Chapter I: Front Matter

The Camel

and the Needle’s Eye

Spiritual Perfection

A Dialogue

By Thomas Clune

(Arthur Ponsonby)

_Fscap. 8vo. 1s. nett. Post-free 1s. 2d._

“There is sound reasoning and deep thought in this book.”--_Dundee Advertiser._ “A thoughtful dialogue.”--_The Times._ “No one can read it without gaining a broader outlook on the truths of religion.”--_Methodist Times._ “Many of the religious problems and difficulties always cropping up are skilfully and earnestly considered.”--_Aberdeen Journal._

LONDON: A. C. FIFIELD

The Camel and the
Needle’s Eye

By
Arthur Ponsonby, M.P.

_Published December, 1909_
_Reprinted January, 1910_
_Reprinted October, 1910_

London
A. C. Fifield, 13 Clifford’s Inn, E.C.
1910

WILLIAM BRENDON AND SON, LTD.
PRINTERS, PLYMOUTH

TO
MY WIFE

Contents

Preface

Chapter I

Extreme poverty a consequence of extreme wealth--Pity or
contempt for the poor--Money ideal strong among the poor--
The different phases in making a fortune--The general
tendency of society--Relations between rich and poor--
Dis-sympathy and class hatred--The social problem 11

Chapter II

Money as a supreme concern--Intensity of belief in money--
Definition of Contention--The impulses which act as
the motive power of money-making--The limitation of
human capacities--Money and happiness--Money as
responsibility--The national wealth and welfare 27

Chapter III

Definition of the limit--Those whose means are above the
limit--Income translated into terms of subsistence--The
case of the rich man--His establishments--His servants--
His luxuries--Extravagance--Vanity--Sport--Racing--
Yachting--Condemnation of excess 43

Chapter IV

The rich man’s charities--His generosity--His hospitality--
His land--The Feudal System--His responsibilities--The
agricultural problem 71

Chapter V

The rich man’s children--His sons’ education at school and
university--His daughters--Love and marriage--Refinement
of the aristocracy--Their alliance with the plutocracy--
Smart society--Its general characteristics 85

Chapter VI

The rich man as a business man--The conduct of a successful
business--Money-making the incentive--Money no measure of
merit or worth in men--Or in works of art--Financiers--
The power of money--Imperialism--Political power--
Experiments of millionaires--Gifts--Money administered by
corporations or the State 101

Chapter VII

The deceptive process of the growth of riches--The relaxation
of effort--The love of ease--The power of convention--
The disadvantages of abundance--Surfeit--Difficulties in
a rich man’s life--Waste of talent and capacity--England
as a nation deeply infected with the belief in money 119

Chapter VIII

The problem of riches--Necessity of a scientific investigation
into the lives of the rich--Interdependence of riches and
poverty--Analysis of expenditure on houses, servants,
clothes, food, amusements--Impressions of a poor crowd and
a rich crowd--Tragedies 139

Chapter IX

Religion and money--Attitude of clergy--Emphatic condemnation
of riches by Christ--Notable texts and sayings--Want of
conviction--Importance attached to dogmatic religion--
Necessity for stronger denunciation 163