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brought to light what Mr Thompson meant by it； for at the time of
the writing of this instruction the exports of linen yarn and linen
fabrics of England to France were included in the term 'less
important。'
The French Government； moved by the representations and
explanations of the English Government and its agents； and with the
intention of making to England a comparatively unimportant
concession； which would ultimately prove advantageous to France
herself； lowered the duty on linen yarn and linen fabrics to such
an extent that they no longer gave any protection to French
industry in face of the great improvements which the English had
made in these branches of manufacture； so that even in the next few
years the export of these articles from England to France increased
enormously （1838； 32；000；000 francs）； and that France stood in
danger； owing to the start which England had thus obtained； of
losing its entire linen industry； amounting to many hundred
millions in value； which was of the greatest importance for her
agriculture and for the welfare of her entire rural population；
unless means could be found to put a check on the English
competition by increasing the duties。
That France was duped by Mr Poulett Thompson was clear enough。
He had already clearly seen in the year 1834 what an impulse the
linen manufacture of England would receive in the next few years in
consequence of the new inventions which had been made there； and in
this negotiation he had calculated on the ignorance of the French
Government respecting these inventions and their necessary
consequences。 The advocates of this lowering of duties now indeed
endeavoured to make the world believe that by it they only desired
to make a concession to the belgian linen manufactures。 But did
that make amends for their lack of acquaintance with the advances
made by the English； and their lack of foresight as to the
necessary consequences？
Be that as it may； this much is clearly demonstrated； that it
was necessary for France to protect herself still more； under
penalty of losing the greater part of her linen manufacturing for
the benefit of England； and that the first and most recent
experiment of the increase of freedom of trade between England and
France remains as an indelible memorial of English craft and of
French inexperience； as a new Methuen Treaty； as a second Eden
Treaty。 But what did Mr Poulett Thompson do when he perceived the
complaints of the French linen manufacturers and the inclination of
the French Government to repair the mistake which had been made？ He
did what Mr Huskisson had done before him； he indulged in threats；
he threatened to exclude French wines and silk fabrics。 This is
English cosmopolitanism。 France must give up a manufacturing
industry of a thousand years' standing； bound up in the closest
manner with the entire economy of her lower classes and especially
with her agriculture； the products of which must be reckoned as
chief necessaries of life for all classes； and of the entire amount
of between three and four hundred millions； in order thereby to
purchase the privilege of exporting to England some few millions
more in value of wines and silk manufactures。 Quite apart from this
disproportion in value； it must be considered in what a position
France would be placed if the commercial relations between both
nations became interrupted in consequence of a war； in case viz。
that France could no more export to England her surplus products of
silk manufactures and wines； but at the same time suffered from the
want of such an important necessary of life as linen。
If anyone reflects on this he will see that the linen question
is not simply a question of economical well…being； but； as
everything is which concerns the national manufacturing power； is
still more a question of the independence and power of the nation。
It seems indeed as if the spirit of invention had set itself
the task； in this perfecting of the linen manufacture； to make the
nations comprehend the nature of the manufacturing interest； its
relations with agriculture； and its influence on the independence
and power of the State； and to expose the erroneous arguments of
the popular theory。 The school maintains； as is well known； that
every nation possesses special advantages in various branches of
production； which she has either derived from nature； or which she
has partly acquired in the course of her career； and which under
free trade compensate one another。 We have in a previous chapter
adduced proof that this argument is only true in reference to
agriculture； in which production depends for the most part on
climate and on the fertility of the soil； but that it is not true
in respect to manufacturing industry； for which all nations
inhabiting temperate climates have equal capability provided that
they possess the necessary material； mental； social； and political
qualifications。 England at the present day offers the most striking
proof of this。 If any nations whatever are specially adapted by
their past experience and exertions； and through their natural
qualifications； for the manufacture of linen； those are the
Germans； the belgians； the Dutch； and the inhabitants of the North
of France for a thousand years past。 The English； on the other
hand； up to the middle of the last century； had notoriously made
such small progress in that industry； that they imported a great
proportion of the linen which they required； from abroad。 It would
never have been possible for them； without the duties by which they
continuously protected this manufacturing industry； even to supply
their own markets and colonies with linen of their own manufacture。
And it is well known how Lords Castlereagh and Liverpool adduced
proof in Parliament； that without protection it was impossible for
the Irish linen manufactures to sustain competition with those of
Germany。 At present； however； we see how the English threaten to
monopolise the linen manufacture of the whole of Europe； in
consequence of their inventions； notwithstanding that they were for
a hundred years the worst manufacturers of linen in all Europe；
just as they have monopolised for the last fifty years the cotton
markets of the East Indies； notwithstanding that one hundred years
previously they could not even compete in their own market with the
Indian cotton manufacturers。 At this moment it is a matter of
dispute in France how it happens that England has lately made such
immense progress in the manufacture of linen； although Napoleon was
the first who offered such a great reward for the invention of a
machine for spinning cotton； and that the French machinists and
manufacturers had been engaged in this trade before the English。
The inquiry is made whether the English or the French possessed
more mechanical talent。 All kinds of explanations are offered
except the true and the natural one。 It is absurd to attribute
specially to the English greater mechanical talent； or greater
skill and perseverance in industry； than to the Germans or to the
French。 Before the time of Edward III the English were the greatest
bullies and good…for…nothing characters in Europe； certainly it
never occurred to them to compare themselves with the Italians and
Belgians or with the Germans in respect to mechanical talent or
industrial skill； but since then their Government has taken their
education in hand； and thus they have by degrees made such progress
that the