DR. BRENTANO'S STUDIES ON LABOUR. an THE EDITOR OF THE
"SPECTATOR."] Sia,—Recovering from a long, serious illness, I have just read the article entitled "Dr. Brentano's Studies on Labour," in the Spectator of August 16th. With regard to the first and more general part of the article, I have nothing to remark. It is true that this part, too, is not without inaccuracies, but they seem to me of little importance, and very excusable for a non- German writer. On the whole, the writer of the articles shows in that part a considerable, and with Englishmen very rare, acquaintance with German economic writings, in which I can only rejoice. It is not so where the writer speaks of my argu- ments against the wages-fund. theory. Here I am obliged to say that the writer has not understood my reasoning, and that his exposition cannot give an idea of what I have said. Especially I must protest against having said that a rise in the price of things would compel consumers to give up the things which working-men do not produce, and not the things which they do. This would, indeed, be a very " singular statement." But I cannot even imagine what has been the cause of the writer so misunderstanding me. Unfortunately, I am still too unwell to attempt giving myself here a short exposition of my reasoning, my physicians having forbidden me any serious labour upon a scientific subject for the next three months, and even this letter is probably against their advice. But I did not wish to leave an inaccurate statement of my views, in the first English paper which takes notice of them, so long uncontradicted; and I hope that you will allow me to explain my arguments in your paper, when I shall have completely recovered my health.—I am Sir, &c.,
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