celebrated seat of learning such as it is desirable that an institution of that kind should be able to set forth as models? Above all, does the most public building in our Commonwealth do justice to the high rank of the state, and to its own conspicuous location? To the latter question, I answer, that at the time of its erection it did, although not wholly without fault. The ingenious arrangement of the component parts, the style of finish, and its correct adjustment to the elegant site on which it was placed, and to the surrounding objects, as they then existed, reflected great credit on the architect. These surrounding objects, alas, have since been deplorably changed, with an effect like that of removing the drapery from a picture, leaving the principal subject to stand out naked and without relief. Those who were acquainted with the scenery as it then was, can never cease to lament the change. That remarkable mound which supported its rear, and which probably had not its parallel in any city on earth, (reflecting a beauty on Boston, whose loss can never be repaired by the artificial embellishments of ages, with the expense of millions) and the fine estate on the west, which should have been purchased for the use of the governor, were essential parts in the picture, and ought to have been preserved at almost any expense. With regard to the material of the building, no one then thought, or could reasonably have been expected to think, of any other than brick. The art of splitting granite was known here but to a single individual, I believe, if at all, and that of hammering it was in a rude state.

But what shall I say of the building in its present condition?— undermined in a most hideous manner-deprived of the massive walls which surrounded its court-yards, and, with a row of flourishing trees, now gone, afforded some relief after the removal of the beautiful hill in its rear-perched on the brows of a high and precipitous glacis, so high and steep, as to be incapable of sustaining itself against the action of frost, and so near the flank walls of the building, as to occasion the painful, disgusting, idea of instability, insecurity-beside adding to the tall appearance of the ends in proportion to their breadth, which was perhaps the greatest original fault of this edifice. Nor is this all, for I have a few words to say to the repairs, so called, of the present season, premising that I know not the name of an individual who has had any particular agency in them. In truth, they are the acts of the public, and mine among the rest. I treat merely the abstract questions of taste, using this building as an example, by way of illustration.

It is stated to be a fact, that the brick walls of the building required some repairs, which could not be effected without defacing them, so as to render the painting of the whole necessary. It may be so, yet I should consider it far from certain that our masons

had not ingenuity enough for such a purpose. But it is farther said, that the bricks had acquired a dusky, dull appearance, and therefore must be painted. Here taste starts this general question, whether every appearance of the effect of time on a building, especially a public building, must be removed; whether nothing can look right, that does not look new; whether because we cannot have any thing as yet which wears the appearance of much antiquity, care should be taken that we never do; whether, on the contrary, every public edifice ought not to bear upon its face the signatures of its age, and carry with it to posterity the record of its birth, not merely in the Anno Domino which the chisel may have inscribed on its front, but in the corresponding marks which the hand of time shall have impressed throughout its surface? But admit that it was proper that these brick walls should be painted. The question then occurs, in what manner? The answer is, in imitation of Chelmsford granite, to be sure. But let us advert to principles a moment. Is the eye of taste ever satisfied with such imitations? It cannot be deceived by them. It still knows the building to be brick, and a brick building pretending to be what it is not. Is it not therefore more likely to be offended at the hypocrisy, than gratified with its flimsy covering? If it be fit, for any cause, that bricks should be painted, is it not in better taste to preserve their appearance as bricks (which may be done to perfection), than to attempt an imitation of any thing else, which can never be considered as any thing but an imitation, and therefore inferior to a reality which in itself is inferior to the thing attempted to be imitated. We all admit that a building of stone is far handsomer than one of any other material, and have regretted that stone was not in use at the time our State-house was built. But that it was not, is a historical fact. And have not posterity a right to the monuments of this fact unobscured? Or is it proper to leave them in doubt whether stone might not be in use, and whether the parsimony of our government had not rejected the substance, and resorted to the shadow? What will our Antiquarian Society say about it a hundred and fifty years hence?

But let it be conceded that these suggestions are without weight, and come to the conclusion that it was proper to paint the brick walls in imitation of Chelmsford granite, and this I presume will be the popular voice, for it is now the fashion. This admission will not, however, imply that no reference is to be had to the nature of things, but every thing to be put at the disposal of vague whim; that because we paint brick walls, we may paint granite foundations; that while we convert the superstructure into granite, we may convert the base into sand-stone! By

our republican principles, men of taste have the same right to the comforts of life as other people; but lo! they are forbidden a ride through Beacon street, or a walk in the Mall cr on the Common, upon pain of being put to the torture! Stone painted! Painted stone!! No language can illustrate this offence. Common sense cries out as loudly against it, as cultivated taste; and here it is attended with the aggravation, that the base of the building was before exactly what it ought to be, hewn graniteof a coarser kind, to be sure, than that imitated in the superstructure, but the better for that. It is a distinction which is always proper, it being according to the principles of order, that grosser and more ponderous materials should be at the base, finer and lighter in the body, finer still in the ornaments. A building may indeed be wholly of the same material without offence. But what have we here? In addition to the inexpiable crime of painting stone at all, we have a granite superstructure, and a sandstone foundation! the finer and frailer material placed as a support to the coarser and more hardy! Had the base actually been of sandstone, or marble, it would have settled the point against painting the brick walls in imitation of granite. There is no one who would not instinctively shudder at the thought of originally constructing a building in that way; and can it be less improper to imitate such a construction?

My communication has been extended to so great a length, that there is no room for a peroration, nor for an additional remark or two I intended to make. I conclude, therefore, with asking my readers, how they like a bottle-green dome? and expressing a wish that means may be devised for purchasing the beautiful vacant lot in the centre of the city, which will probably be for sale ere long, for the purpose of erecting a building to be devoted to the cultivation of the fine arts, itself being a chaste specimen of one of them.

B.

PRINCIPLES OF POLITICAL ECONOMY.

XVI. MANUFACTURES, IN RELATION TO THE GENERAL INTERESTS

OF SOCIETY.

MANUFACTURES, operating by the powers of nature through the means of machinery and skill, is a branch of industry which does not arise out of the necessities of man, neither does it necessarily grow up from his abundance.

It is only through public encouragement and protection, that it can be introduced into a country.

Before it can be established, capital must have been accumulated, and a competent degree of skill acquired. These are

seldom united in the same person. One person possesses the capital, and another the skill; and without their co-operation its establishment cannot take place. No person will endanger his capital in a new enterprise, without a prospect of profit which more than counterbalances the hazard of loss.

Their co-operation, therefore, to this end, cannot be brought about without public regulations, which alone can afford that prospect of safety and profit which induces to the undertaking.

It is by the regulations only, which impose duties on the import of foreign manufacture, that the inducements are afforded to the employment of capital and skill in the establishment of domestic manufacture.

But although capital and skill and a protecting duty are prerequisites to the establishment of manufacture; yet it is only while the new establishments are forming, maturing, and perfecting their skill and machinery, that protecting duties will be required.

The first effect of the introduction of manufacture is to produce a great augmentation of the public wealth, by the additional value which it immediately imparts to all real estate, within a marketable distance of its establishments.

And then, through the labour employed in forming the establishments, a great amount of capital is put in circulation, which, in passing from hand to hand, produces increased activity in every department of industry.

Villages, schools, and churches arise around the manufactory, by the means it affords for their erection and support.

The farmer has a better market, the mechanic more employment, the labourer higher wages, and those of other useful vocations a greater income.

And unless the labour employed in forming the establishments be taken from other branches of industry to the diminution of their products, the whole value produced by it, is, to the amount of it, so much clear gain to the country.

But the labour heretofore employed for that purpose has not been to diminish, but to increase production in other branches. For to increase the number of labourers in one employment does not reduce production in others, except when the whole productive labour of a country is fully employed. But this is not the case with us. We have more labour than there is profitable employ

ment for.

If the new establishments afford to the employment of capital a greater profit, and to labour higher wages, than their employment in other branches of industry affords, they will attract surplus capital and labour from the other branches. This, by increasing competition in the new establishments, gradually lowers the profits of their capital, and the wages of the labour which they employ;

while, at the same time, by diminishing competition in the other branches, it raises the profits of the capital, and the wages of the labour which these employ.

And thus, as the profits of capital and the wages of labour are lowered in the one, so they are raised in the others, till they both, in all employments, come to a new level, but to a higher one than that at which they stood before.

The advantages flowing from the establishment of manufactories are not, however, confined to the section of country in which they may happen to be situated, but are extended through the intervention of commerce over the Union.

The planter shares them, for example. His interest is promoted by the increased consumption which the domestic manufacture produces, of his great staple, cotton. He is also benefited by the manufactured products being supplied to him in return, at a cheaper rate than they would have been, if public encouragement had not established manufacture among us.

All others are benefited in like manner, if not in the same degree.

Manufacture, in the multiplication of its products, increases the demand for the products of the other branches of industry,-in so much as there is more produced to be given in exchange for those other products.

The industry of the nation is productive in proportion to the capital and skill employed through the medium of machinery in aid of labour to accelerate production; and not in proportion to the number of its labourers. It is in manufacture, that capital and skill are employed in the greatest degree in proportion to labour; and it is there, that by their means, labour is rendered more productive than it is in any other employment.

The products of the labour of a few hands in manufacture will purchase the products of many hands in agriculture.

Manufacture has, in this country, already so multiplied its products as to supply commerce, both inland and foreign, with considerable additional employment in their distribution.

It has also added considerably to our exports, by which the imports are increased, and the public revenue augmented.

XVII. THE MECHANIC ARTS, IN RELATION TO THE GENERAL INTERESTS

OF SOCIETY.

The mechanic arts comprehend all the divisions of manual labour, in which art, skill, and dexterity are employed to modify and compound matter, materials, and rude products, and to adapt them to the consumption, use, and gratification of man.

The individuals employed in these arts, form a numerous class in society, and compose the most considerable portion of the population of towns and cities.