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Show yj CONTENTS. PAGE Production with the Means of Distribution, in order to ensure a continued Increase of Wealth . . .. . . . . 413 SEcT. VII.-Of the Distribution occasioned by the Division of landed Property, considered as the Means of increasing the exchangeable Value of the whole Produce . . . . 427 SECT. VIII.-Of the Distribution occasioned by Commerce, internal and external, considered as the Means of increas-ing the exchangeable Value of Produce . · . . . . . 440 SECT. IX.-Of the Distribution occasioned by unproductive Consumers, considered as the Means of increasing the exchangeable Value of the whole Produce . . . . . . 463 SEcT. X.-Application of some of the preceding Principles to the Distresse~ of the Labouring Classes since 1815, with General Observations . . . . . . . . . . . . 490 SuMMARY . 523 INDEX • 593 r . .. > t>·RtNCIPLES POLITICAL ECONOMY. INTRODUCTION. IT has been said, and perhaps ,vith truth, that the conclusions of Political Economy partake more of the certainty of the stricter sciences than those of most of the other branches of human knowledge. Yet we should fall into a serious error if we 'vere to suppose that any propositions, the prac• tical results of 'vhich depend upon the agency of so variable a being as man, and the qualities of so variable a con1pound as the soil, can ever adn1it of the same kinds of proof, or lead to the satne certain conclusions, as those which relate to figure and number. There are indeed in political econonly great general principles, to \Vhich exceptions are of the 1nost rare occurrence, and prominent land-marks which n1ay aln1ost always be depended upqn as safe guides; but even these, 'vhen exan1ined, "\\rill be found to resemble in 1nost particulars the great general rules in tnorals and poli- B |