XLV

PREFACE.

The powers of mind,” says the same writer,
“ displayed in these investigations — the dexterity
 with which the most abstruse and difficult
 questions are unravelled — the unerring sagacity
 with which the operation of general and
fixed principles is investigated — the skill with
which they are separated and disentangled
from such as are of a secondary and accidental
nature—and the penetration with which their
remotest consequences are perceived and estimated
 — have never been surpassed; and will
for ever secure the name of Ricardo a high
and conspicuous place in the list of those, who

have done most to unfold the complex mechanism
 of society, and to carry this science to
perfection.”

Conceding that Mr. Ricardo has displayed
considerable originality and power of intellect,
we may yet be permitted to doubt, whether this
splendid eulogium is not far beyond his real deserts.
 It is not easy to conceive by what process