which these northern parts of the world could scarce have afforded a very
comfortable habitation, together with the tools of all the different workmen
employed in producing those different conveniencies ; if we examine, I say,
all these things, and consider what a variety of labour is employed about
each of them, we shall be sensible that, without the assistance and
co-operation of many thousands, the very meanest person in a civilized
country could not be provided, even according to, what we very falsely
imagine, the easy and simple manner in which he is commonly accommodated.
Compared, indeed, with the more extravagant luxury of the great, his
accommodation must no doubt appear extremely simple and easy ; and yet it
may be true, perhaps, that the accommodation of an European prince does not
always so much exceed that of an industrious and frugal peasant, as the
accommodation of the latter exceeds that of many an African king, the
absolute masters of the lives and liberties of ten thousand naked savages.




CHAPTER II.

OF THE PRINCIPLE WHICH GIVES OCCASION TO
THE DIVISION OF LABOUR.

This division of labour, from which so many advantages are derived, is not
originally the effect of any human wisdom, which foresees and intends that
general opulence to which it gives occasion. It is the necessary, though
very slow and gradual, consequence of a certain propensity in human nature,
which has in view no such extensive utility ; the propensity to truck,
barter, and exchange one thing for another.