An Inquiry into the 'Principles of taxation. [25] 



and enterprifing fpirit of that people were roufed 

 to the higheft exertion j and their fabrics of filk 

 and cotton were then worked with fuch elegance 

 and expedition, by the invention of machinery, as 

 precluded all competition. The gentlemen en- 

 gaged in the manufactures of Manchefter will find 

 thefe obfervations perfedly confonant to their own 

 experience; yet they are of dangerous tendency, 

 and admiffible only within certain reftri6tions. 

 For both art and adivity are not only bounded in 

 their extent, but are precarious in their duration, 

 and dependent on a variety of unforefeen contin- 

 gencies. And, though the moderate preflure of 

 wants, which may be gratified without much diffi- 

 culty, ftimUlates to exertion ; yet, necefTity creates 

 defpair, the parent of idlenefs, profligacy, and 

 mifery. Under fuch circumflances, the produc- 

 tive laborers of the flate will be confiderably di- 

 minifhed in number, and will be compelled to 

 raife the price of induftry to a height fubverfive 

 both of trade and commerce. It muft be remem- 

 bered, alfo, that thefe working members are incident 

 to the fcverity of feafons, as well as to the fluc- 

 tuation and inflability of thofe manual arts which 

 depend on fafhion, local conveniencies, or foreign 

 materials ; and that they are often plunged 

 into fufFerings which call for public aid, and ought 

 to fuperfede exaftion. Befides, there is at all times, 

 and in every place a numerous clafs of poor, 



who, 



