"MUCH TALKING MAKES A WITTY MAN; MUCH READING MAKES A READY MAN;
MUCH WRITING MAKES A CORRECT MAN; MUCH THINKING MAKES A FULL
MAN."

BACON.

LONDON:

SMITH, ELDER AND Co.;

EGERTON SMITH & CO. LIVERPOOL; JOHN BAINES & CO. LEEDS; RODFORD AND
STEPHENSON, HULL; AND ALL OTHER BOOKSELLERS.

1829.

PREFACE.

THE Author of the following pages has no pretensions to literary polish or elegance of style. His only object is to lay before the reader a plain unvarnished statement of facts, bearing upon and connected with the great national question of East India monopoly; nor had he any intention of appearing before the Public, until having been appointed a Member of the East India Association for the Port of Hull, active exertions for the promotion of its interest became with him a point of duty. He makes, therefore, no apology for the numerous defects the eye of criticism may detect, but commits the Work to the candour of a liberal Public, secure in the integrity of his intentions, and sufficiently rewarded, if he in any measure awaken the attention of others to a subject involving, in no small degree, our individual and national interests.

Hull, 23d October, 1829.

INDIA, &c.

PERHAPS there never was a period, in the history of Britain, when its distresses called more loudly for patient investigation and serious inquiry, than the present one,-investigation to discover the cause of our calamities; and inquiry, how their sad effects may be most speedily and effectually averted.

If we direct our attention to the manufacturing districts, we find the condition of our operatives too wretched to be described, too painful for the mind to dwell upon. Poverty, want and misery, though alleviated by the scanty allowance of the parish, pervade innumerable once happy families. When this is the state of the operative, the manufacturers are not less distressed in their minds, many having the mortification of seeing their property falling daily in value, which neither industry, skill nor economy can prevent. The manufacturer cannot turn his attention to any market abroad or at home, that holds out a fair prospect for consumption, due returns or profit; and sees the season of activity closing year after year without one cheering prospect or glimmering hope of amendment; our poor and county rates at the same time increasing to an alarming extent. Old British independence, amongst those, who once thought it degrading to receive parochial relief, is now broken down and disregarded; our prisons are awfully crowded with delinquents of all ages, and our revenue is declining.

If we direct our attention from the manufacturing districts to the labourer in husbandry, or to the condition of the farmer himself, the scene, though less appalling, is cheerless and wretched. Short of work, and with reduced wages, few of the labourers are able to support their families without parochial relief; while their employers, little better off than themselves, are oppressed with high poor rates, high taxes, high rents, and can scarcely live with the greatest economy, skill and industry.

The shipping interest of the kingdom, with its brave and generous British tars, is not better off than the manufacturer, the farmer, the operative, or the husbandman.

Surely, when the affairs of the nation are in such a state, all are called upon to consider how the evil may be averted. This is a consideration, the most important that can engage the mind, or occupy the attention of the public. Its object is to improve the condition of all classes in society; to reduce our taxes, and yet increase the revenue; to give full employ to the industrious; and to carry peace, plenty and comfort into the abodes of poverty, want and wretchedness.

B