Yet,as they lived chiefly on potatoes and milk produced on the farm,which,as well as mutton and pork,were sold to them at extremely low prices,they saved money or rather notes.Their health and appearance quickly improved,so much so that,with disease raging round them,there was no case of death or serious illness among them while the experiment lasted.The single men lived together in a large building,and the families in cottages.Assisted by Mrs.Craig,the secretary carried out the most enlightened system of education for the young,those old enough being alternately employed on the farm and in the school.Sanitary arrangements were in a high state of perfection,and physical and moral training were most carefully attended to.In respect of these and other social arrangements,Mr.Craig was a man much before his time,and he has since made himself a name in connection with their application in various parts of the country.
"The 'New System,'as the Ralahine experiment was called,though at first regarded with suspicion and derision,quickly gained favour in the district,so that before long outsiders were extremely anxious to become members of the association.In January,1832,the community consisted of fifty adults and seventeen children.The total number afterwards increased to eighty-one.Everything was prosperous,and the members of the association were not only benefitted themselves,but their improvement exercised a beneficent influence upon the people in their neighbourhood.It was hoped that other landlords would imitate the excellent example of Mr.Vandeleur,especially as his experiment was one profitable to himself,as well as calculated to produce peace and contentment in disturbed Ireland.Just when these hopes were raised to their highest degree of expectancy,the happy community at Ralahine was broken up through the ruin and flight of Mr.Vandeleur,who had lost his property by gambling.Everything was sold off,and the labour notes saved by the members would have been worthless had not Mr.Craig,with noble self-sacrifice,redeemed them out of his own pocket.
"We have given but a very scanty description of the system pursued at Ralahine.The arrangements were in most respects admirable,and reflected the greatest credit upon Mr.Craig as an organiser and administrator.To his wisdom,energy,tact,and forbearance the success of his experiment was in great measure due,and it is greatly to be regretted that he was not in a position to repeat the attempt under more favourable circumstances."("History of a Co-operative Farm.")CARLYLE ON THE SOCIAL OBLIGATIONS OF THE NATIONFORTY-FIVE YEARS AGO.Inserted at the earnest request of a friend,who was struck by the coincidence of some ideas,similar to those of this volume,set forth so long ago,but as yet remaining unrealised,and which I had never read.
EXTRACTS FROM "PAST AND PRESENT."
"A Prime Minister,even here in England,who shall dare believe the heavenly omens,and address himself like a man and hero to the great dumb-struggling heart of England,and speak out for it,and act out for it,the God's-justice it is writhing to get uttered and perishing for want of--yes,he too will see awaken round him,in passionate,burning,all-defiant loyalty,the heart of England,and such a 'support'as no Division-List or Parliamentary Majority was ever yet known to yield a man!Here as there,now as then,he who can and dare trust the heavenly Immensities,all earthly Localities are subject to him.We will pray for such a man and First-Lord;--yes,and far better,we will strive and incessantly make ready,each of us,to be worthy to serve and second such a First-Lord!We shall then be as good as sure of his arriving;sure of many things,let him arrive or not.
"Who can despair of Governments that passes a Soldier's Guard-house,or meets a red-coated man on the streets?That a body of men could be got together to kill other men when you bade them:this,a priori,does it not seem one of the impossiblest things?Yet look,behold it:in the stolidest of Do-nothing Governments,that impossibility is a thing done.""Strange,interesting,and yet most mournful to reflect on.Was this,then,of all the things mankind had some talent for,the one thing important to learn well,and bring to perfection;this of successfully killing one another?Truly,you have learned it well,and carried the business to a high perfection.It is incalculable what,by arranging,commanding,and regimenting you can make of men.These thousand straight-standing,firm-set individuals,who shoulder arms,who march,wheel,advance,retreat;and are,for your behoof a magazine charged with fiery death,in the most perfect condition of potential activity.
Few months ago,till the persuasive sergeant came,what were they?
Multiform ragged losels,runaway apprentices,starved weavers thievish valets;an entirely broken population,fast tending towards the treadmill.But the persuasive sergeant came,by tap of drum enlisted,or formed lists of them,took heartily to drilling them;and he and you have made them this!Most potent effectual for all work whatsoever,is wise planning,firm,combining,and commanding among men.Let no man despair of Governments who looks on these two sentries at the Horse Guards and our United Service clubs.I could conceive an Emigration Service,a Teaching Service,considerable varieties of United and Separate Services,of the due thousands strong,all effective as this Fighting Service is;all doing their work like it--which work,much more than fighting,is henceforth the necessity of these new ages we are got into!Much lies among us,convulsively,nigh desperately,struggling to be born.""It was well,all this,we know;and yet it was not well.
