First, that we should choose out, or breed, a class of superior persons capable of judging on all matters without consulting the neighbours; that, in short, we should get for ourselves what used to be called an aristocracy of intellect; or, secondly, that for the purpose of safe-guarding the freedom of the individual will, we should revert to a system of private property again, and have slaves and slave-holders once more.

What do you think of those two expedients ?" "Well," said I, "there is a third possibility--to wit, that every man should be quite independent of every other, and that thus the tyranny of society should be abolished." He looked hard at me for a second or two, and then burst out laughing very heartily; and I confess that I joined him.

When he recovered himself he nodded at me, and said: "Yes, yes, I quite agree with you--and so we all do." "Yes," I said, "and besides, it does not press hardly on the minority: for, take this matter of the bridge, no man is obliged to work on it if he doesn't agree to its building.

At least, I suppose not." He smiled, and said: "Shrewdly put; and yet from the point of view of the native of another planet.

If the man of the minority does find his feelings hurt, doubtless he may relieve them by refusing to help in building the bridge.