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It is the natural effect of improvement, however, to diminish

gradually the real price of almost all manufactures. That of the

manufacturing workmanship diminishes, perhaps, in all of them

without exception. In consequence of better machinery, of greater

dexterity, and of a more proper division and distribution of

work, all of which are the natural effects of improvement, a much

smaller quantity of labour becomes requisite for executing any

particular piece of work; and though, in consequence of the

flourishing circumstances of the society, the real price of

labour should rise very considerably, yet the great diminution of

the quantity will generally much more than compensate the

greatest rise which can happen in the price.