ON THE RIGHTS OF BRITONS, BETWEEN A FARM ER, A SAILOR, AND A MANUFACTURER. DIALOGUE THE SECOND. LONDON: G. NICOL, PRINTED FOR T. LONGMAN, PATER-NOSTER-ROW; MDCCXCII DIALOGUES, &c FARMER. MANUFACTURER. SAILOR. Manufacturer. HAVE thought a good deal upon our con verfation of yesterday; and though I find I was before miftaken in fome points, yet I fee many objections remaining to the ftate of things in this Country. Far. That, perhaps, is not much to be wondered at, confidering what pains have been taken to make you diffatisfied and difgufted with every thing though I should rather have thought, that, finding yourself impofed on in being made to believe that we have no Conftitution, and that the Taxes are laid heavily on the Poor to supply the luxuries of the Rich, you would have no confidence in those who had told you fuch grofs and abominable falfehoods. Man. But can I fhut my eyes against the Inequality that exists in this Country? Allowing that we have a Conftitution which preferves to every one Liberty and Security, and that the Taxes are impofed with the utmoft confideration for the Poor, which I own you have convinced me is the cafe, is it not all a mortifying thing to fee fome men wallowing in all the luxuries of life, while others are obliged to work hard in order to obtain common neceffaries? Would not Equal Laws prevent fuch a Disparity? Far. I believe, if the matter were fairly examined, it would appear, that thofe who procure their fubfiftence, by the labour of their hands, enjoy much more true happiness than those who indulge in all the luxuries of life. But you altogether forget, that thofe luxuries of which you complain as a proof of Difparity, befides contributing largely to the neceflities of the State, furnish neceffary and copious refourees for the fubfiftence of the labouring clafs. How many hands are employed, how many families comfortably maintained by fuch means! What numbers would be unavoidably reduced to the greatest distress, if fuch fources of employment were cut off! Think not, however, that the difference between thofe who labour for their bread and those who abound in wealth is to be afcribed to the Laws; fuch Inequality is founded in Nature, and infeparable from Society. The Laws neither make any man 7 man rich or poor; they leave every one to the efforts of his own industry, and all they can do Is to protect him in the exercise of that industry, and in the enjoyment of the fruits of it. Now it is well known, that in no country in the world is that protection fo complete as in this, and we accordingly fee that in no country is industry fo fuccefsful. Nowhere do Trade, Agriculture, Manufactures, flourish as among us. Nowhere is there found fuch certain employment, such ample recompence for the Labourer, the Manufacturer, and the numerous other claffes of thofe induftrious perfons who form the moft numerous and the most neceffary part of Society. And it is equally open to every one by talents and application, with the aid of opportunity, to rife into stations of eminence and wealth. Such are the peculiar advantages of a Free Country; and in the nature of things Society, Government, and Laws, can do no more. Man, They are very fortunate who can ad vance themselves in that manner. But I think you faid juft now, that those who labour hard for their fubfiftence have no occafion to envy fuch as enjoy all the luxuries of life. This, I own, founds a little ftrangely in my ears. Far. It is neverthelef's true. The labouring clafs neceffarily forms the moft numerous part of Society, and their labour not only conftiA 4 tutes |