348 



by which means, the arts and fabrics of the country will be improved . 

 Tafte and fkill have made a greater progrefs in mod manufaftures, in 

 the fifler country ; induftry and invention are flimulated to new im- 

 provements, by the large rewards, which an abundant capital is able 

 to bellow. The conftant demands of a vafl imperial city, the refidencc 

 of a fplendid court ; the fantaftic arbitrefs of faftiion, are perpetually 

 fuggefling progreffive ideas to the manufacturers of Britain ; and fancy 

 is for ever on the ftretch, to devife new modes, of carrying the texture 

 and beauty of their fabrics, to greater perfeftion. 



Adam Smith, though decidedly unfavourable to the fyftem of protect- 

 ing duties, in general, admits, that there is one cafe, which may be an 

 exception to the general dodtrine. — " It may, fometimes, be a matter 

 *' of deliberation," (fays he) " hcr^v far it is proper, to continue the 

 " free importation, of certain foreign goods ; that is to fay, when fome 

 •' foreign nation reftrains, Tjy high duties, or prohibitions, the impor- 

 " tation of fome of our manufactures, into their country. Revenge, 

 " in this cafe, naturally diiftates retaliation, and that ve fhould impofe, 

 " like duties and prohibitions, on the importation of fome, or all of 

 " their manufactures into ours. In this confifled a great part of the 

 " policy of Mr. Colbert, who, notwithftanding his great abilities, feems, 

 " in this cafe, to have been impofed on, by the fophiftry of mer- 

 " chants and manufacturers, who are always demanding a monopoly, 

 " againfl; their countrymen. It is, at prefent, the opinion of the mofl 

 " intelligent men in France, that his operations of this kind, have not 

 " been beneficial to his country. 



" There may be good policy in retaliations of this kind, when there 

 " is a probability, that they will procure the repeal of the high 

 " duties or prohibitions, complained of. — The recovery of a great fo- 

 " reign market, will generally more than compenfate the tranfitory in- 

 " convenience, of paying dearer, during a fliort time, for fome fort 

 " of goods. To judge, whether fuch retaliations are likely to produce 

 *' fuch an efFeCt, does not, perhaps, fo much belong to the fcience 



" of 



