I have been honoured by Her Imperial Majesty with an appointment to teach public economy and commerce: that is to say, those sciences which can indicate to us the means for conserving, increasing and exploiting to the full the wealth of a state. Although I have serious doubts about whether my powers are equal to the task of addressing so vast a subject, I am comforted and reassured by having to perform this duty in my own country, where at least I shall be called on neither to conceal the truth under a veil of artifice, nor to seek my examples only in far-off places or in the musty pages of neglected authors. On the contrary, a quick glance at what has been done in this fortunate province, provides countless glorious past instances and present proofs of the most important and useful truths of public economy. The lands have been properly assessed, the taxes are fair and manufacturing is encouraged, magistracies have been set up to take especial care of the nation's riches and the sciences, and great benefits have been heaped on the nation's subjects. Among the most striking instances of our august sovereign's favour, one of the greatest is undoubtedly the choice of that illustrious personage who heads the affairs of this state.