310 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



of vast capital in the erection of costly niacLinery for the working of 

 the mines, for tlie construction of adequate means of transportation, 

 thereby making remote deposits accessible, and enabling capitalists 

 to work the mines at the minimum of cost, which never would have 

 been done had not the vast consumption of coal rendered it wise and 

 practicable to do so. It is true the consumption of coal is increased by 

 cheapness ; but it is only by extravagance, so to speak, by free and 

 extensive use of coal, that the machinery by which it is made cheap is 

 put in operation. We have an immense wealth of coal because we 

 consume coal so extensively ; if we used but little we should have 

 little, and this little would be dear. 



This rule works in all or nearly all our staples. Cotton fabrics 

 are a marvel of cheapness and abundance. The consumption and 

 the possibilities of extended consumption have stimulated invention 

 and industry so greatly that the world has become wealthy in its 

 supply of this staple alone. Rarely, indeed, is there a woman so 

 jjoor that she cannot own a calico gown ; few are the men so destitute 

 as to be without cotton shirts. We have this staple in almost un- 

 limited abundance, as the direct result of the most extended con- 

 sumption. It is the same thing with wool, with flax, with paper, 

 Avith iron, with brick, with many other things. 



So peculiarly different is the operation of expenditure with a com- 

 munity from that of an individual, that it is worth while to trace it 

 still further. Let us suppose a town about to erect a grand cathedral, 

 or some other public structure that requires a very large quantity of 

 stone. At first flush it would seem as if a great deal of valuable 

 material would be used in a purpose unnecessary and unproductive ; 

 but, as a practical fact, the building-material is likely to become more 

 abundant and cheaper than it ever was before. The unusually large 

 consumption of stone would lead either to the opening of new quar- 

 ries or the erection of improved machinery for working the stone, and 

 to the construction of railways, boats, etc., for facilitating its transpor- 

 tation ; so that stone for building purposes would thereafter be 

 cheaper and more abundant as the consequence of what at first sight 

 appeared a wasteful consumption. In all staple things, at least, a 

 nation is richer because it consumes, while a man is richer by what 

 he saves. We are better housed, better fed, better clothed, we have 

 a thousand things of taste and pleasure, because our eager and de- 

 vouring appetites have stimulated energy, skill, invention, to their 

 utmost to cater for us. 



We say nothing as to which is the wisest direction for consumption 

 to take, with all it stimulating power ; we do not deny that consump- 

 tion may make champagne, diamonds, silks, broadcloth, fine furniture 

 abundant, at the cost of more useful and desirable things. The thing 

 is simply that the energy, the zeal, the exertion of men are so expan- 

 sive, that great demand compels to great production ; and, of course, 



