684

ENCOURAGEMENT TO TRADE.

It is desirable to call things by their right names, and to understand the real value of undertakings of professed public utility, in order that we may not be led to make efforts, and perhaps disagreeable ones, in pursuit of shadows. For instance, it is considered of importance to induce persons of influence and station to promote great entertainments, such as masquerades, fancy balls, &c. for "encouragement of trade."

But the system is one entirely founded on fallacy.

The benefit to trade, in these particular cases, is assumed to arise from the expenditure of large sums of money in orchestras, lights, luxurious fancy refreshments, and, above all, in fine dresses.

This certainly encourages some classes of trade, but it is submitted that it is to the detriment of others.

There are, however, two ways in which a movement for expenditure on a given object may be very desirable. First, by its application to anything of public or private and lasting advantage, such as a bridge, an hospital, or other useful institution; or for lasting family comfort or improvement, such as books, furniture, &c.

Or, secondly, even if of a temporary nature, wherein aid of some worthy trade or profession under temporary distress, and peculiarly requiring support. Neither of these can be shown to have any influence in the case now under consideration. On the first plea, namely, as to subsequent effects, nothing could be so utterly worthless.

The lights, music, and refreshments, with the crowded rooms, are all injurious to health, while what may be called the more substantial article, dress (being quite distinct from clothing), is at best an item on the lowest scale of public or private utility; and a fancy dress, the lowest order of that lowest genus clothing, is an absolute necessary to all classes of society, dress is so to those above mediocrity, and both have different degrees of durability and use; but a fancy dress is perfectly ephemeral, and after its application to the one occasion, can only be converted, by the most thrifty and ingenious, into articles of perhaps one-tenth of the value of its original cost,—thus, as neither of public nor private worth beyond the day, it goes to pure waste.

There are greatly wanting, therefore, in this point of view, the requisites to constitute an expenditure deserving of encouragement.

With regard to the second consideration, namely, the propriety of supporting those classes engaged in trade that here call upon the public for peculiar favour, the result will hardly be more satisfactory.

The principal of these will be the leading dressmakers for males and females, by whom by far the larger portion of the profits will be absorbed; their work-people will gain a little temporary increase of occupation by hard work at extra hours, and the benefit may extend very remotely to the manufacturers and retailers of the silks and satins, of foreign ribbons, gloves, fans, and other articles.

We would leave any one to judge whether "the trade,” thus encouraged, is precisely what may be deemed so essentially to require support, that it should be afforded to the sacrifice of those who would have the benefit of the more ordinary expenditure.

INDEX

TO THE THIRTY-SECOND VOLUME.

52