253 



words, as to the tendency of thefe manufaftures, refpeftlvely, to enrich 

 the country that exercifes them ; it mufl: be confidered, that this ca- 

 pital is made up of the capital of ail the individuals in the country ; 

 this being the cafe, it follows, that, with regard to the augmentation 

 of the national wealth, the linen manufafture holds the firft place, the 

 woollen the fecond, and the third is due to that of cotton. 



We come, in the lafl: place, to compare thefe manufaftures with' a 

 reference to the danger of competition. Our linen manufafture ftands 

 fearlefs, and triumphant, in maturity of Ikill and reputation, defpifmg 

 rivalfliip. Not fo the woollen and the cotton ; the two great markets 

 of the Levant, and Portugal have been pre-occupied, the former by 

 France, the latter by Britain.* No country has applied itfelf, with greater 

 application or fuccefs, to the cultivation and improvement of the wool- 

 len manufacture than France ; nor has {he been inattentive to that of 

 cotton, or unfortunate in her attentions. Her attention has been par- 

 ticularly directed to the theory and praftice of dying ; and her fupe- 

 rior ikill and excellence in that art, fo neceffary to the perfeftion of 

 the fabricks of wool and cotton ftand univerfally acknowledged. The 

 prefent misfortunes and diftraftions of France, may, for a time, retard 

 the progrefc of manufaftures, or even caufe them to become retro- 

 grade, for a feafon, yet, when peace fliall return, with fettled freedom 

 in her train, the arts and induftry of the country will return in new 

 glory. Be that as it may, it is from the rivalfliip of Britain, that our 

 manufaftures of wool and cotton muft encounter the chief obftacles 

 to their profperity and extenfion. Britain poffeffes fuperior capital and 

 fupcrior Ikill, and the operation and influence of thefe immenfe advan- 

 tages will be powerfully feconded by the conftant exertions of aftive 



jealoufy, and vigilant policy. 



Sect. 



* By means of the Methuen treaty a great fource of the opulence of Britain, flie 

 poffeffes the monopoly of cloathing Portugal. Such was the cafe, when this Effay 

 was written ; the late treaty of peace between France and Portugal puts matters on a 

 <iifferent footing. 



