

GREAT STEPS IN EVOLUTION 109 



M. Emile Vandervelde, now widely known 

 beyond the Belgian parliament as one of the 

 foremost of the popular tribunes of Europe; 

 and their " Parasitism, Organic and Social " 

 (1895) will still be found suggestive to 

 naturalist and sociologist alike. 



Without entering upon matters so contro- 

 versial as a volume so named inevitably raises, 

 we may profitably note the fresh light which 

 the study of parasitism throws upon that till 

 lately accepted and still mainly predominant 

 body of economical and social thought, that 

 of the modern industrial age its political 

 economy for the group, its teaching and ideal 

 of success for the individual. For thus instead 

 of calling this one or that of our more success- 

 ful fellows by the ugly name of parasite, we 

 may more safely begin by recognizing this 

 very tendency in ourselves. For who does 

 not at times look forward to a more peaceful, 

 a more prosperous and assured period, in 

 which, storms and trials over, we are to settle 

 down, snug, cosy and warm, there to eat of the 

 fat, and drink of the sweet, and to enjoy what 

 may remain to us of life ? And what parent 

 but wishes for his child a safer, easier, richer 

 life than his own ? Little wonder, then, that 

 the political economist, who has for the most 

 part but massed popular opinion into his 



