The Wealth of Nations_ Books 4-5 - Adam Smith [359]
469.
Manure, the supply of, in most places depends on the stock of cattle raised, 325.
Maritime countries, why the first that are civilized and improved, 124.
Martial spirit, how supported in the ancient republics of Greece and Rome, 372. The want of it now supplied by standing armies, 373. The establishment of a militia little able to support it, ib.
Mediterranean sea, peculiarly favourable for the first attempts in navigation, 124.
Meggens, Mr, his account of the annual importation of gold and silver into Spain and Portugal, 313. His relative proportion of each, 316.
Mercantile system explained, 5ff.,
Mercenary troops, origin and reason of, 283. The numbers of, how limited, ib.
Merchants, their judgments more to be depended on respecting the interests of their particular branches of trade, than with regard to the public interest, 357–8. Their capitals altogether circulating, 374. Their dealings extended by the aid of bankers’ notes, 396, 401. Customs of, first established to supply the want of laws, and afterward admitted as laws, 407. The manner of negociating bills of exchange explained, ib. The pernicious tendency of drawing and redrawing,
408. In what method their capitals are employed, 460. Their capitals dispersed and unfixed, 463–4. The principles of foreign trade examined, 472. Are the best of improvers, when they turn country gentlemen, 507. Their preference among the different species of trade, how determined, 30. Are actuated by a narrow spirit of monopoly, 38, 72. The several branches of the corn trade specified and considered, 102. The government of a company of, the worst a country can be under, 151. Of London not good economists, 196–7. An unproductive class of men, according to the present agricultural system of political œconomy in France, 252. The quick return of mercantile capitals, enables merchants to advance money to government, 509. Their capitals, increased by lending money to the state, ib.
Mercier de la Riviere, M., character of his natural and essential order of political societies, 265.
Metals, why the best medium of commerce, 128. Origin of stamped coins, 129. Why different metals become the standard of value among different nations, 142. The durability of, the cause of the steadiness of their price, 315. On what the quantity of precious metals in every particular country depends, 343. Restraints upon the exportation of, 240.
Metaphysics, the science of, explained, 358. Metayers, description of the class of farmers so called in France, 489. Methodists, the teachers among, why popular preachers, 375.
Methuen, Mr, translation of the commercial treaty concluded by him between England and Portugal, 124.
Mexico was less civilised than Peru, when first visited by the Spaniards, 308, present populousness of the capital city, 148. Low state of the arts at the first discovery of that empire, ib.
Militia, why allowed to be formed in cities, and its formidable nature,
501. The origin and nature of, explained, 287. How distinguished from the regular standing army, ib. Must always be inferior to a standing army, 289–90. A few campaigns of service may make a militia equal to a standing army, ib. Instances, ib.
Milk, a most perishable commodity, how manufactured for store, 332.
Mills, wind and water, their late introduction into England, 354.
Mines, distinguished by their fertility or barrenness, 270. Comparison between those of coal and those of metals, 272. The competition between, extends to all parts of the world, ib. The working of, a lottery, 275. Diamond mines not always worth working, 277. Tax paid to the king of Spain from the Peruvian mines, 306. The discovery of mines not dependent on human skill or industry, 344. In Hungary, why worked at less expense than the neighbouring ones in Turkey, 271.
Mining, projects of, uncertain and ruinous, and unfit for legal encouragement, 143.
Mirabeau, Marquis de, his character of the œconomical table, 265.
Mississippi scheme in France, the real foundation of, 417.
Modus for tythe, a relief to the farmer, 430.
Money, the