Page:Montesquieu - The spirit of laws.djvu/396

344 all other countries, even the most laborious works of society may be performed by freemen.

Experience verifies my assertion. Before Christianity had abolished civil slavery in Europe, working in the mines was judged too toilsom for any but slaves or malefactors: but at present, there are men employed in them, who are known to live happily. They have, by some small privileges, encouraged this profession; to an increase of labour, they have joined an increase of gain; and have gone so far, as to make them better pleased with their condition than with any other which they could have embraced.

No labour is so heavy, but it may be brought to a level with the workman's strength, when regulated by equity, and not by avarice. The violent fatigues which slaves are made to undergo in other parts, may be supplied by commodious machines, invented by art, and skilfully applied. The Turkish mines in the Bannat of Temeswar, though richer than those of Hungary, did not yield so much; because their invention reached no further, than the strength of their slaves.

I know not whether this article be dictated by my understanding, or by my heart. Possibly there is not that climate upon earth, where the most laborious services might not, with proper encouragement, be performed by freemen. Bad laws having made lazy men; they have been reduced to slavery, because of their laziness. Rh