The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-07

eral families is brought thither and then
from the market place carried to store
house in which all things of a sort are
laid by themselves. To these storehouses
goes every head of family and takes out
what he or any member of his family re-
quire without paying for it-indeed there
is no such thing as money among the
Utopians-or leaving anything in ex-
change. There is no reason for denying
anything to any person since there is
such plenty among them. There is no
danger of any man taking more than
he needs, for why should he do that since
they are all sure that they will be at
all times well supplied? 1t is the fear
of want that makes any of the whole
race of animals greedy or ravenous. And
besides that fear there is in man vast
pride which makes him fancy 1t par
ticular glory for him to excel others in
pomp and excess. But by the laws of
the Utopians there is no room for these
things among them.
Near these markets are others for pro-
visions where all sorts of food are to be
had, and the feeding of the people of
the cities is arranged in this manner:
First the stewards of the hospitals take
from the market what is desired for the
sick. Then the prince, the chief priests
the tranibores and the ambassadors and
strangers who may happen to be in the
city and for whom special housese are
provided-are served. After that the food
remaining is distributed among the mess
halls These mess halls are large build
ings and In each of them lives the
syphogrant of that section with Is fam
on the other A section is called "sypho-
granty" and three times a day the peo-
pie of the syphograhty are called to-
gether by the sound of a trumpet and
meet to eat in the great hall.
A person may eat at home II he wishes,
but none does 1t; for it is considered an
indecent and a foolish thing for any
one to take the trouble to make ready
an Ill dinner at home when he may have
much more plentiful one ready for
him at hand in the mess hall. In the hall
they sit three or four at small tables.
The children are with their nurses and
those of larger growth serve the table
| to their elders. The women have the care
of the preparing of the food. though all
the heavy and sordid services about the
halls are performed by slaves. They be-
gin both dinner and supper with short
lecture on morality, which is read to
them. They never sup without music and
fruit is always served after meat. While
they sit at meat perfumes are burned
and sweet waters sprinkled about.
They are wanting in nothing that may
cheer up their spirits, for they give them
selves a great allowance that way and in
dulge themselves In all such pleasures as
are not attended with inconvenience. But
as they regard pleasure as the counter
part Of happiness, SO do they hold that ir
i all pleasures whatsoever lesser JOY
should not hinder greater, and that Q
true and lawful pleasure Is one whicf
does not breed pain. Especially do tht
| Utopians delight in nature, and are o.
the same opinion as Aristotle, who de-
scribes the wonder which would seizt
upon men, supposing them to, have livef
up to a certain time underground ane
/ then been brought suddenly into the
light. ALLOWING them to have inhabited
subterranean palaces adorned with scuip
ture and painting and every ornamen
procurable by wealth; admit that the.
might have heard Of the power and ma