On the Constant Connection , $*c. 
[Oct. 
306 
, w that of tomorrow ; each accession of knowledge widening the field of produc- 
*° h J each facility in production, leading to different sent, meats, with regard 
T what is essential to existence ; it cannot, therefore, be supposed that a peifect 
towhat ise.se ded on the bas i s 0 f the esteem in which men hold 
standard ot j* f h nece85a ries of life, can possibly exist : for tins implies 
any given (\n&nmy o is su aic»ent for the support of 
“ "TiTin S 0 CiTi "nd it implies that a fixed quantity of fond shall 
H ° r ^ffice fortheir wants, both directly and indirectly; and under the 
always suffi exist ence of this unanimity of opinion, as it could only 
supposition of^ th e ^ fuH force> for the short intervals which may be sup- 
bC Vtn occur between the fullest enrichment, consequent on the last im- 
posed t0 r1 „„ tivp knowledge, and the introduction of other improved pro- 
! n &’ } t o a standard whereby to estimate positive value ; a standard liable to 
indeed, t0 ^ f dn< change of manners, and with every change in the means of 
alteration with evei> c g h the principle upon which such a stan- 
obt r m V£Tm ,cd »ndU may be ^u re d‘.h»« of value abstracted from the 
dard must be tom , * ts we can have no knowledge whatever, and 
feelings and UP 11 "^ 3 . exten t of error, and misconception regarding man and 
we lay ourselves open, when we attempt to elucidate tic 
hls w'eaUh to tthmfi we y s ( h , he #id of a standard formed on the 
progress of production a , . ® or indeed any other principles than 
relations of products among . trU8 ’ t a i so , that, through the means of the 
those which have been P° l ”*® ive * value vv ( |ich j h ave endeavoured to indicate, 
approach to a standaic I explained, and that it has been shewn on some- 
this apparent paradox < hannens that all increases of wrought as well as 
what intelhgib e gioun s permanently within the reach of society, should 
unwrought wealth, when - fc , ^ n j t i, at too, in a degree bearing some 
likewise be possessed ot >ncieawd value ^ antiun wh f ch the quantity is 
proportion to thew quanti ^ ^ immediate reduction of value in each of the 
individual products 0 f 1 u C lT disc u ss7o n P shoul d have become necessary, as one 
It appears strange t c vve altli of that in which alone appreciable value can 
to prove, that ever) l - increase of value ; but it is certain that Adam 
exist^mustbeauen d j in tbis matter unexplained, did lay themselves 
Smith, and , , Mr . Kicardo. If it cannot be proved that 
open to the by increasing V alue-if it be not shewn 
increasing wealth is ‘ ^ together, then it never can be admitted, as Adam 
that they must wax a ‘ , n be that the command enjoyed over the 
Smith takes for granted • * ntg 0 f life, is the same thing at different 
necessaries, conveniences, * rastauces of production, as the command of the 
times, and under di L c nrov ided these means of enjoyment. Now however, 
labour of the person. I an( j it j s hoped, removed, men may be 
that the objections have > * * e “ J tbeir sen ses ; and may be assured, that m 
sf isfi ed again command of wealth, they are ensunug to 
themse’ves an increased eoininando fral m ahso. ^ ^ 5tnJy 0 f highly improved 
I repeat, however, it must not A* 2tence of the principle I have been attempt- 
societies, it is at all necessai an i ncrea sed command of wealth should be 
ing to explain, tka y^,f n j' )ne _ that t he only ultimate consequence should ever, 
exhibited in any one dnectio < nnim iatiou alone, or the extension of the list of 
in practice, be the extension l b ■ amDUnt 0 f population, unaccompanied y 
necessaries alone amongst ^ • tbere i. s nothing I would more lorce upon 
an increase of value. On tl ^ f’ ,, reduction 0 ami increase, are subject to 
the mind, than that the pm 1 - 1 bv the operation of the thousand differ- 
constant modification, and counterac 101 , ) the op be actuated ; ami 
ent moral and political influences, by winch man^ ^ coont on the , mx ed 
that in no instance whatever, in J 1 ' 1 uenC ea, in such abstract discus- 
results pointed out as inevitable ultima *1 insta nce, an improvement 
sions as those in which I have ^ £ England ; so far from 
should occur in the production of wrought wares ■ m ^ dS^ 0 ’ bta ined would 
anticipating that the increased oi . nseQueu t reduction of the quanti y 
tend to a mere increase ot population, to ^Jo^^Sng men, and to a conse- 
of food, directly and indirectly, " e “ ?8 * r > ^ t0 support a man, 
quent increase of positive value m what seiveu 
i 
