42 8 



Thus would philofophy and fcience multiply the fubftances, about 

 which manufactures are converfant, — improve and extend the modes 

 of employing them, and bring the procefTes of manufacture to the 

 highefl perfection, of which they arc capable, while, by the intro- 

 duction of new inventions in machinery, and the fkilful adoption of 

 the mechanical powers, they will multiply, beyond all calculation, 

 the productive efficacy of human labour. 



After what I have already fiid, of the lilk-manufacture, I truft, it 

 will not appear an unpardonable negligence, if I have forborne to 

 enlarge on the mod effectual means of promoting and extending it 

 in this country. There yet remains fome other manufactures, and 

 the detail of thefe ; — but I feel I have exhaufted myfelf. I am fure, 

 I have exhaufted the patience of the academy ; it is time to clofe- 

 this moft prolix difquifuion. I am fenfible of all its ii^iperfection?. 

 It has been written by fits and ftarts, and bears all the marks of 

 precipitation. Many things are jejune, many paradoxical; and fomc, 

 it is to be feared, impracticable. Many important matters connected 

 with this fubject, are omitted ; many things of fubordinate 

 value, are unneceffarily repeated. I am alfo confcious of the tau- 

 tology, and other defects of ftyle, into which I have been betrayed, 

 by hafle and inattention. It is not poflible to be always vigilant, 

 in a work of this length. I fear my readers have feelingly expe- 

 rienced the truth of this obfervation ; yet, prolix as I have been, I 

 feel, that I have not been as extended, as my fubject required. To 

 conclude, if, even the Deity was difpofeJ to fpare a guilty city, for 

 the merits of a virtuous few, that might be found in it ; a few 

 honeft truths, and ufeful obfervations, together with the fpirit of 

 fincerity, and good intention of the whole, may fpread a veil over 

 the many and great demerits, of this produtftion. 



INQUIRY ■ 



