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moment I would say that the business of a National Theatre is the glorification of London. I said just now that you lacked the civic sense, sir. Perhaps I should have worded my reproof differently, and said: You are forgetful for the moment of the civic sense, which is your possession as much as mine. And to recall the civic sense to your consciousness I would remind you that we might destroy a great deal of London without destroying London; leave us our buildings, and London would still be London. But think, sir, if you can, of London without Westminster Abbey and St Paul's. These and the many beautiful churches that throng our streets may not be as useful as garages, and for this reason there are many among us who would pull down our churches, pleading that they are without sufficient congregations, and that the thoroughfares need widening for a freer circulation of traffic and a more rapid passage of motor cars. The abolition of the National Gallery would long ago have been advocated if our utilitarians did not feel that they might find themselves in the minority—an unpardonable sin—and for the moment they prefer to justify the National Gallery as a place where young women and young men go to study the art of painting.

Moore: As well might they study Chaucer with a view to qualifying for the post of sub-editor on one of our dailies. Only the great artist can study the past with impunity; he understands at a glance, and passes on. We must live in our own time; a modern theatre will serve us better than an archaic. Let us consider the sites that have occurred to you, Barker, as suitable for a National Theatre.

Barker: It has often been in my mind to petition the King to concede a corner of St James' Park—

Moore: A theatre in St James' Park! How wonderful! Go on talking, Barker. I like listening to you; go on talking.

Barker: But for the King to concede two or three acres of St James' Park would be the thin end of the wedge. I'm sorry I can't think of a newer simile.

Moore: Nobody has ever thought of a better one. The thin end goes on for ever, like the roseate fingers of the dawn. But you were saying?

Barker: I was saying that if the King were to grant us a site in St James' Park for a National Theatre, other requests would come to him—for a college—