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In a country, too, where, though the rich, or the owners of large

capitals, enjoy a good deal of security, the poor, or the owners

of small capitals, enjoy scarce any, but are liable, under the

pretence of justice, to be pillaged and plundered at any time by

the inferior mandarins, the quantity of stock employed in all the

different branches of business transacted within it, can never be

equal to what the nature and extent of that business might admit.

In every different branch, the oppression of the poor must

establish the monopoly of the rich, who, by engrossing the whole

trade to themselves, will be able to make very large profits.

Twelve per cent. accordingly, is said to be the common interest

of money in China, and the ordinary profits of stock must be

sufficient to afford this large interest.