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Show 46~ ON THE IMMEDIATE CAUSES [CH. VII. foreign co1nn1odities is at present beyond con1- parison greater than it 'vould have been if we had not in1ported then1. We must evidently therefore estitnate the advantage which we derive frotn such a trade upon a very different principle. This is the sinlple and obvious one often ad vetted to as the foundation of every act of barter, whether foreign or clon1cstic, · nan1ely, the increased value which results fron1 exchanging· \Vhat is wanted less for what is '¥anted 1nore. After we had, by our exports of hotne coinmodi~ ies, obtained in return all the foreign articles above-mentioned, we n1ight be very rnuch puzzled to say whether w·e had increased or decreased the quantity of our commodities, but 've should feel quite certain that the new distribution of produce which had taken place, by giving us comn1odities tnuch better suited to our vvants and tastes than those which had been sent away, had decidedly increased the exchangeable value of our possessions, our 1neans of enjoyment, and our wealth. Taking therefore a _ very different vievv of the effects of foreign commerce on exchangeable value fron1 lVIr. Ricarqo, I shotild bring forvvards the extension of markets as being, in its general tendency, pre-eminently favourable to that increase of value and wealth which arises from distribution. SEC. I X·] 0 F T II E PROGRESS 0 F 'V EA LT li. 463 SECTlON IX. Of tile Distribution occasioned b,y unproductive Consumers, considered as the Means of increasing the exchangeable Value of the whole Prodace. The third mai.n cause which tends to keep up and increase the value of pro~luce by favouring its distribution is ihe e111ployn1ent of unproductive labour, or the maintenance of an adeq nate proportion of un productive consu1ners. It has been already sbe,vn that, under a rapid acctunulation of capital, or, more properly speaking, a rapid conversion of unproductive into productive labour, the demand, con1parcd with the supply of material products, would pren1aturely fail, and the n1otive · to further accun1ulation he checked, before it was checked by the exhaustion of the land. It foilows that, without supposing the productive classes to consume n1uch n1ore than they are found to dp by experience, particularly urhen they are rapidly saving fron1 revenue to add to their capitals, it is absolutely necessary that a country with great po,vers of production should possess a body of unproductive consun1ers. In the fertility of the soil, in the powers of n1an to apply mac.hinery as a substitute for labour, and in the tnotives to exertion under a systen1 of private property,.. the great la\VS of nature have provided for the leisure of a certain portion of society; and |
