Xll INTRODUCTION. 



is prefumed the confequence will then be,a fufficient convic- 

 tion, in the majority of Parliament, to infure ultimate fuccefs! 

 It will not be difbelieved by the candid reader, that there is 

 in this Society a very refpe(5lable number of Gentlemen, 

 whofe talent* and praflical purfuits had qualified them to 

 form a found opinion : and that the almoft unanimous vote 

 of the large annual meeting of 1795, in favour of the peti- 

 tion, was in itfelf a flrong proof of the propriety of the ftep 

 they took. Fortified by fuch immediate authority, it will 

 not be deemed prefumptuous in the writer of this intro- 

 duiSlion, if he ufes the fanction he poflefTcs, and indulges a 

 little of the ardour of his own mind, in here difcufling a 

 fubjed, which he has much at heart, and about which his 

 thoughts have been ncceflarlly employed. It is certain that 

 though in the late alarming dearnefs of provifions, and of 

 bread-corn efpecially, a large majority of our country- 

 men feemed decided in opinion, that a general inclofure 

 "would infure the greatefl: improvement of wafte and neg- 

 lected lands ; fome few pcrlbns of good fenfe, and much 

 philanthropy, are continuing to doubt the wifdom of the 

 meafure in queftion. 



When we confider that fuch is the imperfection of hu- 

 man reafon, that a diverfity of opinion has prevailed on 

 almofl e\ ery fubject which has engaged general notice, how- 

 ever clear and obvious it may have been to the common 

 fenfe of mankind; it will not appear marvellous that this 

 attempt (hould not have furnilhed an exception. But we 

 owe to the caufe even of abftra£t truth, many occafional 

 endeavours to fet it in a clear light ; and to a fubjeiSt fo 

 much connected with practical advantage and comfort, we 

 certainly owe our endeavours to divefl; it as much as we 

 can of uncertainty, and thofe errors in wliich inattention or 



prejudice 



