OF THE SCIENCE OF POLITICAL ECONOMY. 25 
authority we should resort to in seeking to make arrangements for 
the general good. He may add to his practical experience much 
acquired knowledge, much study and much talent, but he then una- 
voidably becomes a theorist. He has endeavoured to bring together 
all the important facts relating to the subject, to see them in their 
real relations and to understand what they teach. He has become a 
man of science—a theorist—and as such deserves respect for his 
opinions, which his habit of attending to details of business would by 
no means command. The theory of any subject is the precise and 
orderly expression of all the truths in relation to it, by due regard to 
which, we should act wisely and accomplish our purposes, so far as is 
possible and consistent with moral considerations. The cry against 
theory is a very common one, but it means a cry against knowledge 
and improvement. Another grand objection to political economy is 
founded on the alleged cold-heartedness and inhumanity of the con- 
clusions to which it leads. I believe it may be the fact that political 
economists have shown, or supposed that they had shown, the inutil- 
ity and even very injurious consequences of certain modes and kinds 
of charity which are popular and much esteemed. A question is 
thus raised whether such acts are really charitable. The impulse of 
a kind heart and sympathetic feelings is not always to be implicitly 
trusted. If we would do good, we must consider and use our reason. 
To do what will cause extended evil, in order to gratify our own 
momentary feeling, cannot be justifiable. If the reasonings of the 
economist are wrong, and not supported by facts, the alleged bad 
consequences are not chargeable on the science, but on the mistakes 
of individuals. If they are correct and well sustained, our object 
being the real and permanent good of our fellow creatures, we should 
be thankful for sound instruction, and correct our practice in accord- 
ance with juster views. Science enlightens and tends to good: ig- 
norance and error are the sources of evil. If any conclusions fall 
under our notice which startle us, let us examine their evidence and 
see whether they are deserving of our confidence. Should they be 
found so we can but rejoice at having obtained better guidance for 
our conduct. To object to science because we do not like what it 
teaches, is to make feelings formed in connection with previous 
opinions the test of the soundness of new conclusions. 
An objection to the science of political economy which undertakes 
to establish truths of general application, respecting commerce and 
