The statistical particulars connected with the quar ries of this country are comparatively so minute and tri fling, that we should not be disposed to enter upon them here, even if we had access to the requisite information; but, before concluding this part of our subject, it may be proper to add a few words respecting the pits of ful ler's earth, from the immediate and important relation which this substance bears to our staple manufacture. We have already mentioned, that they are found in Bed fordshire, Berkshire, and Surry ; a pit also has lately been opened at Maidstone in Kent. Although the de mand for fuller's earth is not now nearly so great as it was formerly, in consequence of many of the clo thiers using soap instead of it, yet there is still a con siderable demand for it, especially for that which is procured in Surry. Mr Malcolm, in his agricultural !account of that county, says, that he endeavoured to ascertain the annual consumption of the kingdom, and that, as nearly as might be, he found it to be about 6300 tons; of which quantity, about 4000 tons were sent from Surry. The price at the pit, in 1805, was about 5s. or 6s. per ton, whereas, in 1744, the price was 4d. per bushel, which is after the rate of 8s. per ton; a proof either that the supply had increased, or that the demand had diminished. Fuller's earth was deemed by the le gislature of so much consequence to our woollen manu factures, that a special act was passed in the 28th year of the reign of his present Majesty, prohibiting the ex portation of fuller's earth and flittering clay, under a heavy penalty, and obliging the dealers and buyers of it to enter into bonds, to prevent its exportation ; and cer tainly, whatever may be the opinion and practice now, the great and acknowledged superiority of English cloth was formerly ascribed, both at home and abroad, to the use of fuller's earth.
In estimating the amount of the national profit which is derived from our mines, &C. it is evident, that the mere profit derived by the individuals to whom they be long, even added to the net profit of those who lease and work them, will give us a very imperfect and inadequate notion of the increase which they being to the stock of national wealth. In order to do this, we should be able to trace the raw produce of our mines through all its stages, till, by the Ivonderful effects of the unparalleled industry, skill, and capital of this nation, it appears in the form of the most useful or the most expensive arti cles of life. This, however, in most cases, it would be in vain to attempt, and, at any rate, where it is practica ble, it would here be irrelevant, in a great measure, to our subject. We shall, therefore, conclude our account of the mining products of this country, with a tabular view of the profits from quarries, mines, and iron-works, derived by the ,proprietors, as returned to the House of Commons by the commissioners of taxes. It may be proper to mention, that though the report on the pro duce of the income-tax, accompanied with a particular statement of the profits from lands, &c. on which this
tax was levied, was laid before parliament in 1812, it does not bring the details which we have extracted lots. er down than the 5th of April 1811.
Manufactures.
BEFORE we proceed to the consideration of the maBefore we proceed to the consideration of the ma- nufactures of this country, it may be proper to premise some remarks on the principal causes which have con tributed, either directly or indirectly, to advance and ex tend them to their present state. This inquiry will riot only be in a high degree interesting, but also important and useful ; since, undoubtedly, if we-call open up the causes which have produced the flourishing state of our manufactures, we shall, at the same time, explain and detect the causes of our national wealth and prosperity.
In the first place, much must he ascribed to the free dom of our constitution ; for it would be in vain to at tempt the regular and permanent establishment of any manufacture, where the lives and property of those who were to he engaged in it were not secure. At the same time, this position must be taken with some limitation, since the love of wealth with some, and the spirit of in dustry and enterprize with others, is so strong and over bearing, as to urge them on to risk their property, and the fruits of their industry, even under an unstable and tyrannical government. But certainly a free constitu tion, though not absolutely essential to a limited and tri fling degree of manufactures and commerce, is a neces sary requisite for their flourishing and permanent condi tion.
In the second place, the British government, though it is not by any means free from the charge of an inter meddling spirit with regard to commercial legislation, has, perhaps, less than most other governments, inter fered in an abrupt and improper manner ; and, indeed, it may justly be doubted, whether the interference of government, in all cases of trade and commerce, is so necessarily and clearly prejudicial to their interests and flourishing state, as has generally been imagined. There can be no doubt, that the protection and encouragement of government, like the protection and encouragement of individuals, may be beneficial to the exertion of human industry. It is not essentially and necessarily fatal to it, but only so far as it is exerted in an improper manner, or at an improper time, or continued when circum stances render it expedient that it should be withdrawn. At any rate, whatever may have been the consequences to the nation at large, of the duties on foreign manufac tures, and the bounties and drawbacks on home manu factures, which the British legislature has at various times, and on various occasions, enacted, in obliging them to purchase the latter when they could have pro cured the former at a cheaper rate, there can be no doubt, that these enactments have contributed to the present flourishing and extended state of our manufactures and commerce.