CONDITIONS OF PROGRESS IN CIVILISATION 343 



another cause to which I have already called attention slavery 

 with its inevitable consequences, loss of physical vigour in the 

 governing class. There could not be a constant influx of 

 vigorous blood from below since the mass of the workers were 

 slaves with whom there was no intermarriage. A physically 

 strong lower class living under hard conditions is essential if the 

 governing class are to retain their vigour. From them they 

 must obtain the unenfeebled blood that alone can save them 

 from a failure of energy. 



When we cast our eyes on modern nations we see new illus- Modern 

 trations of the principles I have laid down. The battering of natlons 

 ideas from abroad against the incrustations of custom, the stress 

 of competition, the fear of invasion, such are the causes that are 

 stimulating nations and goading them to energy. On the other 

 hand corruption flourishes when the state is by its circumstances 

 removed from the perils that make good government a necessity. 

 In the United States politics are treated as a game that need not 

 be played over-scrupulously, but it is a remarkable fact that 

 trade and manufactures do not suffer. In the sphere of trade 

 there is keen competition not only within the States but with 

 foreigners, and trading and manufacturing interests, therefore, 

 are left untouched ; to them bad legislation and corrupt ad- 

 ministration would mean ruin. And now that the States have 

 dependences, necessitating the maintenance of an efficient army 

 and navy, it is safe to prophesy that there will be a higher 

 morality in politics. It does not do to play at corruption when 

 the lives of thousands depend on the efficiency of the public 

 services. The Germans are a people who can never venture to 

 forget that they have enemies at their gates, and I believe that 

 in the German empire corruption has been reduced to a minimum. 

 Italy may seem an exception to the rule, for her government is 

 said to be the worst in Europe, if we except that of Turkey, 

 and yet she is by no means free from the most serious dangers. 

 However, the kingdom of Italy has not yet lasted very long and 

 misgovernment is now bringing its inevitable results, discontent, 

 possible bankruptcy and danger of disruption. It is clear that 

 there must be either reform or an end of Italian uuity, followed 



