"But since we live in an epoch of change, and, too probably, of revolu tion, and thoughts which are not to be put aside are in the minds of all men capable of thought, I am obliged to affirm the one principle which can, and in the end will, close all epochs of revolution-that each man shall possess the ground he can use, and no more."-John Ruskin.

F LATE much dissatisfaction with our form of govern

OF

ment has been expressed by good and well-meaning people, who like Mr. Edward Bellamy sigh for the coming of what they are disposed to call "The Coöperative Commonwealth," in which, by means of a multiplicity of laws, rules, and regulations and a very small amount of physical exertion upon his part, the individual citizen is in future to live a life of ease and pleasure. Though paved with the best intentions the road here pointed out leads to a lower depth over which man's past history has written "All hope abandon ye who enter here."

The remedy for oppression is found only in men who cannot be oppressed. This is nature's goal: the evolution of betten and stronger men, not the mere getting of bread and butter for a world full of weaklings. He who is not ready and willing at all times to fight for his rights will shortly have no rights worth fighting for. Men who are unwilling to assert their rights will inevitably be subordinated under any form of government. The constant and never-ending struggle of life may not be pleasant to contemplate. But it is a fact. And it is an inevitable fact, which cannot be escaped save by the sur

render of both rights and duties. Mere pleasurable anticipations cannot form the basis of useful life. Life is a warfare, and the straight and narrow path is very unlike the primrose path of dalliance pictured by our modern theorists.

In all ages broad-minded and far-seeing men have not hesitated to declare that the right of access to land in some free and independent way is absolutely necessary to the creation of strong and stable nations and men, and that in no other way can freedom and the rights of men be preserved. Thousands of years ago this was as well known and understood as it is to-day. The myths and mythology of the most ancient peoples conclusively prove it. In the mythology of Greece and Rome this truth was expressed in the fabled story of Antæus, a giant, or renowned athlete, who was said to be the son of Neptune and Terra (sea and earth, or land and water). He inhabited the Lybian desert (where land was free) and successfully wrestled against all comers, for whenever thrown to the ground he received fresh accession of strength from mother earth, rising stronger than ever from his contact with the soil. Hercules, however, the crafty god of strength, detecting the source of his strength, held him up in his arms and strangled him in the air. So ran the tale.

Doubtless the common people among the Greeks and Romans, to whom the priests told this story of the gods, believed it true and thought Antæus a real personage, but the better educated among them probably knew perfectly well that this story contained one of the greatest truths-probably the most important to man's temporal welfare—which it is possible to state. Antæus symbolized the human race, which deprived of its hold upon the soil is quickly weakened and destroyed. The city must be constantly recruited from the country. By contact with nature only does man become strong and resourceful. The first thing for the youth to learn is above all things self-reliance. This he must have, to be a man, whatever else he may lack. For it there is no possible substitute. Without it he must have a master. He is not fit for freedom, and to dependence and slavery will he naturally and certainly descend. Now, as anciently and ever, man's health, strength, and virility come from contact with the soil.