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continents。 With all their liberality with philanthropical and
cosmopolitical phrases which they uttered in general discussions
respecting the commercial systems of England and other countries；
they nevertheless did not think it inconsistent； whenever the
question arose of the alteration of any particular English duties；
to base their arguments on the principle of protection。
Huskisson certainly reduced the duties on several articles； but
he never omitted to take care that at that lower scale of duty the
home manufactories were still sufficiently protected。 He thus
followed pretty much the rules of the Dutch water administration。
Wherever the water on the outside rises high； these wise
authorities erect high dykes； wherever it rises less； they only
build lower dykes。 After such a fashion the reform of the English
commercial policy which was announced with so much pomp reduced
itself to a piece of mere politico…economical jugglery。 Some
persons have adduced the lowering of the English duty on silk goods
as a piece of English liberality； without duly considering that
England by that means only sought to discourage contraband trade in
these articles to the benefit of her finances and without injury to
her own silk manufactories； which object it has also by that means
perfectly attained。 But if a protective duty of 50 to 70 per cent
（which at this day foreign silk manufacturers have to pay in
England； including the extra duty（3*）） is to be accepted as a proof
of liberality most nations may claim that they have rather preceded
the English in that respect than followed them。
As the demonstrations of Canning and Huskisson were specially
intended to produce an effect in France and North America； it will
not be uninteresting to call to mind in what way it was that they
suffered shipwreck in both countries。 Just as formerly in the year
1786； so also on this occasion； the English received great support
from the theorists； and the liberal party in France； carried away
by the grand idea of universal freedom of trade and by Say's
superficial arguments； and from feelings of opposition towards a
detested Government and supported by the maritime towns； the wine
growers； and the silk manufacturers； the liberal party clamorously
demanded； as they had done in the year 1786； extension of the trade
with England as the one true method of promoting the national
welfare。
For whatever faults people may lay to the charge of the
Restoration； it rendered an undeniable service to France； a service
which posterity will not dispute； it did not allow itself to be
misled into a false step as respects commercial policy either by
the stratagems of the English or by the outcry of the liberals。 Mr
Canning laid this business so much to heart that he himself made a
journey to Paris in order to convince Monsieur Vill鑜e of the
excellence of his measures； and to induce him to imitate them。 M。
Vill鑜e was； however； much too practical not to see completely
through this stratagem； he is said to have replied to Mr Canning；
'If England in the far advanced position of her industry permits
greater foreign competition than formerly； that policy corresponds
to England's own well…understood interests。 But at this time it is
to the well…understood interests of France that she should secure
to her manufactories which have not as yet attained perfect
development； that protection which is at present indispensable to
them for that object。 But whenever the moment shall have arrived
when French manufacturing industry can be better promoted by
permitting foreign competition than by restricting it； then he （M。
Vill鑜e） would not delay to derive advantage from following the
example of Mr Canning。'
Annoyed by this conclusive answer； Canning boasted in open
Parliament after his return； how he had hung a millstone on the
neck of the French Government by means of the Spanish intervention；
from which it follows that the cosmopolitan sentiments and the
European liberalism of Mr Canning were not spoken quite so much in
earnest as the good liberals on the Continent might have chosen to
believe。 For how could Mr Canning； if the cause of liberalism on
the Continent had interested him in the least； have sacrificed the
liberal constitution of Spain to the French intervention owing to
the mere desire to hang a millstone round the neck of the French
Government？ The truth is； that Mr Canning was every inch an
Englishman； and he only permitted himself to entertain
philanthropical or cosmopolitical sentiments； when they could prove
serviceable to him in strengthening and still further extending the
industry and commercial supremacy of England； or in throwing dust
into the eyes of England's rivals in industry and commerce。
In fact； no great sagacity was needed on the part of M。 Vill鑜e
to perceive the snare which had been laid for him by Mr Canning。 In
the experience of neighbouring Germany； who after the abolition of
the Continental system had continually retrograded farther and
farther in respect of her industry； M。 Vill鑜e possessed a striking
proof of the true value of the principle of commercial freedom as
it was understood in England。 Also France was prospering too well
under the system which she had adopted since 1815； for her to be
willing to attempt； like the dog in the fable； to let go the
substance and snap at the shadow。 Men of the deepest insight into
the condition of industry； such as Chaptal and Charles Dupin； had
expressed themselves on the results of this system in the most
unequivocal manner。
Chaptal's work on French industry is nothing less than a
defence of the French commercial policy； and an exposition of its
results as a whole and in every particular。 The tendency of this
work is expressed in the following quotation from it。 'Instead of
losing ourselves in the labyrinth of metaphysical abstractions； we
maintain above all that which exists； and seek above all to make it
perfect。 Good customs legislation is the bulwark of manufacturing
industry。 It increases or lessens import duties according to
circumstances； it compensates the disadvantages of higher wages of
labour and of higher prices of fuel； it protects arts and
industries in their cradle until they at length become strong
enough to bear foreign competition； it creates the industrial
independence of France and enriches the nation through labour；
which； as I have already often remarked； is the chief source of
wealth。'（4*）
Charles Dupin had； in his work 'On the Productive Powers of
Franc