i8oo. On the Inequality bf Weights and Mcafiires. 373, 



the de{lru£lion produced by harbouring vermin, and the want 

 of a free circulation of air. Were this lois only to fall upon 

 the proprietors, to whofe negligence it is owing, the injury 

 would be immaterial : But, as every part of the general pro- 

 perty, which is improvidently wafted or negle£led, is a real 

 lots to the public, this objedt becomes worthy of ferious re- 

 prehenfion. If mv fuppofitions are well grounded, the pub- 

 lic lofes annually, through this circumftance, not lefs than 

 the value of half a million Sterling ; and the land thus left 

 wafte, might employ eight thoufand families of labourers 

 and artifans, giving employment and bread to forty or fifty 

 thoufand human beings. 



Stiva, 



Alerfey 7 

 Augnji 1800.5 



TO THE CONDUCTORS OF THE FARMEP. 3 MAGAZINE. 



On the Inequality cf Weights and Meafures. 



Gentlemen, 



I AM a country man, who cannot boaft of much learning. 

 An education at one of our parifh fchools brought me the 

 length of reading, writing, counting, and Penna. But though 

 I was reckoned clever, and a great favourite of my mafter, 

 who was in hopes of eftabliL'^jig his character, by the figure 

 which my genius, brought to Hght by his ability, fliould 

 make in the world, jufh as I was beginning to learn DominuSy 

 I was taken from fchool by my father, who wanted fuch a 

 iad to herd his cattle. This change was at firft very agree- 

 able to me But two or three days foon made my time hang 

 heavy, and I regr^ued my books and my play-fellows. Thefe, 

 however, were in time forgotten ; and my chief employment 

 was, tending the cattle, or holding the plough, (to which 

 my ftrength foon promoted me), and my chief delight con- 

 filted in reading the fcriptures. In this way, feveral years 

 pafTed away, when my father's death made me heir both to 

 his tack and flock. 



Having now more money, and being fometimes obliged to 

 go tc market, I bought fome bG:.<s, which at leifure hours 

 jnJeht gratify my favourite inclination. Some of thefe (the 



Gentleman 



