Page:History of the Royal Society.djvu/406

 and the Fruits that were thus barter'd, were either spent, or planted in other Grounds. By this means Mankind was maintain'd; and several Earths were furnish'd by Labour, with what Nature bestow'd not upon them. For this Commutation of their Fruits, and of the rude Effects of their first Industry, they began to devise the Conveniencies of Carriage by Land and Water; and to make it still easier, and larger, they agreed on some common Things, to be the universal Standard of Value and Price; whence arose the use of Money.

This was the first Original of Trade, which from a narrow Commerce between the Hills, the Valleys, the Woods, the Plains, and the Rivers that border'd one upon another, is since extended to the whole Compass of the Earth. For in course of Time, the small Clans, and natural Commonwealths were devour'd by the Strength of the greater; or else some of the wiser Men reduc'd the rude Multitude into one Place, and perswaded them to live quietly under the Laws. From thence Mankind began to have the face of Civility, which arose at first, by that which is the best Means of preserving it now, by the greatness and enlargement of Dominion.

The first, all the Differences of Living, and the Advantages of Strength and Empire, did shew themselves. Then some took on them to Rule, some to Assist, or Council those that Rul'd, and some were forc'd to be subject to their Power. Thus the Riches and Dominion that were at first in common, were unequally divided: The Great, the Wise, or the Strong, obtain'd a principal Share; and either persuaded, or constrain'd all the rest to serve them with their Bodies. Thence sprung all the Arts of Rh