A Regenerated Earth.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIV, Issue 1, 5 January 1910, Page 51

A Regenerated Earth.

flfr. Frederic Harrison has given utterance to an optimistic opinion tm the present social conditions of England. He says: —“That the evils are real, great, terrible, no one can doubt. That masses of reckless luxury, of squalid destitution, of dismal torpor, of sweated labour, of inherited vice and inherited disease, of hideous struggles to get fortune by oppressing the helpless, of a loosening in the moral code, and decay in the religious faith—that all this exists we know. My own memory covers two entire generations. I have lived to see the death rate reduced 20, 30, 40 per cent; the excessive and injurious birth-rate reduced in the last generation by 20 or 30 per cent—and yet not . able to neutralise the diminishing mortality and reduce the population. This record, and the other of improved health, are almost alone sufficient to establish social improvement—and not social decay. I can remember the abominations of infant labour in factories, the children who elimbed chimneys, the foul prisons, the ghastly hangings in public, the old pauper system, burial in great cities, poisonous wells, general illiteracy, wages at 10,/- per week, and slave holding by British subjects. All these

horrors have been stamped out in living memory. Some evils, we well know, have increased in area, thpugh certainly not in intensity. We are living today in one of the most tremendous eras of transition that our planet has known. Sleam, electricity, photography,, instruments, steel, airships, science, learning, inventions, the filling up of the earth, and the consolidation of humanity have transformed our material existence with incredibly rapid changes. Our intellectual horizon has broadened as rapidly, too; and with it our whole moral outlook, and with both together the profound religious structure, on which of old civilisation reposed, has been shaken to the roots. This unparalleled revulsion in our material, intellectual and moral life has bred new and abnormal difficulties and evils. Mankind will never shake itself free of them until it has again a new religion which is to be a compound of science, ethic, art and love. Such a system at once practical, moral and religious is in sight. And with it the storm clouds which to-day seem to menace humanity will roll away into the abyss of ancient history, and leave us with a vision of a new heaven and a new earth—man’s earth having grown to be a real heaven, and our new heaven having become a regenerated earth.”

these,” said the king, pathetically. “I’ll get pinched." ‘•The)’ wouldn't be so rude a« to pinch a king, I’m sure,” said Mr. Wilson. “But I ain’t got a cent of money,” protested the king. “You ean draw upon the royal treasurer when you get home,” said the master <rf ceremonies. “But how’ll I get there?” i “Walk,” suggested the club. “I ain’t a-goin’,” said the king, resuming his seat, sullenly. “He wants another swim,” said Mr. Mclvor. “I ean see the look in his eye.” The king shivered, and looked around a-s if seeking pity in some face. Then he dropped his eyes to the floor and sighed. “It’s getting near daylight,” said Mr. Wilson, comfortingly, “and if you're sen■itive about the kingly robes you’d better mosey along while it’s still dark.” The Committee on Persuasion became impatient and they removed the king from hia throne while be was still considering matters and took him out on the porch. One by one, the duib shook hands with him and bade him good-by, all but Mr. Tompkins. afraid we’re making a mistake,”

said he nervously. “Hadn’t we ought to lock him up?” “Nonsense, man,” said Mr. Wilson. I “Why, he’ll be a whole burglar alarm in himself when he gets back with his folks. {You’ll be an old. old man, Tompkins, before we catch another burglar around .Gardendale.” “And wait till we give it to the papers." said Mr. Gates enthusiastically. “Why. we're as good as famous, now.”

Mr. Tompkins sighed and extended the tips of his fingers to the king. '“I —I suppose I might as well shake hands, too,” he said. “Chn’t say I hope to meet you again, though.” “Now, kang,” said Mr. Wilson, “if you feel any hesitation about going, I may as weli tell you that the Gardendale hounds will be unleashed in about five minutes. Aire you fond of dogs?” The king gave him a mournful look and took the highway. As he disappeared in the gloom they heard a crashing in the shrubbery and when daylight came they found his crown, which they took as a sign of abdication.