,transcrib] ,note3 ,obvi\s typos & punctuation errors correct$4 ,italic text is repres5t$ by und]scores surr\nd+ ! italic text4 ,small capitals h be5 conv]t$ to ,,all ,,caps4 ,a small decoration on ! title page is repres5t$ by ,decoration4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,?is ,,mis]y ( ,,boots ,,by ,h4 ,g4 ,,wells ,au?or ( 8,socialism & ! ,family10 8,9 ! ,days ( ! ,comet10 8,a ,mod]n ,utopia10 etc4 ,decoration ,,bo/on ,,! ,,ball ,,publi%+ ,,co4 #aijh ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,?is ,,mis]y ,,( ,,boots ,,*apt] ,i ,,! ,,_w ,,z ,,boots ,,& ,,sup]/ructure 8,x does n d10 said a fri5d ( m9e1 8to ?9k ab\t boots40 ,= my own "p1 ,i h always be5 p>ticul>ly incl9$ to look at boots1 & ?9k ab\t !m4 ,i h an odd idea t mo/ g5]al que/ions c be express$ 9 t]ms ( foot-we>--:i* is p]haps :y cobbl]s are (t5 su* philosophical m54 ,accid5t x may be1 gave me ?is p]suasion4 ,a v consid]able "p ( my *ildhood 0 sp5t 9 an und]gr\nd kit*52 ! w9d[ op5$ ^u a brick$-9 space1 surm\nt$ by a grat+ be=e my fa!r's %op w9d[4 ,s t1 :5 ,i look$ out ( ! w9d[1 in/ead ( see+--z *ildr5 ( a high] upbr++ w\ld d--! heads & bodies ( p1 ,i saw _! "u side4 ,i got acqua9t$ inde$ ) all sorts ( social types z boots simply1 inde$1 z ! soles ( boots2 & only subsequ5tly1 & ) c>e1 h ,i fitt$ heads1 bodies1 & legs to ^! p$im5ts4 ,!re w\ld come boots & %oes 7no d\bt hold+ p7 to />e at ! %op1 f9ick+1 neat little wom5's boots1 good sorts & bad sorts1 fre% & new1 worn crook$ 9 ! tread1 pat*$ or ne$+ pat*+2 m5's boots1 clumsy & f9e1 rubb] %oes1 t5nis %oes1 golo%es4 ,br[n %oes ,i nev] beheld--x 0 be=e t "t2 b ,i h se5 patt5s4 ,boots us$ to come & commune at ! w9d[1 duets t m>k$ _! emotional developm5t by a re/lessness or a kick4444 ,b anyh[1 t expla9s my preoccupation ) boots4 ,b my fri5d did n ?9k x did1 to ?9k ab\t boots4 ,my fri5d 0 a reali/ic noveli/1 & a man f :om hope _h dep>t$4 ,i _c tell y h[ hope _h gone out ( 8 life2 "s subtle disease ( ! s\l _h robb$ him at la/ ( any ent]prise1 or belief 9 com+ ?+s2 & he 0 try+ to live ! few decl9+ ye>s t lay be=e him 9 a sort ( booki% com=t1 among surr\nd+s t seem$ peaceful & beautiful1 by n ?9k+ ( ?+s t 7 pa9ful & cruel4 ,& we met a tramp :o limp$ along ! lane4 8,*af$ heel10 ,i said1 :5 we _h p>t$ f him aga92 8& on ^! pebbly byways no man goes b>efoot$40 ,my fri5d w9c$2 & a little sil5ce came betwe5 u4 ,we 7 bo? recall+ ?+s2 & !n = a "t1 :5 we began to talk aga91 until he w\ld h no m ( x1 we rehe>s$ ! mis]ies ( boots4 ,we agre$ t to a v great majority ( p 9 ?is c\ntry boots are con/antly a s\rce ( di/ress1 giv+ pa9 & discom=t1 caus+ tr\ble1 caus+ anxiety4 ,we tri$ to pres5t ! ?+ 9 a concrete =m to our own m9ds by haz>d\s /ati/ical inv5tions4 8,at ! pres5t mom5t10 said ,i1 8"o p]son 9 t5 9 ^! isl&s is 9 discom=t ?r\gh boots40 ,my fri5d ?\ght x 0 ne>] "o 9 five4 8,9 ! life ( a poor man or a poor man's wife1 & /ill m 9 ! lives ( _! *ildr51 ?is mis]y ( ! boot occurs & recurs--e ye> s _m days40 ,we made a sort ( classification ( ^! tr\bles4 ,!re is ! ,,tr\ble ,,( ,,! ,,new ,,boot4 7i7 ,!y are made ( "s bad1 unv5tilat$ mat]ial2 & 8draw ! feet10 z p say4 7ii7 ,!y d n fit exactly4 ,mo/ p h to buy ready-made boots2 !y _c af=d o!rs1 &1 9 ! submissive philosophy ( pov]ty1 !y we> !m to 8get us$0 to !m4 ,?is gives y ! little-toe p9*1 ! big-toe p9*1 ! squeeze & swell+ across ! foot2 &1 z a sort ( *ronic developm5t ( ^! pressures1 come corns & all ! mis]y ( corns4 ,*ildr5's feet get di/ort$ = good by ?is me?od ( fitt+ ! human be+ to ! ?+2 & a va/ numb] ( p 9 ! _w are1 z a consequ5ce ( ?is1 a%am$ to appe> b>efoot$4 7,i us$ to press p :o came to see me 9 w>m pleasant wea!r to play ,badm9ton b>efoot$ on ! grass--a delightful ?+ to d--until ,i f\nd out t _m 7 emb>rass$ at ! ?\ght ( display+ twi/$ toes & corns1 & su*-l disfigurem5ts47 7iii7 ,! ?ird tr\ble ( new boots is ?is3 !y are unseason$ & 9 bad condition1 & s !y squeak & make !mselves an insult+ comm5t>y on "o's ways4 ,b ^! are b trifl+ tr\bles to :at arises z ! boots get into we>4 ,!n x is ! p9* comes 9 e>ne/4 ,( ^! ,,tr\bles ,,( ,,! ,,worn ,,boot1 ,i & my fri5d1 be=e he desi/$1 reckon$ up ?ree pr9cipal classes4 7i7 ,!re are ! v>i\s sorts ( *afe4 ,wor/ ( ! *afes is c]ta9ly ! heel *afe1 :5 some?+ goes wrong ) ! upright support at ! heel4 ,?is1 z a boy1 ,i h _h to endure = days toge!r2 because !re 7 no o!r boots = me4 ,!n !re is ! *afe t comes :5 t inn] l9+ ( ! boot rucks up--v l ! *afe x is t poor p are always gett+ f ov]-d>n$ & ha/ily-d>n$ socks4 ,& !n !re is ! *afe t comes f ready-made boots "o has got a trifle too l>ge or long1 9 ord] to avoid ! p9* & corns4 ,aft] a little :ile1 !re comes a transv]se crease across ! loose-fitt+ =ep>t2 &1 :5 ! boot /iff5s f wet or any cause1 x *afes across ! base ( ! toes4 ,!y h y all ways4 ,& ,i h a v lively recollection too ( ! *afe ( ! knots "o made to m5d brok5 laces--"o _c be always buy+ new laces1 & ! knots us$ to "w inw>d4 ,& !n ! *afe ( ! crumpl$ tongue4 7ii7 ,!n !re are ! mis]ies t come f ! we> ( ! sole4 ,!re is ! rick ( ankle because ! heel has gone ov]1 & ! s5se ( insecurity2 & !re is ! mis]able s5se ( n look+ well f beh9d t _m p mu/ feel4 ,x is almo/ always pa9ful to me to walk beh9d girls :o "w out1 & g to & fro1 consum+ mu* foot-we>1 = ?is v reason1 t _! heels seem always to we> askew4 ,girls ought always to be s beautiful1 mo/ girls c\ld be s beautiful1 t to see _! poor feet askew1 ! grace ( _! walk gone1 a sort ( sp9al curvature induc$1 makes me wret*$1 & angry ) a _w t treats !m s4 ,& !n !re is ! work+ ?r\gh ( nails1 nails 9 ! %oe4 ,"o limps on manfully 9 ! hope pres5tly ( a quiet mom5t & a quiet corn] 9 :i* "o may hamm] ! ?+ d[n aga94 ,?irdly1 "u ?is head+ ,i recall ! flapp+ sole4 ,my boots always came to t /age at la/2 ,i wore ! toes out fir/1 & !n ! sole split f be=e backw>ds4 ,z "o walk$ x began cat*+ ! gr\nd4 ,"o made fanta/ic paces to prev5t x happ5+2 "o 0 dreadfully a%am$4 ,at la/ "o 0 =c$ to sit by ! wayside frankly1 & cut ! flap away4 7iii7 ,our ?ird class ( mis]ies we made ( splitt+ & leaks4 ,^! are = ! mo/ "p m5tal mis]ies1 ! feel+ ( %abb9ess z "o sees ! ugly yawn1 = example1 betwe5 toe cap & ! ma9 upp] ( ! boot2 b !y involve also *ills1 colds1 & a long /r+ ( disagreeable consequ5ces4 ,& we spoke too ( ! mis]y ( sitt+ d[n to "w 7z multitudes ( ,london s*ool *ildr5 d e wet morn+7 9 boots ) soles worn ?9 or into actual holes1 t h got wet & *ill+ on ! way to ! "w-place4444 ,f ^! in/ances my m9d ran on to o!rs4 ,i made a discov]y4 ,i _h always despis$ ! common run ( poor ,london]s = n sp5d+ _! ,sundays & holidays 9 /urdy walks1 ! v be/ ( ex]cise4 ,i _h all[$ myself to say :5 ,i f\nd myself "o summ] day at ,m>gate3 8,:at a s(t lot all ^! "y p mu/ be :o loaf ab\t ! b&-/& "h1 :5 !y might be tramp+ ov] ! ,k5ti% hills inl&60 ,b n[ ,i rep5t$ me ( t4 ,long tramps inde$6 ,_! boots w\ld h hurt !m4 ,_! boots w\ld n /& x4 ,i saw x all4 ,& n[ my disc\rse 0 fairly "u way4 8,ex p$e ,h]culem10 ,i said2 8^! mis]ies ( boots are no m ?an a sample4 ,! clo!s p we> are no bett] ?an _! boots2 & ! h\ses !y live 9 f> worse4 ,& ?9k ( ! %oddy g>m5t ( ideas & misconceptions & p>tial /atem5ts into :i* _! poor m9ds h be5 jamm$ by way ( education6 ,?9k ( ! way t p9*es & *afes !m6 ,if "o exp&$ ! mis]ies ( ^! ?+s4444 ,?9k1 = example1 ( ! results ( ! poor1 bad1 unwise food1 ( badly-manag$ eyes & e>s & tee?6 ,?9k ( ! quantity ( too?a*e40 8,i tell y1 x does n d to ?9k ( su* ?+s60 cri$ my fri5d1 9 a sort ( angui%2 & w\ld h no m ( x at any price4444 ,& yet 9 8 "t he _h writt5 books full ( ^! v matt]s1 be=e despair ov]took him4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,*apt] ,,ii ,,p ,,^: ,,boots ,,don',t ,,hurt ,,!m ,well1 ,i did n talk m]ely to torm5t him2 nor h ,i writt5 ?is m]ely to torm5t y4 ,y see ,i h a p]si/5t p]suasion t all ^! mis]ies are prev5table mis]ies1 :i* x lies 9 ! p[] ( m5 to cure4 ,ev]ybody does n suff] mis]y f boots4 ,"o p]son ,i "k1 ano!r fri5d ( m9e1 :o c te/ify to t2 :o has ta/$ all ! mis]ies ( boots1 & :o n[ goes ab\t ! _w free ( !m1 b n altoge!r =getful ( !m4 ,a /roke ( luck1 aid$ p]haps by a c]ta9 alacrity on 8 own "p1 lift$ him out ( ! class 9 :i* "o buys "o's boots & clo!s out ( :at is left ov] f a p\nd a week1 into ! class 9 :i* "o sp5ds sev5ty or eighty p\nds a ye> on clo?+4 ,sometimes he buys %oes & boots at v good %ops2 sometimes he has !m made = him2 he has !m /or$ 9 a prop] cupbo>d1 & great c>e is tak5 ( !m2 & s 8 boots & %oes & slipp]s nev] *afe1 nev] p9*1 nev] squeak1 nev] hurt nor worry him1 nev] bo!r him2 &1 :5 he /icks out 8 toes be=e ! fire1 !y d n rem9d him t he is a %abby & contemptible wret*1 liv+ meanly on ! du/ heaps ( ! _w4 ,y might ?9k f ?is he _h e reason to congratulate himself & be happy1 see+ t he has _h good foll[ aft] evil2 b1 su* is ! oddness ( ! human he>t1 he isn't cont5t$ at all4 ,! ?\ght ( ! multitudes s mu* worse (f ?an himself 9 ?is matt] ( foot-we>1 gives him no sort ( satisfaction4 ,_! boots p9* him vic>i\sly4 ,! black rage ) ! s*eme ( ?+s t once he felt ?r\gh suff]+ 9 8 own p]son 9 ! days :5 he limp$ %abbily ?r\gh gaily busy1 fa%ionable ,london /reets1 9 split boots t *af$1 he feels n[ j z badly z he goes ab\t ! _w v com=tably himself1 b among p :om he kn[s ) a pitiless cle>ness to be almo/ intol]ably uncom=table4 ,he has no optimi/ic illusion t ?+s are all "r ) !m4 ,/upid p :o h always be5 well (f1 :o h always _h boots t fit1 may ?9k t2 b n s1 he4 ,9 "o respect ! ?\ght ( boots makes him ev5 m vici\sly angry n[1 ?an x us$ to d4 ,9 ! old days he 0 savage ) 8 luck1 b hopelessly savage2 he ?\ght t bad boots1 ugly uncom=table clo!s1 rott5 h\ses1 7 9 ! v nature ( ?+s4 ,n[1 :5 he sees a *ild sniff+ & blubb]+ & halt+ ^u ! pavem5t1 or an old c\ntry-woman go+ pa9fully along a lane1 he no long] recognises ! ,p9* ( ,de/9y4 ,8 rage is lit by ! ?\ght1 t !re are fools 9 ?is _w :o ought to h =ese5 & prev5t$ ?is4 ,he no long] curses fate1 b ! dulness ( /atesm5 & p[]ful responsible p :o h nei!r ! he>t1 nor c\rage1 nor capacity1 to *ange ! /ate ( mismanagem5t t gives u ^! ?+s4 ,n[ d n ?9k ,i am dwell+ unduly ^u my second fri5d's good =tune1 :5 ,i tell y t once he 0 con/antly gett+ pa9 & mis]able /ates ( m9d1 colds = example1 f ! badness ( 8 clo?+1 %ame f be+ %abby1 pa9 f ! neglect$ /ate ( 8 tee?1 f ! indige/ion ( unsuitable food eat5 at unsuitable h\rs1 f ! insanit>y ugly h\se 9 :i* he liv$ & ! bad air ( t "p ( ,london1 f ?+s inde$ q beyond ! unaid$ p[] ( a poor ov]-work$ man to rem$y4 ,& n[ all ^! disagreeable ?+s h gone out ( 8 life2 he has consult$ d5ti/s & physicians1 he has h>dly any dull days f colds1 no pa9 f too?a*e at all1 no gloom ( indige/ion4444 ,i w n g on ) ! tale ( good =tune ( ?is lucky p]son4 ,my purpose is s]v$ if ,i h %[n t ?is mis]y ( boots is n an unavoidable curse ^u mank9d4 ,if "o man c evade x1 o!rs c4 ,by good managem5t x may be altoge!r escap$4 ,if y1 or :at is m important to mo/ human be+s1 if any p de> to y1 suff] f pa9ful or disfigur+ boots or %oes1 & y c d no bett] = !m1 x is simply because y are gett+ ! worse side ( an ill-manag$ _w4 ,x is n ! univ]sal lot4 ,& :at ,i say ( boots is true ( all ! o!r m9or ?+s ( life4 ,if y\r wife cat*es a bad cold because h] boots are too ?9 = ! "t ( ! ye>1 or dislikes go+ out because %e cuts a %abby ugly figure1 if y\r *ildr5 look pa9fully na/y because _! faces are swoll5 ) too?a*e1 or because _! clo!s are dirty1 old1 & ill-fitt+1 if y are all dull & dispos$ to be cross ) "o ano!r = want ( dec5t amusem5t & *ange ( air--don't submit1 don't be humbugg$ = a mom5t into believ+ t ?is is ! d+y lot ( all mank9d4 ,^? p y love are liv+ 9 a badly-manag$ _w & on ! wrong side ( x2 & su* wret*$nesses are ! daily demon/ration ( t4 ,don't say = a mom5t3 8,su* is life40 ,don't ?9k _! mis]ies are "p ( "s primordial curse !re is no escap+4 ,! dispro( ( t is = any "o to see4 ,!re are p1 p no m des]v+ ?an o!rs1 :o suff] f none ( ^! ?+s4 ,y may feel y m]it no bett] ?an to live s poorly & badly t y\r boots are always hurt+ y2 b d ! little *ildr51 ! girls1 ! mass ( dec5t h>d-up p1 des]ve no bett] fate8 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,*apt] ,,iii ,,at ,,?is ,,po9t ,a ,,dispute ,,arises ,n[ let u imag9e "s "o :o w dispute :at ,i am say+4 ,i d n suppose any "o w dispute my argum5t t a l>ge "p ( ! mis]y ( civilis$ life--,i d n say 8all0 b only a 8l>ge "p0--arises out ( ! network ( squalid insuffici5cies ( :i* ,i h tak5 ?is mis]y ( boots z ! simple/ example4 ,b ,i d believe q a lot ( p w be prep>$ to d5y t su* mis]ies c be avoid$4 ,!y w say t e "o _c h ! be/ ( ?+s1 t ( all sorts ( good ?+s1 includ+ good lea!r & cobbl+1 !re is n en\gh to g r\nd1 t l[]-class p ought n to m9d be+ %abby & uncom=table1 t !y ought to be v glad to be able to live at all1 consid]+ :at !y are1 & t x is no good /irr+ up discont5t ab\t ?+s t _c be alt]$ or improv$4 ,su* argum5ts are n to be swept aside ) a wave ( ! h&4 ,x is p]fectly true t e "o _c h ! be/ ( ?+s2 & x is 9 ! nature ( ?+s t "s boots %\ld be bett] & "s worse4 ,to "s p1 ei!r by %e] good luck1 or ?r\gh ! /r5g? ( _! det]m9ation to h !m1 ! exquisitely good boots1 ^? ( ! f9e/ lea!r & ! mo/ arti/ic cut1 w fall4 ,i h nev] d5i$ t4 ,nobody dreams ( a "t :5 e "o w h exactly z good boots z e "o else2 ,i am n prea*+ any su* *ildi% & impossible equality4 ,b x is a long way f recognis+ t !re mu/ be a c]ta9 picturesque & int]e/+ v>iety 9 ?is matt] ( foot-we>1 to ! admission t a l>ge majority ( p c nev] hope = m ?an to be %od 9 a mann] t is frequ5tly pa9ful1 uncom=table1 unheal?y1 or unsightly4 ,t admission ,i absolutely refuse to make4 ,!re is en\gh good lea!r 9 ! _w to make good sightly boots & %oes = all :o ne$ !m1 en\gh m5 at leisure & en\gh p[] & ma*9]y to d all ! "w requir$1 en\gh unemploy$ intellig5ce to organise ! %oemak+ & %oe di/ribution = ev]ybody4 ,:at /&s 9 ! way8 ,let u put t "q 9 a r diff]5t =m4 ,"h on ! "o h&--y c see = y\rself 9 any unfa%ionable "p ( ,great ,brita9--are p badly1 uncom=tably1 pa9fully %od1 9 old boots1 rott5 boots1 %am boots2 & on ! o!r great /ret*es ( l& 9 ! _w1 ) unlimit$ possibilities ( cattle & lea!r & great numb]s ( p1 :o1 ei!r ?r\gh weal? or trade disord]1 are do+ no "w4 ,& our "q is3 8,:y _c ! latt] set to "w & make & di/ribute boots80 ,imag9e y\rself try+ to organise some?+ ( ?is k9d ( ,free ,boot+ exp$ition2 & consid] ! difficulties y w\ld meet )4 ,y w\ld beg9 by look+ = a lot ( lea!r4 ,imag9e y\rself sett+ (f to ,s\? ,am]ica1 = example1 to get lea!r2 beg9n+ at ! v beg9n+ by sett+ to "w to kill & flay a h]d ( cattle4 ,y f9d at once y are int]rupt$4 ,along comes y\r fir/ ob/acle 9 ! %ape ( a man :o tells y ! cattle & ! lea!r belong to him4 ,y expla9 t ! lea!r is want$ = p :o h no dec5t boots 9 ,engl&4 ,he says he does n c>e a rap :at y want x =2 be=e y may take x f him y h to buy him (f2 x is 8 private prop]ty1 ?is lea!r1 & ! h]d & ! l& ov] :i* ! h]d ranges4 ,y ask him h[ mu* he wants = 8 lea!r2 & he tells y frankly1 j z mu* z he c induce y to give4 ,if he *anc$ to be a p]son ( exceptional sweetness ( disposition1 y might p]haps argue ) him4 ,y might po9t out to him t ?is project ( giv+ p spl5did boots 0 a f9e "o t w\ld put an end to mu* human mis]y4 ,he might ev5 sympa?ise ) y\r g5]\s en?usiasm2 b y w\ld1 ,i ?9k1 f9d him adamant9e 9 8 resolve to get j z mu* out ( y = 8 lea!r z y c\ld ) ! utmo/ ef=t pay4 ,suppose n[ y said to him3 8,b h[ did y come by ?is l& & ^! h]ds1 s t y c /& betwe5 !m & ! p :o h ne$ ( !m1 exact+ ?is pr(it80 ,he w\ld probably ei!r emb>k ^u a long rigm>ole1 or1 :at is mu* m probable1 lose 8 temp] & decl9e to argue4 ,pursu+ y\r d\bt z to ! rightfulness ( 8 prop]ty 9 ^! ?+s1 y might admit he des]v$ a c]ta9 reasonable fee = ! r\gh c>e he _h tak5 ( ! l& & h]ds4 ,b cattle bre$]s are a rude1 viol5t race2 & x is d\btful if y w\ld get f> beyond y\r proposition ( a reasonable fee4 ,y w\ld 9 fact h to buy (f ?is own] ( ! lea!r at a good ?ump+ price--he exact+ j z mu* z he c\ld get f y--if y want$ to g on ) y\r project4 ,well1 !n y w\ld h to get y\r lea!r "h2 &1 to d t1 y w\ld h to br+ x by railway & %ip to ?is c\ntry4 ,& "h aga9 y w\ld f9d p )\t any desire or int5tion ( help+ y\r project1 /&+ 9 y\r c\rse1 resolv$ to make e possible p5ny out ( y on y\r way to provide s\nd boots = e "o4 ,y w\ld f9d ! railway 0 private prop]ty1 & _h an own] or own]s2 y w\ld f9d ! %ip 0 private prop]ty1 ) an own] or own]s2 & t none ( ^! w\ld be satisfi$ = a mom5t ) a m]e fee adequate to _! s]vices4 ,!y too w\ld be resolv$ to make e p5ny ( pr(it out ( y4 ,if y made inquiries ab\t ! matt]1 y w\ld probably f9d ! real own]s ( railway & %ip 7 companies ( %>ehold]s1 & t ! pr(it squeez$ out ( y\r poor p's boots at ?is /age w5t to fill ! pockets ( old ladies at ,torquay1 sp5d?rifts 9 ,p>is1 well-boot$ g5tlem5 9 ,london clubs1 all sorts ( glossy p4444 ,well1 y get ! lea!r to ,engl& at la/2 & n[ y want to make x into boots4 ,y take x to a c5tre ( population1 invite work]s to come to y1 erect %$s & ma*9]y ^u a vacant piece ( gr\nd1 & />t (f 9 a sort ( fury ( g5]\s indu/ry1 boot-mak+4444 ,d y8 ,!re comes along an own] = t vacant piece ( gr\nd1 decl>es x is 8 prop]ty1 dem&s an enorm\s sum = r5t4 ,& y\r work]s all r\nd y1 y f9d1 _c get h\se room until !y too h paid r5t--e in* ( ! c\ntry is somebody's prop]ty1 & a man may n %ut 8 eyes = an h\r )\t ! cons5t ( "s own] or o!r4 ,& ! food y\r %oemak]s eat1 ! clo!s !y we>1 h all paid tribute & pr(it to l&-own]s1 c>t-own]s1 h\se-own]s1 endless tribute ov] & ov] & above ! fair pay = "w t has be5 done ^u !m4444 ,s "o might g on4 ,b y beg9 to see n[ "o set ( reasons at lea/ :y e "o has n good com=table boots4 ,!re c\ld be pl5ty ( lea!r2 & !re is c]ta9ly pl5ty ( lab\r & q en\gh intellig5ce 9 ! _w to manage t & a ?\s& o!r desirable ?+s4 ,b ?is in/itution ( ,private ,prop]ty 9 l& & naturally produc$ ?+s1 ^! ob/ructive claims t prev5t y us+ gr\nd1 or mov+ mat]ial1 & t h to be b\ght out at exorbitant prices1 /& 9 ! way4 ,all ^! own]s hang l p>asites ^u y\r ent]prise at its e /age2 &1 by ! "t y get y\r s\nd boots well made 9 ,engl&1 y w f9d !m co/+ ab\t a p\nd a pair--high out ( ! rea* ( ! g5]al mass ( p4 ,& y w p]haps n ?9k me fanciful & extravagant :5 ,i confess t :5 ,i realise ?is1 & look at poor p's boots 9 ! /reet1 & see !m crack$ & mis%ap5 & altoge!r na/y1 ,i seem to see also a lot ( little phantom l&-own]s1 cattle-own]s1 h\se-own]s1 own]s ( all sorts1 sw>m+ ov] _! p9*$ & we>y feet l lee*es1 tak+ mu* & giv+ no?+1 & be+ ! real cause ( all su* mis]ies4 ,n[ is ?is a necess>y & unavoidable ?+8--t is our "q4 ,is !re no o!r way ( manag+ ?+s ?an to let ^! prop]ty-own]s exact _! claims1 & squeeze com=t1 pride1 happ9ess1 out ( ! lives ( ! common run ( p8 ,because1 ( c\rse1 x is n only ! boots !y squeeze into meanness & badness4 ,x is ! claim & pr(it ( ! l&-own] & h\se-own] t make our h\ses s ugly1 %abby1 & de>1 t make our roadways & railways s cr[d$ & inconv5i5t1 t sweat our s*ools1 our clo?+1 our food--boots we took m]ely by way ( "o example ( a univ]sal tr\ble4 ,well1 !re are a numb] ( p :o say !re is a bett] way & t ! _w c\ld be made inf9itely bett] 9 all ^! matt]s1 made happi] & bett] ?an x ev] has be5 9 ^! respects1 by refus+ to h private prop]ty 9 all ^! univ]sally necess>y ?+s4 ,!y say t x is possible to h ! l& adm9i/]$1 & su* common & ne$ful ?+s z lea!r produc$1 & boots manufactur$1 & no end ( o!r su* g5]ally necess>y s]vices c>ri$ on1 n = ! private pr(it ( individuals1 b = ! good ( all4 ,!y propose t ! ,/ate %\ld take away ! l&1 & ! railways1 & %ipp+1 & _m great organis$ ent]prises f _! own]s1 :o use !m simply to squeeze ! means = a wa/eful private exp5diture out ( ! common mass ( m51 & %\ld adm9i/] all ^! ?+s1 g5]\sly & boldly1 n = pr(it1 b = s]vice4 ,x is ?is idea ( extract+ pr(it !y hold :i* is ! v root ( ! evil4 ,^! are ! ,sociali/s2 & !y are ! only p :o d hold out any hope ( f>-rea*+ *ange t w alt] ! pres5t d+y /ate ( affairs1 ( :i* ?is pa9ful wret*$ness ( boots is only "o typical symbol4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,*apt] ,,iv ,,is ,,socialism ,,possible8 ,i w n pret5d to be imp>tial 9 ?is matt]1 & to discuss z ?\gh ,i _h an undecid$ m9d1 :e!r ! _w w\ld be bett] if we c\ld aboli% private prop]ty 9 l& & 9 _m ?+s ( g5]al utility2 because ,i h no d\bt left 9 ! matt]4 ,i believe t private prop]ty 9 ^! ?+s is no m necess>y & unavoidable ?an private prop]ty 9 our fell[-creatures1 or private prop]ty 9 bridges & roads4 ,! idea t any?+ & ev]y?+ may be claim$ z private prop]ty belongs to ! d>k ages ( ! _w2 & x is n only a mon/r\s inju/ice1 b a /ill m mon/r\s inconv5i5ce4 ,suppose we /ill admitt$ private prop]ty 9 high roads1 & let e man :o _h a scrap ( high road haggle a b>ga9 ) u be=e we c\ld drive by 9 a cab6 ,y say life w\ld be un5durable4 ,b inde$ x am\nts to some?+ a little l t if we use a railway n[2 & x is q l t if "o wants a spot ( gr\nd some:]e ^u :i* "o may live4 ,i see no m difficulty 9 manag+ l&1 factories1 & ! l1 publicly = ! g5]al good1 ?an !re is 9 manag+ roads & bridges1 & ! po/ (fice & ! police4 ,s f> ,i see no impossibility :atev] 9 ,socialism4 ,to aboli% private prop]ty 9 ^! ?+s w\ld be to aboli% all t sw>m ( p>asites1 ^: gre$ = pr(it & divid5d hamp]s & makes a ?\s& useful & delightful ent]prises co/ly or hopeless4 ,x w\ld aboli% !m2 b is t any objection :atev]8 ,& z = tak+ su* prop]ty f ! own]s2 :y %\ldn't we8 ,! _w has n only 9 ! pa/ tak5 slaves f _! own]s1 ) no comp5sation or ) a meagre comp5sation2 b 9 ! hi/ory ( mank9d1 d>k z x is1 !re are innum]able cases ( slave-own]s resign+ _! inhuman rights4 ,y may say t to take away prop]ty f p is unju/ & robb]y2 b is t really s8 ,suppose y f\nd a numb] ( *ildr5 9 a nurs]y all v dull & unhappy because "o ( !m1 :o _h be5 badly spoilt1 _h got all ! toys toge!r & claim$ !m all1 & refus$ to let ! o!rs h any4 ,w\ld y n dispossess ! *ild1 h[ev] hone/ its illusion t x 0 "r to be gre$y8 ,t is practically ! position ( ! prop]ty-own] to-day4 ,y may say1 if y *oose1 t prop]ty-own]s1 l&-own]s = example1 mu/ be b\ght out & n robb$2 b s9ce gett+ ! money to buy !m out involves tax+ ! prop]ty ( "s "o else1 :o may possibly h a bett] claim to x ?an ! l&-own] to 81 ,i don't q see :]e ! hone/y ( t c\rse comes 94 ,y c only give prop]ty = prop]ty 9 buy+ & sell+2 & if private prop]ty is n robb]y1 !n n only ,socialism b ord9>y taxation mu/ be4 ,b if taxation is a ju/ifiable proce$+1 if y c tax me 7z ,i am tax$7 = public s]vices1 a %ill+ & m out ( e tw5ty %ill+s ,i e>n1 !n ,i d n see :y y %\ld n put a tax ^u ! l&-own] if y want to d s1 ( a half or two ?irds or all 8 l&1 or ^u ! railway %>e-hold] ( t5 or fifte5 or tw5ty %ill+s 9 ! p\nd on 8 %>es4 ,9 e *ange "s "o has to be> ! brunt2 e improvem5t 9 ma*9]y & indu/rial organisation deprives "s poor p ( an income2 & ,i d n see :y we %\ld be s extraord9>ily t5d] to ! ri*1 to ^? :o h be5 unproductive all _! lives1 :5 !y /& 9 ! way ( ! g5]al happ9ess4 ,& ?\gh ,i d5y ! "r to comp5sation ,i d n d5y its probable advisability4 ,s f> z ! "q ( me?od goes x is q conceivable t we may p>tially comp5sate ! prop]ty own]s & make all sorts ( mitigat+ arrangem5ts to avoid cruelty to !m 9 our attempt to end ! wid] cruelties ( to-day4 ,b1 ap>t f ! ju/ice ( ! case1 _m p seem to reg>d ,socialism z a hopeless dream1 because1 z !y put x1 8x is aga9/ human nature40 ,e "o ) any scrap ( prop]ty 9 l&1 or %>es1 or :at n1 !y tell u1 w be bitt]ly oppos$ to ! com+ ( ,socialism2 &1 z su* p h all ! leisure & influ5ce 9 ! _w1 & z all able & en]getic p t5d naturally to jo9 t class1 !re nev] c be any effectual =ce to br+ ,socialism ab\t4 ,b t seems to me to confess a v base e/imate ( human nature4 ,!re are1 no d\bt1 a numb] ( dull1 base1 ri* p :o hate & dread ,socialism = purely selfi% reasons2 b x is q possible to be a prop]ty own] & yet be anxi\s to see ,socialism come to its own4 ,= example1 ! man ^: private affairs ,i "k be/ 9 ! _w1 ! second fri5d ,i nam$1 ! own] ( all ^? com=table boots1 gives "t & en]gy & money to fur!r ?is hope ( ,socialism1 al?\gh he pays income tax on twelve hundr$ a ye>1 & has %>es & prop]ty to ! value ( "s ?\s&s ( p\nds4 ,& t he does out ( no in/9ct ( sacrifice4 ,he believes he w\ld be happi] & m com=table 9 a ,sociali/ic /ate ( affairs1 :5 x w\ld n be necess>y = him to hold on to t life-belt ( inve/$ prop]ty4 ,he f9ds x--& q a lot ( well-(f p are q ( 8 way ( ?9k+--a con/ant flaw ^u a life ( com=t & pleasant int]e/s to see s _m p1 :o might be 8 agreeable fri5ds & associates1 dete/ably "u-educat$1 dete/ably h\s$1 9 ! mo/ dete/able clo!s & boots1 & s dete/ably brok5 9 _s t !y w n treat him z an equal4 ,x makes him feel he is l t spoilt *ild 9 ! nurs]y2 he feels a%am$ & contemptible2 &1 s9ce individual *>ity only seems 9 ! long run to make matt]s worse1 he is ready to give a great deal ( 8 life1 & lose 8 entire little heap ( possessions if ne$ be1 v gladly lose x1 to *ange ! pres5t ord] ( ?+s 9 a compreh5sive mann]4 ,i am q conv9c$ t !re are numb]s ( mu* ri*] & m influ5tial p :o are ( 8 way ( ?9k+4 ,mu* m likely to ob/ruct ! way to ,socialism is ! ignorance1 ! want ( c\rage1 ! /upid want ( imag9ation ( ! v poor1 too %y & timid & clumsy to face any *ange !y c evade6 ,b1 ev5 ) !m1 popul> education is do+ its "w2 & ,i d n fe> b t 9 ! next g5]ation we %all f9d ,sociali/s ev5 9 ! slums4 ,! unimag9ative p]son :o owns "s little bit ( prop]ty1 an acre or s ( freehold l&1 or a hundr$ p\nds 9 ! sav+s bank1 w no d\bt be ! mo/ t5aci\s passive resi/] to ,sociali/ic ideas2 & su*1 ,i fe>1 we mu/ reckon1 toge!r ) ! ins5sitive ri*1 z our irreconcilable enemies1 z irremovable pill>s ( ! pres5t ord]4 ,! mean & timid elem5ts 9 8human nature0 are1 & w be1 ,i admit1 aga9/ ,socialism2 b !y are n all 8human nature10 n half human nature4 ,& :51 9 ! :ole hi/ory ( ! _w1 h meanness & timidity won a /ruggle8 ,x is passion1 x is en?usiasm1 & indignation t m\ld ! _w to _! w--& ,i _c see h[ any "o c g into ! back /reets ( ,london1 or any l>ge ,briti% t[n1 & n be fill$ up ) %ame1 & passionate resolve to end s grubby & mean a /ate ( affairs z is display$ !re4 ,i don't ?9k ! 8human nature0 argum5t aga9/ ! possibility ( ,socialism w hold wat]4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,*apt] ,v ,,socialism ,,means ,,revolution ,let u be cle> ab\t "o ?+3 t ,socialism means revolution1 t x means a *ange 9 ! e-day texture ( life4 ,x may be a v gradual *ange1 b x w be a v complete "o4 ,y _c *ange ! _w1 & at ! same "t n *ange ! _w4 ,y w f9d ,sociali/s ab\t1 or at any rate m5 call+ !mselves ,sociali/s1 :o w pret5d t ?is is n s1 :o w assure y t "s odd little jobb+ ab\t municipal gas & wat] is ,socialism1 & back-/airs int]v5tion betwe5 ,cons]vative & ,lib]al ! way to ! mill5nium4 ,y might z well call a gas jet 9 ! lobby ( a meet+-h\se1 ! glory ( ,god 9 ,heav56 ,socialism aims to *ange1 n only ! boots on p's feet1 b ! clo!s !y we>1 ! h\ses !y inhabit1 ! "w !y d1 ! education !y get1 _! places1 _! hon\rs1 & all _! possessions4 ,socialism aims to make a new _w out ( ! old4 ,x c only be atta9$ by ! intellig5t1 outspok51 c\rage\s resolve ( a great multitude ( m5 & wom54 ,y mu/ get absolutely cle> 9 y\r m9d t ,socialism means a complete *ange1 a break ) hi/ory1 ) mu* t is picturesque2 :ole classes w vani%4 ,! _w w be va/ly diff]5t1 ) a diff]5t sort ( h\ses1 diff]5t sorts ( p4 ,all ! diff]5t trades & indu/ries w be *ang$1 ! m$ical pr(ession w be c>ri$ on "u diff]5t conditions1 eng9e]+1 sci5ce1 ! !atrical trade1 ! cl]ical trade1 s*ools1 hotels1 almo/ e trade1 w h to und]go z complete an int]nal *ange z a cat]pill> does :5 x becomes a mo?4 ,if y are afraid ( s mu* *ange z t1 x is bett] y %\ld funk ab\t x n[ ?an lat]4 ,! :ole sy/em has to be *ang$1 if we are to get rid ( ! masses ( dull pov]ty t r5d] our pres5t /ate dete/able to any s5sitive man or woman4 ,t1 & no less1 is ! aim ( all s9c]e ,sociali/s3 ! e/abli%m5t ( a new & bett] ord] ( society by ! abolition ( private prop]ty 9 l&1 9 natural productions1 & 9 _! exploitation--a *ange z pr(\nd z ! abolition ( private prop]ty 9 slaves w\ld h be5 9 anci5t ,rome or ,a!ns4 ,if y dem& less ?an t1 if y are n prep>$ to /ruggle = t1 y are n really a ,sociali/4 ,if y funk t1 !n y mu/ make up y\r m9d to squ>e y\r life to a sort ( p]sonal & private happ9ess ) ?+s z !y are1 & decide ) my o!r fri5d t 8x doesn't d to ?9k ab\t boots40 ,x is well to insi/ ^u "o c5tral idea4 ,socialism is a common-s5se1 matt]-(-fact proposal to *ange our conv5tional admission ( :at is or is n prop]ty1 & to re-arrange ! _w accord+ to ^! revis$ conceptions4 ,a c]ta9 numb] ( clev] p1 dissatisfi$ ) ! /raight=w>dness ( ?is1 h set !mselves to put x 9 "s brilliant obscure way2 !y w tell y t ,socialism is bas$ on ! philosophy ( ,hegel1 or t x turns on a !ory ( ,r5t1 or t x is someh[ muddl$ up ) a sort ( :ite ,bogey call$ ! ,ov]man1 & all sorts ( brilliant1 nons5sical1 unappetis+ ?+s4 ,! !ory ( ,socialism1 s f> z ,engli% p are conc]n$1 seems to h got up into ! cl\ds1 & its practice d[n into ! dra9s2 & x is well to w>n inquir+ m51 t nei!r ! epigram above nor ! job b5ea? are m ?an ! accid5tal accompanim5ts ( ,socialism4 ,socialism is a v l>ge1 b a pla91 hone/1 & human ent]prise2 its ends are to be obta9$ nei!r by wit nor cunn+1 b by outspok5 resolve1 by ! self-abnegation1 ! en?usiasm1 & ! loyal coop]ation ( great masses ( p4 ,! ma9 ?+1 !re=e1 is ! creation ( ^! great masses ( p out ( ! intellectual confusion & vagu5ess ( ! pres5t "t4 ,let me suppose t y f9d y\rself 9 sympa?y ) ?is tract1 t y1 l my second fri5d1 f9d ! %abby dullness1 ! positive mis]y ( a l>ge proportion ( ! population ( our _w1 make life "u its pres5t conditions almo/ intol]able1 & t x is 9 ! direction ( ,socialism t ! only hope ( a p]man5t rem$y lies4 ,:at are we to d8 ,obvi\sly to give our be/ en]gies to mak+ o!r p ,sociali/s1 to organis+ ourselves ) all o!r ,sociali/s1 irrespective ( class or ! m9or details ( cre$1 & to mak+ ourselves audible1 visible1 effectual z ,sociali/s1 :]ev] & :5ev] we c4 ,we h to ?9k ab\t ,socialism1 read ab\t x1 discuss x2 s t we may be assur$ & cle> & p]suasive ab\t x4 ,we h to confess our fai? op5ly & frequ5tly4 ,we mu/ refuse to be call$ ,lib]al or ,cons]vative1 ,republican or ,democrat1 or any ( ^? ambigu\s ?+s4 ,ev]y:]e we mu/ make or jo9 a ,sociali/ organisation1 a club or association or :at n1 s t we may 8c\nt40 ,= u1 z = ! e>ly ,*ri/ians1 prea*+ our gospel is ! supreme duty4 ,until ,sociali/s c be c\nt$1 & c\nt$ ^u by ! million1 little w be done4 ,:5 !y are--a new _w w be ours4 ,above all1 if ,i may (f] advice to a fell[-,sociali/1 ,i w\ld say3 ,cl+ to ! simple ess5tial idea ( ,socialism1 :i* is ! abolition ( private prop]ty 9 any?+ b :at a man has e>n$ or made4 ,d n complicate y\r cause ) elaborations4 ,& keep 9 y\r m9d1 if y c1 "s sort ( talisman to br+ y back to t ess5tial gospel1 out ( ! confusions & w>r+ sugge/ions ( e-day discussion4 ,= my own "p1 ,i h1 z ,i said at ! beg9n+1 a prepossession ) boots2 & my talisman is ?is3--,! figure ( a badly f$ b r pretty little girl ( t5 or elev51 dirty1 & h] h&s co>se ) r\gh usage1 h] poor pretty *ild's body 9 unga9ly rags1 &1 on h] feet1 big brok5-d[n boots t hurt h]4 ,& p>ticul>ly ,i ?9k ( h] wret*$ /icks ( legs & ! limp ( h] feet2 & all ^? phantom own]s & pr(it-tak]s ,i spoke (1 !y are !re ab\t h] m>tyrdom1 lee*-l1 cl++ to h] z %e goes4444 ,i want to *ange ev]y?+ 9 ! _w t made t2 & ,i d n greatly c>e :at has to g 9 ! process4 ,d y8 ,h4 ,g4 ,,wells 99 99 99 99 99 ,"h is j a bit ( h>d fact to c>ry out :at ,i say4 ,x is a quotation f a lett] f a workman to my fri5d ,mr4 ,*iozza ,money1 "o ( ! be/ in=m$ writ]s ^u lab\r que/ions 9 ,engl&3 8,i am a railway man1 9 con/ant "w at #cjs4 p] week4 ,i am ! happy1 or o!rwise1 fa!r ( six heal?y *ildr54 ,la/ ye> ,i b\ght tw5ty pairs ( boots4 ,?is ye>1 up to date1 ,i h b\ght t5 pairs1 co/+ #b2 & yet1 at ! pres5t "t1 my wife & five ( ! *ildr5 h only "o pair ea*4 ,i h two pairs1 bo? ( :i* let 9 ! wat]2 b ,i see no prospect at pres5t ( gett+ new ones4 ,i ought to say1 ( c\rse1 t my wife is a ?or\ghly dome/icat$ woman1 & ,i am "o ( ! mo/ temp]ate ( m54 ,s mu* s1 t if all ,i sp5d 9 luxuries 0 sav$ x w\ld n buy a pair ( boots once a ye>4 ,b ?is is ! po9t ,i want to m5tion4 ,dur+ #aijc my wages 7 #bes4 #f;d4 p] week2 & ,i !n _h ! six *ildr54 ,my next-door neighb\r 0 a boot-mak] & repair]4 ,he fell out ( "w1 & 0 out = mon?s4 ,dur+ t "t1 ( c\rse1 my *ildr5's boots ne$$ repair+ z at o!r times4 ,i _h n ! money to pay = !m be+ repair$1 s _h to d :at repair+ ,i c\ld myself4 ,"o day ,i f\nd out t ,i 0 repair+ boots on "o side ( ! wall1 & my neighb\r on ! o!r side out ( "w1 & long+ to d ! "w ,i 0 compell$ to d myself44440 ,! wall 0 a comm]cial organisation ( society bas$ on private prop]ty 9 l& & natural productions4 ,^! two m5 mu/ "w = ! own]s or n at all2 !y _c "w = "o ano!r4 ,food fir/1 !n r5t2 & boots1 if y c1 :5 all ! own]s are paid4