is the condition of riches, may be established in two opposite modes—namely, by increase of possession on the one side, and by decrease of it on the other—we have to inquire, with respect to any given state of riches, precisely in what manner the correlative poverty was produced: that is to say, whether by being surpassed only, or being depressed also; and if by being depressed, what are the advantages, or the contrary, conceivable in the depression. For instance, it being one of the commonest advantages of being rich to entertain a number of servants, we have to inquire, on the one side, what economical process produced the riches of the master; and on the other, what economical process produced the poverty of the persons who serve him; and what advantages each, on his own side, derives from the result.
29. These being the main questions touching the collection of riches, the next, or last, part of the inquiry is into their administration.
Their possession involves three great economical powers which require separate
wealth of any nation is not, how much it has; but whether it is in a form that can be used, and in the possession of persons who can use it.]
