Note A2-4-2 — Chapter III

Even Rau, in his additions to Storch (1820), p. 397, concedes the peculiarly charming, vivifying power, which money possesses to an extent greater than any other commodity. Well distinguished whether the money-want of a country is already fully satisfied or not. (Ansichten der Volkswirthschaft, 1821, p. 157.) Carey exaggerates when he calls money the cause of the movement in society, out of which force is produced, what coal is to the locomotive, or food to the animal body (Principles of Social Science, ch. XXXII, 5), or the only want of life for which there is a universal demand. (Ch. XXXIII, 1.) But he rightly calls it the "instrument of association." Excellent demonstration, as to how, at the sudden outbreak of a war, of a revolution, etc., all those who have money on hand, even when they had previously obtained it while peace still prevailed, in the form of a loan, are in an infinitely better position than the owners of the otherwise most useful commodities. (Ch. XXXVII, 12.) Earlier yet, P. Kaufmann placed the "principal character of money" in this, that it was "most perfect property (Vermögen);" and he calls its quality as a commodity, philosophically considered, in question; and judges the balance of trade according to this, that in commodities, interest-yielding as well as dead capital is exported, but in money-capital, which is always gain-engendering. (Untersuchungen im Gebiete der politischen Oekonomie, 1829, I, 4, 74, 80.)