‘ INTRODUCTION. xii 
difaffeftion; and this prominent feature of fidelity at once 
put an erld to the invafion, nearly without bloodfhed !— 
May this trait in the character of ancient Britons, be omi- 
nous of a general and lafting difpofition through the whole 
of an united country, poffeffing within itfelf fo many natural 
_ means of happinefs, and dignified independence! 
If that attachment be fo ftrong in a part of the country 
where fuperior farming, and confequently wealth from farm- 
ing, are rarely known—how much ftronger may we expect 
them to be in difirigts where the fyftem of management is 
better, and the opportunities of advantage, by proper exer- 
tion, fo much fuperior! The moft certain and expeditious ‘ 
way of ftrengthening the government of a country, is to 
multiply (and this can never be too often repeated) the 
number of inhabitants who have perfonal property in its 
foil! The fteady, fturdy example of one {mall induftrious 
farmer, fanétioned in his induftry by a kind landlord, will 
over-awe half-a-dozen diffolute journeymen and diforderly 
mechanicks; while a numerous peafantry, rendered happy 
in their cottages, connected with a little garden, orchard, 
and potatoe-ground, may be made their examples in fobriety 
and due fubordination. And to fuch an influential picture 
of content and quietude, the large mafter-manufacturer may 
be beholden for much improved morality and decency 
among thofe dependent on his employment. For ina com- 
mercial country, where the fources of employment mut 
fluétuate, the belt fecurity for the quiet of the loweft ranks 
muft be founded in habits of ceconomy and orderly living, 
Thus much on the fubjects laft-mentioned, it is hoped, 
will not be confidered as improperly introduced in this dif- 
fertation; for however unfuitable it might be to render 
works of this kind the vehicles of pa/itical difcuffion, no 
friend of his country will deny, that the moft important 
. ~ principles 
