C 2-28 ] . 



XXXIX. On disclosing the Process of Mamifuctories, 

 To Mr. Tilloch. 



SIK, Newcastle, Feb. 17, 13^5, 



Jt ERMiT me to entreat the attention of some of your nu- 

 merous correspondents towards a question which must 

 certainly be interesting to every nianufacturer, but of which 

 no regular discussion has yet been ofi'ered : — " Is it proper 

 or improper to lay before the public a full and impartial 

 statement of the various processes of our maHufactories ?'* 

 I shall state such reasons as have offered themselves to me 

 why they should be displayed ; but I am principally anxious 

 to receive further information on a subject that appears to 

 me peculiarlv interesting. — The first argument I shall 

 adduce is that of Mr. Boyle, as quoted by Dr. .lohnson in 

 the 201st number of the Kambler. " The excellency of 

 manufactures, and the facility of labour, would be much 

 promoted if the various expedients and contrivances which 

 lie concealed in private hands were bv reciprocal communi- 

 cation made generally known ; for there are few operations 

 that are not performed by one or another with some pecu- 

 liar advantages, which though singly of little importance, 

 Vvould by conjunction and concurrence open new inlets to 

 knowledge, and give new powers to diligence." — The second 

 is the very considerable improvements that have taken place 

 in the few manufactories which have yet been under the 

 influence of chemical inquiry ; thus realizing, but on a very 

 extensive scale, the suggestions of Mr. Boyle : so far, 

 therefore, as we are to be guided on the one hand by ex- 

 perience, and on the other by the influence of scientific 

 inquirv, on liberal display, will the argument be in our 

 favour. — In the third place, I would observe, that as many 

 very valuable discoveries are owing to chance, those with 

 whom they originate are frequently, perhaps, incapable of' 

 improving them to the extent they would admit of in the 

 liands of men of science ; and thus by a spirit of monopoly, 

 preclude even themselves from the advantageous cultivation 

 of such discoveries, merely lest others might enjoy them also. 

 If, again, we consider the rapid progress that has been made 

 of late years m every department of useful and practical 

 knowledge, we must attribute it entirely to those liberal 

 communications that have been made by men whose atten- 

 tion has been immediately directed to the promotion and 

 i-mprovenient of every thing valuable to the public. Again> 

 'I"he profits of evfry business depend on the regularity and 

 ■- ^- 7 knowledge 



