§ 16

The sound of the loom working was music accompanied by singing as the women and maidens plied their home trades. Evidently the garments of these are home made—they look too “good” to be bought at high prices of profiteers. Kaleidoscopic coloured quilts such as I remember in my childhood made the beds look warm and snug, and curtains of bright tints gave a generous feeling of warmth where doors are not needed. By the way, heating is provided by the Commune at a nominal rate, not subject to variation. As far as I could see, gas is of the past; hence houses are cleaner than heretofore, and the air is not vitiated by the fumes of that abominable product. Factory labour is limited to seven hours. In summer it starts at 5 a.m., in winter at 7 a.m. In summer it is all over by 12 p.m., in winter by 2 p.m. The remainder of the days are free, to be enjoyed in garden cultivation or home labour, other pleasures, and games.

Now that workers are really leading lives in which they take a personal interest, and are regarded and regard themselves, not as slaves, but as kings over their own lives, gambling is rare, and distasteful sports such as dog fighting and prize fights and other depressing so-called sports are not in vogue. In their leisure the people are Artists, taking a pride in their homes and competing whose shall be the most attractive. As yet I had not travelled about sufficiently to know whence came the wood so much used in the new Commune, but presently I shall know. Extensive use of lime is accounted for—it is a local product. To avoid unnecessary expense and to encourage local labour, the neighbourhood provides material, for as little foreign material as possible is imported. Water is plentiful, a good river meanders in the valley not far from the city, there are pleasant meadows of fine grass that feeds a goodly number of cattle, whose milk is pure. Adulteration of milk is treated as a crime! Bad people who for profiteering purposes adulterate milk or bread are put to prison at once on conviction as criminals.