After
this he has five francs left. He does not throw them into the river, but
(and this is _what is not seen_) he gives them to some tradesman in
exchange for some enjoyment; to a bookseller, for instance, for
Bossuet's "Discourse on Universal History."
Thus, as far as national labour is concerned, it is encouraged to the
amount of fifteen francs, viz.:--ten francs for the Paris article, five
francs to the bookselling trade.
As to James B., he obtains for his fifteen francs two gratifications,
viz.:--
1st. A hundred-weight of iron.
2nd. A book.
The decree is put in force. How does it affect the condition of James
B.? How does it affect the national labour?
James B. pays every centime of his five francs to M. Prohibant, and
therefore is deprived of the pleasure of a book, or of some other thing
of equal value. He loses five francs. This must be admitted; it cannot
fail to be admitted, that when the restriction raises the price of
things, the consumer loses the difference.
But, then, it is said, _national labour_ is the gainer.
No, it is not the gainer; for since the Act, it is no more encouraged
than it was before, to the amount of fifteen francs.
The only thing is that, since the Act, the fifteen francs of James B. go
to the metal trade, while before it was put in force, they were divided
between the milliner and the bookseller.
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