ON RECENT CHANGES IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH. 363 
amount so held averaged 1/. 2s. 10d. per head, in 1882 it averaged 
21. 15s., showing an improvement of 139 per cent.! 
§ 11. Relative Improvement of different Classes of Society. 
The relative condition of classes in the United Kingdom is by no 
means immutable. Wealth is attainable by labour and economy, and no 
class is shut out from the competition. Nay, more, under the British 
political system there is no right, no advantage, and no avenue to 
honour, which is not free and open to all alike. Let there be only 
perseverance and economy, talent and wisdom, self-mastery and self- 
restraint, honour and virtue, and the ascent from the lowest to the highest 
rank, though often rugged and steep, is barred to no one. What is it 
that the labouring classes should really aim at? Release from labour P 
A greater amount of political power? Ah, no! The true elevation of the 
labouring man consists in an increasing energy of his thinking powers, a 
greater force of moral purpose, a greater culture of the intellect, a greater 
refinement of manner and taste, above all in an increasing capacity to 
repel what is depressing and to attract what is ennobling in his daily 
intercourse of life. 
1 The British Revenue in 1842 and 1882. 
1842 1882 Increase | Decrease 
: rs. £ £ Per cent. | Per cent. 
a PP | 18,100,000 | 87,200,000 |, 106 ,|' — 
; : : : 
Taxes on General Comforts: Tea, | ~ 
Sugar, Coffee, Corn, and others f eek SAUD “ne uA 
Seige Houses, and mos, 5,800,000 | 6,600,000 13 ae 
Taxes on Industries: Paper, Hops . / 3,200,000 | 800,000 — — 
as on soa of Property. 7,300,000 | 11,300,000| 68 |° — 
Revenue oe ee ae =e es 9,900,000 ti Ee. 
7 PO ahs Tole" \| 1,400,000 | 8,600,000 | 514 | — 
», Other branches .| 600,000 | 5,700,000 | | — - 
Total Revenue *. .| 52,200,000] 85,000000/ — .}| — 
