He had very honestly tried
to examine the thing all round; and had reasoned thus: If I keep this
quarry open, I am really admitting the principle of pauperization,
since I naturally look to each of my estates to support its own house,
grounds, shooting, and to contribute towards the support of this house,
and my family, and racing stable, and all the people employed about them
both.
To allow any business to be run on my estates which does not contribute
to the general upkeep, is to protect and really pauperize a portion
of my tenants at the expense of the rest; it must therefore be false
economics and a secret sort of socialism. Further, if logically followed
out, it might end in my ruin, and to allow that, though I might not
personally object, would be to imply that I do not believe that I am by
virtue of my traditions and training, the best machinery through which
the State can work to secure the welfare of the people....
When he had reached that point in his consideration of the question, his
mind, or rather perhaps, his essential self, had not unnaturally risen
up and said: Which is absurd!
Impersonality was in fashion, and as a rule he believed in thinking
impersonally. There was a point, however, where the possibility of doing
so ceased, without treachery to oneself, one's order, and the country.
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