All who are conversant with Tacitus have admired the extent of his knowledge,the shrewdness of his remarks,and thenervous strength of his expression.In a speech which he puts into the mouth of the Roman emperor Tiberius,we find thispassage:"Languescet industria,intendetur socordia,si nullus ex se metus nut specs,&securi omnes aliena subsidiaexpectabunt,sibi ignavi,nobis graves."(4)Hope and fear are the springs of industry.It is the part of a good politician tostrengthen these:but our laws weaken the one and destroy the other.For what encouragement have the poor to beindustrious and frugal,when they know for certain,that should they increase their store it will be devoured by thedrones'?(5)or what cause have they to fear,when they are assured,that if by their indolence and extravagance,by theirdrunkenness and vices,they should be reduced to want,they shall be abundantly supplied,not only with food and raiment,but with their accustomed luxuries,at the expence of others.The poor know little of the motives which stimulate thehigher ranks to action-pride,honour,and ambition.In general it is only hunger which can spur and goad them on to labour;yet our laws have said,they shall never hunger.The laws,it must be confessed,have likewise said that they shall becompelled to work.But then legal constraint is attended with too much trouble,violence,and noise;creates ill will,andnever can be productive of good and acceptable service:whereas hunger is not only a peaceable,silent,unremittedpressure,but,as the most natural motive to industry and labour,it calls forth the most powerful exertions;and,whensatisfied by the free bounty of another,lays a lasting and sure foundation for good will and gratitude.The slave must becompelled to work;but the freeman should be left to his own judgment and discretion;should be protected in the fullenjoyment of his own,be it much or little;and punished when he invades his neighbour's property.By recurring to thosebase motives which influence the slave,and trusting only to compulsion,all the benefits of free service,both to the servantand to the master,must be lost.
It is universally found,that where bread can be obtained without care or labour,it leads through idleness and vice topoverty.Before they discovered the gold and silver mines of Peru and Mexico,the Spaniards were distinguished among thenations of Europe for their industry and arts,for their manufactures and their commerce.But what are they now?a lazy,poor,and miserable people.They have been ruined by their imaginary wealth.The declension of the Spaniards has beenattributed to the expulsion of the Moriscoes;and the blow was certainly severe,but not altogether adequate to the effect.
