2o6 



carpenter, the joiner, the mill-wright, the rope-maker — thefe may be 

 ftiled manufaftures of ramifying or eleftrical induftry, and, from their 

 extenfive influence, in diffufmg produ£Hve labour, particularly deferve 

 the encouragement of the legiflature. 



I fhall conclude this fe^lion, with obferving, that, as the population 

 of a country conflitutes its ftrength, and population is (cateris paribus) 

 proportionable to the number of people, for whom the agriculture, 

 manufaftures, and foreign commerce of the country, can find employ- 

 ment, whereby they are fupplied with the neceflaries of life; thofe 

 manufaftures, will, if other circumftances are on an equality, moft de- 

 ferve the encouragement of the legiflature, which, in the procefs of 

 their refpeftive fabrics, to perfeftion, employ the greateft number of 

 individuals; and are mofl favourable to general induftry. But let not 

 this aflTertion be underftood to militate againft the introduftion of ufeful 

 machinery, or compendious proceffes, which abridge the labour of the 

 human hand in any particular branch of manufafture ; thefe though, 

 at firfl, they feem to have a tendency to diminifli the number of per- 

 fons employed, have a contrary effeft. 



Sect. 3. 



ManufaSlura Jlill further examined on the ground of their intrinfic Ex- 

 cellence and Value. 



When we (hall come to apply the principles contained in the preced- 

 ing fection, by making a choice of manufactures ; thofe will deferve, 

 ctzteris paribus^ to be mofl cheriftied, which afferd the faireft profpeft 

 of a conftant and regular demand, for the fabrics which they pro- 

 duce. Manufaftures, which furnifli articles of the firfl necefHty, and 

 have their foundation, in the uniform wants, and feelings of men ; are 

 to be preferred to others; (though of a more perfeft and elaborate 



charader. 



