Origin of Modern Industrial System.

The beginnings of the modern industrial system are due, in the main, as we have indicated, to Great Britain. Before factories founded on the inventions of Watt, of Arkwright, and Crompton had time to take root abroad, and while our own commerce and manufactures increased from year to year, the great wars of the early part of this century absorbed the energies and dissipated the capital of continental Europe.

For many years after the peace we retained almost exclusive possession of the improved machinery employed in the cotton, woollen, and linen manufactures. By various acts of the last century, which were not repealed till 1825, it was made penal to enlist English artisans for employment abroad; the export of spinning machinery to foreign countries was prohibited until the early years of Your Majesty's reign. Thus, when less than half a century ago continental countries began to construct railways and to erect modern mills and mechanical workshops, they found themselves face to face with a full grown industrial organization in this country, which was almost sealed book to those who could not obtain access to our factories.