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LETTER XXXVII. 



Op H E price of labour is allowed by all 

 "-** to be one of the mod important ob- 

 jects in. political ceconomy. Agriculture,, 

 arts, manufactures, and commerce, are but 

 fo many aggregates of labour : Every cir- 

 cumstance that can affect the profperity of 

 a nation, is intimately connected, and even 

 founded on labour ; all nations fubfift by 

 it j where trade is neglected, labour is 

 nothing more than the meafure of fub- 

 fiftence ; but in commercial (tares it is the 

 meafure of riches, which include every 

 thing elfe. The grand point reflecting 

 labour, is the quantity that is well per- 

 formed ; and it is obvious enough that the 

 price of it mud have considerable effect on 

 the quantity : By various methods of dating, 

 we mall be able to difcover the peculiar 

 circumftances attendant upon high, low, 

 and middling prices ; and, perhaps, more 

 than conjecture the advantages or difad- 

 vantages of the prefent average rates 

 throughout this tour. I fhall begin with 

 the labour of hufbandry. But as the prices 

 are feldom to be found in fingle fums with- 

 out fome other confideration beiides money, 

 fuch murt be valued ; board, ale, beer, 

 U 2 milk, 



