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increased。 On the other hand； the imports of linen yarn have
increased from 30；000 centners in 1832 to 86；000 centners in 1835；
chiefly through the imports from England； which are still
increasing。 The consumption of indigo increased from 12；000
centners in 1831 to 24；000 centners in 1837； a striking proof of
the progress of German industry。 The exports of pottery have been
more than doubled from 1832 to 1836。 The imports of stoneware have
diminished from 5；000 centners to 2；000 centners； and the exports
of it increased from 4；000 centners to 18；000 centners。 The imports
of porcelain have diminished from 4；000 centners to 1；000 centners；
and the exports of it have increased from 700 centners to 4；000
centners。 The output of coal has increased from 6；000；000 Prussian
tons in 1832 to 9；000；000 in 1836。 In 1816 there were 8；000；000
sheep in Prussia； and in 1837； 15；000；000。
In Saxony in 1831 there were 14；000 stocking…weaving machines；
in 2836； 20；000。 From 1831 to 1837； the number of manufactories for
spinning woollen yarn and of spindles had increased in Saxony to
more than double their previous number。 Everywhere machine
manufactories had arisen； and many of these were in the most
flourishing condition。
In short； in all branches of industry； in proportion as they
have been protected； Germany has made enormous advances； especially
in woollen and cotton goods for common use； the importation of
which from England had entirely ceased。 At the same time Dr Bowring
admits； in consequence of a trustworthy opinion which had been
expressed to him； 'that the price of the Prussian stuffs was
decidedly lower than that of the English； that certainly in respect
of some of the colours they were inferior to the best English
tints； but that others were perfect and could not be surpassed；
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
carr