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philantropie et du patriotisme doit faire toujours l'honorable distinction des ames genereuses et liberales.

Je vous remets ci-joint, Monsieur, une lettre que vous écrit le Ministre, en réponse à la vôtre du 24 Mai. J'ajoute à cet envoi quelques exemplaires de votre ouvrage tire separément par ordre du Ministre, et répandu dans tous les departmens de la république. Je me felicite bien sincerement de l'heureuse occasion que j'ai rencontrée de vous offrir quelque preuve de l'estime et de la veneration que vous inspirez à mes compatriotes, et à moi en particulier, Monsieur, je vous supplie d'en être persuadé. ·

L. J. P. BALLOIS.

No. VII.

Sir John Sinclair's Letter to Mr Ballois, dated 31st January 1803.

To Monsieur L. J. P. Ballois, Redacteur des Annales de Statistique, Membre de l'Academie de Legislation, Quai de Horloge de Palais, No. 42, à Paris.

SIR,

time was

During the course of last summer and autumn, my entirely dedicated to the carrying on a variety of agricultural improvements on my estates, which are situated in the most northern county or district in Scotland, within sight even of the Orkney Islands: But having now returned to this metropolis, with the view of again directing my attention to public business, and to literary pursuits, I take the earliest opportunity in my power, of acknowledging the receipt of your obliging letters of the 7th Messidor, and 7th Fructidor, and also the other communications with which you have favoured me.

After the very flattering reception which my works have met with in France, it is impossible for me not to embrace the first opportunity that lies in my power of visiting that country, and of thanking in person, not only such distinguished literary characters, as have honoured me with their good wishes, but also that respectable statesman who, with an unexampled spirit of liberality, has, in his official situation, as a Minister of the Interior, had the goodness to place my political inquiries under his immediate protection. Indeed, a visit to France is indispensably necessary for my pursuits; for if Germany may be called the literary stomach or digestive organ, France and England may be justly accounted the two scientific breasts, of Europe.

In these two countries, almost the whole knowledge of the world is centered. Hence it is impossible to be thoroughly master of any subject, without being well acquainted with all the information which each can furnish, comparing the results together, and discussing each topic with the many intelligent men they respectively produce.

The particular subjects of inquiry, which I shall have in view in the excursion I hope it will be in my power to take to your great metropolis, are four, namely, Agriculture, Finance, Statistics, and Longevity.

1. Agriculture.-I consider agriculture, to so great a degree, the true basis of political society, that it is a duty incumbent on every government to place it on the most respectable footing, and to ascertain the true means of rendering it as perfect as possible. Without food, even a single individual cannot long exist. How is it possible then, for great communities, which are composed of multitudes of individuals, to prosper, unless that sine qua non, or essential requisite, can be procured in quantities sufficient to supply every necessary demand? How fortunate were it, if the great rivalship between France and England, in future, were to be, which of them should best cultivate the soil, and feed a numerous and happy body of people, with abundance of wholesome articles.

2. Finance.-Both the power and the happiness of every nation must, in a great measure, depend on the system of finance it has established. Its power must arise, from the quantum of treasure brought into its exchequer, either for carrying on war, or promoting the improvements of peace; and its happiness must depend on the public treasury, not being replenished or enriched by oppressive and vexatious taxes, which have occasioned more revolutions than almost any other circumstance that can be mentioned. With the view of laying the foundation for understanding that important subject, I wrote the History of the Public Revenue of the British Empire, tracing our financial system from the remotest antiquity to the present era; a translation of which, I understand, is printing in the French language, accompanied with eulogiums, which I am afraid the work itself will not be found to merit. I wish now, however, in addition to that history, to give a general view of all the sources of public revenue, and have already collected a great mass of materials for that important undertaking. I subjoin a table of the contents; and I already anticipate the advantage I shall derive, from discussing the topics therein mentioned, with the many intelligent men whom France possesses, in that, as well as in every other department of science.

3. Statistics. What shall I say regarding this favourite topic, which embraces every object of real utility to man as a social being,

and the basis of which is, the same minute inquiries regarding politics, that has already been found so useful with respect to experimental philosophy. I hope, in the course of next year, to complete my General Analysis of the Statistical Survey of Scotland; but I cannot think of engaging in that work, without being previously enlightened, with the various new views, in which this subject will be considered. by the friends of statistical philosophy in France. How much must not that valuable science be improved, by the interesting work of which you are the founder? In the numbers already printed, I have found a variety of most useful suggestions. I trust, therefore, that so important an undertaking will be carried on with the same zeal and talents, by which it has hitherto been distinguished.

4. Longevity. When I consider the advantage which mankind may possibly derive, from the general inquiry, I have been the fortunate means of instituting, regarding longevity and the preservation of health; I trust that it will not be reckoned presumptuous in me, to exclaim with a celebrated orator of antiquity, (Cicero de Senec. cap. 23), "Neque me vixisse pœnitet; quoniam ita vixi, ut non frus"tra me natum existimem." In fact, what is existence without the possession of health? Is it not therefore a most essential inquiry, to ascertain the means of preserving it; and is not longevity desirable, when it is accompanied with good health, with the view of enabling us to do more good, and to be more useful to our fellow creatures? I am happy to find, that my inquiries regarding that subject, are likely to be universally acceptable. It is the more fortunate, as I hope thus to be enabled, to point out the manner, in which any inquiry may be brought to a state of perfection, which otherwise must be unattainable.

My system for that purpose I shall briefly endeavour to explain. 1. I think it necessary to collect, from all countries, the knowledge and information which already exists in each, and to have the whole printed, circulated and discussed.

2. When that knowledge is once collected, it seems to me equally essential, to have it regularly digested, condensed, and systematized, by the ablest men in the different countries, who have applied their attention to any particular subject; and,

3. After such systems are drawn up, it will easily be seen, what particulars still remain deficient. When once these are pointed out, the energy of man is such, more especially in these enlightened times, that with very moderate public encouragement, every deficiency will be speedily cleared up, and every doubtful particular ascertained.

Were the Governments of Europe to unite in carrying some such plan into effect, all the useful arts, as agriculture, medicine, mecha

b

nics, mineralogy, chemistry, &c. might be speedily brought to a degree of perfection, which cannot otherwise be looked for.

Such are my views in wishing to visit the metropolis of the French empire. Not to enjoy the pleasures of a luxurious capital, but to taste the sweets of literary conversation and scientific intercourse :— To regale, not the senses, but the mind:-To bend, not at the shrine of voluptuousness, but of learning. The various avocations in which I am engaged, will not permit me to spend much time at Paris, however agreeable it may prove; but I trust that my residence there, will be among the most useful, and most important periods of my life. I have the honour to be, &c.

No. VIII.

RÉPONSE DE M. BALLOIS, A M. SINCLAIR, PARIS, LE 20. ventose, An. 11 DE LA RÉPUBLIQUE, (11. Mar. 1803.)

Monsieur le Chevalier *,

Je reçois aujourd'hui seulement la lettre que vous en avez fait l'honneur de m'ecrire le 31. Janvier. Moins je devais m'attendre à la

Translation.

SIR,

Paris, 11th March 1803.

I received only to day the letter which you did me the honour to write to me on the 31st of January. The less I had any right to anticipate the friendship you express for me, the more I was gratified by it. Nevertheless it is my duty to seek to deserve it, and I beg you will believe, that all my efforts will be directed towards the strengthening of our growing intimacy.

I am sincerely glad to hear of your approaching visit to France, and I agree with you in thinking, that it will greatly contribute to the perfecting of the four principal sources of public prosperity, viz. Agriculture, Finance, Statis tics, and Longevity.

How worthy of you, Sir, is the aim of your intended journey. You offer to all civilized nations a great and a sublime example; too rare, it is true, but on that very account more admirable, and more deserving of universal praise.

At a time when a general peace renews all the ancient intercourse between the members of the great European family, the aid of statistics ought to be called in to correct our ideas of political and commercial relations, of finance, and the respective powers of different nations; in one word, of their manners, laws and customs. The period of calm, useless to the warrior, the philosophic statesman employs in the pursuit of science, and the farther extension of the territory of positive knowledge.

Come then, Sir, as quickly as possible, into the bosom of a nation, too en

confiance que vous voulez bien me témoigner, et plus j'y suis sensible, il est maintenant de mon devoir de la justifier; et je vous prie

lightened, too just in its appreciation of talent and virtue, not to render to qualities so distinguished as yours, that tribute of respect to which you have so many claims.

Your great reputation has reached France before you; and if I mistake not, many occasions of satisfaction await you in consequence. Not those of luxury, or vanity: Your personal character, the nature of your tastes, and of your la bours, raise you infinitely above that weakness, the puerile appendage of ordinary minds. But, Sir, to enjoy in its fullest extent, the esteem and regard of one of the most powerful Governments in the world; to receive proofs of affection from a people, who, left to their natural inclination, know and respect the sacred laws of hospitality, as well as the performance of its duties; to taste the advantages of an habitual intercourse with the sages and philanthropists whom Europe most cherishes and reveres ; this prospect, so fair, so captivating, so well adapted to flatter a great mind, ought, I should think, finally to fix your resolution.

I am about to have the letter printed, in which you desire that I should make public your intention. I am sure that our principal journalists will be glad to give it a place in their pages; and, for my own part, I shall do all in my power to have your wishes in this respect amply fulfilled.

As soon as the letter and the intelligence are printed, I shall immediately send some copies to you, Sir, under cover to General Andreossy.

In the meantime I have the honour to transmit to you, by this opportunity, a copy of the 10th number of the Annals, in which I have taken the earliest opportunity to announce your intended journey. (See the 1st sec. of p. 322.)

I add to this communication a letter which I have been desired to write to you, in my capacity of Secretary to the Statistical Society of Paris. This Society, Sir, begs your acceptance of the title of its Associated Correspondent, which it has sincere pleasure in conferring upon you, as more deserving of the name that any other man in England.

I shall have much pleasure in receiving from you a special answer upon this subject; and the respectable Society to which I belong will feel infinitely honoured by your acceptance.

Lastly, Sir, you will receive in the same packet, a small treatise which a lady here has lately published. She has imagined, with good reason, that her work would acquire some interest by being presented to the public as a sequel to your Questions on Longevity. I leave you to form your own opinion of her little work.

You ask me, Sir, what part of Paris is the most healthy, and best adapted for frequent communication with literary people. Undoubtedly the Fauxbourg St Germain possesses this double advantage before every other part of this great city. I have consulted many persons, and especially physicians; and find that all the world agrees with me on this point.

I have only farther to request of you, Sir, to consider me as entirely at your disposal, whether before or after your arrival in Paris. I most cordially offer you every service in my power. You have only to tell me your wishes. I

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