The Economic Interpretation of History, Vol. 1 of 2 (Classic Reprint)

PREFACE. THE lectures containeu in this volume were deliverecl in the hall of the author's College ("Worcester, Oxford) in his capacity as lecturer ill Political Ecollomy to that Society. They were open to all members of the university, and were very numerously attended. I mention this, because, being printed as they were read, the fact may explain or excuse the various local allusiolls which they COlltain, and the occasional repetitions of statement which will be found in them. The business of a lecturer is to teach as best he can. I should be the last person to deny that there are economical generalities which are as universal in their application as they are true. Such, for example, are those which affirm that the individual has an inalienable right to layout his money, or the produce of his labour to the best advantage, and that any interference with that right is an abuse of power, for which no valid excuse whatever hus been, or can be, alleged. In other words, t

Table of Contents

CONTENTS; I; PAOE; 'InE ECONOMIOAL SIDE OF mSTORY • 1; 11; LEGISLATION ON LABOUR AND ITS EFFEOTS 23; III; THE CULTIVATION OF LAND BY OWNERS A~D OCCUPIERS a • 46; IV; THE SOCl!L EFFECT OF RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS , • 0 60; V; DIPLOMACY AND TRADE • • 't • 92; VI; THE CHARACTER OF EARLY TA'UTION s 115; VII; TUE DISTRmUTION OF WEALTH IN ENGLAND AT DIFFERENT; EPOCHS • 138 THE IIISTORY OF AGRICULTURAL RENTS IN ENGLAND • IGO; IX; METALLIO OURTIENOIES • • 183; X; PAPER OURRENCIES 0 • t 205; XI; THE ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF ENGLISH PAUrERISZlI 227

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