INTRODUCTION.» ili 
means appointed by Providence to fupply it, Zé. to “re- 
plenifh the earth,” is urgent in the fame proportion.— 
The Creator and Preferver of men has commanded it— 
and he knows the fitnefs and rectitude of his own laws: 
the derived principles of benevolence enjoin it—and the 
confcioufnefs of an active attention will furnifh, to thofe the 
moft ardently concerned for promoting publick and private 
happinefs, a fufficient reward. A continued increafe, there- 
fore, of rational endeavours to the ends in view, cannot 
fail to extend the agregate ufefulnefs and honour of this 
fociety; and to add a diftinguifhing dignity to the higheft 
ef its members. The contributions and activity of the 
leaft confiderable will be found important to the whole, and 
therefore every individual may find a laudable incentive to 
that activity which lies within his fphere. But for the aid 
of the moft powerfu! example, the fociety muft naturally 
look to thofe members, who, from the extent of their means 
and poffeffions, have the largeft fcope for exertion. Such 
gentlemen have it abundantly in their power to give effici- 
ency to the publick and patriotic labours of a fociety, whofe 
chief bufinefs it is to collect and diffufe knowledge. And 
comparatively happy will it be for this country, when many 
of thofe gentlemen fhall become lefs folicitous to increafe 
their quantity of landed property, than to improve, to the 
fulleft extent, what they already have. Daily experience 
evinces, that a more general and ftrict adherence to this 
principle of domeftick policy would be attended with ad- 
vantages, national and private, which are really incalculable. 
To underftand the mode of conduét by which they can 
render the moft effential fervice to the internal profperity of 
this country, it becomes neceffary for fuch gentlemen con- 
- ftantly to confider, in the moft clofe and particular manner, 
what are the ufeful improvements of which their pofleffions 
a2 are 
