From ‘The Trial Runs‘, The Spectator, 22 May 1915:
LONDON is busy with rumours just now as to an imminent air raid upon the capital by German aircraft. It may be that some definite piece of information has leaked out of Germany, but it is just as likely that the rumours are due to one of those rerulsione of belief from which people always suffer when their information is scanty. Any observer may have noticed during this war that there have been regular pulsations, or cycles, of optimism and pessimism. As a rule there has not seemed to be much more reason for the one than for the other. Of course exceptional news of successes or reverses has produced its direct, natural, and measurable effect; but when there was no news in particular confidence and misgiving have succeeded one another in regular succession.
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