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But when he possesses stock sufficient to maintain him for months

or years, he naturally endeavours to derive a revenue from the

greater part of it, reserving only so much for his immediate

consumption as may maintain him till this revenue begins to come

in. His whole stock, therefore, is distinguished into two parts.

That part which he expects is to afford him this revenue is

called his capital. The other is that which supplies his

immediate consumption, and which consists either, first, in that

portion of his whole stock which was originally reserved for this

purpose; or, secondly, in his revenue, from whatever source

derived, as it gradually comes in; or, thirdly, in such things as

had been purchased by either of these in former years, and which

are not yet entirely consumed, such as a stock of clothes,

household furniture, and the like. In one or other, or all of

these three articles, consists the stock which men commonly

reserve for their own immediate consumption.