On the Threshold of the Hive 



of all the inhabitants of this globe, possess 

 the highest degree of intellect after that 

 of man. The aim of nature is manifestly 

 the improvement of the race ; but no 

 less manifest is her inability, or refusal, 

 to obtain such improvement except at 

 the cost of the liberty, the rights, and 

 the happiness of the individual. In 

 proportion as a society organises itself, 

 and rises in the scale, so does a shrinkage 

 enter the private life of each one of its 

 members. Where there is progress, it 

 Is the result only of a more and more 

 complete sacrifice of the individual to 

 the general interest. Each one is com- 

 pelled, first of all, to renounce his vices, 

 which are acts of independence. For 

 instance, at the last stage but one of 

 apiarian civilisation, we find the humble- 

 bees, which are like our cannibals. The 

 adult workers are incessantly hovering 

 around the eggs, which they seek to 

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