Excerpt from The Heart of the Empire: Discussions of Problems of Modern City Life in England, With an Essay on Imperialism
Parallel with this city growth there has been an enormous increase of wealth. On every side production has advanced in a manner which would have filled our forefathers with astonishment. The fortunes which have accumulated in the hands of private persons have given them unprecedented powers over the lives of men and women. For the first time we are fully conscious how astonishing are the contrasts between the lives of the rich and of the poor, of their complete separation not only in sympathy and feeling, but in actual geographical aggregation. In old days all classes lived together in small towns and villages, the employee boarding sometimes with, always near, his master. To-day we have East and West Ends, business quarters, manufacturing quarters, residential quarters, end less vistas oi villadom, acres of Lambeth and Whitechapel.
At the one end of the scale the lives of a large pro portion of the rich are far from satisfactory. Separated from many of the realities of life, they are unable to find natural ways of expending their money, and, in con sequence, are driven to indulge in sumptuous living or in vulgar display. Thousands of pounds representing the toil of years in the cultivation of choice flowers or rare wines are dissipated for the gratification of a few guests at an evening party. Nor do the owners of this wealth really profit by their indulgence. Tyrannised over by their own conventions, slaves to their servants, frequently devoid of any real appreciation of the beautiful, their lives are spent without knowledge of the highest forms of happiness, with disastrous loss of energy and opportunity - a loss that falls on all.
At the other end of the scale are the very poor - the broken classes - who suffer most from bad homes, bad education, intemperance, and want of any ideal either ethical or religious. It is here that the social reformer is apt to despair of any effective progress.
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Seller: Forgotten Books, London, United Kingdom
Paperback. Condition: New. Print on Demand. This book examines the transformation of England at the turn of the 20th century, a period characterized by rapid industrialization and urbanization. The author delves into the changing social landscape, specifically focusing on the rise of the "city race" - a new type of urban dweller born and raised within the cramped and often bleak conditions of the burgeoning cities. This city race, the book argues, is distinct from the more traditional rural English population, both physically and mentally. The book explores the impact of this new urban populace on society, highlighting the challenges presented by the rapid growth of cities, the plight of the poor, and the impact of industrialization on working conditions. The author challenges the prevailing notion that economic growth alone will solve these problems. Instead, he calls for active social reform and intervention to address the social ills that threaten the fabric of English society. This book offers a compelling and insightful look into a critical period in English history, providing a timeless perspective on the challenges and opportunities that arise when industrialization and urbanization reshape the lives of ordinary people. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work, digitally reconstructed using state-of-the-art technology to preserve the original format. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in the book. print-on-demand item. Seller Inventory # 9781331355410_0
Quantity: Over 20 available
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PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # LW-9781331355410
Seller: PBShop.store UK, Fairford, GLOS, United Kingdom
PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # LW-9781331355410
Quantity: 15 available