these have been imitated by a lower class of Political Agitators.

The excited state of the coterie, who so violently agitated for a partial system of Free Trade, exhibited a disposition to prefer the means to the end, rather than a desire to consider the effect to be produced by obtaining the object in view.

Believing that the carrying out of the views expounded by certain theorists and agitators as regards Protection to Native Industry, and the various other subjects alluded to in the following pages, have a tendency to derange our status as a nation, I have taken up my pen for the purpose of explaining my views on such subjects, not for Party purposes, but in consequence of many of my friends, who are manufacturers, having either been ruined, or partially so, from the changes which have been made respecting the mode of admitting into this country, foreign manufactured goods duty free; and from a desire to call attention to various injurious tendencies, unfortunately too prevalent amongst all classes of society.

I do not lay claim to much originality in respect to the subjects discussed, but have

endeavoured to explain my views respecting them without assuming that they are more correct than those of others. I have thought it to be my duty to exercise whatever knowledge I may possess, with the view of obtaining a remedy for the distressed state of the manufacturing industries of the country-of finding employment for the large bodies of artisans, and other working men, who are unemployed-of improving the habits and pursuits of the general Public, which have a tendency in the wrong direction; and because I am desirous that my poorer fellow-creatures should be educated in such a manner as shall prove beneficial to their future well-being, and as subjects of our Most Gracious Queen.

It cannot be doubted but that the "Times," which so ably and earnestly supported Free Trade in corn and cattle, would, had it afterwards proved an injury instead of a benefit to the country, have as ably and earnestly supported a return to Protection. Happily, disputed questions are now more readily, and more fairly considered than formerly, in the better class of public journals. A more manly mode of discussion is also much more in vogue. Happily also for the country the

free importation of corn and cattle has so greatly benefited us that there is no desire for discussion respecting the necessity for a change. The free importation of manufactured goods, and especially of articles of luxury under the existing system of what many persons designate "a one-sided system of Free Trade," is generally believed not to have proved beneficial to our manufacturing industries, nor to the country.

In the following pages reasons are assigned with the view of shewing that Free Trade of this character should not be as were the laws of the Medes and Persians considered to beunalterable. Wherever it can be shewn that a law or regulation operates injuriously, it is the duty of our Government to ascertain by what means the injury inflicted may be removed; and to remove it by enacting another law or regulation, which shall be found more beneficial in operation.

In explaining my views in an outspoken and candid manner, I trust offence will not be given to any one, as none is intended; strong expressions however, have only been used towards those whose ideas, in my opinion, would, if acted on, create anarchy

and confusion in the country. But as the workings of the human mind are difficult to discover, my judgment on the intentions of others may be erroneous. Shakespeare makes Iago to tell Othello when he said he would know Iago's thoughts: "You cannot, if my heart were in your hand." We are also told by a higher authority than Shakespeare, "That the heart is deceitful above all things." So I hope that great allowance will be made for any errors of judgment which I may have committed on this most intricate and oft unfathomable subject. To assist me in acquiring a knowledge of human nature, I have availed myself of the reflections of many minds as well as of the varieties of it as presented in the history of man.

Whether my notions of the views of others be right or wrong, it must be admitted that nothing can more effectually prevent any one from imposing upon others a foolish admixture of sophistry, and false reasoning, than an impartial criticism; and this I seek rather than avoid. I am well aware that criticism indiscriminately applied to Government Acts is not much heeded, but when certain Acts are specially, and impartially

criticised, good may come of it. It should, moreover be remembered, that no criticism can be more impressive than that which holds. up to derision the unsound doctrines of the persons criticised: these are the reasons why I have, perhaps, severely criticised those whose views are, in my opinion, of the character here alluded to; still, in criticising, we should not forget that :

As in smooth oil the razor best is whet,
So wit is by politeness sharpest set,
The want of edge from the effect is seen,
Both pain us least when exquisitely keen."

In my endeavour to hold the mirror up to nature, I trust I may not be accused of mistaking verbiage for argument, nor of confounding vulgarity with wit.

Should violent prejudices be raised by any reader against one or more of the views herein propounded, I ask such reader to carefully "read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest," all that has been written, before giving a verdict of either condemnation, or approval. Reviewers I ask to do the same. In my own behalf I assure the reader that I am not a partisan; that personally I am as little interested in the subjects discussed, as any