Page 340 sur 2651

The superiority which the industry of the towns has everywhere in

Europe over that of the country, is not altogether owing to

corporations and corporation laws. It is supported by many other

regulations. The high duties upon foreign manufactures, and upon

all goods imported by alien merchants, all tend to the same

purpose. Corporation laws enable the inhabitants of towns to

raise their prices, without fearing to be undersold by the free

competition of their own countrymen. Those other regulations

secure them equally against that of foreigners. The enhancement

of price occasioned by both is everywhere finally paid by the

landlords, farmers, and labourers, of the country, who have

seldom opposed the establishment of such monopolies.