Here is a fair sample, so far as particular facts are concerned, of the order of truths with which I propose to deal: and if I can deal with them in the way they ought to be dealt with, they will be as interesting—and many will be as amusing—as they are practically useful. It may indeed be said, without the smallest exaggeration, that the salient facts which underlie our social problems of to-day, would, if properly presented, be to the general reader as stimulating and fresh as any novel or book of travels, besides being as little open to any mere party criticism. [Sidenote ◆1 Besides such facts, this book deals with general truths and principles, equally independent of party.] ◆¹ But there are other truths, besides particular facts, which I propose to urge on the reader’s attention also. There are general truths, general considerations, and principles: and these too, like the facts, will be found to have this same characteristic—that though many of them are not generally realised, though many of them are often forgotten, and though some of them are supposed to be the possession of this or that party only, they do but require to be fairly and clearly stated, to command the assent of every reflecting mind, and to show themselves as common points from which, like diverging lines, all rational politicians, whatever may be their differences, must start. [Sidenote ◆1 The proposition with which the argument starts is an example of a truth of this kind.] ◆¹ The very first principle to which I must call attention, and which forms a key to my object throughout this entire book, will at once be recognised by the reader as being of this kind. The Radical perhaps may regard it as a mere truism; but the most bigoted Tory, on reflection, will not deny that it is true. The great truth or principle of which I speak is as follows. [Sidenote ◆1 The conditions of private happiness are the end of all Government.] [Sidenote ◆2 These conditions are principally a question of private income.] [Sidenote ◆3 The end of Government is therefore to secure adequate incomes for the greatest possible number.]