INTRODUCTION. Xxl 



evils, under this topic, of which we could have a reafonable 

 right to complain; or to which any warrantable re/iraining 

 policy could be directed. But we do not make this hypo- 

 thetical concelTion in favour of fo converting two millions 

 of acres, at any rifk of leflening the arable produce of this 

 country: — moil: certainly not ! To izvice the amount of this 

 quantity of additional pafture, we are warranted in contend- 

 ing that the country may go ; that it may be looked on 

 in the light of a m.oft valuable acquihtioa; and fhll only as 

 2i part oi 2. much greater, within our reach! — The waile 

 and uncultivated lands in England, Scotland, and Wales, 

 are fet down in the County Surveys, which do fo much 

 credit to the Board of Agriculture, at more than tiventy 

 viiUions of acres! Let us fuppofe that only one half of this 

 quantity is capable of being inclofed, and brought into new 

 cultivation ! On this hypothecs we can not only replace to 

 arable culture the two millions of acres, which a timorous 

 reafoner may fuppofe to have been mifapplied ; but, after 

 giving (if wanted) another two millions to-paflure, we (hall 

 have fix millions in ftore for the operation of the plough, 

 and to give additional labour for additional hundreds of 

 thoufands of peafantry, now fuppofed to be fcantily employed, 

 or who may hereafter be born into exiftence. To this con- 

 fideration may be added another, of no trivial importance, 

 viz. That by the inclofure and cultivation of one ten mil- 

 lions of acres, the other ten millions will become of double, 

 and perhaps treble the coafequence, from the local ufes to 

 which they may be gradually applied. 



Here let the philanthropic employ his mind, and antici- 

 pate new encouragements to the virtue and endearments of 

 conjugal union^ — now, alas ! but too lamentably obftrufled, 

 to the gradual declenfion of national ftrength, and of mo- 



rajtv, 



