the facility and perfection he may acquire in the performance of it, is shut out from all other improvement; his mind will never be roused to exertion by difficulty, interested by variety, or enlightened by comparison. His ideas will be confined within the narrow limits of his monotonous employment, and his rational powers will become so degraded as to render him scarcely superior to the machinery at which he works. Whilst a common husbandman, whose occupations are diversified, and but little aided by machinery, acquires knowledge by experience in his various employments, and, having a much wider range of observation, enjoys a corresponding developement of intellect.

Mrs B. The knowledge of a ploughman is often remarkably distinct in his limited sphere; but yet I have usually found that in conversing upon general topics with a ploughman and with a mechanic, the latter has discovered more intelligence, and that his mind has appeared more active and accustomed to reflection. I conceive this to be owing to the facility which the arts afford in bringing men together in society. They are carried in towns, where neighborhood renders social intercourse more easy than in scattered hamlets in the country. When they meet together they talk over each other's concerns, read the newspapers, and discuss the politics of the parish, or of the state. This observation is particularly applicable to manufactories, where a number of persons generally work together in the same room, and their employment seldom prevents conversation. Social intercourse, however low the members amongst whom it exists, cannot fail to promote the diffusion of knowledge; they become acquainted with the comforts and conveniences which have been acquired by the more skilful and industrious; they learn to appreciate

191. What suggestion does Caroline make as to the effect that this division of labor will have on the intellect?--192. How does Mrs B. answer this suggestion?-----193. What effect does she suppose social intercourse has as to the diffusion of knowledge?

their value and are stimulated to acquire the means of obtaining them; a mode of instruction which we have observed to be the most essential step towards dispelling ignorance and exciting industry.

Caroline. But is there not some danger that the advantages obtained in the improvement of the mind by this state of constant intercourse amongst the lower classes in manufacturing towns, will be more than counterbalanced by the corruption of morals? How much more vice appears to prevail amongst the lower orders in crowded cities than in the cottages of the peasantry!

Mrs B. You do not consider the difference of the population; there are often a greater number of people collected together in a manufacturing town than there are scattered over a space of thirty square miles of country were their morals, therefore, the same, vice would appear much more conspicuous in the town than in the country. Admitting, however, the comparative amount of crimes to be greater in the former, I believe that it is compensated by a more considerable proportion of

virtue.

Caroline. But you must allow that we hear much more of the vices than of the virtues of manufacturing town and great cities.

Mrs B. Because crimes, from being amenable to the laws, are necessarily made known, whilst virtue seldom receives any public testimony of approbation. Every act of fraud or violence is sounded in our ears, whilst the humanity, the sympathy for sufferings, the sacrifices which the poor make to relieve each other's distresses, are known only to those who enter into their domestic concerns. This has been frequently noticed by medical men who have attended the lower classes of people in sickness at their own houses.

194. What inquiry does Caroline make as to the effect, upon morals, of manufacturing establishments?-195. What is Mrs. B's. reply?-196. Why does Mrs B. suppose that more is said of the vices than of the virtues of persons in manufacturing establishments ?

Caroline. Yet, upon the whole, do you not think that the situation of the poor in the country is better than it is in towns?

Mrs B. They have each their advantages and disadvantages, and I should imagine that good and evil are pretty equally balanced between them. If the inhabitants of towns are better informed, and can more easily acquire some of the comforts of life, the inhabitants of the country are more vigorous and healthy, more cleanly, and they have the advantage of a more constant and regular demand for the produce of their labor, which is not so liable to be affected by the casualties of war, fashion, and other causes, which often occasion great distress to manufacturers.

But should you still entertain any apprehension that the division of labor may check and repress the intellectual improvement of the lower classes, I should consider this as amply compensated by its prodigious effect in the multiplication of wealth, a circumstance which not only increases the comforts of the poor, but by facilitating the means of acquiring knowledge, ultimately promotes its diffusion among all classes of men. It is to the division of labor that we are indebted for all the improvements in the processes of art, and amongst others for the invention of printing, which has proved the means of so wonderfully extending all kinds of knowledge.

We have now, I think, brought our savages to a considerable degree of advancement in civilization; I would wish you briefly to recapitulate the causes which have produced this happy change, and at our next interview we will continue to trace their progress.

Caroline. Labor seems to be the natural and immediate cause of wealth; but it will produce little more than

197. What comparison is made between the poor of manufacturing establishments and those in the country?--198. On the supposition, that this division of labor is calculated to check and repress intellectual improvement, how is it thought the evil may be compensated?199. To what are we indebted for improvements in The arts?

the necessaries of life until its benefits are extended by the establishment of such a government as can give security to property. The spirit of industry will then be rapidly developed. The surplus produce of one individual will be exchanged for that of another. The facilities thus offered to barter will naturally introduce the division of labor or of employment; and will soon give rise to the invention of machinery, the merits of which we have just discussed.

Mrs B. Extremely well, Caroline. We shall now take leave of this improved state of society for the present, with a conviction, I hope, that we leave mankind much happier than we found it.

CONVERSATION VI.

ON CAPITAL.

Distinction of Rich and Poor.-Accumulation of Wealth. How it is disposed of.-The poor Labor for it.-Contract between the Capitalist and the Laborer. -The Rich under the necessity of employing the Poor. -Definition of Capital.-How Capital yields an income.-Profits made by the Employment of Laborers.-Productive Laborers.-Independence of men of Capital.-Industry limited by extent of Capital. Industry increases in proportion to Capital.-Capital augmented by the addition of savings from income.-Happiness resulting rather from the gradual Acquisition, than the actual Possession of Wealth.

MRS B.

In tracing the progress of society towards civilization, we noticed the happy effects resulting from the security

200. What recapitulation of the argument is given by Caroline?

of property and the division of labor. From this period we may also date the distinction of rich and poor.

Caroline. And all the evils that arise from inequality of condition. This alas! is the dark side of the picture. The weeds spring up with corn.

Mrs B. I know not how this distinction can be called an evil. If it does not exist in a savage state, it is because indigence is universal; for no one being able to acquire more than what is necessary for his immediate maintenance, every one is poor. When civilization takes place, the advantages arising from the division of labor enable an industrious skilful man to acquire more wealth than will suffice to gratify his wants or desires. By continued exertion this surplus produce of his industry in the course of time accumulates, and he becomes rich, whilst the less industrious, who acquires merely a daily subsistence, remains poor or possessed of nothing.

Caroline. I see no great advantage in this accumulation of wealth, for it must either be spent or hoarded; if spent, the industrious man is eventually no richer than his idle neighbors; and if hoarded, the accumulation is of no use to any one.

Mrs B. Your dilemma is put with some ingenuity, but you must at least allow that, where more is spent, there is a greater scope for enjoyment; and in regard to hoarding, I hope you are not recurring to your notions about riches and money, and forget that the wealth of which we have been speaking consists of exchangeable commodities, either in agricultural or manufactured, many of which are not of a nature to be kept, where men are inclined to hoard them. A much better mode of disposing of them has been devised; one which not only secures, but augments them.

201. From what period is dated the distinction of rich and poor? -202. What is the condition of the savages as to property?-203. What is the objection of Caroline to wealth ?- -204. What reply does Mrs B. make to this objection?