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THREE LECTURES

ON THE

TRANSMISSION OF THE PRECIOUS METALS
FROM COUNTRY TO COUNTRY,

AND THE

MERCANTILE THEORY OF WEALTH,

DELIVERED BEFORE THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
IN JUNE, 1827.

BY

NASSAU WILLIAM SENIOR,

LATE FELLOW OF MAGDALEN COLLEGE, A.M., PROFESSOR

OF POLITICAL ECONOMY.

"He shewed me a very excellent argument to prove that our importing less
than we export do not impoverish the kingdom, which, though it be a paradox, and
that I do not remember the argument, yet methought there was a great deal in what
he said."-PEPYS's Memoirs, vol. i. p, 284.

THE SECOND EDITION.

LONDON:

JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.

MDCCCXXX.

LONDON:

Printed by WILLIAM CLOWES,

Stamford-street.

1.1.1908.477 Harding, 262

332 Sest

ADVERTISEMENT.

THE Statute by which the Professorship of Political Economy is founded, requires the Professor to publish a Lecture every year. In compliance with this requisition I have selected from the course delivered in June, 1827, the portion which appeared to me least unfit for separate publication. As a fragment, it is necessarily imperfect. My apology for presenting it to the Public is the necessity imposed on me by the Statute.

N. W. SENIOR.

MAGDALEN COLLEGE,

March 20, 1828.

56710

LECTURE I.

TRANSMISSION OF THE PRECIOUS METALS FROM COUNTRY TO COUNTRY.

I PROPOSE, in the present Lecture, to consider the effect of the actual transmission of the precious metals from one country to another. An inquiry peculiarly interesting at present, as it leads to conclusions decisive of the controversy now eagerly maintained on Free Trade. The argument runs generally in the following form.

The advocate of freedom dwells on the benefit of making full use of our own peculiar advantages of situation, wealth, and skill, and availing ourselves to the utmost of those possessed by our neighbours. He asks whether we should

B

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