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Photographic

Sciences

Corporation

•SJ

23 WIST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. MSEO

(716)872-4S03

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EXTRACTS

-,,f ■ ,(•

LECTURES

POLITICAL ECONOMY,

■S^tr

Y'^'.'rXl W

DELIVERED DDRINa THB

IN THB

HALL OF THE MECHANICS' INSTITUTE

i*' ■-': ^Vvi?*'\' "V ', ■

si^HHiF s<sm^i w&i9''Wmr^^'wi.(S'SL,

-^'!
™<:-

.A.

?■■

THE RET. WIIIIAM THOMAS WISHART,
JWfnfsteT of Safnt Steplien'* Clmvc]^

,5-- ![• I

, ,-j, . -; *■: K

V ' SAINT JOHN:

PRINTED BY BXNRY CHUBB ft COMPART, MARXET-S(tOAM«

->,i^\ ■-;,'■. -■■',-< '.:■ 184 5» -; ■r\'-.;;E'^rf.*i,;'n^ '.|.vi'

BXVBACT8

LSCTURE8 OH POLITICAL ECONOHY.

P%9t portiQii of tbfl lUetiuM w^ieh u^.npt eompriMd in W» Bniylieatipp wtf
de4iml«d to • firrvy of the bittorj of tbt leioiiee, aad tbe aaalyaii of ibe
worika of itli 1mAb| ^xponlon.] -'

O.0|t object u not lo orach to give a detailed history of al|
that political economy ^aa done in the present* or a minute spe-
cification tii all the features it exhibits in the past, as to
bring some of its principjes^o bear upon our own circumstan-
ces. This Province possesses many advantages which mark
it out as a sphere that may yet afibrd an arena for important
events. It lies within propitious parallels of latitude, — it en-
Joys a salubrious and pleasant climate^ — ^it stsmds in close con-
nexion with a continent of almost boundless extent,-^it pos-
sesses many harbours exceedingly commodious aj*.i safe, — it
is permeated by more than one river that is navigac;^ dong fi
considerable extent of it8.coui|ie,r-the sixe and exceLence of
its tirobbr prove the future capabilities of the soil. Scientific
men assure us that it w rich in no ordinary degree in the
most valuable a^iner^il prpducts,'^marl, lime, coal, iron and
lead. It is peopled by races of industrious habits and enter-
prising character, and it is being settled at an era of the world
when the intellect of manhind, more than at any previous pe-
riod, maniffpts a disposition to rapid and vigourous progress.
These are gre^ advantages. It seems to be a matter of much
moment that they should be improved. It appears to be a
subject calculated to evoke the wannest aspirations of the in-
habitants of this Province, that Uiese auspicious peculiarities

\x^

ahould be fostered by moral, civil and economical institutions,
the best adapted to develope them. We propose to submit to
your attention some of those principles which we esteem suited
to promote the welfare of this fine country. The first topic
which we advert to is

"t .-r

INSTITUTIONS OF RELIGION.

This qnestion, as we intend to look at it, falls directly with-
in the pale of economical science. The relation: which reli-
gion should hold, in reference to the political arrangements of
a country, is atopic which every citizen is entitled to discuss,
and which is ^ to be brought before any audience within the
bounds of that country. The subject resolves itself into the
simple questions — is it right and expedient that the state should
give its support to one particular mode of doctrine, or should
it leave the matter to the unbiassed exercise of the private
udgment of its subjects 1 We are distinctly opposed to the
connection between Church and State. We are decided In
our belief that the truest interejsts of a country will be best pro-
moted by allowing its citizens to erect those instittitions which
appear to them most in harmony with their peculiar bfirinions.
We deprecate the notion that the state shduld introrott in any
circumstances except when particular opinions conduct neces-
sarily and evidently to practices incompatible with public
safety and order. In making this statement we do not so
much design to refer to the past, as to the present and the
future. We do not concern ourselves with the past history of
ecclesiastical institutions ; our object rather is to define what
they should be in the time to come. It may be a true allega-
tion, that in other lands and in other times, establishments have
been productive of good, or at the best, have not led to great
practical evils. But this admission, even were we to make it,
would not warrant the conclusion that therefore they' should
be perpetuated in all countries and in every time. Institutions
are, in most instances, questions of time and place. What
may suit one period will not suit another. Swaddling bands
are proper and necessary to the child — they would be an in-
cumbrance to the full-grown man. It may be that at an early
period in the history of out religion, the countenance of civil
p9wer did something to prop it up. But the question before

titations,
submit to
ivn suited
irst topic

:tly with-

bicb reli-

ements of

[> discuss,

nthio the

r into the

ite should

or should

e private

ed to the

ecided In

i best pro-

)ns which

opinions.

lit in any

ict neces-

public

I not so

and the

listory of

ine what

e allega-

nts have

to great

make it,

should

itntions

What

bands

e an in-

n early

of civil

before

us is not ofie of antiquity, bnt of present use. It is just this :
IVonld it be politic and right to introduce the enactments of
old countries and past times into this young settlement,--
wonld the civil and religions interests of the people of this Pro-
vince be furthered by a preference given by the Stite to one
or more of the creeds which prevail among themT We reply
to this question with a distinct negative. To introduce a
State religion into this Province, would materially prejudice
its interests. Such a measure wontd go to per^tuate the fal-
lacious opinion that It. is competent to thef State to take (honey
from the whole comitiunity, and to iapprdprtate' it id'ithe ad^
vancement of a set of opinions #hlcfa are held only by a few.
It would provoke bitter enmity in tbJe bosioins of those who did
not attach tbemselves to the creed which w'air t'^bs fiivottred,
and so provisibn would b6 made by which one forfhibf Christi-
anity would be regarded as an object of ddlundl and envy — it
cons^qnence mpst sincerely to be deprecated. It would fur-
nish a system of mechanism by which a government might at-
tain the most unjust objects, by securing for them the support
of sarcedotal agents. It would create a rallying-point, around
which a petty aristocracy might congregate, who, aided by
the combined intfuence of Church and State, would infeet Man-
ners, poison morals, and obstruct the free action of the pro-
gress of improvement. It would assist in giving existence to
a class of men, who, under the guise of the ministers of Christ,
might be concealed partizans of the State in every controversy
between it and the people. It would give countenance to the
egregious fallacy which has been so often advocated and so
mucfi acted on, that true religion needs to lean upon an arm
of flesh. It would give bir^b, in this fair land, to that melan-
choly jumble which so frequently presents itself to the view in
other countries, where the sembkncle of religion in the State,
and the reality of politics and intrigue in the Church, arouse
such malignant feelings in the masses, and induce so many of
the thinking class to believe that religion itself must be only a
solemn farce. If this country, favoured in so many respects,
is to advance with desirable rapidity in genuine piety, in
knowledge, in liberty and in wealth, its legislators, we believe,
must arrive at well-defined ideas on this fundamental topic. — \/
They must proceed on the notion that the time has gone past,
wh?Ji it was competent for the government to impose its pecu-

liar dogmat upon the commnnity, and to interweave tbeip with
the atracture of the conatitution. They ahould endeavour to
thinit atleaat aa well of the power of religion, aa they do of th^
power of other aectiona of the community. If agriculture, trade,
manufactnrea, medicine and law can run their courae i|nd
proaper without the patronage of government, it ^oqld be im-
preaaed upon their mmda that there ia even leu ne«d for intra-
mieaion ia behalf of that ayatem of trutha, whieh ^re «o invul*
■erable ia tbemaelvea, ao fenced by Providence, ao aeconded
by propheay, and in regard to which we have aaanrancea a?
many ancf ao loud, that the gvtea of hell ahall not prtBvpiil againat
them. We consider that the recognition of this pr<f nciple Ilea al
the foundation ofawholeaoroe code of civil inatitutiona. To
adopt it, while it will in no degree hinder the proapejrity of one
particular aet of opinions, wiU afibrd fair scope to all other
creeda. In this case there will be no room for rancorous jea-
lousy. The law of justice will be brought into opejra^l^n in a
direction in which there ia the loudest demand for its exercise.
Leas opportunity will be given for the erection of a pimping
political religion, which if, one of the greatest curses by which
a country can be viaited ; and a public protestation will be
made in favour <^ the important and truly Christian doctrine,
chat the religion of the Bible can stand without making itaeljf
the tool and appendage of aristocrats and rulers.

The next subject to'which we refer, as intimately connected
with an enlightened system of Political Economy, is that of

EDUCATION.

Education ia yet far from having reached the whole of the
community, even in the most advanced states. In a late pro-
apectus of the condition of education in several of the chief
countries of Eul-ope, we perceive that the highest proportion
/of persons atteiiding school is one in five, and that in Eng-
' land it i^mlounts only to one in seventeen. This u the highest
point t<f which improvement has reached within those sphere«f
which have been no long subjected to the influence of civilisa-
tion. It is of vital consequence to the well-being of this
country, that its education should possess the two requisites,
of being ample in point of qvumiUy^ and goo4.iin P9J^t iP( (HifT

t thf Qn with
deavoar to
»y doofth^
Iture, tndt,
:oorM ^d
OQld be im-
d for introc
re 40 invul*
B leconded
Huraaicee i o
ifM againat
ciple Uet ai
Itioni. To
ejrityofone
lo all other
kcoroua jea-
irafl^n in a
Us exercise.
' a pimping
18 by which
ion will be
n doctrine,
piking itself,

connected
is that of

^ole of the
late pro-
tbe chief
>roportlon
in Eng-
le highest
[e spheretf
|»f civllixa-
Ig .of this
[eqnlsitesi
tt of 9iM-

Kly. Att efBcient meahs toward this end wonld tee m to be a
modtrate tax ttpM property. With a view to controul the affaini
of education, in addition to local trustees, it wonld appear ad-
visable that a uniral board should be appointed — and that this
board might exercise a proper degree of influence, it should
consist of a considerable number of persons, — they should boi
men of acknowledged integrity and talent,— and every care
shotild b^ taken thai the persons nominated should be such as
the general feeling of the eommnnity pointed out as the most
proper for the ofllce. Something of this sort has been at-
tempted in Nova-Scotia, and, we believe, has been followed by
the best results. If anything of the kind exists in this Pro^
vinde, it must have the faculty of hiding itself, for we bate not
heard or seen any symptoms of its presence. As one means
toward a ebuntry possessing a good system of goiural instmc*
tion,, it appears necessary that it should have a good method
of coXUgiatt education. The teachers who are to convey in-
struction into each class and district, should be formed, or at
the leiist, should ireceive some tinge from the University. The
ikUeMpte which h4ve hiAerto been made in these two Provin-
ces to attain this object, have not been attended with signal
riutcess. 8iz institutions, claiming to be considered colleges,
distract the attention, aiid fritter aWay the resources of these
Colonies. In other words, two poor new countries, with a
straggling population, of which only a very trifling proportion
can devote itself to literary pursuits, support a grater num»
ber of collegiate foundations than Ireland with its eight mU-
lions, or than Scotland with its population of three millions.
"iThe feelings of sect and party have surely been more consult-
ed in such regulations, than the interests of science. The
sums annually granted to these different institutions, coHected
into one fund, would furnish an amount quite sufficient to en-
dow one excellent college with a board of from twelve to
twenty learned professors. At present the bursaries being in
SOlne cases more numerous than the pupils who attend, it is
inotorions that these endowments, originally destined for poor
scholars, have been applied to enable the sons of tM gentry
to defray their expences, in creating a politics) interest for
the college, and in bribing persons to attach themselves to the
CThtirCh of England. If this Province desires to escape from
this barrow and pernicioui inflaence of & smftll junto, if i»

wishes rtv int|rod«ce within its bounds men of high talents and
larg« acquirements, if it hopes to secure for the rising gene-
ration the benefits of a broad system of collegiate instrucifon,
one of the first objects to which its legislators will apply
themselves, will be, to procure, an University worthy of the
name. Such an establishment, while all its regulations should
be imbued with the spirit of genuine Christianity, should be
free from the hue of any particular sect. Its direct object
should he to initiate the youth in the knowledge of Hie arts
and sciences, not to train (hem' up to be the partisans of an
exclusive set; of opinions. In anything that has been done as
yi^.t in thjs Proviucei the interests of the upper class have been
chie^;i^ consulted, — those of; the community in general cannot
be said, to jbave been rt^pr^sentecl. This has been owing
partly, lov the position of the collegiate establlshnoent to which
we refer<—p9rtly to the narrowness of the constitution which
bejong^ to it These circumstances might eventually be al-
tered b^ changing the site of the institution, — at all events by
impartii)^ to it a more liberal character, and by applying to it
(lue ^pctrine that a coUe^^ which is paid out of the genc^ral
purs^ of jdie c(Hiutry, should represent all the sects, or, wbai
would be ! inueh better, should represent none. A college,
strong 4|i science, strong in literature, and uncontaminated by
the poHatioi;! of a.seqt, would gre^atly promote, not merely the
intellect bttt the moral character of this country. Another re?
gulation, that would lead to beneficial results^ would be the
erection of one or morf Normal schools. In this brancb, also,
the influence of sect should be carefully guarded against. The
teacher of such a school, in order tp efiect real good, should be.
something more than the mere tool of some coterie of small re-
ligion. He tfhould, if possible, be a man who could give a
tone to things, rather than one who would take his cue from
the field-marehal of a sect, with his bevy of female adjutants. —
The influence of one good training-school would be felt exten-
sively, and almost immediately, throughout the Province. — In
the course of one or two years it would be able to supply well-
disciplined teachers to most of the principal stations. In a pe-
riod of Orom five to ten years, every part of the country would
distinctly feel its beneficisJ influence. The cost would be tri-
fling when compared with the advantages. A salary to the
principal would be the chief item io the expense, and this even

talents s^nct
ising gene-
instracifon,
will apply
rthy of the
ions should
, should be
irect object
of the arts
tisans of an
een done as
} have been
eral cannot
>een owing
nt to which
ition which,
ually be al-
II events by
iplying to it
the general
ts, or, wb^
A collegf.^,
minated by
merely the
Ajtiother re-
»uld be the
ranch, also*
un9t. The
shoald be
Df small re-
uld give a
s cue from
djutants. —
felt exteu-
vince. — In
ipply well-
In a pe-
ltry would
uld be tri-
ary to the
d this even

would be in some degree compensated by the fees accruing
from tb^ number of pupils, who might be expected to repair to
such an academy. With a tax levied for educational purposes,
•— with an euliirhtened central board of instruction, — with a
collegiate establishment reared upon a broad basis, — with a
Noniial' (School vigourously conducted, this Province, within a
period of frdm ten to twenty years, might be placed upon vL
footing that might enable it to brook a comparison with any
portion of the old or of the new world. To produce this result,
it would scarcely be necessary that larger sums or greater ef-
forts than are now devoted to the purposes of education, should
be appropriated. The object might be accomplished on the
present ratio of expenditure and effort, provided only that they
were placed under skilful and vigourous direction.

We now proceed to^ |braw out a^few remarks in regard to

AimcttfiL^riTBE.

0: It stands first anfiong the material elements which enter into
the prosperity of a nation, AH the other sources of wealth are
finally tr&ceafole up to this fountain. In the language of Holy
Writr— "The profit of the earth is for all: the King himself is
(<t served by the field.*' The decline and fall of the chief dy-
nasties of antiquity are mainly attributable to the fact that they
neglected ■ this gradual, but certain instrument of national
wealth.. In 'nrodem tiroes, few empires have risen to any re-
tnarkable ascendancy^ in which this branch of industry was
not carefully fostered^ and none have been able Ipng to retain
their power, unless the influence of their courage apd entcr-
prize was well seconded by an iudustrions rural population.
Circumstances have hitherto prevented the inhabitants of this
country from devoting much attention to agricultural matters.
These are now rapidly passing away. The quick disappear-
ance of the forests, and the consequent opening up of the soil,
m,u|3t withiia a very fewvyears, compel oui* people to regard the
.oultureof the ground as the meiin element of all their future
!prosp6rityt^ A reference to: what has taken place In anotlier
(Country, is well Calculated to fMri»ish a« inpentive to exertion
.|n,this direcjtton. It i^ not j)ouch nipre than a centiu-y since
•\bp agriculture of Scotland )va8 i^i) the qiqst d^plfprs^ble candi-
liqn.- At a tiwewfeen jUs populatv^ coul4il9ti^t^i?! ^^19.^4*

ed a itiillion, FletcHier of Sttlton informt us that upwards of
100,000 had ho means of livelihood, bat by roaming throagh
the country in great bands, and extorting assistance, partly by
appealing to compassion, partly by arousing fear. At this pe*
riod the harvests frequently failed,— dearths prevailed at very
quick intervals, — a large proportion of the people cookl obtain
only a very scanty supply of the coarser sorts of food, sueh at
oit and pease-meal,— and diseases, the result of bad and insnffi«
cient food, raged with great virulence, and carried *way large
numbers, more particularly of the children. The description
which Dr. Johnson gives of the country, at a period considera-*
bly nearer, is not much more flattering than this. At the time
when he visited Scotland, but a small part of the land was un*
der tillage,-^that part was poorly cultivated^ — the original fe«
rests had disappeared, — little had been done to supply their
place, — the cold wind blew unchecked over the bleak surface
of the region, — the prospect was sadly varied by moors and
swamps, — little was attempted in the gardening department,
except the cultivation of the modest esculent known by> the
name of long kai],~^he distinctive badge of the land, the
sonsy Scotch thistle^ flourished in almost undisputed luxuri-
ance, — and in the Northern parts of the country, the
mode of tillage appealed even -more loudly to the feel-
ings of the picturesque and the ludicrous. A steady
attention given to agriculture, changed the aspect of things
ivithin a period of less than half a century. The new era m
Sk^dttish agriculture dates from the institution of the Highland
Society, an event which took place soon after the rebellion, ia
1745. ' By this association, agriculture connected itsetf with
the rankj the wealth and the talent of Britain. A series of use-
M practical works, beginning with Kames* Gentleman Fanff-
-er, was published, — annual and quarterly meetings were hdd,
—•a professorship of agriculture was instituted, — communica-
tions were formed with foreign countries, — seeds, plants and
trees were imported,~>stad8tical accounts were drawn up,— -
numerous prices were appointed,-*-cheini8try was invited to
apply its analytic processes to the investigation of soils and
manures, — periodicals were published, and these and ether
means were so sueeessfully employed, that in spite of a terri-
tory of inferior average fertility, and notwithstanding a cli-
mate which has been described as a steady alternation of Irain

ipwards of
\g tferoogb
S partly by
At this pe*
led at very
>akl obtain
kI, sii^ai
indiiMnffi*
nway larg^
lesoripcion
coiisidera-*
It the time
ad was nn'
original fe*
ipply their
!ak surface
moors and
epartment,
twa by the
t land, the
ited laxuri-
intry, the
the feel-
steady
of things
lew era m
Highland
>ellion, in
itsetf-with
iesofnso-
an F«mv-
vere hdd,
mmunica-
ants and
wn ap,— -
nvited to
soils and
nd other
>f a terri-
ng a cH-
n of-k'ain

and snow, 8 vand has for the last thirty years been reputed
to be the bee. iled country in the world. It is possible, with<-
out an undue stretch of fancy, to conceive a progress even
more rapid, and a result even more splendid, in regard to this
country. Settled at a period when the theory of agriculture
hefpsBM to be well understood, when the tools and apparatus
are so much better suited to their purposes than formerly,-*
possessing such large tracts of excellent alluvial soil along the
banks of the riverSt^^Hiuch wide regions of good interval and
upland, widi so much flat country for the production of grain,
and so mueh high ground for grazing, why should not New-
Brunswick spring rapidly forward into a rich sfbd fertile eoutti-
tryi The great objection which is usually alleged-r-the shorts
taess of the summer aind the sererity of the winter-*^s more ap*
partot than solid. If the summer is short, it is warm, and du-
ring its continuance, enough of heat is given out to ripen the
ordinary grains. Besides, past experience shews that in the
aettkment of new countries, similar objections have been
brought forward, and have aflerwards been shf wn to be fiitile.
When Gsesar conquered France and Germany, he stated these
countries were scarcely habitable because of the snow and
frost. He declared that the vine dnd other fruit-trees of Italy
were unknown, and could not endure the rigour of so severe a
climate. The same opinions have been formed in regard to
.other countries, and have been shewn to be equally fallacious.
The removal <^ the timber, draining of morasses, and the
cultivation of the soil, will decrease the quantity of moisture,
^diminish the size of the rivers, and abate the intensity and
length of the winter. New manures, and improved modes of
tillage will shorten the period necessary for vegetation. These
tne^odfl combined will probably do much to remove the only
atrong objection that has been advanced to the rendering of
this Province a favourable sphere for agricultural operations.
The most efficient means which a community can employ to
«tiraalate the industry of its rural population, is to supply a
good market for its produce. This means, of course, is depend-
ent upon the degree of perseverance and skill which is exhibit-
ed in pursuing the eth» trades and employments, and on the
amount of capital which is thereby amassed. In addition to
this most obvious means* the following methods are competent
to the tliinking men of a country, and their adoption in other

IPPPPWJPW^^Pfwp

I !
.1 ;

■ I

!i;l

cdoiitries has been ii<tended with the best eflects.' An acsocla*
tton may be fbrmed to import stock, implements and seeds,*- to
hold competitions and distribute prices. Another very effici*
ent method is the publication of a journal devoted to agrtcul-
tural topics. A plan which has recently been introduced into
Britain, and which it is said has been attended with the happi-
est consequences, is to engage the services of a professor of
•gricultural chemistry, who lectures through the various dis-
tricts of the country, and replies to the questions addressed to
him by those who feel an interest in his disquisitions. It re-
quires no remarkable foresight to pronounce that in the course
of a very few 3/lars this subject must, and will excite a degree
of interest, which it has not elicited hitherto. Whole districts
ot the Province are already stripped of the best timber ; this
must happen to the remaining portion withiaa very litaited pe-
riod. It should be an object of our legislators not< to: allow
themselves to be taken by surprise, but to be devising means
by which new resources may be ready to supply the, failure of
what is now the staple product. r <« ' > vid

We now advance a few ri^marks in relation to "

TRADE.

As the general subject is much too wide for our limits, we
confine our attention to two topics, — the one is the question,
whether trade should be free, or hampered #ith restrictions, —
the other is, whether credit should enter into the transactions
of a system of commerce conducted oii healthy principles.

In regard to the former of these topics, the following state-
ments may be made : — The theory of trade, as admitted by all
expositors, is this, that its advantage consists in this fact, that
one district or country is enabled to procure the products of
another district or country, at a less price than it can produce
or fabricate them for itself. Viewed in this light, it is a branch
of the great subject of the division of labour. By this means,
a country whose climate does not adapt it for the production
of wine, sugar or coffee, can receive these commodities from
another region, which possesses natural facilities for creating
these objects. By this means a country which does not pos-
sess certain sorts of timber or minerals, can obtain them
at the lowest prices, from another country which contains
these articles in abundance. By this means, a countryt

m m

n associa*
leeds,'— to
ery effici-
D agricul-
luced into
the happi-
rofessor of
trions dit-
dressed to
ns. It re*
the cottTse
^ a degree
e districts
aber; this
iimitedpe-
>t< to allow
ng means
r failure of

limits, we

question,

ictions, —

usactiotts

iples.

|ing state-

ed by all

fact, that

ducts of

produce

a branch

^s means,

taction

[ti^s from

1 creating

not pos-

[in them

Icontains

[country,

wbkh, from "its dimate, position, or the peculiar charac-
ter of its citiliMtion, is not able wd produce certain ma-
nufactures, or cannot do so to advantage, is enlabted to
procurie them at the lowest rate from another country, which is
exactly suited to fabricate such articles, with the greatest pos-
sible ease. It is obvious that th's is just the case of division
of labour, which we see exhibited within the bounds of one
country; district, or workshop. We 'canuot contemplate this
circumstance, nor observe the diversities of climate, situaticm
and civilization, out of which it springs, withont being led to
the conclusion that the hand of providence is plainly to be
seeik in the arraingement The simple question before us, is
this :--^€{kottld nv^n interfere with this plan^-is ili right or
politic in tkem^ to restrict Ujiis natural adjustment of things 1—
We willingly admit, that a country may throw itself out of the
condition in which it cani avail itself of what seems to be the
order of nature. It may bring itself into a condition so highly
artificial, that a sound theory has no bearing upon its actual
state.' Or it may be so closely connected with other countries
that are in this artificial state, that, owing to such relation, it
cannot profit by the true theory. Thus a country may involve
itself so deeply in debt, by a series of improper transactions,
that it cannot avail itself of free trade, because it looks to the
duties accruing from restrictions, to pdy the imerest or princi-
pal of its debt. Or, again, a state, from a jealousy of some
other power, may consider that it is for its advantage to irppose
duties upon all goods which it receives from that quarter. Or,
again, a country may be under the ascendancy of a powerful
class, which, having interests separate from those of the gene-
ral community, so a4jnsts the imposts, as to promote its own
objects, to the exclusion of a regard for sound theory, or an '"
attention to the good of the whole. Or, again, a country may
have connected with it anflmber of young colonies, and may
consider it to be for their mutual benefit to give a preferende
in its markets to the produce of the" colonies, and to claim in
their markets a similar privilege for its own commodities. It
is easy for a country to place itself in any of these circum-
stances, and, by so doing, to contravene, the theory of free
traffic. But the problem is not, how an artificial state of things
may be brought about, but it is this : What is the order which
seems dictated by the natural structure of things, and whether

5Wipg!fiRWPW»iwv^flPiPi^w«wp"iP"iP"

fft

it be for ibe bieit tolbllow that ord«r. We are f«r from iMtiimft
that countriea which» by a long ooufse of irratioBal condncti
have induced a facUtioos cooditioni can proceed upon the
natural theory in this matter. Our poaiUou ii this : that where
nature has not been contravened, free trade is the system the
most geiierally profitable to a whole country, or to the whole
world. It enables men to avail themselves of all the facilities
which climate or position gfive to one country over anoUien— •
It puts it in their power to purchase the different commodities
of the' globe, as near as rotiy be to the price which they cost the
raisers. It introduces the greatest amount of weakh^ by bring*
ing into a country, at the lowest rate, objects which it oouJd not
produce at all, or which it could not produce but #ilh Ihe great-
est diUcalty. It stimulates the largest .amount of indiMtry and
enterprise, by giving rise to the>opinion that no hiitdrance Will
be interposed to th^ results of ^ertion in dbtaining l&e best
prices for goods. It saveis a great amount df time^ which is at
present wasted in devising artificial restrictions, or in Ufidi»>
going their influence. It puts into useful circulation an im-
mense mass of capital, which at present is pent up or tbrown
away in supporting excise offices, custom-houses, and pre-
ventive services. The money that would be saved to a com-
munity in this direction would form no inconsiderable share
of the whole of its iacome^t would do away with « great
amount o^bmd Jheling which at present festers in the heart of
society, and stimulates much opposition to the authorities of
every land — it would remove a large share of those bitter jea-
lousies which prevail among nations, which seriously impede
their mutual transactions, and which so often lead to long and
ruinous wars. The theory of free trade moy^be regarded as recog-
nised by all enlightened economists. Its practical application is
resisted by ignorance^ by the.felse position into which countries
have thrown themselves, by the fa<^of claMes having interests
separate from those of the whole community. StIU, the opinion
is advancing rapidly. Some countries, before Ahey will be able
to realise it, will probably have to pass through severe convul-
sions* This Province is admirably placed so as to arrive at the
true conclusion, without having to go through such an ordeal.
There has been some bad administration, but it has not as yet
advanced so far but that it may be easily repaired. In order
to obtain the benefits of this doctrine, it should be careful not

tmsMtiagi
I conducti
upon the
thatwlMre
system the
» the whole
ke facilities

anotheiv*—
»mniodities
ley cost the
It hy bring:*
itoooSdnot
hihe great*
idustry and
idrance will
Qg the best
which it at
or in Ufider-
itioii an iia-
p or thrown
^t and pre-
1 to a com-
arable fthare
a great
the heart of
ithorilies of
bitter jea-
isly impede
long and
tdaarecog-
>plicatioii is
h oottntriea
ig interesta
the opinion
will be able
ere convul-
irrive at the
an ordeal,
not as yet
In order
careful not

to be entangled in any of those false ways, which would lead t«
into an artificial state from which it could not go back. It
should be very careful not to bring itself nndvr obHgatioBS, t»
liquidate which would force it to impose restrictions upon trade.
Such fetters upon enterprise produce a far greater amount of
evil, than any apparent or immediate benefit which they seeur
to procure. In order to come at the advantages of free trader
this country should aloo most cautiously avoid falling under
the influence of classes, who have, of imagine that they hav«
interests different from those of the whole community. There
aria many countries which have been entirely ruined in this
numner, — and there is scarcely any country but has suflered
severely by this circumstance. Such classes lying conUguoua
to the government of the country are often able to represent
certain^ events as for the benefit of the people, when in reality
fhey contempkte the profit of the individual at the serious in-
jmj of hundreds and thousands^ Finally, in order to come
partially or wholly at the system of free trade, this countryi
must so regulate her foreign policy that she may not be too
deeply involved in th6 transactions of other countries which
are themselves in a false position j and which would be apt to
draw colonic into the Same artifidiBil cokidition.

%hWe now proceed to comment upon the question of

CREDIT.

-a?/

ntuim aoi

'We are of opinion that it would not be difficult to find'it a de*
t^iirtttre from the \lord ofOod, and that it would be possible to
ei^ect an argument to the effect, that Credit, in all its forms ahd
degrees, is at variance with the theolo^ of the NeW Testa^'
ment. Our present position excludes us from this line of -de-^
monstration, and preventing us iVom shewing the systein to be
unscriptural, permits us only' to view it in its relations to eco>-
nomiciil science, and the temporal interests of nations. Th^
natural order of procedure would seem to be thiS', that each' in^
dividual engaged lit trade or business, should act' bpon his
icy#n resources, and %hen he has aceumulated'eB|>i%6l, that hir/
sboiild hitnself direct its a)yt>licattbii'tb' the ol^eiits'lt^hiidli seed
dalctthtted to give the best retttrns. This plh^ ' b{>p«M8 ^to y
thilt which is fitted to evok« the gVeatdst ahlbant -^f ittdwinry^
and to give that in^st^y the most heloilthy and j^i<iiba»^diirec^

'jpSffl *,W' '■''J-"*-'t!?-«iUI??SP»»WPiWf^P*Pf

t€

J!^'

' fc:

HajB. Qiie eafinotbelptbinilug thhtno personctin beso w^U
saited to .regular the einploym«Bt of money, «m the man w|io
has acquired iti who knovfs its value, and the difficulties by
which it is obtained, and who has already given fiociety a proof
tiratbe is laboriousioioral, economical, talented or ebrewdf in
tfae^^ct that hie has overcome obstacles, has outstripped, bis
coinpcdtors, and has attained to wealth. No one can have so
strong an interest to use capital in a judicious manner, as tbe
person to whom it belongs. No one can be supposed to be so
well qualified to say how money should be invested, as he who
haefoi' a tertn of years been cultivating the facultiea by wjbieb
it isrealisect This mode of procedure, however, is liable to
be thwarted and reversed by fevera} causes, A man becomes
weary of the anxieties of businesflt^nd 'feels disposed^if p^^ssii^
bte, to live without effort.: ftlpofder tt> eiGsct this.obj«JCt,:he;e>l-
deavours to make a revetiue from his money, il'o acfiomp)iAh
this, be lends it to some person, who, notpossefsing^^jlpitAUar
having less than bethinks sufficient, is wildngto-iPi^y'li' per
centage on the money which he borrows* Or, what happens
as frequently^a man, actuated by an inordinate desire of gain,
and considering the profits of his own b'sn9M 0^i^M8in«S9tobe
too slow, takes advantage of the wishes of some speculator, .who
hopes to realise great advantage by embarking in a hazardous
venture, and obtains friam him a lugher pejr centage thanfiiis
own business will yield. On tbe other hand, if there iaia natu-
ral disposition to lend, there is as nktural a disposition to bor-
rpw. ,:^, springs out of the same or similar motiyes. In/^he
natnra^l order iof events, no man would be able to engage ^ in
frade, until b^ibM saved sufficient capital from which to fttart.
By laying, hold upon the above-mentioned circumstances, he
can set up fof. b^mi ^If without such a- preliroiuary. He lends
^jlmsejU'^P the «;isbe9|,«sf UijC in|doleut or poyetojqisi.capitalfB^y^j^r
cep^sr j|iis I teraas,, ^nd j^pmmences V^iness on. borrofwjed mpney.
In the steps, to which we have already alluded, so^etyvhjp^,|\^c
c.eived mnch damage. . It has, been ij^i|redi-^,;^l)§;|«i9S(j4)f,tb^
services o^ the i^ai^,' who, retiring^ frppi^ ^ctiv^ iifi^ (^^is^, ^p/^n
the iniQqme ^hj^^ ^e deri^ves from l|endingf]ij,s J^9!l^^r. rl^kf^
been injured by the coniJpQt ^ t^!? «ove«pp8,niftni ^hftif qjP.l^^
bib surp)in«^;^9I^tal ;iu promoting fi systjeupirof wi|d,f p^^^^iqp^
]Et b<<>'>i<tV)Sl<^9^ rnucb iifCiaL^b in the f^^
per}Bn«M?oriP^flJgamtra^?r, bpsobeen ej^e^pt^^ftpm t^\m:

ceMity.of aequiritig kndwledge, indnstry, fragality and capital^
and withont these preliminarieB, has been enabled to go into
business, and dispute the ground with the lawful merchant, who
was- conducting affairs upon his own stock. The evil begun
in this manner is propagated through society, along a thonsand
different channels. So many results flow fVom this source^
that it requires a very minute analysis to perceive them, and a
very lengthened exposition to draw them out. Among the
more obvious consequences, are such as follow. Opportunity
is afforded for a class of annuitants to spring up, who, without
contributing much to the progress of the. social system, appro*'
priate to themselves an unfair portion of its comfortSv Within
this circle the most intense selfishness is fostered, and the most
extreme luxury and extravagance are apt to prevail, tt would
occupy much space to spread- out the evils entailed upon com^
mnnities, by the conduct and example of this numerous clasS)
which wanting a sufficient stimulus to exertion, and wanting
the ordinary motives to prudence, fragality and virtue, con-
sume a large portion of their strength in practices, which con-
taminate a considerable part of the society in which they move.
Then again^^redit affords space for the encouragement of a
very noxious tendency ,-^the making haste to be rich^ The
proper order of events does not sanction this propensity.-—
Wheni< is observed, wealth is amassed by*gradttal efforts. The
credit system, on the contrary, enables a man occasionally to
build up a rapid fortune, by putting it in his power to avail
himself of the necessities of the needy, by doing which he can
for a time obtain an exorbitant return for his outlay. Further,
this method subverts the healthy constitution of things, by put-
ting money in the hands of those who have not earned, and do
not know how to use It. An eager thirst for gain is thus bred
in this class. Having to compete with those traders who are
doing business on their own capital, and having at the same
time to pay a high per centage to those from whom they have
borrowed, they are driven into hazardous paths of speculation!
— they are forced into a system of over-exertion,— they are led
into the ruinous expedient of selling at prices which do not
compensate them,— they are compelled to over*work those de-
pending on them, and to allow them insufficient wages, and
after a few years spent in a career of unnatural excitement, du-
ring which they have been cultivating some of the worst feel-

*w'S»»*«-« • .»,»if>i<!mimmmt!.„

I'i'

ingi, they generally break down, and involve many in their
disastroas fall. Surrounded by rivals of this sort, the prudent
man who does business within the limits of his own real capi'
tal, finds his course much more checquered and difBcult than
it would otherwise be. Although his right course of conduct
is eventually rewarded with success, he suffers at every turn
by the bad influences which surround him. Sometimes he is
constrained to sell his goods at prices which do not remunerate
him. He is constantly exposed to trouble and delay in collect-
ting debts from customers who run accounts with him. He is
barrassed by continual requests to stand security for others,
who dd not pursue his system of business, and if his transac-
tions are on a considerable scale, he is frequently called upon
to endure heavy losses from the bankruptcies which happen
around him. But it is not within the compass of the class of
merchants and shop-keepers that the whole or the worst effects
of the credit system are to be seen. The weight of the evil
comes down upon the artisan, the mechanic, the manufacturer
and the labourer. Within the limits of Christendom, there can-
not'be less than 100 millions of such, who feel the pressure in
its most stringent forms. By the influence of this system, they
do not receive any thing like a fair remuneration for the work
which they perform. The presence of so much borrowed mo-
ney in the mercantile world, gives rise to excessive competition,
forces down the rate of wages, causes goods to.be manufactnrr
ed at a price which does not remunerate, and occasions, at very
short intervals, a glut in the market, and a consequent crisis
among all concerned in business. The sufferings (^ the la-
bouring classes are not to be estimated merely by what hap-
pens during such a crisis. No doubt they are most intense at
such a period. But the system of which we are speaking op-
presses them the whole time. During the existence of stagnation,
arising from over-production, labourers are in a starving state.
But what we complain of even more than this, is, that even
when things are at an average, the credit system does not al-
low them to receive a fair remuneration for their labour. Be-
sides this, it is owing to its influence that things are kept in
that state of constant ebb and flow, which is so unfavourable
to happiness, comfort and morals. The largest scale on which
the credit system can be viewed, is in the national debt of
Great Britain. At the end of a long protracted warfare, thQ

my ill their
the prudent
D real capi'
iiBcult than
> of conduct
; every tarn
etimes he is
remunerate
ly in collect-
him. He is
y for others,
his transac-
called upon
lich happen
' the class of
worat effects
L of the evil
lannfacturer
n, there can-
I pressure in
system, they
br the work
>rrowed mo-
:ompetition,
nanufacturr
ions, at very
luent crisis
9 of the la-
what hap-
intense at
eaking op-
tagnation,
viug state.
, that even
loes not al-
our. Be-.
re kept in
Ifavourable
on which
|al debt of
larfare, the

country found itself involved in a debt of 800 millions, sterling.
We do not comment upon the train of events by which such a
consummation was brought about. Thirty years have now
elapsed since the close of the war. These have been years of
almost unbroken peace, — a period of tranquillity to which the
history of the world does not afford a parallel. During this
long term, Britain has been under the administration of a buct
cession of wise and patriotic statesmen. A system of minute
and impartial economy has been applied to public affairs,
commerce has been increased to an enormous extent, manu-
factures have been improved in a proportionate degree, the
mode of agriculture has been remarkably changed for the bet-
ter, by the discovery of new processes and tools, science has
augmented the sources of wealth by numerous splendid inven-
tions in chemistry and mechanics, — in a word, a long train of
circumstances have conspired to place the country in the most
auspicious circumstances for liquidating or lessening the debt.
Yet what is the fact ? The people are amused from year to
year, by assurances that a nostrum has been found out, by
which the incubus will be speedily taken off, or they are de-
ceived by the stale an^ pernicious sophism, that the debt is a
benefit, because it provides a security for the stability of the
Constitution; but the evil itself remains much as it was. lu-
ependent of the direct pressure which it lays upon the coun-
try, it is not'easy to calculate the indirect mischief which it
produces, and the amount of wealth which it shuts out. The
people cry out against the duties upon grain ; their rulers as-
sent to the justice of the complaint, but how can the thing be
helped,' say they, we require these duties to meet the interest
on thie debt. Economists prove that free trade is the true and
the beneficial theory. The rulers reply — ^your reasoning is
correct, but we cannot adopt it, because we need the customs
and excise to meet the claims of the fund-holders. Thus the
country moves on with a set of regulations far behind the phi-
losophy of the age, not because it is ignorant, but because it
cannot profit by its knowledge, Thus, the surplus which the
interest of the debt consumes, probably excludes an amount of
wealth very much greater than itself. The question obtrudes
itself upon the attention of the economist, — if thirty years of
such a favourable complexion have been able to do little more
for the nation, than to keep the debt where it was, by what pos-

■ibie circmniuuicev can it be cleared oITt This query givea
rise to the inoet melancholy forebodings, and the following
train of events occurs as no unlikely retult. The inflatnce of
the aristocracy and of the great capitalists declinesr-^e pops-
lar element gains strength in a ratio as rapid or more rapid
than that in which it has been advancing hitherto,— 4bc. cla>
roour for reduced taxation, loud at present, becomes more vio-
lent still, — the counter checks by which it was met, hava loat
their efficacy, — these causes of internal dissension are fomaut-
ed from without, — who would feel surprised if amidst the fnrloua
^collisions which so likely a course of events mfght engeilfler,
the feeling should grow and become irresistible, that sinoe all
expedients had failed to remove or mitigate the weight, the
time had come when the people woald employ the only remain^
ing resource, by sternly demanding the repudiation of the
debt. Thus a departure from the principle, owe no man any^
thing, having first entailed an enormous debt upon a nation,
and having afterwards subjected it to the pressure of burdens
which became less and less tolerable, might eventually lead to
a state of things, in which the frame-work of society would be
torn in pieces, and out of which a series of revolutions might
emerge, that would alter the whole aspect of afiairs in Britain,
in Europe, perhaps in the world. It seems peculiarly desirable
that the merchants and public men of this Province, should
adopt, in regard to this qu-^.'^tion, a more healthy set of opiniona
and practices, than hav^ hith'^rto prevailed. The matter very
closely concerns not only the opulence, but the morals and the
respectability of the community. A country whose public and
private afiairs were regulated on the doctrine, that to contract
debt, whether directly or in its more disguised forms, was at
once impolitic and immoral, would possess within itself one
source of prosperity, of which the ramifications are number-
less, and the benefits stupendous. It would ezyoy the blessing
of cheap government, because the taxes woul. -c dt-^^ilied to
the payment of present nec;. , aities, and not t 'N> ':.\ 'Ution
of past profligacy. A government that was c^^..,^ »vould pro->
voke little discontent, and in that fact would possess authority
and strength. Business being conducted on the resourc-
cf of those who engaged in it, would produce results widely
diii<. ent from those which flow out of it at present. The life
of 8^ »>^ rchaPti wouM become calm and easy, because his fair

lucry givei
i following
nflaence of
-»chepopn>
more rapid
>,— lb'.. cl«-
• more vio-
t, hav» lo(M
are fomeut-
Uhefarioua
t engtfllier,
tat aiBoe all
weight, the
nlyremaiv-
tion of lUe

man any<
n a nation,
of bardena
ally lead to
J would be
dona might

1 in Britain,
y desirable
ice, should
ofopiniona
oatter very
als and the

ublic and
o contract
a, was at
itself one
number-
blessing
af»plied to
V, iUtion
ould pro-
authority
resourc-
ts widely
The life
e his fair

profits would not be snatched from him by excessive competi-
tion, and the other results of borrowed capital. A smaller
nufflbM* would be temptet to forsake me healthful toils and the
•ur* retnma of agriculture, to embark in the demoralising
traasactioos of a gambli ^0^ comroctce. Thus (he quantity of
the fiml necessaries of life would be greater, and the quantity
of secQndary articles would be sm-xUer than at present. There
would be more wholesome food, and less needless luxuries. A
greater amount of capital and labour would be devoted to the
raVivittioB of the soil, by which the wealth, salubrity and hap-
.-^ iV' sa of countries would rapidly increase. The trader, ena-.
F?. V *. . io pursue a plaia path, would afford a better remuneration

» to that whole class which depends upon him, he would also be

able to allow himself and them, much more leisure for health-
ful recreations and improving pursuits. There would be a far
stronger tendency to that equality of position among men,
which politicians have lauded as the natural state oi' things,
but which the present aspects of society would seem tc repre-
sent as the most unnatural of all. That disposition in things
to run to extremes^ producing inordinate wealth in one Hirec-
tion, and poverty as excessive in others, would be checked.—
The gross amount of capital in the community would be inde-
finitely augmented, but it would have an inclination to distri-
bute itself in a more equable manner. An immense quantity
of capital and labour is uxuted on the present plan. Thus in
every society many more are engaged in business, than are
necessary to conduct it properly. These are abstracted frotn
occupations where their services would be useful, and are em-
barked in employments where they do -more mischief than
good. Again, the over-production of certain objects, which is
all the while taking place, and which fully develops itself at
intervals of a few years, occasions an enormous waste of the re-
sources of society. Articles are destroyed in quantities, be-
cause they are not worth the duties chargeable upon them,
and a vast amount of other goods is sold off at prices greatly
below what it cost to produce them. Of the thousand ship-
wrecks which take place every season, and which deduct so
large a sum from the wealth of society, a large proportion may
be easily traced to the influence of credit. The competition is
excessive, — those who have vessels must keep them at sea, but
they arc unable to maintain them in a sea-worthy condition.

. .'ii ,»«*'-jWtiiWi<»K*J

ttnd to aflbr<| them efficient and well-paid crews, and hence a
ituitiber of these disasters, i^gain, credit defrauds a comrou-
Dtty by the litigation which it induces^ Of the mnltifarions law-
snits which occur every year, and which consume so much
time, effort and money, a great share is connected, in one#ay<
or other, with the practices of borrowing and lending. Further,
credit wastes capital, by enabling so considerable a section of
society to live without labour, or to live with Httle labour. The
amount of wealth expended in this manner, if directed into use- .
fnl channels, would put a g^eat deal of industry in movement,
and communicate a strong momentum to the progress of man-
kind. But it is to the philanthropist that this baneful system ex-
hibits the darkest aspects, and presents the most formidable ob-
stacles. He finds one class inaccessible to his arguments, be-
cause they are steeped in the habits of luxury and indolence,
which blight the moral nature, and crush the intellect. He
finds another class equally unapproachable, because their
souls are distorted by the covetous propensities which specula-
tion has fostered. He encountfrs a third class, which he can-
not influence, because they are engaged in a round of conduct,
which subjects them to racking anxiety and over-exertion, and
which drives them to a variety of expedients, in devising
which the best powers of the mind are squandered. He
meets with a fourth class, and it by far the most numerous,
which repels his approaches or neutralises his endeavours,
because it is paralysed and degraded by excessivie toil, fluc-
tuating wages, and the debauchery, Hstlessness, and recklens-
ness to which these things give rise. Wherever the moralist
looks, he perceives that the false system of life, of which cre-
dit is the chief cause, has robbed men of the inclination, or
the ability, or the time to think. We do not tindertake io de-
fine the steps by which the evil should be remedied, or tlf
sketch out all the results that would accrue from a new system.
To name and to expose the inherent vices of one method, is, ,
we trust, to do something, to introduce a more excellent way.
The mind of humanity begins to awaken to the importance of
the subject. A few more such general crises, as those through
which the mercantile world has already passed, with the mi-
sery which they occasion and the searching enquiries which
they will induce among economists and moralists, will proba-
bly lay the question open iu all its extent. The matter wjU

nd hence a
s a commn-
rarions law-
le 8o ranch
in one#ay«
;. Further,
I section of
l)our. The
ed into use- .
movement,
ess of man-
I system ex-
nidable ob-
inlents, be-
indolence,
;Ilect. He
;anse their
ch specula-
ich he can-
of conduct,
[ertion, and
devising
ered. He
numerous,
ndeavours,
toil, flnc-
reckleis-
e moralist
hich cre-
nation, or
ake io de-
ed, or to
w system,
ethod, is,
lent way.
rtance of
through
the mi-
s which
II proba-
tter w|ll

then become a popular topic. Preachers will denottuce in
from the pulpit, — and tracts for the times will shew it to bf- of
more moment to the well-being of men, than the position of an
altar, the carvings of an oaiel window, or the form of a sur- '
plice.

MANUFACTURES.

The theory of manufactures is simple. They stimulate iu'
dustry and create wealth, by imparting an additional value to
articles, which without «nch a process are of little value or use.
Since the time that the free towns of Europe sprung up, and
since the idea began to prevail that the fabricating of commo-
dities was not unworthy of the patronage of governments and
the attention of free-born citizens, the progress of manufactures
has been rapid. Many of the leading branches were intro-
duced into Britain, from the continent of Europe; The Flem-
ings, who fled from their country during the persecutions to
which it was subjected, under Philip II. of Spain and his vice-
roy the Duke of Alva, brought with them into England their
industrious l^bits and their skill in the manufacture of U.ien.
The French Hugenots, who left their country iu consequence
of the revocation of the edict of Nantes, helped to establish or
improve in England the manufacture of silk. 'During the six-
teenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centnries, these and many
other branches took deep root in Britain, and, receiving a pro-
per encouragement from the government of the country,
became the nerves and sinews of her prosperity; and,
seconded by the agricultural and commercial industry of her
people, contributed in raising her to the high rank which she
holds among the nations. About the commencement of the
present century, the application of steam and powerful ma-
chinery has given a stronger impulse to the progress of manu-
factures than any event that has happened since they first drew
the attention of rulers. When this important department is
under the conduct of just financial views, it imparts a very ex^
cellent stimulus to every other line of business. On the con-
trary, when it is exposed to all the influences of violent specu-
lation, it engenders a state of society, than which the civilized
world has seen nothing worse. If this branch could be regu-
lated on the principle that the artisan and the labourer should

««<i^Vi»«wM*i.v.w«,«l!«W»»:;»i«»-«««

■■■ ^

have time f<^ improtemcut and r^ereatioii, if the syttem coulcl
be brought into operation that the employer was not liable, as
at present, to be overborne by adventurers, and if so situated
be would give an ample and steady compensation, to his work-
men, then few things would be more desirable .for a country^
than that it should be the seat of every branch of art. In this
case, its manufacturing districts ihight be centres of l|irge and
influential intelligence, scenes of as much wealth, comfort, and
moral worth, as any spots on which the sun looked down. But
if vast masses of men are suddenly to be drawn to certain
points, tempted hy the offers of high wages ; if, during tbe*
season of excitementi they, their wives and children are to be
subjected to excessive toil, under which mind, foody and moral
habits give way ;. if they are to be exposed without hope to the
influence of employments, so unwholesome that the average of
life in such avocations is avery few years {if they are sudden-
ly to be thrown down from a high point to a rate of wages which
will not properly sustain life t if these things, with all the dis>
ease and depravity and idiocy which they induce, are essential
to the prosecution of these interests, then happy is that people
that has not heard the dismal sound of the hi^mer and the
loom. Where manufactures are conducted on healthy princi*
pies, their tendency is to create a fair steady market for agri-
cultural produce, and, by necessary consequence, to commu-
nicate a constant and proper stimulus to the cultivators of the
soil. But where they are urged unnaturally forward by unbri-
dled speculation, and where, as in Great Britain, the agricul-
turist is oppressed by heavy taxes, which prevent him from
raising provisions at the cheapest rate,— «in such a case, there
are two causes at work to produce collision between the tw«,
interests. There is, on the one hand, borrowed capital em-
barked in business, forcing down the wages of the mechanic
below a fair average. On the other hand, there are heavy
taxes, forcing up the price of agricultural produce, and remov-
ing it still farther from the reach of the artisan. When such
factitious circumstances interfere with the proper course of
things, an opposition is produced between the two depart-
ments. The farmer looks apon the manufacturer as one who
has an interest to prevent him from obtaining a fair value fo^
his produce. The manufacturer regards the farmer as one
who is concerned in sustaining an iniquitous system, which

precludes fatm from-purcbaaing bread dt a price wbicb he can
afford. The conntry is split into two great factions. Discon-
tent takes every advantage of the conflicting statements.-^and
an order of events groins np, which gives occasion in the mean*
time to- an insurrectionary spirit, and which may ultimately
lead to a revolution in a country. The proper season at which
to introduce any branch of manufacture into a country seems
to be, when it has reached that point of progress that it can
fabricate the article a$ cheap as it can import it. To introduce
it sooner, is to violate one of the great fundamental principles
of trade, and to hurt the interests of a country. To delay
longer Ihan thJBv is to fail to profit by a resource which is suited
to stimulate tlii»^ industry and increase the prosperity of a peo-
ple. The tendency of affairs is, to anticipate the right moment.
In the legislation (^ eveiy country, we see ah inclination to
force and hurry and to go before the right time. Scripture in'
forms us, that " God balanceth the earth alike." This is truev
not only of the matter, but of the climate and productions of the
globe. Commerce is best regulated when it has regard to thi«
natural law. Every conntry contains articles peculiar to itself,
or has a facility in producing them which gives it an advahtage
ovdr every other ia that particular branch. Trade is conductecl
on the most beneficial footing to all mankind when this original
constitution of things is allowed to take its course. , To demand
protection for any one branch, id equivalent to a confession that
the country has not reached that point at which it can produce
it as advantageously as it can be produced elsewhere. Everyr
farthing that is granted in the shape of such protective duties^
is so much taken from the purse of a countryi and so much
deducted from the aggregate of the wealth of the world. All
such restrictions, go to rear up an exotic and artificial system/f
which can only benefit a class ; and, inasmuch as that class v0-
affected eventually by all that concerns the public, cannot bene-^
fit even it as much as it is apt to suppose. A community is in the
circumstances to acquire the greatest possiblequantity of wealth
when it is engaged in producing those articles only, which it
can furnish at cheap or cheaper than any other country. A com-
munity is in the worst possible condition to amass wealth, whenH-
it is carrying on the various branches of manufactures, by
means of protective duties which shut out foreign goods. In
this latter sltuatipii, a large amount of its prosperity is con-

{

•6

•amed by tftit firiM ayitefn and thci re|;alaUont #hicb it cr^atei.
Wheii we Mtend to the commercitil regalations of different
tooBlrieii, we perceive ifaat thd world ia greatly more ^nlight-'
emed on tliii aulgect than it dnce waa. It moat, however* nrake
niany atepa in advance* before k can rid itaelf of the many
dra#-backs njvon liberal p'olicy which still exiat Theae opi-
ttiona have taken poaaeaaion of the achoola of all enlightehed
econoniiats.-'-bnt they art hindered from passing into opera^
tion.by the fklse positions in which coiintries have placed thetn*
selves^ or by nation&l jealousies, or by narrow, politics in rulers,
or by thiB ascendtaey of claases lind factions.

TAXATION.

The only points of importance tliat this snt(ject suggests,
are these tuta: firM, what should be the amOuntt-^second, what
should be the dharacter or manner of tazatioii. The former ia
easily answered, by saying, that theiighti^ir the pressure the
better. It is the duty of every government to regulate its
atfailTi on principles of such Mrict economy as that its subjects
may ftel but little the eipeUse of maintaining it. £very people
hai a Hght to complain when the amount of its tales is higher
than is nettossary b Sttstaiu a government^ conducted on an
^ononiical footings The second poilat does not lie so near the
snrfhce. It is not sO easy to detenaine the direetUm in which
taxation ia beit applied. The notion that haa hitherto prevailed
is, that taxes are best regulated when they are presented to
men in the most dtig^issd form. H^ctt the system of tudifiet
taxation haa been that which has found most favour in the eyes
Ofstatimmen. It is, in our opinion, liable to very serious objec-^
tions. It sanctions the doctrine oi veiling the truth, which is a
bad principle f<Hr a govM^nraent to recmumend by its own prac*
tice to the imitation of its subjects. Again, it prevents the peo-
ple from estimating at a glance the expenses of government, —
which is an instrument by which they are kept in ignorance,
and in the degree of slavery which ignorance involves. Fur-
ther, it does not press upon men in the ratio of their ability to
hear the burden. A direct tax upon income appears to be the
bekt method on the whole. It imposes on government the ne-
ceiMity of frugality, by bringing its cost distinctly before the
ohtennAtion of the people. It enables the people to have a clear

Icb it cr^atM.

of different
nore cfDligbt*
twevett nake
of the many

These opt-
enfightehed
I into operas-
placed thetn-
tics in rulers,

!ct snggests,
lecond, what
'he former is
(iressurc the
regulate its
tits subjects
^verj people
:es is higher
acted on an
I so near the
M in which
prevailed
resented to
of indk^et
in the eyes
iousobjeco
I, which is a
own prac-
ts the peo-
rnment, —
gnorance,
es. Fur-
ability to
to be the
t the ne-
efore the
ve a clear

idea of what thfiir legislators are doi^g. |t Ip^lj^i to preyenjt
uadue oppression on the 09^ ht^ulf «o<) improper pubvi.iiisio»
09 the otherr^it faW* equally upov th* i,9bf^bit9«^ of 4 i:om>-
iry w.tbe propopri^ion of their abiU^ jto pay tai^fs. Th9 onjy
o^|}Cti<His which we can conceive tp tbie method are, the di^-
cttlty pf levying spch a tax. and th# danger ofinqiiijBltorial en-
quiries Mid 4heir m\ ^nseque^cep io the cpur^e ^f l|9vyj;)g \\.

CRIME.

Thie*queali<m stands closely assoetatcd with the presperilgr
of a people. The system which experience apfiears to have
shewn to furaish the beat prevfentire an4 cure for crime, is
chat which, avoiding capital puniahmeats, mak/esdiMe and com-
pulsory labour the penalty which the oflfendermast pay for his
ein against society. Institutioni constracted on this notion,
which defray their own expenses, and often hand over a net
aurplus to the conmmnity, seem to us. among the happiest in-
dentions of modem legislation. Observation seems to prove,
that whiliA the punishment is not cruel, it produces an awe
fipon the criminal, which the cruellest punishments were not
able to effect If the refommUon of the , malefactor be a matter
of any importance in the eye of society, this plan is also the
most likely to accomplish that object. A country cannot be
said to be in a state of high order, or in a condition the besit
suited to dev^op its resources, until it is in possession of a
Police prompt and impartial in securing ofiiendextf,-^nor untii
it is furnished with an estd)lishmeat which defrays its own ex-
penses.^xwhich assorts criminals according to their age or
oiiitnce, — which does not allow its inmates to contaminate each
odier, — which foringa true and undefiled religion to bear upon
(he offender during the term of his imprisDnment,-.-and which
proves that society can curb the worst passions of its members,
without imbruing its hands in their blood.

PAUPERISM.

tfc:.-

The idea which has obtained for at least two centuries, in
Protestant countries, on this head, is, that the best method to
overtake its claims is, by assessments more or less obligatocy
OB the inhabitants of a district or country. The most remark-

able works whieh h»ve advocated a didferent syatem, are those
of Dr. Chaliriers. In a treatise on the pauperism of great toWns,
and iir others of his writings, he maintains that there is an es-
sential vice in the prevailing view. — He charges it with this
faah, that it feeds the disease, that it stimnlates expectations
which it cannot meet; — he condemns the practice of a regular
provision for the poor, both on the consideration that he re-
gards it as a bad moral principle, and that it is a principle
which is pernicious in its political results. Instead of any re-
gular assessment, he lays it down that a community should be
well plied with religious motives, and this being done,*that the
poor should be left to the influence of the sympathies of human
nature. The theory is more plausible than solid. If it means
to assert, that it is- practicable with our present knowledge of
theology, to imbue men with faith, fast enough to be able to
meet the demands which are at present before them on the part
of the poor, we must smile at the shallow philosophy which
could originate the idea. If, on the other hand, it means to say, .
that the majority of men not being Christians, they can never-
theless be induced by the constant solicitations of missionary
agents, to part with enough to meet the necessities of the poor,
then we do not see in what this plan difiers from a compulsory
assessment, except in this, that it is less regular and more vex-
atious. In the jM-esent condition of Christian sentiment and
practice, we do not see that any better method can be adopted
for the relief and the cure of pauperism, than those which ob-
tain at this moment. The Gospel, if truly set forth, will supply
men with directions, which amongst other things will teach
them how they may avoid the necessity of begging their bread.
If, in spite of such instructions, they persist in following that
conduct, T?hich leads to want, then society ought to possess
within itself the means of promptly providing relief for such
cases ; — we would merely suggest the following considerations,
as a supplement to those which already prevail : In a communi-
ty where an enlightened and healthy style of moral sentiment
prevails, poverty will not be invested with romantic decorations
<— it will not be viewed as the result of unhappy accident, but
being traced up to its true sources, it will be considered as the
effect of courses of conduct that are more or less criminal. The
means taken to obviate and to relieve it, will give an expres-
sion to this opinion. Th^ teacher of righteousness will have

n.arethote
{reat tovtrng,
ire is an es-
it with tbis
xpectatioDs
af a regular

that be re-
a principle
1 of any re-
y sbonld be
ne,*tfaat tbe
• of baman
Ifitmeana
owledge of

be able to
on the part
pby which
iang to say, .
can never>
missionary
>f the poor,
ompulsory

more vex-
timeut and

le adopted
Iwhich ob*

ill supply

will teach

leir bread.

[wing that

|o possess
for such

lerations,
ommuui-

lentiment
:orations

jdent, but

led as the

lal. The

expres-

ill have

the explicitness to inform men that there is tt raV« path by
y iiich poverty qtay be avoided, and as plain a' path by which
it may be come at. If, despite such counsels, a certain portion
of the community do fall into this state, then the inttitutieiis
should follow up the doctrine of the teacher of morals. They
should by no means pamper the disease. The food and rai-
ment which they supply should not be luxurious. In ev^ry
case where it was practicable, the defaulter should fa% required
to do something for what he received. Tbe sot, the slnggardt
and the idler, who prefer beggary to labour, should be taught
by the discipline to which they are exposed, that they have
made a false choice. The poor-house should no more be
without its terrors than the bedlam or the prison.

With liberal institutions that reflect in the fullest degree
compatible with order, the doctrine, that each man should
maintain his own creed, and should neither be forced nor
cajoled to support the creed which is not his, — with semina-
ries of education that made provision for the instruction of the
highest and the lowest grades of intelligence, which appealed
to the sympathies of all, and which with a righteous jealousy
resisted the cramping influence of bigotry and sect, — with a
system of agriculture, which allowed its true rank to this
useful and wholesome pursuit, and which hastened to foment
it by the last inventions of art and science, — with a plan of
commerce which was not embarrassed by narrow restrictions,
not hampered by the selfishness of particular classes, not ex-
cited to fever and depressed into languor by tbe introduction
of borrowed capital, — with a set of manufacturers, which took
up each branch of industry at the moment when it became
profitable, and no sooner, — and in which the order of nature
was not disturbed, by the improper interference of legislation,
—with a mode of taxation that would lean its weight in an
equal manner upon the subjects, and would supply them with
a scale by which the conduct of rulers could at once be ascer-
tained and checked, — with vigorous institutions for the pre-
vention or mitigation of crime and pauperism, — with a system
of such principles acting and reacting upon each other, it
would be practicable for this Province to move along a path of

•dviacfi M «t«jRdy, M» progrettive, tad to i^enMiit and beaa-
tifii],.«s 10 be ft canunent upon that elegant fancy of the ancienta,
whioh represented Mercvry, god of commeree, with six winga,
two OB the shooldere, two at the waUt, two at the anklesr-or
BO aa to verify that atill more gorgeous figure of holy wril;i
which, looka up into the planetary ayatem for a fit illuatration
of the career of virtae, and brings down from high heaven thS
trope, which compares it to the shining light that shineth mor?
and more unto the perfect day.

i< H . p^ii^Kii^* wy< ^ ; t i m »fy ■ j ^

tnt and bean-
'the ancienUi,
tth six wioga,
» anklesr-or
>f holy writ,
it illustration
h heaven thS
ihineth nor?