Chapter 17

           ThesymbolsofHonourandGloryandTimethatlookedsohandsomeinthefloodingsunlightoftheTitanic’sstairwayliecrushedintounrecognizableshapesandsplintersbeneaththetonnageoftwothousandfathomsofoceanwater.Timeisnomoreforthefifteenhundredsoulswhoperishedwiththem;butHonourandGlory,bystrangewaysandunlooked-forevents,havecomeintotheirown.ItwasnotTime,northecreaturesandthingsofTime,thatreceivedtheirfinalcrownthere;butthingsthathavenothingtodowithTime,qualitiesthat,intheirpowerofrisingbeyondallhumanlimitations,wemustneedscalldivine.

           TheTitanicwasinmoresensesthanoneafool’sparadise.Thereisnothingthatmancanbuildthatnaturecannotdestroy,andfarashemayadvanceinmightandknowledgeandcunning,herblindstrengthwillalwaysbemorethanhismatch.Butmeneasilyforgetthis;theywishtoforgetit;andthebeautifulandcomfortableandagreeableequipmentofthisshiphelpedthemtoforgetit.Youmaycoverthewallsofashipwithrarewoodsandupholsterthemwithtapestriesandbrocades,butitisthebaresteelwallsbehindthemonwhichyoudependtokeepoutthewater;itisthestrengthofthosewalls,relativelytothestrengthofsuchnaturalforcesasmaybearrayedagainstthem,onwhichthesafetyoftheshipdepends.Iftheyareweakerthansomethingwhichassailsthem,thewatermustcomeinandtheshipmustsink.