It was so in the Reform Bill days.

Lord Morley said to me the other day that when all the abolitions had been done, there would be fewer things abolished than anybody hopes or fears, and that there would be the same problems in some form for many generations.

I'm beginning to believe that the Englishman has always been afraid of the future--that's what's keeps him so alert.

They say to me: "You have frightful things happen in the United States--your Governor of New York[16], your Thaw case, your corruption, etc., etc.; and yet you seem sure and tell us that your countrymen feel sure of the safety of your government." In the newspaper comments on my Southampton[17] speech the other day, this same feeling cropped up; the American Ambassador assures us that the note of hope is the dominant note of the Republic--etc., etc.

Yes, they are dull, _in a way_--not dull, so much as steady; and yet they have more solid sense than any other people.
It's an interesting study--the most interesting in the world.