M. Georges d'Avenel delivered his sixth lecture in the Hyde series yesterday afternoon on "L'Influence de l'Etat et celle des movements de la population sur le prix de travail."

M. d'Avenel divides the history of labor and its relation to the State into three periods, the servitude period, the free period, and the despotic period, the last of which is yet to come. But wages obey no laws prescribed by legislatures; they are governed solely by public opinion. State laws regarding labor are obeyed only so long as they coincide with natural laws.

Until recent times there has been no equality between the laborer and the employer; but such a condition has gradually come about regardless of the efforts to keep it down. In 1789 there was an ordinance passed called the "Liberty of Labor Act;" but the effect of this act upon the actual progress of industry was infinitesimal. The real factor which led to the equalization of laborer and employer, and which also laid the foundations for the great industries of the present, was the introduction of machinery.

A remarkable situation was that under Louis Philippe, when France was at its height. Nevertheless wages were very low and consequently population was diminished. Public prosperity does not always bring about an increase of population. It is Science which has brought about changes in the condition of nations, and it seems probable that Science will continue its influences. The surest way to affect wages is to increase products faster than population, so that individual effort may receive a higher compensation.

The next lecture on "Les riches du passe et du present" will be given in Sanders Theatre tomorrow at 4.30 o'clock.