gence, and in mutual goodwill. There is no agitation any where, save that of OPINION, which of itself strongly denotes that the natural wants of man are tolerably satisfied. Amidst all this, it is pleasing to think our own country keeps the foremost place. One of the noblest indications of moral and intellectual worth, is the love of justice and humanity, and of this we are about to afford a splendid example. It has long been the boast of the Christian over the heathen world, that it was the first to establish asylums for indigence and misfortune. The second, and not less brilliant triumph of modern over Greek and Roman civilization, will be the extinction of slavery, by the emancipation of the African race. I am, My dear Sir, London, June 12, 1833. Truly yours, J. WADE. CONTENTS. Classes of Society after the Conquest-Traffic in Slaves- Beneficial Influence of Christianity -Increase of Towns and Progress of Manufactures-Corporate Immunities-Effects of a Pestilence on Condition of Labouring Classes-Statute of Labourers-Absurd Legislation -Vast Possessions of the Nobility-A taste for Luxury and the Arts generated- Origin of the Poor-Influence of Personal Freedom on Indi- gence -Vagabondage and Mendicity-Licensing of Beg- gars-Treatment of the Poor in the Netherlands-The Monopolies-Absence of Police, and Dreadful Disorders- CHAP. VI. 44 Act of the 43d of Elizabeth-Provisions of the English Poor- CHAP. VII. ' 54 Chronological Digest of Facts relative to the Industrious Orders, from the Introduction of the Poor-laws to the 1 present time - 64 PART II. POLITICAL ECONOMY OF THE INDUS- CHAP. I. LABOUR. Subject Defined-Different kinds and Progress of Industry- CHAP. II. DIVISION OF EMPLOYMENTS. 115 Division of Labour-It saves Time-Improves Skill and Dex- 122 Origin of Money-Inconveniences of Barter-Advantages of Gold and Silver as Instruments of Exchange-Effects Origin of Paper Money-Commercial Paper, and its Uses- Distinction between Paper and Coin-Absence of intrinsic Value in Paper, cause of its over-issue-Proper Functions of Bankers, and Defects in our Monetary System-Money ought only to be issued under the Control and Guarantee of the State-Profit on the issue of Money belongs to the Public, not Individuals—Distinction between a Depreciated and Excessive issue of Paper-Proportion of Bills of Ex- change and Bank-notes in circulation-Causes of the Mer- cantile Crisis of 1824-5---Advantages of a Sovereign over CAPITAL AND THE MIDDLE CLASSES. Capital and its productive Power-How it tends to economize, abridge, and augment the Efficiency of Industry-Conflict- ing Claims of Capital and Labour-Utility of the Middle Classes, of Bankers, Merchants, Wholesale Dealers, and Retailers---Advantages of Middlemen in equalizing Prices and the Supply of Commodities---Claims of Labour to share in the Profits of Capital---Classification of Society into Productive and Unproductive Consumers---Luxuries stimulate Industry---Utility of Authors, Actors, and Domes- tic Servants---All classes co-operate for the general good--- Similarity of Wages and Profits---Circumstances influencing Remuneration of Employments-Agreeableness or Dis- agreeableness of Trades---Trades requiring long Appren ticeships or High Premiums---High Profits of Chemists and Apothecaries, more properly Wages---Profits of Country with Chance of Success in Employments---Gains of Literary CHAP. VII. WAGES OF LABOUR. 184 Reduction of Wages increases Supply of Labour---Effects CHAP. VIII. CAUSES OF HIGH WAGES. 205 Effect on Wages of an Increase in the Incomes of Individuals CHAP. IX. GENERAL CONCLUSIONS ON WAGES. 226 Wages can only be settled by Competition of Workmen--- 236 |