TRADE AND COMMERCE.
We have learned that the savage depends upon himself for what he needs. He is easily satisfied.
Would you be happy to change places with an Indian boy and live as he does? You would have only those things to eat which your father could get with his own hands. You would have very few playthings. Can you tell us what kinds of food would be left in your home if some one should take away everything that was not raised near by? If all the pretty and useful things which were brought from another place or country should be taken away from your home, would it not be bare and lonely.
It is trade and commerce which makes it pos sible for us to have so many things. If you should travel over the world you would find a different kind of people in every country that you came to. You would find also that each country had a different climate. Because of these things you would see many fruits that you do not have at home. You would see people dressing in strange ways and making strange things.
A long time ago all people were wild and sav age like the Indians. They did not travel farther than was necessary to get something to eat. Those living on one side of the ocean did not know that on the other side there were people who had many things that were very pretty and useful.
As people slowly became civilized they traveled farther. They crossed the high mountains, and the
broad oceans. Then those living in different parts of the world began to learn about each other, and how much it would be to their advantage to trade and make exchange.
In warm countries they raised more rice and oranges than were needed at home. Some of these things were exchanged for apples and grain from the cooler countries.
In one country they raised silkworms and made beautiful clothes. In another country were many sheep, and there woolen clothes were used. In still another region they raised cotton.
As people became aquainted with their neigh bors they began to exchange those things of which they had an abundance for others which they did not have. In this manner trade and commerce began.
Now a great many people spend all their time carrying goods from one part of the earth to another. They bring us many things which we enjoy greatly. They carry to other people beyond the ocean the fruit which we raise and the things which we make.
Railroad trains and steamers go all over the world. The people in the farthest islands are becoming acquainted with us. They want our clothes and machines. We want the pretty things which they make or the fruit which they raise.