398 THE SOCIAL OEGAlSnSM. 



If, after contemplating these analogies of structure, we 

 inquire whether there are any such analogies between the 

 processes of organic change, the answer is — yes. The 

 causes which lead to increase of bulk in any part of the 

 body politic, are of Hke nature with those which lead to 

 increase of bulk in any part of an individual body. In 

 both cases the antecedent is greater functional activity, con- 

 sequent on greater demand. Each limb, viscus, gland, or 

 other member of an animal, is developed by exercise — by 

 actively discharging the duties which the body at large re- 

 quires of it ; and similarly, any class of labourers or arti- 

 sans, any manufacturing centre, or any official agency, begins 

 to enlarge when the community devolves on it an increase 

 of work. In each case, too, growth has its conditions and 

 its limits. That any organ in a living being may grow 

 by exercise, there needs a due supply of blood : all ac- 

 tion implies waste; blood brings the materials for re- 

 pair ; and before there can be growth, the quantity of 

 blood supplied must be more than that requisite for re- 

 pair. 



So is it in a society. If to some district which elabor- 

 ates for the community particular commodities — say the 

 woollens of Yorkshire — there comes an augmented demand ; 

 and if, in fulfilment of this demand, a certain expenditure 

 and wear of the manufacturing organization are incurred ; 

 and if, in payment for the extra supply of woollens sent 

 away, there comes back only such quantity of commodities 

 as replaces the expenditure, and makes good the waste of 

 life and machinery ; there can clearly be no growth. That 

 there may be growth, the commodities obtained in return 

 must be more than sufficient for these ends ; and just in 

 proportion as the surplus is great will the growth be rapid. 

 Whence it is manifest that what in commercial affiiirs we 

 callpi'ojit, answers to the excess of nutrition over waste in 

 a living body. Moreover, in both cases, when the func 



