The inequality between Castes is quite as conspicuous in country as in town. One is born to an abundance, the other to hunger; one to a life of self-indulgence, the other to one of enforced and hard-worked self-sacrifice. The one, at last, is covered by a tomb, emblazoned with Honour; the other is cast into an obscure corner of despised dead, to rot in forgetfulness--though, often, judged upon a true measure of merit, the resting-places should be exchanged--and the idle and vicious _Lord_ [chiang-se] descend into ignominious neglect! You will see deer, pheasants, partridges, hares, and the like, almost tame, in the meadows and copses; but the tillers of the soil must not touch them, though starving--they are carefully _preserved_ for the Lord [Tchou]. Not that he needs them, or cares for them for food--_sometimes_ he likes to shoot them for idle diversion! You will notice sturdy _tramps_ (beggars) resting, or lazily slouching along by the ways, with heavy staves in their hands; and, if you suddenly come upon these in a secluded place, very likely you will be accosted--"Master, I be'se hungry--will ye give me tuppence?" You do not like the bearing of the man--and would not notice him. But you observe his face and the clutch of his thick stick--and you hurry to hand him a sixpence, and get away! These scamps prowl about, idle, ready for mischief, scornful of honest work--the terror of women and children who meet them, unexpectedly, without protection. Sometimes the Iron-roads for Steam-chariots are carried over the housetops, in entering towns; sometimes, through long tunnels under the houses, or under hills--and the works in connection with these roads are surprising. The Barbarians of the Low-Castes are forced to incessant labours, to prevent starvation. These must be greatly directed to mines of iron, coal, copper, and tin; and to various things made from these, and from wool and cotton. For the fruits of the land cannot feed the population. The amount of food which must be brought from beyond seas is very great--and to pay for this, the products of industry must be given. Now, other Barbarian tribes make these things also, and; having them, do not require the English; in fact, in more distant parts, undersell them. From this cause, many are unemployed and turned adrift--they have no land to till; they beg, steal, and starve. Should this inability of the English Barbarians increase, there would be no sufficient employment for the Low-Castes--there would not be the means of paying for the food required--and depopulation must ensue! The wealth of the High-Caste must shrink--_the English tribe must decline in strength_!