IV PREFACE. 



severe may appear to be the German law to prevent early mar- 

 riages *, it is certain that the poor of these countries, as Mr. 

 Spence has remarked (p. 126.), are an independent, spirited, com- 

 fortable, and happy class, compared with the poor of Britain and 

 Ireland. The reasons we have given ; and they will be obvious to 

 any person who may visit these countries, and examine them with 

 attention. 



The extraordinary improvement made in the application of 

 steam to railroad and common carriages (p. 684>.); a reaping 

 machine brought to a high degree of perfection (p. 600.) ; a great 

 improvement in ploughs and cultivators, by which 30 per cent 

 will be saved in the power of draft (p. 651.); and a greatly im- 

 proved water-closet, garden engine (p. 54^5.), and shower bath 

 (p. 6.56.), have been recorded as of immediate value in domestic 

 or rural economy, or as prophetic of great and general public 

 benefits. 



J. C. L. 

 Bayswater, Nov. 25. 1829. 



* See Hodgson's Travds in Germamj. 8vo. 1815. 



