XVII

PUBLICK CONVEYANCE MOST APTLY DESCRIBED AS THE DOUBLE PLATFORM SOLAR CART

This being the day before my departure from Herttach, I expressed a desire to tour The Capital using a Publick Conveyance most aptly described as The Double Platform Solar Cart. Albert readily assents to my request, considering it to be the means by which I might best observe a multitude of sites of interest.

THE TRAVELLER. After partaking of the substantial meal with which in Herttach it is the custom to commence the day, we quitted our lodging and made our way direct to a Double Platform Solar Cart Halt stationed on the main thoroughfare nearby, there to await the arrival of a Number XXI Publick Solar Cart, one whose route meandered about The City. Many were the persons there already awaiting its arrival, standing uncomplaining in line, some reading Small and Broadsheets, others preoccupied with their own inner concerns, few indulging in verbal intercourse, with the exception of a few young persons who I considered it likely to be shop girls and as such, always finding any moment in which to indulge in gossip to be the right one. Surging around the stationary line, a tide of people of every class, rushing hither and thither, most I assumed intent on reaching divers places of business by the proper hour. Much time went by during which no conveyance arrived, then of a sudden no fewer than seven vehicles approached and came to a stop at The Halt. Great was the rush to board them, the volume of intending passengers reaching proportions such that The Conductors soon barred their way, indicating in a manner devoid of courtesy that the arrival of other Publick Solar Carts following some time and distance to the rear needs must be awaited. Thus filled to capacity they sped off into the morass of early morning traffic. What I now assumed to be a customary routine of the en masse arrival of Publick Solar Carts was repeated, of the number of times I lost count, my legs beginning to throb, and my patience sorely tested, until at last the particular Publick Solar Cart by which it was our desire to be conveyed drew up, Albert and myself having stood waiting there for not less than one hour. Struggling aboard we ascended to the top platform and therein secured a seat.

Our raised and moving place of observation proved an ideal way to view the morning bustle. Likewise a means to see buildings both public and private from an advantageous angle, allowing us to examine things that would otherwise be overlooked at street level or from the interior of a private Solar Cart.

Having leisure enough for conversation, the pace of our transport necessarily slow amidst the dense circulation, I inquired of Albert why Publick Solar Carts travelled their routes in a fashion that caused them to move around in a pack like so many wheeled hounds. In tandem I requested him to explain the diversity of livery they displayed, each individual wagon appearing having painted on their sides a different appellation. The East Capital Traction Company. Wilberton and Son. In All Haste Transportation Company. These just a few titles I took a moment to inscribe in my notebook.

ALBERT. “Harken you must to that principle I have hitherto discussed with you, The Market Place. To understand the nature of contemporaneous Herttach you must grasp well all facets of this philosophy, set as it is to direct our every action. It is a mechanism, when correctly applied and assuming it is not subjected to undermining deviation, that it will inevitably, given time, prove the superior to any other system of economics and logisticks, and lead unerringly towards prosperity and contentment for the mass of our citizens. Time was when Publick Solar Carts were owned and operated by The Capital Solar Publick Cart Company, this being an adjunct of The Central Borough Council, a forum and administration long since dismantled, and rightly so. Our reverently remembered Great Statesperson considered such an institution to constitute an abomination, one in truth designed to satisfy the whims of those who worked for it, rather than the task that must surely be central, the needs of those it is supposed to serve. Guided thus, as nowadays all matters are, the provision of public transportation was opened up to tender and currently there exists no fewer than fifty companies operating Publick Solar Carts throughout and around The Capital.”

THE TRAVELLER. The principles of competition I understood well, so I informed him, but even taking note of this, why did numerous Publick Carts, operated by differing Publick Companies, chase one another around, head to tail. Would it not, I suggested, be more advantageous, both for themselves and their waiting passengers, to make their arrival at more ordered and mutually agreed intervals.

ALBERT. “How could this be Sir, their collective arrival demonstrates the very essence of the system, that of choice. People standing in wait at The Solar Cart Halts being able to decide at will should they patronize this cart or perhaps that cart from one of the many available to them. This impels the operators to provide advantages, for potential passengers, more tempting than that proffered by their rivals.. Some decorate inside their conveyances with pictures to sooth the eye. Others provide musicians who perform on Lutes and sing popular ballads. The fare asked by some, the price of the journey, may at this hour or on such a day be reduced a trifle. These and diverse other schemes allowing the publick to enjoy untold benefits and a service in every way superior to those dismal times prior to these changes when the only concern addressed by The Publick Solar Cart Company was the mundane task of transporting people from one point in the city to another.”

THE TRAVELLER. Whilst I could not but consider such reasons worth examination, declaimed as they were in a manner which was both forceful and convincing, I could but not remark that from our recent experience, choice did appear diminished rather than enhanced, the number of Publick Solar Carts in total providing less places than were needed by those awaiting on their arrival. Surely a sufficient number of commodious carts arriving at ordered intervals would constitute a more rational means of provision.

ALBERT. Responding without giving quarter “No Sir, that cannot be. Time may be taken for The Market to reach zenith, there can be no sound argument against the thesis that given time, private provision will always exceed in quality and quantity of that offered by any publick body. Tis the essential genius of The Market Place that it contains within itself an infinite capacity to evolve and self correct, this fact is beyond disputation.”

THE TRAVELLER. The self-evident advantages of The Market Place being apparently proven without dispute as the best means by which to order society, I considered it wise and well mannered, and out of consideration for the kindness and hospitality Albert had conferred on me these past few days, not to press my doubts.

The road we were now travelling ran alongside the right bank of the mighty river on which The Capital had been originally founded back in the mists of time. I had heard said and read in books that once vast numbers of ships, particularly merchant men, sailed up from the estuary, having navigated in from distant ports and oceans, their holds battened and filled with the goods and produce of other nations.

The multifarious strands of trade and commerce do alter, this we glean from observation and experience, and where in times past certain arteries conveyed goods and merchandise, life-blood that animates the commercial activities of nations, just as in the living body, betimes through neglect, planned or unplanned, these vital conduits sometimes thicken and circulation flows at a diminished pace. Passing by empty wharves, unmoving windlass, rusting gantries, the wrecks of transport wagons, warehouses, windowless and abandoned, I could not but cast my mind back that time when these sturdy deep water quays would have teemed with the countless activities directly concerned with trading by ocean waters. I could also not but reflect this scene was made additionally sad when I harkened back to the visits I had made to several mighty ports-of-call, seaboard of The Great Continent.

The silent dockyards passed on behind us and turning a bend in the river I espied an island of goodly proportions set fair in the middle of the slowly moving waters. Extraordinary were the buildings rising from this place, many were thirty levels high or even greater, capped with tiles and steep angled roofs. Vast open areas marked out for the parking of Solar Carts. Dining Chambers. Shops. Places for vendors, the multifarious requirements needed to serve commercial quarters of great importance. What appeared most singular above all else, however, was the total lack of people. The streets and squares and buildings were totally without a sign of any living thing. Not even a solitary Solar Cart occupied a place on the stark vastness of the parking grounds. Here appeared to be a place in size not much smaller than a city and yet seemed occupied only by unseen phantoms. Sweeping the scene with mine eyes in some wonder and confusion, I was convinced that some vital feature was lacking, though try as I could, what exactly was absent I could not visualize within my mind. Perhaps today was a Publick holiday?

ALBERT. “Rove Island, do you not agree with me Sir, as to the impression of awe with which it strikes ones senses.” Directing his gaze in the same direction as mine own and waving a furled Broadsheet towards the island “Not too far distant in time, this river island overflowed with the meanest kind of dwellings. Narrow streets and dark alleyways. Dark courtyards and unsavoury rookeries. The squalid habitations of Tallymen, Stevedores, Street Vendors, Costermongers and suchlike persons,” Continuing soberly “A class of men and women The Runners must closely watch should they wish to be seen fulfilling their duties. Cut purses. Solar Cart Way Robbers. Counterfeiters and Debasers of the coin. Inspired by the new era of change and enterprise a combination of important joint stock companies proposed the clearing away of what at that time existed and on asking, duly received the eager assent of The Ruling Council to every detail of their visionary scheme. Commencing work without delay, minor and important by laws appertaining to the regulation of building and construction having been waived, first off they dispersed the population who lived there to elsewhere within or outside The Capital. The ready consent of these persons was secured with the promise that in the due course of time much new employment would be created by this visionary enterprise and they would be virtue of previous residence be granted first consideration. The inhabitants gone, the island was quickly returned back to a state of nature. Following hard on this a great body of builders and craftsmen were put to work to erect and what we now see before us. The greatest quarter of commerce ever to be conceived and constructed in Herttach.”

THE TRAVELLER. The conception and birth of any great and improving enterprise could not but be commended, foresight and daring two ingredients essential to the progress of mankind. Though I did wonder, but did not express, as to what now was the condition of the former inhabitants. I readily informed Albert that I was of course greatly impressed by the size and splendour of Rove Island but could not but ask as to why at this moment of observation the place seemed to lack any living soul. Perhaps some annual day of rest, religious or secular, I suggested.

ALBERT. Answering to me at once without any sense of absurdity: “There is as yet no bridge.”

THE TRAVELLER. No Bridge! Seeing at once what I had in all stupidity overlooked, though I rightly excused myself, for the absence of something so fundamental was, I considered, beyond the possibilities of rational comprehension.

ALBERT. “Commerce recent times has proved less active than previously enjoyed. The Joint Stock Companies who built this place, using at that time flat-bottomed barges to transport men and materials across the river as the least costly means, then discovered themselves without the necessary coin remaining within their coffers to construct a bridge, thus permanently linking Rove Island with one or either bank of the river. No bridge was ever there before, the original inhabitants, persons of little importance and therefore whose convenience was not deemed worthy of consideration, travelled from island to shore by ferry-boats. Doubtless it need not be added that a solution to this trifling omission is being sought.”

THE TRAVELLER. I proffered what I assumed to be an easy and obvious means to resolve this omission. Would it not be in the interest of The State, having played a part in the development of Rove Island, even though indirectly, to assist in funding the provision of this most essential bridge, linking river bank and island, thus to complete, fulfil and gain benefits from the officially approved and sanctioned transformation and development?

ALBERT. “Indeed no Sir, this could not be. Must I again remind you The Market Place directs, unconstrained, the paths of all things, and given time resolves all problems. The builders, the financiers, The Ruling Council, are confident that one day a fine bridge will span the waters of the river and from that time onwards Rove Island will triumphantly fulfil its destiny.”

THE TRAVELLER. Reaching this juncture I let matters repose, even though my marked inclination was to examine further and in greater detail. Coming to know Albert better, as I had, he being my sole mentor, guide and close companion throughout the period of this visit of exploration and discovery, I could not but marvel at, and perhaps envy a trifle, his absolute conviction in what was for him untransmutable convictions concerning the ordering of all aspects of society, convinced time being the only variable, would prove beyond argument the means of solving all conundrums, and this being self evident, there was no compulsion to consider any other body of thought or opinion that might suggest an alternative, all other modes of thought and action by definition inferior, ipso facto.

Memorandum: Perchance I might on my return to my native country research, write and publish a pamphlet comparing the concepts of Dogma and Pragmatism.

The route we now followed appeared to swing away from the river and about three leagues distant we stopped. Albert informed me this was a point in the journey where The Driver was permitted to repair to a nearby inn, there to partake of mid-morning refreshment. Near our halting place stood a large building built from a dull red brick. Set within a square courtyard that bounded every side, it had the appearance of some official bureau. Outside of it a large and chaotic multitude of people, mostly men, though some members of the fairer sex, milled about in a straggling and disorderly line around the entire perimeter of the building, even spilling on to the highway, the first of the queue disappearing up the front steps and in through the main doors. Most carried rolled up bundles of parchment, much as one might see carried by lawyers or architects. Still others carried leather cases I assumed contained similar papers. Above the main gates, over the heads of the surging throng, an inscription spelt out in ornate wrought iron letters, was without doubt a quotation from  The Minikin Blue Book.

The Private will in all things exceed The Public.

The Mnikin Blue Book. Saw LCIVI

Curious, I inquired what purpose this place served and why were such a multitude of

people awaiting admission.

ALBERT. “The Bureau of De-publickisation,” he answered in a trice “You will no doubt recall that the transfer much of what was previously Publick Concern into private hands is a policy much encouraged. Well Sir, in the early days twas simplicity itself. Publick Solar Carts. The Distribution of Potable Water. The Ordering of Law. Manufactory of Ordinance. Mining of Coals and Metals. These and many other arenas of endeavour were transposed from the Publick to the Private. Such was the enthusiasm of The Ruling Council, soon a point was reached where they were hard put to discover what other activities if any they could consider De-Publickizing. Concluding long and detailed consideration as to what solution there might be to free up this obstacle, there emerged the inspired notion of throwing open the possibility for any person, singly or in combination with others, private individuals, Joint Stock Companies, to avail themselves of the opportunity to suggest which hitherto unconsidered activity might benefit from the process. All these you see here are going to present plans covering an infinite spectrum of likely subjects. After individual representation to The Official Clerk, the parchments you see them carrying outline their proposals, which in due course are set before a committee, who will in a period of not less than six months, scrutinize the project, and then assent or reject as the case may be.”

THE TRAVELLER. If favourable agreement is given, will The Public Purse assist and ease its implementation?”

ALBERT. “Indeed so Sir, not in any manner direct. Grants, emoluments, and exemption from certain taxes may be forthcoming. Changes to the law. The diverting of protest. Nothing other than trifling assistance.”

THE TRAVELLER. I asked him wither similar assistance was forthcoming when the scrutinized activity was deemed to remain in the Public Domain.

ALBERT. “Funds from the public purse to maintain and succour Public Enterprise. The mere thought of such a course of action would be most unwise if not outright inadmissible, opening and reading from the appropriate page in The Minikin Blue Book, a vellum bound copy of which he always carried in his pocket.

Considering the bottomless well of public concerns when placed adjacent to private initiative, the well schooled legislator knows without question into which coffers the public coin to pour.

The Mnikin Blue Book. Saw XXXII

THE TRAVELLER. I inquired of Albert as to the substance of the plans being offered, the waiting throng being added to in such numbers they threatened to swamp our transport,. the driver having returned to his station and preparing to move off up the highway. This he did, but not without difficulty, easing an erratic path through part of the crowd and when unencumbered reaching a more usual velocity.

ALBERT. “Many and various are the proposals,” Looking back and down with a benevolent eye. “Better to defray and profit from the cost of maintaining pavements, it is proposed that all pedestrians might wear a small clockwork device recording the distance walked, a tariff to be paid by them quarterly. Grass growing on private lawns to be charged per unit of density. A major Joint Stock Company seeks a concession to levy a fee on sunshine, the number of hours of its showing each day to be computed. Likewise the rain, which often originates from private waters by evaporating upwards to swell the clouds. Is it not proper the owners of these private lakes should not lack in pocket, providing as they do a significant portion of this essential element. Air has been subjected to careful scrutiny but as yet no practical solution has been devised whereby the citizen could be made to pay for it, though doubtless in time this problem will in due time be solved.”

THE TRAVELLER. I do not intend describing the great variety of other manifestations I observed that day, not wishing to overburden the patience of my good readers, and also do I confess, it is in my mind that at some future point in time, I intend to pen a second volume, wherein I will expound in greater detail consideration concerning such matters.

After a long, stimulating, and during some moments, a trying day, we at last reached The Solar Cart Halt where we started out our journey to view The Capital, and alighting, walked on legs made a trifle unsteady by lack of use, back to our lodging.

The Housekeeper opened the door to meet us and you may perhaps gather the depth of my surprise and delight when on entering I was led into the dining schamber by Albert, there to be confronted by a special feast prepared and presented in my honour, this being my final evening in The Capital, and moreover sitting around the board, some of those persons I had been privileged to meet during my travels in The Island of Herttach. The Scrivener General, who arrived having fetched with him for his pleasure and ours several Demi Johns of a particularly rare product of The Far Northern Distillation. The Proctor of The Great School greeted me warmly, his mouth full of a preparatory apple, and handed to me a small book he had written concerning the philosophy of instructing elites. Down from the former industrial regions, The Controller had travelled, combining the requirement to present an official report with an opportunity to greet me again. Generously he presented me with several plaster trifles constructed by those under his tutelage, all depicting engines and machines that had once powered the now abandoned mills and factories, all painted with such messages as “Ere You Do Not Forget Herttach and Hope You Will Return Again”. For these gifts I thanked him warmly. The Patron from the Inn of High Standing, up in town to confer with like-minded caterers, had I understood advised upon the assembling of the menu for the evening. Two clerks from the Office of The Malleable Number Engine had been invited to join the company. The Overseer from the control-room under The Great Inner Chamber of Government had found time to join us, The Ruling Council being in recess for the duration of a Publick Holiday. Finally, Fredrick, The Landlord of the inn that stands under the shadow of the church of Saint Norman the Lamenter, had broken the habit of a lifetime and journeyed up to be with us, though I was given to understand on the morrow he was intent on meeting those who were manufacturing much improved Rational Materials that could be convincingly employed to replace that naturally occurring.