366 



cafes, it may be wife, to fccure to the inventor of any new art, or improver 

 of any art already known, a monopoly in his invention or improvement, for 

 a certain period. It may be wife, to encourage individuals, to join their ca- 

 pitals, to form themfelves, into companies, and to cement their affociation, 

 by charter ; that undertakings which exceed the means, or the courage of 

 individuals, may be affailed and conquered by united (Irength ; and that, if 

 any failure fliould be the confequence of their fpeculation, that lofs, which 

 would have depreffcd an individual, to rife no more, and deprived fociety of 

 all his future exertions, and induftry, may be lightly borne, when diftributed 

 through the capitals, and refources of a large number of individuals, who 

 compofe the affociation. 



Sect. v. 



On the Maximum in the Price of Labour. 



It is a misfortune, which attends all queftions of commerce, and manufac. 

 ture, that they are too liable to partial confideration. The interefts of indi- 

 viduals, or of particular claffes, will unavoidably, ftart forward, and become 

 fuch prominent features, that they will (land in the way of free difcuffion, 

 and enlarged views of policy. The merchant thinks, the peculiar branch of traf- 

 fick, in which he is engaged, ought to be the objeft of prime confideration, 

 with the legiflature ; and inftrufts his reprefentative to oppofe any impofl, 

 or regulation, that feems to militate againfl: it. The manufacturer thinks, 

 that the trade, or calling, by which he thrives, fliould be guarded, as the 

 palladium of the country ; that it fliould be held facred, from prophane in- 

 truCon, with religious myftery ; that it fliould be fed with facrifices, and 

 pampered with bounties. Of manufafturers, again, that exercife the fame 



art. 



