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ters, firml}^ grasped, crumble in the hand, it wonders why it wore them so long. Who is man's master ? Himself. The greatest master of the greatest mechan- ism. Self-control, more difficult than control of lightning, or other elemental force. What are the con- ditions of this self-subordination or self-slavery ? As- sociation. If man remained alone, he would have no use for such words as master, slave, as there would be no other subordination than to nature.
Why then should man, the freest thing in nature, the only free and independent lord of all, why should he hunt so far and wide for powers under which to place himself in subjection ? Until he has served a long apprenticeship, an apprenticeship of ages upon ages, ten thousand or ten millions of years, it will do no good to say to him, fool ! devil-maker, god-maker, conscience-manufacturer, morality-molder, why go you so far along the lane of blind stupidity, with eyes riveted on the ground, witii fetters riveted on every natural and artificial element of your nature, refusing to see, feel, or think? Before the coming hither of the men of 'forty-nine, they were bound, tied body and soul by laws, traditions, and conventionalities. Here for a moment they were free, absolutely freo, whereupon straightway they must forge for them- selves new fetters.
The migration of the gold-diggers marks an epoch in history ever to be remembered, and many times more to be commented upon. Many of them travelled half way round the world to reach their destination ; many reached the spot only to lay down their lives. What a mixture of matters ! Gold-hunger and strain- ing self-denial ; ceaseless gnawing within, and sweet air and sunshine still running to waste Avithout; and in the midst of all death, cold, relentless death, hor- rible termination to happy hopes !
The very deep did rot: O Christ! That ever this shouhl be! Yea, slimy things did crawd with legs Upon the slimy sea.
