Not that I expect to
solve all the difficulties between labor and capital; but I shall try to
make them better friends, so that, when you have weathered a hard gale,
pinching yourselves to keep on the workmen, they will not strike for
higher wages on the first stir of improvement, as they will be certain
of their share."

"You are a philanthropist, Mr. Darcy. Can you depend upon the temper of
your men? They may do very well just now when they are starving; but,
when times improve, are they going to wait one year or five years for
the sum they consider part of their wages? And if there should be no
surplus, but losses, as has often happened in manufacturing? Your
workman will

'Fork out his penny, and pocket your shilling,'

fast enough; but when the tables are turned, what then?"

"There _must_ be a different feeling when men are banded together in a
mutual business interest. The very spirit of association appeals to what
is best and noblest in human nature. As it has been in Yerbury, for
example, the workmen contributed of their ability and strength to
support one family in princely luxury, pay one extravagant salary, and
several others that were out of all proportion to the wages earned, and
an extensive defalcation. No one is at all the gainer now, unless it be
the thief," his face scarlet with indignation at the remembrance of
Eastman. "The men have been hit the hardest of all. No wonder they feel
bitter and discouraged. We make many an Ishmael by sending him out with
his jug of water, while there are feasting and revelry within."

"But you cannot make all human nature noble or sensible or grateful.
There is the grand co-operation of the forty years in the wilderness,
when food was provided, and clothing lasted miraculously; yet under
these favorable circumstances, and with the sure promise at the end,
there was not a heavenly unity."

Jack laughed heartily.

"We must keep from golden calves and such folly," he said. "We are
likely enough to have our waters of Marah. But it seems to me the best
way to ennoble labor, give it its true dignity, and show the
possibilities for the workmen, is concerted action. As matters stand
now, few poor men can ever acquire sufficient capital to start any
business; and perhaps this is not best when we consider the cost of
machinery, and the ever-appearing new inventions. The small capitalist
could _not_ compete with the large one. Yet capital often takes as its
ri