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Show ·~Sf2 oN 'fHE IJ>Il\IEpiATE CAU~Es , Sf.~ . . [cH. YlJ. years, recurring not unfi·equcntly, arc serious spac~s ]n hun1an life. They an1ount to a crious su1n of happin s or misery, according as they ~re pro~perous or adverse, a~cl lea,~c ~l~e .country 111 a very <Efferent sta~tc at their term1nat1on. Ip prosperous tin1es the n1ercantile classes often realize fortun,es, \Vhich go far to\v-ards securino· then1 .against th.e future; but unfortunately tl)e wor~ 1ng cl.~sse~, thouo·h they sh~re in the o·eneral prosperity, do not ~1are so laro·ely as in the general adversity. They may suffer tothe greatest distress in a period of low wages, but cannot be adequately compensated by a period of high ""rages. .To thern fluctuations n1ust al \vays bring n1ore ev1l than good; and, with a vie\v to the happiness of the great n1ass of society, it should be our object, as far as possible, to n1aintain peace, and an equal?le expenditure. . , , . • I I I SUMMARY OF THE CONTENTS 'OF THE FOREGOING WORl • . . . . . . . INTRODUCTION. TnE science of political economy resembles 1norc the sciences of morals and politics than the science of Inathe- 1' AG J~ lnatics. • • • • , , " . . . . . , . . , . . I This conclusion) fol!nded on a view of the subjects about which political ~conomy is con,ver.sa1~tJ is further strengthened by the differences of opinion which have prevailed among those who have directed a great portion of their attention to this study. • • . , , .. . . . . . . 2 The Economists and Adam Smith differed on some important questionsin political economy, though they agreed on others still more important . . • . . . , . . ib . Among the most distinguished n1odern writers) diflerence of opinion continue to prevail on questions of great im-portance . • . . . . • . . . . . 3 The correct determination of these questions is of great practical consequence . . . . . . • · • . . , 4 An agreement mnong the .principal writers in I?olitical Economy is very desirable with a view to the authority of the science in it practical application . . . . . . . ib. In the pre cnt tate of the science, an endeavour to settle some jmportant yet controverted points 1nay be more use-ful than an attempt to fra1ne a new and complete treatise . 5 The principal cause of the differences of opinion amoug the scientific writers on political economy is a precipitate at-tempt to simplify and generalize • . . • . ib. |
