Sir Edward Grey, Viscount Grey of Falloden (Topham)
Lord Grey’s Lamps and the Great War that never ends.
A letter to Chris.
My Dear Chris and friends:
In Re: “The lamps are going out all over Europe, we shall not see them lit again in our life-time,” British Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey may have remarked on the eve of Britain’s entry into the First World War. Regardless whether Grey had in fact made such a statement then, it has earned wide attention as an expression of popular perception of the First World War.
It’s not so much a function of if or no Lord Grey said what he supposedly said about lamps going out, or where and when he said it, it’s a function of that quotation ascribed to him as a useful metaphor or allegory or similar rhetorical figure of speech which serves to express a generalized point of view of the condition of things and a particular era.
That said, I think it’s fairly clear that Lord Grey’s words were very solid metaphor for the Great War and also that they have applicability to our entire century after that war.
Hence, “Lamps,” are the civilized lights of the world in the darkness and “our time,” is anytime after the dimming of those lamps
Schoolboys are taught, “The Great War is a war that never ends.” To a great extent, the Great War has yet to end.
Beyond dispute, the Great War itself resolved nothing and led, inexorably, to the Second War which, in turn, led inexorably to the rise of global Communism and likewise, more recently, radical Mohammedanism–which is the new version of what were had in past thought to be a warlike fascist/communist menace.
All these nasty forces had been kept in check by colonial Royalism and one hears it said today that the unleashing of those forces have led to “a better life for most men,” but I cannot look at the horrors unleashed by those nasty forces and conclude things are better for man today than they were prior to 1914. I simply cannot reach that conclusion.
Those of us who are Royalist, and I suppose by lineal extension in America, Republican, value not so much a particular style of life as we value an ordered life.
An ordered life.
I think that it is of little question that our century will go down as the most barbarous, murderous, uncivilized time since The Garden.
I had a girl say to me just now–“John, you have a fascination with the English country manor house lifestyle that never really existed in the sense we see it and if it did exist at all it made life grand for only a tiny few people and the rest of the people were left to rot.”
I stipulate that Royalism was no day at the beach for most who lived under it–but neither is any social system a day at the beach for most of the people who live under it.
Yes, kings and colonies are gone and yes, if put to plebiscite, most would think that is a good thing.
I differ.
I think that with the departure of Royals went civilization Herself–not to return.
If one thinks that things have gotten better for man since Lord Grey’s commentary on “The lamps,” one had best reflect on the history of our lifetimes, years lived, as they have been, in the darkness that followed the dimming of the lamps.
What one sees through the dimness, through the lamp less night, is a horrific picture of chaos and murder that continues unabated to this very day, to this very hour.
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~~In sunshine and in shadow~~I hold tight to the Republican view of time and money~~I write night and day~~yet~~while impecunious~~I am vastly overpaid~~in that taking pay to do what I love is unfair~~to my employer~~in a fair system~~under such circumstances~~I should pay him~~not he me~~I am far, far too old a man to be sexually confused~~praise Jesus~~but I am yet young enough to be politically confused~~is anyone not~~in an absolute sense~~I am a Catholic Royalist~~in a practical sense~~I am a Classical Liberal~~a Gaullist~~a Bonapartist~~an American Nationalist Republican~~in either sense~~my head is soon for the chopping block~~to hasten my interlude with Madame La Guillotine~~I write without fear~and without favor of~any man~~~Non Sibi~~Finis Origine Pendet~~~Κύριε ἐλέησον~~Rejoice and Be Glad!!
Amen~~
~The Original Angry Bird~~The Catholic University of America Screaming Red Cardinal Mascot~~
~~EX LIBRIS~~
~~THEOS EK MĒCHANĒS~~
Tuesday Morning, 5th August, Anno Domini Nostri Iesu Christi, 2014 Website: http://johndanielbegg.wordpress.com
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So thrilled to read your posts, John. I love your style of writing, and have found myself, through no fault of my own, to have been dragged, kicking and screaming, into the political arena. It is much like an addiction. Once you get started, too much, is never enough! Contact with Right-minded people from all over, fighting the same leftist tyranny, is inspiring! I only wish the entire world was aware of what is going on, behind the scenes. Shellie
Shellie–I, as you, abhor politics–but–abhor it or no, we ignore it at our peril. Write or give a ring as you can–202-966-8029–Jack