VI

PREFACE.

wealth can scarcely be indifferent to processeswhich nearly or remotely have been the fertilesource of their possessions. Those who enjoyleisure can scarcely find a more interesting andinstructive pursuit than the examination of theworkshops of their own country, which containwithin them a rich mine of knowledge, too gene-rally neglected by the wealthier classes.

It has been my endeavour, as much as pos-sible, to avoid all technical terms, and to describein concise language the arts I have had occasionto discuss. In touching on the more abstractprinciples of political economy, after shortlystating the reasons on which they are founded, Ihave endeavoured to support them by facts andanecdotes; so that whilst young persons mightbe amused and instructed by the illustrations,those of more advanced judgment may find sub-ject for meditation in the general conclusionsto which they point. I was anxious to supportthe principles which I have advocated by theobservations of others, and in this respect I foundmyself peculiarly fortunate. The Reports ofCommittees of the House of Commons uponvarious branches of commerce and manufac-tures, and the evidence which they have atdifferent periods published on those subjects,