ours; and as this branch of commerce is undoubtedly the most important in any extenfive kingdom, we are so far removed from all reafon of jealoufy.-But I go farther, and observe, that where an open communication is preferved among nations, it is impoffible but the domeftic induftry of every one must receive an increase from the improvements of the others.-Compare the fituation of GREAT BRITAIN at prefent, with what it was two centuries ago. All the arts both of agriculture and manufactures were then extremely rude and imperfect.—Every improvement, which we have fince made, has arisen from our imitation of foreigners; and we ought so far to esteem it happy, that they had previously made advances in arts and ingenuity.-But this intercourse it still upheld to our great advantage: notwithstanding the advanced state of our manufactures, we daily adopt, in every art, the inventions and improvements of our neighbours. The commodity is firft imported from abroad, to our great difcontent, while we imagine that it drains us of our money: afterwards, the art itself is gradually imported, to our visible advantage: yet we continue ftill to repine, that our neighbours fhould poffefs any art, induftry, and invention; forgetting that, had they not first instructed us, we fhould have been at prefent barVOL. II. barians;

F

barians; and did they not ftill continue their inftructions, the arts must fall into a state of languor, and lofe that emulation and novelty, which contribute so much to their advancement.

The increafe of domeftic industry lays the foundation of foreign commerce. -Where a great number of commodities are raifed and perfected for the home-market, there will always be found fome which can be exported with advantage. But if our neighbours have no art or cultivation, they cannot take them; because they will have nothing to give in exchange.-In this refpect, states are in the same condition as individuals.—A single man can scarcely be induftrious, where all his fellowcitizens are idle.-The riches of the feveral members of a community contribute to increase my riches, whatever profeffion I may follow.-They confume the produce of my induftry, and afford me the produce of theirs in re

turn.

Nor needs any state entertain apprehenfions, that their neighbours will improve to fuch a degree in every art and manufacture, as to have no demand from them.-Nature, by giving a diversity of geniuses, climates, and foils, to different nations, has fecured their mutual intercourse and commerce, as long as they all remain induftrious and civi

lized.-Nay, the more the arts increase in any state, the more will be its demands froin its induftrious neighbours. -The inhabitants, having become opulent and skilful, defire to have every commodity in the utmost perfection; and as they have plenty of commodities to give in exchange, they make large importations from every foreign country. The industry of the nations, from whom they import, receives encouragement: their own is alfo increased, by the fale of the commodities which they give in exchange.

But what if a nation has any ftaple commodity, fuch as the woollen manufactory is in ENGLAND?-Muft not the interfering of their neighbours in that manufacture be à lofs to them?-I anfwer, that, when any commodity is denominated the ftaple of a kingdom, it is fupposed that this kingdom has fome peculiar and natural advantages for raifing the commodity; and if, notwithstanding these advantages, they lofe fuch a manufactory, they ought to blame their own idleness, or expensive government, not the industry of their neighbours.-It ought also to be confidered, that, by the increase of industry among the neighbouring nations, the confamption of every par ticular fpecies of commodity is alfo increased; and though foreign manufactures interfere with us in the market,

the demand for our product may ftill continue, or evert increase. And fhould it diminish, ought the confequence to be efteemed fo fatal?-If the Spirit of industry be preferved, it may eafily be diverted from one branch to another; and the manufacturers of wool, for instance, be employed in linen, filk, iron, or any other commodities, for which there appears to be a demand.-We need not apprehend, that all the objects of indufiry will be exbaufted, or that our manufacturers, while they remain on an equal footing with thofe of our neighbours, will be in danger of wanting employment.-The emulation among rival nations ferves rather to keep industry alive in all of them and any people is happier who poffess a variety of manufactures, than if they enjoyed one fingle great manufacture, in which they are all employed.Their fituation is lefs precarious; and they will feel lefs fenfibly thofe revolutions and uncertainties, to which every particular branch of commerce will always be expofed *.

WERE OUR NARROW AND MALIGNANT POLITICS TO MEET WITH SUCCESS, WE SHOULD REDUCE ALL OUR NEIGHBOURING NATIONS TO THE SAME STATE OF SLOTH AND IGNORANCE THAT PREVAILS IN Mo

HUME.

ROCCO

ROCCO AND THE COAST OF BARBARY.-BUT WHAT WOULD BE THE CONSEQUENCE THEY COULD SEND US NO COMMODITIES: THEY COULD TAKE NONE FROM US: OUR DOMESTIC COMMERCE ITSELF WOULD LANGUISH FOR WANT OF EMULATION, EXAMPLE, AND INSTRUCTION: AND WE OURSELVES SHOULD SOON FALL INTO THE SAME ABJECT CONDITION, TO WHICH WE HAD REDUCED THEM.-I SHALL THEREFORE VENTURE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, NOT ONLY AS A MAN, BUT AS A BRITISH SUBJECT, I PRAY FOR THE FLOURISHING COMMERCE OF GERMANY, SPAIN, ITALY, AND EVEN FRANCE ITSELF.—I AM AT LEAST CERTAIN, THAT GREAT BRITAIN, AND ALL THOSE NATIONS, WOULD FLOURISH MORE, DID THEIR SCVEREIGNS AND MINISTERS ADOPT SUCH ENLARGED