Social Changes.

SOCIAL CHANGES .

EEADERS of Carlyle ' s "Chartism , " and "Past and Present , " -well remember his sad predictions with reference to the future of England . At the time when the former work was written the country was in the throes of something that seemed like a revolution . The Reform Bill of 1832 had been in operation for several years ; it had

been passed under the impression that an extension of the franchise was the best method of putting an end to the discord which reigned , and to the jarring of class interests . It really did prove a specific for the cure of these evils , or at all events , it allayed them for a time . Thirty years of

peace and prosperity have told upon us ; but if England is vastly richer to day than she was when Cobbett informed his countrymen that manufacturers were a delusion and a snare , she has not quite entered upon those halcyon clays

when the leonine capitalist is to lie down with the gentle operative lamb . We are in the midst of a great social revolution which is destined to leave enduring marks behind it . Livinsr as we do in the midst of the dust and

the contention which is going on around us , we fail to see the actual drift or bearings of the conflict . We are like the rank and file in a pitched battle , who only know that troops are moving , that shots are being fired , and that men are falling on all sides . Some of the salient features of this social conflict are stranere enoutrh .

But a few years ago it seemed as if the thews and sinews of the English workman had become a drug in the market . He was willing to work , but work enough for all the ready hands which were held up in the labour market was not to be had . Now , however , there is work in plenty for all who

care to exert themselves , and we are confronted with the astounding phenomenon of a working population who will not work . The industrious English mechanic is rapidly losing his high character , and is earning for himself the reputation of caring nothing for the future of his country , or for the welfare of those dependent upon him .

It would be perhaps easy for us to attempt the solution of these startling phenomena . We might perhaps show that the partial paralysis of the labourer has been caused by sudden and exceptional prosperity ; that he has not been prepared for the good fortune that has come upon

him , We might show to those whose faith in the stead y growth of English prosperity has been rudely shaken , that the time is again approaching when the workman will be obliged to take his hands out of his pockets and endeavour to prevent some of the trade of this country from finding

its way into foreign channels . All this however would not in any degree throw light upon the present . Why have we these social revolutions at all ? why are the people so restless ? why , in short , can we not go on as smoothl y as our ancestors are supposed to have jogged on in

the past ? The answer is simple enough to those who caro to think at all , and we may give it in afew words . We are convulsed with social changes , simply because we possess enormous inherent vitality . Social changes are a proof of the growth of a nation ; discord between classes ,

when confined to certain limits , is one of those signs of healthy vigour which every statesman is glad to recognise . It is certainly true that the people are dissatisfied with their social position ; it is equally certain that the middle and

upper ranks of society are dissatisfied with the conduct , and are ready to discourage the aspirations of those below them . We do not'deny that Trades Unions have exercised an appreciable influence over the working classes of the community . If operatives are less industrious than they

Social Changes.

were ; if they are less amenable to control , and less satisfied with their pastors and masters , these societies have had something to do with the change . He however would be a shallow thinker who should regard the Trades Unions as the ultimate cause of the social revolution which

is going on around us . They are rather the effect of the deep-seated restlessness and discontent of the people . The hypothesis which has been gravely put forth by some writers , to the effect that a few demagogues have been able to set England in a blaze , is too absurd for serious

refutation . We do not find in history that the light scum upon the turbulent waters of revolution was ever regarded as the cause of the deep and broad stream . We find indeed that in all ages the discontent of the masses has found utterance , and those who have been

spokesmen have too often been the unconscious tools of their fellows . However trying or inconvenient these social changes may be to us , we should find cause for re .

joicing in the fact that the ruling authorities of the nation have been sagacious enough to prepare a channel sufficientl y wide and deep to carry off , harmlessly , the threatening storm waters of revolution . Mr . Disraeli ' s Reform Act has

latterly been the subject of much adverse criticism , but we venture to say that it will prove in ihe end to be a great Conservative measure . We do not indeed imagine that its conservatism will run in the paltry little channels which party journalists have scooped out for it . But that it will

help materially to solve our social problems we do not for a moment doubt . Social and political revolutions abroad usually end in anarchy and bloodshed . In this country , however , we manage to settle our differences without losing our heads . Wo have learned to differ without coming to

blows , and if the classes below us are destined to take a higher place in the social scale than that which they have hitherto held , we may rest assured that they will fall into their new positions without materially deranging the complex machinery of the glorious constitution under which we live .

Masons , as such , have little to do with either social or political changes , but the grand principles of the Order have taught us all the true principles of toleration , and

we can look upon the movements of the lower classes with abounding charity , and full confidence in the ultimate triumph of the sterling qualities which underlie the English character .

Conviviality.

CONVIVIALITY .

CONVIVIALITY is a virtue , the cultivation of which is essential to the well-being of everybody . We may have our doubts as to what constitutes this virtue ; we may question the time when its exercise is most opportune ; but we cannot doubt—the experience of every age and nation

forbids us to doubt—that without Conviviality this world of ours would be a sorry place to live in . What is Conviviality ? It were pedantic , perhaps , to lay down a hard and fast definition of it , but there can be no objection to our stating what it is not—at least in our estimation .

Conviviality is not merely the simple pleasure we derive from some feast or banquet , or other kind of social entertainment . It is not the momentary interchange of friendliness which

chance association brings with it . Still Jess is it the prepared intercourse of men with one another for the mere purposes of sensual enjoyment . Conviviality means more , or other than this . It implies , to begin with , a kinshi p