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When, by an increase in the effectual demand, the market price of

some particular commodity happens to rise a good deal above the

natural price, those who employ their stocks in supplying that

market, are generally careful to conceal this change. If it was

commonly known, their great profit would tempt so many new rivals

to employ their stocks in the same way, that, the effectual

demand being fully supplied, the market price would soon be

reduced to the natural price, and, perhaps, for some time even

below it. If the market is at a great distance from the residence

of those who supply it, they may sometimes be able to keep the

secret for several years together, and may so long enjoy their

extraordinary profits without any new rivals. Secrets of this

kind, however, it must be acknowledged, can seldom be long kept;

and the extraordinary profit can last very little longer than

they are kept.