‎SCHMALZ, (T.A.H.)‎
‎Economie politique. Ouvrage traduit de l'Allemand par H. Jouffroy. Revu et annoté sur la traduction de M. Frétot.‎

‎Paris, A. Bertrand, 1826. 2 volumes. xix, (1), 341, (1, errata) pp.; (4), 315, (1, errata) pp. 8vo. Modern green half morocco, spine gilt in compartments and gilt lettering, marbled boards, original blind covers preserved. Kress C.1775; Goldsmiths 24808; Einaudi 5161; Palgrave, iii, p. 363; McCulloch, p. 24. First edition in French of this work on the principles of economics, originally published in 1818 as Staatswirtschaftslehre in Briefen an einen teutschen Erbprinzen. The author tried to revive the theories of the Physiocrats in Germany. At the end of volume 2 he gives a Tableau économique suivant Quesnay, followed by a Tableau économique suivant la méthode italienne. 'In economics, Schmalz has been called "the last of the Physiocrats." Though he criticised Adam Smith severely, he was opposed to protective duties. He compared Colbertism to the Ptolemaic, physiocracy to the Copernican system of the world, Smith being the Tycho Brahe holding an intermediate position between the two. The doctrines of Quesnay, he was convinced, would ere long everywhere triumph' (Palgrave).The work ends with a discussion on the nature of government: 'M. Schmalz has not proposed to solve what Burke truly calls the finest problem in legislation, that is, to determine "what the State ought to take upon itself to direct by the public wisdom, and what it ought to leave, with as little interference as possible, to individual exertion." He has, however, made various observations on the principles by which the interference of government should be regulated; the subjects in regard to which it is most necessary; and the extent to which it should be carried' (McCulloch). - Very good copy. ‎

Reference : 17365

‎‎