New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-28
4 SOCIALIST VILLAGE.
FORT MARDYCK IN FLANDERS.


One of the rlost remarkable communities In
Europe Is a little village on the coast or French
Flanders. in which for more than three hundred
years sort Of socialism or communism has pre-
vailed unmoved by the numerous revolutions
that have in all that time swept France
The place is known as Fort Mardyck. and it is
historic ground. Here the Romans under Julius
Caesar established port and fortress, and
from this place they set ont on their invasion
of the British Isles. When Roman rule in Gaul
was ended the fort remained, and the port OF
Mardyck was long prosperous and important
one But it's downfall came when Charles II
sold Dunkirk. which it adjoins. TO the French.
It was soon after this event however. that the
socialist village founded. Nor was that the
last Of the Stuarts' interest in the place. For 1t
is told that when the Young Pretender had, In
1744 persuaded Louis Ky Of France TO aid him
with money and men in his efforts 70 regain the
throne OF England. the expedition was delayed
by a storm. and he leader Of the Jacobtes was
awaiting his opportunity at Gravelines. One
day he had set cut for walk along the coast,
and had strayed as far as Mardyck. when he
was overtaken by a heavy shower OF rain and
compelled 20 seek refuge in the farm OF certain
Andre Lamotte. who, unaware Of the quality OF
his guest. received the Pretender with great hos
cordially Of his hoct that he spent a week on
the farm, his officers being. meanwhile, greatly
alarmed at his disappearance. He is said to
have frequently revisited Iamotte before set
ting sail for England
The village Of Fort Mardyck founded by
Louis XIV in 1870. French Flanders had down
TO that time been subject to many owners. and
its inhabitants were chiefly Flemish AT any
rate almost none OF them were French. The
King deemed II we'll therefore, TO plant colony
Of pure French there. whose members, steadily
increasing IN numbers, should serve TO leaVen
the whole lump. He also decided 10 make X a
sailors village, OF which all the men should be
bound to do maritime service for him. On call
being made for volunteers 10 establish such
village four families Of Cucq in P!cardy, re-
sponded. Their names were Everart. Ioonehent.
Bernard and Goden. The King accepted them.
and granted them, for their own use and that
Of their descendants. some three hundred acres
Of land situated at Fort Mardyck. These men
entered into possession of the land on the under
standing that they were bound 10 submit 10 mari
time CONSUMPTION and TO exercise the profession
Of a sailor. At different stages of its progress.
the colony OF Fort Mardyck had TO contend with
attempts leveled against ifs privilege. None or
its opponents was successful. however, and in
by his predecessor by means Of decree. and re-
served 10 the Fort Mardyck people the exclusive
right Of fishing off Mardyck. The village and its
ROYAL grant OF land have remained unaffected by
the numerous charges which have occurred in
France since Louis XIV down to the present
time.
The area Of the land grant. three hundred
acres. has not been increased. But the popula-
ton Of the village has grown, until now 1t num-
bers more than LOO II is therefore becoming
decidedly crowded. The land is divided into tw"
portions One-half is let TO farmers The rentals
thus received form the revenue Of the village and
serve amply for the payment of State taxes ana
for the distribution OF relief to members of the
community standing in need Of assistance. The
remaining portion OF the land il allotted 10 the
inhabitants Of Fort Mardyck. each one receiving
at the time Of his or her marriage about hair an
acre Under no circumstances may the Fort
Mardvcll native resign his ownership. He may
secure tenant for his share OF the land, out no
further transfer is permitted This rule. which.
unlike others. is marked by no exceptions. mas
proved instrumental in inducing the villagers To
marry early in life. Their fields Invariably pro-
duce more vegetables than they require for their
own maintenance, and they are. therefore. en-
abled to derive fair profit from the sale of the
extra supply Moreover while her husband is
away at sea- the Fort Mardyck woman does not
depend for her support on his wages. She Is
able To subsst ON the produce OF the land. and
when the man returns his pay Is intact AS
sOon therefore, as native Of Fort Mardyck re-
ceives his land and builds his cottage he may
regard himself as secure for life; for should he
be unable to save enough money for his old age.
he will be maintained out Of the common fund
The government Of the village is purely repub-
lican. The present Mayor is named Everart, and
is a direct descendant of one of the founders OF
the place I'VE manage our own affairs" he
saws and defrav our own expenditure. We
built our public school by subscription and am
sur. We never cost the State a sou. We are a
vel; healthy people here. We marry early, and
lead regular lives. Families Of ten or twelve
children are by no means rare, ana IN single
year have registered az many as seven births
Of twins. At this rate our population doubles
I'm thirty years | suppose that eventually we
shall be compelled to diminish our allotments as
we are hemmed in on all sides by the neighbour
ing villages. Besides. | am sure the State will
not give us any more land We have no pau
pers. OF course there are a few old people who
are needy But they have their cottages and
fields. small subsidy from the common fund
keeps them very comfortably. You our peo-
ple cannot sell their land, and So even II they
are improVident. our rules prevent them from
rushing to ruin.
streets are winding lanes, grass-bordered and
shaded by ancient willows The cottages stand
at a little distance from each other. with thrifty
gardens about them. and "A general air of taste
and comfort. Nothing but French is spoken.
and the inhabitants of Fort M3rdyck are as pure
French can be But they have not in any
wis, served to Heaven the whole lump OF
French Flanders, az Louis XIV hoped for one
hears nothing but Flemish In the adjoining VIII
lagos. The socialist village Is notably prosper
Gus. and II Is also curious historic monument!
a little republic founded by an absolute mon
arch. and pursuing urdisturbed the even tenor
OF its way amid all the mighty changes OF the
last three centuries: the charter granted by Louis
XIV commanding the respect alike of Revolution.
Empire and Republic.