370 



is very erroneous. When any commodity is to 

 be obtained in abundance, it ia always cheap. Thus, 

 though we can conceive situations in which air and 

 water, would be worth more than gold and pre- 

 cious stones, ordinarily they have no value in 

 exchange. If, therefore, money in India, as has 

 been shown, is dear, it is a sure indication that 

 it is scarce. Much may be indeed is hoarded ; but 

 taking into consideration the extent, and the na- 

 tural and productive richness of the country, the 

 amount of the precious metals withdrawn from 

 circulation is not such as to vitiate any general 

 conclusions, drawn from circumstances as we find 

 them existing around us. 



We have no means of making even an approximate 

 estimate of the Capital of the whole country, nor yet 

 of ascertaining, with any approach to accuracy, the 

 condition of any section of the upper classes of the 

 people. We must, therefore, rest content with gene- 

 ralities, which however will fully suffice for the pur- 

 pose. Erom the days of the Phoenicians, the wealth 

 of India has been proverbial. Nor can there be any 

 doubt that India is an extremely rich country. 

 From time immemorial, streams of gold, brocades, 

 precious stones, muslins, spices, fibres, dyes &c. &c. 

 have been flowing from India to Europe, which 

 have enriched the merchants of Venice, Genoa, 

 England, and those of other countries through whose 

 hands they passed, There could be no mistake about 



