The growth of reason and conscience in the leading nations of the world, is more and more differentiating the various kinds of wealth; data are thus being collected from which the progressive laws of political economy can be deduced. By the leading nations, of course is here meant those communities where a large number of unselfish and thoughtful men, inspired by truth, find their teaching accepted by the uncorrupted though crude intelligence of a patient multitude. Unfortunately, the so-called ruling classes in these nations, are now too often the creators or the creatures of the barbarous and savage hordes which false methods of political economy have produced in our midst. But the possession of a band of honest truth-seekers with earnest listeners eager to be guided, marks the really progressive nation. It will be found that a true system of political economy must rest upon a moral basis. Trust, freedom, and gradually evolved sympathy are the foundations on which all systems of industry are built up that permanently civilize races. _Trust._--Trust is the beginning of exchange. Nordenfeld, in his record of observation round the Arctic circle, relates how money or articles were left in perfect safety, and faithfully replaced by equivalent articles in exchange. A striking instance of the necessity of re-creating trust as the foundation of industry where it has been lost by long-continued oppression, is related by a gentleman who many years ago went as mineral viewer to the Nerbudda Valley. Almost alone, and far removed from the possibility of obtaining white labour, the natives refused to dig for him. He felt compelled to capture a few men and enforce a day’s work, which he at once honestly paid for with the copper currency of the region. But it seemed to the natives the grossest folly on his part that, having gained the labour, he should pay for what he had already obtained, and feeling sure that he would not repeat such folly, they hid away on the following day. The capture had to be repeated during many successive days, and the heavy coin brought at great inconvenience for the daily payment, before the habit of trust could be fairly established; then an oversupply of willing workers crowded round the encampment.