GLEANINGS 
IN 
SCIENCE. 
JVo. 31. — July, 1831. 
1 , Of the Influence of Capital in Manufactures. 
I have first directed attention to the effects of Capital in increasing the disposable 
volume, of that primary description of wealth, on which the whole income of the 
society ultimately depends ; and it must be obvious, from a reference to the 
reasonings contained in the section, which shows the entire dependence of the 
secondary, on this primary description of wealth, that capital, in its application to 
manufactures, cannot alter the nature of the connection between the former and 
the latter. 
Let us suppose accumulations to lie appropriated, in the first instance, in assisting 
in the division of labour in manufactures. Those who advanced capital with this 
object in view, would be enriched by the difference in. the cost of feeding the 
greater number of labourers which was required, when the workmen were not in 
mutual cooperation, and when they were not exclusively engaged in one particular 
process in the production of a certain quantity of wares ; and the smaller expendi- 
ture now necessary, when mutual cooperation and exclusive employment in one 
business, have been introduced, and have brought with them superior skill and 
knowledge. We may readily imagine how such effects in production may be brought 
about, by the mere appropriation of capital to the provision, in a suitable situation, 
of food equal to the labourers’ consumption while employed. 
But producing the same quantity of wares as before, and obtaining the former 
price for them, does not enable the capitalist to realize the greatest possible ag- 
gregate sum of profits, although it may enable him to obtain the greatest gain on 
each individual article sold. We have already marked the causes which determine 
manufacturers in bringing specific quantities of their goods to market before capital 
is employed ; we must see whether the same causes are in operation, now that 
production has been preceded by the accumulation and appropriation of capital. 
If while manufacturers worked individually, and without concert and cooperation, 
the demand for wrought wares was such, that 500 articles were brought to market, 
and given in exchange for 5000 measures of corn j and if, at this time, the pro- 
duction of 550 articles sunk the price of each to 7 measures ; or if the reduction 
of the supply to 300 articles should raise price only to 11 measures, there being in 
the society, only persons sufficient to take off this quantity at this price ; it is 
evident, that as society then stood, there could be realized, in this business, only 
NEW SERIES, NO. VII, 
