CHAPTER XIX.-OF VITAL CHANGES IN THE FORMS OF MATTER-CONTINUED.
21. Agricultural distress throughout the world, consequent upon the return of peace
in 1815. Cause thereof, to be found in the decline of manufactures, and in the separa-
tion of the consumer from the producer, in all the countries of the world, outside of
Britain. General adoption of measures looking to counteraction of the British policy 230
2. Few natural advantages of Denmark. Following in the lead of France, her
policy looks, however, to the approximation of the consumer and the producer, and the
relief of her farmers from the tax of transportation. Consequent prosperity of her
people. Steady enlargement of the agricultural base of society. Constant increase in
the power of association and combination-in the development of individuality-and
in the power of further progress....
23. Decline of Spanish manufactures, diminution in the power of association, and
247
10. Social decentralization gradually correcting the errors of political centralization 249
11. Differing in race, habits, manners, and religion, France and Germany, Spain and
Denmark, Sweden and Russia, are agreed in nothing, except in the maintenance of a
policy which looks to the promotion of association, the extension of commerce, and the
emancipation of the land from the tax of transportation, in accordance with the ideas
of Adam Smith. In all of them agriculture steadily advances, the land becomes more
divided, and men become more free. Agreeing in nothing else, Portugal and Turkey,
Ireland and India, unite in the maintenance of the policy advocated by the Ricardo-
Malthusian school. In all of them agriculture declines, the land becomes consolidated,
and the freedom of man has almost wholly passed away............
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