would never have said it to; knowing that it would be sure to be
misunderstood, or half-understood, by them. And so he grows
cautious; and is very loth to communicate to anybody his more
cherished opinions, unless they fall in exactly with the stream.
Added to which, I think there is in these times less than there ever
was of a proselytising spirit; and people are content to keep their
opinions to themselves--more perhaps from indifference than from
fear.

Ellesmere. Yes, I agree with you.

By the way, I think your taking dress as an illustration of extreme
conformity is not bad. Really it is wonderful the degree of square
and dull hideousness to which, in the process of time and tailoring,
and by severe conformity, the human creature's outward appearance
has arrived. Look at a crowd of men from a height, what an ugly set
of ants they appear! Myself, when I see an Eastern man, one of the
people attached to their embassies, sweeping by us in something
flowing and stately, I feel inclined to take off my hat to him (only
that I think the hat might frighten him), and say, Here is a great,
unhatted, uncravated, bearded man, not a creature clipt and twisted
and tortured into tailorhood.

Dunsford. Ellesmere broke in upon me just now, so that I did not
say all that I meant to say. But, Milverton, what would you admit
that we are to conform to? In silencing the general voice, may we
not give too much opportunity to our own headstrong suggestions, and
to wilful licence?

Milverton. Yes: to be somewhat deaf to the din of the world may be