[Footnote: D'Holbach, ib.iii.

7; Diderot, art.

Luxe in the Encylopaedia; Helvetius, De l'esprit, i.

3.] If it is injurious, does it not follow that the forces on which admittedly Progress depends are leading in an undesirable direction?
Should they be obstructed, or is it wiser to let things follow their natural tendency (laisser aller les choses suivant leur pente naturelle)?
Voltaire accepted wealth with all its consequences.

D'Holbach proved to his satisfaction that luxury always led to the ruin of nations.