We cannot govern Ireland.

It is beyond us; let Ireland have Home Rule! We cannot cope with our Imperial responsibilities; let them be cast off: and so on.

The Englishmen of fifty years ago did not talk in this "weary Titan" strain.
Well, every nation becomes emasculated sooner or later, that seems to be the universal fate; and it appears that it is our lot to be emasculated, not by the want of law but by a plethora thereof.

This country was made, not by Governments, but for the most part in despite of them by the independent efforts of generations of individuals.

The tendency nowadays is to merge the individual in the Government, and to limit or even forcibly to destroy personal enterprise and responsibility.