There is no escaping from this consequence, after that
the returning power has become stationaiy. Every ad-
dition to capital causes just a permanent yearly abstrac-
tion of the same amount from revenue; and the same
return, oa a larger prime cost is all which the capitalists
reap for their pains. Society obtains their enjoyments
at a cheaper rate when, by an overdone c6mpetitioo
among capitalists, each strains at becoming richer than
before. But if there be no increase in the wealth of cus-
tomer$, capitalists cannot persevere in such a walk of spe-
culation, without impoverishment and ruin to many of
themselves.
15. We may now see what the check is to an indefi-
nite accumulation on the part of capitalists. If the return-
ing power be represented by eleven millions, it is obviom
that the capital vested in business cannot go beyond it
At ten millions, it would command a profit of one million
to the capitalists ; and, if they choose to accumulate to a ca-
pital above this, they may successively advance it up to ten
millions one hundred thousand, ten millions two hundred
thousand, ten. millions three hundred thousand, or ten
millions four hundred thousand pounds : in which case,
they would as surely reduce their collective income to
nine, or eight, or seven, or six hundred thousand pounds.
