted down, British fashion, when the time comes; and in the meantime we may rest contented to differ from them.