PREFACE. 
Kit 
of truth. Strong powers of mind he un- 
questionably possessed; otherwise, he could 
neither have produced the works which have 
associated his name with the political measures 
of the age, nor could he have inspired those 
sentiments of admiration and deference, which 
have been so warmly manifested by men, them- 
selves of no common talents. It is probable, 
however, that the excess of their admiration 
has blinded them to his defects; that they have 
been too much occupied with the excellence of 
his speculations to note the errors by which 
they are disfigured. It would be difficult, on 
any other supposition, to account for the ex- 
travagant praises which have been heaped on 
his Principles of Political Economy and Tax- 
ation. One of our most distinguished living 
economists designates it as a “ work rivalling 
the ¢ Wealth of Nations’ in importance, and 
excelling it in profoundness and originality *.” 
* A Disc. on Pol. Econ., by J. R. M:Culloch, Esq., p. 65.