PHI LOS 0 P H Y . - Classic Works of Apologetics Online

Agriculture, and Commerce. .7S
From the reasoning that has been pursued, and the \
varioas considerations suggested in this chapter, a \
judgment may, in some sort, be formed, how far )
regulations of law are in their nature capable of con·
tributing to the ~upport and advancement of population.
I say how far : for, as in many subjects, so
especially in those Wllich relate [0 commerce, to
plenty, to riches, and to the number of people, more
is wont to be expected from law" than laws can do.
Laws can only imperfectly restrw that dissoluteness
of manners, which, by diminishing the frequency of
m::rriages, impairs the ~ery source o.f population.
Laws cannot regulate the wants of mankind, their
mode of living, or their de~ire (jf those suped!!!ities
\vhich fashion, more irresistible than laws, has once
introduced into general usage; or in other words, -
has erected into necessaries of life. Laws cannot induce
men to enter into marriages~ when the expenses
of a family must deprive them of thzt system of accom­
IDcdauon (0 which they have habiteated their expect:uions.
La\vs, by their protection, by a~uring to the
labourer the fruit and proftr of his labour, may belp
to make a people industrious; but, without industry,
the laws cannot provid~ either subsistence or employ ..
mer!t: ia~~.; cannot make corn grow without toil
and care; o-c trade flourish without art and diligence.
In spite of all la\vs, the exp€fts laborious, honest
workmen will be emplGJed, in preference to the lazy,
the unskilfuJ, the fraudulent, and evasive; and this
is not more true of two inhabitants of the same vii.
lage, than it is of the Jleople of two different coun·
tries, which communicate either with each other, or
with the rest of the world. The natural ~s of
trade is rivalship of gyaIi!y __ an't~nce;._ f)r, \VJjiCli-.'
tnesamf!.bing, Q{skill_ and ind~try. Every attempt
to force tl'icfe by operaiiOD of law, that is, by compelling
persons to buy goods at one market, whi~
they can obtain cheaper and better from another, IS
sure to be either eluded by the quick-aightedness and
mcessant activity of private interest, or fo'l be frustrated
by retaliation. One half of the f;:oUlDlercial