xx*iv PRELIMINARY DISCOURSE. 



Here we perceive fome glimmerings of public 

 fpirit, and national exertion, but the funds were 

 fo extremely inadequate to the great purpofes of 

 improvement, that no general folid benefit could 

 be expected from this inftitution, however judicious 

 in its proceedings. It was a name without a fub- 

 flance 3 or, at beft, afforded only a faint ray of 

 hope. Three or 4000!. may embelliih and improve 

 a country town or borough, but if circulated amongft 

 1,300,000 indigent people, it lofes its effect ; de- 

 ceives the induftrious part of the community, whom 

 it ought to comfort ; affords no ftimulus for inge- 

 nuity, or affiftance in any plans of general or local 

 utility* 



In 1736, The importation duties and cuftoms 

 levied in Scotland, by virtue of the union, with 

 the accumulating fees to officers, had drawn the 

 attention of the decayed ports and creeks of the 

 kingdom, to the practice of fmuggling. This illicit 

 trade having increafed to an alarming degree, it was 

 refolved, that all the rigours of the law fhould be 

 enforced againft a fmuggler, then under fentence of 

 death, in the metropolis, when a dangerous commotion 

 happened amongft the citizens, in which it is gene- 

 rally fuppofed, many perfons of fuperior rank were 

 fecretly engaged. 



In 1740, the whole Shipping of Edinburgh and 

 Leith, confifted of 



i Veffel of 1 80 tons. 



40 from 100 to 1 6 



47 veffels carrying 2628 

 Theie veffels carried on a petty trade with Lon- 

 don, Holland, and the Baltic ; as did the other 

 aftern ports, by means of a few barks and (loops. 



Some 



