been converted into a medicinal application of great importance, -while the steam engine itself has given incalculable force and facility to the manufactures of the kingdom, nearly without exception. In almost all this knowledge, and in this application of it, as in a thousand similar instances that might be added to this short list, our own country is yet behindhand, and has yet to learn. Moreover, papers that would be considered as of no great moment in that manufacturing country, will be of use in this. In the infancy of our manufacturing establishments, the conductors of them have to feel their path, to tread cautiously, to reflect anxiously, and lights become important in the midst of darkness that would be unseen or unnoticed in the blaze of day. Having been much occupied in chemical pursuits, and much conversant with manufactures and manufacturers, I feel myself as well qualified as most men, to select such information as in some way or other will be worth attention, but which also will require, as I hope it will generally repay, attention. Making this a stock book for papers of value on the manufactures and the arts, I must be greatly indebted to other publications, and frequently to publications well known: frequently too, I shall have to republish in pursuit of my plan, what may have been already published by myself or others. If I make this work, as I mean to do, the repository for this kind of information, I must do So, No man can pretend to be original throughout a work on this extensive plan; it will be well conducted if he select judiciously. Whether it be worth while to encourage manufactures in this country, or to turn aside a part of the capital from the immediate employment of agriculture, is a question of great moment. All bounties and protecting duties, are taxes upon the rest of the community, in support of that employment of capital which, without them, would be injudicious and unproductive. While so much land remains uncultivated, there can be no want of opportunities of employing capital in America. Generally speaking also, the interference of government is sadly misplaced, when it attempts to direct the capitalist what he shall do with his money. Laissez nous faire, is the proper reply. Still, there are conside rations of great weight with me, in opposition to this general reasoning, that I have never seen urged. 1st. Our population is becoming scattered over such an extent of territory, that the nation is really weakened by it; defence is more difficult and expensive; active hostility almost impossi ble; the communication of society, and of course of knowledge, is greatly retarded; many of our citizens are tempted to live in a half savage state; and even the administration of law, and the maintenance of order and necessary subordination, is rendered imperfect, tardy, and expensive. 2dly. Our agriculturists want a home market: manufactures would supply it. Agriculture at great distances from seaports, languishes for want of this. Great Britain exhibits an instance of unexampled power and wealth, by means of an agriculture greatly dependent on a system of manufacture: and her agriculture, thus situated, is the best in the world, though still capable of great improvement. 3dly. We are too much dependent upon Great Britain for articles that habit has converted into necessaries. A state of war demands privations that a large portion of our citizens reluctantly submit to. Home manufactures would greatly lessen the evil. 4thly. By means of debts incurred for foreign manufactures, we are almost again become colonists: we are too much under the influence, indirectly, of British merchants and British agents: we are not an independent people. Manufactures among us would tend to correct this, and give a stronger tone of nationality at home. I greatly value the intercourse with that country, of preeminent knowledge and energy, but our dependence upon it is often so great, as to be oppressive to ourselves. 5thly. The state of agriculture would improve with the improvement of manufactures, by means of the general spirit of energy and exertion which no where exists in so high a degree as in a manufacturing country; and by the general improvement of machinery, and the demand of raw materials. 6thly. The introduction of manufactures would extend knowledge of all kinds, particularly scientifical. The elements of natural philosophy and of chemistry, now form an indispensable branch of education among the manufacturers of England. They cannot get on without it. They cannot understand or keep pace with the daily improvements of manufacture without scientific knowledge: and scientific knowledge is not insulated; it must rest upon previous learning. The tradesmen of Great Britain, at this day, can furnish more profound thinkers on philosophical subjects, more acute and accurate experimenters, more real philosophers thrice told, than all Europe could furnish a century ago. I wish that were the case here; but it is not so. I fear it is not true, that we are the most enlightened people upon the face of the earth; unless the facility of political declamation be the sole criterion of decision, and the universal test of talent. We should greatly improve, in my opinion, by a little more attention to mathematical and physical science; I would therefore encourage whatever would introduce a general taste for such pursuits. For these reasons, I think it would be expedient so far to aid the introduction of manufactures in this country, by protecting duties, as to afford a reasonable prospect of safety to the prudent investment of capital, and the industrious pursuit of business, but no bounty to wild speculation, or negligent workmanship. But I must not forget, that for a book to be useful, it must be saleable. However desirous, therefore, I may be of making this a stock book for papers on the arts and manufactures, I shall not so crowd it with dry detail, and with matter but partially interesting, as to leave no room for miscellaneous information of a more general nature. I shall be glad to introduce notices of our own inventions and improvements, and descriptions of our own rising manufactures. I shall be very glad to receive and insert articles of this kind, and generally any original paper which I may deem worthy of the public eye. Communications of this description, post paid, to myself or the publishers, Kimber and Richardson, of Philadelphia, will be honestly attended to. Carlisle, February, 1813. THOMAS COOPER. Lately published at Baltimore, No. 1. second series, of "The American Law Journal, and Miscellaneous Repertory," by John E. Hall, pp. 188, price 125 cents. FOR THE PORT FOLIO. THE ADVERSARIA; OR, EVENING RECREATIONS.-No. VI. To read what books and see what friends I please. POPE. LOCAL ATTACHMENT THERE is a silent chronicle of past hours in the inanimate things, amidst which they have been spent, that gives us back the affections, the regrets of our former days, that returns their joys without tumult, their griefs without poignancy: and produces equally from both, a pensive pleasure, which men, who have retired from the world, or whom particular circumstances have somewhat estranged from it, will be peculiarly fond of indulging. There is a certain attachment to place and things, by which the town, the house, the room, in which we live have a powerful influence over us. He must be a very dull or a very dissipated man, who, after a month's absence, can open his own door without emotion, even although there be no friend or relation to welcome his return. It has been observed, that this attachment to inanimate objects discovering itself in a sort of silent converse with an old accustomed chair, or any other piece of furniture is characteristically British: but the Sirmio of Catullus seems to prove that the old Romans had hearts to feel the same domestic sympathies. Catullus saw, once more, the lucid tide, Around the green banks of his Sirmio roll, Amid his oliv'd island to repose! "Here on my old couch," the master cry'd, "Shall I dismiss a train of wakeful woes; "Here, in delicious sleep, my heavy eye lids close." FRENCH GALLANTRY. In the fair and courteous days of France, when a gay and half romantic gallantry was the universal taste of the young and the old, the lofty and the humble, Madame la Mareschal de Mirepoix, already in the winter of her days, but with more wit and warmth of imagination than most of the youngest and gayest ladies of ་ the court, sent to her old admirer M. le duc de Nivernois, a lock of her gray hair, accompanied by some very elegant verses, descriptive of the regard she felt for him, which age could neither extinguish nor diminish. The duke's reply is one of the sweetest specimens of tenderness and gayety, that I ever remember to have met with. Quoi! vous parlez de cheveux blancs! Laissons, laissons courir le tems: Que nous importe son ravage? Et les graces sont de tout age. Pour moi, Themire, je le sens, Si je n'avois que dix-huit ans, Je pouvois aimer plus long tems Mais non pas aimer d'avantage. For the consolation of those mere English ladies, who like M. M. de Mirepoix, are growing gray, and to assure them that the aged themselves, though not likely to make new conquests, have, at least, the power of retaining the admirers of their youth, I venture to insert this rude copy of a beautiful original. Talk not of snowy locks-have done; Time runs the same and let him run; To us what boots the tyrant's rage? The Graces are of every age, To thee, Themira, when I bow, And more in years approve thee. But, dearer, could not love thee. POLITICAL SARCASMS. In the British house of commons, the opposition argued hat the expedition to the Scheldt was impolitic and disgraceful; |