Imaginative grasp of a position, clear and accurate thinking, leading to prompt and definite action, can hardly be claimed as special characteristics of our race, but once satisfied that a thing has got to be done, that it is "up to them" to do it, checks or defeats, labour or risks do not count.

Sooner or later the task is performed.

The "recoil" of the British again and again after being pressed back is the striking feature in their history.

The spring is not easily wound up, but it has enormous power, and the events of to-day show that it has not lost its elasticity.

But how much more might have been accomplished, how much loss and suffering prevented, had knowledge awakened more interest and a prophetic imagination guided and inspired action directed to a definite goal, had we set our ideals clearly before us and carefully thought out the steps to be taken one by one towards their realisation! The recognition of these conditions is needed now, and will in the coming changes be needed more and more.