[ 378 3 



are hurtful to the labouring intcrefl of the king- 

 dom, when it is plainly proved that the contrary 

 is the fa<St, many thoufands of poor people being 

 employed by their means, which would not have 

 had it in their power to get employment otherwife ; 

 confequently many of thofe would have been charge- 

 able to their refpedlive parifhes, who now are ufe- 

 ful members of Society. 



If all men who are capable of combining mecha- 

 nick powers, i'o as to make ufeful improvements 

 in machines for various purpofes, fliould agree in 

 fcntiment with thofe inconfiderate arguers, who ob- 

 frinatcly perlift in uling only thofe implements 

 which long cuftom has rendered moft familiar to 

 them, there would be a total flop put to all 

 mechanical improvements whatever; for furely no 

 man would be at the expence of time, labour, and 

 materials, in improving or inventing machines to 

 expedite labour, cither in agriculture or mechanics, 

 which would fatisfy the ingenious enquiring part 

 of mankind only, when, by the fallacious arguings 

 of others, they are fure to be oppofed, and find only 

 difappointment, in their labour and expence, for 

 the pains taken in endeavouring to ferve the pub- 

 lick. But it frequently happens, that the more 

 utility a new invention is of to the publick, the 

 more numerous are its oppofers; aiid the proprietor 

 iTieets with almoft infurmountablc difficulties, be- 

 fore 



