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the evening we receive statistical €acts combined in a sphrnatio
or scientific form; and here, if anywhere, the truth is allowed
to prevail from its own inherent strength. For the last thirtysix
gears the society has pursued an unobtrusive-probably too
unobtrusive-a career; but a little inquiry would show that ita
career has been of great utility. On many subjects it has
elicited opinions both new and true; it has either originated
or given an impetus to the public discussion of various questions
now bearing or likely to bear benefit to the State. And
it has not altogether been unworthy of its position in e city
and county which have heretofore been considered fertile iu
great and novel principles.
I.
We meet at a time when considorable shgnatiuu of trade
undoubtedly exists, and there are not wanting persons who
endeavour to spread abroad tho notion that freo trade is a
failure. IYe are told that tllc results of our present co&-
ntercial poIicy must be inquired into, and that D system of
reciprocitr treaties must probably bo substituted for a perfect
free trade. Living though we still do in the metropolis and‘
stronghold of freo trade, wo cannot be wholly indifferent to
the existence of such notions, and it is worth while to consider
what wo ought to do. In upholding a spirit of perfect impartiality
we cannot refuse to entertain tho question if it Le
brought before us by any member mho might happen to share
those notions, and wish to support them by well arrayed
facts. And if ct a Manchester Manufacturer,” or other anonymons
agitator of this subject, trusts his own figures, and care8
to submit them to a searching discussion, we would find an
impartial body of critics here. But this is surely the most
we need do. The burden of proof is upon those who agitate
the question, and were we in this society, or were the country
in Parliament, to start an inquiry into the subject, it would
be yielding infinitely more weight to the facts hitherto
adduced than belongs to them. Freedom of trade may be
regadd as a fundamental axiom of political economy ; and
though even axioms may be mistaken, and ditrerent viewa