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6 ECONOMIC INQUIRIES AND STUDIES
than one similar inquiry. Besides these, Mr. J evons
wrote many smaller works, which were all character-
ized by great completeness of method j but these three
larger works are quite sufficient to found his reputa-
tion. They all show inventiveness and respurce, and
a careful attention to every point which can qualify
the figures so that the real facts, and not the apparent
ones, are brought out. An index number, such as he
used in the first paper of all on the gold questioo, has
proved an instrument of great value since in all in-
quiries on pricesj and for this institution of an "index
number" we may consider ourselves indebted to Mr.
Jevons. 1 In the later years of his life Mr. Jevons be-
came even better known as an economist and a writer
on logic than as a statistician, the place he took being
a high one;. and without discussing his work in that
capacity, we must recognize how his qualifications for
other departments of literature were no disqualification,
but the reverse, for the study and practice of statistics.
His statistics would not have been as good as they
were if he had not had wider interests, and a remark-
able faculty for clear scientific exposition in other
branches of s.cience.
Such are the two men we have lost within the short
period of twelve months. The loss is a heavy one;
but few would have been more ready to recognize than
those we have lost that the work remains, whatever
becomes of the individual. With Mr. N ewmarch this
feeling, as I have already hinted, was always present.
It was always of good work in statistics and not of his
. own good work he was thinking. If younger men could
be induced to come into the field, he was but too well
pleased to give up the task to them, so long as the
work was done. His example and spirit will be handed

1 An index number was used by Mr. J. B. Smith as long ago as
[840 in giving evidence on the Bank Acts. Practically, Mr. Jevons
was the first to systematize the use of the method. [See my evidence
given to the Gold and Silver Commission for after-acquired informa-
tion on this point.]