Institutions

réf. 18058 — Modena, eredi di Bart. Soliani, (1787). (2), 3-7, (1), 221, (1) pp. 8vo. Modern half calf, spine with raised bands and gilt lettering. Kress, Italian Economic Literature, 562; Einaudi 4757; McCulloch, p. 306; not in Goldsmiths; Mattioli, as part of the Scrittori Classici ..... but no separate edition. First edition. Ludovico Ricci (1742-1799) was born near Modena. He held different posts chiefly connected with charity organisations and taxation. The above work is a valuable monograph, full of historic and scientific statistics. The economic problem of the administration of charity forced itself on governments and Ricci studied the problem for Modena. His study far surpasses the limits of a monograph relating solely to a small state. He treats the problem of the reform of the charity institutions from a rational and systematic point of view. He shows the economic disadvantages of an improved system of public charity, that it tends to the increase of beggary and of the numbers of the poor. Those poor only who are unable to work should be relieved, those who are able to work should be helped solely by work being procured for them. Ricci's views on population are theoretically interesting: he has been called a precursor of Malthus, but, though he touches on the population question, he regards it from a different point of view from Malthus, and more closely approaches modern scientific conclusions (Palgrave, iii, pp. 309-310). 'Remarkable for being one of the first works published in Italy, in which the utility of such institutions was called in question' (McCulloch). - Somewhat spotted.