423 



fome important branches of induftry ; particularly the maltflersj and 

 diftillers of this country, and the manufacturers of tobacco, leather, 

 and paper hangings. 



There is no object, which ought to engage the attention of aa 

 enlightened legiflature, more conftantly, or to be cheriflied, with 

 greater care, than the manufacture of malt, and the breweries, and 

 diflilleries, of this country; both as they contribute, in a great 

 meafure, to the fupport of government, by the large revenue which 

 they yield ; and as their profperity, and encreafe, is infeparably con- 

 nected, with the interefts of agriculture ; which, in every well* 

 regulated country, ought to be the firft national object, and the 

 firft legiflative care. Agriculture is not only, in itfelf, the moft 

 profitable form of productive labour; but alfo, feeds and fuftaina 

 every art, and every manufacture, in health and vigour. Itisjuftly 

 obferved, by fome writer, but by whom, I do not at prefent recol- 

 lect, that, you may {hear the fheep of agriculture, to the quick ; 

 they will bear it with all patience ; while the fwine of commerce, 

 fcream, and ftruggle, and make a hideous noife, if you attempt to 

 touch but a biiftle from their backs. 



To aflift us, in the difcovery of veins of coal, as well as other ufeful 

 minerals, to render us fkilful, in the nature, properties, ufes and 

 apphcations of metals, and other mineral fubflances; to inftrucl us 

 in the moft perfect, and advantageous modes of working mines, and 

 of fmelting, affaying, and manufacluring metals, and minerals ; for 

 the various ufes and purpofes, to which they are applicable; it would 

 be of the utmoft utility, to fend perfons duly qualified by education, 

 and talents, to travel into the countries, where thcfe fubjeds are 

 befl: underftood, particularly in Germany, the great fchool of mine- 

 ralogy, chemiftry, and. metallurgy, with directions to make them- 

 felves pepfeflly acquainted, with all the lateft difcoveries and im- 

 provements, in the arts of working mines, and fmelting, affaying, 

 and manufaduring metals j it would produce alfo important confe- 



quencesj 



