Political Economy, 135 
stimulus to consumption, now found in the constant novelty, or the 
superior excellence, of the productions offered. 
The utmost division of labour, therefore, unabated activity, 
unremitted exertions to extend improvements, enlarged ideas, 
and their great result — a steady progress of civilization — are 
only compatible with those prudential considerations that ultimate- 
ly guide the conduct of individuals, in a country enjoying an ex- 
tensive foreign trade. In such a one alone, that most useful de- 
scription of citizens, the merchants, are able to take care that no- 
thing, any where of value, be wasted, and that every natural 
or artificial advantage, be improved to the utmost.* The condi- 
tion of most of those, which are deprived of this trade, is nearly 
stationary, all over the globe. Hungary- — with her immense na- 
tural riches, the interior of Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Turkey, 
the beautiful regions of Africa, bordering on the Mediterranean, and 
China, are what they have been for centuries past, f whilst France, 
and particularly England, seem every thirty or forty years, to ex- 
hibit a new creation; whilst the United States, to judge from the 
rates of their progress since the revolution, bid fair to surpass, in 
time, even England herself. In both countries an extensive inter- 
course with the rest of the world has caused every commodity, and 
every production, that could be spared, or the use of which, at 
home, was superceded by a better commodity, and a better pro- 
duction, to find a good market abroad. J\''othing has been lost ! 
Gains have been multiplied by combined mercantile operations, 
between the most distant nations. Extensive information has be- 
come a productive capital. The rectitude of government, im- 
partial administration of justice, and public credit— -a source ol 
wealth. f No individual riches have been hoarded, as they ge- 
nerally are in badly governed, or secluded countries, where 
thoughts and people become trifling and contracted. On the con- 
* This is not the business of the inerchant either in theory or in practice 
It is the province of the manufacturer, whetlier for the home or tiie foi’eigit 
trade. Tlie merchant is a mere factor : he finds out markets, and purchases 
the goods there wanted, Kut he has nothing to do either with saving or im- 
proving as Dr. B. states. T. C. 
f This is owing- to political errors in Government — to ignorance amoi-ig the 
people— to despotism— not to the want of trade. What trade has France had 
for these twenty years past ? Yet has h.er power or her knowledge diniinisii- 
eel ? England has monopolized till a fe v years back, the trade of Xhc world 
has her power permanently encreased .? Assuredly not, as I tliink, 1'. C-. 
h Are not these perfectly consistent with the liome trade ? T G,- 
