the use of terms, the distinction of ideas, the logical dependence of arguments, rather than questions of fact or evidence, and that its character will be essentially critical, and even polemic." But, although it may be true perhaps that this science "cannot yet be exhibited as a regular and perfect structure,” and although in its present state the mere removal of "the rubbish" would be a service of no mean importance, still it is hoped that something more than this is accomplished in the following performance. Political Economy has been hitherto designated as the science which treats of the production and distribution of wealth, and it has been totally overlooked that this includes the demonstration of the right to wealth. It is here therefore, for the first time, treated as an investigation concerning the right to wealth, (or property ;) and this innovation, while it gives a more important and a more definite object to the science, presents it under a new and totally different aspect from that in which it has hitherto appeared, and causes it to assume an entirely new shape. Whether this be an improvement, or the contrary, it will be for the readers, and for those impartial persons who are acquainted with the subject, to decide. ROSLIN, October, 1829. To obviate an objection that may be taken to our Title, and to the way in which the word Natural is used in it, I adduce the following explanation of the meaning of that word, whence the sense will appear in which it is here employed : "NATURAL may be opposed either to what is unusual, miraculous, or artificial. In the two former senses, justice and property are undoubtedly natural."-Hume; Inquiry concerning the Principles of Morals, Appendix 3,-note. "If self-love, if benevolence be natural to man; if reason and forethought be also natural; then may the epithet be applied to justice, order, fidelity, property, society. Men's inclination, their necessities, lead them to combine; their understanding and experience tell them that this combination is impossible, where each governs himself by no rule, and pays no regard to the possessions of others: and from these passions and reflections conjoined, as soon as we observe like passions and reflections in others, the sentiment of justice, throughout all ages, has infallibly and certainly had place, to some degree or other, in every individual of the human species. In so sagacious an animal, what necessarily arises from the exertion of his intellectual faculties, may justly be esteemed natural."-Hume; Inquiry concerning the Principles of Morals, Appendix 3. A sense of justice and property is found, as will be shown in the following work, even among savages; and shall we deny that to be natural to man which "has infallibly and certainly had place" in his bosom, and influenced his conduct " throughout all ages ?" CONTENTS. Page ON THE NATURAL GROUNDS OF RIGHT TO VENDIBLE PROPERTY OR WEALTH, AS ARISING FROM THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS PRODUCED OR ACQUIRED ORIGINALLY, AND FROM THE CONDI- SECT. I. That the only Persons entitled to exemption from Labour, are the Proprietors of Land and the Proprietors of Capital,.....42 II. Of the Manner in which Capital improves the Condition of SECT. I. Capital defined-Its potent Agency in Production-Distinc- tion of fixed and circulating Capitals-The Acquisition or Existence of both those Sorts of Capitals, or of Capital in general, a Condition necessary to the Existence or Attain- II. Of the Mode in which the Division of Labour produces its Ef- fect of assisting and improving the Powers of Production,...71 III. That the Acquisition or Existence of Capital is a Condition ne- cessary to the Establishment or Existence of the Division of IV. Conclusion of the Chapter.-That all Wealth is not produced by Labour alone, but by Labour and Capital together,......83 The Three original Grounds of Right to Property traced to their Founda- ON THE CAUSES WHICH, UNDER THE SYSTEM OF THE DIVISION OF LA- BOUR, NATURALLY REGULATE THE DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH, AND WHICH UNDER GOOD GOVERNMENT NECESSARILY DETERMINE THE EXACT SHARE THAT EVERY DIFFERENT INDIVIDUAL IS ENTITLED TO CONSUME, OR TO POSSESS AND COMMAND, IN STRICT ACCORD- General Exposition of the Causes which naturally regulate the Distribu- tion of Wealth under the System of the Division of Labour, and of SECT. I.-Demonstration of the Principle which naturally regulates the Distribution of Wealth under the System of the Division H.-General Statement of the Effects in regard to Distribution, |