PREFACE. Xi 



merce, mines, coal-works, fak-works, lime-works, canals, and vari- 

 ous branches of manufadlurai induflry, as well as in agriculture. 



As I wiflied to write an ufeful, rather than a large, book, 1 have 

 been careful not to load and obfcure the pages with the verbofity 

 and peculiarity of language, which are thought neccfTary in a6ls of 

 parliament, treaties, and other public papers. But I have given a 

 concife abridgement of fuch of them as are connedled with com- 

 merce, which in moft cafes will be fufficient ; and where it is not, 

 recourfe can be had to the originals. 



All the ofEcial accounts are arranged in the perfpicuous and com- 

 prehenlive form of tables. Thofe of the imports and exports are 

 confl:ru(5led fo as to fliow the whole trade with each country by 

 adding the amount of England and Scotland. And, in order to 

 avoid large folding tables and an uneceffary multitude of figures, I 

 have left it to the reader to make the additions when neceJJary, and 

 alfo to ftrike the balance of trade with any particular country. 



I have been fparing of remarks, and have advanced no dogmatic 

 opinions, nor any theories whatfoever. My readers will in general 

 be more capable than myfelf of perceiving the caufes and confe- 

 quences of events and laws : and with the recital of thefe only the 

 book is fufficiently voluminous. 



In order to preferve the narrative from being interrupted by ar- 

 gumentative or difputable matter, I have thrown all critical difquifi- 

 tions, and alfo many illuftrations and proofs, into the notes. Thele 

 feme readers may chufe to overlook, while others will think them 

 the mod valuable part of the work : and I am ready to ackndwlege, 

 that fome of them have cofl me more labour in refearch than many 

 pages of the text. But, if they fhall be inflrumental in correding 



b2 



