MANUFACTURES. I2l

and if we take a larger scope, and go backto the period when provisions, labour, andevery other article were not a fourth of thepresent price, how are we to conceive thatmanufactures could be as dear as we payfor them ? And to what cause is it possibleto attribute the change but to the superiorquantity of specie ?

I have been led into this disquisitionfrom its intimate connection with my sub-ject, as I cannot but esteem great nationalwealth as one of the most important cir-cumstances in the encouragement of agri-culture ; and if the reasoning laid down bySir 'James Steuart is just, as I understandit, this wealth must be of little importance,and my reasoning fallacious. It is withdiffidence I venture an opinion, contrary tothe ideas of a writer of such distinguishedabilities ; and who has given such uncom-mon attention to every part of the scienceof political œconomy : nor perhaps wouldthis apology be deemed sufficient, had notSir James taken the same liberty with theillustrious Montesquieu and the sagaciousHume .