372 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



marriages. They comprehend all that society 

 can receive from this source ; from the preser, 

 vation, and increase of the human race. Every 

 thing useful and beneficial to man, seems to be 

 connected with obedience to the laws of his na- 

 ture : And where the state of society coincides 

 with the lavvs of nature, the inclinations, the du- 

 ties, and the happiness of individuals, resolve 

 themselves into customs and habits, favorable, 

 in the highest degree, to society. In no case is 

 this more apparent, than in the customs of na- 

 tions respecting marriage. When wealth, or 

 the imaginary honor of families, is the great 

 object, marriage becomes a matter of trade, 

 pride, and form ; in which affection, virtue, and 

 happiness, are not consulted ; from which the 

 parties derive no felicity, and society receives 

 no advantage. But w here nature leads the way, 

 all the lovely train of virtues, domestic happi- 

 ness, and the greatest of all public benefits, a 

 rapid population, are found to be the fruit. 



Activity and Enterprize. A spirit of 

 activity an(^ enterprize is every where found in 

 a new state. Depending upon tlieir own indus- 

 try, and having nothing to expect from specula- 

 tion and gaming in public lunds, or from the 

 errors or vices of government, the views of the 

 people are directed to their own employments 

 and business, as tne only probable method of 

 acquiring subsistence, and estate. Hence arises 

 a spirit of universal activity, and enterprize in 

 business. No other pursuits or prospects are 

 suffered to divert their attention ; for there i, 

 nothing to be acquired in any other way. Nei- 

 ther begging, or gaming, or trading upon public 



