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In this search there seem to be no certain limits, either to the

possible success, or to the possible disappointment of human

industry. In the course of a century or two, it is possible that

new mines may be discovered, more fertile than any that have ever

yet been known; and it is just equally possible, that the most

fertile mine then known may be more barren than any that was

wrought before the discovery of the mines of America. Whether the

one or the other of those two events may happen to take place, is

of very little importance to the real wealth and prosperity of

the world, to the real value of the annual produce of the land

and labour of mankind. Its nominal value, the quantity of gold

and silver by which this annual produce could be expressed or

represented, would, no doubt, be very different; but its real

value, the real quantity of labour which it could purchase or

command, would be precisely the same.