There is I believe reason to differ from some of the views generally entertained by economists on the subjects of Population, Rent, Wages, Profit, and one or two other cognate terms. My reader will be able to judge whether I have succeeded in substantiating the conclusions at which I have arrived on those topics. The ordinary theory of Rent is not historically supported by the facts which it has assumed, and the theory of Population is closely connected with that of Rent. It is unnecessary that I should comment on the importance of exactly demonstrating all such social laws as the economist attempts to collect. Errors in such inferences are always more mischievous than any other fallacies; most mischievous when the social system of any country is in course of reconstruction, and at a time when the people whose institutions are being remodelled are slow to accept the rule of the great French economist, Tous les intérêts légitimes sont harmoniques. JAMES E. THOROLD ROGERS. OXFORD, March 11, 1868. dition has been revised throughout, a few have been made to the text, and an Index appended to the work. reason to congratulate myself on the fact work has been so favourably received, and ge edition has been rapidly exhausted. I do n this result so much to the merits of this me, as I do to the fact, that the study of Economy is gradually being recognised as a element in liberal education, and as a master e right comprehension of History. CONTENTS. Error of believing that one man's gain is another's loss PAGE 45 Variation in the values of different articles at different periods No general rise or fall in values possible -Difference between value and price A common measure of value necessary Money the machinery of trade Variations in the relative value of gold and silver Inconveniences of a double currency Other conditions of a measure of value |