CHAP. XXI. INCREASE OF WEALTH. 143 



France, but then Germany, distinguished as Al- 

 sace. France probably increased at a pace equal 

 to England till the latter end of the century, when 

 the boasted glory of Louis XIV. terminated in 

 the sufferings and depression of his dominions. 

 Spain and Portugal did not probably improve so 

 fast as those countries to which the treasures of 

 America passed through them. The eastern and 

 northern kingdoms preserved in general a slug- 

 gish pace, though they also advanced in sub- 

 stantial wealth, and probably reached a height as 

 great, in proportion to the station from whence 

 they started, as the more civilized and more culti- 

 vated people to the westward and southward of 

 them. 



From the intercourse which existed through 

 the greater portion of the period between the se- 

 veral states of Europe, the precious metals could 

 easily pass from one to the other. The mistaken 

 policy of the several governments induced them to 

 make laws prohibiting their conveyance from their 

 dominions ; but such laws, though they might em- 

 barrass the transfer, could not prevent it, in com- 

 modities so compendious in proportion to their 

 value as gold and silver. 



They, like all other commodities, would go where 

 their value was highest; and thus there would be a 

 tendency in them constantly to produce an equi- 

 librium between their own quantities and the quan- 



