some corner, hatless, perspiring, pointing Utopias in the air to
restless hungry eyes, at once I saw myself, a Demosthenes swaying
multitudes, a statesman holding the House of Commons spellbound, the
Prime Minister of England, worshipped by the entire country. Even the
Opposition papers, had I known of them, I should have imagined forced
to reluctant admiration. Did the echo of a distant drum fall upon my
ear, then before me rose picturesque fields of carnage, one figure
ever conspicuous: Myself, well to the front, isolated. Promotion in
the British army of my dream being a matter purely of merit, I
returned Commander-in-Chief. Vast crowds thronged every flag-decked
street. I saw white waving hands from every roof and window. I heard
the dull, deep roar of welcome, as with superb seat upon my snow-white
charger--or should it be coal-black? The point cost me much
consideration, so anxious was I that the day should be without a
flaw--I slowly paced at the head of my victorious troops, between wild
waves of upturned faces: walked into a lamp-post or on to the toes of
some irascible old gentleman, and awoke. A drunken sailor stormed
from between swing doors and tacked tumultuously down the street: the
factory chimney belching smoke became a swaying mast. The costers
round about me shouted "Ay, ay, sir. 'Ready, ay, ready." I was
Christopher Columbus, Drake, Nelson, rolled into one. Spurning the
presumption of modern geographers, I discovered new continents. I
defeated the French--those useful French! I died in the moment of
victory. A nation mourned me and I was buried in Westminster Abbey.
Also I lived and was created a Duke. Either alternative had its
charm: personally I was indifferent. Boys who on November the ninth,
as explained by letters from their mothers, read by Doctor Florret
with a snort, were suffering from a severe toothache, told me on
November the tenth of the glories of Lord Mayor's Shows. I heard
their chatter fainter and fainter as from an ever-increasing distance.