Itthusliesintheverynatureofthings，thatthenumberof
　　theadvocatesoftheprotectivesystemmustagainincrease，and
　　thoseoffreetradeagaindiminish。Hitherto，thepricesof
　　agriculturalproducehavebeenmaintainedatanunusuallyhigh
　　level，owingtothepreviousprosperityofthemanufactories，
　　throughthecarryingoutofgreatpublicundertakings，throughthe
　　demandfornecessariesoflifearisingfromthegreatincreaseof
　　theproductionofcotton，alsopartiallythroughbadharvests。One
　　may，however，foreseewithcertainty，thatthesepricesinthe
　　courseofthenextfewyearswillfallasmuchbelowtheaverageas
　　theyhavehithertorangedaboveit。Thegreaterpartofthe
　　increaseofAmericancapitalhassincethepassingofthe
　　CompromiseBillbeendevotedtoagriculture，andisonlynow
　　beginningtobecomeproductive。Whilethusagriculturalproduction
　　hasunusuallyincreased，ontheotherhandthedemandforitmust
　　unusuallydiminish。Firstly，becausepublicworksarenomorebeing
　　undertakentothesameextent；secondly，becausethemanufacturing
　　populationinconsequenceofforeigncompetitioncannomore
　　increasetoanimportantextent；andthirdly，becausethe
　　productionofcottonsogreatlyexceedstheconsumptionthatthe
　　cottonplanterswillbecompelled，owingtothelowpricesof
　　cotton，toproduceforthemselvesthosenecessariesoflifewhich
　　theyhavehithertoprocuredfromtheMiddleandWesternStates。If
　　inadditionrichharvestsoccur，thentheMiddleandWesternStates
　　willagainsufferfromanexcessofproduce，astheydidbeforethe
　　tariffof1828。Butthesamecausesmustagainproducethesame
　　results；viz。theagriculturistsoftheMiddleandWesternStates
　　mustagainarriveattheconviction，thatthedemandfor
　　agriculturalproducecanonlybeincreasedbytheincreaseofthe
　　manufacturingpopulationofthecountry，andthatthatincreasecan
　　onlybebroughtaboutbyanextensionoftheprotectivesystem。
　　Whileinthismannerthepartisansofprotectionwilldaily
　　increaseinnumberandinfluence，theoppositepartywilldiminish
　　inlikeproportionuntilthecottonplantersundersuchaltered
　　circumstancesmustnecessarilycometotheconvictionthatthe
　　increaseofthemanufacturingpopulationofthecountryandthe
　　increaseofthedemandforagriculturalproduceandrawmaterials
　　bothconsistwiththeirowninterestsifrightlyunderstood。
　　Because，aswehaveshown，thecottonplantersandthe
　　DemocratsinNorthAmericawerestrivingmostearnestlyoftheir
　　ownaccordtoplayintothehandsofthecommercialinterestsof
　　England，noopportunitywasofferedatthemomentonthissidefor
　　MrPoulettThompsontodisplayhisskillincommercialdiplomacy。
　　MatterswerequiteinanotherpositioninFrance。Therepeople
　　stillsteadilyclungtotheprohibitivesystem。Therewereindeed
　　manyStateofficialswhoweredisciplesoftheory，andalso
　　deputieswhowereinfavourofanextensionofcommercialrelations
　　betweenEnglandandFrance，andtheexistingalliancewithEngland
　　hadalsorenderedthisviewtoacertainextentpopular。Buthowto
　　attainthatobject，opinionswerelessagreed，andinnorespect
　　weretheyquiteclear。Itseemedevidentandalsoindisputablethat
　　thehighdutiesontheforeignnecessariesoflifeandraw
　　materials，andtheexclusionofEnglishcoalandpig-iron，operated
　　verydisadvantageouslytoFrenchindustry，andthatanincreasein
　　theexportsofwines，brandy，andsilkfabricswouldbeextremely
　　advantageoustoFrance。
　　Ingeneral，peopleconfinedthemselvestouniversaldeclamation
　　againstthedisadvantagesoftheprohibitivesystem。Buttoattack
　　thisinspecialcasesdidnotappearatthetimetobeatall
　　advisable。FortheGovernmentofJulyhadtheirstrongest
　　supportersamongtherichbourgeoisie，whoforthemostpartwere
　　interestedinthegreatmanufacturingundertakings。
　　UnderthesecircumstancesMrPoulettThompsonformedaplanof
　　operationswhichdoesallhonourtohisbreadthofthoughtand
　　diplomaticadroitness。HesenttoFranceamanthoroughlyversedin
　　commerceandindustryandinthecommercialpolicyofFrance，well
　　knownforhis'liberalsentiments'alearnedmanandavery
　　accomplishedwriter，DrBowring，whotravelledthroughthewholeof
　　France，andsubsequentlythroughSwitzerlandalso，togatheronthe
　　spotmaterialsforargumentsagainsttheprohibitivesystemandin
　　favouroffreetrade。DrBowringaccomplishedthistaskwithhis
　　accustomedabilityandadroitness。Especiallyheclearlyindicated
　　thebefore-mentionedadvantagesofafreercommercialintercourse
　　betweenthetwocountriesinrespectofcoal，pig-iron，wines，and
　　brandies。Inthereportwhichhepublished，hechieflyconfinedhis
　　argumentstothesearticles；inreferencetotheotherbranchesof
　　industryheonlygavestatistics，withoutcommittinghimselfto
　　proofsorpropositionshowthesecouldbepromotedbymeansoffree
　　tradewithEngland。
　　DrBowringactedinpreciseaccordancewiththeinstructions
　　giventohimbyMrPoulettThompson，whichwereframedwith
　　uncommonartandsubtlety，andwhichappearattheheadofhis
　　report。IntheseMrThompsonmakesuseofthemostliberal
　　expressions。Heexpresseshimself，withmuchconsiderationforthe
　　Frenchmanufacturinginterests，ontheimprobabilitythatany
　　importantresultwastobeexpectedfromthecontemplated
　　negotiationswithFrance。Thisinstructionwasperfectlyadapted
　　forcalmingtheapprehensionsrespectingtheviewsofEngland
　　entertainedbytheFrenchwoollenandcottonmanufacturing
　　interestswhichhadbecomesopowerful。AccordingtoMrThompson，
　　itwouldbefollytoaskforimportantconcessionsrespecting
　　these。
　　Ontheotherhand，hegivesahinthowtheobjectmightmore
　　easilybeattainedinrespectof'lessimportantarticles。'These
　　lessimportantarticlesarecertainlynotenumeratedinthe
　　instruction，butthesubsequentexperienceofFrancehascompletely
　　broughttolightwhatMrThompsonmeantbyit，foratthetimeof
　　thewritingofthisinstructiontheexportsoflinenyarnandlinen
　　fabricsofEnglandtoFrancewereincludedintheterm'less
　　important。'
　　TheFrenchGovernment，movedbytherepresentationsand
　　explanationsoftheEnglishGovernmentanditsagents，andwiththe
　　intentionofmakingtoEnglandacomparativelyunimportant
　　concession，whichwouldultimatelyproveadvantageoustoFrance
　　herself，loweredthedutyonlinenyarnandlinenfabricstosuch
　　anextentthattheynolongergaveanyprotectiontoFrench
　　industryinfaceofthegreatimprovementswhichtheEnglishhad
　　madeinthesebranchesofmanufacture，sothateveninthenextfew
　　yearstheexportofthesearticlesfromEnglandtoFranceincreased
　　enormously1838，32，000，000francs；andthatFrancestoodin
　　danger，owingtothestartwhichEnglandhadthusobtained，of
　　losingitsentirelinenindustry，amountingtomanyhundred
　　millionsinvalue，whichwasofthegreatestimportanceforher
　　agricultureandforthewelfareofherentireruralpopulation，
　　unlessmeanscouldbefoundtoputacheckontheEnglish
　　competitionbyincreasingtheduties。
　　ThatFrancewasdupedbyMrPoulettThompsonwasclearenough。
　　Hehadalreadyclearlyseenintheyear1834whatanimpulsethe
　　linenmanufactureofEnglandwouldreceiveinthenextfewyearsin
　　consequenceofthenewinventionswhichhadbeenmadethere，andin
　　thisnegotiationhehadcalculatedontheignoranceoftheFrench
　　Governmentrespectingtheseinventionsandtheirnecessary
　　consequences。Theadvocatesofthisloweringofdutiesnowindeed
　　endeavouredtomaketheworldbelievethatbyittheyonlydesired
　　tomakeaconcessiontothebelgianlinenmanufactures。Butdid
　　thatmakeamendsfortheirlackofacquaintancewiththeadvances
　　madebytheEnglish，andtheirlackofforesightastothe
　　necessaryconsequences？
　　Bethatasitmay，thismuchisclearlydemonstrated，thatit
　　wasnecessaryforFrancetoprotectherselfstillmore，under
　　penaltyoflosingthegreaterpartofherlinenmanufacturingfor
　　thebenefitofEngland；andthatthefirstandmostrecent
　　experimentoftheincreaseoffreedomoftradebetweenEnglandand
　　FranceremainsasanindeliblememorialofEnglishcraftandof
　　Frenchinexperience，asanewMethuenTreaty，asasecondEden
　　Treaty。ButwhatdidMrPoulettThompsondowhenheperceivedthe
　　complaintsoftheFrenchlinenmanufacturersandtheinclinationof
　　theFrenchGovernmenttorepairthemistakewhichhadbeenmade？He
　　didwhatMrHuskissonhaddonebeforehim，heindulgedinthreats，
　　hethreatenedtoexcludeFrenchwinesandsilkfabrics。Thisis
　　Englishcosmopolitanism。Francemustgiveupamanufacturing
　　industryofathousandyears'standing，boundupintheclosest
　　mannerwiththeentireeconomyofherlowerclassesandespecially
　　withheragriculture，theproductsofwhichmustbereckonedas
　　chiefnecessariesoflifeforallclasses，andoftheentireamount
　　ofbetweenthreeandfourhundredmillions，inordertherebyto
　　purchasetheprivilegeofexportingtoEnglandsomefewmillions
　　moreinvalueofwinesandsilkmanufactures。Quiteapartfromthis
　　disproportioninvalue，itmustbeconsideredinwhataposition
　　Francewouldbeplacedifthecommercialrelationsbetweenboth
　　nationsbecameinterruptedinconsequenceofawar；incaseviz。
　　thatFrancecouldnomoreexporttoEnglandhersurplusproductsof
　　silkmanufacturesandwines，butatthesametimesufferedfromthe
　　wantofsuchanimportantnecessaryoflifeaslinen。
　　Ifanyonereflectsonthishewillseethatthelinenquestion
　　isnotsimplyaquestionofeconomicalwell-being，but，as
　　everythingiswhichconcernsthenationalmanufacturingpower，is
　　stillmoreaquestionoftheindependenceandpowerofthenation。
　　Itseemsindeedasifthespiritofinventionhadsetitself
　　thetask，inthisperfectingofthelinenmanufacture，tomakethe
　　nationscomprehendthenatureofthemanufacturinginterest，its
　　relationswithagriculture，anditsinfluenceontheindependence
　　andpoweroftheState，andtoexposetheerroneousargumentsof
　　thepopulartheory。Theschoolmaintains，asiswellknown，that
　　everynationpossessesspecialadvantagesinvariousbranchesof
　　production，whichshehaseitherderivedfromnature，orwhichshe
　　haspartlyacquiredinthecourseofhercareer，andwhichunder
　　freetradecompensateoneanother。Wehaveinapreviouschapter
　　adducedproofthatthisargumentisonlytrueinreferenceto
　　agriculture，inwhichproductiondependsforthemostparton
　　climateandonthefertilityofthesoil，butthatitisnottrue
　　inrespecttomanufacturingindustry，forwhichallnations
　　inhabitingtemperateclimateshaveequalcapabilityprovidedthat
　　theypossessthenecessarymaterial，mental，social，andpolitical
　　qualifications。Englandatthepresentdayoffersthemoststriking
　　proofofthis。Ifanynationswhateverarespeciallyadaptedby
　　theirpastexperienceandexertions，andthroughtheirnatural
　　qualifications，forthemanufactureoflinen，thosearethe
　　Germans，thebelgians，theDutch，andtheinhabitantsoftheNorth
　　ofFranceforathousandyearspast。TheEnglish，ontheother
　　hand，uptothemiddleofthelastcentury，hadnotoriouslymade
　　suchsmallprogressinthatindustry，thattheyimportedagreat
　　proportionofthelinenwhichtheyrequired，fromabroad。Itwould
　　neverhavebeenpossibleforthem，withoutthedutiesbywhichthey
　　continuouslyprotectedthismanufacturingindustry，eventosupply
　　theirownmarketsandcolonieswithlinenoftheirownmanufacture。
　　AnditiswellknownhowLordsCastlereaghandLiverpooladduced
　　proofinParliament，thatwithoutprotectionitwasimpossiblefor
　　theIrishlinenmanufacturestosustaincompetitionwiththoseof
　　Germany。Atpresent，however，weseehowtheEnglishthreatento
　　monopolisethelinenmanufactureofthewholeofEurope，in
　　consequenceoftheirinventions，notwithstandingthattheywerefor
　　ahundredyearstheworstmanufacturersoflineninallEurope，
　　justastheyhavemonopolisedforthelastfiftyyearsthecotton
　　marketsoftheEastIndies，notwithstandingthatonehundredyears
　　previouslytheycouldnotevencompeteintheirownmarketwiththe
　　Indiancottonmanufacturers。Atthismomentitisamatterof
　　disputeinFrancehowithappensthatEnglandhaslatelymadesuch
　　immenseprogressinthemanufactureoflinen，althoughNapoleonwas
　　thefirstwhoofferedsuchagreatrewardfortheinventionofa
　　machineforspinningcotton，andthattheFrenchmachinistsand
　　manufacturershadbeenengagedinthistradebeforetheEnglish。
　　TheinquiryismadewhethertheEnglishortheFrenchpossessed
　　moremechanicaltalent。Allkindsofexplanationsareoffered
　　exceptthetrueandthenaturalone。Itisabsurdtoattribute
　　speciallytotheEnglishgreatermechanicaltalent，orgreater
　　skillandperseveranceinindustry，thantotheGermansortothe
　　French。BeforethetimeofEdwardIIItheEnglishwerethegreatest
　　bulliesandgood-for-nothingcharactersinEurope；certainlyit
　　neveroccurredtothemtocomparethemselveswiththeItaliansand
　　BelgiansorwiththeGermansinrespecttomechanicaltalentor
　　industrialskill；butsincethentheirGovernmenthastakentheir
　　educationinhand，andthustheyhavebydegreesmadesuchprogress
　　thattheycandisputethepalmofindustrialskillwiththeir
　　instructors。IftheEnglishinthelasttwentyyearshavemademore
　　rapidprogressinmachineryforlinenmanufacturethanother
　　nations，andespeciallytheFrench，havedone，thishasonly
　　occurredbecause，firstly，theyhadattainedgreatereminencein
　　mechanicalskill；secondly，thattheywerefurtheradvancedin
　　machineryforspinningandweavingcotton，whichissosimilarto
　　thatforspinningandweavinglinen；thirdly，thatinconsequence
　　oftheirpreviouscommercialpolicy，theyhadbecomepossessedof
　　morecapitalthantheFrench；fourthly，thatinconsequenceofthat
　　commercialpolicytheirhomemarketforlinengoodswasfarmore
　　extensivethanthatoftheFrench；andlastlythattheirprotective
　　duties，combinedwiththecircumstancesabovenamed，affordedto
　　themechanicaltalentofthenationgreaterstimulusandmoremeans
　　todevoteitselftoperfectingthisbranchofindustry。
　　TheEnglishhavethusgivenastrikingconfirmationofthe
　　opinionswhichweinanotherplacehavepropoundedandexplained——
　　thatallindividualbranchesofindustryhavetheclosest
　　reciprocaleffectononeanother；thattheperfectingofonebranch
　　preparesandpromotestheperfectingofallothers；thatnooneof
　　themcanbeneglectedwithouttheeffectsofthatneglectbeing
　　feltbyall；that，inshort，thewholemanufacturingpowerofa
　　nationconstitutesaninseparablewhole。Oftheseopinionsthey
　　havebytheirlatestachievementsinthelinenindustryoffereda
　　strikingconfirmation。
　　NOTES：
　　1。EvenapartoftheproductionofwoolinEnglandisduetothe
　　observanceofthismaxim。EdwardIVimportedunderspecial
　　privileges3，000headofsheepfromSpainwheretheexportof
　　sheepwasprohibited，anddistributedthemamongvariousparishes，
　　withacommandthatforsevenyearsnoneweretobeslaughteredor
　　castrated。EssaisurleCommerced'Angleterre，tomei。p。379。As
　　soonastheobjectofthesemeasureshadbeenattained，England
　　rewardedtheSpanishGovernmentforthespecialprivilegesgranted
　　bythelatter，byprohibitingtheimportofSpanishwool。The
　　efficacyofthisprohibitionhoweverunjustitmaybedeemedcan
　　aslittlebedeniedasthatoftheprohibitionsoftheimportof
　　woolbyCharlesII1672and1674。
　　2。France，saidPitt，hasadvantagesaboveEnglandinrespectof
　　climateandothernaturalgifts，andthereforeexcelsEnglandin
　　itsrawproduce；ontheotherhand，Englandhastheadvantageover
　　Franceinitsartificialproducts。Thewines，brandies，oils，and
　　vinegarsofFrance，especiallythefirsttwo，articlesofsuch
　　importanceandofsuchvalue，thatthevalueofournatural
　　productscannotbeintheleastcomparedwiththem。But，onthe
　　otherhand，itisequallycertainthatEnglandistheexclusive
　　producerofsomekindsofmanufacturedgoods，andthatinrespect
　　ofotherkindsshepossessessuchadvantagesthatshecandefy
　　withoutdoubtallthecompetitionofFrance。Thisisareciprocal
　　conditionandabasisonwhichanadvantageouscommercialtreaty
　　betweenbothnationsshouldbefounded。Aseachofthemhasits
　　peculiarstaplecommodities，andeachpossessesthatwhichis
　　lackingtotheother，sobothshoulddealwithoneanotherliketwo
　　greatmerchantswhoareengagedindifferentbranchesoftrade，and
　　byareciprocalexchangeoftheirgoodscanatoncebecomeuseful
　　tooneanother。Letusfurtheronlycalltomindonthispointthe
　　wealthofthecountywithwhichwestandinthepositionof
　　neighbours，itsgreatpopulation，itsvicinitytous，andthe
　　consequentquickandregularexchange。Whocouldthenhesitatea
　　momenttogivehisapprovaltothesystemoffreedom，andwhowould
　　notearnestlyandimpatientlywishfortheutmostpossible
　　expeditioninestablishingit？Thepossessionofsuchanextensive
　　andcertainmarketmustgivequiteanextraordinaryimpulsetoour
　　trade，andthecustomsrevenuewhichwouldthenbedivertedfrom
　　thehandsofthesmugglerintotheStaterevenuewouldbenefitour
　　finances，andthustwomainspringsofBritishwealthandof
　　Britishpowerwouldbemademoreproductive。
　　3。SinceListwrotetheselines，thedutieswhichforeignsilk
　　manufacturershadtopayontheimportoftheirgoodsintoEngland
　　havebeentotallyabolished。Theresultsoftheirabolitionmaybe
　　learnedfromMrWardle'sreportontheEnglishsilktrade，as
　　follows：London，in1825，contained24，000loomsand60，000
　　operativesengagedinsilkmanufacture。Atthepresenttimethese
　　havedwindledto1，200loomsandlessthen4，000operatives。In
　　Coventry，in1861，theribbontradeisstatedtohavegiven
　　subsistenceto40，600persons；whileatthepresenttimeprobably
　　notmorethan10，000personsaresupportedbyit，andthe
　　power-loomsatworkinCoventryhavedecreasedfrom1，800to600。
　　InDerbythenumberofoperativesemployedinsilkmanufacturehas
　　decreasedfrom6，650in1850to2，400atpresent。Inthe
　　Congletondistricttheyhavedecreasedfrom5，186in1860to
　　1，530in1884；whileofthefortysilk-throwsters'workswhich
　　thatdistrictcontainedin1859onlytwelvenowremain，with
　　'aboutthree-fourthsoftheirmachineryemployed。'InManchester
　　thistradehaspracticallydiedout，whileatMiddletonthe
　　industryis'simplyruined。'TheseresultsstatedbyMrWardle
　　mayaccountforthedecreaseinEngland'simportsofrawsilk，from
　　8，000，000poundsin1871tolessthan3，000，000pounds。
　　Ontheotherhand，sinceListwrote，theUnitedStatesof
　　Americahaveincreasedandsteadilymaintainedaconsiderable
　　protectivedutyontheimportationofforeignsilkmanufactures。
　　TheresultsofthatpolicywerepubliclystatedbyMrRobertP。
　　PortermemberoftheUnitedStates'TariffCommission，ina
　　speechin1883，tohavebeenasfollows：
　　Fivethousandpersonswereemployedinsilkmanufactureinthe
　　UnitedStatesbeforetheMorilltariff1861。In1880theirnumber
　　hadincreasedto30，000。Thevalueofsilkmanufacturesproducedin
　　theStatesincreasedfrom1，200，000l。in1860tomorethan
　　8，000，000l。in1880。'Yetthecostofthemanufacturedgoodsto
　　theconsumer，estimatedonagoldbasis，hassteadilydeclinedat
　　amuchgreaterratethanthecostoftherawmaterial。'After
　　referencetotheearthenwareandplate-glassmanufactures，Mr
　　Porteradds：'ThetestimonybeforetheTariffCommissionshowed
　　unquestionablythatthecompetitionintheUnitedStateshad
　　resultedinareductioninthecosttotheAmericanconsumer。In
　　thisway，gentlemen，Icontend，andampreparedtoprove
　　statistically。thatprotection，sofarastheUnitedStatesare
　　concerned，hasineverycaseultimatelybenefitedtheconsumer；and
　　onthisgroundIdefenditandbelieveinit。'——TRANSLATOR。
　　4。Chaptal，Del'IndustrieFran鏰isevol。ii。，p。147。
　　Chapter34
　　TheInsularSupremacyandtheGermanCommercialUnion
　　Whatagreatnationisatthepresentdaywithoutavigorous
　　commercialpolicy，andwhatshemaybecomebytheadoptionofa
　　vigorouscommercialpolicy，Germanyhaslearntforherselfduring
　　thelasttwentyyears。GermanywasthatwhichFranklinoncesaidof
　　theStateofNewJersey，'acaskwhichwastappedanddrainedby
　　itsneighboursoneveryside。'England，notcontentedwithhaving
　　ruinedfortheGermansthegreaterpartoftheirownmanufactories
　　andsuppliedthemwithenormousquantitiesofcottonandwoollen
　　fabrics，excludedfromherportsGermangrainandtimber，nayfrom
　　timetotimealsoevenGermanwool。Therewasatimewhenthe
　　exportofmanufacturedgoodsfromEnglandtoGermanywastentimes
　　greaterthanthattoherhighlyextolledEastIndianEmpire。
　　Neverthelesstheall-monopolisingislanderswouldnotevengrantto
　　thepoorGermanswhattheyconcededtotheconqueredHindoos，viz。
　　topayforthemanufacturedgoodswhichtheyrequiredby
　　agriculturalproduce。InvaindidtheGermanshumblethemselvesto
　　thepositionofhewersofwoodanddrawersofwaterforthe
　　Britons。Thelattertreatedthemworsethanasubjectpeople。
　　Nations，likeindividuals，iftheyatfirstonlypermitthemselves
　　tobeill-treatedbyone，soonbecomescornedbyall，andfinally
　　becomeanobjectofderisiontotheverychildren。France，not
　　contentedwithexportingtoGermanyenormousquantitiesofwine，
　　oil，silk，andmillinery，grudgedtheGermanstheirexportsof
　　cattle，grain，andflax；yes，evenasmallmaritimeprovince
　　formerlypossessedbyGermanyandinhabitedbyGermans，which
　　havingbecomewealthyandpowerfulbymeansofGermany，atall
　　timeswasonlyabletomaintainitselfwithandbymeansof
　　Germany，barredforhalfagenerationGermany'sgreatestriverby
　　meansofcontemptibleverbalquibbles。Tofillupthemeasureof
　　thiscontempt，thedoctrinewastaughtfromahundredprofessorial
　　chairs，thatnationscouldonlyattaintowealthandpowerbymeans
　　ofuniversalfreetrade。Thusitwas；buthowisitnow？Germany
　　hasadvancedinprosperityandindustry，innationalself-respect
　　andinnationalpower，inthecourseoftenyearsasmuchasina
　　century。Andhowhasthisresultbeenachieved？Itwascertainly
　　goodandbeneficialthattheinternaltariffswereabolishedwhich
　　separatedGermansfromGermans；butthenationwouldhavederived
　　smallcomfortfromthatifherhomeindustryhadthenceforth
　　remainedfreelyexposedtoforeigncompetition。Itwasespecially
　　theprotectionwhichthetariffoftheZollvereinsecuredto
　　manufacturedarticlesofcommonuse，whichhaswroughtthis
　　miracle。Letusfreelyconfessit，forDrBowring1*has
　　incontrovertiblyshownit，thattheZollvereintariffhasnot，as
　　wasbeforeasserted，imposedmerelydutiesforrevenue——thatit
　　hasnotconfineditselftodutiesoftentofifteenpercentas
　　Huskissonbelieved——letusfreelyadmitthatithasimposed
　　protectivedutiesoffromtwentytosixtypercentasrespectsthe
　　manufacturedarticlesofcommonuse。
　　Butwhathasbeentheoperationoftheseprotectiveduties？Are
　　theconsumerspayingfortheirGermanmanufacturedgoodstwentyto
　　sixtypercentmorethantheyformerlypaidforforeignonesas
　　mustbethecaseifthepopulartheoryiscorrect，orarethese
　　goodsatallworsethantheforeignones？Nothingofthesort。Dr
　　Bowringhimselfadducestestimonythatthemanufacturedgoods
　　producedunderthehighcustomstariffarebothbetterandcheaper
　　thantheforeignones。2*Theinternalcompetitionandthe
　　securityfromdestructivecompetitionbytheforeignerhaswrought
　　thismiracle，ofwhichthepopularschoolknowsnothingandis
　　determinedtoknownothing。Thus，thatisnottrue，whichthe
　　popularschoolmaintains，thataprotectivedutyincreasesthe
　　priceofthegoodsofhomeproductionbytheamountofthe
　　protectiveduty。Forashorttimethedutymayincreasetheprice，
　　butineverynationwhichisqualifiedtocarryonmanufacturing
　　industrytheconsequenceoftheprotectionwillbe，thatthe
　　internalcompetitionwillsoonreducethepriceslowerthanthey
　　hadstoodatwhentheimportationwasfree。
　　Buthasagricultureatallsufferedunderthesehighduties？
　　Notintheleast；ithasgained-gainedtenfoldduringthelastten
　　years。Thedemandforagriculturalproducehasincreased。The
　　pricesofiteverywherearehigher。Itisnotoriousthatsolelyin
　　consequenceofthegrowthofthehomemanufactoriesthevalueof
　　landhaseverywhererisenfromfiftytoahundredpercent，that
　　everywherehigherwagesarebeingpaid，andthatinalldirections
　　improvementsinthemeansoftransportareeitherbeingeffectedor
　　projected。
　　Suchbrilliantresultsasthesemustnecessarilyencourageus
　　toproceedfartheronthesystemwhichwehavecommencedtofollow。
　　OtherStatesoftheUnionhavealsoproposedtotakesimilarsteps，
　　buthavenotyetcarriedthemintoeffect；while，asitwould
　　appear，someotherStatesoftheUniononlyexpecttoattain
　　prosperitysolelybytheabolitionoftheEnglishdutiesongrain
　　andtimber，andwhileasitisallegedtherearestilltobe
　　foundinfluentialmenwhobelieveinthecosmopoliticalsystemand
　　distrusttheirownexperience。DrBowring'sreportgivesusmost
　　importantexplanationsonthesepointsaswellasonthe
　　circumstancesoftheGermanCommercialUnionandthetacticsofthe
　　EnglishGovernment。Letusendeavourtothrowalittlelighton
　　thisreport。
　　Firstofall，wehavetoconsiderthepointofviewfromwhich
　　itwaswritten。MrLabouchere，PresidentoftheboardofTrade
　　undertheMelbourneMinistry，hadsentDrBowringtoGermanyfor
　　thesamepurposeasthatforwhichMrPoulettThompsonhadsenthim
　　toFranceintheyear1834。Justasitwasintendedtomisleadthe
　　Frenchbyconcessionsinrespectofwinesandbrandiestoopen
　　theirhomemarkettoEnglishmanufacturedgoods，soitwasintended
　　tomisleadtheGermanstodothesamebyconcessionsinrespectof
　　grainandtimber；onlytherewasagreatdifferencebetweenthetwo
　　missionsinthisrespect，thattheconcessionwhichwastobe
　　offeredtotheFrenchhadtofearnooppositioninEngland，while
　　thatwhichhadtobeofferedtotheGermanshadfirsttobefought
　　forinEnglandherself。
　　Hencethetendencyofthesetworeportswasofnecessityof
　　quiteadifferentcharacter。Thereportonthecommercialrelations
　　betweenFranceandEnglandwaswrittenexclusivelyfortheFrench；
　　tothemitwasnecessarytorepresentthatColberthadaccomplished
　　nothingsatisfactorythroughhisprotectiveregulations；itwas
　　necessarytomakepeoplebelievethattheEdenTreatywas
　　beneficialtoFrance，andthatNapoleon'sContinentalsystem，as
　　wellasthethenexistingFrenchprohibitivesystem，hadbeen
　　extremelyinjurioustoher。Inshort，inthiscaseitwasnecessary
　　tostickcloselytothetheoryofAdamSmith；andthegoodresults
　　oftheprotectivesystemmustbecompletelyandunequivocally
　　denied。Thetaskwasnotquitesosimplewiththeotherreport，for
　　inthis，onehadtoaddresstheEnglishland-ownersandtheGerman
　　Governmentsatoneandthesametime。Totheformeritwas
　　necessarytosay：See，thereisanationwhichhasalreadyin
　　consequenceofprotectiveregulationsmadeenormousadvancesinher
　　industry，andwhich，inpossessionofallnecessarymeansfordoing
　　so，ismakingrapidstepstomonopoliseherownhomemarketandto
　　competewithEnglandinforeignmarkets。This，youToriesinthe
　　HouseofLords——this，youcountrysquiresintheHouseof
　　Commons，isyourwickeddoing。Thishasbeenbroughtaboutbyyour
　　unwisecornlaws；forbythemthepricesofprovisionsandraw
　　materialsandthewagesoflabourhavebeenkeptlowinGermany。By
　　themtheGermanmanufactorieshavebeenplacedinanadvantageous
　　positioncomparedtotheEnglishones。Makehaste，therefore，you
　　fools，toabolishthesecornlaws。Bythatmeansyouwilldoubly
　　andtreblydamagetheGermanmanufactories：firstly，becausethe
　　pricesofprovisionsandrawmaterialsandthewagesoflabourwill
　　beraisedinGermanyandloweredinEngland；secondly，becauseby
　　theexportofGermangraintoEnglandtheexportofEnglish
　　manufacturedgoodstoGermanywillbepromoted；thirdly，because
　　theGermanCommercialUnionhasdeclaredthatitisdisposedto
　　reducetheirdutiesoncommoncottonandwoollengoodsinthesame
　　proportioninwhichEnglandfacilitatestheimportofGermangrain
　　andtimber。ThusweBritonscannotfailoncemoretocrushthe
　　Germanmanufactories。Butthequestioncannotwait。Everyyearthe
　　manufacturinginterestsaregaininggreaterinfluenceintheGerman
　　Union；andifyoudelay，thenyourcorn-lawabolitionwillcometoo
　　late。Itwillnotbelongbeforethebalancewillturn。Verysoon
　　theGermanmanufactorieswillcreatesuchagreatdemandfor
　　agriculturalproducethatGermanywillhavenomoresurpluscornto
　　selltoforeigncountries。Whatconcessions，then，areyouwilling
　　tooffertotheGermanGovernmentstoinducethemtolayhandson
　　theirownmanufactoriesinordertohinderthemfromspinning
　　cottonforthemselves，andfromencroachinguponyourforeign
　　marketsinaddition？
　　Allthisthewriterofthereportwascompelledtomakeclear
　　tothelandownersinParliament。TheformsoftheBritishState
　　administrationpermitnosecretGovernmentreports。DrBowring's
　　reportmustbepublished，mustthereforebeseenbytheGermansin
　　translationsandextracts。Henceonemustusenoexpressionswhich
　　mightleadtheGermanstoaperceptionoftheirtrueinterests。
　　Thereforetoeverymethodwhichwasadaptedtoinfluence
　　Parliament，anantidotemustbeaddedfortheuseoftheGerman
　　Governments。Itmustbealleged，thatinconsequenceofthe
　　protectivesystemmuchGermancapitalhadbeendivertedinto
　　improperchannels。TheagriculturalinterestsofGermanywouldbe
　　damagedbytheprotectivesystem。Thatinterestforitspartought
　　onlytoturnitsattentiontoforeignmarkets；agriculturewasin
　　Germanybyfarthemostimportantproductiveindustry，for
　　three-fourthsoftheinhabitantsofGermanywereengagedinit。It
　　wasmerenonsensetotalkaboutprotectionfortheproducers；the
　　manufacturinginterestitselfcouldonlythriveunderforeign
　　competition：publicopinioninGermanydesiredfreedomoftrade。
　　IntelligenceinGermanywastoouniversalforadesireforhigh
　　dutiestobeentertained。Themostenlightenedmeninthecountry
　　wereinfavourofareductionofdutiesoncommonwoollenand
　　cottonfabrics，incasetheEnglishdutiesoncornandtimberwere
　　reduced。
　　Inshort，inthisreporttwoentirelydifferentvoicesspeak，
　　whichcontradictoneanotherliketwoopponents。Whichofthetwo
　　mustbedeemedthetrueone-thatwhichspeakstotheParliament，or
　　thatwhichspeakstotheGermanGovernments？Thereisnodifficulty
　　indecidingthispoint，foreverythingwhichDrBowringadducesin
　　ordertoinduceParliamenttolowertheimportdutiesongrainand
　　timberissupportedbystatisticalfacts，calculations，and
　　evidence；whileeverythingthatheadducestodissuadetheGerman
　　Governmentsfromtheprotectivesystemisconfinedtomere
　　superficialassertions。
　　LetusconsiderindetailtheargumentsbywhichDrBowring
　　provestotheParliamentthatincaseacheckisnotputtothe
　　progressoftheGermanprotectivesysteminthewaywhichhe
　　pointedout，theGermanmarketformanufacturedgoodsmustbecome
　　irrecoverablylosttoEngland。
　　TheGermanpeopleisremarkable，saysDrBowring，for
　　temperance，thrift，industry，andintelligence，andenjoysasystem
　　ofuniversaleducation。Excellentpolytechnicschoolsdiffuse
　　technicalinstructionthroughouttheentirecountry。
　　Theartofdesignisespeciallymuchmorecultivatedtherethan
　　inEngland。Thegreatannualincreaseofitspopulation，ofits
　　headofcattle，andespeciallyofsheep，proveswhatprogress
　　agriculturetherehasachieved。Thereportmakesnomentionofthe
　　improvementinthevalueofproperty，thoughthatisanimportant
　　feature，noroftheincreaseinthevalueofproduce。Thewagesof
　　labourhaverisenthirtypercentinthemanufacturingdistricts。
　　Thecountrypossessesagreatamountofwaterpower，asyetunused，
　　whichisthecheapestofallmotivepowers。Itsminingindustryis
　　everywhereflourishing，morethanatanyprevioustime。From1832
　　upto1837theimportsofrawcottonhaveincreasedfrom118，000
　　centnersto240，000centners；theimportsofcottonyarnfrom
　　172，000centnersto322，000centners；theexportsofcottonfabrics
　　from26，000centnersto75，000centners；thenumberof
　　cotton-weavingloomsinPrussiafrom22，000in1825to32，000in
　　1834；theimportsofrawwoolfrom99，000centnersto195，000
　　centners；theexportsofthesamefrom100，000centnersto122，000
　　centners；theimportsofwoollenarticlesfrom15，000centnersto
　　18，000centners；theexportsofthesamefrom49，000centnersto
　　69，000centners。
　　Themanufactureoflinenclothscontendswithdifficulty
　　againstthehighdutiesinEngland，France，andItalyandhasnot
　　increased。Ontheotherhand，theimportsoflinenyarnhave
　　increasedfrom30，000centnersin1832to86，000centnersin1835，
　　chieflythroughtheimportsfromEngland，whicharestill
　　increasing。Theconsumptionofindigoincreasedfrom12，000
　　centnersin1831to24，000centnersin1837；astrikingproofof
　　theprogressofGermanindustry。Theexportsofpotteryhavebeen
　　morethandoubledfrom1832to1836。Theimportsofstonewarehave
　　diminishedfrom5，000centnersto2，000centners，andtheexports
　　ofitincreasedfrom4，000centnersto18，000centners。Theimports
　　ofporcelainhavediminishedfrom4，000centnersto1，000centners，
　　andtheexportsofithaveincreasedfrom700centnersto4，000
　　centners。Theoutputofcoalhasincreasedfrom6，000，000Prussian
　　tonsin1832to9，000，000in1836。In1816therewere8，000，000
　　sheepinPrussia；andin1837，15，000，000。
　　InSaxonyin1831therewere14，000stocking-weavingmachines；
　　in2836，20，000。From1831to1837，thenumberofmanufactoriesfor
　　spinningwoollenyarnandofspindleshadincreasedinSaxonyto
　　morethandoubletheirpreviousnumber。Everywheremachine
　　manufactorieshadarisen，andmanyofthesewereinthemost
　　flourishingcondition。
　　Inshort，inallbranchesofindustry，inproportionasthey
　　havebeenprotected，Germanyhasmadeenormousadvances，especially
　　inwoollenandcottongoodsforcommonuse，theimportationof
　　whichfromEnglandhadentirelyceased。AtthesametimeDrBowring
　　admits，inconsequenceofatrustworthyopinionwhichhadbeen
　　expressedtohim，'thatthepriceofthePrussianstuffswas
　　decidedlylowerthanthatoftheEnglish；thatcertainlyinrespect
　　ofsomeofthecolourstheywereinferiortothebestEnglish
　　tints，butthatotherswereperfectandcouldnotbesurpassed；
　　thatinspinning，weaving，andallpreparatoryprocesses，the
　　GermangoodswerefullyequaltotheBritish，butonlyinthe
　　finishadistinctinferioritymightbeobserved，butthatthewant
　　ofthiswoulddisappearafteralittletime。'
　　Itisveryeasytounderstandhowbymeansofsuch
　　representationsasthesetheEnglishParliamentmayatlengthbe
　　inducedtoabandonitscornlaws，whichhavehithertooperatedas
　　aprotectivesystemtoGermany。Butitappearstousutterly
　　incomprehensiblehowtheGermanUnion，whichhasmadesuchenormous
　　advancesinconsequenceoftheprotectivesystem，shouldbeinduced
　　bythisreporttodepartfromasystemwhichhasyieldedthemsuch
　　excellentresults。
　　ItisverywellforDrBowringtoassureusthatthehome
　　industryofGermanyisbeingprotectedattheexpenseofthe
　　agriculturists。Buthowcanweattachanycredencetohis
　　assurance，whenwesee，onthecontrary，thatthedemandfor
　　agriculturalproduce，pricesofproduce，thewagesoflabour，the
　　rents，thevalueofproperty，haveeverywhereconsiderablyrisen，
　　withouttheagriculturisthavingtopaymorethanhedidbeforefor
　　themanufacturedgoodswhichherequires？
　　ItisverywellforDrBowringtogiveusanestimateshowing
　　thatinGermanythreepersonsareengagedinagriculturetoevery
　　oneinmanufactures，butthatstatementconvincesusthatthe
　　numberofGermansengagedinmanufacturingisnotyetinproper
　　proportiontothenumberofGermanagriculturists。Andwecannot
　　seebywhatothermeansthisdisproportioncanbeequalised，than
　　byincreasingtheprotectiononthosebranchesofmanufacturewhich
　　arestillcarriedoninEnglandforthesupplyoftheGermanmarket
　　bypersonswhoconsumeEnglishinsteadofGermanagricultural
　　produce。ItisallverywellforDrBowringtoassertthatGerman
　　agriculturemustonlydirectitsattentiontoforeigncountriesif
　　itdesirestoincreaseitssaleofproduce；butthatagreatdemand
　　foragriculturalproducecanonlybeattainedbyaflourishinghome
　　manufacturingpoweristaughtusnotalonebytheexperienceof
　　England，butDrBowringhimselfimplicitlyadmitsthis，bythe
　　apprehensionwhichheexpressesinhisreport，thatifEngland
　　delaysforsometimetoabolishhercornlaws，Germanywillthen
　　havenosurplusofeithercornortimbertoselltoforeign
　　countries。
　　DrBowringiscertainlyrightwhenheassertsthatthe
　　agriculturalinterestinGermanyisstillthepredominantone，but
　　justfortheveryreasonthatitispredominantitmustaswehave
　　showninformerchapters，bypromotingthemanufacturing
　　interests，seektoplaceitselfinajustproportionwiththem，
　　becausetheprosperityofagriculturedependsonitsbeinginequal
　　proportionwiththemanufacturinginterest，butnotonitsown
　　preponderanceoverit。
　　Further，theauthorofthereportappearstobeutterlysteeped
　　inerrorwhenhemaintainsthatforeigncompetitioninGerman
　　marketsisnecessaryfortheGermanmanufacturinginterestitself，
　　becausetheGermanmanufacturers，assoonastheyareinaposition
　　tosupplytheGermanmarkets，mustcompetewiththemanufacturers
　　ofothercountriesforthedisposaloftheirsurplusproduce，which
　　competitiontheycanonlysustainbymeansofcheapproduction。But
　　cheapproductionwillnotconsistwiththeexistenceofthe
　　protectivesystem，inasmuchastheobjectofthatsystemisto
　　securehigherpricestothemanufacturers。
　　Thisargumentcontainsasmanyerrorsandfalsehoodsaswords。
　　DrBowringcannotdenythatthemanufacturercanofferhisproducts
　　atcheaperprices，themoreheisenabledtomanufacture——that，
　　therefore，amanufacturingPowerwhichexclusivelypossessesits
　　homemarketcanworksomuchthecheaperforforeigntrade。The
　　proofofthishecanfindinthesametableswhichhehaspublished
　　ontheadvancesmadebyGermanindustry；forinthesameproportion
　　inwhichtheGermanmanufactorieshaveacquiredpossessionoftheir
　　ownhomemarket，theirexportofmanufacturedgoodshasalso
　　increased。ThustherecentexperienceofGermany，liketheancient
　　experienceofEngland，showsusthathighpricesofmanufactured
　　goodsarebynomeansanecessaryconsequenceofprotection。
　　Finally，Germanindustryisstillveryfarfromentirely
　　supplyingherhomemarket。Inordertodothat，shemustfirst
　　manufactureforherselfthe13，000centnersofcottonfabrics，the
　　18，000centnersofwoollenfabrics，the500，000centnersofcotton
　　yarn，thread，andlinenyarn，whichatpresentareimportedfrom
　　England。If，however，sheaccomplishesthat，shewillthenimport
　　500，000centnersmorerawcottonthanbefore，bywhichshewill
　　carryonsomuchthemoredirectexchangetradewithtropical
　　countries，andbeabletopayforthegreaterpartifnotthewhole
　　ofthatrequirementwithherownmanufacturedgoods。
　　Wemustcorrecttheviewoftheauthorofthereport，that
　　publicopinioninGermanyisinfavouroffreetrade，bystating
　　thatsincetheestablishmentoftheCommercialUnionpeoplehave
　　acquiredaclearerperceptionofwhatitisthatEnglandusually
　　understandsbytheterm'freetrade，'for，ashehimselfsays，
　　'SincethatperiodthesentimentsoftheGermanpeoplehavebeen
　　divertedfromtheregionofhopeandoffantasytothatoftheir
　　actualandmaterialinterests。'Theauthorofthereportisquite
　　rightwhenhesaysthatintelligenceisverygreatlydiffused
　　amongsttheGermanpeople，butforthatveryreasonpeoplein
　　Germanyhaveceasedtoindulgeincosmopoliticaldreams。People
　　herenowthinkforthemselves——theytrusttheirownconclusions，
　　theirownexperience，theirownsoundcommonsense，morethan
　　one-sidedsystemswhichareopposedtoallexperience。Theybegin
　　tocomprehendwhyitwasthatBurkedeclaredinconfidencetoAdam
　　Smith'thatanationmustnotbegovernedaccordingto
　　cosmopoliticalsystems，butaccordingtoknowledgeoftheirspecial
　　nationalinterestsacquiredbydeepresearch。'PeopleinGermany
　　distrustcounsellorswhoblowbothcoldandhotoutofthesame
　　mouth。Peopleknowalsohowtoestimateattheirpropervaluethe
　　interestsandtheadviceofthosewhoareourindustrial
　　competitors。Finally，peopleinGermanybearinmindasoftenas
　　Englishoffersareunderdiscussionthewell-knownproverbofthe
　　presentsofferedbytheDanaidae。
　　FortheseveryreasonswemaydoubtthatinfluentialGerman
　　statesmenhaveseriouslygivengroundsforhopetotheauthorof
　　thereport，thatGermanyiswillingtoabandonherprotective
　　policyforthebenefitofEngland，inexchangeforthepitiful
　　concessionofpermissiontoexporttoEnglandalittlegrainand
　　timber。AtanyratepublicopinioninGermanywouldgreatly
　　hesitatetoconsidersuchstatesmentobethoughtfulones。Inorder
　　tomeritthattitleinGermanyinthepresentday，itisnotenough
　　thatamanshouldhavethoroughlylearnedsuperficialphrasesand
　　argumentsofthecosmopoliticalschool。Peoplerequirethata
　　statesmanshouldbewellacquaintedwiththepowersandthe
　　requirementsofthenation，and，withouttroublinghimselfwith
　　scholasticsystems，shoulddeveloptheformerandsatisfythe
　　latter。Butthatmanwouldbetrayanunfathomableignoranceof
　　thosepowersandwants，whodidnotknowwhatenormousexertions
　　arerequisitetoraiseanationalindustrytothatstagetowhich
　　theGermanindustryhasalreadyattained；whocannotinspirit
　　foreseethegreatnessofitsfuture；whocouldsogrievously
　　disappointtheconfidencewhichtheGermanindustrialclasseshave
　　reposedintheirGovernments，andsodeeplywoundthespiritof
　　enterpriseinthenation；whowasincapableofdistinguishing
　　betweentheloftypositionwhichisoccupiedbyamanufacturing
　　nationofthefirstrank，andtheinferiorpositionofacountry
　　whichmerelyexportscornandtimber；whoisnotintelligentenough
　　toestimatehowprecariousaforeignmarketforgrainandtimberis
　　eveninordinarytimes，howeasilyconcessionsofthiskindcanbe
　　againrevoked，andwhatconvulsionsareinvolvedinaninterruption
　　ofsuchatrade，occasionedbywarsorhostilecommercial
　　regulations；who，finally，hasnotlearnedfromtheexampleof
　　othergreatstateshowgreatlytheexistence，theindependence，and
　　thepowerofthenationdependsonitspossessionofa
　　manufacturingpowerofitsown，developedinallitsbranches。
　　Trulyonemustgreatlyunder-estimatethespiritofnationality
　　andofunitywhichhasariseninGermanysince1830，ifone
　　believed，astheauthorofthereportdoesp。26，thatthepolicy
　　oftheCommercialUnionwillfollowtheseparateinterestsof
　　Prussia，becausetwo-thirdsofthepopulationoftheUnionare
　　Prussian。ButPrussia'sinterestsdemandtheexportofgrainand
　　timbertoEngland；theamountofhercapitaldevotedto
　　manufacturesisunimportant；Prussiawillthereforeopposeevery
　　systemwhichimpedestheimportofforeignmanufactures，andall
　　theheadsofdepartmentsinPrussiaareofthatopinion。
　　Neverthelesstheauthorofthereportsaysatthebeginningofhis
　　report：'TheGermanCustomsUnionisanincarnationoftheideaof
　　nationalunitywhichwidelypervadesthiscountry。IfthisUnionis
　　wellled，itmustbringaboutthefusionofallGermaninterestsin
　　onecommonleague。Theexperienceofitsbenefitshasmadeit
　　popular。Itisthefirststeptowardsthenationalisationofthe
　　Germanpeople。Bymeansofthecommoninterestincommercial
　　questions，ithaspavedthewayforpoliticalnationality，andin
　　placeofnarrow-mindedviews，prejudices，andcustoms，ithaslaid
　　downabroaderandstrongerelementofGermannationalexistence。'
　　Now，howdoestheopinionagreewiththeseperfectlytrueprefatory
　　observations，thatPrussiawillsacrificetheindependenceandthe
　　futuregreatnessofthenationtoanarrowregardtoherown
　　supposedbutinanycaseonlymomentaryprivateinterest——that
　　PrussiawillnotcomprehendthatGermanymusteitherriseorfall
　　withhernationalcommercialpolicy，asPrussiaherselfmustrise
　　orfallwithGermany？HowdoestheassertionthatthePrussian
　　headsofdepartmentsareopposedtotheprotectivesystem，agree
　　withthefactthatthehighdutiesonordinarywoollenandcotton
　　fabricsemanatedfromPrussiaherself？Andmustwenotbecompelled
　　toconjecturefromthesecontradictions，andfromthefactthatthe
　　authorofthereportpaintsinsuchglowingcoloursthecondition
　　andtheprogressoftheindustryofSaxony，thathehimselfis
　　desirousofexcitingtheprivatejealousyofPrussia？
　　Bethatasitmay，itisverystrangethatDrBowringattaches
　　suchgreatimportancetotheprivatestatementsofheadsof
　　departments，heanEnglishauthorwhooughttobewellawareofthe
　　powerofpublicopinion——whooughttoknowthatinourdaysthe
　　privateviewsofheadsofdepartmentseveninunconstitutional
　　statescountforverylittleiftheyareopposedtopublicopinion，
　　andespeciallytothematerialinterestsofthewholenation，and
　　iftheyfavourretrogradestepswhichendangerthewhole
　　nationality。Theauthorofthereportalsofeelsthiswellenough
　　himself，whenhestatesatpage98thatthePrussianGovernmenthas
　　sufficientlyexperienced，astheEnglishGovernmenthasdonein
　　connectionwiththeabolitionoftheEnglishcornlaws，thatthe
　　viewsofpublicofficialscannoteverywherebecarriedintoeffect，
　　thathenceitmightbenecessarytoconsiderwhetherGermangrain
　　andtimbershouldnotbeadmittedtotheEnglishmarketseven
　　withoutpreviousconcessionsonthepartoftheGermanUnion，
　　becausebythatverymeansthewaymightbepavedfortheadmission
　　oftheEnglishmanufacturedgoodsintotheGermanmarket。Thisview
　　isinanycaseacorrectone。DrBowringseesclearlythatthe
　　Germanindustrywouldneverhavebeenstrengthenedbutforthose
　　laws；thatconsequentlytheabolitionofthecornlawswouldnot
　　onlycheckthefurtheradvancesofGermanindustry，butmustcause
　　itagaintoretrogradegreatly，providedalwaysthatinthatcase
　　theGermancustomslegislationremainsunchanged。Itisonlyapity
　　thattheBritishdidnotperceivethesoundnessofthisargument
　　twentyyearsago；butnow，afterthatthelegislationofEngland
　　hasitselfundertakenthedivorceofGermanagriculturefrom
　　Englishmanufactures，afterthatGermanyhaspursuedthepathof
　　perfectingherindustryfortwentyyears，andhasmadeenormous
　　sacrificesforthisobject，itwouldbetokenpoliticalblindnessif
　　Germanywerenow，owingtotheabolitionoftheEnglishcornlaws，
　　toabstaininanydegreefrompursuinghergreatnationalcareer。
　　Indeed，wearefirmlyconvincedthatinsuchacaseitwouldbe
　　necessaryforGermanytoincreaseherprotectivedutiesinthesame
　　proportioninwhichtheEnglishmanufactorieswouldderive
　　advantagefromtheabolitionofthecornlawsascomparedwith
　　thoseofGermany。Germanycanforalongtimefollownoother
　　policyinrespecttoEnglandthanthatofalessadvanced
　　manufacturingnationwhichisstrivingwithallherpowertoraise
　　herselftoanequalpositionwiththemostadvancedmanufacturing
　　nation。Everyotherpolicyormeasurethanthat，involvesthe
　　imperillingoftheGermannationality。IftheEnglishareinwant
　　offoreigncornortimber，thentheymaygetitinGermanyorwhere
　　elsetheyplease。Germanywillnotonthataccountanytheless
　　protecttheadvancesinindustrywhichshehasmadeuptothis
　　time，orstriveanythelesstomakefutureadvances。Ifthe
　　BritishwillhavenothingtodowithGermangrainandtimber，so
　　muchthebetter。Inthatcasetheindustry，thenavigation，the
　　foreigntradeofGermanywillraisetheirheadssomuchthe
　　quicker，theGermaninternalmeansoftransportwillbesomuchthe
　　soonercompleted，theGermannationalitywillsomuchthemore
　　certainlyrestonitsnaturalfoundation。PerhapsPrussiamaynot
　　inthiswaysosoonbeabletosellthecornandtimberofher
　　BalticprovincesathighpricesasiftheEnglishmarketswere
　　suddenlyopenedtoher。Butthroughthecompletionoftheinternal
　　meansoftransport，andthroughtheinternaldemandfor
　　agriculturalproducecreatedbythemanufactories，thesalesof
　　thoseprovincestotheinteriorofGermanywillincreasefast
　　enough，andeverybenefittotheseprovinceswhichisfoundedon
　　thehomedemandforagriculturalproducewillbegainedbythemfor
　　allfuturetime。Theywillnevermorehavetooscillateas
　　heretoforebetweencalamityandprosperityfromonedecadeto
　　another。Butfurther，asapoliticalpowerPrussiawillgaina
　　hundred-foldmoreinconcentratedstrengthintheinteriorof
　　Germanybythispolicythanthematerialvalueswhichshe
　　sacrificesforthemomentinhermaritimeprovinces，orrather
　　investsforrepaymentinthefuture。
　　TheobjectoftheEnglishministryinthisreportisclearlyto
　　obtaintheadmissionintoGermanyofordinaryEnglishwoollenand
　　cottonfabrics，partlythroughtheabolitionoratleast
　　modificationofchargingdutiesbyweight，partlythroughthe
　　loweringofthetariff，andpartlybytheadmissionoftheGerman
　　grainandtimberintotheEnglishmarket。Bythesemeansthefirst
　　breachcanbemadeintheGermanprotectivesystem。Thesearticles
　　ofordinaryuseaswehavealreadyshowninaformerchapterare
　　byfarthemostimportant，theyarethefundamentalelementofthe
　　nationalindustry。Dutiesoftenpercentadvalorem，whichare
　　clearlyaimedatbyEngland，would，withtheassistanceofthe
　　usualtricksofunderdeclarationofvalue，sacrificethegreater
　　partoftheGermanindustrytoEnglishcompetition，especiallyif
　　inconsequenceofcommercialcrisestheEnglishmanufacturerswere
　　sometimesinducedtothrowonthemarkettheirstocksofgoodsat
　　anyprice。Itisthereforenoexaggerationifwemaintainthatthe
　　tendencyoftheEnglishproposalsaimsatnothinglessthanthe
　　overthrowoftheentireGermanprotectivesystem，inorderto
　　reduceGermanytothepositionofanEnglishagriculturalcolony。
　　Withthisobjectinviewitisimpressedon。thenoticeofPrussia
　　howgreatlyheragriculturemightgainbythereductionofthe
　　Englishcornandtimberduties，andhowunimportanther
　　manufacturinginterestis。Withthesameview，theprospectis
　　offeredtoPrussiaofareductionofthedutiesonbrandy。Andin
　　orderthattheotherstatesmaynotgoquiteemptyawayafiveper
　　centreductionofthedutiesonN黵embergwares，children'stoys，
　　eaudeCologne，andothertrifles，ispromised。Thatgives
　　satisfactiontothesmallGermanstates，andalsodoesnotcost
　　much。