“Then writer and readers must be contented with little narrative; contented to know what passes within us, since so little happens to us. Would there be nothing to instruct and gratify in pictures of our position, in revelations of our hearts, and records of our conversations?” “Let us comfort ourselves, Letitia, with deciding that it must be the fault of the recorder if there were not.” -------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ _Summary of Principles illustrated in this volume._ The produce of labour and capital, after rent has been paid, is divided between the labourer and the capitalist, under the names of Wages and Profits. Where there are two shares, each determines the other, provided they press equally upon one another. The increase of the supply of labour, claiming reward, makes the pressure in the present case unequal, and renders wages the regulator of profits. The restriction of the supply of food causes the fall of both profits and wages. The increased expense of raising food enhances its price: labour, both agricultural and manufacturing, becomes dearer, (without advantage to the labourer:) this rise of wages causes profits to fall; and this fall brings after it a reduction of the labourer’s share, or a fall of wages. The fall of profits and wages is thus referrible to the same cause which raises rent;—to an inequality in the fertility of soils. It is supposed by some that these tendencies to the fall of wages and profits may be counteracted by abolishing the distinctions of shares, and casting the whole produce of land, capital, and labour, into a common stock. But this is a fallacy. For, whatever may be the saving effected by an extensive partnership, such partnership does not affect the natural laws by which population increases faster than capital. The diminution of the returns to capital must occasion poverty to a multiplying society, whether those returns are appropriated by individuals under the competitive system, or equally distributed among the members of a co-operative community. The same checks to the deterioration of the resources of society are necessary under each system. These are, (in addition to the agricultural improvements continually taking place,)— 1. The due limitation of the number of consumers. 2. The lightening of the public burdens, which at present abstract a large proportion of profits and wages. 3. A liberal commercial system which shall obviate the necessity of bringing poor soils into cultivation. London: Printed by W. CLOWES, Stamford-street. FRENCH WINES AND POLITICS. =A Tale.= BY HARRIET MARTINEAU. --------------