Pagina 599 van 2651

That that increase in the quantity of the precious metals, which

arises in any country from the increase of wealth, has no

tendency to diminish their value, I have endeavoured to shew

already. Gold and silver naturally resort to a rich country, for

the same reason that all sorts of luxuries and curiosities resort

to it; not because they are cheaper there than in poorer

countries, but because they are dearer, or because a better price

is given for them. It is the superiority of price which attracts

them; and as soon as that superiority ceases, they necessarily

cease to go thither.