3S^ 



Sect. iii. 



EJiabliJhments for the profecution of Trade, and ManufaBura, by 

 Go'vernment, or the Public, on its own Account. 



In fome countries, the government, or rich and powerful individuals, 

 not being either merchants, manufafturers, or fkilled in manufaftures ; 

 from a well meant, but injudicious defire, of promoting commerce and 

 induflry, and furnifliing employment, for the poor ; have attempted to 

 eftablifli large and extenfive manufaftories, for the production of fa- 

 brics, on their own account. Thefe vaft and magnificent fpeculations, 

 inflead of proving ferviceable to the country, at large, or any indi- 

 vidual in it ; prove uniformly ruinous to the undertakers, and inju- 

 rious to the caufe of general induftry. They endeavour to confine in 

 a hot-houfe, and rear to a premature growth, by forcing powers of 

 artificial heat, a plant, which, if fet in the open air and natural foil, 

 and left to the free influence of the fun, and to the foftering rains 

 and dews of heaven, would have fpread largely, and yielded an abun- 

 dant return ; inflead of exhibiting a fickly unwholefome vegetation, and 

 affording a fmall produce, at a large expence. 



There is fomething grand and impofing, no doubt, in the idea of 

 being the fole proprietary of an extenfive and flourifhing manufacture ; 

 of the difpenfation of employment, and bread, to thoufands ; of the in- 

 fpeftion of their conduft, and diftribution of rewards, to the exertions 

 of their induftry. — A very fmall portion of refleflion will convince us, 

 that the natural tendency of fuch fchemes, fo plaufible at firfl; fight, 

 is to debilitate the energy, and wafte the produftive powers of the fo- 

 ciety ; by transferring the employment of capital, from fldlful to unikil- 



ful 



