Browning, although in this year 1847 he made a move towards an appointment as secretary to a mission to the Vatican, at heart cared little for men in groups or societies; he cared greatly for individuals, for the growth of individual character.

He had faith in a forward movement of society; but the law of social evolution, as he conceived it, is not in the hands of political leaders or ministers of state.

He valued liberty chiefly because each man here on earth is in process of being tested, in process of being formed, and liberty is the condition of a man's true probation and development.

Late in life he was asked to give his answer to the question: "Why am I a Liberal ?" and he gave it succinctly in a sonnet which he did not reprint in any edition of his Works, although it received otherwise a wide circulation.

It may be cited here as a fragment of biography: "Why ?" Because all I haply can and do, All that I am now, all I hope to be,-- Whence comes it save from fortune setting free Body and soul the purpose to pursue, God traced for both?
If fetters, not a few, Of prejudice, convention, fall from me, These shall I bid men--each in his degree Also God-guided--bear, and gladly too?
But little do or can the best of us: That little is achieved through Liberty.
Who then dares hold--emancipated thus-- His fellow shall continue bound?
Not I Who live, love, labour freely, nor discuss A brother's right to freedom.