tree; and though the stem may for a while show signs of life, and even continue to put forth shoots after the nourishment is dried up, it soon becomes a barren trunk, the decaying monument of former strength and vigour.

What, I would ask, are the circumstances which in the general constitution of civilized society lead to the cultivation of the mind? Is it, comprehensively speaking, the desire of spreading useful knowledge? is it the abstract love of science? is it not rather the conviction, that wealth is procured by learning, that distinguished honours reward distinguished ability, which implants the principle in early life, which generates in youth the habits of industry, and animates the labours of maturer age ? The largest share, beyond comparison, of the useful discoveries in moral or philosophical science, in history or civil policy, is derived from the learned professions, which are filled by men who have looked forward from their youth to the various branches of learning as the means of acquiring both subsistence and

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reputation. But these sources of information will be cut off, when the hope of improving fortune, and of accumulating property, is removed; when the inexorable agrarian law prescribes to each man his condition, apportions to him his lot, and forbids him to improve it. The love of fame and distinction may operate for a little while, and upon a few minds; but being, as we are assured, "a delusion," it will soon cease to deceive, when no longer supported by the substantial good of increased fortune, and enlarged means of gratification. It matters not that the information contributed to the general stock by the leisure of the learned professions, deviates from the regular path of their duties; that it is not connected with their necessary labours, but the voluntary amusement of their retirement; for the habit which is thus exercised in retirement, was generated in the activity of business; and the study which becomes recreation, owes its origin to the necessity of labour: like the stream

* Polit. Justice, i. 487.

which fertilizes the valleys, but descends from the side of some bleak and barren mountain.

The argument which is commonly employed to enforce youthful application, is the prospect of future success and competency. How is it that a father urges his son to overcome his natural indolence? He points out to his observation some prosperous adventurer, who, born to slender circumstances, by industry, temperance, and prudence, has raised himself to public distinction or splendid fortune. His precepts, thus illustrated by the examples which the world every where affords, must have a powerful, and, it may be added, an honourable effect upon the mind. But reverse this intelligible argument; and say, "Enter the field of knowledge, promote the general advance of intellect. Let your mind be delivered from all anxiety about corporal support, and expatiate freely in the field of thought which is congenial to her. It is the duty of each individual to assist the inquiries of all." *

* Polit. Justice, vol. i. p. 463.

Few persons, I conceive, entertain such sanguine views of human nature, as to suppose that if the pursuit of knowledge had been encouraged by no other stimulants, it would not have been confined within much narrower limits.

Nor would it be a satisfactory answer to these observations, to point out the numerous persons who apply to the cultivation of their minds, though urged by no necessity. The necessity of labour to the majority, establishes a standard which it is an object of emulation to attain but remove that general necessity, and you break the main-spring of the whole. It be fairly asserted, that one third, at least, of the community receive as good an education now, as it would be possible to give them even though things were levelled to the proposed equality. Yet, notwithstanding the advantages of education, the example of general activity, and the force of early habit, the proneness of the mind to sink into languid indolence, as soon as it ceases to be stimulated by the

may

immediate view of reward or the sensible pressure of necessity, too plainly blazons the truth that mankind are not so constituted as to be swayed by abstract rules, rather than sensible motives; and that nothing can be more chimerical than the expectation of a whole people setting out upon the pursuit of knowledge, with no stronger inducement than the prospect of general utility.

It is, indeed, curious to observe how impossible it is to preserve consistency in an argument the basis of which is defective.

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Hereditary wealth," says the author of Political Justice," is in reality a premium paid to idleness, an immense annuity expended to retain mankind in brutality and ignorance. The poor are kept ignorant by the want of leisure. The rich are furnished indeed with the means of cultivation and literature, but they are paid for being dissipated and extravagant. The most powerful means that malignity could have invented, are employed to prevent them from improving their talents, and becoming