Political Economy. 161 
from making the law to the producers, with regard to price -that 
it is one of the most powerful means of a general distribution of 
wealth ; and that, in consequence of this distribution, wealth be- 
comes more productive of wealth ; becomes more productive of 
national power ; becomes, in every point of view, more beneficial 
to the state. 
Such 2 Lve the great home effects^ei even a little exportation. I 
am well aware that a surplus in the market, in consequence of a 
want of the usual demand for an article from abroad, must operate 
the contrary way.— -But, this evil is casual, whilst a depressed value 
of the great articles of consumption— which becomes stationary-^ 
and the poverty of the great mass of the people, thence ensuing, 
are certain^ and regular results oj a want of foreign trade. 
Moreover— in this state of things the people naturally remain 
without relief, whilst in the former, the ingenuity, and enterprise 
of the merchants, prompted by self-interest, are unremittingly, ex- 
erted to provide a remedy.— The calamities to which a nation is 
subject from the want of foreign trade, can only be removed by the 
greater calamities of famine, pestilence, and war. The resources 
against these, to which, even with a foreign trade, they remain occa- 
sionally subject, are found in mercantile skill, and are commensu- 
rate with the extent of the globe. 
Extract from Quart. Review for December 1812. Inquiry into 
the floor lawsy isf:. 
I do not cite this book from any deference I pay to the opinions 
of the persons who write for it, or from any admiration of the abi- 
lity or knowledge with -which it is conducted, it is far from defici- 
ent in classical literature, but it does not and cannot maintain its 
ground against the Edinburgh Review, which is certainly conducted 
with much occasional talent. From the circumstance of the v/riters 
being anonymous, both reviews assume a stile of ungentlemanly 
insolence, that would not appear, if the names of the writers ap- 
peared also. But with far inferior merit, the tone of vulgar abuse, 
which the Quarterly Review indulges in, and the canting affecta- 
tion of orthodoxy that characterises it, are extremely offensive. 
I quote the following passage, as an advocate in court -would 
press into his service adversary evidence.— 
The system of Great Britain, is a system of manufacture founds 
ed on foreign commerce ; and it is to this system that the following 
remarks apply, and they apply very forcibly. I do not choose to 
copy tlieeibuse v*^hichthis writer heaps on Malthus, Adam Smith, 
for my object is to instruct, not disgust my readers. 
But during the last forty years, a tremendous change has been 
going on ; it has affected all classes, few for the better, tke lowest 
and most numerous mijch for the worse. 
Vol. II. X 
