282 THE GOSPEL, AND THE SOCIAL CKEED OF SCIENCE. 



from his work and as of these he generally receives 

 an amount in proportion to his work, on the whole, the 

 principle of rewarding faculty according to its extent 

 is carried out even here. 



4. In denying the possibility of realizing the 

 socialist's ideal for a long time to come, we say or imply 

 nothing against the practicability of workmen in certain 

 cases of association becoming their own capitalists, and 

 sharing the profits as well as the wages of their labour 

 amongst themselves. There can be no objection to this 

 mode of eliminating the individual capitalist and em- 

 ployer, other than what relates to the likelihood of 

 failure. For our own part, we heartily wish all such 

 attempts the success which they have in several instances 

 merited on other grounds than their being good com- 

 mercial ventures. Such attempts are useful and instruc- 

 tive, even where they fail, as showing us the cases of 

 production where the principle of co-operative labour is. 

 inapplicable, as also the probable cause of the failure of 

 its application ; but they are still more instructive, and 

 should be distinct subjects for congratulating not only 

 the associations themselves but society at large, as 

 aiding in the solution of the most difficult social problem, 

 whenever they prove commercial successes, as has been 

 the case in several instances in France and Germany, 

 and in one or two cases in England. All such social and 

 economic experiments are to be wished continued and 

 greater success, and of all promising experiments of a 

 similar character, it is to be desired, as Mill remarks 

 in his Political Economy, that, if possible, the means 

 were procurable, and that every facility be allowed for 

 making the experiment. The difficulty, however, is that 

 such associations must either save their capital from the 

 earnings of their members, or they must borrow it, 



