"Humph! Miss Vernon used to insist that the round towers of Ireland were built by the Western Ghebers," remarked Winter. "It is quite possible!" responded Galliard. "Any thing so far beyond our historical period may be possible," observed Langley. "Ah," said Galliard, "you consider them anterior to the Celtic invasions, Miss Vernon?" "The author, whose writings on the subject I have read, thought so," replied Kate. "Galliard's strong point is Celtic antiquity," said their host. "It is a subject full of profound and melancholy interest," he replied. "Why melancholy?" asked Winter. "Because," rejoined Galliard, "of the contrast between their past and present." "The strongest proof they were an inferior race," said Langley, "otherwise they would not have given way so rapidly before the Saxons." "A thoroughly English observation," cried Galliard. "You are poor and powerless, therefore you deserve to be so." "That's not a fair commentary," said Langley. "There are two causes, which, to a reflective mind, sufficiently explain, the deterioration of the Celtic race, morally and physically," observed Galliard, thoughtfully. "And they are?" asked Kate. "Their quick fancy, and unselfish nature." "How do you make that out?" said Winter. "First, the Saxon sees distinctly but one end or object, to the attainment of which his every faculty is devoted. The Celt's livelier imagination presents him with half a dozen, at all of which he grasps with equal eagerness, and thus his powers are divided and dispersed. Secondly, a Saxon's first thought is of himself, and in this he is consistent; while, owing to the peculiarity of fallen humanity, the Celt's self-forgetfulness is inconsistent; thus, place a Saxon where you will, he possesses in himself a nucleus round which all his energies, hopes, and projects centre; and having a centre, stands. While the Celt works one day for himself, the next for a friend, the next to spite an enemy, the next to do him a service, and so he is, finally, nowhere. Your Saxon will have no objection to do all this in a lump, if it does not interfere with his own interests," and Galliard leaned back and took snuff. "So," said Colonel Vernon, "our greatest errors spring from our noblest qualities!" "The noblest qualities of mankind! It is man's fate!" returned Galliard. "You argue ingeniously; but--" said Langley. "But truly," interrupted Galliard. "What was it chained the French nation to Napoleon? Imagination! What enabled Bruce to conquer Edward at Bannockburn? Imagination! What rivets the heart of the Irish peasant to the flattering demagogue, or arms his hand against his landlord? Imagination!" "And the want of a Cogitative nose," put in Winter. "There's an upset for you, mounseer," said Mr. Storey. "Really," said Mrs. Storey, "I think, Mrs. Winter, we had better leave the gentlemen to fight it out." They all rose.