obstacles which hinder them from settling in this centre of repose and
continuance, they are constantly tending towards it.

The whole quantity of industry annually employed in order to bring any
commodity to market, naturally suits itself in this manner to the effectual
demand. It naturally aims at bringing always that precise quantity thither
which may be sufficient to supply, and no more than supply, that demand.

But, in some employments, the same quantity of industry will, in different
years, produce very different quantities of commodities ; while, in others,
it will produce always the same, or very nearly the same. The same number of
labourers in husbandry will, in different years, produce very different
quantities of corn, wine, oil, hops, etc. But the same number of spinners or
weavers will every year produce the same, or very nearly the same, quantity
of linen and woollen cloth. It is only the average produce of the one
species of industry which can be suited, in any respect, to the effectual
demand ; and as its actual produce is frequently much greater, and
frequently much less, than its average produce, the quantity of the
commodities brought to market will sometimes exceed a good deal, and
sometimes fall short a good deal, of the effectual demand. Even though that
demand, therefore, should continue always the same, their market price will
be liable to great fluctuations, will sometimes fall a good deal below, and
sometimes rise a good deal above, their natural price. In the other species
of industry, the produce of equal quantities of labour being always the
same, or very nearly the same, it can be more exactly suited to the
effectual demand. While that demand continues the same, therefore, the
market price of the commodities is likely to do so too, and to be either
altogether, or as nearly as can be judged of, the same with the natural
price. That the price of linen and woollen cloth is liable neither to such
frequent, nor to such great variations, as the price of corn, every man's