OF SAMUEL CROMPTON. 235 



and did exist afterwards from time to time, which 

 caused a suspension of increase of means, and 

 sometimes even a diminution of produce by the 

 means that were in existence. This is the case 

 with every infant trade or manufacture; an 

 obstinate resistance to a reduction of prices 

 existing, until some enterprising spirit attempts 

 to meet the market by some simplification, and 

 better arrangement of the means of production, 

 so as to enable the individual to offer the article 

 produced at a lower price. This principle will 

 hold in all our manufactures, and in such seasons 

 of depression, the greatest improvements have 

 always been made. The art of spinning on 

 Cromptons machine was tolerably well known 

 from the circumstance of the high wages that 

 could be obtained by those working on it, above 

 the ordinary wages of other artisans, such as 

 shoe makers, joiners, hat makers, &c. who on 

 that account left their previous employment;* 

 and to them might be applied the fable of the 

 town in a state of siege. For, if in the course 

 of their working the machine, there was any 

 little thing out of gear, each workman endea- 

 voured to fill up the deficiency with some expe- 



• By their industry, skill, and otconomy, these men first 

 liccaine proprietors of perhaps a single mule, and, perseverinjj 

 in habits so intimately connected with success, were aftenvards 

 the most extensive spinners in the trade. 



