TO THE POOR. 285 



ing as that of the individual capitalist, and this single 

 circumstance alone would in most cases decide the battle 

 adversely to co-operative production. The interest of 

 the manager would be less keen than that of the master, 

 while the intelligence would on an average be equal, and 

 this fact would make all the difference between a decided 

 success, and a constant struggle to exist ending in the 

 winding up and the consequent dissolution of the associa- 

 tion of workmen. The whole argument may thus be 

 summed up at the present time. Some kinds of labour, 

 whether directly productive or subsidiary to production, 

 are obviously unsuited for co-operation ; while in many 

 cases where it really would apply if human nature were 

 somewhat better than it is, and if the feelings of class 

 regard and brotherhood and love, which are postulated,, 

 were really present in sufficient force and permanence, 

 yet the facts being otherwise, the further difficulty or 

 impossibility of getting the able and honest and zealous 

 head, wholly devoted to the interest of the body of 

 workers, would be certain to ensure commercial failure 

 more or less decided, soon or late. 



Human nature, however, may improve faster in 

 future ; and class human nature, where there is identity 

 of interest, might be expected to develop the qualities 

 necessary for its own existence and progress. And there 

 have been fraternities of monks living and labouring 

 together successfully and in common. 'Why might there 

 not be like fraternities of working men ? The thing is 

 possible, but the sentiments which would keep such 

 societies together must be more than commercial, even 

 to make a commercial success. There must be as strong 

 regard for the community as in ants; there must be 

 industry, too, and there must be not only a strong class 

 feeling, but also fraternal feeling for the individuals, 



