And speaking of freedom is not the author free?as few men are free? Is he not secure?as few men are secure? The tools of his industry are so common and so cheap that they have almost ceased to have commercial value.He needs no bulky pile of raw material?no elaborate apparatus?no service of men or animals.He is dependent for his occupation upon no one but himself?and nothing outside him that matters.He is the sovereign of an empire?self?supporting,self? one can seq one can deprive him of his stock in trade;no one can force him to exercise his faculty against his will;no one can prevent him exercising it as he chooses.The pen is the great liberato chains can bind?no poverty can choke?no tariff can restrict the free play of his mind?and even the “Times” Book Club can only exert a moderately depressing influence upon his rewards.Whether his work is good or bad?so long as he does his best he is happy.I often fortify myself ***d the uncertainties and vexations of political life by believing that I possess a line of retreat into a peaceful and fertile country where no rascal can pursue and where one need never be dull or idle or ever wholly without power.It is then?indeed?that I feel devoutly thankful to have been born fond of writing.It is then?indeed?that I feel grateful to all the brave and