PREFACE. 
Xvi 
than lowered his standing in general estima- 
tion. The 
“ omne ignotum pro magnifico” 
is not without its exemplifications in the field of 
science, and the reputation of an author for pro- 
fundity issometimes enhanced byanintermixture 
of the unintelligible, many readers tacitly as- 
cribing unusual sagacity to one, who is able to 
understand what is incomprehensible to them- 
selves ; while a lucid arrangement of ideas, a 
manifest dependence of arguments, and a perspi- 
cuity of language, such as mark a complete mas- 
tery of the subject, appear too easy and natural 
to infuse the slightest suspicion of the depth and 
vigour of intellect from which they proceed, 
and of which they are the surest indications. 
The occasional obscurity, which clouds Mr. Ri- 
cardo’s writings, has sometimes been attributed 
to his style, and sometimes to his ambition of 
paradox. But if by style we are to under-