CHAPTER XXIII 



THE SOCIAL QUAGMIRE AND THE WAY OUT OF IT ^ 



I. The Farmers 



In the early years of the century, English readers 

 enjoyed the perusal of many American works of fiction 

 dealing with the rural life of the Eastern States in those 

 almost forgotten days when railways and telegraphs were 

 unknown, when all beyond the Mississippi was " the far 

 west," when California and Texas were foreign countries, 

 and when millionaires, tramps, and paupers were alike 

 unknown. They introduced us to an almost idyllic life, so 

 far as rude abundance, varied occupations, and mutual help 

 and friendliness among neighbours constitute such a state 

 of existence. Almost all the necessaries and many of the 

 comforts of life were obtained by the farmer from his own 

 land. He had abundance of bread, meat, and poultry, with 

 occasional game. Of butter, cheese, fruit, and vegetables 

 there was no lack. He made his own sugar from his 

 maple trees, and soap from refuse fat and wood ashes ; 

 while his clothes were the produce of his own flocks, spun, 

 and often dyed, woven, and made at home. His land con- 

 tained timber, not only for firing, but for fencing and 

 house-building materials, as well as for making many of his 

 farm implements ; and he easily sold in the nearest town 

 enough of his surplus products to provide the few foreign 



^ This chapter appeared in the Arena (Boston U.S.A.), of March and 

 April, 189.3. It deals with the proV)leni mainly from an American point 

 of view ; Ijiit for that very reason it is specially instructive to us, because 

 similar evils have arisen there under conditions which are often 

 alleged, by English writers, to be the remedy for them. 



