A Series of Advantages or Disadvantages.

An idea may sometimes be explained by mention¬ing the advantages or disadvantages connected with it, as in the following exposition of the " discom¬modities of usury." This kind of series most fre¬quently takes the form of the first type of the expository paragraph : The discommodities of usury are : First, that it makes fewer merchants For were it not for this lazy trade of usury, money would not lie still, but would in great part be employed upon merchandizing, which is the vena porta of wealth in a state. The second, that it makes poor merchants. For as a farmer cannot hus¬band his ground so well if he sit at a great rent ; so the merchant cannot drive his trade so well if he sit at great usury. The third is incident to the other two ; and that is the decay of customs of kings or states, which ebb or flow with merchandizing. The fourth, that it bringeth the treasure of a realm or state into a few hands. For the usurer being at certainties, and others at uncertainties, at the end of the game most of the money will be in the box ; and ever a state flourisheth when wealth is more equally spread. — FRANCIS BACON, Essays, Civil and Moral.