3^8 on the prosperity of states. -^ug- iO* 



We are now to consider the second great source of 

 injury from luxury, namely, its destroying the 

 health and energy of men. As the danger is great- 

 er in the former view of the subject, when riches 

 are confined to a few persons ; so, in this view, the 

 danger is greatest, when the greatest number of in- 

 dividuals pofsefs the means of luxury. Now, I do 

 presume that the health and energy of man, (and 

 consequently his power of defence) can never be de- 

 stroyed by luxury, until the means of indulgence 

 can be procured by him, without that exercise which. 

 is necefsary to keep his frame in proper tone. Now 

 when we consider the very great numbers who are 

 cut off with too severe labour in this, and every other 

 nation, and the labour necefsary to procure the means 

 of life, from the bulk of the people, I think we have 

 not yet much to fear from this quarter. Besides, 

 great refinement, and an advanced state of know- 

 ledge, has been found favourable in preventing one 

 kind of fatal intemperance in some degree, namely, 

 the excefsive use of spirituous liquors. 

 . We are not to estimate the national luxury, and 

 national character, from the inhabitants of Lon- 

 don or Paris, or other large towns. Except in ths 

 large towns, the means of luxury have little exis- 

 tence in France, England, or America, or few other 

 countries. More perifh through the want of food and 

 clsanlinefs, than by luxury. At present, then, we 

 need not tremble for the state on account of luxury ; 

 let us attempt political reformation ; and count upon 

 many centuries of dignity and consequence, before 

 luxury lliall overturn our empire. N. N. 



