GLEANINGS 
IN 
SCIENCE. 
JVo. 28. — April, 1831. 
I . — On the Source of Wealth. 
§ 2 . — Of Manufactured Wealth , and of the Income of Manufacturers. 
When we call to mind the absolute dependence of men upon food, and when %ve 
reflect on the continued struggles they are necessitated to make for its posses- 
sion, we can readily discover the original motive by which those are actuated, 
who labour in rendering other products besides food applicable to the purposes of 
their fellow men. They seek to procure a maintenance from those who have some- 
thing to spare, and who, under these circumstances, more intensely desire the en- 
joyment wrought products are capable of affording, than the gratification the 
quantity of food is calculated to yield, which suffices to supply the wants of the 
manufacturer. 
Imagine now the case of the man who first applied metal to agricultural instru- 
ments : these, shod with iron, however rude and simple, must be considerably 
more powerful and durable than any before in use : agriculturalists will therefore 
readily give the constructor the food in exchange, which he may require : if in 
needy circumstances when he first commences his trade, his demand in return may 
be no more than suffices for his subsistence while employed upon the instrument : 
but as the utility of this implement becomes known, many more will be required 
at his hands than he can possibly supply ; and he may then prescribe his own 
terms to his customers. 
We have seen, that man’s original income consists of the net produce which the 
reproductive principle leaves at his disposal ; this, therefore, we may reckon the 
primary wealth of the society, in contradistinction to the produce of mere ma- 
nipulation, which is wealth of a secondary description. We have also seen, that at 
any time, in the course of the progress of enrichment, the surplus of primary 
wealth set free for man’s use, can only be a near approximation to what serves to 
satisfy the wants of the persons through whose instrumentality it is obtained. In- 
dividuals, in the early period of society now under consideration, can therefore 
have but little at their disposal, to offer in exchange for wrought goods. Where 
one has disposable, what will repay the person who prepares an item of secondary 
wealth, there will be hundreds who cannot part with the quantity he requires ; and 
yet, however small the disposable fund possessed by individuals may be, wrought 
products may be so eminently useful, that even the least wealthy shall be willing 
to sacrifice a portion of their pittance to obtain them. And, provided there be a 
prospect of success in acquiring what they so intensely desire, they may thus be 
NEW SERIES IV, 
