NA TURE'S LA WS 325 



Why should man attempt the domination of 

 everything ? This is not difficult to answer, for 

 the instincts of every animal lead him to try t 

 But why has he succeeded to a greater extent 

 than any other? The savage does not increase 

 any more than the wild beast; he may go on 

 for ages, fluctuating but little, meeting checks in 

 every direction, perhaps increasing to a slight 

 extent in one century and diminishing in the next. 

 He has a hard struggle but he conquers. Civilised 

 man goes on increasing and multiplying, but 

 somehow the result is not quite pleasant to our 

 feelings. We who see the grinding effect of divi- 

 sion of labour where there is nothing to be got in 

 a whole lifetime cannot but deplore the advance 

 of Socialism, or rather collectivism. We still have 

 the struggle for life, but it is more often the wily 

 and sharp fellow who succeeds. Honest labour 

 and artistic skill are not at a premium ; every one 

 desires to get on so that he may become an idler. 

 Nature teaches that the animal must work as long 

 as he can; he may save against the winter or a dry 

 season, but never become a drone. 



Unproductive work is next door to idleness ; 

 such is what, so many now waste their lives upon. 

 The man who excels in a game is often honoured 

 more than he who does the best productive work. 



