[35] Vide post, chap. xv.
Accumulation is a circumstance of no account in Political Economy.
Let the satisfaction be immediate or delayed, let it be adjourned or follow instantly on the effort,—in what respect does this change the nature of things?
I choose to make a sacrifice to enjoy the pleasure of hearing a fine voice. I go to the theatre, and pay for my entertainment—the satisfaction is immediate. I devote my money to the purchase of a basket of strawberries, and I can delay my satisfaction till to-morrow—that is all.
It may be said that the strawberries constitute wealth, because I can exchange them. True. Whilst the effort has been made and the satisfaction is delayed, wealth subsists. It is satisfaction which destroys wealth. When the strawberries been eaten the satisfaction will be on a level with that which I derived from hearing Alboni.
Service received—service rendered—this is political economy.—(Note from MSS. left by the Author.)
[36] What follows was intended by the author to form part of this chapter.
[37] These are the words by which Roman lawyers designated what they termed innominate contracts, as distinguished from contracts with known names, as purchase and sale, letting, hiring, borrowing, lending, etc.—Translator.
[38] Traité d’Économie Politique, p. 1.
VI. WEALTH