Pagina 172 van 2651

But the necessary maintenance of four children, it is supposed,

may be nearly equal to that of one man. The labour of an

able-bodied slave, the same author adds, is computed to be worth

double his maintenance; and that of the meanest labourer, he

thinks, cannot be worth less than that of an able-bodied slave.

Thus far at least seems certain, that, in order to bring up a

family, the labour of the husband and wife together must, even in

the lowest species of common labour, be able to earn something

more than what is precisely necessary for their own maintenance;

but in what proportion, whether in that above-mentioned, or any

other, I shall not take upon me to determine.

There are certain circumstances, however, which sometimes give

the labourers an advantage, and enable them to raise their wages

considerably above this rate, evidently the lowest which is

consistent with common humanity.