ONE THOUSAND FAMOUS THINGS 325
I regard this as a unique gathering, where we can tell one another
ef our successes, and also of our failures and mistakes. But there
will be no sharp criticism nor vain regrets, for we are in sympathy
one with another, conscious that we have acted according to our
lights for the good name and ordered prosperity of the family.
We are sometimes told that we are lacking in logic, our political
institutions loose and undefined. But I look back on the trying and
testing time through which we have passed and wonder whether a
less flexible system would have withstood the strains to which we have
been subjected. With cornmonsense and goodwill as our shield and
buckler we have kept, in spite of all difficulties, our heritage of
liberty, alike for the individual and for our many constituent races.
The numberless and invisible ties of sentiment and tradition which
bind ustogether are indeed delicate ; but many strands make a cable,
strong tt> bind in times of adversity. It is my prayer, no less than
my firm belief, that this bond of the spirit may prove also the bond
of peace.
To the Schools of London
These are the last words George the Fifth sent to the children of London schools
You are the heirs of a great past; but the future is yours, and is
your high responsibility. Each of you must try to be a good
citizen in a good city. To this end you must make the best of all
your powers. Strive to grow in strength, in knowledge, and in grace.
If you persist bravely in this endeavour you will work worthily for
your family, your city, your country, and for mankind.
So to live, in whatever sphere, must be noble and may be great.
My confident trust is in you.
None Shall Make Us Afraid
George the Fifth to both Houses of Parliament assembled inthe
famous Westminster Hall under the roof built b$/ William Sufus
npHE Mother of Parliaments and her children, grown to full estate,
JL stand now upon equal terms in common allegiance to the Grown.
The unity of the British Empire is no longer expressed by the
supremacy of the time-honoured Parliament that sits here at West-
minster.
The Crown is the historic symbol that unites this great family of
nations and races scattered over every quarter of the Earth.
The United Kingdom and the Dominions, India, the numerous
Colonies and dependencies embrace such wide varieties of speech,
culture, and form of government as have never before in the world's
history been brought into a commonwealth of peace.
In these days when fear and preparation for war are agaia astir
in the world, let us be thankful that quiet government and peace