al; for we have seen
already that it was the function of government to protect the rich
against the poor. But did not the government defend its rich men against
other nations?

(I) I do not remember to have heard that the rich needed defence;
because it is said that even when two nations were at war, the rich men
of each nation gambled with each other pretty much as usual, and even
sold each other weapons wherewith to kill their own countrymen.

(H.) In short, it comes to this, that whereas the so-called government
of protection of property by means of the law-courts meant destruction of
wealth, this defence of the citizens of one country against those of
another country by means of war or the threat of war meant pretty much
the same thing.

(I) I cannot deny it.

(H.) Therefore the government really existed for the destruction of
wealth?

(I) So it seems. And yet--

(H.) Yet what?

(I) There were many rich people in those times.

(H.) You see the consequences of that fact?

(I) I think I do. But tell me out what they were.

(H.) If the government habitually destroyed wealth, the country must
have been poor?

(I) Yes, certainly.

(H.) Yet amidst this poverty the persons for the sake of whom the
government existed insisted on being rich whatever might happen?

(I) So it was.

(H.) What must happen if in a poor country some people insist on being
rich at the expense of the others?

(I) Unutterable poverty for the others. All this misery, then, was
caused by the destructive government of which we have been speaking?

(H.) Nay, it would be incorrect to say so. The government itself was
but the necessary result of the careless, aimless tyranny of the times;
it was but the machinery of tyranny. Now tyranny has come to an end, and
we no longer need such machinery; we could not possibly use it since we
are free. Therefore in your sense of the word we have no government. Do
you understand this now?

(I) Yes, I do. But I will ask you some more questions as to how you as
free men manage your affairs.

(H.) With all my heart. Ask away.

CHAPTER XII: CONCERNING THE ARRANGEMENT OF LIFE

"Well," I said, "about those 'arrangements' which you spoke of as taking
the place of government, could you give me any account of them?"

"Neighbour," he said, "although we have simplified our lives a great deal
from what they were, and have got rid of many conventionalities and many
sh