On the Economy of Machinery and Manufactures | Page 6

manufacturing'; and 'On the effect of machinery in reducing the
demand for labour'; will shortly be printed separately, for the use of the
purchasers of the first edition.
I am inclined to attach some importance to the new system of
manufacturing; and venture to throw it out with the hope of its
receiving a full discussion among those who are most interested in the
subject. I believe that some such system of conducting manufactories
would greatly increase the productive powers of any country adopting
it; and that our own possesses much greater facilities for its application
than other countries, in the greater intelligence and superior education

of the working classes. The system would naturally commence in some
large town, by the union of some of the most prudent and active
workmen; and their example, if successful, would be followed by
others. The small capitalist would next join them, and such factories
would go on increasing until competition compelled the large capitalist
to adopt the same system; and, ultimately, the whole faculties of every
man engaged in manufacture would be concentrated upon one
object--the art of producing a good article at the lowest possible
cost--whilst the moral effect on that class of the population would be
useful in the highest degree, since it would render character of far
greater value to the workman than it is at present.
To one criticism which has been made, this volume is perfectly open. I
have dismissed the important subject of the patent-laws in a few lines.
The subject presents, in my opinion, great difficulties, and I have been
unwilling to write upon it, because I do not see my way. I will only
here advert to one difficulty. What constitutes an invention? Few
simple mechanical contrivances are new; and most combinations may
be viewed as species, and classed under genera of more or less
generality; and may, in consequence, be pronounced old or new,
according to the mechanical knowledge of the person who gives his
opinion.
Some of my critics have amused their readers with the wildness of the
schemes I have occasionally thrown out; and I myself have sometimes
smiled along with them. Perhaps it were wiser for present reputation to
offer nothing but profoundly meditated plans, but I do not think
knowledge will be most advanced by that course; such sparks may
kindle the energies of other minds more favourably circumstanced for
pursuing the enquiries. Thus I have now ventured to give some
speculations on the mode of blowing furnaces for smelting iron; and
even supposing them to be visionary, it is of some importance thus to
call the attention of a large population, engaged in one of our most
extensive manufactures, to the singular fact, that four-fifths of the
steam power used to blow their furnaces actually cools them.
I have collected, with some pains, the criticisms* on the first edition of
this work, and have availed myself of much information which has
been communicated to me by my friends, for the improvement of the
present volume. If I have succeeded in expressing that I had to explain

with perspicuity, I am aware that much of this clearness is due to my
friend, Dr Fitton, to whom both the present and the former edition are
indebted for such an examination and correction, as an author himself
has very rarely the power to bestow.
[*Footnote: Several of these have probably escaped me, and I shall feel
indebted to any one who will inform my publisher of any future
remarks.]
22 November, 1832.

Section I.

INTRODUCTION.
The object of the present volume is to point out the effects and the
advantages which arise from the use of tools and machines;--to
endeavour to classify their modes of action;--and to trace both the
causes and the consequences of applying machinery to supersede the
skill and power of the human arm.
A view of the mechanical part of the subject will, in the first instance,
occupy our attention, and to this the first section of the work will be
devoted. The first chapter of the section will contain some remarks on
the general sources from whence the advantages of machinery are
derived, and the succeeding nine chapters will contain a detailed
examination of principles of a less general character. The eleventh
chapter contains numerous subdivisions, and is important from the
extensive classification it affords of the arts in which copying is so
largely employed. The twelfth chapter, which completes the first
section, contains a few suggestions for the assistance of those who
propose visiting manufactories.
The second section, after an introductory chapter on the difference
between making and manufacturing, will contain, in the succeeding
chapters, a discussion of many of the questions which relate to the
political economy of the subject. It was found that the