The Sun.
London, England, 1853-03-07 00:00:00

the baking and brewing likewise in an inferior, man-
ner, while the time bestowed on the matters imper-
fectly executed might have been far more pro-
fitably occupied in some other branch of industry,
in which the membeh of the family were pro-
fideots, and the disposal whereof would enable
them ttr obtain the required articles in greater
abu
ndanaf and of much better quality. What
madness would it be of such a family to place im-
pediments in the way of receiving articles from
the neighbouring shops, certain that measures of
retaliation would be adopted, the result whereof
would be to curtail the demand and depreciate the
prices for their own productions ? They would
incur boundless ridicule for their folly so long
as the rash experiment was persisted in. Bitter
experience would, however, speedily convince even
the slowest of apprehension of the absurdity of
such conduct, and induce them to adopt imme-
diate measures for putting matters upon a more
politic foundation.
Nations, however, that erect Custom-houses,
and levy heavy import duties, are acting in this
objectionable and impolitic manner. They know
that similar measures will be adopted by other
countries—that the magnitude of their own import
duties will lead to hostile tariffs by those who
under a different state of things might be their
best customers. The effects of this imprudent
course are not, perhaps, as easily perceptible as in
a single family, but they are not less certain, and
may be as accurately ascertained by a close ex-
aminer. The pride, the prejudices, of the diffe-
rent communities prevent the first step from being
taken in the right direction. But if one were to
adopt the laudable precedent of throwing her ports
open to every corner, of receiving the products of
every nation, and giving her own in return, with-
out tax or duty, others would speedily follow the
example, and endeavour to meet their - kind
neighbour on reciprocal terms. The greatest
benefactor to mankind would be the man who
could persuade any important country to enter on
the initiative, by taking even a single step in the
right direction.
Let us, for example, take the cases of France and
Great Britain, perhaps the two most important
nations of the world. They would willingly and
freely take our cottons, cotton wool, woollen
yarns, machinery, cutlery, coals, &c., if we ac-
cepted of their silks, wines, fruits, &c., in return.
We foolishly levy enormous duties, equal, perhaps,
on an average, to 200 per cent. on their cheap
wines, which practically prohibit their introduc-
tion into this country. The natural consequence
follows : the commerce is limited in amount ;
we do without a very beneficial and useful article,
while they abstain from commodities for which
there would otherwise be a considerable demand ;
and gr'eat injury is done to both parties, to the
industrial interests of both countries.

The valuable statistics teaching such salutary
lessons have hitherto, however, been difficult of
attainment. They were as sealed books to the
community in general, who could not afford the
time and research necessary to the acquisition of
this useful information. This evil has, however,
been remedied, and no excuse will henceforward
be afforded for ignorance on this all-important
subject. Thanks to Mr. H. FRASER, the veil has
been uplifted, the mist dispelled. That gentleman
has just published, in a cheap and useful form, two
excellent charts,* exhibiting a synoptical view
of the resources of all nations, comprehending the
area, chief town, population, and religion of each
country ; the principal produce and manufactures,
description of the general imports and exports,
particularly those from or to Great Britain and
Ireland, receipts, expenditure, and public debt,
with a variety of other topics, affording altogether
an unprecedented quantity of valuable information.
It would, indeed, be impossible without an inspec-
tion to convey any adequate notion of the quantity
and quality of that information. On these points
the public must judge for themselves. This, how-
ever, we may say, that this information will enable
Fiscal Reformers to meet and confute their
opponents and provide unanswerable arguments
against the injudicious system of indirect taxation
that has so long paralysed the industry of the
country, and prevented it from attaining the
' prosperity that could otherwise easily be achieved.
We need not say that Mr. FRASER has not
attempted to inculcate any political views. He
merely states incontrovertible facts, the knowledge
whereof will lead to the other matters above
alluded to.