272 CHINESE HUSBANDRY. 



could not be brought to higher perfection by 

 the utmoft ftretch of human invention. They 

 have all the neceffaries of life, without want- 

 ing any thing from other countries : from 

 all which we however muft except thofe things 

 which may be reckoned among unneceffary 

 luxuries. 



As the welfare of a country depends great- 

 ly on good order and induftrious inhabitants, 

 fo this empire likewife vies with many others 

 in this particular* The induftry of the Chinefe, 

 and their Ikill in all forts of trades, has not 

 only been obferved in all the defcriptions of 

 this empire, but We likewife know it from the 

 feveral goods which our fhips fetch from 

 thence* The raw materials for thefe trades 

 are produced plentifully in their country. 



I intend here mortly to relate, as a proof 

 of. the exceeding great induftry of the Chinefe^ 

 what I have obferved during a flay of fifteeri 

 months, at three different times, concerning 

 their conflant and particular ceconomyw 



A G R U 



