, so that
everybody knows what is going on; and when the Mote comes together again there
is a regular discussion and at last a vote by show of hands. If the division is
a close one, the question is again put off for further discussion; if the
division is a wide one, the minority are asked if they will yield to the more
general opinion, which they often, nay, most commonly do. If they refuse, the
question is debated a third time, when, if the minority has not perceptibly
grown, they always give way; though I believe there is some half-forgotten rule
by which they might still carry it on further; but I say, what always happens is
that they are convinced, not perhaps that their view is the wrong one, but they
cannot persuade or force the community to adopt it.«
    »Very good,« said I; »but what happens if the divisions are still narrow?«
    Said he: »As a matter of principle and according to the rule of such cases,
the question must then lapse, and the majority, if so narrow, has to submit to
sitting down under the status quo. But I must tell you that in point of fact the
minority very seldom enforces this rule, but generally yields in a friendly
manner.«
    »But do you know,« said I, »that there is something in all this very like
democracy; and I thought that democracy was considered to be in a moribund
condition many, many years ago.«
    The old boy's eyes twinkled. »I grant you that our methods have that
drawback. But what is to be done? We can't get anyone amongst us to complain of
his not always having his own way in the teeth of the community, when it is
clear that everybody cannot have that indulgence. What is to be done?«
    »Well,« said I, »I don't know.«
    Said he: »The only alternatives to our method that I can conceive of are
these. First, that we should choose out, or breed, a class of superior persons
capable of judging on all matters without consulting the neighbours; that, in
short, we should get for ourselves what used to be called an aristocracy of
intellect; or, secondly, that for the purpose of safe-guarding the freedom of
the individual will, we should revert to a system of private property again, and
have slaves and slave-holders once more. What do you think of those two
expedients?«
    »Well,«