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to the extenfion of manufa£lures. Where the capital of a country is 

 confined, it is obvious, that agriculture ought to be the firfl: and great 

 objeft, in which it fliould be employed. Having attended fufficiently 

 to the interefts of agriculture, we proceed, in the next place, to the 

 advancement of arts and manufactures. In the prefent limited ftaic 

 of capital, in this country, it would be perfect madnefs to embark, at 

 once, in all the manufaftures, of which its natural advantages are 

 fufceptible ; it would prove the certain means of fucceeding in none. 



Although the opening of new fources of effeftual and productive in- 

 duftry gives new neryes to the colleftive flrength of the country, and 

 muft, of neceffity, be a great objcdl of political economy ; we fliould 

 guard ourfelves from the delufion of fanguine or diflioneft projectors, 

 deceived, or deceiving, who dazzle us with their magnificent fpecu- 

 lations, and detail their plans for public works, commercial undertakings, 

 and the eftabliflinient of new manufactures, without regarding the firft 

 principles of commerce, or adverting to thofe rules of plain common 

 fenfe, which ought to guide every exertion of induftry. Nothing is more 

 injurious to the political, as well as the natural frame, than exertions 

 beyond its ftrength. The natural effeft of fuch exertions will be debility 

 and paralytic difeafe. To preferve ourfelves from fuch unhappy con- 

 fequences, we fliould beware of falfe opinions of our own ftrength, whe- 

 ther they proceed from others, or from our own hopes and imaginations. 



Many manufaftures will at once prefent themfelves to confideration, 

 and contend for a preference. Different manufactures may poflefs dif- 

 ferent merits, and found their pretenfions on various grounds ; it will 

 be neceflary to compare them, witl) each other, and in forming this 

 comparifon', the legiflator muft govern himfelf, by taking a compound 

 ratio, of merits and demerits. Political economy requires, more than, 

 perhaps, any other branch of fcicnce clear ideas, and accurate diftinc, 

 tions ; and there is no fubjeft, in which the fpeculatift is more liable 

 to confufion and inaccuracy, or where they produce more injurious con- 

 fequences. We fee this particularly exemplified, with refped to manu- 

 factures. 



