106 Economy of Machinery and Manufactures. 



round half our planet to be woven by British skill, in the manufac- 

 tories of Lancashire. It is again set in motion by British capital and 

 transported to the very plains whereon it grew and is repurchased by 

 the lords of the soil, which gave it birth, at a cheaper price than, with 

 their coarser machinery, they can manufacture it for themselves."* 



The explanation of principles, and the detail of processes contain- 

 ed in this work must be extremely interesting to the American man- 

 ufacturer. He will discern the differences, which exist between his 

 own circumstances and those, whose operations he would imitate, 

 and whether all the materials, and modes of economy, and powers 

 and facilities, which have insured success to the foreign manufacturer 

 are within his own compass. He will be able to decide, whether 

 many fair and alluring appearances, may not prove fallacious, from 

 ignorance of the minute aids, and savings, essential to secure profit ; 

 and he will see how far deviations may be practicable, and how far the 

 resources of our own country may yield him a peculiar advantage. 



In every, civilized country a considerable proportion of its popula- 

 tion will be employed in agriculture. If it be a wide country with a 

 fine soil, a favoring climate, and ready means for transportation and 

 export, a majority will be agriculturists; if crowded with inhabi- 

 tants, and possessing but a limited territory, every inducement will 

 urge them to procure, by other modes of industry, that which they 

 cannot obtain from their soil. In Great Britain, all the causes which 

 lead to excellence in manufactures, are in no common degree, com- 

 bined; for, although agriculture is still the foundation of her wealth, 

 the guarantee of its perpetuity, the pillar of her commerce and man- 

 ufactures — yet with a dense, and when compared with the other coun- 

 tries of Europe, an educated population, and a stable government, 



their enterprise and success in manufacturing industry have been 

 unparalleled. 



The following table will show the ratio of the manufacturing to the 

 agricultural classes in England, Italy and France : 



■ 



Agriculturists. • . Non-agriculturists. 



"In Italy, - - 100 - - 31 



France, - 100 - - 50 



England, - - 100 - - 200 



and the proportion of non-agricultural to agricultural persons in Great 

 Britain is, continually, increasing. In three different periods of ten 

 years, during each of which the general population of the country has 



* See p. 4, Economy of Machinery and Manufactures. 



