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    To begin then at the begifiuing . Let us Hsk what is the present state of society 5 about which such heavy complaints are made , and whose defects call on thousands to co-operate for their removal . The answer shall be taken from the Edinburgh Review , ( Dec . 1831 . Art . on Schlegel and Hope , p . 367 . ) 6

    How much among us may be likened to a whited sepulchre ; outwardly all pomp and strength , but inwardly full of horror and despair , and dead men ' s bones !—Iron highways , with their wains fire-winged , are uniting all ends of the firm land . Quays besides with their innumerable stately fleets , tame the ocean into a pliant bearer of burdens . Labour ' s thousand arms of sinew and of

    metal , all-conquering everywhere , from the tops of the mountains to the depths of the mine and the caverns of the sea , ply unceasingly for the service of man , —Yet Man remains unserved *«• * He has subdued this planet , his habitation and inheritance , yet reaps no profit from the victory . Sad to look upon , in the highest stage of civilization , nine-tenths of mankind must struggle in the lowest battle of savage , or even animal man , —the battle against famine . Countries are rich , prosperous in all manner

    of increase beyond example , but the men of those countries are needier than ever . The rule , sic vos non vobis , never altogether to be got rid of in man ' s industry , now presses with such incubus-weight , that industry must shake it off , or be utterly strangled under it \ and , alas ! can as yet but gasp and rave , and aimlessly struggle ^ like one in the final deliration . Thus , change , or the irresistible approach of change , is manifest everywhere . ' '

    So , then , we are but badly off ! ' Man is unserved , ' and ' change is inevitable ' - —a change , of course , in behalf of the sufferers—of the people , the mass , the c nine-tenths , ' the producing classes . In fact , the dismal sentence , ' sic vos non vobis , ' must be got rid of , and the industrious bees must be permitted to work for themselves , if they can .

    A change ! That is , there is in the state of society , as at present constituted , something which must be met by some decided and decisive remedy . Who has suggested this remedy , this change ? Is it emigration ? Is it the Reform Bill ? Is it the reduction of taxes ? The abolition of the corn laws ? Since , however , a change

    is necessary , let us not be too excessively sarcastic on any proposed plan . Something good m&y be elicited where we least expect it ; and if the change can be in any way effected without damage to the wealthy classes , the better . But what change ? Has government been appealed to ?—Yes , pretty often . And with effect ?— « I wish to heaven / says Sir R . Peel , ' I wish the

    people would take their affairs into their own hands . ' And Why did he sd ejaculate ? Because he felt bitterly how little a government could do when * nine-tenths * of its nation ' s numbers Were * battling against famine . ' What change ? When competition attacks the rich , We heat not a little about « verted rights / No # ,

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• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1832, page 523, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1818/page/19/