practical leader.

Here the work of the statesman and politician comes in. They are nearer to
the mass of people, they hold their authority by election of the people,
and they understand that the rate of speed must be slow. Under the guidance
of their political leaders, the people are willing to move.

Sometimes the idealist is frankly revolutionary, is for beginning anew in
politics, and starting society all over again. If the state of things is
bad enough, he may get into power, as he did in France at the Revolution,
and for a time the world will stagger at his doings. But there is no
beginning _de novo_ in politics, and the revolutions wrought by men who
would give the world an entirely fresh start (to be distinguished from mere
changes of dynasty, such as our English Revolution was) have their sandy
foundations washed away by the floods of reaction.

There is no such absolute escape from the past for men or nations, and we
can only build our new social and political order on the foundations of
experience. But we may not be moved to build at all but for the prophet and
the agitator, and therefore the instinct that makes governments slay or
imprison the political agitator and suppress the writings of political
prophets can be understood. For the existence of every government is
threatened by prophets and agitators, and in self-defence it resists
innovation. A healthy democracy will allow too many opportunities for
popular expression to fear innovation; yet even under a democracy the
prophets have been stoned--their sepulchres to be subsequently erected by
public subscription and handsomely decorated.

Democracy owes too much to its prophets in the past not to rejoice at their
presence in its midst. But it will prudently leave the direction of its
public affairs to men who, less gifted it may be in finding new paths, are
more experienced in making the roads that others have discovered fit for
the heavy tread of multitudes.

* * * * *

CHAPTER VII

PARLIAMENTARY REFORM AND THE ENFRANCHISEMENT OF THE PEOPLE

THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

The industrial revolution of the eighteenth century changed the face of
England and brought to the manufacturing class wealth and prominence. The
population of Lancashire was not more than 300,000 in 1760, the West Riding
of Yorkshire about 360,000, and the total population of England 6,000,000.
The inventions of Arkwright, Hargreaves, Crompton, Wat