Page 691 of 2651

The consideration of these circumstances may, perhaps, in some

measure explain to us why, in those ancient times, the real price

of the coarse manufacture was, in proportion to that of the fine,

so much lower than in the present times.

Conclusion of the Chapter.

I shall conclude this very long chapter with observing, that

every improvement in the circumstances of the society tends,

either directly or indirectly, to raise the real rent of land to

increase the real wealth of the landlord, his power of purchasing

the labour, or the produce of the labour of other people.

The extension of improvement and cultivation tends to raise it

directly. The landlord's share of the produce necessarily

increases with the increase of the produce.