Page:Diary of a Pilgrimage (1891).pdf/277

Rh "Because it is done by THE MAJORITY."

"How does that make it right?" I asked.

"A MAJORITY can do no wrong," he answered.

"Oh! is that what the people who are lopped think?"

"They!" he replied, evidently astonished at the question. "Oh, they are in the minority, you know."

"Yes; but even the minority has a right to its arms and legs and heads, hasn't it?"

"A minority has NO rights," he answered.

I said:

"It's just as well to belong to the Majority, if you're thinking of living here, isn't it?"

He said:

"Yes; most of our people do. They seem to think it more convenient."

I was finding the town somewhat uninteresting, and I asked if we could not go out into the country for a change.

My guide said:

"Oh, yes, certainly;" but did not think I should care much for it.

"Oh! but it used to be so beautiful in the country," I urged, "before I went to bed. There were great green trees, and grassy, wind-waved meadows, and little rose-decked cottages, and "

"Oh, we've changed all that," interrupted the old gentleman; "it is all one huge market-garden now, divided by roads and canals cut at right angles to each other. There is no beauty in the country now whatever. We have abolished beauty; it interfered with our equality. It was not fair that some people should live among lovely scenery, and others upon barren moors. So we have