Spectator, No. 69, Saturday May Term Paper

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Almost every Degree produced something peculiar to it" (Addison 5).

The fact that London has been developed into the center of international trade in the early 18th century and that the Royal Exchange represents the focal point of this multicultural commerce makes this institution highly appealing as a window on the world for Addison and his peers. This appeal is made all the more compelling for Addison because 18th century England, like 20th century Japan, lacked abundant natural resources and had only financial acumen and expertise to offer. In this regard, Addison points out that, "If we consider our own Country in its natural Prospect, without any of the Benefits and Advantages of Commerce, what a barren uncomfortable Spot of Earth falls to our Share Natural Historians tell us, that no Fruit grows Originally among us, besides Hips and Haws, Acorns and Pig-Nutts, with other Delicates of the like Nature; That our Climate of itself, and without the Assistances of Art, can make no further Advances towards a Plumb than to a Sloe, and carries an Apple to no greater a Perfection than a Crab"; nevertheless, "Our Ships are laden with the Harvest of every Climate: Our Tables are stored with Spices, and Oils, and Wines: Our Rooms are filled with Pyramids of China, and adorned with the Workmanship of Japan: Our Morning's Draught comes to us from the remotest Corners of the Earth: We repair our Bodies by the Drugs of America, and repose ourselves under Indian Canopies" (Addison 6).

Also echoing the future predictions of modern economists that would suggest if countries are engaged in trade, they will be too busy to fight, Addison observed that the international trade that was taking place at the Royal Exchange was not only fun and interesting to watch because of all of the colorful characters that were encountered there, the trade was good for the international community as well:

For these Reasons there are no more useful Members in a Commonwealth than Merchants.

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They knit Mankind together in a mutual Intercourse of good Offices, distribute the Gifts of Nature, find Work for the Poor, add Wealth to the Rich, and Magnificence to the Great. Our English Merchant converts the Tin of his own Country into Gold, and exchanges his Wool for Rubies. The Mahometans are clothed in our British Manufacture, and the Inhabitants of the frozen Zone warmed with the Fleeces of our Sheep. (Addison 6)

Today, while the "Mahometans" may still be wearing clothes of Western manufacture, it is more likely that they are wearing textiles that are made in China. Furthermore, it is unlikely that Addison could "go back home" if he was to revisit the Royal Exchange's modern equivalent today. Instead of friendly gatherings of international merchants meeting in smoked-filled rooms in good faith, he would likely encounter hot spots of social protestors, especially Islamic fundamentalists and ethnic youths who have become disenchanted with the British concept of equality and democratic process.

Conclusion

If the truth was known, it is likely that not even the Royal Exchange of 1711 was as romantic as Addison portrayed it, but even if it was, the fact remains that times change and the London of the 21st century has been transformed from its position of prominence in the 18th century to one of an increasingly dubious ally in the Western war on terrorism with a wide range of social problems that threaten the stability of the country in the coming years. It is likely that Addison would have disliked the modern version of the Royal Exchange, and given the destruction of the World Trade Centers in September 2001, he would probably have avoided the place anyway.

Conclusion

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