The fate of the middle classes will be sealed sooner than we have suggested. Commercial crises of ever-increasing severity (the most powerful stimulus to independent action on the part of the workers), coupled with the effects of foreign competition and the progressive ruin of the middle classes, will bring matters to a head before long. I do not think that the workers will put up with another commercial crisis. The next one – it is due in 1846 or 1847 – will probably lead to the repeal of the Corn Laws and the acceptance of the People's Charter. It remains to be seen how far the acceptance of the Charter will encourage the movement towards revolution. After the crisis of 1846 or 1847 the next crisis should (on the analogy of previous crises) occur in 1852 or 1853. It may be delayed by the repeal of the Corn Laws or it may be hastened by foreign competition or other circumstances. But before that crisis arrives the English workers will surely have reached the limits of their endurance. […]