March 18, 2015

Finest Hour 160, Autumn 2013

Page 61

Bangalore, 24 May 1898

I have adopted this method of recording a few things that I have noticed, while I have been alive. I do not associate myself with the actions and opinions of my characters, some of whom[,] I fear, are very shocking people. Yet the moralist may console himself with the reflection, that the story ends, at least, in the triumph of comparative virtue.

Books are frequently written with an ulterior object; to plead some cause or to teach some great moral lesson. The object of these pages is only to amuse. like the perfect dinner they should be agreeable at the time and never cause a thought afterwards.

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Originally the tale was intended to be pacific. An interruption in writing was caused by the war on the North West frontier of India. The scenes and experiences of that time may have invested the closing pages with a ruddier tinge; and my endeavours are now extended to pleasing varied tastes, philosophic or blood thirsty.

I have drawn a bow at a venture—for I have written what would please me to read. “every man” says Schopenhauer “must necessarily take chief pleasure in his own work, because it is the mirror of his own mind, the echo of his own thoughts; and next in order will come the work of people like him.” Personally I consider that this story deals with many things which are of interest, and I shall hope that among that vast audience to whom a writer of English may appeal, there will be some with minds of similar type to mine, who will agree with me. —Winston S. Churchill