Страница 250 из 2651

In a country which had acquired its full complement of riches,

where, in every particular branch of business, there was the

greatest quantity of stock that could be employed in it, as the

ordinary rate of clear profit would be very small, so the usual

market rate of interest which could be afforded out of it would

be so low as to render it impossible for any but the very

wealthiest people to live upon the interest of their money. All

people of small or middling fortunes would be obliged to

superintend themselves the employment of their own stocks. It

would be necessary that almost every man should be a man of

business, or engage in some sort of trade. The province of

Holland seems to be approaching near to this state. It is there

unfashionable not to be a man of business. Necessity makes it

usual for almost every man to be so, and custom everywhere

regulates fashion. As it is ridiculous not to dress, so is it, in

some measure, not to be employed like other people.