OCR Text |
Show ] [ 29 3 Metropolis, which Otherwife mui't have been a Defart. AGREED :---But is not this the very Principle which we maintain, 1722. That Luxury, as far as it is fudered to operate, brings on inevitable Ruin P And that the Prevention of fuch Ruin is owing to a Caufe the very reverie? In ihort .mumummm . new. 7 um (lithium ciently provided for, and a growing Fund of to the Comforts and Conveniences of their refiiefiive Conditions -,---I fay their refpeé‘tive Cons ditions, becaufe difierent Ranks and Conditions would immediately arife, even tho' all the Inha- bitants were equal in Virtue :---They would if the Evils refulting from the Abufe of the arife from the Inequality of Talents, of Skill, and Application, and of good or ill Fortune good Things of the World become lefs fatal attending their Affairs. than they otherwife would have been, or are in fome Degree correfted,~--to what is that owing, Camfarts and Convenience: of their refpefiz've Con- but to the right Ufe and proPer Application of fuch Things .9 probably the firft Generation would here terminate their Views, and look no farther. But the ) AI HOWEVER, to make this Matter fiill the clearer, let us change our Situation, and obferve the Profpeét from an Oppofite Point of View; that is, let us fuppofe the Inhabitants of this Capital to have fet out aright from the Beginning, and to have invariably purfued the fame Courfe for ever after. What Confequences would have enfued P and in what Manner would the Cultivation of the fine Arts be retarded 0f promoted by this Alteration of the Cafe 5' NOW if we are to imagine that the Inhabitants of this Metropolis did begin from the lowel'c Stages, ' ' ' the". Wherefore, I fay, the ditions would be their next; Concern; and very lecond Generation, by {till perfevering in the fame Plan of good (Economy, would be enabled, without Detriment to their Circumfiances, to advance many Degrees higher; f0 that the Works of Genius would then begin to appear, aTafie for the polite Arts would arife, various Talents would be excited, and an Emulation be kindled both among the Artii‘Is tlienifelves, and their feveral Encouragers. Now from fuch Elegancz'es and Refinement: in Society, the Gradation is eafy and natural to that which is the grand and the magnificent ; and thus the Adair D 3 might A Wealth el'tabliihed, Mankind would naturally expand their Defires and extend their Thoughts . r the Profufe and Prodigal, and by living in them, might fupport the Eclat of this once-celebrated ,t‘ former; who, by purchafing the Manfions of then we muff allow, that the Nercflarz‘er Of Life mui't have been the firl‘t Objeéts of their Care and Attention. But after thefe had been fulfi- .431 ii Il..." A 28 .4 ‘Af [ this : To fubf'titute a more virtuous, frugal, and indufirious Set of Men in the Room of the |