The end I hope to attain, I may briefly state to be this. I think that all who take an interest in political and social questions, must desire to possess some knowledge of Political Economy. Mr. Mill's treatise is so complete and so exhaustive, that many are afraid to encounter the labour and thought which are requisite to master it; perhaps, therefore, these may be induced to read an easier and much shorter work. I so well remember the great advantage which I derived from reading Mr. Mill's book, that I would not publish my own work if I thought that it would withdraw students from the perusal of a more complete treatise. I am, however, convinced that those who become acquainted with the first principles of Political Economy, will be so much struck with the attractiveness and importance of the science, that they will not relinquish its study.
I have not attempted to discuss all the principles of Political Economy in full detail; but I believe no important branch of the subject has been omitted; and I, therefore, think that the principles which are explained in the present work will enable the reader to obtain a tolerably complete view of the whole science. In order to show how intimately Political Economy is connected with the practical questions of life, I have devoted a separate chapter to some subjects of great present interest; such, for instance, as Cooperative Societies—Strikes and Trades'-Unions—and The Effects of the Gold Discoveries. For the convenience of the ordinary reader, and especially for those who may use the book to prepare themselves for examinations, I have prefixed a very detailed summary of Contents, which may be regarded as an analysis of the work.
