The Attraction of Distraction.

After all, an essayist is only asked to essay or try. No reasonable editor insists on success. It is no use both of them becoming distracted. Distraction or digression is the chief ingredient of the essay. Opportunity's prodigality prods at the essayist. There is so much to be said, and so few words to say it in. It's like going into a second-hand shop to buy a bird cage. Ten to one you come out with a lame theodolite, an oleograph of Lord Roberts, a chased loving cup which seems to have been chased round a brick yard, and a stuffed pike.