ITS TRADE, COMMERCE, AND MANUFACTURES. THE present flourishing condition of London has arisen, from a variety of happy incidents; thus we may bring into the scale, that it is the metropolis of the land of rational liberty; that the integrity of its merchants has induced universal commerce; that its police is exemplary; and that its charitable institutions are unbounded. Its prerogatives, enfranchisements, immunities, charters, and liberties, are also encouragements to those kinds of speculation, which give to London a decided precedence in universal traffic. To commerce and manufacture may juftly be attributed the stability of empire, and the opulence of individuals; they encourage an universal spirit of industry, remove local prejudices, and elevate the mind to magnanimity and wisdom. Whatever seems necessary for sensual or intellectual gratifications; for the ease, convenience, or elegance, of life; are primarily, or mediately, communicated by commerce. And, in proportion as this has been encouraged or depressed by different states, their progress in arts, manufactures, and science, is correctly marked; and by them the virtues of their princes, and the vigour of their laws. Nothing more amply demonstrates the truth of this remark VOL. II. No. 27. A 4 than |