Item 110 - Letter from Sir Louis Mallet to Henry Sidgwick

Thanks him for his letter and for his explanation of his Utopia. [see 94/109]. Regrets that his 'difficulties' have not been removed by Sidgwick, but claims that the subject is 'far too wide to be discussed within the limits of any correspondence', and suggests that he may trouble Sidgwick 'at some future time with a question or two' when he has given due consideration to the passages to which Sidgwick referred him. Claims to be 'wholly unable to understand what [motives] in [Sidgwick's] ideal community would supply the place of those on which [are now defined] for the Conduct of industrial enterprise.' Refers to Commodore [Vanderbilt], who was responsible for supplying bread to 1000 people in New York 'for the very small remuneration of $200.000.000.' Doubts whether [any] government 'could get its work done so cheap.' Asks how the capital of the world is to keep pace with the population if neither the government nor anyone else is allowed to make any profit. Refers to the fact that private enterprise would have to be prohibited, and that a 'gigantic monopoly' would be in place, which would probably be corrupt and inefficient. Believes that this [line] of progress is 'extremely dangerous' and that 'those who encourage the poorer classes to look for salvation in this direction incure an enormous responsibility'. Understands however that, according to the current German and English economists, the trend is heading in Sidgwick's direction. Cannot agree that 'the [ ] countries of Europe loaded with debt and standing armies and with a constant pressure of pop[ulatio]n on the soil, are at the same stage of industrial and social development as the U[nited] States, Canada and Australia. Refers to the principles of free exchange.