PRACTICAL PAPERS. 
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litical economy assumes as its basis in human nature, that men in 
their business relations are actuated by self-interest. Many ethic 
principles may be defended upon economic grounds, but the sci¬ 
ence of ethics and the science of economy are essentially distinct. 
The one treats of right and the other of gain. The basis of one 
is an enlightened sense of duty, the basis of the other is enlight¬ 
ened self-love. Hence follow the laws which govern production 
and consumption, demand and supply, value and price. Wants, 
efforts, aud satifactions then, make up the economic circle. Wants 
and desires are infinite in number and indefinite in degree. Some 
are primary aod vital; others spring into action, only when the 
more urgent are gratified. The simplest desire soon passes into a 
taste, and taste, if repeatedly gratified, is soon transformed into 
an actual want. Here, then, are the springs of wealth—the mov¬ 
ing impulse which has brought into being the myriad industries 
of the world, and which continues to increase, direct and ener¬ 
gize them. 
But it is a condition of our being, that neither the comforts nor 
even the necessaries of life shall be obtained without exertion. 
It is written, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.” 
Toil, too, is irksome. Man is said to be, and perhaps truthfully, 
a “lazy animal.” He aims to satisfy his wants to the utmost, with 
the least possible expenditure of effort to secure the greatest 
amount of what is desirable, at the sacrifice of the least that is 
undesirable ; in short to maximize pleasure and comfort, and mini¬ 
mize pain and discomfort, is the problem of economy. But men 
were not long in learning not only that the same needs and com¬ 
forts of life could be secured with less effort, but that infinitely 
more and better satisfactions could be obtained by exchanging 
services. This plain proposition, so early recognized to a limited 
extent, men seem to find it difficult to comprehend in detail, and 
seem disinclined to follow to its logical consequences. In it is 
involved the whole question of the Division of Labor and the Dis¬ 
tribution of its fruits. Its observance marks the beginning and 
the progress of civilized life, and in proportion as individuals and 
nations give it full and practical recognition, do they grow in 
wealth, comfort, and general prosperity. Every man has apti¬ 
tudes and inclinations natural or acquired, which lead him into 
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