Upon ranting radicalism followed a period of philosophical study.

My philosophy, I have come to see, was worth nothing; what philosophy is worth anything?
It had its use for myself, however; it made me by degrees self-conscious, and brought me to see that in art alone I could find full satisfaction." "Yet," urged Julian, "the old direction still shows itself in your choice of subjects.

Granting that this is pure art, it is a kind of art only possible to an age in which the social question is predominant." "True, very likely.

Every strong individuality is more or less the expression of its age.

This direction may be imposed upon me; for all that, I understand why I pursue it." After reflecting, Julian spoke in another tone.