list1-第14章
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of James I; namely; forty…seven millions sterling。
The entire manufacturing production of the United Kingdom at
the present time; is estimated to amount to two hundred and
fifty…nine and a half millions sterling。
As a consequence; and mainly as a consequence; of this gigantic
manufacturing production; the productive power of agriculture has
been enabled to yield a total value exceeding twice that sum (five
hundred and thirty…nine millions sterling)。
It is true that for this increase in her power; and in her
productive capacity; England is not indebted solely to her
commercial restrictions; her Navigation Laws; or her commercial
treaties; but in a large measure also to her conquests in science
and in the arts。
But how comes it; that in these days one million of English
operatives can perform the work of hundreds of millions? It comes
from the great demand for manufactured goods which by her wise and
energetic policy she has known how to create in foreign lands; and
especially in her colonies; from the wise and powerful protection
extended to her home industries; from the great rewards which by
means of her patent laws she has offered to every new discovery;
and from the extraordinary facilities for her inland transport
afforded by public roads; canals; and railways。
England has shown the world how powerful is the effect of
facilities of transport in increasing the powers of production; and
thereby increasing the wealth; the population; and the political
power of a nation。 She has shown us what a free; industrious; and
well…governed community can do in this respect within the brief
space of half a century; even in the midst of foreign wars。 That
which the Italian republics had previously accomplished in these
respects was mere child's play。 It is estimated that as much as a
hundred and eighteen millions sterling have been expended in
England upon these mighty instruments of the nation's productive
power。
England; however; only commenced and carried out these works
when her manufacturing power began to grow strong。 Since then; it
has become evident to all observers that that nation only whose
manufacturing power begins to develop itself upon an extensive
scale is able to accomplish such works; that only in a nation which
develops concurrently its internal manufacturing and agricultural
resources will such costly engines of trade repay their cost; and
that in such a nation only will they properly fulfil their purpose。
It must be admitted; too; that the enormous producing capacity
and the great wealth of England are not the effect solely of
national power and individual love of gain。 The people's innate
love of liberty and of justice; the energy; the religious and moral
character of the people; have a share in it。 The constitution of
the country; its institutions; the wisdom and power of the
Government and of the aristocracy; have a share in it。 The
geographical position; the fortunes of the country; nay; even good
luck; have a share in it。
It is not easy to say whether the material forces exert a
greater influence over the moral forces; or whether the moral
outweigh the material in their operation; whether the social forces
act upon the individual forces the more powerfully; or whether the
latter upon the former。 This much is certain; however; namely; that
between the two there subsists an interchanging sequence of action
and reaction; with the result that the increase of one set of
forces promotes the increase of the other; and that the
enfeeblement of the one ever involves the enfeeblement of the
other。
Those who seek for the fundamental causes of England's rise and
progress in the blending of Anglo…Saxon with the Norman blood;
should first cast a glance at the condition of the country before
the reign of Edward III。 Where were then the diligence and the
habits of thrift of the nation? Those again who would look for them
in the constitutional liberties enjoyed by the people will do well
to consider how Henry VIII and Elizabeth treated their Parliaments。
Wherein did England's constitutional freedom consist under the
Tudors? At that period the cities of Germany and Italy enjoyed a
much greater amount of individual freedom than the English did。
Only one jewel out of the treasure…house of freedom was
preserved by the Anglo…Saxon…Norman race before other peoples of
Germanic origin; and that was the germ from which all the English
ideas of freedom and justice have sprung the right of trial by
jury。
While in Italy the Pandects were being unearthed; and the
exhumed remains (no doubt of departed greatness and wisdom in their
day) were spreading the pestilence of the Codes amongst Continental
nations; we find the English Barons declaring they would not hear
of any change in the law of the land。 What a store of intellectual
force did they not thereby secure for the generations to come! How
much did this intellectual force subsequently influence the forces
of material production!
How greatly did the early banishment of the Latin language from
social and literary circles; from the State departments; and the
courts of law in England; influence the development of the nation;
its legislation; law administration; literature; and industry! What
has been the effect upon Germany of the long retention of the Latin
in conjunction with foreign Codes; and what has been its effect in
Hungary to the present day? What an effect have the invention of
gunpowder; the art of printing; the Reformation; the discovery of
the new routes to India and of America; had on the growth of
English liberties; of English civilisation; and of English
industry? Compare with this their effect upon Germany and France。
In Germany discord in the Empire; in the provinces; even within
the walls of cities; miserable controversies; barbarism in
literature; in the administration of the State and of the law;
civil war; persecutions; expatriation; foreign invasion;
depopulation; desolation; the ruin of cities; the decay of
industry; agriculture; and trade; of freedom and civic
institutions; supremacy of the great nobles; decay of the imperial
power; and of nationality; severance of the fairest provinces from
the Empire。 In France subjugation of the cities and of the
nobles in the interest of despotism; alliance with the priesthood
against intellectual freedom; but at the same time national unity
and power; conquest with its gain and its curse; but; as against
that; downfall of freedom and of industry。 In England the rise
of cities; progress in agriculture; commerce; and manufactures;
subjection of the aristocracy to the law of the land; and hence a
preponderating participation by the nobility in the work of
legislation; in the administration of the State and of the law; as
also in the advantages of industry; development of resources at
home; and of political power abroad; internal peace; influence over
all less advanced communities; limitation of the powers of the
Crown; but gain by the Crown in royal revenues; in splendour and
stability。 Altogether; a higher degree of well…being; civilisation;
and freedom at home; and preponderating might abroad。
But who can say how much of these happy results is attributable
to the English national spirit and to the constitution; how much to
England's geographical position and circumstances in the past; or
again; how much to chance; to destiny; to fortune?
Let C