THE ASSETS OF A NATION 11 



make use of our resources, in other words we must have 

 capital. 



The extent of the land, then, the suitability of its soil and 

 climate, the abundance of minerals, the number of inhabitants, 

 the amount of capital, are some of the points to be considered 

 in estimating the resources of a country. 



One thing more. We must never forget when making up 

 our accounts that the world does not stand still ; circumstances 

 are constantly changing, so that what is true to-day may not 

 be true to-morrow. To-day, the primaeval forest stands, and 

 its priceless treasures are carried thousands of miles to the 

 people of other lands ; but to-morrow the ordered plantation 

 has taken its place, and scientific cultivation has superseded 

 the reckless profusion of nature. 



And, again, the mine which to-day seems inexhaustible and 

 is the wonder of the world, to-morrow is empty and forgotten. 

 To a certain extent even the boundless sea may fail us, and 

 fish, which were at one time plentiful, may become rare. 

 Nations, too, may change their customs, and those which have 

 hitherto imported their manufactured goods may gradually 

 build factories of their own and elect to supply their own 

 needs. 



So that it is not enough to know where we stand, supremely 

 important as that knowledge is we must know also the direc- 

 tion in which we are tending ; and if we are to remain a great 

 nation we must cultivate the habit of adapting ourselves to 

 changing conditions and to less favourable circumstances. 



Bearing all these considerations in mind, we may surely 

 reckon, as not least among the assets of a nation, the intelli- 

 gence of her sons ; the clearness of vision, which enables us 

 ' to perceive and know what things we ought to do ', and the 

 firmness of purpose, which enables us ' faithfully to fulfil the 

 same '. 



