44 



mer, to produce agriculture, manufactures, and general in- 

 dustry. There are particular causes, had we time to dwell 

 on them, which, at present, render the American republic 

 backward, in the fine- and elegant arts. 



While monarchies patronize arts, and manufactures, by 

 luxury, expense, and a large consumption; republics sup- 

 port them, by parsimony, the spirit of equality, and ha- 

 bits of sobriety and industry. A love of the democracy 

 is, likewise, that of frugality: this must limit the artificial 

 wants, the importation of foreign luxuries, and the exten- 

 sion of those arts, that minister to mere sensual pleasures. 

 As equality of fortune supports frugality, so the latter 

 maintains the former; and both concur in the preserva- 

 tion of freedom. " True it is," (says Montesquieu,)* " that 

 " when a democracy is founded in commerce, private 

 " people may acquire vast fortunes, without a corrup- 

 " tion of morals: this is, because the spirit of commerce 

 " is naturally attended by that of frugality, economy and 

 " moderation, of prudence, tranquillity, order and rule. 

 " So long as this spirit subsists, the riches it produces 

 " have no ill effects." As luxury and gross sensual in- 

 dulgences are incompatible with the true republican spi- 

 rit, the sublime mental gratifications, which result from 

 an expansion of the powers of the mind, a communica- 

 tion of exalted sentiments, a consciousness of the dignity 

 of human nature, and a contemplation and enjoyment of 



the 



* Spirit of Laws, B, V, c. 6, 



