We are next to enquire how it happens that many industrious people are rivalled in an industry which brings no more than a bare physical-necessary. This proceeds from some disadvantage either in their personal or political situation. In their personal situation, when they are loaded with a numerous family, interrupted by sickness, or other accidental avocations. In their political situation, when they happen to be under a particular subordination from which others are free, or loaded with taxes which others do not pay. I shall only add, that in computing the value of the _physical-necessary_ of the lowest denomination, a just allowance must be made for all interruptions of labour: no person can be supposed to work every free day; and the labour of the year must defray the expence of the year. This is evident. Farther, neither humanity, or policy, that is the interest of a state, can suggest a rigorous oeconomy upon this essential quantity. If the great abuses upon the price of labour are corrected, those which remain imperceptible to the public eye, will prove no disadvantage to exportation; and as long as this goes on with success, the state is in health and vigour. Exportation _of work_ is another pulse of the political body. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAP. XXII. _Preliminary Reflections upon inland Commerce._ I resume the subject, which, as a rest to the mind, I dropt at the end of the 19th chapter. I am to treat directly of inland commerce, which has been sufficiently distinguished from infant, and foreign trade. We are to consider ourselves now as transported into a new country. Here foreign trade has been carried to the greatest height possible; but the luxury of the inhabitants, the carelessness, perhaps, of the statesman, and the natural advantages of other nations, added to the progress of their industry and refinement, have concurred to cut this branch off, and thereby to dry up the source which had constantly been augmenting national opulence.