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Show S44 OF THE DISTINCTION, &c. [eft. VI. I have defined it, wealth and value, though certainly not always the same, 'vill appear to be very nearly connected; and in making an estimate of ,vealth, it must be allo\ved to be as grave an error to consider quantity without reference to value, as to consider value without referen~e to quantity~ ( 345 ) Cf-IAPTER VII. ON THE Il'vil\iEDJATE CAUSES OF THE PROGRESS OF WEALTH. SECTION I. Statement of the particular Oldect of lnquirg. THERE is scarcely any inquiry more curious, or, from its importance, more worthy of attention, than that which traces the causes which practically check the progress of wealth in different countries, and stop it, or make it proceed very slowly, 'vhile the po,ver of production retnains comparatively undiminished, or at least would furnish the means of a great and abundant increase of produce and population. In a forn1er vvork * I endeavoured to trace the causes \Vhich practically keep dovvn the population of a country to the level of its actual supplies. It is now my object to shew 'vhat are the causes which chiefly influence these supplies, or call the powers of production forth into the shape of increasing wealth. Among the primary and most important causes · which influence the \vealth of nations, must un- * Essay on the Principle of Population. |