1 830.*] 
237 
On procuring a supply of Water, &c. 
ideas ; arul perfectly capable of exercising an influence on his conduct ; and it 
must 'not be forgotten, that the ideas of relative extension, relative solidity, and 
so forth, are later considerations ; the subsequent existence of which, depends 
on the accident of two or more bodies, possessing one common quality, in an 
equal, or in a greater or less degree. 
All that has been stated above, regarding certain qualities, is equally appli- 
cable to all qualities whatsoever, whether actually or virtually existing ; and 
amongst the rest as to value ; and it is as certain, that value, positively and in- 
dependently, must virtually exist in each valuable body, as that solid extension, 
particularly in one direction, must exist positively and independently in each of 
every one of the sticks, which may be supposed to have been the subjects of 
perception, or the person whose case has just been given in illustration. . 
Is there nothing, however, in the quality of appreciable value, as it exists in 
wealth, peculiar to itself? Originating as it does, not necessarily, in the body 
itself, which men reckon valuable; hut appertaining to it, only under certain 
circumstances, in its connexion with the moral agents who appreciate its existence. 
If, for instance, the condition necessary to the creation of this appreciable value 
be, that valuable bodies shall continually be given in exchange for voluntary 
exertion ; then, as now, the valuation of products, relatively to the exertion 
they have cost, must be continually made ; and, therefore, the only value about 
which men can be conversant, is still merely relative. 
But I would ask, in this case, to what is this value relative ; to products, or 
to men, the percipients of the quality value ? Now this is a very material ques- 
tion ; for it is to be particularly remarked, that when we reach the human ex- 
ertion products are found actually to cost, we have come, at last, to that in- 
dex, whereby may be known the opinions men entertain regarding the real 
and independent value of the products in question. A value which is relative 
not to other products ; but to the feelings of the actual percipients themselves 
of this quality. A value which may exist, if there were but one valuable pro- 
duct in the world ; and which is capable, under any circumstances, of influence 
ing the conduct of man. 
If it be of no importance to distinguish between the relations of products to 
products, and the relation of products to men; to mark the difference of 
the connexion subsisting between certain substances, and the connexion of 
these substances with moral agents ; then let this valuation of products, relative- 
ly to the voluntary sacrifice they have cost, be called, as has been heretofore usual, 
relative valuation. But it appears to me of the very utmost importance that this 
difference should be marked and understood; and I therefore wish to keep sepa- 
rate and distinct, the simple idea suggested to moral agents by the perception of 
value ; and the complicated consideration of two or more values, each already 
perceived. 
II . — On the best method of procuring a Plentiful Supply of Wholesome 
Water, in the vicinity of Calcutta . 
The art of sinking overflowing wells — an art of almost modern growth — is one 
of the many useful results which may he fairly attributed to the operation of 
scientific views, i, e. the reasoning from certain data to establish the truth we 
are in search of. It seems certain that it was in no way the effect of acci- 
dental discovery, but rather the reward of the first intrepid engineer, who, con- 
vinced that water ever seeks its level , determined to hazard much in pursuit of 
the valuable consequences which he saw in particular cix’cumstances would result 
from so simple a truth 1 . The observations of the geologist, showing the great 
extent as well as inclination of some of the strata, doubtless prepared the way for 
the more general reception and adoption of the new art, if it may not even have 
suggested it in the first instance. When we see a stratum impervious to water, 
(as clay for instance, or limestone, in which may be included chalk,) continue its 
course unbroken for many miles ; and consider also its inclination, (for scarcely a 
perfectly horizontal bed is to be found,) we are struck xvith the conviction, that 
whatever springs of water may be below, but in contact with the higher levels of 
this stratum, will, if egress through the stratum be afforded them, and they be 
1 Mr. Partington gives the credit of the discovery to Benjamin Vulliamy, Esq. 
of Norlands. 
