PREFACE. XX111 



jealousy of the power of England they are tempted 

 to think that this power is derived from its manu- 

 factures, and therefore to encourage them in their 

 own country, in order that she too may become 

 more rich and more powerful, their more enlarged 

 views finally prevail, and they refuse to extend their 

 commerce from fear of the consequences which they 

 see produced amongst ourselves. English eco- 

 nomists pursue "the greatest money principle;" 

 the foreign economists pursue "the greatest hap- 

 piness principle." The most influential foreign 

 writers who take sound views are Count Pecchio in 

 Italy and the Vicomte de Villeneuve in Belgium. 



Whilst, however, it is not to be denied that the 

 manufactures of England are now producing public 

 mischief, it is true, on the other hand, that they have 

 been a source of wealth. In the management of 

 the physical resources of a country, wisdom con- 

 sists in preserving due proportions : it is the just 

 balance of all the organs which sustain life that 

 gives health in the human economy, not a violent 

 action in the heart with imperfect motion in the 

 lungs or digestive powers. Of all the continental 

 nations, Austria is the one which least requires in 

 her actual circumstances to be warned against any 

 evil likely to accrue to her in the present moment 

 from extension of her trade and manufactures. 

 The disturbance of her equilibrium is quite the op- 



