Note: Images of the original pages are available through Internet Archive. See https://archive.org/details/nightswithgods00reicrich NIGHTS WITH THE GODS.. [Illustration] NIGHTS WITH THE GODS by EMIL REICH Doctor Juris Author of "Foundations of Modern Europe" "Success among Nations" etc. [Illustration] London T. Werner Laurie Cliffords Inn, Fleet Street The Riverside Press Limited, Edinburgh. CONTENTS PAGE THE FIRST NIGHT ARISTOTLE ON SPECIALISM IN ENGLAND 1 THE SECOND NIGHT DIOGENES AND PLATO ON TOLSTOY, IBSEN, SHAW, ETC. 32 THE THIRD NIGHT ALCIBIADES ON WOMEN IN ENGLAND 65 THE FOURTH NIGHT ALCIBIADES--CONTINUED 101 THE FIFTH NIGHT CÆSAR ON THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 134 THE SIXTH NIGHT APOLLO AND DIONYSUS IN ENGLAND 160 THE SEVENTH NIGHT SOCRATES, DIOGENES, AND PLATO ON RELIGION 182 FOREWORD The great spirits of the past, chiefly Hellenes, recently revisited England. With a view to an exchange of ideas on English contemporary life, they met at night in various towns of Italy, where, by the favour of Dionysus, the author was allowed to be present, and to take notes at the proceedings. The following pages contain some of the speeches delivered in the Assembly of the Gods and Heroes. THE AUTHOR. 33 ST LUKE'S ROAD, NOTTING HILL, LONDON, W. NIGHTS WITH THE GODS THE FIRST NIGHT ARISTOTLE ON SPECIALISM IN ENGLAND The first night the gods and heroes assembled on the heights around Florence. From the magnificent town there came only a faint glimmer of artificial light, and the Arno rolled its waves melodiously towards the sea. On a height full of convenient terraces, offering a view on the Lily of the Arno, on Fiesole, and on the finely undulating outlines of the Apennine Mountains, the Assembly sat down. From afar one could see the bold lines of the copy of Michelangelo's David on the hill. The evening was lovely and balmy. Zeus opened the meeting with a request directed to Alexander, King of Macedon, to ask his teacher Aristotle to entertain them with his experiences at the seats of modern learning and study. Alexander did so, and the grave Stagirite, mellowed by the years, addressed the Assembly as follows: