84 ON COMPARING COMMODITIES

the same rate, or by a rise in the rate, that is in
the value of a definite portion of it, while the
quantity remains the same. It is only in the
latter event (which is the one I have supposed
to take place) that the value of the commodity
would in general continue the same in relation
to other commodities, for the precise reason already
 assigned, that all commodities would be
affected in equal proportions. It would be a
positive not a comparative rise in the value of
the producing labour of the commodity in question;
 while on the other hand, should the increase
 in the value have arisen from an augmentation
 in the quantity of labour, such increase
 would be probably, although not necessarily
 comparative.

As the misconception on the part of Mr.
Ricardo here noticed is a fundamental one, 1
make no apology for presenting the reader with
a further attempt to show it. The confusion
 in the proposition will be more apparent
by a little alteration in the language.
“ The value of a commodity A, or the quan-