126
λgkicultube on the Rhine.
kind of ore that was required for making steel. Trade
had scarcely taken this turn in the direction of the Baltic
from France and England, when the French invasion and
subsequent Continental blockade cut off all remains of
direct communication between England, the greatest
market, and the interior of Germany. After the war not
only was the very name of this once celebrated and still
rich district lost to the great trading stream in the West
of Europe ; but the improvements effected by English
steel-manufacturers enabled them, in spite of enormous
duties, to send steel of superior quality to Siegen itself,
where it is now sold at every dealer’s shop, and of course
is preferred by cutlers and other artisans.
On the cession of this district to Prussia after the war,
the productions of the mines and foundries, instead of in-
creasing in value, were every year less and less sought.
It was suggested by some thinking heads, that as all the
modes of restriction devisable had been tried without
success, it would be well to try the effect of setting the
trade in metals and charcoal free. The export of ore,
which had long been prohibited even in the neighbouring
circles, was allowed without much opposition on the part
of the founders who could not work up their ores. Still,
although large establishments immediately sprang up on
the borders, which were worked by coke brought from the
river Ruhr, the founders and steel-workers have not yet
given up the restrictions on production, which they still
look upon as a kind of privilege. The government does not
urge them, as they alone are interested in the matter, and
experience has shown that the present system brings no
gain. The wood-owners of Siegen have thus, by a plan
adopted as a specimen of perfect wisdom while all lay in
AGRICULTURE ON THE RHINE.
127
their power that could give them a command of the
market, voluntarily placed themselves in the position
which we have seen the German farmers for the most part
occupy. Each has his own supply of wood, which seems
to be of little value, because if he does not work it up
himself, his neighbours being also supplied, would not
take it off his hands. No third party can interfere, for
by the charter of restriction (if such an absurd, although
true, title may be allowed), no new foundries may be
established within the district, nor may the old ones extend
their period of working. It is singular that the obvious
fact should escape their notice, that the competition of
other countries makes it impossible that iron should per-
manently rise in price, whereas competition amongst iron-
masters and steel-workers would infallibly raise the price
of charcoal. Who, however, that has once strayed into
the delusive labyrinth of restrictions ever found a simple
path out of its toils ?
The village system, therefore, much as it favours po-
pular discussion, and consequently offers the surest means
of protecting individual interest, is no infallible safeguard
against error. The diffusion of knowledge through the
means of newspapers and periodicals, is not so rapid as to
pervade the widely extended class that in Germany is
directly interested in the solution of difficult economical
questions. In the present state of things the individuals
who follow the fluctuations of the market prices possess
an advantage over their simpler neighbours which gives
them opportunities of gain, their address in using which
ɪs still looked upon with an invidious feeling by those
who are less successful, and who not Unfrequently find
themselves outwitted. The cleverness of the more in-