[ '77, 3 



It will be unnecefTary to dwell upon the benefits 

 that would be derived to this country from an in- 

 ftitution of the nature here propofed, thcfe being 

 abundantly obvious. It feems indeed to be not a 

 little furprifing that a thing of this kind (hould not 

 have been thought of long ago. This can only have 

 been occafioned by the fatal prevalence of thofe 

 falfe notions, that have been fo long induflrioufly 

 propagated, concerning the fuperiority of Britifh 

 wool above all others; — an abfurd notion that has 

 been long eagerly cherifhed, though it is diredly 

 contradicted by our daily experience.* It is owing 

 to this caufe alone, I apprehend, that the fubjc6l 

 has. never hitherto properly attrafled the publick 

 attention. It is to be hoped, that when it does 



• That Spanifli wool ha? been long an article of import into this 

 nntry every perfon knows, but few know exa<5^Iy the amount of that 

 lie, or the fums of money that are annually fent out cf this king- 

 dom lor that article, mod of which is confumed in clothing ourfelves. 

 By an account that was laid before Parliament lafl year it appears that, 

 on an average of feveral years paft, about three millions of pounds of 

 'panifli wool have been imported by us; but that the amount of this 

 )ortation is augmenting from year to year, and that in particular, 

 ilie year 1787, no lefs.than four millions one hundred and eighty- . 

 ,ht thoufand two hundred and eighty pounds of Spanifli wool were 

 iportcdinto Britain; the value of which was upwards of ^jr hundred 

 ;tfand pounds. An immenfe fum, to be needleply given by us for 

 purpofe of encouraging the agriculture of Spain, ,ihdt might b^ 

 iinitely more beneficially employed in augmenting the produ<5ls o£ 

 1 own fields, and promoting, by the cheapncfsof tlieraw materialn, 

 manufadlures and the commerce of this country ! 



Vol. V, N comp 



k 



