OF VALUE.

101

But in relation to what object is it wished to
ineasure the value of A and its fluctuations?
We cannot speak of value, as I have before
shown, without meaning value in something,
and as only A and the standard commodity
which may be called B are here in question,
the value of A must mean its value in B. It is
wished therefore to measure the relation between
A and B at two different periods by B, which if
it has any signification must imply, that it is
wished to ascertain the value of a and B rela-
tively to each other at two different periods.
These are historical facts, and when we have
learned them as we learn other facts, we
shall certainly know the fluctuations which
the relation between A and B has undergone ;
but B is, in this procedure, by no means a mea-
sure of value, ora medium of comparison, any
more than A. In a word, turn the matter as
we please, we shall find that we can have no
measure of value but in the sense already ex
plained.

From this examination it appears, that a