Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/60

42] through a basket lined with straw. By dropping diluted oil of vitriol into this liquor, he precipitated the mucilaginous part, winch was again filtred and rendered fit for another process of tanning, after depriving it of its acidity, by means of a lye made of common pot-ash.—Another German writer, M., mentions the root of the comfrey among those plants, from which good starch and hair-powder may be prepared.  COMMERCE, the exchange of commodities, or the buying, selling, or trafficking of merchandize, money, or even paper, with a view to obtain profit.

Commerce is at present divided into commerce by land and by sea; inland or domestic, and foreign; and by whole-sale and retail. With respect to domestic commerce, we may observe, that it is under the King's supreme protection, as it belongs to his prerogative to establish public markets and fairs; to regulate weights and measures; and to issue money, which is the uuiversal medium of commerce, authority, and currency.

The greater part of the commerce of this country is carried on by collective companies, some of which are incorporated under charters, with an exclusive privilege; a practice which is, perhaps, justly due to the company that first introduces a peculiar branch of commerce; but, when such exclusive right is continued for a kind of property, we venture to pronounce it to be highly detrimental to the welfare of the nation, as well as to the interests of trade in general.

The history of commerce, being less connected with the object of this work than its influence on the moral and physical prosperity of a people, we shall add only a few aphorisms, which appear to us fully established, by the evidence of ancient history, as well as from the nature and complexion of some recent events: 1. That, though commerce doubtless tends to improve the intellectual faculties of man, and renders him more skilful in the various ornamental arts, but especially those of war and luxury, yet at the same time it creates a thirst of power and riches, which by no means contribute to his moral perfection; 2. That opulence, acquired by the rapid succession of fortunate events in commercial speculation, does not stimulate the mind to humane and virtuous actions, in so beneficial a manner as the slow and honest acquisitions of the artist and husbandman. 3. That large fortunes arising from commercial channels, constitute a rich, but not a wealthy nation; because those individuals who have amassed property, by bold enterprises, are more prone to apply their money to the support of political and financial schemes, while the industrious cultivator of the soil, or manufacturer, will be disposed to promote the more useful and permanent objects of national pride, namely, those of rural and domestic economy.  COMMISSION OF BANKRUPTCY, is that issued by the Lord Chancellor, on persons becoming bankrupt within any of the statutes, and directed to certain commissioners, who are appointed to examine into it, and to secure the bankrupt's lands and effects, for the satisfaction of his creditors.—See.

The proceedings on a Commission of Bankruptcy relate, 1. either to