Page:Lily Gair Wilkinson - Revolutionary Socialism and the Woman's Movement.djvu/35



In order to understand our own time it is absolutely necessary that we know something of the times that have gone before. The generations are like links in a chain, all connected. The study, by which we can understand the philosophy of events and learn what has been done and thought before us, is history, and this is perhaps the most fascinating of all studies. The reading of history, clothed in the garb of fiction, without historic accuracy being sacrificed, is the most delightful way of gathering historical knowledge. Many people have a far better idea of Scotch history from reading the works of Scott than if they had depended solely on the dry-as-dust text books. Socialism is more concerned with the history of the people than with the doings of kings and queens; and with a knowledge of the history of the people we can better understand how the great men achieved prominence. Fortunately, the great Eugene Sue has given us in the form of fiction the best universal history extant. It is a monumental work entitled "The Mysteries of the People," or "History of a Proletarian Family Across the Ages." In this work Sue gives the leading and successive: episodes in the history of the race, by tracing through the ages the varying phases of the fortunes of one family under the several systems of society, together with the nature of the struggle between the contending classes.

The following five stories have been translated, and should be read by those entering upon a study of Socialism.

Others are in course of preparation, and will be issued shortly.