Aristippus, being cast
away, swam and got safely to the next shore, where, beholding
geometrical figures traced in the sand, he was seized with a transport
of joy, judging that he was among Greeks, and not in a nation of
barbarians.
Should you ever happen to be cast by some adventure among an unknown
people; upon seeing a piece of money you may be assured that you have
arrived in a civilised country.
The culture of lands requires the use of money. This culture
supposes many inventions and many degrees of knowledge; and we always
see ingenuity, the arts, and a sense of want making their progress with
an equal pace. All this conduces to the establishment of a sign of
value.
Torrents and eruptions have made the discovery that metals are
contained in the bowels of the earth.
[6]
When once they have been
separated, they have easily been applied to their proper use.
