II
9
What an extraordinary episode in the economicprogress of man that age was which came to anend in August 1914! The greater part of thepopulation, it is true, worked hard and livedat a low standard of comfort, yet were, to allappearances, reasonably contented with this lot.But escape was possible, for any man of capacity orcharacter at all exceeding the average, into themiddle and upper classes, for whom life offered, ata low cost and with the least trouble, conveniences,comforts, and amenities beyond the compass of therichest and most powerful monarchs of other ages.The inhabitant of London could order by telephone,sipping his morning tea in bed, the various productsof the whole earth, in such quantity as he mightsee fit, and reasonably expect their early deliveryupon his doorstep; he could at the same momentand by the same means adventure his wealth in thenatural resources and new enterprises of any quarterof the world, and share, without exertion or eventrouble, in their prospective fruits and advantages;or he could decide to couple the security of hisfortunes with the good faith of the townspeople ofany substantial municipality in any continent thatfancy or information might recommend. He couldsecure forthwith, if he wished it, cheap and comfort-able means of transit to any country or climatewithout passport or other formality, could despatchhis servant to the neighbouring office of a bank for