In the next era we find a group of dreamers, theorists who prophesied a better system to sup plant the present, which they felt to be unjust. flow far these writers believed their systems could be realized in the near future is a question. Most of them rather try to portray the ultimate form which society shall assume. Some, how ever, have tried honestly and earnestly to realize their aspirations. 'However impracticable and visionary their proposals may seem, they are proposals, not of self-seekers, but of those who have the welfare of society at heart. As such they merit consideration.
The opening up of America made possible gen uine attempts to found communistic settlements which should not be overthrown by sectarianism, but should have abundant opportunity under favorable conditions to prove or disprove their fitness to exist. Most have failed, and the rea sons are usually plain. being left out of consideration, society cannot found itself upon such a basis as celibacy. nor. on the other hand, upon 'free love.' Nor does it seem likely that society will be regenerated by groups who isolate themselves front the common life. The strength and dignity of the life of sonic of the communities may well. however, stimulate all men to renewed efforts to realize the best for themselves and society.
THE LiTonnsTs. The publication of T'topia by Sir Thomas Store (1510) introduced a new ele ment. Ile wished nothing of an ascetic nature, but sought a fuller and freer expression of life. His book arose from the economic changes taking place in England. The introduction of sheep raising was destroying the small farms and bringing witch suffering to the peasants. More, influenced by Plato, proposed to retain slavery, the slaves being chiefly convicted criminals. There should he community of goods: every one should be supplied from the State storehouses. Monogamy is prescribed. and the greatest free. dom allowed the individual families. Men and women are to work six hours per day. The title has given the name to all such pro posals. More has been followed by many writ
ers. Ca lima nel (f 'iritn.c Solis, Era nk fort. lfi.23) advoeated community of goods and of wo men with universal duty to labor four hours a day, each person to lie provided according 1 Is need. Vairasse (Histoir«les Scrieambes, 1677) proposed an eight-hour working 'lay. Among the most interesting Utopistie efforts is the charm ing story by Ca bet. Voyage en traria (Paris, IS42), in which monogamy is preserved. each person working according to ability and receiv ing an equal reward. Cabers attempts to realize his dreams will be mentioned later. Bellamy ( Looki»g Bad:treed, Boston. I888) ad VO ea ted wages in the form of annual credits at the imblie warehouse, at which goods are sold ae cording to the quantity of labor required in their production. Hertzka (Frei/mod, Leipzig, 18110) and Sheldon (In Ilis Steps, Topeka, 1809) may also be classed here.
In the meantime there arose many critics of existing conditions who proposed communistic remedies. Meslier (1604-1702) in his Testament, first published in Amsterdam in 1804, viewed society as a product of force and its evils as the results. largely. of private property. The zillions parishes should form large families bound nmtually to assist each other: each indi vidual to have according to his needs. Mo•elly (Coile do la Xaturr, Paris, 1755 I advocated com munities of about 1000 persons with common goods and distribution according to need.
These and other men found little acceptance. hut the reaction of the French Revolution brought results. Saint-Sim 1ton. whose influence was in his personality rather than his writings. proclaimed the control of the 'Industrielles.' Property reform did not greatly concern him. 1-1 is system was to be religious and moral. a 'new Christianity.' The occupation of each person was to be decided by the directing authority, the remuneration to be by salary proportioned to merits of the work and the individual. (See