‘The age does not believe in great men, because it does not possess any,’ replied the stranger. ‘The Spirit of the Age is the very thing that a great man changes.’ ‘But does he not rather avail himself of it?’ inquired Coningsby. ‘Parvenus do,’ rejoined his companion; ‘but not prophets, great legislators, great conquerors. They destroy and they create.’ ‘But are these times for great legislators and great conquerors?’ urged Coningsby. ‘When were they wanted more?’ asked the stranger. ‘From the throne to the hovel all call for a guide. You give monarchs constitutions to teach them sovereignty, and nations Sunday-schools to inspire them with faith.’ ‘But what is an individual,’ exclaimed Coningsby, ‘against a vast public opinion?’ ‘Divine,’ said the stranger. ‘God made man in His own image; but the Public is made by Newspapers, Members of Parliament, Excise Officers, Poor Law Guardians. Would Philip have succeeded if Epaminondas had not been slain? And if Philip had not succeeded? Would Prussia have existed had Frederick not been born? And if Frederick had not been born? What would have been the fate of the Stuarts if Prince Henry had not died, and Charles I., as was intended, had been Archbishop of Canterbury?’ ‘But when men are young they want experience,’ said Coningsby; ‘and when they have gained experience, they want energy.’ ‘Great men never want experience,’ said the stranger. ‘But everybody says that experience--’ ‘Is the best thing in the world, a treasure for you, for me, for millions. But for a creative mind, less than nothing. Almost everything that is great has been done by youth.’ ‘It is at least a creed flattering to our years,’ said Coningsby, with a smile.