Many things have happened." "And what," asked the other, "would you call the summary of those things ?" "The summary of those things," answered Barker, with great animation, "is that we are rid of the superstitions, and in becoming so we have not merely become rid of the superstitions which have been most frequently and most enthusiastically so described.

The superstition of big nationalities is bad, but the superstition of small nationalities is worse.

The superstition of reverencing our own country is bad, but the superstition of reverencing other people's countries is worse.

It is so everywhere, and in a hundred ways.

The superstition of monarchy is bad, and the superstition of aristocracy is bad, but the superstition of democracy is the worst of all." The old gentleman opened his eyes with some surprise.
"Are you, then," he said, "no longer a democracy in England ?" Barker laughed.
"The situation invites paradox," he said.