Suppose any person to be put in possession of a large estate of
fruitful land, with rich beds of gold in its gravel; countless
herds of cattle in its pastures; houses, and gardens, and
storehouses full of useful stores; but suppose, after all, that
he could get no servants? In order that he may be able to have
servants, someone in his neighbourhood must be poor and in want
of his gold—or his corn. Assume that no one is in want of
either, and that no servants are to be had. He must, therefore,
bake his own bread, make his own clothes, plough his own ground,
and shepherd his own flocks. His gold will be as useful to him
as any other yellow pebbles on his estate. His stores must rot,
for he cannot consume them. He can eat no more than another man
could eat, and wear no more than another man could wear. He must
lead a life of severe and common labour to procure even ordinary
comforts; he will be ultimately unable to keep either houses in
repair, or fields in cultivation; and forced to content himself
with a poor