( 343 ) 



Several moderns, celebrated in the li- 

 terary world, from obferving the inno- 

 cence and happinefs which favage na- 

 tions enjoy, though ignorant of the 

 liberal arts, have from thence infer- 

 red, that arts and fciences were pre- 

 judicial to civilized fociety, and have 

 proceeded to charge them with all the 

 ill effedts refulting from luxury, which 

 has ever been their companion, or 

 rather their parent. In this, however, 

 they have egregioufly erred ; as thofe 

 things which, in a State of Nature, are 

 ufelefs, may be highly falutary in a State 

 of Civilization; as arts and fciences 

 are the fureft antidote againft the evils 

 of luxury and refinement. The ills of 

 civilized fociety have their fource in the 

 unnatural inftitution and unequal diflri- 

 bution of property, which is neceffarily 

 produced by the different degrees, of 

 fagacity, indufcry, and frugality in 

 individuals, trajafmitted to, and aug- 



Z 4 mented 



