Political Economy for the People

The first of these is the elevation of the region above the average level of the earth. In consequence of the perennial heat in the interior of our globe, it is found that the temperature diminishes as we ascend, at about the rate of one degree of Fahrenheit's scale for every 110 yards of ascent, so that regions of great elevation are as cold, and consequently as unfavorable to vegetable production, as lower regions much nearer to the Pole. This effect of elevation is not uniform in the different zones of the earth.

The other anomaly of climate is the difference between the eastern and western coasts of continents -- it being found that the eastern are both warmer in summer, and colder in winter, than the western. This fact is the result of a local predominance of the westerly wind, and the difference of temperature on the land and the ocean, both in summer and winter. It is found that, in the Temperate Zones, there is about three times as much wind from the west as the east, in consequence of which, the prevailing west wind on the western coasts of continents has blown over the ocean, and partakes of its equable temperature, both in summer and winter- while the same excess of west wind, on the eastern coasts, has blown over land, and is consequently colder in winter and hotter in summer. Hence, the climates of Western Europe are 10° or 11° warmer in winter than on the Atlantic coast of America in the same latitude, while those on the Pacific coast are similar to those of Europe.

III. Mines. -- The wealth and prosperity of a State are greatly affected by its minerals; the most important of which are coal, iron, copper, lead, salt, gold, and silver; each one answering its own useful purpose. England probably owes her extraordinary wealth and industry of population more to the abundance of her coal and iron than to any one single circumstance whatever. Salt seems to be indispensable to animal life, and must be brought at a great expense into countries which do not produce it. Without the use of iron, the industry of man would be comparatively unavailing. It is, however, so extensively used, that its transportation from other countries would be very costly. The direct addition to the national wealth in the United States from their minerals, according to the census of 1840 and 1850, is only about four percent. It will probably be doubled at the next census, principally by means of the gold of California. But this does not indicate the whole of their benefit, as, in the character of raw materials they give a stimulus and encouragement to all the other branches of industry.

IV. Waters. -- These, also, are very conducive to the welfare of States. Countries bounded by the ocean are able to draw from thence large supplies of wholesome and palatable food, the surplus of which they can readily exchange, by means of commerce, for such articles as their own country does not afford. Countries remote from the sea-coast may commonly obtain similar supplies from rivers and lakes.