ABSTRACT
Large consumption is the destruction of large value, whatever form that value may happen to have assumed. The trade of France consumes the total value of the silk it exports to the United States; and produces the total value of cotton received in return. The manufacture of France consumes the value of alkali employed by the soap-boiler, and produces the value of soap derived from the concern. The annual consumption of an individual, is, the aggregate of all the values consumed by that individual within the year. The annual consumption of a nation is, the aggregate of values consumed within the year by all the individuals and communities, whereof the nation consists. The total national consumption may be divided into the heads of public consumption and private consumption; the former is effected by the public, or in its service; the latter by individuals or families. Either class may be productive or unproductive.
