X. SAINTS AND SINNERS 173 XI. WOMAN'S CAUSE IS MAN'S: THEY RISE OR SINK TOGETHER 185 XII. POSTBELLUM VAGARIES 198 XIII. WORLD CONVALESCENCE 214 XIV. BANQUETS AND PERSONALITIES 236 XV. SENTIMENTALITY AND THE MALE 251 XVI. THE PLAY INSTINCT IN CHILDREN 263 XVII. "IF A MAN WALKETH IN THE NIGHT, HE STUMBLETH; BUT IF HE WALKETH IN THE DAY HE SEETH THE LIGHT OF THIS WORLD" 277 XVIII. THE AMERICAN EAGLE CHANGES HIS PERCH 293 IDLING IN ITALY IDLING IN ITALY CHAPTER I LITERARY ITALY There is something about the word Italy that causes an emotional glow in the hearts of most Americans. For them Italy is the cradle of modern civilization and of the Christian religion; the land where modern literature and science took their faltering first steps; the garden where the flowers of art first bloomed, then reached a magnificence that has never been equalled; the land that after having so long agonized under the tyrant finally rose in its might and delivered her children, carrying the principles of personal liberty to a new and noble elevation. We have an admiration and affection for her that one has for a beautiful mother whose charm and redolency of accomplishment has increased with time. In recent days there have been countless numbers on this western continent who feel that Italy has not had recognition from the world of her decision, her valor, and her accomplishment in shaping the World War to a successful end. Their interest in her has been quickened and their pride enhanced. They look forward with confidence to the time when she will again have a measure of that supremacy in the field of art and literature which once made her the cynosure of all eyes, the loadstone of all hearts. They hope to see her on a pedestal of political, social, and religious liberty worthy of the dreams of Mazzini, which shall be exposed to the admiring gaze of the whole world. Already there are indications that she is making great strides in literature and a generation of young writers is forging ahead, heralding the coming of a new order.