AGRICULTURE WITH CHEMISTRY, 195 



erupting this at present waste or refuse article from 

 duty for the working of fire engines, or the burning of 

 lime ; still any limited or partial exemption from so in- 

 judicious a tax as that on water borne coals, would be far 

 short of the advantages, which, by a total repeal of the 

 duties, would ensue to agriculture, manufactures, mines, 

 machinery, navigation, or extent of shipping, and the 

 health and comforts of the great body of the people in 

 this humid and northern climate. An exclusive duty 

 on coals carried coastways, may be deemed a prohibition 

 to the rearing of seamen, and a bounty on the breeding of 

 horses. It is truly astonishing that so glaring an absurdity 

 has not hitherto been co rrefted. The late requsitions, and 

 very strong but necessary steps taken by Government^ to 

 procure seamen to defend our Island from foreign in- 

 vasion, show whether it is to horses or to seamen we 

 are now to be indebted for our Defence. In Scotland, 

 the duty on coals is repealed, and an additional duty on 

 spirits substituted in its stead. In this respect, the in- 

 habitants of South Britain would do well to promote a 

 similar plan of commutation. 



B b 2 The 



