DUTIES OF THE GOVERNMENT. 237 



are of general interest, and should be established, superin- 

 tended, and maintained by the government itself. 



These four kinds of communication correspond to each 

 other, and are bound together by a common interest ; they 

 may be regarded as arteries in the social body, which carry 

 life to every part. 



When these channels of communication shall be well di- 

 rected and carefully maintained, transportation will become 

 more easy, more prompt, and cheaper, all which is for the 

 advantage of agriculture ; we shall no longer see portions of 

 the population enclosed within very narrow limits, and con- 

 demned to produce no more than they can consume, and to 

 derive but small advantage from certain natural products, 

 such as the wood which crowns the summits and covers the 

 sides of almost all our mountains. 



These communications, established through the country, 

 will not only tend to facilitate the interchange of commod- 

 ities and to increase production, but will have a favorable 

 influence upon civilization. By bringing the inhabitants 

 nearer to each other, they establish improving social rela- 

 tions between them ; mutual assistance is rendered ; mu- 

 tual instruction afforded in the art of cultivation ; and 

 society, in its turn, profits by all these facilities for social 

 union. 



If to these communications by land, rendered as easy and 

 as extensive as necessity requires, we add the immense ad- 

 vantages of navigation upon rivers and canals, agriculture 

 will soon have little to ask of government. 



There are few parts of France where canals cannot be 

 made, or the navigation of rivers improved. When the 

 grand scheme of navigation, which has been for three years 

 provided for by a law, shall be executed, great means of com- 

 munication will be opened ; and it only remains to terminate 

 this excellent system by branches, to secure to France all 

 the benefit of navigation. 



Then the varied productions of France will be conveyed 

 to all points ; the price of commodities will everywhere 

 diminish, consumption will necessarily increase, and we shall 

 not again see one district exposed to the scourge of famine, 

 without others being able to supply it, except at a great 

 expense. 



