SAADA

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Petit Lancy Geneve (Switzd) Nov. 24. 1914 My dear Brooks, Your letter dated Oct 19. Very happy to hear from you. Was anxious. Later on, you may tell me the details of your flight from France. I have been in Switz'd, except for a trip to Constantinople & back, with five weeks' sojourn in that ancient & interesting city. Now I shall stay here for the remainder of the war-period. (Don't mention Constple in your letter to me) Seeling is in Boston, I learn. You may want to get in touch with him. He certainly is most anxious to meet you & follow you as his literary Mentor. If you locate him, please ask him to write to me. I don't know his address. I have been feeling rather queer lately - questioning the teachability of mankind, the doctrine of progress, of the use of sacrifice for enlightening others, (as distinguished from simplicity cultivated from enlightened hedonism), the relation of the mass to the elite, the problem of the elite, the relative value of propaganda by word and the monastic policy of setting up a light, etc. etc. I think this war will also mark a redistribution of intellectual & psychological landmarks, I believe theories of individualist anarchism & monasticism will surely be enunciated. It is rather disheartening to find the XX century opening on dismal nationalism in Europe & on a strongly entrenched feudalism in America. What a contrast to the corresponding period of the XIX century. Will the next 20 years produce a Byron & a Shelley? I wonder. Political liberty, which was needed in XIX century, was a middleclass ideal & so cd easily find singers. But the poor proletariat, which now needs economic freedom, -- it is hard for it to inspire a poet, as all the poets belong to the bourgeoisie. I don't know, but I think that the next half century will be marked by great reaction all round. This war has been the grave of many reputations & movements. It is sad to see how the learned & wise men mingle in the strife. Learning shd be above all such partisan blindness. I think Haeckel & all of them, among all nations, have cut a rather sorry figure. In USA, they are taking sides for the Triple Entente. I say, "a plague o' both of your houses." It is a war of rival commercial groups. What have I or the poor people got to do with it? I am reading as usual also wishing to write a book. Can't say if I shall summon up sufficient courage to start writing. Have improved in health on acct of the quiet & regular life. Am reading on history of Freethought & Atheism. Have made the acquaintance of several professors at the University. Can easily become a privatdocent here, but, after the imbroglio at Stanford, I have resolved not to connect myself with any regular institution. I am too erratic & explosive to be institutionalised, I think. It is best to remain a freelance. The letter from India was duly received. There have been good articles in the New Review of New York about the war. Here on the Continent sane thought is nonexistent. The issues are too vital to permit of detached reflection. People are for or against Germany. That is all. This town is violently pro-French. Much of what is being written in England is mere drivel. The Italian magazines are anti-German. No one has taken up any sociological standpoint discussing the issues involved. It is rather disappointing to see that there is now no philosophical class in Europe, which should be able to take large views & interpret human interests. I feel cramped & choked in this atmosphere. Even Kropotkin has gone the way of the rest. I am afraid that the invasion of all the nooks & corners of intellectual life by patriotism bodes ill for the future of European thought. The race of Erasmus, Goethe, Marx, shd not become extinct. The theory of national "cultures" is being heard of a great deal. I hope you will not be downhearted on acct of the economic struggle. I wish you will secure some permanent position in New York or Boston. Then you will feel more secure. Why do you hate University teaching? I have also formed new plans, which will be carried out after the war. How is Charlie? He must be a big boy now. I shall see if I can send his chocolates across the Atlantic. I often think of him as I saw him at Palo Alto. Please convey my sincerest compliments to Mrs. Brooks. With much love & fond remembrances Affectionately Har Dayal