C 160 3 



be owing to feme other caufe than that above-t 

 mentioned, which operates flowlyi if at all, and is 

 not perceivable in lefs time than a century. -''- 



If the quantity of corn and provifiohs at market 

 always bore the fame proportion to the demand 

 there is for them, the price would be always inva- 

 riably and unchangeably the fame. The variation 

 of prices therefore is governed by the variation Of 

 the faid proportion. If the demand be greater, 

 and the quantity the fame, or the demand the fame, 

 and the quantity lefs, the price muft necelTarily ad- 

 vance j and vice verja^ if the quantity (liould in- 

 creafe, and the demand continue the fame, the 

 price muft as ncceffarily fall; and it is not in the 

 power of man to make it otherwife. But though 

 this immutable relation is beyond our power to 

 alter, we can by art and induftry increafe the quan- 

 tity, and thereby lower the price ; cheapnefs being 

 the infallible confequence of plenty, which is the 

 diredt objedt and effediof an improving cultivation. 

 This is a matter of great confequence to the poor 

 labourer, the manufaclurer, and merchant; and no 

 difadvantage to the grower; becaufe what he would 

 lofe by the fall of price, he would gain with intereft 

 by an increafe of quantity.* 



* This is not always the cafe. Of two profits tiom'matly equal, 

 that is to be preferred which is obtained with the leaji expence of 

 labour: — That which arifes from an increafe of quantity, is clogged 

 with the greatefl, and much more care and trouble 



