[Footnote 219-3: The Journal des Economistes for March, 1854, very clearly shows, in opposition to the state-sophists who recommended extravagant balls, etc. as a means of advancing industry, and who even advocated the paying officials higher salaries on this account, and making greater outlays by them compulsory, that such luxury when it comes of itself may be a symptom of national wealth, but that it is a very bad means to produce prosperity artificially.] SECTION CCXX. WHEN SAVING IS INJURIOUS. The act of saving, if the consumption omitted was a productive one, is detrimental to the common good; because now a real want of the national economy remains unsatisfied.[220-1] The effecting of savings by curtailing unproductive consumption may embarrass those who had calculated on its continuance. But its utility or damage to the whole national economy will depend on the application or employment of what is saved. Here two different cases are possible. A. It is stored up and remains idle. If this happens to a sum of money, the number of instruments of exchange in commerce is diminished. Hence, in consequence, there may be either a general fall in the price of commodities, or some commodities may remain unsold; that is, according to § 217, a commercial crisis of greater or smaller extent.[220-2] If it be objects of immediate consumption that are stored up and lie idle, articles of food or clothing, for instance, the price of such commodities is wont to be raised by the new and unusual demand for them, precisely as it is lowered afterwards when the stores are suddenly opened and thrown upon the market.[220-3]