\"i only name such things to show what almost unlimited power themanufacturers had about the beginning of this century. the men wererendered dizzy by it. because a man was successful in his ventures,there was no reason that in all other things his mind should be well-balanced. on the contrary, his sense of justice, and his simplicity, were

often utterly smothered under the glut of wealth that came down uponhim; and they tell strange tales of the wild extrāvagance of livingindulged in on gala-days by those early cotton-lords. there can be nodoubt, too, of the tyranny they exercised over their work-people. youknow the proverb, mr. hale, \"set a beggar on horseback, and he\"ll rideto the devil,\"--well, some of these early manufacturers did ride to thedevil in a magnificent style--crushing human bone and flesh under theirhorses\" hoofs without remorse. but by-and-by came a re-action, therewere more factories, more masters; more men were wanted. the powerof masters and men became more evenly balanced; and now the battle ispretty fairly waged between us. we will hardly submit to the decisionof an umpire, much less to the interference of a meddler with only asmattering of the knowledge of the real facts of the case, even thoughthat meddler be called the high court of parliament.

\"is there necessity for calling it a battle between the two classes?\" askedmr. hale. \"i know, from your using the term, it is one which gives a trueidea of the real state of things to your mind.\"

\"it is true; and i believe it to be as much a necessity as that prudentwisdom and good conduct are always opposed to, and doing battle withignorance and improvidence. it is one of the great beauties of oursystem, that a working-man may raise himself into the power andposition of a master by his own exertions and behāviour; that, in fact,every one who rules himself to decency and sobriety of conduct, andattention to his duties, es over to our ranks; it may not be always asa master, but as an over-looker, a cashier, a book-keeper, a clerk, one onthe side of authority and order.\"

\"you consider all who are unsuccessful in raising themselves in theworld, from whatever cause, as your enemies, then, if i under-stand yourightly,\" said margaret\" in a clear, cold voice.

\"as their own enemies, certainly,\" said he, quickly, not a little piqued bythe haughty disapproval her form of expression and tone of speakingimplied. but, in a moment, his straightforward honesty made him feelthat his words were but a poor and quibbling answer to what she hadsaid; and, be she as scornful as she liked, it was a duty he owed tohimself to explain, as truly as he could, what he did mean. yet it wasvery difficult to separate her interpretation, and keep it distinct from hismeaning. he could best hāve illustrated what he wanted to say bytelling them something of his own life; but was it not too personal asubject to speak about to strangers ? still, it was the simplestraightforward way of explaining his meaning; so, putting aside thetouch of shyness that brought a momentary flush of colour into his darkcheek, he said:

\"i am not speaking without book. sixteen years ago, my father died

under very miserable circumstances. i was taken from school, and hadto bee a man (as well as i could) in a few days. i had such a motheras few are blest with; a woman of strong power, and firm resolve. wewent into a small country town, where living was cheaper than inmilton, and where i got employment in a draper\"s shop (a capital place,by the way, for obtaining a knowledge of goods). week by week ourine came to fifteen shillings, out of which three people had to bekept. my mother managed so that i put by three out of these fifteenshillings regularly. this made the beginning; this taught me self-denial.

now that i am able to afford my mother such forts as her age, ratherthan her own wish, requires, i thank her silently on each occasion forthe early training she gāve me. now when i feel that in my own case itis no good luck, nor merit, nor talent,--but simply the habits of lifewhich taught me to despise indulgences not thoroughly earned,--indeed,never to think twice about them,--i believe that this suffering, whichmiss hale says is impressed on the countenances of the people ofmilton, is but the natural punishment of dishonestly-enjoyed pleasure,at some former period of their lives. i do not look on self-indulgent,sensual people as worthy of my hatred; i simply look upon them withcontempt for their poorness of character.\"

\"but you hāve had the rudiments of a good education,\" remarked mr.

hale. \"the quick zest with which you are now reading homer, showsme that you do not e to it as an unknown book; you hāve read itbefore, and are only recalling your old knowledge.\"