COTTON. 159 



remind the reader, that it is an exotic of the 

 most tender nature, that requires the con- 

 tinual care and attention of man to ensure 

 its growth. 



There has seldom been more than one 

 large plant known to exist in an age: this, 

 when destroyed, gives rise to its cultivation 

 in some distant part of the globe, where its 

 blossoms beautify, and its fruit enriches the 

 country that nourishes it. Commerce is a 

 native of no particular country, and only 

 thrives in a soil that is manured by honour, 

 equity, and justice. The wisest monarchs 

 have nourished it, and the best servants of 

 thrones have protected it. The Kings of 

 Tyre planted it by the water, and it made 

 their city a great nation, and their merchant- 

 men, princes. " By thy great wisdom and 

 thy traffic, hast thou increased thy riches."* 



Solomon obtained a branch of this plant 

 from Tyre, through which he made himself 

 the richest monarch of the universe, and his 

 little kingdom the admiration of the world. 

 Alexander sowed its seed in the city to 

 which he gave his own name, and Constan- 

 tine transplanted it into Constantinople. Ed- 

 ward the First planted it on the banks of the 



# Ezekiel. 



