345 
Notice to Correspondent^. 
i . - 
have considerably improved it— You shall have a full account of it 
after some time, together with some experiments and observations 
on Platina, which, perhaps, you will not find uninteresting. I am 
no secret monger; (as you say manufacturers always are) but, 
since no body would choose to refund me the by no means small 
expences I have incurred in unsuccessful trials, it would perhaps 
be carying liberality too far to enable others at once to place them- 
selves on my shoulders. 
Many manufacturers, who hate improved their processes, I think 
might plead the same observation in justification of their conduct, 
when desirous to keep their knowledge rather to themselves, or to 
impart it only to their children, than give it to the world at large. 
The patent law seems to sanction the principle that they should 
benefit by their labours. Why then should a term of reproach 
attach to individuals proceeding on the same ground ? 
I have also succeeded in giving the metallic lustre to Pottery 
by means of Platina, the shades of which may be varied at pleasure^ 
and some other applications of malleable Platina in the arts, are 
contemplated, of which you shall be informed as soon as their use® 
fulness has been practically ascertained. 
Political economy being my favourite science, I have read with 
particular attention, and interest, the pages relating to it in the 
first number of your Emporium, and it is with some regret that I 
perceive you have adopted, and endeavour to give currency to, a 
train of ideas, in irty opinion erroneous, and the prevalence of 
which with too many, has already produced a vast deal of mischief. 
That they are both erroneous, and pregnant with evil, appears to 
me, after much, and repeated reflection, so unquestionably true, 
that I should not despair, in fair and liberal discussion, to convince 
Adam Smith himself of it, whom, I know, you have in many points 
on your side. 
If, as a lover of truth, you will receive in a friendly manner, and 
give a place to in your next number, a few observations addressed 
to you, as such, on this subject, I shall forthwith commit them to 
paper, and I intend in this case to examine every position in your 
political arithmetic together with the arguments intended to sup- 
port them. 
An elementary fiofiular treatise on political economy is a work 
which I conceive much wanted in this country, which I contem- 
plated to tvrite, and in which I have made no inconsiderable pro» 
X x 
