9192

ON THE CAUSES
given to labour of different qualities does not
originally affect the value of commodities, but
that when the influence of this cause is once
adjusted, it subsequently occasions no variation
in value. In the body of the section, however,
he softens this expression into “ inconsiderable
variation.” ‘“ We may fairly conclude,” says
he, “ that whatever inequality there might ori-
ginally have been in them, whatever the in-
genuity, skill, or time necessary for the ac-
quirement of one species of manual dexterity
more than another, it continues nearly the same
from one generation to another ; or at least that
the variation is very inconsiderable from year
to year, and therefore can have little effect for
short periods, on the relative value of commo-
dities.”
It is, however, a mere assumption, that “the
scale, when once formed, is liable to little va-
riation ;” nor, if this could be established, would
it furnish any aid to the doctrine which we
have at present under consideration. If the dif-
ferences of skill in different employments are so