OF VALUE. 
35 
from speaking of value as a sort of general 
and independent property; and I cannot too 
strongly recommend the student of political 
€conomy never to let the word value pass be- 
fore him without putting the question, * value 
in what?” or, “in relation to what?” The value 
of a commodity must be its value in something, 
and whenever the term is used with any defi- 
hite meaning, that something may be assigned. 
If it cannot be assigned, the reader may rest 
assured that the author, whoever he be, is 
writing without any determinate ideas. - Who- 
ever resolutely applies this rule in reading our 
€conomical writers, will be surprised and pleased 
at the light which it will pour over their pages. 
The most difficult and obscure passages will 
frequently brighten into perspicuity, and the 
Sum of their truth as well as of their error will 
stand apparent. The brilliant paradox, the in- 
genious fallacy, the seemingly profound ob- 
Servation, will separate into two distinct parts, 
one exhibiting the gaudy fragments of sophis- 
try and delusion, the other the simple truth,