صفحة 242 من 2651

The diminution of the capital stock of the society, or of the

funds destined for the maintenance of industry, however, as it

lowers the wages of labour, so it raises the profits of stock,

and consequently the interest of money. By the wages of labour

being lowered, the owners of what stock remains in the society

can bring their goods at less expense to market than before; and

less stock being employed in supplying the market than before,

they can sell them dearer. Their goods cost them less, and they

get more for them. Their profits, therefore, being augmented at

both ends, can well afford a large interest. The great fortunes

so suddenly and so easily acquired in Bengal and the other

British settlements in the East Indies, may satisfy us, that as

the wages of labour are very low, so the profits of stock are

very high in those ruined countries. The interest of money is

proportionably so. In Bengal, money is frequently lent to the

farmers at forty, fifty, and sixty per cent.