AGRICULTURE ON THE RHINE. 127 



their power that could give them a command of the 

 market, voluntarily placed themselves in the position 

 which we have seen the German farmers for the most part 

 occupy. Each has his own supply of wood, which seems 

 to be of little value, because if he does not work it up 

 himself, his neighbours being also supplied, would not 

 take it off his hands. No third party can interfere, for 

 by the charter of restriction (if such an absurd, although 

 true, title may be allowed), no new foundries may be 

 established within the district, nor may the old ones extend 

 their period of working. It is singular that the obvious 

 fact should escape their notice, that the competition of 

 other countries makes it impossible that iron should per- 

 manently rise in price, whereas competition amongst iron- 

 masters and steel-workers would infallibly raise the price 

 of charcoal. Who, however, that has once strayed into 

 the delusive labyrinth of restrictions ever found a simple 

 path out of its toils ? 



The village system, therefore, much as it favours po- 

 pular discussion, and consequently offers the surest means 

 of protecting individual interest, is no infallible safeguard 

 against error. The diffusion of knowledge through the 

 means of newspapers and periodicals, is not so rapid as to 

 pervade the widely extended class that in Germany is 

 directly interested in the solution of difficult economical 

 questions. In the present state of things the individuals 

 who follow the fluctuations of the market prices possess 

 an advantage over their simpler neighbours which gives 

 them opportunities of gain, their address in using which 

 is still looked upon with an invidious feeling by those 

 who are less successful, and who not unfrequently find 

 themselves outwitted. The cleverness of the more in- 



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