Pagina 736 van 2651

In those unfortunate countries, indeed, where men are continually

afraid of the violence of their superiors, they frequently bury

or conceal a great part of their stock, in order to have it

always at hand to carry with them to some place of safety, in

case of their being threatened with any of those disasters to

which they consider themselves at all times exposed. This is said

to be a common practice in Turkey, in Indostan, and, I believe,

in most other governments of Asia. It seems to have been a common

practice among our ancestors during the violence of the feudal

government. Treasure-trove was, in those times, considered as no

contemptible part of the revenue of the greatest sovereigns in

Europe. It consisted in such treasure as was found concealed in

the earth, and to which no particular person could prove any

right.