selected their children for the various occupations required by the State, according to their several aptitudes.
This was indeed socialism such as dreamers in past ages have conceived, and unpractical theorists now talk about. It existed once because the essential conditions were combined in a way which is never likely to occur again. These are an inexorable despotism, absolute exemption from outside interference of any kind, a very peculiar and remarkable people in an early stage of civilisation, and an extraordinary combination of skilful statesmanship.
It was destroyed by the Spanish conquest, and the world will never see its like again. A few of the destroyers, only a very few, could appreciate the fabric they had pulled down, its beauty and symmetry, and its perfect adaptation to its environment. But no one could rebuild it. The most enlightened among the destroyers were the lawyers who were sent out to attempt some sort of reconstruction—men like Ondegardo, Matienza, and Santillan. But they could only think hopelessly what Santillan wrote: 'There was much in their rule which was so good as to deserve praise and be even worthy of imitation.' There were even some faint attempts at imitation, but they failed utterly, and the unequalled fabric disappeared for ever.
