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Masters of all sorts, therefore, frequently make better bargains

with their servants in dear than in cheap years, and find them

more humble and dependent in the former than in the latter. They

naturally, therefore, commend the former as more favourable to

industry. Landlords and farmers, besides, two of the largest

classes of masters, have another reason for being pleased with

dear years. The rents of the one, and the profits of the other,

depend very much upon the price of provisions. Nothing can be

more absurd, however, than to imagine that men in general should

work less when they work for themselves, than when they work for

other people. A poor independent workman will generally be more

industrious than even a journeyman who works by the piece. The

one enjoys the whole produce of his own industry, the other

shares it with his master.