The rights of property have been so much extended that the rights of the community have almost altogether disappeared, and it is hardly too much to say that the prosperity and the comfort and the liberties of a great proportion of the population have been laid at the feet of a small number of proprietors, who "neither toil nor spin." And here is further evidence from Mr. Chamberlain-- For my part neither sneers, nor abuse, nor opposition shall induce me to accept as the will of the Almighty, and the unalterable dispensation of His providence, a state of things under which _millions lead sordid, hopeless, and monotonous lives, without pleasure in the present, and without prospect for the future_. And here is still stronger testimony from Mr. Chamberlain-- The ordinary conditions of life among a large proportion of the population are such that common decency is absolutely impossible; and all this goes on in sight of the mansions of the rich, where undoubtedly there are people who would gladly remedy it if they could. It goes on in presence of wasteful extravagance and luxury, which bring but little pleasure to those who indulge in them; and private charity is powerless, religious organisations can do nothing, to remedy the evils which are so deep-seated in our social system. You have read what these eminent men have said, Mr. Smith, as to the evils of the present time. Well, Mr. Atkinson, a well-known American statistical authority, has said-- Four or five men can produce the bread for a thousand. With the best machinery one workman can produce cotton cloth for 250 people, woollens for 300, or boots and shoes for 1000. How is it, friend John Smith, that with all our energy, all our industry, all our genius, and all our machinery, there are 8,000,000 of hungry poor in this country? If five men can produce bread for a thousand, and one man can produce shoes for a thousand, how is it we have so many British citizens suffering from hunger and bare feet? That, Mr. Smith, is the question I shall endeavour in this book to answer. Meanwhile, if you have any doubts as to the verity of my statements of the sufferings of the poor, or as to the urgent need for your immediate and earnest aid, read the following books, and form your own opinion:-- _Labour and Life of the People._ Charles Booth. To be seen at most free libraries. _Poverty: A Study of Town Life._ By B. S. Rountree. Macmillan. 10s. 6d. _Dismal England._ By R. Blatchford, 72 Fleet Street, E.C. 2s. 6d. and 1s. _No Room to Live._ By G. Haw, 72 Fleet Street, E.C. 1s. _The White Slaves of England._ By R. Sherard. London, James Bowden. 1s. _Pictures and Problems from the Police Courts._ By T. Holmes. Ed. Arnold, Bedford Street, W.C. And the Fabian Tracts, especially No. 5 and No. 7. These are 1d. each. CHAPTER II