THE TRADE OF PLYMOUTH. 381 
capital, in a vain endeavour to defy nature. But if we study the 
structure of our surroundings, and the functions which they enable 
us best to perform, we are successful; and in proportion to our 
success is our utility to the nation, and, in a still wider sphere, to 
the world at large. 
The structure of this island-home of ours has enabled us to 
perform a great function in the history of the world; not the least 
important part of which has been the trade that we have carried 
on with all the nations of the earth, enabling industry, wheresoever 
it may be, to interchange its produce for whatsoever industry pro- 
duces. Active as we have been in the practice of trade, we have 
not been less so in our enquiries into the principles or the funda- 
mental laws, on which a successful trade ought to be based; and 
it is to be hoped in this last respect also, on principle as well as in 
practice, we have taught a lesson and set an example of the utmost 
utility to the world at large. 
I have already said that trade can only be carried on where 
facilities of communication exist. These facilities are offered at 
Plymouth by its position with respect to the rest of the world as 
part of the structure of these islands, and by its own peculiar 
structure as one of the best harbours for shipping on the face of 
the earth. The facilities of communication between Plymouth 
and the rest of the world by sea are beyond all question great. 
The facilities of communication between Plymouth and the rest of 
the world by land are, and have for some time been, too much the 
reverse. 
Plymouth is essentially a harbour for shipping, and has performed 
that function in the economy of the nation from pre-historic times 
until now. It was used as a harbour when the Pheenicians traded 
with Devon and Cornwall for tin. It was used as a harbour 
when the sea-kings of Scandinavia descended upon our coasts and 
devastated the rich pasture lands of Devon. It has been a harbour 
in all our relations with the French on the opposite coast, whether 
in peace or in war. It was Drake’s own peculiar harbour, from 
whence his enterprizes on the ocean were launched, and from 
whence, whether as a rover, an explorer, or the Queen’s admiral, 
he led the sailors of the West of England into the most daring 
exploits of seamanship ever performed. It was a harbour when 
the Pilgrim Fathers sailed from England to found the mighty 
nation of the American States. It has been a harbour for our 
