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that in spinning； weaving； and all preparatory processes； the
German goods were fully equal to the British； but only in the
finish a distinct inferiority might be observed； but that the want
of this would disappear after a little time。'
It is very easy to understand how by means of such
representations as these the English Parliament may at length be
induced to abandon its corn laws； which have hitherto operated as
a protective system to Germany。 But it appears to us utterly
incomprehensible how the German Union； which has made such enormous
advances in consequence of the protective system； should be induced
by this report to depart from a system which has yielded them such
excellent results。
It is very well for Dr Bowring to assure us that the home
industry of Germany is being protected at the expense of the
agriculturists。 But how can we attach any credence to his
assurance； when we see； on the contrary； that the demand for
agricultural produce； prices of produce； the wages of labour； the
rents； the value of property； have everywhere considerably risen；
without the agriculturist having to pay more than he did before for
the manufactured goods which he requires？
It is very well for Dr Bowring to give us an estimate showing
that in Germany three persons are engaged in agriculture to every
one in manufactures； but that statement convinces us that the
number of Germans engaged in manufacturing is not yet in proper
proportion to the number of German agriculturists。 And we cannot
see by what other means this disproportion can be equalised； than
by increasing the protection on those branches of manufacture which
are still carried on in England for the supply of the German market
by persons who consume English instead of German agricultural
produce。 It is all very well for Dr Bowring to assert that German
agriculture must only direct its attention to foreign countries if
it desires to increase its sale of produce； but that a great demand
for agricultural produce can only be attained by a flourishing home
manufacturing power is taught us not alone by the experience of
England； but Dr Bowring himself implicitly admits this； by the
apprehension which he expresses in his report； that if England
delays for some time to abolish her corn laws； Germany will then
have no surplus of either corn or timber to sell to foreign
countries。
Dr Bowring is certainly right when he asserts that the
agricultural interest in Germany is still the predominant one； but
just for the very reason that it is predominant it must （as we have
shown in former chapters）； by promoting the manufacturing
interests； seek to place itself in a just proportion with them；
because the prosperity of agriculture depends on its being in equal
proportion with the manufacturing interest； but not on its own
preponderance over it。
Further； the author of the report appears to be utterly steeped
in error when he maintains that foreign competition in German
markets is necessary for the German manufacturing interest itself；
because the German manufacturers； as soon as they are in a position
to supply the German markets； must compete with the manufacturers
of other countries for the disposal of their surplus produce； which
competition they can only sustain by means of cheap production。 But
cheap production will not consist with the existence of the
protective system； inasmuch as the object of that system is to
secure higher prices to the manufacturers。
This argument contains as many errors and falsehoods as words。
Dr Bowring cannot deny that the manufacturer can offer his products
at cheaper prices； the more he is enabled to manufacture that；
therefore； a manufacturing Power which exclusively possesses its
home market can work so much the cheaper for foreign trade。 The
proof of this he can find in the same tables which he has published
on the advances made by German industry； for in the same proportion
in which the German manufactories have acquired possession of their
own home market； their export of manufactured goods has also
increased。 Thus the recent experience of Germany； like the ancient
experience of England； shows us that high prices of manufactured
goods are by no means a necessary consequence of protection。
Finally； German industry is still very far from entirely
supplying her home market。 In order to do that； she must first
manufacture for herself the 13；000 centners of cotton fabrics； the
18；000 centners of woollen fabrics； the 500；000 centners of cotton
yarn； thread； and linen yarn； which at present are imported from
England。 If； however； she accomplishes that； she will then import
500；000 centners more raw cotton than before； by which she will
carry on so much the more direct exchange trade with tropical
countries； and be able to pay for the greater part if not the whole
of that requirement with her own manufactured goods。
We must correct the view of the author of the report； that
public opinion in Germany is in favour of free trade； by stating
that since the establishment of the Commercial Union people have
acquired a clearer perception of what it is that England usually
understands by the term 'free trade；' for； as he himself says；
'Since that period the sentiments of the German people have been
diverted from the region of hope and of fantasy to that of their
actual and material interests。' The author of the report is quite
right when he says that intelligence is very greatly diffused
amongst the German people； but for that very reason people in
Germany have ceased to indulge in cosmopolitical dreams。 People
here now think for themselves they trust their own conclusions；
their own experience； their own sound common sense； more than
one…sided systems which are opposed to all experience。 They begin
to comprehend why it was that Burke declared in confidence to Adam
Smith 'that a nation must not be governed according to
cosmopolitical systems； but according to knowledge of their special
national interests acquired by deep research。' People in Germany
distrust counsellors who blow both cold and hot out of the same
mouth。 People know also how to estimate at their proper value the
interests and the advice of those who are our industrial
competitors。 Finally； people in Germany bear in mind as often as
English offers are under discussion the well…known proverb of the
presents offered by the Danaidae。
For these very reasons we may doubt that influential German
statesmen have seriously given grounds for hope to the author of
the report； that Germany is willing to abandon her protective
policy for the benefit of England； in exchange for the pitiful
concession of permission to export to England a little grain and
timber。 At any rate public opinion in Germany would greatly
hesitate to consider such statesmen to be thoughtful ones。 In order
to merit that title in Germany in the present day； it is not enough
that a man should have thoroughly learned superficial phrases and
arguments of the cosmopolitical school。 People require that a
statesman should be well acquainted with the powers and the
requirements of the nation； and； without troubling himself with
scholastic systems； should develop the former and satisfy the
latter。 But that man would betray an unfathomable ignorance of
those powers and wants； who did not know what enormous exertions
are requisite to raise a national industry to that stage to which
the German industry has alre