XXXVI INTRODUCTION. . 
improvements neglected. And when the rapid progrefs of 
canals through the country is confidered, by which ceconomy 
it has been fatisfaftorily fhewn, that a confiderable leffening 
of the demand for horfes will be made, and confequently of 
their confumption in corn and hay, beyond the proportion 
of leffened foil for the canal room; it is expected, the advan- 
tage of a larger fupply of animal food will be gradually felt. 
At any rate it is to be hoped, that by thofe means the in- 
creafed fupply of fuch food will be found proportionate to 
the degree of population, in which, as aforefaid, the country 
is fuppofed to be augmenting. 
From caufes not accurately definable, it is indeed certain 
that a fluGtuation in numbers will take place, from period 
to period; but in proportion, or in fome general proportion, 
to the increafe or decreafe of manufactures, and the fpirit of 
agriculture in any country. For mankind, prone to partial 
affection, and connubial endearment, (which chiefly fuger 
reftraint from the difficulty of maintaining a family) 
will marry and augment in population, as the profpect of 
fubfiftence increafes, and vice verfa. In acountry like this, 
largely engaged in manufactures and commerce, by means 
of maritime intercourfe, the fluctuation muft alfo be felt, in’ 
proportion to the circumftances and difpofitions of other 
nations refpecting her. Independent of fuch circumftances, 
her caufes of fluctuation in numbers mutt depend on her 
internal exertions in the cultivation 6f her foil. ~An in- 
creafed difpofition to extended and improved cultivation 
will operate internally in favour of marriage, and increafe of 
population, though more flowly than in connection with 
foreign commerce. And this internal caufe of increafe may 
be fuppofed to be capable of extenfion, as far as the power 
of improving the foil, and augmenting its produce, could be 
carried, A fpirit of local induftry increafes the call for 
hands, 
