_X_. If you please. Supposing Mr. Malthus' theory to be good, it shall be impossible for anything whatsoever at any time to vary in value. For how shall it vary? Because the _quantity_ of producing labor varies? But _that_ is the very principle which he is writing to overthrow. Shall it vary, then, because the _value_ of the producing labor varies? But _that_ is impossible on the system of Mr. Malthus; for, according to this system, the value of labor is invariable. _Phil_. Stop! I've thought of a dodge. The thing shall vary because the _quantity_ of labor commanded shall vary. _X_. But how shall _that_ vary? A can never command a greater quantity of labor, or of anything which is presumed to be of invariable value, until A itself be of a higher value. To command an altered quantity of labor, which (_on any theory_) must be the _consequence_ of altered value, can never be the _cause_ of altered value. No alterations of labor, therefore, whether as to quantity or value, shall ever account for the altered value of A; for, according to Mr. Malthus, they are either insufficient on the one hand, or impossible on the other. _Phil_. Grant this, yet value may still vary; for suppose labor to be invariable, still profits may vary. _X_. So that, if A rise, it will irresistibly argue profits to have risen? _Phil_. It will; because no other element _can_ have risen. _X_. But now column eight assigns the value of a uniform quantity of corn--namely, one hundred quarters. In case Alpha, one hundred quarters are worth 8.33. What are one hundred quarters worth in the case Iota? _Phil_. They are worth ten. _X_. And _that_ is clearly more. Now, if A have risen, by your own admission I am entitled to infer that profits have risen: but what are profits in the case Iota? _Phil_. By column four they are twenty per cent. _X_. And what in the case Alpha? _Phil_. By column four, twenty-five per cent. _X_. Then profits have fallen in the case Iota, but, because _L_ has risen in case Iota from 8.33 to ten, it is an irresistible inference, on your theory, that profits ought to have risen. _Phæd. (Laughing)_. Philebus, this is a sharp practice; go on, X., and skirmish with him a little more in this voltigeur style.