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formed a part） as a foreign land。
The example of Holland； like that of Belgium； of the Hanseatic
cities； and of the italian republics； teaches us that mere private
industry does not suffice to maintain the commerce； industry； and
wealth of entire states and nations； if the public circumstances
under which it is carried on are unfavourable to it； and further；
that the greater part of the productive powers of individuals are
derived from the political constitution of the government and from
the power of the nation。 The agricultural industry of Belgium
became flourishing again under Austrian rule。 When united to France
her manufacturing industry rose again to its ancient immense
extent。 Holland by herself was never in a position to establish and
maintain an independent commercial system of her own in competition
with great nations。 But when by means of her union with Belgium
after the general peace （in 1815） her internal resources；
population； and national territory were increased to such an extent
that she could rank herself among the great nationalities； and
became possessed in herself of a great mass and variety of
productive powers； we see the protective system established also in
the Netherlands； and under its influence agriculture； manufactures；
and commerce make a remarkable advance。 This union has now been
again dissolved （owing to causes which lie outside the scope and
purpose of our present work）； and thus the protective system in
Holland has been deprived of the basis on which it rested； while in
Belgium it is still maintained。
Holland is now maintained by her colonies and by her transport
trade with Germany。 But the next great naval war may easily deprive
her of the former； and the more the German Zollverein attains to a
clear perception of its interests； and to the exercise of its
powers； the more clearly will it recognize the necessity of
including Holland within the Zollverein。
NOTES：
1。 The construction of good roads； and still more of railways；
which has taken place in quite recent times； has materially
modified this axiom。
2。 It has been recently stated that the excellence of the Dutch
herrings is attributable not only to the superior methods above
named； but also to the casks in which they are 'b鯿kelled' and
exported being constructed of oak。
Chapter 4
The English
In our account of the Hanseatic League we have shown how in
England agriculture and sheep farming have been promoted by foreign
trade； how at a subsequent period； through the immigration of
foreign artificers； fleeing from persecution in their native land；
and also owing to the fostering measures adopted by the British
Government； the English woollen manufacturing industry had
gradually attained to a flourishing condition； and how； as a direct
consequence of that progress in manufacturing industry； as well as
of the wise and energetic measures adopted by Queen Elizabeth； all
the foreign trade which formerly had been monopolised by foreigners
had been successfully diverted into the hands of the merchants at
home。
before we continue our exposition of the development of English
national economy from the point where we left off in Chapter 2； we
venture here to make a few remarks as to the origin of British
industry。
The source and origin of England's industrial and commercial
greatness must be traced mainly to the breeding of sheep and to the
woollen manufacture。
before the first appearance of the Hansards on British soil the
agriculture of England was unskilful and her sheep farming of
little importance。 There was a scarcity of winter fodder for the
cattle； consequently a large proportion had to be slaughtered in
autumn； and hence both stock and manure were alike deficient。 Just
as in all uncultivated territories as formerly in Germany； and
in the uncleared districts； of America up to the present time
hog breeding furnished the principal supply of meat； and that for
obvious reasons。 The pigs needed little care foraged for
themselves； and found a plentiful supply of food on the waste lands
and in the forests； and by keeping only a moderate number of
breeding sows through the winter； one was sure in the following
spring of possessing considerable herds。
but with the growth of foreign trade hog breeding diminished；
sheep farming assumed larger proportions； and agriculture and the
breeding of horned cattle rapidly improved。
Hume； in his 'History of England；'（1*） gives a very interesting
account of the condition of English agriculture at the beginning of
the fourteenth century：
'In the year 1327 Lord Spencer counted upon 63 estates in his
possession； 28；000 sheep； 1；000 oxen； 1；200 cows； 560 horses； and
2；000 hogs： giving a proportion of 450 sheep； 35 head of cattle； 9
horses； and 22 hogs to each estate。'
From this statement we may perceive how greatly； even in those
early days； the number of sheep in England exceeded that of all the
other domestic animals put together。 The great advantages derived
by the English aristocracy from the business of sheep farming gave
them an interest in industry and in improved methods of agriculture
even at that early period； when noblemen in most Continental states
knew no better mode of utilising the greater part of their
possessions than by preserving large herds of deer； and when they
knew no more honourable occupation than harassing the neighbouring
cities and their trade by hostilities of various kinds。
And at this period； as has been the case in Hungary more
recently； the flocks so greatly increased that many estates could
boast of the possession of from 10；000 to 24；000 sheep。 Under these
circumstances it necessarily followed that； under the protection
afforded by the measures introduced by Queen Elizabeth； the woollen
manufacture； which had already progressed very considerably in the
days of former English rulers； should rapidly reach a very high
degree of prosperity。（2*）
In the petition of the Hansards to the Imperial Diet； mentioned
in Chapter II； which prayed for the enactment of retaliatory
measures； England's export of cloth was estimated at 200；000
pieces； while in the days of James I the total value of English
cloths exported had already reached the prodigious amount of two
million pounds sterling； while in the year 1354 the total money
value of the wool exported had amounted only to 277；000 l。； and
that of all other articles of export to no more than 16；400 l。 Down
to the reign of the last…named monarch the great bulk of the cloth
manufactured in England used to be exported to belgium in the rough
state and was there dyed and dressed； but owing to the measures of
protection and encouragement introduced under James I and Charles
I the art of dressing cloth in England attained so high a pitch of
perfection that thenceforward the importation of the finer
descriptions of cloth nearly ceased； while only dyed and finely
dressed cloths were exported。
In order fully to appreciate the importance of these results of
the English commercial policy； it must be here observed that； prior
to the great development of the linen； cotton； silk； and iron
manufactures in recent times； the manufacture of cloth constituted
by far the largest proportion of the medium of exchange in the
trade with all European nations； particularly with the northern
kingdoms； as well as in the commercial intercourse with the Levant
and the East and West Indies。 To what a great extent this was the
case we may infer from the undoubted fact that as far back as the
days of James I the export of woollen manufactures represented
nine…tenths of all the English exports put together。（3*）
This branch of manufacture enabled England to drive the
Hanseatic League out of the markets of Russia； Sweden； Norway； and
Denmark； and to acquire for herself the best part of the profits
attaching to the trade with the Levant and the East and West
Indies。 It was this industry that stimulated that of coal mining；
which again gave rise to an extensive coasting trade and the
fisheries； both which； as constituting the basis of naval power；
rendered possible the passing of the famous Navigation Laws which
really laid the foundation of England's maritime supremacy。 It was
round the woollen industry of England that all other branches of