modities, in hindering us of so much treasure, which otherwise would bee brought in, in lieu of those toyes . . . Wee . . . consume amongst us, that great abundance of the Wines of Spaine, of France, of the Rhene, of the Levant . . . the Raisins of Spaine, the Corints of the Levant, the Lawnes and Cambricks of Hannaults . . . the Silkes of Italie, the Sugers and Tobaco of the West Indies, the Spices of the East Indies: All which are of no necessetie unto us and yet are bought with ready mony."[1]
In the form of gold and silver, wealth is indestructible, both because exchange value is preserved in the shape of indestructible metal, and, especially, because gold and silver are prevented from becoming, as mediums of circulation, mere vanishing money forms of the commodity. The destructible substance is thus sacrificed for the indestructible form. "If money be taken (by means of taxation) from him, who spendeth the same . . . upon eating and drinking, or any other perishing Commodity; and the same transferred to one that bestoweth it on Cloaths; I say that even in this case the Commonwealth hath some little advantage; because Cloaths do not altogether perish so soon as Meats and Drinks. But if the same be spent in Furniture of Houses, the advantage is yet a little more; if in Building of Houses, yet more; if in improving of Lands, working of Mines, Fishing, etc., yet more; but most of all, in bringing Gold and Silver into the Country; because those things are not only not perishable, but are esteemed for
- ↑ l. c., p. 11–13 passim.
