But a book! Political criticism, and personality analyses, frozen into the so-permanently-appearing dignity of a printed volume--that is something else again! Even a politician who dismisses with a smile or a shrug recurrent discompliments in the news columns or the anonymous editorial pages of the press, is tempted to burst into angry protest when far less bitter, far more balanced criticism of himself is voiced in a book. A phenomenon, that, doubtless revisable as time goes on and the reflections of more book-bound Mirrors brighten the eyes of those who read and jangle the nerves of those who run--for office. _Behind the Mirrors_ is another such book. It delves into the fundamentals at Washington. It is concerned with political tendencies as well as political personalities. It presents what impresses us as a genuinely useful and brilliant picture of present-day governmental psychology and functioning. It is a cross section of things as they are. The picture behind the mirrors is not as pretty as it might be. Probably the way to make it prettier is to let ample light in upon it so that the blemishes, discerned, may be rectified; and to impress those responsible for its rehabilitation with the necessity of taking advantage of the opportunities that are theirs. When President Eliot of Harvard presented to a certain Senator an honorary degree, he described with inimitable charm and considerable detail that Senator's literary achievements; and then he mentioned his political activities, ending with substantially these words: "A man with great opportunities for public service still inviting him." The invitation yet holds good. Acceptances are still in order. G. P. P. NEW YORK, June, 1922. CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I.--PRESIDENT HARDING AND THE CLOCK. GOD'S TIME AS IT WAS IN THE AMERICAN POLITICAL CONSCIOUSNESS 3 II.--GOD'S TIME AS IT IS; AN INGERSOLL THAT REQUIRES MUCH WINDING 21 III.--GOLDEN WORDS TURN TO BRASS 36 IV.--THE SUPER-PRESIDENT GOES DOWN IN THE GENERAL SMAS 61 V.--LOOKING FOR ULTIMATE WISDOM--IN THE BOSOM OF THERESE 80 VI.--SHALL WE FIND OUR SALVATION SITTING, LIKE MR. MELLON, ON A PILE OF DOLLARS 101 VII.--THE BOTTLE NECK OF THE CABINET, AND WHAT IS IN THE BOTTLE 119 VIII.--THE GREATEST COMMON DIVISOR OF MUCH LITTLENESS 142 IX.--CONGRESS AT LAST WITH SOMETHING TO DO HAS NO ONE TO DO IT 156