430 THE QUESTIONS OF THE DAY. 



doubtless, society has the moral right to recover from the 

 hands of him who first received it, but not from those to 

 whom, with the sanction of society, he has transferred it. It 

 is not, outside large cities, an important factor, and both in 

 city and country is in many cases being eliminated by the 

 movements of the society which created it. Even if it were 

 not so it would not pay to break up society to reclaim what 

 the work of a short time would pay for, nor could it be 

 reclaimed to society by such reconstruction as is proposed; it 

 would go to the class of men who now manage our smaller 

 politics, and who would find their golden opportunity in the 

 Socialistic state. 



The farmer, then, is a laborer; more than that, he is one 

 who can by no means work short hours. His manner of life 

 is determined by the elements. He takes the risks of pro- 

 duction, and is entitled to its rewards, whicli, upon the aver- 

 age, he does not get, and will not, this being the compensation 

 which he must pay for his reasonable security of a livelihood 

 If he is an employer, his income is as frequently less than that 

 of his employees as above it. He can not, and in the nature 

 of his occupation never can have, a four-hour, or a six-hour, 

 or an eight-hour day.* He must make hay when the sun 

 shines, and morning and evening must tend his stock. Of 

 rainy days he must mend harness in the barn, or pare ai)ples 

 in the kitchen. Nor does he or any other human being need, 

 or, if a normal man, desire, the short day, nor will he be con- 

 tent with it if he can avoid it, or be happier if he had it. The 

 plea that many hours a day are required for " culture" is a 

 fallacy. None but minds long trained can devote much time 

 to serious study, nor will they try. They will play pedro in 

 tiie groceries, or worse. The habit of idleness is one of tlic 

 easiest to acquire. Nor is the short day necessary or desirable, 

 (h'eat learning gives no more assurance of happiness than 

 great wealth. If let alone, those who have aptitude that way 

 will choose learning for their avocation, and the rest of us can 

 accept the results. With a twelve-hour day, not all the time 



*8ee Chapter VI of Book Tliird. 



