142 Benjamin Franklin [1/50
&ec., which are therefore only subsistence metamorphosed.

6. Manufactures are only another shape into which
so much provisions and subsistence are turned, as
were equal in value to the manufactures produced.
This appears from hence, that the manufacturer does
not, in fact, obtain from the employer, for his labor,
more than a mere subsistence, including raiment,
fuel, and shelter; all which derive their value from
the provisions consumed in procuring them.
7. The produce of the earth, thus converted into
manufactures, may be more easily carried to distant
markets than before such conversion.
8. Fair commerce is, where equal values are exchanged
 for equal, the expense of transport included.
Thus, if it costs A in England as much labor and
charge to raise a bushel of wheat, as it costs B in
France to produce four gallons of wine, then are four
gallons of wine the fair exchange for a bushel of
wheat, A and B meeting at half distance with their
commodities to make the exchange. The advantage
of this fair commerce is, that each party increases the
number of his enjoyments, having, instead of wheat
alone, or wine alone, the use of both wheat and
wine.
9. Where the labor and expense of producing both
commodities are known to both parties, bargains will
generally be fair and equal. Where they are known
to one party only, bargains will often be unequal,
knowledge taking its advantage of ignorance.
10. Thus, he that carries one thousand bushels of
wheat abroad to sell, may not probably obtain so

ry,