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 Banks, or Towns, or Ships, or Harbours: and when the Roman Emperor gather'd Cockles there, perhaps there was little else worth gathering. But when by the number of their People they were forc'd to look abroad, to trade, to fish, to labour in Mechanics; they soon found the Sweetness as well as the Toil of their Diligence: their Successes and Riches still added new Heat to their Minds; and thus they have continued improving, till they have not only disgrac'd but terrify'd their Neighbours by their Industry. Nor will it suffice to tell us, that they owe this Activity to the Form of their Government. That Supposition may presently be confuted by the Example of France, the most absolute Monarchy of Christendom: There it is apparent by the prodigious Toils of their People, both upon the Earth, and in their Shops, that Diligence may thrive in a Kingdom as well as a Commonwealth.

And if ever the English will attain to the Mastery of Commerce, not only in Discourse, but Reality, they must begin it by their Labours, as well as by their Swords: they must do it by awakening their Minds, by rouzing themselves from this Lethargy, by Action, by Trials, by Working: Unless this be done, they will in vain be Victorious: at the end of their Wars they will cool again, and lose all the Fruits of their Valour. The Arts of Peace, and their Improvements, must proceed in equal Steps with the Success of their Arms: The Works of our Citizens, our Plough-men, our Gardeners, our Wood-men, our Fishers, our Diggers in Mines, must be equally advanc'd with the Triumphs of our Fleets, or else their Blood will be shed in vain: they will soon return to the same Poverty, and want of Trade, which they strove to avoid. For as Tully professes, neminem video eloquentem factum esse Rh