l economy altogether, and
have passed over other parts very briefly. Thus the larger portion of my
space has been reserved for such subjects as Production, Division of
Labour, Capital and Labour, Trades-Unions, and Commercial Crises, which
are most likely to be interesting and useful to readers of this Primer.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE,
GOWER STREET, LONDON, W.C.
_31st January, 1878_.

SCIENCE PRIMERS.

_POLITICAL ECONOMY_.

CHAPTER I.--INTRODUCTION.

#1. What is Political Economy?# Political Economy treats of #the wealth
of nations#; it inquires into the causes which make one nation more rich
and prosperous than another. It aims at teaching what should be done in
order that poor people may be as few as possible, and that everybody
may, as a general rule, be well paid for his work. Other sciences, no
doubt, assist us in reaching the same end. The science of mechanics
shows how to obtain force, and how to use it in working machines.
Chemistry teaches how useful substances may be produced--how beautiful
dyes and odours and oils, for instance, may be extracted from the
disagreeable refuse of the gasworks. Astronomy is necessary for the
navigation of the oceans. Geology guides in the search for coal and
metals.

Various social sciences, also, are needed to promote the welfare of
mankind. Jurisprudence treats of the legal rights of persons, and how
they may be best defined and secured by just laws. Political Philosophy
inquires into the different forms of government and their relative
advantages. Sanitary Science ascertains the causes of disease. The
science of Statistics collects all manner of facts relating to the state
or community. All these sciences are useful in showing how we may be
made more healthy, wealthy, and wise.

But #Political Economy# is distinct from all these other sciences, and
treats of #wealth# itself; it inquires what wealth is; how we can best
consume it when we have got it; and how we may take advantage of the
other sciences to get it. People are fond of finding fault with
political economy, because #it treats only of wealth#; they say that
there are many better things than wealth, such as virtue, affection,
generosity. They would have us study these good qualities rather than
mere wealth. A man may grow rich by making hard bargains, and saving up
his money like a miser. Now as this is not nearly so good as if he were
to spend his wealth for the benefit of his relatives, friends,