but the fear of hurting these people; and of hurting
one person in particular who has always been dear to
me above all others. Who can say how many hesita-
tions, reticences and digressions are due to consider-
ation and affection? As for simple delays, I cannot
hold them regrettable, believing as I do that artists of
our time err most often through a great lack of pa-
tience. Many of the works served up to us today
would have been improved had they been given the
opportunity to mature. Ideas which at first appear
brilliant may perish tomorrow. For this reason I
waited a long time to write this book, and, once it
was written, to publish it. I wanted to be certain that
I would not have to retract what I had written in
Corydon and which seemed to me so self-evident.
But no! my ideas have been confirmed by time, and
the only reproach I have against myself is that this
book should be so reserved and timid. The ten years
which have elapsed since it was written have brought
fresh examples, arguments and evidence to corrobo-
rate my theories. What I believed before the war, I
believe more strongly today. The indignation that
Corydon will arouse does not shake my belief that
what I say here ought to be said. Not that I consider
one should say all one thinks, and say it whenever
one chooses--but this must be said, and now is the
time. ¹

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