MRS. B

IN tracing the progress of society towards civilization, we noticed the happy effects resulting from the security of property and the division of labour. From this period we may also date the distinction of rich and poor.

CAROLINE

And all the evils that arise from inequality of condition. This, alas! is the dark side of the picture. The weeds spring up with the corn.

MRS. B

I know not how this distinction can be called an evil. If it does not exist in a savage state, it is because indigence is universal; for no one being able to acquire more than what is necessary for his immediate maintenance, every one is poor. When civilization takes place, the advantages arising from the division of labour enable an industrious skilful man to acquire more wealth than will suffice to gratify his wants or desires. By continued exertion this surplus produce of his industry in the course of time accumulates, and he becomes rich, whilst the less industrious, who acquires merely a daily subsistence, remains poor or possessed of nothing.

CAROLINE

I see no great advantage in this accumulation of wealth, for it must either be spent or hoarded; if spent, the industrious man is eventually no richer than his idle neighbours; and if hoarded, the accumulation is of no use to any one.