“There on the pavement these inexpert children of a pacific age, untrained in arms and uninured to violence, abandoned themselves to amateurish and absurd efforts to hurt and injure one another—of which the most palpable consequences were dusty backs, ruffled hair and torn and twisted collars.” —H.G. Wells, The History of Mr Polly, 1910 It’s written with a clear and piercing note Of patronizing regret, of sheer disgust At the poor bloodless things men have become— Hardly a trace of honest lust For blood or battle, only the odd sight Of two small shopkeepers bickering Over some trifle, only an…