papers. In this country, social war is under
full headway, every one stands for himself, and fights for himself
against all comers, and whether or not he shall injure all the others who
are his declared foes, depends upon a cynical calculation as to what is
most advantageous for himself. It no longer occurs to any one to come to
a peaceful understanding with his fellow-man; all differences are settled
by threats, violence, or in a law-court. In short, every one sees in his
neighbour an enemy to be got out of the way, or, at best, a tool to be
used for his own advantage. And this war grows from year to year, as the
criminal tables show, more violent, passionate, irreconcilable. The
enemies are dividing gradually into two great camps--the bourgeoisie on
the one hand, the workers on the other. This war of each against all, of
the bourgeoisie against the proletariat, need cause us no surprise, for
it is only the logical sequel of the principle involved in free
competition. But it may very well surprise us that the bourgeoisie
remains so quiet and composed in the face of the rapidly gathering storm-
clouds, that it can read all these things daily in the papers without, we
will not say indignation at such a social condition, but fear of its
consequences, of a universal outburst of that which manifests itself
symptomatically from day to day in the form of crime. But then it is the
bourgeoisie, and from its standpoint cannot even see the facts, much less
perceive their consequences. One thing only is astounding, that class
prejudice and preconceived opinions can hold a whole class of human
beings in such perfect, I might almost say, such mad blindness.
Meanwhile, the development of the nation goes its way whether the
bourgeoisie has eyes for it or not, and will surprise the
property-holding class one day with things not dreamed of in its
philosophy.

SINGLE BRANCHES OF INDUSTRY. FACTORY HANDS.

In dealing now with the more important branches of the English
manufacturing proletariat, we shall begin, according to the principle
already laid down, with the factory-workers, _i.e_., those who are
comprised under the Factory Act. This law regulates the length of the
working-day in mills in which wool, silk, cotton, and flax are spun or
woven by means of water or steam-power, and embraces, therefore, the more
important branches of English manufacture. The class employed by them is
the most intelligent and energetic