APPENDIX. 113 
pagation of light and refinement arifing from the influence of 
the prefs, aided by the fpirit of commerce, feems to be the re- 
medy provided by nature, again{t the fatal effects which would 
otherwife be produced, by the fubdivifion of labour accom- 
panying the progrefs of the mechanical arts: Nor is any thing 
wanting to make the remedy effectual, but wife inftitutions to 
facilitate general inftruétion, and to adapt the education of 
individuals to the ftations they are to occupy. The mind of 
the artift, which, from the limited {phere of his activity, would 
fink below the level of the peafant or the favage, might receive 
in infancy the means of intelleétual enjoyment, and the feeds of 
moral improvement ; and eyen the infipid uniformity of his 
profeffional engagements, by prefenting no object to awaken his 
ingenuity or to diftract his attention, might leave him at liberty 
to employ his faculties, on fubjeéts more interefting to himfelf, 
and more extenfively ufeful to others. 
Tuese effects, notwithftanding a variety of oppofing caufes 
which ftill exift, have already refulted, in a very fenfible 
degree, from the liberal policy of modern times. Mr 
Hume, in his Effay on Commerce, after taking notice of the 
‘numerous armies raifed and maintained by the fmall repu- 
blics in, the ancient .world, afcribes the military power of 
thefe ftates to their want of commerce and luxury. ‘‘ Few 
“‘ artifans were maintained by the labour of the farmers, and 
“‘ therefore more foldiers might live upon it.” He adds, how- 
ever, that ‘the policy of ancient times was VIOLENT, and con- 
“< trary. to. the NATURAL courfe of. things ;”"—by, which, 1 pre- 
fame, he means, that it aimed too much.at modifying, by the 
force of pofitive inftitutions, the order,of fociety, according to 
fome preconceived idea of expediency ;,,without, trufting fuffi- 
ciently, to. thofe principles of the human conftitution, which, 
wherever, they, are. allowed free {cope,, not only conduct man- 
kind to happinefs, but Jay. the foundation of a progreflive im- 
Vou. Il. (P) provement 
Account of 
Pr Smith. 
