LAW IN POLITICS. 419 



and in every step of human progress we see its 

 blessing and its fruit. If it be stupid to break 

 machines and to proscribe Mechanical Invention, 

 it is not less stupid to be jealous of this primeval 

 adjustment between the varying energies of hu- 

 man character and the varying results which they 

 are competent to attain. 



This is not the place to enter in detail on the 

 difficult and complicated question as to the limits 

 within which Combinations can, and beyond which 

 they cannot, affect the rewards of labour. They 

 have certainly succeeded in limiting the hours of 

 labour in cases where Legislation could not well 

 have interfered ; * and wherever the hours of la- 

 bour are reduced without a corresponding reduc- 

 tion in wages, a substantial economic advantage 



* Of this the Baking Trade is a good example. The hours of 

 adult labour in this Trade, under the effects of unrestricted com- 

 petition, had come to be most injurious and oppressive. In Glas- 

 gow and in Edinburgh this condition of things has been effectually 

 remedied by a Combination, whose exertions were successful, with- 

 out (I believe) resort being ever had to the extreme measure of a 

 Strike. The Baking Trade in London is still afflicted by the same 

 oppressive hours of labour, because of the difficulty which has 

 hitherto been experienced in organising there any Combination 

 equally complete. 



