61 



to a bad season at home. The argument for- 

 merly applied to the one equally applies to the 

 other. If we are to abolish distillation at pre- 

 sent, on such a contingency, we may abolish it 

 always. If the contingency does not happen 

 when expected, we have not only taken a need- 

 less step, but have deprived ourselves of the re- 

 source which would have relieved us when it 

 did happen. When the pressure is felt it is 

 time to apply the remedy; and even then, the 

 less we interfere the better, as the remedy will 

 apply itself. 



The chance of a failure of supplies from the 

 shutting up of the ports of Europe and Ameri- 

 ca, is one which, being chiefly in view at pre- 

 sent, will require a somewhat fuller considera- 

 tion ; although the very same principles apply 

 to it as to the failure from a deficient season 

 abroad or at home. 



When we look with such apprehension to 

 the failure of foreign supplies, as many persons 

 do at present, it is natural to inquire, in the 

 first place, into the probability of that event 

 happening, so as to give us any material dis- 

 tress : and towards determining this point, the 

 experience of the last nine months is peculiar- 

 ly instructive. The whole ports of the Conti- 

 nent, from which we usually received supplies 

 of grain, have been under the controul of our 



