SectionIV。
Thesamesubjectcontinued。
Menfrequently,whiletheystudytoimprovetheirfortunes,neglectthemselves;andwhiletheyreasonfortheircountry,forgettheconsiderationsthatmostdeservetheirattention。
Numbers,riches,andtheotherresourcesofwar,arehighlyimportant:butnationsconsistofmen;andanationconsistingofdegenerateandcowardlymen,isweak;anationconsistingofvigorous,public-spirited,andresolutemen,isstrong,Theresourcesofwar,whereotheradvantagesareequal,maydecideacontest;buttheresourcesofwar,inhandsthatcannotemploythem,areofnoavail。
Virtueisanecessaryconstituentofnationalstrength:
capacity,andavigorousunderstanding,arenolessnecessarytosustainthefortuneofstates。Bothareimprovedbydiscipline,andbytheexercisesinwhichmenareengaged。Wedespise,orwepity,thelotofmankind,whiletheylivedunderuncertainestablishments,andwereobligedtosustaininthesameperson,thecharacterofthesenator,thestatesman,andthesoldier。
Polishednationsdiscover,thatanyoneofthesecharactersissufficientinoneperson;andthattheendsofeach,whendisjoined,aremoreeasilyaccomplished。Thefirst,however,werecircumstancesunderwhichnationsadvancedandprospered;thesecondwerethoseinwhichthespiritrelaxed,andthenationwenttodecay。
Wemay,withgoodreason,congratulateourspeciesontheirhavingescapedfromastateofbarbarousdisorderandviolence,intoastateofdomesticpeaceandregularpolicy;whentheyhavesheathedthedagger,anddisarmedtheanimositiesofcivilcontention;whentheweaponswithwhichtheycontendarethereasoningsofthewise,andthetongueoftheeloquent。Butwecannot,mean-time,helptoregret,thattheyshouldeverproceed,insearchofperfection,toplaceeverybranchofadministrationbehindthecounter,andcometoemploy,insteadofthestatesmanandwarrior,themereclerkandaccountant。
Bycarryingthissystemtoitsheight,menareeducated,whocouldcopyforCaesarhismilitaryinstructions,orevenexecuteapartofhisplans;butnonewhocouldactinallthedifferentsCenesforwhichtheleaderhimselfmustbequalified,inthestateandinthefield,intimesoforderoroftumult,intimesofdivisionorofunanimity。nonewhocouldanimatethecouncilwhendeliberatingonordinaryoccasions,orwhenalarmedbyattacksfromabroad。
ThepolicyofChinaisthemostperfectmodelofanarrangement,atwhichtheordinaryrefinementsofgovernmentareaimed;andtheinhabitantsofthisempirepossess,inthehighestdegree,thoseartsonwhichvulgarmindsmakethefelicityandgreatnessofnationstodepend。Thestatehasacquired,inameasureunequalledinthehistoryofmankind,numbersofmen,andtheotherresourcesofwar。Theyhavedonewhatweareveryapttoadmire;theyhavebroughtnationalaffairstothelevelofthemeanestcapacity;theyhavebrokethemintoparts,andthrownthemintoseparatedepartments;theyhaveclothedeveryproceedingwithsplendidceremonies,andmajesticalforms;andwherethereverenceofformscannotrepressdisorder,arigorousandseverepolice,armedwitheveryspeciesofcorporalpunishment,isappliedtothepurpose。Thewhip,andthecudgel,arehelduptoallordersofmen;theyareatonceemployed,andtheyaredreadedbyeverymagistrate。Amandarineiswhipped,forhavingorderedapickpockettoreceivetoofewortoomanyblows。
Everydepartmentofstateismadetheobjectofaseparateprofession,andeverycandidateforofficemusthavepassedthrougharegulareducation;and,asinthegraduationsoftheuniversity,musthaveobtainedbyhisproficiency,orhisstanding,thedegreetowhichheaspires。Thetribunalsofstate,ofwar,andoftherevenue,aswellasofliterature,areconductedbygraduatesintheirdifferentstudies:butwhilelearningisthegreatroadtopreferment,itterminates,inbeingabletoread,andtowrite;andthegreatobjectofgovernmentconsistsinraising,andinconsumingthefruitsoftheearth。
Withalltheseresources,andthislearnedpreparation,whichismadetoturntheseresourcestouse,thestateisinrealityweak;hasrepeatedlygiventheexamplewhichweseektoexplain;
andamongthedoctorsofwarorofpolicy,amongthemillionswhoaresetapartforthemilitaryprofession,canfindnoneofitsmemberswhoarefittostandforthinthedangersoftheircountry,ortoformadefenceagainsttherepeatedinroadsofanenemyreputedtobeartlessandmean。
Itisdifficulttotellhowlongthedecayofstatesmightbesuspendedbythecultivationofartsonwhichtheirrealfelicityandstrengthdepend;bycultivatinginthehigherranksthosetalentsforthecouncilandthefield,whichcannot,withoutgreatdisadvantage,beseparated;andinthebodyofapeople,thatzealfortheircountry,andthatmilitarycharacter,whichenablethemtotakeashareindefendingitsrights。
Timesmaycome,wheneveryproprietormustdefendhisownpossessions,andeveryfreepeoplemaintaintheirownindependence。Wemayimagine,thatagainstsuchanextremity,anarmyofhiredtroopsisasufficientprecaution;buttheirowntroopsaretheveryenemyagainstwhichapeopleissometimesobligedtofight。Wemayflatterourselves,thatextremitiesofthissort,inanyparticularcase,areremote;butwecannot,inreasoningonthegeneralfortunesofmankind,avoidputtingthecase,andreferringtotheexamplesinwhichithashappened。Ithashappenedineveryinstancewherethepolishedhavefallenapreytotherude,andwherethepacificinhabitanthasbeenreducedtosubjectionbymilitaryforce。
Ifthedefenceandgovernmentofapeoplebemadetodependonafew,whomaketheconductofstateorofwartheirprofession;whetherthesebeforeignersornatives;whethertheybecalledawayofasudden,liketheRomanlegionfromBritain;
whethertheyturnagainsttheiremployers,likethearmyofCarthage,orbeoverpoweredanddispersedbyastrokeoffortune,themultitudeofacowardlyandundisciplinedpeoplemust,onsuchanemergence,receiveaforeignoradomesticenemy,astheywouldaplagueoranearthquake,withhopelessamazementandterror,andbytheirnumbers,onlyswellthetriumphs,andenrichthespoilofaconqueror。
Statesmenandleadersofarmies,accustomedtothemereobservanceofforms,aredisconcertedbyasuspensionofcustomaryrules;andonsightgroundsdespairoftheircountry。
Theywerequalifiedonlytogotheroundsofaparticulartrack;
andwhenforcedfromtheirstations,areinrealityunabletoactwithmen。Theyonlytookpartinformalities,ofwhichtheyunderstoodnotthetendency;andtogetherwiththemodesofprocedure,eventheverystateitself,intheirapprehension,hasceasedtoexist。Thenumbers,possessions,andresourcesofagreatpeople,onlyserve,intheirview,toconstituteasceneofhopelessconfusionandterror。
Inrudeages,undertheappellationsofacommunity,apeople,oranation,wasunderstoodanumberofmen;andthestate,whileitsmembersremained,wasaccountedentire。TheScythians,whiletheyJedbeforeDarius,mockedathischildishattempt;AthenssurvivedthedevastationsofXerxes;andRome,initsrudestate,thoseoftheGauls。Withpolishedandmercantilestates,thecaseissometimesreversed。Thenationisaterritory,cultivatedandimprovedbyitsowners;destroythepossession,evenwhilethemasterremains,thestateisundone。
Thatweaknessandeffeminacyofwhichpolishednationsaresometimesaccused,hasitsplaceprobablyinthemindalone。Thestrengthofanimals,andthatofmaninparticular,dependsonhisfeeding,andthekindoflabourtowhichheisused。
Wholesomefood,andhardlabour,theportionofmanyineverypolishedandcommercialnation,securetothepublicanumberofmenenduedwithbodilystrength,andinuredtohardshipandtoil。
Evendelicateliving,andgoodaccommodation,arenotfoundtoenervatethebody。ThearmiesofEuropehavebeenobligedtomaketheexperiment;andthechildrenofopulentfamilies,bredineffeminacy,ornursedwithtendercare,havebeenmadetocontendwiththesavage。Byimitatinghisarts,theyhavelearned,likehim,totraversetheforest;and,ineveryseason,tosubsistinthedesert。Theyhave,perhaps,recoveredalesson,whichithascostcivilizednationsmanyagestounlearn,Thatthefortuneofamanisentirewhileheremainspossessedofhimself。
Itmaybethought,however,thatfewofthecelebratednationsofantiquity,whosefatehasgivenrisetosomuchreJectiononthevicissitudesofhumanaffairs,hadmadeanygreatprogressinthoseenervatingartswehavementioned;ormadethosearrangementsfromwhichthedangerinquestioncouldbesupposedtoarise。TheGreeks,inparticular,atthetimeoftheirfallundertheMacedonianyoke,hadcertainlynotcarriedthecommercialartstosogreataheightasiscommonwiththemostflourishingandprosperousnationsofEurope。Theyhadstillretainedtheformofindependentrepublics;thepeopleweregenerallyadmittedtoashareinthegovernment;andnotbeingabletohirearmies,theywereobliged,bynecessity,tobearapartinthedefenceoftheircountry。Bytheirfrequentwarsanddomesticcommotions,theywereaccustomedtodanger,andwerefamiliarwithalarmingsituations:theywereaccordinglystillaccountedthebestsoldiersandthebeststatesmenoftheknownworld。TheyoungerCyruspromisedhimselftheempireofAsiabymeansoftheiraid;andafterhisfall,abodyoftenthousand,althoughbereftoftheirleaders,baffled,intheirretreat,allthemilitaryforceofthePersianempire。ThevictorofAsiadidnotthinkhimselfpreparedforthatconquest,tillhehadformedanarmyfromthesubduedrepublicsofGreece。
Itis,however,true,thatintheageofPhilip,themilitaryandpoliticalspiritofthosenationsappearstohavebeenconsiderablyimpaired,andtohavesuffered,perhaps,fromthevarietyOfinterestsandpursuits,aswellasofpleasures,withwhichtheirmemberscametobeoccupied:theyevenmadeakindofseparationbetweenthecivilandmilitarycharacter。Phocion,wearetoldbyPlutarch,havingobservedthattheleadingmenofhistimefolloweddifferentcourses,thatsomeappliedthemselvestocivil,otherstomilitaryaffairs,determinedrathertofollowtheexamplesofThemistocles,Aristides,andPericles,theleadersofaformerage,whowereequallypreparedforeither。
WefindintheorationsofDemosthenes,aperpetualreferencetothisstateofmanners。WefindhimexhortingtheAthenians,notonlytodeclarewar,buttoarmthemselvesfortheexecutionoftheirownmilitaryplans,Wefindthattherewasanorderofmilitarymen,whoeasilypassedfromtheserviceofonestatetothatofanother;andwho,whentheywereneglectedfromhome,turnedawaytoenterprisesontheirownaccount。Therewerenot,perhaps,betterwarriorsinanyformerage;butthosewarriorswerenotattachedtoanystate;andthesettledinhabitantsofeverycitythoughtthemselvesdisqualifiedformilitaryservice。
Thedisciplineofarmieswasperhapsimproved;butthevigourofnationswasgonetodecay。WhenPhilip,orAlexander,defeatedtheGrecianarmies,whichwerechieflycomposedofsoldiersoffortune,theyfoundaneasyconquestwiththeotherinhabitants:
andwhenthelatter,afterwardssupportedbythosesoldiers,invadedthePersianempire,heseemstohaveleftlittlemartialspiritbehindhim;andbyremovingthemilitarymen,tohavetakenprecautionenough,inhisabsence,tosecurehisdominionoverthismutinousandrefractorypeople。
Thesubdivisionofartsandprofessions,incertainexamples,tendstoimprovethepracticeofthem,andtopromotetheirends。
Byhavingseparatedtheartsoftheclothierandthetanner,wearethebettersuppliedwithshoesandwithcloth。Buttoseparatetheartswhichformthecitizenandthestatesman,theartsofpolicyandwar,isanattempttodismemberthehumancharacter,andtodestroythoseveryartswemeantoimprove。Bythisseparation,weineffectdepriveafreepeopleofwhatisnecessarytotheirsafety;orweprepareadefenceagainstinvasionsfromabroad,whichgivesaprospectofusurpation,andthreatenstheestablishmentofmilitarygovernmentathome。
WemaybesurprisedtofindthebeginningofcertainmilitaryinstructionsatRome,referredtoatimenoearlierthanthatoftheCimbricwar。Itwasthen,wearetoldbyValeriusMaximus,thatRomansoldiersweremadetolearnfromgladiatorstheuseofasword:andtheantagonistsofPhyrrhusandofHannibalwere,bytheaccountofthiswriter,stillinneedofinstructioninthefirstrudimentsoftheirtrade。Theyhadalready,bytheorderandchoiceoftheirincampments,impressedtheGrecianinvaderwithaweandrespect;theyhadalready,notbytheirvictories,butbytheirnationalvigourandfirmness,underrepeateddefeats,inducedhimtosueforpeace。ButthehaughtyRoman,perhaps,knewtheadvantageoforderandofunion,withouthavingbeenbroketotheinferiorartsofthemercenarysoldier;andhadthecouragetofacetheenemiesofhiscountry,withouthavingpractisedtheuseofhisweaponunderthefearofbeingwhipped。Hecouldillbepersuaded,thatatimemightcome,whenrefinedandintelligentnationswouldmaketheartofwartoconsistinafewtechnicalforms;thatcitizensandsoldiersmightcometobedistinguishedasmuchaswomenandmen;thatthecitizenwouldbecomepossessedofapropertywhichhewouldnotbeable,orrequired,todefend;thatthesoldierwouldbeappointedtokeepforanotherwhathewouldbetaughttodesire,andwhathewouldbeenabledtoseizeforhimself;that,inshort,onesetofmenweretohaveaninterestinthepreservationofcivilestablishments,withoutthepowertodefendthem;thattheotherweretohavethispower,withouteithertheinclinationortheinterest。
Thispeople,however,bydegreescametoputtheirmilitaryforceontheveryfootingtowhichthisdescriptionalludes。
MariusmadeacapitalchangeinthemanneroflevyingsoldiersatRome:Hefilledhislegionswiththemeanandtheindigent,whodependedonmilitarypayforsubsistence;hecreatedaforcewhichrestedonmeredisciplinealone,andtheskillofthegladiator;hetaughthistroopstoemploytheirswordsagainsttheconstitutionoftheircountry,andsettheexampleofapracticewhichwassoonadoptedandimprovedbyhissuccessors。
TheRomansonlymeantbytheirarmiestoincroachonthefreedomofothernations,whiletheypreservedtheirown。Theyforgot,thatinassemblingsoldiersoffortune,andinsufferinganyleadertobemasterofadisciplinedarmy,theyactuallyresignedtheirpoliticalrights,andsufferedamastertoariseforthestate。Thispeople,inshort,whoserulingpassionwasdepredationandconquest,perishedbytherecoilofanenginewhichtheythemselveshaderectedagainstmankind。
Theboastedrefinements,then,ofthepolishedage,arenotdivestedofdanger。Theyopenadoor,perhaps,todisaster,aswideandaccessibleasanyofthosetheyhaveshut。Iftheybuildwallsandramparts,theyenervatethemindsofthosewhoareplacedtodefendthem;iftheyformdisciplinedarmies,theyreducethemilitaryspiritofentirenations;andbyplacingtheswordwheretheyhavegivenadistastetocivilestablishments,theyprepareformankindthegovernmentofforce。
ItishappyforthenationsofEurope,thatthedisparitybetweenthesoldierandthepacificcitizencanneverbesogreatasitbecameamongtheGreeksandtheRomans。Intheuseofmodernarms,thenoviceismadetolearn,andtopractisewithease,allthattheveteranknows;andiftoteachhimwereamatterofrealdifficulty,happyaretheywhoarenotdeterredbysuchdifficulties,andwhocandiscovertheartswhichtendtofortifyandpreserve,nottoenervateandruintheircountry。
SectionV。
OfNationalWaste。
Thestrengthofnationsconsistsinthewealth,thenumbers,andthecharacter,oftheirpeople。Thehistoryoftheirprogressfromastateofrudeness,is,forthemostpart,adetailofthestrugglestheyhavemaintained,andoftheartstheyhavepractised,tostrengthen,ortoSecurethemselves。Theirconquests,theirpopulation,andtheircommerce,theircivilandmilitaryarrangements,theirskillintheconstructionofweapons,andinthemethodsofattackanddefence;theverydistributionoftasks,whetherinprivatebusinessorinpublicaffairs,eithertendtobestow,orpromisetoemploywithadvantage,theconstituentsofanationalforce,andtheresourcesofwar。
Ifwesuppose,thattogetherwiththeseadvantages,themilitarycharacterofapeopleremains,orisimproved,itmustfollow,thatwhatisgainedincivilization,isarealincreaseofstrength;andthattheruinofnationscouldnevertakeitsrisefromthemselves。Wherestateshavestoppedshortintheirprogress,orhaveactuallygonetodecay,wemaysuspect,thathoweverdisposedtoadvance,theyhavefoundalimit,beyondwhichtheycouldnotproceed;orfromaremissionofthenationalspirit,andaweaknessofcharacter,wereunabletomakethemostoftheirresources,andnaturaladvantages。Onthissupposition,frombeingstationary,theymaybegintorelapse,andbyaretrogrademotion,inasuccessionofages,arriveatastateofgreaterweakness,thanthatwhichtheyquittedinthebeginningoftheirprogress;andwiththeappearanceofbetterarts,andsuperiorconduct,exposethemselvestobecomeapreytobarbarians,whom,intheattainment,ortheheightoftheirglory,theyhadeasilybaffledordespised。
Whatevermaybethenaturalwealthofapeople,orwhatevermaybethelimitsbeyondwhichtheycannotimproveontheirstock,itisprobable,thatnonationhaseverreachedthoselimits,orhasbeenabletopostponeitsmisfortunes,andtheeffectsofmisconduct,untilitsfundofmaterials,andthefertilityofitssoil,wereexhausted,orthenumbersofitspeopleweregreatlyreduced。Thesameerrorsinpolicy,andweaknessofmanners,whichpreventtheproperuseofresources,likewisechecktheirincrease,orimprovement。
Thewealthofthestateconsistsinthefortuneofitsmembers。Theactualrevenueofthestateisthatshareofeveryprivatefortune,whichthepublichasbeenaccustomedtodemandfornationalpurposes。Thisrevenuecannotbealwaysproportionedtowhatmaybesupposedredundantintheprivateestate,buttowhatis,insomemeasure,thoughtsobytheowner;andtowhathemaybemadetospare,withoutintrenchingonhismannerofliving,andwithoutsuspendinghisprojectsofexpence,orofcommerce。Itshouldappear,therefore,thatanyimmoderateincreaseofprivateexpenceisapreludetonationalweakness:
government,evenwhileeachofitssubjectsconsumesaprincelyestate,maybestraitenedinpointofrevenue,andtheparadoxbeexplainedbyexample,Thatthepublicispoor,whileitsmembersarerich。
Wearefrequentlyledintoerrorbymistakingmoneyforriches;wethinkthatapeoplecannotbeimpoverishedbyawasteofmoneywhichisspentamongthemselves。Thefactis,thatmenareimpoverished,onlyintwoways;eitherbyhavingtheirgainssuspended,orbyhavingtheirsubstanceconsumed;andmoneyexpendedathome,beingcirculated,andnotconsumed,cannot,anymorethantheexchangeofatally,oracounter,amongacertainnumberofhands,tendtodiminishthewealthofthecompanyamongwhomitishandedabout。Butwhilemoneycirculatesathome,thenecessariesoflife,whicharetherealconstituentsofwealth,maybeidlyconsumed;theindustrywhichmightbeemployedtoincreasethestockofapeople,maybesuspended,orturnedtoabuse。
Greatarmies,maintainedeitherathomeorabroad,withoutanynationalobject,aresomanymouthsunnecessarilyopenedtowastethestoresofthepublic,andsomanyhandswith-heldfromtheartsbywhichitsprofitsaremade。Unsuccessfulenterprisesaresomanyventuresthrownaway,andlossessustained,proportionedtothecapitalemployedintheservice。TheHelvetii,inordertoinvadetheRomanprovinceofGaul,burnttheirhabitations,dropttheirinstrumentsofhusbandry,andconsumed,inoneyear,thesavingsofmany。Theenterprisefailedofsuccess,andthenationwasundone。
Stateshaveendeavoured,insomeinstances,bypawningtheircredit,insteadofemployingtheircapital,todisguisethehazardstheyran。Theyhavefound,intheloanstheyraised,acasualresource,whichencouragedtheirenterprises。Theyhaveseemed,bytheirmanneroferectingtransferablefunds,toleavethecapitalforpurposesoftrade,inthehandsofthesubject,whileitisactuallyexpendedbythegovernment。Theyhave,bythesemeans,proceededtotheexecutionofgreatnationalprojects,withoutsuspendingprivateindustry,andhaveleftfutureagestoanswer,inpart,fordebtscontractedwithaviewtofutureemolument。Sofartheexpedientisplausible,andappearstobejust。Thegrowingburdentoo,isthusgraduallylaid;andifanationbetosinkinsomefutureage,everyministerhopesitmaystillkeepafloatinhisown。Butthemeasure,forthisveryreason,is,withallitsadvantages,extremelydangerous,inthehandsofaprecipitantandambitiousadministration,regardingonlythepresentoccasion,andimaginingastatetobeinexhaustible,whileacapitalcanbeborrowed,andtheinterestbepaid。
Wearetoldofanation,who,duringacertainperiod,rivalledthegloriesoftheancientworld,threwoffthedominionofamasterarmedagainstthemwiththepowersofagreatkingdom,broketheyokewithwhichtheyhadbeenoppressed,andalmostwithinthecourseofacentury,raised,bytheirindustryandnationalvigour,anewandformidablepower,whichstrucktheformerpotentatesofEuropewithaweandsuspense,andturnedthebadgesofpovertywithwhichtheysetout,intotheensignsofwaranddominion。Thisendwasattainedbythegreateffortsofaspiritawakedbyoppression,byasuccessfulpursuitofnationalwealth,andbyarapidanticipationoffuturerevenue。Butthisillustriousstateissupposed,notonlyinthelanguageofaformersection,tohavepreoccupiedthebusiness;theyhavesequesteredtheinheritanceofmanyagestocome。
Greatnationalexpence,however,doesnotimplythenecessityofanynationalsuffering。Whilerevenueisappliedwithsuccess,toobtainsomevaluableend;theprofitsofeveryadventure,beingmorethansufficienttorepayitscosts,thepublicshouldgain,anditsresourcesshouldcontinuetomultiply。Butanexpence,whethersustainedathomeorabroad,whetherawasteofthepresent,orananticipationoffuture,revenue,ifitbringnoproperreturn,istobereckonedamongthecausesofnationalruin。
NOTES:
1。Shralenberg。
2。GemelliCarceri。
3。MemoirsofBrandenberg。
PartSixth。
OfCorruptionandPoliticalSlavery。
SectionI。
OfCorruptioningeneralIfthefortuneofnations,andtheirtendencytoaggrandisement,ortoruin,weretobeestimatedbymerelybalancing,ontheprinciplesoflastsection,articlesofprofitandloss,everyargumentinpoliticswouldrestonacomparisonofnationalexpencewithnationalgain;onacomparisonofthenumberswhoconsume,withthosewhoproduceoramassthenecessariesoflife。Thecolumnsoftheindustrious,andtheidle,wouldincludeallordersofmen;andthestateitself,beingallowedasmanymagistrates,politicians,andwarriors,aswerebarelysufficientforitsdefenceanditsgovernment,shouldplace,onthesideofitsloss,everynamethatissupernumeraryonthecivilorthemilitarylist;allthoseordersofmen,who,bythepossessionoffortune,subsistonthegainsofothers,andbythenicetyoftheirchoice,requireagreatexpenceoftimeandoflabour,tosupplytheirconsumption;allthosewhoareidlyemployedinthetrainofpersonsofrank;allthosewhoareengagedintheprofessionsoflaw,physic,ordivinity,togetherwithallthelearned,whodonot,bytheirstudies,promoteorimprovethepracticeofsomelucrativetrade。Thevalueofeveryperson,inshort,shouldbecomputedfromhislabour;andthatoflabouritself,fromitstendencytoprocureandamassthemeansofsubsistence。Theartsemployedonmeresuperfluitiesshouldbeprohibited,exceptwhentheirproducecouldbeexchangedwithforeignnations,forcommoditiesthatmightbeemployedtomaintainusefulmenforthepublic。
Theseappeartobetherulesbywhichamiserwouldexaminethestateofhisownaffairs,orthoseofhiscountry;butschemesofperfectcorruptionareatleastasimpracticableasschemesofperfectvirtue。Menarenotuniversallymisers;theywillnotbesatisfiedwiththepleasureofhoarding;theymustbesufferedtoenjoytheirwealth,inorderthattheymaytakethetroubleofbecomingrich。Property,inthecommoncourseofhumanaffairs,isunequallydivided:wearethereforeobligedtosufferthewealthytosquander,thatthepoormaysubsist;weareobligedtotoleratecertainordersofmen,whoareabovethenecessityoflabour,inorderthat,intheircondition,theremaybeanobjectofambition,andaranktowhichthebusyaspire。Wearenotonlyobligedtoadmitnumbers,who,instrictoeconomy,maybereckonedsuperfluous,onthecivil,themilitary,andthepoliticallist;butbecausewearemen,andprefertheoccupation,improvement,andfelicityofournature,toitsmereexistence,wemustevenwish,thatasmanymembersaspossible,ofeverycommunity,maybeadmittedtoashareofitsdefenceanditsgovernment。
Men,infact,whiletheypursueinsocietydifferentobjects,orseparateviews,procureawidedistributionofpower,andbyaspeciesofchance,arriveatapostureforcivilengagements,morefavourabletohumannaturethanwhathumanwisdomcouldevercalmlydevise。
Ifthestrengthofanation,inthemeantime,consistsinthemenonwhomitmayrely,andwhoarefortunatelyorwiselycombinedforitspreservation,itfollows,thatmannersareasimportantaseithernumbersorwealth;andthatcorruptionistobeaccountedaprincipalcauseofnationaldeclensionandruin。
Whoeverperceiveswhatarethequalitiesofmaninhisexcellence,mayeasily,bythatstandard,distinguishhisdefectsorcorruptions。Ifanintelligent,acourageous,andanaffectionatemind,constitutestheperfectionofhisnature,remarkablefailingsinanyofthoseparticulars,mustproportionallysinkordebasehischaracter。
Wehaveobserved,thatitisthehappinessoftheindividualtomakearightchoiceofhisconduct;thatthischoicewillleadhimtoloseinsocietythesenseofapersonalinterest;and,intheconsiderationofwhatisduetothewhole,tostiflethoseanxietieswhichrelatetohimselfasapart。
Thenaturaldispositionofmantohumanity,andthewarmthofhistemper,mayraisehischaractertothisfortunatepitch。Hiselevation,inagreatmeasure,dependsontheformofhissociety;buthecan,withoutincurringthechargeofcorruption,accommodatehimselftogreatvariationsintheconstitutionsofgovernment。Thesameintegrity,andvigorousspirit,which,indemocraticalstates,rendershimtenaciousofhisequality,may,underaristocracyormonarchy,leadhimtomaintainthesubordinationsestablished。Hemayentertain,towardsthedifferentranksofmenwithwhomheisyokedinthestate,maximsofrespectandofcandour。hemay,inthechoiceofhisactions,followaprincipleofjustice,andofhonour,whichtheconsiderationsofsafety,preferment,orprofit,cannotefface。
Fromourcomplaintsofnationaldepravity,itshould,notwithstanding,appear,thatwholebodiesofmenaresometimesinfectedwithanepidemicalweaknessofthehead,orcorruptionofheart,bywhichtheybecomeunfitforthestationstheyoccupy,andthreatenthestatestheycompose,howeverflourishing,withaprospectofdecay,andofruin。
Achangeofnationalmannersfortheworse,mayarisefromadiscontinuanceofthescenesinwhichthetalentsofmenwerehappilycultivated,andbroughtintoexercise;orfromachangeintheprevailingopinionsrelatingtotheconstituentsofhonoursorofhappiness。Whenmereriches,orcourt-favour,aresupposedtoconstituterank;themindismisledfromtheconsiderationofqualitiesonwhichitoughttorely。
Magnanimity,courage,andtheloveofmankind,aresacrificedtoavariceandvanity,orsuppressedunderasenseofdependence。
Theindividualconsidershiscommunitysofaronlyasitcanberenderedsubservienttohispersonaladvancementorprofit:hestateshimselfincompetitionwithhisfellow-creatures;and,urgedbythepassionsofemulation,offearandjealousy,ofenvyandmalice,hefollowsthemaximsofananimaldestinedtopreservehisseparateexistence,andtoindulgehiscapriceorhisappetite,attheexpenceofhisspecies。
Onthiscorruptfoundation,menbecomeeitherrapacious,deceitful,andviolent,readytotrespassontherightsofothers;orservile,mercenary,andbase,preparedtorelinquishtheirown。Talents,capacity,andforceofmind,possessedbyapersonofthefirstdescription,servetoplungehimthedeeperinmisery,andtosharpentheagonyofcruelpassions;whichleadhimtowreakonhisfellow-creaturesthetormentsthatpreyonhimself。Toapersonofthesecond,imagination,andreasonitself,onlyservetopointoutfalseobjectsoffear,ordesire,andtomultiplythesubjectsofdisappointment,andofmomentaryjoy。Ineithercase,andwhetherwesupposethatcorruptmenareurgedbycovetousness,orbetrayedbyfear,andwithoutspecifyingthecrimeswhichfromeitherdispositiontheyarepreparedtocommit,wemaysafelyaffirm,withSocrates,’Thateverymastershouldprayhemaynotmeetwithsuchaslave;andeverysuchperson,beingunfitforliberty,shouldimplorethathemaymeetwithamercifulmaster。’
Man,underthismeasureofcorruption,althoughhemaybeboughtforaslavebythosewhoknowhowtoturnhisfacultiesandhislabourtoprofit;andalthough,whenkeptunderproperrestraints,hisneighbourhoodmaybeconvenientoruseful;yetiscertainlyunfittoactonthefootingofaliberalcombinationorconcertwithhisfellow-creatures:hismindisnotaddictedtofriendshiporconfidence;heisnotwillingtoactforthepreservationofothers,nordeservesthatanyothershouldhazardhisownsafetyforhis。
Theactualcharacterofmankind,mean-time,intheworst,aswellasthebestcondition,isundoubtedlymixed:andnationsofthebestdescriptionaregreatlyobligedfortheirpreservation,notonlytothegooddispositionoftheirmembers,butlikewisetothosepoliticalinstitutions,bywhichtheviolentarerestrainedfromthecommissionofcrimes,andthecowardly,ortheselfish,aremadetocontributetheirparttothepublicdefenceorprosperity。Bymeansofsuchinstitutions,andthewiseprecautionsofgovernment,nationsareenabledtosubsist,andeventoprosper,underverydifferentdegreesofcorruption,orofpublicintegrity。
Solongasthemajorityofapeopleissupposedtoactonmaximsofprobity,theexampleofthegood,andeventhecautionofthebad,giveageneralappearanceofintegrity,andofinnocence。Wheremenaretooneanotherobjectsofaffectionandofconfidence,wheretheyaregenerallydisposednottooffend,governmentmayberemiss;andeverypersonmaybetreatedasinnocent,tillheisfoundtobeguilty。Asthesubjectinthiscasedoesnothearofthecrimes,soheneednotbetoldofthepunishmentsinflictedonpersonsofadifferentcharacter。Butwherethemannersofapeopleareconsiderablychangedfortheworse,everysubjectmuststandonhisguard,andgovernmentitselfmustactonsuitablemaximsoffearanddistrust。Theindividual,nolongerfittobeindulgedinhispretensionstopersonalconsideration,independence,orfreedom,eachofwhichhewouldturntoabuse,mustbetaught,byexternalforce,andfrommotivesoffear,tocounterfeitthoseeffectsofinnocence,andofduty,towhichheisnotdisposed:hemustbereferredtothewhip,orthegibbet,forargumentsinsupportofacaution,whichthestatenowrequireshimtoassume,onasuppositionthatheisinsensibletothemotiveswhichrecommendthepracticeofvirtue。
Therulesofdespotismaremadeforthegovernmentofcorruptedmen。Theywereindeedfollowedonsomeremarkableoccasions,evenundertheRomancommonwealth;andthebloodyaxe,toterrifythecitizenfromhiscrimes,andtorepelthecasualandtemporaryirruptionsofvice,wasrepeatedlycommittedtothearbitrarywillofthedictator。Theywerefinallyestablishedontheruinsoftherepublicitself,wheneitherthepeoplebecametoocorruptedforfreedom,orwhenthemagistratebecametoocorruptedtoresignhisdictatorialpower。Thisspeciesofgovernmentcomesnaturallyintheterminationofacontinuedandgrowingcorruption;buthasnodoubt,insomeinstances,cometoosoon,andhassacrificedremainsofvirtue,thatdeservedabetterfate,tothejealousyoftyrants,whowereinhastetoaugmenttheirpower。Thismethodofgovernmentcannot,insuchcases,failtointroducethatmeasureofcorruption,againstwhoseexternaleffectsitisdesiredasaremedy。Whenfearissuggestedastheonlymotivetoduty,everyheartbecomesrapaciousorbase。Andthismedicine,ifappliedtoahealthybody,issuretocreatethedistemperitisdestinedtocure。
Thisisthemannerofgovernmentintowhichthecovetous,andthearrogant,tosatiatetheirunhappydesires,wouldhurrytheirfellow-creatures:itisamannerofgovernmenttowhichthetimorousandtheservilesubmitatdiscretion;andwhenthesecharactersoftherapaciousandthetimiddividemankind,eventhevirtuesofAntoninusorTrajan,candonomorethanapply,withcandourandwithvigour,thewhipandthesword;andendeavour,bythehopesofreward,orthefearofpunishment,tofindaspeedyandatemporarycureforthecrimes,ortheimbecilitiesofmen。
Otherstatesmaybemoreorlesscorrupted:thishascorruptionforitsbasis。Herejusticemaysometimesdirectthearmofthedespoticalsovereign;butthenameofjusticeismostcommonlyemployedtosignifytheinterest,orthecaprice,ofareigningpower。Humansociety,susceptibleofsuchavarietyofforms,herefindsthesimplestofall。Thetoilsandpossessionsofmanyaredestinedtoasswagethepassionsofoneorafew;andtheonlypartiesthatremainamongmankind,aretheoppressorwhodemands,andtheoppressedwhodarenotrefuse。
Nations,whiletheywereintitledtoamilderfate,asinthecaseoftheGreeks,repeatedlyconquered,havebeenreducedtothisconditionbymilitaryforce。Theyhavereachedittoointhematurityoftheirowndepravations;when,liketheRomans,returnedfromtheconquest,andloadedwiththespoils,oftheworld,theygaveloosetofaction,andtocrimestooboldandtoofrequentforthecorrectionofordinarygovernment;andwhentheswordofjustice,droppingwithblood,andperpetuallyrequiredtosuppressaccumulatingdisordersoneveryside,couldnolongerawaitthedelaysandprecautionsofanadministrationfetteredbylaws。
Itis,however,wellknownfromthehistoryofmankind,thatcorruptionofthis,orofanyotherdegree,isnotpeculiartonationsintheirdecline,orintheresultofsignalprosperity,andgreatadvancesintheartsofcommerce。’Thebandsofsociety,indeed,insmallandinfantestablishments,aregenerallystrong;andtheirsubjects,eitherbyanardentdevotiontotheirowntribe,oravehementanimosityagainstenemies,andbyavigorouscouragefoundedonboth,arewellqualifiedtourge,ortosustain,thefortuneofagrowingcommunity。Butthesavage,andthebarbarian,havegiven,notwithstanding,inthecaseofentirenations,someexamplesofaweakandtimorouscharacter。1*Theyhave,inmoreinstances,fallenintothatspeciesofcorruptionwhichwehavealreadydescribedintreatingofbarbarousnations;theyhavemaderapinetheirtrade,notmerelyasaspeciesofwarfare,orwithaviewtoenrichtheircommunity,buttopossess,inproperty,whattheylearnedtoprefereventothetiesofaffectionorofblood。
Intheloweststateofcommercialarts,thepassionsforwealth,andfordominion,haveexhibitedscenesofoppression,orservility,whichthemostfinishedcorruptionofthearrogant,thecowardly,andthemercenary,foundedonthedesireofprocuring,orthefearoflosing,afortune,couldnotexceed。Insuchcases,thevicesofmen,unrestrainedbyforms,andunawedbypolice,aresufferedtoriotatlarge,andtoproducetheirentireeffects。Partiesaccordinglyunite,orseparate,onthemaximsofagangofrobbers;theysacrificetointerestthetenderestaffectionsofhumannature。Theparentsuppliesthemarketforslaves,evenbythesaleofhisownchildren;thecottageceasestobeasanctuaryfortheweakandthedefencelessstranger;andritesofhospitality,oftensosacredamongnationsintheirprimitivestate,cometobeviolated,likeeveryothertieofhumanity,withoutfearorremorse。2*
Nations,whichinlaterperiodsoftheirhistorybecameeminentforcivilwisdomandjustice,had,perhaps,inaformerage,paroxysmsoflawlessdisorder,towhichthisdescriptionmightinpartbeapplied。Theverypolicybywhichtheyarrivedattheirdegreeofnationalfelicity,wasdevisedasaremedyforoutrageousabuse。Theestablishmentoforderwasdatedfromthecommissionofrapesandmurders;indignation,andprivaterevenge,weretheprinciplesonwhichnationsproceededtotheexpulsionoftyrants,totheemancipationofmankind,andthefullexplanationoftheirpoliticalrights。
Defectsofgovernment,andoflaw,maybeinsomecasesconsideredasasymptomofinnocenceandofvirtue。Butwherepowerisalreadyestablished,wherethestrongareunwillingtosufferrestraint,ortheweakunabletofindaprotection,thedefectsoflawaremarksofthemostperfectcorruption。
Amongrudenations,governmentisoftendefective;bothbecausemenarenotyetacquaintedwithalltheevilsforwhichpolishednationshaveendeavouredtofindaredress;andbecause,evenwhereevilsofthemostflagrantnaturehavelongafflictedthepeaceofsociety,theyhavenotyetbeenabletoapplythecure。Intheprogressofcivilization,newdistempersbreakforth,andnewremediesareapplied:buttheremedyisnotalwaysappliedthemomentthedistemperappears;andlaws,thoughsuggestedbythecommissionofcrimes,arenotthesymptomofarecentcorruption,butofadesiretofindaremedythatmaycure,perhaps,someinveterateevilwhichhaslongafflictedthestate。
Therearecorruptions,however,underwhichmenstillpossessthevigourandtheresolutiontocorrectthemselves。Sucharetheviolenceandtheoutragewhichaccompanythecollisionoffierceanddaringspirits,occupiedinthestruggleswhichsometimesprecedethedawnofcivilandcommercialimprovements。Insuchcases,menhavefrequentlydiscoveredaremedyforevils,ofwhichtheirownmisguidedimpetuosity,andsuperiorforceofmind,weretheprincipalcauses。Butiftoadepraveddisposition,wesupposetobejoinedaweaknessofspirit;iftoanadmiration,anddesireofriches,bejoinedanaversiontodangerorbusiness;ifthoseordersofmenwhosevalourisrequiredbythepublic,ceasetobebrave;ifthemembersofsociety,ingeneral,havenotthosepersonalqualitieswhicharerequiredtofillthestationsofequality,orofhonour,towhichtheyareinvitedbytheformsofthestate;theymustsinktoadepthfromwhichtheirimbecility,evenmorethantheirdepravedinclinations,maypreventtheirrise。
SectionII。
OfLuxuryWearefarfrombeingagreedontheapplicationofthetermluxury,oronthatdegreeofitsmeaningwhichisconsistentwithnationalprosperity,orwiththemoralrectitudeofournature。
Itissometimesemployedtosignifyamanneroflifewhichwethinknecessarytocivilization,andeventohappiness。Itis,inourpanegyricofpolishedages,theparentofarts,thesupportofcommerce,andtheministerofnationalgreatness,andofopulence。Itis,inourcensureofdegeneratemanners,thesourceofcorruption,andthepresageofnationaldeclensionandruin。
Itisadmired,anditisblamed;itistreatedasornamentalanduseful;anditisproscribedasavice。
Withallthisdiversityinourjudgements,wearegenerallyuniforminemployingthetermtosignifythatcomplicatedapparatuswhichmankinddevisefortheeaseandconvenienceoflife。Theirbuildings,furniture,equipage,cloathing,trainofdomestics,refinementofthetable,and,ingeneral,allthatassemblagewhichisratherintendedtopleasethefancy,thantoobviaterealwants,andwhichisratherornamentalthanuseful。
Whenwearedisposed,therefore,undertheappellationofluxury,toranktheenjoymentofthesethingsamongthevices,weeithertacitlyrefertothehabitsofsensuality,debauchery,prodigality,vanity,andarrogance,withwhichthepossessionofhighfortuneissometimesattended;orweapprehendacertainmeasureofwhatisnecessarytohumanlife,beyondwhichallenjoymentsaresupposedtobeexcessiveandvicious。When,onthecontrary,luxuryismadeanarticleofnationallustreandfelicity,weonlythinkofitasaninnocentconsequenceoftheunequaldistributionofwealth,andasamethodbywhichdifferentranksarerenderedmutuallydependent,andmutuallyuseful。Thepooraremadetopractisearts,andtherichtorewardthem。Thepublicitselfismadeagainerbywhatseemstowasteitsstock,anditreceivesaperpetualincreaseofwealth,fromtheinfluenceofthosegrowingappetites,anddelicatetastes,whichseemtomenaceconsumptionandruin。
Itiscertain,thatwemusteither,togetherwiththecommercialarts,suffertheirfruitstobeenjoyed,andeven,insomemeasure,admired;or,liketheSpartans,prohibittheartitself,whileweareafraidofitsconsequences,orwhilewethinkthattheconvenienciesitbringsexceedwhatnaturerequires。
Wemayproposetostoptheadvancementofartsatanystageoftheirprogress,andstillincurtheCensureofluxuryfromthosewhohavenotadvancedsofar。Thehouse-builderandthecarpenteratSpartawerelimitedtotheuseoftheaxeandthesaw;butaSpartancottagemighthavepassedforapalaceinThrace:andifthedisputeweretoturnontheknowledgeofwhatisphysicallynecessarytothepreservationofhumanlife,asthestandardofwhatismorallylawful,thefacultiesofphysic,aswellasofmorality,wouldprobablydivideonthesubject,andleaveeveryindividual,asatpresent,tofindsomeruleforhimself。Thecasuist,forthemostpart,considersthepracticeofhisownageandcondition,asastandardformankind。Ifinoneageorcondition,hecondemntheuseofacoach,inanotherbewouldhavenolesscensuredthewearingofshoes;andtheverypersonwhoexclaimsagainstthefirst,wouldprobablynothavesparedthesecond,ifithadnotbeenalreadyfamiliarinagesbeforehisown。Acensorborninacottage,andaccustomedtosleepuponstraw,doesnotproposethatmenshouldreturntothewoodsandthecavesforshelter;headmitsthereasonablenessandtheutilityofwhatisalreadyfamiliar;andapprehendsanexcessandcorruption,onlyinthenewestrefinementoftherisinggeneration。
TheclergyofEuropehavepreachedsuccessivelyagainsteverynewfashion,andeveryinnovationindress。ThemodesofyoutharethesubjectofCensuretotheold;andmodesofthelastage,intheirturn,arematterofridiculetotheflippant,andtheyoung。Ofthisthereisnotalwaysabetteraccounttobegiven,thanthattheoldaredisposedtobesevere,andtheyoungtobemerry。
Theargumentagainstmanyoftheconveniencesoflife,drawnfromthemereconsiderationoftheirnotbeingnecessary,wasequallyproperinthemouthofthesavage,whodissuadedfromthefirstapplicationsofindustry,asitisinthatofthemoralist,whoinsistsonthevanityofthelast。’Ourancestors,’hemightsay,’foundtheirdwellingunderthisrock;theygatheredtheirfoodintheforest;theyallayedtheirthirstfromthefountain;
andtheywereclothedinthespoilsofthebeasttheyhadslain。
Whyshouldweindulgeafalsedelicacy,orrequirefromtheearthfruitswhichsheisnotaccustomedtoyield?Thebowofourfathersisalreadytoostrongforourarms;andthewildbeastbeginstolorditinthewoods。’
Thusthemoralistmayhavefound,intheproceedingsofeveryage,thosetopicsofblame,fromwhichheissomuchdisposedtoarraignthemannersofhisown;andourimbarrassmentonthesubject,is,perhaps,butapartofthatgeneralperplexitywhichweundergo,intryingtodefinemoralcharactersbyexternalcircumstances,whichmay,ormaynot,beattendedwithfaultsinthemindandtheheart。Onemanfindsaviceinthewearingoflinen;anotherdoesnot,unlessthefabricbefine:andif,mean-time,itbetrue,thatapersonmaybedressedinmanufacture,eithercoarseorfine;thathemaysleepinthefields,orlodgeinapalace;treaduponcarpet,orplanthisfootontheground;whilethemindeitherretains,orhaslost,itspenetration,anditsvigour,andtheheartitsaffectiontomankind,itisvain,underanysuchcircumstance,toseekforthedistinctionsofvirtueandvice,ortotaxthepolishedcitizenwithweaknessforanypartofhisequipage,orforhiswearingafur,perhaps,inwhichsomesavagewasdressedbeforehim。Vanityisnotdistinguishedbyanypeculiarspeciesofdress。ItisbetrayedbytheIndianinthephantasticassortmentsofhisplumes,hisshells,hisparty-colouredfurs,andinthetimehebestowsattheglassandthetoilet。Itsprojectsinthewoodsandinthetownarethesame:intheone,itseeks,withthevisagebedaubed,andwithteethartificiallystained,forthatadmiration,whichitcourtsintheotherwithagildedequipage,andliveriesofstate。
Polishednations,intheirprogress,oftencometosurpasstherudeinmoderation,andseverityofmanners。’TheGreeks,’
saysThucydides,’notlongago,likebarbarians,woregoldenspanglesinthehair,andwentarmedintimesofpeace。’
Simplicityofdressinthispeople,becameamarkofpoliteness:
andthemerematerialswithwhichthebodyisnourishedorclothed,areprobablyoflittleconsequencetoanypeople。Wemustlookforthecharactersofmeninthequalitiesofthemind,notinthespeciesoftheirfood,orinthemodeoftheirapparel。Whatarenowtheornamentsofthegrave,andsevere;
whatisownedtobearealconveniency,wereoncethefopperiesofyouth,orweredevisedtopleasetheeffeminate。Thenewfashion,indeed,isoftenthemarkofthecoxcomb;butwefrequentlychangeourfashions,withoutincreasingthemeasuresofourvanityorfolly。
Aretheapprehensionsofthesevere,therefore,ineveryage,equallygroundlessandunreasonable?Arewenevertodreadanyerrorinthearticleofarefinementbestowedonthemeansofsubsistence,ortheconvenienciesoflife?Thefactis,thatmenareperpetuallyexposedtothecommissionoferrorinthisarticle,notmerelywheretheyareaccustomedtohighmeasuresofaccommodation,ortoanyparticularspeciesoffood,butwhere-evertheseobjects,ingeneral,maycometobepreferredtofriends,toacountry,ortomankind;theyactuallycommitsucherror,where-evertheyadmirepaultrydistinctionsorfrivolousadvantages;where-evertheyshrinkfromsmallinconveniencies,andareincapableofdischargingtheirdutywithvigour。Theuseofmoralityonthissubject,isnottolimitmentoanyparticularspeciesoflodging,diet,orcloaths;buttopreventtheirconsideringtheseconvenienciesastheprincipalobjectsofhumanlife。Andifweareasked,Wherethepursuitoftriflingaccommodationsshouldstop,inorderthatamanmaydevotehimselfentirelytothehigherengagementsoflife?wemayanswer,Thatitshouldstopwhereitis。ThiswastherulefollowedatSparta:Theobjectoftherulewas,topreservetheheartentireforthepublic,andtooccupymenincultivatingtheirownnature,notinaccumulatingwealth,andexternalconveniencies。Itwasnotexpectedotherwise,thattheaxeorthesawshouldbeattendedwithgreaterpoliticaladvantage,thantheplaneandthechisel。WhenCatowalkedthestreetsofRomewithouthisrobe,andwithoutshoes,hedidso,mostprobably,incontemptofwhathiscountrymenweresopronetoadmire;notinhopesoffindingavirtueinonespeciesofdress,oraviceinanother。
Luxury,therefore,consideredasapredilectioninfavouroftheobjectsofvanity,andthecostlymaterialsofpleasure,isruinoustothehumancharacter;consideredasthemereuseofaccommodationsandconveniencieswhichtheagehasprocured,ratherdependsontheprogresswhichthemechanicalartshavemade,andonthedegreeinwhichthefortunesofmenareunequallyparcelled,thanonthedispositionsofparticularmeneithertoviceortovirtue。
Differentmeasuresofluxuryare,however,variouslysuitedtodifferentconstitutionsofgovernment。Theadvancementofartssupposesanunequaldistributionoffortune;andthemeansofdistinctiontheybring,servetorendertheseparationofranksmoresensible。Luxuryis,uponthisaccount,apartfromallitsmoraleffects,adversetotheformofdemocraticalgovernment;
andinanystateofsociety,canbesafelyadmittedinthatdegreeonlyinwhichthemembersofthecommunityaresupposedofunequalrank,andconstitutepublicorderbymeansofaregularsubordination。Highdegreesofitappearsalutary,andevennecessary,inmonarchicalandmixedgovernments;where,besidestheencouragementtoartsandcommerce,itservestogivelustretothosehereditaryorconstitutionaldignitieswhichhaveaplaceofimportanceinthepoliticalsystem。Whetherevenhereluxuryleadstoabusepeculiartoagesofhighrefinementandopulence,weshallproceedtoconsiderinthefollowingsections。
SectionIII。
OftheCorruptionincidenttoPolishedNations。
Luxuryandcorruptionarefrequentlycoupledtogether,andevenpassforsynonymousterms。Butinordertoavoidanydisputeaboutwords,bythefirstwemayunderstandthataccumulationofwealth,andthatrefinementOnthewaysofenjoyingit,whicharetheobjectsofindustry,orthefruitsofmechanicandcommercialarts:Andbythesecondarealweakness,ordepravityofthehumancharacter,whichmayaccompanyanystateofthosearts,andbefoundunderanyexternalcircumstancesorconditionwhatsoever。Itremainstoinquire,Whatarethecorruptionsincidenttopolishednations,arrivedatcertainmeasuresofluxury,andpossessedofcertainadvantages,inwhichtheyaregenerallysupposedtoexcel?
Weneednothaverecoursetoaparallelbetweenthemannersofentirenations,intheextremesofcivilizationandrudeness,inordertobesatisfied,thatthevicesofmenarenotproportionedtotheirfortunes;orthatthehabitsofavarice,orofsensuality,arenotfoundedonanycertainmeasuresofwealth,ordeterminatekindofenjoyment。Wherethesituationsofparticularmenarevariedasmuchbytheirpersonalstations,astheycanbebythestateofnationalrefinements,thesamepassionsforinterest,orpleasure,prevailineverycondition。
Theyarisefromtemperament,oranacquiredadmirationofproperty;notfromanyparticularmanneroflifeinwhichthepartiesareengaged,norfromanyparticularspeciesofproperty,whichmayhaveoccupiedtheircaresandtheirwishes。
Temperanceandmoderationare,atleast,asfrequentamongthosewhomwecallthesuperior,astheyareamongthelowerclassesofmen;andhoweverwemayaffixthecharacterofsobrietytomerecheapnessofdiet,andotheraccommodationswithwhichanyparticularage,orrankofmen,appeartobecontented,itiswellknown,thatcostlymaterialsarenotnecessarytoconstituteadebauch,norprofligacylessfrequentunderthethatchedroof,thanundertheloftyceiling。Mengrowequallyfamiliarwithdifferentconditions,receiveequalpleasure,andareequallyalluredtosensuality,inthepalace,andinthecave。Theiracquiringineitherhabitsofintemperanceorsloth,dependsontheremissionofotherpursuits,andonthedistasteofthemindtootherengagements。Iftheaffectionsoftheheartbeawake,andthepassionsoflove,admiration,oranger,bekindled,thecostlyfurnitureofthepalace,aswellasthehomelyaccommodationsofthecottage,areneglected:andmen,whenroused,rejecttheirrepose;or,whenwearied,embraceitalikeonthesilkenbed,oronthecouchofstraw。
Wearenot,however,fromhencetoconclude,thatluxury,withallitsconcomitantcircumstances,whicheitherservetofavouritsincrease,orwhich,inthearrangementsofcivilsociety,followitasconsequences,canhavenoeffecttothedisadvantageofnationalmanners。Ifthatrespitefrompublicdangersandtroubleswhichgivesaleisureforthepracticeofcommercialarts,becontinued,orincreased,intoadisuseofnationalefforts;iftheindividual,notcalledtounitewithhiscountry,belefttopursuehisprivateadvantage;wemayfindhimbecomeeffeminate,mercenary,andsensual;notbecausepleasuresandprofitsarebecomemorealluring,butbecausehehasfewercallstoattendtootherobjects;andbecausehehasmoreencouragementtostudyhispersonaladvantages,andpursuehisseparateinterests。
Ifthedisparitiesofrankandfortunewhicharenecessarytothepursuitorenjoymentofluxury,introducefalsegroundsofprecedencyandestimation;if,onthemereconsiderationsofbeingrichorpoor,oneorderofmenare,intheirownapprehension,elevated,anotherdebased;ifonebecriminallyproud,anothermeanlydejected;andeveryrankinitsplace,likethetyrant,whothinksthatnationsaremadeforhimself,bedisposedtoassumeontherightsofmankind:although,uponthecomparison,thehigherordermaybeleastcorrupted;orfromeducation,andasenseofpersonaldignity,havemostgoodqualitiesremaining;yettheonebecomingmercenaryandservile;
theotherimperiousandarrogant;bothregardlessofjustice,andofmerit;thewholemassiscorrupted,andthemannersofasocietychangedfortheworse,inproportionasitsmembersceasetoactonprinciplesofequality,independence,orfreedom。
Uponthisview,andconsideringthemeritsofmenintheabstract,amerechangefromthehabitsofarepublictothoseofamonarchy;