CHAPTER XV. 



SLAVERY. 



794. ALONG with the developments of industrial regula 

 tion dealt with in the preceding four chapters, there was 

 going on one of another kind, which, thus far ignored for 

 convenience of exposition, we must now trace up from the 

 beginning. 



Before we can understand the phases of social evolution to 

 be here treated of, we must free ourselves from the pre- 

 judgments fostered by the sentiments of modern days. 

 Just as every people assumes its own creed to be the only 

 rational one, so it thinks its own social arrangements are 

 alone natural and right. Often the feelings and convictions 

 generated by usage are such as make almost impossible the 

 formation of true beliefs. 



During recent days habit has generated the idea that 

 slavery is an exceptional institution ; whereas observation of 

 all societies in all times shows that slavery is the rule and 

 freedom the exception. The current assumption is that of 

 necessity a slave is a down-trodden being, subject to un 

 limited labour and great hardship; whereas in many cases 

 he is well cared for, not overworked, and leniently treated. 

 Assuming slaves everywhere to have ideas of liberty like our 

 own, we suppose them to be intolerant of despotic control; 

 whereas their subjection is sometimes so little onerous that 

 they jeer at those of their race who have no masters. Assum 

 ing that their feelings are such as we should have under the 

 same circumstances, we regard them as necessarily unhappy; 



whereas they are often more light-hearted than their su- 



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