[385] 'Wherever two persons have the means of subsisting,' as he quaintly observes, 'a marriage invariably takes place' (_Political Economy_, p. 154). [386] _Political Economy_, p. 206. [387] _Political Economy_, p. 344. [388] _Ibid._ pp. 349-52. [389] See pamphlet on the rate of wages, pp. 178-204. [390] Tooke's _Thoughts and Details on the High and Low Prices of the last Thirty Years_ appeared in 1823 (second edition 1824). This was rewritten and embodied in the _History of Prices_, the first two volumes of which appeared in 1838. Four later volumes appeared in 1839, 1848, and 1857. [391] The popular view is given by Southey. The Radicals, he says in 1823, desire war because they expect it to lead to revolution. 'In this they are greatly deceived, for it would restore agricultural prosperity, and give a new spur to our manufactures' (_Selections from Southey's Letters_, iii. 382. See also _Life and Correspondence_, iv. 228, 386). CHAPTER VI ECONOMIC HERETICS I. THE MALTHUSIAN CONTROVERSY The Economic theory became triumphant. Expounded from new university chairs, summarised in text-books for schools, advocated in the press, and applied by an energetic party to some of the most important political discussions of the day, it claimed the adhesion of all enlightened persons. It enjoyed the prestige of a scientific doctrine, and the most popular retort seemed to be an involuntary concession of its claims. When opponents appealed from 'theorists' to practical men, the Utilitarians scornfully set them down as virtually appealing from reason to prejudice. No rival theory held the field. If Malthus and Ricardo differed, it was a difference between men who accepted the same first principles. They both professed to interpret Adam Smith as the true prophet, and represented different shades of opinion rather than diverging sects. There were, however, symptoms of opposition, which, at the time, might be set down as simple reluctance to listen to disagreeable truths. In reality, they were indications of a dissatisfaction which was to become of more importance and to lead in time to a more decided revolt. I must indicate some of them, though the expressions of dissent were so various and confused that it is not very easy to reduce them to order.