miles of red tape have to be unwound before what is now bad is made
better, that extremists of every party will abuse me. I know I shall
be called an unpractical dreamer. For these I care not one jot,
having little, if any, respect for professional politicians, having
an abhorrence of red tape and the jobbery it wraps up. For extremists
I have pity more than scorn, as I know their tenets are but as grains
of sand blown by the winds. That agitators, as a class, are wholly
unreliable, being, _au fond_, mostly out for themselves, and that is
the reason I warn the workers against them. I have chosen the form
of a Dream to tell my story for several reasons. Some of the finest
literature has been given in the form of Parable or Allegory! which
is as illustrative to-day as it was in any period of History.
§ 35
The wanderings of Osiris, told in ancient Egyptian mythology, are
ethically as beautiful as their progress is enchanting. The most
beautiful and instructive passages in Christ’s teaching are in
parable, as all Oriental disquisitions are. The story of Buddha is a
poetic allegory affecting the lives of millions to-day. The Divine
Comedy of Dante is in allegory, and our own great writer, Bunyan, the
Bedfordshire tinker, chose a dream in which to relate his Christian
progress. Bacon’s New Atlantis is a species of allegory interwoven
with the science of his period. The first three chapters of Genesis,
whoever written by, are in allegory. I know that the form I have
chosen is not one in fashion. I am old-fashioned, and prefer the
example of the greatest minds to those which, on a lower level, in
my opinion, are, just now, uppermost. Imagination is at a discount;
materialism is paying interest on Industrialism; but I believe in the
Triumph of Imagination and the defeat of Materialism. This late war
has cemented that faith in me which William Blake taught me, when he
saw trees at Dulwich filled with angels, and his beautiful mind was
filled with enthusiasm by vision of a more perfect existence than a
mundane one.
Imagination is the torch that lights the intelligence of man. It
is of the Spirit which God breathed into the mythical Adam, as he
rose physically out of the newly created soil. Without Imagination
the world would soon drift into a desolate chaos. Imagination
is somewhere in the British character, else how came about our
literature, second only to the Greek? Materialism created by
Industrialism has sought to push it out as a vague and idle gift
of no service in the acquisition of wealth. _Plutus_ has been on
the throne of _Zeus_, but only temporarily. Olympus will be peopled
again, for the gods never die. Another Parnassus, with Apollo and the
Muses, will be here again, and great god Pan will come into his own
when Agriculture is restored in the grand simplicity of its initial
purpose, and Industrialism is organised so as not to be a nuisance
and a _curse_, which it has been unquestionably, not because it is
bad in the abstract (for nothing which includes labour is that), but
because it has gone a ruthless way unchecked. Industrialism became a
“Fetish” before which every one must bow. It has destroyed what and
where it wished! Without discrimination it has acted the part of a
Juggernaut by trampling down better things than it can show, which
stood in the way of its tyrannical progress. It has darkened the face
of fair England by smoke, poisoned its rivers, turned good land into
ash heaps. Lowered the vitality of men, of animals, trees and plants
wherever its autocratic will has prevailed.
Worse even than this it has done, it has created a false creed: “I
believe in gold.” It helped to make the late war the most horrible
in History. It has tended, wherever it has planted its foot, to urge
that _Might is Right_. Without the abuses of Industrialism, the late
war could not have been. Germany trusted to her Industrialism to
win. She felt certain that she could turn out a hundred destroying
machines to the Allies’ thirty. That the force created by her
Industrialism was invincible. There was once a Soul in Germany--the
worship of Industrialism killed it. Germany lost the war because she
had first sold her soul. The Allies won it because, though sorely
wounded, their souls were still alive, and their honour mostly
unscathed.
§ 36
Man was not made to be a machine; Industrialism would make him one;
man was created for a fair open-air life to be a healthy hearty
animal under the sun. Into him had been breathed something God-like,
if he chose to use it; to create a new Eden, not a new Hell. We
have had enough of his creative powers for the latter, we mean to
use them for the former! It’s just a matter of choice, that is
all. We have only to change the direction of creative impulse from
sources of destruction to sources which will insure construction
and preservation of the fittest. It is by that habit of mind and
direction of effort we shall fall again into the footpaths of our
noble predecessors, and create in them new departures, which, not
being ephemeral and time-serving, will act as sign-posts for those to
come; because, surely we are not responsible for a temporary success,
but for the fields we leave to be gleaned when we have passed! These
thoughts took hold of me and held me tight, as I walked to and fro in
the City, watching all and talking to some of its inhabitants, some
of keen intelligence, more of sullen discontented demeanour, a few
but little above animals; not their fault, but of the misdirection of
their lives, the unwholesome teaching of their leaders (a little more
intelligent than they, a good deal more self-seeking and artful), and
generally, if not universally, defective in sound early education
and example. Tired with the fatigues of the day, and passionately
longing for better things, I found an inn, and went to bed, to sleep,
perchance to dream.
A DREAM OF ENGLAND
§ 1
My body lay asleep. My Spirit was free! Unconscious cerebration led
it where it willed. Free as a bird, my winged soul made its way with
no impediment. Without ears I heard, without eyes I saw, without
hands I touched, without restraint I observed. My Spirit created
images--it was an absolute monarch! Nothing denied its progress, no
walls forbid entry, and nothing clouded its vision. More real, not
less, than before, was every scene presented in the journeys of my
Spirit. Is this real Life? Is this unreality Reality? It seemed so to
be. Innumerable impressions on a long life become facts. The dream of
sixty years was being realised every moment. What I saw and touched
was tangible. Nothing was vague. It was a lifetime concentrated
into a moment. “A thousand years in Thy sight are but as yesterday,
seeing they pass as a thief in the night.” Time was obliterated.
Each of my senses was acute. I enjoyed beauty with a vivacity I had
only dreamed of, the scent of flowers as I had not known before. I
loathed the stenches of man’s making, for there was pain as well as
pleasure to my acute sensibilities; in this state the Spirit is in a
kind of Purgatory, half in, half out, of the world! half in Heaven,
a bit in Hell. Dante tells it all. Virgil, Homer and Milton sang of
it; the Golden Age lived it. Mankind has longed for it. To satisfy
the longing man has created an Ideal existence the other side of the
Grave. Not satisfied with that which is uncertain, we desire the
Ideal life _here_, and as my Spirit gathers intimacy with what I
see, hear and feel, the Ideal _is_ dawning! “There is more in dreams
than we wot of.” How can we tell that Truth is not the master of
dreamland? “Hypnos” and “Somnos” may be brothers who conduct us into
a land of accomplishment. Are they prophets? I hope so, when they
lead where they lead me. Maybe such a dream as mine may come to be an
abiding reality; that is why I tell it? England would be better and
happier if it did. If there were no such place as Utopia, should we
want to get there?
The money-grabbers have theirs, an unlimited supply of gold; the
sensualists theirs, unlimited, unrestrained sensuality; the realist
his, and what a tiresome place it would be; the idealist seeks his.
Utopia is a real place, not in the clouds, but here, somewhere, if
we choose to recognise it. If it were not so, the soul, created
before the body, would not seek it. When we give a party we do so to
please our friends, and doing so to gratify ourselves. The Idealist
casts the seeds of live ideas. He knows they will fall on sterile as
well as productive soil. The Idealist is an optimist. Having tested
his ideal, probably through suffering, he believes in its efficacy.
May be he believes in its general acceptance finally, because he is
confident of the ultimate conquest of “the best!”
§ 2
Now to my dream! A moment I hovered over my sleeping body: I left it
to travel on the wings of my soul. In front of me is a City. A part
of it--the most elevated--is enclosed by a high wall, pierced for
eight gates, closed at night. Its plan is octagonal. Within it there
rise high buildings and towers. They are constructed of stone and
brick, mostly of stone, for the region is volcanic. The slopes of the
hill descending to the undulating ground are richly furnished with
fruit trees, and ample vegetable gardens. It is spring time! Rich is
the blossom whose scent the sweet pure air brings to me. The air is
as clear as crystal. As I hovered over the enclosed part of the City,
I heard a hum, pleasant to the ear as that of bees; it proceeded
from within the stately buildings. Yes! It was machinery, complex
and wonderful. How is it that those vast wheels, those intricate
valves and long straps spreading as spider’s web, are moved, and so
silently? Science has discovered how to convert noise to silence.
Science had been practical, she had set herself a problem, and she
had solved it! What appeared to be inevitable had been conquered.
But how is generated the power to propel this gigantic movement--and
silently? Science had discovered how to collect and use electric
currents, whose power is greater than steam, to move, in perfect
rhythmical order, the heaviest, most complicated machinery. I
searched for, but found no ash-heaps. How can this be? Science had
discovered how to separate heat-giving properties of all fuel from
the waste. Where is the smoke? There was none! What, then, are those
noble towers for? Partly for ventilation, partly as store rooms.
Science had said: “It is time I set to work to use the forces of
Nature with discretion. I have discovered many useful things, but,
being in too great a hurry, have made much havoc with them; I have
destroyed much that was lovely in the world in my haste to provide
‘facilities.’ I have been very clever and very stupid. It is time I
made a new departure. I must no longer be a nuisance. I must set to,
to order my going, that in my track I create blessings, not curses.
I see it now. It is in my power, if I exert it, to render unpleasant
things pleasant. In my mad zeal for discovery, I forgot adaptation. I
forgot that it lay in my genius to use it unharmfully. Now I set to
work and try to make the world pleasant again, much as it was before
I became too proud, too inconsiderate and dominating.
Alone I cannot do this! I have been too long separated from Art,
too closely wedded to utility, which, though I do not divorce, I
make obedient. Indeed, I rather scorned Art, and ridiculed those
who stood in the way of my reckless march! I know now that I am
responsible in a measure for the soul of MAN, as well as the use
of nature’s forces. ‘Only _I_ matter’ has been my motto. I take Art
to me, which, more than all else, presents the Soul of Man, and
say we must be sisters, not antagonists. That I have brought evil
into dominion I now know. From me, have been born hideous means
to destroy life, property, and the gentler happiness of mankind.
Foul gases to suffocate, explosives to be a curse to humanity to
facilitate destruction in War-time. I have been a kind of earthquake,
indiscriminating and cruel! I have destroyed more than preserved!
What an odd creature I am!! I make wounds, then I heal them. I mangle
bodies, and set them together again. With one hand I cut the world
to pieces, with the other heal the wounds I’ve made. I have torn out
eyes and replaced them as well as I could, with blind ones. Queer
creature that I am. In making artificial light, I hid the sun. I
subverted the natural order by turning day into night and night
into day. I invented all kinds of implements for agriculture while
I was killing vegetable life. I have been unguided by Art, yet I am
entirely artificial! It is true that man has used me foolishly. He
would have me to be Peace Maker and War Lord. He has abused my genius
because he fancied that I only could satisfy his material ambitions
and bring him wealth. What I made for his service he has used for
murder and suicide! It is plain to me now! The blinkers are off and I
see the right way.”
I listened while Science spoke, and gathered that she had become
wise! Will men grow wiser with her? What I see here seems to promise
it! I went on with my invisible peregrinations. The people of the
City have not their homes where their daily labour is; after that is
finished they go to their homes below the gardens, which entirely
encircle the acropolis of Labour and the City. Hours for Labour
are sufficient for all purposes not extreme. Eight hours do they
labour, eight hours they sleep, eight hours for pastime and _home
industries_. Home industries are many. Eight hours’ factory labour
leave the men still fresh, because where they labour the air is pure;
change of work is pleasant to them, be it cultivating their bit of
the public gardens or in craftsmanship enjoyed in their homes, for it
is becoming a habit to be craftsmen here, and _to give out no work
which can be performed at home_; in this way the middle man, that
raker-in of the gold of others’ labour, is mostly done away with.
Work is not held to be a mark of slavery, but of Freedom. While the
labourer is working for his commune, which gives him good wage, he is
performing one duty; while he is working in his home or garden he is
a home craftsman. And many and desirable are his productions: good,
simple furniture, which only costs him the material, and gives him
continual pleasure in the making. He who was an idler, or worse, is
now an industrious artist in his long hours of recreation.
§ 3
There are pleasant places for refreshment, games, and the like,
but, as far as I can see, they are not abused. Time is too fully
occupied by duty and absorbing labour of craftsmanship to admit of
drunkenness. I see none of that which was so killing a vice when
men’s hours of leisure were poisoned by inertia. Now they do not
want to drink; they are keen, not listless men. They are too busy
to grumble, too happy to listen to agitators, who, if they began
again to sow discontent, would be met by corporal punishment, so
_determined_ is this new race of workmen to be Free! What is the
government under which this new City prospers? It is Home Rule! Each
county governs itself! Imperial Parliament has no power to control
their liberty. London is the seat of Imperial Parliament, which is
represented by one member from each county, selected as a wise and
educated man by the Communes which represent their inhabitants; but
they cannot hold their office for more than five years. Imperial
Parliament is confined to Foreign affairs of State, having in it
a representative from each of our Colonies. Imperial Parliament,
of which the King is Prime Minister, is composed of learned and
efficient citizens who are Privy Councillors, not because they
are rich men (for the party chest and the jobbery it caused is a
thing of the past), but because they are wise and learned. It meets
at stated times which are subject to emergency. The King and his
closest Ministers have the power to call it together. London is
subject to the same rule as the counties; but London is no longer
the centralised authority--she rules herself, but as yet this huge
monster is chaotic. Being heavily populated, although the population
of it has largely decreased owing to the abolition of slums, and
a larger proportion of it than hitherto being under cultivation,
Greater London is broken up, into Boroughs, which have powers of
local Government, carried on by better educated men than heretofore.
Their councils, composed exactly as those of the Counties, are
represented by reliable men who are above profiteering. Each
important trade is represented by one representative; this rule
prevents any trade from working its own interests to the damage of
another. Lawyers are used for reference, but are not allowed to
initiate. Lessons from the past have taught that the legal mind is a
zig-zag puzzle. Imperial Parliament has done away with Free Trade,
except with British Colonies, which pay no entrance fee to our coasts.
Each Commune guards itself and people from excessive taxation, and
wisely, because heavy taxation is a clog in the wheel of production,
for not unnaturally industry is averse to giving a large portion of
the results of labour to bolster up the extravagance and want of
foresight committed by Party Politicians who, after all, are, far
more eager for the success of that miserable little idol, “Party,”
than for the higher welfare of the people they are supposed to
govern. Party Politics reflect the worst sides of Tory as well as
Radical government. It is now accepted that excessive taxation is
against the first principles of political economy. Care is taken that
taxes shall be borne mostly by those who can best bear them. Trade is
more taxed than Professions.
§ 4
Machinery of all kinds is taxed higher than the handicrafts, because
it produces more swiftly, if less enduringly. Everything that
tends to higher mental development is only nominally taxed. The
Arts are not considered luxuries, but necessities; hence, instead
of contributing to the purse of the country, they are recognised
as contributing to its mental growth, its refinement, as well as
strength, and are taxed as lightly as may be.
Unproductive land is taxed, but since much more of it is under
cultivation than formerly, and Industrialism is no longer permitted
to play the Juggernaut, since _Agriculture_ and _Arboriculture_ have
been energetically pursued, waste land is an exception; even the
least productive is used in some way or other for national benefit.
A small voluntary army is kept in efficiency, but not extravagantly.
It is supplied from training corps established in each county. The
education of every boy includes military drill; in that way classes
mix, under the same discipline. This method induces good-fellowship
and promotes education; because the better educated, teach the less
fortunate, by example. It is found to be a great factor in promoting
peace, and conduces to good manners and courtesy. The boy scouts are
in full swing.
Britain can provide almost all necessities of Life. Foreign goods,
of whatever kind, are sufficiently taxed, but not so excessively as
to prevent entrance. It has been found that unlimited free imports
from foreign sources tended to limit local production; hence, labour
suffered, and supervened. A habit in England had grown to pay for,
rather than labour for, even the necessities of Life. It has been
shown in the reconstruction, that if Britain and her Colonies cannot,
inclusively, provide all, they _can_ provide the greater part of the
countries’ needs. The following out of this principle in practice has
arrested the growth of discontent so prevalent a while ago.
§ 5
The great war provided proof that military discipline, which means
obligation of the items of a system to work for the success of
the whole, did not unfit men for peaceful labour, but rather the
contrary; because a habit of self-control in combination strengthens
the fibres of individual physical and mental activity. So far
advanced is the system of units in combination under the flag,
that at any moment mobilisation can be effected, and in a time of
necessity practically the whole male portion of the nation can be
under arms. Industrialism provides arms which in time of peace need
not be overwhelmingly costly to taxpayers, because in a moment
of emergency war material can be produced with almost miraculous
rapidity. It is not the intention of those who are organising
reconstruction to be caught napping again. The nation, as a whole,
being more intelligently equipped than it was, sees ahead, and
mistrusting politicians, it follows the lead of good sense and keener
intellects than those who are under the spell of party politics
possess.
But I am moving too quickly, a habit which the mind has when it is
keen and full of ideas. Government is on the basis of Home Rule,
with some of the restrictions as well as advantages of the old Saxon
Heptarchy. Imperial Parliament holds no sway over the Communes, which
are governed by a Mayor selected not on account of his wealth, but
his wisdom. He is elected for three years, and by the voice of the
Commune. His Council is representative of each necessary trade and
profession, hence it is truly democratic. Men of the law are used as
referees (but are not except as such) allowed to be active members,
the legal mind being held to be limited, and narrow, by its training
to delay, and dangerous by its sophistry.
Not more than _one_ representative of each trade is permitted. This
wise proviso has been accepted to prevent jobbery, for which the old
Borough and Town Councils were renowned. Each representative, while
his first duty is to look after the trade he represents, has a vote
upon all subjects.
In order that the Council of the Commune shall be in a position to
look after the interests of the entire community, what used to be
called “country gentlemen” form a feature. All honest tradesmen are
respected; dishonest ones and profiteers are held in no respect, but
are considered aliens and unworthy of any responsible place in the
State.
The House of Commons, as it was called, no longer exists. It was
considered a clumsy assembly, and one out of touch with realities.
It ceased to exist because the people became weary with too much
talk, too many promises, and of muddle at every turn; so they ceased
to vote for M.P.’s to sit at Westminster. It died quite a natural
death, the country at large being scarcely aware of the moment of
its demise which no one regrets. It has come to be borne into the
minds of the honest democrat that too many laws framed by lawyers
were every year passed, not one of which was sincerely intended to be
applied, but were passed as sops to public opinion upon some more or
less burning question of the moment. Imperial Parliament, which we
have stated is under the presidency of the King, is composed of Privy
Councillors selected from the County Communes as the wisest men of
the moment, not necessarily rich, but trustworthy, and such as have
proved to have no _personal axes to grind_. This implies that the
King’s Councillors are men of learning and character, and are not
likely to commit banalities in their dealing with foreign affairs,
for which reason it is found desirable that they are travelled and
not insular men, accustomed to meet foreigners and to speak their
language, as well as to be conversant with their habits of thought
and institutions.
§ 6