power of the average man ? If it has not increased
man s producing power, then Civilization cannot
stand.

But, it will be instantly admitted, Civilization has
increased man s producing power. Five men can
produce bread for a thousand. One man can pro
duce cotton cloth for 250 people, woollens for 300,
and boots and shoes for 1000. Yet it has been
shown throughout the pages of this book that Eng
lish folk by the millions do not receive enough food,
clothes, and boots. Then arises the third and
inexorable question: If Civilization has increased
tJie producing power of tJie average man, wJiy has it
not bettered the lot of the average man ?

There can be one answer only _Mismanage-
ment._ Civilization has made possible all manner
of creature comforts and heart s delights. In
these the average Englishman does not partici
pate. If he shall be forever unable to participate,
then Civilization falls. There is no reason for the
continued existence of an artifice so avowed a fail
ure. But it is impossible that men should have
reared this tremendous artifice in vain. It stuns the
intellect. To acknowledge so crushing a defeat is
to give the death-blow to striving and progress.

One other alternative, and one other only, pre
sents itself. Civilization miist be compelled to better
the lot of the average man. This accepted, it be-

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p313 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p314w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p315

v?