CONCLUSION.

A FEW words in conclusion as to those to whom this book is dedicated. And first, I would venture humbly to dedicate it to the memory of one, than whom none was more truly a workman in Christ's kingdom, who, being highest in position in this English nation, was also ever foremost in promoting everything that belongs to the kingdom of the Prince of Peace, and, after him, to statesmen and lawyers, and clergymen, and men of science, to the landlord and millowner, to the tradesman working at his counter, the mechanic in his workshop, and the day labourer in the hedge-bottom-to all who in their several stations are doing the work of Him who is Lord of the kingdoms of this world, and who are therefore promoting His kingdom; and of

these, of course, I dedicate it especially to those whose position calls them to take a practical interest in the subject-matter of these pages, and some of whom may, I trust, find herein a few hints which will help them in employing to the best account the means at their command for providing those who are dependent on them with suitable dwellings. But whilst I would dedicate these pages to the honest labourer whose wages are spent in the support of his family, and whilst I am so presumptuous as to hope that I may do something towards improving the condition of all who inhabit cottages, let it not for a moment be supposed that, amongst my fellow-workmen in Christ's kingdom, I can include men who enter into unions, the purpose of which is to bully their employers and to oppress their fellow-workmen. The man who has sold his conscience to a club, and has become the slave of a club delegate, is no longer a servant of the Prince of Peace, but has become a worshipper of Baal, and his idol is lawless power.

He can have no sympathy with the work that I am engaged in. His aim is to make the dwelling of his brother-workman as costly as possible; to grasp as much as he possibly can for himself, in return for as little as possible of his own exertion. He makes it the object of his life to tear in pieces the society to which he belongs, to destroy in himself and in others, as far as he can do so, everything that is gentle and gentleman-like, and therefore like Christ. To such men I do not dedicate this book: but, at the same time, I cannot but hope that the interest which is shown, in the present day, in the subject of providing decent houses for working men, will help, with many other things, to bring back even these misguided men to their right senses will help to lead them to claim again that birthright, which they have sold for a mess of pottage. The present interest in cottagebuilding is but one of many ways in which is shown an awakening sense of the duties which one class of society owes to another.

This

feeling will doubtless continue to increase, until it shall have reached even the delegates of a trades' union and their wretched slaves. Meanwhile, every one is helping forward this work who, in his own place, is doing anything, however small, which shall benefit those in some other position in society. If anything in this book be found useful to those who wish to provide for their labourers dwellings as comfortable as possible, without needless waste of money, I shall be well satisfied that the time which I have spent over it has not been wasted. I shall also be ready at any time to publish any of the plans, with specifications and quantities, and with sufficient details for an ordinary mason and carpenter to work from, if those who are interested in cottage-building should desire it.