and put a stop to the _exploitation_ and subjugation of Eastern countries
for the sake of advancing its own material interests, under the specious
pretext of introducing the blessings of civilisation.

_Coldwaite_. You have certainly presented the matter in a light which is
altogether new to me, Mr Rollestone, and upon which, therefore, I am not
now prepared to express an opinion. I should like to discuss the subject
with you further privately.

_Rollestone_. It is a subject which should never be discussed except
privately.

_Mrs Allmash_. Now, I should say, Mr Rollestone, on the contrary, that
it was just a subject you ought to write a book about. You would have so
much to tell,--all your personal experiments, you know; now do.

_Fussle_. Take my advice, Mr Rollestone, and don't. You would have very
few readers, and those who read you would only sneer at what they would
call your crude ideas; and indeed, you will excuse me for saying so, but
I am not sure that they would not be right.

_Lord Fondleton_. I quite disagree with you, Mr Fussle. If Rollestone
would write a book which would put a stop to this "religion of the
future" business, he would earn the gratitude of society. Do you know, I
am getting rather bored with it.

_Fussle_. Not if he introduced instead a latent force, which should
overturn all existing institutions, and revolutionise society--which it
would inevitably have to do if we were all coerced by it into adopting
literally the ethics of Christianity, instead of merely professing them.