15.8. 8. Inutility of Slavery among us.
Natural slavery, then, is to be
limited to some particular parts of the world. In all other countries,
even the most servile drudgeries may be performed by freemen. Experience
verifies my assertion. Before Christianity had abolished civil slavery
in Europe, working in the mines was judged too toilsome for any but
slaves or malefactors: at present there are men employed in them who are
known to live comfortably.
[10]
The magistrates have, by some small
privileges, encouraged this profession: to an increase of labour they
have joined an increase of gain; and have gone so far as to make those
people better pleased with their condition than with any other which
they could have embraced.
No labour is so heavy but it may be brought to a level with the
workman's strength, when regulated by equity, and not by avarice. The
violent fatigues which slaves are made to undergo in other parts may be
supplied by a skilful use of ingenious machines. The Turkish mines in
the Bannat of Temeswr, though richer than those of Hungary, did not
yield so much; because the working of them depended entirely on the
strength of their slaves.
I know not whether this article be dictated by my understanding or
by my heart. Possibly there is not that climate upon earth where the
most laborious services might not with proper encouragement be performed
by freemen. Bad laws having made lazy men, they have been reduced to
slavery because of their laziness.
Footnotes
[10]
As may be seen in the mines of Hartz, in Lower Saxony, and in
those of Hungary.
