Alas! the world which these persons would open before us as an imaginary good, is still more dreary and desolate than that which they condemn, for hope, at any rate, is not banished from the latter." Thus in all respects, and in every point of view, the question is a serious one.

Let us hasten to arrive at a solution.
Our civil code has a chapter entitled, "On the manner of transmitting property." I do not think it gives a very complete nomenclature on this point.

When a man by his labor has made some useful things--in other words, when he has created a _value_--it can only pass into the hands of another by one of the following modes: as a gift, by the right of inheritance, by exchange, loan, or theft.

One word upon each of these, except the last, although it plays a greater part in the world than we may think.
A gift, needs no definition.

It is essentially voluntary and spontaneous.