tage. To
supply the same demand for labour, the necessary price of production
must be paid, and they must be able to command the same quantities of
the necessaries of life, whether they are high or low in price. [17]
But if they are able to command the same quantity of necessaries, and
receive a money price for their labour, proportioned to their advanced
price, there is no doubt that, with regard to all the objects of
convenience and comfort, which do not rise in proportion to corn [and
there are many such consumed by the poor], their condition will be most
decidedly improved.

The reader will observe in what manner I have guarded the proposition. I
am well aware, and indeed have myself stated in another place, that the
price of provisions often rises, without a proportionate rise of labour:
but this cannot possibly happen for any length of time, if the demand
for labour continues increasing at the same rate, and the habits of
the labourer are not altered, either with regard to prudence, or the
quantity of work which he is disposed to perform.

The peculiar evil to be apprehended is, that the high money price of
labour may diminish the demand for it; and that it has this tendency
will be readily allowed, particularly as it tends to increase the prices
of exportable commodities. But repeated experience has shown us
that such tendencies are continually counterbalanced, and more than
counterbalanced by other circumstances. And we have witnessed, in our
own country, a greater and more rapid extension of foreign commerce,
than perhaps was ever known, under the apparent disadvantage of a very
great increase in the price of corn and labour, compared with the prices
of surrounding countries.

On the other hand, instances everywhere abound of a very low money price
of labour, totally failing to produce an increasing demand for it. And
among the labouring classes of different countries, none certainly are
so wretched as those, where the demand for labour, and the population
are stationary, and yet the prices of provisions extremely low, compared
with manufactures and foreign commodities. However low they may be,
it is certain, that under such circumstances, no more will fall to the
share of the labourer than is necessary just to maintain the actual
population; and his condition will be depressed, not only by the
stationary demand for labour, but by the additional evil of being able
to command but a small portion of manufactur