xiv Introduction 



whether the mass in our society are in essentials 

 either morally or materially better off than those 

 of the thirteenth century. 



Evidence enough remains, as one good historian 

 points out, to show that there was in ancient Rome 

 as in London or New York today, a preponderat- 

 ing mass of those who loved their children and 

 their homes, who were good neighboiirs, and 

 faithful friends, who conscientiously discharged 

 their civil duties. Even the Eastern Roman 

 Empire, that not many years ago was usually 

 dismissed with sharp contempt, is now recovered 

 to history, and many centuries in its fluctuating 

 phases are shown to have been epochs of an es- 

 tablished state, with well-devised laws well admin- 

 istered, with commerce prosperously managed, and 

 social order conveniently worked and maintained. 



And one remembers, of course, the sad doubt of 

 Mill: 



It is questionable if all the mechanical inventions 

 yet made have lightened the day's toil of any human 

 being. They have enabled a greater population to 

 live the same life of drudgery and imprisonment, and 

 an increased number to make fortunes. But they 

 have not yet begun to effect those great changes in 

 human destiny which it is in their nature and in their 

 futurity to accomplish. 



So that unless we can make some equivalent 

 advance in the understanding of the laws and 

 principles of human association, in the manage- 



