advanced with an almost incredible rapidity. It is therefore an
egregious piece of absurdity to affirm, that the loss of our trade
would be felt for a time (which must signify a short time.) No
new schemes could be pursued that would not require, at least,
as much time to repair the loss of our trade, as was spent in
bringing it to its present degree of perfection, which is near
two centuries. Nor can it be reasonably imagined, that the
total and sudden loss of so extensive and lucrative a branch,
would not produce the most violent effects to a nation that sub-
sists entirely upon its commerce.

It is said, "there is ability and humanity enough in the nation
to relieve those that are distressed by us; and to put them into
some other way of getting their living."--I wish the gentleman
had obliged his readers so much, as to have pointed out this
other way; I must confess, I have racked my brains to no pur-
pose to discover it, and am fully of opinion it is purely ideal. --
Besides the common mechanic arts, which are subservient to the
ordinary uses of life, which are the instruments of commerce;
know no other ways in time of peace, in which men can be em-
ployed, except in agriculture and the liberal arts. Persons em-
ployed in the mechanic arts, are those, whom the abridgment
of commerce would immediately affect, and as to such branch-
es as might be less affected, they are already sufficiently stocked
with workmen, and could give bread to no more; not only
so, but I can't see by what legerdemain, a weaver, or clothier
could be at once converted into a carpenter or black-smith.
With respect to agriculture, the lands of Great Britain and Ire-
land have been long age distributed and taken up; nor do they
require any additional labourers to till them; so that there
could be no employment in this way. The liberal arts cannot
maintain those who are already devoted to them; not to say, it
is more than probable, the generality of mechanics, would make
but indifferent philosophers, poets, painters and musicians.

What poor shifts is sophistry obliged to have recourse to!
we are threatened with the resentment of those against whom our
measures will operate. It is said, that "instead of conciliating,
we shall alienate the affections of the people of Great-Britain,
of friends, we shall make them our enemies;" and further,
that "we shall excite the resentment of government at home
against us, which will do us no good, but, on the contrary,
much harm."