68 DISCOURSE ON THE STUDY 



hibits, and which, in an estimate of averages, gives 

 an immense preponderance to the present over 

 every former condition of mankind, and, for aught 

 we can see to the contrary, will place succeeding 

 generations in the same degree of superior relation 

 to the present that this holds to those passed away. 

 Or we may put the same proposition in other words, 

 and, admitting the existence of every inferior grade 

 of advantage in a higher state of civilization which 

 subsisted in the preceding, we shall find, first, that, 

 taking state for state, the proportional numbers of 

 those who enjoy the higher degrees of advantage 

 increases with a constantly accelerated rapidity as 

 society advances ; and, secondly, that the superior 

 extremity of the scale is constantly enlarging by 

 the addition of new degrees. The condition of a 

 European prince is now as far superior, in the com- 

 mand of real comforts and conveniences, to that of 

 one in the middle ages, as that to the condition of 

 one of his own dependants. 



(62.) The advantages conferred by the augment- 

 ation of our physical resources through the medium 

 of increased knowledge and improved art have this 

 peculiar and remarkable property, that they are 

 in their nature diffusive, and cannot be enjoyed in 

 any exclusive manner by a few. An eastern despot 

 may extort the riches and monopolize the art of 

 his subjects for his own personal use; he may 

 spread around him an unnatural splendour and 

 luxury, and stand in strange and preposterous con- 

 trast with the general penury and discomfort of 

 his people ; he may glitter in jewels of gold and 

 raiment of needlework; but the wonders of well 



