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WHATEVER, comparatively with refpe& to 
other nations, may juftly be faid in praife of the 
 Britifh ifles, in regard of the many necéflaries, com- 
forts, and enjoyments of life they afford; it muft be 
acknowledged, that the weather here is for the moft 
part extremely variable and inconftant, and that our 
feafons are altogether uncertain; and from thence 
not eafily to be provided for. From thefe fats, 
reafoning in the abftra&t, we might be led to appre- 
hend, in a correfpondent degree, famine, ficknefs, 
&c. Happily this is not the cafe; and we have 
every reafon to thank, and with gratitude to adore, 
the great Difpenfer of all things for every enjoy- 
ment human wants may call for—every gratification 
a rational and difcerning mind can wifh. While 
furrounding nations are almoit every where em- 
broiled, and their entrails torn by internal diffentions, 
or general devaftation,: Britains furrounded: by her 
navies, fits compofedly in the midft of them, and, 
from the excellence of her conftitution, fuperior 
fpirit and genius of *her fons, and abundant produce 
of her well-cultivated foil, gives laws, relief, ér fufte- 
nance to them all. The encouragement derived to 
our agriculture, arts, manufactures, and commerce, 
and a view tothe protected enjoyment of their thus 
acquired productions, calls forth an energy in the 
human mind obvioufly by no other means to be 
excited; and ftimulates it to all ufeful attempts, in a 
way never to be equalled without fuch incentive. 
. The 
