368 Tradesman aitd Merchant — Commercial Population 



rules, appearing in each publication; the advertising page put on for 

 the first time a modern look."^ The affairs of trade hereafter super- 

 seded those of society life as the most numerous branch of adver- 

 tisements. 



Summary and Conclusions. In the foregoing paragraphs effort has 

 been made to demonstrate that between 1660 and 1760 in particular, 

 extensive developments were made in the means of communication 

 and transport; that these means were of increasing service to the 

 trading class; and that they were fostered by this class. Land and 

 water vehicles, by 1760, were larger and some were, in construction, 

 speciaKzed for particular trades. The use of the wagon and stage- 

 coach increased. In the latter part of the period there was a general 

 good-roads movement and a turnpike system was inaugurated. At 

 the same time the canalization of rivers and the digging of canals 

 to connect natural waterways extended the internal navigation of the 

 Kingdom. The charges for carriage fell precipitately. A specialized 

 class of carriers arose, running schedule lines of vehicles, at reduced 

 rates and greater speed, for the transport of travellers and merchan- 

 dise. The general Post Office was established and extended by bye- 

 posts, cross-posts and foreign connections. The rapidity of transpor- 

 tation and the general serviceability of the mails were bettered. The 

 newspaper was founded and arose to what was, considering the age, 

 an immense circulation; it was devoted increasingly to the service of 

 trade. Abroad, the system of agency was developed and the univer- 

 sal merchant became common. The government extended its con- 

 sular service and took a more \dgorous interest in the welfare of for- 

 eign trade. 



One result of this general progress in communication and transport 

 was to widen the market area. The transport of goods, people and 

 news was the basal and causal element in the expansion of business 

 before 1760. The means of production in workshop and farm were 

 practically unchanged. The increase in the volume of products was 

 in response to the larger market, made possible by better communica- 

 tion, and stimulated by lower prices, larger variety, and suggestive 

 advertisements. But the larger volume of goods passing from pro- 

 ducer to consumer wrought not only a greater occasion for the middle- 

 man, but also effected a further differentiation of the middleman: 

 branches of the trade which hitherto could not support a specialized 

 agent could now afford a profitable employment for him. 



1 Quoted by Sampson, 191, from some authority not specified. 



