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consists, not in the fineness of the thread or the uniformity of the texture, (for in both these it is excelled by the British manufacture) but in circumstances, partly at least local and accidental, viz. the durability of the colour, and the elegant glossiness of the fabric. But if, with all the disadvantages under which he labours from an imperfect knowledge of machinery, the Indian manufacturer has obtained a preference for his muslins, even at a higher price, and in a far distant market, how unrivalled might be his practical excellence, how decided his commercial triumph, were he enabled to avail himself of all the advantages of European invention! Whether the British government ought, in sound policy, to assist him in attaining such an ascendancy, at the expence of an home manufacture, which employs so many useful hands, in which so much of the monied interest of the country is embarked, and which procures such returns from abroad, may justly "demand a doubt." Whether there could be found, among any considerable proportion of the natives, capital sufficient to embark in extensive undertakings, may also be doubted. But that situations for erecting spinning machinery could easily be found, in a country abounding with rivers, may be presumed; that the more perfect construction of the principal instrument of his la

bours, agreeably to the mechanism of the British loom, would enable the Indian operative to rise to farther excellence in his art, must be obvious; and that, with a population so vast, labour so cheap, and workmen sober, temperate, industrious, and ingenious, the Gentoo manufacturer would soon be able, were his advantages equal, to undersell his British or European rivals, and drive them out of the market, cannot, it should seem, be for a moment controverted.

VI.

Commerce derives her food from the arts, and nourishes them in her turn. Without commerce, an high degree of civilisation is not to be expected; and has rarely, if ever, been attained. By inspiring a sense of reciprocal wants, interests, and enjoyments, it strengthens the social principle: by opening intercourse with other nations, and shewing human nature in every variety of attitude, and under all circumstances of society, it liberalises the views of mankind : by discovering communities, at least in some respects, in a higher state of civilisation than ourselves, it at once enlightens and stimulates the spirit of improvement: by throwing around nations the ties of hospitality, of interest, of duty, it promotes the exercise of the principles of benevolence,

and binds them more closely together in the great political compact: by putting into operation a thousand forms of honest industry, it at once excites and rewards genius: by opening, for the lower orders of the community, a field of lucrative and useful employment, wide as the world itself, it diffuses wealth, and tends, both to exempt them from that spirit of servility which debases the common mind, and to inspire that feeling of honest independence which is favourable to public virtue, liberty, and valour: and, in fine, by all, it conduces, in a high degree, to polish society, and accelerate the improvement and happiness of the human

race.

Commerce may be divided, most generally and obviously, into foreign and domestic. The latter consists, when altogether detached from the former, solely in the circulation of indigenous productions; and, even in the simplest times and most fertile country, since no man by his utmost exertions can supply himself with all he needs or may desire, must necessarily be carried to some extent. However, it is external commerce chiefly, that, while it quickens and extends the home trade, augments the fortunes of individuals, enriches the country, and promotes the improvement of its inhabitants.

The state of commerce among the Gentoos, as we have before remarked, is far beneath what the resources of the country might lead us to expect, and would easily support. To this mercantile depression, so unfriendly in many respects to the interests of the nation, various causes have contributed. He who would account for it, or prescribe appropriate remedies, must advert to the fertility of the country itself, which, by producing many of the luxuries, and all the necessaries of life, almost spontaneously, holds out a temptation to indolence; must advert to the passive, unaspiring, improvident, temper of the Hindoos, who, acquiescing in their present condition, and careless about futurity, are impelled by no anxieties, to acquire or accumulate the means of higher and remote gratification:—to the abstinence which their religion prescribes, and the simplicity of dress which their climate requires :-to the absence of a proper medium of exchange in some places, and of easy communication in others :-to general deficiency of capital, necessary especially for distant and expensive adventures :-to 'the total want of commodious and safe harbours, for vessels of any size, on the whole eastern line of coast from Trincomalee in Ceylon to Calcutta in Bengal :to the cramping influence of the arrangement of the casts,

and to the laws founded on that arrangement:-and to that restrictive policy, which the government of a trading company usually adopts.

How is the influence of these causes to be counteracted, and the evils flowing from them to be removed or alleviated? To convert the Hindoos altogether into a trading nation, would neither be practicable nor expedient. But to create a spirit of manufacturing industry among the lower classes of the community; and to turn the attention of the higher orders (who, though not prohibited by law from following the profession, consider themselves as above commerce) to schemes of mercantile activity and enterprise, might prove highly conducive to the improvement of the national character. With this view, let the natives be encouraged to bring their commodities from the interior to the coast, by the assurance of inviolable protection, not only from robbery, but from arbitrary and undue exactions; as well as by the prospect of suitable gains, and a ready market. Let the communication with the inland parts, by removing obstructions in the course of the rivers by canals and by highways, be opened in all directions, as far as practicable. For the accommodation of inland traders, to preserve and protect their property until it can be disposed

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