The negroes of the coast of Africa are possessed of considera-
ble ingenuity, and excel in all athletic exercises and handicraft
occupations; but they seem greatly deficient in the two previous
operations of industry. Wherefore, they are under the necessity
of purchasing from Europe the stuffs, arms, and ornaments, they
stand in need of. Their country yields so few products, not-
withstanding its natural fertility, that the slave traders are oblig-
ed to lay in their stock of provisions beforehand, to feed the
slaves during the voyage. ^*

In qualities favourable to industry, the moderns have greatly
surpassed the ancients, and the Europeans outstript all the other
nations of the globe. The meanest inhabitant of an European
town enjoys innumerable comforts unattainable to the sovereign
of a savage tribe. The single article glass, that admits light
into his apartment, and, at the same time, excludes the incle-
mency of the weather, is the beautiful result of observation and
science, accumulated and perfected during a long course of
ages. To obtain this luxury, it was necessary previously to
know what kind of sand was convertible into a substance pos-
sessing extension, solidity, and transparency; as well as by the
compound of what ingredients, and by what degree of heat, the
substance was obtainable: to ascertain besides, the best form of
furnace. The very wood-work, that supports the roof of a glass-
house, requires, in its construction, the most extensive know-
ledge of tho strength of timber, and of the means of employing it
to advantage.

Nor was the mere knowledge of these matters sufficient; for
that knowledge might possibly have lain dormant in the memory
of one or two persons, or in the pages of literature. It was fur-
her requisite, that a manufacturer should have been found, pos-
sessed of the means of reducing the knowledge into practice;
who should have at first made himself master of all that was
known of that particular branch of industry, and afterwards have
accumulated, or procured, the requisite capital, collected artifi-
cers and labourers, and assigned to each his respective occupa-
tion.

Finally, the work must have been completed by the manual

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