< Page:Essays of Francis Bacon 1908 Scott.djvu
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OF USURY

189

The second, that it makes poor merchants. For as a farmer cannot husband his ground so well if he sit[1] at a great rent; so the merchant cannot drive his trade so well, if he sit at great usury. The third is incident to the other two; and that is the decay of customs of kings or states, which ebb or flow with merchandizing. The fourth, that it bringeth the treasure of a realm or state into a few hands. For the usurer being at certainties, and others at uncertainties at the end of the game most of the money will be in the box; and ever a state flourisheth when wealth is more equally spread. The fifth, that it beats down the price of land; for the employment of money is chiefly either merchandizing or purchasing; and usury waylays both. The sixth, that it doth dull and damp all industries, improvements, and new inventions, wherein money would be stirring, if it were not for this slug.[2] The last, that it is the canker and ruin of many men's estates; which in process of time breeds a public poverty.

On the other side, the commodities of usury are, first, that howsoever[3] usury in some respect hindereth merchandizing, yet in some other it advanceth it; for it is certain that the greatest part of trade is driven by young merchants, upon borrowing at interest; so as[4] if the usurer either call in or keep back his money, there will ensue presently a

  1. ↑ Sit. To be located or placed; to abide. "And, Steenie, if you can hold your tongue about this matter, you shall sit, from this term downward, at an easier rent." Scott. Redgauntlet. Letter XI. Wandering Willie's Tale.
  2. ↑ Slug. Hindrance, obstruction.
  3. ↑ Howsoever. Notwithstanding that, albeit.
  4. ↑ As. That.
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