Page:Montesquieu - The spirit of laws.djvu/193

Rh in the nobility, and yet they are not allowed to spend; for as luxury is contrary to the spirit of moderation, it must be banished from thence. This government comprehends therefore only people that are extremely poor, and cannot acquire; and people that are vastly rich, and cannot spend.

In Venice they are compelled by the laws to moderation. They are so habituated to parsimony, that none but courtezans can make them part with their money. Such is the method made use of for the support of industry; the most contemptible of women spend freely their money without danger, whilst those who support them consume their days in the greatest obscurity.

Admirable in this respect were the institutions of the principal republics of Greece. The rich employed their money in festivals, musical chorus's, chariots, horse-races, and chargeable offices. Wealth was therefore as burthensome there as poverty.

ACITUS says, "That the Suiones, a German nation, have a particular respect for riches; for which reason they live under the government of one person." This shews that luxury is extremely proper for monarchies, and that under this government there must be no sumptuary laws.

As riches, by the very constitution of monarchies, are unequally divided, there is an absolute necessity for luxury. Were the rich not to spend their money freely, the poor would starve. It is Rh