Page:A discourse upon the origin and foundation of the inequality among mankind (IA discourseuponori00rous).pdf/281

 of Indutry, and of the real Effects of its Progres.

Such are the evident Caues of all the Mieries into which Opulence at length precipitates the mot admired Nations. In proportion as Indutry and Arts pread and flourih, the lighted Hubandman, loaded with Taxes neceary for the Support of Luxury, and condemned to pend his Life between Labour and Hunger, leaves his Fields to eek in Town the Bread he hould carry there. The more our Capital Cities trike with Admiration the Eyes of the tupid Vulgar; the greater Reaon is there to weep, conidering what large Tracts of Land are utterly deerted, what fruitful Fields lie uncultivated, how the High-Roads are crowded with unhappy Citizens turned Beggars or Highwaymen, and doomed, ooner or later to lay down their wretched Lives on the Wheel or the Dunghill. It is thus, that while States grow rich on one hand, they grow weak, and are depopulated on the other; and the mot powerful Monarchies, after innumerable Labours to enrich and thin themelves, fall at lat a Prey