CHAPTER V.

Natal and the Kafir Problem.

'T'HE gain which has been achieved by humanity during the present century has invited criticism by its very magnitude. Matthew Arnold and Ruskin have told us, each in his own characteristic manner, that a material gain may be a spiritual loss. Mr William Morris, as the social reformer—not “ the idle singer of an empty day r —has attacked the dearest doctrine of economic science, and declared that “ division of labour ” is wage- saving not labour- saving. Henry George has warned us that the progress of the few may bring poverty to the many, and that while the rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer.

To these weighty indictments against the age of progress, the late Mr Pearson has added his gloomy forecast. This new criticism is no longer confined to a single society, or to some one aspect of contemporary life. Its contentions are supported by observations covering the whole range of political and social movement throughout the world ; and the doom which is here pronounced is not that of a single community but of civilisation in general.

In spite, however, of the persistency with which the prophets of the age have warned societies and individuals against any unreasoning hopes of the future, certain ideals have hitherto survived. Among them the most captivating, and perhaps the most practical, is a belief on the part of the various members of the Anglo-Saxon family that their

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