"There are the manufacturing multitudes of England; they must have work, and find markets for their work; if machines and the Black Country are ugly, famine would be uglier still"

This quote by Goldwin Smith is describing the production market in England throughout the 19th century. Smith is highlighting the significance of the production market to the people of England, as it supplies them with work and a method of making a living. He is also highlighting the significance of finding markets for their work, as without them, the people of England would be unable to earn a living. Smith is likewise making the point that although machines and the Black Country may be awful, the alternative of scarcity would be much worse. This quote is a reminder of the value of the production industry to individuals of England and the need to find markets for their operate in order to avoid famine.