Point with the greater Security it often puts on the Face of Benevolence. In a word, ſometimes nothing was to be ſeen but a Contention of Endeavours on the one hand, and an Oppoſition of Intereſts on the other, while a ſecret Deſire of thriving at the Expence of others conſtantly prevailed. Such were the firſt Effects of Property, and the inſeparable Attendants of Infant Inequality.
Riches, before the Invention of Signs to repreſent them, could ſcarce conſiſt in any thing but Lands and Cattle, the only real Goods which Men can poſſeſs. But when Eſtates increaſed ſo much in number and in extent as to take in whole Countries and touch each other, it became impoſſible for one Man to aggrandize himſelf but at the Expence of ſome other; and the ſupernumerary Inhabitants, who were too weak or too indolent to make ſuch Acquiſitions in their turn, impoveriſh-
