such late hours since a recent visit of Jowett.  On that occasion
the poet and the philosopher had talked together well into the
small hours of the morning.  My father asked Tennyson what was
the subject of conversation that had so engrossed them. 
"Murders," replied Tennyson.  It would have been interesting to
have heard Tennyson and Jowett discussing such a theme.  The fact
is a tribute to the interest that crime has for many men of
intellect and imagination.  Indeed, how could it be otherwise?
Rob history and fiction of crime, how tame and colourless would
be the residue! We who are living and enduring in the presence
of one of the greatest crimes on record, must realise that trying
as this period of the world's history is to those who are passing
through it, in the hands of some great historian it may make
very good reading for posterity.  Perhaps we may find some little
consolation in this fact, like the unhappy victims of famous
freebooters such as Jack Sheppard or Charley Peace. 

But do not let us flatter ourselves.  Do not let us, in all the
pomp and circumstance of stately history, blind ourselves to the
fact that the crimes of Frederick, or Napoleon, or their