Page:The Effects of Civilisation on the People in European States.djvu/85

Rh art, of various kinds, in greater number, variety, and neatness of execution, than heretofore; and rewarded these artisans liberally with what they had been accustomed to give their retainers, and probably with some part of that which they before allowed those, who worked on the land, to keep for their own use.

In this manner, manufactures were introduced; and, by their means, the rich man can now find something for which he can exchange the whole surplus produce of his estates; and thus enjoy and consume himself the whole value of them, sharing little or nothing of them with other people.

The manufactures soon became the employment of a great proportion of the people, and made a very great alteration in the situation of them; and as this forms a very striking feature in the face of civilised countries, and is of great consequence, we think it deserves particular notice and discussion.

In the different ages of the world, statesmen have had different notions with regard to what was most for the interest and advantage of the people. The Romans thought they could not by any means so effectually promote the welfare of the republic as by conquest. In more modern times the planting of colonies has been adopted with the same view. At present, trade, manufactures, and commerce, are the great and enviable objects of