HUSH!'

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 44, 16 November 1918, Page 13

HUSH!'

TUB GLAMOUR OF HIGH AUTHORITY.

Mr. Arthur Ponsonby lias a rather sar-, enstic aiticio in the "Nation" on those who think they are in "authority." lie points ous tho strange elevations to winch men reach, ami witli what strange garments ihey wrap themselves round when .they so arrive. Let us try to analyse this mysterious element, because it-would appear that no ono is impervious to its', influent. It .will bo found- ill a managers oliice; in a board room with its iientlj'r arrang-vl table, comfortable 'chairs, and frock-coated chairman; in 'tho law Courts, especially, where archaic procedure and bewildering formalities are. calculated to impress- a' prisoner, and even a spectator (the Judge himself, not nil individual but 'nn.'?emhleni disguised in his robes arid-wig'as- the majesty- of law, and clothed with'the sanction of, society; incidentally justice may lie done, but the main point, is - that ■ authority, shall bo .maintained); in.a Cabinet Minister's ' room—approaching "'through echoing halls, deferential brass-buttoned oihco' keepers will escort a visitor through anterooms, and when .the heavy door: lhas> closed with a diilhthud behind.him,-and ho finds himself'in. a. huge room smelling of .Russia leather and sealing wax, it is,, quite impossible to talk to the human being behind the tremendous writing-table as if he woro sitting next him on tho lop of u bus (and the surroundings.havo "produced "their effect, on the minister just as much us they aro.now. producing .an'effect on his visitor). ~' "Then, in tho palace, where everything 13 arranged to impress, hurrying uniformed figures,., powdered, .footmen,, heavy caipets, endless corridors—again that smell of leather-hushed voices, n, feeling ot somebody important round tho corner, broad staircases, vast. mirrors,; just to show you how small and insigniii-; cant you look,' a presence to bo realched,the.distaut gurgle of, royal voices .jn far-, off passages, a desiro to osca'pe'or hide, pictures and armour of ancient kings, a feeling that it has all been there since. William tho Conqueror's time, that it is all different' from what you imagined when you wrote the article on-'The Passing of the Monarchy.' "Is it possible for people who inhabit such, placf6 to feci or even look like or-; dinary mortals?. Whatever mar be said, outside about them, and whatever you may have said,, they feel secure and impressive, and they know you aro obscure uud impressed. "In the bishop's palace the atmos-' plierc i-j'lieavy with authority, aud even,, loo,: in. the vicar's or the minister's study. .The pulpit, whore a man may admonish hia fellows without fear of contradiction, interruption, or oven ques-; lion, is a very seat of authority. The headmaster's schoolroom,. whero tho; tro.mbln-,', boy is ovorawed; the police ■ court, whero tho culprit'feels-like a rat iu a trap surrounded by-.wise magistrates, learned counsel, aud • impeccable _ police j .the bank manager's. parlour, with, its •nmell'of-gold;tlio society drawing-room," where the unaccustomed visitor shuffles and stamraors before the smart and welldressed company of great people who are fo terribly, at their ease; .even in the trade miic-h, where the officials ..have exchanged .the.life. of. working men for that of orgauisers—in all theso' authority resides, and in each it is ..riot alone in the personalif of the particular representative thac.it is felt. Beseems.to,have b"e : hind him all the others arrayed in conim'nndinj force, an. we-inspiring. invisible, yet ever-present company.'*