Sayfa 888 / 2651

Thus, not only the great landlord or the rich merchant, but even

the common workman, if his wages are considerable, may maintain a

menial servant; or he may sometimes go to a play or a

puppet-show, and so contribute his share towards maintaining one

set of unproductive labourers; or he may pay some taxes, and thus

help to maintain another set, more honourable and useful, indeed,

but equally unproductive. No part of the annual produce, however,

which had been originally destined to replace a capital, is ever

directed towards maintaining unproductive hands, till after it

has put into motion its full complement of productive labour, or

all that it could put into motion in the way in which it was

employed. The workman must have earned his wages by work done,

before he can employ any part of them in this manner. That part,

too, is generally but a small one. It is his spare revenue only,

of which productive labourers have seldom a great deal.