All I can say
is, that my grandfather made 20,000 ducats as a
manufacturer; that my father doubled his capital in trade;
and that I bought an estate which, in my tenants' hands,
pays me six per cent. for the investment. I eat four meals a
day, I'm in vigorous health, and I weigh fourteen stone. So
when I toss off my third glass of old Capri wine at supper,
I can't for the life of me help crying, 'Long live the
King!'"
A huge hog which happened to cross the street as the Neapolitan
reached his climax, gave a grunt in token of approbation.
The "hog" school is not numerous in Italy, whatever superficial
travellers may have told you on that head. The most highly-gifted
nation in Europe will not easily be persuaded that the great end of
human existence is to eat four meals a day.
But let us suppose for an instant that all the Pope's subjects are
willing to renounce all liberty,--religious, political, municipal, and
even civil,--for the sake of growing sleek and fat, without any higher
aim, and are content with the merely animal enjoyments of health and
food; do they find in their homes the means of satisfying their wants?
Can they, on that score at least, applaud their Government? Are they
as well treated as beasts in a cage? Are the people fat and thriving?
I answer, No!
In every country in the world the sources of public wealth are three
in number: agriculture, manufactures, and commerce.
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