224 PROBLEMS OF HUMAN EVOLUTION 



abolition of the corn laws there were at intervals years of great 

 scarcity, when wheaten bread rose to a price that for the poor 

 was almost prohibitive. The Irish famine brought matters to a 

 crisis. Since then, if we except the year 1855, the old high 

 prices have been unknown. The town folk are on the whole 

 much better off. They have cheap food and a constant supply of 

 clean water. The housing of the poor, if it leaves much to be 

 desired is nevertheless improving. Hospitals put medical skill 

 and appliances at the service of all. The workhouses have 

 shared the upward movement and have been made more com- 

 fortable. And it must not be forgotten that most big towns 

 have the great charm that has been claimed for Glasgow : there 

 are remarkable facilities for getting away from them. And of 

 these facilities an ever growing percentage of the inhabitants 

 are able to take advantage. I hardly think they are like the 

 townsman that Mr William Watson writes of, who : 



In stainless daylight saw the pure seas roll, 



Saw mountains pillaring the perfect sky: 

 Then journeyed home to carry in his soul 



The torment of the difference till he die. 



More often they are freshened up by their holiday, and resolve 

 to have another as soon as possible. In the country villages 

 things have improved, though hardly in an equal degree. 

 Cottages are better built. Wages are higher, while food is 

 cheaper. Doctoring, through the help of clubs, is often to be 

 had for a very small sum, even when the patient will not con- 

 descend to receive medical relief. As a set-off against this, it 

 must be mentioned that the percentage of people who live in our 

 big towns is yearly increasing, and to the end of time the country 

 will keep ahead of the towns in healthiness. Not many men are 

 wanted on the farms, since machines do much of the work. 

 Hence the fine Irish bull made in England : " The human race 

 will be unnecessary soon." But much as we may regret the 

 depletion of the rural districts, we can find consolation in the 

 fact that the superiority of the country to the towns qua healthi- 

 ness has already decreased, and is likely to decrease still further. 

 All the best products of the farms find their way to the great 



