A SKETCH OF SOCIALISTIC THOUGHT IN ENGLAND 647
Among the many instructive features of this period might be mentioned the Chartist agitation and the radical social philosophy of the Chartists (yet their teachings bore greatest fruit when they were dead) .
Communistic cooperation collapsed in 1834. Democratic cooperation was born in Rochdale in 1844, Charles Haworth's device of dividend on purchase being the most socialistic prin- ciple yet introduced into private enterprise. But this movement has greatest interest for us in its relation to capitalistic organiza- tion during a subsequent period.
The anti-corn-law agitation of Cobden, Bright, and others, culminated in the repeal of the corn laws. Richard Cobden was as far from being tainted with the germs of socialism as Jeremy Bentham, and his name has been mentioned chiefly because he was the principal representative of the individualist school at this period. Yet the repeal of the corn laws and the agitation for free trade paved the way not only for an enormous develop- ment of industry, but for other demands for freedom in industry not anticipated by the individualists, and which they could not stifle. 1
lla. In 1846 the corn laws were repealed ; 1848, the Chartist agitation collapses; 1850, the Ten Hours' Bill was passed.
lib. 1848-1864. The philosophy of Coleridge lives over into this period in the teachings of Maurice. The other chief personalities are Carlyle, Comte, and J. S. Mill.
Frederick Denison Maurice and his followers, Kingsley, Hughes, Ludlow, and all the noble band of Christian socialists, derived their philosophy from Coleridge, Carlyle, the French communists, and the revelations of Chartism. Their sociology, was crude, their ideal of little cooperative workshops was crude, but their sympathies and devotion were great and formed the needful complement to the denunciations of Carlyle. Two brief
References MoRLEY, Life of Cobden, 2 vols., 1896. TRUMBULL, Tke Fret Trade Movement in England, Open Court Co. HOLYOAKE, The Rochdale Pioneers, London, 1893. MARTINEAU, History of t Hohn's Library, 4 vol*. HELD,
/itifhertur sofialen Geuhichte England*, Leipzig, 1881. SCHULZK-GAKVEi Zum sofiitlen Fntttttt. Vol. I, 309-343, Leipzig, 1890.
