time: the refreshing river 



have no organic connection with the whole. The only concern of 

 the industrial monads is, not that cost and price should balance but 

 that the latter should outweigh the former by as much as they can 

 make it. Hence a condition of universal war.^ 



It is interesting that the deficiencies of an atomistic society, as well 

 as the tremendous changes which applied science was to bring, 

 were realised, if dimly, by some contemporaries. Thus in 1641 Samuel 

 Hartlib published his Utopian Macaria, in which it was laid down 

 that the State alone should control and manage production as an 

 economic institution.^ 



In 1659 Cornelius Plockboy came forward with his proposal^ for 

 a co-operative society, and described all the advantages which would 

 accrue from the combination of agriculture with industry. "Whereas 

 the Traders in the World do oppress their workmen, with heavy 

 labour and small wages, instead thereof with us, the gain of the 

 Tradesmen will redound to the benefit and refreshment of the Work- 

 men." 



A rather similar co-operative association was later proposed by 

 John Bellers in 1695.* No practical outcome of these schemes is 

 recorded. But the ideas of Bellers influenced Robert Owen and the 

 Chartists two centuries later. 



A new Transition. 



It is my profound conviction that we are standing to-day at a 

 turning-point between two civilisations, one of those turning-points 



of the Moscow Academy of Sciences, 1933, English translation, Marxism and Modern 

 Thought, p. 108. Cf. also Auden's reference to the capitalist centuries: 



On sterile acres governed by 



Wage's abstract prudent tie 



The hard self-conscious particles 



Collide, divide, like numerals 



In knock-down drag-out laissez-faire 



And build no order anywhere." 



New Year Letter, 1941, p. 34. 



^ See B. Wootton, Plan or No Plan (London, 1934), p. 159. 



^ Hardib, S., A description of the famous Kingdom of Macaria; shewing its excellent 

 Government, wherein the inhabitants live in great Prosperity, Health and Happiness: the 

 King obeyed, the Nobles honoured, and all good men respected. An example to other Nations. 

 In a dialogue between a Scholar and a Traveller (London, 1641). 



^ Plockboy, P. C, A JVay propounded to make the poor in these and other nations happy 

 by bringing together a fit, suitable and well qualified people unto one Household government 

 or little Commonwealth, etc. (London, 1659). 



* Bellers, J., Proposals for raising a College of Industry of all useful Trades and Hus- 

 bandry, etc. (London, 1695). 



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