They launch into speculations, and become rich, it is true; but in what?
Stocks, bonds, paper,--rags, in short.

It is smoke they are locking in their coffers.

They prefer to invest in merchandise, which pays eight or ten per cent, to investing in vines or corn which will return but three.

The peasant is not so foolish.

From the moment he owns a piece of ground the size of a handkerchief, he wants to make it as large as a tablecloth.