TO THE POOE. 271 



repeated, is not capable of being quickly and permanently 

 changed for the better, as all the science of biology, all 

 the experience of history, added to our own personal 

 experience, abundantly demonstrates ; from whence it 

 follows that we must be content to progress slowly in 

 the extirpation of poverty and the other social evils, and 

 mainly by each one endeavouring to provide for and 

 improve himself, and next those who are legitimately 

 dependent upon his exertions. For these various reasons, 

 it is not an experiment in socialism, but rather a fuller 

 and fairer development of the present system of indi- 

 vidualism and property that is required of that system 

 which, as Mr. Mill has truly remarked, " has never yet 

 had a fair trial in any country" (Political Economy, 

 bk. ii., ch. i., " On Property "). 



As for competition, its evils tend to abate, and it is 

 already ceasing where it is desirable that it should cease, 

 viz. between those classes, professions, and trades, where 

 there is a community of interest; but no society can 

 dispense altogether with competition, which indeed is the 

 condition and spur of all excellence.* True, it exists still 

 in evil forms also ; but on the whole at present it pro- 

 duces far more good than evil. On the whole, there are 

 good reasons to think and to hope that our progress in 

 the future will be at an increased rate, because men 

 themselves are more consciously aiming at reforms, 

 improvements, and beneficial changes than in former 

 ages, and because their leaders and representative men, 

 statesmen, reformers, thinkers, are sounding and exploring 

 all possible avenues of progress ; but still, with all these 

 grounds of a hopeful future outlook, the kingdom of 

 heaven which a regenerated human nature would bring, 

 being itself not merely the promise but the substance of 



* Mill's Political Economy, bk. iv. ch. vii. sec. 7. 



