第2章

Itmatterslittlewhetherourmastersstooptostatethematterintheformthateveryprisonshouldbeaschool;orinthemorecandidformthateveryschoolshouldbeaprison。Theyhavealreadyfulfilledtheirservileprincipleinthecaseoftheschools。EveryonegoestotheElementarySchoolsexceptthefewpeoplewhotellthemtogothere。I

prophesythat(unlessourrevoltsucceeds)nearlyeveryonewillbegoingtoPrison,withapreciselysimilarpatience。

VIII。THELASHFORLABOUR

IfIweretoprophesythattwohundredyearshenceagrocerwouldhavetherightandhabitofbeatingthegrocer\'sassistantwithastick,orthatshopgirlsmightbeflogged,astheyalreadycanbefined,manywouldregarditasratherarashremark。Itwouldbearashremark。Prophecyisalwaysunreliable;unlessweexceptthekindwhichisavowedlyirrational,mysticalandsupernaturalprophecy。Butrelativelytonearlyalltheotherpropheciesthatarebeingmadearoundmeto-day,Ishouldsaymypredictionstoodanexceptionallygoodchance。Inshort,IthinkthegrocerwiththestickisafigurewearefarmorelikelytoseethantheSupermanortheSamurai,ortheTrueModelEmployer,orthePerfectFabianOfficial,orthecitizenoftheCollectivistState。AnditisbestforustoseethefulluglinessofthetransformationwhichispassingoverourSocietyinsomesuchabruptandevengrotesqueimageattheendofit。Thebeginningsofadecline,ineveryageofhistory,havealwayshadtheappearanceofbeingreforms。NeronotonlyfiddledwhileRomewasburning,butheprobablyreallypaidmoreattentiontothefiddlethantothefire。TheRoiSoleil,likemanyothersoleils,wasmostsplendidtoallappearancealittlebeforesunset。AndifIaskmyselfwhatwillbetheultimateandfinalfruitofalloursocialreforms,gardencities,modelemployers,insurances,exchanges,arbitrationcourts,andsoon,then,Isay,quiteseriously,\"Ithinkitwillbelabourunderthelash。\"

TheSultanandtheSackLetusarrangeinsomeorderanumberofconvergingconsiderationsthatallpointinthisdirection。(1)Itisbroadlytrue,nodoubt,thattheweaponoftheemployerhashithertobeenthethreatofdismissal,thatis,thethreatofenforcedstarvation。HeisaSultanwhoneednotorderthebastinado,solongashecanorderthesack。Buttherearenotafewsignsthatthisweaponisnotquitesoconvenientandflexibleaoneashisincreasingrapacitiesrequire。Thefactoftheintroductionoffines,secretlyoropenly,inmanyshopsandfactories,provesthatitisconvenientforthecapitaliststohavesometemporaryandadjustableformofpunishmentbesidesthefinalpunishmentofpureruin。Norisitdifficulttoseethecommonsenseofthisfromtheirwhollyinhumanpointofview。Theactofsackingamanisattendedwiththesamedisadvantagesastheactofshootingaman:oneofwhichisthatyoucangetnomoreoutofhim。Itis,Iamtold,distinctlyannoyingtoblowafellowcreature\'sbrainsoutwitharevolverandthensuddenlyrememberthathewastheonlypersonwhoknewwheretogetthebestRussiancigarettes。SoourSultan,whoistheordererofthesack,isalsothebearerofthebow-string。A

schoolinwhichtherewasnopunishment,exceptexpulsion,wouldbeaschoolinwhichitwouldbeverydifficulttokeepproperdiscipline;andthesortofdisciplineonwhichthereformedcapitalismwillinsistwillbeallofthetypewhichinfreenationsisimposedonlyonchildren。

Suchaschoolwouldprobablybeinachronicconditionofbreakingupfortheholidays。Andthereasonsfortheinsufficiencyofthisextremeinstrumentarealsovariedandevident。ThematerialisticSociologists,whotalkaboutthesurvivalofthefittestandtheweakestgoingtothewall(andwhosewayoflookingattheworldistoputonthelatestandmostpowerfulscientificspectacles,andthenshuttheireyes),frequentlytalkasifaworkmanweresimplyefficientornon-efficient,asifacriminalwerereclaimableorirreclaimable。Theemployershavesenseenoughatleasttoknowbetterthanthat。Theycanseethataservantmaybeusefulinonewayandexasperatinginanother;thathemaybebadinonepartofhisworkandgoodinanother;thathemaybeoccasionallydrunkandyetgenerallyindispensable。Justasapracticalschool-masterwouldknowthataschoolboycanbeatoncetheplagueandtheprideoftheschool。Underthesecircumstancessmallandvaryingpenaltiesareobviouslythemostconvenientthingsforthepersonkeepingorder;anunderlingcanbepunishedforcominglate,andyetdousefulworkwhenhecomes。Itwillbepossibletogivearapovertheknuckleswithoutwhollycuttingofftherighthandthathasoffended。Underthesecircumstancestheemployershavenaturallyresortedtofines。Butthereisafurthergroundforbelievingthattheprocesswillgobeyondfinesbeforeitiscompleted。

(2)ThefineisbasedontheoldEuropeanideathateverybodypossessesprivatepropertyinsomereasonabledegree;butnotonlyisthisnottrueto-day,butitisnotbeingmadeanytruer,evenbythosewhohonestlybelievethattheyaremendingmatters。Thegreatemployerswilloftendosomethingtowardsimprovingwhattheycallthe\"conditions\"oftheirworkers;butaworkermighthavehisconditionsascarefullyarrangedasaracehorsehas,andstillhavenomorepersonalpropertythanaracehorse。

Ifyoutakeanaveragepoorseamstressorfactorygirl,youwillfindthatthepowerofchastisingherthroughherpropertyhasveryconsiderablelimits;itisalmostashardfortheemployeroflabourtotaxherforpunishmentasitisfortheChancelloroftheExchequertotaxherforrevenue。Thenextmostobviousthingtothinkof,ofcourse,wouldbeimprisonment,andthatmightbeeffectiveenoughundersimplerconditions。

Anold-fashionedshopkeepermighthavelockeduphisapprenticeinhiscoal-cellar;buthiscoal-cellarwouldbeareal,pitchdarkcoal-cellar,andtherestofhishousewouldbearealhumanhouse。Everybody(especiallytheapprentice)wouldseeamostperceptibledifferencebetweenthetwo。But,asIpointedoutinthearticlebeforethis,thewholetendencyofthecapitalistlegislationandexperimentistomakeimprisonmentmuchmoregeneralandautomatic,whilemakingit,orprofessingtomakeit,morehumane。Inotherwords,thehygienicprisonandtheservilefactorywillbecomesouncommonlylikeeachotherthatthepoormanwillhardlyknoworcarewhetherheisatthemomentexpiatinganoffenceormerelyswellingadividend。Inbothplacestherewillbethesamesortofshinytiles。Inneitherplacewilltherebeanycellsounwholesomeasacoal-cellarorsowholesomeasahome。Theweaponoftheprison,therefore,liketheweaponofthefine,willbefoundtohaveconsiderablelimitationstoitseffectivenesswhenemployedagainstthewretchedreducedcitizenofourday。Whetheritbepropertyorlibertyyoucannottakefromhimwhathehasnotgot。Youcannotimprisonaslave,becauseyoucannotenslaveaslave。

TheBarbarousRevival(3)Mostpeople,onhearingthesuggestionthatitmaycometocorporalpunishmentatlast(asitdidineveryslavesystemIeverheardof,includingsomethatweregenerallykindly,andevensuccessful),willmerelybestruckwithhorrorandincredulity,andfeelthatsuchabarbarousrevivalisunthinkableinthemodernatmosphere。Howfaritwillbe,orneedbe,arevivaloftheactualimagesandmethodsofrudertimesIwilldiscussinamoment。Butfirst,asanotheroftheconverginglinestendingtocorporalpunishment,considerthis:thatforsomereasonorothertheoldfull-bloodedandmasculinehumanitarianisminthismatterhasweakenedandfallensilent;ithasweakenedandfallensilentinaverycuriousmanner,theprecisereasonforwhichIdonotaltogetherunderstand。IknewtheaverageLiberal,theaverageNonconformistminister,theaverageLabourMember,theaveragemiddle-classSocialist,were,withalltheirgoodqualities,verydeficientinwhatIconsiderarespectforthehumansoul。ButIdidimaginethattheyhadtheordinarymodernrespectforthehumanbody。Thefact,however,isclearandincontrovertible。Inspiteofthehorrorofallhumanepeople,inspiteofthehesitationevenofourcorruptandpanic-strickenParliament,measurescannowbetriumphantlypassedforspreadingorincreasingtheuseofphysicaltorture,andforapplyingittothenewestandvaguestcategoriesofcrime。Thirtyorfortyyearsago,nay,twentyyearsago,whenMr。F。HughO\'DonnellandothersforcedaLiberalGovernmenttodropthecat-\'o-nine-tailslikeascorpion,wecouldhavecountedonamassofhonesthatredofsuchthings。Wecannotcountonitnow。

(4)Butlastly,itisnotnecessarythatinthefactoriesofthefuturetheinstitutionofphysicalpunishmentshouldactuallyremindpeopleofthejambokortheknout。Itcouldeasilybedevelopedoutofthemanyformsofphysicaldisciplinewhicharealreadyusedbyemployersontheexcusesofeducationorhygiene。Alreadyinsomefactoriesgirlsareobligedtoswimwhethertheylikeitornot,ordogymnasticswhethertheylikeitornot。ByasimpleextensionofhoursorcomplicationofexercisesapairofSwedishclubscouldeasilybesousedastoleavetheirvictimasexhaustedasonewhohadcomeofftherack。Ithinkitextremelylikelythattheywillbe。

IX。THEMASKOFSOCIALISM

ThechiefaimofallhonestSocialistsjustnowistopreventthecomingofSocialism。Idonotsayitasasneer,but,onthecontrary,asacompliment;acomplimenttotheirpoliticalinstinctandpublicspirit。I

admititmaybecalledanexaggeration;buttherereallyisasortofshamSocialismthatthemodrnpoliticiansmayquitepossiblyagreetosetup;

iftheydosucceedinsettingitup,thebattleforthepoorislost。

Wemustnote,firstofall,ageneraltruthaboutthecurioustimewelivein。ItwillnotbesodifficultassomepeoplemaysupposetomaketheServileStatelookratherlikeSocialism,especiallytothemorepedantickindofSocialist。Thereasonisthis。TheoldlucidandtrenchantexpounderofSocialism,suchasBlatchfordorFredHenderson,alwaysdescribestheeconomicpoweroftheplutocratsasconsistinginprivateproperty。Ofcourse,inasense,thisisquitetrue;thoughtheytoooftenmissthepointthatprivateproperty,assuch,isnotthesameaspropertyconfinedtothefew。Butthetruthisthatthesituationhasgrownmuchmoresubtle;perhapstoosubtle,nottosaytooinsane,forstraight-thinkingtheoristslikeBlatchford。Therichmanto-daydoesnotonlyrulebyusingprivateproperty;healsorulesbytreatingpublicpropertyasifitwereprivateproperty。AmanlikeLordMurraypulledthestrings,especiallythepursestrings;butthewholepointofhispositionwasthatallsortsofstringshadgotentangled。Thesecretstrengthofthemoneyhehelddidnotliemerelyinthefactthatitwashismoney。Itlaypreciselyinthefactthatnobodyhadanyclearideaofwhetheritwashismoney,orhissuccessor\'smoney,orhisbrother\'smoney,ortheMarconiCompany\'smoney,ortheLiberalParty\'smoney,ortheEnglishNation\'smoney。Itwasburiedtreasure;butitwasnotprivateproperty。Itwastheacmeofplutocracybecauseitwasnotprivateproperty。Now,byfollowingthisprecedent,thisunprincipledvaguenessaboutofficialandunofficialmoneysbythecheerfulhabitofalwaysmixingupthemoneyinthepocketwiththemoneyinthetill,itwouldbequitepossibletokeeptherichasrichaseverinpractice,thoughtheymighthavesufferedconfiscationintheory。Mr。LloydGeorgehasfourhundredayearasanM。P。;buthenotonlygetsmuchmoreasaMinister,buthemightatanytimegetimmeasurablymorebyspeculatingonStatesecretsthatarenecessarilyknowntohim。Somesaythathehasevenattemptedsomethingofthekind。Now,itwouldbequitepossibletocutMr。Georgedown,nottofourhundredayear,buttofourpenceaday;andstillleavehimalltheseotherandenormousfinancialsuperiorities。ItmustberememberedthataSocialistState,inanywayresemblingamodernState,must,howeveregalitarianitmaybe,havethehandlingofhugesums,andtheenjoymentoflargeconveniences;itisnotimprobablethatthesamemenwillhandleandenjoyinmuchthesamemanner,thoughintheorytheyaredoingitasinstruments,andnotasindividuals。Forinstance,thePrimeMinisterhasaprivatehouse,whichisalso(IgrievetoinformthateminentPuritan)apublichouse。ItissupposedtobeasortofGovernmentoffice;thoughpeopledonotgenerallygivechildren\'sparties,orgotobedinaGovernmentoffice。IdonotknowwhereMr。HerbertSamuellives;butIhavenodoubthedoeshimselfwellinthematterofdecorationandfurniture。OntheexistingofficialparallelthereisnoneedtomoveanyofthesethingsinordertoSocialisethem。Thereisnoneedtowithdrawonediamond-headednailfromthecarpet;oronegoldenteaspoonfromthetray。Itisonlynecessarytocallitanofficialresidence,like10Downing-street。IthinkitisnotatallimprobablethatthisPlutocracy,pretendingtobeaBureaucracy,willbeattemptedorachieved。Ourwealthyrulerswillbeinthepositionwhichgrumblersintheworldofsportsometimesattributetosomeofthe\"gentlemen\"players。

Theyassertthatsomeofthesearepaidlikeanyprofessional;onlytheirpayiscalledtheirexpenses。Thissystemmightrunsidebysidewithatheoryofequalwages,asabsoluteasthatoncelaiddownbyMr。BernardShaw。BythetheoryoftheState,Mr。HerbertSamuelandMr。LloydGeorgemightbehumblecitizens,drudgingfortheirfourpenceaday;andnobetteroffthanportersandcoal-heavers。IftherewerepresentedtoourmeresenseswhatappearedtobetheformofMr。HerbertSamuelinanastrakhancoatandamotor-car,weshouldfindtherecordoftheexpenditure(ifwecouldfinditatall)undertheheadingof\"SpeedLimitExtensionEnquiryCommission。\"Ifitfelltoourlottobehold(withtheeyeofflesh)whatseemedtobeMr。LloydGeorgelyinginahammockandsmokingacostlycigar,weshouldknowthattheexpenditurewouldbedividedbetweenthe\"ConditionofRopeandNettingInvestigationDepartment,\"andthe\"StateofCubanTobaccoTrade:ImperialInspector\'sReport。\"

SuchisthesocietyIthinktheywillbuildunlesswecanknockitdownasfastastheybuildit。Everythinginit,tolerableorintolerable,willhavebutoneuse;andthatusewhatourancestorsusedtocallusanceorusury。Itsartmaybegoodorbad,butitwillbeanadvertisementforusurers;itsliteraturemaybegoodorbad,butitwillappealtothepatronageofusurers;itsscientificselectionwillselectaccordingtotheneedsofusurers;itsreligionwillbejustcharitableenoughtopardonusurers;itspenalsystemwillbejustcruelenoughtocrushallthecriticsofusurers:thetruthofitwillbeSlavery:andthetitleofitmayquitepossiblybeSocialism。

THEESCAPE

Wewatchedyoubuilding,stonebystone,Thewell-washedcellsandwell-washedgravesWeshallinhabitbutnotownWhenBritonsevershallbeslaves;

Thewater\'swaitinginthetrough,Thetameoatssownareportionedfree,ThereisEnough,andjustEnough,Andallisreadynowbutwe。

Butyouhavenotcaughtusyet,mylords,Youhaveusstilltoget。

Asorryarmyyou\'dhavegot,Itsflagsareragsthatfloatandrot,Itsdrumsareemptypanandpot,Itsbaggageis——anemptycot;

Butyouhavenotcaughtusyet。

Alittle;andwemighthaveslippedWhencameyourrumoursandyoursalesAndthefoiledrichmen,feeble-lipped,Saidandunsaidtheirsorrytales;

GreatGod!ItneedsabolderbrowTokeeptensheepinsideapen,Andwearesheepnolongernow;

YouarebutMasters。WeareMen。

Wegiveyouallgoodthanks,mylords,Webuyateasyprice;

Thanksforthethousandsthatyoustole,Thebribesbywire,thebetsoncoal,TheknowledgeofthatnakedwholeThathathdeliveredourfleshandsoulOutofyourParadise。

Wehadheldsafeyourparks;butwhenMentauntedyouwithbribeandfee,WeonlysawtheLordofMenGrinlikeanApeandclimbatree;

AndhumblyhadwestoodwithoutYourprincelybarns;didwenotseeInpointedfacespeeringoutWhatRatsnowownthegranary。

Itistoolate,toolate,mylords,Wegiveyoubackyourgrace:

YoucannotwithallcajolingMakethewetditch,orwindsthatsting,Lostpride,orthepawnedweddingrings,OrdrinkorDeathablackerthingThanasmileuponyourface。

THENEWRAID

Thetwokindsofsocialreform,oneofwhichmightconceivablyfreeusatlastwhiletheotherwouldcertainlyenslaveusforever,areexhibitedinaneasyworkingmodelinthetwoeffortsthathavebeenmadeforthesoldiers\'wives——Imeantheefforttoincreasetheirallowanceandtheefforttocurtailtheirallegeddrinking。Inthepreliminaryconsideration,atanyrate,wemustseethesecondquestionasquitedetachedfromourownsympathiesonthespecialsubjectoffermentedliquor。Itcouldbeappliedtoanyotherpleasureorornamentoflife;itwillbeappliedtoeveryotherpleasureandornamentoflifeiftheCapitalistcampaigncansucceed。Theargumentweknow;butitcannotbetoooftenmadeclear。Anemployer,letussay,paysaseamstresstwopenceaday,andshedoesnotseemtothriveonit。Solittle,perhaps,doesshethriveonitthattheemployerhasevensomedifficultyinthrivinguponher。Thereareonlytwothingsthathecando,andthedistinctionbetweenthemcutsthewholesocialandpoliticalworldintwo。Itisatouchstonebywhichwecan——notsometimes,butalways——distinguisheconomicequalityfromservilesocialreform。Hecangivethegirlsomemagnificentsum,suchassixpenceaday,todoasshelikeswith,andtrustthatherimprovedhealthandtemperwillworkforthebenefitofhisbusiness。Orhemaykeephertotheoriginalsumofashillingaweek,butearmarkeachofthepenniestobeusedornottobeusedforaparticularpurpose。Ifshemustnotspendthispennyonabunchofviolets,orthatpennyonanovelette,ortheotherpennyonatoyforsomebaby,itispossiblethatshewillconcentrateherexpendituremoreuponphysicalnecessities,andsobecome,fromtheemployer\'spointofview,amoreefficientperson。Withoutthetroubleofaddingtwopencetoherwages,hehasaddedtwopenny-worthtoherfood。Inshort,shehastheholysatisfactionofbeingworthmorewithoutbeingpaidmore。

ThisCapitalistisaningeniousperson,andhasmanypolishedcharacteristics;butIthinkthemostsingularthingabouthimishisstaggeringlackofshame。Neitherthehourofdeathnorthedayofreckoning,neitherthetentofexilenorthehouseofmourning,neitherchivalrynorpatriotism,neitherwomanhoodnorwidowhood,issafeatthissuprememomentfromhisdirtylittleexpedientofdietingtheslave。Assimilarbullies,whentheycollecttheslumrents,putafootintheopendoor,thesearealwaysreadytopushinamuddywedgewhereverthereisaslitinasunderedhouseholdoracrackinabrokenheart。Toamanofanymanhoodnothingcanbeconceivedmoreloathsomeandsacrilegiousthanevensomuchasaskingwhetherawomanwhohasgivenupallshelovedtodeathandthefatherlandhasorhasnotshownsomeweaknessinherseekingforself-comfort。IknownotinwhichofthetwocasesIshouldcountmyselfthebaserforinquiring——acasewherethechargewasfalseoracasewhereitwastrue。ButthephilanthropicemployerofthesortI

describeisnotamanofanymanhood;inasenseheisnotamanatall。

Heshowssomeconsciousnessofthefactwhenhecallshisworkers\"men\"asdistinctfrommasters。Hecannotcomprehendthegallantryofcostermongersorthedelicacythatisquitecommonamongcabmen。Hefindsthissocialreformbyhalf-rationsonthewholetohismercantileprofit,anditwillbehardtogethimtothinkofanythingelse。

Buttherearepeopleassistinghim,peopleliketheDuchessofMarlborough,whoknownottheirrighthandfromtheirleft,andtothesewemaylegitimatelyaddressourremonstranceandaresumeofsomeofthefactstheydonotknow。TheDuchessofMarlboroughis,Ibelieve,anAmerican,andthisseparatesherfromtheprobleminaspecialway,becausethedrinkquestioninAmericaisentirelydifferentfromthedrinkquestioninEngland。ButIwishtheDuchessofMarlboroughwouldpinupinherprivatestudy,sidebysidewiththeDeclarationofIndependence,adocumentrecordingthefollowingsimpletruths:(1)Beer,whichislargelydrunkinpublic-houses,isnotaspiritoragrogoracocktailoradrug。

ItisthecommonEnglishliquidforquenchingthethirst;itissostillamonginnumerablegentlemen,and,untilverylately,wassoamonginnumerableladies。MostofusrememberdamesofthelastgenerationwhosemannerswerefitforVersailles,andwhodrankaleorStoutasamatterofcourse。Schoolboysdrankaleasamatterofcourse,andtheirschoolmastersgaveittothemasamatterofcourse。Totellapoorwomanthatshemustnothaveanyuntilhalfthedayisoverissimplycracked,liketellingadogorachildthathemustnothavewater。(2)Thepublic-houseisnotasecretrendezvousofbadcharacters。Itistheopenandobviousplaceforacertainpurpose,whichallmenusedforthatpurposeuntiltherichbegantobesnobsandthepoortobecomeslaves。

OnemightaswellwarnpeopleagainstWillesdenJunction。(3)Manypoorpeopleliveinhouseswheretheycannot,withoutgreatpreparation,offerhospitality。(4)Theclimateofthesepicturesqueislandsdoesnotfavourconductinglongconversationswithone\'soldestfriendsonanironseatinthepark。(5)Halfpastelevena。m。isnotearlyinthedayforawomanwhogetsupbeforesix。(6)ThebodiesandmindsofthesewomenbelongtoGodandtothemselves。

THENEWNAME

Somethinghascomeintoourcommunity,whichisstrongenoughtosaveourcommunity;butwhichhasnotyetgotaname。LetnoonefancyIconfessanyunrealitywhenIconfessthenamelessness。ThemoralitycalledPuritanism,thetendencycalledLiberalism,thereactioncalledToryDemocracy,hadnotonlylongbeenpowerful,buthadpracticallydonemostoftheirwork,beforetheseactualnameswereattachedtothem。

Nevertheless,Ithinkitwouldbeagoodthingtohavesomeportableandpracticablewayofreferringtothosewhothinkaswedoinourmainconcern。Whichis,thatmeninEnglandareruled,atthisminutebytheclock,bybruteswhorefusethembread,byliarswhorefusethemnews,andbyfoolswhocannotgovern,andthereforewishtoenslave。

LetmeexplainfirstwhyIamnotsatisfiedwiththewordcommonlyused,WhichIhaveoftenusedmyself;andwhich,insomecontexts,isquitetherightwordtouse。Imeantheword\"rebel。\"Passingoverthefactthatmanywhounderstandthejusticeofourcause(asagreatmanyattheUniversities)wouldstillusetheword\"rebel\"initsoldandstrictsenseasmeaningonlyadisturberofjustrule。Ipasstoamuchmorepracticalpoint。Theword\"rebel\"understatesourcause。Itismuchtoomild;itletsourenemiesoffmuchtooeasily。ThereisatraditioninallwesternlifeandlettersofPrometheusdefyingthestars,ofmanatwarwiththeUniverse,anddreamingwhatnaturehadneverdaredtodream。Allthisisvaluableinitsplaceandproportion。Butithasnothingwhatevertodowithourease;orratheritverymuchweakensit。Theplutocratswillbeonlytoopleasedifweprofesstopreachanewmorality;fortheyknowjollywellthattheyhavebrokentheoldone。Theywillbeonlytoopleasedtobeabletosaythatwe,byourownconfession,aremerelyrestlessandnegative;thatweareonlywhatwecallrebelsandtheycallcranks。Butitisnottrue;andwemustnotconcedeittothemforamoment。ThemodelmillionaireismoreofacrankthantheSocialists;

justasNerowasmoreofacrankthantheChristians。Andavaricehasgonemadinthegoverningclassto-day,justaslustwentmadinthecircleofNero。Byalltheworkingandorthodoxstandardsofsanity,capitalismisinsane。IshouldnotsaytoMr。Rockefeller\"Iamarebel。\"

Ishouldsay\"Iamarespectableman:andyouarenot。\"

OurLawlessEnemiesButthevitalpointisthattheconfessionofmererebellionsoftensthestartlinglawlessnessofourenemies。Supposeapublisher\'sclerkpolitelyaskedhisemployerforariseinhissalary;and,onbeingrefused,saidhemustleavetheemploymont?Supposetheemployerknockedhimdownwitharuler,tiedhimupasabrownpaperparcel,addressedhim(inafinebusinesshand)totheGovernorofRioJaneiroandthenaskedthepolicemantopromisenevertoarresthimforwhathehaddone?Thatisaprecisecopy,ineverylegalandmoralprinciple,ofthe\"deportationofthestrikers。\"Theywereassaultedandkidnappedfornotacceptingacontract,andfornothingelse;andtheactwassoavowedlycriminalthatthelawhadtobealteredafterwardstocoverthecrime。Nowsupposesomepostalofficial,betweenhereandRioJaneiro,hadnoticedafaintkickinginsidethebrownpaperparcel,andhadattemptedtoascertainthecause。Andsupposetheclerkcouldonlyexplain,inamuffledvoicethroughthebrownpaper,thathewasbyconstitutionandtemperamentaRebel。Don\'tyouseethathewouldberatherunderstatinghiscase?

Don\'tyouseehewouldbebearinghisinjuriesmuchtoomeekly?Theymighttakehimoutoftheparcel;buttheywouldverypossiblyputhimintoamad-houseinstead。Symbolicallyspeaking,thatiswhattheywouldliketodowithus。Symbolicallyspeaking,thedirtymiserswhoruleuswillputusinamad-house——unlesswecanputthemthere。

Orsupposeabankcashierwereadmittedlyallowedtotakethemoneyoutofthetill,andputitlooseinhispocket,moreorlessmixedupwithhisownmoney;afterwardslayingsomeofboth(atdifferentodds)on\"BlueMurder\"fortheDerby。Supposewhensomedepositoraskedmildlywhatdaytheaccountantscame,hesmotethatastonishedinquireronthenose,crying:\"Slanderer!Mud-slinger!\"andsupposehethenresignedhisposition。Supposenobookswereshown。Supposewhenthenewcashiercametobeinitiatedintohisduties,theoldcashierdidnottellhimaboutthemoney,butconfidedittothehonouranddelicacyofhisownmaidenauntatCricklewood。SupposehethenwentoffinayachttovisitthewhalefisheriesoftheNorthSea。Well,ineverymoralandlegalprinciple,thatisapreciseaccountofthedealingswiththePartyFunds。

Butwhatwouldthebankersay?Whatwouldtheclientssay?Onething,I

think,Icanventuretopromise;thebankerwouldnotmarchupanddowntheofficeexclaiminginrapture,\"I\'marebel!That\'swhatIam,arebel!\"

Andifhesaidtothefirstindignantdepositor\"Youarearebel,\"I

fearthedepositormightanswer,\"Youarearobber。\"Wehavenoneedtoelaborateargumentsforbreakingthelaw。Thecapitalistshavebrokenthelaw。Wehavenoneedoffurthermoralities。Theyhavebrokentheirownmorality。Itisasifyouweretorundownthestreetshouting,\"Communism!Communism!Share!Share!\"afteramanwhohadrunawaywithyourwatch。

Wewantatermthatwilltelleverybodythatthereis,bythecommonstandard,frankfraudandcrueltypushedtotheirfierceextreme;andthatwearefightingTHEM。Wearenotinastateof\"divinediscontent\";weareinanentirelyhumanandentirelyreasonablerage。Wesaywehavebeenswindledandoppressed,andwearequitereadyandabletoproveitbeforeanytribunalthatallowsustocallaswindleraswindler。Itistheprotectionofthepresentsystemthatmostofitstribunalsdonot。I

cannotatthemomentthinkofanypartynamethatwouldparticularlydistinguishusfromourmorepowerfulandprosperousopponents,unlessitwerethenametheoldJacobitesgavethemselves;theHonestParty。

CapturedOurStandardsIthinkitisplainthatforthepurposeoffacingthesenewandinfamousmodernfacts,wecannot,withanysafety,dependonanyoftheoldnineteenthcenturynames;Socialist,orCommunist,orRadical,orLiberal,orLabour。Theyareallhonourablenames;theyallstand,orstood,forthingsinwhichwemaystillbelieve;wecanstillapplythemtootherproblems;butnottothisone。Wehavenolongeramonopolyofthesenames。LetitbeunderstoodthatIamnotspeakinghereofthephilosophicalproblemoftheirmeaning,butofthepracticalproblemoftheiruse。WhenIcalledmyselfaRadicalIknewMr。BalfourwouldnotcallhimselfaRadical;thereforetherewassomeuseintheword。WhenI

calledmyselfaSocialistIknewLordPenrhynwouldnotcallhimselfaSocialist;thereforetherewassomeuseintheword。Butthecapitalists,inthataggressivemarchwhichisthemainfactofourtime,havecapturedourstandards,bothinthemilitaryandphilosophicsenseoftheword。

Anditisuselessforustomarchundercolourswhichtheycancarryaswellaswe。

DoyoubelieveinDemocracy?Thedevilsalsobelieveandtremble。DoyoubelieveinTradesUnionism?TheLabourMembersalsobelieve;andtremblelikeafallingteetotum。DoyoubelieveintheState?TheSamuelsalsobelieve,andgrin。DoyoubelieveinthecentralisationofEmpire?SodidBeit。DoyoubelieveinthedecentralisationofEmpire?SodoesAlbu。

Doyoubelieveinthebrotherhoodofmen:anddoyou,dearbrethren,believethatBrotherArthurHendersondoesnot?Doyoucry,\"Theworldfortheworkers!\"anddoyouimaginePhilipSnowdenwouldnot?Whatweneedisanamethatshalldeclare,notthatthemoderntreasonandtyrannyarebad,butthattheyarequiteliterally,intolerable:andthatwemeantoactaccordingly。Ireallythink\"theLimits\"wouldbeasgoodanameasany。But,anyhow,somethingisbornamongusthatisasstrongasaninfantHercules:anditispartofmyprejudicestowantitchristened。I

advertiseforgodfathersandgodmothers。

AWORKMAN\'SHISTORYOFENGLAND

Athingwhichdoesnotexistandwhichisverymuchwantedis\"A

Working-Man\'sHistoryofEngland。\"Idonotmeanahistorywrittenforworkingmen(therearewholedustbinsofthem),Imeanahistory,writtenbyworkingmenorfromtheworkingmen\'sstandpoint。Iwishfivegenerationsofafisher\'soraminer\'sfamilycouldincarnatethemselvesinonemanandtellthestory。

ItisimpossibletoignorealtogetheranycommentcomingfromsoeminentaliteraryartistasMr。LaurenceHousman,butIdonotdealheresospeciallywithhiswellknownconvictionaboutVotesforWomen,aswithanotherideawhichis,Ithink,ratheratthebackofit,ifnotwithhimatleastwithothers;andwhichconcernsthismatterofthetruestoryofEngland。Forthetruestoryissoentirelydifferentfromthefalseofficialstorythattheofficialclassestellthatbythistimetheworkingclassitselfhaslargelyforgottenitsownexperience。EitherstorycanbequitelogicallylinkedupwithFemaleSuffrage,which,therefore,Ileavewhereitisforthemoment;merelyconfessingthat,solongaswegetholdoftherightstoryandnotthewrongstory,itseemstomeamatterofsecondaryimportancewhetherwelinkitupwithFemaleSuffrageornot。

NowtheordinaryversionofrecentEnglishhistorythatmostmoderatelyeducatedpeoplehaveabsorbedfromchildhoodissomethinglikethis。Thatweemergedslowlyfromasemi-barbarisminwhichallthepowerandwealthwereinthehandsofKingsandafewnobles;thattheKing\'spowerwasbrokenfirstandtheninduetimethatofthenobles,thatthispiece-mealimprovementwasbroughtaboutbyoneclassafteranotherwakinguptoasenseofcitizenshipanddemandingaplaceinthenationalcouncils,frequentlybyriotorviolence;andthatinconsequenceofsuchmenacingpopularaction,thefranchisewasgrantedtooneclassafteranotherandusedmoreandmoretoimprovethesocialconditionsofthoseclasses,untilwepracticallybecameademocracy,saveforsuchexceptionsasthatofthewomen。Idonotthinkanyonewilldenythatsomethinglikethatisthegeneralideaoftheeducatedmanwhoreadsanewspaperandofthenewspaperthathereads。Thatistheviewcurrentatpublicschoolsandcolleges;itispartofthecultureofalltheclassesthatcountformuchingovernment;andthereisnotonewordoftruthinitfrombeginningtoend。

ThatGreatReformBillWealthandpoliticalpowerwereverymuchmorepopularlydistributedintheMiddleAgesthantheyarenow;butwewillpassallthatandconsiderrecenthistory。ThefranchisehasneverbeenlargelyandliberallygrantedinEngland;halfthemaleshavenovoteandarenotlikelytogetone。Itwas_never_grantedinreplytopressurefromawakenedsectionsofthedemocracy;ineverycasetherewasaperfectlyclearmotiveforgrantingitsolelyfortheconvenienceofthearistocrats。TheGreatReformBillwasnotpassedinresponsetosuchriotsasthatwhichdestroyedaCastle;nordidthemenwhodestroyedtheCastlegetanyadvantagewhateveroutoftheGreatReformBill。TheGreatReformBillwaspassedinordertosealanalliancebetweenthelandedaristocratsandtherichmanufacturersofthenorth(analliancethatrulesusstill);andthechiefobjectofthatalliancewasto_prevent_theEnglishpopulacegettinganypoliticalpowerinthegeneralexcitementaftertheFrenchRevolution。NoonecanreadMacaulay\'sspeechontheChartists,forinstance,andnotseethatthisisso。Disraeli\'sfurtherextensionofthesuffragewasnoteffectedbytheintellectualvivacityandpurerepublicantheoryofthemid-Victorianagriculturallabourer;itwaseffectedbyapoliticianwhosawanopportunitytodishtheWhigs,andguessedthatcertainorthodoxiesinthemoreprosperousartisanmightyetgivehimabalanceagainstthecommercialRadicals。Andwhilethisverythingameofwire-pullingwiththemereabstractionofthevotewasbeingworkedentirelybytheoligarchsandentirelyintheirinterests,thesolidandrealthingthatwasgoingonwasthesteadydespoilingofthepoorofallpowerorwealth,untiltheyfindthemselvesto-dayuponthethresholdofslavery。ThatisTheWorkingMan\'sHistoryofEngland。

Now,asIhavesaid,Icarecomparativelylittlewhatisdonewiththemerevotingpartofthematter,solongasitisnotcloneinsuchawayastoallowtheplutocrattoescapehisresponsibilityforhiscrimes,bypretendingtobemuchmoreprogressive,ormuchmoresusceptibletopopularprotest,thanheeverhasbeen。Andthereisthisdangerinmanyofthosewhohaveansweredme。Oneofthem,forinstance,saysthatwomenhavebeenforcedintotheirpresentindustrialsituationsbythesameironeconomiclawsthathavecompelledmen。Isaythatmenhavenotbeencompelledbyironeconomiclaws,butinthemainbythecoarseandChristlesscynicismofothermen。But,ofcourse,thiswayoftalkingisexactlyinaccordancewiththefashionableandofficialversionofEnglishhistory。Thus,youwillreadthatthemonasteries,placeswheremenofthepoorestorigincouldbepowerful,grewcorruptandgraduallydecayed。

Oryouwillreadthatthemediaevalguildsoffreeworkmenyieldedatlasttoaninevitableeconomiclaw。Youwillreadthis;andyouwillbereadinglies。TheymightaswellsaythatJuliusCaesargraduallydecayedatthefootofPompey\'sstatue。YoumightaswellsaythatAbrahamLincolnyieldedatlasttoaninevitableeconomiclaw。Thefreemediaevalguildsdidnotdecay;theyweremurdered。Solidmenwithsolidgunsandhalberds,armedwithlawfulwarrantsfromlivingstatesmenbrokeuptheircorporationsandtookawaytheirhardcashfromthem?InthesamewaythepeopleinCradleyHeatharenomorevictimsofanecessaryeconomiclawthanthepeopleinPutumayo。Theyarevictimsofaveryterriblecreature,ofwhosesinsmuchhasbeensaidsincethebeginningoftheworld;andofwhomitwassaidofold,\"LetusfallintothehandsofGod,forHismerciesaregreat;butletusnotfallintothehandsofMan。\"

TheCapitalistIsintheDockNowitisthisofferingofafalseeconomicexcuseforthesweaterthatisthedangerinperpetuallysayingthatthepoorwomanwillusethevoteandthatthepoormanhasnotusedit。Thepoormanispreventedfromusingit;preventedbytherichman,andthepoorwomanwouldbepreventedinexactlythesamegrossandstringentstyle。Idonotdeny,ofcourse,thatthereissomethingintheEnglishtemperament,andintheheritageofthelastfewcenturiesthatmakestheEnglishworkmanmoretolerantofwrongthanmostforeignworkmenwouldbe。Butthisonlyslightlymodifiesthemainfactofthemoralresponsibility。Totakeanimperfectparallel,ifwesaidthatnegroslaveswouldhaverebelledifnegroeshadbeenmoreintelligent,weshouldbesayingwhatisreasonable。Butifweweretosaythatitcouldbyanypossibilityberepresentedasbeingthenegro\'sfaultthathewasatthatmomentinAmericaandnotinAfrica,weshouldbesayingwhatisfranklyunreasonable。ItiseverybitasunreasonabletosaythemeresupinenessoftheEnglishworkmenhasputtheminthecapitalistslave-yard。Thecapitalisthasputtheminthecapitalistslaveyard;andverycunningsmithshavehammeredthechains。Itisjustthiscreativecriminalityintheauthorsofthesystemthatwemustnotallowtobeslurredover。Thecapitalistisinthedockto-day;andsofarasIatleastcanpreventhim,heshallnotgetoutofit。

THEFRENCHREVOLUTIONANDTHEIRISH

ItwillbelongbeforethepoisonofthePartySystemisworkedoutofthebodypolitic。Someofitsmostindirecteffectsarethemostdangerous。

Onethatisverydangerousjustnowisthis:thatformostEnglishmenthePartySystemfalsifieshistory,andespeciallythehistoryofrevolutions。

Itfalsifieshistorybecauseitsimplifieshistory。ItpaintseverythingeitherBlueorBuffinthestyleofitsownsillycircuspolitics:whilearealrevolutionhasasmanycoloursasthesunrise——ortheendoftheworld。Andifwedonotgetridofthiserrorweshallmakeverybadblundersabouttherealrevolutionwhichseemstogrowmoreandmoreprobable,especiallyamongtheIrish。Andanyhumanfamiliaritywithhistorywillteachamanthisfirstofall:thatPartypracticallydoesnotexistinarealrevolution。Itisagameforquiettimes。

IfyoutakeaboywhohasbeentooneofthosebigprivateschoolswhicharefalselycalledthePublicSchools,andanotherboywhohasbeentooneofthoselargepublicschoolswhicharefalselycalledtheBoardSchools,youwillfindsomedifferencesbetweenthetwo,chieflyadifferenceinthemanagementofthevoice。ButyouwillfindtheyarebothEnglishinaspecialway,andthattheireducationhasbeenessentiallythesame。Theyareignorantonthesamesubjects。Theyhaveneverheardofthesameplainfacts。Theyhavebeentaughtthewronganswertothesameconfusingquestion。ThereisonefundamentalelementintheattitudeoftheEtonmastertalkingabout\"playingthegame,\"andtheelementaryteachertraininggutter-snipestosing,\"WhatistheMeaningofEmpireDay?\"Andthenameofthatelementis\"unhistoric。\"ItknowsnothingreallyaboutEngland,stilllessaboutIrelandorFrance,and,leastofall,ofcourse,aboutanythingliketheFrenchRevolution。

RevolutionbySnapDivisionNowwhatgeneralnotiondoestheordinaryEnglishboy,thustaughttoutteroneignoranceinoneoftwoaccents,getandkeepthroughlifeabouttheFrenchRevolution?ItisthenotionoftheEnglishHouseofCommonswithanenormousRadicalmajorityononesideofthetableandasmallToryminorityontheother;themajorityvotingsolidforaRepublic,theminorityvotingsolidforaMonarchy;twoteamstrampingthroughtwolobbieswithnodifferencebetweentheirmethodsandours,exceptthat(owingtosomehabitpeculiartoGaul)thebriefintervalswerebrightenedbyariotoramassacre,insteadofbyawhiskyandsodaandaMarconitip。

Novelsaremuchmorereliablethanhistoriesinsuchmatters。ForthoughanEnglishnovelaboutFrancedoesnottellthetruthaboutFrance,itdoestellthetruthaboutEngland;andmorethanhalfthehistoriesnevertellthetruthaboutanything。Andpopularfiction,Ithink,bearswitnesstothegeneralEnglishimpression。TheFrenchRevolutionisasnapdivisionwithanunusualturnoverofvotes。Ontheonesidestandakingandqueenwhoaregoodbutweak,surroundedbynobleswithrapiersdrawn;someofwhomaregood,manyofwhomarewicked,allofwhomaregood-looking。Againstthesethereisaformlessmobofhumanbeings,wearingredcapsandseeminglyinsane,whoallblindlyfollowruffianswhoarealsorhetoricians;someofwhomdierepentantandothersunrepentanttowardstheendofthefourthact。TheleadersofthisboilingmassofallmenmeltedintoonearecalledMirabeau,Robespierre,Danton,Marat,andsoon。Anditisconcededthattheirunitedfrenzymayhavebeenforcedonthembytheevilsoftheoldregime。

That,Ithink,isthecommonestEnglishviewoftheFrenchRevolution;anditwillnotsurvivethereadingoftwopagesofanyrealspeechorletteroftheperiod。Thesehumanbeingswerehuman;varied,complexandinconsistent。ButtherichEnglishman,ignorantofrevolutions,wouldhardlybelieveyouifyoutoldhimsomeofthecommonhumansubtletiesofthecase。TellhimthatRobespierrethrewtheredcapinthedirtindisgust,whilethekinghadwornitwithabroadgrin,sotospeak;tellhimthatDanton,thefiercefounderoftheRepublicoftheTerror,saidquitesincerelytoanoble,\"Iammoremonarchistthanyou;\"tellhimthattheTerrorreallyseemstohavebeenbroughttoanendchieflybytheeffortsofpeoplewhoparticularlywantedtogoonwithit——andhewillnotbelievethesethings。Hewillnotbelievethembecausehehasnohumility,andthereforenorealism。Hehasneverbeeninsidehimself;andsocouldneverbeinsideanotherman。ThetruthisthatintheFrenchaffaireverybodyoccupiedanindividualposition。Everymantalkedsincerely,ifnotbecausehewassincere,thenbecausehewasangry。

RobespierretalkedevenmoreaboutGodthanabouttheRepublicbecausehecaredevenmoreaboutGodthanabouttheRepublic。DantontalkedevenmoreaboutFrancethanabouttheRepublicbecausehecaredevenmoreaboutFrancethanabouttheRepublic。MarattalkedmoreaboutHumanitythaneither,becausethatphysician(thoughhimselfsomewhatneedingaphysician)reallycaredaboutit。Thenoblesweredivided,eachmanfromthenext。Theattitudeofthekingwasquitedifferentfromtheattitudeofthequeen;certainlymuchmoredifferentthananydifferencesbetweenourLiberalsandToriesforthelasttwentyyears。Anditwillsadden_some_ofmyfriendstorememberthatitwasthekingwhowastheLiberalandthequeenwhowastheTory。Therewerenottwopeople,Ithink,inthatmostpracticalcrisiswhostoodinpreciselythesameattitudetowardsthesituation。Andthatiswhy,betweenthem,theysavedEurope。

Itiswhenyoureallyperceivetheunityofmankindthatyoureallyperceiveitsvariety。Itisnotaflippancy,itisaverysacredtruth,tosaythatwhenmenreallyunderstandthattheyarebrotherstheyinstantlybegintofight。

TheRevivalofRealityNowthesethingsarerepeatingthemselveswithanenormousrealityintheIrishRevolution。YouwillnotbeabletomakeaPartySystemoutofthematter。Everybodyisinrevolt;thereforeeverybodyistellingthetruth。

TheNationalistswillgooncaringmostforthenation,asDantonandthedefendersofthefrontierwentoncaringmostforthenation。Thepriestswillgooncaringmostforreligion,asRobespierrewentoncaringmostforreliggion。TheSocialistswillgooncaringmostforthecureofphysicalsuffering,asMaratwentoncaringmostforit。Itisoutoftheserealdifferencesthatrealthingscanbemade,suchasthemodernFrenchdemocracy。Forbysuchtenacityeveryoneseesatlastthatthereissomethingintheotherperson\'sposition。Andthosedrilledinpartydisciplineseenothingeitherpastorpresent。AndwherethereisnothingthereisSatan。

Foralongtimepastinourpoliticstherehasnotonlybeennorealbattle,butnorealbargain。NotwomenhavebargainedasGladstoneandParnellbargained——eachknowingtheothertobeapower。Butinrealrevolutionsmendiscoverthatnoonemancanreallyagreewithanothermanuntilhehasdisagreedwithhim。

LIBERALISM:ASAMPLE

ThereisacertaindailypaperinEnglandtowardswhichIfeelverymuchasTomPinchfelttowardsMr。Pecksniffimmediatelyafterhehadfoundhimout。ThewaruponDickenswaspartofthegeneralwaronalldemocrats,abouttheeightiesandnineties,whichusheredinthebrazenplutocracyofto-day。AndoneofthethingsthatitwasfashionabletosayofDickensindrawing-roomswasthathehadnosubtlety,andcouldnotdescribeacomplexframeofmind。Likemostotherthingsthataresaidindrawing-rooms,itwasalie。Dickenswasaveryunequalwriter,andhissuccessesalternatewithhisfailures;buthissuccessesaresubtlequiteasoftenastheyaresimple。Thus,totake\"MartinChuzzlewit\"alone,I

shouldcallthejokeabouttheLordNo-zooasimplejoke:butIshouldcallthejokeaboutMrs。Todgers\'svisionofawoodenlegasubtlejoke。