FRANCE. 159 



and men before the war, may be able, from 

 this table, to afcertain the difference. 



Of all the objects which at prefent, and 

 for fome years, have engaged the attention 

 of the Miniftry, the revival of commerce 

 feems to have been moft at heart. Conti- 

 nued plans have been drawn up, and received 

 for this purpofe. M. de Boynes, the Se- 

 cretary of State, who has this department 

 particularly under him, had, for fome time, 

 meetings with merchants and manufac!u- 

 rers, from all parts of France : the refult of 

 thefe has been little more than a few edicts, 

 for the encouragement of {hip-building, 

 which were not powerful enough to have 

 any effect. The weaknefs of thefe efforts 

 has been owing to the diflradion of their 

 finances ever fince the war, which has been 

 fo great, that every branch of the govern- 

 ment has felt it feverely. And, notwith- 

 ftanding the prefent aim and wilhes of ths 

 Miniftry are highly bent to this object, yet 

 little is now done for it, though the revenue 

 of the kingdom is every year regularly upon 

 the increafe, by the dropping in of annui- 

 tants on lives, and the payment of debt> 

 c;-j:fra-5led only for a term of ye.irs This 



circum- 



