The Journal of a Disappointed Man

Not infrequently he visits the East End to Study "how the poor live," he lectures at Toynbee Hall, and calls the proletariat "the prolly." In fact, he does everything according to the regulations, being a socialist and an agnostic, a follower of Shaw and a devotee of Bunyan. "Erotic" he is careful to pronounce eròtic to show he knows Greek, and the "Duma," the Dumà, tho' he doesn't know Russian. Like any don, he is always ready to discuss and give an opinion on any sub- supra- or circum-lunary subject from bimetallism to the Symphony as an art-form. "That's a dominant fifth," I said to him the other day; no answer. "You ignorant devil," I said, "you don't know what a dominant fifth is!" We made grimaces at one another. "Who's the Master of the Mint?" I asked him. "That is an easy one." "The Chancellor of the Exchequer," was the prompt reply. "Oh! that's right," I said sarcastic and crestfallen. "Now tell me the shortest verse in the Bible and the date of Rameses II." We laughed. R---- is a very clever man and the most extraordinarily versatile man I know. He is bound to make his mark. His danger is--too many irons in the fire. Here are some of his occupations and acquirements: Art (etching, drypoint, water-colours), music (a charming voice), classics, French, German, Italian (both speaking and reading knowledge), biology, etc., etc. He is for ever titillating his mind with some new thing. "For God's sake, do leave it alone--you simply rag your mind to death. Put it out to grass--go thro' an annual season of complete abstinence from knowledge--an intellectual Lent."