CHAPTER XXVIII. PATRIOTISM, FALSE AND TRUE. IT is a good thing to see a draper or a grocer taking part in public life. The same remark applies to the heir of a large estate. Foxes, hounds, and horses are not essentially nobler than yards of tape and pounds of sugar. If a man wants to live a selfish life, what matters it if he does so behind a shop counter, or behind a pack of dogs? The love of country does at least this good to a man: it gives him a soul above his common work. Where Our common work is in itself noble, the temptation to neglect civic duty becomes strong. Doctors, artists, literary men, and clergymen often excuse themselves from the duties of patriotism on the ground that they have other and higher things to do. A little practical help in keeping the machinery of local or imperial government right would, however, be of great service to such total abstainers as these. Every man is the better for a well-balanced life. The best should not hinder the good. There is very much inexcusable apathy among all classes in reference to public life. The growth of large towns and cities sends vast numbers away from the centres of activity. The newspapers penetrate, but organizations are sometimes wanting; and when these are present, men say that the evenings find them too tired to take much part in their working. But none of these causes ought to apply to energetic young men. The work of the day does not leave them too jaded for cricket, the river, lawn-tennis, billiards, and other muscular amusements; why should they shrink from a little exertion in aid of their country? There is no reason but that of selfishness. In order to take an interest in one's country, we must begin by taking an interest in our own locality. Patriotism is too vague a term. We cannot at first hang any specific duties to the word. Some prefer to allow its vagueness to remain, so that they may be excused from arduous thought or action. Many a young man can recite Shakespeare's eulogium on charity who has never given a shilling to any good cause. And so, too, many are ready to throw up their caps and shout for their country who have never yet contributed to its taxes or spent one hour in mastering its history. We have to begin at our own locality, and seek to sustain a healthy interest in our own special ward, district, or town. It is true that such an interest will lay us open to the charge of being parochial, provincial, and narrow. This charge can much engrossed only be sustained if we remain too with our own particular affairs. But it will be found that each little part of the country is a microcosm of the whole; and when you have learned the play of principles and passions on a small scale, you will the more easily understand them on a large one. It is not possible to get up much enthusiasm about an election for poor-law guardians, and yet a knowledge of their functions, and an interest in the way they do their work may not be useless to you as a preparation for larger matters. It is only given to the few to be speakers and leaders. If any one aspires to this position, let him begin early. It is always an advantage to be able to express thoughts in clear idiomatic English before an audience. But this facility is sorely hindered by self-consciousness. Yet there is no reason why the majority of men should not be able to say what they mean when speaking to a meeting. There are many business positions where |