d finished all this, he must
have been pretty well out of breath.

About four miles from Liege is the celebrated manufactory of Seraing,
belonging to Messrs. Cockerell. It is beautifully situated on the banks
of the Meuse, and was formerly the summer palace of the Prince
Archbishop. But it is not only here that you observe these symptoms of
the times--all over France you will perceive the same, and the major
portion of the manufactories have the arms of princes or nobles
emblazoned over the facade, while the interiors, which once were the
abode of refinement and luxury, are now tenanted by artisans and
appropriated to utility. The utilitarian system was, however, more
fully exemplified before the Belgian revolution, for William of Nassau
was, in fact, a partner of Mr Cockerell. Mr Cockerell, the father,
who is now dead, came over from England before the peace, bringing with
him either the machinery for spinning cotton, or the knowledge necessary
for its construction, so jealously guarded by our manufacturers. He
established himself at Liege, and soon gained patrons. The firm has now
three or four manufactories at Liege besides the one at Seraing. Large
as was the bishop's palace, it has been increased to about three times
its original size: it reminds me more of Portsmouth yard than any other
place. The number of workmen employed in this manufactory alone is
between fourteen and fifteen hundred. They make every variety of steam
engines, and not only supply this country, but Prussia, Austria, France,
and even Russia. People talk of Mr Cockerell having done much mischief
to his country by furnishing foreigners with the machinery which enabled
us to undersell them. I doubt it very much: I consider that the sooner
other countries are enabled to compete with us to a certain extent, the
better it will be for England. At present we are in an unhealthy state,
and chiefly arising from the unlimited use of machinery. Let us lose
that advantage, and, if not richer, at all events we shall be much
happier. We are now suffering under a plethora of capital at the same
time that we are oppressed with debt. As for Mr Cockerell, it may be
very well to cry out about patriotism, but the question is, would not
every other man have done the same? Had he not a right to bring his
talents to the best market? and before he is accused of having had no
regard for his country, it may first be fairly asked, what regard had
his countr