----------------- HES POSTING ----------------- Dear Ross, If my memory serves, Martyn is the hero of a book by Joyce Appleby - - Economic Thought in the 17th century. Her point is that some mercantilists had an increasing returns (cumulative expansion) vision of the economy and Martyn is one. Hence, he was not opposed to luxury spending and saw strong consumption demand as an engine of growth. Let me know what you find. L. Moss Babson College ------------ FOOTER TO HES POSTING ------------ For information, send the message "info HES" to [log in to unmask]