precedes the improvement of manufactures and the extension of foreign commerce. In such societies the varied occupations of every man oblige every man to exert his capacity, and to invent expedients for removing difficulties which are continually occurring. Invention is kept alive, and the mind is not suffered to fall into that drowsy stupidity which, in a civilised society, seems to benumb the understanding of almost all the inferior ranks of the people."—Adam Smith, vol. iii., p. 183.
SECTION VI.
THEIR MORAL AND SPIRITUAL INSTRUCTION NEGLECTED.
We have seen how manufactures tend to the utter exclusion of all rational improvement of the mind. We may further observe, that they generally tend to the prevention of moral and spiritual improvement. To speak, first, as to the latter; though, perhaps, it might be deemed presumptuous in me to say anything on that subject.
The proof of the Christian system is founded
