[Om TI 
Hence it is, that whilft the nation is rich in aris, 
manufactures, commerce, and agriculture, the poor’s- 
rates are in many places doubled, which is nothing 
more than a gradual advance in the price of labour, 
nicely adjufted to the average price of food; with 
this difference, that the labourer receives that. ad- 
vance from the parifh, which he ought to receive 
from the hand of his matter. . 
This circumftance, then, does not difprove the 
general principle laid down by Dr. Smiru,- thar, 
<¢ The money price of labour, and every thing that 
“ isthe produce either of land or labour, muft ‘ne- 
“¢ ceffarily rife or fall in proportion to the mionéy- 
“¢ price of corn.—Corn accordingly is, (he fays) in 
“ all the different ftages of wealth and improvement, 
‘* a more accurate meafure of value than any other 
“* commodity, or fet of commodities. (And that) 
“< Tn all thefe different ftages, therefore, we can judge 
* better of the real value of filver by comparing it 
*¢ with corn, than by comparing it with any other 
*¢ commodity, or fet of commodities.’’* 
Such is the opinion of that moft judicious writer; 
and upon fuch grounds wheat has been recom- 
mended, and adopted, as aftandard. This ftandard 
appears to have been deferted by Mr. Davis, or its 
principles abandoned, chiefly on account of the policy 
of government in framing the corn-laws. ‘* The 
eee eee —_—— -_ 
* Wealth of Nations, pages 94 and 234. 
effect 
