device known as the phalanx, Alexander conquered his bit of the
world. By virtue of that chemical device, gunpowder, Cortes with his
several hundred cut-throats conquered the empire of the Montezumas.
Now I am in possession of a device that is all my own. In the course
of a century not more than half a dozen fundamental discoveries or
inventions are made. I have made such an invention. The possession
of it gives me the mastery of the world. I shall use this invention,
not for commercial exploitation, but for the good of humanity. For
that purpose I want help--willing agents, obedient hands; and I am
strong enough to compel the service. I am taking the shortest way,
though I am in no hurry. I shall not clutter my speed with haste.

"The incentive of material gain developed man from the savage to the
semi-barbarian he is to-day. This incentive has been a useful device
for the development of the human; but it has now fulfilled its
function and is ready to be cast aside into the scrap-heap of
rudimentary vestiges such as gills in the throat and belief in the
divine right of kings. Of course you do not think so; but I do not
see that that will prevent you from aiding me to fling the
anachronism into the scrap-heap. For I tell you now that the time
has come when mere food and shelter and similar sordid things shall
be automatic, as free and easy and involuntary of access as the air.
I shall make them automatic, what of my discovery and the power that
discovery gives me. And with food and shelter automatic, the
incentive of material gain passes away from the world for ever. With
food and shelter automatic, the higher incentives will universally
obtain--the spiritual, aesthetic, and intellectual incentives that
will tend to develop and make beautiful and noble body, mind, and
spirit. Then all the world will be dominated by happiness and
laughter. It will be the reign of universal laughter.

"Yours for that day,

"GOLIAH."

Still the world would not believe. The ten politicians were at
Washington, so that they did not have the opportunity of being convinced
that Bassett had had, and not one of them took the trouble to journey out
to San Francisco to make the opportunity. As for Goliah, he was hailed
by the newspapers as another Tom