“We must endeavour to lead him to respect of self by showing him what his mind is capable of.  I argue on no sectarian, no religious grounds even.  Is it possible to make a man’s self his most precious possession?  Anyhow, I work to that end.  A doctor purges before building up with a tonic.  I eliminate cant and hypocrisy, and then introduce self-respect.  It isn’t enough to employ a man’s hands only.  Initiation in some labour that should prove wholesome and remunerative is a redeeming factor, but it isn’t all.  His mind must work also, and awaken to its capacities.  If it rusts, the body reverts to inhuman instincts.”

“May I ask how you—?”

“By intercourse—­in my own person or through my officials.  I wish to have only those about me who are willing to contribute to my designs, and with whom I can work in absolute harmony.  All my officers are chosen to that end.  No doubt a dash of constitutional sentimentalism gives colour to my theories.  I get it from a human tract in me that circumstances have obliged me to put a hoarding round.”

“I begin to gather daylight.”

“Quite so.  My patients are invited to exchange views with their guardians in a spirit of perfect friendliness; to solve little problems of practical moment; to acquire the pride of self-reliance.  We have competitions, such as certain newspapers open to their readers, in a simple form.  I draw up the questions myself.  The answers give me insight into the mental conditions of the competitors.  Upon insight I proceed.  I am fortunate in private means, and I am in a position to offer modest prizes to the winners.  Whenever such an one is discharged, he finds awaiting him the tools most handy to his vocation.  I bid him go forth in no pharisaical spirit, and invite him to communicate with me.  I wish the shadow of the gaol to extend no further than the road whereon it lies.  Henceforth, we are acquaintances with a common interest at heart.  Isn’t it monstrous that a state-fixed degree of misconduct should earn a man social ostracism?  Parents are generally inclined to rule extra tenderness towards a child whose peccadilloes have brought him a whipping.  For myself, I have no faith in police supervision.  Give a culprit his term and have done with it.  I find the majority who come back to me are ticket-of-leave men.

“Have I said enough?  I offer you the reversion of the post.  The present holder of it leaves in a month’s time.  Please to determine here and at once.”

“Very good.  I have decided.”

“You will accept?”

“Yes.”

* * * * *

So far wrote Polyhistor in the bonny days of early manhood—­an attempt made in a spasm of enthusiasm inspired in him and humoured by his most engaging Mentor, to record his first impressions of a notable personality not many days after its introduction to him.  He has never taken up the tale again until now, when an insistent sense, as of a task left unfinished, compels him to the effort.  Over his sweet Mentor the grass lies thick, and flowers of aged stalk bloom perennially, and “Oh, the difference to me!”