Mackechnie. — A Poet's Socialism. 379 



and the reorganization of society in general. It is the social- 

 ism of this poet that I propose to place before you now. 



In " Socialism : its Growth and Outcome," by William 

 Morris and E. Belfort Bax, the subject is dealt with, they tell 

 us, from the historical point of view, a continuous though 

 slight sketch being given of its development in history. The 

 plan of the work also deals with the aspiration^ of socialists 

 towards the society of the future. As it is further stated that 

 each sentence has been carefully considered by both authors 

 in common, I shall deal with their statement of the life of the 

 future as if it had been penned solely by Mr. Morris. His 

 views appear under the title " Socialism Triumphant," and I 

 propose to give an outline of his scheme, thougli by no means 

 either a full or complete one. 



As barbarism gave place to civilisation, so Mr. Morris be- 

 lieves there will be a transformation of modern civilisation 

 into socialism — a socialism which would deal primarily with 

 the administration of things and only indirectly with the go- 

 vernment of 2^^1'S'ons. Civil law, based on private property, 

 would cease to exist ; aud criminal law would tend to become 

 obsolete. As to the machinery by means of which the ad- 

 ministration of things would be carried on, the federal prin- 

 ciple would, he thinks, assert itself, developing into a com- 

 plete automatic system, the work of the higher circles being 

 performed by delegates. 



The religion, of socialism will be but the ordinary ethics 

 carried into a higher atmosphere, and will only differ from 

 them in degree of conscious responsibility to one's fellows. 

 Socialistic ethics would be the guide of the daily habit of 

 life ; socialistic religion that higher form of conscience which 

 would impel those guided by it to actions on behalf of a 

 future of the race such as no man could command in his ordi- 

 nary mood. 



In life under the socialistic order marriage would not be 

 on the basis of a lifelong business arrangement, but on mutual 

 inclination and affection, an association terminable at the 

 will of either party ; and he says (I give the sentence in his 

 own words), "It is easy to see how great the gain would be 

 to morality and sentiment in this change." Property in 

 children would cease, for they would have all the advantages 

 of citizenship, and would be cared for and by the citizens. 



The occupations of mankind would be accompanied by 

 pleasure, as every successful exercise of energy should be. 

 Commercialism kills all art for the workman. Fourier's 

 assertion that all labour can be made pleasurable under 

 certain conditions is adopted. These conditions are, briefly: 

 Freedom from anxiety as to livelihood ; shortness of hours in 

 proportion to the stress of the work ; variety of occupation if 



