Page:Manual of Political Economy.djvu/136

Rh encounter. Birds build nests which are most perfectly adapted to protect their young; beavers construct their habitations on a plan so admirable that it seems almost to rival the skill of man; and even dogs collect a store of food to which they will resort when pressed by hunger.

In England the desire to accumulate wealth acts with great force amongst certain classes. It is impossible accurately to define the causes which regulate the amount saved by any individual, but it may be stated generally that in England each class of society has a recognised standard of living which involves a certain expenditure, and the whole of an individuals income which is in excess of this expenditure is usually saved and invested. The amount which is saved is, therefore, partly dependent at any particular time upon the material prosperity of the country. If activity of trade or any other such circumstance should increase the incomes of any particular class, there would be a larger fund from which savings might be made, and more would be saved. Habit has such a powerful influence in determining expenditure, that it often happens that a man does not spend more, although his income may be greatly increased. Any circumstance, therefore, which tends to augment the wealth of the nation, will induce increased saving.

It may also be remarked that the amount of an individual's expenditure is to some extent determined by the cost of the commodities which he consumes. The consumption of some articles diminishes in proportion to the rise which may take place in their price. La Madras, for instance, when the salt duties were several years ago raised 18 per cent., the result was an increase in the revenue of only 12 per cent. This proved that the consumption of salt was diminished by the increase in its price. It was found that when the sugar duties were raised beyond a certain amount, they did not produce a larger revenue. When the price of sugar was high, it was much more sparingly used. Such articles, however, as tea and bread, are, in this country, almost universally regarded as necessaries of life; and the quantity of tea and bread which is consumed by those classes who accumulate the capital of the country, is not materially