4i8 M^Moiit ON rut 



by it. Our fage legiflators are fo much 

 conTinced of the truth of this obfervation, 

 that they have eEdeavoured to remove thofe 

 reftraints which impeded its progrefs and 

 profperity. They have aboHlhed that check 

 of exclufive privilege vphich vifibly ob- 

 ftruded it ; and delivered it from the op- 

 preffion of an odious monopoly > whichj in- 

 ftead of being a national obje£t, concerned 

 only a few individuals, v^lio ftudied more 

 the increafe of their own private fortunes, 

 than the good of their country. 



The defire of gain is the only thing 

 which excites the induftry of the Euro- 

 peansj in their commerce with the Chinefe, 

 fmce they might live very well without 

 their productions. Cuftoms, however, foon 

 degenerate into wants, or at leaft into dif- 

 agreeable privations, which are nearly 

 fimilar. We wUh for fuperfluities ; and 

 China, of all the Afiatic countries, is that 



which 



