and beneficial to the receiver, than the article parted with. This is the criterion of a good bargain in private concerns, and must be the same in all other kinds of dealings. Hence, any trade, whether foreign or domestic, however boasted of, is injurious to the parties or nations concerned, if the things received are not really more useful than the things disposed of.
To examine and try every article that is received and disposed of in large trading nations, by this touchstone, would occasion much trouble. We must be contented, therefore, to bring to the trial some few of the prime ones.
Those articles are to be considered as prime which are first in degree of necessity, such as corn, flesh-meat, coarse clothing and bedding, warm and dry houses, &c. These are of indispensable and general use.
When the advantages or disadvantages of trade have been treated of, it has been usual for most states to consider any branch of it as advantageous or not, according as the balance is in their favour or against them: if it is in their favour, without any further inquiry it is pronounced to be beneficial. With regard to the money received for the balance, I would ask of what use it is, if not to enable them to purchase some other article of which they stand in need, or are desirous of; and to what other
