The community of Harris-Ingram had little or no poverty. Everybody had
money in the savings bank, or accumulations going into pretty homes, and
mill stock, and all respected law and order, hence few if any policemen
were ever seen on the streets. Everybody was well dressed, courteous, and
daily growing more intelligent. Taxes were light, and general
improvements were economically and promptly made.
Both George and Gertrude believed that the tendency of the age was
towards more practical education for the people. London publishes
millions of penny books, penny histories and biographies, penny
arithmetics, astronomies and dictionaries, and penny books to teach good
behavior, honor, and patriotism. In London and elsewhere, the people were
organizing workmen's clubs, colleges, and institute unions, for mutual
improvement, and glimpses were already caught of Morris's "Earthly
Paradise that is to be."
"Then a man shall work and bethink him, and rejoice in the deeds of his
hand,
Nor yet come home in the even too faint and weary to stand.
Men in that time a-coming shall work and have no fear
For to-morrow's lack of earning and the hungry-wolf a-near.
Oh, strange, new, wonderful justice! But for whom shall we gather the
gain?
For ourselves and for each of our fellows, and no hand shall labor in
vain.
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