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situation； a nation may lose most of its foreign trade； and yet
continue a great and powerful people。 If strangers will not take
any particular commodity of ours； we must cease to labour in it。
The same hands will turn themselves towards some refinement in
other commodities； which may be wanted at home。 And there must
always be materials for them to work upon； till every person in
the state； who possesses riches； enjoys as great plenty of home
commodities； and those in as great perfection； as he desires；
which can never possibly happen。 CHINA is represented as one of
the most flourishing empires in the world； though it has very
little commerce beyond its own territories。
It will not； I hope； be considered as a superfluous
digression； if I here observe； that； as the multitude of
mechanical arts is advantageous； so is the great number of
persons to whose share the productions of these arts fall。 A too
great disproportion among the citizens weakens any state。 Every
person； if possible； ought to enjoy the fruits of his labour； in
a full possession of all the necessaries； and many of the
conveniencies of life。 No one can doubt； but such an equality is
most suitable to human nature； and diminishes much less from the
happiness of the rich than it adds to that of the poor。 It also
augments the power of the state； and makes any extraordinary
taxes or impositions be paid with more chearfulness。 Where the
riches are engrossed by a few； these must contribute very largely
to the supplying of the public necessities。 But when the riches
are dispersed among multitudes； the burthen feels light on every
shoulder； and the taxes make not a very sensible difference on
any one's way of living。
Add to this； that； where the riches are in few hands； these
must enjoy all the power； and will readily conspire to lay the
whole burthen on the poor； and oppress them still farther； to the
discouragement of all industry。
In this circumstance consists the great advantage of ENGLAND
above any nation at present in the world； or that appears in the
records of any story。 It is true； the ENGLISH feel some
disadvantages in foreign trade by the high price of labour； which
is in part the effect of the riches of their artisans； as well as
of the plenty of money： But as foreign trade is not the most
material circumstance； it is not to be put in competition with
the happiness of so many millions。 And if there were no more to
endear to them that free government under which they live； this
alone were sufficient。 The poverty of the common people is a
natural； if not an infallible effect of absolute monarchy； though
I doubt； whether it be always true； on the other hand； that their
riches are an infallible result of liberty。 Liberty must be
attended with particular accidents； and a certain turn of
thinking； in order to produce that effect。 Lord BACON； accounting
for the great advantages obtained by the ENGLISH in their wars
with FRANCE； ascribes them chiefly to the superior ease and
plenty of the common people amongst the former； yet the
government of the two kingdoms was； at that time； pretty much
alike。 Where the labourers and artisans are accustomed to work
for low wages； and to retain but a small part of the fruits of
their labour； it is difficult for them； even in a free
government； to better their condition； or conspire among
themselves to heighten their wages。 But even where they are
accustomed to a more plentiful way of life； it is easy for the
rich； in an arbitrary government； to conspire against them； and
throw the whole burthen of the taxes on their shoulders。
It may seem an odd position； that the poverty of the common
people in FRANCE。 ITALY； and SPAIN； is； in some measure； owing to
the superior riches of the soil and happiness of the climate； yet
there want not reasons to justify this paradox。 In such a fine
mould or soil as that of those more southern regions； agriculture
is an easy art； and one man； with a couple of sorry horses； will
be able； in a season； to cultivate as much land as will pay a
pretty considerable rent to the proprietor。 All the art。 which
the farmer knows； is to leave his ground fallow for a year； as
soon as it is exhausted； and the warmth of the sun alone and
temperature of the climate enrich it； and restore its fertility。
Such poor peasants； therefore； require only a simple maintenance
for their labour。 They have no stock or riches； which claim more；
and at the same time； they are for ever dependant on their
landlord； who gives no leases； nor fears that his land will be
spoiled by the ill methods of cultivation。 In ENGLAND； the land
is rich； but coarse； must be cultivated at a great expence； and
produces slender crops； when not carefully managed； and by a
method which gives not the full profit but in a course of several
years。 A farmer； therefore； in ENGLAND must have a considerable
stock； and a long lease； which beget proportional profits。 The
fine vineyards of CHAMPAGNE and BURGUNDY that often yield to the
landlord above five pounds per acre； are cultivated by peasants；
who have scarcely bread： The reason is； that such peasants need
no stock but their own limbs； with instruments of husbandry；
which they can buy for twenty shillings。 The farmers are commonly
in some better circumstances in those countries。 But the grasiers
are most at their ease of all those who cultivate the land。 The
reason is still the same。 Men must have profits proportionable to
their expence and hazard。 Where so considerable a number of the
labouring poor as the peasants and farmers are in very low
circumstances； all the rest must partake of their poverty；
whether the government of that nation be monarchical or
republican。
We may form a similar remark with regard to the general
history of mankind。 What is the reason； why no people； living
between the tropics； could ever yet attain to any art or
civility； or reach even any police in their government； and any
military discipline； while few nations in the temperate climates
have been altogether deprived of these advantages？ It is probable
that one cause of this phenomenon is the warmth and equality of
weather in the torrid zone； which render clothes and houses less
requisite for the inhabitants； and thereby remove； in part； that
necessity； which is the great spur to industry and invention。
Curis acuens mortalia corda。 Not to mention； that the fewer goods
or possessions of this kind any people enjoy； the fewer quarrels
are likely to arise amongst them； and the less necessity will
there be for a settled police or regular authority to protect and
defend them from foreign enemies； or from each other。
the End