PREFACE.

consequently have not as yet been brought within the
domain nor obtained the authorization of Science *
The purpose of this book is to commence the arrangement
 of the subjects belonging to this division of knowledge
 as a part of General Science. Before doing so,
however, we will, as an Introduction, briefly, but carefully
 examine the ground now occupied by ¢Political
Economy’ in respect to the questions already indicated,
and to the nature of the fallacies which, as we opine,
have vitiated and rendered, in a great measure, abortive,
the endeavours hitherto made to scientifically arrange
the subjects.

* To this statement of the existing state of the case, as an admission on
vhe part of economists, we should notice an apparent exception of an imoortant
 character, in the case of Prof. Cairnes. That eminent writer on
the subject claims that political economy, as now taught in England, includes
 a distinct division of knowledge scientifically arranged, ¢.¢., includes
a science. He opines that this science was fundamentally arranged by Adam
Smith, was substantially accepted by Ricardo, Mills, himself (Cairnes), and
others; and that each of these teachers has devoted himself to the pro
gressive improvement of Adam Smith's system. As we purpose to subject
this opinion of Prof. Cairnes to particular eszamination, it will suffice
here to say that we do not consider such claim can be upheld but that the
objections, collectively, of those writers who are supposed to approve the
system, to parts of it, are of such a kind as to show that it possesses no
such basis and coherence as to entitle it to he considered a nart of Science.

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