PREFACE.

Xvi

than lowered his standing in general estimation.
 The

“ omne ignotum pro magnifico”
is not without its exemplifications in the field of
science, and the reputation of an author for profundity
 issometimes enhanced byanintermixture
of the unintelligible, many readers tacitly ascribing
 unusual sagacity to one, who is able to
understand what is incomprehensible to themselves
 ; while a lucid arrangement of ideas, a
manifest dependence of arguments, and a perspicuity
 of language, such as mark a complete mastery
 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. Ricardo’s
 writings, has sometimes been attributed

to his style, and sometimes to his ambition of
paradox. But if by style we are to under-