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lewdness and drinking。 And so popular were these sentiments；
during the later ages of the republic； that this author abounds
in praises of the old rigid ROMAN virtue； though himself the most
egregious instance of modern luxury and corruption； speaks
contemptuously of the GRECIAN eloquence； though the most elegant
writer in the world； nay； employs preposterous digressions and
declamations to this purpose； though a model of taste and
correctness。
But it would be easy to prove； that these writers mistook the
cause of the disorders in the ROMAN state； and ascribed to luxury
and the arts； what really proceeded from an ill modelled
government； and the unlimited extent of conquests。 Refinement on
the pleasures and conveniencies of life has no natural tendency
to beget venality and corruption。 The value； which all men put
upon any particular pleasure； depends on comparison and
experience； nor is a porter less greedy of money； which he spends
on bacon and brandy； than a courtier； who purchases champagne and
ortolans。 Riches are valuable at all times； and to all men；
because they always purchase pleasures； such as men are
accustomed to； and desire： Nor can any thing restrain or regulate
the love of money； but a sense of honour and virtue； which； if it
be not nearly equal at all times； will naturally abound most in
ages of knowledge and refinement。
Of all EUROPEAN kingdoms； POLAND seems the most defective in
the arts of war as well as peace； mechanical as well as liberal；
yet it is there that venality and corruption do most prevail。 The
nobles seem to have preserved their crown elective for no other
purpose； than regularly to sell it to the highest bidder。 This is
almost the only species of commerce； with which that people are
acquainted。
The liberties of ENGLAND； so far from decaying since the
improvements in the arts； have never flourished so much as during
that period。 And though corruption may seem to encrease of late
years； this is chiefly to be ascribed to our established liberty；
when our princes have found the impossibility of governing
without parliaments； or of terrifying parliaments by the phantom
of prerogative。 Not to mention； that this corruption or venality
prevails much more among the electors than the elected； and
therefore cannot justly be ascribed to any refinements in luxury。
If we consider the matter in a proper light； we shall find；
that a progress in the arts is rather favourable to liberty； and
has a natural tendency to preserve； if not produce a free
government。 In rude unpolished nations； where the arts are
neglected； all labour is bestowed on the cultivation of the
ground； and the whole society is divided into two classes；
proprietors of land； and their vassals or tenants。 The latter are
necessarily dependent； and fitted for slavery and subjection；
especially where they possess no riches； and are not valued for
their knowledge in agriculture； as must always be the case where
the arts are neglected。 The former naturally erect themselves
into petty tyrants； and must either submit to an absolute master；
for the sake of peace and order； or if they will preserve their
independency； like the ancient barons； they must fall into feuds
and contests among themselves； and throw the whole society into
such confusion； as is perhaps worse than the most despotic
government。 But where luxury nourishes commerce and industry； the
peasants； by a proper cultivation of the land； become rich and
independent； while the tradesmen and merchants acquire a share of
the property； and draw authority and consideration to that
middling rank of men； who are the best and firmest basis of
public liberty。 These submit not to slavery； like the peasants；
from poverty and meanness of spirit； and having no hopes of
tyrannizing over others； like the barons； they are not tempted；
for the sake of that gratification； to submit to the tyranny of
their sovereign。 They covet equal laws； which may secure their
property； and preserve them from monarchical； as well as
aristocratical tyranny。
The lower house is the support of our popular government； and
all the world acknowledges； that it owed its chief influence and
consideration to the encrease of commerce； which threw such a
balance of property into the hands of the commons。 How
inconsistent then is it to blame so violently a refinement in the
arts； and to represent it as the bane of liberty and public
spirit！
To declaim against present times； and magnify the virtue of
remote ancestors； is a propensity almost inherent in human
nature： And as the sentiments and opinions of civilized ages
alone are transmitted to posterity； hence it is that we meet with
so many severe judgments pronounced against luxury； and even
science； and hence it is that at present we give so ready an
assent to them。 But the fallacy is easily perceived； by comparing
different nations that are contemporaries； where we both judge
more impartially； and can better set in opposition those manners；
with which we are sufficiently acquainted。 Treachery and cruelty；
the most pernicious and most odious of all vices； seem peculiar
to uncivilized ages； and by the refined GREEKS and ROMANS were
ascribed to all the barbarous nations； which surrounded them。
They might justly； therefore； have presumed； that their own
ancestors； so highly celebrated； possessed no greater virtue； and
were as much inferior to their posterity in honour and humanity；
as in taste and science。 An ancient FRANK or SAXON may be highly
extolled： But I believe every man would think his life or fortune
much less secure in the hands of a MOOR or TARTAR； than in those
of a FRENCH or ENGLISH gentleman； the rank of men the most
civilized in the most civilized nations。
We come now to the second position which we proposed to
illustrate； to wit； that； as innocent luxury； or a refinement in
the arts and conveniencies of life； is advantageous to the
public； so wherever luxury ceases to be innocent； it also ceases
to be beneficial； and when carried a degree farther； begins to be
a quality pernicious； though； perhaps； not the most pernicious；
to political society。
Let us consider what we call vicious luxury。 No
gratification； however sensual； can of itself be esteemed
vicious。 A gratification is only vicious； when it engrosses all a
man's expence； and leaves no ability for such acts of duty and
generosity as are required by his situation and fortune。 Suppose；
that he correct the vice； and employ part of his expence in the
education of his children； in the support of his friends； and in
relieving the poor； would any prejudice result to society？ On the
contrary； the same consumption would arise； and that labour；
which； at present； is employed only in producing a slender
gratification to one man； would relieve the necessitous； and
bestow satisfaction on hundreds。 The same care and toil that
raise a dish of peas at CHRISTMAS； would give bread to a whole
family during six months。 To say； that； without a vicious luxury；
the labour would not have been employed at all； is only to say；
that there is some other defect in human nature； such as
indolence； selfi