Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 36.djvu/475

Rh, and its supply of native wool and timber, to a great extent set off these disadvantages, though probably not completely.

The free commercial policy of Great Britain, united with the combination in a small, centrally situated space of country of all the most desirable facilities, marks her out as the greatest of international manufacturing and trading countries. Her manufacturers have perfect liberty to purchase their raw or partially manufactured materials in the best and cheapest markets; and their constant intercourse with all parts of the world keeps them informed of every new invention and resource. Their own home market is one of the most important, and, having no protection therein, they know at once when they are excelled in the production of any article, and whether it is owing to any natural or acquired advantage, so that among them there is very little waste of effort. Extent of capital hitherto undreamed of, ready to back their efforts abroad by investments in every promising enterprise, also enables them to command a preference in many undeveloped and poor countries. Yet it would be a great error to suppose that there do not exist in many other countries advantages sufficient to enable them also to carry on a large export business in manufactured goods. All are able to utilize some native materials and to save the intermediate profits and carriages upon foreign wares, and without doubt there are many wants that are best understood by the native manufacturers. Crippled as their producers are by fiscal restrictions upon their purchases and combinations, several of them are even now able to sell their wares largely to England herself. The artisans of the European continent are willing to work during a greater number of hours daily and for lower wages than those of Great Britain, and the cost of production is thereby diminished; and there are always in each country some advantages peculiar to itself and its population. Thus, France has a specialty in artistic taste, which enables her to supply the English market with most of its silks and ornamental objects, as well as with large quantities of fine woolen fabrics. Germany, the best educated country in the world, excels in applied science, as in the working of metals and stained glass; and the United States in labor-economizing apparatus, such as agricultural, sewing, and printing machines. Belgium has supplied wrought-iron girders for the roofs of English and Scotch railway stations. England also exports large quantities of partially manufactured goods, such as yarns, chemicals, and pig-iron, showing that the importing countries have, in various ways, superior facilities for the finishing processes. She also has need of the co-operation of other countries for the perfecting of her own wares. Thus, the finest flax grown in the north of Ireland, in order to attain its highest quality, must be sent to Belgium to be