mine. We played open-handed, like two at whist. He did not doubt my
honesty, and I astonished him by taking him quite in earnest. He has
dealt with diplomatists, who imagine nothing but shuffling: the old
Ironer! I love him for his love of common sense, his contempt of mean
deceit. He will outwit you, but his dexterity is a giant's--a simple
evolution rapidly performed: and nothing so much perplexes pygmies!
Then he has them, bagsful of them! The world will see; and see giant
meet giant, I suspect. He and I proposed each of us in the mildest
manner contrary schemes--schemes to stiffen the hair of Europe! Enough
that we parted with mutual respect. He is a fine fellow: and so was my
friend the Emperor Tiberius, and so was Richelieu. Napoleon was a fine
engine:--there is a difference. Yes, Ironsides is a fine fellow! but he
and I may cross. His ideas are not many. The point to remember is that
he is iron on them: he can drive them hard into the density of the globe.
He has quick nerves and imagination: he can conjure up, penetrate, and
traverse complications--an enemy's plans, all that the enemy will be able
to combine, and the likeliest that he will do. Good. We opine that we
are equal to the same. He is for kingcraft to mask his viziercraft--and
save him the labour of patiently attempting oratory and persuasion, which
accomplishment he does not possess:--it is not in iron. We think the
more precious metal will beat him when the broader conflict comes. But
such an adversary is not to be underrated. I do not underrate him: and
certainly not he me. Had he been born with the gifts of patience and a
fluent tongue, and not a petty noble, he might have been for the people,
as knowing them the greater power. He sees that their knowledge of their
power must eventually come to them. In the meantime his party is
forcible enough to assure him he is not fighting a losing game at
present: and he is, no doubt, by lineage and his traditions monarchical.
He is curiously simple, not really cynical. His apparent cynicism is
sheer irritability. His contemptuous phrases are directed against