A very long time ago there lived, in a poor village, a joiner, who was a philosopher, as all my heroes are in their way.  James worked from morning till night with his two strong arms, but his brain was not idle for all that.  He was fond of reviewing his actions, their causes, and their effects.  He sometimes said to himself, “With my hatchet, my saw, and my hammer, I can make only coarse furniture, and can only get the pay for such.  If I only had a plane, I should please my customers more, and they would pay me more.  It is quite just; I can only expect services proportioned to those which I render myself.  Yes!  I am resolved, I will make myself a plane.”

However, just as he was setting to work, James reflected further:—­“I work for my customers 300 days in the year.  If I give ten to making my plane, supposing it lasts me a year, only 290 days will remain for me to make my furniture.  Now, in order that I be not the loser in this matter, I must gain henceforth, with the help of the plane, as much in 290 days, as I now do in 300.  I must even gain more; for unless I do so, it would not be worth my while to venture upon any innovations.”  James began to calculate.  He satisfied himself that he should sell his finished furniture at a price which would amply compensate for the ten days devoted to the plane; and when no doubt remained on this point, he set to work.  I beg the reader to remark, that the power which exists in the tool to increase the productiveness of labour, is the basis of the solution which follows.

At the end of ten days, James had in his possession an admirable plane, which he valued all the more for having made it himself.  He danced for joy,—­for, like the girl with her basket of eggs, he reckoned all the profits which he expected to derive from the ingenious instrument; but, more fortunate than she, he was not reduced to the necessity of saying good-bye to calf, cow, pig, and eggs, together.  He was building his fine castles in the air, when he was interrupted by his acquaintance William, a joiner in the neighbouring village.  William having admired the plane, was struck with the advantages which might be gained from it.  He said to James:—­

W. You must do me a service.

J. What service?

W. Lend me the plane for a year.

As might be expected, James at this proposal did not fail to cry out, “How can you think of such a thing, William?  Well, if I do you this service, what will you do for me in return?”

W. Nothing.  Don’t you know that a loan ought to be gratuitous?  Don’t you know that capital is naturally unproductive?  Don’t you know fraternity has been proclaimed.  If you only do me a service for the sake of receiving one from me in return, what merit would you have?

J. William, my friend, fraternity does not mean that all the sacrifices are to be on one side; if so, I do not see why they should not be on yours.  Whether a loan should be gratuitous I don’t know; but I do know that if I were to lend you my plane for a year it would be giving it you.  To tell you the truth, that was not what I made it for.