148 ON THE MEASURE OF VALUE

quantity, given for a definite portion of labour,
is sometimes larger and sometimes smaller, the
corn of which the aggregate is composed
varies accordingly in value in relation to the
labour for which it is given, and the labour
varies in value in relation to the corn.
From these remarks the reader will perceive,
that Mr. Malthus’s « Table illustrating the invariable
 value of labour,” absolutely proves
nothing. It exhibits merely the results of a few
simple operations in arithmetic, as a slight inspection
 of the annexed copy will show. Column
 1 contains the quantities of corn produced,
according to the varying fertility of the soil, by
the yearly labour of 10 men, which quantities
are assumed, and not deduced from other data.
The second column exhibits the quantities of
corn given yearly to each labourer, and these
quantities are also assumed, not deduced.
Column 3 contains the quantities of corn given
yearly to 10 men, obtained by multiplying the
quantities in column 2 by the number 10.
Column 4 shows the rate of profit, or how much