POLITICAL AND COMMERCIAL 25 



as it theoretically put a stop to almost the 

 whole continental trade. But trade did go 

 on under a system most debasing and per- 

 nicious to the public morals. The people 

 of France wanted English goods if the gov- 

 ernment did not, and they got them. Eng- 

 land was not inclined to forego French 

 wines and brandies, and she did not. 

 French armies continued to be clothed with 

 English woollens, and the British officers in 

 Portugal drank their accustomed stimu- 

 lants. Neutral vessels still went from port 

 to port, running great risks, but earning 

 high freights. 



That trade was not annihilated was due 

 to several reasons. In the first place the 

 Continental System of Napoleon was un- 

 popular in France, and abhorred through- 

 out the Continent. Smuggling went on to 

 an enormous extent. Neither the decrees of 

 Napoleon nor the British orders in council 

 were at all times rigidly enforced, both sides 

 making what concessions their immedi- 

 ate interests demanded. But it was by the 



